Review: Tefal Optigrill

I love to cook - it's one of my favourite things to do. When Ideal World TV asked me if I wanted to road test a new gadget for Easter, I obviously said yes please. I opted for the Tefal Optigrill as I'm always trying my best to eat a bit healthier. Salmon is obviously the best choice for Good Friday!

I decided to grill salmon and an assortment of vegetables. The grill allows you to cook your meat, fish or veg exactly how you want it. If you're a rare steak kind of person, no problem. If you're a well done burger, no problem either. It gives such great flexibility. It's so simple to use too - a whole range of beeps let you know exactly what stage you're up too.

You first have to let it warm up before placing your food of choice on the grilling plates. Select what your cooking, then press ok and the machine is ready to work it's magic! I sprayed a couple of sprays of Frylight to help keep the fish moist. There's a special card in the box that lets you know exactly what they recommend for each food groups to help you cook.

I had to wait for the circle to turn red before I knew the fish was ready. The screen changed from yellow (rare) to orange (medium) to red (well done). Each time a new stage is done, it lets out a reassuring beep so you know when to remove your food. As Easter is always such a busy time, it frees you up so you can concentrate on other things. No need to keep turning over and keeping a beady eye on it. You don't even have to cut your meat to check it's cooked as it'll guaranteed to be cooked to perfection!

I can't wait to try out some more dishes in the summer on it. I'm thinking some grilled turkey burgers will be just the ticket.

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4 tips to help you stay on the healthy eating track

It can be hard to keep on track when you're following a healthy eating plan. That bag of crisps always looks more tempting. Here a few tips that work for me.

1. Knock caffeine on the head and opt for a fruit tea.
I'm the first to admit I'm not at all a tea drinker. But I have been recently trying to encourage myself to drink fruit tea. I'm a bit fed up of drinking squash all the time. Most of the time you're not actually hungry when you get pangs so opt for a drink. A fruit tea still feels like a sweet treat and is a lot healthier than a chocolate bar! I was sent Kromland Farm organic teas and have become quite partial to the berry flavour.

2. Keep healthy snacks in your bag.
When you're out and about and hunger strikes, it's all too easy to grab a Mars bar. But always be prepared! Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. I was sent these Nairns oat biscuits and some 9bars. They both come in individual packets which makes them easy to pop in your bag. The biscuits contain 40% less sugar than a normal biscuit - my favourite are the mixed berries ones. The mixed fruit 9bar snack bars still feel indulgent but you know your eating all the good stuff!

3. Learn to distract yourself
I don't know about you but I often raid the cookie jar when I'm bored at home. So in order to distract my hands I settle down with my kindle. Before long you'll find yourself engrossed in a book and will have forgotten all about feeding your face.

4.Keep a food diary
This old chestnut eh? Everyone encourages this and it's no wonder. Quite often I shove a digestive in my mouth and promptly forget all about it. Then I have another. And another. Once you look at exactly what you're eating written down, it makes you think twice. It's a great way to help keep yourself on track.

Have you got any pearls of wisdom to pass on?

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OOTD: Black midi skirt

Outfit:
Velvet cropped jacket: Topshop (similar)
Black cropped tee: Topshop (similar)
Black and silver netted midi skirt: c/o Chi Chi London thanks to Etail PR
Silver t-bar heels: Primark (similar)

I feel like this outfit is around three months too late. It feels and looks a bit too Christmassy for March. But I'm a rebel so I'm going to run with it anyway! The skirt is too pretty to be tucked away in the wardrobe. I'm kinda digging the wonky lop-sided-ness of these pictures - makes me feel a little bit Alice In Wonderland. Never a bad thing right?

On Thursday I'm off to Chicago and the surrounding areas for eight days on a press trip. Excited doesn't even cover it! I only went to America for the first time last year and have been desperate to venture back ever since. I'm looking forward to seeing another side of the States. I've got a feeling that it's going to be a lot different to NYC. I've got a few posts scheduled to help keep you entertained when I'm away. Keep an eye out!

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