Pure Beauty - The Lichfield Beauty Salon

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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!

Decleor, Dermalogica, Life and Fashion

Which Skin Type Are You?

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skin typesWhen buying cosmetics and beauty products, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer choice available to you. The easiest way to ensure you’re spending your money on the right products for you is to buy things made specifically for your skin type – however, that’s easier said than done if you don’t know what your skin type is!

Traditionally, there are 4 main skin types which beauty products cater for and we’ve given you a run-down of what those skin types are and how you can best look after each of them.

Normal Skin

Normal skin does exactly what it says on the tin. Normal skin is neither prone to outbreaks nor oiliness and copes well with most products. A good SPF is a must to reduce the signs of ageing, as is a decent moisturiser, which is why Dermalogica Solar Defence Booster SPF50 is the perfect product for anyone with normal skin.

Oily Skin

People with oily skin generally suffer with a shiny appearance as well as outbreaks of spots which can be difficult to control. The difficulty with oily skin is that the wrong products can make things worse and create a cycle of blemishes and sensitivity which can be hard to treat. Dermalogica Oil Control Lotion is suitable for acneic, breakout-prone and oily skin and contains microsponges which absorb oil, giving an all-day matte appearance. Decleor also offer a Fresh Matifying Lotion, a toner which purifies and refines the skin, absorbs excess sebum and leaves you with a matte finish.

Dry Skin

Dry skin can not only look unsightly, with flaky areas around the face as well as feeling uncomfortable, but it can also feel tight and itchy. Over moisturising with the wrong products can dry the area out even more in the long-run and highly scented products can add to your misery. Decleor Lift and Firm Day Cream for dry skin is a multi-functional product with anti-ageing properties which adds luminescence to the skin and contains various essential oils which soothe and hydrate dry, tight skin.

Combination skin

Combination skin is probably the trickiest skin type to deal with. Often, people with combination skin have an oily t-zone with dry cheeks and upper forehead, which means that it’s not as simple as using one product for everything. Decleor’s 2-in-1 Purifying and Oxygenating Mask is an exfoliating product which can help to slough away dry skin, whilst also containing moisturising properties to care for parched areas which need a little help. This Ylang Ylang Purifying Serum, also from Decleor, penetrates the skin to control the production of excess sebum and offers moisture to provide balance.

Health and Happiness, Life and Fashion

Summer Drinks that Sizzle

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Summer drinks This summer rather than guzzling glasses of squash full of colourings and fizzy drinks stacked with sugar, why not opt for a cool alternative that will not only dazzle your taste buds but make your skin will glow too?

teapigs temples (the clever mesh bags the company has created) are packed with whole leaf, natural ingredients that create healthy, tasty summer drinks with no nasties hidden in the bottom of the glass.

Whether you opt for black, green, blue or herbal teas each teapig flavour packs a punch after just a few minutes brewing time and they all work well iced without taste being compromised.

You can of course enjoy these drinks as they come but for a little cool sophistication we have some top ideas to tempt you:

Iced Teapigs

Ingredients

  • 1 teapigs tea temple
  • 250ml water
  • Fruit to garnish
  • Agave syrup (optional)

This recipe works well on a larger scale, just use 1 tea temple per person and increase the amount of water/ice accordingly.

Instructions

  1. Use 1 tea temple per glass or 4 tea temples for a 1 litre jug
  2. Cover the tea temple with around an inch of freshly boiled water
  3. Brew for 5 minutes before removing the temple
  4. If you like a strong flavour, let the temples continue to infuse
  5. Top up with cold water and ice
  6. For an extra boost add fresh fruit; lemons and limes go well with traditional teas and red berries and passion fruit taste amazing with the fruit and herbal blends
  7. Enjoy!

Flavour Inspiration

The Classic One is made from teapigs Darjeeling earl grey tea temples and then add a squeeze of fresh lemon and lemon slices for decoration and touch of sophistication.

The “Wow, That’s Got A Lot of Flavour” One uses teapigs liquorice and mint tea temples. Straight up. The peppermint leaves are the mintiest around and the liquorice gives you lots of natural sweetness.

The Lemony One is lemon and ginger tea temples, a little lemon zest and if you’re big on ginger, you grate a little and add that too. Zing!

Teashakes

Whilst these drinks might sound a bit ‘out there’, they are seriously tasty.

Ingredients

  • 2 or 3 teapigs tea temples (depending on how strong you like your drink) per shake
  • 100ml water
  • A couple of scoops of organic vanilla ice cream
  • Milk (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pop your tea temples into a cup
  2. Add 100ml of freshly boiled water
  3. Leave to brew for 10-15 minutes
  4. Once brewed, remove the temples and pour the liquid into your blender
  5. Add several scoops of ice-cream and a little milk if the mixture is too thick
  6. Blend, add to a glass, drink, smile

Flavour inspirations…

  • teapigs chocolate and mint
  • teapigs super fruit
  • teapigs Darjeeling earl grey
  • teapigs rooibos crème caramel

For an extra treat add whipped cream, chocolate sauce, fresh strawberries… the possibilities and tastes are endless!

Body Treatments, Dermalogica, Health and Happiness

Create a Spa at Home

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With the stresses of everyday life on the rise, it has never been more important to take time out for ourselves and relax. Spa days at luxurious locations are amazing but it is easy to create a special retreat and enjoy some me time in your home.

ID-100333153Set the Scene
Turn your phone off, close the curtains and turn up the heating. Your retreat should be warm and relaxing and even if you only have an hour, a cosy environment will allow you to leave the stresses of life behind you so you can regroup and chill out.

Prepare little extras like a soft robe, slippers, scented candles, warm towels and soft music as they will help create a serene ambience and make you more likely to really relax and let the stress melt away.

Also ensure you have plenty of water to hand as it is essential to be hydrated if you want to see that spa after glow.

Start With a Scrub
In an ideal world you would exfoliate every day to you keep your skin smooth and promote good circulation but there isn’t always the time. The Dermalogica Ultimate Buffing Cloth is a gentle but effective way to exfoliate the entire body and is the perfect way to start your spa session. It is perfect for a “power cleansing” treatment and can be effectively used with the Dermalogica Conditioning Body Wash.

Fabulous Facial
Facials are a spa specialty but it is pretty easy to do this at home. First cleanse your face with the Dermalogica Skin Resurfacing Cleanser, which cleans and gently exfoliates the skin at the same time. Lather a small amount in your hands then apply to the face and throat, massaging with light, upward strokes, avoiding the eye area. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

Next apply the Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque. This fantastic, deep penetrating masque is packed with Vitamin A for elasticity and moisture content as well as antioxidant Vitamin C for collagen synthesis and restoring suppleness. Vitamin E and Pro-Vitamin B5 promote healthy tissue regeneration and extracts of Licorice, Comfrey and Burdock soothe the skin.

Either sit back and close your eyes for ten minutes whilst the masque gets to work or use this time to file and polish your nails.

Mindful Massage
Nothing quite says spa like a massage. At home you can either call upon a friend or partner to help or you can massage your body yourself. Using a little Dermalogica Stress Relief Treatment Oil start at your feet, smoothing the front of the foot and then the soles before moving to the ankles. Work your way up to the thighs, slowly massage the tummy in a clockwise motion, head to the shoulders and down the arms to the hands.

The massage combined with the concentrated essential oils will help relax muscles and take stresses away whilst stimulating the senses.

Relaxing Bath
You might not have a hot tub at home but run a warm bath and mix a few drops of Stress Relief Treatment Oil with Dermalogica Hydro-Active Mineral Salts into your bath and you will have the perfect place for a relaxing spa soak. The salts are rich in minerals and soothing essential and purifying oils that will nourish the skin. The warming fragrance of coriander, cinnamon and ginger totally relax the body and uplift the senses.

Finishing Touches
Pop on a warm dressing gown as soon as you step out of the bath and apply Dermalogica’s Ultra Rich Body Cream concentrating on the elbows, knees and heels. The combination of Vitamin E, Hyaluronic Acid, Evening Primrose Oil as well as Linoleic Acid will boost dry, thirty skin and leave it feeling silky smooth.

Apply Dermalogica’s UltraCalming Ultra Smoothing Eye Serum and Intensive Moisture Balance to your face and the blend of phytonutrients, vitamins and humectants and will sink into your clean skin and leave it looking plump and pampered.

Now you are relaxed, take some time out, read a book, leave your phone off, don’t do anything stressful and if you can slip under the sheets and get a good night’s sleep.

Health and Happiness

Five Health-Boosting Ingredients You Should Be Adding To Your Smoothies

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Smoothies can be a great addition to a balanced diet, allowing you to get your 5-a-day with minimum effort. They’re healthier than juicing all of your fruit and veg because it’s important to have the pulp as well as the fruit, as this reduces the impact that the sugar has on your body, as well as adding much needed fibre to your diet. Using a wide variety of ingredients in smoothies is a good way to cover all of your vitamin and mineral needs, but we’ve got some suggestions for things you can add which will have a fantastic impact on your body.

Almonds

almonds

Almonds are the champion of the nut world, although few people know that they’re technically a seed! Just a quarter of a cup of raw almonds provides up to 40% of your daily recommended intake of vitamin E, which helps to maintain healthy skin, nails and eyes, as well as bolstering the immune system. They’re also packed with antioxidants which help to protect cells from damage. Using almond butter, which is available from good health food shops, makes it even easier to blend.

Bell peppers

yellow bell pepper

It’s a little-known fact that bell peppers actually contain more vitamin c than oranges, and if you opt for a milder yellow pepper, you could add them to a fruity smoothie with very little impact on the taste. 100g of chopped bell pepper actually provides 134% of your daily vitamin c allowance and can help to maintain healthy cells, as well as maintaining healthy connective tissue and organs.

Edamame beans

edamame beans

Edamame beans are high in an amino acid called L-Lysine, an essential building block which help to fight off cold-sores. The body cannot produce L-Lysine by itself, so it must be found through dietary sources, which means that chucking a handful of edamame beans, which are high in Lysine, into your smoothie could greatly help in the fight against fever blisters.

Olive oil

6896388410_a164b4eed2_b

Olive oil is high in what are considered to be “good” fats, which can be beneficial in a number of areas, including skin, hair, nails, eyes and even brain health, especially the battle with Alzheimer’s. It’s been associated with reducing the signs of aging, as well as preventing some cancers and heart disease. Adding a tablespoon of olive oil to your smoothies won’t affect the taste at all, but could give you a dose of something which is hugely beneficial to your whole body.

Green Tea

green tea

If you don’t mind watering your smoothies down a little, brew some green tea in a small cup of water and add once cooled. Green tea is another champion in that it’s good for a number of things. Green tea contains B vitamins, folates and other antioxidants which are alleged to aid weight loss, could help to lower cholesterol and has been linked with increased fat burning. It can even kill bacteria and improve your dental health! When applied topically, in addition to your sun block, it can also increase protection against UV rays, so save your tea bags once you’ve brewed up!