Reviews – Page 5 – Bit of the Good Stuff

Baobab Fruit Powder & Eden Project Family Ticket Giveaway!

Published on April 4, 2014 by Sharon15 Comments

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

Lord Love a Dukkah! Olives Et Al Review & Recipe for Dukkah Roasted Chickpeas

Published on March 18, 2014 by Sharon9 Comments

In 1992, Annie and Giles Henschel, founders of the Dorset-based business Olives Et Al, set out on a year-long journey through the Mediterranean Middle East and North Africa. They fell in love with the regional food flavours and, upon their return, began a process to capture and recreate the authentic flavours of the Mediterranean and bring them to the UK.

On their website you’ll see the vast array of food items they currently sell including olives, marinades, sauces, oils, nuts and snacks, as well as hampers and gift boxes.

Recently, I was lucky enough to receive a complementary Lord Love a Dukkah Hat Box. Inside this super stylish box, I was delighted to find the following:
– Moroccan Inspired Tapenade Marocaine with Preserved Lemons
– Sunshine Rosemary & Garlic Olives
– Very Deli Herbed and Pitted Olives
– Extra Virgin Olive Oil
– Egyptian Style Spiced Dukkah

Retailing at £25, this stylish quality box would make a fantastic gift for ‘foodie’ friends. This is the type of gift that I love to receive – a treat that I can share with others ♥

Mezze has got to be my favourite dining style, so this box couldn’t have been more perfect for me! For get-togethers with friends and family, I love to whip up some houmous, baba ganoush, roasted almonds and chickpeas, lay out some dishes of olives, tapenade, oils, and salad leaves, and serve it all with a big pile of warm flat bread. While the conversation’s flowing, everyone enthusiastically tucks in. Mezze is incredibly tasty, and very moreish!

Though Olives Et Al didn’t know this, Dukkah is actually one of my all-time favourite spice mixes! I would describe its flavour as “warmly aromatic”. Though the ingredients vary depending upon brand, I’ve always found Dukkah to be mild rather than hot. This makes it perfect for people (like me!) that can’t handle much heat. The ingredients in the Olives Et Al Dukkah spice mix are: sesame seeds, coriander, cumin, almonds, hazelnuts, salt, garlic, thyme and black pepper.

Traditionally, Dukkah is served as a starter with bread and oil, but I also use it to flavour home-made breads and houmous. One of my current obsessions is Dukkah spiced roasted chickpeas. They’re so simple to make and really versatile! They make a great addition to pasta, rice and salad dishes, can be mashed and used as a sandwich or wrap filling, or simply eaten straight up. They make a great snack too! I really should start making bigger batches as I can easily eat a can’s worth of chickpeas in one sitting!

I absolutely love the nutty taste and texture of chickpeas. They’re also super good for you! They provide slow release energy, help to control blood sugar levels and lower bad cholesterol levels. They’re packed full of protein, dietary fibre, phytonutrients, B vitamins and minerals. Just one cup of cooked chickpeas provides 84% of the recommended daily amount of manganese, and 26% of iron!

The Dukkah spices also have great health benefits. Sesame, cumin and coriander seeds are packed with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, and rich in minerals including calcium and iron. Just one tablespoon of cumin seeds provides 22% of the recommended daily amount of iron!

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Dukkah Roasted Chickpeas

Hands on time: 5 minutes Cooking time: 25-30 minutes
Ready in: 35 minutes

Ingredients
400g / 14 oz can chickpeas (or 1½ cups cooked chickpeas)
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp maple syrup
1 TBSP Dukkah spice mix

Method

Get prepared:
Preheat the oven to 190C / 375F.
Line a large baking sheet with non stick baking paper.
Grind the Dukkah spice mix into a powder using a mortar and pestle or grinder.

Ready, set go!
Thoroughly drain the chickpeas and place in a bowl. Add the oil, syrup and spice mix. Stir to coat then spread them out on the prepared baking sheet. Using a silicon spatula, scrape out any remaining spice mix from the bowl and spread it onto the chickpeas. Roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring half way through the cooking time. After 25 minutes roasting time, I find that the chickpeas have a slightly softer, chewier texture (which I personally prefer), while after 30 minutes they become harder and crunchier.

Leave to cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they will last up to five days. Over time, I find the chickpea texture changes and becomes chewier (it’s different but still nice!)

Notes
Roasted chickpeas are great in pasta and rice dishes, or roughly mashed for a sandwich or wrap filling, served with salad and avocado. They can also be eaten straight up as a snack.
I highly recommend making a double or triple batch as they go quick!

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Products used in this recipe
Tesco Organic Chickpeas (they’re packaged in a tetra pak)
Olives Et Al Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Clarks Original Maple Syrup
Olives Et Al Spiced Dukkah

Have you heard of Dukkah or used it yourself? If so, what’s your favourite way to serve it? If you’ve published any recipes, please do link up below x

The Vegan Kind Monthly Lifestyle Subscription Box

Published on March 10, 2014 by Sharon9 Comments

There is one package above all others that I look forward to receiving in the post, and that’s TheVeganKind Box ♥ It’s really exciting to receive a box of surprise goodies each month! Lil’ L loves joining me in the ‘big reveal’ as we slowly lift the lid and take a peek inside.

However, more importantly, for people (like me) on a quest to live a planet-friendly, cruelty-free life, TheVeganKind provides a valuable service. Every month, they send a box with 5-8 products to try, all of which have been painstakingly researched to ensure they are green, cruelty-free, and vegan. As well as new snacks and treats, the boxes supply recipe ingredients, household products, toiletries and beauty items.

Here’s a sneaky peak inside this month’s box…

Greenfrog Natural Washing Up Liquid, SAF Express Raw Coconut Cookies, Flavour Magic Harrisa Powder, Onthepulse Hot Chick Spicy Roasted Chickpeas and Pulsin Raw Choc Brownie.

A colourful leaflet details each product and the business behind it. While I’ve heard of some before, many are new to me. I’ve really enjoyed connecting with them on Twitter and Facebook and giving feedback on their products 😀

Each month, there’s also a collectable laminated recipe card. This month, the recipe was for lentil burgers and sweet potato harissa fries, which sound lush! In your third box, you receive a free ring binder for storing the recipe cards in.

If you’re interested in trying the subscription box yourself, you can find out more details here. The box costs £10 per month (plus £2.95 delivery) with 10p from the sale of each box donated to a charity selected by TheVeganKind Facebook followers. So far, the supported charities have included Farplace Animal Rescue, Greyhound Gap, Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary, Society for Abandoned Animals and Cat Cuddles Sanctuary.

You can also connect with TheVeganKind on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. They’ve only been in business a few months, but already have thousands of followers! I love the sense of community that’s building up via their social media pages. I’ve connected with so many fab, friendly, supportive people over there!

And finally, I must point out that this box isn’t just for vegans. Regardless of your dietary choices, it you’re interested in planet-friendly and cruelty-free products, then this box is for you!

Do you subscribe to monthly boxes? If so, which ones and would you recommend them?

New Stuff I’m Loving – January 2014

Published on January 31, 2014 by Sharon8 Comments

I love trying out new foodie products and, when it comes to anything remotely ‘treat-like’, the boys are more than happy to join in the testing 😉

These past couple of months, we’ve tried lots of ‘new-to-us’ snacks and treats largely thanks to The Vegan Kind (TVK) monthly subscription box. It’s always a delight to see the postman when he knocks on the door with the latest TVK box!

Here’s some of the new stuff we’ve been loving this month ♥

1. Beond Organic Acai Berry Bar
This 100% organic raw fruit and nut bar came in our latest TVK box. It’s packed with flavour and has the most amazing berry smell that hits you as the wrapper’s torn open. It’s made by a small ethical company called Pulsin, based in Gloucestershire. They sell a whole range of snack and protein bars, including the beautifully named ‘Bliss Bar‘ which I definitely need to try 😉

UPDATE 5/2/14: Pulsin have kindly sent me an online discount code for my readers which gives a whopping 25% discount off all their products. Enter HEALTHY2014 at the checkout. The code is valid until the end of February 2014 and is restricted to one use per customer. Pulsin bars are also available to purchase in independent health food shops, Wholefoods Market, Planet Organic, The NutriCentre, Revital, and Holland and Barrett.

2. Perry Court Farm Air Dried Pear Crisps
Lil’ L isn’t normally a fan of pears, but he absolutely loved these crisps (another treat from our TVK box!) I was amazed to find that they’re made from 100% pear! Despite having no oil or sugar, they’re super sweet and crunchy. The crisps are hand picked from Perry Court Farm in Kent. They would make a great lunchbox treat. They even count as one of your five a day!

3. Landgarten Organic Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Snack
The latest TVK box proved to be a huge hit with the family, as we loved these chocolate-coated pumpkin seeds too! Lil’ L has been really enthusiastic about them, and loves to add a few to his lunchbox as a treat. I love nutrient-rich treats and these are packed with magnesium, iron, zinc and phosphorus. Landgarten snacks are available from independent health food stores and online, from their own website and Amazon.

4. Montezuma’s Christmas Spiced Mandarin Drinking Chocolate
This is one of the best drinking chocolates I’ve ever tasted! It’s made of shards of chocolate (as opposed to powder) and flavoured with vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon and mandarin oil. For me, this chocolate has the perfect level of sweetness. It does contain sugar, but it’s not sickly at all. Lil’ L loves it too, and he’s been enjoying a cup every day on his return from school. Sipping one of these is a great way to wind down after a busy day! I’m not sure how long this flavour will be available as it’s seasonal. It’s currently in stock at Amazon, so I’m going to snap some up quick as we’ve nearly run out!

5. Twinings Ginger Green Tea
M and I first tried this tea at my mum’s, and we’ve been hooked on it ever since! I’m not usually a fan of green tea, but this one is packed with warming, spicy ginger. I literally feel myself warming up from the inside out as I sip this drink! Twinings teas are widely available in supermarkets, but this flavour seems quite hard to come by (I’ll have to find out why!) It’s available at Sainsbury’s, and I occasionally find it in my local Waitrose in Bath. It’s also available online.

Have you tried any new food or drinks lately? I’d love to hear your recommendations!

World Food Café Vegetarian Bible Book Review

Published on January 24, 2014 by Sharon41 Comments

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.

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!

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.

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.

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 🙂

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.

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!)

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

TheVeganKind Subscription Box Review & Giveaway!

Published on November 6, 2013 by Sharon38 Comments

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…

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…

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 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 10^th 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, 28^th November 2013 at midnight GMT.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck everyone! ♥ xx

Tag: Reviews

Baobab Fruit Powder & Eden Project Family Ticket Giveaway!

GIVEAWAY TIME!

Lord Love a Dukkah! Olives Et Al Review & Recipe for Dukkah Roasted Chickpeas

The Vegan Kind Monthly Lifestyle Subscription Box

Greenfrog Natural Washing Up Liquid, SAF Express Raw Coconut Cookies, Flavour Magic Harrisa Powder, Onthepulse Hot Chick Spicy Roasted Chickpeas and Pulsin Raw Choc Brownie.

New Stuff I’m Loving – January 2014

World Food Café Vegetarian Bible Book Review

GIVEAWAY!

TheVeganKind Subscription Box Review & Giveaway!

GIVEAWAY TIME!

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