travel health tips

OK, you're vaccinated, you're careful about what to eat and drink and you are doing your best to prevent insect bites. What else should you look out for?
Road traffic accidents
These are the leading cause of death in young overseas travellers, particularly when riding mopeds. Travellers should exercise particular caution when cycling or riding mopeds (always wear helmets), with safety conditions (eg seat belts) in cars, buses, trucks etc. Road accidents are 40 times more likely to happen in developing countries.
Swimming
Accidents associated with swimming are more likely to happen through swimming just after a meal; having drunk alcohol; going too far off shore; or swimming at night. In some developing countries you should have a blood test three months after swimming to check for a fresh water parasite Schistosomiasis.
Long haul flights
The risk of blood clots on long-haul flights is very small and can be minimised by moving around the aircraft cabin every one to two hours; tensing the muscles of your legs to encourage blood flow and drinking lots of non-gassy water. Taking aspirin or using flight stockings are of questionable benefit.
Sunburn
Bring total sunblock or a very high protection sunscreen. Creams with this level of protection can be difficult to find abroad. Most sunburn occurs between 10 am and 3pm and the risk is particularly high if you are out on the water, where the breeze and the rays off the water can burn you before you realise it.
Rabies
This disease is absent from Ireland, the UK, New Zealand, Australia and a few other countries. Rabies is a viral infection that circulates among warm-blooded animals. Humans get infected if the saliva of the infected animal breaks the skin barrier, after a bite or if an animal licks a cut on your skin. In countries where rabies is prevalent, be very cautious near animals. The correct kind of preventative treatment initiated within two days of exposure, or four days if vaccinated against rabies, will remove the risk of rabies developing.
If you think you have been exposed to rabies, seek medical attention at a modern clinic within two days and send an email to your travel health clinic, as they will be able to provide an opinion on whether follow-up rabies prevention treatment is warranted and what treatment you need.
The rabies vaccine given to people before travel provides only partial protection but, if exposed to the rabies virus, gives you more time to seek medical help and will make your follow-up treatment less complicated.
Altitude
At altitudes above 10,000 feet you may notice effects such as tiredness, shortness of breath, headache, nausea etc. Ask your travel health centre for detailed advice on this.

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Potato Fritters

Subrich di Patate ~ This is a recipe for potato croquettes, Italian style, that can be used on an antipasto platter, or as a tasty side dish with the main course. This is a great recipe for leftover potatoes, but it is so delicious you won’t mind cooking potatoes specifically to make these fritters. I serve this potato dish with everything from sausages to roasted chicken.
Buon Appetito!

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Roasted Potatoes, Zucchini, Onions & Pancetta

I am always looking for new, unique vegetable side dishes to go with roasted or grilled meats. When meat is on my menu, I often include oven roasted potatoes of some sort, then add another side such as sautéed leafy greens. When you stick to the same things time and time again, although delicious, it can get a tad boring. This easy vegetable side includes potatoes, zucchini, onions, garlic, and pancetta which are seasoned with fresh thyme and parsley. I love oven roasting vegetables because there is so little effort required once they are prepped and popped into the oven. An occasional toss and check, and you let the oven do the work. The only hitch in this recipe is that potatoes take much longer to cook than zucchini, but all you need to do is add the zucchini during the last 15 minutes or so.
For best results, use a waxy potato that will hold its shape and not break apart in the oven. I used a red Colfiorito potato found here in Umbria that is extremely hard for the dish in these photographs, so my cooking time was longer than usual. I usually use Yukon Gold potatoes however and find the cooking time will be shorter. Your cooking time may vary depending on your choice of potato, so just check the potatoes for doneness after 30 minutes. For recipes such as this that use pancetta, I prefer buying a slab of pancetta and cutting it into dice. If pancetta is difficult for you to find locally, you could substitute bacon.

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Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with this simple cupcake

Simple, sweet, delicious and fun to make the kids. Roll your sleeves up and have some fun with this .

Ingredients

*1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
*1 (4 serving) pkg. instant pistachio pudding mix
*3/4 c. miniature semi-sweet chocolate pieces
*2/3 c. sugar
*2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
*1/2 tsp. salt
*2 beaten eggs
*1 1/4 c. milk
*1/2 c. cooking oil
*1 tsp. vanilla
*1/2 of 16 oz. can cream cheese frosting (1 c.)
green colored sugar
*1/2 c. candy-coated milk chocolate pieces
 

Method:
In a large mixing bowl, stir together flour, pudding mix, chocolate pieces, sugar, baking powder and salt.

In a small bowl, combine eggs, milk, oil and vanilla. Stir into flour mixture just until combined. Fill greased or paper bake cup lined muffin cups 2/3 full.

Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

Frost with cream cheese frosting; sprinkle with green sugar, then milk chocolate pieces.

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Pork chops with Guinness and onion gravy

Pork Chops with Guinness and Onion Gravy

Ingredients:

8 1 inch thick pork blade chops or sirloin chops
salt and freshly ground pepper
All purpose flour
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 large onions, thinly sliced
3 large garlic cloves, minced
1 cup (about) Guinness
1 cup (about) chicken stock
1 tablespoon (or more) coarse-grained mustard
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons (or more) balsamic vinegar

Method:

Season pork with salt and pepper. Dredge in flour, shake off excess.
Melt butter with 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large deep skillet over medium-high heat.
Add pork in batches and brown well, about 6 minutes per side. Transfer pork to plate. Set aside.
Dredge onions in flour; shake off excess. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in same skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic. Season with salt. Cover and cook 5 minutes, stirring once.
Uncover and cook 4 more minutes, stirring occasionally. Add 1/4 cup stout and 3/4 cup stock and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits. Return pork to skillet.
Spoon some of onions over pork. Add enough additional stout and stock to bring liquid halfway up sides of pork. Cover skillet with foil, then lid. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.
Turn pork over and cook until very tender, about 25 more minutes. Transfer pork and onions to platter using slotted spoon. Degrease pan juices. Boil juices until thickened slightly, about 10 minutes. Whisk in 1 tablespoon mustard. Add chopped parsley and 1 1/2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar. Taste, adding more mustard or vinegar if desired. Pour gravy over pork.
Garnish with parsley and serve.

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Chef Gilligan's country potato and cabbage soup

After a hectic Christmas and New Year where I think the whole of New York was at the W South Beach, the Gilligans are in Disney for a few days of R&R. The thing is it is as cold as a witch’s tit here, 24 degrees isn’t Florida weather at all-this most certainly wasn’t in the brochure, but hey, what are you going to do? You guys up there have it far worse than me; at least it isn’t snowing (yet!)

Well to warm us all up, I found this recipe at the hotel, the Chef was nice enough to give me the recipe on the condition that I don’t tell anyone else. So I am passing it on to hundreds of strangers sitting in bars all across New York City. So I’m a liar.

Country Potato and Cabbage Soup

From the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort

Ingredients:

3 Tablespoons Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
4 Ounces Thick-Cut Bacon (diced)
1 Large Onion (thinly sliced)
½ Cup Dry White Wine
6 Parsley Sprigs
6 Thyme Sprigs
1 Bay Leaf
1 Pound Small Red Potatoes (thinly sliced)
1 Large Leek (thinly sliced, rinsed well)
6 Cups Chicken Stock
1 Pound Green Cabbage (finely shredded, 4 cups)
2 Stalks Celery {chopped}
2 carrots {peeled and chopped}
Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper
2 Tablespoons Snipped Chives
Three 1/2 inch Thick Slices of Country Bread (cut into cubes)
2 Garlic Cloves (lightly smashed)
2 Tablespoons Minced Parsley

Method:
In a soup pot, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil. Add the bacon and cook over moderately high heat until crisp, 5 minutes. Add the onion. Celery, carrots and leek. Cook over low heat until softened, 10 minutes. Add the wine and simmer until nearly evaporated, 5 minutes.
Tie the parsley sprigs, thyme sprigs and bay leaf with strings. Add to the pot along with the potatoes and stock. Bring to a boil. Simmer until the potatoes are tender, 10 minutes. Add the cabbage. Season with salt and pepper and simmer until the cabbage is tender, 10 to 15 minutes longer. Discard the herb bundle. Stir in the chives.
Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Add the bread and garlic. Cook over moderate heat, stirring until the croutons are golden brown, 6 minutes. Discard the garlic. Season with salt and sprinkle with the parsley.

Presentation:
Ladle the soup into deep bowls. Sprinkle with the croutons and serve.

AND FINALLY …

What do Disney World & Viagra have in common?

They both make you wait an hour for a two-minute ride.

Chef Gilligan's country potato and cabbage soup

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Glazed leg of ham with Guinness and cardamom

Ingredients:

1 x 7.5kg Leg cooked Ham
2 cups Guinness
1 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cardamom

Method:
Peel skin off ham, leaving portion around bone. Place ham fat side up (on a rack if you have one). Pour 1 3/4 cups of stout over the ham. Bake in a moderately slow oven 160c about 2 hours, basting occasionally with stout and drippings.

Remove ham and baste with drippings. Score fat diagonally to form a diamond pattern. Mix sugar, mustard, ginger and cardamom with enough stout to moisten. Spread over ham. Increase oven temperature to hot (200c) and bake a further 35-45 minutes. Serve warm.

Serving suggestion:
Serve the ham with spiced fruits:

Drain large cans of peaches, apricots and pear halves - reserving the syrup for later. Put 10 whole cloves, 1 stick cinnamon, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup sugar, and 2 oranges sliced, in a saucepan with 1 cup of the fruit syrup. Bring to the boil then simmer for 15 minutes. Cool and chill.

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The best Irish coffee ever!

75ml/3fl oz double cream, well chilled

2 tbsps light muscovado sugar

2 tbsps whiskey

2 tbsps Baileys

2 tbsps Kahúla (coffee liqueur)

300ml/11fl oz freshly brewed piping-hot espresso coffee

Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg, to decorate

I've perfected this recipe over time and believe it really is the best-ever Irish coffee. Heat the glasses, if you can be bothered (to keep the coffee hot for longer), by pouring boiling water over them from a kettle and turning them carefully so that they do not crack. Or you could take glasses straight from the dishwasher while still hot. Serves two.

Place the cream in a bowl and whip lightly, then chill until needed. Heat a small, heavy-based frying pan over a medium heat. Sprinkle the sugar over the base of the frying pan and heat for one minute, without stirring -- the sugar will caramelise. Pour in the whiskey and quickly light with a match or flambé -- the sugar will seize and harden, but don't worry as it will melt again once the flames die down. Stir in the Baileys and Kahúla and cook over a high heat for three to four minutes until smooth, stirring constantly to help the sugar dissolve.

Divide the alcohol mixture between two hefty, thick-stemmed glasses (both about 250ml/9fl oz in capacity) then carefully pour in the coffee. Then, over the back of a metal spoon, carefully pour a layer of cream on top (the spoon trick really is worth doing as it helps prevent the cream from sinking). Add a tiny grating of nutmeg and serve at once.

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All-in-one Anti-Ageing Cream

Being an advocate of natural skincare I have certainly worked my way through a hefty number of natural moisturisers. It was time to try a new one.
Enter All-in-one Anti-Ageing Cream by Human+Kind.

This cream is designed for women who lack the time for lengthy beauty rituals. It is a multifunctional product designed to work as:

• an anti-ageing cream
• an eye cream
• a protective moisturiser
• a night cream

It evens out skin tone reduces fine lines and wrinkles, softens the skin and reduces the appearance of age spots. The cream is packed with concentrated active natural ingredients which are designed to heal and rejuvinate.It contains jojoba oil, marshmallow, onopordum, centella, rosehip oil and shea butter. It also contains achmella oleracea, which is apparently known as nature’s botox.
Results?
I have been using this cream for ten days. I’m quite impressed. Not only is this a great all rounder it also helped even my skin tone. It didn’t break me out but left my skin soft and moisturised. This one is definitely for normal to dry skin types. If you’re oily I recommended stearing clear of creams and looking at lotions, gels or serums instead.
It costs €29.95 which is a fair price for a product that contains so many good ingredients.

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Lancome Hydra Zen Neurocalm Moisturiser: Is it Worth it?

I have mentioned Lancome Hydra Zen Neurocalm Anti-Stress Moisturising Cream (what a mouthful) a few times on videos and M&B posts. I have re-purchased this cream 3 times. Instead of telling you that this works for me I thought I would investigate a little further.

Lancome claims that this moisturiser hydrates the skin and helps it maintain optimum moisture balance. It was designed (or marketed rather) to help skin exposed to environmental conditions that have a negative effect on the skin.
The reason I have re-purchased this product repeatedly is due to the fact that it doesn’t make my skin break out. That aside, I’m not sure that it has any other positive effects on my skin. I decided to check out the ingredients to see if there is any benefit to it at all.
According to the experts (impartial experts) this cream is very basic and ordinary. It doesn’t contain anti-oxidants which help prevent free radical damage. It doesn’t contain and SPF, this means I need to apply to creams every morning. It’s relatively unhygienic since it comes in a tub, exposing the product to bacteria on your fingers. It also exposed the product to oxygen and light which can effect the performance of certain ingredients. It’s also expensive.
A few positives are  that it is light weight and non-comodogenic which means it doesn’t block pores and this particular product is not tested on animals.
Since mentioning this product to a dermatologist and getting the inside scoop, I won’t be repurchasing. It doesn’t do what it claims. It’s a basic moisturiser and sure I can find one of those in the chemist for under €10! I’ll be looking for a product that contains SPF and antioxidants next time.

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How to: Make your own almond milk lotion

Almond milk has been used on the skin since ancient Egyptian times.  It’s  full of linoleic acids and minerals which help nourish and cleanses the skin. It leaves the skin soft and improves clarity. This is suitable for all skin types but particularly useful for those with normal to dry, dry or ageing skin.
It’s quick, easy and cheap to make. When I make a bottle of this lotion I use it twice daily for one week. I throw out the remainder after this time. I make a new bottle every 2 – 3 months and use as a treatment.
Ingredients

• 40g ground almonds (almond meal)
• 1.5 tablespoons of organic honey
• 400ml of still bottled water

Add the honey and almonds to the water. Stir until the honey has dissolved. Leave to rest for 2.5 hours. Filter and pour into a covered bottle (I once used a small airtight lunch box). Store it in the fridge.
Apply the lotion morning and evening to clean skin and let it work it’s mag

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How to Make your own Cleanser: Normal Skin

Well ladies, here’s another DIY skincare recipe that’s so easy to make and leaves your skin fresh and cleansed.
Yoghurt and strawberries are gentle cleansers, whilst lavender soothes skin.
The ingredients your need to make this gentle cleanser for Normal skin types:

• 1 Fresh Strawberry
• 1 Tablespoon plain whole-milk Yoghurt
• 1 drop Lavender essential oil

Crush the stawberry and combine the yoghurt and juice. Add the lavender and mix together well. Dampen your face with warm water and massage the mixture in for one minute. Rinse with warm water.

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Make Your Own: Warm Cuticle Oil

I am plagues by rough cuticles. I like to whip up my own oil on the weekends. Why spend money when you don’t have to!

• 60ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 5 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
• 2 Drops Lemon Essential Oil

Warm the olive oil gently until it’s warm (not hot or you’ll scald your fingers off!) Stir in the essential oils. Leave your finger tips to soak for a few minutes. If you cover the mixture when you’re finished you can reuse it a few times.

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Make you own: Aromatherapy Moisturising Oil

If you’re sick of spending your hard earned cash on expensive creams and fancy taking a stroll down the natural route I have just the thing. I made myself a batch yesterday and my skin in soaking up the goodness as we speak (while I scoff banoffee)
This recipe makes a moisturising oil for normal skin. You only need three ingredients:

• 7 drops Lavender Essential Oil (high quality)
• 3 Drops Geranium Essential Oil (High quality)
• 30ml Jojoba Oil

Jojoba mimics the skins natural oils and doesn’t leave a greasy residue whilst Lavender and Geranium soothe the skin. Pour the ingredients into a small, sterilized glass bottle. (a tincture bottle from the chemist will do fine. You can also get these on ebay)

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Make You Own Skincare: Yoghurt Hand Mask

This mask is my favourite for smooth and soft hands

• 1 Tablespoon Rolled Oats
• 1 Tablespoon Plain Full Fat Yoghurt
• 1 Teaspoon Almond Oil
• 1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice
• 2 Drops Frankincense Essential Oil

Use a blender or pestal and mortar to grind up the oats. Add all of the other ingredients  and mix well. Apply the mask to damp, freshly washed hands. Relax for 20 minutes. Wash it  off with warm water and finish with some moisturising cream.

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How to Make Your Own: Oatmeal Bath

This is a simple way to soothe sensitive skin. This bath is great for dry, itchy skin. It will also soothe a rash.

• 10 Drops Chamomile Essential Oil (or Lavender Essential Oil)
• 200g Rolled Oats

Use a blender to grind down the oats until they look like powder. Add them into your bath water.Add the essential oil and stir the bath water. Relax for at least 20 minutes in the bath. It’s best to avoid any other bubble bath, shower gel, shampoo and other products with chemicals as they may irritate your skin and negate the effects of the oil and oats. Pat your skin dry.
I love baths like this when it’s cold out. It feels like heaven and my skin feels so soft afterwards.
Check out more posts from this series if you are interested in making your own skincare.

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Make You Own Skincare: Body Scrub Puree

This recipe makes a rich moisturising scrub. I think it’s particularly good for dry or sensitive skin. Instead of using salts or sugar, the almonds in this scrub exfoliate the skin gently. The cucumber soothes any inflammation. All you need is

• 110g Ripe Avocado
• 40g Ground Almond
• 110g Cucumbers

Whip the advocado and cucumber together in a blender, add the almonds and smooth into a puree. Massage into damp skin to slough off any dead skin. Rinse and pat the skin dry.
I make this every once in a while whenever I fancy a gentle body exfoliator.

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Jojoba oil – Beauty benefits & uses

My skin has recently been reeping the rewards of Jojaba oil. I add a little to my soaps and my night serum. Since it’s so widely accessible I thought I’d share a little about its benefits and uses. I’m all on for affordable ways to improve  my skin.
What is Jojoba?
Jojoba is a liquid wax obtained from the seeds of a Mexican shrub. Native Americans once used it to heal wounds. Now it’s mainly used for beauty purposes.
The benefits of Jojoba

• It’s gentle and non-irritating
• The composition of Jojoba is similar to skins natural sebum so it absorbs quickly leaving no residue
• Non greasy
• Prevents the skin from becoming too oily
• Reduces sebum production which is great for acne sufferers.
• Very moisturising, improves the skins condition
• Promotes healing
• Contains antimicrobial properties which prevent the growth of many bacterias and fungus
• Allergic reaction is very rare.
• Doesn’t clog pores
• Suitable for sensitive skin
• Acts as an environmental barrier for the skin
• Contains Vitamin E, B complex, chromium, zinc, iodine and copper

The uses for Jojoba

• Excellent moisturiser: Makes an excellent non-irritating moisturiser. It doesn’t evaporate like water based moisturisers. Use it alone or add to your own  moisturiser.
• Anti Acne - reduces sebum production and antibacterial
• Hair conditioner: use it on its own or mix a few drops of jojoba oil into your conditioner. It can be added to dry hair to make it shiny. Jojoba moisturises the scalp, helping prevent dandruff.
• Lip Balm: Use at night on the lips
• Make-up Remover: Doesn’t irritate or clog pores
• Treatment: For acne,sensitive skin, psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis
• Shaving: Helps prevent razor burn whilst nourishing the skin
• Soap: Use a few drops in homemade soap or add a little into a liquid soap
• Massage oil: Use a small amount, it won’t clog your pores

I picked a bottle of Jojoba from my local Natures Way shop. I recommend a certified organic variety to avoid pesticides.

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Scrub for a Blemished Back or Chest

There is nothing worse than a breakout on the delicate skin on your chest or your back. I know this a common problem but that we ladies tend not to bring it up.
I hate the idea of applying a shower gel designed for breakouts. They can dry the rest of your skin. It also means that you are using plenty of chemicals that you don’t need.
I have come across quite a few men that suffer from breakouts on their back. In my experience this tends to be diet related. One of the worst culprits are protein shakes (for men who are trying to build muscle). The body reacts to excesses of any food. The skin often breaks out when the body is trying to get rid of these excesses. In these cases you will often see boils and blind pimples that are coming from inside the body rather then a blocked pore.
If you regularly suffer from large, painful boils or acne or your back it could be down to a reaction to your skin care products. If in doubt, try organic products for a month and see if there is a difference. Many of our shower gels, shampoos and creams contain known skin irritants (used by manufacturers because they are cheap).
Here is a gentle scrub designed for your back and chest.
All you need:

• 1 handful Oatmeal
• 1 handful ground almonds
• 2 Drops Lemon Essential Oil
• 2 Drops Thyme linalol Oil

Lash it all together in a bowl and apply to damp skin. Massage well and rinse with warm water. Repeat a couple a times a weeks if you’re breaking out

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Rasberry skin brightener

This is an old favourite of mine. My friend and I used to make this when we were 14 before the kiddie disco on a Friday evening, ah the memories (at that time I took my fashion inspiration from the Spicegirls, Baby Spice to be exact).
This recipe is best suited for normal to oily skin which makes it great for  those prone to breakouts. You only need three ingredients, occasionally I have done it with only two (leaving out the essential oil). This recipe contains AHA’s and lactic acid. The AHA’s in the raspberries act as a gentle exfoliator and the lactic acid in the yoghurt (yes, that’s how we spell it this side of the Atlantic) brightens the skin.

• 2 tablespoons of plain yoghurt
• 75g raspberries
• 2 drops Sweet Orange essential oil

Mash up the raspberries or pop them into the blender. Sieve the pulp over a bowl. Add the flesh of the rasberries and the seeds into the yoghurt with 2 drops or sweet orange essential oil. Cleanse your face, apply the mixture all over, leaving the eye area clear. Put your feet up for 20 minutes. Rinse the mask off with warm water and a pat with a damp muslin cloth (if you use an ordinary face cloth be very gentle). Avoid rubbing your skin dry, instead pat.

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Make your own Peanut butter Scrub

I’m having a Saturday night in. Sad, I know but I’m determined to enjoy my night regardless. Whilst many of you are out painting the town red, I’m elbow deep in peanut butter whilst wearing a t-shirt that reads  “and so the lion fell in love with the lamb”. Twilight nerding aside this mask is really delicious and I only used 3 ingredients from my kitchen. It left my skin silky smooth.
All you need:

• 40g crunchy peanut butter
• 20g finely ground sea salt
• 25ml almond oil (use olive oil instead if you don’t have any)

I mixed the peanut butter with the sea salt. Then I stirred in the almond oil. I rubbed it on damp skin and massaged well.
Whether you’re out on the town or curled up on front of the tv I hope you have a spectacular night.

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Make your own hot oil hair treatment

I’m on a mission to look after my hair. As you know I had the 12 week blow-dry a few weeks ago so I need to keep any type of sodium away from my hair. That means using organic haircare or making my own. I have limited access to ingredients here in the Canaries but I do have a few essential oils and some olive oil.
I have it on good authority (the professional kind) that this DIY hot oil treatment will do the same for your hair as a salon treatment so off I go, let the mission continue.
All I used was…

• 40 ml Olive oil
• 8 drops of sandalwood essential oil

This treatment is great for dry, colour treated, frizzy, course, unmanageable or permed hair. My hair is quite brittle so I’m onboard with this one.
I warmed the olive oil gently in a saucepan until it is warm. I then added the sandalwood and stirred. I covered my dry hair in the oil and combed it through in sections, root to tip. I also massaged some of the oil into my scalp. I marched around the villa with my hair wrapped in a huge towel for about 20 minutes, glass of wine in one hand, bar of chocolate in the other. I then shampooed twice with my shampoo and conditioned as normal.
The results were better than I expected. My hair is smooth and feels silky. The ends of my hair look much better. I will never buy a hot oil, chemical laden treatment again. No more laziness Amy!
I highly recommend this treatment. It’s well worth it!

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How to: Make your own almond milk lotion

Almond milk has been used on the skin since ancient Egyptian times.  It’s  full of linoleic acids and minerals which help nourish and cleanses the skin. It leaves the skin soft and improves clarity. This is suitable for all skin types but particularly useful for those with normal to dry, dry or ageing skin.
It’s quick, easy and cheap to make. When I make a bottle of this lotion I use it twice daily for one week. I throw out the remainder after this time. I make a new bottle every 2 – 3 months and use as a treatment.
Ingredients

• 40g ground almonds (almond meal)
• 1.5 tablespoons of organic honey
• 400ml of still bottled water

Add the honey and almonds to the water. Stir until the honey has dissolved. Leave to rest for 2.5 hours. Filter and pour into a covered bottle (I once used a small airtight lunch box). Store it in the fridge.
Apply the lotion morning and evening to clean skin and let it work it’s magic.

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Egg white & cucumber mask for dry or ageing skin

Make your own skincare time. I tried this one myself yesterday.
This mask is great for dry, combination, ageing or damaged skin. It tones, cleanses, reduces inflammation and hydrates the skin – all from ingredients in your kitchen cupboard.
You also get the added benefit of knowing exactly what you are putting onto your skin.
All you need:

• 1 large egg white
• 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed orange juice
• 2 tablespoons of grated fresh  cucumber
• Witchhazel
• Still bottle water

Beat the egg until it forms still peaks. I’m a weed to I use the electric mixer. Fold in the orange juice and cucumber, stir gently.
Smear the mixture onto your skin and leave for 20 minutes. I wiped mine off with cotton wool pads and bottled water. I like to finish diy masks by applying a little witchazel to the skin as a toner.
It keeps for 1 day in the fridge so I tend to apply the mask twice or share with my mum :)

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Miracle Whip – a Miracle Beauty Cream! Skin Rejuvination

A friend of mine once told me that her mother swore by using Miracle Whip, yes the icky salad cream, as an exfoliator. This woman has the most amazing skin so I put my mild revulsion aside and decided to give it a try. Nobody said make-up and beauty blogging was pretty! I was informed that the ingredients in Miracle Whip remove dead flaky skin. It also helps normalise excessively oily skin.

• Firstly, tie back your hair – unless you want to experiment with the effects of Miracle Whip on the hair! If you do, let me know how you get on :)
• Next, apply a thin layer on your face and neck, avoiding the the eye area.
• Leave on for 10 minutes and then massage gently. The dead skin cells roll off with the salad cream.
• Rinse your skin with warm water. Follow with your usual skin regime.

A word of warning – it stinks to high heaven! Vinegar is responsible for the smell but is probably responsible for the amazing effects too so I can’t complain. It also feels oily and weird but after 3 minutes it melted onto my skin.
My skin was in such a state, thanks to the flu. I am delighted to report that all of the flaky dry skin is gone and my skin feels smooth and tight. I’m quite surprised.
I also heard that Miracle Whip can be applied a few times a week for 5 – 6 weeks to reach skin rejuvenation.
Consider me on board! I’ll keep you updated on my progress.
Maybe the manufacturers should rename it – ‘Miracle Cream’ has a nice ring to it!

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Remove product build-up from your hair

If you are a hair product junkie like me you are familiar with the downside to this addiction – Build-up. It makes your hair look dull and lifeless. You can use a clarifying shampoo to sort out the problem but if you have colour treated hair I wouldn’t recommend this.
One of the quickest ways to remove product build-up from the hair naturally is to use Baking Soda. A baking soda hair wash cleans out the excess product, remove impurities, and cleanses your hair naturally.
All you have to do is put two tablespoons of baking soda into a cupful of warm water. Mix with a fork until the mixture resembles  a paste. Then apply the paste to damp hair. Massage and ensure even distribution. I wash it out immediately after massaging it in.
It feels weird  at first, especially when you are used to suddy shampoo. It feels a little gritty, exactly what you expect from putting baking powder in your hair I suspect :)
Take your time when rinsing to make sure the baking soda is completely washed out of your hair. You want to avoid any residue. You don’t have to follow with shampoo and conditioner as your hair should feel squeaky clean. That being said, I usually do. I’m not entirely sure what -probably because I’m a slave to routine.
Hair products work so much better after some clarification so I like to do this once a month to clear gunk out of my hair. Some people use baking soda as a shampoo. Personally I wouldn’t go that far but I’m happy with the effects once a month.

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Make your own Healing Mask

This blend can be used on damaged, dry, mature or sensitive skin. The recipe will last for one month and it only takes 5 minutes to prepare. The ingredients are very especially beneficial for ageing skin. Expensive skin care products often use these ingredients, but in minuscule proportions. Making your own treatment costs a fraction of the price, you have the benefit of knowing exactly what your putting on your skin and you have everything you need to make the treatment again.
You need

• Still bottled water
• 9 drops Geranium Oil
• 6 Empty Evening Primrose Oil Capsules (the oil inside)
• 20ml Wheatgerm Oil
• 20ml Rosehip Oil

Pour rosehip, wheatgerm and evening primrose oil into a dark, clean bottle. Add the Geranium oil, close and shake.
This treatment mask can be used twice a day. Apply to damp, clean skin using cotton wool. This recipe is suitable for the eye area. Apply a thin film and leave it to absorb for 20 minutes.
If you have dry or mature skin you can go ahead and apply your make-up after the allotted time. If you have normal skin I recommend some oil blotting paper first.

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DIY Thigh, Bum & Hip Scrub

This scrub contains oils that are perfect for bums and thighs. This is amazing for sloughing off dead skin on these areas, revealing fresh skin. The combination of cornmeal, which acts as a great natural scrubber, oils and massage stimulate lymphatic drainage which helps the body eliminate toxins.
All you need:
- 2 tbsp Grapeseed oil
- 6 Drops Juniper Essential Oil
- 3 Drops Lemon Essential Oil
- 80g Cornmeal (from your local supermarket)

Mix the oils by shaking them in a bottle or jar with the lid on. Shake well. Pour the oil over the cornmeal and mix until it looks like a gritty paste.
Apply it to damp skin and massage well for at least two minutes. The more energy you put into the massage the better the results. If you want to increase the effects you can use a muslin cloth or massage mit instead of your hands.
You can also use this scrub on your upper arms and feet.
This is one of my favorites. It stimulates my circulation and lymphatic system. It also leaves my skin baby soft for weeks. If your skin is in a bad way and in need of some rescuing try this twice a week for a few weeks.
I keep on top of exfoliation weekly so I only resort to this mask when my skin is in a bad way, usually once of twice every season.
Have you any exfoliation tips you can share with us?

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DIY Skincare: Scrub for Sensitive Skin

It has been a while since I posted a DIY Skincare piece. I thought I would share the recipe for a scrub I made myself this week.
My skin has been very sensitive and irritated lately, you gotta love hormones, so I need something extra gentle but still effective.

This scrub is very easy to make, polishes the skin but doesn’t strip moisture.
All you need:

• 4 drops Lavender Essential Oil
• 1 Tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon almond oil
• 12g wheatbran
• 25g ground oats
• 115ml yoghurt (made from whole milk)

Mix the almond oil, honey and lavender oil in one bowl (not plastic). Then combine oats, bran and yoghurt in another bowl. Add one bowl of ingredients to the other.
Apply to damp skin. Massage well but be gentle, rinse with warm water and pat your skin gently with a towel to dry.
I had some left over so I kept the remaining mixture in a glass jar in the fridge. I used the rest the following day.
My skin is super soft today – no kp breakouts, no tightness and no irritation. I think I’ll make up another batch early next week until my skin has calmed down.

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Make Your Own: Antidandruff Herbal Shampoo

As a hair stylist, my Dad has always grumbled about the promises made on anti-dandruff shampoo advertisements. His best friend, a trichologist (hair scientist) also agrees that using anti-dandruff shampoo is a viscous cycle that will lead to you buying hundreds of bottles of the stuff in your life time.
Now, I’m not going to pretend that I understand the science because I don’t but I trust their judgement! I suppose it makes sense – Using harsh shampoo chemicals on your sensitive scalp every time you wash your hair will keep your poor head sensitive long term – even if you do get a few days relief. Maybe a long term approach to scalp health could alleviate the problem.
If you are interested in trying a natural herbal solution then this recipe might be of use to you. The shampoo contains eucalyptus and tea tree which both have microbial properties that control fungus. They help to clean the scalp and facilitate healing.
A note on packaging – I always keep an eye out for pretty or usual bottles and jars so that I can make a batch for friends and family. I usually store my own in pretty containers, it feels more luxurious.

Ingredients

• 50ml Water
• 8 drops tea tree essential oil
• 12 drops lavender essential oil
• 12 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 50ml mild natural shampoo (I bought an organic version on ebay – or try your local health shop)

Mix the apple cider vinegar with the essential oils. Shake well to disperse. Add the natural shampoo and the water and shake once more.

I hope that this was helpful!

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Coffee Scrub

I’m not a coffee drinker but you know how much I like making skincare products with stuff from my kitchen presses. I opened the cupboard the other day to look for inspiration and on front of me stood this lonely bag of ground coffee beans – unloved and getting old!
I decided to incorporate them into a scrub that I could use in the shower. Although I don’t like the taste of coffee I do love the smell so I was excited about this little mini project. Coffee is said to be good for stimulating lymphatic drainage – I can’t testify to that but it’s a common ingredient in anti-cellulite products.
Ingredients

• 2 cups of ground coffee
• Half cup of cup or granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons oil (Olive oil, grapeseed, almond etc)

Mix all the ingredients together and  massage into damp, warm skin. You could store left overs in a jar and keep in the fridge for use later in the week. It’s that simple!
It does look a little messy but you’re in the shower when you apply so getting messy is part of the fun. The scrub leaves your skin silky smooth.
Finally, I have a use for coffee!

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DIY Skincare: Make Your Own Liquid Soap for your Home & Gifts

Ok so I am cheating a little here to make this easier for you. If you buy an organic Liquid  soap base online (I buy mine on ebay for a couple of euro, it’s called castile soap) then you can add healthy oils and essential oils suitable for your skin type, mood and the season. Even though I make my own organic soap bars they tend to be more suitable for body use so I like to leave a liquid soap beside the skin in the kitchen and bathroom.

I’m very anti-antibacterial products – you can make your own antibacterial soap without harsh chemicals very easily. I also make up batches for family and friends. I enjoy finding unusual bottles and jars for this purpose – I’m all about the pretty :)
My favourite blend to add to liquid soap at the moment is quite calming and warming which is perfect for this time of year.

Ingredients

125ml Liquid Soap (organic preferably)

5 drops Clary Sage essential oil

10 drops Lavender essential oil

25 drops sandalwood essential oil

*You can add a few drops of Jojoba or sweet almond oil if you have particularly dry hands.
Lavender has antiseptic and skin calming qualities which makes it a great soap ingredient. It’s not the dominant scent in this blend since it’s in lesser quantities than the sandalwood. The Clary Sage adds a warm, winter citrus punch – it’s also a great mood lifter.
All you have to do is mix the oils into the soap and store it in a pump bottle. You could also get a little creative with the packaging.

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Make Your Own Aromatherapy Foot Spray

Making your own aromatherapy foot spray is so easy. This recipe is natural, deodorising and refreshing.
Lavender and Cypress essential oils have antimicrobial properties that keep odour at bay. Witch Hazel makes your feet feel fresh and tingly as it’s a great astringent.
Ingredients

• 10 drops Cypress Essential Oil
• 120ml Witch Hazel (distilled)
• 30 drops Lavender essential oil

Add the ingredients into a spray bottle (I bought mine in Superdrug for €2) Shake vigorously to disperse the oils.
Spray on your feet morning and evening.
This recipe is definitely one of my favourites. You could also decorate the bottle and give it to your boyfriend as a subtle hint :)

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Make Your Own Stimulating Scalp Massage (Non Oily)

This recipe is not oily despite the fact that is uses essential oils. The witch hazel leaves you scalp feeling tingly and fresh.
Rosemary essential oil has been used for thousands of years to help stimulate the scalp. The lavender oil calms the scalp whist the witch hazel acts as an astringent.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon witch hazel (distilled)
• 3 drops Lavender essential oil
• 3 drops rosemary essential oil

Mix the ingredients together, shake vigorously to disperse the essential oils. Massage in to the scalp (damp or dry) using your fingertips. It’s up to you if you want to rinse it out or not.
Easy – Hello stimulated scalp!

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DIY Skincare: Egg White & Lemon Juice Mask

It’s been a while since I posted a ‘make your own skincare’ post. This recipe is perfect for this time of year and is suitable for all skin types. It gently exfoliates whilst brightening, toning and clarifying your skin.
What you need

• Still bottled water
• 1 large egg white
• Half of a lemon

*Optional – Witchhazel or rosewater (from you local health shop)
Beat the egg white until it forms stiff peeks.

Squeeze one teaspoon of lemon juice from the lemon.

Gently fold the juice into the egg white. Apply it to your face and neck, leave it for 2o minutes to work its magic. Rinse with lukewarm water and a muslin cloth (or cotton wool pads), pat dry.
If you have any witch hazel or rosewater you can dab some on the skin. Follow with your moisturiser.
This mask last 6 hours in the fridge. I tend to make a batch when I have someone to share it with. Once a week will do it!

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My Hair Saviour – Olive Oil & Egg Hair Mask

My has been going through a bit of a dry spell lately. I blame hormones. Of course, I blame those on just about everything :) As you can gather I spend a lot of money on hair care products but I did wonder if I could revert to my old ways and use something from my kitchen to improve the quality of my hair.
I settled on this recipe and have been delighted with the results.
OLIVE OIL AND EGG HAIR MASK:

• 4 Tablespoons olive oil
• 2 eggs

Apply to dry hair. Leave on hair for at least 15 minutes (I waited 30 minutes). Then wash you hair as normal.
I tried this three times over the past week and my hair feels soft, shiny and manageable. It’s not greasy or dry. It’s just right. It’s almost like the mask normalised my hair.
Definitely worth a try!
Any home remedies to share??

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Kill a spot with apple!

I woke yesterday morning to the awful sensation of a spot brewing. Now, not one of those little spots, I shan’t moan about those. This felt more like Vesuvius.  One of those blind spot lumps that hurt like a mother when you move your facial muscles. If I wasn’t on holiday I would have gone straight to the acne product drawer in my pink room – You know you have issues with spots when you have a shelf dedicated to products claiming to clear them!
Instead I thralled the internet looking for a natural solution. One of the simplest ones I came across was using an apple. Having one of those sitting in my fruit bowl I decided I had nothing left to loose.

All I did was pore boiling water over a slice of apple and wait 3-5 minutes for it to soften. I then popped it over the spot whilst still warm and left it there for 20 minutes. Afterward I patted the area with a warm cotton ball. I repeated this is the afternoon and at night. This morning the spot was gone. Result!
Apparent apple is highly antiseptic. it kills bacteria and protects from infection. They also contain AHA’s which is a natural exfoliant. I’ll definitely be using this again.
From what I’ve read you need to get those big sore spots just as they’re coming up. This mightn’t have worked had I waited a few days.
Have you any natural remedies?

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Smooth Feet

I mentioned Avon Pedi Peel by Foot Works in a recent video and thought it deserved a blog mention.
For me, having smooth feet is one of the nicest feelings in the world. I have spent so much money on foot products over the years. For a while I was using the Ped-Egg. Although I got great results I noticed that the skin grew back much faster and worse than before. When I researched this I found that when the skin in under attack (from grating, cutting etc) it responds through over compensation. So not only does new skin grow back but it can grow back faster and thicker. This wouldn’t be a problem if you used Ped-Egg regularly. But for me,the dry skin I get on my heels doens’t warrant that amount of work.
I ordered the Avon Pedi Peel pads from my local Avon rep about 6 months ago. Before I go to bed I wipe a pad on both heels and bin it.
When I’m showering I then use my own Lavender Oat Scrub Bar on my feet (very gently). I no longer have dry skin, my feet are baby smooth.
What do you do to keep dry skin on your feet at bay?

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How to do your own Pedicure

As part of my resolution to relax more, today I am giving myself a DIY Pedicure.I am very impatient when it comes to waiting for polish to dry. Very often I can’t sit long enough and I end up ruining it before it has set. To combat this I like to light some candles and have a cup of tea whilst my polish dries.

What you need:

• Basin of warm water with a few drops of essential oil
• Towel
• Nail polish remover
• Nail buffing block
• Foam toe separators
• Cotton Wool Pads
• Nail File
• Orangewood Stick / Cuticle Pusher
• Nailbrush
• Exfolianting scrub
• Cuticle removing cream/oil
• Foot cream
• Tweezers
• Base coat
• Top coat
• Nail polish

Steps

• Soak your feet in warm water with essential oil for about 3 minutes. I like using Lavender Oil for relaxation or Peppermint Oil if you fancy tingly fresh feet.
• Remove feet and rub some exfoliating scrub (or sea salt) to your feet and scrub away dead skin. Rinse feet thoroughly
• Use a nailbrush to clean under nails and pat dry your feet.
• Take an orange stick while your cuticles are soft and gently push them back.
• Take the nail file and file your nails into the shape you like. Remember to file in one direction, not back and forth, working from the side of the nail to middle of nail tip and down to the other side.
• Apply Foot cream to your exfoliated feet. Take the soft towel and rub off any excess cream from the toenails before you apply polish.
• Pluck any hairs.
• Put foam toe separators on your feet.
• Apply base coat, two coats of colour and then topcoat. Wait at least 2-3 minutes between coats.

Hello beautifully groomed feet! Best of all, there are no salon bills.

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Catrice Ultimate Nail Lacquer

I picked up Catrice Ultimate Nail Lacquer in Clay-ton, My Hero, which is number 230. It’s a taupe shade with gold pearl running through it. I’ve taken a few images to show the  the difference the light makes to this polishes appearance.

Sometimes it looks grey, other times you can see the gold running through and the polish appears on the beige scale.

There’s no point if faffing around, I love it! End of.

It’s creamy but fluid, two coats is perfect. One coat isn’t enough and it isn’t a nice colour at this stage. It goes with every outfit, it’s chic and works with most skin-tones thanks to its’ taupeness with an undercurrent of gold pearl.

I bought my bottle from my local pharmacy for €2.99. Bargain! The bottle has 10ml of product.
I applied a clear top coat over this polish and it didn’t chip for 3 days. I love the colour, love the formulation, love the price, just love full stop!
There was a gorgeous jade green and navy that I wanted from this range too but unfortunately they were out of stock. I shall be returning! Do you recommend any Catrice shades?
What are you wearing on your nails today?

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Nails of the Day… June 9, 2012

I’m traveling today so I wanted to wear something cheery but durable on my nails. I opted for pink, surprise, surprise. It’s actually quite different to all of the other pink polishes I own (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!).

Butter London Primrose Hill Picnic

Some swatches (2 coats of polish and all taken in natural light)…

Ignore the state of my cuticles, they have never been in such a bad way. You may have heard me mention the matching Lippy in a recent post. They are so pretty together…

I’ve said this so often but I love Butter London nail polishes. They quality is excellent, the application is a dream. The finish is beautiful and they last a few days longer for me than my usual polishes. Another pro is that they dry quite quickly too.

You can buy Butter London lacquers from here or they are also on sale in Avoca or Fran and Jane (I also heard someone mention they picked one up in Oasis).

Any Butter London recommendations?

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Lippy by Butter London Primrose Hill – Review & Pics June 5, 2012

Butter London make gorgeous nail polishes, this we know. But I hadn’t heard anything of their Lippy’s until one arrived through my door a few weeks back. It’s in Primrose Hill Picnic, what a whimsical name. It’s a bright pink and I’m just in love with it!

Before I get to the review I’ll add some swatches and show you what it looks like on my mug. The great thing about this Lippy is that it can be worn in its intense form or a little lighter. I photographed both.
Lighter…

Intense…

I applied two layers for the intense look. Now I have I have heard it said that there is no point in a lip only picture when swatching lip products, that you want to see what it looks like with the rest of the makeup. Here goes…

Now on with the review.
Texture Lippy’s remind me a lot of the Lip Tars from Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics. It is thick and well, tar like. This means it adheres very well to the lips. This isn’t one of those sheer, smoosh it on over everything glosses. You need a mirror to apply since the colour is intense and you want to keep it within the lip line.
Pigmentation Amazing. ‘Nuff said.
Finish It looks like you have gone to the bother of applying both lipstick and lipgloss but you haven’t. It looks creamy, opaque and glossy. It’s more lipsticky than lip gloss if you know what I mean.
Staying Power I have found this to be the most long lasting gloss I’ve come across. I would put this down to the texture – which you will either love or hate. It will be reliable on a night out or special event, for a gloss.
Price and where to buy €17 from here. Well worth the price tag in my opinion! Top notch stuff. Butter London is also on sale in Avoca or Fran and Jane.
Love!

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