Alice and Oscar's Quniola-

  Quinoa. What a peculiar thing it is. Looks like sand. Has a somewhat un-pronounceable name and causes so much confusion in shops when you ask for it!

Not to mention, my computer does not like it when I attempt to spell it.

    Up until a week or so ago, I'd never tried the stuff. I'd always seen it advertised as a SUPERFOOD; high in protein, gluten free, low GI, fibre, tasty and great as a side dish. The works really! However, I was always a smidge nervous. Especially at the beginning of my recovery when I was terrified of over eating or was insistent on weighing out precise serving sizes. Plus, I didn't know how to cook the stuff. Was it like rice that went to stodge when overcooked or broke your teeth and choked you if not left long enough?

All in all, quinoa was a mystery. 

But I was determined to try it and so I found Altiplans Express, Alice and Oscar's Quinola sachets. Not only had I never seen portioned sachets in the UK, but I'd never seen Pearl Quinoa, Red Quinoa or Black Quinoa!

    

 Well, I certainly was worrying about nothing all along! It's tasty and these sachets made portion control and actually making the quinoa really simple! I cut open the top and popped them into the microwave for two minutes and BISH BASH BOSH, they were ready to go.
I think that's the main reason that I liked it! Because it was really easy and useful when I was busy; I used it in a salad one day and then the other, used it as a side for some chicken with feta and roasted peppers.

    I think I'll start getting quinoa more often. The fact that is is so packed full of protein, and nutritionally balanced makes it really great for refuelling after training and it's perfectly wholesome and clean! Not to mention the fact that it is Fairtrade!
You can buy this brand online and it's currently available in a lot of stores in Ireland!!

http://altiplans.com/    @QuinolaUK   www.facebook.com/pages/Quinola

Lets Graze the days away-

    It probably doesn't come as a big shock to you that I find it hard to make simple decisions.

Whether it's buying a new perfume, deciding how to cook a sweet potato or which colour pen to bring to my lectures, I am incredibly indecisive!

I know I am not alone and there are PLENTY of people out there who really struggle to come to a conclusion or to decide on one thing.
So the very idea of a box of healthy snacks by which I have to pick and choose what I want to eat from it, my send my brain into turmoil and meltdown. The very thought of picking between this or that, gosh, the amount of pressure it could cause could end up in a very very angry Adele.
However, I don't know whether it was because the box is so damn cute and presented in such a user friendly way, or the fact that the things that came are so damn tasty, but I have had no problem with Graze Boxes.

   Hardly a 'new' product/concept to the market, Graze are evidently leading the way in providing people with naturally healthy 'lunchboxes' of snacks all health beneficial in some way, shape or form!
They put together a bespoke box of goodies for me and I was not disappointed.

     After filling in my likes dislikes online (this admittedly took me quite a long time due to my brains natural inability to overcomplicate and debate decisions to a ridiculous extent), all I did was literally sit back and wait. Two days later (excuse the shoddy lighting) and my box arrived!

- Applewood Smoke Beef Jerky, Popping corn, a Pear Tatin Berry Mix and Sticky Toffee Pudding.

Now, many of you may be saying, HOW is all of this healthy? HOW is this possible? HOW can I get my hands on some?!

     Well, I don't know the answer to the first two. It just is. Plain and simple. I have tried the jerky and the popping corn and it is safe to say that they are as tasty as they promise.

    Plus, the packaging is adorable. Who else gives you a tiny napkin and wooden spoon to enjoy your snacks on the go!? How very thoughtful.

On the website, you can find all the nutritional information (honest and healthy!) as well as being able to opt for certain things in your next boxes. They also do boxes for children now too and breakfast pots. 

It looks like Graze are not only setting the trends in this particular market, but also leading the way!

It is fairly expensive to be fair, and I don't think I would sign up to receive the snacks weekly on my student budget, but as a one off treat, I think they are a really good idea and so much better than reaching for other unhealthy and processed snacks.

graze.com/uk   facebook.com/grazeuk   @grazedotcom