Now I don’t know about you but I used to drink Coffee, when I was in Catering doing 18hrs p/day.   I would drink Espresso and wonder why I was so anxious and nervous…

You see I love my Italian food and when in a good restaurant the smell and the perfect creme is tempting.

No, no not for me though I cannot drink any caffeine drinks any longer.  So when i turned to Decaf  Illy or Segafredo I was disappointed to realise that they were not Fair Trade, so then I turned to other Fair traded brands.

In fact I was even more disappointed when after 10 years of drinking Decaf coffee realised that it’s washed in chemicals,solvents such as Methylene Chloride which affects the central nervous system, Liver,Cardiovascular system,and blood, oh and may cause Cancer!!! Whoa!

So I stopped drinking it all together, until I found Suma Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee, Yeah, now I can have a coffee at home when I want a treat!*

Suma is a very well respected company and has been running since 1975, is a Co-op, Ethical and have been using a 100% renewable Electricity in the workplace.  My money is with this company as they have my trust

I love this Company, Drapers Organic I bought one of the Hemp Organic Curtain for my Retail area of my Husbands Organic Salon in Findhorn & I have continued to use them in our Flat

The Detail is amazing and Bamboo is so abundant and very sustainable, It also comes in Lilac.  Purely hemp homeware collection not only looks and feels great, but hemp is grown without the need for harmful chemicals, so it is better for our environment, wildlife and producers.

There contemporary hemp range shows the versatility and elegance of hemp fabric, very soft and flowing, not at all what you would imagine. Mix and match homeware and interiors range,baby throws, whilst using a denser weave for there hemp shower curtains, which absorb the water, stopping it from spraying through.  Hemp bags are made from a hemp canvas, which they also sell by the metre, along with other hemp fabrics in many great colours ( mm great for our new home)

Continuously designing more fabrics to add to there range, with great colours for increased choice. New reusable shopping bags as an eco-friendly, stylish alternative to the plastic throwaway and our courier bags, around town and satchel style bags for their vibrant yet practical design, See below

I also bought the Satchel below for my Husband Ron as he loves Orange and I felt safe in the knowledge this Company is everything I believe in and great friendly service as well as very prompt delivery

“We are happy to now be working with Waste Innovations in Edinburgh”. Please see wasteinnovations.com for further information regarding their many worthwhile projects and for details of their newly opened shop and eco-workshops in Scotland.

There are many great reasons to buy hemp as an alternative to conventional cotton and other less sustainable fabrics. Cotton is one of the most heavily sprayed crops in the World, causing some devastating repercussions to the environment, wildlife and workers involved because of the hazardous chemicals used, whereas hemp needs little help to thrive; it is prolific, hardy and sustainable and is grown without the need for harmful chemicals. Drapers Organic hemp shower curtains make an attractive, toxic-free and biodegradable alternative to PVC shower curtains. See the below article taken from ‘The Independent’, dated *July 2008, about PVC shower curtains:

Toxic shower curtain warning

By Geoffrey Lean, Environment Editor

Sunday, 6 July 2008

American scientists are warning that the humble plastic shower curtain is responsible for releasing more than 100 toxic chemicals into homes, including some suspected of causing cancer or having gender-bending effects.

A report from the Center for Health, Environment and Justice calls for PVC curtains to be banned, a call echoed by Greenpeace. Several stores have already phased them out.

The research tested five curtains over 28 days and found 108 volatile organic compounds which, the study says, can irritate the eyes, ears and throat and damage the liver, kidney and central nervous system. Some, it adds, “are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans”.

All the curtains were also found to contain phthalates which have been linked to premature breast development in girls, and feminisation effects in baby boys.

All in all a wonderful company with Ethics, integrity and Style  Please check out there Website for more details on Children’s Range, Nappies,Shoes,

Sanitary products,Cushion covers, napkins etc

http://www.drapersorganiccotton.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index

The ancient Egyptians loved fragrant incense and perfumed oils. This is not terribly surprising as they lived in a hot and dusty country and the ancient world could be a rather smelly environment. The Egyptians led the world in the production of perfume and burned huge quantities of incense every day.

They believed that the gods loved the aromatic woods gums and herbs from which incense and perfume were formed. According to ancient records some temples burned frankincense in the morning, myrrh at midday and the much prized blend known as Kapet (or Kyphi) in the evening. Certain types of incense were associated with particular gods and goddesses; for example Hathor was thought to favour blends including myrrh and Osiris was apparently very fond of the scent of cedar. But incense and perfume was not only the preserve of the gods. Cleopatra was apparently very fond of the famous Egyptian perfume metopion and Egyptian art is littered with images of pharaohs, nobles and common people enjoying incense and wearing cones of perfumed oil.

Incense and perfume were not merely prized for their smell – it was also thought to have medicinal qualities. Nefertum, the god of perfume was also a god of healing who eased the suffering of the aging sun god Ra using the sacred lotus making him the world’s first aromatherapist! Kapet incense was used to cure everything from asthma and snake bites to stomach pains and bad breath. Medical papyrus dating to the reign of Khufu (thought to be the builder of the great Pyramid who ruled from around 2589BC to 2566 BC) include a number of incense recipes and one of the most popular recipes for kapet is inscribed on the wall of the temple at Edfu and other is recorded in the Ebers Medical Papyrus.

Incense could also help you in the afterlife! It is said that one of the reasons that so many aromatic gums and resins were used in the mummification process is that to ensure the support of Anubis in the halls of Judgement you had to be certain not to offend his highly developed sense of smell! Incense and perfumed oils were also included in the grave goods of the pharaohs who would no doubt look forward to enjoying their scent in the afterlife. A residue of oil found in an alabaster jar in the tomb of Tutankhaum confirms that he treasured a perfume based on spikenard and frankincense.

As many of the key incense ingredients (such as cedar, frankincense and myrrh) could not be sourced from within the country the Egyptians spent a great deal of time and resources developing trade links to ensure a steady supply. One of the most famous trading missions was the mission to Punt organised by Hatshepsut, a pharaoh who reigned during the eighteenth dynasty (around 1508 – 1458BC). She recorded the success of her trade with Punt on the walls of her mortuary temple but she was by no means the first pharaoh to import incense from Punt. Records confirm that the fifth dynasty pharaoh Djedkare Isesi (around 2414–2375BC) had established a trade route to import myrrh.

Incense was generally known as antyu (‘ntyw) the terms is also thought to relate specifically to a blend of cedar and myrrh. Other blends included Ihmut incense, sonter incense (both from Punt), green incense (most likely based on galbanum imported from Persia) and jb incense (possibly based on musk). The most popular Egyptian perfumes were Susinum (a perfume based on lily, myrrh, cinnamon), Metopion (based on galbanum, cardamom, myrrh), Cyprinum (based upon henna, cardamom, cinnamon, myrrh and southernwood), Mendesian (myrrh and cassia with assorted gums and resins), Stakte (based on myrrh) and a scent simply called “the Egyptian” (based on cinnamon and myrrh).

Kemet Design perfumes and incenses aim to replicate the ancient recipes and as far as is possible are created using only raw incense and essential oils. We are especially proud of our kapet incense (which is formed in the traditional manner over sixteen days) and  our Tutankhamun perfume which is formed from organic grade coconut oil and essential oils.

This was written by Jen for Go Organic Now who makes all the Hand Dipped Incense

http://www.kemetdesign.co.uk/

I tried out this Travel size Crystal Deodorant, Salt of the Earth is very, very good.  I am 42 years old and stopped using “regular” deodorants 20 yrs ago.  I would get lumps under my armpits and would be very sore and swollen.  This was when I realised what toxins were in products, Aluminium being one of the worst amongst a cocktail of others.

I have tried every deodorant there is to try.  I trusted Whole food health shops but soon realised that they too stocked deodorants that  sold the “Natural” label and “No Aluminium” but still had other ingredients, like Parabens and alcohol!

So I check every ingredient when purchasing new products, no matter what the label says So I was pleased to find not only another Crystal Deodorant that does what it said it would but also comes in a handy travel size Wohooo*

This is available in 10ml size at £3.10 (although my health shop was £1.95) or the regular size 100ml pump for £4.99 Now I feel this is a bargain to keep you smelling sweet and no need to stress about the summer sun…

Why oh why to Stars promote toxic Chemical ridden products, when it’s obvious they don’t use them?!

What is even more Ironic about Kylie Minogue promoting Ponds Cold Cream is it contains Carcinogenic products, Mineral Oil? Fragrance? Please don’t fall for this, it’s clear by Kylies face she is a fan of Bo-tox and Fillers.

Come on Kylie, considering you suffered with Breast Cancer, don’t you feel you should be promoting more responsible products, instead of a product that are questionable and linked to possibly causing Cancer?!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1281176/Kylie-Minogue-Ponds-Cold-Cream-keeps-popstar-young.html

This weekend has been incredible here in Cornwall. I am blessed to have a Balcony and an incredible view of the Sea and the beautiful St Michaels Mount Marazion

I started to wear my Sandals a month ago here and fortunately I have smooth, soft heels, feet and toes Praise is given 100% for my smooth feet to Live Native “Fresh Feet” I Love, love,love this product.

97% Organic ingredients, Filleted Raw Aloe Vera, Shea Butter, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, this product is a must have for tired, hard skin feet. After just 3 days you will see the difference So for those gorgeous summer feet and toes go along to Live Native and treat your feet to Fresh Feet

Having now been working in the “Cosemtics Industry” for 2 years I have to say I am pleased and shocked with the amount of products on the market…

I am pleased that there are Organic/Natural Cosmetics more available to the Consumer, as it is vitally important for Women and Men to be informed on the Toxic Ingredients in the products they use daily.

I am however (after 3years of researching in this Mind Field know as “Cosmetics”) a bit concerned at just how many products are out there……Why? I hear you ask……Well think of the manpower, the packaging that is proving not only hard to recycle in this country but in the world, why do we need more? Well I feel unfortunately the market has become flooded,saturated and a bit erm Hypocritical when it comes to Organic and Natural.

when I was looking for products for my site, it was unbelievable what was out there, some great and some were still claiming Organic and or Natural but not, some more concerned with the pretty packaging which we all know as Women does dictate our purchase but unnecessary, some ridiculously overpriced, some flown half way round the world to get here!, some wonderful but so Environmental and focusing on the message people are not interested, some just into it for the £££’s…………………..then you have the competition for websites to sell and come to there site, I got into it as in the Highlands was not available and naive to think an on-line business would open up for Scotland!! Also naive at the fierce competition & sites back biting at sites selling at less!?

I guess I have found out that largely the Organic Natural Beauty market has become just the same as the Toxic Beauty environment we were trying to get away from in the first place!

In an age where we are obsessed with Beauty outwards, and that largely the Cosmetics industry relies on Fear  (Women predominately) I am saddened by some of the people out there manufacturing…. and selling…

Am I alone? Please tell me what you feel

Bismuth Oxychloride as described in the Wikipedia Encyclopaedia :

Bismuth (pronounced /?b?zm??/, BIZ-m?th) is a chemical element that has the symbol Bi and atomic number 83. This trivalent poor metal chemically resembles arsenic and antimony. Bismuth is heavy and brittle; it has a silvery white color with a pink tinge owing to the surface oxide. Bismuth is the most naturally diamagnetic of all metals, and only mercury has a lower thermal conductivity. It is generally considered to be the last naturally occurring stable, non-radioactive element on the periodic table, although it is actually slightly radioactive, with an extremely long half-life.

Bismuth compounds are used in cosmetics, medicines, and in medical procedures. As the toxicity of lead has become more apparent in recent years, alloy uses for bismuth metal as a replacement for lead have become an increasing part of bismuth’s commercial importance.

How interesting?… bismuth oxychloride often causes itching, rashes and mild to severe cystic acne. This is extremely unfortunate since many women are attracted to mineral cosmetics due to their reputation for being good for sensitive skin.

If you choose a mineral cosmetic that includes bismuth oxychloride it may cause additional irritation. If you have had a reaction to mineral cosmetics in the past it is likely because of the bismuth oxychloride in the product.

It is considered a Nano particle which is considered like Talc, to get into the bloodstream and cause major problems in the system…………………………Remember what Asbestos does? it is linked to be very, very much the same thing

Given the choice would you really use something you thought could have a detrimental affect on your body? I am interested as many,many Make-up companies use this to fill out there products and also is a cheap additive.  We need to be asking more questions

WHAT DO YOU FEEL, Please let us know

Dangerous, Skin Cancer, Allergies, we have all seen the pictures and horrible stories of hair falling out, skin falling off, scarring for life and even death!! So what is the truth?

Lets take a look at how hair colouring works.  The pigment that gives your hair its colour resides just under the outer protective layer (cuticle) in the inner structure known as the cortex, these small pieces of pigment show through the cuticle and give you your hair colour.  In order to change the colour you need to do one or a combination of three things:

• Remove the pigment – bleaching which lightens and/or breaks down the pigment so it can be washed away
• Add new pigment into the hair structure
• Coat or stain the outer cuticle layer

The first two have longer or more permanent results, whilst the last one is largely temporary.

The first effect is achieved by bleaching, this does not introduce any pigment into the hair, only removes it.  Bleach should not be confused with Peroxide – Peroxide is required to make bleach and all permanent colour work (more later)

The second is often referred too as Permanent, Quasi Permanent, Tone on Tone and in some cases Semi Permanent.

The third group are often coloured mousse or coloured setting products, and crazy colours fall into this category.