Natural Mumma Magazine July 2018 by T5 Publications

Issue Twelve July 2018

TakingCare CareOf OfYourself, Yourself,Your Your Tribe Taking And Our Our World... World... And

A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE In Celebration Of All Things Wild And Wonderful

Talking Fast Fashion

Face Value

Statement Makeup Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cruelty Free

Hell For Leather Is Vegan Always Eco?

Cocktail Hour

Fruit And Flower Infused Party Drinks

NMM July 2018

Never Miss A Thing... For all the best in: · ethical fashion · natural skincare and beauty · health and wellbeing · parenting and motherhood · healthy living and good eating · ecology and conservation · conscious lifestyle choices

all back issues available at Issuu Natural Mumma

Issue Five December 2017

Taking Care Of Yourself, Your Tribe And Our World

DRESS TO

IMPRESS Chic & Sustainable Partywear

Winter Holidays Unwrapped Exploring Ethical Tourism & Travel

Not Just A Pretty Face Season’s Best Eco Makeup

The Mane Event

Toxin Free Hairstyling

NMM December 2017

Issue Eight March 2018

Issue Seven February 2018

TakingCare CareOf OfYourself, Yourself,Your Your Tribe Taking And Our Our World... World... And

SPRING!

PASSION!

Getting Ready For The New Season

Gifts Of Love, Made With Feeling

Under Cover Expert Luxurious Lingerie Laid Bare

Ethically Engaged The True Cost Of Gold

Sowing Organic NMM February 2018

Digging Deep For Pesticide Free Produce

Flower Of The Frock NMM March 2018 Floral Fashion For Spring

www.naturalmumma.com

July 2018 NMM

Welcome To Natural Mumma Magazine Contents 4

his month we’ve fully embraced our ‘Walk on the in

Wildside’ a

wildlife,

theme

celebration

wildflowers

and statement makeup. We had a great chat with Dave Gardiner of Evergreen Insurance about how his work benefits so many animal charities and it’s a real pleasure to be able to share his photos of his recent trip to Borneo with you. We delved into the truth behind vegan leathers and leather alternatives and their environmental impact. Celeste Turner

Lewis

ethicalholiday.com

shared her green travel tips with us and offers a fabulous competition too. We spent a beautiful afternoon foraging for wildflowers before creating some delicious flower and fruit syrups that

Hell for Leather The eco credentials of leather look fashion

Statement Makeup Cruelty free ways to unleash your wildside

Protect & Save The animal friendly way to insurance

Ethical Holidays The greener way to travel

Natural Mumma Makes... Wildflower champagne cocktails

The Bare Essentials Interview with vegan chef Vanessa Almeida

we fashioned into champagne cocktails (with a teetotal version for the kids and non drinkers). We discovered some amazing cruelty free brands and had a great time playing with the products for our review, as well as unleashing them for this month’s editor’s picture. We hope you enjoy walking on the wildside with us this month. We’re back on the first Friday in August with our ‘It Takes A Village’ edition, inspired by the global community.

Contact: holly@naturalmumma.com Photo by Gerard Hughes Holly wears makeup by Kat von D, Lush, Urban Decay, Take Two Cosmetics and Outsidethebox. Hair by Anita Grant. T-shirt by Surviving Society.

NMM July 2018

HELL FOR LEATHER Vegan fashion means a cruelty free alternative, but is it always the most ecological choice, and can cruelty free be truly ethical and environmentally friendly too?

or vegans, leather is obviously not an option. But as the majority of the hides used in leather production come from cattle raised for milk and beef, real leather has an environmental advantage over the plastic based alternatives. However, when you consider animal cruelty, deforestation, methane production and the chemicals used in leather treatment, the environmental cost is high. Real leather isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just made from animal skin, it is also treated with a variety of chemicals to protect the material and delay deterioration. Chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and chromium are all used â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all of which are carcinogenic in large amounts. Leather production is

July 2018 NMM

listed as one of the top ten global toxic pollution problems. One of the worst parts of leather production is the tanning process which uses chemicals such as formaldehyde, coal-tar derivatives and cyanide base finishes. One study of the Chiampo Valley in Northern Italy revealed that over 30 solvents were released from tanning factories. The market is awash with leather look vegan shoes and handbags that resemble the real thing without the cruelty. Durable, hardwearing and chic these products also often adopt ethical principles too. Being transparent about being cruelty free means that you often end up with information on where the product is made and sold. But what about

what it is vegan leather made from? Cork, recycled rubber, waxed cotton and even mushroom fibres are amongst the available options. When it comes to ecological credentials, cork is widely regarded as one of the most sustainable materials. It is not only natural but it is easy to recycle. The cork oak regenerates after the cork is stripped away each time, making it an especially sustainable option. Recycled inner tubes are ideal for bags due to their leathery texture and density. Recycled rubber is easy to care for, lightweight and beautifully imitates the qualities of leather. Organic waxed cotton makes a great substitute for leather, with the additional benefits

NMM July 2018

Fire & Hide clutch bags by Elvis & Kresse

of being more pliable and machine washable. Dry clean only clothing increases the need for environmentally unfriendly cleaning chemicals, so avoiding clothing that you cannot wash from home makes better ecological sense. For a vintage leather look with a slightly battered charm, Coolstone is formed from sewable slate stone. It continues to show signs of ageing over time as small scratches form and the fabric continues to soften, but this simply adds character and appeal to this unique material. Leather made from sustainable tree bark benefits from a unique durability. The natural grain of the wood means that no two pieces are the same. Because it is so fine it mimics the properties of animal leather and can be used in exactly the same ways. Look

July 2018 NMM

for tree bark leather that is made from fast growing renewable wood for the most sustainable option. This wood leather is treated with non toxic chemicals to preserve it while keeping it malleable enough to sew. One of the most interesting types of vegan leather is the mushroom derived MuSkin. It can be grown into the precise shape and size needed. As well as being completely biodegradable, it can also be waterproofed without the need for chemicals, making it one of the most eco sound vegan leathers around. PiĂąatex has a very similar texture to cowhide leather, as well as being waterproof and hardwearing. It is made from the leftover parts of the pineapple bush and gives pineapple farmers a secondary source of income. Waste from apples can also be

made into a beautiful cruelty free leather substitute. All of these natural â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;vegan leathersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; are ecologically responsible in the way they are farmed as well as treated. However, the most popular vegan leathers are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyurethane. The production of PVC is not only ecologically dubious, but they also release potentially hazardous dioxins when burnt. In addition to this, there is the concern over the use of phthalates which are used to keep the material flexible and pliable. Many phthalates have been banned but every form of PVC-based fabric uses them in some capacity. They can leach out of the material in time or in the sun, increasing the danger of exposure to the toxins. Polyurethane also presents its own environmental challenges.

The biggest concern is in the use of solvents that polyurethane production relies on. In production, liquid polyurethane is painted onto fabric backing. Highly toxic solvents are required to create polyurethane in this form. The environmental impact of PVC and polyurethane fabrics depends on far more than the production method alone. Other factors to consider include the quality of the supply, the way it is put onto fabric and the various chemicals used throughout manufacturing. Real leather is more sustainable than PVC and polyurethane as they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t last as long as it does. Whereas leather looks and feels better with age, polyurethane looks unattractive as it wears out. Leather can be recycled and

reclaimed, extending its life. A great example of leather being recycled and repurposed is in the striking Fire & Hide clutch bags designed, handcrafted, and sold by Elvis & Kresse using luxury leather off-cuts from the production of Burberry leather goods, part of the five year partnership Elvis & Kresse have with the Burberry Foundation to help tackle their leather waste. Lined with reclaimed parachute silk with straps, zips and borders made using their signature decommissioned fire-hose. Fifty per cent of the profits from their Fire & Hide Collection is donated to projects supporting the use of renewable energy. It is impossible to do right by everyone and everything all the

time, but is it possible to make truly cruelty free choices that are also ethical and sustainable? Do we have to cherry pick our principles? When it comes to leather alternatives, just because something is vegan it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessarily follow that it is ethical. If an item isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t directly made from animal produce but its construction is damaging the environment where animals live then surely that is far from being cruelty free. So next time you are looking to purchase a vegan leather pair of shoes or handbag, dig a little deeper. Pick a material that is environmentally sound and sustainable, ensure the company adheres to ethical practices and buy something that is built to last.

NMM July 2018

Natural Mumma Loves... Elvis & Kresse Elvis & Kresse is a leading British sustainable luxury accessories company with multiple awards under their belt. They strongly believe in sustainability, transparency, philanthropy and ethical craftsmanship. These gorgeous bags are handcrafted from genuine decommissioned fire-hose. Having spent the last few decades fighting fires and saving lives, they were destined for landfill. Rescued from this fate they are transformed by highly skilled craftsmen into stunning luxury pieces. And they get a second chance to give back as 50 per cent of the profits from these luxury items is donated to the Fire Fighters Charity, which Elvis & Kresse have been donating to for the past 13 years. Naturally water resistant and quite the conversation starters, all of the pieces from the Fire-hose Collection are vegan and repaired for life. https://www.elvisandkresse.com

Where Does It Come From?

Looking for something totally wild? Then check out ethical clothing brand Where Does It Come From? Their handwoven scarves have unique hand printed wildlife designs - from elephants and tigers, to ants and bees - and they all come with their own adventure story. There’s organic shirts for adults and children too – no ants in your pants but you can have them on your shirt! https://www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk

Gold Is A Neutral Gold is a Neutral make beautiful handbags with love and care, from sustainable materials that won’t harm the planet – including Piñatex, the beautiful alternative to leather made from pineapple leaf fibre. The fair trade bags showcase textile arts from around the world, one adventure at a time. www.goldisaneutral.com

July 2018 NMM

Hideous

Hideous is a quirky, ethical, unisex, independent UK fashion label. All of the clothes are produced in an ethically accredited, wind-powered factory from natural materials such as organic cotton and bamboo as well as being GM free. All designs are by the anonymous Mr Hideous. Worldwide shipping. www.mrhideous.com

Critically Endangered Socks Sir David Attenborough once said “Are we happy to suppose that our grandchildren may never be able to see an elephant except in a picture book?” Critically Endangered Socks is a sock company that supports the world’s most critically endangered animals. Their socks are made from a beautifully soft blend of cotton and bamboo with each sock in the range helping a different critically endangered animal charity. 15 per cent off with code ENDANGEREDMUMMA www.CriticallyEndangeredSocks.com NMM July 2018

Make A Statement Our pick of the most exciting cruelty free makeup

Outsidethebox Masterstroke Trio These beautiful cream formulas glide on and enrich the skin. Packed with natural ingredients they serve as illuminators, highlighters, blushers and primers. The peach and golden tones emphasise the cheekbones and brighten the skin, whereas the white is a stunning highlighter. Ideal for eyeshadow primers, especially when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re using glitter!

July 2018 NMM

Urban Decay Urban Lash Cruelty free false eyelashes are not easy to come by, but Urban Decay have created a range that are suitable for vegans and offer an array of options. For full flirtatious lashes that will complete your statement look, the tapered design of Vape has a feminine allure. Finish with mascara for extra definition.

Take Two C Equality Gli & Eyebrow C

In celebration collection of v shades is the pe drama to your eyelids first befor your chosen colo Cushions (avail & Onyx) glide o polished look tha

Cosmetics itter Palette Cushions

of Pride, this vibrant and vivid erfect way to add look. Prime your re gently patting in ours. The Eyebrow lable in Pecan on resulting in a at lasts all day.

Lush Skin Tints & Eyes Right Mascara For a striking Neom glow and illuminating radiance the Feeling Younger Skin Mist, Hand Balm & Pulse Point Tint soothes and hydrates as it

The Charisma mood lifting adds shimmer. brings mist with mandarin and rich, warm undertones to mint add asmells divine, the to hand balm hint of summer your lookoffers and an uplifting scent and rich moisturisation and the mascara conditions your the lengthens. pulse point Layer energises. A truly lashes as it holisticfor approach to beauty. up the mascara beautifully played up eyes and a striking look.

Kat Von D Lockit It Foundation, Everlasting Lipstick & Tattoo Liner

A statement look requires a flawless base and this foundation from Kat Von D delivers. The liner offers pinup style precision and the liquid lipstick offers a rich punch of colour without drying or smudging.

NMM July 2018

PROTECT

&SAVE

Fusing a lifelong love of animal conservation with decades of professional experience. We hear of one man’s mission to make a difference.

nsurance is one of those things we all need but don’t necessarily enjoy purchasing! Dave Gardiner, founder of Evergreen Insurance Services, felt the same. With a passion for the environment and natural world Dave set out to create a business that helps clients with their insurance needs, whether it is commercial insurance such as liability, offices, fleet, personal insurance including home, car, travel, life and pet through to charities and social enterprise but with a difference. Dave donates a proportion of his income from every policy arranged through Evergreen to help support nature, wildlife, animal and conservation charities. The vision and ethos of Evergreen is to offer clients a personal service, offering the right advice and insurance products but also supporting projects to help the natural world. Dave has supported action against

July 2018 NMM

the decline of lions in Africa by donations to Lion Aid, along with local wildlife rescue centres, Wildlife Trusts and many other projects. He has also partnered with a number of wonderful charities including Bumble Bee Conservation, Buglife, BTO, Butterfly Conservation, Cuan Wildlife Rescue, David Shepherd Wildlife Trust, Dorset Wildlife Trust, international Otter Survival Fund, Lion Aid, League Against Cruel Sports, Mammal Society, Sussex Wildlife Trust, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Viva!, Wetnose Animal Aid. Dave’s passion for the natural world started many years ago and now he has combined work and pleasure together! There are so many species that are under threat and need our help, raising donations through the purchase of insurance is a win win. Dave himself has three cats that he rescued, and if he’s not in the office, he will normally be found

on a nature reserve enjoying what our natural world has to offer, along with his partner who is a senior lecturer in animal behaviour at a local university. A keen amateur photographer he enjoys seeing animals in their natural habitat and recording the sightings with amazing photos. Most recently he was able to take a picture of an Orangutan wild in its natural environment in the rain forest of Borneo. Their habitat is being destroyed by palm oil plantations, which was devastating to see but he knows we can help make a difference. When your policy is due why not contact Evergreen, arrange your insurance and help protect our natural world at the same time. Your can reach Evergreen at:

020 3907 1340

www.evergreeninsuranceservices.co.uk

Photos by Dave Gardiner

‘As passionate supporters of many nature, wildlife and conservation charities, we saw an opportunity to help. We forego part of our commission from the insurers from arranging your policy yet still provide great insurance products with fantastic customer service. It’s a win, win!’

NMM July 2018

Natural Mumma Loves... Makers Unite

Makers Unite is a socially inclusive enterprise that makes design travel accessories made from sustainable and recycled materials. Their sustainable bags, laptop sleeves, and travel pouches are handmade in Amsterdam and carry a powerful positive message of connection across cultures. The Makers Unite Collection is made of the lifejackets worn by refugees on their way to Europe, a symbol for their journey to a new life. The revenue of their products is 100 per cent invested in their social inclusion program which supports refugees. https://makersunite.eu

Authentic House

If you’re giving up plastic this July, how do you bring your little ones along? Welsh social enterprise Authentic House puts the fun and discovery into positive change with the UK’s first monthly subscription for sustainable living. Get ready for boxes of eco-friendly supplies and some good habits for big and small hands to try out. www.authentichouse.co.ukom/

Huskups Utilising an abundant waste material to make each takeaway coffee that bit greener, the new reusable cup from Huskup is made entirely from rice husks. Durable and dishwasher safe, but entirely free from plastic, trees, BPA and melamine, this unassuming little cup is setting a new bar for the eco-friendly caffeine fix in the UK. www.huskup.com

July 2018 NMM

Next Month In

Natural Mumma IT TAKES A

VILLAGE

THE MANE EVENT Natural Haircare

Yho!Yho!

Yho!Yho! Sells a range of gorgeous artisan made elephant backpacks for children. Exclusive to Yho!Yho! they are designed and created in South Africa, from beautiful fabrics woven in South Africa. The backpacks are fairly traded, and can be traced back to the artisan who made them. They have a linen outer and a vibrant striped lining in a choice of six colourways, and are machine washable. Perfect for days out, carrying treasures, and for falling asleep with on the way home. A true friend for all life’s adventures.. www.yhoyho.com

A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE The Global Fashion Community

JUST MY CUP OF TEA Fairly Traded Produce NATURAL MUMMA MAGAZINE ISSUE 13 AVAILABLE FROM 3 AUGUST 2018 Natural Mumma Magazine July 2018

NMM Team Editor: Holly Daffurn

holly@naturalmumma.com

Creative: Gerard Hughes mail@gerardhughes.co.uk

Cover Image by Gerard Hughes

Ethical Holiday

Win up to £250 with EthicalHoliday.com - EthicalHoliday.com are launching an online directory of ethical places to stay and optional volunteering activities in autumn. To celebrate their launch they’re giving up to £250 to their first customers just for booking a holiday! To be in with a chance of winning enter your email at www.ethicalholiday.com

www.naturalmumma.com Natural Mumma Magazine

is produced by T5 Publications. Contents may not be reproduced, stored or distributed in any form without prior written permission. All reasonable efforts have been made to ensure all information contained in this magazine is accurate but the publishers can accept no responsibiilty for effects arising therefrom. All rights reserved.

KINDER TRAVEL Travelling ethically is more than just staying in a green hotel, truly ethical holidays are not simply about environmental awareness but they bring plenty of social and economic benefits too. Written by Celeste Turner Lewis of ethicalholiday.com Sustainability & Environment

Social Responsibility

There’s been a lot of bad press lately about “Greenwashing” (organisations exaggerating their environmental policies in order to appear green) so how can you be sure that the place you’re planning to go to actually acts in an environmentally friendly way? Take a look at how they operate sustainably. Do they have renewable energy? How do they manage their waste? Is the accommodation low impact and built with local and environmentally friendly materials? Hotels that truly do operate in a sustainable way often publish their policies on their website and should include responsible waste management and renewable energies.

Tourism should benefit the wider community, both socially and economically. Many hotels now have social responsibility policies but are these actually being implemented and how helpful are they to the wider community? How does your chosen holiday benefit the community? Do they support local initiatives? Perhaps they provide bursaries for students or contribute to educational programmes, this could be at a local level or internationally. If your chosen place to stay doesn’t work with the local community is there a way you can help benefit it? Try to buy your souvenirs directly from the craftsperson, find a local guide or driver to help you see the sights and give you

July 2018 NMM

a better insight into the culture and customs and ask your hosts if there are any initiatives or locally run charities you can help out with (either financially or actively).

Sourcing locally Why import if the produce can be grown locally? Sourcing locally not only minimises the environmental impact but also helps local businesses. Find out if produce is sourced locally and how local businesses are supported - do they sell items that are locally made and fair trade? Do they encourage guests to visit local shops and restaurants? Whilst an all-inclusive resort may source their produce locally the very nature of an all-inclusive board basis can prevent guests

NMM July 2018

from visiting local restaurants and bars, restricting the economic benefits that tourism provides so it’s important to also look at how hotels help local businesses benefit through tourism. That’s not to say that an all-inclusive hotel isn’t ethical or responsible, some hotels have to offer full board due to their remote locations, however it’s whether they promote local enterprises and if their produce is fairly and locally sourced that counts.

Fair wages and staff development This one is a little tricky as most organisations won’t publish wage details however they might tell you a bit about how they care for staff or provide education in certain areas such as environmental awareness, conservation or language lessons. Luckily our listings provide information on how well staff are paid, additional staff benefits (such as healthcare) and personal development plans. Just look for the fair treatment badge on all of our listings to easily see the benefits provided to staff and their families.

July 2018 NMM

WHILE YOU’RE AWAY… Conservation Ask yourself what impact your holiday is having to the local habitat and what can be done to help minimise this? For example camping and glamping sites tend to be low impact as structures can be easily removed and natural habitats do not need to be cleared to make space, whereas large holiday resorts in forested areas may have had to strip a large area of natural habitat for construction – do they work to replenish the area and if so how? Some resorts take active steps to conserve not only the natural environment but also the surrounding wildlife. Check if your hosts take any action to help conservation efforts and whether guests can participate in these activities, one great example is our newest safari listing, who actively encourage their guests to help track, monitor and protect rhinos and lions within their reserve. Your conservation work doesn’t have to be through your hosts or volunteering organisations, you can help with small independent actions like collecting and responsibly disposing of any litter you find, beach combing

for plastics or simply reporting any illegal activity you see such as logging, trapping or hunting in protected areas and tourism based animal cruelty.

Be respectful Do a little research into the area you are travelling to and its culture and customs. Learning a few key words goes a long way and is usually greatly appreciated. As is showing respect for cultural and religious beliefs by dressing appropriately, watching your hand gestures and avoiding shouting or confrontational behaviour. For instance, it’s generally best to use your right hand for gesturing and handing over items, remove your shoes before entering buildings and always cover up if you’re entering a religious or sacred space. Respect isn’t just about how you treat people when you’re away though, it’s also about respecting wildlife and the natural world. There are lots of tourist attractions and activities that use animals as a means of entertainment for tourists these animals are often poached, forcibly removed from their mothers as babies and kept in cruel conditions just so a tourist

can take a picture with a “tame” bear, ride an elephant or hug a slow loris. Don’t participate in any activity that uses animals for entertainment, if you want to see a wild animal take a trip to its natural habitat and see it how you’re meant to - in the wild. OK so there aren’t any guarantees you’ll spot an Asian elephant in the jungle or a tiger in India but the experience will be so much more exciting and unforgettable!

Volunteering Most people don’t tend to think of this as an option when booking their holidays but volunteering is a really rewarding and memorable experience to take back from your trip. Not only will it help you to meet people and get more out of your holiday but it will also help contribute to the communities and habitats you’re visiting so everyone’s a winner. We aim to match short term volunteering opportunities with our ethical places to stay wherever possible so that you can have a truly life changing holiday. You can volunteer for as little as a couple of hours, a day, week or even longer and many of our volunteering placements are free to join. From feeding homeless people in the city, working at an animal rescue centre or replanting the rainforest you’re bound to have a life changing experience for your next trip away.

Get Involved

flashy and inviting as the ones on the main strips but you’re more likely to get an authentic meal that’s good value for money, witness the real way of life and experience a few new things if you step out of the tourism comfort zone a little.

Giving Back

Check if there’s a way that you can give back – fantastic initiatives like Pack for A Purpose (www.packforapurpose.org) are a great way to help deliver much needed supplies (such as pens, notepads, toys and hygiene products) to a community. Does the organisation you’re booking with donate to charities or support charitable organisations? How else do they support these? Perhaps they organise or donate gifts to fundraising events. Here at Ethical Holiday, we donate at

least 15 per cent of our profits back to good causes every year and let our community choose who we donate to. If that sounds like a lot of research for a holiday then you’ll be happy to know that we’ve done all of the hard work for you. Every place listed on the ethicalholiday. com site has been carefully selected for their ethical criteria, and to help you see if they match your values we’ve awarded badges for each positive impact they help to achieve. We’ll be bringing you lots of ethical holidays soon so make sure you sign up to our free membership and join our community to get exclusive discounts and offers when we launch. And if you can’t wait to see what’s in store pop over to our Coming Soon page to get a sneak peek at our future listings.

If volunteering isn’t your thing you can still get more out of your holiday by connecting with local people. Just have a chat with people you meet, from hotel employees, shop or stall holders to the person sitting next to you on the bus - most people are more than happy to share some local knowledge, help you understand their culture or even teach you a few words in their language. You might even get invited to meet their families and make a friend for life! Keep your eyes peeled for bars and restaurants popular with the locals - they may not look as NMM July 2018

natural mumma makes

Blackbird

The Fox

Bumblebee

Fill a champagne flute with crushed ice. Gently add 1 tablespoon of blackcurrant syrup and 1 tablespoon of elderflower syrup. Pour the liquid in slowly so that the layers remain. Carefully add a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice. Top with champagne.

Whizz up half a watermelon in a blender to create a beautiful juice and then add it to a large gin glass until half full. Add a generous helping of crushed ice combined with a tablespoon of shredded mint, squeeze over the juice of half a lime, add 2 tablespoons of raspberry syrup and 2 tablespoons of elderflower syrup.

Whizz a punnet of strawberries up in a blender to create a fresh smooth juice. Add 1 tablespoon of the strawberry juice to a champagne flute, pour over 1 tablespoon each of peach and honeysuckle syrup. Top with champagne.

(Above left) A deliciously decadent and elegant champagne cocktail. A twist on the Kir Royale but with light citrus notes and natural ingredients adding exceptional depth of flavour

July 2018 NMM

(Above middle) This is a refreshing alcohol free celebration drink made from fresh fruit flavours. The sweetness of the watermelon is balanced by the tart raspberries. Lime, mint and elderflower bring a satisying lightness to the mix.

(Above right) A delightfully fruity champagne cocktail with layers of flavour that is perfect for those balmy summer evenings.

Wildflower Cocktails I

t would be hard to miss the abundance of honeysuckle, wild roses and elderflowers that have graced the British hedgerows over the last few weeks. We couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t resist using these fragrant and edible blossoms for a recipe and spent a beautiful afternoon foraging for flowers. Flower syrups have a very delicate flavour but a beautiful aroma that adds a wonderful extra dimension to your cocktails. The fruit syrups not only offer exciting vivid colours but they also taste incredible. We used peaches, black currants and raspberries for our syrups, but any soft summer fruit or berries would work well. Other edible flowers include lavender, lilac and violets - anything with

a sweet floral scent is ideal. The syrups when stored in airtight glass bottles and refrigerated will last up to a month and serve well as summer cordials as well as making the most delicious homemade snow cones when drizzled generously over crushed ice. Once you have created your syrups you can follow our cocktail recipes or get creative and experiment with your own. For an unforgettable party, you could create a bar of delicious homemade syrups and juices and let your guests mix up their own heady concoctions. This is an exciting challenge for flavour curious children too. Because of the high sugar content of these syrups they are best enjoyed as a treat on special occasions. NMM July 2018

Flower syrups 1 generous handful of edible flowers (such as dog rose, elderflower or honeysuckle) 1 cup of sugar 1 cup of water In a small pan, dissolve the sugar in the water over a moderate heat before adding the flowers. Keep stirring at all times to avoid sticking. The syrup will start to thicken after 10 minutes, once the mixture starts to bubble turn off the heat and sieve the liquid (to remove the petals) before leaving to cool. If you overcook the syrup it will thicken too much. With elderflowers take care to only use the flowers as the stems are toxic. Some cultivated honeysuckle is poisonous so you must take extra care. Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) is edible and you can eat the blossoms and nectar of wild honeysuckle too. It has a beautiful sweet honey taste. For dog rose, just use the fragrant pink petals.

Fruit Syrups 2 whole peaches/ a generous handful of berries such as raspberries or blackcurrants 1 cup of sugar 1 cup of water The process for fruit syrup is just the same as for flower syrup but without the need for straining the mixture. To keep the syrup smooth it is advisable to gently mash the fruit mixture as it softens.

July 2018 NMM

natural mumma makes

Natural Mumma YouTube Channel You can find this recipe and plenty more on the Natural Mumma YouTube channel www.youtube.com/naturalmumma

NMM July 2018

THE BARE ESSENTIALS London based Brazilian vegan chef Vanessa Almeida has a cookbook, a café, a blog and her own vegan cheese business. Never compromising on flavour, her nutritious recipes are a real treat for the senses. We had a chat with the human dynamo to discover the secrets behind her inspirational life.

ave you always been vegan? What led to you choosing a vegan lifestyle? I was pescatarian and then vegetarian for quite some time but when I moved to the UK I started watching investigation videos and documentaries, reading books and getting informed about how the food got to my plate. After a while it just didn’t make sense for me not to be vegan, so I made the change and I have to say that it was one of the best decisions of my life. What does veganism mean to you? It means everything to me, I’ve changed my whole life because of it. Soon after going vegan I started to discover ingredients that I’d never heard before and

July 2018 NMM

a whole new world opened up to me. I started cooking like crazy, veganizing old family recipes and creating new ones. I knew there and than that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my like. I quit my job and started doing markets, pop-ups, residencies and all the vegan festivals. I wanted to share with people the joy I felt when cooking and to help them find out that vegan food is good food that simply happens to also be vegan. Ultimately, being vegan means trying to live a compassionate life not only in regards to animals but also with the planet and other human beings. The menu at the Essential Vegan Café is totally packed with delicious dishes, do you have a particular favourite?

I guess the Brazilian inspired ones are very close to my heart, especially the Moqueca Baiana and the Feijoada. What can people expect from the café aside from tasty vegan food? Great coffee, cakes, art and a relaxed and inclusive place where everyone is welcome. Your cookbook is inspirational, I’ve used it not just to cater for vegan family members and friends but also people with allergies and on various restrictive diets were you aware when you started developing these recipes how important that book would be to so many people? That makes me very happy. Inspiring people to cook was

NMM July 2018

25 All photography courtesy of Essential Vegan

always the main goal. To publish a cookbook is a labour of love, it’s intense but very rewarding. When working on the book, I was also studying nutrition with a focus on veganism. I wanted to make a book that would not only make vegan food easy but that also included nutritional notes to help people to plan their diet. As well as keeping the blog active and exciting, running the café (and preparing the fresh food) you also create your own artisan cultured nut cheeses. How do you manage to balance all of these creative projects? And at the end of the day, what do you do to unwind? As with every new business the long hours are part of the job. I always say that to work in the kitchen you have to really love it as it’s physically and mentally intense. On the other hand, talking with customers and seeing how they enjoy the food gives me a lot of energy back. We have a wonderful team at the cafe and the

July 2018 NMM

work is fun. On my day off I like to spend time with my husband and our dog Habib. Are there any cruelty free brands that you couldn’t be without? Which brands can you personally recommend? Oh there are so many. For plant based milk it’s Oatly, for cleaning I use Bio D and for beauty products I use Lush and The Body Shop. If someone were considering adopting a vegan diet what advice would you give them? I would say, if you are considering a compassionate diet, be compassionate to yourself first and take your time. I normally advise people to first go vegan for breakfast for a couple of weeks, try new products and find out what works for you. After that go vegan for lunch, visit your local supermarket and look for the vegan alternatives for your favourite dishes. Start

cooking, visit websites and buy a couple of cookbooks, make it fun and exciting. When you are comfortable with the food and new lifestyle, go vegan for dinner and you’re done. Veganism is about so much more than diet what tips have you picked up over the years on avoiding animal cruelty in your everyday purchases? The best thing to do is become part of a couple of facebook groups, visit the vegan festivals and do a few trips to your local health shop. There are new ethical brands coming to market everyday, I think it’s a lot easier being vegan today than it ever was before. I like to check the products, the brand behind it and choose the best product for me and for the animals and planet as well. I try to buy as locally as possible as well. At your dream dinner party what would you serve and who would you invite?

As it’s a dream dinner party I would invite Frida Khalo, Nina Simone, Angela Davis, Stevie Nicks and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and I would cook a Brazilian feast for them. What is next for Essential Vegan? Are there any ambitions left to fulfil? The cafe is still very new but I want to start doing cookery classes again and focus on families and children to make cooking together a new family tradition. You can discover Vanessa’s recipes and order her book from her website: http://essentialvegan.uk You can taste Vanessa’s delicious vegan treats for yourself at The Essential Vegan Café, 6 Calvert Ave, Shoreditch, London, E2 7JP.

NMM April 2018

For more, everyday...

www.naturalmumma.com for the latest on: · ethical fashion · natural skincare and beauty · health and wellbeing · parenting and motherhood · healthy living and good eating · ecology and conservation · conscious lifestyle choices

www.naturalmumma.com

July 2018 NMM