11/18/2014
CHAT | Ways With Coconut | Beauty Tricks
Coconut oil is hotly debated in many a food forum. A large majority argue that coconut oil delivers plenty of health, beauty and medicinal benefits. In this mini series, I’m exploring the topic further and sharing a snapshot of the many ways that I've started to include coconut oil in my everyday life, starting with beauty.
I love my beauty products, but sometimes natural products do the job just as well, and in many cases better. The skin is our largest organ and it absorbs most of a product through the skin layers first and eventually into our bloodstream, so its just as important to consider what we put onto our skin as it is what we put into our body. It therefore makes sense to consider natural and non-toxic beauty alternatives. Coconut oil contains no nasty chemicals and is gentle on the skin. It contains vitamins and other micronutrients, is antibacterial and antifungal and can boost skin collagen.
Here are some of my tried and tested, affordable ways you can incorporate coconut oil into your everyday beauty routine.
An intense moisture boost
Coconut oil contains naturally anti-aging properties and may soften fine lines, sun damage and age spots. The oil can be used straight from the jar to soften and nourish dry skin from babies to adults. It can be used on elbows, as a lip salve or a rich (very rich) moisturiser. Although solid at room temperature, the oil turns to a liquid texture with heat which makes it easy to absorb if you simply add it to your bath. For a post-exercise and detoxifying treatment, I like to add Epsom salts to the oil bath to sooth muscles.
Coconut oil contains naturally anti-aging properties and may soften fine lines, sun damage and age spots. The oil can be used straight from the jar to soften and nourish dry skin from babies to adults. It can be used on elbows, as a lip salve or a rich (very rich) moisturiser. Although solid at room temperature, the oil turns to a liquid texture with heat which makes it easy to absorb if you simply add it to your bath. For a post-exercise and detoxifying treatment, I like to add Epsom salts to the oil bath to sooth muscles.
Nourish your hair
For a tropical scented hair conditioner, rub the ends of dry hair (not the roots) with coconut oil and wrap the hair up in a towel for your desired length of time and rinse out. You may need to double cleanse your hair afterwards, but the silky and smooth results will be worth it.
Remove stubborn eye make up
Coconut oil really gives any eye make-up remover a run for its money. You add a little to a cue tip and gently buff away stubborn mascara or eyeliner, or do what I do and massage it across all across the eye with a cotton pad. This really works well with waterproof products and doubles up as an eye cream. Although it felt a bit strange at first, I was shocked by how great the results are.
Reduce marks and banish blemishes
The coconut contains antibacterial properties, and the oil can be used on its own, or mixed with tea tree oil to help heal wounds and small blemishes. Some of my friends swear by coconut oil as a natural and effective way to prevent stretch marks in pregnancy and to soften existing marks and scars.
Scrub away dead cells
This is a winner. You simply add sugar to the oil and buff those dead cells away. This is great as a step in a pedicure routine! The sugar will wash away and the fatty acids in the oil lock moisture in. As you massage it in to the feet (or hands), as the oil acts as an emollient and it will absorb into the nail bed quickly and help your pedicure or manicure look better for longer.
Smell sweeter
Coconut oil can (I've been told) be used as a chemical-free deodorant as it contains lauric acid which doesn’t deodorise, but can help get rid of some of the smell. I’ve not tried this (and I'm not sure I will just yet), but you simply wipe the oil under each arm and you’re done! If you’re feeling brave, try this DIY deodorant formula.
Support beauty sleep
Bonus tip! Everyone knows that one of the best ways to ensure fresh skin is by getting a good night’s sleep. Some research suggests that as coconut oil can help regulate the body, so adding this to a hot drink before bed, may help relieve some insomnia.
Bonus tip! Everyone knows that one of the best ways to ensure fresh skin is by getting a good night’s sleep. Some research suggests that as coconut oil can help regulate the body, so adding this to a hot drink before bed, may help relieve some insomnia.
I must admit, I’m not sold on the deodorant just yet, but for now, coconut oil is definitely a staple product in my bathroom cabinet.
As with anything quality is key and all coconut products are definitely not created equal. This post isn't sponsored, but my favourite coconut oil at the moment is from Lucy Bee. It is made from organic raw coconut oil and is fair trade, and for me that's a pretty good start.
As with anything quality is key and all coconut products are definitely not created equal. This post isn't sponsored, but my favourite coconut oil at the moment is from Lucy Bee. It is made from organic raw coconut oil and is fair trade, and for me that's a pretty good start.
11/06/2014
The Edit | 4 Blogs For Gluten-Free & Coeliac Lifestyles
My father was recently diagnosed (after a very long process and
misdiagnosis) with coeliac disease and although I’m not coeliac, I also tend to
feel much better by avoiding gluten where possible.
For those of you who don’t know, coeliac disease is caused by a reaction
of the immune system to gluten, causing a wide range of symptoms from bloating
through to weight loss, osteoporosis and skin rashes. Dermatitis herpetiformis
can also occur, which is the skin manifestation of coeliac disease. Once
diagnosed, you treat it by following a completely gluten-free diet.
I’ve made a huge effort to cook without the grain, and I’ve discovered
some amazing alternative foods devoid of the added fat that free-from foods sometimes use
to bind the ingredients together.
It’s so easy these days to prepare dishes that are free-from gluten and
there are really no excuses, in my opinion, for not providing an alternative
gluten-free option in all eateries. However,
many places still don’t offer this and equally don’t know what's in their dishes if you
ask them.
I LOVE eating out, but I find that it’s just as easy to
prepare delicious alternatives to all your meals yourself. In addition to some
of my own recipes, I often turn to the many food bloggers out there who prefer
the gluten-free lifestyle and whom I find are excellent and inspirational
starting points for anyone who is starting the gluten-free lifestyle, or who
has a gluten-intolerant family member. Here is my edit of my top 4.
Featuring great photography and delicious baking, Karina’s blog is a
great starting point for any gluten-free novice. My favourite (watch the waistline) recipe is Karina’s Wildly Rich Chocolate Cake.
This is a blog for “experimental cooks”. With a fantastic name and
equally great content, Sarah’s blog is well worth a read, especially for those
based in Bristol. My favourite recipe is Gluten-Free Strawberry Sangria Ice Lollies.
This US-based blog provides a good combination of facts, chat and
gluten-free meals. Check out this new (to me) Banana Flour.
What’s for dinner this week? This blog shares simple stand-by dishes and
hosts a menu swap initiative for busy families. Check out the simple, yet
delicious Thai Chicken Wraps.
To find out more about this really quite debilitating disease, the
symptoms, diagnosis and the treatment and support available, check
out www.csaceliacs.org (US)
and www.coeliac.org.uk.
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