Another Saturday.  Another Weekend Read and I think it’s interesting how change is affecting each of us.  Mostly we are resistant to change, but we are being forced to embrace change and being the raging optimist that I am, I will always look for the positive in an increasingly difficult world. And somewhere, in the recesses of my brain, I remember a favourite book from childhood, The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton.  Many of you will of course be familiar with this book, but in summary this tree was positioned in The Enchanted Wood.  Basically if you climbed the tree and went up the ladder at the top of the tree, you would enter a different land, aka The Land of Goodies, The Land of Do-As-You-Please and The Land of Magic Medicines (wow, can we all climb the tree and go there for a vaccine perhaps).

On from that I think I have landed in The Land of Pandemic Time Zones.  I wake up and get up at 5 am and by 8 pm I can barely keep my eyes open.  I have banned my children from phoning me after that time and I don’t answer emails.  Actually, I can’t.  I’m sleeping.  On a more serious note, we are all in a different place, so in this ever-changing world it really is all we can do to accept the things that we cannot change with an open heart and mind. And so I’ve decided that we are going to transport ourselves to yet another land.  So please come with me as we climb that imaginary ladder to the Land of Wellbeing and Happiness.

Please follow the rules because in this land we hold virtual hands, we smile and we share.  And as we elevate, we know that we are stronger and happier together and that ‘we shall overcome’.  So let’s sing that song in full voice.  Led perhaps by Bruce Springsteen, which is my favourite version. So rock it with me because ‘deep in my heart, I do believe that we shall overcome some day’. Take it away Bruce. We shall forever sing. We shall forever dance. We are not afraid.
We Shall Overcome: Bruce Springsteen

Whatever the land, old habits die hard and there are some aspects of VH that will never change because I rather like it like that.  I am talking about products and I am talking about scientific research and development.  Over the years I have always said that we are not biased in our choice of products and if a next-generation product came along which we felt was superior, we would change you all over to that product.  I am not loved by brands when I do this, but actually I don’t really care.  It’s not a matter of dissing a product, it’s a matter of responsibility and integrity.  So hold on, because I’m just about to do it again.

You will have read last week about how Citriodiol, the active anti-viral ingredient found in some insect repellents, was being tested by the Ministry of Defence to see if it could kill the strain of Covid-19.  Whilst of course we are far from a determination, the product mentioned across the media was Mosi-Guard, which is now out of stock for the foreseeable future.  We therefore suggested that you change over to Trek Natural.  I think it’s important to say here that this is not a knee-jerk or a flippant reaction from us.  We did our research. Thoroughly. Mosi-Guard contains 30% Citriodiol whereas Trek Natural contains 40% Citriodiol, which, we believe, makes this product more effective and longer lasting than anything else currently on the market. With respect.  All change.
Trek Natural £9.50 for 100 ml

Look, can I tell you that I feel bad about something.  And that something is Ionicell.  If a product had feelings (energetically they probably do), then Ionicell would be feeling isolated in lockdown because I haven’t really spoken about it over the past few weeks.  As most of you know, Ionicell is our bestselling supplement and it contains Ioniplex, a Fulvic ionic mineral which has been specifically formulated and clinically proven to help our bodies generate collagen and re-hydrate cells.  It is also, of course, a next-generation hair, nails and skin supplement, as is Fulvic Acid Elixir.

So in other words, Ionicell is the capsule and Fulvic Acid Elixir is the liquid supplement.  They are one of the same, it’s just dependent on your choice of the mode of delivery.  I know I have created confusion (as I walk myself to the naughty corner), but I take both; you don’t need to, although many of you do.  It’s just that I’m a full-on Fulvic junkie so I double-dose, which is perfectly safe.  Anyway, here it is, the Ionicell treat.  We have created an Ionicell Twin Pack which is £30.  This means you save £10 as Ionicell is normally £20 for 60 vegicaps.  This is a weekend only offer and will end at midnight GMT on Sunday 17 May or whilst stock lasts.  Go bash that keyboard in all your full Saturday morning glory using the link below.
Ionicell Twin Pack £30

As we continue to walk together through this strange phase of life, there are many of you who have had the Covid-19 virus and are, thankfully, now recovering.  One of the most debilitating concerns post-virus is a lack of strength and energy, which is often accompanied by weight loss.  Sustenance is vital as many of you are telling us that an appetite loss has also played a detrimental role on the road to recovery, which is perfectly understandable.  In these circumstances we are recommending Life Drink.  I have written about it before, but just to recap Life Drink provides an impressive array of naturally-occurring phytonutrients, micronutrients, balanced protein, enzymes, probiotics and essential fatty acids.  It makes an ideal nutritional foundation for post-viral recovery.
Life Drink by Terranova £28.65 for 227 grams; Life Drink £49 for 454 grams; Life Drink Sachets £28.65 for 15 Sachets

Over the years I have heaped a monumental volume of praise onto Enterosgel.  Guided by your feedback, we know that diarrhoea is prevalent across those who have had the Covid-19 virus, even in its mildest form.  With 30 years of clinical research, Enterosgel is a remedy to help treat severe indigestion, diarrhoea, food poisoning and IBS.  It was developed for helping to bind toxins, viruses, allergens, pathogens and other harmful substances in the GI tract and removing them from the body.   Giving fast relief, Enterosgel is one of those products that deserves heroic status.  And so it shall be.  Herewith bequeathed.
Enterosgel Sachets £20.80 for Ten Sachets

Last week I mentioned that I would be writing about emerging heroes today, which I am about to do.  They are of course the products that have been given heroic status over the past few weeks as chosen by Shabir, and I’ll follow through (never wanting to be left out).  I think it goes without saying that it was extraordinarily difficult to choose three products, and I actually can’t keep it to three.  So Shabir gets three and I get five.  I mean I’m writing this thing.  Veni, Vidi, Vici.

I think Shabir’s three heroes are pretty obvious, and I suppose mine will be too, but Daily Immunity heads his list because according to Shabir, it is the most complete supplement for the present time, a time when we all have to protect our immune system.  Secondly, it’s Mega Probiotic ND and whilst Daily Immunity does contain probiotics, the manufacture of antibodies is crucial, so it’s important to keep our levels sustained.  Finally, and although there is some controversy about the need for Vitamin C supplementation, we believe, along with numerous experts in the field, that Vitamin C remains a vital supplement because we just don’t get enough in our diet and it plays an important role in shortening the duration of infections. And more.
Daily Immunity £26 for 60 Capsules; Mega Probiotic ND £19.50 for 60 Capsules; Liposomal Vitamin C by YourZooki £39.99 for 30 x 15 ml Sachets

For every clinical, for every study, for every inch of campaigning with Andy Thomas, Founder of Better You, about the dangers of a Vitamin D deficiency over the past ten years, DLux 3000 and DLux+Vitamin D+K2 are my ultimate heroes of the moment.  Receiving global recognition and of course now the subject of two major international clinical studies being undertaken investigating Vitamin D3’s role in the resistance of Covid-19, the two D3 versions become one, which means I have four products left.  With thanks to Andy for keeping us supplied.  Actually he had no choice.  I told him I was going to dedicate the song ‘Nowhere Man’ to him if he didn’t.  He likes The Beatles.  I like my shelves stacked.
DLux+Vitamin D+K2 Spray by Better You £9.95 for 12 ml; DLux 3000 by Better You £7.95 for 15 ml

Four to go, and in no particular order, The Foot File.  It has to be.  The experts will tell you to file your feet when they are dry.  I will tell you otherwise.  Soak your feet for about 15-20 minutes, grab the foot file and watch that damp excess skin fall off into the bowl.  The pleasure is immeasurable.  Next up, The Tweezy because in its resurrected glory, it has been a godsend (make that an essential godsend) in removing dark, unwanted facial hair.  Then, Fulvic Acid Nail Cream.  No need to say much.  I’ve still kept the price down and with each passing week, our naked nails are getting stronger.  And finally it’s C-Deep with the discovery that Vitamin C serums don’t have to aggravate your skin.  It is ever so wanted.  I think it’s cool to be wanted.  What do you think Shabir?  This. Ends. Now.
Foot File by Alida £11.95; Tweezy Facial Hair Remover £10; Fulvic Acid Nail Cream £10 for 30 ml; C-Deep Vitamin C Serum by GoW for VH £18 for 30 ml

Let’s do a little treat.  A few months ago, I told you that Kneipp were pulling out of the UK market and that I was bereft because I loved the brand.  I still haven’t got to the bottom of why they have chosen to do this, but never mind that, let’s have one last fling.  In a moment of supreme joy, I have bought every single bottle of the Kneipp herbal bath oils that were still in stock. I felt like I was trading on the stock exchange, seriously.  Anyway there are three different types, Eucalyptus, Sweet Dreams and Lavender, they are single bath sizes (20 ml) and with caveats, I will throw in one bottle with every order placed for £15 and above.

It doesn’t matter which products you order, there is only one gift per customer and I cannot determine which of the three you will receive, so please don’t mail me (I will be under my desk) because we are unable to specifically select one for you.  We do have a large volume, but I doubt we will make it across the weekend, so this is a Saturday only treat, which will end tonight at midnight GMT (16 May) or whilst stock lasts.  This will not show up on your order confirmation.  Happy Kneipp bathing.  With love.
Kneipp

Last week I told the world (and its friend) that Shabir has RSI (repetitive strain injury) and that he is rather attached to Aculief, a wearable acupressure device.  So I thought we should take a look at Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which is one of the many disorders listed under the general term of RSI.  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome often develops over a number of years with no noticeable symptoms, but when these do appear, they include a burning or tingling sensation in the fingers, pain and numbness in the hand, an inability to grasp objects properly and a general weakness of the hands.  In his article linked below, Shabir takes a look at the symptoms and his recommendations for the treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.  I wrote last week that he blamed me for his RSI, but actually I secretly (not such a secret now) know it was because of gaming controllers.  Look, he’s only a man.  After all.
VH Editorial: Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; Aculief £19.95; Bromelain by Viridian Nutrition £27.35 for 90 Capsules; Pure Magnesium Oil Spray by Life-Flo £12 for 236 ml

Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the Western Hemisphere and whilst of course the world focuses on Covid-19, we cannot and must not neglect other serious health concerns.  I think it is therefore important to talk about cardiovascular disease and how supplementation and natural solutions may help.  As most of you know, there are two types of cholesterol, LDL (the ‘bad’ cholesterol) and HDL (the ‘good’ cholesterol).  For the differential, and further understanding, please do take a moment to read Shabir’s article.  Once again from the archives.  Thank goodness for archives.
VH Editorial:  How To Lower Cholesterol Naturally; Cholestsafe £25 for 90 Capsules

I am having a bit of a nostalgic moment, so please allow me to share.  Over the past couple of weeks I have written about Gloves In A Bottle.  As so many of you know, we looked after the health and wellbeing of The Mail on Sunday YOU magazine readers for over a decade.  Together we were the YOU magazine girls and although those days have long passed, our friendship remains as strong as it ever was. We are still the girls.  We always will be.  So many memories, which would include how many times Sarah, as health editor, would put Gloves on the health pages of the magazine because it really helped those with eczema and psoriasis. All we cared about was looking after the readers in the very best way we could and Gloves did just that, without a commercial collaboration anywhere in sight.

For many different reasons, Sarah felt she wanted to write about Gloves again.  And so she has.  The article is linked below, which I hope you enjoy because it also outlines the history of Gloves.  It remains our privilege to have launched so many epic brands and products over the years, so if I may, I would like to dedicate Sarah’s article to the late Norman Lowe.  Norman was the father of Rosalind Lowe, YOU magazine’s former features editor and he was one of the first people to test Gloves for us.  From that moment he became besotted.  In his last months, the only product he wanted at his bedside was his bottle of Gloves.  Somewhere in the sky above, I think he may still be using it as he watches over us.  God bless you sweetheart and God bless Gloves. Forever.
Helping Hands With Gloves In A Bottle by Sarah Stacey; Gloves In A Bottle £10.50 for 240 ml; Gloves In A Bottle Handbag Size £5.15 for 60 ml

I feel slightly awkward about having to say this, but I am perplexed.  Very perplexed.  At the beginning of this week, two huge boxes of chocolate arrived for us to share.  As you can imagine it was a huge moment of happiness, except I have no idea who sent it.  There was no paperwork with the chocolate and no card.  I am not going to name the company who sent it because heaven knows we are all under extraordinary pressure, but we did call and we did email, but to no avail.  It remains a mystery who it came from.  My children will tell you that from the moment they could hold a pencil, I made them write ‘thank you’ notes, as I’m really big on acknowledgement.  My one hope is that whoever did send it is reading this and perhaps they can mail me, so I can personally and privately thank them.

The Beauty Bible girls lead our editorial team this week by welcoming you to the Age of Imperfection.  Every cloud has a silver lining, they say, and let me tell you I am at one with Jo and Sarah on this.  A romp through the tricks of supermodels, Botox, filters and heaven knows what else, the girls request that perhaps we can rise above all that is fake and allow ourselves to be real.  We certainly hope so.  And it’s long overdue.  Nobody’s perfect.  Least of all us.
Nobody’s Perfect by Beauty Bible

Finally, together with Shabir, Lara and the entire VH team, I hope that each of you have a restful weekend.
My personal thanks for all your emails of love and support; they sustain each of us.
A new product launch next week perhaps!

With love

Gill x

 

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*Free gifts will only be granted if the items purchased are physical products and your total basket value exceeds the required amount noted.  Saturday only treats are subject to change should the specified gift run out prior to your purchase and are only included in orders placed between 7.45am (GMT) and Midnight (GMT) on the Saturday the Weekend Read is sent.  VH Addicts membership is a digital product and therefore will be excluded from the basket value.  Some gifts are blocked from international shipping due to local limitations imposed based on the country destination.  If this is the case, we will replace the gift with one that is able to be shipped to your destination.