Innehållsförteckning för Summer 2020 från Top Sante

The eco one How to Save the World for Free, by Natalie Fee (£12.99, Laurence Publishing) We all want to protect the planet, but it can sometimes feel that making ‘green’ choices is expensive. Not so, argues campaigner Natalie, who has compiled this simple guide to reducing your carbon footprint. The nourishing one The Vegetarian Kitchen, by Prue Leith and Peta Leith (£25, Bluebird) Bake Off star Prue has teamed up with her niece – and professional chef – Peta, to demonstrate that vegetarian cookery can be as varied, and exciting as meat-based meals. The one for couples Where’s My Happy Ending? by Anna Whitehouse and Matt Farquharson (£14.99, Bluebird) Couple Matt and Anna explore what makes a harmonious partnership, by talking to people from all walks of life, including…

‘I WAS ON A WORK TRIP TO NEW YORK BUT FLEW HOME DESPITE THE PAIN’ I’m keen to raise awareness so more women know the signs. Esther Stanhope, a motivational speaker from London, was 45 when she had her heart attack. Despite having felt unwell for weeks, I had continued to work and look after my two children. I was in New York on a business trip and, while not working, went with my sister-in-law to a cross-fit class. Literally within three minutes I was feeling dizzy and sweating, and I couldn’t breathe easily. It was humid so I assumed that was causing my unwell feelings. I thought I’d walk it off. It felt like the start of a panic attack more than anything. There was definitely a strange feeling…

MACA ROOT FOR STRONG BONES This Peruvian plant has a radish-like root and is prized by locals for its energy, libido and bone-boosting properties. Now, science is catching up with local lore. Maca contains a chemical that prevents menopause-linked osteoporosis by reducing bone density loss and boosting bone formation. It’s also likely to be a stress regulator, otherwise known as an adaptogen. It was found to ease depression in menopausal women who took 3.5g powdered maca daily for six weeks. It may also increase sex drive, memory and energy levels, according to research. SHATAVARI FOR BALANCED HORMONES & LIBIDO A type of asparagus found in India, shatavari is known in Ayurvedic medicine as a ‘queen of herbs’ for its benefits to female health, one of which is supporting hormones…

WE’VE GOT EVERYTHING YOU NEED for an active day out in this month’s prize, whether it’s a walk in the countryside or – later in the year – something more adventurous! Red Original is the new lifestyle brand from paddleboarding experts the Red Paddle Co, which features a range of accessories and clothing designed with performance, style and clever design in mind. Our lucky winner will receive an 18-litre cool bag (£160, redoriginal.com) that is watertight and can fit securely onto a paddleboard (but works just as well being taken on a picnic on dry land!); an insulated drinks bottle (£25) made from marine grade stainless steel; a performance T-shirt (£34.95) made from moisture-wicking fabric; a travel cup (£19.95) that can keep hot drinks hot for four hours and cold…

NEW FITNESS APP GAMERS WILL LOVE! Need some new fitness motivation? Then try Apocalypse Survival Training (£0.99 per workout, iOS and Android) – an episodic comedy action adventure where you’re fighting to save the planet from alien invasion! With sound effects from a BAFTA award-winning game sound designer, the app has you so engrossed you forget you’re working out! Each workout – running, bodyweight circuits and yoga/stretch – is designed to give you the speed, strength and control you need to survive the apocalyptic invasion! GRIPPY, NOT SLIPPY! The new ADIDAS Universal Sports Stand & Grip (£14.95, clckr. com) attaches to any device, stopping you dropping it if your hands get sweaty – perfect when out on a run if you don’t have pockets. FITNESS X EDUCATION Feel even more…

1 NOURISH DAILY Extremes of temperature, hormone changes and even being unwell can easily dry out lips, so use a lip scrub twice a week to remove dry skin. Then apply a plant or nut-based lip balm every day, as often as needed, to nourish and increase fullness. 2 PREP YOUR CANVAS After having moisturised your lips, swipe a little concealer around the edges. Then use a lip brush to add a primer all over them – open your mouth wide so you fill in the corners, as they often get forgotten. 3 LINE IT UP! Next, take a lip liner in a colour that matches your lips, and draw a line just outside of your top lip at the bow. Then make the middle of the…

YVE’S EATS Deputy editor Yvonne Martin tries out the latest food and drink products and gadgets. Pollenade (£3, withpollen.com) I’m not one for fizzy drinks usually, but this is a bit different as it contains 15mg of CBD. I’ve never tried CBD products before and to be honest wasn’t anticipating any noticeable effects from a can of fruity fizz, but I must say I felt quite chilled after drinking it. It tasted good too – a pleasantly sharp flavour with grapefruit, raspberry and lemon juice combined. Balance the booze If you want to make sure you’re not reaching for one too many cold beers this summer (it’s tempting, we know!) try these new alcohol-free beverages from Drynks Unlimited. The brand has added Smashed Berry Cider and Smashed Pale Ale (£1.99,…

WHAT KEEPS you awake at night? Whether it’s going over bank statements to paying a visit to Dr Google under the covers, it’s safe to say 2020 has thrown us some curveballs that have stirred up all manner of anxieties. Around 40 million Brits admit to having suffered from anxiety at some point in their lives, and it’s safe to say a lot of that has been recent. According to a study conducted by Rescue Remedy, 86 per cent of adults consider themselves worriers and confess to spending almost two hours a day ruminating – that’s around a month a year! And while many of us are comfortable sharing our concerns with other people, one in four keep their worries bottled up, leading to even more feelings of stress. ‘Most…

YOUR BODY HAS AN amazing, natural ability to defend itself against disease. That’s because your immune system protects you extremely effectively against invading bacteria and viruses. But, occasionally, this sophisticated system can malfunction, leading to autoimmune disorders. This is when your body’s own tissues are mistaken for invaders and attacked by the immune system. Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rare autoimmune condition, often triggered by a mild illness, such as flu, colds, diarrhoea, or chest and urinary infections. It affects an estimated 1,300 people every year in the UK, according to the Guillain-Barré & Associated Inflammatory Neuropathies charity (GAIN). About 80 per cent of people recover, but, between five and ten per cent will die, and 10-15 per cent are left with long-term health issues, such as limited mobility. ‘Symptoms…

SUMMER IS PRIME energising season – blue skies, lots of natural light, and that urge to just get out and enjoy the days – but what if you’re feeling a bit sluggish and blah? It could just be tiredness and the effects of the recent lockdown, but it could also be a sign your thyroid could do with a little extra support. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your throat. It controls your metabolism and therefore is involved with weight, body temperature and cell renewal. It’s controlled by part of the brain called the hypothalamus. ‘This is like a huge telephone exchange managing signals from all elements of the body – your temperature, whether you’re fighting infection, levels of stress hormones or inflammation levels. Any…

HOW ARE YOU FEELING? It’s important to ask yourself this question as infectious disease outbreaks, such as the current one, can have a negative effect on physical and mental health. Indeed, extreme events may cause anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It’s normal to feel intense emotions at such times, but there are things you can do to support your wellbeing, such as eating regularly, getting good sleep and staying active. Yoga can also provide much-needed support. ‘Stress causes a fight or flight response which, if present for too long, can cause other health problems such as poor sleep and IBS,’ explains yoga teacher Hannah Barrett, (hannahbarrettyoga. com). ‘Yoga releases endorphins (happy hormones) and incorporates mindfulness and meditation – all shown to help reduce anxiety.’ Indeed, one study reports…

SWITCHING ON THE telly, I settled down for another night on the sofa eating popcorn and jelly sweets. Six years ago, I was in a sedentary rut. I’d drive to work, sit all day, drive home then sit all evening. I had a difficult relationship with food. I was a bit overweight as a child and when I grew up, I had low self confidence. I’d binge eat because it made me feel better, until it made me feel worse. It was a self perpetuating cycle. In 2011, I was diagnosed with a large ovarian cyst which required surgical removal. After surgery, my hormones were all over the place and I started gaining weight. After a few years my doctor explained that I was now obese. That word shocked me.…

CLEANSING IS BY FAR THE most important step of your routine. If you are consistently ‘cleansing’ with wipes (aka moving the dirt around your face) and then applying a really expensive serum or moisturiser on top, you are wasting your money. And your time. ‘Double cleansing’ may be something you are doing already in the evenings, this is just what I call it. Essentially, if you are using more than one product to remove your make-up in the evenings, you are double cleansing. For example, if you remove your eye make-up with a micellar water or eye-make-up remover before you cleanse, that is your first cleanse. You follow with a proper cleanser to remove everything else. That was your second cleanse. There is a trend for 60-second cleansing, meaning you…

BREAKFAST Kale is rich in prebiotics – essential for a healthy gut – as well as antioxidants such as vitamin C that protect your skin from free radicals. The sweet potatoes contain vitamin A, which can help with skin repair. SWEET POTATO HALOUMI HASH WITH FRIED EGGS Ever wondered how to use up those leftover root veggies from the night before? This recipe is great for brekky and the hash can also be made in advance and reheated for busy days. Serves 4 Preparation time: 10 mins Cooking time: 15 mins ■ Olive oil 2tsp ■ Leftover large roast sweet potato 1, diced ■ Haloumi cheese 100g, diced ■ Kale ½ bunch, stalks removed and leaves chopped ■ Red pepper 1, seeded and chopped ■ Large spring onion 1, chopped…

1 Collect rainwater Watering houseplants, shrubs and edible crops uses plenty of one of our most precious resources: water. Collecting your own rainwater – free from added fluoride or chlorine – is an important step towards what’s often referred to as a ‘closed-loop’ home. ‘It gives you a bit more control,’ says sustainability consultant Dr Paula Owen (green gumption.co.uk). ‘We had two weeks of no rain a few months back, so I had to water the garden, but I had three water butts full, so none of it needed to come from the mains. I’m always conscious of not using mains-treated drinking water where possible, but if you’ve got your own supply of rainwater – which is preferable for plants and topping up ponds – you can call on it.’…

Take action to deal with any problems you face, let go of things you can’t control, and remember to stay rooted in the present as much as you can. FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL It is useful to identify any major worries and fears you may have, and then differentiate between ruminating and problem solving – especially if you can’t actually do anything about the situation. Determine what can be controlled and focus on things that can be influenced. LIVE MINDFULLY Living more in the moment can help, meaning being mindful of what is around you and your environment. Stick up post-it notes around your home reminding you to stop and breathe. If you take regular one-minute ‘time-outs’ to pause and slow your breathing, it…

IT’S THE TECHNOLOGICAL advancement that could change everything about health – from the drugs you take, to the success of complicated surgeries such as transplants – but what actually is 3D printing? And why are so many scientists excited about its role in the future of your health? The process of 3D printing is fairly simple. A design for an item is drawn on a computer; the data from this is then transmitted to a complex, high-tech printer, which then recreates it by adding very, very thin layers of a substance one on top of each other. ‘You can make one single product at a time, potentially completely individualised to just one person, extremely quickly and cheaply – that’s very hard to do in traditional manufacturing,’ says Melissa Snover from…

WE’RE ALL IN need of a bit of pampering and stress-busting after the past few months, so wouldn’t it be nice to have a relaxing stay at a swanky spa, with beautifying treatments, and a chance to truly wind down and relax? That may be just a daydream for now, but you can enjoy many of the benefits in your own home. All it takes is a bit of planning, plus tips from those in the know. Step this way, your treatment starts in five minutes… ‘YOUR ROOM IS READY FOR YOU NOW…’ First, prepare your surroundings for optimum relaxation. This includes adding a relaxing scent. ‘Smell is one of your most powerful senses and it is proven to affect your actions and emotions,’ says Rebecca Randall, spa manager at…

GET SEASIDE VIBES Boost your wellbeing and someone else’s with Guava and Gold Rhythm and Reef Bath and Shower Gel (£20, guavaandgold. com). This vegan-friendly formula has a fresh fragrance inspired by the ocean. Plus, the company makes a donation from the profits of online sales to the Beauty Banks X NHS campaign. DRENCH YOUR SKIN WITH MOISTURE Combat dried out summer skin with Saint Iris Adriatica Serenity Salve (From £15, siadriatica.com). It will soften and hydrate with a formula that includes pea peptides and seaweed proteins. They also use olive pips that are a by-product of the food industry in the formula – so making good use of something that would otherwise go to waste. NAIL IT! Give an ice cream vibe to your mani with Cienna Rose Enriched…

VEG FROM the plot has always been a treat – packed with nutrients and natural sugars that have already turned to starch in their shop-bought counterparts – but now homegrown has never been a tastier prospect. Why? For starters, gardening is classed as ‘moderate intensity activity’, bracketing it with walking and doubles’ tennis in terms of cardiovascular benefits. Pretty good if you’re confined for health reasons. What’s more, research comparing allotment holders with those who don’t ‘grow’ found significant life satisfaction benefits to tending plants. Last, but by no means least, comes the convenience of sourcing your five-a-day from your own backyard. Seeds and seedlings ordered online mean you needn’t go out if you’re self-isolating. So, on your marks, get set, grow! SALADS ‘Salad leaves are one of the quickest…