3 Delicious Ways to Enjoy Alpro"s Coconut & Almond Milk

Recently I discovered that Alpro have brought out a new dairy alternative… Coconut & Almond Milk. I am a regular Coconut Milk user & have Almond Milk with my cereal so I was very up for giving this a try. Here are a few of the ways I used it & my thoughts:

1) Smoothie (& not just any smoothie either!)

Alpro Coconut & Almond Milk has probably stolen the show as my favourite milk to put in a smoothie. It is incredibly creamy in flavour yet it is low in both fat & sugar. I made a smoothie at the weekend using the milk & adding to it, pear, frozen banana & a tiny scoop of dairy free vanilla ice cream! If you prefer to keep the ice cream out you could instead use a little more frozen banana & a drop of vanilla extract. It was the perfect drink for a sunny afternoon & the coconut & almond milk worked an absolute treat. (I’ll get the full recipe for my Pear, Banana, Vanilla Smoothie up for you in the near future!)

2) Tropical Coconut & Almond Rice Porridge

I have always been a huge porridge fan but sadly cannot tolerate oats. Instead I enjoy using rice flakes to make my porridge. (I totally recommend trying Delicious Alchemy‘s Rice Flakes they are delicious!) I’ve never tried a coconut based milk to make my porridge with but this will certainly not be my last time! The coconut & almond flavours comes through to create an almost tropical flavoured porridge. The milk brings enough flavour to not even need to add any other sweetness to it. However, I couldn’t resist a few pieces of fresh pineapple to keep with the tropical theme. Rice Flakes also make a great ‘rice pudding’ style dessert & with the coconut & almond milk it is heavenly.

3) Cereal

And last but not least, quite simply, Alpro’s Coconut & Almond Milk works a dream with your cereal. It makes even the plainest of cereals feel that little bit more indulgent (without the indulgent nutritional values!). I am a huge fan of Dove’s Farm Gluten Free Cereal Flakes & combined with this milk I have now found my perfect everyday breakfast during the week. It is great to be able to make such a delicious breakfast so quickly!

So…

Overall this is a great little concept from Alpro. I mean, both Almond Milk & Coconut are hot property in the food world at the moment, so to combine this makes sense in more ways than one. The most important way that it makes sense is the flavour. Whilst the coconut provides a really tropical feel to the drink, the almond combines incredibly well to almost tone down the richness, & subtly lighten the flavour up. Once you try it, I guarantee you will know what I mean!

Of course, importantly the coconut & almond drink is also gluten free, dairy free & 100% plant based. It is a milk that is blended to perfection & works really well in the 3 ways I have described above. However, I am pretty sure there a mountain of other ways that you could make the most out of this milk. Pancakes spring to mind for instance… with some caramelised bananas and pineapples… yes please!

Let me know if you have any other suggestions as to how I could best use this milk & how YOU would use it. What did you think of the flavour? Just drop a comment below, or on Facebook/Twitter.

Thanks for reading,

Becky xxx

 

3 Delicious Ways to Enjoy Alpro"s Coconut & Almond Milk

My IBS Diary Week 1 Update

Welcome to My IBS Diary Week 1! I hope you enjoy it, & make sure you subscribe to me (for free!) to be notified of more IBS & Gluten Free Videos every week!

As you might of seen in my previous post on my IBS solution, (fingers crossed!) & also my video on the same topic; I have turned to something else to help my IBS pains. I have turned to Symprove! Symprove is a probiotic. Unlike other probiotics it is a water-based multi-strain supplement that contains 4 unique strains of live activated bacteria. To find out more as to why I decided to try Symprove out, please take a look at my first post on Symprove (Click here!).

So basically I thought I would do a little diary upon completing each week of my Symprove journey! I don’t expect fast progress… or any for that matter. I just live in hope that this might just be the answer! Each week I will also talk about different things to do with my IBS, so comment below if you have any questions. So what better place to start than WEEK 1!

Week One

So week 1 was a bit of a different one for me as I have been having a week at my parents house to celebrate my brothers 21st birthday & generally just relax! I brought bottle number 1 of Symprove with me & have taken it every single morning before I do anything. (You must always wait at least 10 minutes before eating anything after taking it)

Day 1 - Well I guess all I have to report today is that… it didn’t taste bad! I really thought it was going to taste awful! I never like the idea of taking a ‘new liquid’ for the first time! It just reminds me of not wanting to take medicine as a child (sorry Mum for refusing to open my mouth so many times!) I actually quite like the taste of Symprove, I think we are going to be good friends!

Day 2 - Again another tasty Symprove start to the day, no changes from usual today, but it is very early days!

Day 3 – My stomach has started to become quite noisy, it feels like things are happening. This is exciting as I have a very slow moving digestive system… I’m sure IBS-C sufferers will sympathise with this! My stomach never seems to get moving and it needs a boost. I am hoping that the increase in good & balanced bacteria that Symprove should help with will see me taking more regular trips to the toilet!

Day 4 - As if like magic, I actually was able to go to the toilet this morning. I feel better in the stomach today after that, & don’t feel so heavy/lethargic. The gurgling stomach is still there, I’m just taking this as a good thing!

Day 5 - I have seen a pattern over the last few days, I seem to be more hungry. This is rare for me, I really do eat 99% of the time when I am not hungry, simply because my food never seems to break down and leave my stomach. It is a great feeling to sit down to a big dinner with my tummy rumbling!

Day 6 - So today I have had a few pains and some bloating (nothing worse than my regular… which is pretty bad). I woke up not feeling so great. However, in terms of positives I was able to each lunch today without the pain getting any worse. Most days I can get a bit down after lunch due to the bloating pains increasing madly, today it was a little better.

Day 7 – Suffering a little after a bit of a bad food day on my part. 

Overall IBS Diary Week 1…

So with Week 1 over, I can safely say that I will definitely be continuing with Symprove! I didn’t expect to even feel 1% different in a week, however I have felt some changes which is definitely a good thing. I can’t wait to get started on Week 2 & beyond! 

These posts and videos are going to vary each week. I plan on giving updates on how I’m feeling and also show you what I am up to. I might show you what I’m eating if it’s exciting enough! Let me know what you think & how your IBS is treating you this week. If you have any questions you can leave a comment below, or on Facebook/Twitter.

Thanks for watching and reading,

Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to my Gluten Free Videos, you can by CLICKING HERE! (It’s Completely FREE & Gluten Free!)

Becky xxx

 

 

My IBS Diary Week 1 Update

Gluten Free is coming to Iceland Foods!

So it would seem that Iceland Foods are following the many other supermarkets in providing a Gluten Free range! But, where are they heading first on their Gluten Free journey? Ireland! However, keep your eyes peeled for Iceland’s Gluten Free range in a store near you in the future! 

Iceland Foods are renowned for their frozen food ranges at extremely low prices. But until now they have not provided an actual Gluten Free Range. Some of their products have been naturally Gluten Free, but not made specifically for a Gluten Free diet.

Do YOU shop at Iceland? If you do… what do you think of Iceland’s move into the Gluten Free market? If you don’t… would YOU consider choosing to shop at Iceland once these products become available in a store close to you?

Of course for now Iceland’s Gluten Free Range is only available in Ireland. But we don’t imagine this to last too long. The UK market is too lucrative for Iceland to hold back on… it’s only a matter of time!

So… what sorts of products are in the Gluten Free Range at Iceland?

1) Goodfella’s Gluten Free Pizza

So Goodfella’s are getting involved in the Gluten Free market now. I can’t wait to try these! Having spoken to the folks at Goodfella’s I can confirm we are going to getting our hands on these gluten free pizzas in the UK in the not too distant future!

2) Big Al’s Kitchen Gluten Free Chicken Goujons

These look delicious and look to be the perfect addition to any freezer! The perfect gluten free option when you haven’t had the chance to get anything else in, they’re quick and easy… just what Iceland wants to be!

3) Dohertys Gluten Free Sausages, Burgers and Meatballs

So you can already get Dohertys Gluten Free Sausages in some Asda stores, but it is great to also be able to get meatballs (something you can never easily find gluten free). I know buying frozen isn’t for everyone but sometimes it is an easy option that just makes sense.

So…

There you have it, Iceland are moving into the Gluten Free market. It will be interesting to see if they make any of their own branded products gluten free. Iceland pride themselves on their own brand ranges such as their party food. Could Iceland bring out a Gluten Free Party Food Range? Watch this space I guess!

As I said, Iceland’s Gluten Free Range is only available in Ireland at present. I know so many people want to get their hands on it… I’m sure it isn’t far away now! I know for sure that Goodfella’s Gluten Free Pizzas will definitely be coming across the Irish Sea in the not too distant future!

Let me know what you think of this news from Iceland. If you are from Ireland, why not less us know what you think, having tried the new range! Leave a comment below, or on Facebook/Twitter.

Thanks for reading,

Becky xxx

Gluten Free is coming to Iceland Foods!

#1 Is this the cure for my IBS?

IBS has been the pain of my life for a long time now. Here is my first video all about my IBS & my new, hopeful solution! Please head over to my YouTube Channel & Subscribe to follow my journey! (It’s Free, oh & Gluten Free!)

As you might have seen in my previous post on my struggles with IBS (click here if not), I have been looking for a solution for the problem. I don’t want a pain killer. I want something to help it improve! Above you will see that this video is the first of a series of videos on trying to tackle my IBS. 

I am trying out a new active, water-based probiotic for a minimum of 12 weeks. It would be great if you could come on the journey with me!

To watch my IBS videos as well as a whole host of Gluten Free Videos I put up, please click here & subscribe. It would mean the world to me, & hopefully it will make you smile & be really helpful! Let me know your thoughts over on YouTube, or by leaving a comment below!

Thanks for watching,

Becky xxx

#1 Is this the cure for my IBS?

My IBS (hopeful) Solution... Symprove!

Irritable Bowel Syndrome has been a part of my life for far too many years now. I am determined to try out anything that will help my stomach cope better. I don’t just want a pain relief, I want to try out something that will help my gut bacteria balance… so I am going to try out Symprove.

Click here to view my FIRST IBS SOLUTION VIDEO

My IBS Life, every single day!

I have been struggling with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) for a number of years now. It is such a pain on a regular basis & I find it is the one thing that I cannot 100% manage. My Gluten Intolerance is a very manageable issue, I feel in control of that, because I am simply very careful never to eat gluten. My IBS on the other hand, has a vast array of triggers which I find much harder to control. Therefore, IBS really can affect my life on a daily basis, in one way or another.

My gluten intolerance & IBS, I believe, both arose due to that lovely little thing known as stress. Before I had any digestive issues I truly believed ‘stress’ was nonsense. However, I can safely say that stress is a nasty piece of work which really can affect your gut in a big way.

Stress gives me stomach cramps, bloating & I also seem to find it a lot harder to tolerate certain foods. The list of foods that my body fails to tolerate seems to have grown extensively over the past 5 years or so, to the point where I really do just look like a fussy eater. If I am honest, if it was only gluten I couldn’t eat I would be so happy, I just can’t deal with the long list of other foods!

For example (this is a list accurate for my stomach in July 2015):

• All forms of gluten & anything containing gluten (obviously)


• Oats (so porridge, oat biscuits, flapjacks are all out)


• Alcohol 


• Caffeine 


• Legumes (Beans, Lentils, Peas)


• Onions (The DEVIL!)


• Mushrooms & sweetcorn


• Lettuce (yeah salad is also out for me)


• ALL green vegetables (except courgette)


• Dried fruit


• Fruit (especially ones with skin, seeds & higher sugar content)


• High sugar foods (condiments are out.. no ketchup or BBQ sauce)


• Tomato can also set it off


• Sorbitol containing foods

And that is just off the top of my head! Consuming any of the foods listed for me personally is just not going to end well. As you can imagine, I get used to it, but when I go out for a meal or visit someone, it can be quite a test for them & me.

I have been to the doctor, had scans etc, been given loads of medication to help reduce the pain and bloating (some works better than others)… BUT… I don’t want pain relief, ultimately I want to solve the problem, not cover it up.

To me it has always felt like I don’t have the right digestive enzymes, or rather, as I have now read about, the correct balance of bacteria in my gut. Surely if I could balance my gut bacteria, my IBS symptoms could at least be slightly reduced? I have tried a number of probiotics in the past, but have failed to see any long term results. I had all but given up, until the other day…

Mark has been taking Symprove on & off for the past couple of years. He has seen improvements when using it, but then got lazy & stopped! (Don’t ask me why if you see improvements!!) Anyway we have both decided to give Symprove a go now, for real, nothing half arsed… and see how we get on.

So… what is Symprove? 

Symprove is a water-based multi-strain supplement that contains 4 unique strains of live activated bacteria. These include:  L. rhamnosus, E. faecium, L. acidophilus, and L. plantarum. Normally a healthy gut would already contain all four of these, however when it doesn’t, it can soon become unbalanced. I thought this video was really useful:

Other probiotics I have tried in the past have been either within a dairy product or as a tablet. These I now realise get destroyed too much before reaching the part of the gut that needs them. However, Symprove, being water based (containing live and active bacteria) does not get destroyed and gets exactly where it needs to. I thought this diagram explained everything better than I could to. Basically, for any probiotic to be effective in restoring the balance of bacteria in your gut, it has to do 3 simple things:

Symprove really interests me, & intrigues me. I am prepared to try anything if it will help my stomach out & thus make me a happier human being! I am going to try out the Symprove 12 Week Challenge.. I understand there are no quick fixes when it comes to restoring the balance of bacteria in my gut. It has been so bad for so long… 12 weeks doesn’t even seem a long time! I thought I would take you on that journey with me with a combination of posts & video updates on my YouTube Channel (Click here to view my Gluten Free Videos).

If Symprove helps my IBS you will never hear the end of me raving about it! I am excited! Live bacteria.. get in my belly & balance! 

It would be great to hear stories from others if you have ever tried Symprove or other probiotics. Every person who suffers with IBS will have slightly different issues to the next person, so I guess probiotics will effect different people in a different way. Oh & also feel free to leave any comments about your IBS problems or success stories below as a comment, or on Facebook/Twitter. It is better to deal with issues together than apart.

Thanks for reading,

Becky xxx

My IBS (hopeful) Solution... Symprove!

16 Things That Happen When You"re Gluten Free

1. You read food ingredients labels at a professional level.

2. Fresh bread is only available in your dreams.

3. Going out for a meal requires a strategic plan.

4. Sharing food is a strict no no.

5. You cannot handle the phrase ‘may contain traces of gluten’.

6. People will ask you if gluten free is some cool, ‘healthy’ diet.

7. You learn your own ways to cope with gluten-filled temptation.

8. You more than appreciate the rare occasion that you find a gluten free restaurant.

9. You become an expert in gluten free cooking.

10. Waiters will greet your requests with complete understanding.

11. You develop a love hate relationship with salad.

13. The price of gluten free products will more than test your personal finances.

14. People will label you as a ‘fussy eater’.

15. You become less and less impressed by gluten free brownies.

16. But on some level you’ll enjoy being gluten free… just make sure nobody else knows that.

16 Things That Happen When You"re Gluten Free

RECIPE: Mum"s Gluten Free Sticky Chicken!

Mum’s Gluten Free Sticky Chicken dish is perfect for any occasion. I especially enjoy it cold as a dish at a summer party/BBQ. Give it a try & you won’t regret it!

Mum’s Sticky Chicken has been an incredibly popular party dish for as long as I can remember. It is perfect as a cold dish at a summer party / BBQ. I adore it alongside all the other homemade dishes she makes… her potato salad especially! You could definitely finish it off on the BBQ as well if you want it a bit more charred. Personally, I love the taste of the ‘sticky’ marinade when its cold the most!

It is super easy marinade to make & of course is gluten free! We always marinade a load of chicken thighs and drumsticks. I hope everyone agrees thigh meat beats dry breast meat every single day of the week!

My Mum recently made a big bowl of gluten free sticky chicken thighs & drumsticks to take to a BBQ a neighbour was having. As per usual it went down a treat and the recipe has been further given out to friends.  Whilst it is easy to just take some burgers & sausages round to a BBQ, everyone does that, so it’s nice to take something different.

I’ve also enjoyed Mum’s gluten free sticky chicken many times for dinner. It is the perfect dinner to prepare before you go to work for the day. Marinade it whilst you’re out & put it in the oven when you get back. It is so simple to enjoy with rice & some veggies or even some homemade sweet potato fries & a salad. Basically it is just a delicious, versatile gluten free dish… & I love it!

Mum"s Gluten Free Sticky Chicken

2015-07-18 14:57:24

A perfect dish to be served cold at a summer party or BBQ. It"s great for all occasions and all times of year. Can be served hot too, but I love it even more cold!

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Ingredients

1. Chicken Thighs
2. Chicken Drumsticks
3. 4 tbsp orange juice
4. 2 tsp tabasco
5. 2 tbsp black treacle
6. 2 tbsp honey (or alternative... agave nectar or sweet freedom)
7. 2 tbsp dijon mustard

Instructions

1. Measure out your orange juice, tabasco, black treacle, honey & mustard into a small bowl.
2. Whisk / mix thoroughly together.
3. Place your chicken thighs and drumsticks into an oven proof dish (we sometimes cook the chicken is 2 separate oven proof dishes to make sure it all gets well cooked and marinaded).
4. Prick all the chicken with a fork so the marinade can get into it as much as possible!
5. Pour the sticky chicken marinade over the chicken & make sure the chicken gets coated (it will likely sit in plenty of the marinade too)
6. Cover the dish with clingfilm & marinade in the fridge ideally over night, but a few hours will still be fine.
7. Place in a preheated oven (180 degrees C) for about 45 minutes.
8. Remove from the oven proof dish & place in another dish to cool down completely. (Leave any of the juices & marinade behind)
9. Keep in the fridge until ready to eat...
10. Enjoy!

Notes

1. You can eat this cold as I have described as a dish at a BBQ/party BUT you can also eat it hot for dinner. We often have this on a day where we need a quick, easy dinner. Marinade it before work & when you come home put it in the oven. Serve with rice or maybe some sweet potato wedges. You might like to keep some of the marinade juices and pour over if eating hot (it tastes great soaked into rice!)

Gluten Free Cuppa Tea - by Free From Food Blogger, Becky, UK. http://glutenfreecuppatea.co.uk/

So there you have it, Mum’s Gluten Free Sticky Chicken. Of course, this dish is naturally gluten free which is even better. I really hope you give it a try, I guarantee everyone will enjoy the delicious flavours of the moist sticky thighs and drumsticks. 

Please let me know if you get the chance to try my Mum’s gluten free sticky chicken. I would love to see some pictures! Also let me know what your favourite marinade for chicken is. I always love to try out some new flavours! Just leave a comment below, or on Facebook/Twitter.

Thanks for reading & thanks Mum!

Becky xxx

RECIPE: Mum"s Gluten Free Sticky Chicken!

5 Delicious Gluten Free Cakes from Clive"s Pies!

Who would have thought that Clive’s Pies do more than just pies?! Clive’s Pies also produce amazing Gluten Free Cakes; all of which are also Dairy Free & completely Organic! I can think of no better way to spend my afternoon, than to gobble my way through a few beautiful gluten free cakes from Clive and the gang! 

I met up with Sally, who runs Clive’s Pies, at The Allergy & Free From Show 2015. It was great to have a chat about what is truly important to her in terms of the business. Basically, they don’t mass produce. They could, but they don’t. Clive’s Pies is all about fresh local organic ingredients, hand prepared in their own kitchen. They also fully stand by the idea that ‘free from’ foods should in no way compromise taste… You can understand my excitement when I got the chance to grab 5 different gluten free & dairy free cakes!

I thought I would tease you all by giving each one a taste & letting you know what I think:

1) Almond Bliss

One of the ingredients in Clive’s Pies Almond Bliss is LOVE. I think that says it all. No, really, I actually can taste the love in this cake. 41% of this cake is made up of organic almonds, a huge amount by any cake’s standards & it makes such a difference. This cake melts in the mouth like a little almond dream. You can definitely taste a slight hint of cinnamon coming through alongside the almond too. I’ve never tasted anything quite like it, and I love it!

2) Lemon Lust

A little bit of Lemon heaven. This cake ticked all of my boxes. It was moist, lemony and damn right delicious! The lemon was refreshing & zesty yet not too sharp. It was a perfect mid afternoon cake to enjoy with my Mum! I mean, who doesn’t love a lemon cake?!

3) Choco Mocha

I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy this cake. I am not a huge chocolate fan & I’m not a coffee drinker (though I do love a good coffee & walnut cake!) However, this cake surprised me more than any of them. The coffee was perfectly subtle and complimented the dark chocolate. I certainly will be grabbing another one of these cakes in the future. A delicious & different gluten free choice.

4) Coconut Dream

I ended up sharing this little beauty with my Dad. We both agreed it smelt somewhat like a more tropical Mr Kipling Lemon Slice (remember those?!). Coconut in cakes is definitely one of my favourites, I love both the taste and the texture. The coconut blended into the zesty citrus flavours really well. It was almost like an exotic macaroon, I could do with one now!

5) Chocolate Brownie

The humble chocolate brownie. The cake that every gluten free eater seems to love to hate. I can totally understand that. We do see too many gluten free cafes & coffee shops these days. However, it is always nice to try a different companies take on the chocolate brownie. Clive’s Pies Chocolate Brownie is rich alright… it is really rich! It is also filled with one of my favourite nuts… the walnut! For a gluten free brownie, this ticked all the boxes & more. Warm up with ice cream anyone?!

So…

There you have it, Clive’s Pies get a massive thumbs up from me. I love what the brand stands for and how all their products are handmade in small batches to ensure the best quality. I’m not sure I could rank these gluten free delights in order of my favourite. I did love the almond bliss though! There is definitely a little something for everyone within their gluten free cakes range.

Where to buy?

I find Clive’s Pies in quite a few local independent stores around where I live & places that I have visited. However, if you can’t find them there both Ocado & Goodness Direct allow you to purchase a whole range of Clive’s Pies products online. I would highly recommend the gluten free & dairy free cakes, but of course Clive’s Pies are also famous for pies… so you might like to give one of them a try too!

Have you ever tried one of Clive’s Pies cakes? Which of the ones I have mentioned do you like the sound of? Let me know by leaving a comment below, or on Facebook/Twitter.

Thanks for reading,

Becky xxx

5 Delicious Gluten Free Cakes from Clive"s Pies!

6 Things I got in my Gluten Free Snack Box from Snackly

How are there SO MANY different postal snack boxes these days?! I have tried out so many different ones over the years, so I thought I’d try out Snackly. Snackly is actually a Coeliac Friendly, Gluten Free Snack Box!

 According to Snackly Founders, Sami & Yas who are both Gluten Free themselves: 

“being Coeliac or Gluten Free doesn’t mean you have to miss out on awesome snacks so we’ve made a snack box that tastes great for everyone! All Snackly boxes are Gluten Free, Coeliac Friendly, and full of new and delicious treats.”

I really like the though process behind Snackly. & what I also like is that this gluten free snack box is filled with brands I haven’t even heard of. They source all their products from a variety of companies across the UK. A Snackly Gluten Free Snack Box for me personally is a great way to come across new brands without having to go searching. It simply just arrived in the post & the contents were a complete surprise. What a great thing to come home to! So here is what I received in my very first gluten free snack box from Snackly!

1) Kent & Fraser – Lemon Butter Shortbread

This Lemon Shortbread from Kent & Fraser was one of my favourites. It was incredibly refreshing from the zesty lemon & also had that all important melt in the mouth shortbread texture. I’d happily enjoy some more of their biscuits again anytime!

2) Easy Bean – Chickpea Crispbread  

This crisp bread has the most flavour of any crisp bread I have ever tried! I love anything that has a subtle hint of black pepper & these certainly do. The buttermilk sounded slightly pointless to me, but there is a slight almost creamy, cheese flavour that comes through that I assume must be from that. Of course the seedy texture is a winner too. If I could buy these easily in a big packet  I would. Perfect snack, & perfect to have with some cheese or dips. 

3) The Sweet Reason Company – Salted Caramel Brownie

This gluten free brownie confused me on looks. It looked dense, delicious & naughty. However, it also looked like it might be a raw style brownie. Fortunately (I am not a big fan of too many raw things) this salted caramel brownie is the former! It is moist, it is delicious & if it was huge I would feel very naughty eating it! Luckily, it is the perfect size to indulge in. It tastes divine, seriously the smell alone when I opened the packet made me drool. (I love Salted Caramel anything!!)

4) Peace of Cake London – Fruit & Nut Biscotti

Whenever I am in a coffee shop I always see folks enjoying a biscotti with their coffee. Now, I might not be a coffee drinker but I will always want the biscuit that goes alongside the coffee! That’s why when I saw this gluten free & dairy free biscotti biscuit I was quite excited! They were filled with lots of my favourite nuts.. pistachios, hazelnuts & almonds. It seems the perfect thing for coffee shops to offer. Why should the gluten free amongst us not get their biscotti!

5) Beech’s – Anglesey Sea Salt Milk Chocolate

Who can resist a bar of chocolate? Not me. This chocolate looked delicious & I also noticed it’s been produced up the road in Preston since 1920! Eating chocolates that you know have been locally produced, using traditional methods, just tastes better. This milk chocolate had a delicate addition of sea salt which I really liked. I thought you only got salted caramel, not salted chocolate… but now I will be on the look out for more salted chocolate too!

6) Nothing But – Apple & Fig Snack

I’m always up for trying something new and this freeze dried snack was definitely something new for me. It definitely ticks all the boxes if you are looking for a flavoursome, healthy snack – both the apple and fig pieces are bursting with flavour. Whilst the freeze dried texture of these fruit slices might not be my cuppa tea, I’m pretty sure it’s the sort of snack that would suit a lot of people. Especially those wanting convenient, on the go snacks, when fresh fruit might not be an option. I must admit, Mark has taken them off me and is eating them right now, he loves them!

So…

When I think about all the items I received in this Snackly Gluten Free Snack Box it seems to me that all these little gluten free snacks would be most perfectly placed throughout the travel sector. It would be so easy to offer so many of these snacks, (& the snack boxes as a whole) to airlines, train companies, service stations etc. I often travel long distances on trains & rarely find any suitable gluten free snacks. These snacks are all new & different to me. It would be a joy to find them on offer whilst travelling.

However, as this is not an option right now, buying a Snackly Gluten Free Snack Box every month or so seems the perfect alternative. At least when travelling you’ll always have something gluten free & potentially new in your bag! This is definitely the kind of situation I will continue to enjoy my gluten free snack box in. With different brands every single month & it being a complete surprise who knows what I will get next!

Have you tried out the Snackly Gluten Free Snack Boxes? What did you think? Do you like the whole concept of snack boxes in the post? Have you got any other favourite companies that create a gluten free snack box? Let me know by leaving a comment below, or on Facebook/Twitter. 

Thanks for reading,

Becky xxx

6 Things I got in my Gluten Free Snack Box from Snackly

REVIEW: The Great Little Baking Company - Gluten Free Gift

It can be so difficult knowing what edible gifts to buy somebody on a gluten free diet. It can often even become quite stressful for some folk. Fortunately, this doesn’t have to be the case as I have just found out that The Great Little Baking Company have now started creating treats that would make the perfect gluten free gift!

I decided to venture back down south to the family home for a weekend in June to enjoy some quality time with my parents. Seeing as it was Father’s Day on the third Sunday of June, it seemed the perfect opportunity. I wanted to bring something with me as a tasty treat that we could all enjoy, not just my Dad! It’s always nice that we can all enjoy edible gifts together; too many times in the past I have had to sit out & I don’t think that is nice for anyone to see.

I came across The Great Little Baking Company by complete chance on social media & decided to check out their site. I always like to have a little nosey to see whether gluten free is an option… & sure enough it was! They create the perfect gluten free gift in the form of homebaked brownies. But HOLD ON before you just think… more brownies… these brownies are much more advanced! These brownies are not just your bog standard plain chocolate brownies. Butterscotch, Lemon & White Chocolate, Chilli and Triple Choc are all available & all sound delish!

The Butterscotch Brownies sounded the most appealing to my parents tastebuds so I got us a box to enjoy over the Father’s Day weekend. First things first, they come packaged in a really lovely silver tin with a pink ribbon. Within the tin, the brownies are wrapped in soft pink tissue paper. As a gluten free gift, it immediately looked appealing and ticked the visual boxes. The packaging felt special & luxurious… I was really hoping the butterscotch brownies inside would live up to the stylish packaging!

The Butterscotch brownies are made with a mix of walnuts and white chocolate. Of course they don’t look like your traditional brownie as milk/dark chocolate are not present within them. Instead they are a beautiful golden colour. The white chocolate chunks and walnuts are clearly visible throughout & the smell that comes from each brownie is almost fudge like.

Of course, this level of attractiveness for our eyes and ears was too much temptation for our tastebuds, & we had to dive in. These brownies are heaven. They are every single bit as indulgent & luxurious as you would hope from the packaging. Each bite gives you a mouthful of white chocolate and walnut, and this flavour combination, although something I’m not completely familiar with, workings amazingly.

We all agreed the butterscotch brownies tasted really moist and almost creamy, coming from the white chocolate. They are almost fudge like in flavour. I would definitely recommend them if you are looking for a gluten free gift for a friend with a sweet tooth! The richness of them means you definitely couldn’t eat too much at a time, but what you do eat will be the nicest few mouthfuls of your day!

So, if you’re in need of a gluten free gift for someone you know (or for yourself!) Then I highly recommend checking out The Great Little Baking Company. Additionally if you just want to treat yourself to a good looking tin of delicious treats, also check out The Great Little Baking Company! I would definitely recommend the Butterscotch Brownies if you have a bit of a sweet tooth & are sick of standard chocolate brownies. The white chocolate & lemon gluten free brownies sound great too.

Have you ever tried anything from The Great Little Baking Company? What other places would you suggest for a edible gluten free gift (if baking yourself is not an option?) oh, & what is your favourite flavour to make a brownie… less ‘brownie’ like?! Let me know by leaving a comment below, or on Facebook/Twitter.

Thanks for reading,

Becky xxx

REVIEW: The Great Little Baking Company - Gluten Free Gift

My Pina Colada Day Smoothie Recipe

One of my all time favourite cocktails is the humble Pina Colada. Whilst in it’s alcoholic form it is amazing; in it’s ‘virgin’ state it is still mighty fine! Whilst the 10th July is officially Pina Colada Day… in my world… every day is Pina Colada Day!

You might remember I put up a Virgin Pina Colada Smoothie recipe a few months ago. Click here to view it. But since then, I guess we have perfected it even more & made it even more coconuterly awesome! So, why not make a video out of it?! Here is the NEW recipe. I hope you get to give this beauty a go!

Pina Colada Day Smoothie!

2015-07-09 10:20:43

I use a NutriBullet to make all my smoothies, but any blender that has the ability to crush ice and frozen banana will do. This recipe makes one large drink or 2 smaller ones.

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Ingredients

1. 1 Medium Pineapple (chopped up or use a pineapple corer like mine in the video!)
2. 1/2 can of Coconut Milk
3. 1 Frozen Banana (only a SMALL banana, maybe use a little less if it"s a big one!)
4. 3-4 Coconut Water Ice Cubes (I used Vita Coco original) - My Ice Cubes were large!
5. Tiny Squeeze of Lime (optional - it definitely tastes perfect without too!)

Instructions

1. Pour your coconut water into ice cube trays and place in the freezer for a couple of hours or until frozen.
2. Place your pineapple into your blender.
3. Pour in half a can of coconut milk.
4. Add your frozen banana.
5. Add your coconut water ice cubes.
6. (Optional) squeeze of lime
7. Secure your blender lid & blend away till smooth.
8. Pour into a glass & enjoy!

Gluten Free Cuppa Tea - by Free From Food Blogger, Becky, UK. http://glutenfreecuppatea.co.uk/

So there you have it, who would have thought that freezing Coconut Water would be so amazing. I will definitely be trying frozen coconut water out in other smoothie recipes from now on. I am a massive coconut water fan & it is a great way of getting the coconut flavour into a smoothie.

I will always have a mighty soft spot for a Pina Colada, it is one of the worlds greatest cocktails & to be able to enjoy it whenever I fancy in a non alcoholic form is amazing. It tastes too good to be just a few simple ingredients!

What’s your favourite summer drink? Let me know… whether that be a smoothie, a cocktail, or just an ice cold lemonade! Let me know by leaving a comment below, or on Facebook/Twitter.

Thanks for watching/reading!

Becky xxx

My Pina Colada Day Smoothie Recipe

16 Top Gluten Free Recommendations & Free From Show Review 2015

So, it has been a few days since The Allergy & Free From Show now, & I thought it was the perfect opportunity to compile my thoughts about the weekend, in a Free From Show Review! Oh, & give you some Gluten Free Recommendations!

I have already put up some blogs & vlogs about The Allergy & Free From Show 2015:

• The Allergy & Free From Show 2015 – The Movie – Click Here


• Gluten Free Haul from The Allergy & Free From Show 2015 – Click Here

I thought I’d start off with a few (or a few handfuls!) of gluten free brands that really caught me eye this weekend, some were completely new to me, others I have been a huge fan of for quite a while! So here are my Gluten Free Recommendations:

1) Ananda Foods

Mark & I discovered this brand at The Allergy & Free From Show in 2013 & have loved them ever since. Gluten Free Wagon Wheels… you what? Yes for real. Gluten Free, Dairy Free & Egg Free (they are a Vegan brand).

2) B-Tempted

If you have never heard of B-Tempted before, you should have. This Allergy & Free From Show was the very first time I tried out any of their products & I am so glad I did. B-Tempted makes beautiful gluten free cakes with a hint of luxury without going over the top. The flavour combinations just work!

3) Cocoa Libre

I love everything about Cocoa Libre. All of their chocolate is gluten free but equally importantly it is also dairy free. They do amazing flavours likes milk chocolate honeycomb & also do amazing shaped chocolate (owls, sheep, chicks, bears & frogs), for the kids or the ‘big kids’ amongst us!

4) Delicious Alchemy

I have always loved Delicious Alchemy. A brand that introduced me to the wonders of rice flakes instead of oats to make porridge. They also introduced me to amazing gluten free cake & brownie mixes when I usually just make my own. These mixes are perfect to have in the cupboard & are so quick & convenient.

5) Isabel’s Cuisine Ltd

All I can say is Gluten Free & Dairy Free Doughnut Mix! I am so, so silly for not buying one of these at the show. However, Isabel’s is definitely one of my big Gluten Free Recommendations… they have so many other delicious mixes you have got to try too. (Gluten Free Dough Balls, yes!)

6) Kirsty’s

Kirsty’s is an amazing brand. Kirsty herself is a lovely human being too. I always enjoy having a chat with her at the show & this year was no exception. Her free from ready meals are tasty & full of goodness. I would highly recommend keeping your eyes peeled for even more new meals arriving soon!

7) Ms Cupcake

You can always spot the Ms Cupcake stand at any Allergy & Free From Show, you will always be able to spot Ms Cupcake herself too! She makes wonderful cakes… all of which are vegan (thus dairy free & egg free) & at the Allergy Show this time round, everything she brought along was gluten free – perfect!

8) NO.G – Too good to be gluten free

I was very excited to go and check out this stand at The Allergy & Free From Show this year. I have been a fan of their hot pies & have bought many in Sainsbury’s in the past. What was more exciting this time round was their new Sausage Rolls & Pork Pies. Both delicious – can’t wait till they hit the shelves!

9) Pudology

I’ve been a massive Pudology fan for a very long time so I had to put them in as one of my top gluten free recommendations. If you didn’t know already all of their puddings are also dairy free. I am a big fan of their Banoffee Pud, however at the show I tried their new Mango Yog & was blown away.. amazing!

10) Romeo’s Gluten Free Bakery

It was amazing to see that not only were brands coming out to say hello at the show this year but local cafes and bakeries too! Romeo’s is a completely gluten free bakery/cafe based in Islington, London. I bought enough bread to keep me going for a long while, & it’s one of the best I’ve ever had! I would highly recommend popping down to Romeo’s for some lunch, cakes, pastries or just some fresh bread ASAP!

11) Sensitive Souls

Sensitive Souls was a lovely find at The Allergy & Free From Show 2015. I heard about them a couple of days before & was determined to find them & try some treats! All gluten free, dairy free, egg free, soya free etc. I fell in love with the Millionaire Shortbread & the Rocky Road!

12) The Pastry Room

The Pastry Room is a really interesting concept that I came across for the first time at The Allergy & Free From Show. They produce a superfine, frozen pastry mix that you literally add just water to & it creates the best gluten free pastry. No defrosting needed either. It is such a simple concept & the results are delicious!

13) Venice Bakery UK

 

You’ll never have a bad gluten free pizza again if you just use Venice Pizza bases. I have loved these bases for so long. They are as authentic as they come. If you haven’t tried them before I urge you to head over to their website & grab a few. Best life decision ever.

14) Violife

I love Violife cheese. It is one of the best, most versatile dairy free cheeses around. From soft spreads, to hard cheeses. Cheddar, Mozzarella & now Parmesan.. there is something for every occasion. Click here for my latest dairy free parmesan cheese review from Violife.

15) Wholesome Bakes

Wholesome Bakes ARE the new kids on the block. I spoke to Anna at the show & she said it was one of her first days of trading. The cakes she makes are all gluten free & all dairy free, plus…. they taste insanely good. It is great to find new, small brands that boast anything but small flavours. Epic epic epic!

16) Zero Gluten Baker

I discovered the Zero Gluten Baker at The Allergy & Free From Show North in Liverpool 2014. It was their launch event. I now have my own Zero Gluten Baker & I have to say it is definitely THE BEST bread maker for making gluten free bread… & cakes! I have made a few videos all about it, click here for one of them!

So…

The Allergy & Free From Show 2015 was an amazing reminder that there are so many different brands out there. So many brands that offer us so much! I am finding it harder and harder to think of things I can no longer eat… because there so many good quality alternatives now.

I have been going to The Allergy and Free From Show for quite a few years now & every year it seems to be improving. More choice, really informative talks & so many inspirational people. I am really excited for the next one now, I hope you can make it too! Please click here to find all details for future shows.

Oh, & my top tips for future Allergy & Free From Show visits?

• Don’t bring too much with you, you need free hands!


• Use the cloak room if you do have coats or any luggage, so worth it!


• Bring bags with you, you might come away with lots of goodies!


• Bring some water, it gets really warm inside & it’s nice to just have some to hand.


• Chat to as many people & brands as possible. Everyone is lovely & you’ll find out information first about new products from the people who create it!


• Take some time out to listen to a few talks, I am a massive fan of the talks run by The IBS Network.


• Remember to bring cash, most stands only work in cash & it makes life much easier.


• Enjoy yourself & make the most of it

Let me know if you have any gluten free recommendations that you think I should check out. I’m always on the hunt. Just leave a comment below, or on Facebook/Twitter.

Thanks so much for reading, oh & if you fancy watching rather than reading head over to my YouTube channel… http://youtube.com/user/glutenfreecuppatea & subscribe to keep up to date

Becky xxx

16 Top Gluten Free Recommendations & Free From Show Review 2015