I’m always on the lookout for new and amazing health and wellness products for life in the kitchen, the gym and at home. Here are my current faves; a combination of some of the latest sample products (gifted) that have come across my desk for me to try out, and the products I’ve found myself that I can’t get enough of right now!
Alter Eco Chocolate
Chocolate is always a fave in our household but I have zero self-control if it’s milk or white chocolate. Because of this we always have dark chocolate in the cupboard which lasts for ages as I can have one or two small pieces and I’ve had enough (plus the kids don’t nag me for it so I don’t need to share!). I was sent a sample of Alter Eco‘s latest addition – their Deepest Darkest Super Blackout (75g/RRP $8.79) and it’s super decadent – 90% Ecuadorian dark chocolate and each serve has just 2g of sugar – around a third of the sugar that’s in mainstream brand dark chocolate.
Alter Eco’s Deepest Darkest Super Blackout (75g, RRP $8.79) is vegan, made in Switzerland from fairtrade sustainably sourced organic chocolate. Available from health food stores nationwide.
Cathedral Cove Naturals range
I adore the food products from this brand – they make the most delicious things! They’ve recently released a new cereal flavour, Maple, Walnut and Apple toasted granola, which is a blend of buckwheat flakes, nuts and seeds. Gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free and paleo-friendly, it comes in new recyclable glass packaging. I received two of their other cereals to sample and if the new one is anything like them I know it will be delish.
Cathedral Cove have been busy lately as they’ve also got new Body Balance Coconut Yoghurts out – a great source of prebiotics and probiotics to support good gut health. Plus they’re vegan-friendly, and free from gluten, dairy and refined sugars.
Cathedral Cove Naturals Maple, Walnut and Apple toasted granola (500g, RRP $10.99) and Body Balance Coconut Yoghurts (500g, RRP $11.50) available from selected Countdown, New World, Pak ‘n Save, Four Square and specialty stores nationwide.
Rebel Bakehouse Cricket Flour wraps
I had mixed feelings when this one arrived across my desk with several other wrap samples! I’d heard of sustainable cricket farms as being a new protein option a while ago so it was really a matter of time… These Cricket Flour Wraps are the latest creation from Wairarapa-based Rebel Bakehouse.
With twice the amount of iron than spinach and 17% of your daily protein intake, crickets are also proven to be a more efficient source of protein than cows as they produce just 1% of the greenhouse emissions that cows do. While it took me a while to gear up the stomach to eat them, I’ve gotta say they taste normal – if a bit nutty – and the cricket flour content is only 3.1%. Plus the 1 and 3-year-old absolutely love them. Go on… give them a go!
Sea To Me Active Inflammation Management Greenshell Mussel Powder
I generally don’t advocate supplements unless they’re either a general multivitamin or you have a specific need for them that you can’t get from regular whole foods in your diet. This one came across my desk and piqued my interest. There are a lot of nutritional benefits from sea foods, and as someone who has PCOS (which is an inflammatory condition) I take fish oil supplements for it because I’m not the biggest fan of eating seafood so we don’t have it that often. This is a New Zealand product made from Greenshell Mussels, created to naturally alleviate inflammation and assist with joint mobility.
Sea To Me Active Inflammation Management Greenshell Mussel Powder is available in capsule form. For more info check out seatome.co.nz.
Snax Crunches crackers
These days we don’t have that many pre-packaged snackfoods of this kind, but every now and then it’s nice to have treat lunchbox fillers or something different for our weekly rugby league night. Samples of each flavour from the new Snax Crunches range were sent out to me, and being baked with no artificial colours or flavours, they were received well by the family. Anything salt and vinegar is usually pretty popular around here!
Available in Salt & Vinegar, Chicken, Cheese & Onion, Sour Cream & Chives, and Sweet Chilli & Sour Cream (160g, RRP $2.75). Find them at supermarkets nationwide.
The Collective Kefir Probots
We go through a lot of yoghurt in our household and love The Collective products – for the kids it’s a daily staple for probiotics and gut health. Their eyes lit up when these samples arrived on our doorstep. Kefir Probots are bright and fun with no added sugar. I left these ones for my girls to roadtest and they had full approval.
Great addition to lunch boxes or for taking along with you when you’re on the go.
Chantal Organics Extra Virgin Olive Oil
We go through a lot of olive oil and I was excited to sample this new addition to the Chantal Organics range! Organic, cold pressed EVOO from the slopes of the Taygetus Mountains in Greece with a beautiful flavour and aroma. We love using it in salad dressings – you can add extras but it’s just as delish on its own!
Available in 500ml bottles (RRP $16.99 – $21) at selected New World, Countdown, Pak ‘n Save, Four Squares, and health food stores nationwide.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Fluid SPF50
I don’t wear a lot of makeup products but I always try to have some form of sun protection on my face each day. I received a sample of this to try, and love that it’s lightweight and fast absorbing but still has the high SPF with high UVA and UVB protection – much more than what I would usually have in my regular daily moisturiser.
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Fluid SPF50 (40ml, RRP $24.99) is available from all leading supermarkets, department stores and pharmacies nationwide.
Breadman Organic Bakery Crackers
These organic, vegan crackers are so good it’s ridiculous – larger and thicker than standard crackers, they make a great bread substitute and hold toppings well. Perfect for holding a decent healthy snack or meal such as sliced tomatoes with avo and cracked pepper, or salmon and cream cheese.
Find Breadman Organic Bakery Crackers (200g, RRP $7.50 – $8) directly from www.breadman.co.nz or from participating health food stores or New World supermarkets.
Blended Coffee
There’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly made coffee in the morning which is a staple part of this mama’s morning routine. Blended sent through samples of their delish premium freeze dried coffee – check out their gorgeous packaging (which is home compostable!).
Earlybird is a 100% Arabica freeze dried coffee, while their other offering, Daymaker, is rich and full-bodied. For every pack sold, Blended plants a tree for a healthier planet via a range of tree planting organisations. Great coffee and socially responsible! Available in 90g resealable packs (RRP $10.99) from leading supermarkets nationwide.
Chantal Organics Almond snack range
Another delish sample from Chantal Organics that I roadtested recently – their three new organic almond snacks. The options are Roasted Almonds, Turmeric Tamari Roasted Almonds seasoned with fermented soy sauce for a salty flavour, and Activated Almonds that have been soaked in water to begin the sprouting process. A small handful of roasted almonds is currently my go-to snack, so these are perfect to add some variety into my usual diet!
Chantal Organics Roasted Almonds and Turmeric Tamari Roasted Almonds (175g, RRP $9.99), and Activated Almonds (175g, RRP $12.49) are available from health food stores, specialty food stores and selected supermarkets nationwide.
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