baoli

The longest day of the year is almost here, so stop thinking and start dreaming about festivals, flora, fauna and fairies for a feel-good summer, whatever the weather.

The other day I re-watched Jim Henson’s Labyrinth where the young heroine, winds up wandering a mystical maze in search of the little brother she wished away in a teenage tantrum. Forced to see things differently in order to complete her quest, and grow up, various childhood notions are discarded: the first is fairies – no longer wish granting beings, but little more than pesky mosquitos.

Although fairy folklore contains creatures big and small, both wish-granting and cursing, it’s the childish, chaos creating, but oh-so-cute nature of fairies which has endured in popular culture. So popular in fact that every summer parks and theatres throughout the land - and now Google with the RSC - stage that seasonal classic A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

And it’s no wonder our imaginations are so delighted with the floral, be-winged, dew-jewelled, moonlit fantasy world Shakespeare created – it revels in nature as something magical. Magic and yet real, according to Hayhouse author Doreen Virtue, author of Fairies 101, who says:

“Fairies are nature’s angels who protect our air, water, land, plants, and animals. They are the angels who keep our planet green.”

Reconnecting and developing a deep respect for nature seems as good a reason as any to rekindle our fairy love affair in adulthood. Indeed, although Midsummer traditionally marks the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, probably to most urbanites it signifies the start of Festival season; and for many our only real foray into the natural world.

Once the preserve of the young, Glastonbury Festival, has become a music-lover’s mecca, well into middle-age; and for those who want to be in the big outdoors but with less mess in the portaloos there’s the “festival of ideas”, Port Eliot, or Wilderness, “a festival of the arts and the outdoors in the wilds of England”, boasting the fairy-tale art direction of Kristjana S Williams.

And for those really keen to get back to their story book roots and reconnect with nature on that mystical level there’s even  The Three Wishes Faery Fest where adults and children alike come together to: “[E]xperience how the ‘little people’ celebrate their love of the sacred land…”.  And as Doreen Virtue says, “The more people who believe in fairies, the more power they have to help our environment.”

So perhaps it’s time to ask yourself: Do I believe in fairies?

1. We love these floral Fair + True vegan sandals that are hand-made in communities in Vietnam using up-cycled tribal fabrics and rubber soles.

2. Ava Mirabelle reignites the ancient art of hand block printing, rediscovering blocks from the Indus Valley Civilization and archiving century old prints into modern silhouettes. Her dresses are created from hand printed silk promising luxurious summer elegance.

3. This gold Titania necklace featuring beautifully patterned and textured wings comes from Nina Osborne’s Midsummer collection. Every piece is inspired by nature and handmade in the UK.

4. Handmade in Cornwall, Claire Armitage of Armitage Design creates silk scarves inspired by floral and nautical imagery with literary references to poetry and fairytales.

5. Rainbow-hued copper bangles, by Anna McD at Fashion Conscience, are etched and adorned with magical dragonfly designs using environmentally friendly processes and hand-formed in brass.

6. This statement brass and glass cocktail ring is handmade in Kenya, as part of the Made collection, which, based in Kenya, through teaching new skills, seeks to create sustainable employment.

About Helen Davis

Helen is a writer and Holistic Colour and Style consultant with a passion for the wellbeing of women and the planet. Her aim is to lead you on a journey of self-discovery: creating an image which reflects the authentic beautiful you inside and out. Combining wardrobe wisdom, goddess-based myth, tales from inspiring women, with ecological and ethical principles, and spirituality she’ll show you how to shine, Adventuress style. To find out more see: www.adventuressundressed.com

Tags:   ethical clothing · ethical lifestyle · gifts · jewellery · sustainability · wellbeing

One of the most exciting things about my job is finding new inspirational brands and sharing their products and services with The Baoli’s fans. So imagine it felt like a holiday (more than a job) walking into The Natural & Organic Products Show last month and discovering the latest wellbeing arrivals, catching up with our award-winning partners, not to mention trying and testing hundreds of delicious and healthy samples.

Let us introduce you our skin, body & hair favourites!

Lucy Annabella Organics

Go & Home Natural Cosmetics

Childs Farm Toiletries For Children

Jack n’ Jill Natural Toothpastes

Original Colour Care

The Konjac Sponge Co.

Suti

AND THE WINNERS ARE…

…too many to mention so we just wish to celebrate The Baoli’s wellbeing partners!

Winner Best Organic Retailer:
Riverford

Winner Best Innovation In Organic Cosmetics + Best New Natural Beauty & Spa Product:
Pukka Herbs Nourishing Brightener

Finalist Best New Natural Beauty & Spa Product:
Essence Of Morocco’s Moroccan Rose Body Argan Oil

Finalist Best New Special Diet Program:
Pulsin’ Raw Sprouted Rice Protein

Finalist Best New Drink Product:
Pukka Herbs Black Tea

Finalist Best New VMS Product:
Pukka Herbs Wheat Grass Juice/Fibre Plus Sachets

Tags:   ayurveda · diet · ethical lifestyle · events · food · health · natural cosmetics · nutrition · wellbeing tips

Weddings, garden parties, Royal Ascot - summertime is a cause for celebration, and with The Great Gatsby set to be the film event of the year why not do it twenties style?

“And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald

No sooner have the snows and winds of a timid spring made way for some elusive sunshine, than summer itself is hailed in with the glamorous fanfare that is the Cannes Film Festival. Apparently May’s sun-drenched ceremony – there are even golden palm trees as prizes, the show offs! – will open with Baz Luhrmann’s much anticipated The Great Gatsby.

Remember the lavish 1974 Mia Farrow-Robert Redford film with all its ivory suits and cream lace courtesy of Theoni Aldredge and a bit of help from a certain Ralph Lauren? Well, Luhrmann’s re-make boasts designs by costumier, Catherine Martin, with a dash of Prada.

Martin told UK Vogue that the collaborative cocktail that is Baz Luhrmann and Miuccia Prada works because the duo share a “…fascination with finding modern ways of releasing classic and historical references from the shackles of the past.”

How to make cream lace less bridal and more rebel? Because there was a lot more to flappers than bubble-headed Betty Boop. As empty-headed as some may have been, they were also the height of rebelliousness: from their corset-less, boyish figures, bobbed hair, cigarettes and made-up faces.

Well, the Prada-inspired palette includes rich, jewel hues like gold, emerald and jade, while Carey Mulligan, who plays Daisy Buchanan in the upcoming release, adorns the front page of May’s US Vogue in acid green velvet, bleached bob and glossy red lips, looking very punk meets jazz baby.

Of course The Great Gatsby is F. Scott Fitzgerald’s fictional depiction of the booming economic prosperity of the 1920s and the accompanying busting of morals – a time of massive excess. And summer, with all its weddings and whimsical garden parties in lush greenery – and not least the appearance of the sun itself – is something to be celebrated in this cold economic climate.

Nowadays vintage and the re-use of formerly precious pieces in new designs is an ethically sound proposition, so why not take a peek at some vintage stores and pair lingerie-esque lace or evening beading with this season’s tribal geometrics – think Art Deco – and vivid colours, like orange, blue or green for a fresh feel this summer.

1. Minna’s vintage-fused pieces are made from sustainable, organic, recycled and locally produced textiles. Their twenties-inspired dresses and tops are a very feminine take on the flapper classics and are perfect party pieces.

2. Headbands and fascinators are all the rage, and a must-have for many summer soirees. Mich Dulce’s pieces are crafted from banana fibre and are hand-crafted in the Philippines by the women of the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation.

3. Add a splash of zesty nail polish, like this crème orange, called Holla, by Orly for a quick and easy update to any look. Orly’s collection, which numbers over 150 shades, is free of DBP, formaldehyde and toluene.

4. The textiles used to create Voz’s pieces – which include clothes and accessories – have been naturally dyed with mud, berries and herbs; and the geometric shapes in this season’s collection are a very Art Deco in feel.

5. Beyond Skin’s shoes combine contemporary style with vegan ethics; and these zig-zag print wedges are the perfect mix of geometric print and modern glam.

6. Joanna Cave’s jewellery is inspired by tradition and crafted to be modern and wearable. A favourite of Livia Firth, Cave’s jewellery combines good ethics with great design - see some key pieces as picked by Eco-Age at Yooxygen.

About Helen Davis

Helen is a writer and Holistic Colour and Style consultant with a passion for the wellbeing of women and the planet. Her aim is to lead you on a journey of self-discovery: creating an image which reflects the authentic beautiful you inside and out. Combining wardrobe wisdom, goddess-based myth, tales from inspiring women, with ecological and ethical principles, and spirituality she’ll show you how to shine, Adventuress style. To find out more see: www.adventuressundressed.com

Tags:   ethical clothing · ethical lifestyle · gifts · natural cosmetics · sustainability · wellbeing

I have become a strong advocate of Acupuncture ever since it helped me with a severe neck pain a few years ago and recommended this traditional Chinese treatment to some of my friends with equally great results. Therefore I was really keen to ask Duncan McGechie of Acubody Therapies about his practice and how your body and mind can benefit from his professional touch.

What is Acupuncture and how can people benefit from it?
Acupuncture is part of Chinese medicine, a system of healing involving the insertion of fine needles into specific points in a prescription tailored to the patient to bring about healing. It does so by bringing the persons functions into balance. An acupuncturist will select a number of points to trigger a healing response in the body, based on their diagnosis in terms of symptoms, history, pulse, tongue and abdominal palpation. These signs indicate the pattern of disharmony that needs rectifying. People can benefit by a reduction or end to their symptoms, a greater sense of wellbeing and sometimes a personal transformation which can enrich their lives. Patients often report side effects like improved circulation (warmer hands and feet) and being better able to deal with their problems and stress.

What are the common ailments people turn to Acupuncture for?
In the first instance pain, a lot of people try acupuncture for muscular and skeletal pain (including arthritis) as this is an area it has a good reputation for. IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), insomnia, anxiety and stress related problems, migraine and headaches and menstrual problems including period pain, PMS, heavy bleeding, and fertility issues also make up a significant part of my practice. Other areas I have found it successful but for which people come less frequently are allergies like hay fever, sinusitits, excema (which I will normally also treat with herbal medicine)

Would you describe Acupuncture as a preventative or healing technique?
Yes, I would say it is both, Chinese medicine systems are able to identify imbalances which are likely to lead to disease and treat them before they develop, indeed this is seen as superior, but it is still an effective treatment in its own right.

What is the difference between Acupuncture and the western medicine?
Principally the difference is in viewpoint. Western medicine uses acupuncture techniques for that small part of its scope that a research base has been developed for; physiotherapists use acupuncture, nurses in pain clinics use acupuncture. The difference is that their treatment is very symptom based and does not involve any deeper evaluation of the persons health or state. It can still be effective used in this way but many of the benefits of Chinese medicine theory and acupuncture are missed out. For example a case of recurring tennis elbow was unsuccessfully treated by physio with acupuncture focusing purely on the muscles, when I took the case I identified a digestive problem. The patient was low on energy due to not being able to process his food properly and unable to heal as he was run down. When this was treated with minimal needling at the site of the pain the injuries resolved and he returned to his game.

Do you think Acupuncture is getting more popular in the UK? And why it should?
I am not sure if it is getting more popular, but it seems more people are trying it. I think it is a snowball effect from individuals’ experiences. We get a fair bit of bad press but people are more likely to believe their friends and family than some hostile journalist, so they give it a try when they are told of the positive effects it has had. I also see a lot of patients who have tried everything on offer conventionally, and it hasn’t helped, for them acupuncture is a last resort, and I am glad to say we can help a lot of them.

How many sessions do you normally recommend to see the results and feel benefits?
I aim to have people experiencing some benefit after the first session, but this is not always possible in certain conditions. I am concerned if no progress is made after three sessions, but certainly after five there should be improvement. Some people choose to have ongoing treatment every 2 weeks or month to stay well and because it helps them on so many levels.

Do clients have to come and visit you or do you offer treatments at the comfort of their home too?
Mostly people come to see me in the clinic. I do occasionally do home visits but it is more time efficient in the clinic, I can see more people in a day, and it is more affordable for them as a result.

What can a client expect in your session?
It really does depend on what their issues are. There is a case history and diagnostic consultation initially, which may involve diagnostic tests like range of movement, feeling the pulse, looking at the tongue. The aim is always to develop an understanding of the persons experience of their problem and identify their priorities. Sometimes the session will include massage, tui na or myofascial release therapy without acupuncture, sometimes I will combine them. Sometimes I will use cupping or moxibustion, and sometimes it is just an acupuncture treatment. One of the things that is special about my approach is that I use and integrate my knowledge of biomechanics and the body’s fascia in my treatments, which brings a new angle to musculoskeletal problems. I work with a fusion of modern research and classical knowledge that retains respect for Chinese medicine theory. I also do sports massage and structural myofascial bodywork without the acupuncture.

How did you start and what does it take to become an Acupuncture therapist?
I have always been interested in oriental thought and culture for as long as I can remember. Alongside studying Taoism and Buddhism I started learning martial arts, and reflecting on balance felt I should learn to heal if I was to learn to harm. Acupuncture called to me as its roots were in the same culture that gave rise to Taoism, it just felt like the right thing to do. To start out you need to find a school that teaches acupuncture to learn the basics, this should be around three years of training, more if it includes herbal and tui na training. One benchmark you can use in the UK as a standard is BAAB (British Acupuncture Accreditation Board) accreditation. This body was set up by the BAcC (British Acupuncture Council) to ensure standards in acupuncture education. After this training is completed the learning starts, a whole world of practitioners to learn from and study with, over 2000 years of Chinese textual history and masses of modern research (although to access most of it you need Chinese language). Chinese medicine is an incredibly diverse field that can be confusing for some, but there can be different ways of doing things that are all effective.

How do you define wellbeing and what are your tips to maintain a healthy lifestyle?
I define wellbeing as a state of being well simply put. Not just free of disease but with enough energy and joie de vivre to enjoy life and be happy. My tips aren’t anything especially new I’m afraid - seek balance, but within that, a little bit of what you fancy does you good, its excess that does you wrong. Exercise is incredibly important - movement is life. We evolved to move and the vast majority of our energy is devoted to the musculoskeletal system which allows us to move. It is a biological imperative and improves our physical and mental health. It doesn’t matter what kind of exercise, just any you enjoy. I like swimming, yoga, qigong and kettlebell training but that is not for everyone, some prefer running, horse riding, dance or tennis, just move.

Tags:   exercise · health · holistic · therapies · wellbeing

We’ve just got inspired by this simple and healthy pesto recipe made of GOOD Shelled Hemp Seed so you can enjoy its health benefits whilst enjoying a tasty meal at the same time.

They are not only a 100% natural healthy snack & ingredient for every day use, they grow right here in the UK and are also good for the environment.

We’ve also found out that Shelled Hemp Seed gives the entire daily intake of Omega 3 and is naturally rich in protein so suitable for vegans and vegetarians. What are you waiting for, get cooking now!

Ingredients

30g GOOD Shelled Hemp Seeds, toasted
30g garlic, peeled and roughly chooped
70g rocket
100g pecorino cheese, grated
100ml GOOD OIL Hemp oil

Preparation

1. First roast the Shelled Hemp Seeds in a pan for 5 minutes.
2. Blend the seeds with garlic till you have a coarse mixture.
3. Now add the rocket and mix till well blended.
4. Add grated pecorino cheese.
5. When all this is combined, slowly pour in the GOOD OIL to bring the mixture together.

Tags:   diet · food · health · nutrition · organic food · recipes · wellbeing

Flower power is changing the face of the urban landscape; creating beautiful spaces for us and places for insects to flourish – it’s time to rejoice in the small things.

Once upon a time a young woman with flame red hair rode her bike through the English countryside. It was the height of summer and the ripening fields were bejewelled with wild flowers. When, suddenly, a cloud of blue butterflies settled all over her vibrant hair like a living veil. The end.

The point being this wouldn’t happen today: pesticides don’t discriminate between pests and pollinators. And as Kathryn Lwin, Founder Director of River of Flowers, knows her mother’s story tells it better than a statistic ever could.

The plight of our pollinators is a real and serious one. As Sir David Attenborough says, the world could manage pretty well without back-boned creatures: “But if the invertebrates were to disappear, the world’s ecosystems would collapse.”

Although it’ll be interesting to see if any insect faces make it onto the photographic mosaic promoting the Face of Climate Change for Earth Day in April – as climate change, too, is thought to be hampering our flower foraging friends.

So River of Flowers is urging us to embrace our wildflower heritage, beautify our communal spaces and create pollinating pathways for our mini beasts.

In fact, Guerrilla Gardening, another urban planting movement, focussed more on food and fauna than insects, has inspired Liberty to create a series of lawns; some depicting a blooming London landscape, Canary Wharf and all.

So women about town let’s have an Ugly Bug Ball – such a great song! – get out of your window boxes, start planting in the streets and infuse your wardrobe with prints and pieces celebrating the magical miniature world of wild flowers and our insect friends.

1. Ultra Tee kind of does what it says on the tin. Using environmentally friendly textiles, like Tencel Lyocell, and innovative vintage meets geometric prints they’ve created a wearable, ethical brand with understated style.

2. Craig Fellows uses traditional as well as contemporary printing techniques to create his pieces, each of which is designed, made and hand-finished by him. His wonderful insect prints, which include everything from beatles to bees, are modern with a clean, classic edge.

3. Flutter Designs, at Folksy, create hand-made, silk printed butterflies in an array of colours to pin in your hair or on your clothes – a beautiful alternative to a fascinator for wedding and garden party season.

4. Sika Designs, create feminine pieces made from Ghanaian or British-made prints and handmade in Ghana. These Cosmo Trousers are an unusual take on floral style using the famous Liberty Lawn fabric.

5. Consciously gorgeous jewellery brand Caipora says of its ant design jewellery: “Inspired as a reflection of the constant change and the natural flow, this beautiful piece has been created to form balance and the feeling of engagement with nature.”

6. Hetty Rose handmade shoes re-use vintage materials in their handcrafted shoes, which can be tailored to your specifications.These handmade slingback sandals have one-off vintage kimono fabric bows and a small antique brooch detail.

About Helen Davis

Helen is a writer and Holistic Colour and Style consultant with a passion for the wellbeing of women and the planet. Her aim is to lead you on a journey of self-discovery: creating an image which reflects the authentic beautiful you inside and out. Combining wardrobe wisdom, goddess-based myth, tales from inspiring women, with ecological and ethical principles, and spirituality she’ll show you how to shine, Adventuress style. To find out more see: www.adventuressundressed.com

Tags:   ethical clothing · ethical lifestyle · gifts · wellbeing

It’s International Women’s Day today. A day to celebrate a devine feminine energy around the world and each and every woman - her beauty, strength, efforts and entire being.

There are many ways to recognise this day and we are sure you’ll find your own way to contribute. However, we felt particularly inspired by the following two products that make you look and feel good too.

WOMEN DAY SOAP 2013

Every year, L’OCCITANE celebrates International Women’s Day by offering a fund-raising soap to support the women of Burkina Faso, Africa, where their shea butter is harvested. For the third year in a row, their Women’s Day Soap has been made by Burkinabe women who work in a traditional soap-making factory in the town of Leo. 100% of the proceeds of these soaps will go to the L’OCCITANE Foundation to help build literacy centres, in partnership with the NGO Aide et Action. Shop Women Day Soap 2013 >

IN PEACE EAU DE PARFUM

By buying IN PEACE you are helping the work of Women for Women International. 10% of net profits from the SPACE NK sale of each bottle will go directly to Women for Women’s sponsorship program which supports women survivors of war to enable them to rebuild their lives and promote peaceful communities. Shop In Peace Eau De Parfum >

Tags:   charity · ethical lifestyle · gifts · natural cosmetics · sustainability · wellbeing

We got together with our wellbeing partners to ask them what they have in store for us this year - and we are excited to report that you’ll be spoilt for choices. Whether it’s new yoga classes and training, holistic holidays in stunning destinations, organic beauty products, ethical gifts or lifestyle products. They are all sure to inspire and bring balance to your body, mind and soul. So what are you waiting for? This year can be the beginning of your life!

1. WHAT’S NEW WITH YOUR COMPANY THIS YEAR?

2. WHAT IS YOUR MOST EXCITING PRODUCT OR EVENT TO LOOK FOR THIS YEAR?

3. WHERE DOES THE INSPIRATION FOR THIS YEAR COME FROM?

1. This year we are very excited to have introduced a completely new programme: The Art Studio. The Art Studio located on the picturesque Skyros Island, Greece, provides a truly inspirational setting in which to put pencil to paper, paint to pallette or lens to landscape under the expert guidance of the studio’s visiting artists. Holiday participants can join any of these courses with no experience or plenty, and know that they will return home with all the skills and encouragement necessary to pursue their creative vision with renewed vigour. Our courses range from Landscape Abstraction, Drawing & Painting, Photography, to Textile Art & Sketching. Better yet, with prices starting from just £595 for a week, including accommodation, two meals per day, art courses and also early morning yoga classes - it’s affordable too.

2. We have so much to choose from but the Salsa holiday in Havana is a definite must-do. The day begins with gentle yoga followed by talks led by Cubans on the history and culture of Cuba. Then, participants are free to stroll leisurely through the city, where they can enjoy Havana’s allure. Cuban salsa classes are held in the afternoon and are facilitated by a top Cuban dance tutor. Each participant has a local dance partner who will always be there to mentor each persons progress and ensure a high quality learning experience. Where better to learn salsa than in a country that breathes passion, culture, music & dance?

3. Feedback is big source for Skyros inspiration this year. Whether from the facebook page, feedback forms, emails or conversations with participants on the phone. We love hearing about what people want from their holidays or what they enjoyed, and it helps us to strive towards a better company each day. So don’t be strangers, get in touch with us.

1. More new designs! I am always on the look out for inspiring quotes and my focus this year is to find interesting quotes that celebrate the family - all family members, young and old even ones that may live far away.

2. I am currently working on a new product - not papercuts but I can’t reveal what it is exactly just yet though. However it still falls within my focus of families, celebration and memories. I can’t wait to reveal more when the time is right!

3. I normally find inspiration from what is going on around me - things that I experience within my family unit - and also things that I see when I am out and about.

1. This year mata yoga is growing a lot and introducing out first retreats in some exciting locations as well as even more classes and workshops in London. There’s going you be lots going on so keep an eye out and join the mailing list to keep up to date with our delicious new adventures.

2. I am really excited about the retreats coming up! There are going to be a few of them, all in beautiful sunny locations so that definitely gets me buzzing with joy. Already looking forward to sun salutations on the beach!

3. I am mostly inspired by the incredible people in my life. I have the pleasure of coming across such wonderful friends, teachers and students all of whom teach me something new every time I step on the mat, as a teacher or a student myself. It really is an honour being present with their inspirational spirits.

1. Launching our e-commerce website and achieving successful media coverage of our products in a number of well-known prime magazines. We are also looking forward to meet our fans at The Natural and Organic Products Europe 2013 Show - Natural Beauty & Spa, at Olympia. We will be exhibiting on 7-8 April 2013, stand 3124.

2. Essence of Morocco® Hammam Kit comprising all the quintessential products needed for an authentic Moroccan Hammam experience at home. Used with our Nourishing Moroccan Rose Body Argan Oil it can truly provide a relaxing, luxurious and pampering experience for all the senses.

3. As ever, from our traditional authentic Moroccan roots and our holistic, natural and organic approach to beauty!

1. Barberyn Resorts is turning 45 this year. It is officially the first ayurvedic resort in the world!

2. We have a number of yoga & ayurveda retreats planned for this year, with the yoga teachers from the UK. The nearest one is with Mollie McClelland that will encourage you to experience wellness, peace and deep healing.

3. Barberyn always takes its inspiration from the huge wisdom of Ayurveda, the science of life…

1. There are many new developments this year. We are especially excited about our new wellbeing range for professional men!

2. Just one is our aromatherapy gift set for men such as Executive Tie Box Aromatherapy Gift Set that makes a great gift for the professional man. This classical ‘Executive’ Tie box comes with a collection of fantastic toiletries, tie and matching handkerchief with the added bonus of the re-usability of a smart tie box.

3. This year, it must be male pampering!

1. Following the great success of Yogalaurent Holidays in Slovenia in 2012, this year I added 4 more dates, 2 more in Slovenia and 2 new ones in Morocco and the Atlas mountains.

2. Each Yoga holiday is unique and it follows the seasons. I chose April and May for Morocco because it is too hot in the summer and it is the best time of the year to practice Yoga, enjoy outdoor activities and relax in the sun. Slovenia is cooler and beautiful in May, July, August and September and our holidays there are very outdoor oriented with the usual Hatha Yoga practice in the morning and evening. This year I am also adding a long Yoga Nidra practice, a deep relaxation technique that I’ve learned and studied from the Satyananda style Yoga, the most traditional and purest practice.

3. The inspiration for my holidays comes from the demand from my students. Listening to what they want at a retreat and what sort of activities they need to unwind. I choose the venues very carefully to offer the right balance between calm and relaxation but also include excitement, new experiences and a lot of fun. My students can create their own holiday and I am very attentive to their demand. So my inspiration are my students and their needs and goals.

1. We’ve started the year by celebrating citrus season with our Seville orange marmalade kit and preserved lemon kit. Developed by Riverford’s pickling guru, Anna Colquhoun, the preserved lemon kit is an easy and tasty way to start pickling at home and add a North African flavour to your food whilst keeping the vitamin C content intact. The kit includes organic unwaxed lemons, spices, pretty jar labels and Anna’s failproof recipe. It suits experienced picklers and preserving novices alike, and brings an exotic zing to cooking. We’re also selling blood oranges which are full of flavour and again, vitamin C.

2. We have lots of new pickling and preserve kits lined up which will change seasonally. Expect kits like tangerine jam, rhubarb chutney and chilli jelly. They are fun to make and make great gifts too. We also have lots of other new products lined up and will be expanding our range throughout what promises to be an exciting year for Riverford.

3. After having such a difficult year in 2012 due to the weather, we are inspired by the thought of a better year in 2013 and celebrating seasonal organic produce once more! Fingers crossed…

1. We are launching our 500hr Program at apple Academy, which is really exciting, so teachers that hold a 200hr certificate can now train with appleyoga for their remaining 300hrs with some incredibly exciting teachers and training retreats.

2. Of course apart from the exciting news in apple Academy, I’m delighted to be launching my new Pregnancy Yoga DVD before Spring - it is just in the last stages of post production and has been a truly beautiful process for me as it has involved my own pregnancy and 10 years of teaching experience within that field.

3. My precious daughter, who was born in February. I can’t wait to be there for all the appleyoga students again in classes, trainings and retreats and I know these meetings will be from a truly special space within that will come from the experience of being a mother. I feel very grateful

1. We are expanding both our home fragrance & natural beauty ranges with exciting new items.

2. Our new Goddess Hand & Body Wash, which contains our best-selling argan oil.

3. As always our inspiration comes from ancient times - but at the same time, we are inspired to use basic natural ingredients to produce multi-purpose items suitable for modern living and wellbeing.

1. We’re very excited to announce that Huzur Vadisi has two additional venues for 2013, Suleyman’s Garden and The Pomegranate. We wanted to make sure we found new venues special enough to match Huzur Vadisi. We think that both Suleyman’s Garden and The Pomegranate, set in stunning locations, have the same ambience, attention to detail, great food and relaxed atmosphere as Huzur Vadisi. The three venues are located within an hour of each other on Turkey’s beautiful ‘Turquoise Coast’ offering a wide choice of yoga holiday retreats with world class teachers at three different but equally lovely locations.

2. Each week from the end of April to October offers an exciting opportunity for a retreat holiday with a wide range of yoga styles at each of the three venues.

3. We are inspired by the natural beauty of Turkey with its forests, mountains and stunning coastline, and by sharing it with our yoga teachers, students and guests.

1. This year we are bringing out loads of brand new products for the home and personal care. We are expanding our range of laundry products, soap and shampoo bars and we will be bringing out our own range of liquid hand soaps and liquid shampoos.

2. First out this year will be our Organic & Vegan Soapnut Liquid Laundry Detergent. The only detergent that grows on trees! All the ingredients come direct from nature. Suitable for coloured and white fabrics for both machine and hand washing at all temperatures. Our organic and vegan laundry detergent products are perfect for infants and people of all ages with skin allergies and sensitivities: In fact, results from a recent skin irritation test showed that 100% of subjects had ZERO reaction or noticeable irritation after 48 hours of exposure.

3. Our inspiration always comes from our customers and looking at our own lifestyle. You shouldn’t have to compromise on quality or pay over the odds for organic products that are free from harsh chemicals and additives. We all want to have a healthier lifestyle and we all have busy lives, we don’t want to complicate things with worrying about what toxic ingredients are in the things that we buy. We love innovative ideas, we love things that do more than you expect, we love not taking ourselves too seriously and we love that our products do not contribute to polluting the earth.

Tags:   ayurveda · diet · eco-home · ethical lifestyle · events · exercise · food · gifts · health · holidays · natural cosmetics · organic food · sustainability · wellbeing · wellbeing tips · yoga

Get your creative juices flowing with inspirational design and life-affirming colour.

Despite the persistent snow flurries there’s a sense of optimism in the air. Spring is springing. Dank grass verges and knotted tree roots cradle elegant snowdrops and passionate, purple crocuses; while florists burst with buckets of vibrant yellow daffodils and richly scented, blue hyacinths. People, it’s the rhythm of life and it’s beating on your door!

This past week creative juices have begun a-flowing a-plenty. First was the Chinese New Year of the Snake, which with its skin shedding tendencies is believed to signify a year of renewal and rebirth. Then there was Shrove Tuesday, heralding Lent and the lead up to the Christian celebration of rebirth that is Easter. And lastly there was Valentine’s Day, which was once thought to be the day single birds became, well, lurve birds.

And what’s more March sees the opening of the V&A’s David Bowie retrospective set to “explore the creative processes of Bowie as a musical innovator and cultural icon”.  Personally I can’t think of a better way to get inspired. I first saw David Bowie when he shimmered onto my TV screen in the video for Blue Jean, looking like a kind of metallic genie, and it was love at first sight. Seriously, whether it’s music, art or nature get reconnected with whatever floats your boat and reinvigorate your life from the inside out.

Then just add some cutting edge ethical style and stir!

1. Fresh and funky Czech brand Leeda has already caught the eye of creative fashion icon extraordinaire Tilda Swinton. This unusual but wearable military-style piece features the “needle” pattern of the 1961 Czechoslovak People’s Army uniform would make a great spring-board piece for your S/S 2013 wardrobe.

2. Stella McCartney needs no introduction. Known for her no-nonsense, ethical and feminine designs, this Falabella Shaggy Deer Fold Over Tote Bag is gorgeously practical, crafted in a faux leather fabric and comes in a range of colours trimmed in trendy, chunky chain. A great bag with a good conscience.

3. Pachacuti means ‘world upside-down’ in the Quechua language and represents the brand’s moves to “redress the inequalities in the fashion industry through Fair Trade”. The classic fedora beloved by Film Noir actors in 40s Hollywood is given an olive green makeover making this hat modern but with a nod to fashion and movie history.

4. GO GREEN M BY M, at Fashion Conscience, have made this modal top a must-have. Sheer, with long sleeves, elegant scoop neck and flattering curved hem back, this subtly banana yellow piece makes a great layering top to add to your capsule collection.

5. Berlin-based Front Row Society creates unusual printed scarves from winning designs submitted by artists and voted on by the consumer. This scarf by I Heart Berlin editor Frank features his music icon, Madonna in a kaleidoscopic montage. Made from Modal and 1 euro from each sale is donated to the Ethical Fashion Forum.

6. Ifat Nesher creates jewellery from pure linen or waxed cotton threads, with Murano glass from Venice, terra-cotta, silver, metal or wood, using micro macrame and knot technics. These ‘traffic stopping’ pieces are unique and make a strong statement – pair with plain and simple pieces and let them speak for themselves.

About Helen Davis

Helen is a writer and Holistic Colour and Style consultant with a passion for the wellbeing of women and the planet. Her aim is to lead you on a journey of self-discovery: creating an image which reflects the authentic beautiful you inside and out. Combining wardrobe wisdom, goddess-based myth, tales from inspiring women, with ecological and ethical principles, and spirituality she’ll show you how to shine, Adventuress style. To find out more see: www.adventuressundressed.com

Tags:   ethical clothing · ethical lifestyle · gifts · wellbeing

If you want to know anything about Moroccan beauty rituals, ask Souad Alaoui, the Founder of Essence of Morocco Ltd. Her passion for the subject has become her business, and she is eager to share the ancient beauty secrets and rituals of Moroccan women with everybody. Find out more about how to beautify yourself Moroccan way from our interview with Souad…

What’s the story behind the brand?
It all started with a strong desire to share the authentic and genuine Moroccan beauty experience and a mission to reveal the true essence of the Moroccan beauty ritual that has fascinated me since childhood, accompanying my grandmother to the Hammam (the public steam bath). These were such wonderful times where Moroccan women religiously prepared their own beauty products at home using natural, wholesome, organic ingredients, following ancient recipes inherited from their mothers and grandmothers over the centuries. And this is still practiced today by many Moroccan women, young or old, rich or poor, modern or traditional.

What are you flagship products?
Our luxurious nourishing Argan Oil range for the face, body and hair and our newly created Hammam kit, all of which enable you to experience the true essence of Moroccan beauty at home.

Why is Argan oil so good for you?
Essence of Morocco ® Argan oil is rich in vitamin E and antioxidants, and has been used for centuries by Moroccan women for its unique skincare properties:

* Nourishes, hydrates and protects the skin and hair
* Slows down skin ageing, neutralises free radicals
* Improves skin elasticity, minimises the appearance of fine lines and scars
* Stimulates hair growth, prevents and mends split ends

How do you make your Argan oil?
Essence of Morocco ® Organic Argan oil is extracted from the finest quality kernels of the Argan fruit, which are first cold-pressed using state of the art machinery to preserve the oil’s nutritional and healthy qualities. We do not deodorise our oil, we only use the pure, raw, organic Argan oil.

One tip about Argan oil nobody knows…
For a soft glowing skin and to boost your spirits, add a drop or two of Essence of Morocco® Moroccan Rose Oil to your Nourishing Facial Argan Oil before applying onto the face. It’s the perfect combination! The scent of Moroccan rose is known for its uplifting, stress relieving and soothing properties.

Is your business eco-friendly?
Absolutely! To give an example, we use glass and aluminium packaging which are 100% recyclable. We also keep our packaging to a minimum; we do not put our products in outer packaging, and use recycled and recyclable postage parcels. Even our website is powered by 100% renewable energy!

What are your favourite places in Morocco?
I love Morocco and its beautiful and varied landscape, its weather, culture and cuisine. But I have a special relationship with Marrakech where my mother’s family comes from. It’s a fusion of African, Berber and Arab cultures.

What’s coming up for your brand?
For 2013, as specialists of Hammam Products in the UK we are launching the ‘Have a Hammam Experience at Home’ theme as well as a comprehensive range of Essence of Morocco® Hammam products and essential oils. We also have a few more surprises which you can follow on our Facebook page - www.facebook.com/EssenceOfMorocco

Where can one buy your products?
You can buy our products directly from us online from our website www.esofmo.com. You can also find our products in selected pharmacies and health food stores as well as boutiques.

Where do you think the beauty industry is heading? What is the next big thing?
Back to the future: re-discovering good, natural, wholesome, pure products that have been tried and tested for many centuries. People want ‘simple’ products that actually work!

Tags:   gifts · health · natural cosmetics · wellbeing · wellbeing tips