Sugar Snap, Orange, and Teriyaki Stir-Fry

Image by Brian Woodcock

A homemade chicken teriyaki stir-fry gets a burst of juicy sweetness thanks to orange slices.

4  servings

INGREDIENTS

1/2 (8.8-oz.) package rice stick noodles

1 1/4 lb. sliced boneless, skinless chicken breast

3 tbsp. cornstarch

2 tbsp. canolaoil

1/2 sliced red onion

2  chopped garlic cloves

2 c. sugar snap peas

1/2 c. teriyaki sauce

2 tbsp. rice wine vinegar

1 tbsp. sesame oil

1 tbsp. Toasted sesame seeds

2  peeled and sliced small oranges

Fresh cilantro leaves and sliced red chiles, for garish

DIRECTIONS

  1. Prepare rice stick noodles according to package directions.
  2. Meanwhile, toss together chicken breast and cornstarch. Cook in canola oil in a large skillet over high heat, 2 to 4 minutes. Add red onion and garlic and cook until chicken is cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes. Add sugar snap peas and cook until bright green, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in teriyaki sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, and toasted sesame seeds. Serve over rice noodles topped with oranges. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and sliced red chiles

BY MARIAN COOPER CAIRNS

https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/recipes/a44282/sugar-snap-orange-teriyaki-stir-fry-recipe/

DO I WASH TOO MUCH?

Originally, the soil. That brown, black or red mineral substance in which, one day, life appeared.

It hasn’t only appeared there, it still exists. Its complex ecosystem, comprised of bacteria, mushrooms, invertebrates and others, brings fertility to our precious planet.

Slush, skin… What’s the point?

Well, today imagine that you are a piglet. Soft, cute as hell, wading in the nature.

My skincare routine after my walk? Just a warm shower, without any soap.

In our society, we revere too much cleanliness and sterility of surfaces, hands and body, with the aim of killing all the bacteria (it hurts just by writing it).

Why dispute this? Because now we know that bacteria can be pathogenic but also beneficial, and these ones are the most important. They enable our immune system to develop properly, and to recognize which microorganism to fight against or not.

These products that lie to us…

First, let’s take the example of one of our “best friends”, who unfortunately are not so good for us: hydroalcoholic gels.
You know, these very convenient small gels that we all have in our purse, and that became fashionable in 2009, with the appearance of the H1N1 flu. Our obsession at that time was to kill all our skin bacteria not to be contaminated.
These gels are mostly known to remove more than 90% of the bacteria from the skin. However, studies have shown that among these bacteria, more than 50% were actually good bacteria.
They also change our remaining microbiome: its reproductive capacity is greatly reduced. #ViciousCircle

Our advice: nothing better than water and gentle soaps, these gels must be used only in case of “emergency”. We advise you to avoid using it on children. In fact, they put a lot their hands to the mouth so they could ingest some.

Another product that should not be abused are indoor antiseptics, topical antibiotics (Gallinectionary: local application on an external part of the body). Indeed, our microbial diversity is falling and the extinction of a species that gives room to another one way more harmful.

Moreover, children are increasingly developing environmental allergies. Tired of hearing your beautiful progeny sneeze all day, and spending all your money buying antihistamines?
What if these products, associated with other factors, induced them? As indoor deodorants, which are anti-mite, anti-bacterial or just odorous: they add harmful chemical molecules in our saturated environment and could be, in the long term, carcinogenic.

The exponential decrease of bacterial diversity that surrounds us creates public health problems that affect us all …

Finally, the formulation of cosmetics is also an issue (a topic that saddens Mathilde):

  • A pH not adapted to the pH of the skin
  • Ingredients, natural or synthetic, too aggressive
  • Make-up acting as cellophane on the skin (we let you try the cellophane experience on your skin for a whole day and send us your feedbacks)
  • Overpowering conservatives killing all the commensal flora

It is by being gentle, with intelligent products and mimicking nature that we will go far.

And what’s the purpose of all this?
We can replicate these practices into our daily hygiene habits.

What is the problem with our own way of life?
A sterile skin and a damaged microbiome. It doesn’t have time to regrow completely because our washing rhythm is too intensive.

The consequences for my bacteria?
The good ones are no longer present, the acid protective barrier they usually create doesn’t protect the skin efficiently anymore.

The consequence for our skin?
It is more receptive to external aggressions, ages faster, is more prone to problems such as irritation, redness, atopic diseases etc.

The solution?
Don’t be afraid of dirt and find a balance between well-being of the body, the microbiome and rhythms of hygiene.

https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2017/oct/01/vivienne-westwood-secret-to-staying-young-dont-wash-too-much
As an example, Vivienne Westwood, a 76-year-old queen of punk, whose youth secret is to wash only once a week. Is it your beauty prescription doctor?

Be healthy, be a piglet.

In winter, rain infiltrates the ground like a breath of life, then spring takes place, with its cherry blossoms and its greenery. In the summer, desert temperatures dry up grounds and water supplies; but fortunately, autumn creates a fertile breeding ground again. Then, the cycle starts over and over.

If you take a shower twice a day, somehow you expose your skin/microbiome ecosystem to an endless summer season. Stop the nonsense, let’s go back to a normal and natural microbiome cycle.

Because hygiene is also a bit like a plate of cheese/charcuterie with red wine … Do not overdo it but still … it feels good to have it sometimes.

Speaking of hygiene, a Gallinee biotic bar is in process … Meanwhile, I won’t shower! OK, that’s a joke, so I’m going to uncork a bottle of wine.

Have a nice shower

Snack at School: A good Start By Amandine Auteserre, Nutritionist.

Chocolate bar slipped into the pocket, snack at the morning recess, taste after school, sometimes another at home … Watch out for good intentions and bad ideas.

 

The prevention of overweight and obesity of children is today a public health issue that challenges parents, teachers, and educators. In Alsace, for example, it was the subject of an academic circular to raise the awareness of the teaching staff about the effects of school snacks on the nutritional balance of children. In 2011, the Nutrition Committee of the Collective Catering and Nutrition Market Research Group (GEM-NCR) made recommendations on the subject of snacks and snacks.

 

The morning snack: not necessarily useful, except special circumstances

 

Eating at the morning break can be considered “nibbling”. The National Agency for Food Safety, Environment and Labor (ANSES, ex AFSSA) has even recommended its deletion, saying it is a factor in changing dietary rhythms and excess calories (opinion of 23 January 2004). In March 2004, a National Education circular reminded school directors that morning snacking should be “neither systematic nor mandatory”.

Some children, however, are hungry when they arrive at school. When they have breakfast very early (in rural areas for example, because of the school bus), we can then organise a snack before class by choosing preferably simple foods: a slice of bread, fruit in quarters (more comfortable to consume and avoid waste), the glass of milk (semi-skimmed). “But the morning snack should always be offered at least two hours before lunch so as not to interfere with the appetite of children when they sit down to eat. And we must not make a 5th meal, which would constitute an unjustified energy intake, says Marie-Line Huc, liberal dietician representative of the AFDN in the Nutrition Committee of GEM-NCR.

Afternoon tea after class: essential break while waiting for dinner

As part of extracurricular activities offered to schoolchildren, communities are led to organising the afternoon tea. The important meal, it avoids nibbling until dinner. Again, it is recommended that it be taken at least two hours before the evening meal. The GEM-NCR clarifies how to compose it and supports at least two elements among the following foods: fruits, dairy products, cereal products, plus a drink (water, fruit juice, milk). A bread sandwich with a bar of chocolate or a spoon of jam served with a glass of milk; it is also simply good. “The snack is light, its vocation is neither to compensate for the lack of lunch nor to replace the dinner,” said Marie-Line Huc.

According to Mélanie Le Morzédec, liberal dietitian member of the AFDN, coordinator of the project “Plaisir à la cantine” funded by the Alsace Regional Directorate for Food, Agriculture and Forestry (DRAAF) and the General Council of Haut -Rhin: “Respecting children’s nutritional balance requires an appreciation of each context on a case-by-case basis. For this, parents, teachers and educators must coordinate to ensure a coherence of the food that meets the real needs of children, different from those of adults.

Foods to prefer for snacks

– Raw fruits, compotes, dried fruit, fruit juice

– Milk, yoghurt, plain or flavoured cottage cheese

– Baguette bread, brown bread, country bread, cereal bread

– Chocolate in tablet, jam, honey

ERRATIC ENERGY – IS STRESS DEPLETING YOUR ENERGY?

Are your energy levels all over the place? Are you tired when you should be alert, such as upon waking or during the afternoon?

The feeling of tiredness can be defined as the need for rest or sleep. This occurs on a daily basis as part of our normal sleep-wake cycle. We should be energized and alert upon waking and over the course of the day to help us rise to and meet the challenges of the day, and then gradually become tired into the evening to prepare us for sleep. Sleep is our golden moment for ‘rest and repair’, essential for keeping our body and mind resilient for what’s to come the following day.i ii However, when our energy pattern deviates from this natural rhythm, we can start to feel tired at different times of the day, or even persistently.

Many factors can impact energy levels, such as thyroid dysfunction, chronic fatigue syndrome and adrenal fatigue, resulting in prolonged fatigue. Here are some key energy-depletors that you can address:

  1. Stress

The human body cannot sustain prolonged exposure to mental, emotional or physical stress for long without consequence. If it becomes chronically overworked, persistent fatigue can result. A prolonged stress response can deplete the very nutrients you need to create energy such as B vitamins and magnesium, especially if dietary intake is low. Anxiety, which can come hand-in-hand with stress, may further contribute to over-stimulation of the stress response, elevating nutrient depletions. This in turn can drive low energy levels and anxiety itself, creating a vicious cycle. Continued, long term stress and anxiety can result in higher levels of cortisol, with a negative impact on sleep, further affecting energy levels due to sleep deprivation.

Some people seem to be more predisposed genetically to be stressed than others. Some seem more prone to stress and anxiety than others. A variation in a gene called ‘GAD’ may result in less conversion of stress chemical messengers into the calming ones, resulting in higher stress levels overall. iii Others may have a gene variant which means they don’t reduce their stress hormones as quickly (COMT). iv,v,vi For these individuals, it may be the case that further targeted nutritional and lifestyle support is needed, to enable them to adapt more effectively to stressful situations, so it has less of an impact on energy levels.

  1. Inflammation

Inflammation is a natural part of our immune response and is vital for managing immune threats. It is designed to be temporary and acute. Chronic stress, vii disrupted sleepviii and poor diet (see below) are associated with low-grade, chronic inflammation, which can put a long term drain on energy levels. It can have a direct negative impact on energy levels via causing oxidative stress, potentially damaging mitochondria, our main energy producing powerhouse cells, depleting energy via reducing production.

  1. Gut health

Poor gut health, as in the case of IBS, increased intestinal permeability (‘Leaky Gut’) or colitis, can impair digestion and nutrient absorption. This can potentially result in insufficient micronutrient cofactors required for key enzymes involved in energy production, such as vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B12 and magnesium.

Persistent stress, as well as driving inflammation in the gut, can also result in certain vital biological functions being de-prioritised and down regulated, including digestionix, further impairing absorption and energy production.

  1. Diet

Consuming a diet high in carbohydrates and sugar can directly contribute to blood sugar imbalances. Increased intake of these foods can cause blood sugar levels to peak and then fall. This fall can coincide with the feeling of tiredness, further stimulating cravings for sweet and carbohydrate rich foods. Furthermore, low nutrient status can also have a negative effect on energy levels. This can occur due to poor digestive health, as well as low intake of fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds and good quality protein, which are rich sources of the vitamins and minerals needed for energy production.

To support energy levels there are several nutritional and lifestyle recommendations which you can try:

  • Reduce your stress by taking adequate time out – meditation, walking, mindfulness activities.
  • Sort out your sleep – get into a routine, go to bed earlier and try to reduce blue light in the evening, through limiting screen use, such as TV and mobile phones, as this can disrupt sleep.
  • Reduce intake of stimulants, such as caffeine, as it can stimulate cortisol production as well as promoting night-time wakefulness, which can further disrupt sleep.
  • Diet – change to a low refined carbohydrate, high vegetable, higher protein diet.
  • To help reduce your stress levels, you could try a supplement containing calming nutrients. Lemon Balm can be beneficial via increasing GABA production, which is a neurotransmitter involved in calming and relaxation. Magnesiumcan help us deal with stress and improve sleep. Specifically, magnesium taurate could be further beneficial, as the amino acid taurine can also increase the activity of GABA in the brain.
  • To help support your energy levels, B vitamins, especially B2, B3 and B5 support energy production, and herbs like panax ginseng can give you a natural lift. To help to balance your blood glucose, you can also use chromium, magnesium, cinnamon and vitamin B3.
  • Probioticsand digestive enzymes can help modulate gut inflammation and ensure that food consumed is efficiently digested to maximise nutrient absorption.

No matter what your energy patterns are, whether you are tired all of the time or some of the time, it might really help to support your system overall, and so remove the drains on your energy. That could be the key that unlocks your energy levels in the long run.

Sensitive Skin to Not-so-overreacting Skin

This month, we wanted to talk about sensitive skin as around 65% of the population have sensitive skin.

First a bit of background:

Sensitive skin is characterized by stinging, burning and itching sensations.

Usually it appears after contact of a trigger in the environment and sometimes even emotions. However even if the amount of potential risk factors seem endless, there are ways to protect the skin from them and avoid this hyper reactivity and discomfort.

Sensitive skin is caused by nerve endings in the top layer of skin becoming irritated. The sensation of burning and redness is directly

caused by the nerve endings in the skin becoming irritated. The natural protective layer of the skin doesn’t work properly and is causing the triggers to penetrate and irritated the nerves. The most frequent risk factors are the brutal changes in temperature, cold weather or hot or hard water, stress, sleep issues, dehydratation, …

Knowing that, it is easy to see that re-creating the skin natural barrier is essential in this condition.

We have compiled our favourite product and top tips to help you achieve a not-so-much-overreacting skin.

4 Tips for Sensitive Skin

1. Keep Hydrated

While the weather outside can be frightful, the heating on the inside can also be detrimental for drying out your skin. Dehydration is when there is a lack of water in the stratum corneum – the outermost layer of the epidermis. Your skin keeps water inside of your body, so when it is dry or cold, water evaporates off the surface faster, resulting in red cracked lips as well as rough and flaky skin, or even more sensitive skin outbreaks.

Product :

Marine’s Recommendation :

I like this product because it is a “all in one “ bottle for calming straight away irritated and sensitive skin. On top of its immediate soothing effect, it actively teach your skin on how to become less reactive and protect it from environmental aggression such as UV, pollution and free radicals. Oh, and of course it contains hyaluronic acid for a perfect hydrated skin.

Ren – Evercalm Anti-Redness Serum

2. Shield your skin

As said, this is the turning point on taking care of your sensitive skin: recreating the natural role of it : barrier !

And the new researches have shown that one of the best way is to take care of our good bacterias creating our skin microbiome.

You already know, how big fans we are at Make Me Feel of Gallinée products which are using pre, pro and Postbiotics in their patented formulas.

I think for sensitive skin that makes all senses isn’t it ?

Marine’s Recommendation :

https://shop.makemefeel.co.uk/collections/gallinee/products/facial-hydrating-cream-30ml-gallinee

For very dry skin, I will go for :

Avène – Antirougeurs – Jour Moisturizing Protective Anti-Redness Cream

A very good moisturizing cream, especially designed for redness prone skin, which will help soothing and calming irritations. Also I like the fact that it contains a SPF which is indispensable for sensitive skin.

3. Examine before you Exfoliate and treat your skin as gentle as possible

The need for exfoliation can be different for every person and ultimately you need to keep an eye on your own skin and determine whether exfoliation is required.

The harsh weather compromises your skin barrier and this is where issues can arise with exfoliation. If your skin is very dry, don’t risk it but if you know your skin can handle it, we’d recommend exfoliating once a week over the Winter months. This will help to speed up the skin’s regeneration and allow better penetration of your moisturizer.

Product :

Marine’s recommandation :

Ren – Evercalmrescuemask,

REN’s Evercalm Ultra Comforting Rescue Mask is specially developed to combat over-sensitivity, it will calm, soothe and moisturise, helping to instantly alleviate the key signs of sensitive skin.

Ren – Evercalm rescue mask

4. Boost your Skin with Omega-3

Boost your Omega-3 levels by thinking more about your diet or with an Omega-3 nutritional supplement to help target skin dryness from within. The skin’s barrier is made up of many types of fats (lipids) including phospholipids, cholesterol and free fatty acids. When the skin doesn’t have enough of these fats, then essential water can be lost through the barrier, causing skin dehydration. Give these fats a boost by indulging in Oily fish, nuts and leafy green vegetables which are high in fatty acids and protein to help stimulate the production of healthy skin.

Marine’s Recommendation :

Solgar – Omega 3 double strength

https://shop.makemefeel.co.uk/products/omega-3-double-strenght

carry shake

MILSHAKE OF THE MONTH:HEALTHY STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE (DAIRY & SUGAR-FREE)

Ingredients :

  • 2 cups (288g) frozenstrawberries
  • 1 cup (252g) frozen bananas
  • ½ cup coconut water (filtered water or milk of choice)
  • 1 teaspoonfresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoonvanillaextract

Instructions :

Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor. Blend until all ingredients are combined.

When your bananas are getting ripe, peal the skin and slice them. Place the slices in an airtight container and place it in the freezer until frozen. They last a really long time frozen, so you can store a large amount in your freezer for when you want to make this and other recipes. The riper your bananas, the sweeter your milkshake will be.

In place of the coconut water you can also use filtered water or a milk of your choice such as coconut or almond milk.

If you don’t have a very powerful blender you may need to add more liquid to make it easier to blend the mixture. I often use my Vitamix for this recipe.

Use organic ingredients if possible.

Banana Berry Beverage

SMOOTHIE OF THE MONTH: SMOOTHIE DETOX

Smoothie Detox

Ingredients:

1/2 pineapple

1 mango

1 lime

2 oranges

200g raspberries

Method:

Cut the pineapple by removing the skin and the hard heart of the pineapple and cut small cubes.

Peel and remove the pit and cut the mango into cubes too.

Cut the lime in two and press the juice done the same for the two oranges.

Add the pineapple, the mango, the juice of orange, raspberries and lemon in a blender.

Mix the whole until obtaining the good consistency. This the preparation is too thick you can add the juice of one orange.

PS: so that the preparation is very fresh do not hesitate in cut the pineapple and the mango beforehand. And then put cubes in the freezer for several hours. So your fruits will be frozen and the very fresh smoothie.

Antonia Magor

RECIPES OF THE MONTH : GALLINEE X Antonia Magor – NUT & SEED LOAF

There are lots of versions of this « paleo » loaf, caveman style it doesn’t use floor or grains with a thick nutty texture instead. Psyllium husks, are little seed husks and act as the glue for the loaf without any gluten or eggs binding the recipe. You can find it at health stores or online easily and it is really useful in gluten free baking. I like to serve my caveman loaf with salmon, thinly sliced fennel and pickled sauerkraut for a Scandinavian style breakfast but it’s also great with soups, salads or a chunky sandwich.

Gluten free, dairy free and vegan.

Makes 1 loaf

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoon psyllium husks powder
  • 350ml water
  • 250 grams mixed nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts
  • 250 grams mixed seeds, such as pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds
  • 50 grams poppy seeds
  • 50 grams sesame seeds
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil or coconut oil
  • (optional a pinch of fennel seeds)

Method:

  • Heat the oven to 180C and prepare a loaf tray by greasing or lining with baking parchment.
  • Mix the psyllium husks thoroughly with water, whisking to make sure there are no lumps and set aside.
  • In a food processor add the nuts and pulse a few times until coarse. If you do not have a food processor chop the nuts into coarse pieces.
  • Place all the nuts, seeds and sea salt in a bowl.
  • Add the goopy psyllium husk mixture and oil blend thoroughly.
  • Place the mix into the lined tray and either bake immediately or allow to sit and develop for 1 hour.
  • Cook for 45 minutes until golden, remove from the pan and allow to cool thoroughly on a wire rack, before slicing to stop any crumbling.
  • Serve with pickled vegetables, cheese, salmon or a chunky sandwich.

Mother Day

Mother’s Day in France (and a lot of other countries around the World)

It’s an important date for French people, It leaves its mark on the month of May, just like the Christian celebrations of Ascension and Pentecost.

Traditionally, Mother’s Day has held annually on the March in the United Kingdom, but French people are used to paying tribute to their mothers on the last Sunday of May.

The origins of the celebration in France is entirely different than the English-speaking countries. It’s date from the Napoleon Emperor; he decided to establish a special day dedicated to the mothers. This celebration was revived after the WWI to honour the widows who lost their husbands. Some years later, a law was passed saying that “Every year, the French Republic pays an official tribute to Mothers during a special day dedicated to the celebration of Mother’s Day”. In a municipality in France, the mayor can honour mothers by giving them a unique medal called Family Medal.

For this particular day, French people offer presents to their mums; The most common gifts are flowers, perfume, jewellery.

Some suggestions from Make Me Feel, This beautiful Rose Candle from Durance https://shop.makemefeel.co.uk/products/rose-candle with silky and velvety accord will be the perfect gift for your Mother’s home as well as create an elegant atmosphere. The result of true expertise, the ingredients used to make this candle is carefully chosen to burn cleanly and perfume beautifully.

Also, keep in mind the 13th May, there will have the French Market in front of the store at Clapham and come to discover all the French brands (especially some lovely jewellery brand).

Young children are also used to preparing secret gifts at school for mum!

Somatoline Cosmetic

New at Make Me Feel: Somatoline and Oenobiol

We are pleased to let you know that we have received products from two French brands that are very popular thanks to their effectiveness and quality.

The brand Somatoline Cosmetic proposes you a range of slimming treatments and of anti-cellulite care whose the aim is to answer to the specific needs of each silhouette. Somatoline Cosmetic gives continuous attention to scientific innovation, guided by a constant updating and a search of the active ingredients the more innovating. The product Somatoline Cosmetic distinguish by their efficacy. These are submissive to rigorous clinical tests, led by independent laboratories, and recognised the international scientific community.

One of their iconic product is the Somatoline 7 Nights Intensive Slimming Treatment. This formula, highly concentrated in specific active ingredients offers a triple slimming action (lipolytic, draining and anti-storage) for slimming effectiveness.

https://shop.makemefeel.co.uk/collections/somatoline

The brand Oenobiol answers to the beauty needs of women at every step of their lives, through a range of food supplements. The concept of Oenobiol: the beauty that comes from the inside! A brand at the forefront of innovation, which offers the best of the science and the nutrition with performing solutions of vegetal origin and nutritional advice.

https://shop.makemefeel.co.uk/collections/oenobiol

Let’s introduce the star product of this beginning of May: Oenobiol Self-Tanner Capsules: https://shop.makemefeel.co.uk/products/oenbiol-caps-autobronzant is a self-tanner food supplement with turmeric extract, zeaxanthin, astaxanthin, lutein to offer you a golden even and luminous hale without sun.