It was another day in London for me today, this time to see what Sainsbury’s have in store for the spring of 2016 and as I drove out to Diss this morning through driving rain it was kind of hard to image getting anywhere close to a new spring season vibe. The train into East London didn’t thunder towards any better weather unfortunately and by the time I arrived in my old yard to pick up some post at the flat we left just three week’s ago, I looked like a drowned rat.

However, I bumped into a couple of pals on my flying visit and although it’s a bit trickier to get there these days my double visit has proved to me that I CAN do it! I may have left Norfolk looking like a drowned rat but it was delicious to see some friendly faces and the food at the Sainsbury’s showcase after was equally as yummy!

I think I prefer the warmer months in a year and to me spring is the start of an outdoor life filled with BBQs and alfresco dining. London life up until now has meant I’ve not had a garden but a BBQ is one of my favourite things to do and I lapped them up each year whenever we visited my Mum! This year, in my new garden of gorgeousness I am going to be BBQ and alfresco dining central starting with Jimmy’s birthday party in May and probably not ending until at least October; it was great then to see the brighter colours in the food that will be on our shelves soon from good ole Sains!

They didn’t have any of their BBQ range on display as really and truly, I suppose, most people don’t hit the Barbie until much later in the year but what I did see was lots of lovely salads, greens, clean living food, free from delights and things which will brighten up this time of year even on the wettest of days like today!

What was most noteworthy was the free from range which has multiplied and divided. So, not EVERYTHING is free of EVERYTHIGNG but they now have a handy little key which lets you know what is replaced in each item and each item is more delicious than ever before. Chocolate brownies without the gluten and milk were one of my favourites but the new Greek style cheese made from coconut milk won it hands down for me. I had to physically stop myself from popping back and eating the lot! Combine the cheese with the gluten free breads, of which there is much choice, and you’re laughing all the way to a flat non bloated tummy! I think I’d like to try a whole week on the Sainsbury’s gluten free range and combine it with their healthy eating options like ready made corgetti and the new Boodles (butternut squash noodles) and cauliflower or beetroot rice. I’d just like to see if it makes much of a difference as I was speaking to Liz from Me And My Shadow at the event and she told me she’s lost loads of weight being gluten free since January.

I also liked their new sushi range which is Korean inspired and tastes really different to the Japanese style I already love. Mainly meat based ingredients give it a different direction to start with and then the flavours are totally new too. You must try it!

Before I DO try going gluten free and clean living for a week I must say the taste The Difference bread selection is now totally HUGE and they were serving them as bruchetta with their new avocados (which they have ensured will be ripe and ready to eat when you buy them – no more banana ripening for those old hard ones) and their baby tomatoes which have a home grown taste. Both were delicious as were the breads!

But, back to my week off the gluten and eating clean… I shall cook everything in coconut oil of which Sainsbury’s now have their own jar at just over £4 and blend smoothies using the palm oil free nutty butter. I am totally going to do this and will let you know the results. I suppose it MIGHT be cheaper to make my own spiralised veggies but it aint half luring buying it already done and in the packet!

Lots of carb alternatives like beetroot rice and noodles made from butternut squash or ‘boodles’ if you will!

Watch this space, I shall report back!