Tag Archives: easy

The 5 second breakfast solution from FOGA, giving busy people their daily RDA

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British wellbeing brand FOGA, have just launched their new range of freeze-dried ‘just add water’ food-state multivitamin plant-based smoothies that contain the full RDA of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients – making them one of the easiest and most cost effective ‘fast-food’ breakfast or snack solutions for busy people.

FOGA’s new range of all-in-one food-state multivitamin smoothie blends are the ultimate, healthy breakfast or snack solution for busy people

Just add water and in 5 seconds you can enjoy a delicious, and nutritious organic fruit, veg and superfood smoothie that provides all your essential daily requirements of vitamins and minerals
Simply add water and whizz your FOGA in the FOGAMATIC USB charge portable blender, and enjoy anywhere at any time. It’s the ultimate on-the-go health solution.

smoothies, busy, quick.
Forget shop-bought, sugar-laden smoothies – FOGA has a healthier solution.
Many people have little time to make healthy food, so FOGA have created a new wellness solution that suits everyone, from busy mums on the school run, to time poor office workers.

Made in seconds by whizzing with water (in a FOGAMATIC personal blender, or any other blender), the shakes combine over 150g of freeze-dried organic fruits, vegetables, and superfoods with FOGA’s new food state multi-nutrient complex – an innovative technique of infusing vitamins into organic buckwheat sprouts to create food state nutrients for easy absorption and maximum bioavailability.

FOGA smoothie blends are free from sweeteners, flavourings, and preservatives of any kind, and are fully plant based (and including B12 and D3) and contain no gluten ingredients.

No fruit? No problem!
Available in 20 delicious flavours, including Peach & Cayenne, Banana & Turmeric and Passionfruit & Papaya, a FOGA smoothie in the morning is a super easy way to boost your daily fruit and veg intake. Just enjoying one daily FOGA plantshake can increase your fruit and veg to up to 30 portions a week – as well as now ticking off all your vitamin and mineral needs. No matter how busy your day gets or how tempted you get by other deliciousness, you’ll know that you have your daily nutrients covered. Just add a pouch to water and whizz for an enjoyable food solution that supports your health across the board.

No blender? No problem with the new FOGAMATIC portable blender!
You can worry even less about how to get your goodness on-the-go, no blender at the office? No problem. FOGA have launched the new FOGAMATIC a portable blender. This handy handbag sized USB charge portable powerful blender whips up FOGA shakes to silken perfection while retaining maximum nutrition and flavour. No plug-in cable or batteries needed, the FOGAMATIC is ready whenever you are – take it to work, pop it in your gym back, pack it for your commute – be that train, plane, or car journeys – it’s so quiet that you could even use it in the library! Available in Matcha, Coconut and Strawberry colour – take it with you wherever you are and keep your health goals on track.

Two Chicks Pancake Mix

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pancakemixshakeandmixreviewFollowing on from their liquid egg cartons comes more convenience from Two Chicks in this handy and easy-to-use pancake mix. This unique product has fresh free-range liquid egg in the bottle base and flour mix in its lid. You just mix the two together and pour into a pan for a delicious, sweet pancake. It makes around 8-10 pancakes. Available at Tesco and tesco.com
Great for lazy weekend breakfasts or a Christmas day treat for the family…..

Leek And Lentil Hotpot Recipe | Vegetarian Food

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My husband has stopped eating meat, which means I have had to develop something of an imagination when it comes to cooking. I came up with this dish after being inspired by a lentil and tomato dish I had at an Italian restaurant in Putney called The Italian Boys. This is completely different, but I was greatly inspired by the combination of tomato sauce and lentils. So here is my take on it.

I have called it a hotpot after my husband suggested it. It tastes amazing, if I do say so myself.

Leek And Lentil Hotpot Recipe Vegetarian Foodcooking

Cooking time: 30-40 minutes

Leek And Lentil Hotpot Recipe

You will need:

3-4 Leeks.

A tin of chopped tomatoes.

Lentils (150-200g)

3 carrots

A tablespoon of olive oil

A dollop of butter

La Rosmarina sauce. (We get ours from Fattoria La Villa but you can buy it from somewhere else or make your own. The ingredients are tomatoes, extra virgin oil, fresh rosemary, garlic, salt and hot chilli pepper. Only use a tiny amount of the hot chilli pepper, you want a slight kick, this is not a spicy dish).

 

Leek And Lentil Hotpot
Leek And Lentil Hotpot Recipe | Vegetarian FoodLeek And Lentil Hotpot Recipe | Vegan

Method

Thoroughly clean the lentils and then add them to a pan. Pour cold water over them and then bring to the boil. Cook for 20-30 minutes. Next clean and chop the leeks and the carrots. Then take a frying pan and add a dollop of butter or spread. Add the leeks and the carrots and sauté them for 10 minutes. Add a tablespoon of olive oil. When the leeks and carrots are cooked add the lentils and then the rosemary sauce. Finally, add the tin of tomatoes. Stir it all together and make sure it is all hot. Job done: Leek & Lentil Hotpot. It is quick and easy.

If you can’t get your hands on some La Rosmarina sauce, although I recommend that you do, add some fresh rosemary, a clove of garlic, a touch of salt and a very slight amount of hot chilli pepper to the dish. The hot chilli pepper can be taken out altogether if you do not want any spice, or add a little more if you are so inclined.

Leek And Lentil Hotpot Recipe Vegetarian Leek And Lentil Hotpot Recipe Vegetarian Food

This is an amazing dish that really locks in the flavour and is very healthy. If you cook it for yourself, let me know what you think.

Leek And Lentil Hotpot Recipe Vegetarian Foodcooking

 

Lechuza Delta 20 Self-Watering Planters Review | Christmas Gift Guide

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We love Lechuza self-watering planters because they are the perfect gift for stylish, busy people. They can be used indoors and outdoors and are easy to use. They can be used for herbs or flowers and if, like us, you tend to kill anything that is green, then they are the perfect present for any plant-killing friends or family.

We reviewed the Lechuza Delta 20. An outdoor self-watering planter with rain overflow function. This complete kit is gorgeous and handy. It makes a perfect present and is so easy to use that even we managed it. It looks perfect on windowsills.

selfwateringplanter

Lechuza DELTA 20

selfwateringplanterreview
The Lechuza Delta 20 is available here.

 

 

Dr Beckmann Cleaning Product Review

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Cleaning isn’t glamourous but it does burn calories. So there is a silver lining to every cloud. Cleaning should always be as easy as possible, and for that you need the right products that really work: easily and fast. We tested these products from Dr Beckmann to see if they passed the test.

Dr Beckmannfloorcleaner Dr Beckmann

Dr Beckmann Hardwood & Parquet Floor Cleaner and Dr Beckmann Stone & Tile Floor Cleaner

Each floor cleaner is specifically for that type of floor. Both cleaners contain a clever bio protect formula which provides a stain protection layer, ensuing a long-lasting protection from stains and scuff.

Stone & Tile Floor Cleaner has caring ingredients so it won’t ruin expensive stone flooring. It can be used on sealed and unsealed floors and gives a deep but revitalizing clean.

Wood floors can also be very delicate and moisture can affect wooden floors, causing unsightly cracks and lifting around the edges. Dr. Beckmann’s Hardwood & Parquet Floor Cleaner protects joints and edges and evens out small scratches, helping keep its perfect appearance.

Both cleaners are good. Cleaning and caring well.

Dr Beckmannovencleaner

Dr. Beckmann’s Active Oven Gel Cleaner clings to the vertical walls and doors to cut through the tough baked on food, grease and grime leaving a sparkling clean finish. It also has no nasty chemical smells.

The oven cleaner is good and relatively pain-free. You just cover the oven with it and then leave it for a certain amount of time, depending on how dirty the oven is. Then you wipe with a cloth and warm water. It works well and there is no hard scrubbing needed.

 

–       Oven Cleaner £3.19

–       Hardwood & Parquet Floor Cleaner £4.99

–       Stone & Tile Floor Cleaner £4.99

 

LighterLife Fast Review: The Easy Way To Do The 5:2 Diet?

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The 5:2 diet really took off last year and is still huge. If you have been living under a rock and don’t know what it is: you eat normally for 5 days a week and then the other two days you fast, having 500 calories if you are female, or 600 if you are male. It sounds better than most diets and you get to eat what you want (within reason) the other five days. What makes it hard though is finding something low-calorie to eat on the fasting days. Enter LighterLife Fast, which we got sent to review recently. It is a new product from Superdrug that makes the 5:2 diet easier. On your fasting days you just have four packets of the LighterLife Fast foodpacks.

5.2dietfood 5-2diet

They are not only convenient but they also make sure you get all of your nutrients while you fast. They are very handy and you can pop them into the microwave, or on a hob, which I prefer. We got sent two different bars, two shakes (chocolate and strawberry), porridge, vegetable soup, pasta carbonara and spaghetti bolognese flavoured meals. Note that I said ‘flavoured’ these are mostly dehydrated meals that you add water too.

 

LighterLife Fasting has a number of things going for it: no cooking, no counting calories and you get 100% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamins and minerals, along with good amounts of protein and fibre. The taste lets it down a little but it is what you would expect, ranging from okay to edible depending on personal preference.

 

More importantly, do they work? Well, yes. Our reviewer lost about a pound a week. They are a good diet aid, and good for people who are busy too, making the 5:2 diet manageable and without compromising on getting all of your nutrients. It doesn’t taste nice and you will yearn for real food, but it makes things easier. Available from Superdrug.

 

What do you think?

 

 

Holland & Barrett Summer Survival Kit

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miranda kerrFestival Favourites

 

 

Morning miracle: Vitamin C & Zinc Effervescent £3.35 for 20 tablets

Waking up in a tent isn’t ideal, particularly if the night before was a late one. If you have been partying hard and are feeling a little run down, reach for Holland & Barrett’s Vitamin C & Zinc Effervescent to help restore your immune system. Add one tablet to a bottle of water and you will feel refreshed and ready to take on what the day has to offer.

 

 

 

Hangover helper: Milk Thistle £21.99 for 200 capsules

Festivals are usually a celebration of music, friends and the summer season, which might lead to some over-indulgence! The liver is one of the body’s most important organs and works by neutralising chemical pollutants and alcohol so help maintain normal liver function with the natural herb Milk thistle. Take one capsule two to three times daily, preferably with meals.

 

 

 

Festival Fresh: Dr Organic Tea Tree Wipes £2.75 for 20

It’s no secret that festivals rank highly in the lack-of-cleanliness league table, so it’s important to find a convenient way to stay refreshed on the go! By packing Dr Organic Tea Tree Wipes, you will be able to freshen up in an instant. These wipes are free from any harsh chemicals, meaning they are revitalizing and offer antibacterial protection to keep you germ free. If you are prone to spots, particularly when you have to ditch your usual beauty regime, these wipes are particularly suitable for blemish prone skin, so you can use them to clean both your face and body.

 

 

Festival First Aid: Tea Tree Oil £3.99 for 10ml

If you are likely to get spots in the festival environment, or often find yourself with a bite or a sting, Holland & Barrett’s Tea Tree Oil is a must-have. Made from the Australian Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) this pure and natural oil has a spicy scent that is an essential for any festival wash bag. Known for its many topical uses, Tea Tree Oil can also be added to your post-festival bath water for its refreshing effects!

 

 

Easy Energisers: Mixed nuts & raisins £2.89 200g

Spending an excitable weekend away from your home comforts can take a toll on your body. Keep some tasty slow-release energy snacks in your backpack for a natural energy boost throughout the day, so you don’t miss out on any of the action. A delicious mix of Walnuts, Brazils, Almonds, Hazels, Peanuts, and Raisins, this go-anywhere pack is high in protein and makes a nutritious treat.

 

 

 

 

Caffeine Craving: Guarana Liquid £4.89 for 30ml

If snacks aren’t your thing, try adding Guarana Liquid to your refreshment of choice for a natural caffeine boost. Holland & Barrett’s Nutritionist Kate Butler BSC says: “Guarana naturally contains caffeine, which has a stimulatory effect that may help to support energy and alertness. Adding Guarana liquid to a beverage each day at the festival can be an easy way to boost your energy levels naturally.”

 

 

 

Beach Beauties

 

Summer scent: Pure Coconut Oil 453g Oil £14.99

The sweet aroma of coconut conjures up images of tropical holidays and relaxing on the beach. However, as well as being a tasty and nutritious ingredient and base for cooking, coconut oil can be used as an effective body moisturiser. This versatile oil is made from real coconuts and when applied, leaves the skin feeling soft and sweetly scented, perfect for getting in the mood for summer.

 

Within days of the 28 year old Victoria’s Secret model and wife of Orlando Bloom admitting she “cannot go a day without coconut oil”, sales at Holland & Barrett’s UK stores shot up by more than 50% on last year as customers clamoured for a slice of the supermodel’s secret. Miranda disclosed the information in interviews about how she has keeps fit and healthy following the birth of her son, stating “I personally take four tablespoons of coconut oil per day, either on my salads, in my cooking or in my cups of green tea.” Holland & Barrett’s Nutritionist Kate Butler said one of the reasons coconut oil was so popular was its multi-functional benefits when used on the skin, hair or eaten. “The small molecular structure of coconut oil allows for easy absorption through the skin, giving it a soft, smooth texture” said Kate. “This makes it an ideal ointment for the relief of dry, rough skin, and an effective after-sun lotion because it literally melts into your skin.  Coconut oil works wonderfully as a hair conditioner too as Miranda Kerr’s diet shows can be eaten on salads or used as a cooking oil”

 

Perfect Pins: Dr Organic – Royal Jelly Cellulite Cream 200ml Cream £9.29
This summer, it’s time to minimise that orange peel bottom and those wobbly thighs with a little help from the doctor! Dr Organic has a revolutionary cellulite cream which utilises unique properties found in the incredibly active ingredient and is formulated using researched and tested anti-cellulite extracts. The cream is designed to be massaged regularly into the affected area, supporting circulation and penetrating through subcutaneous fat cells trapped in the collagen and elastin fibres to give you luscious summer legs.

 

 

 

 

Enhance that sun kissed glow: Tan Tablets £5.99 for 60 capsules

Everyone loves returning to the office to an array of compliments about their sun kissed glow, so for a naturally longer lasting tan this summer try Holland & Barrett Tan Tablets. Containing key vitamins that are needed to achieve a deeper tan, PABA, L-Tyrosine and Copper, Tan Tablets can help you to develop a sun kissed look with a reduced amount of time in the sun. Kate Butler says “It’s well known that some sun exposure is good for us. It helps our bodies produce Vitamin D which in turn helps us absorb calcium, regulate blood pressure and even improve mood,  yet too much sun can harm the skin, with damage occurring in just minutes. Used responsibly with a little sun exposure, Tan Tablets provide the body with the nutrients it needs to help enhance a natural tan.”

 

 

 

Lose those extra pounds: African Mango capsules £9.99 for 60 capsules

As the dreaded bikini season draws ever closer try taking a slimming supplement such as African Mango alongside a healthy diet to help you feel confident when baring all. African Mango is thought to act as a natural appetite suppressant, supporting weight loss when used alongside a healthy diet. Studies have shown that seeds from the fruit cause significant weight loss and improve blood sugar levels. Trials carried out in 2005 and 2009; published in the Journal of Lipids in Health[i], found that participants taking an African Mango supplement before meals, three times a day, lost 5.3% of their body weight, compared to 1.3% of those taking a placebo. Holland & Barrett’s Nutritionist Kate Butler advises, “Initial clinical studies have shown that significant improvements in body weight and body fat, as well as in cholesterol and blood glucose levels, have been observed in individuals supplementing with African Mango.  Initial results appear promising and have set the precedence for further research.”

 

 

Soothe your skin: Aloe Vera Gel £3.49 for 100ml

The sun can be stronger than it often feels and after hours of basking in the heat, skin may become pink in colour.  To ease the sting of sun burn try rubbing some Aloe Vera Gel on to the sore areas. The cooling gel soothes the pain and also helps to speed up the healing process. As well as aiding with sunburn, Aloe Vera gel can help soothe the irritation of insect bites and heat rash which can be a common irritation in warmer climates.

Celebrity fan Jemma Kidd uses Aloe Vera Gel after being out in the sun to sooth and heal the skin: She says: ‘I religiously put it on when I’ve been in the sun. It’s so soothing and healing. We have hundreds of aloe plants in our garden and when we’re burnt we pick a leaf.’  

 

Holland and Barrett