Khajur Pak 'ENERGY BALLS' | RECIPE

Hello! 

"A vegan friendly, healthy yet delicious snack to grab whenever you feel a sweet craving"

Medjool dates are getting popular by the minute. Known for their incredible caramel-like taste and sticky texture which is great for no-bake treats. Yet little did I know the treat I'd been having since as long as I can remember would be huge in the 'Western World' too! Being Indian, my family love the good old sweet treat and the now known 'Energy Balls' were always called Khajur Pak [kha-joor pah-kh] in my book. So, as I made a batch, I thought I'd give you the low-down to these incredibly tasty, nutritious and super EASY treat!

Nakd Bar: Cocoa Loco - First Impressions

Hello! 

"they're getting more and more popular by the day"

A different POTW, it's food related! You may have heard of these nakd bars as they're getting more and more popular by the day. Having tried Nakd bars previously (Cashew Cookie flavour), I was more than excited to try out a new flavour and went with Cocoa Loco.

"wheat free and one of your 5 a day!"

Having read the name, for some reason it reminded me of coconuts - even though it is not coconut flavour, they should invent one! But I went with this one anyway! It has Oats, Dates, Raisins, Peanuts, Apple Juice, Cocoa, Almonds and Walnuts. It is wheat free and one of your 5 a day!

"this would be a lifesaver"

The bars are quite compact and would be great to have in your purse - you know when you're out all day and end up hungry and don't know where to go, this would be a lifesaver ;)

"I totally recommend it, especially if you love cocoa"

The consistency is quite chewy, which I love, and the nuts add a nice crunch. I must admit that I prefer Cashew Cookie as it doesn't have the oats - the oats aren't my favourite part of the bar.

Overall, I love dates and nuts together, so this is definitely a brand to try. I totally recommend it, especially if you love cocoa (definitely can taste it) and nuts! I know I'll be buying more - trying different flavours, though! I saw the variety pack on their website but this works out to be more expensive than if you buy single ones of your choice in store - so be aware!

What's your favourite go-to Purse Snack?? 

Health Benefits of Raisins

Hello!

I know raisins are a very controversial food - some love them and others hate them… I, for one, am definitely do not agree with the latter!
I LOVE raisins and having consuming it a lot recently, I was interested in the health benefits of it - and seeing as you're reading this, I guess you are too - so let's crack on!

Promotes Efficient Absorption of Vitamins, Proteins and Nutrients
This leads to a better immune system which helps fight off disease!

Aids Digestion
Due to the high fibre content of raisins, it helps maintain regular bowl movements (avoid constipation) and therefore toxins and waste materials can be easily passed out of your body. In addition, Raisins are naturally sweet, so the fruit sugars are easy to digest, unlike the processed sugars in many of our foods today! These natural sugars are said to help the spikes or plunges in insulin levels which can be dangerous for diabetes patients (medium Glycemic Index)

Protection against Cavities and Tooth Decay
Due to the 'oleanolic acid' in Raisins, growth of harmful bacteria is prevented. This also reduces risk of gum disease

Source of Calcium
Keep your bones and teeth strong! Due to content of micronutrient 'Boron', calcium absorption is helped, therefore more calcium for your body.

Source of Iron & Copper
Which is necessary for Red Blood Cell Formation

Reduce Body Acidity
Raising are a source of Potassium and Magnesium - this helps reduce body acidity. Potassium is also said to reduce Blood Pressure

Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Bacterial Properties

Source of Antioxidants
Prevents development of Tumours

Vitamins A, C, B6, F, K

Ways to Consume in your Diet...

I love to add raisins to my breakfast. In the picture above, I've topped wholewheat toast with Peanut Butter, Flaxseed (see their benefits here) and Raisins! So yummy, honestly! I love to have this with a bowl of fruit and a chai tea latte! You have to try it! 

Also, to a bowl of Shredded wheat, I like to add raisins - and if I feel like some peanut butter, I add that too, and occasionally some flaxseeds! Do you see a trend, here? haha!

Also, if you like raisins and shredded wheat, try raisin wheats as a snack or as breakfast - as shown in this post!

I hope you found out more about raisins, decide to maybe consume some and gain from their benefits! So, tell me, do you love/hate raisins?! 

source: 1 // 2 // 3  

Healthy, Yummy, Quick Snacks

Hello! 

New year. New, healthier, you!
So, with the Christmas and winter, we tend to have slightly overindulged with the oh-so-yum Chocolate and pies that are available! So, we need to get set on a healthier route again, right?

I, too, may have received one too many chocolate gifts for Christmas which I will need to hide away from now on!

Here are some easy snacks which are yummy as well as healthy. A lot of the time we think healthy tasting disgusting - and yes, honestly, sometimes it does! But these ideas taste so yummy, you won't think they're healthy!

1. Cereal in a Bowl - without the milk

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I LOVE Raisin wheats by themselves. They provide a serving of dry fruit, as there are raisins inside the mini wheats. Also, they are a great serving of wholewheat and fibre. Many of us don't have enough fibre in our diets due to the fear of Carbs, yet we need the 'good' carbs in our life and fibre to help with digestion! So, Raisin wheats are sweet and crunchy. A perfect easy-to-grab snack.


2. Carrots with Hummus 

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Carrots are veggies. Veggies are good for you! I am not likely to eat just a plain carrot on it's own. Hummus is a dip made from Chick Peas. Chick peas are full of protein, low in fat and taste nice. Therefore, hummus tastes nice! Pairing these two items is a match made in heaven. I wasn't a big hummus fan myself until a few days ago, and I've been having this for the last two days straight!
Just get baby carrots or cut slices from big carrots and dip in the hummus (about 2 tablespoons) - enjoy!
You can also eat with cucumber slices, pepper slices and even grapes - yes, I tried it with grapes and it's nice!


3. Apple and Peanut Butter

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Many people will look at this and think 'Ergh.. Peanut butter is NOT healthy' - let me tell you: it is! Actually, I once told somebody about this and they said 'How can peanuts mixed with Butter be healthy, have you lost your mind?!' - well, actually peanut butter is not peanuts and butter - contrary to the name! It is actually roasted peanuts blended to a spread-like consistency. Therefore, no saturated fat is in natural peanut butter! It is all the good unsaturated fats! These improve cholesterol levels and lower risk of heart disease. Though, peanut butter is calorie dense, so 1tbsp with an apple is perfect! Peanut butter tastes incredible! Apples are also a natural teeth whitener, so eat up for those pearly whites!

Those are my 3 favourite go-to snacks! I hope you have a healthy, tasty and happy New Year!

What are your favourite snacks? 

Graze Box Review & Get it FREE!

Hello!

Hope you have settled into a new routine, whether it be for school, college, getting ready for uni, work or whatever it may be/you may be going this new academic year. With start of school there comes an idea of healthy breakfasts to get you through the day, substantial school lunches and after school snacks!
With snacks you tend to just grab the first thing in sight, normally not something you would have picked if you were not so in a rush to get the food in your mouth! Well, with Graze it is easy to pick something up from the pretty box and enjoy the taste, get the nutritional benefit and try something new!

If you don't know what Graze is, have never heard of it before or just want to know more about it, read on...

Graze is the foodie version of Glossy Box. This is where you receive a box every week/fortnight/month with deluxe samples of new products to try out - by products I mean food! So, yes, you get an assemble of food delivered to your door!

My first Graze Box was crumpled in the post :(

What I like about the service is that you can have a say in what you would like in your next box. You can rate the products you see online from 'Bin/Never Send to Love/Send Soon' - this means you will likely to not be sent anything that would go to waste! AND, this is just a sample, so you won't be wasting a lot if you don't like it - and if you do like it, you can always buy more/bigger bulks! How great!

I mean nowadays when you go to the supermarket, there are SO many things on the shelf - how likely are you to pick out something new when your usual favourites are sitting nearby? That means you're not going to be able to try many things and will usually stick to the same old - however, with Graze, you can try the products before you buy - and who knows, maybe you'll find new favourites?

In my first graze box I received: lemon and poppy cake with an afternoon infusion tea, salt and vinegar nut selection, cookies and cream trail mix, tomato dipinetti... My brother ate the tomato dipinetti and I didn't get to try it :(
Oh well, I personally didn't like the salt and vinegar nut selection yet the cake was quite nice - and it was only 84 calories!

The thing that I really liked about Graze was that all the foods are nutritionally beneficial to you. It is lovely and when the box arrives at your door you know you're in for a treat!

I received the first box absolutely free, and you can do the same! Click HERE to use my gift code to you and enjoy a free graze box delivered to your door!

Or: Enter this code on Graze.com - DLHLLR1D
There is no commitment that you have to make to buy any Graze Boxes if you don't want to - how awesome?!

That's it - so nutritiously indulge in a free box from me and let me know what you think of it!

Disclaimer: Graze is NOT sponsoring BerryBloomXO and doesn't even know about this post! :D