Roz Purcell's Blog, page 41

NBF Mega Brownies

Brownies are something that crops up a lot on the blog -for very good reason, I may have a brownie addiction. I am constantly experimenting with new recipes cause you can never have enough so hopefully you can find one on the blog that suits you- your budget, your taste buds, your diet and whats in your kitchen press! These are little beauts, I had a nice little stash of Dr.Coys chocolate bars so I used them as my chocolate here and they were awesome with their hint of raspberry & coconut- I have made the recipe with regular dark chocolate also and its delish.

November Monthly Must Haves

Comvita Manuka Honey

 

Manuka honey, produced in New Zealand is said to be one of the most unique and beneficial forms of honey in the world.

 

Whenever I feel a tingle in my throat, I put a tsp. of Manuka honey in hot water and drink it to soothe my throat and it works wonders.

 

The good stuff is pricey (depending where you get it, it could €25-35) but it will last you ages and I would recommend having some in your press handy.

 

You can pick up Manuka Honey is health shops.

 

Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee

 

I know the word Superfood is used a lot! But mushrooms have been scientifically proven to be superfoods. As a way of incorporating more mushrooms into your diet, Four Sigmatic decided to make mushroom drinks.

 

Four Sigmatic offers a wide range of products, each one with a different purpose that is met with a specific mushroom. I started taking the mushroom coffee recently to try it out after I read about it online, and so far I’m loving it. You can find out loads more about their products and the benefits here

 

 

Dr. Coys Stevia

 

If you follow my recipes, you will see this brand and ingredients mentioned in some of my recipes. Stevia is a calorie free Sweetener, that’s found naturally in the Stevia Plant.

 

To find out more about this amazing product click here

 

 

Cultured Kitchen Kimchi

 

You’ve probably noticed in my Instagram snaps that I add Kimchi to a lot of my meals. Kimchi promotes beneficial bacteria which helps to support your gut. I love this Irish brand where I pick up mine, here

 

 

Booja Booja Chocolates

 

When I don’t feel like baking a chocolate treat, these luxury chocolates truffles are one of my favourites. My two favs are the fruity raspberry chocolate truffles made with 100% dark raw chocolate from Ecuador and the chewy, gooey sea salted caramel and roasted almonds. Booja Booja’s chocolate truffles are 100% organic, dairy, wheat & gluten free and suitable for vegetarians & vegans. I pick up individual packs (which have 2 truffles) Nourish health food store for €1.99

 

The Happy Pear Cookbook

 

The second Happy Pear book is out now and full of tasty delicious vegan recipes. Definitely recommend picking up a copy – all the recipes are easy to follow and full of goodness.

 

Parmesan & Smoked Salmon Oat Scones

I love savoury scones so spent some time in the kitchen trying to perfect a recipe combining two of my favourites, smoked salmon and parmesan. These went down an absolute treat. They stick together while still being moist and fluffy, heaven!

#RipebyRoz Coffee Truffles

So, today I launched Ripe by Roz.

Ripe is a young, vibrant & ethically cool beauty brand. I’m so excited to introduce my first line of beauty products in the form of unique body scrubs.

 

 

As you know, my food ethos is whole foods for a whole life and I really felt that should be same when it comes to beauty products and looking after your skin. I wanted to create scrubs using the same ingredients that I use to make delicious meals in the kitchen.

 

For my coffee scrub, the ingredients are pretty much the same ingredients I used to make these insanely tasty truffles. For the recipe, click here

 

Hope you love my new beauty range as much as I do!

#RipebyRoz #FeelsSoRipe

NBF Black Friday Top Picks

Black Friday mayhem is here and I’ve searched for the best deals for some of my favourite kitchen appliances, check them out below.

 

Nutri Bullet for €89

Buy now at Harvey Norman 

 

Nutri Bullet Pro €109.99

Buy now at Harvey Norman

 

 

 

Salter Spiralizer €18.99

Buy now at Argos

SMART Retro Waffle Maker €40.50

Buy now at Brown Thomas 

 

JOSEPH JOSEPH Index Chopping Board Set

Buy now at Brown Thomas

 

 

Hotpoint Stainless Steel Slow Masticating Juicer €119.99

Buy now at D.I.D Electrical

 

 

Crock-Pot AutoStir 5.7L Slow Cooker €79.99

Buy now at D.I.D Electrical

 

 

Judge Natural Frypan 26 Cm Ceramic €39.98

Buy now at Arnotts

 

Sistema Lunchbox Slimline 4 Compartment Quaddie 1.5L €8.76

Buy now at Arnotts

 

 

 

Pumpkin & Hemp Cheesy Oat Bread

This oat bread is delicious and the best part its simple to make. All ingredients can be found in your local supermarket. If you can’t find apple cider vinegar and herbamare there, don’t worry your local health food store will definitely have some. This bread is packed with fibre and plant based protein and the seeds gives this bread a gloriously crunchy texture.

 

This bread is ideal for savoury or sweet options!

Stuffed Chicken & Bacon

A quick and delicious alternative for a no fuss Thanksgiving dinner! My favourite festive recipe that will ensure happy mouths and minimal stress.

Raw Christmas Pudding

I think weighed up against the numerous other desserts at the dinner table, the Christmas pudding always gets the last look. So this year, I not only wanted to re-create a traditional festive favorite but also take this classic dessert up a notch to give it another chance at becoming a family favourite.

For a fun alternative, halve the ingredients to make 10 small bliss ball versions – a great canapé idea for any festive party.

Iceland: Six amazing adventures in the Land of Fire and Ice

Did you know Iceland is now just a direct flight away? Here are my favourite excursion picks.

 

When searching for somewhere close and cheap to reach, I’ve always tended to look east, towards the popular city breaks of Europe. Iceland seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime destination – somewhere exotic and far away. Not so. Iceland is a completely different experience, but WOW Air now flies direct to Reykjavik from Dublin Airport. Within 2.5 hours, you can be soaking up spine-tingling views, epic landscapes and thrilling adventures in the land of fire and ice. Excursions are the best way to see as much of the country as possible in a short time. Operators provide all the equipment you need, many offer multiple activities and sightseeing options, and most will do hotel pick-ups and drop-offs too.

 

Here are the unmissables!

 

1. Chase the Northern Lights

 

I say ‘chase’, because the lights are not guaranteed. The aurora borealis are one of Iceland’s best excursions, but you’ve got a better chance of seeing them in the winter months, and there are Northern Lights forecasts, so make sure to check them a few days before travelling. Tours can be cancelled due to bad weather, but they’ll also reschedule you for another night if you don’t see the lights.

 

Roz recommends: For photos, bring a tripod – you can pick up small and flexible tripods for travelling that take up very little room.

Details: mountaineers.is; from IS 22,000/€150pp

 

2. Take in a thermal pool

 

Iceland is famous for its natural thermal pools – from the Blue Lagoon to the Secret Lagoon, which isn’t really much of a secret! These are included as part of many day excursions, and you’ll get plenty of time to relax and take lots of selfies! All you will need is your swimming suit – they provide towels, showers and changing facilities. If you’re really inquisitive, my advice is to find the locals’ hidden lagoons! Icelanders can be very secretive about the locations, but if you befriend one you can go to these tourist-free spots and soak up the real Icelandic atmosphere – I didn’t tell you that!

 

Roz recommends: Go to the Blue Lagoon in the afternoon, it gets a little quieter and the light is amazing… a gorgeous sunset backdrop.

Details: bluelagoon.com; from €40pp

 

2. Do the Golden circle

 

The Golden Circle is a tourist loop taking in several attractions within about 100km of Reykjavik, including the geysers, rift valley and Gullfoss waterfall. These are some of the most amazing holiday backdrops, so much so that it looks like you have been photoshopped in! Most guides give an overview of the area while driving (we even got ghost stories), and short videos and maps at the stops give you a sense of where everything is. The vast and surreal countryside works in both in winter and summer; you get two completely different landscapes!

 

Roz recommends: In winter, bring heavily gripped shoes or hiking runners. For photos, bring touch gloves that allow you to use your index finger without freezing.

Details: mountaineers.is; day tour with snowmobiling from IS46,000/€315pp

 

3. Go snorkelling

 

Every Icelander I told I was going snorkelling questioned my sanity, but it is actually one of the most popular activities in the country. I dreaded the cold, but the thought of snorkeling in rift valley between the tectonic plates overruled any doubt. You will be reluctant to de-layer out in the elements, but with a little peer pressure from the t-shirt wearing guides you feel like a bit of a wuss and just get on with it. Expect to be kitted out in a Top Gun-style jumpsuit, a thick dry suit, thermal hood, gloves and flippers… the only thing you need to bring are extra pairs of socks to keep your toes toasty. I can assure you the coldest part is waiting to get in – the water is around zero-degrees, but there is no wind and once you look beneath you completely forget all other senses. The water is crystal clear as you float between rock crevasses filled with the most vibrant shades of blue, red and green. For some, the “Angelina Jolie” lip effect they warn you about may be a bonus. However, I was genuinely scared that my lips would explode. It lasts about 30 minutes, and Scuba diving is offered for experienced divers.

 

Roz recommends: Take the half day snorkeling tour, as the pit stops afterwards double up with a lot of the other tours and return you to your hotel for a hot lunch and Jacuzzi… the perfect après swim recovery.

Details: dive.is; from IS17,990/€123pp

 

4. Go Snowmobiling

 

Don’t worry, you don’t have to be Fernando Alonso to take part in this adventure, although you know you are in for some action when a modified monster truck pulls up at the hotel lobby. Expect a scenic and smooth ride until you reach the edge of the glacier, when the skilled drivers take you off-road, up and down snow dunes and across frozen rivers, making sure you get the adrenaline pumping before snowmobiling. You’ll be fully kitted out in warm gear for the tour, and a brief run-through on how to drive the snowmobiles is followed by a F1-style starting line-up. Daredevil or not, the security of being surrounded by fluffy snow makes you braver and faster, as you explore the second largest glacier in Europe and Iceland at high speed. If you like the outdoors, come back again and try an ice cave and glacier hiking excursion. Tourists I met said it is one of Iceland’s best excursions, and I met a lot of professional photographers who had travelled specifically to Iceland for it. It’s definitely on my list for the next trip (three-day trips are the norm, although a full-day cave visit is available from Reykjavik too).

 

Roz recommends: All year round activity, however the ride is a bit smoother on the fresh snow during the winter months!

Details: mountaineers.is; from €248pp for 7-8 hours.

 

5. Horse Trekking

 

Fancy being among the few people to experience the ‘tolt’ – the fifth gait said to be unique to Icelandic horses, and one so smooth you can hold a glass of champagne with no spills? Icelandic Horses are a national treasure, and the breed is highly protected. There are over 100,000 of the animals in Iceland, and horse trekking tours are available year-round, though I’d recommend it most during the summer period, where you can escape into the highlands and see a different Iceland. There lots of options for the horse trekking from half day, full day, right up to week long excursions. They can be tailored to groups to include different elements like visiting spas, home dining, and whale watching.

 

Roz recommends: Most excursions include a light lunch, but do bring snacks, because it can be a very long day, and you don’t want to be ‘hangry’ on holiday!

Details: islenskihesturinn.is; from €100 for a half-day

Two Icelandic horses in snowy winter landscape

 

6. Sample the nightlife

 

Iceland’s nightlife revolves around live music and Icelandic beers, and the Reykjavik scene really punches above its weight for such a small city. Borg is the main beer recommended by the locals – but there are lots of options. Beer was banned up until 1989, and since then they have made up for lost time by creating loads of unique and quality brews. The cocktails are also very unique and mostly locally sourced with delicious flavors like birch liquor. During the winter months, Reykjavik’s streets seem empty, but people are hidden away from the cold in snug pubs and late restaurants. Most restaurants also stay open until midnight and many have bars attached.

 

Roz recommends: Casual wear is the look, so please don’t pack any heels – you won’t get very far on the ice anyway!

 

 

Get there

 

Roz travelled as a guest of WOW Air, which flies direct from Dublin Airport to Reykjavik.

 

What to pack

 

Lots of these activities sound a bit nippy, but dress smart and you won’t notice that crisp cold air! Here’s my essential packing list for excursions:

 

Long Sleeve thermal base layers; top and bottoms
Long Sleeve Top & pants, with a comfy, stretchy material
Sock liner; or light socks as a base layer
Thick wool socks
Quilted insulated jacket
Small backpack or bag for snacks and supplies!
Sunglasses – it’s cold, but the sun can get strong!
Ski Gloves; I would recommend maybe wearing lighter gloves beneath with index touch for taking photos.
Wool Hat
Hiking Boots or Trail Runners
For Ice Hiking, you’ll need crampons (non-slip shoe covers)
Waterproof case for your phone – handy for thermal pool snaps!

 

Where to stay

 

To make the most of your stay, book accommodation in central Reykjavik – within walking distance of the main streets Laugavegur and Bankastræti, so before booking check the hotel’s location out a map.

 

NB: All prices subject to availability.

Lanzarote: My top tips for Ireland’s favourite Canary Island

Some of my tips for Ireland’s favourite Canary Island.

 

Why Lanzarote?

I love that Lanzarote is only a short trip from Ireland and that sunshine is guaranteed. You can get good deals on flights and accommodation if you book in advance, and the island suits all different types of holidays – from active to relaxing. I love cycling and Lanzarote offers some of the best with its amazing volcanic views and challenging routes.

 

What should I pack?

The weather is great in Lanzarote. It can get quite windy, however, so bring a jumper! Sunscreen is a must – even if the sun is not always shining, I wear a high factor to protect my skin. If you’re a tea drinker like me… bring some Barry’s Tea!

 

First thing I should do?

I always soak up the sun by the pool and look at the timetable of classes at the resort to plan what I want to do during my stay. I’m also a big foodie, so straight away I’m planning what places I want to visit and try out. It’s worth getting a car rental over there, the roads are great and the island is very small to navigate around.

Lanzarote Papagayo turquoise beach and Ajaches in Canary Islands

 

Best place to stay?

I’ve stayed at Club La Santa sports resort (clublasanta.com) in La Santa village and Sands Beach (sandsbeach.eu) in Costa Teguise – I would recommend both. CLS is a place to go if you want an active holiday; there’s fitness classes on all day, bike rental, swimming and tennis courts (to name a few!) Sands Beach is great if you want a more relaxing stay, but you can get active with its fitness centre, pool and bike rental too. Both have good on-site restaurant and cafés.

 

Best food and drinks?

I love La Bohema in Costa Teguise; it’s amazing. I’d highly recommend the mixed grill if you plan a visit. Jonnie Bakes café is also a must-try for baked goods. I always work in a stop there when I’m cycling.

 

What should I avoid?

Do your research when it comes to eating out. You can find amazing food for reasonable prices, but I’ve also ended up paying a lot for a really average meal. Don’t just stick with the really touristy spots – I always try to look for local recommendations. Also, maybe avoid drinking as much as you would at home… the drinks and cocktails are much stronger over there!

 

What should I bring home?

Apple Mentos! I haven’t come across these anywhere else and am addicted! I usually pick up numerous packs when leaving for a supply when I am at home. I also try to stock up on pure aloe vera extract when I’m in Lanzarote – it’s hugely popular and I think it’s a great product, especially if you’re looking for gift ideas.