A really big THANK YOU to FreshlyPressed for creating my lovely web site. I think I have been the client from hell because after finishing a perfectly adequate site, I decided that I wasn’t really happy with it (my design, not theirs!) and without a moment’s complaint, they re-worked it and now my site is a thing of beauty!

Thanks guys… I couldn’t have done it without you….

If you would like a web site designed or need some professional help, contact freshlypressed.net. They are truly wonderful!

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I purchased my first batch of the powders and added them to water… Yuk (and that is putting it mildly!!) Yes, it smells and tastes just like pond scum! So I tried it in orange juice which, I have to say, is much better although you can still smell and taste it to a degree. However, I am very excited to reap the benefits of this miraculous food.

This is day four and I must say that I am feeling much more energised although I am weeing for England (which I put down to the detoxifying properties of the algae).

I will keep you informed of my progress as I go along and I am looking forward to adding some of this super powder to some of my skin products as well… .Exciting stuff!!!

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Redheads have a bad name in England and are often seen as spawns of the antichrist. But all that aside, the worst part about being a redhead [and I know, because I am one] is that when the sun comes out, I go inside. My country of birth and home for 40 years [Australia] was hot and tested my skin to the extreme. I spent months in hospital in my childhood days as a result of days spent too long in the sun and even as an adult could never escape the clutches of annual sunburn.

So it is great to read in ‘Skins Prone to Sunburn May Be Capable of a Normal Tan‘

…new research from the University of Bradford has found that redheads are just as capable of making the melanin needed for a tan as the olive skinned locals.

Reading through the whole article it would seem that it is still very early days, but I am hopeful for redheads in general that there may be a answer as to why we burn so easily, and more significantly, that from these findings, they may be able to find a cure that will help redheads to tan naturally too.

Do you have any advice for people who burn so easily Claudine?

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As a nation we spend thousands of pounds a year on beauty and skin care products and I would like to bet that hardly anyone is aware of the ingredients of their favourite creams and what they might do to your skin.

A massive 60% of what you put on your skin is absorbed into your body so it makes real sense to be aware of what you actually are subjecting your body to.

Doctor Hilary Jones (of TV and radio fame) was saying that we should all be aware of what these products contain and be more vigilant when buying skin care products.

And it doesn’t stop there. Once you start the process, you will inevitably become more aware of what you are eating too….

There is truth in the saying “You are what you eat” and we could add “You are what you put on skin” to that. (See my article on Propylene Glycol to give you just a small taster – and that is just one ingredient out of thousands of potentially dangerous ones).

Make a point of researching on the internet about the ingredients in anything you buy. Once you are aware of the good and bad guys you can become more choosy about the products you buy. Better still, try making your own as I do… I know EXACTLY what has gone into my products. They may not last as long as the shop bought varieties (because they contain no harmful preservatives!) but I wouldn’t go back to using brand name products now. I really have seen a remarkable change in my skin tone and overall skin health. A real plus is that it has gone a long way to soothing and clearing my psoriasis. So try or buy only natural skin products but before you do….. CHECK THE LABELS!!!

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It is gentle enough for babies and young children and is extremely calming for teething tots. Give them one teaspoon of cool tea at a time but as much as you like. Use chamomile in an infusion to help with insomnia or to relieve the symptoms of a fever. Chamomile is known as a cool herb which means that it is excellent for use in any illness with a fever, temperature etc.

Chamomile tea can be bought in teabag form in any supermarket and although it can have a bitter taste (use your local honey to sweeten if necessary – that way you will guard against the risk of developing hay fever as well!) it will grow on you! It is excellent for stomach disorders and will calm a gripey tummy and soothe cramping.

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Use in preparations for cuts, grazes and skin infections, or as an infusion to sooth inflamed mucous membranes.

I use calendula in a lot of my preparations because it is so gentle. It is fantastic for use in a balm for nappy rash and this balm can also be used to treat sore, chapped lips and to protect your face against the winter chilling winds.

To make an infusion or tea, just put 1 teaspoon of dried calendula flowers in a cup of hot water, leave to steep and drink. You can also use the tea to treat and clean wounds or it is fantastic as a face spritz or toner. Used on the face as a toner, it does not strip the skin of vital oils and will leave the skin feeling soothed and cleansed.

As far as I am aware, there are no reports of any side effects from using calendula.

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* Nasal congestion
* Runny nose
* Frequent sneezing
* Itchy and blood shot eyes
* Itchy throat mouth and nose and ears
* Loss of smell
* Severe wheezing, rhinitis can trigger nose bleeding
* Difficulty in concentrating

If you are at home, try a steam inhalation of oils to help clear the nasal conjestion. These oils help by soothing the sensitive nasal passages and relieving the swelling that causes conjestion. If you are out and about or at work, the oils will work just as well when sprinkled on a tissue so that you can breathe them during the day. For both methods, use one drop of each oil.

Here is a list of oils that work wonderfully for hayfever relief. Just try them either one at a time or mix and match them – try no more than three at a time and see how best they work for you. Try to include Eucalyptus as one of your three oils as this is wonderful for conjestion even when used on it’s own.

• Basil
• Cajuput
• Roman Chamomile or German Chamomile
• Eucalyptus
• Lavender
• Lemon
• Melissa
• Myrtle
• Peppermint
• Pine Needle
• Ravensara
• Rosemary
• Sweet Thyme

I would love to know whether this works for you, so please comment with your results, good or bad!

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The Material Safety Data Sheet warns users to avoid skin contact with propylene glycol as this strong skin irritant can cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage.

Known health effects.
Eye irritation, skin irritation, skin drying, defatting. Ingestion has serious health effects similar to above.

Propylene glycol is Commonly found in:
• makeup • shampoo • deodorant • detangler • styling mousse • cleansing cream • mascara • soap • skin cream • bubble bath • conditioner • toner • after shave

and also in:

• Tyre sealant • Rubber cleaner • De-icer • Stain removers • Fabric softener • Degreaser • Paint • Adhesive • Wallpaper stripper

Wow, what a product. The problem is that most of us are not aware that this wonderful additive is also an ingredient in some very well known baby products including BABY POWDER (TALC) AND BABY WIPES.

So many parents are incredibly careful about what they feed their babies, protecting their babies from the sun and other evident dangers and are blissfully unaware of the dangers that are right under their noses.

There are some wonderful alternatives to these products and I will post later on how to make your own absolutely natural and safe baby powder and wipes which will not cost the earth and will ensure the safety of your little ones!

Please do not just assume that because a product bears the name “Baby” in the title, that it is 100% safe for you baby to use. Make a note of the ingredients and look them up. You will be horrified at what some manufacturer’s are getting away with…. Be safe, not sorry!!!

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