We know that the artificial preservatives and detergents in mass-produced soaps are bad for our skin and the environment. (They're also horrible for any unfortunate tastebuds that get in the way.)

I'm currently trying out some of Strawberry Hedgehog's range of natural vegan soaps, made from plant extracts and oils, and a few days ago as I lathered my face up I got some in my mouth. If this had been a detergent-based soap I would have grimaced and fumbled for a glass of water - but these soaps are made with olive oil and glycerin, a sugar alcohol obtained from natural fats and oils. Industrial soap-making removes excess glycerin so it can be used in more expensive skincare products, because it's terrific for the skin. And it's sweet. You'd be a fool to lick a bar of soap, but if some of this sneaks into your mouth when you're showering...not a problem.

It's a sign of what a different world these oil & glycerin soaps are. They're a delight for the senses: gorgeous colours, a creamy texture embedded with flecks of herbs or spices, and an aroma to die for. This week I've been trying out the cucumber & mint and cucumber & ginger varieties - both wonderfully fresh and distinctive - but as I suspected it would, the tea tree & rosemary soap stole me away to a better life. Truly superb.

Note: If you've never used tea tree oil products it's important to test them against your skin first - ...Read More

You’re pretty vigilant about what you put inside of your body - but how about what you put on it? Sales of natural and organic cosmetics are soaring, and with good reason. In addition to companies using sustainable ingredients and biodegradable packaging, they’ve rid their products of endocrine disrupters and toxins that are currently used

...Read More

I’ve always considered honey more of a medicine than a food, considering that eating small amounts of raw, local honey can help build immunities to pollen allergies. And now honey - specifically New Zealand ...Read More

You're out on another date with your environmentally-conscious hottie.While you freshen up under low-voltage lights in the bathroom, he waits for you on your new, toxin-free fiber sofa, lighting soy candles and ...Read More

Even Mother Nature likes to get a little bit flirty.

Designer Lav & Kush tout themselves the "flirt of sustainable fashion".

In Hindu mythology, Lav and Kush are the protectors of the forest. Lav & Kush designers do their part through a 100% sustainable textile line of ...Read More

Brace yourself. I'm just about to suggest you try wearing ivory.

Vegetable ivory, that is - from the tagua or ivory nut, found in South America. It's a near-perfect match for the hard, creamy polished animal dentine that we have such a destructive relationship with - and that's the key to the tagua nut's success. Mammal ivory is ...Read More

It seems an unspoken rule that all modern businesses never have enough conference rooms free. So here's an idea - go sit outside.

During my Archaeology degree here in England, when the weather was good enough (a rare occurence), our lecturers would hold seminars on the lawns outside the department, snaking a power cable inside when ...Read More

I'm all for living la vida verde and being a good global citizen, but I have to say, most of the eco friendly plates I’ve come across are just so...homely. And they don’t stand up to anything beyond a light
salad without wilting, for the most part.

That is, until I came across the plates made by ...Read More

Sealing And Healing: Non-Toxic Glue and Self-Repairing Rubber

Glue, our marvelous chemical invention so useful it's become a verb, is terribly unfriendly stuff. Stick with me: glue is important to "green" just like any other household product. Fortunately, there are some eco alternatives...and the first hint ...Read More

Just before you go off and enjoy your hard-earned weekend, we'd like to tell you about these...

Lifehacker is keen for us to save a little money by powering down our computers  - and they recommend using ...Read More