I have a really busy life and a husband who is not keen on holidays in the UK or abroad. This means it’s often difficult for me to switch off completely, forget about my lovely clients, my writing, my teaching and my business generally.

So following up from my Spa break last weekend I have made a concerted effort to do no work – unless you count writing this blog as working. I have met up with friends and colleagues for coffees and days out, attended daily yoga classes and stretched my body into shape, read a brilliant novel, bought a bright pink  YSL lipstick (I LOVE it)  and generally done nothing more strenuous than my daily Killer Sudokos, another passion.  I’ve knocked alcohol on the head for the last few days, though the weekend beckons and so do a couple of glasses of wine, and ate supremely nutritious food (apart from a couple of heavenly cappuccinos and a piece of divine walnut cake). The only TV I’ve watched is my beloved cricket – Test Match against Pakistan and the fantastic Eoin Morgan, so no depressing news, police dramas or sensory stimulation. How do I feel? Fantastic. You should try it. I might not be able to keep it up but for a few days it really is heavenly.

I’ve just returned from a long weekend break with Leisure Plan Holidays. I use them frequently, as they are SUCH good value for money and experts in the field of fitness and looking after yourself (but you can still have a drink!!) 

This particular break was at the newly refurbished Met Hotel in Leeds. I was astounded by the fantastic quality of service I was shown by EVERY member of staff. I know I shouldn’t be surprised as this what hotels are supposed to do, but it’s rare to find it these days. So I can heartily staying there. Some of the bedrooms have seen better days but the food in the Tempest restaurant is to die for.

So having been pummelled, oiled, soothed and reflexologied out I am content with the world AND also the great sale at All Saints, just down the road in the Victorian Quarter!!  More on that tomorrow.

http://www.fitnessfiesta.com/bodycare-breaks.php

and get this special offer from Liz Earle. It’s the 15th anniversary of her Cleanse & Polish coming onto the market on Tuesday. I love and use it all the time as I think it really does the trick and it gets rid of my mascara too. To celebrate, she is offering it for sale at £9.50 rather than the usual £13. It’s only available at this price on the day so sign up now, so you don’t forget:

http://uk.lizearle.com/index_2.php?userpage=cp_anniversary_signup_thanks

If you want to make the most of your complexion then you’ll need to guard against too much sun. One answer arrives in the form of a jaunty little summer trilby. Stripes, prints, rainbow colours and beaded versions of these marvellously cool straw hats can all be found with prices varying from £5 New Look to £115 Paul Smith.

The one shown is a beaded version from M&S £15

The fabulous Karen Divine is one of my Feel Fab at 50 experts on nutrition, and a TV star to boot, so I was thrilled when I found out that she is doing some detox retreats to ensure we all can feel healthy and light.

Devine Detox and well being retreats are designed to help ‘take you on a journey within‘, to help you detox physically, mentally and emotionally. It has been created by Karen Devine (www.karendevine.co.uk) designed to also, teach, inspire and empower you in stunning locations.

It’s a combination of juice fasting, colon cleansing, detox and elimination support measures, supplements, daily yoga and one to one support throughout your week to assist you on your personal journey

Devine Detox Retreats are run in small groups to allow for individual attention, there are also a team of expert therapists working on mind, body and spirit. And of course there are many informative talks each day and some surprise workshops along the way.

I heartily recommend so go to http://www.devinedetox.co.uk/ for more information. You won’t regret it.

You can also buy a download of my interview with Karen by going to http://ww.feelfabat50.com/shop/index.php?maincat_id=1

As many of you will be aware I, alongside many of you reading this blog, have had challenges with eating disorders in the past and a battle to keep my weight where I’d like it be be. Luckily, most of my struggles with food have gone but my curiousity was piqued by a new book hailed by Oprah – a well documented yo-yo dieter – as the ‘bible’ for anyone with issues around eating.

Geneen  Roth has bought understanding and acceptance to tens of thousands of women from all over the world about why they have such great emotional attachments to what they put (or don’t put) into their mouths. Her simple techniques and practical advice help resolve the conflicts and put an end to the powerful anguish that only someone with these issues can understand. As a fellow sufferer, she can put herself in our shoes and so she is totally believable. 

Yesterday I read her latest book, the one which Oprah so loved, called ‘Women, Food and God’.  It was brilliant. It’s about ending the struggle of dieting, forcing, depriving and continually trying to fix ourselves. Through a process called inquiry, Geneen teaches how to actually feel our feelings instead of numbing them with food. Included are exercises to help us drop below the continual chatter of our busy minds to a direct experience of presence and clarity. Instead of repeatedly struggling for the next thing that will surely, finally make us happy, we can realise that all we want – all we ever wanted – is right here, right now.

What a HUGE relief.

If you would prefer to listen to her, rather than read, Geneen has a fabulously rich website full of CD’s, downloads and US tour dates for you to sample.

http://www.geneenroth.com/women_food_and_god.php

I’ve just bought the new book by Lulu looking for an insight into her secrets for looking amazing. I can’t believe how youthful and radiant she looks and, as she’s 61, I decided I need some of what she’s on before that age descends upon me.

Interestingly, I have already picked up on some of her tips which reflect the changes in our bodies as we get older. I don’t mean the obvious, such as staying out of the midday sun, giving up smoking and so on but things like cutting down on fruit (too much sugar), eating lots of greens (every meal), enjoying quality and not quantity of my favourite things such as coffee, chocolate and alcohol (not only do I put on weight but I don’t sleep either).  She is also a huge advocate of yoga, walking ( I have books on it – and that’s as far as I’ve got), and meditation (also on my ‘must do’ list but unfortunately at the bottom).

I’m thrilled she’s still in love with fashion and accessories though not bags (that’s very like me at the moment – perhaps the IT bag has had its day at last?).  I also agree whole heartedly with her styling tips, which are definitely on a par with the ones I’d give you.

Wise and beautiful with a youthful curiosity, high energy and a fantastic radiance, Lulu’s definitely an inspirational icon that I’ll be referring to as I grow older.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/LuLus-Secrets-Looking-Good-Fabulous/dp/0007310544

My lovely  friend and yoga teacher is offering the most amazing one day yoga retreats at her fabulous home (complete with brand new custom built yoga studio) at Pentney Lakes in Norfolk.

Tanya is the most generous of women and her package offers 3 hours of yoga plus lunch. The afternoon is your free time to utilise in whichever way you feel is right for you – walking, jet skiing, relaxing in the beautiful surroundings.

The price – just £25 per person! The groups will never be larger than 8 so you know you’ll also get individual attention.

She is running them every other Monday starting in May.

For more info, contact her in 01760 444294 or tkp1@live.co.uk

Another fascinating lecture at the Mind, Body, Soul weekend was given by Frances Harris, an ex marketer of 25 years standing who had, like Beverly Drumm, completely changed her life – is there a theme here I wonder?

The talk was centred on colour, but not in the way I am qualified to deliver, but in way that related to what the colour meant for you, now, at this moment.

Frances has a pole on which were tied the nine colours representing the chakra system. We had to pick the one that jumped out as us – your hello colour- and then the one you least favoured – your goodbye. She then went around the room telling us what our choices represented for us. I was pretty astounded as mine was so spot on, even my friends gasped at the accuracy.

Want to learn more, go to http://www.soothingminds.co.uk/articles.aspx?artid=213 and take the test for yourself.

Frances is also a colour healer and, as you know from my previous blogs, I have been increasingly attracted to orange, a colour I don’t like and it doesn’t like me either. I have also had trouble with my lower intestine. You guessed it. Orange is the colour of healing for that part of the body!  Intuition is a powerful thing.

Just come back from something we should all do more of – a weekend away with your girlfriends. Pampering, yoga, fabulous lectures, great food and brilliant instructors all allowed us, individually, to get the most of the time we had away from our normal routines.

I can never believe the price of this fantastic holiday (I go every year so am well known to the organisers) as the quality of everything on offer is so high. Check it out:

http://www.fitnessfiesta.com/mind_body_index.php

I’ve already booked a pampering weekend in July in the newly refurbished Met Hotel in Leeds. Can’t wait.