Let's get real and end the confusion...

Its time I speak honestly...

For years, I've been giving nutrition advice, dishing out healthy eating tips and recipes. I've changed my role so many times, I've confused myself and possibly everyone else in the process. One minute I'm a weight loss coach, the next, its skin health, the next digestive health and the latest is helping people quit sugar.

This is all valid stuff, however, I think all I have done is confuse. Confusion doesn't help anyone. There is plenty of confusion already with food labelling, traffic light systems, best before dates, sell by dates, once opened dates etc.

People are really confused about food. The confusion has been on purpose. If you are confused, its easy for you to be manipulated. You are told by Government industries what to eat. If you eat according to what you are being told to eat and follow it to the letter but still suffer with poor health, it is not your fault. You were just doing as you are told.

I've known there is a problem with the 'system'. I've know quite a while, but until now, I have never said anything. I kept quiet. The real problem is, I have been hiding from what it is I really want to say. 

All the things I've mentioned above (health, weight, poor health etc.), I can still help with in my programmes, but I'm no longer going to be offering nutrition tips and ideas on what to eat. There is enough of that out there. If you want to know, go Google it. 

When someone is diagnosed with a disease, they are told they will have to live with the disease for the rest of their lives and manage it with medication...that's bullsh*t.

I'm sick and tired of the bull we are being spun by food manufacturers, the medical establishment and the pharmaceutical industries. Whether you believe it or not, you are being manipulated every single day. Fear mongering is rife. There are 'laws' in place to prevent people like myself speaking about food and is powerful impact on health.

Health practitioners are labelled quacks and are written about in a negative way, and even sued if we make claims. If the claims cannot be substantiated in anyway, then fair enough. But recommending someone to eat lots of vegetables because of the nutrients they contain as well as the fibre won't harm anyone (unless they have severe allergies!). More people are likely to die from prescription medication.

Health Practitioners (the ones who do no harm) have to tell you to go and see your doctor before embarking on any lifestyle changes. In six years of studying, doctors have roughly 24 hours nutrition training. Yet, its recommended you to go to them and trust them to give you the best advice.

A nutritional therapist, goes through 3-4 years of training, learning every modality there is to learn about disease, diets, macro and micro nutrients etc., plus we are required to undertake over 200 hundred hours of clinical training, seeing real people with real problems, taking case studies, exams and so forth. Many of us did the training to become qualified because we understand the power of food in health and how it can prevent many disease from developing simply...because we did it on ourselves first.

I'm not here to slag off doctors or who ever. I'm super frustrated. There is so much you can do to empower yourself but thanks to clever manipulative marketing, you are probably more confused than ever and just need to know what to eat for better health. Its about getting back to basics. Understand that, and you'll be in a very powerful position.

I have so much more to say about this, and we'll get into it more. Just know, you have been duped by the dairy industry, the sugar industry and a whole bunch of other industries, where its in their best interests to keep to you sick and over weight.

This is not just me mouthing off, this comes from researched materials, which I'll bring to you in time. 

Bored with Water?

“Drink more water” – It’s a statement you probably hear constantly from doctors, dietcians, nutritionists, personal trainers, advertisements, the list goes on. But how much water are you really supposed to drink and how can you make doing so a bit easier?

Frankly, water isn’t everyone’s first choice in beverages, but it really should be. Water accounts for nearly 60% of your body composition and is essential for growth and regeneration of every cell in your body. Without proper hydration, your body won’t work proper! Proper hydration supports the following major health benefits:

• Prevents dry mouth, lips, and throat
• Keeps the body cool
• Improves muscle and joint function
• Helps you lose weight
• As your body is cleansed with water, your body sheds waste which leaves you looking and feeling lighter.
• Cleanses toxins from your body
• Shedding toxins gives you more energy, improves mental health and functioning, and gives you better skin and hair. Bonus! You will glow!

Using certain fruits, herbs, and flowers takes the benefits of hydration to a whole new level. Infused water benefits include:

• Heightened metabolism
• Enhanced digestive functioning
• Improved immune system functioning (recuperate faster from illness and workouts
• Additional energy boosts and mood enhancements

So how much should you drink? Half your body weight in ounces. You read that right.

It’s no secret that it’s difficult for many people to drink the necessary amount of water because it can be pretty boring at times. It isn’t as sexy as drinking a glass of wine and it doesn’t have the flavour a soft and sugary drink offers. And yes, while fizzy drinks are fun, it is so important that we limit the amount of sugars and artificial ingredients we put into our bodies. Thankfully, there are easy ways to make your water more interesting, flavorful, and packed full of health benefits. Still not a believer? Read on!

My favorite way to spice up my water intake is with herbal tea bags! Herbal tea is a great alternative to normal everyday tea and much more FUN. The main difference with ordinary tea is, herbal tea is going to leave you HYDRATED! 

In need of a New Year Detox? Grab your FREE Mini Reset right here >> http://bit.ly/2hg6niD

Mediterranean Kale Salad

This recipe is perfect if you want to reduce sugar cravings as it has all the components to help stabilise blood sugar. Pair with grilled, baked or steamed salmon for a simple yet delicious dinner.

2 small bunches kale, stems removed

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 cup pine nuts

1/4 cup golden raisins, soaked 10 minutes, drained, and rinsed

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Stack two of the kale leaves with the stem end facing you. Fold in half lengthwise and roll tightly like a cigar. Slice crosswise into thin strips. Repeat with the remaining kale leaves. Chop the kale strips crosswise a few times, so they aren't too long.

Place the kale in a mixing bowl along with the olive oil, lemon juice, and salt. Toss well with your hands, working the dressing into the greens. Add the pine nuts and raisins and toss gently. Season to taste with black pepper. Stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator, Mediterranean Kale Salad will keep for three days.

Bring to room temperature before serving.

Vegetable soup

Serves up to 6 

Ingredients

2 onions diced

Grated fresh ginger 

2 sticks celery, chopped 

4 large carrots, chopped 

2 medium sized potatoes chopped into small cubes

1 vegetable stock cube 

Sprinkle of seaweed salad (optional)

Black or white pepper

Pinch of sea salt

Fresh coriander chopped

1 tablespoon (approximately) cold pressed, virgin olive oil

Can sweetcorn, can borlotti beans (all optional)

In a large saucepan, cook the onions and ginger in the olive oil until onions are transparent. Add the celery, then the carrots and potatoes. Continue cooking for around five minutes in the oil. Add a little more oil if it all starts sticking. Dissolve the vegetable stock cube into a cup of boiling water and add to the vegetables. Sprinkle pepper to taste and the seaweed salad and pinch of sea salt. Top up with plenty of water to around 2 cm above the vegetables.

If you are using a pressure cooker, put on the lid and bring to steam. Turn heat down and set timer for 10 minutes. In a saucepan, put on the lid, bring to the boil, turn heat down and simmer until all the vegetables are cooked (around 20 minutes).

Using a soup blender, blend all the ingredients to a smooth texture. You can leave some solid pieces of vegetable if preferred. Add more water if a thinner soup is desired. Stir in the sweet corn and/or borlotti beans (optional), plus the coriander. Pour into soup bowls. Eat as a meal on its own or with fresh, wholemeal bread. Tip: If you have a vitamix blender, you can pretty much make this in five minutes if you don't mind a super smooth soup or add in the beans (if using) after 5-10 minutes of blending and pulse until you reach the desired consistency.

3 Tips for a Healthy Lifestyle

Evidence that eating chocolate IS healthy?

Two Chocolate bars a day may cut strokes' the Daily Mirror headlines screams. Guardian website: 'More evidence that chocolate may be good for the heart'.

Oh but wait...its not just dark chocolate the researchers say...it also includes milk chocolate. The sheer delight if you had been depriving yourself of this yummy velvety indulgence, thinking you were being 'good'. Happily you go skipping off to the shops blessing the scientists who came up with this 'evidence'.

When research like this is splashed all over the newspapers, the first question to ask yourself is, who paid for it? Nestle and Cadbury's kinda spring to mind!

The downside to headlines like this is that people believe it. If its in the news, it must be true right?

The benefits of 'dark' chocolate are well documented. Dr Mercola (www.drmercola.com) mentions that chocolate contains a high number of flavanoids known to have a number of health benefits including being an anti-carcinogenic, anti- inflammatory, helping reduce C-Reactive Protein (a known inflammatory marker in heart disease) plus helping improve gut flora. Evidence also points to chocolate being associated with a lowered risk of cardiovascular events.

(http://www.theguardian.com/)

So where does milk chocolate fit in? If we are talking about a bog standard chocolate bar, loaded with sugar and milk (because let's face it, naked chocolate is seriously bitter!), how can that possibly be?

Mars, Snickers, Twix and Kit Kat can hardly be called chocolate as they hardly contain any! The first ingredient in these bars is usually sugar, with the rest being made up of various substances including wheat flour and vegetable oil. Excuse me, but how on earth can that contribute to keeping your heart healthy? On the flip side, dark chocolate, with a cocoa content of 70% and above, will have a lot less sugar making it much more bitter. Taste buds used to sugary, salty foods will dislike bitter chocolate.

The observational study was conducted on 150,000 people with 21,000 from Norfolk being the subject of this study. What they fail to mention is their age range, lifestyle, general health or fitness levels. If you are smart, (you are reading this so that counts), you will have noticed the word 'observational'. One would guess that means the results were based on what the researchers 'saw' or perhaps via conversation with the study individuals. As far as one can tell, no actual tests were performed like blood or saliva tests for example. Furthermore, because we have no idea about eating habits, how do we know if these guys weren't already healthy? Some may have had dodgy hearts and decided to embark on a healthy lifestyle which would improve their health anyway, others could have been super fit raw foodists...who knows?

If you are a chocolate lover, feel free to have the odd indulgence. Chocolate is a pleasurable food, but where possible opt for dark chocolate. As Dr Beatrice Golomb (http://www.golombresearchgroup.org/overview) says, stick to high quality chocolate and determine your optimal 'dose'. In a nut shell, consume smaller amounts frequently in order to get the maximum benefits and nutrients into the bloodstream. 

Detox Watermelon Recipe

It’s no secret that it’s difficult for many people to drink the necessary amount of water because it can be pretty boring at times, so let's jazz things up a little and add some watermelon to make your water super sexy!

What you need:

500ml water

4 cubes fresh watermelon

6 leaves coriander (helps with detoxification)

This is how you do it:

In a 1-litre pitcher, place the fruit and coriander at the bottom and add water until full. Cover the top of the pitcher and let sit in the fridge for about 30 minutes to let the fruit seep into the water. The mixture should keep for two days.

Here are some more fruity combinations:

• Orange, lemon, and ginger (improves the immune system and blood circulation)
• Cucumber, raspberry, and grape (beats inflammation)
• Rhubarb, apple, and cinnamon (amplifies metabolism)
• Strawberry and lime (boosts anti-aging)
• Pineapple and mint (relieves joint pain and supports the digestive system

This is what I use to keep my skin healthy...

Divine Green Smoothie

You can make this and other smoothies in advance, drink them anytime of day and grab them for on the-go. Smoothies are pretty much the best fast food on the planet.

What you need:

2 cups spinach

1½ cups cold coconut water, filtered water or non-dairy milk (coconut, hemp, or almond milk)

2 tablespoons tahini

½ cup frozen grapes

1 tablespoon flax meal

Blend the whole lot and enjoy.

9 Tips to Naturally Improve Your Digestion

Believe it or not, many chronic health issues can stem from poor digestion and the inability to absorb nutrients. There is another factor involve that many doctors would dismiss, simply due to the fact that there is no ‘scientific clinical evidence’. Before we crack on with the tips, just a small rant about that...

Just because there is no randomised placebo controlled, gold standard trial, which let’s face it can be manipulated to say whatever they want to say, does not mean it wouldn’t work. Rant over!

We are talking about your emotions. This is not woo woo stuff as I see plenty of evidence staring in my face in family members and clients who have digestive upset but will not acknowledge there is a problem and carry on with a typical British stiff upper lip or they are aware something wrong but have no idea how to deal with it. You can eat as much healthy food as you like, take the best supplements and load your body with superfoods, but if you don’t sort out what is going on in your head and your gut (the second brain), you may well find that your gut issues never really get resolved.

Dr Smith, a certified doctor, gastrointestinal vascular surgeon and Medical Advisor at the University of Miami Department of Surgery, sums it up nicely “Virtually every illness in the body has some psychological emotional element. This certainly includes the intestinal tract ranging from swallowing difficulties, abdominal pain, IBS and diarrhoea.”

Here are some general guidelines for keeping your gut in tip top shape:

1) Find time to de-stress. Ladies, please don’t try to be super woman and think you can resolve every one else’s problems as well as your own whilst looking after the kids, the house, your partner, whilst holding down a full-time job plus look after your parents... I think you get the message.

2) Cut out foods you suspect you are intolerant to

3) Find time to exercise no matter what – please do not give the I’m too tired excuse. You might be, but exercise gives you energy! Even 5 minutes. Every one has 5 minutes to spare.

4) Avoid using alcohol as a relaxant. It is probably doing more harm than good.

5) Chew, chew, chew your food, Many people suffer with digestive issues simply because they think their stomach has teeth which will do the chewing for them.

6) Fizzy sugary energy or sports drinks are just that – sugar, avoid at all costs

7) Avoid eating protein and starches together, so no more steak and chips, fish and chips, steak pie and mash etc. Eat at your own digestive peril!

8) Get as much sleep as you can. If you have insomnia and are used to not sleeping and being tired all the time, I completely understand as I used to be like that.

9) Meditate. If you cannot do this because your mind wonders all the time, try a moving mediation such as yoga. Meditation is re-balancing and brings an inner calm to an otherwise hectic busy life.

Try just one of these and see how you get get.

How to Reverse Anaemia

Anaemia is when there are a reduced number of red blood cells or haemoglobin in the blood.

As a result, there is a reduced amount of oxygen available to the cells of the body. This means that with less oxygen, the body cannot carry out its normal everyday functions i.e. breaking down and re-building muscle. A person with anaemia might also feel dizzy or light headed due to the reduced amount of oxygen to the brain. Tiredness is also a common symptom.

Anaemia comes about as a result of anything that causes a reduction in the production of red blood cells. This can include vitamin and mineral deficiencies, poor absorption due to digestive issues, thyroid disorders, inflammation, infections or other illnesses and heavy menstrual bleeding. Anaemia can cause heavy periods and heavy period’s leads to anaemia - it’s a vicious cycle. Anaemia can also be hereditary. Other symptoms to look out for are headaches, irritability and difficulties concentrating. Because anaemia can go unnoticed, it is only really diagnosed via a routine health screen.

So what causes it? In a nutshell, a lack of iron in the blood. A basic check to see if you might have anaemia is to look inside the lower part of your eye lids, the part known as eye bags! The colour should be heavy pink to red. If it is pale, there is a chance you might be iron deficient. To confirm this, get a check up from your GP.

The great thing about anaemia is that it is easy to rectify as most of the time, it is mainly due to nutrient intake or absorption problems. The best and easiest way to increase iron intake is through what you eat. Prescription iron supplements can cause constipation and because the iron contained within them is inorganic (artificial), it just passes straight through the body. Our bodies only recognise what is natural, which is why it is so important to feed ourselves with nutrient dense, unadulterated food and drink.

To reverse anaemia, fix your digestion and eat foods and herbs high in iron:

Nettle. Contains vitamin C which aids iron absorption, apricots, bananas, whole grains and green leafy vegetables are also good sources.

Before supplementing, get a blood test first. If tests show you are seriously anaemic, then a liquid supplement for the short term (3-4 months) would be a wise idea. The aim is to get most of your nutrients from high quality nutrient dense foods, which is why a healthy digestive system is so important. For vegetarians and particularly vegans, it is important to supplement with vitamin B12 to prevent another form of anaemia known as pernicious anaemia, which carries a greater neurological risk.

Other foods rich in iron include:

- Read meat

- Poultry

- Seaweed

- Dark green leafy vegetables 

- Dried fruit

Highly refined foods, carbonated drinks, alcohol and tea and coffee are bested avoided as they rob the body of nutrients.

Creamy Roasted Vegetable Soup

Now we are moving into autumn, how about a nice warming soup for the colder months? As much as we dislike the cold, its one of the seasons we all have to grin and bear until next summer (can't wait!), let light up the dark evenings with this luscious hearty soup. This recipe is gluten, dairy, soya, nut and seed free.

Serves 2

1 courgette (zucchini), chopped

1/4 butternut squash, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

½ yellow onion, chopped

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon sea salt/ black pepper

1 cup dairy-free milk

ROAST THE VEGETABLES. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place vegetables on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil and sea salt. Roast vegetables for 20 minutes.

PREPARE THE SOUP. Place roasted vegetables into a blender and blend, slowly add in the milk to get a creamy consistency. Once you have your desired consistency, season and serve.

Difficulties sleeping?

Do you recall the days when you slept like a baby? Perhaps it’s such a long time since you last had a good nights sleep, you can’t actually remember. Don’t worry, as you are among the estimated 31 million people in the UK who suffer with disturbed sleep. The trouble is, when you don’t sleep well, you are knackered for the rest of the day.

Sleep is designed to restore and replenish you. When you are sleeping, your body isn’t. There is a hive of activity that takes place only when we are resting. You could call it a daily house clean and this cleaning is further enhanced by what you put into your body in the way of food and drink.

To prevent this article getting rather long, I’ll explain what happens (when we sleep) in one sentence. When you sleep, your body repairs tissue, organs take a break or complete detoxification cycles and your mind filters everything that has happened that day.

A lack of sleep causes memory loss, tiredness, fatigue, poor concentration, feelings of anxiety and dull skin. Furthermore, there is research to show that a lack of sleep can lead to weight gain.

So, if you are not sleeping through the night, whether this is difficulties getting to sleep or waking up and not being able to nod back off, here are some tips that will help you...much of this you probably already know, if so, why have you not done anything about it?):

Avoid stimulants. You knew that already right? Having a mug of tea or coffee, eating chocolate or soft drinks will only hinder your ability to sleep. That’s why they are called stimulants!

Make a list then forget it until morning. How many times have you gone to bed thinking about what you need to do the next day? Yes, we have all been there. Write out your ‘to do’ list then place it somewhere where you can grab it when you wake up.

Get some down time. Now this one is will be very difficult for most people. If you are constantly glued to your phone, you have a phone addiction. Have a digital detox each night by turning off your phone, laptop, TV and any other devices one hour before your turn in. Read a book, preferably one that’s not action packed or have a warm bath.

Brown Rice Salad

This is a really nice simple recipe that utilises left over brown rice. Full of gentle fibre that perfect for the bowels!

Ingredients

Cooked brown rice

Carrots (cut into strips - julienne)

Pitted raw black olives (cut into halves)

Sun dried tomatoes (soaked 1 hour or use fresh cherry tomatoes)

1/2 avocado (cubed)

Dressing

Dash of extra virgin cold pressed organic flax, hemp or olive oil

Splash of lemon Juice

Nori flakes (optional)

Freshly ground black pepper

Put all ingredients into a bowl, add seasoning and the oil and toss until well coated.

Serve as is or portion out two tablespoons and place on a bed of mixed green leaves (spinach, watercress, rocket etc.)

Valerie’s notes: For a variation on the above recipes, substitute brown rice for red or wild rice or quinoa. Wild rice and quinoa can be sprouted to make the rice dishes 100% raw.

Gut-Restoring Smoothie

I adapted this recipe from one I found on a doctors blog simply because it has hemp & chia seeds, which I cannot tolerate. It still works out delicious just not as thick as the original. Full of lovely healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. If you can tolerate them, go ahead and add chia seeds or flax for the extra fibre and to keep you feeling full for a longer time.

Ingredients:

2 cups coconut milk
1 cup spinach
1 cup kale
1/2 avocado
1 banana 9 frozen in chunks the day before)
Small piece of fresh ginger (grated)
1 tablespoon raw honey or maple syrup
1 sachet sprouted brown rice protein
1 tablespoon been pollen

Blend everything until smooth and enjoy in a tall glass.
Smoothing, delicious and healing.

Energy Bites

I used to make snacks like these all the time until I realised was intolerant to all nuts and seeds. That said, just because I have to avoid them doesn't mean you have to. I will eventually, limit the number of recipes that contain nuts and seeds as not every one can stomach them.

This recipe is taken from a magazine called Naturally Healthy News.

Makes 15-20 bite sized snacking balls.

1 cup medjool dates, pitted
3/4 cup almonds
3/4 cup walnuts
2 TBSP ground flaxseeds
1 TBSP coconut oil
1 TBSP hemp protein powder (you can also use golden pea)
1 TBSP raw cacao powder

Place almonds, flaxseeds and walnuts into a food processor and blitz until you have a nice crumble like texture.
Ad remaining ingredients, then process until the mixture forms a sticky dough.
Use your hands to break off small pieces and roll into balls.
Store in an air tight glass container in the fridge.

Super simple.

Tips: Cover with melted chocolate, desiccated coconut, matcha powder or cocoa powder.

The easiest way to detox

Ever detoxed before?

Whether you believe in it or not, detoxing or cleansing is like an MOT for the body. You might even have heard medical professionals rubbish it as a fad, saying the pills, supplements and drinks that claim to 'detox' your body are a complete waste of time. Indeed, some of them are. However there are also some very good cleansing products out there.

Robert Morse says detoxification is the golden key to 'curing' (his words) many aliments. Similarly, Dr Sanjay Gupta, CNN Chief Medical Correspondent states that many 'lifestyle' diseases can be reversed simply by changing what you eat and moving your body.

Medical experts are highly skilled and knowledgeable when it comes to diagnosing disease and other health issues, but when it comes to prevention as in the healing or reversing of diseases,sorry, but they don't have a clue. Their training has not taught them about the human body as a whole, only as different parts to be treated with a prescription drug.

When it comes to healing the human body, we need to go back to basics and take the holistic approach, as in healing the entire body. Feeding it with medication, particularly for 'lifestyle' diseases like high cholesterol and diabetes (unless its type 1) is unnecessary when a simple dietary and exercise regime will do the trick.

Your body detoxes day in day out, but does most of its work when you are asleep. Of course if you sleep badly or don't sleep at all, your body won't do what it needs to do which is why you feel like crap in the morning. If you are already highly toxic, reaching for stimulants such as coffee and something sugary (cereal or toast and jam) only adds to an already burdened body. Your body was not designed to put up with a cocktail of drugs, alcohol, caffeine, sugar, processed foods and anything else casually thrown into it without due care and attention, so continually feeding it with the wrong things will lead to health problems. Headaches, bad skin, bloating, cravings are the tip of the iceberg and serve as a major warning sign so take heed.

If you want to look after yourself better, start with a gentle detox and the best way to do this is with nourishing, cleansing foods; a great place to start is with the 4-day Mini Reset. This way, you avoid the downsides of a detox whilst giving your body exactly what it needs. Detoxing does not have to be extreme. By consuming lots of fresh, unadulterated wholefoods, all you are doing is helping your body do its job more efficiently.

If you're struggling with poor skin, this will help...

Dull, flaky, uneven tone, chapping, cracking, wrinkles and fine lines are just a fraction of the side effects of poor skin health and we haven’t even got started on the other problems!

You probably already know your skin your biggest organ. Its responsible for a multitude of tasks including defender, protector and gatekeeper. Its primary purpose is to keep your organs safe by keeping water loss. Your skin also acts as a secure barrier by keeping unwanted things out such as viruses and bacteria.

We could talk about the structure and the different layers, but there really is no need, as that information is available everywhere. All you need to know is how to look after your skin so you look and feel fabulous.

If you have poor skin health, it’ll be pretty obvious as you may have one or more of the symptoms listed earlier. This does not mean you cannot do anything about it. An article from the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institute of Health states that skin as always been a reflection of inner-health. Beauty comes from within – that is a well-known fact. You can apply all the creams and lotions you like, which is fine as long as they are not toxic, but nothing beats antioxidants, flavonoids, omega fatty acids, protein, pro-biotics and adequate hydration for healthy beautiful skin.

Where do you find these nutrients? In fruit and vegetables! You’ll hear it over and over again. Its why medical professionals, doctors, dieticians, nutritionists and holistic practitioners recommend eating plenty of it every single day; sorry there is no getting away from it. Our bodies function at a higher level on all levels, when we eat a diet rich in nutrients. Your skin will glow, look radiant and healthy if you feed your body what it needs. If you don’t like vegetables (most people like fruit but just don’t eat enough it it), its quite simple...your body won’t be getting what it needs so you will suffer the consequences if you are not already.

Dry Skin – There are two type of dry skin, one is due to a lack of natural oils and the other a combination of a lack both moisture and oils. The skin secretes natural oils from the sebaceous glands that lubricate the skins surface. Moisture is present inside the skin cells and this moisture comes via the blood stream. Dry skin can be caused by many of the following factors including: chemical sensitivities, poor diet, nutritional deficiencies, food intolerances, harsh soaps and indoor heating.

Dermatitis (Eczema) – Dermatitis is the term used to describe inflammation of the skin. Symptoms range from scaly flaky skin to weeping, crusting and extremely itchy sores. Causes maybe due to low stomach acid, candida - a yeast infection, food intolerances and poor diet. Prescribed steroid creams may help initially but over time can thin the skin.

Acne – Severe acne can be very embarrassing. It is an inflammatory disorder characterised by spots (large and small), whiteheads and blackheads. Although acne tends to get worse during puberty, it is not just teens that are affected, adults can get acne too. Acne maybe caused by hormonal imbalances, monthly menstrual cycle, external pollutants, oral contraception, an imbalance in pH so the body is too acidic (from a diet high in sugar, meat and refined grains), trans and hydrogenated fats, poor diet, food intolerances, nutritional deficiencies and medication.

Once again, it comes back to nature. The best and safest way to clear up skin conditions is by taking care of what you ingest. An excellent working digestive system is key to clearing up bad skin as are bitter and blood cleansing herbs.

Detoxing is a fantastic way to reboot and reset the body. It gives your body a chance to re-balance and neutralise free radicals, giving you more energy, focus and a better nights sleep. Who wouldn’t want that?

If you're struggling with poor skin, this will help...

Dull, flaky, uneven tone, chapping, cracking, wrinkles and fine lines are just a fraction of the side effects of poor skin health and we haven’t even got started on the other problems!

You probably already know your skin your biggest organ. Its responsible for a multitude of tasks including defender, protector and gatekeeper. Its primary purpose is to keep your organs safe by keeping water loss. Your skin also acts as a secure barrier by keeping unwanted things out such as viruses and bacteria.

We could talk about the structure and the different layers, but there really is no need, as that information is available everywhere. All you need to know is how to look after your skin so you look and feel fabulous.

If you have poor skin health, it’ll be pretty obvious as you may have one or more of the symptoms listed earlier. This does not mean you cannot do anything about it. An article from the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institute of Health states that skin as always been a reflection of inner-health. Beauty comes from within – that is a well-known fact. You can apply all the creams and lotions you like, which is fine as long as they are not toxic, but nothing beats antioxidants, flavonoids, omega fatty acids, protein, pro-biotics and adequate hydration for healthy beautiful skin.

Where do you find these nutrients? In fruit and vegetables! You’ll hear it over and over again. Its why medical professionals, doctors, dieticians, nutritionists and holistic practitioners recommend eating plenty of it every single day; sorry there is no getting away from it. Our bodies function at a higher level on all levels, when we eat a diet rich in nutrients. Your skin will glow, look radiant and healthy if you feed your body what it needs. If you don’t like vegetables (most people like fruit but just don’t eat enough it it), its quite simple...your body won’t be getting what it needs so you will suffer the consequences if you are not already.

Dry Skin – There are two type of dry skin, one is due to a lack of natural oils and the other a combination of a lack both moisture and oils. The skin secretes natural oils from the sebaceous glands that lubricate the skins surface. Moisture is present inside the skin cells and this moisture comes via the blood stream. Dry skin can be caused by many of the following factors including: chemical sensitivities, poor diet, nutritional deficiencies, food intolerances, harsh soaps and indoor heating.

Dermatitis (Eczema) – Dermatitis is the term used to describe inflammation of the skin. Symptoms range from scaly flaky skin to weeping, crusting and extremely itchy sores. Causes maybe due to low stomach acid, candida - a yeast infection, food intolerances and poor diet. Prescribed steroid creams may help initially but over time can thin the skin.

Acne – Severe acne can be very embarrassing. It is an inflammatory disorder characterised by spots (large and small), whiteheads and blackheads. Although acne tends to get worse during puberty, it is not just teens that are affected, adults can get acne too. Acne maybe caused by hormonal imbalances, monthly menstrual cycle, external pollutants, oral contraception, an imbalance in pH so the body is too acidic (from a diet high in sugar, meat and refined grains), trans and hydrogenated fats, poor diet, food intolerances, nutritional deficiencies and medication.

Once again, it comes back to nature. The best and safest way to clear up skin conditions is by taking care of what you ingest. An excellent working digestive system is key to clearing up bad skin as are bitter and blood cleansing herbs.

Detoxing is a fantastic way to reboot and reset the body. It gives your body a chance to re-balance and neutralise free radicals, giving you more energy, focus and a better nights sleep. Who wouldn’t want that?

If you're struggling with poor skin, this will help...

Dull, flaky, uneven tone, chapping, cracking, wrinkles and fine lines are just a fraction of the side effects of poor skin health and we haven’t even got started on the other problems!

You probably already know your skin your biggest organ. Its responsible for a multitude of tasks including defender, protector and gatekeeper. Its primary purpose is to keep your organs safe by keeping water loss. Your skin also acts as a secure barrier by keeping unwanted things out such as viruses and bacteria.

We could talk about the structure and the different layers, but there really is no need, as that information is available everywhere. All you need to know is how to look after your skin so you look and feel fabulous.

If you have poor skin health, it’ll be pretty obvious as you may have one or more of the symptoms listed earlier. This does not mean you cannot do anything about it. An article from the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institute of Health states that skin as always been a reflection of inner-health. Beauty comes from within – that is a well-known fact. You can apply all the creams and lotions you like, which is fine as long as they are not toxic, but nothing beats antioxidants, flavonoids, omega fatty acids, protein, pro-biotics and adequate hydration for healthy beautiful skin.

Where do you find these nutrients? In fruit and vegetables! You’ll hear it over and over again. Its why medical professionals, doctors, dieticians, nutritionists and holistic practitioners recommend eating plenty of it every single day; sorry there is no getting away from it. Our bodies function at a higher level on all levels, when we eat a diet rich in nutrients. Your skin will glow, look radiant and healthy if you feed your body what it needs. If you don’t like vegetables (most people like fruit but just don’t eat enough it it), its quite simple...your body won’t be getting what it needs so you will suffer the consequences if you are not already.

Dry Skin – There are two type of dry skin, one is due to a lack of natural oils and the other a combination of a lack both moisture and oils. The skin secretes natural oils from the sebaceous glands that lubricate the skins surface. Moisture is present inside the skin cells and this moisture comes via the blood stream. Dry skin can be caused by many of the following factors including: chemical sensitivities, poor diet, nutritional deficiencies, food intolerances, harsh soaps and indoor heating.

Dermatitis (Eczema) – Dermatitis is the term used to describe inflammation of the skin. Symptoms range from scaly flaky skin to weeping, crusting and extremely itchy sores. Causes maybe due to low stomach acid, candida - a yeast infection, food intolerances and poor diet. Prescribed steroid creams may help initially but over time can thin the skin.

Acne – Severe acne can be very embarrassing. It is an inflammatory disorder characterised by spots (large and small), whiteheads and blackheads. Although acne tends to get worse during puberty, it is not just teens that are affected, adults can get acne too. Acne maybe caused by hormonal imbalances, monthly menstrual cycle, external pollutants, oral contraception, an imbalance in pH so the body is too acidic (from a diet high in sugar, meat and refined grains), trans and hydrogenated fats, poor diet, food intolerances, nutritional deficiencies and medication.

Once again, it comes back to nature. The best and safest way to clear up skin conditions is by taking care of what you ingest. An excellent working digestive system is key to clearing up bad skin as are bitter and blood cleansing herbs.

Detoxing is a fantastic way to reboot and reset the body. It gives your body a chance to re-balance and neutralise free radicals, giving you more energy, focus and a better nights sleep. Who wouldn’t want that?