|
Want a taste of Italy without the hassle of getting there? The answer is Canvino, a fabulous new sparkling vegan wine which comes in recyclable cans. Easier to transport than bottles, the cans are lightweight and the wine stays sparkly and cooler for longer!  image (c) Mike Pickup
The wine comes from grapes sourced from a family-owned vineyard which has produced wine for a century using the traditional Charmat or tank method. In case you're wondering, that is the main process used for Prosecco and Lambrusco wines. Canvino comes in two flavours, Rosé and Bianco, ideal for indoor or outdoor celebrations. Sparkling Bianco is a crisp and dry white wine, medium bodied, easy to drink. Although dry is style it is fresh and fruity with light floral notes. Rose is medium-dry, lightly sparkling and refreshing with well balanced fruit notes. Launched in 2021, all natural Canvino is the perfect companion for any event and is 100% vegan too. Marc Laventure, Co-Founder of Canvino, said; “The canned wine market has soared in popularity over the past few years in the UK, so we are delighted to launch Canvino as the perfect new addition to your favourite portable tipples. We’re proud to deliver crisp and refreshing Italian sparkling wines that are as easy on the eye as they are to drink. Whatever the occasion, add some fizz to the party this year with a Canvino.” Can I recommend it wholeheartedly? Yes, definitely. Gets a big 10 out of 10 from me! Canvino is available from houseofcanvino.com, Amazon and other selected retailers. (I was sent some cans of Canvino to try in return for an unbiased review, which all of my reviews are!) Made from the finest responsibly-sourced Madagascan cocoa and crafted by expert Belgian chocolatiers, these dark chocolate chips from Nibble Simply are sweetened with coconut sugar, which the experts say, is better for you! Grown in mineral-rich soil, Madagascan cocoa is one of the very best and one of the most exclusive, cocoas in the world, accounting for less than 1% of chocolate globally. Another thing, cocoa is full of flavonoids with antioxidant qualities which help protect skin against damage from UV rays and pollution that speeds up skin ageing.  Goodies from the Nibble Group are fabulously different! Their lower-in- sugar, vegan snacks and bites are made with the best all-natural ingredients, nothing at all nasty lurks within! And they contain a fraction of the sugar of other snack bars. The two delicious ranges are: NIBBLE SIMPLY: Made with a handful of the finest ingredients, the little keto-friendly bites are super healthy with 55%+ fewer carbs, 60%+ less sugar and 160%+ more protein than their cookie counterparts. NIBBLE PROTEIN: Protein-packed bites are made with antioxidant dried plum purée. No sugar-laden dates or high GI sweeteners here. I was sent a pack of Nibble's yummy Madagascan chocolate chips to try and yes, they are fabulously rich and tasty! Definitely moreish!
All NIBBLE natural bites are vegan, soy and gluten free. The clever people there have avoided the most commonly used proteins: whey (dairy-based) and soy. Instead they opted for pea protein which contains no dairy or soy (common allergens) and it is sustainable - so, goodie! no cows required! It is also alkaline forming to help keep your body in balance and since it is a slow digesting protein, studies show it keeps you fuller for longer than whey protein. What's not to like? Nibble also contains other healthy ingredients including gluten-free oats, toasted sunflower and pumpkin seeds and tasty dried plum purée. Now, dried plums, prunes by another name, are in fact, the original superfood. Well-known for being high in fibre, they're also tops for antioxidant power and contain over 40% less sugar than dates. As well as that, nutrient-rich dried plums are a good source of iron, potassium, boron - necessary for strong bones & muscles, magnesium and vitamins K and A. Wow! They are deliciously low GI too. No wonder dried plum purée is the base of the Nibble Protein range.  Pukka Herbs has launched a fabulous bedtime tea which is absolutely chocca with immunity supporting ingredients.
Blended by Pukka’s Master Herbsmith, Sebastian Pole, Night Time Berry is a taste of fruity heaven with 100% organic blackcurrant, echinacea and elderberry combined with nature’s A-list night-time herbs; lavender, chamomile and valerian, making this the absolutely perfect bedtime brew. Nature’s finest ingredients for sleep and immunity : Elderberries: Bursting with brightly coloured pigments that act as natural antioxidants, elderberries are a natural source of vitamin C. Echinacea: A renowned immune tonic, echinacea can be particularly helpful to maintain seasonal wellness. Valerian: Traditional tonic to support restful sleep. Valerian can help us to drop off into an undisturbed sleep Chamomile: contains an antioxidant called apigenin which works on brain receptors to help initiate sleep. Night Time Berry (RRP £2.99) is a new addition to Pukka’s popular sleep range which includes Pukka’s Organic Night Time tea and supplements. I've been trying Pukka night time berry tea to see if it would help improve my sleeping pattern. I have to say that I am surprised (because I've tried many others which have no effect on me at all) and very pleased to say that it has indeed improved my sleep .... and what's more, it's lovely fruity taste is extremely relaxing .... zzzzzzzzzz Looking for foods to help banish joint pain and inflammation?
Lean protein is key for building healthy connective tissue. Inadequate intakes may lead to loss of muscle mass and diminished strength. Fish and plant-based proteins including beans and pulses are great options.
Foods to avoid: Some arthritis sufferers report that omitting certain foods from their diet helps alleviate their symptoms. Foods commonly cited include oranges, tomatoes and peppers as well as dairy foods and wheat. Consider keeping a food diary to see what works for you. Don’t omit major food groups from your diet without seeking the advice of your GP or dietician first. LoveRaw, an indulgent, plant-based chocolate brand, is on a mission to produce vegan confectionary which tastes better than traditional chocolate. The company has introduced Cre&m Wafer Bars with no palm oil, dairy or artificial ingredients. No wonder they taste so moreish!   LoveRaw use only organic ingredients and - isn't this clever? - they slow dry their superfood bars at 38 degrees to make sure that no vitamins or minerals are lost in the process. There are two editions in the range: M:lk Choc and White Choc. Every pack contains two wafers, which are simply crammed full of LoveRaw’s signature almond and hazelnut cre&m and generously smothered in vegan chocolate. Your taste buds won't know what's hit them with these Wafer Bars which are so scrummy that each product can be enjoyed on its own or be the star ingredient in numerous culinary creations, from cupcakes and brownies to doughnuts and birthday cakes. (see recipes here.) Give Wafer Bars a try whether you are extremely vegan, occasionally vegan or not vegan at all. They are perfect for sharing or for a self-indulgent moment with a mid-morning or afternoon cuppa. You'll find them in TheVeganKind, Whole Foods Market, Boots, Holland & Barrett, Ocado, Co-op, Waitrose. Images all (c) Gilly Pickup Eat Love Raw Superfood Bars are: 100% Organic - 100% Raw - 100% Vegan - Gluten Free - Dairy Free -Wheat Free -Soy Free
www.eatloveraw.com Twitter: @loverawofficial Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialloveraw/ Instagram: @loveraw Pinterest: @loverawofficial Thanks to the company for sending me samples to try for review purposes.  The best thing on sliced bread ... or indeed, crackers or potatoes, served with fish or meat, or as a glaze for vegetables and now because Christmas is almost here, also a delectable accompaniment to festive canapés, a cheeseboard, some warm chunky bread or to add some easy flavour to your Christmas baking. The Blossom Honey & Cinnamon flavour can also be used as an alternative to brandy butter on Christmas pudding or warm mince pies. Choosing Posh Cow means you adding a little luxury to your table with their gorgeous range of butters. There's yummy Smoked Sea Salt or Blossom Honey and Cinnamon (both simply delicious) and, coming later this year, Earl Grey with Apricot. Founded by sisters-in-law Selina and Alice Krespi, the Posh Cow range of beautifully crafted artisan butters is already popular on the restaurant scene. Now there's nothing to stop anyone replicating eating-out indulgence in their home. Selina Krespi comments, “After 2020, we deserve to over-indulge this Christmas. Whipped with delicious, natural ingredients, Posh Cow butters are here to add some pizazz to your Christmas spread. Co-founder Alice Krespi added, “We’ve seen butter make a long-awaited comeback. Posh Cow butters are a simple way to enhance Christmas staples like Christmas pudding and Brussel sprouts and are a sure-fire way to impress guests over the festive period.” Available at M&S Food and Booths stores, as well as other independent retailers. Grab a tub and make a toast of it! Price from £2.80 Website: https://www.poshcowdairy.com POSH COW SMOKED SEA SALT BUTTER Lightly whipped Welsh butter with oak smoked sea salt gives a deep umami flavour that packs a punch however you choose to use it. POSH COW BLOSSOM HONEY & CINNAMON BUTTER Lightly whipped Welsh butter with cinnamon and artisan blossom honey from Kent to deliver a sweet and aromatic accompaniment. Coming soon - POSH COW EARL GREY & APRICOT JAM BUTTER & POSH COW SEAWEED BUTTER Lightly whipped Welsh butter with superfood seaweed produces a bold-flavoured creamy butter that offers an elegant accompaniment to any bread or cracker. Recipe below courtesy of Posh Cow (see website for more brilliant suggestions) CHERRY, BLOSSOM HONEY AND CINNAMON CRUMBLE Serves 2 50g Posh Cow Honey & Cinnamon Butter (straight from the fridge) 75g plain flour 30g oats 35g demerara sugar 175g frozen pitted cherries (or any other frozen fruit) 1 tbsp maple syrup Method - Preheat oven to 180 degrees Pulse cold butter and flour until it forms a crumble. Add oats and sugar and pulse until combined. Fill small oven proof dish with frozen cherries and drizzle with maple syrup Top with crumble  Disclaimer - I received samples of butter in return for an honest review. Beware though, it tastes so good you won't want to stop eating it
images (c) Posh Cow  Good news for cheese lovers! Davidstow, leading UK premium branded cheddar has introduced a selection of exclusive aged cheddars just in time for the festive season. The Cornwall-based brand which bears a Royal Warrant from Her Majesty the Queen’s Household, has launched the Davidstow online store selling a range of exclusive Davidstow cheddars and gift sets. The range includes 40-month-old Davidstow Reserve and the highly coveted 60-month-old Davidstow Special Reserve previously accessible only to a handful of Michelin starred chefs. This is due to the complexity of maturing cheddar for such a long time and limited availability. Alongside these exclusive aged profiles available as hand-wrapped blocks, wax-covered ingots and included in a selection of gift sets, shoppers can purchase a range of Davidstow cheddars for everyday use, ranging from 12 months to 36 months of maturity. Gift sets will see Davidstow cheddars paired with a carefully curated range of complementary Cornish partner products including Furniss Crackers and The Cornish Larder Chutney, alongside an exclusive Davidstow branded presentation slate. Jonathan Westlake, Davidstow Brand Controller, comments, “We’re hugely excited to launch our online Davidstow store in time for Christmas. Online shopping and the use of eCommerce sites have seen huge growth recently, especially since the onset of COVID-19, and we want to make sure that our premium cheddars and gift sets are available to all, particularly those not able to go shopping this year. Products available on the Davidstow site include formats not currently available to consumers, such as waxed and hand-wrapped blocks and maturities ranging from our 12-month Classic through to the jewel in our crown: 60-month Special Reserve cheddar, previously only released to a select number of renowned Michelin Star restaurants. The new Davidstow range will make a unique gift for cheese lovers this Christmas!” Produced for almost 70 years at the multi-award winning Davidstow creamery in the village of Davidstow, North Cornwall, using milk sourced from local Cornish farms, Davidstow cheddar is aged slowly to develop its characteristic rich, savoury flavour and flinty texture. The brand is supplied to Her Majesty the Queen’s Household and bears a coveted Royal Warrant. It also has a growing following of Michelin-starred chefs.  Partners
Furniss biscuit-makers based in Truro, Cornwall, have been crafting quality biscuits since 1886. Today they bake as they have always done in Cornwall using timely recipes, quality locally sourced ingredients. Furniss Original West Country Cheddar savoury biscuits are boldly flavoured with Davidstow cheddar, Pure Cornish butter and tangy Cornish sea salt from The Lizard Peninsula. The extra- savoury finish makes the biscuits a perfect cheeseboard partner. The Cornish Larder Company in Wadebridge aims to bring Cornwall’s food & drink scene together in harmony. Every one of their products celebrates a Cornish producer. The Cornish Larder Caramelised Onion Chutney with Keltek King Ale combines sweet sticky onions and premium bitter ale resulting in a deep and rich flavoured chutney, the perfect cheeseboard accompaniment. 12 Month Mature Cheddar : Tesco Extra, Asda, Morrisons & Ocado 18 Month Extra Mature: Tesco Extra, Sainsburys, Asda, Morrisons & Ocado 36 Month (3 Year) Vintage Cheddar : Available from Ocado 60 Month (5 Year) Vintage Cheddar : Can be sampled only at Michel Roux’s La Gavroche, London images (c) Davidstow (Promoted Post)  Grace Foods UK, the UK's no 1 supplier of Caribbean food and drink, celebrates their 100th anniversary this year. Since it coincides with the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, they have given her a box of Jamaican-style Jerk BBQ Sauce and Dunn's River Jamaican Jerk Seasoning. How better to help her add some Caribbean island ‘flava' to her Platinum Jubilee celebrations? Parent company Grace Kennedy began its food and drink journey in 1922, four years before Her Majesty was born. Over the ensuing 100 years, the company has grown to become the world's leading supplier of Caribbean food and drink. Now, to celebrate this milestone anniversary, the company has launched special-edition gold bottles of their legendary Jamaican-style Jerk BBQ Sauce and Dunn's River Special Edition Jamaican Jerk Seasoning. They kindly sent me samples which I was delighted about as I love Caribbean flavours. The box of goodies came with a Jamaican-style Jerk Chicken recipe but instead of using chicken thighs, I made a meat-free version, using a selection of vegetables. Non meat eaters can of course also substitute the chicken with tofu. Vandu Patel, Marketing Manager, Grace Foods UK, says: "We are so excited to be celebrating our 100th anniversary in the same year that the Queen celebrates her Platinum Jubilee and we wanted to be able to give Her Majesty a special gift from us that will bring ‘flavas' of the Caribbean and the Commonwealth country of Jamaica to her celebrations. A recent survey by Mintel found that 46% of UK consumers chose Caribbean as a food they wanted to sample, so indications are that Caribbean food will be popular this year. We hope that by delivering our special-edition gold labels bottles of jerk sauces and seasonings to the royal household, the Queen will be able to enjoy some Caribbean food and Grace will get the royal seal of approval!" Vandu went on, "Here at Grace we love Her Majesty the Queen, the Queen of Jamaica since 1952. A lot may change for Jamaica in the near future as regards links with the UK royal family but the people of Jamaica will always have a special fondness for the Queen and wish her well in this, her platinum year." more at gk-100.gracefoods.co.uk 
|
