Tag Archives: Summer

Drug-Free Alternatives For Hay Fever Season

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I get the worst hay fever and I am always looking for solutions. It is not fun being allergic to summer. Always looking for drug-free solutions, I came across the following. Great help for my poor eyes.

Soothing & Natural Gel for Sore Hay Fever Eyes

Dry, inflamed skin around the eyes is a common side effect of hay fever. The constant tears coupled with frequent eye rubbing causes the skin around the eye to become dry, itchy and inflamed. Anti-histamine eye drops also have a drying effect on the skin around the eye, which can add to the problem.

While plenty of products help with hay fever symptoms, very little is offered to treat the skin around the eye. 

Hydrosil’s Dry Eye Gel is a light natural gel that contains a plant extract of Cardiospermum. 

Two UK trials and more than 12 published research trials have been carried out on cardiospermum due to its anti-inflammatory effects on skin. 

The gel delivers the anti-inflammatory anti-itching benefits of the cardiospermum extract without irritating the delicate skin around the eye.

Dry Eye Gel has been tested on dry skin sufferers and is an extremely gentle and light and non-greasy formulation suitable for very sensitive, itchy, inflamed and dry skin around the eye. 

For maximum effect, leave gel in the fridge and apply to eyes when cold. This product can also be worn under make -up.

Dry Eye Gel is vegan and FREE from SLS, MI, paraben and perfumes. £10.95 (15ml). Visit www.hydrosil.co.uk

Stay one step ahead of hay fever with hay-band

Affected by hay fever? Apply some pressure. The principles of ancient Chinese acupressure have been used for centuries to help treat the symptoms of allergy, including hay fever. 

hay-band, a family favourite, works by applying pressure to the acupressure point on either arm, called the LI-11 point. 

Acupressure is believed to increase the flow of natural energy through the stimulation of various pressure points and in doing so, help unblock energy pathways to the nose and throat, and promote wellbeing. 

The LI-11 point can be found at the end of the crease at the elbow. Once located, simply slide a hay-band into position so that the button faces inwards over the pressure point, with the bands passing either side of the elbow.

The band is fast-acting and may be worn on either arm or if symptoms are acute, one can be worn on both arms. Drug-free, natural and discreet, hay-band can also be worn as a preventative.

There is no drowsiness or other unwanted side-effects and the band is suitable for adults and children over the age of three, but not suitable for use during pregnancy.

hay-band costs £13.09 per (washable) band and is available online from hay-band.co.uk.

Stay one step ahead of your pollen-shaped foe with A.Vogel 

If you’re one of the 20% of people in the UK affected by hayfever, you’ll be aware that the season is just around the corner. 

An allergic reaction such as hayfever can be explained as an excessive reaction to a normally harmless substance. The immune system identifies the harmless substance, in this instance pollen, as dangerous, and produces an antibody called IgE, which triggers the production of histamine. Histamine is an inflammatory chemical that causes an array of unpleasant symptoms, including running nose and eyes, itching and burning in localised areas such as in the throat, nose and eyes, puffiness, swelling and mucus formation. 

Eye problems can be the most irritating symptom of hayfever. When pollen comes into contact with your eyes, they can become inflamed, itchy and watery. This can obscure your vision and cause an enormous amount of discomfort. Pollinosan Hayfever Eye Drops combine hyaluronic acid and chamomile for quick relief of red and itchy eyes due to hayfever. Suitable for vegans and preservative-free, they can be used with contact lenses and glasses, and by children from the age of seven (after consulting an optician or healthcare professional). 

£13.99 for 10ml, from local health shops nationwide and www.avogel.co.uk. 

The Pollinosan range is available from health shops nationwide, and online from www.avogel.co.uk. Stay up to date with the latest pollen information in your local area by checking your 5-day pollen forecast. 

Must have summer gadgets – tabletop wine cooler and compact ice cuber maker by Caso Design

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What is summer without good food, something cold to drink, and the company of our friends? Not much. From picnics and barbecues summer needs to be styled out.

Just in time for summer entertaining season, CASO Design has introduced a sleek, space-savvy appliances designed to take the stress out of hosting … 

The VinoCase Tabletop Wine Cooler (£109.99) – precision-chills your wine or fizz to the perfect serving temperature, right on the table.

It is the perfect companion for hosting, but also to keep your wine cool. Pop a chilled bottle of wine in and it will be kept at the perfect temperature. It is sleek and stylish, adding sophistication to your kitchen.

Combining German engineering with sophisticated design, they’re ideal for everything from intimate garden parties to spontaneous BBQs.

Gorgeous and functional. Frost loves.

Blake Lively’s Betty Buzz Summer Sips

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Get into the Summer Spirit with Betty Buzz, a range of great-tasting premium soft drinks and mixers, available in bottles and cans for easy Summer drinking. 

Betty Buzz Sparkling Lemon Lime – Refreshing with deliciously authentic flavours.

Betty Buzz Spicy Sparkling Mock-arita

1/2 Bottle Betty Buzz Sparkling Lemon Lime | 2-3 Jalapeño Slices

Rim lowball glass with tajin (if desired). Bring all the ingredients together in glass over ice. Stir gently and garnish with a wedge of lime.

RRP: £10.80 for 6 x 330ml cans from Majestic and Amazon

Betty Buzz Ginger Beer – Clean, fresh ginger taste with the perfect balance of spice and  bubbles

Betty Buzz Kicked Mule

1/2 Bottle Betty Buzz Ginger Beer | 60ml Tequila | 20ml Lime Juice

Add fresh ice to a lowball or copper mug. Add tequila to glass and pour Betty Buzz Ginger Beer over top. Stir gently and add lime juice. Garnish with the mint sprig.

RRP:  £10.80 for 6 x 330ml cans from Majestic and Amazon 

Betty Buzz Meyer Lemon Club Soda – Light, bright and citrusy with real Meyer Lemon juice and a touch of sea salt. A delightful alternative to the average Club Soda and delicious on its own

Betty Buzz Meyer Lemon Cucumber Collins  

1/2 Bottle Betty Buzz Meyer Lemon Club Soda | 60ml Gin | 10ml Sugar Syrup | 2-3 Cucumber Slices

In the bottom of a shaker, muddle cucumber slices and sugar syrup. Add gin, along with ice, and shake. Strain over fresh ice into a Collins glass, then top with Betty Buzz Meyer Lemon Club Soda. Garnish with a mint sprig or basil leaves.

RRP: £10.80 for 6 x 330ml cans from Majestic and Amazon

IT’S PIMMS O’CLOCK  – SUMMER RECIPES FROM THE ULTIMATE FRUIT CUP

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OK, so the ‘Great British Summer’ mightn’t be so great now but there’s one thing that will make it better, a perfect pitcher of Pimms. We’ve shared our favourite recipes below and we defy you to not want to don the sunnies after a glass of one of these…

PIMM’S NO.6 – ENGLISH ROSE

Fill a tumbler with ice cubes

Pour 50ml Pimm’s No.6 (Vodka Cup),

125ml Fentiman’s Rose Lemonade

Add a dash each of lavender syrup, lemon juice and orange bitters

PIMM’S NO.1

Fill a tumbler or tall glass with ice cubes

Pour in 50ml Pimm’s No.1 and top up with lemonade

Add a few sliced strawberries, orange and cucumber

Stir and top with a sprig of mint

PIMM’S SPRITZ

Fill a Copa or wine glass with ice cubes

Pour in 50ml Pimm’s No.1 and 75ml lemonade, and top with sparkling wine

Add a few slices of cucumber and a sprig of mint

PIMM’S JUG

Half fill a jug with ice cubes

Pour in 200ml Pimm’s No.1 and top with lemonade

Add some sliced strawberries, orange and cucumber

Stir and top with a big sprig of mint

‘Bye-Bye BBQs’ – Brits opt out of the classic soiree and you won’t believe why…

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It’s a time honoured classic – the Great British BBQ. Turns out though, we’d swap marinated meats on the ‘cue for a traditional tea indoors in a heartbeat. Why? Because, according to kitchen roll brand Regina, the mess that these succulent meat-fuelled sessions create is too much for us to bear.

Over three quarters of us in the UK have been known to steer clear of the barby because we can’t handle the chaos they create. To add more fuel to the fire (or char to the grill) sticky fingers and cleaning the beastly gadget afterwards are also turn-offs for any BBQ host.

If you think you can brave the BBQ though, parenting coach and spokesperson for Regina, Judy Reith, has shared her top tips for throwing a stress-free BBQ.

MAKE A PLAN 

BBQs work best when you share the load. Agree in advance with your family who’s coming, timings, what to eat, who’s shopping and cooking, and who is clearing up. Test and clean the BBQ the night before to eliminate any pre-BBQ stress – rubbing the grill with half a cut onion followed by a strong, durable kitchen towel is a great way to remove any grit or grease before use.

KEEP IT CLEAN
Use bio-degradable disposable plates to save time on the washing up and bring the recycling bin outside so you can tidy as you go. Encourage your guests to scrap leftovers into the food bin and make sure you have some kitchen towel on hand for any spillages – and to clean up sticky fingers!

MAKE IT EASY

Outdoor eating should be fun and relaxed. It’s not MasterChef!  Take the stress out by preparing things like salads, marinades and desserts in advance and make sure the menu is easy to prepare and cook so everyone can enjoy it.  Keep experimental items as optional sides and encourage kids to try something new. Honey dipped prawns anyone?

KEEP IT SAFE

Eating outside? Think safety. Insects will join you for dinner, so keep mozzie repellent or light Citronella candles nearby and encourage kids to stay calm around wasps and flies. Make sure food is cooked thoroughly; using a thermometer helps. Keep little ones away from the BBQ.

HAVE FUN

Summer outdoor eating only lasts a few weeks, so keep FUN front and centre.  You have the chance to create warm and wonderful family memories if you focus on the fun, not the fuss. Who takes photos of ordinary family meals compared to relaxing in the garden with a BBQ and friends round?

So, what’s it going to be? Mess, or making the most of the final throes of the British Summer? We know what we’re going to do *said whilst collecting kitchen roll and heading for the back door*

Baileys Launch New Iced Coffee Cans

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Hip Hooray, the Sun’s out and finally we don’t need a fireplace to enjoy the delicious taste of Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur. Introducing the pick-me-up you’ve been waiting for… Baileys Iced Coffee. For the very first time Baileys lovers’ can enjoy the delicious taste of Baileys on the go in a convenient single serve can. Available in Iced Coffee Latte and Iced Coffee Mocha, the creamy, velvety combination of Baileys Irish Cream, pure milk and Arabica and Robusta Coffee go down as smooth as silk. Pure refreshing indulgence from start to finish. It’s a revelation, who doesn’t love an iced coffee, but on a lazy Saturday afternoon with the sun shining bright we like it laced with Baileys. So swap your regular Irish coffee with a Baileys Iced Coffee, we tried ours as a digestif and this will be firmly on our menu for all the warm summer evenings ahead of us…

Baileys Iced Coffee Latte (200ml, 4% ABV) and Baileys Iced Coffee Mocha (200ml, 4% ABV) will be available in a store near you for RSP £1.90.

Find out more here; Baileys

Köld Unveil Single Cocktail Pouches – Just in Time for Picnic Season

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We love a good lunch al fresco and this summer, Köld have given us a good reason to chill out and enjoy the sunshine with their genius frozen cocktail pouches. With four different cocktails to choose from, Köld pouches are a game changer using only the finest natural ingredients. We think that this is going to be your number one picnic item this summer!

The range of cocktails currently include; Cosmopolitan, Mojito, Lychee Martini and Elderflower Martini which are sold in double measure pouches (8% abv), ready to pop in your freeze and enjoy wherever you like.

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Out of all the ready-to-serve cocktails we have tried, Köld have really gone above expectations to ensure that they are serving up a really authentic and delicious, cocktail. You would be fooled into thinking a bartender had mixed these up in a flash as the cocktails retain their flavour and freshness and we enjoy the generous serving. The ingredients are undoubtedly premium as you can taste the quality flavours of the triple-distilled grain vodka and barrel aged rum on the first sip. Personally, the fact that a ready-to-serve can retain such a high quality as Köld have, makes it a top product.

Our favourite was Lychee Martini and it’s no surprise having won the great taste award. Köld have outdone themselves bringing your cocktail favourites into these handy pouches perfect for parties, picnics and BBQ’s and it’s no surprise that they are already in high demand. We’re sure to hear more wonderful things from Köld soon and here’s hoping for some more tasty cocktails from Köld in the future, (hints massively at Margarita?)

Köld is available now from Whole Foods Market, Ocado and Amazon and are sold as a pack of 2 for £6.99 or 1 for £3.00.

For more info visit www.koldcocktails.com

Frost Loves: Slydes

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slydes, footwear, sandals, gold,

Frost loves Slydes – Functional and super stylish footwear for summer.

 

Spring may have just started, but the weather is getting better and summer will be here soon, dammit. So lets get excited and buy our footwear now. I have been reviewing these Slydes. They are comfy and they look fab. Founded in 2014 and launching its first collection for Spring Summer 2015, the SLYDES brand offers an exciting range of pool slides for the fashion forward. The pool slide,  once reserved for the use of sporty types and swimmers alone,   is now the ultimate footwear choice of the Summer. I tend to agree. Minimum fuss with maximum stylish. That is what we all need.

£15-£22.

http://slydes.co.uk/