I am feeling very sad and angry today which are not usual emotions for me. Unfortunately it is due to my first real experience of discrimination......for being a vegan. We recently moved and I had to register with a new GP. I have an underactive thyroid (which I put down to previous years of neglect of my body by use of the contraceptive pill....oh hindsight...we live and learn). Some of you will know that I am a vegan and for those of you who are, are likely to hold veganism close to your heart. My previous GP allowed me to have a liquid version of thyroxine following my explanation that the tablets contain lactose. This morning, I went along to my new GP appointment, in order to enable me to collect repeat prescriptions (I pretty much don’t need to visit a GP otherwise…prevention better than cure and all that jazz!) I explained why I had liquid thyroxine; the GP explained it was very expensive. I said I was aware of this. She asked "does just a little bit of lactose matter?” (Would you say that to someone with a severe dairy allergy?) Naturally, I said it did matter and that I was happy to take a vegan friendly tablet if there was one, in fact I would prefer it...though my main preference is to come off the drug all together (not something GPs entertain but that is where, thankfully, alternative and holistic therapies can help me soon). I said I would be happy to speak to a pharmacist again to see if a vegan tablet was available, though to my knowledge there isn’t. Meanwhile, the GP said she would give me my prescription. I went immediately to the pharmacist and noticed that that prescription was for tablets! There may well have been a misunderstanding here between me and the GP (?). I asked the pharmacist to check if these contained lactose; they did and indeed she thought that they all would (as I was already aware of). She advised me to return to the GP. I did so and explained the situation to the receptionist and said I was confused about the prescription given the conversation I had with the GP. The receptionist went away and returned explaining to me that the GP was refusing to prescribe me liquid thyroxine and that I could investigate other alternatives. I explained I had done so and there was no other alternative. The answer was still the same; no vegan prescription. I explained that I felt this was discrimination and that it was like saying to a Muslim ‘just eat a little bit of pork’ and that I would have to go to another surgery. The lady gave me the number of another surgery in the village. I decided to go to a different one, which I had heard favourable things about (why didn’t I go there in the first place?). The receptionist was very helpful and spoke to the practice manager. They understood the cost implications but also my veganism. The practice manager spoke to the practice manager at the surgery I had just been to and advised me to return and speak to the practice manager there who would resolve the problem for me. I did not want to waste any more petrol and pollute the world any more than I had to,so I returned home and telephoned. I never understand why, when someone is expecting your call, that they say “how can I help?” as if they don’t know what I am going to say. The lady said she needed to speak to the NHS Trust to find out what the protocol is. Regardless of the outcome, I will be making a formal complaint. So the question for the NHS Trust is ‘to discriminate or not to discriminate?’.

I just wanted to share my views on anti wrinkle creams with you. So often, people ask me if I have anything that reduces wrinkles. My reply is always the same. There is no such thing. Good skin is mainly down to good hydration, good genes and good diet, plus a bit of luck thrown in (and not smoking). These conglomerates work very carefully on their marketing and indeed spend millions of pounds and dollars. The common line often used in adverts speaks about 'reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles'. Listen and read carefully; don't just think what they want you think. Reduces the APPEARANCE, they don't claim to reduce the fine lines and wrinkles themselves. Often these creams act much like polyfilla does on cracked walls, they fill in the gaps and make the walls look smooth! Our facial oils naturally contain vitamin E which we all know is fabulous to nourish the skin. I believe that facial oils are better for the face than creams as oils absorb very easily into the skin and don't clog up the pores like creams can. The skin on our faces is delicate and therefore needs light and easily absorbing oils applied on them. You may be thinking "but they must be greasy". The simple answer is no, not in the slightest! Moisturising, yes but greasy, definitely not!

I just wanted to add a quick blog as I haven't done in what seems like decades. We at HO HQ are very excited about 2013. It is going to be a fantastic year for us, we just know it. And we hope it is for you too. Our aim is to become a recognised name by the end of the year. People all over the UK already know us but we need to spread the word even further. We already have international customers as well but we want everyone to know about us and use quality, healthy, chemical free ingredients. New EU legislation is coming into force in July this year which will mean our marketing will have to change. Would you believe we will no longer be able use words like "free from parabens". Sadly these conglomerates hold the purse strings and are able to influence government policies. They don't want their businesses effected by what they see as negative advertising. Essentially, they don't want consumers to think too carefully about all the nasty chemical laden ingrendients that they pack their products full of. Such a shame but these things can be overcome and we look forward to doing so!!

I had such an amazing day on Saturday and have so many people to thank. So, as this may end up like an Oscar acceptance speech, I thought it best to write it in this blog. I was overwhelmed by the attendance, support, comments and sales! It was amazing! I loved every minute of it. Thank you to my family who helped me on the day, to friends who came along to support me (a brilliant suprise visit from an old school friend I hadn't seen in 17 years! Thank you Rebecca), old and new customers! It was so lovely to see faces I already knew who travel around the UK to attend these special vegan events! It never ceases to bowl me over when customers tell me how much they love my products and when I don't need to tell new customers about the benefits of organic skin care, as I have a customer standing there doing it all for me! Love it!! It makes it all worthwhile and drives me further to create more products the world can love. I so love being amongst like minded people, who care about the world we live in and who care about what they put on and in their bodies! I had almost had a nightmare journey on my way to London by getting stuck in traffic on my drive to the station and only catching the train within about 5 seconds of it leaving the station. Thank you again to the lovely young man who helped me with my stuff up and down the stairs at the station. Another thank you to the other kind people at the tube stations who helped me carry my trolley up and down the steps. Wow did I have a work out this weekend!! But thank you to all the lovely customers who seriously lightened my load for the journey home!! Sorry to those who missed out on our facial scrubs. It was great to sell out but sad to see people missing out. I will bring more next time, I promise!! It may have to be a car journey next time as I hope to have many new products out soon and there's only so much a girl can drag! Lastly, a huge thank you to Robin, Kelly and Alison who did an amazing job in organising this event, rock on you guys!! Excellent work, we look forward to your next event!!