The Berry Company have launched their latest product, the delicious Green Tea and Blueberry juice blend with Aronia and Juniper extract.
The new light and refreshing juice blend is gluten-free and vegan-friendly, made from all natural ingredients without any added sugars or sweeteners.
The juice will be available on The Berry Company website for just £2.25 for a one litre carton.
As a mother there are a number of dates that I will remember for the rest of my life , the dates and times my children were born and the day I met my partner, now I have another date to add to that list , this one is morbid and terrifying ,Saturday April 23rd 2022.
I attended what was supposed to be a routine eye appointment, I wanted to postpone it as my daughter wanted to go shopping and spend her birthday money , I mentioned this to my mother and she said “No Natalie you need a eye test , your eyesight is getting worse and you’re having headaches daily, you need new glasses which you will only get from a eye test, I will take you both shopping tomorrow” Knowing that my mother was right I agreed and went to my eye appointment. The ophthalmologist asked if my eye sight was significantly worse , if I was having headaches , dizziness or tinnitus to which I answered yes to all , she then proceeded to carry out the exam as usual at the end she informed me that my optic nerves appeared swollen and she has made me a urgent referral to see a ophthalmologist at a local hospital for more in depth testing , she assured me it was probably nothing she was just be cautious.
The day of my hospital appointment came a couple of weeks later and I had so many tests , including a ultrasound on both of my eyes a MRI scanand pictures taken , three hours later I went home and awaited a phone call as the ophthalmologist needed to discuss the results with a colleague, I wasn’t worried as my eyesight has always been
unique and either baffled or fascinated opticians that I saw. The following morning I had a phone call and I was told I need to return to hospital ASAP because my MRI scan showed I have a series of clots on my brain which is extremely rare and is called Cerebral Venious Sinus Thrombosis (CVST) My heart sank, my blood ran cold , I was terrified and I’m not ashamed to admit it but I cried , I didn’t cry infront of my mother, children or partner because I didn’t want to worry them or for them to see how scared I was.
After a two day stay at hospital I returned home with new medications and referrals to haematology, neurology and opthalmology. For three days I had to inject blood thinners into my stomach twice a day until my oral anticoagulants kicked in.
In the 5 months since then I have been back to the hospital 10 times and have had a handful of telephone consultations. In July I was also diagnosed with intercranial hypertension (high pressure in my brain). Earlier this month I had a lumbar puncture to test my cerebal spinal fluid and I am awaiting the results. The first few months were tricky as I noticed I would slur or stutter when I talk , struggle with hand eye coordination and my attention span was short.
The initial cause of my clots was thought to be a combination of being on the contraceptive pill, having covid , having the covid vaccine and my weight. I will be having blood tests done soon to see if I have a blood disorder.
In August my symptoms had gone , I still got headaches but not daily I received the amazing news that my clots were gone , unfortunately since the end of September my symptoms have started to return and I worry that another clot has arose.
My parents partner and friends have been an amazing support to me and continue to be , I couldn’t do this without them. I always have someone to talk to if I need reassurance or am feeling anxious. I am so lucky to have an amazing supportive network around me. I can not fault the NHS at all , the care I’ve recieved has been faultless and swift. I am so grateful that my mum convinced me to go to my eye appointment and the ophthalmologist was thorough. I have joined a CVST support group on Facebook where I can talk to others that are experiencing what I am which is a great help to me.
My advice to those that are reading this is if you’re on the contraceptive pill then make sure that you have routine appointments, if you have persistent headaches talk to your GP and if they prescribe you medication foe them and it doesn’t help keep going back until something does help, attend eye appointments and listen to your mothers.
Having CVST has changed me both physically and mentally, I have lost 11kg and counting, I try not to stress about things I can not change like I used to, I’ve always been thankful for my parents but now I’m even more thankful ,
they’ve been amazing. And I take the small wins when I get them. Its been a long road and it’s not over yet but with the help of those around me I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I love music and have always found it motivating. I can’t exercise without it. So this wasn’t a surprise: Picking the right tracks will boost performance, drive weight loss needs and help to keep your exercise routine on track, says new research.
Everyone knows that motivation is one of the biggest barriers when it comes to improving and maintaining physical fitness — and this is underlined in new data commissioned by Deep Freeze and Deep Heat – the muscle and joint care experts. The real-world data shows that nine out of ten people (88%) struggle to find the motivation to exercise more, with just over a third (35%) saying this is ‘often’ a challenge.
Listening to music that gets them moving is the most common strategy people use (34%). Personal trainer Chris Ruxton from Deep Freeze and Deep Heat, says: “Music can be an incredibly effective motivational tool, particularly for activities like running where it’s important to settle into a rhythm. Music also has an impact on your Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) — so when you’re listening to tracks you like you can push yourself more. That’s important for any exercise plan, and it’s essential for an event a Marathon which demands endurance and stamina.”
In fact research has found those who listened to their preferred tracks as they cycled clocked up more kilometres than they did without music.[2]
Fitness friends: Partnering up with a training buddy also boosts performance. Sports scientists call this the Kohler Effect, and it kicks in when a team player lifts their performance way beyond any previous personal best because they are determined not to let their side down.[3]
The latest snapshot of UK fitness strategies from Deep Freeze reveals:
Health and fitness journalist Lucy Gornall is one of the many first-timers tackling a Marathon. “It’s something I need to tick off my list,” she says. And she’s a big fan of finding a training buddy. “It makes training more enjoyable and makes you accountable to someone else. If you’ve agreed to meet at 7am no one wants to be the person who lets a friend down.
“A lot of my friends like training with me because they know I will push them to do more, and if I train with a guy, I know it’s going to push me to do more, you work that bit harder and can often learn new things.”
What moves us? The new real world Deep Freeze research shows the nation’s favourite activities are walking (78%) and running (24%), so it’s no surprise that the most common sites for an injury are the ankles, with 29% reporting a previous injury confirming ankle issues, followed by 27% with knee problems and 24% with leg injuries. Overall, a third of those who were surveyed (34%) had suffered an exercise-related injury.
“It’s easy to see why muscular and joint health problems are so common” says physiotherapist and an advisor to Deep Freeze and Deep Heat, Sammy Margo. “Huge numbers of people put themselves at risk of injury by failing to warm-up before they exercise and by failing to cool down properly afterwards.”
The new Deep Freeze research shows that only a third (34%) of adults warm up before exercise and even fewer, just 29%, cool down after a workout.
Sammy Margo says, “This lack of care for muscle health is a recipe for injuries. Warming up and cooling down properly reduces the risk of injury as well as DOMS — delayed onset muscle soreness which is also associated with challenging workouts and pushing yourself to your limits. We know the Marathon can be a big motivator, but if you’re new to running it’s important to address any previous muscular or joint health problems and stiffness and take the time to warm up and cool down properly. The right warm-up increases blood flow and helps to loosen any tight areas and stiffness or adhesions as a result of past injuries. It also enhances your flexibility, elasticity and mobility.”
Prepare for success: Joint and muscle discomfort is very much commonplace. Seven in ten of those polled have experienced some form of muscle health challenges, with the back (38%), legs (31%) and shoulders (28%) the most frequent trouble-spots. Almost two thirds (62%) of those surveyed have suffered a muscle strain or sprain and just over half (52%) have experienced muscle discomfort for no apparent reason — and curiously, it’s younger adults who are the most likely to report this.
Sammy Margo says, “Dealing with any joint and muscle health twinges, and preventing this in the first place, is essential for any exercise plan or training schedule to succeed. In the immediate aftermath of an injury cooling therapies for the first 72 hours, like Deep Freeze Glide-on Gel, and rest, are the most effective way to soothe minor aches and discomfort.
“I always carry Deep Freeze Glide-on Gel because it’s so easy to apply and works instantly. The rollerball action helps you to target muscular and joint trouble spots and ensures the cooling gel really ‘hits the mark’.”
She advises, “After about 72 hours, switching to a warming therapy, such a topical application of Deep Heat Muscle Massage Roll-on lotion or an adhesive patch, will help with muscle recovery and rehabilitation. The key to any injury is to get on top of the problem as quickly as possible, and then to keep muscles as mobile as possible. Returning to exercise is important for muscle rehabilitation, but if you don’t deal with muscle and joint health challenges effectively, and protect your muscles and joints going forwards, training can easily trigger more issues.”
For a perfect preparation and post-exercise routine, personal trainer Chris Ruxton and Sammy Margo advise 12 easy ‘hacks’:
1. For an all-purpose warm-up when there is no inflammation, use Deep Heat Muscle Massage Roll-on to massage and lengthen the calf and thigh muscles, as well as targeting the sites where there is muscle adhesion or stiffness.
2. If you have any muscular or joint ‘trouble spots,’ apply Deep Freeze Glide-on Gel to the area well ahead of any exercise or training sessions to provide prolonged soothing relief while you work out.
Warm up for a total of 10 minutes, using simple aerobic movements which explore a range of movements:
3. March on the spot, then backwards and forwards, swinging your arms as you go.
4. Put one foot forward, heel first, and with the other leg slightly bent punch forward with both hands as you alternate this leg movement.
5. With your back straight and abs tight, do 30 knee lifts with your thigh at a right angle to your hip.
6. Roll your shoulders in each direction 10 times.
7. With your feet a shoulder-width apart and hands outstretched bend at the knee to lower yourself no more than 10cm, 10 times for each leg.
After your workout Chris Ruxton and Sammy Margo recommend a series of leisurely stretches to rid muscle tissue of lactic acid, lower the heart rate and reduce the risk of DOMS:
8. Hip Stretch: Put one foot forward , ease you weight into your straightened back leg and hold for 15 to 20 seconds to feel a stretch across your hip. Repeat with the other leg.
9. Quads Stretch: Keeping your knees together and trying not to lean to one side, hold the top of your left foot and gently pull the heel towards your bottom. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat with the other leg.
10. Hamstring Stretch: Put one foot forward, heel first and toes pointing upwards, bend the other knee with your hands on your hips. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat with the opposite leg.
11. Calf Stretch: With both feet pointing forwards, step forward and bend your front leg while pushing down with your rear, straightened leg. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat.
12. Finish off by using Deep Freeze Glide-on Gel to help cool tired muscles in the thighs, calves, and ankles and to target any niggles or trouble spots.
Chill-out with these Deep Freeze workout friends: It’s no wonder Deep Freeze is the UK’s top selling topical freeze brand. The Deep Freeze range delivers swift, scientifically proven relief from minor aches in muscles and joints. “As far as I’m concerned, they are a kit-bag essential,” says personal trainer Chris Ruxton.
I am a huge fan of both Deep Freeze and Deep Heat. I love the Deep Heat warming belts.
Deep Freeze – fast product summary
Deep Freeze Glide-on Gel provides scientifically proven cooling and soothing for backs, necks, shoulders, legs, and feet and works just like ice. Cooling therapy can decrease blood flow and may help calm minor aches in muscles and joints. As a result, Deep Freeze Glide-on Gel provides fast-acting cooling and non-medicinal soothing relief in a convenient and mess-free roll-on format. It can also be used alongside oral analgesics. £4.99 for 50g.
Deep Freeze Cold Patch is a non-medicinal and self-adhesive patch which provides scientifically proven cooling for up to three hours. It works like ice by cooling the desired area, helping to decrease blood flow and as a result calming and soothing the affected muscular or joint area. Ideal for backs, necks, shoulders, legs, and feet. Suitable for use in pregnancy too. £5.49 for a 4-patch pack.
Deep Freeze Cold Gel works like ice and helps cool and soothe minor aches in muscles and joints. A 100g tube is £4.49, also available in a purse- or pocket-size 35g tube.
Deep Freeze Cold Spray can be used immediately after exercise, or to provide an instant burst of targeted cooling relief for minor aches in muscles and joints. The no-fuss spray format allows application on hard-to-reach areas like the back, feet, and shoulders. £4.25 for 150ml.
Deep Heat – quick product guide
Deep Heat Muscle Massage Roll-on Lotion – a handy roll-on drug-free version, which combines massage with heat therapy to help ease tight, knotted muscles. It can be used before or after exercise. £24.99 for 50ml.
Deep Heat Pain Relief Heat Patch — a long-lasting, adhesive patch, which is drug-free, comfortable and odourless. £7.55 for a pack of 4 single patches.
New Deep Heat Warming Belt — a discrete, non-sticky warming belt with four large heat cells which provide up to 12 hours of deep penetrating warmth to relieve muscular aches, pains, and tension. Particularly useful for lower back or hip pain. £8.49; two belts per pack
[1] Perspectus Global omnibus survey of 1021 adults conducted in August 2022
I have tried this range and I love it! Perfect for getting your best hair yet.
3) Using products with Sulfates & Silicones
“Sulfates and Silicones are common ingredients in hair care products. For those with straight hair, they are great. But for those with curly hair, they can cause dryness and breakage. Sulfates are typically drying, and silicones build up on the hair and create a barrier to stop moisture entering. Read the ingredients list of your hair care products and opt for products without sulfates and silicones.”
8) Not letting the curls clump
“Curly hair is smoothest when wet. Getting lovely smooth curl clumps is key to frizz-free curls. Avoid stringy curls by combing through your conditioner in the shower and allowing the curls to clump together and form while the hair is soaking wet. Applying your styling products to these smooth clumps will help form gorgeous curls.”
9) Over cleansing your hair
“Curls are inherently drier than straight hair due to the way it grows. It takes longer for the oils produced by your scalp to reach the hair strands when compared to straight hair. As a result, if you wash your hair too frequently, especially if you use a shampoo that includes a lot of harsh cleansers, your hair will get dry.
Co-washing your curls, or even alternating between a cleanser and a co-wash every other wash, is a more effective method of cleaning your curls. Co-washing keeps your hair and scalp moisturised, with less frizz, more shine, and greater definition, and your hair will be softer, less brittle, and easier to comb through.”
6) Not protecting your hair at night
“In addition to absorbing moisture from your hair, cotton pillowcases have the potential to tug on your hair as you move throughout the night. Having a lot of knots in your hair might also be a result of using cotton pillowcases on a consistent basis.
A silk or satin bonnet or a silk pillowcase used overnight for sleeping will not only absorb less moisture from your hair, but it will also help to keep the curls intact.”
Hair gives a human being so much personality and features. People always want flawless and tangle-free locks with stylish hairdos, but not all are born with naturally flawless locks. But is there a way to get that? So many options are available in the market providing good, sustainable, artificial locks that could save a person’s special days like office meet-ups, parties, dates, birthdays, etc.
What is an artificial extension?
Clip in hair extensions, weaves, or fake locks are natural or synthetic locks used to add length and thickness to a person’s original tresses. It is used to alter a person’s appearance by adding length, volume, and thickness or changing the existing hair’s overall texture. Extensions for your locks can improve their look and make them appealing. They are also ideal for those with thin or delicate locks.
Such products are applied by several methods like tape-ins, clip-ins, fusions, weaving, wigs, and many more.
Tape-ins typically last four to eight weeks. These are applied with the help of glue tape and can be removed by applying a glue remover. Specialized styling products are available to keep these extensions in top conditions.
The most popular method, clip in hair extensions, is also the safest since there is no use of a chemical or glue to attach them. These products can be integrated seamlessly to provide thickness and volume with the help of small clips sewn into the original strands. These are also the cheapest options available. These are temporary and are applied and removed easily without visiting a salon or the help of a hairdresser.
Other methods, like Bonding or Fusion, are notorious for causing Traction Alopecia and hair loss caused by pulling them.
Characteristics of Human Curls
Human locks consist of Keratin in three layers. The inner part is the medulla, which is covered by the cortex and takes up most of the shaft. Pigment cells present in the cortex give the hair its color. The cuticle is the outermost layer. A healthy cuticle is a protective layer that controls the water content of fiber.
The extensions of true virgin and Remy’s hair are the most durable and easy to apply. These are soft, shiny, and have a natural wave pattern as they use 100% genuine human hair without any harmful chemicals that can damage one’s natural curls. It is also very sturdy, making it a popular choice for those who want to try various styles.
Maintenance and Styling of These Products
Mild shampoo and a light conditioner are recommended to wash and reduce the tangling of the product.
When applying shampoo, it is suggested that a sulfate-free and alcohol-free product be used as sulfate and alcohol can frizz and dry the fake curls.
Cool water can also be ideal while shampooing to reduce matting.
Even the use of a top-down motion while shampooing can help decrease hair degradation a lot.
Everyone can enjoy their desired looks with these wonderful items. There are many types and colors of extensions available to find one that suits you. If you are considering extensions, consult a professional stylist to find the best type and color for your hair.
Several reputed online stores provide genuine products with exciting discounts, deals, and free shipping if people buy in bulk. Hence, before buying, please search for those sites on the internet.