Lifestyle and Dog Friendly Living
Lifestyle and Dog Friendly Living
The definition of a reactive dog: Living with a reactive dog can be stressful and distressing for both dog and owner. American Kennel Club define a reactive dog as one that ‘overreacts to a thing or a certain situation’. This reaction can be triggered by anything…
I love chocolate and golden syrup as they are real flavours of childhood. This chocolate and cherry flapjack recipe is a sweet treat for chocolate lovers. It is really rich and satisfying yet so easy to make. I have added cherries to this recipe but…
I was introduced to Songbird reflexology massage wax whilst training with Temple Academy of Reflexology and was immediately hooked! Songbird, have a range of massage and reflexology waxes, balms and liquiwaxes too. Many products are available in their vegan range.
Using organic ingredients wherever possible, Songbird products are ethical, cruelty free and natural. The vegan range is entirely plant based. Using a cruelty free brands is important to me personally and professionally-for our other cruelty free recommendations click here.
The massage and reflexology waxes are highly rated by therapists. Aromatherapy oils make them even more of a pleasure to use for therapists and clients. I love the scent of the women’s blend (loved by men and women) which combines the balancing properties of frankincense, lavender, geranium and bergamot. My next purchase will be the Vegan zest for a refreshing alternative.
As a reflexologist, I can vouch for the quality of these products. I have now worked with the lavender reflexology wax and the women’s blend massage wax and love them both. Offering grip when working on the feet, the wax also allows slide which is a tricky balance for a product. A little goes a long way, making the products extremely good value.
As a client, I adore these products. The smell is fabulous and really added to my relaxation during my treatment. My feet were left feeling and smelling luxurious and when I got up after my treatment, felt less greasy than other food creams and lotions too.
Songbird offers the opportunity to apply for a professional account. This is for therapists and students using their products and comes with a generous £25 discount, making them even better value for money!
I love these brilliant cruelty free products and will be a firm user of Songbird for my reflexology clients. Wonderful products.
I was invited to review this product, but as always the choice to feature and all opinions are my own.
For more information about Balance Me Reflexology, or to book a treatment please click here.
Fabulous food served in a beautiful room by passionate and friendly people? If this is your thing, Casamia in Bristol is the place for you. If you don’t, then I am afraid we will never be friends! This classy Michelin restaurant in Bristol is perfect…
This easy plum crumble recipe is so simple and tastes delicious. With the addition of Lotus biscuits, It creates a soft, sweet crumb. For those loving a crumble with a little more crunch, try adding some oats or a little more flour to the crumble…
My favourite gifts are the personalised kind, so what could be more thoughtful and practical than a pair of personalised dog socks? PrintsField offer a range of socks with the gorgeous faces of your loved ones on. I went for their dog socks but you can have other species (including humans) too! Their collections include love (family), cats, animals and food. They also have seasonal celebration pairs.
Ordering the socks was so quick and easy. Simply upload a photo of the face you want and the designers do the rest. You don’t even need to crop your own face- just choose a picture that you like and give the designers any specifics. I asked to have the face sizes altered on my photos to match as one was taken closer than the other. This was no problem for the designers.
There is an option to have more than one face on your socks for us multi dog owners. There is an extra charge for this so see the website for details.
The socks are one size. I found them roomy as a size 3, and Jon found the images a little stretched as a size 11, so anywhere in the middle will fit perfectly! They are made from a soft, flexible fabric and wash well at low temperatures.
Prints field is a Polish company set up by best friends (and dog lovers) Jakub and Mykhailo. 1% from every pair of socks bought from PrintsField goes to an animal shelter.
The dog socks cost $17.99 (for one face) plus postage of $4.99. Within 8 days I received my socks, having received regular updates on the status of my order. Fabulous customer service.
These socks are such a fun idea for a personalised gift. I love having my dogs on my feet and it brings a smile to my face every time I take a peek!
For more personalised pet ideas, please click here.
PrintsField invited us to review their dog socks but as always, the opinions shared are our own.
Our third visit to this beautiful part of Scotland- the dog friendly Dumfries and Galloway. This time we stayed at Woodfoot Cottage. The cottage is situated on the edge of the Carstramon Woods, and close to The Gatehouse of Fleet and the foodie town of…
Root, offering seasonal sharing plates in Bristol, can be found within the former shipping containers of Wapping Wharf. Vegetable focused (with some fish dishes on our visit), the menu is interesting and inviting -the most difficult part of all is deciding what not to order!…
Sleep gives our brain and body a chance to rest, repair, and prepare for the next challenge. This is why it is vital for our health and wellbeing. For more about this click here. A busy mind can make it difficult to get to sleep, or achieve a relaxing sleep. This reflexology for insomnia offers self help strategies and tips for those finding sleep a challenge.
Reflexology is a complementary therapy based on the theory that there are reflex points on the feet, hands, and ears that link to every part of the body.
These reflex points are stimulated using massage techniques to promote balance, well-being and relaxation. As a qualified Reflexologist myself, I am a huge fan and promoter of the power of Reflexology.
Good habits alongside reflexology can really help. Exercising during the day can help to manage adrenaline, release endorphins and set you up for a positive, relaxed evening.
Adopting a calm bedtime routine to help promote a deep sleep. Try a relaxing bath, reading a book, or snuggling up with a pet- this works for me every time!
When in bed, don’t be tempted to watch television or use a mobile phone screen as this is proven to interrupt sleep. Put your phone in a drawer, or even better keep it out of the bedroom.
Use a sleep balm such as Elemis Quiet Mind Temple Balm, or Neals Yard Goodnight Pillow Mist to help you relax. These are both cruelty free brands.
Now to the reflexology! To work the target reflex point, use a pressure that feels pleasant to you. Use a pressing, pushing motion with your thumb over the reflex point, breathe deeply and slowly as you do so. Try to focus your mind on the points, perhaps listening to relaxing music and in a quiet space.
First, calm the mind by working on the head and brain reflex. This is located on and across the top of the thumb on each hand. Pay particular attention to the top, outside edge of each thumb as this is the Pineal gland which helps to control sleep. Press and massage as deeply as feels comfortable whilst taking a deep, slow breath in. Release the pressure as you slowly exhale.
Then to the solar plexus reflex which is wonderful for promoting a sense of calm. Located below the joints of the index and middle finger. Apply a comfortable pressure to this area, front and back and hold this for a few seconds, inhaling as you press and slowly exhaling as you release the pressure. Working along your hand horizontally, across the finger joints as this will also stimulate the diaphragm reflex point which is also very calming.
Now to the adrenal glands which work very hard during stressful times. To locate the point on the hands, draw a V with your fingers down your index finger and thumb. The point should meet in the middle of the Venus mound. Hold here gently in the fleshy, web part of the hand. To use this with breathing, inhale through your nose as you hold on both sides of the hand and exhale slowly as you release the pressure. Use a gentle pressure on this reflex.
Once you have stimulated and balanced using your reflexology points, try a simple breathing exercise to help drop off to sleep. For our favourites click here.
Dedicating some time to finding these reflex areas will make the routine more relaxing and natural when you come to use it at bedtime.
Wishing you a peaceful and relaxing sleep.
For more reading about how to get a good nights sleep click here.
For our other relaxation and pampering posts click here.
