Showing posts with label Drink. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Drink. Show all posts

Monday, August 12, 2013

Douwe Egberts Enticing Chocolate Review



You may remember that I reviewed Douwe Egberts The Flavour Collective recently they offer a delicious everyday treat that’s a little bit different from your usual cup. The flavoured coffees have been a real hit here,Chris the real avid coffee drinker surprised me when he said he loved the Caramel flavour and enjoyed the Hazelnut and Vanilla too.

I never thought he would go for sweeter style coffees. For my friends its been nice to offer them a hot drink that is a little different and they have caused lots of discussions on favourite flavours.

If you are on Slimming World Douwe Egbert Flavour Collectives are free to drink, my friends who are still not at target, say they take the edge of a sweet craving.

I like the caramel flavour, but I prefer a less sweet taste, Douwe Egberts told me they had launched a new flavour Enticing Chocolate!!! I was hopeful this may be the one I loved and I  do.

When I opened the jar its like coffee flavoured chocolate more than chocolate flavoured coffee.Its a lovely fragrance. Chris and I tried together and he loved it too,he said it reminds him of Irish coffee, perhaps as I make mine with chocolate liqueur. I am very happy as its not sweet, this is my favourite so far.


I could imagine this made with ice cold milk so I gave it a go.One teaspoon was just nice for me and half a teaspoon of sugar to sweeten it.Very refreshing.
I will be adding this to fat free fromage frais and mixing it with raspberries for a low fat sugar free dessert!

For more information on Douwe Egberts Instants range and The Flavour Collective, visit www.douwe-egberts.co.uk or why not ‘like’ DouweEgbertsUK on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @DouweEgbertsUK.


Disclosure: I received a jar of Douwe Egberts Enticing Chocolate to review,I was given no other incentive or paid and my views are my own.


Monday, May 20, 2013

KENYAN TEA PRIZE




It’s no secret that Brits are partial to a brew – in fact we drink a massive 165 million cups of tea every day in the UK and it’s been a big part of our everyday lives for over two hundred years.



What you may not know is that Kenya is one of the world’s biggest producers of black tea. It’s widely used by tea blenders to give that delicious briskness and flavour, as it’s got more ‘oomph’ than Ceylon or Indian tea – It’s what gives the great taste and quality to our everyday favourite teas.



To celebrate our national love of tea, The Tea Board of Kenya have launched a ‘Tea Moments’ competition, asking Facebook fans to share their favourite tea occasions or memories, whether it's the first cuppa to get you going in the morning, taking a break with friends (or cake!) or if you've enjoyed a brew in an unusual location.



Enter your favourite everyday or unusual tea moments here, with a picture if you have one, and you could win afternoon tea for two at Brown’s Hotel and a Kenyan tea goody bag including five delicious Kenyan teas, an infuser, and a gorgeous tea set so you can host afternoon tea for two at home.



Prize for Given to Distracting Others:

Kenyan Teas have kindly offered a prize to my readers.
You can win three delicious Kenyan teas including selected blends from Waitrose and Marks and Spencer, as well as Tetley’s new Estate Selection tea from Kenya’s Great Rift Valley. You’ll also win one of these cute cup and saucer sets, perfect for having guests round for tea!

Just fill in the easy peasy rafflecopter form, it collects your contact email privately and the only thing to remember is to leave your name in the Rafflecopter comment if you post here anonymously, just so I can match up the entry.


Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Galaxy Bubbles




I imagine many families out there love hot chocolate, my children especially love a mug of Galaxy. We have reviewed a lot of the range. I do like the tubs and large pouches but we tend to leave it languishing in the cupboard especially when the weather gets warm.


Galaxy Bubbles now come in a one mug serving, in chocolate and chocolate orange flavours. They are 40 calaries or 2 syns if you are a Slimming World member. They taste a lot more naughty than those figures.

I like buying single servings, its healthier for the family to have one every now and then, they are easily carried if you are out for the day.


Paige works late and so she will be able to pop one in her bag and have a sweet treat on her break. 




The Bubbles have that lovely Galaxy silky taste, light and indeed taste bubbly. The chocolate flavour was my favourite. I already had the Galaxy mug and a free moment to indulge. Lovely bubbly!

You can buy the drinks at Tescos and they are 32p a stick, not bad.


Disclosure I was given  free products. I was under no obligation to receive the samples or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company.







Thursday, February 28, 2013

Brita Water Challenge Giveaway




This year I  am feeling very healthy. I'm regularly eating breakfast, eating well over my five a day, at my optimum weight thanks to Slimming World and feeling good.

However I do get energy dips and  I am aware my hydration is not what it should be.

BRITA  have kitted me out with a jug and a Fill and Go water bottle which filters water to drink on the go, and  challenged me to a month of getting my recommended fluid intake in filtered water.  

Well February is known for being a wet month! 


They were  interested in how upping my  filtered water intake makes me feel, firstly I wanted to get some facts to motivate me so I went on a search and  found some great facts from Brita and through the world wide web!

1. Water is a healthy drink, especially if filtered and contains no calories.

2. I know from my time eating with Slimming World that the brain sometimes will be sending out messages and we can mistake them for hunger messages,when in fact your body just might be thirsty. I have tried listening a bit more carefully and often having a drink will make me feel full again,especially if I am eating regularly.

Talking about the brain, when our bodies become dehydrated our attention and  concentration can decrease by 13%  and short term memory by 7%, so drinking water can increase brainpower. I certainly need it.

My results in at the end of the month are pretty convincing for me.

I feel better, more energy. I did find my sleep disturbed but sorted it out by drinking my water early morning.

Maybe too much information, but my wee is a lovely colour and smells less.  My bowels are running better.....(Sorry)

My skin looks better, plumper and more refreshed. 

I am certainly less tired, I even would say less crabby, life has been tough and busy here, but I feel I have more energy to ride things out.



All in all its convinced me to drink more. I love the taste of the filtered water, the jug has been great for the kitchen, I keep my water dispenser stocked and ice cold water is always at hand. The family are drinking more, down to the nicer taste.



The Fill and Go Bottle has been used while I was away,I love it, I stayed in a hotel this weekend and was able to have my own filtered water for the night and out and about. I can see this being really great in summer especially. 

Great news Brita have 10 Fill & Go Bottles  to lucky winners

You can enter via the easypeasy Rafflecopter.

Due to vast amounts of spam comments, I am afraid Anonymous comments have had to been disabled , for those that only enter this way, you can add a name only to the Open ID  area, no need to register to enter.


Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Chiquito Review



Chiquito have recently launched a sizzling new menu which sees delicious new dishes such as Goats' Cheese and Roasted Vegetable Salad, Blackened Salmon and Jambalaya added, along with some original favourites such as the Chiquito sharing platter. 

Chris and I were invited to try the new menu as its ideal to enjoy for a date night as even parents/carers need nights off once in a while!

We arrived on a Saturday night and the restaurant was full of diners. The outside of the restaurant was modern, inside still modern but with a real Mexican cantina feel, rustic wood doors, mismatched chairs and great chandeliers made from empty beer bottles.

While we waited for our table we were able to sit at the bar and decided to really indulge and have something a little special to drink.After a good look at the cocktail list I settled on a Cosmopolitan and Chris opted for a Dark and Stormy Gosling’s Black Seal rum mixed with ginger beer and served in a jam jar glass!
Mine was so good perfectly made and Chris loved the fiery taste of his.

We made our way to a table and began to look at the feast. While we browsed, our drinks were topped up and a bowl of really tasty savoury popcorn appeared on the table.

 The menu is really varied, grills, fajitas, salads and Mexican favourites. James our waiter for the evening who was brilliant the entire visit, recommended a few dishes and we decided to take him upon the starter recommendation.

We were so glad we did as the Hot cheese Bake was delicious, an island of cheeses, floating in a baked tomato sauce, Chiquito's own recipe, it was really good. The tortilla chips made a change from a bread side and helped soak up all the delicious sauce.

Chris went with James main course recommendation of Southern Fried Chicken & BBQ Pulled Pork  A succulent chicken breast topped with BBQ pulled pork and melted cheese. Served with skin-on-fries, corn on the cob, onion rings, coleslaw and BBQ sauce. He loved the flavours and something a little different from ordinary barbecued chicken dishes. 



I went for a favourite main course, Grilled Steak Fajita, I love dishes  that come to the table still sizzling 
This was  gorgeous a 21 day matured steak, cooked to my requirement,on a bed of peppers and onions.


I could order more tortilla,sauces and cheese but it was such a generous dish, I didn't manage it.
I would love to have shown you desserts, but the meals were so large, we could not eat another bite.

The night was lovely,relaxing, great food, service a little slow for the mains, but we were kept informed and James apologised and offered us more drinks.

It was a fabulous date night,a lovely atmosphere and one I would repeat. 

 http://www.chiquito.co.uk

We were given a voucher by Chiquito  for a date night out towards meals and drinks. My views are my own




Monday, February 4, 2013

Banish the Booze… Not the Bubbles!





 For anyone thinking of starting a family, sparkling juice drink Shloer has teamed up with independent health journalist and psychotherapist Christine Webber to offer tips to increase your chances of falling pregnant. January may have drawn to a close, but it is the month when most babies are conceived.

1.       Get the timing right: “Help your chances of falling pregnant with a kit to check exactly when you are ovulating– which should usually fall around the 12th to 14th day of your cycle.”


2.       Give up alcohol. “For years, medical experts have advised women to cut down on alcohol during pregnancy. But the most up to date advice from NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) is for women to avoid drinking altogether - both while they are trying to get pregnant and for at least the first three months of pregnancy.  Alcohol usage is associated with an increased danger of miscarriage and other health risks to the baby.”  So ditch the sparkling wine and opt for sparkling Shloer instead, available in seven delicious flavours friends and family will enjoy … for any occasion.

3.       If you smoke, quit now. “There is no such thing as a ‘safe’ cigarette. Also, all women hoping to be mums would do well to avoid smoky atmospheres.”

4.       Watch what you eat: “Get into the habit of consuming nutritious and good food. Aim to eat five portions of fruit or veg a day.”

5.       Be a fit mum. “Get into the habit of exercising regularly. Walking, swimming, yoga and Pilates are all good options for a mother-to-be. You will need your energy when the little one arrives.”

6.       Take care of yourself. “Doctors recommend taking a 400 microgram supplement of folic acid every day from the time you give up contraception till the 12th week of pregnancy, as this can help prevent birth defects. You might also want to eat foods that are rich in folic acid, such as liver, broccoli, spinach, fortified breakfast cereals and brown rice.”



7.       Make a big fuss of your partner: “Men can sometimes feel slightly left out when a woman is very focussed on becoming a mum. Show your man how much you value him for himself – not just as a potential parent.”  Here at Shloer, we love to cook our man a Sunday roast to show how much we appreciate him, and as an extra treat a glass or two of sparkling Shloer!

8.       Finally, enjoy yourself!  “Once you become a parent, life will never be the same again. So, in the meantime, have a happy time with your friends and family. See films and shows you like, and read your favourite books.  Sometimes, women are so anxious to conceive that they forget to be happy with the life they have as a non-parent. Don’t get stressed out. Enjoy this childfree period while you can!”  


Thursday, January 10, 2013

#Deskfest Alpro Challenge Oaty Chocolate Banana Shake.







"When you wake up in the morning, Pooh," said Piglet at last, "what's the first thing you say to yourself?"
"What's for breakfast?" said Pooh. "What do you say, Piglet?"
"I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?" said Piglet. 
Pooh nodded thoughtfully.
"It's the same thing," he said.”




 #Deskfest  Day 4 here at Given To Distracting Others and its a busy Friday, I have lots to do so I made another drink.  I am really enjoying the time spent and A chocolate drink is possibly not what I would drink for breakfast using Alpro Hazelnut milk. I made a bowl of fruit but the shake was so filling I struggled.


I added a little pouring yogurt to make it like a  thick shake and it certainly helped. Plus the addition of oats gives a filling and healthy fibre boost. 



Oaty Chocolate Banana Shake

75ml  Alpro hazelnut milk
50ml Alpro pouring yogurt
1 large ripe banana 
3 tsp  cocoa powder (adjust to taste)
50g fine rolled oats (leave out if you do not have a high speed blender)


Method
  1. Place the all the ingredients  into a high speed blender. Pulse to break up the banana, then blend on high speed for a couple of minutes until completely smooth. Check the flavour and add honey or sugar to sweeten if desired.  Blend for a few more seconds, then serve.

I added a little honey and next time will only use 2 tsps cocoa, I found it  a tad strong, but my son loved it.




Wednesday, December 5, 2012

funkin Cocktail Mixers Review




Cosmopolitan Cocktail

I am very happy to be reviewing funkin cocktail mixers again.
I first reviewed a couple of years ago, and met the team at the Good Food Show. The brand really fun and the ingredients used to make the mixers really natural and tasty.

New to me are the cartons now on sale. Its a great way to have a few friends round and impress them with your cocktail skills especially when you have a house renovation on hold for Christmas None of the blending, shaking and rigmarole that comes usually. Just pour in the funkin of choice and add the spirits, soft drink etc.


I love the Cosmopolitan with a shot of vodka and its equally good as a soft drink with lemonade or soda. Apparently rum is a great mix too.

Strawberry Woo Woos always make me go Woo as I drink them, I love the sweet strawberry flavour great if you like vodka.

I am really looking forward to mixing up a few cocktails for friends this Christmas, makes a change from wine and sherry!





Visit the Funkin Facebook page for tips, giveaway and ideas.

https://www.facebook.com/funkincocktails


Funkin is available in 1L mixers (RRP. £3.99) and 120g mixer pouches (RRP. 99p)
Funkin is available nationwide at Sainsbury’s, Asda, Waitrose, Co-op, Ocado, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Majestic Wine, Harrods, Amazon
Funkin is available is a variety of flavours including Bellini, Bramble, Cosmopolitan, Margarita, Mojito, Pina Colada, Raspberry, Strawberry Daiquiri and Strawberry Woo Woo.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Cherizena Coffee Limited Edition Christmas gift sets





Now its the time of year when I get to review Christmas foods and drinks, one of the highlights of two years ago was a chance to drink Cherizena Christmas coffee. They very kindly wanted me to repeat the experience and  I happily agreed.

I forgot just how good it was. The instant Christmas aromas start from the minute you  pour the water into the coffee. A warming nutty, spicy aroma, the orange and rum fills the air. Waiting for the cafetiere and that first sip is almost frustrating. 

The taste is as I remember its like a mulled coffee drink, sweet heavy and almost like cake. All the seasonal festivities start as I sip. I am happy!

The Christmas gifts are looking lovely this year and prices starting from £3 so great for a prezzy!!




Coffee specialist Cherizena has unveiled its festive range for 2012…featuring its popular Christmas coffee and a selection of coffee-based gifts.

The speciality and premium mail order coffee supplier has put together a range of gift boxes which are ideal Christmas presents for coffee lovers.

Suitable for all budgets, the gifts range in price from £3 for a festive pack of chocolate-coated coffee beans through to £18 for a cafetiere gift box.

Many of the gift sets include a pack of Cherizena’s Christmas coffee, which has a delicious aroma reminiscent of plum pudding.

Available as beans or ground, regular or decaffeinated, the Christmas coffee has been created by flavouring the Colombian Excelsior medium bean with a tasty combination of rum, hazelnut, cinnamon, vanilla, orange and pecan nut flavours.

It’s the perfect blend to put you in the festive spirit.

The Christmas coffee and gift sets available from Cherizena include:

  • Christmas coffee, in 115g packs, priced £3 each.
  • Christmas Treat – two 60g packs of coffee (Italian Roast and Christmas coffee) ground for filters and cafetieres in a gold gift box, priced £4.50.
  • Chocolate-coated coffee beans – a 60g gift box of white, milk and dark chocolate coated coffee beans, priced £3.
  • Gift Basket – a 60g pack of chocolate-coated coffee beans, and four 60g packs of coffee, including Christmas coffee, Costa Rica, Breakfast Blend and Espresso Blend, priced £12.50.
  • Speciality Coffee Selection – a gift box containing 75g each of Pure Jamaican Blue Mountain, Cuban Cubita, Panama Volcan Baru, either beans or ground, priced £17.50.
  • Cafetiere Gift Box – a 300ml cafetiere accompanied by 115g packs of Cherizena’s Breakfast Blend and the Christmas coffee, priced £18.
  • JamaicanBlueMountain Box – 115g gift box of award-winning premium Jamaican Blue coffee…the highest grown coffee in Jamaica. Available as beans or ground, priced £18.50.

Offering up to 30 single origin coffees and blends, and 20 different flavoured varieties, Cherizena has coffees to suit all tastes. It is a leading UK specialist producer of coffee, and sources premium, rare and speciality coffees, as well as creating its own range of superb flavoured coffees.


The Christmas coffee is one of its limited edition flavours, and last year around half a tonne of Christmas coffee was sold.


The coffee and gift sets are available from www.cherizena.co.uk from October 1st 2012. Last orders for consumers are December 19th 2012.
Cherizena is based at Wartnaby, near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Frankie and Benny's Cocktails Review





Frankie & Benny’s have launched  its new cocktail menu designed by Andy Pearson, award winning mixologist and formerly of Something for the Weekend.  They very kindly asked me to check it out and Chris and I went along over the weekend to try a few.


We picked a great weekend as the whole restaurant was dimmed and decorated for Halloween, Chris the big man actually had a seat so as he would not have to look at Horace the spider hanging from the ceiling. Our Waitress was a zombie, not in her service but in her outfit.

With my prior knowledge of Frankie and Benny's being that of a great place to eat and themed around a 1950's American/Italian diner, I was expecting there to be a few classic cocktails, as we perused the cocktail menu, we did spot classic stateside tipples such as the Long Island Iced Tea and the Cosmopolitan. 



But I chose to go for  the French Martini, having reviewed Chambord previously I knew I loved the taste, it arrrived with a lovely pinkish froth on top due to the measure of Chambord Black Raspberry liqueur one sip and I did actually say "Ooh la la!" Its incredibly good, the pineapple and raspberry complemented the vodka. 


Chris opted for the PS I Love you, a blend of Bailey's,  Disaronno Amaretto and cream. He loves a drop of Baileys and the nutty taste and cream got his thumbs up.

The meals are not the highlight of this feature, but I just have to give them a mention.  The food is always hot, fresh and what you imagine it to be.


After the meals we decided to go for a dessert type pair of cocktails. 


I really fancied the Bramble, Bombay Sapphire Gin, fresh lemon, sugar and yes I opted for the Chambord again. This drink was really zingy, a great enlivening tipple after my meal.

Chris usually has a coffee after his meal so chose the Espresso Martini, fresh espresso teamed with vodka and a coffee liqueur, he adored it and came alive he said it was a real kick, perfect after a heavy meal.



It was a fabulous evening and the cocktail waitress Svetlana showed us her moves, not bad as it was her first week at the job. 

In order to celebrate the launch, Frankie and Benny's have put together a fun ‘What does your cocktail say about you?’ Not sure what my French and Bramble choices say, maybe  I'm a prickly individual with a gallic temper???

The cocktails are priced between £4.95 and £5.95, with pitchers available costing £8.95 for two people and £13.95 for four people. For the drivers there are non alcoholic cocktails starting at £2.95

I was given a voucher for four cocktails and a two course meal for a guest and I. Views are entirely my own.


WHAT DOES YOUR COCKTAIL SAY ABOUT YOU?
We all know how stressful being a mum can be, taking care of the whole family often leaves very little ‘me time’.   Between cooking family meals, getting kids ready for school and running the house, plus often working a full time job, it’s easy to see how many mums end up frazzled!  With that in mind, Frankie & Benny’s has launched its new cocktail menu to encourage mums to take time out and sip on a delicious cocktail.  So what does your cocktail of choice say about you?


Mojito

Ladies who can’t resist a bit of spice will love this cool Cuban cocktail.  Made with fresh lime, mint and sugar, plus a generous splash of Bacardi rum, a mojito drinker is sure to be the first on the dance floor, ready to spice up any night.

Appletini

This fun and flirty drink is perfect for ladies who just want to have fun.  Packed with Eristoff vodka, pressed apple juice and gingerbread syrup, this delightful drink is sure to get the party started. 

Cosmopolitan

A sexy and sassy Cosmopolitan is a great choice for those who like to keep it classic.  This zingy and zesty drink comprises vodka, triple sec and cranberry juice creating a cool and crisp taste.  Cosmo ladies love a bit of city glamour and always paint the town pink.

Classic Sour

For ladies who like to be adventurous, this quirky cocktail is available with Jack Daniels, Amaretto or Midori and finished with fresh lemon juice, egg whites for added smooth and is topped off with sugar.  It’s the ideal choice for someone who likes to stand out from the crowd.

Espresso Martini

This rich and sumptuous drink is ideal for ladies looking for a classic cocktail with a twist.  Fresh espresso teamed with vodka and a coffee liqueur offers an instant caffeine hit, a brilliant blend for any modern mum who is in need of a pick-me-up!

 Gentle Breeze

A delicious non-alcoholic cocktail for those who like to behave rather than rave!  This drink combines a delicious blend of apple juice, cranberry and citrus juices and is served over ice, offering the designated driver something delightful to sip on.

Bramble
For ladies with a mysterious edge, this deliciously dark cocktail is a tasty mix of Bombay Sapphire gin and black raspberry liqueur.  An added kick of fresh lemon means this drink really packs a punch.
http://www.frankieandbennys.com/