Reviewed by Antonella Townsend
There is something very appealing about the smaller pocket size hard cover book. In the case of Lemons are a Girl’s Best Friend it feels instantly delicious. This colourful little book would be the best present for anyone, not just girls, who value recipes for external and internal health. This is also a brilliant book for tweens and teens who are currently spending large amounts of money on overpriced serums that are not beneficial to their young skin. And it is not just about lemons.
The recipes range over a wealth of superfoods. Sixty all natural recipes: thirty are external beauty treatments and thirty delectable healthy recipes. Details about each superfood is informative, providing information about the specific beneficial flavonoid compounds that have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on the body.
Janet Hayward has provided innovative beauty treatments in abundance, and not one paraben, phthalate, polyethylene glycol, or hydroquinone in sight. None of these therapies required experimentation on animals! The beauty treatments range over most areas of the body, from hair to feet, with an abundance of face cleansers, toners, exfoliating masks and a steam green tea facial treatment. Only a few examples follow from a wealth of material.
The humble sweet potato is combined with yogurt and coconut oil to exfoliate, hydrate and nourish the decolletage, neck and face. The Scrumptious Sweet Potato Smash recipe will top up beta-carotene levels to boost anti-inflammatory vitamin A. An exotic source of beta-carotene is the Papaya, also billed as a potent source of lutein, B-complex vitamins, potassium and calcium, as a treatment for hands and feet helping to get rid of rough or dry skin it is joined by honey and rolled oats. For eating there is a papaya, avocado and cucumber salad, which I can report is most refreshing.
Blueberries are of course famous for their anti-oxidant properties. Janet provides a recipe for blueberry and oat cookies – excellent biscuits. But then, 35 grams of berries, plus a teaspoon of sugar and one tablespoon of olive oil and honey, become a really effective exfoliator.
The nori wrap recipe is a very useful example of sushi without calorie laden rice. The seaweed sheets plus warm water then doubles a face mask. Seaweed is rich in chlorophyll, has vitamin K and iodine. So good for blood and thyroid. There is so many more healthy ideas in this little book.
Readers are in experienced hands, Janet Hayward has over twenty years in the beauty and cosmetic industry. She is also the founder of Ipsum Skincare which only uses certified organic pure and natural native plant oils, esters and waxes, so avoiding unnecessary chemicals into the skin care routine.
Recommended.
Lemons are a Girl’s Best Friend
by Janet Hayward
(2024)
Simon & Schuster Australia
Hard Cover
ISBN: 9781761 429897
AU $24.99; 128pp
NZ $28.99