December News Bulletin

December News Bulletin

We hope you are all enjoying the festive season and looking forward to Christmas and 2019!

We're happy to announce that we have finally got a few products back in stock that we know a lot of you have been patiently waiting for, and an exciting new product in stock. We want to introduce our new superfood starter pack. We’ve also included our top recommendations for staying healthy and flu free over the winter, read on below to find out more. 

You will be pleased to know that we now have organic Panax Ginseng, organic Aronia powder and Rehmmania powder back in stock. We know many of you have been waiting a while for these products. Get your orders in now for delivery before christmas. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Detox Trading team!

Check out our latest newsletter video

  New in Stock  

Coconut Milk Powder

 

The perfect dairy alternative, this organic coconut milk powder is GMO free and produced from freshly squeezed coconut mik. It retains much of the nutritional value of fresh coconut milk, and has an incredible flavour and aroma. The perfect addition for your kitchen cupboard.

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 New in Stock 

Superfood Starter Pack 

Our starter pack contains what we consider to be the essential selection superfoods for overall health and wellbeing. It contains organic ashwagandha powder, orgnic spirulina powder, organic raw cacao powder, organic coconut oil and organic maca powder. If you are new to superfoods and not sure where to start, this is the one for you. It is packaged in a sustainable kraft gift box with eco friendly packaging so also makes a beautiful gift. The pack comes with a 'How to' guide outlining the potential benefits and how to use each product.

 Detox Trading Health Tips for the winter 

The winter brings a variety of bugs, and it can be easy to feel like you are constantly fighing off a cold. We have chosen our top superfoods to help boost your immunity and stay healthy this season...

Chaga: An incredible all round immune booster, it also has anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps detoxify the blood and liver, and is an adaptogen so is the perfect support for the body and the mind throughout the winter months. 

Camu Camu: The largest natural source of vitamin C, our camu camu is 7% vitamin C- one of the highest on the market. It can be difficult to get enough vitamin C in the winter months, and it is a vital ingredient to help the body's immune defence. Camu Camu is also extremely high in antioxidants and can also help with chronic fatigue and depression. 

Oregano oil: It is known to have a whole range of health benefits important during the cold and flu season such as being an anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and is also loaded with antioxidants. 

Alongside taking daily supplements, make sure you get enough sleep, eat a balanced and healthy diet (as much as possible!), and exercise regularly to keep you healthy and happy this winter. 

Christmas Opening Times 

Our opening times will be affected during the christmas period, we will be open until 21st december then closed until 2nd January, when we'll be back in the office for business as usual. We will however be shipping out orders in between Christmas and New year.

 Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Detox Trading Family 

Tips to help support a healthy brain

Our brain can sometimes be taken for granted, however it is one of the most important organs of our body. It’s our main source of storage for memories, learning and functioning on a daily basis.

We’ve put together a few tips to help you support the mind, and keep it active and healthy. 

 Sleep

Getting a solid 8 hours of sleep a night will help your brain to process the days events. New research has suggested that the brain actually spends the time we sleep removing toxins from the brain that have built up during the day- a type of housekeeping. A good sleep will help your brain to create new memories, and concentrate throughout the day.  

 Get physical

Even its its going for a short walk in nature, our brain benefits from physical exercise. Research has suggested that regular intensive exercise can improve the size of our hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory and new learning. Exercise also produces endorphins which help to maintain good mental health. 

 Diet

Eating a balanced diet full of leafy green vegetables and omega 3,6 and 9, can help to support healthy brain function. Try to cut out eating too much sugar and alcohol as these can affect how well the brain is able to learn new things. 

 Managing Stress

Stress can have a serious detrimental effect on our brain, allowing some self care and relaxation will help to relieve this. Allowing yourself to take regular time out to do the things you love and that will nourish you is vital. 

 Meditation

A few minutes of meditation a day has been proven to help reduce mental health issues and improve clarity of mind, memory and focus. This can also be in the form of a regular yoga practice.

 Keep the brain active

The brain is a muscle, which thrives when it is being used. A great way to do this is to pick up a great book, practice sudoku or do the daily crossword to keep the muscle going.

 Supplements

Daily supplements can help to support brain function, here at detox trading I like to take

our organic Gotu Kola which improves blood flow to the brain and Lions Mane which is known for increasing memory. I can already notice a significant difference!

Surviving Summer - top tips for staying healthy inside and out during a heatwave!

Here in the UK we are not always blessed with long, hot, sweltering summers but we are becoming more accustomed to heatwaves, high pollen levels, strong sun rays and sweaty sleepless nights.

It's common however to get carried away by the short spells of warm weather and neglect our healthy habits in favour of binging on BBQ's, soaking up the sun, drinking gallons of G&T's and indulging in ice-creams. Of course you have to be able to treat yourself, but it's so important to take care of yourself when your body is vulnerable to the health hazards that summer presents. 

Here are some of our top tips for looking after yourself on the inside and outside during the summer months. 

Bee Pollen

A bi-product of honey, these sweet, flowery tasting pellets are a complete food with a comprehensive nutrient profile including an ideal balance of protein, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, lipids, bioflavonoids and antioxidants. 

Aside from its dense nutrient content, bee pollen is also a powerhouse against allergies and in particular, hay fever. Bee pollen actively reduces the production of histamine, the compound your body releases in reaction to the immune response caused by pollen (which causes itchy eyes, runny nose, etc). Essentially it works as an natural, nutrient rich alternative to over the counter anti-histamines. 

Camu Camu

Camu camu is the worlds richest source of vitamin C, in fact this small Amazonian berry carries up to 60 x more vitamin C that an orange! Available in dried, powder form, this nutritional supplement is a fantastic immune system booster than can help ward off summer colds. 

Camu camu has a tangy, tart taste and is best taken in an organic juice, smoothie or mixed in your breakfast. One teaspoon a day will boost your energy levels, provide a good amount of antioxidants and boost your immune system. 

Stay hydrated

An increase in sunshine and hot weather naturally increases the amount we sweat as our hypothalamus does the incredible work of regulating our body temperatures. But it's important to remember that you need to compensate for this by increasing your water intake. We always recommend drinking 2 litres of water a day to maintain good health, but try to add another 1/2 - 1 litre to this during a heatwave, especially if you are also exercising. 

Nutritious summer foods

Easting seasonally is never easier than in summer, during this time we have an abundance of salad veggies, summer fruits and fresh produce. Our bodies also don't require the warmth of winter foods and slow release carbs to keep our energy levels up in the cold, meaning we can fill our tums with nutritious, raw and vibrant ingredients. 

My favourite salad in summer is made up of organic: lettuce (home-grown by Amida), tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, broccoli sprouts, raw kale, courgette and peppers, some slightly more exotic mango, with lightly cooked green beans or asparagus, and if you're a cheese lover (and not vegan), a smidgen of grilled halloumi or crumbled feta on top. 

Stay smelling sweet with natural deodorant 

It's perhaps not necessary to elaborate too much here, we all know what hot days plus increased sweat means... But perhaps you're not aware that conventional deodorants contain ingredients like aluminium and parabans that can be damaging to our health. 

By swapping to a chemical free deodorant you can be safe in the knowledge that you will not only smell good, but avoid toxins that absorb straight in to your skin. We stock the Clay Cure range of natural, coconut oil based deodorants with aromas including lavender, water lily, white rose, mint and vetiver, lemon and tea tree, and ylang yang. They're so clean you could even eat them :)

 Coconutty after-sun

Coconut oil not only contains its own naturally occurring SPF, it also acts as a wonderfully soothing moisturiser after sun exposure. It helps to hydrate, nourish and replenish damaged skin and contains absolutely no artificial nasties.  

Mix coconut oil with Vitamin E oil for even better results! 

Home-made coconut yoghurt

As coconut products continue to take over the world, coconut yoghurt has become an increasingly popular alternative to cows yoghurt, but delicious as it is it also leaves you with something of a hole in your pocket. 

Thankfully there is a simple solution so you can continue to get your fix of creamy coconut goodness without breaking the bank... make it yourself. It's actually really easy, tastes fantastic and gives you the opportunity to experiment with your own flavours. 

Ingredients (makes 1 medium Kilner jar)

2 x tins organic coconut cream
2 teaspoons agar agar powder

4 x capsule probiotic

Maple syrup, agave, date syrup or alternative for sweetening (optional)

Method

1. Empty the tins of coconut cream in to a pan and bring to the boil. 
2. Once boiled, reduce heat and whisk in 2 teaspoons of agar agar powder
3. Gently simmer for 10 minutes, whisking well every few minutes
4. Take off heat and leave to cool to blood temperature, use thermometer or finger to test
5. Break open and empty the contents of 4 x probiotic capsules in to the coconut mix, stir in well. 
6. Optional - add in a small amount of sweetener of your choice or flavour maker (e.g maple syrup, agave, blueberry powder, passionfruit powder, cacao powder...)
7. Pour the coconut mix in to a sterile kilner jar
8. Place in an oven, dehydrator or hot airing cupboard at 110*f/43*c for minimum 12 hours max 24 hours.  Note: leaving for 24 hours will give much thicker consistency. 
9. After 12 - 24 hours remove jar and set to cool. 
10. Once cool eat and enjoy :) Keep in fridge between eating. 

You can buy probiotics and agar agar for this recipe from our superfood shop, along with a wide range of natural sweeteners, fruit powders and dried berries to enjoy with your coconut yoghurt. All available here. 

8 Good Reasons Why You Need More Seaweed in Your Diet

When people think seaweed, they often think back to to summer days on the beach, the salty smell, squidgy feel underfoot and throwing it around to scare your friends. Either that or for fans of Japanese cuisine, fried crispy seaweed and sushi rolls mmmm.  

But if your not accustomed to the great taste and wonderful benefits of seaweed then you are about to learn to love it! So here are 8 good reasons why you should be consuming seaweed regularly. 

1. Naturally loaded with protein

Seaweed is an excellent choice of vegetarian protein. When added to soups, salads or even bread, 100 grams of seaweed can give you up to 6 grams of protein.

2. Contains easily-digestible fibre

Seaweed contains a fair amount of fibre (around 1.3 grams per 100 grams of kelp) and it's extremely soluble.

3. Filled with vitamins and minerals

Different types of seaweed offer different nutrients, but regardless of the variety, they’re always dense with vitamins and minerals. This includes vitamin A, vitamin C and folate. And most importantly seaweed is very high in iodine, sea vegetables are one of the richest sources of thyroid health enhancing iodine. 

4. Low in calories and fat

A single-cup serving of seaweed contains only 28 calories.One portion makes for a fantastic, guilt-free snack that still leaves room for other healthy treats. 

5. Full of flavour

Seaweed has what’s known as an umami flavour, also known as the fifth taste. It’s a savoury taste that you also find in mushrooms, miso and soya sauce, and has the characteristics of a well-made broth.

6. Easy to eat

Seaweed goes down incredibly easily thanks to the many ways it can be consumed. Do you want a crispy seaweed snack, or would you prefer some ocean salad seaweed mixed with your favourite raw veggies and dip?

7. Can be used in lots of different ways

Seaweed can be added to soups and stews, mixed into a salad, used in wraps, added to Asian broths, paired with pasta, cooked as a side dish and can even be incorporated in to home-made bread. With so many versatile uses, it can easily become a staple in your pantry.

8. Readily available now

You no longer need to visit Asian supermarkets to buy your seaweed! You can simply order one of our wonderful varieties straight to your door. And all our seaweed comes in dried form so you can rehydrate it whenever you need it without worrying about it spoiling.

Seaweed is incredibly easy to add to your diet and has a salty, rich flavour that everyone can enjoy. It’s easy to add to meals and comes in handy snack form for healthy eating on-the-go. This sea superfood is easy to prepare and lasts for a long time in the cupboard.


Detox Trading's organic range of seaweeds are bursting with nutrients, containing a rich supply of minerals like iodine, calcium, copper and iron.Seaweed is also rich in protein, fibre and vitamins, specifically vitamin K and folic acid while being low in calories and fat. Visit our website for more information on the fantastic products that we supply.

Organic spinach powder is a game changer — and here's why

Even if you have always struggled to eat your greens, there's still a reasonable probability that you have looked favourably upon spinach since a young age. 

Spinach, of course, is the magic green vegetable that Popeye The Sailor Man eats when he's in need of a quick release of superhuman strength. 

The exaggerated impact of spinach on the popular cartoon character was hugely entertaining to kids, and mothers everywhere used the influence of Popeye to encourage their children to eat more vegetables. 

A healthy supplement boasting great versatility

Organic spinach powder won't give you freakish strength, but it will provide you with an extremely healthy supplement that deserves to have pride of place in the kitchen of any health-conscious person. Put simply, it is one of the finest superfoods available in the UK. 

You may have recently bought a blender and are finding yourself experimenting with all kinds of different smoothie recipes. If so, organic spinach powder is the perfect accompaniment. 

Mix it into your drink or sprinkle it in to soups and enjoy the goodness

Perhaps juicing is your thing? Again, organic spinach powder offers untold amounts of goodness while also giving your drink that famous green hue that is the hallmark of all healthy juices. 

The benefits of organic spinach powder are plentiful and wide-ranging. Also, it provides the perfect alternative for those who might struggle to eat this wonderful vegetable in its whole form but still want to get it into their system. 

Bursting with all kinds of health-boosting benefits:

For anyone looking to buy superfood online, this is a great choice. The fact that it is a natural source of antioxidants, rich in vitamins, iron and omega 3 fatty acids barely scratches the surface of its positive capabilities. Any health-food enthusiast should have a plentiful supply of organic spinach powder close to hand. 

You can order it from our website today!

The benefits of rosehip - stay young, stay active, stay healthy

The health benefits of rosehip are vast and include the ability to reduce symptoms of various conditions, including arthritis, asthma and flu. They can also help you to lower your cholesterol levels, as well as help with diabetes management, the regulation of your digestive system and increase the frequency you urinate. Their ability to boost the immune system, aid your body with the production of stronger bones and improve your circulatory system makes it a well-loved natural remedy in high demand.

Rose hips are the fruit of the rose plants. They bloom after the rosebud falls off, usually in late summer or early autumn.

Rose hips are incredibly popular in a variety of forms, including syrup, oil, powder and capsules. They contain a mixture of various minerals, essential nutrients and organic compounds (such as calcium, magnesium, iron, pectin, lutien and lycopene), giving them a long list of health benefits and the ability to help to relieve a number of different health conditions. The antioxidant components, which include phytochemicals, flavonoids, and carotenoids, also contribute to the health benefits.

So, what are the health benefits?

Prevents numerous health conditions

Rosehip contains carotenoids, flavonoids, and polyphenols, all of which are known to act as a powerful antioxidant, with the power to eliminate or neutralise free radicals that are found within the body. These free radicals are the byproducts of cellular metabolism and have the ability to damage healthy cells by causing the mutation into cancerous cells, or simply by just killing the cells entirely. A common variable which is connected to a long list of serious conditions is the lack of antioxidants, or production of free radicals. These conditions can include cancer, heart disease and premature ageing.

Lowers cholesterol

Some of the organic compounds and antioxidants that are found in rosehip can also reduce the cholesterol content in your body, helping to reduce strain on your heart and lowering your overall chances of suffering from a stroke or heart attack.

Immune system

Rosehip has a fairly impressive level of vitamin C, which is one of the best compounds that can be used to help the immune system. Vitamin C is incredibly helpful in the prevention of asthma and is good for the general health of the respiratory system as it stimulates your white blood cells. This lowers the chances of cold or flu viruses.

Diabetes management

Rosehip has been known to regulate the blood sugar level within the body, an incredibly important use for those people suffering from diabetes. Rosehip helps to prevent sudden spikes or plunges in blood sugar levels by keeping the balance of glucose and insulin steady.

Diuretic effects and digestion

Pectin, combined with the various acids present in rosehip, have been known to have a diuretic effect, causing urination as well as assisting with the regularity and consistency and bowel movements while helping to eradicate toxins from the body as well as excess salts, fats and liquids. By stimulating bowel movements, rosehip can help with the prevention of a number of unfortunate and uncomfortable conditions.

Skin care

Everyone wants to have beautiful skin. We want flawless, blemish-free, youthful skin with an even skin tone and a healthy glow. Our quest for vanity is often tackled with an array of different skin products, many include chemicals or synthetic ingredients and some people even turn to fillers that can be injected to tighten and tone the skin. Rosehip is one of the best natural ways to achieve better-looking skin. With an astringent quality, rosehip is able to improve the elasticity of your skin, while helping to maintain a blemish-free appearance.

Bone health

Another great quality of rosehip comes from its vitamin C. Vitamin C plays a vital role in the production of collagen in the body. Collagen has a number of various parts to play within the human body, but one of its main tasks, when paired with various other important minerals found in the rosehip, is to help maintain the mineral density of bones - helping you to prevent, or even beat, osteoporosis.

How to make kimchi...


If you have not yet been introduced to kimchi then I promise you, and your gut, are going to love it. Hailing from Korea and similar in style to sauerkraut, kimchi is a spicy, tangy, fermented food that is traditionally served as a side dish.

This recipe uses red cabbage as the base, but white cabbage and other vegetables can be used in it's place. And the spicy flavour comes from a whole lot of ginger, chilli and garlic.

Fermented foods like kimchi go through a fermentation process in which the natural bacteria feed on the sugar and starch in the vegetables, converting them in to lactic acid. This process in turn preserves the food but also forms multiple strains of probiotics, as well as B-vitamins and omega 3 fatty-acid.

The probiotics, or 'good' bacteria, formed in the fermentation process have huge benefits for your digestive health when eaten. The bacteria helps with digestion, metabolism and absorption of essential nutrients. Having a healthy gut also contributes to a strong and resilient immune system, helping to keep away acute and chronic disease.

Making your own kimchi is easy, the fermentation process takes a few days and you can play with the recipe to suit your taste. You'll need an airtight container, a glass kilner jar is ideal but a large Tupperware tub would work too.

Ingredients

750g (1 medium size) red cabbage, finely sliced
50g table salt
50g fresh ginger, grated
4 large fresh garlic cloves, finely chopped
8 tbsp filtered water
3 tbsp of chilli flakes
1 tbsp soft brown sugar
1 tsp Himalayan crystal salt
A few grinds of black pepper
Optional - 2 tbsp fish sauce, 4 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, 1 tbsp sambal paste.

Method

Add sliced cabbage to a large mixing bowl and sprinkle over table salt, thoroughly massage the salt in to the cabbage. Let this set for 2 hours to allow the salt to draw out the moisture. After 2 hours rinse salt completely away. Rise the mixing bowl ready for re-use.

Add the ginger, garlic, water, chilli flakes, sugar, salt, black pepper and any of the optional ingredients to the mixing bowl and mix very well until it forms a paste. Add in the cabbage and again mix in thoroughly.

Transfer the mixture in to your jar and pack down, all the cabbage should be submerged in liquid, you may need to add a little extra water to ensure it is submerged. Close the lid (this has to be airtight as you want as little air in the jar as possible) and leave to ferment at room temperature for 3-7 days.

Each day open the jar and press the kimchi mixture back in to the liquid. After 3 days the kimchi is ready to taste, it will be strong and spicy. You can leave it for longer if necessary, for best results leave for the full 7 days but continue to check everyday and it's fine to eat from day 3 or 4 if it's to your taste.

Once ready store in the fridge, it will continue to develop and can last for months.

Enjoy x

Get your chocolate fix, superfood style…

Get your chocolate fix, superfood style…

If, like us, you’re a massive chocoholic, you may be wondering how you can get all the goodness you need while enjoying your favourite snack. The good news is that with the variety of cacao products available, it’s perfectly possible to eat chocolate and enhance your health and wellness.

Raw cacao beans, although an acquired taste, are definitely worth trying, just for their health benefits. They are categorised as a superfood because they contain so many antioxidants and micronutrients. Cacao beans help you to feel more energised, support your immune system and can do wonders for your hair, teeth, nails and skin. 

If you fancy trying something different with your cacao beans, we recommend toasting the beans in a pan. After they’ve popped, you can put the shells in a cup and pour over hot water to make cacao tea – it’s absolutely delicious! For those who prefer a rich hot chocolate, take the shelled beans and grind them into a paste before adding hot nut milk or water, along with vanilla and some natural sweetener.

Your preference may be to have something closer to the chocolate you know and love instead but without the refined sugar and dairy. If that’s the case, then you could try making your own organic raw chocolate blocks. Using coconut oil, raw cacao powder, raw cacao butter, and coconut palm sugar you can create your own version of chocolate heaven, it will taste great and you'll benefit from the wide range of nutrients that raw cacao provides. You could even try adding your own flavours, from banana powder or goji berry powder to dried mulberries and pumpkin seeds.  

We really love adding blueberry powder and hulled hemp seeds, the flavour combo works really well and comes with the added benefit of the protein, omega 3 and antioxidants found in these special ingredients.

Hopefully that gives you some good ideas but if you’re a chocoholic on a superfood mission and you’ve got any recommendations, we’d love to hear from you!