Author Archives: Editor

The Vineyard Newbury – food for thought and soulful art

Featured

Posted on by
Every so often we visit a very special hotel and spa – the Vineyard at Newbury is one of those places.  This is because the people who work there go that extra mile to make their guests feel totally at home – they take a genuine interest in every guest – and all of them know your name which is quite remarkable.

Vineyard-Exterior-HR-Tidy.jpg

The Vineyard by night – Fire and Water sculpture by William Pye
This hotel is a member of the Relais & Chateaux a unique collection of the most beautiful restaurants and hotels scattered around the world. So you expect you will be getting a five star and quality experience from the minute you arrive.
Every room is different, with the bigger suites – 49 of these –  named after a wine or wine area. The owner entrepreneur, Sir Peter Michael, who amongst other things started Classic FM Radiio, is a huge fan of New World wines, in particular those from California where he has his own vineyard.
The Vineyard, is focused on food and wines, as you would expect, and has one of the largest cellars in Europe with more than 2,500 bins on its list, including those from exotic places like the Lebanon and various Russian republics. The winelist is like reading a novel – there are 23,000 bottles in the cellar – and I am lucky enough to get a copy to take home with me and signed by the hotel’s award-winning sommelier, Frenchman Yohann Jousselin (UK Sommelier of the Year 2011).
I am staying, co-incidentally, staying in the Dom Perignon room in the Atrium – how did they know my favourite drink I wonder?
Everything in the room is immaculate, with attention to every detail – perfect white robes, a fruit bowl, and the white bed linen. There is also a lovely countryside view from the bedroom window.
I am shown to my room and within minutes a tea tray arrives – as you would expect the tea is piping hot and fresh.  I never eat biscuits but these are made in house so I cannot resist them.
Dom Perignon Room small.jpg
The Vineyard is also a living art gallery so a walk down a corridor can take a while if you are interested in art. There is also art in all the rooms – even the bathrooms! So I spend most of the afternoon in the corridors…I return to my room and get ready for dinner and my pre dinner cocktail arrives – a glass of chilled champagne..

Rita.jpgRita Hayworth in my bedroom

Dinner is a French-inspired gastronomic experience and you have several choices including the 7-course tasting menu which costs £185 including wine. By the way I should mention prices here – I note they are are good deal cheaper than those in London, especially in the City so the level of quality and service that I see here is really value for money.

I opt for the a-la-carte menu and choose 3 courses including foie gras and braised pork belly.  My only criticism is that almost everything is very rich, but that may have been the menu that evening and possibly my bad choice as I always predictably choose foie gras.

There are various events organised every week in the hotel around wine, including themed tastings and a wine school.
The Spa offers a full menus of treatments using the luxurious French Darphin aromatherapy range and ESPA product. As you would expect the spa itself is a place of tranquility where you can get away and relax by the pool, swim or sleep.
I choose the Darphin Meadowsweet and Cucumber Eye Refiner.  This is a blissful 40 minute treatment using anti-ageing products.  The delicate area around the eye is massaged and soothed with the gentlest of products.  Afterwards my eyes look much fresher and brighter and rested. This treatment costs £40.
I also buy a special package of Darphin anti-ageing treatments for dehydrated skin which are on a special offer.
The spa has everything from hot stone massage (£75) to scalp treatments (£95) and spa day packages (£250) to pamper evenings for two (£105).  There is also a pool, jacuzzi and gym.
Fact File:
The rooms range from large double to suites and grand suites – prices start from £139 pp (based on two people sharing).
The Vineyard
Stockcross
Berkshire RG20 8JU
T: + 44 (0)1635 528770
The Vineyard Spa
T: + 44 (0)1635 589415


Activities to do nearby:

Bicester Village Outlet Shopping
< a href=”http://www.bicestervillage.com”>www.bicestervillage.com
Hungerford Town
Enhanced by Zemanta

New stem cell serum extract promises wrinkle reduction in weeks – full sized product worth £176 to be won

Posted on by

A new and potent anti-aging breakthrough derived from non-embryonic human stem cell research has just been launched in Europe. And Elixir has a samples of this exclusive Blue Horizon Stem Cell Serum to give away in our competition. All you have to do is answer a simple question at the end of this article.

Blue Horizon promises a 23% reduction in fine lines, wrinkles and scars in just two weeks. Although the serum does not contain actual human stem cells, its formula is based on stem cell research. The company offers stem cell treatments outside of the US in unique collaborations with scientists.

The main and unique active ingredient in the serum are stem-cell derived proteins called cytokines which send signals to regulate cells and regenerate skin.  It also contains proven skin anti-ageing ingredients including epidermal growth factors which are natural combination of skin growth promoters; short and long-chained hyaluronic acid and ceramides to combat the effects of aging and deliver unique skin benefits without surgery.

The serum has been toxicology tested within the EU and independent research on twenty individuals aged 46 to 81 found a 23% reduction in skin roughness, including a decrease in the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and scars in just two weeks. The test was carried out by Dermatest®, a top, independent German pharmaceutical and cosmetic test accreditation laboratory, who used Dermatological Optical 3D Test:Norm DIN 4768 on the skin of 20 test subjects using the serum. The serum is made in Germany.

If you want to get your hands on a pot of this unique anti-ageing serum you can here
at the Blue Horizons website Although its not cheap at £176 ($295
) for 30 ml which is approximately one-month’s supply, the cream has been flying off the shelf.

If you would like to win a full size sample please answer a simple question in our competition below:

click here to find out more at the Blue Horizons website

New & luxurious: Trussardi My Name eau de parfum pour femme worth £59 to be won

Posted on by

 

Trussardi My Name

MY NAME is a new Trussardi fragrance, which explores the more feminine, sensory side to the brand through a project based on the themes of discovery and introspective research.

The bottle, designed by the architect Antonio Citterio, presents an elliptical stopper with a retro appeal and is defined by a succession of oval elements that are also found on the packaging, evoking the characteristic shape of the Trussardi brand.

The heart of the entire Trussardi fragrance line is an exclusive and original complex that combines hyaluronic acid, which keeps the skin moisturised, soft and velvety, and cotton extract, which was chosen for its gentle soothing properties. Cotton is an ancient plant that has been used for millennia for its cosmetic properties deriving from its many functional substances.

This stunning fragrance has top notes of white violet and heliotrope flower; heart notes of violet and musk, and base notes of ambroxan and vanilla.

To win this bottle of lovely perfume just answer the simple question below. But if you can’t want to get your hands on a bottle buy online a special price at allbeauty.com


More competitions at ThePrizeFinder

Win a set of iconic anti-ageing hair products from John Freida – NOW CLOSED!

Posted on by

John Frieda’s first salon opened on New Cavendish Street, London, and soon became the place to go for anyone who wanted great hair styling. Three decades later and John Frieda® Hair Care products are one of the best-selling brands worldwide. John Frieda was almost famous for marrying the singer Lulu.

We have a set of John Freida Frizz Ease products to give away in our competition – just answer the simple question below for a chance to win them.

The four products, worth a total of £40, in our competition are:

John Frieda Frizz Ease Smooth Start Shampoo – 250ml, normally costs £8.99
John Freida Smooth Start Shampoo
Nourishes each and every strand of hair to replenish lost moisture and restore the hair’s natural defence against frizz.
Contains Frizz-Mending complex and natural olive oil.
Fights all levels of frizz with added nourishment and a moisture-boost.
Leaves parched tresses silky, shiny and highly manageable.
Ensures hair is given the optimal smooth start leaving parched tresses silky, shiny and highly manageable, without residue.
Lightweight formulations that won’t weigh the hair down but deliver exceptional results.

John Freida Frizz Ease Smooth Start Conditioner – New Salon size 500ml, costs about £16.99

John Frieda Frizz Ease Smooth Start Conditioner

This formula replenishes moisture and restores hair’s natural frizz defences. Contains a patented Frizz Mending Complex and olive oil.

John Freida Frizz Ease Extra Strength 6 effects Serum – 50ml, Costs £6.29

John Freida Frizz Ease Extra Strength Serum
Award-winning formal that instantly eliminates chronic frizz and repels humidity for glossy smooth styling.

John Freida Frizz Ease 100% Shine Glossing Mist – 75ml, costs £5.99
John Freida Frizz Ease shine Glossing Mist
Delivers bursts of high-gloss shine and glistening finish to any style, anytime.Ultra-light, non-greasy formula smoothes frays, frizz and flyaways.Non-greasy formula revitalizes shine in between shampoos.

WINNER INFO
The winner was LIsa Brown, from Swansea, Wales.

Answer the simple question below to win. If you can’t wait you can buy John Freida Frizz Ease products online atBoots.com


Win competitions at ThePrizeFinder.com – See more at: http://www.theprizefinder.com/content/set-john-freida-frizz-ease-anti-ageing-hair-products-worth-%C2%A340-0#sthash.iunQCob1.dpuf

£10 off selected House of Fraser beauty products

Posted on by

Beauty Confidential Offer
Starts Monday 8th December and ends Tuesday 23 September.

Screen Shot 2014-09-04 at 17.53.14

Elixir catches up with Helen Mirren who reveals her saucy side in her latest role in The Hundred-Foot Journey

Posted on by

In The Hundred-Foot Journey Helen Mirren plays the proprietress of a formal Michelin star restaurant in a small French village. She is “très formidable” – especially when she faces competition from an Indian family who start up their own curry house, Maison Mumbai, complete with flashing neon lights.  The smell of curry wafts across the road, along with the Bollywood tunes – just one hundred steps from her maison grastronomique, hence the name of the film.

One Hundred Foot Journey Poster

The Hundred Foot Journey

One Hundred-foot Journey

Marriage is not a limp asparagus!

During the film, which you must go to see, she hardly eats at all. Now we know why – watch the video to find out!

Bouncy blow dry – how to get it whatever your hair type

Posted on by

Who says a professional salon blow dry is only for A-listers? With the right products, you can recreate that gorgeous salon finish at home.

To keep hair feeling smooth and healthy, first use a heat protect spray to shield it from heat damage, then begin to rough dry. Use a large barrel brush for extra oomph and volume and add a spritz of an extra strength hairspray to keep in it place.

Here are some of the products that you will find useful to achieve this look – all available online at Boots.com

Simple steps to bouncy hair

1. Wash your hair – Charles Worthington has some great products that strip away residue from dull flat hair – see the video below.

  • Towel dry and apply a volumising mouse such as Umberto Gianinini Glam Hair Massive Mouse
Umberto Giannini Glam Hair

Umberto Giannini Glam Hair Massive Mouse costs £6 at Boots

2. To encourage volume and texture dry with a defuser such as the one that comes with the John Frieda Salon Shine 5125BU AC hairdryer

John Freida dryer

This ionic hairdryer uses advanced ionic technology to control frizz, this powerful hairdryer will leave hair looking and feeling smooth and shiny.

For over 20 years the John Frieda hair care professionals have been defining style. Now the leaders in transformational hair care have helped to inspire a range of professional appliances with advanced ionic technology for a salon shiny finish.

The John Frieda salon shine ionic hairdryer releases a stream of ions to surround and condition each strand of hair, neutralising static, smoothing the outer layer of the hair cuticle and controlling frizz.

  • Leaves hair looking and feeling smooth and shiny.
  • John Frieda salon shine ionic hairdryer features:
  •  Advanced ionic technology controls frizz for a high shine finish
  • 2200W high heat for fast drying
  • Long life professional AC motor generates powerful airflow for fast drying
  • 3 heats and 2 speed settings for drying control
  • True cold shot to set your style
  • Slim salon concentrator nozzle

3. A curling wand can add different types of textured curls.

Try curling away and towards the face for a tousled look.

Mark Hill Wicked

Mark Hill Salon Professional Wicked Wave Zebra costs £59.99 at Boots

Mark Hill Salon Professional Zebra Wicked Wave which is exclusive to Boots has a unique barrel shape that means each curl is different.

Ceramic barrel.
Variable temperature up to 200ºC.
Automatic shut-off.
3m cord.

4. Spritz your hair with a styling product.

Toni & Guy’s Casual Sea Salt Texturising Spray  gives texture and light hold with a beach look.

Toni & Guy Seal Salt Styling Spray

Toni&Guy Casual Sea Salt Styling spray costs £7.49 at Boots

5. Add height and bounce with a volumising spray

Charles Worthington Salon at Home has a number of products that will help to give you ‘red carpet hair”.

Charles Worthington Volume & Texturising Spray

Charles Worthington Volume & Texturising Spray costs £6.99 at Boots

 

Whether boosted from the roots, or given bounce and body in the mid-lengths, some of the most glamorous red-carpet styles rely on volume for serious impact.

For bigger hair in an instant, this dry, non-greasy formulation works invisibly to give height, texture and volume to hair. Simply shake and spray onto dry hair, concentrating on areas that need more volume or texture – Charles recommends spritzing directly onto the roots for the ultimate back-combed effect without any damage – then ruffle the hair to give a tousled and texturised finish.

Charles Worthington Salon at Home – Salon-inspired formulas for hair that’s always in red carpet condition.

How to Use

Spray evenly from root to tip, on towel dried or dry hair and work though to create tousled waves

Shake can before use. Spray onto dry hair. Ruffle the hair with your fingers for a tousled mane.

Charles’s Salon at Home Tip:

Spritz directly onto the roots for the ultimate back-combed effect without any damage – then ruffle the hair to give a tousled and texturised finish.

All products available to buy at Boots.com

New for autumn – green with envy nails

Posted on by

Nails are the perfect canvas when it comes to trying out a bold statement look and beauty. And its all about experimenting with the latest trends – so why not be adventurous and try out this season’s hottest hue, green!
photo
Make everyone green with envy and opt for No7 Gel-look Shine Nail Colour in Mint or for a more subtle look why not try Essie Turquoise & Caicos Nail.

No7 Gel-look Shine Nail Colour

Boots No7 Gel-look Shine Nail Colour in Mint

No7 Gel-look Shine Nail Colour in Mint – £7

No7 uses patented technology to make the polish tough and flexible to help prevent chipping and improve ease of application to help acheive a streak free finish.

Complete coverage in just one stroke, with outstanding and durable gel look shine. Helps to smooth and plump nails so natural ridges can’t be seen, for best results use in combination with the top coat.

Rich Colour, pay off in one coat. Plumps and volumises in 2 coats

How to Use

1- Apply No7 Stay Perfect Base coat

2- Use a small amount of Polish and paint down the centre of the nail. You may need to paint down the sides of the nail too. The nail should be completely covered in 3 strokes.

3- Finish with Gel Shine Top Coat applied all over the nail to help the nail Polish last longer

4- Ta-dah!

Ingredients

Butyl acetate, Ethyl acetate, Nitrocellulose, Acetyl tributyl citrate, Adipic acid/neopentyl glycol/trimellitic anhydride copolymer, Isopropyl alcohol, Styrene/acrylates copolymer, Stearalkonium bentonite, Silica, N-butyl alcohol, Diacetone alcohol, Trimethylpentanediyl dibenzoate, Polyethylene, Phosphoric acid, Benzophenone-1, [+/-(May contain) CI 77891 (Titanium dioxide), CI 19140 (Yellow 5 lake), CI 77499 (Iron oxides), CI 74260, CI 74160, CI 77510 (Ferric ammonium ferrocynanide), CI 15880 (Red 34 lake), CI 19140 (Yellow 5 lake), CI 15850 (Red 7 lake), CI (Red 6 lake)]

Essie Nail Polish

Essie Turquoise & Caicos Nail Polish

Essie Turquoise & Caicos Nail Polish – £7.77

If you love colour, you’ll love essie. For nearly 30 years essie has provided an infinite pallet of shades for high quality professional manicures, establishing the brand as USA’s nail salon expert. Out of all the eye-popping colours made famous in the salon line, we have hand-picked the absolute can’t-live-without shades now available for use at home.

How to Use

Apply one layer of essie Base Coat. Follow with two coats of essie Colour. Finish with your chosen essie Top Coat to prevent the colour from chipping.

Ingredients

“G2025 1: ETHYL ACETATE, BUTYL ACETATE, NITROCELLULOSE, PROPYL ACETATE, ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL, TRIBUTYL CITRATE, TOSYLAMIDE/EPOXY RESIN, ADIPIC ACID/NEOPENTYL GLYCOL/TRIMELLITIC ANHYDRIDE COPOLYMER, STEARALKONIUM HECTORITE, ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, BENZOPHENONE-1, POLY (1-HYDROXY-1-PHENYL-PROPYLENE), ACETYL TRIBUTYL CITRATE, DIMETHICONE, PHTHALIC ANHYDRIDE/GLYCERIN/GLYCIDYL DECANOATE COPOLYMER, ISOPHORONE DIAMINE/ISOPHTHALIC ACID/TROMETHAMINE COPOLYMER, CITRIC ACID, CALCIUM ALUMINUM BOROSILICATE, POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE, SILICA, CALCIUM SODIUM BOROSILICATE, ETHYL TOSYLAMIDE, OXIDIZED POLYETHYLENE, COLOPHONIUM / ROSIN, ALUMINA, SILICA [NANO] / SILICA, SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE, TIN OXIDE, POLYURETHANE-11, POLYACRYLATE-4, CI 77002 / ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE. F.I.L Code D48596/5

MAY CONTAIN

CI 77891 / TITANIUM DIOXIDE, CI 19140 / YELLOW 5 LAKE, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 / IRON OXIDES, MICA, CI 15850 / RED 7 LAKE, CI 15850 / RED 6 LAKE, CI 77120 / BARIUM SULFATE, CI 15880 / RED 34 LAKE,

CI 77163 / BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE, CI 77510 / FERRIC FERROCYANIDE, CI 77400 / BRONZE POWDER, CI 77266 [NANO] / BLACK 2, CI 77000 / ALUMINUM POWDER, CI 77288 / CHROMIUM OXIDE GREENS, CI 42090 / BLUE 1 LAKE, CI 45410 / RED 28, CI 60725 / VIOLET 2, CI 77400 / COPPER POWDER, CI 75470 / CARMINE, CI 45370 / ORANGE 5, CI 45380 / RED 21, CI 15850 / RED 7”

For an amazing selection of green nails and inspiration go to Boots.com

Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant Plus – Win this product – now closed!

Posted on by

Trilogy Rosehip OIl Antioxidant+
Trilogy’s unique formulation Rosapene™ provides intense hydration plus daily antioxidant protection. Combining nourishing essential fatty acids with super antioxidants, lycopene and phytosterol, this certified organic beauty oil is deeply moisturising while helping to protect against environmental free radical damage.Independent clinical studies show it improves brightening and skin tone, fine lines and wrinkles, elasticity and firmness. This product is one of the most popular because of the high quality of the oils which make an immediate difference to skin condition.

How to Use

After cleansing, gently massage 2-3 drops into face, neck and décolletage. Use morning and/or night alone or in conjunction with your regular moisturising products.

Ingredients

Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Seed Oil, Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Seed Oil (and) Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (and) Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Seed Oil (and) Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil (and) Tocopherol, Lycopene, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Fruit Oil (and) Tocopherol, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernal Extract

Normally costs £26.50 – try your luck in our competition below or if you can’t wait to try this delicious oil that really does brighten skin and soften lines and wrinkles then buy it online at Boots.com

WINNER IS STUART DUNLOP, OF HAVERSFORDWEST, PEMBROKESHIRE.


Colladeen Visage anti-ageing skin supplements competition – now closed!

Posted on by

Anti-ageing begins on the inside, with the nutrients that we eat. Eating the right foods can change our risk for many of the serious diseases of ageing. It can also help us keep our skin in the best condition possible.

Colladeen® Visage is a supplement that provides both anthocyanidins and lutein at levels that match previous research into their role in skin health.

Thousands of women already take Colladeen® Visage and many reported benefits to their skin. This led us to undertake a 20 week study to investigate the effect of these plant compounds on skin.

Using rigorous laboratory controlled methods the researchers measured an enhanced natural defence against sun damage of an average minimum SPF of 10 after just 12 weeks of product use. There were other positive results around elasticity and wrinkles.

We have a month’s supply of this anti-ageing supplement – worth £20 – to give away in our competition. All you need to do is answer a really simple question at the end of this article.

The results of this new clinical study has now shown that these natural plant compounds also play a protective role against the damaging effects of sunlight on skin.Colladeen visage
Colladeen® Visage contains the same strength anthocyanidins as in our Colladeen® Original plus two further ‘skin loving’ nutrients, lutein and green tea extracts. These nutrients have been included because research indicates that lutein, a well known carotenoid, may play a protective role against the damaging effects of sunlight on skin. We’ve included a significant level of pure natural lutein in the formula to reflect the level used in a recent study. There’s also a relevant level of green tea extract since there’s been so much focus recently on green tea’s antioxidant properties, as antioxidants are known to neutralise the damaging effect of free radicals generated by sun damage to skin.

Vitamin C in Colladeen® Visage
Vitamin C is known to contribute to normal collagen formation and the normal function of bones, teeth, cartilage, skin and blood vessels together with two important B vitamins, biotin and niacin, both of which contribute to the maintenance of normal skin and mucous membrane.

WINNER IS GEORGIA MCALLISTER, FROM WHITEHAVEN, CUMBRIA.


Berry Best lipsticks

Posted on by

Wow!

Bobbi Brown Hot Berry

Bobbi Brown’s Bobbi Brown Lip Colour in Hot Berry is hot, now and classy – and great for all skin types. This creamy, semi-matte lipstick gives lips instant polish with rich, full coverage.
Costs £19.50 – buy online at our favourite store House of Fraser

Meow!
Bourjois Frambourjois
And so beautiful this mouth-watering colour from Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet – called Frambourjois – and is only £8.99. Get is now atBoots.com

Look younger – get berry juicy lips!

Posted on by

Finding a new shade of lipstick that flatters skin tone can be a tough beauty challenge – especially if you are older – which is why many woman avoid wearing it in the first place.
Berry Lips

But thanks to the new No7 Match Made Lipstick Service, women can now discover a while range of lip colours that have been specifically created to flatter their skin tone.

So go on, give it a go and find out whether a Pink Blush or a Hot Copper is the perfect change.

How you can see how to perfect the new berry lips – which look fantastic on nearly everyone in the video below. There are some great berry colours to buy online from Boots No7, Rimmel and Borjois at Boots.com

Consumers more concerned about cellulite than diabetes, reveals new Datamonitor Research

Posted on by

A highly body-conscious culture is reflected in the fact that consumers are more concerned about looks and appearance than their general health. According to new research by Datamonitor Consumer, nearly a third of consumers who are actively trying to lose weight are concerned about cellulite. In contrast, only 15% are concerned about diabetes.

Tanvi Savara, Food & Drink Analyst at Datamonitor Consumer points out that this has important implications for functional food and drink products. “Products with added health benefits can attract a much larger consumer base by including functional ingredients that target weight loss. For example, a cholesterol lowering product that targets satiety would have a greater consumer appeal.”

While a majority of consumers surveyed in 2014 are trying to lose weight, there is a small segment of consumers that are trying to gain weight for aesthetic reasons. Just like their ‘weight warrior’ counterparts, health-related issues remain a secondary concern for weight gainers. Savara notes that “while only 18% of ‘weight gainers’ are concerned about high cholesterol levels, 38% are concerned about muscle tone highlighting the extent to which consumers value their own visual presentation.”

Datamonitor Consumer has created an infographic which offers a snapshot of some of its research findings on different behavioral traits of consumers trying to lose or gain weight.
Datamonitor Weight Management Trends

About Datamonitor Consumer:

Datamonitor Consumer provides comprehensive analytical coverage of global consumer markets through its Consumer Knowledge Center. Our research covers consumer and shopper behavioral analysis, product innovation and market sizing across all key FMCG sectors to help clients identify future innovation and market opportunities to ultimately drive growth. www.datamonitorconsumer.com

About Datamonitor Consumer’s global survey 2014:

Datamonitor Consumer’s global survey 2014 explores consumer behavior and opinion across 25 countries. We’ve surveyed 25,000 consumers about their food, drink, personal care, household care and baby care product usage, level of spend, and purchasing behavior. The survey also analyses consumer concern across a wide range of dietary, health and beauty issues.

1 in 4 too embarrassed to ask doctor for help with bowel problems

Posted on by

One in four have a question they’re too shy to ask their GP, according to a new survey.

Dulcolax, the leading constipation relief product, found that a quarter (26%) of those polled have a health question they are too embarrassed to ask their GP. For almost one in 10 (9%) it’s their bowels that are taboo, second only to sex (15%) as the most embarrassing topic they’ll avoid. A worrying number (6%) say they backed out of asking their GP a question about their bowels because they were too embarrassed.

So experts from Dulcolax and the charity Beating Bowel Cancer have teamed up to answer the nation’s embarrassing bowel questions: from “what is constipation?” and “what if it hurts to go to the toilet?” to “I have haemorrhoids, what should I do?.”

banner-img-12

Following an online call for questions earlier this year, the experts, including a GP, a nutritionist and a nurse, have provided straight talking answers and advice about constipation and other bowel worries, which are available in two new films launched on www.letstalkconstipation.co.uk this month.

GP and medical adviser Jess Kalsi, who appears in the film, says: “People really are embarrassed, but they shouldn’t be. We all go to the toilet and all have problems from time to time. Constipation and other bowel worries have a real impact on how people feel and their confidence, and affect all of us occasionally. It may well be nothing, but to be certain it’s not a sign of something serious, it’s worth checking it out. GPs and nurses aren’t shocked easily and are here to help.”

Nutritionist and bowel expert Kate Arnold says: “There seems to be a lot of confusion out there. People used to think that you needed a poo every day, but in fact anything between three times a day and three times a week is normal. Be aware of what is usual for you, and look out for changes. People are suffering in silence. We need to get over that British ‘stiff upper lip’. Speak to someone as soon as you have a concern.”

Previous research from Dulcolax also shows that even if women experience a worrying change in their poo, two thirds would not talk to their pharmacist or GP, despite over three quarters (77%) saying they have suffered from constipation.

Nurse Jenny Wills, who works on the Beating Bowel Cancer helpline, says: “We get over 3,000 calls to our helpline a year and one of the main things we’re asked is ‘what’s normal?’. What’s normal is different from person to person and it’s important to be aware of changes to your bowel habits. If you’ve been experiencing blood in your poo or changes in your bowel habits for three weeks or more, it’s really important that you contact your GP.”

Dulcolax tablets, £2.24 for a pack of 20, provide predictable overnight relief from constipation. Available from pharmacies and supermarkets nationwide.

For further information about the symptoms of bowel cancer visit www.beatingbowelcancer.org.

Anyone who is worried or concerned about changes to their bowel movement should talk to their pharmacist or GP.

About the experts quoted here

  • Kate Arnold is a nutritionist and adviser to Dulcolax with over 17 years’ experience specialising in gastrointestinal disorders.
  • Jess Kalsi is a General Practitioner and medical adviser based in South West London. She trained at King’s College London.
  • Jenny Wills is a nurse and works on Beating Bowel Cancer’s helpline (08450 719301). She joined the charity in 2011 and qualified at St George’s Hospital in 1992.

About the films

The films are produced by Dulcolax and cover questions from the public, gathered via the www.letstalkconstipation.co.uk website in 2014. T

About the survey

The survey of 2,000 UK adults was conducted by Opinion Matters between 01/07/14 and 07/07/14.

About Beating Bowel Cancer

Beating Bowel Cancer is a leading UK charity for people affected by bowel cancer. They are dedicated to saving lives by working in partnership to improve public awareness of bowel cancer and to increase the rate of earlydiagnosis. They help patients access the treatment they need and provide emotional and practical support to improve the lives of everyone affected by bowel cancer. Visit www.beatingbowelcancer.org for more information.

About the partnership

Constipation relief brand Dulcolax and charity Beating Bowel Cancer know that many people suffer in silence because they are too embarrassed to talk about their poo, and yet constipation and other bowel worries affect millions of people. So the two organisations have joined forces to help raise awareness of bowel issues by encouraging people to talk.

Friendship more valued than money after retirement

Posted on by

Friendship, good health and avoiding supermarkets at weekends are the biggest unexpected pleasures of retirement for Britons, new research has revealed.

Oddfellows logo
According to a study by the Oddfellows Friendly Society, we significantly underestimate the value of each of these joys as we approach a life of leisure.
It’s only when we finally reach retirement that we come to realise the true worth of companionship, staying active and steering clear of the aisles on a Saturday.

The research surveyed almost a thousand over-50s to gauge how near-retired and retired people view their place within their own communities and society as a whole.
Just under half of those who took part were members of the Oddfellows, which was founded more than 200 years ago and is one of Britain’s largest friendly societies.

Its annual Friendship Month will see the Society’s 146 branches stage scores of special events to connect old and new friends throughout September.
Oddfellows Chief Executive Officer Jane Nelson said: “What our research shows is that it’s perfectly possible for life to begin at 50, 60 or even 70.

“The very simple message that emerges is that if you approach retirement in the right way you can become happier as you get older.”

Some 45% of study respondents aged in their 50s said spending time with friends was what they were most looking forward to about being retired.
Yet nearly two thirds of participants aged in their 70s said they considered it the most enjoyable element.

Similarly, only 31% of those in their 50s said they were most looking forward to a healthier life – while 56% of those in their 70s said it was the thing they valued most.
The biggest disparity was for not having to visit supermarkets at weekends, which was chosen by just 12% of non-retired participants but 24% of retired respondents.
Selected by over 60% of those questioned overall, less stress was the aspect of retirement that was both most looked forward to and most enjoyed.

The research also highlighted the strong links between friendship, happiness and a sense of worth within the community for Britain’s over-50s.
Some 80% of Oddfellows members described themselves as happy or very happy, and 49% recommended joining societies or clubs as the best way of making new friends.

In addition, only 9% of 70-somethings said they didn’t feel they had a meaningful role to play in their own community, compared to 22% of 50-somethings.
Mrs Nelson added: “Our research shows that the reality of retirement doesn’t necessarily meet expectations for a lot of people.

“Many simply look forward to having a lot more time on their hands, but that can translate into loneliness, a lack of purpose and a longing for social interaction.
“Above all, people often discover that they miss the kind of camaraderie and everyday engagement that they took for granted in the course of their working lives.
“As our own members attest, membership of clubs and societies can bridge the gap between expectation and reality by providing friendship and a genuine sense of belonging.”
The Oddfellows helps 280,000 members in the UK enjoy the social side of life, as well as providing care, advice and support in times of need.

Professor Tarani Chandola, of the University of Manchester, a leading expert on the links between work, stress, friendship and happiness, backed the findings.
He said: “There’s a wealth of research on how people with stressful jobs get a temporary boost in happiness upon retirement, but this boost isn’t sustained by everyone.
“Older adults who remain socially active in community and voluntary organisations like the Oddfellows are the ones most likely to maintain their happiness in retirement.”
 
Life can begin at 70: the Oddfellows’ tips for a happy retirement
 
·        Maintain existing friendships and build new ones
·        Join clubs and societies to expand your social circle
·        Stay mentally and physically active
·        Acquire new skills
·        Shop on a Wednesday!
 
The Oddfellows Society is one of the largest and oldest friendly societies in the UK. Its branches organise active social programmes and provide help and support to members in local areas. Members also have access to an advice line, care support and a range of financial benefits. Membership is just £30 a year (or £28 by direct debit).

Get 10% off Glamglow Hollywood beauty products

Posted on by

Glamglow has become a worldwide phenomenom. The range of products are created around the exceptional performance of speciality mud treatments initially created for Hollywood’s entertainment, music and award industries.

It has grown a reputation for delivering the most incredible instant results to the world’s most notable celebrities. The treatment range contain the highest quality ingredients and deliver both instant and cumulative results – whatever the skin type.
Glamglow

Celebrity fans include Jennifer Anniston, Miley Cyrus, Michael Buble, Nina Dobrev, Denzel Washington, Jay-Z and Natalie Portman – it really is Hollywood’s best kept beauty secret.

The brand has won a host of beauty awards with the original YOUTHMUD treatment being dubbed Best Face Mask in the World after being voted for by all 44 global editions of Elle Magazine.



Why Tunisia is Tops for Thalassotherapy

Posted on by

0204_Sidi_Bou_Said_Blue_Door [200x200].jpgCarthageStatue2 [200x200].jpgBy Avril O’Connor

Tunisia has more thalassotherapy centres than anywhere else in the world, aside from France, combining both traditional Arabic and French influenced treatments using heated seawater.

 

Fashionable and fun – thalassotherapy is a medical treatment that uses hot seawater combined with mud or seaweed, massage and physiotherapy, it is particularly recommended for sufferers of reheumatism, arthritis and stress but provides a great source of relaxation for anybody seeking a bit of rejuvenation.

 

Thalasso-Center [400x300].jpg

This is reflected in the fact that in addition to bubbling baths, underwater massage, acqua aerobics and seaweed wraps, Tunisia’s thalassotherapy centres also offer more traditional pampering and beauty treatments.

So whether you opt for a jasmine aromatherapy bath or a post-exfoliation cucumber body wrap, the petal-scattered marble floors and mist-filled arches of these Moorish Aladdin’s caves will let you dream the hours away.

Many of Tunisia’s centres also cater for smokers intent on kicking the habit, post natal mothers in need of some molly-coddling of their own and anyone looking to loose a few pounds or embark on a short get-fit programme. Many of the centres are equipped with guilt-free low calorie restaurants and state of the art fitness centres.

The Hasdrubal Thalassa at Yasmin Hammamet, is an exceptional hotel, offering spacious five star luxury. It has a huge white sand beach on the edge of the Mediterranean. The hotel is exclusively comprised of suites, the majority with a sea view.

 

Hammam [200x200].jpgThe hotels hammam pictured above

As one of the Leading Hotels of the World you only get the best food and service here. The rooms are huge and decadent with marble bathrooms and the state of the art thalassotherapy centre makes it an ideal place for relaxation.

It is also the resort which visiting dignitaries choose for their holidays –  it has a private villa with its own pool, double garage and helipad.

The spa has a huge wet area with 8 hydromassage cabins, 4 “affusion” showers cabins, 4 jet showers cabins, 6 alghotherapy cabins, 4 underwater showers cabins, 1 phlebology course, 1 sea-water indoor swimming pool, 1 sea-water open air swimming pool and 1 cavitosonic room. The dry area has 16 massage cabins, an aromatherapy room, and marine ball. There is also a herbal tea room, beauty and hair-dressing salons and a fitness centre. There are also has two traditional hammams – one for men and the other for women.

The spa menus is enormous. As well as thalassotherapy, there are Ayurvedic massages and others with fragrant oils. The whole spa experience here is magical.

Don’t miss!

Sidi Bou Saïd

Sidi Bou Saïd is a picturesque blue and white 13th century village situated near Tunis and adorned with red bougainvilla, on the chic Upper Carthage Coast (20 minutes from the capital) overlooking the Gulf of Tunis.

 

0216_Dar_Said_Door [200x200].jpgThe hotel, Dar Saïd is a beautiful “Dar” residence (house in Arabic and equivalent to Morocco’s Riads) which dates back to 1868. Built in 1948 it became a 24-room boutique hotel. Every room is different and filled with antiques. Previous guests include Prince Albert of Monaco.

We recommend you sit by the pool with a glass of the local rose and watch the sun go down – its just beautiful!

Piscine___jour [200x200].jpgCafé Chabaane, Sidi Bou Saïd

Famous for its panoramic views of the sea and its mint tea – it is a popular hangout with Tunisians

Avenue Bourguiba in the Nouvelle Ville, Tunis

Take a leisurely stroll along the café-lined boulevards of the Ville Nouvelle and people watch. This wide avenue has modern shops, patisseries, banks and an opera house.

Medina of Tunis

This quarter is a UNESCO world heritage site is a warren of streets selling all kinds of goodies. Haggle for handicrafts including olive wood bowls, silver jewellery, spices, carpets, ceramics and kaftans.

If you have time to explore the Medina (visit to the Ezzitouna or “olive” Mosque- 698 AD, see panoramic views of Tunis and visit traditional Tunisian residences including boutique hotel “Dar El Medina” voted by Sunday Times Travel as one of best hip havens in the world & featured 67 out of 100 best hotels).

Dar Bel Hadj restaurant, Medina of Tunis

This restaurant is converted from traditional Tunisian residence dating back to 1707. It is frequented by wealthy Tunisians and tourists alike. The food is fantastic – sample real Tunisian cuisine and Tunisian wine.

Bardo Museum

This museum is arguably home to the most impressive collection of Roman mosaics in the world. Beautiful and get inspiration for home DIY.

 

 

Carthage Statue [200x200].jpgRestaurant Au Bon Vieux de Temps, Sidi Bou Saïd

A small restaurant with lots of character and great sea views. (1 minute walk from Dar Saïd). Sample fresh fish, couscous and French/international cuisine; Bœuf Sur le Toit, la Soukra – a jazz bar 10 minutes from Sidi Bou Saïd, often live jazz music; Carthage: The Antonine Baths & Byrsa Hill: The ancient sites of Carthage founded in 814 BC by the Phoenicians are staggering in their scale. There are also Punic and Roman ruins.

La Falaise (cliff) restaurant in La Marsa on Carthage Coast

This restaurant is famous for fresh fish & sea food.

The Sadika Keskes
A blown glass art studio, La Marsa on Carthage Coast; Sadika Keskes is the only Tunisian woman in this profession. She has a beautiful studio where she makes & sells glass artwork & objects, handmade jewellery and linen goods.www.sadika.com

Shopping at Berges du Lac shopping centre

Tunisia’s modern shopping centre situated 10 minutes from the centre of the city, where you can find top brands such as Sisley, Benetton, Hugo Boss at a 30% discount.

The marina of Yasmine Hammamet

The Pomodoro restaurant in marina of Yasmine Hammamet, The Medina of Hammamet, The restaurant Les Trois Moutons in Hammamet

Fact Box

The international code for Tunisia is: 0021
Tunisair has return flights from Heathrow to Tunis from $280 (€188, £150pp) www.tunisair.com.
Tunisian National Tourist Office London 020 7224 5598 www.cometotunisia.co.uk

Hotels

Dar Saïd
Tel: 00216 71 729 666 Fax: 00216 71 729 599. Twin/doubles from $186 (€125, £100) per night based 2 sharing including tax, breakfast is not included.www.darsaid.com.tn

Hasdrubal Thalassa & Spa Tel : 00216 72 244 850 Fax : 00216 72 244 895 Double junior suites (low season) from $214 (€144, £115) per night including tax.www.hasdrubalhotels.com

Vinotherapy in the green heart of Italy

Featured

Posted on by

by Avril O’Connor

At Elixir we promote the anti-ageing properties of red wine – it is bursting with antioxidants, including resveratrol.  But we thought the only way to sample its  anti-ageing effects was to drink it! So you might perhaps understand my situation when I got to try vinotherapy for the first time.

Following one of the best massages ever I was relaxing in the vinotherapy bath tub, containing what I assumed to be grape extracts when my spa therapist uncorked a perfectly good bottle of red wine and poured its contents into my bath.

Seeing the look of pure horror on my face she relented and saved a glass, saying it wasn’t good to drink too much in the spa. So with glass in hand I not only tasted but relaxed and bathed in the revitalizing, antioxidant vapours of one of the finest wines of Torgiano – a pretty hilltop village in the heart of the famous DOC and DOCG wine region of Umbria.

23 vino terapia [320x200]

The Bellavue Winetherapy Spa is indeed a gem. It is peaceful and beautiful, with indoor and outdoor pools, Turkish baths, a gym and outdoor relaxation areas surrounded by olive groves and views of the surrounding Umbrian Hills.

The spa is in one of the region’s most exclusive five-star hotels, the Relais Hotel Le Tre Vasalle. The hotel was once a 17th century house, whose name refers to the ancient ceramic wine jugs, and is in a narrow street in what was once a fortified village in the Middle Ages, near Perugia (5 miles) and Assisi (10 miles).

Surrounded by antique furniture and paintings, each of the 60 bedrooms is uniquely furnished, giving it has the feel of a grand country home – perfect for a romantic getaway. The restaurant, Le Melograine, reworks traditional Umbrian specialities such as pasta with black truffles, as well as diet menus served with delicious local wines.

Le Tre Vaselle, outdoor pool [320x200]

Le Tre Vassale brings together wine, art and hospitality. This is because the hotel is the passion of one family – the Lungarottis, first and second generation winemakers who have made Torgiano their own.

The family has filled the town. As well as the hotel, there is a wine museum and olive oil, museum and the nearby Cantine Lunggarotti which produces the finest red wines grown on surrounding slopes (Sangiovese, Anaiolo, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon), including Rubesco. The whites (Trebiano, Grechetto, Chardonnay, Pinot) are grown on cooler hillsides. And there is also an excellent sparkling Lungarotti Brut made with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Giogrgio Lungarotti and his wife and Maria Grazia, an art historian run the winery business with daughters Chiara and Teresa and produce around three million bottles of wine annually.

A visit to the Wine Museum and the Cantine are a must. Housed in the 17th century Palazzo Graziani-Baglioni, it has one of the most comprehensive collections of viniculture artifacts anywhere in the world – from its earliest beginnings in the Mediteranean to the Middle Ages and beyond – covering five thousand years of winemaking history. The theme of the wine god Bacchus runs through the collections which are housed in 20 rooms, featuring working tools,  fine prints, drawings, antiquarian books and graphics by Picasso and a glass by Jean Cocteau (pictured below).

Wine Museum, Fondazione Lungarotti, Cocteau glass [320x200]

The hotel offers a range of activities including truffle hunting, cookery classes, as well as scooter hire.

I have always wanted to go truffle hunting. And it was not a disappointment.No need to get up at the crack of dawn.After a lazy breakfast we are driven to a nearby forest to meet our guide Matteo and his English setter Asia (pictured below).

AliceandTruffles [320x200]

The black traffles, known locally as “black gold” can fetch up to 150 Euros a kilo and the rarer white 3,000 Euros so the cost of buying your truffle dog – 4,000 euros in the case of Asia can pay dividends.

Asia was a star. She  sniffed around for a few minutes, driven by a reward of a cheese slice each time she found a truffle. Sniffing the ground and as if by magic she would start digging with her paws, finding truffle after truffle. Standing on her back legs she put her front paws on Mateo’s hips to claim her reward.

As we walked in the woods we passed groups riding horses – this is also riding country – people smile and wave at us.  And back at the minibus we were greeted by table laden with a feast of antipasti and red wine – and it was only 10.30am! A bit early even for me but sometimes a girl has to do what a girl has to do! After all it would be rude not to!

FACT FILE

Hotel Le Tre Vaselle, via Garibaldi, 48. Torgiana – Perugia. T:+ 39 075 9880447
www.3vaselle.it
Double rooms from £194 ($297, €220), also look out for special packages and promotions on the website.
Cantine Giogio Lungarotti T: + 39 075 988661 www.lungarotti.it
For information on wine tastings contact Sabrina@lungarotti.it
Wine and Olive and Oil MuseumsT: +39 075 9880200 museovno@lungarotti
Getting to Torgiano
Alitalia to Rome www.alitalia.com
Ryanair to Perugia www.ryanair.com

Manage your home mobility – a helpful interactive guide

Posted on by

Manage at Home is a leading provider of disability and mobility aids for the home. Here in an interactive format you can see how to improve mobility with the right kind of aids around the home.

Brought to you by Manage At Home.

If you are unable to view the Flash Version of this brochure, follow this link to download the PDF

Blast fat with the Body Reset Diet

Posted on by

Anything that is called ‘diet’ is normally doomed to failure for most people. But The Body Reset Diet is different. It’s not really a diet because you are not restricted to one food category and you won’t feel hungry.

The approach is to eat seemingly more than you would do normally – at least if you are a serial dieter who has sabotaged their metabolism by starving.

This weightloss plan by Harley Pasternak, a Los Angeles-based fitness expert (he holds an MdC in exercise physiology and nutritional sciences) – and he guarantees that if you stick to the three phases over a 15-day period you will not only loose weight from Day 1 but have rebooted your metabolism. Harvey’s approach is that successful dieters are those who get a quick result.
The Body Reset Diet

But if you hate smoothies and fresh fruit and vegetables then this isn’t for you. During the first five day phase, you consume 1,200 calories daily with three smoothies  and two snacks with fresh vegetables and even a hommous dip. When I tried it I was not at all hungry. The secret is in the protein – either as yogurt of milk whey that you add to the shake and the fact that you are filling up on liquid.

Also Harvey recommends that you temporarily give up your exercise regime during Phase 1 as this will over stimulate your appetite. Exercise is introduced later to build up muscles and get you fitter.

And its important that you don’t juice the fruits and vegetables – which has always seemed senseless to me as you remove all the good fibre and other nutrients. Well Harvey agrees that blending is the way to go as you get all the goodness.

Harley explains, “With so many crazy and extreme diets on the market, it’s hard to know what to eat and how to maintain a healthy regime. We have lost our way when it comes to diet and succumb to extreme measures that promise short-term rewards. In spite of our extreme attempts to get in shape, we are still unsatisfied with how we look. The Body Reset Diet is a healthy, simple formula for shedding pounds and produces instant results.”

Harley Pasternak

But as much as I like spinach (cooked) the thought of eating it raw in a smoothie was not at all tantalising – until I made one and tasted it and it was absolutely delicious. It’s so good I am going to repeat it here:

Sweet Spinach Smoothie

60g of spinach leaves
1 ripe pear
15 green or red grapes
175 g of Fat-free natural Greek yogurt
2 tablesspoons of chopped avocado
1-2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice

Nutrition Info
Calories: 315
Total Fat: 7g
Carbs: 43g
Protein: 25g
Fibre: 9g

The secret of the great flavour is actually the pear and also the lime juice.

Pear Spice Smoothie

1 pear (ripe and unpeeled)
1 banana
1 teaspoon of chopped fresh ginger or pinch of ground ginger
Pinch of ground cinnamon
Pinch of ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons of vanilla or unflavoured protein powder

Nutrition Info

Calories: 300
Total Fat: 2g
Carbs: 55g
Protein: 25g
Fibre: 10g

I made mine without the banana and replaced the protein with Oatley milk and it was still fantastic tasting.

I spent five days on the smoothies and even if my weightloss was not that great my skin looked amazing.

In Phase 11, the diet is almost the same but you replace one of the smoothies with a healthy meal and start some circuit resistance training – the exercises are detailed in the book. Phase 111 is the rest of your life! And Harvey has lots of advice and tips to keep you on track. There are also lots of recipes for you to follow.

The actress Hilary Duff tells Harvey: “The Body Reset Diet proves that you don’t have to suffer, starve or make huge lifestyle changes to lose weight, feel great and look fantastic.”

The Body Reset Diet by Harley Pasternak, MSc is published by Simon & Schuster and available in paperback and costs £12.99.

Look out for our competition – we have five paperbacks of Harvey’s book to be won!

And if you can’t wait to get your hands on this great book and its recipes you can buy at Amazon.

 


Varicose Veins and Your Health, by vascular expert Professor Mark Whiteley

Posted on by

At this time of year, as our attention turns to the summer months ahead it is natural that we become more conscious about our figures. As we make it our mission to get our body beach ready, there is one condition in particular which many will be concerned by – varicose veins!

Mark Whiteley Headshot cropped

Here, internationally renowned vascular specialist Professor Mark Whiteley of The Whiteley Clinic (London & Guildford) answers some of the most common questions on what the condition is, who is likely to suffer, and what the best methods of treatment are.

(Q) Who is most at risk of developing varicose veins?

(A) There is an old myth that it is only people who are older and over-weight who are likely to develop varicose veins however, this is completely untrue. Contrary to popular belief the condition is actually hereditary and in reality up to 40% of the UK adults (both male and female) will suffer from the condition throughout their lives.

(Q) What causes the condition to occur?

(A) Varicose veins occur when the valves in our legs stop working properly, which makes the blood flow down the wrong way. The cause of this is genetic – it depends on your mother and father. Often they can be identified as the bulging veins which protrude from the legs however, worryingly in half of all cases the veins will be completely hidden with the sufferer showing no overt signs of the condition. The first they know of it will be swollen ankles, or itchy red patches on their lower legs.
(Q) It is often said that the condition is purely cosmetic. Is this true?

(A) Worryingly, there are many myths and old wives tales which would lead you to believe that varicose veins are purely cosmetic and unfortunately this leads a lot of people to simply ignore them.

Even thread veins have underlying “hidden” varicose veins in up to 89% of cases causing them, and in some cases the hidden veins will be severe. Big varicose veins, whether seen on the surface or “hidden” away under the skin can cause problems if not fixed – from aching to swelling of the ankles, skin damage and itching, clots and in a few, even ulceration.

(Q) Does pregnancy have an impact on varicose veins?

(A) Pregnancy does not cause varicose veins to occur however, if someone already has an underlying venous condition then it is true that pregnancy may make that condition worse and ‘bring it to the surface’. Following the birth of a child sufferers may find that the symptoms and discomfort will subside after a few months however, it is likely to return with a vengeance during subsequent pregnancies if the appropriate treatment is not sought. Some patients develop vaginal or vulval varicose veins during pregnancy and, if these lead into leg varicose veins, need a completely different scan and treatment to fix.
(Q) What would your advice be if someone thinks they may have varicose veins?

(A) If you are in any way concerned that you are suffering from a venous condition my advice would always be to go and see a specialist vascular consultant who will arrange for their specialist vascular technologist to give you a venous duplex scan. This scan will tell the consultant whether there are any hidden problems and from here, they will be able to decide upon the best course of action.

Treatment wise, there are a number of cutting edge endovenous techniques such as laser, radiofrequency, foam, coils, glue and Clarivein which are now available which are a far cry from the old and outdated stripping techniques. Unfortunately, many medical professionals are unaware of these newer more effective treatments, which is why it is so important to go and see a specialist (someone who deals with the condition day in, day out). At my clinic, we understand that every patient is different and there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach. With this in mind, we treat each patient as an individual and aim to treat them both quickly and effectively with a minimally invasive procedure which will allow them to be back on their feet again within a matter of hours.

If you have a medical concern related to this article and would like our experts to answer please email us at experts@elixirnews.com and we will do our best to help.

The Parisian Diet – How to Reach Your Right Weight and Stay There

Posted on by

Do you remember a few years ago that a diet soup with cabbage as its main constituient became all the rage? I recall making it myself and then throwing it all away! Well the man we have to hold responsible for it is a Parisian doctor Jean-Michel Cohen.

Now I do happen to agree that soups are a key meal in any diet plan, especially since scientists have discovered that food that has been liquidized will help us to stay fuller for longer. So I read with interest Dr Cohen’s latest diet bestseller, The Parisian Diet – How to Reach Your Right Weight and Stay There.

Dr Cohen says he speaks from experience when it comes to dieting. “I became a chubby kid, then obese.”

So why are the French, and Parisians in particular, slimmer than so many others in the developed world where obesity is reaching epidemic proportions?

Dr. Cohen, who is France’s foremost nutrition expert believes that the Parisian way can become a lifelong habit of healthy eating for everybody. In his book he discusses all the problems, obstacles and disappointments of trying to lose weight – and how to understand and overcome them (as he has done himself).

The Parisian Diet

Soups still feature in the book as he believes that this is way of getting filling and nourishing food.

The Parisian Diet is divided into classic French phases: the Café phase (which kick-starts the diet); the Bistro phase (to be followed for two to three weeks) and the Gourmet phase (which promises weight loss of 8 to 11 pounds the first month with further loss over three months). Each phase includes many recipes – a total of 325 in the book – which fan out to hundreds of possible permutations by Cohen’s use of ‘equivalents’ whereby you can substitute ingredients with the same weight-loss results.

There are low-calorie recipes for famous French sauces, sample daily allowances and the ground rules for each phase.

No Snacking Rule

The French consume more than 90 per cent of their daily calorie intake at mealtimes; which means as a rule they do very little snacking between meals. After three decades of treating patients in France, Dr. Cohen shifted his focus in recent years to what some might call the largest target: America obesity.

In The Parisian Diet, Brits don’t escape his attention either. In this international edition he points out that in the UK – where 61 per cent of the population is overweight or obese – only 30 per cent of employees take a lunch hour.

The French take mealtimes seriously

French mealtimes are considered a real and necessary ritual for enjoyment, satisfaction and bringing people together.

“First, the French are actively interested in cooking and cuisine. Pleasure is deliberately emphasized as a fundamental aspect of eating”, he writes.
JMCohenblue03small

Diets must have pleasures, says Dr Cohen (pictured above)

Dr. Cohen does not believe in denying oneself pleasures, and one of the greatest in Paris is eating out. A special section on Dining Out provides concrete suggestions for ordering healthy choices in a variety of restaurants – from Italian to Chinese to fast food outlets – and shows dieters how to get around daily burgers, pizza and sandwiches. Common diet stumbling blocks are also addressed – from hunger pangs to cravings for wine, chocolate and bread – and he even provides a recovery plan to follow times of indulgence. Even foods that are commonly considered taboo while dieting are allowed in The Parisian Diet, from pasta, to potatoes, to sandwiches.

Finally, he provides an eating plan for maintaining the achieved weight over time without slipping back into weight gain and bad habits. Dr. Cohen helps the reader calculate the correct body weight, provides guidelines for shopping and reading food labels, and outlines kitchen essentials, cooking methods and food substitutes.

In the final chapter entitled Your Right Weight for Life he explains how to make the Parisian way of eating a habit for life. He discusses redefining eating habits, managing hunger, cooking light, making healthy choices, tracking food intake and rewarding oneself. Above all, he encourages the dieter to keep it simple. Real success in weight loss can only be achieved by eating a well-balanced diet, based on medical expertise and adapted to modern life.

It’s a nice looking book – so a great present. Costs £16.99/US $26/€19.90

Here is one of the recipes for lunch:

Curried Carrots and Yogurt

8 oz (225g) baby carrots

1/2 teaspoon curry powder

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups (12ox/340g) plain nonfat yogurt

6 hazlenuts chopped

Prep time: 3 min/cook time: 10 min/ready in:13 min.

Steam the carrots for 10minutes. Mix curry powder and vanilla extract into yogurt. Mix carrots and yogurt togther in a bowl. Garnish with the chopped hazlenuts and serve.

Buy this book at Amazon by clicking on this link

Drinkers who exercise have less brain damage

Posted on by

Exercise may protect the brains of heavy drinks from alcohol damage, according to new US research.

Exercise

Blood pressure – how you can lower it!

Posted on by

Each year, the World Health Organisation, focuses on a major health issue to mark World Health Day. This year it highlighted the death-related risks associated with high-blood pressure (also known as hypertension).

high blood pressure

It increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes and kidney failure and if left uncontrolled, high blood pressure can also cause blindness, irregular heartbeat and heart failure.

High blood pressure is preventable, and can be countered by reducing salt intake, eating a balanced diet, avoiding the harmful use of alcohol, taking regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy body weight and avoiding tobacco use.

 

Find out what you can do to lower your blood pressure and live longer and healthier by reading the presentation below.

20% discount on Craghoppers adventure & travelwear

Posted on by

Elixir has got together with Craghoppers to offer 20% Off travel and adventure clothing so that you can look the part on your travels this season.

ZCWJ1035R_MID_KHAKI-thumb-240x240-1119

Designed to deliver style with function for the outdoors Craghoppers’ latest range is designed to be comfortable and stylish, as well as delivering outstanding performance, giving outdoor and travel lovers an unbeatable collection of jackets, trousers and tops, which are ideal for far flung adventures, as well as a stroll in the British countryside.

Craghopers designer outdoor gear

Craghoppers are giving you the chance to get your hands on this season’s must-have kit with a fantastic 20% off! To take advantage of this exclusive offer simply go to www.craghoppers.com before March 31st and input the discount code CHELIX1 to get 20% off your next purchase online.

For more info on Craghoppers call 0844 811 1022.

Terms’s & Conditions

The 20% off offer is available until March 31st 2013. Applies to full-priced lines and colours only. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.