The Story Hive – The Home of Amazing Audio Stories

Frost loves The Story Hive. Amazing audio at your fingertips, and completely free!

The Story Hive is a brand new and COMPLETELY FREE audio story streaming platform. Pop onto the www.thestoryhive.co.uk platform from your mobile or laptop. Featuring the work of London based writer Phil Ryan.

You get access to hours of wonderful audio stories and novels for both adults and children alike, across a wide range of genres including mind body and spirit sections. You get guaranteed entertainment at the swipe of a finger. You get to leave the world behind just briefly.

But don’t take our word for it. Listen for yourself. Prepare to be entertained and enchanted. And best of all it won’t cost you a penny! In a world of corporate subscription platform models that now essentially starve creators it’s completely free – no sign up – no email – no marketing – just make a donation if you feel it’s worth it. Support independent authors.

Lord Bird (The Big Issue Founder) “Please flock in your thousands to The Story Hive: free audio storytelling to extend your imagination. It’s full of thrillers, romance, sci fi, comedy, observational and literary literature; even children’s stories. Ghost and horror sit side by side with these genres, so fear and fun go hand in hand. And no Phil Ryan hasn’t paid me to write this piece….”

Home Spa with RINGANA: your routine, your playground

I have fallen for Ringana. Their baby products are fantastic and I recently trialled their travel kit. The products work and they have no nasties in. I have had sensitive skin my entire life and these products never upset my skin. I love sustainability and freshness and Ringana are serving up both with a cherry on top. Top marks for this fantastic beauty brand.

Ringana, beauty review


Brand-new fresh products to expand your RINGANA beauty routine…

Right on time for the start of autumn, some fresh products have been added to RINGANA range, not only enhancing beauty routines, but also setting standards with regard to ageing care.

With three brand-new products – FRESH cleansing water, FRESH scrub face & body and our unique FRESH illuminating enzyme maskthe RINGANA cleansing and grooming steps are expanding, taking beauty routines to a whole new level.

In addition, the formulations of our two intensive better-ageing products, FRESH overnight face treatment and FRESH overnight body treatment, have been given a comprehensive update so they are now far more effective. And we’ve done all of this completely in keeping with our freshness and sustainability philosophy – just as you’d expect from RINGANA.

THREE FRESH PROSPECTS FOR YOUR BEAUTY ROUTINE

1) Highly concentrated cleansing with a long-term effect

Thorough cleansing should always be the first step in the morning and at night. To complement our well-known FRESH cleanser, we are now introducing our new FRESH cleansing water.

It contains micelles, formed by mild sugar tensides, that envelop and remove accumulated dirt such as residual make-up, helping to minimised blocked pores. The oil-free formulation is suitable for all skin types, but is particularly good for skin that’s oily or tends to impurities because its bioflavonoids refine the pores and regulate sebum production. Hyaluronic acid hydrates the skin, promoting a firm, youthful look. FRESH cleansing water can be rinsed off after application, or left on to do its work.

125ml for £21.92.

2) Smoother and more radiant in just a few minutes

We recommend that once or twice a week you expand your evening routine by adding a further cleansing step, using our brand-new FRESH illuminating enzyme mask or FRESH scrub face & body. Afterwards your skin will be perfectly primed for other subsequent steps of grooming, and ingredients will be able to penetrate more easily into the deeper layers of skin:

FRESH illuminating enzyme mask is a gentle exfoliant made of enzymes from papaya, pineapple and kiwi fruit which effectively removes impurities and excess sebum from the surface of the skin. At the same time, kaolinreduces fine lines and wrinkles. What’s special about the mask are the fruit-derived enzymesand PHA – a gentle polyhydroxy acid – which is also very well-tolerated by sensitive skin. Coriander and rosemary extract soothe the skin and have an antioxidant effect. This innovative combination is unique and represents a completely new way of exfoliating.

50ml for £34.10.

3) FRESH scrub face & body contains upcycled exfoliating grains from raspberry, blueberry, apricot and pomegranate and removes dead skin cells, while helping to regenerate the skin and stimulate skin renewal. Circulation is boosted and the skin also gets a natural, healthy look. In addition FRESH scrub face & body activates the body’s own production of collagen and elastin. Orange fruit waterhydrates the skin, while almond kernel oil and sesame oil groom the skin and make it supple.

200ml for £41.41.

The Beauty Tool Tackling Our Tech Neck With Red and Blue Light Therapy

Nora Ephron wrote a book on how much she hated her neck as she aged. I can relate to her as I sometimes look in the mirror and wonder if anything has changed. Which is why I wanted to review the Stylpro fabulous firmer. A very cool, small device that tackles tech neck. It’s easy to set up and use. I loved it actually and I feel like it made a difference. It was also fun to use.

It’s a fact that our necks are more susceptible to showing signs of premature ageing, as neck skin is much thinner, and has less oil-producing sebaceous glands, leaving it more vulnerable to lines and wrinkling. As we age, we produce less collagen and elastin in our face and neckline, putting us at higher risk of sagging, wrinkling and UV damage. While horizontal neck and face lines can be genetic, they can be accelerated by modern-day habits like having eyes on our devices (hey, Tech Neck), as well as lifestyle factors like weight changes, diet, and sun damage. ​

Upgrade your daily skincare regime with the STYLPRO Fabulous Firmer, £29.99. This handy little device brings the innovative technology of modern spa treatments straight to your home. ​

​It utilises a combination of heat, massage, and coloured light technology, to fight wrinkles, age spots, acne, and an uneven skin tone. What’s better than unlimited facials as you binge your fave Netflix series? The STYLPRO Fabulous Firmer boasts different settings offering red and blue light therapy, that prevents oil build-up to reduces acne and blackheads and stimulates the production of collagen to increase firmness and elasticity.​

7 Tips and Tricks for Planning Your First Backpacking Trip

Backpacking is a great way to get that much-needed fresh air, exercise, and a deserved escape from the stressful realities of life. However, heading out on a backpacking trip can be dangerous, if you don’t spend time planning beforehand. If you don’t know where to start, you’re in the right placesimply continue reading and observe these seven tips and tricks.

Keep it Simple

You want to enjoy your first backpacking experience, so it’s probably best to skip the several-day trip trekking up mountain faces. Instead, choose a well-traveled route that’s within your comfort zone. By choosing a popular backpacking destination, you’ve got more opportunities of asking someone for support if need be.

Set a Budget

Assuming you’ve never had to buy backpacking gear before, you could end up spending a fortune if you don’t set a strict budget before you begin shopping around. Have a look online at the type of gear you need and collect some rough estimates, and then build a budget from here. However, you have toremember extras including transportation, which will vary depending on where you’re going.

If you need to book flight tickets, be ready to save some money by comparing providers and having flexibility. An easy way to see flight prices is with Google Flights, which pulls information from several different airlines. However, there may be a lot of irrelevant results, so you should learn how to use filters, map view, and more.

Go with an Experienced Backpacker

Backpacking is always more enjoyable when you’re part of a group, so invite some of your more experienced friends along for the ride. Having someone with backpacking experience will help you feel more comfortable because they can support you with planning, packing, and making the most out of the trip.

Practice Navigation Techniques

Most people use Google Maps to get around these days, but you may not have a great signal out in the wilderness. Therefore, you need to spend time researching the lay of the land and learning how to use a map and compass. Both of these navigational skills will help you avoid getting lost, especially if you lose the beaten path. There are plenty of resources online or you can buy a detailed book from your nearest bookstore.

Learn Proper Gear Usage

If you’ve bought new gear for the trip, make sure you read the instruction manuals and get some practice in before you go. If you decide to wing it, it can have serious consequences. For example, if you need to use a water purification system but you’ve zero clue how to use it, you can end up seriously ill.

Prepare for the Weather

Before you set out on your backpacking adventure, make sure you check the weather forecast and pack appropriately. However, you should keep in mind that the weather can be volatile, so be sure to pack for a variety of weather conditions including blistering sun and ravaging storms.

Allow Plenty of Time to Pack

If you have a habit of leaving everything to the last minute, we suggest switching things up and leaving plenty of time to get packed. When you have time to revisit the packing, you’ll be much more confident you’ve remembered everything. To keep track of the packing, write a list and tick it off as you pack it.

If you follow the tips and tricks outlined above, you’ll feel a lot less stressed when you eventually head out on your first backpacking trip. Remember, although trekking through the Amazon rainforest might sound appealing, you should keep your first trip as simple as possible.

 

The Best Toys To Get Your Child Away From a Screen

fishing game, wooden, toyCatch A Bug Wooden Fishing Game, £25 from KikkerlandMagnetic fishing game with 2 rods and 11 pieces

This is one of my children’s favourite games. It had them entertained for hours. Can’t recommend it enough. 

Stack & Mix Wooden Building Blocks, £25 from KikkerlandStack, mix and build your own cool funny characters. The combinations are endless.

Children love to build blocks and these are bright, fun and excellent quality. 

Geomag Glow Eco Recycled 25 Piece Magnetic Building Set. You can’t beat Geomag for fun, extra excitement because it glows in the dark.

The Geomag Classic 100% Recycled line dedicated to everyone who wants to play with an explosion of colors delights even the most demanding of creative spirits. With Glow you can watch as your Geomag models light up in the dark thanks to the GLOW effect. What’s more, the practical storage boxes to keep the rods and spheres in neatly, as well as always with you, are also made of recycled plastic. The Glow 25-piece set includes 12 spheres, 12 magnetic rods and 1 plastic base.

A Water Pistol is a classic. My oldest child said playing with water pistols is ‘more fun than Nintendo.’ High praise indeed. 


A Bubble Gun. You can’t go wrong with one. It gives hours of fun to children. 

allplants NEW Gut Health Bundle

I have been interested in gut health for a long time now and love plant based food. So I was excited to try the new allPlants Gut Health bundle. I’m a busy working mum and need convenience in my life.

The meals are easy to prepare. You put them in the microwave and they’re ready within minutes. They taste delicious and I felt healthy after eating them. The recipes are imaginative and have a good mix of things in them. It’s great to not have to compromise on health for the sake of convenience. Highly recommended.

Allplants, gut health, bundle, health, plant,

Just in time for summer, allplants have launched their NEW Gut Health Booster Bundle, a selection of their best dishes that pack in all the nutrients you need for optimal gut health, combining high-protein, vibrant, delicious plant-based ingredients, without skipping on flavour.
Ever-increasing in popularity, gut health has become a buzzword in the wellness sphere, and for good reason. allplants’ in-house nutritionist, Bethan Cummings, explains: “The gut plays a really important role in absorbing and utilising essential nutrients that the body needs for several dierent functions. This includes boosting our metabolism & energy production.”
Experts at The Gut Stu shared with our team: “Over the years, more and more research has suggested we may be able to modify our microbiome simply through what we eat. Exciting recent research has identified microbes that are strongly and consistently linked to dietary patterns. The research found a wide variety of dietary fibre from plant based sources is key to support a healthy gut microbiome.”
Our guts are home to trillions of good bacteria that help to keep them in working order. When they’re running at full capacity, we can feel the benefits across our entire body; and this can have a huge impact on fitness performance and training. “With a weakened or unhealthy gut, you’re less able to fully absorb the nutrients in the food you consume. These nutrients are essential to produce the optimum energy, focus & endurance needed for a successful workout, without them, this could have a knock-on eect on your fitness progress and health in general.” Bethan Cummings, nutritionist.

Tim Spector, leading scientist and co-founder of personalised nutrition service ZOE, suggests eating 30 dierent plants per week for optimal gut health, in order to reap the nutritional benefits from a variety of plants. The allplants gut health bundle allows you to achieve this in just three dishes from the bundle.
The Gut Health Booster Bundle includes:
● Smoky Corn + Spanish Rice Bowl
● Harissa Cauliflower Grain Bowl
● Rainbow Nourish Bowl
● Miso + Tamari Tofu Bowl
● Aubergine + Split Pea Stew
● Smoky Soul Chilli
● Kale + Chickpea Daal
● Breakfast Berry Superfood Smoothie
● Mango + Greens Superfood Smoothie
“The allplants Gut Health Booster Bundle contains a huge variety of plants; you’re truly eating the rainbow, which is essential for energising & supporting our gut microbiome. The Rainbow Nourish Bowl contains 14 dierent types of plants alone, including Beetroot, Broccoli & Chickpeas which are packed with gut loving fibre, amazing for maintaining a healthy gut. Not to forget, this dish contains gut-thriving Miso Tempeh, which encourages the growth of friendly bacteria in our immune system.” Bethan Cummings, allplants nutritionist.
Like all their meals, allplants’ dishes are 100% plant-based, chef-made and delivered to your door – and insanely delicious. The dishes are flash-frozen, ensuring nutrition and taste are locked in. Customers simply reheat and voila – you’ll have a delicious, healthy meal right when you need them most. No last-minute dinner decisions; no sad on-the-go lunches.
The gut health bundle retails at £36.86 – a saving of 25% – and qualifies for free delivery online, available without subscription.

The Life-Changing Magic of a Little Bit of Mess by Kerri Sackville

Billed as ‘the only domestic bible you’ll need’, The Life-Changing Magic of a Little Bit of Mess goes beyond that. In a world where, mostly women, are told it’s aspirational to spend our time putting dry goods into mason jars to make our pantries pretty, the book takes a heavy subject and handles it with humour and wisdom.

As a mother of young children I loved this book and it’s sound advice. No one wishes they did more housework on their deathbed.

Kerri Sackville takes her keen eye and dissects #homeinspo influencers and  points out that clutter can be good, amongst other things.  This book, for all of it’s humour, is an essential read. I can’t recommend it enough.

The life-changing magic of a little bit of mess

There is nothing more satisfying than a beautifully organised home! say the #homeinspo influencers.

In an era of decluttering gurus, cleaning bloggers and aspirational pantries, Kerri Sackville has studied the evidence and declared, ‘Nah, way too much trouble.’

Instead, she has embraced domestic imperfection and discovered the life-changing magic of letting your standards slip.

In this, her magnum opus, Kerri explains why cleanliness is not next to godliness, why decluttering is the enemy of joy and why no-one cares about your messy bedroom.

With affirmations for the mess-challenged (#DisarrayIsOkay!), cleaning hacks that actually work (*Don’t Have Children), and recipes for people who hate washing up (Step One: download a meal delivery app), this book will inspire you to tear off those rubber gloves, put down the sponge and take a nap.

Whether you have surrendered in your war on dust or are still bravely fighting for ordered folds in fitted sheets, The Life-changing Magic of a Little Bit of Mess is a welcome dose of #inspo that transports you to the joyous world of imperfection. Because no one has ever looked back on their life and wished they’d spent more time scrubbing the floors.

Quitting Smoking: 3 Ways to Cope with Withdrawal

Although more people know about the harm of smoking, many people continue to smoke across the world. As estimated in the Journal of Smoking Cessation, around 40% of smokers in England make at least one quit attempt in any given year, with most being unaided. However, in many cases, smoking cessation fails– with some quit attempts lasting less than a day. This high failure rate is primarily due to the addictive nature of smoking, inducing withdrawal when a smoker stops their habits.

Quit smoking
Very few smokers can quit without having the urge to smoke. Common withdrawal symptoms include cravings, irritability, appetite changes, constipation, and difficulty concentrating— all of which can negatively affect daily life and make smoking cessation more difficult. However, even if staying smoke-free is hard, it’s not impossible with the right tools and methods. Below are four ways to cope with withdrawal and quit cigarettes for good.

Nicotine replacement therapy


Overcoming your cravings is one of the biggest challenges of a quitting smoker, so there’s nothing wrong with using nicotine cessation products. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) uses products like nasal inhalers, nicotine patches, and nicotine pouches that contain lower dosages of nicotine than cigarettes, allowing you to ease cravings. Nicotine pouches are becoming increasingly popular around the world, with global tobacco companies British American Tobacco and Philip Morris International heavily investing in pouch brands. Online retailer Prilla showcases the different nicotine pouches from ZYN, VELO, On!, and Rogue, with each brand targeting a slightly different market that allows smokers to easily match their nicotine habit to specific pouches. For example, you can choose various flavours and strengths according to your preferences, from the popular cool mint to tobacco-flavoured options.

Another alternative is nicotine gum. NRT maker FertinPharma has a wide selection of products, including chewing gums and tablets. In 2020, the company produced nearly three billion NRT doses that have helped more than 3.2 million people reduce and quit smoking— showcasing the effectiveness of these smoking cessation products.

Seek counselling


Connecting with loved ones can be a great way to get through the struggles of tobacco cravings. But in some cases where a smoker is struggling, it may be more effective to have a counselling specialist. A study from BMC Primary Care compared the effectiveness of counselling between a general practitioner and an intensive counselling group programme. Final results showed that the latter was more effective in boosting quit rates by 5.8 %, especially when done in lieu of pharmacotherapy.

If you struggle with relapse, it’s best to seek counselling on behavioural therapy. Professionals can aid you with strategies to better control your environment and reduce the severity of your withdrawal symptoms. At the same time, they can also offer encouragement and guidance on challenging days, allowing you to better navigate tempting triggers and address them in healthy ways.

Pick up a new hobby


Many people habitually smoke to relax from the hustle and bustle of daily life. But when quitting, withdrawal can easily ruin the mood. It’s necessary to cope with these negative feelings to avoid going into relapse, so it’s important to invest time into new things that replace cigarette use.

One way to replace this bad habit is to take up a healthier and more productive one. Be careful to avoid idle activities that you used to associate with smoking, such as watching television or drinking. Instead, it’s best to take your mind off cravings by being active, such as gardening, solving puzzles, or engaging in exercise. These activities can also help you ease any stress, lessening the temptation to smoke.

All smokers who stop smoking will inevitably face withdrawal symptoms. But by taking the right and healthy methods to overcome these tobacco cravings, smokers are more likely to successfully quit for good. For more lifestyle advice, we have plenty more articles to read at Frost Magazine.

Article written by Corey Holland.