It’s Pleat, White City

Mention H&M and you would be forgiven for thinking fast fashion and hot homeware. But now the Swedish trendsetter is taking on plant-based brunch and super lattes at their Westfield flagship store with It’s Pleat.

It’s Pleat, is an in-store café serving healthy breakfasts, lunches and treats throughout store opening hours. Plus everything is packaged in plant based, decomposable materials.

The setting

Set in the heart of the Westfield White City shopping centre, It’s Pleat adds a corner of  serenity the shopping mall. The café is H&M’s first in the UK, and their fourth globally. The first was launched in Stockholm in 2018.

Once inside, you’d have no idea that you were in a mega shopping centre. The café is kitted out with plants, marble and blush pink furniture and feels very calm.

The space

Even though this is a grab-and-go style set up, the café is well equipped for  eating in. They have super comfortable chairs and beautiful interiors and they also provide bronzed cutlery and stunning crockery for you to transfer your food onto, so you’re not eating out of a take-away box.

The little things that make a difference

They have seeded crackers by the counter for you to try whilst you’re paying. You can’t go wrong with a pre-lunch snack!

I also loved the fact they have a range of cookery and Lagom (move over Hygge) books dotted around for customers to flick through whilst enjoying their lunch.

The fresh juice test

I decided to review the green juice. It was really refreshing and contained 40% cucumber and so it wasn’t too sweet. As well as the cucumber,  it was loaded with apple, spinach, lemon and ginger. For me,  it could have done with a little bit more ginger for a real kick, but other than that it was very delicious.

What we ate

We had the rainbow salad which was beetroot tri-colour quinoa, with roasted turmeric cauliflower, three different types of hummus (sweet potato, beetroot and herby hummus), avocado and picked carrots and onions.

The salad was packed with a load of spices, textures, colours and flavours.

It was thoroughly enjoyable and well flavoured. I would definitely order it again. They also have a range of soups, sandwiches, salads and wraps meaning there really is something for everyone.

We also got the seaweed seeded cracker topped with beetroot hummus, which aside from being very aesthetically pleasing was absolutely delicious. The smooth hummus worked really well with the crunchy cracker.

Finally, we got a matcha latte. As a self-confessed matcha addict, I’ve tried my fair share of matchas around London and if I may go so far as to say this is one of the best I’ve had. It’s Pleat also offer a golden latte and a blush latte.

We passed on the sweet treats, although they had a large selection of energy balls, cakes, cookies and snacks to grab and go.

What we’d go back for…

If you’re an interior nerd, then you’ll be blown away by the bathrooms. They’re kitted out with blush pink floor tiles and pink walls. The plants are also a really soothing addition. The chilled music was a lovely edition to the calm vibes and quiet setting. I would really recommend visiting especially if you want a healthy option in Westfield and can’t wait to go back!

The bill

Rainbow salad  £7.90
Matcha latte  £3.90
Green juice  £3.70
Flatbread with beetroot hummus  £1.90

For more WestLondon inspiration click here. 

 

Make 2019 your best year yet

Blue Monday is the third Monday in January so dubbed by psychologist Dr Chris Arnell while advising a travel company on the most depressing day of the year. It was the perfect excuse to book a summer holiday to cheer you up. But most of us don’t need a branding exercise to remind us that January can be a tricky month. Yes it’s cold, grey and the lights and parties of December are behind us but here our Glowstars give their 2019 tips, resolutions and plans to help you make this year your best year yet.

Jess @freshlysnapped

Every year I start off with the best intentions, I always feel so driven and motivated, however these goals start to dwindle as the year goes on. So this year, in 2019, I’m not setting massive goals that feel daunting or overwhelming.

I am going to set tiny little micro missions and take baby steps to get there.

It may be a tiny change every single day, but over time, it could lead to something big. After all, we are what we repeatedly do. Whether it’s applied to work, relationships or fitness, this philosophy can get you anywhere!

Eli @cerealandpeanutbutter

2019 is going to be my best year yet, because I have learnt to be more in tune with my mind and my body than ever before, and I plan to implement this from start to finish of the coming year. This includes eating more mindfully – just because there is a whole spread of desserts on the table, it doesn’t mean you need to try each one.

I will also ask myself  if I really want to do that high intensity fitness bootcamp on a cold dark Monday morning – perhaps I’d benefit more from a slower-paced yoga class instead?

 Fabienne @modelslovefood

I’m starting my 2019 in Tokyo (for my work), which is one of my most favourite cities in the world. I’ve told myself I should enjoy it more than last time when I was there and not be to strict with myself.

I want to do more yoga, meditation and pilates and go more into the Japanese food culture. There’s a reason the Japanese are the oldest folk in the world right?

Jenna @jennahopenutrition

I’m really excited about 2019 as I’ve just launched a new business and I’m planning a wedding so there’s lots going on. At the beginning of 2018, I started writing a daily gratitude diary twice a day which has really revolutionised my mindset. I will definitely carry this on into 2019.

I also plan to continue working out regularly as this helps with my mental wellbeing, positivity and productivity.

I won’t be changing the food I’m eating, as I’m pretty happy at the moment focusing on eating foods which nourish me. Although, I will be trying to focus more on eating mindfully, as I think appreciating our food and eating it slowly is incredibly beneficial for our overall health rather than just munching it down on the go.

Bekah @bitesbybekah

I’m so excited to continue sharing my love for plant-based food on my blog and experimenting with new recipes, discovering new eateries, and connecting with more people in this amazing community. I’m actually starting 2019 in the US, working on my PhD for a few months, which will be quite an adjustment from life in the UK. I have a few trips planned while I’m across the pond and plan to make the most of my time in the States.

I recently signed up for my first half-marathon, taking place in May 2019.

The longest I’ve ever run is 10K, so a half marathon sounds quite daunting. But I cannot wait to take on the challenge!

 

Amy @nourishing.amy

I don’t believe in #newyearnewme and I am very proud to say that 2019 will be the same old me doing the same sort of thing, but with a renewed sense of purpose. New Year is a great time to set goals, but so is springtime when everything is blooming into life. I will carry through my determination to lead a happy, healthy and nourished life while working on my blog which I hope to see thrive in 2019. I aim to focus on being kinder to myself by taking up journaling again and writing down my daily gratitudes.

I will continue with my yoga practice, as this is my favourite thing that I do for me every single day.

 

Ethos, Fitzrovia

Ethos’ mission statement is to  serve deliciously, innovative meat-free cuisine that appeals to the largest number of people.

Tucked away behind Top Shop, just off Oxford St, Ethos is open seven days a week. Their global menu is stacked with creative choices catering for vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free diets. It’s self service and pay by weight!


The setting

Located in Fitzrovia, Ethos is a haven from the hustle and bustle of nearby Oxford St.

The award-winning café interior is light and airy. It’s dotted with stunning silver birch tree trunks which create a fantastic sense of beauty and nature.

There’s also a combination of black and white marble tables, leather benches and classic chairs. As you enter,  you’re greeted with a selection of freshly baked cookies, cakes and meringues. The staff are incredibly helpful and you’re shown to your table as you arrive. The restaurant cleverly contains partitions, so if you’re having a more private meeting you’re safe here too.

The little things that make a difference

The service was super speedy and the waiter was very attentive with lots of knowledge of the menu. There are plenty of vegan options, which can often pose difficulties for breakfast. Ethos are clearly very experimental and ahead of the trend – offering scrambled tofu and seitan on the breakfast menu.  They also offer a range of healthy snacks to go at the till. I particularly love the Emily crisps and the Brave peas which are perfect for snacking on.

 

The fresh  juice test

We ordered the green detox smoothie which is frozen and the deepest green  in colour. It was packed with pineapple, kale, apple, ginger, spinach, wheatgrass, chlorella, barley grass and spirulina. Although, for me, it tasted heavily of apple and pineapple,  so I’ m not sure I’d reorder it.

What we ate

We visited for breakfast, but it’s worth noting that for lunch there’s a whole selection of vegetarian and vegan salads, noodles, stews and roasted veg.

We ordered the shakshuka – eggs poached in chilli tomato sauce with black pitta. It was absolutely bursting with flavour and packed with spice. Served in a mini casserole pot, the presentation was clearly thought through. We also had the blueberry and coconut yoghurt vegan pancakes which had a similar texture to a sponge cake. It was ideal for breakfast, as it wasn’t overly sweet and the flavour combinations worked really well. To drink,  we ordered a matcha latte which was delicious, not too sweet (as sometimes they can be) and it provided the perfect hit. Finally, we got The Real Kombucha which was refreshing and light in taste. Very delicious.


What we’d go back for…

The menu is so varied that we wanted to try everything!  The food was bursting with flavour and I really enjoyed the natural environment and being surrounded by real tree trunks. I can’t wait to come back for lunch!

The bill

Shakshuka  £7.50
Matcha latte  £4.00
Pancakes  £7.00
Supergreen smoothie  £4.90
Kombucha  £4.50

 

 

 

 

 

TYF, Fulham

TYF, short for Tell Your Friends, is the brainchild of sisters Lucy and Tiff Watson, stars of Made In Chelsea and passionate vegans.

It’s a café with a mission – one to show that there’s more to vegan life than salad!


The space

It’s at the Parson’s Green end of the King’s Road – with a front conservatory you can’t miss. It’s cool with a very boho-chic feel. It has a brick wall on one side, a cosy front entrance, a casual middle section, plus a smarter area at the back of the restaurant. On the side wall, there’s a range of cacti and greenery which gives the restaurant a relaxed plant-focused feel.

We went during the day, but the bar and the neon signs on the wall paint the perfect setting for an evening meal too.

The fresh  juice test

The green juice was a combination of cucumber, celery and apple. Sometimes simplicity is best. It wasn’t trying to be too fancy and had a really refreshing taste.

The little things that make the difference

I loved the square water bottles which were packed with mint. You can tell there’s been a huge focus on attention to detail and all the brands are ethical. The bar is fully stocked with vegan beers and quinoa based spirits. They also offer the range of Seedlip non-alcoholic for the tee-totallers.

The whole menu is vegan and incredibly innovative.

It includes plant based fish and chips, vegan chicken dippers, raw vegan lasagne and plant- based burgers. TYF also caters for the gluten-free diet with a range of options.

What else?

I loved the diversity of the menu. I really want to come back and work my way through it all! Everything looked so delicious!

What we ate

We went for the buddah bowl which was a variety of quinoa, tofu, sprouts, edamame, avocado, sugar snap peas and tofu. It was seasoned with an array of Asian inspired flavours which really packed a punch.

It had a great mix of textures and, from a nutritionist’s point of view, was very balanced for a vegan meal.

We also had the bean burger with cashew cheese which tasted exactly like normal cheese and was packed with flavour. It was also loaded with caramelised onions which went really well the cheese.

Finally, we got the vegan apple pie with coconut and nutmeg ice cream which melted perfectly into the dessert. It was sweet, but not too overpowering and the spices really came through. The dessert was drizzled with a caramel which also delicious.


What we’d go back for…

The apple pie! I loved the fact the apples were in chunks rather than a purée. They still had their crunch which, when combined with the topping and ice cream, was a complete explosion in your mouth. So delicious!

The bill

Bean burger  £12.50
Buddah bowl  £13.00
Green juice  £4.50
Coconut Water  £3.45
Apple crumble  £7.50


 

Café in the Park, Rickmansworth

Imagine a café bang in the middle of a 41 hectare nature reserve with wide open spaces, woodland and two lakes…Café in the Park in Rickmansworth is just that and has a strong focus on sustainability and delicious seasonal food.

If you’re not lucky enough to live locally, it’s a short day trip from London and perfect for dog owners.


The Setting

There’s no tricks here, this hidden gem is situated in the middle of the Rickmansworth Aquadrome Nature Reserve. It looks like a large wooden barn and on entering you’re greeted with the aroma of home cooked food, friendly faces from the staff and a whole range of local products on the shelves leading towards the till. This cozy café is packed with locals and is perfectly suited for dog walking, as there’s picnic tables outside for you and your four-legged friends. They even accommodate the dogs with water bowls.

The little things

The café clearly projects ethical and sustainable values. They have a filtered water tap in return for donations and they’ve already raised an impressive £18,500 for water aid.

The back wall displays their values- ‘Feed the mind’, ‘Ethical and sustainable produce’, ‘Health and well-being’. They  also have an adult zone at the back which contains wooden tables, cozy arm chairs and even art work from their local high school children. It really has a real local community feel..

The Green Juice

The green juice was packed with a range of fresh produce including cucumber, pear, celery, apple and lemon. I watched it being freshly made so I knew that there’s no cutting corners here.

We also tried the carrot, apple and ginger juice which was zingy and packed with a ginger kick.

What else

The café also has a Shop In The Park which sells local produce, seasonal fruits and vegetables and ethical food and lifestyle brands.

There are taps where you can bring your own containers to fill up on organic natural washing detergent and there’s even have a machine to make your own nut butter! I’m absolutely sold on that. The ethical values even trickle through to the bathroom where they have organic flowers stuck to the wall and ethical soap brands.

What we ate

We ordered the falafel veggie burger which was full of flavour, well seasoned with a crispy outside and a soft middle accompanied with homemade chips.

It was presented on a rustic wooden board and filled with lettuce, pickles and a roasted bell pepper to add some colour. We also ordered the park salad which was a combination of pesto quinoa, beetroot relish, roasted cauliflower and sun-dried tomatoes all topped with a variety of mixed seeds to add a perfect crunch.

The salad was super flavourful, a generous size and loaded with nutrients.

I also washed this down with a Birchall lemongrass and ginger tea I left feeling comfortably full and very satisfied. It was all very reasonably priced.


The bill

Green juice  £3.60
Carrot, apple and ginger juice  £3.60
Veggie burger  £9.90
Park salad   £7.90
Ginger and lemongrass tea   £1.40

What made us glow

Carly, the owner has clearly shared her passion for sustainability and her care for health and the environment throughout both the café and the shop. Every detail has been so thought through. I can’t wait to return!


 

 

 

 

 

Cobham, Surrey: The Juice Smith, including their very own Running Club

The Juice Smith was founded in 2013 by Richard Smith-Bernal, who became passionate about juicing after recovering from a gastric illness.

After meticulously researching juicing and cleansing, he wanted to make healthy delicious food available to all.

This Cobham hotspot offers a delicious menu which is 100% free from gluten, dairy, refined sugar and soya.

The Setting

Based on Cobham High Road, The Juice Smith has a sophisticated urban vibe. It’s airy, stylish and sleek with pale wood floors, white tables and metallic leather chairs.

I loved the feature, mirrored wall with uplifting quotes and leafy plant display.

It gives the whole café an eco-friendly and healthy feel. There’s also a couple of outside tables the sun is shining.>

The Little Things

The cafe had a charging point right by my table and free wifi, which makes it a great working lunch pit stop. I managed to get through some emails whilst enjoying the food and drinks. The Juice Smith is also dog friendly.

The Green Juice

I went for Fountain of Youth (cucumber, spinach, kale, mint, lemon and pink Himalayan salt).

It certainly wasn’t sweet and it really packed a refreshing punch.

Definitely my ideal green juice… I’d go so far as to give it a 10/10!

What Else?

There’s a fridge filled with delicious looking treats, nuts and a range of juices and milks to take away. And they do home delivery in the area and you can order healthy hampers or cakes.

What We Ate

I ordered the Mexican chilli bowl, which was loaded with quinoa, Mexican beans, lentils, beetroot hummus, lettuce, smokey cashew cream, tomato salsa, cucumber and sweetcorn. I absolutely loved the range of textures and flavours in this dish.

The combination of the beans, quinoa and hummous left me feeling super full and content all afternoon.

The beetroot hummus was my favourite as it was bursting with flavour and vibrant in colour!

I also ordered a matcha latte, which despite being told was unsweetened appeared very sweet.

It looked stunning, but it was a little too sweet for my palate.

My friend ordered the apple pie, which I couldn’t resit trying. It was a healthier version of a classic apple pie with maple syrup and coconut sugar- absolutely delicious, not too sweet and had the perfect filling ratio. There’s nothing worse than a poor pie to filling ratio!

The Bill

Matcha Latte – £3.00
Mexican Chilli Bowl – £8.50
Green Juice – £4.25
Apple Pie – £4.95


What Made Us Glow

The Juice Smith also has a Running Club every Wednesday Morning at 8:30am.

It’s in partnership with Sweaty Betty and caters for all abilities from beginners to marathon runners and all runners get the chance to enjoy a discounted post run breakfast with 10% off the bill.

Brewed + Pressed, Mill Hill

Brewed+Pressed began in Dallas, Texas with a juice bar launched by Sohail Dar and Mike Heffelfinger, two dentists and friends who share a career and a purpose.

They want to empower you to feel better from the inside out.

For the two friends, healthy was not about boring but about nutritious everyday food packed with flavour. Or as they say it is a about “the art of nourishment”.


The setting

The cafe is bright, modern and inviting. Think modern pine walls, floors and tables with marble accents and cactus plants. As you walk in, you’re greeted with an array of raw cakes on the bar, chocolate, mocha or berry – they all scream ‘eat me’.

And there are homemade gluten-free cakes.

The indulgent red velvet layer cake smothered in a smooth white creamy icing grabbed my attention the most although as it was breakfast I sadly gave it a miss.


Brewed + Pressed

The little things

I loved that Brewed +Press also sell freshly-made soaps packed with natural ingredients and look delicious enough to eat!

They offer free wifi and has a welcoming working environment so you can sit and work at your laptop whilst drinking your matcha latte.

I also found the staff were friendly and really helpful in helping me decide what to have!!

The green juice test

The green juice comes in a bottle, so if you don’t finish it, you can take it away! It was light in flavour making it easy to sip across the morning – not too sweet and the addition of the lemon gave it a slightly sharp edge which I’m a fan of.

What we ate

There are plenty of of raw breakfast options including raw granola, matcha chia pudding and the classics such as avo on toast and a great bowl of oats topped with banana, sliced, almonds, cranberries and cinnamon.

We tucked into a warming shakshuka and a trusty smashed avo on sourdough with poached eggs.

Brewed + Pressed

The shakshuka was the perfect order for a frosty morning. It was warming, loaded with spice and packed a punch with the extra peppers.

The smashed avo was served on a chunky slice of sourdough which provided the perfect crunch and I particularly loved the addition of the mixed seeds and chilli flakes to give it an extra kick.

The eggs were cooked to perfection in both dishes!

We also enjoyed a matcha tea and a lemon, ginger, cayenne and turmeric shot. It wasn’t too hot which meant it went down much easier than some of the ones I’ve had in the past!

Brewed + Pressed

The bill

Avocado on toast  £6.65
Additional eggs x 2  £1.90
Green juice  £4.95
Shakshuka   £7.65
Matcha tea  £2.80
Immunity shot  £3.50


What else?

The choice of snacks on the counter was so good that I was tempted to fuel up for the day. They offer homemade buckwheat granola that you can take home along with some of my favourite on-the-go snacks including a whole selection of the Ombar collection!

What made us glow

I loved the brightness and calmness, it has a very soothing vibe to it which left me uplifted and excited about the day ahead! I’ll be back!