Food

Eden's Gate: CBD English Breakfast Tea, and CBD Chamomile Tea

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If you’re like us and reach out for a pick-me-up mid-afternoon, then keep reading on. This is when tea is our preferred drink of choice, and at The Amazing Blog, a comforting cuppa is just the ticket. Regular readers will know that we're big fans of all things hemp and CBD, and today, we're introducing to you another of our #amazingfinds with these refreshing and delicious CBD-infused teas from Eden's Gate.  

Eden's Gate is a family-run British business established by Tyler Woodward in 2018. Apart from their own brand, they are also an online store that supplies various CBD brands and products. Fueled by his love for nature and all of its remedies, Tyler launched Eden's Gate sharing his passion for effective and safe CBD products that provide all of nature's benefits without using any synthetic compounds. Tyler told us, "We strive for clarity, whether it's the CBD itself, production methods or the knowledge of our users. We're not hiding anything - transparency is key!" This is where Eden's Gate provides clear and detailed information on all of its products. They are also triple batch tested with lab test certification for each one. In addition, they pride themselves on being ‘from seed to shelf’ and are GMO and cruelty-free, and contain high-quality, broad-spectrum CBD sourced from the most reputable US hemp farms that have organic plants grown without pesticides. Eden's Gate uses CBD that is extracted through super-critical CO2 extraction. In this process, carbon dioxide (CO2) pressure and temperature are manipulated until it's in a liquid-gas form known as ‘super-critical liquid’. The method allows Eden's Gate to safely extract only the purest CBD while leaving behind bi-products such as THC, waxes, and chlorophylls. This resulting CBD is solvent-free, meaning that no extra compounds or chemicals are involved in the extraction process, making this CBD environmentally friendly too!  They are quick to point out that they use their own equipment and oversee every aspect of production without any 3rd party involvement.

We were sent two of Eden's Gate's CBD teas to try, the first being their CBD English Breakfast Tea with 300mg of CBD. Each tea bag contains 20mg of broad-spectrum CBD combined with black tea, resulting in a rich tea with a full-bodied English Breakfast black tea. Eden's Gate uses unbleached tea bags made from cellulose fibres, meaning that they don't contain chemicals like dioxin or microplastics like polypropylene that are harmful to both your body and the environment. Being  broad-spectrum CBD means that it has no detectable THC levels, but does have dozens of the different isolates and terpenes naturally found in the hemp. We imagine that the broad-spectrum CBD here will be a water-soluble CBD distillate (Eden’s Gate, please correct us if we’re wrong!) ideal for infusing into beverages. It also makes use of the "entourage effect", as these compounds help the CBD work better, so you're getting all the goodness of the hemp plant without the THC. The tea leaf becomes black tea and gets its dark colour from a lengthy oxidation and fermentation process. The tea leaves and picked, and then left to dry where they are either rolled and cut and left the oxidise. It’s a process that helps to develop the flavour and aroma changing the colour from green to brown. Let's not forget that black tea itself also has a long list of benefits; it contains antioxidants that decrease the risk of chronic disease, boost heart health, reduce blood pressure, and improve alertness and focus. So when combined together with the CBD it helps to provide reduced stress and anxiety and a whole host of other benefits too. The process of brewing CBD Tea also allows your body to ingest more of the CBD than other forms like drops so that you can get the same intense effects with a smaller dosage. All we did was place a teabag in freshly boiled water, brew for 3-6 minutes and added oat milk. it has a good rich flavour of English Breakfast tea, but it does take a little longer to infuse than a regular black tea, but well worth the wait! What does it taste like? Well, like black tea, but very mild with the slightest hint of fruitiness from the hemp. Delicious and great for keeping away those mid- afternoon blues! It is pricey compared to your everyday cuppa, so we tended to drink this as and when. To purchase the English Breakfast Tea 300mg here at £16.99 for 15 bags.

The second tea we tried was the CBD Chamomile Tea 300mg. Each unbleached tea bag contains chamomile sourced from the Nile River Valley in Egypt, lemon balm, and again 20mg of broad-spectrum CBD, so you're still getting the same complete CBD health benefits as the English Breakfast Tea mentioned above. Chamomile tea is thought to reduce inflammation and menstrual pain, slow down osteoporosis and lower blood sugar. We general drink chamomile tea to help with sleep and relaxation. So what could be better than getting the amplifying relaxation effect when the two are combined here! The chamomile flower is not alone; the lemon balm also has mood-boosting properties and improves cognitive function, turning this into quite a potent mix. Again, recommended brewing between 3-6 minutes like the CBD Black Tea. Since Chamomile tea doesn't become bitter if you leave the teabag in it for too long, we steeped it for up to 6 minutes to fully reap all the benefits and enjoy its sweet floral (no hemp taste) chamomile and lemon-y flavour. It’s the perfect choice for a nighttime cuppa, and sent us swiftly off into the land of nod. To purchase the CBD Chamomile Tea 300mg see here at £16.99 for 15 bags. 

NovaeCBD: SuperNova 5% CBD Oil + Vitamin D3

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Sadly, August and the summer sunshine seems to have passed us by, and at The Amazing Blog we’re ever hopeful for an Indian summer to come. That is why it’s the perfect time for us try this SuperNova 5% CBD Oil + Vitamin D3, by NovaeCBD; with its much needed drop of golden sunshine in a bottle!

NovaeCBD is a British CBD brand that specialises in CBD oil. It all started when two best friends, and future founders, Ryan Telford and Jas Toor, who discovered a mutual passion for all things health and wellness. Ryan stumbled on CBD after having had it recommended by a friend. They were both a little sceptical because of the stigma surrounding CBD, but after seeing the benefits to their health, they became CBD advocates with a desire to share the knowledge of its benefits. However, they were hesitant to share some of these CBD finds with their family and friends, as they didn’t have best taste or consistency, or had lack of transparency and steep prices. At this moment, they decided to create their own CBD brand that would tick all the boxes, NovaeCBD launched in October 2020 with their first two CBD oils. NovaeCBD is committed to transparency with the brand, and also want to provide an excellent customers experience. Their mission is to “provide high quality, organic and ethical CBD products at affordable prices to help people improve their lives.” All hemp used is full spectrum and hand-picked from ethical German hemp farms. The end product is cruelty-free, gluten-free, and packed with cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and omega-3s.  NovaeCBD aims to be carbon neutral, with no excess packaging as they want to eliminate, reduce and re-use. All products are CBD laboratory tested, vegan, gluten-free organic and UK compliant.

The SuperNova CBD Oil + Vitamin D3. appealed to us as it combine two of our favourite supplements full-spectrum CBD and vitamin D3. This is a medium-strength CBD oil, meaning one drop contains approximately 2mg of CBD making this product 5% CBD or 500mg per bottle PLUS the recommended daily amount of 640IU vitamin D3. We are big CBD fans that think that full-spectrumCBD oil takes wellness to the next level, by providing anxiety relief, control over sleep imbalances, muscle recovery, and immune system support - and you’ve heard us say this all before! The CBD here is extracted with the supercritical CO2 method, which efficiently crafts a potent CBD paste that is made into a full-spectrum CBD oil containing the naturally occurring cannabis plant extracts, perfect for the 'entourage effect.' This CBD oil does not skip out on any of the plant's beneficial parts and includes a few added components with the full-spectrum CBD, organic hemp seed oil, whole-plant extract, and 4mg vitamin D3. This CBD oil has no added ingredients that are not naturally found in hemp, except vitamin D3, which separates this CBD oil from others with its exclusive 2-in-1 health boost. Vitamin D3, also known as the 'sunshine vitamin,' helps kickstart the immune system, strengthens bones, lifts mood, and is good for heart health. In addition to CBD, vitamin D3 furthers relaxation that can also help with anxiety, sleeplessness, or muscle relief, and acts as a substitute for the sun, which naturally helps to produce vitamin D3 in the body. Living in the UK, vitamin D3 is a supplement we’re all recommended to take daily, as we only have an average of 4 sun hours a day! Yes it’s true - see here. And with, the cloudy weather and winter, the body needs some extra help to get this necessary vitamin. The founder, Jas Toor, and his wife both take this SuperNova CBD oil in the morning to get their daily vitamin D3 and to help them with focus throughout the day. They also take one drop at night to help with sleep. We followed their lead by administering one drop of SuperNova CBD oil at night, what surprised us the most was the delicious and mild taste of this full-spectrum CBD oil (we thought it might have a bit of that usual kick). We regularly take CBD oil at night to calm the mind and to help relax us, and this Supernova didn’t disappoint. We also like that we got our daily dose of vitamin D3 - which save us dosing up with other supplements. If you are looking for a wellness supplement that lifts your mood, helps you sleep, and ticks all the boxes, then this may be the CBD oil of your dreams! To purchase the SuperNova 5% CBD Oil + Vitamin D3 for £35.99, see here.

CBD Leafline: Gummy Rings

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Do you have that one secret sweet treat that you can’t resist? Well, ,how about a sweet treat that helps you relax? The team here at The Amazing Blog have been nibbling away at all sorts of CBD edibles, and one of our recent #amazingfinds are these delicious CBD Gummy Rings from CBD Leafline - we even had to do a toss-up to see who got the last one! 

Paul and Sonia Shrive started CBD Leafline in 2018, and manufacture a selection of CBD infused products here in the UK. At the age of 15, Paul travelled to Nairobi, Africa, with his father, where he experienced how African natives used hemp/cannabis in their everyday lives. They used the plant to its fullest potential, benefiting from its therapeutic and healing properties, making rope, clothes and soap, or building homes. Seeing how natural hemp was appreciated in Africa made Paul valued the plant even more. Cannabidiol sailed through the UK in 2016 but only as food supplements for consumption and use, sparking interest in Paul. He said, “Recalling my love and passion of the plant, I began to research and set about working out how I could bring our own range of CBD products to market.” After a few years of research and planning, the Shrives decided to start their company. Their combined experience in manufacturing, distribution, wholesale, marketing, and the health and beauty industry served as a foundation for their business. They want to share and educate their customers about CBD and its benefits. With the UK’s restrictions on CBD, this brand makes sure all products comply with the legal requirements. Unlike other CBD brands, CBD Leafline manufactures all products in their own facilities in the Northwest of England and are a family-owned business. The couple and friends and family use CBD products daily and believe it has changed their wellbeing, “No miracle cures, to put it simply, we feel re-balanced.” All products in the CBD Leafline range are natural and combine high-quality whole-plant hemp oil containing broad-spectrum CBD (THC-free) with cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, omega 3/6 amino acids which interact with other vegan ingredients. In addition, all products are independently tested (see here) and, the brand is a CannaPro certified business. CBD Leafline was recently awarded Editor’s Choice and Finalist in The Beauty Shortlist 2021 Awards here.    

As our regular readers will know, CBD products can come in all shapes and forms like CBD oils, topical creams, chocolates, skincare, or vapes. So, why choose CBD gummies? Well, first of all, they’re delicious and easier to take rather than a capsule or oil. If one is feeling stressed, you can nibble at one wherever you are. Lastly, gummies are easy to control since each gummy has a definite CBD mg amount. Overall, it’s a convenient way to keep your CBD levels topped up. These CBD Gummy Rings have 10mg of CBD per gummy - which is the average amount of CBD in most gummies on the market. They are vegan-friendly, non-GMO, and all-natural. The tasty flavours come from apple, lemon, orange, raspberry and sour cherry and the bright colours come from black carrot concentrate, turmeric, paprika extract and spirulina concentrate. They use broad-spectrum hemp distillate, which is a whole hemp plant oil that doesn’t contain THC but still allows other cannabinoids to remain present. We enjoy CBD gummies with their added benefits of helping us with relaxation, and for relieving stress and anxiety, And of course, there is a plus, that they taste delicious! CBD Leafline recommends no more thanf 7 gummies per day, and the perfect dose will vary from person to person. We recommend that you experiment by starting with a small amount then slowly increasing it according to your mood. NB these are not suitable for pregnant or lactating women. And definitely should not be given to children or pets! We reviewed the Small CBD Gummy Rings, with 20 x gummies containing a total of 200mg of CBD, which you can purchase here for £19.99. 

CannaErbs: CBD Infused Organic Herbs & Spice Seasonings

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Spice up your life and your food with CannaErbs’ CBD infused herbs and spice seasonings! CannaErbs has created nine different blends of CBD cannabis seasonings, including Salt n Pepper, Seafood, Creole, Jerk, Mixed Herbs, BBQ, Chilli, Piri Piri, and All Purpose. We love CBD at The Amazing Blog and we were super-excited to be able to get creative in the kitchen, and try out some of these seasonings.

CannaErbs  was launched in September 2020 by Patrick, who wanted to create natural CBD products that could be used daily and in combination with other ingredients. CannaErbs only uses all natural and certified organic or raw ingredients — including whole seeds, corns, chips, flakes, and granules. These give CannaErbs’ seasonings a fresh and vibrant taste, free of chemical additives and preservatives. All of their seasonings are infused with 50mg of CBD in dried decarboxylated form using CBD with approximately 27% strength. The decarboxylation process includes a heating method that converts cannabis into useable properties for the body. CannaErbs receives their CBD from a direct CBD supplier, British Cannabis®, who is “the largest producer, manufacturer and distributor of legal cannabis derived products in the UK.” The broad spectrum CBD here is THC-free, and CannaErbs has the relevant lab testing data of each batch on their website here. Many people use CBD to help anxiety, chronic pain, and other conditions, and eating CBD is one of the most popular ways to reap these benefits. In addition to the advantages that CBD offers, CannaErbs’ herbs and spices contain nutrition, antioxidants, and other minerals. CannaErbs’ spices are hand-blended and mixed in small quantities, so they are fresh and flavourful when you receive themThe incorporation of CBD in condiments is on the rise, but not every brand that sells CBD infused condiments uses organic ingredients or are as transparent about their CBD as CannaErbs are. Patrick, the founder of CannaErbs, said, “the products we created are the same products we use and believe in.” He is hoping to launch CannaFlours, an organic white and brown flour and CannaGreens, a super green CBD powder for smoothies in the forthcoming months — so we’ll be on the lookout for these

As mentioned, all CannaErbs’ seasonings are infused with 100% decarboxylated cannabis sativa L leaf containing CBD and should be stored at room temperature, in a dry environment, and protected from direct sunlight. CannaErbs’ kindly sent us a selection of four of their blends, all are suitable for vegens and contain no artificial colours, flavourings, or preservatives. And absolutely NONE of these CBD Infused Organic Herbs & Spice Seasonings, tasted remotely ‘hempy’.

The first one we tried was CannaErbs’ Organic Chilli CBD Seasoning, which includes the ingredients of natural Himalayan salt, organic chilli pepper, organic cumin, organic paprika, organic black peppercorns, organic onion, organic garlic root, organic cassia, and organic yellow mustard (what a list!). We found this seasoning packed a punch! So use sparingly, it’s very versatile and we liked it best on homemade pizzas or scrabbled eggs. The second one was Cannaerbs’ Organic Mixed Herbs CBD Seasoning, with ingredients of organic thyme, organic rubbed sage, organic oregano, organic marjoram herb, organic mint (peppermint), and organic parsley herb. These Mixed Herbs pairs with many different foods, and for us, we loved using them in our a Ninja Foodi on the pressure cooker function. Why? Because it intensified the flavours with the pressure, the food cooks faster and very little moisture escapes; therefore the flavours are richer. The third one was  Cannaerbs’ Organic Salt n Pepper CBD Seasoning, which includes the ingredients of natural Himalayan salt, organic black peppercorns, and organic white peppercorns. Salt and Pepper can make almost any food tastier from meats to vegetables, to even strawberries - yes really, try it! The fourth one we tried was Cannaerbs’ Organic Seafood CBD Seasoning, which includes the ingredients of organic paprika, natural Himalayan salt, organic yellow mustard, organic cardamom, organic white peppercorns, organic bay leaf, organic ginger root, organic clove, organic mace, organic dill, and organic cumin. This was probably our most favourite, it worked so well with prawns, salmon and even transformed a very bland white fish! We like CannaErbs sustainability credentials too, where they offer refill packs to put into each of their grinder mills. These are this weeks #amazingfinds!  If you fancy adding a little’ je ne sais quoi’ to your culinary efforts, then a set of these seasonings are a must-have for your condiment rack. You can buy these spices here for 25% off of £3.99 each, if you use the code AMAZING.

Vitybox: Lotus Tropical Flavoured Collagen Drink

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Collagen is the latest rave in the beauty world, whether in skin care, tablets, or liquid supplements. We at The Amazing Blog have tried many different collagen products (see here) and like how this skincare product starts working from the inside out. So, we’re here again to give you, our readers, the latest ready-to-drink collagen supplement with VITYBOX Lotus Collagen Drink. 

 VITYBOX is a new and upcoming beauty brand that focuses on its liquid supplement containing collagen, keratin, and hyaluronic acid. Ali Azmandian and Ali Kais, founders of VITYBOX and healthcare professions, started this brand with a mission to create a supplement that has natural and clinically backed ingredients. To gain the trust and loyalty of their consumers, Azmandian and Kais invested in several years’ worth of scientific studies and qualitative research with a team of healthcare professions. Their team uses cutting edge science and is involved in every step of the way, from production to aftercare with clients. This Lotus Collagen Drink boost 95% absorption compared to ~8% absorption with tablets and capsules and contains premium patented marine peptide sustainably sourced from Thailand. It’s also free from lactose, GMOs, eggs, nuts, wheat, dairy and gluten. In 2019, a little after their launch, VITYBOX were finalists for the International Breakthrough Brand Award at the Pure Beauty Global Award. All our manufacturing takes places in the UK, and every single batch that gets produced is vigorously tested

Like all liquid collagen drinks, Lotus works from the inside out to rebuild and strengthen the collagen matrix, boost natural hydration levels, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. The 20ml shot has a natural tropical flavour, it’s sugar-free, and unlike some other collagen drinks, there’s no lingering fishy after taste. Here the Lotus has three main ingredients: keratin, hyaluronic acid and collagen. Keratin is a protective protein found in hair, skin, and nails and is a protein that is hard to manufacture. Thus making this Vitybox’s supplement, one of the few collagen brands to have actual keratin peptides. This ingredient improves hair growth and promotes hair shine. Hyaluronic acid is another naturally occurring molecule found in the skin, connective tissue, and eyes. And as we all know, it helps the body retain water keeping skin hydrated, eyes lubricated and joints supple. Having this ingredient in Lotus creates elasticity in the skin and reduces wrinkles. Lastly, collagen; what is it? Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, making up parts of connective tissues, tendons, ligaments, skin and muscles. It provides skin with elasticity and strengthens joints. As one gets older, it’s harder for the body to produce collagen naturally. By regularly taking a collagen supplement, it can help hydrate the skin by promoting the production of elastin and fibrillin (a glycoprotein), reducing dryness and wrinkles. Something we take collagen supplements for is to stimulate tissue repair and renewed connective tissue in joints and bones to relieve pain, reducing the risk of osteoarthritis. There are three types of collagens that are used to produce supplements: bovine, plant and marine. This is marine collagen and has a high collagen content that supports naturally occurring collagen already found in humans. As we mentioned earlier, Lotus uses premium, patented marine collagen sustainably derived from Thailand. It is then hydrolysed and purified, creating a greater concentration of smaller peptides that absorbs better into the gut and bloodstream. They tell us that the 5g of collagen in Lotus, is equal to over 10g of collagen found in some other brands. This liquid collagen drink claims to have a higher absorption rate than powders or capsules, as when the fluid enters the body, it’s immediately absorbed into the bloodstream. The principle is that it makes the body believe that it has already broken down too much collagen, tricking it into producing more collagen in return. Interestingly, VITYBOX reports having consumers who have seen outcomes starting as early as two weeks, particularly with stronger nails and faster hair growth. In 1 month, hair was healthier and shinier. In 2 months, the skin was firmer and hydrated, and in 3 months, wrinkles and fine lines were reduced. As we only received six sachets, so it’s difficult to report any such similar results. With this 20ml ready-to-drink Lotus sachet, it’s easy to take, especially if you’re like us and constantly on the go. We also like how Lotus can be seamlessly incorporated into one’s daily routine. You can have a one-time purchase of a 14-day supply at £34.95. Or Vitybox has several other subscription options here, with a 14-day supply at £29.71 or a 1-month supply at £56.44.