The device you're looking at is the Batter Blaster pancake spray. 'Just shake, point, blast and cook!' say the makers. Not words I'd EVER want to here at the start of a meal...
So imagine my surprise when what is surely the laziest and least nutritious method of food production yet known to man turned out to be certified organic in the States, by respected National Organic Standards Board. I'm not sure I can quite bring myself to nominate it as organic treat of the week, but if anyone's tried making one I'd be interested to know if it's really as easy to use as the video suggests. Follow the jump to see the Blaster in action! [Via Shiny Shiny]
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Sainsbury’s Organic You skincare and body care collection is the latest move in Sainsbury's commitment to going organic. The range is certified by the Soil Association and all products contain a minimum of 70% organic ingredients. The organic ingredients are sourced from around the world and include soya bean, paprika and essential oils. It's very reasonable for an organic range with all prices £8 or lower - a good sign that what used to be a prohibitively expensive luxury is now hitting the mainstream.
Particularly tempting-sounding is the Rosewater Toner (£5) and the Soothing Sugar Scrub (£8), created from Coconut Oil and Demerara Sugar from Paraguay. [Via Kiss & Makeup]
A new British study has found that many organic products contain higher antioxidant levels, adding further weight to the theory that organic is healthier.
The four-year, £12m study has shown a clear, general trend showing that organic foods contain more of these health-promoting substances. Earlier in the year, similar research proved that organic tomatoes had a significantly higher flavenoid content; a substance that has been shown to fight some types of heart disease and cancer. But the new study goes further, showing benefits to organic fruit, milk and vegetables of all types.
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Earlier this month, the Soil Association found itself in an awkward position over its proposed ban on certifying air freighted food. A decision has now been reached on how to end the standoff between lowering C02 emissions on the one hand, and risking the livelihoods of third world farmers on the other.
In future, it was decided, air freighted food can only be certified organic if it can be shown to meet the Soil Association’s own Ethical Trade standards or the Fairtrade Foundation’s standards. This essentially means that the Soil Association will certify flown-in products, only if it can be shown to deliver genuine benefits for farmers in developing countries.
At present, less than 1% of all organic imports coming into the UK are air-freighted, but bearing in mind that air freighting generates 177 more greenhouse gases than shipping, the Soil Association was right to raise this potentially problematic issue.
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Dam Tam is a London-based company specialising in organic, ethically produced, eco friendly baby clothes. Their styles err more in the direction of minimalist baby fashion - using block colours and simple patterns - than the cartoony side of baby fashion, but this is no bad thing... I defy anyone not to adore these fairtrade organic cotton spotty trousers, or this organic cotton pink banana beany hat! This is baby fashion to appeal to stylish adults as well as babies (it's just a shame their gorgeous stripey organic babygro doesn't come in my size...).
It is evident throughout the site that the company is run exclusively by mothers - they even offer washing advice for their clothes tailored for babies with sensitive skin, as well as a links page full of useful sites for the green-minded mother.
Related: Kit N Kin street style baby gear
I've heard of organic search engines before, but Google has decided to go organic in the more eco-friendly sense, with the launch of a fun clothing and accessories line. Not only have they chosen organic fabric in the new range, but much of it is also made from organic bamboo, of which we heartily approve!
The ladies' tees pictured above are 100% organic bamboo and cotton, while the travel organiser is organic cotton and hemp. All are available via the Google store. [Via EcoFriend]
Want to make sure you don't get the requisite garish pair of socks and large box of non-vegan chocolates for Christmas this year? Fed up with people forgetting your birthday? You could do a lot worse than making your way to the award-winning Natural Collection website. Once you're there, you can browse the fabulous range of products and make yourself a Gift List filled with deeply desirable eco-friendly treats.
With goodies ranging from beautiful items of fairly traded jewellery to handy and affordable eco-gadgets, and from eco-friendly baby accessories to green accessories for the office or study, I defy anyone not to find something they want on this site. Start securing yourself a Cool Yule now, and ward off the mouldy old Quality Street and the nasty socks before they're even a twinkle in the mother-in-law's eye!
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