Balance May 2019

LIVE WELL

DISCOVER THE NEW RULES OF SOCIAL COOL

FOR THE FACTS, VISIT DRINKAWARE.CO.UK

SMIRNOFF SODA FRUIT SMASH

• FILL A GLASS WITH ICE • P O U R 2 5M

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O F S M I R N O F F ® N O. 2 1 V O D K A

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LIVE WELL WELLNESS THE ULTIMATE DIGITAL DETOX

FITNESS THE HEALING POWER OF PLANT LIFE

NUTRITION EAT MORE AND PERFORM BETTER!

MAY 2019 / ISSUE 36

REFRESH SPECIAL! HOW TO INVIGORATE BODY AND MIND

Bryce Dallas Howard

O R D I N A R Y

G I R L ,

E XT R AO R D I NA R Y

TA L E N T

WELC

BALANCE ALL CHANGE, PLEASE

M AY 2 0 1 9

B A L A N C E . M E D I A

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EDITOR’S LETTER

elcome to the Refresh issue! I’m so excited to debut Balance’s brand new look, and we hope you love it as much as we do! Life presents us with ample opportunity to give new energy to something and gain fresh perspective. With that in mind, ask yourself this: what is, or isn’t, serving me anymore? Consider yourself the CEO of your life, and then take the necessary steps to align your behaviour with your purpose.

Talking of purpose, the aim of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week (13-19 May) is to shine a spotlight on what we think and feel about our bodies. Body image is not simply what we see in the mirror. It is closely linked to our mental health and can be the cause of distress for anyone: 25 per cent of those affected by an eating disorder in the UK today are male. Let’s be kind and responsible to ourselves and each other, both on and offline.

T H E BE PRESENT

EDITORIAL Editor Sophie Scott Deputy Editor James Gill Production Editor Jonathan Sever Creative Director Nick Thackray Art Director Victoria Ireland Production Director Dahlia Cuby Editorial Assistant Libby Williams Thanks to John Naughton Website & Social Media Manager Georgia Shepheard Digital & Editorial Intern Shannon Moyer Digital Intern Devika Sharma

SOPHIE SCOTT

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E D I TO R

COVER ©YU TSAI / CONTOUR BY GETTY IMAGES EDITOR’S PHOTOGRAPHY IAKOVOS KALAITZAKIS

THE REFRESH ISSUE

B A L A N C E

E Q U AT I O N

FEAR

LAUGH

GAIN INSIGHT

TRADING Commercial Director Minal Bhima (currently on maternity leave) Advertising Paul Brett, Nick Canane, Stefanie Daniels, Lindi De Souza, Jeremy Saunders, Anda Vlasaku, Rosanna de Waal Creative Partnerships Rashad Braimah

Editorial Director Rashmi Madan Head of Finance Kate Lyon Licensing Jonathan Marks PA to Publisher/Managing Director Filippa Woolf Publisher/Managing Director Daniel Cuby

CIRCULATION AND DISTRIBUTION Magazine Heroes / circulation@balance.media

Balance Publishing Ltd Unit 2.08 60 Grays Inn Road London WC1X 8AQ

BALANCE PUBLISHING LTD Executive Editor Morgan Rees

LIVE WELL

Balance Copyright of editorial contents are held

by Balance Publishing Ltd. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. Reproduction in whole or part is forbidden except with the express permission of the publisher. It is not the intention to print any matter that discriminates on the grounds of race, sex,sexuality or disability. All details, and prices, are correct at the time of going to press. The Balance equation is a device and not mathematically correct.

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M AY

From the off this month, we want to play mind games (11), before helping you choose your ideal London borough (12-13) and reach your goals, no matter how out of this world they may seem (19)

ENTS

2

PSYCHOLOGY

With Mental Health Awareness Week upon us, head to pages 17, 34 and 56 for a mind MOT

HEAD SPACE

Refreshing your outlook on mind, body and soul will have a positive effect on all aspects of your life. The best news?

You can change things immediately (30)

3 4 5 6 BODY & SOUL

FOOD

TRAVEL

BEAUTY

The winning combinations Mother Nature’s larder offers to boost brain power (40), plus your guide to why biophilia is the latest buzzword to take over Instagram (42)

The founders of food sensation BOSH! reveal what led them to embrace the vegan lifstyle (48-49), and we have a host of comfort food to settle your stomach in time for Coeliac Awareness Week (51-52)

Ever wanted to disconnect from your smartphone and get away from it all? These trips (60-61) are the antidote to helping you hang up on your device addictions

The magical qualities of crystals (65), the secrets to making yourself up on the Tube (67), how to put a spring in the step of your beauty regime (69), plus get expert tips and hints on making sure your hair is always in style (71)

6

2 0 1 9

LIVE WELL

THE MANUAL

B A L A N C E . M E D I A

1

CONT

7 CULTURE

We catch up with the Rocketman (73), Kevin Smith reveals what brought him back to Earth with a bump (75), while your to-do list for May is taken care of, featuring the best cinema, theatre and events the capital has to offer (77)

BALANCE MAY IMAGES GETTY IMAGES & SHUTTERSTOCK

WELCOME CONTENTS

WELCOME GOOD NEWS

GOOD NEWS

May we be the first to brighten your day with positive vibes this National Smile Month WHAT’S UP, DOC?

Nobody enjoys going to the doctor. Thankfully, hundreds of pharmacies are now using The GP Service (thegpservice.co.uk) where patients can get a consultation via a tablet for £25.

Founder Suleman Sacranie says, “Our aim is to reduce the pressure on GPs and to help people get better quickly.” You could say it’s just what the doctors ordered…

GREEN FOR GO If you have a park or green space near where you live, pay it a regular visit. A new study from the School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan has discovered even taking 20 to 30 minutes to be with nature (and that could mean sitting in a field or under a tree) can lower stress, mortality rates and feelings of depression. How’s that for a natural remedy?

REST ASSURED The Department of Population Health at NYU Langone Health has gone all out to disprove slumberrelated myths. Researching over 8,000 websites, it found you can’t get by on five hours kip and snoring may be sleep apnoea.

“Dispelling sleep myths promotes healthier habits,” says lead investigator Rebecca Robbins.

They’ve got our nod off approval

8

MEDICINE

THE DOCTOR WILL STREAM YOU NOW

TECH CHILD’S PLAY

NATURE

THE (EVEN GREATER) OUTDOORS

SOCIETY SCHOOL OF THOUGHT

SLEEP WE HAVE DRIFT OFF

HOUSING HOMING IN ON CHANGE

NET GAINS The Information Commissioner’s Office has put together a 16-strong code of practice to help young people when it comes to internet usage. “We shouldn’t have to prevent our children from being able to use the internet, but we must demand they are protected when they do,” says Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham.

You can find out how at ico.org.uk

THROW IN THE TOWEL In some poverty-stricken families in England, schoolgirls have used toilet roll or newspaper as substitute sanitary products. The government intervened this year, offering help to secondary pupils and will extend this to more than 20,000 primary schools. “We want everyone to lead active, healthy, happy lives,” says children and families minister, Nadhim Zahawi.

There’s no substitute for that

GENERAL WELLBEING Legal & General is investing £44million in 167 affordable homes in Croydon with a view to tackling the growing homeless crisis. With many families in emergency accommodation, Croydon councillor Alison Butler says, “This innovative partnership offers better value for money than more traditional loans”. We hope other councils can also cash in

M AY 2 0 1 9

B A L A N C E . M E D I A

MAN

UAL

QUICK WINS FOR EVERY D AY L I F E

OUT OF THE BLUE Balance invites you to feel calm and collected with this simple colouring exercise

H

ow does the colour blue make you feel? Studies have found looking at this hue can have a positive, calming effect, but a University of British Columbia study has also revealed it can encourage people to think outside the box and be more creative, thanks to associations with the sky and the ocean.

Often considered by many to represent tranquillity and security, the popular colour also has the ability to lower your heart rate and body temperature. Try… Look at something blue for 30 seconds. Take a deep breath in through the nose and expel it out of the mouth. Focusing only on the colour, continue to deep breathe and let any thoughts that arise slip out of your mind. This short exercise should leave you feeling calmer and less anxious and well worth giving a go if you’re feeling a little off colour.

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WHICH LONDON BOROUGH A R E YO U ?

It’s not where you’re from, it’s where you’re at.

Where do your capital loyalties lie?

QUESTIONS 5. Your favourite sporting event is... a The Six Nations b The FIFA World Cup c The London Marathon d Wimbledon e The Olympics

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1. It’s Friday night. You’re most likely to be found... a At a hot yoga class b At the opening of your friend’s gallery c At a private members club d At home with the dogs e At a dinner party

2. You’re planning your next holiday to... a South of France. Again… b India, for some ecotourism c Marrakech, for the culture d Thailand, for 10 days of wellness e Brighton for a dose of vintage shopping

3. It’s payday and you’re off to the shops. You buy... a Vegan Dr. Martens b The latest fashion trainer c A stripy T-shirt d New wellies for your spring walks e Sunglasses

4. For Sunday brunch, you always order... a Poached eggs and smoked salmon on toast b Green shakshuka c A full English d Bircher müesli e Blueberry and maple syrup pancakes

6. You’re at a bar with friends. You order... a A bottle of Prosecco b A pint of craft beer c An Aperol Spritz d A gin & tonic e A glass of wine

7. Your favourite wellness food is... a Organic granola b Kimchi c A “bleeding” vegan burger d Turmeric latte e Avocado

8. Who would you most like to invite to dinner? a Grayson Perry b Camille Walala c Stormzy d Keira Knightley e Joe Wicks

9. Which of these books most appeals to you? a The Autograph Man b Brick Lane c The Metamorphosis d Great Expectations e Odyssey

MANUAL THE QUIZ

THE R E S U LT S

Dog walks in Richmond Park – whether you have a hound or not – are a staple on a Sunday afternoon. You’re a fan of tradition, but also love to explore new trends and indulge in cultural travel from time to time.

Why not try... With clean, crisp interiors and strong home brewed coffee, Kiss the Hippo is the perfect post-long walk pit stop. At least 80 per cent of its coffee is sourced from certified organic producers and roasted in-house.

LONDON

SOURCES tcamden50.co.uk, boxpark.co.uk

You’re often found walking on Hampstead Heath, or enjoying an almond croissant at GAIL’s Bakery after a morning workout.

On the weekend, you’ll be having a sophisticated dinner with friends or heading to the Roundhouse to see your favourite indie band who you discovered on Spotify.

Why not try... Hook dishes up freshly caught fish sourced from 100 per cent sustainable fisheries, day-boats, and local suppliers. They also serve vegan tacos, so there’s something for everyone on their ecoconscious menu. Even the packaging is recycled and the take-away cutlery is biodegradable.

MOSTLY B: YOU ARE HACKNEY You’re always ahead of the curve when it comes to trends and have your finger on the pulse at all times, whether that be wellness, music, fashion or food. Your friends consider you “the cool one” of the group and you certainly have the credentials to fill the role.

Why not try... Not only does Palm Vaults serve the best avocado on toast with vegan bacon bits (yes, you read that right), they also guarantee a great Instagram-worthy pic. The tropical interiors will make you feel as though you’ve been transported to South Beach, while the lavender lattes will give you a new lease of life.

MOSTLY C: YOU ARE LAMBETH You love food and know where to go for all the best dishes, keeping your finger on the cultural pulse but also holding a place in your heart for good old fashioned stuff.

Most importantly, you’re proud to call yourself a south Londoner.

Why not try... For a spot of free culture, pop into Newport Street Gallery, where you’ll find a selection of works from Damien Hirst’s personal collection. The expansive gallery, split over two floors, features 3,000 works from well-known artists including Francis Bacon, Banksy, Tracey Emin and Jeff Koons.

LONDON LIFESTYLE

MOSTLY A: YOU ARE CAMDEN

MOSTLY D: YOU ARE RICHMOND

MOSTLY E: YOU ARE CROYDON You’re aware of trends, but aren’t a slave to them and enjoy your home comforts more than anything. However, you love going out and discovering new bars and restaurants with friends and will find any excuse to socialise after work.

Why not try... Boxpark in Croydon houses every cuisine imaginable under one roof. With a capacity of 2,000 people, the 80-container area has a warm community feel, and is perfect for a quick lunch or meet up with friends after work for drinks and nibbles.

120 100% Languages spoken in Camden schools including Bengali, Somali, Albanian and Arabic

Waste streams diverted from landfill by Boxpark Croydon

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MANUAL HOTWIRE

energy F OA M PA R T Y Forget slippers when you’re not training: you want recovery shoes. The Oofos range is engineered with recovery in mind, helping you bounce back after a run, workout or hike, all thanks to cutting-edge performance shoe foam. You don’t get that with slippers From £43, oofos.co.uk

META DATA Anyone who’s attempted anything above a 10k will tell you finding the right trainer isn’t easy: blisters, discomfort and even serious injury are a possibility if you don’t find the shoe for you. Asics believes it’s made its most significant breakthrough in 70 years with the new Metaride, which aims to reduce energy loss. “We believe this has the potential to disrupt the world of long-distance running,” says Asics President, Yasuhito Hirota. The trainers also work with the Runkeeper app to push you further £225, asics.com

HUB-BA HUBBA The home gym surge continues with Google Home Hub pairing up with FitStar to offer cardio and strength training from the comfort of your own lounge.

What’s more, these are sevenminute blasts via a virtual personal trainer so the “too busy” line cuts little mustard £139, store.google.com

IN SYNC

WORD UP Yes, it’s a fitness app, yet it has a canny USP. Eastnine offers audio coaching, with physios, nutritionists and athletes offering advice, motivation and technique. You can even sync with live leaderboards to get a competitive edge eastnine.fit

The new Huawei P30 Pro is ideal for anyone on a health kick. This super smartphone syncs with the five major running, spinning and rowing machines for gym trips. Also, in what feels like science fiction, point the gadget at food and the HiVision setting tells you how many calories per 100g. And, for any influencers, the 40-megapixel Leica Quad camera is, frankly, ridiculous £899 (128GB), huawei.com/uk

D I S P L AY M O D E L

16.7m Different colours the Huawei P30 Pro’s 6.47in OLED display can reproduce

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TRAINING

SHAOLIN

MANUAL ALT THERAPY

therapy

A

n exploration of the self can take any form.

Therapy, self-help, abstaining from alcohol or, indeed, anything that makes you feel better mentally, physically or spiritually.

Shaolin training does all of this and more and, because it’s a discipline which dates back thousands of years, such an exploration feels irresistibly noble.

I recently spent a morning voraciously learning everything I could from the quietly charismatic Master Shifu Shi Heng Dao, a 35th generation Shaolin disciple, at the Buddhist Temple in Tufnell Park. “You want to be a voice, rather than an echo,” says Master Heng as we sit and sip tea. What he means is he isn’t regurgitating what has gone before; he has his own interpretation on Shaolin teachings, presented as Earth, Fire and Water.

IT’S AN ANCIENT DISCIPLINE WHICH FEELS NOBLE Earth is meditation, and how we begin our posttea practical session in the Chan Hall which, with its soft mat, screams Karate Kid, even if this part is more sitting still with eyes closed over one-legged crane kicks. We move into Fire and that’s Gong Fu where you think you’re Jackie Chan (but I ended up more like Jackie Collins), using controlled kicks and punches, performed with almost balletic poise as a means of combatting anger .

GIVE IT A GO… If you’re yearning for a discipline that digs deeper, this is for you HIGH POINT Meeting Master Heng, the fatherly alpha male I’ll never be LOW POINT Wearing shiny gold trainers. Nothing illustrates a lack of ego quite like golden trainers BOOKING INFO A Qi Gong beginners/all levels class is held at 9am on Saturdays at Shaolin Temple UK, 207a Junction Road, Tufnell Park, N19 5QA. Master Heng is also available for private bookings at shihengdao.com

A workout for the body and soul, Shaolin training can help you to find your voice WORDS JAMES GILL

Finally, it’s Water (Qi Gong), low-impact moves, utilising breathing and movement to bring balance to body and mind, and it can help tackle depression.

Master Heng has the grace of a swan and I do all I can to copy the great man, frequently getting my footing badly wrong.

As Master Heng sums up: “With Shaolin, I give you the ways to treat yourself and this becomes you. First, it settles in your mind, when you learn. Then your skin, bone and finally bone marrow. Then it becomes you.

It is no longer something I have taught you. It is you.”

WELL INFORMED If a change really is as good as a rest, it’s no wonder we often find ways to reset. But despite good intentions, fear of the challenges associated with change can hold us back and we underestimate our ability to conquer change, even if it can enhance our life.

In reality, research has found a more exhaustive approach has potential

for each area of change to bolster the others, with participants in a recent study exhibiting dramatic improvements in dozens of different lifestyle changes when tackled concurrently.

Perhaps it’s just our minds holding us back?

With fresh evidence proving how much potential we possess, maybe it’s time to raise our expectations?

Laura Hill, Senior Editor, welltodoglobal.com

17

1.

CONDU CT A PRE-MORTEM

Apollo Mission Control was ready for any eventuality because they had thought through all possible problems and prepared for them. If you conduct a ‘premortem’ before embarking on any venture, you can spot potential problems that might emerge, and try to find solutions.

It’s a wonderful way of boosting your decision making

2.

T H E P OW E R O F PA S S I O N

S TA R E H S T

R

H F C OR A E

I interviewed the Apollo Mission Controllers and they were astonishingly passionate. Passion matters, but people struggle to find it. If you’re on a desert island and only allowed books on one topic, what do you choose? What did you love doing as a child? What are you doing when time whizzes by? These questions will help identify the love of your life

MANUAL MASTERCLASS

R IC H A RD W ISEMA N I’m a psychologist, magician and writer. My book Shoot For The Moon (Quercus, £20) is about the mindset that got humanity to the Moon

THE ROAD TO I N N O VAT I O N The Apollo Mission involved vast amounts of creativity. Here’s how to help get your creative juices flowing 1 Avoid the temptation to adopt the first plan that occurs to you.

Force yourself to come up with other ideas

Evolved from a French discovery, micellar Taking lessons learnedwater from isthe the saviour to banish theyou Apollo programme can help torture painful make conquer yourofown missions which are out of this world

2 Look at what your rivals are doing, and consider doing the opposite. If they go big, go small 3 Remember less is more. People are more creative when they are faced with limitations

3.

KE E P A FA I LU R E D I A RY

5.

THE OU TCO ME

We all like to bury our mistakes, but the Apollo teams were open to learning from failure. Best-selling self-help author Dale Carnegie kept a personal diary where he noted mistakes he’d made and what he had learned from them. Every day, jot down each of your errors, what you discovered from making them and how you’ll try to prevent it happening again

It’s easy to think you might never achieve a really significant goal. However, if you do start to doubt yourself, just go outside on a clear night and look up at the Moon. Always remember that sending a person up there seemed impossible, but against all the odds, they got there. And you can, too

4.

TAK E SMALL STEPS

The Apollo team achieved its big goal by taking small steps. First they sent an astronaut around the Earth, then added an extra astronaut and so on until they got to the Moon. Harness the power of small wins by breaking your big goal into smaller stages and celebrate after you achieve each step. Use the big goal to motivate, but focus on the small step in front

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MANUAL CAPITAL GAINS

JOIN Wanderlust 108 Taking place in Battersea Park on 27 July, The World’s Only Mindful Triathlon offers three activities (running, yoga, and meditation) alongside people who share your values and practices. Balance is also hosting a panel with leading wellness experts wanderlust.com/gbr

WEAR Rapha Well known within London’s cycling fraternity, Rapha provides “the world’s finest cycling apparel and accessories store”. A destination for shoppers and coffee lovers, the store also acts as a quirky café that doubles as the Rapha Cycling Club meeting place rapha.cc

DRINK Glow Bar Adaptogenic elixirs Boost your mood and soothe your skin with a unique gut-friendly adaptogen elixir. After your ashwagandha-laced iced moon milks or CBD matcha latte, pop into one of the on-site infrared saunas for the ultimate detoxifying experience glowbarldn.com

FLOAT Float Works Enhance your mood in calming and restoring floating pods. Working to rehabilitate overstimulated systems and restore the body’s chemical and metabolic balance, a float session can have a positive effect on the mind and even physical performance floatworks.com

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WORK OUT Hackney Festival of Fitness

The UK’s largest outdoor festival of its kind returns to the marshes 17-19 May. Featuring the ever-popular Hackney Half and community 5k, the three-day event also offers additional activities, food trucks and an open air cinema virginsport.com/event/hackney-2019

LONDON IS...

FITNESS From CBD matcha lattes to revolutionary spin classes, London is positioning itself as the wellness capital of the world

DISCUSS The Fever-Tree

Championships Running from 17-23 June at The Queen’s Club, the world-class tournament attracts the planet’s best male players making for an excellent day of edge of your plastic fold-down seat lta.org.uk

SWEAT SoulCycle Having revolutionised indoor cycling and taken the fitness industry by storm in the US, SoulCycle’s UK debut happens this June. Get your blood pumping with one of their high intensity spin classes that will invigorate both body and soul soul-cycle.com/london

RECOVER Cloud Twelve Balance your mind and body at a one-of-a-kind luxury wellness and lifestyle club in Notting Hill.

Find their cryosauna and IV infusion suites in the holistic wellness clinic, where you can enjoy a host of rejuvenating treatments to get you back on track cloudtwelve.co.uk

LIFT Equinox Designed with one specific goal in mind, the 45-minute weight based Pure Strength class at Equinox uses a combination of weight lifting and body resistance to improve your strength, flexibility, cardio and regeneration without adding bulk equinox.com

NOURISH Squirrel Passionate about food, this South Kensington all-day healthy hangout doesn’t scrimp when it comes to ingredients. Packed with nutrients and flavour, their ethically-sourced wares come together for a guilt-free meal perfect for a pre or post-workout boost wearesquirrel.com

MANUAL THE INDEX

WO R L D T R AV E L Sit back, relax and enjoy the journey with this all-inclusive digest

£1,190 9days The mean value American Express has discovered Brits spend an a holiday.

The £170 daily bill is an added extra…

The average amount of time Brits will spend planning a seven-day getaway

39% £53

Volume of people who trust travel websites for holiday information, followed by family members (34 per cent) and friends (29 per cent)

British families take on average two holidays per year, spending more than £6,000, or one quarter of the average household disposable income

£1

bn

SOURCES themoneypages.com, finder.com, visitbritain.org, yourmoney.com, globalwellnessinstitute.org traveldailynews.asia, inews.co.uk, personneltoday.com, traveldailynews.com, standard.co.uk

Amount of foreign currency UK holidaymakers spend to “get rid of” at airports annually

It is forecast Britain will have a tourism industry worth over £257billion by 2025, supporting almost 3.8 million jobs

Amount the wellness tourism market grew between 2015-2017, which is twice as fast as the general travel industry

4 in10 33.5 10.2

According to Nationwide, forty per cent of travellers pay for holidays using savings, while a third use their current account

The average holiday entitlement in days for UK citzens, including public holidays

bn

The expenditure market researchers Mintel believe will be shelled out on overseas trips by 2022, up from £45.7billion in 2017

Typical number of nights Brits were abroad for in 2017, spending £616. In total, 72.8 million trips were taken

6.5%

15.87m $639bn Travellers who headed to Spain in 2017, the UK’s most popular destination. France was second, with Italy third

Current value of the wellness tourism market. Estimates suggest this will reach $919billion by 2022

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T HE

WORDS JAMES GILL

PU R SU IT

BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD

OF H AP P IN E SS Rocketman star Bryce Dallas Howard talks manifesting and marriage, the importance of talking about depression and her “outstanding” dad

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W

hen it comes to manifesting (the idea of intentionally creating what you want), you probably fall into one of two camps: it’s either nonsense, or we’ve just reminded you to update your journal. Bryce Dallas Howard was manifesting before manifesting was even a thing, taking it up on the set of 1992 epic Far & Away, directed by her father, Ron. So, who got the Hollywood superstar into it? A spiritual teacher? An A-list family friend? The film’s stars, Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman? The truth is rather more prosaic: a teamster (or, as we’d say in Britain, a driver).

Bryce, 38, reveals, “As he was driving me to set one day he started talking about making affirmations and manifestations. I always carry a journal with me and I literally wrote it down. I reference it all the time. He taught me that. I was, like, 11. Incredible, right?” It’s something that would change her life.

COVER BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD

Cover star

25

fell in love with him while watching this show. Oh my gosh, he was so good and I went home and couldn’t get him out of my mind. So I went to a midnight showing of Hannibal (the 2001 sequel to The Silence of the Lambs) by myself, and still couldn’t get him out of my mind. Then I called one of my friends and asked for his number. She said, ‘I know you don’t drink so you’re not drunk, but do not call him right now!’ It was 2am and I instantly called him and left a message on his answering machine.”

Seth found her behaviour “weird”, but his room-mate Dane Charbeneau insisted she was “cool” and the pair remain blissfully, happily married with two children. Karma also tapped Charbeneau on the shoulder: he is Bryce’s writing partner and years later would marry her sister, Jocelyn.

“Everyone fought for it,” she enthuses. “Everyone stayed in the game, tried their best; it is beautiful to step back and be like, ‘Woah, this worked!

People started lives, people are in love, children were born! How exciting to participate in this thing called life.’”

Bryce also recently found a poster of Seth’s show, which revealed the date she fell in love with him is the same date as their first son’s birthday.

“In sane,” she professes, and guffaws again. “We’ve been together now for 18 years and I was saying to Seth isn’t it amazing that these feelings have worked out more often than not? What beautiful confirmation to follow those clues and those feelings. It’s not exactly the way you imagine things unfolding but, when you step back almost 20 years later, you’re like ‘What?!’ It’s magnificent.”

SEARCHING FOR THE POSITIVES

ast forward to her student years at New York University and Bryce bumped into a gentleman called Seth Gabel. “He was 18, I was 19, and I broke into hives. I was with one of my best friends, who later ended up marrying us, who turned to me and said, ‘What just happened, Bryce? You are red and blotchy right now!’ I was like, ‘Look at that boy! Look at that boy!’ I found out his name, went home and wrote in my journal: this is the man I am going to marry.” You might be quite emotional right now.

After all, what a perfect, beautiful story. And then Bryce punctures the moment with a one-liner: “And then I proceeded to stalk him.” And she unleashes one of the most heart-swelling laughs imaginable, a sonic boom of giddiness.

That’s because Bryce is pure joy. Our conversation is akin to basking in sunshine. And there’s no filter: she speaks from the heart and with such passion and warmth that it makes for a surprisingly emotional hour (admittedly, only Balance wept). Except we don’t talk for our allotted hour.

We talk for much longer. When our hour is up, her publicist does what any good publicist does and flags the time. “We’re good!” she beams, and we carry on yapping.

Now, Bryce is obviously joking when she says “stalk”, although she did find out Seth would also be at a certain party in Brooklyn and picked an outfit for the bash. “I decided to wear my prom dress. No irony whatsoever. Totally, sincerely, this is the appropriate attire. Everyone else was in cut-off shorts.” She adds “A few weeks later, I found out that he was in a show, so I went with one of my friends who knew him. I absolutely

Given she is as happy and positive as she is, it seems unfathomable that post-natal depression should strike the way it did once her first child, Theo, was born in 2007. And, if a positive can be taken from such dark times, it’s that we can all share our experiences to help one another. Although one individual proved less than helpful at the time. “I had someone tell me – when I was super-depressed and trying my f*cking hardest with Theo, before I read books, before I looked it up online and before I began to come to terms with the fact that something giant has shifted out of my control and my life would never be the same – I had someone literally tell me: ‘No, Bryce. You’re not depressed. You’re just not a natural mother.’ At that moment in time, that was someone trying to cause harm.”

And it’s a lesson to us all: if there is someone negative in your life, you need to let them go. Sorry. They’re off the list.

No good. Be gone.

Bryce is a fan of the internet and sees it as a force for good because it means we can help one another. “Thank god for people sharing their experiences because it allows other people to do the same. And then also thank god for people asking others to share their experiences because that gives people permission to share, too.

“It was so crazy for me. I was so excited to be a parent and excited to start my family. I had been a nanny, worked in daycare, was the oldest of four siblings and all my cousins and was so madly in love with Seth and married to him.

“I really had no reason to believe that it would be anything other than this euphoric experience. Yes, I knew I would be tired and that it would be hard and painful, but I did not think that I was going to struggle with mental health to the degree that I did. Never ever. I believed in being able to get yourself into a state where you could overcome that, but at that time I was not able to and it was such a struggle. The only reason I got out of it was from getting educated, getting more information and people reaching out.

“So, even now, when Beatrice was born (in 2012), an even bigger shift had happened and it’s a good time for human beings. We are able to connect and find these truths and rise above and break through any bullsh*t and false or negative things that are stopping us from being able to heal.”

I NEVER THOUGHT I’D STRUGGLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH

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COVER BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD

IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR

You might think Bryce Dallas Howard is a Hollywood star purely because of her family name: there’s Oscar-winning dad Ron, actor uncle Clint (a cult hero for film fans), grandfather Rance Howard (a brilliant character actor who passed away in 2017), and grandmother Jean Speegle Howard, who enjoyed a wonderful career renaissance in her 60s and 70s. Yet it was Jean who warned Bryce about the perils of the profession. After all, as any actor will tell you, the odds of making it are not good.

“My grandparents were very frugal; they grew up in Oklahoma during the depression and its aftermath, so they really were very careful with money.” During one family holiday, grandma said to a young Bryce “You know, the average working actor – which means they’re consistently working – is successful in one in every 64 auditions.” Rather than scare her, this inspired Bryce. Knockback after knockback came but, thanks to having that ‘one in 64’ figure at the forefront of her mind, she carried on unbowed. “When I started auditioning I was mentally keeping track and didn’t get discouraged. It took a lot of auditions, but I had context and perspective.

“There are so many privileges inherent with the way I grew up, but I would say one of the biggest was knowledge; the fact I actually knew what it looked like to work. I had this idea failure, rejection and all that stuff was not such a scary thing; it’s just the process. Every day it’s your job just to turn up and audition. My grandfather used to say ‘a day when you audition is a day you get to act’. That mindset really enabled me to stay positive, optimistic, focused and see things from a sensible perspective.”

Another positive role model is dad, Ron, a man more American than apple pie. He enjoyed child stardom through The Andy Griffith Show and super-stardom via the iconic Happy Days in the 1970s before he found his groove as a director: A Beautiful Mind, Cinderella Man and Apollo 13 are masterpieces. And it’s Ron who part-inspired a feature documentary, Dads, that Bryce is directing, championing good men.

“My dad is a decent human being. This sums him up: my grandfather was such a great dad and my dad revealed to me one of his greatest fears was he would never be as good a father as his own dad. Most people fear ‘what if I’m a terrible father, like my dad?’ For my dad to have truly been worried, and the fact he’s been insecurely striving for that, means he has been an outstanding father.

“I have been fortunate to be surrounded by many men who have treated me with respect and have loved me unconditionally, lifted me up and encouraged me. That’s one of the reasons why I’ve loved making this documentary, because I love good men. A lot of the guys who were considered nerdy, or dorky or shy, those are actually our heroes and the men we need to model ourselves after.”

And from one enduring male icon to another: Elton John. In new film Rocketman, Bryce plays Elton’s mum. “When I got to the UK, I went up to the border control people and they asked why I was here. I said it was for a job. They asked what kind of work I do. I say I’m an actor. They ask which movie. I say Rocketman. They ask what it’s about. I say Elton John. They ask, ‘Who are you playing?’

I’m playing his mother. Every single time, their faces would light up and they’d be like ‘Come on inside! Welcome to the UK!’ He’s a national treasure and so loved. It’s a privilege to be a part of telling his story in any way.”

Bryce also has praise for the star, Taron Egerton.

“Taron was so close to him; you could see there was a real sense of responsibility and a lot of integrity.

When Taron was on set, he was Elton John. It was this exciting process where we were given the blessing of an icon and it was our job to sustain the energy and build on it. Taron was just brilliant.”

Before we go, Balance vaguely remembers something from an old episode of David Letterman’s talk show, and Bryce confirms it to be true: “My middle name is Dallas because that’s where I was conceived. But I didn’t know that! Then, when I was in first grade, my dad went on David Letterman. I came into school the next day and some kid was like, ‘Your middle name is Dallas. I know why that’s your middle name: because your mommy and daddy had sex in Dallas.’ Oh my god! It was like a horror film!”

It’s oddly reassuring that any dad can embarrass their kids. Even if your dad is Ron Howard. B

THE BIGGEST PRIVILEGE I GREW UP WITH WAS KNOWLEDGE

Rocketman is in cinemas from 22 May. Read our preview on page 77

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BALANCE PROMOTION

GREEN SHAVEN Get stunning summer skin thanks to Acala and its beautiful bamboo razor

here’s every chance you’re already doing your bit to aid the war on plastic. Eco-friendly coffee cup? Check. Reusable water bottle?

Check. Metal straws? Check. Now, there’s another item you can check off: a bamboo razor. And with online store Acala, this is a beautiful bamboo razor to celebrate your stunning summer skin.

OK, at £17.99 it’s more expensive than its plastic counterpart, but thanks to being reusable you’ll always be in credit versus a disposable version. What’s more, the stylish double edge razor is a zero-waste product, made from sustainably sourced bamboo. With a simple swish, you’re contributing to the zero-waste movement, making a cleaner environment for everyone.

And, as the team at Acala say: “Give a girl a plastic razor and she’s smooth for a

T

month. Give a girl a stainless-steel safety razor, and she’s smooth fo’ life! That’s our motto anyway.”

For anyone in need of help when it comes to shaving with a safety razor, getting both the angle and pressure right is crucial. About 30° is perfect, and you don’t need much pressure at all thanks to the design. And while it’s tempting to just use hot water when in the bath, you should always use a cream or foam to protect your skin. Once you’re finished, a soothing post-shave moisturiser is a must.

To the uninitiated, Acala boasts an extensive range of natural, organic and vegan health and beauty products.

All are responsibly packaged, plastic-free and zero-waste. So once you’ve ordered your beautiful razor, be sure to peruse what else Acala has to offer, and allow yourself to feel a little bit better about helping out Mother Earth.

For more information, visit acalaonline.com

P S YC H

B A L A N C E . M E D I A

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M E N TA L W E L L B E I N G TA K E S A S E AT O N O U R C O U C H

OLOGY LO V I N G T H E L I T T L E T H I N G S

Bernadette Russell’s simple steps to remind yourself how wonderful our world is

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y friend Kally told me recently she felt as though she had forgotten how to enjoy herself. This got me thinking, and I realised that from time to time, this is something we all experience.

The good news is we don’t need to take hugely drastic action to change this around. Joy and fun can easily be found in little, every day things and we should be kind to ourselves by taking time to allow ourselves to notice them.

I make sure to spend quality time outside each day, even if it’s just for 15 minutes, to notice the every day beauty of the natural world, even here, in the heart of a city. You can (and should) allow yourself a moment to enjoy just sitting and being amongst it all in your nearest patch of green.

For a quick lunch break mindfulness-inspired exercise, try this: get out somewhere beautiful.

DOGS

CLOUDS

ROSES

WINS BONUS SKY

FOOD BIRDS

Your task once you’ve taken it all in is then to vividly describe this place to a friend who hasn’t been there. The purpose of your report would be to inspire them and make them want to go there and experience it for themselves. Given the opportunity, what would you say? Painting a lifelike words picture will help you notice the beauty and wonder of your surroundings.

Yesterday I took Kally to the park and we watched dogs playing, clouds scudding and birds flying. We talked about the colours of the roses. It was an hour very well spent.

So why not grab a friend in need of a break, get out there and see the wonder which surrounds you at first hand? Our world is amazing, so let yourself enjoy the best lunchtime of your week.

The Little Book of Wonder (£7.99, Orion Spring) is out now

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WO R D S L I B BY W I L L I A M S

RY REDESIGNING YO U

Making change is easier said than done, but if you tackle it head-on, the possibilities are endless. so, what’s holding you back?

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elf improvement; personal growth; lifestyle overhaul; new week, new me… Whatever you call it, we’ve all had a time in our lives where we’ve asked, “is that it?” Some of us don’t know what we want in life, and that’s totally fine. But for those of us that do, despite knowing what we need to do to make a change in our lives, and even how we might implement these changes, there seems to be something holding us back.

In a nod to Mental Health Awareness Week (13-19 May), hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, Balance takes a

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look at the factors stopping us from achieving what we truly desire and, ultimately, from reaching a place of total happiness and contentment.

Q. How can I overcome my fears?

A. Turn them into a weapon Change is often scary. Terrifying, even. It’s in our nature to fear change, but fear is not always a negative emotion. As Stacey Millichamp, accredited psychotherapist, explains, “Fear is a natural part of life. It is not always a signal that something is wrong; it is also a sign that courage is needed to challenge ourselves by stepping into the unknown.” Fear is an emotion that you can overcome and even use to your advantage, to help refresh and boost your self-esteem, encouraging you to overcome future barriers.”

Whether you’re in a relationship you feel isn’t quite right, or are thinking of making a career change, the thought of taking the plunge can be overwhelming. The unknown is something we all have to deal with, so how do we force ourselves to overcome the deep fear of failure that comes with decisions such as these when our happiness and life fulfilment truly depend on them?

PSYCH REDESIGN YOU

Self improvment 31 4

In her bestselling self-help book Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway, American Psychologist Susan Jeffers PhD, suggests “the only way to get rid of the fear of doing something is to go out and do it.” This may seem like a difficult piece of advice to heed, but it’s just like training a muscle at the gym; the more often you exercise your courage by facing your fears, the easier it becomes, allowing you to affect positive change. Jeffers goes on to advise “every time you encounter something that forces you to ‘handle it’, your self-esteem is raised. You learn to trust you will survive, no matter what happens. In this way, your fears are diminished immeasurably.”

More often than not, our fear of failure stems from a place of low self-esteem and self-doubt. According to Millichamp, one way to overcome your fears is to befriend them.

“Learning to soothe your fear, whilst also taking ourselves by the hand and breaking new ground, is essential if we are to live a fulfilling life.” By removing the power from your fears, you are able to conquer them one at a time, making steady change to your life.

Harnessing the power of fear and moulding it into something positive to continuously encourage growth and improvement, you begin to recognise fear as a tool that can be used to push you through negative thoughts.

Some of us have moved past the point of being able to take control of our fear, and have fallen victim to our own mental barriers that can also cause us to grind to a complete halt and even regress. So what happens next?

Q. How do I stop self-sabotage?

A. Swallow the frog Low self-esteem, self-doubt and fear of failure can easily spiral, leading us down a winding road of procrastination that ultimately terminates in a nasty and sometimes unrecognisable place. Self-sabotage is a behavioural trait developed over time, where we unconsciously avoid making challenging decisions and actioning change, even though we are aware of the long-term benefits.

Dr Elena Touroni, consultant psychologist, believes you can “recognise self-sabotage by noticing a gap between conscious intentions and their behaviour.” In order to combat this, you must first look at making positive changes to your behaviour.

Procrastination can be stopped in its tracks by tackling the task head on. By taking that initial step, you allow positive decision making to become a habit, enabling you to carry on in a positive direction.

“How to eat a frog?”, Carol Ann Rice, a leading UK Life Coach, asks. “Quickly and with one swallow. Don’t drag out painful tasks. Work in bursts doing the tough stuff quickly and efficiently.” The reason we put things off is because they present us with a

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PSYCH REDESIGN YOU

psychological challenge and barrier we must overcome. Tackling the largest, most intimidating area of a problem is the quickest way to give yourself a huge feeling of accomplishment, boosting confidence and giving you a kick start into doing what needs to be done to accomplish what you desire.

Q. How can I ensure continuous positive change?

A. Chip away at the old routine We know we don’t like change, and this is why we form habits. However, it’s our bad habits that hold us back and allow us to create excuses for not making progress. Old habits are hard to break, and good habits are even harder to form. Dr Touroni suggests to conquer this, visualise what is important so it becomes easier to break bad habits that hold us back. “Once we do this, we need to work in a focused and disciplined way towards achieving the new habit or behaviour, reminding ourselves of why we are working towards this when there are bumps along the way.”

Once you chip away at restrictive habits, continue to form positive ones that will drive you towards your end goal. “It takes 90 days to create a new neural pathway in the brain, so it is about doing something small and different and being patient with the progress,” says Rice. Ninety days sounds like a lifetime, but once you have found the power to resist the urge to revert to your old ways you have overridden psychological challenges, refreshing behavioural habits and making the hard work worth it.

One way to ensure you keep on track is to make sure you are held accountable for your actions and progress. You don’t have to announce your grand plans to the world, but talk to someone you trust, tell them your long-term goals and how you intend to achieve them. Check in regularly to mull over what you’ve achieved and get into the habit of doing this regularly, setting yourself landmarks to reach by a specific time.

Making dramatic changes to our lives can be incredibly challenging, but it is possible with the right knowledge and tools. By focussing on what it is you truly want, it can become easier to push yourself through your mental barriers in order to achieve what you desire. Challenging yourself and finding that you can fulfil what you set out to achieve will only boost your confidence, setting you along the right path to find happiness and success. B

TO OVERCOME YOUR FEARS, BE FRIENDS WITH THEM

SCRAWNY LEGS? W O B B LY B E L LY ?

F E E T TO O B I G ?

B O DY I M AG E : A V E R Y M A L E C R I S I S

Are men in crisis over their selfimage? Is it affecting their mental health? Or is it all about balance?

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here was a time not so long ago when grooming was just for horses and spinning was limited to cricket deliveries. A time when the six-pack had yet to be invented and the only numbers that mattered for men were 20 Players, a Party Seven and a packet of three.

Seemingly, men have changed a lot. We generally smoke less, exercise more, drink less, moisturise more.

We know more about wine and fashion and less about WWII and tinkering under the bonnet of a Ford Capri.

More gym will fix it, less, well, you get the idea. So this is progress, this is a good thing, right? Perhaps. For men’s new-found desire to take better care of themselves has come about partly as a result of brands and advertisers realising that what had worked with women for so many years could also work with the opposite sex.

Men were sold a new image of what they could and should be. Similar insecurities were played upon and predictably, men’s self-image has taken a nosedive.

Now Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity, believes approximately 1.25 million people have problems, and around 25 per cent of these are male. Similarly, the number of adult men admitted to hospital with an eating disorder rose by 70 per cent between 2010 and 2016 – the same increase as among women.

“Women have always had this and men have just started to get it,” explains Jacqueline Hurst, a life coach

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with 15 years’ experience and founder of The Life Class. “Women have always had the pressure to be a size zero, 6'2", blonde and about 17. Now men are facing the same pressure to be fashionable and look good.

“Men’s self image has changed over the last 15 years which in one way is a good thing, especially for women,” she continues. “We like to know men are taking care of themselves, but there’s a fine line between taking care of yourself and going to lunch with someone and bringing along a box of chicken and vegetables.”

However, others take a more positive view of the changing patterns in male behaviour.

Matt Roberts has worked in the field of personal training since the 90s and has established himself as arguably the country’s leading practitioner in men’s fitness. He firmly believes men are in a better place than when he began. “I wouldn’t say men’s self image is in crisis,” he argues. “It’s more about guys seeing the need to do something about their health, wellness and wellbeing and taking positive action. To me it’s a good thing.”

Roberts is aware of the mental health issues which are claiming the lives of an increasing number of men (suicide is the No1 cause of death in men under 50) but believes exercise is actually key to promoting better mental health. “Feeling in control of your weight and your shape and the sense of wellbeing that comes from exercise has a positive impact on self-image. Just understanding that we are in control of ourselves has a very positive impact on mental health.”

Hurst believes social media can make things more difficult, and promote a deeply unrealistic view of the world. “Somebody said, ‘Nobody’s life is as interesting as their Instagram feed’ and that’s very true. When do you see people posting pictures of themselves after they’ve had a row with their wife or been shouted at by their boss?”

It’s easy to romanticise the past. Things were never easy for everyone. That said, I believe things are tougher for men now than ever before, but most men are better prepared these days. And, for the most part, there’s better advice out there to help with mental health issues even if expectations about men’s looks might have changed. “It’s very much about getting a good hormonal balance, getting a good testosterone balance, getting cortisol levels under control,” explains Roberts. “That’s the mainstay of how I work. General wellness, physically and mentally.”

For Hurst, the key to good mental health is emotional rather than physical. “My No1 piece of advice is to talk,” she urges. “I see so many boys and men who just don’t talk.

I think women are the stronger sex because we talk about it, because women have girlfriends. Men have no support and talking about it is so important.” B Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 13-19 May. Head to our Instagram page @balanceldn and to balance.media for honest advice and daily inspiration

SOURCES BEATEATINGDISORDERS.ORG, THE GUARDIAN

PSYCH SELF IMAGE

Need another leg

day

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BALANCE PROMOTION

PERIOD DRAMA Wear White Again, by Hologic, aims to end the suffering of a heavy period

Visit wearwhiteagain.co.uk or search @WearWhiteAgain on social media

72% of women say heavy periods affect their sex life

62%

of sufferers did not realise heavy periods are actually a medical condition

43% missed work as a result of heavy periods

58% feel they can’t carry out their usual daily routine

74% have experienced anxiety issues related to the condition…

69%

of sufferers have depression, and…

49% have had issues with anaemia

SOURCES ig.ft.com/gender-pay-gap-UK, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists National Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Audit 2011, NHS Choices: Heavy Periods, 2016 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK321928, Data on file: MISC-05659-GBR-EN Rev 001 , Data on file: MISC-05658-GBR-EN Rev 001 ADS-02629-GBR-EN Rev 001

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GP. You can find loads of useful tips and information on their website.”

Because it’s rarely talked about, not enough of us know the knock-on effects of heavy periods. Physical consequences include fatigue and anaemia caused by iron deficiency, reduced immunity and severe pain. The psychological impact can mean depression, moodiness, anxiety and lack of confidence. On top of that, sufferers call in sick, avoid going out, and miss the gym, and experience constant fear of leaking and the subsequent embarrassment.

Now, thanks to Wear White Again, a Hologic campaign, you have the knowledge and power to change some of the stats to the right…

H E AV Y G O I N G

omen tolerate a lot. A heck of a lot. Everyday sexism, lower pay (nine in 10 workplaces pay men more, according to one UK study), mansplaining, manspreading and so much more.

One of the most heart-breaking things too many women simply put up with are heavy periods. Part of the reason is that the topic remains taboo (this is 2019, people!) with a third of us finding it an uncomfortable topic of conversation (that explains why 35 per cent of men and 20 per cent of women don’t know where in the body period blood comes from).

Yet more than one-in-five women experience unusually heavy periods.

That can mean an excessive loss of blood, prolonged and irregular periods and bleeding between periods, all of which can obviously have a dramatic impact on quality of life. And, sadly, many women think this is simply part and parcel of being a woman and are not aware that the condition is treatable.

Dr Dawn Harper, from TV’s Embarrassing Bodies, says, “Despite affecting more than one-in-five women in the UK, many living with heavy periods feel uncomfortable speaking to their GP about them.

They believe there is nothing they can do except have a hysterectomy [an invasive procedure which involves removing the womb], so they just ‘get on with it’, suffering in silence. However, this is not the case: there is plenty that, as doctors, we can do for heavy periods.’

“Wear White Again is a fantastic campaign helping women overcome these fears and break down the barriers helping them talk to their

FITNESS & WELLBEING FOR INSIDE AND OUT

B O DY & SOUL

M AY

B A L A N C E . M E D I A

calm

2 0 1 9

KARMA COMMUTE Getting to work can cause tensions to rise. Make this breathing technique as indispensable as your Oyster card

STEP 1 Usually performed lying down, Dirga Pranayama can be effectively performed in a standing or seated position. Begin by observing your natural breath. Expel distracting thoughts and inhale deeply through your nose, filling your belly. Exhale and draw your navel towards your spine.

Empty the belly and repeat five times

STEP 2 On the next in breath, fill your belly with air, take in a little more breath and let the air expand into the rib cage, stretching the chest. Exhale, letting the air out of the rib cage and then the belly, again pulling in your navel.

Repeat this technique five times. Even in the most crowded carriage, you will still be able to perform this successfully

STEP 3 On the next inhale, fill the belly and rib cage with air, then suck in a little more air, filling the upper chest causing it to expand and rise. Exhale, first releasing the breath from the upper chest, then the rib cage, and finally from the belly, pulling the navel towards the spine. Continue with these inhalations and exhalations for 10 breaths and commute to calm…

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YOU R 40

WORDS REBECCA GILLAM

UP

GA ME The matchas and spirulinas of this world have wondrous benefits, but some people find they’re not to their taste. However, these naturally winning combos of fuel, taste and performance can aid everything from increasing energy to boosting brain power

BANANAS

An all-round winner that’s both convenient and a satiating energy boost thanks to the potassium, vitamin B6 and fast-digesting carbs

TROUT

The high levels of omega-3 in fatty fish tackles inflammation that can be a major cause of tiredness, while B12 produces red blood cells which can boost

ENERGY

iron function

BROWN RICE

BODY & SOUL PERFORMANCE FOODS

ONE ON ONE Other good sources of monounsaturated fats are brazil nuts, cashews and almonds

AVOCADO

The combo of monosaturated fats (which provide more energy than saturated fats), and fibre keeps blood sugar levels steady and leaves you feeling full for longer

SPIN CLASS Spinach is thought to have been introduced to Europe in the 12th century

SPINACH

Leafy green veg like spinach, kale and cabbage are packed with antioxidants, which can ward off brain disease and keep you functioning healthily

Regulates blood sugar (thus avoiding exhausting energy spikes), it also contains manganese which generates energy by breaking down carbs and proteins

SALMON

HIT THE WAL Walnuts can increase good bacteria strains in the gut

Packed with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 humans cannot manufacture, which makes up over twothirds of the brain’s fatty acids

WALNUTS

Though the exact reason is unclear, walnuts are proven to improve mood, possibly down to the Alpha Linolenic Acid, vitamin E and polyphenols

ORANGES

Orange scents boost feelings of positivity. Now they have also been proven to improve moods when consumed too, which will ap-peel to many

HAPPINESS SPINACH

DARK CHOCOLATE

As well as being delicious and better for you than varieties with a higher milk content, dark chocolate has a vast amount of antioxidants

The deep green leaves contains folate, which plays a big part in the production of dopamine, the feelgood brain chemical, something to bear in mind

GREEN MATCH-INE Matcha is made from green tea leaves grown in the shade

GREEN TEA

L-theanine, an amino acid present in green tea, is believed to improve our responses to feelings of anxiety, and even reduce levels of cortisol in the body

SOURCES scienceline.org, htelegraph.co.uk, bustle.com, healthline.com food.ndtv. com, meritagemed.com, alifeofproductivity.com, rd.com, goodhousekeeping.com, sleepfoundation.org, eggnutritioncenter.orgsummer, delish.com, today.com

BLUEBERRIES

This fruit doesn’t only improve short-term memory, but also balance and coordination due to antioxidants that affect areas central to intelligence

BRAIN BROCCOLI

This wonderful cruciferous veg is a good source of vitamin K (proven to strengthen cognitive functions), and memory-enhancing choline

SWEET POTATO

All root veg have mentally and physically grounding properties, but sweet potatoes steer us away from sugary foods which can make us unbalanced

SLEEP YOGHURT

SWEET RELIEF Sweet potatoes are rich in choline, a nutrient which helps us to sleep

EGGS

Nutritionally strong, with perfect amounts of tryptophan (an amino acid which helps create happy chemical serotonin), as well as vitamins, omega-3s, protein and fat

Thanks to the probiotic bacteria, yoghurt helps to improve vital communication between the gut and the brain by working on digestive health

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HOW TO KEEP HOUSEPLANTS

WORDS REBECCA GILLAM

HOME GROWN

THERAPY

They’re flowering all over Instagram, but the reality is rather different. Balance talks tips and tricks for tending to your botanical babies, which positively bloom with a host of health and wellness benefits 4

28-29 House Plants V3.indd 42

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BODY & SOUL FLOWER POWER

t began with the cacti and succulent boom of 2016/17, alongside other Insta-centric trends like millennial pink and rose gold, but it’s branched out into everything from palms and ferns to climbers and hangers. The insatiable appetite for greenery doesn’t seem to be waning, with Google searches for ‘indoor plants’ up over 75 per cent in the last five years.

There are a few explanations for ‘plant lady’ replacing the passé ‘cat lady’, from minimal access to gardens and the millennial penchant for mindful hobbies, to Insta-botanists like Ro Co and Noughticulture. “We’re engaging with house plants in a different way, as they ease a number of current issues”, says Alice Vincent, author of How to Grow Stuff and founder of Noughticulture, “from portability suiting ‘generation rent’ to the nature fix that helps counteract digital technology engagement.”

A 2016 National Garden survey observed of six million people who had taken up gardening that year, five million fitted neatly into the 1984-1996 birthday bracket, and the benefits are wide-ranging. In workspaces, they’ve been proven to reduce sick days, potentially due to producing immunity-boosting phytonides, increase productivity and minimise noise.

They also purify the air, replacing breathedout CO2 with oxygen, while removing harmful chemicals and damp. Within homes, they lower blood pressure and improve mood, even helping combat Seasonal Affective Disorder, so let Balance help your inner garden flourish.

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PLANT T R E AT M E N T

STRING OF HEARTS

Benefits It’s a beautiful trailing vine, making it perfect for decorating shelves or window sills What to do To avoid rotting, make sure the soil is dry between watering, especially in winter when it goes dormant. Keep it in a pot with good drainage, with one part sand to two parts soil

CACTI

Benefits Cacti are notoriously hardy, so perfect for first-time plant parents What to do The main thing to remember is don’t overwater them, as they’re far more likely to be killed by over than underwatering.

Bear in mind they’re originally hot region and desert plants

DEVIL’S IVY

CAST IRON PLANT

PEACE LILY

ENGLISH IVY

ALOE VERA

PRAYER PLANT

SUCCULENTS

UMBRELLA TREE

PLANT DESGINS

Benefits “One of our favourites for its speedy growing and extreme survival skills”, says Caro Langton, co-founder and creative director of Ro Co What to do “Water generously, but only when the soil feels completely dry. Prune tips of long and spindly stems to encourage side shoots”

Benefits “Ivy is grown surprisingly successfully indoors and can be trained to either trail or climb, depending on your preferences,” Langton says What to do “It requires bright, filtered light. Line its drainage tray with a handful of small stones to ensure it doesn’t sit in water”

Benefits The perfect choice for purifying the air, with minimal maintenance required What to do Most commonly succulents die from overwatering so, to avoid them sitting in a pool of water, choose a pot with drainage holes or add a layer of stones to the bottom

Benefits “This plant is renowned for tolerating environments with minimal natural light,” explains Langton What to do “We recommend giving it indirect light for optimum vitality. Water the plant generously, but always let the soil dry out completely before watering again”

Benefits “Really tolerant and if you get sunburn, snap off a leaf and squeeze the soothing gel inside onto your skin,” Vincent says What to do “Water when the leaves start to shrivel; a healthy aloe vera will have the fleshiness of a ripe grape. Good in bright spots, the leaves may turn brown with too much sunlight”

Benefits They are reasonably sturdy and can grow big pretty fast, so ideal if you want something dramatic What to do Be aware that they’ll need repotting fairly often, preferably into something with a drainage saucer, and watering a few times a month, when the top soil becomes dry

Benefits “The peace lily is known to cleanse indoor air of harmful toxins’, Langton says What to do “It prefers a bit of shade, so choose a spot near a north or west-facing window and keep its soil damp. Don’t worry if it dries and droops as a little water will soon perk it up, but cold draughts could kill it”

Benefits Ideal for those who suffer from dry skin conditions, it’s an effective air purifier, improving humidity and ridding spaces of harmful toxins What to do “They like bright, indirect sun, moist soil and plenty of humidity.

Suckers for a brown crispy leaf if they don’t get enough moisture” says Vincent

Put simply, we cannot live without plants. And to this end, Plant Desgins are here to make London’s workplaces green. Biophilia experts, they specialise in office plants, living walls, fresh flowers and exterior landscaping and bring nature to your workspace.

To find out more, visit plantdesigns.co.uk

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FOR THE FACTS, VISIT DRINKAWARE.CO.UK

THE NEW RULES OF SOCIAL C OO L Whether it’s a Smirnoff Infusions or Smirnoff Soda Fruit Smash, drinking with friends will never be the same

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ocialising has changed. Late-night gym sessions followed by a refreshing drink are favoured over clubbing, get-togethers and dinner parties trump raucous house parties and even students are more diligent than ever, opting for studies over hedonism.

That’s because the rules of cool have changed. Culturally, it feels like we are in the middle of a happy revolution, where kindness has replaced ego and judgment, mindfulness has won over mindlessness, inclusivity and tribes have replaced cliques and experiences have eclipsed materialism. And we’ve never felt more fresh because of it.

Gone are the days when social occasions centred around drink, with get togethers now involving friendship and mutual mindful moments that you’ll treasure forever. It’s something Smirnoff feel passionately about, and the reason it has created new spirit drink Smirnoff Infusions (perfect for get together moments) and the Soda Fruit Smash serve (ideal when you’re out and about with friends) for their famous vodka.

Get Together moments mean having friends round for a chat and a catch-up. That could be something as casual as watching post-work TV or something ever so slightly more formal in the guise of a dinner party.

And, as the sun pops out for the next few weeks, make the most of it with a Great British BBQ. Smirnoff Infusions, meanwhile, make for the perfect complement to any such moment. As host, you’d be expected to put together the simple serve yourself. And it couldn’t be easier: simply add 150ml of soda water to 50ml of Smirnoff Infusions, top with ice and garnish with raspberries or citrus fruit slices.

Out & About is exactly that; it’s going to that new rooftop bar to enjoy friendship-defining chats, rather than competing with conversationending drum & bass in a place you never really liked in the first place. Or visiting that new local festival with pals for a solid catch-up, rather than hitting the clubs until the sun comes up. Or it could be simply finding a watering hole on the South Bank to soak up the Thames while reminiscing with those closest to you. The Smirnoff Soda Fruit Smash is ideal for these moments, with a barperson recommended to make the magic happen.

Whatever you choose, please know this: the rules of social cool have changed, and you are the change-makers who made it happen. We raise a glass to you.

For more information, visit smirnoff.com F @smirnoffGB T @SmirnoffEurope

BALANCE PROMOTION

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*GENIUS TRIPLE SEEDED BREAD HAS 2X THE FIBRE OF THE TOP 5 BRANDED GLUTEN CONTAINING BREADS. BASED ON IRI UNIT SALES 52 W/E TO 6TH MARCH 2019.

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W H E T H E R YO U L I V E T O E AT O R E AT T O L I V E � W E ' V E GOT THE PERFECT RECIPE

M I N D F U L E AT I N G

Before your next meal, make your mind your dining companion ased on the Buddhist practice of mindfulness, mindful eating is a technique that works to help you enjoy your food while taking the time to appreciate it. Our hectic lifestyles mean that if we do eat lunch at all, it’s usually at our desk, during a meeting, or on the move.

Simply setting aside some dedicated time to eat three times a day has been found to improve mood, digestion and even help to reduce anxiety levels.

Opposite you will find six simple actions that will help you to slow down and enjoy your food more. Use one, use them all, but trust us: you won’t regret it.

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1 ENGAGE YOUR SENSES

Before tucking in, note the different scents and colours on your plate. Take a bite and consider the texture, taste and temperature of the food

3 LISTEN FOR YOUR CUE

Try to eat when you start to feel hungry rather than when you’re ravenous, then stop eating when you are full as this will allow for normal digestion

2 TAKE YOUR TIME

Chew your food thoroughly.

Chewing each mouthful 20-40 times allows the gut to extract the greatest amount of nutrients possible

4 APPRECIATE IT

5 DROP THE CUTLERY

Put down your knife and fork between bites to force yourself to eat more slowly, allowing you to enjoy the meal, chew more and savour every bite

Once you sit down to eat, take a minute to appreciate the food in front of you, acknowledging how it will fuel your body until your next meal

6 FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Take a moment to look at your plate and consider how the food makes you feel. Ask if it’s healthy and nutritious, or bland and unexciting

47

AMOOSEBOUCHE Bosh! How the Cowspiracy documentary helped turn two pals into best-selling, vegan superstars

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n an age of extraordinary societal division, what’s the one thing we can all agree on? Documentaries! Yay! We flipping love ’em. But imagine if watching a single documentary changed your entire outlook and, in turn, life.

That’s what happened to the BOSH! boys, Henry Firth and Ian Theasby, two pals from Sheffield, now in their mid-30s.

The ex-schoolmates went to see Cowspiracy, the critically acclaimed 2014 film from directors Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn, and the seed was planted. If you haven’t seen (it’s on Netflix, guys!), Cowspiracy lifts the lid on the damaging nature of animal agriculture and the impact it has on the planet. Henry explains: “We watched Cowspiracy together on the big screen and I was aghast. As someone who really cares about climate change, I was shocked to know what I ate had such a damaging impact on the planet and decided to join Ian and go vegan overnight.

It felt amazing!”

He adds: “Depending on how you count it, at least a third of all greenhouse gas emissions is down to our food. And the majority of the carbon coming out of the agriculture business is coming from animal agriculture; a third of that stuff that’s causing climate change is coming from what we eat and a lot of that is down to meat.”

Ian says: “I can’t think of another film that’s sparked so much of what has become a cultural shift.

There’s a swing towards a different way of thinking.”

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V EG -ANT AN D D EC ?

Henry Firth (left) and Ian Theasby have been likened to the Geordie presenters, but they made their name with viral videos promoted on social media

So the two pals had an idea: to start making plant-based food videos. And so, just three years ago, online recipe channel BOSH! was born. The boys have since amassed well over a billion views, penned BOSH!, the mostsuccessful vegan cookbook of all time, and have now followed it up with BISH BASH BOSH, a vegan spin on Britain’s most-popular dishes. The world is literally their oyster (mushroom).

Unlike some influencers, this wasn’t about the fame; in fact, Ian and Henry didn’t even appear

in the initial videos. The plants, rather than the boys, were the star. It made for a truly refreshing approach to the influencer-heavy foodie world.

“It has been an incredible ride,” enthuses Ian. He adds: “It might all sound like, ‘Oh, these guys are in it for themselves.’ It isn’t about that. It’s about the movement.”

Henry adds: “What a privilege.

We get to wake up, go downstairs, decide what we want to cook, cook it on camera and share it with the world. And that’s our way to improve the world.”

So next time you hunker down to watch a documentary, keep an open mind. Because – Bosh! – you never know where it might take you.

Bish Bash Bosh! is out now in hardback (HarperCollins, £20)

FOOD VEGAN VICTUALS

BANGIN’ BURGERS SERVES 2 Burger 2 plant-based burger patties 2 slices dairy-free cheese 2 pickled gherkins 1 baby gem lettuce 2 good-quality burger buns Balsamic onions 1 large red onion 1 tbsp olive oil 2 tsp soft brown sugar 2 tsp balsamic vinegar Sauce 50g egg-free mayonnaise 1 tbsp gherkin brine (from the jar) ½ tsp maple syrup ¼ tsp vinegar ¼ tsp white pepper ½ tsp Dijon mustard ¼ tsp onion powder ¼ tsp garlic powder ¼ tsp smoked paprika Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line a baking tray and put a frying pan on a low heat.

First make the Balsamic Onions 1 Peel and thinly slice the red onion 2 Add the olive oil to the frying pan on a low heat. Add the onion and fry for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned 3 Add the sugar and balsamic vinegar and stir for three-four minutes, until the sugar

has dissolved and the onions have darkened. Take the pan off the heat Now put the burger patties on the lined baking tray 1 Put the tray in the oven and cook following the instructions 2 Five minutes before they’re ready, lay a slice of dairy-free cheese on top of each patty and place an upturned roasting tin over the patties to stop the cheese drying out 3 Bake for the remaining five minutes Meanwhile, make the BOSH! Burger Sauce 1 Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix together with a fork 2 Slice the gherkins and shred the lettuce Assemble your burgers!

1 Slice the buns in half and spread the bottoms with the BOSH! Burger Sauce.

Take the burgers and cheese out of the oven and place one on each burger bun 2 Top the cheese with the shredded lettuce and sliced gherkins and then pile on the balsamic onions.

Close the lids of the burgers and serve

SUPERIOR SUSHI CUPCAKES

T H E TA S T I E S T TO M K H A

MAKES 12

SERVES 4

Sushi 400g sushi rice 30ml rice vinegar 25g caster sugar ½ tsp salt 12 nori sheets 6 tsp hoisin sauce Topping 1 red pepper, 1 carrot ¼ cucumber, 1 small avocado, 10 fresh chives, 5 radishes Sauce Sriracha Egg-free mayonnaise Greased baking tray with vegetable oil 14cm saucer, 12-hole muffin tin 1 Cook the sushi rice following the instructions on the packet. Put the saucepan on a medium heat 2 Pour in the rice vinegar, sugar and salt and heat until the sugar has dissolved. Let cool then pour over the cooked rice, gently stirring until all the liquid is absorbed 3 Spread the rice over the greased baking tray and let it cool. It should be dry but sticky. Stack the nori sheets and lay the saucer on top 4 Cut around it to make nori circles.

Find the centre of the nori stack and cut a neat, straight slit from the centre to the outer edges

5 Take one circle and fashion a cone that is roughly 8cm wide at the base. Wet your finger and brush along the slit to stick it in place 6 Put the cone in a hole in a muffin tin.

Repeat to fill all the muffin holes. Wet your hands and roll some rice into the size of a golf ball 7 Poke a hole in the centre and pour in ½ teaspoon hoisin sauce. Pack more rice over the hole to seal in the sauce 8 Smooth the outside and place in one of the nori muffin cases. Repeat to fill all the cases 9 Halve the pepper, remove the stems and seeds and slice.

Peel the carrot and cut into matchsticks.

Cut the cucumber the same way, halve and stone the avocado, then finely slice. Chop the chives, trim and slice the radishes 10 Make a dipping sauce by stirring sriracha into eggfree mayo to taste 11 Finely chop the pickled ginger, decorate your sushi cupcakes with the prepared vegetables and sprinkle them with black sesame seeds 12 Serve with soy sauce, wasabi, pickled ginger and dipping sauce

Ingredients 5cm piece of fresh ginger 2 lemongrass stalks 4 echalion shallots 500g mixed exotic mushrooms 1 red pepper 350g cherry tomatoes 5 bird’s-eye chillies 100g green beans 2 x 400ml tins full-fat coconut milk 7 kaffir lime leaves 200ml water 3 tbsp soy sauce 1 tsp coconut sugar 20g fresh coriander 2 spring onions 2 limes 1 Prep your veg and aromatics. Peel the ginger, then thinly slice. Peel the hard outer bark of the lemongrass, roughly chop the tender stalk into three pieces and bash with the heel of a knife.

Peel and thinly slice the shallots. If they’re big, roughly chop the mushrooms into bite-sized pieces 2 Halve the pepper, remove the stems and seeds and cut the flesh into 2.5cm chunks. Halve the cherry tomatoes, rip the stems from the chillies or, if you prefer a spicy soup, keep the stems and spilt the chilli down the middle to expose the seeds. Cut the ends off

the green beans and cut in half 3 Put the saucepan over a medium heat and pour in half the coconut milk. Bring to a simmer, add the ginger, lemongrass, shallots and lime leaves and stir gently for 3-4 minutes 4 Pour in the remaining coconut milk and water and simmer for one minute. Add the mushrooms and chillies and stir for three-four minutes Add the green beans to the pan and stir for one minute 5 Add the red pepper, cherry tomatoes, soy sauce and coconut sugar and stir gently.

Reduce the heat and simmer for seven-eight minutes.

Take the pan off the heat. To finish the soup, rip the leaves from the coriander and chop roughly.

6 Halve and shred the spring onions.

Cut the limes in half and squeeze the juice into the soup.

Stir in two-thirds of the chopped coriander leaves, reserving the rest and simmer for one minute 7 Taste and add more soy for saltiness or lime juice for sourness. Serve, garnished with the remainder of the coriander leaves and spring onions

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COMFORT

E AT I N G

Prep time 30 minutes, cook time approx one hour. Serves 4 Whole sea bass gains plenty of flavour from being cooked on the bone, but you can also use fillets which may be easier to cook with first time around For the lemon dressing • 120ml lemon juice • 1 tbsp honey • 3 whole lemons quartered • 3 tbsp olive oil • ½ lemon, zested • 1 spring onion, thinly sliced • A bunch of coriander, chopped • Pinch of chilli powder • Salt and pepper

With Coeliac Awareness Week upon us, this new cookbook tackles a host of digestive issues in the tastiest way possible

coeliacfriendly

PA N S E A R E D S E A B A S S W I T H AV O C A D O A N D CITRUS DRESSING For the avocado purée • 2 ripe avocados • ½ lemon, juiced • 2 drops of Tabasco • 2 tbsp olive oil • Few sprigs of coriander For the sea bass and courgette • 1.8kg whole sea bass • 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 courgette, halved • 2 tbsp water • 1 avocado To make the lemon dressing 1 In a saucepan add the lemon juice, honey and quartered lemons (do not remove the pips).

FOOD READER’S DIGEST

Leave to simmer on a low heat for approximately 40 minutes. Once the juice has reduced by half, pass through a sieve. Whisk the olive oil and lemon paste, then incorporate the lemon zest, sliced spring onion, chopped coriander, and chilli powder. Season to taste To make the avocado purée 1 Peel and stone, then place the avocados in a blender with the lemon juice, Tabasco, olive oil, coriander and a pinch of salt.

Blend until the purée is smooth (add a little water if the avocados are not ripe enough) To make the sea bass 1 Season the fish, then sear skin side down in a pan on a medium heat with a tablespoon of olive oil. Once the skin is crispy and lightly coloured turn and cook for a further one minute

2 In the same pan, sear the courgette for a couple of minutes until tender and cooked throughout. Peel, stone and segment the avocado. Pan sear each segment carefully in a lightly oiled pan. Once coloured on each side, remove from the pan and then delicately plate all the ingredients

Tasty & Healthy: eating well with lactose intolerance, coeliac disease, Chrohn’s Disease, ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome by Omer Miller & Elinoar Rabin is out now (£18, Meze Publishing mezepublishing.co.uk)

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FOOD READER’S DIGEST

CHICKEN SHAWARMA WITH OLIVES

Prep time 10 minutes, cook time one hour.

Serves 6-8 • 1kg chicken thighs, cubed • Olive oil • 1 green pepper, cubed • 1 onion, sliced • 1 tbsp paprika • 1 tbsp ground cardamom • 1 lemon, halved • 6 cloves of garlic • 250ml chicken stock • 100g green and black pitted olives • 500g rice, cooked 1 Heat the olive oil, pat the cubed chicken dry with a paper towel and season. Sear the cubes on all sides then remove from the pan. Add the pepper and onion, then cover and cook for a few minutes until softened 2 Mix the paprika and cardamom with the strained juice of half the lemon, then add to the pan. Thinly slice the other half of the lemon, and add along with the garlic and stock and stir well. Return the meat with the olives and bring to a boil. Cover and leave to simmer for 45-60 minutes. Serve on a layer of rice

PASTA WITH COURGETTE, BASIL AND TOFU CUBES Prep time five minutes, cook time 15 minutes. Serves 4

• 2 tbsp olive oil • 5 cloves of garlic, crushed • 2 sprigs of rosemary, leaves chopped • 500g gluten-free short pasta • 5-6 courgettes, sliced • A few basil leaves, chopped Salt and pepper • 150g tofu cubes

COURGETTE AND YOGHURT SALAD

1 Heat the oil and fry the garlic and rosemary until golden, then remove from the heat. Cook the pasta or potatoes for about 10 minutes until al dente. Add the courgette and basil to the garlic and rosemary, and season 2 Put the pan back on the heat to soften the courgette, add the cooked pasta (or potatoes if you prefer) to the cooked veg and sprinkle over the tofu cubes

Prep time 10 minutes, cook time 10 minutes. Serves 4

on a tray lined with baking paper, and brush them on both sides with olive oil.

• 8 small courgettes, peeled 2 Bake in the oven for 10 minutes, • Drizzle of olive oil turning halfway through.

• 2 cloves of garlic, crushed Meanwhile, mix together the garlic • 200g thick natural yoghurt and yoghurt, and then season • Salt and black pepper 3 When the courgettes are cooked,

fold them gently into the yoghurt 1 Preheat the oven to 220°c. mixture. Serve at room Slice the courgettes into ½cm temperature. Perfect as a healthy slices, and then pat them dry lunch, or as a side with Middle with paper towels. Place the slices Eastern dishes

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OIL CHANGE CBD oil might be key in helping you drop off for a good night’s sleep WO R D S C A R O L I N E L A M B E R T

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tongue. The flavour is certainly an acquired taste, which is why we’re seeing a boom in CBD-infused products in 2019, from humous to chocolate, to make consuming it a more palatable part of your everyday diet.

With no concrete studies yet published, it’s impossible to say definitively how many milligrams each person should take for their specific concerns. But it’s useful to be aware of strength when purchasing products, so always remember to check the ingredients label to see how much CBD is in a product and ensure you’re not footing the bill for a microscopic amount.

For those who dream of waking up feeling rejuvenated, CBD is a compelling option that’s certainly worth experimenting with to assess whether it works for you.

As we eagerly await results from ongoing clinical studies into its effects on a wide range of health conditions, the next five years promises to be very exciting indeed.

h

eeling refreshed starts the night before, with that all-important (but often mythical) “good night’s sleep”. Tiredness can negatively impact cognitive and physical function and leaves us feeling far from invigorated and ready to tackle new challenges.

But how can we ever attain those elusive eight hours while battling an overflowing inbox, snowballing life admin and that friend we never replied to on WhatsApp after they messaged at 2am? Increasingly, many people are turning to Cannabidiol for help.

Although studies around CBD (a non-psychoactive substance extracted from the cannabis or hemp plant) are in their infancy, many hail it as a blessing when it comes to aiding sleep and include the substance as a potent addition to their naptime arsenal.

The most straightforward way to get your CBD fix is in oil format, available in a variety of different strengths, sublingually by holding droplets of the oil under the

iation wit oc

FOOD CBD OIL

Almighty Raw CBD Chocolate, £3 for 30g

BioBloom Hemp Flower CBD/ CBDA Tea Bags, £10.49 for 20

CannabiGold Premium CBD Oil 1500mg, £109.90 for 12ml

Nooro Lemon + Ginger Raw Oat CBD Bar, £2.95 for 45g

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LONDON CRAFT WEEK Exercise your mindfulness muscle at this year’s fiveday event, running from 8-12 May. With talks and workshops from talented artists and craftspeople, from calligraphy and ceramics to weaving and natural dyeing, there are plenty of options to choose from. Learn a new skill, engage your mind and focus on being present and in the moment londoncraftweek.com

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PATCH & PICNIC Bask in the warm sun throughout the summer with a picnic platter and drinks on the Southbank.

Book into the games area for a session of boules, beach tennis or Swingball, while enjoying a refreshing G&T or glass of bubbly. And if picnics aren’t your thing, you can always sneak off to the BBQ Club pop-up next door for a burger and craft beer. It’s the perfect way to spend a sunny weekend… jimmyspopup.com

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WEEKENDER

Capitalise on your downtime with these must-attend wellness events

W

e all know that London can be a hectic and stressful city in which to reside, and all too often, places to relax are few and far between.

However, with wellness events running in the capital throughout May, we thought we’d give you a helping hand to fill your calendar with a whole host of uplifting events.

From interactive outdoor spaces to craft workshops, your weekends will be more blissful than ever, and it’s as easy as taking your pick of our wellbeing recommendations.

PLEASURE GARDEN Part of the Culture Mile (18 May-25 August), The Salters’ Garden site will feature a sound installation by Aussie musician Genevieve Lacey, combining music and environmental noise to create an interactive listening experience.

Responding to movement, the interactive attraction explores play and creativity, encouraging visitors to embrace their younger side culturemile.london

MIND, BODY, SPIRIT WELLBEING FESTIVAL Offering a variety of wellness workshops between 24-27 May, covering topics such as healing, happiness, stress and confidence, this is the perfect place to find your Zen in the heart of London. There will be yoga sessions each day in the Yogaspace, run by leading teachers including Kirsty Gallagher and Niko Geo, allowing visitors to find their balance, reduce stress levels and restore their sense of self mindbodyspirit.co.uk/ london

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DIGITAL DETOX In a world which is always “on”, it’s becoming ever more difficult to unplug.

But for those who can resist the temptation to scroll, like or poke their way through the day, there are now many opportunities to enjoy a proper screen break. And if there’s one thing we could all benefit from, it’s the chance to properly disconnect

WORDS JAMES GILL

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FOR THOSE SEEKING GUIDANCE… BETTINA CAMPOLUCCI’S BALI RETREAT Don’t we secretly pine for a mentor who’ll essentially tell us what to do and why? Bettina Campolucci is that mentor. Her first book, Happy Food, became a best-seller in both the UK and the US and now, you can join her on one of her Bali retreats.

Fans will not be surprised to know the food

is plant-based, 100 per cent organic and locally sourced. Bettina even visits local farms to pick her own ingredients.

Accommodation is just as dreamy: choose a suite or a villa, each enjoying a private pool.

Want personal development? Bettina runs daily vegan cookery workshops, where she creates delicious signature dishes. And while you are most welcome, your smartphone is not.

From £1,450 per person, bettinaskitchen.com

FOR THE FRAZZLED HIGH-FLYER… ROOMZZZ APARTHOTELS, LONDON & MANCHESTER It’s almost impossible to feel refreshed these days. After all, we’re forever responding to emails, texts or WhatsApp, and it’s something British boutique aparthotel chain Roomzzz has got wise to with it’s JOMO package.

JOMO, you ask? Joy Of Missing Out. Upon checking into one of their London or Manchester Corn Exchange hotels (it’s only a trial for now), you’re encouraged to hand in your smartphone, which is placed in a box so you’re not tempted. If you feel agitated even thinking about being away from your phone for so much as a night,

you might have something approaching a problem.

And there’s more. At Roomzzz, you’ll be given sleep-inducing scents from Neal’s Yard Remedies, cosy socks and an eye mask to take the relaxation up a notch.

The JOMO package also offers gym access, a massage in your room, a yoga mat and a subscription to home workout service Les Mills On Demand, which includes yoga-based BodyBalance, Tai chi and Pilates disciplines. You’ll feel refreshed and never look at your phone again. Probably… roomzzz.com

TRAVEL DIGITAL DETOX

FOR WEEKEND ESCAPISM… HIKERS DIGI DETOX PACKAGE, LODORE FALLS HOTEL & SPA

FOR THE PERSON LOOKING TO GET AWAY FROM IT ALL… CHIVA-SOM, THAILAND Chiva-Som means “haven of life”. Sounds tranquil, right?

What’s less tranquil, yet much-needed, is the “strict” no electronic devices policy, which means no phones or tablets outside the privacy of your own room. This is a level of firmness we can get behind The staff are committed to ensuring you feel relaxed and recharged, and your journey of the self comes from an extensive schedule of activities, including yoga, breathing and ‘Body Awakening’; this is a way of teaching guests to tune into their body and improve alignment, something we all need following too much phone-induced slouching. chivasom.com

OK, cards on the table: £1,290 for two nights would have to be filed under “really special treat”. However, this is a stay that has been specially curated with a digital detox in mind.

At stunning Lodore Falls in Keswick, you’ll enjoy some of the most breath-taking scenery imaginable: rolling hills, unspoilt cottages and the lush English countryside.

After all, this is a trip to refresh body, mind and soul, with healthy, locally sourced evening meals full of fresh ingredients and superfood smoothies to restore missing vim and vigour.

Because this is the Lake District, you’re given a Hike & Bike book, free boot hire and luxury packed lunch.

With routes to suit every guest, regardless of hiking ability, you’re encouraged to switch off from technology and explore the surrounding countryside.

And what better place to do just that?

From £1,290, lakedistricthotels.net

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COMPETITIONS

WINNING WITH BALANCE HOW TO ENTER

Head to balance.media/ competitions and enter your name and email for your chance to get lucky!

A month’s worth of Doisy & Dam chocolate Made with ethically sourced, sustainable ingredients, 20 readers will win a month’s supply of the Balance favourite, including 8 x 80g bars, 12 x 25g bars and 2 x SNAP bags, worth £37

A 12-month supply of WOW Focus worth over £300 Nootropics provide a natural and immediate boost. One reader will win a 12-month supply of this zero calorie, zero artificial flavouring drink to (potentially) release untapped brain power

A Plant Designs Moss Frame, worth £225 Harvested, maintained and preserved so that no maintenance is required, a Plant Designs Moss Frame is perfect for those looking to add a touch of biophilia to their home. Hassle-free, the only thing you’ll be killing is your look

A gluten-free luxury hamper from FREEE by Doves Farm, worth £50 Ten lucky readers can get their hands on a FREEE by Doves Farm Gluten-Free Luxury Hamper, containing a range of its naturally gluten-free flours and baking aids as well as a River Cottage gluten-free cookbook

Visit us at balance.media and follow @BalanceLDN for more updates

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E M P OW E R I N G YO U T O LO O K & F E E L YO U R B E S T

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B E A U T Y Q U E E N S O F T H E S TO N E AG E It’s crystal clear the healing powers of these gems is a precious gift to your skin

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rom ‘new-age nonsense’ to making it in the mainstream, healing crystals have infiltrated the skincare industry, spreading positive energy via our products. You could be forgiven for thinking crystal infusions were just another faddy beauty trend, but aeons on from their past lives knocking around The Healing Field at Glastonbury, extracts are appearing in big name brands, from pioneering Själ to eco-derma brands like Aurelia, Lisa Franklin and Odacite.

“There are wonderful benefits of having the vibe close”, explains crystal healer Emma Lucy Knowles. “It’s about a deepening of the connection between soul and stone.” From rose quartz that aids with natural detoxification to white tourmaline, which works to brighten and illuminate the complexion, these gemstone-infused products are certainly worth the hype.

1 CALMING BOTANICAL ESSENCE

Multitask mist for a midday refresh £42, aureliaskincare.com

2 BALANS DEEP PORE CLEANSER

Combines rose quartz and geranium £55, lookfantastic.com

3 NEROLI NATURAL SPRING WATER MIST

The scent is uplifting and calming, making it perfect for an on-the-go spritz for tired or jetlagged brains £15, uk.africologyspa.com

4 DIAMOND + PLATINUM PURIFYING MERIDIAN BALM

Multitasker with detoxing diamond and platinum extracts £86, prismologie.com 5 RINSE-AWAY OIL CLEANSER

Relaxing scent, silky texture, moisturising formula £72, contentbeautywellbeing.com

6 BRIGHTEN PINEAPPLE + GEMSTONE MASK

Uses fruit enzymes to gently resurface skin £38, spacenk.com

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BALANCE PROMOTION

FAC E T H E FACTS ave our faces ever felt more under attack? From the moment we wake up, to the time our head hits the pillow after a tough day, our precious visage really gets put through its paces.

If the water is hard where you live, you’ll know it can leave your face dry, not to mention the blast of the hairdryer or the walk to the station accompanied by skinblasting wind, drenching rain or baking sun.

Ah, the joys of British weather.

Then, when you settle in for the day you’ve got harsh office air-con to contend with, while we’re all exposed to blue light either through means we can’t avoid (the work computer) or those we can (your smartphone, tablet or TV).

And then, as we hunker down for the night, our radiators can dry our skin through the night. Your face needs all the help it can get.

Enter salvation in the form of Revlon PhotoReady Candid.

How did it get the name? Well, taking inspiration from model and spokesperson Adwoa Aboah, she “can” and she “did”. Et voilà.

It’s anti-oxidant, antipollutant and anti-blue light to make for a beloved creamy, moisturising and protective foundation that boasts the ingredients you really want, without any of those you don’t. That means no oils, phthalates or harsh fragrances.

Grab your foundation (£9.99 for 22ml), concealer (£6.99 for 10ml) and powder (£9.99 for 15g) now and the next time your face comes under attack, you’ll know you’ve got an important ally helping you save face: Revlon PhotoReady Candid.

C A N D O AT T I T U D E

Your skin is under attack from the world around you. Revlon is here to help pep up your self defences

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Available now at boots.com and superdrug.com. For more information, visit revlon.co.uk F @RevlonUK T @revlon I @revlon_uk

BEAUTY

BEAUTY TUBE TIPS

O N -T H E- G O Always rushing in the morning?

Here’s your guide to tube etiquette for make-up, and the secrets to high-speed beauty

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have a confession: I make up my face on the Tube most mornings. I’m going to say it’s an efficient use of the time underground, and nothing to do with the snooze button. However, in my experience ‘Tube make-up’ is a divisive issue: you’re either down with it or consider it an appalling public faux pas. This comes from a place where women are expected to magically appear perfect every day and that we’re supposed to be ashamed of our unmade faces. Well, I am not.

Let’s face it, plenty of us love watching people make themselves up – there are YouTubers with millions of followers to prove it. So what is so offensive about someone doing it on public transport? Tube etiquette is real: there are certain beauty habits that have no place in a public setting; nail painting (the fumes), hair brushing (the shedding), nail filing and clipping – I’ve witnessed them all. But, for those who use Tube time to prime their faces for the day? I salute you, with five compact, summer-worthy cosmetics for beautifying on-the-go.

Whether you carry your full kit or just the basics for touch-ups, it’s the multifunctional, mess-free products with express application that are the most commute-friendly options. Ole Henriksen’s Banana Bright Face Primer is a spin-off from his best-selling eye cream. It can sub for a moisturiser and delivers a luminous glow: wear under your base. Speaking of which, Bobbi Brown’s new pigment correcting Skin Foundation Stick comes in 43 shades (everyone will find a match here). This compact stick goes on smoothly, is easy to blend with fingertips and gives a soft, natural finish (which can be layered up for heavier coverage) and it reduces shine (welcome in sweaty train carriages).

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick £32, bobbibrown.co.uk

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Face Primer £28, boots.com

Pinch of Colour Honey Glow Waterless Balm £30, cultbeauty.co.uk

A brilliant, universal highlighter is the Honey Glow Waterless Balm from Pinch of Colour. Linda Tresker, the founder of the New York beauty brand, was inspired to create a water-free cosmetics line to support global water aid programmes. “Colour cosmetics and skincare products can use anywhere between 30-90 per cent of water content in the formulas,” explains Linda.

“At Pinch of Colour we substituted water with natural, ingredients like shea butter, honey extract, camellia and apricot oils.” Take Linda’s advice and use the deliciously scented Honey Glow stick on the “face, lips, cheekbones, décolletage, even cuticles. It’s a multi-tasking highlighter, primer and moisturiser in one. Wear it under or over your foundation or bare skin.”

Miild, is a Danish line of conscious, allergy-proof cosmetics. The flattering Mineral Blush comes in four shades, is made with Ecocert organic ingredients and can be layered for extra colour. For the brows, Glossier’s pocket-size Boy Brow has replaced pencils in my cosmetic case (who wants to faff about with a sharpener?) This brush-on tint fills, fluffs and fixes brows in place in just a few strokes.

JESSICA Finally, ditch that skin-wrecking PUNTER coffee and go for a cup of Matcha Beauty journalist, Glow from AIME. The surprisingly stylist and brand appetising, handbag-ready sachets consultant, can be added to hot water or milk, Jessica has styled – and for a dose of skin-boosting marine interviewed – many of the collagen that isn’t frowned upon on world’s most famous people the Northern Line.

Miild Organic Mineral Blush £30, klarifyme.com

Glossier. Boy Brow £14 glossier.com

AIME Matcha Glow £49 for 30 sachets libertylondon.com

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GROOMING FRESH START

Tri-Balm, £46 for 70g francesprescott.com

Pure Greek Olive 3-in 1 Nourishing Oil for Face, Body and Hair, £40 for 100ml lookfantastic.com

Neroli and Grapefruit Body Wash, £20 for 200ml renskincare. com

S PRIN G CL E AN YO U R SK IN

Can’t get into your bathroom for a stack of products? Here’s how to ‘Kondo’ your beauty CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH

Some people get their kicks from adventure sports. Others prefer to get their high from a spin class. Me? I like tidying things. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than a good clear out. At first glance this might seem like a fairly mindless activity but, as a therapist once pointed out, decluttering itself is actually very mindful.

Netflix tidying guru Marie Kondo has made a whole career from decluttering, and much of her thinking is as applicable to your bathroom cabinet as it is to a wardrobe. As well as helping you make space, a skincare spring clean will help you focus on what’s necessary to your routine in an exercise that amounts to dermal downsizing. And that’s good news for your pocket and the environment.

To start with, you’re bound to have a few things which passed their best about the same time as *NSYNC, so throw out anything past its expiry date. Not all products will have one, but you can check how long something will last once opened by looking for a little symbol resembling an open pot with a lid and a number on it on the packing. So for example, 18m tells you it’s good for 18 months. If you want to stay within the usage time, write the date you first opened it on the carton or bottle so you can gauge when it needs to head for the recycling bin.

Going through your selection, asking whether they ‘spark joy’ as Kondo recommends, is also an exercise worth doing. Many skincare products, especially ones with any kind of olfactory impact like shower gels, fragrances or even deodorants, are designed to resonate with us emotionally. So, if that shower gel isn’t hitting the spot (if it doesn’t, try one of REN’s), the fragrance you got for Christmas isn’t doing it for you or your moisturiser just doesn’t hit the mark, ditch it or pass it on and find something that does. Why settle for something that’s just OK when it can be amazing?

Now’s also a great time to rethink your storage solutions. Opt for transparent boxes, which allow you to see how much stuff you’re accumulating and recycle empty scented candle glasses to reduce to the max, too. There are two ways to do this: firstly, group products together by function (moisturisers, exfoliators, etc) and decide which one is your absolute favourite. Be utterly ruthless and stick to this one going forward. Secondly, think about switching to multi-functional products like Frances Prescott’s clever cleanser/exfoliator/moisturiser Tri-Balm and Korres’ face, body and hair oil. These reduce not only space on your shelf, but environmental impact by reducing packaging. And if that doesn’t spark a little joy inside your soul, I don’t know what will.

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying by Marie Kondo, £12.99 amazon.co.uk

Acrylic 2 drawer storage box £19.95 muji.eu

LEE KYNASTON Although a firm believer that real beauty comes from the inside, Lee also sees no harm in giving the outside a little TLC too

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BEAUTY Q+A

Q

What is the most effective way to reduce frizz?

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How can I get rid of my split ends?

STAY TRIM(MED) A Split ends cannot be repaired by any product or treatment, only prevented “Trimming will keep your locks split end-free. Avoid drying with a towel as it promotes breakage. Instead, apply pressure by gently squeezing out excess water”

GO NATURAL A Applying heat to hair can help straighten it, but also dries it out “Invest in a good nourishing treatment. Let hair dry naturally, but if you use a hairdryer, avoid touching it with the nozzle as direct heat promotes frizziness. Position it just above the hair and brush”

Q

How often should I get my hair cut?

MONTHLY CYCLE A Aim to get a trim or cut every month-and-a-half “I always suggest to trim your hair every four weeks if you have a bob or cropped style, as it goes out of shape quickly. If hair is long, aim for a trim every six weeks and no longer so the ends stay in a healthy condition”

THE HAIR CLINIC Q

We get the experts to offer simple solutions to your pressing issues

DAVIDE BARBIERI is a London-based freelance celebrity creative hair stylist

Q

How often should I wash my hair?

TYPE CAST A Every two-three days. Washing every day can strip hair of its natural oils “It depends on your hair type. Dry hair should shampoo a maximum of two times a week, oily hair may require washing every day.

Normal hair should be washed once or twice a week”

What is the best way to prevent heat damage?

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How can I make my hair grow faster?

SPRAY AWAY

FEED ME

A Heat-protecting sprays are the best way to protect hair from damage “Reducing the heat on certain tools (hairdryer, flat iron, curling iron) definitely makes a difference. Try to only use stylers once a week if possible to reduce further damage”

A: Working from the inside out is an effective way to impact hair growth “Growth speed is genetically determined, but nutrition from the inside is important. I believe healthy and beautiful hair grows from a healthy scalp, and an essential oils scalp treatment can really help”

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B A L A N C E . M E D I A

THE ONE THING THIS MONTH T O T O P YO U R T O D O L I S T

URE

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RISE OF THE ROCKETMAN

Taron Egerton set to dazzle as Elton John in Dexter Fletcher’s eagerly awaited biopic f your soul needs energising and your mojo needs recharging, then the epic Rocketman is very much a must-see.

This musical journey is a warts-and-all account of Reginald Dwight’s journey from unknown-yet-ambitious backing musician to chart-topping, arena-filling Elton John.

And, refreshingly, the word is that it pulls no punches. Elton – a producer on the film – isn’t portrayed to be something he’s not.

Has he been a diva down the years? You betcha. Yet because he’s a human being who makes mistakes, you’ll only warm to the man even more. And the fact he’s helped spawn some of the biggest bangers of all times helps. The haunting Your Song, the timelessly

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jaunty Crocodile Rock, the soul-scraping Sacrifice, the iconic Candle in the Wind, and so on.

From what we’ve heard, Bryce Dallas Howard shines in a supporting role as Elton’s mum, with Jamie Bell outstanding as lyricist (and Elton’s former lover) Bernie Taupin. Yet this is Taron Egerton’s movie, with his portrayal of the titular Rocketman being hailed as his finest performance in a, to date, relatively short, yet stellar career. After all, it’s a role that demands tears and cheers in equal measure. However, this should come with a warning: you will leave the cinema singing.

Rocketman is in cinemas nationwide from 22 May

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“ I W ENT VEGAN B ECAUS E I DIDN’ T WA N T TO DIE ”

Kevin Smith, the beloved director, writer and podcaster, on beating “The Widow Maker”, and the simple joy of telling stories

e nearly lost you, my friend…

It’s true! I had a massive heart attack. They have a cool name for it: The Widow Maker.

That’s because 80 per cent of the people who have it don’t come back. Adult males in their 40s are all susceptible to it. The doctor said to me, “We need to put a stent in your heart. Do you know what one is?”

I said, “Yes, my mum has a stent.” He said, “Is there a history of heart problems in your family?” I said, “Well, my dad also died of a massive heart attack at 57.” And he goes, “We’ve got to go fast!”

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Kevin!

Well, because of that and my age, and I didn’t live healthily ever. Clerks took off when I was 23 and I thought I was the smartest guy in the room. “I’ll have cake every day if I like!” All of that collided to nearly put me in the grave. Luckily, I was close to the best hospital for cardiac stuff.

Doctors tell me: you don’t know how lucky you are! I’m like, No, I get it.

So what steps have you taken since?

You look like a different human!

It’s true! I went vegan. I had 100 per cent blockage in my LAD; that’s the big artery that carries most of the blood. And 100 per cent blockage means it’s packed with cholesterol.

100 per cent?!

At that point I was, like, I’ve got to do something drastic. My kid had been vegan for three years. She said, “Go plantbased, man.” So I jumped in. I’ve been vegan ever since. And not the vegan that’s in your face going, “You ought to quit meat too!” This is for me. And if you look at the results, you can see there are health benefits. I am thinner than I’ve ever been in my adult life. Some people can be like, “F*ck you! I’m going to eat three times

CULTURE INTERVIEW

How does it feel to make people happy?

It’s wonderful and it was never the aim when it all began. When I started this journey, I was an “artist” and fancied myself as a writer. Look at interviews from Clerks to Zak & Miri. So serious.

Like how a 20-something treats the arts.

But I’m glad – that’s why people like them. And then you get older and realise you’re a storyteller. Everybody loves stories since we gathered around fires.

So now it’s not just film. It’s podcasts and standing on a stage talking. I do it because I like seeing people happy. You want to be the guy who people turn to when [what’s on] the news is bad... The only way to fight destruction is with creation.

And now you’re performing in the UK Oh, those shows! That’s where we give them the funnies. Thank God I’ve got a funny guy with me: Ralph Garman. We’ve been doing those shows for 10 years.

as much meat!” And I’m like, It worked out for me. You don’t have to. If you like meat, keep eating meat. But if you’re worried about health or would like to drop pounds? And you don’t have to try! I didn’t do any hard work. Going vegan just drops those pounds off.

Is it a myth that vegans preach?

There must be some vegans out there who get into people’s grill. People come at it from all angles. I went vegan because I didn’t want to die. And I hate vegetables! But I had no choice. I never try to tell people – I just tell them what I did. I don’t campaign. I’m old enough to know that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar… And that’s a whole other issue as to whether honey is vegan or not! We won’t even touch it! My kid is like, “You’re stealing from bees!” And I’m like, “Come on, man. We’re not killing ‘em. You gotta draw a line.”

That’s amazing It’s so nice to have longevity on anything.

Except maybe prison time. Although that would be good too as you’d probably be close to getting out. It is nice to look back and think, “We’ve been doing this for some time.” We did it in England years ago. So it’s a nice outlet where I get to be a fan. In my day job, I have to make things.

But on Hollywood Babble-On, I get to be a guy who watches stuff. Periodically I can speak as a guy who’s made movies.

But, generally, it’s about the watching.

What can you tell us about Jay And Silent Bob reboot?

It’s so different to anything I’ve ever made before. It starts off like Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, and then becomes a warm and funny sequel to almost every movie in the View Askew Universe. Everyone comes back and it works.

Actor and director Kevin Smith brings his award-winning podcast, Hollywood Babble-On, to Birmingham’s Symphony Hall (11 May), Manchester’s O2 Apollo (12 May), Edinburgh’s Usher Hall (14 May) and London’s Indigo at The O2 (15 May). For details and tickets, visit seesmod.com or aegpresents.co.uk

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BALANCE PRESENTS…

YO G A A N D L I V E ACOUSTIC ORCHESTRA t’s time to roll into the summer with a hell to the yeah, and what better way than to take your yoga practice outdoors? We’ve teamed up with Bloomberg Arcade, the new culinary destination in the City, to bring you exclusive events in June, July and August. Led

by Sweat & Sound, the sessions will consist of a magical hour of yoga and acoustic vibes followed by a delicious brunch at one of the arcade’s independent restaurants. It’s hard to imagine a better setting for a yoga class, amid the buzz in the heart of the Square Mile.

And while we all know about the physical benefits of a regular yoga practice, it’s the emotional effects that it has on our brains that really gives us mental clarity. Add a live orchestra and you have a unique approach to wellness. By the end of the session, you’ll feel energised, empowered and ready for brunch at Vinoteca. Reserve your space now at balance.media/orchestralyoga for tickets.

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When Sat 15 June Time 9.30am-12.30pm Brunch Vinoteca Where Bloomberg Arcade, EC4N 8AR

BLOOMBERG ARCADE The cultural and culinary destination in the heart of the Square Mile featuring nine independent restaurants, all curated by Bloomberg’s Chief Food Critic Richard Vines

THE C A L E N DA R Your comprehensive monthly downtime digest to ease the pain of ‘who to see, where and when’ THEATRE ADMISSIONS A provocative play that has gone down a storm in New York.

ER star Alex Kingston is head of admissions at a private school, and passionately wants to diversify its intake. However, when her son’s university place is

FESTIVAL UNDERBELLY A pop-up festival on the South Bank in the heart of London, this not only boasts the city’s largest outside bar, but also street food, comedy, caberet and music.

For a refreshing change, try out the Smirnoff Infusions spirit drink spritz bar, where you can try out its new Infusions range, which includes Raspberry, Rhubarb & Vanilla and Orange, Grapefruit & Bitters flavoured creations Until 29 September, underbellyfestival. com

SMALL SCREEN YEARS AND YEARS We’ve interviewed rising star Ruth Madeley (visit balance.media) about this eagerly awaited drama from Russell T Davies. The sprawling family saga promises to be one of the TV highlights of the year 14 May, 9pm BBC One

deferred while his friend who “ticks more boxes” gets a place, her beliefs are unexpectedly challenged Until 25 May atgtickets.com

SILVER SCREEN ALADDIN Will Smith as the genie? Um, yes please. From the footage we’ve seen, the Hollywood icon has his own spin on the role best associated with the great Robin Williams in the latest liveaction reimagining from Disney. Keep an eye out for rising star Mena Massoud in the title role In cinemas from 22 May

COMEDY BREXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP The tricky thing about being a political comedian is the constant need to turn over material.

With former political adviser Matt Forde, you’re in the safest of hands 25 May, thebloomsbury.com

CAMPAIGN MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK The theme for this year is body image.

An alarming on-in-three adults have said body image is such an issue, they’re unable to cope. The website will be full of useful information on how to overcome this distressing issue 13-19 May, mentalhealth.org.uk

MUSIC MAE MULLER There are few things more exciting than catching a pop star live in intimate surroundings. Mae plays Thousand Island at The Garage before she’s fully broken through, but is tipped for very big things. Want to feel inspired? She wrote her first song less than three years ago on a train… 28 May, thegarage.london

CULTURE CLUB

ON DEMAND TALES OF THE CITY Netflix’s latest must-see series takes a fresh look at novelist Armistead Maupin’s beloved Tales of the City to explore gender and sexuality. We chatted with Garcia (who plays Jake) about the show’s diversity and new ground covered.

Visit balance.media to hear his thoughts Netflix, from 7 June

SILVER SCREEN JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 – PARABELLUM Keanu Reeves has struck a chord with his avenging hitman, giving the beloved actor one of his most popular characters in a rich and varied career. The Wick movies make for blissful escapism, as long as you like the sight of Keanu socking it to a succession of baddies (and we very much do) In cinemas from 17 May

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ALL-ROUNDER Zerøgrand All-Day Trainer TWO-FACED Face Gym Refresh your tired visage with a trip to Face Gym, which works on the “40 forgotten muscles in the face”.

The results can, over time, prove transformative. The kneading movements and cutting-edge technology combine to both tighten and tone. facegym.com

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If you’re looking to inject a little life into the workplace (and think the boss would be OK with it), then the new Zerøgrand All-Day Trainer from iconic US brand Cole Haan is the way to do just that. And, wait for it, they only ruddy double up as a gym trainer, too… colehaan.com

FRONTING UP Balance Activ

A SIMPLER TIME Digital Minimalism Here’s a win for a refreshed soul: going a day without your smartphone glued to your hand. Cal Newport’s sobering read isn’t a harrowing cautionary tale; rather, Cal offers helpful tips.

So, instead of gaming on your phone, go for a meditational walk. audible.co.uk, amazon.co.uk

We want every part of you to feel refreshed, and that includes your “downstairs”. Bacterial vaginosis impacts one-in-three women in the UK, yet many mistakenly think it’s thrush. Help is at hand: Balance Activ BV Gel and Pessaries are clinically proven to treat the symptoms of BV. balanceactiv.com

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ANCE

SIX SIMPLE STEPS TO REFRESH B O DY & M I N D

THAT IS GUT NEWS Renew Life As regular Balance BOLD STEPS AudaciaLdn Fancy shaking things up when working out?

There’s a new kid on the block in the guise of AudaciaLdn; created by two London girls, the range looks great, and has been designed to enhance the workout experience. Take the compression lycra, which aids blood flow when exercising. audacialondon.com

podcast listeners will know, we’ve become somewhat obsessed with the gut and the importance of keeping it happy and healthy.

Thankfully, Renew Life’s probiotic portfolio is strongly recommended to support the gut’s natural digestion. Find out more at beinghuman takesguts.co.uk

HACK ATTACK

garnish a s a d o ad kebab t your serve t i u r f e Make aat it alongsid e and

Freeze fruit juic for a pimped up e into ice cubes taste boost

vours Smash new and exciting fa like berries or kiwi

Prep to sh are refr e are with shing ju frien g ser ves ds

DISCOVER THE NEW RULES OF SOCIAL COOL