As I welcome you to another Weekend Read, the first thing that I need to do is to thank so many of you for your emails following the last Weekend Read, the first of the year.  The interesting thing here is that almost without exception those emails were not about products, but about the very real need for support and understanding in an often vitriolic world.  The challenge is very real and it is not an easy route, it never has been, yet we must continue to stand in our own truth.  And we do so without fear or favour.

If we are to respect each other, which is a core value, then surely we have to do so with responsibility and trust. Following through on that, and if we are talking about products, then recommendations have to be based upon merit and efficacy.  I absolutely know that is a pointed statement, but I don’t actually care because how can a recommendation ever be equitable when it is chosen over and above all else because it is a paid-for placement.  And exactly where does that leave niche brands and SMEs.  Mostly unable to compete.  That’s where.  Even if those niche brands and products are so very often in a different league.  A league of excellence.

So, let’s talk about excellence and I suppose there is no better place to start the product section by talking about one of our bestselling supplements, which is of course Hyaluronic Acid Capsules High Strength.  And we have just come out of a HA famine, for which I take full responsibility.  It goes something like this.  As most of you are aware, HA was featured on our Black Friday offering and we had ordered a specific volume for that offer. However, demand exceeded supply, which was perhaps unsurprising, and I didn’t have the heart to stop the initiative, so we drew down on our regular stock levels in order to fulfil as many orders as we could before we had to end the offer.

And that became an issue, even after the initiative.  At that time I wrote that our stock levels were extraordinarily low, but I was hoping that our next consignment would arrive before we had to put HA on a wait list.  It didn’t.  So, with apologies to all those who were held on that wait list, we are now back in stock, fully back in stock, and for that I give thanks.  So, let’s celebrate its excellence once again as I drop the price of Hyaluronic Acid Capsules High Strength down from £35 to £30.  Across the weekend.
VH Editorial: Benefits Of Hyaluronic Acid Supplements; Hyaluronic Acid Capsules High Strength £30 for 30 Capsules (offer ends at midnight GMT, Sunday 15 January)

If I may, I would just like to take a moment here to talk about wait lists.  I am very aware that following the release of these newsletters some of the products mentioned will go onto a wait list.  There is a certain inevitability that this will happen and it happened last weekend across several products, including Daily Immunity.  The most important thing to say here is that we will always honour our offers and promotions wherever we can.  If there is a problem then we will of course let you know. I would never write about a product if I knew there were long-term stock issues, but in the case of Daily Immunity, I knew that a delivery was imminent. 

So, keeping this short and sweet, our consignment actually arrived last Monday, but because immunity is so very important, I will hold the price drop of Daily Immunity for one more week, which in translation means that it remains at £22, dropped from £27.  The wait lists that come with a silver lining.  Even if there wasn’t really a wait list on Daily Immunity. But I like it this way.  It just feels right.  Intuitively so.
VH Editorial: A Daily Supplement That Supercharges Your Immunity; Daily Immunity £22 for 60 Capsules (offer ends at midnight GMT, Friday 20 January)

Time to talk about Fulvic. Well, you all knew that Fulvic would make an appearance sooner rather than later, so if we are going to talk about Fulvic, let’s do it in style.  So please allow me to introduce you to the Fulvic Discovery Kit.  There are several reasons why we are offering this limited edition kit, but primarily it is an opportunity to try some of the Fulvic products if you haven’t already done so.  It also serves as a travel kit, most especially because it means that you don’t have to pack the full-sized products if you are going away, reducing the weight of your luggage if you use several Fulvic products.  Leaving more room for shoes.  Which can only be a good thing.

There are five products in the Fulvic Discovery Kit and those five products are: Fulvic Elixir (120 ml), Fulvic Face Cream (30 ml), Fulvic Shampoo (60 ml), Fulvic Conditioner (60 ml) and Fulvic Mist (60 ml). I just want to say here that the Fulvic Mist is a wonderful multi-tasking product and although it was primarily formulated as a scalp treatment for hair health and hair loss, I also use it in conjunction with Fulvic Face Cream, spraying my face lightly with the mist after cleansing.  Its wound-healing properties align with Fulvic Face Cream to help maintain skin integrity and health.

Of course, most of you know that I use all five products and I have done so for the longest time.  So, the bottom line.  The value of the Fulvic Discovery Kit is £47.50, but I have dropped that to £25, whilst stocks last, and that won't be forever.  Alchemy in a box.  And just to add, Fulvic Shampoo has come off its wait list and is now back in stock.  Amen.    
Fulvic Discovery Kit £25 (as described above); Fulvic Shampoo £25 for 240 ml

With a running theme of wait lists, let’s add the DIRTEA products onto that list, and although we went into wait list territory last weekend, all products are now back in stock and the wait list has thankfully disappeared.  As I thought, Lion’s Mane was the bestselling mushroom tea, although it needs to be said that the others weren’t too far behind.  The beauty of the DIRTEA products is that they are inter-changeable, so you can adjust your dosage according to need. 

For further clarity, each specific blend addresses different needs. Dosing with Reishi Mushroom Powder will help bring a sense of calm and a dose of Chaga Mushroom Powder will help support energy levels.  Lion’s Mane Mushroom Powder is for focus and digestion and Cordyceps Mushroom Powder is for endurance and performance. 

As I wrote last week, Mushroom Coffee Super Blend can be used as a base coffee product, but if you prefer you can mix any of the powders into a smoothie or into regular tea or coffee dependent upon need.  One more thing, I am holding the price drop from £39.99 to £32 until the end of this week.  The super-mushroom-stash.
VH Editorial: The Unique Benefits Of Medicinal Mushrooms; Lion’s Mane Mushroom Powder £32 for 60 grams; Chaga Mushroom Powder £32 for 60 grams; Cordyceps Mushroom Powder £32 for 60 grams; Reishi Mushroom Powder £32 for 60 grams; Mushroom Coffee Super Blend £32 for 150 grams; All by DIRTEA (offers end at midnight GMT, Friday 20 January)

Moving on, let’s take a look at a very common health concern.  Chilblains, also known as perniosis, are unusual reactions of the small blood vessels (capillaries) within the skin.  Chilblains look like small red bumps on the toes and fingers and they can be itchy and painful.  Cold weather conditions cause the capillaries to constrict and when the area warms up again, the capillaries are not able to open up quickly, resulting in the stagnation of blood and all the waste products within it.  It is these waste products that accumulate in skin and set off an inflammatory reaction. 

Chilblains are more common in women (I will refrain from commenting) and although research indicates that there is no direct link between chilblains and a vitamin deficiency, we do recommend Diosmin Plus, which is a potent and safe supplement for circulation.  Shabir recommends Diosmin Plus for most circulatory issues, which include varicose veins, spider veins and haemorrhoids.  At this point I am going to refer you to Shabir’s article where he further recommends Capsicum and Ginger Warming Cream and Silversocks.  All I need to do is to drop the price of Diosmin Plus and Capsicum and Ginger Warming Cream, and I do so below.
VH Editorial: Chilblains Treatment; Diosmin Plus £23 for 60 Capsules (drops from £28); Capsicum and Ginger Warming Cream by Napiers £17 for 100 ml (drops from £20); Silversocks Black (Size 3-7) £9.99; Silversocks Black (size 6-11) £9.99 (offers end at midnight GMT, Friday 20 January)

As I have often written, I think it is incredibly important to understand the supplements that we take and drilling down further, the same is true of individual ingredients.  So today we are going to throw the focus on zinc.  Zinc is an important mineral that is found in every single cell of the body and being the tenth most common element in the human body, it is vital for the functioning of more than 300 hormones and countless enzyme systems.  It is also vital for cells to divide and replicate during the production of new tissues and current evidence indicates that approximately 20% of the world’s population is deficient in zinc.

Whilst zinc supplements are best known for their role in fighting colds and flu, there is far more to zinc supplementation as Shabir explains in his article, linked below.  There are also many different types of zinc, which is why we believe it is so important to understand the uses, side effects and benefits of this mineral.  The varying forms include citrates, gluconates and picolinates, which have varying absorption rates, but at best can achieve 25% absorption from each dose.  Research has shown that higher dosing of zinc can produce significant benefits, but only at the correct therapeutic dose.  So as Shabir recommends Zinc Complex, I drop the price from £13.25 to £11.  I think this is what could be called a double-act. 
VH Editorial: Zinc Supplements: Uses, Side Effects and Benefits; Zinc Complex by Terranova £11 for 100 Capsules (offer ends at midnight GMT, Sunday 15 January)

With no further comment on our double-act, lest I get myself into trouble, I now want to write about three small products that could make a difference to you.  Zam-Buk Antiseptic Ointment because it was created in 1903 as an important first-aid medicine for preventing infection from cuts and abrasions.  It preceded antibiotics, it comes in a retro tin and it was famously endorsed by Harry Houdini who used it to soothe his wrists after his escapology feats.  It’s a brilliant home remedy and it can also be used on bruises, sprains, burns, chilblains (on subject) and insect bites.  Medicinal wisdom.
Zam-Buk Antiseptic Ointment £3.99 for 20 grams

Supporting lip health and nourishment, Lysine Lip Balm is the second of the three small products I want to talk about.  And I want to talk about it because it has been formulated specifically for cold sores and dry and chapped lips.  It comes into its own in extreme weather conditions, which is why it performs exceptionally well in the heat of the summer.  But whilst we may dream of warmer climes, we still have two or three months of winter to get through and this magical lip balm contains two key ingredients, lysine and monolaurin.  Studies have indicated that lysine can help speed up the recovery from cold sores and help prevent recurrencies.  Therapeutically.
Lysine Lip Balm by Good Health Naturally £5.95 for 5 grams

I honestly can’t remember if I have ever written about this product, but if I haven’t then it is totally remiss of me because I have been writing about the benefits of magnesium forever and a day, and I love soaps.  I always have done.  Magnesium Soap is rich in magnesium chloride, also known as magnesium oil, and it has a multitude of benefits, not least because it cleanses and calms irritated skin, most especially for those prone to eczema and psoriasis.  It also helps correct magnesium deficiencies, we are mostly magnesium deficient, and it also contains coconut and avocado oils to further help calm skin inflammation.  A gentle soap.  A gentle solution.
Magnesium Soap by Life-Flo £5.25 for 121 grams

Last weekend I wrote about high stress levels and peaking anxiety issues.  As ever, I wrote about our bestselling product in this genre, which is of course Magnolia Rhodiola Complex.  However, there is a caveat across this supplement as it will contra-indicate with prescribed antidepressants.  I often write about alternatives to Magnolia Rhodiola, so please let me introduce you to L-Theanine & Lemon Balm by Viridian Nutrition, which contains clinically studied levels of ingredients and can be safely taken alongside prescribed antidepressants, although of course it can be used as a stand-alone product.

L-Theanine is an amino acid sourced from green tea leaves. It is joined by an extract of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), which is a member of the mint family and is considered to be a calming herb, helping to reduce stress and anxiety.  Additionally lemon balm can help ease pain and discomfort from indigestion, but most specifically this supplement was formulated to help elevate mood, promoting relaxation and cognitive function.  In other words, an antidote to the struggles of life, which are so prevalent at this time.  So, L-Theanine & Lemon Balm drops in price from £18.16 to £16 and I’ll throw in another six capsules of this supplement with any order placed for any Viridian product, including L-Theanine & Lemon Balm.  Of course.
L-Theanine & Lemon Balm by Viridian Nutrition £16 for 30 Capsules + Six Capsules Free (offer ends at midnight GMT, Friday 20 January, whilst stock lasts; one gift per customer)

Into the beauty treats we go and because I have written about HA capsules, for balance I am now going to write about Hyaluronic Acid Serum, our Hyaluronic Acid Serum.  Suitable for all skin types, I don’t really need to say very much about this lightweight serum other than it delivers intense hydration and it is of course one of our bestselling serums.  With all further information on the product page, this is the serum that is free from alcohol and silicones and once again, in a limited edition, I am offering you the opportunity to buy the oversized version of Hyaluronic Acid Serum, which means you will receive 45 ml for the price of 30 ml.  Whilst stock lasts.
Hyaluronic Acid Serum by Garden of Wisdom for VH £11.50 for 45 ml

Following through from last weekend, I have another treat for you from Margaret Dabbs and it’s a very simple treat.  If you buy any Margaret Dabbs product with a value of £10 or above, we will automatically gift you with Margaret’s Crystal Nail File which is worth £15.  I know the sums don’t add up, but I promise you haven’t read it incorrectly.  And if you will allow me to, I will tell you that this is my favourite nail file of all time, with all due respect to other nail files.  Anyway, there is only one gift per customer and I absolutely know that some products will roll into a pre-order status, but I am prepared for that and we will honour all orders placed, whilst stock lasts.
Margaret Dabbs Products + Crystal Nail File Free With All Orders Over £10 (whilst stocks last)

One last beauty treat, it’s from Aurelia and it is a new product.  Niacinamide Clay Mask is a deeply cleansing treatment face mask.  Loaded with charcoal, salicylic acid and probiotics, it has been formulated to treat oily and congested skin.  It also contains witch hazel, which together with Niacinamide targets blemishes.  Salicylic acid helps to prevent breakouts and the formulation is held together with Aurelia’s signature PROTIDA technology to help calm inflammation.  Avoiding the eye area, this mask can be used two or three times a week and to celebrate a touch of newness from Aurelia, I am taking the price down from £30 to £25.  For the interim.
Niacinamide Clay Mask by Aurelia London £25 for 50 grams

And so we arrive at the Saturday only treat.  With every order placed for £30 and above, excluding p&p, we will automatically include a free gift.  I cannot tell you what the gift will be, because I have several products to share with you, so all I want to say here is that I hope you enjoy whichever gift you receive because these gifts are sent as a thank you for your loyalty and support.

The end bit.  We come from all different walks of life, but I would like to think that we are united in the basic values of life, which are so very important.  I am passionate about small business, I always have been and I know I wrote about this above, but I will continue to talk about the difficulties SMEs are currently facing and most especially because I have just been told about the demise of one of our niche brands, which we have supported since its inception over fifteen years ago. 

I am not naming the brand because of potential legal implications, but this brand was forced into closure primarily because of heinous threats and constant bullying from a conglomerate.  This is beyond the pale, of course it is, but it is happening across all industries, not only the health and beauty industry, although heaven knows the health and beauty industry is answerable on so many different levels.  I know I am emotional, overly emotional at times, but seriously what is the matter with these conglomerates, don’t they have enough without destroying SMEs, which they are constantly doing.  And that’s a rhetorical question.

I honestly don’t know what else to write, so let me just say that I know many of you own small businesses, across many industries, because you have continually shared your stories in our safe space.  We can’t stop this happening to SMEs, in the same way as we cannot stop mental cruelty, but we can talk about it, we can share our innermost thoughts and we can be transparent with our own truth, based upon experience.  We can also support those small businesses who are fighting for their very survival, notably the hospitality industry amongst many others.  And as above, without fear or favour, we can still dance.  And we must.
Let’s Face The Music And Dance with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers; The VH Playlist

Warmest love

Gill x        

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Prices and products advertised at times of sending and publishing are subject to change and availability. 

*Free gifts will only be granted if the items purchased are physical products and your total basket value exceeds the required amount noted.  Saturday only treats are subject to change should the specified gift run out prior to your purchase and are only included in orders placed between 7.45am (GMT) and Midnight (GMT) on the Saturday the Weekend Read is sent.  VH Addicts membership is a digital product and therefore will be excluded from the basket value.  Some gifts are blocked from international shipping due to local limitations imposed based on the country destination.  If this is the case, we will replace the gift with one that is able to be shipped to your destination.