I usually use the Dr Oetker brand of bicarbonate of soda as it has slightly larger granules and makes a better scrub.
​I also use a bit on my teeth after brushing to keep them white and conditioned and my breath fresh!
If your hair has dry ends pop some coconut oil on your hands and rub through the ends after washing.

Sloes are early this year, are in abundance and ready to be picked.  I know you should wait until the first frost but there won’t be any left by then so I have picked mine and popped them in the freezer.  Once I have bought my gin I will get them out and defrost them.  Sloes can be found in hedge rows not only in the country side but councils quite often plant them in urban areas along main roads.  There are loads along the main road close to where I live.
For the Gin I buy the cheapest I can find, usually from Aldi or Asda.  Sloe Gin makes great Christmas presents and taste so much better than the bought stuff which is incredibly expensive and well below par when compared to the homemade variety.  The only thing you will need is a little patience whilst you wait a couple of months for the sloes to immerse into the gin.

You will need:

• 450g/1lb sloes
• 225g/8oz caster sugar
• 1 litre/1 ¾ pint of gin

To prepare the Sloe Gin: 

• Take the Sloes out of the freezer and place them in a large glass/plastic container with a lid
• Before they are fully defrosted pour over the sugar and gin and shake well
• Store in a cool dark place and shake every other day for a week, then once a week for the next two months
• Drain the gin off and pour into sterilised bottles.

The Gin will then be a lovely dark red and ready to drink, although it does improve with age.

If you read my blog about Sauerkraut and used it with some Spinach to make a salad you would be creating a really healthy and nutritious meal for the same price as a family sized packet of crisps

Mint is a great appetizer or palate cleanser, and it promotes digestion. It also soothes stomachs in cases of indigestion or inflammation. When you feel sick to your stomach, drinking a cup of fresh mint tea can give you relief. It also helps with fatigue and depression
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Both Rosemary and Thyme are great for helping to boost memory, improve mood, reduce inflammation, relieve pain, protect the immune system and stimulate circulation.  They help detoxify the body and protect it from bacterial infections, preventing premature aging, and healing skin conditions.

Basil leaves contain health benefiting essential oils such as eugenol, citronellol, linalool, citral, limonene, and terpineol. These compounds are known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

Parsley has potent antioxidant capabilities. Its naturally occurring eugenol content may also help reduce blood glucose levels. It is incredibly rich in vitamin K as well as A, C, and several B vitamins.

​Something else I am very fond of taking on a regular basis to improve my immune system and boost my general health is a blend of Turmeric, Honey and Ginger.  I started taking this on a daily basis last Christmas and haven’t been ill since. Even when my whole family have come down with terrible colds and flu it hasn’t touched me.

Turmeric has incredibly health benefits due to Curcumin which is the active ingredient of turmeric.  It is an anti-inflammatory molecule with anti-cancer properties.  Other benefits include:

• Helping to dramatically increase the antioxidant capacity of the body
• Improve brain function and helps with depression
• Lower the risk of heart disease

Honey contains flavonoids, antioxidants which help reduce the risk of some cancers and heart disease. It also helps reduce ulcers and other gastrointestinal disorders.  All honey is said to be antibacterial, because the bees add an enzyme that makes hydrogen peroxide.  It also reduces cough and throat irritation.  As a child my mother insisted I have a spoonful of honey every day.

Ginger contains Gingerol, a substance with powerful medicinal properties including helping to treat nausea and muscle pain, it has anti-inflammatory properties which can also help with arthritis.  It can help reduce blood sugar level and also help reduce the risk of heart disease.  Gingerol, is also said to help lower the risk of infections.
For my little health elixir I mix the following together and take a spoonful each morning.

• 100 grams of fresh turmeric grated
• 50 grams of fresh ginger grated
• 100 grams of honey
• 1 tsp of black pepper (to help the absorption of the turmeric)