Sagaform - Fruit Infuser Pistons

Here at The Amazing Blog, we know how important it is to stay hydrated, but it can often seem a bit of a chore to keep on sipping throughout the day. Luckily for us, we’ve discovered a way to spice up our water, thanks to Sagaform’s Fruit Infuser Pistons.

Perfect for the gym, on the go, or just keeping hydrated in the office, these innovative bottles are a wonderful way to add a bit of excitement to dull old water, as well as adding an extra nutritious kick to your diet. The bottles are a substantial size in their own right, enough to keep you hydrated without having to refill every ten minutes. As well as this, the interesting design is great for playing around with flavours.

We’ve had fun in the office, experimenting with various fillings for the piston. Our favourite combination is deliciously juicy strawberries, with crisp apples, perfect for adding a refreshing zing to our desk side drink. And with a selection of colours to choose from, we’re sure there’s the perfect piston for your personalities.

Add an extra health kick to your water with the Sagaform Fruit Pistons. You can buy them here for £8.50.

Aquaint - Sanitizing Water

Today everyone is aware of the importance of cleanliness; here at The Amazing Blog we feel the same. However we wanted to search for a product to make sanitation quick, easy and portable.  Aquaint Sanitizing Water is a multipurpose water-based spray that can be used on any surfaces, our hands, skin and even mouth. It seems almost too good to be true.

Aquaint as a brand prides itself on the use of 100% natural ingredients, yet the product still kills 99.9% of bacteria in mere seconds. It contains only water and hypochlorous acid which is produced by the body to kill bacteria; it can’t get any more natural than that. Unlike any other sanitising products, Aquaint is alcohol free, non-toxic, allergy friendly, eco-friendly and can be used by all members of the family including new born babies.

Even those with the most sensitive skin don’t need to fret. When trying it out, we found it extremely useful to clean our work stations, freshen up throughout the day, and keep our hands clean whilst out and about. It has no offensive odour, sprays evenly over the skin and dries quickly. The 50ml bottle was a perfect addition to our handbags and we firmly believe it is a product for everyone.

Keeping clean has never been so easy, pick yours up here for £2.49 (50ml) or £4.99 (500ml). 

Helen Dewdney - The Complaining Cow

Gone are the days that complaining is a pastime for the miserable, here at The Amazing Blog we have learnt how to complain positively and effectively. Helen Dewdney is the brain behind The Complaining Cow,  and she firmly believes that complaining needn’t be a difficult feat if done correctly.

Dewdney gives the reader guidance throughout the book, covering just about every situation you could think of from finance issues to booking holidays and even dealing with noisy neighbours. This is certainly a read that appeals to all consumers out there, she promises to get you refunds, redress and results. If followed efficiently the book will surely pay for itself, it includes various template letters, legal explanations and clear worked examples to help us on our way.

We found it extremely helpful as it helped us dispute a parking ticket with success! Dewdney dispels some of the myths surrounding consumer information to ensure the reader is aware of their legal rights and how to make sure they are adhered to. It’s evident that she knows what she is talking about, the book is even updated anytime a law is changed or altered. Finally a non-fiction author we can have real trust in. We found the book extremely informative and Dewdney’s witty introduction endearing, by the end you will feel as if you could take on the world.

If you want to become a certified complaining cow get your copy here.

Friday Favourites - Cookbooks

Here at The Amazing Blog we love to cook. Experimenting in the kitchen, trying out new recipes and creating delicious meals is one of our favourite pastimes. Although the internet is awash with recipes aplenty nowadays, there’s something quite special about discovering your favourite cookbook, dipping into it again and again. With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of our favourites, which will hopefully inspire a few stints in your own kitchen.

First on our list is the work of national treasure and Great British Bake Off veteran, Mary Berry. To coincide with Mary’s latest TV series, her new book, ‘Absolute Favourites’, is packed full of delicious meal ideas for any occasion.  With over 100 recipes, there’s bound to be something that tickles your fancy, and the recipes are so simple, that even a cooking novice could follow them. We tried out the Fish Pie with Souffle Crouton Topping and found it delicious and super simple to prepare. An interesting twist on the classic fish pie recipe, it’s perfect for a family dinner. Pick up the new book from our ‘absolute favourite’ homecook here for £8.99.

If you’re looking to venture into the daunting world of Superfoods, we think that Julie Montagu’s ‘Superfoods’ cookbook is a wonderful place to start. Full of healthy, nutritious yet delectable meal ideas, you’ll have no excuse for raiding the biscuit tin. Julie understands that, when it comes to eating healthily, food is certainly not a ‘one size fits all’ deal. Nutritional needs and lifestyle effect what and how people eat, so we were happy to see that this tome suits everyone! With a range of amazing plant-based recipes to pick from, you’ll be feeling like a superhero in no time!  Naturally, we had to check out the ‘Sweet Treats’ section, and stumbled across her ‘Black Bean Brownies with Chia Seeds’ recipe. Perfectly gooey and wonderfully chocolatey, they’re the perfect guilt-free alternative to our favourite baked good. Grab your own ‘Superfoods’ book here for £12.91

If you’re stuck in a teatime rut then the ‘The Five O’Clock Apron’ is here to help you to cook with creativity and ease. Written by chef and mum of three, Claire Thomson, the book is full of nutritionally inspired, relatively easy recipes that your little ones will love! Full of fresh, exciting and versatile meals, the recipes are also flavourful enough to please everyone around the table including the Lamb & Quince tagine and the delicious Arancini. Our favourite recipe has to be the wonderful ‘Snail Bread’ - an interpretation of the delicious Chelsea Bun – which will have everyone coming back for more! Get stuck into Claire’s inspiring book here for £20.

For those who love rich, exotic flavours, we can’t think of anything more suitable than the delicious recipes in Vanessa Bolosier’s ‘Creole Kitchen’. Inspired by Vanessa’s French Caribbean roots and drawing inspiration from her very own childhood kitchen, the pages are filled with 100 mouthwatering Caribbean Creole recipes that just scream sunshine to us! We cooked up the Sweet Potato and Ginger Cream Soup, and loved the creamy concoction that also packed a really good punch – a hearty, warming dish perfect for a rainy day. Treat yourself to a little taste of sunshine and buy the book here for £25.

For those hardcore foodies out there, we can’t quite get enough of the ‘Scook: Complete Cookery Course’ by Anne-Sophie Pic. Overflowing with exquisite French dishes, Anne-Sophie’s main aim is to teach and share her love of cooking. We’re certainly eager to learn, and found that her book is filled with 40 step-by-step guides to overcome even the trickiest of techniques, all fully photographed so that you can see how each method is performed - perfect for impressing people at dinner parties. One recipe that really caught our eye was the White Chocolate Fondant with Passionfruit and Chocolate Coulis. Easier than we expected, these are great for preparing ahead of time, as they need to freeze for 4 hours before baking, making then an ideal finishing touch when entertaining. Teach yourself how to cook the French way, and pick up a copy here for £40.

Friday Favourites - Candles

Candles are often associated with winter months, adding a sense of warmth and comfort to any room. Here at The Amazing Blog, however, we don’t adhere to seasonal stereotypes, and believe that fresh, scented candles are the perfect accessory, whatever the weather. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite candles for the summer months.

We love the scent of fresh flowers in our home, but sadly the effort and cost of keeping the office stocked with bright bouquets mean that it’s more hassle than it’s worth. For this reason, we love the Flower Market range of candles from US company, Paddywax. With a range of wonderfully scented, hand-poured candles to choose from, they’ll have your house smelling as divine as a country garden in the time it takes you to strike a match. Our favourite is Peony & Clover; its deliciously sweet floral scent is perfect for summer mornings. Coming in a range of sizes and styles, there’s something to suit everyone. Pick up this Paddywax products here from only £15.

If you’re looking for a scent a little more unorthodox and true to life, Corpo Sancto have an interesting range of scented candles for any taste. The Biker Jacket fragrance caught our eye. Its leather scent would be perfectly at home in a library or study, with its sleek black packaging making a subtle addition to your home. Made with rapeseed wax, the candles promise a burn time of around 48 hours. Most exciting of all, the brand offer a bespoke service, so if Log Fire or Coffee & Bread aren’t to your taste, you can ask them to make a fragrance that is! Treat yourself to the Biker Jacket candle here for £28.

For the ultimate in clean, chic candles, look to Industria. Combining inspiration from Italian science and alchemy, Industria have come up with a blend of unique, clean scents that are ideal for summer. Our favourite is Cardinalis. Inspired by the Florentine Renaissance, the soft sweet smell reminded us of summer getaways. The simple packaging adorned with alchemic symbols will add a touch of class to any room, and they certainly brightened up our office. Treat yourself to an Industria candle here for £40. Be sure to explore the corresponding perfumes too!

For a quirky addition to your décor, Vineyard Candles have thought up an inventive way to recycle old wine bottles. The artisan brand have craftily filed the bottom of the bottles, filling them with beautifully scented natural wax, inspired by our favourite summer tipple. There’s nothing like lighting a Gin & Tonic scented candle at the end of a long work day. Go teetotal and grab yourself a Vineyard candle here for £19.50.