Healthy meals the slow cooker way

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B vitamins, beef, Broccoli, brown off, carrots, cayenne pepper, celery, cheese board, cheese sauce, chickpeas, Cinnamon, coconut milk, cool kids on the block, copper, cost-effective, creamy, crusty bread, culinary beauties, cumin, curry paste, delicious lasagne, diced tofu, fridge, frozen peas, garlic, garlic bread, ginger, green beans, green salad, healthy, herbs, hunger, iron, kitchen, layer, leeks, leftovers, Lentil soup, lentils, light supper, low heat, lunch, meatballs, mince, mushroom soup, mushrooms, old-fashioned, onions, parmesan, pasta, pasta sheet, peppers, plant based diet, plates, potassium, protein, red lentils, rice, salt and pepper, sandwiches, slave, slow cookers, soups and stews, spices, to casseroles and curries, tomato purée, tomato sauce, totally tasty meal, turkey, turmeric, two tins of tomatoes, vegans, vegetable stock, water, wholesome food, wonderful meal, Worcestershire sauce

Far from being old-fashioned, slow cookers are the cool kids on the block when it comes to making healthy, wholesome food, The brilliant thing about these culinary beauties is that you don’t have to slave in the kitchen for hours to make a wonderful meal for all to enjoy.

From soups and stews, to casseroles and curries, we have a feeling that if you make the move to the slow side, there will be no looking back.

Bolognaise
The days of splashing tomato sauce everywhere when you make a bolognaise are over, because the slow cooker will keep it all contained. You might want to brown off your mince and onions first, then you can add this mix to your pot, together with two tins of tomatoes, onions, carrots, celery, garlic, mushrooms, tomato purée and herbs. Put the lid on and let it cook for around six hours and the magic will get to work. When meal time comes around, cook up some pasta, pile onto plates, add some parmesan and enjoy.

Tofu curry
With more and more people choosing a plant-based diet, the slow cooker is a ‘must have’ for vegans. Put some diced tofu, a blend of spices, curry paste, some peppers, green beans, and diced onions together with coconut milk and a little water, into the pot and leave to slowly simmer. In just a few hours you will have a healthy, totally tasty meal that you can eat for dinner, and pack for lunch the next day. Just add rice, and you are good to go.

Spicy sweet potato and lentil stew
Lentils are a really great source of healthy protein and are also cost-effective when it comes to cooking. Mix a few tablespoons of red lentils, with diced sweet potatoes, sliced carrots, and celery as well as peeled leeks, a thumb of crushed ginger, and a small teaspoon of curry powder. Place it all in your slow cooker with a cup or so of water, put on a low heat for around six hours and you will have a delicious, nutritious meal waiting for you when hunger strikes.

Mean meatballs
You might not have thought about the slow cooker for meatballs, but this dish is perfect for exactly that. Either buy pre-made beef or turkey meatballs, or you can make them yourself, and as with bolognaise, brown the meat and onions before adding them to the pot with tinned tomatoes, tomato purée as well as frozen peas and mushrooms. Put the lid on, press go and let the flavour of the ingredients get to work as you get on with your day. This dish is perfect with rice or pasta and a side of broccoli, and the leftovers are great cold in sandwiches the next day!

Mushroom soup
Mushrooms are jam-packed with B vitamins, potassium, iron and copper, and make a brilliant slow cooker soup. Slice a good-sized pack of mushrooms and put them in your slow cooker together with vegetable stock, browned onions, garlic plus salt and pepper, and cook on high for about three hours. If you want the soup to be thick and full, add some cream, then serve with crusty bread and a cheese board.

Lasagne
You heard it right here, you can totally make a delicious lasagne in a slow cooker. Once the meat and onions have been browned, mix with a couple of cans of tomatoes, tomato purée and a dash of Worcestershire sauce, then layer this with your pasta sheets and cheese sauce. Put the lid on and cook for around six hours on low. Once piping hot, serve with a green salad and garlic bread and we think you will be pleasantly surprised at how good it tastes.

Lentil soup
There is nothing boring about lentil soup if you add in chickpeas, cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, and cayenne pepper as well as any veg you have kicking around in the fridge. Cook on slow for a few hours and you will have a filling lunch or late supper waiting for you when you are feeling peckish.

If you have got a recipe you think we would like, drop us a line as we would love to know what it is.

Team Pure Beauty

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Balms, what are they good for?

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100% natural ingredients, acai, adore, balm-to-oil cleanser, balms, body, chilled out, cleanse, Decleor Magnolia Youthful Night Balm, Decleor Nourishing Body Balm, delicate eye contour area, Dermalogica Precleanse Balm, Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Eye Balm, Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm, Elemis Quiet Mind Temple Balm, eucalyptus, excess oil, face, firmer skin, Frankincense Essential Oil, fresh, healthy, intensely cleansed, lemon, love, luminous glow, luxury formulas, macadamia, make-up, mind, moisturiser, noni, nourished, organic Indian menthol, palm, Patchouli, plumper, powerful vitamin complex, primer, protects, Purple Orchid, radiance booster, relaxation, renewed, rose, salon, samples, senses, Shea butter, skin, soft, stressed out, sunscreen, supple, tone and moisturise, tranquillity, treat, Warming

We know you already cleanse, tone and moisturise morning and night (you do, don’t you?), but you can also add a balm into the mix if you really want to keep your skin soft and supple.

Face and body balms give your skin extra love so why not treat yourself to one of these luxury formulas and see if it works for you.

The Decleor Magnolia Youthful Night Balm is great if you want plumper, firmer skin which has a fresh, luminous glow when you wake in the morning. This slumber specific balm is made from a blend of 100% natural ingredients including Shea Butter, Magnolia Essential Oil and Rose, all of which your skin will love.

At Pure Beauty we are massive fans of the Dermalogica Precleanse Balm. This is a really special deep-cleansing balm-to-oil cleanser that melts into the skin, and as it does, it gently removes excess oil, sunscreen and make-up. Apricot Oil, which is rich in fatty acids, has been mixed with essential oils which come together and not only ensure skin is salon smooth, but also refreshes the senses and clears the mind.

It’s the powerful vitamin complex in the Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm, that protects against moisture loss, something we all need from time to time. Purple Orchid, Noni and Acai have been added into the mix and whether you use this as a moisturiser, radiance booster, or primer, we think you will like what you see.

If your body is feeling dry and tight when you come out of the shower, we would suggest letting the Decleor Nourishing Body Balm loose on your limbs. Thanks to Frankincense Essential Oil, Shea Butter, Tamanu and Macadamia Oils, this gorgeous body balm helps soothe dry feeling skin and make it come alive again. Apply once or twice a day by warming the balm in the palm of your hands and your skin will feel nourished in no time.

Whatever skin type you have, we think it will adore the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm as much as we do. This gentle but powerful cleansing balm dissolves make-up, dirt and pollutants as your skin is being intensely cleansed, nourished and renewed. When you pat your face dry, all you are left with is a healthy skin and a big smile.

Harmony, tranquillity and relaxation don’t always come easily in modern-day life, but they can if you use the Elemis Quiet Mind Temple Balm. Packed with a powerful blend of essential oils, just a few drops, massaged into the temples can take you from stressed out, to chilled out, in minutes. Patchouli, Lemon, Eucalyptus and Organic Indian Menthol come together to enhance feelings of positivity, and we think you will be hooked from the word go.

You might not think a balm would work for your eyes, but we are here to tell you that it really can. The popular Elemis Pro-Radiance Illuminating Eye Balm brightens and refreshes tired eyes. A cooling applicator means that skin soothing Chamomile and Arnica as well as Bird of Paradise Flower and omega-rich Apricot Kernel Oil nourishes the delicate eye contour area and optical blurring powders help reduce the dark circles that can take your confidence away.

For more information, or to try samples, why not get in touch and see how a balm could enhance your beauty routine.

Team Pure Beauty

Gym essentials from Pure Beauty

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air conditioned gyms, argan oil, Balm Mint, bar, body cream, body wash, brilliant shine, calms, clog, colleagues, conditioned, cools, daily shampoo, dehydrated, delicate natural moisture balance, Dermalogica Body Hydrating Cream, Dermalogica Sheer Tint, Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel, Dermalogica Travel Essentials Kit, essential oils of Sandalwood, extra boost, face, foaming gel, friend, germs, greasy, great smelling, healthy, HITT, impurities, lavender, Lavender Extract, light, lush, make-up, medium and dark, natural balance, nourishing, odours, orange, pores, post-workout redness, Pure Beauty, Quillaja Saponaria extract, rinse away, senses, shiny hair, shower, skip, smelly, soap free, spinning session, step class, sweat, sweaty, sweaty hair, top to toe cleaning, warm water, workout

If you’re rushing back to work after a lunchtime spinning session or meeting friends after a HITT class, you might want to skip the shower and head straight out of the door.

Don’t!

As well as leaving you a little smelly and sweaty and not very popular with your colleagues, it won’t do your skin or hair any favours.

At Pure Beauty we sell a range of products that you can throw in your gym bag and will leave you looking, feeling and smelling clean and fresh wherever you are heading next.

Cleanse away
Ideally, don’t wear make-up when you exercise as this can clog your pores as you sweat. Use the Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel before and after your step class and let the soap-free, foaming gel remove impurities without disturbing your skin’s delicate natural moisture balance. Skin-soothing Balm Mint cools and calms the skin which is exactly what you need after a workout, while Lavender Extract purifies and smells great too. Simply lather onto your face, rinse away with warm water and your skin will thank you for it.

Jump in the shower
The Dermalogica Conditioning Body Wash is packed with natural extracts making it suitable for all skin types and perfect for washing away sweat, odours and germ. Soothing essential oils of Sandalwood, Lavender, Orange and Clary Sage moisturise the skin, leaving it smooth and conditioned and because it uses naturally-foaming Quillaja Saponaria Extract this fantastic wash can be used by anyone because it doesn’t upset the natural balance of the skin.

Wash and go
There is nothing worse than heading out with greasy, sweaty hair, so take the Dermalogica Daily Cleansing Shampoo into the shower after that weights session. This great smelling, nourishing, daily shampoo leaves you with healthy, shiny hair however hard you have been working. Argan Oil adds softness, shine and manageability while Coconut Oil strengthens cuticles and thanks to Grapefruit, Lavender and Geranium Oils, your senses are awakened and your hair smells great.

If you need an extra boost, follow with the Dermalogica Daily Conditioning Rinse which will add brilliant shine and bounce which air-conditioned gyms and chlorinated pools can take away.

Lock in the moisture
When you sweat, your body loses moisture which can leave you and your skin dehydrated so when you step out of the shower and are dry, treat your limbs to a generous application of Dermalogica Body Hydrating Cream. This lush cream is quickly absorbed by the skin, which is what you need to if are running to meet a friend at the bar, and will help smooth and soften your skin. We love that is packed with essentials oils which not only sink into your skin but leave it smelling fantastic too.

Hide the red
If you are heading back to work after your exercise class, ease that post-workout redness by applying the Dermalogica Sheer Tint. This lightly tinted moisturiser provides a sheer wash of colour and is perfect if you don’t want to irritate your complexion as it cools down. While it offers protection from the sun, it isn’t chalky or drying but does help with hydration and signs of ageing. We love it and because it comes in light, medium and dark options, there is something for everyone.

 

All in one
If you are new to Dermalogica, or want everything in one place, we suggest buying going for the Dermalogica Travel Essentials Kit. This convenient, travel kit contains everything you need for top to toe cleaning after you have worked out. For £33 you get a body wash, body cream, shampoo and conditioner in travel sizes which are easy to put in your bag and even easier to use.

For more information, or to try samples, contact us today and we will be very happy to help.

Team Pure Beauty

Wedding Tips for a Perfect Day

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aunts, blisters, blogs, brothers, chemistry, congregation, deep foundations, dress, drink plenty of water, fake it, family frictions, feet, find your tribe, first dance, forecast, friend fallouts, friends, glowing, gym, healthy, hen party, I do, ideas, inspiration, Instagram brides, instincts, kind, love, magazines, Marbella, meals, Megan Markle, memorable, Mother Nature, mums, natural and simple, neighbours, obsession, orange stripes, perfect, photographers, photos, planners, planning, portfolios, Prince Harry, professional, rain, realistic goals, relaxed, Royal couple, semi-permanent eyebrows, shine, shoes, sisters, skip meals, social media sites, stylists, suncream, tan, thank you cards, top tips, towels, umbrellas, unique, websites, Windsor

With Prince Harry and Megan Markle set to sparkle as the say ‘I do’ in Windsor on 19 May, love is in the air.

While the Royal couple no doubt have an eye watering budget and a team of planners, stylists and photographers on hand to ensure this is an occasion the world will want to watch, not everyone has such an entourage to help plan their big day.

Fear not, we love a good wedding and have put together our top tips on planning the perfect day for you.

It’s all about the shoes
We know how important shoes are on your big day, but don’t make that the time to try them out for the first time. Once you have found the perfect pair, wear them in the house quite a bit so your feet are used to them and you don’t end up with blisters even before your first dance.

Find your tribe
Mums, aunts, sisters, brothers, friends, neighbours and work mates will all have special skills and if you ask them to give you a hand you will, in no time, have your very own wedding tribe. Not only will they help keep you grounded and relaxed, they will also want you to have a great day and be only too happy to do jobs to make things perfect.

Be kind to yourself
Shedding extra pounds is often front of mind with many brides, and grooms, but don’t make this an obsession because it could ruin your day. Make realistic goals but don’t hit the gym everyday or skip meals or you’ll be hungry and tired rather than glowing and healthy. Plan your meals, drink plenty of water and check your dress is altered before you wear it for real.

Watch that tan
If you didn’t have a hen party in Marbella to top up the tan, you might be tempted to fake it, but be careful with this one. Heavy spray tans, semi-permanent eyebrows and deep foundations might look good on Instagram brides, but if keep things natural and simple, your love with shine through, not the orange stripes on your shoulders.

Budget for everything
No one likes last-minute surprises so from the moment you get that sparkler on your finger, set your budget and stick to it. With social media sites, blogs and magazines offering inspiration and ideas, you can create something truly unique and memorable without remortgaging your home.

Remember the weather
You can plan most things, but there is no way to control Mother Nature. Keep an eye on the forecast in the lead up to the big day and prepare accordingly. If it is going to rain, organise extra umbrellas and towels for guests, and if you are looking at a heat wave, water and sun cream will be welcomed by the congregation.

Say cheese
When it comes to capturing the magic of your big day, the photos are so important so go for a professional. They don’t need to be the most expensive but check out their websites and portfolios, do a trial session and at the end of the day, it comes down to chemistry so follow your instincts at your first meeting.

Keep people happy
We know there can be family frictions and friend fallouts but this is your big day so manage those situations accordingly. Look at how best to put people together, who to keep apart and have someone keeping an eye on how much booze is being consumed, especially if it is a warm day.

Say thank you
Weddings are expensive for the guests as well as the bride and groom, so be sure to send out thank you cards so everyone knows how much they were appreciated.

Most of all, have fun, make memories and enjoy it because it will be over in a flash.

Team Beauty

Face washes with a difference

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3-in-1 cleanser, acne, Apple amino acid, berries, Bioglycolic Facial Cleanser, breakouts, Calming, Calming Balm Mint, clear, concentrated cream, conditions and moisturises, dead cells, dead skin cells, Decleor Hydra-Radiance Cleansing Mousse, Dermalogica Foaming Wash, Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel, dry or sensitive skin, dull, Elemis Sensitive Cleansing Wash, Elemis Smart Cleanse Micellar Water, face, face washes, foaming gel, foams, German Chamomile, glowing complexion, grape juice, healthy, hyaluronic acid, hydrate, iconic, Indian Soapnut, inflamed skin, infused, Jan Marini, Japanese white mulberry., Lady’s Mantle, Lavender extracts, make-up, micelles, moisture levels, morning, mouse, natural humectant, Neroli Essential Oil, new range, night, oft and fresh, orange peel, organic English Rose water, Papaya Extract, post-cleansing toner, Quillaja Saponaria, radiant complexion, rich, rich cleansing foam, rosehip seed oil, Salicylic Acid, soap free, soothing cleansing experience, soothing extracts, sorbitol, Special, spot, success, Tea Tree, thyme, toxins, unbalance

We know that there are many face washes out there which can make it tricky when it comes to knowing which one is right for you.

Today we are looking at our favourites and you will find something that hits the spot.

If you have dry or sensitive skin, find the right products can be hard, but we think you might find what you are looking for with the Elemis Sensitive Cleansing Wash. Perfect for even the trickiest of skins, the soothing extracts of Thyme, German Chamomile and Lady’s Mantle are key to this calming, soothing cleanser. The rich cleansing foam conditions and moisturises and the added antibacterial ingredients means this wash is effective but free of harshness. Used morning and night on a regular basis, irritation and itching will ease and your face will feel soft and fresh.

Jan Marini is a new range on the site and we love their Bioglycolic Facial Cleanser. As a soap-free cleanser, this product helps make the skin softer and smoother and rinses without the need for a post-cleansing toner. Sorbitol, a natural humectant that comes from berries, has been added to hydrate the skin and Glycolic Acid helps with texture. We have been impressed with the results and think you might be too.

For something special, why not try the Elemis Smart Cleanse Micellar Water? This brilliant product uses micelles, Apple Amino Acid, Rosehip Seed Oil and Indian Soapnut to take make-up, dirt and other impurities away from the skin gently. Infused with organic English Rose water and Chamomile, skin is gently cleansed, to reveal a clear, radiant complexion.

You really cannot go wrong with the iconic Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel. Many of our regular customers choose this soap-free, foaming gel because it cleans their skin and makes it look great but doesn’t unbalance the moisture levels. Suitable for everyone to use, Calming Balm Mint and Lavender extracts soothe skin and natural Quillaja Saponaria foams away make up, dead cells and toxins. The results are simple – clean, happy faces.

If you are up for trying a mouse, we suggest the Decleor Hydra-Radiance Cleansing Mousse. Packed with effective caring ingredients, this 3-in-1 cleanser is at the heart of a healthy, glowing complexion. The rich, concentrated cream turns in a mousse when added to water and deep cleans your skin leaving it soft and velvety. Grape Juice, Papaya Extract and Japanese White Mulberry exfoliates dull, dead skin cells away and nourishing Neroli Essential Oil and Hyaluronic Acid are the added extras that make this product such a success.

For skin that is young and prone to acne and breakouts, the Dermalogica Foaming Wash is a saving grace as it cleans skin but doesn’t dry or take away natural oils. Orange Peel and Tea Tree energise and refresh inflamed skin while Salicylic Acid deals with dead cells and clears trapped oil. Packed with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and sebum-regulating ingredients, spots are kept at bay and skin is left happy, as are customers.

If you would like more details about these or any products, get in touch and we would love to help.

Team Pure-Beauty