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The road to healthy living is paved with good intentions: getting more sleep; exercising regularly; drinking more water, and consuming the all-important five portions of fruit and veg every day. There are some lucky people who have no problems getting their five-a-day. And despite the fact that most of us love fruits and veggies and have no aversion to them, we also love chocolate, cakes, pastries and anything sugary and stodgy. And more often than not, that's what we tend to opt for - especially when we need to dash. It seems such a mission to remember to eat healthily with our fast-track lifestyles where we're always on the go. So we convince ourselves many a time that the jam tart we're scoffing is actually quite healthy because it contains jam which is made from, er, fruit; that coffee and chocolate are good for you because they are made from beans; chips are made from potatoes which is a vegetable so all good in the hood there, and sugar comes from a plant - need we say more! But seriously,  who are we trying to kid? SO WHAT COUNTS AS A PORTION? There seems to be a great deal of confusion as to what constitutes a single serving of fruit or vegetables but it's widely believed to be around 80g. The following are examples of single servings: 1 150ml glass of pure fruit juice 1 thick slice of pineapple or melon 3 heaped tablespoons of pulses or beans 1 apple, pear, orange, banana or other similar sized fruit 2 plums or kiwi fruit 1⁄2 a grapefruit 3 heaped tablespoons of vegetables 1/2 an avocado 3 heaped tablespoons of fruit salad 1 heaped tablespoon of raisins or sultanas 3 heaped tablespoons of stewed fruit 3 dried apricots 1 cupful of grapes, cherries or berries 1 small bowl of salad With the exception of potatoes, which are very starchy and aren’t included in the recommended five a day, all other fruit and vegetables count, whether they're fresh, frozen, dried, tinned, or pure juices. But it's worth remembering that no matter how much pure, freshly-squeezed juice you drink, it still only counts as one portion owing to certain nutrients being depleted in the juicing process. And because they don’t contain the same vitamins and minerals as other fruit and veg, kidney beans; chick peas; lentils, and other pulses also only count as one portion, no matter how much you eat. Therefore in order to get a wide variety of nutrients, it’s advisable to munch on five different types of fruit and veg each day. IS FIVE ENOUGH? It's also worth noting that when people talk about getting their five-a-day, that's just the minimum amount that we should be consuming every day. Washing fruits and vegetables can reduce the nutritional content (but it has to be done!) And it can be reduced even further during the cooking process. And that's before we take into account that there's the possibility that a lot of the fruit and veg we consume may not so nutrient-rich due to environmental factors. So we ideally should be aiming for at least seven servings but goodness - it's sometimes hard enough just getting the five so we'll concentrate on that for now! It's actually not that hard to eat the recommended daily amount of fruit and veg. It's just that we all live such busy lives these days and we've fallen into a pattern of bad eating habits. For instance, an ideal healthy-eating day could see you start with chopped mango and pineapple with yogurt for breakfast; an oaty, apricot flapjack for mid-morning; prawn salad for lunch; a snack of fruit salad; and salmon with spinach, asparagus, broccoli and potatoes for dinner. What could be simpler? There are many ways in which you could effortlessly get the recommended five-a-day without overthinking it so it doesn't seem such a drag. Many of the ideas below are not at all unrealistic ways of getting more fruit and veg into your diet. It's unlikely that you'll be able to change your eating habits overnight, and lifestyle changes always seem a bit daunting but you'll gradually be able to work your way up to incorporating more fruit and veg into your diet - and once you know how easy it is, you'll be unstoppable! 1. USE REAL FRUIT INSTEAD OF ARTIFICIAL SYRUPS IN DRINKS It's always disappointing when you call into a coffee shop, order a fruity iced drink, smoothie or milkshake - and find them pouring sickly-sweet, synthetic-tasting syrup into the glass instead of blending real fruit. Well you can't control what your local coffee shop uses, but you can make delicious cold drinks at home using real fruit. It may take a little more effort than opening a bottle but it's so worth it! 2. GET SPIRALIZING! Spiralizing has caught on in a big way where vegetables such as carrots, squash, beets and courgettes are cut into thin, spaghetti-like strands using a spiralizer before being blanched (if necessary) and added to salads or eaten in place of pasta with pesto or tomato-based sauces. 3. CAULIFLOWER 'RICE' ISN'T JUST FOR THOSE DOING ATKINS! For some of us, the first time we heard about cauliflower 'rice', it was something that Atkins dieters were making as a substitute to rice, where they would pulse cauliflower florets to resemble rice grains. It might sound quite bland but with seasoning, herbs, spices, a little chopped onion or crushed garlic, and a lot of imagination it can be very tasty. And of course now it's possible to make pizza 'dough' bases out of the humble cauliflower, or even use mashed cauliflower as a topping for shepherd's pie or substitute for mashed potato. Oh and fried cauliflower 'rice' is so delicious and not nearly as heavy as real rice. 4. SNACK ON DRIED FRUIT AND FROZEN BERRIES INSTEAD OF SWEETS Most of us love sweet, sugary treats but dried and frozen fruit can be deliciously sweet and it's a healthier way to get your fix of something sweet. 5. ICE ICE BABY Blend yogurt, and honey with your favourite fruit, pop into ice-lolly moulds and you'll have a delicious, frozen sweet treat that takes next to no time to prepare. 6. GO BANANAS! Bananas are so versatile and contain a lot of potassium which is great when you need an energy boost. There's so much you can do with them. You can have them on toast; in porridge; blended into a milkshake or smoothies for breakfast; coat them in chocolate and freeze them as an alternative to ice-lollies; mash them into pancake, muffin or cake batter; bake or barbecue them and serve them with ice-cream... the list goes on! 7. DREAM TOPPING Purée some berries with honey and pour over ice-cream as a healthy alternative to sugar-laden ice-cream toppings. 8. JUICY! There aren't many people who don't own a juicer - but there are a lot of juicer owners who don't use them. This is a real shame because pure, freshly squeezed juice is so much healthier for you and tastes much better than what comes out of a carton. And of course with a vast array of fruit and veggies available, you can have fun trying to come up with unique flavour combinations. To prevent your barely-used juicer from just sitting on top of your kitchen cabinet, gathering dust in it's box, if you're a lazy gal or guy - as some of us are - when looking for a juicer, make sure you got for one that: Is easy to store Doesn't have too many different parts that need to be washed Gets the most nutrients out of the fruit/veg Doesn't require too much food prep 9. SWAP POTATO CHIPS FOR APPLE CRISPS Slice an apple (or pear) very thinly; place on a baking sheet; place in the oven at a low temperature, and bake until crispy, turning over occasionally. 10. BLEND VEG INTO SHOP BOUGHT FOOD There are times when we don't have time to make things from scratch - no matter how much we want to. But you can always add veggies to shop-bought stews or blend vegetables into shop-bought soups; add mushrooms to frozen pizza, or sautéed onion, garlic and mushrooms to shop-bought pasta sauces. 11. MAKE VEGGIE DESSERTS! It started with carrot cake but now there seems to be a trend for adding vegetables such as beetroot, sweetcorn, pumpkin and courgette to baked goodies and desserts - and it seems to be going down a storm. It's great because you can enjoy the sweet treats you love so much AND get the necessary nutrients. So you get the both of best worlds! But please note, when we talk about desserts made using vegetables, we're referring to the healthier homemade versions made with a higher vegetable content and a lot less fat and sugar. 12. CHIPS AND DIPS Dips and salsas taste so much better than the shop-bought stuff and they're so quick and simple to make. When you're having your mates over, or want to snack on something in front of the telly, try making delicious guacamoles and spicy salsas to serve with tortilla chips. Not only do they taste great but you'll feel so much healthier. 13. FEEL THE PULSE IN A CAN! These are a great cupboard stand-by and a good source of fibre. A serving (three tablespoons) of canned beans or lentils can be added to soups, stews, salads etc. And let's face it - how much effort goes into opening a can? 14. LIVEN UP THAT SALAD Gone are the days of boring lettuce, cucumber and tomato salads. Today we have a fantastic array of fruits and vegetables available - not to mention awesome dressings - which will change the way you look at salads forever and let's face it - it's not exactly a struggle prepare a salad! A favourite here at PepperMint Teal is a prawn noodle salad with mango and avocado, and a chilli, lime and coriander dressing. Can never get tired of that! 15. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN'T DO WITH AN AVOCADO??? Back in the day, who would have thought that one day avocado on toast would be a thing?Years ago there was only one way in which people used to eat avocados and that was halved with a little salt, pepper and lemon juice. The humble avocado has since come a long way, and like the banana, it's quite versatile, and is making an appearance in breakfast dishes and even sweet recipes. Salads don't seem the same without them, and you can add avocados to dips, salsas, dressings, pasta dishes, pizza toppings, smoothies, shakes, desserts and it can also be used as a substitute for butter or cream in cakes and mousses. There was even a contestant on Come Dine With Me baking them - who knew? There - it's as simple as that! The above is a guide to eating more fruit and veg on a regular basis. Did you struggle to get in your five a day and overcome unhealthy eating habits? What's your fave way of getting at least part of your five a day? Images from Wix unless otherwise stated Word cloud by Angel Noire

Britain always celebrates Mother's Day ahead of the rest of the world, so in a few days time, people all over Britain will we celebrated Mothering Sunday and honouring the very special women in their lives: mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, stepmothers, mothers-in-law, godmothers, aunties, mother figures... So what could be a more special way to spoil the extraordinary women in our lives than by treating them to a decadent afternoon tea? We really love the idea of a themed afternoon tea and when it comes to a Mother’s Day afternoon tea party, vintage is the only way to go, with mismatched, floral, china teacups, an elaborate cake stand, bird cages, and decorations in the form of pearls and lace. Chocolate and flowers also feature quite heavily as they tend to be gifts we traditionally give our mothers on their special day. Colours for this event could be in the traditional pink and lilac, or any pastel hue, or maybe even cream and gold for a classic vintage feel. With the weather getting warmer, there’s a good chance that you could hold your tea party outdoors. When thinking about the menu, we went for old-school English classics, real ‘like mother used to make’ stuff, with an added touch of elegance and luxury. After all you can’t get more English than afternoon tea, so English classics it is! The list below gives food ideas of what you can include as part of your afternoon tea party menu: SANDWICHES Egg and cress Cucumber and cream cheese Coronation chicken Ham and English mustard Smoked salmon and cream cheese Rare roast beef and horseradish Rose petals with honey Prawn mayonnaise SAVOURIES Smoked salmon soufflés Mini sausage rolls Blinis with smoked salmon Mini Cornish pasties Parmesan thins Roast beef-filled Yorkshire puddings Goats’ cheese rarebit Spinach and parmesan muffins Cheese straws Potted shrimp on melba toast Trout pate on melba toast Mini chicken and asparagus pie SWEET SCONES/TOASTED BREADS Crumpets Tea loaf Tea cakes Brioche English muffins Scones with clotted cream and rose petal jam CAKES, TARTS AND OTHER SWEET TREATS: Victoria sponge cake Apple pie with cinnamon cream Chocolate fudge cake Lemon drizzle cake Cherry Cake Jam tartlets Battenburg cake Rose and raspberry or chocolate macaroons Fruit cake Mini Bakewell tarts Chocolate mousse with sugared violets in shot glasses Mini English trifles Pink and lilac iced buns Lavender shortbread Chocolate éclairs Strawberry shortcake Custard slices Florentines DRINKS: Tea! Choose from various types including, black, white, green, oolong, fruit and herbal Frozen strawberry daiquiris White chocolate mocha Pink lemonade Raspberry Bellini Cava with nasturtiums Pomegranate Martini Champagne with hibiscus Chocolate flavoured cocktails Don’t forget the extras you need to serve such as butter, clotted cream, honey and a selection of jams to go with the toasted breads and scones. And for the savouries, you may need to provide a variety of chutneys, sauces and pickles. Here’s a recipe for the unusual but delightful flower petal sandwiches which has serious Mother's Day vibes, and was inspired by a recipe created by Angel Adoree from her cook book The Vintage Tea Party Book FLOWER PETAL SANDWICHES Makes 12 INGREDIENTS: 6 slices of soft white or wholemeal bread 50g (1oz) softened cream cheese 2 tsps. honey 3 tbsp. good quality conserve 3 tbsp. Chocolate ganache 3-4 tbspn. organic edible flower petals of your choice Few drops of rose essence METHOD: 1. Mix cream cheese and honey, then spread over the slices of bread. 2. Add dainty blobs of conserve and ganache over three of the bread slices. 3. Top those slices with the petals then place remaining slices on top. 4. Crusts on or off is up to you. 5. Enjoy! If you're using dried flower petals, you can soak them in a bowl of cold water for twenty minutes. You can add rose essence, vanilla or orange blossom water if you wish. Drain well before potting in sandwishes. Photos: Pixabay Blog graphics: Angel Noire

21. I'm Ready For My Close-Up! Make-up can only do so much, so make skin care a priority then you can dare to go bare and still look stunning! 22. Don't Get Carried Away With Social Media What we see on social media is a bit like what we see on TV – it’s not always real. So don’t compare yourself with your friends – or ‘friends’… but feel free to unfollow anyone if they’re annoying the hell out of you! 23. To Err Is Human There’s nothing wrong with making a mistake. What’s wrong is when you refuse to accept responsibility or deny it ever happened. Own up, accept you made a mistake, apologize sincerely and move on. People will respect you a whole lot more… and if you do make a mistake, let it be your mistake and not someone else’s. When things go wrong because of other people, they very rarely take responsibility or apologise leaving you to feel resentful. 24. It's OK To Not Be OK No one likes to admit to negative feelings such as loneliness or envy but we all feel it sometimes. Remember that you are only human and accept that there will be times when you will feel a bit negative – and keep in mind that it will soon pass. And if we didn’t have bad days, we’d never fully appreciate the really good ones. 25. Get a hobby! Find your passion and make sure it’s something you’re super passionate about; you enjoy immensely and that it makes you feel good about yourself. 26. See What's Out There Even if you’re unable to go abroad, explore what your own country has to offer. I guarantee there will be things within your own home town that you never even knew about. 27. I love clothes but I hate fashion! And now that I’m older I have the confidence to show off my own sense of style without conforming to other people’s ideas of what looks good. So it doesn’t matter if it’s this season’s, last season’s or ten seasons’ ago – if you like it and it makes you feel great, wear it! 28. Compare and Contrast is not for people! Comparing yourself to others really is a waste of time – take it from someone who knows! Focus on yourself and your own life and make it the very best it can be. 29. Creativity is Essential There’s nothing like people enjoying a delicious meal, or appreciating a floral arrangement or hand-knitted scarf and knowing that it’s your very own creation. So don’t be afraid of unleashing your inner creative genius. 30. Be A Solo Star There’s something to be said for doing things on your own that would normally be a social activity. So don’t be intimidated by going shopping, to the cinema, to a restaurant, to a gig or even on holiday by yourself. It might be awkward the first time and you might feel like Billy-no-mates but as you gain in confidence, it can actually be quite liberating. 31. Road Trip! Road trips are fun but headbanging road trips are so much better, so make sure that rock music is playing at full blast with all the passengers singing along. Bohemian Rhapsody, anyone? 32. Show Them You Care Don’t take your nearest and dearest for granted. Never miss an opportunity to show them how important they are to you. 33. It's Sometimes OK To Depend On The Kindness Of Strangers I’ve come across people in my life who, even though they barely know me, they have shown me immense kindness. These are very special people to be treasured. 34. Family Isn't Always Blood... I was brought up to believe that family should always come first. Unfortunately there are some people who are just not worthy of the word ‘family’. To me my family are the people who love me unconditionally; don’t judge and are supportive and encouraging. The others are people I just happen to be related to. 35. Friendship Never Ends Only If You're A Spice Girl Sadly some friendships don’t last forever – no matter how much you want them to. Accept that some people come into your life for a reason and that some friendships just run it’s course. Learn to let go and move on… even though yes, it takes time. 36. Know When It's Necessary To Put Yourself First Although selfishness is generally not a good trait, sometimes it’s important to be a little selfish for the sake of our own happiness and well-being. And as long as you’re not hurting anyone, it’s ok to put yourself first when absolutely necessary. 37. Love Your Job! I’ve had jobs that sucked and I’ve had jobs which felt more like being at a holiday camp – and I know which I prefer. You spend most of your day at work so it’s important to do something that makes you happy. If you’re currently stuck in a job you hate, don’t accept it and think that it’s always going to be that way like I did – make an effort to get out and apply for things you do want to do. It may take a while but it’ll be worth it in the end. Photos: Pixabay Blog graphics: Angel Noire

At Peppermint Teal we get excited about methods, techniques and products that promote healthy and great-looking hair and skin while using as little 'nasties' or expensive, high-tech gadgets as possible. The more natural and inexpensive, the better. So when we came across this video on Yasuko Kawamura's YouTube channel for reverse hair brushing, we were instantly taken with it and had to find out more... Not to mention try it out for ourselves! Reverse hair brushing, also known as inverted hair brushing (but not to be confused with the inversion hair method which also promotes healthy hair growth but is a different technique) is something we hadn't come across before but we were drawn to it initially because it looked so satisfyingly relaxing and pampering, and appeared so simple to do. Plus we were intrigued by the use of the camelia oil and the wooden hair-brushing tools. Then we delved into the benefits of reverse hair brushing and the theory behind why it works and we just had to give it a go. So for those of you who are also new to reverse hair brushing and want to know more about it - read on! WHAT IS REVERSE HAIR BRUSHING? Kawamura has said that this type of brushing technique is very popular among celebrities in Japan in order to keep their hair beautiful and free of those pesky grey strands! It is a hair brushing technique that involves tipping your head forward and then brushing your hair from the base of your head to the tip of your hair as often as a hundred times. HOW DOES IT WORK? It is believed that brushing stimulates blood circulation to the scalp which is important for delivering more nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles. This is important for healthy hair and melanocytes - the cells in the deepest part of the skin's epidermis (incidentally, melanocytes are also found in eyes) which produces and contains melanin. By keeping your melanocytes active and producing melanin which is then taken up into the hair, this may help keep your hair's natural colour and prevent greying - or at least excessive greying. While we haven't come across scientific evidence to back up these claims, the jury definitely seems to be out regarding the effectiveness of reverse hair brushing - or just brushing in general and the part in plays in hair and scalp health. Beverley Hills-based Dr. Ken Washenik, Board member of the North American Hair Research Society, claims that the belief that brushing your hair vigorously so that your scalp is stimulated thus increasing hair growth, is not backed up by any scientific or medical study. Though Arizona-based trichologist William Gaunitz believes that brushing can help with healthy hair growth. If the comments posted on Yasuko Kawamura's video are anything to go by, it would appear that those who have tried reverse-hair brushing or have done so for years, are very happy with the results. Perhaps it depends on the individual. The only way to find out for yourself if this will work or not is to give it a go. After all - you've got to brush your hair anyway so what have you got to lose? WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF REVERSE HAIR BRUSHING? Although Yasuko isn't making any wild claims, she does talk about this relaxing technique (one plus point already!) possibly helping to prevent grey hairs from appearing. She also states that it produces softer, smoother, more tangle-free hair. Yasuko doesn't mention anything about reverse hair brushing causing your hair to thicken or grow longer in record time. But people who have previously used various scalp massaging techniques have noticed such improvements so it's a possibility. Yasuko does go on to state that massaging the back of the head does give a facelift effect (though thankfully not of the aging-Hollywood starlet facelight variety!) and the reverse brushing technique can also help with that. How's that for an added bonus? HOW OFTEN SHOULD THIS TECHNIQUE BE DONE? When asked in the comments, Yasuko suggested once a day. Every other day can also work, but we also recommend taking a short break every so often to get better results. HOW LONG BEFORE YOU NOTICE RESULTS? Around one month but of course it varies from person to person WHAT DO YOU NEED? THE HAIR BRUSH And not just any old hair brush either! Because you need to massage the scalp, you don't want a brush that has sharp bristles. And it's best to avoid nylon or plastic brushes which can cause that dreaded staticky hair. No one wants to look like Mr. Majeika! A paddle brush with some cushioning, and wooden, fairly spaced-out, round-tipped bristles works best for this technique. Wix Yasuko Kawamura explains that in Japan, people would use combs or brushes made with boxwood. But boxwood brushes are far from cheap! Therefore bamboo makes a good substitute, doesn't create static, and requires less maintenance than boxwood. HAIR OIL Although the oil step is not essential, it is a welcome addition to the reverse brushing technique. Yasuko Kawamura uses camelia oil, also known as Tsubaki oil, which is an oil used in hair and skincare in Japan. When used in haircare, it creates soft, beautiful, manageable hair. If you cannot get hold of camelia oil, then use an oil that has great haircare benefits such coconut, avocado or olive. You can also add a drop of essential oil that also has great haircare benefits such as rosemary or lavender. Remember that you are not creating a hair mask treatment so you don't need a lot of oil. One to two drops of oil in the palm of your hand (depending on the length of your hair) and then rubbed into the tips of the hairbrush bristles is all you need. You can skip the oil step altogether if you worry that it will make your hair too oily, or maybe you can use the oil as and when you want to, if you don't want to use it every day. THE TECHNIQUE It couldn't be simpler! Tip your head and flip your hair forward. Remember that your hair must be completely dry to carry out this method as it's never advisable to brush wet or damp hair. Start brushing from the base of your head all the way down to the tips of your hair. You can do this one hundred times OR... you can brush for fifty strokes before flipping your head and hair back, and then brushing the regular way for another fifty strokes. A hundred strokes may sound like you'll be there for an hour but you'll you'll have completed this technique in minutes! THINGS TO NOTE Your hair might become quite greasy very quickly even though you're using the bare minimum amount of oil. This will mean washing your hair a lot more frequently which could result in dry hair. Either skip the oil step completely, or just incorporate the oil every so often. It might not be so comfortable for people who have issues with their neck, back or shoulders. This is one of the reasons why Yasuko suggested brushing fifty strokes each way. If you notice any damage to your hair, it's best to stop and switch to a more suitable hair-improvement method. It might be necessary to take a break every so often (perhaps a three or four days every two weeks) to get better results. Are you a curly-haired girl or guy and wondering if this method will work for you? Check out Angel's post to find out more! Many thanks to Yasuko Kawamura for bring the reverse hair-brushing technique to our attention. We may never have heard of it if it hadn't been for her. We had a great time testing it out. You can find out the results in the following post but the fact that we're going to carry on with the reverse hair brushing tells you everything you need to know! And thanks to the lovely Eri for providing information which contributed to this post. Photos: Pixabay Blog graphics: Angel Noire

For anyone who's an expat, they'll know that there's a million wonderful things about living in another country. But there's also some not so great things about experiencing life in another country, and that can be true when it comes to celebrating the holidays - even if you've been living abroad for years. Hanukkah has just begun, and we've got Christmas and New Year's Eve coming up, but throughout the year there will be a variety of festivals, events and holidays that will leave expats wishing they were at home, celebrating with family, friends and being around all that is familiar and dear to them. When you're an expat, there will be two types of holiday season that you're likely to encounter: The holidays that you know and love that you have been celebrating since childhood and are well-known all around the world. Holidays that you are unfamiliar with because because they are peculiar to the country you are currently living in and you have therefore never participated in such celebrations before. With the first type of holiday, feelings of nostalgia and familiarity might give way to homesickness which most expats tend to suffer with at any given time. With the second type of holiday, while you may not feel as though you are missing out too much as it's not something you've been celebrating your entire life, you will still see people you are becoming acquainted with excitedly getting into the spirit of the upcoming holidays and making plans with family and friends which can create feelings of loneliness. So what do you do? WHY CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS ABROAD CAN BE A TOUGH TIME FOR EXPATS Passover, Eid, Diwali, Thanksgiving, Christmas... The main holiday season in each country is that special time of year when everyone gets together. We all live such busy lives that quite often 'the holidays' are the few times in the year when we catch up with those closest to us. And that's why the holidays are so special to everyone because it typically means quality time with family and friends. In many cases the main cultural or religious events and festivities are often a national holiday, which gives people the opportunity to travel back to their family home without the inconvenience of taking leave for a real, proper get together with their nearest and dearest. Unfortunately when you're living in another country, flying home to spend quality time with your loved ones isn't always possible due to time and costs. As every expat knows, it's bad enough that we often have to miss out on weddings, births, and milestone birthdays. But the holidays give us a regular date in our diaries where you can make plans to hopefully be at home; fill up on your mum's home-cooking, and indulge in all those holiday traditions that you've known since childhood. But when it can't happen, it can be tough knowing that you won't be able to spend that time with family and friends. And while you know that you'll be terribly missed during the holidays, you're struck with the realization that for those back home, celebrations continue and life goes on - even with you not around to celebrate with them. It can make matters worse when you're living in a country where the culture or religion is slightly or completely different; there are very few expats from your community, and the locals know little to nothing about your cultural or religious events. It means it's harder to find people to celebrate with, events to go to, much-needed products to buy, and it's that much harder to get into the holiday spirit because you really feel as though you're missing out. EXPATS AND EMOTIONAL/MENTAL WELLBEING It's when you're not able to go home for the holidays, despite the best of intentions or efforts, that problems occur, and feelings that you've fought hard to eradicate since your expat journey began such as loneliness, homesickness, and anxiety can set in. Regardless of how long you've been living in your new country, it's not uncommon for expats to struggle with their emotional wellbeing during the holidays. Hopefully by following some of the advice in this post, it should help alleviate feelings of isolation and hopelessness. But if you're really struggling and have difficulty coping during the holiday seaso, the first thing we advise you to do is to please seek help. Anything that causes strong feelings of anxiety or depression is not trivial. So don't hesitate to speak with a counsellor or therapist if you need to. Your doctor will be able to refer you to a qualified professional, but you might need to check to see whether you're covered under your existing health plan. Other options might be to see: If your place of work or study offers any kind of counselling service A reputable place of worship. Regardless of religion or faith, they won't turn anyone away but if they're not able to help for any reason, they may be able to suggest places for you to try. Look online for any non-profit reputable organizations who offer counselling in your area. Be sure to check reviews. 1. RECREATE SOME OF YOUR FAMILY HOLIDAY TRADITIONS If you can't be at home for the holidays, let home come to you! There's something so endearing and meaningful about long-time traditions that have existed within the family. You might not always have appreciated them when you were growing up but it's amazing how much meaning those traditions have when you move away or you're not able to be with your family. Family traditions bring back happy memories of childhood and family events, filling you up with that warm, fuzzy feeling. During these times when you're away from home, there are still many traditions that you can keep alive that will keep you connected to your family and help bring back memories of the good old days - great for that much needed feel-good factor. You can still put up the the nativity crib; watch your fave holiday movies, or make your mum's famous latkes - though admittedly it won't taste quite like hers do but it'll still be fab! 2. APPRECIATE ALL THATS HOLIDAY-RELATED Each holiday only comes around once a year. Not only that but it comes and goes quicker than beer at a freshers' ball. So celebrate the holiday season and really make the most of it. Watch those classic Christmas movies and TV specials; dance around to those iconic festive pop tunes; indulge in those goodies, and don't be shy about putting some holiday cheer out there and wishing people greetings for the holidays from the milkman to the delivery guy to the supermarket cashier... why does no one do that any more? 3. GET YOUR ZOOM ON! How lucky are we to live in a time where we have all these great gadgets, gizmos and apps at our disposal which makes the distance between us and our loved ones not so great! That's one of the great advantages about being an expat today. While your family and friends may be busy on the day, so take the time to schedule in a time to call home when everyone will be free for a catch up - but bear the time difference in mind and try and work around it. If it's a group call via Skype, Whatsapp or Zoom, that will be even better. Seeing the faces and hearing the voices of loved ones will make you feel a lot more cheery and get you into the holiday spirit. And remember, it's totally fine if you can't speak to everyone on the day itself (who can!) By spreading out calls during the celebratory period, it gives you something to look forward to and keeps the holiday cheer going. 4. WHEN IN ROME... When you're living in a another country that's quite different to your own, you might be celebrating a holiday season that's very different in style to the one you'd usually celebrate. But 'different' doesn't have to mean terrible and it's still possible to make it a time of joy and celebration. Take Christmas for example, the way it's celebrated in the northern and southern hemispheres can be quite different and the differences may feel strange and rather un-Christmassy especially in the beginning. But there will be traditions that are found all over the world such as nativity plays, presents, and Santa Claus to tie it all together, bringing that sense of familiarity which is something you can take comfort in. It's important to have an open mind understand, and accept that life in another country will mean a holiday period that's quite different to how you've always known it to be. So don't put pressure on yourself to achieve what may not be totally possible. Think outside the box. See what alternatives you can come up with. Consider what you can purchase online or can create yourself. Furthermore it's always a good idea to learn the customs and traditions of the locals - this is a wonderful learning experience and something that you can talk about with your family and friends. And wherever possible, why not combine it with some of your own traditions; combining the best of your old and new life to create an experience that's quite unique... and totally you! 5. GET STUCK INTO THE LOCAL HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES However you might be living in a country which celebrates festivals that are completely unknown to you. While everyone around you is getting into the holiday spirit and excitedly making plans to celebrate with their families, you end up watching from the sidelines feeling a little bemused and despondent with no one to hang out with because they'll all be in celebration mode. You could very well end up feeling like a Jaffa Cake in a packet of Party Rings! See this as an opportunity to learn about something new. Do your research to find out more about the event: it's origins, history, customs and traditions. Hopefully you'll be lucky enough to be invited to the home of a new acquaintance to celebrate so you can see what it's all about. There's no better learning experience than to be taught by a local. But don't worry if you're not able to bag an invite to someone's home. See if there are any events in your area that you might be able to go to. Perhaps there's a group of expats you know of that are in the same boat as you, so you can check out these events together. Or... just hang out together and have fun! Whether the holidays in your new adopted homeland are familiar or unfamiliar, one way to prevent feelings of isolation and homesickness is to get involved with the local culture, traditions and experiences. Understand and experience the unique ways people celebrate the holidays, and share with others how you would normally celebrate at home. People of ten like learning about other people's cultural experiences so this is a great opportunity to share knowledge. 6. VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME Whether you're at home or abroad, helping others and giving something back is a sweet and rewarding part of holiday traditions. It doesn't necessarily have to be something holiday themed, as even non-holiday related projects, like volunteering for a beach clean up or assisting with the horses at a stable, will bring a special joy and the knowledge that you're doing something worthwhile - and hopefully fun! And you’ll be among a great group of people who will help make you feel at home. You may just end up finding something new that you love doing as well as a whole new bunch of friends! 7. ARRANGE TO SEND AND RECEIVE HOLIDAY GIFT BOXES Who doesn't like receiving things in the post? And no we're not talking bills here! This is closely tied to point number four on this list. If you're keen to have something that's unavailable in the country you live in, perhaps one of your family or friends at home could ship something over to you. And in return, why not post back popular holiday items that are in use where you live, so that your family and friends back home get a flavour of what your celebrations are like. We all know that what shipping and postage can be like during the festive season. So make sure you get in as early as possible. If you're worried about postage costs, try to send items that are lightweight and durable. Some clever packing should also help keep costs down - you'll be amazed at what you can get into a jiffy bag! 8. TEACH THE LOCALS ABOUT YOUR TRADITIONS If you're living in a country where the locals know little to nothing about your festive event - why don't you show them how it's done? You can invite people over for a big shindig complete with decorations, food and other bits and pieces so that people get a real feel for the event. Most people are usually up for any kind of cultural experience, and if it's something that they don't really know about, they're often intrigued enough to find out. If a full on party isn't an option, why don't you arrange drinks, afternoon tea or a meal with friends and acquaintances in honor of your event. Or perhaps you can take tradition foods into work for all your colleagues to sample - which will make you popular with everyone in no time! Even if it's not the big celebration you would normally have at home, at least you've marked the day in some way, and you've got people talking and learning about an event they hadn't heard of before. 9. MAKE YOUR PLACE THE PLACE TO BE! OK it's the holidays, you've got the day off work, you want to relax and take it easy and you may prefer not to do a humongous celebration... but you don't want to be Billy-No-Mates either! If you've gotten to know other homesick expat friends, work colleagues or new neighbours who might be spending the day alone, why don't you offer up your place as a place to have a small get together and hang out? Hosting doesn't have to be expensive, time-consuming or stressful. Your new friends won't care about 'window dressing' such as fancy decorations or an elaborate spread. They’ll just have fun being part of 'the gang' and enjoy everyone's company - new friendships might even be formed! If you're Inexperienced - or super busy - when it comes to hosting, can make it a potluck and ask everyone to bring a dish. Or maybe just drinks and nibbles if that's more convenient. At the end of the day the holidays are about fun, people coming together, and putting a smile on people's faces - and that’s something that always works, no matter which country you're in. 10. MAKE NEW FRIENDS If you haven't had a chance to connect with other people yet or you want to attend a holiday-related event, Meetup.com is a great place to start, especially if you're hoping to meet other expats. Facebook groups and pages are also another good place to look with details of year round events, activities and expat gatherings. Other places worth a try include the noticeboards at places of worship; supermarkets; libraries, colleges etc. Or just try plain old-fashioned word of mouth, and ask those you know if there are events on that they know of. Furthermore, why not try setting up your own social media page or group? There’s more expats than ever seeking to celebrate particular holiday periods in other countries. than you know who are seeking to celebrate Christmas abroad. You may well be able to pool together your knowledge and find some really awesome events to hang out at. While you might be used to a particular set of holiday events celebrated in a certain way, understand that life as an expat does alter all that to a certain degree. But that's not always such a bad thing. When it comes to the holidays, not everything is set in stone and you can make the necessary changes to accommodate you and your new lifestyle. The holidays are all about togetherness, fun, and spirit, so don't stress and put too much pressure on yourself. And don't be afraid to participate in new cultural and religious celebrations. You might actually enjoy it and you get to learn about something new. Happy holidays to you all! Photos: Pixabay Blog graphics: Angel Noire

This one's just for fun. I recently went back home to London for a flying visit. As every Londoner knows, public transport is one of our main ways of getting around the city, and we're lucky that compared to a lot of other cities around the world, we've actually got a pretty good transport system. There's lots of good things about taking public transport: It's better for the environment; it gives you a chance to chill, read, catch a few Zzzs, and you never know - you might just make a new friend! But unfortunately there's another side to using public transport. I often say that if you want to see the best and worst of human nature - just hop on a bus or train in London! You'd think by now I'd be used to people's shenanigans when they step on board a bus or train. You think I'd be used to people's selfish, inconsiderate, me-me-me behaviour. But still I see I yet another display of absolutely appalling behaviour which sadly is now considered the norm. I very rarely hear people complaining so I believe that either I'm the only one who's noticed or I'm the only one who's seriously annoyed by this. The problem is that people are intent - and believe that they are entitled - on making themselves more comfy than they need to be at the expense of other commuters. It's almost a case of 'Goodness! Am I sharing this vehicle with other people? I thought it was just for me!" They seem totally oblivious to the fact that it's called public transport for a reason. Yes, having to use public transport can be a bit of  a nightmare at the best of times and naturally every one wants to get comfortable especially if they have a long commute but some people are making things worse than it needs to be with their bad behaviour. They feel that because they've paid the grand sum of £2.80 that that gives them the right to make themselves at home. Er, it doesn't. Here is a list of some of the worst offenders: 1. Everyone on the top deck must hear my phone conversation. "So I said to her, yeah, 'You been messing about with my man?' and she said, 'yeah, and he ain't your f***ing man, he's mine.' So I went 'yeah, come say that to my face, you b***h, I'll f*** you up big time'. And she goes..." Almost simultaneously you can hear: "Listen here, you're not getting another penny out of me, you evil cow. I've paid for Jonny's trainers plus for his school trip to the farm. You could have at least forked out a tenner. You're determined to ruin me..." The only thing being ruined are my poor, assaulted eardrums. I realise that there will always be a few nosey parkers who feel that knowing the real-life ins and outs of other people's affairs is more entertaining than an episode of EastEnders but quite frankly most of us could do without the in-flight entertainment, especially after a long day. Either these loudmouths love the attention or they seem to forget that they are not in the privacy of their own home. 2. You just have to know what kind of music I'm into Thanks to the invention of mobile phones, iPods and MP3 players, we can now have music wherever and whenever we want. But  the reason why people use earphones is so that they - and they alone - will know what it is they're listening too. But some people have to have their music on so loud, I really don't know why they bother with earphones. And then of course there are the ones who don't even bother with earphones and are very kindly willing to 'share' their  music with passengers on both upper and lower decks. And don't get me started on those who think that Simon Cowell may actually be on the same vehicle as them and start 'auditioning'. Lord help us all... 3. Enjoy the aroma of my not- so- sweetly- scented food. I totally understand that sometimes people have to eat while they're on the go. But is it really necessary to chomp on food that's just a little bit, shall we say, overly pungent to the point where it makes the rest of us want to gag? A friend of mine was actually very direct with someone who was eating a kebab on a packed bus: "Admittedly I was a bit drunk," confessed Friend, "but I couldn't stand the smell any more, so I was like, 'Mate that stinks. Do you think you could put that away?' Yep, it was put away. Well done Friend! If only we were all brave enough. 4. I'm looking for free childcare I love kids as much as the next person. But just as I've hauled myself onto public transport first thing in the morning before I've had a coffee or after a long hard day before I've had a Malibu and pineapple, I really don't want to be drawn into games of peek-a-boo or pick-up-my-shoe-as-I-throw-it-over-to-you. Neither do I want a stranger's child clambering all over me, trying to knock the book I'm trying to read out of my hand, or playing with my bag. While Mum (or Dad) is totally oblivious to the situation either gazing out of the window, yapping to whoever they're with or on the phone... or reading a book of their own. And we're all well aware that kids run around and individually make more noise than a crowd at a football match but it really wouldn't hurt parents to tell them to settle down and not to create obstructions on the stairs or in the aisles and certainly not to kick the seat of the person sitting in front of them. After all this isn't their home! 5. I have to have a minimum of two seats for myself. I cannot begin to tell you how much this makes me want to punch somebody (of course I never would!) It is the biggest display of selfishness, arrogance and how people never think about anyone other than themselves. It bugs me to see passengers who think it's necessary for their bag to have a seat all to themselves - as though their bag has paid for the privilege while other passengers have to stand. I've even seen passengers come looking for a seat and Mr. or Mrs. Bag-Owner ensures that their beloved bag stays put. Although now it's not just bags - I have seen passengers sit between two seats so that they have two all to themselves. It's like "Hello! Can you not see where the seat begins and ends. Do you seriously think the line is there for you to rest your crack on?" But I have to officially congratulate the passenger who reached new heights. Last week a man hogged a record-breaking three, that's right, three seats to himself: one for his bum, another for his bag and a third for his feet. Then he fell asleep and 'couldn't hear' the passenger who ever-so politely tried to ask him to remove his bag. If only I could make myself as cosy and comfy! 6. The bus driver is here for us to take out our frustrations on As someone who has spent years working with the general public, it annoys the hell out of me (and that's putting it super mildly) when I see passengers be unnecessarily rude to bus drivers. Some of them actually think that the driver is their personal chauffer who will pick them up and drop them off wherever they want. I know travel fare is expensive but believe it or not you still have to pay a little more if you want your own driver. And furthermore, the driver is not responsible for traffic jams, delays or other equally ignorant passengers, so don't take it out on the driver, who has a hard enough job as it is. 7. Is that a seat in front of me? I thought it was a footrest! In a bid to get even more comfy, passengers are now using available seats in front of them as somewhere to rest their tired and weary feet. It's now reached the point where drivers are making announcements asking passengers who are putting their feet up on seats to kindly remove them. Are these people five? Is it really necessary to tell them that seats are to park your bum not your feet? 8. No littering the streets... but it's OK to make the bus a complete mess People are beginning to understand that dropping litter on the streets is wrong. But they seem to think it's fine to litter the bus until it resembles the inside of a dumpster. It used to be crisp packets and coke cans but now litter bugs have upped their game and added half eaten burgers; take away cartons and apple cores and banana peel to the floors and seats of public transport - and one time fried onions! Good grief! It's such a mess that there are areas where no one will sit. And who do litter louts think will pick up after them? I'm sure 'free maid' is not one of the conditions of their travel card purchase. 9. Lean on me. When you're not strong... I consider myself to be a very mild-mannered person. So mild mannered in fact, that when the passenger beside me sat so close to me that he practically took up half my seat and was leaning against me so much that he had me pressed against the glass, I told myself that he probably didn't realise. That's right - he probably didn't realise that he wasn't just sitting next to me but he was sitting on me! I mean I'm so small, he probably didn't even realise I was there. he obviously couldn't feel that he was in such close contact with me... "EXCUSE ME!" I shrieked as I shoved him really hard and made my way to another seat. I was done making excuses for him. This was a man who clearly didn't understand the concept of boundaries. And would you believe it, the same episode happened on another occasion - with the same idiot! In fact just last week, a female passenger excused herself to the person she was speaking to on the phone to yell at the woman sitting beside her who was taking up more than her fair share of the seating area: "What's your problem?" snarled angry-lady-who'd-just-got-off-the-phone, "Your seat begins here and ends there. This is where my seat begins..." I can't people today are so stupid you have to show them how and where to sit. 10. The wheelchair access area is for wheelchair users? Really? No one told me that! This one really makes me question people's intelligence (or lack of) more than I already do. The wheelchair access area on buses is exactly what it says on the tin - an area for wheelchair users. When there are no wheelchairs, it can be used for prams, strollers, trollies, luggage etc. But as soon as a wheelchair user wants to use it, you have to clear the space. Simple, right? Wrong! Despite repeated announcements from the driver to clear the wheelchair access area as there is a passenger waiting to use it, the person whose belongings are hogging up the space has suddenly lost their sense of hearing. In fact they seem to have developed amnesia as well because when other passengers tell them to clear the space, they look completely baffled as though they can't ever remember leaving anything in the wheelchair access area. In the end, the wheelchair user gets so fed up they tell the bus driver - and sometimes in a very impolite manner - to just move on. I once saw an extremely lazy woman act as though it was such a mission to remove her pram from the area and let a wheelchair user on. So she stayed on the bus despite the bus driver getting a right ear-bashing - only to get off two stops later. 'Selfish' and 'inconsiderate' don't even come close! But of course, most of the above happen if you're lucky. If you're unlucky, you'd have to witness mindless acts of violence or theft. Who can forget the videos we've seen of passengers who think nothing of hurling racist abuse at other people or physically attacking other passengers. It's easy to suggest that if you have an issue with a passenger on public transport then you should just simply take it up with them the old-fashioned way - politely but firmly. However if people dare to complain these days you really are taking your life in your hands - even if you're in the right. Even if you're mega polite. So most people just think better of it and say nothing. All of the above indicates that many 'people' (if you can call them that) now see it as their right to behave however they wish, wherever they are. People just don't realise that if you're decent, there's a code of conduct when you're out and about in public. If you don't give a damn about other people, maybe you're better off staying at home - it might be the best place for you. Have you encountered ridiculous behaviour while on public transport? How did it make you feel and how did you handle the situation? Blog graphics: Angel Noire

ANGEL'S SKIN PROFILE: - Eczema prone skin in recovery (using prescribed cream, vitamin supplements, suitable skin-care products etc ) - Suffered from slight acne during teens and early twenties.  Outgrew acne. - Combination skin: slightly greasy T-zone, dryness around cheeks and mouth. - Starting to get first signs of fine lines on forehead and faint smile lines. I was brought up on the 'cleanse, tone, moisturize' mantra but nobody ever told me to 'double-cleanse, tone, moisturize.' I have recently discovered the benefits of double cleansing and I can honestly hand-on-heart say that my skin has never looked so good. Being the kind of girl who has never been blessed with perfect skin - and never will be - I have to work harder than most to keep it looking as healthy as possible. THE PROBLEM: But about a month ago my skin looked - how shall I put this - bloody awful! It was dry, tight,  blotchy, itchy and a very unflattering shade of grey. As I suffer from a very mild form of eczema, I was having flare-ups in very quick succession despite using my prescribed cream. I was also convinced that I could see the faint traces of lines beginning to form. Nothing I used or did seemed to work. I'd be applying more make-up than usual, and I knew I still looked horrendous. It's times like this, I wish I wasn't so anti-Botox! THE REASONS: Unfortunately I commit way too many skin sins: I go to bed way too late; don't exercise enough; wear make-up every day; drink coffee every morning; drink alcohol but not enough water; eat way too much junk... the list just goes on and on. This summer I committed the cardinal sin of not wearing any sunscreen. Terrible! I also have been guilty of using facial wipes to remove my make-up which doesn't effectively remove all the impurities. And admittedly there were times I actually went to bed with my make-up on. It's no surprise my skin looked horrendous. However, I'm not a complete skin sinner. I have started to make an effort to eat healthier; I don't smoke; I limit myself to one cup of coffee a day; I take vitamin supplements; use mainly organic products and being habitually late for everything means that I get regular exercise in the form of power walking! As I wear make-up everyday (although not a lot) I'd gotten into the habit of giving myself mini-facials every Sunday in order to get my skin feeling really clean. THE SOLUTION: So after a considerable amount of time feeling sorry for myself, I decided to spring into action. First of all, I decided to get rid of anything that I thought might be making my skin look bad and feel irritable. I stopped the mini-facials as I felt that the frequency of these might actually be doing more harm than good. I ditched my wash-off cleanser even though it's organic as I figured that water might be drying out my skin. I then used a mixture of manuka honey and cream to cleanse my face - until I found a more convenient substitute. I started drinking more water. Cut back on alcohol. Upped my intake of fruit and veggies. Started going to bed early (well for me anyway!) Slowly I started to see a difference. THE MIRACLE: Then I heard about the concept of double cleansing. It basically involves using an oil-based pre-cleanser before applying your usual cleanser and then toning and moisturising as usual. I wasn't sure how effective it would be with regards to my skin problems but decided that I had nothing to lose by giving it a go - and seeing all the amazing products that are available  made the decision even easier! The aim of the pre-cleanser is to get rid of 'nasties'  that your normal cleanser alone may not be able to handle on its own such as excess sebum, sunscreen, waterproof makeup, environmental pollutants and residual product build-up. GETTING STARTED: I eventually settled on a pre-cleansing oil and wipe-off cream cleanser by Una Brennan which is available from Boots. I chose the hydrating rose variety as I felt that my skin would benefit from it the most. It's not organic but it does contain many wonderful skin-friendly goodies such as shea butter, rose oil provitamin B5 and marshmallow.  And although I know it makes sense to use products from the same range, I had already bought some argan oil day and night creams which I had felt would be beneficial to my skin so I didn't bother buying a new moisturiser. I really liked the description on the pre-cleansing oil that stated that we should leave the oil on our faces for a while before wiping it off just to enjoy the aroma and this was my inspiration to turning my night-time cleansing ritual into a real pampering treatment. THE DOUBLE CLEANSING METHOD: Warm 2-3 drops of Una Brennan's Miracle Makeover Facial Oil  in the palms of your hands. Slowly massage oil onto your face and  in slow circular movements. Leave for a few minutes. Then dampen a flannel in warm water before carefully wiping off oil. This is followed by using the Calming Creamy Cleanser, applied with fingertips in slow circular movements. Remove using a flannel dampened in warm water. Pat face dry. Tone skin using pure rosewater. Apply vitamin E oil. Apply argan oil day/night cream. Apply eye cream. It may seem like a lot of steps but it really is quick, simple and effective. If it works for someone like me who is always pushed for time, it'll work for anyone! THE RESULTS: In one word - amazing! My skin feels so soft and smooth and looks clearer, radiant and healthy. The dry, tight sensation has gone and I'm now having to hunt the fine lines I saw! It itches a lot less and my skin feels less rough and bumpy. I'm getting fewer spots and I feel that the double-cleansing treatment is really effective as I feel that my moisturizers are being absorbed into my skin much more. I have been using this method for only three weeks and can already see the difference which surprised me because I thought I would have to wait a lot longer to see results. The state of my skin used to depress me but now I feel confident going make-up free. Obviously everyone's skin is different and responds differently to different products. The secret is in knowing your skin and understanding what works best. I believe that the combination of rose, vitamin E and argan oils are working wonders for my skin but others may find that different products work effectively for them. I also believe - for me at least - that it's necessary to change products every so often as I've found that it is possible for your skin to become immune to products that were once very effective. Right now I am loving my skin. Great skin is an excellent base for make-up and if you haven't got that then no amount of make-up is going to improve the appearance or condition of your skin. And double-cleansing has also meant that I'm getting the most out of my moisturizers as it absorbs a lot faster and leaves my skin feeling moisturized for longer. It seems that lots of people have cottoned on to the concept of double-cleansing long before I did (always was the last to find out!) but now that I have discovered it, I will be putting it to good use. Blog graphics: Angel Noire

We all know the mantra, 'cleanse, tone, moisturise,' but how many of us have been encouraged to 'double-cleanse, tone, moisturise'? For some of us, cleansing, toning, and mosturizing can feel like a bit too much. And that's before we get on to serums and sunscreen! So the thought of spending extra time with double-cleansing fills a lot of people with dread. But when it comes to taking care of you skin, maintaining a good regime is a necessity in order to keep our skin looking healthy and good as we get older. And it doesn't have to be taxing and mundane. Peppermint Teal's founder Angel Noire tried out the double-cleanse method almost ten years ago when her skin had looked as though it had seen better days (it had!) Though once she heard about this new step for a more effective skincare regime, she gave it a go - and never looked back. SO WHAT IS DOUBLE CLEANSING? Double-cleansing is hardly some new skincare phenomenon as it's been around for ages. It's just that not everyone puts it into practice! Double-cleansing is exactly what it says on the tin - cleansing your face twice: First with an oil-based cleanser, and then with a water-based cleanser. SHOULD EVERYONE DOUBLE-CLEANSE? It depends. It's true that double-cleansing is NOT essential for everyone. For most, cleansing your face thoroughly is more than sufficient. But if the following applies to you, then to double cleanse your skin before reaching the other steps of your skincare routine might benefit you: If you have oily skin as it removes excess oil and sebum For those who are exposed to a lot more pollutants, dirt and grime If you wear a lot of make-up every day For those of you who wear sunscreen (which should be all of you!) If the above doesn't apply to you, you might still benefit from incorporating that extra double-cleansing step into your routine as it could help the water/cream based cleanser work more efficiently plus allow the skin to better absorb the other skincare products. ISN'T DOUBLE-CLEANSING HARSH FOR THE SKIN? Not if it's done properly and you apply two things: Products that are suitable for your skintype Common sense! You only really need to double-cleanse your face in the evening to remove the day's grime and make-up. Avoid products that are harsh, overly drying and contain undesirables such as alcohol and artificial fragrances. Stick to products that are organic and contain as many natural ingredients as possible. And if you encounter any issues with any of the products you're using, then obviously discontinue using it and switch to a more suitable product. BUT... It is true that double-cleansing may not for everyone. So if you feel as though it's drying out your skin and causing irritation, then skip the double cleanse. Furthermore, if you'd rather not use an oil-based cleanser (oil-based cleansers can cause break-outs for acne-prone skin) then you can substitute it for micellar water to break down make-up. SUITABLE WATER-BASED CLEANSERS FOR DIFFERENT SKIN TYPES Normal skin Use a gentle, unscented water-based cleanser, cream or foaming depending on what you like best. Dry, sensitive skin Select a gentle, unscented water-based cleanser, preferable a cream cleanser rather than a foaming one as it's less drying. Combination skin If your skin is part oily, part dry — typically dry cheeks with a greasy t-zone - go for either product that's specially formulated for combination skin, or go for a cream-based cleanser for the dry areas and use a water-based foaming cleanser everywhere else. Oily or acne-prone skin Choose water-based foaming cleansers with active ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide, or salicylic or glycolic acid. THE DOUBLE-CLEANSE ROUTINE: So, how do you double cleanse? Here’s a step-by-step guide. Apply an oil-based cleanser to your face and neck, and gently massage the cleanser into your skin, breaking down makeup and sunscreen residue as well as sebum and grime. With a flannel or soft sponge, rinse off using lukewarm water. Remember that water which is too hot can dry out your skin. Pat your skin dry with a towel but ensure that it's still a little damp. Then apply your water-based cleanser, massaging gently into the skin. Rinse off the cleanser as before. Gently dry skin with a soft towel. Now continue with the next steps of your cleansing routine e.g. - toning, serum, moisturizer etc. And it's as easy as that! Check out the next part of this post to see how Angel Noire got on with her double-cleansing skincare routine. Photos: Pixabay Blog graphics: Angel Noire

Actress Jennifer Aniston once admitted that watching The Bachelor is her guilty pleasure. I watched one series back in 2012 where Courtney Robertson waltzed off into the sunset with her bachelor Ben Flajnik - The only time I've ever watched The Bachelor. I found the show to be over the top, contrived, and appeared to be scripted. It was something that people watched when they didn't want to engage in anything too intellectually taxing... but oh my goodness it was so addictive! I hated myself for not doing something more productive with my time but once I started watching I had to continue in order to find out who Ben would choose. But I made sure that it was to be the last series I watched! We all have our guilty pleasures in life. We all enjoy something which we feel a little bad for liking. And we shouldn't feel bad - after all no one is ever harmed while we pursue our guilty pleasures - but we can't help feeling a little bit naughty all the same. It got me thinking about my own guilty pleasures - and I had a lot more than I thought. Naughty Mrs. D! 1. Romance novels I wish I could say that I love rolling with the classics and I have a copy of War And Peace on my bedside table but that just wouldn't be true! I'm a sucker for romance novels and it's one of my ambitions to increase my collection of Danielle Steel and Mills and Boon novels. I'm lucky to be married to such a romantic man so there's no shortage of romance in this household but these novels do help to reaffirm my belief in love and romance (as if I need reaffirmation!) I'm sure I'll get around to War And Peace one day! 2. Puddings I have a ridiculously sweet tooth. My parents are big sugar fans so I reckon I inherited my sweet tooth from them - and my dad in particular loves puddings. And if there's lashings of custard, so much the better! I always stop off at M&S every Friday to ensure that I have enough yummy desserts and puddings to last until Sunday. During the cold winter months, there's nothing I enjoy more than to curl up with something sweet. Unfortunately it means that I go back on the promise that I made to myself to be healthier. Oh well - at least I'm sensible from Monday to Thursday! 3. Magazines I've loved magazines pretty much from the time I've been able to read. When I was a kid, my aunts and uncles used to spoil me with comics and kids magazines. As I was growing up, I'd sneak a peak at women's magazines that my mum and aunts used to buy before I graduated to pop music and teen mags. At one point, I used to buy pretty much every magazine that was out there (or so it seemed!) which looking back was a ridiculous waste of money. These days I limit myself to just two magazines a week which isn't too bad and provides me with something to read on my way to and from work. The only problem is that our home is permanently strewn with magazines and pages that I've ripped out from them. So far Mr. D hasn't complained... 4. Bargains! I get such a buzz from buying things I really want that have been reduced to a fantastically great price. Books, clothes, shoes - you name it; if the price is low enough, I'm snapping it up! I don't mind admitting that I'm a great bargain hunter and I try very hard not to pay full price if I can avoid it which often means waiting until it's on sale. Whether this is a good thing or not is debateable but at least I can honestly say that say that I've never annoyed a retailer - or embarrassed myself - by haggling in my quest for a good bargain. 5. Reading in the bath Reading in the bath is all very good if you live by yourself. But when you live with others, you run the risk of irritating them when you hog the bathroom while you indulge in a bubble-filled bath with a little light reading material. Whether it's a magazine or one of those romance novels, it's perfect 'me' time - especially when I throw a little chocolate into the mix! 6. Salon pampering OK so there's a lot of beauty treatments I pay for at professional salons which I could actually do myself at home thus saving money. But I'm often short of time (OK, a little lazy!) and I like being pampered. Grooming often feels like a chore when I have to do it myself. And it doesn't help that there is a salon right down the road from me... 7. Celebrity gossip I don't like gossip. I don't like people who gossip. I'm careful not to gossip or repeat things that I've heard especially if it sounds dubious. So why is it that I'm addicted to the celebrity gossip pages of a particular national newspaper? It's not only me but one of my closest friends as well who can't get enough of the same gossip column, and we can often be found at work discussing in great depth what we've just read about Angelina, Jordan and co. Mr. D is not impressed by any form of gossip and I have to admit I'm not too proud of myself either - but I try to convince myself that we're not gossiping about real people! 8. Take aways/Eating Out When I cook at home I save money, I know what's going in my food, and it's healthier. But there are some days when we just can't be bothered to enter the kitchen - especially when we're having a lazy weekend, in which case we'll phone to get something delivered. And if we happen to be in town, we'll stop off at one of our favourite restaurants. The food's always delicious but I can't pretend I don't feel guilty afterwards. 9. The Internet Ever since I discovered the benefits of being connected to the world wide web, it's totally taken over my life. I do use it constructively - most of the time - but then there are times I'm just aimlessly surfing and I can spend hours wasting time looking at sites with animals wearing silly hats and people doing funny dances! I'm not sure what's so addictive about the internet that it causes me to waste time when I actually do have things to do like sleep for example - but it's one of those things that can't be explained. 10. Bed! I may enjoy lounging around in the bath tub but I absolutely love my bed and no matter how much time I spend in my lovely comfy bed it's never enough time. It's where I sleep; read my magazines and romance novels; indulge in puddings; surf the net; eat my take always; shop for bargains on the internet, and of course snuggle up to my gorgeous hubby. But I think I need to get out more! What are your guilty pleasures? Photos: Pixabay Blog graphics: Angel Noire

They say you should never judge a book by its cover but I have to say that it was the cover of Pear Shaped that caught by eye: pretty and dainty in light blue with splashes of bold colour including amethyst and hot pink (my favourite colour combination) featuring a girl carrying a scrummy looking dessert. It screamed girly heaven and I believed that this read was going to be all sweetness and light. Little did I know that there was an element of darkness lurking between these pages… In Stella Newman’s debut novel, we meet Sophie Klein, a confident, sassy independent thirty-something with great friends, a good social life and the best job in the world – pudding developer for a company called Fletchers. She gets to come up with ideas for new desserts; think up packaging and best of all, she gets to taste-test them – an aspect of the job Sophie absolutely loves. But Sophie’s life isn’t all rosy in the garden. She is getting over a broken relationship; her mother and brother live thousands of miles away in America; there’s her annoying neighbour Amber and the boss she can’t stand, Devron, and her beloved elderly grandmother who can no longer care for herself. Sophie, being the ever resourceful girl that she is, just takes these things in her stride. Unfortunately life’s about to throw a curveball she won’t be able to manage… On a night out, Sophie meets the charming and charismatic business owner, James. Although he is not conventionally good-looking and a fair bit older, Sophie takes a shine to him. They soon start dating and James makes grand gestures in order to really sweep Sophie off her feet. It isn’t long before the attraction she feels for him soon turns to love. However, after a while Sophie starts to feel quite insecure in the relationship. James doesn’t seem ready to commit, and then there are his frequent absences as he goes away on business and his erratic texts and phone calls. The fact that his ex-girlfriend is a model also doesn’t help. Sophie begins to wonder if James is too good to be true – and it isn’t long before his true colours begin to show. During a heart- to- heart, James reveals that he’s never been out with anyone like her, referring to her size. James doesn’t seem to realise that although this is a woman who tests puddings for a living, Sophie isn’t fat but he’s obviously comparing her to the skinny model exes. So it all goes down hill from here as a pattern develops in this book: Sophie gets close to James; James pulls away; Sophie tries to move on; James reels her back in. As irritating as Amber and Devron might be (they do incidentally provide some of the comic moments in the novel) James is by far the most unlikable character in this book. Shallow, arrogant, selfish, insincere, and a man who befriends cheats and liars, it’s quite obvious that he doesn’t care for Sophie, constantly putting her down, but at the same time he can’t quite let her go. I could relate to this story and Sophie’s pain as she desperately tries to move on and get her life back on track, as we’ve all had the misfortune of knowing a James at some point in our lives. We’ve either dated him ourselves or our friends and sisters have. We’ve either been yelled at by worried friends and relatives who insist we leave the relationship, or we’ve been the ones doing the yelling. Despite feeling saddened by Sophie’s plight and seeing her sink into depression for which she eventually needed medical attention, there were times, I just wanted to reach into the book and shake her. This is a young lady who has everything going for her, who could easily find a man who treats her better – if only she could shake off that horrible James. The Jameses of the world are not easy to spot because they are charmers and schmoozers who know how to say and do all the right things to get you sucked in, causing you to ignore all the warning signs, as Sophie soon found out. Despite being light-hearted and comical at times, there is a deeper, darker element to this novel. Stella Newman explores the sinister side of relationships: infidelity, emotional abuse, the need to control and the devastating effect it can have on the person on receiving end of it. Sophie’s lack of self-respect and insecurities are a sharp contrast to the feistier elements of her character which shows the effect this unhealthy relationship is having on her. Without wanting to give too much away, there is a somewhat semi-happy ending but I did find the climax to be a little disappointing as I felt that such a dramatic and thought-provoking story needed a stronger conclusion. However, I do think that Newman is a brilliant and witty writer. I loved her lengthy descriptions of the puddings (food porn for us dessert-aholics!) and another thing I liked about this book is that the author lists the places she likes in London and New York (both cities feature in this book) plus restaurant reviews and recipe sources. Perhaps the only real love affair in this novel is between a woman and her sweet-tooth! But I just couldn’t get away from the fact that this was a novel about an abusive relationship and it was brave of Newman to tackle such a taboo subject for a chick-lit novel. There has been criticism that the novel reflected badly on women but I disagree. This is a novel about one woman’s heartbreak and her attempts to rebuild her life – with the help of lots of sugar! Blog graphics: Angel Noire

If you're crying out for a hot weather snack - we have just the thing for you - yogurt bark! Relatively healthy; mega cooling; super delicious and very easy to make! Yogurt bark is one of those relatively new desserts that the Pinterest community have gone mad for in more recent years: Sheets of frozen yogurt topped with things like chocolate, fruit, cookie pieces... whatever you fancy really! It's so versatile. And if you don't want it in bark form, the same mixture can be popped into lolly moulds to make ice-lollies. 1. PEACH AND PINEAPPLE YOGURT BARK INGREDIENTS: 2 cups Greek yogurt 1-2 tbsps. honey 1 cup crushed pineapple 2-3 peaches, sliced 1 cup of tinned/fresh pineapple pieces THIS IS HOW WE DO IT: Mix yogurt and honey. Stir in crushed pineapple. Line baking tin with parchment paper. Pour in yogurt mixture. Top with sliced peaches and pineapples. Freeze until set firm. When frozen, turn out onto a board, peel off parchment paper, and cut into any shape and size, you like! 2. CHERRY, BERRY AND CHOC YOGURT BARK INGREDIENTS: 2 cups Greek yogurt 1 cup condensed milk 1 tbsp. Sugar 2 tsps. lemon juice 1 cup white chocolate chips, melted 2 cups fresh, frozen or tinned cherries, halved or quartered 1 cup of fresh or frozen strawberries 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips THIS IS HOW WE DO IT: In a saucepan, place 1 cup of cherries with the sugar. On a low heat, reduce the cherry mixture to a jam-like consistency. Remember to keep checking! When the cherry mixture has reduced and reaches the correct jam-like consistency, remove from heat and allow to cool. In a mixing bowl, mix yogurt, condensed milk and white chocolate. Line baking tin with parchment paper. Pour in yogurt mixture. Once cooled, dot blobs of the cherry mixture over the yogurt. Top with remaining cherries, strawberries and chocolate chips Freeze until set firm. When frozen, turn out onto a board, peel off parchment paper, and cut into any shape and size, you like! 3. SMORES ROCKY ROAD YOGURT BARK INGREDIENTS: 2 cups Greek yogurt 1-2 tbsps. honey 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips, melted 1 cup butterscotch chips 1 cup pretzels, broken up 1/2 cup flaked/chopped almonds 1 cup white chocolate chips 1 cup broken up Graham crackers 1 Cup mini marshmallows THIS IS HOW WE DO IT: Mix yogurt and melted chocolate. Line baking tin with parchment paper. Pour in yogurt mixture. Top with Graham crackers, nuts, chocolate chips, marshmallows and pretzels. Freeze until set firm. When frozen, turn out onto a board, peel off parchment paper, and cut into any shape and size, you like! Photos: Angel's Own Blog Graphics: Angel's Own

Summer is just a matter of weeks away and it'll be here before we know it. And despite the fact that it's still quite cool, no one could have failed to notice that the temperature has begun to rise lately. And as the temperature starts to soar, there'll be lots of legs, arms, shoulders and tums on display, so it's important to start getting your skin looking it's very best. During the winter months many of us will have cranked up the central heating and indulged in long, hot baths which aren't the best things for your skin. In addition to that, as our bodies have been kept under wraps during the winter months and cool spring climate, our skin won't have been getting the TLC it needs. So now is the time to get our skin looking and feeling in tip-top condition before the big reveal in the sweltering heat of the summer. 1. EXFOLIATE It's super important to exfoliate before you tackle anything else as it makes hair removal easier, and the use of moisturising and tanning products more effective. Exfoliating is also important for removing and preventing ingrowing hairs, getting rid of scaly skin, and preventing blocked pores. For those of you who shave as part of your hair removal regime, exfoliating means that your razor won't get clogged with all that lovely, flaky skin! If your skin is a bit on the parched side, it will be more effective for you to use a scrub on dry, or slightly damp skin rather than sopping wet. Pay particular attention to heels, knees, and elbows. Find the scrub that works best for your skin, and you can also use a loofah if you wish. But remember NEVER to use a scrub or loofah designed for your body on your face - it's much too harsh. HOMEMADE EXFOLIANTS BODY BRUSHING 2. HAIR REMOVAL It goes without saying that summer clothes generally mean fuzz-free skin, paying close attention to legs, underarms and bikini line - especially if you're hitting the beach. There are a whole ton of hair removal methods - shaving, waxing, sugaring, epilating, depilatory creams,  or laser hair removal - so choose what works best for you. And if you're not able to get to the salon, don't fret as there's lots of methods and products that can be used in the comfort and privacy of your own home. AT-HOME HAIR REMOVAL METHOD 3. MINIMISE CELLULITE Urgh the dreaded dimply, orange-peel skin that strikes fear into the hearts of women everywhere! Cellulite has been the bane of many women's lives for more years than we care to remember. And while it's difficult to get rid of cellulite completely, it is possible to minimize the appearance of it. This is where diet and exercise can really play a role in minimizing cellulite. The key here is to stick to a diet that is rich in wholegrains, raw fruit and vegetables and oily fish and low in salt, caffeine, and processed fatty food (yes, all the things we love!) Oh yes, and to get exercising! There are also a lot of cellulite creams that reduce the appearance of cellulite by eliminating the toxins under your skin. And of course body brushing is fantastic for eliminating cellulite and getting rid of dry skin. Sadly it does feel like you're being attacked with brambles when you're just starting out but once you get passed this stage, you'll barely notice a thing and the results will be worth it! COFFEE SCRUB 4. MOISTURISE We know, we know - we're all a little lazy when it comes to moisturising. But if you want to keep skin looking young, supple, hydrated and flake-free then it's a must so regular moisturising is a stage that should never be skipped. There's some fantastic products out there in the form of lotions, oils, body butters, whipped body butters etc. But if you're a bit neglectful with the old moisturizing, then try adding some oil in your bath water for some much needed hydration. NATURAL MOISTURIZERS 5. ELIMINATE DARK PATCHES It would be delightful if we all had an even skin tone but in reality a lot of people don't. Toes, knees, elbows and knuckles are just some of the areas that typically tend to be a little bit darker than the rest of our bodies. There are creams available which even out skin tone, and you can naturally lighten these areas by rubbing  half a lemon over them for fifteen minutes a day. Yes, you'll feel a bit of a lemon while you're doing it but it does work! If you find lemon to be a bit harsh - and it's not something we'd recommend for your face especially if you have sensitive skin - then try potato juice. OTHER THINGS YOU CAN USE TO ELIMINATE OR REDUCE DARK PATCHES 6. BANISHING ACNE We really sympathise with people who have acne. And acne is a condition that can affect parts of your body other than your face such as your back, chest, shoulders, upper arms, and thighs. For severe acne conditions, a visit to the doctor will be in order, as well as paying close attention to your diet. But in terms of skincare, there are lots of things you can do. Changing to organic bath products that are SLS-free; using a body wash that contains tea tree oil; cleansing, toning and moisturising these areas the same way you would your face, and not using products that are in danger of clogging your pores. After exercising or in hot weather, try to get out of your sweaty clothes and shower as soon as possible. 7. TAN We all know the importance of staying out of the sun. But for some people, the appeal of a fake tan is that they feel healthier and look slimmer or more toned. Tanning products work best with smooth skin, so if you've followed all the previous steps, your product should go on easily and effectively with minimal risk of streaking. Build up your tan gradually every day or use one that develops overnight and lasts several days. And don't forget areas such as feet, ankles and fingers. And we have to say, we've seen some awful fake tan jobs (who hasn't!) so go easy on the product and aim to get a gorgeous, naturally-looking, sunkissed glow. 8. SUNSCREEN This is a step that is often neglected. Sunscreen is very important and should be used on your face all year round - not just in the summer. But during the summer months it's important to wear sunscreen on parts of the body that are exposed to the sun, and reapply as often as necessary, usually after every two hours or after swimming or sweating. Use the protection factor that is appropriate for your skin, and follow up with after sun. Bring on Summer! Photos: Pixabay Blog Graphics: Angel Noire