< PreviousSuave The time is finally here to embrace some more summery looks. SuaveLINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 41 FASHION Opposite: Fat Face Linen is a must for hot summer days, with this look from Fat Face perfect for keeping a suave sense of style while remaining comfortable. Top left: Cotton Traders With the days getting brighter, why not mirror this in your closet. Add some splashes of colour to your outfits this month as Cotton Traders does here with a delightful combination of dusky coral shorts and a sage cable knit jumper. Left: Dune London Dune London shows how you can elevate a look through shoe selection, opting to enhance this soft, neutral, smart-casual ensemble with navy snaffle- trim loafers. Above: Barbour You may be heading down to the beaches on the Lincolnshire coast this summer, or somewhere more tropical abroad – either way an outfit featuring swimming shorts can be easily upgraded with the right choice of top. Take this ensemble from Barbour as an example, making use of a stylish pink polo shirt. 42 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY HAIR & BEAUTY It’s all about the volume in summer 2023 The warm and hazy summer months inspire many of us to change up our look, and for summer 2023, we’re going voluminous. Often associated with youthfulness, vitality, and glamour, hair with some oomph is never out of style. It’s all about the volume in summer 2023LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 43 HAIR & BEAUTY © stock.adobe.com/inarik I n a world getting re-accustomed to office working and increased social occasions, giving your hair a volume hit can be the perfect self-esteem and confidence boost. As the saying goes, when you look good, you feel good. There are different types of volume for different types of hair and face shapes – there is no right way to achieve this style. Let’s explore some of the trending voluminous styles set to explode this summer, and some easy techniques for achieving them. Whether you draw inspiration from Cindy Crawford’s classic American blow dry or Pamela Anderson’s textured and layered style, voluminous hair reminiscent of the ‘90s is a major trend this summer. A full and voluminous blow dry never goes out of fashion and has the power to boost confidence and signify healthy hair. Big hair is all the rage, with Brigitte Bardot and Anderson serving as iconic examples. Combined with the big hair trend is the demand for high gloss and shine – wet-look hair is going to be everywhere. Chanel and Saint Laurent took the catwalk by storm, showcasing various ways to rock this style, regardless of hair length or parting preference. Whether you opt for a sleek center part, a dramatic deep side part, let your locks flow freely, or add some texture, wet-look hair can effortlessly transition your daytime look to an evening stunner. The best part is that it suits all hair types. The market is flooded with shine sprays to help achieve this look, alongside ultra-shine hairsprays. Keep a shine spray in your handbag to top up your gloss throughout the day. If you’re not into the sleek look, think ‘70s-inspired glam- rock vibes that perfectly capture the mood for summer 2023. The recent revival of That 70’s Show has seen popularity of short mullets, shags, and curtain bangs skyrocket. To put a modern twist on these, you could try shortening the bangs to a pixie-like length. This works well on shorter styles and lends a more sophisticated edge to this wild look. Embracing air drying, natural waves, and texture is key. If you have naturally long hair, there’s no need to reach for the scissors. For those without mermaid-length locks, extensions, wigs, or clip-ins can help achieve the desired look without waiting for your hair to grow waist-length. Hand in hand with this theme are loose waves – a timeless summer hairstyle trend that exudes carefree coolness. The key to this is the naturally beachy look, meaning less on the shine than some of the examples above. So now we have some style inspirations – how can we achieve these looks without a stylist on call? The easiest style is the loose beachy waves, as the objective is to look unfinished. To start, use a large curling wand, work on your hair in sections to ensure style evenness. While the hair is still warm from the wand, gently pull on it to straighten it slightly as it cools down. This creates looser waves that are more relaxed. Repeat this process throughout your entire hair. Once you’ve completed the styling, mist a small amount of water all over your hair and give it a shake to set the volume. The goal is not to wet the hair but to provide a light mist. This technique enhances the overall natural finish, making your hair appear as if it dried that way on its own. As volume is seen as a sign of healthy hair, the best way to achieve it is to actually boost your hair care routine. This can include a deep conditioning collagen treatment once a week for those with fine hair or smoothing a few drops of argan oil through your ends at bedtime. Experts always recommend sleeping on a silk pillow, which prevents hair breakage during the night and won’t soak in any treatments. It is also better for your skin too. In fact, hair health seems to be a trend in and of itself this year. Much like the rise in skincare routines, people are paying more attention to the products they use to reduce the need for labour-intensive styling. One key element that is overlooked all too often is using the right hairbrush for your hair type. When we’re discussing volume, this usually means a round brush, run throughout the hair in crest-wave motions whilst underneath a hairdryer. So how do you know which round brush is best for you? The size of the barrel in a round brush significantly influences the type of curls or waves you can achieve. A smaller barrel requires more hair to wrap around the brush, resulting in tighter curls or waves. This size is particularly suitable for styling short hair or bangs, as it prevents the bristles from scraping against the scalp. Additionally, the bristles of a round brush play a crucial role in determining the ideal type of brush for your needs. For individuals with easily damaged or dehydrated hair, a round brush with boar bristles is recommended. These bristles not only help strengthen the hair over time but also distribute the natural oils from the scalp to the ends of the hair. A medium-sized brush can also serve multiple purposes. It can be used to straighten wavy or curly hair, as well as add bounce and texture to straight hair. The brush evenly distributes heat, resulting in a silky and healthy feel to the hair. Adding a little volume to your hair can help you feel more polished, and ultimately more confident. If “big hair” isn’t for you, opt for the sleeker, shinier styles for a more sophisticated look. Once you have your volumizing routine down, you’ll likely never have to change it – a healthy amount of volume always looks fantastic. 44 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY HEALTH & FITNESS T aking part in sports you enjoy, and eating healthy but delicious meals has been proven to help people stick to long term goals and continue their health journey beyond their initial goal. Here, we shall explore some small things you can do to appreciate the journey, how far you’ve come, and how to get excited about the future. In 2023, the fitness trend taking hold is exercise snacking. Finding time for physical activity can be challenging, especially for busy individuals who do not have a pre-existing exercise regime. Meeting the recommended 150 minutes of exercise per week may seem impossible if you don’t already have a routine established. This essentially means that you need to exercise for 30 minutes a day for 5 days – a daunting prospect for many. However, as the saying goes, even a small amount can have significant benefits. An “exercise snack” involves breaking down that required 30 minutes into two 15 minute sessions during weekdays. For instance, if you have a desk job with an hour-long lunch break, you can dedicate the last 15 minutes of your break to moderate-intensity exercise. Similarly, you can repeat this routine at the end of your workday. By following this approach for five days a week, you will accumulate the recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise. What qualifies as ‘moderate-intensity exercise’? According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it refers to any physical activity that raises your heart rate and causes perspiration. This broad category encompasses various activities such as brisk walking, cycling, participating in a brief cardio circuit, or even performing tasks like mowing the lawn. Incorporating regular and consistent movement into your routine offers numerous health benefits, such as reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes, among others. Medical experts stress that it does not have to be an all or nothing approach. Incorporating small bursts of physical activity throughout the day can have a significant impact on your overall health. With the practice of self-care continuing to develop cultural significance, the concept of breaking tasks up is being applied here too. Constantly trying to remain positive and banish negativity can be overwhelming for many, so a good way to start is by embracing “sprinkles of joy”. We often perceive true self-care as allowing us to reach an unrealistic level of unalloyed contentment and happiness, which is ultimately unattainable. When we don’t reach these goals, we can blame ourselves, as if we lack the necessary tools to conquer the mountain of happiness. However, happiness is not a destination, and self-care should not be viewed as a chore. If you find yourself saving self-care activities for special moments or view it as a time and energy consuming task, you’re missing the point. Sprinkles of joy avoid these pitfalls by allowing oneself to celebrate the small wins, and unassuming moments of pleasure in life. Just as we adorn cupcakes and cakes with sprinkles to celebrate special moments, you can also celebrate everyday instances of joy scattered throughout your life. It could be as simple as treating yourself to your favourite pens for work because you Enjoying the journey to a healthier lifestyle With summer upon us, it can be easy to panic about getting in shape for the warmer weather. However, physically punishing exercise routines and being hard on oneself can have the opposite effect if you’re not enjoying it. LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 45 enjoy the way they feel on paper or wearing your preferred outfit. Remember, progress is made through small steps, and just like small amounts of exercise make a difference, a little bit of joy can have a profound impact on your overall well-being. Improving your sleep is often seen as the key to improving your mental and physical wellbeing. For insomniacs, over- the-counter sleep aids like melatonin to prescription sleeping pills, medications are often the go-to option. Yet, experts are now pushing for an altogether different approach for new sufferers before turning to medication. Cognitive behavioural therapy specifically tailored for insomnia (CBT-I) has been proven to be the most effective method for addressing chronic insomnia lasting longer than three months. Unlike medications, CBT-I techniques target the underlying causes of your sleep troubles. In the last 7 years, doctors have implored sufferers to undergo this therapy before seeking over the counter treatments such as CBD. The scientific backing of CBT-I makes it often more cost- effective than trying expensive (and unproven) treatments such as gummies or mouth sprays. But how does therapy help improve your sleep? It does not have to be labour intensive, as common CBT-I methods include meditation and breathing focus exercises. Biofeedback is also often used to understand biological stress triggers that require intervention. An example of this is heart rate monitoring. By implementing these techniques, you can understand why you are not sleeping (for example, high stress levels caused by work) and are able to directly address these concerns. A final, yet simple lifestyle change you can make this year is incorporating adaptogens into your diet. The food and nutrients you consume can have an impact on your energy levels and overall well-being. For instance, eating dark chocolate has been scientifically linked to an improved mood. You can take advantage of this knowledge by adding adaptogens to your meals. Active compounds found in plants and mushrooms, adaptogens have the potential to affect how your body deals with stress, anxiety, and fatigue. By combining adaptogens with other foods, you can enhance the health benefits of those foods. For example, you can try adding turmeric to smoothies or soups because it has the potential to reduce inflammation. Another example is ashwagandha, also known as Indian winter cherry or Indian ginseng, which is gaining popularity for its potential calming effect on the brain’s response to stress. This would be the perfect accompaniment to any CBT-I treatment. Let’s not forget about mushroom coffee, a blend of mushroom extract and ground coffee beans that can help reduce stress and inflammation, among other potential benefits. Incorporating adaptogens into your diet allows you to explore new avenues for supporting your overall well-being and managing stress. © stock.adobe.com/Monkey Business46 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 7,500 MILES FOR CHARITY B uoyed by a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast I was leaving a pub just after 9am when I spotted him. A man alone at the bar staring into a pint of beer. Shame on me for rushing to judgement, as you might just have done, but the landlady drew me to one side to explain that the poor man had lost two sons to suicide. In that case, fair play to him; whatever gets you through the day, I thought. He knew what I was doing, and why I was doing it; everyone in the pub did. As I left, he thrust a ten-pound note into my hand and told me what I was doing for a good cause. That moment convinced me once again that I was doing the right thing; making a personal sacrifice to say thank you to strangers at the charity that saved my life. I know what his sons had felt. I know because I’ve been there, on the brink. So what am I doing? I’m walking about 7,500 miles around the entire coastline of Britain to raise £100,000 for the Freemasons’ charity the MCF. I’ve called the walk ‘On The Edge’, because that’s where I was mentally when I spoke to counsellors at the charity, and where I physically am now, on the edge of Britain. I’ve come a long way since I set off from Skegness on New Year’s Day, even further from my home in Woodhall Spa, and further still from the darkest days of my depression, but the strangers I meet have been nothing but kind and supportive, and that kindness is spurring me on. The plan’s a simple one. Keep walking with the sound of the sea in my right ear. That will eventually bring me back home to Lincolnshire some time Lincolnshire man Chris Jones recounts how strangers brought him from the brink of suicide and are supporting him during a 7,500-mile trek around the coastline of Britain to repay the charity that saved his life, so it can do the same for others. Ready for the off: Chris Jones shoulders his rucksack for the 7,500 mile journey ahead. Big man, big heart: Without a word of introduction this man bought Chris a meal of fish and chips and a pint. He’s Roger Moore (really) a former Zimbabwean rugby international who’s no stranger to long-distance walking, having done the 95-mile West Highland Way barefoot… The kindness of strangers LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 47 7,500 MILES FOR CHARITY © stock.adobe.com/WH Graphic Design next year, after which I’ll write a book or two about my experiences. I’m a Freemason, a member of two Lodges in Horncastle. Through my journey Freemasons continue to step up with offers of help and sponsorship, but the support’s not exclusively from them. Non-Freemasons have helped in so many ways – motorhomes for overnight accommodation, free nights in B&Bs, and washing and ironing for my kit. There was even a plateful of fish and chips and a pint given by a giant of a man who must have seen fatigue etched on my face, even though we’d never met. What a back story he had! You can read it on my blog at walktheedgemcf.com, and sponsor me at https://bit.ly/3Cg32Jo In England the MCF gets the money; whilst I’m in Scotland I’m supporting Prostate Scotland and CHAS, the Children’s Hospice Association of Scotland. The MCF’s six-week counselling programme undoubtedly saved my life. To this day I still use some of its techniques when I feel my mood changing and I sense the ‘big black dog’ appearing… All in a good cause: Chris has the ambition to raise £100,000 for the Masonic Charitable Foundation.48 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FOOD & DINING foods There’s a lot of focus around the warmer months on healthy foods and cutting down on carbs to look better in the hotter months. We collect some hearty meals here along with a few snacks. Summer Celery, spinach and Method: Chop the cucumber, celery and apple into chunks. Put everything through a juicer then chill in the fridge. Stir well before serving. Recipe courtesy of www.lovethecrunch.com Serves: 1 Preparation time: 5 minutes each Cooking time: n/a Ingredients: 1 cucumber 5 sticks of celery 2 apples 1 bag Fresh & Naked baby spinach leaves 1 lime 1 tsp honey cucumber juice Boost your nutrient intake with this super green juice. Enjoy in the morning for a healthy start to the day or in the evening to help with a good night’s sleep as celery contains the chemical serotonin, one of the most important brain chemicals, or neurotransmitters, for regulating the sleep/wake cycle. © stock.adobe.com/ Roman RvachovLINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 49 Slow cooked lamb shoulder © stock.adobe.com/ myviewpoint Don’t be turned off by the simplicity of this super easy meal - it’s a firm favourite and tastes delicious. Ingredients: * Lamb Shoulder (Vary weight by servings) * Olive or vegetable oil * Onions * Carrots * Garlic * Lamb stock * Salt & Pepper Method: * Heat the oil in a large pan and brown the lamb on all sides * Dice onions and carrots into a slow cooker, and place the browned lamb on top * Dice some garlic into the pot along with some rosemary leaves if you have any, then season with salt and pepper * Pour in lamb stock - ideally, this should be about to halfway up or two-thirds of the way up the shoulder of lamb, fully covering the vegetables beneath. * Cook on high for 5 hours * Remove lamb and leave to rest for 30 minutes. We suggest using the remaining stock and juices to make a gravy to serve alongside the lamb shoulder and vegetables. Woolliss & Son Butchers –– AWARD-WINNING LINCOLNSHIRE BUTCHERS –– LOOKING FOR A TOP QUALITY BUTCHERS IN LINCOLNSHIRE? Look no further, we have a proven track record when it comes to providing top quality cuts of meat and home made pastries at a competitive price. We are proud of our locally sourced produce and our 5 star hygiene rating. 29-31 Mercer Row, Louth LN11 9JG. T: 01507 603230 E: orders@woolliss-butchers.co.uk W: woolliss-butchers.co.uk Great BBQ ideas for your summer events Next >