[Giveaway] Enter To Win A Fabulous Gluten Free Foods Bundle

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a selection of products included in the giveaway

A couple of days ago I told you about my latest gluten free, low fat rave. Bean Pasta. Now, other than just telling you about it, we are giving you a chance to win a box of gluten free goodies for yourself.  The online gluten free food speicalists  Gluten Free Food Market contacted me, after seeing the blog post and said, ‘do you want to send a whole box of goodies to one of your readers?‘.  Um, YES! said I.

They are generously giving away, one of each of the following;

  • Explore Asian bean pasta
  • Bob’s Red Mill All Purpose Baking Flour
  • La Veneziane Tagliatelle
  • Bob’s Four Grain Porridge
  • Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Rolled Oats
  • Bob’s Red Mill Oat Bran
Enter below.  UK Mainland Only.



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[GIVEAWAY] The Feel Good Energy Drink - KOMBUCHA TEA

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I recently reviewed and interviewed on video, the good folks at Equinox Kombucha (watch it here) about their living tea.   They’ve decided they want to give you a chance to try some of their elixir for FREE! How nice.

If you want the chance to have a box of all 4 flavours sent to your home.  Enter right here.

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Sophie’s Kitchen - Healthy & Convenient Plant-Based Seafood - Reivew & Your Chance To Win!

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I’ve never tasted scallops.  I’ve tasted prawns.  I wasn’t that into them.  But when I saw this new ‘seafood’ product being demonstrated in my local organic store, in San Francisco,  in my efforts to review foods for your transition or already plant based diet, I wandered over to where all these delicious smells were emanating and grabbed some samples to taste.  Calamari. Scallops. Crab Cakes and Fish Cakes.  Frying on a griddle and partnered with Vegenaise Tartar Sauce. I tried. I tasted. I was hooked.  I had to tell you about them and not just because of their flavour.  Here’s why…

According to a shocking study by the American Academy of Paediatrics 1 in 12 children have a food allergy.  It was a severe allergy to seafood sparked one young girl’s father, Eugene Wang to create an alternative.  Wang had a 20 year history in the food industry.  He also had an increasing awareness to the reported dwindling numbers of sea creatures from over dredging of our oceans, not to mention increasing levels of pollutants. At the same time, he also was noticing the trend towards the vegan lifestyle.  So he took his Taiwanese knowledge of ingredients and concocted an alternative using Konjac (pronounced ‘kon-jack’) , a mineral rich seaweed, widely used in Asia.  His company, based in Sebastopol and founded in 2011 and Sophie’s Kitchen (named after his daughter), now produces 7 faux seafood products.  


100% vegan & plant based
Gluten free
Kosher
Non-gmo
Soy free
No cholesterol, trans fat or preservatives
High fiber


Located the frozen section.  Sophie’s Kitchen products include - Prawn, fish fillet, calamari, shrimp, fish sticks, coconut shrimp, smoked salmon.  All vegan & gluten free!  It is hard to see a processed product as a health food, we have been so used to the stuff in packets being high in salt, fat and cholesterol, but if you need food in a hurry then you just may love these.  Eating them feels/tastes like a decadent treat.  

The secret to the texture of the ‘seafood’ is Konjac. 


 Konjac root is used as vegan substitute for gelatine and is the main ingredient in Sophie’s Kitchen’s range.  The starchy corms of the plant are made into a flour and jelly.  In its basic form konjac is a tasteless food which easily absorbs accompanying flavours.  It has zero calories.  Yep, calorie free. It is used in every dieters dream food -  shirataki noodles . It is also zero carbs!    Packed with soluble fibre, clinically proven to actually lower cholesterol.  It has a really high fiber (fibre) content that slows digestion, therefore controlling blood sugar and increasing the feeling of fullness or satiety.  I know, I know, I am excited about this too!  But that is in it’s pure state.  Sophie’s Kitchen add breading to some products (gluten free, made with potato starch and brown rice powder) and so this adds to the calorie value, but their values are still really low.  I sampled the scallops and found them to have the slightly rubbery texture akin to seafood and a subtle, savoury, but not really ‘fishy’ flavour.  I loved them.  And the bonus is, if you grill/broil them or dry fry in a little stock they are only 50 calories, 1g fat and 11g carbs per 100g serving.  Awesome!!  The crab cakes (120 kcal, 13g carb, 3g protein) had an interesting texture. They are a patty of shredded konjac gel which has a flaking consistency.  The flavours are all of their own, hard for me to describe, but really good.  Delicately seasoned with white pepper.  As a long term vegan I appreciated the new flavours and textures.  My housemate, presently a carnivore, is always honest about the little ‘trials’ I put before her as she sits at her desk working.  She enthusiastically pronounced that they were both ‘really delicious’.

The products have an ingredient, beta glucan, I’d not come across before so I researched it to make sure it was not a ‘nasty’ and was ok for you.  According to the information I found online, beta glucan is a soluble fibre that may lower blood sugar. It has also been proven to be an immune stimulator.  I’ve since seen it sold in veggie caps online at a health food store.

There are recipes on the website but really I think they are meant as a quick and easy convenience food.  I spoke with a member of the Sophie’s Kitchen team and she said their customers regularly use them in Asian style soups and lettuce wraps.  Veg TV has a couple of recipes if you need some inspiration.







I asked the people at Sophie’s Kitchen they’d let me offer one person a chance to try them for free.  They happily agreed.  Simply just use the Rafflecopter below and like my Facebook page.  Good luck.   Oh..sorry, entrants only in the USA please.  T&C’s in the Rafflecopter widget below. 

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Christmas Giveaway - MULU Raw Chocolate Buttons - Raw Chocolate (SUGAR FREE) for your precious little ones

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Well, I guess we’ve reached Christmas time AGAIN!  Lordy, how did that happen?!

I started thinking about you.  Whoa!  hold on, I do think about you ALL the time but, I mean in a Christmassy kind of way.  I want to give you stuff!  Good STUFF!  To indulge you but not be the ruination of all your hard work of eating healthy.  So my eyes are peeled (ooh, what a horrible saying) on the lookout for goodies.


I jumped up and down for joy when I saw these jolly bright packets of lusciousness!   RAW CHOCOLATE - Free of Dairy, SUGAR FREE and SOY FREE……for children!!!!  What an amazing idea!   I know all raw chocolate can be eaten by kids but it usually feels kind of grown up.  But BUTTONS!  Wow!

I fell head-over-heals in love with the company when I read their ‘about our products’ page online.  They are ethical and caring right down to the inks on their recycled cardboard packaging being made from dear old plants.  As soon as I could I chatted with Kaycee, one of the founders of Mulu I loved her too!    Kaycee is the wife of Ben. Ben is the chocolate champion who went all ‘Willy Wonka’ and decided to create the best raw chocolates he could imagine.  When he did…he and Kaycee decided to make MULU available to all!

They had come up with their product, but had a heard time searching for a name that fitted their divine, dark creations.  Until one day, when Kaycee was dreamily thumbing through an tatty old French dictionary and the word MOULU sparkled from the page.  Her heart jumped.  It translated to ‘powdered gold’.  She knew it was the one.  So, MULU was launched.  

Not only are they running a successful company but they are also bringing up four small children.  It was for them that Mulu Buttons were devised.

Now I want YOU to have the chance of your little ones (or yourself…hey, I’m no longer a kid and I’m diving in) to be tearing at these little packs of goodness.   So they can indulge over Christmas and you don’t need to experience 2nd hand ‘sugar fallout’,  and be happy in the knowledge that your little angels are experiencing the best, fun, RAW chocolate.

Also great for diabetics, vegans, weight watchers, chocolate connoisseurs, Santa…EVERYONE!

MULU Raw Chocolate buttons are handcrafted with natural, organic, ethically traded ingredients at low temperatures, free from dairy, refined cane sugar, soya & gluten and consciously packaged in biodegradable cellophane and recycled, recyclable card printed with plant based inks. 

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UK Mainland ONLY for this Giveaway loves.  Sorry!

The winner will be announced on 18th December 2012 in a new blog post. If you are the lucky one. Please email me your address. The Winner will have 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be randomly chosen.

Official Rules:
Open only to U.K residents age 18 and over. Odds of winning depend on the number of entries received

Free!! Moo.com business cards GIVEAWAY ! How cool is that?!

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We have another GIVEAWAY!  I know…I know,  I am spoiling you!  Your welcome.


I was telling the lovely, artsy, creatives at MOO.COM all about my brilliant followers and they were feeling the love and said, ‘Hey, let’s give them some stuff’.   Of course, I was delighted for you and said I agreed it was a fabulous idea.

If you haven’t discovered MOO yet, they are a bright and funky business stationery company who are making business and networking so fun.  You can make mini cards, postcards, greetings cards and even stickers and labels…all designed to make sure you stand out from the crowd.


So, what is the scoop?  Well, 3 lucky people are going to receive 50 Classic Business Cards, free and non-gratis.  Moo have a plethora of designs to choose from or you can have fun fashioning your own.  I know…fantastic, eh?!    I said to Moo…’oh my God, that is so generous, thank you’.  THEN they said that they’d also give one of those winners 25 Christmas Cards that they can personalise too.  So you can send them to your favourite customers.  Ding Dong!




All you have to do is enter, then cross your fingers.  A little tip (ssh, don’t tell EVERYONE) the more you enter, the more chances you get.

Go do.

p.s   Sorry, my loves outside of the UK but competition is for UK only.  Promise I’m working on getting some goodies for you soon. x



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Exciting GIVEAWAY - a whole BOX of deliciously good Nakd. bars!

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I know it’s getting colder here in the Northern Hemisphere but it is time for a Nakd. Giveaway.  No, you don’t have to get undressed for it!  Just submit your entry in the box below.
Get this…Here is a GIVEAWAY equation.   Action = better odds   So take a minute and do it all!

I was invited to the launch of Nakd. new delicious flavours.  
Rhubarb and Custard..so British a combo, and reminds me of those dual coloured penny chews I scoffed as a child  (they made your jaw ache as you ate them),  AND my mother’s rhubarb crumble, swimming in thick, yellow custard.  
2nd up was Caffe MOCHA flavour.  It has the real deep, bitter notes of dark coffee, and a bar of good high% chocolate.

Nakd were so fun.  They even got us playing with date pastes, nuts, sparkles and flavourings to make our own versions.  Some clever clogs came up with Strawberry Nutcase .  I’d market that one if I where them!

I put together a little montage to practise my editing skills. Please have a peek.  It features a word from Jamie, the MD of Nakd. What a nice guy!  
I love the way businesses are changing now, to become more fun, inclusive, interactive and hailing from a place of good intentions.  It’s a fascinating time to be alive.  Why not enter to win a box of Nakd bars so you can spread the lurve with friends?!

Good luck.

Be well,

India Leigh xxx



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NEW YEAR GIVEAWAY! - I have two $25 vouchers to help you start your year off right!

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Hannah Kaminsky - My Sweet Vegan

Happy Wishes for 2012  
So, you may have noticed I am digging you quite a lot, and LOVE to give you stuff to help you eat well.   Something you don’t know about me is I love to tell people how wonderful you are….when I do, well…they start loving you too.  To prove it, I have not one but two $25 vouchers to give away.
The very lovely (they really are) people from iherb have generously donated 2 lucky people $25 to have a shopping spree at their online store.
iherb have been an online source of vegan goodies both in the US and the UK for a couple of years. I get ridiculously excited, waiting for my package to arrive with treasures from America I might not be able to hunt out in the UK…


Everyone LOVES a bargain and iHerb offer great discounts on supplements, wholefoods, grocery and toiletries.  I was so excited to see that have begun to add books to their product list.  I place two I’d wanted to get my mitts on for a while into my virtual cart.  Both from Hannah Kaminsky.  I was not disappointed.  She is one creative girl.  More than one original creation amused me….Ant Hill Cake, Wasabi cupcakes, she’s cooking up some crazy ideas!    Both her books are crammed with tarts, pies, pops, caramels, cupcakes, tray bakes….the list is endless (well, not literally).  Her book Vegan Desserts is sectioned into the four seasons which I’ve never seen done with desserts before in a cookbook.  Her recipes are easy to follow and could be picked up well by a beginner or experienced cook.   It’s my new BFF.


I used some products I’d ordered to test out some of Hannah’s recipes. I have never made things like caramel or honeycomb (using the coconut sugar and brown rice syrup) and I felt it a triumph to discover I can make something I’d gone wide eyed for as a child and thought only magicians and dinner ladies could make.  Lots of new recipes to look forward to trialling. Is it wrong that food can make you so happy?!!



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Coconut sugar made from coconut palm nectar.  Reportedly lower in carbs and GI then processed cane sugar.  It has rich, caramely flavours and its high burn point makes it great for candy makers.



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I made vegan sponge sugar/(not)honeycomb…call it what you will.  I coated it in chocolate and it tasted like a Crunchie bar.  My thrill at this achievement burst through my limbs and I was dancing around the kitchen like Queen of the Zumba dance!



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 molten sweetness.  Careful that stuff gets seriously hot!



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Tip* use a candy thermometer and your honeycomb will always turn out right.   Though happy accidents that occur…. because I get all scaredy that it ‘gone burn’ and take it off the heat too soon…. make caramel.  I used one of Hannah’s coconut ice cream recipes to make ‘salted caramel’ ice cream, using my failed second batch of (not)honeycomb.  Verdict? Hands down the best ice cream I’ve EVER had!  My friend, who usually only has two descriptive words for food in his vocabulary became very animated about it. 

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salted caramel coconut ice cream.  Made without an ice cream maker….Yes, it is possible AND marvellous.



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I  also ordered Lydia’s  Kale-Krunchies-Mega-Green flavour - crispy - good for you - snacks (totally hooked on them!)  and SEASONING: contains a whole manner of crushed seeds and sprouted stuff, carrots, arugula (rocket leaves), dulse to name but a few, that taste so good I am just eating it off a spoon!.  I scrunched up some kale chips, added a few spoons of seasoning and vegan Parmesan and a little water to mix, then stuffed a generously sized Portabello mushroom with the mix.  Let me tell you, they made for harmonious and happy bedfellows…. 





Peanut Flour - only 12% fat. With all the festivities and Xmas baking I have, so far, only used the flour to whip up some ‘Chili Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate’ which was comforting, malty, chocolate, peanutty goodness in a cup..with a kick.  Wonderful to make whilst thawing out from after a walk in the English drizzle. It replaces the smile winter ran off with.  When I get chance  I will be knocking up a batch of muffins with part peanut flour part gluten free sorghum flour…with some berry of some sort and I’m also thinking gado gado (peanut sauce) stir fry….

If you are interested in trying the products I have reviewed in this post,  please use Coupon Code COF924   to receive $5 off your first order.  But only if you are a first-time iHerb customer.  iHerb do ship outside of the US but please be aware you may have to pay additional customs taxes.
To enter the giveaway, to get your hands on a $25 shopping spree:


The more times/ways you enter the better chance you have of winning. Here’s how;

  • Please leave a comment in this post telling me your favourite A VEGAN OBSESSION recipe

  • LIKE me on my Facebook page AND leave a comment on my WALL telling me why you to want to win.

  • Post a TWEET mentioning this GIVEAWAY and @aveganobsession. You could say something like ‘I so want to win  $25 vouchers’ from @aveganobsession & @iherb

Comment/entries must be made by 8pm GMT on , Friday January 5th 2012 .
Two winners will be randomly selected (using random.org) from the entries/comments received. The winner will be announced on 6th January 2012 in a new blog post. If you are  one of the lucky ones. Please email me your address. The Winners will have 24 hours to respond or new winners will be randomly chosen. PLEASE READ OFFICIAL RULES BELOW BEFORE ENTERING…


Good luck and wishing you a year of fulfilment, happiness, friendship and great health in 2012

x

Official Rules:
Open only to those age 18 and over. Odds of winning depend on the number of entries received.
Winners MUST REGISTER to iHerb to claim your prize.

*If you are outside of the US,  by claiming your prize you accept that you are to be responsible for any additional customs taxes and/or duties. IHERB DO NOT SHIP TO ALL COUNTRIES and you may have to pay customs taxes and/or duties  - PLEASE CHECK BEFORE ENTERING THAT YOUR COUNTRY IS LISTED: go to iherb.com, add a product to the shopping cart and click the “Country” drop down menu to see if YOUR country is  listed. If YOU  are an international winner, your prize will be shipped via International Airmail.

WIN A LUXURY VEGAN HAMPER AND GET 10% off - All in the name of Goodness

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The people at Goodness Direct - The wholefoods home delivery company, are generously offering EVERYONE some Christmas cheer.  They are kindly giving away a luxury hamper to one lucky winner in my latest GIVEAWAY.
In addition they are offering EVERYONE (resident in the UK) 10% off their order.  All you have to do is use the click through at the end of this post to receive your discount).    

The hamper (similar to the one shown) is packed full of a selection of vegan goodies, available to order through Goodness Direct mail order shop. Goodness have an amazing selection of eco-friendly and organic groceries, pampering toiletries, books and supplements.  The hamper promises to offer an exciting sample of what they offer.  It has a retail value of £35!   With Christmas sprinting towards us this will be a fabulous way to help you celebrate.

To enter the giveaway:

The more times/ways you enter the better chance you have of winning. Here’s how;

  • Please leave a comment in this post telling me your favourite A VEGAN OBSESSION recipe
  • LIKE me on my Facebook page AND leave a comment on my WALL why to want to win.
  • Please Post a TWEET mentioning this GIVEAWAY and @aveganobsession. You could say something like ‘I want to win the luxury hamper’ from @aveganobsession & @goodnessdirect


Comment/entries must be made by 8pm GMT on , Thursday November 24th 2011.

One winner (UK resident only, sorry) will be randomly selected (using random.org) from the entries/comments received. The winner will be announced on 25th November in a new blog post.  If you are the lucky one. Please email me your address. The Winner will have 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be randomly chosen.

Official Rules:
Open only to U.K residents age 18 and over. Odds of winning depend on the number of entries received.

To receive 10% off your first order Click Here Goodness Direct

GIVEAWAY COMPETITION - Bathed in Chocolate

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So excited to announce my latest GIVEAWAY.  It’s CHOCOLATE scented.

These days we are all keen to banish the harmful chemicals in our homes and producers are stepping up the our demands.  More and more products are finding their way onto high street shelves.

I’ve been using these products since I went to a Phillip Day conference about the nasties hidden in our toiletries, way back in 2001. I had read articles like this.  I used to wonder if shampoo could make my eyes sting so bad and perfume gave me a headache, whether they were actually doing me harm.The conference helped me to take action. My whole bathroom cabinet, along with my cleaning cupboard was cleared out by the end of the day. I’ve become a more savvy consumer.  I banished the Parabens (hormone distruptors), the SLS (engine degreasers) and anything that wasn’t ‘natural’ and detoxed my home.  I was FREE!

My local health food shop pointed me in the direction of British made Faith In Nature.  Shampoo and conditioners in lovely packaging that were natural, environmental friendly and smelled so naturally GOOD.  I’ve used them ever since. They have expanded their range and I now use FIN to wash my dishes (and there is a LOT of that going on!)  The founder just got awarded by EN Magazine NW Female Entrepreneur of the Year 2011. All products are vegan, free from animal testing, eco-friendly and LOVELY.

Now I want you to try them (if you haven’t already).  The people at Faith In Nature have kindly donated a gift set of chocolate fragranced smellies.  Shampoo.  Conditioner & Foam bath.  ALL 250ml bottles.  Worth £11.99

One lucky winner will have the chance to luxuriate for FREE!

To enter the giveaway:

The more times/ways you enter the better chance you have of winning.  Here’s how;

  • LIKE me on my Facebook page and leave a comment on my WALL
  • Leave a comment in this post
  • Post a TWEET mentioning this GIVEAWAY and @aveganobsession. You could say something like ‘I want to bathe in chocolate’ with @aveganobsession & @faithinnature 


Comment/entries must be made by midnight GMT on Tuesday, November 8th 2011.

One winner will be randomly selected (using random.org) from the comments received.  The winner will be announced in a new post on Thursday November 9th.  If you are the lucky one.  Please email me your address. Winner will have 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be randomly chosen.
Official Rules:


Open only to U.K  residents age 18 and over. Odds of winning depend on the number of entries received.

Best of luck! x

FREE CUPCAKES! - Gluten, dairy and sugar-free CUPCAKE GIVEWAY

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 So many people ask me how something can taste good if it is sugar-free, dairy-free and gluten-free  - It’s what we are all used to right?!  Well, I’ve no idea how but it does taste good, and very often BETTER.  Sugar can so often override the flavours and in my book if you can eat something AMAZING and not feel bad afterwards then..well, that’s what they call a no-brainer. 

A few weeks ago I discovered my love of cupcakes. Now I want you to have the chance to taste them for yourself, so the lovely lady behind Hannah Banana Bakery is donning her apron and clutching her retro pink whisk in preparation for..

The giveaway

Enter for a chance to win:

  • 3 CHOCOLATE & RASPBERRY CUPCAKE PODS - Gluten-free, Sugar-free and VEGAN -  From Hannah Banana Bakery

1 winner will be selected!   YOU could be tasting these CUPCAKES  this FRIDAY!

How to enter

  1. Facebook:  A Vegan Obsession ‘like me‘ and leave a comment on the GIVEAWAY link

  2. Tweet it: Sign up to Follow Me on Twitter (on the right of this page) and Tweet about the GIVEAWAY. You could say something like: I want to win cupcake pods from @veganobsession made with love by @hannahbananabakery  http://aveganobsession.com

  3. Blogger: leave a comment at the end of this post. Tell us your favourite cupcake flavour (real or imagined)

Please leave a *separate comment* for each entry!

The giveaway will close at 6pm Wednesday September 21st 2011 when the winner will be chosen.  The winner will be contacted, and we will need to have received your address by the end of Wednesday or the prize will be redrawn .  Your cupcakes will be sent ‘next day’ delivery to be received and devoured by you on Friday September 23rd 2011. Delightful!

Hey, GOOD LUCK! x

Due to the nature of the prize this giveaway is open to residents of the UK only.  Sorry.