Allergy UK, the national medical charity reports that allergies affect approximately 1 in 4 of the population in the UK at some time in their lives. Each year the numbers are increasing by 5% with as many as half of all those affected being children. They state that an allergy can be anything from a runny nose and itchy eyes to a skin rash, extreme disability and sometimes fatality. These reactions occur when the body’s immune system overreacts to normally harmless substances.
Green People and their Organic Babies range are celebrating National Allergy Week (23rd-29th April 2012) with some fantastic offers across the Scent Free range which includes a gentle bath wash and shampoo, a nourishing unscented Baby Lotion, their new Mum & Baby Rescue Balm and a Baby Oil, perfect for a baby massage, with prices rangeing from £6.89 to £9.95. Offers areavailable at www.greenpeople.co.uk throughout National Allergy Week.
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April 24, 2012
Guest Blog by Jo Middleton
Christmas this year for us was very much the standard schedule – up first thing to open stocking presents, eat bagels and smoked salmon and drink bucks fizz, then a short break for showers before we move on to the next pile of gifts. It feels like we have different family and friends visiting for days on end, each bringing more and more presents.
Understandably, by the end of all this excess my nine year old has rather lost perspective.
To try and ensure she doesn’t turn into Veruca Salt, one of her presents this year was a diary. “It isn’t for you to list your complaints in,” I warned her, “this is a special kind of diary. This is a gratitude diary.”
“What’s that then?” she asked, looking sceptical.
“Well, every day you make a list of things you’re grateful for. They don’t have to be big things.”
“Like what?” she asked, still not looking convinced.
“Maybe you could be grateful for having your own lovely bedroom, or getting a penguin bar in your lunchbox, or having such a fabulous Mummy?” I suggested.
She raised her eyebrows, but smiled, and started to decorate the front with star shaped stickers.
Of all the self-help style techniques that promise a more positive attitude to life, the gratitude journal has some of the best evidence behind it. Repeated studies have shown that the act of being grateful, particularly when written down, can have numerous emotional and physical health benefits. People who keep a gratitude journal have been shown to feel better about their lives as a whole, feel more positive about the future, get more sleep and even have a reduced risk of heart attack.
Now that’s something to be grateful for isn’t it?
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January 14, 2012
Same beginning, one line, many different stories. Seventeen UK parent bloggers took the challenge to ‘tell the story’ their way. This is our gift to the children around the world: beautiful stories with illustrations from our own kids, making it a perfect bedtime storybook.
By creating this book called ‘Once upon a time’ we are fundraising for Save the Children. The profit of all book sales will be donated to the charity.
Thank you to all parent bloggers who took part in this story book for their time, creativity and empathy! Together we made it happen!
Now it’s onto you! We are raising money for those kids, born with the challenge to survive. Let’s help them write a better story of their life, one that will make them smile!
Besides, the book is funny and colourful, making it the perfect Christmas gift for a child. You can view and purchase the book HERE.
‘Save the Children works in more than 120 countries. We save children’s lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfil their potential.’
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December 4, 2011
For my daughter Christmas came earlier this year. She received a wonderful personalised book from Unique Editions. Such a surprise for her to grab the book in her little hands, and to see her image printed on the book cover! It was absolutely magical moment; she was wordless and just screaming out of joy, pointing out herself and getting more and more impatient to open the book and see what’s on the next page.
Her curiosity and excitement escalated even further when she realised the whole The Magical Journey (that’s the name of the book) was about her. Being nearly 4-year old she can easily find her name written in a text, so guessing that she is actually the hero in the story made her grab my hand and ask me to read it that very moment!
The original text in French is really a beautifully written poem. It’s written by Jorge Semprun, a very famous international author and film writer. My daughter sank herself into the magical journey, but I have to confess, I immersed myself into the story, too. The concept grabbed me – making books with beautiful stories where the children are in the centre to not only make them feel flattered, but to also encourage their imagination and self-confidence.
And here is the other story – that of Stephanie and Megan who founded the Unique Editions company. This is a story of two friends, Stephanie and Megan, one French and one South African, who met in Hamburg. When theirs kids turned 5, they decided to create the perfect book for them. Stories, personalised, with the photo, featuring not only the child, but the whole family or anyone close to the child. While Stephanie has all the good taste for beautiful French art, Megan brought all the ideas for the stories – which, from what I can see, are pretty dynamic and adventurous.
The idea behind our books isnot less powerful: to encourage children to enjoy reading. All their books focus on capturing young readers, by bringing them closer to the story. This we do in different ways relevant for the different age levels.
They’ve been selling books in France since 2007, and just hitting the UK market, which is just great if you’d like to make your child happy as mine (still enough time for Christmas).
Just ‘whisper’ the magic words GKXMAS2011 at checkout before the end of the year for your special 15% discount! Merry Christmas! Lot’s of different stroies for each age group, so I’m sure you’ll find what you are looking for.
And thank you, Stephanie and Megan elves for the lovely gift you made to my daughter, and to me – the opportunity to daydream!
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November 19, 2011
In celebration of its status as the most popular spiritual icon of its genre, the Mind Body Spirit Festival will venerate its continued success and popularity, with a very special event -the Mind Body Spirit Winter Festival. Honouring its vintage with a retro feel, the three-day Winter Festival takes place at the Royal Horticultural Halls, London.
Commencing on the 11.11.11, this is a rare opportunity to free your mind and expand your consciousness by commemorating this auspicious date* at the Festival’s live global intention ceremony (starts 10.15am). Facilitated on stage by leading holistic experts, energy workers and musicians from across the world, this will truly be a day to remember.
Carrying the energy throughout the show’s run (11th – 13th November), are 35 carefully selected workshop themes focusing on transformation through the healing arts and magical techniques for creating and manifesting. Enjoy the experience and knowledge from new and favourite speakers like:- Lynne McTaggart, Graham Hancock, Jacky Newcomb, Angela Donovan, Michele Knight, David Hamilton, Stewart Pearce, Art Giser, David Wells and Karen Kingston. – see full presenter list below
Another new aspect to the Winter Festival is the free MBS Sound Healing Oasis, an area of sanctuary, rest and calm hosted by Anne Malone. Sound healings will last for 30 minutes and be held every hour, on the hour.
At the very hub of the Festival is the free live stage area. November’s line-up delivers an impressive mix catering for all tastes; energetic dance to healing chants, soothing sounds to rhythmic lively performances, musical concerts, talks and demos.
Aisles of exhibitors feature a variety of free healing, complimentary therapies, supplements, astrology, Kirlain photography, aura and psychic readings. You’ll also find healthy eating, massage, natural beauty, crystals, jewellery, clothing, books, CD’s and much more.
This is set to be a very special Festival, make sure you mark the dates in your diary!
Full information and tickets booking at www.mindbodyspirit.co.uk
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November 9, 2011
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