Yoga and Chocolate Workshop

Took a wonderful journey last night with 9 other ladies in my very first Yoga and Chocolate Workshop.  Blended music with a heat building yoga class, added some decadent chocolate truffles from Isabella's Cafe and we were off on a wonderful journey to explore how yoga + chocolate intermix.
Wanting it to be a special experience, I created a special play list just for this class.  Needed an inspiring mix of soft, heart-warming music, upbeat energetic music and some tunes to get the blood flowing. Listen my play list on the right side of the page and on my website.
We started out with a 70% dark chocolate truffle to cleanse the palette and wake up the senses...allowing it to slowly melt in our mouths and feeling the sweetness envelope our senses.  It was a lovely start to class as i moved the ladies into balasana to flowing through their bodies.create a sense of calm and warmth and to allow them to really melt into the moment with the scent and taste of chocolate.  We indulged in some delicious truffles and to celebrate, we ended the class with our final truffle paired with strawberries and champagne.  The perfect way to end the evening.
Chocolate has such a mystical magical hold on us...so many emotions wrapped up in such a seemingly simple food.  When we think of chocolate, we think of love and comfort, warmth and security, indulgence and passion.  Each moment we taste it is different and each moment is an experience.  And that is what this workshop was all about....savoring the moments in life and sharing the experience with friends.  We were all on a common journey for one evening and we all shared in the moments and yet we will all take something different away from the experience.  And in the end, what is truly important is that we were here and present and savoring a moment in life.
Robin Sharma said that "Life is just a series of moments. If you miss the moments, you miss your life."  In each day, try to savor the sweetness, the goodness, the warmth that life has to offer while you embrace the heat, the fire, the energy, the spice of life that keeps us alive.  And don't forget to indulge n a chocolate or two along the way.

Until next time, chocoholics....
Namaste.
Richelle

Listen to my Playlist:
Nocturne
Dream Weaver
Bittersweet Symphony
Day'n'Nght
1,2,3,4
September
I Gotta Feeling
Black
Drops of Jupiter
What's Up?
Dogs
Gravity
Falling Slowly
This Womans Work

Chocolate Facts:

- Chocolate increases antioxidant levels in the blood

- Mexican healers use chocolate to treat bronchitis and insect bites
- Endorphins, natural opiates that are released by the brain in increased amounts when eating  chocolate, thereby elevating one's mood and reducing pain- Casanova used chocolate as an aphrodisiac before seducing women
- We crave chocolate during PMS due to our lowered magnesium levels...chocolateis high in magnesium
- On the flip side, progesterone is high during PMS so we crave fatty foods...hence our mind numbing cravings for chocolate

Click here for Upcoming Workshops

Adventures in Backyard Yoga

So I decided to take advantage of the great weather we're having and take my yoga practice outdoors today....new extension on our deck would work wonders for my practice. I wiped down some space (moisture from the night left on the deck), set up my mat, block and strap. My 'babies' ...my dog and cat decided they wanted to join me and share in this glorious morning. So I let my dog out and got Jake, the cat, strapped n to his harness and we all got settled in for a great practice. The sun is shining, birds chirping and all is good in the world....absolutely beautiful.

My laptop was all set-up to start my itunes podcast (have to give a shout-out to Apple...love my macbook and Hillary Rubin, who's podcast I was doing). I love doing podcasts in the morning for my practice. I have a pretty busy schedule and sometimes it's not so easy to get out of the studio for classes. Having the ability to do podcast at home keeps me in touch with other yoga teachers and is nice to be guided through a creative sequence with tips and cues you can then carry forward in to your own classes. I choose a level 2/3 class to challenge myself. In this class there were some great sequences, hip openers, bakasana, and handstand.

I was about 35 minutes in to my practice...sun is out in full effect and what seemed like a good idea is now turning in to a slight heatwave. I was dripping sweat everywhere...my mat, my blocks, my towel and I knew that I was releasing toxins & burning off the Molten Chocolate Lava Cake my husband was experimenting with last night...hmmmm...or at least that is what I kept telling myself so I could get through it.

Molten Lave Cake:
450 calories/serving
Burning off the calories...burning off the calories....that is my mantra in my practice today. All approximately 450 of them...I am not even going to tackle or think about the fat and sugar. Needless to say, it was a yummy cake and gave me some motivation for my practice today.

So I am sweating and detoxing and my muscles are beginning to shake a little (okay, so allot) and the podcast leads me into bakasana or crow pose. On a good day, I can get up no problem....on a not-so-good-day, this pose can be challenging. I was having the latter...add sweat to the mix and it made things a little bit more challenging. In any case, I did it and all was good again in the world. Onward and forward.

At this time my cat has decided to become one with my mat and proceeds to roll around under me while I am recovering in downward dog. This is fine until he decides it is also a good time to play and test out his manly claws on my mat....not good. Trying to move him becomes a complicated yoga pose on it's own. After a bit of a wrestling match, I am victorious...minus a few scratches. Back to my practice. I reconnect to my breath and sink back in to downward dog. As I look towards my feet I notice that Jake has left me a present...apparently he is shedding and has left the good makings for a hair transplant if you know of any cats in need. Sigh. Breath and stretch..breath and stretch.

Moving forward and upward...time for handstand....shudder;-) This is an asana that I have trying to master and overcome fears of falling. Amazing how you can do and be so fearless when you are younger, but as you age you become less confident in your body and movements. Yoga is about letting go of ego and taking yourself to new levels, new heights and challenges. For me, this include handstand without a wall. So I have the brilliant idea of tackling this in the grass. This will give me a little cushioning in case I do fall. So over to the grass I go.

Let's recap...I have a dog and a husband who likes to grow the grass super long in the backyard. And for some reason, the grass grows like it's on steroids! So think: dog, long grass and things that can be hidden from view
So I set myself up, take a deep breath and fly into the air...and I am up...YAY! And then I am down. I give it a couple more tries and then take a break in child's pose. My heart is pumping and I am feeling on top of the world. I did it! Not for very long, but I got up there! And I feel on top of the world! At the age of 41 I can do handstand again...it's not pretty, mind you, but I got up there without the wall!

By this time in the podcast, we are to move back to our mats if we went to a wall and come into downdog. Now I mentioned how yoga is about letting go of ego...well, I let mine get the best of me. I decided I was going to do handstand again. I set myself up and flew in to the air...oh oh...abort, abort...this is not going as planned. Over I tumble and I land HARD. Once I get over the shock, I gingerly pick myself back up and take notice of the fact that I landed about an inch away from a lovely pile of doggie do-do that apparently was hiding in the freakishly long steroid grass that my husband likes to cultivate...hiding in wait for an innocent bystander to discover it's fragrant gift to the world. PHEW! That was a close one.

Dusting off my ego, I limp over to my mat to rejoin the podcast for savasana. I am now covered in dew and bits of grass, which apparently I have a slight itchy allergy to, and gratefully lie down on my cat hair infested mat. My cat, through all this, is lying peacefully beside my mat soaking up the sun. My dog is hanging out in the shade by the pool...oh the good life. I am sure they are thinking that I am crazy or maybe they were admiring my courage and strength, but to keep me humble have decided to fake nonchalance and ignore me...

Ahhhh savasana. I am itchy and sweaty and sore and trying to reconnect to my inner peace. The instructor in this podcast is talking about being grateful and making a list of 10 things you are grateful for. I smile at this because at that time I was grateful for the fact that I did not land in dog do-do.


Moral of the story: do not let your ego take over your mat. be courageous and strong, but mindful of your limits. Oh, and be aware of what you may or may not fall in to when you land:-) Know that when you try something new, you may not succeed the first time, but when you do it can be the best feeling in the world. Know that no matter how high you fly, you will always land on your feet (or your bum). It may not always be a graceful landing, but you had the courage to fly and that's what will embrace your spirit and help you soar even higher the next time.





Jake in the grass





Podcasts I love:
http://elsiesyogakula.com/
http://hillarysyogapractice.wordpress.com/
http://www.davefarmar.com/

Healthier recipe for Molten Lava Cake:
http://healthyindulgences.blogspot.com/2009/01/healthy-molten-chocolate-cake_10.html

Tip to Stay Motivated

Motivation Tip of the Month:

Magazine Subscriptions: In class on Monday I talked about ways to stay motivated and one of my favorite ways is having fitness and health/lifestyle magazines delivered to my home. They are a great tool to keep you motivated and gives you new ideas, nutrition tips, etc. Some of my favs are:
Women's Health
Yoga Journal
Natural Health
Best Health
More
Fitness
Oxygen
Find one you like by browsing the racks at your local Shoppers or magazine store. Subscribe for yourself and give as a gift to someone else. This is one of my favorite ways to pass on some inspiration. When you are done reading, pay it forward. Recycle your mags by: donating to your local library or woman's shelter, passing them on to friends and family. Learn more about this and other tips on my YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/bodysculptBC or by subscribing to my blog.

Confused about Organics?

Confused about organics? There is a lot of information on the market about what and what not to buy. Add the cost factor and it can get a little overwhelming. Luckily a group called the Environmental Working Group has done the work for us.
According to findings from 87,000 government tests, the Environmental Working Group (http://www.ewg.org/) created a list they call 12 the "dirty dozen." Ranked from 1-being the worst to 12, these are the fruits and vegs we need to be aware of. Some fruits and vegetables can have nine different pesticides in a single serving....YIKES!

DIRTY DOZEN:
Buy These Organic

1. Peach - worst
2. Apple - worst
3. Bell Pepper -worst
4. Celery
5. Nectarine
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Kale
9. Lettuce
10. Grapes (Imported)
11. Carrot
12. Pear

CLEAN 15:
Lowest in Pesticides

1. Onion -best
2. Avocado -best
3. Sweet Corn -best
4. Pineapple
5. Mango
6. Asparagus
7. Sweet Peas
8. Kiwi
9. Cabbage
10. Eggplant
11. Papaya
12. Watermelon
13. Broccoli
14. Tomato
15. Sweet Potato

Should You Care About Pesticides?
This is something that you should definitely do your research on. You will find both sides of the coin on this debate and whether you care or not will be your own personal decision.
So what do you do when you get your produce home?
Do you wash, peel, soak...or give it a quick wipe like my husband does;-)
Rinsing reduces but does not eliminate pesticides. Soaking is not recommended unless you are using an antibacterial soaking agent. Vinegar and water spray is always a good option. Peeling helps, but valuable nutrients often go down the drain with the skin. The best approach: eat a varied diet, rinse and wash all produce with specialty veggies wash (ex: http://www.naturecleanliving.com/fruit_veggie_wash_concentrate).

Whether or not you decide to switch to organic is a matter of choice. I always recommend that you do your own research and then make your decisions on what you are comfortable with. Do I choose to shop organically? Yes, as much as I can...but this has been my personal decision and it has been a learning process each step of the way.
Still confused?
Need help filling your cupboards with healthier choices to suit your and your family/household needs?
Need some fresh ideas for meals and snacks?
Why not book a Grocery Tour: In your tour, I will teach you how to read labels, decipher ingredient lists and figure to your best options to fill your cupboards with.

For more info or to book a tour, send me a message or comment below.
And keep posted for more tips and tools!

Dining Out: Making the Right Choices

After posting my last reviews on my latest finds and recommendations, I was asked to give some ideas and insight into dining out. This can be a frustrating ordeal for some...where to go, what to eat, etc. I love food...LOVE IT...so when I go out to eat, the last thing I want to do is tress about what I can and cannot have. Making changes in your lifestyle and choosing to eat more natural and nutritionally sound food plays a big part in this. Because of what I do and what I eat on a regular basis, I don't sweat it when I am out for dinner. I enjoy myself and choose what I love to eat...sounds easy for me, right? Key words are: because of what I eat on a regular basis. Because I eat well 80% of the time, I do not want to eat crap...it just does not taste as good to me anymore. When you make the necessary changes to reach this, you will find your self in the same boat...I promise. I choose NOT to eat crap because it is just not worth it to me. I feel awful after I do...physically awful...so it is just not worth it to me anymore.

Choosing Restaurants:

Choose restaurants that are locally owed...in other words, try to stay away from chain restaurants if at all possible. Reason being is not to put these restaurants out of business, BUT to support your local businesses. Also, chances are that you will have more interesting options. Choose bistro style restaurants where the chef truly cares about what he or she puts on a plate. This does not mean you have to break the bank to go out to eat, just choose wisely. You can have a fab meal at a local bistro style restaurant and spend the same as you would at a chain restaurant.

No Buffets:

Sorry!!! These are a giant NO-NO!!! Can you honestly say that you can go in to a buffet style restaurant and a) make great choices, b)not overindulge and c)not feel like crap...physically and mentally. Thinking that you are saving money is just not true. Buffets are not cheap, but we get caught up in the all-you-can-eat mentality and it becomes a I-am-going-to-make-sure-I-eat-as-much-as-I-can! If you absolutely have no choice and find yourself in a buffet style restaurant, choose wisely:

• raw salads and veggies
• whole grain breads
• grilled chicken, fish or seafood's
• fresh shrimp: great filler!
  
• broth based soups
• small portion of dessert

Tips for Dining Out:

• make it about the company and not the food
• drink water with lots of lemon and lime to help clean out your system
• order soda water with your meal...add lemon/lime to flavor
  
• share an appetizer: mussels in broth, salad, satay, humus, etc.
• send back the white: no white bread, white sugar, white pasta
• ask for whole grain bread with a side of olive oil for dipping instead of margarine
• choose grilled lean meats for main course
• if pasta is made fresh on premises, order away!
• no creams sauces, please...stick with the reds: low in fat and good for your heart
  
• ask for dressing on the side so you can control how much you use
• savoy a glass of red wine or spritzer with dinner
• cover pate with napkin after you are done...you will not be tempted to keep eating and if you are, you will have to pull the napkin off and chances are you will not want to do this
• eat half your meal and take rest home for lunch the next day
  
• enjoy conversation over herbal teas or a latte with skim milk after dinner
• if you MUST have dessert, please share it
  
• drink lots of water
• ENJOY yourself...dining out should be something to savoy, not dread

Breakfast or Brunch Tips:

• poached eggs or egg white omelet
• always DRY whole grain or dark rye toast
• pea meal bacon - much less fat then regular bacon
• no dessert style waffles
• whole grain french toast...no butter or whip cream please (always ask as some add this without it being on the menu)
• bring your own Agave Nectar (see August food list)
  
• crepes with fresh fruit
• tea, herbal tea, coffee, latte, cappuccino...all with low fat milk and stevia or agave to sweeten
• fresh fruit bowls or plates with natural yogurt
• fresh made granola....only if you know they make it or order in specially
• smoothies: made with natural plain yogurt or low fat milk or soy milk
• 2 glasses of water for every tea or coffee you drink

Fast Food on the Run:

Do I need to list where to stay away from? I know drive-through are convenient, but how can you make healthy choices at the drive-through? If you absolutely must have fast food, try to choose the following:

• order grilled chicken sandwiches with extra veg and no mayo
• grilled wraps
• small fries...say NO to super-size
  
• water or milk
• no diet soft drinks
• salad with vinaigrette

My Picks for Fast Food:

• pita pit or any pita place: whole wheat pita stuffed with extra veg, grilled chick and humus - protein(chicken), complex carbs(veg and pita) and healthy fats(humus)
• subway: choose whole wheat bun, lean meat like turkey or chicken and ask for extra veg
• pizza nova: great choice of whole grain slices - choose one with chicken, if you can
• pizza pizza: same as above
• Tim Horton's: whole grain sandwich with turkey and veg OR whole grain bagel with cheese and veg

I am a big fan of Pita Pit or any pita style restaurants. You can order with the knowledge that you are making a better choice for yourself and get some exercise by having to WALK to the restaurant, rather than drive up and through the restaurant to get your meal.

Ordering In:

I love to order in...LOVE IT!!!! My clients know that one of my favorite things to when hubby is out f town is to order in. Nice glass of red wine, whole wheat pizza and a movie....simple pleasures. Here are my order in picks:

• thai: satay, cold spring rolls, lemongrass soup, mango salad (super yum!), anything tofu, pad thai to share
• sushi: edamame (great for lunches/afternoon snack), miso soup, curry, sashimi, brown rice maki
• Chinese: hot and sour soup, rice noodle dishes, egg foo young, tai dop voy, mixed veg dishes
  
• pizza: whole wheat crust, unlimited veg, 4 cheese blend or part-skim moz

Lastly...

Remember to enjoy your experience. If you overindulge, don't beat yourself up over it. Remember these tips and get on it next time. We all fall off the wagon , it's what you do when you hit the ground that counts. Get back up and get back on track and learn from your mistakes. This is how we teach our children, but we forget these simple rules as we get older. Try to bring back the enjoyment of food by making the choice today to say no to the crap and yes to the fact that you DESERVE better...better for your body, better for your mind and better for your soul!

Feel free to add to my list of tips or if you know of a great restaurant, let me know and share it with the world. Until next time...

Welcome!

Subscribe and keep posted on my thoughts, tips, reviews, tricks and tools of the trade. I created this blog to keep in touch with clients and ,hopefully, reach others looking for inspiration, motivation and support.

Let me know what you think and what you want to read about. You can also find me at: www.bodysculptbootcamp.ca

Happy blogging!

Richelle

August Food Reviews:

Hot List Reviews for August:
Here is my list of recent hot finds with links to the companies that make them and a where to buy list. Enjoy!

SNACK/GRANOLA BARS:
I am a busy lady and sometimes I do not have time for to prepare a snack or have to eat on the run or in between sessions and classes. Bars are a great alternative. You can pack them anywhere and eat them on the run. I have tried a TON of bars and some are great tasting and others...not so much. Here are some of my latest and greatest finds:

Hip the be Healthy:
- by Greens+: great source of complex carbs, healthy fats and protein.
- my favorite is the organic dark chocolate coated bar..yummy!
- great for an afternoon snack
- does NOT taste like it is good for you!
- buy at: Feel Good Health Store
ReBAR Caramel:
- 12 grams of protein
- mix of veg and fruits in each bar and coated with dark chocolate
- great before or after your Bodysculpt Bootcamp or yoga class
- buy at Super Store
Raw Revolution Spirulina & Cashew:
- healthy fats mixed with green energy
- great bar for before class to give you natural energy
- buy at: Feel Good Health Store
Nature’s Path Choco Peanut Granola Bar:
- great for an afternoon snack
- complex carbs, healthy fats and protein
- wheat free and low sodium
- does not taste like they are good for you;-)
- buy at Super Store, IGA and Loblaws in organic section

My NO-NO List:
Special K bars & All Bran bars:
These are on my no-no list as what not to have in your cupboards. We can easily get caught up in all the marketing (red dress commercials from Special K) and ignore the fine print....the ingredients list. This is key to picking out a good-for-you snack bar. You want to look out for all natural ingredients and try not to get caught up in the fat content. We get fixated on the fat content and then ignore how much sugar is in the bar. Healthy fats will help keep you feeling satisfied and full. Low-fat bars that make up for flavor in sugar will only make you crave more sugar and you will be hungry an hour later.
Here in the ingredients list from a Strawberry Special K bar and in bold are some of the things you should stay away from:
Cereal (rice, sugar, whole wheat, wheat gluten, wheat germ, salt, wheat flour, malt [corn flour, malted barley], maltodextrin, thiamin hydrochloride, colour), sugar/glucose-fructose, strawberry flavored cranberries (sugar, cranberries, citric acid, natural flavor, concentrated elderberry juice, vegetable oil), fructose, dextrose, vegetable oil, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, milk ingredients, sorbitol, glycerin, natural and artificial flavor, calcium carbonate, soy lecithin, salt, tocopherols, BHT.
***notice the strawberry flavored cranberries...not even real strawberries! Why not call it a cranberry bar then????

BREAKFAST:
Nature's Path Flax Plus® Frozen Waffles:
- top with natural almond butter and agave syrup for a breakfast on the run
- good combo of healthy fats, protein and carbs to give you energy in the morning
- am a big fan of all Nature's Path brand cereals and bars
- buy at any major grocery store
- best selection at the Superstores
Ezekiel 4:9 cereal:
- sprouted whole grain & almond flavor
- not recommended if you are used to sugary cereals
- switch to a Nature’s Path granola before trying this one
- tastes similar to Grape Nuts
- great in natural yogurt with some fresh blueberries and papaya
Organic Spelt Flakes:
- simialr to oatmeal
- easy to digest
- high is amino acids, healthy fats and fibre
- cook as you would large flake oatmeal
- buy at Bulk Barn

NATURAL SWEETENERS:
New Roots Stevia:
- no bitter aftertaste
- great in teas, coffees, cereals, yogurt, etc.
- buy at: Feel Good Health Store

Coco Natura:
- great new find and absolutely yummy!
- tastes like brown sugar
- FULL of healthy minerals
- low glycemic index
- buy at: Feel Good Health Store

Madhava Agave Nectar:
- Hazelnut Flavor or amber or light
- absolutely delicious!
- use instead of table syrup for my pancakes, french toast, wraps, etc.
- taste like a mix between honey and syrup
- buy hazelnut flavor at: Ninety Ninth Monkey in Brooklin
- buy amber or light at Feel Good Health Store or Superstore (different brand)

As much as possible I try to stay away from artificial sweeteners. If you are addicted to diet drinks or Crystal Light, ect., now is the time to cut them clean from your diet. It will be tough, but I know you can do it! Do your research on what artificial sweeteners can cause...there is a reason why you crave them so much. When I get my clients off of the diet drinks, I tell them to be prepared to go in to withdrawal. You may experience headaches and will take someone down for a sip of their diet drink when you hear the sound of a can opening. Give it 3 days and you will feel better...I promise! I had a client who suffered from migraines...she gave up the diet pop and her migraines have gone away.

MISC. HOT LIST:
Amy’s Black Bean Burritos:
- great for lunches or dinner
- mix of complex carbs, protein and healthy fats
- add a side of veggies or salad for a balanced meal
- buy at most major grocery stores in the frozen organics aisle
ACE Organic Granery Bread:
- full of wholes grains and sunflower seeds
- great for lunches, french toast, dinners
- buy at: Loblaws & Super Store

SUPPLEMENTS:
NutriSea Fish Oil:
- high quality fish oil for a healthy heart, healthy joints and improved mental function
- will help with cravings
- take one teaspoon in morning
- can be given to children - improves concentration and brain function and growth: super smart kids!
- mix into salad dressing
- add to shakes for healthy fats
- buy at: Feel Good Health Store or your local health food store
Bee Pollen:
- chock full of amino acids
- take 1-3 tablespoons before a meal
- I won’t lie...it is not super tasty, but you get used to it
- buy at: Feel Good Health Store or your local health food store
I also take Vital Greens and B-12 daily to help with energy and metabolism.

WHERE TO BUY LINKS:
Feel Good Health Store
Ninety Ninth Monkey in Brooklin

TO BE REVIEWED:
Brown Rice Tortillas - gluten free
Hempola High Protein Pancake Mix - buy at The Ninety Ninth Monkey in Brooklin (great store)

Subscribe to my blog to keep posted on my new hot finds and reviews. Feel free to add your own hot finds and let me know if you tried any of the above. If you want to learn more about what and what not to fill your cupboards with, book one of my Grocery Tours. I will teach you how to read labels, what to look for in the ingredients lists and find alternatives to the no-no lists.

Until next time, happy shopping!

Changing Your Habits

At the age of 30 I decided that enough was enough and started changing my habits. I was still living like I was in my 20’s and we all know what that can lead to! Luckily I grew up in a home where veggies and fruit were in abundance and my mom is an amazing cook and hated most canned soups and convenience foods. At an early age, we were introduced to a variety of foods and ate what we were given. The fridge was always filled with bright colors and homemade desserts and snacks. I have yet to meet a vegetable or fruit that I do not like.

Growing up with this helped lay the groundwork for future food choices. This is not to say that I always ate well and never had any issues with food. Not true...I had issues, but that story I will share for another time. (check out my personal blog) My 20”s were a-typical of someone living on their own and making ends meet. Lots of noodles and canned tuna or take-out. When I moved to Mexico, where I lived for 3 years, I could only afford things that were less expensive to buy: rice, vegetables, fruit and cheese. These were staples in my cupboard. When I moved back to Canada, I brought back a dog and cat and about an extra 25 lbs in excess weight...and that was NOT my in my luggage. In any case, one thing eventually led to another and I decided I was not happy and it was time to change my habits. I was eating okay, but knew I could always improve. Having a family history of diabetes and heart decease on both sides was always in the back of my mind. So I started to research and try new things and continue to do so today. it did not happen overnight, it was a gradual change, but it led me to feeling better and having more energy NOW at the age of 41 then I did at the age of 31.

In my private sessions with clients and the classes I teach, I talk about nutrition and pass on my favorite new finds. I have learned to shop in a couple of different stores and buy in bulk so I don't’ have to go back that often. This also means I always have stuff on hand which saves a to of time and frustration in the end. In the coming months I will be hunting out new finds and giving my reviews. Please let me know of any of your hot finds or foods you have tried from my ‘hot list’ and post them in the comments in my blog.