Health & Lifestyle: Musclemary Not Just Protein - Chocolate Crush review

The start of a new week is always a good time to reassess your health goals, and if you're currently getting back into an exercise routine, make sure this Musclemary Not Just Protein powder supplement is at the top of your healthy shopping list.

Whether you're vegan or not, Musclemary has a range of premium plant-based protein blends that work for all fitness levels, and they're a great way to incorporate more healthy protein into your daily diet. 

Unlike other protein powders which focus simply on the macro element of protein, Musclemary's vegan blends contain a carefully selected superfood mix that's rich in antioxidants and vitamins to not only support your muscle gain goals, but also your overall health by boosting your immune system and energy levels at the same time!

 

I was kindly sent one of Musclemary's Not Just Protein powder supplements to try out and naturally, I had to choose the Chocolate Crush flavour as we all know how much I love anything chocolate flavoured.

The large pouch comes with a handy scoop and each 30g serving boasts a whopping 18g of plant-based protein thanks to a mixture of pea and white hemp protein. In addition, each serving provides 100% RI of Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Panthothenic Acid, Vitamin B6, Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin C and the all-important Vitamin B12. Many of these essential nutrients are derived from superfoods such as Flaxseed, Maca, Acai Berry, Goji Berry, Baobab, Raspberry, Strawberry, Blackberry and Matcha Green Tea so that's a lot packed into this supplement. It's dairy-free, gluten-free, GMO-free, low in fat and has no artificial sweetners.

How to Use and Taste

Start the day with a scoop of powder blended into your favourite smoothie or simply mix on its own with water. It has a thick milkshake-like consistency with a tasty hit of raw cacao flavour. I found it to be quite sweet, although there's no added sugar as the sweetness comes from natural Stevia instead. Alternatively, you can add it to pancake/waffle/cake batter or stir it into overnight oats or porridge.

Charity

For each product sold through their website, Musclemary donates £1 to their chosen charity Stonewall which helps to promote equality, diversity and inclusivity for LGBTQ+ people.

Musclemary Not Just Protein* (600g, £35, link)

What's your favourite vegan protein supplement?

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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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Health & Lifestyle: 4 Supplements To Get You Through Autumn

The change of seasons can often be a stressful and difficult time as we adapt mentally and physically to the colder weather and fewer daylight hours. So it's more important than ever to ensure that your body is getting everything that it needs, and these four supplements can help to make the seasonal transition go much more smoothly.

Disclaimer: I have personally tested out all of the supplements below and they are all suitable for vegans, but please see a GP first if you have any queries, are taking any medication or you have any underlying health problems.

Best All-Rounder: Feel Multivitamins (£11.95 per month, link)

If you have never taken any supplements before or you're simply looking for a 'bit of everything' so that you have all your health bases covered throughout Autumn and Winter, Feel Multivitamins are the one for you. Hailed as one of the 'cleanest' multivitamins available on the UK market, Feel has come up with a superb in-house formula that boasts 33 of the best ingredients in their highest bio-availability and absorption rates. 

This ensures that taking just two capsules a day will deliver all of the essential vitamins and minerals that your body needs to perform at its best, plus some extra botanicals are included such as Reishi Mushrooms (for heart and brain health), Spirulina (for extra immunity support), Turmeric (for digestion) and Grape Seed extract (for heart health). These capsules are certified vegan-friendly, non-GMO, gluten-free and free from all the main known allergens with no additives, fillers or bulking agents. 

In addition, Feel Multivitamins come packaged in a plastic-free biodegradable paper pouch and are delivered in a slim cardboard box every month direct to your door on a subscription basis - it doesn't get more convenient or sustainable than that!

Best for Women's Health (UTIs, BV, Thrush etc) & Boosting Gut Health: Kiki Health Body Biotics* (60 x 400mg, £27.95, link)

There's been a big focus on gut health over the past few years and rightly so, but did you know that by boosting your gut health, you're also helping to improve, treat and even eradicate many common women's health problems such as UTIs, thrush and BV (bacterial vaginosis)? That's because many beneficial bacteria strains that are often found in probiotic gut health supplements can provide antimicrobial support e.g Bacillus subtilis can inhibit the growth of Candida (AKA thrush) and Lactobacillus strains have proven to be able to help treat recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bacterial vaginosis (BV).

Kiki Health's bestselling Body Biotics is a unique blend of SBO (soil-based organisms) bacterial cultures and prebiotics with eight highly-effective friendly bacteria super-strains:- Bacillus Subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Lactococcus Lactis and Bifidobacterium Bifidum.

These strains are activated when ingested with water so it's recommended to take one capsule daily 30 minutes before a meal with a 250ml glass of water. You can then increase this to 2-3 capsules daily after a week to further maintain the benefits. Naturally free of gluten and wheat and made with a vegan-friendly hypromellose shell, the capsules don’t contain artificial colours, preservatives, sweeteners or fillers. Body Biotics does not contain salt, sugar, yeast, chemical solvents or artificial additives and comes packaged in glass.

Best for Stress, Anxiety & Fibromyalgia: Zen Bears CBD Gummies* (30 gummies, £39.95, link)

Perhaps the cutest supplements that I've ever had the pleasure of trying out, Zen Bears have been voted the UK's best CBD gummies and it's easy to see why. Made with all-natural and vegan-friendly ingredients, the THC-free CBD used is sourced from an organic hemp farm in Oregon, USA and each gummy contains 20mg. 

CBD has been making waves in the health world for its positive benefits that can help alleviate mild anxiety, depression and stress symptoms, and mild-to-moderate pain associated with arthritis and fibromyalgia. In some countries, people have also cultivated a few cannabis plants of a particular strain to help relieve their anxiety and stress. It's believed that one of the best strains is the OG Ocean Grown classic. With no known side effects, it's been touted as a natural alternative to mainstream medications but do check with your GP first if you have any concerns before taking them.

It's been a crazy year so if your anxiety has gone through the roof, why not try these? They come in a mix of fruity flavours with a sweet coating and you can start on one a day to build up to a higher dose if required. There are no artificial ingredients and the jar is made of glass.

Best Budget Option for Gut Health & Weight Loss - Jolly Jelly (60 gummies, £9.99, link)

Many gut health supplements can be pretty expensive so if you're on a budget, I would recommend trying Jolly Jelly which cost around £10 for a month's supply. Made with 95% organic ingredients, these tasty tapioca based gummies contain a carefully chosen blend of beneficial superfoods, vitamins and probiotics such as Apple Cider Vinegar, Tumeric, Ginger, Beetroot extract, Pomegranate, Vitamin B9, Vitamin B12 and the popular strain of Lactobacillus Acidophilus. 

Jolly Jelly can help to boost your overall gut health, whilst also helping to maintain a healthy weight (some people find that Apple Cider Vinegar helps them to lose weight) and a healthy metabolism. If you have a sensitive stomach, you may find these much easier to digest than other gut health-related supplements and the Apple Cider Vinegar content can help with bloating and sugar cravings too (plus they're more palatable if you find you can't tolerate drinking ACV!).

Which supplements are you currently taking?

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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: 10 Minute Blueberry Chia Jam (Vegan / Refined Sugar-Free recipe) #NationalCreamTeaDay

Happy National Cream Tea Day! To mark the occasion, I wanted to share a ridiculously easy way to make a delicious homemade Blueberry Chia Jam in around 10 minutes.

As I was scrolling through Twitter earlier, I noticed that it's National Cream Tea Day today which inspired me to make one of my go-to prepping recipes; Blueberry Chia Jam. I always like to have a pot of homemade jam in the fridge and this one is a great way to use up any blueberries that you may have which are turning a little soft. Blueberries are a really fantastic superfood which are packed with antioxidants and Vitamin C, and now that they're in season, they're much cheaper (and tastier) to purchase in bulk.  

To get a thicker, wobbly, jammy-like consistency going on, I've used Chia Seeds, another popular superfood thanks to their high omega-3, fibre and protein content, and to keep the jam as healthy as possible, I've opted for a small amount of Maple Syrup to add sweetness without the crazy refined sugar crashes.

This Blueberry Chia Jam tastes incredible slathered onto a thick slice of Sourdough Toast with an optional layer of your favourite nut butter underneath for an easy breakfast, slapped onto crackers or simply indulge and use it for a decadent Afternoon Cream Tea spread. P.S: Simply halve the amount of ingredients if you want to make a smaller pot.

Ingredients (makes around 200g)

• 220g fresh Blueberries
• 2 tbsp Chia Seeds
• 2 tbsp pure Maple Syrup
• 1 tbsp freshly squeezed Lemon Juice
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• Pinch of Sea Salt

Method

• Place a large saucepan over a medium heat and add in the Blueberries. Cook for around 5 minutes, occasionally stirring and squashing the berries down into the pan with a spatula to create your desired texture (lumpy or smooth - you choose!).
• Remove the pan from the heat and add in the Maple Syrup, Lemon Juice, Vanilla Extract and Sea Salt. Stir and taste, adding in more Lemon Juice or Maple Syrup if required.
• Add the Chia Seeds, stir and then leave it to thicken for a further 5 minutes. 
• Once completely cooled, pour the jam into a sterilised jar with a lid and pop it into the fridge where it naturally thicken up a little more. Enjoy!

Storage tip: This jam will keep in the fridge in a sealed jar for up to a week.

Do you always have a pot of jam in your fridge?

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Health & Lifestyle: ZOJO Beauty Elixirs - The Beauty Pageant Formula & The Supergreens Formula review

If you're on the lookout for a high quality, organic food supplement that you can easily add to your breakfast smoothie every day, ZOJO's Beauty Elixirs will be right up your street.

I love it when I discover a new-to-me healthy lifestyle brand that not only looks good on the outside (that black and white packaging is very cool), but is filled with goodness on the inside too. After all, the very concept of most elixirs is all about beauty from within right?! 

ZOJO was founded by Marta Ravensdale, a busy businesswoman and mother who was concerned about the negative impact that her often stressful lifestyle was having on her health, wellbeing and family life. Working with a team of experienced nutritionists from the UK, Marta created ZOJO, a range of plant-based beauty, fitness and health formulas made from 100% organic ingredients. There are currently seven different formulas which are suitable for vegans and all are GMO-free, lactose and gluten free, plus they don't contain any artificial nasties such as preservatives, colourings, artificial sweeteners, bulking agents, fillers or taste enhancers.

I was kindly sent ZOJO's The Beauty Pageant Formula and The Supergreens Formula to trial, and I've really been enjoying using them in my morning routine.

 ZOJO The Beauty Pageant Formula* (35g, £17, link)

Whether you're chasing an actual beauty queen crown or simply want your skin, hair and nails to look their best, The Beauty Pagent Formula is a delicious blend of eight organic ingredients. Carob provides essential vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, B2, B3, B6, Copper, Calcium, Manganese, Potassium, Magnesium, Selenium and Zinc, whilst Lucuma is rich in beta-carotene, antioxidants, fibre and minerals such as Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium and Phosphorus. 

Camu Camu is an incredible superfruit which has one of the highest concentrations of Vitamin C of any food source recorded on the planet, and Cinnamon is included for its antioxidants that help to protect from free radical damage and slow down the ageing process. Elsewhere in the blend, there's Turmeric, well known in Ayurveda for its powerful properties that support a healthy liver and boost the digestion system; Ginger, another useful digestive aid for a healthy gut, and Blueberries which are packed full of antioxidants and are high in fibre, Vitamin C and Vitamin K.

How to use: Simply add a tsp (5g) to your favourite smoothie or a glass of juice and enjoy. It tastes sweet and fruity, with a little bit of a chocolatey flavour thanks to the Carob - one of the nicest powder food supplements that I've tried in a while!

ZOJO The Supergreens Formula* (35g, £17, link)

Food supplements that are based around super greens are incredibly popular and I have no doubt that this is likely to be one of ZOJO's bestsellers in their range. As the name suggests, this formula is a potent mix of powerful plant-based organic superfoods which include Psyllium Husk, Spirulina, Linseed, Wheatgrass, Baobab, Moringa and Chlorella. Each ingredient has been carefully selected for its unique health benefits and combined, this formula is ideal for those are looking to improve their gut health, are doing a detox or cleanse to remove excess heavy metals/toxins from their system, and it's particularly useful as a daily supplement for vegetarians and vegans because it's rich in vitamins and minerals, and also high in essential amino acids which supports healthy muscle  growth and maintenance.

How to use: Add a tsp (5g) to your morning smoothie or glass of juice. It certainly tastes better than similar supplements that I've tried in the past, but it is quite 'earthy' in flavour, so I'd recommend blending it in a green juice/smoothie or a mixed fruit/veg drink for the most palatable results.

Discover the full range of ZOJO Beauty Elixirs at LoveLula.com

Have you tried anything from ZOJO?

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New In Beauty: Evolve Organic Beauty Multi Peptide 360 Moisture Cream & Superfood 360 Serum review

I've mentioned Evolve Organic Beauty on here many times and recently featured their amazing Hyaluronic Serum 200 in my last Empties post. A couple of weeks ago, their brand new Superfood Duo arrived in the post and I couldn't wait to put them to the test!

Consisting of a serum and a moisturiser, Evolve's new Superfood Duo is based on the brand's 'Age Smarter 360' concept which looks at how best to care for the skin as it naturally changes as we get older. In a beauty industry that's obsessed with using synthetic fillers and cosmetic surgery in the neverending quest to maintain a youthful look, it's refreshing to come across Evolve's more natural and holistic approach that uses superfood ingredients to age gracefully instead. 

Combined into effective formulas which are handmade in small batches in Hertfordshire, these products help to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve elasticity, skin tone and firmness, provide essential hydration and bring back your skin's natural glow. Sounds good right?!

Evolve Organic Beauty Superfood 360 Serum* (30ml, £38, link)

Considering how much I've been enjoying using Evolve's Hyaluronic Serum 200 over the last couple of months, I had high hopes for this newbie and it didn't disappoint. Described as a 'supercharged anti-ageing serum', this product can be used by all skin types and has a 99% natural composition (81% of which is organic) that's made up of a relatively short, but very effective ingredients list. These include superfoods such as Cacay Oil, Sacha Inchi Peptides and Maca Root Powder, which are all well known for their natural anti-ageing properties for the skin. 

Like all of my favourite serums, this one is lovely and lightweight, absorbs easily into the skin and a little goes a long way. It layers beautifully underneath my face oils and moisturisers, so I've been using it in the evenings to give my complexion a boost overnight. I started to see some positive signs within just two weeks of regular use; my skin feels softer, looks brighter and the tightness that I sometimes get above my cheeks has gone. I don't have many fine lines yet but the ones around my eyes look more smoothed out, and my skin feels more plumped up in general. I've also had no issues with it clogging my pores or causing any breakouts, so it currently getting a thumbs up from me!

Evolve Organic Beauty Multi Peptide 360 Moisture Cream* (60ml, £30, link) 

Dry skin needs a lot of hydration to keep it happy, and as fine lines and wrinkles tend to show up earlier on drier skin types compared to oilier ones, I was pleased to see a whole powerhouse of fantastic ingredients crammed into this 99% natural moisture cream. Key ones include Coconut and Sacha Inchi Peptides to improve firmness and visibly reduce wrinkles, Cupuacu Butter which is packed full of phytosterols that support collagen production, maintain a healthy skin barrier and improves elasticity, Prickly Pear to calm irritated skin and boost hydration, and Hyaluronic Acid to lock all that moisture in.

This moisturiser has a herbally scent and a rich texture, but it sinks into the skin quickly and doesn't feel greasy, heavy or sticky. I did find it too much for my combination skin to use every night though (it is recommended by Evolve for dry skin so I expected this), however, I've been using it as a hydrating treatment once a week with good results so far. Definitely, one to check out if you have dry/mature skin that needs a nightly surge of moisture to keep those wrinkles at bay.

Shop the full range at evolveorganicbeauty.co.uk

Have you tried anything from Evolve?

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Foodie Friday: 3 Organic Food Supplements To Kickstart Your Day

Looking to boost your breakfast? Need some extra energy in the morning to help you get the best start to your day? These three organic food supplements are super easy to incorporate into your everyday diet. 

 Kiki Health Organic Baobab Powder* (100g, £9.95, link) 

Baobab is one of my favourite superfoods. Why? Because it tastes a bit like lemon sherbert! Sustainably harvested and derived from the fruit of the African Baobab tree, this raw wholefood is finely milled into a powder that's easy to consume. Baobab is high in Vitamin C and Iron which helps to keep your immune system and metabolism healthy, as well as reducing tiredness and fatigue, plus it's a source of dietary fibre. This one from Kiki Health is also certified organic and doesn't contain any additives, fillers, artificial colours or preservatives, or any other ingredients.  

How To Use It: Stir a teaspoon into your favourite yoghurt or porridge, sprinkle onto cereal, or add to smoothies and juices. You can also add it to plain water as it tastes pretty good!

 Kiki Health Organic Goji Berry Powder* (70g, £10.95, link)

I'm sure many of you reading this will be aware of the benefits of consuming Goji Berries, as those little red superfruits have been incredibly popular over the past couple of years. As the name suggests, this Goji Berry Powder is a nutritionally dense and concentrated form of Goji Berries which have been freeze-dried at low temperatures to retain their delicate enzymes and nutrients. This powder contains high levels of Vitamin C, Iron and Zinc, which are all essential to keeping your energy levels up, maintaining healthy bones, supporting brain health and keeping your immune system functioning properly. 

How To Use It: Add a teaspoon to smoothies, juices or yoghurt. Goji Berry Powder isn't as tart as actual Goji Berries, and it's something of an acquired taste with a slight bitterness to it. I'd recommend trying it in a smoothie first!

Terra Nova Organic Omega 3-6-7-9 Oil* (250ml, £18.75, link)

One of the problems with the typical Western diet that most of us consume, is that it's excessively high in Omega 6, but seriously lacking in Omega 3. Too much Omega 6 can lead to higher blood pressure and an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes, so it's important to get the balance right and make sure that you're consuming a better ratio of essential Omega fatty acids.

One easy way to do this is to cut out a lot of processed foods that contain sunflower and vegetable oils (and don't use these for cooking with either), and you can boost your health further with a daily supplement in the form of a blended oil like this one from Terra Nova. This Organic Omega 3-6-7-9 Oil contains an expert mix of Flaxseed Oil, Hemp Seed Oil, Olive Oil, Borage Seed Oil, Rice Bran Oil, Sea Buckthorn Fruit Oil and Sea Buckthorn Kernel Oil, so you get all of the benefits of your Omegas which are essential for heart health (and pretty much everything else!), without the imbalance issues.

How To Use It: Take 1-3 teaspoons daily. You can drizzle it onto salads, add it to smoothies, or consume it straight off the spoon, but you can't heat it or use it in frying/cooking as this destroys some of the nutrients.

What are your favourite morning supplements?

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Foodie Friday: Cacao, Hazelnut & Goji Berries Granola (Vegan / Dairy Free recipe)

Granola is one of my favourite things to have for breakfast, but I mostly make my own as many of the boxes of granola that you find in the supermarket aren't as healthy as they look with hidden sugars and artificial preservatives.

Thankfully, making your own granola from scratch is ridiculously easy and you can rest assured knowing exactly what's in it!  Below, I've shared my current favourite granola mix which includes Cacao, Cacao Nibs, Hazelnuts, and Goji Berries, but you can, of course, add or take out whatever you like to incorporate your own favourite nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and you can choose to sweeten it however you want to. What I would suggest though, is using the best quality oats that you can find, (preferably organic ones) because the granola base really makes all the difference. 

Ingredients:- (makes roughly a medium sized Kilner jar of granola) 

• 250g Organic Jumbo Rolled Oats
• 50g Hazelnuts (chopped or whole, whichever you prefer)
• 50g Raw Cacao Nibs
• 50g Goji Berries
• 25g Desiccated Coconut
• 2 tbsp of Raw Cacao Powder
• 2 tbsp of Coconut Oil (liquid)
• 2-3 tbsp of Agave or Maple Syrup
• Pinch of Sea Salt

Method:-

1. Preheat the oven to 180C / Gas Mark 4 and line a large baking tray with greaseproof baking paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine the Jumbo Oats, Hazelnuts, Cacao Powder, Desiccated Coconut, Coconut Oil, Agave Syrup and Sea Salt, mixing everything together until it's thoroughly combined.
3. Transfer the mixture to the baking tray and spread it out so that it's an even layer. Place in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until lightly toasted. Make sure that you give everything a stir through to turn over the oats half-way through so that it cooks evenly.
4. Take the tray out of the oven, sprinkle over the Cacao Nibs and Goji Berries and allow to cool.
5. Once it's properly cooled down, transfer it to an airtight container such as a Kilner jar. 

Storage & serving: Your homemade granola will keep in an airtight jar for around 2-3 weeks, giving you plenty of time to enjoy it for your daily breakfast. I usually measure out a few tablespoons (it depends on how hungry I am!) per serving, splash over some Almond Milk and add some fresh fruits like Strawberries or Blueberries. If you find the granola isn't sweet enough for your tastebuds, just add a little swirl of Maple or Agave Syrup and enjoy! 

Have you ever made your own granola?

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