Have your cake and eat it...

A delicious and guilt free recipe for the entire family- whats not to love?

What you will need:

3 eggs

150 ml Virgin Olive oil

50g Cocoa powder

150 ml water

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

150g Ground Almonds

A pinch of salt

1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

4 tablespoons Agave

 

Mix 3 eggs with olive oil. Add the cocoa powder dissolved in boiling water with vanilla extract. Whisk, then add the ground almonds, salt and bicarbonate. Whisk again and add the agave.

Finally bake for 40 minutes on 170 c

Cool down and serve with berries.

Bon Appetite! x

 

Free from (Chemical) Nasties...

 

This is a true story of The Devil Wears Prada fashion magazine types.

A magazine editor friend of mine has great hair, the sort that you see on beauty editors who live in Manhattan, all glossy and blow-dried to perfection. But her colour used to fade fast. Then she started using my shampoo and when she turned up for her next salon appointment her colourist gave her a strange look:

“Have you been cheating on me?” he said, quietly.

“No!” she squealed (because the last thing you should do in Manhattan is go behind your colourist’s back. It’s just too risky, especially if you’re in magazines and need to look fabulous at all times.)

He picked up strands of her hair and frowned. He looked underneath. He peered carefully at the crown, checking her roots. Then he said, “What products have you been using? Because your colour is holding up really well.”

She told him she’d switched to using mine (which I was thrilled about as the colourist is a big fancy name-to-know in NYC). He was really surprised that her colour had not faded much at all between appointments (which is why he assumed she’d been cheating on him with another salon across town).

At her next appointment she brought out a couple of my bottles and showed his fellow stylists the label. “Look! No sodium lauryl sulphate,” he whispered. You see pretty much all shampoos do contain this and it really is horrid stuff – it strips the hair – like using Fairy Liquid on your precious tresses. “No sulphate or propylene glycol, parabens or synthetic polymers either,” he said, raising an eyebrow. That’s the stuff which coats the hair in plastic-type sealants to make a blow dry super fast and gives it that salon sheen, but at what cost to your poor hair?

According to my friend, they were delighted to learn that the shampoos contained gorgeous natural ingredients too, like ximenia oil, vegetable proteins, Kukui, a substantive honey derivative that smoothes the cuticle for shine and manageability, sugar derived cleaners (zero calories on the scalp, fear not) and fragrant mandarin oil which makes my products smell yummy.

My editor friend was absolved. Her colourist was convinced that she wasn’t cheating on him. All was well again in midtown Manhattan.

Talking of “The Devil Wears Prada” (did you see the film? I’ve seen it loads of times) One of my hair clients is the lovely Emily Blunt (she played the personal assistant to Miranda aka Meryl Streep). I asked Emily if she’d mind giving me a quote for my web site and she was kind enough to send me this:

“I love Louise Galvin’s Thick and Curly haircare collection, it leaves my hair incredibly smooth and shiny and they have no chemical nasties!”

Emily Blunt 

Heavenly healthy Hair

Two weeks ago my wonderful friend Marisa hosted an evening where my chemist Colette Haydon, my nutritionist Jackie McCusker and myself could hold a panel lead by Suzanne Duckett (beauty/ wellbeing/ spa journalist, Editor of Tatler Spa Guide, thisistheantidote.com) discussing all the ins and outs of healthy hair backed up by authentic and factual information. Suzanne managed to string all of our thoughts together and wrote a great piece summarising exactly what we discussed that night. 

Suzanne: "Genius hair colour, condition and product innovator Louise Galvin invited me to do an intimate pop-up Antidote salon in London this week on how to have healthy hair. It took place at a stunning private residence, amongst friends.

Her chemist Colette Haydon, nutrionist Jackie McCusker and myself were joined by a wonderful, lively audience of super smart and fabulous London women – all at the top of all of their fields from banking to fashion design.

It didn’t take us long to get in the swing of things and within no time we were talking very candidly about our hair health woes (among other confessions not to be revealed here!) and how we can have our best, heathiest hair possible.

Louise and Colette educated us on ingredients we should avoid, in particular SILICONE SILICONE SILICONE! And, PARABENS. According to Louise and Colette, Silicone is a no-no, not just because of the build up damage it can cause to the hair but the fact it makes highlights and colour fade quicker. Controversial Parabens, still suspect because of the continued growing concerns about their possible hormone disrupting effects they may have on our health (a serious health concern now recognised by the WHO among other respected health agencies). The jury may still be out, but I don’t know about you but I’m not keen on being a guinea pig while research and more studies continue.

Jackie talked about foods that act as hair conditioner from the inside out (walnuts, peppers, beetroot, eggs, chicory quinoa, to name a few) and I had fun poking fun at Colette’s wonderful French accent that pronounced antifreeeeeeze instead of anti frizz! Laughing aside, ironically antifreeze ingredients are actually used in many haircare products too – though not LG Haircare of course. All her products are free from SLS, Petrochemicals, Parabens, Silicone, Synthetic Fragrance and Polymers. She is not saying they are organic (she is a colourist by trade after all), merely as clean as she can make them while being darn good haircare at the same time.

The champagne flowed and so did the beautiful conversation – that’s what I call a great night in with the girls."

Thank you Suzanne for helping me create such a magical evening. Join the conversation using #ThisIsTheAntidote


Do you know what’s in your haircare products?

I have long had an understanding of the need to eat well and healthily and wherever possible organically. Instinctively I felt that my beauty and Haircare products should carry a similar philosophy and from that belief my Sacred Locks Haircare line was borne. 

Jackie McCusker, Nutritionist (BSc Hons, BANT, CNHC, specialist in endocrine disorders) comments in my blog on the mind boggling array of chemical nasties found in so many products today.

Jackie: "Do you know what’s in your haircare products? It’s worth taking a look if you value your health. You may have read about potentially harmful products, known as “endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs)”, which are found in everyday household items such as toothpaste, soap, sunscreens, shampoos and conditioners.

According to a report published in 2012 by the World Health organization, these EDCs may interfere with the normal functioning of your body’s endocrine system (including oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone and thyroid hormones). Here’s what the WHO says:

EDCs have the capacity to interfere with tissue and organ development and function, and therefore they may alter susceptibility to different types of diseases throughout life. This is a global threat that needs to be resolved.

State of the Science of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals, 2012, World Health Organisation

So what are these harmful chemicals? And are they lurking on your bathroom shelf? Chemicals found in personal care products, such as shampoos and conditioners, include Parabens, Polyethylene Glycol (PEG), Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate. To find out what each of these do – and their potential effects on your health – it’s worth going to the experts.

In 2002, four environmental organisations joined together to create the International Chemical Secretariat (ChemSec). Based in Sweden, ChemSec is a non-profit organisation with a vision of a world free from hazardous chemicals. Their on-going project is called the SIN List (Substitute It Now) [LINK: http://www.chemsec.org/what-we-do/sin-list] and is a really useful resource for the latest findings and guidance on this issue.

Extensive research at the Centre for Advanced European Studies and Research in Bonn, Germany has also found a direct link between chemicals in household products, such as soaps, and problems with declining sperm counts. The report was published in the journal EMBO and is available here [LINK: http://www.embo.org/news/research-news/research-news-2014/endocrine- disruptors-impair-human-sperm-function]

Whilst the omission of all chemicals from personal care products is virtually impossible, it would seem prudent for anyone actively seeking a healthier lifestyle to source their hair and skin care from companies that avoid or limit these potentially deleterious chemicals in their products, in favour of less toxic and environmentally damaging ones."

Thank you Jackie for your invaluable insights. Chemicals are a controversial topic, not just in the beauty industry. This is why my chemist and I chose not to use them in my products because of growing concerns in independent health organisations. Surely, even if there is a hint that these ingredients could be harmful, and there are clean natural alternatives available, why wouldn't we choose products like Louise Galvin Sacred Locks that are free from parabens, SLS, petrochemicals and silicones?

 

Further Reading:

A comprehensive list of chemicals permitted by the Natural Products Association

State of the Science of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals, 2012, World Health Organisation

“Substitute It Now!” 

 

Trust your intuition

In my career I’ve learned to rely on my training and experience. As a mother of three small children – a juggling act, and a journey into the unknown at times – I’ve had to trust my instincts.

While at the Lyla Nsloui Foundation’s special performance of the Gruffalo last month, I was suddenly reminded of a dark period in my own family's life. Lyla Nsloui was a little girl with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG),an untreatable, incurable, inoperable and aggressive brain cancer. Heartbreakingly, Lyla passed away not long after her third birthday. I encourage you to learn more about the foundation set up in her memory here 

Daniel & Opehlia with The Gruffalo

At the event I felt so sad for Lyla’s parents. And also rather shaken as I remembered how close I came to losing my son to a life-threatening illness.

As a mother, when you know something is wrong, you need to trust your gut. Shortly after I had my third child, I started to notice some slight but still perceptible changes in my two-year-old son. He kept losing his balance, developed a slight tremor and said his head hurt. I took him to several doctors but was told “he will grow out of it” and “nothing to worry about”and “bring him back in six months”.

My mother’s instinct said no. I kept going until I found a specialist at The Cromwell Hospital, Dr Mike Markiewicz. After tests and scans our worst fears were confirmed. My precious little son had a brain tumour.

He went through a long painful surgery and recovery. Thankfully the tumour was benign but that’s not the end of the story. Due to the size of the growth, my son had to learn how to sit and walk again, to rebuild his strength and his motor skills. He has a full diary of regular check-ups at Great Ormond Street Hospital to ensure that the remaining tumour tissue has not grown or altered.

 As each appointment approaches I get sleepless nights. I want him to lead a normal life, but I do watch for signs constantly. I don’t want to mollycoddle him. But I worry. We don’t take a single day for granted.  I’m so relieved that I kept going, searching for an answer to his illness, in the face of so much skepticism from the medical profession. That’s what I truly learned through this experience. I’m grateful that my son is alive and I’m also more determined than ever to trust my instincts.

I have set up a page for a charity that I hold very close to my heart. Come and support an incredible institution, and the great work they do for children click here

What's in my Handbag?

I have just discovered Tom Ford Make up- and it really is divine. The colours work perfectly with my skin tone. It's easy to apply and enhances your skin, with a healthy and fresh look. A must try for any girl who loves the natural glow. 

5 A Day Juice

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I have my 5 a day for breakfast…

I'm limited on time, so one effective way of me managing my 5 a day is a green juice for breakfast. This is SO easy, and also very tasty. I have one of these every morning, and it just gives me the energy I need to start my day.

All you need for this super juice:

  • A juicer
  • Cucumber
  • Fennel,
  • Spinach
  • Kale
  • Celery

Happy Juicing! x

Why I Need Yoga

I have always enjoyed pilates and have been very active throughout my life.  That all came to a standstill when I met my wonderful husband. I became a step mother to 4 wonderful children, and had 3 small children of my own quite quickly. Juggling working life and small children left little time for me. Things became quite difficult after my little boy became unwell. This meant that I was over emotional and over tired. During this period I had bouts of pneumonia and chest infections. I was run down, and had no energy to enjoy my wonderful family, let alone think about my physical needs. A dear friend of mine had been telling me  that yoga had helped her cope with some difficulties in her life. Yoga helps to build on body strength, and also meditation which helps to focus the mind. 

I have recently started doing yoga with a great teacher, who has transformed how I think about my body and my approach to life. Not only am I feeling stronger, but I find I have more energy to deal with all the schedules in my life. I am also feeling calmer, and taller.

In my last class we discussed the importance of how we walk. As humans we tend to walk heel to toe, but make a conscious effort to walk toe to heel, and notice how you immediately walk taller, with better posture. Do think about how you can create more strength for your body. It benefits all areas of your life, and will make you feel invigorated and ready to face anything that life can throw at you unexpectedly.

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