Gem and Jo's Post Exam De-Stress

Everyone is always going on about how to stay calm and collected before and during exams but a lot of people forget to take care of themselves after the tests are over. As exam veterans ourselves, we've dealt with them for a long time now, we have a few things we like to do once our exams are over and we can finally chill.

The most important thing is to watch your health.

Have you ever noticed that as soon as your exams are over you come down with a cold? We call that the 'post-exam sickness'. All the stress and pressure you've put on yourself during the exams finally comes to a head and you make yourself physically ill. Make sure you're keeping your immune system in tip-top shape by taking vitamins, eating healthy and making sure you get in some sort of exercise (a simple walk or a game of footie with friends).

Make a list of things you would like to do over the summer.

Having goals stops you from looking back in September and saying "jeez we actually did nothing all summer". Making plans to see friends and go places means you won't have the regret of staying in bed all summer long.

Pick up a book.

This is one of the things we were most excited about when we finished our exams. The opportunity to read a book that hadn't been assigned by school or college was honestly the best feeling. Whether it's a new cookbook or a novel, pick it up and start reading. (Somewhere in  Between is by an amazing Irish Author!)

Pamper yourself.

In the days after your exam you need to pamper yourself, take a luxurious bath or even go as far as booking you and your bestie into a spa for the day. Either way you will feel the benefits of that pampering straight away.

Clean your bedroom.
We don't know about you but during our exams our bedrooms became bombsites. We just didn't have the time to clean between trying to feed ourselves and cramming as much information as possible. Now that the exams are over, take the time to spring clean your bedroom. The less clutter and mess, the less stressed you'll feel. Maybe even take the time to re-arrange your room and give yourself a clean start and a fresh feel.

What do you do to de-stress after exams? 

Until next time,

Gem and Jo's Water of the Week - Orange and Lemon

If you've been reading lately you've probably gotten the hang of our weekly water posts! If you're a new reader, welcome! Every week we post a new fruit infused water recipe. Mostly we post on Mondays so we can start the week off right! This week, we're gonna be drinking lots of Orange and Lemon water, fresh and fruity! 

Here's what you need:

An Orange!

A Lemon!

A jug with lots of ice! 

Slice the lemon and orange up into nice little slices, remember to make sure the slices fit into your water bottle! 

Chuck everything (except any pips!) into the ice water and get yourself a glass and start sipping!

Here's why this combo is good for you: 

• Lemon water gives your immune system a good boost cause it's full of Vitamin C!
• Lemon also aids digestion and cleanses your system. 
• Lemon freshens your breath and helps to keep your skin clear!
• Oranges boost heart health!
• Oranges are known to help to reduce the risk of a number of illnesses, including kidney infections!

So get chugging you guys, who would pass up such a healthy, tasty drink!

What water will you be drinking this week? Will you try this one?

Until next time,

Gem and Jo's Water of the Week - Cucumber and Lemon

Week 3 ladies and gents! Get ready for one of the original fruit infused waters: Cucumber and Lemon! It's pretty simple what you're gonna need here but take a look below to see pretty pictures of it!

A lemon!

A cucumber

Slice the lemon and cucumber thinly and make sure they can fit into your water bottle with a little wiggle room so they can infuse! Chuck in some chunks of ice and off you go!

Here's why this combo is good for you:

• Lemons have strong antibacterial, antiviral and immune-boosting powers!
• Lemons can be used as a weight loss aid because they aid digestion
• Lemons can help to cleanse your liver!
• Eat a few slices of cucumber before sleeping and it'll help to relive your hangover! 
• Cucumber helps to lower blood sugar levels! 

What water will you be drinking this week? Did you enjoy last weeks? 

Until next time,

Gem and Jo's Water of the Week Cucumber and Strawberry

Welcome to week 2 of our weekly healthy water drinking, thing. We're not too sure what to call it but its happening! Last week all you lovely viewers seemed to really enjoy our Raspberry and Apple water and this week we are sure you will love some Cucumber and Strawberry! It's both refreshing and sweet, the perfect combo if you ask us. 

Here's what your gonna need:

Some strawberries! As many as you would like!

A cucumber! 

A jug with water and ice, you gots to keep that goodness cold!

Then all you need to do it chop the fruit and veg up into your preferred size (remember to make sure it can fit in your water bottle!). Give the mixture a stir and leave it to infuse for a few minutes before pouring yourself a large glass and relaxing! Or you can pour it into a bottle and leg it out the door like we do every morning, lateness is a disease people!

Here's why this combo is so good for you:

• Strawberries are a source of Vitamin C which boosts immunity
• Strawberries also have ellagic acid which when combined with vitamin C can help maintain collagen! That prevents wrinkles ladies! 
• Cucumber is a source of B vitamins which can give you an energy boost!
• Cucumber also replenishes lost vitamins and hydrates! 
• Putting a slice of cucumber on your tongue can help to relieve bad breath!

Plus eating strawberries is thought to whiten your teeth! So after you've finshed drinking, you can eat the fruit and veg and feel great! It's like a drink and lunch in one go!

Do you like fruit infused water? Will you try this one?

Until next time,

Gem and Jo's Water of the Week - Raspberry and Apple.

It's February which means that by now most of us have totally failed or forgotten about our new years resolutions. But who says you need the start of a new year to make a healthy change? So what's on our agenda you may ask.... Water. You've probably heard hundreds of times that drinking water is the first step to a healthy lifestyle. It helps to improve your skin, maintain your muscles and fight fatigue. "But water is soo boring!!" we hear you say. Well we're here to show you how to spice up your water and add some extra vitamins!
Valentine's day is just around the corner and what says Valentine's Day more than PINK! Here's our water of the week, Apple and Raspberry Infused Water.

Here's what you need:

A Pink Lady Apple!

Some frozen Raspberries!

A jug, some water (duh!) and ice in a cute glass. 

All you need to do is chop your apple up into thin slices (avoid loosing a limb during the process) and chuck everything into the water! Simples! 

Let your water sit for a few minutes, to infuse all the goodness and you are good to go! Stick it in a cute little glass or in a bottle and bring it along with you during the day! 

How cute is our little love heart wooden spoon?

Here's why this combo of fruit and water is so good for you!

• Apples are a great source of immune boosting vitamin C
• Apples are a great source of antioxidants which help fight free radicals
• Raspberries = great for your brain health
• Raspberries also contain the the antioxidant zeaxanthin which helps with retina (eye) health. 
• The vitamin C in Raspberries and Apples help to keep your eyes healthy in general. 

So with such an extensive list of benefits to this tasty drink, why wouldn't you go out and get yourselves some raspberries and apples! And, buying a couple of raspberries and a couple of apples is a lot cheaper than shelling out for a new bottle of juice each day! Yay for benefits! 

Also did we mention it's cute and it's pink? Who doesn't love cute and pink? 

Have you ever tried fruit infused waters? What's your favourite flavours? 

Until next time,