PAI SKINCARE REVIEW

My skin is notoriously dry and sensitive, especially in the cold weather. Even so, tired from work I would guiltily swipe a face wipe over my face before bed and only cleanse when I had extra time on my days off. This month after learning that toxins are absorbed through our skin and then go directly into our bloodstream, I decided to extend my clean living diet to my skincare regime too. 

Organic skincare brand Pai was recommended to me by a friend and it's exactly what I had been looking for. All their products contain naturally derived ingredients and are specifically formulated for sensitive, allergy prone skin. Their ingredients list is clean with no nasty hidden chemicals, while the packaging is modern, luxurious and fresh. The fact that these products are so luxurious to use - from the heavenly smell to the thick creamy formula - means I now enjoy taking a bit of extra time out of my day to look after my skin. 

Camellia and Rose Cleanser:

I've never used a 'wet' cleanser before and always thought they would be a hassle but the Pai Camellia and Rose cleanser is a dual acting product. As well as being a facial cleanser, it can also be used as an eye makeup remover, making it quick and easy to remove all of your makeup at once. It even comes with a little organic exfoliating muslin cloth to wash it off with - 3 products in 1! My face feels so fresh and soft after cleansing this way and I don't think I could ever go back!

Fragonia and Sea Buckthorn Instant Hand Therapy Cream:

It's almost like you can feel the moisture being sucked into your skin the instant you put this on your hands (hence the name!). I love that this formula is non-greasy as that's the main reason I usually try to avoid hand cream. I also really admire that Pai uses intelligent ingredients in their products, for example - 'Fragonia, has anti-inflammatory properties, while Sea Buckthorn, Rosehip and Grape Seed extracts promote cell regeneration and skin restructure' - perfect for mature or dry hands like mine. 

Avocado and Jojoba Hydrating Day Cream:

I feel positively glowing after using this moisturiser. I like that it dries quickly and is light enough to use under my makeup. It makes my face feel baby soft but doesn't add the greasiness I've experienced with moisturisers in the past. 

While these products are a bit on the pricey side (definitely more than my £3 face wipes) you gain so much from them. I believe this is a luxury to invest in, they really are a treat to use and have improved my skins radiance and softness. I also found I only needed to pump a small amount of product, meaning they should last a long time. They're also definitely more environmentally friendly than throwing away a face wipe each day. 

RAW TAHINI ENERGY BALLS

I love making raw energy balls, they're quick and easy to make plus you get a really deliciously healthy treat as a result. They keep fresh in the fridge for days so you can make a big batch of them in advance then eat them all week long!

The combination of dates, cacao and maple syrup makes these energy balls decadent enough to satisfy any sweet tooth while the tahini and oats will provide you with enough energy to see you through the afternoon, way more effective than reaching for a biscuit or chocolate bar! Paired with a nice cup of almond milk tea these are just a dream! All in all these energy balls are a perfect work-break pick me up, on the go snack or healthy lunch box treat.

Ingredients (makes 9-12):

- 1 1/2 cup gluten free oats

- 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted

- 1/4 cup light tahini

- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp pink himalayan salt
- 3 tbsp raw cacao powder
- Small cup of sesame seeds and/or cacao for rolling (optional)

Method: 

1.) Put all the ingredients listed into a food processor or Vitamix blender. Blend on high until a smooth texture is achieved and you can't see any oats whizzing round, you may need to scrape down the sides of the processor/blender. 

2.) Scoop out the mixture out with your hands or a spoon - this is the really messy part but don't worry it's supposed to be sticky! 

3.) I then like to refrigerate the mixture for an hour or even overnight until it hardens slightly, making it easier to roll into balls. 

4.) Roll them in a bowl of sesame seeds or cacao powder to coat. 

The cacao powder makes them feel more truffle like and brings out the cacao flavour while the sesame seeds give them a nice texture and bring out the tahini more. You could even turn them into an extra special treat by drizzling some melted dark chocolate over the raw mixture and adding them to a bowl of banana nice cream. 

If you liked these check out my Raw Cacao Bliss Balls recipe.

OVERNIGHT CHIA COCONUT OATS

Cool, creamy, substantial and satisfying - this is a breakfast of dreams. This delicious oat and chia seed combo is a great way to kick start the day as both fill you up and provide you with lots of energy. The chia seeds give you a quick boost while the oats are a slow release form of energy, able to carry you through till lunchtime.

Ingredients:

- 1 cup of gluten free oats

- 1-2 cups of almond milk (depending on how thick you like your oats to be)

- 2 tbsp coconut yoghurt

- 2 tbsp chia seeds

- Small handful of berries/fruit of your choice

- 1 tsp vanilla extract

- 1 tbsp maple syrup/sweetener of choice

Topping:

- 2 tbsp coconut yoghurt

- Frozen berries/fruit of choice

- Gluten free granola

Method:

Pour all the ingredients in the order listed into a sealable jar then stir the mixture. Refrigerate overnight and stir it again in the morning. Add coconut yoghurt, granola and frozen berries on top to serve.

TROPICAL CHIA PUDDING

Chia seed pudding is my go to recipe if I know I won't have much time in the morning to prepare a healthy breakfast. It really is a healthy, handy time saver as it's made with as little as 3 ingredients and literally takes a few mins to throw together the night before, you can even take it with you to go the next day.

There's many other reasons to love chia seed pudding, not only are chia seeds gluten free, they're also packed full of; nutrients, antioxidants, fibre, omega-3 and minerals to name a few benefits! As well as making a quick and easy breakfast it can also be eaten as a healthy snack or dessert (what's not to love about that?). 

Ingredients (Serves 1):

For the pudding:

- 1/2 cup of chia seeds

- 2 cups of almond milk

- 2 tbsp maple syrup

- 1 passionfruit (optional)

For the topping:

- 2 tbsp coconut milk yoghurt (I used Coyo)

- 1 passionfruit

- Coconut chips 

Method:

1.) Combine all the pudding indigents into a jar and stir. Close the lid tightly then shake vigorously.

2.) Come back to your fridge to stir your jar a few hours later (I forgot this step this time and you can see the chia seeds stuck to the bottom so learn from my mistake!)

3.) Leave to chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight. 

4.) Serve with fruit and nut toppings of your choice.

What's so great about this pudding is that you can add whatever fruit/nut toppings you like and combine with different milk/sweeteners to give you a variety of flavour combinations. I had some Coyo yoghurt so decided to go for a totally tropical theme as I'm currently into breakfasts that give me that sunshine feeling before I start my day (see Healthy Chocolate Oats). This beautiful coconut and passionfruit combo certainly had me dreaming of warmer climes and served as a welcomed reminder that Summer is not too far away!

HEALTHY CHOCOLATE OATS

So you may be thinking boring old chocolate oats, as a blog post - is she for real? But these aren't just any plain old chocolate oats, these are healthy superfood chocolate oats (said in a sexy Marks and Spencer ad kind of way), packed with energy inducing ingredients and yummy warming goodness.

While it didn't take me long to come up with a title, it's actually taken me a lot longer to come up with a recipe that I'm happy with. I've often found chocolate oats made with cacao to be too bitter and not sweet enough for my liking -  but then again I have a VERY sweet tooth.

I'm now trying to satisfy this sweet tooth in a way that doesn't compromise on healthy. I did this here by adding a date to the mix and a tsp of coconut sugar. Previously it would have been dairy free choc chips and large helpings of agave all the way, so this is a big improvement!

My other healthier sources of sugar include fruit and maple syrup, honey is also an excellent healthier source of sweetness if your not a strict vegan like me.

Ingredients:

- 40g/1 cup gluten free porridge oats
- 200ml of plant based milk, I used almond
- Tbsp chia seeds
- Pinch of pink salt
- Tbsp flaxseed
- Tbsp organic cacao powder
- Tbsp organic maca powder
- 1 chopped date
- 1/2- 1tsp coconut sugar
- Sprinkling of cacao nibs

Recipe:

1.) Weigh out 40g of oats or use 1 cup.
2.) Add this to a pan of plant based milk and warm for around 5mins along with the other ingredients in the order listed.
3.) Your oats should start to bubble after this time, that means they're ready to eat!
4.) Top with a scoop of nut butter and fruit of your choice.

My favourite toppings with chocolate oats are; peanut butter and banana or almond butter and berries. Here I went for a slightly tropical meets winter topping with banana, coconut chips, almond butter and frozen blueberries, as it was an insanely cold, rainy, grey day outside but I wanted to feel sunny on the inside!

THE BEST BREAKFAST SMOOTHIE

You may think that’s quite a bold statement to make but I feel I can get away with the claim as this is quite literally the best smoothie you could have for your breakfast. Why’s that you say? This smoothie is going to set you up for the day! It contains porridge oats which are high in complex carbohydrates and soluble fibre, meaning they release energy slowly so you’ll stay full until lunchtime. Making oats a great addition to any breakfast smoothie. Come to think of it oats are a great addition to every breakfast full stop! (can you tell I love oats by now?).

What with it being January and cold/dark/rainy (or all three) outside, we are probably all needing some high energy foods right now to help us with our new gym routines and diets or just plain old getting off the sofa!

Not only does this smoothie contain energy fuelled oats, it has some other pretty spectacular ingredients too:

Flaxseed:

Flaxseed is thought to prevent the growth of cancerous cells because its omega-3 fatty acids disrupt malignant cells from clinging onto other body cells. In addition, the lignans in flaxseed have antiangiogenic properties - they stop tumors from forming new blood vessels - see spectacular! 

Cinnamon:

Cinnamon has a wide range of benefits, it can be used to help treat muscle spasms, vomiting, diarrhea, infections, the common cold, loss of appetite, and erectile dysfunction. It may also benefit those with diabetes, HIV, MS and help to prevent Alzheimer’s. Additionally cinnamon can help reduce the body’s negative response to high-fat meals.

Almond butter: 

Though almonds have more calories than most other nuts, almond butter is a healthy alternative to peanut butter and other spreads because of the numerous health benefits it offers. Health benefits of almond butter include a reduced risk of developing diabetes, lower cholesterol levels, and reduced blood pressure. Other benefits include increased energy levels, high amounts of protein, and high antioxidant levels. Overall heart health is one of the primary benefits of almond butter. Consuming almond butter on a regular basis may encourage healthier eating and help individuals to maintain a healthy body weight.

Ingredients: (serves 1)

- 1 frozen banana

- 1/2 cup of gluten free porridge oats

- 2 cups almond/plant based milk

- 1 pitted date

- 1 tbsp flaxseed

- 2 tbsp almond butter

- Dash of cinnamon and more for topping

Instructions: 

Pop all the ingredients above into your blender and mix on a high/smoothie setting for around 30 seconds. You may have to stop halfway through to scrape almond butter from the side of your blender. As always if your blender can't take frozen fruits you can use a ripe banana and add ice instead, just make sure this smoothie is cold, it tastes waay better that way! This recipe made about 1.5 small 0.5ltr Kilner jars. 

Warning this smoothie is veery filling, which is a great thing to keep those mid morning munchies at bay but you may have to save some to take on the go. I could only drink half before I was about to explode and believe me that's highly unusual!

PEANUT BUTTER MYLKSHAKE

Was there ever a better trio than chocolate, peanut butter and banana? Most of us will be trying to wean ourselves on to healthier foods now that the festive season is over and 'detox' January has begun. What better way to ease in to the process, than with the healthy dessert in a jar that is PB mylkshake. This dairy free mylkshake is seriously rich, sweet and creamy enough to satisfy the biggest of sweet tooths (I should know!), without leaving you feeling sluggish and tired afterwards - it also makes for a healthier alternative to milkshake for kids.

The filling peanut butter and bananas should leave you satisfied until lunchtime - if you drink enough, but you can always turn this into a more substantial breakfast by adding oats. I recommend drinking this mylk after a workout to give you an energy boost and repair those muscles.

I love that this smoothie is so easy to make and consists of ingredients I can easily buy or always seem to have in stock.



Ingredients: (makes 1 large serving or 2 small)

- 6 frozen bananas (you could also use ripe bananas and add in ice)
- 2 tbsp cacao powder
- 3 heaped tbsp smooth organic peanut butter
- 4/5 cups of unsweetened almond milk (more or less depending how thick you like your smoothie)
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup (I tried sweet freedom as I had used all my maple syrup over Christmas!)

Instructions:

Add all ingredients in order listed into a blender and mix on a high/smoothie setting for 30 seconds or until smooth.

If you wanted to make this smoothie an indulgent frosty Wintertime treat, top with some dairy free whipped cream and/or choc chips.