Pink Weddings Spring 2016 Pink Weddings Spring 2016 | Page 55

HealtH tips
MANTRAS
If you like to keep things plant-based, opt for
pumpkin seeds, lentils and kidney beans. These are an
excellent source of protein, as well as iron, zinc, and
biotin – a great alternative for vegetarians. Blueberries
are also a great way to get in those extra antioxidants
too – they’re high in vitamin C, which aids the
absorption of iron. Other good fruits we can’t ignore
(for the sake of those shiny wedding-day locks) are kiwis,
strawberries, oranges and papaya.
LIPS
Some of the main reasons for dry lips can be
dehydration, sun exposure, harsh weather and
vitamin deficiency. Think of them as a sponge
– when they’re put in contact with moisture,
they plump up. When dehydrated, they dry
and shrink.
For this reason, make sure you’re
drinking enough water. Find ways to
sneak water into your daily routine –
some people even have apps to
remind them to drink up!
Also ensure that you protect your
lips before you go out into the cold
OR hot weather – a great way to help
repair and prevent further dryness.
You can apply Aloe Vera gel to
heal them quickly and relieve the
stinging. To nourish them further,
coconut oil works a treat! If you're a
chronic lip biter like me, chances are you
really suffer in the winter months. Try this
nifty trick – mix up some
coconut oil and brown
sugar, and make your very
own lip exfoliator! It
works a treat to get rid of
any dead skin, and it
tastes delicious...
EYES
Cucumber is one of the
better known home remedies for dark
under-eye circles, and is an effective way to
brighten tired eyes. Cucumber contains
anti-inflammatory properties, which may
help to reduce any puffiness around your
eyes. Top tip – keep a yummy dip nearby to
further make use of cucumbers.
JUST LIKE THE SKIN, THE
CONDITION OF YOUR HAIR AND
NAILS IS AN OUTWARD SIGN
OF YOUR OVERALL HEALTH
Strawberries are considered a great anti-aging fruit –
they are full of antioxidants. They can cure tired and puffy
eyes and enhance the whiteness of your eyes naturally. Place
a sliced frozen strawberry under
each eye for five minutes, wash and
moisturise. Hello, bright eyes!
You should also help to keep your
eyes hydrated by avoiding staring at
computer screens for too long! Of
course, it’s pretty unavoidable in
today’s culture, but try to give them
a rest every 50 to 60 minutes.
SMILE
There’s a whole host of teeth whitening hacks
out there – from drinking coffee through a
straw(!) to oil pulling. Here are a few for a
fresh white smile…
Baking soda is well known for
working wonders at scrubbing away
the stains on our teeth. Dampen
your toothbrush, dab in the powder
and brush with water for two
minutes every other day or so.
Your diet makes a big difference, too. Avoid the
acidic foods that damage your teeth. Swap your snacks
around and start scoffing foods with teeth-cleaning
properties like strawberries, almonds and cheese.
These help to maintain whiteness over a time.
Don’t forget (but I’ll forgive you if you do) to cut out
the coffee and red wine. Two words: teeth staining (and
another two words – soul destroying).
Finally, oil pulling. Another great use for coconut
oil, although you can use sesame and
sunflower if you prefer. It’s an ancient
practice of swishing oil around your
mouth to draw out toxins. It has
many benefits of improved oral
hygiene, but also gives you a
whiter smile.
www.selfloveadvocate.co.uk
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