 I love Puressentiel products. This family company with a background in herbalism and naturopathy have collaborated with doctors, pharmacists, scientific researchers and aromatherapy specialists to develop the Puressentiel range. They sent me their Muscles and Joints Pure Heat Roller and Pure Heat Gel to try and I have to say that they do tick all the boxes. Recommended for athletes and those suffering from muscle and joint pain, these products are the natural way to help relieve pain or strain. They each contain 14 essential botanical oils with anti inflammatory, anti swelling, analgesic properties. These include chamomile, cloves, eucalyptus, cajuput, wintergreen, juniper, marjoram, peppermint, lavender, limonene, nutmeg, niaouli, Scots pine and rosemary. What a glorious combination! They are quite strongly scented due to the eucalyptus and menthol, a pleasant smell which helps make you feel relaxed. You only need to use a little of the product which feels cool and tingly on first contact with the skin and becomes warmer so you know it is going to be beneficial! The heat gel and roller don't leave stains and are non-greasy and non-sticky so making them ideal to use anytime, anywhere. Puressentiel products: - made with 100% natural active ingredients - contain pure and natural essential oils and have no parabens, colourants, GMO, phenoxyethanol or synthetic fragrances - are not tested on animals Sold at Boots, Holland & Barrett, Amazon or direct from the company.  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  Lizi’s granola is a fab option for breakfast. I love granola and when I eat breakfast - which isn't every day - naughty, I know! - that's what I opt for. However, up until last week I hadn't sampled Lizi's granola. I have tried most of the other granolas on the supermarket shelves; of course, some are better than others. I discard those which have lots of teeny tiny bits almost like hard granules of dust lounging around in the packet. Some just don't have any flavour. Some are too sweet. Others are hard - yes, I know granola is supposed to be crunchily hard - but, there's crunchy and there's tooth shatteringly crunchy. When I was asked if I would like a packet of Lizi's high protein granola to try out and review here, I said, yes please! I'll give it a go. So, here's my take on Lizi's Granola. Tasty. Good texture. It doesn't turn soggy as soon as I add my soya milk. Not too sweet. What surprised me, I suppose, was that I didn't feel peckish within an hour or two of eating it. This slow-release of energy is due to the low GL (glycaemic load) per serving, which is a good thing as far as I'm concerned. So, to the nitty gritty. This granola delivers more than 27% of your daily protein needs per serving. Oats, pumpkin seeds, coconut and chopped nuts up your fibre intake and of course as you all know, that contributes to our general health, mental wellbeing and helps maintain a healthy digestive system. Apple juice adds just the right amount natural sweetness so you have a super, tasty breakfast that is really good for you.  The low sugar mix - under 4% - is ideal for those who dislike sweet breakfast cereals. I've been eating this fabby granola with the addition of chopped apple or a satsuma or two, sometimes with fresh raspberries (Scottish, of course!) or a dollop of Greek style plain yogurt. Suitable for vegans and vegetarians. RRP £3. 70 for 350g. Lizi’s is available in lots of supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury, Waitrose, Asda, Morrisons, Ocado. from many independent health stores and of course, from Lizi's online shop at lizis.co.uk Why not try a packet or two? You'll like it, I promise! This product was sent to me free of charge by Lizi’s to be reviewed. Disclaimer : this review is my honest opinion of the product. 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. HONEY EXHIBITION DEDICATED TO WORLD BEE DAY* At a honey exhibition in London organised by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the UK, products from Kazakh company, SunBee stole the show. These included honey with sea buckthorn, honey with red bilberries, cranberry and blueberry honey, as well as propolis-based sprays and oils for cosmetic use. Visitors to the show, most previously unfamiliar with Kazakh products, gave top marks to the honey, particularly the sea buckthorn variety. Reports say the honey ran out long before the visitors left! The eastern part of Kazakhstan is famed for its Altai honey, beekeeping in this region is a centuries old tradition. Altai Mountain honey is produced from wild flowers and berries which grow profusely in this ecologically clean, tranquil area around 2000 meters above sea level. This is nature as it should be, untouched and unpolluted. No surprise that the resultant honey has a unique flavour and is full of vitamins, minerals and amino acids . No artificial flavours or colours in this food from the Gods! I can personally vouch for the honey as lovely honey producer Elena, gave me some to try via the Kazakh Embassy. It has a fabulous flavour, just a shame that at present it is not on sale in the UK though distributors for the honey are being sought.
The international honey exhibition was hosted by Bee Midtown and the Slovenian Embassy in the UK. The event was attended by companies from more than 30 countries who presented a range of their products, including honey-based medicines and cosmetics, beeswax, pollen and royal jelly. There is evidence to suggest that honey may be effective in treating certain diseases and conditions including skin complaints, wounds, burns, colds and flu. It helps boost immunity and makes a natural energy drink too. *World Bee Day is an international holiday celebrated by the United Nations every year on 20 May. The aim of the holiday is to raise awareness of the importance of bees and other pollinators and their undisputed contribution to sustainable development, food security and biodiversity. IMAGES : MIKE PICKUP & KAZINFORM I/NATIONAL NEWS AGENCY Kazakhstan tourism  When it comes to reading glasses, I choose Sight Station because their styles are trendy, fun and fashionable. When the store I used to buy them from closed its doors, I contacted the lovely people at Sight Station to ask where my nearest stockist was. Not only did they reply oh-so-promptly, they also sent me a couple of pairs to try out. Sight Station have styles to please even the fussiest wearer - round ones, square ones, classy ones, preppy ones .... do have a look at their website. They are ... well... spectacular ! You will find something you love, I promise! Remember, specs change the way you see the world and the way the world sees you
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Reading glasses are not suitable for driving or distance vision.  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 |
