Online and in the shops

GROWING IDEA: Gardening is a fun activity for children and growing their own can tempt event the pickiest of eaters to try more foods. 

GroMór is a new campaign launched in 65 garden centres around the country for gardening novices, particularly first-time buyers and young families, who are keen to grow their own flowers and food, but don’t know where to begin.

The website, www.gromor.ie , has advice on what to grow and when to sow, including some of the easiest things to grow on a windowsill, balcony or in the garden and experts will also be on hand in each participating garden centre to answer questions.

EXAM TENSION:

Students revising for end of term and State exams, may be finding it difficult to switch off and get a good night’s sleep. Irish Botanica Valerian, €14.99, is a herbal medicine that can be used for the temporary relief of nervous tension and to aid sleep, which can be taken by students aged 12 and over.

It also has a calming effect on muscles and can relieve cramps, including digestive upset. Valerian is one of three supplements recommended by Wicklow-based natural health company Naturalife to support students during exam time, along with Krill Oil for concentration, €19.99, and Power Greens, €14.99, to boost energy, which are available from pharmacies and health stores; www.naturalife.ie

Cuddly companion:

The Sorgenfresser soft toy came to life one night when German inventor Gerd Hahn was kept awake and longed for a monster to appear and eat away his worries.

A few mock-ups later, Saggo Sorgenfresser, a cuddly companion capable of digesting worries of all shapes and sizes, was sitting on his desk. Sorgenfresser Worry Eaters are now Germany’s best-selling soft toy and you’ll find them not just in children’s bedrooms but on office desks and student digs.

Introduced here in 2013, they are growing in popularity and were the best-selling soft toy in Easons last Christmas, where they cost €26.99 for the regular size and €19.99 for the junior version; www.sorgenfresser.com

Baby textiles:

Elephants, some of the most caring mothers in the animal kingdom, are the inspiration for designer Silke Leffler’s Chamtroll baby textile collection for IKEA.

Made of cotton and lyocell in soft beige and white, the collection includes sleeping bags, blankets, a terry towel, cot skirt, bed canopy and a soft toy elephant, from €4; www.ikea.ie