Immune-boosting Supplement Regime

“If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and not too much, we would have found the safest way to health.” ― Hippocrates

Supplements mentioned:

Bio-Kult probiotic

Vitabiotics Immunace

Fushi Organic Spirulina

Sambucol Black Elderberry Extract

Other helpful videos for immune-boosting/overall wellbeing:

Mood-boosting and body-boosting foods

What do you do to boost your immune system? Have any favourite supplements?

How to get in touch:

YouTube - http://t.co/CGZBkZnWU2

Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/Recovering_Life

Blog - http://yourlifeinrecovery.blogspot.co.uk/

Email - yourlifeinrecovery@gmail.com

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Skincare: The Natural and Pure way to treat skin

Your skin is the largest organ in the human body and accounts for around 15% of your total body weight, so it's a pretty important thing to take care of. We're all very different from each other in how we think, feel, react and are 'built'. So it's not too much of a generalisation to say that our skin's needs differ from person to person too. However, common life experiences and shared knowledge can shape how we might want to fulfil those needs.

Huge amounts of time and money are being spent on researching the effects certain chemicals can have on us when absorbed into our systems, whether through the skin or by ingesting them.
People are becoming more aware, and also more concerned, about not only what we eat and drink but also what we slather on ourselves for medicinal or cosmetic reasons.

There may be many reasons why someone might wish to go down the more organic route. Some people may have been advised by medics to avoid certain chemicals used in cosmetics due to pre-existing conditions such as allergies, eczema, rosacea, chemotherapy treatment. Others may feel they would like to live a more 'natural' life and want to reflect that in their skincare regime. Some may wish for vegan-friendly and non-animal tested products. However with the enormous and overwhelming amount of lotions and potions on the beauty market it's a daunting (and expensive) experience trying to sort the effective from the defective in the natural and organic ranges.

For years I have been interested in, and valued, the more natural cosmetics and have tried and tested lots of different things in search of products that make a difference to my skin but aren't chock-full of an endless list of chemicals and hyper-processed ingredients. I have tried to compile a list of some of the products I personally have found to be of benefit and to write a quick overview for each.

Cleansing:

Michael Todd's Honey and Oat Facial Wash - a deliciously effective cleanser that smells like lemon sherbets and washes away the day's grime in a trice.
Clarisonic Mia - this whizzy little tool is a dream to use and makes removing a full face of make-up a breeze. Also brilliant for men who get stubble rash or other beard-related difficulties. It's a wonderful multi-tasker efficiently cleansing, toning and slightly buffing your skin to leave it glowing, clear and ready to moisturise.
Pai's Camellia and Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser - my absolute favourite. I don't think I will ever change cleansers again. A lovely creamy consistency that I massage into my skin in the evenings before either washing off with warm water or using the Clarisonic brush. It removes eye make-up completely and doesn't sting them. Leaves skin feeling plumped up but purified.

Moisturising:

Pai's Chamomile and Rosehip calming cream - a lovely moisturiser that also contains brilliant ingredients to protect and heal. Great for those with sensitive skin who still want some added moisture.
Korres' Lip Butter - my go-to lip product at the moment. I mentioned this lip balm in my blog post on how to survive colds here. I have a range of colours although they do also have a colourless option too. Apply for great moisturising and conditioning benefits without the sticky, claggy consistency.
Neal's Yard Remedies' SPF 15 Daily Moisture - a relatively thick cream that packs a punch with awesome ingredients. A great non-chemical SPF too.
A'kin's Revitalising Cellular Radiance Serum - a lovely treatment that boosts radiance, protects skin from damge past and present and locks in moisture without being greasy.
Burts Bees' Almond & Milk Hand Cream - great for this time of year if hands are dry and cracked from central heating and the bitter winter. 100% natural ingredients too.
Burts Bees' Tinted Lip Balms - a brilliant little product that is similar to the Korres one but leaves less of a sheen on the lips so would be the better option for men.
Burts Bees' Lemon & Vitamin E Body & Bath Oil - a very luxurious feeling product. I dribble it in a hot bath and it's like bathing in one of those scented steam rooms you get at spas. Deliciously zingy fragrance of lemons and it leaves your skin soft and smooth for hours afterwards.

Protecting:

Invisible Zinc's Face and Body Sunscreen SPF 30+ - an absolute essential come rain or shine. Protecting your skin from UVA and UVB rays should be part of everyone's daily routine no matter how low maintenance you are. This sunscreen  has broad spectrum protection containing zinc oxide.

Treatments/Masks:

Oskia's Get Up & Glow - a treat for your face. A beautiful serum that creates a healthy and radiant complexion while containing an amazing range of super-ingredients to help boost skin health.
Pai's Rosehip Bioregenarate Oil - similar to A'kin's serum this oil is also non-greasy and is brilliant if you suffer from redness or have sun damaged or dehydrated skin.
Good Things' Five Minute Facial Mask - a relatively inexpensive product and is a great quick fix to brighten, refine and moisturise your skin.

Other great natural/green/organic brands:

REN, Green People, LoveLula, Wild About Beauty, Lavera, Weleda, Aveda,

What are your favourite beauty products? Is natural skincare a priority for you? If so, why?

How to get in touch:

YouTube - http://t.co/CGZBkZnWU2
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/Recovering_Life
Blog - http://yourlifeinrecovery.blogspot.com
Email - yourlifeinrecovery@gmail.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Recovering.Life

DISCLAIMER: I am not being paid, endorsed or compensated for this article. These are all products that have graced or currently still grace my bathroom cabinets. All of the products were bought with my own money. My opinions are completely my own and I am not a representative of any of the companies or brands mentioned. Please also keep in mind that (as mentioned above) everyone's skin is different and so what may work for me may not have the same effect for you.

A Healthy Start to the Day - Breakfast Granola/Muesli Recipe

I adapted this recipe by merging a few different ones I found online at a time when I needed a muesli-like breakfast whilst knowing that I’m not a fan of normal mueslis and this is what I came up with. This recipe is great if you want to try out an easy recipe at home that doesn’t require too much time and energy spent on it. This cereal is healthy, sustaining and delicious and ingredients can be swapped if you have a particular aversion to any of them or a hankering for something else. This granola is also great for mid-afternoon snacks instead of crisps or biscuits.

My very delicious morning bowl of cereal!

Ingredients

• 2 tbsps. rapeseed oil
• 125ml agave syrup
• 2 tsps. vanilla extract
• 300g porridge oats
• 50g sunflower seeds
• 4 tbsp. sesame seeds
• 50g pumpkin seeds
• 100g flaked almonds
• 100g dried berries (as sugar and preservative free as possible)
• 50g desiccated coconut

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 150 C if you have a fan oven or 160 C if you don’t.
2. Mix the oil, agave syrup and vanilla in a large bowl. Add the remaining ingredients, omitting the dried fruit and coconut, and mix together well making sure that the mixture is fully coated in the syrup etc.
3. Tip the granola onto two baking sheets (this is important so that the cereal mix can get nice and brown and crunchy) and spread evenly.
4. Bake for 15 mins, then mix in the coconut and dried fruit, and bake for 10-15 mins more.
5. Remove from the oven and allow to cool before storing in an airtight container.

This mixture should last well for up to a month. It is yummy with milk or natural bio live yoghurt and can be mixed with fresh fruit for extra flavour and benefits.