Thursday 7th April is World Health Day, a day for global health awareness celebrated every year under the sponsorship of the World Health Organization (WHO). This is day a day when we can look at the things we can do to move towards more natural health and to help you I’ve got some great recipes so you can look after yourself naturally:
You can avoid harsh chemicals and make wonderful natural skincare at home, here are my favourite recipes that will pamper and nourish your skin:
Aloe Vera Cleanser
30 ml aloe vera gel (you can buy it or snip directly from the plant)
30 ml rosewater
50 ml olive oil
4 drops rose essential oil
2 drops grapefruit seed extract
This is very cooling. Mix all the ingredients together and use with cotton wool to sweep across the skin and rinse with warm water.
Pore-Cleansing Coconut Oil Exfoliant
3 teaspoons coconut oil
1 tablespoon yoghurt
1 tablespoon of Dead Sea salt or Himalayan salt
Mix to a paste, apply and rinse off with water
Hairspray
Even if you aren’t usually sensitive to synthetic chemicals you’re sure to have been overwhelmed at some point by the onslaught of hairsprays and their heady mix of potentially toxic fixative pongs. Try making your own:
DIY Hairspray
25 ml filtered water
25 ml lemon juice
10 g of sugar
1 drop vodka
Add to a small pump spray bottle and spritz away! If it doesn’t seem to ‘fix’ add more sugar.
Toothpaste
The whole fluoride debate is too lengthy to go into here but whether or not you decide to opt for fluoride you’d be well advised to avoid foaming agents and other nasties in regular toothpaste. For toothpastes free from fluoride try www.greenpeople.co.uk and www.weleda.co.uk
Or you can opt to very simply make your own, bicarbonate of soda, water and salt are the main ingredients and then you can experiment with taste.
1 tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda
Pinch Himalayan salt
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 drop of peppermint essential oil
Add enough filtered water to the mix to form a paste when all mixed together. This will harden if left so keep in an airtight container and use within a day or so.
Wellbeing
Let food be thy medicine and get those greens inside you and you will feel amazing for having more energy and it’s great for glowing skin! Try my ‘Shrek Green’ Smoothie:
Replace a meal each day with this detoxifying smoothie:
‘Green Smoothie’
2 apples or 2 chunks of pineapple as a base
Chunk of broccoli stalk
Small handful spinach
2-inch piece of cucumber
¾ inch of celery (fennel works well too)
Half avocado
Add all ingredients to a high speed blender and mix! Or juice everything except the avocado then add to a blender with the avocado and mix.
Boost your immunity:
Read HERE about options for boosting your immunity
Add superfoods to your diet