Product profile: My latest health & wellness picks

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 products 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!

Tom & Luke Snackaballs

I discovered these tasty morsels during my weekly grocery shop. I’ve eaten a lot of raw energy balls and Snackaballs are probably some of the best pre-packaged ones flavour-wise. Made in New Zealand, I can’t find much info about this particular product online for you at the moment but I’ve tried four flavours – Cacao, Mint & Almond, Strawberry & Macadamia, Salted Caramel (!), and Chocolate, Rum & Raisin. I think from memory there was another one that had cranberries in it.

The four ones I did try were absolutely delish and dangerously moreish; my favourite is a tie between the Mint and the Rum & Raisin. All are made with natural ingredients (mostly fruit, nuts and seeds), and are gluten free and dairy free.

Tom & Luke Snackaballs are available at selected supermarkets and food stores for RRP $1.89 (70g, 5 balls). For more info on the brand visit www.tomandluke.co.nz or their facebook page.

Gluten Freedom Everyday Pita Breads

I don’t have any problems with gluten, but I do notice that when I eat too much bread or pasta my tummy starts to feel bloated so I like to give it a break every now and then. I was recently sent Gluten Freedom’s Lebanese pita bread to try and was impressed at how good it tasted, not to mention how well it held together when stuffing it with ingredients (one of the permanent issues with using pita bread is when it falls apart while trying to pack it to the brim!).

Made with a combination of kumara, coconut and potato flours along with ground linseed, these pitas contain no additives, preservatives or colouring. Find them for RRP $6.99 at specialty food stores nationwide and at www.glutenfreedom.co.nz.

Barker’s of Geraldine fruit juices

Just in time to help combat the winter lurgeys, this South Island-based company has just launched their new Unsweetened Blackcurrant juice (packed with 950 squeezed blackcurrants in every bottle!) which has three times the daily requirements of vitamin C per 200mls.

Their existing range includes Lite Squeezed NZ Blackcurrants, and Lemon, Honey & Ginger which are also perfect for boosting the immune system.

Barker’s Unsweetened Blackadder Blackcurrant juice is available from supermarkets nationwide or online for RRP $8.90. For more information, visit www.barkers.co.nz.

King Soup mixes

I’ve always been a fan of slow-cooked meals; even more so now that I’m a mum as they are quick and easy to prepare, and at the end of a tiring day your dinner is already waiting for you, ready to be eaten.

New Zealand-made King Soup has been cooking in Kiwi kitchens for more than 60 years and they have recently brought out two new flavours to their Traditional Soup Mix range – Gluten Free Vegetable, and Beef and Vegetable. These packs are perfect as a base for casseroles and slow cooked meals.

These two delish new flavours are available at supermarkets nationwide for RRP $2.99. For slow cook recipe ideas, visit kingsoup.co.nz.

Meadow Fresh Goodies

Household name in dairy products Meadow Fresh has released a new range of yoghurt for kids made with fresh milk and real fruit. Containing no artificial sweeteners, colours or flavours, I’m pretty picky about what I’ll feed Miss E – and she’s a yoghurt monster (if you start feeding it to her, she won’t stop eating it until you literally cut her off from the supply!), so this is great news.