Vitamin C Beauty Queens

Written by

Discover the benefits of applying vitamin C to your skin this year

We have all heard of the benefits of vitamin C when it comes to keeping colds at bay, but perhaps what is less known is the positive effect vitamin C also has on our skin. Not only does it work from the inside out (so keep on taking those super C supplements) but it also has fantastic results when applied topically. In fact, Pauline Hili, founder of Nourish Skin Range, has done research which reveal that vitamins applied topically to the skin have a much greater effect. Vitamin C is a great free-radical warrior helping to fight signs of ageing and protect against the environment. It also helps heal the damage already done (now you’re talking…) – it has been scientifically proven to reduce pigmentation (for all you sun worshippers out there) and encourages the fading of scars (for the spot squeezers amongst us) and stops inflammation in it’s tracks. Hili also says that vitamin C is also really important in collagen production. And with collagen being the core protein in skin, it would seem that this mighty vitamin plays a huge part in keeping our skin supple, young and all-round gorgeous.

See below for our Top 5 in Vitamin C Skincare: 

Ren Radiance Perfecting Serum, £35
(http://www.renskincare.com/p/3386)

Herbalife Radiant C Daily Booster Gel-Cream, £24.20
(http://products.herbalife.co.uk/personal-care/radiant-c/skin-booster#)

Nourish Protect Hydrating Moisturiser, £14.95
(http://shop.nourishskinrange.com/ProtectHydratingMoisturiser.html)

Aesop B Triple C Facial Balancing Gel, £77
(http://www.aesop.com/uk/skin-care/b-triple-c-facial-balancing-gel.html)

Murad Essential-C Cleanser, £34
(http://www.murad.co.uk/essential-c-cleanser)

Have a Sugar-Free Year this 2013

Written by

It’s time to let the sweet stuff go and live a life full of sugar-free fun…

We all know that sugar is bad for our teeth, but what about its effect on our health, skin and stress levels? Described as a “legal drug” by nutritionist and wellness warrior, Kris Carr, sugar may just be one of the most addictive and deadly killers out there. It works silently by alluring it’s victims into a false sense of sugary security (the sugar high) and then quietly but quickly plunges them into the depths of darkness of exhaustion, spots, stress and craving some more so that they can feel great again… sound like a drug now? We thought so.

You need only to look at the statistics to realise the horrid impact that sugar can have on our health. High sugar consumption is one of the most important and prominent risk factors of diabetes. A Harvard study recently reported that women who drank one or more sugar-sweetened soft drinks per day were 83 percent more likely to develop type two diabetes than women who drank less than one a month. And get this – sugar is also hidden everywhere – did you know that a 12-ounce can of cola has the equivalent of 10 teaspoons of sugar in it in the form of things like high-fructose corn syrup or HFCS – all code words for sugar.

So another year rolls by and somehow we all manage to consume even more of the sweet stuff than the year before, which makes us want it more. Make this the year that you say no to sugar. Once cut out, it’s amazing how quickly the body adjusts and no longer craves it. Suddenly you will find things like apples a haven of super sweetness and dried fruit will be almost too sweet for most.

Not totally convinced that you could have better, healthier (not to mention way hotter) lives if you ditch sugar for 2013. Here are a few more reasons:

Sugar hates our skin
When you are just about to consume a sugary sweet looking cupcake, please pause for a second and take a moment for your skin. As soon as you eat this innocent looking pink spongy thing just know that the sugar will enter your blood stream quickly, rapidly causing your blood sugar levels to go up. The sugar will then attach itself to collagen (the stuff that makes our skin look lovely and young) in a process called glycation which in turn makes the skin stiff and inflexible and yes aged! This is a sure-fire way to increase the amount of wrinkles you have. That sort of thing is irreversible. Not so keen to eat the pink, sweet cupcake now? Didn’t think so.

It makes us ill
Sugar puts a major strain on the immune system making us more susceptible to catching things like colds, coughs, or worse.

It fuels cancer
Cancer cells love sugar. They eat it up – literally – and it helps them grow, multiply and dominate. Cancer cells have a metabolism much higher than that of normal cells so they are extremely hungry and they need the sweet stuff in order to gain energy. In Kriss Carr’s book Crazy Sexy Diet, she explains how for those with any doubt about cancer cells and their love of sugar need only to consider how a PET scan works. Patients are injected with a tiny amount of radioactive glucose (sugar) and the test measures the parts of the body that absorb the most glucose to show them where the cancer is. As soon as the sugar reaches the cancer cells, the cancer cells start munching away causing them to light up like fireworks and showing the examiner exactly where the cancer is.

It makes us fat
Balancing your blood sugar levels is one of the most important factors in keeping your weight in check, as the level of glucose in your blood largely determines your appetite. When your level drops (like that experienced after eating something sugary) you feel hungary causing you to eat more. And probably more sugary rubbish at that. Not cool.

 

Have a Healthy January

Written by

Not embarking on a detox programme but want to stay healthy this January? Naomi Murtagh, Co-founder of Atone, an award-winning, beautifully packaged range of six Natural Enzyme Supplements, gives us her tips on how to have a healthy January.

1. Regular Detoxing beats fatigue

Detox/Anti-Fatigue contains a blend of enzymes we need to extract energy and nutrients from the foods we consume. Within each capsule there is a formula made from 10 vital ingredients, all of which give our body the very best chance of detoxing safely, more effectively and without feeling lethargic and bloated. I try to do this along with eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables once each season at least.

2. Eat healthy and in-season during winter

During the winter months I love to make a big pot of seasonal vegetable soup or a chicken tagine with preserved lemon & olive to share with friends. I love snacking on home roasted nuts and seeds and dried fruits, especially dates! I also take Digestion with probio all year round, which I find really beneficial for my system.

3. Care for your skin

On a trip to Fez, Morocco, a few years ago, a friend there told me about Argan oil which the French use on their skin and hair – it can also be used as a cooking oil. I have since used it on both my skin and hair and swear by it – it gives a healthy glow to the skin and is great used as a base before putting moisturiser on a few minutes afterwards. My skin is prone to dryness in the winter months so I use it more often then. (We love organic argan oil from www.nourishskinrange.com).

4. Boost your immune system with juice

I am a great fan of juicing fruit and veg – whatever is at hand – and I really believe this helps hugely with keeping illness at bay and boosting your immune system. I use a lot of cucumber, celery, radish, fennel, pears, apples, oranges and ginger – served over ice, it’s surprising how tasty and refreshing the most unlikely mix can be! Our Immunity supplement also combines a blend of components believed to encourage healthy circulation and normal blood pressure, to boost immune function, cleanse free radicals and help the body to both heal and produce energy through the metabolism of fat – exactly what the body needs in winter months.

5. Keep fit

I run all year round. I have completed a few marathons but find training for half-marathons more manageable to fit in. I love discovering new routes and we are lucky to live close to Victoria Park, Regents Canal and not far from the river Thames, all of which offer endless new routes to try out. During winter I also love to do Bikram Yoga – ideally a couple of times a week. I love how this makes me feel after a session, and with the added heat, it feels like it really does have substantial health benefits for the body both inside and out.

www.atoneonline.com

 

 

Heal Your Hangover the Healthy Way

Written by

Heal Your Hangover the Healthy Way

How to heal a hangover

Big night out? Regretting that last final jager bomb? Scrap that… regretting all the jager bombs? We thought so. We’re not saying it is a good idea to knock back the booze this Christmas, but it is the season to be merry and getting drunk, for many, come part and parcel with the celebrations. So what do you do when you wake up feeling a bit worse for wear? We have a few ideas. Try the below tips to help you get through the holiday season unscathed…

Water / Coconut Water
We know you have heard it before, but we’ll say it again. A hangover is a result of being dehydrated. When you drink booze, it actually makes you pee out more than you take in and hence your body lacks in fluids when you wake up. The headache and dry mouth is a result of this. So drink a glass of water upon waking and continue to sip throughout the day. About half way through the day switch to coconut water as it is full of wonderful electrolytes and is brilliantly hydrating. The only reason we don’t suggest it first thing is that a lot of people can’t handle the taste when they first wake up.

Asparagus
A recent study revealed that eating asparagus after a night out was particularly effective in helping a hangover. This is because the vegetable contains enzymes that are brilliant in breaking down the alcohol in your body. The researchers at the Institute of Medical Science and Jeju National University in South Korea who analysed the effect of extracts of asparagus on human liver cells said that “cellular toxicities were significantly alleviated in response to treatment with the extracts of asparagus” in a news release from the Institute of Food Technologists. “These results provide evidence of how the biological functions of asparagus can help alleviate alcohol hangover and protect liver cells.” We suggest having eggs and asparagus for breakfast!

Yoga Twists
Many yogis believe that a good old yoga twist is essential to helping that hangover. The twists in particular massage and ‘rinse out’ the internal organs of the toxins. For a great yoga twist see yesterday’s elf4health advent calendar here.

Aromatherapy
The solution to one of the best hangover cures has been right under our nose all this time. It is thought that something as simple as aromatherapy can help ease a hangover symptoms such as headaches, nausea and that foggy feeling (you know what I am talking about!). Essential oils such as eucalyptus and lavender oil is said to help alleviate headaches and unblock the sinuses making everything feel a bit clearer, whilst peppermint oil is great for reducing nausea. Add to the bath or just to a bowl of boiling water.

Bananas
Just like the coconuts water, eating bananas the morning after the night before helps replace lost electrolytes in your body, which in turn  will help to get rid of that unwanted headache. It also replaces lost potassium (a result of alcohol’s diuretic effect). Kiwis are also potassium rich. For a super hangover healing smoothie recipe click here.

 

 

 

 

Time to Cleanse: Is it time you give your body a break? One writer finds out

Written by

Cleansing your body is more than just cutting out alcohol during the week, an all over body cleanse involves pushing out all the toxins that create the problems your organs have to deal with on a daily basis. Whether it is green juices for a week or a ‘Paleo’ protein diet, the ultimate ‘reset button’ for your body is to cleanse it, there is nothing better for you than cutting out all the bad things you put into that temple that is your body. Think about all the functions that your body has to do on a daily basis, it is an amazing piece of live machinery and needs some serious TLC. The big question is how do you stick to a cleanse, the answer involves two easy steps, the first being ready within your mind and your body will always follow. The second involves planning, start with one week of pre-organised meals and go from there.

Have you ever gotten to that point when Monday swings around and you feel like Saturday nights hangover is still holding on, Vicki Edgson, leading UK nutritionist and co-author of ‘Honestly Healthy’ explains, “alcohol stays in your system well over forty-eight hours after you finish consuming it, you start the week feeling horrible while your body is still processing the alcohol”. This means that the champagne and few too many vodka, lime and sodas that was Saturday night is probably still moving around your system come Monday morning. Don’t get me wrong, we are all after that wind down after the working week is over but what you need to ask yourself is ‘do I need that extra drink?’ According to the UK NHS alcohol choices advice, ‘regularly drinking over the recommended amount of alcohol can have a noticeable impact on your waistline. Many women don’t realise that two large glasses of wine not only puts them over there daily limit for regular alcohol consumption, but also provides them with nearly twenty percent of their recommended daily calorie intake’.

Zoe Copsey, head of nutrition at Lomax Bespoke Fitness, Nutrition and Wellbeing explains, “binge drinking puts extreme pressure on your liver and kidneys to process huge amounts of alcohol at once, if you overload these vital organs they push the toxins that they can’t process back into your body, this can cause digestive, skin and general health problems”. Everybody reaches that point when their body is asking for a break, a body cleanse is the best way to kick start this off. As someone who enjoys a good few drinks and the food that goes along with it on the weekend I believed that when I exercised and ate healthy during the week it ‘cancelled out’ all the bad things I put into my body on the weekend. This is a huge misconception, as the saying goes, two wrongs do not make a right and in this case that phrase is certainly true.

There are many cleanse options out there, you can either do it yourself or have nutritionists, like Zoe and Vicki design a weekly menu for you. At Lomax Bespoke Health they provide a five or seven day cleanse where all meals and snacks are provided for the time period. Their cleanse menu is meat and wheat free; this includes no red or white meat and fish. After I had nutritional consultation with Zoe, she recommended I undertake the seven day cleanse to give my body a better chance to ‘reset’ itself and so it began.

A Lomax cleanse allows your body to focus on processing food that it will find much easier to digest. Your liver also aids digestion and this gives it a huge break too. ‘Cleansing’ means no coffee or alcohol, it is strictly water and green tea unless otherwise specified. They do not recommend exercise whilst ‘cleansing’. Jonathan Lomax, CEO and founder of Lomax Bespoke Health explains, “your body is already undergoing a big change in itself, it can be a shock taking away all the toxins that we put into our bodies and it can react in many ways, everybody is different”. Cleanses are different to diets. The main point of a cleanse is to rid your body of the impurities and toxins that we all put into it on a day-to-day basis. A diet differs from this and is usually used as a weight loss aid or if you suffer intolerances/allergies to certain food products.

The hardest part of ‘cleansing’ is the halfway mark, this is when the body has usually pushed out the previous toxins and is running purely on a new and improved cleansing body. The last toxins are holding on for dear life, in this stage emotions and cravings run high. Day four entailed me thanking my breakfast of muesli and berries with almond milk, you begin to connect and appreciate your food. After this stage you begin to realise how amazing you feel with this ‘cleansed’ body of yours.

My biggest struggle was eating every three hours, I come from a family of large portions three times a day, not small portions including two snacks. Throughout my cleanse I ate Mediterranean and hummus buckwheat wraps, vegetable frittatas with an array of delicious salads, mixed bean and tomato soup with stir fried vegetables and delicious fresh fruit smoothies and vegetable juices. Nuts and seeds were the majority of my snacks, but my favourite was the wild rice salad with avocado, quails eggs and fresh vegetables. These are just a handful of meals that Lomax provided for me fresh on a daily basis.

When you finally reach the end I guarantee you will never look at that muffin in the same way again. I did savour my first coffee after I finished my cleanse but it did not taste the same and I found myself determined to stick to the eating patterns I had made over the last week. By the end the previous weeks meal structure really drives you to integrate cleansing into your everyday life. My stomach had flattened out and I felt great, in fact one month on and I still do. I have the self-control to say no to sugar and alcohol. Don’t get me wrong I still enjoy a treat, I just have everything in moderation, which is the best way to enjoy most things – it’s just very hard to do. Doing the cleanse has made me respect my food and my body, helping me to make better choices and more mindful ones at that, which can only be a very, very good thing.

Fitness Phrases: We decode the fitness jargon

Written by

Fitness Phrases: We decode the fitness jargon

 

We decode the fitness jargon so that you can go into 2013 hip, healthy and informed.

Aerobic: This translates literally as “with oxygen.” Aerobic exercise is the body’s process of producing energy with oxygen in the bloodstream. Byproducts are carbon dioxide and water (breathing and perspiration). Aerobic exercise is great for burning fat and strengthening your heart and lungs.

Anaerobic: “Without oxygen.” In anaerobic exercise, energy is produced without oxygen, usually because the exercise intensity is such that the heart and lungs can’t get enough oxygen to the muscles. Anaerobic exercise creates lactic acid, which causes a burning sensation in the muscles.

Body Mass Index (BMI): Your BMI number reflects your percentage of body fat in proportion to lean body mass by taking into account your height and your weight.

Catabolism: The destructive process that breaks down muscle tissue once the energy in your body has been exhausted. This starts to happen after around 45 minutes of intense exercise.

DOMS: Stands for Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness.  It usually occurs 12-72 hours after new or strenuous exercise you feel it in the form of stiffness, tenderness, and dull aching pain.

Glycogen: The form carbohydrates take when stored in the muscles.

Interval Training: Consists of a short bursts of fast exercise alternated with a slower and easier level of fitness activity.

Lactic Acid (Lactate): A byproduct of anaerobic (or high-intensity) exercise that collects in the muscles and causes soreness, stiffness and fatigue.

TRX: A suspension training system that is made up of two pieces of nylon webbing, each attached to a handle. It originated from the US Navy Seals.

VO2 max: The largest volume of oxygen your body can take in and assimilate. This figure is very high in trained endurance athletes.

Our Top Five Healthy Restaurants in London

Written by

Our Top Five Healthy Restaurants in London

words by Stephanie Matysiak

 

London is full of fantastic restaurants; the majority however can leave you feeling unhealthy, bloated and worrying about what exactly has been put in your meal. It can be quite tricky to find healthy restaurants that serve not only really great food but also provide nutritional benefits. I have put together a few of my best finds in London, which serve delicious yet healthy meal options. Bon appetit!

Saf, High Street Kensington
Saf is a Vegan restaurant with a great concept, they do not cook any food above 48c in order to preserve the highest amount of nutrients and flavours. Saf serves gourmet foods using plant based ingredients with the majority created in house providing a wide variety of healthy meal options. Their menu includes options such as a Green Master Detox salad, Massaman curry, the Saf Burger (organic gluten free bun of course!) and a Pad Thai. Saf is conveniently located above Whole Foods on High Street Kensington so you can pop in for a healthy nutritious meal after you have done your healthy food shop!

Mildred’s, Soho
Mildred’s is a fantastic Vegetarian restaurant in the heart of Soho. Mildred’s serves delicious and wholesome meals, offering a variety of gluten free, wheat free and vegan options. Mildred’s uses organic ingredients where possible and will always try to source from local businesses. A restaurant that serves a salad named the Organic Energising Detox Salad is sure to get a visit from me! I highly recommend their Cinnamon Spiced Stew, which is gluten and wheat free.

Granger and Co, Westbourne Grove
Granger and Co brings to us a taste of the healthy Aussie way of life! Brought to us by Bill Granger, Granger and Co is fantastic for breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Situated in the very stylish Westbourne Grove, this airy restaurant is a delight to dine in. The speciality on the menu is the Sweetcorn Fritters with roast tomatoes, spinach and bacon. Avocado on the side is a must to give the dish a true healthy Aussie taste!

Ottolenghi, Islington
Ottolenghi in Islington is the hippest and healthiest place to be seen in Islington! The menu provides a variety of delicious Mediterranean inspired dishes that are fantastic to share. The only problem with this restaurant is deciding which dishes to pick, as all options are incredibly appealing. The Roasted Aubergine with feta yogurt and crispy kale salad is a must as is the Five Spice Tofu. If you are feeling naughty, the cakes and desserts are some of the best in London!

The Gate, Hammersmith 
The Gate serves fantastic seasonal Vegetarian meals with an interesting twist. The menu is influenced by the owner’s Indo-Iraqi Jewish upbringing. The Gate succeeds in serving a variety of wonderful and nutritious meal options such as Root Vegetable Chickpea Tagine and Beetroot Ravioli. Time and time again I go back here as I have yet to experience a bad meal is always served at a very reasonable price. You can always to expect to try something different, the Lavender Crème Brulee was a first for me!

Pace Yourself at Parties

Written by

 

For many of us this is the last working day – hooray! Tonight party’s and celebrations will be taking place all over the UK  and I am sure many of us won’t spend much time without a drink in our hand. The other thing about this time of year is that we are all often exhausted, which makes our immune systems weak and what makes them even weaker? Booze, partying, lack of sleep and stress! It’s a recipe for illness. Which is why we’re asking you to pace yourself tonight and this weekend. Don’t go crazy and fall at the first hurdle by making yourself sick before the real fun starts. Here are a few tips we suggest will help you avoid Christmas flu:

Say No
Why do we all feel we have to do everything all the time? As if the world would stop if we just said no to drinks after work, or no to cooking a ridiculously complicated supper for the in laws or no to very early start when you know you’ll be going to bed late the night before. Say no to a few things that are going to stretch you and you’ll soon see how much calmer and content you’ll be.

Don’t be the last one at the party
We’re not saying don’t go out (that would not only be unrealistic but also incredibly dull) but we do suggest setting yourself a curfew. Decide what time you want to be in bed by and work back from there. If you decide you’d need to leave by ten pm to be in bed by eleven, then stick to it. Momentarily you may feel like your going to miss out but actually you’ll feel so smug when you wake up less bleary eyed than the others and have a much better day because of it.

Drink a glass of water for every glass if alcohol
It makes total sense – just do it. And it’s free for goodness sake. Did you know that 250ml of alcohol makes you pee out 800ml of liquid because its a diuretic? Now can you see why you wake up with a dry mouth and throbbing headache the morning after a party? Yes?. Good. Drink more water. End of.

Take your vitamins
As just mentioned – this is the time of year for catching something nasty. Try and take your vitamins regularly to keep your immune system in tip top shape. Especially as all healthy eating plans seem to go straight out the window as soon as party season arrives. Take a good multivitamin as well as some vitamin c, plus milk thistle on boozy days will help your liver out.

Three Wise Beauty Product Ingredients

Written by

Three Wise Beauty Product Ingredients

Beauty Writer, Frankie Rozwadowska, brings you beauty in the style of the three kings

 

“We three kings of Orient are….bearing gifts we traverse afar….”. We all know how the song goes, but did you know that those rare, precious and expensive gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh make for a skin miracle? It’s true – the Three Wise Men certainly knew their stuff, for these natural ingredients hold healing properties of almighty proportions. Meet the three Kings of beauty…

 GOLD
A word synonymous with luxury the world over – Gold is more than flashy jewellery and an (annoyingly catchy) Spandau Ballet song. Cleopatra is said to have slept in a gold face mask every night over 5,000 years ago to keep her looking young and beautiful, and although that may be a somewhat expensive option – you too can reap the rewards of gold in your skincare. This precious metal has been proven to slow the ageing process, boost the production of collagen and elastin, activate cell regeneration and protect against UV damage. All this and it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties – creating a radiant complexion and skin as bright as a button. We all deserve to be spoilt at this time of year – because baby, it’s gold outside.

Gold and silk – a match made in heaven when you want to feel beautiful and glamorous. So when a cream contains them both, it can only mean good things. Chantecaille’s Nano Gold Energizing Cream (£370) contains tiny particles of gold that are bound with silk – a natural protein that’s highly moisturising and soothes stressed skin. Together, they battle UVA and UVB rays and act as a healing and preserving force, with an army of sidekicks at hand to up the ante – algae extract to tighten, Butcher’s Broom to calm irritation and Vitamin C to even skin-tone.

Omorovicza – Hungarian skincare that harnesses the power of the country’s mineral-rich healing waters. Buff yourself beautiful with the Gold Sugar Scrub (£57) – it not only rids you of dead, dry cells, but it also helps to energise and repair sensitive skin. With arjuna bark to strengthen, apricot seed oil to nourish, and natural sugars to provide a gentle and effective exfoliation – the powerful small gold particles provide anti-inflammatory and beautifying properties.

For skin that gives a golden glow – the Nourish Golden Glow Toning Soufflé (£24.95) does just that. With golden resins of frankincense and myrrh, it nourishes, firms, tones, and improves the surface of the skin whilst repairing and restoring elasticity and protecting against environmental damage. It also smells divine thanks to the addition of neroli oil, leaving skin moisturised and soft with a sun-kissed shimmer.

FRANKINCENSE
Native to plants of Northern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, frankincense is so much more than an oh-so-seasonal scent – it’s magic. Really. Boasting amazing skin regeneration properties, it not only prevents scars but reduces the appearance of them, be it from acne, burns or stretch marks. It is a natural antiseptic (ideal for blemishes) and as an astringent, it strengthens and tightens skin – reducing excess dryness or oiliness so your skin is back at its best.

Wash away the day with the Neal’s Yard Remedies Rejuvenating Frankincense Face Wash (£16.50) – a gentle creamy cleanser with nourishing apricot and jojoba oils that will leave even the driest of faces soft and supple. Vitamin and antioxidant rich, no nasties, vegan and organic – it, quite frankly, makes sense.

De-stress – it sounds all too easy as Christmas looms, presents are still to be bought and the entire family is preparing to descend upon you. But it is that easy – as with the Aromatherapy Associates De-stress Frankincense Pure Essential Oil (£24.50), one sniff will leave you calmer, brighter and instantly uplifted. Frankincense has been used for centuries in medicine and meditation to clear the mind, fight off anxiety and stress and to restore energy levels. Massage into pressure points or onto the scalp for a truly calming experience (it’s a dry oil so no drama of greasy looking hair) and with nothing else added, it’s pure, 100% nature at its best.

REN have done it again. The Frankincense Revitalising Night Cream (£38) is so good, one die-hard fan reportedly had one FedExed to him after departing on a ski trip and leaving it at home. And it’s not hard to see why. Containing vitamin A to strengthen the skin’s natural barrier, vitamin C to even out skin tone and provide radiance, Vitamin E to fight off free radicals and protect from damage, and boswellic acid to relax facial tissue and smooth fine lines – it’s also anti-ageing, moisturising and protective. Just massage gently into face and neck and you’re good to go.

MYRRH
Anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and with antioxidants and antiseptic properties – Myrrh was used in ancient times to treat numerous skin conditions (eczema, wounds, cracked or chapped skin and even wrinkles) and is still very much a skin saviour today. It softens dry skin, prevents premature ageing and tissue degeneration, improves circulation and rejuvenates. Like Frankincense, it contains a high volume of sesquiterpenes compounds that help balance emotions, which – when mixed with its warm and woody aroma – will relax and soothe. This reddish-brown resin really is myrrh-aculous.

Particularly good for oily or problem skin, Sisley’s Tropical Resin Lotion (£52.50) is a purifier containing myrrh, plantain, incense and burdock to eliminate impurities and excess sebum – enhancing the complexion and leaving skin matte and magnificent, with its astringent effect tightening dilated pores. It can be used topically to treat blemishes and spots, and if you use under makeup it helps it stay on longer.

For drier skin, the Darphin Organic Myrrh Aromatic Care (£38) is the ultimate in essential oil care. Mixing myrrh with coriander, sandalwood, apricot kernel oil and myrtle essential oils – tight, dry skin is nourished and comforted to leave you radiant and glowing.

Or if you have normal to combination skin, the Weleda Wild Rose Smoothing Facial Lotion (£13.95) is a lighter alternative to a thick face cream. Containing pure plant extracts of sedum, myrrh and horsetail – it counteracts fine lines, dryness and dull skin, whilst strengthening and revitalising. Cold-pressed wild rose seed oil (which smells heavenly) supports the skin’s natural protective barrier with its essential fatty acids, providing extra nourishment and care.

 

Three ways to boost energy

Written by

Three Ways to Boost Energy

Broadcaster and adventurer, Hannah White, brings you her three tips for boosting energy

The most important thing for health, diet and wellbeing is to be clean and healthy from the inside out. Everything you put into your body has a direct impact on how you feel. Caffeine, alcohol, saturated fats, sugars, are all causes of being overweight, being tired, being ill.

Hannah White gives us three tips on boosting our energy levels, and improving our wellbeing…

1.      Try a liquid only diet one day a week: I don’t mean soft drinks and coffee, but great freshly made juices, smoothies and soups. This will give your digestive system a little bit of a break to catch up on processing all the bad stuff in your body. The more good liquid in your diet, the less work the body has to do breaking it down, and ultimately the more nutrients can be absorbed. If you can manage one liquid meal a day then this is great. It will make a difference.

2.      Replace your builder tea or Coffee: Drink as much water as you can. And secondly make yourself either a hot or cold drink with water, lemon and cayenne pepper (with a natal sweetener like good quality honey or agave). You wouldn’t try and drive a car without putting fuel in it, and water is a far more important fuel than food. The spicy lemon drink is not only delicious, but it will wake up your digestive system and get you ready for the day ahead and stimulate to help digest whatever you happen to put in it!

3.      Buy powered super greens: Buy chlorella, wheatgrass, barley grass or spirulina (better still and mix it all up!) get a teaspoon or 2 of this in a small glass of water and drink it. It doesn’t taste great, but it ensures you are getting loads and loads of fab vitamins and nutrients, regardless of what you do for the rest of the day (think of a turbo-charged berocca!).

www.hannah-white.com
Follow Hannah @hannahwhiteuk.

 

 

What They’re Wishing For This Christmas

Written by

What They’re Wishing For This Christmas

Editor, Sadie Macleod, talks hip and healthy presents for your loved ones this season

 

I don’t know about you but I am struggling slightly with gifts for my family. It doesn’t help that I have a gigantic immediate family. Four siblings (three brothers and a sister), two sets of parents (two step and two… not step) and a fiancé is no mean feat when you’ve got to think of original and thoughtful presents. I also like to give things that keep on giving – and that contribute to their health. After all, I honestly can’t think of a better present than giving something that improves someone’s wellbeing.

With that in mind, here’s my list of hip and healthy pressies to suite a range of budgets that will get all the usual and much-appreciated ooos and ahhs of a great present received as well as a few out of breath uhuhuhs, phews and exhausted sighs later down the line.

1. An iPod mini – for a nice touch upload a running playlist before you wrap. That way they can just lace up and head out. No fuss. No excuses.

2. Adidas Originals – durable, stylish and iconic. You could not want for a better trainer. They also have a slight retro feel which younger brothers and stylish dads will love.

3. A Yoga DVD – whether they are full blow lotus loving yogis or downward dog virgins – a good yoga DVD will have them engaged in a state of sweaty zen in no time.

4. Running Socks – get them from their favourite sports store and you can’t go wrong. They so have the edge on boring old socks.

5. Ear Muffs – so many people get put off exercising outdoors in winter because of the cold. If your ears are warm I find it makes a huge difference. Ear Muffs can be worn running, walking, cycling… They are what the tangoed salesman on Bridget Jones would call ‘an all rounder’.