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With gorgeous natural products for him & her you’re sure to find the perfect Valentine’s gift!
shop@www.naturalworkscompany.co.uk
The Natural Works Company is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more
It’s not long now till Valentine’s and a traditional gift for your beloved is chocolate.
This year, why not treat them to something a little different, with some Organic Raw Chocolate goodies from Elements for Life?
All their products contain raw organic cacao, so maintaining as much of the nutrition as possible. They are also all dairy free, free from refined sugar and gluten free. Suitable for vegans, diabetics and lactose intolerance.
First off, there is their raw organic chocolate making kit which provides everything you need to share the fun of making your very own fantastic raw organic chocolates.
Or perhaps you’d prefer to give a raw organic chocolate gift box, with it’s selection of 4 amazing flavours.
There’s still time to place orders to get them delivered before Valentine’s, but you need to get your order in before Thurs 10th Feb.
We’re also offering a 10% discount to any Ethical Junction members or readers. To claim, simply include the code EJVAL2011 when ordering either of the above products before 14th February 2011.
Lightbeing Creations is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more
Love Makes the World Go Round
Why not show someone how much you care about them and the rest of the world to by giving a Fair Trade Valentine Gift
…and many more ideas for Valentine’s day at www.mimosastyle.co.uk
Give a little love to that special someone and also to the world today !
Mimosastyle is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more
Come up smelling of roses this Valentine’s Day with these gorgeous gift ideas….
We recommend:
We also have stylish gifts for the man in your life.
Our products are exclusively natural and organic and suitable for vegetarians, many are also vegan-friendly.
For more Valentine’s inspiration visit www.naturalworkscompany.co.uk
The Natural Works Company is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more
Loved ones will be delighted to receive a thoughtful gift that is as kind to the environment as it is to the body. Gorgeous organic beauty treats and fragrances are a natural choice for treating that special person to a little well deserved pampering on Valentine’s Day.
www.lucyrose.biz offers a beautiful selection of Valentine’s gift packages, to suit every budget, and with free postage and packing on every UK order, there’s no excuse not to be prepared in time for this year’s celebration of St Valentine. Just a few ideas include:
Inika organic mineral make up looks and feels great on the skin. The Essentials Collection from Inika costs £29.50 and includes a foundation, kabuki brush and lip whip.
Jo Wood Organics ‘Amka’ Organic Eau de Toilette has a romantic heart of Iranian rose otto and Egyptian jasmine – Amka means ‘to wake’ in Swahili. Available for £36, this luxurious fragrance is certified by Ecocert.
Dr Wendy’s, the new 100% botanical skincare range from New Zealand, is made from 100% plant based ingredients which are in a concentrated form and produce excellent results. An extra indulgent facial treat, the full range of cleanser, toner and moisturiser is available for £55.
Green People’s Ultimate Organic Spa Experience is the perfect treat for a romantic occasion. Pamper and indulge the skin with pure, exotic blends of precious organic oils. Price £20.50.
www.lucyrose.biz hosts a vast selection of organic beauty brands, so is a one-stop-shop for all organic beauty needs. Postage and packing is free on all UK orders and there is a consultation and sample service if you need further support.
Lucy Rose is an active member of Ethical Junction, learn more
Oromo Coffee Enterprise goes Direct Trade!
James Purnell, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, launched the latest Lorna Young Foundation venture, saying “This is a unique initiative that could make fair trade even fairer – and the coffee tastes great too!” Backed also by the Bishop of Manchester, the former Lord Mayor of Manchester, Afzal Khan, and Muslim and Christian faith groups, we are working with recently settled refugees from the Oromo region in Ethiopia who contacted the LYF for ideas on how to set up a self-help project, rather than rely on benefits.
With our support, the Oromo community (who have legal residential
status) have now created a direct trading ‘community to community’
social enterprise – ‘The Oromo Coffee Company’. As the birthplace of
coffee, the Oromo region of Ethiopia provides some of the finest
quality beans in the world. This direct trade initiative will cut out
middlemen and ensure an even greater level of profit for smallholder farmers than would be possible
just through Fairtrade.
James Purnell was aware that we have come this
far with no funding — just a lot of good will — and backed our appeal
for sponsors. He added: “The Oromo Coffee Company has been set up by a
group of people who have said quite clearly that they want to
contribute to society and to help smallholders back home at the same time. And this
is an outstanding example of what can be achieved when people work
together to develop their different skills in an innovative way…I will
certainly be asking whether this coffee could be stocked at the House
of Commons in future.”
This exciting new venture is being assisted by Bolling Coffee, a
Yorkshire based family-owned roaster, which has generously agreed to
support the OCC with roasting and packaging of the coffee. There has
been a huge amount of interest from retailers and the public, and the
new Fairtrade certified range of coffees will be available in May 2009.
Garedew Yadessa, one of the Oromo community leaders, emphasised the
importance of this self-help initiative: “You can already see what a
difference this project is making to the morale of our community. We have been living here with very little, with very low spirits. It
has been really excellent to be able to work with the LYF and Bolling
Coffee, and to get advice from Tameside Council. We believe that we
can teach British people a lot about coffee heritage as well as working
hard ourselves – and in doing so, we are helping the smallholders back
home.”
How Can YOU Help? Get Practical!
Contact us now on 07538 690072 or 07944 979721
What is so different about the LYF?
We will work with any smallholder farmers in developing countries who
need help with business and marketing support and learning. We are a
registered UK education charity that seeks to level the playing field
for smallholder producers, so that they can compete fairly in the
marketplace. We are all about empowerment in action – we aim to assist
producers to make the transition from being providers of raw product to
becoming managers of their own businesses, building their
commercial/marketing skills and helping them to develop local brands
and add value to their products.
Who Was Lorna Young?
The Lorna Young Foundation (LYF) is named in memory of Lorna Young, a
marketing specialist seconded from Equal Exchange to be the first Sales
and Marketing Manager for Cafédirect. She was a driven and dynamic
Scotswoman who secured the first supermarket listings for Cafédirect
products, and almost single-handedly took Fairtrade coffee from the
margin to the mainstream. She saw the need for smallholder farmers to
be able to gain the skills and confidence to break into their own local
and regional markets, as well as internationally. Lorna died in 1996 at the age of 44; but her name, and her fierce
commitment to championing the cause of producers, live on through the
LYF.
Green driving techniques help you find love
Green driving advice given to motorists works as well in the planning of the ideal Valentine’s Day date as it does in helping to reduce fuel costs and carbon emissions, according to ethical breakdown company the Environmental Transport Association (ETA).
The ETA advice to motorists (and those in search of love) is:
1. Keep it smooth
Avoiding harsh acceleration and braking saves fuel and reduces wear and
tear (Wining and dining should never be rushed – start the day as you
mean to go on with breakfast in bed)
2. Anticipate
By looking as far as possible up the road it’s possible to reduce
stop/start driving, thereby reducing fuel consumption (Book your
restaurant table early to avoid disappointment)
3. Shed weight
Remove unnecessary clutter from your car and you will use less fuel
(Being a weight you are comfortable with will boost your confidence)
Director of the ETA, Andrew Davis said: “Green driving can help save
the planet and your relationship – a year of following our tips can
save enough money to pay for a meal and night’s stay at a top hotel on
Valentine’s Day.”
green energy uk – power out of demolished buildings
green energy uk, supplier of 100% renewable and 100% green electricity, is pleased to announce The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) as a new customer. RIBA joins a growing number of architects and building professionals illustrating their environmental credentials and reducing carbon emissions by switching their electricity supply to green energy uk.
Martin Pascoe, RIBA Head of Property and Facilities and in-house
architect, said about the switch: “The RIBA has adopted a robust
climate change policy. We have implemented many projects to address our
corporate behaviour and reduce our own environmental impact, and are
therefore delighted to have switched to green energy uk.”
Much of the electricity green energy uk supplies customers is generated
from waste materials, including construction and demolition waste. One
green energy uk generator partner, the Enviropower Plant in West
Sussex, aims to recycle 48,000 tonnes of construction and demolition
waste into electricity every year, enough to power up to 10,000 homes.
Historically, this would have sat in landfill, but recycling it into
electricity helps prevent its harmful greenhouse gasses from entering
the atmosphere. Green energy’s electricity also comes from wind, solar
and hydro generators.
green energy uk works closely with local authorities, architects and
builders in bringing to market surplus electricity generated from
energy development projects. In Scotland, two cleaner, greener CHP
units were recently installed by Aberdeen City Council to generate
subsidised heat and hot water for several large public buildings and
500 local homes, cutting residents’ heating bills by half. In addition,
the CHP units are generating electricity that is fed into the national
grid and made available though green energy uk. In Walsall, Caldmore
Housing Association has reduced service charges for some residents by
selling to green energy uk the surplus electricity generated by
photovoltaic panels on five blocks of flats.
green energy uk founder and Chief Executive, Doug Stewart, says the
building industry has an important role to play in helping the
government meet its projected target for reducing national carbon
emissions. “Incorporating energy saving measures into building
projects, and where possible embedded generation, is the most efficient
way for the nation to conserve energy. The electricity we supply is
green, but the greenest electricity of all is the electricity we don’t
use. The vast majority of electricity generated in the UK is brown and
comes from fossil fuels, and – this might sound mad given what we do -
if we lessen our demand for electricity, it will have a positive
environmental impact. It’s encouraging that as a member organisation,
RIBA is taking a vigorous stance.”
Luxury Chocolate Pamper Hamper Gift Set
This Love Lula Luxury Chocolate Pamper Hamper Gift Set contains Champagne Truffles, Natural Magic Organic Candle, John Masters Organic Blood Orange & Vanila Body milk, and John Masters Organic Lip Calm. This make a perfect gift all round gift. more > > >
Price £62.50
MoreEco Points Earned 434
Sun And Moon Jar – Free Sunlight Forever
When the jar is placed in sunlight the solar cell creates an electrical
current that charges the battery over a few hours. This energy is then
used at night to power the three LED lamps inside the jar. more > > >
Price £19.95
MoreEco Points Earnerd 119
Hole In The Heart Necklace: Pink
We just adore these enchanting Hole in the Heart necklaces. Not only
are they eco, ethical and fair they are surely the ‘must have’
accessory for 2009. more > > >
Price £25.00
MoreEco Points Earnerd 173
Fairtrade Roses
The FAIRTRADE Mark is an independent consumer label that appears on
products as an independent guarantee that disadvantaged producers in
the developing world are getting a better deal. So why don’t you do the
right thing and buy her some flowers and show your support to fairtrade
producers. more > > >
Price £19.50
MoreEco Points Earnerd 200
Green & Black’s Chocolate Valentine Gift Set
This Chocolate Valentine gift pack contains a collection of beautifully
crafted bespoke chocolates using the finest organically-grown
ingredients. more > > >
Price £20.00
MoreEco Points Earnerd 80
Green People Limited Edition Gift Pack
For the guy on the go, it includes three organic products: Wash & Shave, Moisturise & Go and Shampoo & Shower. more > > >
For the Girl the stylish gift pack contains three luxurious organic
products: a Rejuvenating Body Lotion, an Exfoliating Shower Wash and a
Day/Night Cream.
Price £20.00
MoreEco Points Earnerd 139
Ethical designer Eloise Grey has been selected to show at Estethica, the sustainable section of London Fashion Week from February 20-24th 2009.
Eloise Grey is based in rural Surrey and launched her label in October 2007 with a capsule collection of coats. In February she will be showing jackets, coats and skirts which are
exquisitely tailored in the UK. Eloise specialises ethical and organic
tweeds woven by the prize-winning Isle of Mull Weavers.
Eloise says “My work evokes something very British and traditional. There is also a freshness which makes it stand out as something completely different from traditional country clothing. In fact, it’s urban and elegant combined with a warm rusticity which is interesting. I think it’s the artisan quality of the tweed and the making which is just what you don’t find anymore. So much is highly manufactured, and whilst it can be very fine, it’s not the same.”
Described by leading sustainability site TreeHugger as “the very antithesis of high street fashion” Eloise Grey seeks a more considered quality that embodies respect for the makers, the land, the art of weaving, tailoring and the process of trying and buying. It is a product whose time is in tune with the cycle of growth in the land and is treasured rather than lusted after guiltily. Wear your tweed year after year and hand it on. Eloise has sourced highly skilled outerwear makers based in the UK who ensure the quality and keep the skills alive.
RECALLING 1930s and 1940s, Eloise Grey’s designs takes inspiration from writers of the mid-20th century. This time, honouring her affection for Virago Modern Classics, she has named garments after writers such as Rebecca West and Antonia White.
In May 2008 Eloise won Land+Sea, Los Angeles-based International Design Awards’ competition which sought excellence in sustainable design, Eloise Grey was first place in the Fashion, Land category. She has also been selected for the highly competitive Crafts Council fair, Origin, at Somerset House in October 2008. Having started her label showing at exclusive events and art galleries, with a fine crafting bias, she is directing her attentions towards exporting and shops in response to interest.
THE TWEEDS are woven by Ardalanish Isle of Mull Weavers, at Ardalanish Organic Farm, Scotland. Aeneas and Minty Mackay, the owners, are pioneers of organic practices who are determined to sustain and develop the world-famous traditional weaving practices of the Hebrides. In undyed shades of rich brown, grey and cream, the low-maintenance fabrics are naturally water and dirt-resistant; their care has a low environmental impact. These tweeds won best textile in the Organic Industry awards in 2007.
Eloise Grey is represented by Mica Lamb at Agent For Change who specialise in luxury sustainable and ethical designers. Agent For Change will be previewing Eloise Grey’s work at The Hepsibah Gallery in Brackenbury Road, London W6 from 12th-19th February by appointment.
