KIND snacks are a range of nutritious and delicious snack bars that are the perfect pick me up to keep hunger at bay. Packed with real ingredients such as honey, almonds, cashews, and peanuts, they are are the ideal balance of crunchiness and chewiness.

With a wide range of scrumptious flavours to choose from, so you'll never struggle with lack of choice! While all of the options were very moreish and tasty, our favourites were the Caramel, Almond & Sea Salt bar, the Peanut Butter Crunch bar and the Blueberry Almond breakfast bar. ​

It's World Eat For Good Day! What's that you ask? It's an inaugural day launched by flavour experts Knorr, who want to inspire everyone to change the world by changing what’s on their plates.

Starting today, Knorr is asking everyone around the world to swap at least one ingredient in their routine meals for a Future 50 Food. Future 50 Foods are a list of 50 foods developed by Knorr and WWF, that we should all eat more of because they are naturally nutritious, have a lower impact on our planet than animal-based foods, and can help safeguard the future of our food. 

​By using a wider variety of ingredients, we not only diversify our dishes and beat mealtime boredom, but we increase the nutritional value of our meals while lowering the environmental impact. Win win!

The top Future 50 foods swaps we should all embrace to liven up our plates and our palates include:

Swap rice for quinoa to get three times more fibre, plus a source of magnesium and folate, while decreasing greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 50% and reducing water use by up to 90% compared to white rice (when grown).   We recommend trying this delicious Veggie Parmesan Quinotto.

Swap beef for lentils to get 10 times more fibre and no saturated fat, while emitting approximately 80% less greenhouse gases than ground beef. If you prepare this meal once a month for one year (using lentils instead beef), you save approximately 25kg of greenhouse gases! Try them in this tasty recipe for Spicy Red Lentil Balls. 

Swap potatoes for a scrumptious Cilembu sweet potato to get three times more vitamin C and calcium than other potato varieties. Cilembu sweet potatoes have a sweet, honey-like flavour and are native to Indonesia. Eating more varieties of similar foods helps make the food system more resilient while providing more nutrients.   We love this warming stew recipe: Spiced Mung Bean, Cilembu Sweet Potato and Kale Stew

Knorr wants World Eat For Good Day to awaken the inner 'Eativist' in all of us - people who believe food can be a force for change and consciously choose food that is good for themselves and the planet.

We hope we've inspired you to start making some delicious food swaps!  For more scrumptious recipes, visit knorreatforgood.com. Here you'll find a wealth of tips and delicious recipes to inspire you #eatforgood on World Eat For Good Day and beyond. 

To help inspire others to make simple changes that are better for the environment, share your Future 50 Foods swaps on your social channels tagging #knorr #eatforgood.

​Burns Night goes hand in hand with Scotch Whisky, however, for those who are looking for a delicious non-alcoholic drink to toast the occasion, Mother Root Ginger Switchel is the perfect alternative.  100% all-natural, this non-alcoholic aperitif is made with four key ingredients - a maceration of pressed ginger juice, blossom honey, organic apple cider vinegar and a hint of chilli, making it ideal for those who love revitalising drinks with a warming kick. 
 
Inspired by the age-old Anglo-American “shrub-making” tradition, the switchel is a fascinating beverage originating from the 1700s, which witnessed increased popularity during the Prohibition era. Mother Root’s Ginger Switchel is a revival of these interesting flavours, that’s been given a captivating modern twist.

For some drinks inspiration this Burns Night, Mother Root has recommended a selection of innovative recipes. Enjoy!

Just like one's health, sleep is one of those things that you don't appreciate until it's gone. Having had two children only 18 months apart three years ago, sleep is sadly one of the things I miss most. Long weekends snuggling under a duvet until 10am are long gone; these days I'm lucky if I get to sleep in until 8am on a weekend!

So, feeling exhausted and looking haggard, I'm always on the look out for things to help me get to sleep that little bit easier. When Pukka Tea recently contacted me to see if I'd be interested in participating in their 'Sleep With Ease' campaign, I jumped at the opportunity. My challenge was to keep a sleep diary and drink their slumber-inducing teas to help encourage an easier night's sleep. Here's my journey...

First off, the tea. I loved the beautiful floral artwork on the boxes. I artfully stacked them on my kitchen table and found I enjoyed just looking at the tea. But of course, I actually had to drink the tea to reap any benefits!

Pukka's Top Tips to Sleep With Ease

​The tips were easy enough to follow.

Day one - Creating a clutter free environment was my first task. With two young children running around, I'm often guilty of leaving stacks of clean laundry in piles on my window seat, so I made an effort all week to keep the surfaces tidy and it definitely had a more calming effect.

Day two - Removing technology from my sleep space was more difficult as I've become accustomed to watching Tik Tok videos or catching up on Facebook before bed, but I obliged nonetheless.

Day three - Setting a sleep time. This one is relatively easy as we have a pretty early bedtime anyways given we're so exhausted from taking care of the kids all day!

Day four - Practice a sleep routine you love. I've now started enjoying a nice hot shower and a cup of tea before bed, both of which make me feel refreshed and ready for bed.

Day five - Cut down on caffeine. I've yet to rid myself of my 2pm coffee habit, but Rome wasn't built in a day, so I haven't given up hope yet!

Day six - Unwind with sleepy ingredients. I've been loving all of the different Pukka Teas. From their Relax Tea (chamomile, fennel and marshmallow root; to their Night Time Tea (oatflower, lavendar and limeflower), it's a nice way to ease into the evening (preferably with a good book).

Day seven - Introduce light and movement to your day.  We try to take the kids out each day for a nice walk, which is great for getting in some fresh air (well as fresh as it can be for London) and it gives us a bit of light exercise. Win win. 

The verdict: I'd definitely recommend Pukka's teas for anyone looking for delicious teas that help you feel relaxed and get you in the mood for sleep.  For more information on how you can sleep with ease, visit: 

https://www.pukkaherbs.com/uk/en/sleep.html

​Click here to learn more about Pukka Teas


Ashley Miln 

Here are Bertinet Bakery’s five ways to jazz up your sourdough toast (beyond smashed avocado):

GARLIC, COTTAGE CHEESE AND HARISSA SOURDOUGH TOAST
2 heaped tbls low fat cottage cheese
1 small grated clove garlic
Squeeze lemon juice
1 tsp Harissa paste
Sprinkle of chilli flakes
Fresh basil leaves
Sea Salt & cracked black pepper
Drizzle of herb olive oil or plain
 
Mix the cottage cheese with the garlic, lemon juice, salt & pepper. Spread on seeded sourdough toast and top with the harissa, chilli flakes, basil & oil.

We've rounded up our top picks for the tastiest and most gorgeous food and drink gifts to give fabulous foodies. 

Clockwise from top left: 
Delamain Cognac - The 67 Edition
The 67 Edition offers a beguiling combination of delicate sophistication and depth. On the nose are aromas of pear and fresh fig layered with buttery brioche and raisins. On the palate are rich, mellow flavours of fig jam, ending with the slightest autumnal notes. 

Available from 67pallmall.com for £195 (70cl bottle).

Craft Coffee Club coffee subscription
This coffee subscription is ideal for all of the coffee lovers on your list. Each month subscribers receive either whole bean or ground ethically sourced single-origin artisan coffee alongside a selection of snacks and a mini-magazine with the details on the coffee and tasting/brewing notes. Even better, a portion of proceeds from every subscription goes towards helping to support farming communities around the globe by giving them funds to develop their businesses. 

Available from Craft Coffee Club f or £24.95 per month.

Mariage Frères’ NOËL GLAMOUR®, a luxury advent calendar 
This beautiful advent calendar from France's oldest luxury tea emporium Mariage Frères is filled with 24  premium teas.
Behind every door you'll find a luxury Mariage Frères’ tea. With classic such as Earl Grey as well as a wide variety of more unique options such as the fresh and fruity MARCO POLO®, to seasonal varieties such as the ESPRIT DE NOEL®, a festive and aromatic tea rich in Christmas spices, orange peel and vanilla, you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to making a cuppa. 

Available from Mariage Frères for £45.00.

The Bath Soft Cheese Co.
You can't have a foodie gift list without cheese - fact.  We love The Bath Soft Cheese Co., famed for its organic cheese heralding from the heart of Somerset. Made with traditional methods, these premium cheeses are renowned for their  distinctive quality. Selection boxes come packed with a range of signature cheeses, many with small batch chutneys and crackers.

Available from Barbury Hill priced from £25.

Mother Root Ginger Switchel
Mother Root Ginger Swtichel is a sophisticated 100% all-natural, non-alcoholic aperitif. A maceration of pressed ginger juice, blossom honey, Organic apple cider vinegar and a hint of chilli, it is inspired by the age-old Anglo-American “shrub-making” tradition originating from the 1700s. 

It is exceptionally versatile and can be served hot or cold. We love it in Mother Root’s gorgeous Hot-Not-Toddy, a non-alcoholic version of a traditional hot toddy, which is great for chilly winter days!

Available from motherroot.london for £19.00 (480 ml bottle).

Gyre & Gimble Gins 
Gyre & Gimble is a newly launched spirits brand which features three Alice in Wonderland inspired gins, combining the real world and the strange - Callooh Callay (a refreshing coastal gin), Nohow (a double-juniper London Dry) and Queen of Hearts (a rich, velvety cherry gin). The three gins make the perfect Christmas gift with a twist, and the cherry gin in particular is a festive addition to any booze cupboard.

The new gins are available from www.gyreandgimble.co.uk, all priced at £35 (70cl bottle) with delivery across mainland UK. The gins can also be found in the Gyre & Gimble bar in Norwich, where visitors can book a distilling experience to make their very own concoction from more than 30 botanicals to choose from.   

Wine & Food: The Perfect Match
Written by 67 Pall Mall’s Head of Wine, Ronan Sayburn MS and Head Chef, Marcus Verberne, ‘Wine and Food: The Perfect Match’ features a comprehensive study of the world’s great wines, how to drink them and what foods to pair them with. 

Available from 67 Pall Mall for £40.

British Charcuterie for Light Lunches & Boxing Day Brunches: Beal’s Farm
Direct from the farm to your kitchen table, Beal’s Farm, a family-run Sussex business, is the home of Mangalitsa charcuterie - award-winning cured meats from rare-breed pigs.  Winner of multiple Great Taste Awards, Beal’s look after the entire process of curing, smoking, air-drying and packing to ensure the highest quality, making them the choice of Michelin-starred chefs and restaurants around the country. 

A wide variety of boxes are available from the Charcuterie Sharing Selection through to the Luxury box featuring four varieties of cured meats including Air-dried Ham, Spalla, Coppa and Lomo, and two half sticks of different salamis – Milano, Fennel or Chorizo, ideal for entertaining and family gatherings.

Availabe from Barbury Hill priced between £18-£49.

Ashley Miln 

​When lockdown first struck, I had lofty ambitions to cook elaborate meals every day in efforts to break up the monotony, while making the most of having more time at home to prepare food. Six months on, the novelty of having to cook three meals a day - every single day - had begun to wear thin.
 
Love Yourself is a new food delivery brand that delivers nutritious and balanced food direct to your door. They have a wide variety of menus to choose from, all of which use only the freshest, finest, seasonal ingredients, meaning you’ll never get bored when it comes to options.
 
Whether you’re gluten free, dairy free, or if you prefer your meals to be halal, you can ensure you’ll be catered for. For those who are trying to watch their weight, Love Yourself’s menus sync with the MyFitness App, which helps you to track your calories and reach your goals.

All of the meals are cooked fresh and delivered daily, which ensures they are bursting with flavour. Love Yourself’s Head Chef, Michal Snela, who has worked in Michelin starred restaurants alongside Marcus Wareing, uses his expertise to ensure all dishes are superb.

​We trialled the Balanced Diet menu for three days and were amazed by both the variety of items on offer and the quality of every dish. The dishes are all healthy as they don’t contain additives or preservatives, and they only use fresh meat. Favourites included the braised beef with mushrooms and peppers; lamb curry; the chicken, sundried tomatoes, and asparagus salad; and the pineapple, coconut and banana breakfast smoothie, which we could happily drink every morning!
 
The Love Yourself delivery service is great for when you’re short on time but don’t want your meals to fall short on taste. Love Yourself offers a range of menus from £25 each day.
 
LoveYourself.co.uk 
 
Ashley Miln

I started eschewing alcohol when I fell pregnant with my eldest child and since then, I only enjoy the occasional tipple as there really is nothing more punishing then feeling hungover while having to look after two tiny tornados!

It can become a bit boring sticking to just juice, soda or water when you're not imbibing, so I was excited to discover  Mother Root, a non-alcoholic drinks brand that was founded by mumpreneur and drinks expert Bethan Higson, who launched the brand while pregnant, looking after a toddler and working a full-time job in the wine trade. She saw a gap in the market for interesting - and flavourful - non-alcoholic drinks, and Mother Root was born in her kitchen in Peckham.

​Mother Root Ginger Switchel is a maceration of pressed ginger juice, blossom honey, Organic apple cider vinegar and a hint of chilli. Inspired by the age-old Anglo-American “shrub-making” tradition originating from the 1700s, Mother Root Ginger Switchel is a revival of these interesting flavours, that’s been given a captivating modern twist.

In addition to being beyond delicious, it's also healthy thanks to its four key ingredients, which are bursting with nutrients.

Ginger has long been revered for its circulatory benefits as well as helping to reduce inflammation and  ease the symptoms of indigestion such as heart burn, bloating, and nausea.  Apple cider vinegar helps balance the body’s pH levels and blood sugar levels and aids digestion. Honey is packed with antioxidants and is great at helping to boost your immune system. Who knew one bottle could hold so much goodness within?!

An uplifting and invigorating drink, Mother Root Ginger Switchel is best enjoyed as a pre-dinner aperitif. Serve over ice with sparkling water or a light tonic, add a slice of orange and a fragrant sprig of rosemary, and you have everything you need for a refreshing drinking experience.

If you fancy a tipple, it's great as a base for vodka or dark rum based cocktails. We think it would be ideal for making a traditional Dark & Stormy with a twist!

Mother Root is available at www.motherroot.london.com and from quality independent retailers nationwide. Priced from £19.00 (480ml- 20 serves) or £8.90 (120ml – 5 serves).
 
For recipe inspiration visit: https://www.motherroot.london/recipes.