HIFI BARS | SLIMMING WORLD

Every Slimming Worlder whether that be old, new or current will have had, enjoyed and even indulged on their signature HiFi bars that are only available for group members. Looking at my Instagram, I see fellow followers and Slimming Worlders with stash boxes filled with these amazing bars instead of chocolate bars and sweets.

Since starting Slimming World, I have gone through mountains of HiFi bars because if I ever had a sweet tooth and an apple wouldn't cut it, I would treat myself to one of the bars depending on how many syns I had left at the end of the day.

At 3 syns for a HiFi Light or 6 syns for a regular HiFi bar, these little beauties can also be included as your Healthy Extra B if you wanted to change up your regular b choice of cereal or bread.

                        

HiFi Light Chocolate Orange

This amazing bar has a distinctive orange flavour that reminds me of Christmas and is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. This is one of my top three flavours!

HiFi Light Rocky Road (my firm favourite!!) 

Topped with mini marshmallows, a sweet sticky jam like texture in between, this is mine and my partners favourite bar. If your looking for something gooey and sweet then this bar is perfect for you!

HiFi Light Chocolate Macaroon

This is one of the newer bars that was recently released in place of the Peanut bar. The bar takes on the taste of the famous Bounty bar of coconut and chocolate but without the guilt of eating an actual chocolate bar. This is my third favourite bar.

HiFi Light Banana Milkshake

Another recently released bar is the banana milkshake bar which had many skeptical looks within my group. It was like the Marmite situation all over again, you either love it or you hate it. I actually like this bar but the bar is being scraped over the next few months because of its not so good popularity compared to the other flavours.

HiFi Light Double Chocolate Crisp

This bar has had a repackage and it confused a lot of my groups members into thinking it was a newer bar until I mentioned it was the original bar but in a newer packaging. I've always loved this flavour as its a quick way to get a chocolate fix with a cuppa late at night whilst using my left over syns.

HiFi Salted Caramel

This bar is one of the most synned as it has a higher calorie content so 1 would class as your healthy extra or 6 syns per bar. I'm not so much keen on the higher synned bars and prefer to be able to have 2 light bars. 

Which bars are your favourites? I would love to hear!

Hayley xxx

AUGUST SOURCEDBOX | SLIMMING WORLD

It's that time of the month again to review and post about my monthly subscription to SourcedBox! This months box sees the summery vibes continue with lots of refreshing and tasty snacks! 

SourcedBox have even told us they're even starting to think of snacks to put into our Christmas edition! I'm so lucking forward to trying some seasonal snacks without the guilt we all do at Christmas!

       

MENU

The Raw Chocolate Company - Vanoffe Mulberries | 6.5syns

These little bites are a combination of toffee and vanilla coated over white mulberries. Perfect for an afternoon snack or to pop in your bag if your on the go! 

Sibberi - Bamboo Water | Syn Free!

I've never heard of Bamboo water until I received this in my box. The water has a tasteless flavour and was perfect to have on my break at work out of the fridge! (This week has been hot at work, even working in the fridges wasn't cool enough!)

Yuyo - Yerba Zing & Mint Tea | Syn Free!

I love receiving tea samples as I can pop them into my bag and have them on the go! I love mint tea because of its refreshing taste but I will be trying my Yerba Zing in an iced tea!

The Protein Ball Co - Lemon and Pistachio Protein Balls | 1.5syns each OR 9.5syns per pack

These little protein packed balls are great for someone on the go like myself! I love the combination of lemon and pistachio! I'd heard of the brand but never tried them as I was always worried about the Syn values but at only 1.5syn per ball, I will be popping a few of these into my lunch boxes until I need to buy some more! 

Creative Nature - Peanut Protein Bar | 8.5syns

Any peanut flavoured I love! This bar is called the 'healthy snickers' because of its peanut flavour. I shall be enjoying mine on an evening with a cuppa watching rubbish telly.

Inspiral - Kale Crisps | 7.5syns

I love Kale and I especially love kale crisps! I enjoy the crunch and taste of kale when it's been dried and flavours are added to make it extra enjoyable. These are perfect for picnics or to have in your bag to satisfy that afternoon feeling of eating.

Planet Organic - Vanilla and Chia Bar | 7syns

This little bar is packed with nuts, raw superfoods and plant proteins to give you healthy benefit. These are perfect is your wanting something to satisfy your cravings without eating anything that's refined or processed.

Oloves - Lemon and Rosemary Olives | 2.5syns per pack

I'm not much of a lover of olives and tend to not get them on my salads (because of Syn values), but olives are a great way to get the good fats that your body needs on a day to day basis. 

Clearly Scrumptious - Juicy Dried Cramberries | 5syns per pack

I hate fresh cranberries but dry them up and I'm a massive fan! These are fantastic to add to yogurt, cereal or nuts for added sweetness (they're also packed full of fibre!)

Raw Gorilla - Cacao & Lucuma Munchies | 7.5syns

A mixture of seeds and nuts coated in raw cacao and Lucuma. These little bites are perfect to have on the go or as a topping for your yogurt to add extra crunch and goodness.

Chia Bia - Chia Oil Capsules | Syn Free!

Since starting to use cod liver oil my hair and skin have enjoyed the benefits but I've been looking for something else that could replace them and these are perfect! I was shocked to receive them in my box as its not something you tend to relate with a food item!

I hope you've enjoyed my SourcedBox review and I hope to hear comments and feedback!

Hayley xxx

MAY SOURCEDBOX | SLIMMING WORLD

I've always been a lover of subscription boxes and have recently started to subscribe to food boxes. I am currently subscribed to Graze on a 2 week basis and receive the lighter box (this is a lower calorie alternative box with the punnets having under 150cals each)

SourcedBox is a healthier monthly subscription box that costs £18.95 (postal included) and includes snacks that are naturally sourced or have health benefits to your regular snacks. Since starting Slimming World, I've wanted to try different snacks and usually bought Weight Watchers cake bars to get my chocolate fix but I wanted something more natural, healthier and different.

MAYS BOX

This box included 11 items ranging from fruit bars, chips and fruity snacks. With this being my first box I am hugely impressed with each and every item!

Matcha Green Tea Drink (Teapigs) - 5syns
This tasted amazing! It was so refreshing and different as I have never had matcha tea and the thought of it put me off trying.

https://www.teapigs.co.uk


Lime and Chia Truffles (Sweet Virtues) - 4syns per truffle
These little balls of goodness provide you with a zesty flavour as well as a little chocolate fix. They come in a small pack of two but tasted amazing.

http://www.sweetvirtues.co.uk


Salted Plantain Crisps (Chika's) - 8syns
Plantain seems to have become the new thing for an alternative to crisps and that's a great thing! They tasted different but I like them and I've gone out and bought some Cajun Plaintain Crisps from M&S!

http://chikas.co.uk


Green TNT Bar (Dynabites) - 8syns
This little bar was gorgeous and surprisingly filling! The amount of protein in this bar stunned me but for 8syns it was definitely worth it. The only downfall I had about this product was when I crunched on a small pebble and nearly broke my tooth! (Suppose it shows it's made naturally!)

http://www.missnutritionist.com/dynabites/


Coconut Chips (Coconut Merchant) - 4.5syns per 20g
I LOVE coconut chips! These are fantastic to add to your breakfast for an extra crunch or flavour that tastes of summer! I will definitely be buying more coconut chips in the future to add to my meals and breakfasts.

https://coconut-merchant.com/product/coconut-snack-chips/


Smashing Strawberry Snack Pack (Urban Fruit) - 5syns
These little dehydrated strawberries retain all the gorgeous flavours of a strawberry and even their goodness. I absolutely loved these and they do a variety of other flavours too! These are a definite repurchase!

http://www.urbanfruit.co.uk


Cranky Cocoa Bar (Hangry Food Co.) - 8.5syns
This was the first item I tried out of my box because I was Hangry! These bars are of a similar concept to the Nakd bars that everyone is going crazy over! All the ingredients in this bar are all natural and filling. I enjoyed this bar and will be looking for these in my local supermarkets!

http://www.hangryfood.co.uk


Tomato & Oregano Kale Crisps (Leafy) - 2syns
I have still got to try these but I love kale crisps and these are perfect for a low syn alternative to your regular crisps.

http://www.leafyfoods.co.uk/#

Fruit Bites (Holland & Barrett) - 6.5syns
These little bites are little pieces of fruit with millet pieces. An alternative to other snacks but these are very different to others I've tried. I love Holland & Barrett's snacks and will definitely be repurchasing these.

http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/holland-barrett-merry-millet-berry-fruit-bites-60003662

Whole Chia Seeds (Chia Bia) - 3syns
His little pack of goodness is perfect to add to your yogurt, cereal, porridge, what ever you want to add that little pack of healthy vitamins that chia seeds contain.

http://www.chiabia.com/products/chia-product-range/


My overall views on this box are great. I've enjoyed the products and love trying we items and currently can't wait to try June's box. The box is definitely worth it's money as all the sizes of the products are generous, affordable and generally have a great health benefit.

Did you subscribe to this box? What were your overall thoughts!

Hayley xxx

FIBRE ONE BARS | SLIMMING WORLD

If you love something sweet, cake like and something that's low in calories/syns then these are for you!

After seeing these being posted around on other Instagrams, everyone rated them on how lovely and like the real thing they were, I just had to try some. I was desperate to get my hands on some and boy did it take a while finding them!

In the UK these are limited in the amount of places that sell them in store and I found mine in one of my local Tescos in the biscuit aisle.

The bars themselves come in a pack of 5 and come in 2 flavours, a lemon drizzle and a chocolate brownie. Now, they are small (what do you expect for only 90cals?) but they are full of flavour and great if you have a sweet tooth that you need to kick.

They're not the cheapest but they can be bought on the Internet for a higher price if you were willing to pay extra. I got mine on a 2 for £4 offer during April which may have now finished but it would be worth having a look!

What are your thoughts on the Fibre One Bars?

Hayley xxx

MIDNIGHT THOUGHTS

Bank Holiday Monday, the day that half of the U.K are curing their weekend hangovers, catching up on sleep or working to make those extra pennies. Unfortunately I was working but only for four hours (easiest shift that I love working).

Today, I set myself the challenge of pulling back from all the syns that I'd consumed over the bank holiday weekend, to have a zero syn day.

My meal plan for the day was as follows;

Breakfast - Soft boiled eggs, wholemeal toast (hexb), beans, coffee (hexa)
Lunch - Fruit, coffee (hexa) (my reasons for this decision was due to my shift at work starting at 2 and finishing at 6, plus I didn't get out of bed until 11:30!)
Tea - Quorn meatballs, pasta shells, tomato sauce, cucumber
Snacks - Fruit, syn free yogurts, HiFi bar

I am so immensely proud that I was able to have a syn free day and not eat anything synned! My parents even got a KFC for their tea and not one single bit touched my lips, I wasn't even phased as I was determined!

I am now planning for tomorrow to be another syn free day to make up for the weekend and I will be following this plan;

Breakfast - Porridge (hexb and hexa), raspberries, banana, coffee (hexa)
Lunch - Tuna, M&S Spirit of Summer Mixed Salad Pot (I think this is free without the dressing but I will check tomorrow morning), cucumber, tomatoes, BBQ Mugshot (free)
Tea - Cottage Pie (5% Fat Mince, Oxo cubes, topped with mashed potatoes), vegetables, bovril gravy
Snacks - Fruit, yogurt, crudités

I hope you've all had a fantastic bank holiday weekend and are planning to fulfill the week ahead!

Hayley xxx

2.5 SYN - CREAMY MUSTARD SAUSAGES

Hi guys, another fantastic low syn recipe that serves 4 people and tastes amazing! Per portion this works out around 2.5syns but can be made lowers syns by replacing some of the ingredients which I will add below.

Ingredients
Dried pasta ribbons (Tagliatelle or Pappardelle)
8 low fat sausages (I used Weight Watchers Cumberland Sausages - 0.5syn per sausage)
1 garlic clove (chopped finely)
250g mushrooms (sliced)
2 tablespoons Dijon Mustard or Wholegrain Mustard (mine was 3syns - check the syns as they vary)
Juice of one lemon
2 tablespoons half-fat crème fraiche (3syns - you could use Quark to lower the syns)
Fresh parsley (chopped)
Salt and pepper to taste

Recipe

1. Cook your pasta according to its instructions.

2. Whilst your pasta is cooking, remove the meat from the sausages and add to a frying pan.

3. Brown the sausage meat and add the garlic, mushrooms and seasoning.

4. When the mushrooms are cooked add the mustard, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of water and stir.

5. Remove from the heat and stir in your crème fraiche (or quark). Check for seasoning.

Serve your cooked pasta and sprinkle with parsley.


You can add more speed food to this dish and make it EESP by swapping your pasta for vegetables.

Remember you can add or change a recipe to make it your own!

I hope you enjoy! Let me know what you think!

Hayley xxx

HELLO MAY, HELLO SPRING,

Today marks a new month, a new season and also my birthday! (Turning 24 is not a good look!)

During this bank holiday weekend I have had a few treats (half an Easter egg, chocolate and silly little syns that I shouldn't have eaten). Recently I just can't seem to stop picking at the stupidest things? So this month I've decided to focus on the right foods, use my syns properly and fill myself with plenty of speed food.

Since being at target I seem to care less of what goes into my mouth, which could have major consequences and sabotage my weight loss. My meals are always on plan but it's just my snacking that I need to control and that what May is going to be about!

At the beginning of each month I reflect on the goals set in the previous month and move forward with the new month in mind. Now I already know that this month is going to be hectic. It's my birthday, my partners birthday (which we are going to a holiday home for), and my parents going away at the end of the month.

I already know that on Thursday I'm going to be having a birthday treat (Dixy Chicken) so I will be using flexible syns for then. Starting tomorrow I'm back on plan 100% up until Thursday, on plan Friday, off plan on Saturday then back on plan until James birthday.

Now the holiday home we've booked for the weekend has a local Tesco and Heron which allows me to plan meals and snacks for throughout the holiday.

My goals for this month are as follows;

1. Increase my fitness levels
2. Maintain my weight or be at the bottom end of my target (without going under like before)
3. Use my syns wisely and fill up on speed food

What are your goals for this month? Are you looking forward to the month ahead?

Hayley xxx

0.5 SYN SESAME BEEF STIR FRY

This recipe is perfect for an EESP meal idea. The sesame beef stir fry is 0.5syn a serving but can be made syn free! This recipe serves 4.

Ingredients 
150g frying steak (cut into thin strips and fat removed)
200g carrots (cut into matchsticks)
1 red pepper (reseeded and thinly sliced)
4 spring onions (cut into thin strips lengthways)
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons oyster sauce (check for a syn free variety)
2 tablespoons orange juice cordial (sugar free variety)
1 tbsp tomato ketchup (1syn - you could use tomato purée to save on syns)
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon cornflour (0.5syn)
1 tablespoon sesame seeds (3syns - you can make this without sesame seeds for a lower syn alternative)

Recipe

1. Spray a pan with Fry Light and stir fry your beef, vegetables for 3-4 minutes.

2. Whilst the beef is cooking mix the rest of the ingredients together in a bowl.

3. Add to the pan, mix well and cook for a further 3 minutes.

Serve immediately! Its that simple!

You could mix this recipe up by replacing the beef for chicken or turkey, you could add a variety of stir fry vegetables to add more speed food to your plate!

You could also serve this with noodles. The possibilities are endless! Let me know what you think!

Hayley xxx

1.5 SYNS - CHICKEN CACCIATORE

Chicken Cacciatore
This recipe is filling, tasty and even low in syns! This is for 4 people but I had leftover sauce which will do perfect for freezing!

(Note - This can be made syn free by swapping the white wine for 150ml of water! It's up to you!)

Ingredients 

Fry Light
4 chicken breasts (skinless and on the bone. You could just do chicken breast pieces)
4 rashers of lean back bacon (cut into strips, fat removed)
2 onions (finely sliced)
2 garlic cloves (finely sliced)
150ml of dry white wine (6syns but this depends on the wine you use, syn accordingly)
2 x 400g cans of chopped tomatoes
1 bay leaf
2 tsp dried oregano
225g button mushrooms
1 red pepper (diced)
150g broccoli florets
100g baby sweetcorn
1 tsp sugar (1syn)
240g pasta ribbons
salt and pepper to taste

Recipe

1. Spray a large pan with the Fry Light and add your chicken. Cook on a high heat to brown all sides of the chicken and season. (Remove from the pan to a plate)

2. Reduce the heat and add your bacon, onions, garlic and stir fry for 4 minutes or until the onions are starting to soften.

3. Add your wine and increase to a high heat for 2 minutes whilst stirring continuously. Now add the rest of the ingredients (apart from the pasta) to the pan with the chicken and simmer for 15 minutes covered with a lid.

4. Uncover and simmer for a further 20minutes or until the sauce has thickened. Meanwhile cook your pasta according to the instructions and serve with your chicken and sauce.

Serve immediately! Let me know your thoughts!

Hayley xxx

4 SYN - BEEF TERIYAKI NOODLES

Hello guys!

Quick recipe here for you! This recipe is from a Weight Watchers book that my partners parents use often. This recipe is based on 4 servings and works at around 4syns per serving! 

Ingredients

400g rump steak (all fat trimmed and cut into thin strips)

For the Marinade
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp rice wine (0.5syn)
2 tbsp honey (5syns)

For the Stir Fry
FryLight
150g broccoli (cut into florets)
2 red peppers (sliced)
Pack of spring onions (cut diagonally into 2.5cm lengths)
200g of bean sprouts
1 fresh chilli (de-seeded and sliced)
250g of cooked noodles (I use the dry rice noodles and precook them)
4 tbsp of Teriyaki Sauce (ingredients below for this or you could buy a premade one and syn accordingly)
Salt and black pepper

For the Teriyaki Sauce (Mix these ingredients in a small bowl)
(You'll have some sauce left over so this reduces the syns)
1/2 cup of soy sauce
2 tbsp of water
2 tbsp of rice wine (0.5syn)
2 tbsp brown sugar (5syns)
3 tbsp of honey (7.5syns)
1 garlic clove, grated
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated

Recipe

1. Mix all of the marinade ingredients together in a large bowl and add your beef (allow this to marinate in the fridge for up to 2 hours or 10 mins if your in a hurry)

2. Spray a large frying pan with the Fry Light and add your beef but keeping the marinade in the bowl. Stir fry your beef on a high heat until cooked then set aside on a plate and keep warm.

3. Now add your broccoli with 6 tbsp of water and stir fry for 5 minutes. Then add your pepper and onions and cook for a further 3 minutes. 

4. Add your teriyaki sauce and the remaining marinade you set aside earlier. Now add your beef, beansprouts, chilli and cooked noodles into the pan and cook on high heat for 2 minutes or until the beef is hot again. 

5. Check for seasoning and serve immediately!

This is such a quick and tasty recipe! I hope you enjoy!

Hayley xxxx