Easy Healthy Pasta Recipe: Zucchini Alfredo Pasta

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recipe by Saskia Gregson-Williams

Like my obsession with thick salad dressings, I am all for a creamy pasta sauce – which is why cheesy alfredo pasta was always one of my favourite Italian dishes growing up. I loved the creamy texture, and the comforting way it melts in your mouth. When I make any pasta dish this is always the most important aspect for me. This recipe for zuchinni pasta with an avocado alfredo sauce is a perfect raw, vegan alternative that knocks the socks of any dairy and wheat laden alfredo. It is outrageously creamy and delicious, unbelievably satisfying but leaves you feeling far lighter, fresher and filled with nutritious energy!

Zuchinni noodles are really filling, low in calories, high in nutrients and fairly bland in flavour, completely taking on the taste of the sauce, which makes them the best pasta alternative! I make them into noodles with a spiralizer (link below) or shred them into zucchini ‘fettucini’ with a peeler.

The avocado alfredo sauce is skin loving perfection, alkalising, bursting with omegas and full of fibre this sauce is nutritionally awesome!

SHOW US SOME SOCIAL LOVE: We love to see all your pictures, so remember to hashtag #hipandhealthy and show us your delicious recreations!

RECIPE

Ingredients:

2 zuchinnis

1/4 cup pomegranate

Healthy Alfredo sauce: 

1 avocado

1/4 cup coconut milk

juice 1 lemon

Italian side salad:

1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

two handfuls of rocket

drizzle of balsamic vinegar

Method: With a spiraliser (link below) spiral your zucchini into noodles. If you do not have a spiralizer and are desperate to make these, then peal the zuchinni into fettucini.

To make the sauce blend all ingredients together until smooth. Mix with the zuchinni and pomegranate.

Compile the salad, and plate.

Spiralizer link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spiralz-Vegetable-Spiralizer/dp/B003NXR086/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376041695&sr=8-1&keywords=spiralizer

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Looking for adult skin tips? We chat to skin expert Debbie Thomas about spot squeezing, fake tan and much more!

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 Everything you ever wanted to know about skincare but were too afraid to ask…

We talk to skin specialist, Debbie Thomas, about the woes of adult skin maintenance

Do you squeeze spots when you know you should’t? Are you sceptical that water really does help our skin? Do you find you ask yourself is fake tan doing me more harm then good? Then read on, as we quiz skincare expert, Debbie Thomas, on everything you ever wanted to know about looking after your skin but are too afraid to ask.

Is sunscreen really the best weapon for fighting ageing skin?
Yes, absolutely. Up to 80% of skin ageing is caused by UVA rays, so if you protect it from these harmful rays, you will be doing the best thing for your skin to keep it youthful looking. It’s also the easiest thing to do.

Does fake tan clog our pores?
If used occasionally they tend not to be a problem, but with constant use and incorrect cleansing & exfoliating, sometimes people can get more black heads and bumpy skin. I advise my clients who use fake tan regularly to double cleanse and exfoliate regularly or use a cleanser with acids to properly remove dead skin that can lead to clogged pores.

Are fake tans actually bad for you because of the chemicals in them?
As with all things the newer tans are better formulated so much kinder to our skins, but I personally wouldn’t continuously layer tan on top of tan without some break time. To allow the skin time to regenerate and breath between applications. The main concerns of fake tans centre around spray tans when you do potentially inhale the tan. On the skin the tan can not penetrate in to the blood stream but if breathed in it can line the lungs and enter the blood stream.

Are natural treatments any good at harnessing results?
Yes, nature actually has some very powerful ingredients. However, sometimes very natural products can irritate the skin because of how they are formulated. People think natural equals kind-to-skin, but this isn’t always the case. I personally think for treatments you want the products used within them to strengthen and desensitise the skin and these products need to contain targeted and active ingredients, whether they are ‘natural’ or not.

Do chemical peals have a lasting effect on the skin?
It does depend on the strength of the peel but for the more common mild AHA or BHA peels, a one off treatment would only give a 2-5 week boost before the next skin cycle produces more dead skin cells on the skin which need sloughing off

Is it ok to squeeze spots? 
Only if done correctly which many people don’t do. Most of the time not all the infection is removed causing the spot to keep flaring up, or more commonly spots are over squeezed then picked leaving scabs and ultimately long lasting marks or even scars. I would advise leaving it to your skin care professional.

Does skin scar more easily as you get older?
Our skin definitely doesn’t heal as well, due to the regeneration of the skin slowing down.

What should you do after you squeeze a spot to minimise scarring?  
Use tissue covered fingers to gently push down under the spot and wiggle to encourage any infection to come out, don’t push too hard, if not all out leave for 2-3 mins then try again. Once the pore is empty you must let it heal, do not pick, if there is a scab, picking it disrupts the natural healing process.

Does drinking lots of water really help our skin?
Yes. It helps to keep it hydrated and it will help flush out toxins and eliminate the dirt that clogs the pores of your skin

Which supplements will actually make our skin clearer? Do they even make a difference? 
The healthier we are on the inside the better the skin will look. The best supplements for skin are vitamin C, zinc and omega oils.

Vitamin C – boosts collagen production to keep skin looking youthful

Zinc – controls the production of oil in the skin

Omega oils – these fatty acids can help reduce inflammatory skin conditions and there has been some recent studies claiming that fish oils can boost the skins immunity to sunlight, therefore guarding against sun-light induced suppression of the immune system.

How do celebrities have such glowing skin? 
Some are naturally this way because of genetics but many do have access to some of the best skin treatments, nutritionists, personal trainers, products and make-up artists in the world. Keeping them and their skin healthy and looking its best. So they are very lucky!

What are your five must have skin products?
SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF serum, SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Cleansing Gel, La Roche Posay Tinted Anthelios XL cream SPF 50, Valmonts Renewing Pack and Valmonts AWF factor 1 eye gel.

For more information on Debbie visit www.debbiethomas.co.uk

New Yummy Mummy Heaven: Mermaid Maternity Retreat

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 New Yummy Mummy Heaven: Mermaid Maternity Retreat

We check out a world built for new mummies; the Mermaid Maternity Retreat on London’s King’s Road has left no stone unturned

 

 

Workshops

Expectant-Yummy Mummies all over London rejoiced when Mermaid Maternity Retreat opened its doors this month on Chelsea’s King’s Road. The first of it’s kind in London, Mermaid is a non-medical maternity retreat designed to support new mothers and pregnant women throughout their pregnancies and once the baby has been born. With everything from luxury accommodation to complimentary therapy, exercise to mummy/baby workshops – Mermaid is a one-stop-uber-luxe-shop for all things maternity.

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Six years in the making, the founder and CEO, Nick Balfour is certainly no stranger to babies. Having had four gorgeous girls of his own, he got the idea for the retreat whilst in the delivery room of his third realising that there needed to be a space where new mothers can feel completely safe and supported throughout their pregnancy and the moments after the birth of their child. “We aim to bridge the gap between hospital and home, by giving [new mothers] the skills and nurturing to help you embrace your new responsibility with confidence” says Nick.

Their biggest USP? Apart from being the only place like this of it’s kind, they have managed to gather together the creme de la creme in holistic, maternity-focussed, experts. Everyone from nutrition queen, Vicki Edgson and well-known midwife Vicky Scott to fertility expert acupuncturist Emma Cannon and trainer to the stars Jonny Sayle are on hand to help expectant and new mothers throughout this major transition, both mentally and physically. With everything from pregnancy yoga and Pilates to baby massage and dynamic workout class activeMUM, Mermaid is a Hip & Healthy mummy and baby dream come true.

Visit http://mermaid.co.uk for more information.

 

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The History of Diets: What Diet is Best For Us?

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The History of Diets: What Diet is Best For Us?

words by Helen Carr

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We’ve all heard of the Paleo or ‘Caveman’ diet, which is proven to help us lose weight by taking things back to basics and eating like our ancestors. It is certainly true that we could learn a thing or two from the way people used to eat as two hundred, to two thousand years ago, people were living and eating preservative, additive and fairly sugar free!

Today we are sold by slogans and we’re after something quick and easy. We’re so easily duped by packaged goods calling themselves ‘healthy’ but are usually stuffed full of sugar, salt and preservatives. Sadly, even now when we think we are being healthy by eating a bowl of strawberries, unless organic we’re also eating the chemicals they’ve been sprayed with. Before food could be preserved people were eating freshly grown fruit and vegetables and their animals were grass fed.

So the questions are, what were our ancestors’ diets really like, who were the healthiest, and could eating like them make us much healthier and happier? We review the diets of the past with an nutritionist, Hayley Stafford-Smith’s, opinion of whom we should try to imitate.

The Mayans

We all love chia seeds. They have eight times more the Omega 3 content than salmon, seven times more vitamin c than an orange and are without doubt one of the top recently declared super-foods. The Mayans used to trade this little seed with the same value as money and it was a staple in the Aztec and Mayan diet. Aztec warriors used Chia as their main source of fuel during conquests and medicinally, they also used it to relieve joint pain and stimulate saliva. The Mayans were also the forbearers of some of our favourite health foods such as cacao, making chocolate which became a favourite drink of the upper classes. Meat was eaten infrequently but was replaced with a lot of maize, made into tortillas. They also ate a lot of chilli which is full of anti-oxidants, iron and magnesium, beans, potassium rich bananas and honey.

Hayley Says: This diet is rich in anti-oxidants and vegetable protein and low in sugar.  Not only does the chilli pepper release endorphins and promote cardio-vascular health but it is also a powerful aphrodisiac!  One potential negative, however, is the lack of animal protein. Fish and poultry would be a good addition.

The Ancient Greeks

We all think of the Grecian diet as a healthy one, the typical Mediterranean feast of olives, salad, and fresh fish, and of course sunshine. The ancient Greeks certainly had a similar diet, that is, if they could afford it. The common folk in cities could rarely afford fresh fruit and vegetables which were extremely expensive, they had to make do with dried. The main foods consumed were bread made from barley, figs, pomegranates and nuts as well as chickpeas. Most people would eat birds and rabbits, sardines and anchovies and the wealthier citizens would dine on meat such as goat, lamb and beef. The island dwellers would have the luxury of seafood. The ancient Greeks are known for their athletes and the philosopher Pythagoras was the first to direct athletes into eating meat, with the idea that to eat beef would mean to be as strong as an ox!

Hayley Says: The lack of fresh fruit and vegetables in the diet of a poor ancient Greek would have led to reduced vitality, a weakened immune system, low mood and scurvy.  Fresh fruit and vegetables are the richest sources of vitamins and have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects; beneficial to both short and long term health Tomatoes are a great source of lycopene which would have protected the skin of richer Greeks from the sun. The island dwellers were lucky in that they had easy access to fresh fish; an ideal source of animal protein and rich in vitamins, minerals, omega 3 fatty acids and, in the case of shell fish, selenium which has cancer-fighting properties.  

The Tudors

Henry VIII was never famous for his slim waistline and by accounts of the court diet, it is certainly clear why! The Tudors were of the opinion that vegetables were for the poor and fresh fruit gave people digestive problems causing it to be banned in 1569! The Royal deserts were made with sugar which was rare and expensive leading to the upper classes suffering from tooth decay. The favourite food of the court were meat pies made with refined flour, along with delicacies such as beaver tail. The court would throw lavish feasts making a spectacle of the meal, often serving pies containing live animals that would burst out when it was cut. The Tudors also knew how to drink, famously putting away 600,000 gallons of ale a year in Hampton Court Palace alone! The decadence of the Tudor diet inevitably lead to serious ailments such as gout and scurvy. Scurvy became known as ‘the disease of London’ due to the courts consumption of such rich food.

Hayley Says: Large amounts of animal protein, animal fat, refined sugar, alcohol and salt make this diet highly fattening, acidic, dehydrating and quite quickly fatal. Their insides would have looked like a sink drain clogged with lard!

The Victorians 

The Victorian diet brings back memories of Oliver Twist and the infamous gruel served to the orphans in the workhouse. This stereotype leads us to believe the Victorians were under nourished when in actual fact the working class Victorians had a much healthier diet than originally thought.

The Victorian diet was largely plant based. Today we are told we should be consuming 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day but the Victorians were eating around eight! All seasonal and all organic. Favourites consisted of potatoes, artichokes and carotene rich carrots with staple foods such as beetroot, watercress and cabbage. The summer months brought fresh lettuce, radishes, peas, beans and delicious summer fruits like vitamin c rich strawberries. Not only did they eat a full diet of fruit and vegetables, they also enjoyed highly nutritious omega-3 rich oily fish such as herrings, oysters, mussels and cod and delicious but expensive brazil nuts and almonds as a Christmas treat. Families would often keep a hen in the garden to supply them with eggs, a fantastic source of protein and would keep their salt and sugar intake at a minimum. In contrast to our over indulgent lifestyle, the Victorians would stretch out their rations, often cooking a joint of meat for the family to consume throughout the week.

Hayley Says: The positives here are the large quantities of organic fruit and vegetables which were locally sourced, seasonal and fresh therefore containing high levels of vitamins and antioxidants.   Today we live in a time of 365 fruit and vegetable supply but actually eating seasonally and in accordance with nature has huge health benefits.  Non-seasonal foods require bending of nature’s rules in order for them to survive the improper season in which they are brought into the world. By eating freshly harvested produce the Victorian would have rotated their foods thereby keeping their bodies from developing intolerances to certain foods and reaping the health benefits of a diet that is diverse and naturally detoxifying.  

The Verdict:

Take the chia seeds and chilli from the Mayans, the olives, olive oil and fresh fish from the island dwelling Greeks and the seasonal fruit and vegetables and occasional joint of meat from the Victorians, you have a full and nutrient rich diet. The Tudors can forget it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tudor diet:

Victorian diet:

Ancient Greeks:

 

If you only do one thing this week… Try Matcha Tea

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 words by Molly Jennings

We all know the amazing benefits of green tea, but lets talk Matcha! Matcha tea has been consumed in Japan for almost 900 years. Buddhist monks drink it to keep them focused and awake during long days of meditation. It’s now made its way to the UK and can be found in lots of health food shops and even smoothie bars! Matcha is grown under a shaded environment. By cutting out sunlight, the leaf retains more amino acids and results in a leaf rich in chlorophyll, which is what gives it a vibrant green colour.

What’s the difference between Green tea and Matcha tea?
It’s all in the brewing! You make green tea by soaking the leaves in water and then throwing them away, with the infused, light green water left behind. Matcha leaves are actually ground up in to a fine powder, which you whisk together with hot water. This means you are essentially drinking the whole leaf.

Benefits of drinking Matcha tea
Because you are ingesting the whole leaf, the concentration of the tea is a lot stronger than green tea. This is why it’s so awesome… it contains 130 times more antioxidants than green tea! It’s also a great support for the immune system which is why so many people drink it when they are unwell. Matcha contains two important amino acids called Theophylline and L-theanine. The reason why they are so important is because they work together with the naturally occurring caffeine to give you sustained energy for up to 6 hours. No crazy energy spurts and no zombie crashes either! It’s also great for your skin as it contains something called polyphenols, yes folks, we’re getting technical.  These polyphenols inhibit UV radiation-induced skin damage, which will help keep your skin looking young and fresh!

How do I eat it?
This is the fun part! Because it comes in a powdered form you can mix/put it in anything you fancy!

Traditional – Put 1/2 teaspoon of Matcha in a bowl, gradually add some boiled water and whisk until it forms a smooth texture. Transfer to your favourite mug and sip away!

Smoothie – Add 1/2 teaspoon to any combination you like! I like to mix it with strawberries, spinach, banana, flaxseed and a splash of almond/oat milk.

Baking – you don’t have to get your daily matcha fix by drinking it! I like to throw in 1/2 teaspoon of matcha in to my gluten and sugar free pancakes for a delicious breakfast boost!

Where can I buy it?
You can get it from most health food stores, and even supermarkets have started to sell it. We like to get ours from Clearspring, because their organic premium Matcha comes from Uji, a region high in the hills around Kyoto, renowned for producing the best Japanese teas.

 

 

 

 

 

Mango Smoothie with Superfood Topping

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recipe by Saskia Gregson-Williams

Do you ever have those days, when you are not sure what exactly you are craving? I do, almost every morning. Smoothies are one of my favourite breakfasts, they’re super easy, quick and nutritious. With so many sweet, creamy, thick and fruity blends I’m always a little indecisive as to what to throw into my blender each morning. Almost all fruit tastes amazing together, but there is something extra special about this mango smoothie. The combination of mango, frozen banana and orange is to die for. The frozen banana makes this smoothie taste like melted ice cream, so sweet and refreshing. Of course this smoothie is totally delicious by itself, but if you want to amp up the super-food status of it then add this suggested blueberry topping too, which is not only amazing for your health, it compliments the sweetness of the mango blend perfectly. Really quick to make, you’ll be on a health high in no time.

Makes 1-2 smoothies

The Mango smoothie:

1 mango

1 frozen banana

Juice of 1 orange

Blueberry superfood smoothie topping:

1/2 cup blueberries

1 tbsp Chia seeds

1 tbsp ground flaxseeds

1 tbsp goji berries (soaked)

**Optional:  1-3 tbsp dairy free milk/ coconut water/ fresh orange juice

Method: Blend each layer, starting with the mango smoothie. Layer as in the picture.

Serve with a spoon for maximum enjoyment!

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Perfect Weekend Food: Healthy Cauliflower Pizza Recipe

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recipe by Saskia Gregson-Williams

Who doesn’t love pizza? It is one internationally loved meal, but healthy it is not… well, not until now.

I am all for sneaking in as many vegetables as possible in my meals: spinach in smoothies, zuchinni in muffins… you get the picture! So it only figures that this pizza is made with an incredibly delicious cauliflower-almond crust; gluten-, wheat-, dairy- and grain-free.

I love my pizza crusts, doughy in the center, not like a crunchy cracker (which is very common with gluten free baking). This crust fits the bill, it’s perfectly crispy on the outside with a doughy consistency in the middle. Topped with the most divinely sweet sun-dried tomato sauce, and delicious sauteed veggies. Really simple to make, these mini pizzas are the perfect one sized portion and go down a treat!

Remember to hashtag #hipandhealthy on Instagram and twitter so we can see all your awesome recreations! Happy Pizza making!

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Mini Caulliflower Pizza

Makes 2-4

Base

1 cauliflower

3/4 cup ground almonds

2 tbs flax + 6 tbsp water

Sun dried tomato pesto sauce

1 cup sundried tomatoes

1 tbsp olive oil

2 plum tomatoes

1 handful basil

1/2 cube garlic

Toppings

2 mixed peppers

1/2 large red onion

1 punnet mushrooms

1/2 cup olives

4 tbsp pinenuts

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For the crust
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Chop the cauliflower and pulse the flourettes in a food processor. Process until it resembles a rice like consistency, do not process for too long or it will turn into a puree. In a small bowl mix together the flax, and water, leave to sit for 5 minutes until it turns into an eggy texture. In a mixing bowl mix together the almond flour, cauliflower and flax “eggs”. The mixture will be wet, but easy to handle, if you need to add more almond flour do. Knead the dough and press onto a pizza stone or baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Mould the dough into 4 small pizzas. Spread the mixture to be less than 1/4 an inch thick, making sure the dough stays together. Bake the pizza crust for 30-35 minutes, or until crispy, and cooked through.

For the sauce: Simply blend until smooth.

For the topping: Sautee the red onion, peppers and mushrooms in a little olive oil until soft. Toast the pinenuts and halve the olives if you wish.

To compile generously spread the tomato sauce, top with sautee’d vegetables, olives and scatter with pinenuts.

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The Long-Lasting Deodorant: Sure, It Can Handle Anything

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The Long-Lasting Deodorant:
Sure, It Can Handle Anything

words by Sadie Macleod

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It is official. We have never been busier. International stress statistics have reached an all time high and we continue to try and fit more and more into our already jam-packed lives. And if you are active, like me, then you’ll probably find that when you are busy rushing around from A to B, the last thing you want to worry about is sweat patches!

Now, you know me, I like my food and my beauty products to be natural, but eau de natural when I’m just about to walk into an important meeting is not something even I want to risk! Which is why I was delighted to discover the new Sure for Women Maximum Protection deodorant.

Available in four different scents, including a new one Everyday Fresh, Sure Maximum Protection offers twice the protection against sweat then many leading antiperspirants. Not only will it keep you fresh and dry for the whole day, but it will also protect you the following day too, yes folks – that is a full 48 hours! Slowly becoming our ultimate summer festival must-have, the deodorant also has skin conditioning ingredients so it won’t irritate your skin either!

I have decided to really put the deodorant through its paces and test it on a shoot that we have coming up next week. Shoots are always super stressful, and this one is a recipe shoot, which means spending lots of time in a hot kitchen and running in and out trying to calmly balance three freshly made smoothies on a tray that has been set up by the Stylist with the Food Editor reminding me that we still have 14 more dishes to shoot and we only have a couple of hours left in the studio. And did I mention that i’ll ride my bike there and back – the biggest sweat test of them all – negotiating London commuter traffic on a slow but lovely two-wheeler push bike! If I turn up at the shoot without looking like I swam there, then I will be more than impressed.

Sure Maximum Protection is £5.10 for 45 ml. For further information visit www.suredeodorant.co.uk

How would H&H Editor, Sadie, spend £20,000 in the National Lottery?

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How would H&H Editor, Sadie, spend £20,000 in the National Lottery?

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What a question! But a fun one to answer. We have all dreamt up at some point or another, what we would spend our lottery winnings on. Cliche things like a holiday or a new car instantly pop into my mind, those thoughts are then converted to incredibly sensible, un-sadie thoughts like perhaps I should invest the cash (this is really my husband speaking, not me). But if I think about it, I mean really think about it, what would I actually spend £20,000 on? You only live once after all – so why not spend it doing the things you love most in the world.

But first, why am I even giving such an unlikely situation such thought? Perhaps, because it just became a lot more likely since The National Lottery announced their new Lotto Game, which means that more players have way more of a chance of winning prizes. Players will not only have the chance to win one of 1,000 guaranteed £20,000 prizes but there is also a £10 million jackpot to be won two Saturdays in a row! Launching on October 5th (my husband’s birthday – is this a sign!), The New Lotto will cost £2 a line and winners will get bigger prizes for matching three numbers and larger jackpots! And when you buy a lottery ticket there will be a unique raffle number on each one that enters you in to win one of 50 guaranteed prizes of 20,000…

So, lets get back to that very important question! How would I spend the money…

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On a New Workout Wardrobe
Some might say that I have something of a sportswear fetish. I spend most of my day either trialling new fitness classes, going to gyms, at exercise events and doing workouts of my own and I like to look good doing it! Brands like Lucas Hugh, Splits 59, Stella for adidas, HPE and Lululemon all have fitness gear that could make me do some serious damage with my credit card.

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A Week At Parrot Cay
I went here on my honeymoon and it is honestly the most amazing place I have ever stayed. Not only is it set on the most beautiful island, which you have almost entirely to yourself but it’s spa is totally out of this world. Think massages whilst overlooking spectacular rainforest scenery, meditation to the hypnotic sound of rustling leaves and bird song and yoga studios that are cooled by the island’s gentle breeze.

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Some Peter Tunney Artwork
I love Peter Tunney’s work. My husband and I discovered his art whilst in New York as we were staying a stone’s throw away from his gallery. We were lucky enough to actually meet Peter, who was as crazy as he was brilliant. A real inspiration. We so nearly bought the piece above. And I am certain that one day we will. Peter said that the two ‘Ts’ in ‘Gratitude’ are not a mistake – he is just putting some attitude in gratitude. Which he certainly does.

This post is sponsored by Camelot/The National Lottery

How to be Healthy in Marrakech

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72 hip & healthy hours in Marrakech,words and photography by Lee Osborne

If you hanker for a touch of the exotic in a short break, there is nowhere better, or closer than the red city, a place that intrinsically blends elements of the indigenous Berber with a pop of French joie de vivre. What’s more, there is no time difference. In just over 3 hours, you’ll trade dull grey for rich ochre.

Do as John Paul Getty and his model wife Talitha did back in the swinging 60s (gloriously captured in Patrick Lichfield’s iconic shot at the bottom of this post), come here, pull on a cooling cotton djeballa (Morocco’s answer to the onesie, preferably from Mustapha Blaoui, 142-144 Bab Doukkala, to shield you from the relenting heat, slip in to a pair of baby soft babouche slippers, de-rigeur in these parts, and escape your everyday distractions.

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You will of course feel impassioned to plunder the souks and hoover up everything from an embellished brass Arabian horse to a miniature hubble-bubble pipe to accessorise your home, and it would be rude not to. But once you’ve ticked that particular box, be safe in the knowledge that you can seek sanctuary back at your hotel and recharge the batteries. Do as we did, and you will leave the personification of adroitness.

Day 1

12:00 Arrive Marrakech-Menara airport, architecturally, one of the most beautiful, natural light-infused terminals around. Your private limousine will whisk you to Mosaic Palais Aziza & Spa, Mejjat 3/38, Cercle Ennakhil, Commune J’Nanate, Marrakech, BP 7212, Sidi Abbad, www.mosaicpalaisaziza.com, in the northerly suburb of La Palmeraie, best described as one giant homage to the palm tree and playground of Arab princes, in under 20-minutes. The airport is one of the closest to any city centre you are likely to encounter anywhere, so you don’t have to needlessly leave hours before you depart, allowing more pool time.

Lunch: Lunch at Mosaic Palais Aziza is taken al fresco under the pergola, barring the odd snowflake or two in winter, all year round (rather cleverly everything at Mosaic is designed specifically to always be in eye shot of the pool).

Mosaic is the brainchild of the charming and ever hospitable CEO Karim El Ghazzawi, who wasted little time in installing Daniele Turco, whom he had worked with in Italy, as Executive Chef in his new property. The Italian has devised a scrumptious menu of light bites that will not lie heavy once you return to the horizontal position by the pool. Feast on delicious salade niçoise, quite possibly the tastiest I’ve had outside France. The mint gazpacho is an explosion of flavour in the mouth that’s both cooling and thirst quenching at the same time. The grilled red snapper and daurade (gilt-head bream) were exquisite, accompanied by lovingly tendered salads dotted with simple olive oil vinaigrette made from olives freshly picked from the estate. Domaine de Sahari is the house white, and was an inexpensive, light and fruity personal favourite to wash it all down.

15:00 It’s advisable not to go full pelt in to the souks as soon as you arrive. Take a deep breath and at the very least allow time for the delicious welcome drink to settle. The souk is not going anywhere. While away the afternoon by the pool and acclimatise yourself with the surroundings. Another Karim, the charming perma-smiled bartender with a glint in his eye will ensure your water levels are regularly replenished. Mosaic is an adjunct to the frenetic pace of the souk, 20 minutes away from the Medina, and it feels like it. If the Slow Food movement did hotels, they would be just like this. As if to remind you of the need to take your foot off the gas, a proliferation of delightful tortoises roam the property.

19:00 For the most authentic dining experience in town, ask the hotel concierge to ring ahead and reserve you a table at a true Moroccan institution: Al Fassia Guéliz, 55 Boulevard Zerktouni, Guéliz, Marrakech +212 2443 4060,  beloved of locals, always a good sign, and now so successful they have opened another branch – run by an all women team that consistently tops the city’s best restaurant lists. You are seated on plush burgundy velour, cushion-strewn banquettes which face inwards towards the action, so great for people watching and the white robed waitresses masterfully juggling tagines. Opt as we did for the legendary chicken or pigeon pastilla, and the succulent roast lamb tagine. Moroccan winemaking has come on leaps and bounds since those dark days of undrinkable tannic reds, so be unafraid to go native with your wine selection – a refined Médaillon by Domaine des Ouled Thaleb, whose winemaker perfected his skills in Bordeaux no less, is a perfect match for the lamb.

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Day 2

09:00 After a reviving breakfast of granola with poppy seeds, plentiful dates and fresh raspberries washed down with delicious freshly squeezed orange juice (far less sweet than we are accustomed to back home), your private air-conditioned Range Rover is ready and waiting to whisk you straight to the Souk. The term Souk simply refers to the commercial quarters of any Arabic city, specifically the weekly markets which began centuries ago when merchants in caravans would travel through towns displaying their wares.

Arm yourself with a bottle of Evian and if you stick to the principle of short bursts in the souk then you won’t run the risk of undoing all the poolside r&r you’ve already enjoyed. The secret to, pardon the pun, ‘soukcess’ is not to let the hucksters in the medina intimidate you. Don’t be afraid to be firm and tell them you are just browsing and they should refrain. You want to be aiming for at least half of the initial price they quote you. They will of course give you the impression you have almost bankrupted them in the process, but it’s all part of their vast sales patter.

The souk can be draining, but beautiful in equal measure and is particularly photogenic when sunlight filters through its slatted roof, rendering a beautiful striped dappled light on everything beneath. So make sure you have your instamatic to hand to capture some fab street scenes.

Great rest stops along the way include Café des Epices, 75 Rahba Lakdima, Marrakech Medina 40000,
+212 524 391 770, www.cafedespices.ma whose shady roof terrace you can sit with a mint tea and gaze down at punters haggling for elaborately coloured carpets below. Alternatively, watch the resident storks come home to roost from the terrace of the Kosy Bar, 47, Place des Ferblantiersa, a cool, Ibiza-esque chillout bar that has a very welcome cooling water mist sprinkling system installed.

15:00 A visit to a traditional Berber Pharmacy is a welcome distraction from the frenetic pace of the souk and should not be missed (it is usually included as part of the itinerary if you have hired a local guide). It’s a real insight in to what big business the pharmaceutical companies have made out of traditional remedies as they are just branded versions of what’s available here. These pharmacies, embedded into back streets of the souk, are equivocal to walking in to a ‘Ye Olde’ sweet shop back home, with row upon row of glass jars containing an eclectic manner of remedies from birds claws to semi precious rocks, any of which will happily be opened for you to sample. The knowledge of the staff is impressive, you name it, they have the natural remedy for it, be it for the common cold (a small muslin bag of cumin seeds inhaled in to each nostril), argan oil to erase wrinkles and a Berber version of deep heat which is massaged in to the shoulders of anyone willing to volunteer. We left clutching a handful of a small dried plant, known locally as the Berber toothbrush, which applied to your teeth is a natural version of Colgate.

But don’t just leave it that. H&H recommends stocking up on Argan oil. Argan is a rare, UNESCO-protected Moroccan fruit that has been used by Berber women for centuries and has now found fame in Hollywood with sirens Eva Mendes and Katy Perry labelling it their secret to radiant skin. The vitamin-E rich oil extracted from the fruit relieves the effects of patchy skin and can be also applied to hair to boost lacklustre locks. It is crammed full of fatty acids making it one of nature’s most effective moisturisers. And foodies should not miss the opportunity of buying jasmine in bulk here as it is much cheaper than back home, and so light it will not even tip the scales of your easyjet baggage allowance.

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Marrakech perhaps doesn’t strike you as a healthy foodie location, but nutrient-rich food abounds on every corner. Whether it’s a pop up stall in the souk serving up refreshing cinnamon-sprinkled orange segments, or a beautifully ornate Safi bowl brimming with lemon-infused wild rice in the opulent La Mamounia. Couscous, pomegranate, apricots, almonds, pistachios, fresh herbs and spices are all staples in here.

20:00 Ditch the djeballa in favour of a LBD, and have pre-dinner gin and tonics on the roof terrace of Dar Fakir,16 Derb Abou El Fadail, Kennaria, Medina +212 5 24 44 11 00, www.darfakir.co.uk; a swanky boutique riad whose dandy fez-bedecked waiters whizz about dispensing drinks with aplomb. The term ‘Riad’, to those unaccustomed, is simply a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an interior garden or courtyard, always accessed via a largely unassuming front door, designed specifically not to externally reveal the disposition of the occupants as rich and poor live side by side in the Medina.

Take in the view across the illuminated rooftops of the Kennaria neighbourhood and absorb the cacophony and smoke emanating from the medina, then ask a member of staff to escort you to Restaurant Le Salama, 40 Rue Des Banques, Jemaa El Fna , +212 524 391 300, lesalama.com. The walk back is three minutes at most, but beware, the maze of sinuous alleys can easily disorientate. This opulent Moroccan den of iniquity, its walls awash with intrinsic shadows cast from its stunning collection of Moroccan lanterns, is a mere hop and a jump from Place Jemâa El Fna. It serves traditional Moroccan cuisine in surrounds that leave you feeling as though you’ve been transported in to a scene of Casablanca. It’s all very starry starry night and if you’re lucky you’ll make out the Atlas Mountains twinkling on the horizon. The restaurant staff will even escort you back across the square to locate a taxi back to The Palmeraie and not linger for a tip.

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Day 3

10:00 If you haven’t already had a spa treatment, what were you thinking? The cavernous basement of the Mosaic Palais Aziza plays host to a divine spa, which is accessed via a rhapsody of muslin drapery and colourful Moroccan cube lamps that beautifully shadow cast your footsteps. First of all, indulge in a hammam, a concept that dates back to early Roman times. Hamams functioned as places of entertainment, arguably a precursor to the modern day café or bar, in a closed society where Islamic rules dictated social life. Groups of women and men would congregate in the hamam for pre-marital pampering and celebration.

The modern day ritual commences by relaxing in the warm room where a continuous flow of hot, dry air allows you to perspire freely. After a while you move to the hot room before splashing cold water all over your body to promote good circulation. This is followed by a full  body wash and scrub, culminating in a relaxing mandarin oil massage using local ‘Les Sens de Marrakech’ products. Finally, fluffy robed and slippered, you retire to the cooling-room where you’re serenaded by the Lute player or temporarily tattooed by a henna artist as you sip a celebratory glass of bubbles.

12:00 To round off your trip, hop in a cab and head to the new town distrct of Guéliz, an area far removed from the souks and much like any commercial district in any large European city, where branches of Zara and La Senza rub shoulders with pavement cafes and multiplex cinemas. More authentic however, and sedate is Rue de la Liberté, where, unlike the souk, fixed-price boutiques neighbour chic art galleries, hip cafés and restaurants.

Grand Café de la Poste, Blvd el-Mansour Eddahbi, has long been the go to place for lunch in this neighbourhood, but newly-opened Kechmara, 3 rue de la Liberté, +212 524 42 25 32, is a cool Gallo-Maroc hangout well worth checking out. Its menu is laid out in a tapas style, brimming with delicious lamb burgers, pasta dishes and green salads if you’ve OD’d on the tagines.

Check out Studio Lalla next door, 5 rue de la Liberté, +212 661 477 228, brainchild of Laetitia Trouillet who transferred her fashion business here from Bordeaux. Trouillet’s services for personal shopping are also highly sought after, having navigated the likes of Gwynnie and SJP around the souk. Lalla is a treasure trove of beautiful handbags and stylish vintage finds. By appointment

15:00 A homage to Jardin Majorelle, Rue Yves Saint Laurent  Marrakesh, +212 5243-13047, www.jardinmajorelle.com, a delightful 12-acre botanical, landscaped garden, is an absolute must while you’re in this part of town. To miss it would be sacrosanct. In 1924 the French painter Jacques Majorelle constructed this, his largest art work, before filling it with a lifetimes collection of exotic trees, went about painting large swathes of the garden walls, fountains, features and villa a very intense shade of cobalt blue which he’d discovered in use in Moroccan tiles and in Berber homes. So eye catching was the result that he trademarked the name ‘Majorelle Blue’, and it remains on many peoples’ shopping lists when they are in the city to try and recreate the effect back home, although the light just does not compare. Saint Laurent have even produced a No.18 Bleu Majorelle shade of nail varnish in his honour.

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When Majorelle passed away, the site was due to be replaced by a hotel complex, but was saved from the bulldozers for the good of the world by Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé in 1980.

Wander at leisure under lofty palms and spikey cacti that rise with haute couture elegance, past myriad exotic plants and flashes of brilliant blue and shimmering yellow ceramic (which have to be seen to be believed) dazzle through giant swathes of bamboo. Feint trickles of water and bird song permeate a water lily scene reminiscent of Monet’s garden at Giverny

Indeed, the gardens’ official website sums it all up rather well when it says “offering a magic stroll near, and yet so far from the bustling city, sheltered from time by high earthen walls”.

St Laurent’s ashes were scattered here after his death in 2008; he is remembered, some might say rather unmemorably by a monolith of Carrera marble in a quiet corner of the garden. Other artefacts of his are housed inside the Musée Berbère and a fascinating assembly of his graphic art posters, all depicting New Year declarations of Love, are unforgettable.

As you make your way out, you will notice a row of funky shops just across the road, highlight of which is a great little concept store called Majorelle 33, 33 rue Yves Saint Laurent, +212 5243-14195, www.33ruemajorelle.com which is perfect for last minute gifts before you board your flight back home. Just one word of advice. Make sure you don’t visit Guéliz on a Sunday, it’s like a ghost town and nigh on everything is closed.

Easyjet flies London Gatwick to Marrakech, www.easyjet.com

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Scrub Up For Summer With Our Top Summer Time Treatments

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Whether you’re off on holiday or basking in the British sunshine – summer calls for a serious body overhaul. These top treatments will prep you to perfection and leave you ready to hit the beach looking your very best, says Frankie Rozwadowska

The Super Scrub: Neom ‘Top to Toe’ Treatment at the Titanic Spa
Exclusive to the UK’s first eco spa – The Titanic Spa – is the new and exclusive Neom Top to Toe Organic Indulgence treatment, a sure-fire way to sort your skin before it sees the sun. Starting with an invigorating full body scrub, dead skin cells are buffed away to reveal new, glowing skin – the perfect base for an even, longer-lasting tan.  Now the clever folk at Neom and The Titanic have skipped the shower step (because let’s be honest, who wants to have to move whilst enjoying a treatment) and instead the scrub is wiped away with hot towels before you melt away with a blissful, relaxing massage. Depending on your mood, one of the Titanic Spa’s essential oils is used to soothe skin, deeply nourish and moisturise – leaving you glowing from the inside out. You can then retire to your enormous eco-apartment housed in an old Yorkshire mill, make use of the Heat Experiences or chill-out in the relaxation room on a giant beanbag and dream of the beach. Bliss. Neom Top To Toe Treatment – 1hr25mins, £89 | www.titanicspa.com

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The Wax: Groom
Give some loving to your lady garden with a wax at Groom. From a basic bikini to a hairless Hollywood, there’s something for everyone. In their light and airy St Christopher’s Place salon, you’ll be cocooned in your own wax booth where your waxer whizzes through your treatment in record time without compromising on results. Recognising that we women lead busy lives, they have perfected the art of fast, flawless waxes. Using specially formulated hot wax, it’s quick, easy, and virtually pain free, leaving you soft and silky with no sticky residue. They also give you a minute alone after your treatment to conduct a ‘wax check’ – a moment of privacy to make sure you are completely happy with the results. And trust me, you will be. Brazilian Wax – £50, 30mins | www.groomlondon.com

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The Cellulite Buster: Aromatherapy Associates Body Refiner Treatment
Once you’ve stepped into your treatment room at the Aromatherapy Associates boutique in Knightsbridge, I can guarantee you will not want to leave. Ever. There’s fresh homemade lemonade, mini macaroons, and your treatment bed is (quite literally) a bed – complete with a sumptuous duvet and big fluffy pillow. But there won’t be any snoozing taking place here, for this treatment has been designed to stimulate your skin and boost circulation to target stubborn areas of cellulite. Focusing on the stomach down, you are body brushed to awaken skin before your specially designed deep tissue detox massage takes place. Using essential oils to lift your mood and energy, which include zesty pink grapefruit and sweet orange and mandarin, there’s also fresh rosemary to sharpen the senses, juniper to purify, and pine to help release negative emotions. Not only do they all smell divine, but due to their diuretic properties they help eliminate excess fluid and toxins from the body. You are then wrapped in freshwater mud (works wonders at firming and toning) whilst your feet are treated to reflexology to encourage the release and elimination of toxins. The result? You’ll feel toned, toxin-free and totally terrific. Body Refiner Treatment -60mins, from £50 | www.aromatherapyassociates.com

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The Tan: James Harknett at the W
Whether you want to top up that tan or get some pre-holiday colour, look no further than tanning guru James Harknett. Situated in the chic W London Hotel’s Away Spa, this is a man who can turn you from pale and pasty to a bronzed beauty faster than you can say fan-tanstic. The go-to-tanner for countless celebrities, James is all about creating a natural, personal colour for each client – so there’s no fear of looking like a TOWIE extra here. Using Sienna X professional products, your skin will not only look great but it will feel it too. Packed with perfecting ingredients such as calendula to soothe, papaya to improve tone and texture, antioxidant rich ginkgo to protect from signs of ageing, pomegranate to promote cell regeneration and apple fruit extract to refine and rejuvenate. Armed with his spray-gun, James is your tan man. James Harknett By Appointment – 30mins, from £45 | www.wlondon.co.uk

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The Holistic Help: Ayurveda at Anamaya
If you’re feeling stressed this summer, then a visit to Anamaya is what you need. Housed in a beautiful Kensington mews, the focus here is on all aspects of natural health – from massage and acupuncture to reflexology and homeopathy. It’s also where you will find Loretta Heywood – an Ayurvedic extraordinaire who will totally transform your mood through her magical massages. Reading your energy levels (mine were low and I felt cold and tired) Loretta chooses the treatment most beneficial to you. For me, it was the Marma Therapy & Pranic Healing, which focuses on balancing the body’s energy points, releasing stress and healing emotional issues. Using warm sesame oil infused with herbs before mixing it with other essential oils she feels would most benefit you, she works to massage the entire body, releasing Marma points (similar to acupressure) so energy can flow better – giving you that uplifting, awakening feeling. The Pranic healing is like a hands-on version of Reiki, which works to move and rebalance energy so stress is eliminated and you release all the stored tension. It also allows the body to heal itself and for you to really feel and recognise what’s going on beneath the surface. It’s amazing what some healing hands can do – and I can honestly say if the whole world went to see Loretta – it would be a much better place. If you want to feel super this summer – this is the treatment for you. 90min massage with Loretta – £120 | www.anamaya.co.uk

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The Brow Beautifier: Shavata
The new Shavata studio on the beautiful Beauchamp Place is the place to go to to better those brows. With 22 studios nationwide, this is Shavata’s first flagship site. And it’s super. Modern and bright, it’s sleek and stylish – offering everything from threading and tints to lash extensions and semi-permanent makeup. There’s no risk of a scouse brow here – instead beautiful, natural brows are born. Using the ancient technique of threading – your therapist will whip your eyebrows into shape in minutes – creating that perfect arch and shape to suit your face. So bring your beautiful brows to the beach this summer and pay a visit to Shavata. Eyebrow threading – from £17 |www.shavata.co.uk

words by Frankie Rozwadowska

If You Only Do One Thing This Week… Stretch

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words by Molly Jennings

When was the last time you stretched? And no, holding on to a park tree attempting a quickie quad stretch before your run does’t count! Seriously though, when was the last time you rewarded your body with a relaxing, stretch sesh in the evening? As an ex-ballet dancer, I have seen the amazing benefits stretching can have on the body, the obvious one being increased flexibility. But there’s more to stretching than being able to touch your toes!

RELAX
Stretching, if nothing else, is incredibly relaxing, making it a perfect thing to do just before bedtime, as tension in your mind as well as your muscles can make it very difficult for you to get a restful nights sleep. If you find it hard to wind down after a busy day or struggle to fall asleep, have a bubble bath to warm your muscles and set aside 20 mins for some gentle stretching before you turn the lights out.
TRY: Cat Stretch

DIGESTION
Digestion is super important when it comes to our health. Poor digestion can cause many aggravating problems such as IBS, constipation, severe bloating and nasty stomach cramps. Stretching can be used as an effective, non-invasive way to get those intestinal muscles in gear and kick-start your digestion. By stretching out your stomach, you can release a lot of pressure and wind. It will also increase blood flow to your digestive tract and stimulate it so digestion is more efficient.
TRY: The Cobra

ANTI-AGING
Yes, you read that correctly. Stretching can give the appearance of looking younger. When we stretch a lubricating fluid called synovial fluid is released from the cavities of our joints. This fluid cushions and reduces friction between our joints which can help avoid joint pain associated with aging. Stretching can give you a spring in your step at any age!
TRY: Glutes Cross-over Stretch

CIRCULATION
Bad circulation can leave you feeling tired and zapped of energy. Other common symptoms include headaches and pins and needles in your hands and feet. Stretching is a really simple way to improve blood circulation to the muscles. The benefits of increased blood circulation bring nutrients to our muscles and helps remove waste byproducts. So it’s really beneficial to stretch when you want to do a detox as it’s a great way of flushing out toxins from your body.
TRY: Downward Dog

REHABILITATION
Any rehabilitation program often includes some form of stretching. Stretching is used to maintain muscle flexibility and fluidity if you are recovering from an injury. It’s also used to prevent shortening and tightening of your muscles due to scar tissue. Injuries can leave your body imbalanced so stretching is a great way of retraining muscles to go back to normal to create a correct a symmetrical movement pattern. NOTE – Please don’t stretch until you have been advised so by your physiotherapist