Go Gourmet

Fast food CAN be good for you! Gourmet Raw is a new company with a mission to make it easy for everyone to indulge in the tastiest, healthiest, raw and living foods on the planet. This is food as nature intended. Power-packed with natural energy, all Gourmet Raw foods are organic, hand-made and dehydrated to preserve vital enzymes and nutrients. They are also wheat, gluten and dairy free and made without additives or preservatives. Can something this good be tasty too? Oh yes. The raw cacao brownies (£2.95) are utterly divine and the flackers (£3.59/pack available in both savoury and sweet flavours) are delicious with humous, avocado, peanut butter or any other topping you can think of. They’re also great to nibble just on their own. Visit www.gourmetraw.com for more information or call 01749 343 887.

Sleep Easy

Magnesium is a mineral that is essential for heart muscle efficiency – it dilates the blood vessels and lowers fat and cholesterol levels and is commonly administered intravenously as a first response to heart attacks. But what is less commonly known is its role in the prevention and reversal of joint and tissue calcification, which is one reason why people stiffen and become less flexible as they get older. In this sense, magnesium therapy can be said to represent the biochemistry of youth. Magnesium supplementation can halt and gradually reverse this age-related degenerative calcification of our skin and tissue cells. Increasing magnesium levels has also been shown to increase bone density in the elderly and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Mass production of food, fertilisers, transportation etc have combined to reduce levels of magnesium available from diet alone. Now there’s an easy way to top up – Magnesium Oil Spray from BetterYouTM, a pure formula mined from ancient sea deposits a mile underground, which is sprayed directly to the skin where it is rapidly absorbed.  Topical application is not only faster than if taken orally, it also avoids primary processing by the liver and kidneys, effectively eradicating any potential laxative effects associated with oral supplementation. Used at night, before going to bed, magnesium oil can help relax muscles, reduce aches and pains, restless leg syndrome, and promote sleep. There’s also a Magnesium Oil Goodnight version, which combines pure magnesium with essential oils. The original spray is also recommended for skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema and is also safe for use on children. Available from chemists and health stores nationwide, £14.50 or direct from www.betteryou.uk.com

Hoop To It!

Proof that what goes round comes round, the hula-hoop is back – and it’s hotter than ever! But far from being a playground toy, the revived version is leading a new wave of fitness called hooping, a fitness programme that provides multi-level workouts to improve strength, balance, coordination, flexibility and resilience. Devised by Christabel Zamor, hooping engages every part of the body – and it’s fun, which means you’re far more likely to keep exercising. Christabel’s new book, Hooping (Workman Publishing, £12.99) comes out on 1 January 2010 and includes a 50-minute CD showing all the moves.