Weekend Read 27 February 2021

Weekend Read 27 February 2021

It is close.  We are inches away from entering the month of March and all that it will bring.  So as I welcome you to the Weekend Read, we can begin to see our way through with brighter days ahead.  And as the cycle of change emerges, we have to embrace all that is good and all that is given to each of us.  Remaining optimistic in our stance, we also need to recognise that the world will not change overnight.  There are deep wounds to heal both on global and individual levels, so with a compassionate understanding of this truth, we must uphold the trust that I know we share. 

And perhaps it is with an acceptance of this philosophy that together we are more.  I am minded here of the Helen Keller quote: ‘Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much’.  I feel this is particularly pertinent and relative to the values we must surely uphold as a moral obligation, not only to ourselves, but to each other, both in a personal and corporate capacity.  The fragility of life has rarely been more apparent.  And it is in recognition of our collective vulnerability that we choose to come together.  Each week.  To help strengthen our resolve.  To mend.

I want to begin the product section by leading with another bestselling treat.  If any of you need to know why I often choose the same products, it is because these are the products that so many of you take, so I do so in support of that knowledge and in the hope that it continues to help make a positive difference to our health and wellbeing.  And, I believe, Ionicell does just that as it contains Ioniplex, a Fulvic ionic mineral incorporating up to 65 essential, macro and trace minerals. 

Ionicell remains one of the most powerful supplements I have ever taken (alongside Fulvic Acid Elixir) and the White Paper clinically validating Ioniplex can be found on our product page.  It is with these words that I am taking the price down on Ionicell from £20 to £17.  This offer will go across the weekend, or while stocks last, ending tomorrow, Sunday 28 February, at midnight GMT.  And before I get flooded with emails, you do not need to take Ionicell alongside Fulvic Acid Elixir.  They are, in reality, one of the same.  It’s capsules versus liquid.  The fact that I take both is well documented.  By Shabir.
Ionicell For Women £17 for 60 Vegicaps; Fulvic Acid Elixir £30 for 480 ml

I suppose I cannot make the statement about Ionicell being one of the most powerful supplements I have ever taken, without mentioning some of the others that I believe fall into the same genre.  I write this in recognition that we are all different and that our health concerns vary, so what is important for one person, may not be for another, but I need to tell you that I don’t think my body could function properly if I didn’t take Enhanced Super Digestive Enzymes.  I know I wrote about this product a couple of weeks ago, but I did an unintentional litmus test when I ran out of this supplement recently.  And my entire digestive system went on strike.  I was not thrilled.

And I think that’s the thing really.  We can become complacent about the products we use, until we stop using them or decide to go cold-turkey.  Many years ago I went on a deliberate cold-turkey mission to test the efficacy of Hyaluronic Acid.  It lasted six weeks.  I could seriously see a difference in my skin, not in a good way, and my ankle started to click.  I then double-dosed for six weeks in some frantic effort to regain equilibrium.  Swearing I would never do that again.  Unless we were in famine territory.

Probiotics are of course a given, but alongside that, I have taken Super Ubiquinol CoQ10 for many years.  There are literally thousands of CoQ10 supplements on the market, but Shabir has consistently recommended that if you are over 40 (that would be me), then you should, if possible, take CoQ10 supplementation containing ubiquinol.  It is available in two strengths, 50 mg, which is recommended for general protection, or the higher strength of 100 mg which provides additional protection for the cardiovascular system, which I take.  And wouldn’t you know it, Shabir has written an article about it.  Not too sure what he hasn’t written about really.
VH Editorial: Choosing The Right Co-Enzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

So as I lump the above three paragraphs into one, I will say the following.  For the most part, and this is certainly true of supplementation, when I go on one of my lowering price missions, I do so by sharing our margin with you. The reason for this transparency is because there are many instances where I would love to offer more to you, but I am restricted by prevailing circumstances which are totally out of my control, such as the extortionate shipping rates that have Covid, and now Brexit, levies slashed right across them. 

We have to date absorbed these hidden (to you) costs and we will continue to do so as long as we can hold out.  I will further say that we have been invited to make representations to a Cabinet Office initiative in order to examine these issues, and more.  As I have written so often, I love campaigning, but before I get totally carried away, I need to tell you that after one of the longest explanations in the history of the world, I am about to drop the price of all three products above.  And perhaps Shabir will drop me when he reads this.

Let’s do it and then move on.  These lower prices will go across the weekend, whilst stock lasts and will end tomorrow, Sunday 28 February, at midnight GMT.  Being neat, and in order, Enhanced Super Digestives Enzymes drops from £23.25 to £20; Hyaluronic Capsules High Strength drops from £35 to £30 and Super Ubiquinol CoEnzyme Q10 (100 mg) drops from £45 to £39.  Done.  And dusted. 
Enhanced Super Digestive Enzymes by Life Extension £20 for 60 Capsules; Hyaluronic Capsules High Strength £30 for 30 Capsules; Super Ubiquinol CoEnzyme Q10 with Enhanced Mitochondrial Support by Life Extension (100 mg) £39 for 60 Softgels

The reason I want to move on, as above, is because I can’t stop laughing.  I’m sorry but I have tears rolling down my face as I’m writing this.  It would of course have to be a Shabir story.  So I am here to tell you that one of Shabir’s most famous regimens has been trashed as of this very moment.  I can’t tell you exactly why I find this so funny, most especially because I have written for the longest time that research and development often dictates that we adjust the products we take and use.  And the regimen in question.  His wart regimen.

Whatever the type of wart, there is, in Shabir’s opinion, a great justification in the use of the amino acid L-lysine.  Lysine inhibits viral replication by blocking the uptake of arginine, a major ‘food source’ for the virus to multiply.  Lysine also helps to boost the immune system which ensures a faster recovery from this type of infection.  That part of the regimen remains.  However, I am now being told by a customer that Fulvic Acid Nail Cream gets rid of warts.  So last week Fulvic was banishing corns on our feet and this week it is banishing warts.  Shabir The Pharmacist (STP) needs to do a re-write.  Which he has now done.  And I’m sorry.  I obviously have a weird sense of humour.  
VH Editorial: How To Get Rid Of Warts; Fulvic Acid Nail Cream £12 for 30 ml; L-Lysine by Lamberts £10.95 for 120 Tablets

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about some of our bestselling beauty tools, so I would just like to add a couple more to that list.  Both are from Sarah Chapman, and while the jury is still out on whether we should steam or not, I think it is a personal choice and I honestly don’t feel my skin is really clean unless I steam.  And by virtue of that, what is a facial without steam and extraction.  In my humble opinion. 

So being in the pro-steam camp, I am so happy that Sarah’s Pro Hydro-Mist Steamer is now back in stock because I truly believe it to be best-in-class.  I steam and follow through with Pore Cleaning Powder and I really don’t need to write any words about the latter because most of you have it and most of you use it.  This pink powder is on my epic product list and has been since Shabir formulated it.  These things stand the test of time. 
Pro Hydro-Mist Steamer by Sarah Chapman £119; Pore Cleaning Powder by Garden of Wisdom for VH £12 for 50 grams

Sarah’s Facialift is the second tool I want to talk about.  This has had a renaissance moment for me as I sit watching box set after box set while rolling my face.  The Facialift is a precision massage tool and with regular use it will help re-shape, refine, firm and tone the face and neck.  It has 48 nodules and also releases tension, which in turn helps take down stress.  I therefore invite you to roll with me as I take the price of the Facialift down from £30 to £20.  This is a limited edition offer and once it is gone, it is gone.  And I don’t know when that will be.  Oh, and on the subject of box sets, if you haven’t already seen it, do watch ‘Call My Agent’.  It’s very fabulous.
Facialift by Sarah Chapman £20 (Limited Edition Offer)

Take two on facial massage as in this week’s Health Notes Sarah invites each of us to join an online facial massage class with expert practitioner, Beata Aleksandrowicz.   Known as the fairy godmother of facial massage, Beata’s hands are a legend in the beauty world, writes Sarah.  Explaining about the power of therapeutic touch, Beata’s facial massage routines are as much about wellbeing as about appearance.  There are three different online Zoom classes, Face Revival, Face Workout and Face Spa, and each class costs £10.  You will find all the details in Sarah’s article together with how to find your happy face.  In case its gone missing.
Take Years Off Your Face – And Mind by Sarah Stacey

On the subject of happy faces, I want to talk about Moisture Restore Rich, a moisturiser specifically formulated for dehydrated and sensitive skin.  Dry skin is always such a huge concern as we come out of the winter months and the rich, creamy-gel texture of this product is the perfect antidote to our centrally heated faces.  I do love this product, but then I adore all three Harborist products because sensitive skin is such an issue for so many of us, and especially those of us who have an allergy to essential oils.  Most obviously, these products do not contain essential oils.

Loaded with a liquid crystal emulsion system to mimic the organisation of your barrier lipids for enhanced skin compatibility, it also contains Organic Pomegranate Seed Extract and cell-protecting glucosides.  I’m about to do a treat and I think it’s a rather significant treat as I take the price of Moisture Restore Rich down from £45 to £20.  And as I do so please know from me that this is a very limited offer and that if the product will not go into your basket, it is because the offer has ended.  One more thing.  Now, more than ever, I implore you to try and support niche brands wherever you can and just so you know, Harborist’s Balm-Gel Cleanser is amazing. 
Moisture Restore Rich by Harborist £20 for 50 ml; Balm-Gel Cleanser by Harborist £25 for 100 ml

Back to health issues.  As I wrote above, so many of us have digestive issues and I just want to take a moment to tell you about a rather special tincture that helps relieve stomach problems, such as indigestion and acidic stomach.  The tincture is Yarrow Complex and it combines several herbs including Yarrow (obviously), Centaury, Dandelion and Melissa.  With a wide spectrum of action, it may be used for many common gastrointestinal complaints.  This is a ‘bitter’ tonic and it can also be taken to help support food intolerances, leaky gut syndrome, colic, wind and bloating.  In all its glory.  And power.
Yarrow Complex Drops by A Vogel £10.50 for 50 ml

Right, a few more things before we start singing.  The first is that I am going to take the price down of Bakuchiol Serum from £15 to £12 for today only, Saturday 27 February, ending at midnight GMT.  There are several reasons for doing this.  The first is that I don’t like acids and this is a natural alternative to Retinol.  The second is that I think it is a very under-rated product.  The third is because this is the real thing; if you are going to do a Bakuchiol product use the gold-standard Sytenol A Bakuchiol Oil or just don’t bother.  The fourth is that Shabir will probably tell me off for doing this.  The fifth is that I don’t care.  Amen.
VH Editorial: Bakuchiol: A Natural Alternative To Retinol; Bakuchiol Serum by Garden of Wisdom for VH £12 for 30 ml

A riot has occurred.  And it’s all my own fault.  I was so thrilled that Atlantic Seaweed Bath was finally back in stock, I threw all caution to the wind and did a treat across it last weekend.  At least I had the presence of mind to say that I would honour that treat until midnight last Saturday, because I knew I was in big trouble by 9 am, or thereabouts, when we went out of stock.  I honestly didn’t expect that to happen, so my apologies and just to say that I am counting the days to the next consignment arriving.  I hope it won’t be too long, but it is very obvious to me that seaweed bathing is now a thing.  A rather big thing actually.  Soon.
Atlantic Seaweed Bath £12

So into the Saturday only treat we go.  With every order placed today, Saturday 27 February, for £30 and over (excluding p&p) we will include a tin of Rose & Peony Bath Salts.  I think you will really enjoy pouring these into your bath and actually because of the temporary absence of the Atlantic Seaweed Bath, I offer these in an attempt to assuage my guilt that we are out of stock.  The Saturday Soak.

The song I have chosen this week depicts the very essence of who and what we are together.  I truly believe that energy follows thought and it is in that collective energy that our positive thoughts and prayers are perhaps our salvation.  The song is ‘You Raise Me Up’ and it is sung by Josh Groban.  It is, in fact, the original version and as we sing this together and to each other, let us continue to stand together in the solidarity of our own strength and compassion.
You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban

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.