Mother Distracted

Tuesday, 10 May 2016

Beck Valley Book Tour: Go Clean, Sexy You By Lisa Consiglio Ryan

Amazon best-seller is now in a second print run, Go Clean, Sexy You not only serves up a collection of delicious recipes, but offers a holistic approach on how to live a healthier life—putting whole foods into your body, detoxing every season to regularly cleanse your system, associating with those who fuel you not bring you down, and managing stress with activities that bring you back to balance.

A certified health and nutrition coach, author Lisa Consiglio Ryan provides straightforward guidance on how to overcome the obstacles that keep you from losing those last ten pounds, make you feel exhausted every afternoon, and compel you to indulge in unhealthy habits. Spending years struggling with a growing arsenal of health-destroying conditions that ranged from fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism, candida and rosacea to cystitis and tons of allergies, Lisa decided to turn to nutrition and lifestyle to reclaim her health. Then pursuing her education with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, she turned her personal quest into her vocation with the launch of Whole Health Designs.

As a nationally acclaimed wellness expert, Lisa has worked with thousands in her detox programs. Her approach incorporates easy-to-adopt eating habits, free from counting calories and fat grams. As you navigate through the seasons with Lisa’s whole food–based detox plans, you’ll be tapping into your body’s wisdom, forming sustainable habits, and developing loving, respectful relationship with your body. Not only will you feel better, you’ll look better too!

Available to buy from...

Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk Barnes and Noble iBooks Kobo

"Go Clean, Sexy You is the ultimate guide in how to balance and detox your body with easy-to-follow meal plans that are filled with delicious and nourishing whole food recipes." ―Debbie Adler, award-winning author of Sweet Debbie's Organic Treats: Allergy-free & Vegan Recipes from the Famous Los Angeles Bakery

“Lisa’s ‘make-it-work for you’ approach to detoxing empowers readers to love their clean, sexy bodies from the inside out.” ―Cynthia Sassi, Founder of FabulousArizona.com

"Go Clean, Sexy You is a must-read for anyone wanting to live healthy, feel their best, and love what they cook and eat. The recipes in Lisa's cookbook are simple, yet full of tasty ingredients that are both healthy and satisfying." ―Melissa Mayer, Editorial Assistant for Style Within Reach

About the author

Lisa Consiglio Ryan is the author of the cookbook, Go Clean, Sexy You. She is also the founder of Whole Health Designs, juicy clean living advocate and mama of two. She loves her yoga practice, running, and has a mission to spread the word, "Food is love." She provides detox programs and private coaching for women who desire to embrace clean living.

As a nationally acclaimed Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Lisa has worked with thousands in her Renewal 10 Day Detox programs. Her work has been featured in Fitness Magazine, TinyBuddha, Elephant Journal, Kris Carr's Crazy Sexy Life , The Daily Meal, Fox News and Mind Body Green. You can also check out Lisa's membership program, Clean + Sexy (year-long detox + community), Eat Clean 21- 21 days of gluten-free meal plans for plant lovers, and Juice Shop.

Find the author on the following sites...

Website Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest Goodreads Amazon Author Page

Join Lisa's Newsletter & Grab your FREE 12 Step Reboot Your Body Guide

complete with menu plan, recipes and shopping list! HERE

I WROTE THIS BOOK FOR YOU BECAUSE…

I know first-hand how it feels to be overwhelmed with all the diets, quick fix plans out there in the world.

I obsessed about my weight, and wrote endless to-do lists. I counted calories and carbs, took all kinds of vitamins, and worked out until I nearly keeled over. All the while, I dreamed of the day I’d be lean and fit and full of energy and confidence – the day I’d finally feel like I was “good enough”.

Nothing worked though. I’d start off well, and then a few weeks later, I’d go straight back to my old ways. Each time I dieted, it made me feel more and more exhausted, depressed and out of shape, as I beat myself up for not having the willpower to make it work.

And even though I was trying so hard to be healthier, the reality was that I was getting sicker. I had chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, rosacea, chronic cystitis, candida, thyroid issues and IBS… all before I was 30! I didn’t want to take meds, so I tried holistic therapies, got certified in holistic nutrition and my world changed.

I developed my own detox programs that I based on anti-inflammatory foods (fruits, veggies, and dark leafy greens), and started limiting inflammatory foods (dairy, gluten, caffeine, alcohol and processed sugar).

And for the first time in life, I started to see the results I’d dreamed of. I lost weight, felt lean and light, and had pep in my step. But best of all, I started feeling at ease around food. Instead of looking for quick fixes and diet programs, I started listening to my body, and letting it tell me what it needed.

For years, I used food as an enemy and after stepping back and truly listening to my body, I am now free of letting bad habits and twisted views of food run my life. I want you to experience the same freedom… and I’m here to guide you every step of the way with Go Clean, Sexy You.

Plus I want you to feel AMAZING!

Based on the results of the thousands of women (and super cool dudes) AND my own experience, here’s what you can expect:

all-day energy that starts the moment you wake up and doesn’t quit
the best sleep of your life: deep, blissful, uninterrupted rest the whole night long
clothes that look – and feel – better on you than they have done in years
a 4-10 pound weight loss (on average); could be more depending on your specific body and lifestyle
a happier gut: bloating and bowel problems become a thing of the past
no more cravings: the longing for sugar, caffeine and all the other nasties disappears
a clearer mind: that frustrating brain fog melts away, and you can finally focus again
increased sex drive (oh yeah!)
a radiant, natural beauty emerges: you’re suddenly awash in compliments about your clear, dewy skin; bright sparkling eyes; and soft, shiny hair
better immunity: getting rid of the toxins takes a load off your immune system, so you’re less likely to catch any of the bugs going around
renewed confidence in yourself: you can’t even remember when you last felt this sexy, vibrant and alive

AND being a part of something bigger than just recipes… a movement where we stand up for our health and truly tap into our bodies wisdom so that our loved ones can join us and be healthy too.

A Recipe to try!

Chilled Tomato Soup

serves 1

Ingredients:

3 tomatoes

1 cup coconut milk

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

¼ cup chopped yellow onion

¼ cup chopped red bell pepper

1 tablespoon lime juice

½ teaspoon cumin

In a blender or food processor, puree all ingredients until smooth. Chill in fridge for 15 minutes.

Serve.

MY REVIEW

I don't know what it is but there's something about the word "detox" that I find quite unsettling but in this book, Lisa gently encourages us to focus on the benefits our bodies will experience whilst not being too harsh a task master on ourselves.

It's great to read a detox book which takes into account that fact that we humans do tend to have the odd (well, frequent!) lapse and give up. Lisa urges us to put it behind us and carry on.

The seasonal selections of detox recipes are easy to make and don't contain ingredients which cost a small fortune to buy.

Basically Lisa gives you the tools and encouragement but as usual, it's up to you. I think you really have to be in the right frame of mind to consider a detox, as Lisa clearly was due to her health issues when she began her journey.

Even if you don't do the full detox, the recipes are healthy and tasty and could easily be added to your family repertoire of seasonal dishes.

If you're looking for a 'no muss, no fuss' detox book then I'd recommend taking a look at this one.

Follow the book tour

I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.

NOW FOR THE AUTHOR'S GIVEAWAY !!

SIGNED Book Giveaway to five lucky winners!
Ending on Sunday 15th May at 11.59pm EST

Open US/CA

Enter Below & Good Luck !!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Want Some BBQ Advice From A Michelin Star Chef?

After the glorious weekend weather we've just had, the time is nigh to dust off the barbecue in preparation for (hopefully) lots of alfresco dining in the sunshine.

We all know the risks of undercooked chicken and 'black and white' sausages (burned on the outside and completely raw on the inside!), but it's very easy to throw caution to the wind after a beer or two and forget our food hygiene basics.

Meat kebabs grilling on a barbecue - barbecue health & safety - motherdistracted.co.uk

There's nothing like a barbecue when the weather's warm

Here are some helpful reminders from Michelin Star Chef Steve Smith who runs the Bohemia Restaurant at The Club Hotel & Spa in Jersey.

Since Bohemia is the only restaurant in the Channel Islands to be listed in The Sunday Times Top 100 Restaurants and is ranked at number 49, I think it's worth paying attention.

Avoid Disasters

It may seem obvious but if you want to avoid any disasters then you need to make sure the BBQ is lit properly and is not in the proximity of anything that is potentially flammable!

Heat the Meat

Make sure that any poultry or pork items are thoroughly cooked to avoid food poisoning. To know if you have the right temperature to cook with you just need to wait for the flames to die down, and check the colour of the coals. They should glow red underneath and be white on the top or you can buy BBQ thermometers from any good BBQ retailer.

Michelin Star Chef Steve Smith @Bohemia Restaurant, Jersey

Safety First

Generally any type of fish, lamb or beef are the safest items to cook for those concerned about becoming ill at a BBQ, as they are low risk meats. You can cook them rare, medium, well done or as you would normally. Also you should always use separate utensils for cooking and serving.

Don’t Take Risks

Any pork and chicken items are the highest risk food generally cooked on the BBQ and you need to check that they are thoroughly cooked. Also make sure they are consumed immediately. If you leave them outside on a nice day for more than 30 minutes you are running a risk of giving someone food poisoning! Also try not to serve any form of rice salad, as it will likely spend the entire day sat out in warm conditions.

Impress Your Guests

BBQs are not just about meat, any type of vegetable kebabs are great! Be bold and use vegetables such as onions, peppers, aubergines, and kholarbi.

Barbecue on fire - barbecue health and safety - motherdistracted.co.uk

Best to have a fire extinguisher on stand-by

Don’t Leave Leftovers

Many people think that leftovers can be used the following day. This is generally a no no. Cook only what you need for the BBQ or you will just have to eat it all!

How many of these no-no's have you done? I'm guilty of at least two!

From a general safety point of view, remember that children, pets and barbecues don't mix and make sure you keep your babies, furry or otherwise well away from anything hot.

Let's hope for another sunny weekend and if you do light the barbecue, make sure you stay safe.

Take Your Toast To The Tropics With My Buko Organic Coconut Jam Giveaway

The humble coconut has been catapaulted into stardom recently thanks to its health-giving properties and lovely taste.

Now there is a new way to enjoy the benefits in coconut jam.

Buko Organic Coconut Jams

Buko have made the UK's first organic coconut jam which is a naturally sweet alternative to other spreads and jams. Vegan friendly, gluten free and non GMO, the jams contain a blend of vitamins, minerals and amino acids, including Inositol, the 'feel-good' Vitamin B8.

All Buko's coconuts come from organic, GMO free farms in the Philippines. (Buko actually means
a young green coconut in Filipino) and their coconuts are Fair Trade and are grown without pesticides or fertilizers.

Buko is also registered with the Soil Association and the company has teamed up with Cuipo, a lifestyle brand dedicated to preserving prime rainforest around the globe so that for every jar of the jam sold a square meter of rainforest is saved.

You can even enter a code found on the side of each jar on their website to find out where the piece of rainforest you have saved is.

The jam comes in 3 flavours, Original, Sea Salt and Chocolate and, having tested all three, I can tell you they are delicious.

The Original Jam tastes like a velvety caramel. The Sea Salt Jam has a lovely salty, toffee-like taste and you'd be hard pressed to tell the Chocolate Jam apart from Nutella, save for the coconutty taste of course.

Buko Organic Coconut Jam With Sea Salt - motherdistracted.co.uk

Scrummy Sea Salt Coconut Jam

These jams are an ideal alternative to the usual jams and are great spread on toast to give the kids an after school snack with a difference. They can also be used in baking or in smoothies or, my personal favourite, dolloped on top of some ice cream.

A full set of Buko Coconut Jams retails at £15.75 and I have 3 sets to give away to 3 lucky winners.

Just enter via the Rafflecopter. UK entrants only and terms and conditions apply. The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Tuesday 31st May 2016.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Releases, Free & Bargain Books Link-up 6 May 2016

It's Friday already - the weeks are flying by. Apparently it's going to be hotter than Ibiza in the UK this weekend so if you will be hitting the beach or your local park, you can find plenty to read on this week's link-up.

Here's the fab books on offer this week.

For Pre-orders post - PRE-ORDER / genre / title /author

For New Releases post - NEW / genre / title / author

For Free Books post - FREE / genre / title / author / end date

For Bargain Books post - SALE / price / genre / title / author / end date
(Strictly no Erotica please. Steamy romance is fine but watch those covers people, incase any underage child is viewing it!)

Click HERE for this week's awesome selection.

And don't forget you can always add some of your own!

Top Tips on Choosing a Vintage Engagement Ring

So you’re set on proposing to your special someone. The plan is all in your head, the flowers, the date, the flash dance. Everything! Whatever it is, you’re ready to make your commitment official. Now all that’s left to do is buy that diamond engagement ring. The best part of it all is that you already know your partner adores vintage rings. Half the struggle of the engagement ring selection process is already done when you know what style your partner wants. You only need to choose the best looking one and you’re good to go.

Image by Bill Young via Flickr

Few of us are experts at shopping for vintage engagement rings so here are some tips you may find useful.

You can start by looking at vintage and certified diamond rings in the UK from Serendipity Diamonds. Not only do they have a great selection, but they also have a wonderful customer service that make your shopping experience much easier.

Check the durability

The ring may be vintage but there’s no excuse for it to break after just a few years of wearing. Check the durability of the engagement ring. It should hold just as well as modern rings. The great news is that most vintage engagement rings are made with sturdy materials. This was back when mass produced rings weren’t popular yet and artisans actually took the time to craft jewellery. Quality materials were used to build handmade rings back then.

The setting should not be loose

Some vintage rings, because they are old, can have loose stones in them. Check if the ring’s stones are firmly held together by the setting. If not, you can have it re-set at the jeweller so it holds tight as if it’s brand new again.

A return policy is a must

If you’re buying the vintage engagement ring online, checking the return policy is a must. You never know when you need to return the ring. It could be because your special someone may want to get it replaced or it’s not what you thought it would be like in person. Whatever it may be, a good return policy is always needed in case you need to return the ring.

All the 4 Cs are estimated

Because vintage rings are already intact, you most likely won’t be able to get a true valuation for your ring. Most jewellers won’t be willing to disassemble a vintage ring simply because you want to know the clarity. Instead, you will be given an estimate of the cut, clarity, and colour of the ring.

We recommend that you begin narrowing down your choices at reputable jewellery shops known for providing accurate valuation for their rings. This helps take off the worry of whether the price you are being asked to pay is reasonable.

Consider the metal used in the wedding band

Vintage engagement rings often stand on their own which means it may be a challenge to find a band with a metal that will go best with your vintage engagement ring. If you appreciate the beauty of hers and hers wedding rings and plan to get one for your partner, you can wear it on the hand that doesn’t have the vintage engagement ring on it. It keeps the integrity of the vintage engagement ring without neglecting the wedding band which symbolises the union of your love.

Those are just some of the things to keep in mind when shopping for vintage engagement rings. I hope these tips help. And if things come to worst and your partner doesn’t like your choice, remember that return policy!

What other tips do you have for choosing a vintage engagement ring? Let me know in the comments!

Ways To Make Your Car Both Stylish And Functional

Although you might not realise it, there are some easy ways to keep your car both stylish and functional - two of the aspects which are important to drivers. You may find the four tips below helpful.

Fight the Rust

Rust is a big problem on the outside of your car. If you don’t have a garage where you can store your car and you have had the same car for a while, rust will start to appear. There are a number of ways that you can fight rust, and I’ve already mentioned one of them. You should definitely find some form of shelter from the elements for your car if that’s at all possible. It doesn’t have to be a garage; it could simply be a car canopy, for example. You also need to keep the body of the car waxed and clean. Rust doesn’t look good and it can spread and cause serious problems when it’s ignored. So, don’t let it damage your car.

Image Source

Keep the Interiors Clean

The condition of the inside of the car is equally important, particularly if you have a family. If you’re not careful, the inside of your car can become pretty messy and cluttered. This is what frequently happens when you have kids spending a lot of time in them. Food packaging and stains can mount up and cause you all kinds of problems. This certainly doesn’t help the car to look stylish, and it can make it pretty uncomfortable as well. So, you need to make sure that you hoover the interiors and use the right cleaning products to lift those troublesome stains.

Add Sporty Touches

Even the most practical family car can be improved and made more stylish by adding some sporty touches. There’s no excuse for having a dull car these days when we have so many interesting ways to make your car sporty. You could simply upgrade your tyres and upgrade the trims. This has an instant impact on how your car looks. Michelin pilot sport 3 tyres will also make the car drive better on the road too. So, it’s a win-win situation for you as a driver. You can also do things like improving the suspension or adding a new exhaust to the back of the car.

Photo source

Understand All the Space You Have

With modern cars, there are so many small storage spaces that you can take advantage of. Most people don’t even fully understand how much storage space they have at their disposal. Small cars are actually the best for this. They have lots of small, hidden storage compartments that are there to be discovered by you. For example, many super-minis have back seats that can fold back or lift up to reveal some extra storage space that you might not have known was ever there. You should check your owner’s manual and see exactly where all that storage space is. You just might be surprised by what you find out.

Win A Copy Of "ROOM" - A Powerful And Moving Film About A Mother's Love For Her Son [closed]

"Room" is an amazing and uplifting film about the bond between mother and child starring Academy Award, BAFTA and Golden Globe winning actress Brie Larson.

I will warn you that the film, directed by Lenny Abrahamson and produced by STUDIOCANAL will warrant a large box of tissues and some waterproof mascara!

Based on the novel by Emma Donoghue, "Room" is the story of Ma and 5 year old Jack, a mother and son held captive in a garden shed.

It becomes clear that Jack and his mother are held captive by a man who has kidnapped her, raped her, impregnated her, and uses her as his sexual slave.

They call the small, locked shed "Room", but despite the fact that Jack has lived there for all of his life, Ma has managed to keep the truth of their situation from him for five years.

I won't spoil the film for you but the rest of the story is about their escape and Jack's discovery of the outside world.

This highly acclaimed and moving film really is a testament to the power of maternal love and about how we can use love to overcome the most terrible of situations.

Brie Larson won "Best Actress' Academy Award, a BAFTA and a Golden Globe for her role and was also nominated for a further three Academy Awards, two Golden Globes and one BAFTA.

"Room" is available on pay-to-view from 9th May and out on DVD and Blu-Ray on 16th May and I have one copy to give away.

Entry is via the Rafflecopter. Terms and conditions apply. UK entrants only. The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Friday 20th May.

Good luck and I hope you have a chance to see this incredible film.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

More free competitions at www.theprizefinder.com

Mother Distracted

Big This Week

Recent Posts

Tuesday, 10 May 2016

Beck Valley Book Tour: Go Clean, Sexy You By Lisa Consiglio Ryan

Monday, 9 May 2016

Want Some BBQ Advice From A Michelin Star Chef?

Saturday, 7 May 2016

Take Your Toast To The Tropics With My Buko Organic Coconut Jam Giveaway

Friday, 6 May 2016

New Releases, Free & Bargain Books Link-up 6 May 2016

Top Tips on Choosing a Vintage Engagement Ring

Thursday, 5 May 2016

Ways To Make Your Car Both Stylish And Functional

Tuesday, 3 May 2016

Win A Copy Of "ROOM" - A Powerful And Moving Film About A Mother's Love For Her Son [closed]