Sustainable Lifestyle: WaxWrap Beeswax Cotton Food Bags & Wraps #PlasticFree

 

It's never been easier to make small, sustainable swaps that add up to make a big difference, especially when it comes to replacing those everyday single-use items with plastic-free reusable alternatives. My latest swap? Ditching plastic cling film and aluminium foil for eco-friendly, beeswax cotton wraps and food bags!

OK, so I'm a bit late to the party as these beeswax food wraps & bags have been gaining in popularity for quite some time now, but after 18 months of Covid and various lockdowns, it's only been recently that I've decided to invest in some as we're finally moving from WFH life back to the office.

If you're new to beeswax cotton food bags and wraps, they are basically an eco-friendly, plastic-free, reusable alternative to cling film and aluminium foil. Available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, colours and patterns, they're a fun and practical way to inject some colour into your kitchen and lunchbox, whilst helping to save the planet at the same time by reducing how much rubbish you're throwing out. It's a win-win all round!

Each brand is different of course, but generally speaking, these products are usually made from a piece of organic cotton that has been coated in beeswax and often has other natural ingredients added such as pine resin and plant-based oils to help improve their flexibility. 

Why is Beeswax used? 

Beeswax is naturally antibacterial making it the perfect ingredient to create a hygienic environment for food storage without the need for any harsh chemicals to be added. There are, however, vegan-friendly alternatives starting to appear on the market so keep your eyes peeled for those if you want a product that doesn't contain beeswax. For now, though, I'll keep the focus on the ones that I've been trialling from WaxWrap.

WaxWrap 3 Beeswax Organic Cotton Food Wraps* (£16, link)

Made from 100% natural ingredients, these Food Wraps are crafted from organic cotton cloth that's been dipped into a mixture of beeswax, pine resin and jojoba oil to keep food fresh. The cloth is Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 approved which means that it bears non-toxic textile ink that meets strict environmental and social standards. 

This pack contains three different sizes so you can choose the wrap that's most suited to your needs and using them is super easy. Simply rub the cloth between your hands to lightly warm the wax which makes it more pliable to form, and then wrap it around anything you like! The wraps are waterproof, self-adhesive and allow the food to breathe so you'll find things like cut fruit and veg will last a lot longer than when it's wrapped in single-use clingfilm or foil. 

After use, wash the wrap with cold water and eco-friendly washing liquid and allow to air dry, or pat dry with a cotton towel and then reuse. WaxWrap states that their products are reusable for over a year if maintained properly and to extend its life you can re-soak the cloth in wax again. At the end of its life, you can compost them where they will naturally biodegrade.

WaxWrap 3 Beeswax Organic Cotton Food Bags* (£22.50, link)

Are you someone who takes sandwiches to college/Uni or work every day? If so, these Food Bags are the perfect eco-friendly alternative for you! Like the wraps above, they are made from the exact same natural materials but are stitched at the sides and feature a foldable pouch for you to easily store your sandwiches and other food items inside. They're also waterproof and self-adhesive so you don't have to worry about your food spilling out during your travels - great for picnics and holidays!

This pack from WaxWrap features three different sizes with a small, medium and large-sized bag to suit all needs and appetites. I particularly love the fun banana print and I've already received so many compliments and questions about them from colleagues who have been quite intrigued when they've seen me take them out of my lunchbox. What a fantastic way to start an engaging conversation on the environment ;)

Overall Thoughts

Like most eco-friendly alternatives, WaxWrap food bags and wraps may seem quite expensive at first, but the joy of using something that doesn't harm the environment, nor adds to the landfill and plastic pollution problem, far outweighs the financial investment. Do some good for the planet and ditch single-use cling film and aluminium foil forever!

What eco-friendly swaps have you done recently?

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Green Beauty: LoveLula Beauty Box - September 2021 review

With a combined value of £58, September's LoveLula Beauty Box offers excellent value for money and serves as an introduction to a range of both affordable and luxury green beauty brands. Everything included in this subscription box is also guaranteed to be cruelty-free, so if you're fed up with other beauty boxes not meeting your ethical standards, why not give LoveLula a go instead?

Here's a rundown of what's inside this month's box!

Ere Perez Cacao Lip Colour in Sway (RRP £23.50)

As a makeup junkie, I always love discovering new makeup in subscription boxes so I was delighted to stumble across this beautiful tinted lip conditioner from Ere Perez's Cacao Lip Colour range. Featuring an ultra-hydrating formula of Cacao Butter and Castor Oil, this vegan-friendly lippy softens dry lips and adds a sheer coverage of colour, all wrapped in gorgeous sleek packaging.

Glossworks Cuticle Balm (RRP £12)

A new product release from one of LoveLula's exclusive brands, Glossworks, this Cuticle Balm is the perfect addition to your daily pampering routine, especially as we head into the colder months. Made from only natural ingredients, a tiny amount is all you need to use for nourished and softer cuticles. Top tip: keep it on your bedside table next to your hand cream so you remember to apply it every night.

Ayumi Sandalwood & Cocoa Butter Face Cream (RRP £6.99)

Suitable for dry and sensitive skin types, Ayumi's Sandalwood & Cocoa Butter Face Cream is another great product to help prepare your skin for Autumn. Featuring key natural ingredients such as Sea Kelp, Aloe Vera, Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood, Frankincense, Sage and Jasmine essential oils, it not only gives your skin all the hydration that it requires, but adds a sense of calm to your day through its natural fragrance.

Mádara Total Renewal Night Cream (travel size)

The last product in this month's LoveLula Beauty Box is a travel size of one of Mádara's bestsellers, their Total Renewal Night Cream. It has the most beautiful rich and silky texture which sinks into the skin immediately and gets to work overnight to repair and recharge your complexion for smoother and more radiant skin come the morning. 

LoveLula Beauty Box* is a monthly subscription box priced at £13.95 with free postage in the UK. Visit lovelula.com to find out more.

Have you subscribed to LoveLula's Beauty Box?

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Organic September: Celebrating 10 Years of Organic Beauty with Nourish London Birthday Collection

 

One of my favourite British natural skincare brands, Nourish London, are celebrating 10 years of organic, green & vegan beauty with a very special Birthday Collection set this month!

I love a big birthday and what better way to mark the occasion of 10 years in the green beauty business than with an extra special, limited-edition collection of bestsellers?! This is exactly what Nourish London has recently released and I can't wait to show you all the goodies which are inside. Happy Birthday, Nourish!

This beautiful gift comes wrapped up in a 100% organic cotton reusable drawstring bag that's been by Freeset, a fairtrade and ethical, eco-friendly business that helps vulnerable women in India with a livelihood to support their families.

Nourish Kale 3D Cleanse (30ml)

Worth £9, this travel-size version of Kale 3D Cleanse is Nourish's award-winning cleanser. It has a really interesting colour changing format which goes from white to green as you massage it into the skin and activate all those natural and organic ingredients such as Kale, Hyaluronic Acid, Griffonia and Probiotics. I love this because it doubles up as a make-up remover so it's the perfect evening cleanser to take the day off with, leaving behind beautifully clean and refreshed skin. 

Nourish Antioxidant Peptide Mist (15ml)

There's nothing quite like a revitalising toner mist to help perk your skin up and this mini Antioxidant Peptide Mist is a bit of a hidden gem in Nourish's skincare range so this is a great way to try it. Infused with Hyaluronic Acid, brightening Liquorice, antioxidants such as Turmeric, anti-ageing Peptides and a host of Probiotic minerals, this clever mist helps to brighten a dull complexion for a more radiant glow.

Nourish Argan Anti-Ageing Peptide Serum (15ml)

A good anti-ageing serum is an essential in your skincare routine and all skin types will benefit from Nourish's Anti-Ageing Peptide Serum. Another award-winner, this supercharged serum boasts an impressive formula of Kale, Tripeptides, Hyaluronic acid and Argan Oil which work together to help boost healthy collagen production, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Nourish Argan Skin Renew Moisturiser (full size)

The star of the Birthday Collection is a full-size bottle of Nourish Argan Skin Renew Moisturiser that's worth £30 and has been re-packaged with a new self-locking smart pump that gets rid of the plastic cap so there's less waste. I've used this moisturiser many times in the past and I absolutely love the silky rich texture it has. Key ingredients include Argan Oil, Vitamin E, Tripeptides, Frankincense, Myrrh, Rose of Jericho and Borage to provide the skin with everything it needs to be plumped, hydrated, smooth and firm. 

Nourish Probiotic Multi-Mineral Repair Mask (2 x 5ml)

Last, but not least, no Limited Edition set would be complete without a luxury pampering treatment and these samples of the Probiotic Multi-Mineral Repair Mask are a brilliant weekly quick fix for your skin. Specially formulated with a nutrient-rich blend of probiotic minerals such as Magnesium, Zinc, Copper and Iron, and infused with Damask Rose and Lavender essential oils, this mask calms any inflammation from pollution and environmental aggressors and rebalances the skin.

Nourish 10 Years Of Green Beauty Birthday Collection* retails for £40 and is worth £70.50 - what a bargain! nourishskinrange.com

What's on your beauty list for Organic September?

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Health & Lifestyle: Salad: Good Health In A Bowl #AD

 

A healthy meal doesn’t have to be boring. Yes, you read it right. Not because you don’t like vegetables or certain kinds of food, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t a bowl of salad for you. Salad is one of the most flexible food recipes in the world. Whether you’re a vegetarian, pescatarian, or eat a mix of everything, one way or another, there is a salad recipe that suits you. It can be a mix of everything or simply put the ingredients that match your diet or preference. It’s like a complete DIY kit for healthy living. Here are some ingredients that you can add to be part of your healthy bowl of goodness.

Raw greens are usually the base of a salad. You would want greens that are crispy and vibrant without any signs of wilting or yellowing. The most popular greens are lettuce. You may opt for leaf lettuce or romaine lettuce as they’re the ones that are richer in vitamins.

Fresh fruits can be very flexible. Aside from being a healthy snack or dessert, you can also incorporate them in your salad. Some of the common fruits mixed in salads are apples, oranges, pomegranates, or you can also squeeze some lemon juice into your mixture.

Other vegetables are commonly the body of a salad. While greens are also vegetables, there are other colourful gifts of nature that you can mix in your salad to make them more colourful and healthier. Some common vegetables are carrots, cucumbers, onions, mushrooms, and peppers.

Nuts and seeds are a great addition to your salads. They are tasty and add crunch to your meal. Both are packed with protein fibres, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fat, too. They also help with weight loss as they can help burn fats and regulate your food intake. Common nuts in the salad are almonds, pistachios, cashews, and walnuts, while some seeds that are usually added are pumpkin seeds and chia seeds.

Beans and legumes are packed with nutrients that can be a good staple in your healthy diet. They help lower blood pressure, blood sugar, and heart diseases. They are also rich in antioxidants that fight other diseases and ageing. You can add black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, and many others for added texture, flavour, and nutrients.

Cheese is an excellent source of calcium, protein, and fat, aside from the added flavour contributing to a salad. You can use goat cheese, feta cheese, parmesan, or cheddar cheese, depending on your preference, but any of them makes a good pair with any salads.

Proteins like meat complement salads well. By adding protein to your salad, you are making it a more filling meal. You may use red meat, chicken, hard-boiled egg, or fish as your protein. It is essential to keep in mind to opt for lean meat for a healthier choice.

Dressings

Creating delicious dressings for your salad is crucial as it will enhance the flavour of your chosen mixture of vegetables, fruits, proteins, and other components. Aside from adding value to its appearance, salad dressing also helps digestion. There are three main types of salad dressing that you can choose from.

Vinaigrette is a mixture of oil, vinegar, herbs, spice, salt, and pepper. While you can decide what ingredients to use to make your vinaigrette, using healthy options will give you more benefits. You can opt for extra virgin olive oil for extra flavour for oils, or you can use canola oil for a light and neutral-flavoured oil.

The creamy dressing uses mayonnaise, yoghurt, sour cream, or milk as a base. Many people love creamy food, and if you are one of those people, this kind of dressing will enhance your salad game. There are many kinds of cream that you can use as a base, but you can choose yoghurt if you are cutting calories. It contains low calories and fat than the others, and it is also higher in protein.

Cooked dressing resembles a creamy consistency, but instead of using a creamy base, it uses cooked egg to thicken the mixture. It may also contain vinegar, flour, mustard, salt, pepper, and butter, depending on how you want your dressing to taste. You can skip putting hard-boiled eggs in your salad if you are opting for this kind of dressing. Always remember to include healthy ingredients like light butter for less saturated fat and calories.

Add-ons:

To maximise the benefits you are getting in your salad bowl, you can add these supplements to your salad dressing for additional health benefits.

Turmeric

You may have heard of this spice as part of Asian cooking being a common ingredient in curries. But aside from its wide use in cooking, this root is packed with curcumin widely used to make medicines. It is said to help manage pain and inflammation, high cholesterol, liver disease, heartburn, and stress. One way to add healthy benefits to your bowl of salad is to add turmeric powder to your salad dressings. Just add a teaspoon and your salad is healthier than ever.

CBD oil

Cannabidiol or more commonly known as CBD oil, is extracted from the hemp plant. Although it comes from the family of Cannabis, this excellent oil natural supplement does not cause psychoactive effects. Instead, it is believed to be packed with many therapeutic benefits. Many people use CBD oil for pain relief, inflammation, stress, anxiety, and management of other health conditions. Aside from these benefits, you can also use CBD oil for general wellness. Adding a few drops of CBD oil to your salad dressing will add more health benefits to both your body and mind.

Ashwagandha

Aside from helping your body fight stress, ashwagandha is also packed with other health benefits. It has been used for centuries to enhance concentration, increase energy in the body, lower blood sugar levels, and boost testosterone levels. It is rich in withanolides which helps manage inflammation and tumour growth. A tablespoon of ashwagandha in your salad dressing can make a difference and provide additional therapeutic benefits.

Chaga Powder

Chaga is a kind of mushroom that has been used for centuries for medicinal use. Due to its antioxidant properties, it is said to help manage blood sugar, inflammation, and cholesterol levels. It is also believed that it has the ability to fight cancer. You can mix a teaspoon of Chaga powder in your salad dressing for added benefits.

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Home Fragrance: Arran Sense Of Scotland - After The Rain Reed Diffuser review

With Autumn rapidly approaching, and a sense of change in the air, I wanted to switch to a new home fragrance to get me in the mood for the cooler weather ahead.  

For those unfamiliar with Arran, this luxury Scottish brand is popular in hotels throughout the UK and they actually won a Travellers Choice Award from Tripadvisor last year. All of their products have been made on the Isle of Arran for the past three decades, and their innovative scents are inspired by Scotland's stunning natural environment. 

One of the newest ranges from Arran is called After The Rain, and this beautiful fragrance can be found across their bath & body lines, as well as their home fragrance, of course, so you can choose the product that suits you the most.

I was delighted to bring the After The Rain Reed Diffuser into my home, and it's already received plenty of compliments from friends and family who have been visiting us recently. 

This bestselling fragrance was inspired by the scent of a Spring garden on the Isle of Arran, following a rain shower, and evokes an awakening fresh and floral blend of essential oils such as Rose, Sandalwood, and Lime to uplift the senses. Delicate Rose Petals, Musk and floral citrus are gently combined with notes of Arran's precious woods for a wonderfully sophisticated and vibrant fragrance. I also love the simplicity of the plain glass bottle and neutral reeds as it will fit in perfectly with any decor in your home. 

Not a fan of reed diffusers? You can also shop the After The Rain fragrance as candles and room sprays.

Arran Sense Of Scotland After The Rain Reed Diffuser* (£33, link)

Are you changing up your home fragrance for the new season?

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Sustainable Lifestyle: Pets Against Plastics - The Online UK Plastic-Free Pet Store

 

I love dogs more than I like people, and my two fur babies are my pride and joy. But just like having kids, being a dog mama can be tricky at times when you're trying to live more sustainably. Luckily, there are lots of alternatives out there nowadays to help you reduce the carbon footprint of your foot-legged best friends.

Pets Against Plastics is one such online UK store that is helping dog owners to turn the tide against plastic waste. Set up in 2018 by two animal lovers, Lucy and Luke, Pets Against Plastics has blossomed into a thriving online shop where you can find everything you need to make better eco-friendly choices for your pets. From toys and treats, to plastic-free poo bags, bowls and grooming accessories, it's a great place to make planet friendly purchases for both dogs and cats.

They very kindly sent me some of their betsellers to give you an idea of what they stock:-

Denzel's Tropical Bites* (£2.90) and High Protein Soft Baked Chews* (£2.50)

Denzel's are a popular dog treat company who specialise in having all of their products in plastic-free packaging. Instead, the pouches are 100% biodegradable and compostable, and they recommend that you pop these into your regular bin at home as they will break down within just 30 weeks in landfill conditions, as opposed to 300 years for single use plastic pouches. 

My dogs loved the Tropical Bites which are made from 100% natural ingredients and contain low-fat, healthy ingredients such as Coconut, Seaweed, White Fish, Ginger and Mango. The High Protein Soft Baked Chews also went down well as a tasty evening snack and are again made from high quality natural ingredients - in this case a blend of Spinach, Chickpeas and Chicken.

Goodchap's Whitefish Jerky* (£3.50)

Many dogs these days have allergies just like people so natural options like this White Fish Jerky from Goodchap's are a really good alternative to give. High in protein and free from wheat and gluten, these additive-free, 100% whitefish skin pieces are dried and wonderfully chewy for your dogs to enjoy.

The packaging is made from paper which is easily recyclable or compostable.

Fetch It Poo Bags* (£5.49)

Perhaps the single most important eco-friendly switch you can do as a dog owner is to swap your regular plastic poo bags to these Fetch It plastic-free ones. 100% compostable, these poo bags are manufactured from GM-free corn starch with no plastic element at all, despite feeling just like the real thing. Strong and tough, they break down in months and won't leach any harmful chemicals into the environment. Plus they are super cute! 

Shop these products and more at https://petsagainstplastics.co.uk/

Are you purchasing more plastic-free items these days?

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Women's Health: Suvi Labs Botanicals + Collagen Supplements review

 

Heads up ladies! There's a brand new female-led health and wellbeing brand called Suvi Labs on the market and their first innovation has been developed to support women over 40 experiencing perimenopause, as well as younger women with PMS symptoms.

Co-founded by two mums in their 40s who were going through the perimenopause themselves, Kathrin and Charlene have used their experience in branding and marketing to launch Suvi Labs, a chic, all-natural supplement brand based on extensive research, trials, and expert-led advice. 

Their first product is called Botanicals + Collagen which is a powerful supplement comprised of just seven natural ingredients, each carefully chosen to help relieve the most common symptoms of hormonal fluctuations that are caused by the perimenopause and PMS. 

What's In It?

A daily serving of two capsules contains 15ug Vitamin D3 (300% NRA), 30ug Magnesium Citrate, 1000mg Marine Collagen, 80mg Ashwagandha Root extract, 80mg Turmeric extract, 30mg Saffron extract, and 4mg Siberian Ginseng extract.

What's Not In It?

There are no artificial fillers, bulking agents, or any additional ingredients in this supplement. However, it should be pointed out that it does contain Marine Collagen which is derived from fish so it's not suitable for vegans to use.

What Does It Do?

Each ingredient serves its purpose with Turmeric helping to ease joint pain and headaches, Vitamin D3 supporting brain function and the nervous system, and Magnesium to boost low mood, PMS, and increase sleep quality. A hefty dose of Marine Collagen is included to improve skin quality because collagen production slows down as we age so supplements containing this as highly beneficial for increasing skin's elasticity and the fight against fine lines and wrinkles. 

Elsewhere in the supplement, extracts of Ashwagandha restore a sense of calm and help to regulate blood sugar levels, with Saffron playing an important role to reduce those annoying hot flushes, low mood, and boost libido, and Siberian Ginseng to restore energy levels and provide further mental focus and clarity. 

Overall Thoughts?

This is an excellent supplement that has been well thought out by women, for women, to support them through life's natural hormonal changes. Whether you're experiencing perimenopause or monthly PMS symptoms that are impacting in your day-to-day routine, trying a dedicated supplement like this can help to reduce the severity of those symptoms, to help you to get on with your life.

Suvi Labs Botanicals + Collagen Supplements* (60 capsules, 30 day supply) retails for £45 from suvi-labs.com

Do you take daily supplements?

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