Foodie Friday: Avocado on Sourdough Toast with Lentil Sprouts & Super Seeds (Vegan recipe)

The humble Avocado on Toast has come a long way, and now hipster and vegan cafe's everywhere are serving up this healthy classic with a myriad of optional superfood extras on top.

I must admit that my only contact with an avocado prior to the whole #AvoOnToast trend erupting, was in a side dip of guacamole. Nowadays though, there's rarely a week that goes past where I don't put a pack of them into my supermarket trolley, and the trendy Avocado On Toast is one of my favourite ways to eat this good-for-you green fruit.

Avocados are a superfood in their own right as they're packed full of healthy essential fats, vitamins and minerals (including the likes of Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Iron and Zinc and vitamins C, B6, A, D, K and E), plus they contain a decent amount of fibre too.  But if you fancy boosting your Avo On Toast with even more healthy nutrients, simply add some superfood extras. Below, I've shared one of the easiest ways you can do this with Chia Seeds, Hemp Seeds and Lentil Sprouts. It's delicious and good for you!

Ingredients (makes 1 Superfood Avo On Toast):-

• 1 ripe Avocado
• 1 slice of Sourdough Bread
• Handful of fresh Lentil Sprouts
• Sprinkle of Chia Seeds
• Sprinkle of Hemp Seeds
• Squeeze of fresh Lemon Juice
• Salt & Black Pepper (to season, optional)

Method:-

1. Lightly toast the Sourdough Bread and add the Avocado, mashing it gently into the bread with a fork.
2. Sprinkle on the Chia and Hemp Seeds and then add the Lentil Sprouts on top.
3. Squeeze over a little fresh Lemon Juice and season with Salt & Black Pepper if desired - enjoy!

Side note: For ethical reasons, I don't purchase any avocados from Israel, so always check the label if you want to join in with the boycott! Find out more about this here.

Are you a fan of Avo On Toast?

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Green Beauty: 4 Products To Try From AYur-vana (Ayurvedic Beauty)

Last month, I was introduced to a French organic beauty brand called AYur-vana, who specialise in Ayurvedic medicines and beauty products, and I got the chance to try some of the latter.

My interest in Ayurveda only really started in the last two years or so, and it continues to grow as I learn more about these ancient Indian principles which involve Doshas (the three natural energies that make up a person's emotional and physical constitution), and a positive connection with ourselves and our environment. It's a vast and incredibly interesting philosophy to look into, especially if you're into alternative health and well-being, and I highly recommend picking up a copy of Sebastian Pole's book, A Pukka Life (reviewed here), if you're new to the subject. 

Ayurveda originates from India, however, its concepts have travelled to many corners of the world, so I wasn't at all surprised to find an Ayurvedic brand in France. I think the French have a much more open relationship with the importance of well-being than us Brits do, and it was a real pleasure exploring Ayur-vana's products. I was lucky enough to get to choose a couple of products to review, and I decided to opt for beauty products that you can use every day to introduce a little Ayurvedic goodness into your daily routine. 

 AYur-vana Shatavari & Aloe Vera Gel* (75ml, €12.50, link)

Shatavari is one of Ayurveda's most well-known herbs, and it's used in many Indian medicines. Derived from a member of the asparagus family, Shatavari root is perhaps most popular amongst women as it helps to promote fertility and a healthy reproduction system when taken orally, but it's also a fantastic ingredient to use in skincare thanks to its natural toning, purifying and hydrating properties. 

This gel has been formulated with 98% natural ingredients which include Shatavari, Aloe Vera and Rose Water, resulting in a lovely mutli-purpose gel that can be used all over the body to deeply moisturise, tone and protect the skin. It's particularly useful as an after-sun gel to soothe and hydrate any sunburnt areas and is gentle enough to use on the face. You don't need to use much to reap the full benefits of this product!

 AYur-vana Centella Body Lotion* (75ml, €14.50, link)

Centella Asiatica has been traditionally used for centuries in all manner of ointments and topical treatments, as it has strong repairing qualities that help the skin recover from trauma. It's also widely used as a moisturiser to keep the skin healthy and hydrated, which is why I love this Centella Body Lotion so much. It's 98.6% natural and has a lovely texture that sinks into the skin quickly and doesn't feel greasy afterwards. Perfect for using all over the body to keep it moisturised and feeling as soft as a baby's bum.

 AYur-vana Neem Foot Cream* (75ml, €12.05, link)

Neem is another hugely popular Ayurvedic herb that is prized for its antibacterial, repairing and disinfecting properties, making it the ideal key ingredient in this foot cream. Alongside Neem, there's also Aloe Vera, Hamamelis Floral Water, Cocoa Butter, Cajeput and Peppermint, which gives this moisturiser a rich and thick texture, with a wonderfully refreshing and uplifting scent. To keep feet feeling fresh for longer, a little Green Clay has also been added into the formula to help absorb any excess perspiration throughout the day so your feet can be as fresh as a daisy all Summer long!

AYur-vana Tea Tree Organic Essential Oil* (10ml, €8.15, link)

The last product that I wanted to mention is good old Tea Tree Oil. I always have a bottle of this in my skincare stash as it's one of my go-to products whenever I have a spot pop up out of nowhere, and it works wonders on blemishes of all sizes. To use it, I just put a drop onto a cotton bud and press it directly onto the blemish, holding it there for a minute or two to let it do its antibacterial magic. This one from AYur-vana is 100% pure and organic Tea Tree Essential Oil and it's worth paying extra for, as some cheaper Tea Tree Oils on the market are mostly alcohol based and only contain 1-5% Tea Tree, so always check the label.

To shop the full range of Ayurvedic medicines and beauty products from AYur-vana, simply visit their website: ayurvana.fr

Do you use any Ayurveda products?

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Budget Beauty: New B. Makeup from Superdrug + Cassie Lomas Collection - Review & Swatches

One of the best budget-friendly and cruelty-free makeup brands on the high street is B. who are stocked exclusively at Superdrug. Seriously, if all of my makeup grew legs and ran away tomorrow, I would be the first in line at Superdrug to immediately restock all of my favourites from B. - it's that good.

The brand underwent a massive relaunch recently which included a full design makeover, alongside some exciting new product releases with celebrity makeup artist, Cassie Lomas. I love the new look, so naturally, I was over the moon when this box of amazingness arrived on my doorstep from Superdrug last month, and I've been having a lot of fun playing with everything. The whole B. range is 100% vegan, cruelty-free and it's kind to your bank balance too - I don't think there's anything over £9.99 and prices start from as little as £4.99 - bargain!

I've got a lot of products to talk about so let's jump into this!

B. Lip & Cheek Tints in Say My Name and Bashful* (£6.99 each, link)

Cream blushers really come into their own during the Summer months as powder formulas can look a little cakey in bright sunlight, so these Lip & Cheek Tints are a fantastic addition to your holiday makeup bag. The packaging is plastic but sturdy, and it fits in my hand nicely, plus the slim and compact design means it won't take up much space in your bag. I also like how the lid is clear so you can instantly find the shade that you're looking for. 

These Lip & Cheek Tints have a lovely cream-to-powder formula that blends really easily and the pigmentation is much stronger than what you'd typically expect from a 'tint' product - you don't need to use much at all! They give a nice wash of colour to the lips but they do feel a little drying on there, so I use them on my cheeks a lot more. There are six shades available and I have Say My Name, a perfect everyday nude-pink for me, and Bashful, a much brighter summery coral.

B. Cassie Lomas Whipped Bronzer* (19g, £8.99, link)

Like cream blushers, cream based bronzers are great for Summer and this new one is part of Cassie Lomas' capsule collection for B. It has the most amazing whipped texture and when applied to the skin, it feels like silk and quickly dries to a smooth matte finish. I was surprised by how easy this Whipped Bronzer was to use; I just lightly dip my angled contour brush into it, so I'm picking up the tiniest amount of product, and then gently buff it into my skin. It blends like a dream and instantly warms up your whole complexion for a gorgeous Summer glow. Great to use for contouring too if you have a fair-to-medium skin tone.

B. Cassie Lomas Sheer Liquid Illuminator* (30ml, £9.99, link)

For an extra glow, try Cassie's Sheer Liquid Illuminator which can be used in numerous ways. For a boost of radiance apply it all over your face, either directly onto your skin underneath foundation, or mix a little into your foundation for a more glowy and healthy looking finish. You can also apply this underneath your regular highlighter to maximise its shine, and it works well on the decolletage, tops of the shoulders, down the centre of the legs to slim and highlight them - anywhere where you want a little something extra!

Swatches! B. Cassie Lomas Sheer Liquid Illuminator, B. Cassie Lomas Whipped Bronzer, B. Lip & Cheek Tints in Bashful and Say My Name.

B. Matte Liquid Lips in Cassie Lomas All About Me, Ravenous and Lulu* (5ml, £6.99 each, link) & B. Velvet Matte Lipstick in Snatched* (£6.99, link)

For lips, B. have a large range of products available in various shades and finishes. Matte liquid lipsticks are still hugely popular and I can imagine that these are going to be some of the brand's bestsellers! I've been playing with three of them and the formulas are brilliant. They are incredibly pigmented, glide on super smoothly, don't feel drying and are long lasting - what more could you possibly want?!

The shades of Matte Liquid Lips that I have are All About Me, a beautiful, easy to wear nude from Cassie Lomas' collection; Ravenous, a stunning rich berry purple that I will be rocking throughout Autumn and Winter, and Lulu, a bright and summery fuschia pink.

Traditional lipstick fans needn't feel left out either as B. have got a wide selection of lipsticks in different finishes and the shade ranges cater for all skin tones. My personal favourite is one of the Velvet Matte Lipsticks in Snatched - a gorgeous, barely-there nude. The texture is lovely and smooth, and like the Matte Liquid Lips, this doesn't feel drying at all and it delivers great pigmentation. Lots of love for all of these!

Swatches! B. Matte Liquid Lips in Ravenous, Lulu and All About Me, and B. Velvet Matte Lipstick in Snatched.

B. Cassie Lomas Matte Liquid Lip in All About Me

B. Matte Liquid Lip in Ravenous

B. Matte Liquid Lip in Fuschia

B. Velvet Matte Lipstick in Snatched

B. Protected Anti-Pollution Shielding Primer* (30ml, £12.99, link)

There are a couple of primers within the new B. makeup range, but my favourite one actually comes from their sister skincare line so this is a few quid more expensive than the makeup products. This B. Protected Anti-Pollution Shielding Primer is the perfect base for your makeup if you work in a city, have a job where you're outside a lot, or are simply going on holiday to enjoy a city break somewhere. It's been formulated to help protect the skin from daily environmental aggressors such as pollution and it contains broad spectrum SPF 30 to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Not only that, but it preps the skin for makeup by providing a super smooth base as well - brilliant stuff!

B. Long Wear Brow Cream in 02 Mid Brown* (£5.99, link)

I've used several brow products from B. before and have always gotten along well with them, so I was curious to try the new Long Wear Brow Cream. Available in three shades, I have the shade Mid Brown which is a good match for my brows as I suspect the Dark Brown shade would look too harsh and unnatural on me. Mid Brown is a straight up taupey-brown, and the cream formula makes it easy to fill in your brows, plus it's smudge proof and stays put all day until you want to take it off. The glass packaging also makes this look and feel a lot more expensive than it is which is always a winner in my book.

B. Pro Sculpt & Highlight Contour Sticks in 04 Universal and 02 Medium* (£8.99 each, link)

    

Contouring fans will love these new dual-purpose Sculpt & Highlighter Contour Sticks which feature a creamy matte highlighter and contour shade at each end. They glide onto the skin smoothly and the small, rounded stick allows you to apply your contour and highlighter exactly where you want it. What I love the most about these contour sticks are that they are so easy to blend out for a natural looking finish, and you can build them up if you want a stronger depth of definition. 

You can pick these up in four shades and I have 02 Medium, which is great for light-medium skin tones and 04 Universal, that's perfect for most skin tones and features a gorgeous shimmery highlighter end instead of a matte one. Best of all though, they are really compact so great for travelling with.

B. Kohl Eye Liner in 02 White* (£4.99, link)

Lastly, I wanted to give a quick mention to B.'s Kohl Eyeliners which are some of the best and most affordable on the high street. These have super sleek matte black packaging and feature a convenient twist-up applicator. The formula of these is fantastic; they apply smoothly with zero dragging or pulling, are richly pigmented, don't smudge or fade throughout the day, and sit well in the waterline. Alongside this white shade, there are five other colours available ranging from everyday blacks and browns, to some beautiful copper and jade shades. Well worth a look!

Swatches! B. Long Wear Brow Cream in 02 Mid Brown, B. Pro Sculpt & Highlight Contour Sticks in 02 Medium and 04 Universal and B. Kohl Eye Liner in 02 White. 

B. Makeup and Skincare is available exclusively at Superdrug, both in stores nationwide and online at superdrug.com

Have you tried any makeup from B?

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Health & Wellbeing: Teatox Organic Teas review

My love affair with tea has been such a longstanding one that I feel like it's more of a marriage now. I have two cupboards in my kitchen dedicated to just tea in all its forms and guises; from artisan loose leaf blends and organic unbleached bags, to fancy pyramid 'temples' and good old standard, supermarket buys. 

However, I'm always on the hunt to try out new teas and my latest discoveries are from Teatox, a German brand from Berlin, that prides itself on high-quality, loose leaf blends made from certified organic natural ingredients. Their blends have been designed to be beneficial for the mind, body and soul, and they have a wide variety available including Matcha and ceremonial tea sets.

All of the Teatox teas have similar brewing times of around 3-5 minutes, with the exception of the Skinny Detox blend which takes a little longer at 5-7 minutes, and as with most high-quality loose leaf tea blends, you only need to use a teaspoon per cup to get a really flavorful cuppa. I've had the pleasure of trying out five of their teas over the past month and each one has a different benefit and flavour as you'll find out below. 

Teatox Skinny Detox Good Morning Tea* (50g, £11.90, link)

I'm quite sceptical of 'detoxing' teas, but I have to say that this one was lovely and it's something that you can drink every day, not just when you're doing a cleanse or detox. It contains a blend of Lemongrass, Dandelion, Green Mate leaves, Goji Berries, Green Tea Sencha, Ginger Root, Birch leaves, Nettle leaves, Goldenrod and Horsetail which revitalizes the body, helps to kick start your metabolism and improves your energy levels throughout the day. As the name suggests, it's recommended as a morning tea, so to take full advantage of its benefits, brew yourself a cuppa as soon as you wake up or when you have your breakfast. 

What does it taste like?

Taste-wise, the Green Tea Sencha comes through quite strongly in this blend so it's a little bitter at first, but the Lemongrass and Ginger Root help to balance it out, plus the Goji Berries give it a nice subtle hint of fruitiness. 

Teatox Natural Defense Immune Boosting Tea* (50g, £11.90, link)

As I'm one of those people who seems to catch every cold and bug that goes around, I'm always looking for ways that I can boost my immune system, so naturally I was very intrigued to try this one. Comprised of Ginger Root, Green Tea Sencha, Cranberries, Licorice Root, Lemon Peel, Lemon Myrtle, Blackberry, Pomegranate Peel and Echinacea, this tea is packed full of vitamins and minerals, including essential Vitamin C. The addition of Echinacea to the blend further helps the body to fight off colds, making this tea a must-have for when cold and flu season comes around again.

What does it taste like?

This one's very refreshing and fruity, with a mellow base of Green Tea and a hint of aniseed coming from the Licorice Root. I really like it!

Teatox Daily Balance Organic Wellness Tea* (50g, £11.90, link)

This Daily Balance tea is an excellent all round wellness blend that you can enjoy at any time of the day. It's been designed to create balance between the mind, body and soul, so it comes in useful when I'm feeling stressed or anxious. Made from just five natural organic ingredients; Verbena, Ginger Root, Honey Bush, Lemongrass and Lemon Myrtle Leaves, this tea helps to promote calm by relaxing the nerves, and it gives you an overall sense of relaxation without making you feel sleepy so that you can still get on with your work and finish what you need to do. 

What does it take like?

Daily Balance has a very delicate herbal-meets-fruit flavour, landing somewhere between the two. There are some lovely Ginger and Lemon notes in this one.

Teatox Pure Beauty Herbal Skin Care Tea* (50g, £11.90, link)

We all know that to get truly flawless, glowing skin, we need to pay more attention to what we put into our bodies than what we apply on just the surface. This tea features a blend of White Tea, Pineapple, Lemongrass, Ginger Root, Heartsease, Orange Blossoms, Olive Leaves, Burdock Root,  and Chamomile Blossoms, making it rich in antioxidants to purify the skin from the inside out. White Tea and Olive Leaves are particularly beneficial as they have natural properties which have a gentle and protective effect on the skin, and we all know about the benefits of drinking more water!

What does it taste like?

I was expecting this tea to taste more fruity because of the Pineapple content, but it's actually much more mellow and herbal, with the White Tea being the most dominant flavour.

Teatox Power Detox Revitalizing Fitness Tea* (50g, £11.90, link)

Whether you're a regular gym goer, or simply lead a busy lifestyle, this Power Detox tea is perfect for anyone who needs a real energy boost! It's been specially formulated to get you back on track after a long stressful week, or if you've been burning the candle at both ends and need to re-focus on your goals, whatever they may be. Power Detox contains a naturally stimulating blend of Lemon Verbena, Green Rooibos, Sencha Green Tea Guarana, Aronia Berries, Nettle Leaves, Cardamom and Cayenne Pepper, to help the body get rid of toxins, and it boosts your metabolism and energy levels at the same time. Try drinking a cup before your workout to improve your stamina or use it to fight the dreaded afternoon slump at work.

What does it taste like?

A little bitter with a strong Green Tea herbal base, plus some interesting spicy notes coming from the Aronia Berries and Cayenne Pepper. It took me a little while to warm to it at first, but the more I drank it, the more I liked it!

Teatox Organic Teas are available in the UK from LoveLula.com who offer worldwide shipping.

Have you tried any of these?

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