News

Simple tips for a healthier, happier life!

  1. Switch up refined carbohydrates for whole grains. Refined carbohydrates are not good for your system so changing them up will help you to feel healthier, fitter and reduce bloating.

  2. Eat fibre. Fibre is an essential aspect of your diet and is vital for a healthy digestive system. Make sure you consume fruits, vegetables and whole grains to make sure you are getting enough fibre into your diet.





  3. Ditch the dairy. There has been numerous research done which concludes that the majority of humans aren’t able to process dairy accurately which leads to inflammation, fatigue, skin problems and most common allergies. Yes, I know we have been brought up to believe that milk is a ‘very important part of development’and contains calcium and protein but it’s so easy to get calcium and protein in other ways ;without the side effects of dairy! Try using alternatives such as unsweetened almond milk/brown rice milk and see how much better you feel after just a few weeks!

  4. Drink at 3 litres of water per day. Water is so essential for your body to function and helps to clear out toxins from our system and is so important for clear, vibrant skin.



  5. Stay active. It’s important to stay active as much as possible. I understand it may be hard when you work in an office sat at a desk all day but even parking your car further so you have a longer walk to the office is such an easy but great way to incorporate a little movement into your day. I would recommend being active for at least 30 mins per day to keep your body moving! 

Love Holly


Sunshine Girl

06 August 2014

Sunshine Girl

After learning so much about diet and lifestyle while transitioning to a plant based diet, I have also become equally interested in learning about natural cosmetics and the best ways to look after your skin.

I steer well clear of any parabens which are chemical preservatives found in the majority of cosmetic products as well as other toxic chemicals which have been linked to cancer development. However, as the sun has finally started making appearances and holidays are being booked I have been wondering what sun cream I could use that is natural and will also give me good sun protection.



Before I went to Turkey in June I came across a brand called ‘Green People’on my favourite Paraben Free cosmetic site ‘Myon Pure’and decided to give the SPF 15 Sun Lotion with Natural Tan Accelerator a try as it was my first natural sun cream I have ever used.


I wasn't quite sure how well it would protect my skin from the sun but I was so impressed!

The lotion goes on really nicely and isn't too thick and overpowering for your skin. It worked to protect my skin so well and I definitely felt that the natural tan accelerator worked too and I turned a really nice golden brown by the time my few days away was over.

I would definitely recommend this brand of suncream as a natural paraben free alternative to commercial sun creams. They do a higher SPF cream too if you feel that you need a higher protection for your skin.

 

There is also some really informative blog posts regarding Parabens and how dangerous they are here http://www.myonpure.co.uk/blog/ which I would recommend reading to understand the dangers of using commercial skincare products. 


Burn baby, burn

As a British made brand we get pretty excited when we find other brands that we love are made here at home! And after a huge weekend of Birthday celebrating we deserve some relaxation! 

Epoh Ireti is a luxury lifestyle brand featuring some of the finest ethical luxury soy candles. Hand crafted in Britain by their female founder Hope we love their gorgeous look and beautiful scents.



 

Using all organic ingredients and eco-friendly packaging (biodegradable and labels printed using soy ink) these luxurious candles are as kind to the environment as they are to you, creating soft gorgeous lighting, perfect for the unwind after a hard session!



We are particularly in love with the Tuberose & White Peony candle, it just looks so pretty in our office (yes we do occasional burn the midnight oil, or candle as it were!) but we are very excited to try the Vanilla & black Pepper next, yum. Although with 50 hours of burn it might be a slight wait!



Created using carefully chosen soy wax and pure essential oils, the candles burn without releasing harmful pollutants, toxins or soot into the air with a wooden wick.

 

If you need a bit more zen in your life, check out Epoh Ireti online.


Scrub It

28 July 2014

Scrub It

To follow on from our skincare post (see below if you missed it!) we asked our talented and beautiful blogger Holly about her regime and fav tips...

 "I absolutely LOVE this home made exfoliator and I use it every day. It leaves my skin so silky smoothe and also smells delicious! It’s so easy to make and is all natural so contains no nasties. I definitely recommend giving it a try! 


All you need is a tub of 100% pure coconut oil and some demerara sugar. I make a big batch to last for the week and put it in a sealed glass jar in the bathroom cabinet.





You just need to use a couple of tablespoons of coconut oil and enough sugar for it to be of an exfoliation consistency and so there is roughly an even amount of both the sugar and the oil. When you mix it together it should be gritty.



Just take a handful of the mixture and rub all over your body (but not your face) in the shower and your skin will be left so beautifully smooth after.

 This is great to do before a holiday and will get you feeling bikini confident!"


 

Love Holly


We like teeny butters & we cannot lie...

We love sport. Inside, outside, gym, park, pitch or field it’s all good. But what we love less is the marks and scraps that we get left with.

Sport and exercise may sculpt your muscles and release endorphins but it can also leave you with dry, marked skin from the excellent but erratic weather and all the extra showers.

So when we bumped into girlboss and skin magician Ronke we were pretty excited! Ronke is the lady behind Emi & Ben, specialising in natural skin care, she’s created an awesome range of very affordable products.


A petite pot of perfection

Using amazing Shea Butter she creates like pots of creamy heaven, perfect for battered elbows and knees.


You only need a teeny bit of this super star body butter so it will last for ages! Awesome!

Commonly used in West Africa but less so in the UK, shea butter enables skin to absorb moisture from the air, creating a softer for moisturised body.

We’ve tried out a pot and it’s a total must have! To grab yours head over to Emi & Ben!