Seven of our favourite not so deadly sin free snacks and fitness facilities we’ve enjoyed so far…
Each month we get to try so many different fabulous products and invited to the latest craze fitness facilities.
Talking of deadly sins…it is nearly Halloween and we hope you are dressing up? More importantly pumpkin carving and using all the gunk inside for soups or roasted pumpkin seeds!
Lets start with our seven sin-free favourites, these are the most innovative and enjoyable health beneficial companies we’ve come across this Autumn.
Doisy and Dam
A deep and dark irresistible favourite, these are my go to when I need chocolate. Six splendid flavours all of which send the taste buds into frenzy… My favourite is ‘Mulberries, Chia Seeds and Spirulina’…but I dare you to try the chilli flakes and Hemp, this one really gives the the tongue a tingle!
A range of five handcrafted organic dark chocolate bars, packed full of innovative flavours from nature’s most delicious superfoods, including Coconut & Lucuma; Goji & Orange; Ginger, Chilli Flakes & Hemp Seed; Mulberries, Chia Seeds & Spirulina and (Great Taste Award-winning) Maca, Vanilla and Cacao Nibs. The interestingly textured, rich dark chocolate can be enjoyed on-the-go in 40g bars or, for a longer-lasting option, in 100g packs. Each bar is handmade in Norfolk, using the optimum organic ingredients, carefully sourced from all over the world; as an added health bonus – they’re also all vegan!
Created by childhood friends, Rich and Ed, the two came up with the idea to infuse chocolate with precious, nutritious ingredients, with the goal to make a chocolate that is rich and delicious but also nutritionally better for you. The bars have 70 per cent cocoa content which, as Richard explains, means there is “a lot less room for sugar and fat.”; the brand has just launched into Ocado, Whole Foods, Planet Organic, Crussh and a raft of deli and health foods stores.
www.doisyanddam.com
Sibberi Birch Water
Sibberi…what is it? This is some seriously different kind of water and the health benefits are brilliant! Autumn is the time – I suppose you would say they “harvest” their health packed sap water.
Below is exactly how they bottle the magic stuff – directly from the birch trees…
In autumn, before winter, birch trees store nutrients and vitamins to prepare for the next period of growth. When winter comes, the trees start their dormant period as their roots are packed with goodness.
In spring, warmth triggers the roots to draw spring water from the ground up into the trunk. The stored nutrients are collected and brought up to the dormant branches birch water process . The sap is naturally filtered and enriched by the tree. This spring is the magic that wakens the trees from their winter slumber, bringing the forest back to life!
The sap only flows for a short period of time. It starts when snow melts away and stops at first leaves. Because birch water tastes delicious and is also healthy for us, we stay ready and tap the sap for you when that moment comes.
As we don’t want to disturb the trees in their natural revitalising cycle , we only take a fraction of the sap and plug the hole back when we leave. The trees don’t even notice.
www.sibberi.com
Emily Fruit Crisps
Emily Fruit Crisps. These are the delightful craving cure for crisp lovers like myself. Such a lovely product range, a great energising and alternative snack… Are you ready to meet Emily?
WHO IS EMILY?
Emily is an exciting new range of snacks that have all the goodness of fruit with the crunch of a crisp. Named after one of the co-founders, these Fruit Crisps are something of a little love story. While she and her lovely partner, Alex were travelling in the Far East, they found an astonishing way of making crisps in a vacuum that preserves all the good things in fruit while still being amazingly crunchy… They decided to make their own and Alex named them after Emily so he could see her name wherever he went…
Great Taste Award 2015 winner**
Low in fat and calories
Gluten free and vegan
No added sugar
No funny stuff*
*no additives, no preservatives, kosher and halal certified
**our Crunchy Apple has been awarded Gold Star at the Great Taste Award 2015
www.emilyfruitcrisps.co.uk
Meridian Peanut Butter
Since discovering this peanut butter in Holland and Barrett, I put it in all my shakes and smoothies. It’s the perfect pre and post energy booster. Mix Meridian Peanut Butter, with dates, almond milk and a banana for a fantastic afternoon pick me up!
Peanuts, peanuts and peanuts… Just listen to all the health properties that they pack below…
Peanuts are high in protein (25% of their calories come from protein) perfect for maintaining a healthy diet.
Peanuts are a rich source of vital essential minerals which are beneficial for heart health and bones, hormone production, digestion, thyroid function and reducing anxiety.
Peanuts also contain beneficial amino acids which your body makes into the feel good brain chemical, and helps to reduce blood pressure.
Peanuts contain good levels of B vitamins, these are important for the health of your circulatory system.
At Meridian, we’re passionate about roasting peanuts with their natural skins still on. This not only locks in valuable fibre, the skins are also rich in resveratrol, an anti-oxidant that is increasingly linked to longevity and this contributes to healthy living.
(A little fact below, that we didn’t know)
By law peanut butter must be at least 90% peanuts but at Meridian, we add as little as possible to ensure the true taste. Some of our nut butter products are made with 100% skin-on peanuts and nothing else.
Make sure to store a large tub of Meridian Peanut Butter to pack that extra punch in your shakes and smoothies… or simply spread it on some wholewheat toast.
CLIF BAR
I first discovered Clif bar when I interned at a Country Club in Connecticut. The club was home to a range of world class fitness facilities and like minded athletes. Clif Bar was one of their number one choices in high packed protein bars to get a full recovery.
Clif Bar tell us that it was the first bar they made, and it’s still everything they’re about. Wholesome, organic ingredients. Performance nutrition. And great taste. Whether you’re on a 150-mile bike ride or exploring a new trail, this energy bar is built to sustain your adventure.
So happy I stumbled across Clif Bar in the UK.
www.clifbar.com
Frightfully good Fitness facilities – London.
So you’ve enjoyed some decadent treats and now it’s time to get fighting fit with two of our favourite five star fitness facilities – right here in London.
PSYCLE
First of all a firm favourite of mine has to be Psycle (I most definitely have an addiction for this place) – the atmosphere, the music and the way I feel after every session is unbeatable!
Psycle provides a full body workout on a bike that will inspire you to lead a vibrant, energetic and happy life. This isn’t like any other indoor cycling – it’s Psycle.
With no membership required, Psycle offers a totally different approach to a gym or your typical indoor cycling experience. The pay-as-you-go classes throughout the day are led by highly trained instructors with tailor-made playlists and state of the art light systems that will inspire you, help you forget the stresses of everyday life and most of all enjoy your workout.
When the lights go down, the music pumps up – #justride
They’ve even had a spooktacular special Live DJ ride for Halloween. Themed rides are a popular thing at Psycle so be sure to keep your eye out for your favourite era or artist!
Their ambition is to help you develop a strong body, sharp mind and discover new levels of health and vitality by creating the perfect environment for a community to connect, share experiences and support each other.
www.psyclelondon.com
Core Collective
Again this a completely different fitness approach. Located in the prestigious and easy accessible Kensington. The beautifully chic, yet welcoming Core Collective offer a range of classes including High intensity, athletic interval training, Their TRX Class, Straight-up spin cycling, Energise and revitalise, Focus, flow and flexibility.
I first discovered this absolute gem and what a great place it is to get in tip top shape through a fabulously healthy fitness brunch – hosted by Cope Active, the premier online destination for luxury and designer activewear. Be sure to check out www.copeactive.com
Core collective classes are taught by some the best in business. A personal favourite trainer of mine, is the crazy, cute, funny and fitness obsessed Celia Learmonth – you may know her as the London fitness guide (www.londonfitnessguide.co.uk). A true professional and all round amazing person – it’s the instructors like her that make Core Collective one of London’s leading fitness studios.
Core Collective want to emphasise there is NO COMMITMENT – JUST 100% EFFORT…
No sign-up fees. No contract. No monthly charges.
It’s fitness, evolved.
Open to all ages and fitness levels.
Join the Collective to find out more.
www.core-collective.co.uk/
By Adam Wallace
