Review: Dorset Cereals Gingerbread Porridge

I don't usually buy flavoured porridge (I find them too cloying and sweet) but I couldn't resist trying this Gingerbread Porridge from Dorset Cereals. Gingerbread is one of my favourite flavours for new products at this time of year and it's warming nature seems especially appealing for a porridge.

The Dorset Cereals Gingerbread Porridge is described as a creamy blend of oats and barley with real gingerbread pieces. There are 10 sachets in each pack and each serving is 237 calories (with 180ml of semi-skimmed milk). The porridge has plenty of dark gingerbread pieces and I could already smell the familiar scent of ginger and spices as I opened the pack. The actual gingerbread flavour is quite subtle once the porridge is prepared, this is certainly not an overpowering gingerbread. The porridge itself is thick and creamy in texture and the gingerbread adds an extra warmth with it's spiced background flavour. I was also pleased to find that the porridge is not overly sweet, in fact, there's not much sweetness here at all which I prefer. 

Overall, it's definitely worth a try for any fans of gingerbread for it's subtle, warming, not-too-sweet flavour - it's very filling too!

Grocery Gems Review: Dorset Cereals Gingerbread Porridge

RATING: 8 out of 10.
Buy them again?: Yes.
Purchased: Ocado - also available instore exclusively at Waitrose.
Price: £2.59p.

Check out my previous gingerbread reviews:
Alpro Gingerbread Man Desserts
Walls Gingerbread Sandwich Ice Cream

Degustabox August Review & a £7 Discount Code

My August Degustabox actually arrived in early September as I had to delay the delivery (I was on holiday when it was due to arrive). I love how easy it is the reschedule the Degustabox delivery if the time and date isn't convenient. Anyway, as usual the Degustabox was once again packed full of new foodie products that I can't wait to try.  

Discount Code: BLDEG15

Degustabox is a monthly foodie subscription service that sends out a range of specially selected foodie products. There's always a great mix of new products that I haven't tried before, as well as plenty of treats from more established brands. Each Degustabox costs £12.99p, delivery costs are included in the price, and there is no fixed contract involved - you can cancel at any time.

The discount code has been increased and now offers a massive £7.00 off, bringing the cost to £6.99 delivered. Check out the Degustabox website below and enter the discount code: BLDEG15

www.degustabox.com/en

Here's a quick round up of all the products I received in the August Degustabox:

Willy Chase's Fit Corn: I've never heard of this brand before but the bright packaging and interesting flavour made it instantly appealing. There were one of four possible flavours in the Degustabox: Apple Cider Vinegar, Smokey Bloody Mary, Goats Cheese, Onion & Thyme or Salted Honey. I'm definitely pleased with the flavour I received! The combination of sweet honey and salty flavours worked together perfectly.

NutriPot: Another new brand to me which I'm always keen to try out. The NutriPot are designed to be healthy and nutritious, with each pot containing 50% of all the 28 vitamins and minerals your body requires every day. I received two flavours that are both simple to make by just adding boiling water. The Aromatic Thai Noodles has a slightly spiced flavour while the Moroccan Couscous is flavoured with sultanas and herbs. 

Clipper Lime & Ginger Green Tea: I've only recently become a convert to lemon flavoured green tea. I'd always assumed it wouldn't be for me but I tried a cup at a friends house and became hooked. This Lime & Ginger flavour works just as well with the lime added a refreshing sweetness and the ginger providing extra warmth. Lemon green tea is still my favourite but I would buy this one if I fancied a change.

Dorset Cereals Bircher Mix: Bircher Muesli is traditionally made in Switzerland by soaking oats overnight in juice and yogurt and adding grated fruit. The Dorset Cereals Bircher Mix came with a little scoop for measuring out the perfect portion, and is then made by adding 60ml of apple juice, a spoonful of yogurt on top and refridgerating for 30mins (or overnight) in the fridge.

The result is an absolutely delicious and creamy muesli that is packed full of fruity flavour. I've never had oats made with apple juice before and now I just can't stop! It's become my favourite breakfast and I've had it every day since I first tried it. I'll be buying this regularly from now on.

Mahou Cinco Estrellas Lager: This lager is produced in Madrid and has a history going back 126 years. It's available in most supermarkets such as Asda, Sainsbury's and online at Ocado. My dad loves this one!

Get More Multivitamins: This drink is made with spring water, natural flavours and no added sugar. There are six different flavours available and I received the Sparkling Lemon & Lime. It's a refreshing drink with a flavour similar to a diet lemonade. I preferred the Still Mango & Passionfruit version which I tried in a previous Degustabox.

Fentimans Sparkling Lime & Jasmine: I'm a fan of Fentimans' botanical drinks, especially their Curiosity Cola. This Sparkling Lime and Jasmine is new to me so I was excited to give it a try. The initial flavour is quite sharp, with the citrus notes kicking in straight away and quite a sour taste overall.

Rakusen's Snackers: Available in Plain and Gluten Free varieties. These Snackers are less than 1% fat and have seven calories per cracker. The ingredients in both are very simple, resulting in quite plain tasting crackers - a bit like water crackers. They're very crunchy which makes them good for dipping and topping.

Geeta's Curry Pastes & Chutney: There were three different products from the Geeta's range in the Degustabox. The curry pastes, a Tikka and a Rogan Josh, are quite small so are ideal for two rather than for family meals. The Premium Mango Chutney is an award-winning chutney that is sweet, tangy and full of flavour.

Tabasco Sauce: My other half was very pleased to find this in the Degustabox. He loves trying out different barbecue sauces - any excuse to fire up the BBQ! This Sweet & Sticky Barbecue sauce and marinade has a rich and smokey flavour and works well on ribs and pulled pork.

Capsicana Latin Flavours: Capsicana Cook Sauces are available in three Latin American inspired flavours; Peruvian Chilli & Lemon, Brazilian Chilli & Coconut, and Mexican Chilli & Honey. This looks like a fabulous new range and the flavours all look really appealing. I'm looking forward to giving these one a try, I'll probably use it with chicken but it can also be used with fish or vegetables. The Capsicana range is now available at Waitrose.

Overall, I really enjoyed the surprise selection in this months Degustabox. There was a wonderful mix of useful items and many new brands. I also received a packet of Oloves which I've reviewed previously here - Oloves Olives Review. My favourites this month were the Clipper Tea, Tabasco BBQ sauce, Chase's Popcorn and the amazing Dorset Cereals Bircher Mix.

For more details on Degustabox:

Degustabox website: www.degustabox.com/en

Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DegustaboxUK

Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DegustaboxUK

I received a Degustabox in order to provide an honest review.

Dorset Cereals: What Makes You Happy? #lifebeginsatbreakfast

Dorset Cereals are known for their range of delicious cereals that use only the finest natural ingredients. They recently asked me to get involved in a simple happiness challenge and think about my top five happiness actions. To really ask the important question - What Makes You Happy? Of course, Dorset Cereals believe that happiness, and life, begins at breakfast (#lifebeginsatbreakfast) and it's easy to understand why. I'm sure we all get that positive feeling that having a good start to the day gives. It's a feeling that can carry through the rest of the day. 

Dorset Cereals own advice about starting the day is all about being thoughtful. They explain that breakfast is the perfect time to set a positive intention and tone for the day and take a moment to appreciate the good things around us. Small changes in how we start the day really can make a big difference:

·         THINK: As Ferris Bueller once said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” So focus on the good stuff. What happened yesterday, what’s good about today. And feel the benefits of a little reflection and observation. Miss this at breakfast and you won’t have time to catch up during the day.

·         TALK: The work/life balance can classically kill off family time, but as you wake up this is the time you are most likely to be together as a family group. Don’t leave it for ‘later’ when ‘later’ inevitably changes shape during the day.

·         MOVE:  Dorset residents might benefit from acres of coastline and countryside all around, but planning something active shouldn’t rest on this alone. Think as you chew about whether you’re pacing up and down the office when on a call, or actually walking up an escalator. If you plan it before you leave home, you will do it, rather than fall into the fug of routine. And feel good about it.

·         ENJOY: Quality of life needs some…quality. From a particular coffee smell that beats all others, to ingredients in your food that you can actually savour above the functional, to little moments of pleasure that you can plan into each day. The link again is the planning, the enjoyment factor and the few minutes to work into the day that make everything a little more enjoyable.

Words of wisdom that I'm sure anyone living a busy lifestyle can relate to, for me especially the "don't leave it until later" bit really resonates, I'm often guilty of that!

I was sent a lovely parcel of cereals and a copy of their gorgeous Breakfast Book. This is full of delicious recipes from Peanut Butter Energy Bars to Danish Puff Pancakes, and also reminds us along the way of the simple pleasures in life, like knitting or the perfect cup of tea. 

I used this idea of the Simple Pleasures in Life as my inspiration for my top five happiness actions. I decided to focus on the little personal things that make me happy on a daily basis.

Image: Etsy

1 - Discovering Something New: Not surprising given what I blog about, but I love discovering new things, and not just new products. There is something so wonderful about being introduced to a fantastic undiscovered book or film. Happiness is definitely found in visiting a new place or making a new friend - life feels good when you keep exploring, growing and discovering the new. 

2 - Reflection: I don't have many vices in life. Well, okay, maybe chocolate, but apart from that I don't drink or smoke and I try to have a balanced diet. I grew up with a Meditteranean style diet so that's how I continue nowadays. When it comes to coffee however, I'm happy to admit that I'm addicted to my morning cup! I actually only drink one cup a day (maybe two at the weekend!) but it really is my way of reflecting on the day before and getting ready for the day ahead. Just give me my five minutes of peace in the morning and I'm happy for the rest of the day! :)

3 - HUGS (and laughter!) - Day to day I don't think anything can make you feel instantly happier than a hug, as long as it's from the right person (or pet!). Just this weekend I had an awful time with the simplest thing - making dinner. The first dinner I made (quorn stir fry & noodles) was completely burnt after I got distracted for a few minutes. Then I managed to drop the second dinner I made on the floor, the whole thing, oven tray and all. All that was forgotten when my youngest son rushed over and gave me the biggest bear hug ever = instant happiness! This also goes hand in hand with generally smiling, laughing and having a good giggle in the face of little mishaps.

4 - Reading - Books make me happy. I don't read nearly as many books as I used to but I can still lose myself in a book for hours. It's so therapeutic sometimes to just forget about everything else and get lost in a different place and time. Luckily I've passed on my love of reading to my children and there really is nothing better than cuddling up together and embarking on a new story. When they were really little, instead of playing "shops", they preferred to set up a little pretend library at home!

5 - Eating: Not in the sense of gluttony, but in the sociableness and memories that are often associated with food. Family gatherings, birthday parties, and many other social occasions often revolve around the enjoyment of food. But it all starts at home, and just the pleasure of cooking itself (despite the mishaps!), and making the time to enjoy family mealtimes together is where the happiness lies for me.

Putting together this list was an interesting experience and I realised that there were so many other little actions I could have included here that make me happy; walking, cross stitching, exercise (sometimes!), writing... there are just too many to list. What simple pleasures make you happiest?

PR Samples.

Review: New Dorset Cereals Tasty Toasted Muesli

The lovely range of Dorset Cereals' muesli has undergone a nature inspired makeover and also introduced two new varieties. I was recently sent a selection of the Dorset Cereals Tasty Toasted Muesli in three varieties; Spelt,Fruit & Nut Muesli, New Hazelnut & Brazil Muesli, and New Raspberry & Apple Muesli. With this new Tasty Toasted range, Dorset Cereals have created a muesli with a lighter texture and crunch, whilst still being packed with wholegrains and fibre. Using only the finest ingredients these cereals combine crunchy flakes with the natural taste of a quality muesli. I was happy to be asked to put the Tasty Toasted range to the test and I've even used them as the basis for a few simple recipes.

Dorset Cereals Tasty Toasted Raspberry & Apple Muesli - The different shades of pink make this muesli look so pretty, it's like a little bowl of sunshine to wake up to in the morning. The pink colouring comes from a mix of dried cranberries, freeze dried raspberries, and raspberry flavoured barley flakes. There are also pieces of dried apple which add a lovely extra sweetness. I enjoyed the crunchiness of the flakes, made up of oat flakes, barley flakes, rye flakes and wheat flakes, combined with the more traditional ingredients of a muesli. It's the fruitiest muesli of the bunch and makes a very delicious start to the day.

Dorset Cereals Tasty Toasted Hazelnut & Brazil Muesli - This is a combination of toasted flakes, chopped hazelnuts, sliced Brazil nuts and coconut with almonds and tiny date pieces. Again, it has a wonderful combination of crunchy and chewy elements. The overall flavour has a delicious caramel and coconut edge that I absolutely adored.

Raspberry & Apple Muesli Cookies

I decided to add the Dorset Cereals Tasty Toasted Muesli to my favourite super easy recipe for oat cookies. These never fail! I've used this recipe for many years, it's adapted from this recipe here. (Note: I usually use 8oz of Porridge Oats but adapted that quantiy to include the muesli).

Ingredients: 

8oz Self Raising Flour

8oz Sugar

6oz Porridge Oats

2oz Tasty Toasted Raspberry & Apple Muesli

8oz Margarine (I use a vegan spread, Pure)

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon Golden Syrup

Method: 

- Melt the margarine or butter in a saucepan over a low heat. Add the Golden Syrup and a spoonful of hot water if needed. 

- Mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl (flour, sugar, oats, muesli, cinnamon).

- Stir the melted ingredients into the dry ingredients.

- Combine well until the mixture forms a large ball of dough.

-Make balls using the dough (I make mine quite large!), then place on a lined baking tray and flatten each ball gently with a fork.

- Place in a preheated oven at 180c for 12-15 minutes.

- Cool on a wire rack.

These cookies are very simple to make and my whole family loves them!

Also a quick serving suggestion, I've been enjoying the Tasty Toasted Muesli range simply served with plain yogurt and blueberries, instead of milk. You could also add a drizzle of honey or use a vanilla flavoured yogurt for a sweeter treat. 

Grocery Gems Verdict: Dorset Cereals Tasty Toasted Muesli

Rating: Hazelnut & Brazil; 9 out of 10, Raspberry & Apple; 10 out of 10.

Nutrition: Hazelnut & Brazil: 243 cals per 43g, Raspberry & Apple; 223 cals per 43g.

Purchased: Available in Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsbury's.

Price: £3.79p rrp (650g).

Degustabox Review & Discount Code!

There are quite a few subscription foodie services around at the moment but one that has always stood out to me is the Degustabox, an exciting monthly surprise tasting box. Each month a range of specially selected new and limited edition (magically words to me!) food products from well known brands are sent out in a gorgeously packaged box. There is no fixed contract involved, the monthly fee is £12.99 which includes delivery, and Degustabox estimate that the value of the contents is approximately twice that.

Competition:

If you love new and limited edition goodies as much as me then I'm pleased to say that Degustabox have kindly offered my readers the chance to WIN a Degustabox! I will be posting the competition details tomorrow so please check back!

Discount Code:
In the meantime you can also use the following Discount Code for £3.00 off your next Degustabox. The code is - BEZLS

There were so many products I actually struggled to get them all in a photo! What surprised me about the Degustabox I received was the quality of the products. Many of them are organic, and others are brands that I've previously lingered over in Waitrose and health food shops! This is definitely a box for someone who likes to try goodies that are a little bit different, as well as products that the whole family can enjoy. For me, it had the perfect balance of food products. I'll be featuring in depth reviews soon, but here's a quick run down of all of the goodies in the January Degustabox.

Dorset Cereals Berry Granola - a deliciously simple mix of gently baked oats, zingy raspberries & blackberries. I'm a big fan of Dorset Cereals so I can't wait to try this new Berry Granola. I think this would also be lovely for making some berry and granola muffins!

There were two drinks included in the parcel, both very well wrapped. Firstly, the Zico Chocolate Coconut Water. I haven't been a fan of coconut water in the past but the idea of a chocolate version is intriguing! It's low calorie, at only 20 calories per 100ml, and is made using natural chocolate flavour. The other drink is Go! Kombucha China White Fermented Raw Tea. This is described as having a unique sweet/sour taste and follows an original Ancient Chinese recipe for kombucha tea, often seen as a tonic to good health. Review coming soon!

Goody Good Stuff - I'm so glad there are some sweets included in the box! Not just any sweets though, these are all-natural, gelatin free, and dairy free (as well as being free from gluten, soy, nuts, high fructose corn syrup). There were two large bags in the Degustabox; Sour Mix & Match, and Tropical Fruit.

Maggi Recipe Mixes - There were three Maggi recipes mixes included; So Juicy Sticky BBQ, So Juicy Mexican Chicken, and So Tender Italian Herbs for Chicken. I've reviewed the So Juicy range before HERE, but the So Tender recipe mix with papyrus cooking paper is new to me and I can't wait to try it out for some quick and tasty mid week dinners.

Quinola Mothergrain Express - I was so excited when I saw this! I love Quinoa for a healthy superfood treat, and even though it's fairly easy to make on it's own, I've been looking longingly at the ready made express Quinoa packs for quite awhile now. These organic Quinoa pouches can be eaten hot or cold and are ideal as part of a salad or as a hot side.

Amy's Kitchen - Another brand that I've always wanted to try. Amy's Kitchen use organic ingredients to create nourishing health conscious soups. I buy a lot of fresh tomato soups and I'm eager to see how this Amy's Kitchen chunky variety compares. 

Jules Destrooper Butter Crisps - The Jules Destrooper biscuiterie was founded over 125 years ago and even though I was aware of this distinguished brand, I'm ashamed to say I've never tried their biscuits. Thank you Degustabox for introducing me to these delightful butter biscuits! 

Garofalo Whole Wheat Spaghetti - I was lucky enough to receive this extra product in my Degustabox. An organic whole wheat pasta made in Naples by premium Italian pasta makers Garofalo. I adore whole wheat pasta so this was another winning product for me. 

Overall I was exceptionally pleased with my Degustabox. I loved the eclectic range of products, from family meal helpers, soups and drinks, to lovely sweet treats, all from an interesting mix of well known and distinctive brands. If you're the type of person, who loves searching out unusual products or want some new foodie inspiration then the Degustabox offers a good value way of trying out something a little bit different!

For more details:
http://bit.ly/DBhomepage - Degutabox website
http://bit.ly/DBUKfacebook - Facebook
http://bit.ly/DBUKTwitter - twitter

And don't forget to check back on Grocery Gems tomorrow for the Degustabox competition!

I received a Degustabox in order to provide an honest review.