Mum’s already asking when I’m going to start on hers and my daughter is constantly wrapped in it, so at least it was worth it.

Feels a bit strange not having anything to do now so maybe I’ll start on Mums in the week (her birthday isnt until July so I have plenty of time!) x

We (mainly me!) have stitched together 750 squares and the quilt is now ready for polywadding and backing!  Im going to make a big effort to get it finished over the weekend so hopefully I can show you all some fabulous pictures at the beginning of next week.

I have to say, its looks fab – only problem is ……  my mother wants one too! x

So, the sun’s shining, we are starting to get a bit more daring with showing the flesh and we want to look tanned and healthy!  We’ve been covered up all winter but we want to look like we have just stepped of a plane from Barbados!

Time for the fake tan!  As we all know fake tanning became the preferred method of giving our skin a healthy glow when we all eventually began to understand the damage that the sun could potentially do to our skin.  When I worked in a salon/beauty therapy centre years ago we had people queuing up for their fake tan before they went away.  We always used to use St Tropez but now there are literally hundreds to different fake tans to choose from, from foam and spray applications to slow tanning lotions right up to spa, salon and air brush applications.

The primary ingredient in the majority of fake tanning products is dihydroxyacetone, or DHA, and they work by reacting to amino acids found in our skin cells.  This interaction is what provides the “tan”.  Please bear in mind though that these products will not protect your skin from the sun so sunscreen protection is still needed.

One of the most popular applications today is the airbrush tanning methods.  These are most successful when done in a tanning salon, but there are new methods available on the market, that allows users to apply them at home.  These can be costly, however and often, the results aren’t as dramatic as those you would get in a spa or salon setting.  With this tanning technique you will need to persevere with a bit of trial and error to find the right one for your complexion, as you definitely don’t want to end up with the dreaded orange look.  Always start of paler and build on it.  Its safer and wont give you that drastic overdone look!

It’s important to do your research on the application methods.  Airbrush tanning might be the new ‘in thing’ but it’s not the only method.  Every product has its own merits and obviously the prices will vary greatly as well.  Keep your budget in mind, especially if you’re new to fake tanning products. Don’t spend a fortune then find it’s not the right one for you.

I’ve tried applying fake tan myself and ended up in a right mess.  Dark patches around dry areas which just look hideous. With St Tropez you can buy their own exfoliating and moisturising lotion which works well with the product.  Always pay attention to those dry areas such as your knees and elbows especially if we haven’t looked after them like we should have in the winter!

I find the moisturisers with tanning in them the best, personally I use Johnson’s, its fab, it smells good and I can put it on at night and the results are great in the morning! (Doesn’t look good when it’s been put on after a couple of glasses of wine though!)

Don’t Forget the plastic gloves unless you want to look really daft with tanned palms!

And, lets face it, if the tans done right and looks good you will feel like a million dollars x

My daughter and I are both suffering slightly with dry hair at the moment.  My daughters particularly and as she is at college doing hairdressing, she is constantly messing, straightening, curling hers and everyone else’s!

What causes dry hair?

Well, there are two main reasons why our hair becomes dry and brittle …..

Firstly, we can have a lack of sebaceous gland production.  Sebum oil is produced by our skin glands which includes our scalp.  Normal secretion allows for the “coating” of the follicle shaft with oil that enhances growth, health and protection.  If we have an over-active gland it produces excess amounts of sebum and can result in oily hair. Lack of sebum, conversely, results in dry, brittle, or weak hair that is prone to breaking or snapping when combed or styled.

Secondly, and the main reason for most of us is over-styling.   Too much heat will deplete the hair of moisture.  Straighteners or Curling  tongs  set at high temperatures steam  our hair and destroy the medulla and its ability to provide nutrients and vitamins. Also, as my daughter has found out to her cost, perming can drastically damage your hair. The result is frizz and split-ends and brittle hair that is prone to breaking and loss of manageability.

How can we help it?

We’re back to that good old “Eating Right” scenario again and it really can do wonders for your hair. Vegetables, fruits and meats high in proteins convert to hydration that enables moisture-rich healthy follicles and improve circulation to the roots.

Also, spend a little bit of time looking for the right hair products.  Panthenol and Jojoba oil are great for raising moisture content and improves hair elastisicity.   Did you know that the Australians use Emu oil which has been used for thousands of years and is a natural moisturizer and anti-inflammatory.  It decreases flaking, itching and adds volume and smoothness to dry, dull, or lifeless hair.  I haven’t managed to come across any emu oil products over here in the UK but if anyone has, then I’d love to know where from!

Aromatherapies are also believed to help improve dry hair. If you add a combination of six drops of lavender, bay and sandalwood essential oils with six ounces of warm sesame or soy oils then apply the oil to the hair, wrap in towel for 15 minutes, then rinse; this will help in treating dry hair.   I think all that lavender and sandalwood would send me to sleep but worth a try!

Basically, hair needs plenty of MOISTURE so bare this in mind in your everyday routines and it should start to improve!

I have to say that at the moment, pasta is one of my favourite food items.  While im having a go at doing my Weight Watchers programme from years ago, pasta is one thing that I can eat and really fills me up!  As long as its not the filled pasta (no tortellini then!) I can eat it freely so I tend to grab it for quick easy meals.

Have a go at this lovely recipe for Tuna & Lemon Pasta, its fab and I really love it! x

Ingredients:

• 350g pasta shells
• 200g pack trimmed fine beans , cut into short lengths
• 200g can tuna in oil (or brine/spring water if being good!) 
• grated zest of a lemon
• 1 heaped tbsp small capers
• generous pinch of chilli flakes
• olive oil for drizzling

Method:

Ok, so this may sound a bit weird but just lately I cannot get enough of  fresh pineapple (and no, I’m not pregnant!)  But, since I’ve been sticking to my diet I have been eating quite a bit of it.  It may sound strange but my skins looking healthier and more luminous, my cold seems to be disappearing and I generally feel well.

I suppose it might just be coincidence but I decided to find out just a little bit about pineapples!  It turns out that they are incredibly beneficial to our health! 

As we all know, pineapple is a tropical fruit.  It is one of the most heavenly fruits to eat as it can satisfy my sweet craving and stops me diving for the chocolate.  It contains a proteolytic enzyme, bromelain, which helps in the digestion of protein and therefore can prevent blood clot formation.

Did you know that 1 cup of fresh pineapple pieces contains 73% of the manganese the body needs for the day?   Manganese, which is a trace mineral, is needed to build bone and connective tissues. Put it together with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate it can help people mild osteoarthritis in the joints.

Other nutrients included in a pineapple are Calcium, Potassium, Fiber and Vitamin C They have virtually no fat and cholesterol. Vitamin C is the body’s primary water soluble antioxidant, against free radicals that attack and damage normal cells. It is also a good source of vitamin B1, vitamin B6, copper and dietary fibre.

The ample supply of Vitamin C within a pineapple is a widely known antioxidant that protects the body from free radical damage and boosts the immune system. (Hence why my cold might be disappearing!!)  Vitamin C helps build and repair bodily tissue and promotes healing.  It also helps to decrease the severity of cold and flu symptoms.

Pineapple is good for your gums (no false teeth for me with the amount I’ve been eating!) 

So, now that I’ve re-discovered this fantastic tropical fruit which just happens to come from a lovely warm climate, then why not treat yourself to one, have a slice for breakfast or maybe even a smoothie and enjoy the added benefits of such a fabulous exotic flavour.

Anybody that really knows me well will know that the last few months haven’t exactly been the easiest.  Being made redundant, being owed a fair amount of money and not knowing where to go next has really taken its toll on my mental state.

I know we all have to face a tremendous amount of anxiety and stress in our everyday lives and I’ve struggled to stay away from the doctor and avoid the old medication!  I’ve been there before many years ago and it isn’t always the right thing.  Its great short term but eventually you have to come off it.

The hardest part of all is recognizing the root cause of our anxiety and then base how we deal with it around this cause. 

We need to relax and try to forget our symptoms for a while, try and chill out and with a bit of clarity we can reorganize ourselves (and our brains!) into a more logical process.

 
My biggest problem is re-acting the wrong way too quickly.  I never sit down and take time to react the way I should.  I steam in and suffer the consequences.  I’m learning to take the day a bit slower in my head.  Nothing needs dealing with within 30 seconds does it?  Not really, when we think about it logically.  I have to say I have great support in my husband who (rather annoyingly) has the most logical brain I’ve ever come across! 

Take up something new.  Yoga, meditation classes, have the radio on more and get stuck into a good book.  It does do wonders for taking yourself out of things.  I have taken to just sitting for 5/10 minutes with a cup of tea and listening to the silence (not that I get it very often with 5 in the house!)  Time out is most important.
A good walk and fresh air on a daily basis really makes you feel great and never more so than in the rain I’ve found.  Oxygen feeds the brain and consequently wakens you up and makes you feel alive. Healthy eating and a really good night sleep will also help tremendously.  I just need to get my 5 year old to stop waking just after 5.00am every morning.

What’s really given me a great boost this week is that I’ve LOST WEIGHT!!  Yippy!   I keep playing at my diet, good days, bad days, but last week decided to stick to it like glue and hey presto, ½ stone lost.  It’s great for my mental state and much better for me than medication!

The most important thing of all ‘POSITIVE THINKING’, not something I’m brilliant at but I’m trying so much more than before.  I’ve decided to throw myself into something new this week and I’m doing a three day training course for care work.  I’m going to put a bit back into the community and occupy my mind with other people instead of myself.

Obviously, it doesn’t always work this way and if you really need help then go see the doctor, that’s what they are there for.  For me, I’m going to stay away from him for a while and I’m sure things will improve tremendously.

The plant commonly known as the ‘Miracle Plant’ or ‘Natural Healer’ has been around for over 4000 years and has numerous beneficial vitamins and minerals, amino acids, enzymes and natural sugars which can help with anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidants and restoration.

The general benefits of Aloe Vera are varied. It can benefit a person both externally and internally. The studies and research into the healing powers of Aloe Vera are on going and more uses for this plant are sure to be found. This power packed plant provides so many essential minerals, vitamins and substances that the human body needs and its ability to heal has long been known to those who practice home remedies.

As we all know Aloe Vera moistens and softens the skin and I use Aloe Vera a lot for my dry skin especially after showering/bathing.  It is used worldwide in the manufacture of cosmetics and is considered a valuable ingredient.

It is also fantastic as an anti ageing product!  It is naturally healing and regenerating on a cellular level so any anti ageing product you buy with Aloe Vera helps your skin rejuvenate from the inside. Also, because of its great healing qualities it is ideal for using on insect bites, burns, rashes, sunburn etc.  This is because of the magnesium lactate which calms down itching, helping the skin to recover quickly.

Did you also know that Aloe Vera can be taken orally?  It can help your digestive tract function properly and so heal your insides as well!  It is known to be really good for constipation.

If you want to give a Aloe Vera a try then visit Holland & Barretts website and see what great products they have.  They have everything from Gels to Juice to Toothpaste!!

Well, we’ve talked about our skin and our hands but what about our feet!  We never really pay enough attention to our feet and yet they will be carrying us around until the end of our days!

I always seem to pay more attention to mine over the summer than I do in the winter.  If I’m honest, I have been known to have my nail polish on well into the winter.  We get up everyday and put our warm woolly socks on and don’t worry what they look like. 

With Spring on the way, now’s the time to put some effort into our feet!  (Think of those fabulous strappy sandals we all want to wear!)

Every night before you go to bed try massaging your feet with a good moisturiser or even coconut oil. This will help them to relax and keep them soft and supple.

If you are a bare foot person then the elements of wind, sun & water can cause your feet to crack and suffer from dryness and roughness.  I read a fabulous article in a magazine that suggests you mix 3 parts honey to 1 part sesame oil, warm and massage into the dry areas on your feet.  It acts as a natural moisturiser.

After that, then the only thing left is a foot soak, ooh heaven.  I have a fantastic foot spa which I love to sit in front of the T.V with and soak for ages!  Add a bit of Epsom salts and almond oil to the water and your feet with feel fab.  Moisturise them well after and they will be feeling fresh and energized!

Oh, and don’t forget file and polish!  A bright vibrant colour so when you look down at your feet they make you smile x

As its Valentine’s Day this weekend ……

Your Squidgey Bits!

When I say that you’ve got squidgey bits

Dont get cross or grumpy

Cause they’re something to hold onto

When we’re doing rumpy-pumpy!!!

Happy Valentine’s Day x