Natural Mumma Magazine February 2019 by T5 Publications

Issue Nineteen February 2019

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

E R A B D E P P I R T S ion h s Fa

A y t u a , Be

aw R e Th n I ife L g ivin L od o F nd

Why Transparency Matters The Natural Hair Movement Barely There Makeup NMM February 2019

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 Seven February 2018

Issue Five December 2017

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

Taking Care Of Yourself, Your Tribe And Our World

PASSION!

DRESS TO

IMPRESS

Gifts Of Love, Made With Feeling

Under Cover Expert

Chic & Sustainable Partywear

Luxurious Lingerie Laid Bare

Winter Holidays Unwrapped

Ethically Engaged

Exploring Ethical Tourism & Travel

The True Cost Of Gold

Not Just A Pretty Face Season’s Best Eco Makeup

The Mane Event

Toxin Free Hairstyling

NMM December 2017

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

www.naturalmumma.com

February 2019 NMM

NMM February 2018

Welcome To Natural Mumma Magazine Contents 4

Made To Treasure Jo Salter from Where Does It Come From? talks about transparency of production

Pure Beauty Our pick of the best natural products using minimal ingredients for maximum impact

Falling Out Of Love With Fast Fashion & Fake Feminism by Sian Conway of #EthicalHour

Natural Amber Amber from This Natural Bee guides us through her favourite natural makeup look

Upward Spiral A closer look at the natural hair movement

Natural Mumma Makes... Raw Honey Cake

Contact: holly@naturalmumma.com Photo by Gerard Hughes

Holly wears Chevron Tea Dress by Lady V London Makeup by MooGoo and MiA Cosmetics Paris Hair by Anita Grant.

t’s a real pleasure to bring you the Stripped Bare issue. We were delighted to be able to work with Lady V London and feature their Chevron Tea Dress in the editor’s photo – it’s become a new wardrobe favourite! I love the shape which works especially well in this smooth, heavyweight cotton but it is the striking colour and print which make this dress so irresistible. Jo Salter from Where Does it Come From? has written a wonderful piece all about transparency of production and the urgent need to move away from fast

fashion. Our product review explores Pure Beauty – with an array of brilliant products using minimal ingredients to provide maximum benefits. Amber from This Natural Bee has created a beautiful natural makeup look for us using her favourite natural beauty products. We celebrate the natural hair revolution and talk about why going chemical free is the best thing for your hair. We whipped up a delicious honey cake, only using the rawest and least processed ingredients. We also have our regular column from the inspirational Sian Conway of #EthicalHour. Our ‘Natural Mumma Loves...’ pages are packed full of our pick of the best ethical and sustainable products out there – including some great ideas for non-commercial Valentine’s Day gifts. We’ll be back next month with a special issue in celebration of International Women’s Day. In the meantime, there is plenty on our website to whet your appetite for sustainable fashion, pure beauty, conscious living and good eating. NMM February 2019

MADE TO TREASURE How do you feel about wearing transparent clothes? Jo Salter - Founder of Where Does It Come From? and ethical business consultant

ou’ve probably spotted lately that there is a huge surge of interest in living more naturally, avoiding plastics and generally stripping back to a more simple and beneficial way of living. This has shown itself not only in the more thoughtful publications (such as the one you are reading!) but also in mainstream media – David Attenborough talking plastics in the oceans, Stacey Dooley educating us on the impacts of fast fashion on our planet... I’ll never forget the iconic shot of her standing in a dried up seabed caused by waters from the Aral Sea being sidelined to water mass produced cotton for the fashion industry. One of the key changes being called for by those of us committed to more ethical fashion is a move towards transparency. No, we don’t mean that your clothing will be see through but that the processes used to create it and the impacts on people and planet will be shared with you. This means you can make informed

February 2019 NMM

choices about which brands you want to buy from. We all wear clothes, but our clothes shopping behaviour has changed dramatically over the last 60 years or so. We’ve moved away from just satisfying our basic needs to a situation where we now own any number of outfits (some of which we seldom wear) created from a wide range of fabrics. Clothing used to be made from natural fabrics such as cotton or wool, which was then made into garments either by yourself, your local dress maker or, if you were rich enough, a high end couturier! Not any more… Plastic infiltrated clothing production in the 1950s and then became increasingly popular, often mixed with natural fibres like cotton. At around this time clothes started to be sold ‘off the peg’ you could just select pre-made garments in the size that was the closest approximation to your own. Both of these innovations made clothes cheaper and from this point fashion houses started

increasing the number of ‘seasons’ - pushing prices as low as possible. This is what we call ‘fast fashion’ as the turnaround from factory to shop can be as little as 4 weeks. Of course quality took a hit, as did the situation for the garment workers and the environment. Transparency in fashion where information is shared with customers about the whole chain of events that takes raw materials and turns them into garments - is gaining a foothold in the clothing industry. Where Does It Come From?, the clothing brand I founded in 2013, was one of the first – we share the story behind each garment through a code on the label. When we started I was amazed how difficult it was to get hold of basic information, such as where the cotton was farmed, or how the fabric was created. Large brands are still often not aware where their raw materials come from and have no contact with the factories making their clothes. The only

Jo Salter of Where Does It Come From?

NMM February 2019

concern brands have had is around price, which mean that factories are often pitched against each other to offer the best deal – of course impacting workers’ pay and conditions and leading to shortcuts which impact the environment. There’s a saying in Bangladesh that you can tell what the next big colour will be as the local rivers are that colour now. Movements like Fashion Revolution have emerged, calling on customers to ask brands ‘Who Made My Clothes?’, following the Rana Factory collapse of 2013. Technologies like blockchain, which enables clear management of supply chain information,

February 2019 NMM

have made tracing and a garment’s creation journey more straightforward. Hopefully it won’t be long before you can simply scan a code on any item in a shop to check out its origins and make an informed choice! At Where Does It Come From? we believe that knowing about the people and processes behind your clothes is actually beneficial to your mental

health – just as vegetable growers insist that their home grown goodies taste better, we think that knowing the provenance behind your clothes will inspire you to love them more, keep them longer and ultimately be more content. This move towards a more natural way of living also means extending our thinking from just what we put in our bodies, to

thinking about the fabrics that we put on them. It’s no surprise that natural fibres created with minimum use of harmful chemicals feel more comfortable (not so sticky as polyester, yuck!). Natural fabrics are also better for the planet as they’ll biodegrade and so won’t still be around in 500 years (as unfortunately much of the polyester will).

There’s also a movement towards more ethical and planet friendly means of production – sometimes using traditional techniques which it turns out are pretty eco-friendly! One of these is khadi – a traditional Indian hand spinning and weaving culture that was promoted by Gandhi. At Where Does It Come From? we’ve used this fabric widely in our shirts and

scarves as it gives a beautifully rustic textured cotton with a unique feel. It seems that the pressure is on for clothing brands – customers like you and me are demanding more transparency and less negative impacts. The UK Government are on board – there’s a select committee reviewing the effects of fast fashion on the planet right now. 2019 could well be a turning point – a push for less plastic, for more eco-friendly production and for more clarity about how our clothing affects farmers, garment workers and the world that we live in. I’ve got everything crossed... NMM February 2019

Natural Mumma Loves...

Kalani

Kalani, natural finest home linen... to change your nights! Kalani is a unique and passionate bed linen brand that offers luxury and quality at affordable prices, whilst ensuring the healthiest options for humans and the environment. We spend on average more than 30 per cent of our life in bed, but few people sleep in comfortable sheets because they are often too expensive. Kalani brings a real solution. A whole collection of high end bed linen, wonderfully comfortable, PETA vegan approved, made from 100 per cent GOTS organic and Fairtrade certified cotton, available at fair prices, by selling exclusively directly and online at www. kalani-home.com. Kalani is also one of the most ethical home linen brands in the world and their website offers complete transparency in terms

February 2019 NMM

of pricing. Looking for a timeless Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gift for your lover that you both can enjoy for years to come? Starting a family and looking for healthy, natural fitted sheets for your babies? Discover bed sheets for newborns, children and adults in different fabrics, sizes, colours, all natural, timeless and super soft. If you have no immediate need for bed sheets then spread the word and be part of a better world. www.kalani-home.com

Ecopipo Ecopipo is a family business that makes ecological quality reusable nappies that are free from any chemical that could harm your baby. As a socially responsible company only skilled adults, paid a fair wage, are employed. Ecopipo also supports projects to help to clean the world, for a better future for all. www.ecopipo.co.uk

Natural Mumma Baby Book Offer 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 The Natural Baby A gentle guide to conception, pregnancy, birth & beyond *naturally nutritious weaning Samantha Quinn & Holly Daffurn (Green Books, 2017)

SPECIAL NATURAL MUMMA OFFER: £10 (including postage) (RRP £14.99) https://naturalmumma.com

*home-made organic beauty preparations for the mother *delicious and healthy recipes for before, during and after pregnancy NMM February 2019 9

Pure Beauty Our pick of the best natural products using minimal ingredients for maximum impact Organic Surge Brightening Hot Cloth Cleanser

Rose, orange, geranium, shea butter and aloe vera are beautifully blended together in this creamy cleanser. It leaves your skin feeling soft, refreshed and hydrated and is gentle enough for even the most sensitive of skin types. Ideal for removing makeup, as well as waking your skin up first thing.

House of Life No32 Face Repair Cream

House of Life are all about simplifying your skincare routine and limiting the number of ingredients that you use on your skin. Their ingredients are natural and sourced from local sustainable suppliers. Their no 32 moisturiser and serum blend instantly improves the skin’s texture and appearance.

The Natural Deodorant Co Gentle Deodorant Cream

The combination of magnesium oxide and white clay effectively deodorises while keeping you dry. The gentle yet uplifting citrus scent adds to the appeal, and the soft buttery texture means that this deodorant is not only easy to apply but it leaves your skin feeling soft and nurtured.

MooGoo Irritable Skin Balm

Gentle enough to use even on a baby’s skin and effective enough for adult use too. This skin balm instantly soothes, softens and absorbs quickly leaving you with smooth, hydrated and nourished skin. MooGoo use natural edible oils for gentle products that really work. 10 February 2019 NMM

Fitzjohn Skincare Rejuvenating Oil

This oil is all about improving your skin’s elasticity and luminosity. Packed full of vitamins and omega oils, it packs a powerful punch as it softens and delays the signs of ageing. It absorbs quickly leaving you with a glowing radiance and no unwelcome oiliness.

Fresh Therapies Nourishing Nail Elixir

This brilliant oil contains four powerful ingredients to keep your nails strong, conditioned and glowing with health. With antiseptic properties to heal, this oil can be used as often as you like, but is ideal just before bed so it can work its magic through the night.

Botanicals Organic Sanitiser

This 100 per cent natural sanitiser combines lavender and tea tree. It’s a highly effective and convenient way to keep hands and feet cleansed and refreshed while on the go. With its antibacterial properties and invigorating fragrance it is also ideal for keeping your makeup brushes gently cleansed.

Sukin Rosehip Oil

For absolute skin purity, this product is made purely from organic rosehip oil with nothing else added. Containing a staggering 70 per cent essential fatty acids it is a powerful way to reduce scarring, as well as treating the signs of ageing or any dryness or skin damage.

Laidbare Vit C Night Serum

Blackcurrant seed oil, evening primrose and carrot oil are carefully blended to create this nourishing serum that restores the skin’s elasticity. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant but it degrades in sunlight, so adding it to a night product is a stroke of genius. 100 per cent natural and brilliantly effective.

The Natural Beauty Box Hemp Masque - Pure Purpose

The Natural Beauty Box is a vegan and cruelty free subscription box that sends a curated collection of natural beauty products to your door. An ideal way to sample new products such as this Hemp Masque, packed full of nutrients to improve your skin’s health.

Odylique Superfruit Concentrate

This 100 per cent natural and organic serum can be used over moisturiser, as a rejuvenating night treatment or as a weekly skin treat to really feed and nurture your skin. It adds a beautiful, youthful radiance, and instantly enhances the appearance of the skin.

MiA Cosmetics Paris Black Luscious Primer

This lightweight mousse primer melts into the skin leaving you with the perfect base. The charcoal powder in this water based primer detoxifies while smoothing the skin, leaving you with a delicate veil that evens out skin tone, corrects imperfections and mattifies. NMM February 2019 11

by Sian Conway, Founder #EthicalHour

or many, February is a month of love and compassion. Those of us living and working in the ethical space often find ourselves driven by our empathy and our desire to create a better future for those around us. Which is why it’s so upsetting to see big brands cashing in and paying lip service to the things we care so deeply about, to make a quick profit. As a 90s girl, the Spice Girls brand of ‘Girl Power’ was my first real introduction to the world of feminism. In fact, I wanted to be a Spice Girl so badly that I spent a whole Summer begging my Mum for some ginger spice style platform shoes. She finally gave in when my jelly shoe snapped on the first day of a summer camping trip, took me down to Tammy Girl and foolishly let me pick my own shoes. I thought I was the epitome of girl power, swanning around that campsite in my brand new purple platforms...for all of about 5 minutes until I inevitably fell over and twisted my ankle. That sense of disappointment came flooding back a couple of weeks ago when news broke that the #IWannaBeASpiceGirl tshirts were being made in unethical conditions. I can’t say I was surprised - after the Beyonce Ivy Park scandal, we’re getting all too used to seeing ‘empowering’ feminist tshirts being made in exploitative conditions. But that’s not the type of Girl Power I believe in. Because it’s not a feminist tshirt if the woman who made it wasn’t empowered too. The garment industry is historically one of the most female

Falling out of love with fast fashion and

false feminism

February 2019 NMM

dominated industries in the world, and we know all too well from the #SayNoToSweatshops campaign, the Rana Plaza collapse and the True Cost movie that exploitation, unfair wages, unsafe working conditions and modern slavery are just some of the numerous challenges faced by the women who make our clothes. So why has nothing changed? Feminism isn’t just for the women who look like you. Or the ones who will post a selfie of your product on their Instagram feed. It’s about equality - something that is noticeably lacking in the fashion industry. I’ve seen a few sides to the Spice Girls story unravel online in the last few weeks. On one hand, there’s a connection to Comic Relief which raises even deeper concerns about their charitable operations - on the other people have come to the band’s defence saying that supply chains are so complex they can’t be expected to know what’s going on. They probably showed up to a photoshoot and were told to put on the tshirt and pose. It sounds reasonable, but I’m afraid it’s not enough for me. When you make a living using “Girl Power” as your platform, and when you put on a tshirt to campaign for gender justice, you

need to be confident that what you’re wearing truly reflects your values - otherwise you’re just greenwashing. The Spice Girls t-shirts are on sale for £19.40 plus postage and packaging. £11.60 for every t-shirt will be donated to Comic Relief’s fund to help “champion equality for women”. Surely that margin should have raised some uncomfortable questions? It’s time that we stopped treating supply chain exploitation like someone else’s problem. It’s time to reclaim our “Girl Power” and make it into something more meaningful. This Valentines, let’s do things differently and extend our love, empathy and equality to everyone. Twitter: @EthicalHour and @SianEConway Instagram: @EthicalHour

#EthicalHour was founded by ethical marketing expert and business mentor Sian Conway - The marketing strategist for impact businesses that want to scale, with a focus on triple bottom line and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. As a strategic marketer and social media expert, she helps brands maximise their impact, reach their customers and grow their sales.

Ethical Hour Clothing

Wear Your Values! Organic, sustainable, ethical tees to change the world! Each garment sold gives a hygiene kit to a girl in Cambodia. Ethically made feminist slogan tshirts and hoodies Because a feminist t-shirt isn’t empowering unless it’s made ethically! The perfect fit and organic softness. And best of all, they use certified organic fabrics and renewable energy in their supply chain so you can wear your values and live them too.

No Planet B There is No Planet B! Show your love for mother earth and wear your values with this super soft, organic cotton women’s tee. Available today with worldwide shipping. https://ethicalhour.teemill.com

Natural Mumma Magazine

Next Month In

Natural Mumma BALANCE FOR BETTER International Women’s Day 2019

Gender And Coffee The Rainforest Alliance

British Beauty

The best beauty products from the UK

February 2019

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).

NMM February 2019

Natural Mumma Loves... Asquith

We’ve teamed up with activewear brand, Asquith, to offer you an exclusive 20 per cent discount on their colourful Miami-inspired SS19 collection. Designed for yoga, Pilates and living in, Asquith’s elegant but functional activewear will take you straight from street to studio. Everything is ethically made in Europe using the finest quality, eco performance fabrics that don’t fade, bobble or contain nasty chemicals. To enjoy 20 per cent off the Asquith collection simply enter code NATURALMUMMA20 at the checkout. www.asquithlondon.com

EcoRight

EcoRight is not just a brand, it is creating a movement that is actively working towards sustainable lifestyles. They do this with their fun, quirky, eco friendly and ethically manufactured bags. As a sustainable brand, they have always believed in ethical production. The minimalistic designs on the bags denote a lifestyle centred on less. Seen in the picture is their cosmetic pouch, made of eco friendly fabrics, perfect for organic and chemical free beauty products. Embrace a plastic free lifestyle with eco friendly alternatives from EcoRight. www.ecorightbags.com

Jessica Redditt Jessica Redditt Design is a sustainably chic clothing line, hand dyed with natural colors from plants. Inspired by a natural and healthy lifestyle, they create elegant, timeless styles that feel as beautiful as they look. Each garment is made with reclaimed or natural textiles, and their seamstresses are paid living wages in Vancouver, Canada. jessicareddittdesign.com

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Natural Wisdom

Fruit & Flower Balm Concentrate is essential oil free with an exquisite subtle aroma. Held in a strong organic handcrafted Cedar wood pot. This velvety smooth, deeply nourishing, protective skin food balm is ideal for all of your skincare needs. Made fresh in small batches with nine raw, organic fruit and flower ingredients. Available from www.naturalwisdomspa.etsy.com

Kings Grooming

Kings is a new ethical fragrance and grooming brand for men. They are on a mission to inspire and empower men to live healthier and happier lives. All of Kings products are vegan, cruelty free, made in Britain, paraben free, palm oil free and contain natural essential oils. They also fund men’s mental health charities, have big plans to launch their own projects in this space and are committed to raising awareness and driving the conversation forward through the founder’s own experiences with mental health. kings-grooming.com

Pure Lakes

All of their skincare products, including their facial creams and oils, use the best and most effective plant derived ingredients. Pure Lakes products are made using the best and most effective natural skincare ingredients available. They are nutrient dense with an array of vitamins and omega oils, leaving you with beautifully nourished skin. www.purelakes.co.uk

NATURAL

AMBER Amber from This Natural Bee and Nectar & Bumble guides us through her favourite natural makeup look.

’ve been using natural skincare and makeup products for over five years now and in that time the green beauty industry has grown from strength to strength, especially in the makeup sector. There weren’t many truly natural brands around when I first started my blog, This Natural Bee, however now there’s so many natural and organic brands and products to choose from – and they perform well too. Carry on reading to find out about my “stripped bare” everyday makeup routine. I always prep my skin before doing my makeup by cleansing with a balm or oil, followed by a toner and then a few drops of

October 2018 NMM

facial oil. At the minute I’m using the Mallow + White Blossom Balm (available on my bee theme gift website Nectar & Bumble), Tropic Vitamin Toner and the Day Serum by Unearthd.co which gives my skin a lovely, dewy glow. My absolute favourite natural foundation is the Oat Milk Foundation by Ere Perez – I love it so much that I actually wore it on my wedding day. It offers a dewy medium to full coverage without looking cakey so it’s perfect for a natural glowy skin look. I apply with a buffing brush (either Real Techniques or the new EcoTools 360), followed by concealer on anywhere that might need a little extra coverage. I use two at the

minute – the Jecca palette which has a colour corrector which is amazing for undereye darkness, then I use the Hynt Beauty concealer on any blemishes or redness and to brighten up my undereye dark circles! After concealing I move onto my eyebrows and a holy grail product of mine is Ecobrow in the shade Penelope. I apply with a slanted liner brush to fill in my brows and create a nice shape. I use a spooly brush over them after applying Ecobrow to buff everything together

NMM October 2018

and get a more natural look. Moving back onto my face products – blush and bronzer. I don’t use bronzer all the time but it’s been really cold recently so I felt like warming my face up a little with a bit of colour. I use the RMS Buriti Bronzer with a medium size buffing brush to pop some under my cheekbones, on my nose, around the top of my forehead and down onto my neck. To add a bit more colour to my face, I always wear blush. I mix it up between powder and cream blushers but one that is a great multi-tasker is the Ere Perez Carrot Pot in the shade Harmony. You only need a tiny amount and it also works great as a lip colour. I love how easy it is to apply and blend cream products – just a little dab on your finger goes a long way and can be blended in for a smooth finish.

February 2019 NMM

I sometimes use a little bit of a natural powder to take away any excess shine and for a little bit more coverage if I need any. Currently in my stash is the Green People Pressed Powder which works really well. I also just pop a bit of highlight on my cheekbones for an extra glow – RMS Living Luminizer is a lovely cream highlight that’s not too obvious or overpowering. To finish off on the eyes, I use a bit of natural black pencil as a liner on my top lid, really close to the lash line. I apply straight from the pencil onto my lids and then use a thin liner brush to buff it in so it’s a sort of smoky, natural liner which adds a bit of definition to my eyes. And last but certainly not least would be mascara – a favourite of mine is the Ere Perez Waterproof one but at the minute I’m using the Inika Long Lash

Mascara. I already have quite long lashes but this mascara does offer some volumising too. So, there we have it – my final “barely there, stripped bare” natural makeup look. If you want to try some more natural and organic makeup or skincare products, take a look at my blog, This Natural Bee, where you’ll find my recommendations on products and also a Green Beauty Newbie series which includes a “Where to Shop” post so you know you’ll only be buying the truly natural stuff! I also run my own small online business, Nectar & Bumble where I stock gifts, homeware and natural skincare inspired by bees. Ten per cent of profits are donated to bee charities too, to help save the bees in the UK! All of the products are hand-picked, so you know the skincare is all completely natural and tested by me too!

NMM February 2019

UPWARD

SPIRAL The natural hair movement is revolutionising how women view themselves. It’s about self respect, wellbeing and beautifully, curly, kinky hair...

hether you are a slave to the straightening iron or opt for regular chemical straightening treatments – you are looking at a host of problems from extreme heat damage to exposure to a plethora of potentially toxic chemicals. By embracing the natural curl and texture of your hair and turning away from chemicals, your hair will not only look and feel healthier but you will feel better too. The natural hair movement is all about moving on from chemical straightening, it is saying no to relaxed hair that is so brittle that it can snap. It’s embracing the thick, curly, lustrous hair of your childhood and taking on a whole new healthy lifestyle while you’re at it. As chemical straightening is performed at scalp level, it can inflict damage on this delicate skin which will, in turn, affect

February 2019 NMM

how your hair grows. The process breaks the disulfide bonds in your hair’s structure, these are the miraculous particles that create curls. Changing the chemical structure of your hair is a harsh process and can strip the natural oils from your hair and leave it prone to breakage. As treatments need to be repeated regularly in order to maintain the straightness, it is common for an element of overlap to occur. Overlapping is when the stylist mistakenly goes over hair that has been previously treated. This can cause immense damage to the hair shaft and is a common cause of hair breakage. As you can imagine it is not easy for a stylist to determine the exact millimetre where the new hair growth ends. This is particularly a problem for those with Afro-Caribbean hair as the natural structure of Afro-Caribbean hair means that it

is more prone to damage anyway, this is before you start chemical processes. It makes sense to keep the natural texture and to look after it really well to avoid unnecessary breakage. Many Afro-Caribbean teenagers and young girls opt for chemically straightened hair in an attempt to fit in. It is often assumed that you’ll want to get rid of your AfroCaribbean hair in favour of a more Western ideal. Sadly, most girls fall into a pattern of using hair relaxers because they are given no other options. Let’s not be romantic about it, Afro-Caribbean hair can be tricky to handle. It can be unruly, but it can also look stunning when you know how to look after it properly. Those with Caucasian curls often straighten their hair to reflect the current trend or simply because they find curly hair to be difficult to maintain and style. Curly and

NMM February 2019

wavy hair is notoriously prone to frizzing, so many find it easier to simply keep it straight. By using the right products, you can effortlessly create glossy weightless curls with volume. Anita Grant’s natural styling products have transformed how I care for my curls. Squeezing her Define & Curl Soft Hold Hair Gel through my wet waves is all I need to maintain their shape and eliminate frizz. I also love her leave in conditioners to add shine and definition to my dry hair. I’ve noticed a dramatic difference to the quality and texture of my hair, since changing to all natural shampoos and conditioners back in 2017. If you’ve been a slave to hair relaxers for decades then the idea of going natural can feel utterly overwhelming. You’ve never really known your hair, not in its natural

February 2019 NMM

beautiful state. Transitioning to your natural hair will not be easy, but it will certainly be worth it. The first thing that you need to know is that there is a whole community of people out there. People who have mastered the art of natural hair, people who are on their journey and others, who are just about to take the plunge. A simple internet search will bring up a whole load of resources that will help you guide you through. There are expos such as Natural Hair Academy in Paris, Curlvolution in London and plenty in America too. There are youtube channels devoted to natural hair, as well as plenty of blogs and websites. A good example is Naturalistapp. com, a free app where you can connect with like-minded individuals and share stories about products, techniques and lifestyle choices.

It isn’t just the transitioning to natural hair that takes so much work. You also need to learn your hair. Is it fine, medium or coarse? Is it wavy, curly or kinky? Are your curls soft, loose or corkscrew? Are your kinks soft or wiry? Getting familiar with your hair type will mean that you can use products and techniques that are specifically designed for your type of hair. You may not even be aware of your natural hair colour, as chemical straightening can alter your hair’s natural tone. It’s common sense that loading your hair with chemicals and opting for synthetic processes will cause damage. Damaged hair is known to look lacklustre. For your hair to shine with natural radiance you need to ditch the chemicals and seek out more natural alternatives. Natural beauty shouldn’t just stop at your

hair. As soon as you start realising the power of natural products you won’t want to stop there. Your hair is a wonderful barometer of your overall level of health and wellbeing. If you are dehydrated then your hair will lose its shine. If your diet is lacking in nutrients then this will show in your hair and skin. Yet, it’s not only drinking plenty of water and adopting a healthy diet that your hair will thank you for. Stress can have a catastrophic effect on hair, causing hair loss, weakness and altering your body’s ability to absorb vitamins and minerals. Yoga can be effective against stress, it also brings the added benefit of causing blood flow to the head, especially in headstands and postures such as downward dog. Increasing the circulation to your head will mean that your scalp and hair get

an increase in oxygen which can stimulate hair growth. The natural hair movement is a celebration of who you are. It is saying yes to health and getting in touch with the real roots of yourself, your history, your story. The natural hair movement is growing in strength by the day, meaning that the resources, products and support are better than ever. Are you ready to join the hair revolution? NMM February 2019

“...full of flavour but didn’t include processed sugars or bleached flour...”

You Will Need: For the cake: 2½ cups almond flour 1 tsp baking soda 1/8 tsp pink Himalayan sea salt 1 tbsp ground cinnamon ½ cup of raw honey ¼ cup virgin coconut oil 4 eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract For the topping: 75g date sugar a generous handful of macadamia nuts

September 2018 NMM

natural mumma makes

RAW HONEY CAKE W

e teamed with BuyWholefoodsOnline.co.uk to create a cake that is packed full of raw, natural ingredients and brimming with nutrients. We were sent almond flour, pink Himalayan sea salt, raw honey, virgin coconut oil, date sugar and macadamia nuts. We decided to create a cake that was full of flavour but didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t include processed sugars or bleached flour. It went down a storm in our household, so Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure your families will love it too. It is also beautifully simple to make, with the end result being a light, nutty cake with subtle flavours and a delicate sweetness. The monosaturated fats in macadamia nuts help to lower cholesterol. They are also a rich source of a variety of nutrients including Vitamin A, iron, protein, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. Macadamia nut oil is present in many natural skincare preparations as it contains high

levels of palmitoleic acid. Himalayan sea salt contains several nutrients that are not found in regular salt (such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and zinc). Though it is also high in sodium chloride so should only be used in moderation. Almond flour is a beautifully versatile gluten free flour that results in light, moist bakes. It is also high in protein, manganese and vitamin E as well as containing fibre and being low in carbohydrate. The few ingredients that werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t supplied by BuyWholefoodsOnline.co.uk were from our local zero waste shop. Use the code NATURALMUMMA19 to receive an exclusive 10 per cent discount off anything from the buywholefoodonline.co.uk store. The coupon will be live from now until the end of February. www.buywholefoodsonline.co.uk NMM September 2018

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Preheat your oven to 180/gas mark 4 and line your cake tin.

Place the almond flour, baking soda, sea salt and cinnamon into a large mixing bowl and combine well.

Add the honey, coconut oil, eggs and vanilla extract to a jug and whisk well to combine. Coconut oil should be stored in a cool place, but this makes it solidify. You’ll find it easier to work with if you melt it first (either on a radiator or stove or even by heating it gently on the hob)

Carefully pour the wet ingredients into the mixing bowl and beat well to combine with the dry ingredients.

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Carefully pour into your prepared tin, giving it a sharp tap to knock out any air pockets.

Bake the cake in your preheated oven for 30 minutes. If your oven is especially fierce, you may want to cover the cake in foil to protect it. If you find that the edges of your cakes burn, you could try wrapping brown paper around the edge of the tin to provide protection from the heat.

After 30 minutes you can remove your cake from the oven. You’ll want to wait 10 minutes before turning the cake out so that the cake holds its shape.

Now it’s time to decorate your cake! We chose to arrange macadamia nuts across the surface to add visual interest and a delicious nutty flavour. We then added a sprinkling of date sugar. This cake tastes delicious warm and cold, and will last well when kept in an airtight container.

BuyWholefoodsOnline BuyWholefoodsOnline.co.uk is a family run business, started by cousins Arthur Martin and Joe Cooper back in 2007. From humble beginnings, the brand now delivers top quality organic and natural wholefoods across Europe and the UK. From nuts, seeds, herbs and spices to Japanese ingredients and baking essentials – there is so much to get excited about.

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natural mumma makes

Date Sugar Date sugar is made from dehydrated, ground dates and can be used as a natural replacement for brown sugar although it does not have the same properties as sugar, as it does not melt or dissolve. We sprinkled it over our cake to add a touch of sweetness as well as the health benefits of fibre. Date sugar contains 33 per cent less â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sugarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; than table sugar and far fewer calories. There is evidence to suggest that the phenolic compounds present in date sugar mean it has antibacterial properties. Dates are full of magnesium, potassium and iron but the benefits are slim when you consider how much of the sugar youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll actually be consuming.

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

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