Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.
— Oscar Wilde.
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LET THE BLOGGING BEGIN….
HOW TO IMPROVE GUT HEALTH – 7 Foods To Eat Now
Gut health is now at the forefront of medical science and the evidence is fully substantiated. Many things in modern life can disturb your gut microbiome. High stress levels, too much sugar and over processed foods, antibiotics and not enough sleep to name but a few. Your Microbiome consists of trillions of bacteria living within your colon when these become imbalanced and there are not enough good bacteria it can affect you in so many ways.
The Immune system is compromised, more prone to colds and flu. Skin can develop eczema and breakouts. Good bacteria can help you lose weight and help the metabolism function more adequately. Hormones can be affected as they are made in the gut, every hormone in the body can be affected by an unhealthy gut. IBS as the microbes produce a lot of gas and bloating. Good gut microbiome can even benefit brain health, serotonin is an anti depressant chemical thats mostly made in the gut and requires a good balance of healthy bacteria. The gut is also physically connected to the brain through millions of nerves so it is vital that the best physical environment exists in order for this to thrive.
The huge benefits from having a healthy gut so it is vital we are proactive in probiotics. The best way to do this is to incorporate some healthy gut foods into your diet so lets start now so we are well protected before the onslaught of the festive period.
I have studied gut health for as long as I remember as a past sufferer of IBS and follow a largely probiotic diet for the past 7 years.. I do not suffer from ANY of the aforementioned issues now, today . I have not had a cold or flu for 7 years and my hormones have just been measured and are all at optimum levels. So I am going to share with you 7 foods that you can incorporate easily into your diet on a daily basis at this time of year to give you perfect gut health and fill you with energy.
- KEFIR – every day! My body really notices when I don,t have it. My personal favourite is Nourish. You only need half a small bottle daily. Must be unflavoured, flavouring is full of sugar which defeats the object.
- SAUERKRAUT/KIMCHI fermented vegetables full of fibre. Can be enjoyed with any meal on the side. I love the Biona brand. Daily.
- MISO fermented paste made from soya beans packed with beneficial bacteria and makes a wonderful warming soup easy to fit this in at this time of year. Make it in a mug and substitute your afternoon coffee. Once a day.
- JERUSALEM ARTICHOKES a cross between parsnip/turnip/potato. Very rich in iron but also a probiotic, full of fibre known as inulin that stimulates the growth of friendly gut bacteria and fends off any bad bacteria. Makes a great soup or risotto.
- GARLIC great roasted with JERUSALEM ARTICHOKES ! Easy to add to most dishes. Garlic is so potent in gut health especially if you have had antibiotics recently. It can kill off overgrowth of a fungus in the gut called Candida Albicans. It is full of a natural chemical called allicin that can kill harmful bacteria and infections in the blood.
- RED CABBAGE in abundance during the festive season twice the amount of Vitamin C as green cabbage and far more tasty. Brilliant for inflammation in the gut making it excellent for skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
- BRUSSELS SPROUTS also a festive season food but don’t just save these highly nutritious vegetable for the Christmas table. Full of probiotics, provides crucial ingredient for a chemical to protect the intestine from inflammation which can lead to other conditions , like arthiritis and heart disease. All cruciferous vegetables as they are full of fibre help the microbiome ecology to a great extent.
A healthy gut not only promotes good mental and physical health but also can promote a more positive mood. All this just making a few additions to your diet. Remember though to cut down on the sugar and artificial sweeteners.
JOJOS STYLELIST TIP : THE EASIEST WAY TO REAP SUCH POSITIVE HEALTH BENEFITS. WHAT,S NOT TO LIKE ???………….
JOJO xxxxxx
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MIDWEEK MANTRA
UPLIFTING MESSAGES AND POSITIVE LESSONS TO GET YOU THROUGH THE WEEK.
THIS WEEK I WANTED TO REACH OUT TO YOU THROUGH ALL THE DIVISION THAT IS HAPPENING ON THE WORLD POLITICAL STAGE. POLITICS HAS ALWAYS DIVIDED OPINION OF COURSE . BUT WE SEEM TO BE GOING THROUGH A PERIOD OF EXTREMES AND UNCERTAINTY . THE POLITICIANS GAVE US THE POWER TO VOTE THEN LEFT US POWERLESS IN THEIR INITIATION.
ITS A POWERFUL TIME TO LIVE IN, BOTH THE BEST AND WORST IN HISTORY. THERE IS SO MUCH PAIN AND MISERY, YET NEVER CERTAINLY IN MY LIFETIME HAVE I SEEN SO MANY PEOPLE TAKING CONTROL OF THEIR PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. RE EVALUATING AND TRANSFORMING THEIR LIVES AND AWARENESS OF SELF.
SO HARNESS YOUR PERSONAL POWER. STUDY MORE, CHANGE MORE, SHARE MORE AND BE THERE FOR OTHERS MORE. WE ALL NEED EACH OTHER. ULTIMATELY ALL WANT THE SAME THINGS. THATS WHAT THIS TIME IS ALL ABOUT. LEARNING, TALKING, GROWING.
SO THIS WEEK THINK ABOUT THE THINGS YOU WANT TO LEARN FOR SELF IMPROVEMENT AND MAKE A START !
CHANGE IS USUALLY A GOOD THING A CHANCE TO MAKE A FRESH START TO DO THINGS IN A BETTER WAY MOVING FORWARD AND TO LEARN PAST LESSONS.
JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: CHANGE CAN BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH AND TO MAKE MORE INFORMED CHOICES. EMBRACE WHAT IS TO COME.
JOJO XXXX
STYLE : STRAIGHT OR CURVED ?
All female and male bodies have either a natural curve or a straighter more angular shape. Choosing clothing that flatters your natural shape is paramount to looking more stylish and pulled together. Your friends wont realise what it is but you will definitely be dressing to reflect that you know your body and can reflect it in the best possible way.
So how do you know whether you are straight/angular or curved ?
For some people it is very obvious but for others, less so.
- Face- squarer and chiselled or more rounder and softer.
- Shoulders- angular shoulder line or more rounded
- waist – straight or defined
- Thighs – turn sideways are they straight or do they have a curved front
- Cuticles are generally a good indication . Straight or curved ?
So now you have established if your lines are curved or straight what does this mean in terms of clothing.
NECKLINES
STRAIGHT TYPES
Suit square neck lines, sharp pointed V necks , slash necks, sharp angular shirt collars
CURVED TYPES
Curved necklines, softer v necks, cowl necks, peter pan or softer collars on shirts.
JACKETS
STRAIGHT TYPES
Straighter seams, sharper cut jackets, military style jackets, single breasted. Lapels with sharp lines or no lapels with a sharp V. Wing collars.
CURVED TYPES
Softer seams, gathered shoulders, curved hemlines. Softer lapels or rounded at neck/chest.
SHOES
STRAIGHTER TYPES
Pointed toes or square toes. Square heels or angular heels.
CURVED TYPES
Rounded toes or soft pointed. Rounded heels or wedges.
Different designers or shops either cut for angular or straight shapes. here is a guide to some.
CURVED – Massimo Dutti, Gant, Hobbs, Phase Eight, Ralph Lauren, Coast, versace. M & S Per Una
STRAIGHT – Jigsaw, M & S Limited, Sandro, Burberry, Prada, Victoria Beckham.
Being curved or straight is just one of the many scientific pointers used to establish your own polished personal style there are 8 in total. So we have written about the importance of colour so this is number two on your list in the journey of style. If you want to have a preview of the ALL the style lessons in advance then tune into my style channel on youtube/c/stylelist or press the button on this page for a direct link. But here is a short video recap to help you decide straight …….or curved ?
JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: IF YOU FEEL YOU CANT DECIPHER WHETHER YOU ARE AN ANGULAR OR CURVED BODY THEN ENGAGE THE HELP OF A STYLIST. IT REALLY DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO YOUR OVERALL LOOK BEING POLISHED.
JOJO . XXXXXX
MIDWEEK MANTRA
MANTRAS OR ACTIONS TO BOOST YOUR WEEK FOR SELF IMPROVEMENT, STRENGTH AND HAPPINESS.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN !!!
FACING YOUR FEARS
“THE ONLY THING WE HAVE TO FEAR IS FEAR ITSELF” – PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
“FEEL THE FEAR AND DO IT ANYWAY” – ERICA JONG
THERE ARE MANY QUOTES AROUND BUT FOR SOME PEOPLE FEARS CAN BE CRIPPLING AND GIVE RISE TO HIGH ANXIETY. I AM SURE THAT THERE IS NOT A PERSON READING THIS THAT DOES NOT HAVE ANY FEARS.
JUST BY FACING YOUR FEARS IT CAN GRADUALLY REDUCE ANXIETY THE MORE YOU REPEAT THE EXPOSURE. ALSO DEPRESSION CAN BE REDUCED AND CONFIDENCE INCREASED. IF YOUR FEAR IS A GENUINE PHOBIA IT MAY REQUIRE A LARGER ACTION PLAN OR EVEN PROFESSIONAL HELP.
SO THIS WEEK MAKE A LIST OF YOUR FEARS. JUST BY WRITING THEM DOWN CAN HELP. BUT NOW SELECT ONE TO FACE HEAD ON AND SEE IF YOU CAN TAKE A SMALL STEP IN CONQUERING IT. YOU WILL FEEL AN IMMENSE SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT AND START TO CHIP AWAY AT THE MONSTER THAT IS HOLDING YOU BACK.
YOU MAY FEEL THIS IS A PUNISHMENT THIS WEEK BUT TAKE THAT FIRST SMALL STEP AND I PROMISE YOU IT WILL FEEL LIKE A REWARD.
JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: IN THE WORDS OF ERICA JONG …….FEEL THE FEAR AND DO IT ANYWAY !!!!
JOJO XXXXXXX
THE STYLE LIST OCTOBER
WHAT WAS HOT IN OCTOBER. SEE WHO MADE IT ONTO THE LIST ………..
MOST STYLISH HOTEL
THE EDITION WEST HOLLYWOOD
Located on the corner of Sunset Blvd and Doheny Drive. LA at its finest uber cool and super stylish. The Edition brand was conceived and the space designed by Ian Schrager in conjunction with Marriott with hip hotels in London, New York, Barcelona,Miami but new hotels planned for Asia. Now open for business in the last few weeks be one of the first to stay in this flagship West Coast Hotel.
MOST STYLISH BEAUTY PRODUCT
TEOXANE ADVANCED FILLER MOISTERISER
I was lucky enough to receive this in a goody bag (full sized) at the launch of the new MEDISPA at Harvey Nichols in September. I am hooked , visibly plumping and firming. Stylish packaging. Scientifically proven range of aesthetic products winning global awards and recognition. I personally had not heard of them prior to the event but I will definitely be buying more for £60 ! Love to share these beauty finds with you i’m extra critical of false promises but equally like to tell you when I find a good one. Try it yourself and let me know what you think.
MOST STYLISH PERSON
NICHOLAS COLERIDGE CBE
I was lucky enough to attend Nicholas Coleridge soiree at the V&A Museum of which he is Chairman as well as still the current chairman of Conde Nast magazine. The evening was to promote his new book THE GLOSSY YEARS of which I can firmly say is a hoot of a read. An insight into the world of style, it is a book to get really lost in. The man himself an epitome of style and very charming in that old Etonian spirit. Both book and person win the style award for October.
MOST STYLISH FASHION
NAVY
This season instead of opting for black as the nights draw in try substituting it for navy. Navy always looks more expensive opt for a little navy dress instead of a little black dress. There is a return to more ladylike dressing of a bygone era especially for our age group. It is time to get sophisticated again and I always think of navy as being one of the most sophisticated of colours especially teamed with pearls . Choose the palette of navy to suit your colouring, of course.
MOST STYLISH FILM
JUDY
Well this one wins hands down for style. The bio pic of Judy Garland as portrayed by the wonderful Renee Zellweger. Whatever you thought of the film it was indeed very glamorous and indulgent perfect for a rainy afternoon at the cinema followed by cocktails at The Ritz. This film made me want to back to that era so wesat at the bar drinking champage from saucer shaped glasses and drinking Aviation cocktails.
WHATS NOT HOT……..
HUSTLERS
The week before we saw this Jennifer Lopez movie in contrast was an utter pile of tripe. Naive and cliched and over acted with a shallow script, and I say this as a J-Lo fan. 1/10.
JOJOS STYLELIST TIP: I LEAD A BEAUTIFUL STYLISH LIFE EVERY SINGLE DAY BUT I CANNOT BE EVERYWHERE SO SEND ME YOUR OWN STYLE PICKS SO I CAN TRY FOR FUTURE PUBLICATIONS>
JOJO xxxxxxx
TRAVEL: 48 HOURS IN BERLIN
Normally when I write the travel articles I have visited the places I write about several times. But I must confess I have never visited Berlin before until recently as it didn’t excite me. How wrong could I be !! I have totally fallen in love with the place and cannot wait to return . What an exciting, efficient intriguing city. Do not wait any longer like I did …..
So I am going to share with you my 48 hours of fun and culture
FRIDAY 4.30pm
Whisked to our Hotel The Ritz Carlton at Potsdamer Platz. Now on of my firm favourite hotels and perfectly situated between East and West Berlin. Undeniably chic with an Art deco design with three great bars and an award winning restaurant. Unpack and explore the local area.
6.30pm
Dinner at COA almost opposite the hotel. Asian fusion fresh healthy food. Woks and bowls lightly cooked. Dim Sum 5E for three so we ordered a whole selection. Prawn Massaman curry swiftly followed 11.90E . great value amazing food and cool surroundings.
8.00pm
Back to the hotel and head to the Curtain Club. Live music and one of the most innovative cocktail menus that confuses the senses. We order a Prophecy which arrives smoking with wood chips to “let the reincarnation of your soul flow through your throat”. My ‘Mori San’ a sake based drink promoting positivity, security and balance. Mysterious venue I felt like Marlene Dietrich !
SATURDAY 10.00am
We embark on a day of sightseeing but not before heading to the Berlin Mall 15 minutes walk. The mall was so empty with some fabulous shopping and we were presented with maps on entering .Worth a visit and lots of coffee bars. We then grab a taxi which was fairly easy but the buses run every 10 minutes 24 hours a day, to what remains of the Berlin wall. 10 minute journey. The wall is steeped in history and the graffiti makes very interesting reading. ensure you visit the EAST SIDE GALLERY part of the wall. It is the 30th Anniversary of the wall coming down this November and there is a festival and concert planned. Checkpoint Charlie is another stop point but more central 10 minutes away.
1.00pm
We decide to lunch at Pirates Berlin with a view of the wall and the river on the other side. A club with a small beach we sit on the deck outside as it was a lovely sunny day. What a fun place great service and good food. This is the only restaurant on the east bank of the East side gallery. Would reccomend. Very much burgers, pizza and pasta. But had a sweet potato and avocado salad for 9 E and a German staple a half kilo of grilled tiger prawns.
2.30pm
After lunch ( we spent longer here than anticipated soaking up the atmosphere), grab another taxi to THE BRANDENBURG GATE. One of Berlins most important and historical monuments. It really is a lovely part of Berlin around this part the long Boulevards remind me of Paris in a bygone era. In fact its address is Pariser Platz.
We visit the ‘ Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe’ 2711 concrete slabs arranged in a grid. Haunting and very quiet.
The Reichstag Building and German Parliament is a short walk away but we discover you have to prebook to tour inside. Strolling through the park on our return we decide to sample Bratwurst hot dogs at one of the many kiosks. Wnen in Germany.
7.00pm
After my reflexology appointment in the wellness area this must be arranged in advance but a welcome relief from my day of walking. Still full from Bratwurst we decide to head out for cocktails. So we head for a legendary Kaiser Cup cocktail at the equally legendary HOTEL ADLON KEMPINSKI. This is a Hotel from the golden age. The hotel where Michael Jackson famously , for the wrong reasons, dangled his child from the window. Dietrich, Chaplin, Garland have all stayed here. A hotel from a bygone era. A pianist gently tinkling the ivories this was a very sophisticated setting. There is a reasonable light bar menu too if you should need sustenance with the very potent Kaiser Cup.
On our return to the Hotel we cant resist the call of The Fragrance Bar where Cocktails are made based on your favourite perfume . “A sensorial experience”. Guests are invited to discover their signature drink by finding their favourite elements of a fragrance. This is like a mad scientists laboratory with a long line of test tubes. One problem I love smoky woody perfumes but I didn’t love my smoky woody cocktail. Neither of which I remember the name, sorry, blame it on the Kaiser Cups. But this bar is one of a kind. Even if you stay at another Hotel, come here for this aromatic experience. After one cocktail (well at this bar !) we head to bed.
SUNDAY 10.00am
As we love our art we decide a visit to the Dali museum a short walk away is a must. We spend a morning here and buy some beautiful arty books. This was an impressive museum with some great works. Very quiet and nicely laid out. A real treat.
12.00pm
We head back to the hotel to checkout and leave the luggage with concierge. A table at POTS the widely acclaimed restaurant at the Ritz Carlton perfect for a special lunch to end a perfect trip in a perfect city.
My word the food here was special 26 euros for three course set menu !!
Beetroot,mozarella and pistachio to start , followed by red perch with saffron and fennel and banana souffle. The sommelier paired the wines perfectly and allowed us some tastings at the table. I have been saving myself for this lunch . Magnifique ! ( I know its French but my German is not good )
After lunch our driver is waiting in the foyer to whisk us on the short drive to the airport. Everything about this City is efficient, clean , spacious and surprisingly relaxing. I cant believe i waited so long I certainly wont wait too long to return. 10/10
JOJOS STYLELIST TIP:
MIDWEEK MANTRA
Positive inspiration and life lessons for a healthy, happy you ! Be your best self !
QUIT COMPLAINING !
We probably all find something or someone to complain about every single day. Every time we complain it sows some negativity seeds within us. Even when it is deserved and we feel it is empowering us it is exhausting to complain. So let us try to avoid it this week or even just for today. One day at a time ……maybe?
So, today when you feel tempted to complain about the weather, a friend, politics your aches and pains. STOP. Instead of giving in to moaning or getting irritated let it pass. See what it does for your mind and spirit to let it go without comment. Also the people around you benefit too !
JOJOs STYLELIST TIP: Positivity breeds popularity.
JOJO xxxxxx
