5 easy ways to treat yourself well everyday

Living a healthy lifestyle is not simply down to eating healthy and exercising, or restricting yourself during the week just so you can indulge at the weekend - it’s about balance and maintaining a healthy mind and body all the time - which believe it or not, includes treats!

Creating a healthy routine is easier than you think and by adding a few small changes each day you can maximise your health and wellbeing and feel the best possible version of you.

Here's five easy ways to treat yourself well everyday...

Lemon water

Start each day with a glass of warm water and a squeeze of lemon juice to clear skin, kick-start your metabolism, eliminate toxins and aid your digestive system. This simple and affordable trick offers numerous health benefits and will hydrate you while also providing a hit of vitamin C. For extra health benefits try adding ginger, turmeric or a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.

Dry body-brush

Use a dry body brush before showering to encourage circulation and lymphatic drainage, reduce cellulite and exfoliate skin. Start from your feet and brush in upwards circles towards the heart, paying extra attention to your stomach, butt and thighs. This therapeutic routine needn't take longer than 5 minutes and will help to reduce stress as well as leave skin soft and smooth.

Breathe

Sounds simple enough right? Wrong. Most of us use only a fraction of our lungs when breathing throughout the day which can result in tiredness, fatigue, lack of energy, increased stress, anxiety and false hunger. Take a few minutes to focus on your breathing and practice this exercise several times a day - particularly when you feel anxious or stressed: take a deep breath for 7 seconds, hold for 7, breathe out for 10. Repeat 5 times.

Oil pull

This one may sound strange - but stay with me on this - swilling oil around your mouth for 10-20 minute first thing in the morning is an ancient ritual believed by many cultures to clear skin, whiten teeth, freshen breath and rid the body of toxins. Try swishing 1-2 tablespoons of coconut, olive or sesame oil around your mouth before spitting out in the bin (the residue is toxic) and then brush teeth as normal.

Sleep

Sleep is the cornerstone of good health - it controls your diet, your mood, your productivity and pretty much your whole day. Ideally you should aim to sleep for 8-9 hours each night and form a regular routine of going to bed and waking up. While the occasional weekend lie-in or afternoon nap can help you recharge after a hard week at work, make sure it doesn't become a habit as this may affect your natural pattern and result in a loss of sleep.

Hello March

Whether it’s the slightly warmer temperature, lighter evenings or gradual appearance of pastel shades popping up in stores, I am feeling ridiculously excited for spring.
As much as I love winter’s warm, woolly jumpers and cosy nights in, the prospect of sunny days, blossoming trees and lighter layers have me wishing winter farewell and anticipating the arrival of the new season.
February has been a short but busy month. Exams are thankfully over and I've had some time to relax a little before jumping back in to the uni workload. Easter is just weeks away which means more time off to see friends and family and of course, eat chocolate 
What have you been up to the past month? Anything exciting planned for March? :-D


Holly xx

Here's a few pics from the last month...

Be kind

Essential reading

Mmm... doughnuts

Valentine's wishlist

Delicious cookie cupcakes

Loving the mauve

Girls night out

Chilling

Breakfast time

For more pics follow me on Instagram @misshollyamber

How to have a healthy happy holiday

Christmas is a time to let loose, have fun and fully embrace the perks of the festive season. Our usual healthy habits go straight out of the window and the fun-filled weeks of indulgence are often followed by strict New Year diets and military-style fitness regimes. However, you needn’t live in fear and begrudgingly decline every mince pie or chocolatey treat that comes your way. Instead, try these five simple tricks that will keep your health in check over the holidays, without ruining your fun (or your waistline).

Eat well

Festive treats don’t have to be laden with salt, covered in chocolate or served with brandy and cream. Make the most of healthier seasonal foods by indulging in sweet fruits such as apples, cranberries and clementines, or loading up on vegetables like broccoli, sprouts, sweet potato and squash. Nuts make a great snacking alternative to crisps and keep you feeling fuller for longer, which will prevent you reaching for junk food later in the day.

Keep moving

As tempting as it may be to bury yourself on the sofa with the intention of staying there all day, you will most definitely feel better for getting some fresh air and stretching your legs. Even if your regular gym routine has gone to pot, a brisk walk around the block, run around with the kids, or a dance to some festive tunes. These will help raise your metabolism and keep those pesky pounds at bay.

Stay hydrated

It’s easy to forgo water in place of fizzy drinks, mulled wine and hot chocolate, but these will simply leave you feeling dehydrated and sluggish. Start your day with a cup of super-hydrating warm water and lemon which will help to alkalise your body, kick-start your metabolism and support your liver by diminishing the unpleasant effects of sugar and alcohol. Aim to drink at least 2L of water throughout the day to balance the consumption of all your other favourite festive tipples.

Snooze time

With all the festive parties, late-night soirees and long list of Christmas movies to get through, sleep can easily become the last thing on your list. However, lack of sleep can leave you feeling moody, drained and overwhelmed, and who wants to feel like that at the happiest time of year? Aim to stick to a regular bedtime and get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. This combined with a good diet is sure to help you feel your optimal best and full of cheer throughout the festive holiday season.

Moderation 

It’s more than likely at some point you’re going to over-indulge - it’s Christmas right?! Just remember to enjoy everything in moderation. Your favourite foods will still be around after December so there’s no need to feast as though there’s about to be a famine. And eating chocolate for breakfast is only acceptable on December 25th – not every day of the month. Aside from that… eat, drink, be merry and have a very, very happy Christmas!

10 fabulously festive pamper treatments

If the season’s festivities have left you feeling a little less than merry you may be in need of some TLC. Take 10 and indulge in these fabulous festive self-care treatments that will restore your sparkle and have you shining bright like the star you are.

Philosophy Christmas Cookie Shampoo - £14.00

Cinnamon & Nutmeg Bath Elixir - £7.50

Mavala Cracking Duo Nail Polish Set Deep Pinks - £9

Body Shop Frosted Plum Sugar Scrub - £15

Winter Spice Candle - £12

Liz Earle Christmas Cleanse & Polish Skincare Set - £20.75

Lush Cranberry Festive Facemask - £6.75

Body Shop Frosted Cranberry Lip Balm - £4

Luxury Lush Pud Bath Bomb - £3.95

Baylis & Harding Festive Feet Gift Set - £6.50

Inecto Naturals Coconut

Inecto are a British beauty brand who focus on 100% natural beauty using only sustainably sourced ingredients and organic oils. 

All of their products are vegetarian and vegan friendly, and are never tested on animals.

Having already tried several products from the Inecto Naturals Coconut range I was extremely excited to try the new Deliciously Rich Coconut Bath and Shower Cream and Super Scrub Coconut Body Scrub.

Both products smell equally delicious and automatically transport you to an exotic destination with their sweet tropical scent.

The Super body scrub is the perfect combination of small exfoliating beads and nourishing organic coconut oil which boosts circulation and buffs away dead cells leaving skin feeling silky smooth and sporting a healthy glow.

The bath and shower cream is exactly what it says on the bottle - thick, creamy and deliciously rich. The cream forms a luxurious lather that you can feel moisturising your skin as you wash leaving it clean, soft and smelling good enough to eat.

Both products have become an essential part of my summer skincare routine and are a definite must for getting beach body ready and preparing to slip into those sexy summer shorts.

Have you tried any products from the Inecto range? Which ones are your favourite?

Holly xx


*PR Samples

Healthy Homemade Coconut Almond Granola

As someone with a major sweet tooth, granola is a firm favourite on my list of breakfast foods.

Unfortunately store-bought granola can contain huge amounts of added sugar and hidden ingredients which make the seemingly 'healthy' breakfast, anything but.

After searching the internet for a healthier alternative, I felt inspired to make my own - and was extremely impressed with the results.

The recipe can be easily modified to suit any taste with endless ingredient options to create a variety of different flavours.

Here's my super easy recipe for a deliciously healthy granola that you can enjoy for breakfast, dessert or as a guilt-free treat when you need a little pick-me-up.

Ingredients

400g rolled oats

10g flaked almonds

4 tbsp dessicated coconut

1 handful of raisins

2 tbsp runny honey

2 tbsp coconut oil (melted)

100ml almond milk

A generous sprinkle of cinnamon

Makes 500g of granola (10 portions)

Preheat oven to 180C

Place all ingredients except the dessicated coconut in a mixing bowl and combine well using a large spoon or your hands

Spread evenly on a greased baking tray and place in the oven for 10 minutes

Carefully turn over the mixture then bake for a further 10 minutes until the oats are golden and crunchy

If you prefer a more 'baked' taste leave for a little longer - just make sure it doesn't burn

Remove from oven and leave to cool

Once cool, transfer mixture into a bowl and add the dessicated coconut and a little more cinnamon to taste

Store in an alright container and serve with almond milk, Greek yoghurt and blueberries. Mmm.

Feel free to share your own tips and recipes and let me know how you get on!

Holly xx

Crushing on Coconut

I have developed a crazy new obsession with coconut.

Whether it's coconut milk with my breakfast, coconut oil to moisturise my hair and skin, coconut body spray to keep me smelling fresh or coconut water to re hydrate after a workout...

I am officially addicted.

Apart from being extremely good for you and carrying a variety of health benefits, coconut looks, smells and tastes delicious.

Here's some of my favourite coconut products...

Vita Coco Coconut Water - £3.49
KTC Coconut Oil - £2.25
Superdrug Coconut Oil - £2.29
I Love Coconut Bubble Bath and Shower Gel - £2.99


*Coconut fact The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, stress relief, cholesterol level maintenance, weight loss, boosted immune system, proper digestion, regulated metabolism, improved dental health and bone strength.

Original Source Coconut Shower Gel - £2.29
OGX Nourishing Coconut Oil Hydrating Mist - £6.99
Pukka Herbs Organic Virgin Coconut Oil - £8.10
Coconut Hand Cream - £3.50


*Coconut fact Coconut helps reduce sweet cravings by improving insulin secretion and utilisation of blood glucose. The healthy fat slows down blood sugar levels and reduces cravings meaning you’re less likely to snack on unhealthy, high-sugar food.

Coconut Collaborative Yoghurt - £1.69
Alpro original Coconut Rice Milk - £1.79
Coconut Body Butter - £13
TREK Coconut Bar - 90p


*Coconut fact Coconut oil is an excellent moisturiser for hair and skin. It delays the appearance of wrinkles and helps prevent premature aging and degenerative diseases due to its antioxidant properties.

Black Coconut Candle - £16.99
Yes To Coconut Cleansing Wipes - £4.00
Koko Dairy Free Coconut Milk - £1.39
Coconut Handwash - £1.66


*Coconut fact Coconut oil strengthens the immune system due to its antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. It helps to fight harmful bacteria and when used as a mouth wash prevents tooth decay and promotes dental hygiene.

Nutri Advanced Probiotics

I started 2015 with a list of new years resolutions and health goals, one of which was to take better care of my body on the inside and out. While I've always been relatively healthy and like to think I eat a balanced diet and get enough exercise, like most people I often fall off the wagon and find myself feeling sluggish and unmotivated, and it can be hard to get back on track. 

I was contacted by Nutri Advanced, one of Europe’s largest suppliers of health food supplements, who advised me about the benefits of nutritional supplements and how they can improve health and wellbeing.

I opted for the GiSol Probiotic Capsules which claim to promote healthy digestion by balancing flora in the gut and supporting the digestive process. Studies have shown that including probiotics in your daily diet can significantly improve gut health by increasing the levels of 'good' bacteria in your body.

I have been taking the supplements for two weeks and while there have been no major changes, I have noticed a slight improvement such as a flatter stomach and improved digestion. I plan to take them for at least one month before expecting to see a noticeable difference, however with the scientific evidence backing the benefits of probiotics they are definitely something I am keen to continue.

Nutri's nutritionists advise: “Most people should notice an improvement in gut symptoms after taking GiSol for 2 weeks, although the time it takes to rebalance gut flora varies from person to person. Most feel a difference in 2 weeks but we’d suggest staying on the product for at least 4 weeks in total.”

Have you tried probiotics before? What were your experiences?

Holly xx

*PR sample