Issue Eight March 2018
TakingCare CareOf OfYourself, Yourself,Your Your Tribe Taking And Our Our World... World... And
SPRING! Getting Ready For The New Season
Sowing Organic Digging Deep For Pesticide Free Produce
Flower Of The Frock NMM March 2018 Floral Fashion For Spring
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Issue Seven February 2018
Never Miss A Thing...
Yourr Tribe lf,You rself, Yourse OfYou reOf Care ingCa Taking Tak ... rld World... Ourr Wo Andd Ou An
PASSION! Gifts Of Love, Made With Feeling
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
ert Under Cover ExpBare Luxurious Lingerie Laid
Ethically Engaged The True Cost Of Gold
NMM February 2018
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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
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www.naturalmumma.com 2
March 2018 NMM
Welcome to Natural Mumma Magazine
Contents 6
The Truth About Organic Looking at the facts behind the hype - is organic better?
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The Power Of Plants The best plant based products for your skin
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Floral Fashion Great SS18 picks in the hottest prints
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Natural Mumma Makes... Fragrant Lavender Cake
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Makeup To Spring! Clean, light makeup looks for the new season
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Grow Your Own What better way to ensure pesticide free produce...?
T
his month we’re celebrating Spring by focusing on growth and nature. With features on grow your own and what to plant in March, we’ve delved into the truth behind organic produce and whether it is truly worth the extra money. We’ve sought out the best plant based beauty products, experimented with edible flowers (even crystallising our own primulas for our floral cake
recipe – which is perfect for Mother’s Day). You’ll find a radiant Spring makeup look and some beautiful floral fashion ideas for yourself and your children. With recommendations of great green and sustainable products as well as advice on how to live a more ethical life from Ethical Hour’s Sian Conway. There is an interview with Flower Power York’s Mamta Scally who
Contact: holly@ naturalmumma.com Photo by Gerard Hughes Holly wears makeup by bareMinerals, Green People, MiA Paris and PHB Ethical Beauty.
uses homegrown flowers to help vulnerable people to heal. We’re looking forward to getting out into the sunshine as the weather warms and enjoying sowing the seeds for future growth. NMM March 2018
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Natural Mumma Loves... LIORA
Visible Clothing
Visible Clothing is a fair trade clothing company and online marketplace that provides total visibility. By owning its tailoring centre it guarantees a DNA of fairness behind its people, products and pricing. Visit Visible Clothing to shop for high-quality, ethical and beautiful clothing for the whole family. https://visible.clothing/
Stand 4 Socks
Stand4 Socks make the most comfortable socks in the UK. They enhanced the average sock with arch support, Y-tech fit and seamless toe closure and use materials from bamboo to twisted cotton. Not only are these great socks, but with each pair they sell they also give a thick antibacterial pair to a homeless person. Their range even has limited edition designs that allow you to stand out for causes like LGBT and more! Use the code NATURAL-MUMMA to enjoy a 10 per cent discount. www.stand4socks.com
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photo @sassawreford
Surprise the special person in your family with a sweet but ritzy present. LIORA beauty chocolate will do you that favour. Enjoy the extravagant skin and soul treatment of Starflower oil and the lavish aroma of Palmarosa just ready for Mother’s Day. www.liora-chocolate.com
M&J London Left Bank Martini with fresh crisp notes of elderflower, lemongrass, gooseberry and juniper. These are 100 per cent natural with natural oil, soy wax and a cotton linen wick for clean burning. Hand poured into recycled glass tumblers that can be upcycled after the candle melts away. www.mj-london.com
Proceive Baby Boosting Vitamins - PROCEIVE® fertility supplements have been developed by specialists to support the body’s nutritional needs when trying for a baby. The comprehensive formulations are specifically tailored for both men and women who want to naturally optimise their pre-conception nutrition before trying for a baby. £24.95 for 1 month supply, available at Holland & Barrett. https://www.hollandandbarrett.com
Nutritional Organic Food Co Choose from Nuttie Organics’ food solutions: Delicious, Organic Food Boxes, Nutritious Recipe Boxes with options to feed two people or the growing family, or just Shop the Shop for healthy ingredients for little ones, Mums and Dads. Single orders or Subscription plans, get convenient weekly deliveries right to your door. www.nutritionalorganic.com
Kay Reed
Imagine telling a story through a single item. Imagine becoming an ambassador for an animal that is at the brink of extinction. Imagine wearing something that will spark conversation and emotion. Kay Reed’s beautiful endangered wildlife collection, all made from recycled silver and gold, allows you to do exactly this. Which animal will you chose? http://www.kayreed.co.uk NMM March 2018
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THE TRUTH ABOUT
ORGANIC T
he organic food market was hit hard by the economic downturn of 2008, but has seen steady growth now for six years with consumers believing that the premium attached to organic produce and products is worth paying. With all of the major high street players placing greater importance on organic, availability and choice has never been greater - and these were always the limiting factors for those looking to conveniently include organic elements into their diet.
The sales of organic food continues to grow steadily in the UK. The Soil Association’s 2018 Organic Market Report records a growth of 6 per cent in 2017, and the market is now worth £2.2 billion, with organic accounting for 1.5 per cent of the total UK food and drink market. And the good news keeps coming - 2017 saw sales of organic in independent retail grow by 9.7 per cent, and in home delivery by 9.5 per cent. Consumers are increasingly enticed by the promise that organic produce is not only safer and more nutritious, but also tastes better. Organic growers can sell on these beliefs, due to the fact that it is grown without chemicals and using natural fertilisers. There are many valid arguments for organic, but they have not always robustly backed by science. In 2009, the US Food Standards Agency issued a report which concluded there were no significant differences in nutritional composition between organic and conventional crop and livestock products. It noted a higher nitrogen content in conventionally produced crops, but this was unsurprising as conventional farming uses large quantities of nitrogen based fertilisers.
“There are many valid arguments for organic but they have not always been robustly backed by science...”
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The research has subsequently been largely discredited - the sample used in the study was unconvincingly small and the studies used did not feature identical breeds and strains, taking no account of the nutritional variations between them, which can be considerable. Later, further analysis of the study results did reveal some interesting data with organic plants being shown to contain on average 25 per cent higher nutrient concentrations. Chemically produced foods were still found to contain more protein. And there continues be some strong and reasoned arguments against organically produced crops. To produce the same amount of produce organically requires 84 per cent more land than produce grown using chemical fertilisers and pesticides. In a world where there is never enough food to feed a continually growing population, shouldn’t we be growing enough to feed them, however those crops are produced? Also, covering that extra ground means additional labour and machinery, which means that on average, organic produce results in the emission of about
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as many greenhouse gasses as conventional produce and around 10 per cent more nitrous oxide, ammonia and acidification. Not good news when most consumers do not even question the environmental credentials of organic farming. A key factor for many in choosing organic means no pesticides, whereas, in fact it can use any pesticide that is classified as natural and still achieve certification. This can include chemiclas like copper sulphate, which has been proven to result in liver disease in vineyard workers in France, and Pyrethrin which has been linked to leukemia. But despite any negative associations there may be, there is growing evidence that eating organically can help with disease prevention, childhood allergies, obesity, certain cancers and preeclampsia in pregnant women. Further information can be found in a comprehensive study, ‘Human Health Implications of Organic Food and Organic Agriculture’ (see the links panel) which lists all research in this area. A growing body of scientific work points clearly to the benefits of choosing an organic diet. In 2012, a team at Newcastle University,
led by Professor Carlo Leifert, published their results of a scientific study of the benefits of a organic fruits, vegetables and cereals. They concluded that there was ‘statistically significant, meaningful’ differences in choosing organic. Notably, the range of antioxidants present were substantially higher – between 19 and 69 per cent – in
organic food. There were also lower levels of toxic metals and pesticides. They suggested that the benefits of switching to organic could be as significant as adding one or two portions of the recommended ‘five a day‘. Organic milk also has clear benefits over its conventionally farmed counterpart. It has been found to contain substantially more omega-3 fatty acids, and within these, nearly 60 per cent more of the nutritionally desirable very long chain, omega-3 fatty acids known as EPA, DPA and DHA. “Omega-3s are linked to reductions in cardiovascular disease, improved neurological development and function, and better immune function,” writes Chris Seal, Professor of Food and Human Nutrition at Newcastle University. “Western European diets are recognised as being too low in these fatty acids and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommends we should double our intake.” According to the Soil Association, the reason why organic dairy contains more omega 3 is simple. “Organic animals have to eat a more natural grass-based diet containing high levels of clover. Under organic standards, organic cows must eat a 60 per cent fresh grass
based diet or hay/silage. Clover is used in organic farming to fix nitrogen so that crops and grass grow (instead of manufactured/ chemical fertilisers), and research has found that as a result, clover also increases the Omega 3 concentrations in meat and milk.” One of the clearest benefits of an awareness of the food we choose to eat and being sure of its source and provenance, is that it goes hand-in-hand with choosing a well balanced diet. The Leifert study concluded that consumers who regularly buy or consume organic food have healthier dietary patterns, such as a higher consumption of fruit, vegetables and wholegrain products and a lower consumption of meat, compared to other consumers. These dietary patterns are associated with various clear health benefits, which include a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The undeniable fact is that organic growing principles which encourage feeding the soil not the plant, encouraging wildlife, and harnessing nature’s own rhythms to control pests and diseases are not just better for you, but for also for the planet.
Useful Links The Soil Association www.soilassociation.org European Food Safety Association www.efsa.europa.eu Nafferton Ecological Farming Group, Newcastle University www.nefg-organic.org Human Health Implications of Organic Food and Organic Agriculture Study www.europarl.europa.eu
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How To Live A More Ethical Life
Founder Sian Conway started #EthicalHour in 2016 when she tried to find like-minded people to help her live more ethically.
We all want to live in a way which reflects our values but ethical living is complicated and can leave you feeling overwhelmed. The important thing to remember is it’s a journey and every small step counts. As ethical consumers we can ‘vote with our wallets’ - supporting ethical brands who share our values and are working to make the world a better place. #EthicalHour is a global network dedicated to empowering people to live and work more ethically. Across their online community, they share practical tips and advice to help you live more ethically and support good businesses, helping them to grow. They’ve recently launched a ‘Little Black Book of Ethical Living’ - an ethical directory making it even easier to shop with brands that align to your values. By partnering with ethical discount site Ethical Revolution, they’re also making it more affordable too. #EthicalHour provide support to ethical business owners and consumers and are proud to give back by reinvesting profits into rainforest conservation projects and micro-finance loans for entrepreneurs in developing countries. To shop from ethical brands, list your business or find out more visit: https://ethicalhour.co.uk/ or follow @EthicalHour on Twitter
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Next Month In
Natural Mumma ETHICAL LABELLING
What Does It Really Mean?
FASHION FROM NATURE Coming From The V&A
REVOLUTION
Ways To Change The World
The #EthicalHour Little Black Book of Ethical Living connects conscious consumers with ethical businesses that align to their values.
NATURAL MUMMA MAGAZINE ISSUE 9 AVAILABLE FROM 6 APRIL 2018
Natural Mumma Magazine March 2018
NMM Team Editor: Holly Daffurn
holly@naturalmumma.com
Creative: Gerard Hughes mail@gerardhughes.co.uk
Cover Image by Gerard Hughes featuring Becca, Rich, Seth & Bonnie www.naturalmumma.com Natural Mumma Magazine
Use The Little Black Book of Ethical Living to find everything from ethical beauty to business support including ethical fashion from member Where Does It Come From?
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.
Š T5 Publications 2018 NMM March 2018
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The Power Of Plant Our pick of the best plant based products for beautiful skin...
Indigenous Beauty Soothing Natural Deodorant Cream To stay odour free all day, this gentle yet powerful cream deodorant is easy to apply and leaves a light clean fragrance while leaving the skin soothed and smooth. Steering clear of chemicals and nasty additives, this product is a healthier alternative to conventional deodorants. Organic, natural, vegan and cruelty free.
Balm Balm Beauty Balm
For velvety soft skin, this nourishing balm is a versatile addition to every beauty regime. As effective as a cleanser as it is a moisturiser, it leaves skin blemish free yet supple. Packed full of natural goodness, this 100 per cent organic balm will give you healthier, more radiant skin.
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PHB Ethical Beauty Brightening Moisturiser
Natural, organic and paraben free. This quickly absorbed moisturiser will leave your skin feeling refreshed, smooth and radiant. Ideal worn alone for a glowing complexion or under makeup to create the perfect dewy Spring base. And as the season changes this has the ideal lightweight formula for the warmer weather.
Beauty Kitchen Abyssinian Oil Night Halo Potent Sleep Mask
For a glowing complexion and beautifully hydrated skin, simply apply this mask before bed and wake up to stunning results. This light balm is formed from 100 per cent natural ingredients such as raspberry seed oil, blackcurrant seed oil and Abysinnian oil. Detoxifying and nurturing.
ts
e’lifexir Natural Beauty
A range of seven natural products that work together to give you a firmer body with improved skin quality. With each product specifically targetting a different area of the body you’ll soon enjoy greater body confidence. Gently but effectively working on stretch marks, cellulite, body tone and firmness. A light texture, a fresh fragrance and packed full of potent botanicals.
Olverum Bath Oil
This bath oil is the perfect way to relax and unwind at the end of a long day. With a heady botanical scent that evokes the earthy depths of a forest, the natural essential oils help create a beautifully fragrant experience. Vegan, cruelty free and softening. The glass bottle finishes off this product to perfection.
All Naturals Soap Collection
The range of soaps from All Naturals is totally free from nasties such as detergents, parabens, preservatives and silicones. Environmentally friendly and cruelty free, these gentle soaps are perfect for the whole family. Formed from natural oils and butters - your skin is left soft, clean and hydrated.
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Natural Mumma Loves... Blue Patch
If you’re a connoisseur of contemporary design and passionate about provenance, you’ll love Blue Patch, an online showcase of beautiful, sustainable products made by some of the finest businesses in the British Isles. There’s ethical jewellery, beautifully tailored fashion, funky accessories handcrafted furniture, innovative items for the home and garden, organic wellbeing products, unique gifts and so much more. They are a social enterprise, and all of their surplus profit supports their business members, renewable energy, conservation and community programmes. https://www.bluepatch.org/
Janet Tod Renn Design Thumbelina Wallpaper
Orchid on red
Oil on linen. www.janettod.co.uk
‘Thumbelina Wallpaper - a dreamy design inspired by the fairytale’. www.renndesigns.com
Katie Walker
Windsor Rocker
The windsor rocker, whilst having its roots firmly planted in the traditions of Windsor chair making, is a truly contemporary piece. As collectible as it is comfortable, it is beautifully hand crafted in the UK from locally sourced sustainable wood and finished with a natural oil. www.katiewalkerfurniture.com
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KreisDesign Pegboard
https://kreisdesign.com
Beuzeval Furniture 350 Table
The 350 coffee table is just that, 350mm wide as it is high. Handmade in solid ash, this piece is functional and beautiful with a durable, flat, clear oil wax finish. www.beuzevalfurniture.com
Fable & Base Supersize Phragmite Reeds Cushion www.fableandbase.co.uk
Colour + Form Forget Me Not Large Cushion http://colourandform.uk
Denby Pottery Azure Range
The Denby Azure range with stunning reactive aquamarine and white glazes combining to create an impactful speckled effect, making each piece completely unique and beautiful. www.denbypottery.com
John Eadon MIMA Record Table
https://johneadon.co.uk
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Floral Fa
The Spring a consistently year and SS celebration motifs are e fashion to b should be e last. So we’v pieces that outstanding These are ga a well-loved years to com you through like your flo or contempo something h
Komodo LULE Rayon Shirt in Tropical print
Palava
Beatrice long sleeved dress in Cream with Hungarian Flowers
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Komodo
PARI Ramie/Viscose Tunic in Klimt print
ashion
Verry Kerry Parisian Rouge Organic Cotton Long Kimono
and Summer collections are y full of floral prints each S18 is no different. In a true of the new season, flower everywhere. We believe that for be properly sustainable that it ethically made but also built to ve picked out the floral fashion are beautiful, ethical and g quality too. arments that will become d part of your wardrobe for me, rather than just seeing h a season. Whether you orals pretty and traditional orary and bold, there is here for everyone.
Palava
Irene Dress in Cream Flower Garden
Komodo
SALMA Organic Cotton Dress in Abstract Tropical print
Mayamiko
Chiara High Neck Frill Dress
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The Flo
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There are so children’s cl Florals are b a good print plenty of we We couldn’t with you. All guarantee q world of slo children wit on the envir such an imp our planet.
Kite
Petal dungarees
Piccalilly Nursery floral sleep suit
Kite
Meadow T-Shirt
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ower Of
outh
ome stunning floral inspired lothes around at the moment. bright, timeless and the versatility of t means that your little ones will get ear out of them. t resist sharing our favourite designs l from ethical brands, you can quality while supporting the growing ow fashion. Buying clothing for your th consideration to the impact it has ronment and greater world feels like portant investment in the future of
Kite
Petal skater dress
Lottie & Lysh Bunny Coat
Kite
Tearose Dress
Kite
Primrose Top
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Natural Mumma Loves...
photo Tessa Bunney
Flower Power York
Flower Power York is a startup social enterprise, ethically and sustainably growing and selling seasonal flowers. They use their flowers to change lives, create friendships and give hope. They also run workshops to reduce stress, improve mental and physical health. They invoke nostalgic memories and connections through the sensory exploration of homegrown flowers, helping people heal. They provide opportunities to learn new skills and give people the gift of giving. Flower Power York promote British grown flowers, supporting our environment, feeding our bees and reducing our carbon footprint. All profits are used to help lonely, socially isolated and vulnerable people. Here is a link to a recent workshop with the homeless: www.youtube.com Being a community project, Flower Power York also provide a great opportunity and perfect platform for students, and anyone keen to grow business and leadership skills in all domains, to collaborate with us. Recently, we engaged with York Community Consulting (a social enterprise supporting community projects, run by students from the University of York), to work with them on marketing strategy, giving them real life consultancy experience and valuable output for the project. If you would like to get involved, or if you would simply like to support them, please get in touch.
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photo Tessa Bunney
photo Tessa Bunney
Talking to Mamta Scally of Flower Power York Q. What inspired the idea behind Flower Power York? The epiphany came in the summer of 2016. My cut flower patch was a rich tapestry, a peaceful and nourishing haven when I needed it most. The door of motherhood had just slammed on me. Flower Power York is part of my moving on, but the sorrow still lingers. Q. Has your change of career been a difficult learning curve? It’s therapeutic growing from seed. Nurturing, connecting with nature. I’m learning every day. Our seasonal flowers change people’s lives, create friendships, offer hope and healing. I’m in a good place. Q. Last year you ran workshops at a centre for the vulnerable and homeless in York. The workshops engaged people in a sensory experience with flowers. With little or no possessions, it is dehumanising to be stripped of your ability to give. We enabled them to ‘give’ their posies as gifts, restoring a simple human right. We run our first dementia workshops this year. Q. How can people show their support? All of our commercial profits fund our work. Discover how you can get involved at - www.flowerpoweryork.co.uk, or find us on Instagram and Facebook. www.flowerpoweryork.co.uk Interview by Claire Davies, The Greedy Wordsmith www.greedywordsmith.com
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“The art of crystalising flowers dates back to the Victorian age...”
You Will Need: For the cake: 250g butter 250g caster sugar 4 large eggs 250g self-raising flour a pinch of salt 2 tablespoons of milk 1 heaped tablespoon of dried lavender (finely chopped) For the icing: 125g butter 400g icing sugar 1 tbsp hot water half tsp rose water 1 tsp cysytalised rose petals
“...delicate flavours, light texture and vivid floral decorations...”
natural
mumma
makes
For the ganache: 100g white chocolate 80ml whipping cream 20g butter For the decorations: A selection of crystalised flowers (we used homemade crystalised primulas alongside crystalised violet and rose petals from Sous Chef). Heat your oven to 180/ gas mark 4.
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natural mumma makes
Fragrant Lavender Cake with rose water ripple buttercream, white chocolate ganache and crystalised flowers
T
his fragrant cake is a real treat for the senses. The art of crystalising flowers is one that dates back to the Victorian age and is a simple way to preserve the beauty of real flowers in your bakes. To give real depth, we combined fresh primulas with crystalised violet and rose petals from Sous Chef who also provided the dried lavender and rose water. The delicate flavours, light texture and vivid floral decorations make this the perfect cake to mark the arrival of Spring. It would also make a fitting centrepiece for an afternoon tea in celebration of Mother’s Day.
Lavender has soft depths of mint and a fresh, green flavour that is beautifully lifted by the sweetness of the chocolate and the delicate coolness of rose water. The primulas have a delicious crispness and a subtle grassiness which comes through against the sugar and the heady decadence of the rose and violets. We chose to use white chocolate ganache for a mellow sweetness that sits beautifully alongside the more herbaceous flavours as well as providing a light canvas for our floral decorations. You may like to use white chocolate with a little vanilla to further enhance this.
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1Tip! 2
Use your butter at room temperature, cream it in a large mixing bowl with the sugar.
Slowly add the eggs tablespoon by tablespoon, Nam inum alia adicia Am and mix the few bits with some of the flour ipsapid mi, eici Temlast faccum to prevent curdling.
3
Add the remaining flour. Mix well until light and airy. Add a sprinkle of salt and the milk to loosen the mixture.
4
Stir the lavender into your mix before pouring it into two prepared sandwich tins. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes.
5
Once the cake is cool create the icing by combining the butter with the icing sugar and hot water.
6
Crush the rose petals in a pestle and mortar (or with the back of a spoon) and stir into the cream to create a ripple effect.
7
Smooth generously across the surface of one sponge, leaving space around the edge for the cream to spread. Stack the second sponge on top of the first.
8
To make the ganache, chop the white chocolate and place in a small bowl. Heat the cream and butter in a saucepan, when piping hot pour over the chocolate and leave to stand for 2 minutes.
9
Stir until melted. Place the mixture in the fridge for 15 minutes to cool and thicken, before stirring gently. It is now ready to use.
10
Spread it over the top of the cake using a palette knife to ensure a smooth finish. Decorate the cake with your choice of crystalised flowers and petals.
Natural Mumma YouTube Channel You can find this recipe and plenty more on the Natural Mumma YouTube channel www.youtube.com/naturalmumma 24
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Tip! Nam inum alia adicia Am ipsapid mi, Tem faccum.
natural mumma makes
So there you have a light, airy sponge enhanced by delicate herbaceous and floral flavours. This cake embodies the fresh beauty of a Spring garden and begs to be enjoyed in the sunshine. Dried lavender, crystalised rose and violet petals and rose water provided by Sous Chef - for all hard-to-buy ingredients to enhance gourmet dishes, baking, world food and much more. www.souschef.co.uk
How to make crystalised flowers... · Opt for sturdy flowers that have a pleasing shape. Primroses, violets, rose petals and primulas are ideal. White blooms can turn out muddy so you may want to avoid these. · Cut your flowers leaving a small amount of stem. This will give you something to grasp while you prepare the flowers and can be trimmed later, especially if you want your flowers to lie flat. · Take the white of one egg and mix it loosely to break up the albumen. · Using a small, clean paintbrush brush egg white over each surface of the flower. Take care to coat every last bit. · Sprinkle the flower generous with caster sugar so that the entire flower is coated. · Gently knock off any excess sugar. · Place the flower to dry, face down on greaseproof paper in a cool, dry spot for 24-48 hours. NMM March 2018
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Makeup To
Spring! Spring is the perfect time to renew your makeup look. Opt for a lightweight radiant base, timeless classic neutrals and sheer veils of pastel colour. Light dewy lips are perfect for this time of year. www.phbethicalbeauty.co.uk
Brightening Moisturiser Add radiance and vibrancy to your complexion while keeping your skin supple and smooth by applying a moisturiser with brightening qualities.
BB cream
Keep your base light with a BB cream that nourishes the skin while providing light coverage. Apply with your fingers and the warmth will ease blending.
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Eyeshadow Sweet Pea
To open up the eyes, use light, bright shades. A single colour will create the perfect base for your eyeliner. A subtle shimmer will enhance the eye opening effects of a light eyeshadow.
Liquid Eyeliner
Feline flicks are the perfect way to finish off this look. Play up your eyes and embrace a more coquettish vibe. Line the top of the lid first and draw the flick from the outside inwards to establish more control and a neater look.
Mascara
Long flirty lashes are perfect for this time of year. Opt for dark browns if you have a paler colouring. Choose a mascara that conditions as it coats. Gradually build up the layers for more definition.
Lip Glaze Petal
A soft lip glaze will keep your lips soft and supple while adding glistening shine and just enough colour. Choose a lip gloss with just a dash of colour to keep your look natural and bright.
Blusher Blossom
Keep your blusher natural in shades of pink, for a charming flush. Build colour gradually until you reach the desired effect. Start on the apple of the cheeks, smile and softly brush back towards the top of the ear.
Lip Crayon Tiger Lily
Define your lips by following the natural shape of the lipline. Lipcrayons will keep lipstick neat but also help bring out your lip shape before applying lip gloss.
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GROW YOUR OWN Growing your own food is a wonderful way to teach children about where real food comes from while learning the benefits of patience and a slower pace of life.
E
ating food that is indigenous to your country makes better ecological sense and certainly reduces the carbon footprint. Food from local, natural environments is declining and although our plates and palates have enjoyed the richer variety of food that is now on offer, there is something to be said about the health benefits of a locally sourced diet. Often, the food that grows naturally in a certain geographical area perfectly meets the nutritional needs of someone who is living in that climate. As a nation, the UK is not terribly self sufficient. We rely on imports to feed our popular and to produce a lot of our own food. Much of the food that we do produce is exported, and in 2014 only around 54 per cent of the food we consumed had been grown on British soil. Research carried out by the National Farmers Union states that by 2045 the UK will have only produce enough food to feed half of the population. However, they believe that the idea of the UK becoming fully self sufficient is not an impossible one. “Technically, the UK could achieve full self-sufficiency; however, this would imply drastic shifts in consumption patterns away from stimulant crops, animal
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products and many types of fruit and vegetables, which may not be feasible or acceptable.” For us to achieve self sufficiency would rely on a variety of factors including land availability, labour, climate, costs and government backing. Certain produce will never grow in the UK and our people are accustomed to a rich variety of non-indigenous foods. While the findings of the National Farmers Union offer some hope, it does suggest that we need to seek out other options than traditional supermarkets if we hope to eat British grown produce. It makes sense to buy local produce where possible and to teach our children to do the same. Local farms with a pick your own facility will teach your family about the origins of food, as well as providing a pleasant day out. You may find that it encourages you all to tend to your own garden too. With so many organic box schemes available now and more supermarkets providing UK grown organic produce, it isn’t too hard to eat British. Growing your own vegetables is not only more affordable but it can also be a lot of fun and has endless therapeutic benefits too. Although the idea of growing everything yourself is far from realistic, there are ways to ensure
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Photo - Annie Spratt
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might consider sowing some celery, French beans, cauliflower and celeriac seeds. This is also the perfect time of year to prepare the soil, dig the beds thoroughly and prune away the last signs of Winter. Clear the dead leaves to allow the early Spring sunshine to reach your plants. Add a layer of fertiliser to the top soil and be sure to keep delicate plants such as strawberries protected from the frost. Hessian is a wonderful environmentally friendly way to fight the effects of frost. As the weather warms up, you’ll want to spend more time outside. Use the brighter days to prepare
seed beds – do a little each day to allow the soil to dry out properly. As spring bulbs start to add welcome splashes of colour to the garden, we can use this time to prepare, plan and sow the seeds for an abundant harvest later in the year.
Photo - Annie Spratt
that a substantial amount of the fruit and vegetables that you eat are homegrown. If you live in the city then window boxes are a great place to start, shared allotments with friends could produce a steady harvest and small courtyard gardens are perfect for potted plants. In fact, keeping your produce in pots means you can really guarantee that the soil is pesticide free. Potatoes, tomatoes, peas, salad vegetables, herbs and squash all thrive in pots. You might like to consider growing an abundance of a couple of types of vegetables or fruit and encouraging family and friends to do the same, you can then swap produce to ensure that everyone gets a rich variety. March is the perfect time to sow Brussel sprouts, summer cabbage, onions, leeks and broccoli. They will need a nursery seed bed (these little plots for seedlings are often a favorite among children) and should be planted in short rows. By April they will be ready to be carefully transplanted into bigger plots. If you have enough space in the open ground then Swiss chard, spinach, beetroot, parsnips, carrots, Spring onions, peas, turnips, broad beans and lettuce can be sown as early as this. If you are lucky enough to have a greenhouse then you
Products We Love...
Bee Palace beepalace
http://beepalace.com/shop.php
Denys & Fielding Children’s Gardening Gift Set www.denysandfielding.co.uk
Seedball
Mum’s Meadow Mix www.seedball.co.uk
JC Gardens Big Button Swing www.jcgardens.com
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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
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March 2018 NMM