Lots Going On!

The new book has been featured widely in newspapers, magazines and online sites with more to come over the next month or two - have a quick look at my press page to see what they are all saying...

The free book competition I offered to those of you who subscribe to my newsletters was a huge success and rather than giving away just 10 books, I decided to give away 30 - I hope all the winners are enjoying it and getting comfortable with all the new recipes and fat loss tips! And the same applies to the hundreds who were not in the first 30 to respond with the correct answer. I tried to email everyone who entered but if for some reason you 'slipped through the net' - apologies!

And... huge thanks to all of you who have been emailing me with queries - I am working my way through them and promise I will get back to you very soon.

In the meantime, if you are heading off on holiday and have a horrible suspicion that you have left it a bit late to shed a few pounds, try a few Soup and Juice Days - they work a treat! Click on my slideshare presentation below which includes a few slides explaining 'how to make them work for you'!

Bare All with Confidence - Bone Broth

Bone Broth is Fabulous for Fat Loss!

And... it needn’t involve hours in the kitchen! Not only are animal bones super-rich in collagen - an essential protein which is vital for healthy bones and muscles and wrinkle-free skin but in combination with a few vegetables, herbs and spices, a good bone broth helps to keep inflammation (one of our major weight loss adversaries) at bay. It is also extremely nourishing whilst providing loads of energy-generating rather than waistline-expanding calories to our day.

My quickest and easiest bone broth involves putting 8 chicken wings (and a couple of chicken feet if you can get them!) into an oven-proof pot with an onion, a carrot, a couple of celery stalks, a few garlic cloves, a bouquet garni (or a bunch of fresh thyme, some parsley and a bay leaf), half a dozen black peppercorns, a teaspoon of sea salt crystals and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, covering the whole lot with water, bringing slowly to the boil then transferring the pot to the oven on its lowest setting for as many hours as you can (overnight works well).

Next day, strain the broth into a bowl through a fine sieve, transfer to the fridge and leave until very cold (this results in the fat and any scum rising to the top, becoming hard and therefore super-simple to remove with a slotted spoon). Simply return the broth to a soup pot and simmer over a medium heat to reduce (the more reduced, the tastier), check the seasoning then bag in portions (small soup bags are great), refrigerate or freeze and heat one through thoroughly in a microwave or on the hob before devouring mid morning, mid afternoon or whenever you need a nourishing pick-me-up.

View all my Bare All This Summer Top Tips here.

Bare All with Confidence - Make Muesli

Producing 4 to 5 at home or on the go healthy, balanced, tasty and filling breakfasts that will keep you energised and on the ball all morning with minimum fuss. Enjoy it plain and simple or top with some more fresh fruit, a scattering of mixed nuts and seeds and a sprinkling of cinnamon or nutmeg.

Sling 12 tablespoons oats, 280ml coconut water, 4 tablespoons toasted, flaked almonds, 1 tablespoon Manuka honey, 2 tablespoons of 0% fat Greek yoghurt, 4 teaspoons of lemon or lime juice, 1 peeled, cored and grated apple and 8 finely chopped fresh mint leaves into a bowl, give the whole lot a really good mix, cover and place in the fridge overnight.

View all my Bare All This Summer Top Tips here.

Bare All with Confidence - healthy hair

Give Your Scalp an MOT

Healthy and luscious locks only stay that way when your scalp is healthy and nourished. So, in addition to using good quality, natural hair products for protection against the sun and any environmental pollution you may be exposed to, give your scalp a good feed once a week.

Manuka Honey is Amazing Stuff!

It contains anti-bacterial enzymes, protective antioxidants and a whole host of minerals that nourish hair follicles and the scalp and when you mix it with coconut oil which is not only rich in essential fatty acids which keep skin cells moisturised and flexible but also prevents the loss of valuable proteins, your scalp will say a big thank you!

It’s a little messy but worth the effort. Put 1 tablespoon 100% raw manuka honey (UMF 15+ or greater) and 2 tablespoons coconut oil in a pan and heat through very gently until just melted. Leave to cool until hand-hot then massage thoroughly into the scalp before finally combing it through your hair with your fingers.

Put a shower cap on and leave for 20-30 minutes before thoroughly rinsing off and shampooing and conditioning with your usual products.

View all my Bare All This Summer Top Tips here.