Tag Archives: Health

The Mayfair Hotel Spa | Spa Review

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Did you know that The Mayfair Hotel is the official hotel partner of the BFI Film Festival in London? In association with it, Frost Magazine got invited down to enjoy a massage and some cocktails in the bar.

I had a Traditional Swedish Massage. It was a 90 minute massage. My full body massage was a calming experience. You are given a locker key and change into a dressing gown. You have an option of wearing disposable underwear – which I took- and then you are taken to the room and lie face down. My masseuse, Meera, made sure I was completely relaxed. This was my first full body massage, and it was quite weird. It marks the first time I have disrobed in front of a women! I am not that comfortable with nudity, other people’s or my own, so the fact that Meera made me relax was quite an achievement. My entire body, from my toes to my head was massaged. After the massage I was taken to the relaxation room and given some water. I really enjoyed the massage. Meera even gave me some advice about my back, which has a habit of playing up some time. Definitely worth it.

The experience helped my back. I think I may be converted.

Traditional Swedish Massage – 60 mins £99 or 90 mins £135

Afterward I had a drink in the bar with a colleague. I had a good Margarita.

I love the Mayfair Hotel. It even smells great.

Swedish massage combines a universal collection of techniques designed primarily to relax specific muscles and help relieve tension. This technique is ideal for reducing both physical and emotional stress, and is suggested as a regular program for stress management. The pressure can be varied to suit your taste.

Located at London’s iconic May Fair Hotel, in the heart of Mayfair, the May Fair Spa epitomises pure indulgence and tranquillity. Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and discover a hidden retreat of relaxation and wellbeing.

Exclusive yet friendly, laid-back and sumptuous the May Fair Spa lists an impressive menu of treatments for men and women, including a range of facials, micro-dermabrasions, scrubs, massages using Booster guns, body wraps and mud-baths inspired by beauty rituals from all over the world.

Using the most exclusive treatments, the May Fair ensures guests experience maximum relaxation and
invigoration with the best results from every visit. Specialist treatments include the Crystal Clear Oxygen

Therapy and a number of signature treatments including the Algotherm Soap Massage, designed to leave skin moisturised and glowing, and the Jetlag Reviver package, which combines an energising facial, a full body aroma massage with a May Fair mud bath and a remineralising wrap.

The spa also features the luxurious May Fair mud bath – an unparalleled indulgence – which involves applying toning muds and natural salts to the body in a private steam chamber as cleansing steam is jetted out of a crystal ball.

The ceiling of the steam chamber, lit by tiny optic fibre lights, has been designed to give the feeling of a warm summer night – a perfect escape for those fed up with the hubbub of the capital. Guests can choose to treat themselves to a Cleopatra mud bath alone or better still, with a partner to have fun covering each other in mud.

The stylish spa has been carefully designed for optimum indulgence and features the best of understated luxury in its seven treatment rooms, traditional sauna and herbal steam room. To help cleanse the body and mind, the herbal steam room has a gentle aroma of essential oils and the sauna is filled with the sweet smell of fruits and fresh herbs roasting on a cast iron plate.

Therapists at the May Fair Spa also place strong emphasis on the pre and post treatment stages. Guests are encouraged to arrive an hour before their treatments to allow enough time to unwind in the steam room and sauna.

Once treatments have taken place, it is recommended that guests chill-out in the Spa’s tranquil relaxation room, which features scented candles, gently warmed marble loungers and heated floors. In the relaxation room, guests are served herbal teas, freshly squeezed juices and fruit sorbets, to reflect their treatments. A jasmine tea for instance is recommended to complement jasmine oil based treatments.

The May Fair Spa also features an exclusive members’ Health Club, with the very latest exercise equipment.

May Fair Spa offers members a complimentary laundry service – just leave the workout kit behind and it will be fresh and ready to wear again on return for the next gym session.

For bookings and further details on the May Fair Spa and Health Club, please contact 020 7915 2826 or log onto www.mayfairspa.com

* The May Fair Hotel is one of the best 5 star hotels in London, and it the official hotel partner of the 56th BFI London Film Festival.

Strictly Come Dancing Hits Our Screens, Keep Your Feet In Tip Top Shape

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 Frost has reviewed some foot products to get your feet in tip top condition as Brucey has dusted off his dancing shoes, fake tan and false eyelashes have been ordered by the truckload and dance classes up and down the country are bursting at their sequinned seams with a new influx of dancing fans. With the show’s rehearsal’s now in full swing, the nation is primed and ready for Strictly fever to hit once again.  
Stars Denise Van Outen and Kimberley Walsh are loving their new roles as dancing diva’s in training, but it seems their string of foot woes has been holding them back in rehersals.
Denise Van Outen has been forced to rehearse barefoot due to extreme blister pain.  Denise says on her blog: “I feel that I’m at a disadvantage this week as my feet are so badly blistered due to dancing in heels, that I can’t even get my shoes on and I’m having to practice barefoot until they heal.” Denise had to don extra high heels in order to dance with her partner, the lovely but very tall James Jordan.  Kimberly Walsh tweeted of her painful feet woes earlier in the week, declaring ”OK so now my feet are really sore #scd.”  And it seems Olympic gold medalist, Victoria Pendelton’s feet aren’t safe either.  Victoria Tweeted from rehearsals yesterday with her professional dance partner Brendan Cole, Victoria admitted: ‘Day 2 feet are so sore!’
With so many tootsie troubles this early on in the competition, Carnation Footcare feel it’s their duty to protect the nation’s feet.  Get bunion to beautiful with these top feet treats….
A luxurious Exfoliating Foot Scrub with apricot seed and walnut shell, perfect for keeping toes in tip top condition ready for their ballroom debut.
This great smelling foot scrub really does the trick, leaving your feet nice and smooth.
 
A Cool Foot spray for on the go refreshment.  A sneaky spray will help keep feet dry and comfortable throughout the sweatiest of swing and jive sessions. 
This cooling spray sorts out embarrassing problems like smelly, sweaty feet. A must for dancers on their feet all day. This is a good spray. It does the job.
 
Tip Toes invisible gel cushions, helping to keep your perfectly polished toes looking dance-tastic at all times.
I love these. They are brilliant at helping the burning pain you get in the soles of your feet. It is a lot easier to wear heels with these handy gel cushions.
 
An Anti-Blister Stick, whip this in your training bag and ensure blisters don’t ruin your salsa night or dance class. This clever little device creates a light non-greasy layer on the skin, which eliminates the friction that causes blisters.
This handy stick stops blisters. Which might make it one of the best inventions ever, as nothing is more painful and annoying than blisters on your feet. A must buy if you are on the go all the time.
 
Pedi Roller, use at the end of any dance-off to help banish the achey feet blues.  5 minutes using the Pedi Roller will help ease heel and arch pain associated with prolonged standing and walking.  The ridged design massages tired feet, reducing tension and stimulating circulation. Pedi- Roller can also be used as a cold massage therapy by chilling or freezing before using.
I love this roller. It is easy to use and It really helps your feet after a long day. It is good for cramp too. It eases arch and heel pain.
Carnation’s Hydro Blisters are small dressings which offer rapid blister pain relief and protect from dirt and bacteria.  So there’s no reason to miss a dance class now!
These really helps with blisters. Pop one on and it will stop any painful rubbing and prevent against dirt and bacteria. They make a huge difference.
All these Carnation Footcare products are available from www.carnationfootcare.co.uk 

The Food Hospital’s Fibre Challenge Success

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The Food Hospital Fibre Challenge app has had over 60,000 downloads to date following the return of the new series of The Food Hospital on Channel 4 last month. The application available on iPhone and Android devices has got the nation reaching for the fruit bowl and monitoring their toilet habits on a daily basis.

The Fibre Challenge application encourages viewers to record their bowel movements and increase the amount of fibre in their diet for 21 days. Participants are challenged to eat an extra five grams of dietary fibre every day in the first stage, and an extra ten grams per day in the second stage. Each day, they should record how many bowel movements they have had and the stool type using the Bristol Stool Form Scale. At the end of the challenge, participants hope to see a noticeable improvement in bowel health. The anonymous data will be added to the national results, with the overall findings published on The Food Hospital website.

The Food Hospital Fibre Challenge app has been devised by specialist dietitians and is a mass participation initiative to assess the effect of fibre on the nation’s bowel health. Most people don’t eat enough fibre. The recommended minimum daily intake of dietary fibre is 18 grams, but few get anywhere near that. Increasing the amount of fibre in your diet is believed to provide short-term health benefits and help prevent serious disease.

Alongside the app and as part of the new series, each week volunteers who have previously participated in The Fibre Challenge will have their results analysed to help viewers gain a better understanding to whether a high fibre diet significantly improves short-term bowel health. Fifty volunteers took part in The Fibre Challenge earlier this summer and for 21 days, they ate extra dietary fibre and sent information about their bowel movements anonymously to an expert team for analysis.

In a recent study, British Medical Journal reported that dietary fibre can potentially reduce bowel cancer risk by up to 20%. Bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer: one person dies every half an hour from the disease, often because of late diagnosis.

The Food Hospital Fibre Challenge app has been devised by betty, the production company behind the series, in consultation with Channel 4 and specialist dietitians. Betty’s executive producer Neil Smith says, “betty has a track record for creating innovative content that captures the imagination. Our challenge was to translate this into a digital form, so we’re thrilled that it’s been so enthusiastically embraced. It’s engaging content with the potential to save lives”.

Deborah Alsina, Chief Executive of Bowel Cancer UK says: ‘We are delighted the Fibre Challenge app has been so popular as it is an important early step to improving bowel health. It is well known that simple changes to your diet and lifestyle, such as increasing your intake of fibre can make you feel better and help stack the odds against bowel cancer. Therefore the makers of The Food Hospital are to be commended for bringing this into the mainstream. We now need to keep momentum and continue to raise awareness and encourage action around this important public health issue.’

Lizzy Keene, Senior Producer for Factual at Channel 4, adds “We are delighted with the success of the app and to have reached over 60,000 downloads already. Our aim was to encourage people to talk openly about their bowel habits and visit their GP with any concerns. Bowel cancer can be successfully treated if it’s caught early enough and we wanted to break down the ‘poo taboo’ in a fun but informative way.”

Camellia’s Tea Shop | Review

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Camellia’s Tea Shop has a lot going for it; a great location in central London, a great view and a good variety of tea. So, then, why was it one of the worst places I have ever drank in, in London? Let me start….

As I walked into Camellia’s Tea Shop the friend I was meeting was nowhere to be seen. I had a walk around so I could decide where to sit. I finally make up my mind and I am approached by someone I think is the manager, who is rude and condescending. She asks me if I am having tea, something I think is rather obvious in a tea room, I say ‘yes’ very politely. She points to the smallest and most out-of-the-way table and says that I should go sit there. I decide not to create a scene as my friend will be here soon, so I smile and I go and take this table.

I take a look at the menu and I just have a normal tea as I am not a huge fan of most herbal tea. By this time my friend has arrived and I go and order a drink for her too. I pay £3.50 for each tea. My friend likes her tea but mine, well, it really was the worst tea I have ever had in my life. Which is quite an achievement. For a brief moment I actually think the milk they gave me might be off as it tastes so disgusting. I couldn’t even finish it.

It is a shame that Camellia’s Tea Shop does not live up to its potential as it could be a great tea room. The service is awful, the staff are rude and the tea is the worst I have ever tasted. Avoid at all costs.

 

Potter’s Herbal Elixir of Echinacea Plus & Kwai Heart + Immune Supplements | Health Review

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miranda kerrAs winter comes in colds are inevitable. Echinacea is well known to ward of colds and boost the immune system, but does it really work?

The first thing I have to say about Potter’s Herbals Elixir of Echinacea is how nice it tastes, rare for something that is good for you. I am more used to taking pills but taking the elixir is no problem. I take it three times a day and I don’t get a cold, and feel that I have been given a health boost. In fact when I get more busy and forgot to take it for a while I ended up getting a cold. I start taking the Echinacea again and I immediately feel better. I think it works and I am impressed. It even makes my skin clearer.

I also start taking Kwai Heart+Immune with vitamins A, C and E; 30 tablets RRP £6.12; 100 tablets £16.33; Available from Boots. When I first take it I worry that I will smell of garlic but a friend says I don’t. After I start taking the supplement I feel much more energetic and healthier. The Pills are also easy to swallow.  My skin tone also improves when I am taking the pills. With the Kwai Heart+Immune and Potter’s Herbals Elixir of Echinacea I am all set for winter.

Commenting on Kwai Heart+Immune, independent dietitian Dr Carrie Ruxton says: “It is now well accepted that vitamins A and C and garlic have a vital role in supporting a normal immune function, while vitamin E is a potent antioxidant, helping to protect cells from oxidative stress which leads to cell damage. Human research on garlic shows that it is antimicrobial and can reduce levels of harmful bacteria and viruses which cause disease.”

The immune system as you know is crucial to help prevent colds/flu/virues and potentillay fatal illnesses. New research by the Henry Potter Advisory Committee also reveals that nearly half of 2,000 respondents in survey (46.4%) believe that they appear physically less attractive when their immune system is lower, with nearly one quarter (23.9%) stating that you could tell how good someone’s immune system is from their skin tone.

 

New stats also revealed that:

  • Worryingly almost three quarter’s (73.9%) of those researched (out of 2,000 respondents) did not know that our immune system is capable of distinguishing foreign bacteria, fungi or viruses, thereby preventing cellular damage.
  • Nearly one third (30.9%), incorrectly believe that vitamin C will ward off a cold, with more women believing this than men (35.3% vs 26%).
  • When it comes to symptoms of a poorly functioning immune system, the most commonly cited symptom was tiredness (61.2%). Over one third of people (38%) commented that they thought their immune system was lowered when they felt physically weak, or when they caught a cold (37.9%) or a virus (37.1%).

Potter’s Herbals Elixir of Echinacea Plus – contains a unique formula of the highest quality Echinacea angustifolia, wild indigo and fumitory. RRP £10.16, available in Boots nationwide. Potter’s Herbal remedies also include cold and flu relief products, as well as sleep aids, and stress releif aids. The whole range are licensed herbal medicines – celebrating 200 years this year.

World class immunologist and medical herbalist Dr Serene Foster says “It is encouraging to see effective herbals available over the counter. The cold and Flu season costs the nation a lot in terms of lost days at school, work, and while on holiday. Now we can all benefit from good mixtures which address all aspects of colds. When Potters Herbal Elixir of Echinacea Plus is taken at the first sign of a cold, it will support and balance your immune system to reduce the symptoms and shorten the time you suffer a cold and make you feel better faster.”

 

Heat Holders Thermal Socks | Review

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Few things in life are worse than having cold feet. I have been known to wear three pair of socks in winter. When I got sent some Heat Holders to review the first thing I did was put my hand inside. They felt lovely and furry.

Autumn has arrived with a cold snap and these socks have really been put to the test. The press release says, “Heat Holders are seven times warmer than normal cotton socks and are designed to keep toes toasty warm in any weather. As far as is known, and has ever been tested, these socks are the warmest thermal socks in the world.”, but are these bold words?

I put these socks on and they are incredibly comfortable. They feel very cushiony and they keep my feet toasty. They keep your feet warm and are so thick and comfortable that I now wear them as slippers around the house. I love them and I am definitely converted. I will definitely be buying more of these socks.

Heat Holders are available in a range of sizes for men, women and children

 www.heatholders.com

Twitter: @HeatHolderSocks
www.facebook.com/heatholders

 

Gwyneth Paltrow launches Stand Up to Cancer on Channel 4

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Stars from television, music and film will come together this autumn for “Stand Up To Cancer” – a unique new fundraising campaign on Channel 4. Joining forces with Cancer Research UK, the campaign will build on air over a week of programming, delivering the best of Channel 4’s science and entertainment programming. It will climax on Friday 19th October in a fundraising extravaganza hosted by Davina McCall, Alan Carr and Dr Christian.

Yesterday in London, Gwyneth Paltrow, Co-Executive Producer of SU2C USA, joined Channel 4’s Chief Creative Officer, Jay Hunt; Cancer Research UK’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Harpal Kumar; and all round fabulous press conference chair Alan Carr, to launch Stand Up To Cancer UK.

Alan Carr revealed: “Pretty much everyone will be affected by this disease in their lifetime, and that’s the very simple reason why I’m honoured to be involved with this campaign. Like so many people, I’ve seen exactly how destructive the big C is. I’ve lost two people already this year to cancer, and friend of mine who has been diagnosed with throat cancer is having her voice box removed next week, and won’t speak again. So we need to raise a lot of money.”

Gwyneth Paltrow said: “I would like to tell you about nine women from the entertainment industry in the United States who, four years ago, decided to do something about the unbearable reality that cancer claims the lives of eight million men, women and children worldwide every year. In the US, 1600 people-a-day are lost to cancer. I lost my father in 2002, and I’m also aware of the impact this disease has on families. But whether we lose a loved one in the US or the UK, we all lose until we do something to change it.”

“Well, these nine women, whose lives had been profoundly affected by cancer, did something. They mobilised the entertainment community, and created Stand Up to Cancer – a program of Hollywood’s leading charity, the Entertainment Industry Foundation. Stand Up to Cancer is a grassroots movement to raise funds for cancer research, to get new treatments to patients more quickly. It requires scientists to work together, to compete against cancer, instead of each other. ”

“Well, it worked. Four years later, $260 million has been pledged. 350 scientists have been funded across more than 80 institutions, with dozens of clinical trials underway. And patients are benefitting. Scientists are working together, accelerating the process to save more lives. And on October 19th, the fight against cancer comes to Channel 4. With their extraordinary commitment to the one-in-three people in the UK who will be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetime, we are thrilled to join forces with Cancer Research UK and Channel 4, and to bring you Stand Up to Cancer UK.”

“We have the power to make cancer powerless – perhaps even end it. But it takes more research, and that requires funding. Cancer has taken some of the best among us, and it is time for us all to stand up and fight back. I’m so proud to be standing up to cancer for my dad. Please tune in and donate on October 19th. Stand for the people you love in your life. Stand for these amazing advances in science and medicine. Stand Up to Cancer.”

Jay Hunt said: “Why Stand Up to Cancer, and why Channel 4? Well, Channel 4 prides itself on daring to do things that nobody else would want to do or could do. In the last few weeks we’ve managed to change attitudes in this nation to disability with our coverage of the Paralympics, and now we’re up for the ultimate challenge – and to be honest, it doesn’t get much bigger than trying to play a part in curing cancer.”

“[This will be] a charity appeal unlike anything you’ve seen before: a uniquely Channel 4 hybrid of comedy, of entertainment, and science, which is designed to grab hold of an audience and not let it go.”

“Now we are so determined to do something really special on October 19th, we have taken a rather terrifying decision, and one that my scheduling team may not forgive me for. We’re going to stay on air for as long as the donations keep pouring in. Now that might mean that we’re still sitting there as the sun comes up in the morning, but it’ll take whatever it takes, and I think the cause is so important we wanted to make that sort of commitment.”

Dr Harpal Kumar said: “It’s not just technology or knowledge that we need. It’s funding. And every pound we raise is a step closer to our goal of beating this disease. Through Stand Up to Cancer, we hope to raise millions of pounds for our lifesaving work, and thanks to some very important people in this room with us here today, we’re not doing it alone.”

“I’m absolutely thrilled that Stand Up to Cancer has become a reality in the UK, and Channel 4 is the perfect partner for a campaign that promises to challenge, inspire, and push the boundaries in how we fight this devastating disease.”

“The UK leads the world in clinical trials, with one-in-five patients with cancer going on to a clinical study. But we need to do more. Many more patients would like the option of going on clinical trials. So all the funds raised through Stand Up to Cancer will go towards research specifically designed to have an impact within just a few years, by working to turn breakthroughs in the lab to breakthroughs in our hospitals.”

Throughout the week and night, there will be a plenty of other surprises and a huge range of opportunities for audiences to get involved and donate to the cause, to show their support and raise millions for the fight against cancer. For inspiration viewers can log on to www.standuptocancer.org.uk/get-involved

In the run up to the 19 October, Cancer Research UK will be urging the public to get involved by donating money, fundraising, showing support through social networks or snapping up some Stand Up To Cancer merchandise.

For up to date information please go to www.standuptocancer.org.uk or www.channel4.com/su2c

#standuptocancer

Twitter handle: @Standup2C

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/standuptocancerUK

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/standuptocancerUK

 

‘Stand Up To Cancer’, a joint national fundraising event from Channel 4 and Cancer Research UK culminating in a live evening extravaganza on 19th October. Follow @Standup2C, Standuptocancer.org.uk or channel4.co.uk/SU2C for further information.

WORLD’S FIRST ‘TWEET’ SHOP OPENS IN LONDON

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– Shoppers told to put money away and pay by social currency –

The world’s first high-street shop where customers pay by Tweet instead of money has opened in central London today.

The Tweet Shop is a standalone retail outlet from Special K and is being used to mark the famous cereal maker’s move into the savoury crisps market.

Customers are encouraged to put away their money and pay for a packet of new Special K Cracker Crisps by simply Tweeting a message about the low calorie snack range and sharing the news with the wider Twittersphere.

As well as the company’s first move into crisps, the shop is also Kellogg’s first venture into the retail arena with its very first dedicated physical space in the UK.

The shop is staffed by a number of iconic Special K girls in red dresses who will check each customer’s Tweet before handing over the crisps.

Kim Murray, 28 from London, was the first person to pay for the product with a Tweet.

Sarah Case from Special K comments: “The value of positive endorsements on social media sites is beyond compare so we’re excited to be the first company to literally use social currency instead of financial currency to launch this new product in our bespoke Special K shop.

“This is big news for Special K and we are hoping the brand’s move into crisps and the high street will create a major buzz on and offline.”

The Tweet Shop on Soho’s Meard Street, London is open from 9am to 5pm on Tuesday 25th September to Friday 28th September. It is lined with hundreds of packs of crisps, a ‘try before you buy’ snacking area and a ‘community noticeboard’ that captures social media reaction to the unique retail space.