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!
Chia Cups
These landed on my doorstep last week and not only do they look beautiful but they’re healthy too! Gluten free, dairy free, vegan friendly and preservative free, these new Chia Cups from Auckland-based The Vital Bowl are packed with chia seeds which are loaded with antioxidants, omega-3, dietary fibre and protein.
My fave flavour was the Raspberry Zing (the husband’s preference was for the other flavour, Tropical Passion) which is delicately flavoured with raspberry puree, raspberry powder, coconut cream powder and stevia,
To see stockists, visit www.thevitalbowl.co.nz/pages/our-chia-cup-stockists or purchase in bulk directly from the website. For more info visit www.thevitalbowl.co.nz.
UE Megaboom
Just bought myself one of these bad boys and the sound quality is just amazing. Perfect for taking your music with you when training outdoors whatever the weather, this wireless Bluetooth speaker has 360-degree sound, is waterproof, can play music for up to 20 hours nonstop, and comes in a great range of vibrant colours. I’m using mine to play music from my cellphone for group training sessions with clients but am thinking it will be great poolside in the summer as well!
If it’s too big and/or pricey for you there’s also the smaller UE Boom 2 and the UE Roll. I found the bass on the Megaboom to be a lot better though, and that was my sole reason for purchase!
RRP is $449 but I got mine for a great deal at Harvey Norman over the weekend. For more info visit www.ultimateears.com/en-nz/uemegaboom.
EasiYo’s new flavours
My EasiYo yogurt maker has been well used over the years. I love how easy it is to make my own yogurt and how there are so many flavours available (over 30). EasiYo have now fronted up with two new flavours launched in time for the cooler months – Pear, and Lemon & Ginger with Bits – which they sent me to try out and I can verify they are delish! They’ve also given me some to give away here 🙂
Try them out yourself by getting your yogurt base sachets from New World, Pak ‘n Save and Countdown supermarkets nationwide from RRP $4.79. For more info take a look at www.easiyo.com.
Matcha Matcha Latte Grade tea
Matcha tea has been gaining traction as an increasingly popular drink lately; a version of green tea with amplified qualities in comparison, I was intrigued to try it out when Matcha Matcha sent me through a sample. One third the caffeine of coffee, packed with antioxidants, boosts concentration and focus, raises energy levels, supports immunity, increases metabolism… all sounds pretty good!
I made the mistake of not reading the instructions properly (read them just enough to see their suggestion of adding the vibrant green powder to warm coconut milk which sounded amazing) and added a heaped teaspoon into one teacup of coconut milk. This wasn’t ideal as it’s quite strong in flavour – revised at half a teaspoon and it was delish. It came with a ‘chasen’ whisk which you use to combine the powder and the milk, frothing it up. I had the best froth results from making the tea in a bowl first before pouring into the cup.
Matcha Matcha Latte Grade tea is available for RRP $24 (60g, up to 60 servings). For the full traditional Japanese experience the Bamboo Matcha Scoop (RRP $7) and the Bamboo Chasen 100 Prong whisk (RRP $24) are also available for purchase. Get your Matcha Matcha from selected health food stores, Farro Fresh, Little Bird Unbakery and many other great cafes. For more info visit www.matchamatcha.co.nz.
Lamington Merino Socks
I nabbed a pair of these from a recent sale and am in love with them. Although Lamington are primarily known for making children’s merino socks and tights, you can also get socks for grown ups too.
You can’t tell from the photo but these are the most beautiful winter snowflake-like pattern. The merino fabric makes them warm but as the weave is so fine the socks aren’t scratchy like many woollies are. I can already tell I’m going to live in these over the winter months. For more info, to purchase or for stockists, visit www.lamington.co.nz. Grown up sizes RRP from $26.95 per pair.
The Collective Suckies
I was sent a range of these to try out and became hooked as they are thick, creamy and oh so delish. As I have an 8-month-old daughter, I only buy her yoghurt with zero processed sugar content. Imagine my excitement when I checked the ingredients list on the back of these and found they contain no added cane sugar so she’s right into them too.
The flavours get their sweetness from the fruit (and from what I can tell for most – if not all of them – pineapple juice concentrate). Favourite flavours in our household are raspberry, strawberry, blueberry, vanilla, and my personal one is honeycomb; though not for Miss E as honey is only recommended after 12 months.
The Collective Suckies are available at all good supermarkets and specialty food stores nationwide for RRP $1.80 (per 100g pack). For more info, check out www.thecollectivedairy.com.
Chantal Organic’s Whole Tahini
This certified organic Kiwi brand has created five varieties of Tahini – one of the key ingredients in hummus. You’d think that store-bought hummus would be enough to keep you going in life, but you haven’t truly lived until you’ve made your own!
Made from organic unhulled sesame seeds that have been roasted and stoneground, get your Chantal Organic’s Whole Tahini (RRP $8.99, 400g) from selected organic stores, supermarkets and specialty stores in city and regional centres around New Zealand.
Pic’s Almond and Cashew Butters
The makers of my favourite peanut butter recently brought out a cashew butter and almond butter to add to their range. Smooth, delicious and a great alternative if there’s someone in your household with a peanut allergy. I recently saw a food blog post where they’d created homemade muesli using cashew butter – this is on my list of things to do in the near future!
Pic’s Almond Butter and Pic’s Cashew Butter are available from Countdown, selected New World supermarkets and the Pic’s website for RRP $11.99. For more info visit www.picspeanutbutter.com.
Images / Supplied