 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 
Many of us have problems with our hair - whether it's lacklustre, skimpy, falling out or just simply doesn't have the - 'oomph!' - that we want. No need to fret though, because Hair Gain says all that could be a thing of the past .... read on for more  Backed by trichologists, Hair Gain hair care range combines the clinically-tested AnaGain™ ingredient . Derived from organic pea shoots, biotin, selenium and zinc all contribute to the maintenance of normal hair. Yes, the pea shoot is small but jolly mighty when it comes to hair loss. Its super powerful phytonutrients are clinically proven to stimulate fuller and thicker hair at the root.  Why does our hair fall out or get thinner as we age? It isn't unusual and happens to lots of people. There are many reasons. It can happen when we are stressed and of course starting to lose our hair makes us more stressed. Bad situation. When stressed, different things happen to our bodies, not just the outward signs that you might be aware of like poor sleep and the familiar frazzled-brain feeling but it can affect your appetite which often has a knock-on effect on our hair health too. Calories, ie energy, are required for new hair follicle growth and if you experience extended periods of inadequate calorie intake, this can make horrid things happen to your hair. If you find yourself eating less, your body starts to conserve calories you eat for vital bodily functions - that's the brain, heart and liver. Not hair growth, that isn't at the top of the list. Some real life, 'before and after' stories are on site here > Hair Gain  Taking time to de-stress is important for mood, sleep and hair. Try to give yourself an hour every day to unwind and relax. This should help alleviate unnecessary adrenal strain and help keep your hormones balanced. Read a book, have a bath, practise mindfulness or yoga. Sleep can help improve hair health, too. Try to sleep in a cool, dark, well-ventilated room and add warm milk or herbal teas to your bedtime routine to help you relax.  And here's a thing. Did you know, water plays a key role in the health of your hair? Not only does water make up approximately 55% total blood volume, the key fluid for nourished hair; it is also necessary for hair follicles to grow optimally - new proteins can only occur in the presence of well-hydrated cells. Stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water, experts say at least two litres daily.
Then there's tea or coffee, a different story. Try and keep a check on how much you’re drinking, because too much isn’t good. Tea and coffee act as diuretics and drinking more than three cups daily could be more dehydrating than hydrating. if it's a problem for you, swap your caffeinated cups for herbal teas and non-caffeinated brews. Hair Gain has lots of useful information about hair health on their site, do take a look. I'm giving some of their lovely goodies a try and will report my findings in a couple of months or so. #Advertisement Promotion
 Croft launched the first ever rose port wine in 2008. Now they have developed bold, novel Croft Pink & Tonic. Flavours combine ripe cherry and raspberry, with hints of honey and grapefruit. After chilling, serve over ice with a citrus slice or berry fruits. Original and unique, I can say that both of these drinks are fabulous in any setting!  all images (c) Mike Pickup
The nice people at https://www.mentzendorff.co.uk sent samples in exchange for an honest review. I can say they went down very well indeed! CROFT PINK & TONIC stockists: The Champagne Company, The Drinks Emporium, Amazon TAYLOR’S CHIP DRY & TONIC stockists: Amazon, Harvey Nichols, EH Booth, Ocado, The Secret Bottle Shop www.croftpink.com www.taylor.pt  Brain fog, headaches, dizziness, dry throat, sore eyes – all may be clues that you are suffering from high levels of air pollution. 91 % of the population live in areas where air quality exceeds guideline limits, so it isn't surprising that many of us feel the physical effects of air pollution without even knowing about it.
With Earth Day approaching, it is the perfect time to protect against pollution with the BetterYou Air Defence Daily Oral Spray®. Specially designed to combat pollution's harmful effects, this blend of vitamins B6, B12 and D3, folic acid and selenium helps the body to defend against air pollution from the inside out. Some of the most harmful pollutants measure less than a strand of hair, virus or molecule; they invisibly infiltrate the body and damage cells. Building the body’s resilience to these pollutants and preserving long-term health is crucial. This pill-free health supplement helps protect cells, support the body’s natural immune system and contribute to normal red blood cell formation. Current rates of air pollution can have a huge impact on the body, specifically on the functioning of cardiovascular and respiratory systems, with other symptoms ranging from fatigue to brain fog and grey hair to wrinkles. BetterYou is also an example of a brand pushing the environmental agenda, going the extra mile to reduce its impact on our planet. BetterYou has partnered with Earthly – carbon-busting specialists – to support its trailblazing mangrove planting project run by Eden Reforestation in Madagascar. To support the removal of harmful CO2 from the atmosphere, BetterYou has pledged to plant a tree for every Air Defence® Oral Spray sold, to help sequester carbon, to improve air quality and create a climate positive world. [the company kindly sent me a Daily Oral Spray to try]  ..... from the Douro Valley, Portugal ........ White port is not terribly well known in the UK so is super value for money. It's not really white either, more of a pale amber or straw colour. So, to the nitty gritty. Fonseca Siroco White Port first introduced to the UK in the 1950s, is a blend of classic white Port grape varieties, predominantly Malvasia Fina, with smaller proportions of Gouveio, Viosinho, Rabigato and Arinto grown on the cooler, higher vineyards of the beautiful Douro Valley. It gets its crisp dry finish because it is allowed to ferment longer than other Port styles before it is fortified. Ageing in small oak vats gives Siroco its smoothness, blend of fruity flavours and delicate nuttiness.
Generally speaking, Port is enjoyed at the end of a meal. However, the exception is white Port. You can serve it chilled in a white wine glass or pour it over ice then top up with tonic - around 100ml port to 150 ml tonic - garnished with a slice of lemon or orange and a sprig of mint. Personally, I like to add a stick of cinnamon to my glass, but however you choose to dress it up, it makes a refreshing long drink. If real decadence is what you're after, have it for pudding, with white chocolate covered strawberries..... mmm. It's less decadent but also delicious if you accompany it with salted almonds or olives. Once the bottle is open, dry white Port will keep for around two weeks or so in the fridge. Sweet versions last longer, for a couple of months or more, though are so tasty, they quite possibly won't last that long!
With over 160 years experience, Mentzendorff is one of the United Kingdom’s longest-established wine importers. RSP: £17.00 Stockists: Secret Bottle Shop, thedrinkshop.com, Amazon, Hay Wines About: Fonseca Siroco dry white port is a balance of ripe fruit, delicate acidity and elegant notes of wood aging. Full and fruity on the palate, it has a lingering finish and an attractive, refreshing crispness. Disclaimer: Mentzendorff kindly sent me a bottle of Fonseca Siroco White Port in return for an honest review.  Fonseca Port, Douro Valley, Portugal Bin 27 shares the heritage, style, depth and character of the great Fonseca Vintage Ports. Fonseca Bin 27 was launched in Britain 40 years ago and continues to be blended from selected reserve Ports chosen for their smooth, round, full bodied palate and fine, intense fruit character. Some of these wines are drawn from Fonseca’s own estates while others are produced from grapes supplied by independent farmers with which the company maintains a close relationship. Wines are matured in large seasoned oak vats to give them smoothness and complexity while retaining their intense fruit character. Blended for consistency of character and quintessentially Fonseca in style, Bin 27 is bottled when ready to drink. Cheers! images Douro (c) Gilly Pickup
  Bin 27 makes an excellent end to a meal with chocolate brownies or rich dark chocolate truffles. Like all youthful red Ports, Bin 27 is also an excellent match for soft ripe cheeses and berry fruit dishes. Fonseca Bin 27 RSP: £13.50 Stockists: Majestic, Wine Rack, Getir, Virgin Wines Fonseca shipped its first vintage Port to London in 1840 and by the mid-19th century had become among Engand's most sought after. Releases of 1851 and 1868 vintages built the House’s renown as a master of vintage Port. Fonseca’s three Quintas, or vineyard sites, are at the heart of the House’s idiosyncratic style of Port, allowing the production of distinctive wines, whilst also being a leader in organic and sustainable viticulture in the Douro Valley.
Quinta do Panascal was one of the first properties to have organically certified vineyards as early as 1992, whilst Quinta de Santo António is a prize-winning model of sustainable viticulture. In 2002, Fonseca were first to produce a fully organic Port, Terra Prima, produced from a specific vineyard plot managed by head winemaker David Guimaraens. For more information on these and many other wines, visit https://www.mentzendorff.co.uk Established in 1792, Bodegas Hidalgo is one of the oldest Sherry producers in the world. It is quite rightly regarded as the definitive Manzanilla house, using only grapes from their own vineyards.
images Douro Valley (c) Gilly Pickup  Made in the coastal town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Manzanilla is a light, delicate, dry sherry which makes a fabulous aperitif. It can also be matched to almost any dish and is ideal to accompany tapas, mild cheeses and nuts. I love it with fish and chips! It isn't expensive either. And the name? The picture on the label shows a ‘gitana' or gypsy woman who, so the story goes, worked in a bar. Her looks captivated Eduardo Hidalgo, an ancestor of the present owner. Now to the Tasting Notes: Very dry, refreshing, with apple, straw and nutty flavours. Light herbal notes underscored by a salty tang from the sea breeeze. Subtle, balanced. In fact, the perfect introduction to sherry. The Manzanillas, premium and aged Sherries produced by the Bodega, are seen as benchmarks of quality worldwide. Using the best Palomino Fino grapes grown in bright albariza soils, gradual biological ageing via the solera process produces the saline, fresh Manzanillas of Sanlucar.  Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana Manzanilla
RSP: £11.19 (75cl), £8.00 (50cl) Stockists : Waitrose (75cl) Sainsburys, Majestic & Tesco (50cl)  The clean waters around Wick in Scotland's far north provide perfect conditions for nutrient-dense seaweed to thrive. Seaweed is a source of prebiotic fibre, protein, magnesium, antioxidants and iodine, an often forgotten mineral which is essential for both minds and bodies. A superfood, in fact. Makes sense then to turn the local seaweed into delicious snacks and food. Win win situation - good for you and good for the planet. SHORE is the Scottish seaweed company who produce delicious snacks and food. They kindly sent me samples of their Seaweed Chips in Lightly Salted, Asian Peking and Sweet Sriracha flavours as well as a jar of Black Kale and Seaweed Pesto. Besides the taste, I love the fact that they are healthy - it's all down to that that seaweed again, packed with more minerals than almost any vegetable on earth, as well as macro and micro nutrients, antioxidants, electrolytes, vitamins, minerals - all of which mean your diet is boosted whenever you eat it. SHORE tell me that because the abundant complex carbs in seaweed are slow to digest, you feel full for longer and of course, that helps cut your calorie intake. All natural flavourings complement a umami seaweed base, making these seaweed crisps deliciously crunchy and exceptionally more-ish.  SHORE's dedicated harvesteers live in some of Scotland's most remote communities. They are out in all weathers hand harvesting the best seaweed the shores have to offer.
You can buy the goodies at various outlets listed here shoreseaweed.com/where-to-buy/ |
