Foodie Friday: Ombar Organic Raw Chocolate - Super Choc Bundle review

Getting a treat delivered through the post has been one of the few highlights of being in lockdown and a great way to lift your mood when everything seems so overwhelming. Like many, I've used this time to support some of my favourite ethical and independent businesses and this month, I decided to treat myself to Ombar's Super Choc Bundle. 

If you haven't tried Ombar before, please read this review as fast as humanly possible and put in your order online for one of their Super Choc Bundles - you won't regret it!

Ombar are the crème de la crème of dairy-free chocolate. From the first moment that you savour their impossibly rich and creamy creation, you'll instantly fall in love. Not only is their chocolate vegan-friendly, gluten-free and organic, it's also fair trade (purchasing direct from farmer's co-ops in Ecuador) and made with raw cacao with zero refined sugar. But Ombar doesn't taste like a regular 'healthy' chocolate at all, neither does it taste like a typical dairy-free one. How do they do it then?

Firstly, the use of raw cacao means that there are more polyphenols (the super healthy compounds found in cacao and other plant-based ingredients) in each bar which you won't find in cacao that's been heated at high temperatures or roasted. Secondly, as there's no refined sugar present, the sweetness of the chocolate comes from a little added Coconut Sugar, whilst Creamed Coconut replaces traditional milk solids for a smooth and silky texture. Finally, each Ombar is packed with billions of live cultures (Lactobacillus Acidophilus) for a tasty dose of gut-friendly bacteria.

Ombar is a 'superfood chocolate' and each bar provides a source of Maganese which helps to protect your cells from oxidative stress.

And it's utterly delicious! With 14 flavours to choose from, I knew I had to treat myself to a Super Choc Bundle where you can build your own box of Ombars and choose 8 flavours to try.

What's In My Box?

Ombar Coco Mylk

Coco Mylk is Ombar's lightest and creamiest mylk chocolate - perfect for those who want dairy-free chocolate but aren't a fan of the dark stuff. With 55% raw Cacao, it has a delectable melt-in-the-mouth texture and the natural coconut flavouring comes through the strongest with this one.

Ombar Strawberry Mylk

Coco Mylk's fruity little sister Strawberry Mylk has all the coconutty goodness with a zingy Strawberry flavour blended throughout. It's literally like your favourite childhood strawberry milkshake in bar form - absolute summer heaven.

Ombar Coco 60% 

Coco 60% takes the raw Cacao count up to 60% so that you get a deeper chocolatey flavour than Coco Mylk. I really enjoy a piece of this to satisfy my sweet tooth after dinner and with such a rich taste, it's a good one to properly savour.

Ombar Mandarin

Orange chocolate is a classic flavour combination and it doesn't get better than Ombar Mandarin. Smooth and dark with tangy Mandarin and a pinch of tart Cranberry to help zing it up further, this is the one to try if you think you don't like dark chocolate.

Ombar Centres Pistachio

The Ombar Centres bars are a truly special creation and each one has a smooth filling sandwiched between two layers of 60% dark chocolate. As you can see, I chose two of the Pistachio flavour as it's my current favourite and one was just not enough! I could actually eat a whole box of these as that subtle nutty Pistachio centre is to die-for.

Ombar Centres Raspberry & Coconut

Raspberry & Coconut is another fruity and creamy flavour that reminds me of Wimbledon and lazy summer days. The balance of the slightly tangy Raspberry is spot on with the creamy Coconut for a match made in summertime heaven (or all year round, it's that good).

Ombar Centres Coconut & Vanilla

Finally, my last choice was Coconut & Vanilla from the Centres range. I find that it's one of the more sweeter offerings from Ombar and it really hits the spot when I want a really indulgent and creamy bar of chocolate.

Ombar Super Choc Bundle is £12.74 (8 x 35g bars of your choice) with free UK P&P - ombar.co.uk

Have you tried Ombar?

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Natural Skincare: 6 Great Oils for Rejuvenating Tired Skin #AD

Taking care of our skin is essential for it to remain fresh, clear, and young for as long as possible. There are many skin products available to us. Trying to find the right products to rejuvenate tired skin can be overwhelming due to the sheer volume of choice out there. Understanding your skin type will help condense down the options to products that would work well for you. One product you should consider using is skin oil. Many people get worried about trying skin oils, as they think it will lead to breakouts and that they are unnecessary. However, skin oils could actually reduce the number of skin products you use and your skin will look and feel better, which will lessen your need for makeup. If you are interested in using skin oils, then here are 6 great oils for rejuvenating tired skin. 

Squalane Oil

Squalane oil is derived from olives. This product helps to restore the skin’s natural moisture barrier and refine its texture. The nutrients within the oil help to boost elasticity and diminish discolorations, making your skin look fresher and rejuvenated in return. To get the most out of this product, be sure to use a pure Squalane oil, as this will be gentle on your skin and most effective. 

Marula Oil

The South African Marula fruit is where Marula oil comes from. Marula oil contains a high amount of Vitamin C, which means it is packed full of antioxidants. These can help fight free radicals that cause harm to our skin and trigger the visible signs of aging. This product is particularly good for people who are interested in fighting the signs of aging, like discoloration, fine lines, sun damage and spots. 

Coconut Oil

If you buy beauty products for your hair or skin, then you will be familiar with coconut oil. This oil is rich in fatty acids, which have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Coconut oil makes your skin feel instantly soft when applied directly to it and it can prevent your skin from losing any moisture. Keeping your skin well moisturized is key for maintaining a healthy and fresh appearance. 

Jojoba Oil

Technically jojoba oil is a wax ester, but its molecular consistency is similar to that of sebum, which is the oil that is produced from your skin. This can trick your skin into thinking it is oilier than it is, which reduces excess oil production. Excess oil production can lead to blemishes and unhealthy-looking skin. Jojoba oil retains its nourishing properties for a longer amount of time compared to other oils. 

Maracuja Oil

Not many people are familiar with maracuja oil, but it is a great product that people should be aware of. This oil comes from the passionflower plant or the seed of the passion fruit. It is lightweight and non-greasy, making it suitable for all skin types. It absorbs quickly and is a brilliant moisturizer. This oil naturally fights against stress, anxiety, and insomnia, which can have damaging effects on our skin. 

Grape-Seed Oil

Grape-seed oil is extracted from the grape plant. The seeds are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, which end up in the oil, making it a great product for fighting against acne. When this product is applied to your skin on a daily basis, after a few weeks, you will notice a reduced appearance of dark circles underneath the eyes, which will make you look fresh-faced and healthy.

Skin oils are extremely effective and versatile. They may confuse your skin and increase blemishes to start off with, but over time, once your skin has settled, you will see that using skin oils was the best decision you ever made.

[This is a guest post]

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New In Beauty: Lavera Gloss & Shine Shampoo and Conditioner review

It's not always easy to find cruelty-free natural haircare that contains certified organic ingredients, is suitable for vegans and is affordable, but Lavera has managed to tick a lot of boxes with their new and innovative haircare formulas.

I often get asked about affordable natural haircare brands and usually struggle to recommend products which have good 'green' credentials, are effective and don't cost an arm and a leg to buy, so I was thrilled to discover the new ranges that Lavera have recently brought out which are priced at a very reasonable £6.95 per bottle.

The new ranges available cover all of the main haircare concerns such as dull and lifeless hair, greasy roots, dry and damaged hair, as well as a duo specially formulated to protect colour treated hair, and there's even one for all hair types that the whole family can use.

My hair is quite fussy as it can get greasy and dry at the same time, however, thanks to the lockdown, I've had the extra time to be able to give it some TLC with more at-home treatments and masks, so for the first time in a long time, it's been feeling in pretty good shape (but it could use a cut like everyone else right now!). One area that my hair does struggle with is dullness though, which is where the new Lavera Gloss & Shine Shampoo and Conditioner comes in to lend a helping hand.

A note on the plastic bottles: these are made from 100% recycled milk, juice and water bottles, which can then be recycled again.

Lavera Gloss & Shine Shampoo* (250ml, £6.95, link)

The Gloss & Shine range aims to bring back a healthy shine to dull hair with a mild and biodegradable 100% natural formula. Free from a whole host of 'nasties' such as silicones, SLS, SLES, parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, preservatives and GMO ingredients, I was pleasently surprised by how well this Shampoo was able to remove product build-up and thoroughly cleanse my scalp, without leaving it feeling stripped or dry. It creates a gentle lather and thanks to key ingredients like Organic Quinoa and Organic Avocado Oil, I found it helped to make my unruly hair much more manageable as it was easier to comb through afterwards and felt a lot softer overall. Fellow fine hair owners will also appreciate the light formula which doesn't weigh your delicate hair down. Plus the slightly larger 250ml bottle is ideal for those who have shorter hair or regularly use treatments and masks after shampooing.

Lavera Gloss & Shine Conditioner* (200ml, £6.95, link)

The matching 100% natural Gloss & Shine Conditioner is the perfect partner to the shampoo, making this a worthy duo to try out together. Like the shampoo, it has a pleasant fresh scent with a good consistency - it's neither too thin or too thick to keep fussy Goldilocks hair happy. I left it on as instructed for a couple of minutes before rinsing and then left my hair to air dry naturally to see how it felt. Whilst I wasn't blown away by mega glossy results (I feel you can only really achieve that look with lots of silicones), I can say it definitely helped to add a nice shine to my usually dull looking dark brown hair, and my hair felt silky soft and more manageable with less frizz, which is always a bonus in my book! 

Shop the full range of new haircare from Lavera at pravera.co.uk

Have you tried anything from Lavera before?

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May Empties: Products I've Used Up

Ready for another Empties round-up? Here's a basketful of products that I've used up recently, plus my thoughts on the ones that I'll be repurchasing again and which ones will be staying permanently in the recycling bin.

This Works Light Time Cleanse & Glow (travel size)

Given the current lockdown situation, I've been going through my minis stash and unearthing some forgotten gems such as this gorgeous Vitamin C infused treatment from This Works. Ideal for to use whenever your skin needs a brightening pick me up, Light Time Cleanse & Glow gets to work in just one minute to deliver an instant result. Repurchase? I have a few more of these minis to use but will definitely purchase the full-size when they're all gone!

REN Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask (travel size)

If you're looking for another active ingredient to include in your skincare routine to bring more radiance and glow to your skin, definitely try Glycolic Acid. It's easy to find as the superstar ingredient in REN's Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask and I've been using this for years (check out one of my reviews from back in 2015 here). Repurchase? Absolutely.

Trilogy Pure Plant Body Oil* 

Whenever my eczema flares up, I swap over whichever body moisturiser I'm using to a fragrance-free one and I love this Trilogy Pure Plant Body Oil which has a simple blend of beneficial natural ingredients such as Rosehip, Sweet Almond and Apricot Oils. Absorbs quickly and is great for massage. Repurchase? Yes.

PHB Lavender Natural Soap*

Lovely 100% natural soap bar that's made without Palm Oil. Creates a gentle and soothing lather without any SLS so I've been using this in the shower. If you like Lavender scents, this is the soap for you! Repurchase? I have some other soaps to use up first but I'll happily buy from PHB again.

Merci Handy Hand Cleansing Gel in Coco Rico

Pretty self-explanatory right? I'm a big fan of these Merci Handy Hand Gels because they don't dry out my hands as much as other hand sanitisers do and they smell incredible. Coco Rico is basically summer in a bottle! Repurchase? I bought a multi-pack so I have a few other scents to try out.

Odacité BI + C Serum Concentrate* 

My skin has been a little fussy during the lockdown but this serum treatment from Odacité has managed to keep blemishes and breakouts under control. You can either add a few drops to your day or night moisturiser or apply it directly onto spots and problem areas for a more intensive treatment which is generally how I prefer to use it. Repurchase? Yes.

CHOBS Aloe Face Mask*

I don't tend to use a lot of sheet masks these days, however, I did thoroughly enjoy the soothing benefits of this CHOBS Aloe Face Mask which felt amazing on my skin after a long day in the sun. I kept it in the fridge beforehand and it was literally heaven when I applied it! Repurchase? Tempted.

Organii Facial Sun Cream SPF 15*

This is a bit of a weird one as I used it mainly over the Winter months (I feel that SPF 15 isn't enough during Summer) and although I initially liked it, I've found the texture to be much too thick and greasy to use in the warmer weather so I'm glad it's been used up. Repurchase? I've since found other sunscreens that I prefer over this so I wouldn't buy it again.

A'kin Organic Rosehip Oil*

One of the best Rosehip Oils out there, I've gone through so many bottles of these over the years and always have one on the go somewhere! I tend to use it once or twice a week in the evenings and find that it works particularly well when rotated with other facial oils and treatments. Repurchase? Yes.

Origins VitaZing SPF 15

My last Empty for this round-up is another long-time favourite of mine - the much loved and hyped Origins VitaZing SPF 15. It's a brilliant tinted moisturiser which I use all-year-round when I don't fancy wearing a full face of foundation and the coverage is actually much better than what you might think from a typical tinted moisturiser. Repurchase? I'm using one from Tropic at the moment so we'll see if that's better or not!

P.S - How To Recycle Your Beauty Empties!

All of the glass and easy-to-recycle plastic PET empties will be put into my council's blue bin kerbside recycling scheme, but for the harder-to-recycle stuff, I will be:-

• Recycling the pumps, atomisers and face mask sachets with Neal's Yard Remedies - more info at the bottom of their website here.
• Recycling any other products that my local council doesn't accept, such as flexible plastic tubes at The Body Shop, L'Occitane or with Garnier's Terracycle partnership - more info here.

What have you used up recently?

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