Tuesday, 20 February 2024

Coffee and HelloFresh from Amazon Prime

Amazon, known for selling books and everything from stepladders to beauty treatments and groceries has launched some own-brand coffees. Having enjoyed tasty fruit and vegetables from Amazon, I'm sure that Amazon's coffees will be equally high quality and just as delicious, too!

Why not try by Amazon Coffee Beans Caffè Intenso Currently priced at £8.23? Or by Amazon Gold Instant Coffee, Medium Roast Currently priced at £3.10 or by Amazon House Blend Ground Coffee, Medium Roast (6 Packs of 227g,Currently priced at £11.72?

And there's good news for those of us who like cooking nutritious tasty meals at home. Amazon has recently teamed up with HelloFresh to offer Amazon Prime members new access to free delivery on HelloFresh recipe boxes for an entire whole year! And what's even better is that this special offer is available for both new and existing HelloFresh customers.

According to new research, the UK is in a sort of culinary ‘Groundhog Day’ with one in three of us cooking the same ‘comfort foods’ meals twice a week, whilst over two thirds of us are looking to branch out and improve our cookery skills in 2024, –making the offer the perfect way to reach those 2024 goals!

To learn more visit http://www.amazon.co.uk/hellofresh

Bonne Maman for your Maman!

Bonne Maman Sweet Hearts make an absolutely lovely addition to Mother's Day celebrations. 

Available in two delightful flavours, Chocolate Sweet Hearts or Marbled Sweet Hearts, these adorable treats are made using the only the finest of ingredients to a delicious traditional French recipe.

Chocolate Sweet Hearts: a soft vanilla flavoured sponge, topped with a layer of smooth and velvety milk chocolate.

Marbled Sweet Hearts: combine moreish vanilla and chocolate sponge, a truly classic pairing.

Bonne Maman Chocolate Sweet Hearts are available from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Co-op, Booths and Nisa stores nationwide and online on Ocado. Bonne Maman Marbled Sweet Hearts are available from Waitrose RRP 2.90.

https://www.bonnemaman.co.uk

Swizzel's make perfect Mother's Day treats

Swizzels’s popular range of sweets is perfect for Mothering Sunday/Mother's Day gifting.

From Squashies to Love Hearts and Drumstick Lollies, the UK’s favourite sweet maker’s sweets are all about spreading love, making it the perfect gift to show someone you care.

This Mother’s Day, some popular Swizzels treats include:

Best-selling Sweet Shop Favourites Tubs, packed full of Drumstick Squashies, mini Love Hearts rolls, Refreshers Chews, Fizzers, Fruity Pops, Double Lollies and Parma Violets, available nationwide from major supermarkets and convenience stores, RRP £5.

Vegan Variety Bags range including Scrumptious Sweets, Curious Chews and Luscious Lollies, packed full of Drumstick Lollies, Fizzers, Mini Love Hearts Rolls, Parma Violets, Fruity Pops, Double Lollies, Refreshers Chews, and more, available nationwide from major supermarkets and convenience stores, RRP £1.25.

Love Hearts range: Love Hearts Gift Drums, packed full of Love Hears mini rolls, now sold at B&M, RRP £2.50. Additionally the range includes Originals Love Hearts hanging bags, RRP £1.25 all available nationwide from major supermarkets and convenience stores.

Swizzel's have been making sweets for generations of adults and children since 1928.

https://swizzels.com

Make sure your Mother is choc-full of love this Mother's Day with Monty Bojangles

If you are looking for a way to show your thanks and say I love you this Mother’s Day? Nothing does it quite like some utterly delicious chocolatey truffles! 

So, this Mother’s Day, why not show your Mum or the one you love a whole choco-lot of love with a magically moreish gift from Monty Bojangles, the multi-award-winning UK confectionery brand? (And That's Food and Drink can confirm that the reason they have won multiple awards isn't down to clever marketing, it's all down to the fact that they are 100% guaranteed to be absolutely and utterly delicious! Trust me. I know these things!)

Monty Bojangles Mother’s Day Bouquet – Waitrose, Amazon £5.49

The ultimate Mother’s Day gift for any true chocolate fan, this glorious gift box contains 12 individually wrapped Choccy Scoffy Cocoa Dusted Truffles. With this vegetarian-friendly truffle recipe being Great Taste Award winning, what better way to show them you think they deserve a place on the winners’ podium this Mother’s Day?

Monty Bojangles Choccy Scoffy Cat Tin – Amazon, Sainsbury’s, £15

Whilst the chocolatey truffles will soon be devoured, this keepsake tin will last forever, just like your love for Mum! Filled with 14 of Monty Bojangles’ award-winning original rich and chocolatey truffle recipe truffles, coated with a generous dusting of exquisite bitter-sweet cocoa powder, this stunning gift is sure to put a smile on her face this Mother’s Day.

Monty Bojangles Gift Wrapped Chocolatey Truffle Collection – Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, £7.50

The perfect chocolatey treat for your loved one this Mother’s Day, this gift-wrapped collection is filled with an assortment of Monty’s Cocoa Dusted Truffles, including Chocolatey, Butterscotch Chips, Candied Orange Peel and Salted Popcorn Flavour with Crispy Wafer Pieces, what’s not to love?!

Monty Bojangles Choccy Scoffy Chocolatey Truffles – Waitrose, Sainsburys, Tesco, £3.75

Monty Bojangles’ signature pure chocolatey truffle flavour, Choccy Scoffy, is a prestigious Great Taste Award winner. With the delicately soft chocolate truffles delivering an intensely chocolatey experience full of delicious mouthwatering flavours, Choccy Scoffy is not a Mother’s Day gift to be scoffed at! Featuring 14 individually wrapped truffles, the true test of love will be whether the family let her enjoy them in peace…

Monty Bojangles Truffle Selection – Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, £3.75

Give the gift of a taste sensation this Mother’s Day with Monty Bojangles award-winning Truffle Selection. Dubbed the tastiest truffles in the kingdom, winning prestigious Great Taste Awards, the 135g box includes a selection of Cocoa Dusted Truffles, with Chocolatey, Butterscotch Chips and Raspberry & Popping Candy.

Monty Bojangles Milk Chocolate Belgian Flaked Truffles – Sainsbury’s, Amazon £4.50

The perfect gift for the chocoholic in your life, these Great Taste Award winning indulgent flaked truffles feature a luxurious soft truffle centre with creamy flavour notes that melt in your mouth. Coated with a thick creamy milk chocolate shell and finally sprinkled lavishly with utterly moreish Belgian milk chocolate flakes, they’re presented in a beautiful gift box, giving you extra brownie points this Mother’s Day!

Monty Bojangles Magnificent Luxury Belgian Chocolates – Sainsbury’s, Amazon £5.50

The perfect gift for the mum who enjoys a little treat with her tea or coffee, this magnificent assortment of Belgian chocolates gives the gift of an unforgettably indulgent experience! Made with RFA chocolate offering an assortment of filled milk, dark & white Belgian Chocolates, the chocolates are all beautifully hand decorated for a really spectacular finish!

https://montybojangles.com 

That's Gardening: Branded Garden Products Group Achieves Planet Mark...

That's Gardening: Branded Garden Products Group Achieves Planet Mark...: Branded Garden Products (BGP) is pleased to announce it has become a Planet Mark Certified organisation, which is a reward for its commitmen...

Introducing the new Tormek T-1 Kitchen Knife Sharpener

Basically, this is professional level cutting-edge sharpness for the home kitchen.

Ask any top chef and they'll tell you knife maintenance and care is one of the most important and vital tasks in a professional kitchen. And the same applies at home, too. After all, what's the point in having excellent knives if you’re not going to invest in their upkeep? If you had a top-of-the-range Maserati car, you'd not try to tinker with it yourself, would you? So why take the same risk with your kitchen knives?

Most conventional methods don't sharpen the knife properly but align a weighted edge or sharpen only parts of the edge. That’s fine for basic maintenance, but after a while you'll notice that you're not getting the same sharpness as previously.

Tormek is introducing the first real knife sharpener for the home chef.  

Tormek has 50 years of expertise in tool sharpening for woodworkers. The NEW Tormek T-1 Kitchen Knife Sharpener is the first professional, premium quality kitchen knife sharpener designed for the home. 

It's quick to use, easy to operate and is clean and quiet. It precisely sharpens blades 12 - 60mm high and up to 5mm thick, with an unlimited length. 

Based on the innovative sharpening system developed for professional kitchens, the Tormek T-1 Kitchen Knife Sharpener effortlessly delivers a razor-sharp cutting edge and a durable angle that won’t dull after every use.

Blades remain sharper for longer

The Tormek T-1 Kitchen Knife Sharpener has a sleek industrial design and comes fully assembled with a solid oak handle, powder-coated zinc body, diamond grinding wheel and a composite honing wheel. The method consists of three steps:

Set preferred bevel angle

You can choose any angle between 8 and 22 degrees. However, 15 degrees is a good angle to start with if you are unsure. A small angle will cut more easily, while a large angle will give a stronger edge.

Sharpens on both sides

The fine-grained diamond grinding wheel sharpens all types of steel including ceramic knives, to professional sharpness levels. The low-speed means there’s minimal steel wear.

Insert the clean, dry knife into the guide. Follow the shape of the knife and apply only gentle pressure. A magnet in the patented guide collects the steel particles keeping the grinding wheel clean.

Hone to an expert, razor-sharp finish

Moisten the honing wheel using a damp paper towel to reduce friction and remove the burr* and polish both sides of the knife on the honing wheel. Ensure the honing wheel rotates away from the edge.

(*After sharpening, a ‘burr’ is created which needs to be honed off to obtain a sharp and durable edge.)

Unlike some alternatives, the Tormek T-1 sharpens the entire bevel of the knife, not just the outer edge, and because the bevels can be sharpened separately, there’s the option to set different edge angles on each side of the blade, or sharpen just one side, which is particularly useful for more advanced knives.

It's designed and built to last, comes with an eight-year warranty. But they do advise that you store it  safely in a dry place.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect knife sharpener for yourself or hunting down the ideal gift for a foodie friend or family member, the NEW Tormek T-1 Kitchen Knife Sharpener (RRP £330), is available from https://shop.tormek.com/en-gb


@tormek_culinary | #tormek


2024 Mother’s Day Literally Gift Guide

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, we have the ultimate gift guide for all the book loving mums out there, and for every taste, too. So if your mother likes to nibble on biscuits, sip coffee or enjoy a glass of wine whilst reading a new book, these books are what she'll love! Available on Amazon and via all good bookshops.

Whether your mum loves a gripping page-turner or a laugh-out-loud read, there is literally (and I chose that word deliberately!) something for everyone.


The Mother of Honey by Ana Maria Luisa

This story takes the reader from the harsh conditions of rural Brazil to the concrete jungle of Sao Paulo. Readers follow Iracy's journey which is filled with love, loss, and triumphs. 

Along the way, she and her sisters Maria and Ana Maria Luisa are confronted with the harsh realities of the lives of indigenous and African slaves in colonized Brazil and the formation of the first mixed-race families.

If you're looking for a book to keep your Mom on the edge of her seat, this book is a must-read. It's a powerful testament to the human spirit and a celebration of the triumphs that can come from the darkest of places.

Spanning generations from Brazil to England and India, The Mother of Honey makes for the perfect Mother’s Day gift.

Beyond Beige by Sylvie Boulay

Old age. It's something most of us get, whether we want it or not. This book is about the joys and horrors of our old age. Sylvie Boulay writes: "It will show you the uncensored reality of my experience and that of women who confided in me. You will find humour, despair, and some gritty bits but absolutely no euphemisms.

Unflinching, honest, and relatable, this illustrated book is neither a celebration of nor a complaint about old age. It is the simple, unadorned truth of a life. Fully illustrated throughout with cartoons and drawings, this fantastic new title shines the brightest of lights on ageing as a woman."

Beyond Beige is the perfect gift this Mother’s Day for mums with a sense of humour!

Thirty-Eight Days of Rain by Eva Asprakis

Androulla is 24 and recently wed when she discovers she is infertile. In a bid for Cypriot citizenship she is undergoing adoption by her stepfather, and wondering if she will have to adopt a child one day herself?

As the reality of her situation sets in, Androulla's marriage begins to unravel. Between migration departments and doctors' appointments, she learns she must question what it means to be from somewhere, what it means to be a woman and, when an impossible choice presents itself, which of those things means the most to her? It's an unflinching literary novel that explores themes of womanhood, infertility and PCOS, immigration and complex family dynamics. For fans of Conversations With Friends & Breasts and Eggs.

Bright Midnights by L.S. Delorme

As Amelie finds herself increasingly drawn to Clovis, who is an alluring and mysterious young man who she meets in a dream, who hides a secret, she learns his story, establishes how it intertwines with her own life and finally discovers how to live her life in the real world. Until her own secrets are revealed to the wrong people and that world is turned upside down.

Bright Midnights is the second in the Limerent Series and continues in the thought-provoking and beautiful style of the first as it considers different dimensions, different ways of looking at the world, and the transcendental power of love. This is the described as the paranormal romance to gift this Mother’s Day.

She Can Prosper by Diane Watson

Diane Watson is an award-winning, distinguished financial advisor, entrepreneur, and the passionate founder of 'She Can Prosper.' It's Diane's firmly held view that you can afford to take risks if you stay informed and remain continually aware of what is happening around you. 

Through her work as a financial advisor, she witnessed far too many women who she believed were abdicating responsibility for their finances to their partners. The realisation was that women who did not take control of their finances were being left vulnerable and potentially severely impacted later in life. 

Their lack of knowledge or input into shaping their financial future was the catalyst to write this book. The book aims to provide women of all backgrounds with the knowledge, tools, and support they need to take control of their financial destinies.

She Can Prosper is the perfect gift for Mother’s Day, whether your mum is super financially savvy or not at all, there’s so much to learn for everyone.

Walker's Shortbread. The sweet way to show your Mother you love her

There are two absolutely delicious gifts produced by the iconic Walker's Shortbread baker's that your mother is sure to absolutely love.

The team at Walkers's Shortbread has curated a few of their most beloved products to create the ultimate gifting selection.

And what better way could there be to show your appreciation this Mothering Sunday/Mother’s Day than with a delicious treat that can be enjoyed over and over 'til the last crumb is eaten?

Whether it’s your shortbread loving mum or nan, or a treat for that special someone who’s always looked out for you? These are ideal.

The Deluxe Mother's Day Gift Box (RRP: £40), includes 11 of Walker’s delicious shortbread products, including the famous Shortbread Fingers and Shortbread Rounds, as well as Stem Ginger Shortbreads, Orange Royals and White Chocolate & Raspberry biscuits.

The Mother’s Day Gift Bag (RRP: £20), includes a gorgeous 'With Love' tin of Shortbread Rounds, NEW shortbread assortment in Walker's updated packaging, a box of Ginger Royals and our White Chocolate & Raspberry biscuits for an extra indulgent treat.

The keepsake tin is full of scrumptious all-butter thistle shaped shortbread and can be used to keep mementos in long after the shortbread has been enjoyed.

Each gift comes with a Walker's gift card and customised Mother's Day message. Share these special treats with your loved ones – and make them go one step further by re-creating some amazing no-bake shortbread recipes at home! 

You can learn more here about the recipes and place your orders with Walker's Scottish Shortbread who have been making absolutely delicious Scottish shortbread throughout three centuries, having first began baking in 1898, here: https://www.walkersshortbread.com/product-category/shortbread

Friday, 16 February 2024

Free-from Disruptor brand 'We Love Cake' Gets major Makeover to Kick Off 2024

Bells of Lazonby's iconic We Love Cake has undergone a branding and packaging overhaul in a bid to excite loyal shoppers and attract a younger demographic in 2024.

The rebrand is backed by a new campaign 'Baked in Joy' that will celebrate those who have found We Love Cake after diagnosis of Coeliac disease (such as my wife) or a newfound lifestyle choice, and it'll be deployed through digital channels.

The new-look packs are to be on shelf in supermarkets from later this month and in-foodservice during this year.

To date the free-from bakery, based in Lazonby Cumbria, has been noted for its disruptive and innovative take on the category, recreating iconic, household favourites in vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free varieties. 

We Love Cake has seen rapid growth in recent years showing a staggering growth of in excess of  370% since 2020 in value and volume.

Operating in UK Frozen Foodservice, Australian and UK retail, it's on track with its mission to become the biggest brand in value sales in Free From Sweet Bakery in the UK having achieved this already in Australia. 

Initially launched in 2012 in UK foodservice, the brand became a success due to its quality, taste credentials and allergen integrity.

Having been a disruptor to UK retail in 2019, We Love Cake was selling under 1,000 packs per week, by the end of 2023 it sold over 25,000 packs in UK retail in one week.

The rebrand aims to be a step change for We Love Cake. In-market sales estimated for 2024 are believed to be worth over 4M Australian Dollars in Australia and over £7M in the UK.

Head of Brand and Marketing, Josh Boydell-Smith, said: “The rebrand and marketing campaign 'Baked in Joy' is the absolutely perfect opportunity to celebrate those who have found the brand through Coeliac disease or lifestyle choice, it aims to normalise free-from sweet bakery and remind people how good it can taste.

“We are rebranding to drive growth and gain further distribution, but mainly to better tell our our story and open ourselves up to younger shoppers. Five years ago we looked bold and new on shelf, since others have followed, we realised that it was time for a refresh and to stand out once again.”

Speaking on the brands rapid growth, Josh added: “Based out of Lazonby in Cumbria, we pride ourselves on being a brand that's punching well above our weight. To date our success has been driven by innovation and strong distribution, we now have 33 lines in our portfolio across the UK and Australia spanning frozen, ambient and chilled foods." 

Josh went on to say: “Our branding needed to support our presence in the free-from category, it was time for us to shake things up, and remind our shoppers why they really do love cake.”

Bells of Lazonby will be investing in digital markerting that will reach over five million consumers with the new 'Baked in Joy' campaign. The product rebrand is going to be heaviily supported by PR and social media outreach though all operating channels.

FACTFILE: Back in 202 The We Love Cake journey began when second-generation family business owner, Michael Bell, took the decision to try to live as a coeliac for a week. 

Michael was totally dissatisfied with anything he ate, not least the free from cakes he reluctantly attempted.

By only day two of the week-log trial he decided to build a dedicated Gluten, wheat, and milk free bakery.  After years of honing gluten free bakery, he introduced We Love Cake to the UK foodservice in 2012.

We Love Cake are registered with Coeliac UK and declared as suitable for those with coeliac disease.

We love Cake is sold across the UK in Major Retail, Cafés and restaurants and Australia. Constantly re-working and revisiting the recipes, in 2019 We Love Cake rebranded and reduced sugar content across its portfolio.

For more information: https://we-love-cake.co.uk/delicious-gluten-free-cakes/ or follow on Instagram @welovecakeuk.

Nourishing the Road to Recovery: Foods, Supplements, Minerals, and Vitamins for Long COVID and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

As we continue to navigate the challenges posed by long COVID and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), the importance of proper nutrition cannot be overstated. 

While there is no one-size-fits-all solution to these complex conditions, incorporating specific foods, supplements, minerals, and vitamins into your diet can play a crucial role in supporting your body's recovery journey. 

In this blog post, we'll explore some of the key nutrients that have shown promise in combating the symptoms of long COVID and CFS.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids:

Omega-3 fatty acids, found abundantly in fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines, as well as in walnuts and flaxseeds, have anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate symptoms associated with long COVID and CFS. Incorporating these foods into your diet can support immune function and reduce inflammation, which are often compromised in these conditions.

Vitamin D:

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to an increased risk of respiratory infections and immune dysfunction, both of which are prevalent in long COVID and CFS. Spending time outdoors in sunlight and consuming vitamin D-rich foods such as fatty fish, fortified dairy products, and egg yolks can help maintain optimal vitamin D levels. Additionally, supplementation may be necessary, especially for those with limited sun exposure.

Magnesium:

Magnesium plays a crucial role in energy metabolism and muscle function, making it particularly important for individuals experiencing fatigue associated with long COVID and CFS. Foods rich in magnesium include leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Supplementing with magnesium citrate or glycinate may also be beneficial for some individuals, under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Vitamin B12:

Vitamin B12 is essential for the production of red blood cells and neurological function, and deficiency can contribute to fatigue and cognitive impairment, symptoms commonly experienced in long COVID and CFS. Animal products like meat, fish, and dairy are the best dietary sources of vitamin B12. For vegetarians and vegans, fortified foods or supplements may be necessary to ensure adequate intake.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10):

CoQ10 is a powerful antioxidant and plays a critical role in cellular energy production. Research suggests supplementation with CoQ10 may help alleviate fatigue and improve overall energy levels in individuals with long COVID and CFS. Foods like organ meats, fish, and whole grains contain small amounts of CoQ10, but supplementation may be necessary to achieve therapeutic levels.

Zinc:

Zinc is involved in numerous physiological processes, including immune function, wound healing, and DNA synthesis. Some studies have suggested that zinc supplementation may help reduce the duration and severity of respiratory infections, which are often exacerbated in long COVID. Foods such as oysters, red meat, poultry, beans, and nuts are excellent sources of zinc.

Antioxidants:

Antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, selenium, and glutathione, play a crucial role in combating oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which are implicated in the pathogenesis of long COVID and CFS. Colourful fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and whole grains are rich sources of antioxidants and should be included regularly in the diet.

While there is still much to learn about the optimal nutritional strategies for managing long COVID and chronic fatigue syndrome, incorporating nutrient-rich foods and supplements into your diet can support your body's recovery and help alleviate symptoms. 

It's essential to work with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian to develop a personalized nutrition plan that meets your individual needs and addresses any underlying deficiencies or imbalances. By nourishing your body with the right nutrients, you can empower yourself on the path to improved health and well-being.