Foodie Friday: Healthier Snickers Bars (Vegan, Dairy-Free & Refined Sugar-Free) recipe

For this week's Foodie Friday, I've made a healthier, vegan, refined sugar-free and dairy-free version of one of my favourite childhood chocolate bars - Snickers!

This terrible weather has made me want to raid the cupboard in search of sweet, chocolatey snacks every evening and whilst I don't mind indulging every now and then, it was becoming a little problematic for my weight to be scoffing chocolate bars every single day. My metabolism just isn't what it used to be sadly!

So I decided to try my hand at making a healthier version of a Snickers bar and I'm really pleased by how these have turned out. I tested out a couple of 'raw food' recipes for them that I found online, but in the end, I decided to use roasted nuts as they gave the bars a much more realistic 'Snickers' flavour.

The date caramel on the top layer is just the most amazing thing ever, and even though the bottom layer is made from oats and coconut flour, it's still incredibly satisfying to eat - these really do hit the spot when you have a chocolate bar craving!

P.S: Don't be put off with the list of ingredients and the steps - these are actually VERY easy to make as you're mostly just blending and layering everything together.

Ingredients (makes around 6-8 bars)

For the date caramel layer:

• 10 Medjool Dates
• 75g Peanuts, unsalted roasted or raw
• 2 tbsp Peanut Butter
• 1 tbsp Tahini
• 50ml Coconut Oil, melted
• 40ml Maple Syrup
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• Pinch of Himalayan Pink Salt

For the oaty base layer:

• 60g Wholegrain Oats
• 40g Coconut Flour
• 2 tbsp Rice Malt Syrup
• 40ml Almond or Cashew Milk
• 1 tbsp Coconut Oil, melted

For the chocolate flavoured coating:

• 100g Cacao Powder
• 200ml Cacao Butter, melted
• 60ml Maple Syrup
• Pinch of Himalayan Pink Salt

Method

• First, discard the pits from the Medjool Dates and add to a bowl. Pour hot water over them and allow to soak for at least 10 minutes to soften up. Drain and set aside.
• Add the Oats and Coconut Flour to a blender or food processor and blitz until you get a fine texture, and then add this to a mixing bowl.
• Next, add the rest of ingredients of the base layer to the mixing bowl - Rice Malt Syrup, Coconut Oil, Salt and Almond Milk, adding the Almond Milk a few tbsp at a time. Mix together with your hands to create a soft dough.
• Press the dough into a lined loaf tin, smoothing out the top and then place in the freezer.

• Now for the caramel layer - add all of the caramel ingredients, except the Peanuts, to a blender and blitz until smooth and creamy. Add a little water if needed.
• Remove the loaf tin from the freezer and carefully spoon the caramel layer on top. Sprinkle in the Peanuts and roughly smooth everything out. Return to the freezer for 3-4 hours.

• For the chocolate coating, melt the Cacao Butter in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water, remove from the heat and sift in the Cacao Powder. Add the Maple Syrup and Salt, and whisk together so that you have a smooth and glossy liquid chocolate.
• Remove the loaf tin from the freezer and lift it out so that you can slice it into 6-8 bars. Dip each bar into the chocolate coating and place on a flat board that will fit into your freezer. Once all the bars are dipped, pop the board back into the freezer to set for 30 minutes.
• Once set, you can store the bars in an airtight tub in the freezer for up to a month - enjoy!

Serving tip: Don't fancy a whole bar? Cut them in half for smaller 'bites' and remove from the freezer to defrost slightly before eating.

Have you made healthier chocolate bars before?

Follow me on: BlogLovin' | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Read more

Payday Treats: Petits Rituels By The Fire & Orange Gourmande Luxury Candles review

Fed up with this awful weather? Need something to lift your mood? Get your Hygge on and cosy up to these beautiful luxury candles from Petits Rituels. 

Handmade in England using only 100% natural plant-based wax and pure essential oils, Petits Rituels luxury candles are part of their home fragrance range which has been created with therapeutic benefits in mind. I'm a huge fan of aromatherapy so this brand immediately appealed to me when I saw it - naturally, I just had to pick up some of their candles to try out!

Presented in white frosted glass, these paraffin-free, French-inspired candles look incredibly chic in any room and have an excellent scent throw. I've been smitten with two scents in particular; By The Fire and Orange Gourmande.

Petits Rituels By The Fire Candle* (200g, £36, link)

Described by Petits Rituels as the brand's signature Winter candle, By The Fire embodies all of those warm and cosy vibes that you want to come home to after a long day.  This wonderfully festive blend features seasonal favourites such as spicy notes of Cinnamon and Clove, infused with zesty and uplifting hints of Orange and Lemongrass. These key essential oils help to create such a happy and inviting atmosphere and with up to 40 hours of burn time, this large 200g candle is perfect for living rooms.

Petits Rituels Orange Gourmande Travel Candle* (70g, £16, link)

During stressful or difficult times, I find the small ritual of lighting an aromatherapy candle as comforting as making a cup of tea and Petits Rituels' Orange Gourmande fragrance is definitely worth a try when you're feeling a bit blue or anxious. This scent is gloriously happy and uplifting with fresh citrusy notes of Sweet Orange married together with the relaxing and floral notes of Rose Geranium. It's the ideal candle for when you need some 'me time' so it's a good one to keep on standby in bedrooms and bathrooms. 

Do you enjoy using aromatherapy candles in your home?

Follow me on: BlogLovin' | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Read more

Green Beauty: LoveLula Beauty Box - February 2020 review

Fans of green beauty will love the LoveLula Beauty Box - a monthly subscription service that delivers a surprise selection of natural and organic beauty products straight to your door. It's a great way to discover something new, or a brand or product that you may not have come across before! February's edition is worth £44 so let's check out what's inside, shall we?

 My. Haircare Rescue My Hair Shampoo Bar - Pollution Patrol (RRP £13.95)

I was lucky enough to be sent this Pollution Patrol Shampoo Bar from My. Haircare to try out last month (read my review here), so it's great to see it included in this month's box so that more people can test it out for themselves! Formulated without any sulphates and silicones, this vegan-friendly Shampoo Bar helps to remove product and pollution build-up on the hair and is 100% plastic-free which is awesome.

 Laidbare DIY! Cleanser & Toner (30ml travel size)

Next up, I found an old favourite of mine - a travel size of Laidbare's popular DIY! Cleanser & Toner, which I first reviewed way back in 2012 here. I've used it on and off over the years and find it particularly useful when my combination skin is being troublesome to help bring it back to a normal balance. It has a gel-like consistency and can be used both morning and night. 

 Laidbare For Richer For Porer Face Masque (RRP £7.99)

Another brilliant budget-friendly skincare gem from Laidbare is this For Richer For Porer Face Masque, and like the cleanser above, it's something that I've used many times over the years too. Infused with ingredients such as Kaolin Clay, Japanese Seaweed Extract, Shea Butter, Liquorice and Rose Water, it's a deep cleansing treatment that draws out impurities, but it also hydrates so it won't leave your skin feeling stripped afterwards.

 Ooh! Oils Of Heaven Raspberry Seed Oil (RRP £19)

A brand new release from Ooh! Oils Of Heaven, this Raspberry Seed Oil is rich in essential fatty acids which have high levels of natural anti-inflammatory properties that are particularly beneficial for acne-prone skin. It's also useful for dehydrated and sensitive skin types as well so I'm very excited to try it out, especially as my skin feels like it's all over the place like the weather at the moment!

Ayumi Turmeric & Bergamot Face Scrub (20ml travel size)

Last, but not least, I found a travel size of Ayumi Turmeric & Bergamot Face Scrub to complete this month's LoveLula Beauty Box. Packed with exfoliating Bamboo Powder to gently buff away dead skin cells and impurities, this ayurvedic inspired facial scrub also contains Turmeric to brighten dull complexions.

LoveLula Beauty Box* is a monthly subscription box priced at £13.95 with free postage in the UK. Visit lovelula.com to find out more.

Have you subscribed to LoveLula's Beauty Box?

Follow me on: BlogLovin' | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Read more

Winter Skincare: Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Brighten - Skin Renew Cleansing Oil, Dark Circles Eye Cream & Booster review

Looking for an affordable way to give your Winter Skincare routine a boost? Check out these Vitamin C infused helpers from Super Facialist and banish dull complexions for good!

I don't need to tell any fellow Brits this, but the lack of light that the Northern Hemisphere gets during the winter months can give everything a greyish tinge, including your skin, so you're certainly not alone if you've been feeling that your complexion looks a bit more lacklustre than usual recently.

The good news though is that there's an abundance of Vitamin C infused skincare on the market which can help to brighten and rejuvenate your skin, and when you see the affordable prices from Super Facialist below, these products will brighten your bank balance as well!

I've been testing out the following from Super Facialist's incredibly popular Vitamin C+ Brighten range over the past month, to see what all the hype is about.

Side note: Super Facialist is a cruelty-free brand and although the formulas aren't as natural as some other brands that I feature on here, everything is free from parabens, mineral oils, petrolatum and synthetic colours. 

 Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Brighten Skin Renew Cleansing Oil* (100ml, £5.50, link)

I love using cleansing oils for removing daily grime and make-up after the end of a long day, so when I saw this award-winning one, I knew I had to try it! Featuring nourishing ingredients such as Sunflower Seed Oil, Olive Fruit Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Raspberry Seed Oil and that all-important brightening Vitamin C, Super Facialist's Skin Renew Cleansing Oil has a gorgeous silky texture which transforms into a milky cleanser when water is added to it.

This SLS and alcohol-free Cleansing Oil did an excellent job of removing all traces of impurities and make-up, including long-lasting liquid foundation, though it's important to note that this shouldn't be used to remove eye makeup such as mascara (I'd recommend using a separate micellar water for that job and then going in with this afterwards to use over the rest of your face). My skin felt soft, hydrated and thoroughly clean after rinsing with a flannel and I love the fresh citrusy scent. Available in two sizes, the handy 100ml bottle pictured above is great for travelling with and a good way to try it before purchasing the larger 200ml bottle.

Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Brighten Dark Circles Eye Cream* (15ml, £14, link)

As someone who has hereditary dark circles, there's little that you can do to change them as it's all down to winning the genetics lottery, unfortunately, but some targeted brightening eye creams can make them look a little less severe which is how I would describe Super Facialist's offering. 

This fragrance-free Eye Cream has Vitamin C, Caffeine, a Peptide complex and 'light diffusers' to help brighten up the undereye area, but after using it morning and night for four weeks, I can only say that I've noticed a slight difference. That said, it's great for smoothing out fine lines and provides a good base for applying concealer, so if you're looking for an affordable eye cream that does those, definitely try it. Just don't expect any miracles on the dark circles front.

Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Brighten Booster* (15ml, £18, link)

One of the newest releases from Super Facialist is their Vitamin C+ Brighten Booster, a supercharged serum that combines 1% Vitamin C, a naturally derived pro-collagen Vitamin C active and Allantoin, which all work together to deliver some serious glow to dull skin.

The fragrance-free and vegan-friendly formula has been designed to 'boost' your day or night moisturiser (from any brand), by simply adding 2-3 drops directly to the cream and then applying it as usual. This is a particularly useful product for any skincare fan who is on a budget, or for anyone to use during the darker Winter months to give their complexion a brightening helping hand.

I've really enjoyed using this and have tested it out with a couple of different moisturisers, all of which the Booster has worked and blended well with. A little goes a long way and you should see a noticeable difference within a fortnight of applying it on a daily basis.

Shop the full Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Brighten range at your nearest Boots store or online at superfacialist.co.uk

Have you tried anything from Super Facialist?

Follow me on: BlogLovin' | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Read more