*Products sent to me for blog consideration, opinions are entirely my own*
There isn’t much I love more than finding a new snack, especially a savoury snack that satisfies the need to crunch something without being crisps.
I love it even more when said new snack literally lands in my lap, introducing me to something that I might never have known about.
This is exactly what happened with Podberry, crunchy pea snacks (made from freeze dried peas). These snacks are made with Scottish-grown peas, grown and made in the heart of Perthshire. Freeze dried on the farm before natural flavours are added, enhancing the sweet taste of the pea, the product is then packed ready to enjoy. Available in four flavours; sea salt & balsamic vinegar, sweet chilli, ham hock and parmesan & truffle these are available n Morrison’s and Lidl across Scotland but also independent retailers across the UK or delivered straight to your door via the Podberry website. Each pack is 20g with an RRP of £1.
They look exactly like dried out frozen peas and weigh almost nothing. I jumped straight in with the parmesan & truffle flavour as I had no idea what to expect from it and within seconds I was hooked. I had no clue what to expect from the texture, but I really loved it- crunchy and light and the flavour was a winner. I wasn’t sure I’d like such a complicated sounding flavour combination but I wish I had more of these, I really do. I forced a few on an sceptical looking Bob, which I then regretted as he wanted more. Damn.
The other flavours were equally delicious- the sea salt & balsamic vinegar perhaps not as strong as I would have liked but yummy all the same. Oddly the flavours I was most worried about (the parmesan and also the ham hock) were my favourites as they both married so nicely with the sweetness you get from the peas.
It’s so hard to accurately describe these little packets of joy, they are unlike any other snack out there. The entire range is also completely vegan, high in protein, low in fat, gluten free and 1 of your 5 a day. Perfect for on the go and surprisingly filling for something so light.
I’ll 100% be stocking myself up on these once payday comes, and I thoroughly recommend them to anyone else who loves quirky snacks or is searching for a healthier option. Podberry, you’ve kind of blown my mind with these. Thank you!
Pre Covid-19 (remember those days?) I rarely bothered to take a drink out and about with me. It was far easier to just nip in to a shop and grab something if and when I wanted it, and I never really stopped to think about the financial, and environmental cost.
Since just popping in to a shop is now much harder to justify, I’ve always got a re-usable water bottle about my person just in case. I’ve given up trying to work out how much money this has saved me, and how much better this must be for our planet.
I’ve got quite the little collection of bottles now, the most recent being this rather striking Ion8 clear leakproof bottle, this holds 580ml and promises to be 100% leakproof.
For me, the main advantage of this bottle is how much lighter it is compared to my metal ones. It’s much easier to carry around in my bag without weighing myself down, and true to it’s claims I am yet to experience a single spilled drop (aside from my inability to drink without chucking it down myself).
The bottles are BPA, phthalate free, non-toxic TRITAN and is odour resistant. This particular bottle comes in a range of sizes and stunning colours and is priced at just £6.99.
You can this bottle and the whole range of Ion8 bottles on the leakproof website…I’ve spied one with cats on that I’m hoping comes back in to stock soon!
Have your habits changed due to the pandemic? I think I’ve definitely made some positive lifestyle changes that I fully intend to keep.
To say there’s a lot going on right now would be a bit of an understatement; between working full time, planning a wedding and preparing to start the process of starting a family (more on that in a bit) it’s taken the timely arrival of this daily goal setter planner from Mâl Paper to help keep me on track.
This gorgeous planner is just what I need to keep my life on track. It’s designed to help you be more mindful and set goals to get you through even the most stressful days. It features sections for monthly, weekly and daily planning and is littered with inspirational quotes, plenty of space for writing down ideas and it made from the most beautiful quality paper. This has really helped me keep on track when it comes to to-do lists to help me reach my goals, as well as making sure I take time to focus on what has gone well each day and ensures I take time out for me.
The planner costs £21.95 and you can get 15% off your order at the moment with the code BRSPECIAL15
And how is all that planning going? Well…
Wedding wise, we’re making good progress. We have a venue, photographer, bridesmaids, bridesmaid dresses, hair and makeup, wedding rings and a few other bits and pieces under our belts. I’ve got some dress shopping appointments in the next two weeks and with 387 days to go, I’m feeling quite on top of things. We’re in the process of finalising the guest list and sorting out the invites too- that’s our next big job, and whilst it might seem that we are way ahead at the moment, things are going to get crazy over the next few months and I just know time is going to fly.
And on to that whole starting a family thing…
Due to some very unfortunate circumstances, which I won’t go in to, Bob ended up being referred to a genetics specialist to get some tests done. The outcome from that is that he has tested positive for the BRAC2 genetic mutation that leads to an increased risk of certain cancers. From his point of view, he’s ok. He’ll be screened from a much younger age and will get all sorts of fancy monitoring to ensure anything nasty is caught early. His/our bigger concern at this point in time is what this means for our future children. After meeting with a genetics consultant we’ve been offered something called PGD, a type of IVF that will eliminate the risk of passing the mutation on to our future child. After lengthy discussions we decided that this was the route we wanted to go down. Knowing that there is a 50% percent chance of passing this on- with a hugely increased risk for our future children of developing certain types of cancers (the statistics if we had a girl who had this mutation were scary) meant that we personally can’t justify not giving this a go. Obviously this is a very personal decision and not everyone will feel the same, but as we have been offered this opportunity we have decided to take it. And soon.
Right now the only barrier to us starting this treatment is my weight. It turns out that as well as there being a maximum BMI for any IVF/PGD referrals, there is also a minimum, which currently I am just about 2kg under. Knowing I am the only barrier between us and starting this journey (and we are both so ready for this) has been a real kick in the stomach for me as I’ve been dragging my feet and letting my eating disorder get in the way of making those final steps in weight restoration. It’s also given me a massive kick up the backside and with any luck we’ll be getting that referral and starting this process in the very near future.
It’s exciting but scary times for the both of us right now. Being a Mum means the world to me, and being in a position now where that dream is slowly becoming a reality is a real “pinch me” moment. At one point I was being told I’d never get better, never live a normal life, and yet here I am- more happy and more content and healthier than I ever thought possible. It’s not going to be an easy road, for either of us but it’s one we’re excited to start down. We’ve talked about it a lot and would like to share our journey, to some extent on the blog if people would be interested (well, even if you aren’t as it would be good for us to document the venture anyway).
So, for now you’ll find me with my head in my planner, setting myself goals and reminding myself why I’m doing this on the days when I’m feeling too full of food, bloated and defeated. I’m doing this for me, for Bob (who I credit for fully for showing me what it means to live and be loved), and for all of the friends and family who never gave up on me.
Box gifted by Degustabox This is a PR box, this means there will sometimes be additional flavours or products than you’d get as a subscriber, I will highlight this within my post.
How is it even the end of August and almost back to school time? This year has flown by more than usual, I suppose because everything is just so bloody strange. My head is stuck in March, and yet here we are on the last bank holiday before Christmas.
This month’s Degustabox looked promising from the second I opened it. The products had a back to school/on the go theme and you can see what I made of them by reading on…
First up are these Great British Puds chew bars from Swizzels. I’d actually already tried these, having made my Mum track them down for me a couple of months ago. As the name suggests, these are based on some top traditional puddings- rhubarb crumble and sticky toffee pudding were my favourites. Well worth the £1 per bag and available from selected Asda, Morrisons, Co-op, One Stop, B&M, Home Bargains, McColl’s, Premier and Spar stores.One good thing to come out of lockdown, and a habit we’ve continued is that Bob and I both take packed lunches to work with us every day. We are always looking for new ideas to try, and this Capsicana Mexican chilli and honey cooking paste was a great addition to some chicken for salads and wraps. £1.50 per sachet from Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Ocado. This did us four lunches so was well worth the money.Pick Up! biscuits are Bob’s favourite packed lunch treat. The Choco Hazelnut and Choco & Milk were both big winners, so now I need to try and get hold of these as well as the standard Milk Chocolate ones to keep him happy! £1.69 for a pack of 5 from most major supermarkets (I often get them on offer for £1).
I wasn’t sure what to make of these Pea Powered Curls from Simpleas at first as they are unlike anything I’ve had before. It didn’t take long before I was hooked- super crunchy and full of flavour as well as being gluten free and high in protein and fibre. Amazing for 88 calories per bag, I wish they were more widely available! £1.09 per bag from WH Smiths, Skinny Food Company, Independent Farm Shops and on simpleas-snacks.co.uk.Bob tried these Boundless nuts and seeds in Cayenne and Rosemary from Boundless as the flavour wasn’t for me. A great healthier option for on the go, and he said the flavour was great. £1.50 from Sainsbury’s (£1 there), Holland & Barrett, John Lewis as well as As Nature Intended, Revital and Independent stores.
I saw these RXBARs everywhere when we were in America and regretted not trying them. Made with the shortest ingredients list I think I’ve ever seen, these are pricey at £2.50 but the peanut butter and chocolate flavour was a hit in my eyes (this flavour combo makes anything a winner!). I’d get these again if on offer as there are a few flavours I’d like to try. Available from Sainsbury’s, Ocado, Amazon and rxbar.com.I didn’t try the Swisse Me start me Chia smoothie as this kind of thing just isn’t my cup of tea. I’m sure it’s great though, for those who are too busy to breakfast at home and want something healthy. £1.80 from swisseme.com. I loved the blueberry and banana sachet from The Great British Porridge Co. I’m stocking up on these for our next camping trip as you just need boiling water to make a delicious and hot breakfast. £1.50 each and I’ve seen the brand stocked in Waitrose. Chai lovers will already be aware of Drink me Chai. I personally tend to use their powders to make a chai tea loaf- the perfect Autumnal bake.
I love the Twinings cold infuse range as a whole, although this wasn’t a flavour for me. These are perfect for livening up plain water without adding loads of sugar to get some flavour. £3/79 per pot and available in all major supermarkets in a wide range of flavours. Bob is the cold coffee connoisseur in our house and rated this Iced Coffee from Master Cafe very highly indeed. Bonus points for the gorgeous packaging. £1.50 per can and also available in Iced Coffee Latte Mocha from Amazon, snaxemporium.com and selected convenience stores across the UK. Another new favourite for the camping snacks stash are these salted caramel protein flapjacks from Trek. I was late to the salted caramel love, but now I’m obsessed. These are a great addition to the brand’s range, and ideal for refuelling after a long walk – be it on the beach or trying to find your way back to your tent on a dark campsite! £2.50 for three from Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Tesco, Ocado and Amazon.
Sunny Fruit Mix-Ups from Whitworths might be aimed at kids but I love these as a work snack too. The strawberries are lovely with the sultanas and they squish a sugar craving really well. £2 from all major supermarket chains.
Let me know if you’ve tried any of these products and what you thought in the comments, it’s always great to get other people’s thoughts.
If you’re new to Degustabox, it’s a monthly food subscription box that gives you the chance to try new and exciting products on the market whilst providing amazing value for money. On a month by month basis the box costs £12.99 (with a discount for longer subscriptions) but the contents are generally worth far more than this as you can see if you do the maths.
If you’re persuaded to give Degustabox a go (and really, you should) you can claim £3.00 off of your first box (making it just £9.99!) by entering the code XOQGC at the checkout. It’s been a pleasure to work with the brand regularly over the last couple of years and it’s without a doubt something that I will continue to purchase long after our partnership ends. I love the monthly surprise and excitement as well as the chance to discover products I’d otherwise pass up on the supermarket shelves.
Box gifted by Degustabox This is a PR box, this means there will sometimes be additional flavours or products than you’d get as a subscriber, I will highlight this within my post.
It’s Summer! As I write this, it’s the most glorious July day and I’m enjoying a relaxing day (yay week off!) before going camping in Dorset for the weekend. It’s the perfect day to be writing my review of the July Degustabox as this month it had a Summer theme to it. There were some awesome products inside so let’s crack on.
Inside this month’s box was a surprise bag containing these sachets of sauces from The Skinny Food Co. I’ve seen this brand all over social media so I was curious to try their products. I don’t think I want to know how they make these zero calorie products but I admit they are pretty good- the white chocolate was a fab addition to breakfast and the others were all good too, oddly sweet, but fine. Perfect for anyone watching their weight but missing condiments- personally I’ll stick to the real deal but they were fun to try. Available from SkinnyFoodCo.com, Morrisons, Spar and COOP.
I’ve reviewed these ManiLife peanut butters before and my opinion still stands- these are great and I urge any peanut butter fan to give these a go. My favourite is the deep roast crunchy peanut butter for it’s awesome flavour. These retail at 60p and you’ll find the brand stocked in Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Ocado and ManiLife.com.
I love protein bars for on the go snacks and I’m always looking for new brands to try. Premier Protein packed their Chocolate Brownie Bar with 20g protein and only 1.3g of sugar. It tastes great and I’m excited to try their other flavours; White Chocolate Vanilla and Chocolate Peanut Butter. £1.49 each from Ocado and WHSmith Travel.
This Golden Creek Maple Syrup Blended with Sugar Syrup was the perfect excuse for a fluffy American Pancake breakfast. Whilst our preference is for pure Maple Syrup, it’s expensive and at £2.49 this is the best tasting and most reasonably priced alternative we’ve tried. Nice one Golden Creek! Available from Ocado and Home Bargains.
These Plant Pops popped lotus seeds were my product of the month. I had no idea what to expect from these and they are impossible to describe, but so delicious and addictive. The peanut butter flavour was subtle but there and worked perfectly. I think there are other flavours available too which I am desperate to try- my only grumble is that they are £1.50 per bag which means I can’t afford to make them a regular snack. They are also not yet widely available but you can find them on Amazon, plantpopsnacks.com, TheVeganKind Supermarket, Harvey Nichols, Londis and Budgens.I’m not a big fan of Stevia so I haven’t yet used the Natvia Natural Sweetener from this month’s box, however I have used the brand before in baking with great results so it’s definitely a winner if you’re a Stevia fan or trying to cut down on your sugar. £5 a tub from Tesco, Ocado, Tree of Life and Health Food Stores. Nesquik is much more up my alley. Bob pounced on this all natural milkshake powder immediately. Made from just 5 natural ingredients this has the taste of Nesquik that we know and love with nothing nasty added. Bonus points for the fully recyclable packaging! £1.89 from Tesco and Sainsbury’s. I didn’t get a look in with the Bebeto party mix! Bob took these on a car journey with him and came back full of praise for the fizzy gummies. I’ve started to see this brand more and more in the UK lately and I’m excited to try them for myself. At £2 for the tub this is great for summer picnics and parties. Available at Morrisons, selected Spar stores and Bestways- I’ve also spied the brand in some of the discount stores near me so keep your eyes peeled! The Minor Figures Nitro Cold Brew coffee scared the life out of me when I opened it! When you open it the nitrogen is released to create a silky microfoam- quite the shock if you don’t know what to expect. This is a light, dairy free drink with no added sugar. It wasn’t something I’d buy again personally but I know people love this brand so it’s down to me having a quite basic palette when it comes to drinks I think! £1.95 each from Wholefoods, Planet Organic, Sourced Markets, As Nature Intended, Ocado, WHSmiths Travel, Holland & Barrett and nationwide independents. Next up on the drinks front we have Pravha lighter tasting pilsner. I’m not a lager fan but this went down well served chilled- more so with Bob than myself but I would drink again. £2 from major supermarket chains. Finally we have the curiously named Wunda milk alternative. I regularly use non-dairy milk in porridge as I prefer the taste so I was quite excited, if a little apprehensive about trying this after reading it’s made from peas. This doesn’t launch until 2021 but I am very much going to be buying this when it does. It tastes great and is fabulous in porridge, on cereal and in hot drinks. It’s high protein, low sugar, low fat and fortified with vitamins A, D, B2 and B12. A real superhero product, worth it’s £1.99 RRP.
Let me know if you’ve tried any of these products and what you thought in the comments, it’s always great to get other people’s thoughts.
If you’re new to Degustabox, it’s a monthly food subscription box that gives you the chance to try new and exciting products on the market whilst providing amazing value for money. On a month by month basis the box costs £12.99 (with a discount for longer subscriptions) but the contents are generally worth far more than this as you can see if you do the maths.
If you’re persuaded to give Degustabox a go (and really, you should) you can claim £3.00 off of your first box (making it just £9.99!) by entering the code XOQGC at the checkout. It’s been a pleasure to work with the brand regularly over the last couple of years and it’s without a doubt something that I will continue to purchase long after our partnership ends. I love the monthly surprise and excitement as well as the chance to discover products I’d otherwise pass up on the supermarket shelves.
