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Weekly Giveaway | Tribest

Posted by 2 · August 30, 2013

Sorry, this giveaway is now closed. Check more recent blog posts for latest giveaway contests.

Another week has come and gone which can only mean one thing - someone has nabbed themselves another Better Raw Giveaway!

To check out our latest grand prize winner of last week's Get Fresh! magazine subscription - open up Better Raw's Friday Newsletter which should be winging its way to your inbox right about now. If you haven't signed up to receive our Newsletter yet - you're a hop, skip and jump away. Sign up here >>>.

Tilt your eyes down to behold another great giveaway. This week, we're in the kitchen :)

Tribest BPA Free Mason Jar Personal Blender 350

RRP £99.95

Courtesy of: www.tribest.co.uk

Tribest is an innovative leader in the Juice Extractor, Dehydrator, Blender and Sprouter business and continues to bring the best products oriented towards the health and well being of their customers. Some of their most renowned products include the Green Star Elite juice extractor, Sedona Combo raw food dehydrator, and Dynablend Horsepower Plus super power blender.

Personal Blender 350 - small and compact, this high-powered smoothie-blending, coffee-grinding, sauce-making wonder is great for whipping up cool and refreshing smoothies plus lots more. The Tribest Personal Blender lets you blend different recipes for each family member without having to stop and clean a bulky blending jar each time. Simply pop all your ingredients into the unique, BPA free Blend-N-Serve cups, secure the lid, blend and enjoy – so simple. There’s no extra mess to clean up and everyone gets just what they want in under a minute.

Personal Note from Kelly @ Better Raw:

I recently took the Tribest PB-350 for a spin around my kitchen and was pleasantly surprised by its hidden punch for such a 'light-weight' blender. I'm used to handling much heavier, high-powered blenders - the kind you don't really take on your travels. So as I sat the PB-350 on my worktop, I couldn't help but think, 'awww' at its unimposing form. I'll admit there was a small part of me that momentarily questioned how a blender so scaled down in size could break, pulverise and churn up several large handfuls of fruit and greens with a few quick blasts of its motor. BUT... it did. And it did it with a good amount of finesse and determination. Not only that but I really, really love the army of attachments that accompany this particular PB model. The glass mason jars which you can blend straight into - genius - and if you're on-the-fly, literally turn and walk right out the front door whilst attaching one of the useful drinking lids. You leave no washing up behind as you literally take that part with you! The BPA-free containers is a big plus for me as it gives me the peace of mind that I'm not ingesting a load of chemicals along with my nutrient-rich smoothie. I think Tribest have solved several issues for those of us who want simplicity and convenience in our blender but without sacrificing the highest quality and value.

For a chance to win this week’s prize, follow these simple steps:

Subscribe to Better Raw’s Newsletter here. If you’re already subscribed, you’re done with step 1!
Follow @BetterRaw on either Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram.
Share this week’s prize image on your favourite social network using the hashtag #BetterRawGiveaway. A post to one social network counts as one entry. Post on all four to get four entries!

Be sure to complete all 3 steps, as we want you to be in with the best chance of winning this fabulous giveaway prize!

You have until Friday 6th September 2013 before the giveaway closes and a winner is selected. This week's prize is open to UK residents only. For full T&Cs, go here >>

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Weekly Giveaways | The Fresh Network

Posted by 2 · August 23, 2013

Sorry, this giveaway is now closed. Check more recent blog posts for latest giveaway contests.

We have had a jam-packed week thanks to our brand new weekly giveaways which were announced last week. There has been a furore of activity from hundreds of you across all different social networks - well done to those of you who took part and did your fair 'share' of networking (wink).

We are incredibly excited to have a grand prize winner of the Detox Your World superfood hamper. Their name will be announced very shortly in Better Raw's Friday Newsletter, so keep an eye out for it in your inbox or else make sure you sign up now to find out who clinched the prize - it could be YOU!

Don't forget >> we're back with another giveaway THIS WEEK - so here we go...

1 x 2 Year Subscription to The Fresh Network's Get Fresh! Magazine

RRP £35.00

Courtesy of: www.fresh-network.com

The Fresh Network is a unique organisation based in the UK, promoting a diet high in raw and living foods to all those who wish to find out more about this wonderful way of eating/living, as well as supporting those who are making, or have already made the change. Offer the widest range of products and services to the raw and living foods community, of any business or organisation of its kind in the world.

Get Fresh! is THE leading magazine catering to the raw diet, holistic health and lifestyle. It delivers raw, healthy delicious recipes, raw and vegan news, advice and findings from world renowned experts and much more. Every issue is packed full of the very latest on optimum nutrition, holistic health and reaching your potential. Don’t miss out on this quarterly dose of vibrant living information and inspiration. Get Fresh! is published every March, June, September and December and is printed on paper produced from a sustainable source and also available in an instantly accessible e-mag version.

Note from Kelly @ Better Raw:

This is a magazine I have personally subscribed to for just over a year now. I love the variety of articles and juicy topics that are covered in every issue and have definitely felt my knowledge and understanding of the raw food lifestyle grow as a result. There are always exciting recipes to grab your culinary attention - some of which have become firm favourites in my own recipe collection. Our lovely Tanya is even a regular contributor to the magazine, as well as the Fresh Network blog. My only disappointment is that it only comes out once every quarter as I could easily savage one a month!

For a chance to win this week’s prize, follow these simple steps:

Subscribe to Better Raw’s Newsletter here. If you’re already subscribed, you’re done with step 1!
Follow @BetterRaw on either Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram.
Share this week’s prize image on your favourite social network using the hashtag #BetterRawGiveaway. A post to one social network counts as one entry. Post on all four to get four entries!

Be sure to complete all 3 steps, as we want you to be in with the best chance of winning this fabulous giveaway prize!

You have until Friday 30th August 2013 before the giveaway closes and a winner is selected. For full T&Cs, go here >>

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How to throw a raw food party | Our engagement celebrations

Posted by 2 · August 22, 2013

It's no secret that Elliot and I are getting married next year, but we are not done with the high of being fiancés just yet! As we got engaged in the middle the coldest winter UK has experienced since well before we were even born, it only made sense to wait for the summer to celebrate outdoors.

THE PREPARATIONS

We hired the lawn bowling club next door, ordered some props online, put together a canapés menu and recruited the best looking helpers in town...

DIY decorations in the making the night before.

The gorgeous Californian beauties and their funny mini man.

Raw pizza and salad for the helpers.

And the #1 prize goes to my #1 helper and bestie! Gina- you are a little cupcake of awesomeness!

THE FOOD

When you are preparing raw food, it shouldn't actually take you any longer than preparing cooked food, however you must always start ahead of time to allow for the dehydration process.

The great news about dehydrating is that you literally- pop in your trays full of food and walk away for the next 12-24 hours or so. No need to check up on anything, no need to worry about anything getting burned, and no crazy energy bills either! Have you checked out what dehydrator I use and recommend? See my entire suggested equipment list here>>

Here's a sampling of what I made...

Everybody's favourite- these Marinated and Pesto Stuffed Mushrooms never stick around for long, they are the best addition to any picnic and you can even serve them as a main course with a side salad.

Dessert was surprisingly tricky to organise, as I knew it'll be sitting out in the sun, while so many raw food dishes require a fridge or a freezer. That's why I opted for Chocolate-filled Macaroons (they are usually chocolate covered and I teach the recipe in my Raw Chocolate 101 class) and Chocolate & Caramel Coated Cookies (recipe is just like these Dutch Stroopwafels, but with added cacao powder).

Raw Food Pizza- a party must-have! The base is a classic nut-free version I always make, then goes the tomato paste, then the spreadable cheese and finished with any toppings you have in mind (or in my case- something that required minimal prep time was the winner- olives!) I also teach the making of it in my Raw Food Tastes of Italy class>>

Dips and Dippers. ALWAYS have Dips & Dippers. For simple dippers- carrots, runner beans and celery sticks will do the trick if your dips are tasty enough, but it's always good to add some flaxseed crackers to the mix. For the Dips- I made extra Pesto while doing the stuffed mushrooms, extra Creamy Cheesy Sauce while making the pizza sauce and Guacamole.

These mushroom nut balls and tomato ketchup are a delicious idea, possibly best kept for a more intimate dinner occasion. They take quite a long time to first soak and marinate, then process, then roll into balls and then dehydrate, but disappear in record time. Serve them with toothpicks to pin and dip or over courgette noodles if you are having them as a main meal.

THE PARTY

Like any host will know- there is always something to do last minute, there is always something that gets overlooked and there is usually something that doesn't get done at all. However the great thing about it all is: nobody knows, but you!

I mean, just look at these guys... does anyone look like they know I may have forgotten a thing or two?

BRING ON THE WEDDING

Our engagement do was sooooo much fun, although I reckon that was as much practice for the actual event as I will want to handle for the time being. I'm only grateful that the wedding isn't for another few months! But when the time does come, it will be the best day I am sure...

Just the thought of my whole family being back in New Zealand together for the first time in nearly six years, makes me emotional, but both of our families coming together for the second time since Elliot and I met, all while we have our closest friends by our side and in the same part of the world, while we say our 'I do's' -my heart may just explode.

Is it normal to even feel these nerves this far ahead? I will endeavour to calm them down by looking at our 'Save the Dates' and share one with you to make you smile too...

13 comments

Weekly Giveaway | Detox Your World

Posted by 2 · August 16, 2013

Sorry, this giveaway is now closed. Check more recent blog posts for latest giveaway contests.

We’re trembling with excitement and anticipation at Better Raw HQ as we are delighted to announce that we will be doing some fantastic prize-giveaways for our valued and well-deserving followers. We have some seriously delicious, healthy handfuls (and armfuls) of enviable treats to shower upon some fortunate fair ladies and kind gentlemen.

Better yet… we’re going to be making these giveaways a WEEKLY event! So if you enter and don’t win the first week, or even the second or third – guess what? There will be another week for you to clinch your prize!

We’ve been fortunate enough to team up with some cracking companies who have bent over backwards to see to it that Better Raw’s enlightened readers and followers are equipped with the very best, highest quality, innovative, tantalizingly tasty prizes they could put their hard-working hands on.

We’re pleased, proud and ecstatic to announce our very first weekly prize giveaway as follows…

1 x Cacao Powder (500g)

1 x Cacao Butter (500g)

1 x Cacao Nibs (500g)

1 x Cacao Beans (500g)

5 x LoveChock Bars – All flavours (40g each)

RRP £76.00

Courtesy of: www.detoxyourworld.com

Detox Your World are the UK’s first ever shop for people living the raw food and healthy vegan lifestyle. As well as publishing educational materials, they retail over 800 genuine health products and are wholesalers to ethical companies worldwide.

Cacao butter is an indulgent raw chocolate butter that’s prepared from certified organic Criollo beans and boasts a lovely delicate aroma. Perfect in a tempting range of raw chocolate recipes and a particularly nourishing massage oil for skin.

Cacao powder is a totally pure and unrefined certified organic chocolate powder that boasts the powerful flavour and intense aroma of raw chocolate. Delicious in smoothies, shakes and protein drinks and an ideal ingredient in raw chocolate desserts, cakes and chocolate bars.

Cacao beans are whole, unpeeled and totally unadulterated raw organic Criollo cacao beans of only the finest quality and the cacao nibs are the irresistible pieces. Both can be enjoyed exactly as they are or combined with a variety of dried fruit and nuts.

LoveChoc Bars are a delicious selection of hand made raw chocolate bars that have been lovingly created from 100% organic ingredients and come in a variety of irresistible flavours including pure nibs, almond and fig, goji and orange, mulberry and vanilla, pineapple and inca.

Note from Kelly @ Better Raw:

Products such as the Cacao Nibs, Cacao Powder and Cacao Butter have quickly become everyday staples (code for absolute necessities/couldn’t live without/must-haves) in my kitchen. I am particularly fond of my cacao and almond nutshakes at the moment and even my husband has become besotted with them, so cacao is never far from my blender. I have also recently become a fan of the LoveChock Bars which I have been carrying around as they make great healthy snacks-on-the-go. I’ve been using Detox Your World’s cacao products since beginning my raw, healthier food journey and don’t have any reason to stop now!

For a chance to win this week’s prize, follow these simple steps:

Subscribe to Better Raw’s Newsletter here. If you’re already subscribed, you’re done with step 1!
Follow @BetterRaw on either Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or Instagram.
Share this week’s prize image on your favourite social network using the hashtag #BetterRawGiveaway. A post to one social network counts as one entry. Post on all four to get four entries!

Be sure to complete all 3 steps, as we want you to be in with the best chance of winning this fabulous giveaway prize!

You have until Friday 23rd August 2013 before the giveaway closes and a winner is selected. This prize is open to participants worldwide. For full T&Cs, go here>>

8 comments

My top nine on Croatia + the ideal healthy skin food in a glass

Posted by 2 · August 15, 2013

Last month Elliot and I trekked to Croatia via Italy, where we met friends, celebrated my finale of 28 days of alkalising, beached, danced and explored a new part of the world.

Give me the beach and the sun and I'm your girl for ever.

The Island of Pag in Croatia delivered.

But I won't leave it there, I had soooo many favourites. Here's my top nine anyway...

1. The cleanest and most picture perfect ports.

2. The sunsets.

3. Scootering all over the island of Pag and coming across this view. The view!

4. The blue blue skies.

5. Friends! Having London close enough for a bunch of us to holiday together.

6. This.

7. Hiring four wheelers.

8. No tides, which means you could sit on the beach with your feet in the water all day.

9. Being able to order a whole pint of freshly squeezed orange juice in most bars.

Orange juice and Croatia's abundance of oranges wasn't the only foodie highlight. Melons tasted out-of-this-world insanely good. Rock melons were like ice cream right our of the fridge and watermelons served as the best hydrating treat you could dream of.

We ate melon on its own or chopped it into fruit salads, and when I got home- all I wanted was for the holiday taste to continue, which inspired me to make this heavenly drink...

BERRY MELON SMOOTHIE | THE SKIN FOOD IN A GLASS

Serves 4

4 cups watermelon, chopped flesh only
2 cups strawberries
1/2 whole rock melon, deseeded and peeled
1 tbsp Acai berry powder
optional: ice

- Transfer all of the ingredients into a blender and blend on high.
- Enjoy right away or freeze it in ice cube trays to use as flavoured ice in other drinks or to wizz up into sorbet.

Tanya's Top Tip: Acai berry powder is a freeze-dried result from harvesting Acai berries. These berries are a superfood full of anti oxidants, Vitamin A, amino acids, calcium and monounsaturated fatty acids, making it the ideal healthy skin food.

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