Beckleberry's Springtime Spectacular!

We are having a Spring clean at Beckleberry's this week and we have decided what better way to help create a bit of space in the freezer than by giving some of our goodies away to our loyal facebook fans? Therefore, we've arranged a March springtime spectacular exclusively for our facebook fans! If we make it over 350 likes by the end of March then 3 randomly chosen lucky winners will receive prizes including ice cream, sorbet, a retail size tart and a collectors item Beckleberry's mug! So far we have 38 likes to go so, become our fans today and remember to get recommending and sharing for your chance to win with Beckleberry's! 

http://www.facebook.com/beckleberrys

Beckleberry's Sweet Summer Destinations

Here at Beckleberry's, the start of the summer is one of our favourite times of the year. We love ice cream so much that we'd happily eat it for breakfast, dinner and tea all year round, but we know that the general public are a bit more seasonal in their ice cream habits. So it goes without saying that we love the opportunity to wax lyrical about all things icy once the temperatures start to rise and you're all looking for tasty ways to celebrate the sunshine. We also love our region, the good old North East, and believe it's full of fabulous places to enjoy the summer. Here's a list of some of our favourite places to enjoy an ice cream in our corner of the world.

Gibside

One for the more discerning North Easterner who enjoys a taste of the countryside. This National Trust destination features Derwent Valley views, acres of open spaces and winding paths, as well as Georgian buildings and ruins. Pack a picnic and get away from the hustle and bustle for a few hours. Foodies are well catered for with a cafe, local farm shop and a fortnightly farmers' market. We even have a Beckleberry's Ice House there too, so you're never too far from an ice cream break. If the fancy takes you, you can even milk a cow at the Stables!

Metrocentre

Why would we want to spend the summer months cooped up indoors, we hear you cry. Unfortunately, our British weather can be more than a little bit unpredictable. On those not-so-sunny summer days, the MetroCentre in Gateshead provides a welcome refuge from the elements. The largest shopping centre in Europe is a Mecca for shopping lovers. Stock up on a few bikinis for your holidays, keep the kids out of mischief, and dream of sunnier climes. You can even find our Beckleberry's coffee shop come ice cream parlour in the Upper Blue Mall. We'd love you to call in and try a free spoonful of some of our award winning ice creams and sorbets!

Holy Island

This tidal island, with a population of little more than 150 is steeped in history and legend. Awarded the coveted title of Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it might seem like there's not much to do on Holy Island, but that's part of its charm. Visit the castle, have a stroll along to the monastery and soak up a bit of sunshine in this tranquil little corner of the North East. Just make sure you check the crossing times for your journey in advance, or you could find yourself on the island for longer than you expected!

Tynemouth

Is there a better place for a summer's day out than the seaside? Our region's blessed with some fabulous coastlines, so it's pretty hard to make a decision, but we're going with Tynemouth. The long sandy beach and promenade attract visitors in their thousands when the sun is shining, or if you've forgotten to pack your bucket and spade, take a little walk up to the village and check out the boutiques, eateries and impressive selection of bars and pubs. We're also pleased to announce that the government have recently passed a new law which deems it illegal to visit the seaside without having an ice cream*. The superb Beaches and Cream ice cream parlour is located in close proximity in Cullercoats, meaning there’s even less of an excuse to sample some luxury local produce!

So there you have it. Just a few of the fabulous North East destinations that you can put on your 'to do' list this summer. 

We'd love to hear your thoughts too – where do you like to visit when the sun is shining?

*Disclaimer: We may have invented this law. 

 Article guest written by Ruth @ Red North Media

Scoop off that weight?

Can occasional ice cream consumption help regulate bodyweight?

Before we get carried away with dreams of an “Atkins-esque” diet, where breakfast, lunch and dinner comprise of mint choc chip and cookie dough, ice should still be viewed as a treat and enjoyed in moderation as part of a healthy diet.

However, there is increasing research outlining the ability of ice cream, when eaten as an occasional indulgence, to regulate bodyweight and fat absorption. It has even been said that those who tuck in to the odd bowl of ice cream a week are rewarded with augmented weight loss in comparison to those who chose complete abstinence from the frozen dessert. 

Before you head to load up your freezer with delights from beckleberry’s (not that we’d begrudge you!), remember that too much of a good thing can quickly make its presence felt via the hips, belly and countless other unwanted places.

 

One of the key benefits of ice cream is that it may satisfy your cravings better than any other food. This can in part by attributed to the combination of protein and fat from the milk and cream. A diet rich in protein has been proven to leave consumers feeling fuller for longer whilst curbing appetite. With ice cream packing between 5 and 7 grams of protein per 100g, it can hardly be labelled as a “high protein snack” nevertheless its ability to satisfy hunger with greater efficacy than other ambient desserts is unquestionable.

The major proponent with regards to weight loss is again linked to the dairy content; calcium. It is said that only 4% of women over 50 meet the daily 1,200 mg goal, with the average female daily calcium intake at a miniscule 652 mg. More shockingly, less than one third of men reach these same targets.

This is where our favoured frozen treat comes in to its own. Opting for ice cream as dessert of more contemporary options can augment daily calcium intake significantly. A standard portion of 3 scoops provides an impressive 260mg of calcium, which is over 20% of a females required intake.

Calcium also enjoys a reputation in dieting circles as a "secret" slim down ingredient. In a recent study, overweight people who took a calcium supplement lost 38% more body fat than those who ate the same reduced-calorie diet without the supplement.  In fact, those with a diet deficient in calcium may even retain more wait for longer as a paucity of the vitamin can trigger the body to store fat cells in abundance.

Therefore, by utilising a calcium supplement and making sure ice cream is your allocated weekly treat, you are increasing your chances of regulating body weight and keeping off unwanted fat to a greater degree than those who don’t partake of the occasional banana split. 

Evidently, this is a speculative article with a largely light hearted tone which should not be accepted as stone cold fact. There are no replacements for a healthy diet with plenty of exercise and ice cream should always remain a treat to be enjoyed in moderation.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/121760