Far Side Cold Brew Coffee

Do you ever get the feeling that the very human need to enjoy some of our simple daily pleasures, is being slowly eroded away by reports that we shouldn’t be eating this or applying that because if it isn’t destroying the planet, then it is probably destroying us? Take the glorious indulgence of our routine grabbing of the 'first thing in the morning skinny latté with an extra shot’ - and judging by the desperation on some faces at The Amazing Blog we should perhaps make that ‘the glorious addiction…’ whichever noun applies here, the concept remains the same.

However, what if we were to tell you of a coffee company that could sweep away any feelings of guilt in one delicious and prolonged gulp, meet Far Side Coffee. For with every sip that is savoured, we are supporting an incredible initiative, engaging with members of The International Women’s Coffee Alliance which brings ‘every woman together in the coffee sector from Crop to Cup, by transforming their lives and wellbeing through strong relationships at regional and global levels’. However, maybe some background on Far Side Coffee would be appropriate here, as the company clearly shares their mission with this global movement of the empowerment women across the board. Founded by Kadie Regan just two years ago, Far Side Coffee began from a need to swig a really good brew … does that sound familiar? Some of us, simply pop in to grab a cup from our favourite barista, but Kadie went a whole other route further, brewing her libation from fresh, and distributing it locally throughout the South West of the UK. In order to expand to further markets, Kadie needed to prolong the coffee’s shelf life, but without compromising the cold brew process or adding any ‘nasties’. In 2018, the process was completed, giving a stable shelf life and no changes to the process or indeed flavour.

The results speak for themselves, and at our fingertips, we have a choice of two to enjoy - the Peruvian Cold Brew which offers up some intriguingly bold flavours and the Rwanda Cold Brew, which is an altogether more mellow journey with hints of maple nectar and a burst of lemon. However, the Peruvian probably nudges to the top of our chart for it’s darkly bold taste, with an unexpected top note of orange peel. For those who believe their coffee can only come hot in a cardboard cup, we urge you to give one of these two beauties a try. Despite their very different flavours, with each bottle containing the equivalent of 3 shots of espresso in caffeine content,.they are wonderfully refreshing (obviously drunk cold), which gives us the hit we need at whatever time of the day.

Priced at around the cost of our aforementioned latté, these goodies can be purchased in a pack of 12 for £36, or a pack of 4 for £13 from their online shop here where there is also an option to order a box of 12 containing a handy mix of origins. And in case the Taste Police are watching, they are all vegan, sugar, dairy AND gluten free, meaning a hit of the rich stuff comes without the pangs of guilt.

Watermans Hair Growth Shampoo and Conditioner

Many of us have the same problem when it comes to haircare - we simply have too much. Endless bottles of cremes, mousses and gels litter our shower racks, and we must confess that some of them have never even been opened. We therefore decided to take decisive action at The Amazing Blog, to find minimal products that encourage your natural hair to shine, without the need to buy the entire haircare aisle. Our solution against hair loss, is the UK based company, Watermans, who have created an award-winning hair growth system pack. This includes their Hair Growth Shampoo and Conditioner, both packed with ingredients that make our scalps tingle, encouraging our hair grow to grown both quicker and stronger. Thank goodness for biotin, caffeine and argan oil!

Founded by husband and wife, Matt and Gail Waterman, the brand aims to provide haircare products that promote faster and thicker hair growth. This is something they have achieved, with sulphate and paraben free products that have grown the brand to become a household name. The Hair Growth Shampoo and Conditioner are full of DHT blocking ingredients (dihydrotestosterone, an androgen hormone responsible for androgenetic alopecia and pattern hair loss), which help to combat hair loss during pregnancy, menopause and in some cases, alopecia. With a unique formula which supplies oxygen to the follicles, this range gives brittle and weak hair new strength, fighting dandruff, flaking skin and itchy scalps.

Focusing on the Grow Me Shampoo, we were pleased to see that it is gender and race neutral, giving everyone the opportunity to presume wonderfully thick and long hair. By stimulating the cell metabolism and providing oxygen, the shampoo helps with undiagnosed scalp problems and hormonal imbalances that can cause hair loss. With the use of biotin, caffeine, argan oil, rosemary oil, you’ll need to leave the product on the scalp for 3-4 minutes to reap the full benefits - giving you plenty of time to sing your heart out. The Cholesterol Conditioner, with caffeine and rosemary extracts, contains a special anti-hair loss formula which boosts our hair, by replenishing and nourishing from roots to tip. To achieve the best results, the products are recommended to be used four times a week for 30-60 days.

We’re already sold, but if you're not sure, then this UK based company is listed by PETA as a business friend, highly against animal testing. If you’re as excited as we are about these products, then you can purchase Watermans' Hair Growth System Pack, containing both the Shampoo and Conditioner (250ml each) for £21.95 here.

Clear Coffee

If you, like us at The Amazing Blog, need coffee to get through the day but you worry about the inevitable teeth staining, you need to know about the first colourless coffee drink in the world; Clear Coffee. It’s a great option for that much-needed caffeine kick we crave. Forget having your coffee black or white, venture out and give clear a go!

Don’t let appearances deceive you though. It certainly doesn’t taste like water. You get the reviving boost of a double espresso, alongside a refreshing taste. Clear Coffee is made from simple ingredients, including water, coffee beans and natural caffeine, and that’s all. There are not any preservative, added aromas, sugar or sweetener. The coffee beans are high quality, freshly roasted Arabica beans. The unique taste and aroma is the result of a coffee processing method that had never been used before. Owing to the lack of artificial sweeteners, the drink is unusually sour and tangy, but it’s a moreish taste that we’re intrigued by. Our favourite way to have it is ice cold straight from the fridge, or in a cheeky little cocktail.

In short, you get a natural, refreshing coffee drink with few calories that won’t stain your teeth!

If you fancy trying out this unusual drink, you can purchase them from their Amazon page for £8.49 for a pack of 2 here or £15.99 for 4 here.

ManCave Shampoo

Being the ONLY male in the office of The Amazing Blog has its ups and has its downs at times. Mainly in my time, here it has been filled with plenty of ups. The girls have helped me transform into a dapper young gent (If I might say!) They have nurtured me into knowing how to perfect my daily regimen. I now know the values of a good moisturiser, skin care and  hair care… I never took much pride in my hair before now, until I was introduced to ManCave Shampoo. To kick-start my day, I decided to lather, rinse and repeat with ManCave. I dispensed penny-sized amount into my palm and started the three-step process. The shampoo had a great, clean scent that grasped my attention right from the start. My hair felt extremely soft and silky once washed. I never thought I would use a word like silky to describe my mane! In addition to the softness, my hair felt light, as opposed to it's usual heaviness. The texture the shampoo gave my hair also made it significantly easier to style. With the contribution of Caffeine, L-arginine, Shea Butter, Panthenol and 12 Essential Oils, the shampoo helps men gently cleanse their scalps, whilst strengthening their hair during the process. I have no complaints from this product. It’s worth keeping in my eyes. It has treated my hair with the utmost care.

ManCave Shampoo is available on their website as well at your local Sainsbury’s for £ 5.50. If looking for any other "manly" grooming products like body wash and moisturiser; definitely look towards the direction of ManCave.

ManCave Moisturiser

Since I work with a bunch of girls, I often get forced to try different kinds of skincare products for men. Well, I guess I shouldn’t say “forced”, since I will admit,  I have started to take a slight interest in my own skincare routine. All I hear day in and day out are beauty tips, so I’m guessing some of them are beginning to sink in. The one tip that has always been stressed is the importance of a good moisturiser. I just can’t seem to get that tip out of my head, so when ManCave Moisturiser arrived at The Amazing Blog office, I was eager to try it out.

I decided to use ManCave in the morning during usual skincare routine. After shaving and washing my face I used a small amount of the moisturiser on both my face and neck. The texture was nice and did not feel too heavy on my skin, which is one that thing that I absolutely hate. This moisturiser is designed to hydrate your skin, protect you from harmful UV rays and stimulate your skin with the help of caffeine. Although I did not notice the effects of the caffeine, the hydrating qualities were like nothing I had experienced. I found that this moisturiser not only made my skin feel great but it was so different from all the other beauty products that come through our office - I couldn’t help but fall in love with it. From its sports inspired packaging, witty product description as well as the results I received from it, the ManCave Moisturiser is definitely something I will continue to use.

If you are interested in getting your own ManCave Moisturiser, it's avaible on their website as well as your local Sainsbury’s for £9.50. And for all the ladies out there, this is a great gift for the men in your life. You may have to convince him to use it at first but once you do, he won't be able to stop.