As women we pride ourselves on dazzling, healthy and enchanting long locks. Just take a step back and think how long we spend everyday perfecting our hair, a lot of people will agree that the best parts of a woman’s beauty comes from her hair.  Knowing our obsession with hair the industry is booming with ‘hair care products’ , ‘pills to make your hair grow’ and let’s not forget the 12 week appointments we have booked at a hair stylist to cut and highlight regularly. Although the demand is high we sometimes don’t keep in mind that the products we use to help our hair is potentially damaging it more with the chemicals that are mixed inside it. These chemicals can be the cause for hair no longer growing and thickness of natural healthy hair.

What you need for beautiful hair

• Plenty of Vitamins : Vitamin in particular A – which promotes hair growth
• Protein
• A healthy diet
• Nothing but water.
  

Hair Styling Products

Almost every product that promotes to help our hair is actually by some way or another really damaging for hair, and yes that includes dying your hair every two weeks! To have healthy hair it is important to throw away or use less of the hairspray, blow dryers, gels and any hair equipment that turns on a massive temperature with a switch of a button.

1. Allow your hair to dry in its own time, naturally.
2. Prevent yourself from backcombing, this is also very damaging to the hair.
3. Try out a new hair color.. your own! I bet you’ve not seen the beauty of your natural hair in a long time.
4. There are many marvalous old fashioned tips on curling your hair using simple sheets to tie it into.
   
5. Find a shampoo and conditioner that is right for your hair type.

The Importance of Your Scalp

Washing your hair daily can be harmful as it removes the natural oils that allow your hair to grow. However, washing your hair every other day or as often as possible is good to remove oiliness from your skin, sweat and dust. A natural treatment comes from aloe vera and almond oil, you’ll immediately notice the change of the feel and appearance of your hair. I’ve given this technique a go myself, using my fingertips rubbed in the oil at the roots and brushed my fingers through my hair until it had all been covered, I then wrapped it into a towel and left it for 30 minutes before rinsing it all out. With regular use you will also see results quickly.

What you SHOULD and SHOULDN’T do?

• You Should : Get plenty of sleep regularly
• You Should : Be gentle when brushing hair
• You Should : Use slightly warm water, hot water causes split ends and that awful frizziness.

• You Shouldn’t : Comb you hair whilst it is wet.
  
• You Shouldn’t : Use a hair dryer – Allow your hair to dry naturally.
• You Shouldn’t : Use hair-straightners and curlers daily.
• You Shouldn’t : The heat from perming hair can be very damaging.

Freshly extracted Apple, Carrot, Lemon, Pepper, Cucumber, Celery, Broccoli  and Beetroot juice blended with Ice

This delightful detox special is packed with the finest greens, yellows and orange juices, all which are designed to furnish the system with optimum nutrition without putting a burden on the digestive system. This allows the system to detox naturally whilst giving the right nutrients and anti-oxidants to maximize the process of detoxification.

What you will need:

• 2 Apples
• 1 Carrot
• 1 Slice Lemon with rind on
• 1/4 Yellow bell Pepper
• 1 Inch slice Cucumber
• 1/4 Piece Celery
• 1 Inch Broccoli stem
• 1 Inch slice raw Beetroot
• Ice

Before turning on the machine, place one whole apple in your whole fruit juicer and place all the other produce on top, then finish off with the other apple. Turn juicer on and push through. The juice will look a bit cloudy due to the combination of beetroot and carrot, but never let aesthetics put you off it tastes delicious!

Place a couple of the cubes in the blender, pour in the juice.

Blend until completely smooth.

• What’s in it: Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, C, E, and K, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, pectin, boron, ellagic acid, beta-carotene, folic acid, phosphorus, selenium, riboflavin and anti-cancer phytonutrients.

Celery helps to flush the body of excessive carbon dioxide and reduce acidity in the system. The beetroot is extremely good for cleaning the bloodstream and is excellent, along with lemon, for cleansing the liver and kidneys. Beetroot is also one of nature’s finest blood builder. The high levels of beta-carotene in this juice help mop up harmful free radicals and strengthen the immune system.

Chocotastic

Juicy Orange, Pineapple, delicious chocolates and a yummy Banana, with Yogurt and Ice!

Surprise! Although you hear the word chocolate in this recipe, the only chocolate used here is over 80% cocoa. The most important aspect is it’s also organic and fair trade. The incredible amount of goodness found in the combination of fresh banana, orange, pineapple and live yogurt more than squash any negative effect the chocolate may have, and if it’s the only way the little munchkins will consume fruit then it’s all for the greater good.

What you will need:

• 1 Orange (peeled)
• 1 inch thick slice of a medium Pineapple
• 4 pieces organic Chocolate (use fair trade, above 80% cocoa solids)
• 1/2 Banana ( fair trade if possible)
• 3 tablespoons low-fat live yogurt
• ICE

Begin by juicing the orange and pineapple. Grate chocolate into the blender and add banana, yogurt, juice and ice.

Blend until completely smooth.

• What’s in it: Vitamins A, B6 and C, potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, iron, folic acid, phosphorus, zinc, beta – carotene, fibre, amino acids, natural sugars and anti-oxidants.

Live yogurt helps replenish the friendly bacteria in the gut., helping to prevent any overgrowth of yeast. Calcium then helps neutralize an acidic system and is good for the bones and teeth of course. The juice contains nature’s natural balance of sodium and potassium, one of the key factors to good health, and even the dark chocolate contains some anti-oxidants. This is an extremely balanced smoothie that tastes naughty but is still extremely good for your kids.

 Tropical Special

Freshly extracted Orange, Apple and Kiwi Juice, blended with Banana and Ice

Sadly very few know exactly the quantity of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants that nature provides in every fruit on Earth. Just imagine how fresh the live ingredients planted into the smoothie you yourself have taken the time to make compared to the one you quickly hand your kid(s) in a carton from the fridge. So why not give it a go, make a smoothie for your little munchkins and you will not only be giving them a delicious drink they’ll love, but also a great deal of what they need to grow both mentally and physically.

What you will need:

•  1 Juicy Orange (peeled)
• 1 Apple
• 1/4 Banana
• 1 Kiwi Fruit
• ICE

Begin by juicing the orange, apple and kiwi. Ensure you peel the kiwi fruit as it can often have a harsh taste. Place the banana in the blender, along with the juice and ice.

Blend until completely smooth.

• What’s in it: Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C and E, beta – carotene, fibre, magnesium, potassium, folic acid, boron, ellagic acid, amino acids and natural sugars.

The scrumptious kiwi fruit is rich in beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A, this vitamin is essential for the development and growth of cells and helps maintain healthy skin and eyes. Apples contain vitamin B1 which assists in the blood formation and the production of hydrochloric acid needed for proper digestion. Last but not least the fibre is there to keep kids moving!

A little tip or two: If you’ve mastered keeping your young delights interested with different fruits and smoothies be sure to engage a teenager too. A possible trick is to mention how good they are to ‘help keep a good healthy weight’ and ‘are great for clear skin’. I’m more than certain after a while they’ll be making their own smoothies without you needing to push them.