CONTENTS 4
World News New Year, New Britain
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Cover Story Branko Babic & Phi Academy: Beauty Will Save The World
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Feature Relax, Rest, Reflect
10 Feature Is Santa Real? 12 Feature Growing Your UK Property Portfolio as an Expat 16 Feature 2021: Your Time To Shine 18 Health & Wellbeing The Lost Art of True Rest 22 Beauty The Tired Mums’ Skin Routine 26 Food Coco’nutty’ Chicken Curry 28 Feature The Magic of a Fresh Start
COLOFON CEO and Founder:
Abdelhadi Rhiti Chief Editor:
Paula Rapsiewicz Art Direction and Lay-out:
Jacqueline Brugman
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CEO & EDITORS’ LETTER
HAPPY
2021
Every new year brings a time of reflection – of what we’ve accomplished, what our new goals will be and what we are grateful for. At United British Expats, we are proud of our 2020 achievements, busy with big plans for 2021 and thankful for the support of our readers. You are the reason we are able to do what we do, and enhance the quality of life in our community. Because of you, we can share important stories and shine a light on certain issues needed to be addressed. Because of you, we can give voice to those who are not being heard. Because of you, we can provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and perspectives. Because of you, we can spark the change that is necessary in todays publishing industry. If you’ve been here before, you’ll know we’re all about positive vibes and harmony in our communities, and unlike the majority of publications, we focus on inspiring, educating and informing our readers in a light-hearted and engaging way, finding light in every situation. We invite you to really embrace the positive approach for the year ahead, focus on the good and show gratitude for each situation you encounter - some blessings are hidden within valuable lessons. Sending you all the best vibes for the year ahead! The United British Expats Team UBE-3
New Year, New BritaiN
It’s approaching, carrying along a similar sense of excitement as the annual Halloween celebrations… some are scared, some worried, some ecstatic; and none of us know what to expect. Since day one it’s been a masquerade; a mess, packaged in an eye-catching ensemble of illusory promises, pretending to be something which is far from reality.
What else could it be? Welcome to 2021 - the year of Brexit! As we’re speedily approaching the ‘Brexit Deadline’ and coming to an end of the transition period, HMRC are reminding businesses and citizens of the new rules that are due to come into play from 1st January 2021. There is a chance that your business, family and personal circumstances will be affected; the HMRC website offers a free ‘Brexit checker’ tool which provides you with a personalised list of actions based on your situation, as well as an email subscription service for any updates on regulations and necessary documents. The new rules may also affect your travel to EU countries, so make sure you familiarise yourself with new regulations before travelling, from January onwards.
Changes for businesses and citizens in the UK will be applicable, if • You or your company import goods from the EU into the UK • You or your company export goods to the UK from the EU • You or your company moves goods to or from Northern Ireland UBE-4
• You travel to the EU • You live and work in the EU • You stay in the UK, if you’re an EU citizen
What about our communities? What can UK expatriates expect from Brexit? If you’re a EU resident, and British passport holder, what changes can you expect when it comes to residence, taxation and UK pensions? How can you prepare for Brexit?
Residence and benefits Under the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement, British nationals who are legally settled within the EU can secure a lifetime of citizens rights, either in their place of residence within the EU (or in the UK), before the end of the transition period. This will protect your right to access healthcare, social security, education and employment opportunities for as long as you reside in the country you’ve applied for settlement at. If you already hold permanent or temporary residence papers, you will need to have these renewed by 30th June 2021, to comply with the new regulations.
WORLD NEWS
UK citizens travelling to EU countries after 31st December 2020 will need to comply with the new residence requirements, which are yet to be confirmed, but may be much stricter than ever.
Taxation post Brexit Tax rules are set out by each country separately, not by the EU. Similarly, tax treatment is dependent on residence, not nationality, and double tax treaties are independent of the EU. Brexit will have no effect on how British nationals are taxed within the EU. The only changes you may notice are related to non-EU/EEA assets, so those with UK assets and/or investments are likely to see a rise in taxation amount postBrexit.
UK pensions British nationals who settle in the EU before 31st December 2020 are still entitled to receive yearly cost-of-living increases to the State Pension payments, even if you begin claiming pension after the transition period ends. Brexit shouldn’t affect how you can access or transfer UK pensions; however, once the UK no longer has to adhere to EU regulations in 2021, they will have more authority over recouping taxes from expatriate pensions. One of the schemes that may be affected is the Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes (QROPS). EU residents can currently transfer to a QROPS tax-free if it is EU/EE-based, alternatively a 25% ‘overseas transfer charge’ applied. Many speculate that after the transition, this charge may be extended throughout the EU.
Currency changes and considerations In recent times, with the ongoing uncertainty of Brexit, the value of the £ Sterling has been extremely unstable. It’s beginning to settle down at current, but as any currency it’s still likely to fluctuate. We recommend to alway hold some savings and investments in your residential countries’ currency (€ or any other currency within the EU), to minimise the risk of rate exchange. It’s also wise to hold on to some Streling (£) currency at the same time, so if you ever need to pay bills, etc. back in the UK, you’re able to do so. We’d advise to look into investment structures which offer flexibility to own investments in multiple currencies, which can be converted at any time. Written by Paula Rapsiewicz UBE-5
COVER STORY
BRANKO BABIC & PHI ACADEMY Beauty Will Save The World Branko Babic is the beauty genius of today’s industry. His world-wide beauty business, Phi Academy, was designed on the concept of upgrading and amending the physical beauty. We’ve voted him the personality of the year at United British Expats, to thank him for his astonishing work-ethic and professionalism which has kept his business Phi Academy alive, along with retaining and growing his team, even throughout a global pandemic! The beauty industry today is based on amendments and upgrade of the physical beauty. Permanent makeup, microblading, micro-needling and other cosmetic procedures in the beauty industry, that solve natural deficiencies and upgrade physical beauty, have become more and more popular in the last decade.
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Mr Babic is an expert of shapes and contouring, knowing the ultimate secret to client happiness - he focuses on the position and design that will best suit the shape of the clients face or body. He determines this by analysing the proportions and anatomy of the face and body, to ensure the cosmetic procedure is as natural as possible. Branko explains that in order to draw a contour or shape, on a certain place on the body or face, you have to be familiar with 2 very important things - position and design. The position is determined on the basis of morphology and anatomy of the face or body, while the design, which is the most important element of beauty, is determined according to the proportions of the human anatomy.
In Mr Babics’ YouTube feature, titled ‘Story About Phi’, he talks about the scientifically-proven design behind the Phi Academy, he elaborates on the fact that everything in creation and nature has always used the same proportion in creation of numerous invents in the universe. In the parts of our heart, in the proportion of our DNA code, in the special design of the universe plants, animals; all things are in specific proportion. In this specific proportion, when you divide bigger lengths by smaller ones - you get the golden ratio number, the superior number of the design - 1.618. The Golden ratio on the human body and the face, is something that many are aware of, and can be found in many places - from your chin, to your nose; your lips are positioned exactly on the golden ratio - if you divide the length of your lips, with the width of your nose, you will get a number of 1.618 The distance between your eyes, divided with the distance between your eyebrows, will result in the number 1.618 again. From the beginning to the end of eyebrows, the highest point of the eyebrows, is in the golden ratio again, again and again. At 25 years long, scientific research has shown that all faces and bodies that are in this proportion are considered to be beautiful by all people on the planet; simply said - our eye percept this proportion as something beautiful. Throughout history, many great artists and architects use this proportion to create their masterpieces. In mathematics and art the number 1.618 has been marked with the Greek letter Phi; our trademark and logo. Therefore, the secret of the beauty lies in the proportion of the golden ratio, hidden in our hands and as old as the universe - and that’s exactly how Phi Academy differs from standard beauty clinics. They create beauty using the golden intersection proportions of Phi - 1.618. All treatments adhere to this formula and are personal to each clients’ physique and proportions. Throughout 2020, Branko and his secret formula i.e., PhiAcademy, have continued to flourish even during the COVID-19 pandemic! The possibilities for entrepreneurship which PhiAcademy makes available through the education it provides offers unlimited opportunities to communities worldwide. The secret that has kept Mr. Babić and his Academy at the top of his field is rooted in the key decision brought in 2016 to navigate toward an online concept, as well as the long-term health and safety measures that were put in place long before the COVID-19 outbreak. Find out more at https://www.phi-academy.com Written by Paula Rapsiewicz & Abdelhadi Rhiti
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FEATURES
relax, rest aNd reflect As we approach the end of 2020, for many of us it’s a time of reflection and goal-setting for the new year ahead.
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As we approach the end of 2020, for many of us it’s a time of reflection and goal-setting for the new year ahead. This year has been extremely tough on us all, regardless of location or circumstance, we went through a rollercoaster of events as a collective. The outbreak of COVID-19, the lockdowns, the restrictions; we’ve experienced a completely different way of life this year, and it’s an experience we’ll never forget, regardless of how things pan out in the year ahead. We’ve adapted to a different way of life, and although we’ve spent the year waiting to be freed from the harsh restrictions, there are many who benefitted from the lockdown, in one way or another. In 2020, we were gifted with one of the most precious things in life - time. Time is the most important of all things in life. Time is money. Time is knowledge. Time is freedom. Time is a healer. Time is all you need to find your treasure in life. Some discovered a new hobby or passion, some developed their already existing skills; others finally had the time to begin planning their business ideas, or even started a new business venture. Many of us took more downtime to recharge, or dedicated more time to our families. Some took time to heal, others began working on their fitness from home. Whatever you’ve done or achieved this year, whether it was working harder, or working less than ever; hitting your goal or taking a few losses - give yourself a round of applause for getting through this year and coming out the other end stronger and wiser than ever! That’s a whole achievement of its own. None of us know what 2021 brings; we’re all impatient to go back to life as we once knew it, but it all depends on how the next few months will pan out. Many of us are fearful, or at least sceptical, of the vaccination, speculating on the probability of being refused travel or worse if they chose not to be vaccinated. Others are uncertain about the Brexit transition, and how it might impact their businesses in other parts of the EU. Regardless of what is to come, this time of year should be all about relaxing, resting and reflecting. It’s a time of acknowledging the lessons learnt, and moving forward with a new approach that helps you overcome challenges with more ease. This Festive Season, many of us weren’t able to spend this Christmas with family, especially being within the expatriate communities, often far from home. It’s important we spend this time doing what we love and enjoy. If you are spending it with your family, or not, we suggest to skip all the usual NYE’s stress of dressing up and trying to put on the best party; this year has been tough on us all, so a cosy movie night in front of the telly with your loved ones (maybe even a cheeky takeaway) isn’t a bad shout at all! We wish you all a wonderful New Years’ Eve! Cheers to 2021! Written by Paula Rapsiewicz UBE-9
Is Santa R Recently I have had some really interesting discussions with other parents about ‘the magic’ of Christmas.
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Real? Our girls are complete believers, from Santa to Easter Bunny, from the tooth fairy to our resident fairy Amber… our girls are total believers. Even this morning on the way to school we listened to a podcast from But Why? Answering the question, Are Unicorns Real? Not only were the girls both completely engrossed in the discussion, but they had their own opinions on what unicorns eat, where they live, and what they really look like! When it comes to Santa… yep, they believe. Whole heartedly. Unquestionably. We even had a friend’s son try to explain to the girls exactly why Santa doesn’t and couldn’t exist. When we had some alone time after this visit, they shared this with me… uh oh…! But it’s ok, they were astounded that he could dream this up. “What is he thinking?” “Where does he think the letters go?” Phew! We are safe for another year! Because of our global lives, the girls also understand that different friends have different belief systems, and only the families that celebrate Christmas could be visited by Santa. Other families will celebrate Diwali or Chinese New Year and they have gods and goddesses and other spirits that bless them. And there is no judgement from the girls, they know to ask a new friend if they celebrate Christmas or not, before they start talking about Santa letters. Then I was talking to a dad about this topic, his response was “no, we have never participated in the belief system. My mum refused to allow us to, why would she (an African American woman) allow some fat white guy take all the credit for the hard work and effort she puts into Christmas each year!” And so, he went down the same path with his kids. I found it amazing, I had never thought of, or reflected on the role of, Santa in that way.
FEATURE
Santa list Perhaps because as a family we don’t really make a big deal about the ‘gift’ part of Christmas? The girls write letters to Santa, and they have a wish list - which is my out all year long when they see something they REALLY WANT! “Put it on your Santa list, see what he brings you” is my standard response. A few weeks before Christmas, usually at the end of November, they sit and write their letters for Santa. A lot more colouring and drawing happens, than actual writing, but the list is always there. Then a few days before Christmas they start on their welcome letter, the one they leave out with the milk and cookies (often including a last minute special request for an extra special toy they have just learned about). And ‘Santa’ leaves them one item from their list, and some fun candy and bits and bobs in their stockings. I have never felt that Santa is taking the credit for our hard work. I simply love sharing the magic with the girls, and discussing the possibilities of how he will find us (yes, we have moved every second year just before Christmas), how he manages to visit all the children who believe and so on. For our family, Christmas has always been a really special time. Firstly, because it’s an opportunity to come together as an extended family, to relax together and catch up, sharing some beautiful food and wine. But also because it provides a time to stop, reflect and be grateful as a family for all that we have. To thank God for blessing us, and giving us these wonderful opportunities. Wherever you are, whether you can be with your family or not this year, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you a wonderful Christmas, and all the best for the year ahead.
Written by Emily Rogers www.expatparentingabraod.com UBE-11
FEATURE
Growing your UK proper Like many British expats, we wanted to invest in the UK property market to create a second income and own something in the UK. We relocated to Dubai as a family, with my husband and 7-yearold twin girls, in 2009 following a career opportunity being presented to my husband. I’ve taken this opportunity to increase my personal income, so in the last 3 years I've been focused on scaling our UK property portfolio and have, so far, completed 21 property projects - without flying back to the UK and without taking any calls!
make every school drop off, pick up and activity. I've been able to manage the school holidays (ahh those 2 month long summers.... that usually involve a trip back to visit family in the UK) and those random offschool days, that come about when you're an expat, without having to worry about childcare.
But back in 2009, I didn't even think it was possible to do this. In fact, I believed in what many people told me about having UK property as an expat:
Handling all of that becomes so much more straightforward when you are your own boss.
"you HAVE to work with a UK based person" or "you had to join forces with somebody in the UK and split the profits" or even "as an expat the only thing you can invest in is a new build, off-plan apartment" and "you'll have to fly back to the UK every month to view and oversee things"
Prior to 2017 I worked from home in a virtual role 18 hours a week. It seemed ideal when the kids were little and slept a lot. But as they got older and more awake I only needed a little blip - like a child sick for a day, to set everything off course and see me working into the late night to make sure I got my hours in for that week.
At different stages between 2009-2017, I believed all those things.
Trying To squeeze The work hours
And they certainly are options. But, since 2017 I've been focused on UK property by finding properties virtually. Developing a system and a way of working that doesn't require hours of my time, but that allows us to systematically find, buy, refurbish and rent homes. I've found that doing this gives me the time freedom to be present for my family, be able to UBE-12
Holiday times were stressful - trying to organise childcare to give me time to work, then moving it around to catch events and days out. Trying to squeeze the work hours in before everyone woke up or after everyone had gone to bed. Being reliant on a childminder. I felt permanently stressed and counting the hours. I wanted to be a present parent, simple really. And be able to be spontaneous. Working for someone else just wasn't working out for me.
ty portfolio as an expat
I'd been a landlord since 2009, but to be fair it had been more of a hobby. I tried to scale in 2010, I worked with a UK based property professional who was charging me a fee and was meant to make it hassle-free for me.
I realised that this was the business model that I should be focusing on; and with my corporate background in Business Process and Change Management, I realised that if I designed it from the start then it didn't have to become a full-time job. It could be done virtually - if I believed, it could.
What actually happened was that I got into a deal that went wrong and it took me 10 years to unpick and turn around. Not so hassle-free, after all…
So, 2017 saw me focus on UK property.
Safe to say, I felt my fingers well and truly burned and it put me off property for a while.
Since then I've completed 21 property projects. A combination of lovely single lets and some multiple occupancy houses (HMOs). Most require some type of refurb.
Yet, my dallying in property in 2009/2010 had allowed me to create enough income to act as maternity pay. Reflecting back on why I stopped scaling the portfolio, it was because things got difficult, I didn't know what to do.
If you want to grow an income from UK property, whilst you are an expat, I've found there are some things to think about before you start:
It was around 2016/2017 when my paid employment started not to work out for me, that I looked back at my properties. Those houses I'd bought in 2009/10 created me a solid income month on month over the years. Yes, with costs here and there, but my asset value had increased as well as getting a monthly return. During those school holidays, illnesses, random life events - those properties had kept creating an income, kept paying their costs and kept turning me a profit.
What are your "rules''? What is non-negotiable for you? Is it a number of hours per week that you want to work with? Is it that your phone can't ring? Is it that you can't fly back to the UK? Whatever it is, understand your constraints. Own them. Then you know what you have to design your business around. Know WHY you are doing this. Is it for time freedom, financial freedom, something else? Understanding WHY you want to do this will keep you focused and see you through the difficult times. UBE-13
FEATURE
If you want to grow an income from UK property, whilst you are an expat, I've found there are some things to think about before you start: Set out your property goals - Whether that’s income, yield or something else. But be clear on what you want to get out of this by when. Create a model. Be specific, get focused. For example: what properties, in what postcode area, for what tenant profile, in what condition. How many do you want to buy each year? The more specific you can be the easier you will find something. And the easier it will be to have people support you - that could be estate agents, and contractors, administrators, suppliers and others that you bring on board. Let go. You can't do everything yourself. But you can build your own team of contractors and suppliers to do every part of the process.
Don'T over-rely on one person Be aware of single points of failure. You will need multiple ways to get each task done (a viewing, picking up keys, storing keys... and more). Don't over-rely on one person (including yourself!) Have someone who helps you stay accountable. That could be a friend, a family member, it could be other people in your expat community who are doing UK property or it could be a mentor or a coach. But have someone who is helping you stay on track towards your goals. The miles act as a barrier for so many expats wanting to invest in UK property. And I've found that they don't have to, it is possible to grow a UK property portfolio in the UK from outside of the UK. instagram: julierosetalbot linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julietalbot/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julie.talbot.359/ written by Julie rose Talbot UBE-14
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2021: Your time to shiNe It’s a new year, and always at this time of year, you feel renewed, re-energised and refocused; ready for what lies ahead. However, after 2020 and all the craziness we’ve experienced, I think as we step into 2021 this is even more so!
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FEATURE
We want better things for ourselves and our families. But as mothers, and especially as expat mothers, we have given up so much. We have left our careers behind to follow our spouses. We have given up on our dreams. We have focused all our energy and attention on the wellbeing of our family. Now my friend, I’m the little person on your shoulder who asks “is that enough? Do you feel fulfilled in your life?” I think you and I both know the answer to that… “no, it’s not enough! No, you’re not fulfilled!” So now, as we embrace 2021, with a big welcoming bear hug - I’m here to tell you, this is your time to shine! It’s your time to be the star in your own life!
Reflect on the holidays, what occupied your dreams? When you had those few moments of idle time (I know, there weren’t many, for me it was 5am when the rest of the house was still asleep!) what occupied your head? What oneart strings were being pulled? Get it all on paper. There is something so transformative about pen on paper (or perhaps you’re like me and you prefer pencil?) It doesn’t matter - the physicalness (is that even a word?) of putting words on paper brings a new energy and a new focus. A new life of its own. So do it, get all these little ideas on paper. Don’t order them. Don’t categorise them. Just put them all down.
Are you reADy?
Now take a moment and reflect. What are the themes? What are your inner desires and dreams? What are your thoughts saying to you?
Uh oh, don’t tell me… you don’t know where to start?
That’s your space, that’s your area to shine.
You know you want more, you know you need more, but you have no idea where to start!
Embrace it! Love it up! Make it your own! Make it, and yourself, a priority in 2021!
Well, actually, the first step is really simple.
If you want to do this and take the next step, download my FREE resource BOOST Your Life Satisfaction (www.expatparentingabroad.com/gift)
Take a moment now. Grab your journal, or any notebook, or even just a piece of paper. Write down all the things you’re good at. All the things you love to do. All the things that give you energy.
Written by Emily Rogers www.expatparentingabroad.com
Yep, you’ve got it, just scribble them all down. Don’t judge what you’re writing. Don’t second guess what is coming to you, just get it all on paper. UBE-17
H E A LT H & W E L L B E I N G
The Lost Art of True Rest OK, calling this a “lost art” is a bit of hyperbole, because there are some people who actually rest these days. But I don’t believe most people do it anymore. UBE-18
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FE HA E TAUL T RH E S& W E L L B E I N G
I could rail about the age of distraction (I’ve done that before), and social media and devices. Yada yada, you’ve heard it from me and many others. But whatever the reason is, we rarely rest anymore. Think about it: when you get a break, what do you normally do? Go on your phone or computer? Check messages or social media or your favorite websites? Watch videos online? That’s how most people spend their breaks — myself included. I’m part of this. What happens when you’re done with work for the day? That’s if you’re ever done — many of us will work practically until we are falling asleep, if we’re allowed to. But if you’re done, do you read and watch and message online? Most people I know do that.
So let’s talk about the Lost Art of True Rest, and how to rediscover it.
Four kinDs oF True resT For me, there are a handful of ways to rest that feel very nourishing and replenishing: 1 Closing my eyes, lying down, and doing nothing. This might or might not result in a nap. It might be more meditation. But I’m not reading, doing, watching. More on this below. 2 Going outside without using a device. Connecting to nature. Most likely in solitude. Letting my mind have some mental and physical space.
When do we ever truly rest, not only our bodies but our minds? We need it. We really need it.
3 Relaxing with someone else. Feeling connection with them. This can’t be a very active conversation — if we’re talking, it has to be something that makes us feel connected, relaxed. We might just be cuddling without conversation.
The lack of true rest creates a drained-ness, where we’re never really fully energized, fully present, fully alive. It means that our relationships start to lack energy and connection. It means we sap the joy out of our lives. That might not be true for you, but you might relate to it somewhat.
4 Being fully present with a simple non-work activity, like having tea. This isn’t a time to think about work, though those thoughts might arise. It’s about nothing other than having the tea. Relaxing with the experience. Savoring it. Soaking in a bath or having a spa day is another example.
I have caught myself taking breaks or finishing for the day, only to get on my phone or laptop for mindless stuff. It feels like the thing I want to do when I have rest time … but it’s not really rest. I don’t feel refreshed afterward, only more drained. It feels like I’m going to comfort, but not getting the rest I really need.
There are probably other ways to truly rest. Playing music, creating art, dancing, perhaps. But these four are my favorite. You’ll notice that you don’t need much for these kinds of true rest — no equipment or devices (maybe tea if you have it), no special spaces (other than nature, if it’s available). It’s simple stuff.
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We just forget to do it!
how To Truly relAx When I’m feeling tired and I have a meeting coming up, I’ll drop everything else, and go lie down on a bed or couch. Set aside my devices. Close my eyes and get comfortable. Then I really relax. When I say “really relax,” I mean more than we usually relax. I scan my body for any tension, and relax it. Then I scan some more, and relax that. I will usually notice small micro-muscles tensed in my chest area, in my abdomen, in my head. Sometimes it's in the center of my body, right in front of my spine. I let those muscles completely relax.
instead of jumping around. Give the activity your full focus. Really be with the cup of tea, or with your walk. Do it slowly, with relaxation, savoring the activity.
“Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves – slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future.” Thich Nhat Hanh
The more I relax, the more I find other micro-muscles that aren’t relaxed, and I relax those. Sometimes it’s like my face is falling off my head, because everything starts sinking towards the earth.
That quote sums up the approach. You can do it with anything, not just drinking tea. Be fully immersed.
I find that muscles will tense up as I start having thoughts. So I notice that, and relax them again. Over and over — thought and tense, notice and relax. It’s like savasana, if you’re a yogi. I usually fall asleep. I have to set a timer a few minutes before my meeting so I don’t sleep through it! But sometimes I don’t sleep — it’s still incredibly restful to do this.
With those relaxation approaches in mind … I’ll leave you with a simple but really powerful practice:
how To relAx while Doing someThing simple Having a cup of tea, going for a walk, taking a bath … you can relax while doing something. You don’t have to be lying down, closing your eyes. The key is to make this the one thing that you’re doing. Single-task. Be all in with this task,
A powerFully simple prAcTice
When you’re done with something, pause and notice if you need rest. Are you tired? Are you craving true rest? If so, give yourself a few moments of true rest. Not checking your phone, not reading or watching online, not taking care of small tasks. True rest. One of the things discussed above, or your version of true rest. Ask yourself this throughout the day. You might find that you need true rest more than you realize. Written by Leo Babauta (Source: https://zenhabits.net/resting/) UBE-21
The Tired Mums’ Skin Routine My aim is to help you get the best from your skin as the most beautiful thing you can wear is confidence.
I always recommend starting with an effective cleanser that’s right for your skin type to help remove oil, dirt, bacteria and any pollutants. If you’re not 100% sure of your skin type, or think it may have changed since having kids, drop me a message so I can help you. #skinmapping
fiNd the Best Basics.
An Effective cleanser is absolutely key to keep your skin glowing and to prevent premature aging. How do you know your cleanser is right for you? If your skin feels tight, dry, or warm to touch after that particular cleanser is NOT working for your skin type. Your skin should feel soft, refreshed and hydrated after.
No time for a 12-step skincare routine here, and that’s okay. In order to make the best of the skincare time you do have, make sure you are using the best basics (tailored cleanser, toner, serum and moisturizer) for your skin type and concerns. UBE-22
BEAUTY
How do I know if my cleanser is effective? Take a clean cotton pad, pop some toner on and swipe across an area. If it comes away clean, great, your cleanser is deeply cleaning your skin. Next up, toner. I know, I know. When you barely have time to go to the bathroom in peace, toner seems like an unnecessary step. But the truth is, it can really make a difference, especially by restoring the skin’s pH balance to revitalize tired, dull skin. Toners are your skins’ thirst quencher. Plus, it helps to minimize the appearance of pores, ensure your skin is squeaky clean and acts as a powerful astringent. Look for an alcohol free toner designed to meet your specific skin goals: reduce excess oiliness, hydrate or smooth out fine lines. And take a moment and a deep breath while you enjoy the refreshing feeling of a quick spritz or swipe. Ahhhhh. Finally, hydrate. Now I’m not talking about piling on the moisturizer! Moisturizers don’t moisturize they just prevent moisture loss! So best to apply a tailored oil/serum before your moisturizer to trap in the goodness. Every skin type needs a serum/oil, even if your face typically looks like an oil slick by lunchtime (which an oil-control toner can help with, BTW plus tailoring your products using CPTG essential oils ). UBE-23
BEAUTY It’s just about finding an essential CPTG oil that not only provides hydration, but also treats the other skin conditions you’re seeing when you look in the mirror. Redness or uneven skin tone... Once you’ve found your best serum/oil for you, use the layering technique (toner, oil then moisturizer) to get the best results quickly. Everyone’s skin needs a treatment serum/oil then a moisturizer to lock in the goodness. (Check out my Instagram highlight reels for more education.) That’s the basics covered... now .. tired mums listen up.
emphasize the eYes. If there was ever a time to focus your skincare efforts on your eyes, it’s now. Our eyes are a prominent feature and often age faster than the rest of our face especially when motherhood kicks in! Puffiness, dark circles and fine lines are the most common complaints for this area especially for mums who are running on little sleep and with little time to take care of themselves. Wondering how to get rid of tired eyes, dark circles and fine lines around your eyes? The area is prone to dryness due to thinner skin and a lack of oil glands around the eyes which serve as a natural moisturizer, so the correct hydration and facial massage techniques is the absolute key. I’d highly recommended checking out my ‘Skin Superfoods Shot’ highlight reel for ways to hydrate from the inside out (coconut water, ginger shot, cherry juice). Next, incorporating CPTG Frankincense Touch oil or the blue powerhouse oil Yarrow Pom will help thicken the skin in this area, speed up cellular renewal and provide adequate hydration for this delicate area. Hydrating this area effectively will give you the confidence to walk out freshed faced in the morning. Choose quick, feel-good treatments that pack a punch. If you happen to find a spare minute, don’t waste it on skin treatments that feel like work. Jade rollers feel AMAZING. The coolness on the skin is reviving and can quickly reduce puffiness while stimulating blood to the face and cheeks for a brighter look in just a few minutes!! Wakey Wakey! Crystal facial rollers are great to use after applying oil/serum, as it will help the products to absorb quicker. Now you I’m not saying you need to find 10mins to roller, just find 1 minute in your morning routine. Roller while you're waiting for the kettle to boil, waiting for the kids to brush their teeth.. FIND the time.
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It is quick, effective, feels luxurious and packs a punch! Feels luxurious and gives you brighter skin in minutes? Yes, please!! You can also use a cold teaspoon if you haven’t invested in a crystal roller. Ensure you use feather light sweeping motions from nose to outer eye. If your thinking of investing in a crystal roller I’d recommend browsing www.jadeandgua.com If you use the code SARAH10 you receive 10% off your purchase. You’re welcome!
stop the clock.
What is Facial Yoga, How does it work? Great questions. Join a FREE Introduction virtual workshop via ZOOM.
for iNformatioN oN skiN mappiNg coNsultatioN aNd facial Yoga Email Classbeauty1985@hotmail.com Instagram: s.jbrown_ CPTG products can be found on http://mydoterra.com/sarahbrown71 Written by Sarah Brown
If you’re wondering how to keep your skin looking young for years to come, the answer is simple: facial yoga. Your facial muscles respond the same way as your body muscles. Isometric exercises will build muscle, boost collagen and elastin which will in turn lift and tone the skin. Many moves can be performed quickly in the morning to give an awake, bright complexion.
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Coco’nutty’ Chicken Curry
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FOOD
Fusion cooking is the best type of cooking. What is fusion cooking? Cooking that combines ingredients and techniques/ seasonings from different cuisines and dishes. This recipe combines a traditional Indian coconut curry with a traditional Sri Lankan cashew nut curry. The result gives juicy chicken pieces in a creamy sauce mixed with an assortment of Indian herbs and spices for a wholesome and satisfying family meal. This recipe is a great way of sprucing up your basic chicken curry with hardly any extra effort.
iNgredieNts: • • • • •
1-2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tsp garlic and ginger paste 1 x medium onion (finely chopped) 400g chopped tomato (blended) ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
the followiNg spices: • 1- 1 ½ tsp chilli powder (depending on level of spice wanted) • ¼ tsp turmeric powder • 1 tsp ground coriander • 1 tsp ground cumin • 650g chicken breast (cut into medium sized chunks) • 90g cashew nuts (split in half lengthwise) • 300ml boiling water • 50g coconut milk powder • Handful of fresh coriander for garnish Accompany with either fresh basmati rice, naan bread or chapati.
method: Heat oil in a pan and add the chopped onions first then the garlic and ginger paste. Stir and cook on medium heat until the onions have softened and are slightly brown. Then add the blended tomatoes and let them cook for 2-3 minutes. Add salt and all the spices into the pan, stir well and cook for a further 2-3 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly. Now add the chicken and cashew nuts into the pan, stir and simmer until the chicken has whitened. Add 300ml boiling water and leave to cook on medium heat for 15 minutes with the lid on. Finally, reduce the heat and add the coconut powder. Stir well to get rid of any clumps and leave to simmer for another 10 minutes without the lid. Garnish with fresh coriander before serving alongside rice, naan bread or chapati. Written by Tasneem Daud UBE-27
the magic of a fresh start One of the biggest obstacles to sticking with a habit change, a new system, a goal or long-term project ‌ is that we get disrupted.
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FEATURE Something interrupts our progress — we skip a workout day or two — and then some programming in our brains turns that into a message of how we’re not good enough, we can’t do it, we should just give up. This stops so many people from making long-term progress. It stops us from simply starting again. This is because most of us don’t realize the power and magic of a fresh start. A fresh start is when we get to start anew, with a blank slate. It’s waking up to a brand new morning, with a day we get to use however we want. When we miss a few days of meditation, or eat junk for a week because of various celebrations, or fall off from writing a book … instead of making that to mean that this whole thing is a waste of time or that we somehow suck … we can look at it as a fresh start. I’m not simply reframing things to “be positive.” There’s a lot of power available to us in a fresh start that we miss out on.
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A Fresh sTArT is mAgicAl: We can see the habit or project with fresh eyes, as if we’d never seen it before, and bring a sense of wonder and curiosity to what we’re doing. There’s a sacredness to letting everything go from the past and just showing up in a new moment. We can learn something from the past failure or disruption, and use this new start as a way to get better at that difficulty, armed with this new information, so that every fresh start becomes a new opportunity to learn, grow, get better at something. We get to reinvent ourselves, reinvent what we’re taking on, reinvent what we want to make our lives to be. We can recommit, and remind ourselves of why we’re committed to this. This is all missed when we ignore the magic and power of a fresh start! The beautiful thing is that a fresh start is available to us not only when we get disrupted or stumble … but in every moment. Every day. Every new meditation or workout or work session. Every new meeting with someone, every new conversation. Every new breath. Written by Leo Babauta (Source: https://zenhabits.net/anew/) UBE-29
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