W
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Healthy Living Issue 1
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May 2014
Your Healthy Beauty Regime Delicious Recipes
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Growing Your Own Food
Share your Up-cycling ideas with us.
...and lots more ...
BE CREATIVE…..
HEALTHY LIVING MAGAZINE , PASSIONATE ABOUT LIVING THE RIGHT WAY
Hi, I'm Linda
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I've been passionate about healthy living for most of my life and, as Jodie will confirm, we lived off the land for many years, sometimes out of financial necessity but mostly because we knew it was a healthy way to bring up a family, all things considered!
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In ten years we never had to resort to antibiotics, which inspired me to write my first book 'Grow Your own Pharmacy' - published by the long standing community spirited foundation - Find horn Press - back in 2007. I've since gone on to write more books on home and garden topics and have an insatiable desire to talk to anyone who'll listen about the virtues of healthy living in all its wonderful forms.
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It is our intention to bring you plenty of tips and tricks so you can create a healthy lifestyle for you and your family.
Hello I am Jodie,
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I’m a 30 year married mummy of 3 living in sunny Devon. My children are Alice (12) Oscar (5) Toby (2), In the past 2 years I have learn so much about the organic world. I am passionate about Healthy Foods and Organic products. I have just recently become a consultant for Neals Yard which I am very excited about.
uk.nyrorganic.com/shop/jodiegascoigne
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I am the founder of Bloomintots Boutique ( www.bloomintots.co.uk )
A Baby and mummy clothes brand with a growing selection of organic baby clothing. Working very hard to become certified ~ Long and expensive process, but well worth it.
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The idea of creating this magazine was a bit of a sudden brain wave. But being dyslexic I kinda knew I couldn't do this on my own. So what do we do when we need advice “ Call mum” !
We joined forces and here we are! With my mums passion for growing vegetables and being a published author It just seemed to make sense!
Contact us: healthylivingad@gmail.com
Page 2
IN THIS ISSUE:
……………………………………………………………….
Beauty Regime
4-5
Peace Of Mind 6-7 Growing Your Own Food 8-9 Recipes 10-11
Bright Ideas 16-17 It’s All About The Tiddy-Peeps 18-19 Healthy Change 20-21 Biz Ads 24-25
Monthly Quote 12-13 Feature Page Yoga 14-15
Page 3
Healthy Beauty Regime.
I
t’s great to look good…
Many think if you like organic products you must be a “hippy” and “hippy” obviously means you have to wear very colourful clothes and have a certain image.
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Well I disagree with this. I believe that by using organic products you can look just as glamorous and wonderful as those who don’t but have the added bonus of knowing that you are not washing your hair or body in chemicals, that could end up making you ill.
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Most of the chemicals used in our day to day beauty products are for “shelf life” . Pop these in your little black book of info : SLS & PARABENS. Abbreviations for: Sodium Lauryl (or Laureth) Sulphate Parabens are a group of chemicals found in most day to day products.
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Sodium lauryl (or laureth) sulphate is a top favourite ingredient listing in kids shampoo & toothpaste. But just so your aware of what SLS is. It’s an Engine Degreaser, Garage/Concrete Floor Cleaner, Car Wash Soap; This chemical can keep children's eyes from developing properly and can cause cataracts in older people. In Toothpaste it weakens enamel on teeth which causes cavities. It’s even been linked to cancer.
A List of products to avoid that contain SLS and PARABENS
• • • • • • •
Children’s soaps/ shampoos Stain remover Carpet cleaner Body Wash Shave Cream Mascara Mouthwash
• • • • • • • •
Skin cleanser Soaps Shampoos Conditioners Moisturising lotion Sunscreen Bubble bath Toothpaste
Page 4
Alternatives
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Its not all doom and gloom. We have put together some alternative products that we recommend. There are lots of organic products on the market, but Neals Yard offer peace of mind knowing that they produce their products Fair Trade too. These have no nasty chemicals in and give your skin a “treat”
Jasmine Shower Gel Delicately scented Gently soothing With antioxidant fair trade rooibos Recommended for all skin types.
Jasmine
is used in teas, herbal bathes, skin creams, soaps and potpourri. It is also used as a decorative touch to special dishes.
BUY NOW uk.nyrorganic.com/shop/jodiegascoigne
Orange Blossom
is also used to make herbal tea.
Revitalising Orange Flower Shampoo A nutrient-rich blend of moringa, camelia and passion flower to enrich hair, combined with revitalising orange flower. BUY NOW uk.nyrorganic.com/shop/jodiegascoigne
Men’s Skincare Essentials
! Contents • • •
Purifying Face Wash 50ml Close Shave Cream 50ml Rejuvenating Moisturiser 20g
Men’s Essentials Consists of a blend of organic herbs, extracts and oils, infused with our zesty signature aroma,
BUY NOW uk.nyrorganic.com/shop/jodiegascoigne
FREE UK Standard Delivery on all orders over £40
Peace of mind
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Fruit & Veg Shopping
T
here isn't a week goes by without a new scandal or scathing report about
the quality of supermarket food. In some parts of the world supermarket chains source their fruit and vegetables from local suppliers whenever they can, and although sometimes this means there may be less variety on the shelves, it does mean the customer is eating seasonal foods, which after all was the way of things up until very recently.
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One argument that always comes up is the transport issue. If you are buying organic apples that came from the other side of the world, the transport costs, financially and environmentally, and storage times can be seriously counter-productive
When fruit and vegetables are stored for any longer than a day or two in some cases, they start to deteriorate and will naturally lose a high percentage of their nutritional value. There are suppliers who spray produce after it's grown and in some countries, the 'organic' label.
How We Shop Supermarkets do provide the convenience factor, having all your groceries under one roof. And for the most part they can be delivered to your door through ordering online. This isn't an easy luxury to give up. But when you stop and think about the long term effects, which are still a little vague and rather worrying in some cases, it may not be as costeffective as we think.
! ! !
If the fruit and veg you buy hasn't the nutrients required for a healthy body, what happens next?
-Do we suffer sickness, have to visit a doctor and take time off work to care for ourselves or other members of the family?
-Do we buy supplements by the truckload to make up for the non-foods we are consuming, and therefore in some cases be overdosing on certain vitamins and creating other health problems?
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-Do we eat far too much because we mistakenly believe we will eventually get the vitamins we need to be healthy?
So the time you saved going to the supermarket or ordering online, could be indirectly causing all sorts of problems.
We want to feed out families the best food on the planet, whatever governments, drug companies or major supermarkets say.
Peace of mind
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So how do we get around all this?
T
hese ideas are worth considering, even if you can't face too many changes, a
couple of baby steps in the right direction will certainly help you and your family live a healthier lifestyle....
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1. Find a local greengrocer ... there isn't a greengrocer on every high street anymore, but have a look around and use one if possible. Get to know them and ask where they source their produce. If you pass one on your way home from work or the school run, pop in every day or two.
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2. Look at the possibility of having organic fruit and veg delivered. Although there is a truck involved, it's unlikely to be an arctic lorry that has trundled hundreds of miles to reach you.
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3. Make a point of telling your local supermarket what you expect from them. In these competitive times, it's possible you may get a good response.
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4. Join with a few like minded souls and see if you can get an allotment or rent some land o your local council and grow some crops to share. This is working in many areas and, although it will demand a small amount of time to begin with, once you're organised a couple of hours every weekend out in the fresh air will be something to look forward to and enjoy.
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5. Grow Your Own! Even if you haven't got a garden, many crops can be grown in large pots and containers on the patio or balcony. Even a few herbs on the windowsill will add a little extra taste to otherwise bland vegetables - earning you lots of Brownie points in the kitchen of course!
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GROWING YOUR OWN FOOD
Although gardening is in fact the fastest growing hobby in the world, growing our own food can still be a little daunting to many of us. The myths of back breaking digging for victory and hours of painstaking crop rotation reports is old-fashioned and not relevant to the everyday gardener anymore. You can grow potatoes in bags, strawberries in large pots and even short fat carrots in trench shaped containers.
These general growing tips should make you feel a lot better about growing your own fresh organic food that will keep you and your family in the best of health, but will also be a practical and enjoyable outdoor hobby for all the family.
**Always make sure plants are in well-drained soil or compost. Check your soil outside for drainage and make sure containers and pots have good drainage. Very few plants will survive in waterlogged soil.
! ! !
**Check your plants every day. Get someone else to do this if you are away for a few days. They must be watered in dry weather and sometimes need shelter from a hot midday sun. We don’t tend to have that problem very much in the UK, but you never know.
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**Grow what you like to eat. Doesn’t matter how great the beetroot harvest is, if no-one wants to eat it, it’s a waste of your time and energy.
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**Local growers may have valuable tips that will save you from a crop failure, especially if you are intending to grow fruit or vegetables which are not acclimatised to your region. Chat over the fence with your gardening neighbour and get them to talk about their crops. Guaranteed they will love to share their tips!
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**And finally, don’t rush into the garden and dig over the ground in one go, especially if you aren’t used to daily physical (hard) work-outs. Back ache isn’t comfortable, and could keep you from pottering in the garden for weeks. Take it slowly – even half a square metre a day will soon give you enough prepared soil for seeds or small plants.
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What to do in May‌..
In many regions May is the month of sunshine and rain! Great for the vegetable garden - and wildlife everywhere. Watch out for slugs and snails at this time of the year. The warm sun and rain encourages them. And what better nourishment than your freshly planted salad. Try putting broken eggshells round your plants and look around for organic slug repellants.
Checklist: !
-If you haven't made a plan, do it now. Knowing where and when you need to plant your vegetables is half the battle!
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-Get all your seeds sown. There won't be much that can't be sown now, although still watch out for those chilly nights and late frosts, especially if you are in a northern region.
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-Tomato plants can generally be put outside now. Get them used to outdoor conditions for a few days before planting out, bringing them in at night. Peppers and other salad plants can go out as well. Squash (such as courgettes, pumpkins etc; ) may need a few more days indoors, but again it really does depend on the weather and how sheltered your garden is from cold winds etc;
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-Cut the grass! No doubt every blade of grass and weed is growing like crazy now. Keep up with it so the grass doesn't get too long and unmanageable. Consider a clover lawn if you really don't like cutting the grass.
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-Be vigilant with those weeds - Hoe gently around established plants and pull weeds by hand around seedlings and smaller plants. Always take care with a hoe as some plants will have roots close to the surface of the soil and the hoe could damage them. Cover ground that isn't being used yet with card, old carpets or black plastic.
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-Plant potatoes if you didn't get around to it in April. Try the new potato bags or barrels, no digging and especially good if outside space is limited.
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-Asparagus should be growing well now and some may be ready to eat. Enjoy the first few spears. Keep weeds away and make sure the bed isn't waterlogged - or too dry.
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-Build a bar-b! Think about summer entertaining and outdoor lighting and furniture.
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Recipes
Seasonal The best seasonal crop we know of this month would have to be asparagus. If you haven't any growing, get it sorted for next year, but otherwise, as it's in season, you may find it's affordable and it will certainly be nutritious, especially if you can buy local and organic. Asparagus is a wonderful in-between crop. It will normally be ready to eat after the winter greens and before the first summer lettuce. Make an asparagus soup to reward yourself after a long day in the garden...
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Asparagus Soup.
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INGREDIENTS asparagus
butter or margarine
water or stock
seasoning
1 medium sized onion
! ! ! !
METHOD: 1. Prepare asparagus and onion and cut into small pieces.
2. Melt butter in saucepan and add asparagus and onions. Cook gently until the vegetables start to soften. Keep the
! ! ! ! Asparagus Omelette. ! ! ! ! !
heat low and a careful eye open at this stage. Don't burn the precious veggies!
3. Add stock and seasoning and bring to the boil. Simmer until vegetables are soft.
4. Either serve as a clear soup or puree the vegetables in a blender or through a sieve. Re-heat gently.
1. Gently simmer asparagus pieces until just cooked.
2. After adding your egg mixture to the pan, add drained asparagus and cook gently for a few minutes.
3. Turn and cook quickly on the other side. Serve hot with a green salad.
Keep a few whole asparagus to dress your omelette with. An omelette fit for royalty!
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Recipes
Guilt Free Tea Time Treats Crudities and veggie snacks are great but there are moments when a cake or two is necessary. Fruit Scones
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(makes about 12)
Fruit scones can be adjusted according to taste. Use a little honey rather than sugar if you prefer. Other dried fruits can be used in place of sultanas. For a savoury version, leave out the sugar and fruit, and mix in some grated cheese instead.
! ! INGREDIENTS: !
8oz (200g) sieved flour - use half wholemeal and half white flour if you can
2oz (50g) butter - cut into small pieces
1/4pt (150mls) milk
2oz (50g) sultanas - or other dried fruit
! ! ! ! ! !
METHOD: 1. Heat the oven to Gas mark 7 (425F, 220C)
2. Rub the butter into the flour until mixture reassembles breadcrumbs
3. Mix in the dried fruit. Then stir in the milk a little at a time, mixing with a knife.
4. Make sure the dough isn't too sticky. Add a little extra flour if it is. Or add a little extra milk if dough is too crumbly.
! ! ! !
5. Turn onto a lightly floured board. Roll out to about an inch thick (2cm)
6. Cut out scones with a pastry cutter or cut into triangle shapes.
7. Place onto a lightly greased baking tray and bake near the top of the oven for about 12 minutes.
If preferred, you can brush the tops of the scones with beaten egg or milk before they go into the oven to glaze them.
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MONTHLY QUOTE
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MONTHLY QUOTE
Everybody is genius. !
But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. (Albert Einstein)
FEATURE PAGE ‘
Yoga We recently found a lovely lady in the south west of England who has been a student of yoga from a very early age.
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Andrea West runs Hatha yoga classes In Plymouth and you can get in touch with her through her website ..
Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga is a powerful tool for self-
isn't just about exercise. This description from Andrea’s website explains it beautifully...
transformation. It asks us to bring our attention to our breath, which helps us to still the fluctuations of the mind and be more present in the unfolding of each moment.
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The word Hatha means wilful or forceful. Hatha yoga refers to a set of physical exercises (known as asanas or postures), and sequences of asanas, designed to align your skin, muscles, and bones. The postures are also designed to open the many channels of the body, especially the main channel - the spine — so that energy can flow freely.
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Hatha is also translated as ha meaning "sun" and that meaning "moon." This refers to the balance of; masculine aspects —active, hot, sun, and
feminine aspects — receptive, cool, moon
within all of us. Hatha yoga is a path toward creating balance and uniting opposites. In our physical bodies we develop a balance of strength and flexibility. We also learn to balance our effort and surrender in each pose.
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Body and mind are interlinked and whatever happens to the mind has an effect on the body and vice versa. We use the breath as a tool to focus on and control the overactive western mind, but also to increase energy (prana) in the body.
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Correct abdominal breathing, using the diaphragm muscle to it's fullest capacity, is practised. The breath with the focussed mind takes prana "life energy" around the system opening up blocked energy channels in the system called "nadis".
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A purification takes place on the physical and mental plane but also our inner subtle being becomes connected.
FEATURE PAGE ‘
Yoga Consequently we can experience our higher consciousness which is an experience you cannot minimise into words. With this knowledge and insight we realise we are not "what we think we are" and we are less dominated by the old conditioning thoughts and beliefs. And from here our dimension unfolds and we experience this reflection into our day lives more and more.
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Consequently there becomes more freedom in the physical body and more strength. Also we become less affected by stress and have a deeper more fulfilling connection to life and nature. Inner joy is revealed too which is a longer deeperlasting happiness than we get from the temporary happiness a new car or new clothes can bring us. That's not to say we shouldn't have these material aspects in
Once the mind starts to become free, an exciting journey of awareness takes place. We start to “see” there is a peaceful place of being that can be experienced and lived from.
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Yoga is an exciting journey of self discovery revealing ourselves, accepting ourselves and detaching from obstacles to reveal a deeper meaningful way of living in a body/mind that is more free from tensions.
! ! http://www.mindfulyoga.org.uk
Many thanks to Andrea for bringing clarity to what is often thought of to be a complicated form of healing. Visit Andrea's website to find out more about her story and the wonderful world of yoga.
SEN PH D IN
OF OT YO OS UR
P R WE O J ’D L E OV CTS E
TO SH
AR ET HE M.
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BRIGHT IDEAS! We love up-cycling. Having a creative mind is always easier when you want to up-cycle. But for those who aren’t so much, here are a few things we think are just wonderful.
! Take an old chair - Sand it down , paint it white. Cover the seat and hey presto! We have a stylish new chair.
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BRIGHT IDEAS!
An old wooden ladder.
!
Well what do you know!
We want to know what you have been up to. Send in your photos of up-cylcing projects that you have done.
! An old pallet made beautiful.
!
Bursting with life and colour and so easy to achieve. Try it at home.
‘ IT’S ALL ABOUT THE TIDDLY~PEEPS….
Teaching your children how to live healthy is so important. Not just eating healthy but explaining where things come from. The difference between processed sugar and natural sugars for example.
Homemade Lollies.
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Chop up what ever your child's favourite fruit is and mix it with yogurt. Try and make it organic fruit and yoghurt if you can and pop it in the freezer. Imagine your little ones body absorbing all that goodness.
Vitamins in a bowl
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Fruit - our favourite is Kiwi Banana and Apple.
Mix with organic yogurt - any flavour is good.
and enjoy
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The perfect breakfast for any young mind.
Dippy Egg & Soldiers
! This is a quick easy lunch and fun to eat.
!
Try and buy eggs from a local farmer they taste so much nicer. With soldiers made from the “bread maker” you know exactly what your little ones are putting into their bodies.
IT’S ‘ ALL ABOUT THE TIDDLY~PEEPS….
Why parents drink
T
he boss wondered why one of his most valued employees had not phoned in sick one day. Having an
urgent problem with one of the main computers, he dialled the employee's home phone number and was greeted with a child's whisper.
"Hello ? "
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"Is your daddy home?" he asked.
"Yes" whispered the small voice.
"May I talk with him?"
The child whispered, "No"
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Surprised and wanting to talk with an adult, the boss asked, "Is your Mommy there?" "Yes"
"May I talk with her?" Again the small voice whispered, "No"
!
Hoping there was somebody with whom he could leave a message, the boss asked, "Is anybody else there?"
"Yes," whispered the child, "a policeman"
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Wondering what a cop would be doing at his employee's home, the boss asked, "May I speak with the policeman?"
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"No, he's busy," whispered the child.
"Busy doing what?"
"Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the Fireman," came the whispered answer.
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Growing more worried as he heard a loud noise in the background through the earpiece on the phone, the boss asked,
!
"What is that noise?"
"A helicopter" answered the whispering voice.
"What is going on there?" demanded the boss, now truly apprehensive.
! Again, whispering, the child answered, "The search team just landed a helicopter."
! Alarmed, concerned and a little frustrated the boss asked, "What are they searching for?"
! Still whispering, the young voice replied with a muffled giggle... "ME"
! sigh
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HEALTHY CHANGE
Water & Lemon Every month we will be posting 1 healthy monthly change that you can to as a step to step guide in making your life healthier.
Try swapping tea and coffee for a cup of warm water and a slice of fresh lemon. Here are a just a few reasons why you should do that swap.
! 1) Help you lose weight
!
Lemons contain “Pectin Fibre”, which assists in helping those very annoying hunger cravings.
!
2) Boost your immune system.
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When you start to feel under the weather it is likely you are low on Vitamin C - Lemons are a great source of vitamin C. So let’s say bye bye to those pesky colds.
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3) Helps Digestion.
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If you suffer from indigestion or bloating, a cup of warm water and lemon is what you need to be drinking in the morning. Lemon encourages healthy digestion - It loosens toxins in your digestive tract, making you feel less bloated.
!
‘ DID YOU KNOW?
Ginger Ginger is a spice that hasn't taken off as well as it could in the western world. Here are a few wonderful reasons why you should add it to your shopping list.
! !
1. Ginger can help alleviate morning sickness. A wonderful natural way to enjoy your mornings during pregnancy. By the same token it also helps with motion sickness.
! !
2. Research has shown that ginger can also boost your immune system, which in turn will help prevent colds and other bugs and infections.
! !
3. Ginger has long been considered to be an aphrodisiac, and since it has been shown to improve the circulatory system it could well improve your sex life!
! !
4. A late night ginger tea will help alleviate flatulence as it goes to work on your gut during the night, reducing the need to take indigestion medications.
! !
5. Ginger has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body. So it can help with asthma, arthritis and any other swellings or inflammation you may be suffering with.
! !
6. Ginger refreshes the mouth, and will help clean bad breath after drinking too much coffee or spicy foods.
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And don't forget to add a little ginger to your hot water and lemon in the morning to give you a super healthy start to the day.
‘
AND ONE FOR THE ROAD
"Supermarket Survival Tactics”! !
! !
Supermarkets can drain your pocket, your energy and your time. Here are nine supermarket survival tips for successful supermarket shopping….!
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1. Eat before you go - an empty stomach is sure to guide you towards the chocolate and snacks.!
! !
2. Don't take the kids!- they always find something they 'must have.’!
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3. Do it online - no petrol costs, no browsing the shelves wondering what treats to buy.!
! !
4. Prepare a detailed list - and stick to it!!
‘
AND ONE FOR THE ROAD
! "Supermarket Survival Tactics”! ! ! ! 5. Be brave and check out shop's own brand - some are good and often a lot cheaper.!
! !
6. Avoid sweets and snacks aisles - you don't NEED to visit these shelves - so don’t.!
! !
7. BOGOF - Buy one get one free if you NEED it - not just because it's half-price - twice as much chocolate is twice the calories and sugar if not twice the cost.!
! !
8. Go on your own or with a good mate - on your own you can think more clearly, and a good mate can steer you in the right direction!!
! !
9. Don't 'pop-in' every day - if you have a freezer, a monthly shop could work.
‘ OUR FAVOURITE RESOURCES
Growing Herbs at Home
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Herbs have been cultivated for medicinal and culinary use for thousands of years. The herbs in this Kindle edition of ’Growing Herbs at Home” can be grown either in pots, containers or in your outdoor herb garden.
!
!
Aloe Vera, Basil, Chives, Coriander, Garlic, Mint, Parsley, Sage, Thyme, Watercress
Grow Your Own Lifestyle
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Find exciting healthy living ideas at
http://growyourownlifestyle.blogspot.co.uk
!
And follow us on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/GARAbV
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BH30OG4
The Ekokids
!
Follow The Ekokids and find plenty of great healthy ideas to keep the kids amused all year round. http:// ekokids.blogspot.co.uk
! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
And follow them on Facebook here: www.facebook.com/TheEkokids
Organic Life
(Facebook page)
! http://goo.gl/6O48CD!
!
In tune with nature, in favour of the planet.
A community dedicated to the the beauty of life, the purity of food, the wealth of all living beings and the protection of mother earth. Join the ride!
‘ OUR FAVOURITE RESOURCES
www.bloomintots.co.uk
! Bloomintots Boutique
Organic clothes brand. Passionate about clothes and design.
Hatha YOGA Classes and 1 to 1
!
Plymouth based.
www.mindfulyoga.org.uk
Rethink Reuse It.
!
Wonderful ideas to recycle and re-use:
Create furniture from wooden boxes, beautiful garden accessories & soft furnishings from products around the home.
!
https://www.facebook.com/ RethinkReuseIt?fref=ts
Place your advert
HERE!
healthylivingad @gmail.com
!
‘
Healthy Living You’ve been reading the first edition of
!
“Healthy Living magazine”
!
Written edited & produced by:
!
Linda Gray and Jodie Gascoigne