Bokwa – the new fitness trend?

 Samantha Whitaker investigates the latest exercise class to hit the UK

Bokwa has arrived. A sweat-inducing, high-energy combo of ‘BO’ (from light BOxing) and ‘KWA’ (from the traditional South African dance KWAito), this intense cardiovascular workout helps to build muscle strength and endurance, and maintain flexibility.

I was expecting something like Zumba – only more tribal, with drums – but no. ‘People are saying it’s the new Zumba, but it’s not,’ says instructor Lauren Thompson, ‘there’s nothing like it at the moment.’ So in a light, spacious studio at the Nuffield Fitness & Wellbeing Centre in Covent Garden, I gave Bokwa a go.

First we learnt the ‘basic’ – a simple combination of forward and backward steps with a couple of jumps, signalled by a two-fingered drumroll. Then, over the next 45 minutes, we added several other combinations of steps that create, in a roundabout way, the outline of a letter, cued by the instructor with a hand signal based on American sign language. ‘I created the Bokwa sign language to make it simple for people to follow routines,’ says South African street dancer Paul Mavi, who devised Bokwa and launched it in the US. ‘People learn the moves quickly and easily understand the hand signals, which gives them time to put the most into their workout.’

However, as we were all newbies, Lauren relied heavily on the microphone to explain what we were doing. We didn’t really stop: the music rolled from one commercial track to the next and, once we were comfortable with the steps, Lauren began to move around us so we were forced to listen out for the letter and remember what to do. The idea is a good one: if you go regularly you’ll build up a vocabulary of movement based on the hand signals and there are four levels, so once you’ve learnt one alphabet you can progress to a more complicated one.

Although some might find Bokwa a bit repetitive, the morning after my thighs were grateful for the burn. Music-wise, there was a distinct lack of drums. I was a bit disappointed and asked Lauren about it at the end. She agreed. The music and steps are set by Mavi, and at the moment there’s little room to play. In time, she hopes, they’ll relax a bit and allow instructors to incorporate their own choreography and music. So watch this space.

Keen to keep their classes up to date and inspire members, Nuffield Health is the first to offer Bokwa in the UK (it has already been very successful in the US) – but I imagine it will only be a matter of time before it starts to appear on other gym’s timetables. There are also independent instructors running classes from non-gym-based studios.

If you fancy trying something new – which is always a good idea when it comes to keeping fit – go to www.bokwafitness.com to find out more, and www.nuffieldhealth.com to find a class at a Fitness & Wellbeing Centre near you.


Beauty for Breakfast

 

Words by Belinda Mann

Just as those in the medical profession are waking up to the importance of diet, so should those interested in beauty. When I worked in the financial industry in London I saw a lot of girls spending up big on crème de la mer only to be eating jam on toast and scoffing haribos at 3pm. If you are investing in beauty creams and treatments but not your diet then you are short changing yourself and unfortunately some “healthy” options aren’t what they seem.

More and more studies are now showing the importance of diet in being youthful. For a long time now dermatologists have been warning that sugar causes wrinkles. Furthermore a recent study explained a balanced diet changes expression of a gene touted as the “youth gene”. The lead scientist of the study explains “Both low-carb and high-carb diets are wrong. But a low-carb diet is closer to the right diet. A healthy diet shouldn’t be made up of more than one-third carbohydrates (up to 40 per cent of calories) in each meal, otherwise we stimulate our genes to initiate the activity that creates inflammation in the body.”

The inflammation they refer to is known as ‘metabolic inflammation’. The result is your skin becomes slightly redder, your body stores more water, you feel warmer, and you’re not on top mentally.

What are you feeding your genes?
We have all heard the adage, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but unfortunately for many it’s often the worst meal. Even many so called healthy breakfast options are surprisingly high in sugar, which can result in the effects of ‘metabolic inflammation’ as described above. Earlier this year Which? ran a report on the sugar content of the leading breakfast cereals in the UK. Anything over 12.5% sugar is considered high. Surprisingly Kellogg’s All-Bran Flakes has 22% sugar and Special K 17%. Both popular choices for women, marketed to those wanting to be healthy or lose weight.

KISS – Keep it simple
In my opinion a diet full of unprocessed whole foods is always going to be the best choice. Remember low fat products tend to have higher carbohydrate content, so if you are confused by nutritional labels and don’t want to worry about added sugar, salt and additives stick to wholefoods.

Keep life sweet – without the wrinkles
Just by changing breakfast alone most people could improve their health and their anti-aging capacity enormously. Home cooked breakfast classics such as oat porridge and scrambled eggs are always good choices. A breakfast smoothie with hemp protein powder and nut milk is great if you are in a hurry. And if you are a real cereal fan considering making your own so you know there is no added sugar. A fun alternative is chia seed porridge. Keep it sweet with a mix of raw cacao and bee pollen.

www.belindamann-nutrition.com

 

 


Three reasons to visit Lyon

 

Words By Harriet Chubb

 

 

To Eat and Run
‘If Paris is the heart of France then Lyon is the stomach’… a saying that becomes immediately evident from walking around the old town of this charming city, every corner has a café and every street a myriad of chic restaurants and bohemian bars serving dishes traditional to Lyon, such as coq au vin, foie gras and sweet breads. Get lost in the streets of Old Lyon, which is the second largest Renaissance area in Europe after Venice, and spend your day dipping in and out of these gems, sampling dishes along with the (relatively cheap, but delicious) local wine. However, it is important to book a table for dinner in advance as nearly all of the good restaurants can be booked up well before lunchtime. For a true French bohemian experience, book a table at the beautiful and quirkily decorated Le Nef Des Fous, located on Rue Du Boeuf. The restaurant is so lavishly decorated that you can’t help but feel like royalty atop your plush, purple throne but the perfectly mismatched vintage crockery quickly shatters this illusion yet completes the bohemian, relaxed atmosphere. If you are lucky enough to have a table downstairs then you will also be shown past the roll top bath on the stairs, complete with goldfish. Although a very popular restaurant with the locals, it is not too expensive – you can choose the set menu of three courses, have a bottle of good wine and it will only come to about 40 Euros a head. And one of the best things about the food in Lyon is the number of pretty running routes along the river or through woods that you can do to burn off all those extra calories. So make sure that you pack your trainers.

 

 

To Stay
There is no point in spoiling yourself with the gastronomic delights of Lyon without choosing an equally delightful place to stay. Located in the Old Town among the swathes of bars and restaurants is Cour Des Loges, a well hidden gem and 5* hotel. Take four of the finest Renaissance houses in Old Lyon, mix them with contemporary art works, a trendy bar and uber luxury and you have one of the most sought after boutique hotels in Lyon. The 61 rooms and apartments have all been lovingly preserved to maintain that renaissance feel, it is more than possible to get lost in the corridors and spaces of the hotel, but this is a space that you want to explore and take time to marvel at the architecture of the buildings. Under the arches of a gallery overlooking the courtyard, the focal point of the hotel, is the celebrated restaurant Les Loges. This is traditional French cuisine with a difference, imagination. Anthony Barret, uses seasonal produce throughout the year to create his signature dishes for the hotel. Before making your way to the marble floored courtyard restaurant, make sure you relax in the retro-style bar, Le Bar Fumoir, for an innovative cocktail, or our personal favourite on a chilly spring afternoon, an organic, dark hot chocolate – rich, but oh so satisfying if you need a pick me up after a long days sightseeing.

 

To Spa
Whether you are visiting Lyon for its gastronomy or for its renaissance architecture, make sure you rejuvenate with a spa treatment or two to top off the experience. The Pure Altitude Spa at the Cour Des Loges was our tried and tested favourite, not least because of the sauna, Turkish baths, swimming pool and relaxation room, but because the philosophy behind the products used in their treatments is second to none. All of the products have plants or natural extracts found at the very heart of the Alps, encompassing all of the natural elements, earth, wind, water and fire to create treatments that rejuvenate and re-charge. Try the Bol d’Air Pur facial which detoxifies and leaves the skin feeling pure and fresh by combining manual techniques with the use of hot stones and jade rollers. Or, relax completely with a bespoke massage, the therapists are all highly trained and able to pinpoint areas in your body that need help to relax; perfect just before you check out of the hotel to leave you feeling invigorated and relaxed for the journey home.

 


Best of British Beauty Products

 

With the Jubilee this weekend we can’t help but turn our thoughts to all the fab British beauty brands out there. We’ve rounded up some of our absolute faves that often top best beauty buys list in all the top glossies…

1. Lip Gloss: Neal’s Yard’s range of Organic Lip Glosses include Fig, Peach, Goji Berry and many other flavoursome shades will nourish your lips naturally. Packed with the antioxidant white tea, castor seed oil and beeswax this gloss soothes and protects lips and looks juicy too! (£9.50 per gloss) http://www.nealsyardremedies.com/Goji-Berry-Lip-Gloss

2. Exfoliating Balm: Winner of four prestigious beauty awards including one of Tatler’s, this Micro Exfoliating Balm from OSKIA is a favourite among us at the Hip and Healthy HQ. It not only improves the tone of your skin but also restores the radiance by using its many health promoting ingredients. Make sure this balm is always within arms reach. (£46.00) http://www.oskiaskincare.com/products/MICRO-EXFOLIATING-BALM/

3. Cleanser: A favourite among beauty journalists all over the country it will come as no surprise that Liz Earle’s Cleanse and Polish Cleanser is at the top of our list when it comes to cleansers. It combines naturally active ingredients (including eucalyptus and cocoa butter) that aid a multitude of skin types to make way for smoother, clearer skin. We defy anyone who tries this not to like it. (£14.25) http://uk.lizearle.com/cleanse-and-polish-hot-cloth-cleanser.html

4. Eye toner: The Toning Eye Balm from Cowshed is accompanied by a gorgeous jasmine aroma and works wonders at reducing the appearance of fine lines, nourishing the skin and noticibly soothing the area around the eye. A very worthy purchase, don’t you think? (£25) http://www.cowshedonline.com/face_skin_care/jasmine_toning_eye_balm-c111840p111535.html

5. Body cream: Super Rich Body Butter from Organic Surge’s Luxury Collection is utterly divine. A rehydrating formulae of lavender and gerenium essential oils makes it the perfect pick me up for a fatigued body after a long day. (£22.50) http://www.organicsurge.com/product/luxury-collection-super-rich-body-butter

6. Hand cream: Working, commuting, cooking… you name it, your hands are with you every step of the way and normally bare the brunt of your daily activities, so when it comes to hand cream make sure you spoil them with Eight Hour Cream Intensive Moisturising Hand Treatment. Not too big to fit into your tote, so no excuses to let your hands suffer at any hour of the day. (£19.50) http://www.elizabetharden.com/Eight-Hour

 


Hydrating Body Care

 

Words By Penny Lane

 

As the warmth of summer nears, so does the reluctant reality of baring winter-ravaged, often extremely dry and lacklustre skin. Give your body a much needed moisture boost, with our pick of the very best hydrating body creams, milks and lotions, to regain radiant, beach-ready skin, in a flash.

Pro-Collagen Body Cream by Elemis
A blend of smoothing, exotic oils, including castanha oil, babassu oil and bilberry oil, combine to deeply nourish and give anti-oxidant protection due to the vitamin A, B and E content that defend against cell damage to prevent premature ageing. Added marine extracts work to strengthen the epidermis and increase elasticity. We love its ability to break down fatty deposits, too.
£49, www.timetospa.co.uk

Lait Corporel by Biotherm
For a lighter, non-greasy texture, choose Biotherm’s moisturiser for all of the hydrating benefits, without the weight or residue of a richer cream. Ideal for those leading a super busy lifestyle, Lait Corporel is the perfect remedy to eliminate dry patches. Essential oils of orange and grapefruit deliver an uplifting and invigorating burst of freshness, great to quickly apply after your morning shower.
£19.50, www.boots.com

Pistachio Sundae Dry Skin Fix Body Butter by NIP + FAB
Ultra rich and creamy, with a high dose of shea butter for maximum moisture, this body butter works wonders to boost hydration, by enhancing water levels and intensively replenishing. Mineral oil effectively soothes seriously parched limbs, to reveal silky soft skin, which lasts all day and smells good enough to eat.
£9.95, www.asos.com

Skin Caviar Luxe Body Cream by La Prairie
Drench your body in pure decadence with this divinely rich, conditioning and revitalising treatment, infused with luxurious, caviar extract. Providing supreme nourishment, the formula also utilises an effective firming and energising action, to leave skin enviably luminous, with a more youthful appearance.
£274, www.houseoffraser.co.uk

Body Excellence Intense Hydrating Firming Milk by Chanel
A fresh and floral formula, containing royal jasmine wax elixir, to eradicate the unpleasant feeling of tightness, through intensive 24-hour hydration. Skin is left positively glowing, comforted and firmer, due to the added Indonesian botanical, purple bengle, renowned for its body toning power. A go-to corrective product, for thirsty skin.
£53, www.harrods.com


If you do one thing this week… try Blue Cow Yoga

 

Tucked away beneath a large, important building in the city, you would be forgiven for walking straight past Blue Cow Yoga everyday of your life and never knowing it was there. Its entrance is discreetly lit with two blue lights reflecting onto the steps that lead you to its door. Once inside you won’t be disappointed. Fresh, light, airy, spacious – the studio is the stuff yogi dreams are made of. Have a cup of herbal tea catching up with a friend whilst you wait for your class to begin. If you don’t enjoy being pushed and shoved in changing room by people desperately trying to undress, then you’ll be more than pleasantly surprised by the large, minimalist cloakrooms.

Don’t get me wrong though, for Blue Cow Yoga is anything but soulless. Yes, it’s clean and uncluttered but it’s also stylish and elegant. One of my favourite rooms was the room you go through to get to one of the yoga studios. Not seeming to have any real purpose but for chilling, it has around eight chic poofs dotted around it and featured fantastic black and white photographs on the wall.

The class I was in was particularly small (there were just three of us), which I loved as it really gives you the time and the attention from the instructor to work on the simple things that have been troubling you, such as correcting your downward dog.

Blue Cow yoga is a fresh approach to a yoga studio with good teachers and free herbal tea and best of all it doesn’t smell of sweat.

Blue Cow Yoga – Fast Facts

Who set it up?
Owner’s Mark Evans and Fran Gillibrand originally became friends through their mutual love of yoga, visiting a Goan retreat in India. Mark was an ex-Army infantryman and Fran was an ex-City worker, so she was particularly aware of the stresses of city life.

How long has blue cow been open?
Just over three months.

Where does blue cow yoga take its name from?
Nilgai (literal transition ‘blue cow’) are silver antelope that roam central and northern India enjoying the benefits of an ancient mis-classification and subsequently dubious holy status. Once deified however it is hard to undo, even if scientists can now prove they never were bovine. So confusion reigns, alongside some humour, and this reminded the owners of how the modern world looks at yoga.

What was the inspiration?
To inspire people to try yoga and see how it could work for them and explaining the benefits of Yoga and making it possible to fit it into everybody’s already busy lives without demanding change or sacrifices. That meant making it accessible; anything and everything from running classes at convenient times (on time), to having great facilities like the showers (where all the products and towels are provided). And remembering that the studio is in the City and not ancient India, so talking in a language that everyone understands. Essentially, it is about giving more people the opportunity to try yoga.

http://bluecowyoga.com/


Locked Down: Hip and Healthy talks to Tri-Athlete James Lock

As England (and the rest of the world) embrace all things sport-related in the run up to the Olympics we talk to James Lock, elite tri-athlete not to mention founder of Zone 3 – one of the fastest growing Triathlon gear brands in the UK, about his training, diet and greatest sporting achievements.

Where did your enthusiasm for sport start?
I always played all sports at school but didn’t get competitive until around age 13, when I joined the local swimming club. I was then wrapped up in a world of training, racing and striving to always get faster and become number one!
Who inspires you?
No athlete in particular but I know first-hand how much effort and dedication it takes to qualify for the Olympics so anyone who achieves this goal has their own inspirational story in my eyes.
Greatest sporting achievement?
Possibly being world biathlete and world aquathlon champion within the same month as well as winning achieving a 1st class engineering degree from Loughborough the same year. Also, being able to continue racing some of the best athletes is the world whilst only training part time whilst I run my own business.
How much do you train per week?
Around 25 hours on overseas training camps, up to 15 hours per week during normal weeks.
What is your diet like?
I try to stay healthy and concentrate on well balanced meals but with the amount of calories I burn in my sport it generally means eat as much as possible!
What is your most memorable race?
Most probably coming top 10 in my first elite race in front or a large crowd in Athlone, Ireland or the races I take part in for my pro-French team, which always have a great atmosphere.
Does training get in the way of your social life?
No, I have been balancing work, training and social life since I was a 13 year old school boy so always have a good balance.
What do you do on your days off?
Mostly catch up with work or try to put my feet up and watch a film.
Hardest race?
Every race in France is Sprint distance and very competitive so it means the races are fast and furious. You don’t get a second to ease up so it’s an hour of pain every time!
What motto do you live by?
Don’t waste a minute…to achieve in sport or business you need to give it your everything so be as productive as possible and focus on the most important areas.


Eating Healthily Has Never Been Easier with Sophie Michell and Sensodyne

When it comes to eating healthily many of us feel that we just don’t have the time to whip up an amazing low-fat, low-salt, vegetable and protein rich meal. We aren’t all blessed with the culinary skills of Sophie Michell (the celebrity chef who combines her love of cooking with her nutritional knowledge – more on her later). But my recipe below is one of the easiest things in the world and takes less than 20 minutes to cook. I can also check emails, chat on the phone or watch a bit of TV whilst doing it which makes it more manageable and easy to fit into an evening after a hard day’s work. And what’s more, it only requires two pans, making the washing up minimal!

If staring down the barrel of a recipe that has a list of 100 ingredients brings you no joy at all, then you will pleased to hear that my Tomato and Coconut Chicken Noodle Soup is made up of just the below. It is incredibly nutritious and is gluten- and dairy-free making it a great dinner party dish option.

Tomato and Coconut Chicken Noodle Soup

Serves 2
You will need:
2 small chicken breasts (preferably organic)
1 bag of chopped stir-fry veg (check that there is no added sugar or salt – I suggest Waitrose)
1 pack of asparagus tips
1/2 bag of curly kale
Frozen peas (optional)
1 tin of chopped tomatoes
1 tin of 1/2 fat coconut milk
1/2 pack of Buckwheat noodles (they’re gluten-free)
Coriander

Method:
Stir-fry the chicken in a little olive or avocado oil.
Once the chicken has turned brown and looks cooked through add the vegetables and kale and stir fry for around 10 minutes.
Add the tin of tomatoes and coconut milk and reduce the heat so that it is nearly boiling. If you want the peas add them now. Leave it like this for around 8-10 minutes.
Use this waiting time to boil your buckwheat noodles. They will need between 5-8 minutes.
Then drain the noodles and add them to the chicken soup add and serve with a sprinkle of coriander on top.

For something that is much more impressive but is still healthy and wholesome see celebrity chef, Sophie Michell’s, recipe for Bang Bang Chicken Salad:

 

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients:
4 medium chicken breasts (about 150g each)
1 head of Chinese cabbage
2 carrots
50g bean sprouts
1 red onion
½ cucumber
1 tbsp fresh coriander
1 tbsp fresh mint leaves
1 tsp sesame seeds
1 small handful of micro purple basil
1 tsp fish sauce
2 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp rice vinegar
1 tsp sesame oil

Peanut sauce:
2 tbsp of crunchy peanut butter
100ml water
1 tbsp of sweet chilli sauce
2 tsp soy sauce
pinch of chilli powder

About Sophie Michell: Ex-chef to Claudia Schiffer and the chef on Cook Yourself Thin, Sophie certainly knows a thing or two about how to eat yourself gorgeous. And with such iconic restaurants as The Lanesborough and The Embassy under her belt, her culinary skills know no bounds. Sophie has teamed up with Sensodyne to spread the word about how healthy eating, and cooking, can be easy, fun and delicious.

www.bbcgoodfood.com/pronamel/vitality.html


Friday’s tea is totally cleansing

Today’s favourite is Twinings’ Cleanse infusion. This includes Spearmint, Milk Thistle and Nettle, a calming combination which helps restores balance. Nettle as previously mentioned has a number of essential nutrients, which are vital for maintaining good health. It also purifies the blood by driving out toxins by stimulating the kidneys to excrete more water. Milk Thistle similarly is renowned for it’s detoxifying abilities as it encourages the liver to self-cleanse, ridding itself of any toxins. In a time when alcohol, stress, pollution, fast food and our busy hectic lifestyles play havoc with our liver, this is no bad thing. Milk Thistle also has a mild laxative effect, which is beneficial as it increases movement in the intestinal tract thus promoting detoxification of the body by keeping bowel movements regular.

Meanwhile Spearmint has a soothing effect on the stomach as it relaxes the muscles of the intestines, relieving any digestive problems. It also fights nausea, combats heartburn whilst easing morning sickness. The menthol in Spearmint will aid any cold or runny nose as it acts as a decongestant, thinning out the mucus which makes us feel bunged up! This fantastic combo will give anyone a quick pick-me-up if they are feeling slightly below par.


Thursday’s Tea is Beauty Boosting

 

Words By Bex Fairbrother

If you find green tea too strong and intense, then a lighter more delicate tea is white tea, my all-time favourite. It is a lightly oxidised tea, which is grown and harvested primarily in China, notably in the Fujian province. Its name is derived from fine silvery-white hairs on the unopened buds of the tea plant, Camellia Sinensis. Unlike its herbal counterparts, white tea undergoes little processing and therefore has high levels of antioxidants, essential nutrients which help protect the body from damage by free radicals.  White tea is teeming with these beauty boosting goodies.

Just one cup a day can boost your overall daily liquid intake which is essential for clear skin and good brain function whilst also giving you an extra dose of nutrients which in turn can help slow down the ageing process. My personal favourite is Tea Pigs White Tea. What makes this tea so fantastic is that the whole leaf is individually enveloped in a little fabric pyramid, enabling it to breath and allowing you to get a full taste as well as all the health benefits.

Drinking white tea has a number of health enhancing qualities. It protects against cancer, heart disease, and stroke, all leading causes of death in the industrial world, as well as numerous other conditions. It eases the symptoms of illness and promotes recovery. It also strengthens the circulatory and immune systems as well as our bones and teeth, and builds healthy skin.

 


Wednesday’s Tea is full of Energy

Words By Bex Fairbrother

 

A Hip and Healthy favourite is Do Matcha green tea.  It is a great way to include skin and immune-supporting compounds in your daily diet.  As green tea powder is actually a food rather than a supplement, it has the potential to be better absorbed and more efficiently utilised by the body. What gives Do Matcha the ‘edge’ though is its high antioxidant content – particularly when in comparison to ordinary green tea. Do Matcha is said to provide up to 137 times more of the antioxidant ‘EGCG’, than ordinary green tea. Antioxidants may help to support improved immune health and skin health by protecting both from cellular damage. Do Matcha also naturally contains the amino acid theanine, which has been shown in research to encourage alpha waves in the brain. This type of brain wave helps to put us in a calmer, more relaxed state. This in turn may also help to support a healthy immune system, as stress and how your body responds to it can have an effect on how your immune system functions. Promoting positive and relaxing alpha waves in the brain may also support our skin, since it has often been shown that skin suffers when we are tired and stressed.

Drinking tea is not only good for the body, it is also good for the soul and can be a sociable affair which in turn boosts our mood.  Why not enjoy a pot of this remedial tea with a group of friends.

Get yours from www.domatcha.com


Tuesday’s Tea is full of Grace…

If you are still feeling a little jaded from the weekend, try Dr. Stuart’s Skin Purify tea. This health-boosting herbal infusion does exactly what it says on the tin…or packet! It is an invigorating blend of red clover, nettle leaves and dandelion root which all help to purify and soothe your skin. Dr. Stuart creates his teas using herbs of the highest quality medicinal grade. Red clover is used to treat hot flushes and PMS whilst also lowering cholesterol, improving urine production and circulation of the blood. It is also used to help prevent osteoporosis and reduce the possibility of blood clots. Red clover is also rich in calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, and vitamin C, while Nettle and dandelion are known for their cleansing properties. Nettle, a native British herb, is excellent as a pick-me-up when feeling run down. This is because of it is rich in minerals such as iron, calcium and silica. Iron produces red blood cells and is essential for keeping our energy levels up, whilst calcium and silica are important for building bones and maintaining healthy hair and teeth. Dr. Stuart has extensive experience and a wealth of knowledge on the properties and health benefits of herbs. He uses essential oils and active botanicals and that’s why his range of teas is full of health-boosting and healing properties, leading him to be dubbed the Father of Modern Herbalism. Why not unwind after a long day with a cup of this skin purifying tea? It has subtle flavours and can be drunk throughout the year to give your complexion that much-needed boost and your mood a little lift.

For an extra beauty boost, used tea bags can be laid on the eyes to rest them and smooth out wrinkles. Some believe that is also an effective treatment for removing styles and other eye infections.