As a coffee lover, buying your daily fixes of caffeine in your keep cup can become an expensive habit. Especially when you go for the best of the bunch, those that are ethical and fairtrade and so on. So it is welcome news that a new instant triple certified coffee, which protects people, planet and product is now available to pick up from your local supermarket.

Café Nueva must be the most fair ethical coffee ever sold in UK supermarkets that you can buy responsibly without having to compromise on taste, quality or price. It is triple certified; with Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and Organic certification, Café Nueva is the UK's first triple certified freeze dried coffee. This means that you can enjoy your morning cup of java with the peace of mind that coffee farmers and their families are fairly rewarded and that the environment in which the coffee beans are grown is protected and respected.

Café Nueva is made from the finest Peruvian beans and has an intense, rounded and smooth taste with chocolatey notes. Actually we could do with a bit of organic chocolate on the side! There is also an interesting smoky aftertaste which adds to the coffee experience.

Café Nueva is now available from selected Waitrose and Budgens stores in 100g jars from £3.29.

We might all be trying our best to keep our new year's resolutions (unless you've already caved in and forgotten about the [gym membership/recycling scheme/diet - delete as appropriate] already). But there is something we cannot fix by ourselves and that's the fact that by the end of today, Friday 13th January, the average person in Britain will have emitted as much carbon dioxide as the average person in Kenya will in an ENTIRE YEAR!

Recent data released by the World Development Movement shows that Kenya's annual per capita carbon emissions at 0.293 tons, while the UK's are 8.351 tons. And despite having such little responsibility for causing climate change, Kenyans are facing some of the worst weather related disasters globally. For instance, last year Kenya and neighbouring East African countries suffered their worst drought in 60 years, resulting in a severe food crisis.

Deborah Doane, director of the World Development Movement, said: "This is a stark reminder of the UK's responsibility for climate change. Developing countries like Kenya make almost no contribution to the problem, yet they face the worst consequences. Meanwhile the UK is failing to make sufficient emissions cuts or to meet its obligations to help poorer countries cope with the effects of climate change."

Campaigners are calling on the UK government to honour its promise to be the 'greenest government ever' by meeting its commitments to reducing emissions under the Climate Change Act. Developing countries have already pledged to make emissions cuts 30 to 50 per cent higher than those of rich countries like the UK, despite their per person emissions being a fraction of those of developing countries.

Now we of course know that our sweet Hippyshopper readers are doing what they can for the environment - and we love you for it - but the figures from the World Development Movement are startling nonetheless.

British Gas have begun trialing a new app service that will allow customers to remotely switch off appliances from a smartphone.

The service, designed to keep bills low by tighter control over appliances (as well as being an additional safety feature for those worried they may have left a cooker or boiler on whilst away) could be ready to be rolled out early in 2012.

A new Smart Meter, letting customers measure exactly how much energy they are consuming in real time, is also set to launch.

Jacqueline Epifanie, Head of British Gas Smart Homes, said: "We've all had that sinking feeling when we think we've left the boiler on as we disappear on holiday. Our new technology will mean people will be able to switch off their appliances when they are away rom home and thanks to new smart meters will also be able to control their energy use when in the home as well."

According to British Gas's research, these tools cant come soon enough considering the penny-pinching times we live in. The average household wastes £150 a year by leaving a boiler on all year round, a loss of £1 billion nationally, with a further £740 million lost leaving tech gear on standby.

A further 30 million Brits suffer from "appliance anxiety"; a fear that they've left potentially dangerous items switched on and unattended before leaving the house.

Most women dream of owning a designer handbag, but seeing as most of them cost the equivalent of a month's rent it usually stays just a dream. However, what if I said buying said bag also means that you'd be doing something for a charitable cause...

British fashion model Erin O'Connor is leading the celebrity support of Save the Children's Christmas 'Bag to Save a Life' appeal when it launches tomorrow, Friday 25th November 2011. Erin is joined by other well-known names such as Sienna Miller, Tilda Swinton, Florence Welch, Gemma Arterton, Georgia May Jagger, Annie Lennox and the UK's Prime Minister's wife and Save the Children Ambassador, Samantha Cameron to raise funds for the charity's lifesaving work in the poorest countries.

If you fancy snapping up a bag by the likes of Christian Louboutin, Mulberry, Jimmy Choo, Miu Miu, Prada and many more - donated or designed by the lovely celeb ladies previously mentioned - make sure you join in on the online auction from tomorrow on www.savethechildren.org.uk/bagtosave.

Samantha Cameron has donated her Jimmy Choo bag, Sienna Miller a Miu Miu, Tilda Swinton has donated a bag from Chanel AND a bag from Victor & Rolf, while Gemma Arterton has donated a leather patent Prada bag.

Save the Children ambassador Samantha Cameron said: "I am delighted to donate one of my handbags to Save the Children's Bag to Save a Life auction. It a great cause and the proceeds will help provide more health workers around the world who in turn will stop the needless deaths of children. Please get involved and do your bit to help save a child's life."

Tilda Swinton said: "Bid high! Bid so much higher than you think you will or can! Think of a dicey number and double it. And then double that. No fancy bag can ever carry what your generosity will mean to the children it will help to live. Make this beautiful object truly valuable by investing real money in real life - and carry the evidence with pride. Don't count the cost. Think of it as paying something back for all there is to be grateful for in your days."

If you want to take part in the auction, the starting price will be at around a quarter of the bags' recommended retail price. You can also donate any unwanted bags you might have laying around at any of the Save the Children stores around the UK to be included into the auction.

The online auction will be live from Friday 25th November to Sunday 4th December 2011.

Think about this: The UK has nearly twice as much food as is required if looking at nutritional needs of its populations, while some European countries have more than three times the food they need. The US however is the big bad wolf in the food distribution debate, having around four times more food than its inhabitants need...

Food waste is a real problem in the Western world with approximately 40 million tonnes of food wasted in US households, retailers and food services each year alone - which is horrible considering there are nearly one billion malnourished people in the world. And while governments are worried about over-population and food supply issues, a lot could be done with a bit of re-distribution and more conscious thinking by all of us. How many times have you not bought vegetables that have ended up in the bin one week later because you just forgot about them? In fact, UK households waste around 25% of all the food they buy over a year. Another culprit is the 'rule' that supermarkets cannot sell 'imperfect' produce, in other words vegetables that haven't got the right shape according to cosmetics standards set by some regulatory body. Here's the shocker: they still taste the same as their perfect counterparts!

So while four million Brits and 43 million EU citizens suffer from food poverty silly rules and regulations and mindless waste keep adding to our problems.

Feeding the 5000 hope to show how easy it is to reduce the unimaginable levels of food waste in the UK and internationally, and how governments, businesses and individuals can help.

To show how bad our country's food waste is, Feeding the 5000 is hosting a free lunch for 5000 people made entirely out of fresh ingredients that would otherwise have been wasted: wonky carrots, misshapen potatoes and other fresh surplus produce.

Feeding the 5000's free lunch takes place on Friday 18th November 2011 at Trafalgar Square, London, from 12pm (noon) to 2pm. So head down there for a bite to eat and show your support. Oh and sign their pledge here!

If you run a small food business or know someone who does jot down this name somewhere: SUSTAINATION.

"The world's food system is struggling to feed 7bn people, yet it needs to feed at least 9bn for the next few hundred years. If ever there was a time when innovation and collaboration are essential to human and ecological welfare, this is it."

The new online service has joined the dots to help small food businesses to find each other easily, talk and trade, creating local and regional food networks that have the efficiency to compete with supermarkets while creating livelihoods and preserving regional identity.

The service is free for everyone to sign up to - for now - and lets you type in a location to find nearby people who are keen to do business or you can search for produce. Think of it as a dating service for local businesses that makes it convenient and easy to find, buy, and sell local produce that will save you time and expense and helps making you more sustainable!

Check out their website for more information and follow on Facebook or say hello to @Sustaination on Twitter.

And if you're really lazy... simply click play on the video below to learn more

SUSTAINATION - Find us on www.PeopleFund.it from Ed Dowding on Vimeo.

I came across an article in the New York Times last weekend about a rising trend stateside: the personal environmental concierge. These are people that will "run your errands by bicycle, recommend a spa for vegan manicures or buy organic clothes for you and your dog".

Speaking to the NY Times Letitia Burrell, president of Eco-Concierge NYC, said: "The problem with going green is that people think it takes so much work, so much effort, so much conscious decision-making. So to help people out Burrell set up Eco-Concierge NYC one year ago to try to make it easier for people to "rid their homes of toxins, hire sustainable-cuisine chefs and find organic dry cleaners". Depending on the level of service you want, memberships will set you back from $175 a month to $3,500 a year (that's approximately £110 per month or £2,200 per year).

Definitely a niche business idea, I haven't heard of anyone offering the service over here in the UK but I'm sure someone will soon adapt the idea (after reading it here of course!) to the English market. While it is great that people want to adopt a greener lifestyle, I am just wondering if this, paying someone else to be greener on your behalf, isn't just a bit like cheating. For people to become more eco minded - and to benefit the environment in the long run - we all need to educate first and foremost ourselves, then our friends and family and then our communities. In an ideal world, if each and every one took responsibility for their carbon footprint, waste reduction and general lifestyle changes needed to become 'greener' the world would eventually become just that. Unfortunately we all know this is never going to happen - not in the nearest future at least, the governments around the world will continue in their quest to cut back on CO2 emissions and reduce the negative impact on the planet we call home.

I suppose, for now, if professionals that are "too busy to research" how to be greener opt to pay to have an eco-concierge do these things for them is better that not doing something at all...

What do you think? Leave us a comment below or join the eco-nversation on Facebook.

We love charity shops at Hippyshopper. Not only are they great for updating your wardrobe in an inexpensive and sustainable way (recycling unwanted clothes and items all around), uncovering some great vintage finds, and taking your unwanted clothes off your hands, they are also come with the added bonus of helping raise funds for different causes.

It was with interest that we watched the news piece on BBC Breakfast this morning on whether there are too many charity shops on Britain's high streets. This one particular city had 6 on its main shopping street. The current debate around charity shops on the high street began after retail queen Mary Portas suggested that the number of charity shops on the high street should be limited by tax laws earlier this month. The Charity Retail Association has slammed this suggestion and is writing to the Prime Minister to object to Portas' idea as it is concerned what it would do to charity shops should they been reflected negatively in the High Street Review. The review, which is led by Portas, was launched in May and is due to report back to the Prime Minister this autumn.

Too many charity shops? We think not!

Better that they are there offering an eco-minded, sustainable shopping experience than the properties that would otherwise be empty - or worse being occupied by shops selling cheaply made and short-lived crap for £1 to feed the nation's throwaway society.

Fair enough, the charity shops might pay less in rent but considering that they enable hobby eco-warriors to do their bit for charity and raise funds for much needed causes I don't see the issue.

Alternatively, the retail associations in charge of the British high streets should enable independent businesses to prosper by offering lower rates so that locally produced goods could be showcased in a store environment.

What do you think? Are there too many charity shops around and what do you suggest could be done to breathe new life into our high streets? Leave a comment below.

We've previously written about 'reverse graffiti' and 'living billboards', and we're familiar with 'guerilla gardening' and 'knit graffiti' but have you heard of moss graffiti? The latest in street art projects aiming to enrich derelict urban spaces is cleverly named Mossenger and is the brainchild of London-based artist Anna Garforth.

Anna's project uses biodegradable ingredients to attach moss letters to walls to spell out poems. How wonderful isn't that? The poem you can see on these pictures are by Eleanor Stevens and will be featured in four parts - each sentence is to be displayed somewhere in London.

Have you spotted any other green street art projects where you live?
If you see Anna's work when you're out and about in London tweet us @Hippyshopper as we'd love to see more!

(via Environmental Graffiti)

You might have read my first experience with Ayurveda previously, the ancient Indian philosophy of health and wellbeing which advocates skin detoxification and nutrient replenishment known to improve external vitality and radiance.

Now the people behind Pukka teas have expanded their offering with the launch of Pukka Ayurveda Skincare, a naturally active organic skincare range made with Ayurvedic herbs such as amla (a plump, glistening fruit with potent antioxidant properties), gotu kola (an elegant leafy plant that for a long time has been associated with skin toning and regeneration), and the neroli flower which has been used to rejuvenate the skin for centuries.

Containing highly concentrated, sustainably harvested oils, fruits and herbs, the range is produced using a sophisticated CO2 extraction process that gives a richness that reaches deep into the skin. The products are made free from parabens, petrochemicals, synthetic fragrances and colours, and concentrated ingredients that makes a little go a long way.

Formulated by Pukka's Ayurvedic practitioner and herbalist Sebastian Pole the new range features ten natural skincare classics have been organically certified by the Soil Association.

Read more about the collection here (you can also buy the products by clicking on the link!).

Coffee is a big global business and many - myself included -are practically addicted to it. Unfortunately the high consumption of takeaway coffee leads to more landfill as UK coffee shops are failing to make it easy for java addicts to recycle the estimated 2.5 billion takeaway cups thrown away each year.

It is consumer group Which? that has warned the UK coffee industry of these startling figures after its investigation found that consumers are confused by the use of 'mixed materials' and end up throwing the cups in the general waste bin. Of the 2,471 people surveyed more than half admitted that they throw their paper cups in the general waste bin instead of recycling them.

One solution to the brewing problem is to encourage people who drink their fair share of coffee to invest in reusable coffee cups and bring these with them on their daily coffee run. Starbucks is already trying to sway its customers to think more eco-friendly by offering 25p off for anyone bringing in their own cup.

If you're interested in doing your bit to reduce coffee cup waste, one brand of reusable mugs is KeepCup, the first barista standard reusable coffee cup. And you can personalise it to be any colour you like!

British designer and environmentalist Stella McCartney - the daughter of Beatles star Sir Paul McCartney who recently got married - is a vegetarian and refuses to use leather or fur in her creations, so it comes as no surprise that she's expanding her growing fashion empire into eco sunglasses.

The range will not hit the shops until next year, but Stella has revealed that the new collection will be made of more than 50% natural and renewable materials.

Stella told WWD: "The greatest challenge was the amount of time that was spent on research and testing to get the best quality product possible with the highest performance in terms of resistance, while still maintaining the style and finish we always try to achieve."

We hear you Stella, deciding to live in a way that is eco-friendly does take time and effort but the knowledge that you are doing your bit to help the environment makes it worth it! I love sunglasses and I'm really excited to see what the sunglasses range will look like.

If you regularly reach for that trusted cup of coffee to get your energy levels up during the day - or perhaps a nasty sugary energy drink which tastes as synthetic as it probably is - then you'll like this newcomer to the market.

Personally I've never been a big fan of energy drinks as they taste too sugary and synthetic and make my heart race more than what is probably healthy, so I was intrigued to hear about a natural alternative to those times when you just need a 'quick fix' - Scheckter's OrganicEnergy.

Already available in other countries, Scheckter's OrganicEnergy has just launched in the UK market and we went to meet the man behind the brand to find out more about the drink that 'harnesses the power of nature to give a real energy lift whilst also boosting mental performance'.

Founder of Scheckter's Organic Beverages and former racing driver, Toby Scheckter told us how he spent his childhood days helping out on his dad's organic farm - between racing - which taught him "a deep understanding and appreciation for the processes involved in organic farming". During his career as a racing driver and later in motorsport management, Toby realised there was a gap in the energy drinks market for a healthier alternative. Determined to do something about this Toby started the two year process of developing what is now the world's first 100% natural, organic and fairtrade approved energy drink.

So what is in Scheckter's OrganicEnergy?
Based spring water with extracts from raw green coffee beans and organic Guarana for a physical and mental boost, Ginseng to relieve stress and Gingko Biloba to help with improved mental performance, this is a naturally powerful drink.

While enjoying the view from London's Panorama Bar at Centre Point Hippyshopper was treated to a couple of Virgin cocktails that used Scheckter's OrganicEnergy as a base. All of them were equally tasty and we've included a recipe below for your enjoyment.

The drink on its own is also a delicious treat: naturally sweet with a dash of lemon and tasty pomegranate and elderberry flavours, it is a very refreshing beverage that doesn't leave a coating of sugar on your teeth. No wonder Scheckter's OrganicEnergy won a Gold Award at the Great Taste Awards 2011.

Scheckter's Organic Energy is available from Waitrose, Holland & Barrett and at health food stores nationwide for £1.45 (250ml).

Scheckter's Raspberry and Almond Collins

- Fresh raspberries and almonds
- Syrup, orange and lemon juice
- Topped up with Scheckter's OrganicEnergy

Stage and screen star Sienna Miller has joined the increasing list of high profile celebrities supporting the BUAV No Cruel Cosmetics campaign to end animal testing for toiletries and cosmetics sold in the EU.

The UK and EU have already banned the use of animals to test cosmetics and toiletries, but companies are still able to sell products in the EU that have been tested on animals in other parts of the world. A ban on the import and sale of new animal tested cosmetics products in the EU is due to come into effect in 2013 but might be delayed, so BUAV have launched a European-wide campaign to put pressure on the decision makers to ensure the ban comes into effect as planned. Other celebrities who are already supporting the campaign are Sir Paul McCartney, Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt and British actress Jenny Seagrove.

You can do your share by signing the No Cruel Cosmetics petition which is being sent to the European Parliament and help put a stop to the needless suffering of animals to feed our beauty addiction.

It's almost the end of Organic Month, but we can't leave it behind without looking at what food and drink products are available. Beauty as they say come from within, so it is important that what you eat and drink is as natural as possible. Choosing organic produce is a great way of ensuring that you're treating your body - and mind - nicely from within as well helping contribute to the protection of wildlife and the environment.

Opting for organic means there is no hidden nasties in the product, such as artificial colourings or sweeteners, so what you see on the box is what you get. Visit the Soil Association for more info on living more organically.

Pukka Herbs Organic Virgin Coconut Oil (£7.95)

Drinking coconut water to re-hydrate and allegedly control weight has been a favourite among celebrities for a while now, so I was curious about the benefits of coconut oil which is Miranda Kerr's secret to looking good. Kerr credits her slim figure to daily doses of coconut oil in her cooking, on her salad or in her cups of green tea.

This must surely mean that organic coconut oil is the ultimate beauty secret? Coconut is a highly nutritious food, rich in vitamins (Vitamin C, Riboflavin and Thiamine) and minerals (calcium, iron and phosphorus), and contains high levels of a particular type of fatty acid (lauric) that is known to help increase metabolism.

After you've gotten used to all your food having a slight taste of coconut, cooking with coconut oil is a delight. Especially as a little goes a long way, so you don't feel like your blood veins will clog with unhealthy fat. Have yet to try it on toast, but am sure it's delicious!

Available from Pukka Herbs.

Rachel's Organic Yoghurt

Whether it is a sweet treat you're after or something to have on your cereal in the morning, organic yoghurt is a great addition to your daily diet - and the best at that is Rachel's Organic. Britain's first organic dairy and pioneer of branded organic dairy produce, Rachel's offer a wide range of scrumptious yoghurts. These thick and creamy yoghurts are definitely a favourite of mine!

Rachel's seasonal Special Edition Winter Fruits multipack comes in two delicious flavours; Apple and Cinnamon and Apple and Rhubarb which are perfect for an autumn treat. They're also bringing out a new Limited Edition Pineapple, Coconut & Banana flavour - certain to bring a feel of the Caribbean to the dark winter days. Yum!

Rachel's Winter Fruits multipack is available in Waitrose for £1.69, while the Pineapple, Coconut & Banana Limited Edition costs £1.59 and is available in leading supermarkets nationwide.

Green & Black's Organics Chocolate

What better treat this autumn that some organic chocolate from Green & Black's? New of the year is that the full range of block bars and beverage products will carry a fair trade certification, with the brand having increased its financial commitment to ensuring the sustainability of the cocoa-growing communities Green & Black's rely on to source cocoa for its delicious products.

The first in organic and fair trade chocolate, Green & Black's is launching a new selection box with 12 minature signature flavour bars just in time for Christmas as well as going pink for Breakthrough Breast Cancer in October with a mouth-watering hot pink Raisin & Hazelnut bar.

The collection box is priced at £5.49 and the pink bar costs £2.29. Available in leading supermarkets nationwide or shop online.

What's This...? Anti-oxidant Drink (£2.75/330ml)

Many will have heard of the skincare properties of aloe vera, but what about its wild cousin aloe ferox? With twice the potency of aloe vera, I was super excited to hear about a new anti-oxidant drink called What's This...? that is made with natural aloe ferox - increasingly regarded as a new superfood.

Aloe ferox is linked to many benefits, including anti-aging, reducing the risk of heart disease, cleansing the digestive system and detoxifying the body as well as soothing, healing and moisturising the skin.

The 100% natural super-ingredient drink which main ingredient is aloe ferox must be a must-have for all health conscious out there. I tried the Baobab and aloe ferox which tasted like a thick fruit juice; it was delicious. Baobab contains important vitamins, fibre and anti-oxidants and THREE times the level of calcium found in milk!

What's This...? comes in four varieties: Baobab & aloe ferox, Green rooibos & aloe ferox, Pomegranate, hibiscus & aloe ferox and Mango & aloe ferox, and is widely available in UK health food stores.

Pukka Herbs Organic Tea (from £2.09)

Working in an office can often cause high intake levels of caffeine through a continuous supply of tea and coffee throughout the week - or is that just my office? Instead of experiencing caffeine headaches and sleepless nights, why not swap it for organic herbal teas? Specially blended by master herbalist Sebastian Pole, each of the blends is full of flavour and rich in therapeutic benefits - all designed to match your every mood and moment.

For Organic Month I tested the Three Fennel and Detox; the former one winning the coveted 'three gold stars award' and the 2011 Gold Taste Awards as well as Best Organic Food Product at this year's Natural & Organic Products show.

The Three Fennel is a blend of organic sweet fennel, wild fennel and fennel leaf tea which is specially blended to soothe digestion and reduce bloating - perfect for busy people who eat on the go and for after a heavy meal.

Both were easy on the palate and I fully enjoyed sipping them while at work and in the evenings, swapping it for my much loved coffee. Pukka Herb teas are sold in selected stores nationwide or through its website.