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Nutribuddy Weight Loss Kit | First Impression
30 June 2016
Manchester, UK
I’ve spoken about my diet and weight on my blog before,
but never really gone in depth on methods I have used and things that have
worked or failed. Although I no longer go to the gym, I still work out five
times and week and try to eat as healthily as possible. Despite seeing some
results, I’m still looking for new ways to stay healthy and lose weight so I
can reach my goal. I recently received the 14 Day Weight Loss Kit* from Nutribuddy and decided to share some of my
first impressions of the kit after unboxing everything and trying a few
products out.
WHAT YOU GET
Sculpting Whey Shake
Hunger Fix tablets
Multivitamin tablets
Shaker Bottle
Little Book of Weight Loss
Recipe Book
MY FIRST IMPRESSION
The Sculpting Whey Shake is used every day and in plenty
of the shakes in the recipe book. One thing I liked is that the protein comes
with a scooper inside, so you don’t have to struggle with measurements each
time. The resealable bag is to be stored in a cool dry place, and features
plenty of protein to be used of a long period of time – I’m certain it will
last me more than two weeks with every day use. I love that the Whey Shake
comes in two flavours (I chose vanilla because yummm) and can be used with
water or milk in your daily shake. The taste is true to vanilla, but isn’t so
overbearing or grainy that it’s a struggle to swallow.
The Hunger Fix tablets are to be taken three times a day,
an hour before meals with at least one glass of water. I didn’t think these
tablets were that effective at first, but after a day or two with meals I found
that they do help me to feel fuller even if the meal isn’t that big or calorie-packed.
This is really accommodating, as I used to always struggle with proportions. If
I didn’t feel full, I would literally just snack until I did. That’s why I also
quite like the Multivitamin tablets – which are taken once a day with food. Amazingly,
I’ve seen very slight improvements in my skin which I’m sure will continue more
over the next week or so. The tablets are easy to swallow, it’s just
remembering to take them!
The Shaker Bottle comes in two colours, red and black – I
chose red. I immediately thought this was just for water, but after reading, I
realised this can be used for the Sculpting Shake, I have also used it for my
smoothies (two of my favourites I’ll be sharing soon)! The bottle is a good
size and strong enough to be carried around and washed over and over again. Inside,
there’s a spiralled metal ball which is incredibly convenient when mixing the
Sculpting Whey with water or milk. Trying it without the ball inside is a bad
idea (been there, done that), as it quickly mixes everything together with
little effort and gets rid of any chunks.
Finally, the Little Book of Weight Loss and Recipe Book
are much better than I thought they would be. I have received diet kits before,
and the books with them have either been little leaflets that provide
absolutely no information, or textbooks that are all text and technical jargon.
The Little Book of Weight Loss gives a good explanation of each product, how
they help and what they actually contain; from Whey Protein to Glucomannan. It
also has a FAQ page, and eating plan for anyone who wants to use the recipes
from the book for every meal. Speaking of recipes, the book by Nutribuddy
contains breakfast, shake, lunch, dinner and healthy treats recipes and ideas
that are all easy to make with ingredients that are easy to access. I’m so
eager to try out some of the treat ideas! There’s nothing more annoying that
trying to eat healthy but not being able to find or afford crazy exotic foods –
this book has great meal options that are filling and go well with the
products.
As mentioned before, I’ve been using the Sculpting Whey
protein every day with milk, and absolutely love it. It’s so simple! All you do
is take 30 grams (which is three scoops) of power, drop it in the bottle and
add milk or water before shaking. I’ve found that the shake is really filling,
and with the rest of the weight loss kit, I’ve been eating less already and it’s
only been a few days.
Have you ever tried any Nutribuddy products? Did you see any results?
The Magic of the Konjac Sponge
20 June 2016
Bingley, West Yorkshire, UK
The Konjac sponge* is a multi-ward winning product made from
the Amorphophallus Konjac plant root, which is often used as a healthy food source
or for medical purposes in Asia. The plant is loaded with fibre and filled with
an enormous amount of nutrients such as vitamins A, E, D, B1, B2 and C as well
as amino acids and minerals like potassium and zinc. Kojac is naturally an
alkaline, so it helps in balancing the pH of the skin – incredibly useful in
battling acne. I’ve had the opportunity to try out the Konjac sponge, and love
it so far!
How I Used the Sponge
I have used quite a few different exfoliating sponges and
products, and the most important thing I’ve learned is that the sponge needs to
be rinsed before. I prefer to use warm water, and thoroughly rinse the sponge
to make sure it’s clean. With the Konjac sponge, fully hydrating it is the best
way to get a good use from its properties, before massaging it into the skin in
a circular motion. You can add cleanser to either the sponge or the skin, and
then focus on problem areas such as breakout spots or pores. After each cycle
of exfoliating my face, I like to rinse the sponge again and squeeze out any
dirt and excess oil it has collected. One of the great things about the sponge
is that is has a string hooked through, which doesn’t come loose or get lost,
so once I’m doing washing my face I hang the sponge to dry, usually in a room
that will dry it quickly and never somewhere wet or damp like the shower. I
learned that harshly rubbing the skin isn’t necessary either!
Why I Love the Sponge
When I received the sponge, the first thing I noticed was
how rock solid it was. My immediate thought was “How on earth is this thing
going to work on my face?” With previous products, a rocky texture can make
acne and breakouts a lot worse and leave my skin feeling like a layer has been
torn off and extremely sensitive. As soon as the sponge hit water, it started
to soften and my mind was blown. It is a lot smoother than a flannel, and more
effective than my hands. I assumed the holes in the sponge would be sharp
against my face but were also soft too. Using the sponge has helped me to keep
my breakouts under control, especially as I have recently conquered acne!
I can use the sponge with or without a cleanser or soap, and
still get that freshly massaged feeling. There’s simply nothing I hate more
than washing my face and getting that dry and tight sensation that can come
immediately after I have finished a cleanse, the Konjac sponge leaves my face
feeling renewed and clean! The bamboo charcoal in my sponge is naturally antibacterial
and antifungal, which is ideal for my skin as it can become quite oily. I was
also amazed at how the sponge returned to the original size and texture when
dry. It’s amazing for removing make up and easy to clean afterwards as water
flows through it so quickly and easily.
The price of the sponges are between £5 and 15, and have a
life span of around three months, which is a good time to be changing the
product used to clean your skin.
I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who’s
looking for a new sponge to exfoliate their skin without tearing layers away.
There’s a wide range for different skin types and well as travel kits – I used
the Bamboo
Charcoal sponge, specifically for teen, oily or spot-prone skin!
Have you ever used a Konjac sponge? Did you like
it?
How Chic Is a Natural Skin Routine This Summer?
5 June 2016
Ilkley, West Yorkshire, UK
Don’t you feel like days you spent on the beach last summer
actually happened a million years ago? It’s June already and we can’t wait to
show off our new bikinis at the beach! Besides our thirst for salty waves, cold
lemonade, and the heat of summer, another feeling waking up is our desire to
implement natural ways into our daily routine. Natural skin care is very chic
these past few years, and for good reason – it is the best thing you can do for
yourself.
Soak in the real nature
There is no way you are going to have beautiful, healthy,
and glowing skin if you apply expensive serums and oils and barely ever leave
your apartment save from going to and from work. Your skin needs the sun and
wind, these are natural elements that remind us that we are alive, and add
plenty of essential vitamin D into our bodies. Of
course, you should always use sunscreen and limit the time you spend on the
beach, but exposing your skin to the sun will give you a nice tan and feed you
with vitamins, which means that you will be healthier and your skin will look
beautiful. If you are worried about not getting enough vitamin D in your
system, do not hesitate to use vitamin supplements and add more fish oil to
your diet.
Wash the toxins out
You know that you should drink at least six glasses of water
through the day to stay hydrated and health. This does not mean that you should
drink water when you’re thirsty (by that time your body is already dehydrated),
but try drinking a glass every few hours instead. There is only a certain
amount of water our bodies can absorb in an hour, so keep a steady flow instead
of drinking four glasses all at once. Making sure you are well hydrated from
the inside does not exclude the need of moisturizing, though. Applying rich
moisturizer every morning or evening will ensure that your skin keeps its glow,
especially the skin on your face. In addition, you should use vitamin C serum, which will
help your skin to keep its firmness and elasticity, especially when exposed to
the summer sun.
Exfoliate and cleanse regularly
Exfoliating is incredibly important because we should rid
our skin from those rough, dry layers which build up every day. Make your own
gentle but powerful body scrub using coffee, brown sugar, and coconut oil, and
use it at least once a week (better twice, though). However, exfoliating too
often can strip your skin from its protective layers too, so don’t do it every
day. On the other hand, unlike with exfoliating, you should cleanse your face
at least once a day; but since you are doing it on a daily basis make sure you
use a mild natural cleanser which will keep your skin soft and not strip it of
its natural oils.
Natural masks
It is best to avoid ‘shady’ chemicals that can be found in
pretty much any skincare product, and start making our own face and hair masks using
ingredients from our fridges and kitchens. Use ingredients rich with oil for
dry skin, for example avocado, honey, and coconut oil, and to soothe acne
breakouts mix oatmeal, warm water, unsweetened yoghurt, and a bit of honey. If
you would like to lighten your skin, simply use fresh lemon juice, honey, and a
bit of papaya. In addition to being completely natural and safe, these masks
are also delicious!
Remember, blindly following trends has never brought anyone
anything good, and just because everyone is talking about something, it doesn’t
mean that it is a good thing. Do your research, find out as much as you can
about products you intend to use, and don’t hesitate to give up using a product
if you notice side effects you don’t like. After all, your health should always
come first, not just this season, but always.
This post is a guest post by Zara from highstylife.com!
Images source: Flickr
Spring Ambition
21 April 2016
Ilkley, West Yorkshire, UK
I need to get on top of my blog posts. Although I try to post three times a week, it can be a real struggle and I usually complete a post the night before. Not that different to school really. But fortunately, I don’t see blogging as a burden and not having any post ideas or scheduled drafts stresses me out to another level and it can be quite discouraging. One of my biggest blogging goals is to not only have at least on pre-written post a week, but also to write more personal posts. Not that the words I type aren’t genuine, but I tend to slip into my English essay tendencies. You know, the whole point, evidence, explanation routine like I’m an A Level robot. That kind of writing is ideal for formal posts and blogging jobs, but not as much for Anika May.
My new camera arrives soon, and I can’t wait. There will 100% be a blogpost on its features and a real review. It’s a Pentax camera, so it will be nice to get to know a new brand. I’ve always been a Canon girl so buying a brand new style that’s a little higher range should help improve the quality of my photographs. Improving my blog has been on my to-do list for as long as I can remember and is still something I strive to do. Whether it’s my journalistic skills, or even the topics I talk about. I think it’s good to keep a little ambition.
Before summer arrives, I certainly need to sort out my iPhone. Not that it’s falling apart or anything, in fact I’ve managed to keep it without smashing the screen… although I have gone through a few screen protectors! I have a small obsession with phone cases, and I think I’m going to try and get a new phone case every so often to inspire me as I like change. The phone case I’m using today is a spring-themed one, with a bright blossom image (my favourite)! The case is my custom made by me which makes it all the more better, and kindly provided to me by CaseApp*. To get 20% off your own custom phone case or laptop skin, use the code ‘ANIKA20CA’ and get started! My phone apps also need organising, they’re all over the place and I’m just too lazy to deal with it. But that’s what spring is for right? Cleaning up and sorting out.
Finally, I’m learning to drive! It’s a long time coming, and most people are shocked to learn that I’m almost twenty years old and have no idea how to move a car, but that's about to change. Sadly, I didn't receive a Range Rover Sport for my 17th birthday like a few of my schoolmates did. However, driving is something I have always wanted to do. It would allow so much more freedom, especially in blogging in different locations around Yorkshire.
So, with April almost over and summer hitting the UK soon, I have plenty to do and even more to blog about. Stay tuned!
This post is in collaboration with CaseApp.
My City Festival Essentials | Win Free Tickets
13 April 2016
Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
On Saturday 30th April 2016, Live At Leeds
Festival will arrive and I cannot wait. One of my bucket list items for 2016
was to attend a huge music festival and Live At Leeds is the perfect event.
Live At Leeds is held annually across a variety of venues in Leeds and always
has an incredibly amazing line-up. It’s a great way to see the acts you love as
well as discover new performers to fall in love with. The festival celebrates
local bands as well as established artists and I’m so excited to attend. Jess Glynne is one of my favourite UK artists and I can't wait to see her live; it's also going to be amazing watching The Boxer Revellion, Will Joseph Cook, Loz Campbell and Tiggs Da Author perform!
See the line up below:
Of course, with every event I attend, I have essentials. And
there are plenty of essential needed for Live At Leeds.
A Good Camera
Taking your iPhone and an enormous DSLR camera is always a
nice idea, but can end up in damaged equipment. One of the best thing about
festivals is the atmosphere, and Live At Leeds always has an amazing and
enthusiastic atmosphere – so lugging around a heavy camera isn’t the most
sensible idea. However, it is important to get extraordinary photos so you can
look back on such a fun event. When on the go at a city festival like Live At
Leeds, a disposable camera or smaller digital reflex camera is definitely one of my
essentials.
Appropriate shoes
There’s nothing worse than wearing shoes that will cause
pure pain all night. It’s a pointless pursuit, especially when a music festival
is in more than one venue and in such a busy and exciting city. As Live At
Leeds is not just a stand-still festival, there’s plenty and walking and
exploring to do and so much the city can offer. It’s really important to wear
your favourite shoes, but shoes that will stay intact and won’t take away from
the experience by clouding fun memories with bruises and blisters.
Mini everything
I usually like to freshen up half way through the night because I'm slightly vain, so
bringing smaller beauty items and even a miniature perfume bottle is vital. Carrying
around a huge rucksack full of all your April beauty favourites is not the way
to go, the more compact the better. If you’re a bit of a hygiene freak like me,
why not pack an extra bottle of anti-bacterial or one of those Dettol sprays
that are in tiny bottles? Lipstick is also a huge essential for me, as you can
never have too much lipstick.
Cash. Plenty of cash.
Whenever I go out, I avoid paying with my card. I just
prefer being able to pay for something quickly at a bar or counter, without
having to pull out my debit card and remember my pin (which I always forget).
Honestly, I don’t like using my card for anything, and there’s absolutely no
chance you’ll catch me using a contactless payment card machine – I don’t trust
them! Having change in a little coin purse or wallet is really handy and less
of a hassle.
Tickets!
Obviously, it’s hard to get into a city festival, or any
festival without a ticket. I’m so excited to be able to offer all my readers
and followers the opportunity to winfree tickets to Live At Leeds 2016! There’s not long left, so head over to
The Blogger Programme’s Facebook Page (or click this link) and enter for the
chance to win some free tickets. There are 6 ways to enter and you don’t need a
Facebook account to be able to enter. Woohoo!
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