|
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.
 Flu season is here and those eligible are being urged to get the flu jab to prevent extra strain on the NHS. However, GPs have warned of a potential shortage in flu inoculations due to increase in demand as talks around immunity continue to dominate headlines.
It’s therefore safe to say health is at the front of our minds which raises the question, what can we do to support our immune system in a pandemic in winter? How do I know my immune system is low? You are more likely to have frequent or prolonged colds. Have you ever worked tirelessly to meet a deadline, to be met with flu or a cold after submission? This is due to stress. According to the NHS website, stress can take its toll on your body and your immune system. Similarly you might find that cuts take longer to heal or you are suddenly plagued by digestive problems. What can I do to strengthen my immune system? Getting the right nutrition is key to fighting off illness. The World Health Organisation’s research has shown that sufficient vitamin D in your diet can reduce your risk of experiencing at least one respiratory infection, including the common cold, influenza or pneumonia by a third. The Mayo Clinic also reported that lack of sleep can affect your immune system. “During sleep, your immune system releases proteins called cytokines, some of which help promote sleep. Certain cytokines need to increase when you have an infection or inflammation or when you're under stress." Sleep deprivation may decrease the production of these protective cytokines. How much sleep should I get? Research suggests most adults need 7 to 8 hours of good sleep each night. Teenagers need 9 to 10 and primary school aged children may need 10 or more hours. It’s worth mentioning that more sleep isn’t always better. Adults sleeping more than 9 to10 hours each night may result in poor quality, broken sleep. What natural supplements can I take? Opting for a natural plant based supplement when feeling run down could reduce your reliance on pharmacuetials and stop a cold in its tracks before it really takes hold. Echinacea is recognised as one of the most powerful medicinal plants in this area and should be a staple item in your kit of winter health essentials. Research shows it can reduce the chance of developing a cold by 58% and speed up recovery by 1.4 days. Eleven per cent of the 252 drugs the World Health Organisation considers essential is derived exclusively from flowering plants and up to 50 per cent of drugs approved over the past 30 years have come directly or indirectly from natural products. Potter’s Herbals Echinacea Tincture is a herbal medicinal product used to relieve symptoms of the common cold and influenza type infections. The specific combination of traditional herbal ingredients including certified organically produced Echinacea makes this product one of the most potent formulas on the market. Research from Potter’s Herbals , the UK’s leading proven, natural healthcare found that:
What else can I do? After every use, wash your reusable mask. Hand washing, disinfecting surfaces and not touching your face are all vital to stopping the spread of any virus. POTTER’S: Natural family care since 1812. Potters Herbals Echinacea Tincture with Elderberry Juice can be bought online and instore at Holland and Barrett. (promoted post)  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  Nutribuddy - vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free, preservative-free and sugar-free. ------------------------------------- Nutribuddy’s low fat, low calorie vegan meal shakes are packed with wholefoods, proteins and slow release carbohydrates to help keep you fuller for longer. I tried them for the first time the other week and they are fab! Eco-PlantMilk *New product* This eco-friendly milk has a long shelf-life compared to standard vegan milks so there's less food waste. The compact powder means it is space saving for transport - another eco tick in the box. Oats are also more eco-friendly than almonds, soy and coconut, as they require less water and produce less carbon emissions. You can drink Eco-PlantMilk as a regular glass of milk or add it to Nutribuddy shakes and cereals. I loved it. Breakfast Shake Nutribuddy’s best selling product, this is a blend of really-good-for-you gluten-free oats and superfoods. Ready in under 30 seconds, it is ideal for breakfast on the go. Stacked with vitamins and minerals including zinc, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus and thiamin, there are three flavours to choose from; vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. What's more, it is available in crunchy and smooth varieties. No excuse now to miss breakfast! High-Protein Sculpting Shake Rich in three major vegan proteins and major amino acids, this makes a great lunch or dinner replacement. This shake is kinder to the stomach than other protein shakes some of which contain allergens including whey and soy, so it's good for IBS sufferers and allergy sufferers. Ingredients include gluten-free oats, pea protein, rice protein, hemp protein and flaxseeds. Nutribuddy founder, Ella McKendrick says: “Nutribuddy products are designed so they can fit into your lifestyle. The clean, natural formulas and nutritional profiles mean they can be used to help meet a number of goals; from weight loss and health and wellbeing to fitness or gaining weight. Or they can simply be used as a healthy, quick meal on the go to power you through the day, the perfect solution to our fast-paced society.” What’s more, Nutribuddy is passionate about keeping its carbon-footprint as low as possible and about supporting ethical farming practises. The products contain organic ingredients where possible - and if they’re not organic they will have been grown naturally with minimal pesticide use. Gluten-free oats come from farms in the UK and Europe, meaning they don't have to travel vast distances to get to the brands small factory. Breakfast Shake £11.99, Eco PlantMilk £8.99, High Protein Sculpting Shake £14.99. These make several shakes/smoothies, so they're not really expensive because you pay for lots of smoothies in one go.  Nutribuddy sent me samples of their products for review. I tend to make lots of smoothies and shakes, normally with the addition of a protein powder, so Nutribuddy is the kind of thing I like to keep in my store cupboard. These healthy, delicious products have minimal environmental impact. No single-use plastics, no palm-oil and no animal products are involved. Sounds top notch to me!
images from Nutribuddy |
