Cozy Socks, Winter Nights & a guide to Vegan / Cruelty Free Candles.....

When the days grow shorter and the dark of night begins its wintry reign, you know the signal to cozy-up your living space and create a nurturing environment has been officially sounded. A key ingredient in this process is the addition of candles. They provide ambience at dinner parties, set the mood for romantic evenings at home, and even play a role in our spiritual lives, giving our personal spaces a warm, peaceful glow. They smell good, look good, and cast a snuggly light that begs for you to whip up a cup of hot cocoa and settle in for the night. Best of all, today's cruelty-free, alternative-wax candles support our desire to live compassionately while keeping the home fires burning with a cozy warmth.

But did you know that many conventional candles contain harmful ingredients and animal by-products like paraffin, benzene, toluene, lead, parabens, and other artificial fragrances that have been linked to asthma attacks, allergies, eczema, and even lung cancer, with regular exposure?

Most candles are made with paraffin—a petroleum waste-product. When burned, paraffin releases carcinogenic toxins like benzene and soot into the air, which, in addition to being dangerous for your lungs (and your animal companion's lungs), can settle on furniture and countertops, damaging surfaces. A better bet for a soot-free home is soy. That's right: The mighty soybean that yields so many health benefits also lends itself to candles. Natural soy-wax candles are not only healthier for the environment, but more economical, too, because they burn up to 50-percent longer than their paraffin counterparts.

Alongside soy Mother Nature has generously supplied us with another natural source of cruelty-free candle wax in the bayberry. You could call bayberry the "patriotic alternative to paraffin," since colonial Americans were the first to transform the teensy little berry into candle wax. Today, as in the past, bayberry candles enjoy extra popularity around the holidays, when they are burned to bring good luck for the coming year. When scouting for these special candles, be sure the wax consists of pure bayberry (a pleasant, delicate fragrance on its own) and not artificially scented paraffin wax.

My quest for cruelty-free candles made from renewable resources brought me to an unexpected source: palm wax. Like olive oil, palm wax oil is a ”virgin" oil that doesn't require refining—just a bit of filtering and deodorizing. Shaped from the fruit of the oil palm, palm wax candles also burn clean and last longer than those made with paraffin, and are a fabulous alternative to beeswax—the production of which usually involves drug and pesticide treatments, genetic tampering, wing clipping, and the use of manufactured pheromones. There's nothing natural about that.

Once you've made the choice to bring natural-wax candles into your home, be sure any added fragrance is pure, essential oil—otherwise your good intentions will go literally up in smoke as harmful by-products from artificial scents are released into the air.

There is no denying the magic of candlelight. With a little detective work, you can enjoy the beauty and comfort of candles while keeping your home cruelty- and toxin-free.

Candle-buying Guide

 

These online retailers offer candles for the conscious consumer.

 

A Scent of Scandal

This vegan-owned company is committed to creating quality soy-wax candles—and a healthy dose of sass to match. Our favorite scent? Oh Snap! Smells like fresh-baked gingerbread.

Intoxicated Zodiac

There's one of these organic soy-wax candles for every sign of the zodiac. Not into astrology? The packaging is subtle enough that you'll never notice you're actually an Aries.

Pacifica Candles

The company known for its beautifully-designed perfumes also produces a seductive line of scented votives. Try Bourbon Island Vanilla, Zanzibar Cinnamon Almond, or the Indian Chai scent.

SoyBeam

GMO-free soy wax and cotton wicks are just two reasons to love these green candles. With soothing scents such as Lavender & Geranium and Vetiver & Sweet Orange, you'll be relaxed in no time flat.

Yankee Candle

From a small start, Yankee Candle has become the most-recognised name in the candle business worldwide. Today they offer the world’s largest and most compelling selection of scented candles, accessories and home fragrances. All of which are vegan and cruelty free.

Harper’s Candles

Save the best until last they say and Harpers, to me, are they very best. Their candles use no animal products, they are not tested on animals and neither is the wax or the fragrance – and they carry The Vegan Society logo to prove it.  They also support dog sanctuaries with charity candles that have proper donations (£3 from each candle sold). On a green note, the tins can be recycled and they use recycled paper wherever possible. They use high grade soya wax made from 100 percent sustainable resources and as many as possible of the local deliveries are done on foot. Amazing right?!

 

 

Time for Tea........ (with recipe)

 

As the days get colder and the nights get longer nothing warmers your heart like a cup of tea and good boook (yeah I am so rock and roll nowadays!) But tea is more than a beverage, it’s an herbal remedy. This quote describes it well:

 Tea began as a medicine and grew into a beverage. ~Okakura Kakuzō

 Tea is a perfectly simple way to access the health benefits of herbs. The quiet ritual of preparing and sipping a cup of tea is a wonderfully relaxing and peaceful practice. Creating your own tea blends is easy and much less expensive than buying some of the pre-made bags at the store. Homemade tea also makes a delightful gift.

If you ask me what my favourite tea is, Feminine Balance would be my answer. It is amazing for hormone balancing and doubles as a fertility tea. This is based on a formula given to me a few years ago by a friend. This tea is perfect for stress, bad periods, PCOS, and other hormone related symptoms. It helps nourish the body at a cellular level and really get things balanced out.

Here are the herbs in Feminine Balance Tea and what they do for the body:

 

•Alfalfa – promotes estrogen

 •Red Clover Leaf and Blossoms – promotes estrogen

 •Raspberry Leaf – uterine tonic

 •Nettle – bioavailable nutrients, including calcium and magnesium

 •Yarrow – uterine tonic

 •Oatstraw – nourishing

 •Fennel Seed  – carminative (good for digestion); aromatic

 •Rose Petals  – lift spirits

 •Lemon Balm* – lifts spirits, carminative

 •Orange Peel  – catalyst herb; carminative

 •Hibiscus Flowers – vitamin C, flavorful and aromatic

 •Peppermint or Spearmint, or both  – aids digestion, uplifting

 •Vitex – helps balance hormones

 

*Leave out lemon balm if on thyroid medication.

 

How To –

Combine 1 cup of each herb in a large bowl and mix with a wooden spoon. Store in a quart mason jar with lid out of direct sunlight.

 

To Brew -

 

1.1 tsp dry herbs (use 2 TBS herbs if using a quart ball jar) per cup of hot water.

 2.Cover and let steep for at least 20 minutes and up to 8 hours for a more potent infusion.

 3.Sweeten as desired, preferably with coconut sugar or fruit syrup.

 4.Drink up to a quart warm or at room temperature throughout the day.

 

For best results, make sure to drink a quart every day. It really gives you an energy boost and helps with mood levels, anxiety, balancing, nourishment and so many other wonderful things. So put on those fluffy socks, grab your favourite book and enjoy!

Small Business Saturday - The Soap Shack.........

I am a mahoosive supporter of local small businesses and try where ever possible to shop within my local community. I am a very lucky girly and have been adopted by Gods green county itself, Yorkshire. Meaning I am spoilt for choice when it comes to small local businesses. However I do know from literary bestsellers to the latest gadgets, there is no denying that the internet makes it far easier to compare the price of shopping. But the tide is turning and buying locally is the message behind Small Business Saturday.

 And there are plenty of reasons why it is worth going local to support small business Saturday –

1. Your spending will boost the local economy

 Research on spending by local authorities shows that for every £1 spent with a small or medium-sized business 63p stayed in the local economy, compared to 40p with a larger business.

 2. It is the ethical choice

 Buying out-of-season produce, like strawberries in December, lowers your eco-credentials. As does eating veggies and breads that have been flown halfway round the world or wrapped in layers of plastic. When you shop at local bakers, farm shops and green grocers, it is likely that a decent percentage of the produce has had a short field-to-fork journey. Along with supporting local businesses, it means the food is likely to contain more nutrients and have less packaging.

3. They sell quirky, one-off gifts

 Independent shops often stock items which are made locally and aren't available elsewhere: buy a dress by a fledgling designer and there is little chance of turning up to the office Christmas party wearing the same as someone else.

 4. You can help build communities

 Bookshops, cafes and craft shops often drum up custom by hosting events, from book groups to knitting clubs and children's events. If the businesses are not supported, the local groups tend to disappear too.

5. You might get a better deal or some good advice

 Local bakers throw in extra bagels for regulars; grocers give informal 10% discounts; and market stall holders are prepared to negotiate on prices. Independent retailers can use their discretion to reward regular custom, and it can mean you get discounts on the items you actually want to buy, rather than being tempted by multi-buy offers in the big chains.

  So because I am passionate about supporting small businesses and I am an action speaks louder than words kinda gal, every Saturday I will be bigging up my local favourite business in aid of small business Saturday! So with no further ado, let me tell you all about The Soap Shack owned by Helen Watson -

Based in Grimsby The Soap Shack is a local company selling handmade soap, bath bombs and other bath products. I mainly sell from local fairs and markets at the minute but can deliver products and hampers ordered over the telephone, through Facebook or via my email address thesoapshack169@gmail.com. I can make up any size hampers and have a lovely selection of gift wrapping available. I also do party favours which are very popular with little girls and Wedding favours that can be co-ordinated with your stationary and colour scheme. All products are paraben and cruelty free with most being suitable for vegans

https://www.facebook.com/thesoapshack

 thesoapshack169@gmail.com