As I write this, it occurs to me that perhaps the Weekend Read has morphed into the life and times of me and my friends.  It was always a long-term dream to have a sharing platform.  A platform which we could all stand on.  The need to celebrate achievements is so important, the big and the small.  The need to acknowledge trauma is just as important.  But the need to try and laugh against adversity is a great challenge as our strange world turns inside out and upside down.  I’m up for the challenge, so however difficult individual circumstances are, I hope that some of today’s words and products can help bring a smile to each of your faces.  On a mission.

So, if you don’t mind, I’m laughing as I tell you that several people have made it known that they think I am a marketing tool.  Yes, they don’t believe I actually exist and that I am a figment of Shabir’s imagination.  Some imagination.  Like I’m a robotic being dancing around his brain cells.  You honestly couldn’t make it up, but never mind that, life goes on and I will continue to do what I need to do.  So let’s romp through this one.  Hold my hand.  And throughout I will also invite you to hold the hands of some of my friends.  Let’s do it.

But before any of that, I am of course going to lead with another treat.  It is one of our bestselling products.  We all take it and most of you take it too.  We consider it an essential supplement, not only for the now, but for all time.  It is of course Mega Probiotic ND (Non-Dairy), the broad spectrum probiotic containing eight probiotic strains to help support gut health and immune function.

I am not going to do chapter and verse on Mega P, there is no need, but instead I will refer you to Shabir’s article on restoring optimal gut health if you want to discover more about it.  But mostly you need to know what I’m about to do, so here it comes.  For one day only, which is today, Saturday 17 October, I am reducing the price of Mega P from £19.50 to £15.  You will need to click on the link below to receive this treat and this offer will last until midnight BST tonight, or whilst stock lasts.

Not wishing a famine upon ourselves, I’ve got my stash at home.  I will not live without it.  It helps prevent bloating.  I will not bloat.  Wrapped.  In my jeans.  Skinnies.
VH Editorial: Restoring Optimal Gut Health; Mega Probiotic ND £15 for 60 Capsules (Offer Ends Midnight BST Saturday 17 October)

I have been waiting to write about this next product for almost a year.  Before I even tested it my excitement had peaked to a great height.  And when I did test it, not only did I fall head over heels, but I wanted each of you to share in the sheer magnitude of its utter brilliance.  So please allow me to introduce you to the Japanese Cleansing Cloud.  And I bring it to you courtesy of my friend Jane Cunningham, who, as many of you know is the British Beauty Blogger.  It is her first product and I suppose if you are going to do it, do it in style.  Jane has done just that.

The Japanese Cleansing Cloud is a happy cloud and it pays tribute to the rituals of Japanese cleansing and bathing.  You can use it anywhere on your body for softness and non-dry skin cleansing.  An infusion of Japanese Yuzu releases a zesty aroma, while gentle Rice Milk and nourishing Hemp Oil give softening and moisturising suds to make you smile.  And please let me tell you that I am smiling rather a lot as this saponified formula is made to the tipping point between a cleansing oil and a soft, skin-kind balm soap.

Designed as an ‘everywhere’ bar, use the Japanese Cleansing Cloud for hydrating hand washing, in the shower for a morning-fresh complexion cleanse, or take your time in the bath to lather up and relax.  It is also safe and effective for use on the face.  I have never used soap on my face, but I do use this because it makes me and my skin very happy and heaven only knows, I am incredibly careful with my touchy-touchy sensitive skin.  So just to add, Meadowfoam Seed Oil and Hemp Seed Oil are high in fatty acids, which help keep skin supple and hydrated and Rice Milk exfoliates very gently and is packed with antioxidants for smooth and protected skin.

I would like to think that together we could all float on this Cloud because I promise you, you will love it.  I love it so much that I have used it as this week’s image because it exudes joy and happiness and that’s a very good thing right now.  I have to say that when I first used it on my face, I did so with great trepidation and then I got completely hooked by the fragrance and the softness of my skin.  I actually didn’t think it was possible.  Except it was.

I have several Clouds (of course) and if you go to the product page, you will discover three suggested Cloud rituals.  Do you think we could spread Cloud happiness, not only for ourselves, but for others too who may be incredibly touched by the very thought that we care.  I believe that every cloud has a silver lining.  It is so often the small things in life that make such a big difference.  And it’s smiling at you.
Japanese Cleansing Cloud £12 for 100 grams

Right, another close friend.  And another launch.  It comes from Ross J. Barr, who, as many of you know is regarded as one of the country’s leading and trusted fertility specialists.  A few months ago we launched his Female Fertility Formula and now the balance, Male Fertility Formula.  It is thought that roughly 1 in 3.5 cases of unexplained fertility issues are down to the male partner.  Male Fertility Formula addresses this with a formulation designed to encourage and support male preparation for pregnancy, providing a complete spectrum for male health and sexual performance.

Loaded with food-state vitamins, this formulation also includes high levels of Selenium and Zinc to help promote the production of good quality sperm.  As we all know, infertility is a huge issue and to explore this subject further, Becci Vallis takes a look at male supplementation, which is so important.  It goes without saying that we recommend supplementing in tandem with your partner.  Except I’ve just said it.
How Important Is It For Men To Be Supplementing by Becci Vallis; Male Fertility Formula £32 for 60 Tablets; Female Fertility Formula £32 for 30 Tablets both by Ross J. Barr

If I may, I would like to continue talking about Ross.  I am fascinated with acupuncture and in my thirst for knowledge, he told me to stick a Healing Patch on my D4 point.  This acupuncture point is situated in the lumbar region and if you click here, it will illustrate exactly where this is.  The point D4 is named ‘The Gate of Life’ and it will help warm each of us from the cold and chills prevalent at this time of year, as we head towards the winter months.

I’m not actually ill, but the thought of helping to protect my Gate of Life kind of sings to me.  Rather a lot.  In fact my ‘gate’ is now well and truly sealed with a patch.  I’m sure Shabir would rather it was my mouth that was sealed.  Without the kiss.  Thanks.
Healing Patches by Ross J. Barr £15 for Five Patches; Image Courtesy of Genetic Acupuncture (Italy)

Staying on the subject of Shabir, you know how he starts jumping up and down with excitement when a new product gets released.  Well, he’s doing it right now and he is doing it because it’s all about the master antioxidant, Glutathione.  Glutathione is the most abundant antioxidant in our bodies and in fact every organism in the world has some Glutathione in its cells.  It helps protect the body from a number of diseases since free radical damage is the most common cause for ageing of the body.  But that’s not the whole story.  When you have healthy Glutathione levels, you experience greater energy, glowing skin, a strong heart and a sharper brain.  I’ll take that.  All of that.

We normally make Glutathione from three amino acids, but unfortunately levels decline with age, but that’s not the sole reason.  Other reasons include pollution, UV radiation, poor diet, certain medications and alcohol consumption.  Glutathione is a fragile molecule that is easily broken down into its individual amino acids by the stomach acid when taken in a capsule or tablet form.  However, encapsulating Glutathione within a liposome helps to product this powerful antioxidant from the stomach acid so that it can enter the bloodstream intact and perform its multiple roles of protecting the body.

In studies, Liposomal Glutathione has been shown to deliver almost 100 times more Glutathione into cells when compared to tablet or capsule forms.  So now we know that, Shabir is recommending YourZooki Liposomal Glutathione, which uses a patented technology for bioavailability.  And of course he is taking it.  I’m just a little bit miffed that he started to take it before telling me about it.  Another one of his secret society products I suppose.  In a long line of them.  Final words.  It’s flavoured with natural orange, cinnamon, clove and vanilla extracts.
Liposomal Glutathione by YourZooki £42.99 for 100 mg (30 Servings)

Let’s do a treat.  I need to say here that last week’s treat went flying and by 10 am they were all gone, never to be seen again.  Of course each week is different and even though we have high volumes of products to share, I am unable to predict when the offers will end.  And I say this as I am about to offer two separate treats, which is going to be fun.  Both are from Temple Spa.  And I love Temple Spa.  The products are Be Strong and Be Firm.

I think the easiest way to do this is to tell you that Be Strong is a facial serum packed with anti-ageing nutrients and Be Firm is a firming (surprise, surprise) and lifting serum.  Both products are £40 for 30 ml; please refer to the product pages to learn more about the ingredients of each of these products and while stocks last, I am cutting the price in half of both of these products.  This does of course mean that they are £20 each, there is only one of each per customer and you need to click on the links below to receive them at their special price.  I am taking a deep breath.  Keyboard pounding time.  They won’t last the day.  That much I know.
Be Strong by Temple Spa £20 for 30 ml (RRP £40 for 30 ml); Be Firm by Temple Spa £20 for 30 ml (RRP £40 for 30 ml)

In this week’s Health Notes, Sarah reports on a new online programme to help people manage the anxiety of looking different due to burns, scars or congenital conditions.  The online programme is called FaceIT and it was devised by Dr Alyson Norman, Associate Professor of Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Plymouth.  FaceIT claims to do two things, to help people manage anxiety and to help them learn how to manage interactions with other people and deal with their reactions.  This is important work.  It is thought there are probably about four or five million people in the UK with a difference of some kind.  Please read.  Please share.
The Anxiety Of Looking Different by Sarah Stacey

As most of you know, I talk about magnesium rather a lot.  Not least Magnesium Flakes, which remain a constant in my bathroom and actually have done for the past ten years or so.  But of course magnesium comes in many differing forms, including supplementation.  As with most supplementation, there is a minefield of products available.  But why is magnesium so important.  Which products should we be taking.  And why.  Shabir does the lowdown.  Clearing the minefield.
VH Editorial: Which Magnesium Supplement Should I Take?; Magnesium Oil Original Flakes by Better You £9.95 for 1 kg; Magnesium Sleep Bath Flakes by Better You £9.95 for 1 kg; Magnesium Muscle Bath Flakes by Better You £9.95 for 1 kg

Three words.  Fulvic Body Lotion.  I know we love all things Fulvic, but I was overcome with emotion when so many of you ordered it last week.  Thank you for supporting this latest Fulvic launch.  It has been described as liquid cashmere.  I liked that rather a lot.  And if you are at all worried that it is a soft caramel colour, let me assure you that this does not stain.  I sleep in it every night and I have white sheets.  What you also need to know is that two seconds after I launched it last weekend, I asked Shabir to formulate the next Fulvic product for me.  I’m on a roll.  Not sure that he is.  Hope he hurries up.  No clues.  Except I want it in a big bottle.  A very big bottle.
Fulvic Body Lotion £20 for 200 ml

Time for the Saturday only treat.  And staying on topic, with every order placed today (Saturday 17 October) for £25 and over (excluding p&p), we will automatically include a bottle of Fulvic Acid Conditioner (60 ml).  You can use it as a straight conditioner, but you may want to splurge the whole lot on your hair in one go and use it as a rather brilliant hair mask.  A touch of decadence that will not show up on your order confirmation or invoice.  And it is only available whilst stocks last.  Be quick!

I started this missive talking about my friends.  And I will end it in the same way.  That friend is Nigella.  With not many days left until her new book, Cook Eat Repeat, is published on 29 October, you may perhaps wish to stock your freezer with frozen cherries before a frozen cherry famine descends upon us.  And we all know what a Nigella famine looks like.  But of course, it’s not only her recipes which are mind-blowingly brilliant, it’s the stories she tells about food that are uniquely inspirational.

This is the book that you will want to take to bed with you.  Her words are as comforting as the food she urges us to cook.  And cook we will.  Cooking with love in your heart helps calm the soul.  And this is written from Nigella’s soul.  That much I will share with you.  I have put a link to Cook Eat Repeat below this and I will also tell you, if you don’t already know, that the series accompanying the book will be on BBC2 in November.  Holding hands.  With Nigella.  All of us.
Cook Eat Repeat by Nigella Lawson

Once again, we come to the end of another Weekend Read.

For so many reasons, I send you my love and gratitude and my thoughts are with each of you as we continue to walk this unknown path.

This Too Shall Pass.

With love

Gill x

 

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