CHEMICAL FREE BY CHOICE The Green Gurus & The Additive Queen Join Forces
Join The Miessence Organic Team and Julie Eady as they share their knowledge and experience of the food and beauty industries to make you an informed consumer and improve the health and well being of your family.
Julie Eady was a young mother in Perth’s suburbs when the birth of her first child seven years ago prompted her to have a better look at what her baby was actually consuming.
She deciphered all the little numbers listed on the ingredients list of a wide range of processed foods and discovered that many of the additives – designed to enhance food’s flavour, colour or texture – were either banned or restricted in other countries.
She says some of the additives have even been linked to behavioural problems in children, allergic reactions and even cancer.
Additive Alert, Your Guide to Safer Shopping was published in 2004, and sold over 25,000 copies in its first year, confirming the demand by consumers for factual information about our food. It is one of the best selling references available on food additives in Australia, and has become a household shopping “bible” for thousands of consumers around the country.
Miessence is the world's first certified organic skin care and personal care range. The team from Miessence are passionate educators and activist for social and consumer change, speaking to families, entrepreneurs and cosmetic industry professionals.
The Miessence Organic team are passionate about empowering and educating consumers on how to avoid harmful chemicals in their products. “Misleading labels and clever marketing gimmicks relating to organic content can often mask the use of potentially toxic ingredients” they say, “which seriously undermines the integrity of the organic claim.”.
This exciting and informative public seminar is not to be missed and bookings are essential.
Details of the seminar : Thursday 23rd July between 7 and 9pm Centrepoint Church Auditorium, Cockburn Commercial Park, 8/24 Discovery Drive, Bibra Lake. Cost $10
Please ensure that you book early to secure your seat and receive further details
Organic cotton; the best way to 'treat' your little ones
Natural Origins for our little people
If you thought organic cotton products were all beige and daggy looking then look no further than Natural Origins (www.naturalorigins.com.au) for view changing selection of organic products. Thanks to Crecy and Jeremy, Natural Origins makes available to both individuals and retail outlets a range of organic cotton products including the beautiful range of Ellaroo baby carriers and slings, the Kanoe motion sensitive baby hammocks and the delightful Scout Baby range of kids clothing. I'm currently trialling the Mei Tai baby carrier (in the stunning Hershey design) and LOVING it!
We caught up with the Natural Origins team to find out a little about the ethics behind their company, the products and what drives them; we also ended up finding out a lot more about the benefits of eco dyes, baby carrying and the joy sunny Australia. So sit back with a fair trade, organic cuppa and be inspired, this is a good one!
Ellaroo Ring Sling
What inspired you to bring Natural Origins to Australia?
After careers in IT and film location management, we both felt we wanted to be involved in a business that focused on environmental sustainability. Just at the right time we were reconnected with family friends, Raja and Susannah Ramji, who had been building a very successful business in the USA sourcing organic cotton fabric and managing the process of product manufacture for several large and boutique brand names.The Ramjis had just started a project with a small Boston-based family business that had designed a really beautiful range of organic cotton-based children’s furniture. As soon as we saw the products, we were hooked.They were really unusual, totally sustainable and poles apart from a lot of the plastic, and often toxic, stuff which is swiftly discarded and ends up in landfill. The furniture was called Nest, and we became their Asia Pacific distributors.Since then, we have been gradually building a portfolio of really good quality organic cotton products focused mainly on the mother and baby market.
What are your three favourite items from the Natural Origins range and why?
It’s quite difficult to pick any three favourite products because one of the important criteria for sourcing the products is that they are the kind of things we would want to buy. However, if we had to chose, it would probably be the Ellaroo Ring Sling because it is so versatile and stylish, the Kanoe baby hammock because of its clever, simple and elegant design, and the Scout range of clothing because it is such fun for children to wear and so easy for parents to look after!
Kanoe Baby Hammock
For those who aren’t versed in the benefits of organic cotton, why should they choose it in preference to conventionally grown cotton products?
There are two reasons why you should choose something made from organic cotton rather than from conventionally grown cotton – the health of the planet and the health of the person wearing that cotton product. Let me explain.
People often buy a t-shirt or dress made from cotton because it is hailed as a natural fibre so the assumption is that is that it will be better or healthier than a man made fabric.What the cotton industry doesn’t tell us is that conventionally grown cotton (which is nearly all of it!) is one of the most toxic crops in the world. 25% of the world’s pesticides and 10% of the world’s synthetic fertilisers are used to grow cotton which covers less than 3% of the world’s farmland. 150 grams of pesticides and synthetic fertilisers are needed to produce enough cotton for just one t-shirt. Defoliants, fungicides and herbicides are also used in large quantities. Most of
these chemicals are classed by the World Health Organisation as moderately
hazardous or highly hazardous because they can lead to cancer, birth defects
and nervous system disorders. Moreover, these toxic chemical have a highly detrimental impact on the land, the waterways and on the health of the workers who produce the cotton and this prolific and ever increasing use of chemicals goes hand in hand with a huge demand for water, often in areas where water is in short supply.
By contrast, organic cotton is grown with no harmful chemicals, the plant uses little water and what water is used is recyclable. Because the ground is not poisoned, food crops can be grown to feed the villages and to enrich the soil, and bugs are controlled by the introduction of other insects that feed on the ones that attack the cotton.It all makes so much sense!.
The Natural Origins range has a heavy focus on products for babies and toddlers including organic slings, and organic hammock for baby to sleep in and organic baby clothes, is their a reason you have chosen to focus on these products?
Yes, more by accident than design.As we read more about the difference between conventional and organic cotton, we realised just how important the organic cotton industry is, and what better place to start to promote it than in the baby market?As parents, we are very aware of the importance of doing the very best by our children from their earliest moments.Why would you clothe your tiny and vulnerable baby in cotton that had been grown and dyed with toxic chemicals, many of which do not wash out, when there is a pure and gentle alternative?This is particularly relevant for babies and children as they often have allergies which these chemicals can irritate.
For those of us who have used carriers with our babies, the benefits are obvious but for those new to the idea, what are the main advantages of baby wearing?
There is lots of research to show the importance of baby wearing but, even before you look at any of this research, it seems pretty obvious that babies would find great comfort and reassurance in the arms of their parents. Since the earliest moments of consciousness, babies have grown accustomed to the sounds of their mother’s body in particular– the rhythm of her breathing, her voice, her walk - so it stands to reason that this familiarity would be hugely comforting when a baby is confronted by all the challenges of the big, noisy and bright world outside the womb.Closeness to the parent provides physical and verbal reassurance and offers continuity and a safe place from which to explore this new world.It is the one constant in this new awesome adventure.The research I mentioned just now shows that babies that are carried in a sling rather than pushed in a pram, cry less, are more alert, more attentive, smarter, learn quicker, are more confident, have better speech and physical development, and are more humanised because they are so much a part of adult interaction and adult experiences.It is also a wonderful experience for the parent – not only do they have the comforting bonding closeness of their baby, but at the same time they also they have hands free independence to get on with all those everyday tasks that await their attention.In particular, it helps dads to bond with their babies and it makes breast feeding on the go much easier for mums. It also provides mums with a bit of cardiovascular activity and weight training which will help shed those extra kilos gained during pregnancy.It certainly did that for me!
Mei Tai Carrier
The Ellaroo range of baby carriers offer a ring sling, the mei tai and the mei hip.Is there a standout favourite with customers, or do people choose different carriers for different circumstances?
Each carrier is designed to do slightly different things.All parents are different so it is great to be able to offer a choice of carriers.The Ring Sling is a wonderfully comforting way to carry newborns who need to be fed and settled for much of the day (and night!).It is really easy to do this in the Ring Sling because you can move your baby into different positions by just adjusting the fabric through the rings. You don’t have to disturb your baby by taking off the sling. The tail of the fabric provides a discrete cover for breastfeeding, a handy cloth and a source of protection from the sun and cold. (Some parents even use the sling as a hammock or a child restraint or as a cover for a supermarket trolley baby seat!!).The Mei Tai is ideal for parents with different aged children as it will carry a newborn and a toddler equally well. It is slightly more structured than the Ring Sling without being bulky or cumbersome. It is also easily interchangeable between parents of different sizes.No buckles to adjust – it just ties with a double knot and there are lots of different ways of wearing it. The Mei Hip allows you to carry your toddler on your hip in great comfort. Lots of parents naturally carry their infants this way but they can end up with sore necks and backs.The wide supportive strap of the Mei Hip cups the shoulder and distributes the baby’s weight across the wearer’s torso counterbalancing the weight so it prevents back and neck pain.
In addition to being made from organic cotton all the baby carriers use eco dyes, which are a far safer and more environmentally responsible alternative to conventional dyes, can you tell us a little about this?
Unlike conventional cotton dyes, eco dyes are gentle on the environment and on the people who wear clothing coloured in this way because they do not contain any of the heavy metals or formaldehyde which are part of the conventional cotton dyeing process.
There are two types of eco dyes available at the moment – low impact fibre-reactive dyes and vegetable dyes.The dyes used in all our products are low impact (because they have a minimal impact on the environment) and fibre-reactive (because the dye binds to the fibre so small quantities of dye are required to achieve a rich and vibrant colour. Moreover these dyes use minimal amounts of water and the waste is treatable and recyclable. This has enormous ecological benefits at the dye house but also for the consumer as the colour doesn’t wash out and enter the waterways and the product retains its original colour. All low impact fibre-reactive dyes meet the organic standards specification for toxicity and are certified to Oeko-Tex-100 standards. These standards apply, not just to the dyes that are used but also to the whole dyeing process. All fabric needs to be bleached before it can be dyed to create uniform colour. Conventional cotton is dyed with chlorine which can be carcinogenic but organic cotton dyeing uses hydrogen peroxide which breaks down into water and oxygen.
The reason eco dyes are such an important step forward is because conventional dyes are often very toxic. The dyes used in colouring conventional cotton are usually Azo dyes or sulpha dyes. Azo dyes contain heavy metals – chromium, magnesium, vanadium. These are banned substances by Ecocert, Oeko-Tex etc because they are carcinogenic. Sulpha dyes are sulphur-based and have low levels of acid and they are banned by organic certifiers because they don't meet the required toxicity standards.
Apart from low impact fibre-reactive dyes which are used to dye 98% of organic cotton fabrics produced worldwide, there are organic vegetable dyes which are also permitted in organic cotton dyeing. The issue with these is that they don't meet the colourfast standards and they create significant environmental issues. Vegetable dyes have a low absorption index, which measures the amount of dye needed to dye a yard of fabric, because they don't stick to the fabric or fibre at the time of dyeing (or when you wash the finished garment). As a result a much larger amount of the dye has to be used to achieve required colour depth, and consequently, a significant amount of precious water. Most of the unabsorbed dye washes away and enters the water . (The term for this is Biological Oxygen Demand – it has a high BOD!). The only currently available way to make vegetable dyes adhere better is to use mordanting agents which contain heavy metals such as chromium – so you are back to square one in a sense! However research is ongoing into finding ways of making the vegetable dyes adhere better without toxic chemicals and we talked to a few bed linen manufacturers about this while we were in India. One of the difficulties about the area of vegetable dyes is that it is not well regulated. Natural dyes sound so much better than synthetic dyes but as yet there is no really sustainable natural alternative.
What advice would you have for anybody wishing to set up an ethical business?
Setting up an ethical business is in many ways no different from setting up any kind of business in that you have to start by doing a lot of research to make sure there is a market for your product.This is just as true for the organic cotton business.People won’t buy your product just because it is organic, sustainable and ethically made: they have to like the product in its own right first!
Then you have to do a lot of research to make sure your product is certified all the way through its production and to be comfortable that its impact on people and the environment is in line with your own goals.It seems counterproductive to produce a product made from organic cotton if it is put together in a factory that uses child labour and pays its workers a pittance for long hours of toil in terrible working conditions.
We’re involved in Natural Origins because we wanted to be associated with a sustainable business which does the right thing at every step of the production process.Our cotton is certified organic, the farmer gets a good price for his cotton, we use eco dyes which don’t harm the workers, the environment or the people who wear the products, and the products are all produced in India under fair labour codes of practice. Where possible we use recycled materials in our marketing and packaging.The padding in our slings and baby carriers is made from recycled plastic bottles which are melted and combed into fibre which is non-allergenic. The wood in our Kanoes is plantation grown. However, we recognise we have a long way to go as well. For example, we would love to source our organic cotton from Australia but, at the moment, there is no commercially grown organic cotton in Australia. Everyone needs to think about carbon offsets and how to minimise their footprint. Our goal is to be an example of a sustainable business in terms of its carbon footprint. The more we advance in our collective knowledge about environmental issues, the more we are discovering how best to protect our world.
The perfect day is different for everybody, how would you describe yours?
Our business, like any other, relies on us choosing the right products so a perfect day for us is when we hear that one of our products has made a difference to someone’s life – that a sling has helped a mother reassure and comfort her baby while getting on with her chores, or a Kanoe has helped a baby to settle so that harmony can be restored to the home and the whole family can get some much needed sleep.
On a more domestic level, a perfect day is a day when our children are happy and filled with the joys of life.
On top of that, a perfect day is when we wake up to a blue sky and golden sunshine.After decades spent in England, that is something we never take for granted!!
CleanLife Blog: Product feature ecostore Liquid Hand Wash (www.ecostore.co.nz)
Swine Flu fear has us all madly washing our hands, but I really don't mind as it would be fair to say that I am addicted to these ecostore delights. I absolutely love the certified organic fragrances of these products, I mean who doesn't love coconut and vanilla! The fragrance is intense enough to make you feel wonderful, yet gentle enough to not be overpowering. That is probably enough about my love affair, so here is the nitty gritty you need to know. Natural, safe and sexy Made from seven naturally derived ingredients, ecostore’s hand wash has a rich texture and contains no harsh chemicals such as SLS/SLES*, which can dry skin by stripping its natural oils. The range is also free from artificial dyes and fragrances making it suitable for even the most sensitive skin.
Developed in conjunction with a French perfumer, the ecostore range includes two certified organic fragrances: Coconut & Vanilla and Orange & Patchouli. Wheat protein has also been added as a unique moisturising and conditioning agent that retains the skin’s natural oils, leaving it soft and silky.
Eco benefits Harsh chemicals and petrochemicals found in conventional products can be harmful to waterways and marine life.
500ml refills are also available to minimise packaging.
Price point Available in 250ml pump (RRP$5.99) and a 500ml refill (RRP$7.99), from Woolworths stores nationally as well as health and green stores.
Why do they smell so good? The fragrance ingredients are naturally extracted and therefore capture the real essence. For example, the Coconut & Vanilla fragrance contains pure coconut juice, coconut cream and vanilla pod extract – almost good enough to eat!
If you are sick of powder residue on your clothes, itchy skin and overpowering fragrances in your laundry products, then it's worth trying this little gem from ecostore. This eco brand is actually cheaper, than the leading petrochemical filled products, safer for the environment, your clothes and your health, so we think it is an all round winner. Oh and did I mention; it works!
Benefits for the individual:
ecostore Ultra Concentrate Laundry Liquid is made from safer natural, plant and mineral based ingredients, making it gentle on your skin and our environment without compromising on performance. In fact, many people have had relief from eczema, skin irritations and even asthma simply by switching to ecostore’s laundry products.
Environmental benefits:
ecostore’s Ultra Concentrate Laundry Liquid does not contain toxic petrochemicals, dyes or perfumes that can get into waterways and harm marine life. In fact it doesn’t contain many of the ingredients found in most everyday laundry products including phosphates, nitrates, chlorine, optical brighteners, enzymes, EDTA or TEA.
Unlike conventional laundry products that contain bulkers and fillers, ecostore Ultra Concentrate Laundry Liquid contains only pure active ingredients, which means it’s safely ultra-concentrated and the cost per use is less than conventional liquid detergents.This also means less packaging and transport costs so it has less impact on the environment all round.
Cheap and readily available:
ecostore Ultra Concentrate Laundry Liquid is available from Woolworths, Safeway and selected green and health foodstores. RRP $5.99 for 500ml
The history behind this product:
When Malcolm Rands, founder of ecostore first developed ecostore’s laundry liquid, he made it safe enough so that he could use his dirty laundry water on his own organic veggie garden!This makes it ideal for use in your grey water systems and septic tanks, an important consideration when we should be conserving water.
If you don't already know of the destruction of the Indonesian and Sumatran rainforests that is resulting from an explotative palm oil industry then please visit www.palmoilaction.org.au.
The cleanlife blog will be featuring facts about the industry and ideas on how to avoid products containing palm oil over the next few weeks, in the meantime join in a peaceful protest to show your support.
PERTH Action
Consumer Letter Writing Action
* Sunday June 7th, Henderson Street Mall, (the laneway in between the Sail & Anchor Pub & The Fremantle Markets), Fremantle, 10am - 4pm.
If you would like to participate in the Perth action please contact the local organiser, Amanda Taaffe, on Amanda.Taaffe@ubs.com, or our Australian Campaign Coordinator, Anasuya Claff, on 0431 779 644 or at anasuya@palmoilaction.org.au.
Keep your eye out for more on palm oil, products to avoid, and companies that are doing their bit to avoid the product or source it sustainably.
ecostore describes their purpose as ‘creating a healthy sustainable world’ and by all means they are giving it a good shot. The ecostore sustainable household and personal care ranges offer over 100 items which are safe and effective. They are widely available and affordable, making them a great option for those who want to convert to non-toxic products for the home, but don’t have the time to search high and low for them. I was lucky enough to meet ecostore founder Malcolm Rands (aka EcoMan!) briefly at the Organic Expo in Sydney in 2006. We wanted to know a little more about the man behind the brand and the brand itself, so read on for our ecostore interview and BE INSPIRED by this incredible Kiwi success story.
Gina: The ecostore brand started from your home in an eco-village in New Zealand and has now blossomed into and international business with a ‘certified sustainable’ factory. What inspired you to start ecostore?
Malcolm: 25 years ago my wife Melanie and I were part of a small group that started New Zealand’s first Permaculture EcoVillage.
As a group we challenged ourselves to see if the pure water that entered our land would be just as pure when it left. We were a bit smug about this as we all were organic growers and thought we would show the local farmers how to do it.
What astounded us though was when we looked at the water leaving our homes, it turned out the chemicals in the everyday products we used in our homes were even worse than the sprays we had been campaigning against using on the land!
The research done to remedy this and provide healthy alternatives for our family and friends is what we now share with everyone through ecostore.
Gina: The ecostore concept is that the end product has to be good for both the user and the planet, has this been difficult to achieve from a technical viewpoint?
Malcolm: It is a long and considered process but we’ve achieved this by researching all the common chemicals currently used.
Using a precautionary principle (ie. if there is any doubt about the safety of an ingredient then we’ll find an alternative) we made a list of ingredients we will never use (see our “no nasty chemicals” list on our website www.ecostore.net.au).
It was then a matter of finding the best formulation chemists (internationally as well those in New Zealand) and challenging them to make cleaners and body products that work just as well, are just as affordable and look after our health and the health of the planet at the same time.
Challenging, yes, but we have achieved it!
Gina: Your products have also been embraced by allergy suffers due to your extensive labelling and stringent precautionary approach to ingredients, was this due to a personal experience with allergies?
Malcolm: No not at all. I have to admit that when we started selling ecostore products 16 years ago I had not even thought about the fact that our products would be beneficial for allergy sufferers.
But within weeks of sharing our products with the people of New Zealand we started getting letters and phone calls (and today, emails) saying things like, “I don’t sneeze anymore when I clean the house”, “My rash has disappeared”, “My eczema has gone away” and even “My asthma is subsiding”.
As it turns out, the reason there is no restriction or testing on household chemicals is because we don’t consume them! But one of the most dangerous ways for chemicals to enter your body is through your skin. This can affect your immune system and your hormonal systems.
Every ingredient ecostore uses is screened for these effects. This has become our difference because many people don’t realise that there are still natural, eco-friendly ingredients used in products that can still be bad for your health.
With over 100 different products and your own research and development facility; is the ecostore brand looking to continue expanding?
ecostore is just at the start of a journey. We are continuously looking for ways to make it easier for you to make a positive difference in your life.
There is a long way to go but if we all work together and change just the small, everyday actions in our lives, like washing the dishes or shampooing our hair, then we can work to solve the problems with our health and our planet. Our problems aren’t to do with too many humans, it’s to do with our current habits!
Gina: What are your three favourite ecostore products and why?
Malcolm: 1) ecostore laundry liquid - The residues in the clothes are up against you skin 24/7 so you want to make sure they are skin friendly. It also looks after your clothes, in fact many fashion designer are now recommending it. If you want to re use the grey water from the washing machines it’s actually safe to use on your organic garden!
2) ecostore laundry powder - Cleans the worst stains and dirtiest clothes, whilst also looking after your skin and the environment. You can use the grey water on the lawn or trees in your garden (as it has a slightly higher pH, I wouldn’t use it on your food crops which are very pH sensitive). 3) ecostore baby moisturiser - I know many adults who say they cannot find a better skin cream anywhere. One of the reasons our products are so gentle is because they contain ingredients that match the oils and amino acids found naturally in the skin.
Gina: If people are just getting started on converting to a more eco-friendly lifestyle, what would you recommend they start with and why?
Malcolm: Change to ecostore cleaning and body products! They work just as well and because they are safely super concentrated they cost no more per use than other everyday products. They reduce the amount of unnecessary chemicals in your life. Good for your health and the environment!
Making a difference in your life is about taking small steps that all add up. A couple of other simple things people can do are: • Line-dry your washing. The household dryer uses a huge amount of electricity so save money and get some fresh air by hanging washing on the line. It’s also gentler on your clothes! • Save on transport costs and cut carbon emissions. Use public transportation or walk/ride/skate whenever possible. • Electrical appliances left on stand-by can account for up to 10 percent of a household’s annual electricity bill! Reduce your greenhouse gas emissions and save money by turning these off at the power point. The easiest one to remember is to switch off your phone charger when it’s not in use. • Make sure you turn off taps tightly as a dripping tap can waste thousands of litres of water per year. • Take reusable bags whenever you go shopping, not only for groceries but on every occasion. • Switch off lights when you leave a room – simple but easy and effective! • Washing machines use 90% of the energy it requires to heat the water. Most loads only need a maximum temperature of 40°C, and for most things cold washing is perfect.
Gina: You also run the Fairground Foundation, can you tell us a little about that?
Malcolm: My past career was in not for profits. I would spend 95 per cent of my time raising money to spend 5 per cent of my time doing what I loved!
I saw ecostore as a new way of fundraising. I set up a business that would so inspire me that it didn’t feel like I was working, I was just doing what I loved and passionate about!
Ten per cent of ecostore’s profit goes to the Fairground Foundation to make a positive difference in communities via different programs. We have already set up organic food growing lessons in schools and worked on carpooling. These activates are due to grow rapidly over the next few years.
Gina: Ecostore is a true green success story, what advice would you offer to those looking to start their own green enterprises?
1) Follow your passion 2) Be confident and ambitious. We all have a great deal more ability than we often realise or give ourselves credit for 3) Don’t be afraid of taking on partners or sharing resources 4) Be authentic and honest
Gina: We hear you were a TV star named EcoMan in the not so distant past, any chance of a plunge back into the world of TV? Malcolm: I currently am on KiwiFM in New Zealand and have appeared in the media a number of times as EcoMan in my homeland. However, we’ve also recently launched ecostore USA and I’ve been making quite a few TV appearances over there so I guess it’s almost happening quite organically!
Gina: The perfect day is different for everybody, how would you describe yours?
Malcolm: Being back at the EcoVillage with my extended family and recreating the permaculture food jungle I started but had to abandon for a while to set up ecostore. The CleanLife team love ecostore products, our current favourites are the laundry powder (very concentrated so you save money), the pure oxygen whitener and the coconut and vanilla handwash (pictured above), which smells divine.
Visit www.ecostore.net.au for more product information and to find your local stockist.
Blessed Earth; Organic bedding, mattresses, underwear, sleepwear and more
Not sleeping well? Could and an organic mattress and linen help you sleep with a clear conscience and lungs?
Itchy jocks and socks? Have you considered organic underwear?
Blessed Earth (www.blessedearth.com.au) offers a vast array of certified organic bedding and clothing for all age groups including everything from underwear and baby clothes to mattresses and toys. In this inspiring interview Blessed Earth co- founder Raithe, covers everything from the benefits of organic cotton production, the difficulties of starting an ethical business and the beauty of doing what you love.We think you'll find this an inspiring read; we did!
Gina: What inspired you to start Blessed Earth and how has the journey been for you?
Raithe: Five years ago there was very little organic cotton on the internet and no-one had thought about it much. Radha had the idea to sell organic cotton underwear as that seemed to be where the greatest benefit would be felt. It took us 6 months to source some organic fabric and work out how to get from a basic style idea to a saleable product. In the early days we did all our own cutting and even patternmaking. It was a fully hands-on rapid learning curve. A few months after opening, business was painfully slow. We had started the business on a private loan, and friends kept lending us money, even though we were upfront in explaining that things were tough.
A year after opening, we took the plunge and opened our first shop, with the help of a bit of consignment stock from here and there. We worked horrendous hours, up to 1oo hours a week and gradually business began to build up.We’ve always been prolific advertisers and used every opportunity to write articles in magazines about the merits of organic cotton, so that over time, people came to associate us with organic cotton.
After developing our organic cotton products for 2 years, we were given the opportunity to get into organic wool and that’s when the fun really started. We knew nothing about the performance of wool and it cost us $ooo’s to discover that the wool used in bedding needs to be purebred Downs wool, not just wool from an organic farm which had been infused with other strains.
After countless refunds, we finally got it right and went on to achieve Demeter certification for our wool bedding range – a world first. Disappointingly, both wool scours that were doing it certified organically had to close down earlier this year, as wool merchants send most of their wool to China for cleaning these days. However we can still get our wool scoured to organic standards without the piece of paper and it truly is a wonderful range of products, the equal of anything in the world.
Today, Blessed Earth is a thriving business defying the global recession. We are currently planning to franchise the business Australia-wide. Gina: The value of eating organic food is now understood by most individuals and while the importance of organic fabrics and bedding is by all means blossoming, some people still find it hard to understand. Can you give us a brief idea of the most important benefits of organic cotton for the consumer and the environment?
Raithe: We have a full description of these things on our website (www.blessedearth.com.au) but the following summary covers most advantages:
Here are 9 compelling reasons why you should be using organic cotton.
1)Quality. The wide variety of chemicals used in the growing and processing of conventional cotton – some 82 of them – only serve to weaken the structure of the fibre and eventual fabric. Organic cotton is more durable.
2) Comfort. Consumers consistently report that organic cotton products feel better against their skin. As any kinesiologist will confirm, organic cotton products resonate more harmoniously with the human body.
3) Wellbeing.Chemicals are not good for us and are largely to blame for the escalation of degenerative diseases. They are absorbed through our skin and through our lungs, especially when body heat causes them to vaporize.
4) Smells Better. Being absolutely pure and free of additive substances such as formaldehyde, commonly used in the “finishing” of conventional cotton, organic cotton has a delightful, natural aroma.
5) Environmentally safe.Conventional cotton is disastrous for our environment, poisoning our soils and our waterways, consuming vast amounts of water, much of it needed to put out chemical sprays.
6) Socially Responsible. Every time we purchase a cheap imported conventional cotton product, we support the mindless practices that helped produce it. Every time we purchase an organic product, we affirm conscious, life-enhancing practices – we are helping to build a better world.
7) Fair Trade. It takes a lot of conscious, well intended effort to grow cotton organically. Around the world, the experience is that organic farmers care for their workers – and not poisoning them is a good start! We are tending to see whole communities turn away from chemicals and start to receive a fairer return for their product, which is now at a premium.
8) Not G.M. About 70% of Australia’s cotton is now grown from genetically modified seed and this is a common experience, worldwide. Certified organic cotton is grown from seed that has not been modified.
9) Higher Consciousness. Matter is energy and we absorb the consciousness with which the products we use are made. If you appreciate organic foods, you will love organic cotton
Gina: Many people find overhauling their bedding and clothing to organic a little daunting. What would you suggest for people looking to make the change gradually without breaking the bank?
Raithe: There is no simple answer for that. Each individual has different needs. We tend to feel underwear is more important than clothing, and certainly the mattress is vital to good health. Our all-fibre, no spring mattresses have helped a lot of people.
Organic bed-linen is also important as it is in such close proximity to the skin, which readily absorbs traces of chemicals.
We always try to help out people who are making the change and who are finding it a bit of a stretch. It goes against good business practices to do that but it brings us a lot of joy as well.
Gina: If people could only afford three organic items for their homes what would you recommend and why?
Raithe: As explained above: 1. An organic fibre mattress with no springs (which are “poison arrows” in FengShui). 2. Organic cotton underwear (and bras). It’s against the skin in the most sensitive areas. Please, if you are a woman, never wear padded or underwear bras. 3. Organic cotton sheets. Make sure you get certification details.
Gina: Are there any standout best selling products?
Raithe: Our wool bedding range of mattresses, toppers, quilts and pillows. Children absolutely love them.
Gina: Blessed Earth is very conscientious in providing only certified organic products, why is this so crucial to your business.
Raithe: There are many businesses springing up who claim to be selling organic cotton. Often it is nothing more than wishful thinking on their part, based on the say-so of some dubious vendor. Some department stores have even started selling “organic” cotton garments that contain fire retardants and heavy metal dyes.
The public is not yet qualified to make a discerning choice around that – the information is not out there yet. As a rule of thumb, look for the certification details and buy only from businesses that you sense have integrity – and are not just cashing in on the surging demand for chemical-free.
Gina: Most people consider starting and running a small business a difficult undertaking, what keeps you going when things get tough?
Raithe: We have a lot of people starting out come to us looking for guidance. It’s often heart-breaking to hear the questions they ask as it is obvious they will have extreme difficulty getting off the ground.
It’s tough to get going. It takes a lot of courage, perseverance, and especially luck. We have been very fortunate.
To keep going you have to learn to approach every challenge as an opportunity. Retailers have it easy. They go out and buy something from a wholesaler and sell it for more than they paid. It is rather harder for us as we had to develop and perfect most of the products we sell. So there are lots of fabric supply and manufacturing issues to address, as well as marketing challenges.
What keeps us going? Pride in our business, the love of helping people, and the knowledge that we are blessed to be in such an amazing business, in an industry that contributes to the greater good. There is nothing else we would rather be doing. It’s that simple.
Gina: What is your favourite way to indulge after a long work day or week?
Raithe: To be completely honest, i have no concept of “indulge”, although people often ask the same thing. I love what i do, passionately, so the idea of having to get away or relax never arises.
Gina: The perfect day is different for everybody, how would you describe yours?
Raithe: I love to surf so i head down to Mooloolaba (S.E. Queensland) early about 4-5 days a week. I breakfast on the promenade there, read the Australian to see what the powers to be want us to think, then head back to work to start around 8am. Most days i finish around 7-8pm. We have a great time interacting with our customers and almost invariably find that people are looking for an excuse to have a laugh. Talking about beds and partners often brings that up!!! People in the organics industry tend to be more upbeat. Really though, each day is different without being more or less perfect. 5 years in a business you love will cause you to think that way!!!
Visit www.blessedearth.com.au for more information on organic wool and cotton products and the view and purchase from their extensive range.
Eco Manifesto: what are you leaving the next generation?
Chrissy Fuda
If you want to know who you are buying your products from, then it is hard to go past a family run eco store such as Eco Manifesto. Chrissy and Simon’s interest in natural products and sustainable living increased after their first child suffered from sensory and allergic sensitivities, including eczema. They found that they could manage their daughter’s condition by reducing the chemical load in their daily lives. This was the catalyst for starting Eco Manifesto, an online store that features everything you need to live a non-toxic and sustainable lifestyle at an affordable price. We caught up with Chrissy to find out a little bit about the ideals behind their company and her ideas on what each individual can do to reduce their environmental impact.
Gina: Part of your inspiration for Eco Manifesto was your daughter’s sensitivities, but you seem to have gone much further than that by providing a real focus on environmental living; what else inspired you?
Chrissy: In my late 20’s I started to question what seemed to be our reliance on materialistic objects as a measure of our success, security and even happiness. I became interested in living more simply and this naturally progressed to living more sustainably. A book that stood out for me was “Affluenza” by Clive Hamilton and Richard Denniss. This book said a lot about what I’d been thinking for some time about our unsustainable lifestyles and the impact it has on our health and the environment. Watching Al Gore’s documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” also validated what I’d been thinking for years. My children’s future is my biggest inspiration – in what state will we leave the environment for future generations? I fear that our generation may be remembered for not acting when it could have. We have the opportunity to act now, and that is also my inspiration.
I’m certainly learning all the time and this has motivated me to not only make changes to my lifestyle and be more comfortable in the ethical choices I make (these can be different for everyone – and that’s ok!) but also to be pro-actively involved in showing that anyone can make a difference by just making some small changes! Just getting people to question their actions on how they can live and shop more sustainably is a great start. As consumers start making more ethical choices, they increase their purchasing power to make businesses take on more ethical practices and really make a positive impact to the environment – and that is inspiring!
Your Eco Manifesto online store offers everything from organic toys, beeswax candles, cleaning and personal care products to clothing and pet and gardening supplies, is your aim to be a one stop green shop so to speak?
Our aim is to provide everyday products that are better choices for consumers and the environment. Whether that remains as a broad range of eco-friendly products or evolves into a more specific product range will depend on our customers needs. We also want to attract “mainstream” consumers who may not be “sustainable living” converts yet!!! I feel that all the information we receive about “ethical living” (ie non-toxic products, ethical shopping, greenhouse emissions, fair trade, composting, solar power and water saving options) – just to name a few!!! – is making it more complex and time consuming for consumers who may already be time-poor. I think changing the “convenience” habit we have developed is very difficult – we tend to opt for the less time consuming option in our already busy lifestyles and don’t take the time to research this information when buying a particular product.
So, as well as providing eco-friendly products, we try to provide simple, but relevant information to encourage people to take the time to think about the impact their purchases have on their health and the environment.
It can be difficult for consumers to see that some simple practical, affordable, everyday steps CAN make a difference to the environment. Spending thousands of dollars installing solar panels is great, but not an affordable option for everybody. We want our customers to see that going “green” does not have to be expensive or difficult. We want to raise the profile of eco-friendly everyday items with information on how their small changes make a difference to the environment.
There are so many eco-friendly, natural and organic products coming onto the market now, how to you choose the products you are going to stock at Eco Manifesto (and which products you are not going to stock)?
Primarily we try to stock Australian made products that are also manufactured ethically. We look at affordable and quality eco-friendly alternatives for everyday living. Being a small business we generally try the products ourselves to sample the quality. We don’t want to become just a huge one-stop shop, we want to retain the personal connection with our customers and to help people become more informed regarding their product choices.
It has been a struggle at times, because being a mum with a young family; I know how difficult it can be trying to spend your money wisely, and wanting to do your bit for the environment!
We want to get people interested in and personally care about their impact on the environment. We want to make it convenient for consumers by providing products that are healthier alternatives to the toxic-chemical options. We are always keen to listen and encourage suggestions from people about what they want - whether it’s a particular product or just information.
What are your three favourite items currently in store at Eco Manifesto, and why?
Uniquely Organic shampoos & conditioners – they smell fantastic, the whole family can use them, they are chemical free and offer great value for money.
Ecosilk bags – I love that they are practical, last for ages and have great colours! They are really convenient as they are so compact. I leave a few in the car and a few in my handbag, so they are always handy when I shop.
Our range of natural soaps – we have some new soaps that are truly divine! You can really feel and smell the difference of these natural soaps (the only problem is the temptation to stay in the shower longer :-))
If people are just getting started on converting to a more eco-friendly lifestyle, what would you recommend they start with and why?
Start gradually with things that you can do in your everyday routine. These small changes will hardly be noticed, yet make a huge difference! Here are a few ideas to get started:
- ask yourself if something can be used again before you throw it away! - replace chemical cleaning products and skincare with natural alternatives as they run out - take “reusable” shopping bags whenever you can - before buying, ask questions like “Where’s it from? What’s it made of? Do I REALLY need this?” - when buying a gift for someone, look at eco-friendly options - try walking or cycling somewhere instead of driving, even just once a week! - have a shorter shower - donate old magazines to hospitals and waiting rooms - take your old clothes to charity shops - turn the heater down just 1°C and put a jumper on instead
The perfect day is different for everybody, how would you describe yours?
I would have to say, it would be waking up on a warm sunny day on an Australian tropical island - knowing there are no routines, no cooking, no cleaning…just fun stuff with my family all day!
What is a skin crusader? and how can we save our skin?
If you are sick of your bathroom cupboards heaving under the weight of a mountain of mostly unused skincare products, you are not alone. So we bring you this interview with much joy. Imagine if you had just three products to clean and nourish your entire face and body. Reading this could make that dream a reality.
Olive Oil, depression, beautiful skin and inspiration are all part of our feature interview with Save our Skin founder Anastasia Lambadaridis. Whether you are looking for a wonderful new skincare range, needing some words of wisdom to warm your cockles or interested to find out what a skin crusader is, then please read on and enjoy.
GC: What inspired you to start Save our Skin and how has the journey been for you?
AL: I went to bed one day and didn’t come out for about 8 weeks.I was depressed, my grand dad had passed away, my job was unsatisfying and I had pnemonia.I was only 27 and I refused to treat my emotional problem with chemicals (anti-depressants) – so I quit my job and started to focus on me for a while. My life started to change for the better.I found out that I was pregnant and having always suffered from sensitive skin, my skin became hyper sensitive during my pregnancy.I turned to olive oil as my staple beauty product, I would wash with it, nourish with it and protect and heal with it. Then I had a dream and the message in that dream was so loud and clear that when I woke I announced that I was going to launch an organic skin care range.That was nearly five years ago now and along the way I’ve been tested as to how much I actually wanted that dream to come true. The journey has been emotional, inspirational and life changing, I know I’m on the right path now.
You call people who use Save our Skin, Skin crusaders, what do you mean by this?
The products in save our skin’s range are all based on ancient formulas that have been around for centuries, the people that developed them where skin crusaders of their time.One of them was Galen, he Greek doctor to the Gladiators of the 2nd century and by calling ourselves skin crusaders we are paying respect to those that went before us.
Also, those who use save our skin products are like ambassadors for change. That’s why we call them skin crusaders.Skin crusaders understand that we need to be kind to ourselves and this planet and that less equals more.Skin crusaders care about more than just being clean, smooth and shiny they care about the worldthat we live in.We are conscious that every dollar we spend is a vote for the kind of world we want to live in, the world we want our children and grand children to live in and so on.
What do you think gives your products a unique edge?
Our products are uniquely different, as we believe in less is more and this philosophy is alive in everything we do.Our entire range consists of only 5 certified/organic ingredients, there is only 3 multifunctional products in the range.And most importantly they work!People are having amazing results, especially those with skin sensitivities.
Your range has only three items all of which have multiple functions, was that intentional?
Sure was, I saw these three products in the dream I had.These days we are sold a pot of goo for every inch of body, you can but an eye balm, foot balm, cuticle balm blah blah blah – whereas one balm will do the trick.Save our skin products have been designed to eliminate the need for so many other things most people stock in their bathroom cabinets
Do you have a favourite Save our Skin product?
I love them all of coarse but I do have favourites at different times of the year and for different parts of my body… For instance a magical golden oil is such a nice and effective drink for sunkissed skin, and a powerful concoction is an amazing healer and lubricant for the winter dries, whilst the mildest soap on earth is an all year round staple.
We normally ask people ‘if you could have only three beauty products what would they be and why?’, I guess that is easy for you….but is there any other products you couldn’t live without?
There sure is. It’s called the Supa Smoothin’ Skin Scrub and it too is made by skin crusaders and comes under the label of good enough 2 eat.You guessed it you can eat it and it tastes like something you’d find on cinnamon doughnuts.Used 1-2 a week on hands, feet and body it removes dead skin cells and leaves you feeling supa smooth all over.It’s like magic!
Most people consider starting and running a small business a difficult undertaking, what keeps you going when things get tough?
I have a little mantra that gets me through the tough times and believe me there have been a few so far…I convince myself that they are just hurdles along the way, thrown at me to to test just how much I want this dream to be real.
Also as a single parent to Alexander-Jaiand running a start up business,It’s only natural for things to get tricky juggling and managing everything.I consider myself lucky and have an amazing network of family and friends, they all support and inspire me in their own special way.I also take time out to exercise, at the moment I am addicted to running – I find it makes me feel strong and happy, it must release the happy hormones in me and it keeps me sane.
Any advice for those individuals wishing to start their own ethical business?
Think BIG!
The perfect day is different for everybody, how would you describe yours?
I don’t kiss and tell!But it would involve enjoying our gorgeous beaches, sunsets and lots of laughter and HUGS!As they say the best things are free.
If you would like to find out more about Save our Skin products visit Anastasia's website at www.saveourskin.com.au
Mae is the founder and director of Organic Beauty World, and online store specialising in natural and organic product to make you feel and look beautiful. We caught up with Mae to find out a little about her, her company and her favourite products.
What inspired you to start Organic Beauty World and how has the journey been for you?
I used to spend most of my Saturday’s going from store to store looking for natural/organic products. This was a time consuming, costly and frustrating process. I remember thinking, surely it can’t be that difficult to buy organic hair products, natural makeup and natural supplements in the one place. Hence the idea for Organic Beauty World was born over a cup of green tea with some friends and encouragement from my 6 year old daughter.
The Organic Beauty World online store seems to have an ever growing range of products, including everything from certified organic beauty products and makeup to natural hair colours and breastfeeding teas, how do you choose which products you will sell?
In the beginning what to sell was based on trial and error. Now 2 years on I have a much better idea of what customers are looking for. Often our customers will tell us what they want or will let us know about a particular product they like. Many of our top selling products have been uncovered through customer referrals.
Many people find overhauling a chemically laden toiletries cupboard a little too daunting, so continue to use potentially harmful products. What would you suggest for people looking to make the change gradually without breaking the bank?
Keep it simple and throw out 1-2 toxic products a week to start with. Begin with the toothpaste and mouthwash. Gradually replace every single personal care item including sunscreen, makeup, hair care and body care with non toxic alternatives. The Chemical Maze Pocketbook may become your best friend on this journey. Its full of information about the potential health effects of food additives and ingredients used in cosmetics and personal care products. Another great resource is www.cosmeticdatabase.com. Once you start using organic, natural, non toxic products you can’t go back to using the stuff you used to use. There is such a big gap between toxic and non toxic products in terms of quality, feel, smell and peace of mind. Organic and natural products work better!
Are there any standout best selling natural and organic beauty products? Our top selling Organic Beauty World products cover both health (inner beauty) and personal care (outer beauty)
If you could have only three beauty products what would they be and why?First 3 products that came to mind:
I can’t leave home without smothering my face with the Devita Solar Moisturiser. It has an SPF of 30+ (perfect for the Australian climate). It’s non greasy and I love the way my dry skin feels – really soft and hydrated. It uses micronized (no nano) Zinc Oxide, fragrance-free, PABA-free, Gluten-free, safe for vegans, and titanium dioxide-free.
Miessence Organic Deodorant - a beauty must have to keep me smelling beautiful even when most of the day is spent running around doing things.
A handbag must have is the Suvana Certified Organic Paw Paw & Honey Lip Balm. I use this on my lips and under and around my eyes. I really like the safe organic ingredients and the way my lips look plumper after putting it on.
Most people consider starting and running a small business a difficult undertaking, what keeps you going when things get tough?
In a word – my customers! They make me laugh, inspire and educate me and vice versa. In their words:
“I received my hair colours today and dyed my hair, my hair feels AMAZING! It feels so nourished, enriched and the colour is absolutely gorgeous! Just perfect, thank you for your tips”. Susan
“Hi, I just wanted to thanks for my upgraded tub of vital greens. It was a nice surprise. Thankyou for your excellent customer service with all my orders”. Kristy
“Thankyou very much for all your assistance. I love the makeup you recommended. I have been searching for quality organic cosmetics for a while now”. Amanda
Any advice for those individuals wishing to start their own ethical business?
Start with a big vision that drives you and keeps you excited about your business. Write it down so you can see it every day. Tap into any support offered from friends, colleagues, community (online and offline). Use this support base to share information, market your idea, find untapped markets and bring in new customers.
Use your existing networks to find someone with a big database to market your products to. Don’t spend time worrying or fearing about what to do. Take action and do not indulge in negative thinking. Be open to all possibilities and solutions.
What is your favourite way to indulge? A long soak in a tub filled with warm water, 2 tablespoons of Himalayan Detox Bath Salts and a few drops of rose essential oil. Soft music playing in the background. I can just relax and day dream.
The perfect day is different for everybody, how would you describe yours? Every day is perfect, just because I woke up and am able to live and love one more day.
The following blog entry is an extract from email we recieved from a CleanLife reader Marrhea. She has given us permission to reproduce it here, so if you need a little inspiration to get back to your green roots, read on;
I have already converted most of our garden into a vegetable patch. I am still new to vegetables, so it is more something I do enjoyably, and less productively so to speak. I started with the garden beds out the back, and my motto was, if you cant eat it we dont need it. Most of the plants came out, a few were left in, (mainly to placate my partner who was quite distressed at my ripping out all of his plants). I kept a bucket in the kitchen, and anything that could be composted, I dug directly into the empty beds, I was surprised and delighted by how much grew. It wasnt long before all of my garden beds were full, and I hadnt planted a thing.
I tried to put seeds into one bed, to be later transplanted into other beds, however, the cat thought this patch made a great kitty litter, so everything that started to grow got ripped out. Now I put seeds into trays, and transplant once they are bigger. The trouble I have with this, is finding a bed to put the seedlings into, as like I mentioned earlier, all my beds were full with plants self growing. So I started ripping plants from the front garden, so that I could plant the things I grew from seed.
We then purchased a worm farm, which I thought would help with my composting, as with little spare garden space, there was no room to dig buckets of vegetable scraps anywhere. Worm farms do not use as many vegetable scraps as I thought they would though, and so shortly after, we also invested in a compost bin. Our worm farm is situated near our front door, and along with all the vegetables now growing in our front garden, I have lots of conversations about vegetables with anyone who happens by our house, from neighbors and friends, through to door knockers and delivery people. I get two buckets of liquid fertilizer a week from the worm farm, with very little food scraps necessary.
I have also ripped up all the lawn from out the back under my clothesline, and am in the process of replacing it with creeping herbs, which smell delightful under my feet as I am hanging out the washing. Under the kids climbing frame, I am putting in a creeping flower, the name of which I do not know, which unlike grass, does not need mowing and whipper snipping, and is a lot softer if the kids should happen to fall or jump off.
The main problem I have found with growing vegetables (I do not have the verge problem, my partner will not let me go past the letterbox with my planting, still there will be plenty of room out the front once I get rid of all the other non productive plants) is watering. With only being able to use retic twice a week, alot of hand watering needs to be done. One of the ways I combat this, is by using recycled water. I have buckets in the shower, which catch the water before it heats up to temperature, and I leave these in while I am showering to see how much more I can save. I have also taught my children and partner to do this. As we only use organic body products, I do not have a problem with putting the water into the garden. The buckets I then empty out into the garden via watering can during the day sometime when I get a spare minute or five. I also have a bucket in my kitchen sink, which is always situated under the running tap, I was really surprised with how much water goes down the kitchen drain. I empty this bucket at least six times a day, note that I said at least. With all this recycled kitchen and bathroom water, I hardly ever need to hose water. My partner has suggested installing recycling drainage so that I do not have to haul buckets through the house, however, I find that emptying the buckets regulary through a watering can, gives me an opportunity to get rid of the weeds as they start to appear, and spot new seeds as they are starting to sprout.
I do not have any conventional vegetable patches throughout my garden, as most of it is grown of its own free will through my scraps. I merely plant any seedling in between what has decided to grow on its own. I have moved a few avocado trees begining to grow near the house to somewhere near the verge where there is a bit more room, although, I now have so many of them I can see I will need to start giving them away as presents. I have put in some herbs also, and have a list of more I would like to put in as well as fruit trees, and berries. Now that I am begining to see how growing vegetables works, I am starting to put a plan to the garden space we have, which includes the removal of all the grass on our block, except of course that on the verge. After all, I do need some grass clippings for the compost.
Another thing I found when planting vegetables, is that they do need work to get them going. Especially with the removal of weeds. Once I had established the vegetable beds, with the weeds firmly removed by the root, they were extremely easy to care for. The kids love to do caterpillar and snail patrol. I give them a bucket and let them see how much they can get. I did try putting these into the bin, but found they crawl back out, so unfortunately, these I do destroy. Maybe I could walk them around to the park and set them free there, however, at the moment I just dont have the time, and my neighbors dont want them in their yards either. I have not done well with store bought seedlings, and so tend to just grow from seed or scraps, and have found that my vegie patch has been achieved rather cheaply.
Well, that is what I have done so far with my garden, wish I could send you some pics, but like I said, it is still in its early stages, and there is so much I still need to do, that I do not have any for you at the moment. Oh yeah, my friends looked at me like I was some kind of weird freak when I first started ripping out plants, and putting in vegies, but now whenever they come over, I seem to be giving them tips on how to grow their own, and they always love to see what I have growing this time around.
If you have advice, information or inspiration about your own green projects, please share them with us!
Shona Hunter; the fairest chocolate cake maker of them all!
If you could improve the quality of life for people in poverty stricken countries, protect your health and reduce your environmental impact just by changing the brand of coffee that you drink of chocolate that you eat would you do it? If you answered yes, then you my friend will be a big fan of fair trade products. Fair Trade also extends far beyond chocolate and coffee to incorporate clothing, sporting goods, toys and far far more. So celebrate this Fair Trade Fortnight by making the resolution to choose fair trade whenever you can. There is an absolute stack of events you can take part in, so see below for more details.
What is fair trade? Fair trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, which seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers - especially in the South. Fair trade organizations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade.
Fair Trade Fiesta - World Fair Trade Day - Big Bang!! May 9, 10am - 3pm at City Farm, 1 City Farm Place, East Perth
The Fiesta Program features everything from Latino Andes Music, drum making workshops, face painting and pinanta smashing to fair trade presentations. There will also be a fair trade market with a myriad of products. The regular organic market will also be there, starting at 8am.
The fairest chocolate cake of them all....
A highlight of this years WA Fair Trade Fortnight Program is the 4th annual Fair Trade Chocolate Cake Auction in conjunction with the opening of the Fair Trade Art Exhibition (Sun May 3, Opening - 6.30pm).
This 100% organic/biodynamic and fair trade chocolate cake (lovingly made of course) to be auctioned off to the highest bidder to raise funds.
This year the cake will be a three tiered dark and white choc delight, representing the three tiers of fair trade production: producer (base), the licensee (middle) and the consumer (top).
Come and join in the excitement of an auction and perhaps be the fortunate bidder to take home a fair trade delicacy to share with friends and family.
Fair Trade Fortnight Music Night May 15, 7pm - 9.30pm
Come along and enjoy live music and entertainment at the Perth Oxfam store to wrap up Fair Trade Fortnight 2009 Perth Oxfam Store, 872 Hay St (near Shafto Lane), 9321 3784
Visit www.fairtradeaustralia.com.au for full program for Perth or see below for the rest of Australia and the world!
Fair trade fortnight happens nationally. info on national events are at the bottom of our website world fair trade day is an international event on the 9th of may, but the fortnight actually occurs at different times in different countries. Visitwww.fairtrade.com.au for more details about events in your state.
Read on for FREE Lavender Luxe Hand Polish until May 30th
With the current experience of some skincare companies mascarading as Natural or Organic, but being nothing more than a tarted up synthetic brand, we offer you another small scale natural skincare producer that live up to their promises. If you are looking for a brand that is affordable yet high quality, natural and suitable for the whole family, then Invoke Natural Skincare, is a good place to look. We caught up with Invoke Natural Skincare Founder and Director, Rebecca Kennedy, to find out a little more about her gorgeous products and the ideas behind her company.
GC:What inspired you to start Invoke Natural Skincare and how has the journey been for you?
RK: After having my first baby I became a lot more conscious of what I was using on her skin and was mortified to find out about many of the nasty chemicals in a lot of the well known commercial baby products.After developing a passion on the subject, I decided to start my own natural skincare range for face and body as well as the mums & bubs range.The rest as they say is history.It has certainly been a very big learning curve turning an idea into a business but I have enjoyed the journey and am looking forward to what the future holds.
In your opinion, can changing the way we look at any use skincare change the world?
Yes I think so.Knowledge is key and consumers are becoming more aware and conscious of making eco friendly decisions that also reflects their lifestyle.The trend is becoming more mainstream creating increased demand for natural based products such as skincare, which indicates the potential for further growth is eminent.If we can create a marketplace where natural products are more accessible and widely available then the shift to using natural skincare products every day will be easy.Can this change the world – well it can certainly help us to have a more positive impact on the environment and our own health.
You are very focused on providing different skincare ranges for different skins, how does this work?
We look at the characteristics that are common to different skin types such as oily, dry or combination and ensure that the key active ingredients such as essential oils or botanical extracts target problems commonly experienced by these skin types e.g. flaking, blemishes or excess oil etc and provide the best benefit to the overall health of the skin.
What do you think gives your products a unique edge?
Well apart from the fact our products are free of nasty ingredients and preservatives, they are made from pure quality natural ingredients, are tailored to suit individual skin types, have minimal impact on the environment, and totally affordable, they also look pretty nice on your bathroom shelf!
Do you have a favourite Invoke Natural Skincare product?
Well of course all of them but my most indulgent is the Lavender Luxe Hand Polish.I not only use it on my hands but also use it on my feet and I feel like I have been treated to a pedicure and manicure session in a day spa.
If you could have only three beauty products, what would they be and why?
Cleanser, toner and moisturiser because these three simple steps are all that is needed to keep your skin in tip top shape. Cleansing obviously reduces blemishes by removing bacteria and free radicals that builds up on the skin.Toning gives the skin clarity and moisturising adds back much needed moisture to keep the skin hydrated and help minimise signs of aging.
What are the best and worst parts of your job?
I just love seeing someone convert to natural products and it is great to see their expressions when they love the smell and feel of a product within my range, it gives me a real buzz.
The worst part is trying to compete against the big cosmetic houses.Many of the larger companies are ‘cashing in’ on the shift to natural and have added some natural ingredients to their existing preservative laden base products and just re-branded them as natural.It makes it very hard for truly natural skincare companies to compete.
Most people consider starting and running a small business a difficult undertaking, what keeps you going when things get tough?
You have to have a passion for what you do and believe in it, but most importantly you need to believe in yourself.Only you can drive the business to where you want it to go.You may have a great concept and fantastic resources but that doesn’t instantly covert to success.It is your own passion, belief and drive that will keep the business on the right path and help you ride out the troughs with the peaks.
Do you have any advice for those individuals wishing to start their own ethical business?
Research, network and plan.These all sound obvious but each one is imperative.Research your potential market place so you have an understanding of what you are putting yourself against and define your P’s e.g Price, place, position, etc.Networking is a great way to get constructive and impartial feedback on your products but it can also open up a world of opportunities such as supplier contacts, retail channels, etc.Lastly plan.In an ever changing retail environment you need to ensure your plan for the future reflects the changing landscape so you don’t get left behind or miss an opportunity.
The perfect day is different for everybody, how would you describe yours?
My perfect day is starting it with a skinny cappuccino and spending it with my beautiful girls and adorable husband.
Invoke are offering a very special offer of a Free Lavender Luxe Hand Polish to CleanLife subscribers
Until the end of May Invoke extends an exclusive offer to Clean Life Subscribers. Receive a free Lavender Luxe Hand Polish valued at $13.50 with every order over $50. To redeem, fill in “Clean Life” in the ‘How did you hear about us?’ box.
Natural Instinct leader in misleading claims: Get your refund NOW
I am absolutely disgusted to find that Natural Instinct and Organic Instinct brands which are owned by Natural Products of Australia Pty Ltd have been so incredibly and deliberately misleading and deceptive in the promotion of their not so natural personal care products.
The company has been found to guilty of deliberately failing to list all ingredients on the on the ingredients lists such as Sodium Laureth Sulphate, listing some chemicals by incorrect names, and claiming that some products are "made from 100% pure oils and certified organic herbs" when in fact, only a very minor proportion of the product uses these. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has told it to publish corrective notices in newspapers & magazine. You can read more specifics on the link below.
Natural Instinct and Organic Instinct have never been part of the CleanLife Directory of recommended products (aka CleanLife's favourite companies), and we are very proud of that. The many companies we have turned away over the past years often don't understand how pedantic we are in choosing the products we recommend, this horrific event brings it into perfect clarity.
Despite the company being ineligible for our directory, I had thought that their products were better than the average off your shelf supermarket variety, and would have answered as much if anybody asked, and unfortunately that may not be so. I feel truly deceived.
There are so many things that disgust me about this incident, but one of the things that makes me feel sick to the bottom of my stomach is that many of the affected products are the baby ranges. I have included the products that are affected below, so please ensure you contact NI on the number they have provided on their website and, get your refund if you have purchased any affected products.
I am also incredibly upset at the effect this may have on people who were only recently starting to convert to natural products. Many families start with Natural Instinct because it is easy to access and cheap. Will those companies be put off natural and organic products altogether? I hope not.
4) Ensure that you seek the full refund for any products you have purchased that many have been affected, see details below.
Here is an extract from the correction notice that comes as a pop up on the Natural Instinct website (if your pop up blocker doesn't get to it first as mine did).
Non-compliant labellingand misleading claims
Following an investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (the ACCC), Natural Instinct has acknowledged that it may have breached sections 52, 53(a), 55 and 65D of the Trade Practices Act 1974 (the Act) in the labelling of some of its products and in brochures distributed by Natural Instinct.
Until on or about 30 June 2008:
Natural Instinct did not include sodium laureth sulphate (plant derived), cocamide DEA, cetrimonium chloride and citric acid as ingredients on the labels of the products listed in Table A, as required by the Trade Practices (Consumer Product Information Standards) (Cosmetic) Regulations 1991 (the Standard).
Foaming facial cleanser Hand cream Hand wash Hydrating toner Moisturiser Shampoo
Natural Instinct did not list ingredients in the correct order on the products listed in Table B, as required by the Standard.
TABLE B
Products affected
Aloe Vera Gel
Baby bath wash
Baby conditioner
Baby moisturising lotion
Baby shampoo
Body lotion
Body wash
Conditioner
Facial scrub
Foaming facial cleanser
Hand cream
Hand wash
Moisturiser
Shampoo.
Natural Instinct did not correctly name the chemicals and ingredients listed in Table C, as required by the Standard
TABLE C
INCI name
Incorrect name(s) used
Sodium laureth sulphate (plant derived)
Sodium Salt of Laureth 2 Sodium Salt of SulphonatedLaureth 2
Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate
Suttocide
Fragrance (USA) Parfum / Profumo (UE)
Preservative T
Cetrimonium Chloride
Quaternised derivative of palm oil
Full details of the Section 87B Undertaking and a list of affected products can be found on the Public Register on the ACCC’s website at www.accc.gov.au.
To compensate customers who purchased Natural Instinct products and believe they have been misled, Natural Instinct is offering a refund for the full purchase price of affected products. For more information about claims for refunds contact Edwina Pearce of Natural Instinct on 1800 771 063 or at customerservice@natural instinct.com.au by 6 June 2009.
Please forward this information on to as many people as you can.
If you are in Perth and haven't heard the wonderful Julie Eady and Narelle Chenery speak, then it is time to get yourself over to Como for a couple of hours. Personally I find both of these women incredibly inspiring, they are making our world a safer place. Avoiding additives in food and synthetic chemicals in your personal care products is easier than you think, and these lovely ladies will show you how!
The Green Goddess & The Additive Queen Join Forces
Join Narelle Chenery and Julie Eady as they share their knowledge and experience of the food and beauty industries to make you an informed consumer and improve the health and well being of your family.
Narelle Chenery is the creator of Miessence, the world's first certified organic skin care and personal care range. She is a passionate educator and activist for social and consumer change, speaking worldwide to business leaders, entrepreneurs, cosmetic industry professionals and government bodies. Narelle, a mother of three, has also written articles for leading health publications.
Narelle is passionate about empowering and educating consumers on how to avoid harmful chemicals in their products. “Misleading labels and clever marketing gimmicks relating to organic content can often mask the use of potentially toxic ingredients” she says, “which seriously undermines the integrity of the organic claim.”
The majority of the more than $100 billion dollar world-wide cosmetic industry supports a toxic chemical industry. Narelle quotes Gandhi, “Non-cooperation with evil is a sacred duty”, and adds “Education is the key. If we know how to read labels, we can choose to avoid toxins.”
------------------------------- Julie Eady was a young mother in Perth’s suburbs when the birth of her first child seven years ago prompted her to have a better look at what her baby was actually consuming.
She deciphered all the little numbers listed on the ingredients list of a wide range of processed foods and discovered that many of the additives – designed to enhance food’s flavour, colour or texture – were either banned or restricted in other countries.
She says some of the additives have even been linked to behavioural problems in children, allergic reactions and even cancer.
Additive Alert, Your Guide to Safer Shopping was published in 2004, and sold over 25,000 copies in its first year, confirming the demand by consumers for factual information about our food. It is one of the best selling references available on food additives in Australia, and has become a household shopping “bible” for thousands of consumers around the country.
Details of the seminar :
When: Tuesday 5th May between 7-9pm. Please come early to register. Where: The Church of Christ, cnr Murray & McNabb Sts, Como. Costs: $10
This exciting and informative public seminar is not to be missed and bookings are essential. Please ensure that you book early to secure your seat.
Call Leanne on 9591 2636 or 0433 158 858 Email: leanne@organics4ever.com Website: www.organics4ever.com
The lovely team at the Natural Woman Network have decided that since the answers were all so good, they want to provide all entrants with a $20 gift voucher. To claim your prize you just need to email us you contact details by visiting the following link http://www.cleanlife.com.au/contactus.htm
Congratulations and thanks for inspiring our readers to help heal the world! If you are yet to read the replies, check out the link below for some thought provoking inspiration.
Finding Ikigai with luxury organic and natural skincare and beauty products
Ikigai is Japanese word that refers to a sense of purpose, well being and joy in daily life. It is also the name of a hot new online store offering luxury organic and natural skincare and beauty products. We caught up with Ikigai founder Kate Hanson, to find out a little more about this new and exciting adventure.
What inspired you to start Ikigai and how has the journey been for you?
I suppose Ikigai couldn’t have come into being if I hadn’t moved from busy, dirty, grimy old London to beautiful Queensland back in 2006. The stunning scenery and more laid-back lifestyle here helped me to reconnect with the things I had loved as a little girl growing up in the English countryside. As an 8-year-old I used to gather ‘herbs’ and ‘seeds’ (mostly various types of grass I suspect) and try to sell them in the front garden to passers-by. My mother had a Culpeper book and I was fascinated by the properties of all the herbs in the book. However, I went off to work in the cut-and-thrust world of PR and advertising and all that was lost until recently.
I’ve always been addicted to beauty and skincare products but for the first time I started to research what actually goes into them. And I was absolutely horrified. As I tried to ‘green’ my beauty routine and find products based on the powerful natural benefits of herbal extracts and essential oils, I made lots of mistakes. I believed that products claiming to be ‘organic’ or ‘natural’ actually were, only to get the product home, read the label and find it was full of chemicals!
Ikigai was born out of this frustration together with a sense that there must be girls like me out there. Girls who appreciate glamour, style and luxury could do with some green beauty alternatives that keep their promises AND make us feel special. After all, who wants to use hemp shower gel in dodgy packaging? Why can’t we be green and glamorous at the same time?
There are so many natural and organic products coming onto the market now, how to you choose the products you are going to stock at Ikigai?
There are some truly wonderful ranges out there to choose from and I get really excited when I find a great new product.
I decide which products are right for Ikigai based on three criteria: 1. Does it work? 2. Is it genuinely natural or organic? So many products claim to be but also include harsh synthetic ingredients. 3. Is it somehow unique, stylish, sexy and luxurious?
If I can’t honestly say ‘yes’ to all three, we won’t stock the product.
Ikigai offer luxury natural and organic skincare products, such as Pure and True Organic Beauty. Is there a reason you have opted for this end of the market?
Absolutely. I simply wasn’t prepared to sacrifice the kick I got from finding a really special designer beauty or skincare product just because I wanted to be greener and healthier. And I was convinced there must be other girls like me out there! Pampering yourself with great skincare treats should be an act of self-love, not a compromise.
What are your three must have beauty products?
1. My absolute favourite product of all time is the GLOW Intensive C Rejuvenating Serum from Pure&True Organic Beauty. This stuff seriously rocks, proving the point that organic products can be every bit as effective as the top brands. Its base is healing aloe vera, not water like most skincare products. It’s absolutely packed with antioxidants, including heaps of vitamin C and E – so much so that your skin tingles when you apply it. The antioxidants help stimulate collagen synthesis which is just a fancy way of saying they can help you look less old and haggard (I need all the help I can get!). And I am extremely surprised and pleased that a brown pigment patch on my face has all but vanished since I’ve been using the serum. A percentage of the profit from sales goes to social and environmental charities. Love it, love it, love it.
2. endota Spa Organics Lilly Pilly Body Moisturiser. This stuff is just too yummy. It’s made with organic vanilla beans that leave you smelling good enough to eat. Lilly Pilly is a native Australian tree and the extract from the edible berries is full of vitamin C, antioxidants and exfoliating fruit acids. So not only does this stuff smell great, but it leaves your skin mega smooth too. Packaging is 100% recycled and a percentage of profits goes to Bush Heritage Australia, which is dedicated to protecting 7 million hectares of ecologically significant bush land.
3. Pangea Organics Egyptian Geranium with Adzuki Bean & Cranberry Facial Scrub. This is a seriously refreshing scrub with organic cranberry extract which has a natural astringent effect and is loaded with antioxidants. Ground adzuki beans were used traditionally by the Japanese geishas to exfoliate and cleanse without drying, for a beautifully clear complexion. The coolest thing though is that you can plant the box to grow a herb!
If people are just getting started on converting to natural beauty products, what would you recommend they start with and why?
My advice would be to have a look at the shopping guide I’ve put together which explains some of the worst chemicals that can be found in cosmetics. You can find it here. Take it into your bathroom and read the ingredient lists on your products. Then sort them into ‘good’, ‘medium’ and ‘bad’ piles depending on how many nasties they have in them. Chuck the bad ones out, use up the medium ones and replace them with a better choice when you’ve finished, and hang onto the good ones.
I’d say to be in the ‘good’ category they shouldn’t have any of the ingredients on the hit list. Perfume, parfum or fragrance is a tricky one – generally it’s a pretty safe bet that this refers to synthetic perfume but sometimes (like with Lush products) it’s referring to essential oils that are added for their aroma. If in doubt, exercise caution!
Generally speaking, the easiest areas in which to go green are shower gel, bath and body oils, body moisturizers and facial care products. Hair care, toothpaste and deodorant are a little harder but it’s definitely worth persevering until you find the right ones for you!
Most people consider starting and running a small business a difficult undertaking, what keeps you going when things get tough?
I feel very blessed that after years in the wrong career, I’ve finally found something that inspires me enough that I would want do it even if I never earned a penny from it. I’ve had so much fun starting Ikigai, and that more than makes up for the challenges and the incredibly hard work.
What keeps me going more than anything though, is my wonderful fiancé who encouraged me to start Ikigai because he was convinced of my ability to build it into something great. He’s now my partner in the business and working with him inspires me every day to be the best I possibly can be!
The perfect day is different for everybody, how would you describe yours? That is how do you manage to find Ikigai!?
It’s tempting to think that we’re not having a good time unless we’re completely relaxing and doing nothing. But if we’re always waiting until the next time we can enjoy ourselves, life passes us by. So we have to build balance and relaxation into everyday life – which is easier said than done – it is a discipline that I am still learning!
With that in mind, my perfect day would be pretty normal. It would start with a gentle yoga session. Then I’d do some fulfilling work (maybe write a fantastic article for the Ikigai blog or find a great new product range). I’d definitely want to have a giggle with a friend either over lunch or on the phone. The perfect end would be a walk on the beach with my man followed by a wholesome organic meal, a warm bubble bath and a glass of red wine. Oh and a good book at bed time would top it off. That’s definitely Ikigai for me!
Looking for some Ikigai in your skincare? check outwww.ikigai.com.au
'Greetings from Earth' is a phrase my siblings and I would throw about when someone was acting a little alien! I am sure if aliens were here with us, they would LOVE to get a gift wrapped with a matching card from Earth Greetings.
Earth Greetings have been dedicated to designing sustainably produced greeting cards, gift cards, wrapping paper, bookmarks and Christmas cards since 2003.
The designs are extremely beautiful and are reflective of Australia's natural diversity. We interviewed Earth Greetings founder Heide Hackworth, and this is what she had to say!
What inspired you to start Earth Greetings and how has the journey been for you?
When I had the business idea in 2003 the inspiration was purely a creative one – finding a way to publish my artwork. But then when I realised straight away how difficult it was going to be to create and sell Earth-friendly paper products I became driven by my passion to help the environment. The journey has been a challenging one but its getting easier – there are more suppliers which is helpful and definitely more acceptance from retailers and consumers for Earth-friendly products.
Your designs are incredibly beautiful and delicate with a modern edge, are you the artist behind the artwork?
Thankyou! Yes, this is the fun part of what I do. Its getting harder and harder to find the time for design so Ill be looking for other like minded artists to come on board. Id like to continue being involved in the creative side of things because this is why I started my business in the first place. It would be less fulfilling for me if I was just doing all the admin and marketing!
Earth Greetings cards and wrapping paper, use recycled paper and vegetable based inks, why did you decide to go with these environmentally aware options?
So many reasons.. We need to stop destroying forests if we want to survive on this planet. Deforestation removes our best, most immediate and cheapest chance at mitigating global warming – trees. Trees store carbon dioxide (one of the main global warming gases) and keep it out of our atmosphere. When forests are burned, not only does wildlife lose its home, but huge amounts of carbon dioxide are released back into the atmosphere. The transportation of logs releases global warming gases. The virgin fibre paper production process releases pollution into our water systems and uses up a massive amount of water. The forestry industry claims their activities are ‘carbon neutral’ because some forests are replaced by monoculture plantations. However what they don’t mention is that it takes many years for plantation trees to absorb the huge amounts of carbon that have been released by deforestation activity – and they are cut down before they can reach this level anyway. Also monoculture plantations don’t support biodiversity of flora and fauna like old-growth forests do.
I wont use any paper that has been created in this way. The best alternative at present is to use 100% post-consumer recycled paper because no trees have been destroyed to make it. It is true that some virgin fibre is required to ‘begin’ the recycling process, but I believe we should be turning to hemp, fast growing bamboo or kenaf trees, or other alternative fibre rather than destroying old-growth forests.. just to make paper!
Traditional mineral oil based inks contain hazardous and toxic substances. Thankfully, now many printers have switched over to the vegetable based ink made from soy or linseed oil – and doesn’t cost any more than the mineral oil based ink so they have no excuse.
In your opinion, can changing the way give and wrap gifts change the world?
Definitely! The over-consumption of imported and environmentally destructive products has a huge environmental and social impact. But there are so many wonderful and creative Earth-friendly and fair trade alternative gifts to choose from now. Of course, when wrapping the gift & choosing a card it’s important to be mindful of the environment too! You can have such a positive influence on the receiver who will appreciate the extra thought you have put in to choosing their gift, and perhaps influence their choices in the future.
What do you think gives your cards and wrapping papers a unique edge?
What people tell me is that they love the Australian animals and plants in the designs and that this is what gives them a unique edge. Traditionally Australian imagery has been a bit tacky and souvenir-ey so I've tried to give our Aussie creatures a modern look and celebrate them in this way. I also adore Aboriginal art and that’s definitely an influence too.
The other unique thing is probably the lack of bling in the presentation compared to other products. The 100% post-consumer recycled paper is full of little flecks. Brown unbleached envelopes and recycled brown cardboard display stands certainly make a unique statement – matte is the new gloss!
Do you have a favourite Earth Greetings design?
Maybe the rainbow lorikeets as they are my absolute favourite birds. I just adore them. They are so gregarious and have wonderful personality.
Most people consider starting and running a small business a difficult undertaking, what keeps you going when things get tough?
And they would be correct! Its much easier to have a job where you can go home at the end of the day and forget all about work, because you never stop working when its your ‘baby.’ The upside is you are motivated by a pride in what you do as your business success (or not) can reflect on you as a person. I have been through a lot of tough times in business, and can only say that positive thinking has got me through. I'm a ‘never give up’ kind of person. The highs are as big as the lows though!
Any advice for those individuals wishing to start their own ethical business?
I think all new businesses now have to consider ethics as part of their plan so if you want yours to stand out in the tidal wave of ‘eco business’ competition you’ll need to plan carefully along a genuine ethical path. Do this before you start the business and it will be integral to what you do.
As in any business, its vital you have a point of difference in what you are doing. Do your research, look at what your competitors are doing and go one step further. It can be more difficult and a lot more expensive to go down an ethical path but it will give you more satisfaction as a business owner, and perhaps win you more customers as well.
The perfect day is different for everybody, how would you describe yours?
Definitely starting with a perfect cup of coffee, then opening my email to discover a wonderfully satisfied customer giving me feedback, and a huge order coming in from a new customer. No, scrap that – a day off going for a long walk up at Mt Lofty Botanic Garden! Visit www.earthgreetings.com.au for more information and to find a stockist near you.
Just a remember that Earth Hour 2009 is on Saturday, March 28th at 8:30pm in each and every time zone. So switch off your lights for an hour (or more!!) and help the movement. Please tell your friends and for more info visit http://www.earthhour.org
Some of you will know that I am addicted to Queen B, beeswax candles. 100% pure beeswax candles are carbon neutral and have a naturally delicious light honey smell. They help to purify the air and bring on the romance.
* Beeswax (wholesale) as a raw material costs over 50 times the price of paraffin and 20 times the price of soy & palm waxes... and yet Queen B candles are but a fraction more expensive than their toxic cousins
* Queen B candles are all handmade right here in Sydney, Australia (not China)... that keeps jobs in Australia (assuming that someone is buying the candles) according to the organisers of Earth Hour (the World Wildlife Fund) the ONLY candles that are carbon neutral are 100% pure beeswax
* If you switch off your lights and light candles an hour before bed, you will sleep better (medical fact... because your adrenals slow down production of cortisol which keeps you awake and your brain begins production of melatonin)
Considering all the good times to be had by candle-light, Queen B candles are a great way to see out the recession.
Perth families, come out in force for a day of fun with faeries!!
A community inspired celebration attracting awareness towards environmental conservation and regeneration. If we keep destroying the environment, faeries will have nowhere to live. Through focusing on nature, we can save the faeries.
$5 entry City Farm Place, East Perth Sunday 22nd March
Dress your elemental best
An organic salad mix of colourful Perth musicians, roving faeries, street theatre, conservation workshops, hula hopping, wand making, face painting, vegetarian food, craft with recycled goods, market stalls, circus play, bellydancing, drumming, Environmental groups sharing their information and plenty of room for toe tapping. This event is open to all ages, humans and faeries.
Information stalls
The Wilderness Society Men of the Trees Nearer to Nature Friends of Australian Rock Art Conservation Volunteers Saving Animals from Euthanasia Greenpeace Anti-nuclear alliance
Entertainment by
Faeries of perth bringing family entertainment with a faerie fun stage show, face painting,craft workshops, roving performers and storytelling
AKWAABA (african drumming) Dekka (didge, drum and harmonica) bellydancers Food
Tummy tingling delights by Purple Jazi and her organic food that will tantalise your taste buds, tummies and mother earth.
