Eat less sugar and feel better for it

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From breakfast cereals and frothy coffees, to Christmas treats and party bag chews, sugar is all around us and it is very tempting, as well as very tasty.

We know sugar is found in sweets, biscuits, and cakes, but it is also hidden in bread, dips, and sauces, and that’s where many of us really fall down and our intake adds up.

Eating too much sugar is linked to tooth decay, mood swings and weight gain, so while we aren’t going to tell you to stop enjoying it altogether, we do have some simple swaps which can help you cut down, without missing out.

Clear out at the cupboards
Let’s face it, if the kitchen is packed with sugary snacks and treats, people will eat them, remove temptation and they can’t. Go through your fridge and cupboard and have a look at what you are currently buying and see where changes can be made and once something sweet has gone, don’t replace it. When you are more aware of what you are buying, you may well find that as your shopping habits change, your bill goes down and your sweet tooth eases.

Easy swaps
Scrambled eggs rather than waffles for breakfast, carrot and cucumber sticks with hummus after school and natural yogurt with a handful of nuts and raisins for supper are all healthy offerings that taste good and take the sugar down. Change isn’t always easy, but over time healthier eating does become a way of life and you never know, you might suddenly realise what you have been missing out on.

Cook from scratch
You might think that an organic tomato sauce in a jar is a healthy bolognaise option, but you will be surprised just how much sugar, and other additives and preservatives, are added to get that perfect taste. If you really want to know what you are eating, make it yourself. Yes, it might take a little longer, but we are pretty sure it will be better for you and if you get the family involved, it can bring you together and make you closer as well as healthier.

Size matters
One biscuit is fine; the entire packet isn’t! It is so easy to eat as you watch TV or swipe right on your phone, but as you munch through that popcorn and chocolate, the sugar levels will be increasing and in time, your waistline will too. Look at having three balanced meals a day, packed with fresh fruit and veg, as well as two healthy snacks and plenty of water, and look at keeping portion sizes reasonable, and added extras down.

You are what you drink
As we have just mentioned water, we are going to say right now that sugary drinks should ideally be avoided. Fizzy drinks and syrup laden hot chocolates won’t do you any favours and while we think fruit juices and smoothies are good for us, in the main it is best to drink water and milk. Boring, maybe, good for you, yes! If you do want to make your water a little more uplifting, try adding ice along with some cucumber, mint, basil or rosemary and you will be better off for it.

So, we aren’t saying to give up everything you love, but we do recommend taking time to look at what you are eating and drinking, and seeing how just a few small changes could make a difference not only to your hair, skin and teeth, but your mood and pocket too!

Team Pure Beauty

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It’s time to look after your tummy

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apple cider vinega, beans, bike, bitter leaf salad, bloated, body, brown rice, brush, burgers, cabbage, carbon footprint, celery, cleanse, coffee, cramps constipation, cucumber, diet, digestive juices, ease cramps, emon juice, endorphins, enzymes, faces, farmers markets, fennel seeds, fibre, fish, fresh, fruit, fruit juice, gas, ginger, ginger biscuits, ginger tea, glass of mineral water, greasy chips, hot water, hydrating, important, kale, lean meat, lemon, mint, morning sickness, peeling, plate, refreshing, rocket, seasonal food, semi-skimmed milk, skimmed, sluggish, sour, spinach, stainless steel bottle, stimulate, sugary squashes, supermarkets, tea, teeth, thumb-sized piece of ginger, tummy, two litres of water, upset stomach, water, wax, winter, yoga

We cleanse our faces, brush our teeth and wax our legs, but when was the last time you looked after your tummy?

We might not be able to see them, but tummies are a massively important part of your body, take care of it and it’ll be your best friend, let things slip then you might find you feel sluggish, bloated and suffering with cramps and constipation.

None of us want to feel like this, so we have had a look at how to take care of your tummy, so you get on better than ever.

Take on water
If you do nothing else to help your tummy, it is important to drink plenty of water. As well as preventing constipation, water is needed because it helps to produce the clever digestive juices which break down your food and keep you gas-free. We know it isn’t always easy in the winter, but aim to drink at least two litres of water every day and remember that tea, coffee, fruit juice and water-based foods like cabbage, celery and tomato can top your water levels up, so add some of those to your daily diet too. If you find it hard to drink enough water, buy yourself a pretty stainless steel bottle, fill it with water before you leave home, and if you want a bit flavour, add lemon, mint or cucumber, rather than sugary squashes.

It’s on your plate
While a diet that is rich in fibre can help keep digestion on track and constipation, away, many of us don’t eat the recommended 30g of fibre a day. To keep things flowing, a diet that is packed with beans, brown rice, fruit and veg as well as oats and wholemeal bread, is a good idea. With supermarkets and farmers markets offering a huge range of fresh, seasonal food, it isn’t hard to hit the mark and this will help to keep your carbon footprint down too. Go easy on greasy chips, burgers and fried doughnuts, as these tend to be harder to digest, consider grilling lean meat and fish as well as drinking skimmed or semi-skimmed milk instead of full fat options.

Eat something sour
Enzymes help to breakdown and absorb food, and sour and bitter foods will naturally stimulate your digestive juices and get them really working. Rocket, kale or spinach served with a simple squeeze of lemon juice is one way to add this into your diet and is pretty tasty too. You can also drink a glass of mineral water with the juice of half a lemon, or half a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar half an hour before you eat a meal, and not only is this refreshing and hydrating, it will also give your digestion a boost.

Go ginger
We all know that ginger tea and ginger biscuits are good for pregnant women suffering with morning sickness, but this handy root could help you too. Make your own cup of goodness by peeling a thumb-sized piece of ginger, thinly slicing it, and then let it steep in hot water with a slice of lemon for around five minutes. This can help soothe an upset stomach, ease cramps and nausea and also work on bloating. If you really can’t bear ginger, fennel seeds are worth a try. Using the seeds to make tea, or chew them as they come, and both can help deal with cramping and bloating, and they also come in handy when your eyes are bigger than your belly at the dinner table.

Jump up
If you sit down all day, then the chances are, you and your digestive system will be slow and sluggish. By taking regular exercise, not only are you helping stay fit and healthy, but it can also stimulate your intestinal muscles, and this will helping move your food through your digestive system more smoothly and prevent any congestion! Whether you walk the dog, jump on your bike, go to a yoga class or do a little kick boxing, not only will your tunny thank you, but you will also benefit from a burst of feel good endorphins and a leaner body.

Team Pure Beauty

Minty Fresh Products from Pure Beauty

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Arnica and Cucumber extracts, bathroom, beach, Calming Balm Mint and Lavender, chamomile, chewing gum, clove, condition, dead skin cells, deep cleansing balm, Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner, Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel, Devils Apron Seaweed, dirt, easy task, elderberry, Elemis Devils Mint Body Scrub, Elemis Lip Revive, Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm, Elemis Sharp Shower Body Wash, eucalyptus, fresh, gel, gently cleanses, geranium, gym bag, happy, heat, Ho Wood, intensely cleansed, invigorating body wash, lavender, like, love, mint, Mint Balm, multi-talented herb, must-haves, natural moisture balance, nourished, orange, peppermint, Peppermint Essential Oil, pocket rocket, polishes, pool, powerful, Quillaja Saponaria, revived, rinse, Rose and Mimosa waxes, Seaplant Particles, senses, smile, soap free, soya, spearmint, Spearmint and Peppermint essential oils, spring to mind, starflower, suitcase, tastes, tea, tepid water, toothpaste, toxins, wet skin, wheat, Wild Mint

Chewing gum, tea and toothpaste are probably what spring to mind when it comes to mint, but thanks to the cooling properties of this multi-talented herb, it is also the key ingredient in many beauty products.

We have had a look at just a few of the ones we love here at Pure Beauty and think you might like them too.

The Elemis Devils Mint Body Scrub gently cleanses the body, whilst removing dead cells, leaving skin feeling smooth and this is why it is on our list of bathroom must-haves. Packed with Seaplant Particles, Devils Apron Seaweed and Peppermint Essential Oil when applied to damp skin using circular motions, the results are impressive. Especially effective on problem areas like your feet, knees and elbows, continued use will leave your skin looking better than ever so you will want to show it off by the pool or on the beach.

Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel is a soap-free, foaming gel designed to remove the impurities on our skin without disturbing the natural moisture balance, and that is no easy task. Calming Balm Mint and Lavender Extracts soothe the skin, while Quillaja Saponaria foams away dirt and toxins. Simply apply a small amount of lathered gel to wet skin and concentrate on areas of congestion and oiliness. Then rinse with tepid water and repeat to ensure toxins and debris have been washed away and skin is revived and happy once again.

Together with Geranium, Lavender, Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Ho Wood, Orange and Clove, Mint is one of the ingredients in the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm. This powerful, deep cleansing balm also contains Rose and Mimosa waxes which are infused with nourishing Elderberry, Starflower and Optimega oils and supercharged with anti-ageing algae – wow! After using to remove the dirt of the day, skin is intensely cleansed, nourished and renewed leaving you with a glowing complexion and a smile.

Formulated without artificial fragrances and colours, the Dermalogica Multi-Active Toner helps to condition your skin and prepare it for when you apply your moisturiser. Arnica and Cucumber extracts help keep skin smooth and refreshed, while Lavender purifies it and Balm Mint cools and softens it. Add a bottle to your gym bag or suitcase when you go on holiday and it really will help to keep your skin calm when the heat is on.

If waking up is a hard job for you, why not jump into the shower with the Elemis Sharp Shower Body Wash? This fresh, invigorating body wash is packed with both Spearmint and Peppermint essential oils as well as Nettle, Wild Marjoram, Marshmallow, Chamomile and Thyme which are all wrapped up in a Soya, Wheat and Milk Protein base. As well as you skin being cleaned your senses are woken and your brain is alert for the day ahead.

If you want to care for your lips, you need to add the Elemis Lip Revive to your basket. Sunflower Oil helps to moisturise, nourish and regenerate the skin, while Beeswax repairs it. Wild Mint has been added for cooling and soothing, while Peppermint refreshes. This really is a mint fuelled pocket rocket of skin goodness that tastes great too!

If you are interested in more information about these fresh products, or would like to try some samples, get in touch and we would love to help.

Team Pure Beauty

Have a Home Spa Experience with Elemis

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Alpine Lavender, bathroom, Birch, Blue Chamomile, body, botanicals, breathing, bristles, cactus, cellulite, clove, dry skin, dryness, elbows, Elemis, Elemis Aching Muscle Super Soak, Elemis Body Detox Skin Brush, Elemis British Botanical Hand and Nail Butter, Elemis Devils Mint Body Scrub, feet, hand, home, hot tub, invigorate, juniper, knees, massage, mint, nail, natural, oil, Relax, scrub, sea salt, senses, soak, Spa, uplift, visualisations, Warming, Wild Thyme

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Going to a spa is one of our favourite indulgences, but it’s not something we’re able to do do every weekend due to time and money (mores the pity!). There’s no reason, however, that you shouldn’t have that spa experience right from your own home and Elemis have a selection of products which are perfect for giving you that spa-glow without having to step foot outside your house. Read on for our pick the the best ‘home spa’ products from the Elemis ranges:

Elemis Body Detox Skin Brush

We recommend that you begin your spa experience with a gentle brushing with the Elemix Body Detox Skin Brush; its natural cactus bristles help to reduce the appearance of cellulite by improving circulation and softening the skin. It will help you to brush away the top layer of dry, dead skin cells to allow you to treat the new skin beneath with a cocoon of moisture from all the other products you use.

Elemis Aching Muscle Super Soak

The next step is to turn your bath into a hot tub and soak your aching muscles in this Super Soak. It contains a blend of botanicals which not only help to unknot tense muscles but also to relax the mind through the power of aroma. The mixture of birch, juniper, clove, alpine lavender, wild thyme and blue chamomile, combined with sea salt will uplift and invigorate the senses whilst warming the body and recharging your muscles.

Elemis Devils Mint Body Scrub

Once you’ve finished your soak, we highly recommend giving your body another level of exfoliation to ensure that any dead skin is totally removed. This devil’s mint body scrub uses peppermint to give your skin a real “ZING!”, and literally polishes your body using only natural ingredients. We’d recommend focusing on common dry areas, such as your knees, elbows and feet to give them a really good going over.

Elemis De-Stress Massage Oil

Once you’ve awoken your mind and body, we recommend giving yourself a chance to relax once again by smothering yourself in this de-stress massage oil in long, sweeping strokes – or if you’re lucky enough to have someone around to help, get them to do it for you. This oil is intended for use in conjunction with deep breathing and calming visualisations, so try to use it in a quiet, darkened room where you can really allow yourself to relax.

Elemis British Botanical Hand and Nail Butter

For a final touch, we would recommend treating your hands and nails to their own personal coating of moisture from this hand and nail butter. Our hands are often one of the most neglected areas of our body, whilst arguably being one of the most hard-working, so ensuring that they’re properly moisturised and massaged will really add that final touch to your spa experience – you could even give yourself a manicure beforehand!

Grow your own this summer

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There’s nothing more rewarding, or tasty, as eating your own home-grown fruit and vegetables, and the good news is that right now is the best time to start growing your own!

With a plethora of crops that can be grown from seeds, there’s bound to be something you can grow however big or small your garden is, or even if you have no garden at all.

No Garden
If you are an urban dweller and don’t have a garden, we’re pretty sure you have window sills and where better to grow herbs and veg than on a sunny ledge? A quick trip to your local garden centre, or even supermarket, can get you set up with all you need to create a crop whatever you are working with.

Baby salad leaves are perfect for growing in small pots and tin troughs and because they are fast-growing you will soon get foliage and kitchen ingredients. Mint, parsley and coriander all work well as window plants and if the sun shines on you sills, basil is a winner too.

Small Gardens
Small gardens are the perfect place for creating an eclectic mix of flowers, fruit and vegetables. Choose a mix of crops that you actually want to eat, say strawberries, tomatoes and peas and complement these with sunflowers and pansies for impressive results.

If you have a courtyard or patio to work with, look no further than bags, pots and sacks to create a crop of potatoes, peas and peonies to be proud of. Again, you can add herbs into the mix and if you do decide to plant spuds, this reduces the risk of pesky slug invasions.

Large Gardens
If you are the owner of a bigger garden this will give you greater growing space and more opportunities to be creative and work big. Think about the space and the kind of garden you want to create. Are you looking for structure and fine detail or do you have children and therefore need flexibility as climbing frames and bikes come into the equation? Plan out your garden into various areas, look at where you get the most sun, where there are shady areas and consider the soil type as this can influence what you grow. Trees can be a lovely part of any garden and if you have the space, you can look at creating a mini orchard. Apple, pear and plum trees are all pretty easy to grow and maintain and the labour of your love will be compotes, chutney, jellies and jams all year round.

To take away the English weather’s ability to crush your crops, when you have a large space you can incorporate a greenhouse. These are perfect for growing things such as chillies and tomatoes as well as grapes and lemons but always ensure the greenhouse is clean at the start of the season and there is adequate ventilation otherwise things might not go quite to plan.

So, what are you waiting for? Pick your pots, sort your soil and get growing.

Team Pure Beauty