MICRO Nail

Here at The Amazing Blog we love treating ourselves to a manicure every once in a while, but let’s be honest, who can afford to keep their nails looking professionally done all of the time? Thanks to MICRO Nail, we can have salon perfect nails in a matter of seconds without spending too much money.

MICRO Nail is an electric nail polisher that buffs, smoothes and shines nails in seconds so you can have great, natural looking nails every day without having to head on over to the salon or use those time consuming manual nail buffers.

The MICRO Nail kit includes 2 MICRO Smooth Rollers that smooth away the top layer of ridges and 2 MICRO Shine Rollers that buff your nails. These rollers come in a handy-dandy drawstring pouch along with 2 AA batteries and an instruction booklet. The electric buffer even has pressure resistance control to ensure that if you do press too hard, the roller will simply stop rotating. That was my main worry with the gadget, so I'm pleased to discover that I will never damage my nails with it.

Although your original purchase will be £39.99, you only need to use the smoothing rollers once every two weeks, if that, and you can use the shine rollers whenever you please. After you've worn out the original attachments, which we're sure will take a while, replacement rollers are available to buy for £9.99 here.  We think it’s worth the initial investment, so head on over to the website and get started making your nails look sensational.

Aduna - Moringa Green Superleaf Powder

We at The Amazing Blog are no strangers to our power foods and powders. At this point, we believe that we’ve tried almost every kind of power supplement there is. But when we received samples of Aduna’s Moringa Miracle Tree Green Superleaf Powder, we were pleasantly proven wrong.

This powder is unique for a number of reasons. First things first, the Moringa in the product promotes healthy skin, nails, and hair. It also is loaded with essential vitamins, antioxidants and protein. Basically, enjoying this product includes almost every kind of benefit that there is for your body. What more could we ask for?

Taste-wise, the flavour was unlike any other super food we have tried as well. Most superfoods we have tried in the past are either fruit flavoured or taste like oats of some sort. This brand had a taste that reminded us of vegetables, particularly spinach and other greens. The smell of the product gave off an earthy aroma, which made indulging in the product relaxing and enjoyable. Overall, it is 100% organic and is one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. We believe that simple fact makes giving this product a try an absolute no-brainer.

Aduna Moringa Green Superleaf Powder is available from Holland & Barrett, Liberty, Wholefoods Market, Planet Organic, Selfridges, As Nature Intended, Revital and other leading independent retailers nationwide and online via Aduna's website. It is available in various amounts and price points.

Friday Favourites - Cookbooks

It’s that time of year, where we’re all thinking about what we want to improve on for the months ahead. Here at The Amazing Blog, we always start off with good intentions, but struggle to see it through. As we’ve decided to dedicate more time to the kitchen in 2015, we’ve decided to make the task a little less daunting with a collection of great cook books. So if you’re looking to transform yourself from a cooking novice to a bona fide chef, have a look at our list of our fabulous recipe books. You’re sure to find some inspiration to help you stick to your New Year’s Resolutions.

Tired of ramen noodles and frozen food? Cook Now Eat Later by Mary Berry has recipes that are delicious, straightforward and make your life a hell of a lot easier. Whether you are preparing a three-course meal or supper for one, you have over 100 foolproof and easy-to-follow recipes that allow you to prepare in advance, such as the Pork, Leek and Sage Burgers or the Quinoa and Rocket Salad with Garlic Dressing. The recipes include clear instructions on how to get one (or two or three) steps ahead. With some dishes you can prepare everything ahead of time and with others you can prepare both ahead of time and assemble the day you plan on eating it.

Mary Berry is the much-loved judge on The Great British Bake Off and an author of more than 70 cookbooks. Take the stress out of cooking by purchasing her cookbook for £9.99 here.

Ever wonder what Australian food tastes like? Us too, which is why we were so intrigued by Shelagh Ryan’s cookbook, Café Kitchen. The Australian-born foodie and owner of London’s three Lantana cafes has given us a repertoire of recipes for any time of the day in her new cookbook. You can make Toasted Muesli with Baked Rhubarb and Bubble for brunch or nibble on some Thai Fish Cakes with Nahm Jim Dipping Sauce for a mid-afternoon snack. Ryan makes it easy for us to experience Australia’s thriving cafe culture at home for a mere £14.88 here instead of paying for those pricey airline tickets.

Meat eaters, rejoice! Charcuterie by Miranda Ballard teaches you about the history and types of charcuterie and salami, as well as providing tips about how to match different meats and what food to accompany them with. Some of the recipes, such as Grilled Chorizo and Scallops On Sticks are perfect to serve with drinks. You can find other recipes to put the delicious cured meat in like the Smoked Sausage Casserole. There are even recipes that show you how to cure your own pork belly or duck breast.

Ballard and her husband have their own food company called Muddy Boots and have also opened a butchery and charcuterie shop and café called The Modern Meat Shop in London. All you meat lovers out there can purchase Charcuterie here for £16.99.

No matter what kind of dinner party you are invited to, it’s always a safe idea to bring a dessert. Bake Me a Cake as Fast as You Can by Miranda Gore Browne provides over 100 delicious and quick cakes, tray bakes and cupcakes for all occasions. Whether you are preparing for afternoon tea or a family members birthday party, these desserts are perfect for anyone who needs something homemade but doesn’t have time to waste in the kitchen. The book is suitable for both beginner bakers and those who are more experienced. The Coffee and Walnut Cake and the Daisy Chain Angel Cakes sound absolutely delicious, plus, the recipes are simple to follow and don’t require any special equipment!

Miranda Gore Browne achieved widespread claim as a finalist on the first series of BBC2’s The Great British Bake Off. She now runs a successful blog full of recipes and baking ideas. Go here to purchase Bake Me a Cake as Fast as You Can for £11.99 so you no longer have to show up somewhere pretending you actually made that dessert.

If you’re looking to brush up on your Eastern cooking skills, then have a look at The Yunnan Cookbook by Annabel Jackson & Linda Chia. The Chinese cook book is inspired by the relationship between food and culture, and so it offers some fascinating insight into the Chinese way of life, as well as helping you to knock up some of their delicious recipes without having to put a call in to the local takeaway! From Egg Rolls to Fried Yunnan Goats Cheese With Tomato Salsa, the book is chock full of amazing and tasty treats to experiment with in the New Year. Buy the book here for £17.25 and transform yourself into an Eastern chef.

Food channels ain’t got nothing on us thanks to these cookbooks. We hope you enjoy them too!

Dr Gaye - Super Porridge

Still feel the lingering effects of New Year’s Eve? We here at The Amazing Blog understand what that night can do to you, which is why we suggest you try Dr Gaye Super Porridge and start 2015 off right.

Dr Gaye Super-Shake products offer high-performance foods that the body can easily absorb and use while delivering all the vitamins, minerals, fats and proteins you need to complement your current diet. All of the company’s products are organic, grain-free, gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy-free, unprocessed and 100% raw.

Dr Gaye Super Porridge is the perfect breakfast or snack alternative that will help cure those pesky hangovers or help you succeed in your resolution to become healthier and more fit. The Super Porridge is packed full of mulberries, buckwheat, almonds, coconut flour, chia seeds, lucuma, banana powder and maca. These products help block sugar absorption, lower cholesterol and high blood pressure, are rich in protein and fibre, normalise bowel function, increase energy and balance hormones.

Research has shown that when people start re-mineralising, their sugar cravings subside, their food choices improve and they begin to see a positive change in their health. This is what Dr Gaye’s delicious Super Porridge can do for you.

It only takes about a minute to make and you can eat it for breakfast or for a mid-afternoon snack. All you have to do is follow the instructions on the bag and then add your own fruits or toppings to make it the perfect meal. You can purchase the Super Porridge here for £14.50.

Try this hearty bowlful of goodness and make 2015 your year. 

New Year's Eve - Alcoholic Treats

Who’s ready to ring in The New Year? We at The Amazing Blog have had a fantastic year, and we are prepared to celebrate. Thanks to Amsterdam Vodka, Kold Cocktails, Make Mine A Martini, Shatler’s Cocktails and Two Finger’s Brewing Co, we are ready to drink and be merry.

If you are a vodka drinker, we’ve got some exciting news for you. E & J Gallo sent us a sample of their New Amsterdam Vodka and needless to say, it has become our go-to choice of liquor. Recently added into the UK spirits portfolio, Amsterdam Vodka was created to target a young and lively consumer. The liquor is made by being distilled five times, using only the best grains from Nebraska and Missouri. The vodka is chic, smooth and affordable…party people, rejoice! New Amsterdam Vodka is available in 20cl bottles for £5.49 and in 70cl bottles for £15.99.

Looking for something quick, simple and irresistibly delicious? With the samples Kold Cocktails and Shatler’s Cocktails sent us, we believe we have found just that. Instead of pacing around and stressing about creating the perfect cocktail, these “ready made” products have made our party plans so much simpler. Shatler’s Cocktails sent us samples of their classic Mojito and Pina Colada cocktails-in-a-can. Unlike most pre-made products, you do not have to add anything to make this drink. Just open, pour, and enjoy! Shatler’s Cocktails offer a wide range of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Take a look at their website and browse around their diverse menu of drinks.

The brand KOLD Cocktails provides the same party time essentials, however this company gave us a nice frozen alternative to our favourite drinks. Thanks to KOLD Cocktails, we were able to sip on well-made frozen Mojitos, Cosmopolitans, and Lychee Martinis for under 200 calories each. All KOLD cocktails are 8% ABV and are available in multipacks of 2 for £6.99 here.

Finally, though a delicious cocktail is always nice, sometimes you just want to sit back, relax, and sip on a cold beer. The unique company Two Fingers Brewing Co. allows you to enjoy your beer and give to charity at the same time. Being the only beer of its kind, all of their profits are donated to Prostate Cancer, UK. It is safe to say that this beer is giving back to the men who drink it. Brewed with 100% British ingredients, enjoy this crisp golden, award winning ale and know that you made a difference. Visit their website and read more about the cause here.

Now that you have a collection of key ingredients, it's time to start thinking about cocktail making. Make Mine a Martini  by Kay Plunkett-Hogge is a fabulous compendium of delicious drinks, perfect for getting the party started. With everything from a simple Martini to more complicated concoctions like The Avocado Project, a delicious mixture of rum, agave nectar and, you guessed it, avocado, there's something for every taste and skill group. Our favourite is The Formosa's Mai Tai, which adds a dash of amaretto to the original recipe, making for a delicious twist on an already great drink. The book even has a selection of nibbles and non-alcoholic drink recipes, making it the perfect companion for any host. Buy the book here for £12.50 and get shaking!