Natural Mumma Magazine December 2018 by T5 Publications

Issue Seventeen December 2018

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

TIMELESS

TRADITION Focus On What Matters This Christmas

NMM December 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

December 2018 NMM

Welcome To Natural Mumma Magazine

Contents 4

Green & Dread How ethical is your Christmas tree?

Timeless Beauty Classical natural makeup

Giving More Meaning by Sian Conway of #EthicalHour

Party Time Our pick of this season’s ethical party wear

All I Want For Christmas The people behind our favourite ethical brands share their Christmas secrets

Natural Mumma Makes... Boxing Day Pie Contact: holly@naturalmumma.com Photo by Gerard Hughes

Holly wears Esme Blouse by Dagny, jeans by Monkee Genes. Make up by Axiology, Hiro, Seren and Talyah.

t’s an absolute pleasure to bring this festive edition of Natural Mumma to you. With features on how to have a more ethical Christmas, our regular column from #EthicalHour’s Sian Conway and plenty of gift inspiration for presents that will make a difference there is lots to get you into the festive spirit. Our product review focuses on timeless makeup with some wonderful natural and vegan brands and our feature on ethical party wear showcases some stunning evening outfits. We had a chat with founders from

some of our favourite brands to find out what they’ll be up to over Christmas as well as gleaning their tips for having a more sustainable Christmas. This month also brings you an exclusive offer on my book and our recipe shows you how to make a truly delicious meal out of all of your Christmas dinner leftovers. This year has been a special one for us and we appreciate your ongoing support. We’re looking forward to spending time with our loved ones this Christmas; enjoying great food, wonderful company and exchanging thoughtful gifts. We can’t wait to see what next year brings – if we achieve even half of what we have in mind it’s going to be pretty spectacular. NMM December 2018

GREEN & DREAD It’s the most traditional of decorations but how ethical is your Christmas tree?

he tradition of bringing trees indoors and decorating them dates back to 16th Century Germany where pyramids of wood were adorned with evergreen foliage and illuminated with candles when trees were scarce. The proud Christmas tree has become the focal point of festivities in most family homes, but how ecologically sound is this tradition? What are the most sustainable options? Artificial trees If the idea of cutting down a living tree and letting it slowly die indoors goes against your values, then you may feel that buying a tree that will last for years may well solve this problem. Modern artificial trees are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), aluminium, a range of other metals and petrochemicals. Some older trees also contain lead which is known to play havoc with kidney, cardiac, neurological and reproductive function. The production methods of artificial trees are another reason to stay clear. Both production and incineration of PVC emits carcinogens such as dioxins and

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ethylene dichloride which heavily pollute the environment. For the most part, artificial trees are not recyclable, they may stay in the family for a few years but once you grow tired of your tree it will remain in landfill for centuries. Real trees For nature lovers, the evocative scent of pine and the glossy limbs of a real tree can be appealing. But when you consider that eight million Christmas trees are felled each year in the UK alone then you have to carefully consider where you buy your tree from. Many trees are imported from other countries, and transport adds another angle of unsustainability to an already grim prospect. One of the benefits of buying a real tree is that a huge 95 per cent of UK grown Christmas trees come from farms which provide a habitat for wildlife. You just need to be careful where you buy your tree from. The first thing to do is check that your tree is grown in the UK. You can find more resources on the British Christmas Tree Growers Association. You’ll want to keep an eye out for Forest Stewardship

Council (FSC) approved trees which are grown in well managed forests that protect woodland plants and animals and use only minimal amounts of pesticides. The Forestry Commission can point you towards locally and sustainably grown trees on their well researched list of tree sales centres. If you are local to London you might want to check out the Christmas Forest which is a small, independent family business who provide trees from ten sites across London. These trees are also available online. After its nine year growing cycle each tree is replaced and another tree is donated to a family in Africa through Tree Aid. It is also worth noting that the Christmas tree industry also provides some farmers with a profitable harvest from fields that may have otherwise been unusable. Fir trees are reasonably fast growers but still take a good ten years on average to reach maturity, making this a slow process for the farmers who rely on earning a living from them. If you’d rather an organic tree then the Soil Association can point you in the direction of

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recommended retailers. Organic trees obviously benefit from no pesticides, herbicides and chemical laden fertilisers. Pesticides from Christmas tree farming seep into the surrounding ground and have also been discovered in well water. Pyrethroids are a common type of pesticide and are lethal to fish and other marine life. They have also been linked to several poisoning incidents in humans. In addition to providing a rich habitat for wildlife, Christmas tree farms also help to eliminate pollen, pollution and dust from the air as well as producing oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide. An acre of Christmas trees will absorb a staggering six tonnes of carbon dioxide in a year and produce enough oxygen for the daily needs of 18 people. A single farmed Christmas tree absorbs one tonne of carbon dioxide in its lifetime. It is worth looking out for a tree that has been grown as locally to home as possible. If there are Christmas tree farms local to your house then you can pay a visit and ask the important questions for yourself. Sourcing a locally grown tree will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of buying a Christmas tree. As more people and questioning where they source their trees from the popularity of renting a Christmas tree is increasing. You’ll receive a potted tree that can be returned to ground after use. This

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is a great solution for those of us who simply don’t have the space to return our trees to soil each year and reusing a potted tree with annual regularity is much more ecologically friendly than felling a new tree each year. If the idea of renting your tree appeals then you might like to try Forever Green Christmas Trees in Essex. If you have no option but to buy a real cut tree, then make sure you get the council to recycle it after use. Shredded Christmas trees go on to become compost or woodchip mulch. Get in touch with your local council to find out more or find out more from www. letsrecycle.com. Of course, if you’re not attached to tradition and like the idea of embracing something new then you could try something different instead. There has been a surge in wooden Christmas trees, just

be careful to look for those made of sustainably grown wood. If you decide to forego a tree altogether, then you might like to donate to a good cause instead. For instance, The Woodland Trust offers to Plant a Tree for Christmas where for just £25 you can dedicate three trees in a wood of your choice. When it comes to Christmas it is often the traditions that make us feel nostalgic and warm, but traditions can evolve over time and often do as a family matures. Making changes to how we celebrate is a wonderful way to open up conversations with children about the impact that our lifestyle choices can have on the wider world. Let your children be part of the discussion and come up with new ecological Christmas celebrations that recognise the true meaning of Christmas.

Eco friendly decorations

Often the decorations are the most ecologically harmful part of the Christmas tree, but there are plenty of ways to decorate your tree without sacrificing your green principles. Go traditional with handmade garlands of popped corn and cranberries or dried slices of orange and cinnamon sticks tied with salvaged ribbon. You could make an event of it and get baking with the children to create beautiful iced and edible gingerbread stars. Places like Oxfam and Amnesty offer ethical and Fair Trade decorations that are brimming with character but also help people all over the world to improve their quality of life. Whatever you do, you’ll want to stay away from spray snow which contains a nasty cocktail of chemicals including polyvinyl acetate, sodium chloride, isobutane, acrylates, methylene chloride and dimethyl ether which can cause headaches and dizziness, as well as triggering asthma attacks. One of the main ingredients of spray snow is palmitic acid which is found in animal fat and palm oil. Tinsel is also an ecological nightmare, which sometimes contains lead and at best is just a nasty mass produced plastic.

Wrapping

In Britain alone, three million tonnes of waste is created each Christmas. We use over 8000 tonnes of wrapping paper which creates 83 square kilometres of waste paper - enough to cover Guernsey. You can help to reduce this by only buying recycled paper and reusing it again after use.

In Japan, the art of wrapping gifts in cloth, Furoshiki, is a wonderful way of presenting something special as well as making better ecological sense. The cloth can be reused either to pass on other gifts, for practical purposes or even as part of the gift if you opt for a beautiful scarf or table linen.

Food

Christmas is well known as the season for excess, and food waste is amongst the biggest culprits. Plan your meals, source food locally where possible and don’t get seduced by bulk buying special offers. Free range or organic turkeys are the best option, check out Nick & Jacob’s slow grown Bronze birds from Fosse Meadows for a truly sustainable choice. On average, around a third of all food bought for Christmas goes to waste. As well as being sure to not overspend and overbuy, it makes sense to make the best use of your leftovers. Our Boxing Day Pie is a delicious way to make sure nothing gets wasted (see the recipe on page 24), you might also like to try a tasty frittata, blend up a warming soup or opt for something different such as turkey tacos.

Gifts

Opt for presents that will be well loved and used, check that you are buying from ethical and sustainable sources and buy from small, independent companies when you can. Experiences are always a great gift, so you might like to consider taking your loved one on a baking course or for a few salsa lessons. NMM December 2018

Natural Mumma Loves... Y.O.U Underwear

Y.O.U is Your Own Underwear, an ethical business producing stylish organic cotton underwear for men and women. They only use super soft, breathable, 100 per cent organic cotton, and have a buy one, give one model, where every purchase provides underwear to people in need. www.youunderwear.com

Visibly Vegan

Lovingly hand poured in England, these luxury scented soy wax candles are perfect Christmas stocking fillers. Registered by The Vegan Society and made from sustainable eco soy wax, the gorgeous new Limited Edition Winter Collection will be at Amazon in time for Christmas. Original Collection currently available, including a multi buy offer! www.visiblyvegan.co.uk

Purepotions

Purepotions are experts in natural skincare solutions, with a range of extraordinarily effective emollients for sensitive or eczemaprone skin. Their award winning Skin Salvation is rich in hemp and free from perfumes, parabens and petrochemicals, and an amazing 99 per cent of people say Skin Salvation doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sting on application - great news for parents of itchy little kids! Use code MUMMAS25 for 25 per cent off your purchase at purepotions.co.uk

SOLUNA Designed in London and handcrafted in Peru, SOLUNA is an ethical jewellery brand created to share Peruvian art with the world. SOLUNA only works with certified workshops that meet the highest ethical standards to create their distinctive, one-ofa-kind pieces. The collections are inspired by ancient Peruvian stories and modern designs. Find their beautiful pieces on JewelStreet or www.soluna-jewellery.com

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Scaramanga

Scaramanga design and make classically styled leather briefcases, messenger bags, totes, saddle bags and satchels for men and women. Each bag is handmade by artisans using traditional skills and tools. They use a semi veg tanned leather thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finished with oils and waxes to give it a unique natural look and feel.Â Scaramangashop.co.uk

Apotheca

Apothecaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s products are formulated using a variety of 100 per cent natural ingredients, including plant seed oils, beeswax, essential oils and floral waters, which have been carefully selected for their beneficial properties and active ingredients. All of their products are made in small batches in the UK, using sustainably sourced ingredients from renewable sources. www.apothecalondon.com

Unearthd Co Good On You is an all over body oil from ethical health and beauty brand Unearthd Co, a sister company of Naissance. Lovingly crafted using 100 per cent organic ingredients, with no artificial fragrances, preservatives or colourings. This lightweight oil is designed to improve the appearance of stretchmarks and scars, boost skin elasticity and hydrate dry skin. www.discoveringbetter.com

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Timeless Beauty Our pick of the best natural makeup for a classic look

Talyah Nail Enamel, Kohl Liner and Lipstick

Talyah offer high quality vegan beauty products in all manner of shades. Their water permeable (or breathable) nail enamels make for healthier nails and are free from the toxic odours that often accompany nail polish. The kohl liner has an appealing versatility and is ideal for effortlessly creating the perfect smokey eye look.

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Axiology Lip Crayon in Enduring

With rich tones and a beautiful buttery texture, this easy to apply crayon adds a nourishing pop of colour that lasts all day long. With the hydrating benefits of wild harvested shea butter and organic avocado oil, this all natural, 100 per cent vegan and organic product comes in array of appealing and tantalising shades.

Hiro Lipstick, Bronzer and Blush

For softly shimmering bronzers and blushers you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t beat natural, organic, vegan brand Hiro with their beautiful shades and flawless finish. The Sky Was Pink powder blush offers a pretty flush and party perfect bronzer I Got You Babe is the ultimate subtle chic party shimmer. Their smooth creamy lipsticks are a dream.

Seren Nail Polish, Concealer, Lip Gloss and Eyeshadow

This British made 100 per cent cruelty free makeup range is on a mission to make vegan beauty affordable. From eyeshadow palettes to nail polishes, they offer a rich variety of colours from the contemporary to the timeless. Environmentally friendly packaging and an ethical ethos add to the appeal.

Odylique Lipstick in Cherry Tart

The first lipstick range certified to Soil Association and Fair Trade standards, these lipsticks glide on and feel wonderful. Free from toxic chemicals and packed full of beautifying ingredients in a stunning array of colours. With fully recyclable casing derived from corn, this lipstick ticks all the green boxes. NMM December 2018

by Sian Conway, Founder #EthicalHour

GIVING MORE MEANING

hristmas is a time when many of us try to honour traditions - from our upbringing, from faith or even those that we’ve lovingly created and adopted over the years with the people closest to us. But the latest tradition many of us may not be so keen to adopt is the stress, overwhelm and mass consumption we’re pushed into at this time of year. According to Traidcraft, 54 per cent of shoppers admit to feeling stressed, anxious and argumentative when doing their Christmas shopping emotions that aren’t helping any of us. As the end of 2018 approaches, you may be reflecting on the goals you set, the progress you’ve made and all the things you still want to achieve. Social media can often feed the comparison monster and make us feel like we’re not doing enough, earning enough or achieving enough. At this time of year it gets even more intense as we all compete to have the most Instagrammable decorations and creative Elf On the Shelf activities. Plus financial pressure may be setting in and you’re probably sick of all those Christmas ads on the telly already! I often feel that we’ve lost our connection to some of the meaningful traditions at Christmas, as it’s easy to get swept up in the last minute shopping and rushing around. My Granddad Joe passed away when I was nine, but in 1996 he gave me a book of Christmas stories and poems.

their local community - returning to the farm shops and butchers instead of the supermarkets. And of course we’ve been encouraging people to #ShopEthicalInstead and purchase gifts from small, ethical businesses, artists and makers because when you buy from a small business a real person really does do a happy dance! These are all fantastic ways to spread more joy to otthers during the festive season. The tradition of gift giving at this time of year is one of the oldest we have, but it feels like in an age of convenience, online shopping and mass consumption, it’s all got a bit out of hand. There are many organisations and charities that encourage us to give back, but often it’s an add on or just one more thing we feel we have to do on an ever growing to do list. What if, this year, we could experience the joy of giving in a different way? Buying mindfully and sustainably gives joy to the makers and gives us all a better future - with less waste and all the problems it creates. Giving time, experiences and most importantly, giving ourselves space to enjoy this special time of year without the overwhelm and stress. How would it feel to create a new tradition of giving mindfully this Christmas?

THE NEW TRADITION WE NEED THIS CHRISTMAS

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Every year, on Christmas Eve, I take a moment out of the busy festivities and quietly read a few of them to myself. One of my favourites is a small verse that reminds us of ‘The Joy of Giving’ with the lines: “The joy that you give to others is the joy that comes back to you” When you think back to fond memories of past Christmas celebrations, you probably don’t remember the gifts you received, or the money you spent. You remember the people you were with and the laughs you shared. But these are the things that are most easily lost when we’re feeling the pressure. The beauty is that we can spread joy and laughter even further in the decisions we make as we prepare for our celebrations, and make ourselves feel good too! Many people opt to give experiences instead of gifts, or donate to charity instead of sending Christmas cards. There’s a growing movement of people supporting small businesses in

Twitter: @EthicalHour and @SianEConway Instagram: @EthicalHour

Next Month In

Natural Mumma VEGANUARY The Cruelty Free Issue

Pure Lakes The active and therapeutic range from Pure Lakes is full of fantastic natural products that would make ideal gifts. This sustainable and eco friendly, plant based brand make their gentle and high performing products by hand. The Dry Skin Balm is perfect for deep moisturising and is ideal for treating tricky areas such as elbows and knees, as well as more serious skin complaints such as psoriasis and eczema. The Muscle & Joint Balm and Bath Soak will soothe and relieve tired muscles after a workout and vast improvements have been seen on those suffering from arthritic conditions. The Skin Repair Bar glides on and leaves your skin feeling soft, supple and smelling divine. This range is delightfully versatile and hard working, with the chic packaging simply adding to the appeal. All products are natural and carefully handmade in The Lake District. www.purelakes.co.uk

NATURAL MUMMA MAGAZINE ISSUE 18 AVAILABLE FROM 4 JANUARY 2019

Natural Mumma Magazine December 2018

NMM Team Editor: Holly Daffurn

holly@naturalmumma.com

Creative: Gerard Hughes mail@gerardhughes.co.uk

Cover Image by Gerard Hughes 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. We receive compensation for all products featured on the ‘Natural Mumma Loves...’ pages as well as several of the other brands mentioned in the magazine. We only work with companies whose ethos reflects the intention of this publication. All of the written content is copyright Natural Mumma Magazine (unless stated otherwise) and full rights to this material belongs to Natural Mumma Magazine (or any other named authors).

PARTY

TIME We choose three stylish looks for the festive season from our favourite responsible brands

hristmas is the perfect time for treating yourself to a new outfit. For most of us the festive period means a more packed social calendar and of course, there is a special appeal in wearing something beautiful on Christmas Day itself. The idea of splashing out on one dress to see you through a few special events and then never wearing it again is one that leaves us cold. We believe that you should definitely treat yourself to a new dress or two this Christmas, but that if you pick something timeless and beautifully made it will see you through for many events and for many years to come. Personally, I love red and it always seems especially fitting for this time of year but I decided to mix

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things up this year and opt for something a little different. There are some stunning ethical and sustainable dresses and separates out there right now, that make beautiful festive party wear. I picked out three very different outfits which all have their own special charm and can be worn throughout the year. From a 60s style wool shift dress to a slinky jacquard blouse paired with navy jeans and a figure hugging jersey dress with a shimmering reclaimed lurex panel, we had a lot of fun creating these looks and canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to wear them throughout the coming weeks and beyond. The jeans are from Monkee Genes and are still keeping their shape and colour after several washes. https://monkeegenes.com/

The Dory Dress from Komodo is a 60s style shift dress fashioned from wool and recycled polyester. With a simple V neckline and pockets, this is a timeless dress that is as wearable as it is stylish. Wear alone for a sophisticated and classic party look or wear over a silk or crisp cotton blouse for a more demure appeal. Available in check or houndstooth. www.komodo.co.uk

Dress up your jeans with a beautiful blouse and heels. The colour of the Esme blouse from Dagny is striking without being overbearing. Fashioned from silky jacquard in a crushed berry hue, this tiered blouse is perfect for the festive season. The fabric feels decadent and the pretty ruffles and puff sleeves add a beautiful femininity to the garment. Also available in sage green. https://dagnylondon.com

The Folk Dress from Antiform is made sustainably in England from 100 per cent reclaimed materials. The flattering cut looks fabulous on any figure, as it brings in the waist and accentuates the curves. Play it up with heels, add a retro slant with your favourite boots or wear with flats for a simple chic finish. Available in a variety of designs for every occasion. www.antiformonline.co.uk

Jayne from Lily & Mortimer Favourite Christmas tradition: Decorating the tree with my kids. We have lots of decorations they have made over the years that are full of wonderful memories.

Kath from BeeBee Wraps Favourite Christmas tradition: We always open our presents after lunch and one by one to make it super special. Top ethical Christmas tip: Use brown kraft recyclable paper to wrap presents, decorate with drawings, stamps etc... and tie with string. What you’ll be wearing on Christmas Day: Anything with an expandable waistline! Our favourite Christmas gift from BeeBee Wraps: Any of their beautiful patterned organic cotton food wraps.

Top ethical Christmas tip: Ask yourself who made my clothes and what kind of Christmas are they having? Be the change this Christmas. What you’ll be wearing on Christmas Day: As I live in a warm climate I am hoping to spend the day in my Baiia swimsuit and favourite Reformation sundress. Our favourite Christmas gift from Lily & Mortimer: Their Hooded Towels. Made from the softest organic terry with a stylish L&M motif. www.lilymortimer.com

beebeewraps.com

ALL I WANT FO

CHRISTMAS Festive tips from some of our favourite ethical brands 16

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Annika from Ethletic Favourite Christmas tradition: Walking back from church and peeking into all those lovely lit windows and just enjoying the atmosphere of peace and calm... Top ethical Christmas tip: Reusing gift wrap and ribbons that I set aside throughout the year and not using any foil for wrapping. What you’ll be wearing on Christmas Day: I guess I will wear my favourite black frill shirt by Armedangels together with a tartan skirt I’ve bought many, many years ago and, of course, red kicks by Ethletic. Our favourite Christmas gift from Ethletic: The Ethletic Fair Trainer White Cap in festive Cranberry Red, which is the most popular Fairtrade certified sneaker. https://shop.ethletic.com

Rachel from Buttress & Snatch and Mari Lupa Favourite Christmas tradition: Going with my husband and sister to try and buy all the cheese a few days before Christmas day from Neals Yard then going to the French House pub in Soho for a glass of naughty christmassy wine. Top ethical Christmas tip: Buy treasure not landfill! Don’t buy or give anything you are not sure will be used and loved and make or buy good foodie treats for gifts where you aren’t sure so nothing will get wasted. What you’ll be wearing on Christmas Day: Pyjamas! I really like doing a good jigsaw and not leaving the house. Our favourite Christmas gift from Buttress and Snatch: Their beautiful organic cotton handmade muslin knickers. www.buttressandsnatch.co.uk

S... NMM October 2018

Antonette from Rosie & Cooey Favourite Christmas tradition: The moment the elves arrive on the 1st December with advent calendars for Rosie, Cooey, and Joey (our dog) as this signifies the start of Christmas.

Chloë from Chloë Haywood London Favourite Christmas tradition: Leaving out our handmade Christmas stockings on Christmas Eve (somehow they’re always filled during the night for us to open in our PJs in the morning). Top ethical Christmas tip: Save any wrapping paper that isn’t too shredded, iron it on a cool setting (yes I did say iron it!) and use this for wrapping for small stocking fillers. My dad used to do this and I still do it now. It’s less wasteful and makes Father Christmas’ job a little more authentic What you’ll be wearing on Christmas Day: My favourite 1950’s vintage red jumper. Our favourite Christmas gift from Chloë Haywood: The lovely mini hot water bottles made from upcycled waste cashmere thanks to her relationship with TRAID. www.chloehaywoodlondon.com Vote for Chloë in the Peoples Choice Award in the Blue Patch Awards announced on 11th December. People can vote HERE

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Top ethical Christmas tip: We use kraft paper for wrapping paper as it is easily recycled, we also use name stamps for the kids’ presents so we don’t have to use gift tags. Rosie and Cooey also use last year’s Christmas cards to make new cards by cutting out the pictures. What you’ll be wearing on Christmas Day: Christmas morning is very relaxed, often we are in pyjamas and dressing gowns until lunchtime. Our favourite Christmas gift from Rosie & Cooey: The Mimi & Bart ‘Vickie’ Sweater (Organic Cotton) https://rosieandcooey.co.uk

Jo from Where Does It Come From? Favourite Christmas tradition: Christmas cooking with the children with background Christmas music. We make iced ginger biscuits, mince pies and novelty icing for the Christmas cake! Top ethical Christmas tip: Meal plans and slow cooker. We have a houseful of people over Christmas so hubby and I plan all the meals in advance and make great use of the slow cooker for backups like veggie chilli and sausage casserole with dumplings. What you’ll be wearing on Christmas Day: Red and Green – they’re my favourite colours and very festive too. I have a favourite red Peopletree dress which I like to wear with one of our Red Roses scarves and I’ll accessorise with my lovely Mosami bracelet which has Gandhi’s ‘Be the Change you want to see’ engraved inside (a present from my husband who knows how special that quote is to me).. Our favourite Christmas gift from Where Does It Come From? : Their unisex organic shirts which have a code on the label so your loved one can explore the story behind their garment and get to know the people involved.

Sydney from Faire Favourite Christmas tradition: Skiing every year with my family! And when we’re not hitting the slopes, I like to kick back with a bottle of Shiner Cheer (It’s a Texas thing) and listen to Christmas music. Top ethical Christmas tip: Thoughtful gift giving! I never want to give a gift that someone will immediately get rid of. It’s important to shop ethically and even gift experiences when you can. What you’ll be wearing on Christmas Day: Faire.Shop pajamas. Our favourite Christmas gift from Faire: Alexandria Main’s lightweight pajama set which is handmade from unused fabric with French seams and a blind hem. www.faire.shop

www.wheredoesitcomefrom.co.uk

NMM December 2018

Natural Mumma Loves... Baby Kingdom

A new premium British baby toiletries brand has entered the UK market with products which are designed to assist in protecting and improving skin and hair, ‘leaving babies smelling like babies’. The range includes baby shampoo, 2-1 hair & body wash, body cream, nappy cream and talc free baby powder. The products are 97-99 per cent natural and free from sulphates, parabens and other harsh irritants. They are useful when treating symptoms such as cradle cap, eczema, psoriasis, sunburn, nappy rash and dermatitis. www.babykingdomcollection.co.uk

Parrot Street Book Club

This children’s book subscription is an experience that last long into the new year. Each monthly delivery includes an exciting new chapter book and accompanying activity pack. It’s designed to promote a love of reading and makes it easy for children and their families to think and talk about what they’ve read. Use the code NATURALMUMMA to save 10 per cent on your first subscription . www.parrotstreet.com

WHY Do I Have To Sleep? 20

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Signe Rhode is the Danish best selling author of ‘WHY do I have to sleep?’ a meditation book for children telling the story of a child who doesn’t want to go to bed but slowly opens up to wanting to sleep while his mother shares with him the importance of sleeping at night. http://liftupyourchild.com

Blue Brontide

Blue Brontide is founded on the belief that children’s items should not only be beautiful but built to last becoming treasures in your family that will be passed down to others. With this in mind they have brought together sustainable designs and coveted brands to deliver a carefully curated collection of eco friendly, natural and non-toxic baby and kids tableware, toys and more with green conscious parents in mind. bluebrontide.com

L’asticot

L’asticot is happy to present its autumn-winter collection 18/19, “Winter Garden”. This season, plants are back in the city for a collection that combines timeless basics and colourful pieces. As always, we only work with organic and recycled raw materials. The production in Portugal is ethical and environmentally friendly. www.lasticot.com

Small Stuff

Small Stuff UK, is an independent eco conscious children’s lifestyle primarily online store run by Sheffield mom Hellen Stirling-Baker. Specialising in high quality, ethical and eco friendly toys, clothing, crafts, homeware and decor for your little bears. Working closely with small independent makers and suppliers, Hellen handpicks the stock making sure that it is not only high quality and beautifully designed but also kinder to our planet. www.smallstuff.co.uk

Atelier MorganMarsh Online Sustainable Fashion brand Atelier MorganMarsh has launched “Like Mama” - a collection of pretty dresses and coordinating coats for tiny tots, using the same beautiful, natural fabrics from their grown up range. They are committed to ethical production and only use environmentally conscious packaging. Even the business cards are made from recycled T-shirts. Ateliermorganmarsh.com

NMM December 2018

Natural Mumma Baby Book Offer

ave you read Holly’s books yet? Our editorin-chief, Holly Daffurn, has written various books about natural pregnancy, childbirth and parenting. The Natural Baby is available in all good bookstores – and you can buy it through us to receive a special reader’s discount.

This gentle guide starts with planning your pregnancy and then takes you on a week-by-week journey through a holistic and healthy pregnancy, an active birth and the precious early months of being a parent. With chapters dedicated to caring for a newborn and looking after yourself both before and after birth, it offers personal insight, instruction and advice from Holly and Samantha who specialize in pregnancy yoga, massage and active birth. The Natural Baby covers all you need to know before, during and after your pregnancy: *how to prepare for pregnancy *a week-by-week description of your baby’s growth *exercise and complementary therapies *natural remedies *how to have an amazing birth experience *tips on breastfeeding *naturally nutritious weaning *home-made organic beauty preparations for the mother *delicious and healthy recipes for before, during and after pregnancy 22

December 2018 NMM

What the critics say about ‘The Natural Baby’: “Samantha and Holly empower parents with the information & wisdom to help them make the best choices for their families... They have the perfect set of complementary skills and knowledge to write about natural parenting...Here is a book that will act like a best friend.” - Melissa Corkhill, The Green Parent magazine “Absolutely brilliant! I wish I’d had it when I got pregnant.” - Katie Hill, My Green Pod Magazine “With practical, helpful advice on every aspect of life as a new mum” - Naomi McElroy, The Irish Daily Star “The only baby book you’ll ever need” - Sparkles & Stretchmarks

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“...there are plenty of ways to make sure that no food goes to waste...”

You Will Need: 450g plain flour 100g strong white bread flour 75g cold unsalted butter (cubed) 200ml cold water ½ tsp salt 100g lard beaten egg yolk Leftovers: We used roast potatoes, sprouts, carrots, turkey, roast chestnuts, gravy and fresh cranberries but you could use any combination of flavours and leftovers that you had to hand. Preheat your oven to 200

September 2018 NMM

natural mumma makes

BOXING DAY PIE P

art of the joy of the Christmas dinner isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just in that single meal but in the creative and delicious ways in which you can make the most of the leftovers. From turkey sandwiches served with homemade chutney to pies that are packed with ingredients, there are plenty of ways to make sure that no food goes to waste. We loved the idea of a pie that encapsulates all of the flavours of Christmas and is packed full of vegetables and nutrients. The pastry is simple to make and tastes wonderful. It would be a lovely activity to keep little hands busy as the night rolls on, and with the additional option for decoration it allows children to be creative too. We cut our holly leaves out freehand using a knife but there are some fantastic cookie cutters out there that would make the job much faster and simpler. The combination of rich, flakey pastry and the

delicious filling is such a great combination. The buttery light pastry has enough strength to hold all the ingredients together and keep everything soaked in rich gravy. We served our pie with lightly steamed savoy cabbage with caraway seeds, which is a favourite in the Natural Mumma household. Hearty mash made this a wonderfully filling meal that is ideal for cold winter nights. We found that the pie lasted us for two meals and tasted wonderful reheated. We chose to make a large pie that would make a striking centrepiece for a family meal on Boxing Day. However, you could easily create individual pies allowing you to customise the fillings dependent on everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tastes. If you really want to make an impact you could arrange the filling into distinct layers, which would show beautifully when the pie was cut. NMM September 2018

Combine the flours in a large mixing bowl, add the cubed butter and gently rub until breadcrumbs form.

Pour the water, salt and lard into a small saucepan and gently heat until you reach boiling point.

Carefully pour the liquid onto the flour and stir with a wooden spoon until everything is well combined.

Wait a few minutes until the pastry is cool enough to handle, before turning it out onto a well floured clean surface.

Knead the dough until it is smooth and pliable- donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t knead it for too long as overhandling can cause the pastry to become brittle. It is also better to shape the pastry while it still has some warmth in it.

Remove one third of the pastry and put it to one side, this will form the top of the pie.

Take the remaining two thirds of pastry and roll out into a large circle. Grease the pie dish with lard and gentle line the tin with pastry, leaving an overhang.

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Fill the pie with your choice of filling to just below the rim of the pie dish.

Brush the overhang with egg yolk, make your lid and pinch in place before trimming away excess pastry.

Create decorations, carefully make three steam holes in the lid, before sticking the decorations in place using the egg yolk. Glaze the whole surface of the pie with egg yolk and place in the preheated oven. After 30 minutes, reduce the heat to 180 and bake for a further 45 minutes.

December 2018 NMM

natural mumma makes

A Filling Alternative We topped our pie with handfuls of fresh cranberries which added delicious pockets of tartness to the final taste. Carrots added sweetness and the gravy provides a great depth of flavour. Chestnuts are great for both texture and taste and the roast potatoes soften lightly but still retain their shape and soak up plenty of flavour. Vegetarians and vegans could use slices of nutroast to create a flavoursome layer nestled between plenty of vegetables, and should replace the butter with vegan margarine. You can use 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil instead of lard or solid shortening. You could even use a more highly flavoured oil such as sesame to complement the nuttiness of the filling.

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

NMM December 2018

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December 2018 NMM