Radiance - The Juice Cleanse Co.

Ingredients

1 cup chocolate chips we used Om Bar
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 teaspoon maca
1-2 drops vanilla extract
1 packet strawberries

Directions

1. Using a double boiler, bring some water to a boil in the bottom pot.
2. In the top pot, stir in the chocolate chips and the coconut oil until combined. The coconut oil keeps the chocolate from burning or clumping, so if you notice either of these things happening, add a little more coconut oil as needed.
3. Stir in the maca, and vanilla extract. Continue to stir so the chocolate stays nice and smooth.
4. Line a cookie sheet with wax/parchment paper.
5. Begin dipping your strawberries into the melted chocolate. Place them on the lined cookie sheet.
6. While the chocolate is still hot, top with almonds or coconut. It's best to top each one as you make it.
7. Place in the fridge to harden for 5-10 minutes before they are ready to eat. Keep stored in the fridge or the chocolate will melt!

Did you know that our body’s largest regenerative organ is our skin? The fuel we put in makes a massive difference to how our body performs in every way, and skin is a real mirror of your diet and lifestyle. This month we’re thrilled to have had a chat all things skincare and natural results with leading Medical Aesthetic Expert and Beauty Editor favourite Dr Wassim Taktouk. 

As a leading figure in Aesthetic Medicine it was really interesting to hear how much weight Dr Wassim places on a healthy lifestyle. Basic things like getting enough sleep and drinking enough water are tools we all have at our disposal but don’t necessarily practice. Diet and lifestyle can seem like the least exciting rejuvenation tool these days but it is perhaps the most accessible and necessary. In this generation of quick fixes, people seem to seek a solution that can be achieved in a single consultation. Never before has life been instant, order something online and it can be with you that afternoon. This snap approach has inevitably trickled all the way down to all aspects of our life…

This quick-fix mentality coupled with the introduction of face altering filters and the increasingly unrealistic beauty demands put on us every time we open our phone has seen a rise in injectables and lunchtime procedures. These treatments have become so accessible and everyone seems to think they have to reach this falsified image of perfection, instantly. It was so refreshing to hear about the ‘light touch’ approach Dr Wassim takes, someone so influential in this industry.  He will never perform a procedure on someone who he doesn’t think will benefit, and always seeks to achieve natural results. 

As Dr Wassim so eloquently put, “You will always be drawn to the person with the glowing skin, not necessarily the person with no wrinkles, it is such a reflection of your health on the inside.” We couldn’t agree more, and with clinics and salons currently closed, why not use this time to look at our diet, lifestyle and product choices to rejuvenate our skin and improve our health?

Dr Wassim himself has used this lockdown as a vehicle for a little bit of self-care and embarked on a 5-day juice cleanse. “It works out perfectly, not only do you feel amazing but given the numbers in London at the moment you don’t even want to step foot into a supermarket”. 

According to Dr Wassim, patients are steadily becoming more and more health and wellness aware and are far more proactive than they were at taking better care of themselves inside and out. He will always initially advise preventative skin care rather than launching straight into a treatment right away. Those that have taken those extra steps will yield the best quality results and see much more longevity in their treatments. 

Here are Dr Wassim’s top 5 tips to support regeneration and keep you glowing from the inside out:

1. Drink plenty of water, it’s a boring one but I notice such a difference when I remember to drink enough

2. Look into pro skincare before just buying something from a brand name with real science back research. (See his Instagram for recommendations)

3. Consider the A,B,C’s:

1. Vitamin A AKA Retinol helps to increase cell turnover and is the only clinical proven ingredient that reverses signs of ageing.

2. Vitamin B AKA niacinamide supports the skin barrier and improves texture

3. VItamin C is required for collagen production and brightens skin

4. Never forgot your SPF

5. Try a juice cleanse once in a while to hit the reset button. 

A huge thanks to Dr Wassim Taktouk for joining us this month. To read more about Dr Wassim’s work and approach visit https://www.drwassimtaktouk.com/ . Consultations are available at his Clinic in Sloane Street, SW1X.

1. Simply save the bones from your roasted chicken (including legs and wings that may have been on the serving platter), and add to a large pot or Dutch oven. We also included the lemon wedges and rosemary that were cooked with our whole roasted chicken*, but this is optional.
2. Then simply top with filtered water until generously covered (about 12 cups / 2880 ml).
3. Next, add in a bit of salt to season the broth (you can add more later).
4. Then add 1-2 Tbsp (15-30ml) apple cider vinegar, which is added primarily as the acidity breaks down the collagen. You can also sub lemon juice, but we prefer apple cider vinegar.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook for at least 10-12 hours, or until reduced by 1/3 or 1/2, leaving you with 6-8 cups of bone broth. The more it reduces, the more intense the flavor becomes and the more collagen is extracted. We find 12 hours to be the perfect cook time.
6. Strain and use or store.

*Alternatively, you can go to your local butcher and buy bones exclusively for making broth. But we find it’s much more streamlined to buy a whole chicken, roast it, and then use the leftover bones to make broth. 

You can drink this bone broth on its own or as a base for a wonderfully, nourishing soup!