Tag Archives: Food

Oomf – The Bench Pressed Oats Review

Posted on by
I can’t leave the house without eating breakfast no matter how late I am running. So these cute little pots are perfect for me and the time starved. I got sent the Banana one to review. Here is what I thought:
First of all, convenience. This little pot of Whey Protein Porridge is ready in 60 seconds. You just add hot water. I never make porridge because it takes too long and cleaning the pot afterward is such a chore. So full marks for that. Next is taste. It tastes good, There is nothing artificial about it. It just tastes like banana porridge, but good banana porridge.
Now for nutrition: Oomf are great for you as each serving contains 20g of protein (that’s 36% of recommended daily allowance and equivalent to 3 large eggs!)
The little pot kept hunger at bay for hours. Whey protein, the main ingredient, is a rich source of essential amino acids and boosts your immune system, It has no added sugar and is a British brand with British ingredients.
They come in travel sized pots and all you have to do is add hot water…meaning that they can be eaten anywhere…at the gym or the office or on the go. They are great for on-the-go breakfasts or even as an afternoon snack (especially great for the cold winter mornings).
Flavours include Banana, Ginger Bread and Apple, and Sultana and Cinnamon. £1.50 from health food stores or www.giveitsomeoomf.co.uk.

How To Make Your Own Top Notch Desserts This Christmas

Posted on by

With only 19 sleeps to go until Santa comes shooting down the chimney, everyone’s now fully getting into the festive spirit; more and more gifts are getting ticked off wish-lists, many of us have already had our first mince pie of the festive season, and we’re all finding ourselves singing along to the Christmas classics being played on our favourite radios stations in the morning.

But, it’s normally around this time when we also have to turn our thoughts to buying something else other than the presents; the food. Yes, that’s right, it’s time to grab the best turkey, all the trimmings, and hunt out all of the supermarkets for the best Christmas trifle. After all, it’s not always the turkey that’s the star of the feast on Christmas Day – because, for some, it’s the dessert.

But, rather than turning to the supermarkets for help, why don’t you try something different this year? Get all the family involved and make your own Christmas desserts!

So, if you’re playing host on Christmas Day this year, why not wow your guests with some of these quick and easy festive dessert creations:

 

 

Banoffee Pie (Serves 4-6):

Ingredients:

250g digestive biscuits
100g butter, melted, plus a little extra for greasing
400g dulce de leche (sometimes sold as caramel)
2 bananas, peeled and sliced
300ml double cream
2 tbsp grated dark chocolate

Method:

1. Place the biscuits into a food processor and pulse until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Transfer to a mixing bowl and stir in the melted butter, mixing well to combine.

2. Place the mixture into a lightly greased 20cm/8in loose-bottomed cake tin and press down into the base and up along the sides. Place in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes.

3. Spoon the dulce de leche over the biscuit base, and then cover with a layer of sliced bananas.

4. Put the cream through a cream whipper with the help of a nitrous oxide charger, and decorate the pie on top with whipped cream and grated chocolate.

5. Slice into wedges and serve.

Raspberry and Cherry Trifle (Serves 10):

Ingredients:

10 boudoir (sponge) biscuits
2 x 250g punnets of cherries, stoned
5 tbsp cherry brandy or crème de cassis
2 x 125g raspberries, washed
4 meringue nests, crushed
1 litre/1 ¾ pint ready-made custard
400 ml double cream
110g dark chocolate, grated
55g toasted flaked almonds

Method:

1. Choose either a large glass bowl or small individual glasses. Break the boudoir biscuits into pieces and sprinkle at the bottom of the bowl(s).

2. Pile the cherries on top and spoon over the cherry brandy.

3. Sprinkle the meringue nests on top of the cherries and then sprinkle the raspberries on top.

4. Pour the custard over the entire ingredients and chill for 10 minutes.

5. Whip the cream either by hand or with the help of whipping cream dispenser, and carefully decorate on top of the custard. 

6. Sprinkle generously with the chocolate and flaked almonds, and serve.

 

But, don’t just stop at making your own desserts this year! If you’re looking for an alternative drink to serve on the table rather than the standard Bucks Fizz this year, then why not try making this (adults only) festive drink suggestion – just remember to make enough of it for when everyone asks for more!

The Granny Apple Cocktail (Alcoholic – Serves 1):

Ingredients:

1 oz apple schnapps
½ oz brands
½ oz irish cream
2 scoops ice cream
½ oz double cream
1 pinch ground cinnamon

Method:

1. Simply combine all the ingredients (excluding the cream and cinnamon) into a blender and blend well until fully mixed together.

2. Pour into a cocktail glass over ice.

3. Whip the cream and decorate on top with cream and dusted cinnamon. Serve, enjoy and remember to drink responsibly!

9 Bar | Food Review

Posted on by

I am on the go a lot so I like to have some snacks in my bag. Cereal bars are a particular favourite.
9bar have re-launched with a sleek new makeover and I tried their 5 varieties – Original, Nutty, Pumpkin, Flax and Organic. 9bars are gluten, dairy and wheat free. 9bars are handmade in Wales.


Original

The original bar is crunchy and delicious. It is also very filling. A brilliant snack. This bar is substantial and not too sweet.

Nutty

This bar is filled with nuts and seeds. Really good cereal bar, and with chocolate on top. Yum.

Pumpkin

I love pumpkin seeds. This bar also has a brilliant carob coating. You can see all of the seeds. It tastes sweet and is filling.

Flax

Flax seed is very popular with the health conscious. Flax seed is a super food, making these bars even more healthy. Tastes brilliant too.

Organic

This organic bar is tasty and pure organic heaven. Topped with chocolate and full of seeds. The perfect on the go bar.

The 9bar range is available from Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury, Asda, Morrison’s, Holland & Barrett and independent health food stores nationwide. All varieties are available in 4 x 40g multi packs, RRP £1.89, and in 50g singles, RRP 70p.

Nim’s Fruit Crisps | Food Review

Posted on by

I love to snack. I have been trying to eat healthier snacks but I must confess a weakness for crisps. I know they are not good for me, but I love crisps. Can Nim’s Fruit Crisps be a good and healthy alternative? They are certainly healthier. Instead of being made from potatoes these crisps are made from dried fruit. It might sound like it won’t work, but it does.

Nim’s Fruit Crisps are free of additives and preservatives. Fat and gluten free, high in fibre, have no sugar, no added sugar and only between 62-76 calories per pack. They are also one of your five a day. But do they taste nice? Thankfully yes. I try the Apple & Kiwi and the Orange and Melon. They taste good and are also surprisingly filling. Perfect for a snack. The crisps are dried, not fried. I am definitely a fan of Nim’s Fruit Crisps. They are a great delicious, natural snack. Top marks.

This is what Nim’s say about their fruit crisps.

Pining for a packet of crisps without the guilt? Then look no further than delicious Nim’s Fruit Crisps. With only less than 70 calories per pack, Nim’s Fruit Crisps are the perfect healthy snack for every occasion. Whether you’re on the go or relaxing at home, these healthy bags of zesty goodness are the ideal snack to indulge your sweet tooth. Each bag is made from 100% natural fruit, using a unique air-drying process, meaning that each bag retains as much nutritional content as possible.

 

Nim’s Fruit Crisps are currently available online at www.nimsfruitcrisps.com / www.flavrbox.com / www.loveyourlarder.com / www.planet-v.co.uk / www.auravita.com / www.realfoods.co.uk / www.winnaturally.com and at Planet Organic, HealthZone stores and independent delis, health food stores, and farm stores.

£1.25 per mixed pack (20g)

£0.85 per single pack (18g)

Politicians Get £400 Per Month Food Allowance While Families Go Hungry

Posted on by

It has not been a good time for the general public recently. In the past few years we have learned that some of our politicians are corrupt (the expenses scandal), that some of the Metropolitan Police Force was on the pay role of News Corporation, and that some of the press dealt in illegal activities to get their stories. Is anyone on the straight and narrow these days?

While ordinary people feel the pinch along with everyone else MP’s are legally claiming £400 per month on food. In fact, politics is the only career that I can think of where your get a food allowance and also get your rent or mortgage paid. All by the taxpayer, who can barely afford to live.

Recently I watched a brilliant documentary that was on the BBC called Britain’s Hidden Hungry. This was along the same lines of an excellent Marie Claire magazine article that I recently read. The documentary focused on food banks in Coventry. Food banks are on the rise now as families tighten their belts. Their are 11 food bank in Coventry. They are called Hope Centres and are set up by a Christian charity. A voucher is given to you by social services if you are deemed in need. Each voucher gives you 3 days of food.

Two more food banks are opening every week. The food bank in Coventry fed 10,000 people in 8 months. These food banks are on the rise all over the UK. Sometimes people need them as they have fallen down a benefits hole. One young women in the documentary who was in full time education only ate one meal a day because she was not eligible for benefits. She was even told to have a child by an employee at the benefits agency so she could apply for benefits.

I know quite a few politicians and they are not all corrupt and horrible. Some of them go into politics to help people and do good. But you have to wonder why in the current economical climate they are making cuts to benefits and the price of everything is rising above inflation that MP’s still get their food and rent paid for them. Especially as their constituents will be surviving on the bare minimum. If they really want to make more cuts, maybe that would be a good place to start?

Some MP’s do not even seem grateful at being in the only profession I can think of that pays for your food and rent and are still taking advantage of the situation.

David Amess is one of 27 MPs who claim expenses up to £20,000 a year to rent a second home in London while letting out the property and pocketing the cash. But he is doing nothing wrong according to parliamentary rules, just moral ones then.

Amess’s constituency home is in Essex, a mere 41 miles from Westminster. One wonders why MPs cannot commute like the rest of us. Amess owns a home in South West London, rents another at the expense of the taxpayer AND was claiming expenses to stay in a hotel in London.

The MP hit taxpayers with 23 separate expenses claims for ­hotels since July 2011.

Is one of the reasons so many MP’s are happily pushing through more austerity measures, because the austerity never affects them? Maybe a dose of reality is in order.

Montezuma’s Christmas Chocolate

Posted on by

Montezuma’s Christmas chocolate range just tastes like heaven. The little chocolate balls are amazing. Montezuma Orange & Geranium Christmas Chocolate Balls are as original and delicious as I have come to expect Montezuma’s chocolate to be.

Montezuma’s advent calender has organic milk and white chocolate for every day in the run up to Christmas. I was sadly lacking the willpower to keep it for that long and I have ate all mine. It is possible that you will love someone enough to give them some of this chocolate for Christmas – I have a few family members in mind-  but the willpower to hand it over may be lacking.

Full marks. Chocolate heaven.

Montezuma’s Christmas Mini me Bars

Ampersand Hotel Review

Posted on by

The Ampersand Hotel is in a very convenient location, a few minutes walk away from South Kensington tube station. It is also near the Victoria & Albert Museum, Harrods, Hyde Park, The British Museum and Harvey Nichols. So if location is your thing, the Ampersand Hotel should already be at the top of your list. The hotel itself is beautiful, brilliantly designed, classy and elegant. The staff are friendly and helpful.

The room is beautiful. It has everything you could possibly need. You do expect a hotel of this caliber to have everything and it does not disappoint. It has free wifi, a hairdryer, air-conditioning, TV, a desk, cable, tea, toiletries by Miller Harris and even ice. The bed is comfortable and the curtains are good and heavy, blocking out the light and some of the London noise.

The bathroom is great, with a bath and a shower. It also has lots of handy kits for sewing or vanity. The towels are lovely and fluffy. A dressing gown and a pair of slippers also comes with the room. The only thing I can complain about is the lack of bubble bath.

The lighting is good, the soft drinks in the minibar are free. One of the things that I really liked about this hotel is that you do not feel like a customer, constantly being fleeced of your money, but instead like a guest.

There is also a Business centre, a library, a wine room, a games room and a gym.

The Apero restaurant in the hotel is good. With an emphasis on sharing. We had serrano ham mikado ,(delicious and different) ,Plaice goujons with avocado mayonaise , Grilled neck of lamb with harissa & onion salad and Gnocchi with chard & smoked scamorza and an amazing cocktail called Elixir of Love.

In the morning we had a delicious full English breakfast and read the papers. Our stay in the hotel was relaxing and luxurious. This hotel is highly recommended. One of the best hotels to stay at in London.


Frankie and Benny’s Launch New Cocktail Range | Review

Posted on by

Frost popped along to Frankie and Benny’s to check out their new cocktail range and have some food. I had a delicious crab  cake followed by a calamari caesar salad. For desert I had a chocolate milkshake. The calamari was fried and delicious and the crab cake came with a good sauce. The milkshake was also very good. The food is very filling and the portions are generous. We tried the cocktails below. Find out what your cocktail says about you.

My colleague also had crab cake for a started and had spaghetti carbonara, Which they said was very good. finishing off with a Vanilla milkshakes. The atmosphere was also good.

What does your cocktail say about you?

 

We all know how stressful being a mum can be, taking care of the whole family often leaves very little ‘me time’.   Between cooking family meals, getting kids ready for school and running the house, plus often working a full time job, it’s easy to see how many mums end up frazzled!  With that in mind, Frankie & Benny’s has launched its new cocktail menu to encourage mums to take time out and sip on a delicious cocktail.  So what does your cocktail of choice say about you?

 

Mojito

Ladies who can’t resist a bit of spice will love this cool Cuban cocktail.  Made with fresh lime, mint and sugar, plus a generous splash of Bacardi rum, a mojito drinker is sure to be the first on the dance floor, ready to spice up any night.

 

Appletini

This fun and flirty drink is perfect for ladies who just want to have fun.  Packed with Eristoff vodka, pressed apple juice and gingerbread syrup, this delightful drink is sure to get the party started. 

 

Cosmopolitan

A sexy and sassy Cosmopolitan is a great choice for those who like to keep it classic.  This zingy and zesty drink comprises vodka, triple sec and cranberry juice creating a cool and crisp taste.  Cosmo ladies love a bit of city glamour and always paint the town pink.

 

Classic Sour

For ladies who like to be adventurous, this quirky cocktail is available with Jack Daniels, Amaretto or Midori and finished with fresh lemon juice, egg whites for added smooth and is topped off with sugar.  It’s the ideal choice for someone who likes to stand out from the crowd.

 

Espresso Martini

This rich and sumptuous drink is ideal for ladies looking for a classic cocktail with a twist.  Fresh espresso teamed with vodka and a coffee liqueur offers an instant caffeine hit, a brilliant blend for any modern mum who is in need of a pick-me-up!

 

 

 

Gentle Breeze

A delicious non-alcoholic cocktail for those who like to behave rather than rave!  This drink combines a delicious blend of apple juice, cranberry and citrus juices and is served over ice, offering the designated driver something delightful to sip on.

 

Bramble

For ladies with a mysterious edge, this deliciously dark cocktail is a tasty mix of Bombay Sapphire gin and black raspberry liqueur.  An added kick of fresh lemon means this drink really packs a punch.