Celebrating my 3 Year Blogiversary with a Yummy Scrummy Giveaway :o)

This week, it’s my blog’s three year anniversary so I think we deserve a little celebration 😉 And what better way to kickstart the celebrations than with a slice or two of my all-time favourite Yummy Scrummy raw chocolate brownie

Not only does it taste utterly scrumptious (the brownie is very aptly named) but it also makes me feel so good!

Yummy Scrummy Raw Chocolate Brownie

No it’s not one of those kinds of brownies! The ‘feel good’ factor comes from the cacao (raw cocoa) which is packed with mood enhancing nutrients, including magnesium, B vitamins, phenylethamine (PEA) (the ‘love’ chemical) and anandamide (the ‘bliss chemical’). For more details on the health properties of cacao, check out this post I wrote back in 2011. This post also included my first ever giveaway, which just so happened to be Yummy Scrummy!

As well as being raw, the Yummy Scrummy bars are free from dairy, gluten, wheat, refined sugar and anything artificial. Instead, they’re gently sweetened with natural fruit extracts (apples, grapes & carob) and filled with wonderful health-enriching ingredients including Ecuadorian Arriba cacao powder, dates, raisins, walnuts, brazil nuts and goji berries. Most of the ingredients are certified organic.

Yummy Scrummy

With all these amazing health and mood boosting nutrients, it’s no wonder that I was hooked after one bite! The combination of ingredients also makes the brownies have a wonderful satiating effect, which means that even a small piece will leave you feeling full up and satisfied. The brownies come in 60g bars, but I tend to slice them in half or thirds so I can savour them over a couple of days.

Yummy Scrummy bars

Over the past few years, I’ve tried other raw chocolate brownies (and made quite a few myself) but Yummy Scrummy is still the best I’ve ever tasted. The bars are lovingly hand made in Wiltshire by Paula Knowlson and I guess it’s her ‘magic touch’ which makes these bars so special

I’ve recently been in touch with Paula & Dan from Elements for Life and they have generously offered four prizes for our giveaway. The first prize winner will receive a whole uncut tray of Yummy Scrummy, and three runners up will win a trio of Yummy Scrummy bars. Yummy Scrummy - Uncut Tray

To be in with a chance of winning, simply fill in the contact form below. Add ‘Yummy Scrummy’ as the subject, then answer the following question…

Where does the vanilla used in Yummy Scrummy come from?

(Hint: the answer can be found on this page of the Elements for Life website).

The giveaway is open to anyone aged 18 or over, living in the European Union.

The closing date is Friday 27th June 2014 at midnight GMT.

Four winners will be selected at random (using Random.org) and notified by email.

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED!

In addition to Yummy Scrummy, Elements for Life sell a fantastic array of high quality chocolate-making ingredients and super foods. They’ve kindly given me an offer code for my readers. Enter scrummyinmytummy at the checkout to save 10% off any products on their website during June and July 2014.

 

N.B. I received 3 Yummy Scrummy bars to photograph/test but, as always, all opinions are my own.

Amy’s Kitchen Hamper UK Giveaway (Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Vegan!)

Amy’s Kitchen is a family business, founded 25 years ago by Rachel and Andy Berliner following the birth of their daughter, Amy. All Amy’s Kitchen products are vegetarian, and many are also suitable for vegans and those on gluten-free and dairy-free diets. Committed to using only the finest natural ingredients, all products undergo a thorough taste test from the family to ensure each one has a true home-cooked taste.

Amy's Kitchen 400

Amy’s Kitchen offers an extensive range of quality, frozen vegetarian dishes and canned soups, which are perfect for those days when you don’t have time to prepare meals from scratch. In the UK, they’re available to purchase in major supermarkets and independent health food stores nationwide. You can use this store locator to find your nearest stockist. (Please note that the UK supermarkets seem to only stock the vegetarian frozen meals rather than the vegan ones at the moment, so do make sure you check the labels).

Today I have one amazing giveaway lined up for you! Amy’s Kitchen is kindly offering my readers the chance to win a hamper filled with seven of their tasty meals. Taking into account the dietary requirements of my readers, we’ve made sure that all the products in this hamper are gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan 🙂

Here’s the lowdown on what’s included:

Rice Mac & Cheeze
After years of recipe testing, Amy’s Kitchen discovered delicious dairy-free Daiya Cheeze to go with their tender organic rice pasta. This dish is so tasty that people will no longer have to miss out on their favourite ‘mac and cheese!’

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Vegetable Lasagne
The chefs at Amy’s Kitchen have created a Vegetable Lasagne suitable for their gluten intolerant and vegan customers made with spinach, courgettes, carrots and tofu mixed with luscious Daiya non-dairy mozzarella-style cheese, Amy’s own authentic Italian-style sauce made with vine-ripened tomatoes, all layered between sheets of light tender rice pasta.

1154AMYS_UK_FROZEN_LASAGNE_GF-DF_031913

Thai Red Curry
This curry is Amy’s Dad’s favourite dish! It has finely cut vegetables including sautéed onions, broccoli, carrots and butternut squash, slowly cooked in authentic spices and coconut milk, topped off with tofu and served with fragrant Jasmine rice.

Thai Red Curry 300

Manhattan Veggie Burger
Firm and hearty, this Veggie burger is inspired by the best of American burgers and is the perfect all-round burger for any occasion. Made with vegetables, walnuts and quinoa, this burger is free from dairy, gluten and soy, but full of flavour.

1024.1AMYS_EU_THIR_VEG_BURGER_GF_DE

Organic Lentil Vegetable Soup
Amy’s original lentil soup is so popular that the family went on to create another delicious lentil soup! This one is full of vegetables including green beans, tomatoes and spinach in a hearty, flavourful lentil-based soup.

Organic Lentil & Vegetable Soup 200

Organic Hearty Spanish Rice & Red Bean Soup
This fresh-tasting soup combines brown rice with red beans, tomatoes, onions, sweet peppers, sweetcorn and green chillies. It’s just right for a light lunch or with a salad for dinner.

Spanish Rice & Red Bean Soup 200

Organic Split Pea Soup
This traditional favourite is made with organic green split peas, onions, celery, carrots and garlic has a surprisingly light, delicate flavour.

Split Pea Soup 200

To be in with a chance of winning this fabulous hamper, simply leave me a comment answering the question featured in the Rafflecopter below. Do make sure you tick the box in the Rafflecopter to register that you have done so! There are a number of additional ways you can enter in order to increase your chances of winning. You will find these listed in the Rafflecopter. All entries will be verified prior to the winner being selected.

This giveaway is UK only and open to residents aged 18 and over. The closing date is Friday 23rd May 2014 at midnight GMT. The winner will be selected at random using Rafflecopter and notified by email. The winner will have 7 days to respond. If they fail to do so, another winner will be selected at random.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
New to Rafflecopter? It’s pretty easy! Simply click on ‘Use Your Email’ and enter a name and your email address (rest assured it won’t be published anywhere). You can also log in using your Facebook account, if you wish. A quick demo of how to use Rafflecopter can be accessed here.

* If you experience any technical problems when trying to enter the Rafflecopter, let me know in the comments section below and I’ll submit your entry for you *

Amy's Kitchen Hamper 500

Good luck everyone! xx

Baobab Fruit Powder & Eden Project Family Ticket Giveaway!

When I was a child, as a treat during grocery trips, my mum used to let me choose a new fruit to try. I was always drawn to the exotic fruit section and it was here that I discovered my love of pomegranate, pineapple and coconut. The one disappointment was the Sharon fruit. Imagine my excitement as a kid to find a fruit named after me! Sadly it turned out to be the blandest fruit I’d ever tasted. It certainly didn’t live up to its name 😉

To this day, I still love seeking out new exotic fruits to try, so when I was invited to sample baobab fruit powder, I was more than delighted to accept. Originating in sub-Saharan Africa, the melon-like fruits grow on the legendary ‘upside down tree’, which is pollinated by bats! It’s widely consumed all over southern Africa as a refreshing juice or health snack. The Kung San bushman of the Kalahari eat it for medicinal purposes, to ward off winter colds, combat fevers, stomach upsets and as a general pick-me-up.

Avenue of Baobab Trees Madagascar

Source

Baobab fruit powder is a 100% natural whole food often referred to as ‘Nature’s Multivitamin’ due to its high levels of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It contains more than 12 minerals and vitamins, but is particularly rich in vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium. It is reported to contain more calcium than milk, more iron than steak, six times more potassium than a banana and to have more than 100 times the antioxidant activity of oranges!

Baobab Fruit

Source

The powdery fruit pulp is obtained through a simple process that involves collecting the fruit by hand, cracking open the hard shells, then milling. Flavourwise, it has hints of pineapple and melon.  I love adding it to smoothies (especially our Oaty Pineapple Breakfast Smoothie) for an extra boost of nutritional power. It can also be sprinkled into breakfast cereals, added to yoghurt, used to make jams, sauces and ice creams, and even used in baking. I often add it to my home-made energy bars to give them an extra nutritional boost.

Baobab Fruit

Source

The Eden Project in Cornwall recently launched their own range of baobab fruit powder, which is sustainably harvested and bought from rural harvester groups in Malawi. Money from every sale of baobab goes to PhytoTrade Africa, who help support rural harvesters and producers across southern Africa. 

Baobab Fruit Phyto Trade Africa

Source

The Eden Project sells a variety of baobab fruit products, including fruit powder sachets, pouches and jars, as well as gift bags, chocolate and even hand cream! They are available to purchase online however, if you fancy buying them in person, I have one AMAZING giveaway lined up for you!

Baobab Fruit Powder Pouch

GIVEAWAY TIME!

The Eden Project is kindly offering my readers the chance to win a FREE DAY TICKET to the Eden Project in Cornwall (England) for up to two adults and two children (worth £68!)

Described as the “eighth wonder of the world”, the Eden Project is a global garden which lets people discover plants that have changed the world and plants that could change the future. People can explore the sights, smells and sheer scale of the Rainforest Biome, take a journey through the fragrant Mediterranean Biome and zig-zag their way through the 30 acres of outdoor gardens. There are also world-class art installations, unique sculptures and exciting events to be found across the site.

Panoramic view of the geodesic dome structures of Eden Project

To be in with a chance of winning, simply leave me a comment answering the question featured in the Rafflecopter below. Do make sure you tick the box in the Rafflecopter to register that you have done so!

This giveaway is worldwide, open to all residents aged 18 and over. The closing date is Friday 25th April 2014 at midnight GMT. The winner will be selected at random using Rafflecopter and notified by email. The winner can choose to visit the Eden Project on the day of their choice (there is no expiry date on the ticket!)

If you’re new to Rafflecopter, it’s pretty easy! Simply click on ‘Use Your Email’ and enter a name and your email address (rest assured it won’t be published anywhere). You can also log in using your Facebook account, if you wish. A quick demo of how to use Rafflecopter can be accessed here.

There are a number of additional ways you can enter in order to increase your chances of winning. You will find these listed in the Rafflecopter. All entries will be verified prior to the winner being selected.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

NB. If you experience any technical problems when trying to enter the Rafflecopter, leave me a comment below and I’ll submit your entry for you.

Good luck everyone! xx

 

World Food Café Vegetarian Bible Book Review

World Food Cafe Vegetarian Bible

For over twenty years, Chris and Carolyn Caldicott owned the World Food Café in London’s Covent Garden, where they cooked and served delicious vegetarian world cuisine. They’re also the authors of numerous cookbooks, including the fabulous World Food Café Quick and Easy, which I reviewed last year.

However, the World Food Café books are far more than just cookbooks. They’re filled with stunning photography taken by Chris, a freelance travel photographer and former Expedition Photographer-in-Residence at the Royal Geographical Society, as well as travel anecdotes and descriptions of the traditional cuisine of each country they visited.

World Food Cafe Vegetarian Bible

I especially love the anecdotes describing how they first encountered the dishes. I find they really bring the dishes to life and make me even more excited about trying them for myself!

World Food Cafe Vegetarian Bible

Their latest book – World Food Café Vegetarian Bible – is filled with over two hundred of their favourite vegetarian recipes, collected during their travels. Over 130 of the recipes happen to be vegan (and are helpfully marked with a ‘V’), which means that they’re also suitable for anyone with dairy or egg allergies. Many of the remaining dishes could easily be ‘veganised’ by substituting the milk or butter with non-dairy alternatives.

World Food Cafe Vegetarian Bible

The recipes are organised geographically, with chapters on North Africa & Arabia, West & East Africa, The Indian Ocean, India, Pakistan & Nepal, Southeast Asia, French Polynesia, Central & Southern America, and the Caribbean. The final chapter is dedicated to Puddings.

World Food Cafe Vegetarian Bible

This book landed on my doorstep at the start of the Christmas holidays, and the timing couldn’t have been better. During my two week break, I had the luxury of quality time to immerse myself in the book, and I read it from cover to cover. As I was reading, I could feel myself being transported to all the wonderful places described. Hopefully one day, I’ll be able to visit them for real. But, for now, I’ll happily take a virtual tour by cooking my way through this wonderful book 🙂

World Food Cafe Vegetarian Bible

I do need to adapt the recipes slightly to suit my family’s tastes but this isn’t a problem. The authors have strived to maintain the authenticity of the recipes, which means that they tend to include a fair amount of oil and ‘heat’. Luckily, it’s easy to adapt both of these. Lil’ L is still very sensitive to hot spices (as I’m sure a lot of children are). For now, I simply hold off adding the chilli and other hot spices until I’ve removed his portion of the dish, then I add some ‘heat’ for the adults. This way he still gets to enjoy the world cuisines and share the same meals as the rest of the family.

World Food Cafe Vegetarian Bible

We’ve tried two recipes so far – the West African Sweet Potatoes in a Cayenne, Ginger and Groundnut Sauce (which I posted last week) and the Borneo Rainforest Vegetables (pictured below). Both were totally scrumptious! (I’ve already made the Sweet Potato dish twice!)

World Food Cafe Vegetarian Bible

If you’re a fan of world cuisines, I’m sure you’ll love this book, regardless of whether or not you’re vegetarian. The book retails at £20, and is currently on sale at Amazon UK for £13.20 with free delivery. I think this is extremely good value for a hardback, full colour, 380+ page book.

It can also be purchased from Amazon.com. For international friends, it might be worth noting that the recipe ingredients in this book are in ounces and grams only, and not cups.

GIVEAWAY!

How would you like to win your own copy of the World Food Café Vegetarian Bible? Well, the publishers Frances Lincoln have very generously offered to send a copy to one of my lovely readers. This is one seriously great prize! 

To be in with a chance of winning, simply leave me a comment answering the question featured in the Rafflecopter below. Do make sure you tick the box in the Rafflecopter to register that you have done so!

If you’re new to Rafflecopter, it’s pretty easy! Simply click on ‘Use Your Email’ and enter a name and your email address (rest assured it won’t be published anywhere). You can also log in using your Facebook account, if you wish. A quick demo of how to use Rafflecopter can be accessed here.

There are a number of additional ways you can enter in order to increase your chances of winning. You will find these listed in the Rafflecopter. All entries will be verified prior to the winner being selected.

The giveaway is open to all UK residents, aged 18 and over (sorry international readers!)

The closing date is Friday 7th February 2014 at midnight GMT.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck everyone! xx

 

Herbal and Fruit Tea Giveaway!

Since ditching dairy, M and I have become avid drinkers of herbal and fruit teas. For me, herbal tea is the ultimate ‘comfort drink’ as it leaves me feeling so great on the inside

As well as being gentle on the stomach, I find it to be super hydrating, which has helped me stay headache-free for years.

Herbal Tea

Our drinks cupboard is literally brimming with boxes of tea, and I’m always keen to try new flavours.  This winter, we tried Ginger tea for the first time, and it was a big hit with both of us!

To help kick-start our healthy new year, I have a great selection of herbal and fruit teas to give way to one of my lovely readers, courtesy of Whittard of Chelsea.

Whittards Fruit and Herbal Tea Selection

There are six teas in the selection: Organic Peppermint, Blackberry & Elderflower, Apple & Mango, Organic Rooibos, Organic Camomile, and Acai & Goji Berry. The 48 individually-wrapped tea bags are packaged in a stylish keepsake tin.

Whittards Fruit and Herbal Tea Selection

I personally like all the teas but, if I had to choose a favourite, it would be Organic Peppermint. I love drinking this tea after meals as I find it really helps to aid digestion. The Acai & Goji Berry was a new-to-me flavour, which I really enjoyed. If you like fruity teas, I think you’ll love this one!

Whittards Herbal and Fruit Tea Selection 1

To be in with a chance of winning the Healthy Teas Gift Tin, leave me a comment answering the question featured in the Rafflecopter below. Do make sure you tick the box in the Rafflecopter to register that you have done so! 

If you’re new to Rafflecopter, it’s pretty easy! Click on ‘Use Your Email’ and enter a name and your email address (rest assured it won’t be published anywhere). If you wish, you can log in via the Facebook button. A quick demo of how to use Rafflecopter can be accessed via this link.

There are a number of additional ways you can enter in order to increase your chances of winning. You will find these listed in the Rafflecopter. All entries will be verified prior to the winner being selected.

The giveaway is open to all UK residents, aged 18 and over (so sorry international readers!)

The closing date is Thursday 23rd January 2014 at midnight GMT.

Good luck everyone! xx

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Disclaimer: I was sent a gift tin for review purposes. As always, all opinions expressed are my own.

 

TheVeganKind Subscription Box Review & Giveaway!

This morning, there was a knock on my door and I literally jumped for joy when I saw my lovely postman standing there with this box in his hands for me…

The VeganKind Subscription Box

Yes, indeed, it was the brand new subscription box by TheVeganKind!

I’ve heard so much about subscription boxes in blogging world, especially the American ‘Conscious Box’, but I’d never actually experienced one for myself… until today! 🙂

TheVeganKind is a monthly subscription box that has just launched in the UK to help consumers interested in ethical lifestyle choices. (I know from first hand experience what a minefield ethical shopping can be!) Through the subscription box, we’ll be introduced to a whole plethora of vegan, cruelty-free and planet-friendly goodies, including foods, toiletries, accessories, cosmetics, cleaning products, and household products.

Here’s a sneaky peak at what I received in my box this month…

The Vegan Kind Subscription Box

I was pleased with the range of products that it included. They’re all completely new to me and I’m looking forward to trying them out.  Personal deodorant and washing powder were two items that were on my ‘to green’ list, so if these products work for me, I’ll be over the moon!  I know Lil’ L is going to love testing those ‘Goody Good Stuff Fizzy Sweets’ too 😉

Karris is keen to point out that this subscription box is for anyone and everyone. You don’t necessarily have to be vegan or even vegetarian; you may simply be looking to make more ethical choices in your shopping.

The Vegan Kind Subscription Box

The monthly subscription box costs £10 (plus £2.95 P&P).  For this price, you’ll receive a range of full and sample size goodies, as well as a snazzy recipe card. Each month, TheVeganKind will donate 10p from every box sold to a charity, chosen by the public via their Facebook page. This month, the Farplace Animal Rescue was chosen as the featured charity.

GIVEAWAY TIME!

Do you like the sound of TheVeganKind subscription box?

Would you like to try it for yourselves?

Well, I’m extremely delighted to tell you that TheVeganKind has kindly offered to send one of my lovely readers their next subscription box, due out on 10th December 🙂

To be in with a chance of winning, leave me a comment, answering the question featured in the Rafflecopter below. Do make sure you tick the box in the Rafflecopter to register that you have done so!  If you’re new to Rafflecopter, it’s pretty easy! You simply ‘log in’ by clicking the ‘Use Your Email’ button and entering a name and email address (which won’t be published anywhere) or you can log in via the Facebook button. A quick demo of how to use Rafflecopter can be accessed via this link.

There are a number of additional ways you can enter in order to increase your chances of winning. You will find these listed in the Rafflecopter. All entries will be verified prior to the winner being selected.

The giveaway is open to all UK residents, aged 18 and over (sorry international readers!)

The closing date is Thursday, 28th November 2013 at midnight GMT.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck everyone! xx

 

Disclosure: I was sent a TVK subscription box to review. All the views expressed in this post are my own.