Hayfever kit and natural summer remedies from Weleda

Weleda are one of my all time favourite companies, they were founded in 1921 (long before 'organic and sustainable was fashionable !)  and have consistently been a leading brand of natural
beauty and healthcare.  Their natural remedies are based on their anthrosophical principles.   Best of all they really work ! 

Lets start with hayfever.  I'm lucky enough not to be suffering this year but have passed this on to a friend with sore eyes and a streaming nose, so far its working a treat !  The Hayfever kit offers two solutions in one handy pack.  The homeopathic remedy Mixed Pollen 30 which has a comprehensive mixture of plant pollens, the ones most likely to trigger hayfever symptoms.   The soothing Rhinodoron Nasal Spray, which helps to clear the nasal passages as it contains organic aloe vera to moisturise and calm the irritation.  The Hayfever kit is 100 per cent natural and suitable for vegetarians and vegans. 
These are all essentials for my summer natural medicine kit so thanks to Weleda for allowing me to review such great products.  Watch this space -  lots more to come on Weledas gorgeous skincare and beauty products also

Other great summer travel remedies from Weleda – perfect for the family medicine cupboard include ......

Calendula Lotion and ointment for cuts and grazes, always my first choice for the kids and I was lucky enough to visit Weleda's beautiful biodynamic garden and harvest some marigolds as used in their calendula lotions.

Calendolon Ointment – to soothe cuts and minor wounds

Melissa Comp Drops – for nausea (useful for travel sickness) and minor holiday tummy troubles

Arnica Ointment for bumps and bruises, an old favourite and don't underestimate the effect of Arnica, we use it constantly.

Combudoron Lotion – for insect bites

Rhinodoron Nasal Spray (as contained in the hayfever kit) – great for in-flight ‘dry nose’ with air conditioning, and to soothe sore noses irritated by dust and swimming pool chemicals

http://www.weleda.co.uk/

Green People natural suncare for all the family

Green People have long been one of my favourite companies and I’m particularly impressed by their excellent sun protection range.   You know my take on it - best of all is cover up or stay in the shade but for the times when you need to apply sun creams you absolutely need to opt for the most natural you can find and Green People suncare is made with 80 per cent organic ingredients and they are really effective.

I especially love the Oy ‘Face the Sun’ SPF 15 – most sun creams feel too heavy for the face but this is nice and light and they make very handy trial sizes, great for popping in your handbag or pocket in case the sun comes out !

For the kids I use the No Scent Children’s sun lotion and again there are trial sizes.  The range is extensive, there’s lots of options and even an excellent Fake tan.

The difficulty with sun protection is the confusion between the UVA and UVB rays, which are harmful and which do we need ?   I interviewed Green People’s sun-care expert Ian Taylor at the Natural products show, check the vid for his interview -

You can find Green People suncare in independent health stores and online at  

www.greenpeople.co.uk 

Tiana raw organic cold pressed virgin Coconut Oil

If you've read any of my books you'll know I'm a huge fan of Coconut oil. I'm thrilled to have found Tiana - a wonderful company who make not just organic virgin coconut oil but also gorgeous coconut flour (makes yummy breads and cakes) and a beautiful rose and coconut cream. Whats unique about Tiana coconut oil is that its cold pressed from fresh organic coconuts and comes in recyclable glass jars which is excellent for prolonging its life, keeping it free from plasticisers and contaminants.

They do say don't put anything on your skin that you can't eat and you can and should eat this, it doesn't degrade at high temperatures so its great for cooking, you can also use  it in place of butter, use for baking or add to smoothies and being very high in lauric acid (the main component of breast milk) its a wonderful functional food, being great for althletes and excellent for weight loss. (some stats on its nutritional values below)

Its also though a wonderful moisturiser for all skin types and a brilliant hair conditioner. Lather it on leave overnight and wash off a couple of times in the morning. Its a great intensive hand cream and great for feet too.

By the way if you're thinking (guys maybe) I do NOT want to smell like a beach babe, you're remembering the synthetic whiff of coconuts from conventional sun lotions, virgin coconut oil smells only very faintly of ...well... coconuts,  but by the time its absorbed into your skin it really has no fragrance.

I can't recommend it highly enough and Tanya who runs Tiana Coconut oil is such a passionate advocate !

TIANA Extra Virgin Coconut Oil Nutritional Facts
Ingredients: Organic Pure Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

Nutritional Information:
Total Fat
Saturated Fat (MCFA)
Monounsaturated Fat
Polyunsaturated Fat
Vitamin E
Cholesterol
Carbohydrate
Protein
Energy
Per 14 ml (1Tbsp) % RDA
14g 22%
13.16g 94%
0.7g 5%
0.14g 1%
80 microgram/mL as Tocopherol
0mg 0%
0%
0%
522kj/125 kcal
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Your daily values will vary with your age, size and activity level.

Theres some great recipes and more info at
http://www.tiana-coconut.com/

Cherry Active use Montmorency cherries for amazing health benefits

Now I'm an advocate of fresh juices but this is very specific, the cherries are Montmorency cherries known for their beneficial properties and John's company have ensured these are the finest quality and ethically and fairly traded.
You can get bottles of cherryactive, capsules or the brand new 'shots' perfect for travelling or when you're on the go.

 http://www.cherryactive.co.uk/

Thermomix TM - the only food processor that does everything!

Trust me guys I'm no domestic goddess but with this machine I'm getting there - I'm all for natural living but if you can one thing on the end of a plug that will change your life the way the Thermomix has changed mine I say 'Go girl'  (and guys  !)

I've always hated gadgets and food processors especially, having to change blades and bowls, having something man enough to cope with grinding really hard nuts to make nut butters and so on without starting to smoke has alwasy been a hassle, as I got more into raw food it became harder to make the food I wanted  with just a regular and a basic food processor - so answer ?   Sell aforementioned kit on ebay and invest in the one and only kitchen gadget you'll ever need The Thermomix TM

Heres some 'factoids' about the Thermomix 

        Lots of kitchen machines and gadgets all rolled into one compact unit, in my opinion wipes the floor with its main competitors such as the Vitamix

        
        Whether you’re a domestic goddess or raw foodie you’ll love it.

      

One bowl one blade, really easy to clean

        

Very sturdy and robust, doesn’t fall apart ! 

         

        Great for utterly smooth purees - this benefit is fantastic for those who have a medical condition that means they require pureed food, eg difficulty swallowing, would be brilliant for every hospital kitchen to have one.   of course great for cooking baby food too

     

        Saves space in the kitchen - you don’t actually need a kettle, blender, food processer, grinder et al. It's perfect for students, forget buying all the other stuff.

        

        Food allergies - great for coeliacs – you can grind your own flours from gluten-free grains

       

        Fab for raw food preparation, making nut butters etc , and you can control the termperature if you want heat to food to below boiling - it has a setting to heat to 37°C  

         

        Excellent for green smoothies and Gaspacho but also brilliant for making quick soups.

        

      Uses less than half the energy of an induction hob – minimal carbon footprint

       

        Saves time, effort and money, you can  I save around £3000 per year on groceries for a family of four because you never need to buy prepared sauces, soups or cake mixes etc.

       

        So good that top chefs use it too – we all wish we could make those lovely sauces and reductions that make the plate look so attractive – well watch Great British Menu or Heston’s cookery programmes and see how many times you can spot a Thermomix!

        Not available in stores, only by demonstration (the wonderful Janie Turner cam and produced all manner of goodies in my own home) or direct from UK Thermomix

      

         A high quality piece if kit at £885  including VAT, courier delivery, 300 recipe cookbook, 2 year domestic warranty or 1 year commercial warranty - and remember its the only bit of kitchen equipment you need, it wieghs, chops, grinds, boils, blends etc etc, in fact if you're a raw foodie you won't even need a stove !  

Clearly I'm devoted to this machine and no.....I'm not on commission - shame !!!
http://www.ukthermomix.com/

Tabitha James Kraan - holistic and organic hair salon

'Life is an endless struggle full of frustrations and challenges but eventually you find a hair stylist you like' Anon

Yep its official I am one of those bonkers women that travels 100 miles to get my hair done but hey its worth it. Having started down the slippery slope of colouring my hair (why oh why when I was a natural blonde ??) I am committed to the upkeep but want as little damage as possible to my tresses. Enter Tabitha James Kraan a truly holistic hairdresser, at her salons in Stow on the wold and Broadway in the Cotswolds she offers a unique service - not only organic and mineral colours which are far less harmful than conventional hair colours but also a full 'hair make0ver'

Tabitha offers advice you wouldn't usually imagine you'd hear from a hair stylist, she wrote a great section in my latest book 'Look Great Naturally without ditching the lipstick') she reocmmends not washing your hair too often, using hair oils and good old fashioned hair brushing ! I stop short of the hundred strokes a day but certainly since I've taken her advice my hair is looking much shinier and healthier.

A visit to the salon is a luxurious experience indeed, you're plied with herbal teas or proper capuccinos, delicious treats and best of all while your hair is being washed and massaged (oh yes !) you lie on a wondrous massage chair - honestly I nearly drifted off !

Tabitha really cares about holistic wellbeing and uses organic products such as the brilliant John Masters Organics and you can buy those products along with Dr Hauscka and the excellent Jane Scrivner range of skincare. Watch this space cos Tabitha is launching her own very exciting hair range soon. http://tabithajameskraan.com/

Restore the body's natural harmony and balance with Health Kinesiology

I first encountered Health kinesiology when my little boy had trouble sleeping after an anaesthetic. This amazing treatment completely cured the problem and left him calm and happy. I’ve also seen it have dramatic effects on people with allergies, intolerances and all manner of emotional issues. Its fine for young children, even babies as the practitoner can use you as a surrogate -yet somehow the childs body responds.

Health kineisiology is a totally unique Bio Energy system that restores the body's natural energy and vitality, addressing the body-mind and spirit - and encouraging balance and improvements in all areas.

Health kineisiology....

Accesses the body's inner wisdom

Works on the Chinese meridian energy system and the stimulation of acupressure points.

Is totally non invasive (no needles are used)

Works very well along side healthcare and medical practitioners

Restores the body's natural sense of harmony and "togetherness" or "completeness"

To find a practitioner go to http://www.hk4health.co.uk/