The story or Rang-tan and the problem with palm oil

I am passionate about the environment and the animals that we share our planet with. I do my best to avoid single use plastics; my family enjoy a plant-based diet and I source as many cruelty free, ethical and sustainable household products as I can. I am constantly reading ingredients labels in supermarkets when I'm shopping, trying to find suitable things to buy. One of the ingredients I try to avoid is palm oil. You find it in so many things, in fact half the products on the supermarket shelves contain it, despite the fact that its production has such a devastating  impact on our planet.  The industry is linked to major issues such as deforestation, habitat degradation, climate change, animal cruelty and indigenous rights abuses in the countries where it is produced, as the land is cleared to make way for palm oil plantations.

Greenpeace have launched a new campaign focused on raising awareness of the problem, with a new short animated film and children’s book to highlight the issue of palm oil and its link to the deforestation of our rainforests. Featuring a young girl who discovers an orangutan named Rang-tan in her bedroom, the book introduces children to the plight of the orangutans as man destroys their natural habitat. The book and the film contain a very powerful message and a dedication to the 25 orangutans that we lose everyday, but it also brings a message of hope that we can change things for the better.

Our consumption of palm oil is rising, and the cost to our global climate and environment is devastating. Currently, most palm oil is used in food products, cosmetics and increasingly for use in biodiesel. As a result, Indonesia has more threatened and endangered species than any country on earth. The Bornean orangutan population has decreased by half since 1999, and a new species of orangutan discovered in Sumatra in 2017 is already endangered – mostly due to the destruction of their forests for palm oil.

            

Greenpeace has teamed up with Dame Emma Thompson, who narrates the film, to reach as many people as possible to fight for the protection of our rainforests and all those who depend on them. Greenpeace are calling on the palm oil industry to clean up its act and calling on food manufacturers to stop using palm oil.  Iceland has already pledged to remove palm oil from its own brand products by the end of this year, paving the way for other big brands to hopefully follow suit.

It is International Orangutan Day on the 19th August – a day to encourage people to take action to help save this amazing species. The more people that watch and share Rang-tan, the more people can be reached in order to put pressure on brands like Nestle and Unilever to make sure the palm oil used to make their chocolates and soaps isn’t coming at the highest price for the world’s rainforests and the orangutans that live there.

You can help by sharing the film and signing the petition at greenpeace.org.uk.

Enjoy a Culinary Adventure with Emirates Holidays 'Little Foodies' Recipe Cards

Emirates Holidays reveals how travel broadens the taste buds of even the youngest holidaymakers and launches ‘Little Foodies’ recipe cards for families to try out over the summer!

The school summer holidays are in full swing and many families are taking well deserved breaks to foreign climes. Travelling with children raises a number of considerations, one of which is the issue of food. Research by Emirates Holidays has revealed that 55% of parents worry about what their kids will eat when they’re away, when their home comforts and go-to meals may not be available. 64% of worried parents will even stash emergency food in their suitcase, with the most popular items to take being biscuits (55%) and crisps (49%). However in reality almost half (45%) of brave British kids are willing to try at least one or two local dishes on holiday as they embark on a family culinary adventure. Little ones experiment with unfamiliar dishes and flavours when on holiday with 35% trying curry, 49% eating flatbreads and 28% munching on olives.

When families get home, a third of parents are pleased to find their children are more comfortable trying more unusual dishes – however 40% confess their kids revert straight back to their old eating habits as soon as the plane touches down, with 62% of children choosing pizza and 53% choosing pasta as their first choice foods.

To help families experience some amazing foodie delights, Emirates Holidays has partnered with a selection of chefs from their top family hotels to create a series of exclusive ‘Little Foodies’ recipes for download so families can cook together, expand their taste buds and prepare for - or remind themselves of - their holiday culinary adventures. You will be able to taste your way around the world with Emirates Holidays this summer.

Freddy and I have tried out one of the Little Foodies recipes. Not only do we love cooking up a storm in the kitchen, we also love exploring the ingredients and dishes of other cultures. We aren't venturing abroad this year, but the Emirates Holidays 'Little Foodies' recipe cards are giving us a gastronomical adventure in the comfort of our own home, transporting our taste buds with the local flavours of exciting destinations.

We were excited to try the Traditional Mauritian Chilli Bites made with yellow split peas, shallots and onions, flavoured with cumin, curry leaf and chilli. This plant-based recipe is filled with authentic flavours and children can get involved, helping to prepare them in the kitchen.

We used a food processor to make the Chilli Bites, making it a quick and easy recipe. The split peas and spices are processed to a thick paste before pulsing through chopped onion and shallot. Just be sure to soak the split peas overnight so they are ready for using. Kids can get involved by adding ingredients to the food processor and helping shape the bites ready for an adult to fry.

Freddy enjoyed discovering all the different ingredients; their aromas and flavours. Cooking with kids is a great way to get them interested in a range of foods, encouraging them to try new things and explore exciting new tastes.

I deep fried the chilli bites and served them up hot with a bowl of sweet chilli sauce for dipping. Freddy was really impressed with our handiwork. The bites had a nice kick of warming chilli and the fragrance of cumin and curry leaf added an authentic aroma. The crispy bites had a soft inside and tasted delicious!

This signature recipe has been created by a top chef at the Emirates Holidays Mauritian Attitude Hotels Resort.  The Chilli Bites are adventurous while still being kid friendly, inspired by the Indian immigrants who made their way to this idyllic island in the early nineteenth century.

You can find this recipe for Traditional Mauritian Chilli Bites in the Emirates Holidays Little Foodies Recipe Cards. This free to download collection of family friendly recipes take your taste buds on a culinary tour around the world, allowing you to discover new foods or relive gastronomic holiday memories.

Vegetarian and Vegan Treats from Aldi this Christmas

Today I popped to Aldi to check out their festive offerings suitable for vegans.  There are lots of  items labelled as being suitable for vegetarians in Aldi, and with a bit of label reading you can find many of those things are accidentally vegan. From confectionery to frozen foods to alcohol to baked goods, Aldi has an extensive range. Allergens are clearly labelled in the ingredients so if it is vegetarian product made without milk or eggs, I'm happy to consider it suitable for my family.

For festive buffets, the Let's Party 60 piece Oriental Snack Selection is great value at just £3.69 and contains veggie wontons, money bags and spring rolls.

I think everything just tastes so much better when it's Christmas tree shaped!  This six pack of Christmas Tree Crumpets will make a lovely festive family breakfast for just 79p. They also do a Bake and Break Seeded Roll Christmas Tree which is £1.79. I love the idea of serving it at the table with a bowl of freshly made vegetable soup.

I loved this gift box of speciality Single Malt Whisky Jam and Marmalade. It's a great gift idea and looks very fancy. It's only £2.99, which is an excellent price. Dads and grandads would love to find this in their Christmas stocking on Christmas morning.

More Christmas Tree shaped goodies! These Lightly Salted Tortilla Chips and Salted Pretzels are great for snacking on over Christmas. The tortilla chips are 85p and the pretzels are £1.29 for a family size sharing bag. We'll enjoy munching through these while watching Christmas movies. There is also Turkey and Stuffing flavour Tortilla Chips which are vegetarian and dairy free.

The Moser Roth chocolate range looks really premium, but at £1.29 does not have a premium price tag. A number of the flavours including the single origin dark chocolate bars (62%, 70% and 80% cocoa), the orange and almond, chilli and the sea salt bars are all dairy free. Also, the Choceur Mint Waves and the Mint Creme bars are dairy free. Priced at £1.29 and 89p respectively, they are perfect as stocking fillers this Christmas. Aldi also do a dark chocolate reindeer that is dairy free, but they had all sold out. This would have been a lovely stocking filler for my vegan kids.

Another great little gift idea is the Kevin the Carrot pouch shopping bag, priced at just 99p. This reusable bag folds back into the carrot shaped case for convenience. And what can be more vegan than a carrot!

Other highlights of my shop included the Deck the Halls Picks found with the flowers in store. At just £2.09 they add some festive fun to flower arrangements or can be popped in a narrow necked vase to make a pretty addition to your festive decor. Featuring baubles, pine cones and cinnamon sticks, they are really cute!

Aldi also has a great range of fruit and vegetables in store at great prices. I particularly liked the Brussel sprout stalks for just 99p. I'll definitely be getting some of them for Christmas dinner. And I love the little crates of clementines for £2.79 for healthy Christmas snacking.

With their Specialbuys also in store, it's definitely worth checking out your local Aldi for some Christmas bargains this year!

Jack Daniel's Barbecue Sauces #vegan

Jack Daniel's do an amazing range of barbecue sauces and glazes, with lots of vegan varieties available. Perfect as a dipping sauce, a glaze, marinade or as an ingredient, the Jack Daniel's sauces add the taste of authentic Tennessee to everyday dishes. 

There is a Jack Daniel's Barbecue Sauce to suit every taste from Smokey Sweet to Extra Hot Habanero. Whether you want a warm, smoky hickory flavour or a spicy, fiery kick added to your meals, Jack Daniel's has a barbecue sauce that's right for you, each with an added touch of Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whisky.

At this time of year, I think the Jack Daniel's Barbecue Sauces make the perfect addition to winter warmer recipes. They add that delicious warmth and authentic barbecue flavour to dishes, making you feel all cosy and comforted. For example, the Extra Hot Habanero sauce is great to add to a five bean chilli, giving a lovely depth of heat and flavour, while the Smokey Sweet glaze makes a delicious marinade for chunky cut roasted vegetables or tofu.

My favourite recipe using the Jack Daniel's Barbecue Sauces is a super quick and easy seitan 'rib' roast recipe (inspired by a recipe I saw on bosh.tv). This plant based recipe makes a hearty, 'meaty' and filling main, with a smoky, sweet, sticky barbecue glaze. The texture is chewy on the outside and succulent in the middle. It's perfect served with chunky chips and peas for a winter warming vegan meal.

Jack Daniel's Smokey Sweet Seitan Ribs

Ingredients

1 cup of wheat gluten *

2 tbspn nutritional yeast *

1 tbspn chickpea flour *

1 tspn smoky paprika

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2 tbspn Jack Daniel's Full Flavour Smokey Barbecue Sauce

1 tbspn soy sauce

3/4 cup of cold vegetable stock

4 tbsns Jack Daniel's Smokey Sweet Barbecue Glaze

Method

Combine all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.

In a jug mix the stock, soy sauce and the Jack Daniel's Full Flavour Smokey Barbecue Sauce.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well to form a dough.

Knead lightly for 2 minutes then shape into a flat rectangular shape.

Put into a greased ovenproof dish and put into a preheated oven at 180 degrees for 20 minutes.

Remove from oven and glaze with the Jack Daniel's Sweet Barbecue Glaze.

Return to the oven for 5 more minutes.

Remove the 'ribs' from oven and put onto a chopping board.

Cut into slices and serve.

* Find these ingredients in health food stores.

You can find the Jack Daniel's Barbecue Sauces in supermarkets nationwide. They make a really versatile store cupboard staple. Find out more about Jack Daniel's Barbecue Sauces at jackdanielsbbqsauces.com.

Plant For Peace - sowing the seeds of love

Since taking the step and becoming completely vegan, I have found that my whole outlook on life has changed way beyond just avoiding the consumption of any animal products or by-products. I think a lot more about my effect on the planet and try to source as many ethical, sustainable and compassionately produced products that I can. So when I heard about Plant for Peace, the new raw superfood fruit and seed bars, I was really impressed.

Plant for Peace bars come in three varieties: Mulberry Apple, Mulberry Chia Seed and Mulberry Cocoa Orange. They are 100% natural and packed with antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. They are made using wholesome ingredients such as organic mulberries, seeds, apple and raisins with no nasty additives whatsoever. They are suitable for vegans and are a low calorie, nutritious and really tasty, fruity snack.

However, even more excitingly than having a new superfood bar on the market, Plant for Peace helps farmers in conflict zones in Afghanistan turn their lives around. The organic Mulberries in the bars are exclusively grown on small Afghan farms, enabling farmers to transform their fields from growing opium for the heroin trade, to growing fruit  for the superfood bars. All profits from the bars will be reinvested to fund further fruit tree planting, helping even more farmers to transform their lives. Plant For Peace aims to revive the agricultural industry which was destroyed during the war, and offer farmers an alternative and sustainable livelihood. I think this is an amazing initiative for everyone involved. As a consumer, I love knowing that my money will help support these farmers and this great cause - plus the bars are really good, healthy and vegan. Win win!

Plant for Peace bars cost £1.19 (£2.99 for box of 4) and are available from Sainsbury's in three flavours: Mulberry Chia, Mulberry Cocoa Orange and  Mulberry and Apple.

Food Review - Jack Daniel's Barbecue Sauce and Duerr's Marmalade

Add some sunshine to breakfast with Duerr's Marmalade

Duerr's marmalades come in a variety of flavours and textures, making a marmalade which is exactly how you want it to be. Whether you like your orangey bits thick or finely cut, or if a fine citrus preserve is more to your liking, Duerr's have it covered.

I was sent two of their lovely rounded jars to try out, one with Thick Cut Classic Seville Orange Marmalade and the other with Sunny Lemon Smooth Citrus Conserve.

Ian is a big marmalade fan. He'd give Paddington a run for his money! He loves the chunky marmalades packed with peel spread thickly on granary bread. Whereas I like the smoother conserves with the flavour of fresh, fruity, juicy citrus without the bitter aftertaste. So we were both happy!

Both are suitable for vegans and the marmalade is available from Tesco and Sainsbury's.

Find out more at duerrs.co.uk.

Get ready for barbecue season with Jack Daniel's

Jack Daniel's Barbecue Sauces and Glazes are perfect for barbecue season. Bringing the authentic flavour of Tennessee, they come in a range of flavours and have the distinctive smooth taste of Jack Daniel's Whisky. We were sent a Smooth Original Barbecue Sauce and a Smokey Sweet Barbecue Glaze from the range.

The Smooth Original has a rich caramel flavour and is perfect for adding a luxury twist to everyday foods. It's perfect for stirring through Pulled Quorn or jackfruit. It can also be added to gravy for a rich, barbecue flavour.

The Smokey Sweet Barbecue Glaze can be used to glaze vegetables or can be used as a dipping sauce. You can brush it onto veggie kebabs before cooking or add to stir fry vegetables to make a filling for a tortilla wrap. You can even make vegan bbq carrot dogs for a super healthy twist on a classic!

Both are suitable for vegans.

Find out more at jackdanielsbbqsauces.com.

Healthy Eating with Koko dairy free yogurts and DRINKmaple Water

Koko Dairy Free Yogurts

My whole family are dedicated vegetarians, but my eldest daughter also follows a strict dairy free diet for health reasons. Over the years, I have developed a big interest in finding all the latest vegan products to hit the supermarket shelves and we enjoy lots of alternatives to dairy products, such as nut milks, soya cream and coconut spreads.

Koko Dairy Free has launched a brand new range of dairy, soya, gluten and nut free yogurts made with coconut milk and yogurt cultures in Strawberry, Peach & Passionfruit, Raspberry, Coconut & Lemon and Original Plain flavours. 

The fruity varieties are so creamy and delicious with real fruit pieces. They come in handy 125g twin packs that are perfect for lunchboxes. They are ideal for kids who are lactose intolerant and for vegans. RRP is £1.25 with stockists including Morison's and Ocado. Koko products are stocked in supermarkets and health food stores nationwide. See the range at www.kokodairyfree.com.

DRINKmaple Water

Staying hydrated is an important part of a healthy lifestyle with water being the best, simplest and easiest way of keeping our bodies naturally hydrated. I was very interested to learn of an exciting product on the market DRINKmaple, which is pure water taken straight from Vermont Maple trees. Nothing is added, it is just naturally fortified by Mother Nature inside the tree. I was given some to try out.

The Maple Water is naturally sweet and refreshing with a hint of maple. It contains 50% less natural sugar than coconut water, has natural electrolytes, antioxidants, prebiotics and minerals. It contains more manganese than a cup of  kale, is a good source of calcium and is naturally vegan and gluten free. The water is clear and refreshing, with the benefit of 46 naturally occurring nutrients. So it's like water - but naturally better!

Every morning I have a smoothie for breakfast with berries, spinach, banana and apple. I usually add water as a liquid, but I've switched to DRINKmaple Water. It adds a subtle hint of maple sweetness, and lots of replenishing nutrients, which is another great bonus.

Drinking it on its own, you can really taste the maple flavour. It is earthy and sweet, with just 8 calories per 100ml. Everytime you buy DRINKmaple, they will supply 200 gallons of clean water to countries in developing nations that have suffered drought or disaster, which is a lovely way of giving back.

Find out more at www.drinkmaple.eu and find DRINKmaple at Ocado, Wholefoods, Planet Organic and over 200 other stores, including Selfridges, Revital and Harvey Nichols. Three sizes are available: 250ml Tetra £1.99 / 355ml BPA free bottle £2.59 / 946ml Tetra £3.99.

Pea, Potato, Spinach and Vegetable Curry Recipe

It was recently Great British Pea Week, and to celebrate Bird's Eye challenged me to come up with a recipe using their peas. So armed with a bag of their finest garden peas I came up with a quick and easy family meal. Frozen peas are really convenient and versatile, perfect for keeping in the freezer. Just one serving of freshly frozen garden peas and petits pois contains as much vitamin C as two large apples, more fibre than a slice of wholemeal bread and more vitamin B than a pint of whole milk – just 80g is equivalent to one of your 5 a day, making them a healthy choice.

Pea, Potato, Spinach and Vegetable Curry

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1 medium onion chopped

2 cloves garlic minced

1 teaspoon curry powder

1 teaspoon turmeric

1 can of coconut milk

1 can of chopped tomatoes

8 new potatoes quartered

2 carrots sliced

1/4 red pepper chopped

1/4 head of cauliflower cut into florets

1 sweet potato chopped

4 mushrooms sliced

4 cubes of frozen spinach

1 cup of frozen peas

Heat the oil in a pan.

Add garlic and onion and gently fry for 5 minutes.

Add spices and fry for 2 further minutes.

Pour in the coconut milk and tomatoes.

Throw in all the vegetables.

Simmer for 25 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

Add extra water if it needs it during the cooking process.

Season with a little salt and pepper to taste.

This curry showcases the fresh taste of the ingredients and can be adapted to use your family's favourite veggies both fresh and frozen. It is packed with plant based nutrition and makes a delicious summer supper.

Inspiring summer salad recipes

Sainsbury's are wanting to inspire the nation to be more creative with their vegetables after seeing a massive upturn in the sales of vegetables. Leading the way are avocado with sales up 147%, asparagus spears up 118%, broccoli up 40%, courgettes up 30% and bunched beetroot up 25%.

Sainsbury's has teamed up with raw vegan food artist and Instagrammer Amber Locke to create some gorgeous summer salads using seasonal vegetables and we were challenged to have a go at creating our own.

My daughter Megan has a plant based diet and is very creative when it comes to making delicious raw salads and vegan meals. So I enlisted her help to make a delicious salad using an array of seasonal salad vegetables, combining some wonderful flavours, colours and textures.

Megan's salad plate featured sundried tomato falafel; raw lemon, chilli, courgette & almond salad; lime, carrot, coriander & toasted cashew salad; tomato, avocado, spring onion & cucumber salsa with walnuts and home made houmous with smoky paprika. Everything is made from scratch and tastes delicious, making the most of the fresh salad vegetables available. The recipes are simple, but the combinations are full of flavour with zingy citrus or the heat of chilli to bring out the taste.

Carrot, Coriander and Toasted Cashew Salad

3 medium grated carrots
grated juice and zest of a lime
chopped fresh coriander
sprinkle of chilli flakes
small handful of toasted cashew nuts
salt and pepper

Pop the grated carrot, zest, juice, coriander and chilli flakes into a bowl and mix together. Season with s & p and sprinkle over the toasted cashews.

Lemon, Courgette, Chilli and Almond Salad

1 large courgette
juice  and zest of one lemon
half a red, deseeded, chopped chilli
small handful of flaked almonds
salt and pepper

Use a vegetable peeler to make ribbons of courgette. Mix with the juice, zest and the chilli. Season with s & p and sprinkle over the nuts.

Tomato, Avocado, Spring Onion & Cucumber Salsa

4 tomatoes - various colours
1 ripe avocodo
half a cucumber
4 spring onions
chopped fresh coriander
chopped walnuts
one teaspoon each of lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar and olive oil
salt and pepper

Chop the tomato, avocado and cucumber into small cubes. Slice the spring onions thinly. Combine together with the coriander, the dressing ingredients, salt and pepper. Sprinkle chopped walnuts over the salsa.

Serving these salads with some home made falafel, houmous and some Romaine lettuce leaves makes a lovely, summer meal for four, packed with health giving vitamins and minerals.

Vegan Aquafaba Chocolate Mousse Recipe

My dairy free chocolate mousse recipe was always a firm family favourite here Inside the Wendy House. But now, I have tweaked the recipe further to make a fully vegan and cruelty free chocolate mousse, using whipped up Aquafaba.

Aquafaba is the liquid from a can of chickpeas or beans.  The stuff we usually pour down the sink! I use the aquafaba liquid from a strained can of chickpeas in water as the base for my mousse. When whisked with an electric whisk, the Aquafaba froths up to form a white, peaked, meringue-like mixture. The resulting mousse is less dense and lighter than when made with eggs, with a deliciously bubbly texture.

Vegan Chocolate Mousse 

Ingredients (makes four small ramekin dish portions)

Aquafaba from one can of drained chickpeas in water

100g of  vegan dark chocolate (I used Beech's 55% dark chocolate)

1/2 tablespoon maple syrup (to sweeten if required)

Method

Melt the chocolate in the microwave on medium power. Use short bursts until thoroughly melted.

Allow to cool a little.

Whisk the aquafaba until thick meringue-like peaks form.

Add whisked aquafaba into the melted chocolate and fold with a metal spoon.

Fold in maple syrup.

Pour into bowls and put in the fridge to set for a couple of hours.

Serve with a rosette of soya cream on top and decorate with a strawberry.

Working on a whole new me

This year, after turning 46, I have decided to really take some control on my life. I'm not getting any younger and I'm aware that I'm not as fit nor as slim as I would like to be.  So rather than slipping complacently into middle age, I have decided to make it my mission to become the me that I want to be. A mum that my kids can be proud of and aspire to be like and a wife who will enjoy an active future with my husband.

My plan is multi-faceted, taking a holistic approach to health, happiness and well being. As my confidence in myself is increasing, these things are taking on a life of their own. I am finding things about me are changing and I'm happy just going along with it. 

Diet

I am a vegetarian. However, I am an over-eating vegetarian who enjoys food a bit too much. This meant lots of cheese, plenty of carbs and big portions of dinner. This year, I've made steps towards a more plant based diet. Many meals are becoming vegan and I'm making alternative dairy free versions of family favourite meals like my vegan Mac & Cheese. I've made switches to almond milk, soya cream and coconut oil. I've also added more nuts, seeds, vegetables and pulses to our meals, and I've cut down on my refined sugar intake. I still make some slightly more indulgent things from time to time and still enjoy the occasional treat, but on a whole, my family's diet has improved.

However, even though the food I was preparing and consuming was all good stuff, my natural propensity to greediness still resulted in eating to excess. Thankfully, I was fortunate enough to bump into the lovely Sandra from Thinking Slimmer at this year's Blog On MOSI conference. Having worked with Thinking Slimmer before and becoming one of the original weightloss blogger poster girls for the product, I know that Slimpods work. They retune your mind using cognitive hypnotherapy, altering the way your brain thinks about food, allowing you to make good choices naturally.  Sandra agreed to me trialing the Slimpods again and I've started listening at bedtime. 

I must be very susceptible to the Slimpod's suggestion or maybe a part of my brain has been instantly reawakened, because from the very first day I changed. Like someone had thrown a switch in my brain removing the urge to mindlessly snack through every waking hour or eat beyond fullness. It was incredible and after a week I am 3.5 lbs down simply because my habits have changed. No calorie counting or having to make separate meals, I'm just eating less without even thinking about it. I know that the extra weight will be gone soon, while the foods I eat nourish and fuel my body, rather than fill me up with empty calories.

Exercise

Just by making the decision to take back control, I have found myself feeling more active: dancing around the kitchen while I wait for the kettle to boil, jumping up and lunging just for fun or doing some vigorous housework. I'm just more energised. Although doing structured exercise isn't really my thing (my Scoliosis means I end up putting my back out if I go to the gym or do a class), taking active days out with the family really appeals to me.  We have recently bought season tickets to Trentham Gardens and love going for long walks around the lake. I'd like to take our walking further. Climbing the Wrekin is something I'd like to try to do now Freddy is a bit bigger. Popping on our walking boots and packing our waterproofs, some water and healthy snacks in to a suitable rucksack (I've spotted some good rucksacks available online) I reckon we could scale the 1335 ft high peak!  Our Merlin Annual Passes are also great for going on days out. Alton Towers not only boasts some cool rides and CBeebies Land, it has some lovely walks through the gardens, which are pretty steep in places. You get a good workout and its very pretty.

I like the idea of us keeping fit together as a family. I am not the sort of person who could go solo and take up something like running (I have pondered this prospect over and over again as my sister runs and just completed her latest 10K race) but it's just not for me. Walking in beautiful places however, up hills, around lakes, through gardens or in woodland, whilst having fun with Ian and the kids sounds like a good compromise.

Beauty treatments

I've never really been the glamorous type. My own mother refused to leave the house without a full face of make-up, but I am the complete opposite. I'll happily do the school run with a face like nature intended. I've never really bothered with a full blown skincare cleanse, tone and moisturise routine, and until recently, I hadn't been to a hairdresser for years. My mum religiously dyed her hair for as long as I can remember, touching up her white roots with mascara in between treatments. Unlike her, I've decided to go grey naturally. Whether this is down to pure apathy or whether I think silver highlights look cool is open to debate!

Recently however, I've embraced my girlie side, relishing pampering myself top to toe. From face masks to nail varnish to fake tanned legs to pedicures - I am really enjoying using all my beauty products and feeling good about my self.  It feels good to have a bit of me-time while the kids are at school to do something for myself. Me-time is something I've never really understood until now, but investing a little in myself really is a positive thing. Although I'll never be a total glamour puss, I am enjoying taking a bit more time over myself and my beauty rituals. 

Happiness

I make no secret of the fact that I have previously found the concept of happiness quite elusive. In the past I've struggled with depression, dwelling on some dark parts of my life, able to achieve only a superficial kind of fleeting happiness rather than real contentment. But over the years this has changed dramatically. 

Becoming more mindful and reflective has allowed me to let go of so much of the darkness. I have found peace with a lot of issues that festered inside me, freeing me to live in the present and embrace the joy that surrounds me. The joy that comes from being a wife and mother to the most wonderful people that I have in my life. I strive to be a better person and have learnt that true happiness comes from giving rather than taking.

I am in a good place. That doesn't mean that bad things don't happen, but when they do I'm better positioned to help those around me through them. My mantra these days is that I can't change things that have happened, but I can change the way I deal with them and the effect they have on me. Life truly is so precious, to live it in the dark is such a waste.

Taking responsibility for my health, for my happiness and for my life has made a huge difference to me. Here's hoping I can maintain my momentum and emerge a better person.

Banana and Chia Seed Porridge Recipe

Starting the day with a healthy breakfast really can really make a difference to you energy levels and vitality during the day. I have been experimenting with creating some plant based, vegan friendly dishes, that will harness all the goodness of nutrient dense ingredients, but still taste delicious. This is my breakfast dish that I think ticks the boxes.

Banana and Chia Seed Porridge

Ingredients

1 cup of coconut or almond milk

1/2 cup of porridge oats

1 tablespoon chia seeds

1/2 banana - sliced

Method

Put milk and oats into a small saucepan and bring to boil.

Add chia seeds and sliced banana to pan.

Simmer for 3-4 minutes until cooked through.

This porridge is rich, creamy and naturally sweet. The slow release energy from the oats keeps you energised and satisfied, while the superfood chia seeds add quality nutrients to the dish. It's quick and easy and really is a great start to the day.

Eating myself healthy - featuring Vegancity and Gourmet Spirulina

This winter has not been good for me health wise.  I picked up a bug back in October and ended up with a seemingly never ending round of coughs, colds, sinusitis, flu, upper respiratory and chest infections. I didn't have a 'well' day in three months.  When feeling grotty, lethargic and poorly becomes the norm, you know you have to take action.

This year, I made a stand against my ill health and pledged to start 2015 by embracing a much healthier lifestyle.  This means that all cooking will be done from scratch, incorporating lots of super healthy, nutrient rich ingredients.  Processed foods and refined sugars are to be kept to an absolute minimum. So far, I have kept to this new regime, and finally I am feeling good again!

Mornings start with a green smoothie made in my Nutribullet.  With 50% green vegetables such as kale and spinach, along with 50% fruit such as  banana, satsuma, apple, berries, kiwi or pear, plus a handful of nuts or seeds, topped with filtered water, my morning meal is a blast of vitamins, iron, anti-oxidants and plant goodness in a glass.

Family dinner times have been completely overhauled using menu planning and meals include tofu stir fry, lentil and sweet potato curry, vegetable based pasta dishes, Quorn and veg shepherd's pie and slow cooked veggie stews. Thankfully the kids are enjoying their vegetable laden meals.

Taking supplements is a great way to ensure that the whole family are getting a full range of nutrients and having every aspect of their health supported.  Vegancity supply 100% vegan supplements which are high quality, ethically sourced and suitable for everyone.  The company is committed to re-using packaging materials, using recyclable containers and reducing waste, minimising their carbon footprint. They are good for you, good for the planet and are cruelty free.

I received some Ester-C 1000 tablets which are a non-acidic form of the powerful antioxidant vitamin C.  They help boost the immune system and help the body fight viral attacks. They are priced at £7.95 for 30. I also received a bottle of Multivitamin and Mineral tablets. They contain a comprehensive vegan vitamin and mineral combination that covers all the major nutrients needed for good health. They are easy to take and convenient, perfect for topping up a healthy lifestyle and cost £7.75 for 60. Supplements are good for providing peace of mind, knowing that everyone is getting everything they need nutritionally to keep healthy.

Vegancity sell a huge range of vegan tablets and tinctures that are free from sugar, gluten, yeast and wheat, making them perfect for everyone.  I love that they are all vegetarian and vegan friendly, as so many supplements contain gelatin or products derived from animal sources, which I won't eat.  It's good to know that I can shop with confidence from Vegancity.

Find out more at www.vegancity.com.

Gourmet Spirulina is a range of nutritionally dense artisanal nibs, petals and crunchies, made using the iron, vitamin and antioxidant rich ingredient, raw spirulina.  Spirulina is considered a superfood, made from microscopic algae, that can help support health.  It is dark green in colour and contains phycocyanin, which is a blue pigment and a highly reactive antioxidant.

Spirulina Petals are delicate in both taste and texture, making them ideal for discovering both the taste and nutritional benefits of raw spirulina. They are ideal sprinkled in desserts or eaten in a dried fruit mix.

Spirulina Nibs are the mildest spirulina superfood with a nutty-taste, they are ideal for people new to the taste of raw spirulina, and can be sprinkled into virtually any dish.

Spirulina Crunchies are crisp and tasty, packed with chlorophyll. Their crispy texture makes them an ideal snack with fruit juice and they are also ideal for adding to everyday dishes, or nutritious smoothies.

I was sent a selection of samples and tried the Gourmet Spirulina Crunchies, which have a fine gravelly consistency, a crunchy texture and a savoury taste. It was quite an intense and interesting eating experience that turned my teeth green!  The flavour is quite unique but not unpleasant.  For me, the idea of adding the Gourmet Spirulina to dishes or sprinkling over meals seems like a great way to add some potent nutrients to what I eat.  I'll definitely be adding a Spirulina boost to my green smoothies.

Gourmet Spirulina Nibs, Gourmet Spirulina Petals and Gourmet Spirulina Crunchies all retail at £13.00 for 90g and are available on-line from www.pulpastore.co.uk and in health food stores.

I am really enjoying trying harder with the food I prepare for my family, packing as much goodness as I can into meals.  It's always great to find new vegetarian and vegan products like the Spirulina to add a little extra nutritional oomph into what I make.

I really do believe that we are what we eat, and my improving health is proving to me that paying extra attention to what goes in my mouth is definitely beneficial.  

Food Review - Healthy Treats from 9bar

9bar

When you need an energy boost, a 9bar really does the trick.  The wholefood bars are packed full of good stuff, like nuts, seeds and dried fruits, to deliver a great tasting and nutritious snack. I received a delicious hamper containing some of their Breakfast Bars as well as some handy things to help me out on a busy morning!

Among the goodies were some Cashew and Cocoa, Almond and Raspberry, Peanut and Raisin and Apricot and Srawberry breakfast bars, as well as a Fruity mixed seed bar and a Pumpkin bar to try out.

The bars are really nutritionally dense, containing vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids, and have absolutely no nasties in them.  They are approved by the Vegetarian Society and the Coeliac Society.  Their complex carbohydrates make 9bars an excellent source of energy to get you through the day, which is so much much healthier for you than grabbing a sweet snack that is high is bad fat and refined sugars.

I thought the bars were all delicious.  I love seeds so to have pumpkin, sunflower, hemp, poppy and sesame seeds all packed into one bar was a real treat.  Hemp seeds are a real superfood, containing all the essential amino acids, including the nine that are the building blocks for good health (giving 9bar its name!)  The bars are naturally sweetened with cane sugar and honey, and are packed with fibre and complex carbohydrates from their all natural ingredients.

The Almond and Raspberry Breakfast Bar reminded me of Bakewell Tart giving me a cakey fix in a healthy format!  The Cashew and Cocoa has crunchy nuts and choc chips, for a choccy fix.  The fruity Apricot and Strawberry is packed full of fruit pieces and the Peanut and Raisin has a lovely nutty crunch. The Fruity bar had a carob topping which was quite indulgent and  I loved the simplicity of the Pumpkin bar with its seedy, flapjack-like texture.

9bars are really filling and if used as part of a balanced diet provide a great energy boosting treat, with lots of nutritional benefits.  They are chewy and very satisfying to chomp on.  If you are in a rush in the mornings, 9bar is a great way to grab a nutritious, energy-boosting snack on the go.

You can find them in Holland and Barrett, independent health food shops and in the Free From or Wholefood sections in major supermarkets.  You can also buy them online at the 9bar Shop.

If you want tips, news and even the chance of free samples, you can sign up for the fun 9bar newsletter at www.9bar.com/subscribe

Eat Well with Olives Et Al

I was sent a selection of products from Olives Et Al, which is a Dorset based company specialising in award winning olives, nuts, dressings, marinades, sauces and oils.  With authentic global flavours, this lovingly handcrafted gourmet range gives us the opportunity to enjoy some fantastic fayre in the comfort of our own home.

I received some Red Chilli Harissa Sauce, Pink Grapefruit Marinade, Chipotle Chilli Olives and Chilli Billy Jelly Relish to try out.  They are all suitable for vegans, vegetarians and are gluten free and will enhance meals with their intense natural flavours.  They are additive free and made using the finest ingredients.

Ian is a huge fan of olives and was delighted to sample the Smoky Chipotle Chilli Olives.  The whole green olives are marinated in chipotle chilli infused extra virgin olive oil to give a lovely smoky warmth.  Once the olives are eaten, the oil can be used to add a spicy, smoky depth to dishes.

The intense, fiery, aromatic flavour of the North African style Red Chilli Harissa Sauce gives a flavousome hit of heat to dishes.  I made Harissa Houmous, combining chick peas, oil, lemon juice, nut butter, smoky paprika and a spoonful of Harissa.  It gave the houmous a lovely kick of flavour, enhancing its taste.

Serving the Harrissa flavoured houmous and the Chipotle Olives alongside a plate of warmed, sliced wholemeal pitta bread made a wonderful supper for my family.  Delicious and so simple.

The Chilli Billy Jelly is a chilli and ginger relish, which is perfect with cheese or can be added to soups and stews.  For me, it will be served as the condiment on a Halloumi and Portabello Mushroom Burger. The relish has a powerful kick of heat with the warmth of ginger, which will work perfectly with the salty cheese.  It will be a great relish for the festive season with all its cheeseboards! 

The Mojo Pink Grapefruit Marinade and Dressing is inspired by a recipe from the Cayman Isles in the Caribbean. For a tasty vegetarian accompaniment, it can be served with rice or salads, adding a fruity Caribbean twist to mealtimes.

I love the all natural products, made from real, fresh ingredients.  It is great to find such quality, authentic, flavoursome products that are suitable for vegetarians and vegans alike. They are versatile and can add a flavoursome punch to an array of dishes. 

I'm planning on adding Harissa to mayonnaise to serve with veggie burgers and and the Chilli Billy Jelly will be great in Chinese dishes such as marinated Tofu stir fry. 

They are available online at Olives Et Al and from other stockists (detailed online).  The products I have tried all retail at £4 each, which is a great price for such quality.