Make-up & Hair/Bride and Mother of the Bride
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Author: lifestylesister
Natural Deodorant
Nature knows best, volcanic alum for a natural deodorant
It’s been on my mind for a long time to stop using regular deodorants because of all the chemicals they contain and the links they carry to breast cancer. It’s important to know that antiperspirants release aluminium ions which enter the sweat glands and block their secretions; whereas deodorants kill the bacteria which create the odour on the skin. The most common ingredient in manufactured deodorant is ammonium alum. Ingredient labels might lead us to believe that ammonium alum is a pure mineral salt. However, it is in fact a waste product of the nylon and aluminium factories so there’s nothing ‘natural’ about it. No-one wants to smell of stale sweat, plus most people don’t know there’s a natural product that works (myself included before now!). I have to admit I was sceptical before trying this little crystal, having tried natural deodorants before, which were for want of a better word ‘crap’.
My friend Herve gave me this little deodorant crystal, which is actually volcanically formed alum (potassium alum bisulphate). I have to say it is impressive. It works better than the chemical deodorant/antiperspirants! It might sound gross but I did a quick check, if I wipe my arm pit in the middle of there day it smells of NOTHING!! The alum crystal can also be used as a styptic for reducing shaving rash and calming shaving nicks. Just make sure you wet it before rubbing under your arm pits, it wont work if you try to rub it on dry!!
According to my friend, he said he did ‘pen & ink’ a bit inititally (‘stink’ for all those not au fait with cockney rhyming slang), but this is to do with your body riding itself of toxin build up. Personally, I didn’t have this problem…don’t know why but it worked for me straight away 
Amazing natural deodorant!
You can find out more about natural alum at Natural Spa Supplies.
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ALPHA-H Liquid Gold – For Resurfacing, Breakouts, Fine lines & Wrinkles
A friend of mine recommended ‘Alpha-H Liquid Gold’ to me as a more natural alternative to Obagi skincare, which tends to be quite chemical based. I have to admit Obagi has helped my skin, but it’s time for a change. With all the research I’m doing into Cancer and the Immune System, I’m increasingly worried about the ingredients in the products I put on my skin. So much so that I have even starting making Homemade body butters!
The friend who recommended ‘Liquid Gold’ has a very sensitive skin and struggles to find products she doesn’t react to. On the same hand she can suffer with breakouts. Since using Liquid Gold she’s had no new breakouts, her skin is glowing to the point that her partner commented…something he never usually does! Since she is a beauty junkie like me I took her word for it and ordered a trial set from Cult Beauty.
My Kit contained;
30ml Liquid Gold Skin Renewal Wash
15ml Liquid Gold Skin Perfecting Daywear
50ml Liquid Gold
30ml Liquid Gold Rejuvenating Cream
30ml Liquid Gold Smoothing and Perfecting Mask
The First Night of Use
I used the face wash which you rub into dry skin and then add a little water until it becomes silky. After this I applied the soothing and perfecting mask which contains Lavender and left on for 10 minutes. Next it was time for the Liquid Gold, which you dampen a cotton pad with and wipe over the face and décolletage. If you want an intensive treatment the instructions say not to apply moisturiser – I didn’t notice that bit at the time, so I applied Liquid Gold rejuvenating Cream afterwards. The correct procedure is to apply liquid gold on alternate nights and Liquid Gold rejuvenating cream on the other nights.
Day 2
After the first night of use my skin seems less botchy and the cluster of spots I have at the moment are a lot less angry and feel as if they are going down – they are those red, under the skin lumps which haven’t come to a head – for me this is as a result of eating dairy! At this rate they will be gone in a few days…in time for the weekend!!
This morning I used the face wash and then the Liquid Gold Perfecting Day Wear. Over this I applied an Obagi moisturiser and then Obagi SPF 50 sunscreen. It is important to use a sunscreen with Liquid Gold because they contain Alpha Hydroxy Acids which make the skin more sensitive to sunlight.
There is a slight tingling with these products but nothing uncomfortable – and if my friend can use Liquid Gold with her super sensitive skin I’m sure most people can! Since I’m only on day 2, I will make a new post in a couple of weeks time with some photos and my progress.
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12 minutes of Madness…Twice Through if you’re mad enough!
This Bodyrock.tv workout is only 12 minutes but it’s guaranteed to make you sweat. If you’re feeling energetic or just want a longer workout you can do it twice through – 24 minutes is more than adequate…it was for me anyway!
Set your interval timer for 12 rounds (or 24 rounds) of 10 seconds of rest/ 50 seconds or work
The exercises are as follows;
1. Squat Punch
2. Lateral Jumps
3. Ninja Jump Tuck, 5 High Knees
4. Push Up Core Rotation each side, burpee
5. Plank Jump Feet to Right Side, Jump in, 2 Jump Squats, Plank Jump Feet to Left Side
6. Plank Commando Up & Down Twice, Alternate Toe Tap Right & Left
7. V- Abs Roll (Alternate Sides)
8. Supermans (Opposite Arm to leg Extends)
9. 5 High Knees, 5 Jump Lunges
10. 2 Dive Bombers, plank Drunk Chicken
11. Surfer, 2 Jump Squats, 2 Hop Jumps Turn
12. 3 x Moving Press Ups, 5 Mountain Climbers
https://youtu.be/BKXhpaxzIFA
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Paleo Banana Bread-Cake Recipe
This as a fab fitness food. It’s not too sweet, so it won’t give you a sugar rush and then a crash afterwards. Brilliant for fitness fiends on-the-go. A piece of this keeps me going for a good 2-3 hours when I’m really in a rush and don’t have time for a sit down meal…or even as a snack with afternoon tea, I am British after all
Paleo Banana Bread-Cake Recipe
1 – 1.5 Cups of Almond Flour/Meal
1/3 Cup of Extra Fine Almond Flour (this is slightly drier than regular almond flour, or you can use coconut flour
3 eggs
2 Ripe Bananas (if you prefer the cake sweeter use very ripe bananas)
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/3 cup Coconut Oil (melted)
1 tsp Vanilla essence
1/4 tsp Pink Himalayan Salt
Method
Place the bananas, eggs, vanilla essence and melted coconut oil in a food processor and whiz until blended.
Add the almond flours, baking powder and salt and blend again until you are left with a mixture that resembles a thick batter.
Pour into a silicone bread mold, place on a baking tray and bake (in a fan oven) on 175 degrees C for about 55mins – 1 hour.
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Cashew and Almond Energy Balls
If you like the taste of caramel you’ll love these!
These are super easy and quick to make. They are quite sweet by my own taste, but this could be adjusted by using less dates and maybe a bit more coconut oil instead.
As you can see I am quite a messy cook, something Jez is always accusing me of …and I have to agree with him!
Anyway here’s the list of ingredients;
Ingredients – Makes 18 Balls
1 Cup of Cashews
1/2 Cup Almonds
6 Dates (Substitute less dates for coconut oil if they are too sweet)
1/4 Cup Coconut Oil
Method
Place the nuts in a food processor and whiz until chopped.
Add the dates and do the same until it resembles crumbs.
Add the coconut oil and whiz again.
Take the mixture out, roll into balls, put them on a plate and place in the freezer for 1-2 hours until they are set.
Store in the fridge and try not to eat them all in one go!
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The My Fitness Pal App
Track your diet & exercise with this app – it’s amazingly helpful!
I have known about this app for a while but didn’t really understand what it was about or how it could be so helpful. I was recently re-introduced to it by a nutritionist and Miss Fitness Body Builder called Carla Chacksfield. Having seen her competition photo’s and listened to what she had to say about diet and exercise, it’s clear we are on the same page. Carla told me to download this App so I can track my daily food intake in order to make sure I am eating right for my goals. The day after my first day of tracking I went from 9 stone 1.2 to 9 stone 0.4…not bad!
I actually ate under 2000 calories on the first day, I didn’t feel at all hungry and we also went out for dinner…plus I had 2 small glasses of wine. Tracking food and water intake made me a lot more conscious of my consumption.
A common problem is that people actually don’t eat enough. If you enter into this cycle initially you will lose weight. However, over time it is not sustainable. You will feel tired, hungry and irritable and in extreme cases cause metabolic damage. Anyway, that’s a complicated subject, with many factors to take into account and something I feel is for another post.
I shall be adding a post soon about how to determine your calorie and Macro intake for each day (Macro’s are your Protein, Carbohydrate and Fat intake). This will be for someone who is wanting to burn body fat whilst working out – after all, the two go hand in hand!
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Going paleo…Pancakes for breakfast anyone?
Breakfast can be a bit of a pain sometimes…depending on how hungry you wake up. Sometimes I wake up and I don’t eat until about 10.30 because I’ll usually do a workout first thing. However, today I have a cold so I’m not exercising and I could so easily have devoured a big piece of toast!
Having been away for the weekend and not having access to my usual foods, my skin has erupted around the jaw area (I think due to dairy and possibly wheat). This is a good motivator to stay on track with the right foods in normal circumstances.
I’ve found the best alternative to toast is to make paleo pancakes…all you need are eggs, arrowroot powder, koko coconut milk, 1/4 tsp baking powder and a pinch of sea salt. Don’t bother using coconut flour, I’ll tell you now, it doesn’t work! Coconut flour absorbs too much liquid which makes them crumble – it doesn’t taste isn’t too good either.
For my Paleo Pancakes Recipe made with Arrowroot powder click here
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Beautiful Indie Bride Photo shoot for Minna.co.uk
It was such a pleasure working with Minna Hepburn, the designer behind these wonderful Indie style bridal gowns and evening wear. The shoot took place in a sleepy Dorset village on a beautiful sunny day in early July. Our model, Gertie Lowe did an amazing job and was so easy to work with. Katharine Davies, the photographer, created some wonderful images for Minna’s upcoming portfolio. We were also treated to a fantastic healthy lunch at Minna’s home – I love it when I meet people who share the same ideas about food & health, it’s definitely a bonding experience!
For more information about Minna Bridal and Evening Wear click here
To see more photography by Katharine Davies click here
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BodyRock Body|Week 1 Day 5|Flexibility, Mobility & Balance
This workout incorporates some yoga moves. I really enjoyed this one, good for upper body strength as well…hope you enjoy it too!
Bodyrock.tv recommends the following sets and reps based on your fitness level
Beginners:
2-3 Rounds, 30 seconds Work/10 seconds Rest
Intermediate:
3-4 Rounds, 50 seconds Work/10 seconds Rest
Advanced:
5 + Rounds, 50 seconds Work/10 seconds Rest
For more instructions click here
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