How to pack a healthy lunchbox

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A cheese sandwich, packet of crisps and an apple might be a throwback from the ‘80s but for many of us it’s whatever we can make quickly, or buy, that gets put into our lunchbox.

While we know we need to eat a balanced midday meal, the reality can look very different, often grabbing something on the go that will only leave us hungry and reaching for a chocolate bar come 4pm.

We have had a look at some easy, quick nutritious options that will keep hunger at bay and they taste pretty good too!

Pasta pack ups
We know people worry about carbs, but pasta can be a brilliant lunch staple that can be eaten hot or cold. Whether you go for white or brown, lentil or rice in bows or shapes is up to you, but there is so much choice out there you can have something different each day of the week. Salmon pasta, chicken pasta and veggie sausage pasta can be made the night before and eaten straight from the fridge at midday or popped in the microwave and you’ll have a hot meal in minutes. You can add veggies or salad as well as sauces and pickles to create a lunch that is healthy and nourishing and won’t leave you with a rumbling tummy come 2pm.

Rice salads
High-fibre brown rice is a really good way to ensure you are left feeling satisfied all afternoon. Just as with pasta, there are a lot of ingredients that can be added from sardines, egg, ham and cheese and if you throw in some cherry tomatoes, cucumber, peppers and nuts, you will be the envy of the office.

Protein pots
We all know that we need protein for a balanced diet, but we don’t always get enough to help us get through the day without flagging. Beef and broccoli, tuna and tomatoes and teriyaki chicken are all tasty, easy lunchtime eats. Mixed beans, spinach, sweetcorn and sweet potatoes can all be added to pack out the protein and prevent you from running on empty during the afternoon.

Have a wrap
If bread isn’t for you but you want some energy giving carbs, flatbreads and tortillas are a good alternative. Peanut butter and carrots, salmon and veggies as well as humous and peppers are good ideas and you can load them up with salad to help get to your five a day. Warning; take napkins as these can get messy but they are so worth it.

Soup on the go
If you are busy but want something warm and filling, soup in a flask is a good option. Yes, you can open a can and bung it in the microwave but Mexican bean, vegetable, carrot and coriander and chicken noodle are super easy to make and if you cook in batches and freeze you will have something ready and waiting for you to take to work. Add in an apple and a smoothie, and you will be keeping bugs and hunger away as you boost your immune system with vitamins!

Super sarnies
OK, we can’t go without mentioning sandwiches, but there is more to this lunchtime basic than white sliced as soda bread, pitta, olive rolls and wholemeal bagels are all there for the taking. Bacon, brie, turkey, cottage cheese and avocado are the ingredients of lunchtime dreams and make delicious, nutrient-dense sandwiches that will make you want midday to come around fast.

Something sweet
You don’t have to stick to savoury at lunchtime. A fruit salad, yogurt with sliced banana, homemade flapjack with dried apricots and even a square or two of dark chocolate will give you something sweet to enjoy without overloading on nasties.

Why not make a batch of blueberry muffins on a Sunday, put them in an airtight box, or freeze half, and you will have something sweet a tasty to add to your lunchbox all week long.

Team Pure Beauty

Pure Beauty is the place for last minute present success

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acne, and Nettle, avocado, bacteria, Baikal Skullcap Root, bergamot, breakout, bright, Broccoli, bsthroom, Christmas tree, coconut, Decleor Aroma Cleanse 3 in 1 Hydra Radiance Cleansing Mousse, Decleor Hydra Floral Everfresh Hydrating Light Cream, Decleor Intense Nutrition Lip Balm, Decleor You, Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Kit, Dermalogica Daily Glow Duo Christmas Gift Set, Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, Dermalogica Foaming Wash, Dermalogica Precleanse Balm, Dermalogica Skin Soothing Hydrating Lotion, dirt, dissolves, Elemis Lime and Ginger Salt Glow, Elemis Superfood Facial Wash, enriched, face, Frankincense Essential Oil, friend, glowing, gorgeous, Green Tea Essential Water, healthy, hydrate, illuminates, kale, last minute, light, lips, list, macadamia oil, marjoram essential oil, Me, milky emulsion, Mistletoe Christmas Gift Set, morning and night, mum, neck, Neroli Essential Oil, oil, Papain, perfect skin, present, protects, Pumpkin Seed Oils, rice, Salicylic Acid, Salicylic Acid and Rice Enzymes, Shea butter, sister, smooth, soft, soothe, spoiling, stimulate, stocking filler, super food shake, Sweet Almond oils, teen, teenagers, tick, tone, tree, wash awayu, water, Wheatgrass

If you still need a present for your mum, a stocking filler for your sister and something for Sue next door, fear not because at Pure Beauty we can help.

We stock a wide range of present perfect options and we think we can help you to tick off anyone who is still left on your list.

A lovely set that we have just for Christmas, is the Decleor You, Me, Mistletoe Christmas Gift Set and we think most people would love to find this under the tree. You get the Decleor Intense Nutrition Lip Balm which has been enriched with Marjoram Essential Oil, Shea Butter and Macadamia Oil and protects lips from dryness and leaves them feeling soft and smooth. The Decleor Hydra Floral Everfresh Hydrating Light Cream illuminates and protects skin thanks to a powerful combination of Neroli Essential Oil and Baikal Skullcap Root. Finally, the hat trick for this gift is a tube of Decleor Aroma Cleanse 3 in 1 Hydra Radiance Cleansing Mousse which is made from Neroli Essential Oils and Green Tea Essential Water which, together, restore radiance, and add moisture.

If you have a friend who needs spoiling, we think that the Elemis Superfood Facial Wash is a good place to start. This gorgeous, nourishing wash revives and refreshes whilst gently cleansing the face and neck. Made from a blend of Avocado, Broccoli and Pumpkin Seed Oils with added Wheatgrass, Kale, and Nettle, this really is a super food shake for the skin and will leave it glowing, healthy and bright – just like the Christmas tree.

For that tricky teen, why not try the Dermalogica Clear Start Breakout Clearing Kit? This cool looking set comes with three great products that are perfect for teenagers with acne or breakout prone skin. The Dermalogica Foaming Wash has been designed to be used morning and night and will gently wash away dirt. The Dermalogica Breakout Clearing Booster is a fast acting acne treatment made with Salicylic Acid which helps to deal with breakout causing bacteria and works in just 15 minutes. It also comes with the Dermalogica Skin Soothing Hydrating Lotion which is easy to apply and helps to soothe and hydrate acne irritated skin.

For that hard to buy for family member, why not go for the Decleor Nourishing Body Balm? This intensive body balm that nourishes and moistures the skin and leaves it feeling soft and supple. With a Christmas twist, this beauty is made from a rich blend of Frankincense Essential Oil, Shea Butter, Tamanu and Macadamia Oils, this is the perfect present for someone who has everything except perfect skin.

For a festive looking treat that would be a valued addition to any bathroom, a pot of Elemis Lime and Ginger Salt Glow ticks all the boxes. This luxurious exfoliation product is made from a unique blend of Lime, Ginger and Salt together with Bergamot, Coconut and Sweet Almond Oils. From the very first use, these salts will stimulate and tone the skin and leave it looking fab and feeling super soft.

If you have a last-minute Secret Santa to buy before the big day, we think the winning ticket could be the Dermalogica Daily Glow Duo Christmas Gift Set. The lucky recipient will be able to try the Dermalogica PreCleanse Balm which dissolves oil and dirt from the surface of the skin, and the light, milky emulsion leaves behind a fresh complexion. This is also a great way to try the fantastic Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant for the first time. This product has a unique rice based powder formula that comes to life when mixed with water. It is the activated Papain, Salicylic Acid and Rice Enzymes that come together to exfoliate away clogging dead cells so that skin is left looking smoother and brighter.

So put in your orders as soon as possible and if you need any help doing that, get in touch and we would love to help.

Happy Christmas.

Team Pure Beauty
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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

Go organic on a budget

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Abel & Co, Aldi, apples, Asda, bag for life, bargains, beans, beers, butcher, canned tomatoes, cheese, chickens, choice, clothes, cost-effective, discount section, dreid goods, eggs, environmentally aware, exercise, expensive option, farm, farmers market, flapjacks, freeze, garden, green grocers, independent retailers, kitchen cupboards, local produce, meat, Morrisons, non-organic items, organic basics, organic coffees and teas, organic food, organic products, organic ranges, pasta, price comparisons, pubs, research, rhubarb, rice, Riverford, runner beans, Sainsbury’s Lidl, season, shopping around, soups and stews to pasta sauces, supermarkets, Tesco, tomatoes and strawberries, Waitrose, waste, wines, world

We are increasingly being told that organic food is the way to go if we want to be super healthy and environmentally aware.

While we are all for that, we know this route can also be a more expensive option, so we have looked at how you can make the switch even if you have a budget you need to stick to.

Start with your kitchen cupboards
First of all, don’t throw out everything in your kitchen that isn’t organic – that causes waste which isn’t the aim of this exercise at all. As you run out of basics such as pasta, canned tomatoes, beans, rice, and other everyday dried goods, replace them with organic, which are often found at the same price as your regular non-organic items. Over time easy swaps will mean you have a kitchen cupboard which is full of organic basics so you will always be able to create a tasty meal or snack that is good for you and the world around you. You might also want to apply the same principles when it comes to cleaning products, as well as clothes, as there is a whole range of organic products out there just waiting to be found.

Do your research
Increasingly, supermarkets and independent retailers are offering organic ranges, so it is worth researching who is doing what. Outlets including Aldi, Asda, Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Lidl, and Morrisons now sell their own brand organic ranges which can be more cost-effective than dedicated non-organic branded products which not only means you can get the best value for money but you have a better choice. It may take time to do this, but we think it is worth shopping around and doing some price comparisons to get the best deals for you. Oh, and don’t forget to go to your local greengrocers, butcher and farmers’ market as they can be real organic treasure troves.

Go with the seasons
This can take a while to get used to, but if you want to go organic and keep costs down, eating local produce when it is in season is the way to go. From tomatoes and strawberries to rhubarb and apples, there are some great foods out there, you just need to know what to look for and when.

Buy a box
Another way to eat with the seasons is to take part in a box scheme. There are various options out there, including Abel & Co and Riverford as well as local companies and they are a fantastic way to move to organic eating. You can mix and match your foods, including eggs, meat, and cheese, to get a box that is right for you.

Shop at the end of the day
This isn’t exclusive to organic food, but if you shop at the end of the day and check the discount section, you will be amazed at some of the bargains on offer and if you freeze what you aren’t going to eat that day, there is no waste either.

Leave packaging behind
Retailers are starting to stop using unnecessary food packaging and this is often the case with organic options. You don’t need broccoli wrapped in plastic, so take a bag for life, or even better a basket, when you shop and you can feel extra pleased with your choices.

Do it yourself
Growing your own food is a brilliant way to go organic. We aren’t saying go and buy a farm and get chickens, but growing herbs in the kitchen, tomatoes in tubs and runner beans in the garden are simple ways to do it yourself. Not only do these taste miles better than shop bought produce, but having your own mini kitchen garden is rewarding and totally cost-effective, go you!

Cooking from scratch
With a well-stocked larder, we hope that breaking away from microwave meals and cooking from scratch might be easier? One of the best things to do is plan your meals and then batch cook, freeze portions and make lunches in advance. From soups and stews to pasta sauces and flapjacks, you will honestly wonder why you didn’t start soon.

Organic when you eat out
You don’t have to be tied to the kitchen sink to make organic choices. You will increasingly find organic restaurants when you are out and about, as well as organic coffees and teas being served in cafes and wines and beers in pubs. Once you starting looking you will be surprised at what is on offer out there.

We hope you can see that while you need to be a little creative, small lifestyle changes can help you and the planet be healthier and happier.

Team Pure Beauty

Embracing the Power of Rice

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anti ageing, anti-oxidant, balance, balanced, broccoli seed, bronze, cells, chia seed, clear, complexion, cucumber, daikon radish, dehydration, Dermalogica C-12 Pure Bright Serum Dermalogica, Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant, Dermalogica Phyto Replenish Oil, dryness, Elemis, Elemis Superfood Facial Oil, Elemis Total Glow Bronzing Moisturiser, exfoliate, exfoliation, fine lines, flax seed, free radical, glow, gradual tanner, healthy, hyperpigmentation, macadamia, meadowfoam seed, moisture, moisturise, omegas, orchid flower, phytic acid, pigmentation, poppy seed, radiant, refrehsed, refreshing, rice, Rice Bran, rice bran extract, rosehip seed, skin, smooth, smoothing, soften, superfoliant, wrinkles

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Rice. Great for serving alongside a curry, using to make sushi or even mixing with cream and sugar to make a filling, wintery pudding, but that’s about it, right? WRONG! Rice, and specifically rice bran oil, is a useful ingredient in many of the beauty products that we stock, and today we’re highlighting five of our favourites to show you that rice can be so much more than just part of your Friday night takeway!

Dermalogica C-12 Pure Bright Serum

One of the things that rice contains is phytic acid, which is really useful for addressing pigmentation imbalance and evening out skin tone, which is why Dermalogica have used it in this brightening serum. When combined with various oligopeptides and algae extracts, this serum actually manages to control melanin production, not only reversing the signs of hyperpigmentation but stopping them from happening again in the future.

Elemis Total Glow Bronzing Moisturiser

Anyone who’s even used a fake tan knows that moisture is the key to a non-orange, streak-free glow, which is why Elemis have packed this gradual tanner with highly nourishing rice bran oil. The oils allow your skin to develop an even, bronzed look because they banish dry skin cells which the tan can cling to and look patchy. Within 2-3 days, you’ll have a natural colour which looks like you’ve spent the weekend in Southern France, rather than Slough!

Dermalogica Phyto Replenish Oil

This replenishing oil from Dermalogica is intended for use between cleansing and moisturising and protects the skin from ageing and the environmental stresses which deplete the skin’s own moisture. Rice bran extracts create a luminous antioxidant shield against free radical damage, while orchid flower and chia seed oil smooth visible dehydration lines and locks in critical moisture.

Elemis Superfood Facial Oil

As well as harnessing the power of rice bran oil, this facial oil also includes oils from other superofoods such as broccoli seed, flax seed, daikon radish, rosehip seed, cucumber, macadamia, poppy seed and meadowfoam seed. The combination of oils are rich in omegas and anti-oxidants to feed the skin, ensuring maximum skin health and helps to lock in skin’s natural moisture to help prevent dryness and soften the skin.

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant

This unique product uses rice bran enzymes to smooth the skin, sloughing away dead cells and dullness to reveal a balance, radiant complexion beneath. As well as micro-exfoliating skin cells, it helps to control melanin production, ensuring that the skin maintains a balanced look and calms inflammation, leaving the skin extraordinarily clear and refreshed. Perhaps most remarkably, it’s gentle enough to use on a daily basis!