Pukka Herbs Peppermint and LicoriceTea | Drink Review

Peppermint and Licorice is one of those things that you don’t really expect to go together, but in the land of tea, they do. Made with peppermint & FairWild licorice 20p from every pack of this goes towards supporting WWF conservation projects. Tasty and good for the environment: Frost approves.

The blend of the two flavours really works. It tastes fresh and refreshing. The peppermint soothes the digestion and naturally sweet, soothing licorice calms and nourish. I don’t put sugar in herbal teas but this tea is great for people with a sweet tooth. It definitely doesn’t taste bland. If you love licorice you will love it. It is a good, delicious, healthy tea. Get someone to try it if they think herbal tea is boring, it will prove them wrong.

It is caffeine-free and ethically sourced with 100% organically grown ingredients.

A really great tea.


Pukka Herbs celebrates 10 years in business

This year marks the tenth birthday of herbal innovators, Pukka Herbs.

Founded in 2002 by Sebastian Pole and Tim Westwell based on their mutual passion for natural health and wellbeing and the principals of Ayurveda (traditional Indian medicine), Pukka has grown into an international success story, employing 45 people in the UK and is sold in around 40 countries across the globe including the United States and throughout Europe.

Over the last decade, Pukka Herbs has used the finest organic herbs to optimise health and wellbeing. One of only a handful of totally organic businesses (certified by the Soil Association) Pukka inspires and educates people to live healthier, more sustainable lives. Their portfolio includes 23 premium herbal teas, a collection of skincare (11 products) and over 75 food supplements.

Everything that Pukka produces is inspired by Ayurveda – ‘the art of living wisely’. This ancient Indian wisdom empowers us to look after our health in harmony with nature and, as a result, all products have a functional benefit that is drawn from the high quality herbs used in each blend. Everything Pukka is free from synthetic flavour and colour.

As an ethical business, Pukka strives to be responsible for its actions. Their commitment to the environment ensures that they plant over 20 million plants and trees every year and invest in renewable and sustainable energy projects as well as reforestation programmes with Climate Care. Pukka works with farmers on long term regeneration projects and uses FSC certified and recyclable materials for marketing literature and product packaging.

NEW for 2012 – Revamped Original Ayurvedic blends

Pukka has rebranded their original teas – Relax, Refresh and Revitalise – that were launched when Pukka started in 2002. Retaining the vibrancy and iconic recognition of these incredible teas, we have updated the design and copy to reflect the importance of our heritage in Ayurveda and to educate consumers on the authenticity of the blends.

NEW selection pack

In response to consumer demand, Pukka launches a selection pack of award-winning teas as part of its 10th birthday celebrations.

Containing four sachets of five bestselling blends Three Mint, Three Ginger, Three Tulsi, Three Green and Three Fennel, Pukka’s selection pack offers first-time consumers an exciting introduction to Pukka’s tea portfolio.

This selection pack will be launched at a time in which the herbal and green tea categories have seen a lift in consumer spend (up 2% and 5% respectively in 2011 to £74m*). *Source: Mintel Feb 2012

Pukka Herbs and WWF UK ‘Create a beautiful World’ together in 2012

Throughout 2012, as part of their 10th Birthday celebrations, Pukka Herbs is working with world famous conservation charity WWF UK to help ‘Create a Beautiful World’ – one that is vibrant, integrated and healthy.

Every year Pukka creates hundreds of acres of organic land for growing herbs that creates jobs for farmers and collectors, but also brings beauty into our everyday lives. Every pack of Pukka tea makes the world – whether on the shelf in your kitchen, or farmland in rural India – a more beautiful place.

In supporting the work of WWF UK, Pukka aims to raise in excess of £50,000 for conservation projects across the world – initially through a 20p donation from each sale of their special Peppermint and Licorice tea, and then through a year-long fund raising campaign and viral public film competition to be premiered in November 2012.

Throughout the summer, Pukka will be inviting the public to upload photos and clips to their Facebook page of their own personal ‘beautiful world’ – anything from their children laughing, to a sunset, to a merry-go-round, to their pukka tea shelf – whatever they believe brings beauty into their world. Combined with footage from Pukka and WWF, the clips will be created into 5 minute short films by students and filmmakers. The most popular films as voted for by the public will be screened at an environmentally friendly premier in November.

To support sales of the organic Peppermint and Licorice tea (certified FairWild licorice) in the health food trade and retail industry where the brand has grown, Pukka will be providing support in the form of promotional materials to help create theatre in store and build momentum and awareness of the charitable aims of the partnership.

Pukka will also be bringing out their first range of gorgeous, environmentally sensitive merchandise to showcase the campaign – once again helping people to ‘Create a Beautiful World’ in their every day lives. Profits from the sale of these exclusive items will go to WWF UK.

Sebastian Pole, co-founder and herbal director of Pukka Herbs, says: ‘When we started Pukka in 2002, we wanted to create a totally organic business that inspired people to live healthier, more sustainable lives. It seems only natural that as we celebrate ten years of bringing the power of plants into people’s lives, we also take the time to remember and celebrate the amazing planet that lets us do this.

Each year, we plant over 20 million plants and trees and invest in renewable energy, sustainable projects and reforestation programmes. We work with our growers, customers and consumers on a one to one basis to ensure that everyone profits from being involved with Pukka: sensually, healthily, ecologically and socially. Most importantly, we strive to leave nature in an ever richer, more glorious state than how we found her.

Partnering with WWF to promote our shared conservation values seemed the perfect next step. With a whole host of exciting activities going on over the next 12 months we hope to exceed our target of raising £50,000 to support their important international work.’

Commenting on the partnership, Rachel Bloodworth from WWF said: ‘We are delighted to be working with Pukka Herbs in their tenth birthday year – their dedication to supporting the natural environment and creating a beautiful world is perfectly aligned with our goals. Over the past 50 years, WWF has achieved countless successes from preserving existing species such as mountain gorillas, polar bears and giant pandas, to helping the development of international agreements for the protection of the planet – none of which would be possible without the continued support of dedicated individuals and companies like Pukka.’

“This is Pukka’s first ever consumer campaign and so they sought out the skills and expertise of communications agency Neo to help develop the campaign ideas. Neo only work with organisations that are changing the world for better and have worked with WWF UK on previous projects including their 2012 global ‘Earth Hour’ campaign. Account Director Nicole Bradfield comments on working with Pukka, “Creating an engaging platform for Pukka to bring their brand story to life and share their commitment to creating a beautiful world is a fantastic project. Their work to protect and enhance our natural world is a brilliant story and we’re delighted to be helping Pukka communicate it. We’re especially looking forward to seeing the public’s interpretation of their beautiful worlds weave together to become a stunning piece of filmmaking.”

You can find out more about these projects and how you can get involved at www.pukkaherbs.com/beautifulworld

Eden Hall Celebrates 10 Years of Perfect Pampering

This July, the luxury day spa in Elston, near Newark, Nottinghamshire marks its 10th Anniversary and celebrates the momentous occasion by treating customers to exclusive limited edition treatments created especially for Eden by product houses, Elemis, Thalgo and Spa Find.

Customers can choose from a diverse range of different treatments including a facial, a back ritual or a summer detox – there’s something to suit all body beautifying needs in perfectly tranquil surroundings.

Eden’s Anniversary Facial from Elemis, £110

Designed for skin challenged by modern living and bursting with anti-oxidant rich minerals and vitamins. This purifying treatment helps remove damaging toxins, regenerate skin cells and rebalances sebum. The results: renewed and revitalised skin.

This skin rescue package also includes a complimentary Elemis gift, full use of the saltwater vitality pool, water therapies, heated rooms, gymnasium, exercise and relaxation classes, lounges and chill out areas, robes and towels for use on the day and a delicious three-course lunch.

Eden’s Anniversary Indoceane Back Ritual from Thalgo, £110

The Indoceane Back Ritual encompasses age-old traditions of beautification inspired by four continents. This most sensual of treatments commences with a Mediterranean influenced exfoliation and is followed by Ayurvedic inspired massage using warmed oils and an ancient Indian technique. The silky soft sublime mask harnesses the serenity and relaxing powers of Asia and the Orient to leave your skin glowing. Let your mind and body relax in this ultimate spa treatment.

This indulgent package also includes a complimentary Thalgo gift, full use of the saltwater vitality pool, water therapies, heated rooms, gymnasium, exercise and relaxation classes, lounges and chill out areas, robes and towels for use on the day and a delicious three-course lunch.

Eden’s Anniversary Summer Detox from Spa Find, £110

The Summer Detox aims to reduce cellulite, aid detoxification and prevent water retention. The treatment begins with an exfoliation of the legs, buttocks and abdomen to invigorate and stimulate the circulation, followed by an application of energising caffeine-rich extracts and rebalancing Dead Sea minerals. A relaxing pressure point scalp massage is carried out whilst you are wrapped, maximising the benefits of the products ensuring a more toned and firmed result, whilst safely removing toxins from within the body.

The therapist will then use specialised lymph drainage massage techniques to help with penetration of the Iso Slim complex which includes horsetail plant extract, renowned for its firming properties and Carnitine protein that is essential to the metabolism of fat. The combination of plant extracts and Dead Sea minerals makes this a powerful detoxifying treatment giving you lighter legs for the summer months ahead.

This ultimate detox package also includes a complimentary Spa Find gift, full use of the saltwater vitality pool, water therapies, heated rooms, gymnasium, exercise and relaxation classes, lounges and chill out areas, robes and towels for use on the day and a delicious three-course lunch.

Whichever treatment guests choose, the day will finish with a complimentary glass of Champagne to celebrate Eden’s 10th Birthday.

All treatments are available throughout July 2012 – Monday to Friday.

Alexandra Aitkens on Yoga and finding peace.

I interviewed Alexandra Aitkens and found a young women who has found her calling teaching yoga. I think we can all benefit from the answers below.

1) You have had many, mostly creative careers. Which one do you find most satisfying?

By far teaching kundalini yoga and sharing these miraculous tools and techniques.  The pectice of Kundallini yoga will awaken your potential and give you the power to actually complete your dream heaven on earth.

2) You teach yoga now. What advice can you give to people who want peace in their lives?

Meditate every day it will clear the rubbish out of your mind!
Start by trying one of these meditations for 3 minutes everyday and experience all the benefits for yourself.

http://www.yogamint.com/videos/yogamint_videos

3) What is your favourite yoga move?

My favourite yoga move is the one minute breath. Your life is counted in breaths not years. This breath will make you eternal. The average breath is 20 – 25 times a minute. In good health you breath 10-12 times a minute. If you practice the one minute breath you will have control of your mind.

Inhale 20 seconds
Suspend 20 seconds
Exhale 20 seconds

Or perhaps listening to or singing to  the mul mantra which leads you do you true purpose or destiny.
http://www.amazon.com/Mul-Mantra/dp/B000QQGF8Y

4) Tell me about Blue Light Yoga.

Blue Light Yoga is a  501c non- profit organization… bringing the healing power of yoga to underfunded schools, hospitals, prisons, & shelters, and to people whose lives and lifestyles could be transformed by yoga and meditation worldwide.

Blue light yoga has a new exciting project. We are planning our school in Amritsar India.

Blue Light School in Amritsar India
Blue Light realises the fact that helping is not simply a matter of dispersing money but of making a deep, long-term commitment to educate and train people to be the best they can be.

Childhood is the time when a young person needs nurturing, schooling, time to play and be given the opportunity to be excel in life.

India is home to the largest population of working children in the world. But child labour like child trafficking, infant mortality, child beggary and child marriage are just symptoms. The root cause lies somewhere else. Educating these children is the only way to care for them and protect their welfare. An Education that empowers them to earn a livelihood and an education can teach them to lead better lives.  Blue Light works as a catalyst to change the lives of numerous such underprivileged children and youth for the better with great empowering success.
Our curriculum will also include traditional Indian Subjects like Maths and Numerology, Gurmukhi, Philosophy, Ayurvedic medicine, Kirtan and Yoga.

These classes and special courses are open to Global visitors by donation.

www.bluelightyoga.net

5) What was your favourite acting job?

Facing rudeness and crudeness with compassionate sweetness.

6) What is next for you?

Continuously deepening my understanding of kundallini yoga and sharing all the discoveries, love and wisdom on how to be happy , healthy and peacefully relaxed.

7) What makes you happy?

Realising everything that happens is a blessing to help you grow to experience how miraculous your lovely life is.

Thank you Alexandra.