LighterLife - Fast 5:2

Eat low-fat foods. Exercise more. Skip meals. Don’t skip meals. Fast. We have all been given different suggestions for weight loss, but which ones actually work?

Here at The Amazing Blog we do not generally approve of dieting; however, LighterLife Fast 5:2 products provide a healthy way to lose or maintain weight through intermittent fasting.

Normally when we hear the word “fast,” we run for the hills because who wants to limit the amount of food they eat?

Intermittent fasting generally involves cutting calorie intake to around a quarter of what you would usually eat for just two days a week. The rest of the week you can eat how you always eat.

Why should you try this you might ask? Intermittent fasting is perfect for shedding a few pounds or keeping your weight in check. Plus, it’s easy and nutritious without the hassle of cooking, food shopping and calorie counting.

On each fasting day, you will be consuming 600 calories while still getting 100% of your recommended daily allowances of key minerals, vitamins, protein and fibre. With LighterLifeFastpacks, you have a choice between savoury meals such as Spaghetti Bolognese and Pasta Carbonara, Porridge, four shakes (vanilla, strawberry, banana and chocolate) and four meal bars (nut fudge, crispy peanut, cranberry & raspberry and toffee).

Our executive editor tried it for a week and was quite impressed that she didn’t feel hungry, even after consuming only 600 calories. She had a combination of all of the Fastpacks and her favourite was the bars. She felt they really stopped her snacking. She wasn’t so keen on the soups and shakes, but she did enjoy the porridge and pasta carbonara.

If you think this is a great way to maintain a sustainable lifestyle, you can purchase a box of four Fastpacks exclusively at Superdrug stores across the UK and Ireland for £7.99. A box of four is enough for one day of fasting. If you aren’t sure whether this product is for you, you can receive complementary media trials to sample the products first hand and then make your decision!

Nature's Path - 'Hot and Steamy' Porridge Oats

It’s time to get hot and steamy up in here!

Now, guys, let’s not get carried away. We at The Amazing Blog are simply referring to delicious       newporridge called Nature's Path ‘Hot and Steamy.’

The Canadian firm prides itself on creating amazing flavour when it comes to gluten-free  breakfast options, because let’s face it, there are many companies out there that think they can pull off the gluten-free name and they just can’t.

Why porridge you ask? Well, porridge has a reputation as a ‘super food’ with a low glycaemic index, which helps suppress one’s appetite and maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Plus, nearly one in two Britons eat porridge, which makes the UK a perfect target.

The new ‘Hot and Steamy’ porridge offers three flavours in every pack – Original, Spiced Apple and Canadian Maple – each in a handy single-serving packet. They are gluten-free, wholegrain, high fibre, organic and low in saturated fat.

We give Nature's Path an A for creating a great-tasting, gluten-free breakfast that targets the mouths of half of the UK. I was a little taken aback by how small the packet seemed, but I just added some apple to it and I could go the whole morning without wanting more food. Plus, it was delicious, and of course, it also receives an A+ for its eye-catching name.

‘Hot and Steamy’ is available at local grocery stores and good independent health food stores at £2.99 for eight sachets (two original flavours and three each of spiced apple and Canadian maple).

Hello Spray

Have you ever gone on a date, ordered an eye-catching meal and then realised you now have bad breath? Here at The Amazing Blog we understand your dilemma, which is why we set out to find a great product to help freshen up your breath. Say hello to Hello Sprays!

All you have to do is spray and voilà! Your breath is as good as new.

Hello, a new oral-care company, prides itself on its intention to create products without alcohol, artificial sweeteners or artificial colouring. It focuses on natural ingredients while still tasting great. You can buy flavours, such as Mojito Mint, Pink Grapefruit Mint and Supermint. 

Now you never have to worry about your breath throughout the date. Just excuse yourself, go to the toilets, use your Hello Spray, and you’re good to go. Just make sure you don’t leave it at home!

Visit Hello's website to see a list of companies that supply these tasty spritz-on-the-go products  and all of your bad breath problems will disappear. 

Gousto

To maintain a healthy lifestyle, we at The Amazing Blog find it effective to sit down and plan out our meals for the week. Nevertheless, we are a very busy bunch. Luckily for us, there are companies like Gousto to help make our meal preparation so much easier.

Gousto is an innovative company that shops and delivers all of the ingredients for any tasty meals you desire. Each week, Gousto offers 10 different meals to choose from. Once you have chosen what you want, they deliver all of the ingredients right to your doorstep. No matter how big or small, if it’s included in the recipe, Gousto will put it in your parcel.

One of the best things about Gousto is the quality of the ingredients. The vegetables are all organic, the meat comes from a family owned farm in Devon and the fish comes straight from a fish monger in Scotland. Not only is it convenient and saves time, but it allows you and your family access to only the freshest organic products available.

Gousto boxes contain the needed ingredients for three meals on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Though you may be thinking, ‘What if I’m at work, or unavailable to pick up the products from my home?” Not to worry, because all you need to do is simply let Gousto know where you want your parcel delivered.

We tried a Gousto box with recipes for Moroccan Spiced Lamb with Apricots and Couscous, Cream Pork Steaks with Apple, Thyme & Link and Crunchy Cashew Stir-Fry with Basmati Rice. Not only were these all delicious, but the recipe cards were efficient and simple to use. We enjoyed what we ate and we knew it was quality food.

Box prices vary depending on the meals you choose and the number of people joining you (2 or 4).  All pricing information and other FAQ’s can be found here.

Maison Dog

A dog is a man’s best friend! We at The Amazing Blog love to spoil our pets, and we believe that The Maison Dog is the perfect shop for furry fanatics of all kinds. The Maison Dog just opened its first store in East Dulwich on October 4th. Their website is split into two stores that you can access through the two front doors- ‘Antique Dog’ and ‘Retro Dog’, depending on which you prefer. ‘Antique Dog’ specialises in canine collectibles sourced from all around the globe, while the concept behind ‘Retro Dog’ is that of eco awareness and sustainability. Not really a dog person? Well, for you cat people out there, ‘Maison Kitten’ provides a small range of feline inspired collectibles and antiques as well.

Aside from their gorgeous canine antiques and collectibles, the shop also sells their own range of top quality leashes and collars, all made in England by a top saddlery maker in the finest leather and brass. They will also have luxury dog beds and blankets, toys and other accessories available for purchase.

Finally, the shop offers a fun feature called “Dog of the Week,” starring photographs of real pets sent in by people like you. In order to have a chance at getting your pet featured, send photos of your dog to maisondoglondon@gmail.com and tell the Maison Dog staff all about your little friend. If you are interested in having your pet become “Dog of the Week,” please include the name, sex, likes, dislikes, their favourite food and their favourite toy.

No matter what kind of animal you love or what kind of pet you may have, there is a little something for everyone who genuinely loves their pet. Visit the Maison Dog’s new store at 20 Northcross Road, London SE22 9EU or give them a call at 020 8299 3390.

Take a look at Maison Dog and everything they have to offer here.