< Previous40 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY HAIR & BEAUTY As Lincolnshire finally moves closer to summer, and the sun is duly shining, we explore how to get yourself looking fabulous ahead of the seasonal weather, whilst avoiding the negative effects of sun exposure. A s the weather warms up, skin will naturally become oilier. Beneath our pores are sebaceous glands that produce a substance called sebum that is vital to maintain healthy skin. However, when it’s hot and humid, these glands go into overdrive and overproduce sebum, leaving the face looking oily and greasy and leading to breakouts of spots and blackheads. This issue will only be exacerbated if you continue to slap on the same thick moisturiser that you saw you through the winter in a bid to compensate for drier, colder temperatures. So first and foremost switch out that heavy moisturiser for something lighter, but be sure to remember the holy trinity of facecare: cleanse, tone and moisturise. It’s worth paying attention to the active ingredients in these products, your toner especially, as many contain acids that make the skin more vulnerable to sun damage. You can easily compensate for this by applying a high SPF sun lotion (just be sure to buy a non-greasy variety!). Of course, you’ll likely want to achieve that sun kissed glow without wanting to incur any damage. The trouble is, at this time of year, many of us will still be walking around with our winter skin, so a little bit of extra help might be in order. We’re talking, of course, of investing in a decent bronzer. You could always top yourself up with a trip to the tanning salon. Here’s where an exfoliator comes into its own, as it can scrub away that dead skin and keep a fake tan looking fresher for longer. In all this discussion about protecting yourself from sun damage, it’s easy to forget certain parts of your body, such as lips. There are plenty of balms that boast sun protection, so be sure and find one. You don’t want to get sunburned anywhere, but on the lips can be especially painful. One ingredient you’ll want to look out for this season is aloe vera, a famed anti-inflammatory that’s more popular now than ever. It’s especially beneficial for soothing skin after time spent in the sun and for easing the effects of too much time spent tanning. Trust us, your skin will thank you for it. When it comes to applying make-up, do yourself a favour and switch from your staple foundation to something with a bit more pizzazz. There’s no good working on that tan to cover it under a pale foundation. Also, it’s best to invest in waterproof make-up, as sweat and time spent on the beach will only make your face run (and nobody wants to go around looking like a Picasso). With spring and summer fashions, the emphasis is always on bare skin, from getting those arms and legs out, to rocking a plunging neckline. Then there’s slipping into your bikini or swimming cossie. No doubt hair removal will be on your mind. While there are plenty of home options, you might get better results with a professional. Or, if you want to and you feel comfortable, be all natural. It’s your body, after all. It’s not just your skin that the sun can ravage, with your hair just as vulnerable. But fear not, there’s an assortment of UV styling sprays that you can set aside for just such occasions. One of the benefits of taking a dip in the sea is that the salt water will give your hair those gorgeous waves you can only seem to get at the beach. If you want to replicate this look at home, pick up a salt spray specially formulated for hair. All those stylising products can end up damaging hair, so go easy. To counteract those effects, try using a mineral and vitamin enriched shampoo. For even more luxurious hair, opt for a gentler shampoo as this will leave some of those natural oils behind. Don’t forget to keep hydrated. While there are plenty of products that promise to hydrate your skin, we’re actually talking about drinking water. Get yourself a BPA-free bottle and keep it topped up. Drinking plenty of fluids is one of the best things you can do for your beauty regime and, best of all, it’s totally free. summer Staying ahead of 40-41.qxp_Layout 1 19/04/2022 14:10 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 41 HAIR & BEAUTY © stock.adobe.com/Drobot Dean 40-41.qxp_Layout 1 19/04/2022 14:10 Page 242 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY HEALTH & FITNESS W ith the winter months well and truly behind us, we look to how you can get fit in the (hopefully!) warmer weather. From community clubs to nature trails, Lincolnshire has a wide range of fun fitness activities on offer for all ages. Whether you’re on a mission to get ready for summer, or just looking to get out from behind your screen, there really is something for everyone. With many of us still working from home, routine physical activity has become harder to achieve. Since the pandemic, many have experienced ‘deconditioning’, where a lack of physical activity causes degeneration in muscle tone and strength capability. Deconditioning can increase risk of falling and ill-health, which only increases with age. Alongside the mental health boost that physical activity can bring, these are great reasons to get out and about this season. Whilst there are plenty of indoor activities available in Lincolnshire, we are focussing on the great outdoors here so that you can make the most of the new season. For those with a particular fitness goal, One You Lincolnshire is a fantastic resource funded by the Lincolnshire County Council. Depending on your fitness needs, One You tailors programmes and advice to develop a healthy lifestyle and accelerate progress. Programmes include telephone sessions with trained health coaches, group personal training sessions, online gym memberships and various support apps. With extra support available for the over-55s, One You also has resources for those looking to quit or cut down on smoking and drinking. To access the full range of services, you must meet the following criteria: Be 18+, a Lincolnshire resident, and have a BMI of 30+ (or 27.5 in certain circumstances). The website has a handy BMI calculator available. The best news? Even if you don’t meet the criteria, the One You website has plenty of helpful articles and resources to get you started on your fitness journey. A rundown is available at: www.oneyoulincolnshire.org.uk If you fancy something gentler, why not take advantage of some of the county’s most scenic spots? Lincolnshire boasts stunning coastal lines and serene moorland views, perfect for hiking or rambling. It’s easy to get started with hiking and rambling, as they require no specialist equipment and routes can be customized to individual ability and needs. It can serve as a hassle-free replacement for a costly gym membership. Walking improves basic fitness levels through increased cardiovascular activity, which can help to counteract any deconditioning experienced through two years of sedentary Putting a Spring in your step Efforts to get fit tend to flag a little in the warmer months with the sun beating down on us. Here are a few ideas and resources to help plot out ways to lose those pounds no matter the weather. health.qxp_Layout 1 19/04/2022 14:45 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 43 HEALTH & FITNESS © stock.adobe.com/pavel1964 living. Furthermore, the fresh air increases levels of oxygen to the brain, boosting cognitive function. Whilst you can find inspiration just about anywhere, here are some top local beauty spots to inspire you to get moving! These places are fantastic for an inexpensive day out, as there is no entry fee, and only a small parking charge. Whisby Nature Park Located at Thorpe-on-the-Hill, Whisby Nature Park hosts a myriad of stunning wildlife. According to their website “the park was created by quarrying for sand and gravel, but nature has reclaimed the pits and bare sand, creating habitats for many species.” Whisby boasts an impressive 6 trails, ranging from 0.3 to 2 miles long, perfect for ramblers of all abilities. With play facilities, a café, and nature viewing huts, it’s also perfect for family days out. Lincolnshire Wolds Romans and Vikings Circular If you’re looking for something a little more challenging, this area of outstanding natural beauty might hit the spot. Rated ‘Moderate’ on AllTrails, this circular track begins in Fulletby, the second highest village in the Lincolnshire Wolds. Occasional uphill climbs will take you through a Roman salt road (a pathway used to transport salt from the coast to Lincoln), and a section of the Viking Way. Those with mobility issues should be aware of occasional muddy sections and several turnstiles and gates. The track takes around 3 hours to complete, with built-in viewpoints to admire the wildlife. There are also pubs in Telford and Belchford for well-deserved pit stops. Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park Lincolnshire is world-renowned for its beautiful coastline. The Coastal Country Park offers 3 circular routes, starting at Huttoft, Anderby Creek and Chapel St Leonards respectively. Aside from stunning coastal views and historic towns and villages, the Country Park encompasses 8 Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust nature reserves. Alongside wading birds are a wealth of fascinating wildlife, you could see the common lizard, short- eared owls, and Skylarks. In the summer, you might even catch sight of a Starfish. So, what if walking isn’t your thing? No problem! Why not try the latest fitness fad – open water swimming? Whilst this requires a slightly higher level of skill than pool swimming, it can accelerate your fitness mission as the colder temperatures will burn fat at a faster rate. It can also improve your oxygen intake by up to 90%, meaning that performance out of the water will also increase. If all of this isn’t enough to sway you, open water swimming also has mood-boosting benefits and can reduce fatigue. It’s also just plain fun! There are many places to try out open water swimming, including Activities Away in Lincoln; Ocean Walker Academy in Market Rasen; and Lincolnshire Aquapark and Water sports Lake in Mablethorpe. If you’re looking to get fit but can’t find the motivation, why not aim to train for something special like a competition or fun run? You could enrol in a marathon, perhaps aiming to raise some cash for charity for extra incentive. There are also mud runs and obstacle courses taking place across the county this summer, which are great fun and can be completed with relatively little preparation. Ask a friend to train with you to keep your fitness journey in check! Springtime is synonymous with enacting positive change in one’s life. However you choose to do this, Lincolnshire has excellent facilities for everyone to get fit and enjoy this season. health.qxp_Layout 1 19/04/2022 14:45 Page 2Marvellous May 44 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FOOD & DINING Eggs Florentine with Watercress Warmer days welcome the end of spring, and these dishes are all about cool, fresh feelings as we prepare for the barbecue season ahead. Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 5 mins Serves 2 You’ll need: * Hollandaise sauce * 4 eggs * 2 English muffins * Butter * 80g Watercress * Black pepper What to do: 1. In a pan of boiling water, poach the eggs to your preference. 2. Meanwhile, slice each muffin in half and toast. Spread with a little butter. 3. Assemble the muffins on plates, topping with the watercress and eventually, a poached egg on each muffin slice. Drizzle with Hollandaise and cracked black pepper. Recipe courtesy of www.thewatercresscompany.com © stock.adobe.com/Pixel-Shot 44-47.qxp_Layout 1 19/04/2022 14:13 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 45 Click’em Inn Swinhope, Nr Binbrook, Market Rasen, LN8 6BS Tel: 01472 398253 Web: www.clickem-inn.co.uk The Click’em Inn is a family-owned freehouse, established for over 30 years in its current incarnation. Steeped in history, the inn is open 6 days a week, Tuesday- Sunday, offering a wide choice of drinks, including six real ales available at any time, with a regularly changing selection of personally recommended guest ales. The Kitchen is open Tuesday-Sunday for evening dining, plus lunchtimes Friday-Sunday. The menu varies from day-to-day with the chef’s specials, alongside regular meals. Boe Bramble Gin Sling FOOD & DINING You’ll need: * 4-5 mint leaves * 4 blackberries * 50ml Boë Bramble Gin * 50ml lemon juice * 25ml sugar syrup * 60ml soda water What to do: Add mint leaves and blackberries into a shaker and muddle. Then, add the gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup add ice, and shake. Double strain into a large glass with ice and top up with soda. Garnish with a sprig of mint and blackberries and enjoy! Cocktail courtesy of www.shop.boegin.com Special Edition Chocolate Willingham Hall, Market Rasen, LN8 3RH Tel: 01673 844073 Web: www.specialeditionchocolate.com Treat yourself or someone to our beautiful handmade chocolates. Free delivery quoting LT100 44-47.qxp_Layout 1 19/04/2022 14:13 Page 2Vegetarian Serves 8-10 Prep time: 30 minutes, plus chilling You’ll need: * 1 ginger cake (appx. 200g), cut into roughly 1cm slices * 2 cans (435g) Del Monte® Pineapple Slices in Juice * 2 limes, juice of 1 and zest of 2 * 300ml double cream * Toasted coconut flakes, to finish For coconut custard: * 1 x (400ml) can coconut milk * 3 egg yolks * 50g caster sugar * 1 heaped tbsp cornflour * A few drops of coconut flavouring (optional – if you like a very coconutty flavour) What to do: 1. Start with the coconut custard, which needs time to cool. Put the coconut milk in a saucepan and heat gently, stirring, until completely smooth and amalgamated. Take off the heat. 2. Put the egg yolks, sugar and cornflour in a bowl and beat together thoroughly. Carefully pour the warm coconut milk onto the yolk mixture, stirring all the time. Then pour the whole lot back into the pan and put back over a medium heat. Heat the custard, stirring often so it doesn’t stick to the base of the pan, until it’s steaming hot, just beginning to bubble and noticeably thickened. 3. Pour into a clean bowl or jug, cover the surface directly with a piece of baking parchment to stop a skin from forming, and leave to cool completely. Once cool, put in the fridge. 4. Use the slices of ginger cake to line the base of a 2-2.5 litre trifle bowl. 5. Drain both cans of pineapple, keeping 6 tbsp juice from one of the cans. Mix this pineapple juice with the juice and grated zest of 1 lime. Trickle this over the ginger cake. 6. Set aside 2 pineapple slices for decoration, putting them in the fridge in a covered container. Arrange the remaining pineapple over the ginger cake. 7. If you want to use coconut flavouring, add a few drops to the coconut custard now. Spread the cooled coconut custard over the pineapple. Chill the trifle at this stage for an hour or up to 24 hours. 8. When ready to serve, whip the cream until it holds soft peaks and spoon onto the custard. Cut the remaining pineapple slices into small pieces and arrange on top of the cream. Top with coconut flakes and curls of lime zest and serve. Recipe courtesy of www.delmonte.com 46 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FOOD & DINING Award Winning Butchers in Louth We consider ourselves very traditional but also very modern. We not only offer a wide selection of quality meats but also a range of home-made pastries and pies. 29-31 Mercer Row, Louth LN11 9JG Tel: 01507 603230 Email: orders@woolliss-butchers.co.uk woolliss-butchers.co.uk Woolliss & Son Butchers Delivery within an 8 mile radius of Louth BBQ Packs We offer a wide range of BBQ packs through the summer BBQ Packs We offer a wide range of BBQ packs through the summer Pineapple, Lime and Coconut Trifle 44-47.qxp_Layout 1 19/04/2022 14:13 Page 3Paysan Breton Cream Cheese Breakfast Wraps Serves: 2 Preparation time: 5 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes You’ll need: 2 eggs 4 rashers of smoked streaky bacon 2 flatbreads 135g Paysan Breton French Sea Salt cream cheese 2 tbsp harissa Salt and black pepper, to taste Few sprigs of fresh dill What to do: Put a small pan of water on to boil. Once boiling add the eggs, turn down to a fast simmer and cook for 6 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water, then peel off the shells and slice in half. Meanwhile cook the bacon in a dry frying pan, or the oven, until nice and crisp. Warm the flatbreads in a griddle pan. Spread each one generously with the cream cheese, then swirl through the harissa. Top with the bacon and the halved eggs. Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper, and the dill leaves and enjoy straight away. Recipe courtesy of www.paysanbreton.co.uk 44-47.qxp_Layout 1 19/04/2022 14:13 Page 448 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY COASTAL © stock.adobe.com/simon Lincolnshire’s beautiful coastline We spent plenty of time waxing about Lincolnshire’s iconic villages and towns, but our coastline played an important part in our history and continues to be a star attraction today. Lincolnshire’s beautiful coastline 48-51.qxp_Layout 1 19/04/2022 14:16 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 49 COASTAL W hen one looks back to Lincolnshire in the past, we’re well-known as a place for export and import, of trading and commerce, with powerful ports and market towns that were known across the world. That might be all in the past now, but our coastlines remain, and they are stories and beautiful locations that draw thousands of visitors each year. When one thinks of a Lincolnshire coastline the word traditional comes up a lot, and tradition is something that many of our coastal resorts like Skegness, Mablethorpe and Cleethorpes have kept hold of, with attractions like donkey rides, carousels and colourful beach houses on display. If you’ve lived in Lincolnshire all your life (like I have) then you might have taken some of the county’s beaches for granted. They can ill compare to the likes of Barbados or Bali, or so it might seem, but Skegness, Mablethorpe and Sutton on Sea have won prestigious Blue Flag Awards, highlighting their water quality, safety, facilities and their commitment to the environment and local ecosystem. It would be a grand disservice, however, to suggest that beaches are all our coastline has to offer. When you look closely, it’s actually impressive just how much there is to do - from wildlife parks to walks, attractions to activities to natural displays and more. We’ve decided to break down some of the different attractions into their own sections: Family Activity and Sports For families looking to have a little fun or thrill seekers in search of the next big adventure, our coasts have plenty of options and opportunities. On the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds lays the Lincolnshire Aqua Park, a park choc full of interesting activities and water-based challenges including their very own Wipeout course styled after the titular show. If you’d prefer to stay out on the beaches, however, there are plenty of opportunities to go paddleboarding in Lincolnshire’s waters, with 50 Á 48-51.qxp_Layout 1 19/04/2022 14:16 Page 2Next >