Tag: tasty

Blog

Foodie Finds – October 2018

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These posts seem to be getting later and later :’) Since starting my third year of uni, I feel like my dissertation is taking over, but I know it will be so worth it in the end! Also, how is it Christmas next month?! Crazyy! I was only able to find a few things this month as most of my time was sat in front of my laptop, but here are the goodies!

1) Nature Valley Salted Caramel, Pretzel, and Almond Popcorn Bar45747793_272937843350503_7681665157696585728_n

I thought this was quite different compared to your standard cereal bar. The texture is so light, and it tastes delish. Each bar has 89 calories which is so good for how yummy it tastes. Would recommend as a light pre-workout snack.

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2) Asda Reduced Sugar Granola

I have been on the hunt for a low sugar granola forever! A lot of people think granola is healthy, and although what it’s composed of is (to some degree), the amount of sugar that gets added counteracts this. There is only 1.1g of sugar per 45g of this which is so good when considering other granolas can be around 10g of sugar! You get exactly what it says with this, a natural tasting, and low sugar, granola perfect for adding to greek yoghurt.

3) Engevita Yeast flakes, B1245797654_894882637368939_4760867549925605376_n

Admittedly it does look and smell a bit like fish food, but I’ve been adding it to every dinner and I love it. The only way to describe the flavour is that is taste’s a bit like cheddar!  I think it adds depth to any dish without being as calorie dense as cheese. Also, research suggests that it can lower your cholesterol and boost immunity, so it’s a good thing to be adding to your meals.

45740567_259402118076348_5332040342789160960_n4)  FibreOne Triple Chocolate Cake Bar

You know when Fibre One comes out with something new, it will be a winner. This is so chocolatey and delicious, that it tastes like it should be way more calories than what it actually is. How they managed to make it taste so good for only 89 calories is a mystery! It is like eating a chocolate brownie but with added crunchy bits…yum!

Thank you for reading,

Jazzy B ❤

Blog

Foodie Finds – September 2018

jazzybfit

A little bit late with posting this, but better late than never! This shows what a busy month September was for me, but probably the best month of the year so far! I went to Egpyt for a holiday which was incredible, I turned 21, and to top it all off I also started my third year of uni!

But I’m officially back and full of blog ideas! Despite this busy month, I still managed to find some goodies…

1) Whey Box cookies & cream protein sachets43356915_312586136236288_6768224763157413888_n

I wanted to include this mainly due to the convenience that this gives. I bought two sachets to take on holiday with me, as you never know where you are going to get your protein from when abroad :’) I rate the protein highly on taste, texture, and it also mixes well, so it’s a good option for if you want a quick protein hit on the go.

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2) Fulfil chocolate hazelnut whip

One of the best protein bars I have had! I’m a big fan of the hazelnut and chocolate combo and this really does it justice, I don’t think I’ve ever tasted a more chocolatey protein bar than this. Whenever I see it when I’m out, I just have to buy it :’) Definitely would recommend if you’re a Nutella fan!

 

3) Minimoos vegan honeycomb chocolate bar43318838_276645512971876_621280454024101888_n

I was craving some chocci, and this somehow managed to find it’s way into my basket! This was my first time trying any vegan or gluten-free chocolate, and I certainly couldn’t taste any differences. I think the honeycomb is a great addition to this bar, it’s a yes from me! Also, I think it’s the perfect size as I realise with myself I can’t open a bar of chocolate and finish it all…so you’ll be safe with this if you’re like me!

43313674_296929884472683_5817522220200624128_n4) Fulfil triple chocolate deluxe protein bar

Back at it again with another protein bar (help!). I’ve been looking out for this one for quite a long time, and it didn’t disappoint. I like fulfil bars because of the added vitamins that they include, which other bars often don’t. Very chocolatey, very delish = a chocoholics dream.

 

5) Candy Kittens Eton mess43437576_269592967020590_8240858440663040000_n

Saving the naughtiest until last! Someone actually bought these for me, but when I tried them they just had to feature in the foodie finds! Eton mess is one of my favourite summer desserts and these sweets do it justice, for sure! Also, they are vegetarian and gluten-free.

Thank you for reading,

Jazzy B ❤

 

Blog, Treats

Vegan Biscoff Tiffin

jazzybfit

OH. MY. probably the best tiffin I have ever tasted! First of all, I should really explain what Tiffin is, as I was unaware of how many people hadn’t heard of it before! It is a dessert typically made from crushed biscuits, golden syrup, raisins, and chocolate. I think the texture is what makes tiffin so unique as it melts in the mouth, but you also get a juicy burst of flavour from the raisins and a sweet crunch from the biscuits.

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Tiffin is one of my favourite things to make because it is hassle-free, and doesn’t require lots of ingredients. It’s one of those desserts that you can guarantee will go down a treat!

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I’m collaborating with the lovely Blogtastic food to vegan-ify some classic desserts and sweet treats, and so naturally I wanted to put a vegan spin on one of my favourites. This tiffin is made using Biscoff (yes, they’re actually vegan!), and I think it only adds to the flavour! Sometimes tiffin can be quite rich, but I find with the addition of biscoff biscuits it balances out the sweetness from the chocolate.

When I shared this with family and friends, I didn’t tell anyone that it was vegan. I think people always expect to taste a difference between vegan and non-vegan desserts, but with this tiffin, you really can’t! I was actually told it tasted better!

Ingredients:

(makes 9 squares)

  • 4.5 tbsp of agave nectar
  • 150g of unsalted butter (I used dairy free flora)
  • 250g of vegan chocolate (put 50g aside)
  • 50g of white chocolate
  • 250g of biscoff biscuits, 100g put aside
  • 150g rich tea biscuits

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Method:

  1. Measure out all your ingredients beforehand and line a square tin with greaseproof paper or cling film (I used clingfilm) with enough to overhang the tin.
  2. Place a glass bowl over a barely simmering pan of hot water and add the 200g of chocolate, butter, and agave nectar until melted. Leave to cool for 15-20 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, crush the biscuits in a food bag until there are no large pieces of biscuits left.
  4. In a separate bowl add all the dry ingredients (raisins, rich tea biscuits, biscoff, and remaining chocolate, broken into pieces) and mix.
  5. Once the chocolate has cooled, gradually add the dry mix, until it starts to come together.
  6. Spoon into a square tin, and pack the mixture down with the back of a spoon, then leave to chill in the fridge for 2 hours.
  7. Melt the remaining milk chocolate to coat the top of the tiffin, then once completely set, repeat for the white chocolate and drizzle all over.

In terms of storing the Tiffin, this all comes down to preference! If you like a bit of bite to your tiffin store it in the fridge, but otherwise, it’s perfectly fine out of the fridge. To serve, I crumbled biscoff on top and topped with raspberries, but you could also serve with a scoop of ice cream.

I hope you like this recipe,Vegan-Lemon-Meringue-Pie-Marked-2-632x741

Jazzy B ❤

 

For more vegan dessert inspo be sure to check out this lemony goodness!

Below are the links to all of the delicious vegan desserts that are also part of this collaboration:

JULIAJulia from Julia Recipes who has made a coconut-lime vegan tart that looks incredible!

 

A slice of honey

Sarah from Slice of Honey has made some vegan shortbread cookies with a dark chocolate drizzle

 

 

Ally from Allybakes has made a ginger coconut ALLYpear cake – I bet this tastes amazing!

 

 

 

Anthea from SaltyBiscotti has made a Antheavegan chocolate salami

 

 

 

img_1801Winola from The foodscape has made this delicious vegan banoffee pie

 

 

mayaMaya from Maya’s Beehive has made a blackberry pie with a walnut crumble

 

 

cupcakesTeresa from Cupcakes and Couscous has made a chocolate caramel tart…how amazing does this look?!

 

 

strudelKathy has created something different with her berry and brie vegan strudel!

 

Reka from Holy Whisk Blog has made some beetroot brownies holy

 

 

 

Marie from Sugar Salt Magic has made a vegan lemon coconut frangipane tart vegan lemon

 

Blog

Foodie Finds – June 2018

jazzybfit

Thank you, UK for actually giving us a nice summer this year! This is the first summer that I’m actually thankful that I’ve booked a holiday for later in the year, so to make the most of this lovely weather! Overall, June has been a pretty good month…and not a bad football score either (not including the recent match… still all to play for yet! :’)). Also, I’m currently on my summer break from uni, so stay tuned for some interesting blog posts. Let’s get into this months foodie finds…

1) Livias Kitchen Nugglets36357148_2012027658871483_2468014707953369088_n

Probably my favourite Livias kitchen product that I’ve tried! I love the raw chocolatey flavour that they have and that they have no refined sugars in them. They are coated in chocolate also, making them so tasty.  I would definitely give them a go if you are looking for a healthier alternative to satisfy your sweet cravings! If you’re looking to buy these, I got mine from Sainsbury’s, but Boots also sell them.

36224627_2012028325538083_1544847028532543488_n.jpg2) Tesco Naan Crackers

I am so obsessed with these things, and I’m not sure why as they aren’t exactly anything special :’) They literally are crackers that taste like Naan bread…I think it’s because I love the flavours of Indian cuisine (especially naan bread) so these were bound to be a winner from the start. I have tried both the multiseed naan crackers and the tandori crackers and both are divine. For £1.35 I would give them a go, and see if you become as obsessed as I am :’)

3) Pikelets36320218_2012027678871481_2544576571633565696_n.jpg

I had never heard of these before and had to give them a try. They are a cross between a pancake and a crumpet but taste more savoury than a pancake with the texture of a crumpet. Overall, I’d say they are very plain tasting but the concept is novel!

 

36258397_2012027892204793_3033838703165308928_n4) Hartleys Cloudy Jelly 

I saw these in Tesco and as the flavours sounded different I wanted to try them out! I picked up the raspberry lemonade and the elderflower lemonade flavours. My favourite flavour was definitely the elderflower one as it wasn’t too sweet, but both make perfect summery flavours.

Thank you for reading,

Jazzy B ❤

Blog

Foodie Finds – May 2018

jazzybfit

Where is this year going?! It is crazy to think I have nearly finished my second year at uni! With that being said, I am more than ready to have a break! :’) I managed to find some unusual treats this month such as Mochi, cacao nibs, and edamame pasta. Here are my foodie finds for May;

33691138_1961611787246404_8929202309343215616_n1) Bulkpowders Chocolate Orange Cookie

Yum. This is a soft protein cookie, containing over 27g of protein, that tastes so good! I love the chocolate and orange combo so this was bound to be a winner for me, but if that’s not your thing they also do a white chocolate and raspberry cookie. If you like soft cookies, you will love this. It costs £2.49 for one cookie, and although this may seem a bit pricey you do get a lot of protein for that…think of the macros! 😉

2) Sunwave Mochi Assortment33661822_1961612090579707_3655008531716767744_n

I first had Mochi ay Yosushi! and I honestly loved it so much I had to get some more. I actually bought this from Amazon (Here is the link if you’re curious ;)). The flavours here were red bean, peanut, and sesame.

Although this isn’t as nice as fresh Mochi, it still resembles it very well. I think I like this so much because it is the weirdest food I have ever had as the texture is so strange and chewy! Mochi is a soft ball of ground rice which is typically filled with a red or black bean centre and dusted with either cocoa powder, matcha powder, or potato starch. It originates from Japan, where they value the texture just as much as the flavour, which is what makes it so unique!

33657762_1961611887246394_350614015916900352_n3) Bulkpowders Wholemeal and Oat  Bagel

I love this idea of a high-protein carb, as it makes post-workout snacks so much easier! You get four in a pack, which costs £3.49, and each bagel has over 21g of protein. However, they are quite dry if you were to eat them without toasting them and topping them with something tasty. Nonetheless, I would get them again just because it makes life easier! I topped my bagel with almond butter, banana slices, desiccated coconut and cacao nibs.

4) Livias Kitchen Raw Millionaire Bites33464576_1961611797246403_1088987952878452736_n

These are so dreamy! They are chocolate orange flavoured mini brownies, with an oat base, a date ‘caramel’ centre and are topped with a raw chocolate brownie. Healthy alternatives to unhealthy treats are the best, especially when they taste as good as this. You get three in a pack, and although they are quite small they are very rich and so this makes them perfect to satisfy your sweet cravings!

33830480_1961611973913052_4659049895565459456_n5) Edamame Pasta

I actually posted a recipe for this last week using mackerel, olives, tomatoes, and lots of others yummy ingredients. If you want to check that out, I’ll link it here. You can get this spaghetti virtually anywhere now such as Holland & Barrett, Tesco, and Aldi (where I get mine from costing £1.99). It’s so versatile you can literally sub it for pasta if you’re looking to up the protein and lower the carbs of any dish. Other kinds of spaghetti similar to this include soybean and black bean, which both taste equally as good!

6) Bulkpowders Organic Cacao Nibs33766983_1961611920579724_966858865599578112_n

I promise this post isn’t sponsored by Bulkpowders…they just had a very good sale on at the time I placed my order :’). Although they do sound a lot like cow nips, these are actually a raw, chocolate superfood. They come from the seeds of the fruit of the cacao tree. In terms of antioxidants, they have more than green tea, blueberries, and goji berries also, they are rich in sulfur and magnesium. A lot of people get confused between cocoa and cacao, so to clarify cacao is a more natural form of the cacao bean, that undergoes less processing than cocoa which dramatically increases the nutritional benefits. So cacao nibs are just one form that cacao beans can take. I will top my porridge with them or add them to Greek yoghurt for an intense chocolate hit.

Thank you for reading,

Jazzy B ❤

 

 

Dinner, Recipies

Edamame Pasta Dish

jazzybfit

I’ve recently become so obsessed with using pasta alternatives such as edamame or black bean spaghetti! I prefer it to whole wheat spaghetti, as it actually offers nutritional benefits such as 22g of protein per 50g (amazing!) plus it’s also lower in carbohydrates, with only 16g per 100g.  Also, it is gluten-free, vegan, and a great source of fiber! Basically, I have come to love the stuff and so I really wanted to share a yummy recipe with you all so you could give it a go too!

This dish is one of my absolute favourites to make because it is quick, simple, and budget-friendly. You can find the pasta alternative in most supermarkets such as Aldi and Tesco, if not you can buy it online from Holland & Barrett.

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Ingredients:

  • Edamame or black bean spaghetti
  • Tinned mackerel in tomato sauce
  • Sundried tomatoes
  • Fresh tomatoes
  • Red or white onions (diced)
  • Garlic
  • paprika
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Basil (fresh)
  • Olives
  • Spinach

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Method:

  1. In a frying pan sauté the onions for a few minutes, then add the fresh tomatoes and fry for a further two minutes
  2. Meanwhile, bring a pan of water to the boil and add the spaghetti (this cooks very quickly, and so it should only take between 5-8 minutes
  3. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add it to to the frying pan
  4. turn the heat down to a lower setting, and add all other remaining ingredients and spices
  5. Serve and enjoy!

(I also added mushrooms and mangetout to my dish!)

Macros:

  • 319 calories (per serving, sharing the mackerel between two dishes)
  • 14.9g carbs
  • 10.2g Fat
  • 31.9g protein

 

You can also add any other veggies to this dish such as broccoli or top the dish with avocado, which also works really well. I hope you enjoy this healthy pasta dish,

Jazzy B ❤

Blog

Foodie Finds – April 2018

jazzybfit

April saw sunny weather, my first cheerleading competition, and lots and lots of uni deadlines. But, I still managed to find lots of goodies for you this month…definitely, a chocolatey theme going on this month! ❤

1) Tesco Dark Chocolate and Peanut Bar 31369537_1922746384466278_7023050850775859200_n

This makes the perfect on-the-go snack and is also a great post-workout snack due to the high-ish protein content from the peanuts. Compared to other cereal bars, this one is good in terms of sugar, containing less than 7g per bar. The flavour is really nice if you like that peanut and dark chocolate combo (which I definitely do), but it is very chewy.

31354662_1922745437799706_5028719251150602240_n2) Tetley Mango and Passion Fruit Green Tea

I love finding new summery flavours of green tea. I’ve tried so many but thought this flavour duo was quite novel. In all honesty, this just tastes like fruity green tea, nothing too special. However, it still makes a nice alternative to ordinary green tea.

 

3) Siro Sugar-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies.31265279_1922746327799617_8837376084648394752_n

Amazing. I love that companies are coming out with more sugar-free alternatives, especially with things that you would least expect such as this! Considering they have no refined sugars in, I think they taste incredible. I love to crumble one on my porridge in the mornings as they are so good. I highly recommend these!

31381231_1922745734466343_4619370827316461568_n4) Rhythm 108 Praline Bar

I’m always on the lookout for healthier alternatives to chocolate, and this one certainly comes close. It contains 47% less sugar than your average chocolate, it’s also vegan, gluten-free, organic…basically everyone can eat this! I couldn’t taste the difference between this and a normal chocolate bar, seriously good!

5) Doisy & Dam Chocolate Snaps31434445_1922746417799608_7271810365808181248_n

Definitely saving the best for last. Wow. I know there has been a lot of hype about their chocolate, but I thought it was just another fancy dark chocolate brand filling the shelves. Most definitely not! I love their creative flavour combinations, this one was maple, pink salt, and toasted rice – honestly one of the best dark chocolates I’ve ever had. I will be getting another lot soon, as I ate this pretty quickly. Plus the packaging is so pretty too. Please give this a go!

Thank you for reading,

Jazzy B ❤

Blog

The Impact of Diet on Mental Health

jazzybfit

Yes, food really does affect your mood.

When you think about what effects your mental health, the typical answers are stress, self-esteem, and relationship issues, to name but a few, however, we often underestimate the impact that food has on our mental health. When you consider the science behind it and the growing evidence that food has a greater effect on our mental health than we give credit for, I think we could all check what we are fuelling our bodies with.

There is no doubt that what we eat has an impact on our mental health, this link has been proven repeatedly. A review of studies looking into the issue of diet and mental health found that regular consumption of a Western diet (a diet consisting of highly processed and sugary foods) increased the risk of depression (O’Neil et al., 2014). Moreover, a poor diet is proven to impact biological mechanisms that are commonly associated with depression such as impacting the immune system and altering the levels of certain brain proteins potentially leading to depressive symptoms (O’Neil et al., 2014). This further strengthens the link between diet and mental health.

Moreover, some of the factors that contribute to poor mental health, such as stress, have been proven to influence food preferences. For example, a study by Kandiah, Yake, and Meyer (2006) found that when participants were not exposed to stress they made healthy dietary choices 80% of the time compared to when participants were exposed to stress, which they made healthy food choices only 33% of the time. This highlights an issue, the fact that something like stress can lead to poor mental health, yet when we experience stress we tend to eat unhealthier options, also negatively impacting our mental health. Therefore, healthier dietary choices could break this cycle as evidenced by Ansari, Adetunji, and Oskrochi (2014) who found that when fruit and vegetables weren’t consumed on a regular basis, there was a greater association with experiencing more depressive symptoms for both males and females.

Although there is little research on a diet that has been proven to reduce the likelihood of depressive symptoms and promote better mental health, there have been studies conducted on specific foods. For example, the following foods have all been linked to better mental health when in their raw form; carrots, bananas, apples, dark leafy greens like spinach, grapefruit, lettuce, citrus fruits, fresh berries, cucumber, and kiwifruit (Brookie, Best & Conner, 2018).

I hope you found this an interesting read,

Jazzy B ❤

References:

Kandiah, J., Yake, M., & Meyer, M. (2006). Stress influences appetite and comfort food preferences in college women.  Nutrition Research, 28(1), 118-123. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2005.11.010 

Ansari, W.E, Adetunji, H., Oskrochi, R. (2014). Food and mental health: Relationship between food and perceived stress and depressive symptoms among university students in the United Kingdom. Central European Journal of Public Health, 22(2), 90-97.

O’Neil, A., Quirk, S.E., Houseden, S., Brennan, S.L., Williams, L.J., Pasco, J.A., Berk, M., & Jacka, F.N.(2014). Relationship between diet and mental health in children and adolescents: A Systematic Review. The American Journal of Public Health, 104(10).

Brookie, K.L., Best, G.I., Conner, T.S. (2018). Intake of raw fruits and vegetables is associated with better mental health than intake of processed fruits and vegetables. Frontiers in Psychology, 9(1). doi: https://doaj.org/article/956172bb66c747b1a3efbf9a4a4d9023

Lunch, Recipies

The Best Cheese on Toast

jazzybfit

This is definitely not your average cheese on toast, but if you love cheese on toast and fancy trying a new version, this is the one for you. I wouldn’t normally do a blog post on how to make cheese on toast, but as this taste so incredible I had to share it with you. Think of it as gourmet cheese on toast 😉

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Ingredients:

  • x2 anchovy fillets
  • grated mature cheddar
  • cracked black pepper
  • fresh basil leaves
  • finely chopped red onion
  • black olives
  • guacamole (optional)

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Method:

  1. Prep the ingredients.
  2. On lightly toasted bread place the cheese, olives, anchovy, red onion, basil, and black pepper.
  3. Grill for 5 minutes and serve with guacamole.

I Hope you enjoy this funky recipe,

Jazzy B ❤

 

Blog

Foodie Finds – March 2018

jazzybfit

Here are my foodie finds for the month of March. For me, March signifies the start of spring and better weather (not to mention the chocci easter eggs which I hope you’re all enjoying this weekend).

1) White chocolate whey ballsFullSizeRender

These are from Bulkpowders and are amazing! The best way to describe them would be like Maltesers, but with more crunch. I love how versatile they are, and they make the perfect sweet treat and taste great when added to porridge. They cost £10.99, but you do get 500g for this price, and they are so worth it!

download2) Fellow Sugar-free cola bottles

I always see these sweets flying around Instagram, and had to give them a try. Considering they are sugar-free, gelatine free, and gluten free they taste pretty good! The only difference I found is that they were chewier than standard cola bottles, which is good considering they are free-from just about everything! You can pick them up from Sainsbury’s and Holland & Barrett.

3) Belvita Soft BakesIMG_1914

Although definitely not the healthiest thing, I have always wanted to try these and I can’t deny that they taste amazing! It’s like a cross between a flapjack and a cake with a chocolate filling, and you certainly can’t go wrong with that.

 

IMG_3370[1]4) LoveCorn BBQ roasted corn

I picked this pack up from Sainsbury’s and was pleasantly surprised. The texture was a lot crunchier than what I thought it would be, and the BBQ flavour was so intense. Also, the company uses all-natural ingredients and the flavour comes from the spices that they use, so worth a try.

5) Halo Top Peanut Butter cup Ice creamIMG_3372[1]

SO worth the hype. I don’t know how they do it, but it tastes incredible! If you love your ice cream, I highly recommend this…plus at only 320 calories per tub, it’s guilt-free. I also saw they had other flavours like cookie dough, mint chocolate chip, and classic vanilla. You need to try this!

Thank you for reading and I hope you try some of these goodies,

Jazzy B ❤