Emma Gardner wins Sacla’ Food Blog of the Year Award

Emma Gardner, author of the successful food blog - www.poiresauchocolat.net .
- has won the Guild of Food Writers first ever Food Blog of the Year sponsored by Sacla’, the Pesto Pioneers.

Emma was presented with her award at the 2012 Awards evening by Clare Blampied, Managing Director of Sacla’ UK, beating other finalists Kerstin Rodgers – www.marmitelover.blogspot.co.uk – and Niamh Shields, author of www.eatlikeagirl.com

The Awards, hosted by acclaimed food writer Claudia Roden, are the most prestigious in the field of food writing and broadcasting and showcase the very best of the industry.

Sacla’ the irresistibly Italian food company was delighted to sponsor this year’s award. Clare Blampied says: “We are absolutely thrilled with this new award as we know from first-hand experience how talented and innovative these writers can be. We are proud to be able to recognise and reward their excellence in this exciting new arena”.

2012 is a particularly busy year for Sacla’ as they launch a pasta range to perfectly complement their pesto and pasta sauces, an Italian Tomato Sauce fridge pack and Sacla’ Squeezy Pesto Sauce which will broaden the appeal and usage of this store cupboard favourite.

Why not join Sacla’ and become one of our very special fans on facebook www.facebook.com/ItalianFoodLovers or visit our website to be even more inspired by our creative collection of recipes for every occasion – www.sacla.co.uk

Mild Reggae Reggae Sauce Review

Much as I like it hot hot hot, food that is, I also love  flavoursome dishes. So when I was asked if I would like to review Mild Reggae Reggae sauce, I was keen to give it a go.

I have been a fan of Reggae Reggae Sauce for ages. I met Levi Roots while at an event for my blog and he signed his recipe book and a bottle of his first ever sauce. I haven't used it and had to buy another that weekend just so I could taste it.

I make Jamaican and West Indian food quite regularly and always keen to cook up some new treat for my hungry horde!

With the fabulous sunny weekend arriving, I decided to get marinading chicken  ready for a barbecue.

The sauce can be used just as a table sauce, but I like the idea of getting the flavour deep into the food.

Spot the chicken Chris was peckish!!!!


The taste is lovely, its garlicky, sweet but not too sweet. Chris said it was had a smokey taste and definitely a West Indian taste. The flavour is all there just as in the hot sauce, but without the kick. Conor who likes his food milder adored it.


I popped over to the Facebook page and there is a BBQ competition running right now.

https://www.facebook.com/reggaereggaesauce?sk=wall&filter=1#!/reggaereggaesauce

Cranks Organic Wholemeal Bread Review

Good wholemeal bread and a hunk of cheese is possibly up there in my favourite meals, so when Cranks asked me to try their new organic loaf I was happy to.

Its the sort of loaf that reminds me of childhood when we would get a fresh loaf from the bakers. Like those fresh loaves Cranks is a solid heavy bread, filling and nutritious and very tasty, oh and its lovely toasted with butter, just munching on it now. Its a real bread no flimsy pasty looking slices, thick proper bread!



Crank up your picnic with proper organic bread

In time for summer picnics, barbecues and alfresco dining, Cranks, the UK’s largest organic bread brand has re-launched its naturally delicious organic wholemeal bread which is made using only the finest organic stoneground wholemeal flour and wheatbran.

Cranks has a high quality ethos and proving that healthy vegetarian food need not taste bland, has developed its organic wholemeal bread with flavour and provenance in mind. Made the traditional way and without any artificial additives or preservatives added to speed up the process, the dough is allowed to rise in the oven for several hours before being baked to perfection. The result is proper organic bread which is baked the same unique way Cranks has baked for over 40 years.

The 800g unsliced loaves allow servings to be cut to taste, making individual sandwiches and snacks for friends and family. Add your favourite filling to make a fresh sandwich or spread butter to eat with your meal for a healthy, organic choice.

Commenting on the re-launch of the bread, Ben Johnson, Marketing Director at All About Food says “Until now, it has been difficult to find a brand of organic bread which is all about taste, texture and quality. When we eat well, we feel good - Cranks proper organic bread range is both healthy and delicious, bread just as it should be.”

The bread contains no GM ingredients, artificial additives, colours or flavours and are available to buy nationwide with an RRP of £1.52. For more information, visit www.cranks.co.uk.

Closed Thorntons Best of British range Giveaway

I once again am reviewing a Thorntons selection, plus giving you a chance to win a box of Thorntons Limited Edition Classics. So while you are watching Team GB giving it their all, you can nibble on chocolates as you watch. Seems a good deal to me.

I was sent a few of the goodies mentioned below, my love of chocolate was sated with a love London Bus in delicious milk chocolate. There was no chance I would miss this bus, the chocolate bars inspired by British puds were shared out.

 Chris had a favourite pud flavour in his bar. He was very quiet while nibbling apart from nodding lots.

I had a blast from the past with a banana and custard bar, it had crispy banana pieces, vanilla seeds and creamy  custard flavoured white chocolate.

Celebrate this summer with Thorntons Best of British range

- Wave your British flag and eat some Great British chocolate this summer -

British summertime is now upon us, and with it comes the promise of an exciting and unforgettable season. With the Queens Diamond Jubilee, Euro 2012, Wimbledon and the 2012 Olympics just around the corner, Britain’s best loved chocolate company Thorntons is celebrating Britain’s big year with the launch of its new Best of British range. Hitting the shelves in May and available all summer, the range celebrates everything it means to be British this year.

The nation’s favourite chocolate box, Thorntons Classics, is a delicious collection of classic flavours including fudge, caramel and fruit and nut centres. The box has been given a British update for a limited period to include the British flag – perfect for sharing at a Jubilee Street party!

Nothing is more synonymous with Great Britain than the classic London double-decker bus. Thorntons’ milk chocolate representation is sure to be a best-seller this summer; the perfect patriotic present - or even just a treat for yourself. 

Wave the flag for Great Britain this summer with one of Thorntons delicious chocolate flags. Decorated with mouth-watering white and dark chocolate, this chocolate Union Jack plaque is the ultimate British memento for 2012.

Want to try something a little different this summer? Thorntons talented Chocolatiers have re-created some classic British puddings – in chocolate!  Regress to the dessert delights of your childhood in the Thorntons Servery with the likes of, Apple Pie & Custard and Lemon Sussex Pond or grab a bag of Jam Roly Poly chocolates. 

There is 10% off online to celebrate the Best Of British with Thorntons

 http://www.thorntons.co.uk

Disclosure: My post is based upon material provided free of charge (A Thorntons Chocolate selection) for review purposes. I have not been paid or otherwise compensated to promote the topic, product or service reviewed in this post.

I have a box of Thorntons Limited Edition Classics to give away thanks to Thorntons.

To win a Thorntons Limited Edition Classics just fill out the easy Rafflecopter below. If you can't see it try refreshing the page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tasty Little Numbers Heat and Eat Meal Pots Review

I hate diet food, there its out there! As regular readers know, I successfully dropped three dress sizes by healthy eating, no portion control, just choosing the right foods. I ate good mainly home cooked meals, never went hungry and avoided limp lettuce leaves, even weird egg and grapefruit diets.

 I see my eating now as controllable and really enjoyable, but I sometimes need to eat quickly. But shudder at the thought of rice cakes, celery sticks and sweeteners.

Tasty Little Numbers were a brand I raved about while I was losing weight last year, they are exactly as they are titled. I tried the great meal pots, chocolate bars and crispy snacks and could not find anything bad to say. They each have calories marked on the pots 200 for the meal pots, the choc bars and crisps at 100.

http://given-to-distracting-others.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/tasty-little-numbers.html

They have now launched a lovely range of Heat and Eat Meal pots and when they arrived it was hard to choose which one to devour first. They just look so fresh in the pot, layers or rice or potato, sauce, lots of large pieces of meat and vegetables. You can see your meal straight away and it looks good.

Having a read through the ingredients list of my first choice the Thai Spiced Coconut Chicken Curry, I could actually go to my cupboard and get the ingredients, all are real foods and spices, no funny 'E' numbers. They heat up in 3 minutes a quick stir to blend all the layers together and away I went, it tastes as good as any Thai I have made. The crunchy bamboo shoots and green peppers complement the spicy coconut creamy sauce, the chicken is tender and fresh.

I also tried the Chicken Tikka Masala which again tastes authentic, lots of spices all listed, fresh chicken, a good selection of veg which adds to the healthy taste. A lovely lemony rice all works so well and again I have all the spices in the cupboards. Not an artificial flavour in sight.

The meals are filling, I handed them out reluctantly to my family. Paige chose the Sicilian Chicken and loved the flavour, Chris nabbed the Sweet Chilli King Prawn and commented it was nearly as good as a takeaway one, without all the fat and MSG.

We are all impressed with the pots, especially when I discovered Sainsburys is selling them at 2 for £5.

 

Innovative lifestyle brand, TASTY LITTLE NUMBERS By JO BEACH is super-excited to announce six new additions to its hugely popular portion-controlled product and snack range...PRESENTING the 300 calorie heat and eat meal pot!!

Guaranteed to solve even the toughest mealtime dilemma, the 300 calorie seriously tasty meal pots are lovingly created with real ingredients (think kitchen cupboard favourites!), and uniquely made to whole numbers of calories! They completely ‘take the messin’ outta guessin’; meaning that managing your weight and watching what you eat has never been easier – or more delicious!

With six stunning new variants – Sweet Chilli King Prawn Chinese Noodles with Bamboo Shoots, Creamy Chicken Hotpot with Roasted Herb Potatoes and Veg, Red Thai Spiced Coconut Chicken Curry, Sicilian Chicken Pasta in a Sun-Dried Tomato Ragu, Chicken Tikka Masala with Lemon Basmati Rice, Chilli Con Carne with Long Grain Rice – you can be sure that the hours spent deliberating over the healthiest, lowest calorie lunch option will be a thing of the past, and with a different option for almost every day of the week, you will never be tempted to stray from the yummy range of goodness!

Tasty Little Numbers is a lifestyle brand for the health and weight conscious which centres on built-in 'at a glance' portion control. No one wants to spend their life counting up every single calorie (when there are so many fun things you could be doing!) and so at 300 calories a meal, Tasty Little Numbers’ heat & eat pots are designed to hit the taste spot whilst filling the hunger gap!

Tasty Little Numbers answers the prayers of people who are super busy, who enjoy life and real food. Ideal for popping in your handbag to take for lunch at work, or indulging in when cooking from scratch seems a distant dream...the products make it a breeze to indulge in a little bit of what you fancy at meal times, whilst knowing that the in-built portion-control keeps track of what you’re eating – see, we’ve thought of everything -- It’s indulgent, it’s healthy and it’s convenient!

Creator Jo Beach comments: “Having received such amazing reviews of the Tasty Little Numbers’ 100 calorie chocolate bars and crisps and the 200 calorie snack potsand being inundated with requests for a chilled ready meal range available from the supermarket, I knew I had to create a range of individual meals suited more to mealtimes and just not ‘snack times’… and so the 300 calorie pots were born! The success of the products lies in the authentic and delicious taste of the recipes, as well as the in-built portion control element, which allows you to manage the amount of calories you consume, without having to think about it too much! I want to watch my weight and eat healthily (getting older sucks!) and there is no way I can stick to a rigid diet to do it… so watching my calorie intake in the most simple way possible with a product that doesn’t shout ‘diet’ works for me! I hope you enjoy eating them as much as I love creating them. Just remember that Tasty Little Numbers doesn't claim to make you slim, only you can lay claim to that triumph, but I do hope it helps you to enjoy doing it”.     

www.tastylittlenumbers.com

From China to Manchester With Love: New Sweet Mandarin sauces

From China to Manchester With Love: New Sweet Mandarin sauces

 

Start with a secret recipe that has been passed down, word of mouth, through four generations

Add a family history that spans one hundred turbulent years and several continents

Mix in two stylish twin sisters with entrepreneurial flair

Combine the authentic ingredients, flavours and aromas found in China’s bustling street markets – with a modern twist

Sprinkle with a large dose of love and passion

The result? The delicious new dipping sauce range from Sweet Mandarin Sauces

When twin sisters Helen and Lisa Tse opened their Sweet Mandarin restaurant in Manchester’s Northern Quarter in 2004, they became the fourth generation in their family to make and sell food for a living. Inspired by their incredible heritage, the sisters put their careers (as a lawyer and a financier) on hold to firmly established Sweet Mandarin for its modern, innovative take on authentic Chinese home cooking – including winning Best Local Chinese Restaurant in Gordon Ramsay’s F Word.

The loyal customers of the restaurant soon began to request that they were able to take the exotic flavours and recipes used in the Sweet Mandarin kitchen to their home and the Tse family were inspired to launch Sweet Mandarin Sauces – giving everyone the chance to experience a little piece of Chinese hospitality on their own kitchen table

Each sauce is lovingly hand mixed by chef Lisa Tse in the Sweet Mandarin kitchen and tells part of the tale of the Tse family history. Using secret recipes passed down through generations, Lisa adds a modern take on the authentic flavours and aromas found in China’s street markets – and used by her mother, grandmother and great grandmother – in every bottle.

The initial range of Sweet Mandarin Sauces includes:

• Barbecue – a thick, fruity sauce that evokes memories of heady evenings. Perfect as a dip with prawn crackers and other snacks or as a marinade for meats.
• Sweet Chilli – an exciting concoction of fresh red chillies mixed with garlic and vinegar that tickles the tongue. Perfect for livening up stir-fries, noodles or salads or on the side, as a zingy dip.
• Sweet & Sour – a classic Chinese sauce of contradictory flavours to confuse and delight the taste buds. Use as a dipping sauce with spring rolls and other appetisers or use with meat as a sauce

The Sweet Mandarin Sauce range is gluten free and contains no MSG or artificial colours or preservatives. It is available now, RRP £2.50 per bottle (plus p&p) at www.sweetmandarin.net

Philadelphia Royal recipes for a lovely jubbly Jubilee

 

Impress your guests at your royal party with these quick and easy meals from Philly

Over the bank holiday (2nd to 5th June) food will once again take centre stage, as street parties spring up across the UK to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

If you’re holding your own party, Philadelphia - the UK’s number one cream cheese[1]- has created a royal list of recipes to choose from, all with special significance for Her Majesty. From Majestic Mousses to Eton Mess, impress your guests with these tasty suggestions for a Jubilee spread fit for a queen.

The only problem is, the food will be so delicious there won’t be any left to feed the corgis!

Party favourites and finger foods

To a ‘cracking’ Queen: Philly Smoked Salmon Party Crackers

crackers: 24

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time:: 10 minutes

Total time:: 30 minutes

250 g Philadelphia Original

100 g smoked salmon, chopped

black pepper to taste

grated rind of ½ lemon

8 sheets of filo pastry

3 tbsp oil

1.   Mix together the Philadelphia, salmon, black pepper and lemon rind and leave to one side.

2. Lay the filo pastry sheets on top of each other and cut into 3 equal strips to give 24 strips in all. Oil the top layer of filo, place a teaspoon of the Philly mixture on the end of each strip and roll up into a cylinder, then pinch the ends into a cracker shape.

3. Brush with a little oil and place onto an oiled baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining strips of filo until you have 24 crackers. Bake in a preheated oven, Gas 6, 200 C for 10 minutes until golden and crisp. Serve warm or cold as a party bite or as a starter.

Try using chives to tie around the cracker ends.

Substitute the lemon for a teaspoon of horseradish sauce.

Philly’s Splendid Cucumber Sandwich

sandwiches: 1

Prep time: 10 minutes

Total time:: 10 minutes

2 slices wholemeal bread

30 g Philadelphia Extra Light

40 g piece cucumber, peeled

1. Cut the crusts off the bread and flatten slightly with a rolling pin.

2. Spread with Philadelphia and top with very thin slices of cucumber, leaving 1cm at the end of the bread which is Philadelphia only ,to aid rolling up.

3. Roll up from the cucumber end so that the Philadelphia at the other end sticks the sandwich together. Serve immediately.

Potato Cakes with Creamy Chilly Philly Dipping Sauce

portions: 6

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time:: 15 minutes

Total time:: 35 minutes

600 g floury potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes

1 egg yolk

25 g fresh coriander, chopped

5 spring onions, trimmed and chopped

finely grated zest of 1 lemon

100 g fine dry breadcrumbs

1 tbsp vegetable or sesame oil

150 g Philadelphia Light with Sweet Chilli

2 tbsp lime juice

1 tbsp light mayonnaise

1. To make the potato cakes, cook the potatoes in boiling water until tender. Drain and mash until smooth.

2. Stir in the egg yolk, coriander, spring onions and lemon zest. Season to taste.

3. Mix well together and shape into about 16-20 small cakes. Put the breadcrumbs on a plate. Roll the cakes firmly in the crumbs. Heat the oil in a heavy based non stick frying pan and cook the potato cakes for 3-4 minutes on both sides or until browned and heated through.

4. Meanwhile make the sauce. Put the Philly and lime juice in a small basin and mix together. Add the mayo and stir to give a soft consistency. Serve the hot potatoes cakes with the Philly dipping sauce.

Serve these mini potato cakes as an accompaniment to pre dinner drinks. Or serve 2-3 as a starter with some salad leaves. Alternatively make bigger potato cakes for a mid week supper dish

One’s favourite Philly Tartlets

canapés: 50

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time:: 30 minutes

Total time:: 50 minutes

500 g mixed mushrooms (chestnut, Portobello, closed cup), very finely diced

2 tbsp picked and chopped thyme leaves

3 whole eggs

1 egg yolk

400 g Philadelphia Original

200 ml double cream

4 cloves chopped garlic

4 banana shallots, finely chopped

30 g butter

1 tbsp olive oil

4 tbsp chopped parsley

50 readymade tarlet canapé cases

100 g crispy shallots

1. Put the butter and oil in a large frying pan on a medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add in the chopped shallots, picked thyme and garlic and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Once the shallots are soft and translucent, add in the chopped mushrooms. The mushrooms need to cook for around 20 minutes, make sure the heat is high enough for the water in the mushrooms to evaporate from the pan. Try not to allow the mushrooms to boil in their own juices, if this looks like it’s happening, turn up the heat. Season the mushrooms with salt and lots of black pepper. Transfer the mushrooms from the pan into a colander and allow to cool and any more liquid to drain away.

3. While the mushrooms are cooling down, mix the eggs, egg yolk, 300g of the Philadelphia and double cream in a large mixing bowl. Add in the chopped parsley along with the cooled mushrooms. Mix well and season again with a little more black pepper.

4. Place the canapé cases onto a baking tray and carefully spoon the mixture into each one. Fill the right to the top. Place the tray into the oven for 8-10 minutes, until just set.

5. Allow to cool for a few minutes before piping on a pea sized amount of the remaining Philly onto each tartlet and garnish with a pinch of crispy shallots.

Queen of desserts

Grandson’s favourite: Eton Mess

Serves: 2

Prep time: 10 minutes

Total time:: 10 minutes

150 g strawberries, quartered

2 meringues (approx 12g each)

25 g low fat strawberry yogurt

5 g strawberry jam

75 g Philadelphia Light, softened

1. Place half the strawberries and meringues in the bottom of a sundae glass.

2. Marble the yoghurt and jam through the Philly and spoon into the sundae glass.

3. Top with the remaining strawberries and meringue, add two spoons and enjoy.

Cook's tip This can also be made with raspberries and natural yogurt if you prefer it less sweet

For a tipple on the side: A Royal Philly Smoothie

drinks: 1

Prep time: 5 minutes

Total time:: 5 minutes

6 strawberries, hulled and halved

1 small banana, peeled and cut into chunks

100 ml fresh orange juice, chilled

1 tbsp Philadelphia Extra Light

1. Place all the ingredients in a blender or food processor.

2. Blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

For a change try using raspberries in place of the strawberries.

Shock Absorber Sports Bra + Giveaway news

Have a read of  this pretty interesting research and then stay tuned for a GIVEAWAY for a Shock Absorber Sports Bra. Paige will be reviewing one too!

While you are waiting head over to the Shock Absorber Facebook page to find out more and enter their competion too!
getoutthere.shockabsorber.co.uk

UK’s Top 10 ‘Green’ workout hotspots revealed

The weather has been frightful but an al fresco workout can be delightful as new research* reveals today that more women are opting for the great outdoors to exercise (52% increase since 2007). Nearly half of women (48 per cent) are exercising outside three times a week or more and three fifths (60 per cent) cite expensive fees as the reason they’re not going to the gym.

The study, conducted by Shock Absorber, the UK’s leading sports bra brand, reveals the benefits of the Great Outdoors are more than financial. More than a third (34 per cent) of women felt they achieved a better workout because they were inspired by the surroundings and half (50 per cent) love the fresh air.

According to Dr Jo Barton, leading researcher in green exercise at the University of Essex, 88 per cent of people experienced an overall improvement in mood after exercising outdoors compared to 45 per cent of people whose mood worsened after exercising indoors.

Shock Absorber has partnered with Dr Jo Barton to identify the UK’s top ten inspirational green exercise hotspots, chosen for their balance of green space and water, stimulating views and proximity to wildlife.

• White Cliffs of Dover, England
• Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, England
• Lunan Bay & Red Head, Scotland
• Brecon Beacons, Wales
• Killarney National Park, Republic of Ireland
• Hampstead Heath, England
• Loch Tay, Scotland
• Downhill, Northern Ireland
• Forest of Dean
• Powis Castle, Welshpool, Wales

Dr Barton comments: “Green exercise offers unique benefits compared to working out indoors. It significantly improves mood, self-esteem and restores mental fatigue. Added to this, people work harder when in a natural environment but perceive their workout to be easier. Training in the great outdoors also provides essential variety, especially with the changeable British weather – this maintains interest and reduces dropout whereas keeping fit indoors is more predictable.”

The study showed running (48 per cent) and cycling (26 per cent) were the most popular outdoor activities but newer fitness trends such as Buggy Fit and British Military Fitness are helping to drive the uptake of green exercise with almost one in 10 (eight per cent) taking part in each.

Shock Absorber has launched its “#Get Out There” campaign to promote the benefits of exercising in the great outdoors and encourage women to share their inspirational places to train. By uploading photos to the campaign’s Facebook page, people can be inspired by others’ experiences and get out there to try new locations for themselves.

Shock Absorber’s Kirsty Kothakota comments: “Many women have their favourite exercise location which gives their workout that extra boost. The aim of our ‘#Get Out There’ campaign is to provide a nationwide picture of inspirational and accessible green exercise places. Research shows participants work harder when exercising outdoors so it is important women wear the right sports bra. A Shock Absorber sports bra will give them the support they need, helping to further boost performance and confidence”.

You can view further inspirational locations and participate in the campaign including a great competition by visiting getoutthere.shockabsorber.co.uk

Lush Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner Review

Lush are fabulous for getting your body ready for summertime and manage to do it making you feel really pampered at the same time.

I was recently sent Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner and could hug the makers of this Lush beauty. Th first thing that I love is the fragrance, the rose scent is mingled with an almost toffee fragrance, so good I wanted to eat it almost!

Its a thick  creamy butter but its light to the feel and my skin just lapped it up, it absorbed straight away and gave an instant soothing feeling. The pampering effect is just well lush!

My skin was left thoroughly moisturised, looked really radiant and has a lovely sheen, perfect for applying before going out for the evening especially now the sunshine has arrived. I am taking this on holiday, I have a week in Cornwall coming up and this will be perfect after a day at the beach. 

The full info below mentions Argan oils quality's and having reviewed the oil before, I am already a convert, in this form, combined with all the other natural goodies, I can thoroughly recommend it for not only how it feels but also for all the compliments, I had four people say I that I smelt gorgeous!

Packed full of ingredients to feed and nourish the skin; argan oil, cocoa butter, cupuaçu butter, brazil nut oil, almond oil and fair trade shea butter.

We didn’t think there was any room left after all those ingredients – but we just managed to squeeze in some goji berry juice in here too.

Finished off with Simon’s new Rose Jam scent, this product leaves you soft and smelling like a rose bush being kissed by the first rays of morning sun.

Argan oil, a rare oil produced only in Morocco, is rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids. The belief in its anti-ageing properties has meant that the Argan tree, which was once endangered, is now protected for its valuable oil.

We start this product by making an infusion of cypress and vanilla. Cypress is a cooling herb that is said to prevent sweating.

This product is named after Rowena because she’s been nagging us for a very long time for both a conditioner to use after showering and something containing argan oil. So, at last you have both wishes combined, Ro!

Use like you would a hair conditioner. Smooth on over wet body after bathing or showering, rinse off and lightly towel yourself dry.

Disclosure: My post is based upon material provided free of charge (A tub Of Lush Ro's Conditioner ) for review purposes. I have not been paid or otherwise compensated to promote the topic, product or service reviewed in this post.

Nature’s Path Tasty Everyday Snacks For Coeliac Children!

At Last – Tasty Everyday Snacks For Coeliac Children!

Nature’s Path Shakes Up Gluten-Free Snacking

Nature’s Path, North America’s biggest independent ‘free-from’ cereal producer, has launched its first non-cereal products – a range of 3 delicious, gluten-free and organic bars, ‘Crispy Rice Bites’.

Designed for everyday snacking, the bars are endorsed by Coeliac UK and were launched just as Coeliac Awareness Week approached (14th-20th May).

They follow the successful introduction of the company’s children’s cereals, ‘Munch’ and ‘Os’ in 2011. Nature’s Path were the first cereal firm to not only recognise the existence of child coeliacs - but that they actually prefer products that don’t treat them like second-class citizens! So, in came vibrant, fun, designs and tasty products that helped make breakfast a far more enjoyable experience for them.

Now, with Crispy Rice Bites, the company has addressed both the lunch and ‘on-the-go’ needs of younger coeliacs – who also appreciate tasty snacks as much as any other child. Historically, snack bars for this audience have been dry and deadly dull, but these, in stark contrast, are moist and chewy, thanks partially to being honey-sweetened.

They also come in simple, un-fussy flavours, which children appreciate and are substantial (weighing in at 28g), so are the perfect treat for lunchtime - or when families are out and about.

(Those upcoming summer picnics just got more interesting for coeliac children! )
The 3 flavours are: ‘Berry Bobbly’ (raspberries & blueberries); ‘Choco Knobbly’ (light milk chocolate) and ‘Peanut Butter Bobbles’ (peanut butter with a milk chocolate drizzle). Coming in 5-pack single flavour boxes (RRP £2.49), they are available via Waitrose, Ocado and good independent health food shops.

This year, Nature’s Path became the official sponsor of Coeliac UK’s ‘Me and My Tummy’ literature for the parents of recently diagnosed children. This followed Coeliac UK members playing a pivotal role in online workshops that were instrumental in determining the look of the children’s cereals and these Crispy Rice Bites.

Queen’s Vintners Create The Perfect Jubilee Gin Cocktail

Raise a Right Royal Toast

If you get the chance to try No.3 London Dry Gin I can guarantee you will love it, I recently reviewed it here

If you’re planning to raise a glass to the Queen this Jubilee June, here’s a celebratory gin cocktail that ticks all the ‘royal’ boxes.

The ‘St. James’s Jubilee’ has been created by Berry Bros. & Rudd, purveyors of wines and spirits to both HRH and the Prince of Wales.

It features the very British ingredients of the firm’s own No.3 London Dry gin, English sparkling wine, elderflower liqueur and fresh lemon juice – topped off with a ‘royal’ raspberry.
The cocktail is named after the location of Berrys’ 300-year old shop at No.3, St. James’s Street, London. The shop is located a few hundred yards from St. James’s Palace – once the home of King William III, who was appropriately the monarch who popularised the drinking of gin in Britain.

The St.James’s Jubilee

Ingredients:

     50ml No.3 London Dry gin

25ml fresh lemon juice

15ml elderflower liqueur

100ml English sparkling wine

Method

Shake all ingredients, bar the English sparkling wine, with ice in a cocktail shaker. Then, strain over the chilled sparkling wine. Garnish with a single raspberry.
Glass: Champagne flute.

No.3 is available at Waitrose nationwide, as well as Selfridges and Harvey Nichols; RRP of £33.65 for a 70cl bottle.