Health & Lifestyle | Optibac Every Day, Adult Gummies & Intimate Flora For Women Probiotics review

There's not a day that seems to go past without someone mentioning how they are improving their Gut Health on social media, and this post is yet another reminder of how important it is to look after your gut. In addition to eating a wide variety of different foods, taking probiotic supplements can also help to boost the number of friendly bacteria that live in your gut, thus helping to revitalise your overall health in the process.

What Are Probiotics?

First things first though, what exactly are probiotics? Probiotics are the name for the numerous strains of live bacteria and yeasts that live in your body. They can be found in lots of different foods that are mainly fermented or cultured in some way such as sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, kombucha, miso, tempeh, and certain types of yogurts. If you eat a healthy plant-based diet, you're probably already consuming a lot of these! 

Why Do We Need Probiotics?

Probiotics are essential to supporting a healthy digestive system; one easy way to remember them is to think of them as the 'good guys' as they are the friendly bacteria that we need to keep our gut nice and balanced. Unfortunately, many of us don't eat a varied diet in the Western world, and things like alcohol and junk/ultra-processed foods can upset the delicate balance of the good versus bad bacteria in the gut. This imbalance can lead to digestive problems such as IBS and 'leaky gut' (where your body finds it difficult to retain essential vitamins and minerals), as well as issues with your immunity. 

On top of this, stress and antibiotics also cause gut imbalances, so much so, that countries such as Germany and Sweden often provide a course of probiotics when you're given a prescription of antibiotics to counterbalance the side effects on your gut. It's also a useful reminder to only take antibiotics when you absolutely have to. 

How Do Supplements Help?

Probiotic supplements can be a very useful way to top up the friendly good bacteria that your body needs but not all supplements are created equally, so make sure you read the label before purchasing. Brands such as Optibac offer expert advice online to help you to choose the formula that's right for your individual needs, and with a good range to choose from, there's something to suit everyone. Here are just three examples of what they have to offer your gut health, all of which are packaged in glass jars or compostable pouches. And for everyone who has a vagina, there's a specialist supplement just for you at the end of this post!

Optibac Every Day* (£12.99, 30 capsules, one month supply, link)

For a good all-rounder that will suit most people, Optibac Every Day is an excellent choice. This daily supplement contains six highly researched strains of friendly bacteria which have been proven to survive the acidity of the stomach so that you can properly reap the health rewards. These strains are Lactobacillus rhamnosus Rosell-11®, Lactobacillus acidophilus/helveticus Rosell-52, Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175, Lactococcus lactis Rosell-1058, Bifidobacterium breve Rosell-70, and Bifidobacterium bifidum Rosell-71. Optibac has also added FOS fibres which are scientifically proven to increase your natural gut bacteria. 

With five billion live cultures in each capsule, this supplement is vegetarian-friendly, yeast and gluten-free, contains no added sugars, is free from artificial colours, and is safe to consume during pregnancy. I've tried many probiotic supplements over the years from various brands and you really can't beat the price point vs quality from Optibac, making them the most affordable in the market.  

How to use: take one capsule per day in the morning, ideally with breakfast. Can be increased to two capsules a day if professionally recommended and is suitable for ongoing use.

 

Optibac Adult Gummies* (£12.99, 30 gummies, one month supply, link)

If you're not keen on taking capsules or have difficulty swallowing them, the Optibac Adult Gummies are a brilliant alternative. These gummies have a delicious mixed berry flavour, are gluten-free, contain no added sugar and have no artificial sweeteners, colours or preservatives. They are also Vegan approved so there's no nasty gelatine. This formula contains the scientifically proven strain Bacillus coagulans Unique IS-2 and is combined with FOS fibres, Vitamin D, Zinc, and Calcium to provide a gut and immune health supplement all in one. Each gummy has five billion live cultures of the good stuff.

How to use: take one gummy per day, with or without food, do not exceed this recommended daily dosage. Can be used on an ongoing basis, but please consult with your GP/medical professional if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a serious medical condition before consuming.

Optibac Intimate Flora For Women* (£19.99, 30 capsules, one month supply, link)

Lastly, I wanted to feature the Optibac Intimate Flora For Women because I have personally found these so useful for helping me to lessen the number of UTIs (and to recover more quickly from) that I used to experience. If you have a vagina, you need to try these! This is a very specific and specially formulated supplement that contains friendly bacteria strains which are naturally found in the vagina and urinary tract; all of which have been scientifically researched and proven to reach the vagina, with over 30 years of research to back up this all-important formula to support the delicate balance of the vaginal microbiome. So to recap, this isn't one for your gut!

Each capsule boasts three strains; Lactobacillus paracasei F-19®, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1®, and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14® with 2.5 billion live cultures. As the bacteria in the vagina is different from the gut, it makes sense to support it with a specialist supplement, so you can take this alongside one of the other gut formulas above. These are vegan-friendly, gluten & yeast free, and suitable to take during pregnancy.

How to use: take one capsule per day in the morning, preferably with breakfast. You can take these on an ongoing basis or intensively to help rebalance your vaginal health if you have a UTI (if the latter, I would recommend increasing to two capsules per day which is what I have done in the past - and it worked really well for me!).

Shop the full range of Optibac supplements and take advantage of 15% discounts when you subscribe and save: optibacprobiotics.com/uk/

Have you tried any probiotics?

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Foodie Friday | Lazy Day Rocky Road & Salted Caramel Crispies review | Vegan & Gluten Free Treats

TGIF anyone?! It feels like it's been such a long week, so it's no wonder that I've been craving a little sweet treat to kickstart the weekend with. These vegan and gluten-free goodies from Lazy Day have arrived at just the right time!

Whether you have specific food allergies or a certain intolerance to a common ingredient such as milk or gluten, you can rest assured that Lazy Day has got your back. Hand-baked with love in their very own dedicated allergen-friendly bakery, Lazy Day is one of the most trusted brands on the free from market when you want a delicious treat.

Lazy Day's yummy baked delights are gluten-free, egg-free, milk-free, vegan-friendly, and produced in a nut-free site. I was delighted to try out two of their popular tray-bake style bites; Rocky Road and Salted Caramel Crispies.

Lazy Day Rocky Road* (150g, 5 slices, £2.65)

Rocky Road is such a childhood classic snack of mine, and it's something that I enjoy making myself when I have a free Saturday morning. However, as life has been super busy lately, it's been so convenient to find a tasty ready-made version that I can easily pick up from the supermarket - win-win! 

Lazy Day's Rocky Road is an indulgent treat that's made with a luscious Belgian dark chocolate ganache base. It features the classic chunky pieces of shortbread that you'd expect, coupled together with crispy puffed rice which adds an interesting texture, and topped with squishy pink mini marshmallows. Yum! This is a great little snack to have with a cup of tea or coffee.

Lazy Day Salted Caramel Crispies* (150g, 5 slices, £2.65)

I'm a big fan of anything that's Salted Caramel flavoured and I just love crispy rice squares so naturally, I knew that I was going to enjoy these moreish Salted Caramel Crispies when I saw the box. Like the Rocky Road, you'll find five individually portioned slices/pieces inside which keep well in an airtight container if you're not sharing them out in the office. Coincidentally, if you are bringing these to the office, you're going to need a couple of packs minimum, just saying!

These have a bit of a Millionaire vibe going on, but instead of shortbread at the bottom, there's a crunchy base of sticky rice crispies which I love. On top of that is a thick layer of gooey caramel, followed by a generous coating of real dark Belgian chocolate to finish it off. I found these to be very, very sweet so one piece was plenty to satisfy my sweet tooth, but they are incredibly moreish and addictive.

Available from various stockists including Sainsbury's and Waitrose. Shop the full range at lazydayfoods.com

Have you tried any of the vegan and gluten-free sweet snacks from Lazy Day?

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Foodie Friday: Hip Pop Organic Kombucha review #GutHealth

 

With so many brands of kombucha on the market, health-conscious consumers are truly spoilt for choice so I would always recommend shopping from the huge variety of smaller indie brands. One such brand that I've fallen in love with is Hip Pop.

What Is Kombucha?

First things first though, if you have heard the name kombucha, but don't actually know what it is or you haven't tried it before, here's a quick rundown. Kombucha is the name for fermented tea that's naturally sparkling. It's been around for a long time, with some estimates suggesting 2,000 years with its origins coming from China. 

Why Is Kombucha Healthy?

Kombucha is made by brewing tea, usually black tea, with sugar and allowing it to ferment with the 'mother', or a SCOBY. This is a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast that contains lots of prebiotics, probiotics, antioxidants & enzymes which are useful for keeping the gut healthy. And don't worry about the sugar content; the sugar is only needed to 'feed' the healthy bacteria, so by the time it's fermented, the kombucha drink will actually be low in sugar.

Why Is Hip Pop Kombucha Different?

As I mentioned earlier, the kombucha drinks market has exploded in recent years and the choice out there is simply astounding, plus it's a fun and interesting process to 'brew your own booch' at home too (I do this pretty regularly!). Hip Pop is brewed in small batches on a farm in Cheshire, in a traditional craft way (similar to artisan beers and ciders). It's also one of the few brands in the world which use a bacteria called Bacillus Coagulans which has undergone specific scientific studies to assess its natural gut-friendly properties, so you can be assured that there are plenty of live cultures in each can/bottle of their kombucha.

Hip Pop has a range of award-winning flavours available and all of their products are vegan-friendly, gluten-free, and dairy-free. They only use natural ingredients so you get a really lovely fresh and authentic taste with no added sweeteners.

Apple & Elderflower

This one is the closest to what most people would describe as a 'tangy Appletiser' but without all the sugar. The subtle floral hint of Elderflower compliments the apple flavour perfectly.

Blueberry & Ginger

If you love blueberries and ginger, then, of course, you will love this. Delicately fruity with a subtle kick of ginger to liven up your tastebuds.

Strawberry & Pineapple

For those who are new to kombucha, I would recommend trying this flavour first as it's the one which is the least tangy in my opinion and tastes the most similar to a healthy fruity soft drink.

Ginger & Yuzu

A truly unique and interesting flavour, this is a strong and citrusy drink that's incredibly refreshing with a good balance of sour tanginess and fiery ginger notes.

Shop the full range at drinkhippop.com

Are you a fan of kombucha?

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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: Matcha Green Tea & Lemon Breakfast Muffins (Dairy-Free / Vegetarian / Gluten-Free recipe)

Matcha is a surprisingly versatile superfood ingredient to have in your cupboard and if you're a fan of the green stuff, these Matcha Green Tea & Lemon Breakfast Muffins are a healthy snack to enjoy first thing in the morning or to beat that dreaded afternoon slump.

I am partial to a good Matcha Latte (check out how to make one here), but after browsing some of my cookbooks, I decided to try it in baking for the first time last month and I loved the results! Since then, I've experimented with a couple of different recipes and have been enjoying these delicious Breakfast Muffins so much that I wanted to share it on here for Foodie Friday.

This recipe is taken from The Gut Health Diet Plan by Christine Bailey which is well worth checking out if you're interested in how you can improve your gut health. Dairy-free, gluten-free, grain-free and vegetarian-friendly, these muffins are packed full of anti-inflammatory antioxidants thanks to their Matcha content. They also contain a source of the amino acid L-theanine which has been shown to relieve minor symptoms of anxiety and help the body cope with daily stress so these are perfect if you have a busy commute to work or Uni!

Tip: If you want to make these muffins vegan, simply swap the eggs for some mashed banana or try an egg replacement product like Follow Your Heart Vegan Egg.

Ingredients (makes 8 muffins)

• 200g Ground Almonds
• 30g Coconut Flour
• 1/2 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda
• 1 tsp gluten-free Baking Powder
• 60g Xylitol or Coconut Sugar
• Zest & Juice of 2 Lemons
• 1tbsp Matcha Green Tea powder
• 60ml Almond or Coconut Milk
• 4 organic, free-range Eggs, beaten
• 2tbsp Coconut Oil, melted
• 1tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1 tbsp Chia Seeds
• Flaked Almonds (optional topping)
• Pinch of Sea Salt

Method

• Preheat the oven to 180C / Gas Mark 4. Line an 8-cup muffin pan and set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the Ground Almonds, Coconut Flour, Salt, Bicarbonate of Soda, Baking Powder, Sugar, Lemon Zest and Matcha, gently mixing everything together.
• Slowly stir in the Lemon Juice and Milk, then add the rest of the wet ingredients; Eggs, Coconut Oil and Vanilla Extract. Stir until smooth.
• Leave the mixture to stand for 5 minutes, then stir in the Chia Seeds.
• Divide the batter into the muffin cases and add a few Flaked Almonds on top if using.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and firm to the touch. Leave to cool for 5 minutes before turning out on a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

Have you tried using Matcha in baking?

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Health & Lifestyle: Living Better Health Superfoods - Chia Seeds, Energy Blend Energiser, Baobab & Maca review

I recently spotted that LoveLula were now stocking Living Better Health Superfoods, so I decided to place an order and stock up on a couple of healthy essentials for the new season ahead.

If you haven't heard of Living Better Health Superfoods before, the company was founded by Lisa Barnes (an award-winning transformational health and wellness coach), and they have a whole range of mainly organic superfood powders which you can easily incorporate into your daily diet. Everything is lactose and gluten-free, suitable for vegans and they all contain no added sugar or any other filler/bulking ingredients or additives.

I picked up four packs to try; Chia Seeds, Energy Blend Energiser, Baobab and Maca.

Living Better Health Superfoods Organic Chia Seeds* (125g, £5.99, link)

Perhaps the most well-known, Chia Seeds are readily available from lots of different places these days and the Instagram-famous Chia Pudding (pictured above) is one of my healthy go-to breakfasts to have during the week.

Chia Seeds may not look like much, but these teeny tiny seeds are packed full of Omega-3 fatty acids (60% of their nutritional profile is just Omega-3 making them one of the richest plant-based sources of fatty acids) which is essential for a healthy diet as the body cannot make its own Omega-3. Clinically proven to reduce cholesterol and inflammation, Chia Seeds are also beneficial as they are a good source of Fibre, Calcium, Manganese, Magnesium and Phosphorous. 

How to use: Add a teaspoon to smoothies, or sprinkle over porridge, soups or salads. Or make a tasty Chia Pudding by adding a tbsp to 200ml of water or dairy-free milk in a container with a pinch of Cinnamon and leave overnight for a yummy breakfast come the morning.

Living Better Health Organic Superfoods Energy Blend The Energiser* (125g, £14.99, link)

I'm always looking for ways to boost my energy levels as I suffer from fatigue on a regular basis, so I was curious to try out The Energiser, a superfood blend of six natural ingredients; Chia Seeds, Baobab Powder, Guarana Powder, Hemp Protein Powder, Lucuma Powder and Maca Powder. 

This blend has been specially designed to help you beat that mid-afternoon slump, and you can use it first thing in the morning to kickstart your day thanks to its mix of Fibre, Protein, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium and Zinc. I've been taking it for about a month now and it's definitely been helping!

How to use: Add 1/2 tsp to a glass of juice or your smoothie once or twice a day for the first week, after which you can increase to 1 tsp a day. You can also sprinkle or stir it into cereal, porridge, muesli, and even add it to homemade raw chocolate and cakes.

Living Better Health Superfoods Organic Baobab Powder* (125g, £6.99, link)

If you prefer a singular superfood powders, Living Better Health also has a range of those including this delicious Baobab Powder. Baobab is really quite special as it contains almost fifty per cent fibre and boasts an impressive count of antioxidants which is amongst the highest for any known fruit in the world. It has fourteen essential vitamins and minerals and is great for supporting a healthy metabolism, improving skin conditions, reducing inflammation and supporting gut health to name but a few of its benefits.

Best of all though? It tastes a bit like sherbet - yum!

How to use: Add 1/2 tsp to juices and smoothies, increasing to 1tsp afer the first week of use if desired. Like the other superfood powders, you can also sprinkle it onto yoghurts, acai bowls, cereal and porridge etc.

Living Better Health Superfoods Organic Maca Powder* (125g, £5.99, link)

Saving my personal favourite to last, Maca Powder is a highly nutritional food which is growing in popularity. It contains a source of Fibre, Protein, Vitamins B1, B2 and B6, Calcium, Iron and Zinc, and is a good one to use every day if you do a lot of exercise or have a busy lifestyle as it helps to support your adrenal glands. There's also a number of studies that suggest it can be useful for balancing hormones as well.

The flavour of Maca though is just heavenly - it has a sort of sweet caramel/toffee/malty taste which works particularly well in smoothies and sweet recipes.

How to use: Add 1/2 tsp to smoothies and juices, increasing to 1tsp a day if desired. It's great stirred into porridge, overnight oats, acai bowls, chia puddings etc, and can be used in raw cake and biscuit recipes.

Shop the full range at LoveLula.com

Have you tried any of these superfoods?

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Foodie Friday: Thick & Fluffy American-Style Buckwheat Pancakes With Chopped Dates, Hazelnuts & Maple Syrup (Vegetarian / Gluten-Free recipe)

American-style Pancakes are not known for being healthy and are usually depicted with masses of greasy fried bacon and glugs of maple syrup. For a more nutritious approach to this breakfast favourite, I have this delicious alternative recipe that you can try this weekend, and don't worry, I've still included some maple syrup!

One of the easiest ways to instantly make any bread, cake or pancake recipe healthier is to swap the often used refined white flour for a more nutrient-packed wholegrain variant. I love using Buckwheat Flour and it works particularly well to create these moreish American-style Pancakes which have a thick and fluffy texture that makes them perfect for stacking and majorly satisfying to dig into. 

Switching to Buckwheat Flour also makes these Pancakes low-GI and gluten-free, and with the addition of a little Ground Ginger and Cinnamon, they are even more flavourful and interesting than their white flour-based opponents, meaning that you don't need to rely on mountains of sugar to get your tastebuds flowing.

I love having toppings on Pancakes, so I've sprinkled over some chopped Dates and Hazelnuts for even more flavour and micronutrients. Finish with a generous drizzle of Maple Syrup (the best quality that you can find/afford) and you have a brunch made in heaven!

Ingredients (serves 2-3 people as mini stacks of pancakes)

• 225g Buckwheat Flour
• 275ml Rice Milk (or you can use Soy, Almond or regular semi-skimmed)
• 1 large organic free-range Egg
• 1 tsp gluten-free Baking Powder
• 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 1 tsp Ground Ginger
• 1-2 tsp of organic Butter
• Pinch of Salt
• Handful of pitted Dates, chopped, to serve
• Handful of Hazelnuts, chopped, to serve
• Maple Syrup, to serve

Method

• In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients together (Buckwheat Flour, Baking Powder, Salt, Ground Cinnamon and Ground Ginger), making a well in the centre.
• In a separate bowl, whisk the Egg and Rice Milk, and then slowly pour into the dry bowl, whisking it in until you have a smooth batter.
• Place a frying pan over a medium heat and add a knob of Butter. Add the pancake batter mixture (about 2tbsp per pancake) and cook for a few minutes until bubbles appear on the surface and then flip over and cook the other side. 
• Repeat until you've used up all the pancake batter and serve immediately with the chopped Dates and Walnuts with a drizzle of Maple Syrup over the top. Enjoy!

Do you like making pancakes on the weekends?

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Foodie Friday: Crispy Oven Baked Polenta Fries (Gluten-Free / Vegan recipe)

Potatoes will always hold a special place in my heart, but sometimes, a girl has just got to try something different. Case in point, these gluten-free Crispy Oven Baked Polenta Fries are a great alternative and really hit the spot when you have a craving for chips!

Polenta is a popular staple in its hometown of Northern Italy and you've probably seen it most commonly served as a creamy, thick and oh-so-comforting bowl of goodness like this. But this cheap and cheerful cornmeal substance is actually a lot more versatile than you might think, as it can be used to create all manner of sweet and savoury delights such as soft gluten-free cakes and as an alternative to potato fries/chips. 

I really enjoy using Polenta in Chocolate Orange Polenta Cupcakes (recipe here) and as Porridge with Cardamon and Maple Syrup (recipe here). However, it takes on a whole new dimension when it's set and baked in the oven to create these tasty Crispy Oven Baked Polenta Fries - try them for yourself and let me know what you think!

Ingredients (serves 2 as a side)

• 150g Polenta, plus extra for coating
• 350-400ml Vegetable Stock
• Drizzle of Olive Oil
• Salt and Pepper to season

Method

• In a large saucepan, add 350ml of the Vegetable Stock and bring to the boil. Add the Polenta and stir or whisk so that it dissolves and creates a smooth texture. Depending on the type of Polenta that you've purchased (fine, coarse or quick-cook), you may need to add some more of the Vegetable Stock to get the right consistency. After a few minutes of cooking, the Polenta will start to thicken and at this point, remove the pan from the heat.
• Pour the cooked Polenta into a square baking tin (I used a standard sized brownie tin), allow to cool and then pop it into the fridge to chill for about an hour.

• Once chilled, preheat the oven to 220C / Gas Mark 7 and transfer the Polenta to a greased baking tray. Cut into chips and add a generous drizzle of Olive Oil all over. Sprinkle on some uncooked Polenta to create a crunchy coating and season with plenty of Salt and Pepper.
• Bake in the oven for 30 minutes until the fries look golden and have a crisp texture. Serve immediately - enjoy!

Have you tried Polenta Fries before?

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Foodie Friday: Chocolate Orange Polenta Cupcakes (Gluten-Free / Vegetarian recipe)

If you're sick of the sight of chocolate Easter Eggs, but still fancy something sweet this weekend, why not try these Chocolate Orange Polenta Cupcakes? Gluten-free and suitable for vegetarians, these cupcakes are ideal with your favourite cuppa for a relaxing afternoon treat.

Although I'm don't personally follow a gluten-free diet, I have several friends and relatives who are gluten-intolerant, so I've been experimenting with various gluten-free baking recipes to make sure that they don't miss out when I bring over homemade cakes and treats. 

Just before Christmas, I made a batch of these Chocolate Orange Polenta Cupcakes from Lorraine Pascale's Bake cookbook and they were very popular with everyone who tried them. I decided to tweak the recipe slightly to see if less sugar and butter could work and they came out great! In fact, no-one really noticed and all of the cupcakes were quickly devoured over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. Win-win!

So this is the adapted recipe from Lorraine Pascale - I've also added a chunk of Orange-flavoured Chocolate to finish off each cupcake and swapped the regular brown sugar for Coconut Sugar, but you can use whichever you have available.

Ingredients: (makes 6 cupcakes)

• 80g organic Butter (cubed & at room temperature)
• 60g Coconut Sugar
• 2 free-range, organic Eggs
• 100g Ground Almonds
• 1 tbsp Cacao Powder
• 50g fine Polenta
• 1/2 tsp Baking Powder (gluten-free)
• Zest and Juice of 1 small Orange
• 6 chunks of Orange-flavoured Chocolate (I used a bar from Divine)

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 180C / Gas Mark 4 and line a muffin tin with six cupcake cases.
• In a large bowl add the Butter and Sugar, and beat with a wooden spoon or whisk until it's has a light and creamy texture. 
• Next, add the Eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each one is added.
• Gently fold in the Ground Almonds, Cacao Powder, Polenta, Baking Powder, Orange Zest and Juice, using as few stirs as possible to keep the mixture nice and light. 
• Carefully divide the mixture evenly between the six cupcake cases using a large spoon or mechanical ice-cream scoop. Press a Chocolate chunk into the top of each cupcake to finish.
• Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until lightly golden brown.
• Allow to cool slightly and enjoy warm or cold.

Storage tip: Keep the cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 3 days, though they are best eaten within 24 hours.

Have you tried using Polenta in baking?

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