Author Archives: Catherine Balavage

The Books That Changed me by Alex Bannard

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alex yoga

I began my journey into mindfulness around 8 year’s ago amidst a battle with mental illness. 10 minutes of mindfulness by Goldie Hawn was my first insight into mindfulness & a wonderful reflection on parenting & engaging with our children.

It changed the way I parent & has shaped that experience for us all for the better. Flicking through it again to write this piece I am staggered by the simple wisdom in its pages & the great ideas that help us to encourage our kids to let their light shine…it makes me want to delve right back into it again! 

Some of the best, most honest, funny & engaging books written about mental health & mindfulness have been written, in my humble opinion, by Ruby Wax. Her brilliance, wit & searing honesty make each of her books a page turning delight. 

Finding a favourite is tough but possibly because I am fascinated by the geeky neuroscience behind mindfulness & spirituality, How to be Human pips the others to the post. In this book, Ruby chats through a variety of topics close to the heart of any full bloodied human with a neuroscientist, Ashish Ranpura & Buddhist monk, Gelong Thubten with her trademark frankness & humour. It was so good I went to see them perform on stage too, which was unforgettable. 

When we were living in Bangkok, a dear friend & spiritual guru introduced me to Gabby Bernstein’s The Universe has your Back. So began a mini obsession: I love Gabby’s work. This book introduced me to the idea that our thoughts & energy create our reality amidst the comfort of knowing the universe has our back. 

It taps into the idea of manifesting & law of attraction; the joy & flow that abound once we begin to dance in union with the energy of the universe. And it works. I ‘manifested’ a wonderful first home & fantastic school for myself & my kids when we returned to the UK soon after reading this book, within 2 weeks of making the decision. Having lived overseas for 12 years I have never seen anyone orchestrate a move so quickly & I put it all down to the universe having our back!

The Quantum & the Lotus by Matthieu Ricard & Trinh Xuan Thuan is an exploration of the overlap between quantum physics & spirituality, which feeds right into 2 of my passions. It’s not an easy read, but it’s remarkable & fascinating.

Finally, I recently finished my first ever book on Audible: Gabby Bernstein’s latest offering, I am the Guru.  The 6 lessons described are beautiful in their simplicity & ease of application. I had never ‘done’ Audible before. I love an actual book: the cover, turning over the page corners, the smell of it. But this book isn’t out in print yet & it was the only way to access it. What a revelation! I binge-listened to it one weekend, revisiting each chapter several times afterwards. And now I’m a convert, it’s revolutionised my reading experience for the better. 

Alex coaches yoga & mindfulness in person & online to individuals, groups, in schools & in businesses. She can be contacted at alex@myananda.co.uk or via her website www.myananda.co.uk 

 

Frost Loves Jurlique Skincare

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jurlique skincare,

Jurlique recognises that organic ingredients are just as important on your skin as in your body, going one step further than most with its approach to organic skincare.

Jurlique’s sustainable farm in South Australia, an area that WHO has declared to have some of the best air quality on Earth, uses methods of certified organic, Biodynamic Farming to harness the concentrated botanicals into its products.

Jurlique’s Biodynamic Farming method embodies a more holistic approach to agriculture, enhancing nature’s energy in order to produce the best quality ingredients, full of life and vitality. And with organic farms having around 50% more bees, butterflies and other pollinators, organic not only nourishes your skin but also the planet.
Jurlique’s Organic Hero Products:

Rosewater Balancing Mist
Rose Body Oil
Nutri-Define Range

I tried the activating water essence. You put it on after cleansing but before your serum, or moisturiser. It smells amazing. Jurlique says it continuously hydrates, softens and revitalises the skin.  It does leave skin more hydrated and looking fresher. Jurlique is a high-end skincare brand and I cannot fault their products.

Activating Water Essence+

Endless Skies By Jane Cable Book Review

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I have read all of Jane Cable’s books. I love them all but this one is my favourite. The character of Rachel is such a wonderful, complex, multi-dimensional character, written with such skill and grace that you have no choice but to love her. This is a modern love story set in sumptuous Lincoln. It has a clever historical twist that works beautifully.
Between the set and the characters; Endless Skies is an atmospheric novel with a story that draws you in and does not let go.

If you want to move forward, you have to deal with the past…

After yet another disastrous love affair – this time with her married boss – Rachel Ward has been forced to leave her long-term position in Southampton for a temporary role as an Archaeology Lecturer at Lincoln University.

Rachel has sworn off men and is determined to spend her time away clearing her head and sorting her life out.

But when one of her students begins flirting with her, it seems she could be about to make the same mistakes again…

She distracts herself by taking on some freelance work for local property developer, Jonathan Daubney.

He introduces her to an old Second World War RAF base. And from her very first visit something about it gives Rachel chills…

As Rachel makes new friends and delves into local history, she is also forced to confront her own troubled past.

Why is she unable to get into a healthy relationship? What’s stopping her from finding Mr Right?

And what are the echoes of the past trying to tell her…?

ENDLESS SKIES is thought-provoking contemporary women’s fiction novel with a heart-warming ending. It merges moving World War Two historical events with modern day drama to reveal a relatable love story.

Scooting back to school, a new way of life in COVID-19. Scootasoot Review

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Every now and then someone comes along with a very clever parenting hack. Scootasoot is said clever parenting invention. An all-in-one reflective scooting suit for children. It is waterproof and looks fab. Cleverly, the hood fits over a helmet. It has ears though, so it still looks fun. I could not love, nor recommend these fab suits more. They keep kids safe and dry on their way home or to the park, what more could you want?
Scootasoot, scooting, safe scooting, back to school Scootasoot, scooting, safe scooting, back to schoolIt could be said that some parents may be in a panic about getting their kids to school safely without the use of public transport during the new school term, following the British government’s travel guidance. 

Ensuring children get to school on time with a bicycle, scooter or walking may place fear in parents who want to keep their children snug, visible and comfortable as they travel. An all-in-one Scootasoot for your child may aid in keeping them warm and safe this Autumn. 

 A colourfully reflective waterproof suit to make little ones more visible in the darker winter months to come. Scootasoot keeps kids dry when the rain season kicks in, don’t worry about them overheating due to its breathable material. 

Perfect for scootering or other forms of outdoor activities with a hood that works to fit a helmet, which is necessary due to the dangers of head injuries from slipping on wet roads. Ear and tail accessories in three animals are a better way for children to choose a fun option for their suit instead of just colours. 

This animal outdoor suit was made for children that like to explore and imagine. Due to travel restrictions, why don’t you make the most of exploring your environment with them? Let kids feel the fresh air and play to wake and excite them before they arrive at school. 

The fit is snug for teeny weeny hands and feet, so rest assured no uniform will be destroyed in the school run. The beauty of having a magnetic opening can calm anxieties on practicality. It’s on and off within seconds, chucked into your child’s bag at the school gates and weighs less than your purse and keys!

Getting a Scootasoot gives parents some peace of mind knowing their children will be warm and safe following The Department of Transport’s guidelines “Where travel is necessary, consider whether children could walk, scooter or cycle, accompanied by a responsible adult or carer.” 

 Whilst this can be a necessity, why not consider that it betters a child’s development by ensuring they get some exercise before the school day. Dr Danae Lund from Sanford Health says “Kids that spend more time outdoors are more likely to be inventive, explore and learn about the world around them. It improves their communication and reduces stress levels.” 

Not only are children becoming happier, they’re expanding their minds before they even get to the classroom. And to put it frankly “This is England, there is good reason why we are all obsessed with the weather- we never know what we are going to get!” Quoted from the creator of Scootasoot, Lotty reinforces the importance of being prepared this Autumn. If you’re travelling with your children, it’s better to be safe than sorry! 

To find out more visit https://www.scootasoot.co.uk/basket/ or check out their social media handles @Scootasoot 

Scootasoots are available online in the UK with Worldwide shipping, RRP £24.99 

 

Pura Baby Wipes Launched by Parents on a Mission to Democratise Eco-friendly Baby Care

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I am obsessed with Pura, a new brand who make baby wipes that are 100% plastic-free, 100% biodegradable and 100% compostable and are made from sustainable plant fibres.  Guy and Abi Fennell are making parenting green and we at Frost are fully behind them.

Launched from lockdown, Pura is a new, UK based, family-run company that is taking on the environmental challenges of traditional wipes, with the launch of 100% plastic free baby wipes. A massive 90% of the wipes currently sold in the UK contain plastic and they can last over 100 years in landfill, yet the vast majority of consumers don’t realise they are using wipes that contain plastic.

pura founders

For maximum affordability, Pura is “cutting out the middleman” and selling direct-to-consumer with free next day delivery 7 days a week, at a price point that’s comparable to traditional disposable wipes and lower than leading eco-friendly brands. In the first month since launch, Pura received more than 250,000 visits to the website, with 45,000 customer orders.

About Pura wipes:

  • Pura baby wipes are 100% plastic-free, 100% biodegradable and 100% compostable, made from sustainable plant fibres
  • Each Pura wipe contains 99% water and organic aloe vera and no perfume, alcohol or chlorine
  • Pura baby wipes  are available in flushable, with the Fine to Flush accreditation, and non-flushable options.
  • The baby wipes are suitable for sensitive and eczema-prone skin, certified vegan and are accredited by the British Skin Foundation, Allergy UK, the FSC and the Soil Association
  • Launch film with a powerful message has already received 6.6 million views on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZaIcRX6Jxv8
  • Pura is the most accredited baby care brand on the market, with a unique, simple labelling system listing the product’s eco-credentials for parents
  • The first baby wipes in the UK with a Fine to Flush stamp of approval, and an ambition to be the first Carbon Neutral baby care brand
  • The only baby brand to be teaming up with the Woodland Trust to help support the sustainability of the UK’s natural environment
  • Pura’s baby wipes are approved by midwives and are dermatologically and clinically tested

Pura has reduced all its subscription prices by 20%:

  • 100% Plastic Free Flushable Baby Wipes, 70 wipes per pack, 10 packs per case, 700 wipes in total. Subscription price: £19.84 (£1.98 per pack/2.8p per wipe); one time purchase £24.80.
  • 100% Plastic Free Non Flushable Baby Wipes, 70 wipes per pack, 10 packs per case, 700 wipes in total. Subscription price: £18.24 (£1.82 per pack/2.6p per wipe), one time purchase £22.80.
  • For all wipes: free next delivery. Certain postcodes restrictions apply.

 

About Pura

Pura is on a mission to provide high quality eco-friendly yet affordable baby products for all, with plans to launch an eco-friendly nappy range later this year and to launch into Europe.

Pura wasn’t born in a boardroom, but in a home in Cheshire in the North West of England, where founders, and new parents, Guy and Abi Fennell created their vision to disrupt the current baby care market, and make being ‘eco’ affordable for all. Co-founder Guy Fennell, explains; “It’s all about driving change and leaving the right legacy for our children. We’d love to see everyone make the switch to plastic free wipes and we’re working hard to make that happen. Parents too often have to compromise on quality or price for environmental friendliness. We want to empower all families to care for their family, their environment and their budget without compromise.”

Simple, transparent labelling

Founders and new parents Guy and Abi want to empower parents to make informed, eco-friendly decisions so they developed a unique labelling system, breaking down complex accreditations into simple visuals that help parents understand at a glance whether the products are plastic-free, biodegradable, compostable, recyclable, flushable.   They are calling on all brands to start using a system similar to the colour labelling on food, to bring greater transparency.

 Website: https://www.mypura.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypura/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mypura
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyPura/

Pura is the exclusive partner of Nappicycle, the only UK nappy recycling company, working to maximise the number of disposable nappies that are recycled for use as affordable housing materials and notice boards for nurseries, schools and businesses.

  • The brand is also working in partnership with The Hygiene Bank, a grassroots community initiative that provides personal care products to those who need them across the UK, as well as making both financial and product donations to the NSPCC to help families in need. The brand is also offering a 10% discount to NHS staff on all Pura products, available through the NHS Benefits website.

 

Frost Loves All Tee, All Shade Online Retail Brand.

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Winter is approaching and that means it’s time to break out the sweaters! You could reach for that boring sweater or sweatshirt that you’ve been rocking for years now; or, you could mix things up with a little bit of stylish humor.

These sweatshirts are so warm and cosy. They also fit well. Comfort and a dose of humour? What is there not to love? 

sweatshirts, 1984, warm, online clothing retailer,

All Tee, All Shade, a newly launched online retail brand, just released their new line of sweatshirts, guaranteed to be a conversation starter.

Each cotton, polyester blend sweatshirt is crafted for comfort with lighter weight fabric, making it so unbelievably snuggly that you’ll never want to take it off. Just pick your favourite saying and get cozy with humour.

 

 

Dr Michael Mosley and The Fast 800 launch natural shakes delivered to you for post-lockdown health ‘reset’.

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michaelmosley fast 800 shakesLifestyle programme, The Fast 800, has launched 200-calorie shakes, packed with natural ingredients containing essential nutrients that will help to support immune systems across the UK.

High in protein and containing 26 vitamins and minerals alongside an ingredient-list of natural foods the average shopper will recognise, The Fast 800 shakes offer the ultimate combination of nutrition and convenience.

Created by Dr Michael Mosley’s team at The Fast 800, the shakes are founded on scientific evidence suggesting low-carb, fibre and protein-rich Mediterranean-style diets offer some of the best quality nutrition. The Mediterranean diet has been much-praised by the science community, given the abundant evidence showing those who adhere to the way of eating experience long-term weight loss, reduced heart disease and type 2 diabetes risk, amongst other health benefits.

While low in carbohydrates and with no added sugar, The Fast 800 shakes are rich in fibre, aiding beneficial gut flora in producing chemicals that reduce inflammation and support immune function.  These trillions of microbes that live in the large intestine are central to good health and play a significant part in maintaining a healthy immune system.

The fact that each 200 calorie shake also contains 20g protein is also important, because we all need healthy amounts of good quality protein every day to preserve our muscle mass and support our immune system.

Co-founder of The Fast 800, Dr Michael Mosely said accessing quick and convenient nutrition during lockdown has been tricky for many due to the closure of cafes and restaurants. In addition, many of us have struggled with periods of inactivity for a variety of reasons during lockdown, so with the country looking to re-open, now is a great time to reset your health regime with these healthy, natural and nutritious shakes.

“These shakes are packed with natural ingredients, including a quarter of your daily dose of 26 vitamins and minerals in every drink.

“You can read the ingredients list and know exactly what is in them, so they’re a terrific option when the thought of cooking isn’t appealing, or you’re time-poor.

“While I don’t think shakes should be used as a frequent replacement for a well-balanced meal, this is a convenient alternative to the processed foods we often turn to when we are stressed or when fresh food is not easy to access. They are also really helpful when doing a rapid weight loss diet.”

The shakes formula predominantly comprises seeds, nuts and coconut, whey (vegetarian) or pea and hemp (vegan) protein, and sweetened naturally with stevia. The shakes’ naturally higher levels of protein and unsaturated quality fats are the key to keeping you fuller for longer, helping to avoid cravings and endless snacking.

Many meal replacements contain added sugar, artificial sweeteners or simple carbohydrates to improve the taste and counter their low fat content. While cheap to produce, such shakes are not formulated according to scientific evidence and are not ideal for long-term health.

 

  •     Available in vegetarian and vegan bases in three delicious flavours: vanilla, chocolate and strawberry
  •     Shakes cost £18.99 per pack, or £1.90 a shake
  •     Only available via www.thefast800.comand delivered to your door
  •     Manufactured and distributed in the UK
  •     The shakes contain 200 calories per serving when made with water
  •     Simply add 50g of shake powder to a shaker, pour over 300ml of cold water or milk, shake well and drink
  •     Dr Mosley recommends consuming them alongside a diet comprising Mediterranean-style food
  •     For more information, visit www.thefast800.com

 

 

Anker Spirit X2 Total-Wireless Sport Earphones Review.

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Anker Spirit X2 review, totally wireless, sport , earphones,

I totally love these wireless sport earphones from Anker. First of all, they are sexy. That is one good-looking pair of earphones. Secondly, they do not budge. Most important is the sound; which is awesome indeed. They are sweat proof due to their SweatGuard technology and they are comfortable. There is nine hours of listening from a single charge and it goes up to thirty-six hours with the included charging case. Win-win. Get your hands on a pair now.

100% More Bass. Inspired by technology found in high-end speakers, BassTurbo positions an acoustic chamber behind the driver to add powerful bass resonance. BassUp technology, then injects even more bass intensity via a custom algorithm.

Extreme Sweatproof IP68 protection defends against dust and water with SweatGuard technology to resist the corrosive nature of sweat. Lasts 100x longer than ordinary true wireless earbuds thanks to a submarine structure and hydrophobic nano-coating.

Incredible Endurance. Get 9 hours of intense listening from a single charge and boost that to 36 hours with the included charging case. That’s up to 5 weeks of workouts on a single charge.

Effortless Comfort. True wireless earbuds with extra-flex eartips and hooks ensure a free, satisfying, and invincible fit, no matter how hardcore your workout. Comes with an extensive selection of tips and wings for tailored listening.

What’s In The Box. Soundcore Spirit X2, Charging Case, XS/S/M/L/XL EarTips, XS/S/M EarWings, USB-C Cable, 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.

Get the brilliant Anker Spirit X2 Total Wireless Sport Earphones here.