January / February 2010
Organic beauty
Issue 16
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Amarya Ethical Living Jan 10:Layout 1 18/12/2009 15:11 Page 1
New Year’s Resolutions for Beautiful Skin 1 CLEANSE
2 TONE
3 MOISTURISE
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ONLINE
Organic Beauty
www.amarya.co.uk All the products sold by Amarya are certified organic, which means all of them have been certified by a recognised body such as The Soil Association or Ecocert to contain only organic ingredients from certified organic sources. In fact, we are proud to be certified by The Soil Association ourselves! Visit our store or contact our qualified beauty therapists and make-up artists by phone or email for beauty advice on any subject, or spoil yourself in our salon offering a range of holistic treatments - all organic.
Joanna Bright
Seasonal Tips
The morning after the night before!
Concealing the dreaded bags under your eyes is simple and effective. Select a light reflective concealer, I love Porcelain from the Alima mineral make-up range or Organic Erase Corrector in Neutral from Nvey Eco, and using a concealer brush apply it along the bottom of the eyebag. Blend blend blend (very important) with your ring finger as it's the weakest up to your bottom lashline and finish off by dusting loose setting powder in Keiko from Alima or Transluscent powder from Nvey Eco, to set it in place. You'll be looking as good as new or better! Remember to always apply eye concealer after your moisturiser or foundation if you wear it.
Give your skin freshness and radiance with Madara’s Moon and Sunflower Tinting Fluids £21.50
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Happy New Year and welcome to Issue 16 of Ethical Living, our January/February issue. It’s certainly been an eventful year for anyone concerned about climate change and its effects on our environment. 2009 has seen the G20 summit, as well as the success of a number of new campaign groups. Our feature on page 16 reviews what this might mean for us in coming years. At the time of writing, the Copenhagen climate change summit is still underway and creating a huge media furore. Let’s hope the conclusion results in some real action being taken by our leaders! Closer to home, we at Ethical Living have been making our New Year’s resolutions and this year we’ve decided to focus on our stomach’s. Yes, we’ll be making sure we get more exercise! But more importantly we’ll be making a few changes to what we eat. In the spring, I’ll be getting to work creating a vegetable patch in my garden, so that we can significantly reduce our food miles and the carbon footprint of our food. We’ve also pledged to pay more attention to detail, by using organic herbs, spices and seasonings, even making sure leftovers are wrapped ethically in recycled aluminium foil. We wish you the best of luck with your ethical resolutions too. Happy reading!
Kim Marks Editor
Editor Kim Marks editor@ethical-living.org Published 6 times a year by Ethical Publishing Limited, PO Box 282, Stamford, PE9 9BW
Editorial contributors Sarah Callard, Iris Coates, Ellie Garwood, Ellen Groves, Andy Hamilton, Caroline Harris, Melanie Jones, Claire Nelson, Vivienne Raper, Tom Cropper, Phil Vickery
Email: hello@ethical-living.org Tel: 08456 432 499 ISSN 1754-047X For subscriptions Email: subscriptions@ethical-living.org Tel: 01778 392 011
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January/February 2010
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Sweet Dreams The best ethical nightwear and lingerie
Letters, News and Events Features
24 In the Green Room
08 Fish Without the Catch
Health and Beauty
06
Many diets include fish as a healthy option, but the ethics of sourcing seafood are a bit fishy! Vivienne Raper investigates.
12 Water, Water, Everywhere?
The increased demands on water supplies have got environmentalists worried. Melanie Jones finds out how we can reduce our consumption
16 2009: An Eco Review
Ellie Garwood talks us through some of the major environmental developments of the past 12 months and what we might expect next.
Take a look at our decoration guide to see how you can restyle your home in shades of green
26 Introduction to The Bowen Technique
Bowen, a therapy that encourages the body to relax, realign and heal, Bowen is becoming increasingly popular, Claire Nelson discovers
30 Review of Natural Perfumes
We’ve put our nose to the grindstone to find the best natural and organic perfumes
Subscription Offer Fashion 32
Home and Garden
34 Nightie Night
20 Fruit & Vegetable Gardening: Getting Started
In this, the first of our new regular columns on growing your own fruit and vegetables, Andy Hamilton gives us advice on how to get started.
Relax and enjoy sweet dreams with stunning organic, fair trade and natural nightwear
39 Ethical Lingerie
Make your sex appeal sustainable with this gorgeous lingerie selection
January / February 2010
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Healthy Food Delicious recipes from top chef Phil Vickery
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Green Paris How to go green in the French capital
Food and Drink
Finance and Work
40 What’s In Season
54 In Loving Memory
41 Ethical Herbs and Spices
Keep your meals ethical all the way through with fair trade and organic seasonings
42 Recipes
Try these healthy, yet flavoursome recipes from top chef and TV presenter Phil Vickery
Family 46 Solid Advice: The Weaning Debate
Iris Coates guides us through the confusing advice about starting baby on solid foods.
49 Family favourites
The latest news and reviews for your family
Ensuring the memory of a loved one makes a difference is easy, with in memoriam giving via the internet.
Leisure 58 How to...
,,,clean the green way
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Reviews
The latest ethical books and music
Competitions 64 Ethical Marketplace 66 Ethical Advice 62
Travel 50 Green Paris Guide
Ellen Groves tells us how to go green on a romantic break in the French capital
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January/February 2010
An unethical charity? Hello, My husband kindly bought me a subscription for my birthday. However, I was very disappointed to read your article Running for Charity (Issue 14 Sept/Oct), as it mentioned the Race for Life in aid of Cancer Research UK. As an ostensibly ethical publication, I find this appalling. Why on earth would you consider promoting such a cash-rich, animal-cruelty endorsing charity? It is a well known fact that Cancer Research UK funds and carries out unnecessary animal testing, inflicting terrible pain on innocent creatures. The charity claims to carry out animal testing ‘only when there is no alternative’ but animalfree medical research has proved that there are always alternatives. Furthermore, Cancer Research UK is primarily funded by the major pharmaceutical industries, who have a vested interest in ensuring that their products are used to treat cancer patients... are they even trying to find a cure for cancer? Samantha Pereira
Metal obsessive Hi, I used to take all my scrap metal (everything from food cans to tinfoil bottle tops) to the recycling skip at the nearest tip, but I found out that the local animal shelter collects metal to sell to raise funds. Now I have persuaded all my colleagues at work to bring in their metal recycling and put it in a large box in my office, when it’s full I take it to Animal Care, so at least I know it’s going to a good cause. My colleagues tease me about my near-obsessive recycling because I used to take anything recyclable out of the bin but at least I’ve got them all well trained! - Diane Halliwell
If you’d like to tell us about how you’re cutting back on your plastic usage, a green idea you’ve had or an eco-experience you’ve enjoyed, write to us at Ethical Living, PO Box 282, Stamford, PE9 9BW or email to editor@ethical-living.org
Go plastic free! As another year commences, my resolution is to keep going with plastic free living. As with all resolutions, after a few months it becomes both a bit easier and at the same time a chore. However after a week of family flu, where I gave up ‘giving up plastic’ because I literally had no energy to do anything else but look after the children and myself, I realized what a difference I had actually been making. During that one week my bin overflowed with plastic packaging and I felt mortified at the toxic mess I was creating. As my energy came back, so did my resolution to do better. Plastic was originally invented eighty years ago as a strong enduring substance, so why are we now using it for disposable goods and packaging? It is mass produced because it is expensive and lightweight, yet with the sole intent that it will immediately be thrown away. It seems madness - all those pieces of rubbish discarded and clogging up the universe for ever more. A thin piece of plastic can take 400 years to decompose leaking chemicals slowly into the air, earth and water. It ends up in our oceans, fragmenting into smaller and smaller pieces, which are scattered throughout the water column and then consumed by filtering invertebrates and marine animals, and then in turn the whole food chain including us! Imagine also that on your next beach holiday, whilst you stare at the beautiful waves rolling onto the beach and feel the sun beating down - the sand you are lying on is actually made up of microscopic plastic debris, just as much as rock! It’s enough to give you a chill even in the sunniest of climates! Avoid plastic packaging this Valentine’s Day with hemp chocolate hearts from Hemp Market. Wrapped in foil and cardboard, they are healthy for the environment and healthy for you, containing omega oils… Please join me in my quest and give up five plastic products each month. Have a look at my helpful blog sponsored by Ethical Living Magazine and let us know how you are getting on. Sarita Cameron www.less-plastic-pledge.com
January / February 2010
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Letters
News
Green habits 70% of households always separate their rubbish for recycling, but only 2% buy their energy on a green tariff, according to the early findings of a major new annual household Survey, called Understanding Society, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). Preliminary results show that switching off lights in unused rooms (82%) and not leaving the television on standby (67%) are significantly more popular than taking fewer flights (16%), car sharing (15%) and not buying items because they have too much packaging (8%). A fuller picture based on the first annual survey of 100,000 individuals for Understanding Society will be published at a later date. - www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk
Go knit for bumblebees
Outstanding Co-op The Phone Co-op was recognised as one of the outstanding co-operatives from around the world at the International Co-operative Alliance General Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, last week. The Oxfordshire-based telecoms cooperative, the only one of its kind in the UK, received an Honourable Mention in the medium sized category of the dotCoop Global Awards for Co-operative Excellence and was the only UK co-operative amongst the nine award winners. www.globalawards.coop
Seasalt’s 2nd Go Knit! 2009 campaign has raised £2000 for The Bumblebee Conservation Trust (TBCT). Window displays across Seasalt stores in Falmouth, Fowey, Truro and St Ives were transformed during October and November, displaying and selling a bright display of handmade knitted scarves for charity. All of the scarves were donated by people and knitting groups all over the country. www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk
Events
February
January
2-3 Straw Bale Building Workshop Two days with Rob Buckley building an example straw bale house. - www.dorsetruralskills.co.uk
2-31 Christmas Card Recycling Recycle your used cards at WHSmith, TK Maxx and M&S stores. - www.woodlandtrust.org.uk 14 Ditch and Switch Clothes swapping event. Entry £8 to support national deafblind charity Sense. - www.sense.org.uk 24 London Potato Fair Swap seeds and pick up tips, with over 100 potato varieties, incl. 35 organic - www.potatofair.org 30-31 RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch The world’s largest wildlife survey creating a snapshot of bird numbers. - www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch
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18 Looking After Your Garden’s Wildlife Learn how to make a bird box and discover best tips for looking after your garden wildlife through the harsh winter months. - www.daylesfordorganic.com 22-7 March Fairtrade Fortnight This year’s Fairtrade Fortnight aims to get one million and one people to swap their usual stuff for Fairtrade stuff. - www.fairtrade.org.uk/thebigswap If you have any news or events that you would like us to feature in Ethical Living please email us at editor@ethical-living.org
January/February 2010
Fish: without the catch Many diets include fish as a healthy option but the sourcing of fish and seafood is an ethical minefield. Vivienne Raper guides us through the issues and gives us some tips on making a sustainable choice.
Wild fish in crisis Overfishing hit the headlines last summer with the release of award-winning documentary ‘The End of the Line’, which highlighted how catching fish faster than they can breed devastates fish populations. Around 79% of fish stocks worldwide are fully exploited or overfished, according to the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation. Even if a species isn’t overfished, the way it’s caught can damage other marine species and the environment. Using so-called fish aggregation devices (fads) to catch tuna is a famous example. For every 9kg of adult tuna, fads catch 1kg of turtles, sharks, rays and young tuna, according to a 2008 Greenpeace report. Almost 70% of tuna are caught with fads.
Farmed fish Some farmed fish can also contribute to overfishing and bycatch, according to Sam Wilding, Fisheries Officer at the Marine Conservation Society. ‘Farming carnivorous fish is often reliant on wild fish,’ he says. Several kilograms of wild fish are needed to produce a kilogram of salmon.
Other problems with fish farming include ‘pollution and spread of disease because there are too many fish in a small area. The fish can also escape and mix with the wild population, which can have a negative effect because farmed fish are bred to survive in a captive environment.’
Marine stewardship Charles Clover, author of the ‘The End of the Line’, says consumers should buy wild-caught seafood only if it’s sustainable. ‘If enough people do it, retailers and restaurants can’t continue selling rubbish like North Sea cod, which is drastically overfished,’ he says. Sam Wilding recommends customers keep a lookout for the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified eco-label on sustainably caught fish. Around 10% of the world’s fisheries are currently in the MSC programme. According to James Simpson of MSC, certified fisheries should show their fish stocks are maintained at sustainable levels, that the fishery is well managed and they have minimal ecosystem impact. Ecosystem impact includes bycatch and damage to the ocean floor and other species. ‘It also covers mundane, but important, things like: Is your boat leaking oil? And do you chuck rubbish overboard?’ advises James. To pass, fisheries must fix problems during the assessment process. For example, one fishery discovered they couldn’t avoid catching plaice. ‘Before assessment, they used to throw the plaice overboard where they’d die on impact with the water or get eaten by seabirds. Now, they have a return chute - you pop them in and they swim to the sea bottom. So, although they’re annoyed, they can breed,’ James says.
January / February 2010
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Fisherman © Andreas Karelias - Fotolia.com
J
anuary for many people is the time to get in shape and eat better. Many diets include fish as a healthy choice as it’s packed with protein, nutrients like Vitamin D, and Omega-3 fatty acids - a fat that can reduce the risk of heart disease. But wild seafood and marine ecosystems are in peril - one scientific study predicted an ocean-wide population collapse by 2048 if no action is taken. Farmed fish, meanwhile, has its own tangled net of ethical dilemmas.
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January/February 2010
Supermarkets and restaurants can also pay for MSC certification of their supply chain. ‘It doesn’t matter how good your fishery is, if you can’t prove your fish came from it, you can’t prove it’s sustainable,’ James says. ‘If you buy an MSClabelled fish from a supermarket fish counter, there’s a code number which means every fish can be traced back to its source.’
Freedom fish Unfortunately, there is no MSC equivalent for certifying farmed seafood like salmon and prawns meet sustainability standards, but this is set to soon change says Piers Hart, WWF Scotland’s Aquaculture Policy Officer. The WWF are working with 2000 people to launch the Aquaculture Stewardship Council at the tail end of 2010. ‘The hope is these standards will create real change at the farm level and make aquaculture more environmentally and socially sustainable’, he says. Until then, Sam Wilding suggests sustainable fish-seeking consumers look at two other eco-labels - the RSPCA’s Freedom Food and organic. ‘Organic farmed fish covers more of the sustainability issues whereas Freedom Food concentrates on welfare,’ he says, ‘but, because organic isn’t designed as a sustainability standard, it doesn’t tick all the boxes.’ Fish farms certified by the Soil Association, which labels 80% of the UK’s organic products, keep fish at low densities and avoid toxic chemicals used to control pests and disease. They also feed carnivorous fish the by-products from fish processed for human consumption, rather than wild-caught fish. Freedom Food is a welfare standard for farmed salmon covering their life cycle, transport and slaughter. ‘We make no bones - we’re just interested in welfare,’ says the RSPCA’s John Avizienius. ‘They are killed in a more humane, friendly way than other fish you’re likely to buy in the supermarket. I would always go for a farmed fish if I know how it’s been reared and killed. A trawler in a sustainable fishery might crush and/or suffocate the fish, and possibly disembowel them while still alive.’
Supermarket blues Not all fish are labelled MSC or Freedom Food in major supermarkets, where consumers buy 80% of their seafood. However, several chains have ethical fish policies covering their own-brand products. The Co-operative, which came top in MCS’ 2009 Sustainable Seafood Supermarket Survey, says it has a responsible fish sourcing policy that covers its fresh, frozen and canned ranges. Waitrose is another strong performer in the MCS survey. According to Quentin Clark, Waitrose’s Senior Fish Buyer, the company first introduced
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its fish policy 12 years ago. ‘Our belief is that sustainable fishing is one of the biggest issues we face alongside climate change,’ he says, ‘we firmly believe the ethical choice should be made the easy choice.’ Waitrose only sells wild-caught seafood from non-threatened species, caught using responsible fishing methods like pole and line, and from fisheries managed to prevent overfishing. Supermarket own-brand sourcing policies may not apply to other brands, which are sometimes awash with less stringent ethical labels. Dolphin-friendly tuna was probably one of the first eco-labels that came out for seafood, but in the grand scheme of the seafood industry it’s one very small issue. ‘It doesn’t mean the fish is caught sustainably, it just means they’re not harming dolphins,’ explains Sam.
Fish2Fork Eating out can leave ethical consumers of fish floundering, says Charles Clover, who launched Fish2Fork, a sustainable seafood restaurant review site, in October this year. ‘It’s terribly difficult to work out what you’re being served and what choice is available from reading a menu in most restaurants,’ he says. Fish2Fork allows restaurateurs and the public to rate whole restaurant menus (not just single fish species) using a questionnaire. Within the first couple of weeks ‘the results were fairly spectacular. We had 15 fifteen restaurants change their menus and we changed BBC’s masterchef,’ says Charles. ‘It’s a movement that’s going somewhere quite quickly.’
Wild fish to avoid: European Eel; Skate; Marlin; Bluefin Tuna; Grouper; Wild Atlantic Salmon; Shark
For more information: The Marine Conservation Society Tel: 01989 566 017 www.mcsuk.org www.fishonline.org Lots of consumer advice about which fish to eat or avoid. Fish2Fork Tel: 020 7953 3901 www.fish2fork.com A sustainable seafood restaurant guide.
January / February 2010
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Water, water everywhere? Too much or too little? Water is becoming a major environmental concern in both developed and developing countries. Melanie Jones looks at the issues involved and what we can do to reduce our consumption.
W
ater: The most natural resource of all. Our bodies are 80% water, the world is almost completely covered in the stuff, and we can only survive up to 12 days without it. But we could soon be running out of water if we don’t change the way that we use it. Only around 3% of the world’s water is fresh running water, and we can access just 1% of that. The rest is frozen ice, but how long this will last, we can’t be sure. Since the 1930’s the UK’s water consumption has been steadily rising by 1% each year. This increase cannot be sustained and if we continue to consume this much water we will run into huge problems, such as water rationing and droughts in the summer months. On an island surrounded by water, and with the recent floods, anyone would think we’ve got water to, well, spill! Sadly, it’s not that simple, and it’s an issue that is getting environmentalists worried. In the UK, a person typically uses 150 litres of water a day, that’s up to 10,000 litres a year. The Government has pledged, as of September 2009, to reduce the daily use by 20 litres.
In the UK, the water we drink is mostly taken from groundwater and rivers - water which contributes to the natural environment and habitat of wildlife. The over-use of this water puts pressure on the environment, changing the natural habitats for Britain’s wildlife. A lack of groundwater to nourish the plants and lack of CO2 in the water to feed the fish breaks up the natural life cycle. As the world’s population increases year on year, the demand for water will increase, meaning the pressure to supply more clean running water is more intense. Act on CO2 campaigners estimate that in the UK water demand will be up by 5% by 2020 - that’s another 800 million litres of water per year.
Increased demand Despite the fact that the UK gets a great deal of rain, we actually have a lower amount of water available per person than in neighbouring countries, such as Germany and France. In the UK,
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January / February 2010
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Changing wildlife habitat’s
due to the high population and smaller land mass, we actually have, on average, a similar rainfall to that of the South of Spain and Italy - although it doesn’t feel like it sometimes! As population levels increase, the amount of water available to each person is reduced. There are also large variations in the amount of water available per person in different parts of the UK. For example, in Scotland there is higher rainfall and a smaller population than in the South East of England, where there are more people and yet there is less rain. While water companies are happy to share water between regions which are close together, pumping water for long distances drives up the cost and uses a large amount of energy.
The carbon factor A fifth of the average UK household’s CO2 footprint comes from the energy used to generate and heat water for everyday use. The energy used to pump Make a positive difference
and sanitise the water creates CO2 emissions, and ‘CO2 action’ claim that ‘an average UK family uses about 500 litres of water per day, which results in more than 1.5 tonnes of carbon escaping into the atmosphere every year’. So it follows that if we cut our water consumption, we will also reduce our carbon emissions.
Worldwide shortages The effects of water shortages are now being felt around the globe, but Water Aid believe that there are enough resources in the world for everyone ‘if used efficiently and shared equitably’. If we become more aware of how we use our own water and the effect it has on the environment around us, we can begin to understand the impact of water shortages in other, more desperate, places. Water Aid was chosen to receive donations of Downing Street’s 2009 Christmas cards, illustrating how important the cause is becoming. And the UK government now recognise that water, hygiene and January/February 2010
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sanitation are central to development in developing countries.
A basic human right? A meeting to be held in April 2010, will discuss what our nation and others will do to improve the provision of water and sanitation to developing regions, such as Africa and South Asia. The improvement in access to water will make a vast difference to the lives of people in these areas. Water Aid believes that ‘together with improved hygiene, these basic human rights underpin health, education and livelihoods, forming the first essential step in overcoming poverty’. By providing a cleaner environment for families to live in, we can ensure that they are less vulnerable to disease, therefore reducing pressure on healthcare, which is often scarce in developing countries. As development workers will testify, this in turn will raise life expectancy, and means that more children will be able get an education and improve their work prospects, which will then begin to alleviate poverty.
Taking action Water Aid launched World Toilet Day in November 2009, and you can show your support for the campaign by sending a photo of you on your toilet (or just the toilet, if you’re shy) to Gordon Brown. Further details are below. It’s clear that water is a precious commodity and not one to be taken for granted. It will cost us money and eventually our health if we continue to waste it daily, therefore we’ve found a number of ways you can make a start on changing the way you use your water: 1.
For world toilet day, add your photo to Water Aid’s ‘Loo’ve been framed’ photo gallery at www.wateraid.org. Show the UK Prime Minister you are watching his progress as a sanitation champion, urge him to talk toilets in the run up to the Annual High-Level Meeting for Sanitation and Water in April 2010.
2.
Here’s a tasty tip while cooking. Instead of throwing away the water you cooked the veg in, drain out the veg and use the water for gravy it’ll taste better, and if you do this with potato water it’ll get nice and thick!
3. If you’re considering getting a swimming pool this year (and let’s face it, who isn’t?!) check out this company: www.gartenart.co.uk. They create
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natural pools and ponds in your back garden so you can have a leisurely swim knowing that your pleasure hasn’t damaged the environment in any way.
4. If you have a dehumidifier, what do you do with the water? Use this for watering your plants instead of throwing it down the drain. 5.
Know the ‘Water footprint’ of your food, and opt for fruit and veg which uses less water as it grows. Check out Treehugger.com for details of how much water your food consumes. (We take no responsibility for any of our readers becoming dehydrated!)
6. Cut your hair! Shorter hair requires less washing, therefore less water. 7. In fact, why not have a ‘no shower day’ once a week? Stay at home, potter about - this saves water and energy! 8. Collect rainwater. This can be used to water your garden in the summertime, to clean your patio, and a whole host of other things. 9. Go back to your childhood days and instead of using a hose to clean your car, use a bucket. 10. Finally, don’t forget that taking a shower instead of bath will save gallons of water, only boil as much water as you need, and don’t leave the tap running while you’re brushing your teeth!
For more information: Water Aid Tel: 08456 000 433 www.wateraid.org Act on CO2 Tel: 0800 512 012 http://actonco2.direct.gov.uk The Environment Agency Tel: 08708 506 506 www.environment-agency.gov.uk/ homeandleisure/drought
January / February 2010
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200 2009: An ethical review
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With so many important meetings and events taking place, 2009 was a big year in environmental terms. Ellie Garwood talks us through the highlights of the past 12 months and what we might expect next.
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January January // February February 2010 2010
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09 T
he environment was the topic of 2009 the G20 Summit, the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Transition Towns, 10:10; never before has being green been so ‘in’. Throughout the course of this year we shall see the implications of 2009’s major environmental decisions unfurl, making an impact not only in 2010 but well into 2011, 2012, and, in the case of the UN Climate Change Conference, possibly as far ahead as 2050. No doubt we’ll be bombarded with huge amounts of corporate spiel and PR spin, used solely for political and financial gain, but the fact that the world’s organisations, businesses and political parties recognise the importance of environmental issues is testament to worldwide efforts of ecoactivists, green enthusiasts and nature lovers. The emergence of a multitude of grassroots campaigns is also massively encouraging and whilst the initiatives may not gain the same media attention as global summits, they have already made crucial steps towards shaping an exciting green future.
G20 Summit
The G20 Summit (2 April 2009) was held at the height of the recession when tempers were flared and the public were disenchanted with the state of the economy. Frustrated activists called upon world leaders to consider a Green New Deal with proposals to tackle climate change, the financial crisis and peak oil. Unfortunately, none of the $1.1 trillion stimulus package was allocated for any environmental investment, similarly, no changes were made to the UK’s underlying economic structures. Despite this disappointment, the G20 Summit generated massive
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media coverage surrounding the, often ignored, link between continuous economic growth and environmental decline. Advocates of the Green New Deal are still keen to get their policy implemented and with a UK general election fast approaching, 2010 provides the perfect opportunity to voice the importance of taking the environment - not just the economy - into account.
Transition Towns
The Transition Town initiative was the brainchild of one determined student of permaculture student Rob Hopkins back in 2005. It aims to help reduce an area’s dependency on oil by growing local food, improving transport systems and localising amenities. 2009 was the Transition Towns initiatives year, with a staggering 127 towns registering as official Transition Towns, compared to 125 towns over four years from 2005-2008. Additionally, Transition Towns also had effects on Hopkins himself as he published two musthave books, ‘Local Food - How To Make it Happen in Your Community’ and ‘Local Money - How To Make it Happen in Your Community’; both hugely successful. Two more instalments to Hopkins collection are now set for release in 2010 - ‘Local Communities and Councils - Working Together to Make Things Happen’ and ‘Transition Guide to Cities’. Stuart Hobbs, founder of the Fareham Transition movement explains the initiative’s appeal: ‘Transition Towns are a simple concept to understand. There is so much frustration currently with individuals wanting to create a new society (environmentally, economically and even culturally) this movement gives them an outlet to do that. The
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2009 Transition movement provides obvious, tangible benefits almost immediately; picking fruit from a newly planted tree, for example, is hugely satisfying, especially when that tree is there because a group of like minded, passionate individuals made it happen.’
10:10
On 15 March 2009, The Age of Stupid, a film set in 2055 shows a world ravaged by climate change, premiered in London. The ensuing publicity and a particular public debate with Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, provided the perfect platform for the film’s director, Franny Armstrong, to throw down the 10:10 challenge. The concept was simple: individuals, businesses and organisations were to unit and work towards cutting the UK’s carbon emissions by 10 per cent by 2010. As you would imagine, the film captured the general public’s imagination and generated huge media interest. A whole host of household names have already signed up, including Radio 1’s Sara Cox, screenwriter Richard Curtis and celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. And it’s not just individuals who’ve been signing up, Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, online grocer Ocado, the Tate galleries, Royal Mail and the Women’s Institute have also taken the pledge, along with numerous councils, NHS departments, churches and synagogues. Since the launch of the campaign Gordon Brown and his Government, including Ed Miliband, have also joined up to the initiative.
Barack Obama’s Inauguration It’s been quoted that if everyone lived like a North American we’d need five planets to sustain ourselves, so when Barack Obama was inaugurated on 20 January 2009 hopes for a greener America were ignited. Obama proposed to pour $150 billion into renewable energy supplies over the next decade, to create five million green collar jobs and to raise fuel efficiency requirements for U.S vehicles. ‘My presidency’, said Obama shortly before his inauguration, ‘will mark a new chapter on America’s leadership on climate change’. Unfortunately, President Obama was given the reins at a very late stage in the game, his predecessor George Bush questioned the science behind global warming and neglected to join the Kyoto Protocol (an agreement by over 141 nations to cut CO2 emissions by 5.2 per cent under 1990
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levels by the year 2012), saying the U.S was unfairly targeted. The UN Climate Change Conference of Copenhagen, 7-18 December 2009, offers the perfect opportunity for Obama to gain back lost ground. At the time of writing U.S officials have proposed targets to reduce emissions to 17% below 2005 levels by 2020, which if agreed in Copenhagen, would be the first step towards a greener American future.
UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen
Never before has a climate summit drawn such public attention. The Wave was an important climate march in which 30,000 protestors gathered in London on 5th December 2009 to demand real action in Copenhagen. Hundreds of thousands more are expected to attend the summit in Denmark, as well planned occupancy of other leading capital cities across the globe during the talks. At the time of writing, China has proposed a 40-45% decrease in the ‘carbon intensity of the economy’, which would equate to a 40% increase in emissions by 2020. Here in the UK, the Government has proposed 80% cut in emissions (under 1990 levels) by 2050, whilst the European Union has proposed 95% cuts in its carbon emissions by 2050 (under 1990 levels). A global deal needs to be found, along with €100 billion funding per year, by 2020, in order to help poorer countries to deal with the affects of climate change. Copenhagen has been hailed by many as the climax of all 2009 green activity, but it needn’t be a make or break event. More than often it is people power rather than forums and conferences that bring about real solutions; the suffragettes, civil rights activists and anti-apartheid campaigners have all proved this. Grassroots initiatives such as Transition Towns and the 10:10 campaign offer an important outlet to affirm our green alliances and make Governments and world leaders sit up and pay attention. With climate change already taking hold (scholars have predicted that by 2010 rising sea levels, desertification and flooding will have caused the displacement of 50 million people) there’s no time to rest on our laurels. We must ensure 2010 is the greenest year yet, regardless of what our global politicians and world leaders decide.
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Fruit and Vegetable Gardening:
Getting Started In this column, our fruit and vegetable growing expert, Andy Hamilton, tells us everything you need to know about growing your own, in the most ethical way possible. From getting started and planning your plot to what to plant and harvest from season to season, Andy is here to guide you every step of the way, so you can start saving food miles straight away and look forward to the mouthwatering taste of your own home grown produce.
Equipment needed This depends on the size of your plot. If you are growing in a window box then, other than a watering can, you won’t need much, as you can weed with your fingers and the soil won’t really need digging. Moving up to a small bed in the garden, I would suggest a spade, a fork, the before mentioned watering can and a hand fork for light weeding are all that’s needed. If you are considering a larger plot or an allotment then you will need many more tools. A rake, fork, spade, hoe, hand fork, trowel, large watering can or hose, water butt and compost bin are all advisable - although you could get by just using a spade and fork. Before you start to panic about the cost of all this, may I suggest that the compost bin can be made (see next issue) or you can just pile up your compost into a heap. Other tools can be borrowed
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from friends or from sites set up for tool sharing, such as www.justfortheloveofit.org (the freeconomy website), or can be gotten for free on freecycle.org. Some of my tools came from a handy garden centre in Bath that sells second hand tools rather cheaply, so keep your eyes open. Remember too that cheap new tools are a false economy as they will break within the first season.
How much space do I need? I’ve seen wheat, mustard and even tomatoes growing in the cracks of a pavement. Helpfully illustrating that plants will try and grow wherever they can. I am not suggesting you turn your street into a vegetable patch (although wouldn’t it be great if we all could), I am saying that if you think you have hardly any space think again. Even if you live in a small flat you can still grow fruit and vegetable in pots. I have grown tomatoes in a bucket in my living room. A good friend of mine has also grown all the herbs she needed on the one windowsill in her bedsit. Another friend grew blueberries on the flat part of the roof of his London flat. The roof was no bigger than the average dining room table!
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Planting © pixhunter.com - Fotolia.com
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common misconception about growing your own produce is that it is somehow difficult. The truth is that nothing can be easier. Humans have been growing produce for thousands of years without the aid of much of the equipment or books that we are lucky enough to have.
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Basically a plant needs room for its roots to take up as much moisture and as many nutrients as it needs. Generally speaking, the bigger the plant the more root space it will need. So, fairly obviously, the more you want to grow the more space you will need.
How much to take on One of the best bits of advice I can give to anyone when getting started growing your own fruit and vegetables is not to take on too much in one go. If you think that you can turn a full allotment plot (average 250 sq meters) or a huge back garden by yourself and keep a family and a full time job, you might need to think again. I would have thought that most people could manage it for the first season but, as with university drop out rates, it seems to be the second year that most people give it up. Although, if you take on half a plot at first, or better still try taking on the plot with a friend or partner, then you stand a better chance of cultivating the plot.
What to grow A very obvious bit of advice is only to grow things that you like and will eat. I was once talking to someone who was really excited as he had, “tons of radishes”. I asked him what he intended to do with them and he was not sure as he does not like radishes. I too have come foul of seed excitement and once planted a whole packet of beet spinach. Beet spinach is very easy to grow and most seeds will germinate, which left me with four rows of the stuff. I ate some every day, filled my freezer up with the stuff and gave as much away as I could. I still had more than I could ever hope to do anything with. What made matters worse is that beet spinach just keeps coming. Indeed it also goes by the name of perpetual spinach, as you can pick the leaves and they keep growing back. In the end, I dug up every single plant and did not plant it again for another few years, where upon I only planted 2 plants and that was plenty.
It is also worth thinking about why you are growing. If it is an attempt to save money then try growing things that cost a lot of money.
What’s easy to grow There are some plants out there that are really easy to grow which is why many people seem to have them on their plot. Things like beetroot (and the before mentioned beet spinach), lettuces, runner beans, rocket all can be pretty much planted from seed and as long as you water them and the slugs don’t get them they will just grow. I would also highly recommend tomatillos; not only because I love Mexican food, but also because they are very, very easy to grow and give a good yield. I grew some in pots a few years ago and was eating them almost every day! Fruit is another good option especially for the beginner as not much work has to be put in. Raspberries, strawberries and even an apple tree can be planted meaning you will enjoy year after year of delicious fruit. I would also like to recommend potatoes as they can be a very easy to grow. Indeed, it is often recommended that potatoes should be the first thing that people plant on their plots. This is mainly because the soil gets moved when growing spuds as they need earthing up (a process that involves covering the growth to ensure larger crops). Moving the soil in this manner can help keep weeds down, leaving a workable soil the next year. Good advice, that is unless you live in the South west of England as I do; we have real trouble with blight. Blight is a disease that can destroy potatoes and tomatoes rotting them and making them inedible. Our wet summers really don’t help as rain can transfer the disease.
Enthusiasm Above all, you need enthusiasm to grow your own produce. Be warned that it can be addictive. Once you have roasted your first home grown beetroot, baked your own potato or eaten a pea straight from a pod, you won’t want to look back!
Andy Hamilton, is co-author of the critically acclaimed book The Selfsufficient-ish Bible, covering everything from growing fruit, herbs and vegetables, brewing your own alcohol, keeping livestock, wild food, saving energy and water and even green holidays. Andy’s allotments, his home, and his foraging areas are all in Bristol, where he works as a professional forager taking people on monthly wild food walks. If you have a question about fruit and vegetable gardening for Andy, please email us at gardening@ethical-living.org
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Peony wallpaper If you fancy a dash of design, try this wallpaper with fabulously floral Peony design, that’ll brighten up any room and give life to your ethical ambitions. Printed on FSC paper using water based ink, which has no VOC’s or solvents. £30.00 a roll.
Samerang chair To furnish your room, we recommend The Fairtrade Furniture Company’s, olive green, comfortable and stylish chairs, crafted by highly skilled workers in Indonesia, with the cotton covering sourced from within the UK. £640.00 per chair.
Union Jack cushion Celebrate ‘Green Britain’ with this funky cushion, proving that eco can be fun and fashionable. Handmade by a collective of women in Kathamandu, where they hand produce their own chemical free felt with soap and hot water. £30.00.
Available online from: www.biomelifestyle.com
Available online from: www.fairtradefurniture.co.uk Tel: 01722 340 822
Available online from: www.biomelifestyle.com Tel: 020 7254 7613
Tel: 020 7254 7613
The Green Room
Door stop Keep the door to your green room always open with this jolly addition to your home. This hand-made chicken, made from vintage and reclaimed fabrics, is delivered to you flat packed, ready to be stuffed with rice or lentils. £12.00.
Recycled glasses Entertain guests with a drink in these quirky and contemporary, recycled Grolsch bottles. They make a great talking point as you revel in the wonders of recycling. Production saves up to 90% of energy usually used in glass recycling. £12.00 for 2.
Organic cotton bed linen Sleep easy in these soft, organic sheets. These fair trade covers are produced by mill workers in India. The duvet cover is fastened with coconut shell buttons, a waste product of food which would otherwise be thrown away. £69.99.
Available online from: www.ecoutlet.co.uk Tel: 020 7272 7233
Available online from: www.biggreensmile.com Tel: 0845 230 2365
Available online from: www.ecocentric.co.uk Tel: 020 7739 3888
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Striped hemp cushions Mix and match scatter cushions, from a range of subtle yet stylish pillows on offer. These are made from 100% hemp, which is grown without harmful chemicals and the durable fabric is soft and comfortable to relax with. £14.00.
Home mosaic Display your love of all things green proudly on your wall with this charming mosaic. Hand crafted in Malawi from discarded wall tiles, this piece will make an interesting addition to a plain wall, indoors or out. £30.00.
Candles Set the mood with these chunky hand made candles. Scented with natural coconut and tea tree and are imprinted with the words ‘Peace and Love’ on top, creating a calm and serene atmosphere in any room. £8.00 for two.
Available online from: www.drapersorganiccotton.co.uk Tel: 08452 603 560
Available online from: www.biomelifestyle.com Tel: 020 7254 7613
Available online from: www.peopletree.com Tel: 020 7739 9659
Ethical living is a way of life, so naturally, the best place to start is at home. While covering your roof with solar panels and re-designing your home completely so that it’s 100% energy efficient might be setting the bar a little high, there are many products available for the home and garden, which will not harm the environment and come with the fair-trade seal of approval. We have scoured the internet and the high street for green products (both in colour and in an environmental sense), so take a look at our decoration guide to see how you can re-style your home and help the environment at the same time.
Eco paint Start your green room with a coat of paint. EarthBorn clay paints are low in odour, toxin (voc) free and virtually non-drip. They allow surfaces to breathe, absorbing variations in humidity. We recommend tranquil Cricket colour. From £39.95 for 5ltrs.
Lampshade Dress up your energy saving bulbs with this 60’s style lightshade. Made from 100% recycled cardboard, available in a number of colours and sizes, printed with limited edition patterns. Why settle for just one? From £32.99.
Bird feeder Keep the birds in your garden with this futuristic ball feeder. Designed and produced in the UK, this feeder is carbon neutral, leaving the air miles to be notched up by the birds. £34.95.
Available online from: www.ecocentric.co.uk Tel: 020 7739 3888
Available online from: www.nigelsecostore.com Tel: 0870 725 9885
Available online from: www.ecocentric.co.uk Tel: 020 7739 3888
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Introduction to
The Bowen Technique A hands-on style therapy that does not use force, pressure or manipulation, the Bowen Technique is becoming increasing popular. Claire Nelson explains what involved and what to expect.
M
ore people are turning to alternative and complementary therapies to improve their health and wellbeing. One method that is becoming increasingly popular is the Bowen Technique (also known as Bowen therapy). The Bowen Technique is a holistic, remedial therapy, based on the work of Australian osteopath Tom Bowen, which uses light touches and periods of rest to discipline the body’s response mechanism. A therapist will use fingers and thumbs to perform a series of gentle touches and movements over the patient’s body, interspersed with small breaks of several minutes, where the therapist leaves the client to rest. These rest breaks are one of the defining features of the Bowen Technique, and give the body a chance to consider the best response for healing itself. Due to the hands-on style, people often confuse the concept of Bowen with that of massage, but, unlike massage, the Bowen Technique does not use force, pressure or manipulation. Instead, it stimulates energy flow, promotes circulation, increases mobility, and encourages the body to relax, realign and heal.
While the technique will be used to treat a specific problem, it focuses on the body as a whole. This makes it an effective treatment for a variety of ailments, and Bowen practitioners have found a wide range of conditions that respond well to the technique. These include musculoskeletal conditions such as tennis elbow, back pain and whiplash; digestive problems like irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion and constipation; and respiratory problems such as hayfever, bronchitis and asthma. Bowen therapy has also been used to aid in fertility problems, as experienced by Sharron Strong, 39, a firefighter from Milton Keynes. Having suffered for years with endometriosis, was uncertain of her ability to conceive naturally. After more than one operation to remove the endometriosis, Sharron was eventually considered for a hysterectomy, and she and her partner Harvey began to investigate adoption as their final chance to start a family. It was earlier this year, while attending a yoga class in her village - run by therapist Beryl Whiting - that she first heard about the Bowen Technique.
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Massage Š Photoroller - Fotolia.com
What is Bowen?
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‘[Beryl] mentioned that one of her Bowen patients had just given birth after three failed IVF treatments,’ explains Sharron. ‘At the time I had never heard of Bowen treatment and immediately after the class I talked to Beryl to learn more.’
What to expect Most people are recommended to undergo an initial set of three sessions - each of which is usually about 45 minutes. Sharron was recommended three sessions of Bowen therapy over a one-month period, but she admits her first session was not what she had expected: ‘I thought I was going to have a full body massage and come out glowing feeling fresh straight from a beauty spa... it’s nothing like that.’ During the first session the therapist should establish a comprehensive health profile of the patient, as well as addressing their specific ailment, so initial consultations often include a discussion of the patient’s medical history and lifestyle. A typical Bowen session will involve the client lying on a therapy table or bed, (or sometimes the client may sit in a chair), while the therapist performs small movements around the body, usually beginning with the back and legs, working to the upper back and shoulders, and finally, the face and head. “Beryl explored my medical history, together with my emotional being,” says Sharron. “She then quietly worked her way round my body performing very small movements, then left the room for a few minutes, then repeated the treatment.... but I felt that my body had rested. It was strangely calming.” These touches and movements performed in the technique create electrical impulses, which are sent to the nervous system to gently remind the body to regain normal motion and function. Sharron describes how this worked for her: ‘During the third session Beryl said she was going to ‘open up’ the pelvic region.’ She adds, ‘Something must have worked because I could hardly walk for three days afterwards, but I fell pregnant during that time. I understand now that the mind and energy in the body have a physical affect on your body.’
Finding a practitioner Bowen is set to become one of the group of complementary therapies recognised by the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), the organisation established in 2008 and endorsed by the Department of Health. Registration of Bowen therapists begins on 15 February. This register will confirm that practitioners have met recognised standards for safe practice. By providing an independent verification of standards, CNHC recognition will allow organisations such
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as NHS Trusts, private healthcare providers, individual doctors and other elements of health provision to refer patients, with confidence, to the complementary and natural therapies involved. While CNHC registration is an important step forward, anyone who is considering having the Bowen Technique in the near future, can access a practitioner through The Bowen Therapists’ European Register (BTER). Alongside their Bowen training, practitioners accredited by BTER must hold an Anatomy and Physiology Diploma, have a current First Aid Certificate, Public Liability Insurance and attend regular professional development courses to enhance their skills. The Complementary Medical Association also advises that any practitioner should, have an agreed code of ethics; be insured in case something goes wrong with your treatment; and be a member of an organization that promotes self-regulation and does not make unreasonable claims about their treatments.
Right for you? Like any form of treatment, what works for one person may not work for another, and the Bowen Technique may not suit everyone. But unlike conventional therapies, many holistic treatments, like the Bowen Technique, steer away from treating only a specific problem or complaint, and look at treating the body as a whole. This can be a positive method of healing, and the Bowen Technique is a fascinating therapy worth considering: especially if other treatments have not been successful. It is noninvasive and because of this it is suitable for people of all ages - from young babies to the elderly. Sharron believes the Bowen Technique was the right choice for her. She is now four months pregnant and works in the fire department’s office. ‘I’m really enjoying my pregnancy thanks to Beryl - and Harvey of course!’ she says, adding, ‘I wish I could tell the world about this treatment - especially women who have had failed IVF and feel exhausted from trying to conceive. This is a fantastic way to shift energies.’
Useful contacts: Bowen Therapists’ European Register Tel: 08445 617 173 www.bowentherapists.com Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council Tel: 0203 178 2199 www.cnhc.org.uk
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Review of
Fragrances can alter our mood and make us feel glamorous - and often our choice of perfume can express who we are. But like cosmetics and skincare products, the chemicals in the perfume we wear are absorbed into our skin, and can be doing more harm than good. So, how easy is it to find a fragrance that is natural, yet glamorous? The good news is, there is an increase in the number of organic and natural perfume products available. Here are six of our favourites.
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Perfume woman Š CandyBoxPhoto - Fotolia.com
Natural Perfume
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Dolma Vegamusk Perfume
Jo Wood Organics Usiku Eau de Toilette
Florame Absolutely Vanilla
A soft, musky scent that lasts morning till night. Contains essential oil of sandalwood and is animal-free. Available in four sizes and also as an Eau de Parfum.
Sensual, spicy & sophisticated, this vibrant fragrance contains a delicious combination of cardamom, pineneedle, ginger, and Moroccan cedarwood. An opulent treat for the senses.
A completely natural perfume from Florame aromatherapy, this singlenote perfume is strong, but once on the skin it blends and softens into a subtle and delicious vanilla fragrance.
This 32ml bottle is £25.75 Available online from: www.dolma-perfumes.co.uk Tel: 0115 963 4237
This 50ml bottle is £36.00 Available online from: www.jowoodorganics.com Tel: 0845 607 6614
This 50ml bottle is £24.99 Available online from: www.florame.co.uk Tel: 01328 830 911
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The Body Shop Japanese Cherry
Wickle Fig & Mace Perfume
Cattier Eau Champetre
This delicate floral scent with a musky sandalwood base captures the freshness of spring blossoms. A feminine, uplifting perfume that is perfect to wear every day.
Alcohol-free perfume is hard to find. This one is delicious, with a warming, spicy fruit scent. Each bottle is decorated with handmade lace from charitable trust the Power of Hands.
An elegantly warm, floral French perfume from Cattier, with a gentle, smoky undertone. This is a sophisticated scent, free from parabens and formulated with natural ingredients
This 50ml bottle is £14.65 Available online from: www.thebodyshop.co.uk Tel: 0800 0929 090
This 50ml bottle is £25.00 Available online from: www.wickle.co.uk Tel: 01273 487 969
This 100ml bottle is £18.45 Available online from: www.essenceoffrance.co.uk Tel: 0845 224 7108
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FREE Amarya organic beauty Gift Voucher when you subscribe to Worth
£25.00
Ethical Living has teamed up with Amarya to give every new subscriber a £25 gift voucher to spend at www.amarya.co.uk. Amarya is the UK’s first certified organic beauty products shop that stocks the top brands sourced from around the world, and offers a wide range of organic skin care products to suit different needs. All the products sold by Amarya are certified organic, which means all of them have been certified by a recognised body, such as the Soil Association or Ecocert, to contain only organic ingredients from certified organic sources. Visit the store or contact their qualified beauty therapists and make-up artists by phone or email for beauty advice on any subject, or spoil yourself in their salon offering a range of holistic treatments - all organic!
For more information about Amarya visit www.amarya.co.uk or call 01565 653 727
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Nightie Night Relax and enjoy the perfect nights sleep in soft and sexy organic, fair trade or natural nightwear. Check out these options for all the family to ensure sweet dreams for all.
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5 1 Waffle Bathrobe, super soft unisex robe made from 100% organic cotton. £42.90 www.spiritofnature.co.uk Tel: 08448 019 885 2 Striped Pyjamas, with grandad collar and loose fitting trousers. Made in India from organic, fair trade cotton. £32.00 www.peopletree.co.uk Tel: 0845 450 4595 3 Lady Coco Sleep Mask, made from soft bamboo with lace and ribbon detail £18.00 www.enamore.co.uk Tel: 01225 851 004 4 Isotoner Eco-Slipper made from bamboo fibres with slip-resistant tread. £18.00 www.totesuk.com Tel: 01277 636 802 5 Fairly Dotty Chemise made from fair trade cotton with lace edges. £22.00. www.gossypium.co.uk Tel: 0870 850 9953 Make a positive difference
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6 Kaftan Pyjamas, unisex fair trade, soft organic cotton marl pyjamas with matching fabric gift bag. £32.00. www.gossypium.co.uk Tel: 0870 850 9953 7 Fluffy Fair Trade Alpaca Slippers made by traditional Peruvian craftsman who have produced these for over 25 years. £30.00. www.biomelifestyle.com Tel: 020 7254 7613 8 Long Drawstring Shorts, in soft and comfortable, fair trade and organic cotton. Great for lounging or sleeping. £14.95 www.gossypium.co.uk Tel: 0870 850 9953 36
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9 Terry Baby Organic Bathrobe made from high quality 100% organic yarn with no abrasive chemicals. £21.95. www.daisygrow.com Tel: 01752 898 626 10 Organic Wool Blanket made from organically farmed wool in New Zealand. £69.00 - £199.99. www.whitecloudtrading.co.uk Tel: 01989 721 010 11 Boys Lumberjack Pyjamas made from 100% organic cotton free from any toxic or irritant chemical residues. £24.00. www.welovefrugi.com Tel: 01326 221 930. Make a positive difference
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BROCKWOOD PARK SCHOOL Open Morning - Saturday 6th March - 10am to 12.30pm
- International co-ed boarding school for 14 - 19 year olds - Holistic education - 7:1 students : staff ratio - Wide range of academic subjects available - Exceptional attention to pastoral care - Vegetarian diet 'A unique school ' The Good Schools Guide 2008
To find out more visit www.brockwood.org.uk or contact Vicki Lewin, Brockwood Park School, Bramdean Hampshire, SO24 0LQ, UK Tel: 01962 771744, Fax : 01962 771875 Email: enquiry@brockwood.org.uk Founded in 1969 by J.Krishnamurti. Part of Krishnamurti Foundation Trust Registered Charity No. 312865
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5 Knickers In A Box Corleone limited edition knickers, made with vegetable dyed cotton with a big bow at the back. £35.00. www.thenaturalstore.co.uk Tel: 01273 746 781 Na
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3 Bedrock Betty Camisole and Knicker Gift Box, in racy leopard print, made from 95% soft bamboo jersey and 5% Lycra. £100.00. www.enamore.co.uk Tel: 01225 851 004
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6 Wilderness Silk Teddy, made in England from 100% organic silk in Fierce Heart print with luxurious bow detail. £65.00. www.idlewildlondon.com Tel: 08448 560 768 Na
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What’s in Season Fruits and Nuts
Apples, Bananas, Blood Oranges, Chestnuts, Clementines, Forced Rhubarb, Pears, Pomegranates, Tangerines, Walnuts
Vegetables Fish and Seafood Bass, Clams, Crab, Dover Sole, Lobster, Mackerel, Mussels, Salmon, Scallops, Whelk, Whiting
Artichokes, Beetroot, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrots, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Parsnips, Potatoes, Swede, Turnips
Meat
Guinea Fowl, Hare, Partridge
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Apples © morchella - fotolia.com; chestnuts © Thierry Hoarau - Fotolia.com; Kale © chiyacat - fotolia.com; carrots © arnowssr @ fotolia.com; lobster © Daniel Gilbey @ fotolia.com; clams © Dmitriy Gilbey @ folotia.com; green swirl © OnFocus - fotolia.com
January/February
Ethical Herbs and Spices T
he organic food industry has seen a rise in the number of buyers over the past few years, although demand for the produce has slowed in recent months due to the economic troubles. However, the desire to buy from ethically sustainable companies prevails, so we thought it a good time to get thinking about how we season our daily meals, as the herbs and spices we frequently use could be offsetting all the positive work that’s gone in to sourcing the veg. Herbs and spices have a long and interesting history. Once they were so highly prized, they were used in the place of currency. London and Venice built their reputations upon the trade and the passage between India and Europe has long been an important shipping passage. Without herbs and spices our food would often be bland and lacklustre. So, to make sure you’re getting the best flavours and causing the least damaging to the environment, take a look at the alternative options to those we see on the supermarket shelves. The herbs and spices, which are added to some of the UK’s finest dining, originate in far away countries, with India, Sri Lanka and Africa being hot spots for growing. It would be easy to say, therefore, that all of the crops will have massive carbon footprints, so how could any of them really be beneficial to the environment? Buying organic herbs and spices will enhance your cooking. Because they are grown without the use of pesticides and are fresh, organic herbs and spices are packed with flavour. The only downside is that they do not last as long as the regular types, but they can still be kept for up to 18 months in a cool dry place. For the farmers involved, deciding to becoming organic producers is also a big commitment, as they have to grow the crops for three years without using pesticides or chemicals on their crops before they can be legally packaged or sold as organic. By buying organic and fair-trade, you can be sure that you are flavouring your dinners with only natural
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ingredients, of the highest quality. UK based company Steenbergs is a family run business supplying organic and fair trade herbs and spices. All of their products are carbon neutral and packaged in their own purpose built ecofriendly factory. The Steenbergs buy from Fairtrade certified suppliers, ensuring that goods are grown organically without the use of pesticides and that the families involved in the growing are living in good conditions. Another great option is the Suma Co-operative, the UK’s largest independent wholefood distributor, specialising in vegetarian, fairly traded, organic, ethical and natural products. They have a good range of organic herbs and spices, which includes everything from basil to turmeric, and a few that also carry the Fairtrade Foundation logo. Or try Hambleden Herbs, who stock over 50 different Soil Association certified, organic herbs and spices. Better still, you could grow you own! Tending to the leaves of your own herb garden from suppliers such as Rocket Gardens will allow you to eat herbs and spices safe in the knowledge that they’ve been grown in your own front garden, minus the air miles, and will be fresh for as long as you keep tending to them.
Useful contacts: Steenbergs Organic Tel: 01765 640 088 www.steenbergs.co.uk Suma Co-operative Tel: 08445 796 541 www.sumamarket.coop Hambleden Herbs Tel: 01980 630 721 www.hambledenherbs.com Rocket Gardens Tel: 08456 033 684 www.rocketgardens.co.uk
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Phil Vickery has been wowing the audiences of Ready Steady Cook for many years. As resident chef of This Morning he inspired viewers all over the country. But it was his series highlighting Britain’s food heroes, A Taste of Britain, that really cemented his role as a presenter as well as a chef. Phil has written several books, and has been short listed for the Andre Simon Award. Phil was chef-director at The Castle in Taunton, where he
was awarded a Michelin star for four successive years. This delicious green lentil, lime and coriander soup and the quick crab and mushroom kedgeree are both from Phil’s highly acclaimed Seriously Good! Gluten-Free Cooking book. The baked sea bass with sweet potatoes and red wine dressing, and roast apples and pears with cider froth recipes both feature in his fantastic Britain the Cookbook.
Gourmet Gluten-Free and Great British Winter Warmers A few of our favourite recipes from top chef and TV presenter Phil Vickery
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January / February 2010
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Green Lentil, Lime and Coriander Soup Serves 4 The great flavours here make this a really tasty soup. It’s nice and easy and is perfect for eating whilst watching your favourite TV programme.
Method:
Ingredients:
Next, add the red lentils, tomato purée, boiling water and crumbled stock cube and bring to the boil. Turn down the heat and simmer gently until all the vegetables and red lentils are well cooked - about 30 minutes.
4 tbsp Olive Oil 1 Medium Carrot - finely chopped 2 Celery Sticks - finely chopped 1 Large Onion - finely chopped 2 Garlic Cloves - finely chopped 50g Red Lentils 2 tbsp Tomato Purée 700ml Boiling Water 1 x 10g Gluten-Free Chicken or Veg Stock Cube 100g Green Lentils Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper Juice of 2 Large Limes 3 tbsp Fresh Coriander - chopped, to serve 100g Thick Greek Yogurt - to serve Olive Oil - to drizzle
Heat the oil in a large pan, then add the carrot, celery, onion and garlic and cook for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, place the green lentils in a saucepan and cover with cold water, bring to the boil and simmer until just cooked, but not falling to pieces. Once cooked, refresh the lentils under cold water. When the soup is cooked, transfer it in batches to a food processor or liquidiser and process until you have a nice smooth purée. Return the soup to a clean pan. You may need to add a little boiling water if it is too thick. Check the seasoning, then add the lime juice and stir well. To serve, place the cooked green lentils in 4 bowls. Top with the hot soup, a little fresh coriander and a blob of yogurt swirled in at the last moment. A little olive oil drizzled over is also a nice touch.
Quick Crab and Mushroom Kedgeree Coriander © Tomboy 2290 - fotolia.com
Serves 2-4 Kedgeree is a marvellous dish and a great old English favourite. This is a twist on the classic recipe - simple and so tasty.
Ingredients: 3 x 200g Sachets of Microwaveable Plain Boiled Rice 115g Butter 225g Baby Button Mushrooms - halved 4 Spring Onions - chopped 450g Fresh White Crab Meat 4 tbsp Fresh Parsley - roughly chopped 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil 1 Egg - beaten Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper
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Method: Warm the rice in the microwave on High for 2 minutes. Heat half the butter in a non-stick wok, then warm the rest in a separate pan. Add the mushrooms to the wok and cook for 2–3 minutes. Add the spring onions, crab meat and parsley and cook for 2–3 minutes. In a separate non-stick wok, heat the oil. Add the beaten egg and cook over a gentle heat, stirring constantly until the egg is scrambled. Add the warmed rice to the crab mixture and mix well. Then add the egg to the rice, stir well and season. Finally, stir in the remaining melted butter and serve. January/February 2010
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Baked Sea Bass with Sweet Potatoes and Red Wine Dressing Serves 4-6
With a fish as beautiful as bass, I think that the less you do with it the better. I once went to a small restaurant in Hong Kong where you pick your fish from the tanks in the restaurant and they cook it while you wait. The fish was simply grilled and baked whole, and served with a hot dressing spread over it. It was really delicious, because it was so simple. So here is my version, also very simple, but a great dish to cook for a dinner party.
Ingredients: 1 x 1.6kg Whole Line-Caught Bass - scaled and gutted Olive Oil Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper 4-5 tbsp Olive Oil A pinch or two of Dried Red Chilli flakes 2 Medium Sweet Potatoes - peeled and cut into 2cm cubes
For the Dressing: 1 Small Red Onion - peeled and very finely chopped 3 tbsp Red Wine Vinegar 3 tbsp Japanese Rice Wine 2 pinches Caster Sugar 6 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil 4 tbsp Chopped Parsley
Place the fish in a large baking tray. Drizzle over a little olive oil and season well. Bake for about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, place all the ingredients for the dressing, apart from the parsley, in a bowl, and season well. Add the parsley and mix well. After about 20 minutes, check the potatoes: they should be soft. If cooked, remove from the stove and season again. Keep warm. To test the bass is cooked, use two spoons to gently pull the flesh apart. The flakes should fall apart, with a little resistance, but not be over cooked. If the fish is not cooked, return it to the oven for 5-6 minutes. Once cooked, cover with foil and leave to rest for 10 minutes. Spoon the sweet potatoes around the outside of the fish, then spoon over all the dressing. Take the whole tray to the table, and let everyone help themselves. The only addition I’d recommend is a crisp green salad, with plenty of cucumber, cress, watercress and spring onion, lightly dressed with lemon juice and olive oil.
Method: Place the olive oil for the sweet potatoes in a large wok and heat. Preheat the oven to 230°C/450°F/ Gas Mark 8. Add the chilli flakes to the hot oil, then the sweet potatoes, and coat these well with the olive oil and chilli. Season well, then turn the heat right down. Cover with a lid. (Most large saucepan lids will not fit onto a wok, but don’t worry too much, it just needs to cover the food. You can use foil to cover the wok if you prefer.) They will probably cook in 20 minutes. While they are cooking, cut the fins off the bass with a pair of scissors, leaving the head on. With a sharp knife, neatly score the fish one way right down its length, just under the skin.
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Roast Apples and Pears with Cider Froth Serves 6 This cider froth is perfect with roast apples or pears. It’s also nice in the summer months with gooseberry compote, poached peaches or even fresh raspberries or mulberries. This simple but spectacular pudding only needs the addition of vanilla ice-cream or a little clotted cream.
Ingredients: 6 Ripe, Firm, British Apples - such as Russet, Charles Ross, Worcester Pearmain 6 Ripe Conference Pears 4 tbsp Olive Oil 4 tbsp soft Brown Sugar 6 Medium Egg Yolks 100g Caster Sugar 100ml Cider A Squeeze of Lemon Juice
Method: Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas Mark 6. Cut all the fruit in half, and remove the cores. Leave the skins on. Place the fruits in a large bowl and mix with the olive oil and sugar before tipping into a baking tray or large oven proof fryingpan. Place in the oven for 20 minutes, or until the fruit is soft, slightly puffy, but not over cooked. The fruit must remain whole. Turn occasionally, but try not to let the fruit breakup. Meanwhile, whisk the eggs, sugar and cider together over a pan of boiling water until thick and cooked.
This will take 5-6 minutes. Finally, add a squeeze of lemon juice. Do not overcook or the eggs will scramble. You’ll end up with a light, frothy sauce. Once cooked, keep warm but not hot; I find it best to keep it warm in a Thermosflask, for a max. of 1hr. To serve, spoon the hot fruit onto a large plate or bowl, then pour over the froth. I like to serve this pudding with clotted cream and vanilla ice-cream: the hot and cold combination works really well.
Recipes contributed by Phil Vickery from: Britain the Cookbook by Phil Vickery: Phil introduces us to some of the people who catch our fish, grow our veg and farm our meat, and offers his own favourite 130 recipes using their produce. With photographs from top food photographer, Steve Lee. Published by Mitchell Beazley. £20.00. www.octopusbooks.co.uk
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Seriously Good! Gluten- Free Cooking by Phil Vickery: 600,000 people in the UK suffer from coeliac disease, a lifelong autoimmune disease triggered by eating gluten. Phil demonstrates that a gluten-free diet can still be delicious, offering over 120 tasty dishes. Published by Kyle Cathie. £19.99. www.kylecathie.co.uk
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a te Deb Advice on starting baby on solid food has changed over recent years and can be confusing for parents. Iris Coates investigates the best way to get weaning.
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n the UK, the official Department of Health and NHS advice is to feed babies exclusively on milk until they are at least 6 months old, advice based on recommendations by the World Health Organisation (WHO). However, shop around for baby food and you’ll notice that most foods are ‘suitable from 4 months’. It seems that health experts and baby food manufacturers are unable to agree when is the best time to start weaning babies, leaving parents in a difficult position. Around the world, babies are weaned on a variety of foods. Whether it is African ogi, a maize based porridge, Asian rice-based kedgeree or kongi, Caribbean steamed foods or South American first foods based on potatoes, corn and tortilla, weaning foods tend to be bland and of high carbohydrate composition, and vegetables and proteins are eventually added. The aim of weaning is to accustom the baby to the parents’ staple diet whilst relying on milk as the main source of nutrition; a process usually started around five months.
Physically ready? In recent years, advice in the UK about when to start babies on solid foods has changed from 4 months to 6 months. The reason it is now recommended to wait until 6 months is that until this age, it is said that most babies get all of the nutrients they need from milk. In addition, more is now known about the effects of giving solid foods too early, which can increase the risk of infection and allergies.
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January / February 2010
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Baby eating carrot © © Monkey Business - Fotolia.com; Green splodge © gosphotodesign - Fotolia.com; Bowl and jars © Elena Schweitzer - Fotolia.com; Spoon fed baby © AVAVA - Fotolia.com
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Finally, babies are physically ready by 6 months to sit up with support, control their heads, to chew and move food around their mouths, and their digestive and immune systems are also stronger. Some of the signs that your baby may be ready for solids are when they start showing an interest in food, seem hungrier than usual and are waking up more often, even if you increase their feed, as well as chewing on hands, toys and other objects. They may also be able to sit up assisted, hold their head up and pick up food or objects and put them in their mouth.
Trusting your instincts Speaking to parents, it appears that most babies are ready for solid foods earlier than six months, and seem to be going hungry on milk alone. Sarah Kelleher from Eastbourne started weaning her first child at 4 months, first on baby rice, then on pureed fruit at 5 months. Now her second child is nearing three months, and she feels he too may be ready soon: ‘He seems interested in food, seems less satisfied after a milk feed and chews his fists. I may start giving him some baby rice at the earlier start date again of around four to five months’.
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The conflicting advice poses parents with a dilemma whether to follow the official advice, or to go with their instincts and risk allergies and various other problems if they decide to start before 6 months. Anna Rosier, Managing Director at Organix, explains why there seems to be a discrepancy: ‘We fully support the WHO’s recommendation on breastfeeding babies for the first six months, although we understand from mum’s feedback that babies grow at different rates. ...Parents, with support from their Health Professionals, can decide if earlier weaning is suitable for their baby based on their needs from 4 months.’ If ambiguity about the starting age for weaning wasn’t enough, experts also seem divided about content and consistency. Whereas ingredients such as cow’s milk, gluten, fish, sugar, salt and eggs are not recommended until 6 months or older, many commercial baby foods contain one or more of these ingredients. In fact, some of them contain as many as 13 ingredients in total, despite the advice that babies should gradually be introduced to one new ingredient at a time.
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intake of additives. Yet a growing body of evidence demonstrates that it’s not just about what organic doesn’t contain, it’s also about the goodness it does. In independent research, organic food has been shown to have higher levels of nutrients, from vitamins and minerals to iron and essential fatty acids like Omega-3.’ He gives an example of how organic food can be beneficial to children: ‘Scientists in Holland discovered that infants fed on organic dairy products, and whose mothers also consume organic dairy, have a 36% lower incidence of eczema than children who consume non-organic dairy products.’
Health benefits It is often recommended to start the weaning process with pureed vegetables or rice mixed with baby’s usual milk, although some experts argue that pureed food is not natural for babies. People in favour of baby led weaning (a method which puts the baby in control of the weaning process), such as Gill Rapley, deputy director of Unicef’s Baby Friendly Initiative and a health visitor for 25 years, argue that breastfed babies can go straight from milk to feeding themselves solids. Baby led weaning leaves out the transitional weaning purees and lets the child go straight onto finger foods because, at the recommended age of 6 months, most babies are able to chew and handle finger foods. This method is also said to facilitate the transition onto family foods. From my personal experience, however, I think there is a limit to how much finger food a baby can eat. When my son was 6 months, he loved chewing on whole apples and large pieces of bread, but I still had to supplement his hourly breastfeeds and finger foods with purees to satisfy his ever-growing appetite.
Going organic Many parents on the other hand seem to agree on one thing, which is that they prefer to feed their child organic food. Baby food is one of the most popular organic products, and 46% of baby food sold is organic. Considering the vulnerability of young children’s developing bodies, they may have a point, as a Soil Association spokesperson explains: ‘Buying organic is one way to reduce the chances that you and your family’s food contain pesticides, and their
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Aside from the obvious environmental benefits, lower incidence of eczema is only one of many health benefits of feeding your child organic food, and Dr Vyvyan Howard, MB, chB, phD, FRC Path, University of Liverpool has said: ‘Choosing to feed your baby organically may be the single most important way to give them the best start in life.’ Whether parents choose organic or not, it is widely agreed that making your own baby food is a healthier, cheaper and rewarding option - and one that could also help to get your child used to home cooked family meals. Although the continually changing and contradicting advice surrounding weaning can be confusing and frustrating for parents, it is useful to remember that despite conflicting advice, babies have been successfully weaned onto solids for thousands of years. Perhaps the official advice could be seen as evidence-based guidelines which are there, alongside traditions and parental instinct, to help and guide parents in finding the best way for their child to reach this exciting developmental milestone.
Useful contacts: Baby Led Weaning www.baby-led.com NHS Choices www.nhs.uk/conditions/Babies-weaning Eatwell www.eatwell.org.uk
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Baby eating plate © Adam Przezak - Fotolia.com
What to eat
Family favourites Check out our favourite news stories, ideas, events and reviews to ensure your family has an ethical start to the New Year.
Wear many hats
Low carbon schools
Let your kids explore the different aspects of their personality with this Make Hats Activity Eco Box. With everything you need to make four hats, from the feathers and glue, to the card and scissors, your little ones can create their own unique look! £10.99 available from Green Squirrel www.green-squirrel.co.uk
A new service has been launched to help schools and colleges reduce the release of carbon dioxide. The Carbon Reduction for Schools scheme is being led by Susan Whitfield, recently retired Head of Notting Hill & Ealing High School, who is passionate about educating young people about living sustainable lifestyles. Teachers across the UK are being invited to download free educational materials, which they can adapt for different subjects, classes of all ages and assemblies. The scheme also offers a free carbon calculator, which has been specially designed for schools and colleges, enabling them to estimate carbon emissions from: school trips; school energy use (heating, cooking and power); and even car travel to and from school. www.carbon-offsets.com/schools
Be eco potty! Congratulations to Becothings, the maker of the Becopotty, who won a Silver award in the Best New Innovation category at the annual Mother & Baby Awards. The Becopotty is the first eco-friendly alternative to the common plastic potty. Made from rice husks, a waste product of rice farming, its highly sustainable and completely biodegradable when finished with. www.becothings.com
H2Onya
Grandma’s secret
How children get so many stains on their clothes is an unsolvable mystery and working out how to clean them can be a conundrum too. Never fear, Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover is here! Non-toxic, biodegradable, environmentally safe, no chlorine or phosphates, a 59ml bottle is £4.60 from Beauty Naturals. Tel: 0800 980 6665, www.beautynaturals.com
Make aa positive positive difference difference Make
It can be a challenge to keep kids healthy and hydrated when they’re running around and burning off energy. Take a H2Onya water bottle with you when you’re out and about and you’ll always be prepared for those thirsty moments! The H2Onya is made from food-safe, BPA-free stainless steel and will not retain odours or flavours. It comes in a variety of colours and sizes with a screw cap or sports cap. £8.49-£10.99. Tel: 05602 696 001, www.onyabags.co.uk, www.reusablebottle.co.uk
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Green A Paris Guide
nchored in the global consciousness as the city of light, the capital of fashion and the home of unbridled luxury, Paris isn’t an obvious green destination. But this city has big ambitions: to become a sustainable metropolis where its neglected suburbs will become connected to the capital via 130km of highspeed metro lines. And there’s even talk of fitting the Eiffel tower with solar panels…
Where to shop - fashion
Ellen Groves tells us everything we need to know to turn a romantic weekend break in the french capital green 50
‘Compared to Anglo-saxon countries, France has been far behind (on green fashion) but things are starting to happen in Paris,’ says Clélia Moretton. The former model opened Dalia and Rose, a luxury ethical boutique situated on the plush Rue du Marché St Honoré, last September. Offering chic sustainable designs, Dupleks carries mostly French fashion, with accessories such as handmade jewellery by Ombre Claire and Veja organic cotton trainers. Wander there on Sunday afternoons when the road along the Canal St Martin is traffic-free. Nearer the city centre, off the Rue Montmartre, Filambule is an arty boutique that mixes french-made designs, including Celine Faizant, with basics such as organic knitwear from LesMajesteesVerde.
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Vélib Eiffel Tower © Henri Garat/Mairie de Paris; Parc des Buttes Chaumont © Fabrice Gaboriau/Mairie de Paris
Parc des Buttes Chaumont
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For a French twist on charity shopping meanwhile there’s Merci, a three-storey concept store from the founders of luxury children’s clothing label Bon Point. Housing everything from contemporary fashion to a secondhand book cafe, profits from every purchase go to charity.
prevent bio-piracy in the Amazon), in a bright boutique designed to both ecological and Feng shui principles. Those with extra time can learn how to concoct anything from eye contour gel to perfume during ateliers at Aroma-Zone, near the picturesque Rue Mouffetard.
Where to shop - cosmetics With new organic brands flourishing, organic beauty shops continue to open here. ‘People know about parabens, but we haven’t heard a great deal about PEG which is in everything, from toothpaste to lipstick,’ says Frédéric Fabiani, whose new threefloor boutique, Nopeg, aims to educate shoppers about the hazardous chemical Polyethyleneglycol (PEG). PEG-free, seasonal skin care includes Clé des Champs, alongside perfumes by Honoré des Prés, plus some 175 essential oils and floral elixirs. Across the city, just a stone’s throw from the Eiffel tower, Mademoiselle Bio offers French brands including newcomer Aïny (a brand that helps to
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Eating organic It’s a little-known fact that among Paris’s most renowned (and expensive) restaurants is one that eschews meat in most of its dishes. At three Michelin-starred L’Arpège, chef Alain Passard favours mostly vegetable dishes made with produce picked that very morning from his own organic farms in France’s Sarthe region. Lunch menus start at €100. More budget-friendly is Soya, a cosy vegetarian and organic restaurant, which serves up homemade delicacies, such as Caviar d’Algues and a hedonistic all-you-can-eat buffet brunch every Sunday. January/February 2010
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For non-vegetarians, Respec’Table delivers dishes like Traditionnel Andouillette (a type of sausage) using meat from organic farms. Le Baratin, hidden away in the lively Belleville district, offers FrancoArgentine cuisine, served with a vast selection of organic wine.
Things to do With 418 public gardens, 15 parks and 32 green walks, Parisian culture doesn’t stop at monuments and cafés. The Buttes Chaumont, a reclaimed quarry in the North, is a hilly labyrinth of grottos surrounding a lake. It’s also home to one of the city’s hippest new hangouts, Rosa Bonheur, which serves organic tapas until the wee hours. Also reclaimed from Paris’s industrial past, La Coulée Verte is a fourand-a-half km long railway track converted into a plant-lined elevated walkway. To truly escape, to the East and West of the city respectively, lie the Bois de Vincennes and the Bois de Boulogne. Originally Royal hunting grounds, they’re now a haven for joggers, bikers and rowers on their lakes. Beyond the Louvre, Paris continues to enrich its collection of museums. Since 2006, the Jean Nouvel-designed Quai Branly has showcased the arts of Africa, Oceania, Asia, and the Americas in a certified High Environmental Quality building, set like a footbridge in a sprawling garden. Further off the tourist trail, Le 104, provides a spacious home for all forms of art in the unlikely setting of the former municipal funeral services centre.
Travelling light
flow, replacing chemical cleaning products with yesteryear staples like vinegar and lemon juice, guests are asked to sort their recycling, while the hotel has its own hybrid taxi and serves an organic breakfast. The Hotel Regent’s Garden Paris, near the Champs Elysées, also meets Eco-label criteria on waste, electricity and water reduction and its beautiful oriental garden is equipped with a rainwater collection system.
Paris Insider: Isabelle Quéhé, founder of Paris’s Ethical Fashion Show, divulges her favourite haunts… Vintage clothing: ‘Guerrisol for cheap secondhand clothes, Parisians vide-greniers (jumble sales) and the flea market, Les Puces de Montreuil. If I need something elegant I go to the boutique workshop of my friend Sakina M’Sa.’ Open spaces: ‘The Parc de Belleville with its impregnable view of the Eiffel Tower (perfect for watching fireworks) also the Parc Floral for open air concerts from June.’ Buying local: ‘Living in the 20th, where I can I go to Robinsons, an organic supermarket in nearby Montreuil. I also go to the vegetable market at Place de la Réunion every Sunday. It’s one of the best and least expensive markets in Paris.’ Ethical Fashion Show’s seventh edition takes place in October 2010
Intimidating though Parisian driving is (red lights are for everyone else apparently) using the €1 per half hour bike hire scheme, Vélib, is truly liberating. And there are plans for 600km of cycle lanes by 2013, from 371km today. In 2011, Autolib, a fleet of 2000 electric cars, will be introduced via a similar system. A metro journey, meanwhile costs just €1.40 and it runs until 2.15 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and bank holidays.
Fair trade: Commerce équitable - or shortened to équitable.
Where to stay
Sustainable development: Dévéloppement durable.
The first hotel to be awarded the EU’s Eco-label here, is the quaint Hotel Gavarni, near the bustling Rue de Passy. Manager Xavier Moraga treads the fine line between reducing the hotel’s environmental impact yet offering guests the service they rightly expect for 100-plus euros a night. His approach is simple; ‘We have just applied grandma’s secrets,’ he says. Those include valves to reduce water
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Green phrases: Organic: Biologique - often abbreviated to bio.
Handmade: Fabrication à la main or Fabrication artisanale. Secondhand: D’occasion or Deuxième main - Fripes denotes secondhand clothing. Jumble sale: Vide-grenier. Carbon footprint: Empreinte/Bilan carbone.
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January/February 2010
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In Loving
Memory Why give flowers when instead you can make a donation to a cause that was close to a loved ones heart? In memoriam giving via the internet is becoming increasingly popular, explains Tom Cropper.
A good cause In memoriam giving, such as this, is becoming more popular and it’s easy to see why. Why give
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flowers or meaningless gifts when instead you can make a donation to a cause that was close to his or her heart during life? It might be a charity fighting poverty in Africa, or a local hospice. In either event it’s irrelevant. What matters is the individual. For the family it can be a highly therapeutic process and an integral part of the grieving process. With each donation come messages and support - a visible expression of the effect that person had on the world. For the most part these donations are relatively small. They might be a collection taken at a funeral or on the anniversary of the death. But as Jim’s profile shows, the internet has taken it onto a whole new level. To date his fund has raised £2,700 and counting. Another on the site recently passed the £900 mark. ‘The website is very important,’ says Jonathan. ‘It serves as a good focal point for the fundraising effort. People visit
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to keep track of the running total and see how the fund is progressing.’
Rapid growth The service seems to have caught the public imagination. It currently has around 13,000 profiles, around a quarter of which make use of the tribute fund facility. Indeed, one of the biggest challenges facing Jonathan right now is making sure growth doesn’t get out of hand. ‘We have to remember that we’re a small organisation with limited funds,’ he adds. ‘We have to keep it sustainable.’ MuchLoved’s success has not gone unnoticed. The fundraising site, Just Giving, offers a similar service albeit more directly geared to fund raising. A typical site includes a photo, biography and a description of the cause. Users can track its progress through a running totaliser as the fund nears its target.
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n 1995 Jonathan Davies suddenly lost his brother at the age of just 21. It was a tragedy that sent his life in an unexpected direction. Spurred on by his sense of loss he set up MuchLoved, an online resource that allows users to upload an online memorial to their loved one. It works much like Facebook. People can upload photos, messages and even videos. Take, for example, one profile for John Bailey, a former Royal Air Force serviceman. It contains a full life story and a host of pictures dating back to his childhood during the war. It is a remarkable celebration of one man’s life, but the crowning glory is the ongoing tribute fund raising money for The Motor Neurone Disease Association.
‘Donations are a way of saying thank you and ensuring other families can be helped in the same way.’ Sarah Spellman, The Birmingham Hospice
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The right service?
Charities too have come looking. Jonathan has so far fixed partnerships with countless charitable organisations and is looking for more. Some simply direct people to his site; others take a more active role.
Direct benefit For charities in memoriam giving is something of an undiscovered country. Traditionally it has been a relatively small part of their fundraising strategy, but now, in response to public demand, that’s all changing, as Sarah Spellman of the Birmingham Hospice explains. ‘Starting last year we began offering what we call a Butterfly Fund,’ she says. ‘You can open a fund in memory of somebody with the hospice and make payments. There is no obligation, but you can regularly check the total to see how it is progressing.’ The Birmingham Hospice is just the kind of organisation likely to benefit from donations. It is small, local and has a direct effect during people’s final days. That counts for a lot. ‘We do get feedback from families who are grateful for the care their loved ones received
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Giving comfort People take comfort from donating to a charity that has helped them in the past and might help others with a similar condition. Seeing a loved one suffering brings the issues home and many feel compelled to help those in a similar plight. However, one might also want to help an organisation that carries happier associations. Elizabeth Foot, of The National Trust, says people are increasingly looking to donate to one of its many properties around the country. ‘It varies according to different properties,’ she says. ‘Some might let people dedicate a woodland, others may not. That’s the way our charity works - all our locations are different. We’re only really just getting a handle on the in memoriam side of things, but it is something we’re going to look at more in the future.’ To do so is fraught with difficulties. Charities have to remember that they’re dealing with bereaved people. While they want to make people aware of the options available they must avoid the hard sell tactic they might employ elsewhere.
January / February 2010
Useful contacts: The MuchLoved Trust www.muchloved.com Allows you to set up a tasteful online memorial to a loved one Just Giving www.justgiving.com Tel: 08450 212 110 Provides users with the facility to set up an online tribute fund
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from the hospice,’ she says. ‘Donations are a way of saying thank you and ensuring other families can be helped in the same way.’
Not everyone, however, is so discerning. After the success of MuchLoved, a plethora of other providers now offer a similar service, but at a price. For Jonathan Davies, this flies directly against everything he is trying to achieve. ‘We are a registered charity so I do not see the organisation as a product, but a bereavement service,’ he says. ‘An in memoriam donation can be an important part of the grieving process. I am depressed by the thought that some organisations see this as a profit making venture.’ Upfront charging is rare, but a few have become very adept at sneaking stealth charges under the radar. ‘Some will say it is free and then hit you with mailing lists,’ he adds. “That’s not right. They are recently bereaved people and so in a very fragile state.’ Unfortunately, whenever you see one person trying to do good, there will be another seeking to make a fast buck. That aside, it remains a very apt memorial and one that, thanks to the internet, really can make a difference.
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How to.... clean the green way Want to clean your home without damaging the environment but don’t want to spend hours scrubbing away? Caroline Harris, author of Ms Harris’s Book of Green Household Management, gives us some simple, environmentally and time-friendly hints to green cleaning.
mix a thick paste of baking soda and water and daub it on. Leave for several hours or overnight, occasionally dampening with more water. In the morning, wipe out the baking soda, scouring away any stubborn spots (most grime will just lift off). Wipe clean with a cloth, then spray with vinegar, or use a vinegar-soaked cloth, to dissolve the remainder.
2. Vinegar-spray shower descaler The best eco-friendly way to keep showers free of limescale is to dry them off after use, but to remove existing limescale, spray white distilled vinegar from the top of the glass (or tiles) down and leave for at least 15 minutes, or overnight. Rub over with a cloth or a knitted scouring pad, have your shower, then dry off the glass panels. If your shower cubicle is really caked, repeat as necessary.
3. E-cloths and other microfibre cloths I’m a fan of these. The construction of the fibres means you can clean up quickly and easily with only a touch of water. They even mop up grease. I know microfibre is a synthetic material, but they last for ages. Just make sure to wash them before they get smelly - if you leave it too late, boil them in a pan of water.
4. Citric acid or vinegar toilet reviver Top 10 Easy Eco-Cleaning Tips 1. Baking-soda oven cleaner Remove all the oven shelves, wipe or brush out any loose bits, then shake the baking soda thickly over the bottom and spritz with water. For the sides,
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I’ve found that toilet stains can be hard to remove with gentler commercial eco toilet cleansers, but with this method you can get rid of stains and limescale, which is where the bacteria build up. Every couple of months, pop two tablespoons of citric acid - available from pharmacies, ‘bath bomb’
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S
o what’s the problem with conventional cleaners? The issue is, no one knows exactly how safe - or unsafe - many of them are. Manufacturers are required by law to list constituents above a certain concentration on the label, and ingredients such as disinfectants, enzymes and perfumes, but there are many other things they don’t have to admit to. Safety data isn’t available for most of these, and we wouldn’t really know what manufacturers were talking about if they did list them. There are, after all, about 100,000 chemicals in use in household and consumer products, and some cleaners can have as many as 30 ingredients. As with much else in adopting a more eco-friendly way of living, a guiding theme of green cleaning is ‘less is more’. The idea is to reduce the number of unidentified chemicals around your home, in order to make it a more hospitable place to live. One way is to switch to eco brands, but it’s possible to tackle most day-to-day cleaning tasks with even more minimalist options: baking soda, vinegar and leftover lemon halves, or even just plain water on a cloth. They’re cheap, relatively harmless, have been used for centuries and occur naturally or are made through fairly simple processes - and using them means you know exactly what you’re introducing into your home.
suppliers, or online - in the toilet pan (you can substitute half a cup of vinegar, but I don’t think it works quite so impressively). Leave overnight, or while you’re away. Much of the limescale will simply float off, while the rest can be removed with a toilet brush.
5. Handy towels Keep old towels and, if you live on several floors, have one within easy reach on each. They’re invaluable for quickly mopping up water spills, toddler accidents and potential stains.
6. Paintbrush dado rail duster For hard to reach places, a decorator’s paintbrush is better and quicker than a vacuum cleaner nozzle, or ever a duster. Make sure to do your brushing before you clean the floors, not after.
7. Lavender-oil instant lavatory wipe Lavender oil has antiseptic qualities, so use a few drops in water to dampen a cleaning cloth (never use essential oils undiluted, because they are potent and can irritate the skin). Alternatively, you could use vinegar - scented if you like, for example with my lemon vinegar recipe.
8. Baking-soda fridge deodoriser Baking soda absorbs odours, so put a small cup of it in the fridge. When it’s no longer working, use if for a scouring job, such as cleaning the sink (you can also scatter baking soda in the bottom of your rubbish and compost bins to neutralise nasty smells). Clean your fridge regularly with a solution of baking soda and warm water.
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9. Wiping not rinsing Instead of running litres of water into a basin, bath or shower to rinse off the cleaner, wipe with a clean cloth dampened in fresh water instead. It not only uses less water, it’s quicker too.
10. Carpet sweepers With an old-fashioned mechanical carpet sweeper - not one of the battery-powered cordless types - you can quickly clean up crumbs, hair and grit, which is better than lumbering out the vacuum cleaner or leaving them to be ground into the carpet. Carpet sweepers also work on wood and lino floors. Try to get one with bristle brushes. Cleaner’s tip: If you want to explore eco brands, names to look out for include Ecover, Bio-D and Clear Spring. You could also try supplier websites such as www.greenpeople.co.uk, www.just-green. com and www.daylesfordorganic.com
Ms Harris’s Book of Green Household Management is a practical and realistic guide to running a greener home on a budget. Stuffed with a wealth of creative tips, it follows a traditional approach, reviving skills such as making jam and mending clothes. It’s like having a friend to hand in your own home. For more information visit www.ms-harris.com
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Books How to Make and Use Compost Nicky Scott
How to Make and Use Compost ISBN: 978 1900322591 paperback, £9.95 Green Books Tel: 01803 863 260 www.greenbooks.co.uk
Presented in an easy to use, A-Z format, this book provides all the information you need to successfully make your own compost. It includes a comprehensive list of what you can and can’t compost, as well as information on compost systems, and common problems and solutions. You can also find advice on getting the best from a plastic composter and making compost in your flat or on a balcony. How to Make and Use Compost: The Ultimate Guide will appeal to anyone wanting to reduce waste going to landfill and increase the fertility of their soil.
A Blueprint for a Safer Planet Nicholas Stern
A Blueprint for a Safer Planet ISBN: 978 0099524052 Paperback, £8.99 Vintage Books Tel: 020 7840 8400 www.vintage-books.co.uk
Blueprint for a Safer Planet: How to Manage Climate Change and Create a New Era of Progress and Prosperity, is a bold cry for immediate action from a highly experienced and respected international policy maker. It starts by presenting the undeniable scientific facts about climate change and outlining the risks to our lives. Written by Lord Stern, the world’s leading authority on climate change, it provides an optimistic plan of action for how the world can adapt to climate change.
Music
Animal Playground Various artists, £10.95 Putumayo Kids www.putumayo.com
Animal Playground CD Putumayo Kids
Animal Playground is the latest release in the award-winning Playground CD series from Putumayo Kids. The album presents a multilingual collection of animal-themed songs from around the world. The 13 tracks guide listeners on a journey that begins in North America and ends in Africa without skipping a beat in between. Music fans of all ages will want to jump, hop and sing along to the playful, upbeat melodies. Putumayo World Music has contributed more than $1 million dollars to worthwhile nonprofit organizations around the world.
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WIN A GARDEN TO TABLE COOKERY COURSE The Ashburton Cookery School is offering you the chance to spend a week in the glorious Devon countryside on the week-long Garden To Table course, worth £799.00
Prize details:
Garden To Table is an inspirational course that takes place on the Husbandry School’s stunning 40 acre farm, exploring how sustainable and ethical growing practices can be applied to everyday life. Taking the fantastic, seasonal ingredients you’ll be working with on the land, you’ll create some mouth-watering dishes with the Cookery School’s chef tutors. You will be inspired on this wonderful week in Devon. For further details please visit: www.ashburtoncookeryschool.co.uk/garden Entry details: For your chance to win simply send your name, address and email to Ashburton Competition, PO Box 282, Stamford, PE9 9BW or by email to ashburton@ethical-living.org. Terms and conditions: Closing date for entries is 28th February 2010. Entries received after this date will not be eligible. One entry per person only. Prize will be one voucher for a place on the Garden To Table course only in 2010, subject to availability, non transferable and no cash equivalent or any alternative course can be redeemed. Prize does not include accommodation.
WIN A DAWNLITE NATURAL ALARM CLOCK Ethical Living has teamed up with The S.A.D. Lightbox Co to offer readers the chance to win a DawnLite Natural Alarm Clock worth £79.90 and wake up to the power of natural light Prize details:
Many of us hate the dark, winter mornings and find waking up increasingly difficult. The DawnLite Natural Alarm Clock helps to wake you naturally. As the lamp brightens gradually your body automatically responds to the increasing light and you awake feeling refreshed and invigorated.
Entry details: For your chance to win simply send your name, address and email to SAD Lightbox Competition, PO Box 282, Stamford, PE9 9BW or by email to sadlightbox@ethical-living.org. Terms and conditions: Closing date for entries is 28th February 2010. Entries received after this date will not be eligible. Prize available in the UK only, subject to availability, non transferable and no cash equivalent can be redeemed.
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January / February 2010
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Competitions WIN A SKIN REVIVALS SKIN CARE SET Natural health and beauty specialists Beauty Naturals is offering 10 lucky readers one of their wonderful, new Skin Revivals Skin Care sets, worth ÂŁ28.00 Prize details: The two product set includes: 100mls Organic Facial Cleansing Oil (Soil Association Certified - 99% organic). Enriched with organic anti-ageing, anti-oxidant oils to help maintain moisture balance and leave skin deeply cleansed. 50mls Advanced Night Time Nourishment (87.75% Organic). A light, calming night cream filled with organic oils to hydrate, nourish and feed skin. About Beauty Naturals: For a free brochure of Beauty Naturals extensive range of natural health and beauty products call 0800 980 6665 or go to www.beautynaturals.com Entry details: For your chance to win simply send your name, address and email to Skin Revivals Competition, PO Box 282, Stamford, PE9 9BW or by email to skinrevivals@ethical-living.org. Terms and conditions: Closing date for entries is 28th February 2010. Entries received after this date will not be eligible. Prize available in the UK only, subject to availability, non transferable and no cash equivalent can be redeemed.
WIN AN ORGANIC HAIR REMOVAL SET Win one of 10 Promotional Sets worth ÂŁ24.99 from Moom organic hair removal products Prize details: To win, answer the following question. Unwilling for her two daughters to use chemicals or artificial ingredients on their skin and frustrated by what was available, a chemist set out to create the perfect solution for unwanted hair. It was going to be 100% natural as well as beneficial for their young and sensitive skin. Please name the chemist. About Moom: For more information about Moom, please visit www.moom-uk.com Entry details: For your chance to win simply send you answer with your name, address and email to Moom Competition, PO Box 282, Stamford, PE9 9BW or by email to moom@ethical-living.org. Terms and conditions: Product image may not represent actual prize. Closing date for entries is 28th February 2010. Entries received after this date will not be eligible. Prize available in the UK only, subject to availability, non transferable and no cash equivalent can be redeemed.
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Market Place
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Ethical Advice In this column our ethical agony aunt, Sarah Callard, answers your ethical dilemmas. From where to holiday to whether it’s better to hand wash your dishes or use a dishwasher, Sarah finds out the most environmentally friendly and ethical options.
Sarah Callard has been writing about natural lifestyles for over 10 years. She is a columnist for the Saturday Telegraph magazine and the author of Green Living. If you have an ethical question that you would like Sarah to answer, please email us at advice@ethical-living.org
???? ????? Q. I love clothes and I love a
bargain but is it ethical to take advantage of the January sales?
A. It depends on your approach
but I would say yes, shopping in the sales can be ethical and eco friendly too, as long as you keep the bigger environmental picture in mind. The textiles industry is responsible for wide scale environmental pollution due to the use of toxic chemicals used in cotton agriculture and the manufacturing stages such as pretreatment, dyeing and printing. Waste is also a problem associated with the fashion industry. The more clothes we buy, the more we throw away and some synthetic fabrics do not biodegrade, while others like wool, produce methane gas – a contributor to global warming - as it decomposes. The Government’s waste strategy report for 2007 found that sales of new clothing in the UK have increased by 60% over the last 10 years and textiles are now the fastest growing sector in terms of household waste. This growth is forecast to continue increasing as sales of new clothing continue to rise. Another major concern about the fashion industry, which has received a huge amount of press
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coverage recently, is the exploitation of clothing industry workers. The Environmental Justice Foundation recently published two reports highlighting the real social and environmental cost of cheap cotton products, such as child labour and the dangers of the pesticides used during cotton production for the workers. It reports that farmers and children in the developing world who are routinely exposed to pesticides during the production of textiles for the clothing industry (many of which are banned or restricted in the West) suffer from paralysis, coma and even death. These reports have helped to raise awareness about ethical issues surrounding our clothes and the problems caused by ‘disposable fashion’. Therefore, if your plan is to chuck out your entire wardrobe and restock it with new season bargains from the sales, you will be part of the problem, not the solution. However, a sensible (and ethical) way to take advantage of the sales would be to highlight some classic items that you need and that might otherwise be out of your price range. Depending on your budget, the January sales might be the time to invest in a designer piece of
January / February 2010
clothing at a knock down price. There are some highend designers, such as Stella McCartney and the label Ciel, that are known for their ethical fashion. McCartney refuses to use leather in her collections and still has a waiting list for her shoes, and Ciel designer Sarah Ratty started out many years ago restyling unwanted Arran jumpers into unique fashion pieces and is now known for her luxurious collections made using organic fabrics and non toxic dyes. There are a number of other (perhaps more realistically priced) companies specialising in ethical fashion, some of which have a high street presence, but many that don’t. Therefore, it might be worth doing some of your sale shopping online where you will no doubt find some fairtrade and organic bargains from companies such as Gossypium, Greenfibres, People Tree, Seasalt and Bishopston Trading. Avoid the most obvious trends and buy classic pieces that will last, such as a trench coat, riding boots or knitwear, and buy fewer well-made pieces that will stand the test of time. That way, you get to enjoy a retail buzz (and hopefully a bargain) without perpetuating the disposable fashion culture that’s developed over the last few years. Happy (ethical) shopping!
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Amarya Ethical Living Jan 10:Layout 1 18/12/2009 15:11 Page 1
New Year’s Resolutions for Beautiful Skin 1 CLEANSE
2 TONE
3 MOISTURISE
Dr.Hauschka Cleansing Milk £20.98
Dr.Hauschka Facial Toner £20.98
Dr.Hauschka Rose Day Cream £19.98
ONLINE
Organic Beauty
www.amarya.co.uk All the products sold by Amarya are certified organic, which means all of them have been certified by a recognised body such as The Soil Association or Ecocert to contain only organic ingredients from certified organic sources. In fact, we are proud to be certified by The Soil Association ourselves! Visit our store or contact our qualified beauty therapists and make-up artists by phone or email for beauty advice on any subject, or spoil yourself in our salon offering a range of holistic treatments - all organic.
Joanna Bright
Seasonal Tips
The morning after the night before!
Concealing the dreaded bags under your eyes is simple and effective. Select a light reflective concealer, I love Porcelain from the Alima mineral make-up range or Organic Erase Corrector in Neutral from Nvey Eco, and using a concealer brush apply it along the bottom of the eyebag. Blend blend blend (very important) with your ring finger as it's the weakest up to your bottom lashline and finish off by dusting loose setting powder in Keiko from Alima or Transluscent powder from Nvey Eco, to set it in place. You'll be looking as good as new or better! Remember to always apply eye concealer after your moisturiser or foundation if you wear it.
Give your skin freshness and radiance with Madara’s Moon and Sunflower Tinting Fluids £21.50
£5
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Stockists of: Circaroma, Dr.Hauschka, Essential Care, Eyre, Green People, Jo Wood, L'Artisan Parfumeur, Lavere, Lilas Blanc, Madara, Neom, Nvey Eco, Organic Apoteke, Pinks Boutique, Planet Botanicals, Saaf, Sophyto, Spiezia, Suzanne aux Bains, Weleda and many more. Amarya only sells products that have been certified organic/natural by the Soil Association, Ecocert, BDIH, and many more.
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