Tefal One Egg Wonder

I gave the Tefal One Egg Wonder frying pan a go.

At just 12cm diameter its dinky dimensions are just right for frying a perfectly round, individual egg, but rest assured, this pan is no one-trick pony... toast pine nuts, fry off spices, sauté mushrooms and more.

With a durable Resist Plus non-stick coating inside and out, hardly any oil is needed and cleaning is easy too. An aluminium base delivers even heat distribution, and the comfy handle will stay cool during cooking.
 

The pan looked a bit silly sitting on the cooker due to it's size. On my first use of the pan, I found I'd used way too much oil, I also found the spatula I usually use was way too big. I found in the end just a teaspoon to scoop the hot oil onto the yoke was ample as the egg didn't stick and didn't need help being tipped onto my plate. It was really easy to clean after use.

The RRP is just £8 and for the features it has it is great value. It has a non-stick coating and a Thermo-Spot heat indicator to tell you when your pan has reached the right temperature. It is made from aluminium, this pan is scratch-resistant and will distribute heat evenly. It is oven safe up to 180C and is suitable for most hob types.

Part of the Ideal range, the One Egg Wonder boasts a lifetime guarantee non-stick coating and is one of a number of specialist frying pans designed to help you create your favourite dishes at home with ease.

Trufas de chocolate y aceitunas espanolas (Chocolate and Spanish olive truffles)

How about trying these fantastic Trufas de chocolate y aceitunas espanolas, courtesy of Olives from Spain and Omar Allibhoy.

It'll take approximately 6 hours, but most of that is leaving them in the fridge.

Ingredients:

• 150g double cream
• 220g of 70% dark chocolate
• 1 orange zest
• 50g of black pitted Spanish olives
• 40g of butter

Directions:

1. Take 150g of black olives and blend them into a rough paste with a food processor.
2. Place a medium sized pot with the double cream over a low heat. When this is almost at boiling point, turn off the heat and add the chopped dark chocolate, orange zest and the olive pate.
3. Mix the truffle mixture well with a spatula until you have a smooth texture.
4. The mix should still be warm, now add the chopped butter to give extra shine and silkiness to the truffles mix.
5. Cover the pot with cling film and cool down in the fridge for 5-7 hours for the mix to harden so that you can shape it into balls later on.
6. Once cool and hard, it's time to make little balls with your hands, shape the mixture and then coat them with cocoa powder.

Tip:
Place them back in the fridge to enjoy them cold, as they take longer to melt in your mouth!

Chocy Munchy Seeds

I've been eating these delicious flavoured and coated seeds from Munchy Seeds. They do a variety of fantastic flavours with various additions.

Munchy Seeds spend hours carefully blending and gently roasting premium quality seeds to make the perfect healthy snack. They have created seven moreish varieties, Some are sweet, some are savoury and some are hot! All are free from artificial colourings and preservatives and are packed with masses of flavour and goodness.
 

I very much enjoyed the Choccy Seeds with Chilli & Ginger: luxurious dark Belgian chocolate to give you a nutritious nibble with a choccy fix! Sunflower & pumpkin seeds with pieces of Crystallised ginger coated in luxury dark chilli chocolate.

Choccy Munchy Seeds: Belgian Chocolate Mix with Apricot. Sunflower & pumpkin seeds with pieces of dried apricot coated in luxury Belgium milk & dark chocolate.

Seeds are an excellent natural source of essential vitamins, minerals, oils and fibre so enjoy them as a healthy snack or sprinkle them on just about everything! They also make a perfect healthy gift.

The seeds come in a variety of sizes; from 50g snack packs to 500g tubs and even variety and combo packs to get a good variety all in one go.

Check out the health benefits: 

OMEGA MIX – the HEALTHY HEART mix, because the flaxseeds and rapeseeds are packed with omega-3 essential fatty acids (good for your cholesterol levels).
PUMPKIN MIX – the ANTIOXIDANT mix, because the pumpkin and sesame seeds are full of vitamins A and E, which protect your body’s cells from damage, reducing your risk of diseases and even help stave off the ageing process.
VANILLA PUMPKIN – the IMMUNE-BOOSTING mix, because pumpkin seeds are bursting with zinc, the chief mineral for supporting your immune system.
CHILLI MIX – the METABOLISM mix, because chillies contain capsaicin, which helps boost your metabolism and stimulates the circulation, giving you a nice warm glow.
CAJUN MIX – the GET-UP-AND-GO mix, because it’s a great source of iron, helping to stop you from getting anaemic, tired and lethargic.
ORIGINAL MIX – the SUPER-SUSTAINING mix, because it’s the richest of the mixes in protein and fibre, which is the best combination for keeping hunger at bay.
GRANOLA – the ENERGY WEAPON, thanks to the oats, which produce a trickle-feed of slow-release energy, keeping you going until your next meal (whether you’re having it for breakfast or a between meals snack/treat).
CRUNCHY BITES – the ALL PURPOSE MIX. Unsaturated fats including omega-3s for a healthy heart, filling fibre and protein, phytoestrogens for balancing female hormones, plus zinc for male fertility, and healthy immunity for everyone.
Find out more about Munchy Seeds on Twitter.

Munchy Seeds are available from Lakeland Ltd, Ocado, Waitrose and selected Tesco's & Independent stores.

Andechser Organic Lassi Smoothies

Quick! Head to Ocado to benefit from the special offer of 2 for £2 for these fantastic drinks!

These are delicious, truly delicious. I've tried both flavours and enjoyed them both. They come in 250g pots, ready to drink straight from the fridge. They are smooth, creamy, refreshing and filling - a healthy snack and drink all in one. I liked the Chai Spices flavour the best. They have a handy lid so you can have some now and some later. They are organic and vegetarian.

Andechser Organic Lassi Yogurt Smoothies combine the best of a fruit smoothie with natural yogurt to create a deliciously different drink.

Already a huge hit in Europe and set to take the UK by storm, the Lassis are made from all natural ingredients with no nasties, which means the taste comes from real fruit or spices rather than added flavours.

Based on traditional Indian Lassi, they are a blend of natural drinking yogurt, made with authentic Lassi cultures, and fruit puree or spices to create a wonderfully rich and genuinely refreshing drink that is bursting with taste.

Andechser Lassis are a delicious, nutritional alternative to fruit smoothies
and juices. Available in two varieties:

• Mango ­ made with the nutritionally rich superfruit known for its unique taste (14% Alphonso Mango)
• Chai ­ made with a traditional blend of Indian spices including cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and cloves to create a refreshingly different drink

Lassi cultures are often linked to all sorts of health benefits and may aid digestion and boost the immune system. The Lassis are also an excellent source of calcium, suitable for vegetarians and are safe for pregnant women to consume.

They are also available in Whole Foods Market, Planet Organic and selected delicatessens, fine food and health food shops in London

Linwoods Super Foods

Today I sprinkled an ingredient into my curry, mixed it in and was pleased to not notice it at all!


So, what was the point?


Well, what I added was Linwoods milled organic flaxseed. They do 9 varieties of this:

• Milled Flaxseed and Goji Berries
• Milled Flaxseed Sunflower Pumpkin and Sesame Seeds and Goji Berries
• Milled Flaxseed Walnuts Brazil Nuts Almonds and Q10
• Milled Flaxseed, Cocoa, Strawberries and Blueberries
• Milled Organic Flaxseed
• Milled Organic Flaxseed, Sunflower and Pumpkin Seeds
• Milled Organic Sunflower and Pumpkin Seeds
• Shelled Hemp
• Whole Sun-Dried Goji Berries

The one I tried today was the plain flaxseed. They recommend adding it to anything from cereal to scrambled eggs. It has very little, if any, smell and made no difference to the texture or taste of my curry. 

The Linwoods range of delicious, nutritious ‘Super Foods’ is the perfect solution for those who want to ensure that their diet comprises the essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals that can add such quality to life and living. The range of ground seeds, nuts and berries can add that healthy boost to almost everything you eat. Importantly all their products are gluten free and have no added sugar, vegetarian and vegan.

Linwoods can be found on the web, Facebook and Twitter.

How about this Beauty Boosting Strawberry Smoothie:

30g Milled Organic Sunflower and Pumpkin seeds
1 banana
1 cup of low fat milk
1 cup ice
¾ cup non fat yogurt
5-7 strawberries

Place all of the ingredients into a blender and blend for 45 seconds, or until you reach your desired. Simple!

What about stirring in a spoonful to your dinner time casserole or lunchtime salad. Start the day off right by stirring in a spoonful to your morning porridge.

So, where can you get this fantastic stuff? Well, the Linwoods range of Healthy Super Foods are available in All Supermarkets, Natures Way, Holland and Barrett, Julian Graves and Independent Health Stores. 

You may be wondering exactly what are the health benefits of these products are?

Omega 3, 6 & 9
Polyunsaturated fatty acids used by the body that may help maintain a healthy heart, health brain function and promote a health immune system. These are essential fatty acids as our body does not produce them and therefore they must be obtained through our food. Flaxseed is one of nature’s richest plant sources of Omega 3, with 7.2g of this essential fatty acid in every 30g/1oz serving.

Dietary Fibre
Their range of nutritious super foods contains Dietary Fibre - both soluble and insoluble. Insoluble Fibre aids digestion and helps maintain regularity and Soluble Fibre is absorbed by the body and helps maintain healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Antioxidants
The antioxidants found in Linwoods nutritious super foods help to maintain cell integrity within the body. The antioxidant Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps boost the immune system and maintain health hair, skin and nails.

Weight Management
Dietary Fibremay help in maintaining a healthy body weight and normal blood sugar levels. As seeds and nuts are LOW GI (Low Glycemic Index), they release energy slower into the body and therefore keep hunger at bay for longer.

Iron
Iron is an essential part of hemoglobin – a part of the red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body and is therefore necessary for energy. Iron is also necessary for the reproduction of red blood cells and Hemp is a good source of Iron.

Zinc
Zinc supports the immune system and may protect the body’s cells and tissues. Flaxseed, Sunflower, Pumpkin & Sesame Seeds & Goji Berries mix are good sources of Zinc.

Vitamin E
A powerful antioxidant that helps boost the immune system and maintain healthy hair, skin and nails.

Protein
Important for the growth of muscles, bones and skin.

Magnesium
Supports healthy bones, muscles and nerve function and is important for energy metabolism. Hemp is an excellent source of Magnesium with 35% RDI per 30g/1oz serving.

Selenium
Supports the normal function of the immune system and may protect cells and tissues from oxidative damage. Linwoods Flaxseed, Cocoa, Strawberries & Blueberries is an excellent source of Selenium with 25% of your RDI in one 30g/1oz serving.

B Vitamins
These are water soluble vitamins, meaning they are quickly depleted in the body and must be replaced regularly. Complex B vitamins can maintain healthy body metabolism by assisting in breaking carbohydrates down into glucose and converting glucose to energy. They can also maintain a healthy heart function (Vitamin B1) and the normal functioning of the nervous system. Vitamin B deficiency can lead to decreased energy production, lethargy and fatigue.

Co-Enzyme Q10
Co-Q10 occurs naturally in the body but natural production declines with age so dietary sources are important to help maintain adequate levels. Co-Q10 contributes to the production of energy in every cell in the body and improves the way the body functions. It is also a highly effective antioxidant.

Most commonly recognized as a supplement in tablet form and also as an ingredient in some cosmetic products, Linwoods have now added Q10 to Flaxseed, Almonds, Brazil Nuts and Walnuts; making it easier and more convenient for you to get your daily intake of Co-Q10 in your diet.

Cocoa
You can now enjoy the luxurious taste of cocoa knowing you are fortifying your diet with essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Cocoa contains Flavanols which are highly effective antioxidants that may help maintain a healthy heart and efficient circulation throughout the body. Just one serving (30g/1oz) of this delicious mix gives you the same antioxidnats as 2 x Grapefruits, 3 x Apples, 10 x Tomatoes, 3 x Brocolli, 1 x Cabbage and 6 x Carrots!

Higher Nature

Today I've been trying some of Higher Nature's Omega Excellence range. They have a variety of products combining superb quality organic oils, butter and seeds.

Higher Nature, renowned in the UK as experts in nutrition and optimal health solutions, is delighted to present, a delicious range of organic, premium-quality oils, vinegars, butters and seeds.

Their range:

• Organic Wild Pomegranate Balsamic Vinegar
• Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
• Organic Cold Pressed Walnut Oil
• Organic Cold Milled Flax Seeds
• Organic Raw Walnut Butter
• Organic Sprouted Flax Seeds
• Organic Cold Milled Hemp Protein
• Organic Flax Seed Oil
• Organic 3:6:9 Balance Oil
• Organic Pumpkin Seed Butter
• Organic Coconut Butter
• Organic Hemp Seed Oil
• Organic Virgin Coconut Butter

You can store them all in the cupboard until you open them - no need for refrigeration.They all come in a very distinctive blue PET pot, which exclude 100% light which keeps them in great condition for longer. It's also fully recyclable and non-toxic. All the products are organic as well as vegetarian and vegan so they are suitable for anyone. They are endorsed by Chris Horridge the Michelin starred chef.

The Omega Excellence range is now finding its way into the most revered health food stores, farm shops and kitchens of leading nutritionists and discerning chefs. All of the products are made from premium-quality nuts, seeds and vinegars, are vegan and are certified organic. What’s more, the ingredients are sourced, wherever possible, from the UK and Europe to continue to reduce Higher Nature’s carbon footprint. The packaging is also recyclable and heat- and light-stable, giving the products a much longer shelf life – and there’s no need to refrigerate them before use, either!

I've been using the Organic Coconut Butter. You can use in in place of margarine or butter and it tastes just fine spread on bread, you wouldn't know it was coconut. It is a little awkward to spread as it's 'crumbly' but soon softens up - much easier than butter. You can use it in baking and works great in biscuits, cakes, muffins, pies and pancake batter.

It doesn't contain sugar, salt, starch, soya, yeast, gluten, corn, lactose, dairy products, colours, preservatives or flavourings.

Coconut butter is a safe and healthy cooking oil - it doesn't create toxic trans-fats when warmed and doesn't raise cholesterol levels. It is rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which is an excellent source of energy and may also aid in weight management. They also do a version that still has the coconut aroma and flavour.

It's available in 200g or 400g jars.



Organic Wild Pomegranate Balsamic Vinegar is made from the freshly squeezed juice of organically harvested Pomegranates grown wild in Europe.

Try mixing into salad dressings, marinades, sauces, soups, stews, and other savoury dishes. Drizzle on to sliced strawberries, kiwis, raspberries or peaches or for a refreshing drink, add a teaspoon or two to a cup of hot or cold water.
Their Organic Hemp Seed Oil has Omega 3, 6 and 9 oils, it has natural occurring ingredients which are important for healthy hormone balance, skin and joints. 

You can use it in salads, on vegetables and blended into drinks adding a distinct ‘earthy’ flavour. It is 100% organic and is ideal for healthy hormone balance, skin, circulation, nerve function and immunity The Omegas 3 and 9 help you with a healthy heart, arteries, brain and flexible joints, all in perfect balance and is cholesterol-free.

You can follow Higher Nature on twitter: @HigherNatureUK
Or visit their site: www.highernature.co.uk where they offer free 1st class postage on all UK orders.

Olives from Spain

I'd like to tell you about Olives from Spain who are encouraging Brits across the country to shake up lunch and dinner times. They've got Omar Allibhoy, the celeb chef, as seen on This Morning and dubbed the Antonio Banderas of cooking by Gordon Ramsey, on board who has created some great recipes for us all to enjoy at home.

Omar wants to address the misconception that the majority of the world's olives are produced in Greece and Italy, when it is in fact Spain accounts for 40% of the world's total. Spain has a long tradition when it comes to growing olive trees and harvesting their fruit. Generation after generation, Spain produces the highest quality olives - the hours of sunshine, short winters and perfect soils make Spanish olives the most juicy and tasty in the world. Elegant and delicious, simple and sophisticated; olives from Spain are loved by adults and children alike.

Omar has made numerous TV appearances including Market Kitchen, Masterchef and This Morning and has now exclusively developed five delicious recipes, using the finest olives from Spain, to show us Brits how to get creative in the kitchen with this wonderful ingredient.

Want to experience the true taste of Spain? Enter their fantastic competition to win a trip to the land of the olive, and also a ‘money can’t buy’ session in the kitchen with their olive expert, Omar Allibhoy.

You can find out more about Olives from Spain on twitter: @taste_of_spain or on Facebook.