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November / December 2009
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Issue 15
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Ethical Christmas
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Green Communication Making it good to talk
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• Cruelty Free Beauty • Online Campaigning • Home Education • Eco Knitting • Green Bristol • Natural Hand Care • Slow Food
Ethical Publishing
Hello and welcome to Issue 15 of Ethical Living, our November/December 2009 issue. At this time of year, as the weather gets colder and the nights get darker, many of us find ourselves retreating into our homes, diving under the duvet and reaching for a good book or switching on the computer. But even when we are logging on, there are many things we can all do to help reduce our impact on the environment. There has been a huge increase in online campaigns recently, as we’ve been discovering in our feature on page 12. This is such a great way for people, such as you our dedicated readers, to come together and make thier views heard in the wider world and the power of a collective voice is much harder for polititions and decision makers to ignore. Such online campaigns are also a great way to demonstrate to each other the small steps that we are all taking to make a positive difference and our commitment to combating climate change. It’s always encouraging to hear that we’re not alone in our efforts and here at Ethical Living we very much look forward to and enjoy your letters, with your green ideas and telling us about the things that you are doing. Happy reading!
Kim Marks Editor
Editor Kim Marks editor@ethical-living.org Published 6 times a year by Ethical Publishing Limited, PO Box 282, Stamford, PE9 9BW
Editorial contributors Sionead Bannister, Sarah Callard, Ellie Garwood, Sarah Lewis, Fiona McDonald Joyce, Jo Middleton, Nicky Solloway, Kris Wilcox
Email: hello@ethical-living.org Tel: 08456 432 499 ISSN 1754-047X For subscriptions Email: subscriptions@ethical-living.org Tel: 01778 392 011
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Printed by Warners (Midlands) PLC, who are FSC and ISO 14001:2004 accredited and use vegetable based inks. Warners are local to Ethical Living and have company-wide initiatives to reduce energy use, promote recycling and protect their environment. Paper Cover printed on Arctic Paper Munken Pure, which is FSC certified and manufactured completely without optical brightening agents. Text pages printed on Munken Print Cream, which is FSC certified and virtually wood free. The Munkedal mill is ISO 14001 certified and is one of the most environmentally friendly paper mills in the world.
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November / December 2009
12
Online Campaigns Is your virtual voice being heard?
Letters, News and Events Features
Health and Beauty
08 Life in the Slow Lane
06
Nicky Solloway takes a look at slow food to finds out what it means to the way we eat and how it can benefit the environment
12 The Rise of the Online Campaign
Changing the world one mouse click at a time? Ellie Garwood investigates how environmental campaigns have taken the battle online
16 A Jolly Green Christmas
Treat your family and friends to the perfect guilt free present this Christmas with our guide to the best ethical gifts
Home and Garden 22 Green Home Improvements
We ask top designers and home experts for their tips on how to improve your home the green way
28 The Ugly Face of the Beauty Industry Think testing cosmetics on animals is a thing of the past? Think again. We get to the bottom of this ugly issue and find ethics can be beautiful
30 Review of Hand Care
We smooth out the lumps and bumps of ethical hand care products
Subscription Offer Fashion 32
34 Save or Spend Winter Wear
Whether you’re splashing out for bagging a bargain this winter, we’ve got the perfect ethical outfit for to keep you cosy and stylish
39 Boots
Keep your carbon footprint in check with the latest fabulous and ethical boots
Food and Drink 40 What’s In Season
November / December 2009
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42
Healthy Food Delicious gluten, wheat, dairy and sugar free recipes
34
Winter Wear Cosy ethical clothes to suit all budgets
41 Christmas Foods
Having a green christmas? We’ve got six of the best ethical seasonal treats to make your mouth water
42 Have Your Cake and Eat It Gluten, wheat, dairy and sugar free, yet totally
delicious recipes from Food Glorious Food
Family 46 Home Sweet Home School
Are your kids too cool for school. Jo Middleton, looks at the rise in the popularity of home education and asks is it for you.
50 Family favourites
The latest news and reviews for your family
Travel
Finance and Work 56 Green Communication
Picking up a mobile phone is part of our daily lives. But you can lower your communication footprint, finds Sionead Bannister
Leisure 60 How to...
,,,knit the ethical way
62
Reviews
The latest ethical books and music
Competition 64 Ethical Marketplace 66 Ethical Advice 63
52 Green City Bristol
Crowned green capital of the UK and recently proclaimed the UK’s first cycling city, Bristol has lots to offer the ethical holiday maker
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November / December 2009
Letters
Say it with flowers Dear Ethical Living, When having a family celebration, instead of using flowers that have invariably been flown in, think ahead and plant up bulbs or plants in pots ready. For my boys Baptism we had blue polyanthus in pots throughout the church. These were later planted in the garden to give an added memory of the day. Wendy Stanger
Go plastic free! One of the hardest things to source, as a plastic free mum, is household cleaning products. And, with a hectic Christmas approaching and a household of people to look after, I’ve been panicking. As my washing up liquid disappeared, I discovered a recipe using vinegar, soda crystals, tea tree oil and old fashioned soapflakes to put in my used washing up bottle. In fact old fashioned seems to be the best way to shop plastic free for cleaning products. I discovered www.dripak.co.uk, where you can purchase products such as bicarbonate of soda, citric acid and washing soda in cardboard cartons. They work cleaning wonders (my loo is sparkling for the first time in years) and cost less. My best find has been at www.greenbrands. co.uk. They have natural loofa sponges and coconut husk pan scrubbers, which work better then any cleaning sponge I have ever used. Not only that, it makes the washing up less boring!
Learning to share Dear Ethical Living, While teacher
If you’d like to tell us about how you’re cutting back on your plastic usage, a green idea you’ve had or an eco-experience you’ve enjoyed, write to us at Ethical Living, PO Box 282, Stamford, PE9 9BW or email to editor@ethical-living.org
We also ran out of shampoo last week but I’ve been saved by www.e-nat.co.uk, who make shampoo bars, they lather amazingly well, are totally organic and save waste.
To be honest there have been many days when I’m tired or busy and I feel like screaming with frustration about how much work it is to actually buy less of something! However the first few months have definitely been the hardest. My habits are changing. I’m remembering to do simple things, like fill up the boot with my old bags BEFORE I venture out, and things are getting easier every day. Please join me in my quest to give up five plastic products each month. Have a look at my blog sponsored by Ethical Living and let us know how you are getting on. - Sarita Cameron www.less-plastic-pledge.com
November / December 2009
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training, we had to visit the Centre for Alternative Technology in Machynlleth. Our tutor told us all that we would have to drive down there, and if we didn’t have cars then we’d have to get a lift with someone else on the course. In total, there were about 50 of us on the course, coming from every corner of North Wales. I couldn’t believe someone hadn’t ordered a bus for us and pointed this out to the tutor, especially as we were supposed to be going to the CAT centre to research ideas for sustainability lessons! His reply was that if a) I stood up in front of 50 people and sold this idea, b) I did all the work in ordering a bus and c) collected the money and paid the bus company, then we could have one. So I did. Some people still shared cars, but 30 of us went on the bus. Gemma Dale
News
Calling all nut-hunters The People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) and Natural England are staging a mass participation survey encouraging people to help save endangered hazel dormice. The survey asks members of the public to search their local woodlands for tell-tale signs of gnawed hazel nuts to determine the distribution and numbers of the rare mammal. www.ptes.org/greatnuthunt
Glove love Green Thing is calling upon the UK to donate their single gloves to its Glove Love campaign, which will pair together damaged and abandoned gloves with other lost gloves to create a new unique pair. - www.dothegreenthing.com
Giving for free Giving to charity this Christmas will be absolutely free for online shoppers and could potentially amass a staggering donation of up to £140m. By using TheGivingMachine, a unique not-for-profit shopping and fundraising portal, to access over 200 leading online shops, a percentage of the sale is turned into a donation on behalf of the shopper and then given to the shopper’s chosen charity or school at no extra cost to the shopper whatsoever. - www.thegivingmachine.co.uk
Events November 01 - 30 Vegan Month Series of events to promote veganism and aiming to improve the quality and availability of vegan food in the UK - www.veganmonth.com 09 - 11 Progressive Business Showcare Part of National Ethical Investment Week, seminar for progressive businesses whose products or services are beneficial to society - www.gaeia.co.uk 19 World Toilet Day Celebrating the importance of sanitation and raising awareness for the 2.5bn people who don’t have access to toilets - www.worldtoiletday.com
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The greenest office? If you know of a company that is home to innovative green initiatives and staff who are keen recyclers and energy savers, then this is your chance to nominate them for a new national award. And by simply nominating the company that has impressed you, you could win a prize worth over £400! The Greenest Office Award was launched in September by Cartridge World in partnership with carbon offsetting company co2balance and is a national search for the office that can best demonstrate green practices. www.cartridgeworld.co.uk/greenestoffice
Adopt-a-hive A project, aiming to establish and maintain new bee colonies, was recently launched in the UK. Adopt-a-hive is a practical and fun way to help solve the problem of substantial declines in bee populations. You can help start a new bee colony by buying a year long, 1/12 share in a hive. In return you’ll receive a shareholder certificate, wildflower seeds to attract bees to your garden, regular updates on your bee colony and at the end of summer you’ll be sent 1lb of honey - your share of the harvest. - www.adoptahive.co.uk
December 05 The Wave, London Ahead of the UN climate summit in Copenhagen, thousands take to the streets to show support for a safe climate future - www.stopclimatechaos.org 05 - 06 Tree Dressing Aims to encourage the celebration of trees and highlight our responsibility for looking after them www.commonground.org.uk 05 - 06 Christmas Eco Fair A great opportunity to buy Christmas presents with an ethical edge - www.theecofair.co.uk 26 - 03 January Festival of Winter Walks Hundreds of walks taking place around the country, that are free, fun and open to anyone and everyone www.ramblers.org.uk November / December 2009
Life in the Slow Lane According to the Slow Food movement, our food should be lovingly grown and savoured with friends and family. And their campaign for food to be produced in a sustainable way, promises to protect the environment, as well as human and animal welfare. So what’s the rush? asks Nicky Solloway.
Independent retail The shift away from using the bakery, deli and fishmonger on the high street to the large supermarket out of town has forced countless small businesses to close over the last 40 years. In 1945 there were 500,000 independent retailers; today the number is down to 30,000 - with thousands going out of business every year. According to the New Economics Foundation, the death of small and independent retailers is
bringing a new retail feudalism with just a handful of brands taking over our shopping. Against this tide of homogenous food, pumped out of factories and wheeled out to supermarket aisles up and down the country, the Slow Food movement is making a stand.
Slowly does it Slow Food, which was started in Italy by Carlo Petrini in the 1990s, campaigns for local produce to be grown and sold in an ethical way. The Slow Food manifesto directly opposes the fast food culture. Food is something that should be lovingly grown, and prepared and savoured with friends and family. Slow Food UK campaigns for food to be produced in a sustainable way, to protect the environment, as well as human and animal welfare. The movement also defends biodiversity and promotes food education. ‘The idea is to show that there is good quality produce on your doorstep. You don’t have to go far and you don’t have to import stuff from the other side of the world’, Gerry Danby from the West Yorkshire branch of the Slow Food movement explains. Gerry helped establish the local group (known as a convivium) in 2007 and it now has
November / December 2009
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W
e all know that fast food has a lot to answer for - excess packaging, rising obesity, food miles, plus a whole generation of young people who struggle to cook themselves a healthy, balanced meal from scratch. Whatever happened to the days of long and relaxed family meals, lovingly cooked with vegetables from the garden or the local greengrocers and with meat from the friendly butchers on the corner of the street? Nowadays supermarkets control more than 80 per cent of the UK’s grocery market. Each week dozens of small shop keepers are elbowed out of business by the supermarket giants gobbling up every corner of the food retail market.
around 50 members who regularly meet for tasting sessions and local food discussions. They recently enjoyed a six course dinner at a local Italian restaurant featuring the freshly picked produce of a local farm. Other activities that are planned to take place this autumn include an Edible Fungi Foray, led by local medical herbalist Jesper Launder, who has been harvesting and eating plants and mushrooms for more than 25 years. This is the fourth mushroom walk that the group has organised, and as in previous years, the hunt will finish off with some wild food sampling. The Slow Food movement campaigns for sustainable food and for a return to traditional production, though not necessarily organic production. While they wouldn’t want to eat salad drenched in pesticides, which could be harmful, says Gerry, the main concern is that food should taste good. ‘Obviously the organic side comes into that but it is not the deciding factor,’ he says.
Into the Ark In its campaign for traditional food, Slow Food UK has launched a project called the Ark of Taste, to ‘re-discover, catalogue, describe and publicise
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forgotten flavours’. According to the movement, 75% of the diversity of European food products has been lost since 1900 and 30,000 vegetable varieties have become extinct in the last century. The Ark is there to protect products which are ‘threatened by industrial standardisation, misguided hygiene laws or environmental destruction’. The British Ark includes everything from Cheshire cheese to Lyth Valley damsons and Jersey ormers to Herdwick mutton. Gerry’s group is hoping to add rhubarb from the rhubarb triangle between Leeds and Wakefield to the Ark. ‘The little corner grows forced rhubarb, which is unique and quite a special product. As a local group we have to make a case for it.’
Endangered sheep? You could be forgiven for thinking that the Herdwick sheep, which nibble across the Lake District’s fells, is far from an endangered species. The woolly creatures cling to every crevice of Lakeland scenery and help keep the Lake District looking like a Beatrix potter picture book. Yet according to Cumbrian sheep farmer and slow food enthusiast Andrew Sharp, the Herdwick, until fairly recently, was under threat.
November / December 2009
Slow baked Not only is Slow Food good for the environment, it is also more nutritious. If you usually make your toast from processed factory bread and your baps are baked by the local supermarket, you’re missing out, according to Dan McTiernan, from the Handmade Bakery, near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. Slow baked bread is not just a whole lot tastier; it is also easier to digest. Instead, Dan makes additive free, traditionally crafted bread from organic and locally sourced ingredients. He says leaving dough to rise for at least four hours improves the mineral content of the bread and helps to reduce the substances which provoke wheat intolerance and coeliac disease. ‘Slow fermented bread allows acids to develop, such as lactic acid which gradually brings out the flavours and we don’t have to use chemicals and preservatives,’ says Dan. ‘The natural qualities of bread are enhanced, which helps the keeping qualities. It is nature’s way of making bread.’ The fastest loaf he makes takes 16 to 20 hours and is slow risen over night. ‘We use less yeast than commercial bakeries because we slow things down rather than speed things up, which is the
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polar opposite of commercial bakeries. Industrially manufactured bread is made in 90 minutes and has no time to develop any character.’
Slow grown business Together with his partner Johanna, Dan started making bread from their kitchen table as a community supported bakery, with customers subscribing to buy a set number of loaves each week. ‘It was the only way we could get going to start from our oven at home. It’s a very good way of getting a small business off its feet because we had a loyal customer base.’ From there, Dan and Johanna developed a travelling bakery using the pizza oven in a nearby restaurant and they now share the premises of an ethical greengrocer to create up to 220 loaves a day. The Slow Food movement is gradually encouraging people to put away those mini pots of micro-waved baked beans and plastic triangles of factory-made sandwiches in favour of real food once again. Reversing Britain’s love affair with fast food is not going to be a piece of cake…. but it may come in the form of a really great loaf of bread!
Useful contacts: Slow Food UK Tel: 020 7099 1132 www.slowfood.org.uk The Handmade Bakery Tel: 07894 036 742 www.thehandmadebakery.coop Farmer Andrew Sharp Tel: 01229 588 299 www.farmersharp.co.uk The Ark of Taste www.slowfoodark.com
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Partly as a result of the publicity the hardy hill sheep has received through its association with Slow Food, Herdwick mutton is now enjoying a renaissance and is being marketed as a premium quality meat. ‘They are slow-growing, venison like in texture and have a gamey flavour,’ says Andrew. ‘A recent university study found there is more omega 3 in its fats and it was found to have one of the best tastes in a blind tasting session.’ One of the hardiest of Britain’s breeds, the Herdwick is heafed, which means it has a homing instinct to return to native pastures when moved. From an environmental perspective, the Herdwick helps to maintain the fells and footpaths loved by so many visitors every year. Where sheep have been removed from certain hillsides, footpaths have become overgrown with brambles and bushes.
The rise of the Online Campaign
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The internet has changed the way we communicate, work and socialise. It has even changed the way we express our views on ethical issues. But do decision makers take online campaigns seriously? Sarah Lewis investigates.
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November / December 2009
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B
arack Obama won America with it, Gordon Brown grinned creepily at us from it, and your mother-in-law insists on sending you inbox clogging chain letters via it. In the 20 years since Tim Berners-Lee first plugged ether net cable into a base unit somewhere underground in Switzerland, the world wide web has changed forever the way we communicate, the way we work and the way we socialise. It has also changed the way campaigners fight for their cause, and the internet has been an integral part in creating today’s environmental movement - a loose collective of people so large and widespread it has been described as the biggest movement for social justice in human history.
Reaching far and wide Leo Murray works on 10:10, the campaign to encourage a 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2010. ‘We’re basically completely internet-based, so you can only sign up via the website. We’ve had letters from a couple of people saying ‘not everyone has the internet you know?’ and it’s a fair point, but the kind of capacity you need to manage a campaign like this if you aren’t using the internet is on a completely different scale. It’s certainly more capacity than we’ve got’, he says. But missing those few internet-free people is worth it in the grander scheme of things, and Leo believes it is the extraordinary access to such huge numbers of people that has helped 10:10 catch on so quickly. Launched on 1 September, the campaign already boasts signatories such as Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s cabinet, four of the big six energy companies, Comic Relief and the National Union of Students. The stunts of groups such as Plane Stupid and Climate Rush are also a great example of the bonus of online campaigning. Shutting down London City Airport, or dumping a pile of horse manure outside Jeremy Clarkson’s home certainly gets a campaign noticed. But not everyone is prepared to scale the cooling towers of a power station or break onto a busy runway to prove a point. Taking the campaign online means everyone can join in.
A fast paced world One of the most famous and successful campaigns of recent years has been The Big Ask, run by Friends of the Earth. It started in 2005, with FOE
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writing a draft climate bill and sending it to the government, insisting on greenhouse gas emission cuts of 3% a year, culminating in a total of 80% cuts by 2050, and ended in October 2008 when MPs voted in favour of the Climate Change Law, the first of its kind in the world. Run both on and offline, The Big Ask has been integral in convincing the government of the groundswell of support for and desperate importance of a strong and binding climate law. Christian Graham, e-comms manager for Friends of the Earth, says: ‘campaigns work best when they are integrated, but online does deliver certain things very well, like if things are moving quickly, it’s much easier and cost effective to get in touch online and report updates. In some respects it can also offer a richer experience, through content like video. It takes you beyond postcard type campaigning where you’re looking for mass participation from the public.’
Collective voice It is this mass participation that has Leo from 10:10 so excited. Plans for the campaign for next year involve a system allowing householders to see statistics about their home energy use, including whether it is increasing or decreasing, at the click of a button, and a national brainstorm, letting everyone contribute to a greenhouse gas reducing policy proposal. ‘We’ve got a really exciting plan using all these new tools which up until now wouldn’t have been possible because of the technology,’ says Leo. ‘We’re trying to create a mechanism where we can reframe individual action on climate change in the context of collective action, and then turn collective action into a really powerful collective voice.’ If the 10:10 community says they want action from the government, they aren’t just shouting demands. They are saying: ‘we’re doing our bit, now you do yours’. It’s a completely different message.
A blind click? Clay Shirky, author of the internet revolution book Here Comes Everyone, reckons that a handwritten letter to a US senator could be considered to be worth the opinions of 2,000 people. While an email, so easy to send blindly with the click of a button, doesn’t even count for the opinion of the sender.
November / December 2009
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Democracy 2.0 And, as Christian Graham points out, online campaigning is not just about clicking buttons and sending emails. Democracy 2.0 - the idea that a nation can collectively create it’s laws through the contributions of individuals on the web - is in its infancy, but it is a real and growing prospect. Pre-internet, getting people to feed on mass into a deliberative process would have required polling stations all over the country, and for people to be interested enough to take time off work and physically go there. With the internet, the process it pretty much instantaneous. It is, says Leo, a new kind of conversation taking place in a way never possible before. ‘We’re still learning how it works,’ says Leo. ‘It’s so new to be managing human relations in this way and there is a lot of work to be done in creating models that are functional. The possibilities are limitless. The Guardian’s Comment is Free forum attracts ‘trolls’ but that isn’t the only way to structure the conversation. As time goes on it will get more interesting and more productive.’
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How to run your own online campaign: Find your focus If you know exactly what you want to achieve then other people will too. Keep it simple People’s concentration spans online are very short. Clean and simple sites written in bitesized plain English win. Think of your user You may have a lot of information to impart, but consider the experience of your website users. Make your site easy to navigate with information displayed in a logical order. Spread the word Keep people updated with a regular email newsletter. Again, keep it short, simple and focussed. But don’t spread it too thinly Do you have the resources to maintain a Facebook group, a Twitter feed, a blog, a message board and a mailing list? Do one or two, and do them really well to build your online community. Remember the real world Online campaigning works best hand in hand with offline campaigning, so don’t race for a full digital switch over, and remember all the brilliant analogue skills you have as well.
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The Green Party’s Paul Steedman, councillor for Queen’s Park ward in Brighton disagrees. He says: ‘I think it’s important to take seriously people’s concerns by email. It’s very difficult to do a calculation, to say one email is worth one placard outside your front door. If you received a really significant number you have to take notice. I don’t think people take any political action without being really fired up about it. You have to be exceptionally fired up to get out on the street or write a letter but I don’t think anyone sends an email because they have 30 seconds to fill. Any email is because someone really cares.’
A Jolly Kids
London City in a Bag Miniature city featuring some of London’s famous landmarks, including the River Thames, Big Ben and the famous London buses. 18 pieces made from sustainable wood in a drawstring cotton bag. £9.99 www.myecostore.co.uk Tel: 08450 708 087
Green
Christmas Sack Make Christmas morning even more special with these great Christmas sacks, crafted from 100% cotton/ canvas fabric. A child’s name can be added to the sack in red, pink, blue or green. £9.99 www.cottonkids.co.uk Tel: 01323 447 510
Recycled Cardboard Car Inspire your child to decorate their very own car with Paperpod`s new design. Use paint, collage, pens and crayons, then fold flat for easy storage. Fantastic fun for your boy (or girl) racer. £17.95 www.paperpod.co.uk Tel: 01424 893 709
Aromatherapy Gift Set Blend of lime flowers and bergamot smells delicious, perfect for when you can find time for yourself. The bath oil and body lotion make skin silky soft and the peppermint foot balm perks up weary feet. £27.00. www.holistichampers.co.uk Tel: 020 8878 3623
Organic Shea Delight Body Bar Rich body bar, with masses of Shea butter, together with cocoa butter and olive oil to moisturise and smooth the skin. Good to use while pregnant too, as contains no essential oils. 3 x 10mg bar £5.80 www.beyondskincare.co.uk Tel: 0845 500 3550
Cattier Organic Perfumes Cattier from Paris has captured the essence of nature in their range of luxury organic perfumes, in six delightful fragrances. 100ml £18.45 www.essenceoffrance.co.uk Tel: 0845 224 7108
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November / December 2009
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Smellies
Christmas Bauhaus Mobile Home 14 piece pack-away doll’s house with thick felt cover. Ready to travel wherever adventure awaits! Includes table, 2 benches, oven/sink, 3 beds, 2 blanket/mats, and shelves. Available in pink and blue. £42.95 www.myriadonline.co.uk Tel: 01725 517 085
Eco Santa Torch You will love this eco friendly wind up torch with a flashing nose. Just squeeze - no batteries required ever! £5.99 www.green-squirrel.co.uk Tel: 01738 444 491
Men’s Shaving Gift Set One for dad’s, brothers and uncles, this set contains creamy shaving cream with sweet almond milk and moisturising after shave balm with aloe gel and jojoba oil, to calm and soothe skin. £14.95 www.weleda.co.uk Tel: 0115 944 8222
Orange Feeling Gift Set With organic orange and sea buckthorn shower gel, body lotion and hand cream. All products are certified organic and suitable for vegans. £19.50 www.lavera.co.uk Tel: 01557 870 567
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Xmas Organics Set Popular set from the UK’s celebrated John Masters Organics range, includes luxurious blood orange and vanilla body milk and body wash, plus cosmetic bag for your Xmas treat. £33.50 www.johnmasters.co.uk Tel: 01874 610 667
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Home and garden
Hand Embroidered Cushions Cushions are great Christmas ideas. Hand embroideries, handloom weaves, cotton, wool, and even silk. Available in 40cm or 60cm square from £6.00 each. www.onevillage.org Tel: 01608 811 811
Fashion
Knitted Merino Sleeping Bag A sleeping baby - the best Christmas present! Soft, breathable Merino wool sleeping bag with arms gently wraps your baby, bringing soothing, gentle sleep. £34.99 www.cambridgebaby.co.uk Tel: 01223 572 228
LitePod Small, discrete and stylish, sad light box with travel bag. Ideal for using next to your computer or below the screen. LitePod is one of the smallest 10,000 lux SAD light boxes on the market! £125.24 www.sad.uk.com Tel: 0845 095 6477
Organic Bed Linen Set Help friends and family snuggle up this winter in silky, luxurious organic Egyptian cotton bed linen, up to 475 thread count. www.foufurnishings.com Tel: 0141 644 5211
Fair Trade Japani Poncho Made to fair trade standards in India, this stylish poncho feels as warm and soft as brushed wool! They are very versatile and can be worn as a poncho or as a wrap. £19.95 www.one-world-is-enough.net Tel: 01223 413 322
Kurta Pyjama Set Made from the softest, 100% organic and Fairtrade certified cotton, hand printed and made in Jaipur, in a matching drawstring bag - the perfect eco gift. £48.00 www.liv-uk.com Tel: 01386 791 055
Organic Children’s Apron Super cute 100% organic apron for kids. Perfect for helping mum in the kitchen or for messy painting projects! Available with strawberry print. One Size. £15.00 www.mylittleeco.co.uk Tel: 02392 818 775
Organic Spelt Biscuits Made from Gilchesters Organics own grown and milled Spelt, an ancient grain with unique flavour and digestive benefits, especially for those with wheat sensitivities. £ www.gilchesters.com Tel: 01661 886 119
In the kitchen
Hemp Chocolate Hearts Delicious and healthy hearts, made with the finest Belgian milk or dark chocolate and a hemp butter filling, rich in protein, fibre, omegas 3, 6 and 9 and vitamin E. 250g £10.34 www.hempmarket.com Tel: 01377 272 790 Make a positive difference
November / December 2009
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Getting away
Sari Journal A6 size travel journal - a fair trade product made using natural and sustainable materials by Nkuku. sustainable materials by Nkuku. Each one is different made from old recycled sari. £16.95 www.fig1.co.uk Tel: 0117 330 8167
Organic B&B Voucher Eco-friendly Bangors Organic provide beautiful rooms in a restored Victorian house with organic gardens, which grow all produce for the organic restaurant. Gift vouchers from £25 available. www.bangorsorganic.co.uk Tel: 01288 361 297
Travel Shaving Kit Ideal for the travelling man, this eucalyptus and lavender gentle shaving bar (140gms), along with seville orange and sandalwood aftershave balm (30gms) is the perfect gift. £8.32 www.innerscents.co.uk Tel: 020 7267 3263
Watering Can Market gardeners in central Mali spend much of the day fetching water. With a watering can it’s easier to keep crops healthy and produce food for the family with enough left over to be sold at market. £10.00 www. presentaid.org Tel: 08453 300 500
Cottoning On For cotton farmers like Karshan, practical agricultural support from Traidcraft has helped raise income by 43%, which means that he and his family can afford enough food, healthcare and education. £15.00 www.traidcraftshop.co.uk Tel: +593 4 228 0880
Toto Gift Adoption Adopt rescued chimps and fund future rescues at the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage in Zambia. Includes a rescue DVD, adoption certificate and subscription to Toto News updates. £48.00 for one year. www.ad-international.org Tel: 020 7630 3340
Christmas Stocking Keep all your little gifts in this very bold and stylish Christmas stocking, made from 100% unbleached cotton in the UK by a small family business. £12.00 www.biomelifestyle.com Tel: 020 7254 7613
Keepsake Box Beautifully solid wooden keepsake box, makes the perfect reusable present wrap and extra gift in one. Nature inspired designs painted with non-toxic paints. From £29.00 www.freyadesign.co.uk Tel: 01189 472 085
Partridge Xmas Card Pack Pack of 10 Xmas cards with partridge design, printed using vegetable derived inks on 100% recycled paper and with 10 recycled paper envelopes. £9.80 www.love-eco.co.uk Tel: 01223 244 710
Charity
Wrap it up
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The Leading Brand of Ethical Vitamins The 150+ award winning range of vitamins, minerals, herbs and specialty supplements is available at your local health food store. 100% active ingredients, no added nasties whatsoever! www.viridian-nutrition.com
Call 01327 878050 for your nearest stockist
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November / December 2009
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Green Home Improvements Whether you’re planning to sell in a difficult market or if you are staying put but want a change of scene, there are plenty of things you can do to make sure your home is in top condition. We asked top green designers and home experts for their tips for improving your home.
Angie Kraft
Designer, home stager and founder of Gecco Interiors 565 459
Paint chart - Š Sandra van der Steen - Fotolia.com
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reparing a property to market is mostly common sense, but it is often difficult to do in our own homes as we become blind to their faults. Concentrate on creating an illusion of space by removing a few items that clutter up the rooms, especially in the entrance hall. A large mirror hanging over the radiator in a hall will help to bring the natural light and visual space into your hallway. Secondly, spend your money on smaller items that can make a big impact but can be taken to the next house with you, such as gorgeous new organic bed linen. A pretty, floral pattern inspired by nature, such as this beautifully embroidered foliage design in white on a luxurious, 400 thread count, organic cotton percale, stone background, will create a stunning crisp finish. Add some luxury to your bathrooms with fresh white eco cotton towels to replace those tired old towels that normally hang there. Brighten up a kitchen by clearing work surfaces of all but essential items and then pick one complementary colour for a new blind or curtain (organic fabric of course!) and some matching tea towels or tablemats. Freshly cut flowers always make an impact, but their green status is questionable, so add a splash of nature with flowering potted plants that can be nurtured for many seasons to come. Gecco Interiors offers a wide range of beautiful, sustainably produced products for the home interior - www.geccointeriors.co.uk, Tel: 01494
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Oliver Heath
Designer, TV presenter and founder of EcoCentric
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f you are looking to sell your house soon: you want to leave potential buyers with a sense that the property has been well maintained and looked after so that they don’t get the sinking feeling that as soon as they move in there’ll be lots of things that need doing. Making sure the visible things are well maintained will give the potential buyer greater confidence about the general state of the house. Keep the windows clean to maximise the amount of natural light that comes into the house. Pull back the curtains and cut away vegetation that is blocking the windows. Re-paint any area of high traffic such as hallways and stairs as these are areas that are going to be seen very quickly. Claypaints, such as those from EarthBorn, allow moisture flow through your walls and don’t hold it in, which will help prevent the formation of damp, mould and rot. Conventional paints are made from petro chemicals and in their production create vast quantities of waste. Added to which, when you apply them to the walls of your home, you will be filling it with Volatile Organic Compounds, which are found in the paint solvents (that freshly painted choking smell!) and which can cause headaches, nausea and breathing difficulties. The energy performance certificate is a growing concern for potential buyers and is also an indication of the maintenance of the house. Changing bulbs to energy saving ones shows that you pay attention to the details. Make sure the loft is well insulated and the walls have cavity wall insulation - these are two very easy things to do that will improve the energy performance certificate as will replacing the boiler if it’s more than 8 years old. If you are not looking to sell immediately you will find that you will save money in the mean time too as bills will be cheaper running off a more efficient system. EcoCentric - Eco homewares and gifts www.ecocentric.co.uk Tel: 0207 739 3888
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Esmay Walker
Marketing Manager, The Green Building Store
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measures, which the existing housing stock needs in order to address the threat of climate change. As part of our commitment to promoting ultra low energy building design, we have switched our own Yorkshire-based Ecoplus window production to focus on triple glazing and are offering Ecoplus windows and doors with argon filled triple glazing. The Green Building Store is committed to offering leading edge products for low energy buildings - www.greenbuildingstore.co.uk, Tel: 01484 461 705
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Paint roller - © Gino Santa Maria - Fotolia.com
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ecent research by the Energy Saving Trust shows that over half of UK householders would be willing to pay extra for a home with green features. At Green Building Store we believe that the most costeffective approach to saving energy and adding value to your home is to first pay attention to the thermal efficiency of the building fabric. This approach, sometimes called eco-minimalism, focuses on ways of saving and retaining energy in buildings, rather than looking for energygenerating, micro-renewable approaches which, while appearing ‘green’, can often be expensive and ineffectual. Insulating your loft is not very sexy but it is probably the single most important step you can make in the battle against climate change and can significantly reduce the running costs of your home. We advise insulating your loft to depth of at least that required by the current Building Regulations (275 mm) and more if possible, to maximise energy efficiency. Natural insulation is available, including Thermafleece sheep’s wool insulation and Warmcel recycled newspaper insulation. There is little point in saving energy only to lose it all through draughty windows! We believe that triple glazing should become the standard choice for windows and doors in the UK to help combat climate change. Triple glazed windows are around 30% more efficient than double glazed and can significantly improve the energy efficiency of homes, saving money on energy bills and reducing CO2 emissions. The windows and doors installed in 2009 should still be around long after 2030, so it is important that they are as thermally efficient as possible. Only triple glazed windows and doors will offer the correct levels of thermal efficiency to complement the necessary super insulation
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The ugly face of the
beauty industry
Unfortunately, animal testing in the name of beauty is still common practice in the cosmetics industry today. But it is very possible to ensure your beauty regime is without cruelty, discovers Ellie Garwood.
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nce an issue that sparked mass riots, midnight break-ins and even led to the formation of a gang of angry extremists, the animal testing debate, and the furore surrounding it, has noticeably quietened in recent years. No longer the issue ‘du jour’, modern headlines are preoccupied with global warming, peak oil and the population boom. Animal testing, it seems, has been relegated to the sidelines. Many believe animal testing for cosmetic reasons is an outdated issue - resolved in 1998 when the procedure was phased-out in the UK. Unfortunately, however, the beauty industry is still littered with inhumane practices and out-dated scientific procedures, with hundreds of thousands of animals horrifically tortured, maimed and killed every year for the products that fill our stores.
Following the uproar of the ‘80s and early ‘90s, gradual but important steps have taken place throughout the UK and Europe in a bid to curb the cruelty. In the UK, no finished cosmetic product has been tested on animals since 1997, and no individual cosmetic ingredient since 1998, following a government ban. An amendment to the EU Cosmetics Directive on 11 March 2009 saw this stringent regulation enforced across the whole of Europe, making it illegal to test cosmetic ingredients on animals anywhere in the EU or to sell or import into the EU any animal tested ingredients to be used in cosmetics. Unfortunately, a clause in the law still allows three types of toxicity procedures to continue: repeat dose toxicity testing, reproductive toxicity testing and toxicokinetics. All three tests involve dosing animals with substances either through a tube directly into their stomach or by forced inhalation. A ban on these types of tests will not be enforced until 11 March 2013 – in order to give scientists time to research humane alternatives.
Seal of approval A complete EU ban on animal testing post 2013, however, will still not ensure all cosmetics sold in the EU are completely cruelty-free. Many of the big names in beauty are from Japan and America, both
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Beauty and the law
“The more high-street names we have on board the easier it’ll be for consumers looking for ethical buys.” - Poonam Modi, BUAV
of which require all new ingredients to be tested on animals. Rebecca Ram, Cruelty-Free Officer for the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) advises, ‘If consumers want to be absolutely sure the products they are buying are guaranteed cruelty-free they can buy them from retailers and brands approved under the BUAV’s Humane Cosmetic Standard’. Developed in 1996 by a group of animal protection organisations from across Europe and North America, the Humane Cosmetics Standard (HCS), signalled by a leaping bunny logo, is the only existing internationally recognised scheme that enables consumers to purchase cruelty-free products. To be approved, a company must no longer conduct or commission animal testing and must undertake a series of stringent checks; BUAV inspectors will then return annually to complete an independent audit. Poonam Modi, Ethical Standards Adviser for the BUAV says, ‘BUAV approval is the only way for consumers to know that the product Make a positive difference
is cruelty-free, and this extends all the way back to the ingredients used to make it. Companies registering for the HCS stamp make life that bit easier for ethically conscious shoppers who can tell at a glance if a product is 100% cruelty-free.’ Hundreds of companies across the UK, and the world, are now registered with an HCS seal of approval, from small, independent companies such as Raw Gaia and Its Elixir to big high-street chains and supermarkets like The Co-operative and Marks and Spencer.
Ethics and the mainstream Other well known names, however, haven’t been too quick to follow their ethical peers’ example. Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose all assure customers that they don’t test any of their own label cosmetics or toiletries on animals, and no ingredients or raw materials used in their products have been tested on animals by them, or on their behalf, since a fixed cut off date (1988 November / December 2009
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for Sainsbury’s, 1990 for Waitrose – unfortunately Tesco was unable to confirm its fixed cut off date, or whether it even has one). However, the fact that none of these supermarkets are HCS certified means it is much harder for consumers to identify that they definitely are cruelty-free, and, despite the companies’ apparent strict cosmetic policies, all conveniently bypassed my question about their intentions to sign-up to the HCS scheme. Busy modern shoppers often don’t have the time to research individual company policy every time they need to buy soap, shampoo or deodorant. The HCS stamp acts as a helpful failsafe measure, ensuring shoppers avoid dubious claims. Misleading labels are, unfortunately, rife throughout the EU. Common statements include: not tested on animals - the finished product may not have been tested on animals but the ingredients used to make the product could well have been; we do not test on animals - the company making the product does not undertake any tests on animals, but this may not prevent them from buying ingredients from suppliers who do; and, we fund research into alternatives - the company may well fund research into alternatives but this would not prevent animal testing in their supply chain or even the final product. The BUAV is increasingly concerned about these misleading terms and is determined to put an end to them, Poonam Modi says, ‘The BUAV has just started an exciting new campaign whereby we are hoping to sign up ten high-street shops by 2010 - the more high-street names we have on board the easier it’ll be for consumers looking for ethical buys. If anyone is keen on helping this campaign we’d urge them to write to their favourite store asking them to sign-up. We want to help eradicate misleading labels on the high-street and make cruelty-free shopping as easy as possible for the consumer.’
Ethical brands As well as ambiguous labelling, consumers are often led astray by products entitled natural, vegan or organic. None of these titles, contrary to popular belief, ensures a product is cruelty-free. In order for meat, dairy and eggs to be certified organic, high animal welfare standards must have been met, but organic cosmetics don’t necessarily have the same stringent checks when it comes to animal testing. Amazingly, the same is true of vegan products,
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while they may not include any animal by-products the cosmetics could potentially still have been tested on animals. Parent companies are another area to be wary, or at least aware, of. While an individual company may have strict ethical values they could well be owned by a much larger corporation that doesn’t. The Body Shop, for example, has a no animal testing policy, but it is owned by L’Oréal, which continues the practice. The same is true of Aveda, which doesn’t test on animals, but whose parent company, Estée Lauder, is involved in animal testing practices. As with any aspect of ethical buying you’ll have to decide what is important to you. Some consumers will only be interested in the individual product being cruelty-free, while others may feel uncomfortable about funding an organisation that has any dealings in animal testing.
Cruelty-free shopping Cruelty-free shopping might initially feel like it requires an encyclopaedic knowledge of legislation, EU rules and company policy, but it really needn’t be that hard. Once you are aware of the facts and start to notice the HCS’ distinctive leaping bunny logo, cruelty-free shopping will become an effortless and positive experience, leaving you free to indulge, preen and pamper confident in the knowledge that both your beauty regime and ethics are spotless.
For more information: The Humane Cosmetics Standard (HCS), signalled by the leaping bunny logo, is the only existing internationally recognised scheme that enables consumers to easily purchase cruelty-free products. For more information about the HCS or the campaign against animal testing visit, www.buav.org or call 020 7700 4888
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Review of
Our hands are such an important part of our body. They touch almost everything we come into contact with and we use them in almost everything we do. But how long do we actually spend taking care of them? Hands can become dry and chapped in cold weather, so protect them by wearing gloves when doing any housework or gardening. You should also keep them well lubricated by giving them a regular application of natural moisturiser.
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Hands - Š Liv Friis-larsen - Fotolia.com
Natural Hand Care
SoOrganic Nourishing Hand and Body Lotion
Herbfarmacy Citrus Hand Cream
Burt’s Bees Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Creme
Rich without being greasy, has a gorgeous natural fragrance from a blend of 7 organic essential oils including mandarin, vetiver and lavender.
A light, nourishing cream with a refreshing citrus aroma. Comfrey and calendula soothe and repair skin cells, while avocado and jojoba oils soften.
Super rich cream made with beeswax to help seal and shield hands and sweet almond oil and vitamin E to moisturise dry skin, perfect for hard working hands.
This 190ml bottle is £10.00 Available online from: www.soorganic.com Tel: 0800 169 2579
This 100g bottle is £14.50 Available online from: www.amarya.co.uk Tel: 01565 653 727
This 57g Jar is £8.81 Available from: Debenhams, John Lewis, Waitrose and selected independent retailers
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Balm Balm Rose Geranium Hand Balm
Weleda Sea Buckthorn Hand Cream
A’kin Intensive Hand, Nail & Cuticle Treatment
Firm textured balm made with shea butter, beeswax, jojoba and rose geranium essential oil to soothe and nourish. Perfect to keep in your handbag.
With a fabulous fruity fragrance, the vitamins and unsaturated fatty acids in sea buckthorn help protect hands from dehydration, softening dry skin.
Made with healing vitamin E and B5, this quickly absorbed cream contains moisturising shea butter and jojoba oil. Ideal for those who prefer an unscented cream
This 30ml tub is £5.99 Available online from: www.balmbalm.com
This 50ml Tube is £4.95 Available online from: www.weleda.co.uk Tel: 0115 9448 222
This 75ml tube is £7.49 Available from: Independent retailers nationwide
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FREE Spiezia Organics Face Oil when you subscribe to Worth
£19.00
Receive Spiezia’s 100% Organic Rose and Vanilla Face Oil (30ml) when you subscribe to Ethical Living. Spiezia’s 100% Organic Rose & Vanilla Face Oil is quickly absorbed, nourishing deeply to regulate sebum control and create a healthy glow. Vanilla Pods and Rose Buds in Jojoba Oil work in harmony to create a gentle scent. This oil can be used as a protective base for make-up or on it’s own to protect the skin from environmental challenges. Spiezia’s entirely natural organic products provide all the antioxidants and ingredients to restore your skin’s natural balance and promote health and wellbeing for your life, your children and the environment.
For more information about Spiezia Organics visit www.spieziaorganics. com or call 08708 508 851
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To subscribe for only £18 call 01778 392 011, complete the order form below or visit www.ethical-living.org and quote promotion code ‘Spiezia’ The perfect ethical Christmas gift for only £18.00 Title
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Ethical Publishing Limited, PO Box 282, Stamford, PE9 9BW Fax: 08456 432 499 Make a positive difference
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Winter Wear Save or spend? Whether you’re splashing out on few key pieces to update your wardrobe this winter or saving your pennies by bagging a bargain or two, ethical fashion has a gorgeous range of styles to see you through the chilly months!
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1 Fringed Ski Sweater Dress, hand knitted from 100% baby Alpaca natural undyed silver marle. Chunky style with deep fringed hem. £195.00 www.cielshop.co.uk 2 Komodo Maje Dress, made from 100% lambswool with wide kimono style sleeves and deep v neck. £72.00 www.puritystyle.com Tel: 01252 820 055 3 Fair Isle Dress, hand knitted to fair trade standards in Nepal in black with white snowflake yoke detail. £90.00 www.peopletree.co.uk Tel: 08454 504 595 Make a positive difference
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4 Ladies Hemp Swing Cardigan, made from 55% hemp, 45% organic cotton with chunky buttons. £42.00 www.braintreehemp.co.uk Tel: 020 7354 7374 5 Baby Alpaca Hand Knit Cardi, made from organic undyed baby alpaca in corn cable design. £249.00 www.puritystyle.com Tel: 01252 820 055 6 Melin Cardigan, made from 100% lambswool with crew neck and jacquard pattern across chest. £85.00 www.howies.co.uk Tel: 01239 614 122
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7 Women’s Eco Fleece Raglan Top, made from a unique blend of organic cotton, cotton, recycled polyester and rayon in unisex fit. £35.00 www.acsensiononline.com Tel: 08453 881 381 8 Bell Sleeve Pullover, hand knitted from 100% wool with open boat neck and three quarter bell sleeves. £50.00 www.bibico.co.uk Tel: 01225 421 467 3 Wensleydale Cowl Neck Asymmetric Jumper, hand knitted in the UK with wool from rescued sheep. £249.00 www.izzylane.com Tel: 01748 821 116 Make a positive difference
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1 CARry On Sneaker-boot in ecosuede, and hemp and organic cotton knit, with sole made from polyurethane and recycled car tyre www.simpleshoes.com Tel: 08448 110 535 R
Step out in style and lower your carbon footprint too with the best ethical boots
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2 Lily Eco-Tan Boot, handmade to order by artisan shoemakers in Devon from eco-tan leather. Available in several colours. £295.00 www.greenshoes.co.uk Tel: 01364 644 036
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4 MT Darlene black vegan friendly over the knee boot in black faux suede with side zip and elasticated venting for easy fit. £55.00 www.bboheme.com Tel: 020 8878 8388 Ve g a n
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5 Gaia Boot, made from vegetable tanned leather with recycled memory foam lining and signature recycled quilt detailing. £195.00 www.terraplana.com Tel: 01458 449 081 R
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3 Po-Zu Yew Boots, made in soft, undyed, Scottish tweed with coconut husk foot mattress and natural latex sole. £180.00 www.b-fair.co.uk Tel: 01328 821 050
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What’s in Season Fruits and Nuts
Apples, Chestnuts, Cranberries, Pears, Pomegranates, Quince, Sloes, Walnuts
Vegetables Fish and Seafood Clams, Cockles, Cuttlefish, Dab, Haddock, Lobster, Mackerel, Mussels, Red Mullet, Sea Bass, Sprat
Artichoke, Beetroot, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Celeriac, Chicory, Kale, Leeks, Parsnips, Pumpkin, Squashes, Swede, Turnips
Meat
Duck, Goose, Partridge, Pheasant 40
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Green Swirl © OnFocus - Fotolia.com; Pomegranates © arnowssr - Fotolia.com; Walnuts © Ewa Brozek - Fotolia.com; Artichokes © arnowssr - Fotolia.com; Beetroot © Daniel Chadwick - Fotolia.com; Red Mullet © Chef - Fotolia.com; Fish © NiDerLander - Fotolia.com
November/December
Christmas Foods Organic Christmas Pudding Made by hand, to a recipe handed down through the Bamford family, this pudding is bursting with organic fruit and is exceptionally light and fragrant with spices. It comes wrapped in muslin, in a traditional earthenware pudding bowl you can use again and again. 700g £14.95
Fair Trade Iced Christmas Cake It wouldn’t be Christmas without the cake and this traditional, fully iced, dark fruit cake, packed full with fair trade South African sultanas and finished off with a dash of brandy, offers a great value treat for all the family. Suitable for vegetarians. 1050g £11.95
Organic Stollen Fresh, moist and rich organic stollen, packed with an explosion of delicious ingredients, including marzipan, candied fruit, rum and energised water from the bakery’s very own spring. Many of the ingredients are also bio-dynamic. 750g £11.45
Available from: www.daylesfordorganic.com Tel: 0800 083 1233
Available from: www.traidcraftshop.co.uk Tel: 08453 308 900
Available from: www.goodnessdirect.co.uk Tel: 08718 716 611
Christmas Coffee Taylors of Harrogate’s fairly traded blend is ideal after Christmas dinner. Dark roasted beans from Sumatra provide chocolaty richness, aromatic Ethiopian beans give exotic character, and Brazilian beans ensure balanced, full-bodied flavour. Medium-dark roast. 250g £4.00
Organic Forbidden Fruit From award winning chocolatier Montezuma’s seasonal range, Forbidden Fruit is an exciting and moreish mix of cherries in kirsch and thick chocolate, Christmas-spiced Brazil nuts in milk chocolate and hot chocolate ginger. 130g £6.50
Fairtrade Advent Calendar The very first Fairtrade dark chocolate advent calendar is a delicious way to count down the days to Christmas. Decorated with a bright, cheery scene, behind each window you will find the perfect heart shaped taster of Divine’s award winning 70% dark chocolate. 85g £3.75
Available from: www.bettysbypost.com Tel: 08453 453 636
Available from: www.montezumas.co.uk Tel: 08454 506 306
Available from: www.divinechocolateshop.com Tel: 01914 828 753
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Gluten, wheat, dairy and sugar free may conjure up images of boring tasteless food, but that’s certainly not the case with these recipes from Patrick Holford (www.patrickholford.com), one of the country’s leading nutritionists, and Fiona McDonald Joyce, a top nutritional chef. The pair strongly believe that healthy food doesn’t have to be bland and have just launched the book Food Glorious Food, for people who enjoy food, and love cooking and
entertaining, but who also take a keen interest in their health. This three course meal not only has health benefits from the ingredients, but is also dairy, gluten and wheat free, helping you avoid bloating and intolerances. Furthermore, no sugar is used at all. Instead, Perfect Sweet xylitol, a natural sugar alternative from birch wood, now available in supermarkets and health stores, helps sweeten the desserts.
Have Your Cake and Eat It Healthy yet tasty recipes from Food Glorious Food
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Thai Steamed Prawn Pots Serves 4 Prawns, like all shellfish, are a good source of lean protein. Here their flavour is greatly enlivened by the addition of Thai spices, which will also help the body to digest this and any further courses. For this dish you will need four ramekins that hold around 100ml (just over 3fl oz) each.
Ingredients: 300g Raw Prawns - shelled and deveined 2 heaped tbsp Coconut Cream 2 tsp Thai Red Curry Paste 1 tbsp Nam Pla or Thai Fish Sauce 2 pinches of Xylitol 1 small Mild Red Chilli - deseeded 2cm chunk of Root Ginger - roughly chopped 1 large Free Range or Organic Egg 4 tbsp Raw Unsalted Cashew Nuts - lightly toasted in a dry frying pan 1 tbsp Fresh Coriander Drizzle of Toasted Sesame Oil
Method: Cut out four circles of baking paper to cover each ramekin. Place the prawns, coconut cream, curry paste, nam pla, xylitol, chilli, ginger, egg and half the cashew nuts in a blender and whizz to form a rough paste. Divide the paste evenly between the ramekins and place a baking paper circle on top of each one. Arrange the ramekins in a steamer pan or machine. They should all be on the same level to ensure that they cook evenly, which may mean cooking them in two batches. Cover and steam them for around 12 minutes or until the prawn paste feels firm to the touch and the middle is cooked (pierce one with a knife to check). Remove the paper topping when cooked. Meanwhile, roughly chop the remaining cashew nuts and the coriander and scatter over the prawn pots. Before serving, drizzle each one with a little sesame oil. Cook’s notes: Gluten-free, wheat-free, dairy-free
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Moroccan-Style Chicken Serves 4 This is a warming, mildly spiced casserole with melt-in-the-mouth braised butternut squash. However, the spices impart health benefits as well as flavour. The cinnamon, for example, helps your body regulate blood sugar levels, while the turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory. Serve with quinoa for a gluten-free alternative to couscous or low-GL or brown basmati rice, accompanied by steamed broccoli or tenderstem.
Ingredients: 1 tbsp Coconut Oil - or mild or medium (not extra virgin) Olive Oil 2 Red Onions - sliced 4 Organic or Free-Range Chicken Breasts - skin and fat removed, cubed 700g Butternut Squash - unpeeled, seeds scraped out and cubed 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1 tsp Ground Ginger 1 tsp Turmeric 1 litre Chicken Stock Fresh Coriander and Mint - for sprinkling Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Method: Heat the oil in a large saucepan and sweat the onion for 3-4 minutes, then add the chicken, squash and spices, and stir for another couple of minutes. Pour in the stock, bring to the boil, then cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Uncover and simmer for a further 10 minutes to allow the meat to cook fully (the juices should run clear) and the sauce to thicken. Sprinkle with coriander, mint and black pepper before serving. Cook’s notes: Gluten-free, wheat-free, dairy-free. Can be made in advance.
Coconut and Pineapple Sorbet Serves 6-8
Ingredients: 275g Fresh Pineapple 125g Perfect Sweet Xylitol Juice of 1 lime 400ml Canned, Full Fat Coconut Milk 100g Desiccated Coconut
Pour into a freezer-safe container and freeze for an hour, until it’s just setting at the edges, then beat well or blend again. Return it to the freezer for at least another 4 hours or overnight, until it’s set solid. You can also serve this sorbet while it’s still slushy or, if it’s frozen solid, remove from the freezer 20-30 minutes before serving to allow it to soften a little, then blend in a food processor to create a thick, creamy consistency and remove any remaining ice crystals (the lack of cream means that it is harder when frozen than dairy ice cream). Alternatively, use and ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Cook’s notes: Gluten free, wheat-free, dairy-free, yeast-free, vegetarian. Can be made in advance. Suitable for freezing.
Method: Blend the pineapple, xylitol and lime juice together until you have a puree. Stir or blend in the coconut milk, then stir in the desiccated coconut.
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Sweet, creamy and delicious with fresh fruit such as berries or mango, this is a Caribbean-inspired ice cream-meets-sorbet affair. It can be served instead of dairy ice cream with the Polenta Citrus Cake. Pineapple is the perfect food to end a meal with as it contains bromelain, an enzyme which digests protein, to help you break down your food. Bromelain is also naturally anti-inflammatory, helping to alleviate inflammatory conditions such as asthma, eczema or arthritis.
Polenta Citrus Cake Serves 10 This recipe is based on one given to me by Liz Lacey, a very dear friend of the McDonald Joyce family. It’s a gluten and dairy free cake with a beautiful golden colour. Thanks to the corn meal and ground almonds it’s dense and moist, and the tart citrus zest and juice stops it from being too sweet. Do try to get unwaxed or organic lemons and oranges though, to avoid pesticides and wax, and get as much juice and flesh from the fruit as you can. Either serve the cake for tea or as a pudding - it’s absolute heaven with the Coconut and Pineapple Sorbet.
Ingredients: Finely grated zest and juice of 3 lemons Finely grated zest and juice of 2 large oranges 185ml Olive Oil - medium or mild (not extra virgin) 215g Perfect Sweet Xylitol 3 Large Eggs - Free-Range or Organic 3 drops of Almond Extract 175g Fine Corn Meal/Polenta 140g Ground Almonds 1 tsp Baking Powder - (gluten free is easy to buy) 75g Flaked Almonds - to sprinkle on top
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Method: Preheat oven to 160°C/325°F/gas mark 3. Grease and line a loose-based round cake tin, 23cm (9in) in diameter, and grease the sides. Place the lemon and orange zest and juice in a mixing bowl and add the oil, xylitol, eggs and almond extract. Whisk until smooth and thoroughly combined. Mix the corn meal/polenta, ground almonds and baking powder together in a separate bowl. Pour the egg mixture into the dry ingredients and fold together gently until combined. Pour into the prepared tin and scatter with the flaked almonds. Put the tin on a baking tray and let it stand for 10 minutes, then pop into the oven for 35-45 minutes or until pale gold at the edges and just firm to the touch in the middle. Serve warm or cool on a wire rack until ready to serve. Cook’s notes: Gluten-free, wheat-free, dairy-free, yeast-free, vegetarian. Can be made in advance. Keeps in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Suitable for freezing.
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With the rise in popularity of home education, it seems more and more families are deciding that home’s cool. Jo Middleton investigates.
F
rom birth, children show a natural and inspiring level of curiosity about the world around them. From babies exploring new tastes and textures to the persistent questions of an inquisitive toddler, the thirst for knowledge is relentless. With the move into school however and the introduction of a more formal, structured education, this natural curiosity can often be dampened. Somehow learning just doesn’t seem so much fun for some when it is forced upon them for a strict six hours a day, five days a week. There are plenty of children who do thrive under these conditions and are well suited to the routine and rhythm of the school day. For others though, the heavily regulated regime can be stifling.
Your choice We are very lucky in this country that there are actually very few controls over how we choose to educate our children. In England and Wales our only obligation as parents is to ensure our child ‘receives efficient full-time education suitable to his age, ability and aptitude and to any special needs he may have either by regular attendance at school or otherwise.’ There is no requirement that this takes place in school or that it involves timetables and exams. If you wish to educate your children at home yourself you are free to do so. You do not need to be a qualified teacher and you are not obliged to submit to inspections or checks. There are an estimated 50,000 families in the UK who choose to take advantage of this freedom and educate their children at home, and the popularity of homeschooling has been steadily rising during
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recent years. For some, the ever increasing testing of young children has been a deciding factor. Other parents just feel that schools don’t have the capacity to give proper attention to each child and that oneto-one learning would offer more challenge and focus. Of course, homeschooling isn’t for everyone. A lot of parents can imagine nothing worse than giving up work to spend 24 hours a day as a parent and teacher. But for others, home educating is a logical extension of a lifestyle and philosophy centred on freedom of choice and self expression.
Everyone on board? If you are just thinking about homeschooling for the first time there are a few things to consider. Firstly, is everyone in the family in agreement with the idea of homeschooling and ready and willing to give it a try? It is crucial that everyone shares a passion for and commitment to the basic principles, in order to be able to offer mutual support and understanding. Although it is ultimately the parents’ decision, your children do need to be on board; else you are likely to have a struggle on your hands.
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For some families, homeschooling will have been something they have wanted to pursue since day one. Others may have started down a more traditional route and decided, for whatever reason, that their children were not benefiting from a school environment. It is important to remember that the decision to homeschool needn’t be a lifetime commitment and you are free to enrol your child in a mainstream school anytime. Home educators appreciate that learning is a journey and take one year very much at a time. What is right for you and your children when they are six or seven may not be right for them as they get older, or vice versa. Home schooling responds directly to the needs of your family, rather than conforming to an enforced regime, so it would be quite normal for these needs to change and develop over time.
Freedom to learn The main advantages of educating your children at home are the freedom it gives you to learn in a less rigid and formal environment, and the one-toone attention you can give each child. You are not required by law to follow the national curriculum or
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The social network Many people assume that home schooling is lonely and isolating and that children miss out on the opportunity to meet other kids and develop social skills. Far from it; most homeschooling families lead a very interesting and diverse social life and spend much of their time outside the home exploring the local area and meeting other people. Without the constraints of the classroom, families are free to go wherever they choose and most will spend little time in any kind of formal desk based learning. Why would you study something in a book when you can go out and see it in real life? Biology can be a pretty dull subject in a textbook. Take it outside, see plants in action at your own allotment, and it suddenly takes on a whole new meaning. There are also networks of homeschoolers across the UK who meet regularly, offering families the chance to socialise and share experiences. Access to groups may depend on where you live but, given the number of homeschoolers in the UK, you can be sure that you are never going to be too far from likeminded families.
Getting equipped Cost can also be a concern. There is a perception that homeschooling is the preserve of the wealthy middle classes, that you need to have lots of money to make it work. This isn’t the case. According to estimates, over 40% of homeschooling families are earning less than the average wage and 17% have a family income of less than £10,000 a year. You don’t need to spend hundreds of pounds on books and equipment and there is plenty of advice and help available to support homeschoolers on a budget. Often your own experiences and your local
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environment are all the tools you need and there is learning to be had from the most mundane of activities. Children can learn a lot of important numeracy skills for example just from a trip to the supermarket - weighing out fruits and vegetables, working out how much things cost, calculating which products offer best value for money – all useful skills and a good way to save you extra money too. The decision to homeschool should never been taken lightly. It requires a huge commitment from everyone in the family and is definitely not the easy option. However the benefits to be reaped are enormous. Go online and you will find testimonials from hundreds of homeschoolers, extolling the joys of homeschooling, the freedom, the independence and the creativity it allows. As Beatrix Potter once said ‘Thank goodness I was never sent to school; it would have rubbed off some of the originality.’
Useful Resources: The following websites may be a useful starting point for those considering home schooling: Free Range Education For resources and activities for homeschoolers, including legal advice www.free-range-education.org.uk Education Otherwise A membership organisation providing information and support for families who are homeschooling www.education-otherwise.org.uk Home Education Advisory Service Practical advice and support including links to information on exams for older children and sites for children with special educational needs. www.heas.org.uk Tel: 01707 371 854
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to enter your children for exams (although you may do this if you wish) and are basically free to learn what you want, when you want, how you want. In a classroom environment, lessons have to be pitched very much to the middle ground. Home schooling enables you to tailor make your child’s education according to their individual needs and interests. With the best of intentions, a school is never going to be able to provide the same bespoke learning experience.
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Family favourites Here are a few of our favourite news stories, events and reviews to see your family happily through the winter period.
Man’s best friend
A bright green future
Whether you are visiting relatives at Christmas time this year or taking the kids off for a yuletide holiday, it can be difficult if you are leaving one member of the family behind. But now you can give your dog a well deserved break too! Alldog provide a home away from home in a peaceful countryside setting with 15 acres of land to run free. They also offer grooming, pick up and drop off from London, daycare and walking. www.alldog.co.uk
As National Ethical Investment Week is upon us, maybe now is as good a time as any to think about your familiy’s future financial plans. The last three years have seen extraordinary volatility in financial markets. As the world’s major economies begin to emerge from the effects of the credit crunch, there is a great deal of discussion about the opportunity for ethical and environmental investment. If you are serious about environmentalism and social responsibility, and it’s as important to you to change society as to make money you should be in touch with ethical investment specialists like Barchester Green Investment, who can give you a free consultation about your personal finance planning. - www.barchestergreen.co.uk
Green kids online If you are worried about your carbon footprint and struggling to minimize your kids time on the internet this winter, look no further then Green ISP. They have a great new Home Special Unlimited package with ADSL2+ (unmetered/no limits usage) up to 16MB superfast Broadband for just £18.99 per month. They’re the first ISP to take sustainability seriously with solar powered, carbon neutral offices and tree planting to assist the offset of their CO2 emission’s. They even go to work using public transport. www.greenisp.net
Tree hugging Over the first weekend in December, why not get out with your kids and celebrate your local trees? Tree Dressing Day was initiated by Common Ground in 1990, when they decorated a group of London Plane trees at Shaftesbury Avenue in Covent Garden with 150 large number, showing that every tree counts! Since then, groups have dressed trees all over the country. www.commonground.org.uk/trees/t-dress
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Children in Need BBC Children in Need returns on Friday 20 November, at 7.00pm on BBC One, with a variety of entertainment acts all doing their bit to raise money for disadvantaged children and young people across the UK. Sir Terry Wogan is joined by Tess Daly and Alesha Dixon for a spectacular night of fun and fundraising. The seven hour show will include Live performances by Pixie Lott, Taylor Swift, Alesha Dixon, Spandau Ballet, Madness, Harry Connick Jr, Sugababes, Stereophonics, Little Boots, Paolo Nutini, Nolan Sisters, Westlife, Alison Moyet and Annie Lennox. This year the fundraising theme is, once again, “Do Something Different” and all those who step up to the challenge, or pick up the phone to pledge money for the BBC Children in Need Appeal, will be part of a huge community of supporters that make a huge difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in the UK. - www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey
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Things to do Bristol is a true green city with over 450 parks and green spaces, proportionately more than any other UK city, so you won’t find it difficult to find the perfect spot to get away from the hustle and bustle. The largest open space is the Downs, which is a huge grassed area of about 400 acres, situated on the edge of the city. Although close to the city it has a real countryside feel, making it ideal for long, leisurely walks. Or for spectacular views over the city, take a trip to Brandon Hill near Park Street, a peaceful spot situated 260 feet above the harbourside. There is also plenty to occupy those who like to shop till they drop, with many thriving markets taking place. St Nicholas Market has the
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Green I City Bristol
n 2008, Bristol was the only UK city shortlisted for the EU Green Capital award and it came top of Forum for the Future’s Sustainability Index 2008. Home to many green businesses, universities and organisations, Bristol has made a name for itself as the leading UK green capital and is one of the few UK cities that has gained Fair Trade status. This combined with its excellent parks and green spaces, exceptional transport facilities, make Bristol an ideal destination for the green minded holiday maker.
largest collection of independent retailers in Bristol and offers a wide choice of goods and food amid historical architecture. Head to the Exchange Hall, for stalls selling clothes and fair trade products and there are many second hand bookshops to explore too. The Glass Arcade has won a reputation for the quality of its food outlets and cafes specialising in world cuisine and you can also get some tasty treats at the weekly farmers market and stop off at the world’s first ever regular slow food market, which takes place at St Nic’s monthly. There are also a great deal of green shops in the city centre, including Bristol Green Store in Chessel Street, which offers practical, sustainable, ethicallytraded products and also houses The Natural Building Store stocking everything from natural paints to nappies. Or try Fig.1 in St Lukes Road, Totterdown, an independent ethical home and gift shop that is dedicated to promoting unusual items from small local producers, as well as fair trade, recycled and sustainable items. Make a positive difference
Also worth a visit is the Bristol Beer Factory, set up by George Ferguson with the ethos of providing local produce to people of Bristol. They have 3 pubs and a brand new visitor centre recently opened on the site of the former Ashton Gate Brewery on North Street with links through to the actual brewery itself. Visitors can also take a guided tour of the working brewery to get a better understanding of how beer is produced before sampling a range of Bristol Beer Factory’s award winning ales. For something arty, visit the CREATE Centre, a vibrant environment centre which hosts a range of events and exhibitions. Visitors can browse the ground floor exhibits, art gallery and cafe, and there is also a purpose-built Ecohome aiming to demonstrate the future of sustainable living.
Special events Another influential presence in the city is that of the Soil Association and its Organic Food Festival, which takes place at the waterfront early September November / December 2009
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each year. It’s a huge celebration of everything organic and is THE environmental event of the year. There you will find delicious organic food and drink, skin care, fashion, organic textiles, home design, tips on organic gardening and much more. The Organic Food Festival provides the chance to meet producers face to face, watch cooking demonstrations, sample street food from Bristol’s top chefs and introduce your kids to special taste workshops designed just for them. Also taking place at the waterfront is the world’s biggest vegan fayre, which offers a chance to learn all about the UK’s fastest growing lifestyle and dietary choice. The 2 day festival has two stages for bands, a performance stage and kids area, over 100 stalls including some excellent caterers, all of them vegan, 2 talk rooms featuring nutrition and campaigns with some of the countries leading experts in their field delivering up to date and well informed information on all aspects of the vegan lifestyle. There’s also a cookery demonstration area, where you can learn all about the secrets of cruelty free cooking. It makes a great family day out.
Food and drink All that sight seeing is bound to make you hungry and there you won’t be short of ethical options eating options here. Check out the delightful Bordeaux Quay, a harbourside restaurant serving local organic food in European style, which is committed to sustainable food practices, responsible energy use, zero waste principles and community food education. There’s a great atmosphere and the floor-to-ceiling views over the river provide a great talking point. More casual eating can be had at Mud Dock Cycleworks & Café - a bike shop, bike park and riverside cafe in the centre of the city. It’s a popular spot serving up delicious, locally-sourced food and provides a handy bike hire service.
Green accommodation At the end of a busy day you can rest your weary head at one of the many award-winning green hotels, B&B’s or guesthouses. Just a minute away from the bus centre the Full Moon Backpacker Hotel offers a bargain place to stay where you can meet like-minded travellers. They have an onsite pub/ restaurant offering fresh organic and local freerange food with beers, wines and spirits to match. The linen and bedding is also all organic.
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In a quieter spot, The Limes is a Victorian cottage bed and breakfast close to Clevedon, set in a 3/4 acre smallholding with garden and orchard. The water for your morning shower is heated by solar tubes on the roof, they offer delicious breakfasts of home-grown food and you can join them in feeding the animals, visit the vegetable garden and orchard and see sustainable living at first hand.
Getting around The transport charity responsible for the UK’s National Cycle Network, Sustrans, has its base in the city and this is evident in the excellent cycle facilities and vibrant bike culture. In June 2008, Bristol was named the UK’s first Cycling City. There are well maintained and clearly signposted cycling routes, and plenty of bike parking spots throughout the city centre. It’s the starting point for the popular Bristol-Bath railway path, which provides a tranquil walking and cycling green corridor between the two cities, and also features a range of artwork. There are also good bus services around the greater Bristol region, with further investment into the network planned over the coming years. And Bristol hosts the fastest growing city car club in the UK, with more than 1000 motorists paid up members, which means nice clear streets for pedestrians and cyclists.
Useful contacts: The Limes B&B www.limesbb.co.uk Tel: 01275 342 235 Sustrans www.sustrans.org.uk Tel: 0845 113 0065 Full Moon Backpacker Hotel www.fmbristol.co.uk Tel: 0117 9245 007 Bordeaux Quay www.bordeaux-quay.co.uk Tel: 0117 9431 200 Mud Dock Cafe www.mud-dock.co.uk Tel: 0117 934 9734
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Green Communication Picking up our mobile phones or logging onto the internet is now so ingrained into our daily lives that we barely think about it, but these simple steps will help you reduce your communication footprint, says Sioned Bannister.
Eco-chatterbox Do you remember the days when arranging to meet for lunch meant specifying an exact time and location? There was no such thing as “I’ll call you when I get there” or “Ring if you can’t find me”. Today, a mobile phone is an item that most of us can’t do without and they have completely revolutionised the way we communicate in our daily lives, from business calls on the move, to calling friends to pass the time while we wait in a queue.
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According to Greenpeace, mobile phones are made up of hundreds of components, several of which are pollution causing hazardous chemicals. These include Lead, which is highly toxic to humans and the environment, and Phthalates. Phthalates are one of the most common man-made pollutants and have been linked to reproductive deformities. They are used to soften the plastic used for the phone casing. As mobiles often end up in landfill sites (particularly in developing countries) the chemicals that seep from them cause damage to the environment and take hundreds, if not thousands of years to degrade. Such is the power of massmarketing and advertising, that we’re led to believe we must replace our mobile phones every year to keep up with the latest trends and must-have features. We can all pledge to extend the life of our mobile phones and only
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replace them when they really are broken and unfixable. Many mobile service providers now offer good discounts on monthly plans for ‘sim-only’ tariffs, where you keep your original mobile. When the time really does come to say goodbye to your mobile, there are several companies who will recycle your phone, either repairing and re-selling it as reconditioned, or dismantling it and re-using the parts, ensuring that any harmful elements are disposed of properly. Many work for charitable causes, but a few will offer cash for old phones.
A greener mobile When purchasing a new mobile, there are now several greener options from the major phone manufacturers, and in line with demand, more and more ecofriendly mobiles are due to make an appearance on the high street. Samsung’s Reclaim model is currently the market leader, and is built with almost 80% recycled
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W
elcome to the Information Age. Our busy lifestyles and hunger for knowledge mean that we’re all demanding faster, better and easier information and communication at our fingertips. We’ve become totally reliant on modern communication methods, but have you ever stopped to think about the effects our constant need for connection has on the environment?
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The World Wide Web It has never been easier, or cheaper, to get connected, and a recent report by the Office for National Statistics found that over 60% of homes in Britain are now connected to the internet. But did you know that over 1,500 kg of waste is produced just to make one PC and monitor, and that many laptops contain a cocktail of toxic chemicals? We can all help reduce the impact this has on the environment by choosing to buy new computers and laptops that are straightforward to upgrade when we need more memory or faster processing, and also by recycling old ones. Some manufacturers offer free recycling when you buy new equipment, but there are several companies who will recycle old computer parts responsibly. Or, charities like donateapc.org.uk match unwanted equipment with charitable organisations in need.
blasé about paper usage either. Only print things that are completely necessary, and use recycled paper if possible. One great way to make a real difference every time you log on is to choose an internet provider that is committed to running as an eco-friendly business. Green ISP (www.greenisp.net) has been operating as a not-for-profit organisation since 2003. As well as planting a tree for each new customer to offset carbon emissions, their paper-free offices are run on solar panels and totally renewable energy from a green energy supplier. Even their eco-aware staff leave their cars at home and travel on public transport to work! And, with more and more of the larger internet service providers following suit and adding green credentials to their list of priorities, it’s never been easier to surf green.
Monitoring it Computer monitors use about 60% of the power that is needed to run the whole machine, so it’s vital that monitors are turned off, especially overnight or for long periods of time, but even switching off during a lunch break will help make your PC more energy efficient. Don’t be
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mobile phone © Startouching - Fotolia.com
materials. The outer casing is made from corn derived bioplastics, and even the ink on the packaging and the manual is a very eco-friendly soy based ink. Add to this an extremely efficient charger that beeps when charging is complete, and the Reclaim makes for very green nattering. A recent study by the Carphone Warehouse found annually, over 95% of energy used by mobile phone chargers is lost because they are left plugged in when not being used. One innovative little device designed to overcome this is the Plug in and Go Eco Charger available from the Carphone Warehouse. The charger cleverly shuts itself down when the phone battery is full or the phone is unplugged from the charger. The makers claim that if all mobile phone users in the UK used this charger, we would save ourselves a whopping £85 million of electricity. Mobile manufacturers are beginning to pay attention, and some phones are now supplied with more efficient chargers. However, we all need to take responsibility for using our mobile phones more responsibly. They should be charged only when the battery is low and only left to charge until the battery is full. Chargers should not be left switched on when not in use.
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How to.... knit the ethical way K
nitting is making a huge come back in these financially challenged times, and who can blame it? It’s absorbing, endlessly variable, doesn’t have to break the bank and you end up with a useable finished product that you can wear, use or gift to unsuspecting family and friends. So how does one start knitting?
techniques, in theory, you can pick up virtually any pattern and knit it. Seriously. Knitting is so trendy these days that there’s even a book in the well-known ‘Dummies’ series about it. Youtube is an excellent source of mini ‘how-to’ vids and tutorials if you have a fairly quick broadband connection.
First let me say, you can’t really learn to knit from a short magazine article. The best way to learn is to find someone who knows how to do it, and ask them to show you. Beg, bargain with, plead, offer up your first born, whatever it takes; although to be honest, practically every knitter I’ve ever met has been so enthusiastic about their craft, they take very little in the way of persuasion to teach folk.
Crafty
Classy Another alternative is finding an evening class. Yarn shops and colleges often run beginners’ courses, and if you’re really lucky, you may stumble upon a ‘Knit and Natter’ or ‘Stitch and Bitch’ at your local coffee shop. These are ideal places to get in on the knitting scene, because you can pretty much guarantee that the people you meet there will be absolutely delighted to initiate you in the ancient art of sticks and string. If you’re unlucky enough to not have a convenient great-aunt or evening class, there are a whole raft of brilliant books and magazines out there. Of the half dozen or so knitting magazines in the newsagent, most have a ‘how-to’ section at the back, instructing you, dear reader, in the fine art of casting on, making the knit stitch, the purl stitch and casting off. Which, believe it or not, is all you need to know to knit. Once you have mastered those four basic
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So, what next? Do you leap on your bike and pedal like fury to the nearest craft shop? Well, yes and no. It all depends in which part of the country you live in. The traditional old yarn shop still exists here and there, but the quality of yarn it stocks is of dubious merit. A lot of the commercially produced yarn these days is acrylic, mass-produced, soulless stuff that drags at the spirit as you knit it. Garish colours in a whole array of squeaky thicknesses, from static inducing baby 4ply to chunky, boucle ‘novelty’ yarns whose only redeeming feature is the speed at which it knits up into the finished article, are all that’s available in some shops. And to add insult to injury, the array of tools, needles, hooks and accessories are shipped in bulk from China, made from aluminium and plastic. In my humble opinion, the most important part of knitting is the yarn. Wool, fibre, yarn call it what you will, but there’s no point spending hours making something if you’re using inferior quality stuff with a dubious ethical ancestry. You’re going to be wearing this stuff, remember. What do you want against your skin – or against your baby’s skin, your husband’s head, your sister’s feet? There is an alternative. In amongst the acrylic hell of modern day knitting, most of which is made abroad and flown in, it is possible to find some
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Keep yourself cosy and warm in your own unique style this winter. Kris Wilcox, of friendly yarn store Ecoknits, tells us how to start knitting and how to keep it ethical.
amazing yarns. If you’re lucky enough to have a ‘Local Yarn Store’ (or LYS to the initiated) treasure it. Not only the store, but the people who work there. You can be assured they’ll be as completely barmy and obsessed with their product as you could wish for. On its shelves will be pile after pile of perfection.
An ideal yarn And what is this perfect product? All depends on what you want to make. But you can find organic cotton, ideal for washcloths and baby clothes. Ethically sourced alpaca for sumptuously soft scarves and hats. Sustainable, locally produced Wensleydale wool, for Aran jumpers and colourwork mittens. British Blue-Face Leicester wool hand-dyed with natural plant dyes to make the most indulgent pair of socks. Fairly traded silk blended with Merino from properly farmed sheep, to knit into a shawl or cardigan with a unique lustre and shine… it’s all out there if you go looking for it. If you’re vegan, try modal, made from beech fibre, or one of the soy based yarns. These yarns are a joy to handle, giving double the pleasure - both whilst knitting and again with wearing. Some projects may take you a couple of months to knit, so do your fingers a favour and pick something you delight in handling, something soft and smooshy (technical term there). To smoosh is to pick up a skein or ball of yarn and give it a good squeeze, then gently fondle a strand or two between your fingers before finally giving into the temptation to rub it on your cheek. Honestly. And if you’ve found a good LYS, no one there will question what you are doing for a second – they may even hand you another skein to smoosh and compare.
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If you don’t have one of these local treasures, there are some wonderful online retailers that offer all the ethical, organic, fairly traded and sustainably produced yarns you could wish for. Many of these retailers are small, work at home businesses that provide key income for individual families, and as such, you get the personal service that is lacking from so many large corporate companies. Not sure which colour you want? Ask and you’re more than likely to be sent an envelope full of snippets of your yarn of choice. Want to return an unused skein? No problem. Broke a needle? Send it back and if it’s a Brittany one, made from sustainably grown birch, it’s replaced for free. The additional beauty of using an online retailer is that they are open 24/7. So when you find yourself browsing around Ravelry at 11pm on evening, you know that you can order the yarn that’s taken your fancy right away. Which, when faced with a yarn craving, in an important consideration!
Your friendly, almost-local yarn store, Ecoknits, stocks a lush variety of ethical, organic and fairly traded yarns, needles and notions. We aim to support small businesses and work-at-home parents, as well as bigger companies with a proven ethical track record. For more information visit www.ecoknits.co.uk, email: sales@ecoknits.co.uk, or call 07799 052751
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Books
The Christmas Book ISBN: 978 1405332231 Hardback, £13.59 Dorling Kindersley Limited Tel: 0845 313 4444 www.dorlingkindersley-uk.co.uk
The Christmas Book Sheherazade Goldsmith
The Christmas Book is the perfect read for anyone who loves crafts and is interested in making their christmas more sustainable. Packed full of wonderful festive ideas, from making an advent calendar and recycled paper decorations to composting kitchen waste, the book is split into five different sections with easily to follow step-by-step instructions and beautiful images and illustrations to demonstrate each. Lots of the projects are suitable for children too and this really makes it a great aid in reclaiming the family orientated Christmas.
The Spark ISBN: 978 0956004109 Paperback, £14.99 Splodge Publishing Tel: 07770 955 953 www.splodgepublishing.com
The Spark Sarita Cameron
This wonderful book is totally unique in concept. The adventure story, where a delightful Splodge character helps children to save the world from eternal darkness, explores topics of environment, self awareness and community. The illustrations are colourful and the interactive element means that your child won’t be able to put it down. The Spark comes with a set of five natural gifts, (a rainstick, a feather, a postcard, a liquorice root and a lavender bag) to promote a sensory and informative experience for young minds and grown ups too!
Music
Sick and Tired: The Phoenix Rose Digital format only, £0.69 Archangel Green www.archangelgreen.co.uk
Sick and Tired The Phoenix Rose
Sick and Tired, the debut single from green band The Phoenix Rose, is an infectious and upbeat track recently released by environmentally focused record label Archangel Green. Front man Jarvis Smith has been involved in several eco-friendly projects including Channel 4’s eco documentary ‘dumped’. Unusual and exquisite vocals are provided by shaman vocalist Judith Seelig. The band’s entire ethos is geared towards sustainability, with ethical styling by Lupe Castro and Jarvis Smith wearing only ethically labelled clothing
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November / December 2009
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WIN A MAYAN MAGIC RAW CHOCOLATE MAKING KIT Win a raw chocolate making kit, the foodie gift of the year, with Ethical Living and Mayan Magic Prize details:
Melt mix and mould to make 153gms of very special chocolate. The kit contains: Powders: Finest unroasted Nacional Arriba Cacao, Lucuma, Carob Butters: Cacao, Coconut Natural Sweetener: Agave Nectar
About Mayan Chocolate:
Make fresh chocolate or dip fresh fruits, add extra flavours or experiment with shapes. Create a masterpiece that friends and family will never forget. Make delicious raw chocolate. Free from refined sugar, dairy and additives. Entry details: For your chance to win simply tell us your ideal chocolate flavour/filling. Send your answer, name, address and email to Mayan Magic Competition, PO Box 282, Stamford, PE9 9BW or by email to mayanmagic@ethical-living.org. Terms and conditions: Closing date for entries is 30th December 2009. Entries received after this date will not be eligible. Prize available in the UK only, subject to availability, non transferable and no cash equivalent can be redeemed.
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Ethical Advice In this column our ethical agony aunt, Sarah Callard, answers your ethical dilemmas. From where to holiday to whether it’s better to hand wash your dishes or use a dishwasher, Sarah finds out the most environmentally friendly and ethical options.
Sarah Callard has been writing about natural lifestyles for over 10 years. She is a columnist for the Saturday Telegraph magazine and the author of Green Living. If you have an ethical question that you would like Sarah to answer, please email us at advice@ethical-living.org
???? ????? Q. My children love bonfire
night and the celebrations that surround it but I’ve read that all those fires release toxins into the atmosphere. How can we celebrate in an ethical way without disappointing the kids?
A. Environmental purists see
little to celebrate about the 5th November. Bonfires release a heady mix of carbon monoxide, dioxins and particles into the atmosphere and the toxic ash ends up in landfill. Fireworks are an even bigger environmental disaster. They contain gunpowder and various other chemicals that pollute the atmosphere and have a potential impact on human health. Research has revealed that particle pollution (the level of suspended particles in the atmosphere) increases dramatically in the days following celebrations involving large firework displays. From an ethical perspective, there is also the question of how the fireworks are manufactured, the amount of energy used and the pollutants created during the manufacturing process. Firework factories in China and India have also been at the centre of allegations about child labour. As if that wasn’t enough, firework displays are responsible for a huge
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amount of waste. This is mainly as a result of the plastic casings they come packaged in, which is not easily recyclable and ends up littering the environment, including our waterways and beaches. The Marine Conservation Society says plastic accounts for around 50% of all litter found on UK beaches. However, these arguments aren’t going to stack up to an excited seven year old looking forward to a night of fireworks, candy-floss and loud bangs. So what’s the alternative? Well, there are a few. As far as the bonfires go, less is more. The Environment Agency recommends that people attend organised events because they are safer and the total impact on air quality and the environment will be less than lots of small bonfire parties. Gathering around a communal fire is a better option than everyone having their own and makes for entertainment in its own right. If you are having your own bonfire party make sure that when you build the bonfire you avoid putting anything other than dry, clean, seasoned wood on it in order to minimize emissions. Another key thing to remember is that bonfire piles make fantastic homes for hedgehogs and other wildlife. The Devon Wildlife Trust recommends building your bonfire
November / December 2009
as close to November 5th as possible to avoid animals making it their home, and advises people to check the bonfire thoroughly using a torch before it is lit. Most importantly, make sure you have plenty of marshmallows for toasting. If you are brave enough to spurn fireworks altogether, a good option, which will still inspire plenty of oohs and aahs, is Chinese Lanterns. These are biodegradable lanterns that fly for up to twenty minutes - a more lasting experience than the bang, flash of a rocket. Based on lanterns that have been traditionally used in China for thousands of years, Chinese Lanterns are easily available on the internet (www.chineselanterns. co.uk has a good range). They are made from a flame resistant, biodegradable material on a bamboo wood frame. However, they are only suitable on calm nights and are best-suited to fields and other open spaces where they can’t get tangled up in trees or telegraph poles. Some would argue that one night of gunpowder, treason and plot compared to the large scale environmental pollution caused by global industry is a drop in the ocean. But whatever you decide to do, remember to stay safe.
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November / December 2009
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