The Ultimate Sleep Routine

Our body repairs and restores while we're asleep but with routines disrupted, getting a good night’s sleep can be tough. Here we’re sharing our ultimate sleep routine, starting with a long soak and a spot of meditation, to help get you get the rest you need.

Leave the Day Behind and Switch Off
 
During lockdown, we’re extremely reliant on our devices for work, human connection, even working out. Before bed, try and reserve a technology free hour to read, stretch, meditate or take a long bath.
 
It doesn’t have to be long, even five minutes of meditation will leave you feeling calmer. Blasta Henriet wrote a meditation guide for us to use with their eye pillows - have a read here. A short yoga sequence is a peaceful way to unwind too, we love this seven-minute sequence from Yoga with Adrienne.

 

To help unwind, try a natural supplement or take CBD oil a few hours before bed. Plants like ashwagandha, L-Theanine, lavender, valerian, chamomile and bacopa monnieri help foster a sense of calm, while cannabidiol may reduce anxiety. Motion Nutrition’s Unplug supplement, Blooming Blends’ Sleep Easy tincture and Better You’s CBD Oral Spray are three of our favourite calming supplements before bed.
 
 

Soak
 
Having a bath before bed helps us relax and the drop in body temperature after a hot bath or shower encourages the body to rest. Sip a cup of soothing chamomile tea for added relaxation.
 
Add a scoop of bath salts to your bath to soothe a tired body, and an essential oil or bath melt to relax the mind. We love Corinne Taylor’s handmade scented bath melts and salts, all handmade in rural East Sussex with carefully chosen organic botanicals.
 
Follow up with a magnesium-rich body oil or lotion to relieve tired muscles. OSI’s Good Night body lotion delivers a high dose of magnesium through the skin while the shea butter and sweet almond oil leaves skin soft and supple. 
 
 
 
Set the Scene
 
The best environment for sleep is a cool, dark room. Take time to find the right pillows and get comfortable.
 
Aromatherapy and scent can be an effective way to signal to your brain that it’s time for sleep.
 
Try applying a lavender oil or Scentered’s Sleep Well Therapy Balm to your pulse points and inhaling. Find Scentered’s guide to using breathing techniques and aromatherapy to aid sleep on our blog here.
 
Spraying your pillow with a sleep spray like Neom’s is also great for triggering sleep, or spray Blooming Blends’ Sleep Easy mist directly onto your face.

Featured in this post

Blasta Henriet Eye Pillow

BetterYou CBD Spray

Scentered Sleep Well Therapy Balm

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Supporting Your Workout

The Planet Organic team go through their handpicked selections from our health range to make sure your body has everything it needs before, during and after your workout sessions.

Form Salted Caramel

One of the most versatile proteins powders in our range and an all-time favourite, Form’s vegan superblend protein is made from a base of organic pea protein with brown rice protein, hemp protein and algae protein to deliver a complete amino acid profile with no animal products. The superblend has added maca, flaxseed and greens and fruit powders for fibre, prebiotics and probiotics.

Motion Creamy Cacao

The most delicious protein powder we’ve ever tasted, each sachet of Motion’s creamy cacao contains 20g of whey protein, 5g of BCAA (branched-chain amino acids) for performance and is made with certified organic ingredients. This one’s perfect for whizzing up into smoothies or baking with because it tastes so good.

Ener-C electrolyte sport

Unlike other electrolyte sports drinks, Ener-C’s is made only with natural ingredients. Great to refresh with post-run, replace minerals lost through sweat, boost energy levels and support recovery with every sip.

Wild Nutrition Chromium and Antioxidants

Chromium helps to maintain blood sugar levels, supports the normal metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates and may help to reduce oxidative stress post-exercise.

As you’d expect from Wild Nutrition, their chromium supplement is made from Food–State and whole food ingredients to ensure bioavailability.

OSI Mag body lotion

Magnesium is essential for muscle and nerve function and for regulating blood sugar and pressure. Massage OSI’s body lotion onto tired muscles and joints for a high dose of magnesium post exercise. Enriched with nourishing almond oil and shea butter, it’s also a treat for a dry and dehydrated skin.

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Supporting Your Workout

The Planet Organic team go through their handpicked selections from our health range to make sure your body has everything it needs before, during and after your workout sessions.
 
 

Form Salted Caramel

One of the most versatile proteins powders in our range and an all-time favourite, Form’s vegan superblend protein is made from a base of organic pea protein with brown rice protein, hemp protein and algae protein to deliver a complete amino acid profile with no animal products. The superblend has added maca, flaxseed and greens and fruit powders for fibre, prebiotics and probiotics.

 

Motion Creamy Cacao

The most delicious protein powder we’ve ever tasted, each sachet of Motion’s creamy cacao contains 20g of whey protein, 5g of BCAA (branched-chain amino acids) for performance and is made with certified organic ingredients. This one’s perfect for whizzing up into smoothies or baking with because it tastes so good.

 

Wild Nutrition Chromium and Antioxidants

Chromium helps to maintain blood sugar levels, supports the normal metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates and may help to reduce oxidative stress post-exercise.

As you’d expect from Wild Nutrition, their chromium supplement is made from Food–State and whole food ingredients to ensure bioavailability.

 

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OSI Mag body lotion

Magnesium is essential for muscle and nerve function and for regulating blood sugar and pressure. Massage OSI’s body lotion onto tired muscles and joints for a high dose of magnesium post exercise. Enriched with nourishing almond oil and shea butter, it’s also a treat for a dry and dehydrated skin.

 

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Form Chocolate Peanut Protein Smoothie Recipe

This plant-based smoothie using Form’s Performance Chocolate Peanut protein powder packs a low-carb, high protein punch, with 43g of protein per serving. The silken tofu lends an indulgent, creamy texture.

Serves 1

Ingredients:
 
40g Performance Chocolate Peanut
140ml Almond Milk
20g Peanut Butter
70g Silken Tofu
½ Cup of Ice

 
Method:

It’s really simple. Just pop all of the ingredients in your blender and blend until all of the ice has been whizzed up.
 
You could also add half a banana or a handful of oats for an even more filling option.

 

Featured in this recipe

Form Performance Protein

Vitamix S30 Blender

Planet Organic Crunchy Peanut Butter

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Form Chocolate Peanut Protein Smoothie Recipe

This plant-based smoothie using Form’s Performance Chocolate Peanut protein powder packs a low-carb, high protein punch, with 43g of protein per serving. The silken tofu lends an indulgent, creamy texture.

Serves 1

Ingredients:
 
40g Performance Chocolate Peanut
140ml Almond Milk
20g Peanut Butter
70g Silken Tofu
½ Cup of Ice

 
Method:

It’s really simple. Just pop all of the ingredients in your blender and blend until all of the ice has been whizzed up.
 
You could also add half a banana or a handful of oats for an even more filling option.

 

Featured in this recipe

Form Performance Protein

Vitamix S30 Blender

Planet Organic Crunchy Peanut Butter

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Supplements to Support a Healthy Immune System

The best way to support our immune system is through plenty of sleep, regular exercise, a nutrient-rich diet and keeping stress levels to a minimum but to ensure we’ve got all bases covered, we like to include supplements into our daily routines. Here are our health buyer’s four essential supplements for supporting immune health.

Gut Health
We’re slowly realising the impact of gut health on our overall health and wellbeing. With the gut home to an estimated 70 percent of the cells that make up our immune system, live culture supplements can support the good bacteria in your gut and foster a diverse microbiome, helping to support a healthy immune system.
 
Try a liquid supplement with billions of live bacteria like Rhythm’s Life Shot, made from fermented organic young coconut and vegan kefir cultures for over 200 billion live bacteria, or Symprove’s water-based supplement, much-loved by the Planet Organic team.  
 

Vitamin C
We recommend everyone takes Vitamin C as it encourages the production of white blood cells, and it has been shown to be able to both prevent and treat respiratory and systemic infections. Liposomal Vitamin C is particularly effective as it is fat rather than water based, and because the liposome’s membrane is made of the same fat found in the cell membranes throughout the body, this allows the liposomal Vitamin C to pass into cells easily and be delivered directly into the cells. 
 
Each sachet of YourZooki Vitamin C contains 1000mg of Vitamin C wrapped in billions of nano-sized spheres called "liposomes" that shield, protect and deliver Vitamin C directly into the cells.
 

Manuka Honey 
The anti-bacterial and healing properties of honey are well known, but make sure you’re taking a raw and unprocessed manuka honey for maximum benefits. Manuka Health’s honey is sustainably sourced from hives in pristine parts of New Zealand, from bees who feast on the native manuka trees. The MGO in the name stands for methylglyoxal, the unique compound in found in manuka honey, and the number next to it indicates the methylglyoxal content per kilogram.
 

Vitamin D
Vitamin D supports our immune response to infection and may protect against respiratory tract infections. Direct sunlight on unprotected skin is the best way to get your fix, but that isn’t possible for many of us during lockdown or during the cold winter months. Most Vitamin D supplements are derived from lanolin, the wax from sheep’s wool, but Viridian’s Vitamin D 1000IU is extracted from lichen and suitable for vegans.
 
 

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Symprove Probiotic Course

YourZooki Liposomal Vitamin C

Viridian Vitamin D

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Making Coffee at Home

One of the things we're missing the most is our morning coffee, so we've put together the ultimate guide for how to get your fix at home, including the best methods, best beans and how to get that all-important froth.
 
If you’re like us, oat m*lk holds a special place in our hearts. Minor Figures Oat and Oatly Barista froth up really well, but we’ve got plenty of other plant-based m*lks to experiment with, from hemp seed to tiger nut.
 
  

The “Espresso”

 
If you don’t have an espresso or coffee machine, here are some alternative ways to get you a shot of coffee.
 


Moka Pot
The classic stovetop espresso maker uses the pressure of steam to extract the coffee, and is probably the best way to get an espresso like coffee at home. Learn how to brew with one here:

Aeropress
The Aeropress uses pressure to extract the flavour of the coffee and is great for making a quick espresso style coffee at home. This video tutorial goes through the different brews you can make with this piece of kit.

 

French Press
It won’t taste as strong due to the lack of pressure, but you can make a concentrated coffee in a French press by using a lot less water than normal and leaving to brew. This video gives exact measurements:

 

Instant Coffee
If you don’t have any of the above, you could make a really concentrated instant-coffee, using around 50ml of water and a teaspoon of granules. 
 
 
 

The Froth

 
Luckily there are plenty of ways to froth milk without a steaming wand.
 

1.  
2. On the hob. Heat up the milk of your choice in a pan on the hob, Once it’s hot (but not boiling) start to whisk until it works up into a foam.
3.  
4. In the microwave. Pour your milk into a jar with a lid, leaving at least half of the jar empty. Screw the lid on tightly, then shake it like you’re mixing a cocktail for 30 seconds, until the milk is foamy. Microwave for 40 second, until it’s hot.

 
 

The Mug

 
For the ultimate coffee-shop experience, warm up your mug by filling it with a splash of boiling water, leaving it for 30 seconds, then tossing the water away before filling up with coffee. It’ll keep your coffee hot.
 
 
 

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Café Direct

Equal Exchange

Planet Based Milks

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Green Goddess Noodle Salad from Biona

Whether you’re working or not, taking a proper break away from laptops and phones to refuel with nourishing food is essential. Try this noodle salad from Biona, quick to make and easy to customise with whatever veg you have available. You’ll be making this zingy green goddess dressing again.
Whether you’re working or not, taking a proper break away from laptops and phones to refuel with nourishing food is essential. Try this noodle salad from Biona, quick to make and easy to customise with whatever veg you have available. You’ll be making this zingy green goddess dressing again.


Serves Two

For the Salad

• 150g Biona Organic Spelt Buckwheat Noodles
• 150g vegetables to steam - broccoli, asparagus and green beans all work well, as do frozen peas or edamame beans
• Raw vegetables – we’ve used a pak choi, half a bulb of fennel, chopped spring onions, half a cucumber, half an avocado - but sub in whatever crunchy fresh vegetables you have in the fridge
• A handful or two of salad leaves, like watercress or baby spinach, lettuce or a salad mix
• A small handful of chopped nuts and seeds. Cashews, almonds and peanuts are great, and use any seeds you have available like poppy seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin or sunflower seeds, chia seeds
• A good handful of coriander and mint, roughly chopped
• Fresh chilli, finely sliced

 
 For the Dressing -  (we’d recommend doubling it and saving some for tomorrow)

• 1 lime, zested and juiced
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 2 tbsp Biona Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 small garlic clove, grated
• Thumb sized piece of ginger, grated or finely chopped
• 1 tsp Biona Organic Tamari Sauce
• A pinch of cayenne pepper or chilli flakes
• Sea salt and milled black pepper, to taste

 
METHOD

 

1. Cook the noodles in a pot of boiling water until tender. Err on the side of undercooked rather than over. Drain and rinse under cold water for 30 seconds. Once the water has drained off, toss in a little oil to stop the noodles sticking together.
2.  
3. Steam the broccoli, green beans or asparagus for five minutes, leaving them with a bit of bite.
4.  
5. Mix all of the dressing ingredients together in a bowl until well combined.
6. Dress the salad leaves, the raw and steamed vegetables and the noodles together, than serve into bowls and top with the nuts, seeds and fresh herbs.

 

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Biona Organic Spelt Noodles

Biona Olive Oil

Organic Vegetables

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Tiba Tempeh Red Peanut Curry

This plant-based red curry from our friends at Tiba Tempeh is rich and creamy from the coconut milk and peanut butter, and brought to life with aromatic spices. 

 

 

 

Serves two, ready in half an hour. 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients:

 

 

 

1 tbsp of coconut oil 

 

3 shallots, finely chopped 

 

2 garlic cloves, crushed 

 

A thumb size piece of ginger, finely grated 

 

2 tbsp Thai red curry paste 

 

Tiba Tempeh Curry Pieces 200g

 

1/2 can chopped tomatoes 

 

1/2 can of full fat coconut milk 

 

150gr baby spinach or chopped kale 

 

2 tbsp smooth peanut butter 

 

Salt to taste 

 

 

 

 

 

Serve with:

 

 

 

Brown or white steamed rice 

 

Roughly chopped roasted peanuts

 

A handful of coriander

 

A wedge of lime 

 

 

 

 

 

Method:

 

 

 

1. Add the coconut oil to a large pan and place on a medium heat. Add the chopped shallots, garlic and ginger. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until the shallots start to brown. 

 

 

 

2. Add the curry paste and give it a good stir, then add the Tiba Curry Pieces and stir-fry for 3 minutes. 

 

 

 

3. Add the chopped tomatoes and 1 cup of water. Turn down to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes. 

 

 

 

4. Add the coconut milk and peanut butter, mix everything together, put the lid on and cook for a   further 10 minutes until you have a creamy sauce. 

 

 

 

5. Add the baby spinach or chopped kale, stir everything one last time and simmer for 1 more minute or until the greens have wilted. Season to taste with salt. 

 

 

 

6. Serve the curry with basmati rice, chopped salted peanuts, fresh coriander and a squeeze of lime.

 

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Lockdown Essentials

Explore our lockdown essentials helping to make this strange time a little more okay. From bath oils for your evening wind down to the chocolates bringing us a dose of pure joy, we hope our suggestions enhance your days at home as they have ours.



Meditate 

Dependent on technology more so than ever, taking five minutes to pause, switch off and meditate is a great way to improve focus and concentration. Read Blasta Henriet’s guide on how to get started with their meditation eye pillow here. 



Froth 

One of the things we miss the most from our old routine is the morning oat flat white. Recreate at home without a steaming wand by heating up your m*lk of choice and whisking vigorously until frothy before pouring into coffee.



Bathe 

Finishing work, taking an evening stroll then running a hot bath has become a daily ritual for many of us in the office. Pour in a good glug of REN’s Atlantic Kelp Bath Oil to soothe a tired body and mind, or add a few drops of lavender essential oil to help unwind. 



Take 5 

Taking breaks from work is important and can help to improve focus and productivity. Step away from your laptop and phone and take five minutes to do nothing. Mix OMGTea’s AAA grade matcha into a paste with a drop of water, then once it’s smooth, top up with not-quite-boiling water. 



Savour  

There’s nothing better than savouring the taste of chocolate melting on your tongue. Try a single origin chocolate that you haven’t tried before, like one of BlanxArt’s organic bars made in Barcelona, and take note of all the flavours and textures that come to you. 



Indulge

Make your bath a little more indulgent with a face mask. This Raw Cacao & Coconut Mask from Evolve smells heavenly and will leave skin feeling smooth and moisturised.  



Unwind  

It’s normal for the mind to whirr before we drift off, and even more so at the moment. A few hours before bed, drop CBD oil under the tongue and hold there for at least 30 seconds before swallowing to help start the wind down. 





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Lockdown Essentials

Explore our lockdown essentials helping to make this strange time a little more okay. From bath oils for your evening wind down to the chocolates bringing us a dose of pure joy, we hope our suggestions enhance your days at home as they have ours.



Meditate 

Dependent on technology more so than ever, taking five minutes to pause, switch off and meditate is a great way to improve focus and concentration. Read Blasta Henriet’s guide on how to get started with their meditation eye pillow here. 



Froth 

One of the things we miss the most from our old routine is the morning oat flat white. Recreate at home without a steaming wand by heating up your m*lk of choice and whisking vigorously until frothy before pouring into coffee.



Bathe 

Finishing work, taking an evening stroll then running a hot bath has become a daily ritual for many of us in the office. Pour in a good glug of REN’s Atlantic Kelp Bath Oil to soothe a tired body and mind, or add a few drops of lavender essential oil to help unwind. 



Take 5 

Taking breaks from work is important and can help to improve focus and productivity. Step away from your laptop and phone and take five minutes to do nothing. Mix OMGTea’s AAA grade matcha into a paste with a drop of water, then once it’s smooth, top up with not-quite-boiling water. 



Savour  

There’s nothing better than savouring the taste of chocolate melting on your tongue. Try a single origin chocolate that you haven’t tried before, like one of BlanxArt’s organic bars made in Barcelona, and take note of all the flavours and textures that come to you. 



Indulge

Make your bath a little more indulgent with a face mask. This Raw Cacao & Coconut Mask from Evolve smells heavenly and will leave skin feeling smooth and moisturised.  



Unwind  

It’s normal for the mind to whirr before we drift off, and even more so at the moment. A few hours before bed, drop CBD oil under the tongue and hold there for at least 30 seconds before swallowing to help start the wind down. 





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?Best Natural Sun Protection

With the weather getting warmer and our daily outdoor stroll or jog more important than ever, it’s time to prioritise protecting our skin from the sun. Here’s our beauty buyer’s edit of our favourite natural and organic formulas. 


Green People SPF 30

Made without essential oils, this organic sun lotion is perfect for those with ultra-sensitive skin, plus it’s water resistant and non-greasy. 
Shop



Ren Clean Screen Face Sun Screen SPF30

Our favourite face sun screen, REN’s formula does not clog pores, is quick to absorb and easily incorporated into daily skincare. Perfect for wearing under makeup.  
Shop



Madara City CC SPF 15 

This colour-correcting cream from Madara is the best of both worlds, protecting from UVA and UVB rays while perfecting the appearance of blemishes and skin tone. 
Shop



Hurraw Sun Lip Balm SPF15 

Don’t forget to protect your lips. This one from Hurraw is extra thick and creamy for longer staying power in the sunshine.  
Shop



Urtekram Aloe Vera

Enriched with hyaluronic acid and hexapeptide, this organic aloe vera will nourish and moisturise sun-kissed skin. 
Shop 


 

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Lockdown Literature

There's nothing like the escapism lended by a good novel or the gratification from delving into a new topic, so we rounded up the ultimate lockdown reads from our Head Office team. Perfect for whiling away a lazy bank holiday Monday.
Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know about the People We Don't Know by Malcolm Gladwell
One of the most popular reads from our office book club, this book illuminates how easy it is to misunderstand one another and the significant consequences of when we fail to interpret our fellow, equally flawed humans.
 
Gut: The Inside Story of our Body's Most Under-Rated Organ by Giulia Enders
“Giulia Enders covers everything from the gut-brain axis, the link between the gut and the immune system and deep dives into the different gut bacteria. Easy to read, this book is packed with advice for how to improve your gut health as well scientific information. A one stop shop to get to know your gut.” – Issy, Fresh Foods Associate Buyer
 
The Power of the Dog by Don Winslow
“The first novel in a fictional trilogy about Mexican drug cartels, this is by far the best book I’ve read. Art Keller, a DEA agent, pursues the “padron”, Adan Barrera. The trilogy is exceptional. If you need something to get stuck into at a time like this, it’s a great option. And, each book is 600 pages so you can easily lose yourself in it.” – Alex, Customer Director
 
Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo
“I’ve always believed in positive thinking and that your mind set can have an impact on success. This book reminded me that all problems can be solved, and everything is truly figureoutable. Especially in these uncertain times, we need to focus on being positive.” – Alexa, Grocery Sales and Marketing Assistant
 
And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
“From the very beginning of the novel, we are taken down a path of uncertainty, but this path bares an overwhelming sense of hope that shines a light on the unity of love and the special bonds that bind us altogether. At times like this, we need to remember what and who is important in our lives, so a novel that gives hope and light seems apt. The book is about pining after loved ones, separation and being reunited so gives us all hope that patience is key and love is there, regardless of who you are around.” – Sophie, Senior Chilled Buyer
 
Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
“A relatable memoir about growing up and the terrifying uncertainty that comes with it. It’s witty and makes you laugh, smile and almost cry. Almost like a true Bridget Jones’ diary.” – Caroline H, Own Label Brand Manager
 
Lost at Sea: The Jon Ronson Mysteries by Jon Ronson
“A collection of weird and wonderful tales from journalist and author, Jon Ronson. Always funny and intriguing, Ronson delves into extraordinary lives, mysterious worlds and bizarre situations. So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed and The Psychopath Test are also fantastic. The kind of books you’ll always reference.” – Caroline L, Marketing Manager
 

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Self-care tips from REN

At home self-care solutions to keep you looking and feeling yourself.
Stress and uncertainty can take its toll on the body and mind. Whether you’re working during this current climate, or at home possibly feeling disconnected, taking time to care for ourselves physically and mentally is never more important. While skincare, to some, may appear a superfluous luxury, it can help underpin our daily routine and sense of normality, also providing relief and a moment of calm. We asked our #TeamClean on Instagram what they’d like to see from us, and self care and distraction was still high up there.
With that, here’s our tips to keep you feeling and looking yourself, while hopefully taking a moment of calm, however you’re spending your time.


Keep your hands healthy.

Whatever your daily routine may currently look like, the advice is to wash our hands more frequently and at least for 40-60 seconds each time. Now’s the time to reach for a sulphate-free hand wash if you can. Sulphates or ‘SLS’ can be drying, stripping the skin of natural oils and weakening it’s protective barrier.
Atlantic Kelp and Magnesium Hand Wash will help provide optimal hand-hydration and protection from uncomfortable chapping and drying, while still purifying the skin. Follow up with our Energising Hand Lotion to lock in moisture, which is especially needed when using alcohol-based hand sanitisers - a must in the current climate. 


A moment for your mind. 

Switch off the news, stop scrolling your feed and take time to ease your mind. If you have a bath, stand in it and scrub dry skin with one of our body scrubs, then simply lie down and allow the salts, nourishing oils and fragrances disperse while your muscles relax. Our Moroccan Rose, Atlantic Kelp and Guerande Salt scrubs all contain aromatherapeutic blends of natural fragrances, so breath deeply as you relax.
For those without a bath, use them in-shower, too or as an anytime hand scrub to avoid flaky hands - just avoid using on chapped or broken skin. When you’re finished, lock in moisture with your favourite body cream and spritz & Now To Sleep Pillow Spray on your pillows, fresh linens or even pyjamas to further help your mind unwind.  

Keep up the cleansing. 

Outdoor pollution, especially for city livers, can wreak havoc on skin. Airborne particles can clog pores, induce breakouts and lead to premature ageing. Indoor air is essentially the same, not accounting for dust inside our homes. Proper cleansing here is key, AM and PM. Massage Perfect Canvas Clean Jelly Oil Cleanser over your skin to break up dirt and impurities, and really take your time with it, as massaging can not only increase microcirculation but can release pent-up stress and give you a moment of calm. Why not practice some deep breathing as you cleanse, too. 
 

Reveal even, glowing skin. 

AHAs and BHAs are known for helping deeply cleanse, break up dead cells and smooth skin texture, but they can make your skin more sun sensitive. As we’re spending more time in our homes, now is a great time to incorporate acid-based formulas like Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic and Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask. We’re not recommending you go gung-ho and irritate your skin, as inflammation can lead to premature ageing, so use AHA Tonic daily and Glycol Lactic Mask as a twice-weekly treatment, Depending how your skin responds, you can use AHA Tonic morning and evening - but always use sunscreen when venturing outdoors. 
If you’ve got hyperpigmentation, being indoors is the perfect time to help fade discolouration as sun exposure won’t counteract your efforts. Overnight Glow Dark Spot Sleeping Cream is a non-acid treatment, so you can use it in conjunction with all of the above.
 

Future proof your skin.

If you are lucky enough to get outside - whether that's in your garden or on a run to your local park, be sure to safeguard your smooth complexion. Use Clean Screen SPF 30 to protect skin from burning and prevent premature ageing such as leathering and hyperpigmentation in one simple step. 
However you are tackling the recent changes to your daily routine, take care of yourself, of others and stay safe.
 


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Sourdough School Tin Loaf Recipe

Our friends at The Sourdough School are sharing their most basic sourdough tin loaf recipe. Aside from proving and resting times, this loaf only requires about 15 minutes of actual effort, once you have your starter going. This recipe makes two loaves to save you time, so halve it if you only need one loaf.
Our friends at The Sourdough School are sharing their most basic sourdough tin loaf recipe. Aside from proving and resting times, this loaf only requires about 15 minutes of actual effort, once you have your starter going. This recipe makes two loaves to save you time, so halve it if you only need one loaf. 
 
If you’re new to sourdough and don’t have a starter, you can ask a friend who already bakes for some of theirs, or you can make your own from scratch. The Sourdough School have fantastic video tutorials here on their website.
 
 

Equipment:

Large mixing bowl
2 x Large 900g (2lb) loaf tin, or 2 small ones
2 x Clean tea towels
Wooden spoon
Sheet of greaseproof paper
 

Time and temperature guidelines:

Day 1 – Thursday
9pm – Refresh your sourdough starter. Use tap water at about 22°C
 
Day 2 – Friday
8am – Refresh your sourdough starter. Use tap water at about 22°C
 
Day 2 – Friday
8pm – Prepare and weigh out the ingredients
 
Day 2 – Friday
8.30pm – Mix the dough. Use your bubbly, lively starter. Try to mix your dough at a temperature of 23°C. Leave the dough in the tin on the kitchen side overnight. When you’re done making the dough, put your starter back in the fridge at a temperature of about 5°C.
 
Day 3 – Saturday
8am Onwards – you can bake at any time from 8am, or you can store the dough in the fridge and bake any time until 4pm.
 

Makes: 1 large 900g (2lb) loaf or 2 smaller loaves (reduce baking time accordingly)
 
Ingredients:

750g water at 27°C
500g stoneground organic wholegrain flour
500g organic strong white flour
200g bubbly lively sourdough starter (second build – starter that has been refreshed twice)
20g fine sea salt
butter, ghee or coconut oil, to grease the tin
about 2 tablespoons oil to drizzle over the top and around the sides of the loaf (we used olive oil)
 
 
Method:
 
Double refresh
It is important to build the microbes in the starter if you only bake once a week. A double refreshment as outlined in the timetable above will make a beautiful loaf.
 
Mix
In a large bowl, mix 700g of your water with the starter, remembering to pay attention to the temperature of the water. Mix well – getting plenty of oxygen in at this point helps the yeast to reproduce. Add the flour and salt and mix until all the ingredients come together.
 
You don’t need to knead: just mix well, then wait 10 minutes. You can then add the last 50g water, incrementally (2 x 25g), over the course of 5–10 minutes, allowing each addition to absorb well. This technique helps create a beautiful open crumb because the gluten forms stronger bonds when the dough is less hydrated.
 
Prepare the tin by greasing a sheet of baking parchment lightly with butter, ghee, coconut oil or lard (not olive oil.) Then line the tins with the baking parchment. Transfer the dough to the tins.
 
Prove
Leave the dough overnight on the kitchen table, covered with a clean tea towel. As a general guide, the ambient temperature at the School is generally about 23°C.
 
In the morning, the dough will be 50 percent bigger. If you prefer, at this stage you can make your loaf sourer and therefore more digestible, by transferring it to the fridge for another 3–4 hours before baking.
 
Bake
Preheat your oven to 220°C/428F/Gas mark 7 for at least 30 minutes before you are ready to bake. Place a small pan of boiling water at the bottom of the oven (or use a Dutch oven if you can fit your tin inside one). The extra steam from the water will help to form a beautiful crust.
 
Drizzle the olive oil over the top and around the sides of the loaf. Reduce the heat to 180°C/355F/Gas Mark 4 and bake for about 45–50 minutes. I don’t give precise timings, as everyone’s oven is different. Bake to the point that you like the look of the loaf – it should be a beautiful golden colour. As soon as it comes out of the oven, carefully place it in the box provided by the person you are baking for. Be sure to maintain correct social distancing. See protocol here on the Sourdough Exchange page.
 
Storage
I usually advise that sourdough needs to cool in the tin for a few minutes before cooling completely out of the tin, preferably on a wire rack.
 
Tips
How to refresh your starter
 
You can see my video here on how to refresh your sourdough starter.
 
Leftover starter
I realise it feels wasteful to discard when refreshing, but please remember that this gives the yeast a boost and is a necessary step because the acidity retards yeast. You will get flat, sour bread if you keep it all. You can use the leftover starter in many other recipes such as pancakes or muffins, or if you are a Sourdough Club member my recipe for chocolate rye. You can also compost it.

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Seven Ways to Stay Calm When You're Stuck at Home with Pukka Herbs

Working from home and self-isolation is now the ‘new normal’ for many and we face a period of uncertainty. 
 
Swapping the office desk for a kitchen table, and face-to-face meetings with video chats has the potential to dampen our moods, making us feel more anxious and tense than ever before.
 
And whilst ‘me time’ is crucial to give our minds and bodies a rest, when it’s forced upon you, it might not seem so appealing! These 7 expert-approved tips will help keep you calm when everything around you seems so crazy… 
 
Establish calm surroundings 
 
If you’re going to be spending all your time at home, it needs to become somewhere that you’re happy to spend time in. 
 
When the weather permits, open windows for 15 to 20 minutes to remove stale air from inside the home, and allow fresh air in. If you dry your washing indoors, it’s even more important to allow air to circulate and to get rid of damp air. Natural, toxic-free candles can also help to create a calming atmosphere in the home. 
 
Sip on herbs 
 
We’re all familiar with the phrase ‘hug in a mug’ and you won’t be surprised to hear that the simple action of sipping a warm cup of tea can be oh-so-comforting. What’s more if that tea has additional herbs and ingredients to calm you, such as chamomile, lime flower or tulsi, all the better. 
 
“In an office environment, people give themselves time throughout the day to take a tea break, but at home we’re not as likely to do so,” explains Jo Webber, Head of Herbal Education and Ayurvedic Practitioner at organic wellbeing company Pukka Herbs. 
 
“A mug of herbal tea can help to calm a busy mind, particularly if it incorporates well known stress-relieving herbs. One of my favourites is Pukka’s Relax blend, made with chamomile flower to help us unwind, as well as fennel seed and ginger to ease digestion and give anxious tummy’s some respite.” 
 
Exercise at home 
 
Personal Trainer Lucy Gornall says that despite gyms being closed, working out at home is still a great way to get your heart rate up, and clear an anxious mind.
 
“I recommend a 20-minute-high intensity interval routine”, says Lucy. “Set a timer and work on a 45 seconds on, 15 seconds off set-up. Alternate between squat jumps, burpees, high knees and mountain climbers; you’ll be breaking a sweat in no time. Plus, you can do it in front of the TV!” 
For easy-to-follow routines, check out Youtube, which is home to a multitude of workouts from yoga through to high impact exercises. 
 
Housework 
 
Psychotherapist Noel McDermott (www.noelmcdermott.net) explains: “The mental health benefits of housework cannot be overplayed. Cleaning and de-cluttering do wonders for your mood. So, when self-isolating, jump to it and get everything done you’ve been putting off in your home.” 
 
Scrubbing the oven, clearing out old clothes and cleaning windows are just three jobs that we often find on that never-ending to-do list…
 
Put the music on… 
“Make some ‘mix tapes’ and get ready for the many parties you are going to throw when you get back to civilian life,” says Noel. “Singing and dancing are great ways to release pent up energy and upbeat music will quickly put a smile on your face.” 
 
Take time to breathe 
 
We often underestimate the importance of breathing, but “practicing mindfulness and meditation may help you manage stress and high blood pressure,” says Jo. “It can also improve sleep quality and enable you to feel more balanced and connected.
 
“When you’re constantly under stress, your adrenal glands overproduce the hormone cortisol. Overexposure to this hormone can affect the function of your brain, immune system and other organs.”
 
Not sure how to get started? This simple routine shared by the NHS will help calm the mind in just five minutes:
 
Find a comfortable position – stood up, sat down, lying back – and place your feet roughly hip-width apart.
 
Breath in through your nose and out through your mouth, gently and regularly. Try counting steadily from 1 to 5 on your breath in. Then, without pausing, let it flow out gently, counting to 5 again. Do this for up to 5 minutes.
 
Embrace routine 
 
You might find that you work and eat from the same table, and actually, with no human connect, find yourself settling down for a day in your dressing gown, with no real motivation to get dressed or even shower. However, going about your normal morning routine – even as so far as setting your alarm- will help you get in the right frame of mind and boost your productivity.
 
Lucy explains, “Too much ‘downtime’ is not a good thing in times of uncertainty and keeping your usual routines helps us have a sense of control. Wake up and go to bed as usual, eat healthy, manage your work hours and find
 

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