Foodie Friday | Fudge Kitchen review | AKA The Best Luxury Artisan Fudge in the UK

Need a sweet pick-me-up? Fudge has always been a real nostalgic treat for me and I've been searching for the best fudge in the UK for a while. Guess what? I think I've finally found the holy grail of all luxury, artisan fudge thanks to Fudge Kitchen.

Scattered across six different locations across the UK, Fudge Kitchen has been making handmade fudge since 1983 which is always a good indicator of a successful business in these chaotic times we live in. And when I say handmade, I really do mean handmade; they've gone viral online for showcasing their 'theatre for fudge', where you can see their makers pour incredible mixtures (based on traditional recipes from the 1800's) over Italian marble tables and shape it into the most incredible fudge you'll ever taste in your life.

You'll find Fudge Kitchen in tourist hotspots such as Bath, York, and Edinburgh, and fudge addicts can even book onto courses to learn how to make fudge in their stores. For those not near a bricks and mortar shop, don't despair because you can order Fudge Kitchen online and have it delivered straight to your door. Perfect for birthday gifts and special treats!

Having sampled this holy grail fudge in their Bath store, I had to order some more as soon as I got home. Fashioned into thick slabs (this really is a million miles away from any other kind of fudge I've tried in the past)  and made with only minimal natural ingredients, they have a delectable range of flavours to choose from so there's something for everyone. 

From classic favourites such as Clotted Cream and Sea Salt Caramel, to experimental delights like Sticky Toffee Pudding and Pina Colada, you are truly spoilt for choice. There are also special seasonal additions available throughout the year; Eton Mess is the current one as a celebration for Wimbledon, and I'm happy to say that vegans are catered for as well with Fudge Kitchen's unique vegan recipes.

I highly recommend the 'Build A Box' option which allows you to choose five flavours and arrives beautifully packaged with no plastic. As soon as I opened the package, I could smell the heavenly sweet fragrance of butter and sugar, and I couldn't wait to sample everything!

Chocolate & Orange Vegan Fudge

Chocolate and orange is just one of those classic, to-die-for flavour combinations that I can never get enough of. Here Fudge Kitchen has created a vegan, dairy-free version made from a finely honed sugar-crafting technique that incorporates ingredients such as oats and oat drink to form the base. I have tried some different brands of vegan fudge in the past and I have to admit, they have been disappointing, but it's safe to say that Fudge Kitchen has truly nailed its vegan recipe here with a smooth, dense, creamy texture that doesn't feel bitty or gritty like others do. As expected, this Chocolate Orange Vegan Fudge is a dream come true; not too sweet, very chocolatey and with a good dose of orange mixed in.

Creamy Coffee Fudge

I'm one of those people who doesn't drink coffee but loves the coffee-flavoured things (bizarre I know!), and this Creamy Coffee Fudge hits the spot perfectly. The buttery texture melts in your mouth and the infusion of coffee is strong, but not overpowering if that makes any sense. Absolutely superb and one of my favourite flavours.

Peanut Butter Vegan Fudge

Following on from the success of the Chocolate & Orange Vegan Fudge, my attention quickly turned to the moreish Peanut Butter Vegan Fudge which is another culinary winner. I'm a huge fan of peanut butter so this was an easy choice to win me over with, but again, that unique dairy-free texture is so impressive. I particularly enjoyed the crunchy pieces of peanuts which kept my tastebuds interested with every bite.

Chocolate Swirl Fudge

Imagine a classic clotted cream recipe with a generous swirl of chocolate sauce and real chocolate chunks added and this is what you get. Beautifully buttery and creamy, this one had a slightly softer and subtly chewier texture than the previous flavours, with that insane melt-in-your-mouth quality. This one was very popular with everyone who tried it!

Butter Pecan Fudge

Saving the very best til last, the Butter Pecan Fudge is what sweet dreams are made of. My goodness! This is the flavour that I sampled in their Bath store, so of course I had to purchase another slab of it because the first one didn't last long! Butter Pecan is just sublime with a rich, nutty flavour, coupled with caramel, sugar and butter, and a dense, yet slightly crumbly texture. Heaven on earth right here.

Fudge Kitchen's Build A Box costs £20 for five thick slabs plus shipping - order online & discover more sweet treats at fudgekitchen.co.uk

Do you love fudge?

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Foodie Friday | BRAVE Crunchy Peas | Great Taste Award Winning Healthy Vegan Snacks review

Say hello to the delicious, healthy, plant-based crunchy snack that you need to have in your bag or desk drawer. Meet BRAVE Crunchy Peas; my latest snack obsession to help beat those 3pm energy crashes.

Snacks are an essential part of my daily diet, so much so, that I love nothing more than discovering new snack options when I'm at the supermarket or health food store. Although not a new creation, BRAVE burst onto the healthy snacks market a couple of years ago and has been snapping up Great Taste Awards ever since, so I thought it was time to give them a go.

The overall aim of BRAVE is to promote healthy snacks as an alternative to the dreaded energy 'crash', This is where you're caught in a vicious cycle of craving unhealthy sugary snacks, end up eating said sugary or high carb snacks, suffer spikes in your blood sugar, and then miserably experience an energy/blood sugar levels crash until the craving/cycle begins again. Not only is this bad in the short term by leaving you feeling hungry and tired, but in the long term it can lead to weight gain and Type 2 Diabetes. It's not fun whichever way you look at it!

Help is on hand from BRAVE though as their snacks are formulated to be 'clean energy' for your body, so they won't make you crash and don't mess up your blood sugar levels. Instead, you can enjoy munching on healthy snacks that keep you fuller for longer, provide you with long-lasting energy and give you better mental focus and clarity. 

Each pack of BRAVE Crunchy Peas provides around 133 calories, 7g of plant-based protein to keep you satiated, and 7g of fiber for a happy gut. The tasty Yellow Split Peas are roasted so you get a really satisfying crunchy texture. With flavours such as Sea Salt & Vinegar, Paprika & Chilli and Sour Cream & Chive, you could easily swap these for your regular pack of crisps and not really miss out! For sweet tooth fans, they also have the super moreish Chocolate & Salted Caramel flavour which is definitely a must-try.

BRAVE Crunchy Peas* available from various stockists or shop online at bravefoods.co.uk

What are your favourite healthy snacks?

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Foodie Friday: Doughlicious Dough Chi - Blueberry Frozen Yoghurt & Vegan Chocolate Truffle review (a Gluten-Free alternative to Mochi!)

 

So you've probably already tried the popular Mochi Ice Cream (those Tik-Tok famous delicious balls of ice cream wrapped in glutinous rice), but have tried Dough Chi? This gluten-free alternative to Mochi is just as delicious, and the perfect new treat for your bank holiday weekend!

I first saw Doughlicious Dough Chi on offer on the Ocado app recently, and already being a big fan of Mochi Ice Cream, I decided that I had to see what this mini dessert was like. 

I couldn't quite picture what it would taste like in my head - would it melt quickly and go soft, or would the cookie dough keep it firm? My interest was piqued and I added two flavours to my next online shop.

What is Dough Chi?

Dough Chi by Doughlicious are small flavoured ice cream balls that are wrapped in a layer of cookie dough. They're free from GMOs, gluten and palm-oil. Depending on which flavour you get, they're roughly around 100 or so calories and around 5g of fat per ball so not bad macro-wise if you want a sweet treat after a meal.

First impressions
Packaged in a similar fashion to ice cream mochi, Dough Chi comes in packs of six. Straight out of the freezer they are quite hard as you'd expect with a powdered coating - I'd recommend leaving them out for a minute or so to soften at room temperature.

Flavours & Tasting

Doughlicious have a small range of flavours to choose from including Blueberry Frozen Yoghurt, Dulce de Leche, to Birthday Cake and straight-up Chocolate. Everything is suitable for vegetarians and there are two flavours that are dairy-free and vegan-friendly (Chocolate Truffle and Chocolate Chip).

I tried the Blueberry Frozen Yoghurt which to me, has strong cheesecake vibes; in fact it was very much like eating small balls of frozen blueberry cheesecake! The cookie dough coating was a little gritty, but I liked how it wasn't overly sweet. By contrast, I found the vegan Chocolate Truffle to be much richer and more decadent - this flavour was pure chocolate heaven with a much smoother cookie dough layer. Like the Blueberry Dough Chi, the focus was less on the sweet side and more on the rich dark cocoa flavours. Yum!

Overall thoughts

Although these are an expensive dessert at £4.50 per pack, I'd definitely pick up the vegan Chocolate Truffle flavour again the next time I saw it on offer and it's great to see more high-quality gluten-free desserts on the market.

Discover Doughlicious Dough-Chi at ocado.com

Have you found any new desserts that you're loving lately?

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Foodie Friday: Look, Stop, Swap Box review from Dr. Wills & Friends

 

We all know that we should be eating a lot less sugar, but sometimes it's overwhelming when you're in the supermarket and looking at the labels of everything that you normally buy. Sugar seems to be everything! Luckily, Dr. Will's has made life somewhat easier with his Look, Stop, Swap Box, which has been curated with some yummy food and drink swaps to get you started.

Obesity continues to be one of the biggest health problems facing our society, and childhood obesity, in particular, has been increasing in the UK. Recent statistics show that one in five children will now be overweight by the time they start school, and this figure rises to one in three when they reach the age of 10 years. 

Dr. Will's is one such medical professional who has seen firsthand the damaging health effects of obesity, so much so, that he's been leading the charge with educating parents about the dangers of sugar. As a doctor, dad and co-founder of Dr. Will's, he has joined forces with other like minded brands to curate a Look, Stop, Swap Box, as well as publishing a whitepaper which you can read here.

Here's what's inside the box (all products are full size!):-

Dr. Will's All Natural Tomato Ketchup

Let's start with Dr. Will's' very own All Natural Tomato Ketchup. A 2020 Great Taste Award winner, this ketchup is naturally sweetened with just 3.5 dates, versus the staggering 19 cubes of white sugar that's found in mainstream ketchup brands! Not only does this bring down the calories, but it still tastes sweet and is packed full of juicy vine-ripened tomatoes. Vegan and keto friendly, this ketchup is also gluten-free.

Tweek Fruity Fresh Gummies

Sweets are of course usually always loaded with sugar so these Tweek Fruity Fresh Gummies are a delicious alternative. Made with 95% less sugars and 45% less calories, they are high in fibre and full of natural fruit flavours. The texture of them is a little harder, yet they're still a very satisfying fruity sweet when you have those cravings for something for chewy. It's worth noting however that they do contain bovine gelatine which makes them unsuitable for vegetarians and vegans unfortunately.

Spoon Granola Cinnamon + Pecan

Eating sugary cereals has been proven to mess up your metabolism so a swap to a sugar-free breakfast is a wise one! I absolutely love this Spoon Granola which is high in fibre, vegan friendly and gluten-free. It tastes just like homemade granola with chunky pieces of pecans, crispy coconut bits and a moreish sprinkling of cinnamon. You won't find any refined sugar in here, just a little natural maple and date Syrup.

Manilife Original Roast Crunchy Peanut Butter

Another easy swap is peanut butter and there are now so many brands of natural peanut butters out there which are sugar free. For one that has a real rich depth of flavour, you can't go wrong with Manilife Original Roast Crunchy Peanut Butter. It's made simply from just two ingredients; hi-oleic peanuts and a sprinkling of salt, that's it. This peanut butter is seriously god-tier stuff, no wonder it won a Great Taste Award back in 2019! 

Well & Truly Crunchies Banging BBQ + The Curators Original Salted Pork Puffs

Next up, I found two bags of savoury snacks. I don't think many people realise just how much sugar is hidden in regular packets of crisps, but once you start to check the backs of those packets, it's quite eye-opening. Instead, why not try Well & Truly Crunchies Banging BBQ - a tasty baked corn snack that's under 150 calories per bag and 40% less fat than similar snacks. It's also all-natural, vegan and gluten-free.

Meat eaters will no doubt enjoy The Curators Original Salted Pork Puffs which boasts 18g of protein and 134 calories per bag. Handmade in the UK, they are a lighter alternative to pork scratchings.

Nix & Kix Sparkling Mango Ginger Drink

The last product is a can of Nix & Kix Sparkling Mango Ginger Drink which helps to represent the big wide world of sugar-free drinks that's only growing in popularity as people cut down on their sugar intake. 100% natural, this drink has a refreshing and fruity flavour of mango and ginger, with a little zingy kick to it thanks to a pinch of cayenne.

Dr. Will's Look, Stop, Swap Box is currently on sale for a bargain £6 with free delivery! Buy your box online whilst stocks last at dr-wills.com

Are you actively cutting down on your daily sugar intake?

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Foodie Friday: Chocolate with Health Benefits from The Wizards Magic

 

Chocolate, glorious, chocolate! Who doesn't love indulging in a bar of chocolate? Well, how about if that bar of chocolate had health benefits? Yes, really! The Wizards Magic have just done that and waved their magic wands over their amazing bars of yummy chocolate!

Based in York, England, The Wizards Magic has created a scrumptious chocolate bar brand with a difference. Their USP is that their chocolate has superpowers; well, OK, not exactly superpowers per se, but certain health benefits that one might not be accustomed to finding in a bar of regular chocolate.

At the heart of their business is a core of ethical sourcing that works with the Cocoa Horizons Foundation to ensure that West African cocoa farmers are protected and supported financially and within their communities. The cocoa beans are then shipped off to Belgium to be crafted into some of the finest bars by expert chocolatiers. 

But back to the magical health benefits...

The Wizards Magic has a range of clinically approved chocolate bars that helps to boost immunity, thanks to the addition of carefully chosen essential oils and superfoods such as Vitamin K2, Vitamin D3, and Coenzyme Q10. 

Ever curious, I tried two of these bars in the Orange and Caramel flavours; both of which tasted like luxury, high quality milk chocolate. There's definitely a subtle 'tang' to them which I assume is the added vitamins etc, but it doesn't distract from the smooth milkiness of the chocolate which melts in your mouth, and I particularly enjoyed the Caramel flavour which was decadently rich and almost truffle-like.

In addition to the Immunity chocolates, The Wizards Magic has chocolate infused with other superfoods like CBD, Lions Mane, Manuka Honey, Wolf Berry and more. 

Dairy-free or vegan? There are some excellent plant-based, dairy-free chocolates available too such as the Orange flavour above (these are packaged in green card to help customers distinguish them from the rest of the range), however, I must point out that these sadly lack the added health benefits. That said, they are some of the best vegan chocolate that I've tried with a base of silky smooth rice milk and a velvety texture.

Shop the full range at thewizardsmagic.com

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Foodie Friday: Mr. Popple's Chocolate review - Raw, Organic, Vegan & Ethical #GiftGuide

 

Calling all fellow chocoholics - this post is especially for you! Dive into the scrumptious world of Mr. Popple's Chocolate and discover some of the best raw, organic, and vegan chocolate that I've ever had the pleasure of trying.

Chocolate is, of course, a very easy product to review, but it's not always the easiest to shop for these days. With increasing awareness about child labour, slavery and environmental destruction being linked to the process of making chocolate, it's more important than ever to make ethical choices for both people and the planet.

This is why I'm pleased to feature Mr. Popple's Chocolate as the first addition to my Christmas Gift Guide for 2021!

Why You Should Buy Mr. Popple's Chocolate

Mr. Popple's Chocolate is a proper bean-to-bar chocolate that's handcrafted using raw Criolla Cacao which is fairly traded in partnership with a local farmer's co-op in Peru. Not only is the cacao sustainably grown in the Amazon rainforest where no trees are cut down to farm it, but it's also higher in antioxidants and polyphenols than the leading dark chocolate brands (as tested by Oxford Brookes University).  

Using high-quality organic ingredients, the bars are handmade without any cheap refined sugars or fats, instead letting the flavour of the raw cacao do all the talking. A little sweetness is added with low GI Yacon Syrup or Coconut Blossom Sugar, so this chocolate is great for those who are keeping an eye on their sugar levels.

Mr. Popple's Chocolate is completely plant-based and free from the top 14 allergens including dairy, soya, gluten and nuts which means it can be enjoyed by everyone. 

That's not all! These chocolate bars are wrapped in plastic-free compostable packaging and are free from palm oil to be kinder to the planet.

There are currently seven different flavours in the main range to explore plus some special limited edition bars. Personally, I'm not much of a fan of dark chocolate, but if you are, Mr. Popple's have 88% and 100% raw chocolate bars available for those who like the really dark stuff. 

Signature Seventy

Mr Popple's original raw chocolate sensation, the Signature Seventy is 70% raw cacao, sweetened with Yacon Syrup and a touch of creamy Lucuma Fruit. It's as dark as I like my chocolate to be, and has a wonderful rich quality to it.

Dark Mylk

For something creamier but that still possesses that rich dark quality, the Dark Mylk bar is a real treat. A combination of Hemp and Rice Milks has been added to 61% raw cacao with a little golden Coconut Sugar for a truly indulgent result.

Creamy Mylk

Gloriously smooth and silky, the Creamy Mylk is one of those vegan chocolates where you have to double-check the packet just to make sure it doesn't contain any dairy as it tastes so similar to the real thing. With 43% raw cacao, this one has a proper moreish mouthfeel and it's the perfect choice for those who enjoy high-quality raw chocolate but prefer something milkier and sweeter.

Pumpkin Spice

A special limited-edition flavour, Pumpkin Spice is an additive blend of 43% raw cacao with a cosy mix of Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg and Cloves layered over creamy Hemp and Rice milks. I love seasonal flavours like this so stock up and pop them into your Santa stockings!

Euphoric Orange

Back to the darker quantities, Euphoric Orange is a festive choice for this time of the year with 70% raw cacao, Sweet Orange Oil and a little Yacon Syrup and another personal favourite of mine.

Uplifting Mint

To round off, I had to include Uplifting Mint which in my opinion is equally as festive as chocolate orange. It has a similar composition with 70% raw cacao and an interesting twist of Lime that fits nicely with the Mint Oil.

Mr. Popple's Chocolate Bars* (pictured above are 35g bars, £2.19 each) are available from mrpoppleschocolate.co.uk

Are you buying chocolate treats this year?

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Sustainable Lifestyle: WaxWrap Beeswax Cotton Food Bags & Wraps #PlasticFree

 

It's never been easier to make small, sustainable swaps that add up to make a big difference, especially when it comes to replacing those everyday single-use items with plastic-free reusable alternatives. My latest swap? Ditching plastic cling film and aluminium foil for eco-friendly, beeswax cotton wraps and food bags!

OK, so I'm a bit late to the party as these beeswax food wraps & bags have been gaining in popularity for quite some time now, but after 18 months of Covid and various lockdowns, it's only been recently that I've decided to invest in some as we're finally moving from WFH life back to the office.

If you're new to beeswax cotton food bags and wraps, they are basically an eco-friendly, plastic-free, reusable alternative to cling film and aluminium foil. Available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, colours and patterns, they're a fun and practical way to inject some colour into your kitchen and lunchbox, whilst helping to save the planet at the same time by reducing how much rubbish you're throwing out. It's a win-win all round!

Each brand is different of course, but generally speaking, these products are usually made from a piece of organic cotton that has been coated in beeswax and often has other natural ingredients added such as pine resin and plant-based oils to help improve their flexibility. 

Why is Beeswax used? 

Beeswax is naturally antibacterial making it the perfect ingredient to create a hygienic environment for food storage without the need for any harsh chemicals to be added. There are, however, vegan-friendly alternatives starting to appear on the market so keep your eyes peeled for those if you want a product that doesn't contain beeswax. For now, though, I'll keep the focus on the ones that I've been trialling from WaxWrap.

WaxWrap 3 Beeswax Organic Cotton Food Wraps* (£16, link)

Made from 100% natural ingredients, these Food Wraps are crafted from organic cotton cloth that's been dipped into a mixture of beeswax, pine resin and jojoba oil to keep food fresh. The cloth is Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 approved which means that it bears non-toxic textile ink that meets strict environmental and social standards. 

This pack contains three different sizes so you can choose the wrap that's most suited to your needs and using them is super easy. Simply rub the cloth between your hands to lightly warm the wax which makes it more pliable to form, and then wrap it around anything you like! The wraps are waterproof, self-adhesive and allow the food to breathe so you'll find things like cut fruit and veg will last a lot longer than when it's wrapped in single-use clingfilm or foil. 

After use, wash the wrap with cold water and eco-friendly washing liquid and allow to air dry, or pat dry with a cotton towel and then reuse. WaxWrap states that their products are reusable for over a year if maintained properly and to extend its life you can re-soak the cloth in wax again. At the end of its life, you can compost them where they will naturally biodegrade.

WaxWrap 3 Beeswax Organic Cotton Food Bags* (£22.50, link)

Are you someone who takes sandwiches to college/Uni or work every day? If so, these Food Bags are the perfect eco-friendly alternative for you! Like the wraps above, they are made from the exact same natural materials but are stitched at the sides and feature a foldable pouch for you to easily store your sandwiches and other food items inside. They're also waterproof and self-adhesive so you don't have to worry about your food spilling out during your travels - great for picnics and holidays!

This pack from WaxWrap features three different sizes with a small, medium and large-sized bag to suit all needs and appetites. I particularly love the fun banana print and I've already received so many compliments and questions about them from colleagues who have been quite intrigued when they've seen me take them out of my lunchbox. What a fantastic way to start an engaging conversation on the environment ;)

Overall Thoughts

Like most eco-friendly alternatives, WaxWrap food bags and wraps may seem quite expensive at first, but the joy of using something that doesn't harm the environment, nor adds to the landfill and plastic pollution problem, far outweighs the financial investment. Do some good for the planet and ditch single-use cling film and aluminium foil forever!

What eco-friendly swaps have you done recently?

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Health & Lifestyle: Salad: Good Health In A Bowl #AD

 

A healthy meal doesn’t have to be boring. Yes, you read it right. Not because you don’t like vegetables or certain kinds of food, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t a bowl of salad for you. Salad is one of the most flexible food recipes in the world. Whether you’re a vegetarian, pescatarian, or eat a mix of everything, one way or another, there is a salad recipe that suits you. It can be a mix of everything or simply put the ingredients that match your diet or preference. It’s like a complete DIY kit for healthy living. Here are some ingredients that you can add to be part of your healthy bowl of goodness.

Raw greens are usually the base of a salad. You would want greens that are crispy and vibrant without any signs of wilting or yellowing. The most popular greens are lettuce. You may opt for leaf lettuce or romaine lettuce as they’re the ones that are richer in vitamins.

Fresh fruits can be very flexible. Aside from being a healthy snack or dessert, you can also incorporate them in your salad. Some of the common fruits mixed in salads are apples, oranges, pomegranates, or you can also squeeze some lemon juice into your mixture.

Other vegetables are commonly the body of a salad. While greens are also vegetables, there are other colourful gifts of nature that you can mix in your salad to make them more colourful and healthier. Some common vegetables are carrots, cucumbers, onions, mushrooms, and peppers.

Nuts and seeds are a great addition to your salads. They are tasty and add crunch to your meal. Both are packed with protein fibres, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fat, too. They also help with weight loss as they can help burn fats and regulate your food intake. Common nuts in the salad are almonds, pistachios, cashews, and walnuts, while some seeds that are usually added are pumpkin seeds and chia seeds.

Beans and legumes are packed with nutrients that can be a good staple in your healthy diet. They help lower blood pressure, blood sugar, and heart diseases. They are also rich in antioxidants that fight other diseases and ageing. You can add black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, and many others for added texture, flavour, and nutrients.

Cheese is an excellent source of calcium, protein, and fat, aside from the added flavour contributing to a salad. You can use goat cheese, feta cheese, parmesan, or cheddar cheese, depending on your preference, but any of them makes a good pair with any salads.

Proteins like meat complement salads well. By adding protein to your salad, you are making it a more filling meal. You may use red meat, chicken, hard-boiled egg, or fish as your protein. It is essential to keep in mind to opt for lean meat for a healthier choice.

Dressings

Creating delicious dressings for your salad is crucial as it will enhance the flavour of your chosen mixture of vegetables, fruits, proteins, and other components. Aside from adding value to its appearance, salad dressing also helps digestion. There are three main types of salad dressing that you can choose from.

Vinaigrette is a mixture of oil, vinegar, herbs, spice, salt, and pepper. While you can decide what ingredients to use to make your vinaigrette, using healthy options will give you more benefits. You can opt for extra virgin olive oil for extra flavour for oils, or you can use canola oil for a light and neutral-flavoured oil.

The creamy dressing uses mayonnaise, yoghurt, sour cream, or milk as a base. Many people love creamy food, and if you are one of those people, this kind of dressing will enhance your salad game. There are many kinds of cream that you can use as a base, but you can choose yoghurt if you are cutting calories. It contains low calories and fat than the others, and it is also higher in protein.

Cooked dressing resembles a creamy consistency, but instead of using a creamy base, it uses cooked egg to thicken the mixture. It may also contain vinegar, flour, mustard, salt, pepper, and butter, depending on how you want your dressing to taste. You can skip putting hard-boiled eggs in your salad if you are opting for this kind of dressing. Always remember to include healthy ingredients like light butter for less saturated fat and calories.

Add-ons:

To maximise the benefits you are getting in your salad bowl, you can add these supplements to your salad dressing for additional health benefits.

Turmeric

You may have heard of this spice as part of Asian cooking being a common ingredient in curries. But aside from its wide use in cooking, this root is packed with curcumin widely used to make medicines. It is said to help manage pain and inflammation, high cholesterol, liver disease, heartburn, and stress. One way to add healthy benefits to your bowl of salad is to add turmeric powder to your salad dressings. Just add a teaspoon and your salad is healthier than ever.

CBD oil

Cannabidiol or more commonly known as CBD oil, is extracted from the hemp plant. Although it comes from the family of Cannabis, this excellent oil natural supplement does not cause psychoactive effects. Instead, it is believed to be packed with many therapeutic benefits. Many people use CBD oil for pain relief, inflammation, stress, anxiety, and management of other health conditions. Aside from these benefits, you can also use CBD oil for general wellness. Adding a few drops of CBD oil to your salad dressing will add more health benefits to both your body and mind.

Ashwagandha

Aside from helping your body fight stress, ashwagandha is also packed with other health benefits. It has been used for centuries to enhance concentration, increase energy in the body, lower blood sugar levels, and boost testosterone levels. It is rich in withanolides which helps manage inflammation and tumour growth. A tablespoon of ashwagandha in your salad dressing can make a difference and provide additional therapeutic benefits.

Chaga Powder

Chaga is a kind of mushroom that has been used for centuries for medicinal use. Due to its antioxidant properties, it is said to help manage blood sugar, inflammation, and cholesterol levels. It is also believed that it has the ability to fight cancer. You can mix a teaspoon of Chaga powder in your salad dressing for added benefits.

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Foodie Friday: Making Cacao Boost Porridge Squares & Superberries Parfait with Bioglan Superfoods

The Bank Holiday weekend has arrived, and I've teamed up with Bioglan Superfoods to make two of their super easy-to-follow recipes for some tasty healthy treats that you can share with your friends and family.

Superfood Powder Blends

If you follow me on Instagram, you'll know that I love making things like smoothies and baking healthy sweet treats, and you guys know how much I love a good superfood blend! Bioglan Superfoods have an impressive range to choose from, and their superfood powder blends are so versatile and easy to add to any recipe for a big health boost.

They kindly sent me two vegan-friendly blends to try out recently; Cacao Boost and Superberries, and let me tell you - these are delicious!

Bioglan Superfoods Cacao Boost* (70g, £9.99, link)

Cacao Boost is for all you chocolate fans out there. Featuring an organic mix of Cacao Powder, Lucuma Powder, Hemp Protein Powder, and Maca Powder, each 10g serving gives you a good source of Copper, Manganese, and Magnesium, to help reduce tiredness and fatigue. It has a sweet malty, chocolatey caramel flavour so it lends itself well to baking and can be used as a healthy substitute for cocoa powder in things like muffins, brownies and cupcakes. Yum!

Cacao Boost Portable Porridge Squares (makes 12)

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 50g hazelnuts or almonds, chopped
• 375ml almond or oat milk
• 225g oats
• 60ml maple syrup
• 4 tablespoons Bioglan Superfoods Cacao Boost

Method

• Preheat the oven to 180C / Gas Mark 4 and line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.
• Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl until well combined and pour into the tray.
• Place in the oven for 15 minutes until set and allow to cool.
• Once cool, slice into squares - enjoy!

Bioglan Superfoods Superberries* (70g, £9.99, link)

For a fruity treat, you can't beat awesome Superberries. Specially formulated to support your immune system, this blend has a superstar lineup of berries such as Goji, Açai, Blueberry, Acerola Cherry, Strawberry, Redcurrant, Montmorency Cherry, Pomegranate and Bilberry, plus Beetroot for even more antioxidants. Needless to say, each 10g serving contains a whopping 80% of your RDA of Vitamin C and 25% each of Vitamin K, Folic Acid, Magnesium, and Manganese. 

Superberries tastes a little tart which means it's great in smoothies or added to pancake batter and fruity breakfast muffins. You can also try it in this delicious Parfait recipe.

Superberries Parfait (serves 10)

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1.5kg Greek yoghurt or a dairy-free alternative
• 330g frozen mixed berries
• 4 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp Bioglan Superfoods Superberries

Method

• Line a loaf tin with cling film.
• Add the mashed bananas to a large bowl and then stir in the yoghurt with the maple syrup. 
• Add the frozen berries and Superberries powder, stirring until combined.
• Pour into the loaf tin, cover with cling film and freeze for at least 6 hours until set.
• Before serving, leave the parfait out to stand for 15-20 mins, remove from the tin and peel off the cling film.
• Top with fresh berries if desired, slice and serve - enjoy!

Shop the full range of Bioglan Superfoods online at bioglansuperfoods.co.uk

Have you tried any superfood blends?

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Foodie Friday: 5 Tips All Vegan Beginners Must Follow #AD

Veganism is based solely on a plant-based diet. It is a diet from which all foods of animal origin are strictly excluded. While dairy products and eggs are also present in the vegetarian diet, which in turn depends on each individual, the vegan diet is clear - none of the above is consumed, and includes, of course, the elimination of animal products. Among other things, no honey is allowed, and most vegans also avoid wearing clothing and footwear made of animal fur, leather, feathers, and silk. 

Are you thinking of becoming vegan? Read our tips below which will help you turn your great decision into reality.

How to start a vegan diet

You don’t need to become vegan overnight. For many, the transition to veganism is quite difficult, because, in addition to meat, you should also throw out milk, eggs, cheese and other similar products. If you are in this group, try to make the transition easier by throwing the food out one by one. It is recommended to throw out the red meat first, then the chicken, and finally the fish. Finally, leave the milk, eggs, and cheese. The point is that there is no one right path, but it depends on you, your tastes, and habits. Choose the transition that will be easiest for you.

Vegan meat replacement

Although various vegan meat substitutes usually include soy steaks, flakes, chunks, burgers, seitan, and tofu, there is no need to consume them too often. Include them occasionally in your diet and you’ll discover how many meat substitutes can be just as delicious if seasoned well. Prepare soy steaks in a marinade of soy sauce and various spices as desired or check out what's the healthiest rice with which you can make many different dishes.

Friends, colleagues, relatives

Some vegans have experienced many disappointments by switching to a vegan lifestyle, and some have lost many friends. This can happen for many reasons and in many ways. It is possible that these friends were anti-vegan or you are too demanding and strict towards your environment. In the first case, consider that you are winning, and in the second case, I suggest that you read why you should not blame people close to you for their carnism.

Be a change, but don't impose your beliefs

At first, you might encounter a misunderstanding of family, friends, and the environment. They probably won’t understand you at first, will make jokes with you, and engage in discussions. But over time, being vegan will become normal and no one will point it out anymore as something weird or different. Refrain from arguing. No one likes moralizing and imposing. Be understanding and share information with your interlocutor. If you’ve noticed that the conversation could go in a direction you don’t want, give up on further discussions. Debates about ethics never end well. It is important that you change because you have decided so yourself and that you do not impose it on others. With your consistent communication and example, you can influence others without difficult discussions and imposing your views. If someone is interested in a vegan diet, offer to send them links with important information and guidelines.

Supplements - one is mandatory

Although there are divided opinions on the internet and among vegans regarding supplementation, vitamin B12 is the only nutrient not found in plant-origin foods, unless it is enriched with it. Accordingly, vitamin B12 is the only nutrient that is recommended in the form of a supplement, as a spray/pill for all vegans, many vegetarians, and a few carnivores, especially those over 65 years of age.

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Foodie Friday: ZENB - Organic Plant-Based Snacks / Veggie Sticks review #HealthySnacks

 

Need some healthy plant-based snacks to get you through WFH life? These tasty new organic Veggie Sticks from ZENB will help you to get back on the healthy eating wagon and keep the cravings at bay so that you can get on with your work or study without a rumbling tummy.

Last month, I received a package through the letterbox from ZENB, an exciting new plant-based snacks brand who are doing their bit for reducing food waste by using as much of a whole vegetable as possible in their Veggie Sticks. 

This means that you'll find more of the vegetable's core, peel, seeds and stem in their snacks so not only will you benefit from consuming the extra fibre and nutrients found in these elements, but you're also preventing food waste at the same time. Win, win!

In fact, the name ZENB is inspired by the Japanese expression for 'whole' which is Zenbu - pretty clever, eh?

What Are They & What's In Them?

ZENB's Veggie Sticks focus on a whole vegetable which is blended with other natural ingredients such as Nuts, Cacao Nibs, Quinoa and Puffed Brown Rice, to add some extra crunch and texture to each bar. There's also some Date Syrup and Agave Syrup to help bind everything together and for a little sweetness too.

I was pleased to see that the ingredients used are certified Organic and that the Veggie Sticks are Gluten-Free, non-GMO, suitable for vegans and of course, have no artificial flavours or preservatives. 

There are four different flavours of Veggie Sticks to try; Red Pepper, Carrot, Pumpkin and Beetroot, and they're available to purchase in boxes of 4, 8 or 16, with variety packs and trial boxes also on offer.

What Do They Taste Like?

When I first opened the wrapper and checked out the ingredients label, I thought that these Veggie Sticks might be similar to other healthy plant-based snacks that I've tried in the past or regularly use such as Nakd, Nine, Trek or maybe even a Cliff Bar. But ZENB's snacks are rather different in the respect that they are much drier in consistency and have a coarser texture overall thanks to those extra 'rougher' ingredients of Nuts, Cacao Nibs and Puffed Brown Rice and Red Quinoa. 

These not only add a satisfying crunch but bring their own flavours to the mix, for example, the Beetroot Stick has Cacao Nibs in it which give the bar subtle coffee-flavoured notes, whilst the Pumpkin Stick has a pinch of Cinnamon for a more autumn/festive flavour. 

ZENB's Veggie Sticks make a welcome change from my usual Nakd bars, although I would recommend having a drink on hand as they are quite dry. Perhaps this is the reason why they are so enjoyable to have with a cup of coffee or tea first thing in the morning to get you prepped for the day ahead?

Room For Improvement?

One slight niggle that I couldn't forget to mention, however, is my disappointment with the plastic packaging of the snacks themselves (the letterbox packaging is wonderfully plastic-free). With such a strong focus on sustainability, it seems odd to me that ZENB has not addressed the obvious plastic elephant in the room - come on guys, how about ditching the plastic for a biodegradable alternative? 

Shop the full range of ZENB snacks at zenb.co.uk

Have you tried any new healthy snacks lately?

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