wellness Archives | Rachael Phillips

Vitamins for busy people – V.Good Vitamins

For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been trying out V.Good Vitamins. They kindly gifted me one of their monthly boxes so that I could improve my gut health, boost my energy, strengthen my immune system and much more with absolute ease.

When starting out on any supplement regime, it can be really hard to decide what to buy. Just trying to navigate the sheer number of vitamins available at the supermarket or chemist can be a mammoth task.

And if you’re anything like me, you have a medicine cabinet full of supplements that you’ve purchased after reading all about the benefits but you’ve forgotten to take them and then they just sit there gathering dust.

Well, that’s why I’m LOVING v.good vitamins.

For a start, there’s no clutter, all your daily capsules are in handy sachets so you can just grab and go. And the sachets also happen to be plastic free and totally recyclable.

The company has also consulted with specialists to find out the best mix of vitamins and minerals that provide a solution to what most of us are suffering from; poor sleep, joint pain, muscle aches and a weakened immune system resulting in endless colds and sniffles.

The one oil all women should own…

Just a heads up that I’m ran a Facebook event last night on women’s health and essential oils. It will be available until March 5th. Visit and comment on the posts and you could win and lemon or orange essential oil. > https://www.facebook.com/events/256364551477496/

I’ll also be giving away 3 oils for those who attend the event live!

—
So with that out of the way I want to just share what I think the number one oil that all women need to have in their arsenal. Of course, it’s hard for me to pin down just ONE oil but Clary Sage is one of the most important essential oils for hormones, especially in women.

Clary Sage has anticonvulsive, antidepressant, antifungal, anti-infectious, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent and anti-inflammatory properties and can help with cramps, heavy menstrual cycles, hot flashes and hormonal imbalances.

Here are the top 3 reasons why Clary Sage is a great essential oil for women…

Relieves Menstrual Discomfort.

I used to suffer from horrendous period pain. Until I started using a mixture of vitamin C and Clary Sage. I’ll talk about the vitamin C element on another post but Clary sage is an antispasmodic, meaning it treats spasms and related issues such as muscle cramps, headaches and stomachaches. It does this by relaxing the nerve impulses that we can’t control.

Can help you sleep.

If you have trouble sleeping or suffer from insomnia then Clary Sage is the oil for you. It’s a natural sedative so will give you that calm, peaceful feeling you need to send you off in to the land of nod. As you know, not sleeping can have a massive effect on your life – your energy levels, mood, productivity, stress levels and overall health will suffer.

Helps increase circulation.

Clary Sage opens up the blood vessels and allows for increased circulation. It can also help lower blood pressure by relaxing the brain and arteries. This boosts the performance of the metabolic system by increasing the amount of oxygen that gets into the muscles and supporting organ function.

There are plenty more benefits of clary sage so if you have time tonight do pop along to my class. But I’ll make sure I schedule in another post to praise the great work that Clary Sage does. Don’t forget to join me at 8pm tonight!! xoxox

Wellness Trends for 2017

Happy New Year! I was hoping that this blog post would be with you a tad sooner than mid January but thankfully wellness is a topic we can talk about anytime.

Anyway, despite my lurgy I headed to BBC Wales on New Years Day to talk about the latest trends in lifestyle and wellness. If you didn’t manage to catch the interview then here are my top 10 predictions…

SLEEP

I really believe that 2017 is going to be the year that we disconnect. Our phones and tablets are going to take second place to rest, family and friends. As an iPhone addict I can tell you that my year will certainly contain less iPhone. But sleep is going to be huge this year. And that’s a good thing.

The old mantra of “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” is just code for if you don’t get enough sleep, you’ll be there sooner than you think.

Check out this piece by Ariana Huffington: Sleep your way to the top.

Automation.

2017 is the year for automation or as a wellness trend forecast put it “The Mark Zukerberg Effect”. Quite simply, there’s a reason why people like Mark Zukerberg, Steve Jobs, Simon Cowell etc wear the same outfit day in day out – it saves them from having to make too many decisions before they start their day.

Other Celebrities/public figures also do it, Dr Oz has blueberries for breakfast every day so he doesn’t waste any time thinking about what he needs to have. Anna Wintour plays a game of tennis EVERY morning at 6.30am. Barack Obama starts every day with a workout.

It’s a simple method of taking less decisions out of your day therefore busting busy. Try to automate just one or two areas of your life from your work wardrobe to your breakfast and see if it makes a difference.

Out with the chemical beauty haul.

So it may seem like every day that another celebrity starts hawking their #nomakeup selfie. But in 2017 more people will turn towards natural beauty methods by realising that their skincare is a natural extension to their overall health. From coconut oil to essential oils. No more damaging skincare lines instead more natural beauty. Check out Rachel Hunter’s quest for natural beauty here.

More collagen!

Collagen is the secret to glowing skin, silky hair, strong nails and can help health leaky gut as well as ease joint pain and symptoms of arthritis. The bone broth revolution has only just started!! Check out THIS article to learn more about collagen.

Protein Water.

Protein shakes have been a staple in the health and fitness world for a long time. However, they aren’t always the easiest things to drink in terms of taste, texture and time. But there is a solution – protein water. Since protein is vital for keeping our metabolism running, our energy levels topped up and our blood sugars stable then it’s important that you get not only enough protein, but good quality protein also.

Protein Water Co. has a great range of protein water that keeps you hydrated and with 20g of protein per bottle.

Turmeric.

If you’re not already having a daily dose of turmeric then you need to start asap. Turmeric has a wide range of health benefits, it has antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. But it’s also loaded with a host of nutrients such as calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, zinc and more. I buy my turmeric powder from Rise Organics and use it daily with a drop of black pepper oil (because black pepper can enhance turmeric’s effects) in either a latte or in a soft gel capsule. I also use turmeric in soups, stews and curries.

Active Travel.

Have you SEEN the price of petrol lately not to mention the increases on the rail network. However, there’s an alternative – active travel. It’s a great way to get around and if you’re travelling to work then it can have a huge effect on your productivity levels. It also reduces stress, helps you save money and is better for the environment. There are also apps that you can download such as FlowFinder that will help hook you up with your nearest shower or changing facility so you don’t have to sit through the work day feeling a hot, sweaty mess.

Gut Health.

Good health starts in your gut, any health professional will attest to that. But I think that this year we’ll see more people take their gut health seriously. This will involve more people paying attention to the foods that negatively impact their gut health and also increasing their intake of probiotics, fermented foods and digestive enzymes.

Minerals.

We all hear about how the major vitamins have an impact on our health but 2017 we’re also going to be paying attention to minerals too. Modern, stressful lifestyles can result in a depletion in our mineral supply, which can then cause a variety of problems such as fatigue, weak bones and a decreased immune system. But this year is all about re-mineralizing (< is that even a word?) and to get a quick start on this trend head straight to the bathroom for a relaxing 20 minute soak in some epsom salts or magnesium flakes.

Staying in is the new going out.

I promise you that this isn’t just an age thing. But more people are choosing to stay at home with tea and netflix than to whoop it up in the club. A trend I can get right on board with. 2017 is all about adding plenty of ME time in to your routine. After a crazy, busy week getting cosy with a self -care mindset is most definitely the new party routine.

Of course there are plenty more wellness trends that are going to be big in 2017, from infrared saunas to medicinal mushrooms. But the main thing is that we all try to have a happy, healthy year ahead.

Take Rest.

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”]

Take rest. A field that has rested gives a beautiful crop. – Ovid

Hello Strangers.

I’m taking a bit of a blogging rest. In fact, I’ve had a bit of a rest from quite a few things. But after a week in Lanzarote and a little shake up with my client list, I’m raring to get back to it. So I thought it was only apt that I share the above quote.

Seriously, if you’re feeling burnt out, frazzled, unable to take action because you just don’t know where to turn. Take a rest. Whether your rest involves complete disconnection or surfing pinterest for 5 hours, do something that relaxes your mind.

This won’t be my last word on rest either. My little break is helping me see clearly which direction I want to take things. I’ll be talking more about how you can be the ceo of your own health, how you can get out of that busy trap and also how being well can help your business. Not to mention still sharing my musings on the latest health trends and fads.

But it’s Monday and my new regime is that I don’t work on a Monday so back for more rest I go. But not without saying if you’re interested in health, wellness, entrepreneurship and of course essential oils, give my Facebook page some love. And also, why not sign up for my newsletter where I’ll share exclusive content and offers that won’t be on this site?! The form is below.

Stay Safe and I’ll “see” you in 2017!

Rachael x

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_signup admin_label=”Email Optin” provider=”mailchimp” mailchimp_list=”4315f23b30″ aweber_list=”none” use_background_color=”on” background_color=”#7EBEC5″ background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”left” use_focus_border_color=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” custom_button=”off” button_letter_spacing=”0″ button_use_icon=”default” button_icon_placement=”right” button_on_hover=”on” button_letter_spacing_hover=”0″] [/et_pb_signup][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

Essential Oils – How I Use Them

OK so I’ve been posting my essential oils collection for quite a while over on instagram and I’m getting LOADS of questions on how I use them. So I thought that I’d a general overview of how I use my oils.

First up, I use doTERRA oils at the moment, mostly because I have an account with them (I don’t sell them!) and I like that they are pure and not full of synthetic ingredients. I am on the look out for cheaper alternatives, so if you know of a good essential oils company – let me know!

Anyway, how I use essential oils…

I diffuse them. I am SO obsessed with my diffuser. I bought one thinking that it wouldn’t be to different from burning my oils but it’s a game changer.With the diffuser you just add a couple of drops of your favourite oil (or oils) and it pushes them out in to the air.

You can create your own blends depending on your mood so if you want to relax then lavender, clary sage or geranium. If you’re wanting to get motivated and pumped then my favourite is to add lemon and peppermint. Or if you just want your house to smell fresh and clean – lemon – always lemon!

Amazon have some great diffusers – see here.

I use them as part of my beauty regime. OK so I should admit here, I don’t really have a beauty regime as such but my skin is super sensitive and can get dry so I have to be really picky about what I use on it. Since essential oils are easily absorbed in to the skin and are very powerful, I use a carrier oil such as coconut or almond oil and add a few drops of frankincense to create a great moisturiser (Frankincense is also great for burns too which is handy as I’m forever burning myself on the oven, and it’s a great anti-wrinkle oil – also handy but say no more about that one!!).

After a great tip off from my friend Tanya, I now add a drop of Meluca oil to my conditioner and it adds extra shine and protects against heat damage. Meluca is also great for spots too, just dab a drop on and your breakout will be gone in no time.

I use them for medicinal purposes. Eucalyptus mostly. I suffer from blocked sinuses quite a bit so I pop some eucalyptus to the bottom of my shower and let the steam do its job. I also use it in my diffuser if I’m feeling coldy. Lavender on cuts and burns is also another top tip of mine – helps healing and to reduce scarring.

I clean with them. I find traditional cleaners really harsh on my skin and my chest. So use essential oils to do the job a chemical cleaner would normally do. Lemon mixed with apple cider vinegar, baking soda and water will do the job better than any shop bought bleach mix. I add a few drops of lemon or orange to my mop water when I clean the floors – smells amazing.

Do you use oils? How do you use yours?

Health Hacks: Automate your eating

The more my blog evolves, the more I find myself writing for busy women. Probably because I am one myself, so I understand the need to want to get more done in less time.

But being busy doesn’t mean you can’t be healthy. So I’m starting a new series of posts to provide you with some tips to help you “hack” your health without using up lots of your valuable time.

First up: Automate your eating.

How much of your time is spent thinking about what you’re going to have for your breakfast/lunch/dinner? Only to then go home and throw a frozen pizza in the oven because you just can’t think about it any longer?

Trust me. I’ve been there and if I’m honest, unless I plan – it still happens.

By automating your eating and planning your meals ahead of time helps you prevent making unhealthy last-minute food choices.

Automating your eating isn’t about eating the exact same thing every day. You can have a small – and make sure it’s small because the point of this exercise is to make your life easier – rota of foods that you can choose from. When you get up in the morning and you know what you’re going to be eating for the day – that’s one less decision you need to make.

Dr Oz has famously said how he eats blueberries and greek yogurt every morning because it saves him time debating over what to have for breakfast and therefore avoids the dreaded decision fatigue that so many of us encounter on a daily basis.

The more things we can automate in our lives, the more space and mental energy we free up to make the big decisions.

Continue reading “Health Hacks: Automate your eating”

How the right bedding can boost your health

We all know that bedding can have a big impact on the look of rooms and you’re no doubt keen to find dapper duvets and pretty pillows that have the power to elevate the aesthetics of your boudoir. However, did you realise that as well as enhancing the look of your home, the sheets you sleep in can boost your health?

Helping you get sufficient sleep

First and foremost, comfy bedding can help you to nod off at night. Most adults need between seven and nine hours of good quality slumber a night, but up to a third of Britons fail to get this much shuteye. There are lots of reasons why people can struggle to sink into restful sleep, and bad bedding is one risk factor. When you’re perusing the variety of pillows, duvets, sheets and covers available on specialist websites like juliancharles.co.uk, make sure you choose materials that will help soothe you to sleep. Ideally, the products should offer just enough warmth and they should feel good against your skin.

Bear in mind that as well as helping to give you energy to face the day, sleep plays an important role in fending off potentially serious illnesses. In fact, regular sleeplessness can increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes and obesity. It can also raise your chances of getting long-term mood disorders like anxiety and depression. A lack of sleep can reduce your immunity too, meaning you’re less able to fight off infections.

Although many people don’t realise this, sleep can also have a big impact on weight. Studies have revealed that people who sleep for less than seven hours a day are 30 per cent more likely to be obese than those who get nine hours of shuteye or more. It’s believed that when people are sleep deprived, they have lower levels of leptin, a hormone that makes them feel full. They also have higher levels of the hunger-stimulating chemical ghrelin.

Controlling allergies

As well as helping people to get enough sleep, good quality bedding can play a part in preventing allergy aggravation. Around one in four people in the UK suffer from an allergy at some point in their lives and there are a range of potential triggers. Dust mites and small flakes of skin and hair are often the causes of sneezing bouts and streaming eyes.

If these allergens affect you, it’s worth looking out for bedding with synthetic fillings such as hollowfibre and microfibre. These products are designed to be non-allergenic and they can be laundered quickly and easily. You might be surprised by how much easier it is to reduce your allergy symptoms if you take simple steps like this to control your environment.

Given how much of an impact bedding can have on your health, it’s vital that you choose the best possible versions.

Bored of dieting already? Make small changes

If you’re anything like me then you’ve tried every diet out there – and believe me, I’ve tried every diet under the sun. Every January (or make that every Monday) a new diet plan is put in to action and there’s you stuck in a perpetual dieting cycle.

Of course diets work, short term. But if you’re looking for long term success then ditching the diet is the only way to go. We spend way too much time asking ourselves if it’s ok to eat that slice of birthday cake or mentally totting up the calories in our salad. From fasting to atkins, diet plans seem to be the crux of obsession and disordered eating.

So before you put yourself through the agony of yet another restrictive eating plan, here are just a few tips to help you be happier, healthier and slimmer in 2015…

Concentrate on health, not calories or carbs.
I know this is going to come as a shock to you if you’re used to counting calories but not all calories are created equally. It’s time to forget totting up the numbers and instead think about how the food you’re eating is making you feel and what good it can do to your body.

Counting calories also doesn’t give you the complete control over your nutrition as you may think it does. Let’s take a microwave ready meal for example; YES you maybe ingesting 500 calories but you’re also taking in GMO’s, e-numbers and other nasties that would be avoided if you made that same meal yourself.

Think about the nutrition your body needs first and foremost then the rest will naturally follow.

Eat before 8pm.
I’ve always been a late eater. It drives my boyfriend absolutely berserk because he likes to have his dinner done and dusted by 6.30pm where as I like to drag out the meal process as long as possible. However, the end of last year I started to make a conscious effort to start eating my dinner before 8pm. Not because I believe the time you eat has any effect on what you weigh but because I learned about how vitally important it is to give your digestive system a break. By giving it a rest you’re giving it time to digest what you’ve already eaten and get rid of any toxins and waste hanging about. This little trick will do wonders for you if you suffer from bloating. Continue reading “Bored of dieting already? Make small changes”

Wise Words #007: Tina Fey on Women’s Body Image

Quote from Bossypants