Smokin'!

Make sure your Sunday BBQ is smokin'!  Love lazy summer days...




image: redlightchicago.wordpress.com

Mrs. Scrub

Last weeks spray tan is fading bad, I need some abrasion....not a brillo pad! 


Thanks Mrs Lilien...
blog.mrslilien.com

Hand and Foot Spa

Came across this amazing concept Hand and Foot Spa whilst meandering down Fulham Road today.
How very clever to make this so bespoke and upmarket.  Their treatment menu is incredibly extensive in the mani and pedi departments.  They have locations in Chelsea, Wimbledon and Esher.
Check out http://www.handfootspa.co.uk/
I loved the whole look of this place but no one could possibly work their magic like London's Hand and Foot guru Toni Jade who does it only all too well whilst in the comfort of your own home!
No more smudges whilst wrestling your key into the ignition or catching your toes on the pedals!

home inspiration: SHADES OF GREY

home inspiration: SHADES OF GREY

Please do check this out! Great blog!

Smooth Operator...

Unsightly dimples as you prepare for destination Sunshine?

Environ®'s Intensive Body Profile is a Body Toning Gel formulated to smoothen, tighten and condition the skin. It assists with improving the appearance of uneven skin surface on areas such as the legs, buttocks, stomach and upper arms.
It contains a number of active ingredients such as Myriceline™, which is involved in 3 metabolic processes relating to fat strorage - Adipongenesis, Lipolysis and Lipogenesis. These processes serve to decrease the development of mature fat cells, increase the destruction of accumulated fat and avoid the creation of new fat deposits. Pronalen Modeling™ assists with body remodelling, smoothing and refirming and contains Guarana (Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract) which activates blood circulation.
These ingredients help eliminate excess fluids and strengthen the moisture barrier properties of the skin boosting the skins elasticity. Body Profile assists in the reduction of the "orange peel effect" or uneven skin surface often associated with cellulite and helps to remodel the skin while firming it and leaving it healthier and smoother. Suitable for home and professional use, this product is easily absorbed and fragrance free. Body Profile lasts twelve (12) months unopened and should be used within 6-8 weeks after opening.
Not to be used on the face and dècolletè.

Best used in conjunction with daily dry skin brushing for better absorption and to kick-start the lymphatic
system.  As well as Skin Pure from Advanced Nutrition Programme

Wild Greens

I just loved this post on Etsy today and sadly there was no link to post it on so I have cut and pasted to share...  Certainly some salad inspiration for the week!

Story by sarahhuck

Published on July 12, 2011 in Make

Photo by Campfire Cookery

Do the woods beckon you to explore? The next time you venture into the outdoors, leave behind that can of beans and bag of marshmallows; let the forest be your salad bar! Consider Jaimee Young and Sarah Huck, authors of Campfire Cookery: Adventuresome Recipes and Other Curiosities for the Great Outdoors, your intrepid guides into foraging for edible greens in the wild. For this week’s How-Tuesday post, they’ll teach you how to make a delectable salad from freshly scavenged greens.
(And, if you’re city tied, fear not! We have a special urban foraging post on the horizon!)

The wilderness is filled with greens, from grassy glade and mossy rock to the leaves upon the trees. But how to celebrate this verdant splendor, when one eats neither grass nor moss, neither leaf-lined branch nor bud? The salad bowl is just the place for a pageant of greenery, as one can fill it with a tender mix of lush edibles scooped from the field.

Foraging for Greens of the Wilderness

The seventeenth-century poet Robert Herrick famously implored us to “gather ye rosebuds while ye may.” For, he explained, “Old Time is still a-flying; and this same flower that smiles to-day, To-morrow will be dying.” Trade “salad greens” for “rosebuds,” and we couldn’t agree more.

We are a society said to have evolved from groups of hunter-gatherers, yet we now spend our time hunting for parking spots at the supermarket, then gathering cartloads of prepackaged goods. It’s much more pleasant to take a walk on the wild side, with a canvas satchel ready to be filled with the edible forest foliage one spies along the way.

The shocking truth is that tasty roughage such as purslane, miner’s lettuce, wild arugula, or dandelion greens is so prolific in the great outdoors that certain government agencies have classified them as pernicious weeds. But what do bureaucrats know of the joys wilderness greens can bestow? Flavors peppery to sweet are the signature of these discovered delicacies. But take warning: when foraging for forest greens, do go wild but not with abandon. Adhere to the forager’s code: Never take more than is
necessary; leave at least two-thirds of one’s verdant quarry for the next lucky salad seeker. Never rip the plants out by the roots, but snip off the tops with a dainty pair of shears so the harvest will return the next season. And to answer the question, should one bother to wash one’s foraged greens? We reply with a question of our own: Does a bear wee in the woods?

Naturally, one ought never to eat what one cannot absolutely and positively identify. To that end, we present a truncated guide to greens of the forest. We hope it will inspire you to invest in a more comprehensive encyclopedia to further the quest to gather salad greens while you may (for tomorrow they may be encased in plastic and sold for a small fortune at a boutique market).

1. Purslane (Portulaca oleracea). Its distinctive, paddle-shaped leaves are smooth and branch off from reddish stems. When in doubt, give the stem a snap — if it is filled with a water-like liquid, it’s purslane. If a milky substance leaks out, exercise caution. That plant could be the poisonous spotted spurge, which is not so good.

2. Miner’s Lettuce (Claytonia perfoliata). This lovely green, also sometimes called spring beauty, emerges from February to June in shady areas of North America. It is known for its rosette-like leaf adorned by a tiny white bloom at the center. It got its name because it was so widely enjoyed by
those who journeyed to California in a rush for gold. They sought riches of gilt and found a leaf rich in vitamin C. The forty-niners may have suffered financial disappointment, but at least they didn’t have scurvy.

3. Wild Arugula (Eruca sativa). This wild green will certainly give its cousin, domesticated arugula, an inferiority complex. For it is everything that tamed arugula is, but more so. Its radish-like flavor is even bolder; its looks are similar, but it has more jagged leaves, a more pronounced stem, a deeper, more emerald color. It is mostly found in the Mediterranean, where the ancients sang its praises as an aphrodisiac. Gather ye wild arugula for wild amour.

4. Dandelion Greens (Taraxacum officinale). The tell-tale yellow flower is easily spotted, though the greens are really at their most tender and flavorful just as they emerge from the earth, before they have had a chance to blossom. The name dandelion comes from the French dent de lion (“lion’s tooth”) and, indeed, the leaves are reminiscent of jagged rows of predatory fangs. This is a green with bite; its bitter, piquant flavor is at its best after with a gentle sauté over the fire.

5. Chicory (Cichorium intybus). Closely related to the dandelion green, chicory also has leaves with toothy edges; it can be distinguished by the bright blue flowers and sparse down upon its leaves. For salad, one should harvest chicory leaves early in spring, before its tender shoots have been corrupted by sultry summer. Like dandelion, chicory leaves are also good sautéed. The roots may be roasted, ground,
and used as a convincing substitute for coffee, if one doesn’t mind the missing jolt of caffeine.

6. Sorrel (Rumex acetosa). Should one wish to lunch like a butterfly, sorrel would be one’s first choice; certain species’ larvae feast on this tangy green. The plant boasts juicy stems and leaves shaped like arrowheads — appropriate, considering sorrel’s sharp taste. It makes an excellent, lemony soup, though we enjoy the vibrancy it lends to an otherwise mild mix of salad greens. It flourishes in grassy
fields and woods.

7. Watercress (Nasturtium officinale). Once a domesticated plant, watercress is such an enthusiastic breeder that it now thrives in the wild. As its name suggests, watercress can be found growing in streambeds and creeks, and even in damp roadside ditches, though we imagine ditch cress
to be rather steeped in petrol fumes. Watercress consists of a thick stem that can be eaten or not, and small, roundish leaves. It is an astoundingly nutritious plant and can be served nearly any way one wishes: sautéed, steamed, boiled, or raw. We find its flavor mildly peppery.

 

Photo by downhomephotography

Fiddleheads

How to Make a Wild Salad

Ingredients for 4-6 portions:
8 cups mixed wild greens, such as purslane, dandelion (best used sparingly, as it is bitter), arugula, sorrel, or miner’s lettuce)
Vinaigrette
Kosher salt, to taste
Freshly milled black pepper, to taste
Edible flowers (see below), for garnish, optional
Edible Blooms: If the notion of eating flowers calls to mind a pasture cow chomping on clover, it is
time to revise one’s thinking. A colorful blend of delicate blossoms instantly makes a salad of simple mixed greens more elegant, and depending upon the chosen blooms, will add lemony, peppery, tart, or honeyed flavor. Before dashing off to the nearest meadow, take note: not all flowers are edible. Pluck only those you are certain can be safely digested, such as violet, hyssop, borage, calendula, lilac, nasturtium, dandelion, pansy, and marigold. Remove all pistils and stamens before eating and avoid any flowers suspected to have received pesticide treatment.

Directions:

Tear the greens into bite-size pieces and drop them into a large salad bowl. Pour enough dressing over the salad to lightly coat the greens. We prefer a wild salad to be austerely dressed; too much accessorizing can distract from its simple beauty. A drizzle of lemon and oil are all that are needed here. Taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary. Garnish with edible flowers, if one strives for fanciness.

Enjoy!

Thank you to Sarah Huck and Jaimee Young and the good folks at Abrams Books for sharing this project with us. For more projects, recipes, and outdoorsy tips, pick up a copy of Campfire Cookery from Amazon or a local independent bookseller

Happy Week End

Some soaking....


 with some shaded lounging & reading in my new swim attire! 
If only....
Happy week-end wherever you are and whatever you do!

What do your nails say about you?

LONG NAILS

• Are susceptible to lung and chest diseases.
• Long nails with a tinge of blue on the surface indicate weak constitution of health.

SHORT NAILS

• Indicate the tendency for a weak heart.
• They lack strong action orientation.
• If a furrow is found, it is a clear indication of the bearer’s recent confrontation with a nervous disease.
• Visibility of white spots on the nails concludes fragility in health.
• Moreover, white flecks signify the disruption of the whole nervous system and possible zinc deficiency

THE FLAT NAILS

• Very flat nails signify a danger of paralysis.
• When form of a shell they conclude paralysis.
• Appearance of blue color and disappearance of moons indicate that the disease is in advanced stage.

LONG AND NARROW NAILS

• Indicate spinal fragility.

THE MOONS OF THE NAILS

• Large moons signify sturdiness in health.
• Moons are generally associated with blood circulation.
• However, bizarre moon size indicates excessive pressure of blood.

Exclamation! Swimwear Sensation...!!

So despite us Brits having ZERO summer coming up to end of July, I thought investing in some swimwear may be a good omen, as of course it can't get any worse!
So first up is my new purchase, after the citrine necklace from thevamoose.com, its a fabulously fun orange one piece with what looks like white hearts, but are not!
All the above groovy pieces are on sale at Whistles NOW for half the price!
Great fit which inspired a speedy sprint to the nearest Self Tan booth in Chiswick!

Available from Whistles and pictures courtesy of sheerluxe.com



It all starts with a do it yourself salt scrub!






And ends in a relaxation space upstairs consisting of the most divine water bed loungers.
These are most welcome after the extremes of temperature
from various sauna's to steam rooms, aroma pools, light therapy rooms and plunge pools!
Just when you thought things could not get any better...
a glass of bubbles arrives and after this we venture into the dream
and wave therapy rooms where we quietly doze before heading
back to reality in London!


Spa Amsterdam Zuiver
Koenenkade 8 (Amsterdam Forest)
1081 KH Amsterdam
The Netherlands
T +31 (0)20 301 07 10
F +31 (0)20 301 07 08
E info@spazuiver.nl




Pictures courtesy of google images.

Hooray for Friday!

Whatever you get up to this week end make sure it's fun!  End of the school term beckons some rest and recuperation! I am off to a wedding in Amsterdam and on Sunday some R&R at Amsterdam's Zuiver Spa!  Watch this blog next week for the outcome...

Coconut Water

One way to help prevent dehydration, whether you're braving triple digits for errands or trying to find a shady path to run, is to stock up on coconut water.   I first discovered it doing Bikram Yoga a few years ago, and I got to say its a pretty refreshing tipple served chilled after a hard workout or even if you are suffering the dehyrating effects of a night out!  I also give a small glass to my girls if they have suffered a bout of diarrhoea or tummy upset as it re-hydrates quickly due to the electrolyte content.

• Why drink it?  Coconut water contains many essential electrolytes, including a whopping amount of potassium, which rehydrate you quickly — perfect for a postworkout at any time, but especially important when the heat rises.
• Mix it up. Add coconut water to smoothies, use flavored coconut water to make ice lollies (Vita Coco's acai and pomegranate flavour is a goodie!

Available in Tesco's and most Health Food stores.  Another good brand is Zicco, if you can't find Vita Coco.

Brushed Up

Dry Skin Brushing
If there's one thing we should be doing for our skin, its Skin Brushing...
Dry skin brushing may be the single most important therapy you add to your daily program. Your skin is your largest elimination organ. It releases a pound of waste each day and will be the first organ to show symptoms of imbalance or toxicity.  If your skin cannot efficiently release toxins, you may experience rashes, acne, hives, itchiness, body odor, or even eczema and psoriasis. Dead skin cells, excreted wastes and external pollution (including dirt and skin care products) can build up and clog your pores. Clogged pores inhibit your skin from effectively releasing toxins.

Benefits of Dry Skin Brushing:

Everyone knows that exfoliating the skin is great for creating radiant and vibrant looking skin. But did you know it’s also an essential tool for good circulation, strengthening the immune system, stimulating the nervous system, toning the muscles and improving digestion? Here is a list of the many inspiring benefits of dry skin brushing:

• Stimulates blood and lymph flow. The lymphatic system is an important part of your cleansing and immune system. White blood cells called lymphocytes carry nutrients to cells and remove waste. The lymph flows outside of the circulatory system to bathe, cleanse and restore all of our cells, but it must be returned to the blood vessels to dump its waste. It does this through tiny lymph vessels with one-way valves to the heart. If we don’t move the lymph quickly enough we end up with swollen tissues, particularly in the ankles. Exercise, massage and skin brushing help to speed the process and clear the lymphatic system.
• Removes dead skin cells. Dry skin is a sign of detoxification. It is important to remove the dead cells to keep from clogging the system. This will also improve skin texture and renew the skin cells.
• Stimulates the hormone and oil glands. With daily brushing and bathing, the skin can produce the oil needed to stay healthy. Sweating is an important part of detoxification but when your system is clogged, you may experience foul body odor and extra work is put onto the bladder, kidneys and liver. With regular exercise and cleansing the skin, you will notice that your sweat no longer smells. However, with increased detoxing on your whole body cleanse, you may find it gets worse before it gets better.
• Reduces cellulite. I had no idea that skin brushing would lessen cellulite until I started to see it in myself! It requires daily brushing for several months to start to see results. When you massage and stimulate the skin it begins to break up the toxic deposits of stored fatty tissues that pucker the overlying skin into cellulite. Connective tissue massage and releasing stored emotions are also good treatments for cellulite.
• Strengthens the immune system. Dry skin brushing can reduce the length of infections and illness by moving the toxins more quickly through the system and stimulating the lymph to move waste matter out.
• Stimulates the nervous system, tones the muscles, tightens the skin. By stimulating nerve endings in the skin, this technique will rejuvenate your nerves and activate individual muscle fibers, resulting in toner muscles. The increased blood flow to skin, and removing of dead cells, stimulates the creation of new skin cells which tightens and regenerates overall skin health.
• Nurtures your body. Maybe one of the most important benefits of this practice is purely the pleasure of nurturing your body. Learning to love your body is essential for weight loss and the healing of any bodily “dis-ease.” Spend this time, 5-10 minutes per day, giving your body the attention it craves and deserves. Giving it superior support will reward you many times over.

Selecting your Skin Brush
Choose a brush that has natural fiber bristles and a long handle for reaching all of your back. Some have a removable handle and strap for using the brush without the handle. The bristles may feel too firm at first, but your skin will acclimate to this over time. If you have very sensitive skin, you may want to start with a softer brush or use a dry towel in the beginning.
My favorite is one with a detachable long handle but there a variety on the market.

How to Use Your Dry Skin Brush

1. Brush your dry body before you shower or bathe, preferably in the morning.
2. Start at your feet and always brush toward your heart. Use brisk circular motions or long, even strokes.
3. Brush all the way up your legs, then over your abdomen, buttocks, and back. If you have cellulite on your hips and thighs, concentrate their a little longer. For complete dissolving of cellulite, brush for 10 minutes daily for several months.
4. Brush lightly on sensitive areas like breasts and more firmly on areas like soles of the feet.
5. When you reach your arms, begin at your fingers and brush up your arms, toward your heart. Brush your shoulders and chest down, always toward your heart.
6. Avoid brushing anywhere the skin is broken or where you have a rash, infection, cut or wound.
7. Finish by taking a shower and if you choose, use cold/hot therapy to further stimulate the lymphatic system and improve circulation.
8. Dry off vigorously and massage pure plant oils into your skin such as almond, sesame, avocado, coconut, olive or cacoa butter.

Cactus fibre bristle brush available from thenaturalspafactory.com for £8.99.

http://youtu.be/hvso1LeSAjY  will show you briefly and explain what to do...




This feed is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or treat illness.
I advise you to follow your own intuition and do your own additional research.
In the case of serious illness, seek the advice of an alternative health care
professional.





































Thanks to Google Images.

Lose WEIGHT feel GREAT!

Metabolic Support

A crucial add on to your supplement programme if your weight fluctuates.  This is a great aid to a healthy controlled diet and exercise plan.

The Key nutrients are:

Chromium:  Balances blood sugar, normalises hunger and reduces cravings.

Garcinia Cambogia:  Slows down the production of fat by stimulating the body's burning of excess calories rather than storing as fat.  Reduces and stabilizes appetite.

5-HTP:  Boosts serotonin to control appetite, enhances mood, reduces cravings for sugar and carbohydrates.

Vit B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, Folic Acid:  Energy production.

30 day supply. 

Take one tablet between meals.

Suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Not tested on animals.

Support with a Skin Vitality 1, 2 or Provitality Formula.

Not advisable for pregnancy, individuals taking Fenfluramine or anti-depressants.



Skin Defender - Advanced Nutrition Programme

Skin Defender

2000 Deaths a year in Britain are attributed to melanoma.  Cases are doubling every year!

Skin Defender is for those who are likely when they are away to suffer from a burning episode and like to be in the sun between 12 and 4pm.  This is by no means a replacement for your SPF, but it can protect skin better from UV and the elements.

Contains a cocktail of anti-oxidants : 

Selenium:  Skin Cancer prevention

Zinc:  Healing.  Supports growth, repair and renewal.

Vit E:  Effective UV filter

Beta Carotene

Vit C

Green Tea:  All powerful antioxidants

Lycopene:  Protects against sunburn.

Curcumin:  Protects cells from radiation

Grapeseed Extract:  Prevents collagen breakdown, healing.

Recommended for anyone exposed to sunlight.  Helps prevent and protect from pigmentation.

One capsule daily with a meal.   2 Month supply. 

Developed by Patrick Holford and Lorraine Perretta.

Thanks to iiaa for image.

Pilates

Several months ago I was fortunate to have found an excellent pilates instructor called
Fiona Barbour-Smith who does a 6 persons mat class from her beautiful basement in Chiswick.

Its taken me a while to get into it and I would certainly benefit from 2 or more days a week, however I am reaping the rewards with a huge improvement in my core strength and a major reduction in the back ache I had previously suffered.

Unlike some forms of exercise, Pilates does not over-develop some parts of the body and neglect others. While Pilates training focuses on core strength, it trains the body as an integrated whole. Pilates workouts promote strength and balanced muscle development as well as flexibility and increased range of motion for the joints.  Workouts are tailor-made to the individual and suit a range of ages and abilities.









Thanks to moredesignplease.com for this image through Pinterest.

Cranial

I love this image.  It's titled 'Nervous System' from PINTEREST.

 Just had an 8am session with my Cranial Osteopath Beryl Grix who spent over an hour working on me.  I arrived harassed after having fought my way through the rush hour traffic to Kew, and left instilled with complete calm.  May this linger all day....

D is for Deficient!

Had a great feed today onYou Tube from Andreas Moritz on Vitamin D and how essential sunshine is for us.  So throw away that SPF 50!!  http://youtu.be/pUYOxnuzRHU

This really is worth watching from start to finish! 
I have been totally 'enlightened'!

Images courtesy of PINTEREST.

It's not Tennis!

Wherever your after party takes you tonight, make sure you look GLAMOUROUS!

Bring on the Strawberries & Cream!



A strawberry has the highest concentration of vitamin C. As it’s a fleshy and juicy fruit it has good amount of water content. It is a rich source of dietary fiber too.  Consuming strawberries is good for health and can certainly revitalize your skin.  Strawberries are good antioxidant agents which aid the elimination of waste from your body. They also boost the immune system and help to fight against infection. Once waste is washed away from your body, the skin ultimately glows. A good reason to tuck in whilst watching the tennis!



Eat more Asparagus before the season is over...

Asparagus is packed with health benefits and may slow the aging process...

It’s loaded with nutrients, is a very good source of fiber, folate, vitamins A, C, E and K, as well as chromium, a trace mineral that enhances the ability of insulin to transport glucose from the bloodstream into cells.

This herbaceous plant—along with avocado, kale and Brussels sprouts—is a particularly rich source of glutathione, a detoxifying compound that helps break down carcinogens and other harmful compounds like free radicals. This is why eating asparagus may help protect against and fight certain forms of cancer, such as bone, breast, colon, larynx and lung cancers.

Asparagus is packed with antioxidants, ranking among the top fruits and vegetables for its ability to neutralize cell-damaging free radicals. This, according to preliminary research, may help slow the aging process.