The First Degustabox of 2017

08th February 2017

The January Degustabox* always tends to feature a healthier selection of products than most of the other monthly deliveries and it is always a box I look forward to. The first box of 2017 was no exception and from a first glance it looked as if this was going to be one of my favourite boxes to date…was I right to be excited? Read on…

Little’s Coffee (£2.69 in Waitrose) is a brand I’ve been buying for a few years now. I don’t drink nearly as much coffee as I used to but when I fancy a change from my default black Americano I look to a flavoured instant to get my fix. French Vanilla is a wonderfully smooth tasting drink and the flavours work perfectly together- ideal for anyone who loves vanilla lattes (try it with half milk and half water, I urge you). Also in the box was a chocolate disc from the Real Hot Chocolate Company for whom I don’t actually have any information about for you. But hot chocolate is always a winner and I’m saving this for a chilly day.

Also in the drinks selection this month was a can of Crabbie’s Scottish Raspberry alcoholic ginger beer (£1.89 from leading supermarkets for a 500ml bottle). I’ve passed this on to be sampled by someone else and don’t have much feedback yet- I personally don’t like ginger beer at all but this is an interesting idea and I’m sure it’s lovely if you have the right tastebuds.

I’ve always loved Fruittella sweets and it’s nice to see a lower sugar variety on offer. With the same delicious taste as always but 30% less sugar than the original these are really tasty and didn’t hang around long! (RRP £1.25)

This sweetener from Natvia is 100% natural and sweet like sugar but has only 0.4 calories per serving. Made from stevia and natural nectar this is a healthy sugar alternative and diabetic friendly. At £4.99 per tub it’s fairly pricey but will be used in more adventures in low sugar baking in the near future.

As my current food intake is ever increasing I’m always looking for things that I can use to boost up my lunches and these Finn Crisp snacks (£1.89) are perfect. I happily munch them on their own but they are also rather nice dipped in to soup or hummus. Another snack I rate are these new ridged snacks from Popchips (£1.99). Although bacon wouldn’t be the flavour I picked off the supermarket shelf these are un-deniably more-ish and are under 100 calories per serving so perfect for anyone watching their diet.

I don’t have much call for protein drinks with my current lifestyle so I passed this Protein Boost strawberry shake on to my friend’s sports mad brother. At £1.29 per bottle with 20g of protein this seems like a good value boost for when you’re on the go.

I’m loving the Quinola Mothergrain pouch (£2.49) which is a blend of ready cooked organic and fairtrade pearl quinoa and split peas. It can be eaten hot or cold, and both ways are delicious. This is a good lunch time option as part of a salad (with feta cheese and beetroot, yum!) or as an accompaniment to your evening meal. Gluten free and suitable for vegans. I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for this in the shops. I’m still not brave enough for the chia seeds from The Chia Co. It’s a texture thing for me, but for those who are a fan then these handy little sachets are only 66p each and great for adding to breakfasts and lunches on the go.

I’m afraid I don’t have any information on the firey ginger hibiscus drink that came in the box and it’s not a product I have tried either (see ginger beer section). The Aspire Drinks I have sampled though. Aspire make healthy energy drinks that are calories and sugar free containing a premium grade green tea. These were nice, once I got over how un-sweet they are! I wasn’t expecting a Mango drink to not be sweet but once I got over that it was delicious! £1.45 each

I’ve reviewed Yushoi snacks on the blog before and was intrigued to see their latest flavour offering of coconut and chilli. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy these as although I love coconut I wasn’t convinced it’d work in a savoury snack but it does. It does brilliantly and I am addicted to these now. £1.79 per back- and so worth it!

Finally there was a voucher in the box to pick up a tub of yoghurt from The Collective (£2.00). These are gourmet yoghurts with a double layer of fresh fruit compote. I went for the spiced plum version which also has ginger in it and presented it to my grandad who loves that particular flavour combination. He’s a bit of a fusspot when it comes to food but declares this lives up to it’s gourmet claims. Having tried a mouthful (or two) myself I wholeheartedly agree and I may have an expensive new yoghurt habit forming.

For those who don’t know Degustabox is a monthly subscription box filled with 10-15 food/drink products, most of which are brand new to the market so it’s a great way to try things out. On a month by month basis the box costs £12.99 (with a discount for longer subscriptions) but the contents are generally worth far more than this.

If you’re persuaded to give Degustabox a go (and really, you should) you can claim a brilliant £7.00 off of your first box (making it just £5.99!) by entering the code 6HZJ8 at the checkout. It’s been a pleasure to work with the brand regularly over the last couple of years and it’s without a doubt something that I will continue to purchase long after our partnership ends. I love the monthly surprise and excitement as well as the chance to discover products I’d otherwise pass up on the supermarket shelves.

Let me know if you’ve tried any of these products and what you thought of them.

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Degustabox: December review and discount code

07th January 2017

Some time amidst all of the madness of Christmas I took delivery of the December Degustabox* which was rammed full of new treats to try out. I’m a little late with posting my review, the last few weeks have been quite busy and my procrastination game has been strong, but here I am with my thoughts on the last box of 2016 as well as a hefty discount for anyone wishing to give this foodie subscription a whirl.

Introductions over and it’s on to the contents…

First up are these Bahlsen Akora biscuits, a traditional German heart-shaped lebkuchen. Spiced jam filling, soft gingerbread and signature chocolate are combined to make one of my favourite festive treats. I’ve loved lebkuchen for as long as I can remember and this is up there with some of the best I’ve had. Sadly only available at Christmas but at £1.99 a bag it’s well worth stocking up on when you can.

It took me a while to get my head around this snack from Bite+. Essentially a savoury cereal each pack contains two servings with an RRP of £1.69. It comes in an assortment of flavours and are high fibre, low fat and packed with taste. Once I got my head around the fact that these were a snack and not some strange alternative to cornflakes I broke in to my pack and really enjoyed them.

This apple and cinnamon fudge from Oh Fudge was delicious- creamy and rich with an apple and cinnamon flavour that was perfect for this time of year. I don’t have the exact price information to hand but a quick google suggests this goes for around £3.50 a box which for the size of it isn’t bad at all. The packaging is gorgeous too so would make for a lovely gift.

Quick meals are my thing and what’s more comforting than a steaming bowl of risotto? This rich four cheese risotto from Gallo and risotto box with cheese and vegetables both cook wonderfully in the microwave and make for the ultimate comfort food dinner in minutes. The pouch costs £2.29 and the box £2.00 (perfect for a work day lunch).

I think Hoots is such a cool name for a snack! These are baked multigrain snacks designed to be an alternative to crisps. I especially enjoyed the salt & pepper flavour (I wish more things came in that flavour to be honest) and at £0.69 per pack they are pretty good value. Also suitable for both vegetarians and vegans.

Maggi 3 minute noodles (£0.75) make for another quick and easy meal. The chicken flavour is pretty decent and being ready in only three minutes they appeal to my impatient nature. They are also available in beef and curry flavours and would make a good desk drawer emergency lunch.

Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day and whilst I am a creature of habit with what I choose (porridge and toast usually) I can be tempted in to trying something different from time to time. Nutri-Brex gluten free coconut and crispy rice are similar to weetabix in principle and really tasty especially with hot milk. At £3.79 I wouldn’t pay full price for them but would pick up a box or two if I saw them on offer.

I’m not much of a soft drinks person myself but do like to keep a few bottles of something in for when guests pop round. The alcohol free wine by Eisberg (£1.39) is ideal for drivers or those watching their weight. Made in the same way as normal wine but with the alcohol gently removed this has only 28kcal per 125ml serving. Also included was Newton’s Appl Fizzics (£1.29). This is a blend of apple juice and sparkling water which is all natural with no added sugar or artificial sweeteners. Crisp and refreshing even I enjoyed this!

Finally on the drinks front we have some What A Melon watermelon juice (£2.00) which I admit I am yet to try. This claims to be hydrating like coconut water but with extra anti-oxidants and amino acids. It sounds lovely I’ll admit so I’ll be sure to give it a go soon! the a2 milk (£1.39) is a long life cow’s milk which is free from the a1 protein that can trigger symptoms associated with lactose intolerance (although it isn’t suitable for anyone with a cow’s milk protein allergy). There’s not much I can say about this, it tastes like milk but has added benefits. Useful to have in as a stand-by!

If I’ve tempted you to treat yourself to a Degustabox subscription then you can claim a brilliant £7.00 discount off of your first box with the code 6HZJ8 making it only £5.99. I’d love to know if you do sign up and what your thoughts are! I look forward to getting my box every month as it’s a great way to try out new things that I’d otherwise overlook or never otherwise find.

Degustabox provided for review purposes, all opinions and reviews are my own.

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Super Snacking with Planet Hemp

11th December 2016

When I was given the opportunity to review a new snack product I was pretty excited, I much prefer a little and often approach to eating and snacks happen at least three times a day for me. I admit I was less excited when the snacks arrived- despite kind of knowing what I was getting in to by accepting a product containing hemp, when faced with the reality of actually trying it my confidence wavered. There are lots of benefits to consuming hemp though, and in a bid not not rely solely on biscuits for my daily snack intake I decided to just be brave and get stuck in.

So, why eat hemp? Where to start! Firstly hemp seeds contain more protein than chicken and it’s high in omega 3 and 6 as well as iron, magnesium and manganese. Hemp is easy to digest as it contains no enzyme inhibitors (unlike many grains, legumes and nuts) and is also an excellent source of essential fatty acids. Hemp also contains all of the essential amino acids that our bodies require but can’t produce- never before has a snack of mine been such a nutritional powerhouse.

Super Mini Bouchées c/o Planet Hemp

These Forbidden Fruit flavoured hemp snacks come in an attractive pouch and promise a big taste as well as a big nutritional punch. A two piece serving contains 110 calories and is an excellent source of protein which is something I’m trying to be mindful of when it comes to my food choices.

I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about these to be honest. This is no bad thing, it means they aren’t terrible but I do find the texture for me has taken some getting used to (but I am an odd creature with many food texture aversions). If you can get past the texture- kind of crunchy but also kind of chewy they taste pretty good! The fruity flavour comes through well and there is no plant-y aftertaste which was probably my main concern for some reason.

With their short and simple ingredients list (of which you can pronounce everything, always a bonus!) and the fact they are gluten free, raw and vegan these are well worth a try if you’re trying to eat healthy or are looking for a nutrition boost over party season. As they are quite a dense texture and not crumbly they transport well and would easily slip in to your handbag. The protein fills you up nicely, perfect for all of the dashing about that comes with this time of year!

Planet Hemp is brand new to the UK and there are many other products in their range including hemp protein, hemp oil and hemp seeds. I haven’t been able to find an awful lot of UK stockists at present but you can order online at Dolphin Fitness who I’ve used before with success.

Let me know if you’ve tried any hemp products or have discovered any healthy new snacks- I’m on a food discovery adventure right now and I’m game on for pretty much anything.

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Healthier Baking with SugaVida

21st November 2016

I’m using the word healthier in place of healthy in the post title because I’m not sure that the cookies I’m sharing a recipe for would pass as a “health food”- they still contain real butter and white flour after all. I’m definitely not the kind of person to jump on any dietary bandwagons but I’m all for a bit of experimentation so when I was given the opportunity to test out the UK’s new “super sugar” SugaVida I jumped at the chance. Actually this was more for the benefit of my best friend’s Dad who has recently been told his blood sugar is higher than it should be- he’s been really careful with his diet but has been mourning the lack of my baked goods…I decided to put my thinking cap on and come up with a bake that he could enjoy but wouldn’t undo all of his hard work.

Before I get in to the recipe I’ll explain a bit more about SugaVida. It’s essentially an alternative to traditional sugar and also goes by the name of Palmyra Jaggery which is a crystallised, unrefined nectar. Because it has a low GI it is suitable for diabetics and can be used in place of sugar in hot drinks, baking and cooking. It’s also packed with other nutritional benefits- one teaspoon of SugaVida contains 36% of the RDA of vitamin B12 (in fact, SugaVida is the only plant-based source of B12 which is great news for veggies and vegans), 210% of the RDA of vitamin B6 and a whopping 500% of vitamin B1. What’s more, SugaVida is organic, ethically sourced and sustainable for the communities who farm it!

I decided to make cookies as my first experiment, a nutella type cookie in fact, although I used Jim Jams low sugar chocolate hazelnut spread to continue on the virtue front.

Ingredients:

100g Jim Jams chocolate hazelnut spread
100g unsalted butter, softened
175g SugaVida
1 egg
250g Self raising flour

You will need also need a baking tray lined with baking parchment

How To:
Heat the oven to 180c, 160c fan. Gas 4.

Place the chocolate hazelnut spread, butter and SugaVida n a mixing bowl and beat well until smooth (an electric whisk helps).

Beat in the egg then beat in the flour to make a stiff dough.

Shape the dough into large walnut sized balls and place on a baking tray spaced a little apart. Flatten with a fork and bake for 15 mins until golden. allow to cool and store in a cake tin- they keep well, if you can resist them!

The SugaVida reminds me very much of a dark, muscavado sugar so adds a real caramel taste to the cookies. This combined with the chocolate hazelnut spread was a real winning combination and already a second lot has been requested. They are so quick and easy to make that I don’t mind and I’m hoping to experiment with some more low sugar bakes in the future so my bestie’s dad no longer needs to miss out!

SugaVida is available at major retailers now with an RRP of £6.49 for 250g. Yep, it’s pricey but if you’re baking for an occasional treat for someone who would otherwise miss out, or are planning on using it just to sweeten hot drinks then it’s not too bad.

Let me know any diabetes friendly baking recipes you may have in the comments, I know they’ll be appreciated!

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The October (2016) Degustabox and £7.00 discount!

27th October 2016

I was taken by surprise last week when I had an e-mail informing me my latest Degustabox had been dispatched. It’s time playing tricks on me again as it feels like only a week had passed since my September one arrived. No complaints though, who’s going to turn down a food packed box of goodness turning up at their door?

The October box was packed full of Autumnal treats and although I feel I say this most months now this is 100% the best box Degusta have sent out in a while in terms of suiting my personal tastes at least. Curious to find out what was inside? Just keep reading…

First up we have Beloved Date fruit hearts (RRP 75p per pack). I’ve tried these before and loved them. Made from 100% cold pressed dates and a hint of natural flavouring these are a delicious way to get one of your five a day and great for a mid-afternoon energy boost. They are also gluten free and suitable for vegans and the orange ones are especially good!

Only a few weeks ago I would have turned my nose up at pasta and sauce as it was something anorexia convinced me I couldn’t eat. Thankfully I’m coming on leaps and bounds and have been experimenting with some truly delicious home made pasta dishes. It was with genuine excitement that I unpacked the Heinz kid’s dry pasta shapes and pasta sauce…the pasta made with 50% whole wheat is super cute and perfect served piping hot with a dollop of the smooth tomato sauce. I’m making up for lost time and eating as much pasta as possible right now! (RRP £1.19 for the pasta and £1.55 for the sauce)

Oddly chocolate has never really been a “fear food” for me and as much as I appreciate a decent dark chocolate I also freely admit to loving the white stuff too. Hershey’s cookies ‘n’ creme is a particular favourite and this king size bar (RRP £1) is perfect for sharing- or not as the case may be.

I’m rubbish at drinking enough water although it’s something I’m trying to change so these little portable squashes from Robinsons (RRP £2.49) are ideal for me as I can easily pick up a bottle of water when I am out and about and add some of this making it less of an accessory bottle and more something that’ll do my body some good! There’s no more than 3 calories per serving too so ideal for anyone watching their weight.

I’ve tried JimJams 83% less sugar milk chocolate spread before and loved it. Is there anything more comforting than a hot cup of tea coupled with toast and chocolate spread on a cold Autumn evening? Nope, not in my eyes! Thankfully for my teeth this has a lot less sugar than my usual spread of choice…try it on crumpets and you won’t look back! (RRP £2.59). Another chocolate treat came in the form of Pitch Choco Bar (RRP £1.40). These are brand new and proving extremely popular in France- essentially a brioche roll with a bar of solid milk chocolate in the middle these just beg to be a part of an indulgent weekend breakfast.

There were two products in the box which I haven’t actually tried yet and these were a Levi Roots smokey BBQ coat ‘n cook sauce (RRP £1.00) and some fusion noodles from Maggi (RRP £1.39 each). I’m leaving these for someone else in the house to try as neither are really my thing- let me know if you’d like individual reviews of these at a later date.

One of my favourite things about this time of year is the return of soup weather. I’ve become a big fan of these high protein soups from I AM SOUPER (RRP £1.49 each). Both are full of flavour as well as having the added punch of a protein boost to keep you fuller for longer. The pulled pork and jalapeños was a particular favourite and I’ll be keeping an eye out in the supermarkets for the rest of the range.

I’ve reviewed Yushoi Snapea rice sticks (RRP £1.99) before on the blog and they’ve featured regularly in my cupboards ever since. Although the concept of green pea based snacks seemed odd you just have to trust me when I say these are highly addictive and utterly delicious.

If you’re persuaded to give Degustabox a go (and really, you should) you can claim a brilliant £7.00 off of your first box (making it just £5.99!) by entering the code 6HZJ8 at the checkout. It’s been a pleasure to work with the brand regularly over the last couple of years and it’s without a doubt something that I will continue to purchase long after our partnership ends. I love the monthly surprise and excitement as well as the chance to discover products I’d otherwise pass up on the supermarket shelves.