Category Archives: Health

Juice Burst Launch Fruit & Veg Range

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Juice Burst are determined to stay at the top of their juice game and we think their revamped juices are a hit. With both fruit and veg in their newly launched flavours, Juice Burst have also made sure that the reformed flavours contain No added sugar, flavours and sweeteners.

Strawberry and Beetroot is a hit and perfect for a pre-workout drink. With beetroot containing properties which open up blood vessels and packed full of antioxidants, this is the perfect purple pick-me-up.

Apple and Cucumber is perfectly refreshing served over ice and an excellent source of fibre.


Our favourite flavour comes in the form of a perfectly autumnal shade. Orange and Carrot is just the tonic you need to get through the colder months. With a huge blast of Vitamin C, beta-carotene to boost the immune system and Vitamin A which supports cell rejuvenation, we are going to use this as our winter tonic to prevent any unwanted illnesses.

Juice Burst is available to buy in WH Smith, Superdrug and other good retailers for £1.25

Juice Burst is a Hit With Schools

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With so many healthy juices cropping up on our supermarket shelves daily, it’s hard to know what to actually go for. With many brands boasting their products are “100% natural” or “made from 100% fruit”, it’s difficult to know whether that means that they are actually healthy for us with many of these products largely exceeding our recommended daily sugar intake. Whats more, if we are picking ones that are indeed full of the good stuff, how many are there that actually taste good?! Well, we went in search of something that checked the healthy and tasty box and was also approved by schools and found you Juice Burst. Juice Burst not only promise a juice drink which is one of your five a day, they also claim to be the ‘tastiest juice drink on the planet.’

So, “what’s so good about Juice Burst?” you say; Juice Burst not only come in a variety of thirst-quenching flavours, they were one of the first manufacturers to produce a school approved range stocked in 1 out of 3 schools in England. The product contains no artificial sweeteners and includes 1 of your 5 a day. The flavours are carefully considered and picked to give you more than just average flavours including; Pink Lemonade, Tropical and Orange Passionfruit to name a few. Our personal favourite, Sour Cherry.

To find out more including where to buy Juice Burst, check out www.juiceburst.com

THE BUSINESS OF BOOKS: MENTAL HEALTH IN FICTION – Jane Cable on romance in the wake of World Mental Health Day

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When I was a rookie author working with my first editor I wanted to write a book with a central character who had OCD. I had a friend with quite a severe form of the illness and he was willing to help me to get it right. But I was told in no uncertain terms that I couldn’t write romantic fiction with a hero like that because no-one would want to read it.

I was prepared to accept the fact I couldn’t write it due to my technical ability, but not that the subject was taboo. Yes, it might make uncomfortable reading but surely it fitted perfectly with the romantic genre: X wants Y and Z stops them getting it.

I put the manuscript to one side (it’s still there, but for a different reason) and in the meantime The Cheesemaker’s House won the suspense and crime heat of the Alan Titchmarsh Show’s People’s Novelist competition. I was almost relieved when judge Sophie Hannah told me I needed a better editor. And totally vindicated when Jeffery Archer found Owen (who is teetering on the brink) a fascinating character.

With The Faerie Tree I was inspired to take things further. I had a good friend who’d suffered a major breakdown and I suppose I wanted to show him that a character with similar problems could get their life back on track. Robin’s struggle with depression is central to the story but he’s just like any other romantic hero – he’s funny, self aware and loving – he certainly doesn’t have ‘damaged goods – pity me’ stamped across his forehead.

The Faerie Tree, book, book review, review

Readers loved him too. Amazon reviewers said, “I fell a little in love with Robin myself,” and “Love, relationships, grief, depression, hope. The Faerie Tree covers it all, yet it’s not all doom and gloom.” But the best was from blogger extraordinaire Ann Cater: “Jane Cable creates characters that are believable, who have problems, who are often annoying and frustrating, but whose story is compelling. She cleverly takes the reader into the heads of two damaged and fragile people, and this is done so very well. Despite their faults, both Izzie and Robin are characters that the reader will root for throughout this really excellent novel.”

I’m not quoting these to show off – I’m making a point. People with mental health issues do make good characters in romantic fiction. Not just shuffling on and off the side-lines, but right in the centre of the story. The reviews also made me brave enough to tackle the thorny issue of PTSD amongst service personnel in Another You.

I’m not the only one: search PTSD romance in Kindle books and there are 341 titles in contemporary alone. Big publishers and writers are tackling the issue too, with books like Kristin Hannah’s Home Front (published by Pan) and USA Today best-selling author Kallypso Masters’ Nobody’s Lost.

Sadly it seems more people are suffering from mental health issues. But perhaps it’s just that happily they are more likely to seek help and not feel ashamed. There is a greater understanding that depression and other illnesses have a physical source in the imbalance of brain chemicals (read Tim Cantapher’s Depressive Illness: The Curse of the Strong if you want to know more) so stigma and taboo really shouldn’t come into it.

While readers want romantic fiction to take them away from their everyday lives, many need to be taken to a world they recognise. And in a way that gives them hope. X wants Y and despite Z, they get it.

The Business of Books: Blending Fact and Fiction – Jane Cable meets GP turned author Carol Cooper

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1) How much of your working life does the business of books take up?

About half my working hours are now taken up with book-related activities. It’s not all writing, as there’s social media, marketing, research, and the rest.

The other half of the time, I teach medical students, do some journalism, and fit in a spot of charity work. I’m involved with Tamba (Twins & Multiple Births Association), Lucy Air Ambulance for Children, and APEC (Action on Pre-Eclampsia). I have more time these days because I’m taking a sabbatical from seeing patients. After three decades as a family doctor, it’s lovely to have a break. Before that, writing had to be done during evenings and at weekends, but now my writing doesn’t just get the ‘tired me’.

 

2) What’s your business model to earn a living from writing?

Like most journalists who fell into writing books, I didn’t set out with a business model. My dozen or so non-fiction books bring in more income than my two novels. But journalism is still a more important revenue stream for me than books. Then there are activities like TV and radio appearances, and occasionally work for PR companies. I could earn more if I did more doctoring, but I enjoy the change of pace that I’ve allowed myself.

While I don’t normally spend much on book marketing, I did engage a publicist for my second novel, Hampstead Fever. That probably helped get it into bookstores. It certainly spared me a lot of time and footwork.

3) What do you write and what do you consider to be your major successes?

I’m now concentrating on fiction. My first two novels, One Night at the Jacaranda and Hampstead Fever, are contemporary tales about dating, relationships, and family life. Set in London, they feature multiple viewpoints. Think of the film Love, Actually, and you’ll have good idea of the structure.

My non-fiction books are mostly on child health and parenting, but there are also two textbooks on general practice, co-authored with medical colleagues. I’m not ruling out writing another health book, but publishing has changed, especially for non-fiction because there’s now so much web-based information.

My major successes include writing for The Sun newspaper for the last 18 years as the Sun Doctor. My role is to write fast authoritative copy as needed when a health story breaks. I know some people are sniffy about tabloid journalism, but it’s a real skill being able to get ideas across in just a few words, and I work alongside some of the best in the business.

I’m also proud of my book Twins & Multiple Births: the essential parenting guide from pregnancy to adulthood. The first edition came out 20 years ago and the title is still going strong. It was also very gratifying when General Practice at a Glance received a British Medical Association book award.

With my fiction, I was thrilled this year when WH Smith picked Hampstead Fever for a front-of-store promotion in their travel bookstores. There’s nothing like your novel being in airports and stations to make you feel you’ve arrived!

 

4) Tell me about your latest project

The novel I’m now working on is a new challenge. It’s set mainly in Egypt where I grew up. While story covers nearly 70 years, and there’s only one point of view, it is still mainly about relationships. It’s the book I want to write.

Carol Cooper is a doctor, journalist, and author who turned to fiction after writing a string of popular health books. She lives in North London and Cambridge, and has three grownup sons. Find out more about Carol here:

Blog Pills & Pillow-Talk

Website drcarolcooper.com

Twitter @DrCarolCooper

 

 

 

Smell sweet this summer with Odaban antiperspirant

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I could weep, honestly I could. Why did I not know about this product before?

I’ve ruined so many shirts and t-shirts with excessive sweating, especially during the menopause, and have suffered the embarrassment of sweaty feet since I was a teenager.  To think I could have avoided it all and saved some wonderful clothes in the process for a few pounds with this magical spray.

Odaban antiperspirant where have you been all my life?

Odaban antiperspirant has proved to be one of the most efficient antiperspirants available for under arm wetness, foot problems, wet palms etc. Use in the evening before bed. Make sure the area to be treated is clean and dry before spraying on the feet, and the inner third of the underarm area. It dries quickly but any excess can be absorbed with a sprinkling of talc. Use nightly until the sweating is under control and once or twice weekly thereafter.

Well worth every penny and I shall continue to use it – because it works.

A foot powder and hand cream are also available.

The Odaban product range comes with a full money-back guarantee for up to 45 days after purchase so you have nothing to lose.

You can find  more information at www.odaban.com

Excilor 3 in 1 Protector Spray-protect your feet this summer

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Excilor 3-in-1 Protector Spray – The ideal product for all the family who want to protect their tootsies from any infections

Hands up – how many of you – or your children – are running around barefoot? How many have sweaty feet? How many will admit to a verrucae?

Save yourself the trouble and drop Excilor 3-in-1 Protector Spray into your gym bag before you leave the house.

The spray dries instantly to create an non-greasy invisible barrier to protect against nasty foot infections including, verruacas, warts, athlete’s foot and nail fungus – it even helps fight odour too!

Easy to use: spray over the soles of the feet, on and in-between the toes to form a protective barrier that lasts eight hours. It’s resistant to moisture and forms an ‘invisible sock’ over the foot that protects your feet against contamination from floors and other surfaces –  and from dirty socks and shoes. It washes off quite easily with warm soapy water and does not stain skin or clothes.

It has a soothing, cooling sensation as it hits your feet and smells lovely and fresh. An added bonus is that it dries in seconds, is non-greasy and non-sticky and you can really feel the difference. I tested by spraying on one foot and leaving for a few hours. The protected foot felt cleaner and cooler. It also felt less sweaty so I could definitely experience the benefit.

The 100ml spray is not at all bulky and is easy to drop into your bag before you head for the gym or spa. A must for mums before they set off for the pool with their little ones.

So much nicer than having to cope with irritations of Athlete’s foot, nail fungus or dreaded verrucas.

Excilor 3-in-1

Excilor Protector Spray 3 in 1 is suitable for children over 2 years and the spray delivers over 50 applications.

Currently available in selected pharmacies, RRP £9.99.

 

It Happened To Me: A Tampon Got Lost In My Body

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There is nothing like sharing stories to make you feel like you’re not alone in a situation – we can all identify with a bit of true-talk after all. Not only that, being open and honest about real things that happen to real women is the fastest way to smash taboos and get us all talking about tricky topics. Femcare subscription service Pink Parcel speaks openly to a current subscriber about a particular time a tampon got lost in her body.

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Here, Kay, 24 tells us about the time a tampon got lost inside her…

“I was right at the end of my period. You know, that time in the month when you’re still bleeding a tiny bit but not really enough to justify wearing a tampon. Usually I’d just whack on a panty liner, but I decided to use a lite tampon to be on the safe side. I had a work event that day and wanted to wear a pair of tight, light grey trousers that I’d bought especially. I really didn’t want to risk any potential accidents with a squiffy pad.

“The day passed in a hectic blur. I was rushed off my feet and the event finished with drinks with my team. The glasses of wine I drank went straight to my head, but that wasn’t surprising. It had been a busy day and I have a low tolerance to alcohol around the time of my period. I said goodbye to my colleagues and went off to meet my boyfriend in another bar. It was a friend’s birthday so we ended up drinking some more and danced – the weekend had arrived and all I wanted to do was let my hair down and then sleep! It’s safe to say I was pretty tipsy and after a few hours my boyfriend and I went home to my flat, had sex and crashed out.

“At that point, I still hadn’t taken out the tampon I’d put in early that morning, in fact I’d totally forgotten about it. Yes, even during the sex. My boyfriend didn’t realise that I had a tampon in either. I’m still not sure how, but he didn’t.

“I woke the next morning with a hangover, but sorted myself out with a big breakfast and a long walk by the river. I honestly never gave the previous day’s tampon another thought.

“Fast forward a month and I noticed something wasn’t right when I started spotting. I’d bleed for a day but then it would stop, only to start again a few days later. I even thought I might be pregnant and did a test. It was negative, but I knew something weird was going with my periods. I was no longer regular and just couldn’t understand why. My cycle had been like clockwork for years.

What’s going on?

“So I went to the doctors. As it happens, I was due to have a smear test so booked one in for the following week. I was anxious in case it revealed something sinister but the results came back after a couple of weeks and they were all clear. A relief.

“But the irregular bleeding and low tummy cramps continued and were a complete mystery to me. Another month or so passed this way and my boyfriend marched me back to the doctors. He knew something wasn’t right too.

“They sent me for a scan. An internal one known as a ‘transvaginal ultrasound’ where a three-inch probe was inserted into my vagina to get a good look at my cervix, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes – everywhere that could possibly be causing me this problem. I was told the ultrasound usually detects cysts, fibroids, pelvic infections, ectopic pregnancies and even cancer. I was preparing myself for any of these scary sounding things.

“But when I was sat back in my doctor’s surgery, getting the results, I couldn’t believe it when he said they showed nothing abnormal. Internally my lady bits were the picture of health.

“So I went back home no wiser, wondering then if I’d been over-exaggerating and that maybe the spotting was just normal girl stuff. Not so. For the next month, things seemed to get worse. I didn’t know from day to day if I’d be bleeding or not and it started to take over my life.

“When I went back to my doctor a final time in tears, he referred me to a female gynaecologist to take another look.

The big reveal

“I wasn’t expecting what that appointment would reveal. As I lay there, with my legs in stirrups and with a trainee male doctor looking on, the gynaecologist inserted a speculum into my vagina and got out her light. “Do you think you might have left a tampon in?” she asked, “I think I can just about see the string.” My mind whirred. No, surely not?

“In the next moment she went in with an instrument and whipped out what I can only describe as a soggy, grey mass. It was disgusting and was taken away before I could see it properly or smell it. Thankfully.

“My mind then did the maths. That tampon has been inside me for four months. Four months! In which time I’d inserted other tampons as normal and had sex. Not to mention had a smear test and an ultrasound scan. When I asked the gynaecologist where it had been all that time, she said it was lodged sideways at the top my vagina near my cervix, compressed with the moisture. Apparently it happens way more often than you think, but she was surprised I hadn’t experienced any unusual discharge or odour. I said if I had I might have suspected it sooner.

“I’ve only told my best friend and my mum this story and of course my boyfriend could hardly believe the outcome either. He feels guilty as he played a major part in pushing it ‘up there’. Any other time in my life I’ve always changed my tampon every few hours and wouldn’t have thought it was possible to lose one. Let alone for four months! It just goes to show what can happen with a crazy-busy day, a few drinks and forgetfulness. I won’t be doing that again.”