Every two weeks we share all the stuff we’ve recently enjoyed – from the latest TV shows to must-try foods, gorgeous makeup products and the most exciting spots to visit in New Zealand.
Magic T Blends
Ehsan and Frida Mobini emigrated to New Zealand from Iran in 2017 and, luckily for us in New Zealand, soon realised there was a gap in the artisan herbal tea market. With Frida’s background as a herbalist and their overseas knowledge they’ve sourced the best ingredients and created a delicious selection of blended teas.
The leaves and flowers are kept in their whole natural shape and together with the herbs, blossoms and fruits, are naturally dried in the shade which means there are no preservatives, artificial flavours or colours and keeps their teas 100% pure and true to their original form.
The aroma as you open each packet is so enticing. We sampled ChamoMint which is a mood lifter and memory booster but also great for insomnia; Turkish Breakfast – a blend of dried apple, cinnamon and cardamom and is a rich source of antioxidants; and Hibiscus and Cinnamon which is packed with vitamin C and boosts your metabolism. All delicious, refreshing and very moreish.
We love the philanthropic angle too – Magic T sources all their herbs and flowers from small growers in Iran, Turkey and India.
Available from select retailers or online.
Island Style Peanut Butter
Oh, my goodness! This is our new obsession – The Crunch Coconut Peanut Butter. The ingredients are simple – hi-oleic peanuts, toasted flecks of coconut, coconut oil and salt. Delicious on toast, smeared on slices of apple, added to smoothies or, our favourite… straight from the jar.
Whilst you are online, add Island Style Peanut Butter The Drizzle and The Choc to your cart.
Harvest to Hand Hemp Hearts
Hemp is highly regarded as a complete source of plant protein and contains all the essential amino acids our bodies need but can’t produce themselves. It also has a unique ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 to aid brain function, relieve inflammation, hydrate cells and lower blood pressure and cholesterol in the body.
The hemp hearts have a subtle nutty taste and we have used them in virtually everything – smoothies, sprinkled them over salads, added them to our morning porridge and added them to bliss balls recipes.
The Hawkes Bay business produces natural, spray-free hemp oil, hemp flour and hemp protein and it’s no surprise they are flying out the door.
Revitalize Serum, Brightening Probiotic-c Renewal Cream and Deep Wrinkle Dermal Filler by Andalou Naturals
Andalou Naturals is America’s #1 natural skincare brand and was first launched into Australia before reently landing here in New Zealand.
The range of skincare products are gluten-free, 100% vegetarian, eco-friendly, cruelty-free, non-comedogenic (non-pore clogging) and are based on biologically active ingredients or ‘Fruit Stem Cell Science’ which includes extracts from apple, grape and argan. Some of the range also includes unique ingredients such as kombucha, turmeric, cocoa powder and purple carrot – all designed to give the skin the best chance at staying young and supple.
The Deep Wrinkle Dermal Filler is an anti-ageing product which is applied to a cleansed face and supports the skin’s essential building blocks (collagen and elastin) by reducing skin tension and plumping and smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. Yes, please! After that, apply the Revitalize Serum and then the Brightening Probiotic-c Renewal Cream – a skin-friendly probiotic that targets over-exposed surface cells to give the skin a lighter and brighter looking appearance.
The skincare range is easy to apply, soaks into the skin really quickly and, there’s no doubt, it does hydrate it.
A Day in Montmartre limited edition by GLASSHOUSE FRAGRANCES
We’re delighted to have received the limited edition Montmartre Macaron candle from GLASSHOUSE FRAGRANCES. Nicole Eckels, the founder and CEO of the company, celebrates the streets of Montmartre in her latest inspiring fragrances.
Housed in a unique ceramic vessel, the beautifully coloured waxes come in two fragrances. Montmartre Macaron (blue wax) which aims to bring images of bohemian Paris to mind and conjure up images of delicious French food – think the local patisserie with wafts of vanilla, blueberry and sugared coconut all scintillating and inviting to the senses. For Sacred Heart (maroon wax), imagine art meeting worship under the famous dome of the Sacré-Coeur Basicilica. The fragrance is woody and has notes of cedarwood, incense, Myrrh, Pink Pepper, amber and vanilla.
This would make such a beautiful gift but, don’t forget, this is a limited edition.
