Three Uber Healthy Snacklets

This morning I had a very tasty juice from Planet Organic in Westbourne Grove; Apple, celery, lemon & cucumber.

Super refreshing and I knew that all those vitamins and minerals would be doing me no end of good. All the ingredients of this juice (which I am sure you can whizz up at home) offer some interesting health benefits - 

• Cucumber juice contains silicon and sulfur which makes it super helpful in promoting hair growth.
• Celery can help to eliminate toxins from the body and is a natural diuretic.
• Apple juice is an all around star - full of vitamin C & A, as well as anti-oxidants.

Anyway, enough rambling and onto the main point of this blog post. It is true to say that I am very conscious of all the skincare products that I use. I look at all the ingredients, choose products that where possible do not use PEGS, parabens or other 'nasties.'  

The truth is though, to get your skin in peak condition what you put into your body counts just as much as what you put onto it. Therefore, here are three of my current favourite healthy foods. Mega yum (and they seriously are...)

1. Rude Health 'the ultimate' Muesli 

This particular muesli created quite a bit of hype some 24 months ago - It seemed to be in every magazine and newspaper as the 'thing' to be eating. All health conscious celebrities were ditching their egg-white omelets in favour of this concoction which contains everything from the fashionable goji berry to protein rich quinoa flakes. As it proudly states on the box, this organic, wheat-free muesli has no less than 23 ingredients so it doesn't come cheap - each 500g box is around £5.49. 


Thinking about it though, I would think nothing of spending that amount on a new beauty product. I reckon if I read what this muesli could offer on the packaging of a new cream I would jump at the chance to try it. I wonder if it might look something like this:

• Helps skin look youthful (Vitamin E in nuts & seeds)
• Promotes strong hair and nails (trace mineral silica via oats)
• Protects skin against damaging ultraviolet radiation (sunflower seeds)
• Anti-oxidant rich cranberries 
• Sun damage protection (betacarotene in goji berries)
• Immune-boosting blueberries 

Oh, one last thing on Rude Health's Ultimate Muesli -did I mention that it just tastes so good? I like to have mine with natural yogurt and fresh fruit.

Just a little snacklet after a workout...

2. M&S Orange and Carrot Juice

 

 

Fresh from the Fridge...

This is a new juice from good old Marks and Spencer. Two of your 'five a day' in a handy sized bottle. Tangy and refreshing, simple ingredients with nothing extra added. What more can I say? 

3. BEAR Granola Nibbles 

Ingredients: whole grain oats & maize
baked apples pieces (9%)
coconut
cinnamon
apple, grape and carob extract
absolutely nothing else.

Sometimes when I hear the word 'granola' I think of heavily laden sugary cereals - yes super tasty - but not all that good for you. Well bring on BEAR! I discovered these little beauties pretty much as soon as they came onto the UK market and I absolutely love them. Firstly, let me explain. These 30g bags of pure pleasure are not marketed as cereal. They aren't specifically meant to be eaten for breakfast (although I'm sure you could and I do sometimes when I am in a mad rush and need to sling something in my bag).They're meant as an uber healthy snack and come in three flavours; Apple crumble (huge thumbs up), tropical crunch and cocoa cherry pie. 

It's kind of like you're being a bit naughty eating these crunchy clusters but really there's nothing to fear! BEAR's nibbles are made from 100% whole grains (oats and maize) and fruit (i.e. baked apple pieces in the apple crumble flavour). Only 98 calories a bag and one of your 'three a day' - win, win, win. They are extra yummy sprinkled on yoghurt with banana or icecream for an extra special treat.

I hope you've enjoyed this post - feel free to comment below :)

The Cleanest Face of them all?!

I am a big advocate of having a clean face. After all, there is little point investing hard earned cash into a decent moisturiser/primer or foundation if you don't have the basics in peak condition.

I was discussing this with my friend whilst chilling on the sofa the other day. We were both enjoying a leisurely Sunday evening in our PJ's with Ben & Jerry for company when the topic turned to our cleansing routine. My friend admitted, rather coyly, that she used soap and water. It was the 'clean scent' that allured her to it - and the fact that she didn't know what else to buy.

There are just so many different kinds; gels, oils, creams, foams - the list is endless. I get asked a lot what types of cleansers are good - whether you have to buy an expensive one to get the best results etc. Personally, I have three staple cleansers all from the same brand - Caudalie. I bloody love the stuff. Here is what they are and why I like them...

1. Caudalie Fleur de Vigne Instant Foaming Cleanser

- I use this in the shower. It has a pump action (of which I only need one) which creates a soft and silky foam that I put onto wet skin. I massage it in and then rinse off with either a little round face sponge or a muslin cloth. The fragrance of this product is very mild and, well, I hardly notice it (a good thing in my opinion!) Doesn't leave skin feeling tight but very refreshed and clear. Main Ingredients: Extracts of grape for a glowing complexion, astringent sage, soothing camomile. 

2. Caudalie Gentle Cleanser

- I use this cleanser when I am not going in the shower and I don't want to get my hair wet! It is a creamy, milky cleanser that is suitable for most skin types. In fact, it is so gentle, you can even use it around your eye area. No water is necessary with this product - just a pump onto a cotton wool pad and off you go with gentle circular movements. I tend to have two cotton pads on the go at once to make sure I get my face super clean! Main ingredients: grape-seed polyphenols (OPC)cornflower water oat milk sweet almond and jojoba oils, shea butter coriander, sweet lime, lemon, guaiac wood, sweet orange, vetiver, sandalwood and hybrid lavender. 

3. Caudalie Cleansing Water

- This is the cleanser I use for total ease. It's what I throw in my bag when I'm going to the gym, I'm travelling or I get home at stupid o'clock, have a full face of makeup on and quite frankly I just want to drop into my bed and die. The thing I love about this product is that it is formuated with micellar water. Basically, what that does is act as a dirt magnet. This special water will attach itself to ALL of the dirt on the skin and wash it away simply and gently. Again, no water (i.e. from the sink required) just some cotton wool pads. Remember that since the procduct attaches itself to the dirt on your face and washes itself onto the pad, you don't have to irriate your skin by rubbing at it like a mad woman.Main ingredients: Extracts of grape for a glowing complexion, moisturising plant glycerine, soothing alpha bisobolol (camomile extracts) toning mint, caraway, galbanum. 

All in all, I have found that all the above cleansers remove my make-up, remove dirt, cleanse the skin and leave it feeling soft and supple. There seems to be a Caudalie cleanser for everyone whether you like to use a lotion, a foam cleanser or a something a bit different with the water. I like the idea that the brand is pretty wholesome. Their products are based on grape extracts, which are powerful antioxidants.They have a committment to use the most natural ingredients and there range is free from toxins such as parabens and petrochemicals.

Okay, so I feel like this has been one hell of a ramble. Hope I haven't bored you all to death. To make it clear - I am in no way affilated with Caudalie - just really impressed with there stuff. I've been using it about 18 months now. Let me know your opinions on it. 

Ciao for now :)