The Green Familia » Featured Retailers

Get your Glow On Naturally with KARORA Instant Tan

Jo — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:00:29 +0000

Do you think that you are looking a bit pale and pasty skinned now that the New Year has arrived and the holiday festivities have finished? Your budget might not stretch to a holiday in the sun but you want to find a way to achieve that healthy tanned glow in a natural, eco friendly way. Look no further than esteemed Irish brand KARORA, famed for their eco-chic credentials.

The new KARORA Instant Tan for the face, body and legs is the only natural instant tan available on the UK market. It will enhance and hone post-party skin to perfection, leaving you with a sun- kissed glow that will rival any Caribbean tan.

The product is packed full of skin nourishing botanicals to keep your skin smooth and supple. It is easy to apply, leaving no streaks; just a gorgeous bronzed finish that hides imperfections. What’s more the tan is water and transfer resistant, staying put when you want it to, delivering flawless golden skin in an instant that lasts for 24 hours and then washing off.

Forget about pasty, dull and lifeless skin, the KARORA Instant Tan will be your new must-have green product, combining natural and organic formulas with skin firming, anti-ageing and hydrating treatments. You can rest assured that KARORA formulas contain no nasties – no parabens, chemicals, artificial fragrances or dyes. The ingredients include;

Grape Seed Oil – a powerful nutrient and antioxidant, Horse Chestnut Extract – to soothe and minimise the appearance of minor veins and blemishes, Sweet Almond and Macadamia Oil – fine textured, sweet smelling oils to soften the skin, Argan Oil – a signature KARORA ingredient to keep skin intensely moisturised, and Pure Pearl Mineral Powders – to even out skin tone and rejuvenate dull, dry skin for a luminous finish.

KARORA’s Instant Tan is available from KARORA online.

To find out more about KARORA, you can also ‘Like’ them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Magnet’s Kitchen Scrappage Scheme can reduce your Carbon Footprint

Jo — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:27:51 +0000

Magnet, the leading supplier of fitted kitchens, has launched the first kitchen scrappage scheme which allows customers to be eligible for their old kitchen appliances to be taken away and replaced with an energy efficient set. The scrappage scheme will save up to 50% per year on appliance energy bills.

Customers buying a new kitchen from Magnet in October (minimum spend of £4,500 on furniture in the Magnet autumn sale excluding installation and appliances) will qualify to have their existing appliances replaced with £1,560 of brand new energy efficient appliances free of charge.

As part of the scheme, if you choose Magnet to install the kitchen, they will remove the old kitchen and appliances and dispose of them according to EU regulations. A local authority charge will be made for fridge removal.

By replacing an old fridge, oven and washing machine with more energy efficient models you can save the average household £73 per year in electricity bills – that’s 18% off the annual bill (based on an annual bill of £370).

Replacing old appliances can reduce a household’s carbon footprint by 500 KgCO² per year – the equivalent of three petrol tanks worth of CO² saving! Magnet has teamed up with some of the world’s leading appliance manufacturers for the scheme and, if you buy now, you can have a brand new energy efficient kitchen installed in time for Christmas.

The pack consists of AEG appliances that boast the most energy efficient specifications currently on the market. It includes a dishwasher, single fan oven and built under larder fridge.

Magnet is still offering 50% off all cabinets during the autumn half price sale. So reduce your annual carbon footprint and take advantage of the scrappage scheme from Magnet, but hurry because the scheme is only available until the end of October.

Contact Magnet for more information or find them on Facebook here.

Asquith London – Ethically Produced Organic Lifestyle Clothing

Jo — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 15:49:43 +0000

Have you been looking for organic clothing that has been ethically produced that fits in with your busy lifestyle? Look no more. Asquith London has a range of quality and stylish garments that are classic, elegant and comfortable that are perfect for yoga, Pilates, fitness activities and spa wear.

The Asquith London certified organic cotton and bamboo lifestyle and yoga clothing label for women was set up in 2002 by British designer Alice Asquith. It is a versatile range that provides the ultimate ethical lifestyle solution designed for complete comfort and total freedom of movement and, what’s more, the clothes won’t shrink, fade, bobble or stretch.

The clothes not only look good, they have a flattering fit and the fabrics feel fabulous against your skin. Soft layering creates elegant outfits helping you to feel good both inside and out, ideal for travelling, running around town or relaxing at home. Yes, you can feel feminine and have an active lifestyle!

Each garment has been very specifically designed to ensure:

Pure comfort – no tight elastic bands dig into the hips or waist giving complete freedom of movement

100% Support – the designs along with the weight of the fabric and the percentage of Elastane in the fabric ensures that there is no need to wear a bra

Versatility –wear the range at yoga, Pilates, gym, as well as for spa and leisure wear

Timelessness – the designs will never be out of fashion – they are elegant and classic

Ageless – the range is designed for anyone aged 30’s – 60’s…

TGF readers can take advantage of an exclusive 20% off Asquith London clothing until November 30th 2011. Simply visit www.asquithlondon.com and type FAMILIA20 into the promotional code box when placing your order to receive your 20% exclusive discount.

To see the whole range go to Asquith London here, and you can also ‘Follow’ them on Twitter, and ‘Like’ them on Facebook.

BlablaCar – An Environmentally Friendly Way to Travel

Jo — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 15:39:16 +0000

We all know that driving a car is not good for the environment, and with fuel prices constantly on the rise and global warming becoming a very real concern, carpooling is one of the best ways to save moneyand to combat air pollution. It makes sense, doesn’t it? Fewer cars on the roads, better air quality, and a chance to make new friends.

BlablaCar is a new service that hooks up people looking for a ride with drivers who have empty seats. The concept is simple but unique. Maybe you travel alone on a regular basis, whether it is to work, to visit family at the weekends, or to participate in leisure activities. All you do is post your journey on www.blablacar.com with a set price for passengers. People who are looking for a ride can see who is travelling in their direction and book their seat. There is a clever rating system on the site whereby the passenger rates the driver after the trip, and vice-versa, ensuring an element of trust and reliability on both parts. Using BlablaCar is an effective way of social networking.

There are already 1.5 million members sharing more than six million trips per year in France and Spain, and more recently in the UK. BlablaCar has grown into Europe’s most active people-to-people car sharing community in just a few years, and has recently announced that its community has shared over 1 billion kilometres on the road! BlablaCar drivers have saved over £100m since January 2009, making it one of the best money saving sites for motorists. What’s more they have stopped 200,000 tons of CO2 from polluting the atmosphere.

So if you are a driver that is looking to save money on your running costs, or a passenger who is finding that travel costs are becoming prohibitive, there can be no better way to help the budget than car pooling with BlablaCar.

One lucky UK driver could earn £500. If you are travelling between the North West and London, post your trip on BlablaCar and if one of their team members contacts you on the site, acting as a genuine passenger, and likes you they may select you to be the fortunate recipient of the money. To take advantage of this great opportunity, visit BlablaCar London2NW here, and make sure you check out the video below.

TGF thinks that BlablaCar not only has a really cool name, but it is a real alternative to single driver commuting, cuts costs, is an opportunity to meet new people and, best of all, it is an environmentally friendly way to travel.

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Guest Post: 5 eco-friendly ways to save money in your home

Brenda — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:00:11 +0000

Making your home more eco-friendly isn’t only good news for the planet – it’s also good news for your wallet. By embracing a greener way of living, you can help improve your home’s eco credentials while also saving yourself some money into the bargain. Here are 5 eco-savvy suggestions:

1.Solar panels

Due to the government’s feed-in tariff incentive, solar panels on your home could actually make you money. Of course, there is an initial financial outlay, but after that you can save money on your energy bills as well as selling any excess power back to the national grid for profit.

Alternatively, you could take advantage of one of the schemes that offers free panel installation. This would mean that the installation company would make the money from the sale of power – but you’d still benefit from cheaper energy bills. Read more here.

Remember, always inform your home insurance provider about any large modifications such as this. If you fail to inform them, you could risk invalidating your cover.

2.Insulation

A well-insulated house will require less energy to keep it warm. This makes it better for the environment as well as saving you money. Cavity wall insulation and double-glazing are two of the best methods to conserve energy in your home. Insulating cavity walls reduces heat loss and can save you around £110 a year on your fuel bills.

3.Turn it down

Turning your thermostat down, even by just 1 degree, can help reduce the amount of energy used daily in your home. Reducing your room temperature by 1°C could cut your heating bills by up to 10 percent and typically saves around £50 per year. Also, is your water too hot? Your cylinder thermostat should be set at around 60°C/140°F

4.Don’t be wasteful

Don’t leave electrical items on standby or on charge unnecessarily; turn them off completely when they’re not in use.

Try to fill up with full loads in your washing machine and dishwasher – rather than doing two half-full cycles.

Consider fitting a ‘low-flow’ shower head which could help reduce your water bills and the amount of water wasted.

5.Better bulbs

Consider switching to energy-saving light bulbs – they last up to 10 times longer than ordinary bulbs and using one can save you around £45 over the lifetime of the bulb. It’s such a simple step that’s so easy and effective to do.

This article was written by Policy Expert who are insurance specialists, providing house insurance to homeowners in the UK. You can use their website to compare quotes and buy online.

Nine in Ten Skin Specialists Claim Eczema Rise in Children

Jo — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 11:00:53 +0000

Recent research released by the British Skin Foundation found that nine out of ten skin specialists felt that childhood eczema had increased over the last three years to a problematic scale. An overwhelming 108 (88%) of the 123 respondents surveyed stated they felt childhood eczemawas the biggest issue in childhood skin disease, with levels of childhood eczema seen in the UK now ranking amongst the highest in the World.

The Foundation suggests that increased disruption of the baby’s skin barrier from greater use of soaps, shower gels and harsh cleaning products may in part explain the rise.

Organic Monkey doesn’t use any harsh chemicals in its formulas and selects only the finest pure, natural and organic ingredients to protect, nourish and soothe even the most sensitive of skin.

Here are Organic Monkey’s top three tips for healthy baby skin:

1. Never use regular soap on your baby’s skin as it will dry the skin out. Avoid harsh skin irritants including; Parabens, Sulphates, Petrochemicals, Artificial fragrances and colours.

2. Opt for non-biological, fragrance-free washing products for baby’s clothes. General detergents contain high levels of harsh synthetics and preservatives which can irritate a baby’s sensitive skin.

3. Choose clothes and bed linen with a natural fabric, such as organic cotton, which will allow your baby’s skin to breathe more easily. Wash bed linen regularly to avoid mites and dust, which can have a negative effect on your baby’s skin.

Organic Monkey can help you make sure that your baby’s skin benefits from truly organic, effective and ethical products. Protect your baby’s skin from harsh cleansing products by using the following from the Organic Monkey skincare for babies and toddlers range:

Hello Mellow’ Organic Massage Oil £12.00 (125ml) - comprises of a delicate blend of nourishing organic oils to moisturise the skin with a hint of organic Sweet Orange, Lavender and Roman Chamomile essential oils to aid well-being and help soothe restlessness and hyperactivity. Also available unscented.

‘Bumfluff’ Organic Nappy Balm £10.50 (50ml) – keep your little monkeys bottom in peachy condition with this highly effective organic balm. Made with a blend of Fairtrade Shea Butter and organic Lavender and Roman Chamomile essential oils to nourish and protect against conditions that may lead to nappy rash. Also available unscented.

‘Cheeky Monkey’ Organic Cheek Rub Oil for Teething £7.50 (30ml) - made up of a soothing blend of organic ingredients combining Arnica, Sweet Almond, Olive and Sunflower oils with organic Roman Chamomile, Lavender and Spearmint essential oils to help calm and relieve.

The full collection includes; ‘Rock the Cradle’ Organic Scalp Oil, ‘Belly Better’ Organic Tummy Oil (both £7.50 for 30ml) and three gift sets.

Organic Monkey was set up by mums for mums, with the aim of creating beautiful products that are not only effective but organic, fair and made with the best quality ingredients and free from harmful toxins. For your baby’s sake try them today.

Sticky Fingers Need an Organic Sticky Hand Sanitiser

Jo — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 08:00:13 +0000

Kids just love sticky fingers, or rather they love getting their fingers sticky! Now Mum’s can make cleaning hands fun, for both parties concerned. The new Green People Organic Sticky Hand Sanitiser comes in an easy to use pump that dispenses a light, bubbly foam. Rub the foam straight onto little hands, or even squirt onto a cloth to clean sticky faces.

The key anti-bacterial ingredient in the Sticky Hand Sanitiser is a Tea Tree extract which also has powerful antiseptic properties. Studies show no evidence of microbial resistance developing, unlike with Triclosan, the most widely used synthetic antimicrobial used in mainstream hand sanitisers.

The pump is handy for on-the-go germ zapping, and easy to carry around. What is even better is that there is no need to wash off or worry if the kids lick their hands because the Organic Sticky Hand Sanitiser is safe to ingest. Made with more than 96% certified organic ingredients the gentle citrus scented foam leaves even sensitive hands and faces super soft and is suitable for little ones prone to eczema. Organic Children’s Sticky Hand Sanitiser is a great alternative to mainstream hand sanitisers that use chemical ingredients such as alcohol which can strip and dry out the skin.

Perfect for days out and easy to use after every nappy change, the sanitiser is a great ‘eco buy’ as you get up to 200 squirts per bottle. Don’t think that the sanitiser is only for use on children though as it is a really versatile, multi-tasking product that can be used on adults, work surfaces, toys and furniture as well!

HomeSun – Save the Planet with Solar Panels!

Jo — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:00:11 +0000

It’s a huge statement “Save the Planet with Solar Panels”, and TGF knows that it might take quite some time to do that, but at least we can all help. Installing Solar Panels in your home is certainly a start and one that will definitely reduce carbon emissions. So come out of the shade and into the sun!

HomeSun is a company committed to protecting the environment, making home renewable energy commonplace whilst at the same time delivering financial savings to home owners within the UK. A Free HomeSun Solar installation could drastically reduce your fuel bills. Find out here how you can save money while energy prices rise.

HomeSun works with the Government backed Feed-in Tariffs to ensure that you have more options for installing solar panels at low or zero cost and cutting electricity bills by a third.

Solar Panel installations are commonplace in countries where the sun shines more consistently than in the UK, but more and more people are jumping on the bandwagon knowing that they are helping in the battle against unsustainable energy resources. Looking into the future it will be homes that aren’t self sufficient that will be in the minority. Generating your own energy will save money, improve the value of your home and cut carbon emissions.

Here at TGF we are always on the lookout for ways to combat unsustainable ways of living. Simply making the effort to switch off your computer monitor, and turning off or unplugging your printer and speakers can make a small difference. Don’t forget to turn off the lights every time you leave the room, something that our parents’ generation did routinely, but which we now often forget to do

We can all do our part and work together to reduce energy use and counteract the negative impact on our planet, and HomeSun is ideally placed to help us do this. Solar Panels are the green option, so contact HomeSun now to find out how they can help you.

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Organic Babies – Mum and Baby Rescue Balm

Jo — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:00:46 +0000

Launching this October is a new ‘wonder product’ from Organic Babies. A ‘magic’ skin rescue balm that is naturally soothing and suitable for both Mums and Babies. Perfect for naturally soothing sore nipples on nursing Mums, and also for helping to soften the perineum for birth.

Mum & Baby Rescue Balm uses 95% certified organic ingredients to target skin complaints common to pregnancy, taking care of both new mums and babies. Key ingredients include Organic Shea Butter to gently soothe dry skin, Organic Calendula and Vitamin E to soothe sore cracked nipples during breastfeeding and a trio of Sunflower, Sweet Almond and Hemp Seed oils to help soften the perineum in preparation for labour. Vitamin E soothes sore and cracked nipples during breastfeeding.

This new balm is a multi purpose ‘must have’ product for those prone to Eczema, psoriasis and other skin irritations, rich in Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids that are essential for healthy skin. Ideal for use on ultra dry skin, the balm is scent free and mild and gentle enough for frequent use.

A great gift for someone about to give birth. Pamper Mum and baby in one go. Mum and Baby Rescue Balm is available online at Organic Babies or Green People.

A Healthy Silent Night for Mamas and Papas

Jo — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:00:36 +0000

Are you suffering from sleepless nights? Have you got a new baby in the family who is not sleeping well? We all know that a good night’s sleep is essential for the health and wellbeing of both parent and baby, and choosing the right cot mattress is vitally important.

Silentnight, the UK’s largest manufacturer of branded beds for the home, has joined partnership exclusively with Mamas & Papas, the leading brand for baby products, to launch a new range of cotbed mattresses under Silentnight’s ‘SleepHealthy’ brand, ensuring babies enjoy healthy, cool and comfortable sleep, and giving parents peace of mind.

The two new mattresses, the Aura 400 and the Aura Deluze 400, both feature Silentnight’s new Ecobreathe Fibre™. The benefits of using Ecobreathe Fibre™ is that breathable fibres are scientifically proven to stay cooler for comfortable and healthy sleep. They are clean, safe and hypoallergenic and contain no chemicals, odours or Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s). On top of that the cot mattresses use planet friendly polyester fibre, made from 50% recycled PET bottles, making the mattress 100% recyclable

The Aura 400 has an Ecobreathe Fibre™ core for superior support with a mesh border to allow air to circulate freely – scientifically proven to keep the mattress cooler for healthy, comfortable sleep. The Aura Deluxe 400 has mini pocket springs that adapt to the pressure of a baby’s body for optimum support, while the comfortable EcoBreathe Fibre™ and mesh border allow air to circulate freely. Both mattresses feature Silentnight’s allergy UK approved Purotex which is full of probiotics for a naturally hygienic and dust-mite free mattress. The soft mattress cover is removable for washing at 40° and a moveable waterproof membrane protects the mattress interior, making it practical and enduring.

The Aura 400 and the Aura Deluxe 400 are available in-store and online exclusively from Mamas & Papas.