Quit smoking for good in 2020

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Like so many vices, people know that smoking is bad for them, but giving up can be hard.

There is no getting away from the addictive nature of cigarettes, but stopping is the best you can do for your health, and it won’t hurt your pocket either.

Let’s have a look at how you can get away from the smoke, nicotine, smell and toxicity of one of the worst habits in the world.

Make a list
Having all the reasons you are quitting, written down in black and white can be a great way to kick things off. Whether it is to smarten up your teeth, keep cancer at bay, save money, smell better or just be healthier, write down your reasons. Next, stick them on the fridge door, kitchen cupboards, bathroom mirror and add to your phone so you are reminded all the time – and when you are feeling like cracking and lighting up, those words will help see you through.

Have a clear out
The dirt and smell of smoking is pretty gross, so having a clean-up can help get you in the right headspace to quit for good. Get rid of all the ashtrays, put lighters and matches in the bin, chuck out any old packs, find stubs in the garden and bin them. Then, open the windows in the house, and your car, and have a really good clear up. Wash your bedding, put throws and cushions through the machine, and a valet is good if you smoked when you drove.

Talk about it
Family and friends will be used to seeing you smoke, so let them know you are stopping. Some might join you, but at least if they know you are quitting then they shouldn’t offer you one when they see you, you don’t need temptation to be placed in your path.

Think about what you eat
A lot of people find that they put on weight when they quit smoking, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Eating a balanced diet and not adding in lots of sugary snacks and takeaways is the key to maintaining your weight. Drink plenty of water, stock up on fruit and veggies, and don’t up your alcohol intake as a substitute for smoking.

Get fit
Just as eating well, you might also want to consider doing some more exercise, or taking it up for the first time again. Maybe join a gym, go to a new dance class with a friend or join a local netball team who are looking for new players. Yes, you might find that smoking has had an impact on your fitness levels, but keep at it and in time you’ll get fitter, be able to keep up with others, but more importantly you will become a better, healthier you.

Keep your cash
There is no escaping the fact that cigarettes are expensive and a total waste of money. Whether you were on three a day or thirty a day, get a jar or money box and put the money you were spending on your habit, in it. At the end of the year, treat yourself to something you really want – we think you will be surprised at just how much you’ll save.

Ask the professionals
Before you do give up, maybe speak to your GP or pharmacist and make sure you have the support you need. Yes, you can go cold turkey and place your bets on willpower, but with gum, lozenges and groups out there to help you quit, you don’t have to go it alone.

Good luck and well done for taking the first step towards being a better you.

Team Pure Beauty

How to have a very eco-Christmas

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As we hurtle our way towards the festive season, now is the time to stop and think about what you are buying, and why you are buying it. Yes, we all want to have a great time with family and friends, but to do this there is no need to buy tinsel and tat that will take the local landfill to bursting point.

We have some top tips on how you can be kinder to the planet and look out for future generations while still raising a glass (not a plastic one) with your nearest and dearest this Christmas.

A renewable Christmas tree
You read it right. Millions of Christmas trees are bought every year and that’s a lot of waste! Other options include going for a fake tree – but if you do this, pack it up and keep it for years to come. A new trend being seen in farms, garden centres and nurseries is one where there is a Christmas-tree hire service, so you collect, use and return! Or you can do it yourself and buy a rooted tree that you then plant in the garden after Christmas and bring back out from the cold for the next few weeks.

What about cards?
An unbelievable number of Christmas cards are thrown away each year, so let’s put a stop to that. You can either use ones from years gone by, make your own (leave the glitter out of the equation) or you can send e-cards which cuts down your carbon footprint as well as saving trees and money, oh yes and the fumes of the post vans that deliver them!

Recycle gifts
Years ago, no one would have thought about doing this, but if you have goodies that are brand new that you didn’t want, dust them off and wrap them up for someone else – they will be happy and so will your eco-conscience.

Wrapping paper
Speaking of wrapping up, this is a good one to thing about as all that shiny, glittery paper isn’t up too much for anything other than ripping up come Christmas Day. If you can, save paper each year and bring it out next December, giving it a gentle iron if need be. You can also go for brown paper, draw on bows rather than using ribbon and keep things super simple but stylish and environment loving.

Give away your time
Why spend money if you don’t have to? Instead, give a gift from the heart and do something nice for someone instead of giving them another pair of socks or box of chocolates. You could create some pretty cheques and make them out for something like a walk in the park, a trip to the beach, or an hour of gardening once a week and use this as a lovely gesture of showing how much you care.

Go meat free
This idea seems alien to some, but even if on one day you look at creating vegetarian and vegan recipes, it could make a difference if everyone did the same. We aren’t talking about an omelette or nut roast, but instead look at a tasty bean casserole, spicy sweet potato wedges or bubble and squeak – it might be out of your comfort zone, but it could lead to some pretty special resolutions come 31st December. When you do eat meat, go for organic and free-range options, and if you can, support your local farms and butchers – not just at Christmas, but all year round.

Don’t over buy
You know what we are talking about here. The day before Christmas and the supermarket is carnage as people stock up as if the world is going to end, whereas you’ll find somewhere open on the big day if you run out. Just like Santa, make a list, check it twice and this year, be nice rather than naughty and keep to it! If you have leftovers, see what you can freeze, donate some to an elderly neighbour, local food bank or soup kitchen and then compost any other waste.

Recycle
We know the temptation is to keep a black bag open and on the go come Christmas morning, but rather than chucking everything in the bin, have fun as you open presents and cook dinner, and sort things into recycling as you go to keep things green.

You see, it’s the small things that can really have a big impact, so go forth and enjoy the festivities but keep the planet in mind whenever you can.

Team Pure Beauty

Christmas cooking the fun way

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This year, why not impress family and friends with homemade biscuits and snacks, and as well as saving yourself some money, you can have festive fun too? We have several tried and tested recipes we love, and hope you will too!

Christmas tree cookies
These cute cookies look good, taste great, are easy to make and even the youngest members of the family can get involved and help you to decorate them!

For these winning treats, you will need:

470g of plain flour
1 level teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of table salt
225g of unsalted butter
300g of caster sugar
Two medium eggs
Two teaspoons of vanilla extract
A Christmas tree cuter
Colouring icing sugar pens
Silver balls

Sift together the baking powder, flour and salt. Cream together the butter and sugar until you have a light and fluffy mix, then beat in the eggs (one at a time) and finally stir in the vanilla. At this point you can then slowly add the flour mix, and when you have a ball of dough, wrap it in cling film and put it in the fridge for around an hour.

When you get the dough from the fridge, pre-heat your oven to 200 C / gas mark 6 /180C fan and line two baking trays with parchment paper – this means the cookies will slide off once cool and you won’t have any nasty pan scrubbing to do.

Roll out the dough on a floured surface and cut out your cookies.

Bake for about eight minutes or until the edges are just turning light brown, and transfer from the baking trays to cooling racks.

Decorate with the icing pens when the cookies are completely cool and put on the little silver balls for an added touch, then either eat them (fast) or put them in pretty boxes with tissue paper and give them out as presents!

Cheese Stars

For the school party, or drinks with friends, these easy to make cheese stars are winners.

You will need:

A pack of pre-made puff pastry
One mug of grated cheese – a mild cheddar / mozzarella mix works well
Flour for dusting
2 table spoons of whole milk
A star cutter

It is best to make these on the day of eating, so when you are ready, preheat the oven to 200C / 180C fan / gas mark 6 and line two baking sheets with parchment paper, or grease them with a little butter.

Next roll out the sheet of pastry and put your grated cheese on half of it, fold it over and then on a floured surface, gently roll to around double the size. At this point just make sure no cheese is escaping from the sides as this can get messy in the oven! Next, cut out star shapes from the folded sheet and place on the baking sheets, brush with milk and cook for around ten minutes. You can add some herbs or salt to the tops of the stars if you like! They will last for a couple of days in a tin, but we don’t think they will be around that long!

Veggie Tree

For something super healthy for the party table, you can’t go wrong with savoury festive tree made with goodness and love.

For this you will need:

Lots of cherry tomatoes – cut in half
Green grapes – cut in half
A yellow pepper with a piece of the flesh cut into a star shape
Half a cucumber
Salsa
A large silver foil platter

Chop a 5cm piece of cucumber and place it at the bottom of the foil platter to make the tree trunk. Then you need to make a row of tomatoes and grapes to make the first part of the tree, and then add more layers, each one shorter than the last so you end up with a cute Christmas tree shape. At the top you can add your yellow pepper star, then serve with the salsa and the rest of the cucumber cut into sticks! This looks fun and jolly and also help to keep up your five a day!

Got a recipe you love, let us know about!

Team Pure Beauty

The best Christmas markets around

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Over the past decade, Christmas markets have become increasingly popular in the UK, and with events popping up all over the place, there is something for everyone.

Whether you are looking for handmade gifts, fine wines, exquisite foods or just the chance to feel festive and get together with family and friends before the full blown celebrations start, we think we have something that will be right for you.

Exeter
Set to the back drop of the city’s beautiful cathedral, the Exeter Christmas market takes place between 15th November and 16th December and isn’t to be missed. Wooden chalets are occupied by local and national businesses selling everything from original art work and handmade leather bags, to delicious gins and seasonal cakes, and with a buzzing atmosphere, a visit won’t disappoint. Make a weekend of it and you can also visit the seaside town of Teignmouth or go wild on Dartmoor – with so much to do, see and buy, you won’t want to go home.

Bath
Between 22 November and 9 December, nearly 200 stalls selling a wide range of products that you won’t find on the High Street, will line the pretty streets of Bath. Beautiful ceramics and glass wear, bespoke clothes, toys and sweets are all on offer, together with foodies selling crepes, hog roasts and mulled wine too. Why not stay at one of the city’s boutique hotels, visit the Roman Baths and by the time you get home you will be feeling relaxed and ready for the festivities ahead of you.

Edinburgh
Edinburgh, isn’t just for New Year, you know. Between 17 November and 5 January this beautiful Scottish city is alive with Christmas activities that attract thousands of visitors every year. From the markets at the East Princes Street Gardens, to the popular Johnnie Walker Bothy Bar, the bumper cars and Christmas tree maze, Edinburgh is an experience you don’t want to miss!

Belfast
From 17 November to December 22, the streets of Belfast are transformed into a totally magical Christmas affair. The very best Belgian chocolates and German sausages, arts and crafts, decorations and clothes, are all on sale from stalls scattered between the helter skelter and vintage carousel, and with Santa’s Grotto to visit it too, we suggest you book a flight, and soon.

Winchester
When it comes to Christmas markets, Winchester really does lead the way. Between 17 November and 20 December, this medieval city becomes even more special as wooden chalets line Cathedral Close and offer Christmas cheer. Businesses come together to sell a whole host of beautiful products which will make treasured gifts, and with an open-air ice rink, pretty nativity and delicious food court selling goodies such as mince pies, pasties and stollen, you will want to go back year after year.

If you have somewhere special you love to visit, let us know so we can try it out too.

Team Pure Beauty

Getting your first home in shape

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Congratulations, you are a home owner.

There is something special about taking possession of the keys to your first home and it is certainly a huge achievement.

Turning a house into a home however, can be a costly exercise, but fret not, we are here with some simple steps that will allow you to make your abode your own without doubling the mortgage.

Clean out the dirt
Even if you have bought a brand-new property, we would suggest you go in and give your new place a thorough clean before you do anything else. Dusting, hoovering, polishing and disinfecting will rid your home of any dirt and bugs and give you a totally blank canvas for the next step of your life.

Don’t blow the budget on day one
Heading straight to the High Street the moment the last box is unpacked, isn’t the best plan. It might be boring but making a list of exactly what you already have, costs nothing and could save you a small fortune. Ask yourself whether you need everything you have already got, what can be moved into other rooms and anything you don’t need can be sold, given away or donated to the charity shop.

Paint the walls
A quick lick of paint is a super easy, pretty inexpensive way to give your home an instant lift and to give it your own stamp. We would suggest going for a soft white or pale grey that can run through the entire property. If you want to make a splash in one or two rooms, go for a striking statement wall in a strong blue, mustard or pink which will offer not only a pop of colour but a glamorous edge too.

Add light with mirrors
If you want to add bursts of light to your rooms and shimmer to your walls, mirrors are the perfect solution. Strategically placing mirrors on walls will add depth and light and also give an air of sophistication if you choose ones with a gold or wooden frame.

Call in favours
If this is the first home of your own, call in the favours when it comes to essential furniture, decorations and even pots and pans. Make a list of what you need and while it might not be perfect, you will be amazed at what family and friends have in their garages and shed gathering dust and cobwebs. Start asking around, put posts on social media and go to garage sales and boot fairs and you’ll have all you need in no time and can replace with new when the time is right.

Take it one room at a time
When you are ready to do some work, take it one room at a time. As you will have seen from the TV property shows, renovation projects can be costly, stressful and often take far longer than expected. Whether you need a new kitchen, the bathroom need replacing as the current one is a ‘70s shade of avocado or the conservatory needs taking down, start at the beginning and don’t take on more than you can achieve – this is a marathon not a sprint.

Relax
Last but by no means least, please relax. You only buy your first home once, so make sure you enjoy it and realise what a massive milestone this is. One of the best parts of buying a new house is the freedom to do what you like with it, when you want, so embrace it and have fun.

Team Pure Beauty