HEALTH

Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

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Those who know us well enough know that we like to start the day with a mug of warm water with a squeeze of lemon and a shot of apple cider vinegar (ACV). Although this sounds rather strange there is a long list of health benefits, ranging from fending off colds to preventing indigestion… read on to find out more!

  1. Probiotic properties and gut health: ACV is made from fermented apple juice and as a result, like many other fermented foods, unpasteurised ACV contains probiotics (bacteria that supports gut health). If you’ve had to take antibiotics it is important that you re-balance your healthy flora with probiotics afterwards, as antibiotics indiscriminately kill all bacteria – good and bad.
  1. Helping to clear sinuses: the potassium it contains helps to thin mucus and it’s acetic acid properties help to prevent bacteria that contribute to nasal congestion.
  1. Mouth cleansing: the vinegar helps to kill bacteria in your mouth and gums, helping your mouth taste and feel fresher.
  1. Aids digestion: ACV contains pectin, which helps the body break down foods. Drinking a little in water 30 minutes or so before a meal could help to improve digestion.
  1. Feel fuller for longer: Several studies have shown that ingesting apple cider vinegar can increase satiety.

So, the benefits of adding apple cider vinegar to your diet far outweigh the taste (of which we actually quite like now). However, if you don’t feel brave enough to drink it on its own with hot water as we do, then you can try adding a little honey with it or, alternatively, there are plenty of other ways in which to incorporate it into your diet such as homemade mayonnaise and salad dressings.

Our favourite brand is Willy’s Apple Cider Vinegar. It’s organic, made in Herefordshire, UK and tastes so much better than other brands. They have a Honey infused ACV (photographed below) as well as a Honey & Tumeric ACV with black pepper (for better absorption of Curcumin) and a Fire Cider ACV. They also do 60ml shots for on-the-go as well as a range of kombucha drinks.

Top tip: Always dilute ACV, never drink it straight.

 

Herbfarmacy

Herbfarmacy

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Herbfarmacy 

I first discovered Herbfarmacy when researching some local companies to Herefordshire – where I (Charlotte) now live.

I subsequently saw a beautiful display of their natural organic skincare at my local farm shop (how did I miss it before?) and decided that I had to get in touch with them.

Everything that Herbfarmacy create is certified organic by the Soil Association. In their words: “Organic means working with the delicate balance and rhythms of nature, from the soil, to plants and wildlife. We oversee every stage of the plant’s journey, sowing and harvesting each flower by hand and blending the herbal oils to create our signature organic skin care products.” Which we at The Wild Co. think is just great!


Herbfarmacy ethics are at the forefront of their agenda and we like this a lot! The headlines:

GOOD, WHOLESOME ORGANIC INGREDIENTS

TAKING A STAND AGAINST ANIMAL TESTING

EARTH FRIENDLY

PLASTIC FREE PLEDGE

FAIR RIGHTS, FAIR PAY

SUPPORTING LOCAL CHARITIES

KIND ON SKIN

Herbfarmacy products here: Lip Nurse, Enriching Body Oil, Refining Exfoliator, Nourishing face cream. (Mmm dreaming of a hot bubble bath so I can try out these amazing organic products!)

Photo by ‘Ana goes Green.’

We love the Herbfarmacy website, branding and the marketing of their products. Herbfarmacy is like a local Neil’s Yard and at The Wild Co. we love to and always try to shop local wherever possible. Check out their gorgeous instagram feed and follow them here.

Paul Richards, the man behind Herbfarmacy has a great passion for plants, their powerful properties and provenance, which led him to establish his own farm some 30 years ago.

The Herbfarmacy team work hard to keep their plants happy, healthy, fresh and free from anything artificial on their five-acre farm in Herefordshire. Herbfarmacy say “Every plant we grow enjoys the very best nutrients from our rich organic soil. For us, purity is key – purity in the way we make each product: hand sowing and nurturing the organic seedlings, to hand picking and harvesting the plants when they’re at their very best. And we don’t stop there. Once we’ve picked the plants, they’re carefully steeped in oil or water. Each herb is infused for as long as is needed to harness the maximum benefit of the plant for use in our products.”

Doesn’t this just sound dreamy? We think so. We can’t wait to visit the farm either. Herbfarmacy offer open days so that we can visit their very special farm.

Herbfarmacy have such beautiful packaging and they also do gift sets!

They say: “At Herbfarmacy we never rush. Our plants are always given the time they need to reach their full potential, so we can harvest the very best ingredients. They say that good things come to those who wait and at Herbfarmacy, we couldn’t agree more. We wait for nature so we can grow, create and deliver the finest, purest and most powerful skincare for your customers.”

I think we are going to find it hard to leave such a wonderful place when we finally get to visit. I feel very lucky to have something so wonderful on my doorstep in the beautiful countryside of Herefordshire.

Herbfarmacy even do samples of all of their skincare products for less than a pound so that you can try before you buy. They have so many marvellous products, sometimes it is difficult to know which ones are most suitable for you. We are big fans of try before you buy – brownie points!

What a beautiful quote taken from the Herbfarmacy website:

“ADOPT THE PACE OF NATURE; HER SECRET IS PATIENCE”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

A new post will follow soon with a full review of the products once we have tried and tested them. Watch this space and stay in touch.

The Wild Co.

Fresh Super Food Supplements

Fresh Super Food Supplements

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Pure foods kindly sent us a sample of their fresh Spirulina and Moringa to try out, which we were very excited about! Pure foods started with a vision of providing people with ethical and highly nutritional foods sourced from around the world. Spirulina and Moringa are two of the most nutritionally dense superfoods in the world. Taking supplements in powder or tablet form means that you lose a lot of the nutritional content, so Pure foods deliver it to you fresh to make sure that the goodness isn’t lost!

What is Spirulina and what is its health benefits?

Spirulina is a green-coloured algae that is rich in minerals, vitamins, protein and antioxidants. Whilst more research is needed, studies suggest many health benefits. For example, Spirulina may improve immunity, protect against allergic reactions, support probiotic health.

What is Moringa and what is its health benefits?

Moringa trees originated in the foothills of the Himilayas, and have been used in traditional Indian medicine for years. The seeds, pods and flowers are used in food (blended into drinks, added to salads or steamed!). So much more research is needed into the benefits of this superfood and researchers have only just started uncovering a fraction of their health benefits. Rich in protein, vitamin C, iron and magnesium and antioxidants, this superfood may reduce cholesterol, inflammation, immunity and boost your energy!

What are our thoughts?

We loved juicing up my green veg and then blizting through Spirulina or Moringa. Last Sunday morning I made a mean green juice (cucumber, ginger, pear, apple, celery and spinach), the added a cube of moringa. It added a creamy yet subtle taste is a great addition to your smoothie or juice!

Check out the pure foods website for more info, recipes and to order your own Spirulina and Moringa!

NEAL’S YARD BEAUTY PRODUCTS

NEAL’S YARD BEAUTY PRODUCTS

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Neal’s Yard beauty products

Neal’s Yard were kind enough to send us some of their lovely products – Wild Rose Beauty Balm and White Tea Facial Mist. Neal’s Yard, who opened their doors in 1981, specialise in natural skin and health care and push against the synthetic, chemical approach to beauty products. So we were very excited to try out their goodies.

Wild Rose Beauty Balm

Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, this lovely, multi-use balm made with wild rosehip seed oil is perfect for nourishing and protecting your skin and comes with a muslin cloth! We loved using it on our lips and face when they were feeling dry but it has multiple uses! It’s top 5 are:

Exfoliating cleanser
Use with the enclosed organic muslin cloth for a gently exfoliating radiance boost

Intense moisture boost
After cleansing, massage in to keep skin moisturised.

Balancing facial mask
Apply to clean skin. Steam infuse by covering your face with a hand-hot damp muslin cloth for 10 minutes. You can relax for further 30 minutes if you’re looking for an extra boost.

Nurturing lip balm
Nourishes lips to help prevent dryness and chapping.

Nourishing nail balm
Massage into the cuticles to encourage strong nail growth.

White Tea Facial Mist

The White Tea Facial Mist was absolutely delicious (not edible though), so refreshing and can be even be spritzed over makeup to calm and rehydrate. It’s blend of aloe vera and and antioxidant rich white tea make for an award winning combo which we loved! We keep it in the fridge for an even more refreshing spritz in warm weather.

OPTIMISE YOUR TAN FROM WITHIN

OPTIMISE YOUR TAN FROM WITHIN

Imedeen

Imedeen is a beauty supplement that helps maintain healthy hair and nails. The aim of this oral tablet is to nourish the body from within, which is one of our main focuses at The Wild Co. Imedeen have a number of different products depending on age and skin type but this post focuses on just two: hair and nails and tan optimizer.

 

I wanted to try out Imedeen’s tan optimizer product as I was going to the Caribbean for 45 days and was hoping to get a great tan. You have to take this supplement a month before travelling to get the best results; I didn’t get the supplements until a week before I left but decided to try them out any way. The tan optimizer suppliants contain carotene, which our body converts into vitamin A, which we need for healthy skin.

Tan optimizer tablets work from within to help: Prepare skin for the sun, protect cells from oxidative stress (using Vitamin C and E), support normal skin health.

I have certainly come back to the UK very bronzed and unlike ever before, my skin did not peel – not even once! (Even after I got seriously burnt one day and looked like a lobster!) Despite the strong winds, sea air and salt water, my hair remained quite shiny (as shiny as curly blonde hair goes) and my nails remained strong. I have now switched to Imedeen’s hair and nails to maintain a healthy appearance.

Imedeen’s hair and nails supplements contain Biotin and Zinc:
Biotin is also a nutrient that helps us keep a young, attractive appearance since it plays a major part in maintaining the health of our hair, nails and skin. (1)
Zinc plays a role in immune function, protein synthesis, synthesis and cell division (2), all of which are important for looking radiant.

The Imedeen representative that I spoke to in Boots pharmacy was living proof that the products work. Josephine’s skin was so radiant and glowing; her hair was soft and shiny and her completion was flawless. This is a photo of her nails after using hair and nails for four months – incredible!

Willy’s Apple Cider Vinegar

Willy’s Apple Cider Vinegar

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At The Wild Co. we like to start the day with a mug of hot water with a shot of apple cider vinegar (ACV). Although this sounds (and tastes) a little strange there is a long list of benefits, ranging from fending off colds to preventing indigestion… read on to find out more!


Probiotic properties and gut health: ACV is made from fermented apple juice and as a result, like many other fermented foods, unpasteurised ACV contains probiotics (bacteria that supports gut health). If you’ve had to take antibiotics it is important that you re-balance your healthy flora with probiotics afterwards, as antibiotics indiscriminately kill all bacteria – good and bad.

Helping to clear sinuses: the potassium it contains helps to thin mucus and it’s acetic acid properties help to prevent bacteria that contribute to nasal congestion.

Mouth cleansing: the vinegar helps to kill bacteria in your mouth and gums, helping your mouth taste and feel fresher.

Aids digestion: ACV contains pectin, which helps the body break down foods. Drinking a little in water 30 minutes or so before a meal could help to improve digestion.

Feel fuller for longer: Several studies have shown that ingesting apple cider vinegar can increase satiety.

So, the benefits of adding apple cider vinegar to your diet far outweigh the taste (of which we actually quite like now!). However, if you don’t feel strong enough to drink it on its own with hot water as we do then you can try adding honey, or alternatively, there are plenty of other ways in which to incorporate Willy’s ACV into your diet.

See Willy’s recipe cards below.

You can buy Willy’s ACV here

Willy's recipe cards

  • Rescue Remedy

    Rescue Remedy

  • Rejuvenating Morning Detox

    Rejuvenating Morning Detox

  • Invigorating Salad Dressing

    Invigorating Salad Dressing

Images are both our own and taken from the Chase website.
SKIN CARE: GET THAT GLOW!

SKIN CARE: GET THAT GLOW!

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So we all know some basic guidelines to looking after our skin: drink lots of water, get enough sleep and cut down on the amount of sugar in your diet. But we thought we’d share 3 things that we think might help to give your skin that boost! They are as follows:

  1. Good fats. Eating foods high in essentially fatty acids and Vitamin E can help to promote skin growth and reduce free radical damage. Foods such as avocado, salmon, oats, pumpkin seeds and walnuts, for example, are full of goodness. We also love Viridian Beauty oil, which you can add to salads, smoothies or oats at breakfast!
  2. Toning after cleansing. Toning helps to remove any excess dirt or makeup left on the skin after cleansing. Toner also helps to soothe and rebalance the skin, as tap water (which contains chemicals) can be harsh. For these reasons it’s super important to tone your face after cleansing, gently sweeping your chosen toner over your face using a cotton pad.
  3. Face masks. Using a face mask made from natural ingredients can be a great way to leave your skin feeling soft and nourished. We love whipping up a quick mask of oats, manuka honey and a tiny bit of boiled water. Apply to clean skin and leave on for 15 minutes before gently rinsing off. Other examples of things you can use on your face are bananas, yogurt and egg!

Useful links:

http://www.quinessence.com/blog/importance-of-cleansing-toning-and-moisturizing

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/eat-your-way-fabulous-skin

http://www.viridian-nutrition.com/

http://www.rd.com/health/beauty/homemade-facial-masks-recipes/

TOP TIPS FOR A BETTER NIGHT’S SLEEP

TOP TIPS FOR A BETTER NIGHT’S SLEEP

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We all know how it feels to be tossing and turning at night, unable to sleep – it’s torture! Sleep is so important for many reasons. Lack of sleep leads to an inability to focus, loss of memory and mood-swings. Sleep is a time for your body and mind to regenerate and recuperate from daily, ongoing and past stresses. There are so many things you can do to increase sleep quality and we wanted to share some with you..

  1. Reading – Switch computer screens for a good book. Reading is one of the best ways to unwind from daily stresses and escape reality by getting lost in another world. Reading is actually prescribed by doctors to those who suffer from depression and anxiety with positive feedback from patients who have tried it. Studies show that those who read before bed are smarter and produce better test results than those who don’t.
  2. A hot bath – This causes your temperature to rise and then fall afterwards, helping you to relax. Your body needs to reduce temperature before it can sleep; this naturally occurs around two hours before you go to sleep – another reason why having a bedtime routine is vital.  However, it is important that you don’t bathe right before jumping into bed, as your body temperature will stay elevated and your mind alert, making it difficult to sleep. Allow your body temperature to cool, then hit the sack!
  3. Calming tea – Our favourite sleepy tea is ‘Night Time’ from a local organic tea company – Pukka! It combines a sleepy crush of oat flower, soothing lavender, and silky-sweet limeflower together with the magic of valerian. Another herbal favourite is chamomile – the perfect plant to calm you before sleep. You can easily make Chamomile tea yourself by drying out the flowers before brewing them. However, steer clear of caffeinated teas (such as green tea) which may keep you awake!
  4. Yoga – One of the best ways to calm the body and mind, release stress and tension as well as meditate. So roll out your mat and do 5-10 minutes before bed (we’ve put a link to a short, relaxing yoga sequence below).
  5. Be physically active during the day – There are countless studies to evidence an improvement in sleep after exercise. Research has found that when physical activity is carried out during the day people have increased sleep duration, less mid-night wake ups and are able to go to sleep earlier. Research has also found that people feel less sleepy during the day when they had done more exercise.
  6. Ditch certain supplements/caffeine – Be careful what you put in your body, some supplements will keep you awake all night and they don’t even warn you on the packet – do your research and find out which time of day is best to take your supplements. As for caffeine, it’s a no brainer – no caffeine in the afternoon to be safe and no more than two cups of coffee a day. You could even try cutting it out completely to see if  this helps!
  7. No eating after 8pm – If your stomach is still working hard to digest your food, when will it have time to rest and recuperate? An overly full stomach causes lack of sleep, which can slow down your metabolism and make you gain weight.
  8. Reduce blue LCD screen light – Avoid screens when possible or use a red filter to eliminate the damaging blue LED screen light (we use Flux) and invert the colours as well as reduce the white point on your mobile phone.

Summary:

A winding-down ritual can help people fall asleep faster and enjoy a better quality of sleep throughout the night. Avoid screens and relax by taking a bath or reading a book.  We find that it is most effective to try as many of the above tips and tricks as possible in combination.

Useful links:

Reading
She knows: reading before bed is good for you

Bathing

Oprah: How-Many-Hours-Of-Sleep

Yoga

Yoga For Sleep Easy Bedtime Yoga | 5 Minute Miracle

Physical Activity/Sleep study

Sleep foundation

Withings

WHAT TO DRINK WHEN YOU’RE NOT DRINKING

WHAT TO DRINK WHEN YOU’RE NOT DRINKING

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Much to most people’s bemusement I don’t really drink and often joke that I’m teetotal (as I pretty much am!). Whilst I love a gin and tonic every now and again, I am wary of drinking too often. So, what can you drink when you’re not drinking? After doing a little bit of research, we came across Seedlip’s beautiful website boasting the world’s first non-alcoholic spirits and just had to try them! They’ve created two award-winning flavours – Spice and Garden and even provide 10 lovely little drink recipes – 5 for each flavour. The spirits are made in a copper distil, inspired by those used to make non-alcoholic herbal remedies.


We were lucky enough to have been sent some beautiful micro basil and flowers from Nurtured in Norfolk to garnish our drinks with. The flower wheel we received included: Buzz Buttons, Lavender, Violas, Cornflowers (petals can be pulled off for a different kind of decoration), Snap Dragons (one of their larger flowers), Tiny Tagetes (orange in colour and one of their smaller flowers) and Bellis Daisies (small/sturdy daisies).

The Cress/Leaves wheel we received included: Lemon Balm, Micro Thyme (to compliment the drink with Thyme in), Butterfly Sorrel Leaves, Cut Tendril Peas, Peruvian Marigold Cress (small delicate cress with a citrus flavour), Bronze Fennel (small bushy leaf) and Amaranth (small red cress).

Seedlip Spice & Tonic
We paired this with a curl of orange peel and tiny tagetes flowers from Nurtured in Norfolk, which looked amazing. The Lemon balm is also a perfect accompaniment for this drink with it’s citrusy flavours.

Seedlip Garden & Elderflower Tonic
We paired this with curls of cucumber and a buzz button per drink which, when eaten, give off the strangest tingling sensation on the tongue. We also suggest adding Micro Thyme to this drink, to bring out the botanical thyme flavour.

We love that Seedlip are challenging the notion of feeling like we have to drink alcoholic, sugar filled drinks by giving us an alternative and Nurtured in Norfolk’s beautiful flowers and micro-cress provide the perfect finishing touch.

Useful Sites:
https://www.seedlipdrinks.com/
https://thechallengerproject.com/blog/2015/seedlip
http://www.nurturedinnorfolk.co.uk/

Website copyright The Wild Co.