We've all had that weird friend who eats something that just does not go! Not even in a dramatic sense, it goes to the extreme where you've got someone who loves chocolate and pickles. I bet a name has popped into your head now? Yep. Here are some awful food combinations that are utterly vile and delicious to others. One question, why?

(Image credit: Cooking Light) 

Specific crisps 

There isn't much you can do with crisps, other than eating too many and then feeling extremely guilty afterwards. However, this one person has a little ritual. "I don't like biting crunchy foods, so I break it into small pieces before I begin eating. If I eat a bag of crisps I'll smash the bag before even opening it just to make sure I can grab one small piece at a time. Who wants to sit around holding half a crisp until they're ready for another bite? Not me, suckers." (Credit to Jaci Jarman via Facebook) 

Comfort food went wrong 

Soup, toast, GOOKIE DOUGH, ice cream, we're all partial to a lil' bit of comfort food. When we're ill and tired, we can do stupid things and Daphne Strasert from Facebook definitely went a bit too creative when it came to mixing foods. "I dip PB&J sandwiches in chicken noodle soup. I thought it was like grilled cheese and tomato soup. I didn't know it was weird until I got to college, but it's my go-to meal when I'm sick."

Got yourself into a pickle

I told you that pickles would make an appearance somewhere on this post. One habit someone got themselves into was biting the tops off the pickle and sticking the end of a fork in them to scrape out the insides and eating the empty 'shell'. So what happens to the insides?! Do they get thrown away? Heartbreaking.

Save the sandwich

Peanut butter and mashed potatoes are definitely foods from heaven. Together, however, is not so nice. Well, you guessed it, someone enjoys devouring peanut butter and mashed potato sandwiches. Apparently, it makes the peanut butter ever so gooey. Whatever floats your boat...

Do you have any crazy food combinations that are just wrong on so many levels? Let us know in the comments below! I mean, it can't be worse than these peanut butter dishes, can it?!

We've seen in previous blog posts that Gookie Dough tubs aren't just for storing your dough and then throwing them away. We love to encourage you cookie monsters to reuse and upcycle your tubs. Not only are they great for storage, you can make them into really useful pieces of equipment. Whether this is beauty, fashion or lifestyle related. Today, we're looking at how you can recycle your pots in the kitchen.  

Sweetie Storage 

If you want to make your kitchen shelves colourful with pretty sweets and chocolates then our tubs look perfect on your shelves. Due to the plastic being see-through, you can really use this to your advantage. In our case, we used lollipops in the monster tub of Gookie Dough. However, when it comes to the smaller tubs, perhaps fill them with smarties and dolly mixtures for a vibrant splash of colour. A true focal point.

Pasta Pots 

First of all, let's just take a moment to appreciate this colourful pasta. Yes, at first I thought it was flower petals or some strange cereal but it's so gorgeous! Instead of having packets shoved in the cupboard that are half open and left to go stale, using the Gookie Dough tub is so useful. The airtight pot allows food to stay fresh and is compact. No more ripped packets or disastrous spills. 

Coffee Corner 

Starbucks and Costa vibes are certainly present right now. Create a coffee corner in your kitchen which is perfect when you're in need of your caffeine boost. The use of coffee beans is becoming more common so why not turn your kitchen into a cafe. Another top tip is to keep the lid off if you're having guests around as the smell of coffee will linger through the air and get those nostrils sniffing in delight. You can thank us later for your morning fix. 

Cookie Cup 

What better way to make use of a Gookie Dough tub than to put cookies and biscuits into it as storage? Yes, that's right, your very own cookie jar courtesy of us. A cheaper way to store your yummy's compared to a jar from the shops. Not only that, but you're also saving the environment and doing some good for the planet. 

Secure tubs that you can reuse with hardware plastic and a secure lid. The best part? You're saving money along with the world. Have any more ideas on how to upcycle your tubs in the kitchen? Let us know in the comments below! 

So, there's a massive stigma when it comes to sugar being harmful to health. Sure, we know it can cause diseases if consumed at a high level and with sugar tax making its way into the UK, it could be beneficial for us all. 

(Image credit: ICE Cook School) 

The basics 

Sugar is a simple carbohydrate which is digested at a fast rate and causes a spike in blood glucose when consumed alone. Sugar shouldn't be feared, and it's as simple as that. Anything is dangerous; you could technically drink too much water and die (extreme, we know). We're quickly swayed into thinking things are healthier because they don't contain pure sugar. However, honey, fruits and other syrups contain high amounts of sugar so don't be brainwashed! 

However, we do need to pay attention to how much sugar is in our diet. We eat too much because it tastes good. Evolutionary means we seek out foods naturally high in sugars because energy and high sugar foods are cheaper. But sugar isn't toxic. 

Calorie consumption 

(Image credit: mumspantry.com.au) 

If we overeat sugar, it means we're consuming extra calories which suggest that weight gain will occur. If a diet consists of foods which are rich in sugar but you're under consuming on calories, then you will still lose weight, but the consequence is that you're malnourished. This again leads to health problems. 

Now, there's something called 'free sugars'. These include table sugar, golden syrup, treacle, agave syrup, coconut blossom syrup, unsweetened fruit juice and honey. These are sugars added by the manufacturer plus sugars which are present in honey etc. On the other hand, there are sugars we don't count as 'free'. These include lactose in milk and dairy products, natural sugars in fruit, vegetables and cereals or grains. The average adult eats 2000 calories a day which means that your intake of calories from free sugar should be no more than 100 calories a day. 

(Image credit: vivatesting.com) 

The conclusion

If you're an athlete, then sugar is very beneficial because it gives you more energy and can help to build muscle. But, don't stress it. If you want that Gookie Dough tub and have a balanced diet and won't sacrifice other vital nutrients, then indulge and don't feel guilty! 

*Article inspiration from Muscle Food* 

Ever eat that whole monster tub of Gookie Dough and feel the dreaded guilt? Want to eat healthily but know that your stomach feels differently. We all know the feeling, and it's a hard battle when you're built for comfort food, not rabbit food. However, these are a few foodie facts that might make you get up and pull yourself together (also, there's nothing wrong with eating a whole monster tub of Gookie Dough in moderation, of course).

Microwave Equals Good 

So, your Mum always lectured you about how you shouldn't reheat your food and you should cook from scratch. The inner student inside of you can finally prove her wrong. So, steaming vegetables in a microwave with a cup of water is a lot more beneficial than other cooking techniques as not as many nutrients are lost. 

We Love Leftovers 

Leading on from the microwave situation, it's proven that leftovers taste better. How? Because science says so, it's not all in your head after all! Chemical reactions take place when food is left in the fridge which means that new flavour molecules develop. The result? Extra deliciousness. 

Egg Yolks 

We love that yellow gooey goodness in the centre of our beloved egg. And guess what? The yolk of the egg contains all the vitamins and minerals which are vital for the body. Don't exclude your whites entirely because they're packed with protein. At the end of the day, just eat eggs! 

There are 10,000 different types of apple 

We don't know who's had the time to sit there and count every unique kind of apple, but it's a cool fact. Apples vary in size, shape, flavour and colour; some may be sweet while others can be a little more on the tart side. Either way, move over Golden Delicious.

Tomatoes 

Where do tomatoes grow? In a greenhouse. So why do we pop them in the fridge after they've ripened and we've just bought them from the supermarket? When tomatoes are put in cold temperatures, they lose their ability to fully develop their delicious flavour which is why they can appear bland.

Lemons are full of sugar

Lemonade is sweet, but we add tonnes of unnatural sugar or sweeteners into the process which is why it tastes so delicious. However, did you know that lemons contain way more sugar than a strawberry? The mind is blown! However, the reason we don't notice is that the high levels of citric acid counteract the sugar levels and make lemons super sour.

Spicy Foods Are The Way To A Prolonged Life

Say what? Some people would disagree and state that technically, too much spicy food is bad for us and in a way, we agree. But according to studies, eating one spicy dish daily can reduce the risk of death by 14%. This is due to bioactive ingredients that maintain healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Boom! 

Inspired to try out some more healthy dishes? Found some kitchen hacks and proof due to the magical knowledge of science? If you have any more foodie tips, then let us know in the comments below! 

You can bake without the baking. If you're not a fan of popping things in the oven because you're clumsy and end up ruining it all (like me), then this no-bake cheesecake is for you! There's something about cookie dough that everyone loves, licking the bowl clean after making a batch and realising you much prefer it raw rather than the end result. This is why we've brought to you Gookie Dough cheesecake which is a treat that you can totally indulge on. 

There is a layer of cookie dough under the cheesecake, cookie dough balls mixed throughout, and a pile of cookie dough balls on top. So sit down and pamper yourself. Don't forget that glass of milk and relive your childhood. 

Prep time 45 minutes, bake time, none!

You Will Need:

(For the crust) 

Three tablespoons of melted butter

300g of biscuits of your choice 

(For the cheesecake) 

A monster tub of Gookie Dough

Three packs of cream cheese

1 cup of heavy whipping cream

1 cup of icing sugar

One teaspoon of vanilla extract 

Instructions 

To make the crust, merely put the butter and biscuits in a food processor and mix until it is smooth and a ball-like formation has appeared. Press the crust into a 9-inch springform pan or a square pan. We recommend using the springform because it makes your life ten times easier!  

For the cheesecake, beat together the cream cheese, cream, sugar and vanilla extract until it has a fluffy texture, this should take about five minutes. 

Then, divide your Gookie Dough tub into three parts (we used the original flavour to get that traditional feel!). Roll one third into a circle which is the size of your pain and lay on top of the crust you've just made. Then roll the remaining dough into small balls. Stir half of these balls into the cheesecake and set the remaining in the fridge for the topping! 

Top with your cheesecake mixture and pop in the fridge to set. This should be for at least four hours. Afterwards, garnish your cheesecake with whipped cream and add the extra Gookie Dough balls. Use up within five days! 

The pictures speak for themselves. This recipe is truly delightful and is perfect for any event. Who says cheesecake has to be fancy or complicated? Try our red velvet Gookie Dough for a unique pink/red colour and be extra vibrant! Got a birthday? Funfetti cake batter is perfect, we all need sprinkles when it's our special day. Alternatively, go super indulgent with triple chocolate fudge. Oozing with gooey goodness! Remember always to check the date of your Gookie Dough tubs to ensure you have enough time to eat it all up! Waste not, want not and all that.