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!
Cathedral Cove Naturals Coconut Yoghurt range
My husband’s eyes were on these from the moment the samples arrived and I had to fend him off. We eat a lot of yoghurt in our household; the thicker and creamier the better. We know a lot of people with dairy or gluten intolerances in the family and also have a fair few friends who are vegan so these are a great alternative option to regular yoghurt. There are four flavours to choose from – Natural Coconut Yoghurt, Coconut Yoghurt with Cacao Bean, Coconut Yoghurt with Raspberry and Chia, and Coconut Yoghurt with Mango, Passionfruit and Chia.
Cathedral Cove Naturals Coconut Yoghurts are available in 500g (RRP $11) and 210g (RRP $5.50) at selected supermarkets nationwide.
Chantal Organics Peanut Butter
My family are huge peanut butter fans; we go through it so quickly as it goes into baking, smoothies, on top of crackers and toast – even into cooked meals (satay!). Chantal Organics recently sent me a delish one from their range made from organic peanuts with no added sugar or other additives.
Some peanut butters contain a lot of unnecessary extras though such as sugar, stabilisers (change texture of it), emulsifiers (prevent the oil/peanuts from separating but you can just give it a stir)… These are the peanut butters I avoid.
Chantal Organics Peanut Butter comes in:
- Classic (Smooth or Crunch) – for your more traditional style of peanut butter.
- Whole (Smooth or Crunchy) – made with unpeeled redskin peanuts giving them a slightly different texture.
Available from organic stores, supermarkets and specialty stores nationwide for RRP $9.27 (400g) or RRP $14.31 (700g).
The Collective’s Pro-Yo Skyr yoghurts
As I mentioned before, we’re big on yoghurt in our household so I’m always on the lookout for new and different types to try. I was sent one of each flavour from this new range of Skyr yoghurts to try and I can honestly say I’m hooked and in love with the Blackberry + Elderflower option.
Super thick in texture (it’s like eating really thick Greek yoghurt or cheesecake filling! Yum!), gluten-free and with no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives, they make a delicious treat.
Skyr is a traditional Icelandic cultural dairy product introduced by the Vikings over 1000 years ago. High in protein at 12g per tub and low in fat, Skyr has become a revived food trend in the US and Europe and now it’s hit our shores.
Find The Collective’s Skyr yoghurts in supermarkets around the country in 150g single serve tubs for RRP $3.30 each. Available in five flavours: Rhubarb, Strawberry, Blueberry, Mango, and Blackberry + Elderflower.
Coconut Juicies
When I received samples of the new Coconut Juicies recently, we actually already had a few flavours of the regular Juicies in our freezer; a little bit of nostalgia for the husband and I back to our college days when you’d have a cold treat in the summer time.
This new range of fruit and coconut cream blends are 100% natural and come in easy to eat pop-up tubes. The perfect treat for hot summer days, Coconut Juicies are 100% natural and made in Nelson with no added sugar. There are three flavours to choose from – Strawberry, Mango (my favourite!), or Pineapple.
Available in four-pack boxes for RRP $4.99 from selected New World and Pak n’ Saves around the country.
The Alternative Meat Co range
Eating more plant-based foods is not only good for your health but also sustainability and the environment. In the years to come, you’ll likely be seeing an increasing number of vegetarian/vegan products and meat alternatives.
I was recently gifted a sample of The Alternative Meat Co’s Beef Free Chunks and Chicken Free Strips with are soy-based, meat-free, gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and ethically/non-GMO sourced. The Beef Free Chunks have a slightly smokey flavour (road tested ours in Mexican burritos and they were really good!), while the Chicken Free Strips are perfect for curries and stir fries. You simply cook as you would normal meat – if you want it to be more tender you can add a little water, stock or sauce.
Find The Alternative Meat Co’s Beef Free Chunks and Chicken Free Strips (both RRP $8.50) at leading supermarkets nationwide.
Wild Virgin Blue Coconut Oil
We go through a fair amount of coconut oil in our household; it gets used for frying pan and grill prepping (it’s high smoke point makes it healthier to use than many other oils available), as an ingredient in cooking and baking, and for a wide range of natural beauty/health treatments from a simple skin moisturiser and lip balm to treating cradle cap!
I was recently sent samples of two products from Blue Coconut Oil’s range to try out; while I’ve used the traditional Blue Coconut Oil before, what piqued my interest was the Wild Virgin Blue Coconut Oil. The key differences are that the latter is certified organic and the coconuts used are not commercially farmed or from plantations. They grow in their natural habitat and are gathered by locals from various Pacific Island villages.
Traditional Blue Coconut Oil (400g, RRP $8.99) and Wild Virgin Blue Coconut Oil (400g, RRP $15.99) are available from selected supermarkets and specialty food stores nationwide.
Images / NZ Real Health