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Cafe-Nueva-lifestyle.jpgAs 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.

ECO CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE: 5 gifts for him

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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.

Pukka launches Ayurveda skincare collection

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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!).

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Organic month: food & drink

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Organic month: bath & beauty

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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:

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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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)

Organic Month: Why buying organic still matters

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food_you_can_trust.jpgThe 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!

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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!

Miranda Kerr's essential Rosehip oil

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miranda_kerr.jpgMrs 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...

All I want for Christmas 12 December: a good book

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eat slow.jpgDespite the iPad taking the world with storm, there is sometimes nothing better than to curl up in the sofa with a good book. For anyone interested in great organic British food, check out the third book in Sawday's hugely successful Go Slow series: Eat Slow Britain.

Take a journey to forty-five of Britain's most special places to eat and meet owners and chefs who grow their own food, source only the very best local produce, and who prepare it all with love and flair - all from the comfort of your own home! Eat Slow Britain is published in collaboration with the Soil Association, and also focuses on some of Britain's best organic food producers.

Discover the flavours of British foods, and meet artisan cheese makers, master bakers, farmers and brewers, and get a couple ideas for your holiday next year too.

Available from the bookshop at Sawday's for £12.99 + delivery.

Photos: Sawday's

Sponsored post

Yeo Valley is making its TV advertising debut during The X Factor tonight (October 9th) with its rapping farmers video. I mean with a name like Yeo Valley I guess they couldn't resist the rap connotation!

Great to see the organic brand - best known for tasty yoghurts - not taking itself too seriously and sending up the rap genre with silver cows on their Massey Ferguson tractors, rather than silver flying ladies on their Rolls Royces!

For more footage check out their YouTube, sorry YeoTube channel, at www.youtube.com/yeotube. You can see the full Yeo Valley rap below. 'Big up your chest, represent the west!'

Top 12: Organic products (part two)

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By Emily Brett

Best Tea

Hari Tea £3.99 from www.yogamatters.com
HariTea.jpgHari make a wonderful range of artesinal blended teas formulated using ancient methods and nestled in organic cotton bags.

Each tea treats a different modern ailment from feeling stressed to feeling a lack of energy.

We loved the Inner Flow teas first thing in the morning. Its uplifting mix of green tea, mint and chilli giving us a kick as strong as an espresso. For those who drink tea to unwind try the Heart Centre Calm: a relaxing mix of chamomile and linden flower.

Best For Face

antiageing facial oil.jpgGreen People AntiAgeing Facial Oil - £16.50 from www.greenpeople.co.uk
Madara Cleanisng Milk £10.50 from www.feelunique.com

There are many fantastic organic products for the face, but we chose two, AntiAgeing Facial Oil from Green People and the Cleansing Milk from Madara. The Green People Oil was perfect for my sensitive skin and massaged in easily to make my skin feel plump and hydrated. It contains Leicithin which reduces 'trans-epidermal retention' and made my skin feel great! Certified by the Organic Food Federation.

The Madara Cleansing Milk was a delight to use. Not too heavy but strong enough to remove all my make up and make me feel squeaky clean. It contains natural essential oils including Calendula.

Best Haircare

Organic Moisturising Lemongrass Shampoo 200ml.jpgToni and Guy Label Organic Moisturising Lemongrass Shampoo and Conditioner from £12.75 at Toni and Guy stores
There are some unusual names producing organic products now and exhibit A is Toni and Guy. This shampoo and conditioner is top quality though and made my hair feel squeaky clean. It smells gorgeous too.

Best Body

massage supersensitive.jpgAromatherapy Associates Support Super Sensitive Massage and Body Oil £33.75 from www.aromatherapyassociates.com
This dream body product contains 100% organic ingredients including jojoba oil and apricot kernel oil. It worked superbly on our tester's sensitive skin and massaged in very easily living no greasy residue. All wrapped up in the signature Aromatherapy Associates frosted glass bottle, this is another worthwhile addition to your beauty regime.

Best for Detox

napiers detox_formula.jpgNapiers Detox Formula £10 from www.napiers.net

This unique formula from legendary Scottish company Napiers contains a mix of herbs such as bladderwack, dandelion, burdock, prunes and artichoke all of which are known to detoxify and cleanse the system.

Using it is simple to use too as you put 10 ml in bottle of water and sip throughout the day. It made me feel less hungry,more energised and helped me to achieve my target of 6-8 target glasses of water a day as it tastes so good.

stella-mccartney-sheer1.jpgBest Perfume

Sheer Stella Organic Rose £36.00 from www.theperfumeshop.com

It is extremely hard to source organic fragrances which smell great and also last all day but we may have found the answer here. Building on Ms McCartney's Sheer fragrance this scent includes a fresh note of organic Rose. The scent is light with overtones of sparkling fruit, delicate floral and soothing amber. All packages in a recyclable glass bottle in the inimitable Stella style.


Top 10 Organic Products - Part One


By Emily Brett

What was the last item of organic food you bought? Answering that question might be straightforward for some, but not everyone. There is still a huge demand for organic food. However with one eye on a faltering economy it seems that shoppers are often plumping for value products rather than organic ones.

With less money in our pockets it seems that we have become smart shoppers and more choosy about the organic products we buy. So to help you out we have compiled a list of products, all of which we have tested and which we think deserve a place in your shopping basket.


Last week I headed west from the West End to deepest Somerset, courtesy of Yeo Valley who bribed me with lots of lovely yoghurt. Must confess I didn't know that much about Yeo Valley beforehand, other than really liking their creamy organic yoghurt (more lemon curd please - it's yummy!)

What I didn't realise is what a huge company they are, producing a whopping 6 to 7 million pots of yoghurt a week, yet still a relatively small player with around 5 per cent market share. Seems they produce the stuff for everyone (Waitrose, Budgens, Tesco, Sainsburys) from their ultra clean Somerset factory with about half of it going out under their own brand name (all organic).

We also toured around the company's various farms with down to earth boss Tim Mead, and checked out a carbon neutral eco barn which is powered with Miscanthus bio-fuel (Elephant grass) grown on their own farms. See image gallery below.

If you're familiar with spending Easter weekend (and the majority of the following week) feeling seriously sick having consumed life-threatening amounts of chocolate, then you'll be glad to hear that this year you can at least do it without feeling guilty.

Fairtrade, organic and otherwise friendly easter eggs mean that you can stuff your face without feeling the slightest bit bad, although we can't do a lot about the sickness. So, we've picked some favourites for the ethical bunny to bring you this Easter.

Click the image below to start the gallery

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yeslube.jpgIf your body is an organic temple, into which you insist on only putting organic substances, then the benefits of this new Soil Association certified intimate lubricant will be obvious - score one! But its good points don't end there: unlike the commonly-found lubes branded by condom companies, this one doesn't scream 'sex!' with its packaging, and comes instead in a subtle and sleek bottle that won't cause any blushes if found.

The closest hint you'll find on a tube of 'Yes' as to what it's used for is a URL and the words 'water based' on the back of the bottle. Hence, no embarrassment if you leave it lying around- unless everyone had read this of course...

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