Why Go Organic for Skin Care?

We should always be looking for ways to take better care of our skin. With the help of organic skincare products this can be easier than you would think. There are many reasons to take care of our skin with possibly the most important reason is that our skin is the most noticeable part of our body; in order to have healthy skin, we must take care of it.

So what makes organic skincare and beauty products good for you? Well it is the fact that none of the harmful chemicals normally associated with makeup and skincare aren’t present in organic skin care and healthcare products, thus making them much more compatible with, and less allergenic to, the skin. This reduced exposure to toxins and chemicals will typically have much more positive effects on the skin, and tell tale signs of the overuse of skincare and beauty products will be unnoticeable as there is no accompanying skin damage.

Because there are many standard skincare products that contain toxins that can hurt our skin it is definitely worth seeking out an organic alternative? Of course the problem can be finding these organic products, be it organic skincare, body wash, deodorant or toothpaste, but thankfully there are a wealth of online stores dedicated to organic skincare and organic living and thus the search becomes easier.

The next task is to make sure the products in question are actually organic, and not just labelled as “natural”; using a reputable website and looking for things such as Soil Association certificates can make life easier here too.

In the long run those tat choose to use organic skincare over normal skincare products, as well as organic makeup and natural health and beauty products tend to have much younger, fresher and smoother skin, than those who abuse the typical skincare and cosmetics on the market.

By Jason Payne

For a great range of certified organic skin care and organic makeup products, visit www.buyorganics.co.uk

Has the last year been a time of pain or a time of gain?

Christmas comes at a time when it’s just nice to get a break, a solid good few days away from work. It’s a time as well as we approach the new year that we look back on the last year and decide whether its been a good year, a bad year or a down right ugly year!

It’s been an odd year for me, I’ve had low’s, especially when one of my closest friends was diagnosed with cancer. It made me really see how fragile life is and how dear our loved ones are to us. It’s also been a time when I had new experiences in my personal life….I went on a holiday with my husband and kids for the first time in about 5 years. It was fantastic and awful all at the same time! Lost hotel bookings, lost tickets, upgrades, family arguments…argh!!! My husband lost his job with Lehman Brothers which was so stressful! But out of all these things that have happened there has been a silver lining to all of them. My friends cancer is nearly cured and the Chemo has been working, if it hadn’t have been caught in time she wouldn’t have been here now, my husband found another job, a better one! And as a family, the holiday made us closer and able to see our faults better.

This last year has been a closing for an old way of life, globally too. The false economy we’ve been living on has crashed! One of the biggest obstacles to doing something about climate change…George Bush, has been shifted. Barack Obama provides a new hope that has not been presented by any other for a long time. More and more people are buying eco friendly household products, green, organic and natural personal products, organic bedding and latex mattresses, despite the economic down turn, which shows an increasing commitment to what really matters. Hi fuel usage cars are not selling, but instead are being outsold by their green counterparts! This will force manufacturers to come up with viable alternatives or bite the dust.

So, this Christmas season seems different to me than most. I feel more contemplative, more hopeful and as if I’m on the verge of a whole new beginning.

Think of current painful situations as an opportunity for growth.

So if you have lost your job, like countless members of my family and friends, or business is tight, it will no doubt be a seriously worrying time. It may even be a sign that your old way of being was not right for you any more, and that however painfully its happening, its time to embrace something new. Whether it’s a new course, a new interest, a new career doing something that’s going to bring more into your life, than what you were stuck in previously, or re-evaluating how you do things currently.

Change is always painful, I know that, because I’ve been there, not once or twice, but many times, we are going through global changes, and personal changes all at the same time. I’m sure many of you have too. Even if you’ve not had a bad year, and have had a brilliant year, there it’s always good to re-evaluate your strategies and lifestyle. Is there another area of your life that could do with improvement, your friendships, love life, or health? James Ray Philosopher and Life Coach, likens this economic climate to winter, everything that is old and unwanted is dying. This is a time for contemplation so that when the new spring comes we are prepared to create a new spring in our own lives. Astrologically it is the end of the celestial Piscean age and the dawning of the Aquarian age, which is an age of greater spiritual awareness and growth. Whatever is created now will be deeper, more rewarding, richer and more fulfilling than ever before because it will come from a deeper level.

I wish you all the greatest happiness for the New Year

Sonia

Having a compassionate Christmas is easy!

Christmas is wonderful but it’s important to bear in mind that hand in hand with our pleasure and excitement comes this favourite holiday’s fair share of suffering and cruelty. It’s not just turkeys which suffer (10 million are killed in the UK for Christmas dinners alone) but thinking about animal cruelty extends to other animals, animal products and animal by-products.

This means thinking not only about a meat-free Christmas dinner, but also alternatives to dairy, fish, eggs and even honey, plus of course, considering the amount of beauty, home and clothing products that we buy for presents every year, the ethical and environmental considerations behind those.

Animal by-products are used in so many items from soap, makeup, skincare and beauty products, to household cleaning products and also in clothing in the form of wool, leather, silk and even as far as the glue in shoes! A vegan way of life is often viewed as being difficult to adhere to and rather extreme, but one thing we at buyOrganics believe in, is making as many of our selected items available to buy online that vegans can use as well as everyone else!

Whilst a complete change to veganism at this late stage before Christmas might be just a little too dramatic, there are some great ways to cut down on the cruelty this Christmas by choosing certain products and swapping some items for cruelty-free!

If the idea of a typical nut roast puts you off (although you can jazz it up with a fabulous Mushroom & Brandy Sauce!), other meat-free Christmas lunch ideas include Kidney Bean Kievs, a Festive Layered Pie, Tempeh and Mixed Nut Plait or Moroccan Pumpkin Couscous. Accompanied with a Brussels Sprouts & Leek Puree, Sweet Potatoes with Coconut and Cranberry Glazed Cabbage, and suddenly a few slices of turkey covered in gravy starts looking really boring indeed!

Desserts need not be a problem either; Christmas Cakes and Puddings can easily be made without animal products at all, swapping honey for molasses or agave nectar, and suet for breadcrumbs or vegetable suet, and soya milk giving a lovely creamy consistency which actually surpasses milk. Dairy free custards, creams and yogurts are all readily available – try whisking brandy into soya cream for a delicious festive alternative to brandy butter… all the taste but much lower in artery-clogging saturated fats and in fact providing protein and vitamins such as zinc into the bargain (that’s the soya not the brandy, by the way!)

Gorgeous looks can come at a cost – for the animal kingdom. As well as avoiding products actually tested on animals, which are luckily now on the decrease makeup and beauty products are frequently chock full of animal by-products – mascara for example can contain guano (bird or bat faeces!) and tallow (animal fat), perfumes can contain castor from animal genitals, and another animal fat, glycerin, is often used in soaps, shampoos and cosmetics. Lanolin is also widely used in many beauty products, and as well as being from wool fat, is often quite allergenic to sensitive people. Gelatin (from animal bones) is often an ingredient in face masks and other beauty preparations, as well as uric acid (wee wee!). Do you really want all this stuff on your face, mouth and your skin?

Beautiful, professional quality performance natural makeup and organic skincare products are available to buy and wear – our particular favourites are the fabulous Inika range and also Nvey Eco – both are vegan containing no animal products or by-products, and Nvey Eco is also organic!

Organic skincare products we love include Spiezia’s bath soaps, Ecosoapia’s lovely range of scented hand and body washes, Green People kids’ and adult organic toothpastes, and Earthbound Organics mint foot cream…. to mention just a few!

And to clean up the post-Christmas mess, using Bio-D environmentally friendly cleaning products is the best option – not tested on any bunnies, and not containing any animal ingredients (yes! animal blood, fat and other nasty sounding by-products all end up in regular cleaning products!). Not only that, but Bio-D package everything in eco-friendly materials, so you can have a clean conscience as well as a clean house!

So spare a thought for animals and the environment this Christmas, it’s simple, fun and really worthwhile to be compassionate to everyone and everything!

By Lisa Jackson

Organic Beauty from the Inside Out

For all the gorgeous natural organic skincare and beauty products we sell I can still say that looking beautiful, and having radiant blossoming skin is something that also needs to be created from the inside out.

To have beautiful skin that radiates health:

Start with clearing negativity from your life. Write a list of all the good things in your life and what you want in your life and concentrate on it everyday. Let negative feelings go by exercising regularly, and create more faith in your life. Yoga is great for doing both. Love makes us glow, so by emanating a feeling of love for all people and all things we create a lot of positive energy in ourselves.

Detox your body, not through any extreme measures, things like fasting don’t suit everyone and can be quite detrimental to some. The key to good health is balance in all things. Make sure you drink 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. Stop smoking if you do, cut down on caffeine such as coffee and tea, and also moderate alcohol. These things cut down your blood circulation and the release of toxins from your body.

Eat plenty of fruit and veg, organic if possible, and cut down on meat. If you can’t eat your vegetables, then drink them in the form of smoothies which make sure that not too much of the precious fibre is lost from your system. Fruit and veg contain all the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants your body needs to keep the body healthy.

Get plenty of beauty sleep as that’s the time your body renews itself.

Have a diet rich in probiotics or take a supplement if necessary; this will ensure your gut stays as healthy as possible therefore ensuring toxins are released from the body and nutrients absorbed. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes to your skin. Also make sure your bowel movements are regular if you want your skin to stay clear.

Have a facial once a month, or alternate with a massage every other month, if funds are short. This regular attention to your face and body will help the body detox toxins and will also get rid of stored negative energy.

buyOrganics recommends Cavalliert Beauty who provide amazing Holistic Natural Facials as well as a complete consultation on your lifestyle and skin.

Why Natural Organic Sunscreens Are Better For Your Skin and Your Whole Body

There has been recent debate over whether we should use sunscreens at all or if staying in the shade and covering our skin is better, since sunscreens are becoming higher and higher in factor – containing strong chemicals and additives in order to do increase protection – ingredients which could even themselves be considered harmful to human health. buyOrganics looks at the risks of sun exposure AND the products we use in the belief that we are protecting ourselves, and suggests that the ONLY true way to ensure health on the outside and the inside is to use organic sunscreens.

The most damaging aspect of the sun’s rays is its radiation – invisible to the human eye but the cause of cell mutation on and beneath the surface of the skin, which is how cancer develops. UV radiation is the single most important cause of skin cancer, especially when overexposure results in sunburn and blistering. This radiation is broken down into three main types: A, B and C. It used to be thought that UVB radiation was the main culprit when it comes to melanoma as UVB damage is visible in the form of sunburn, but in recent years research has discovered that UVA radiation penetrates deep beneath the skin and these cells are the most vulnerable and the hardest to treat should they mutate. UVA radiation is also the cause of wrinkles, so if you want to retain your youthful complexion the advice is simple – stay out of the sun altogether!

Slapping on factor 30, 45 or even 50 may seem like a good idea but recently it has been proposed that the more sunscreens we use, the more protection we feel we have, meaning we stay out in the sun longer, thus increasing our risk of sun damage and the chance of developing skin cancer. This disease is now rapidly on the increase, with 9,000 cases being diagnosed in the UK every year, and one of the reasons it is thought this is the case, is strangely, that we are using more and more sunscreens!

There are three forms of skin cancer – all of them caused by sun damage. Squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas are the least life-threatening, but melanoma is highly aggressive and is in fact one of the most aggressive types of human cancer there is and risk is higher in areas where there are high levels of ambient UV – such as Australia and New Zealand, where it is the most common form of cancer.

Sun worshipping is big business – there are literally hundreds of different brands and types of sunscreens on the market, all with several different levels of SPF (sun protection factor) which the bemused consumer is supposed to be able to calculate according to their skin type and how long they intend to keep reapplying the cream. And in fact, there is very little difference between a factor of 15 and 30 – apart from the level of preservative ingredients in the product to keep it fresh. Using a higher factor sunscreen in order to not have to keep replenishing it is, according to Cancer Research UK, one of the surest ways to increase your cancer risk – all these high factor creams lull us into a false sense of security, encouraging us to stay out longer in the sun so long as we keep on applying those creams.

Sunscreen products themselves also contain a host of manufactured chemicals in order to provide UV protection, but there are natural and organic alternatives available – these will contain microfine zinc or titanium dioxide which provide both UVA and UVB protection, and is not absorbed into the bloodstream. Sunscreen products by Miessence, Essential Care and Green People give great sun protection as well as containing safer ingredients.

Most regular sunscreens and self-tan products also contain a host of other known irritant and sensitizing ingredients such as phenoxyethanol – which is also present in most sunscreen products and, which is actually on the list of preservatives approved – although restricted - by The Soil Association.

Preservatives are necessary in cosmetic products in order to inhibit the growth of bacteria once jars and bottles are opened. They are particularly important in products which contain oil and water as these will go rancid after air exposure, unless preservatives are present. Preservatives work by killing bacteria cells – but can also do the same to skin cells, which is what gives them their toxicity. The higher protection factor a sunscreen has, the higher levels of the ingredients in the product which can go “off” – hence the occasional requirement for phenoxyethanol, says the Soil Association, which allows them even in some of their certified organic products.

An excellent compromise comes from Sonia Kalia-Sagoo, founder and director of Buy Organics Ltd, an online organic store which stocks only the safest organic sunscreens as certified by The Soil Association:

“I love the sun and I’m always out in it given the chance. However, when it’s hot I always keep in the shade and keep well-covered. Having just come back from visiting family in India I made sure that my 4 year old daughter was wearing full sleeve bamboo T shirts and leggings all day long. This amazing fabric not only kept her cool, but it also has UV protective qualities. For the skin that is exposed just apply a small amount of Green People or Essential Care organic sunscreen.”

However, there is a flip side to all the public hype surrounding shade and sunscreens. Whilst we’re told sun exposure is bad for us, in fact, we do need regular amounts of natural sunlight in order to produce and maintain vital supplies of Vitamin D. This vitamin is easily produced by 15-20 minutes a day of sunshine on our faces, arms and legs – preferably without sunscreens which can also inhibit absorption. Research has also shown that obtaining a tan, particularly in our childhood and teenage years could actually help protect against some diseases such as prostate cancer and multiple sclerosis.

What a dilemma! If we stay in the shade and slap on the sunscreens we could be covering our bodies in toxic chemical ingredients which can enter the bloodstream, let alone the risk of vitamin D deficiency. On the other hand, how do we protect ourselves from the equally unpleasant effects of overexposure such as cancers and premature ageing?

It seems that when it comes to the sun, along with most things in life, moderation is the best option, and nothing on earth feels as good as the gentle rays of the sun warming our faces and bodies.

Shopping for Healthy Organic Baby Skin Care Products

The healthiest baby and child skin care products you will find are those that are genuinely natural and organic. They will contain only the bare minimum of ingredients made of pure organic essential oils that are safe for using on babies skin, and natural emollients such as Shea butter, beeswax or natures oils such as almond, borage, or olive oils. If a skin care product features water in its formulation it must have some natural preservative system to prevent nitrosamines developing. Look for baby skin care products with a gentle natural system such as herbs and essential oils. Natural preservative systems that have been used for centuries include honey, sugar and alcohol. Plant extracts can also be used such as rose, cinnamon, cloves, calendula and vanilla. To prevent fast spread of bacteria natural processes are allowed by the Soil Association such as heat treatment, removing oxygen through vacuum packing and ensuring low water content. Some chemical preservatives are also allowed by certifying bodies such as the Soil Association such organic acids and grain alcohols.

A product that contains a minimum of 70% organic ingredients and no GM or petrochemical products is good enough to be organic through the Soil Association. Other certifying bodies have different criteria but they are all very similar.

Particularly good for babies are pH balanced healing herbs such as Chamomile and Calendula Oil which have anti-inflammatory properties and anti-microbial properties, whilst also stimulating cellular regeneration.

Other excellent skin friendly therapeutic healing herbs in baby bath soaps and washes, baby lotion and baby massage include: Almond Oil, Coconut oil, Apricot oil, Wheat germ oil and Borage oil: this is one of the riches sources of gamma linoleic acid, it also contains important vitamins and minerals. Not only does it nourish and hydrate the skin, but it also helps in cell regeneration. Avocado oil is another goodie. It is a soothing and calming oil, easily absorbed by the skin and scalp and is a good source of vitamins A,D, E, amino acids and sterols. Sea Buckthorn is massively popular in natural and organic skin care products for babies. This incredible oil contains 190 nutritional compounds including vitamins E, C, A, K, B1, B2, folic acid, Carotenoids, Flavonoids, Sterols, Stanols, Polar Lipids. It has a 1:1 ratio of the rare Omega 7 fatty acid as well as Omegas 3 and 6. Its earliest use was in Tibetan medicine in the 8th Century. Sea Buckthorn contains unique anti ageing properties and cell and tissue regenerative qualities making it suitable for a wide variety of skin conditions.

Extremely high in anti oxidant properties; we absolutely love Eselle Organics Sweet Baby Massage oil and all the Eselle Organics baby skin care products. They are completely organic and are filled with nourishing essentials. Eselle products are even purer than those required by the Soil Association for certification.

Baby and Child Organic and Natural Skin Care

"When it comes to chemicals we know may do harm," says Greenpeace's Mark Strutt, "then, as a parent, why would you chance it?

Although it can seem like a very small decision, one of the most important choices you’ll make is what kind of skin care and hair care products you are going to use on your newborn babies and growing children. Being the start of their life, and having newly arrived from the warmth and security of the womb, an onslaught of harsh skin cleansing agents disguised cleverly with pretty baby perfume is ‘not’ surprisingly the best choice for your little one.

Your decision of picking something branded but full of artificial and synthetic chemicals and perfumes because of enticing Buy One Get One Free Offers or fancy packaging and advertising can greatly affect your child’s health and wellbeing. It may seem like a good idea at the time ‘ what everyone else uses’ or ‘they sell it so it must be fine’, but clinical research shows us that the impact has deeper implications.

The average one-month-old baby is bathed four times and shampooed three times every week, according to University researchers. Yet newborn skin is slow to mature, and the outer layer is highly permeable and sensitive to chemicals. In fact it’s 5 times more permeable than our skin.

"Until they are six months old, infants lack a blood-brain barrier to prevent blood-borne toxins entering the brain: low-level exposures that would have little or no effect on an adult brain can sabotage a foetal one." EWG (WEN)

Most of us assume that the chemicals we put on our babies and children daily, in the form of powders, wipes, lotions or shampoos, have been thoroughly tested and regulated, and are safe for even the smallest bodies. This is technically correct: all the ingredients within any toiletry and cosmetic product are subject to EU regulations and testing. But some toxicologists, and many environmental groups, believe such tests are inadequate.

Your average baby "hygiene" product contains a complex mix of chemicals to make it froth, slide or bubble, as well as various fragrances, preservatives and colours. A current U.S report in clinical paediatrics has revealed that 75% of newborns suffer rashes during the first few months of their birth. Suspected factors contributing to this include the very products that cosmetic and toiletry pharmaceutical companies assure us will soften, clean and moisturise our baby and child’s skin. They say that “Newborn skin is relatively more permeable to topically applied agents than adult skin. Therefore, the risk of systemic toxicity is much greater in newborns.”

Bubble bath, shampoos, baby talc, petroleum jelly, massaging oils and lotions are the most commonly sold baby skincare products

As a Parent we urge you to stop and read the labels of supermarket and chemist baby skin care products. Amongst them you may find a barrage of ingredients such as synthetic fragrances, artificial colours, highly allergenic and irritating preservatives including quaternium 15, imidazolidinyl urea, and Propyl parabens, PEG, Tea, Mea, Phthalates, and Petrochemicals which are also irritants and used in many baby toiletry products. All of these chemicals are absorbed through your babies delicate skin into their pure uncontaminated bodies. Also, most of these chemicals may have been tested on un-suspecting animals and deemed safe, however many may be contaminated with formaldehyde, 1,4 dioxane and nitrosamines ( known carcinogens!) and have multiple uses as plasticisers, or heavy duty cleaning detergent, engine degreasers, car wash detergents and floor cleaners.

Dr Michael Cork, consultant in dermatology at Sheffield Children's Hospital says "some detergents can break down the skin's natural barrier, so that it allows other irritants and allergens - such as house dust mites - to penetrate, and if you took away such factors as harsh shampoos and bubble baths for babies and children, you could prevent vast numbers of children being affected by eczema ".

Dr Vyvyan Howard, a toxicopathologist specialising in foetal and infant growth at the University of Liverpool, says that: "From the day they are conceived, our children are exposed to a soup of chemicals, most of which would not have existed when our grandmothers were in the womb. "There are, he says, around 70,000 chemicals currently in commercial use, with about 1,000 new ones added each year. To test just the commonest 1,000 toxic chemicals in unique combinations of three would require at least 166m experiments, ignoring the need to study varying doses. In other words, we really don't know what all these chemicals may be doing in our children's bodies."

Scientists are concerned that some of these chemicals can "bioaccumulate" (be stored in your child’s body),"Most children have measurable levels of at least 300 groups of chemicals in their bodies, taken in through food, household or garden chemicals, cosmetics and even the air they breathe," Dr Howard says. This process may even start in the womb: "Most of these chemicals cross the placenta or may be passed to the newborn via breast milk." But no one knows for sure if they’re dangerous, but some so- called "gender-bending " chemicals can, it seems, disrupt the human endocrine system (our hormones).As the rates of hormone-dependent cancers (such as breast or prostate) are rising, some toxicologists believe there is a link.

Another recent report has found that Phthalates, that have been linked to adult reproductive problems, especially boys, have been turning up in baby wee! Researchers think that they’re coming from the baby and skin care toiletries used everyday although more research still needs to be done Sheela Sathyanarayana M.D on the study suggests that all mums need to do to avoid this happening is by using a little less toiletry products or switch to artificial fragrance free products, because phthalates are used to stabilize fragrances. No scent often means there is no need for them. Alternatively a natural organic baby skin care product scented with pure therapeutic essential oils will also not require any phthalates. The study also found that higher level of phthalates were more prevalent in younger babies, most likely due to their more delicate skin and overall vulnerability.

Baby Massage...it’s got to be organic all the way

Baby massage isn’t the latest craze to hit our fad-hungry society; we’ve known for many years that not only does it help with the all-important mother/baby bond (particularly in cases of post-natal depression for example, where bonding is often one of the biggest issues), but also with many common problems such as colic, reflux, sleep, teething and crying problems. It’s even been proven to be a factor in enhancing brain development and more importantly, in healing conditions such as eczema. A daily massage can be easily incorporated into part of the all-important bath-bed routine or as a regular relaxing diversion during the day to help at naptime, and is often just as rewarding and relaxing for the mum or dad giving the massage.

However what you may not know is that what you use to facilitate the massage is just as important as how you actually do it!

Choosing organic massage oils and baby products is the main way of ensuring your baby isn’t exposed to the many harmful ingredients present in run-of-the-mill baby products. 100% organic products such as Earthbound Organics and Essential Care’s baby massage oils will not only ensure paraben, synthetic chemical and toxin-free products for baby’s precious newborn skin, but also the healing properties of the organic essential oils they contain. Esselle’s Sweet Organic Baby Oil contains Sea Buckthorn oil, which has been used since the 8^thTibet to treat a range of skin conditions. Century in All these products are available on-line at www.buyorganics.co.uk

One of the reasons baby skin complaints such as eczema and nappy rash are on the rise, is the increased use of allergenic and sensitising ingredients in skin care products and washing detergents, chemicals in disposable nappies plus of course the pesticides present in non-organic cotton clothing which can remain in the fabric even after several washes. A good way to cut down your child’s susceptibility to conditions like eczema and even asthma is to ensure organic clothing and skincare products wherever possible and wash using eco-friendly washing products – which is also better for the environment of course!

So, you’re armed with your organic massage oil, and baby’s wriggling around on a soft, clean (preferably organic cotton!) towel in front of you (on the floor please – not on top of a raised surface – you’ll have to watch your back but it is possible!) what on earth do you do next? Here’s our quick and easy step-by-step guide to baby massage – the simple Six Step I Love You massage…

Pour the organic baby massage oil you’ve chosen onto your palms and rub together to warm both your hands and the oil – you can sing or talk to your baby whilst you do this and look into his eyes to increase that one-to-one bond (and distract him from rolling over before you begin to massage!).

Step One: Use two or three fingers to trace the letter “I” on the right side of his abdomen, starting under his ribs and stopping at the hip, with a firm but gentle pressure.

Step Two: Stroke from left to right across baby’s abdomen forming the long side of a sideways “L”.

Step Three: Use a short downward stroke on the right side of baby’s stomach, completing the “L”.

Step Four: Begin the last letter, an upside down “U” by stroking up from baby’s hipbone on the left side of his tummy.

Step Five: The middle of the “U” is made by moving your fingers along the top of baby’s tummy.

Step Six: Finish the massage with the other side of the “U” with a final downward stroke on baby’s right side.

You can repeat this as often as you like until baby falls asleep, you get arm or back ache, or you’ve both had enough!!

Use the organic massage oil after baby’s bath too to seal in moisture and keep skin smooth and free from dryness and nappy rash. It will also be good for your hands!

Spelt Snake Maternity Pillows and Breastfeeding Moons

Spelt Snake Maternity Pillows and Breastfeeding Moons

Pregnancy is a joyous time but can also be physically demanding! As your baby grows, your posture will inevitably change to compensate for the baby’s weight. Getting out of bed, picking things up, doing exercise and getting some sleep all need to be renegotiated. Clever organic pillows can be a world of help, doubling up to snuggle baby in later.

Pillows are a must for support during pregnancy. Organic maternity pillows are versatile and practical without being pumped full of petrochemical synthetic products to keep their shape. The spelt fillings sound and smell naturally therapeutic too. Women used to sleeping on their backs before pregnancy will suddenly find that it’s not such a good idea to lie on their back for long periods as it will restrict blood flow and may end up causing faintness. The best position to be in is on your side (as this increases the blood flow to your placenta) with a pillow or two placed between your knees and another under your bump. Alternatively you can use a sausage shaped organic maternity pillow from Made in Water, which means you only need one pillow to reposition, making it easier to turn over. The Spelt Snake organic Maternity Pillow will also support you whilst sitting in bed when the hollow of your back will need support. The uses don’t stop there, as it can be rolled into a baby nest with a clever lambswool cover on for making a soft a cosy pod for baby to lie in - all in all a very versatile pillow!

Breastfeeding can also put a strain on your back. Without adequate support behind your back and under baby, you can end up unduly hunched over especially if you are tired and feeding through the night. If you are feeding baby lying down in the night the spelt snake organic maternity pillow can be used to prevent baby from rolling off the bed (although it’s not advised for baby to sleep in bed with you, it can be used as a temporary precaution). If you prefer to breastfeed whilst sitting up, then organic pillows such as the moon shaped Lambswool Nursing Pillow will help you to sit up straight whilst feeding, preventing backstrain. The moon shaped pillow is not as bulky as the maternity pillows and shapes around your body easily. By placing baby on the pillow to breastfeed, baby will be raised to meet your breast so you don’t have to hunch.

Back care should continue after pregnancy. Ligaments are more pliable during pregnancy so heavy lifting should be avoided. Toddlers don’t always understand this! Neither do we all have a butler to carry home our shopping! Get toddlers to climb onto a chair or sofa before you pick them up and divide your groceries into even weights for carrying one bag in each hand. If you do need to lift something the ideal lift position is to bend from the knees into a squatting position (without twisting and not from the back) and hold the object being lifted close to you as you then stand and straighten up.

Regular exercise during pregnancy can help you maintain fitness and strengthen back and pelvic muscles ready for childbirth. Gentle swimming, walking, cycling, aqua natal classes, pilates and yoga classes are excellent choices. Yoga and pilates will help calm everyday stresses and strengthen core muscle groups. Yoga especially will help you bond with baby and teaches useful birthing techniques. Try reputable and specifically trained organisations such as Birthlight yoga for classes in your area. With all forms of exercise, make sure your teacher is qualified and has experience.

After pregnancy all these forms of exercises can help get your body back into shape without causing undue strain. It takes time for the body to recover after childbirth, although in Western cultures many women are up and about immediately, usually due to lack of help and support. In Eastern traditions, women are encouraged to let their body heal properly before they take on undue strain. Mothers are also encouraged to eat pure traditional mixes of foods that are considered warming for the body, such as dates, gram flour, raisins, cardamoms and nuts. Cleaning and household chores are handed to other family members, which also avoids unnecessary exposure to chemicals during lactation. Body massage is also considered an important part of healing, whilst gentle yoga helps mother’s body return to full strength.

All products available at www.buyOrganics.co.uk The Organic Lifestyle Store for Shopping as it Should be!

Fairtrade or Organic – what SHOULD you choose?

For the deep greenies amongst us it is always great to hear the words “fair trade” and “organic” in everyday conversation and in the media, as it is a clear indication that ethical awareness is becoming more of a mainstream priority. Popping down to the shops for a bag of bananas or clicking on-line for clothing or cosmetics has never been so easy yet so fraught with eco-guilt - despite certifications it is easy to wonder if some producers are simply jumping on the latest green PR bandwagon. Seeing logos on our produce such as the Soil Association and Fair Trade is certainly instrumental in ensuring good practice as well as informing and encouraging even the most cynical consumer to choose fair trade and organic products over their standard counterparts, but it is equally vital for us to know that we are really buying what is best for man and planet.

The organic movement was pioneered over 60 years ago by The Soil Association and the Fairtrade Foundation 18 years ago. Both organizations and their certifications are now seen in everyday use in supermarkets and on mainstream products. Organic farming prohibits the use of certain toxic pesticides and fungicides, and the farming methods themselves are less aggressive in nature for both the land and its workers.
The Fairtrade Foundation is the UK member of Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO) which has 21 members and has been largely responsible for stopping exploitation of thousands of workers across the globe. Their certification covers small farmers, ensuring they receive a fair price for their produce, as well as workers on larger plantations and factories so they receive decent basic wages and have employee rights, plus health and safety and environmental standards.

Sonia Kalia-Sagoo of organic on-line store www.buyOrganics.co.uk makes the point, “Fair trade is an important concept for ensuring that as human beings, we treat the people who provide us with our goods with the integrity and the treatment they deserve. I believe that organic products also do this as most are grown in line with fair working laws. Organic production however takes fair trade a step further by ensuring that manufacturers, growers and the end user are also released from exposure to chemicals that can injure health. It further stops the unnecessary pollution of ground water and poisoning of animals. By growing and producing products in harmony with man and nature and not against it, integrating fair trade and organic produce should be the primary choice for shoppers globally.”

Workers involved in growing key imported commodities benefit from being certified fair trade, but choosing organic as well ensures they receive a higher standard of health and safety. Non-organic bananas are the second most sprayed crop in the world; cotton the first, with the World Health Organisation estimating over a million deaths every year from cotton pesticide poisoning, and something many people are unaware of as they buy up clothing made from un-organic cotton, which is also less likely to be fairly traded. Another area fast embracing both fair trade and organic principles is cosmetic ingredients such as shea butter and essential oils, where companies are catering more and more for the organic marketplace as well as striving towards fairly traded ingredients, to keep consumers happy about not only what they put into their bodies, but on them as well.

To forge ahead, the only way is surely a strong and positive union of both fair trade and organic movements with common ideals, striving for a world where whatever we put in and on our bodies has only positive implications for ourselves, workers, manufacturers and ultimately the planet.

Toxic Overload

The last fifty years have seen a massive explosion in the introduction of toxic chemicals into our environment. These chemicals were originally intended to enhance our lifestyles. Why then are we left wondering if instead of enhancing our lives, we have actually been polluting our bodies, our reproductive health, as well as our children's health rather than enhancing it?

Just looking back to my mothers childhood brings home how recent all the synthetic chemical revolution really is. My mother grew up with traditional medicines and home remedies, natural and organic skin care without the need for parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals and such. I myself remember being a teenager and being marketed to that all that stuff was old fashioned and that the new latest products were best for our skin. ! It is to my mother that I now turn again, to learn the secrets of time tested effective recipes to dye my hair, to treat dry skin and go back to a simpler healthier way of living.

The truth is that, today, more than 70,000 synthetic chemicals are used commercially and approximately a thousand more new chemicals are introduced into our environment each year. It's hard to know exactly how many of these chemicals are actually harmful environmental toxins that may damage our general and reproductive health, and the health of our children. This is especially true when we consider the fact that only a handful of these potential environmental toxins have been adequately tested to determine their effect on humans and other forms of life.

The effect of toxins in our environment on men, women and children

Dioxins are a part of a group of 219 chemicals. Exposure to them is a key factor in the development of many cancers and other reproductive health problems such as endometriosis and fertility problems. Reproductive health problems for women seem to be increasing and more prevalent than before. Birth defects in newborns can often be traced to the mother's environment during pregnancy. Our children therefore are left to face enormous health risks because of the toxins that pregnant and pre – pregnant men and women face in their environment. Women and children are not the only ones at risk. Men’s fertility and reproductive health is also greatly at risk due to toxins in our environment.

• The incidence of endometriosis is at almost epidemic proportions in some places. This may be due to exposure of women to ovarian steroids, dioxins and chlorinated phenols. Research is underway to further understand how dioxins act as endocrine disruptors.
• Breast and ovarian cancer rates have increased.
• Women whose work exposes them to solvents experience a higher than normal rate of spontaneous abortion or miscarriage.
• Maternal exposure to toluene (used in glues, coatings, inks, and paint) causes birth defects.
• Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals may be responsible for a 400 percent increase in ectopic or tubal pregnancies between the years of 1970 and 1987 alone
• Adolescents many times experience a delay in the onset of puberty due to the influence of exposure to environmental toxins.
• Men have experienced a 50 percent reduction in sperm count during the last fifty years.
• Studies of the umbilical cords of newborns revealed the presence of approximately 100 synthetic chemicals.
• Heart palpitations, insomnia, night sweats, and hormonal imbalances are signs of exposure to environmental toxins.
• Excessive fatigue and other unexplained flu-like symptoms can be triggered by toxic chemicals in our environment.
• People who are prone to headaches may find the root of their headaches is exposure to toxic chemicals.
• Unusual skin rashes, swollen glands, digestive problems, nausea, and diarrhoea may be related to toxic poisoning.
• The incidence of illness with symptoms of muscle and joint pain such as chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia) has increased.
• Several chemicals contribute to the development of heart disease.
• Irritability, aggression, learning disabilities, and behaviour disorders occur at alarming rates and may be related to chemical exposure during pregnancy, as well as after birth.
• Impaired memory and concentration, auditory and visual perception, in some cases, is linked to excessive exposure to toxic chemicals.
• Onset of allergies, asthma, food, chemical, and noise intolerance can be traced to acute or chronic exposure to poisons.
• A child complaining of stinging pain in their stomach is often a complaint due to exposure to environmental toxins.
• General increase of the symptoms of any existing conditions could be related to toxic exposures.

The Unavoidable Truth

Environmental toxins are present in our lives everyday in a variety of ways that depend on several factors; where we live and our everyday exposure to toxic landfills, overhead power cables, and noxious air from incineration plants. They are in the air you breathe, the food you eat, water, buildings, pesticides, and consumer products such as skin care and household cleaning products. They are also the by products of industry such as the incineration of municipal, medical, and industrial waste; chlorine-bleaching processes for paper; pesticide production; metal smelting methods; and the manufacture of other household and industrial chemicals.
Plastics contain xenoestrogens which can have devastating effects on your body's oestrogen receptors. Plastic containers, plastic food wrap, plastic soda bottles, and other plastics such as Styrofoam and vinyl products, can release chemical toxins into your food merely by the fact that the plastic has touched the food, or by microwaving in containers that have not been produced to withstand the extreme heat of a microwave oven. Never reuse butter or margarine containers, or containers that other foods such as non-dairy whipped toppings come in to microwave foods. These containers are not manufactured to withstand the high heats of microwaving. Microwaving in such containers causes a chemical breakdown and releases toxic chemicals into your food.

How Can you Protect Yourself?


Not everyone responds to each of these chemicals in the same way. Various factors play a key role in determining who is adversely affected, and which of us are not susceptible to the consequences caused by environmental toxins. These factors include age, gender, our location, and the overall state of our health. A few guidelines to follow are:
• Limit your exposure to toxic chemicals by knowing what is in the products you buy for yourself and family. Avoid products with phthalates, parabens, petrochemicals, triclosan, phenols, dioxins and such. Read up more on what to avoid at buyOrganics quick info page on organic skin care
• Buy organic fruits and vegetables, meats, and dairy products as much as possible.
• Limit your use of products (toilet paper, tampons, and other paper products) which have been through a chlorine process to whiten the product. Use non chlorine bleached where possible. Use Natracare sanitary products as available from buyOrganics which are intimately closer to your skin and hence safer.
• Limit your exposure to plastic products.
• Use organic pesticides and encourage your neighbours to do the same.
• Use toxin free products in your home, such as environmentally friendly non toxic cleaning products such as Ecover, Method, Bio-d etc
• Use organic skincare and body care products wherever possible such as Spiezia, Miessence, Green People, Earthbound, Eselle, Ecosoapia and Essential Care, all of which are available at buyOrganics
• Switch to an organic underarm deodorant.
• The above is especially true if you are pregnant or planning on starting a family.
• Fit a good quality whole house water filter in your home
• Buy natural home furnishings rather than chipboards and nylon carpets which may contain an array of chemicals that we are not even aware of.
• When decorating use low solvent paints such as Auro paints available at buyOrganics
• When buying a mattress, consider buying an organic mattress by Abaca or Prolana, which will instantly remove your exposure to harmful chemicals exposed to when you and your children are sleeping. These are also available at buyOrganics
• Empty out your makeup bag and throw away all your old makeup. Red lipsticks may contain lead and some mascara has been found to contain mercury. Switch to organic brands such as Miessence sold by buyOrganics and approved by www.safecosmetics.co.uk . Or Nvey Eco, buyOrganics latest brand is a professional range of makeup equivalent to top high street brands.

Find out what environmental hazardous waste producers operate in your area. If you feel that the amount of hazardous waste exposure in your area is unacceptable, take action by writing to your local mp and demanding that the practice of releasing hazardous wastes into your environment stop.
buyOrganics stock a wide range of safe personal care products such as organic skin care and body care, non toxic underarm deodorant, Natracare products, and organic cotton clothing and maternity wear that means that the most intimate layers next to your body and your children’s bodies are safe.

www.buyOrganics.co.uk. The Organic Lifestyle Store

Spiezia Organic Propolis Ointment - The Miracle Skin Cream

Bees create Propolis by collecting a resinous sap from trees. Certain trees, such as poplar, willow, horse chestnut and birch, exude a sap which has antibiotic qualities to protect that tree from infection. Bees gather this sap, remetabolize it with their own nectar secretions, and take it back to the hive.

Many scientists believe a hive to be more sterile and free from bacteria than a modern hospital. Tree antibiotic became a bee antibiotic and was hence named 'Propolis' by the ancient Greeks. Translated, Propolis means 'before the city', or 'a defense'. It is an exceedingly complex mixture containing a rich variety of vitamins, minerals and enzymes, as well as potent terpenes, benzoic, caffeic, cinnamic and phenolic acids, and flavonids. It is believed that the flavonoids contained in Propolis block the release of histamine by means of cell membrane lipid stabilization. This creates inner immunity against many illnesses.

Much research has been carried out into its use and benefits. Most significantly it has been linked to the prevention of colon cancer and use as a natural antibiotic. Professor S. Scheller, the head of a team of four doctors at the Institute for Microbiology at the Medical Academy in Poland found that Propolis is able to stimulate the immune system. It stimulates the formation of antibodies to build body resistance to many diseases. It also helps the body in releasing substance against cellular deterioration. He also concluded that other Propolis health benefits may include improved physical, intellectual and sexual performance and the ability to make injured tissue heal faster. The study also concluded that Propolis is non toxic. The evidence that it heals injured tissue faster can be seen directly in the treatment of burns. Research has shown that it effectively reduces inflammation, stimulates enzyme systems, cell metabolism, circulation, collagen formation and improved healing.

Another amazing quality of Propolis is that it can also fight against viruses such as upper respiratory infections caused by the common cold and influenza viruses (Focht J, Arzneimittel-Forschung, Aug. 1993; 43:921-3) which antibiotics cannot. It has also been successfully used to increase fertility in women, as a potential cancer drug, in dental care, liver protection and reduction of bowel problems.

Natural Propolis has been used for centuries. Evidence dates as far back as the ancient Egyptians using it internally and externally as an antibiotic, antiviral and antiseptic formula to bring relief for many skin and body ailments. Spiezia have harnessed this natural formula and created Organic Propolis Ointment which is available at buyOrganics to provide relief for cracked skin, spots, skin rashes, sever eczema, boils and other skin problems.

www.buyOrganics.co.uk - The Organic Lifestyle store

Men’s Skincare is a Serious Issue – Organic is Best!

As buyOrganics adds Eselle Organics, the latest Soil Association certified men’s skin care line to its on-line store, Sonia Kalia-Sagoo examines the serious issues behind the surge in interest in organic skin care for men. Firstly, contrary to popular belief, organic skin care is not about men who like to wear cream, hug trees or eat quiche…. You shave don’t you? You wash your hair and use deodorant (hopefully!). What about hair gel and aftershave? Then this article is for you … read on!

From toothpaste to skin creams, shaving foams, deodorants and hair gels, right through to hair dyes, aftershaves and shampoos, men are putting more and more different products onto and into their bodies on a daily basis. Whilst the average woman uses 12 different toiletry products per day, applying over 175 chemical compounds to her body, the average man applies a little less than this, but with men’s skincare a rapidly growing market, they are fast catching up with some men using a great deal more.

Whilst anti-smoking remedies such as nicotine patches flag up the fact that 60 per cent of what we put onto our skin is absorbed into our bloodstreams, the connection between this and the slathering of face, hair and body with lotions and potions on a daily basis seems to go unheeded. According to US action lobby the Environmental Working Group (EWG), there are ten particularly toxic substances found in skin care products which should be avoided at all costs. Whilst legislation is a little tighter in the EU, with on-line shopping booming, these days international boundaries are no barrier to people obtaining products from overseas, meaning that men can be exposed to suspect ingredients in their favourite products without being aware. Studies have shown that harmful ingredients in everyday products can cause cancers, affect fertility and certain “gender bending” toxins can affect hormones and have even been linked to feminisation of baby boys eg. breast growth. For the record, the ten ingredients you really should avoid are: Placenta (used in some specialized conditioners), Mercury, Lead (one of the ingredients in men’s hair colouring range Grecian for example), fragrance (yes! you may smell nice but fragrance one of the top five allergens in the world and really worth avoiding unless you pick unfragranced or organic products which contain essential oils instead), animal parts (shaving creams can contain tallow, which when sourced from mink and emu can be particularly hazardous, not to mention stomach-turning), hydroquinine (a skin lightening chemical), nanoparticles (increasingly added to suncreams and skincare products, both of which are used by men), phthalates (widely used in fragranced products and of particular concern to men, as phthalates have been intimated in sperm damage and hormone problems in males), and last but certainly not least, petroleum products including petroleum waste (coal tar), often used in scalp treatments such as anti-dandruff shampoos – which are targeted towards men.

But guys, don’t worry – you don’t have to look forward to a lifetime of scraggly hair, bushy beards and dodgy skin – help is at hand! Organic men’s grooming and personal care products are the ideal solution – not just for the male skin but also the environment, as organic ingredients are grown, harvested and produced with respect for nature and without pesticides, fertilizers or genetic modification. More and more brands are becoming available – such as Miessence, Spiezia, Earthbound Organics, EcoSopia, Green People and a new totally organic and paraben-free range of specialist products just for men, Eyre Biobotanics – all of which have been carefully chosen for specialist UK organic on-line store buyOrganics (www.buyorganics.co.uk). Recent additions to this store, Eselle Organics and Raw Gaia, both use only organically grown ingredients – which may sound a bit of a faff but honestly are made from cold pressed techniques which maintain the high antioxidant levels of the raw ingredients that make your skin and hair healthy from the inside out but not have any adverse affects which other man-made chemicals are suspected of.

Natural and organic creams and oils in men’s skin care ranges are particularly important in shaving and aftershave products, as they can dramatically help reduce the traumas often associated with shaving, such as rashes, nicks and ingrown hairs. For example, Miessence includes aloe vera, safflower and guar in their shaving range; Eyre Biobotanics uses lemon myrtle which protects against razor burn. Using a balm rather than an astringent after shaving is highly recommended – not just because of the toxic ingredients found in regular splash-ons, but because an organic balm will soothe an refresh rather than sting and cause inflammation. Miessence’s after shave balm contains organic witch hazel and chamomile, naturally soothing and without any hidden toxins.

Organic men’s skin care products certainly have the ingredients to do a better job than their non-organic counterparts, which is great news for men’s bodies inside and outside – and the ranges available are packaged just as attractively for a male audience – meaning they are a welcome addition to any man’s bathroom shelf, not just for his skin and well-being, but the environment as a whole.

www.buyorganics.co.uk - Think Organic...buyOrganics. The Organic Lifestyle Store.

Last Minute Organic Christmas Bargains!!!!

Most of the sales start in earnest after Christmas. At buyorganics we thought we'd start it earlier, for those of you doing your last minute shopping and those looking for a quick little extra bargain! Why wait till after Christmas, now is when people need to buy presents at reasonable cost..well lets not mince words, cheap is what we need Cheap christmas presents that are still ethical, organic and good for you.

So we've cut the prices of our mens and womens his and her gift sets. We've also slashed the cost of childrens and baby organic clothes at buyorganics, so that you can get some nice last minute bits and bobs for them under the tree. We have Tatty Bumpkin and Cat's Tail Fairtrade clothing on sale. We also have gift sets from Green People, Eyre Biobotanics and Eselle organics on sale.

Hurry now, as the sale is only until stocks last. Also last posting day for Christmas across UK mainland is 20th dec before 12 noon. So get your skates on and don't miss the post!

www.buyorganics.co.uk The Organic Lifetyle Store that brings you organic skin care, make up and toilteries, Specialist Male Grooming , Home Furnishings, Wines and Beers by the Case, Organic Clothing for the whole family and Organic Gifts for Christmas!