The Great British Porridge Company

We all have the same problem, we’re running late, the meeting is in half an hour, and there is absolutely no time for breakfast. Tut tut, naughty us, the start to our day at The Amazing Blog should be fuelled with nutritious food to give us the energy to kick start our day. However, we are not alone, a recent survey revealed that a great deal of the British population decide to skip breakfast, as they regard it as time-consuming and unnecessary. This can now all change…with the rise of 100% instant, and naturally sweet porridge, made by The Great British Porridge Company.

Full of delicious ingredients like fruits, nuts and seeds, a bowl will provide you with all the energy you need. Packed with the best of British, and containing completely natural, gluten free and wholegrain oats, the porridge is free from added sugars, high in fibre and contains 10+% protein. If that isn't enough, then these porridges are also vegan. The brand says goodbye to boring breakfasts, and welcomes a new era, with the addition of protein and fibres, all of which are dairy free (just add hot water). And there you have it - porridge in just 60 seconds!

The Great British Porridge Company offer three different flavours, each in a 385g pack. The Goji Berry and Pumpkin Seed porridge is made from gluten free wholegrain oats, dates, coconut milk, pumpkin seeds, goji berries and chia seeds; and tastes delicious with a sprinkling of extra goji berries (and pumpkin seeds for a bit of crunch). For the banana lovers amongst us, the Blueberry and Banana porridge proved to be a winner. It contains the same base ingredients as above, but with the additional zing of blueberry and banana. This was a popular choice in the office, and made a delicious overnight oats base for those of us who like to spend a little less time making breakfast in the morning. Finally, and the firm favourite in the office, the Strawberry and Peanut Butter porridge is a scrumptious way to add a bit of sweetness to a cold morning. Simply top with fresh strawberries - or frozen if you’re feeling exotic - and enjoy a filling and wholesome breakfast.

The 100% naturally sourced ingredients, including the wonderfully delicious oats, make up these tasty bowls of porridge, all of which are handmade in small batches in Sussex. They are available online, on their website for either £4.99 a pack or as part of a monthly subscription. Yummy!

Brownie Boxes - Bad Brownie

Here at The Amazing Blog we are self-confessed chocoholics. We love anything chocolatey, and we really cannot get enough of it. So you can imagine our delight when a big box from Bad Brownie arrived at our office. Within seconds there was not a single crumb left.

We were sent the chefs selection box. This box included 24 heavenly brownie bites, which should be enough to eat between 5-8 people (although we could have one box each), and has a selection of 6 different mouth-watering flavours. They keep changing their specials and the brownies you may get are usually all different, but no need to worry! they are all delicious and the box will always include the three most popular flavours: Salted Caramel, Triple Chocolate and Peanut butter. Bad Brownie use fairtrade chocolate and free range eggs to make sure everyone benefits from their brownies. They also produce a gluten free ingredient salted caramel brownie which tastes identical to the standard one. This Salted Caramel brownie, apart from being their best seller, it was also our favourite. We loved the crumble and caramel combination, irresistible! 

Satisfy your sweet tooth and treat yourself to these brownies for £25 here.

Friday Favourites - Nut Butters Feature

We here at The Amazing Blog love when we come across a healthy snack we don’t feel guilty indulging in. This is why we decided to look for some delicious and health nut butters to make your meals and snacks fabulous and guilt free.

Soil Association approved, the Primrose's Kitchen Almond and Chia Spread is a delicious butter alternative to the tasty peanut butter we all know and love. It’s still just as nutty but it’s actually better for you! You can spread it on bread, add it to dress or use it in baking. The key ingredient, almonds, is our nut of choice because they alkalise the body and make the perfect high protein snack when combined with Chia Seeds. Not only is this spread organic, but it is also gluten, wheat and sugar free.

Mix it up a little bit and purchase Primrose's Kitchen Almond and Chia Spread here. 

Instead of a spread, we decided to try Meridian nut butter bars. They come in two flavours, Almond and Peanut, and let me tell you, they are literally crammed full of nuts.   
Each delicious nut bar is 55% nuts, providing an excellent source of nutrients and energy.
These bars prove to be a satisfyingly tasty choice for people on-the-go because they are high energy snacks and super healthy. Each bar contains 8 and 7f of protein respectively – significantly more than mainstream cereal and nut bars. All Meridian nut butter bars are suitable for vegans and are gluten, dairy, soy and wheat free. They would make a healthy addition to any lunchbox so purchase these Meridian bars and other butters here.

Get your taste of Moroccan sunshine in a jar. The Berber tribes’ answer to nut butter, Alassala’s Amlou Paste is a traditional Moroccan food that can be used as a spread or a dip for bread or crackers. Winner of a Gold Star at the Great Taste Awards 2013, Alassala Amlou Paste sets itself apart by being pure and natural with no added honey or sugars. Made with only 72% ground, semi roasted almonds and 28% Organic Argan Oil, the paste is perfect for both sweet and savoury dishes. It is a great source of Vitamin E and essential fatty acids, as well as having anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to lower cholesterol. Its distinct almond flavour makes a delicious, healthy addition to any recipe. Moroccan’s thought it to be the ideal enhancement to any romance, and it has certainly made its way into our hearts and our kitchens.

If you’re looking to add an exotic twist to your nutty snacks, Alassala Amlou Paste is available in two sizes: 226 grams RRP £14.99 and 113 grams RRP £7.99. Alassala also has a selection of recipes available here. The Amlou Paste is currently stocked at The Hale Clinic’s Nutri Centre online, and at other independent Health Stores and Speciality Food Stores. You can also buy Alassala’s products online.

This all-new brand of natural nut butters is changing the game when it comes to providing customers delicious and nutritious products. Pip & Nut have recently launched their line with three yummy, irresistible flavours: Peanut Butter, Almond Butter and Coconut Almond Butter. Each one is free of palm oil, refined sugar, preservatives, additives and emulsifiers. Their motto is, “if it’s not natural and a squirrel wouldn’t eat it, then we don’t use it.” The brand has already been mentioned in an article from The Grocer about healthy January comfort foods available at Selfridges. The founder was mentioned in an article by The Guardian about sacrifices start-ups need to make when they launch. Talk about go-getters!

You can find these tasty nut butters on display at your nearest Selfridges, until the Pip & Nut website is fully up and running. The containers are £5 each, and since each jar is loaded with health benefits and great taste, they are worth every pound.