3 Easy Ways to Stop Bloating

There are lots of products out there that claim to help stop bloating (water retention tablets and the like) but I believe that you can beat the bloat and spend very little money. Your weight will obviously fluctuate to a degree depending on what you eat but if you're finding that you feel sluggish and bloated then these 3 simple steps might help you...

Drink lots of water: Might sound daft but not drinking enough water can actually cause you to retain water. I try and aim for 3 pints per day but upping your water intake even a little will help to keep water retention and bloating to a minimum. Of course it will make you need the toilet more often which isn't ideal in some situations but trust me, it'll be doing your body the world of good. Try herbal tea: Before I started Slimming World if I wanted a hot drink I would stick to coffee and tea but since I started losing weight I have discovered that some herbal teas can be quite enjoyable. I particularly like peppermint tea for after I've eaten a big meal, it really helps to settle my stomach and it's great for a relaxing bedtime drink. Green tea and Oolong tea are also known for helping to speed up your metabolism, making you feel less bloated and sluggish; I try to have at least one cup of green tea/oolong tea every day. Don't get me wrong if you're used to milk in your cup of English tea then it might take a while to get your taste buds round herbal teas but stick with it and you might be surprised. Cut out white foods: They say that God made very little 'white', white bread, pasta and rice is said to be very artificial and their wholemeal counterparts are supposed to be easier for your body to digest. Don't get me wrong I love crusty bread with loads of butter but it must be a good 6 months since I've indulged in any! Lots of people complain at the bloated feeling they get when they've eaten white bread and I think the same could also apply to pasta and rice. I actually think wholemeal/brown products have a lot more taste and really add to the flavour of your meal whereas white pasta/rice can be stodgy and a bit bland. 

Affordable Skincare in Supermarkets

Having a one-stop-shop for all your needs in life is pretty convenient, if you've ever been to Walmart in America you'll know the true meaning of 'everything under one roof' because that place is unreal. We don't have that pleasure in England just yet but our supermarkets have been stocking much more than just fruit and veg for some time now. Until recently, the range of beauty products available has been pretty limited to the 'big name brands' but as of 29th August Waitrose have started stocking one of my favourite skincare brands...

I don't need to go on about how much I love Bee Good products but the fact that they're made in Britain with ingredients from British Bees is enough to get my attention in the first place. Their Honey & Propolis 2 in 1 Cream Cleanser is a product that I've repurchased from their website because I love it so much but knowing that I can get it in an actual store makes picking up a tube just that little bit easier.  Being stocked in a supermarket is obviously great for Bee Good as a brand because I would imagine that unless you read blogs you might not know about it (I know if I hadn't been blogging I might not have ever discovered Bee Good!). And what is more convenient than being able to grab some great skincare products along with your milk and eggs?!

Origins Clear Improvement Mask Review

Origins has been a brand I’ve been wanting to try for a long time but i’ve just never made that final push to commit to anything full size. My skin is pretty sensitive and I try and stick to what I know when it comes to skincare just in case it breaks me out so to be buying full sized skincare products willy-nilly would be a bit daft because I could guarantee that at least 50% of them probably wouldn’t agree with my skin. 

Origins face masks have always intrigued me; I’ve seen lots of rave reviews about Drink Up Intensive and Clear Improvement but I’ve never made the £23 commitment to a full size tube. So when I realised that they actually do a travel sized set of Clear Improvement masks I had to get a pack!

Origins Clear Improvement Mask to Go £8.00 Origins
Origins Clear Improvement is formulated with active charcoal to help draw out the dirt clogging your pores, to reveal a brighter complexion. Inside the box there are 4 little one use pods of Clear Improvement mask which makes them perfect for popping in your travel bag or for just trying them. The fact that they’re in pods rather than sachets makes them SO much easier to apply, I really dislike how sachets are so messy… when your hands are wet and you’re trying to open them… they’re just not great! 
Anyway, how does this work? 
Well I think the important thing with any product is to go in with an open mind and not to expect miracles; that way you won't get disappointed as easily. When I first applied this I was having problems with my skin, I'd used something which had made it go a little crazy in the spot department and I had lots of blemishes around my chin and mouth area (not attractive). I've now used this twice and I do feel like it's made a difference to my skin; it hasn't performed miracles and my spots didn't just disappear as soon as I washed the mask off but it has definitely helped to calm my skin. I don't have anywhere near as much angry redness going on, the spots have dried out and I don't have any active blemishes anymore.  Overall I'd say that this is great if your skin is feeling red, angry and distressed, having said that, I still don't think I'd buy a full sized tube of it but I would definitely recommend the travel pods if you've been wanting to try it. I really want to try the Origins Out of Trouble mask but unfortunately they don't do the little travel pods in that one.

Luxury Bath and Body - Aromatherapy Associates Bath Oils

Having a bath is my favourite way to relax after a stressful/tiring day and there's some bath times when plain old bubble bath won't cut it in terms of relaxation; that's when I turn to bath oils. Although you don't get the bubble factor, you get the most amazing smell which fills the room with essential oils and really helps to destress your mind and relax your muscles. My go to brand for bath oils is Aromatherapy Associates; I already have a full sized bottle of De-Stress Mind Bath and Shower Oil which I absolutely love but if you are looking to try Aromatherapy Associates or you'd like something to use when travelling then this little set is definitely for you...

Aromatherapy Associates 10 Oil Miniature Bath & Shower Oil Collection* £35.00  This set has all you need to dip your toes into the world of bath/shower oils and Aromatherapy Associates; with 10 different fragrances to choose from there must be something for every bath 'occasion' whether your legs are aching from a day on your feet or you need something to clear your head after a long day at work these little vials hold the key to your relaxation. Each 3ml bottle is enough for one bath or shower; to use in a bath you run hot water into the tub and pour the whole thing in when your bath is full and for the shower you apply the full bottle to your body before getting into the shower so you can breathe in all the aromatherapy goodness as you wash. I personally prefer to use most of these in the bath because I find I relax more but the Revive Morning one is perfect for the shower because it's a really invigorating fragrance.  If you're looking for some products to give you an excuse for some me time then this is perfect, it would also be an ideal gift for anyone who loves a good bath but is bored with plain old bubbles. Buying a full sized bottle of something without trying all the options available to you is quite a commitment so this would definitely help you work out which is your favourite!