Beyond Dark, Drops of Pure Pleasure

According to the World Atlas of Chocolate the UK is 7th in the list of Top Chocolate Loving Nations with an average consumption of 17.49lbs per year. It's fair to say that as a nation we love our chocolate! But are we eating the right kind of chocolate?

It's true that chocolate can indeed be good for you....providing it's the right quality and of course the right quantity.

I was recently asked to review Beyond Dark, antioxidant rich 70% dark chocolate drops. Beyond Dark is a small family business who have dedicated four years to creating a delicious antioxidant rich chocolate.

Cocoa is packed with Flavanol antioxidants which have been found to have many health benefits. They have been observed to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, promote a healthy heart and lower the risk of some cancers and diabetes.

Beyond Dark realised that the commercial extraction of cocoa and the manufacturing process of chocolate destroys a large proportion of antioxidants, meaning that even chocolates high in cocoa solids aren't as packed in antioxidants and as healthy for us as we may have been led to believe. Beyond Dark embarked on a four year challenge to create a healthy antioxidant rich chocolate ..... and have succeeded!

Thanks to their bean selection and production process Beyond Dark chocolate contains up to three times more antioxidants than a standard dark chocolate. As a result it is not only packed full of health benefits but it also tastes fantastic!

We love dark chocolate, in fact it's probably our favourite chocolate, so we were really keen to give Beyond Dark a go.

The chocolate is produced in chocolate drop format and packaged in 35g bags for convenience. We had read about all the health benefits of the chocolate but I really did wonder if a chocolate that is "healthy" can possibly taste good? The answer is yes, it's gorgeous! What's more you don't need much of it to fulfil your chocolate cravings!

We love it! To be honest even if it wasn't good for you I'd still love it, it's so delicious!

So where can you get your hands on this fabulous chocolate? Well it is currently available in both Sainsbury's and Holland & Barrett. Or you can buy a box of 12 bags for £12 online.

For more information about Beyond Dark visit their website.

Samples were received for the purposes of this review. No other reward, financial otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Win a Family Ticket to The Dungeons

I have an exciting giveaway for you all today......a family ticket to Blackpool Tower Dungeons! The ticket is also valid for Edinburgh, York, London, Hamburg and Amsterdam so keep reading to find out how you can win!

Just the other day we were with friends who are expecting their first child. We were talking about all of the holidays that they could look forward to and things they could do once the baby comes along! It got me thinking about the family holidays we had when we were kids.

We were so lucky to have some fantastic holidays. Hands straight up I didn't realise how lucky I was at the time but now I really really appreciate all of those lovely trips.

Anyway, we visited Blackpool twice during our childhood. I have vivid memories of the illuminations and of being terrified on the big wheel!

Needless to say there's plenty of new things to do in Blackpool these days....one of which is the Blackpool Tower Dungeons.

Blackpool Tower Dungeons is one of the top Blackpool attractions (currently number 3 on Tripadvisor) and is packed with scary fun for a family day out.  Although there's no age restriction it is recommended for children age 8+ as it can be a bit too scary for younger children.

To be in with a chance of winning a family ticket (for 2 adults and 2 children) valid for the Blackpool, Edinburgh, York, London, Hamburg and Amsterdam dungeons until 31st December 2012 just fill in the rafflecopter entry form below - easy!

(If you can't see the Rafflecopter entry form try refreshing the page, it usually works.)

Kopi - Gourmet Coffee To Your Door

Ok, ok, I admit it - I adore coffee! It doesn't have to have caffeine in... I just love the taste. So when the opportunity came up to review gourmet coffee there was no way I was going to pass up the chance!

Kopi are a gourmet coffee company who offer a subscription service by which you can sign up to have their coffee of the month delivered to your home every month.

I was sent their January coffee Malawi Geisha AB Msese District to try.

First of all I was really pleased to see that the packet fitted through my letterbox! Surely a very important feature?!

Opening the parcel  I found a packet of coffee together with a lovely wee information booklet all about January's coffee. The leaflet tells you all about the coffee - its origin, the growers, depth of roast, tasting notes and hints for getting the most from your coffee. Personally I love this, it's nice to know where your coffee comes from and of course how to enjoy it.

I was sent ground coffee, however you can opt for coffee beans if you prefer. All of the coffee is roasted just days before you receive it so it's very fresh. Now one of my favourite smells in the world is opening a new packet of coffee! I just love it ... we actually fight over who gets to open the coffee in our house because of this!

Anyway.. I opened the packet of coffee and had a good whiff. It smelt gorgeous! I'm no Jilly Goolden of the coffee world so I wont launch into a great long description - it just had a fabulous fresh, full smell to it.

Following the advice in the information booklet I scooped a heaped dessert spoon in the cafetiere per mug and left it to brew for 3 minutes.

Kopi describe this coffee as "a rare and exemplary East African coffee with a sweet lemony liveliness". I have to say it did have a zinginess to it but it wasn't too sharp, it just had an edge. I had no sooner finished one mug than I had to have another, I love the flavour of this coffee. I enjoy it as a mid-morning coffee with a wee chunk of milk chocolate (well that's what Kopi recommend after all).

I have to tell you I could most certainly cope with having fresh coffee delivered to me every month - particularly as I'm pretty much house bound so I don't get out to any nice coffee shops any more. I think it's a fantastic concept and if you are a coffee fan could there be anything better?

There are three subscription packages available... monthly which can be cancelled at any time for £9/month, 6 months for £8/month or annual which is £7/month. At first when I looked at the price I thought it was a bit steep but thinking about it now you do get 250g of fresh gourmet coffee delivered to your home .... a couple of coffees of similar quality in a coffee shop would easily cost the same.

So what's my verdict? As a house-bound coffee fan I love this concept and I love the coffee. It's a fantastic idea and it would be a great gift to give to the coffee lover in your life.

For more information about Kopi visit their website. You can also follow them on Twitter (@WeAreKopi) or like them on Facebook.

A sample was received for the purposes of this review. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Pillow Pet Giveaway

I've been itching to get this post up for over a week now, so I hope you all like it! Today marks the launch of the Pillow Pets UK website ..... and we have very kindly been given a Pillow Pet to giveaway!

Pillow Pets have been a hit in the US and have now reached UK shores. They are plush toys made of ultra-soft and cuddly chenille but with a clever twist! When you release a hidden strap underneath the snuggly creature it will transform from a cuddly toy into a soft pillow. Pretty cool huh?

From a cuddly pet ...

...to a snuggly pillow.

I can see these being very popular, perfect for travelling and great for that impromptu nap! What's more there's a range of eight to choose from Ms Lady Bug to Snuggly Puppy, Magical Unicorn to Silly Monkey. Something for everyone!

I think you will agree these look so cute and so snuggly - I wouldn't mind one for myself and my "impromptu naps".

Pillow Pets have an RRP of £19.99 and are available from Toys R Us and Amazon. They shall also be available very soon on the Pillow Pets website. You can be with the chance of winning a Pillow Pet of your choice by entering the Rafflecopter entry form below! (If the form doesn't appear straight away try refreshing the page).

Philadelphia with Cadbury!!

Philadelphia with Cadbury.....what is your instant reaction?

Mine was a mixed reaction ..... Philly is good, Cadburys is good ....but the combination? I couldn't quite imagine it. I showed it to Jonathon and his face looked as puzzled as I felt. Obviously though we had to give it a go, and I'm so glad we did!

We took a little Choccy Philly and spread it on a digestive biscuit. Staring at each other for a reaction as we took a bite our faces changed from a look of trepidation to "ooooh that's nice". It was like eating a mini chocolate cheesecake!

Choccy Philly combines light Philadelphia and milk Cadburys chocolate to create a creamy chocolate spread. It kind of looks like a thick, creamy chocolate spread but when you taste it isn't not as rich as you'd expect. The cream cheese tones down the sweetness of the chocolate leaving a sweet treat that's not sickly or too sinful!

In the interests of research I took a teaspoon of Choccy Philly and gave one to my Mother-in-Law who likes chocolate and my Father-in-Law who is more a savoury person (particularly cheese). Both of them looked at me like I was slightly mad when I handed it to them but both of them enjoyed it!

I know what you are thinking though, Choccy Philly, surely that's really going to blow my diet? Well it contains just 86 calories per serving and has less sugar than many other chocolate spreads (on a like for like basis). It can be enjoyed on bread, bagels, toast, biscuits, fruit....the list goes on.

My personal favourite combination is on a digestive biscuit. I did enjoy it on toast but I like the additional sweetness of the digestive - I have a rather large sweet tooth!

Philadelphia with Cadbury is available now in most good supermarkets with an RRP of £1.62 for a 160g tub. It's also available in 4 x 30g mini tubs, perfect for taking to work with you.

So what do you think? Have you tried Choccy Philly? Are you going to try it? Let me know your thoughts, I'd love to hear what you think!

A sample was received for the purposes of this review. No other reward, financial. or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Win a £50 Experience Days Voucher

I'm very excited today to announce our latest giveaway! One lucky Rhoda Reviews reader could win a £50 voucher for Experience Days! Pretty cool huh?

I'm sure you'll all agree that sometimes it's a real challenge to find the perfect gift for that family member or friend. You know the folk I mean...the ones who seem to have everything but you want to buy them something really special? Well Experience Days have a whole host of exciting, unusual and spectacular gifts on offer, there really is something for everyone.

From a rally driving experience......

... to a pamper day, .....

.... a day at the races...

.. to helicopter flying .. 

...there is a huge list to choose from! What's more one lucky winner will win a £50 voucher which they can redeem against any of the gifts on Experience Days. 

To be in with a chance of winning this great prize just complete the Rafflecopter entry form below (if it doesn't load at first simply refresh the page).

Naturally Soothe Conjunctivitis

It's that time of the month again - time for our guest post from Master Herbalist and expert on natural medicine, Philip Weeks. Enjoy...

Conjunctivitis

If you tend to get quite dry eyes and bouts of conjunctivitis, your eyes can often be bloodshot and sore.

There are a number of measures that can be helpful both in your environment and internally with nutrition and remedies.

If you spend time in a place with air conditioning, that can contribute to dry eyes and increase the likelihood of infections.  Many people report that using an air ionizer seems to help not only with dry eyes but also allergies such as hay fever.

It is important to keep hydrated and for most people that means at about 6 glasses of water a day.

When blood shot and sore, herbal compresses can help to bring the inflammation down.  A simple method can be using a herbal tea bag.  The most helpful ones are green tea or chamomile.  Soak the tea bag in warm water for 5 minutes, whilst lying down apply onto your closed eyes for 10 minutes. 

Essential fatty acids are very important for good eye health.  You can take it as a specific supplement or by adding certain oils to your diet.  Raw flaxseed oil is a great source of omega 3, add it to your meal such as a salad or baked potato.  Most people need at least 1 tablespoon a day.  Once opened it needs to be refrigerated and it must not be heated.   

Mild cases of conjunctivitis can usually be helped by stimulating the production of tears as they are naturally anti-bacterial and help to clear infection.  One method is to sit and chop onions!  Although this may sound really simple it can be remarkably effective. 

Betacarotine is important to maintain healthy eye moisture.  Drink fresh carrot juice which is a great source.

Calcium is an important mineral to help prevent eye infections, a very good source is almonds.

For more information about Philip Weeks visit his website.

No reward, financial or otherwise was received in exchange for this blog post. Thank you to Philip Weeks for featuring on Rhoda Reviews.

Hillcrest Cottage - a fabulous break!

You may have noticed I've been a bit quiet for a week or so....or maybe you were enjoying the peace? Well, I was lucky enough to be whisked away by my husband for a relaxing week in Broxa, North Yorkshire last week.

Staring at the same four walls at home really does get me down so getting a change of scene was absolutely fabulous!

We took the journey in stages, staying overnight as a long journey really takes it out of me. It's only a four and a half hour drive but I didn't want to get on holiday and be a total pain-filled zombie.

We booked ourselves in to the lovely Hillcrest Cottage in Broxa, near Scarborough. Having scoured the internet for hours we knew what we wanted, a cottage or lodge with a hot tub and a log fire. I really find that a hot tub helps my pain...plus it's just a fantastic excuse to chill out and treat ourselves. When we came across Hillcrest Cottage we both agreed that it looked perfect!

We arrived to a lovely warm welcome from the owners Carl and Yve. The fire was lit and the cottage lovely and cosy....which was greatly appreciated since we arrived in the snow! In the kitchen a welcome pack awaited us with homemade marmalade, fresh eggs (from the hens in the garden), Yorkshire butter, milk and bread. Not to forget the chocolates and coffee too! It's fair to say we were really impressed.

The cottage itself is beautifully finished. The kitchen has everything you could possibly want, well we certainly found everything we needed and more. A slimline dishwasher means you don't have to think about the dishes and the CD player and radio means you can have a sing song while you cook!

The bathroom is a lovely wetroom with underfloor heating meaning that the floor dries quickly and your tootsies never get cold.

Then onto the bedroom. I don't know why but I wasn't expecting a very big room, so I was really impressed when I saw it.  A nice solid bed, plenty of storage space, a wing back chair and a spectacular view over the hot tub, garden and valley!

bedroom

view from bedroom window...well part of it!

As for the living room, well there are two comfortable sofas, a nice solid dining table, tv with freeview, books and jigsaws, a gorgeous log burner and fire place....not to forgot the two windows which look out over the garden.

living room - ignore the mess, we were about to leave

The garden itself warrants its own paragraph! Carl and Yve have created a beautiful garden full of birds. We spent hours just watching the birds, the highlight of which was seeing a woodpecker! As well as the birds they have their own hens and two cute wee ducks that live by the pond.

pond and summerhouse, from hot tub

The hot tub is tucked around the corner of the cottage. It's lovely and private with views across the garden and valley. It was really snowy while we were there and sitting in the hot tub surrounded by the snow was a real treat!

view from bottom of garden towards cottage and hot tub

If the hot tub isn't for you they also have a wee summer house in the garden, perfect for curling up and reading a good book......though we didn't venture in there except for a nosey.

All in all this is a really gorgeous cottage. Carl and Yve are so friendly and very kind. Although they live next door they leave you get on with your holiday and want you to have a nice, relaxing break.

We truly had a wonderful break and although we didn't really venture out much there is plenty to do in the surrounding area. The beauty is that you are tucked away in the country but with easy access to walks, wildlife and nearby towns including Scarborough, Pickering, Whitby, Thirsk and York.

I wouldn't normally blog about a holiday or place we have stayed but I completely fell in love with this place....I could have quite happily moved in then and there!

For more information about Hillcrest Cottage click here or drop me an email for Yve's phone number so you can book!

We had such a fantastic holiday I just wanted to share this wee gem of a cottage with you all.....though I was tempted to keep it as a secret all for ourselves ;-) x

Fabulous New Books from Macmillan!

We are huge fans of books and reading in this house. I love nothing more than snuggling in with a good book and getting lost in a distant world. These days I can't really run about and play with Jonny and Sophie when I see them so I like to sit with them and read a book... surely it's best to start them young? 

Liz and the kids were lucky enough to be sent a bundle of 3 books from Macmillan Children's Books recently and we have ALL enjoyed reading them. Dogs, Not On A School Night! and Zoe and Beans: The Magic Hoop are all newly published titles from Macmillan, written for children from 2 years old in mind. 

Here's what Liz has to say about these beautiful books...

Not on a School Night (Rebecca Patterson)

Hardback £10.99, Paperback £5.99

I dread to think what this is teaching my three-year-old son! Two brothers getting up to mischief when it’s bed time and getting into trouble from mum and dad is a common ‘situation’ in many households and it certainly makes me fear for my future! Those two troublesome lads jump from the upper bunk bed, become dinosaurs and superheroes, each time getting caught by mum or dad. Except, of course, at the weekend when they’re allowed special treats.

The illustrations are vibrant and very colourful. There’s a lot to look at on every page so you can make what you want out of the book, making it last only a few minutes to a very long time. My son adores this book and asks to read it constantly. Very user-friendly and loved by children and adults alike.

Zoeand Beans: The Magic Hoop (Chloe & Mick Inkpen)

Paperback £5.99

This is the first ‘Zoe and Beans’ story we’ve read and my three-year-old son and I were very impressed. The illustrations are big and bold so they appeal to Jonny and they really aid the story telling. (He thought the little trail of rabbit poos was extremely funny.) Zoe seems to be a rather excitable young girl who tries to get her less-than-impressed dog ‘Beans’ to join in her games. At least he is reluctant until he is rewarded with some Choccy bears. They go through a magical world in which Beans transforms into other creatures as he jumps through the magic hoop.

This is a lovely story that you can read again and again and enjoy with any young age group. We’ll definitely be hunting out more ‘Zoe and Beans’ stories.

Dogs (Emily Gravett)

Board Book £5.99

A beautifully illustrated book that both our children love. The book itself is really well designed with pages that are thick enough for young children not to rip but don’t feel like a baby book for older children. The concept of the story is very simple but effective; it goes through different types of dogs (for example scruffy and smart, big and small etc). Each page contains opposites which has been a really useful learning tool for Jonny. The story is short enough that it can be used as a quick story when you’re rushed for time, or you can make it much longer by describing the pictures. We’ve read the book a number of times so far and I’m not even bored yet! There’s a lovely little twist at the end that I didn’t guess but was delighted at. Very clever!

For more information about children's book available from Macmillan visit their website.

Books were received for the purposes of this review. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Taste #5 - Umami Paste

I don't know about you but sometimes we get bored of the same old foods and same old flavours. We kind of get stuck in a routine of recipes and meals. So when I was asked if we would review the Taste #5 Umami Paste, described as the ultimate flavour bomb to enhance any savoury dish I didn't hesitate in saying yes.....although I had no real idea what this paste was!

Taste #5 Umami Paste is the creation of Laura Santtini, literally meaning "savoury deliciousness" in Japanese. It is a combination of Mediterranean ingredients packed with natural umami, ripe tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, Porcini mushrooms, salted anchovies, black olives and balsamic vinegar.

So now that we have cleared up what it is, what do you actually do with it? Well it's a hugely versatile paste, you can use it as a condiment (spread it on sandwiches, mix it in dips etc), seasoning (rub into meats, fish or vegetables before cooking), flavour bomb (add depth to savoury dishes, risottos, stews, pizzas, stir fries etc.), garnish (squeeze onto soups, pasta burgers etc.), quick pasta sauce or salsa, sauces and gravies!

There are a range of recipe suggestions on the website, all of which sound lovely. You can of course just do what you want with the paste, experiment and see how it goes.

We tried using the pasta with vegetables, tuna and pasta - it was delicious! To be honest I can't quite describe the flavour without saying that it added a "depth of flavour"...which sounds kind of cheesy. The truth is you could have hours of fun experimenting with this little gem of an ingredient! It really does add to the flavour of the dish, but in a subtle and healthy manner.

I really think this paste could change the way we cook .... although I am tempted to keep it as a secret ingredient! sshhhh

Taste #5 Umami Paste is available from Selfridges, Waitrose and Amazon with an RRP of £2.99 for a 70g tube.

A sample was received for the purposes of this review. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received  in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day.....does even its name turn you into a gooey mush or does it fill you with dread? Do you think it's a waste of money or do you like to show your other half how much you care by showering them with gifts?

image from weheartit.com

We each have our own opinions on Valentine's Day.... I wont bore you with mine... but whether you choose to go all out with gifts and dinner or you choose to recognise the day with a kiss on the cheek it's something that we can't really ignore, it's all around us.

There is so much pressure these days to buy the "right" gift and to make sure it's within budget too. I don't know why but on Valentine's Day we ladies expect our other halves to miraculously know what to get us ... meanwhile in my experience they are more concerned with the Bayern Leverkusen v Barcelona game on that night! Take note - there's football on that night! Personally I'd rather watch the footie but if you have grand hopes for a romantic night out perhaps rein them in if your partner is a footie fan!

Anyway...where was I? Oh yes, gifts. Next have come up with a gift selector to make your life easy, simply answer questions about your partner and Next will generate a gift idea for you. Not that I'm against putting the effort in but sometimes we do need a little help eh?

It's actually quite good fun to play about with... plus you get the chance to enter a competition to win 1 of 50 sets of Just Pink Eau de Toilette for Women!

That's not all though! The Gift Selector will also help you choose your outfit for Valentine's Day and give you the chance to win it too!!


You'll need Facebook to use this wee app and to enter the competition. It really does just take a minute of your time plus you could win some Eau de Toillette or the perfect outfit!

There are actually lots of fantastic Valentine's competitions about at the moment, it's worth keeping your eyes peeled - you never know you could end up spending the night in Paris! You've got to be in it to win it!

Good luck!!

Cosy Tea *Giveaway* - CLOSED

It's been pretty cold here over the past few days....the perfect excuse to partake in lots of hot drinks!! The other day, with perfect timing, I received nine different flavours of Cosy Tea to try. What a treat!

Cosy Tea is a tea with a difference. Not only are all of the teas organic but their packaging has been designed to really catch your eye. Each pack has a different hand knitted pattern that makes it stand out from the crowd. I think the packs are gorgeous and really compliment the Cosy, warming nature of the tea.

So what teas are in the range?

• Cosy Fairtrade Organic Breakfast Tea
• Cosy Fairtrade Organic Earl Grey Tea
• Cosy Fairtrade Organic Decaf Tea
• Cosy Organic Rooibos Tea with Vanilla
• Cosy Organic Chamomile Infusion
• Cosy Organic Sencha Green Tea with Lemon
• Cosy Organic Chunmee Green Tea with Jasmine
• Cosy Organic Peppermint Infusion
• Cosy Organic Blueberry & Echinacea Infusion

Quite a range. My Mother-in-Law and her work colleagues LOVE tea so I distributed some of the flavours between them and sat at home doing my own taste test.

Now I do like tea but I wouldn't consider myself an expert...my Mother-in-Law however is somewhat of a tea coinnoissuer. She loved these teas! With such a range of flavours there is something for everyone.

Each pack of tea suggests how best to prepare it. This is great if you're like me and don't know which should have milk or how long to keep the bag in for.

Personally I loved the Peppermint and the Rooibos. The Peppermint took me back to a holiday in Egypt some time ago now, sitting in the hotel drinking fresh peppermint tea - I actually closed my eyes while drinking this tea and I could have been there. Delicious!

As for the Rooibos, well at first I wasn't sure but it soon became one of my favourites! This is a Redbush tea from South Africa with a hint of vanilla. When you first lift the cup to your mouth all you can smell is the sweet vanilla, however when you taste the tea the vanilla is merely a hint in the background. Once I got used to the sweet smell and the less sweet taste I loved it! I generally avoid caffeine and this tea is naturally caffeine-free ... a perfect excuse to drink it all day!

I could sit here and describe every tea to you but I think it's probably best if you try them out for yourselves. So I'm delighted to tell you that the lovely people at Cosy Tea have offered Rhoda Reviews readers the chance to win 1 of 2 complete sets of Cosy Tea!!

To enter just simply fill in the Rafflcopter entry form below (tip: if it doesn't appear straight away, refresh the page)

Dulux Dog Celebrates 50 Years

Well all know who the Dulux dog is don't we? Well he is celebrating his 50th birthday this year! 50 years of colourful TV adverts and 50 years of helping to style the nation!

To celebrate 50 years of the Dulux dog, Dulux have created a limited edition range of novel homely treats, from mugs to notebooks, fleece blankets to Royal Doulton figurine. It's a lovely range and we were lucky enough to be sent a cuddly Dulux dog for Jonny.

I have to admit that when he arrived I did toy with the idea of keeping him for myself....but that would have made me a horrible "auntie".

The Dulux dog is really soft and although he does shed a few hairs making him less suitable for younger children he is very cute and extremely cuddly.

Jonny has named him "Dog" and proudly paraded Dog when out for lunch the other day, woofing and barking ......and sniffing bottoms (that was his Dad's doing!!!). They have become great friends and he can't wait to take him to Newcastle to visit Grandad's dog Whiskey!

All of the limited edition Dulux merchandise is available from the Dulux website. This very cute cuddly Dulux dog retails for £12.99. You can join in the celebrations with Dulux on Facebook.

A cuddly Dulux dog was received for thie purposes of this review. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.

Make Yourself Better

Regular readers may have noticed that we have been missing a couple of monthly posts from Philip Weeks....well I have some news that might just make up for that. Philip has just published a book - Make Yourself Better!

I was lucky enough to be sent a copy of Philip's book to read. I'm always open to reading about ways that I can possibly make myself better so I couldn't wait to dive into this book.

The first thing that struck me about this book is that it is very easy to read. Although the information is specialist in this book Weeks engages the reader and describes things in such a way that even I can understand it - foggy brain and all!

The book is split into twelve chapters, each focussing upon an aspect of our lives or our bodies. I found myself really engaged in a lot of the information but some of did occur to me as being somewhat extreme - an example? .... the home enima!

I passed this book over to my Dad to have a browse and he found it really interesting, also commenting on just how easy it is to read!

Weeks suggests herbs, liver flushes, detox teas, fasting and foods that will help to get your body back on track and to regain your health. I will certainly be trying out his suggestions for chronic fatigue.

Personally I found this book very interesting. Although I didn't share all of Weeks' thoughts and opinions it was useful to read his thoughts on various matters. You could read this book from cover to cover and do everything it suggests or you could dip in to this book now and then to help with ailments.

The one thing I would say is that if you are prone to hypochondria you might just get a bit carried away with this read!!

Make Yourself Better is available to purchase directly from the makeyourselfbetter website with an RRP of £9.99. For more information about Philip Weeks visit his website.

A proof copy of this book was received for the purposes of this review. No other reward, financial or otherwise, was received in exchange for this post. All opinions expressed are entirely our own.