How to motivate yourself to exercise

Last week we discussed why exercise is so important, regardless of age and current physical condition. Today I thought it would be helpful to discuss how you can get yourself motivated to put on those trainers and get moving, because this can be very difficult and often is the obstacle that prevents people from exercising at all.

Focusing on the positive things you will get out of exercise is a great way of motivating yourself. Whether that’s the decreasing number on the bathroom scale, the cupboard full of clothes you will soon be wearing again, or even just the buzz and rush you feel once you’ve completed a work-out session of some kind. Focus on these positive thoughts and feelings and you will be happy to lace up your trainers and head out the door.

Finding success stories to read or even following blogs of others who are undertaking a health and fitness overhaul will offer a wealth of both inspiration and motivation. It is very helpful to read about others who are in a similar position to yourself and experiencing the same struggles, difficulties and set-backs.

Working out with a friend or family member is another great way of gaining motivation. Not only does it make the whole experience more fun, it also makes it less likely that you will miss a session, as you won’t want to let them down.

Finding exercise that you find fun is the best way of sticking to it. If you really hate going to the gym, then try something else. Aerobics classes, dance classes, tennis lessons, joining a swimming club - there are plenty of ways to be active without finding it boring or too much of a chore. Try lots of different things until you hit upon an activity or class that you can’t wait to go to every week.

If anyone has any other suggestions on how to motivate yourself to exercise please feel free to write them below.

Why exercise is important at any age

Exercise and activity is one of the most important ways in which we can keep ourselves healthy. Even if you have never taken exercise seriously it is never too late to start as exercise is good for your health at any age. An active lifestyle has shown to limit the chances of developing serious illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, strokes and even cancer.

As we get older, people are less likely to engage in regular exercise, when in fact this is just the time to be stepping it up as the best way to delay the aging process and keep our heath in tip top shape is through exercise. The aging process can weaken bones and joints and make our bodies more susceptible to illness, but exercise can lessen the effects or even prevent them altogether. Even if walking up stairs leaves you huffing and puffing, regular exercise can build your body up until you are bounding up those stairs, leaving much younger people in your wake.

Older people are often more reluctant to exercise, believing perhaps it will be too strenuous or difficult, but research has shown the opposite is actually true. Furthermore, exercise doesn’t have to be an exhausting sweat session that leaves you stiff for days. It can just be a fun activity that you enjoy doing that does nothing more than raise the heartbeat.

With exercise it is important to start small. Making small changes to our everyday lives - for example taking the stairs instead of the life, will add up to huge changes. Ideally, 30 minutes of light exercise everyday is needed, but you can just start with 10 minutes. Even 5 minutes is better than nothing. Taking that first step is all that is needed because as you get more comfortable and confident that you can do, you will automatically want to increase the time until you are doing at least 30 minutes a day.

Whatever your age or whatever your fitness level, exercise is a vital part of your health. It is not too late to start and you will feel the benefits straight away. Has anyone any good ways of staying fit without exhausting and straining yourself in the process?

Eating Better for Less

Eating well is incredibly important for our overall health and wellness, but a complaint that is often made is that it simply costs too much. The high cost of organic food in particular makes it unaffordable for the majority of people which does seem strange when surely letting nature do its job uninhibited costs less than using machinery to cover crops in pesticides?

Anyway, organic food aside, it is still possible to eat very well even on a modest budget. Here are a few ideas on how you can feed your family the very best and ensure their health is of the very highest standard.

Cut down on expensive cuts of meat in favour of milk and eggs for protein. Milk and eggs are far cheaper and just as protein rich as any cut of meat and fish. There’s no need to enforce vegetarianism onto your family, just have fun searching for a couple of vegetarian recipes each week and increase the family’s consumption of milk and fresh eggs to retain high protein levels.

Only eat what is in season. It is so easy to load your trolley up at the supermarket with whatever fruits or veg are looking good that day, but if you only purchase those that are in season then you will save a packet. Ideally it is best to shop at farmers’ markets, as here you will automatically be buying only produce that is in season, what’s more you are contributing your community and helping the environment by eating locally sourced food.

Develop a taste for beans and pulses. These are probably the most inexpensive sources of nutrition available and they are packed with vitamins and protein. Any type of pulse or bean will load you up with vitamins, keep you feeling full for longer and reduce your monthly spend on food. Kids love them too!

Ditch the fizzy drinks. They are laden with sugar, cost a fortune when drunk in high quantities and do nothing to help your reach your daily nutritional needs. Instead you could try a supermarket’s own brand of fizzy water mixed with a splash of cordial or even fruit juice of some kind.

Invest in a high quality vitamin supplement. Just to make doubly sure than everyone is fit as a fiddle, it is a good idea to purchase a bumper pack of an all round vitamin supplement. Although there is a small price to pay up front, the long term health benefits far outweigh the cost.

There you have it, a few ideas to help keep those food bills down whilst eating very well. If anyone has any other ideas of information on how to save money whilst eating only the best, send in your comments below.

Spring Clean your Makeup

Makeup and cosmetics like creams and perfumes all have a shelf life. Continuing to use beauty products after a certain period of time can leave you at risk from spreading bacteria and developing infections. It is important to spring clean your makeup every year to ensure that it stays fresh and totally hygienic.

The first thing to do is go through your collection and putting everything you haven’t used over the past year into a pile. Next step is easy - throw it away. This may be hard if something expensive is included, but it not a good idea to use creams or makeup that have been left for this amount of time.

With whatever is left, go through each item checking its colour, consistency and smell. Anything that has developed an odour, changed colour or changed in its consistency should also be thrown away. This is especially true of creams, mascara and liquid foundations.

At this point your collection could have shrunk dramatically. There is still work to do however. With the remaining items, try and work out when you purchased them. A mascara for example has only a shelf life of 6 months because of the sensitive nature of the eyes. Your mascara may look ok, smell ok and have a normal texture, but if you have been using it on a off for more than 6 months, it is time to part ways and throw it out. As a rule, powdered makeup has a shelf life of a year, pencils about 3 years, and liquids including foundations and creams, about 6 months. Anything that you have in your collection that has been open for longer than these periods should go.

Next is the good part where you get to purchase brand new stuff! You may feel sad and hard done by that you had to throw away what seemed like perfectly good cosmetics, but the bright side is you get to replace them.

Have any of you experienced the negative effects of old makeup or cosmetics? Send in your comments below.

Magnesium Citrate

When you think about maintaining healthy and strong bones, you tend to immediately think of calcium which we are all taught ensures strong teeth and bones from a very young age. Calcium is certainly an important mineral for our bodies, but what you hear less about is the role of magnesium in the preservation of bones.

Magnesium works alongside calcium to keep our bones, tissues and muscles strong. Dairy products like milk and cheese are high in calcium, but low in magnesium levels, so it’s better to rely on green, leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds for your main source of calcium, as this will give you the magnesium you need too. Rather like a two for one deal!

Low levels of magnesium can leave the body susceptible to cardiovascular disease as studies have shown sufferers to have low levels in their hearts. Muscles are more prone to spasms when there is insufficient magnesium in the body, and even induce heart attacks as the heart itself goes into spasm. British diets do tend to be a little low on the magnesium side due to the lack of leafy vegetables contained within the majority of diets, so a supplement would be a sensible idea if you feel this sounds a bit like you.

Magnesium Citrate is available at Baldwin’s and at the moment it is on special offer. Buy one, and you get another one free. Of course, nothing is better for our minds and bodies than a good healthy diet, and plenty of exercise, but there is no harm in giving ourselves a little helping hand through one or two supplements.

Do any of you take Magnesium Citrate? Have you found it to have any affects on your body? Send in your comments below.

How to get rid of headaches

Headaches and migraines are a common problem and can easily ruin a perfectly good day. Here are a few ideas on how to rid yourself of a headache in both the short and long term.

Avoid processed food
Don’t consume anything that is not totally natural when you have a headache. In particular avoid monosodium glutamate (MSG), hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners and preservatives which are often found in man-made, processed food. These types of foods create work for the body to digest which means your headache is likely to continue as the body goes into overtime dealing with these substances.

Drink water
Dehydration is one of the major causes of headaches, and even other illnesses. Water helps the kidneys function and removes toxins from the body. Drink 2 litres of water every day.

Keep blood sugar levels constant
Don’t skip any meals as this will affect your blood sugar levels. Include plenty of fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds and pulses.

Avoid chemicals
Chemical smells from perfume, deodorant, shampoos, cigarette smoke and other nasties can all contribute to the onslaught of a headache or migraine. Switch to natural shampoos, conditioners and other cosmetics to avoid this. Natural oils can be used instead of manufactured perfumes and natural cleaning products should replace chemical varieties.

Relieve stress
Don’t be afraid of gentle exercise when you have a headache. This is an excellent way of relieving stress which can reduce the severity of a headache. Yoga, meditation or even just abdominal breathing can also help.

Holistic Therapies
Acupuncture and acupressure points is effective for relieving pain from a headache. Try applying a moderate pressure to the webbing between the thumb and forefinger on both hands for 30-60 seconds. There are other places on the face, head and at the back of the skull that can help when pressure is applied. Massage, reflexology and hypnotherapy have also been shown to help battle migraine sufferers.

Have any of you any other ideas of how to combat headaches and migraines? Send in your comments below.

Flexitol Skin-Nourishing Oil

The question of how to repair damaged or blemished skin often comes up, and I am happy to report that the Flexitol atomiser spray goes a very long way in helping to provide an answer. It is designed specifically to nourish skin with herbal extracts and essential oils that not only rejuvenates tired skin, but also promotes the production of new, healthy skin cells.

It helps to hide a multitude of blemishes that commonly occur on skin such as stretch marks, scars, uneven skin tone and age spots. It rehydrates skin and protects it against harsh pollutants in our environments that result from car fumes, cigarette smoke and other airborne chemicals. I often find skin treatments are too greasy for my skin, however Flexitol doesn’t seem to be greasy at all. I really like the spraying aspect as it makes it very quick and easy to use.

Only natural ingredients are found in this product and include:

Hyperloum Oil - well know for its soothing properties
Rose Hip Oil - for battling the appearance of scars and wrinkles and minimising the visible signs of aging. Rose Hip Oil also helps to balance skin tone and colour.
Calendula - soothes skin and provides dry skin with the moisture it needs whilst promoting cell growth.
Everlasting Oil - promotes cell growth and has anti-oxidant qualities
Arnlea Oil - has soothing properties for your skin
Lavender Oil - this is well known for its antiseptic qualities

I am always looking for effective, all natural skin treatments, and Flexitol offers a lot for the money. Currently at Baldwins this product is on special offer and you can get 100% extra free if you buy now.

Have any of you tried Flexitol Atomiser Spray? Did you like it or feel that it left you unsatisfied? Send in your comments below or even write your own review!

How to Store Cosmetics

The storage of cosmetics and other lotions and potions is very important if you want to prolong their “shelf life” and ensure they stay fresh for longer. When makeup and other cosmetics are not stored properly, they can deteriorate rapidly. Eyeshadows for example become crumbly and soft, mascaras can go mouldy and creams can go hard and discolour.

For correct storage of cosmetics like makeup, it is sensible to invest in a hard durable fishing tackle style of box. The different compartments will allow you to organise your products carefully so you can find them quickly when you need to, and the durable nature of the box will provide long lasting protection against your products getting broken or moisture and humidity from getting inside and affecting the contents. Moisture and humidity are the biggest reasons why makeup becomes crumbly and breaks and no longer be used. For this reason it is never sensible to keep makeup in a bathroom, but instead store it well away from the bathroom in a cool, dark cupboard.

Creams and lotions need good storage too so they last as long as possible. Homemade creams especially need good storage. The best candidate for the job is white plastic pots and jars with shives. Currently Baldwins have these on special offer, so it is a good time to stock up. They come in two different sizes, 30ml and the larger 250ml. Priced well under a pound, they are very strong, durable, easy to clean and will keep your creams looking, smelling and feeling great.

Similarly with makeup, it is vital that your creams and lotions and potions are not kept in the bathroom with all that moisture and humidity that is in the air. Keep them in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. With the correct containers and the correct storage, both makeup and other cosmetics and perfumes will stay fresh for longer.

If any of you have any tips on how to store makeup and cosmetics, send in your comments below.

Protect yourself from Flu this winter

Winter is upon us once again, only this year we have seen a rather rampant and dangerous flu reeking havoc across the globe that although has simmered down now, could potentially rear its ugly head again in the future. Although health care professionals in the UK seem confident another bout could be dealt with efficiently and risks kept to a minimum, there are a few natural things you can do to protect yourself and decrease the chances of catching any flu, swine or the plain old seasonal variety.

Solid deep sleep, plenty of exercise and a diet packed full of fruits and vegetables is the number one step to take. This will ensure your immune system is working at its peak performance levels which is important when battling illnesses and disease. Berries, beans and green tea are especially good for your immune system.

Try and get at least 8 hours of deep uninterrupted sleep each night. Instead of watching TV until 11, go to bed at 10 with a book and you will find yourself dropping off in no time. Watching TV tricks our bodies into thinking we are not tired, when really we are. For exercise, spend at least 30 minutes each day doing something that raises your heartbeat just a fraction. Even just hoovering the house is enough, no one is asking you to train for a marathon!

Introduce more garlic into your life if you really want to fight the flu! Studies have shown it is not just vampires that it wards off, but also cold and flu symptoms. You could make some really garlickly salad dressings, or make a healthy pizza with masses of garlic sprinkled on top. Yes, you may smell a little, but that is still better than catching a cold or even worse the flu.

Have any of you got any ideas of how to ward off colds, coughs and the flu? Send in all your comments below including any top tips you have.

Homemade Soaps

Making soap is a wonderful pass time to have. Both relaxing and satisfying, you can unleash all your creativity that is undoubtedly lurking beneath the surface! Although soap is cheap to buy, it is often full of chemicals and ingredients that are not necessarily good for your skin, and can leave it irritated and dry.

When you make your own soap you can add as many ingredients as you like and design soap for a specific purpose. For example, you could make up a batch of soap designed for a pair of mechanics hands. By using ingredients such as turpentine and ground almonds for a pumice effect, this soap will clean even the most oily and grime caked hands, and leave them soft and lovely. By adding a splash of your favourite essential oil too, hands will smell wonderful as well.

Alternatively you can make clear soaps and add pretty flowers or rose petals. This will look great and with carefully selected essential oils, soap like this will be a treat for both the eyes and the nose.

Homemade soaps are a fantastic gift too. You can experiment with different packages and designs and the end result will be a fantastic looking product that you would be proud to add your name too. The chances are though you will want to keep the first batch of soap you make for yourself, as you will think it too good to give away.

There are many combinations of ingredients you can add to your soap and can experiment with a host of natural ingredients such as herbs, spices, olive oil, honey, milk, colourings even coconut. If you are looking for a hobby or fancy trying your hand at something creative, making your own soap could be just the thing.

At the moment here at Baldwins the Melt and Mold Soap Making kits are on special offer, so you can even save a few pennies in the process.

Do any of you make your own soaps? Do you have any combinations that you find work particularly well? Send in your comments.

What is a herbal tincture?

A herbal tincture is an alternative to infusing herbs as the tincture can be added directly to a drink such as water or fruit juice. To make a herbal tincture, the herb is placed in a mixture of alcohol and water and then left at room temperature for 2 to 4 weeks. As this point the mixture is filtered and bottled. Generally the ratio of tinctures is 1 part herb to 3 parts liquid. The alcohol solution can vary in strength between 25% and 60%.

Because of the ease taking tinctures, they are particular popular amongst business travellers or those of us on the go. Just a few drops in a drink in the morning if all you need to do to receive the full benefits of the particular herb you taking. The small bottle is easily portable and very convenient too.

Here at Baldwin’s, not only do we offer discounts on large sizes of all our herbal tinctures, but at the moment we also have a 20% discount on our Baldwins Echinacea (angustifolia) Herbal Tincture. This is a good way to experience a herbal tincture without spending much money. You can receive all the benefits of a herbal tincture at Baldwin’s, but without any of the cost.

The benefits of herbal tinctures are numerous. Only a very small amount of the herb is needed and the solution stays potent and strong for many years. There are some herbal compounds that can only be extracted using alcohol, and the small but potent dosage goes to work right away.

Have any of you taken herbal tinctures in the past? Do you think they are something that is worthwhile, or did you not feel many of the benefits. Send in all of your comments below about herbal tinctures.

Self Sufficient Health Care

Becoming self- sufficient in terms of your health means no longer relying upon over the counter treatments and remedies for your health care. For every single shop bought product, there is an all natural herbal remedy available. Often in fact, many of the chemical preparations sold contain the natural plant extract as the active ingredient.

The first step to self sufficient health care is replacing the commercial elements of your first aid kit with the natural variety. You can keep the basics such as scissors, tweezers, a thermometer, lifesaving and CPR instructions, a first aid book, assorted bandages, sterile gauze, and first aid tape, but anything further should be totally natural. So what should that involve?

Here are a few ideas of what you might add to your first aid kit:

Cayenne Pepper

Why? This is a remarkable treatment for a number of conditions. First and foremost it heals wounds and limits scarring when applied directly to a wound and it stops bleeding both internally and externally. It also prevents shock and reduces the chances of hypothermia setting in when a person is very cold. It can also relieve pain for someone suffering from a heart attack. To administer cayenne pepper for these purposes, simply dissolve one teaspoon in warm water and drink. For the purpose of aiding recovery to frost bitten parts of the body which it also is capable of doing, soak the affected area in the solution of cayenne and warm water.

Golden Seal Root, Comfrey, Oak Bark and Bayberry Bark

Golden Seal Root will counter most infections whilst the other herbs work well to heal open wounds by stopping the bleeding and encouraging the tissues around the wound to pull together and heal it quickly.

Echinacea Extract

This is the perfect natural remedy for stings and bites from insects and even more venomous bites. It should be in a powdered extract form and applied straight to the skin when required.

Ginger Root

Eaten raw, studies have shown that nausea is very effectively reduced. Include it in your emergency kit for gastro intestinal disorder and other instances of nausea.

Slippery Elm Bark

This is a very soothing herb and is an excellent treatment of minor scrapes, burns, bruises and can even be applied to your baby to soothe nappy rash. Either the dry herb can be sprinkled on to the affected area or it can be mixed with water and applied as a plaster as this solution sticks well to the skin.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of natural items that should be included in your emergency kit, but it does give you an idea of the power of some of the natural remedies available to us are. You will find that becoming self sufficient in this way is rather exhilarating and will also reap great rewards. Do any of you follow this idea already and are self sufficient in terms of health? Send in your comments below.

Why use Shea Butter?

I always like to have a supply of Shea butter at home because of the amazing benefits my skin receives when I use it.

It comes from the seed of the nut produced by the Shea tree which is found only in Africa. The nut of the tree is dried and then through a process of boiling and pressing, the fat of the nut is removed and hence top quality Shea butter is produced. It is totally natural and is I believe the best moisturizer for you skin. The reason for this is that the oils within the butter are almost identical to the oils found within your own skin, so you are essentially using your skin’s own naturally occurring moisturizer on your face and body. you can’t really get more natural than that, and natural is so often best!

Benefits of using shea butter include a reduction of inflammation of the skin, reduction of the appearance of stretch marks and even the reduced appearance of wrinkles if used daily on your face. It can also help remove or reduce brown spots or age spots that are a regular occurrence on our skin as we get older.

There is no greasiness with Shea Butter either, it is absorbed quickly and easily by the skin and leaves absolutely no residue. Just daily application can lead to noticeable improvements to the skin in as little as 4 to 6 weeks.

At Baldwin’s this week, Shea Butter is on special offer, so I am going to be definitely be stocking up and taking full advantage of the 20% off offer. I can’t recommend a moisturizer more highly than Shea Butter. Do any of you use it currently? Send in your comments as to whether you agree that it is the best, or whether you disagree.

Supplements for your Kids

In the past supplements were mainly thought of as for adults only, however today with kids eating more and more processed food than ever before, it is becoming more common for supplements to be given to children by their parents. A deficiency of vitamins and minerals in children is a serious problem and that is why some people are turning to supplements for an added boost and to ensure appropriate levels are being reached within their kids.

The difficulty can be however that kids don’t want to swallow a pill, particularly one that tastes bad. Baldwins can help though as we have Vitamer’s new ‘Bengal Bites’ for sale. These are the perfect vitamin supplement for kids because not only do they taste great, they are chewy and in a fun tiger shape. The natural berry flavour makes the chewy tablet more like a sweetie than a vitamin supplement.

They contain 100% of the recommended daily allowance of 11 vitamins and minerals needed by children over the age of 4. They are vegetarian and contain only natural ingredients, sweeteners and flavourings. The yellow colour is provided by Turmeric, not an artificial colouring. There are also no preservatives, yeast, gluten, wheat, egg or milk products within the multivitamin.

Furthermore, you are also giving a helping hand to Bengal Tigers when you purchase this product as a portion of each is donated to the extremely worthy cause of preserving the natural habitat of these incredible creatures.

This week at Baldwins we have these fantastic supplements on special offer. You can now boost your child’s immune system for 20% less than you could before!

Do any of you give multivitamins to your kids? Have you tried “Bengal Bites” and if so did you kids like them and enjoy taking them? As always, send in your comments below.

Soothe Away Aches and Pains

The Synergy range available at Baldwins is an absolute must have. I am so delighted to have discovered this fantastic range of products. The collection is comprised of lotions, balms and creams designed specifically to soothe away all your aches and pains after a hard days work, or even a hard exercise session that has left your muscles feeling rather tender. They are absolutely blissful especially the Body and Bath Oils which when added to your bath or shower give off the most wonderful aroma and really do help you and your muscles relax.

The Synergy range is also not expensive which is another great benefit. All the lotions and potions have been designed in conjunction with the experienced Aromatherapist Nicollanne Turner so you can be sure you are receiving an effective treatment that really works. One test of these products however will leave you in no doubt of their restorative powers.

The ingredients are Nutmeg, Eucalyptus, Marjoram, Rosemary and Black Pepper amongst other items. There are bath oils, body balms, foot lotions, massage oil and even shampoo and conditioner available. Furthermore, this month at Baldwins they are on special offer which means 25% off! I am actually going to stock up for both myself and for others - I know it is only September, but these would make fantastic stocking fillers!

If you want cleansed skin and soothed muscles, I highly recommend seeking out these products. You will not regret it. Have any of you tried the Synergy products from Baldwins? Do you enjoy them as much as I do and do you feel the benefits of using them after a hard day or exercise session? Send in your comments below.

Foods to combat depression and lift fatigue

How many times have we heard that we have to have a healthy diet, but it really is true. What we ingest has a big effect on our health, well being and even mood. This week I thought it would be helpful to list the 10 things we should make sure we include in our diet, and what foods they are contained within to help improve our mood, fight depression and lift fatigue.

Zinc is vital to help our immune systems function and improve our metabolism and digestion. A zinc deficiency can lead to irritability and even loss of appetite. It can be found in wheat germ, pumpkin seeds, whole grain and high protein foods.

Vitamin B-3 (or niacin) needs to present in ample amounts in our bodies otherwise we are prone to depression, indigestion, irritability and even cold sores. Excessive drinking (of alcohol) can cause a deficiency. Natural sources of this vitamin are found in pork, chicken and oily fish like mackerel and salmon.

Omega-3 fatty acids are the hard hitters when it comes to fighting depression. Studies have shown they even help sufferers of more severe mental illness such as bi-polar disorder. Tuna, salmon, walnuts and canola oil are good sources of omega 3 fatty acids although it can also be taken via a supplement.

Water helps combat fatigue and improve mood. Furthermore it helps your skin and motor function. Drink at least 2 litres a day to really experience the benefits. Caffeine removes water from the body so drink even more water if you are a coffee drinker, or better yet, drink a herbal tea instead of the caffeine laden drink.

Vitamin E boosts our immune system and help fights infections as well as contributing to our overall health. Eat some nuts, seeds and plenty of fruit and vegetables each week to make sure you are getting enough.

Folic Acid levels need to stay high as studies in the past have linked low levels with depression. Sources of Folic Acid can be found in leafy green, beans, peanuts and orange juice.

Calcium helps combat stress as well as anxiety and low levels can result in poor sleep among other problems. Non dairy sources include broccoli and tofu otherwise it is milk, cheese and yoghurt.

Vitamin C is an excellent immune booster. Drink a glass of orange juice each day and include other citrus fruits in your diet like lemons and grapefruit.

Iron deficiency has very negative effects on our health. Low energy levels, fatigue and anemia can be caused. Good sources of iron include beans, beef, peas, nuts and spinach. Liver and beef are also sources however generally we should restrict how much red meat we eat.

Stocking up on these vital nutrients will ensure that you stay feeling well, sleeping better and remain in a positive and upbeat mood. Does anyone have any other tips on combatting depression, irritability and lifting our mood?

Tea and Coffee Substitutes

Drinking too much tea and coffee is not something that is recommended by doctors and nutritionists as not only does caffeine dehydrate us, it also interrupts our sleep patterns and plays havoc with our bodies. To many of us however, going without that first cup in the morning is not something that can be given up easily.

There are a number of alternatives to these caffeine filled drinks. Coffee substitutes that are designed to taste and smell like coffee are readily available. Lima Organic Yannoh Coffee Substitute is a very good one to try. Another great alternative to coffee is a cup of Cotswold Roasted Dandelion Root Coffee.

Chicory root that has been roasted and dried is another popular coffee alternative, and in fact it has been this root that people have turned to throughout difficult periods in history such as war time when money for coffee, or coffee itself was not available. The root has a strong flavour and after roasting the taste is similar to that of coffee, yet with no caffeine. Furthermore, chicory has many positive health benefits for organs such as the liver and even helps cleanse the blood.

If you want to drink less coffee for medicinal or health reasons, it doesn’t have to be the end of the world as there are some excellent alternatives available that are likely to offer a host of benefits that caffeine laden drinks cannot.

Do any of you drink coffee substitutes? Have you tried roasted chicory root? Send in your comments below.

Help in the battle against hayfever

Hayfever affects millions of Britons every year with around one in 10 adults being affected. It is caused by an allergy to either tree pollen or grass pollen and is therefore more prevalent in the summer months when pollen counts are higher than in winter.

There are a few precautions you can take to help fight against the itchy eyes and continuos sneezing that hayfever causes which I shall outline below. If I have missed any out or you have a home made remedy that helps, please send them to me!

• Rub vaseline inside each nostril.
  This will help reduce soreness and to capture pollen before it heads into your nasal passages.
• Wear wrap around sunglasses.
  Wrap around glasses reduce pollens affecting the eyes, so wear them any time you are outside.
• Close windows.
  Never sleep with the bedroom window open, now matter how hot it gets! Also keep the car windows closed when you are driving.
• Don’t change your clothes in the bedroom.
  Taking your clothes off before entering the bedroom will ensure that allergens cannot be transfered to where you sleep.
• Wash hair before bed.
  Pollen sticks to your hair and will be transfered to your pillow at night, so remove as much as possible with a hair wash before bed.
• Hang your washing out mid-morning.
  Furthermore, bring it in no later than early evening to avoid bringing into your home more pollen than is necessary.

These are a few top tips for helping combat the nuisance that is hayfever. Of course there are also a variety of anti-histamines that you can take to help too, but if you want to try natural remedies before reaching for the pills and capsules, the ideas above are a good place to start.

Grow your own drugs

James Wong is a respected ethnobotanist (a scientist who studies how people use plants) and is passionate that people should look at plants, not as a way to decorate a room or garden, but instead as a source of elixirs capable of helping prevent and cure a host of ailments from eczema to sore throats and even insomnia. With a popular book that was accompanied by a television show, his ideas are beginning to catch on.

Both Wong and indeed the World Health Organisation point out that modern day medicines are often derived from plants. Morphine based painkillers are derived from opium found in poppies, Aspirin originally came from sal acetic acid found in willow, meadowsweet and the shrub spirea, and the contraceptive pill began its life once extractions were made from the Mexican wild yam plant.

You don’t need to be very green fingered either, as many of the herbs and plants that work as useful medicines grown in poor environments with low levels of water. Cutting the herbs and plants back is important so as they do not take over the whole garden, so why not put the cuttings to use, instead of just throwing them away?

Another advantage of growing your own drugs is the cost factor. Peppermint tea, made from hot water and peppermint leaves is a far cheaper alternative to over the counter drugs designed to ease suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion and heartburn. In the book you will find recipes for all common ailments, as well as body scrubs, deodorants, lip balms and you won’t need to go searching for unusual plants or seeds, most of the ingredients will be in your kitchen cupboard.

Have any of you read the book? Perhaps you are already a big fan of growing your own drugs and cook up concoctions at home to help prevent problems or cure sickness. Send in your comments below along with any tips you may have.

Rid yourself of fatigue

If you are feeling a little less than sparkling at the moment there are a few things you can do to perk yourself up. Fatigue effects millions of Britons a year. With long working hours, families to care for and to-do lists a mile long, it is not surprising that at times we all feel a little, well.....exhausted.

I thought this week I would provide a quick list of the things we can all do to revive ourselves quickly and easily.

• Give your diet an overhaul. If you take a very close look at your diet it is likely that you can find areas of improvement. It may be that simply swapping the afternoon biscuits for a handful of grapes will do the trick, or it might be a more thorough change of eating habits is required. Either way, ensuring the majority of your diet is made up of fruit and vegetables will go a long way to cure day long fatigue. Beans, pulses, nuts and seeds in particular provide your body with a good boost of energy. Try some infinity whole foods for a while and see if your fatigue goes away.
• Drink herbal teas. Sad it may seem, fizzy drinks and other caffeine filled, sugary beverages need to go if you want to feel at your best at all times. These drinks are loaded with sugar that will rot your teeth and leave you feeling exhausted. Try delicious herbal and fruit teas instead. Green tea in particular is excellent for waking us up.
• Remove caffeine altogether. We automatically reach for a cup of coffee when searching for some va va voom, but it in fact has the opposite effect in the long term. It is particularly bad to drink caffeine filled drinks at night as it causes our sleep to be interrupted making us groggy in the morning. Herbal teas like nettle, lemon balm and peppermint are an excellent substitute and will ensure your overall health improves too.
• Give up smoking. Smoking causes all sorts of havoc for the body not least of which is poor sleep. If you want to give up smoking but cannot do it on simple will power alone, why don’t you try a hypnosis CD to give you that added helping hand.
• Go to bed earlier. This may seem a little obvious, but instead of watching TV until late, why not go to bed a little earlier and take a great book with you? Reading is much more conducive to sleep whereas the TV simply zones you out and keeps you up when you could be in the land of nod.

I can guarantee that if you put all or even some of these ideas into practice you will soon feel revived and back to your old self. To find out how Baldwins products can help, visit out site. If anyone has any other ideas on how it is possible to rid yourself of fatigue, send in your comments below.

Protect yourself in the heat wave

It so lovely having glorious weather. The parks are filled with people, the paddling pools have all come out and everywhere I look, people are enjoying feeling the sun on their faces. Not wanting to be a killjoy, I just thought I would offer a bit of advice on how you can protect yourself from the dangerous side effects of getting too much sun - the dreaded UV rays can damage the skin, burn it and even cause skin cancer.

Use at least SPF 15 all over your body. As soon as you get up in the morning, coat yourself head to toe in sun cream. Even if you don’t think you’ll be going out in the sun that particular day, it is still possible to get skin damage just from walking to buy your lunch or unloading the car. Just a few minutes is all that the sun and its UV rays needs to cause havoc to your skin.

• Use at least SPF 15 lipbalm. The above advice can also be applied to your lips. They burn too and need protection against the sun.
• Wear a hat. Ideally one with a wide brim or a type of fishing hat as this offers the most protection shading your eyes, ears, head and neck.
• Wear sunglasses. This will help protect your eyes against the ferocious sun. Just remember to give your face a good covering of sun cream or else you will end up with panda eyes!
• Do not sit out in the hottest part of the day. By all means we should enjoy the sun, but sitting out and roasting your face and body between the hours of 10 and 4 is really not a good idea. The sun is at its most fierce during this time and can burn the skin quickly.

Who knows how long this heat wave will last, but whilst it does, enjoy it, let it lift your mood and have a nice BBQ with friends. As long as you take sensible precautions, drink plenty of water and keep your sun cream topped up, you will be fully protected and safe. Contact us at G Baldwin & Co, to buy or know more about Sun Screen Lotion.

How to Protect yourself from Swine Flu

As swine flu rampages across the globe, unsurprisingly people are becoming worried. It is a respiratory infection caused by influenza type A and the new strain that has emerged can be passed relatively easily from person to person.

Whilst facemasks are a protective method being used currently in Mexico and other parts of the world, they only reduce the risk of infection if worn continuously and in the correct way. In the UK, the government has stockpiled a great number for NHS staff but there are currently no plans to distribute them to the general public.

The symptoms of swine flu are similar to the standard flu such as coughing, a sore throat, fever, headache, aches and pains as well as chills and general fatigue. Diarrhoea and vomiting can also occur.

If you have recently travelled to Mexico or are living in a place where cases have been reported it might be wise to consult a doctor, however to minimise the chance of spreading the virus, let the medical professional come to you rather than heading to your local surgery.

The good news is swine flu is treatable with medications such as Tamilflu, and with swift treatment can rid yourself of the virus. A vaccine will not be available for several months however.

Advice includes taking precautions such as covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing with a tissue and then discarding it. Washing hands frequently can also help reduce the risk of infection. If you do feel under the weather stay indoors and contact a medical professional. Children should stay home from school if any symptoms materialise.

Try and give your immune system a boost if you can by eating more fruits and vegetables. It also might even be worthwhile taking some vitamin supplements too to ensure your body is in tip top condition and can more easily fight any possible infection of the virus.

It is important not to panic and remember that there is treatment available that has helped a great number of people so far. Always err on the side of caution and consult a doctor if any of the symptoms occur.

Everyday Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a very effective component of natural and complimentary medicine, with different scents and smells effectively able to alter our moods and help us in a many other ways. Did you know for example that the scent of a rose can prevent headaches and calm us in times of shock and grief?

The great thing about aromatherapy is that you don’t need special equipment to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy. Adding a few drops of essential oils to a pan of boiling water on the stove or perhaps a few drops just added to your bath are all you need to do to reap the benefits. You don’t need burners or candles at all if you don’t want to, although oil burners are attractive items that can look nice in your house and are extremely popular.

You can experience aromatherapy in regular everyday situations. Often aromatherapy is associated with long and luxurious spa sessions, but this is not in fact the case at all! How about hanging an aromatherapy “air freshener” in your car? Sitting in heavy traffic or experiencing a long journey can really take it out of you, but having something that smells nice in your car can really help keep you calm or keep you awake depending on what essential oil you choose of course.

Washing up can also be an excellent place for some gentle aromatherapy. Just add a few drops of your favourite oil to the water and you get to experience all the benefits of the smells whilst simply washing the dishes!

These are just a few ideas of how aromatherapy can be easily interwoven into our everyday and very busy lives. Have any of you any other suggestions of how to administer aromatherapy in a simple and effective way? As always, send in your comments below.

Swedish Bitters

The story of Swedish Bitters is a long one beginning in 1541 when a prominent Swiss Physician of the time, Dr. Phillipus Paracelsus produced the original “version” of Swedish Bitters. It was later however in the 18th century that a Swedish Physician called Dr. Claus Samst discovered the elixir and, being impressed with its qualities, compiled a transcript listing the 46 ailments and conditions that he discovered it could help with. It was at this point it became the Swedish Bitters that we think of today.

Maria Treben, a distinguished Austrain herbalist brought the powerful formula to the attention of the world however in her book “Health Through God’s Pharmacy” where she explained in great detail the benefits of the formula on one’s health. It is sometimes referred to as the “long life elixir” and the life of Dr. Claus Samst himself is testament to that. Dr. Samst lived until he was 104, and even then had his life cut short by a nasty fall whilst out horse riding!

There are a great number of other conditions that Swedish Bitters is thought to help, and these range from toothache to reducing morning sickness, to easing indigestion and removing a fever. It is also used sometimes to help reduce scars including acne scars. It is also thought to help reduce earaches, headaches, tongue ulcers, stomach cramps, sore red eyes and even calm eczema.

If anyone has used Swedish Bitters it would be very interesting to hear how and in what ways it has helped your health. There were originally 46 conditions names in the transcript of the 18th century, and it would be excellent to hear if anyone has some real life stories to back up the claims of the prominent physicians and herbalists mentioned above!

Vitamin Supplements

Research is constantly being carried out on vitamin supplements and offering new insights into the positive effects and advantages of taking them. Even aside from the obvious long term benefits or our bodies receiving adequate vitamins, there are a number of conditions that vitamin supplements can help. Below are a few ways taking vitamins can help us in our everyday lives.

Folic Acid and Vitamin B can ease migraines and headaches.

Research carried out at an Australian university has shown that an increased intake of these vitamins can quell migraine attack on both frequency and severity.

Vitamin D prevents bone fractures

A daily dose of Vitamin D can drastically reduce the chances of bone fractures and breaks in people over 65. A review published in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows that fractures (not involving the spine) are up to 20% less likely if Vitamin D is taken daily.

Vitamin C helps prevent Gout

Gout is a very painful arthritic condition, and the number of cases is increasing. Those with very heavy, rich diets full of red meat are more likely to develop the condition. Research carried out at the University of British Columbia has shown that men who have a higher intake of vitamin C are less likely to develop gout than men who consume very little.

So there are a few ways in which taking vitamin supplements can greatly help us in our daily lives. We have a large selection available on offer at Baldwin’s including our brand new range which we are proud to now have on sale. If you would like further information about our vitamin supplements, please feel free to contact us.

Are there any conditions that you take herbal or vitamin supplements to help with, and what effects do they have? Send in all your comments!

How to use Floral Waters

Flower waters are made from water that have been infused with flower essences. There are a good number of ways that floral waters can be used that I shall outline below:

1. Cooking - Dishes in the Middle East are often made with an addition of floral water. Sweet dishes such as pastries and puddings often have floral waters such as orange blossom added to them. Rose water is another popular floral water to be added to desserts. It is important however that you make sure you are using a floral water that can be consumed safely. Those that have additives to make them last longer are generally not suitable for consumption and you should read the label for clarity.

2. Skin Care - You can apply floral water directly to your skin which helps keeps it soft, supple and smelling very nice. It can also be used to calm very hot and sensitive skin. Often people use it after taking a bath. With a very mild and subtle smell, floral waters are a perfect natural alternative to a perfume or scent.

3. Relaxation - Lavender in particular is a natural relaxant and aid to sleep. Many people use floral water as a way to unwind after a particularly stressful day or to help them receive a long and peaceful night’s sleep. Drops can be added to your bath or applied directly to your skin for the smell to envelop you and help you relax.

4. Shine to Hair - Give your hair one final rinse with some floral water to give it that extra bit of shine. It will give it a lovely smell too that will last right up until your next wash.

5. Sooth Eyes - If you soak cotton wool in floral water and place them over your eyes you can help reduce puffiness and with continued and regular use you can even remove those dreaded dark circles that we all sometimes suffer from.

Do you use floral waters regularly? If so what is the best way you have used them – got a great skincare secret or dessert recipe, then share them with us!

Why not to eat late at night

There has been quite a lot of research into whether eating late at night is detrimental to your health, and whilst some scientists and doctors say it makes no difference to your body when you eat, new evidence suggests otherwise.

The Spanish are renowned for eating extremely late at night, often between 10 and 11pm in the summer and they have among the highest life expectancies in the world - it obviously doesn’t do any harm you might say? Well, that’s not quite the whole story because they only eat a very small serving of food at night as they have their big meal at around 2pm which gives them the rest of the day to ‘burn’ it off through general day to day activity.

Eating red meat in particular late at night is not good for us as it is quite difficult for the body to digest and requires a lot of energy to do so. So when we go to bed (which is meant to be a time for the body and mind to totally relax and recover from the day’s activity) our bodies have to go into overtime to digest the food consumed. This can lead to interrupted sleep and leave us feeling lethargic in the morning. Our bodies quite simply aren’t allowed to rest when we follow the pattern of eating very late at night.

If you are one of those however who like to have their largest meal at night, there are some small changes you can make to ensure you don’t suffer any of the consequences. Use vegetables as the bulk of your meal to enable your body to digest the food quickly and easily. Fruit is another good group that the body can digest without too much ‘effort’. Taking a brisk walk after you eat will give your body some help with digestion too and help you get a better night’s sleep.

It is possible to retrain your body into good habits and to stop craving heavy and sugary foods late at night. By bringing your supper time forward by even just a few minutes each night, you will gradually want to eat earlier which your body will thank you for! If you do find yourself hunting around for a late night snack, try drinking a cup of hot water with lemon and honey, or a nice cup of herbal tea. Making small changes here and there will do wonders for your body and your health. Do you find that eating late at night had adverse effects on you? What do you do to combat the snack attacks late at night?

Cleanse your home

Have you ever walked into a home and just felt calm and relaxed and surrounded by warmth? Many people strive to create a positive and nurturing atmosphere in their home, and it seems the ones that are most successful are those who care not about expensive furnishings but instead about paying close attention to the use of colour and other decoration.

There are plenty of tricks and tips on how to create a home that is full of warmth and positive energy, a few of which I will outline below.

1. Give your home a good scrub

It is important to have a good clean of your home every now and again, sweeping up dust and making sure you get into all the corners. A clean house is important if you want to ensure a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere is created.

2. Use correct colours

Greens and blues are both very calming colours, so use these in rooms you want to be able to unwind in. Reds, oranges and other intense colours are natural stimulants and so are unsuitable for sitting rooms or kids bedrooms.

3. Don’t forget smells

Smells are an important aspect of setting a particular mood in a home. They should be created in as natural way as possible however rather than through a chemical air freshener. An increasingly popular method to give you home a pleasant scent is through burning a smudge stick. These are bundles of herbs used frequently by native Americans in various rituals.

4. Buy plants

Plants not only provide a calming influence on your home, they also oxygenate the air making your environment cleaner and reducing your indoor air pollution.

These are some of the most important aspects to bear in mind when decorating your home if you wish to provide a healthy and positive atmosphere. There are other ideas you can incorporate if you would like to take this idea further - perhaps even having a dabble in the Feng Shui principles?

Who else has some ideas on what makes the ideal atmosphere in a home?

A guide to health boosting tea

We all know that there a many different varieties of tea, but did you know that many of them have health boosting ingredients that will do wonders for your body?

Digestion
A cup of peppermint tea drunk at the end of a meal will aid digestion, helping the meal you have just eaten make its way through your body with no difficulty at all.

Sleep
A cup of Chamomile tea before bed will ensure you receive a good nights sleep and wake up feeling refreshed.

Nausea
The tea for ridding yourself of nausea is ginger. It can be used to combat morning sickness and travel sickness. Drinking it in this way is more pleasurable than simply popping a capsule.

Immune System
The herb by the name of Echinacea is often mixed with fruit when being made into tea, and this combination provides an excellent boost to your immune system. If you feel a cold coming on invest in a packet to help you overcome it.

Concentration
Ginkgo Biloba tea is a natural concentration aid, helping to focus the mind and improve even memory skills. Got an exam coming up or lots of work to do? Try Ginkgo for the week and see how you get on.

Skin Cleansing
To put the glow back into your skin, drink nettle, lemon balm or red clover tea.

Calming
Feeling anxious, worried or even slightly depressed? Lemon balm tea will help soothe away your stresses and strains and even help battle depression as it contains natural anti-depressant properties.

Headaches
Constant headaches can be very tiresome. If you don’t want to always turn to paracetamol, you could give Rosemary tea a trial. It can taste quite bitter though and if the taste is not quite for you, try mixing in a teaspoon of honey.

If any of you have tried any of these teas and would like to tell us how they helped you, send in your comments. Are there any teas that I have missed off the list?

Valentine's Day

Valentines day has just been and gone and this year, and although it is quite a commercial day, it is still nice to acknowledge it I think with a small token or gift of some sort. My favourite presents for Valentine’s Day are undoubtedly bath accessories or some delicious smelling creams or lotions. Chocolates and flowers are also nice, but they lack the imagination I feel, plus the chocolate goes in a flash and the flowers don’t take long before they start to wilt and die.

Lotions and potions not only make you feel good but they last for a long time. I am finding too that in this cold weather I need larger daily amounts of moisturizer to stop my skin from drying out due to the harsh weather conditions we are all suffering from at the moment. My current moisturizers of choice are Laughing Bird Neroli Face Cream for my face and the Laughing Bird Shea Body Cream which are both excellent creams for keeping your skin looking good. They also smell fantastic which is a bonus. I am suffering particularly from chapped lips at the moment I think caused by this dreadful weather so I’m using a lot of lip balm each day to keep them soft.

I would like to know what all your ideal valentines presents would be - maybe you received something extra special this year, or maybe your present was forgotten about! (This has happened to me a few times!) Send in your comments here and tell us what you did or did not receive this year and what you would have really like to have received!

How Nuts Can Aid Weight Loss

I was told as a child that 7 peanuts contain the same amount of fat as that of a roast dinner! Now as an adult, I’m not sure that fact is accurate, however it is true that there is a lot of fat and calories found in nuts. Believe it or not though, nuts and seeds play an important role in the health of out bodies and can even help us lose weight.



The reason that they are so good for us is that they contain healthy fat, not artery clogging saturated fat. In a similar way to avocados, they provide the body with the unsaturated fat that it needs to run at optimum performance. Anything eaten in excess however will cause weight gain, and nuts are no exception, but when eaten in moderation they are an excellent source of protein, fibre and minerals including magnesium and copper. Almonds in particular are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals and research has shown they hold tremendous ‘super powers’ for the body by staving off illness and disease.

It is important that the nuts consumed are in their natural form however. Salted or dry roasted or any other treated form of nut should be avoided as the processes used in producing them include the addition of unhealthy saturated fat and salt, both of which are bad for our health and our bodies.

At Baldwin’s we supply a range of organic nuts and seeds guaranteed to give your body a boost and help it stay healthy. The range of infinity foods we supply have even been certified by the soil association. They are the perfect crisp alternative, both satisfying and tasty to eat. Why don’t you give them a try for a few weeks and see how you feel. Whoever told me that they were as fattening as a roast dinner was off base - has anyone else ever believed something that was completely false!?

Snow

The snow has caused enormous disruption all over the UK. The whole country seems to have ground to a halt with thousands of people unable to leave their homes. Although snow does cause great disruption, there is nothing quite like waking up to a fresh blanket. I love the peacefulness of snow, and seeing plants and shrubs weighted down by thick layers.



Snow offers the perfect excuse to just enjoy yourself at home. My advice is to grab as many supplies as possible from the nearest shops and just shut the door to the outside world. The only exception should be to wrap yourself up warm and actually get out into a thick field of snow (or your garden) to build snowmen, make snow angels and have huge snowball fights.

Thick snow is particularly magical for children. Many schools have shut and children are relishing the days off. It’s great fun for them to head out into the snow and enjoy it. If you have a toboggan then grab it and head on out. If you don’t have one then a tray can work as an effective substitute. Waterproof boots and plenty of clothes are essential for everybody though. Some recent research has shown that there may be some scientific truth in wrapping up to prevent a cold. It seems that the virus that causes a cold lies dormant within our bodies, but when we are exposed to cold and wet conditions, the virus grows stronger and brings an onslaught of cold symptoms.




If you do find yourself snuffling over the next week or so, try having lots of steamy baths with some drops of essential oils and drink plenty of hot fluids. That should help stave off the worst symptoms. How do you plan on spending your time during this unexpected break? Send in your thoughts and comments on the best ways to enjoy the snow.

Five ways to rejuvenate your skin

The effects of the the sun, wind, pollution and smoke can often leave our skin looking a little dull. I have put together my top tips for making your skin ‘glow’.

1. Discover your skin type

So often people use the wrong type of products for their skin. If you have oily skin, you do not want to use the same moisturizer that someone with dry skin uses as it will exacerbate the oiliness and maybe even lead to outbreaks. Consult a dermatologist if you can to try to find out if you have dry, oily or combination skin.

2. Cleanse your face twice a day

Using a cleanser that suits your skin type, apply all over your face and wipe clean with a flannel face cloth soaked in warm water. If you do this in the morning and evening, your skin will instantly start to look better. No more soap and water, as soap dries out the skin and is too harsh for it.

3. Exfoliate twice a week

You only need to exfoliate twice a week, but it is an important part of your beauty routine. After cleansing, rub onto your face gently, leave for a minute, and remove with a damp face cloth. This will remove dead skin cells and help bring some life to your skin.

4. Moisturize every day

Moisturizing is essential for your skin. It stops it drying out and helps fight the onslaught of wrinkles as you get older. Invest in a decent moisturizer and apply generously to your face at least once a day. This should be done after cleansing and exfoliating. Try and avoid creams that have fragrances as these can contain chemicals that may be too harsh for your skin.

5. Wear sun cream, even if it is cloudy

This is my secret weapon! If you wear sun cream every time you go outside, your face will be protected from all the harmful UV rays that come from the sun. They can still penetrate even on a cloudy day. Use a cream with a high SPF factor to get the most benefit. It may seem a little over the top to wear sun cream in winter, but you will thank me for it when you are older as your skin will be smooth and clear.

In no time at all people will be complementing you and noticing your young looking skin. Has anyone got any other secret tips they use for keeping their skin soft and supple?