Health & Lifestyle: Viridian Aronia & Cacao Frappé review #WellnessWednesday

If you're on the lookout for a healthy way to start your day, why not try swapping your coffee for Viridian's new Aronia & Cacao Frappé? The latest launch from the ethical supplements brand, this vegan-friendly drink is easy to prepare, and full of immune-boosting and fatigue-fighting benefits.

What is it?

Viridian's Aronia & Cacao Frappé is a nutritional supplement that comes in a powder format, which is packaged in a recyclable/reusable glass jar. It contains just two ingredients; Aronia Berry and Raw Cacao, so it's suitable for vegans and is free from gluten, wheat, lactose, dairy, soy, added sugar, salt, yeast, preservatives and artificial colourings. Each jar contains 25 servings and each serving gives you 695mg of Raw Cacao (providing 200mg of flavanols), and 505mg of Aronia Berry (providing 200mg of polyphenols). 

What are the benefits?

Aronia Berry is a less familiar superfood than other berries here in the West, but it's been popular with the Native Americans for centuries, and the Mayans were a fan of them too. More commonly known as the Chokeberry or Wild Gooseberry, Aronia berries are native to North America and have a really vivid, dark purple colour which gives the berries their high anthocyanin and antioxidant properties. Rich in Vitamins B, C, K and minerals such as Zinc, Magnesium and Iron, they help to boost the immune system, protect your vital organs (especially the heart, liver and stomach), and research is currently being carried out on their abilities to reduce blood pressure, regulate blood sugar levels and reduce inflammation in the body.

Anyone who is a 'healthy' chocoholic will already know why Raw Cacao is amazing, but to recap, it's the unfermented, non-heat treated form of the cacao seed so it retains all of its wonderful nutrients. Packed full of flavonoids, catechin and epicatechin, Raw Cacao also boasts a high level of antioxidants which protect against cell and tissue damage, and is high in Magnesium, Iron and Calcium.

How do I use it?

To make an Aronia & Cacao Frappé, simply add half a teaspoon to a glass of cold milk or dairy-free milk alternative of your choice. Give it a good stir and enjoy! You can use a frother if you're feeling fancy for an even more indulgent result.

What does it taste like?

I'm used to the flavour of Raw Cacao, but having never tasted Aronia Berry before, I wasn't quite sure what the two combined would taste like. It's definitely more Aronia than Cacao which gives it a somewhat bitter and berry-ish edge, but it's palatable and the more I drink it, the more I've started to like it. I find that it works best with creamier plant milks such as Cashew, Coconut or Macadamia, and you could add a tiny bit of Honey or Agave to sweeten it if necessary.

Overall thoughts?

If you're looking for a new and different healthy start to your day, I think you'll love Viridian's Aronia & Cacao Frappé as it's a nice drink to alternate with the usual Turmeric Lattes and Green Juices to keep things interesting throughout the week. I've noticed that I've been feeling less tired since drinking it which is a massive bonus for a poor sleeper like myself, so if you suffer from fatigue, stress or are feeling run down, you may find this beneficial to your morning routine.

Viridian Aronia & Cacao Frappé* (30g, £30) is available from independent health food stores and online at viridian-nutrition.com

What do you like to drink first thing in the morning?

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February Empties: Products I've Used Up

The shorter month of February has certainly caught up with me time-wise so this latest edit of Empties is here a little later than usual! Here's everything that I've used up recently - spot any of your own favourites among them?

Ogario Revive And Shine Conditioner* (reviewed here)

Ogario are one of the most underrated natural haircare brands in my opinion, and I've gone through several bottles of this incredible conditioner. It really does live up to its name as it always manages to add shine to my lacklustre hair, and helps to repair any damage that I've done with the straighteners and curling tongs! Repurchase? Yes.

Tropic So Sleepy Pillow Mist* (featured here)

I'm usually a big fan of most of Tropic's products, but this So Sleepy Pillow Mist was a little disappointing if I'm being honest. I loved the scent of it but the spray applicator kept clogging up and I found that other similar products were more effective. Repurchase? No.

Organyc Organic Cotton Pads* (reviewed here)

I've cut down on my use of cotton pads for environmental reasons, though I do still use them for things like removing my nail polish. I really like these ones from Organyc because they're organic and feel soft, but don't disintegrate when you add liquid to them. Repurchase? Yes. 

Benecos Natural Lip Balm in Mint (reviewed here)

If you're looking for a budget-friendly natural lip balm, you can't go wrong with Benecos! I've used this Mint one in the past and think this might be the third tube that I've finished up - it's that good! Repurchase? Will do once I've used up some of my other lip balms.

Weleda Evening Primrose Age Revitalising Concentrate* (reviewed here)

Oh, this was such a beautiful serum! I really enjoyed using it throughout Winter - it hydrates, plumps everything up, evens out skin tone and just made my complexion look a lot brighter and healthier looking than usual.  Repurchase? Yes.

Weleda Body Oils in Pomegranate, Sea Buckthorn, Wild Rose and Lavender* (reviewed here)

These are all gorgeous, it's hard to pick a favourite but I'd have to say that Pomegranate and Wild Rose are two must-trys if you haven't used any of these before. The formulas are just on-point and feel so luxurious to use. Repurchase? Yes, I'd happily buy all of these in the full-sizes!

Organiqua Hair Oil* (reviewed here)

My hair has been very dry lately so I've been using this hair oil treatment about once a week to deeply hydrate and condition it. It's been doing a good job, but I feel that there are better ones out there that I've tried from other brands in the past. Repurchase? No.

ESSE Gel Cleanser (trial size)

If you're into probiotic skincare, you'll love ESSE and this Gel Cleanser was a lovely morning facial wash. Great for most skin types, including combination/oily, it thoroughly cleanses without leaving the skin feeling tight or stripped afterwards. Repurchase? Tempted!

Vestige Verdant Organic Peat Mask* (reviewed here)

I reached for this face mask whenever my skin was feeling particularly oily or congested, so I've been impressed by how long this jar has lasted, as a little goes a long way. Brilliant for drawing out impurities and stubborn blackheads. Repurchase? Definitely, but I need to use up some other face masks first!

Madara Time Miracle Total Renewal Night Cream (trial size)

Sadly, this night cream was a little too rich for my combination skin type, but I would recommend it to those who have dry/mature skin instead. Repurchase? Not for me.

What have you used up recently?

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Foodie Friday: Healthy Blueberry Pancakes (Gluten-Free, Vegetarian / Hemsley & Hemsley recipe)

It's Pancake Day next Tuesday and if you're looking to make a healthier version this year, these Blueberry Pancakes from the Hemsley sisters are wonderfully fluffy and utterly satisfying! 

Any excuse to make a fresh batch of pancakes and I'm all for it - whether it's to celebrate Pancake Day (aka Shrove Tuesday) or to simply enjoy a leisurely weekend brunch at home, I have yet to come across anyone who won't devour a plate of hot pancakes that's served in front of them. I was flipping through some of my favourite cookbooks and the pancake recipe that I've probably used the most often comes from the Hemsley sisters, and this one is actually the very first recipe that I tried from their bestselling debut called The Art Of Eating Well. 

It's a healthy version of the thick and fluffy American style pancakes that many people love, but these are grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free, and they taste so good! This recipe calls for Coconut Flour which you should be able to find in the free-from section of your local supermarket. I picked up an organic one that was on offer in Aldi recently, so you needn't spend a fortune and if you enjoy gluten-free baking, it's a worthwhile staple to have in your cupboard.

Ingredients: (makes four pancakes)

• 150g fresh Blueberries (plus extra for serving)
• 2 tbsp Coconut Oil or organic Butter
• 2-4 tbsp warm Water
• 2 free-range, organic Eggs (at room temperature)
• 1 tbsp Maple Syrup (plus extra for serving if desired)
• 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 2tbsp Coconut Flour
• 1/4 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda
• Pinch of Sea Salt

Method:

• Melt the Coconut Oil or Butter over a low heat in a frying pan and allow to cool.
• Meanwhile, beat the Water, Eggs, Maple Syrup, Vanilla Extract and pinch of Salt together in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy.
• Sift in the Coconut Flour and Bicarbonate of Soda, and blend with the melted Coconut Oil to make a batter, without washing up the frying pan. Leave the mixture to thicken up for about 5 minutes.
• Pop the frying pan back onto a medium heat and add 2 tbsp of the batter to form one pancake. Push in a couple of Blueberries into the centre.
• After a couple of minutes, the bottom of the pancake will have set and you can flip it over, but be extra gentle with it as there's no gluten in the mixture. Once done, place on a heated plate and repeat the process with the next pancake. Once they're all cooked, you can pop them under the grill to warm up before serving if necessary.
• Serve with extra Blueberries and a drizzle of Maple Syrup if desired - enjoy!

What's your favourite healthy pancake recipe?

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Payday Treats: 4 Products To Try From Antipodes

Antipodes are one of my favourite natural and organic skincare brands, and if you're looking to treat yourself to something new this payday, here are a few suggestions to add to your skincare basket.

My love for this New Zealand brand has been one that's grown ever stronger over the years, and if you haven't tried anything from them before, I urge you to have a leisurely read through my previous features and reviews for all things Antipodes related - you'll find a bunch here to start you off in the right direction. With such a vast range of skincare and body care available, Antipodes still manages to surprise me and the products below are mostly new-to-me, which I've been testing out over the past couple of weeks. 

Antipodes Resurrect Clarifying Facial Toner* (100ml, £18.99, link)

Usually at this time of the year, I'll still be reaching for the hydrating mists in my skincare routine, but thanks to this absolutely balmy warmer weather we've been having lately, my skin has been asking for something much more balancing instead. In steps Antipodes Resurrect Clarifying Toner; one of the best toners that I've tried for oily and combination skin types. Not only does it feel instantly wonderfully refreshing when you spritz it on, but it does a fantastic job of balancing oily skin which results in pores looking more refined and clearer. It also helps other products absorb better into the skin afterwards and can be used morning and night.

Antipodes Kiwi Seed Oil Eye Cream* (30ml, £24.99, link)

Oh, how I adore this eye cream! It's become one of my most frequently recommended products ever, and if I see anyone looking for a new eye cream to try out, I always suggest this one without fail. Packed full of Avocado Oil, Vitamin E, Vinanza Grape, Borage Oil and Kiwi Seed Oil, this eye cream has a beautifully rich and silky texture, yet somehow manages to feel light at the same time and is easily absorbed into the skin. It's ultra-nourishing and hydrating, but never seems to overload the delicate undereye area either. Perfect in every way - I'll always have a jar of this in my skincare cabinet.

Antipodes Halo Skin-Brightening Mud Mask* (75g, £26.99, link)

One of the newer products from Antipodes, the Halo Skin-Brightening Mud Mask was only released last year and quickly became very popular online. I've been dying to try it out for such a long time and I'm pleased to say that it really does live up to all of the hype. This mask is what I would call a true multi-tasker because it delivers so many benefits for the skin, and is fantastic if you're after a quick fix before a special occasion or night out. With a base of Kaolin Clay and Volcanic New Zealand Mud, Halo will brighten and tighten your complexion in a mere 15 minutes - it's a must try!

Antipodes Joyous Protein-Rich Night Replenish Serum* (30ml, £36.99, link)

If you're looking to jumpstart your evening skincare routine, one of the easiest ways to start seeing noticeable results is with a high-quality night serum and Joyous ticks all of the right boxes for what my skin needs right now. This intensive treatment serum contains an expert blend of natural active ingredients to eradicate signs of dryness and dehydration, smooth out fine lines and wrinkles and help repair any damage from free radicals. Key ingredients include Himalayan Goji Berry which contains 19 amino acids to replenish the skin deep down; Red Raspberry Seed Oil and New Zealand Blackcurrant, both offering rich sources of essential fats such as Gamma-Linolenic Acid, and Kiwi Seed Oil to further nourish and hydrate. 

Joyous has a gorgeous, natural berry-rich scent that I find very relaxing and spa-like, and it layers well underneath moisturisers and facial oils. I believe most skin types will enjoy this, especially if your complexion needs a moisturising boost and if the first signs of ageing are a concern to you, this will help to keep them at bay for a little longer.

Do you have any favourites from Antipodes?

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