Health & Lifestyle: Living Better Health Superfoods - Chia Seeds, Energy Blend Energiser, Baobab & Maca review

I recently spotted that LoveLula were now stocking Living Better Health Superfoods, so I decided to place an order and stock up on a couple of healthy essentials for the new season ahead.

If you haven't heard of Living Better Health Superfoods before, the company was founded by Lisa Barnes (an award-winning transformational health and wellness coach), and they have a whole range of mainly organic superfood powders which you can easily incorporate into your daily diet. Everything is lactose and gluten-free, suitable for vegans and they all contain no added sugar or any other filler/bulking ingredients or additives.

I picked up four packs to try; Chia Seeds, Energy Blend Energiser, Baobab and Maca.

Living Better Health Superfoods Organic Chia Seeds* (125g, £5.99, link)

Perhaps the most well-known, Chia Seeds are readily available from lots of different places these days and the Instagram-famous Chia Pudding (pictured above) is one of my healthy go-to breakfasts to have during the week.

Chia Seeds may not look like much, but these teeny tiny seeds are packed full of Omega-3 fatty acids (60% of their nutritional profile is just Omega-3 making them one of the richest plant-based sources of fatty acids) which is essential for a healthy diet as the body cannot make its own Omega-3. Clinically proven to reduce cholesterol and inflammation, Chia Seeds are also beneficial as they are a good source of Fibre, Calcium, Manganese, Magnesium and Phosphorous. 

How to use: Add a teaspoon to smoothies, or sprinkle over porridge, soups or salads. Or make a tasty Chia Pudding by adding a tbsp to 200ml of water or dairy-free milk in a container with a pinch of Cinnamon and leave overnight for a yummy breakfast come the morning.

Living Better Health Organic Superfoods Energy Blend The Energiser* (125g, £14.99, link)

I'm always looking for ways to boost my energy levels as I suffer from fatigue on a regular basis, so I was curious to try out The Energiser, a superfood blend of six natural ingredients; Chia Seeds, Baobab Powder, Guarana Powder, Hemp Protein Powder, Lucuma Powder and Maca Powder. 

This blend has been specially designed to help you beat that mid-afternoon slump, and you can use it first thing in the morning to kickstart your day thanks to its mix of Fibre, Protein, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium and Zinc. I've been taking it for about a month now and it's definitely been helping!

How to use: Add 1/2 tsp to a glass of juice or your smoothie once or twice a day for the first week, after which you can increase to 1 tsp a day. You can also sprinkle or stir it into cereal, porridge, muesli, and even add it to homemade raw chocolate and cakes.

Living Better Health Superfoods Organic Baobab Powder* (125g, £6.99, link)

If you prefer a singular superfood powders, Living Better Health also has a range of those including this delicious Baobab Powder. Baobab is really quite special as it contains almost fifty per cent fibre and boasts an impressive count of antioxidants which is amongst the highest for any known fruit in the world. It has fourteen essential vitamins and minerals and is great for supporting a healthy metabolism, improving skin conditions, reducing inflammation and supporting gut health to name but a few of its benefits.

Best of all though? It tastes a bit like sherbet - yum!

How to use: Add 1/2 tsp to juices and smoothies, increasing to 1tsp afer the first week of use if desired. Like the other superfood powders, you can also sprinkle it onto yoghurts, acai bowls, cereal and porridge etc.

Living Better Health Superfoods Organic Maca Powder* (125g, £5.99, link)

Saving my personal favourite to last, Maca Powder is a highly nutritional food which is growing in popularity. It contains a source of Fibre, Protein, Vitamins B1, B2 and B6, Calcium, Iron and Zinc, and is a good one to use every day if you do a lot of exercise or have a busy lifestyle as it helps to support your adrenal glands. There's also a number of studies that suggest it can be useful for balancing hormones as well.

The flavour of Maca though is just heavenly - it has a sort of sweet caramel/toffee/malty taste which works particularly well in smoothies and sweet recipes.

How to use: Add 1/2 tsp to smoothies and juices, increasing to 1tsp a day if desired. It's great stirred into porridge, overnight oats, acai bowls, chia puddings etc, and can be used in raw cake and biscuit recipes.

Shop the full range at LoveLula.com

Have you tried any of these superfoods?

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Foodie Friday: Warming Ginger & Garlic Veggie Broth with Quorn Chicken (Vegetarian recipe)

Blast away those cold and wet Autumnal blues with this delicious Warming Ginger & Garlic Veggie Broth, topped with seasonal organic vegetables and vegetarian-friendly Quorn Chicken pieces for added protein.

Autumn is officially here and whilst many of you are rejoicing over the annual re-appearance of Pumpkin Spice everything and digging out your favourite jumpers from the back of your wardrobes, I'm begrudgingly putting away my flip-flops and mourning the end of Summer :(

But it's not all doom and gloom! Whilst I personally despise the longer, darker, colder months of the British year (can you tell that I'm a Summer gal through and through?!), I do enjoy indulging in all of the simple comfort foods that help to warm your belly up, such as this oh-so-delicious bowl of Warming Ginger & Garlic Veggie Broth with Quorn Chicken pieces.

Ginger and Garlic are both fantastic ingredients for helping to boost your immune system which is vital at this time of the year when cold and flu season kicks in, but the real key player in this recipe is a good quality vegetable stock to use as the base for your broth. If you are absolutely pressed for time, you could use a ready-made stock, but trust me, it won't be as flavourful so save this one for when you're not in a rush.

Yyou can use any type of vegetarian or vegan chicken pieces here (this post isn't sponsored by Quorn, I just personally like them!) and I've added them for protein, however, you can leave them out or use pieces of Tofu instead if you'd prefer. This meal is perfect for a light lunch or even as a late-night healthy snack if you're feeling peckish before bedtime.

Ingredients (serves 1)

• 300ml of Vegetable Stock (I often use this BBC Food recipe here)
• 1 large clove of Garlic, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 thumb-size of fresh Ginger, peeled and finely grated
• Handful of seasonal vegetables (I've used Kale, Carrot and Courgette)
• Handful of Quorn Chicken pieces or other chicken/protein alternative
• Drizzle of Olive Oil
• Pinch of Salt & Pepper
• Tamari & squeeze of fresh Lemon Juice (optional)

Method

• If you're using veggies such as Carrots, peel and chop them first, and then add to a pan of boiling water to simmer for around 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• In a saucepan, add the Vegetable Stock, Garlic, Ginger, Salt, Pepper, and any other 'quick-cook' veggies that you want to use such as Courgette and Kale. Slowly bring to the boil and then reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes with a lid on. Towards the end, add in the cooked Carrots if using and give it a stir before replacing the lid.
• Whilst the broth is simmering, in a frying pan, add the Olive Oil and let it heat up before adding the Quorn Chicken pieces. Fry the pieces for 7-10 minutes.
• Now all you need to do is assemble your meal - pour the Veggie Broth into a bowl and top with the cooked Quorn Chicken pieces. Season with a splash of Tamari and freshly squeezed Lemon Juice if desired for even more flavour - enjoy!

What are your favourite warming dishes for Autumn?

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Beauty Box: LoveLula Beauty Box - September 2019 review

This month is just flying by - it's time again for a look at the latest LoveLula beauty box! September's edit of cruelty-free, natural and organic products is worth £65, so let's check out what's inside.

Kathleen Natural Tranquil Fields Bubble Bath (full size, RRP £18)

It's that time of the year when I want to start reaching for the bath products again and I was pleased to see this one from Kathleen Natural in the box. I've used their gorgeous Body Oil in the same Tranquil Fields scent in the past and adored it. Perfect for a relaxing evening at home to unwind from a busy day.

Madara Infusion Vert Body Cream (full size, RRP £17)

Having dry skin means that I always appreciate receiving a body cream, especially a full-size, luxury one from Madara! Their Infusion Vert Body Cream is a seriously rich and pampering moisturiser which helps to rejuvenate and restore elasticity, leaving your skin softer, smoother and more supple overall. This will definitely come in handy as the colder weather sets in.

Emani Organic Soy Mascara in Midnight (full size, RRP £18)

For makeup this month, there's a full-size luxury mascara from Emani, a brand that I've been meaning to try for a long time. Featuring a vegan-friendly, soy-infused formula, this mascara acts as both a mascara and a lash treatment and promises to be smudge-proof which is ideal for sensitive eyes including contact lens wearers. 

Balm Balm Little Miracle Cleanser (deluxe travel size 30ml, RRP £12)

A new release from Balm Balm's bestselling Little Miracle range, this is a nourishing cleansing oil which effectively removes all traces of makeup and dirt, without stripping the skin. Instead, it leaves your complexion soft and perfectly clean - I've tried it twice so far and love it!

Urban Veda Reviving Body Wash (sample sachet)

As an extra bonus, LoveLula have included an assorted sample sachet from Urban Veda and I received the Reviving Body Wash which smells lovely - very fresh and floral.

LoveLula Beauty Box* is a monthly subscription box priced at £13.95 with free postage in the UK. Visit lovelula.com to find out more.

Have you subscribed to LoveLula's Beauty Box?

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Green Beauty: Lavera Limited Edition Natural Pastels Collection 2019 - Review & Swatches

Not ready to say goodbye to Summer just yet? Me either! To keep those sunny vibes flowing for longer, just add these beauties from Lavera's Limited Edition Natural Pastels Collection to your makeup bag ASAP.

Lavera is one of the most well-known organic and natural beauty brands in the business and I always get excited when I see a new collection drop from them. Their latest, Natural Pastels, is inspired by the floral shades and colours of Summer, but it's definitely a collection that you can wear all year round thanks to its flattering neutral tones. 

Everything in the collection is just like Lavera's existing products as they are all cruelty-free, certified organic and natural by NaTrue, and are free from parabens, artificial colourings and preservatives.

When I opened up the package from them, I was pleased to see that all of the products are housed in eco-friendly, durable cardboard packaging which fits in perfectly with Lavera's ongoing commitment to the environment and sustainability. Once you've used up the products, all of the packaging is recyclable and the mirrors in the palettes can be taken out and re-used. Another thing that I love about these palettes is that there are no unnecessary brushes/applicators, as I always prefer to use my own brushes anyway, and find that most people throw away the ones that are included.

To complement the collection's theme, the pastel pink packaging is adorned around the edges with an intricate silver floral motif, which I think is really pretty!

Lavera's new Limited Edition Natural Pastels Collection features two Mineral Eyeshadow Palettes, two Mineral Blush Palettes and three Lipsticks, of which I have a selection below to show you.

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Lavera Limited Edition Natural Pastels Mineral Eyeshadow Palette in Blooming Nude* (£24.95, link)

Starting with the Mineral Eyeshadows, this beautiful Blooming Nude palette features six large pans and a mirror. There's a matte pale cream, a gorgeous warm rose, a matte chocolate brown, a shimmering copper brown, a shimmering brown with cool undertones and a deep graphite purple/taupe shade. All of the shades are easy to blend and work with and have a silky consistency that has surprisingly little fallout. As you can see in the swatches below, these eyeshadows have a gorgeous sheen to them which is much more pronounced on the second row of colours, so it's a really versatile palette that you can use for both day and night. 

They aren't as crazy pigmented as some mainstream eyeshadows are, but as far as natural/organic alternatives go, they are brilliant! I'm a huge fan of bronzey and taupey neutrals like these, and you can even wear the first shade as a highlighter and the second shade as a blusher - super easy to travel with!

Lavera Limited Edition Natural Pastels Mineral Eyeshadow Palette in Blooming Nude

Lavera Limited Edition Natural Pastels Mineral Blush Palette in Coral Bloom* (£24.95, link)

This Mineral Blush palette is a fantastic selection for makeup beginners, those who travel a lot or anyone who is simply craving some gorgeous blushers! This trio is called Coral Bloom and these shades are so flattering for a wide range of skin tones - there's a shimmering pearlescent highlighter, a stunning peach blush and a rosy pink blush.

As you may expect, the pans are bigger than the eyeshadows above, and there's a handy mirror included. The quality is the same as the eyeshadows and they are easy to build up when you apply them - from sheer to a bolder flush depending on what look you're going for. I am so smitten with this palette and have been getting a lot of use out of it since it arrived!

Lavera Limited Edition Natural Lipstick in Rosy Pastel* (4.5g, £13.90, link)

The last product that I have from the collection is one of the three new Lipsticks. Formulated with a range of natural pigments and moisturising plant-based ingredients such as Organic Blossom Butter, Coconut Oil, Candelilla Wax, Shea Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, Cocoa Butter, Argan Oil and Jojoba Seed Oil, they glide on easily and feel very hydrating on the lips. 

This ultra-buttery texture does make them prone to melting if left in a warm place though (the top of mine melted a bit when I left it in the car), so keep it somewhere nice and cool to get the most out of it. The shade I have is called Rosy Pastel - a pretty neutral-toned nude pink with a glossy finish that's perfect for everyday wear. 

Swatches: Lavera Limited Edition Natural Pastels Mineral Blush Palette in Coral Bloom & Natural Lipstick in Rosy Pastel

Lavera Limited Edition Natural Pastels Collection is available from selected health stores nationwide and online from laverauk.co.uk

Have you tried any makeup from Lavera?

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New In Beauty: PMD Clean Pro RQ - Smart Facial Cleansing Device review

Looking to invest in a facial cleansing device, but don't know which one to pick? Skip past the harsh electrical cleansing brushes and treat your skin to a much more hygienic, gentler and sustainable product instead - meet the new PMD Clean Pro RQ.

Long-time readers will know that I'm not a fan of the Clarisonic or the millions of similar versions that have spawned from it over the years. I used to have one when they were all the rage, but it was way too harsh for my skin and caused more problems than it was worth - never again!

Needless to say, I'm pretty fussy with facial cleansing tools these days but one type that has stood out for me is the, in my opinion, much better range of silicone-based devices that are now readily available on the market. Last year, I reviewed the excellent PMD Clean (read here) which has been my main skincare crush, and now PMD has launched the PMD Clean Pro RQ and it's even better.

What is the PMD Clean Pro RQ?

This is a free-standing 'smart facial cleansing device' that's made mostly from silicone and charged via a USB cable. It uses two types of technology; SonicGlow and ActiveWarmth to deliver beneficial results to your skin. The front of the device features a head which is made from soft silicone bristles and these are used in conjunction with the SonicGlow tech to break down dirt, oil and impurities deep down in the pores at 7,000 vibrations per minute. This frequency also helps to lift, firm and tone the skin and there are two vibration settings to try out; Gentle and Intense.

Flip the PMD Clean Pro RQ over and you'll discover an embedded smooth piece of real Rose Quartz stone. This side offers the anti-ageing benefits thanks to the ActiveWarmth tech which also has the two massaging settings of Gentle and Intense. Rose Quartz is often used in facials as it helps to reduce inflammation and tension and many say that it has properties of Magnesium, Iron and Oxygen.

How Do I Use It & How Often?

How often you use it depends on your own skincare concerns but to give you an example, I have been using the brush side just once a week to give my skin a deep down exfoliation (I have oily/combination skin that can sometimes be sensitive so I don't like to overdo it), and I've been using the Rose Quartz side 2-4 times a week in the evenings for a facial massage.

You can apply any kind of liquid cleanser to the brush side and you can use your favourite face oil or serum with the Rose Quartz side. However, I prefer to apply the product directly to my face first, and then go in with the PMD Clean Pro RQ, though that's just my personal preference.

Which should I buy - the PMD Clean or the PMD Clean Pro RQ?

As you can see from my review of the PMD Clean here, these two products are very similar with the main differences being the new addition of the ActiveWarmth tech and the Rose Quartz stone, and the fact that the PMD Clean Pro RQ has a rechargeable battery rather than relying on AA batteries as the PMD Clean does. The size and feel of both devices are otherwise the same and you definitely don't need to buy both!

If you want the anti-ageing benefits of the ActiveWarmth tech, the luxurious facial massage that the Rose Quartz side has to offer and the convenience of having essentially what is a two-in-one product, then the PMD Clean Pro RQ is definitely something to consider investing in. However, if you're younger or on a budget, save your cash and go for the PMD Clean instead.

Overall thoughts?

I have been absolutely loving the PMD Clean Pro RQ! The ActiveWarmth Rose Quartz facial massage is a sheer delight to use and I already knew that I'd enjoy the deep exfoliation that the brush side delivers. This device fits in perfectly alongside my existing skincare routine and I feel that my skin tone has improved since using it on a regular basis for the past 6-8 weeks. The silicone material makes this device super easy to clean as it's anti-bacterial and odour-resistant, and you don't need to ever replace the head which makes the PMD Clean Pro RQ a far more hygienic and sustainable purchase than a Clarisonic-style product. Highly recommended!

PMD Clean Pro RQ* retails for £165 (link)

Do you use a facial cleansing device?

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August Empties: Products I've Used Up

Are we really into the first week of September already? Right then, here are my slightly late August Empties!

Eco By Sonya Organic Personal Outdoor Spray* (reviewed here)

I'm one of those people who gets bitten the minute I step foot outside, so I often use an insect repellant when I'm walking the dogs in the woods. This is a really good natural and organic-based product that uses essential oils to deter mozzies and other common biting insects. It's not 100% foolproof but I find that it certainly helps. Repurchase? Yes.

Aveda Beautifying Composition Oil (reviewed here)

A real luxury pampering treat, I absolutely love the scent of Aveda's Beautifying range and their multi-purpose Composition Oils are brilliant - I've been using them for years! I add a few drops to a bath and massage it into my skin afterwards - pure heaven. Repurchase? Yes.

Balm Balm Face Balm* (reviewed here)

Speaking of multi-purpose products, this Face Balm can be used on any dry skin areas and is particularly useful for cuticles, feet and lips. 100% natural and organic, it's fragrance-free so would be well suited for sensitive skin types. Repurchase? I have a lot of similar products to use up first, but I would consider buying it again.

Weleda Creamy Body Washes in Pomegranate and Sea Buckthorn* (reviewed here)

Regular readers will know that I'm a huge fan of these Creamy Body Washes from Weleda and I love both of these scents. Fantastic for dry skin, they're perfect for travel or if you're in a rush as you don't need to follow up with a body moisturiser after showering. Repurchase? Yes.

Walden Castles In The Air Eau De Parfum* (reviewed here)

I finally finished a perfume! This is a lovely fragrance for Spring and Summer as it smells fresh with floral and citrusy notes. The Walden range is completely different to anything that I have in my perfume collection, so if you're quite open-minded about fragrance and want something that's natural, definitely have a look into these. Repurchase? Will do in the future.

Aveda Beautifying Radiance Body Polish (reviewed here)

This salt-based body scrub is from the same Beautifying line as the Composition Oil above so it's no surprise that I finished it at the same time as they are ideal pampering partners! Like the oil, it's very luxurious and leaves my skin feeling wonderfully soft. Repurchase? Definitely as a treat.

Madara Nourish & Repair Shampoo*

Having been a fan of Madara's skincare for such a long time, I decided to try out one of their Shampoos and it did not disappoint. This Nourish & Repair formula is great for dry and damaged hair as it deeply hydrates and helps to strengthen against further breakage and split ends. 99% natural and SLS-free. Repurchase? Yes.

Organyc Organic Cotton Pads* (reviewed here)

I don't use a lot of cotton pads these days, but when I do (for things like removing nail polish), I opt for these ones from Organyc which are made from 100% organic cotton and are biodegradable. They're strong and get the job done. Repurchase? Yes.

Fruu Avocado Lip Balm* (reviewed here)

Finally, I used up a lip balm! I loved this one - it's made from natural and organic ingredients and kept my notoriously dry lips happy and hydrated. The flatter style of packaging is super handy for squeezing into carry-on bags too. Repurchase? I have a million lip balms to use up, but I'm sure I'll come back to this in the future!

What have you used up recently?

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