Womens Health

My herbs

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Mary Mac) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:58:00 +0100

Herbal Chest

What I bought and why....

Bio Care Linseed Oil (Flax) Capsules-This is a regular product that I have been taking for 10 years. The benefits of flax are numerous. I take it for the anti-inflammatory properties that help to keep the pain from a deteriorating disc problem and the occasional bout of sciatica under control. It is also a great hormone balancer and helps me with the symptoms of early menopause that are getting more frequent. It also provides omega 3&6 which is necessary for pretty much everything…..brain health, arthritis, skin complaints, energy……..

Echinacea liquid in a Kombucha culture extract-Echinacea is a supplement that I like to use when the hay fever season starts because it is really supportive of the immune system. I’m not a big hay fever sufferer but my husband and 11 year old are and they both benefit from this. It’s also a good idea to have Echinacea in the medicine chest with this swine flu sweeping around the place as it helps reduce the symptoms of colds and flu viruses.

Milk Thistle Tincture-I like to use the FSC tincture as it enters my system quickly and I feel more energetic.

Black Cohosh and Wild Yam Menopause Formula- Again a tincture as it gets in quick and with the hot flushes (flashes) coming at a rapid pace I really need it. I feel like a beaming beacon when the red face rises. It’s a really weird wave of heat that is totally uncontrollable and I just keep hoping that nobody notices. I know they do though……or is that me over reacting again? I’m sooooo sensitive!

http://www.healthstore24.co.uk/

Age Minimising Cream

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Mary Mac) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 10:26:00 +0100

Phyto Soya Age Minimising Cream 50mlArkopharma’s Phyto Soya Age Minimising Cream with Phyto oestrogens.

Prevention and correction of signs of skin ageing

An innovative formula:

Extract containing isoflavones

Hydrating and renewal formula

Scientifically proven efficacy
A 30-day clinical trial carried out provided the following results: Phyto Soya Age Minimising Cream improves skin smoothness right from the first month of use.

20% decrease in the depth and the volume of wrinkles.

Over 90% of the women rated Phyto Soya Age Minimising Cream having perfect tolerance.

Leads to a significant 44% increase in collagen synthesis.

Soya is a plant particularly rich in isoflavones, these natural phyto-oestrogens are vegetable substances similar to female hormones. Their protective action is not limited to the menopause only (hot flushes, osteoporosis and mood changes) but they help to lower the cholesterol level and help to improve skin hydration.

Arkopharma’s Phyto Soya range includes:

Phyto Soya double single potency – For cases of less than 8 hot flushes in 24 hours

Phyto Soya double potency – For cases of more than 8 hot flushes in 24 hours

Age Minimising cream

Vaginal Gel

Feminine Wash

You can see all these products and more on www.healthstore24.co.uk

My calcium levels are low?

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Mary Mac) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:08:00 +0100

If you have low calcium levels you may find that by choosing the right foods can help your deficiency.

Getting Calcium in your diet....

Food Sources

Salmon, sardines, seafood,
Dark green leafy vegetables : broccoli, water cress and flat leaf parsley
lettuce*best raw*cabbage , curly kale and asparagus * lightly steamed
Swiss cheese, cheddar and goats cheese
Sesame, sunflower , pumpkin and flax seeds
Almonds, cashew and Brazil nuts (not salted)
Oats (porridge)
Cows milk and Soya milk*(soy is rich in calcium and very easily absorbed )
Lentils, beans and whole-wheat products (bread, pasta,)
Tofu chunks
Chickpeas (hummus)

Tips
Mix the seeds together with some dried fruit such as figs, apricots and raisins and place in an airtight container. These are great for snacking throughout the day to maintain constant sugar levels and they are packed full of absorbable calcium.
The same applies for the nuts-if you keep them separate they will feel like a completely different snack and they are delicious teamed with a piece of cheese. By eating the nuts and cheese together it reduces the risk of constipation. *Remember your hand-full of snacks for your body is a great measurement and made to measure for you. These snacks help hunger pangs.
Raw broccoli and carrots dipped into hummus is a fantastic snack especially if you love garlic.
Soya milk is great with the porridge and you can top it with some yoghurt for extra calcium.
Soya milk is yummy in a banana and strawberry smoothie. Chuck it all in a blender
(1 banana, 5 strawberries and a mug of cold soy milk) whizz it together and enjoy. Again it is very good for maintaining sugar levels.
Lentil soup with vegetables and wholemeal or rye bread is another wholesome lunch.
Tofu chunks tossed in a vegetable stir-fry served with some brown rice is a healthy evening meal.

Robbers of calcium:
Alcohol, lack of exercise, coffee, tea, and fizzy drinks. Stress also causes increased excretion.

*All these foods are packed full of omegas and vitamins which are essential for good health. By consuming these groups of foods on a regular basis you are looking after cholesterol levels, blood pressure, heart health ,joint support and feeding your central nervous system.
What we normally recommend is to gently add these “new foods” and combinations gradually so you can see what you like and don’t like. That way you not wasting cash on something that will sit in a cupboard.

For our range of calcium supplements click on our store www.healthstore24.co.uk
.................................... Good Health

Grow your own drugs

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Mary Mac) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:10:00 +0100

Echinacea is well documented to be the grand daddy of the natural medicine world. It is commonly found, and is a beautiful flower,and it also supports your immune system.

If you dont wish to wait 2 years to grow your own , here's one we made earlier.....

Echinacea on healthstore24.co.uk

Remember if you have an auto immune related condition, pregnant , a nursing mum, take medication or have an existing medical condition then please consult your medical professional before taking this and any other medication.

Ginger reported to help with travel and motion sickness....

Valerian reported to help your stress levels

Elderberry cough mixture.....sounds like its time for sambucol (read article) one for the cupboard in my view.

Good health

Always read the label

PMS and PMT

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Mary Mac) — Thu, 5 Feb 2009 16:34:00 GMT

My favourite Natural Solutions for PMS or PMT .

PMT is Premenstrual Tension the build up to the actual start of menstruation. For a lot of females it can be the cause of a very unpleasant few days. Symptoms typically include some or all of the following: acne, low backache, breast pain, and cramps water retention and bloating, food cravings, headaches and depression. Some even suffer violent outbursts of anger and severe mood swings. Some believe it is the body’s way of sending a message to you that it needs some internal support.

Diet plays a large role in the body‘s all round health and sometimes it’s essential to input some supportive vitamins, minerals and herbs to get through those tough few days each month.
Our Customers recommend the Following

B complex-great for energy and feeds the nervous system to help ease anxiety...
Evening Primrose Oil-helps to reduce inflammation and ease cramps and sore breasts...
Flaxseed oil-source of omegas and great for easing cramps and joint pain...
Floradix Liquid Iron Formula-for those heavy bleeds to restore flagging energy levels...
Passiflora-great herb for calming the central nervous system and helps with sleep..
Female Formula Multivitamin-always a great platform to build on good health ...
Blue Green Algae-little green tablet packed full of vitamins, minerals and amino acids-super food that may help with energy levels, brain health (think more positive thoughts) and great looking skin.

Eat well! Supplement well! Drink lots of water!

Colds and flu

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Mary Mac) — Tue, 3 Feb 2009 16:06:00 GMT

Winter Wellness
It’s that time of year to arm your immune systems with natural cold and flu busting supplements. The weather forecast is icy to say the least so it’s full steam ahead to keep ourselves well and energized. This latter part of the winter seems to bring yet another wave of sneezing and wheezing, so here are a few favourites to have in your natural medicine chest to help support your immune system and hopefully resist or seriously reduce the severity of a bout.....
Health Sense Nutrition Supplements are on offer for a fantastic 50% OFF for the month of February including the combo tab Echinacea Vitamin C and Zinc- studies have shown that taken regularly it may help to support the body’s war on resisting bugs and illness. A good multivitamin is always a firm platform from which to build and there is a specifically designed Children’s Formula, Woman’s Formula and Men’s Formula to choose from. Garlic is another powerful natural blood cleanser and great for heart health. All these plus the rest of the Health Sense Nutrition Supplements are a Credit Crunching 50% off. Get ‘em while stocks last!
Some times we need specific supplements for specific conditions. Painful Sinus infections can make a person feel very unwell and one favourite herb that may help with it is Olive Leaf. I know of many customers who find real relief from this and take it as soon as symptoms start to rear their ugly head.
If you’ve got the flu or think you feel all achy and something’s on it’s way then Sambucol may be one terrific little flu fighter. It’s made out of Black Elderberries and seriously good stuff. Again, a selection of Formulas for Children, Sugar free, and Original.
If it’s a more Chesty complaint then Higher Nature’s Collodial Silver may be of great benefit. This is a feisty little liquid that may help the immune system and give lung support. My Mom uses it regularly after a nasty bronchitis bout. If she hears the wheeze she does the squeeze.

Let’s keep well................whatever the Weather

Feeling bloated

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Mary Mac) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:26:00 GMT

Jenni was my first client of the day."how are you?"I asked."Bloated" she heaved . It was her one line.We ran through the list of what she had been consuming for the past week, and low and behold it was packed full of pasties takeaways and alcohol........Quick salt and sugar laden food that is fun at the time but after several days of indulgence starts to make you feel tired and sluggish.High fat , salt and sugar foods encourage more cravings for it. They are self serving literally.So time to regroup and feel alive again.First,the hot lemon water as your first drink/food of the day. This gets the bowels awake. follow this with a peanut butter and banana smoothie. Great filling energizer to get you going.I recommend taking acidophilus and milk thistle food supplements.Acidophilus puts good bacteria into the gut and help with the bloating and wind problems.Milk thistle helps support the liver. Alcohol and processed foods puts extra stress on the liver so it may help to push these toxins through more readily and quicker to increase your energy levels.Jenni has her new food programme and supplements and reported back to say she is sticking to it.If you are interested in what she took ....Milk thislte (solaray thistleguard) and Acidophilus by solaray.see all milk thistle productsYou can see these products on our online store http://www.healthstore24.co.uk/ or use the links above.

detox in ten days

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Mary Mac) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:42:00 GMT

10 DAY DETOX DIET

Morning
Drink 1 large mug of warm lemon water before you consume anything else.This will help to eliminate the toxins from your body and send any mucus straight to your bowels which helps to keep your bowels regular.

Breakfast your choice of :
Rice crispies,corn flakes,millet cereal with soya,rice or almond milk
Fruit smoothes (banana with raspberries or strawberries (or another of your favourite soft fruits) and apple juice. Put it in the blender and whiz until smooth.
Millet porridge with one of the above milks and sweetened with 1teaspoon of honey.
Large bowl of fresh fruit salad with plain live yoghurt (sweeten yoghurt with 1 teaspoon of honey). Chop up enough fruit to last a few days and seal in a airtight container, this will encourage you to eat more fruit as it’s already made.

You will need: lots of apples,pears,kiwi,plums,bananas.

You will not be drinking any coffee or tea for ten (10)days

Try herbal teas , chicory or fresh fruit juices (apple or red grape are best)
You will be consuming 2 litres of water per day/jazz it up with fresh lemon or lime if you get bored. No pop or squash.

Snack time....from
Fruit
Sunflower and pumpkin mix
Raw carrot sticks
Nuts (one handful)
Soya dessert (caramel is lovely)
Wheat free snack bar
Oat cakes with peanut butter

Lunch .....from
Salad (large) with olive oil and vinegar dressing(No meat)put loads of fresh salad items in it like grated carrot,raw cabbage and sweetcorn as it helps to really bulk your salad and fill you. Add olives if you like them.
Vegetable soup ....Make a big pot to use as you need it.
Vegetable hotpot .
Pasta salad (wheat free pasta) cook pasta, add pine nuts, chunks of peppers, tomatoes and toss in an olive oil and vinegar dressing.
Tuna salad or salmon (use spring water tuna and moisten tuna with lots of lemon juice and fresh black pepper, no mayo).Pile onto large salad.
Grilled mushrooms and tomatoes. Place under grill until softened and toss in a little olive oil ,fresh coriander, salt and fresh black pepper. Pile onto large salad.
Omelette-add mushrooms, peppers tomato No Milk, just egg.
*remember to drink water *

Supper....from

Vegetable curry with brown rice .

Grilled orange chicken with brown rice or roasted vegetables(score chicken breast and squeeze a fresh orange over the top)For roast vegetables cut them (carrots,parsnips,onions, potato) into chunks and toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a handful of fresh chopped herbs(rosemary,sage or thyme are lovely).Place in hot oven for 35 minutes until roasted.

Fresh salmon/tuna/cod (pour fresh lemon or lime over fish and bake covered in oven for 30 min)Serve with fresh greek salad (salad leaves,tomatoes,feta cheese(goat or sheep feta) olives and a drizzle of olive oil.

Almond and ginger stirfry .

Vegetable and chickpea bake .

Potato wedges.Cut potatoes into wedges and dry off in a tea towel.Toss in a little olive oil to lightly coat and sprinkle with sea salt.Place on tray and bake in hot oven for 30 min.

Vegetable chilli .

Corn pasta with fresh tomato sauce.Place tomatoes in pan and add a little water tomato puree,fresh torn basil and a clove of garlic.Cook until it reduces and become thick. Season with sea salt and fresh black pepper. Toss in pasta. Serve with salad.
*Remember to drink water*

Desserts
Baked apples (Bramley apple with centre out fill with a little brown sugar)
Fresh fruit salad Sorbet

The intention is to remove wheat,gluten,dairy,sugar and processed foods from your diet for ten days. This will enable your digestive system to have a rest from having to cope with these food groups. The detox allows the toxins to filter out of your body and hopefully you will have more energy and feel better in yourself. It is only 10 days so remember that when you feel you want to digress. This diet is highly nutritious and very good for you so hopefully you will want to adopt some of this into your regular diet. Good Health.

Where's my chair?

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Mary Mac) — Wed, 3 Dec 2008 10:11:00 GMT

With a huff and a puff and a get me my chair "the lady" has arrived. JoJo that is, one of my favourite and noisiest clients. JoJo has been coming to me for quite a few years so I know how she is just by the look of her. Today she is beetroot its freezing out there. She is a wonderful warm-hearted woman who unfortunately has been mistreated by a select few and they frequently drain her energy but raise her blood pressure. I get JoJo to go through our calm breathing routine, taking a deep breath in through the nose and pushing it down into the belly button. After a few minutes her colour returns to a healthy pink. JoJo is worried about her mental state and wants supplements to help her through. JoJo smokes and sometimes uses alcohol to numb her pain so I recommend our Higher Nature Smart UK Brain Complex. It’s a powerful blend of amino acids, vitamins and minerals. JoJo goes for the three-month pack, as we both know that it takes a good few weeks for the necessary uptake of nutrients to establish itself in the body. It works out cheaper too. JoJo shows me the sores on her hands and legs which we are associating with her elevated stress levels right now so she chooses the Rosa Mosqueta range of products by Aubrey. The line is organic, vegan and smells wonderful so I’m certain the feel good factor alone will help her to feel better coupled with the gentle but nourishing lotions to soothe her skin. JoJo has chosen the Rosa Mosqueta Moisturising Cream, and JoJoba Meal & Oatmeal with Rosa Mosqueta Mask & Scrub for her face and neck. The Rosa Mosqueta Luxurious Hand and Body Lotion is the for neck down and to treat herself she’s having the super Rosa Mosqueta Rose Hip Herbal Shampoo. She will smell wonderful and feel wonderful. With a kiss and a hug, she’s off, taxi’s waiting. Till next time...

Thanks to JoJo for letting me share her visit with us.

If you relate to these areas you can find more info on my web ...www.healthstore24.co.uk

Early Menopause

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Mary Mac) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:35:00 GMT

Early Menopause
I am 42 years old and I first started to feel a bit weird around three months ago.You know,slightly off balance ,muzzy headed ,second guessing my own decisions and getting REALLY hot. My periods also just stopped. After years of being a very regular gal they simply disappeared. I would and still do get the physical symptoms of slightly sore breasts, low backache and being a bit tired but nothing happens. I started my periods when I was 11 years old and was lucky to be an “average” bit of discomfort knew when they were coming sort of female. Unlike a lot of my mates who endured heavy, long take to your bed types of periods. I was one of the lucky ones. Anyway, I decided to ask my G.P. for a blood test to rule out anything such as diabetes ,thyroid or anything else and to also check my hormone levels to see if they were dropping. It appears they have gone into free fall. My Doc reckons I’m actually post menopausal as my FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) count is 41.5.Fertile count is anything below 20.I had my second child (who was a very special surprise) at the age of 40.5 so I am really blessed to have her.
So to combat this incredible heat that I’m generating I’ve started to take Life Plan Sage as it’s good for controlling the body’s thermostat, and that is starting to take effect already these flushes/flashes are reducing in number by the day. I’ve also started to take a Calcium Magnesium Boron supplement called Osteocare by Bio Care as my calcium levels were borderline and this despite being an active and very discerning healthy good food eater for ever. I was surprised. The final chosen supplement ( I love the combination of three) is Spirulina by Solaray. It just great for increasing mental alertness and for raising energy levels. So I’ve entered a new chapter in my life, armed with some of the best supplements I’ve ever worked with and I’ll see and write how I progress. I really never anticipated being an early bird as my Mum and Grandmother were both in their 50’s when they started and I just presumed I would be the same. I just hope my cool husband can put up with me.

FOOD TO GROW FROM

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Mary Mac) — Sun, 7 Sep 2008 09:11:00 +0100

FOOD TO GROW FROM

Mixed Bean Feast & Root Vegetable Mash

Serves 2-4

Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons of olive oil
2 onions chopped
1 clove garlic chopped
1 clove garlic left whole for the mash
Fresh rosemary or thyme chopped
1 vegetable stock cube
3 tablespoons tomato puree
4-5 cups boiling water
1 cup of sweet corn
4-5 carrots (for the feast)-(peeled and cut into bite sized pieces)
6-7 carrots (for the mash)-(peeled and cut into even chunks)
1 medium swede (for the mash)-(peeled and cut into even sized chunks)
2 large sweet potato (for the mash)-( peeled and cut into even chunks)
1 cup of passata (fine sieved tomato)
1 can drained (in water) kidney beans
1 can drained (in water) pinto beans
1 can drained (in water) cannelini beans
Drop of milk or soya milk
1Tablespoon of butter or soya butter.

Place large pot of water on to boil and place the carrots, swede and sweet potatoes and garlic clove in it. Boil until soft. As it boils ......
Turn stove/oven on to a medium high temperature to preheat.
Pan fry onions & garlic in olive oil until soft. Add the chopped herbs of choice. Stir in puree and mix well. Transfer this mixture into a large pot big enough for the remaining vegetables .Add the corn, carrots, all the beans ,stock cube ,passata and water. Cook on a high heat for approximately 10- 15 minutes. Turn the heat down and simmer for a further 15-20 minutes. As the feast cooks out the colour will change to a lovely russet reddish hue and become quite thick and saucy. Season to taste. I love Maldon sea salt and freshly milled black pepper.
Meanwhile back at the mash ....once the root vegetables are tender drain off the water AND save the water if you are making the lentil soup. Add the milk, butter and season to taste with salt and pepper and madly mash with your mashing tool.

Once you’re happy with the flavour and thickness of your Bean Feast turn it out into a casserole dish. Place the Mash on top and spread it to create an even topping. You can place a few more knobs of butter on the top if you wish. Place in oven for a further 15 minutes to crisp up the top.
Serve with a nice green side salad to ensure full absorption of vitamins and nutrients.
Enjoy!
P. S. This dish does freeze well.

Lentil & Vegetable Soup

Serves 2-4

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of Olive oil
2 Onions chopped
1 clove garlic chopped
1 vegetable stock cube
1 tablespoon of tomato puree
1 sweet potato peeled and cut into bite sized chunks
2-3 carrots peeled and chopped and cut into bite sized chunks
2 cans of Lentils drained
3 cups of boiling water Or your saved vegetable water from MASH

Pan fry the onions and garlic in the olive oil until soft. Transfer into a large pot big enough for the rest of the ingredients. Place the boiling water in the pot and add the vegetables ,lentils, puree and stock cube and cook on a high heat for 15-20 minutes. Once the vegetables are soft take off the heat. Put through food processor or blitz with hand held kitchen tool . The soup should be smooth and thick to your taste, if you find it’s too thick then add a little extra water to loosen. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Serve with raw carrot sticks and a chunk of wholemeal bread and butter.
Yum.

BB = Bank Balance
This helps BOOST your BB because the ingredients are cheap yet nutritious and part of the batch cooking process, which helps reduce utility bills.
If you make these two meals you can peel, chop, prep enough for both and save yourself some time.

Family Spirit
Imagination fires enthusiasm & interest. Knowing that I peel chop and cook my suppers for my family gives me a huge amount of pleasure. The more I see them tucking into my homemade handmade fodder the more I want to do it. I know that the importance of good wholesome food can sometimes lose it’s totem pole positioning in our busy schedules but I really believe that the effort I put into preparing nutritious meals for my gang starts with my love for them and nobody loves ‘em like I do.

Nutrition Boost

The mixed beans & lentils we’re cooking with are a great source of protein, have a high fibre content and are packed full of essential nutrients. Sweet potatoes and carrots are amazing vegetables. Carrots give us Beta-carotene, which looks after skin and eye health while sweet potatoes are great for improving digestion by stimulating good gut flora. So look good on the inside as well as out...Happy cooking
Super Duper Supplements

Upper Klamath Blue Green Algae
Great Energy boosting little green pill. Packed full of vitamins, minerals and aminos. I find this fuels my flagging energy levels and helps to restore my positive thinking.

Solaray Flaxseed Oil
Cold pressed flax oil that gives all the 3*6*9 omegas
in good ratio .Did I mention...... I love this oil and so do my joints.

Pure Flaxseed .

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Mary Mac) — Thu, 4 Sep 2008 14:53:00 +0100

My favourite supplement of all time is flaxseed!!!!

For purity i use Solaray flax-these are the features.

Features: * Contains high lignan phytoestrogens which exhibit estrogenic properties. * One of nature's most plentiful sources of Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9 Fatty Acids. * Contains Duralox® oxidation inhibitor, a nautral antioxidant system to help control lipid peroxide levels. * 100% expeller pressed, unrefined and unfiltered. * No solvents have been used. Softgel Size 20 Oblong

This article says it all-http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/benefits-of-flaxseed

To buy solaray flaxseed go to www.healthstore24.co.uk

When i run out of my flaxseed, i feel less full of life.

Food to grow on

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Mary Mac) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:51:00 +0100

Hi foodies.
If you love good food , health food, natural foods, or simply love the best tasting food on the planet, this is your place.
Over the following months we will be building a dedicated area for good, well priced food ideas and recipes. There will be health tips and places to find the most interesting food ideas and initiatives.
You can have your input and join us in creating a webjam that can help and inspire others to prepare meals for families and individuals alike. It is not always easy to get out of the buy one get something you dont need cycle. Nutrition is the most important thing. No nutrition = No existence.
Food can make you happy-food can make people sad. The trick is to recognise what you are attracted to and share your ideas . Be inventive with food.
We will start with some simple ideas and grow together using real ingredents, tried and tested meals and help each other create new tastes and food experiences .
If you would like to post your favourite dish that is nutritious, delicious and cost effective then we look forward to your post.
Remember our goal is to give inspiration to people who have no food background and require much needed advice, guidance and ideas that can decrease food bills yet in increase nutritional intake and experince the real taste satisfaction of preparing real food.
If you need a Foodboost or have foodboosting ideas then please get involved.

Earth.

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Mary Mac) — Thu, 3 Jul 2008 16:27:00 +0100

Meals for £5---munch dont' crunch

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Mary Mac) — Thu, 3 Jul 2008 11:46:00 +0100

A Savoury family meal for a £iver

Daily Main Meal for £5.00 (average family of 4)

Summer Fresh Tomato Soup
&
Lemony Potato Wedges

Soup:

ingredients;

Olive oil (glug)
Large onion chopped
1 carrot chopped
2 ½ pounds of Fresh tomatoes cored and quartered
2 cloves of garlic chopped
3 sprigs of fresh thyme or ½ tsp dried thyme
5 tablespoons ½ fat crème fraiche
1Knorr Swiss vegetable stock cube

Cook;

Heat the olive oil in pan. Add the onions and carrot and cook until softened. Add the tomatoes, herbs and garlic. Reduce heat and simmer covered for @ 30 minutes. Take off the heat and pass soup through a sieve or blitz it with a food processor. Stir in the crème fraiche. Can be served warm or cold.

Wedges:

Preheat oven to 200*c/400*f

ingredients;

2lbs Potatoes

1 lemon

olive oil

salt & pepper

While the soup is simmering;

Cut the potatoes into even sized wedges.

Pat dry with a paper towel.

Place in a bowl and squeeze the juice of the lemon over them.

Add 4-5 tablespoons of olive oil plus pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper.

Mix well to coat wedges evenly and place on baking tray.

Cook for ½ hour turning once.

Serving suggestions;

Serve soup in bowls with wedges along side.

Use the rest of the crème fraiche as a dip for the wedges.
Enjoy!

Saving tips......

You may also find that your kids will never ask for those expensive frozen chips again after tasting
your famous potato wedges.

Put left over lemon in a jug of water and leave to infuse.Add ice just before the meal begins for a

refreshing and pure flavoured water drink.

Honest,economical, Nutritious Fresh Food.

Did you know?
Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants which help to protect against free radicals, those are the molecules that do the damage in our bodies.

More money saving food ideas coming soon ...or go to our site http://www.healthstore24.co.uk/

Pop corn

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Mary Mac) — Wed, 2 Jul 2008 12:36:00 +0100

I've started eating popcorn.No,not for the first time, but as a really easy way to lose a few
pounds.Bags and bowls of popcorn.I make it in the most traditional way of waist shaking and arm flabulation motions to get the most out of my workout.Add my special ingredients and I'm off to crunch and munch and generally bug my family.They join in sometimes just to beat my noise level.I've lost 4 lbs so far,could be all the extra trips to make more popcorn or the calorie burning toothpicking I perform after my popcorn workout.Heck,I don't really care 4lbs is 4lbs.
Better than some other high cal/fat alternatives Ay.......