Tag: health

Fresh & Clean with Mangosteen!

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I think it would be fair to say that every vegan knows the struggle of trying to find a good, reliable but most importantly NATURAL deodorant. I have to admit, I have not had much luck to date. I have tried several from various health shops and had varying results. Let’s face it, if there’s one thing you need to be able to rely on, it’s your deodorant!

So when I was offered the chance to review Native Uneathed’s Natural Crystal Deodorant with Mangosteen, I was only to happy to oblige! As a vegan and general “anything natural” lover, I wasn’t too worried about what this product might look like as long as it did the job – but for those who may be a little more concerned with aesthethics, you will be pleased to know, it looks like any other stick deodorant you would buy on the high street. In fact, it’s quite eye catching with it’s bold lettering and clear lid. I really liked that you can see the product immediately. The difference between this product and normal high street deodorants of course is that this one is completely natural. Native Unearthed is a crystal deodorant infused with Mangosteen which is a unique fruit bursting with antioxidants, nutrients and vitamin C. The Mangosteen fruit  contains a potent concentration of Xanthones, which are one of the most powerful anti-oxidants ever discovered and is also known for its anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties and has been used for centuries in the Far East. Sounds too good to be true right? Think again…..!

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The first time I applied this product was in the morning, after a shower and before a normal day at work (which actually turned out to be quite manic!). The instructions are to wet the stick slightly before applying. It glides on very easily and really didn’t have a scent of it’s own, which for me isn’t a problem at all because we all know other deodorants are artificially perfumed anyway and that’s definitely something I try to steer clear of as much as possible.

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I will admit I did do a quick “armit pitstop” around lunch time to see how the deo was faring and I have to say, there was no odour! I was quite surprised since, as I said, the day did turn out to be quite fraught and there was a fair bit of running around!

The same applied when I got home. There was no odour at all and I was really happy with the product’s performance, as I continue to be as I am still using it on a daily basis. It is worth noting that this deodorant is not an “anti perspirant” so it wont actually stop you sweating. What it does do however is it leaves an invisible layer of natural minerals on your underarms which works around the clock to prevent the build up of odour causing bacteria. I am not a very sweaty person naturally so this is no problem for me. Perhaps if you sweat quite a bit, you may notice wetness more than with an antiperspirant but to be honest, I always think supressing your body’s natural processes with things like anti-perspirant can’t be the greatest of ideas.

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At £6.49, I believe Native Unearthed’s Natural Crystal Deodorant is well worth it’s price and having used mine for several weeks now, I can tell it is going to last me months!

Get yours online or at one of the stores shown here

This sample was sent to me free of charge through the blogger review service of the VEGAN lifestyle ASSOCIATION. I have not been paid for this review and it is my genuine and unbiased review of the product.

 

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I was recently lucky enough to be included on a review team for Love Shea and their wonderful range of natural skincare. The product I was sent to review was their Himalayan Sea Salt and Rose Moisturising Salt Scrub, RRP £12.99

I have to admit, it had been quite some time since I had used a scrub – mainly due to the worrying environmental side to them (we have all heard the horror stories surrounding those little plastic beads!), so it is fair to say that I probably had grandma elbows (and probably knees!) when this gorgeous little pot arrived to greet me one morning.

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The product boasts hand crushed salt, which is high in minerals including magnesium, potassium and calcium, great for detoxifying the skin, encouraging skin cell restoration and reducing the signs of ageing. Other ingredients include organic virgin coconut oil, rosehip oil, rose geranium essential and lemon essential oil – it’s one of those indulgences which you don’t have to feel guilty about in more ways than one, as it is also 100% vegan friendly!

Firstly, I have to say, I was very impressed with the packaging. The product comes in a very “on trend” and practical, “kilner” style jar, which I will most definitely be using after the product has been used up. It is beautifully branded, with the font and imagery on the flyer and label, reflecting a natural and calming feeling.

The next thing to hit me, as I opened the lid of the jar, was the amazing fragrance of rose – and I really do mean amazing. It literally smells like someone has just bought you a bouquet of a dozen roses – gorgeous! I couldn’t wait to try the product, and following the instructions, I used it on damp skin in the shower. It is quite a fine grit so it doesn’t feel too harsh on the skin at all, and I have fairly sensitive skin so if I can use it, anyone can.

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My skin felt immediately smoother and actually cleaner somehow, but I did use this for several days that week I have to say by the end of the week I was very happy with the difference. I could feel a complete difference in the trouble spots, like knees and elbows – in fact I think I had forgotten my skin could feel that smooth! More than that though, I genuinely felt that by the end of the week, my skin generally had a glow to it – even my best friend noticed; I just looked healthier.

I would thoroughly recommend this product to anyone, especially if you are looking for a good quality scrub which is 100% natural and 100% vegan friendly – what could be better! You can buy this and all the other tempting Love Shea products, including body soufflé, face serums and soaps here.

This sample was sent to me free of charge through the blogger review service of the VEGAN lifestyle ASSOCIATION. I have not been paid for this review and it is my genuine and unbiased review of the product. LoveShea Skincare is listed with the VLA and offers Associates a 15% discount and you can take advantage of this here. [https://veganlifestyleassoc.com/directory-entries/loveshea-skincare/]

Chease Fest!!

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Mmmmmm CHEASE :))  image

I have recently moved from long term Vegetarian, to Vegan. To some, this may seem like a reasonably expected transition, but to be honest, it wasn’t something I ever gave much thought to until I recently discovered the horrifying truths of the dairy industry. I could talk for hours about it, but that’s a whole other blog…..

By chance, I heard about VegFest, which was taking place at the Brighton Centre and I thought it looked like a good day out…… Understatement of the century!! There were so many amazing reasons to love VegFest, and here are but a few….

  • Everything there was 100% vegan, so no worries about whether you should eat it, smell it, touch it, like it….. It was all guilt free – such a treat!
  • Cooking demos, knowledgeable people, petitions to sign.
  • A whole food hall of more lunch choices than any of us had had in a loooong time!
  • Like-minded people – no fear of someone overhearing you saying something “too vegan” or looking at you like you were crazy for getting excited at the sheer volume of things it is possible to make from cashew nuts!! Which leads me very nicely on to……
  • CHEASE!!!

No, I haven’t misspelled it, this is not gross, made-from-milk-stolen-from-baby-cows cheese I’m talking about, but CHEASE…… The new found #loveofmylife !!!! Chease is made by TyneChease and is an artisanal cultured, 100% plant based, organic, gluten free, nut based….. well, cheese! Now before you all start judging, even I would admit to having been pretty sceptical towards non-dairy cheese when I went vegan. The first one I tried made me want to cry as it was such a let down. What Tyne Chease have managed to do though, is create a product so rich and perfect in texture that I would honestly challenge anyone to tell its not the “real thing” (who would want the “real thing” anyway, once you know the truth – arrrrgh I digress…. for another blog, for another blog!!). This is proper, Christmas cheese platter, cheese and wine – CHEASE!! The picture above gives you a good idea of what Chease looks like – flavours include: Garlic and Herb, Ale and Mustard, Sundried Tomato, Cranberry Za’atar Roule, Soft Macadamia and (my personal fave) Apricot. So, if you hadnt already guessed, Tyne Chease rocks and you should most definitely get yourself some! Launching in May, products will be available online and at alternative stores. You can contact Tyne Chease in the usual 21st century ways…. @TYNECHEASE http://www.facebook.com/tynechease or info@tynechease.com

Tyne Chease kindly sent me the pics I have used in this blog 🙂

Happy food

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Take the pic and let me eat the cake!

Take the pic and let me eat the cake!

I am never happier than when faced with a chocolate fudge cake – there I said it.

I used to so look forward to a massive pizza or a takeaway – even as a vegetarian for over ten years. However, since starting my CHP (Conscious Health Project), I have really started to notice that I am no longer craving the bad stuff as much. This was my plan all along and I am so thrilled it is working. I’m finding it even more true as I move over to the vegan way of life (there goes that chocolate cake *must attempt vegan choc cake!*)

I am becoming increasingly intrigued by things like super foods and foods that are proven to make you happier or lower the risk of depression. I have just recently learnt that apparently olives, humous and crunchy veggies (all of which I have been eating a lot lately!) have powerful antioxidants, “good” fats and B vitamins which your brain needs to help neurotransmitters and nerve-cells do their thing!  (that’s about as “sciencey” as I have gotten at the moment!).

So whilst I don’t think I am ever going to lose my sweet tooth! I am loving the benefits of my new found food loves – long may they continue!

Conscious Health Project

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Health and fitness *Sigh* I wish I could say I love it, but it’s a bit of an effort for me. I have noticed that if I try to eat less of something, I usually fail miserably. Case and point – last years’ “Project swimsuit”. Add to that the fact that it’s cold (and I’m over it!) and looking for my next freelance job is getting a little old now…. The chances of me staying true to any kind of withdrawal of yummy things is probably very slim.

So….. my plan is to add in more good stuff. Let’s call it a CHP (conscious health project) It’s true what they say about olives; keep trying them – you will learn to like them!!

So here it is, my little lunch from today. Olives, humous, blueberries, home made guacamole with tomatoes and lime juice, Falafel and celery. Now don’t be fooled into thinking that I won’t indulge later – because I may well do – but eating MORE of the GOOD stuff has got to be a great place to start right?

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