Cruelty Free Beauty
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- This eco-friendly beauty box is packed with refillable multi-taskers
- “I find myself using it even when I don’t need to!”
- Arctic-inspired natural skincare brand launches in the UK
- Green People launches beauty balm packaged in 100% biodegradable pot
- Lush launches same-day delivery service for its iconic handmade cosmetics
- “This cruelty-free tanning water gave me the confidence boost I needed”
- rho launches sustainable loungewear that gives back
- Rose & Caramel Raises Awareness For Women’s Self-Esteem & Mental Health With ‘I TAN FOR ME’ Campaign
- Couple launches entirely plant-based and refillable deodorant on Kickstarter
- Raising Vegetarian Children
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Eco Living
- Easy ways to achieve your health goals
- Discover the benefits of raisins on a vegetarian diet
- Improve your gut health with California Raisins
- 5 ingredients to add to your granola
- This herbal tea can block your body’s sugar intake
- Your guide to eco-friendly and fair trade coffee in the UK
- Eat these foods to boost your mood
- “I could actually feel the lipstick moisturising my skin”
- Vegan beauty buys for top-to-toe care
- Why you should consider a cruelty free lifestyle
- The best roasted vegetable lasagne recipes
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Vegan Recipes
- Kale Salad with Almond Ginger Dressing
- Coconut Matcha Tart
- Deliciously Ella’s Seedy Quinoa and Cacao Slices
- Carrot, Asparagus and Beetroot Salad with a Creamy Tahini Dressing
- AMELIA FREER’S GARDEN SUMMER SALAD
- Strawberry, Tomato and Basil Bruschetta
- Mango and Pineapple Ice Cream
- Jerte Picota Cherry Bircher Muesli
- Aine Carlin’s Stuffed Poached Peppers with Indian Flavoured Grains
- DAIRY-FREE QUINOA PORRIDGE WITH GOJI BERRIES, PISTACHIOS AND BLACKBERRIES
- Deliciously Ella’s Potato Yaki Udon Noodles
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Popular recipes
- Spinach and ricotta quiche vegetarian recipe
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- Feta, Butternut Squash, Caramelised Onion and Cashew Nut Wellingtons
News
- NAILKIND Launches Natural Nail Colour Collection
- Refillable delivery service bikes eco-brands to London consumers
- Iceland Launches New Vegan Range
- OGGS launches vegan liquid egg alternative
- Lush drives change in cruelty-free cosmetics with £250,000 prize fund
- Adidas announces plans to eliminate plastic for good
- Lewis Hamilton Launches Plant-Based Burger Chain
- Caffe Nero launches plant-based menu options
- ProVeg Launches Veggie Challenge App for Plant-Based Lifestyle
- Green Cleaning Company Bio-D Signs Up To Plastic Pact
- A catering company is now delivering vegetarian and vegan ingredients to your doorstep
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6 of the Best Mood-Boosting Foods
Feeling down in the dumps? We asked chef and nutritionist, Olivier Sanchez, to share his top tips for foods that can boost our mood
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1. Goat Milk Kefir
Goat milk kefir is rich in tryptophan, which is an all-important precursor of our ‘happy’ hormone, serotonin. Serotonin acts as a chemical messenger in our brain that influences our mood, appetite, sleep, memory and learning, sexual desire and function, and other social behaviour. As a fermented food, kefir is an ideal source of probiotics (friendly bacteria) and the gut, where the probiotics inhabit, is known as our second brain and is a major site for serotonin production.
2. Chia Seeds
Chia seeds provide a complete source of protein and are extremely rich in fibre and omega-3 fatty acids. These seeds are a useful source of prebiotics which feed our gut bacteria and are demulcent, meaning they protect the gut lining. Chronic constipation and dysbiosis (when there is an imbalance of microorganisms in our gut) can lead to reabsorption of wastes and toxins. A slow bowel and poor elimination of toxins is linked to low mood, stress and depression; a shorter transit time reduces reabsorption of toxins in the bowel. Chia seeds help to clean and boost the digestive system by stimulating waste removal through the bowel.
3. Saffron
Saffron (crocus sativus) shows promise for providing significant antidepressant effects without the unwanted side effects of medication. Use a good pinch of dried whole stigmas (pistils) in your cooking, as powdered saffron may be adulterated. Herbalists may suggest taking a tincture, a liquid extract taken under the tongue, so it enters the bloodstream quickly. This would provide a stronger, more concentrated therapeutic dose, which is not recommended during pregnancy.
4. Maca Powder
Maca is an adaptogen which helps the body to cope with stress. It provides our bodies with minerals such as magnesium and calcium, and is rich in vitamins B, E and C. It may relieve symptoms of fatigue as well as lifting your mood (it’s not recommended for adrenal fatigue as it can be too stimulating) and it should be used in an on-and-off fashion (try taking some everyday for one month with one month off in between) or use sporadically, when a little boost is needed.
5. Red Peppers
When we are feeling low or under stress, our body uses antioxidants like vitamin C to counteract the stress-induced damage from oxidation and free-radicals. Red peppers are a great source of vitamin C and other antioxidants, they give our body just what it needs during a time of stress. Vitamin C is water-soluble so our bodies cannot store it, which is why we must consume it regularly. Plus, higher vitamin C intake is also linked with improved health and emotional state.
6. Raw Cacao Nibs
Dark chocolate polyphenols have been shown to increase mood and stimulate feelings of wellbeing and relaxation. As well as promoting positive mood, those who add it to their diet show reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol, in their urine. However, dark chocolate also contains caffeine which can exacerbate stress-related insomnia or irritability and can encourage dependence, so it’s best used for an occasional boost – very little will suffice!
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It is important to remember that optimum nutrition, as a whole, is key to how we feel and how we handle stress. Choosing organic food will reduce the toxins going into your body, and this can also help lift mood.

Private chef and nutritionist Olivier Sanchez lectures on the CNM Natural Chef Diploma Course. CNM (College of Naturopathic Medicine) train students in a wide range of natural therapies, for more information visit naturopathy-uk.com
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