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Luxurious range of Christmas gifts include beautifully boxed natural face and skin care sets for men and women . Prices from £40.00 Shop the exclusive Dr Jackson’s Gift Sets now at: www.drjacksonskincare.com  ECO BRAND OF THE YEAR 2021 @BEAUTYSHORTLIST Give the gift of great skin this Christmas with the best selection of luxury skincare gift sets from award-winning brand Dr Jackson’s. Producing natural, scientific and sustainable skincare formulas for your face and body, Dr Jackson’s have launched three Christmas gift sets, offering duos of their best-selling products which include moisturisers and oils, all battling dry, oily and aging skin. Combining meticulous research with the finest ingredients nature has to offer, Dr Jackson’s products are developed for all skin types. Gift sets include: Dr Jackson’s Day Cover £40.00 The ultimate combination for nourished, radiant and glowing skin on-the-go: 01 Day Cream nourishes and delivers a smooth, clear complexion, as well as protecting skin from environmental pollutants; 03 Everyday Oil, for moisturising and calming the skin every day, everywhere. For All Skin Types. Vegan and Cruelty-Free. Dr Jackson’s Day into Evening Set £60.00 The perfect duo to keep skin hydrated day and night: 01 Day Cream delivers a smooth, clear complexion and protects skin from environmental pollutants and the 02 Night Cream deeply hydrates and helps reverse the signs of ageing, reducing fine lines in your sleep. For All Skin Types. Vegan and Cruelty-Free. Dr Jackson’s Night Cap - £40.00
A powerful combination of botanicals to moisturise and regenerate skin while you sleep or on-the-go: 02 Night Cream deeply hydrates and helps reverse the signs of ageing reducing fine lines in your sleep; 03 Everyday Oil, for moisturising and calming the skin every day, everywhere. For All Skin Types. Vegan and Cruelty-Free. More on Dr Jackson's Skincare here image (c) Dr Jackson's skincare Fascinated by native plants and their use in traditional medicine, Dr. Simon Jackson travelled the world seeking out innovative and ethical natural ingredients. This science-led brand not only produces fabulous skincare, they also sell herbal teas. Dr Jackson's Skincare Vegan, sustainable, non-toxic, all-natural and - here's the most important bit for me - not tested on animals. Besides that, this company avoids plastics as much as possible and use only recyclable boxes. Products are packaged in lovely minimalist, lab-inspired bottles and jars. The company decided from the start that beauty products should be clean, safe and of course effective, so to this end, their meticulously researched products use the finest natural ingredients and are suitable all skin types. Night Cream It is a pleasure to use this cream, it feels so lovely, rich and luxurious. It hydrates, smooths and softens skin while you snooze and is full of botanicals that work in synergy to regenerate dry skin and help diminish fine lines. Kigelia fruit extract helps to firm and even skin tone, baobab seed oil contains vitamins and antioxidants that protect against environmental pollutants and then there's fabulous frankincense, known to calm and soothe the complexion. That leaves the mango seed butter which goes deep into the skin to nourish and helps protect against environmental contaminants. Suitable for all skin types including very sensitive, dry and combination, it provides long-lasting hydration. Face Oil Enriched with 100% natural ingredients including Baobab and Marula oils - oh and did you know that the Baobab fruit contains six times as much vitamin C as an orange? - with extracts of Calendula and Arnica flowers, this delightful oil is rich in antioxidants and acids which improve firmness and elasticity, helps to even skin tone and soothe inflammation. To use, all you do is massage a couple of pumps into your skin. Remember, it's always best when trying new ingredients to do a patch test first. Day cream/ Moisturiser I love this lightweight moisturiser that keeps skin hydrated throughout the day. This nourishing formula is packed with nutrient-rich botanicals that work in synergy to deeply moisturise, regenerate and smooth the appearance of fine lines. It is suitable for all skin types, whether yours is sensitive like mine, or dry and combination, it provides all-day hydration for those who prefer an everyday moisturiser without SPF. Dr Jackson was a melanoma specialist during his time at King's College Department of Dermatology where he researched ingredients that had special healing properties for the skin. This is why his skincare products are based on the principles of pharmacognosy: the study of natural medicines derived from plants and their traditional uses. Makes sense then, that the products bearing his name care for skin in a natural, effective way and are beneficial for sensitive and problem skins. Click here to read about Dr Jackson's Christmas Gift Sets Formulations are free from parabens, sulphates, artificial fragrances or synthetic ingredients that are not kind to your skin. Natural ingredients are sustainably harvested in collaboration with rural communities worldwide, nothing used is rare or endangered. See DrJacksonskincare.com for more During Dr Jackson’s academic career, he held research positions at King’s College, University of London and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. Even more influential though was his time spent learning from tribal communities around the world, where he learned under knowledgeable shamans and healers in the Amazon, Indonesia and Sub-Saharan Africa.
 Deliciously different, definitely. For some reason, I had in my head that Zag was an alternative to beer but when I tried it, this tasted nothing like beer. Which was good. Great even, because I'm not a beer drinker. This had a minty, cucumber-y, citrus, lime, lemon, green tea flavour. Strong and oh so lovely! Now to get down to the nitty gritty - it contains NO artifical sweeteners, NO alcohol and only a tiny amount of added sugar. Every can is just a meagre 54 calories. That's more than okay then. The can itself stands out in a crowd. It has a distinctive colour and a look-at-me ZAG logo on the front which unfortunately I can't replicate here as I can't do the upside down 'A'. It smells a bit like mint leaves mixed with orange. When poured, it looks like a light beer. Zag is refreshing, full of flavour, great for quenching a thirst and very more-ish. Unlike beer, you can drink lots of it without any after effects!  imageZag complements strong flavours, so go on, eat your spiciest, curriest, fire-iest meals and you'll love Zag even more. Another thing, ZAG contains Kombucha which is good for the digestive system and - so they say- helps weight loss and rids the body of toxins. Alcohol free - vegan - no artifical sweeteners - low in calories. 12 x 330ml bottles £17.49 - £1.45 per bottle A big thank you to the lovely people at ZAG who sent me not one, not two, but a case of 12 bottles of ZAG! images (c) ZAG & G Pickup  Looking for some tasty nibbles? You can't go wrong with Cambrook Foods baked and seasoned nut mixes - if you're a nut lover, then you will love them! The company has launched two gift sets which are absolutely full of flavour. Available in two sizes, the two jar set includes Hickory Smoke Seasoned Almonds & Cashews together with a jar of Baked Truffle Nuts, a mix of macadamia nuts and almonds, baked and seasoned with aromatic yummy black truffle and sea salt.
These nuts are baked in small batches to enhance the flavours. Why not give yourself a treat and buy some? See www.cambrookfoods.co.uk for more information and retailers. [ad / gifted] image (c) G Pickup Eco-conscious Sea Change produce a range of wines all linked to a different ocean charity reflected on the bottle label. Depending upon which wine you choose, there's everything from dolphins to turtles to starfish. Doesn't it make great sense if you're an environmentally conscious wine lover to be able to choose bottles that help protect the environment, in particular our oceans and sea life?  As a wine and ocean lover I was delighted when the company kindly sent me a bottle to try - and yes, it was very good! Let me tell you more about all this. Sea Change's sustainable, mostly vegan, award winning wines which come in light weight bottles designed to reduce the raw materials needed, are selected from European vineyards that share the company's values. There's no plastic wrap around the bottle neck and top, corks are bio-degradable, while paper for labels, partially made from grape waste, comes from certified sustainable forests. Minimal packaging reduces waste and environmental impact. So far, so great. With every bottle sold, the company donates a percentage to Ocean Conservation projects. This cash goes towards funding marine life protection, cleaning beaches, ocean pollution education and setting up marine animal sanctuaries. I think that's fantastic. Many other companies could learn a lesson here.
There is no excuse for you not to choose Sea Change wine because they probably, almost definitely really, stock your favourite. Malbec? Tick. Pinot Griogio? Tick. Merlot? Tick. Prosecco? Tick. Organic red? Tick. Organic white? Tick. Negroamaro? Tick. Chardonnay? Tick. Rose? Tick.... you get the picture. So, stands to reason, if you are someone who cares about our oceans and the living creatures who call them home, you can feel good about drinking this wine. I was pleased to be able to work with Sea Change wine to help get their message out there. Cheers! More at www.seachangewine.com. image (c) seachange wine PURESSENTIEL – PRODUCTS FOR PURE AIR Puressentiel Purifying Air Spray : A fabulous combination of 41 essential oils including two species of lavender, eucalyptus, lemon and geranium. This reduces the risk of respiratory issues by tackling common triggers for symptoms: airborne bacteria and viruses, fungal spores and house-dust mites. RRP £19.99 (200ml) Available at Holland & Barrett, Wholefoods, Boots, Amazon Puressentiel Purifying Air Diffusion Blend: Diffusers deliver a steady, sustained release of aromatic essential oils and are ideal for bedrooms, poorly ventilated wet rooms and toilets. This blend contains 18 oils including lemon, pine and niaoulu, a close relation of eucalyptus and tea tree. Niaouli shares many of their properties and is the main ingredient in the branded medicine Gomenol, which is used to treat upper respiratory tract and bronchial congestion. RRP £9.99 (30ml) – Available at uk.puressentiel.com, Wholefoods, Amazon  PURESSENTIEL – RESPIRATORY RESCUES
Puressentiel Respiratory Decongestant Nasal Spray combines 100% natural sterile saline solution to soften blocked nasal mucosa with organic rosemary floral water and soothing, decongestant essential oils of eucalyptus radiata, rosat geranium, niaouli, ravintsara and propolis and echinacea extracts. RRP £9.99 (15ml) – Available at https://uk.puressentiel.com, Holland & Barrett, Wholefoods, Amazon Puressentiel Resp OK Chest Rub combines 19 essential oils including tea tree, two species of lavender, peppermint and eucalyptus to produce a clinically proven decongestant rub. RRP £12.50 (100ml) – Available at uk.puressentiel.com, Holland & Barrett, Amazon Puressentiel Resp OK Massage Balm combines 19 essential oils including two species of lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus and clove to produce a clinically proven decongestant balm. RRP £9.99 (50ml) – Available at uk.puressentiel.com, Holland & Barrett, Wholefoods, Amazon New Puressentiel Respiratory Cough Syrup soothes sore throats and supports the body’s natural defences with three aromatic honeys, propolis, marshmallow and elderberry. RRP £10.99 (125ml) – Available at uk.puressentiel.com, Holland & Barrett, Amazon The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends the use of honey to treat coughs over antibiotics and other conventional medicines. Elderberry has antiviral activity and marshmallow can ease dry cough. New Puressentiel Respiratory Soothing Syrup combines plant extracts including propolis, marshmallow root and echinacea with seven essential oils and soothing ingredients such as honey and lemon, to deliver immediate proven relief. RRP £11.99 (125ml) – Available at uk.puressentiel.com, Holland & Barrett, Amazon New Puressentiel Respiratory Lozenges with three aromatic honeys provide relief when you’re on the move, the honey forms a barrier to soothe and protect the throat. RRP £9.99 (18 lozenges) – Available at uk.puressentiel.com, Holland & Barrett, Amazon New Puressentiel Respiratory Throat Drops use the natural sweetener stevia to provide a sugar-free solution for sore throats and dry coughs. Available in two flavours, Citrus or Mint/Eucalyptus. RRP £10.99 (45g) – Available at uk.puressentiel.com, Holland & Barrett, Amazon New Puressentiel Resp OK inhaler is the pocket solution for winter coughs and congestion containing 18 essential oils including eucalyptus, peppermint and oregano, enriched with menthol and camphor to ease breathing. RRP £5.99 (1ml) – Available at uk.puressentiel.com, Holland & Barrett, Amazon Puressentiel Respiratory Air Spray is a unique blend of essential oils to be used at the first signs of winter discomfort or seasonal sensitivities. It contains 19 essential oils to help soothe the airways and ease congestion: anise, St Thomas bay, cajeput, Atlas cedarwood, lemon, clove, cypress, eucalyptus, Lavandula angustifolia, lavandin grosso, peppermint, niaouli, oregano, Scot’s pine, ravintsara, rosemary, sage officinale, tea tree and thyme. RRP £9.99 (20ml) – Available at uk.puressentiel.com, Holland & Barrett, Wholefoods, Amazon  Read on if you want to spice up your spooky season ... Halloween parties are back this year! To get you in the ‘spirit’, why not try the Aloha Vampire cocktail which is super simple ... . All you have to do:
Hang on a minute though, what exactly is Aloha 65? Well, it's not rum and it's not gin, it is a spirit though, versatile too, made with 100% natural ingredients and better still it's vegan friendly and gluten free. So what's in it then? Ah, well there's pineapple, lemon, ginger and ssssh! a load of secret herbs plus fiery scotch bonnet chillies. Good, huh? Back to the Vampire Cocktail recipe. Maybe you're determined to turn up the party vibes a bit more? Easy! Just swap the soda water with bubbly and rim the glass with red sugar. Then how about finishing off your creation with raspberry or pomegranate seeds or drop in some vampire teeth for a real surprise..... For a party with a punch try this : Autumn Punch Ingredients (Serves 10) 500ml Aloha 65, 500ml brandy, 1.5L apple juice, 100ml orange juice, two or three cinnamon sticks, an apple, sliced orange Combine the Aloha and brandy with the apple juice in a jug filled with ice, cinnamon sticks and a sliced apple and orange.  About Spirit of Aloha 65
Conceived and created by a British barman at his beach bar in Florida, the Spirit of Aloha was designed as a versatile, refreshing and reviving tipple to lure in surfers looking to wind down after the waves. The once homemade gift to the après-sea crowd became a ritual; a unique sundowner that put a smile on everyone’s face. Aloha 65’s Sun on a Beach hot sauce is made from the same ingredients minus the alcohol, of course and their spicy pineapple ‘detonators’ use just two of Spirit of Aloha 65’s main ingredients, pineapple and chilli, and well… boom! The brand Spirit of Aloha 65 offers the consumer something different to look at and taste. With its coastal roots, Spirit of Aloha 65 is a relaxed sundowner for those who live life to the full. The ski winter bottles are a must for an après ski session or winter drinks gathering, virtual or otherwise. Aloha 65 has also created a sweet, tangy hot sauce and a spicy pineapple ‘detonator’ snack. disclaimer: I received two mini 50ml bottles of Aloha 65 for review purposes Aloha 65 - 70cl RRP: £22.50 Aloha 65 - 50ml 12 pack RRP £36 Hot Sauce RRP £3.99 Detonators RRP: £4.50 Available to buy at aloha65.com and Amazon images (c) Aloha65.com 100% Olive Oil Mayonnaise from Hunter & Gather, perfect for dipping, dunking and dolloping!
 Hunter & Gather is the brand behind ‘clean’ condiments (100% Avocado Oil Mayo and Unsweetened Sauces) and winner of ‘Best of British’ at Ocado’s Rising Stars Awards 2021. Now they have launched a trio of 100% Olive Oil all natural mayonnaise , a UK first, packed with goodness and free from nasties. That's such good news for me as I LOVE mayonnaise. Let me tell you, I have an array of cookery books, many telling me 'how easy' it is to make my own mayonnaise. Okay, it's not that difficult, but it can be a bit of a palaver. I therefore opt for the shop bought versions, though they generally come laden with additives in the shape of salt, sugar and multiple preservatives. Hunter & Gather's mayonnaise on the other hand is made with only four ingredients : olive oil, free range egg yolk, apple cider vinegar and a pinch of pink Himalayan salt. The flavour? Creamy and fresh with a slightly sharp tang and what is REALLY wonderful is, you can taste every one of those four ingredients! Amy Moring, Co-founder of Hunter & Gather, says: “It’s about time mayo had a makeover. All too often, shop bought mayonnaise contains inflammatory seed oils or sunflower oil blends - poor fats with negative health impacts - plus powdered egg, chemical preservatives and added sugar. Our mayonnaise is made with 100% light tasting Olive Oil from ancient groves in the Cordoba region of Spain, pressed in the traditional way, meaning no chemical hexanes or solvents are used. The result is a product that’s pure, light and delicious, packed with healthful monosaturated fats and polyphenols and with absolutely no added nasties.” She continues, “At Hunter & Gather, our mission is to provide people with the tools to thrive through healthier food choices, education and recipes that are always free from refined sugars, chemical preservatives, grains and seed oils. Our new 100% Olive Oil mayonnaise is a huge step forward for real food products and marks an important milestone on our journey to improving the health of the nation.” Go on, give it a try, you won't be disappointed! It tastes so good you won't want to go back to ordinary-old mayo again. Hunter & Gather 100% Olive Oil Mayonnaise available in Classic, Olive & Lemon and Horseradish available to from hunterandgatherfoods.com. More stockists to follow. RRP £4.49 for 240g jar. About Hunter & Gather Launched in 2017 by dynamic entrepreneurs Jeff Webster and Amy Moring, to fulfil a lifelong mission to create a brand that proactively champions honest, tasty, real food, free from lazy sugars, grains and poor quality fats; shining a light on the nutritional shortcomings of taken-for-granted food categories: ketchups, mayonnaise, cooking oils and dressings. In a UK food landscape where 63% are overweight, the brand is re-writing the rule book for real food, changing the way people think about what it means to eat well and creating ‘tools to thrive’ to pave the way for optimal health & wellness. hunterandgatherfoods.com images (c) Sophie Harrington ad/ gifted product - honest review  |
