Inspirational CHOC indulgence this Mother’s Day

Looking for new ways to make Mother’s Day special?

Being a mother myself, I love getting the whole family involved and finding something that the kids can enjoy. This year I’ve decided that we’re all going to indulge in one of my new favourites – raw chocolate brownies.

These brownies are just one of the delicious recipes from our client Galia Orme, the amazing founder of CHOC Chick. She’s also a speaker, an entrepreneur and above all, a mother!

Since we started working with Galia in 2015, we’ve become immensely proud of her as she continues to achieve so much. CHOC Chick was recently shortlisted for the FreeFrom Food Awards and been featured in a fantastic Telegraph article. All of CHOC Chick’s kits and ingredients are gluten and dairy free, which makes it suitable for everyone and a great alternative for those with celiac disease and who are lactose intolerant.

Raw cacao is set to be one of the biggest raw and clean eating trends for 2016. It is free from all the additives that we’re so used to finding in our food, such as sugar, which makes it comparable to dark chocolate with its moreish bitter flavour.

With all that in mind, these raw chocolate brownies are a great way to introduce your kids to raw eating and teach them good habits that will last a lifetime. Enjoy Mother’s Day and getting messy with this quick and generous recipe, which makes around 10-12 brownies.

Raw Chocolate Brownie with Creamy Dairy free frosting

Ingredients:
• 240g walnuts or mixed nuts (I used 2 packets, 120g each, of mixed nuts that included almonds, hazelnuts, brazil nuts with walnuts)
• Pinch of salt
• 12 pitted medjool dates, un-soaked
• 6 tbsp CHOC Chick raw cacao powder
• 3 tbsp Sweet Freedom or agave syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla bean extract
• 3 tsp water

Directions:

1. Blend nuts and salt in a food processor until finely ground
2. Add dates, raw cacao powder, agave/Sweet Freedom and vanilla, process until mixture begins to stick together.
3. Add the water and process briefly.
4. Line a tray greaseproof paper and leave extra paper on the sides to cover the mix. Add the mix and even out till about 1 or 1 and a half inch thick. CHOCTip: cover the mix with the extra greaseproof paper and use to smooth the mix out.
5. Place in the freezer for around 20 minutes to set.

While it sets happily, you can now make our delicious CHOCfrosting. We’ve simply added cream to our Simple Raw CHOC Recipe to make a creamy chocolaty frosting that children and those who prefer a slightly more milk chocolaty taste absolutely love.

Creamy CHOCfrosting

Ingredients:
• 25g CHOC Chick raw cacao butter
• 2 tbsp CHOC Chick raw cacao powder
• 1-2 tbsp Sweet Freedom or agave syrup(to taste)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla bean extract
• ¼ cup coconut cream
1. Melt the raw cacao butter in a bowl over a pan of boiling water.
2. Once melted, turn the heat off and add the cacao powder, agave syrup, vanilla and mix well.
3. Once blended add the cream and mix again. The consistency will become thicker as the cream is added. Leave for a few moments to thicken.
4. Spread evenly over the brownie mix
5. Place in the fridge to set for about 30 minutes.
6. Enjoy!

Can be stored in the fridge for around 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 10 days; of course you don’t have to wait and can enjoy them all in one sitting! J

It’s 2016 – and we’re getting instantly social

So here we are in 2016. Like so many New Years, it seems to have come round in an instant.

Speaking of instant, I think immediacy will be something of theme for the way we communicate this year, and beyond.

Messaging apps like WhatsApp and Facebook’s Messenger are changing the way we connect. Not only socially, but in business, too. As if to confirm this, Twitter lifted the 140 character limit on its direct message facility last year.

Simple to use, available across multiple platforms and free of charge, these apps are overtaking email as the go to channel for realtime communications.

Not only do they let you ping images, video and text, they let you share links to content directly from webpages. You can see when specific people are online and available and, thanks to voice over IP (VoIP), you can have good old telephone conversations with them, too.

Such is the reach of social media now that a complete stranger on the other side of the planet can become your technical support hero, newest client or forum buddy within minutes.

This is great for building networks, winning new business, supporting clients and sharing ideas. And, remember, it’s not just about you doing all the talking. It’s your opportunity to listen, too. To take the temperature out there, find out what people really want and be alert to buying signals and new business opportunities.

These days, I learn so much by following links on social media, They take me to news and analysis in both new and traditional media, including the websites of respected magazines and newspapers. It also means I’m on top of the stories and issues that really interest people. It’s quick, it’s easy and it’s all there in a single device.

A smart phone, for instance.

#CheapestChristmasEver – makes for success

With the big day almost upon us, shoppers up and down the country are rushing to the shops to get their last minute Christmas presents. 

But for me the preparation for the 25^th December started months ago.

I hear people moaning left right and centre that they haven’t got the dreaded Christmas shopping done, and how they wish they’d done it weeks ago instead of leaving it until the last minute to buy gifts.

Of course I've been told I’m mad to plan so far ahead, (my mantra for everything especially in business) but I’m the one getting the last laugh as usual.

For me, Christmas is about putting that extra bit of thought and feeling into creating something different. From homemade jams and chutneys, to bath salts and infused oils, I love to create that special gift for my friends and family. And it has certainly gained a reputation among them. There is no better feeling than heading into the Christmas holidays than knowing they’re excited to receive gifts from me.

The best part is I spend a lot less money instead of shelling out each Christmas – I reckon I saved about £500 a year since I began making my gifts, which is certainly helpful!

When the dust settled on Christmas last year, I was already on the lookout for ways to save money. In January you’ll find me rifling through the Christmas cards and wrapping paper during the sales (at about a quarter of their pre-January price!), and then stashing them away for the following year.

Upcycling is a trend that has really taken off in the last few years and it can be easily applied to the build up to Christmas. For instance, pine-cones are a fantastic way to bring a delightful rustic atmosphere to your Christmas decorations. When you’re out bring a bag with you to collect some, then pick up some glitter and glue from an arts-and-crafts store. After covering them with a layer of sparkly Christmas frosting, you can string them up around the home with some thread to create some authentic-looking decorations.

Of course, all of this thriftiness does require a bit of forward-thinking. On Christmas morning too, if you can remember to get out a pair of scissors before ripping into your Christmas presents, cutting them open makes it a lot easier to recycle wrapping paper for next year!

From me and everyone at redheadPR, we hope you have a fabulous Christmas and New Year!

Thank you

Thank you. Two words, zero cost, incalculable value.

The importance of thanking people in business and personal life can never be overestimated.

Which is why we’re so looking forward to Christmas, that special time of year when the joy of giving far outweighs that of taking.

It’s also a good excuse to get everyone together and celebrate. And, #aheadofthecurve as always, we at redheadPR are getting in early with our Christmas drinks reception this year. We’re taking the opportunity to express our appreciation and offer our thanks to everyone who has been part of our success this year before the party season kicks off in earnest in December.

It’ll be a great chance to network with some extremely talented people from Swindon, our home town, and beyond. It’ll also get us in the party mood, ready for what promises to be a busy month of celebrating, reflecting and preparing for next year.

If you’re coming tomorrow, we look forward to seeing you. If you can’t make it, hopefully next time.

To all of you, thank you. 2015 has been a great year. Let’s work together to make 2016 even better.

Cheers!

Your brand – 4 reasons to make it personal

It was great to be interviewed by Total Guide to Swindon this week.

It’s a great online publication and it asks really relevant questions to get the best possible interview. The experience made me realise that I need to keep banging on about how important it is these days to build a personal brand.

Why? Four main reasons:

People buy from people

Online marketing is critical. It opens doors, tells your story, puts your point of view across. It builds trust, even sells products. But it’s the human touch that cements your business relationships and makes them last.

You’re unique

Your personal brand is your way of showing how and why you’re different to everyone else, or in my case, #aheadofthecurve. Your beliefs anchor you. And they draw people who share your beliefs towards you. But, you need to show – not just tell – what those beliefs are.

Your brand is an ice-breaker

Being recognised and having a good reputation makes networking so much easier. When I started out, I’d approach people gingerly, business card at the ready. Today, more often than not, people say, ‘Hey, I know you – you’re Sara, aren’t you?’  

It leads to surprising opportunities

If you’d told me two years ago, that today, I’d manage three exciting businesses and cycle alongside a former Tour de France winner in Switzerland, I’d have laughed at you. But that’s what’s happened, thanks in no small part to the path my brand has taken me along.

Read TGt Meets… Sara Tye.