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Sunday 13 December 2015

Pukka Winter Wellness Challenge

Hello My Lovelies,

I hope you are all doing well and have had a fabulous weekend. It is no secret that I always feel a little worse for wear around this time of year...quite frankly it's all down to the fact I am working super hard and my immune system is being tested...especially with this winter weather. I was a premature baby so when I was younger I was always unwell, as I have grown older I have become stronger, but sometimes your body just needs a little helping hand. I remember the Christmas before last I was working Christmas hours on a Chanel counter in Debenhams and there was this nasty virus going around...I honestly thought I had dodged the bullet but nope...lucky Sophia caught it and I was so unwell. I lost my voice (which has never happened to me before), I had a high temperature and I was just feeling really lousy - it is inevitable around this time of year. So, when Pukka contacted me in regards to taking part in their Winter Wellness Challenge I just had to give it a try...anything to ensure my immune system and body is fighting fit for the upcoming winter months.

The challenge was mainly focused around their very own Elderberry and Echinacea tea, which was a variation I had never tried from Pukka before. Elderberries are hugely effective at maintaining a strong immune system because of their anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties. There are lots of research studies that support the protecting properties of this super fruit and champion them as a great way for you to fight off viruses during the winter months. During this challenge, we had to stick to a selection of tips from Sebastian Pole who is the co-founder of Pukka Herb's and also a master herb smith across a 2 week period.

Tip numero uno; Move over Echinacea, Elderberry is the new superfood. To make the most of the protective properties elderberries have to offer, and introduce some of their natural goodness into my diet, I had to incorporate one teaspoon of Pukka Elderberry syrup up to three times a day. The syrup itself didn't have a bad taste at all which made incorporating it into my daily routine so much easier...there is nothing worse than dreading to take something that tastes quite yucky. What does Elderberry Syrup do? Elderberry juice, manuka honey 14+, trikatu and thyme, along with other herbs in the syrup, have been used to help support seasonal health. This concentrated broad-spectrum syrup contains the highest organic grade, sustainably cultivated herbs, carefully selected to bring you the full potential of nature's goodness. Whilst taking the syrup I definitely noticed an increase in my energy levels which was amazing...it made waking up in these dreadfully dark mornings so much easier which I thought would never be possible.

Tip number two; Stay hydrated. This is easier said than done for me because I definitely don't drink enough water or any other hydrating liquids than I should. As the months get colder, many forget it is important to drink lots of warm water and stay hydrated. It is paramount to maintaining tip-top health because when hydrated, your body finds it so much easier to flush out toxins and fight bacteria. One way to drink lots of water and simultaneously help you stay warm in the winter is to enjoy some tea...and lately I have been enjoying the Pukka Elderberry and Echinacea tea. For a double boost I sometimes added a teaspoon of the Pukka Elderberry Syrup for added flavour and to ensure I had my daily intake from tip number one. The tea itself reminds me of your typical herbal tea and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The only thing I wasn't 100% sold on with this tea is the slight hint of licorice taste which stems from the licorice root used in the formulation. I have never been a lover of licorice, however, everyone is different so don't let my opinion put you off.


Tip number 3; Get rest. This is another easier said than done tip for me...I definitely don't get enough sleep as I should and my sleeping patterns are pretty much everywhere. Late nights and early starts can really take a toll on your body if you don't get enough hours of sleep. The body is said to repair and rejuvenate itself when it rests, so it's imperative that we give our bodies the chance to do so. They say seven to eights hours sleep a night is perfect for letting your body's cells, tissues and organs repair themselves and keep your immune system strong. I will put my hands up and say I totally failed this part of the challenge. I work full-time Monday to Friday and I am usually up around 5am every morning as part of my weekly routine. I usually get home around 6pm and, to be honest, I don't usually get to bed until around 11pm and I don't actually fall asleep until gone midnight - not the best sleeping pattern in the world, but I haven't been able to shake this routine - it is something I am definitely working on though.

Tip number 4; Keep exercising. When it's cold and wet outside it's tempting to stay indoors and sit in the warmth (ohh how I know the feeling), but do try to incorporate some kind of exercising into your weekly routine. It's not just to keep fit, but to build your army of antioxidants that will help you fight the viruses that are everywhere during the winter season. Around the time I started this challenge I had just joined a 7-week personal training bootcamp and next week will be my 7th and final week in the program. I can honestly say that the combination of exercise and all of the other tips have really helped me change my lifestyle around slightly...it is amazing to see your body change when you alter the tiniest of things in your daily routine. I have already signed up to the next bootcamp which takes place in the New Year so I am excited about this new journey.


Final tip number 5; Massage yourself. The cold weather often brings with it aching joints and frozen muscles. To offset this seasonal tendency, massage yourself with warm organic oil. Pukka have an active oil which is perfect for this...simply apply and then finish off which a hot shower. To be honest, I don't suffer from this as much at the moment *touch wood*, however, I have noticed that some morning when I over stretch I can trap muscles in my legs...had anyone else ever experienced this? It is seriously the most painful thing ever but once the muscle loosens it feels so much better.

Overall, I really enjoyed taking part in the Pukka winter wellness challenge and I have discovered some new products that I will definitely be incorporating in my daily routine...I mean there is no harm in taking syrups and drinking specially formulated teas like these on a daily basis when you know they are working behind the scenes to keep your immune system in tip-top condition. I am quite proud of how well I took to the challenge and I am excited about how it has changed the way I feel. I mean, I know I didn't stick to all of the tips religiously, however, just incorporating the tea and syrup alone made such a huge difference. Pukka also gifted me this cute tea tin which I will be using for work from now on. I will make sure to pack it up so I can enjoy some yummy tea throughout the day at work also. If you would like to give any of the products mentioned in this post a try they can be purchased at independent health food stores and www.pukkaherbs.com. The Elderberry Syrup has RRP of £12.49* (100ml) and the Elderberry and Echinacea Tea has RRP of £2.39* (20 sachets).

I hope you all enjoyed this lifestyle related post and diving into the winter wellness challenge. If you found it interesting I would definitely recommend you taking part in your own little challenge...if you do please let me know, I would absolutely love to hear about it all. Like always lovelies, if you have any questions, requests or if you just want a chat you can contact me on my social media or leave me a comment below. I love hearing from you all and I make sure to read every single comment…they really make my day!

Lots of Love

*PR Sample - Not Sponsored
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6 comments

  1. I'm so with you on feeling rubbish at this time of year, so these products sound right up my street :)

    Claire | Stylingo.co.uk xx

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  2. I have never tried anything with elderberry but as a tea lover, I would definitely give it a try!

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  3. This time of the year , I feel so down as well. God knows why, but my energy seems to have drained since the moment I wake up.

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  4. I love fruit teas and quite like the taste of Elderberry, not tried the Pukka version though x

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  5. i might need to try this, my immune system sucks really bad!
    Pam xo/ Pam Scalfi♥

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  6. I've been having alot of yogi tea and kusmi, they're both really good for when you're feeling under the weather as well. I'll have to try this one though!

    Ella Pinto xx

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