I don’t know about you but May always creeps up on me. I think it is the fact that I live in denial about winter being “just around the corner,” so I hold on to every last bit of sunshine that the day will offer me. Days are becoming shorter and nights are getting cooler. Lately, I have got into the habit each afternoon when I get home from work to put the kettle on, make a pot of herbal tea and retreat to my couch to read a chapter of the latest book I am engrossed in. It is a wonderful way to unwind from the day and help prepare myself for a relaxing afternoon and ultimately, a peaceful night’s sleep.

When choosing a herbal tea, read the label to ensure that they do not contain: artificial colours, preservatives, caffeine, gluten, sugars and lactose. You would be surprised how many contain these ingredients.

My favourite herbal tea to sip on at the end of the day is a blend of Chamomile, Fennel, Passion Flower, Lime Flower and Vervain. This group of herbs is renowned for preparing the body for a restful sleep and settling nerves. Perfect after a busy day of work!

I strongly believe that a glowing complexion is not only dependant on what you put on your skin but also about what you consume on a daily basis. Herbal teas are a wonderful way to increase your daily water intake and utilise the healing benefits of herbs and flowers. In my opinion, the best place to shop for herbal teas, is your local health food store.

Oh… and my favourite book at the moment is Stefan Sagmeister’s Things I Have Learned in My Life So Far – it’s one of those books that I take off the shelves every few months to have a read over again. From the 14th Street in NYC, Sagmeister says he astonishingly only have learned twenty or so things so far; “Over the last five years I did manage to publish these maxims all over the world, in spaces normally occupied by advertisements and promotions: as billboards, projections, light-boxes, magazine spreads, annual report covers, fashion brochures, and, recently, as giant inflatable monkeys.”

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Featured Contributor: Sam Sample

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