Fair trade chocolate – a complete guide

Chocolate is loved by many people across the nation. So much so that research has highlighted that Britain consumes 660,900 tonnes of chocolate a year! Broken down this staggering number calculates to 11kg per person per year and equals three bars of chocolate each week. These numbers showcase just how loved chocolate is, but do chocoholics know where it comes from and the history of delicious chocolate?

Fair trade chocolate

Fair trade is a system designed to make trade fair which makes a difference to the lives of people who grow the things we love. The fair trade system currently works with more than 1.66 million farmers across 73 different countries across the world to bring us many delicious treats, including beloved chocolate.

Go loco for cocoa and save a rainforest

*Non-sponsored 

It’s not often that your guilty pleasures can help protect a rainforest – but the RSPB’s first chocolate bar does just that!

Nákd bars review - Nákd Celebration Box and Nákd Chocolovers Mixed Case.

I have recently revived my desire to lose weight and have a healthier lifestyle; as such I have been a good girl and cut out snacking on sweet treats and ‘rubbish’ food filled with additives and artificial ingredients.  Missing sweet snacks and something yummy to nibble on I jumped at the chance of trying some Nákd bars in the hope of finding a healthier alternative to the sugar filled snacks I previously indulged in.

Natural Balance Foods sent us a box of their Nákd bars to try.  Not only were they kind enough to send us a box of their bars to try but they also kindly sent a box for my friend to try too as she has recently had to change to a gluten and wheat free diet due to health issues and is struggling to resist snacking on treats that are no good for her health.

I must admit before being asked to try the Nákd bars I had never heard of the British company Natural Balance Foods and their Nákd bars so I promptly perused their website to learn about the Nákd way.  Thoughtfully Natural Balance Foods have created a very informative page for Nákd newbies to learn all about Nákd bars and what makes their products different to the other snacks and cereal bars on the market that claim to be healthy snack bars. 

Fruity ice lollies with a Cadbury chocolate twist #cbias #shop

Bug and I have been making the most of the lovely weather we have been having of late; playing at the park, enjoying splishy splashy shenanigans at the beach, having lots of adventures in the great outdoors, playing in the garden…..simply making the most of the sunshine whilst it lasts and having lots of fun.  As well as enjoying playing in the sunshine we have also being making the most of the lovely weather by eating al fresco. 

Even though the weather has been lovely it has been boiling.  In an attempt to keep cool and prevent burning in the scorching sun we have been lathering ourselves in sunscreen and staying indoors with fans working overtime during the hottest part of the day, enjoying the weather and playing outdoors in the early hours of the morning, late afternoon and early evening.  We have also been enjoying cooling relief to the sweltering hot weather thank to yummy ice lollies.

With the heat wave making us feel like we are melting we have been devouring ice lollies as if they are going out of fashion.  Thanks to the red-hot weather and our need for some icy-cold relief my supply of homemade fruity ice lollies has been dwindling fast. 

With my supply of ice lollies nearly depleted I wanted to make some more fruity ice lollies especially as each day keeps bringing lots of sun, clear blue skies and no sign of rain or cloudy skies.  Even though my fruity ice lollies are always a hit with Bug I wanted to make some with a chocolatey twist for a special treat after being inspired by some Raspberry and Chocolate Ice Lollies on the Annabel Karmel website.  As Bug loves Watermelon I wanted to make some simple Watermelon Ice Lollies, giving some of them a chocolate twist.  Whilst browsing the internet for ice lolly ideas I stumbled across a recipe for Strawberry Ice Lollies that consisted of blending strawberries with yoghurt which sounding like a yummy milky ice lolly to make Bug.

After a quick play in the village park whilst daddy had a little lie in after a late shift we set off on for a day of shopping at Swansea with plans of getting Bug some more summer clothes and swim shorts as well as supplies to make more homemade ice lollies.

After hitting the shops to get Bug some summer clothes and browsing toy shops in the hope of finding some Lego Duplo on sale for my Lego mad Bug we popped into Asda to check out their George clothing for little ones and get supplies for the fruity ice lollies with a chocolatey twist, specifically fresh fruit and Cadbury chocolate.  You can see our shopping trip to Asda by taking a look at our Shopping at Asda for ingredients for fruity ice lollies with a Cadbury chocolate twist google+ album.

Even though I could not get raspberries for the Raspberry and Chocolate Ice Lollies recipe I found on the Annabel Karmel website the lollies inspired me to make my own fruity ice lollies in the same vein by dipping them in chocolate and adding a scattering of sprinkles.  With plentiful supplies and the fans whirling to keep us cool, Bug and I hit the kitchen to make some ice lollies.

Bug was fascinated by the hand blender as I prepared the fruit for the lollies and was intrigued watching the fruit juice drip through the sieve.

We made a few different fruity ice lollies using a number of ice lolly holders and moulds.  With the fruity blends smelling divine we placed them in the freezer to set ready for dipping in melted Cadbury chocolate.

After being in the freezer overnight our ice lollies were icy cold and set, ready for a chocolatey makeover.

I could not wait to taste the summer fruit blend of watermelon and strawberry ice lollies.

Bug was intrigued by the bullet shaped ice lollies.  The strawberry and yoghurt ice lollies looked milky and cooling.

As both Bug and I love watermelon both of us were excited about enjoying the watermelon ice lollies that looked uber icy cold and had a gorgeous pink hue to them.

As well as making fruity ice lollies whilst we were busy making ice lolly treats we also made some raspberry fromage frais ice lollies that looked delicious.

With the fruity ice lollies frozen solid it was time to get creative with some tasty Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate.

Bug loved helping break the chocolate ready for melting and he was giggling in delight when he slyly sneaked a bit to eat.

With melted Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate at the ready I dipped the fruity ice lollies in the silky smooth chocolate and then Bug helped decorate the ice lollies by sprinkling hundreds and thousands onto the chocolate before we popped them back into the freezer to set.

As we had some chocolate left we made some little chocolate treats that had a little surprise inside in the form of Jelly Babies.

Bug loved hiding the Jelly Babies in the melted chocolate and after they were all covered in the silky milk chocolate we put them to bed in the fridge to set.

Whilst putting the Jelly Babies to bed in a chocolate bed Bug also secreted away a couple of little Jelly Babies to nibble on.

Once our little chocolate and Jelly Babies treats were set Bug was excited about seeing inside.

As the day was fast come to an end I decided the fruity ice lollies with a chocolate twist would have to wait until the following day when they could be enjoyed in the midst of a sunny, fun filled day playing outdoors.  As a special treat for being a very good boy helping mummy make ice lollies, Bug enjoyed a bowl of yummy vanilla ice cream drizzled with melted Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate after he devoured his supper.

I was surprised to see that by the time I got the bowl to the table the chocolate had set.

The following day with a fridge full of fruity ice lollies, a number of which had a chocolate and sprinkles makeover and the sun shining bright we headed outside to play.  

Whilst Bug raced around playing on his cars and small climbing frame I relaxed and enjoyed the sun with a pieces or two (okay maybe a tad more) of Cadbury Dairy Milk Marvellous Creations Jelly Popping Candy Shells and an ice cold can of Diet Coke.

With the paddling pool filled up with cooling water Bug enjoyed splishing and splashing in the pool before deciding to use his little slide to slip into the pool.

Bug was very excited to see the fruity ice lollies with a chocolate twist as well as some strawberries to nibble on to give him an energy boost to carry on playing.  I love our fruity ice lollies with a Cadbury chocolate twist and they make not look perfect but I think they look good and have a cute homemade look to them.  Our homemade fruity ice lollies taste great and are the perfect treat for hot summer days.

The Watermelon and Strawberry ice lollies with a Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate top were particularly lovely and very refreshing to enjoy on a hot summer day.

Fingers crossed the lovely summer weather continues so that Bug and I can have lots more fun playing outside and enjoying the refreshing, cooling fruity ice lollies.  I plan on using some different fruit next time I need to make some more fruity ice lollies and I hope to attempt to make some Chocolate Orange Ice Lollies in the near future.

Big Night In - Moneysupermarket challenge.

Many moons ago I used to love a big night out, partying and drinking the night away.  After a number of years of hard partying I hung up my party shoes.  Even though I put my wild partying ways behind me and gave up drinking alcohol, becoming a teetotaller, I still loved a night out.  Instead of hitting the pubs and clubs for a night out I loved going to restaurants for lovely meals with friends and family, going to the cinema and going to a comedy show or watching a gig. 

When I met Lee we shared a love of going to the cinema, comedy shows and music performances and we enjoyed many a big night out together.  When I was 9 months pregnant we had an amazing time watching Jimmy Carr’s Laughter Therapy show at the Swansea Grand Theatre.

Then our love bug was born and along with him came sleepless nights and our big nights out disappeared.  

Daddy's Day Chocotastic Card (Project 365 - 167/365).

Making daddy a choctastic daddy's day card (Project 365 - 166/365).

Chocolates and cuddles.....perfect family night in with #cbias

With lee busy working long hours and late nights lately we have all been missing quality time as a family.  With a rare whole day off for Lee on the horizon for yesterday I wanted to make the most of the day.  I was excited at the prospect of Lee having a whole day off as it meant that Bug and I would have the car to go off on a little adventure for the whole day and not have to rush home for Lee to have the car to go to work, leaving Lee have a lie-in after a very late shift the night before and then be able to spend the whole evening and night with Lee instead of being stuck home alone when he is at work.

As Lee has been working so much overtime lately he is shattered so rather than drag him out for a family day outing Bug and I left him at home so he could have a lie-in and some peaceful, relaxation time whilst Bug and I went to have a little adventure and then do some shopping for some new bits and bobs for Bug. 

On our way to the shops we stopped off at a country estate and landscape park for a stroll in the sun and for some lovely outdoor adventures together.  Bug had lots of fun running around the gardens and gorgeous grounds but my wild little boy soon wore me out with his hyperactive, nonstop antics…..thankfully I kept reminding myself of our family night in that night and the prospect of cuddles and chocolate kept me going!

Chocolate on Chocolate Farmyard Box of Chocolates Review - Find Me A Gift

As I love to have an indulgent treat of scrummy chocolate every now and again when I was offered the opportunity to review a box of chocolates courtesy of Find Me A Gift I could not resist.

Find Me A Gift sent us a box of Chocolate On Chocolate Farmyard animals.  The Chocolate on Chocolate Farmyard box is beautifully packaged with a ribbon and gift tag.  The box of chocolate treats consists of an assorted feast of farm animals.