January's Wealden Wellbeing

  Five simple ways to kick start a healthy New Year  

We all love the festive season, but getting back into a normal, healthy routine can be difficult, so here are a few tips to help you on your way...

1. Get Juicy

After the heavy indulgences of Christmas and New Year, load up on veg to beat the bloating and up your high quality nutritional intake.  The Juice Executive make the most delicious vegetable juices and almond and cashew milk. They're gently sweetened with ginger, pear, apple or lime, and are an easy, delicious way of increasing you vegetable consumption. They have been tried and tested by WT's Helen and Lucy, and have been given a huge thumbs up from us! Just ensure that the juices are consumed in conjunction with a balanced diet and make sure you're still enjoying whole vegetables as well. Fibre is a vital part of our digestion! Get your juice here. www.thejuiceexecutive.co.uk

2. Take a Stroll

Fresh air and gentle exercise is the perfect way to stay active, feel better and clear a hectic mind. Pop on a pair of boots, wrap up in a woolly scarf and set off at a good pace. Get some blood pumping to restore oxygen supplies and wake up any dormant muscles! Not everyone has time to get to a gym, but dedicating even half an hour a day to a brisk walk can make a whole lot of difference to state of mind and overall fitness. 

3. Catch Some Zzzs

Christmas and New year are always hectic. Meeting up with old school friends, office parties, late night gift wrapping sessions all eventually take their toll on your body and mind, whether you're aware of it or not! So set a New Years resolution to get plenty of rest. This is a vital part of overall well being, but is often forgotten about. If you find it tricky to settle, drop some lavender oil on your pillow and keep away from televisions, laptops and phones for half an hour before bed time, so your mind is prepared for a good nights kip.

4. Clear your mind

Meditation doesn't have to mean hours of sitting in an uncomfortable cross legged position. 15 minutes a day, for a couple of months is all it takes to feel the all encompassing health benefits of meditating.  Some of the best results can be feeling more alert, brighter, more relaxed and better state of mind. There are many meditation guiding tracks to be downloaded, but WT's Helen recommends The Isha Kriya. Find it here! www.ishafoundation.org/Ishakriya

5. Keep hydrated

Water is key! A combination of car heaters and cold weather is enough to make skin dry, sore and uncomfortable. Drinking plenty of water and using a good daily moisturiser will help keep this under control. WT's Lucy recommends the Million Dollar Moisturiser from Lush. A little goes a long way! www.lush.co.uk

December's Wealden Wellbeing...

  All I want for Christmas  

WT's Helen has come up with a little list of of the health and beauty products she would love to see under her tree this Christmas...



1.  Peppermint foot balm and citrus nail balm by Gwdihw (Goody hoo)



These little pots of joy are a must have for soft cuticles and pampered tootsies. With natural ingredients including beeswax, sweet almond and coconut oil, they're ideal for all skin types and great stocking fillers. They come in a handy metal pot ideal for popping in a hand bag to make it easy to apply throughout a chilly day. They're a real hoot!

www.gwdihwbalm.co.uk




2. Ultimate face cream from BeeInspired

This rich and indulgent face cream is delicately perfumed with bergamot, sandalwood and pine, three of my favourite woody essential oils. They are also made in combinations of Jasmine and rose and geranium and orange, as well as fragrance free for really sensitive skin. One pump of this little pot is enough to moisturise and treat your whole face and neck to a DIY facial, leaving it feeling fresh, supple and peachy. The husband and wife team at Bee Inspired keep their own bees, use their own bees wax and make everything from scratch, truly embracing natural health. £12.50

www.naturalbeeswaxcreams.com

3. Wool fat shampoo and shower gel by Romney Marsh Wools

This shampoo and shower gel is packed full of lanolin, a fat that naturally occurs in wool. The amazing team at Romney Marsh Wools have had their flocks of sheep for six generations and intend on utilising and demonstrating the variety of products and benefits that British wool can bring. This junk free shampoo and shower gel is guaranteed to keep skin soft and hydrated throughout winter and beyond. It feels foamy and luxurious on the hair and skin, leaving it feeling clean and nourished. It's preservative free and isn't tested on animals. Perfect! £6.00 each

http://www.wealdenfairs.com/romneymarshwools





4. Earl Grey Tea flavoured lip balm by Sweet Cecily

With totally natural  ingredients and fragrant bergamot oil, this lip balm is definitely on my list of Christmas treats! As a tea lover, it means I can have that spicy, floral smell all day long. A little goes a long way with this little pot of herbal goodness and it keeps my lips soft and moisturised for hours. The packageing is delightful and is an absolute necessity for any make up bag. At only £2.95 we have a bargain on our hands!

www.sweetcecilys.com






5. Blue Dachshund sleep pillow by Olio of Oxney

This scented sleep pillow uses lavender from Provence to create the perfect addition to a goodnight routine, especially during the busy festive season! The high essential oil content means a strong, long lasting aroma. Take a fewdeep breaths and relax into the best beauty sleep you'll ever have! £12.95

http://www.wealdenfairs.com/olioofoxney

November's Wealden Wellbeing

   Follow our 5 Top Tips For Glowing Winter Skin... 

1. Maximise on moisture...

It sounds obvious, but simply moisturising more in winter can help keep your skin soft and supple after being battered by wind and rain. The constant changes in temperature - cosy car radiator, to chilly high street, to central heated office - leaves skin dry, damaged and sore. If you can get your hands on an oil based moisturiser, opt for products that contain jojoba and almond oil which are known for their ability to help restore the skin’s lipid layer, whilst protecting against damage and loss of elasticity. Bryt Skincare have a great night cream that’s perfect for keeping those cheeks soft and rosy. For the full review of their products, pick up a copy of the November issue of Wealden Times!

2. Sun Protection...

Sun damage doesn't only happen in the summer months. Lengthy exposure to winter sun, doubled up by snow glare, can cause some real damage. It’s worthwhile investing in a lotion to help protect from those bitter winds, especially if you’re off on a skiing trip any time soon, as the altitude and UV ray exposure can increase these effects. Lush make a great natural, sesame based sun lotion with an SPF of 10 which is ideal for daily use.

3. Healthy Fats...

Fish, nuts, olive oil, flax and avocados are great examples of some healthy, monounsaturated fats that are great for maintaining healthy skin, especially during the colder months. There are so many easy, simple and tasty ways of getting more of these into your diet. Have a look at some of the recipes on our website for some inspiration!

www.wealdentimes.co.uk/recipes/

4. Eat your greens...

Citrus fruit and dark leafy greens are a perfect source of vitamin C, which helps boost the natural production of collagen, keeping skin and hair looking beautiful and healthy. Chard, Kale and spinach are full of dietary fibre and calcium, as well as being great as antioxidants, expelling any free radicals from your body, keeping your immune system strong enough to tackle the onslaught of winter bugs!

5. Socks and Coconuts...

For dry and cracked skin on your hands and feet, try massaging some coconut oil in before bed and pop a pair of comfy gloves or socks on. Then just let the magic happen whilst you get some beauty sleep! Coconut oil is also great for your hair and scalp, the perfect choice for when is starts to get really cold over the next few months.