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Life and Fashion

Apply mascara like a pro

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www.freedigitalimages.netWe love mascara, it can make and break a look and is quite simply the easiest ways to make you, and your eyes, stand out. It can make your lashes look darker, longer, fuller, flirty and fun. Wearing mascara will add depth to your eyes, open them up and give you a hit of glamour that people just can’t quite put their finger on.

The trouble is, if you get it wrong and don’t apply it properly you can look more circus clown than catwalk model. Spider lashes, flaking, panda eyes and running can ruin your look but we have some easy to follow tips so you get it right time after time.

Finding the ‘one’
Just like the perfect jeans or love of your life, finding the right mascara is trial and error and you might have to try a few out before you get it spot on. There is so much choice on the market that knowing where to start can be bamboozling and getting it wrong is so easy.

The main things you need to know are:

Formula curling, lengthening, thickening and volumising are all out there so think about what you want to achieve. If your lashes are short go for a a lengthening mascara, if you are looking for a fuller look choose one with added volume but be aware that there are some products in the shops that do both. If you are heading out in the evening go for mascara that adds curl and volume for a glamorous look, we really like the Diorshow Backstage Mascara in black because it gives lashes a triple-shot of glamour so they are luxuriously thick, lengthened and curved to the maximum.

If you are on the run all day, swim after work, or cry a lot, go for a waterproof product but remember that these are harder to remove so you will need an effective eye make up remover so you don’t wake up looking like a raccoon.

It is also handy to know that waterproof formulas really hold a curl and prevent mascara from smearing during the day. Simply apply your normal mascara first and finish with a coat of waterproof. Stunning.

If you wear contacts or have sensitive eyes it may be best to find mascara that is hypoallergenic to avoid irritation.

When it comes to colour most of us play safe and go with black for a more dramatic, fuller look that lasts all day. If you have fairer skin and don’t want to overwhelm your face, brown / black tones are a good option and if you are looking for a fun look there are a wide range of coloured mascaras to suit every eye colour and skin tone.

Once you have found a product that works for you, follow these rules and you will look like Betty Boo everyday:

Curling your lashes before you apply mascara will create a longer, fuller look and open up your eyes. Start with the curler at the bases of your lashes, press it together, hold for around 10 seconds before repeating with the end of your lashes.

We know everyone does this, but pumping the wand in and out of the pot is a no-no. This will push air into the tube, drying out the mascara and causing clumping and flaking on application. It is far better to twist the wand in circular movement so you get the right amount of product and no trapped air.

Remove any excess product from the wand before you start to apply as this will help avoid clumpy lashes – not a good look.

Before you apply the mascara, bend the tip of the wand so it is perpendicular to the handle. This makes it easier to reach even they tiny hairs toward the inner corner of the eye on both the bottom and top lashes.

Start the mascara process with your bottom lashes or the top lashes will smudge when you look down. When working on your top lashes, look straight ahead and place your wand at the base of your lashes and then use a zig-zag motion while moving the wand up your lashes for a really professional look.

How you hold the brush when applying mascara can make a huge difference to the end result. If you hold the brush horizontally and wiggle it back and forth you will end up with voluminous lashes. Holding it vertically and running the tip of the brush along the length of your lashes will give you a more natural look.

If you have thin or light lashes, coat both sides by alternating between looking up and looking down while applying mascara. This ensures all the hairs are fully covered and also make them look much thicker.

Most mascaras are only meant to be layered twice, three times, at the most. Whilst it is tempting to blast on the layers remember the more likely it will dry mid-application so it will end up looking clumpy and spidery.

Clear up any rouge mascara marks with a cotton bud but do this once it is dry so you don’t end up with smears and having to start again.

Once your mascara is on, add some lashings of lip gloss and enjoy your day.

Decleor, Dermalogica, Health and Happiness, Life and Fashion

Skincare Tips for Ageing Skin

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ageing skinOnce you get to a certain age, your skin usually starts to show signs of wear. Lifestyle choices such as smoking, tanning and diet can all play a part in how your skin ages and there are certain steps you can take to slow down the signs of ageing. We thought we’d share with you our favourite products for ageing skin to help you decide upon a skincare regime which fits in with your lifestyle.

Dermalogica Age Reversal Eye Complex

The eyes are often the first place where we start to give away our true age and even with plenty of sleep and proper hydration, it can be tricky to reverse those signs without a super powerful product. That’s where Dermalogica Age Reversal Eye Complex, comes in. This cream is a five-fold threat to ageing eye areas, combatting wrinkles, crows feet, puffiness, dark circles due to hyperpigmentation and skin sensitivity due to dehydration. The complex contains a number of exclusive scientific formulations as well as natural ingredients like soy and white tea to offer deep hydration and sensitivity.

Decleor Daily Defence Fluid Shield SPF30

Sun protection is more important than ever for ageing skin, which means that a good daily moisturiser containing a high SPF is a must. You’ll still develop a healthy glow if you spend any time in the sun but your face will be protected from harmful UVA and UVB rays, which are directly responsible for ageing and burning delicate skin.

Decleor Circulagel Refreshing Leg Gel

The legs are another place which seem to suffer with age; long periods spent on our feet can mean tired, swollen lower limbs and circulation can suffer too. Treating your legs to a rub down with Decleor Circulagel Refreshing Leg Gel will energise and revive tired legs, encourage circulation and reduce the feeling of heavy, swollen legs. This lightweight gel is instantly absorbed, leaving your legs feeling fresh again.

Decleor Dark Spot Corrector Concentrate

Hyperpigmentation, or age spots, are an unfortunate sign of ageing which can be hard to combat. Decleor Dark Spot Corrector Concentrate is a targeted cream which reverses the darkening, prevents new age spots from forming and evens the skin tone of the whole face. The precise applicator makes it easy to apply and can also be used on the backs of hands, another common place for age spots.

Decleor Lift and Firm Day Cream

It’s important to remember to include your neck and chest area within your daily skincare regime; it’s all very well having a baby-smooth neck, but a tired décolletage will give the game away immediately! Decleor Lift and Firm Day Cream is a great product which will firm and tighten the skin, and can be used all over the face and décolletage for maximum effect.

Health and Happiness

Kick that cold to the curb

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ID-10072928We are still in the throws of summer (apparently) but even when the sun is shining if you don’t keep your immune system happy, healthy and strong, bugs and colds can strike at anytime and knock you for six.

Despite the age old saying, it takes more than an apple a day to keep the doctor away but drinking plenty of water, getting lots of sleep, taking regular exercise, minimising stress and eating a well balance diet can keep you in tip top condition.

We have found some great foods that will nourish and revitalise your body, and give your immune system a serious boost in the process.

Chilli
As well as being fantastic metabolism booster, a single chilli pepper contains beta-carotene and twice the recommended daily allowance of antioxidant vitamin C. So ditch the sugary orange juice and start adding spicy, low cal chillis to your food instead. Oh and it’s pretty good at clearing blocked sinuses too.

Ginger
We love ginger. Not only does it keep morning sickness at bay and aid digestion but popping a little into a desert, smoothie or stir-fry can cook up a healthy sweat to get rid of that nasty cold.

Green leafy veg
Kale, spinach and broccoli are leafy goddesses rich in Vitamin C that helps increase the production of white blood cells and Vitamin K which has excellent anti-inflammatory properties. Pack with folate and photochemicals, they are best eaten raw or stir-fried with garlic, chilli and ginger to real kick.

Green Tea
Green tea contains high levels of flavonoids, antioxidants and L-thenine – an amino acid – all of which help your body produce germ-fighting compounds. If you’ve already got a cold, the steam from a hot cuppa can help to unblock congested nasal passages.

Garlic
Garlic has been used to boost the immune system for centuries. Not only does it contain vitamins B and C but it also has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties that fight infections and the bacteria that cause them.

Onions
Not keen on garlic? Try onions. These pungent super-bulbs contain a powerful natural chemical called quercetin, which protects against infections and viruses, reduces inflammation and bloating, eases digestion and detoxifies the blood. Add to this the lowering of cholesterol in the blood stream, safe destruction of E.Coli and salmonella, and you have to wonder why we don’t eat more of them.

Red Bell Peppers
This red lovely is full of vitamin C that not only stands up to the common cold, but can also help strengthen your skin and increase antibody production. What a winner winner. Red bell peppers actually contain nearly twice the amount of vitamin C you will find in most fruits – including oranges – so add them to salads, smoothies or soups and let their goodness take over.

Sweet Potatoes
Not only are these babies bursting with vitamin A and beta-carotene they are also a great source of fibre and slow-release energy, which means your blood sugar levels are kept on track. Peel, cut into thick wedges, par boil and roast in the oven with a little olive oil and garlic for a healthy treat.

Tomatoes
We just love lycopene packed tomatoes because they aid the body’s natural defenses against nasty free radicals, which helps prevent the onset of cancer and other serious diseases.

Watermelon
This fruit is now going out of season but if you find watermelon on the shelves grab it because it contains the powerful antioxidant’ glutathione’ which helps the liver remove pollutants from our systems and makes us stronger.

Health and Happiness

Coconut Oil – What’s All The Fuss About?

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Coconut OilUnless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll no doubt have been hearing from everyone how great coconut oil is. It has a number of uses, thanks to its medium-chain triglycerides (MCT oil, to you and I) which increase metabolism, brain function, thyroid regulation and can also help with diseases like diabetes and Alzheimer’s.

We thought we’d look at the main beauty uses of coconut oil and try to work out what’s myth and what actually works, so that you can maximise the usefulness of your stash.

Calming the Frizz

Coconut oil is usually sold as a solid bar, but has a very low melting point, so will usually turn to liquid in your hand. Many people use it as an intensive conditioner for the hair and, we have to say, this is one thing we like coconut oil for. It’s almost like a conditioner and a serum in one and it really did noticeably smooth out our locks, although it takes rather a lot of rinsing after application to make sure you don’t end up with hair like Ross from Friends!

Oil Pulling

Oil pulling, in case you aren’t up to speed, is a natural alternative to tooth-brushing and involves swishing the oil around your mouth for 5-10 minutes, twice a day. The theory is that the oil removes plaque and bacteria, whilst whitening the teeth and is actually a fairly ancient method of oral hygiene. Extensive studies, however, have been largely inconclusive at proving the effectiveness of oil pulling, and without putting too fine a point on it, the whole process is fairly gag-worthy. We’ll be sticking to our Colgate for the foreseeable future!

Moisturiser

Applying coconut oil to the skin has been proven to offer moisturising properties and many people swear by it. Having said that, it can be tricky to apply without ending up looking like you’ve got stuck in an oil slick and if you aren’t a fan of the smell of coconut, then it might not be the best body oil for you. For a more straightforward approach, try Decleor Nourishing Body Milk, which has a velvety, creamy texture for a pleasant all-over feel and moisturises deeply to reduce discomfort, tightness and roughness.

Lip Balm

While we might not be a fan of covering our whole selves in coconut oil, it does work surprisingly well as a lip balm. The delicate coconut scent and flavour aren’t overwhelming and are far more of an olfactory treat than the industrial-smelling petroleum jelly products around. Try repurposing an old Vaseline tin for keeping a lip-balm sized pot in your handbag for repeat applications.

Do you have any other tried-and-tested uses for coconut oil, or are you simply sick of the latest beauty fad to take over? Let us know in the comments below.

Life and Fashion, Manicures

This Summer’s Hottest Nail Trends

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We’re not sure if Pinterest is wholly to blame, but these days a simple slick of colour on our nails never seems enough. Nail art is huge and whether you do a DIY job or head to the salon for a professional look, it’s a great way to accentuate an outfit or add some extra bling. We’ve seen some amazing nail art themes on the internet lately so we thought we’d share our 5 favourite nail art trends for this summer.

Extended wearing of nail varnish can, however, leave nails brittle and weak, so we’d recommend that you prepare the nails with Decleor Ongles Nail Oil to restore strength and vitality, as well as Dermalogica Multivitamin Hand and Nail Treatment to repair chapped hands.

Nautical Nails

nautical nails

One theme that we seem to see popping up more frequently than any other is ‘nautical’. Whether you opt for the traditional navy blue, red and white colour scheme or change things up with pastels, the anchors and tillers make a cute addition if you want to add imagery.

White Nails

White Nails

Plain white nails may seem a little dull, but that’s only until you look into the huge variety of shades on offer. White nails can be tricky to perfect as mistakes will show a mile off, but once you’ve managed to get your technique sorted white nails can look tidy, chic and totally on-trend.

Marbled Nails

marbled nails

This is an effect that we’ve been seeing for a few years now and there are various methods, including dotting the nail varnish in a water bath and dipping your nails in. We prefer a much simpler method, which just involves you dripping the varnish on to your nails and swirling with the end of a cocktail stick. Super simple with great effects.

Continuous Pattern

Continuous Nail Art

Patterned nails are all the rage, but viewing your nails as one large canvas rather than five individual ones can add serious impact to your mani. Practice with a pattern which isn’t too complex to begin with and your confidence (and skill level) will increase over time.

Two-toned French Manicure

two-toned french manicure

A French manicure is the classic look for nails, but the white tips can sometimes look a little uninspired. Why not add a single stripe of colour to your manicure to add an element of creativity? You can change up the colours to co-ordinate with your outfit, or opt for something bold which will make a statement.

Life and Fashion

BBQ the Healthy Way this Summer

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www.freedigitalimages.netThe sun is out, limbs are tanned, holidays are on the horizon, which means only one thing – it is barbeque season.

These are the carefree afternoons we dream about in the depths of winter and are a time to relax with family and friends, catch up over a glass of wine or two and indulge in some really tasty food.

However, you can have too much of a good thing and before you know it you are fast undoing your healthy eating and gym sessions but fret not. By simply thinking about the choices you make and knowing when enough is enough, you can have fun and eat like a king.

We have a few suggestions to make this summer’s BBQs the best ever for mind, body and skin:

Hostess with the Mostest
If you are hosting the barbeque, make some simple switches that will make you look cooler than a cucumber.

Whilst there is nothing wrong with burgers and sausages in moderation (especially when organic and / or home made) think about alternatives:

  • Lean turkey, veggie or salmon burgers taste great and are packed full of protein.
  • Load skewers with lean, organic chicken or lamb along with antioxidant kicking peppers and mushrooms.
  • Veggie kebabs are delicious options as is grilled fish, which have some great fats and protein.
  • Prawns and sardines are real BBQ winners packed with loads of goodness.
  • Bold, vibrant salads and vegetable sticks are tasty and refreshing and a great alternative to bowls of crisps and shop bought dips full of sugar.
  • It is super easy to make guacamole, hummus and coleslaw and with the vibrant colours and choice of food on offer your guests will be more in awe of your amazing culinary skills than disappointed about the lack of Pringles.

Take a Gift
If you’re attending a BBQ take something along you know is healthy and you will want to eat. Whether it’s a Greek salad with olives, spinach and feta or home made hummus and carrot sticks, it will stop you diving into the peanuts, piling on the pounds and getting dehydrated.

Go Heavy on Veg
Rather than considering salad as an after thought, load up the good stuff before you put anything else on your plate. As well as getting some of your five a day and a great dose of vitamins, if you fill up on veg and salad you’re less likely to overindulge in the more unhealthy food on offer.

Enjoy Your Food
Try not to pick and snack all day and instead choose a balanced plate of food, sit down with friends and really enjoy what you are eating. Just because the food is there you don’t have to go back for second and third portions.

If your only option is a burger, don’t panic. There’s no need to put it in a buttered bun with extra cheese, instead add it to salad, go easy on the ketchup and enjoy the protein hit.

Think Before you Drink
BBQs are a haven for alcohol and whilst one or two are fine, make sure you keep hydrated and drink plenty of water. As well preventing you from becoming dehydrated, which can be mistaken for hunger pangs, it will also help you from over eating and binging.

A jug of water with lemon, cucumber and ice is refreshing and more appetising than a glass of tepid tap water. Peppermint tea is a great way to aid digestion and prevent bloating and by adding ice you can enjoy it on the hottest days of the summer.

Move Around
If the BBQ is on, it is likely to be a warm, sunny day so don’t just sit around eating – get moving. Grab a ball and play rounders, get jumping on the trampoline or even go for a walk by the river; keep the blood pumping and metabolism fired up and your body will thank you later.

Finally, remember it’s all about balance and moderation so have a great time and enjoy the odd treat but don’t beat yourself up if you go off the rails just a little bit.

Dermalogica, Life and Fashion

5 Classic Make-Up Looks for Summer

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Every season, we’re shown new looks on the catwalks, some more wearable than others. It’s great to mix things up in the make-up department, but it’s also useful to have an arsenal of tried and tested classic looks which you can match to almost every occasion. Some will take more practice to perfect than others, but they’ll all look amazing once you’ve got them dialled in.

Smokey eyes

smokey eyes

This is the ultimate in classic make-up looks and can be as bold as you need it to be. Keep it light with mid-greys and silvers for a more day time look, or add a kohl liner and dark metallic shades for a more dramatic evening look. Keep eyes free from fine lines and puffiness with Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Firm.

Bronzed

bronzed

A bronzed make-up look can perfectly compliment holiday skin and can be pared down for a casual afternoon spent poolside, or accentuated for an evening of cocktails. Powder gives a more natural appearance than cream and is best used not only on the cheeks, but on the jawline, hairline and bridge of the nose for a natural appearance. Opting for a non-shimmery bronzer is essential to avoid looking like a sepia human disco-ball!

Red lips

red lips

A slick of bright red lipstick can be the perfect accompaniment to just about any outfit and can be taken from day to night just by adjusting the shade you opt for. A pinkish-red or orangey shade can look sweet and playful during the day, while a deeper shade of blood red can look seductive and sultry by night. We’d advise going light on the eye make-up if you’re going bold on the lip, just to avoid an over-made up look.

Winged liner

winged liner

A really simple way to make a statement with your make-up is to opt for winged eye-liner. Using a liquid liner to create a flicked-out effect can create a cute look or a dramatic appearance, depending on how far you take it, and is best paired with a minimal amount of make-up on the rest of the face, making this one of the most low-maintenance looks on our list.

Contouring

contouring

One of the more controversial looks of the moment is the heavy contouring, brought to prominence by Kim Kardashian. Contouring involved using multiple foundations and highlighters to accentuate and enhance the natural shape of the face, and while we’re by no means advocating something as full-on as Mrs. Kanye West, knowing where to lighten and where to darken when making-up your face can be a valuable skill to have. Prepare the skin with Dermalogica SkinPerfect Primer SPF30 which will prolong the life of your foundation and give your skin a smoother texture.

Decleor

Great skin thanks to Decleor

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It is hardly surprising that first signs of ageing are often seen on our faces. Fine lines, wrinkles, age spots and sagging are all tale-tale signs and the result of sun exposure, air pollution, poor diet, dehydration and the lack of proper skincare routine.

As well as eating a diet full of fresh fruit and vegetables, drinking plenty of water and getting enough sleep, an effective skin care routine can help achieve a glowing complexion that hides your real age and makes you feel amazing, inside and out.

freedigitalphotos.netDecleor has a range of luxurious, everyday products that not only slow down the signs of ageing but also help promote healthy looking skin morning, noon and night.

To ensure skin is kept clean and fresh use Decleor Essential Cleansing Milk. This light cleanser contains Neroli oil to protect, repair and fight dehydration as well as Sweet Almond Oil which softens and smoothes the skin. Morning and night apply the lotion using damp cotton wool pad and gently massage the eyes, neck and rest of the face in light circular movements. You can also apply pressure to the smile dimples (under the cheekbones) for ten seconds for a natural lift.

If you wear a lot of eye make up, or if this is an area of concern for you, using the Decleor Refreshing Eye Make-up Remover is a good idea. Whilst this product is strong enough to remove all traces of make-up, including waterproof mascaras are removed, it is remarkably gentle. The aromatic, paraben-free, formula contains Corn Flower Water to soothe, decongest and help reduce dark circles under the eyes whilst the Camellia Oil nourishes the skin. Simply soak two cotton pads in the lotion before holding them over the eyes for a few seconds and then apply light pressure from the eyelid to the lash line to remove make-up.

The next step in this process is the paraben free Decleor Essential Tonifying Lotion. This product not only tones the skin but continues to moisturise and awaken it. The Neroli oil protects and repairs delicate areas and helps fight dehydration, leaving skin moisturised and radiant. Skin is left fresh and lightly fragranced but without the dryness or tightness created by some toners.

Morning and night you can then apply Decleor Lift and Brighten Eye Cream. The fragrance-free cream has a double-action formula that lifts the eye contour area and boosts luminosity. This anti-ageing winner comes with an innovative massage spatula to allow for precise application and blending around the eye contour, enhancing drainage.

For super-soft skin, use Aromessence Neroli morning and night. The 100% pure and natural essential oil comforts and treats the skin leaving it visibly smoother, softer and glowing with radiance. Use the Decleor acupressure method over the face by pressing in with fingertips and finishing with light sweeping strokes and watch the magic begin.

If you are looking for a light but effective daily moisturiser you can’t go wrong with the Decleor Multi-Protection Cream Light. This fantastic product combines the latest in hydration innovation with a light formula and the result is 24-hour hydration and multi-protection. This new addition to the Hydra Floral range is soft to the touch without any stickiness and 85%of women noticed their skin was revitalised and softer after the first application.

For light, fresh finish opt for the Decleor Multi-Protection BB Cream with SPF15. This product comes in three shades and combines a multi-protective moisturiser with a foundation for a flawless, luminous complexion all day long. The cream illuminates and evens out the complexion, refines the skin texture and corrects blemishes as well as protecting against UVA/UVB rays and pollutions – what’s not to like?

Here’s to looking great thanks to Decleor.

Health and Happiness, Life and Fashion

Easy Ways to Get Your Five a Day

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freedigitalimages.netOn paper ‘five a day’ sounds easy but busy schedules and living life on the run can sometimes make this tricky. Whilst grabbing a muffin and latte on the go might seem the only option, a little of preparation and awareness will make it easy for you to eat better all day so you are firing on all cylinders.

We have some easy ideas that will help you get to five a day and beyond without going out of your way.

Let’s start with the basics and say that almost all fruit and vegetables whether they are canned, dried, fresh, frozen or juiced, eaten alone or with other foods, count as one of your five a day.

Porridge made is a great way to start the say, add a sliced banana and handful of berries and you have already made a dent in that elusive five a day.

A smoothie is a great way to get some goodness into your system first thing and if you make them from scratch, even better. Go for a healthy helping of spinach or kale and then add berries, bananas, cucumber, apples and even oats and cinnamon, for a drink that will fill you up and give you some get up and go.

Baked beans on toast might be a toddler favourite but any pulses (lentils or beans) offer one portion and if topped with sliced tomato and avocado you have a triple portion winner.

Keep a fruit bowl in the kitchen along with fresh, washed carrot and cucumber sticks in the fridge so you have instant healthy snacks that will be prevent you from reaching for the biscuit tin.

If you’re having a sandwich, go green! Ensure you have some protein and add anything green and leafy. Spinach leaves, rocket and lettuce will up your veg intake and are packed with iron, magnesium and calcium as well as vitamins, and a decent serving with help you reach your target.

Children might be tricky when it comes to five a day but make it fun and you will win them over. Add raisons to cereal, dip slices of apple and banana into yoghurt, pack pancakes with berries and mix fruit with milk to make smooth, creamy milkshakes.

Make a pizza based from cauliflower (yes, really) then load with tomatoes and a vibrant mix of vegetables and goats cheese and you have a healthy, but tasty, Friday night treat.

Potatoes are a starchy food and whilst they are a great source of energy, fibre, B vitamins and potassium they aren’t a five a day contender. Swap mashed and roast potatoes for parsnip and swede mash, carrot and butternut squash mash or sweet potato wedges which are packed with beta-carotene and goodness.

Make a batch of soup full of tomatoes, celery, carrots, pulses and spices and keep it in the fridge for a healthy, filling alternative to a ready meal or pasty (gasp).

Pop some dried fruit, nuts, oak cakes and a bottle of water in your handbag so you can add to your five a day in the car, on the train or walking home on the school run.

Add three good portions of bright vegetables like red peppers, sweet potatoes, corn and broccoli to a prawn or chicken stir fry and you will have a super-charged supper that will pack a healthy punch.

Blend courgettes, carrots, spinach and any other veg and add into your shepherds pie or bolognaise with a can of tinned beans and it will be a completely healthy, vitamin packed meal.

Toss strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, mango and bananas in lemon juice and sever with a little crème fresh for a portion-loaded pudding.

The options are endless and with a little preparation you will be healthier than ever.

Health and Happiness

Beat the Hangover

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PimmsAt this time of year it’s easy to feel like every weekend is taken up by one social engagement or another, be it a simple barbecue with friends or a wedding with all the trimmings. Either way, indulging in a tipple or two is often unavoidable (short of going tee-total!) and before you know it, the over-indulgence is playing havoc with your body. Although we by no means advocate binge-drinking, raising a glass of bubbly on a special occasion is a lovely treat, so we thought we’d put together a list of our top ways to avoid getting a horrid hangover (is it just us, or do they last for 3 days now we’re older?!) and to reduce the damage done by drinking alcohol.

Give Your Liver a Chance

The liver has a lot of work to do when you decide to drink alcohol, so boosting it with some liver-friendly foods can go a long way to helping you to recover. Avocado, lemon, green tea, cinnamon, garlic and beetroot are just a handful of the many foods which are kind to the liver and will also help to replenish vitamins and minerals which were wiped out by the booze.

H2O

Staying hydrated is so important when consuming alcohol and it’s often dehydration which causes the headache and other horrible symptoms during a hangover. Try to drink one glass of water after every alcoholic drink you have and you’ll have a fighting chance of avoiding the muzzy head the next day.

Eat First

Drinking on an empty stomach is a classic schoolboy error and is certain to both get you drunk faster and leave you feeling horrendous. Eating before you start drinking is super important and food such as meat, cheese, nuts and olives can all have a positive effect – sounds like an excellent excuse for tapas to us!

Avoid coffee

Although it’s almost an inbuilt instinct to reach for the coffee pot on the morning after the night before, coffee can actually make hangovers a lot worse. Coffee is a known diuretic and will almost definitely increase fluid loss and therefore increase dehydration. If you need a hot drink, go for something gentler like Rooibos tea (redbush tea) which is proven to have a positive effect of gut health and is used to help babies with colic in developing countries.

Go for a run

…or in fact, do any type of exercise, as long as you do some. Exercise may be the absolute last thing on your mind when all you want is a sausage and egg McMuffin and your boxset of The Good Wife, but it will boost your metabolism and therefore increase the rate at which your body processes what you’ve drunk.

Remember, always drink responsibly, use a good eye make-up remover before bed and follow the steps above to ensure a good night and an even better morning after!