Category Archives: Life & Style

Surcare – Simply Kind Laundry Cleansing And Conditioning – by Award Winning Author Dr Kathleen Thompson

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When we think of skin we think of a pretty face or perhaps a bronzed leg – but skin is so much more than that. It’s the largest organ in our bodies and it’s extremely clever – it keeps bad things out and good things in. It also produces vitamin D from sunlight, helps regulate temperature through sweating, and of course allows us to touch and feel.

So we really need to take care of our skin and protect it from inflammatory conditions such as eczema and dermatitis, because not only are these miserable and painful, but they can stop our skin doing it’s job properly.

We put creams and potions on our skin, but sometimes we forget that what we wash our clothes and bedding in can remain in the fabric and end up in close contact with our body all day, and night too. The wrong product could cause an unpleasant and persistent dermatitis, or aggravate pre-existing eczema.

But surely laundry cleansers and fabric conditioners don’t contain irritants and allergens? Well, yes they can – enzymes, acids, dyes and, perhaps surprisingly, the fragrance.

That’s why I love Surcare products – their philosophy is not to put anything unnecessary into their products and that means they’re gentle for everyone, and particularly for people with sensitive skin or eczema – the complete range has the Allergy UK Seal of Approval.

But, without these additives, how well do they clean, you may ask? Fear not – I have road tested the Non-Bio Laundry Capsules and Fabric Softener, using my dance top and leggings, after a strenuous two-hour jive class (trust me, this is the ultimate challenge for any laundry product). And the verdict – I was genuinely stunned – my togs were soft and smelt of … fresh nothing. No pungent non-specific floral fragrance, and no sweaty smells either. Surcare had done its job perfectly.

So I’m a big fan. Surcare laundry cleaner comes as liquid, capsules or powder, which all clean thoroughly, even on a cool or quick wash.

Besides the Fabric Conditioner, there’s a Washing Up Liquid too. This is a really lovely quality product – it felt rich and luxurious on my fingers, and again no strong artificial smell. In fact it felt so nice I was seriously tempted to start hand-washing my supper dishes. Thankfully I managed to resist the urge and popped them in the dishwasher, but I will definitely be using Surcare for those odd coffee cups, confident that my hands will not suffer as a result.

With Coronavirus still lingering, frequent clothes washing is important, particularly kids back at school who need clean clothes every day, and choosing a kind laundry product like Surcare may prevent harm to their young skins.

The range is available throughout the UK, sold in Sainsburys, Tesco, Morrisons, Waitrose and Coop – give it a try, and for more information checkout the Surcare website.

 

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.

 Alex Bannard’s Mindfulness Series. Using the breath as your anchor – with a free meditation

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So far we have explored what Mindfulness is: the moment to moment awareness & acceptance of our thoughts, feelings, emotions & behaviours; the attitudes that accompany mindfulness: non-judgment, kindful acceptance, forgiveness & compassion, playful curiosity & the beginner’s mind, non-striving, gratitude & heartfulness; and the distinction between mindfulness & meditation: meditation being the formal way to practice mindfulness, mindfulness being a way of living.

Today we are going to talk about how we practice mindfulness by using the breath to anchor ourselves in the present moment & why we do this but first I want to share a story from Jay Shetty’s book, Think Like a Monk. Jay spent 3 years training to be a monk in an ashram in India & has since taken the world by storm bringing these beautiful monk values to modern day. If you haven’t already read it, I urge you to do so.

In the book he recalls seeing a young monk teaching other monks how to breathe & when he asked why this was the response he got: ‘Because the only thing that stays with you from the moment you’re born to the moment you die is your breath.’ The young monk went on to add, ‘When you get stressed – what changes? Your breath. When you get angry – what changes? Your breath. We experience every emotion with the change of breath. When you learn to navigate & manage your breath, you can navigate any situation in life.’

Did you know that we breathe about 20,000 times a day?    Were you aware that many of us take such shallow breaths, that we only just obtain enough oxygen to function? This can put our bodies & minds into almost perpetual flight or fright mode.

Our breath: without it we are quite literally nothing; with it, we more than exist, we are powerful.

Many meditation or mindful practices focus attention on the breath, using it as a tool to gently guide us back from our thoughts to the present, just being. After all, any breath you take, can only ever happen in the present moment: it can’t happen in the past, or in the future, only right here, right now. That’s why it is such a powerful anchor to the present moment.

Our breath is both a guide & a tool. By becoming aware of our breath, noticing when we are breathing shallowly in our chest rather than more slowly & deeply into our belly, it can be a sign of stress. Many of us are so used to the habitual background endless stress levels that we are not even aware that we are stressed. When we bring our attention to our breath & notice our breathing is shallow we can take some longer smoother breathes into our belly which calms the mind & thus the breath becomes a tool to calm the mind.

Try it now: place a hand on your chest & a hand on your belly & when you breathe in notice which hand rises. If I’s the hand on your belly, continue to breathe slowly & deeply into your belly & notice how you feel after a few rounds. If it is the hand on your chest, then you simply redirect the breath into your belly. Take several belly breaths & notice how you feel. Our breath is 1 of only 2 automatic responses we can consciously control (the other is blinking). Of course you aren’t actually directing the breath into your belly, it is the movement of the diaphragm that moves your belly. Belly breathing is also known as diaphragmatic breathing.

We are beginning to understand that for each emotion, we have a different rate in our breath, just like the monk mentioned at the beginning. By slowing the breath, taking longer smoother breaths, this sends a powerful message to the brain.

Our exhalation stimulates the vegas nerve, which activates the relaxation response, calming the nervous system. When we are breathing quickly & shallowly the sympathetic nervous system, the fight or flight system is activated, we are literally getting ready to run away or fight. When the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, we are activating the rest & digest system. Our breath helps to bring these systems into balance, which is important as they work best in conjunction with & complimenting each other.

This week’s meditation is a mindfulness of breath meditation. To obtain your copy, simply email Alex to the email address below quoting Frost mindfulness breath. Next time we will be exploring why & how we can use the body to anchor ourselves into the present moment & cultivate a more mindful approach to living & being.

Alex is based on the edge of the stunning Cotswolds & has been sharing her love for all things yoga & mindfulness for the last 8 years, not just in the UK but also around the world. Her mission is to help everyone discover a sense of peace & calm within & to encourage them to embrace regular self-care practices.

If you would like more information on how to practice mindfulness, meditation & yoga message her at alex@myananda.co.uk.

For free resources check out her Facebook group: Mindfulness & Yoga for Self-Care, here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MindfulnessYoga4Relationships

Alternatively please check out her website: www.myananda.co.uk

One year in care during Covid 19 – Living with Alzheimer’s by Chris Suich

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I can hardly believe it is a year since Bob went into care. I have fought to have a meaningful visit for almost as long. I have three files of letters, have been interviewed on the main BBC news at 6 pm and 10 pm and done a double page spread with The Daily Express. I have joined 2 campaign groups and worked with human rights lawyers.

Still,  I have only seen him in his room for the last five weeks for 30 minutes each time because I have begged and underlined the guidance – which I have kept up with regularly –and where it mentioned  ‘ end of  life’, which states meaningful visits should be facilitated safely  (with lateral flow tests, temperature tests and PPE.) My GP has supported me, and my Admiral nurse.  My GP wrote a letter stating she thought Bob had months to live. 6-12 months is deemed end of life. This should be recognised by care-homes. It is written in the guidance during COVID-19. That was November. It took till the end of January. There are thousands and thousands more families up and down the country suffering. Yes, many residents have died in care-homes from COVID-19  but I wonder how many have died because they have been isolated from loved ones and have given up? I have seen the mental anguish. I have gone every week I was allowed on site to see Bob at the window. I have witnessed the scratching at the window, the crying for me.

The deterioration in just a year is profound. Bob cannot stand, needs a hoist, has a soft diet as he has a high risk of choking, is doubly incontinent, and speaks in odd words and phrases which are often muddled or random. He is as dependent as a baby. But he’s mine, and he’s still inside there somewhere.

So Bob is a shell of the man that walked into care. He doesn’t know me. I can hold his hand but he has forgotten how to hold mine. All those weeks he reached out to me begging to hold my hands and now he’s forgotten how to. I tell him I’m Chris, his wife and I love him and it’s a good day because I’ve come to see him. I pick up one of the memory books I’ve done for him and I talk to him about the pictures.

‘ Look, this is a lovely picture darling. That’s Eddie with his arm around you.  You were in Skegness having fish and chips’.

There is some recollection and then ‘ Edward, Edward, Edward!’

‘ Yes, and look who this is, it’s your Joey, yes, that’s Joseph’

Another flicker perhaps, a frown, dredging up the distant memory of his eldest son’s name.

And then, ‘ He’s a good chap.’

‘ Yes, he is. Dr Joe , he’s coming to see you tomorrow, darling, as soon as he’s finished at the hospital. He’s  coming to see you. How wonderful will that be?’

He looks around his bedroom as though he might be coming right now.

Then he sees my smiling face on his pictures on the memories blanket on his bed.

‘ She’s smiling’, he says.

‘ Yes darling, that’s me and I’m smiling because I’m here with you’

‘You’re very pretty’

‘ And you’re my handsome Bob’

That has tickled him and he laughs and laughs.

It is magical to have this response. Sometimes it is nothing. Staring in front of him if he’s sat in a chair, or laying in bed with the radio blaring. Lost in his thoughts, days passing, monotony, lifeless and without my stimulation. He jerks and reaches for things in fresh air, hallucinating. Today is a calm day.

It’s amazing what I can pack in the 30 minutes. I take him chocolate buttons and he opens his mouth like a little bird and I pop them in, one at a time. He licks his lips and I know he’s enjoyed them. I read to him. The Owl and the Pussycat last time. I play him our tunes. The Beatles ‘Ooh Blah  Dee Ooh Blah  Da’ and he responds. He wails to the chorus, trying to sing.  He recognises the chorus and I’m pleased I thought of that one. I dance around in front of him singing and trying to get a further response. I play ‘ A Groovy Kind of Love’ by Phil Collins. Our song. He knows the name. ‘ A long time ago’ he says.

It is – a lifetime away.

Out of the blue he says, ‘ I love you’ and I’m overcome, the tears spill. Happy tears tinged with sadness.

Then the knock at the door. ‘ Time’s Up’. I want to stay longer. He is just beginning to know me again, there’s a definite connection. Surely it makes no difference, I’m in his room, I’m not interfering with anyone. It’s not near tea time. Why can’t I stay two hours? He’s dying.  Every minute is precious.

Knock knock. ‘Sorry it’s time’. It’s agony. I don’t want to go. I’ll have to wait another week. I’m in an emotional trauma. Do prisoners get longer?

I tell him I love him and always will. I tell him I’ll be back. I say ‘I’ll bring you chocolate.’ I kiss him with my mask on, on his forehead. He doesn’t respond. He goes back inside himself. My eyes are full of tears. How can this be happening? I should have the same status as the carers. I am the family carer. I know him and can love and stimulate him.

They see my tears. I can’t speak. I try to get out quickly. I ram the PPE in the bin, I wash my hands and I briskly walk to the car. I sit in the car, my head bowed. I cannot stop the sobs. I wait till I can drive the 15 minutes home. I’m numb. The next day is the same. I sometimes just cannot do anything. No motivation for the next day’s tasks. This lockdown and isolation does not help. I cannot wait to mix with friends again.

This is my routine now. I try to busy myself. I allow myself one day of grief after the visit, then I try to keep my mind and body busy. Walking and walking until I tire. School work prep. Box sets. Zoom meetings, Zoom teaching. This is the limbo land and routine  I’m existing in at the moment. Until the next visit.

A Virtual Writers’ Weekend – just the job for these strange times

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Have you been spending your time in lockdown working on a novel, short story, picture book or children’s book? The Virtual Writers’ Weekend, online from 24-27 June, 2021, is a place where writers working in all genres and at all levels can find writing support, editorial feedback and meet one-to-one with literary agents to pitch their manuscript.

Founded by the former director of the long-running Winchester Writers’ Festival, Sara Gangai, the Writers’ Weekend had its inaugural event in July, 2020 and drew an international audience.

After finding that a virtual event can be as interactive and effective as an in-person event, Sara decided to hold it virtually again in 2021. ‘Now, more than ever, there is a need for writers to have a chance to meet and share with other writers and rub virtual elbows with literary agents and published authors.’ The highlight for many is the one-to-one appointments and every year, a number of writers attain publication as a result of the event. New this year: small-group genre-specific Writers’ Circles for peer feedback, starting in May and ending with a one-to-one with an agent or author mentor.

The 2021 event features acclaimed keynote speakers: Diana Gabaldon, best-selling author of the ‘Outlander’ series that has an avid following, and award-winning children’s author/illustrator Chris Riddell, who’s rich illustrations for a new edition of Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass will come out in June. A slate of best-selling authors and top literary agents will give talks and answer audience questions on the craft of writing, including Kate Mosse, Robert Fabbri, Helen Fields, Derek Miller, Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Lissa Evans, Tracey Corderoy, MG Leonard, and illustrator Ness Wood, to name a few.

For the full programme and details on scholarships, bursaries and their six writing competitions, please visit www.writersweekend.uk.

 

 

Keeping Your Child Active

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While younger children may be more inclined to burn off energy by running around, especially during play with their friends, you want to nurture this activity to help them remain fit and healthy as they grow up. Looking into ways that you can promote an active lifestyle without turning it into a chore, or something that they find boring, can help them to enjoy staying active, as well as provide some great opportunities for getting outdoors and spending time together as a family.

Active Toys

Children learn to develop their skills via play, which is why the type of toys that you buy your child can impact their growth tremendously. To encourage your child to engage in more active or outdoor play, you may want to consider toys for the right age from Wicked Uncle. This can allow them to begin to discover games or skills that incorporate exercise. Something as simple as a child’s first bike can help them to discover a love of cycling which can be great for both travel and keeping fit. This can also allow you to venture out as a family, exploring the local area, with the journey becoming part of the adventure. 

Clubs

As your child grows up and starts school, a number of clubs may be offered to them, both by their learning provider as well as other institutions. Encouraging your child to sign up for sports clubs can enable them to learn more about social interactions and keep fit. Some other clubs your child may join might also provide them with life skills, such as the ability to swim. Children can often make lifelong friends by taking part in these clubs, as well as developing their abilities. Many children who attend sports clubs from when they are young often go on to continue enjoying and participating in that sport, even into adulthood.

Combination with a Balanced Diet

While keeping active is important for your child to grow up fit and healthy, their diet cannot be neglected. Even when undertaking exercise, poor food choices can still cause weight gain, as well as other health problems which may affect their enjoyment and longevity. By providing your child with correctly portioned food, rich in lean proteins, healthy fats, and plenty of fruit and vegetables, you will be enabling them to make better food choices as they grow up, as well as to provide their insides with the correct vitamins and minerals they require to function properly. It is also important, after activity, that you do not overcompensate by giving them an increased number of calories. 

While processed or greasy food should be kept to a minimum, these may be incorporated into your child’s diet to allow them to practice moderation, as well as to avoid binging on forbidden foods once they reach an age where they have more autonomy over purchasing food.

Considering ways to keep your child active and healthy now can help them to grow up with a good relationship with both food and exercise. 

Collaborative post with our brand partner.

And the thrillers keep on coming from Joffe Books in good time for Mother’s Day by Annie Clarke

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GET THREE BESTSELLING CRIME THRILLERS IN ONE BARGAIN BOX SET.  Only 99p/99c for all three

PRAISE FOR MARGARET MURPHY:

“Amongst the best of British crime writing and gives the likes of Ian Rankin and Minette Walters a run for their money . . . If you like crime, you’ll love Murphy.” Chester Chronicle

“Set aside a day — you won’t be able to put it down once it has you in its grip.” Val McDermid

Too good to miss, for a Mum who likes thrillers? Grab this box set today for a bargain price. Only 99p / 99c for THREE unputdownable crime thrillers.

A bumper set for Mother’s Day, but let’s see what else there is for you.

 

            

The Zodiac Murder by Roy Lewis 99p/99c

A dangerous killer who has been abducting, torturing and murdering women is on the loose. Eric Ward is appointed to defend the man accused of these heinous crimes. Due to a technicality, he walks free. But is the man truly guilty?   Find out in the final instalment of Roy Lewis’ Eric Ward mystery series.  99p / 99c

The Frank Doy Crime Thrillers by Dan Latus in one good value box set.

Great for those who enjoy pacey thrillers. Out now at 90% off for a limited time . 99p/99c

The Evil that Men Do by Jeanne M Dams  £1.99 $2.99

Dorothy Martin and her husband escape to the Cotswolds for a charming weekend away in the countryside. When they least expected it, the couple stumble across a body at the bottom of a disused quarry. Did he fall to his death or was he pushed?  (Fabulous Jacket)

        

Next of Kin by Maureen Carter    99P / 99C

Next of Kin is a page turner. Mum will like this, and want more. Perhaps a box of chocs as well then.  Tight plotting, fast pace. Grab a soft centre from the box, take a breather, then back to it.

A Vow of Devotion  by Veronica Black £1.99 / $2.99

The convent welcomes two newcomers hoping to join the fold. Soon after their arrival, there’s a mysterious intruder . . . The convent is no longer safe. Dramatic and entertaining and a favourite of mine – set in a Cornish convent. Sounds just the thing for a lazy Mother’s Day afternoon, as others prepare tea.

 

Hidden in the Heart by Beth Andrews 99p/99c

Romance and mystery,   Lydia Bramwell is sent to her Aunt Camilla in the Sussex countryside. High-spirited Lydia expects a very dull visit to the village of Diddlington but all is not as she had anticipated when a charred corpse is found in the woods. Lydia enlists the help of her friend, John Savidge, to catch the real killer.

As a tease,Blood Stained is on its way –   so a quick looked at the jacket… (This books can be pre-ordered).

BLOOD STAINED by Rebecca Bradley   Can’t find her.   Can’t catch him.  Can’t trust anyone.

The first in a gripping new Sheffield-set crime series starring Detective Claudia Nunn.

Commissioning Editor Emma Grundy Haigh said: “Rebecca Bradley is a thrilling voice in commercial crime fiction. Her insider knowledge of policing delivers unerring authenticity to this new series, but it’s her compelling narrative voice that immediately hooked me in, and I knew straight away we needed Rebecca to join the Joffe Books list. Blood Stained is a dark, twisty and utterly compulsive page-turner that will be devoured by fans of Rachel Abbott and Lisa Reagan.”

There you are then, a few tempters for Mother’s Day. Just don’t forget the box of chocs too.

Books are available from Amazon.  And still time to browse the shelves of  one of our leading independent publishers: Joffe Books. for more choices.

Annie Clarke is the author of the Home Front series (Arrow paperbacks).

All that Glitters, Shelagh Mazey’s fifth novel in the Heart of Stone series promises hours of pleasure. Enjoy.

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All that Glitters is the fifth in the Heart of Stone series by Shelagh Mazey, one of my favourite authors, who has created a series of deeply researched, fascinating, memorable sagas, using settings which seem to span the world.

So let’s see where Mazey takes her astonishing cast of characters this time:

Aurora Dryer is the adopted daughter of Lord and Lady Dryer of Alvington Manor. She has fallen for the prospector Rhys Thomas on a short-lived trip to Australia. Her challenge is to persuade her parents to let her follow her heart and return to the gold mining town of Bendigo to see if the magic can be re-captured.

Lucy Seymour, the young widow of murdered Ashleigh Seymour, makes the decision to travel with her small son Frankie to the diamond mines of South Africa to visit her brother-in-law, Rupert. Enticed by the offer of marriage, Lucy knows that she and her son have a long sea voyage and epic trek overland ahead of them, but she wishes to escape her uneventful provincial life with her in-laws.

Both women are yearning for excitement, but their journeys are destined to take different paths to those they had envisaged. Their story will take them to the gold and diamond mines of Australia and South Africa. In the pursuit of love they will face many adventures including a shipwreck, black magic, vendettas, arson, kidnap and extortion.

The novel, set in the second half of the nineteenth century, starts with a prologue, which is always a good way to bring the reader up to date.  This time  Shelagh Mazey uses   ‘where we are in the series’ letters, a device used from time to time, to draw the threads of the novel together. Clever.  And within the first chapter there is talk of smallpox, and vaccinations which makes this historical novel immediately  relatable – again –  clever.

Swiftly flowing, always page turning,  Mazey writes with compassion, and gentleness. Whenever I read one of her novels I learn about a country, and a time set back in the annals of history. All that Glitters is no exception,   Mazey  transports us from Portland and its rich history, to South Africa, by sea, to Australia, too. I can see the bright light, and smell, almost taste the dust of  these far away countries,  as we follow all that the characters endure, all their trials and tribulations. Do they overcome them? Ah, read and see.

Why travel in their footsteps, when you can buy this book and take the journey in the comfort of your armchair, and what’s more, travel back in time while you’re about it?

Another triumph for Shelagh Mazey. Bravo.

All that Glitters is available in eBook and paperback.(though the pb is held up slightly owing to lockdown.)

 

The World Between Us by Sarah Ann Juckes Reviewed by Natalie Jayne Peeke West Country Correspondent

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Alice may be bed-bound, but every day Stream Cast brings the world to her. From the streets of Tokyo to a masterclass in video games, she experiences other people’s wild and exciting lives all without ever leaving her room.

But everything changes when Alice is introduced to a new streamer.

Rowan encourages Alice to stop watching, and start taking control. But Rowan has a secret he’s trying to hide from Alice – and from himself.

As Alice and Rowan build a bigger and more beautiful world together, their secrets threaten to tear them apart. Would you risk everything for love?
Every so often I like to pick up a book that is more suitable for younger ages, mainly to satisfy my curiosity about how books have changed with the times and see what is new for the young people of today.

From the first page to the last I was hooked, it’s a cliché but I genuinely could not put this marvellous book down.

During these times where we have all been locked away from our friends like Alice, many of us have used technology for socialising. However, unlike most of us, Alice is bed bound all of the time.

Do you ever wonder what that is like? Sarah Ann Juckes writes a beautiful story of Alice, her friends and of course, her first love.

The world between us is aimed at readers aged 12-17, however I am in my late 20s and I still enjoyed it. I found it to be a lovely smooth read with short chapters which is ideal if you only want to read little and often.

I would recommend The World Between Us to fans of All the Bright Places and the fault in our stars.