What Lyd Did

Meat replacements have been hitting the shelves hard over the past year or so, with supermarket own brands, Oumph, and Vivera all offering alternatives to popular meat items and meals. Iceland impressed vegans and omnis alike when they brought their No Bull burgers to the ring, complete with beetroot 'blood', and recently they expanded their line to include plenty more plant based products.

The one that caught my eye was their No Chick No Porkies paella. I understand that traditional paella varies across Spain, with some regions adding rabbit or seafood, but as the name suggests, Iceland kept theirs simpler with slices of soya chorizo and alarmingly realistic chicken. The mixture also included courgette, pepper, and peas, to introduce more flavours and texture.

a bowl of iceland vegan paella with a hand and fork reaching in

I'll start with the negatives, because it's always nicer to end on a high, isn't it? The chicken and chorizo really did not float my boat, and I can't see many people enjoying them to be perfectly honest. Most of the chorizo was bordering on mushy, with only a few chewy edges that felt closer to meat. The chicken was the same, some chunks were soft and spongey, then others were harder. If you've ever had chicken that has dried out a little in the oven and become tough, I can liken it to that.

The inconsistency in textures is what leads me to believe this won't be for everyone. If you're a omnivore used to tougher meat you might find the softer pieces odd, and vice versa for vegans, who may find the realistic chewy pieces unappetising. Personally I didn't hate it and I wouldn't label it disgusting or gross, but it did surprise me as I was expecting a close comparison to meat after the hype surrounding their burgers.

This may be me being fussy, but I'm also not a fan of the packaging. As I browsed the store I saw three other paellas, all with boxes or bags depicting juicy prawns, zesty lemon, and fluffy rice. The No Chick No Porkies version was just in a beige and green bag that clearly showed which range it belonged to, but also made it look quite boring. It would be nice to have a transparent area of the bag or perhaps an illustration, something to add colour and make it more exciting.

a beige bag with 'no chick no porkies paella' written on a plate in green text

Negatives aside, let's weigh up the positives. The paella costs £2, and I think this is fair for what you get. It microwaves in 6-7 minutes, and while it may not be the healthiest of meals, it is still more nutritious than its meaty counterparts, and it's really handy that vegans can have a quick, convenient option available. It is labelled as a meal for one but could also be used as a side for a stuffed peppers, a tomato bean stew, or roasted vegetable kebabs.

The flavour of the dish is pretty good overall. The mock meat pieces aren't total dupes of chorizo and chicken, and are a little bit salty, but they're not bad at all taste-wise. I was surprised that the paella tastes very rich and authentic, like it would if the fat from pork chorizo had melted in to the cooking. The vegetables also helped to add bursts of fresh flavour but if I had this again I would include either more vegetables or a salad for some crisp texture.

Overall, I wouldn't rush to buy this again but I wouldn't turn it down if someone put it in front of me, you know? If you enjoy paella and you're happy to try new textures, this is a good one to stash in the freezer, but for me the textures were a little offputting and they were the only thing in the meal that varied. It started to feel stodgy and same-y halfway through, so I'd much prefer it with the aforementioned sides. I'm still open to trying the rest of the range, and it's always great to see more well priced, accessible options out there.

Have you tried this range?

I confess that I'm not-so-secretly addicted to sweet reviews, and it's about time I dipped my toe in the high GI pool. Where better to start than with the chicest sweeties out there, Candy Kittens? I've wanted to try them for the longest time, with the gorgeous packaging, delicious flavours, and vegan formula all reeling me in, but the price putting me off. Maybe I'm just a penny pincher, but I can grab a bag of good old Haribo for £1 compared to these being £1.50 upwards.

Luckily for Scrooge over here, Morrisons had reduced their bags to just 75p, so naturally I had to swoop and grab a bag each of Peach Fizz, Blueberry Bliss, Wild Strawberry, and Sour Watermelon.

Three members of my family mistook the bags for cat treats, but I love them. The silver spots, the bright colours that correspond with the flavours, they're just gorgeous. I'm a sucker for great packaging. I also really love that the sweets themselves are cat shaped, they remind me of upscale Percy Pigs.

Out of the four bags I grabbed, the one I'll run to restock is absolutely Peach Fizz. Peach is one of my favourite flavours, and at first this tasted like typical peach sweets, then developed into something even better. Candy Kittens have absolutely nailed an accurate, fresh flavour, that feels like biting into the real thing without getting juice all over your hand. Absolutely one of the best sweets I've ever tasted, and do you know what? I'll happily loosen my purse strings and pay £1.50 for more.

After sampling peach perfection, the others paled in comparison. They were all lovely but just not on the same level. I did really enjoy the fine, sour sugar they were all dusted in, it helped to lift all the flavours and boost their true, tart fruit taste.

The flavour came from the addition of real fruit juices in the sweets, and the ingredient list also boasts natural colours, but you won't spot beeswax or gelatine or beeswax glaze in there. Due to this, I was expecting a very soft texture, but they're satisfyingly chewy. Not quite Haribo tough, but they won't melt in the mouth either. Out of the vegan sweets I've tried, I can see these becoming a firm (ha) favourite,

Which flavour should I try next?

When I saw that Racconto Lounge had popped up in Bury, little did I know that it would be the most Instagrammable location in town! The interior is like nothing I've seen before, and such a clever use of the space. Huge paper lanterns swing from the ceiling, while the walls are adorned with thousands of framed portraits and paintings. Antique bureaus and mirrors meet recycled wood flooring and bright, mismatched furniture to give it an eclectic but cosy feeling. In a small space all of this would be cramped and dark, but it brings much needed warmth and life to the tall industrial space.

I will say that we did have plenty of time to take in the view, as our meals were pretty late, and we waited longer than the 30 minutes advised. However, we did visit on a Bank Holiday and the staff were really polite about it, so it wouldn't stop me returning, but I would choose a quieter time.

white paper lanterns hanging in front of a wall covered in portraits

The veggie brunch caught my eye because it featured halloumi and sweetcorn fritters instead of Quorn or Linda McCartney sausages, which I'm not really a fan of. It also came with toast, fried egg, spinach, peppers, mushrooms, hash browns, and -perhaps most importantly- baked beans in a little pot. I love it when they're kept separate rather than getting my food wet. 10 points, Racconto Lounge.

My brunch was really delicious, although I wish I could have swapped the mushrooms for another fritter. They didn't have as much salty, chewy halloumi as I had expected, but the texture was really good nonetheless. Alongside the all day breakfast menu, there are also paninis, burgers, salad, and tapas on offer, all of which sound delicious. The menu is fairly priced too, with most mains and drinks coming to around a tenner.

a plate of vegetarian brunch and glass of coke on a striped table

I was excited to see that the menu also features homemade lemonades and watermelon iced tea. I don't drink alcohol, so it's always a pleasant surprise to see more interesting soft drinks on offer. Sadly my sister ordered the raspberry lemonade, and while it was good to see that it was made with lots of real fruit, it was super sour.

While my parents really enjoyed a twisted chicken panini and homemade vegetable soup, my sister pulled the short straw again with the breakfast muffin she ordered. The sausage patty was tiny in comparison to the toasted muffin, and the meal should have included a hash brown to pad it out a bit in our opinion. Luckily for her, I'm happy to share.

Racconto Lounge lost a few points on my first visit, but I'm willing to forgive and forget and try again because the rest of the menu just looked too good! Mexican Superbowl? Halloumi burger? I'm coming to get ya.

Truth be told, I'm a bit of a lazy lump, and I love finding shortcuts that make life that little bit easier, my health included. I want to do the best for my body, but if there are ways I can nourish it quickly and simply, I'm all for them. By just changing my bath water, drinking water, and cereal toppers, I'm making small choices that can work together to make a big difference.

Please note I'm far from being a medical professional. If you have any concerns about your health it's best to get on the blower to your doctor, and it's always worth chatting to them before you try new supplements and changes.

Epsom salts/magnesium flakes

We all know that a relaxing bath can work wonders for our wellbeing, as it gives us time to relax alone, but you can also boost for health while you soak by simply adding epsom salts to your water. They are made of magnesium, something which many of us are deficient in. Whenever I feel run down I simply dissolve around 500g of salts or flakes in hot water then stir it into a warm bath. It's best to have a big glass of water while you're in the tub, then head to bed straight after for a deep sleep.

*Earth Water products were sent for review, however this does not alter my opinion or honesty- see my disclaimer for more.

Fulvic Humic acids

This mineral complex was once rich in the soil, but with the rise of pollution it is suggested that the concentration in the soil is diluted, therefore there is less in the fruits and vegetables we eat. This complex supports the cells, with humic acid preventing toxins from attaching, and fulvic acid carrying nutrients into the cell.

Luckily, EarthWater have made it quick and simple to benefit from this power pair. They produce bottles of ready mixed water in plain and flavoured varieties, vegan friendly gummies, and, my favourite, sachets of concentrate*. The sachets can be mixed at home so you can supplement any drink you like, and reuse your own water bottle for extra planet points. Despite looking a little scary with its almost black colour, it's totally tasteless.

I like to think I eat pretty well, and my diet has plenty of fruit and veg, but I could still feel a difference in my energy levels when I drank Earth Water. When I had a cold the symptoms were much less severe than usual and I recovered faster. I imagine it's especially helpful for anyone who exercises a lot, or people who do not get a wide variety of vitamins from their diet.

Chia and ground flax seeds

Seeds are nature's powerhouses, with tonnes of health benefits packed into each tiny pod. Flax and chia are especially nutritious, with chia seeds carrying lots of amino acids and antioxidants. Sprinkle them over yoghurt or cereal, or add them into smoothies and baking. You only need around a teaspoon a day, so it's really easy to supplement your diet.

Do you have any health hacks?

As I mentioned in my vegan wrap review, I'm making more ethical choices with my diet. Some things are easy to swap, but one of my biggest concerns was confectionery. I'm a hardcore Haribo fan, but that chewy texture is down to gelatine, which means they're crossed off my shopping list.

I was also worried that I could never have milk chocolate again, or that my choccy choices would be limited, but I was so wrong!

These are some favourites I picked up on a recent shopping trip, but there are lots out there, including Candy Kittens, Starburst, and my childhood favourite: Party Rings. Just make sure to check the ingredients when you buy as they may change.

a wicker basket filled with Fry's peppermint cream bars in white and green packaging, a green bag of peach sweets, a red tub of caramel pudding, a green box of fruit shaped jellies, individually wrapped jellies, a box of strawberry cremes with a picture of a strawberry on it, and a green carton of mint chocolate poppets

Pimlico Fruit Jellies

I spotted these in the world foods aisle at Tesco and had to grab a tub! Fruit jellies are one of my favourite sweets, and these contain a lovely mix of flavours. It turns out that many fruit jellies are vegan friendly, as they use pectin instead of gelatine. Yay!

Newberry Fruit Jewels

First of all, these score serious points for the name. Jewels sound so much more exotic and exciting than plain old sweets! These are bars of fruit jelly with a fruit syrup inside them, with yummy flavour combinations like pineapple and raspberry.

Goody Good Stuff Summer Peaches

I must admit that it frustrates me that Goody Good Stuff are noticeably higher in price than my beloved Haribo, but they're worth it. Emma, who writes fab vegan food reviews, recommended these to me, and I have to agree they're the best vegan sweets for taste and texture. On the bright side, being a bit more expensive means I'm less likely to inhale the whole bag in one sitting.

Kellogg's Fruit Winders
Merely holding one of these throws me back to primary school! If you love fruity sweets they are a good alternative, and they're made with real fruit puree.

Tesco Free From Choc 'n' Crispy bar

Again, a large part of me wanted to put down this tiny 45p bar and grab a £1 Galaxy share block instead, but I resisted. I'm glad that Tesco have made a milk chocolate without the milk that is pretty easily accessible. Unfortunately it's not a patch on the old Galaxy, it has an overly sweet flavour and a waxy texture. It tastes how I imagine mockolate would.

Mint and Strawberry cremes
Mint Poppets
Fry's mint creme bars

It's a good job I like mint dark chocolate! I had assumed that all dark chocolate products fit a vegan diet, but there are some that contain whey protein or milk derivatives so always check the label. Luckily these ones are all safe.

Alpro Soya Caramel Pudding
I bought these hoping for a vegan Rolo dessert dupe, but they're not at all similar. The Alpro has a lighter texture and a 'posher' caramel taste, like burnt toffee. I still really enjoyed them and they make for a sweet treat that's a tiny bit more nutritious as they have added vitamin D, B2, and B12.

Have you tried any of these treats? What are your favourite vegan treats?

I've been trying to reduce the animal products in my diet lately, so I was really happy to see that Morrisons offer their own vegan wrap in their chilled grab 'n' go section. So happy, in fact, that I said "ooh how exciting" loudly enough for the nearby assistant to look at me, bemused.

The wrap is clearly labelled with 'Vegan Japanese Inspired wrap' plus a vegan symbol, which is really handy. It's priced at £2.10 and is included in their meal deal, making it excellent value.

a plain tortilla wrap filled with black rice and onion, carrot, spinach, and dressing

The tortilla wrap itself is plain, and inside are vegetables in a garlic and chilli 'mayo' along with black sushi rice. I hadn't had this rice before, and it has a skin around each grain, making it a little bit chewy. The vegetables included spinach, carrot, and green bean. I was so pleased to see that there was no mushroom, and the crisp green beans were an unusual and welcome addition.

The dressing was surprisingly creamy and had just the right amount of garlic. I didn't notice the chilli whilst eating the wrap but the heat hit me afterwards. Interestingly, I didn't experience any bloating afterwards as I usually would with a meat sandwich or wrap. It was satisfying without being at all heavy.

The pack contained medium amounts of salt, sugar, and fat, but was pretty high in protein (9.6g) and fibre (4.2g), making it a good pick for anyone looking for a nutritious lunch as well as vegans.

I did feel that this wrap was missing something, but not necessarily a meat or substitute, perhaps some cashews or soy sauce. Overall I enjoyed it and would eat it again. It felt like Morrisons had really put thought and effort into creating a vegan choice that was just as full of flavour as their other offerings, and I appreciated the varied textures they put in the wrap to keep it interesting.

I'd love to see them expand their line and introduce items like seitan steak and onion baguettes, coconut cheese ploughman's sandwiches, and katsu tofu bowls. Morrisons, if you need a product tester, I'm your girl!

Would you try this wrap?

Being a 22 year old granny, I don't get out much, so when I do have an evening at the theatre, it's always nice to make a meal of it and go out for tea at the same time. Since Bella Italia have a restaurant right by Winter Gardens Blackpool, I've visited twice and thoroughly enjoyed my visits. The restaurant has been packed with theatre-goers, families, and couples on both occasions, but the staff were friendly and efficient, taking time to recommend dishes and check on our meals.

a peach coloured mocktail with fairy lights behind the glass

Since I, along with many others, don't drink (told you I was a granny) I was happy to see mocktails included on the standard drinks menu and the seasonal specials. I tried the peachberry mocktail and a raspberry lemonade cordial, and while they were really just posh juices, it was nice to order something that felt more fancy than boring old apple to accompany my meals.

white bowl of risotto topped with spinach, lemon, and prawns

On my first visit I plumped for the gamberoni risotto, a twist on the traditional rice dish, pimped up with king prawns, garlic, chilli, and lemon. The portion was huge, as were the juicy prawns, and while most risottos can become boring, the seasoning kept every spoon full of flavour.

My mum picked a chicken and bacon pizza on the classic base, but Bella Italia also offer a thinner base to shave off calories, and a cheesy crust variety. The classico base was dusted with semolina for that perfect crispy texture, and the tomato topping tasted lovely and fresh. Sadly I wasn't as impressed by the garlic bread, which was overpriced at £5.99 and no different to a standard supermarket one.

slices of cheesy garlic bread with a bowl of pasta in the background

My sister and I both sampled the paccheri calabrese, packed with chicken, pepperoni, n'duja sausage, red onion, and green chillis, all served in a fiery sauce and topped with mascarpone. While the sauce was way too hot for me to handle, the meat was plentiful and tasty. The pasta itself was perfectly cooked, and I was pleased to see that Bella Italia buy it from the Gaetarelli and Agnesi families.

The atmosphere feels family friendly, too, with fairy lights, wooden tables, and colourful tiles coming together to create a relaxed restaurant that I personally prefer to the simpler, sleeker designs of Prezzo and Pizza Express. In my opinion, Bella Italia's prices are high and don't fit their cosy vibe, but as a treat I would be happy to pay them for the quality and quantity of the dishes. Luckily they offer fantastic deals and a set menu that make the meals much more affordable, meaning I can visit more often!

What do you order at Italian restaurants?
*this post was NOT produced in collaboration with Bella Italia, but if they're reading, I'd love to talk!

Now don't go reading this recipe and thinking that I am some clean eating, Deliciously-Ella-style domestic goddess. Quite the opposite. This is a recipe I use when I have overdone it on the crisps and need to nourish my poor body. It's quick to make, packed full of veg and fibre, and low in fat, salt and sugar (unlike my beloved Space Raiders).

a bowl of lentil bolognese topped with sage leaves and a side of buttered baguette

Gather your ingredients:
Serves 4 as a pasta sauce or 2 if eaten alone

1 onion

1 carrot

2 sticks celery

2 mushrooms

5 cloves garlic

1 tin lentils

1 carton passata

Get going:
1. Chop your onion, if you are very brave. I buy mine ready chopped from ASDA instead, it makes me feel like a right diva.

2. Grate your carrot and celery. This is a bit messy and tedious, but a great arm workout. I highly recommend doing it to some 80s tunes.

3. Crush your cloves of garlic with the back of a knife, peel, and finely chop. Chop your mushies now, too.

4. Pour a teaspoon or so of oil in a pan, add your onion, and sweat it on a low heat for a few minutes.

5. Add your celery, carrot and mushroom, and get those nice and sweaty, too. Mmm.

6. Once it has all cooked down and mingled, it's time to stir in the garlic, and- you've guessed it- let that sweat, too.

7. Drain the lentils and pour them in with the passata. ASDA make one with basil already added, so I used that, but if you have plain passata I would sprinkle in some herbs.

8. Pop in some salt and pepper and let the mixture simmer and thicken.

a bowl of lentil bolognese topped with a sage leaf

Serving suggestions:
- I don't eat this with pasta like a meat bolognese, because I find the lentils already have that starchy vibe. Don't let me hold you back, though.

- Eat it as it is, with buttery, crusty bread.

- Dollop it on crackers, it is divine.

- Add in sweetcorn, paprika, kidney beans, and a chilli passata for a chilli non carne.

- Use it to stuff peppers or mushrooms for even more veg points.

- Pour it into a baking dish and layer mashed or sliced sweet potato and cheese on top, then whack it in the oven to make a cottage pie with a twist.

There we have it, a versatile dish that's bursting with goodness, takes half an hour, and leaves you plenty of cash for stocking up on Space Raiders. Will you give it a go?

For more easy, delicious, veggie recipes, head over to Allure La Vie!

*post is not sponsored by ASDA, Space Raiders, or Allure La Vie. I just blooming love them all.

When I was a little, I was a regular visitor to Haigh Hall and Country Park, in Wigan. It always felt so exciting, with big swings, trampolines, woodland to run through, and craft workshops to make my own souvenirs. As I grew up it lost its sparkle and began to feel a little tired, but it has recently undergone a huge transformation and become Haigh Woodland Park.

Amongst the updates I have noticed crazy golf, a high ropes adventure course, a refreshment of the playground, and -my favourite- a food court! The upper level still houses craft classes with something for everyone, and the ground level now offers a variety of food and drink options and a florist, all surrounding a courtyard which plays host to Foodie Friday.

Lyd wearing a cream bobble hat and burgundy jacket, holding a plate of duck spring rolls and biting into one

It's an opportunity for permanent and guest vendors to sell their wares and chat to customers, which they are all too happy to do. These aren't big chains, Haigh Woodland Park purposely chose independent artisan retailers including a chocolatier, ice cream parlour, micro brewery and bakery. There's even a small farm shop, Cook and Foragers, offering locally sourced, free range food, and food education through the 'Pig Tail Trail', which is a great way to introduce children to thinking more about what we eat.

Man holding a tub of poutine with pastrami, mustard, and pickle

Female hand holding up a bottle of Bec cola

I plumped for poutine, which I've wanted to try for ages. It was brought to Foodie Friday by Blue Caribou Canteen, who offer authentic Quebec style poutine. We chose the Reuben style, which consists of fries topped with pastrami, mustard, and a pickle, alongside the traditional gravy and cheese curds. I'm really glad that I finally tried it, and standing outside in the drizzle made it feel like true comfort food. Blue Caribou also stocked Canadian soft drinks, and I had a maple syrup based cola in the most beautiful bottle.

a man drizzles hoisin sauce onto a plate of 5 spring rolls

The portion was huge, but we soldiered on and forced down further foody delights. The things I do for this blog, eh? Our next choice was a plateful of piping hot duck rolls from Waan Yen. Again, these were authentic, as the lovely lady cooking them learned to do so through her Thai family. They were so far removed from supermarket spring rolls, and full of tender meat and fresh flavours. Topped with hoisin sauce and spring onions, they were simply scrumptious.

A colourful hand painted sign for Indian street food

A Mexican food truck is decorated with sugar skulls and colourful lights

A chef turns a piece of meat on a grill, with steam rising from it

Whilst I was tempted by treats from Canada and Thailand, other visitors were sampling the best of British beefburgers, feeling the heat from India and Mexico, or trotting their tastebuds around Portugal, Syria, Italy, and Africa. It was clear that the event had been carefully planned so nobody was stepping on anyone else's toes, and visitors had a wide range to enjoy, including vegan and vegetarian options, which was great to see.

A chocolate brownie with peanut butter icecream, whipped cream, and chopped nuts

sundaes, milkshakes and desserts in a fridge

Deciding to end the evening on a sugar high, we headed into Holden's ice cream parlour for a warm, chewy chocolate brownie. They're served with your choice of ice cream, and I can promise you that the peanut butter makes a perfect partner. The parlour is a clear favourite amongst the younger visitors, and as I polished off my pudding I noticed the variety of visitors that Foodie Friday brings in.

Groups of friends in their 20-30s queued in Two Left Feet, the microbrewery, for somewhere different for weekend drinks, families brought their children, who could play safely in the confines of the courtyard, and older couples soaked up the atmosphere while enjoying one another's company. It's a very welcoming environment and an evening that everyone would enjoy. It would make a great, affordable date night with a difference too- £15 each will easily buy you a main, drink, and something sweet.

A girl surrounded by amps sings from an illuminated marquee

With tummies full, we stepped back out into the square just as singer-songwriter, Jay, took to the stage. Think of Birdy, but sassier and funnier, and you've cracked it. She was great at chatting to the crowd, and even better at performing covers of Amy Winehouse and Sam Smith along with her own originals. Having a live performance was the cherry on the cake, and brought the event together perfectly.

Whether you visit for an upcoming event or simply to take in the Autumn air, you certainly won't go hungry at Haigh Woodland Park! Grab a baked bite from All You Knead chill out with Holden's ice cream, or take home a handmade treat from Luisco Chocolate.

Have you been to a food festival?

*My food and drink for the evening was compensated in exchange for review. All opinions are my own, see my disclaimer for more.

I consider myself extremely lucky not to have any food allergies or intolerances. While I can choose food purely on preference, I know friends and family who don't have that luxury, and have to scrutinise every label and all the small print before every meal or snack.

Free and Easy saw that struggle and decided to make choosing food, well, free and easy! Their ranges focus on leaving out the common allergens (wheat/gluten, eggs, dairy, soya, nuts, even mustard and celery) plus meat and refined sugars. Their boxes are all clearly labelled to make selecting even simpler, whether you're coeliac, vegan, or catering to a friend.

A box of diary and gluten free cake mix, a tube of blue icing, and a green silicone pastry brush

The range offers some delicious, warming soup options*, and a variety of ready meals. Both are convenient, quick options, and they are packed with vegetables and spices. Free from allergens but certainly not missing out on flavour!

Free and Easy carrot cake, chocolate cake, and sponge mix boxes sat on a dark brown wooden fence

In addition to the savoury options, there are also four cake mixes*: simple sponge, carrot cake, chocolate, and ginger. Each one is made using rice and potato flours and refined sugar alternatives like xylitol or coconut blossom sugar. All you need to do at home is to add either an egg, water or a milk, and oil, or simply water and oil, depending on what your diet allows.

I couldn't wait to cook up the chocolate cake, and I found it to be intensely rich and chocolatey, but a little too dense for my tastes. You would certainly only need small pieces, making this a good choice for anyone counting calories. I could be totally to blame as I didn't whisk it as thoroughly as the box advised (rebel at heart), so in future I will make sure to do so, and I would also experiment with adding different flavours, then cutting the mix into small cake bars.

free from chocolate cake topped with white frosting and cocoa powder sat on pink floral fabric with a gold cake fork beside it

The soups and ready meals can be found ordered through Ocado, and the cake mixes are available at Morrisons. It would be a lovely gesture to bake one for a friend's birthday and decorate with fruit and soya or lactose free whipped cream or cream cheese frosting, if their diet allows.

At £3.75 per cake mix, they are more expensive than regular options, but it's totally worth paying it for the quality ingredients and peace of mind, in my opinion. All too often a restrictive diet can restrict lifestyle, with sufferers not being able to fully relax for fear of consuming the wrong thing. Free And Easy are making it so much simpler for sufferers to enjoy quick, tasty, wholesome foods without fear, and live their lives without limits.

*products were kindly sent to me for feature. Please check my disclaimer for more information.

Posh restaurants will never be my thing. If I can't wear jeans or pronounce the menu items, I'm not interested, but for dates or special occasions I still prefer somewhere just a little more upmarket, so when Solita invited me to their dining room in Preston, I was amazed to find that they fit the bill perfectly!

Solita is just a short walk from the train station, and is in a gorgeous Victorian building by the park. The dining room itself seats 150 people, and has an eclectic mix of sleek glass, industrial chairs, and quirky artwork, all of which certainly make it unique and interesting.

To the left of the room were 3 intimate booths (I could imagine giggling with the girls there!) sat under huge mirrors, which reflected light back into the room. I'm all for ambience, but some restaurants are so dark, they should equip you with torches. Solita had the balance just right.

At the back of the room was the bar and Inka grill, and I was thrilled to find that the bar stocked San Pellegrino, which is always my preference over a boring Coke. My companions were even happier to find that the beer they ordered was a high quality German affair, served in a glass tankard and everything!

To the right was one long wooden table with cool, industrial chairs. I took my boyfriend and met up with friends, and luckily we were at the end of the table, so I did enjoy the informal setting, but if we went as a couple I'd hope not to be sandwiched between strangers.

The best part of the room was the art work. Towards the back were some colourful prints, and the whole of the entrance wall was covered in a hand drawn map of Preston and the surrounding areas. You know how much I love illustration, so this was right up my street! See what I did there?

Now a great room is one thing, but the food needs to measure up! Burgers really took off a few years ago, and the pressure for perfection and innovation is really on. While the mini sliders didn't blow me away, the cheeseburger spring rolls were something special- especially when combined with some of their brilliant barbecue pulled pork. Do you ever find that pulled pork can be a bit like soggy cotton wool? Not at Solita! The short rib croquettes were also a favourite. Meaty little bites with a crunchy coating, that made the perfect partners for sweet and smoky barbecue sauce.

The menu is extensive, with seafood, salads, grills, and what seems like hundreds of burgers and hotdogs to choose from, as well as delicious desserts! I would like to see more vegan options though. They do pulled pork so well, I think they would nail the jackfruit alternative! I did also think that the menu was quite highly priced, at £11.90 for a simple chicken burger. However, you are certainly not dining in a greasy spoon, so the prices reflect the polished premises.

If you want to try Solita for yourself, they have locations in the Northern Quarter, Didsbury, Prestwich, and Preston, and you can find details and menus on their website.

My meal was complimentary, but as always, my opinions are all honest and all mine!

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