We're great fans of cycling here at Hippyshopper; not only is cycling a great way to get around the London traffic (beware of motorists and pedestrians mind!), it keeps us fit!

Most of the time we'll just wear our normal clothes but sometimes that just doesn't seem right. What if we could have some ethically made garments made especially for our bike rides - that doesn't necessarily involve extremely tight fitting and unflattering lycra?

Well Jamie and John, the guys behind VELECO have just the answer! With what they claim to be the world's first fairtrade and eco-friendly cycle wear company (if anyone beg to differ, let us know in the comments below), they hope to change cycle wear across the world by making it more ethical.

Using natural, organic and recycled materials wherever possible, a 15% fairtrade premium is paid on every garment made, which is pushed back into health and welfare projects for VELECO's workers and their families in Pakistan.

The current collection consists of cycling jackets, t-shirts and hoodies as well as a selection of accessories including cycling caps, cotton bags, recycled tyre and tube belts as well as green oil. Plans are in motion to launch more technical wear in 2013, which will include shorts, trousers, more jackets and bags for urban cyclists and commuters!

Take a look at the collection below.

When the cold weather sets in it can be easy to forget those healthy eating habits of summer days (no-one's going to see you in a bikini any time soon so there's no need for the strict diet regime right?). Instead of reaching for those tempting buttery croissants, why not opt for a classic winter breakfast: porridge.

If you don't want to spend a fortune in your local cafe each morning, here are some of the British organic porridges which can be found in a supermarket near you. Sweeten it up with berry compote, chopped nuts or stewed fruits, or add cinnamon or plain old honey.

Rude Health 'Morning Glory' Porridge
A great combination of smooth oatmeal, jumbo oats, barley, rye and quinoa flakes, this porridge has sesame, pumpkin and poppy seeds added. All ingredients are wild and not refined, only natural sweet ingredients, and sustainably produced fruits, nuts and seeds. We think Goldilocks would approve.

Pimhill Farm Porridge Oats
Made from oats grown on one of the first organic farms in the country, now run by the third generation of the Mayall family, all of the products are grown in Shropshire without any artificial fertilisers or chemicals. And anyone who recommends to 'add a dash of whisky' to porridge on cold winter mornings are great in our books!

Duchy Originals Organic Porridge
Duchy Originals was launched in 1990 by HRH The Prince of Wales but their story starts earlier - back in the early 1980s The Prince moved to the Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire, and began the process of converting the Duchy Home Farm, which is part of the estate, to an entirely organic agricultural system. The oats and barely porridge is a great addition to your morning routine.

Jordans Organic Porridge
Founded by nature loving, brothers Bill and David, one who also was in a rock band once, the brand is committed to the making the British countryside more sustainable. Full of wholegrain goodness, with no artifical flavourings, colourings and preservatives your brekkie table will shine with porridge from Jordans.

Pertwood Porridge Oats
Carefully grown and milled to ensure that every box is full of premium wholegrain jumbo oat flakes this is a seriously healthy breakfast option from the fields of south-west Britain. This award-winning organic farm is now one of the largest organic farms in the country.

If you're looking for a new summer dress that looks stylish, yet is perfectly eco-conscious, then take a look at the 2012 collection of MuMu Organic.

Started in 2009 on the Cyclades island in Greece by designer Athena Bentila and artist Roland Wakker, these handmade dresses are produced locally in Greece using fairtrade, eco-friendly materials.

Not yet available in-store in the UK, you can buy the dresses from MuMu Organic's online shop.

We all know that we should choose organic materials and sustainable fashion, but what about your mini-me? The little darlings might barely know what 'vegetarian' means, so it goes without saying that as a parent it is your responsibility to make the eco-friendly fashion choices.

Offering clean Scandinavian design and quality, Serendipity Organics is a natural children's clothing range made from natural fibres and materials. All cotton styles are made from the finest certified 100% organic mélange cotton. Now we're told these make the softest fabrics imaginable... the perfect companion to soft baby skin.

New this season, are very light and soft fabrics in both woven and sherpa sweat to complement the staple light fabrics that Serendipity Organics are known for. The latest collection is light and bright, combining the cool and warm colours of aqua, berry and cacao.

Available in ages 0 to 10 from www.serendipity-organics.com.

Over the past years beekeepers and researchers have seen a worrying worldwide drop of bee populations, which could, if not addressed, could leave to bees disappearing completely.

Now Dutch based organic fruit and vegetables distributor Nature & More have teamed up with a number of NGOs to launch initiative Bees Love Organic to distribute 400,000 bags of organic seeds throughout Europe during the coming summer. The aim is to create over 400,000 square metres of bee flower pasture.

In the Netherlands, a popular 1,000 km long cycle trail that runs along farms and countryside will be transformed into a 'bee path' after more than one thousand environmentally aware cyclists have helped sow the seeds.

Further north, the Swedish Youth Initiative Program has created a flowering meadow as well as an online video that features buzzing students.

According to a Bees Love Organic campaign spokesperson, bees have better survival chances with organic farming, not only because pesticides are not used, but also because organic farming increases biodiversity. Nature & More founder Volkert Engelsman said: "Since the '90's of last century we have been trying to get across that 'organic' means much more than not using chemical inputs. Farmers in Asia, America and Europe, who work with us, recognise that the future of agriculture must lie in teaming up with nature, instead of fighting it. The bees are our allies, so let's support them."

Find out more about the campaign at www.natureandmore.com.

While UK artist Damian Hirst relies on little human helpers to assist him in creating his well-known dot artworks, Canadian multi-media artist Aganetha Dyck employ bees to create organic art.

Aganetha has been working with honeybees to create sculptures and drawings for over 20 years, the result being swirling honey comb sculptures and sweet drawings. Through her work, Aganetha - who is interested in environmental issues, specifically the power of the small - addresses language and communication between humans and other species, particularly bees.

Her research also asks questions about the ramifications all living beings would experience should honeybees disappear from the earth.

What do you think, is it the bee's knees?

Yeo Valley, the UK's biggest organic brand, has become the latest addition to the Soil Association's Ethical Trade scheme.

This means that all the milk used for Yeo Valley products - yoghurt, butter, cheese and milk - is now certified to Soil Association Ethical Trade standards and all products will have the Ethical Trade symbol on the packaging - showing they have gone the extra mile.

Soil Association Ethical Trade standards are an added extra to the Soil Association's existing organic standards. The standards were launched in 2008 following long standing calls to create a 'fair trading' scheme for organic farmers, in both the UK and abroad.

Sarah Compson, Soil Association Ethical Trade project manager, said: "One of the Soil Association's driving aims is to ensure that good food is available to everyone in society. For us good food is not just organically grown, minimally processed, fresh and seasonal, but it is also produced fairly - fairness being one of the four principles of organic agriculture as outlined by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements."

It's great to see another organic business showing their ethical commitment as there is clearly an appetite for fairer trading. The Co-operative's latest Ethical Consumerism report sows that sales of Fairtrade Food increased by 36% in 2011 and overall spend on ethical food and drink was up 5%.

Find out more about the scheme on www.soilassociation.org/ethicaltrade.

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.

There are plenty of eco-friendly presents available for the men in your life. But if bamboo socks aren't just what you're after - although they're probably very comfy - check out our five top choices for ethical presents to put under the tree this Christmas.

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!).

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.

Whenever you mention organic most people immediately think of food. Truth is that you can lead a very 'organic lifestyle' these days from food and clothes to beauty essentials. With September being Organic month, we've had a look at some of the many products out there which are produced according to organic principles. First up: bath and beauty.

Your skin is the largest organ of your body and whatever you put on it can be absorbed - much like you are what you eat. As people have become more interested in using more naturally sustainable products in their lives we've seen a growing number of organic skincare and beauty products hit the market - and they're not too badly priced either! However, unlike food, there are no legal standards to follow for organic beauty products so if you're really after living an organic lifestyle you should check each product before you buy it. Look out for brands that follow the COSMetics Organic Standard, or Cosmos-standard and will be labelled with one or more of the following:

Here are our four picks from the bunch that lets you introduce a bit more 'naturalness' into your bath and beauty regime:

Organic Surge Peach Passion Shower gel (£3.99/250ml)

An everyday essential - who doesn't shower - the Organic Surge peach passion shower gel is packed with organic peach extract and almond essential oil that will calm and condition your skin.

The scent itself makes you want to eat this shower gel. Blended without the use of parabens, sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate and synthetic fragrances, it also contains Vitamin E so leaves your skin feeling smooth and soft and ready for the day. And if you are prone to irritated skin, the gel is clinically certified for sensitive skin so it is perfect for all skin types.

Available in Wholefoods, John Lewis, Ocado, Fresh & Wild and Waitrose.

OCS Aqua Boost Shampoo and Conditioner (£10.95)

A favourite of celebrities, OCS's haircare and styling products are the ultimate choice for your tresses. Using Soil Association and ECOCERT certified organic ingredients (and carrying the Bunny Logo) the products use gentle, nourishing and natural ingredients like sunflower oil (a natural UV inhibitor), fennel seed, comfrey and wheat for conditioning and bergamot fruit oil for antiseptic properties.

We've been testing the Aqua Boost shampoo and conditioner on our over-treated, over-coloured locks for a few weeks now, and our hair is definitely feeling softer and looks more shiny! And the fact that it smelled like a sweet shop makes the experience even... well sweeter.

For stockist details call 01590 613 490 or visit the OCS website.

Aubrey Organics Collagen & Almond Enriching Moisturising Lotion (£11.72/237ml)

When you're nice and clean, don't forget to treat your body to some added protection against the harsh environment - especially important during winter - with a good body lotion. You can be certain you're in safe hands by going with this one from Aubrey Organics. The brand was set up by US ecologist Aubrey Hampton and was the first brand in the world to receive organic accreditation.

Made with collagen and elastin, proteins found in your skin, plus rich moisturising almond oil, this replenishing body lotion promises to smooth and hydrate, leaving your skin soft, youthful and delicately fragrant.

Available online at www.aubreyorganicsuk.co.uk

Mádara Deep Moisture Cream (£24)

Add a bit of luxury to your daily organic skincare regime with Mádara's moisturising cream. Part of a range of eco-friendly skincare products that is certified by ECOCERT, the Deep Moisture Cream promises to hydrate, firm and nourish the skin. It contains Baltic algae, oats, plantain, rosehip, sea bucktorn as well as rose water, avocado, cocoa and jojoba.

But ladies be aware: the sleek design and fresh fragrance makes it a favourite with men too, so don't be surprised if you find you're running out quickly!

Available in Wholefoods or online www.madara.co.uk

(Image from here)

The Government's Climate Change act has committed Britain to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to an 80% reduction by 2050, with the aim of a 34% cut by 2030. While buying organic was a massive trend in the late 90s, the movement has in more recent years been pushed aside for other green ways of living such as growing your own and buying locally. But organic is not gone and forgotten and September is Organic Month.

To hit the governments targets we must all make fundamental changes to the way we farm, process, distribute prepare and eat our food over the next twenty years says the Soil Association. We all have to think about how we can encourage climate-friendly food production that is less dependent on oil-based fertilisers and pesticides

Organic farmers adhere to a strict set of standards that define what they can and can't do, and that really takes wildlife and environment protection into consideration. Check out the Soil Association website for the rules and regulations of organic farming.

But buying organic is not just about the farming, it also trickles into health and beauty products; it is about food and products that are good for you, good for animals and good for the environment - it is a way of life. Throughout September we'll bring you stories to tie in with living an organic lifestyle and what you can do to get involved. So keep checking in!

September is finally upon us and with it comes double cause for elation. While the fashionista in us can make merriment with London Fashion Week (and all the goings-on and prep surrounding it), the determinedly green side of us can also embrace Organic September. What's more, the coming week marks Wool Week, dedicated to ensuring that sheep may safely graze (thanks J.S Bach).

To celebrate this wooly week, John Lewis are set to launch a Cornish Organic Wool range certified by the Soil Association, which proudly ticks every box of THE international standard for organic textiles.

COW was founded by Matt and Julia Hopson and is based in Penzance in Cornwall (which you probably gathered). Matt expresses delight in being able to see his quality spun yarn make the high street and over at John Lewis, Haberdashery buyer Sam Drysdale says: "Our customers are increasingly interested in provenance." It's with some intrigue then (I think, anyway!) that shoppers will learn the new range is sourced from Prince Charles's Duchy Home Farm.

Look out for the the Organic John Lewis range next week in London's Oxford Street branch!

Mrs Orlando Bloom, Miranda Kerr counts Rosehip oil as one of the essential products every woman should keep in their handbag.

The Australian model and mother-of-one finds the essential oil is particularly useful as a make-up remover and that it can also be a useful tool to protect against the effects of exposure to the sun and ageing.

Miranda said: "Essential Fatty Acids main function is their ability to counteract the drying effects of sun exposure and other environmental influences that lead to signs of aging and age related skin damage.

"I use this under my moisturiser of an evening and as a makeup remover around my eyes. I also use it more frequently if my skin is particularly dry at any time."

Miranda endorses a brand of Rosehip oil through her KORA Organics range, which she says has a particular blend of ingredients designed to give the optimum care for skin.

Looking in my bag there is no Rosehip oil to be found, but I have heard about its positive effects before so might just have to invest in some...