Snacking with Dr Zak

30th June 2017

I might not be your typical gym-going, exercise mad protein filled snack consumer but I am a serial grazer and on a mission to pack as much protein in to my diet as possible right now to help me re-build some strength. I also have a notorious sweet tooth and do have to keep an eye on how much sugar I let myself inhale in lieu of healthier options (I was that child who filled their boots on Haribo then couldn’t manage their dinner!). Therefore I was very interested when I got an e-mail from Dr Zak’s about their new range of high protein, low sugar cookies which boast an impressive 15g of protein per 60g cookie whilst keeping sugar content minimal. They very kindly sent over the range of cookies for me to try as well as some high protein clusters and I thought I’d pop up some thoughts here in case anyone else is in the same boat- or is in need of something to munch post workout.

All products c/o Dr Zak’s for blog consideration.

Kicking off with the protein clusters which I found made the perfect little snack to pack in my bag for work. These come in three flavours- chipotle chilli, fruit & yoghurt and chocolate. These 30g packs contain up to 12g of protein, are free from palm oil, made with high quality pea protein isolate and have under 130 calories per bag.

I’ll start off by saying the fruit & yoghurt variety wasn’t my cup of tea. They weren’t bad but did have that distinct “protein” taste about them and I had expected them to be much sweeter. I happily ate the pack and they certainly made for a filling snack for something so small but I wouldn’t go out of my way to have these again.

The chipotle and chocolate fared better. The chocolate were my favourite for sure, a good strong flavour and less after taste. The chipotle were also pretty good although I had hoped for a bit more heat. Again the stronger flavour of these took away the protein taste and I would pick up both of these flavours again if I saw them for sale.

The cookies also come in three flavours- salted caramel, chocolate chip and triple chocolate. These are made with high quality milk proteins and have a soft bake texture which reminded me more of a cake than a cookie. Again these are free from palm oil and contain no more than 3% of your daily sugar allowance. The 60g cookies are dense and filling but are fairly low calorie for a protein filled snack- each contains less than 220 calories for the whole cookie.

My favourite flavour was the salted caramel, hands down. This surprised me as I’m not usually a fan of this flavour at all but here it was a winner. The chocolate chip (sugar free) was a close second though and not far behind was the triple chocolate.

In short, I really enjoyed these. I gave some to my boyfriend to try and he wasn’t convinced at first but later said this is because he went in to it expecting a typical cookie- I mentioned before these have a more cake like texture and won’t compare to say, a cookie from Millie’s cookies or a bakery but in their own right they are really very good.

There are a whole host of items from Dr Zak’s I’d like to try- the peanut spread with it’s range of flavours looks especially intriguing!

Check out the website to find out your nearest stockists and if you are already familiar with the brand then please tell me which products I should be looking to try next!

Permalink 2 Comments

Easter With Guylian

10th April 2017

It’s less than one week to go until Easter (how?!) and I’ve actually done very little in the way of content around it this year for some reason. I just had to pop up a quick post about some tasty Easter treats from Guylian, a chocolate brand I generally love but for the life of me cannot pronounce the name of.

On the shelves this year you’ll find a selection of gifts that are bound to impress whilst remaining affordable- I love spoiling those around me on any holiday but don’t have £20 to spend on a luxury egg per person, so finding some cheaper but still luxurious options is a real bonus.

First up we have a box of filled mini eggs- individually wrapped in an assortment of three flavours; milk chocolate truffle, milk chocolate praline and dark chocolate praline. With an RRP of £4 these are perfect for sharing…or not.

Guylian are probably most famous for their seashell chocolates and they make a great gift year round. Comprised of roasted hazelnuts and creamy Belgian milk chocolate these will put a smile on the face of just about everyone (nut allergy sufferers aside perhaps). For those embracing the Easter theme you can find these coupled with a Belgian milk chocolate egg for a reasonable £4 or for the traditionalists a 250g box will set you back around £5.

Also on the shelves this Easter is an adorable bunny shaped box containing Guylian’s temptations in six incredible sounding flavours; original praline, milk truffle, caramel, dark praline, biscuit and latte. Again this is a very reasonable £5.

I was very kindly sent one of the Guylian milk chocolate eggs complete with seashell chocolates and despite there still being 6 days to go couldn’t resist cracking (terrible attempt at being funny there Laura) in to it. The milk chocolate egg is small but perfectly formed. It’s the kind of size where half isn’t really enough and although you kind of know you probably shouldn’t eat the whole thing at once it’s near impossible not to. Yum.

The seashells are exactly as I recall from years gone by- it’s reassuring to know that some of my favourite chocolates still taste like they should! This is a 65g box so just about enough to share out after Easter dinner. Or to sit on the sofa and eat whilst watching a feel-go film and nursing the bank holiday food baby.

All of these products are available to buy in all major supermarkets, selected independent stores nationwide and online from the Guylian website.

What’s your favourite Easter egg and/or chocolate treat?

Permalink 5 Comments

The Easter Degustabox

31st March 2017

Last week saw the arrival of Spring, apparently, and with it came the delivery of the March Degustabox*– named the Easter Box. I’m not entirely sure what made the box Easter themed as I didn’t spy a single bunny hopping about but it contained chocolate and that’s good enough for me!

This month’s product of the month were these two chocolate bars from Cadbury. I’ve gone off of Cadbury’s chocolate over the last couple of years but I was still excited by the release of these bars as they combine some of my favourite things. Initially I assumed I would like the peanut butter one the best but in reality it was a little bit of a let down (purely because it had so much potential, I was hoping to get something akin to Reeses) but the mint one is truly delicious. I love mint chocolate anyway, and the addition of the oreo pieces added a new dimension. Each bar has an RRP of £1.49- but you’ll find it on offer for around £1 in many shops right now.

What better to wash the chocolate down with than some cider? Well, not for me personally as despite my West-Country origins I’m not a cider lover. These were passed on to my Dad who dutifully tried them and approved. I don’t have the pricing or stockist information for these but if you happen to see them in the shops then they are apparently worth grabbing!

My dislike of coconut water is probably well known by now, but coconut milk I do like. This Chocolate “Mylk” from Rebel Kitchen (RRP £1.99) is delicious and has a reassuringly short ingredients list too. Probably not a direct substitute for a chocolate milkshake but a refreshing (and healthier) drink in it’s own right.
I’m not sold on the idea of “breakfast in a bottle” but did try a swig of the vanilla Weetabix on the go (£1.39). I can see where these have their place in the market and would be ideal for commuters or people who don’t like to eat first thing but I’m too dedicated to my morning porridge to ever see myself swapping. I didn’t try the protein variant (£1.99) as I don’t like the flavours but I imagine this would be ideal for busy gym-bunnies.

Nothing says Easter more than a share bag of Salt and Vinegar crisps right? These are really, really good crisps- made with good quality ingredients from named and passionate providers these really are “crisps as they should taste”- and this comes from someone who doesn’t generally like crisps. RRP £2.00 and perfect for Easter gatherings!

I’m getting really in to my cooking so it was great to see some new ingredients to play with in the box. I love the Maldon smoked sea salt flakes- they add a deeper flavour to all manner of dishes and I happen to think that they pair perfectly with fish (£1.50). The [Seriously] Good Sauce from Heinz is yet to be tried but has been earmarked for some kind of chicken dish as we’re not big fans of steak, which the jar suggests in this house. I’ll report back but I think these jars of sauce are a great size and there are some really nice sounding flavours in the range! (RRP £1.99 per jar).

A slightly random assortment in this section, first we have an organic lemon energy drink from Gusto (£1.50) which is an energising blend of lemon, guarana, ginseng and astragalus. This is an adult take on lucozade in my eyes and probably much better for you as it’s sweetened with agave nectar, apple and grape juice.
I was excited to try the new “full of super” bar from Whitworths as I love this kind of bar as a snack to keep in my work bag or when I’m out and about. This Cacao Raw Bar (£1.50) has almonds, coconut, chia seeds, golden flaxseeds, quino and acai (phew!) and are gluten free, soy free and vegetarian friendly. All that and they taste good too!
The final product in this trio was the intriguingly named “Naturelly” (£1.19) which claims to be a fun and refreshing juicy jelly snack, drink or dessert full of vitamins and with no added sugar. As curious as this product sounds I couldn’t bring myself to try it- it’s a texture thing with me, but if I do find a volunteer I’ll update this post.

If there’s one sweet I can’t resist it’s jelly beans. As soon as I saw this box of 36 flavours from The Jelly Bean Factory (£1.49 for 75g) I hid it away- there’s no way I was sharing! These have been my favourite brand of jelly beans for years, although I hadn’t had them in a while. I’m pleased to report they are as good as ever- and long gone!
Last but by no means least was a bag of chocolate eclairs from £onepounders (go on, guess the price!). I gave these to my parents to try and they raved about them. I’m not sure where you can buy these from although I’m sure I saw them in a local corner shop but dismissed them as “cheap and nasty”. Knowing now that they are cheap but certainly not nasty I’ll be seeking out more of these as well as other products from the over 65 strong range.

For those who don’t know Degustabox is a monthly subscription box filled with 10-15 food/drink products, most of which are brand new to the market so it’s a great way to try things out. 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.
If you’re persuaded to give Degustabox a go (and really, you should) you can claim a brilliant £7.00 off of your first box (making it just £5.99!) by entering the code 6HZJ8 at the checkout. It’s been a pleasure to work with the brand regularly over the last few 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.

Let me know if you’ve tried any of these products and what you thought of them.

Permalink 5 Comments

Snacking: Quinoa Crinkles from Burts Chips

12th March 2017

I’m going through a distinct savoury phases with my snacking at the moment. It seems to go in cycles where for a month or so all I want is biscuits (rich teas or party rings preferable) and then suddenly the need for something savoury kicks in and I become a fiend for salt. That being said, I’m not really a fan of traditional crisps- I prefer roasted chickpeas, Hippeas and Burts Chips Lentil Waves over a packet of Walkers so when Burts Chips got in touch to announce the arrival of their new “Quinoa Crinkles” and offered to send me some to try I gratefully and enthusiastically accepted.

Made with (the currently very trendy) grain Quinoa these are deemed to be a wholesome and interesting alternative to the traditional crisp and claim to combine delicious taste, a boost of fibre and top quality ingredients. Each pack comes in at around 85 calories making them perfect for anyone who is watching their weight and the Quinoa Crinkles come in two flavours- sweet pepper & chorizo and west country cream cheese.

I still can’t make up my mind on the sweet pepper and chorizo flavour. On the one hand it’s beautifully strong and definitely unique, but on the other hand my palette struggles to make sense of two such bold flavours together with the over-tone of the sweetness. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy these, because I did…they just aren’t what I’m used to- but they have me wanting more which must count for something.

The West Country Cream Cheese was lovely. My experience of cheese flavoured snacks only extends to Quavers and Wotsits so I didn’t have the highest of standards for these to live up to. These are cheese snacks for adults, with a bold yet creamy cheese taste with a slight hint of onion. Out of the two these were my favourite but I’d happily buy and either either of them again. I’m also a massive fan of the Lentil Waves but in terms of flavour and texture the mighty Quinoa comes out on top.

For more information, stockists and the full nutritional breakdown pop along to the Burts Chips website.

Tell me about your favourite savoury snacks in the comments.

Big thanks to Burts Chips for the samples (and for setting off another snacking addiction).

Permalink 4 Comments

Degustabox February 2017

05th March 2017

So you’ve probably gathered by now that I’m a fan of the monthly delivery of Degustabox*, the contents of which nearly always impress me. Some months are better than others though in terms of what suits my personal tastes and the February box has probably been my favourite one to date. There were so many products I couldn’t wait to try- even if it did mean tackling a few fears along the way…I’m always up for a new snack or meal to add to my current rotation and this month has seen me add several new items to my ongoing shopping list.

I’ve been livening up my lunch times with these Kabuto Noodles and reduced sugar beans from Heinz (not together I hasten to add!). The Vegetable Laska noodles are gluten free, suitable for vegetarians and packed full of flavour and quality ingredients. A little pricey at £1.99 but worth stocking up on if I see them on offer for back to work lunches. I don’t actively seek out low sugar products but appreciate that it is important to keep an eye on one’s intake- these no added sugar baked beans have the same great taste you’d expect from Heinz with no added sugar/artificial sweeteners of flavours and go perfectly on toast for a warming midday meal (RRP 65p per tin).

From low sugar to ALL THE SUGAR with these items from Bebeto (£1.69 each). I’ll confess to being a bit excited by these Candy Crush gummy sweets as I’m a closet fan of the game (it helps manage my anxiety and provide distraction, honest). These were a delicious mix of some of my favourite sweets and perfect for sharing with my equally addicted mum. The cheese cake gummies were a novel idea and also pretty tasty but I’m not sure I’d rush out and buy them again. I really like Bebeto sweets though and often pick up mixed bags of various sorts in my local poundland.

More sweet snacks- right up my street! The dark chocolate coated banana chips from Maui and Sons were the product I was most excited by this month and they did not let me down. The pack supposedly provides two servings (for a reasonable £1) but I defy anyone to stop at half. As much as I love me some coffee I’ve never ventured in to eating the stuff but the New York Delhi’s Americanos (also £1) persuaded me to try. They certainly do pack a flavour punch and whilst they aren’t something I’d choose on a regular basis they did make for a great little pick me up.

I haven’t actually tried the drinks from this month’s box yet but based on past experience the Blossom Hill bottle will be a real treat, I’m actually saving it for when I have some friends round nearer my birthday- by which time the weather will hopefully be more suited to a summer fruits flavoured drink (£4.99). The pomegranate and basil mixer from Double Dutch isn’t something I’ll be racing to try (I’ve mentioned before my issue with fancy drinks) but I’m sure someone will enjoy it with some vodka or gin or something…

There was no information included on the Just Bee blueberry flavoured honey water and I really dislike honey so I haven’t braved this one but it looks like a healthy alternative to traditional soft drinks- feel free to chip in with a mini review if you’ve tried it! Again, juices aren’t my thing but the Coldpress fruity greens juice (£2.79) certainly looks wholesome and because they are made with 100% fruit and vegetables they are packed with vitamins and have less naturally occurring sugars than other juices on the market. The Koko Dairy Free Original (£1.50) is a product I’ve long been a fan of- I use dairy milk in hot drinks but prefer alternatives in my morning porridge from a taste point of view. I usually go for almond milk but I’ve really been enjoying this and it’s persuaded me to switch up my breakfast from time to time.

More snacks, yay! I loved the packaging for the Peppersmith sugar free mints and chewing gum (£1.50 each) and they taste great too. Pricier than my usual purchases but worth it as an occasional treat. The no added sugar wafer bar from Diablo (95p) tasted great- I am always a little wary of low sugar chocolate products tasting artificial but I didn’t notice it with this- a great little snack for anyone watching their sugar intake!

Finally we have some popcorn from Willy Chase (FITCORN to be precise). I’ve previously reviewed this flavour so knew I was kind of a fan despite disliking honey, I’m keen to seek out other flavours from the brand now.

If you’re persuaded to give Degustabox a go (and really, you should) you can claim a brilliant £7.00 off of your first box (making it just £5.99!) by entering the code 6HZJ8 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.