THE CULTURED COLLECTIVE KIMCHI

Posted on November 25, 2020 by Catherine Balavage

The Cultured Collective kimchi range is expertly crafted in the Cotswolds using the highest quality, 100% natural ingredients in an environment powered by sustainable energy and presented in easily recyclable materials. Offering unbeatable quality and great taste, it’s the most awarded Kimchi range in the UK!

LIVING WELL BEGINS WITH EATING WELL

The Cultured Collective stays true to the traditional ingredients of Chinese leaf cabbage, mooli radish, spring onion, carrot and an aromatic spice blend which form the basis of the Classic Kimchi. Three further kimchis, have individual, balanced flavour, character and crunch.

IT’S ALIVE!

Unpasteurised with no artificial preservatives, each jar is loaded with healthy, living, good bacteria – or probiotics – responsible for the fermentation process. Alive and thriving, they boost immunity, energize the body and help to keep the digestive system healthy.

Studies have shown that gut flora (the bacteria that live in the digestive system) have a huge impact on the health of our immune system (over 70% of which resides in the gut). Eating unpasteurised fermented foods such as Kimchi is a natural way of getting probiotics into your diet.

Another bit of good news; over 90% of serotonin – the so-called ‘happy hormone’– is synthesised in the gut and some recent studies have shown that probiotics may have a positive effect on conditions such as depression and anxiety.

THE CULTURED COLLECTION KIMCHI RANGE

Classic Kimchi – RRP £5.45 for 250g – GLUTEN FREE

The best-selling traditional style Classic Kimchi remains true to Korea’s national dish. Piquant and spicy with moreish umami notes and a satisfying crunch

Turmeric & Ginger Kimchi – RRP £5.45 for 250g – GLUTEN FREE | VEGETARIAN | VEGAN

Flush with the vibrant golden glow of turmeric and ginger along with a pinch of fiery cayenne and savoury sea greens, this will get your senses singing. Circulation-supporting ginger and cayenne, together with turmeric (a natural anti-inflammatory) and wakame (a sea vegetable rich in iodine) are added for unique flavour notes and more wellness benefits.

Zesty White Kimchi – RRP £5.45 for 250g – GLUTEN FREE | VEGETARIAN | VEGAN

White kimchi is a traditional variety of Korean kimchi made without chilli flakes. Non-spicy and fragrant with warming ginger and subtle savoury notes.

Vegan Classic Kimchi – RRP £5.79 for 250g – GLUTEN FREE | VEGETARIAN | VEGAN

The Classic Kimchi is reimagined in this plant-based version: piquant with subtle savoury notes and a satisfying crunch.

LIVE, GUT-LOVING ACCOMPANIMENTS FOR EVERY OCCASION

Kimchi is traditionally eaten as a condiment or used an ingredient in cooking, however it’s equally enjoyable forked straight from the jar! Add to sandwiches, salads and wraps or spice up stir-fries, rice and noodle dishes – kimchi is not impeded by country specific cuisines!

“Gut health is a very simple practice that may help support your immune system. Eating live foods such as kimchi which is packed with good bacteria helps to create a healthy microbiome. The Cultured Collective kimchis add tang to meals AND come loaded with healthy live bacteria”

Jeannette Hyde

Nutritional Therapist & author of The Gut Makeover

The Cultured Collective Kimchi range is available from fine food delis, Ocado.com, Planet Organic and WholeFoodsMarket.com

theculturedcollective.co.uk

@the_cultured_collective #theculturedcollective

Australian Fitness Expert Shares Top 10 Takeaways From Over 100 Celebrity and Model Diets and Workouts

Posted on November 18, 2020 by Catherine Balavage

Australian personal trainer and nutritionist Rachael Attard is sharing the most coveted secrets from celebrities and models – the exercise and diet plans that are responsible for their amazing figures. The influential fitness expert has gathered and studied the workout and diet regimens of more than 100 celebrities and models, and is now sharing her top 10 takeaways to inspire and educate others.

“Celebrities are in the spotlight and constantly demonstrating the highest standards of health and fitness,” said Attard. “Their exercise and diet routines are among the top questions I get from clients, so I’ve taken a close look at their strategies to share with others who might want to try them for the same amazing results.”

TOP WORKOUTS:

Cardio is top-of-mind for everyone when it comes to weight loss, maintenance and getting toned, and celebrities are no exception. Boxing is the go-to cardio workout for many, including leading ladies Jennifer Aniston, Salma Hayek, Kate Beckinsale and Sophie Turner; singer Dua Lipa and models Hailey Bieber and Lais Ribeiro.

Low impact exercise options such as Pilates or yoga are popular among singer Dua Lipa; actresses Margot Robbie and Emma Stone; and iconic model Naomi Campbell, who enjoy this mindful option following days of intense cardio or strength training sessions.

Among the more alternative fitness options, superstar singers Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift are able to burn calories while rehearsing for tours with dance-based cardio, giving them the toned legs and defined abs on stage that are the envy of everyone.

Celebrities who call Los Angeles home, including model Kaia Gerber, are likely to go hiking – taking advantage of the many trails with close views of the infamous Hollywood sign.

Resistance training, also known as strength training, is the exercise of choice for model Sofia Richie; actresses Penelope Cruz, Emma Stone, Kate Beckinsale and Sophie Turner; and singer Adele who revealed a major weight loss earlier this year. This method utilizes resistance to muscular contraction to build muscle and improve anaerobic endurance.

TOP DIETS:

Among the most consistent diet tips from celebrities and models is to drink plenty of water. Countless celebrities attribute hydration to not only getting them through workouts, but making them feel full while also ensuring healthy skin.

Smoothies are among the most popular breakfast and lunch choices for celebrities, including singer Ariana Grande, Australian model Belle Lucia, former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham and actresses Emma Stone, Kate Beckinsale and Sophie Turner.

A dose of healthy fat in the form of avocado on toast is the go-to lunch for Pussy Cat Doll and Masked Singer host Nicole Scherzinger, while a commitment to regular juice cleanses has proven successful for actresses including Salma Hayek.

An eating pattern that cycles between periods of fasting an eating is a current trend called intermittent fasting, which is popular among actresses Vanessa Hudgens and Scarlett Johansson. Regardless of the fasting cycle chosen, each option reduces caloric intake for weight loss or maintenance.

“When it comes to clean eating and counting calories, celebrities are committed to a consistent lifestyle of healthy choices, but fall victim to cheat meals just like the rest of us,” said Attard. “Celebrities almost unanimously agree that pizza is their downfall, including actress Vanessa Hudgens.”

Rachael Attard is a certified personal trainer and nutritionist who holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Queensland, a Cert III and IV from the Australian Institute of Fitness, and a Certificate in Sports Nutrition from the International Society of Sports Nutrition. She is best known for her 3 Steps to Lean Legs Program, developed from her years of training women and helping them feel good in their skin, and fall in love with exercise and their bodies. Her in-depth blog post featuring the diet and exercise regimens of 100 celebrities and models can be found online, at https://www.rachaelattard.com/category/blog.

My Writing Process CJ Daugherty

Posted on November 14, 2020 by Catherine Balavage

I’m a former journalist and ex-Whitehall civil servant. I was raised in Texas, but have lived in Britain most of my adult life.

I’m the author of the boarding-school thriller series, Night School, and the US-based crime series, The Echo Killing, set in the southern town of Savannah.

My new novel, Number 10, follows the 16-year-old daughter of the new prime minister as she rebels against the constraints of living in Number 10 Downing Street, and the intense security that surrounds her. When she stumbles across a Russia-led plot to kill her mother and replace her with a puppet prime minister, she’s determined to stop it. But will anyone believe her?

A bit about your process of writing.

I discovered long ago that trying to write in the morning was pointless for me. I use mornings for admin and other work, and I usually settle down to write at about 3pm. I turn off the internet and the phone, and I write for four hours straight, stopping at around seven. If the writing’s going well, I often pick it up again after dinner and write until midnight.

Do you plan or just write?

I plan a moderate amount. My first step is always a one-page synopsis, which I share with my agent. If she likes it, I expand it to two pages, and then to eight. My theory is, if I can’t get eight pages out of the plot, I don’t have a big enough of an idea for the book. Once I do have that much material, I sit down to write chapter one.

What about word count?

Word count for me is a tale of three halves, basically. In the first 10 chapters of the book, I’m happy if I reach 500 words a day. From chapter 10 to chapter 20, I expect 1200 words a day. After chapter 20, if I don’t reach 2,000 words a day, it’s a bad day.

How do you do your structure?

My structure is freeform, but I shoot for a W-shape to every plot. Start on a high. Then develop character and explore the plot. Build to a mid-book crescendo. Then dip the pace a little as the characters investigate the main incident and I thread in b-plot and c-plot. End on a high. One of my books (A Beautiful Corpse) ends with the main character deploying a baseball bat against a murderer. Nothing like a fight scene to get the story moving.

What do you find hard about writing?

It’s very hard for me to be patient with the amount of time it takes to conceive of and create each book. Even once I’ve got the idea and it’s begun to take shape, there’s still months of thought and planning that has to happen before I can build flesh and blood around the basic bones of that first idea. Taking the time to methodically go over and over the same content requires real effort.

What do you love about writing?

The magic of it. The moment when I can hear my characters’ voices in my head. The way I can see the locations in the book in vivid, three-dimensional form, as if I’ve been inside their houses. Stood on those porches. Walked through their woods. I spent so much time inventing the inside of Number 10 Downing Street for my latest book, I felt as if I’d lived there myself. It’s an extraordinary illusion, and it comes from taking the time to build those places in your mind, and on the page.

Advice for other writers.

To get through the start of a book it helps to know what the ending will be. When you begin planning, think it through all the way. Once you have a beginning and an ending, then you can spend time on the rest of the journey. I think most writers give up when writing because they get stuck, and I think they get stuck because they don’t know exactly where they’re going. Find your ending, and the rest may fall into place.

Number 10 by CJ Daugherty is out now, £9.99 from Moonflower Books available on Amazon here.

5 Books That Changed Me by Michael Rowan

Posted on November 11, 2020 by Catherine Balavage

1 Coral Island by R.M.Ballantyne

The first ‘proper’ book that I read as child. I could read the standard text that we were taught at school, but there was little plot, no discernible theme or character development. Coral Island was loaded with all three, this little book captivated me, as this was the first time that I could see the pictures they conjured up of the three shipwrecked boys having adventures in a lagoon. I would pretend that I was one of the two older characters every time I swam in any municipal swimming pool and even today at 64, I can’t resist imagining myself back there, as I duck beneath the surface in our local Lido though these days it is more Moby Dick than Coral Island.

2) Merchant of Venice – Willian Shakespeare

As a 10 year old at St Wilfrid’s, I looked forward to our weekly reading sessions. One week there was a change of format, as our teacher explained that he was going to read us a story from a few hundred years ago. He didn’t read it as a play, but as a story, in parts over several weeks. He told us of a man who was in love (Yuck) and who needed money to impress the girl’s father. There was a riddle which I recall was a cliff hanger and then there was the cutting of a pound of flesh, ‘nearest to the heart’ which enthralled this 10 year old bloodthirsty boy. It was the beginning of a love affair with Shakespeare that continues to this day.

3) Lady Chatterley’s Lover- D H Lawrence

As a pupil at an all boy’s grammar school around 1971, I had been identified as a keen reader. Whilst most of my fellow pupils trudged through one book a term, I returned each week for a new book. This interest delighted a series of English teachers, until in the fourth year, Mr W gave me a special ticket to use the sixth form library. The keys to the sanctum of knowledge. As I perused the shelf containing the works of D H Lawrence, I discovered Lady Chatterley’s Lover, which was soon hidden beneath my blazer as I marched back to my class, about to become the hero of the fourth year. The look on Mr W’s face as he confiscated the book, my special library card and delivered his ‘you have let me down and yourself down speech’ will never leave me, but I did go on to read all of the works of D H Lawrence, albeit after I had left that particular school.

4) The Return of the Native – Thomas Hardy

In the summer of 1975, I found myself on an 18 30 holiday, now famed for high jinks and alcohol but then a travel company in its second or third year and virtually unknown. As a keen reader I ensured that along with my sun- tan lotion and coolest threads, I packed an ample supply of books. Evenings were spent in Spanish discotheques, whilst the afternoons were for laying on the beach recovering from a hangover. I however, was to be found reading about Eustacia Vye in The Return of the Native. How I was mocked by the other lads on the holiday, that is until a young and very pretty English Teacher lent over and asked me what I was reading. It was the beginning of my love of Thomas Hardy, and the start of my first holiday romance.

5 Contented Dementia – Oliver James.

I was in my 50s when both of my parents developed dementia, a cruel illness of which, at the time there was limited information written.

The demands of the illness kept growing, but there was little advice and I clearly recall thinking, if only there was the equivalent to a car manual, a book that explained in simple easy to understand language, what to do. A chance review brought this book to my attention, crammed with excellent advice, with its three golden rules, never ask direct questions, never contradict, and learn from the person with dementia. This book became my bible throughout my parents’ final years, and I went on to become an advocate for Contented Dementia. No one, no matter who or where, could have a conversation that used the word dementia, without me elbowing my way in and recommending the book. Over the years 100s of people have looked on me as some eccentric but quite a few of those have thanked me afterwards.

Invite Everyone To The Festive Party With Savyll Alcohol-Free Cocktail

Posted on November 11, 2020 by Catherine Balavage

Whether you’re the designated driver, a mum-to-be or moderating your alcohol intake, research shows that more of us are opting for alcohol-free drinks. This fabulous Savyll non-alcoholic cocktail gift set is the perfect way to make everyone feel part of the festive celebrations!

Savyll cocktails have been carefully crafted using a unique blend of natural ingredients to recreate the sophisticated flavours, familiarity and sense of occasion that cocktails bring, with a premium selection of the world’s most popular variations.

They have a beautifully presented gift box that features a choice of either Savyll’s best-selling collection Bellini, Gin & Tonic, Moscow Mule and Mojito OR you choose a box of four from their fabulous range, which also includes Spiced Rum & Cola and Old Cuban.

“Pronounced “sah-vell” – meaning to be ‘savoured by all’ Savyll cocktails can be served directly from their elegant signature glass bottles and enjoyed without the need for mixers or other embellishments – simply chill, serve and sip!

The range is vegan-friendly, gluten free and free from any listed allergens and artificial sweeteners.

Savyll was founded by “dinner party mixologist” Avnish Babla. When he became an expectant father, Avnish wanted a healthier lifestyle for himself and his wife, Diana. Moderating alcohol consumption was important to him. However, he soon discovered there was a limited choice of non-alcoholic drinks that weren’t overly sweetened or artificially flavoured. Together with an award-winning beverage developer, Avnish turned his cocktail crafting passion into a mission to reinvent their alcohol-free namesakes, so anyone choosing to moderate or abstain can enjoy without compromise.

“I’ve always loved entertaining friends and family, and to experiment with new, unique cocktail ideas,” says Avnish, “but after choosing to moderate my own alcohol intake when my wife became pregnant, like many people, I felt removed from the sense of occasion and sophisticated taste complexities of alcoholic drinks.”

“As our branding suggests, we believe cocktails should be savoured to enjoy the intricate flavours. Savyll Cocktails are an alcohol-free reinvention of this principle, crafted with all of the exuberance, ambition and curiosities of cocktails so young and old, drinkers, moderators and abstainers can all enjoy the party – Savyll Cocktails can be savoured by all!

I have tried these non-alcoholic cocktails and I think they are great. So many of these non-alcoholic, or even pre-mixed cocktails, taste awful, like they are full of chemicals. Not these ones from Savyll. I would definitely buy these for some sparkly fun. They are perfect for Christmas of dry January.

Available from Amazon and direct from savyll.com

Life advice from Anya Hindmarch, Stephen Fry, Joanna Lumley – A Few Wise Words

Posted on November 10, 2020 by Catherine Balavage

There are two types of people in this world: those who think they know everything, and everyone else. The everyone else read great books like this and implement it into their lives. Compiled and edited by Peter Mukherjee, this book is the inspiration we all need after a tough year.

The contributors are a rich and varied bunch. There is something here for everyone. A Few Wise Words is an essential guide on conquering challenges and becoming successful. This book would make a perfect Christmas present. I cannot recommend it enough.
‘I was once told that I had three strikes against me – I was black, I was a girl and I was poor. But I was also raised to believe that I could do whatever I wanted and whatever I set my mind to achieve.’

Ursula Burns – US business leader, former CEO of Xerox

‘Almost everyone I have known that has found fulfilment in life, was invariably shocked

to discover that hard work is actually what they want to do, and is an

extraordinary pleasure and the most fulfilling of all things.’

Stephen Fry – Actor, television personality and writer

‘I do think that opportunities come along all the time for all of us, and you have

got to be ready to seize them when they do. ‘

Sir Keith Mills – Founder of Air Miles and Nectar Card

‘Success is often about how you deal with failure. When something goes seriously wrong, you can either give up or you can dig deep, recover your self-belief, and focus once more upon your goal. It’s all about your attitude and being positive, even when everything sometimes seems stacked against you.’

Tanni, Baroness Grey-Thompson – Politician, TV presenter and former Paralympic champion

In order to find success, we first need to find our direction…

When we are young, the greatest challenge we face is knowing how to find our initial direction. Where do we look? What exactly are we looking for? What talents do we have? When we are older and our journey is already underway, the questions change. How can we become the very best version of ourselves? How can we improve our game and move up? What resources can we tap into to help us?

A Few Wise Words is jam-packed with wisdom and advice from twenty-two exceptional individuals, all of whom have already achieved extraordinary success in their own lives. This book has been crafted to present the ultimate travelling companion and guide for our journey, enabling us to plan carefully for what lies ahead, learn how to find our passion, and discover our motivation. It will then help us to move forward with confidence and a clear understanding of what we need to do next. There are, of course, many routes that can lead to success and this book can help anyone to explore which path is the right one for them.

In this book – the first volume of a series – each contributor has their own unique chapter in which they define what success has meant for them, what their own journey was like, and how they managed to conquer the many challenges they had to confront along the way. Each then shares in a clear and easy to follow way, what they believe are the most important values, disciplines and actions that we should take, to enable us to successfully negotiate our own special and unique journey. Additional guidance is also provided for parents, covering the crucial role that they can play to prepare their children early, while enabling them to ‘hit the ground running’ when the serious part of their journey begins in earnest later on.

Compiled and edited by Peter Mukherjee, A Few Wise Words delivers a rich and varied collection of personal insights, knowledge, and advice from this exceptional group of individuals, all of whom are willing to share what they believe will enable any one of us to find our success, purpose and happiness in life. It will guide any young person, young adult or indeed, any person who has aspirations to do well in life, on how to get started and then how to stay on track. It is a book we can dip in and out of at any time during our journey for inspiration, advice and the guidance we need.

Contributor Chapters

Sir Ben Ainslie • Frank Arnesen • Zak Brown • Ursula Burns • Sir Roger Carr • Sherry Coutu • Pablo Ettinger

Mikhail Fridman • Stephen Fry • Dame Katherine Grainger • Tanni, Baroness Grey-Thompson • Anya Hindmarch

Declan Kelly • Martha, Baroness Lane-Fox • Joanna Lumley • Dame Carolyn McCall • Sir Keith Mills • Vin Murria

Danielle de Niese • Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks • Shriti Vadera • Sir Clive Woodward

A Few Wise Words is out on 16^th November and available from Amazon and leading booksellers. www.afewwisewords.com

Didn’t See That Coming By Rachel Hollis Book Review

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Catherine Balavage

Didn’t See That Coming could be the slogan for 2020 and this book is the essential read to help us all through it. Written with searing honesty, Rachel Hollis has wisdom in spades and she is here to share it. Rachel has suffered trauma and grief and now she has a blueprint to get through to the other end. Rachel Hollis is a truly inspirational person and if we all had her attitude and resilience the world would be a better place and we would all be much happier. Get your hands on a copy of Didn’t See That Coming and improve your life forever.

In a departure from Girl, Wash Your Face and Girl, Stop Apologizing, Rachel Hollis offers her devoted followers and new readers an aspirational guide to seizing the difficult moments for the learning experiences that they are, and finding value in them.

When the pandemic hit, Rachel found herself in a place that is also familiar now—facing immense grief, fear, anxiety, and worry about the world around us. As a mother of four, motivational speaker, and CEO of a company she built from the ground up, she realised that in order to get through this challenging time, she needed to reframe how she was approaching everything. Having survived crisis and grief many times herself, she believed she might be able to share what she knew and what she’d done so that she could help others walk through this hard time too.

DIDN’T SEE THAT COMING shares how to embrace the difficult moments in life for the learning experiences they are, and shows that a life well-lived is one of purpose – focused on the essentials.

3 Books For The Activist In Your Life.

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Catherine Balavage

Anti Racist Ally by Sophie Williams.

This is a timely and relevant book. It is not enough to not be racist, you need to be an anti-racist. This book shows you how. It is written in such a way that is easy to implement and never overwhelming. It can be hard to know how to help in life and contribute to racial equality, this book is an essential guide.

The Princess and the Prick. Fairy Tales for Feminists.

My daughter is only three but I will be keeping this book for her. Scathing, witty and so funny. This is an epic take down of childhood classics. Familar fables are turned on their head as the beloved heroines have their say. A fun eye-opener.

What Can I Do? By Jane Fonda.

A deep dive into climate change and environmental issues and what you can do about it from the activists’s activist Jane Fonda. 100% of the net proceeds of this book go to Greenpeace. It is easy to feel powerless when it comes to climate change, but this book tells you the truth and hands the power to you. Just brilliant.

Books are available from waterstones.com, amazon.co.uk, www.dauntbooks.co.uk and independent book stores.

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