Manioc - a toxic root?

Cassava - AKA Manioc root - From Time - Top Ten Most Dangerous Plants!  is an unlikely plant for a cosmetic ingredient, wouldn't you think?  A strange name, which it's tempting to pun badly, but as I type, it's early, so forgive me! How anyone ever worked out that you can eat this plant is a wonder, because Manioc is toxic.  Exceptionally toxic. Cyanidally so. It's chock full of linamarin, a glucoside which it collects in storage cavities. If the roots get damaged, linamarin is released from the vacuoles, and enzymes set to work converting it into cyanide!  Which is odd, when you realise that the Brazilians eat quite a lot of it. As do school children in the form of tapioca pudding. (Usually with luminous jam. No wonder there's so much hyperactivity.)  Luckily, heating it volatises the cyanide and renders the roots edible. Phew! It's hard work though. The roots need peeling, grating, pounding and soaking. (Sounds like doing the laundry in the olden days!) After it's been left for a few days, possibly while the people have a little rest, it drains and dehydrates, leaving behind a detoxified mass of roots. They leave this to dry in the sun or oven, and eventually you get cassava flour, which is often well tolerated by people who have wheat or grain allergies. What's the point of all this you might ask? Washed, minutely ground tapioca starch can help absorb oil and waste products from the skin. Once the cyanide's been removed obviously. Dr Hauschka use it for these oil absorbing properties in Melissa Day Cream, the Coversticks and in Compact Powder. If you're technically minded, and want to see the botanical name on the packet, it is usually listed as Manihot and or tapioca. It's a member of the Euphorbiaceae family. But that's enough botany for now. Manioc's absorbent properties are handy on hot, stuffy days to keep skin looking radiant and matte, although if you can get hold of the actual root, apparently it's good for anything from headaches to worms. (I don't suppose worms like cyanide any more than we do.) Have a radiant and matte day! The pamper line is 07961224560 if you need anything. I don't stock cyanide, though. If you fancy making tapioca pudding, just click the link below the picture. It does look nicer than I remember!

https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/tapioca_pudding/

Best foot forward!

They say that an army marches on its stomach. This is patently untrue, like much military lore, no doubt.

Like us, they march - if march they do - on their feet. Their poor, neglected, bunioned, sore, blistered feet. 

Unlike us ladies, though, most soldiers don't get their toes on show. (Well, maybe the female ones do, when they get back to the Mess, but I digress) 

As we've been promised sun, that means no tights and skimpy, sandally-type shoes, or, perish the thought, flip flops. (AKA Thongs for reasons which escape me, as I thought thongs were particularly uncomfortable knickers. Showing my age again.)

This means that our toes - like soldiers -  will be on parade, so they may need a little TLC to look their loveliest. This means that either you book someone to pamper your tootsies, or you do it yourself. 

One of the new treatments I recently learned was a Leg one - fab for cellulite and perfect to add to a Foot treatment, so that's a good choice, but if you can't get here, this is a DIY version.

You'll need 

• a footbath
• some bath oil- Sage Spruce or Lemon are nice
• foot cream 
• Arm & Leg toner
• a Neem nail oil or pen

What to do

• Soak your feet in the footbath* and bath oil
• Dry them gently and apply the Neem oil. Leave to soak 
• Massage your legs with the A&L toner and enjoy the refreshing tonic scent of Rosemary and Horse-chestnut
• Now, gently push back the cuticles. (This may take several attempts if this is the first time you've seen them this year.) 

Slowly is better than viciously attacking them, as if you cut or split them, you could get a nail infection. (There are plenty from which to choose, and all rather unpleasant, so don't bother, is my advice.)

I know we're not scrubbers, but sometimes, feet can do with a little bit of abrasion. You can make a DIY scrub from a mixture of oil and sugar. Just be gentle and rinse well.

After that, massage in some foot cream in, then gaze in wonder at your lovely feet, which do so much for you.

Walking on sunshine, or even in it, seems a distant dream, but you should feel as if you are!

Have a radiant day!

Mother of Thousands?

What a bizarre name and what an odd plant!

Looking at Bryophyllum you can see how it got the nick-name mother of thousands.

Each stalk bears teeny-tiny baby plantlets - little clones of the mama - all along the edges of the serrated leaves. They perch, like swallows on a phone line, ready to drop off and grow up elsewhere. 

They are speedy growers, and rapidly develop a root system, thus becoming independent of the mother plant very quickly. 

Look at those babies!
Picture from Bryophyllum.weebly.com

Luckily she's got plenty more baby plants to occupy her, so no empty nest syndrome here.

This squishy fleshy plant is a reservoir of water covered in a shiny wax, which helps to prevent evaporation. Native to madagascar and Calcutta, it's a heat-tolerant plant, for sure, and copes well with drought. Luckily.

Traditionally, it's taken internally for diarrhea and fever, but an ointment made from the expressed juice of the leaves is used externally for treatment of ulcers, abscesses, burns or poorly healing wounds. 

This ointment has haemostatic, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing actions. You really wanted to know that, didn't you?

Anyway. Handy. Literally, as this ingredient is used in Dr.Hauschka Hydrating Hand Cream, as well as

• Regenerating Serum
• Regenerating Day Cream
• Soothing Intensive Treatment
• Renewing Night Conditioner 

Goethe from Allmusic.com

All of which benefit from the juicy, abundant succulence of Bryophyllum.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe - he of Heidenröslein and Faust fame - was a big fan.

Not of Dr Hauschka, which wasn't around back then, but of the plant; he often sent it to his (many) lady-friends.

Saying it with flowers? I don't really want to think what he was implying.

I've never been too sure about Heidenröslein lyrics either, they always struck me as a bit #metoo, although the music is lovely, of course. 

But did Schubert pinch it from Wolfie? It's so similar to Könnte jeder brave Mann from The Magic Flute. 

Just me again, is it? Have a listen and tell me I'm wrong!

Text the Pamperline for more info 07961224560

Springtime self-care = self esteem

If winter is the time to hibernate and contemplate, a sort of withdrawal of mood and spirit, Spring is the season to move outside and breathe out.

It is also the season of the liver. Or the liver cleanse anyway.

Most European cultures teach that it's a time to detox and recharge one's health. The fresh green growth of plants shows us that we should be eating more greenery - wild garlic, sorrel and chives - all cleansing herbs - are bursting out all over. Pick some and add them to your Radiant Skin Salad!

It's also time to shed a few layer, expose a little skin and feel a little better. The sun lifts our spirits, along with charging up our vitamin D levels.

However, with the constant exposure to 'perfection' that we see all around us, it is possible to become a little discouraged if you think that you don't look like the people in the adverts.

I don't think the women in the adverts look like that either.

Sometimes, self-care can help build self-esteem

For instance, if you spend some time massaging your thighs, rather than berating them for not having a 'gap', you might decide that actually, dimpled or not, they do a rather fab job of attaching your legs to the rest of you, they work really hard, and now smell and feel great too.

Looking after something builds attachment, and affection. We could all do with some of that, couldn't we?
Blackthorn Toning Body Oil is perfectly suited to this.

It smooths, and tones. It smells delicious.

There is a particular technique to use with it, which helps increase circulation and decrease the appearance of cellulite, so ask me about that if you're interested. 

PS If you fancy trying some, text the Pamper-line 07961224560

According to the press, so it MUST be true, we all overspend at Christmas. 

Credit cards are 'maxed' and bank accounts emptied in the pursuit of ... something or other. Not quite sure what, but presumably it varies according to person.

Irrelevant anyway, because, once it's empty, it takes some filling up. This usually means that many people spend more frugally in January, because they are stony broke. 

'Irrelevances' and 'non-essentials' come into this category, so hairdressers and beauticians both tend to be quieter at this time of year, after the Christmas and New year débâcle and bedlam.

Personally, I don't think a hair-do or facial is irrelevant and would prefer to live on homemade lentil soup for a couple of weeks rather than forgo my skin or hair being looked after, but you may not feel the same, so...

Recipe courtesy of Diabetes UK

Here are the instructions on how to do a DIY Facial yourself

Why am I telling you my trade secrets, you might ask, in a moment of inquisitiveness?

Well, I'm not telling you exactly what I do, because it's impossible to do that on oneself anyway, but in the interest of Good Skin and female solidarity Sister, I'm handing out advice like - not lollipops, because I'm not too keen on those, sugar is so inflammatory darling - but vitamin shots! 

Compressing the face aids healthy lymph movement

Here's what you need

• Hot water in a bowl or sink
• A Muslin 
• Three rounds of Cotton wool
• Moor Lavender Bath oil
• Cleansing Milk
• Cleansing Cream
• Toner or RNC
• Clay
• Cream mask
• about 30 minutes

Here's what you do -

• Fill the receptacle with hot water
• Add some bath oil and swirl to mix
• Use the cotton wool to remove any eye makeup and lipstick
• Wring out your muslin and compress your face 
• Compress again
• (You could do a couple of Facial exercises at this point, if you've learned some)
• Cleanse your face gently with Cleansing Milk
• Remove with the muslin

Now for the second cleanse -

• Add more hot water and bath oil
• Compress again, really taking the time to inhale the fragrance and calm your breathing
• Now cleanse with the Cleansing Cream- press and roll!
• Remove very gently, then use a cool compress to close those pores.

And the 50 shades of Clay. . .

Clay cleanses deeply and gently for clear pores and toned skin

• Mix up the clay mask
• Apply another warm compress - Spruce is gorgeous because it helps you to breathe more deeply
• Now brush on the Clay. A brush is better than fingers as it is more precise and you tend to get less clay under your fingernails
• Leave this on for 5-8 minutes
• It's worth re-dampening the clay with a sponge, if your skin feels too tight
• Remove with a sponge and then a compress

Now for the Treatment Mask

Which mask is best for your skin? Ask your local Esthetician for advice

• Apply some toner or RNC
• Smooth your chosen mask over your damp* skin
• Leave on for 15-320 minutes
• (You can use your roller at this point for optimum absorption)
• Remove with a cool compress
• Apply day care or night care depending on time of day
• Send me a text telling me how wonderful your skin feels!

* Skin needs a drink too, you know! And remember to keep a glass of water to hand - and mouth - while you are doing this.

If you were lucky enough to receive a Gift Voucher for Christmas, you can, of course, book the real thing, and I'll do all that - and more - for you!

   
     Have a radiant day!

      Love, Jane x
     PS If you want or need anything mentioned above, text the pamper line: 07961224560 or reply to this email

Season of mists and mellow fruitlessness

I do hope your preparations are proceeding according to precedent, as it's so well put in the Elephant's Child. Mine probably are, as I started out well, then fell behind, and am now thoroughly confused. Plus I've lost my lists(s) So, all going swimmingly then.

The one thing that keeps me sane in a sea of wrapping paper, lists, roasting chestnuts and banned curling ribbon (because it's plastic innit? and I have lots left from last year and the previous decade, so what to do?) is my skin care routine.

Because it's so ingrained - like cleaning one's teeth - I find it is a little oasis of calm and reason amongst the utter bedlam of dire Christmas pop songs, John Rutter Earworms and lost lists.

The scent of Spruce, or Lemon & Lemongrass in the morning, makes me glad to be awake,

Scents of the pine forest calm & soothe

and able to look for my list; the Lavender compress in the evening means that I forget about the damn thing and sleep the sleep

of the (fairly) innocent.

Though why the innocent sleep any more soundly than the guilty, I've no idea.

So, I do hope you are finding a little solace during this season of bonkersness, and that your list is rather more ticked than mine, but if you have any Hauschka on it, please ensure that you do not dilly-dally on the way, but order PDQ, because, unlike me, Dr Hauschka UK shut up shop on the 14th December.

That is this Friday. Just saying...  

Place your order by texting the Pamper-line ASAP 07961224560

How to get feet like Cinderella, not an Ugly Sister

The mindless march of time means that we are almost in Advent. Which means Christmas is less than four weeks away and there is stuff to do and not enough time in which to do it.  

This means you end up shuffling about in endless queues, and your poor little feet suffer. 

What started out resembling Cinderella's little toes, turn into an Ugly Sister-esque swollen appendages, which need TLC. (Don't we all ducky?) 

So, that's today's 

PAMPER MISSION

Soak those toes!

Always best not to use the washing up bowl, I feel, but easy for me to say, as I have a selection of rather snazzy foot bowls. (Including a copper one which I can barely carry once it is full of H2O, Still it's gorgeous, and il faut souffrir etc.) 

So, find yourself a bowl, or treat yourself to one specifically for feet. Fill it with warm water, spritz in some Sage Bath or Spruce, and soak your feet.

You could read a book, knit, sip wine or watch television, as you will be immobilised somewhat. Let's hope the doorbell doesn't ring! 

Once your feet feel a little more suited to a glass slipper, rather than needing their toes or heels chopped off*, (which is way beyond the scope of the average chiropodist, so best avoided) remove them, dry them and rub in some cream. I like Hydrating Foot Cream best. 

Finish off with some socks and slippers, then put them up. Make a list of some sort, if you feel guilty lounging around, but why not be decadent and do nowt for a while? It's the weekend, after all!

Want to treat your feet like this regularly?

Get yourself a tube of Hydrating Foot Cream and bottle of Sage Bath. They come in Christmas Sets at the moment.  

Text the Pamper-Line 07961224560 to reserve yourself one, or mention it to someone who wants to buy you a present.That way, you'll get the loyalty points, as well as the present! 

And what do (loyalty) points mean? Prizes!

Have a Radiant day!