This month I discovered a range of delicious foods, upgraded my skincare routine and invested in environmentally friendly products that I will benefit from for years to come!
Eco Tools Dry Body Brush
The first purchase of April was the Eco Tools Dry Body Brush that I sourced in Boots. Inspired by spa treatments, dry brushing is used to remove dead skin cells, improve blood circulation and detoxify. It can reduce the appearance of cellulite and actively encourages your skin to absorb nutrients. By brushing upwards toward the heart, you get your blood flowing and your skin feeling soft afterwards. I am looking forward to reaping all of the benefits of this new addition to my skincare routine!
A top tip – jump in the shower straight after to wash off the dead skin cells and moisturise.
Bamboo Toothbrush
After eyeing up the bamboo alternatives online, I finally gave in and purchased one locally. Over one billion plastic toothbrushes are discarded per year, all of which do not degrade. Upgrading to a more eco-friendly alternative seems to be the way forward. Made from BPA polymer free resistant fibres and 100% biodegradable bamboo properties, this is a huge improvement on the everyday plastic toothbrush many of us own. The firm bristles take a while to get used to, the first brush may irritate your gums and cause a little bleeding. However, upon regular use, the bristles soften and the brush becomes easier to adjust to.
Top tip; ensure you allow the brush and bamboo end to dry completely after each use to stop a bacteria build up.
KeepCup
I’m going to admit, I have a slight addiction to Costa. Give me a Soya latte any day and I’m all yours. However, grabbing coffee on the go isn’t great for the environment. 2.5 billion of the non-recyclable cups are thrown away a year in the UK, many of which are wrongly placed in recycling bins in the hopes that they will find their way back into our hands.
Finally, the time had come to trade in the disposable for an ethical and durable alternative: the Keep Cup. The Australian brand provides customers with a wide range of cups to choose from in different colours, sizes and materials. I chose the Blossom Keep Cup in the 12oz size which resonates with the likes of a barista’s size small. Lightweight and unbreakable, this product is made from BPA and BPS free materials and is dishwasher safe. Easily the best product I have purchased this year and one that will benefit for years to come.
ElizabethDBakes Vegan Cakes
Upon visiting my family for my the long Easter weekend, a belated array of birthday cakes awaited my arrival. Ordered via Yumbles, an all natural online food marketplace, my mum had stumbled across ElizabethDBakes – handmade vegan cakes. She purchased the Vegan & Gluten-Free Loaf Selection Box which came with banana bread and a carrot loaf topped with walnuts and a lime glaze. The Carrot Loaf was by far the most delicious – moist, flavoursome and rounded off with the tangy glaze. The Banana Bread was quite a lot sweeter with nut pieces decorated throughout to give it a crunchy texture but nonetheless, a great choice.
Inner Decay Patch
Inner Decay is a pin and patch maker and seller from Canada. As a birthday gift, I received the Lotus Patch, a 3 inch wide gold and glossy black iron-on number that embodies the Lotus and all that it represents. I set this beautiful patch upon a cotton black sweatshirt to give it an edge and to make a unique garment I can wear for years to come!
One Planet Pizza
Am I dreaming or did somebody say readymade vegan pizza? One Planet Pizza is the UK’s first frozen vegan pizza company. Using Sheese Cheese from Bute Island Foods, the pizzas are handmade in East Anglia using locally sourced ingredients and with added flax and chia for an Omega 3 boost. They currently have four flavours on offer; Hawaiian, Exotic Funghi Feast, Three Sheese Margherita and Mediterranean Roasted Vegetable. Sourced from The Natural Way health food store in Braintree, I tried the roasted vegetable flavour which was packed full of delicious ingredients including olives that marry the cheese perfectly. It was cooked in 20 minutes with the crunchiest crust going, a real advance on making vegan pizza from scratch at home. I cannot wait for these to hit mainstream supermarkets and became available all over the UK!
Loving Earth Salted Caramel Swayzee Chocolate
Trying new vegan snacks is a monthly must. It is even better when they are of the healthier kind with raw and organic ingredients. Made from minimal ingredients, the Loving Earth Salted Caramel Swayzee bar contains 50% raw cacao, coconut nectar, raw cashews and coconut oil amongst pink salt and spices such as cinnamon. The bar is made up on a salted caramel topping on a later of dark truffle chocolate. The coconut oil is quite a prominent flavour however combines perfectly with the light and crunchy truffle bottom. It is not as moorish as your Vego or Moo bar which makes it all that more enjoyable in small sittings. This bar was £2.99 and packaged in a beautifully patterned yet recyclable cardboard outer with an inner compostable packet. Eco friendly and delicious, what more can a girl ask for?
Have you tried any of these products?
What were your favourites this month?
You can see last month’s favourites here
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