Sustainably Simple

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Sustainable Gift Guide: For the Tea Drinker

Published by Rachel Elms

“For the Tea Drinker” is the second of my sustainable gift guides that will have you cosying up on the sofa this christmas!

Whether you’re looking for some calming chai, a herbal infusion or perhaps a quirky set of tea cups, you will find everything here.

You can win Hampstead Tea’s aromatic spiced chai in my giveaway later this month!

One of my new favourite brands is Hampstead Tea, an ethical tea company that sources its teas from Makaibari – the first biodynamic tea estate in the world! If you are unfamiliar with this term “biodynamic” (as I was) then it is basically a fancy term meaning that the animals, plants, people and soil all work together to create a forever living environment.

Achieving this certification is something that their founder, Kiran, was hugely proud of – and rightly so! By growing tea in such a way that takes into account the wider ecosystem of the estate, Hampstead Tea are able to maintain total harmony with nature. In fact, even Prince Charles has recognised their incredible achievements by awarding Hampstead Tea the “Best in Category” at the Organic Food Awards!

Makaibari was the first biodynamic tea estate in the world! (Photo credit: Hampstead Tea)

Hold on until 17th December for your chance to win a box of Hampstead Tea’s aromatic Spiced Chai as well as an exclusive selection of their other teas!

The gift guide:

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1. Nkuku – Indigo Drop Mug £12.95

Handmade in Vietnam by artisan potters using age-old techniques.

2. Kamili Designs – Giraffe Tea Cosy £14.00

Kamili Designs is based in Kenya and makes unique designs such as this cute tea cosy.

3. Hampstead Tea – Organic Energy Spiced Chai £2.59

Organic blend of spiced chai from Hampstead Tea – the first biodynamic tea brand!

4. Rhoeco Organic Herbal Tea Loose Leaf Blend £10.00

Grow your own special blend with this organic seed stick.

5. Daylesford – Organic Cranberry & Orange Spelt Cookies £4.99

Handbaked using the highest quality local ingredients, we couldn’t create this list without some cookies to eat with your tea!

6. Charitea – Organic Rooibos Tea £4.11

Fairtrade iced tea made from only organic ingredients. 5p from every bottle sold is donated to the non-profit Lemonaid & Charitea Foundation.

Sustainable Gift Guide: For the Chocoholic

Published by Rachel Elms

“For the Chocoholic” is the first of my sustainable gift guides that will appeal to the chocolate lovers amongst you!

Along with every other day of the year, chocolate is the perfect indulgent gift to give at Christmas. Luckily, you don’t have to feel quite so guilty when purchasing chocolate this festive season as the great brands below are working to ensure our indulgences are offset by their inspiring ethical standards.

But, before I begin, let me introduce you to Arthouse Meath – a lovely social enterprise that offers a real sense of purpose to a group of talented artists with learning disabilities. These artists work alongside instructors to create beautiful artworks that are then developed into products including cards, soaps, candles, wrapping paper, jewellery and … confectionary!

Meet the artists:

Elanor Sinden (Photo credit: Arthouse Meath)

Amanda Leigh (Photo credit: Arthouse Meath)

Peter Andrews (Photo credit: Arthouse Meath)

Inspired to support Arthouse Meath this christmas? If so, then you’ll be pleased to know that they have sent over a bar of Raw Organic Silk Chocolate for Sustainably Simple’s giveaway – hold on until 17th December for your chance to win!

The gift guide:

1. Coco Chocolatier – Gin & Tonic Dark Chocolate £4.50

An advocate of organic farming and ethical trading, Coco produces all its chocolates in Edinburgh.

2. Cocoa Locoa – Christmas Pudding Chocolate £3.49

Organic and fairtrade certified chocolate to hang on your christmas tree!

3. Rococo – Gingerbread Spice Milk Chocolate £5.95

Ethical chocolates sourced from an organic cocoa farm in Grenada.

4. Arthouse Meath – Raw Organic Silk Chocolate £5.95

Organic chocolate wrapped in Peter Andrews’ evocative painting.

5. Divine – Limited Edition Milk Chocolate with Spiced Cookies £2.40

Divine is 100% fairtrade and owned by cocoa farmers – support them with this year with a limited edition chocolate bar.

6. Raw Halo – Christmas Wishes Gift Box £18.99

Treat someone with a selection of christmas inspired raw organic chocolates.

And some more … we recommend as stocking fillers!

Could Retail Be Reinvented Sustainably?

Published by Rachel Elms

Bottletop, a sustainable luxury brand that designs bags and accessories using sustainably sourced materials, opened their flagship store on Regent Street in London last Friday 17th November.

Founded by Cameron Saul, together with Roger Saul the founder of Mulberry, Bottletop is loved by the fashion elite from Anna Wintour to Clare Danes.

Posing the question “could retail be reinvented sustainably” Bottletop set out to do something a little different with their retail space, hiring robots to create the store using upcycled plastic collected from India.

The result is really quite impressive. After all, what better way to see plastic waste being used?! Better at least than polluting our oceans as I discussed in my latest post.

But I imagine that passersby who are not immediately captivated by the sustainable story behind the store, are instead drawn in by Bottletop’s futuristic decor.

The recycled tin cans that line the ceiling, the robot in the window, the bright lights and the metallic accessories on display all create a visual feast for the eyes.

Yet it is not only the retail space that has been created using upcycled materials – every product that Bottletop sells from totes and clutches to backpacks and belts have all been innovatively designed using upcycled materials such as bottletops and ring pulls!

But perhaps what I love most is that every product is made by local artisans in the developing world who are taught traditional crafting skills by the Bottletop Foundation and guaranteed a fair wage.

The foundation also raises funds and awareness to educate young people in Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Brazil and the UK on teenage health issues such as HIV/ AIDS, drug abuse and pregnancy.

So far they have supported over 35,000 young people worldwide.

So with sustainable materials at the heart of their mission, Bottletop have successfully proven that retail can exist sustainably, empowering communities that need employment along the way.

If you’re interested in the story behind Bottletop then you can find out more via their website here or you can pop into their store on Regent Street – their stylish statement accessories might just be one for the Christmas list!

The Last Straw – How to Save our Oceans

Published by Rachel Elms

Watching the BBC’s Blue Planet has reminded me just how important it is that we save our oceans from the ever worsening impact of plastic pollution.

It is remarkable that whatever you do, no matter how far away you are from the sea, there’s a very real chance that your waste is ending up there.

It is not ok to think that this is an issue far removed from yourself because you do not live on the coast. It is an issue that connects us all and has far reaching impacts for us all.

So what are the impacts?

Earlier this year I watched A Plastic Ocean and was shocked to learn that 8-12 million tonnes of plastic end up in our oceans each year. Sadly, this plastic causes serious harm to thousands of marine animals through ingestion or entanglement.

Perhaps even more worrying is that plastic does not degrade or decompose. Instead it breaks down into tiny particles called microplastics that attract toxins. The implications of these toxins passing up the food chain to us (through drinking water or eating sea food) could be devastating.

Plastic is becoming embedded into many marine environments such as coral reefs

“There is no ‘away’. Because plastic is so permanent and so indestructible. When you cast it into the ocean, it does not go away”

Sir David Attenborough

E0803E6F-7FA6-4343-9772-A545008EEC7C — Thousands of sea turtles die from plastic pollution each year

But there is some good news – it is actually really easy to help save our oceans. From ditching plastic straws to plastic bags and plastic bottles … all you need to do is say no to single use plastic!

For example, with 550 million plastic straws being thrown away every day, reduce your own consumption with these great alternatives:

For more information visit: BBC One Blue Planet II

Aduna: Making Baobab Famous

Published by Rachel Elms

I first heard of the baobab tree at school when I learnt that that its flowers bloom at night, that its leaves are edible and that its trunk can store hundreds of litres of water.

But, until I was introduced to Aduna, I never knew about the baobab fruit which is one of the most nutrient dense foods in the world.

Baobab contains more antioxidants than any other fruit

In fact, baobab powder is a rich source of vitamin C, contains more antioxidants than any other fruit and is almost 50% fibre!

This means that baobab has amazing health benefits, contributing to normal:

energy release
immune function
skin health

Just as amazing is that Aduna’s baobab range is both 100% organic and 100% natural – baobab powder has a shelf life of 3 years so there is no need for either additives or preservatives!

You can imagine my excitement when I found a baobab tree in Mustique!

But what I love most about Aduna is its mission to create sustainable livelihoods for small-scale farmers in rural Africa.

Through the baobab supply chain, Aduna empowers 700 women who benefit from a fair and regular income in Upper East Ghana – the brand’s social business model means that every single purchase makes a real difference.

You can read the inspiring stories of Akongba Kudara and Weniamo Kwarayire, two Ghanaian baobab producers, here.

It’s easy to add baobab into your daily diet

There’s lots of imaginative ways that you can start incorporating baobab into your diet from stirring it into porridge or baking it into brownies.

Here you can learn to make delicious berry smoothies using Aduna baobab powder.

SERVES 2

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons baobab powder
1 cup blackberries
1 cup raspberries
1/2 cup yoghurt
1/4 cup oats

Plus honey to taste (as much or as little as you like) – I recommend organic varieties such as the RSPB’s organic cloudy honey.

Method:

Whizz all the ingredients in a blender until smooth.
Garnish (I used fresh mint leaves) and serve with a drizzle of honey.

Learn how to make delicious berry smoothies

Frozen blueberries – picked last weekend from our hedgerows

Garnished with fresh mint – another find from the garden!

You’ll not only find baobab at Aduna – you can also buy the super-ingredients Moringa and Super-Cacao.

Cosying up with a hot chocolate last weekend

Keep an eye out on Facebook next week where I’ll be revealing my favourite hot chocolate recipe using another (not so) secret ingredient from Aduna.

*Please note that the the Baobab and Super Cacao you see photographed in these photos were kindly provided to me free of charge by Aduna.

Restoring Mustique’s Coral Reefs

Published by Rachel Elms

This summer I visited Mustique, a small island in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, to celebrate my parents’ 25th wedding anniversary.

We visited local craft markets and food markets, we snorkelled with turtles and sting rays, we went to cocktail parties and beach parties … we even participated in a competitive plastic beach clean!

Undoubtedly, it was one of the most memorable and one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.

Exploring Lagoon Beach

The island’s natural beauty is characterised by pristine white beaches and luscious green forests where you will find tortoises, lizards and land crabs as well as over 50 indigenous species of bird.

Yet the real magic of Mustique lies underneath the sea. Here you can swim alongside turtles, stingrays, lobsters and colourful schools of tropical fish.

The walk back to Lagoon from Gelliceaux Beach

Although Mustique has several coral reefs, these have suffered declines in recent years due to both natural threats (tropical storms) and human threats (pollution, warming waters, ocean acidification).

In response to the challenges facing coral reefs, Mustique’s Environmental Program have implemented a pioneering coral restoration project together with the Coral Restoration Foundation International (CRFI).

Endeavour Bay – to the right of this pier is the “Cotton House Reef”

This restoration project has included the installation of two coral nurseries in Mustique where elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata), blade fire coral (Millepora complanata) and staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) have been planted by the island’s conservation team.

I was fortunate enough to meet Nakita, the island’s Environmental Manager, who swam out with me to the nursery at Endeavour Bay and see firsthand the rejuvenation process.

After our snorkel – here with Nakita, Mustique’s Environmental Manager and their summer intern!

These underwater nurseries consist of PVC ‘trees’ which are hung with coral samples from nearby reefs. The conservation team regularly cleans the samples and monitors their growth before out-planting them back onto the island’s restoration reefs, namely the “Cotton House Reef” and the “Fishing Village Reef”, every six – nine months.

Swimming with Nakita in Endeavour Bay it was promising to see just how well the samples were growing both on the trees in the nursery before being out-planted as well as on the Cotton House Reef after being out-planted.

Endangered coral species are closely monitored in Endeavour Bay’s coral nursery

What is especially exciting is that the nurseries in Mustique are now self sufficient. This means that when the conservation team remove the coral samples for out-planting, they leave small fragments on the trees. These fragments, just like the original samples, are carefully monitored and the growth cycle starts all over again.

Since 2015 around 2,000 coral samples have been out-planted and the CRFI hopes that this pioneering initiative will help to restore endangered coral species that are vital for marine life habitat in the region.

Staghorn and Elkhorn corals are tagged and out-planted in the “Cotton House Reef”

I look forward to returning to Mustique and seeing the programme continue to flourish in the future!

My Paper Tote: Stylish & Sustainable

Published by Rachel Elms

Chloe, founder of My Paper Tote, realised an opportunity earlier this year to create bags differently using an alternative material – paper!

Cruelty free and certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), My Paper Tote is the perfect every day bag for the conscious consumer.

Yet these stylish bags not only rival leather on ethical and environmental grounds but also in their look, feel and durability.

Using FSC certified pulps from farms in Vermont, the bags undergo an environmentally friendly production process that leaves them both water resistant and tear resistant.

With an increasing demand for leather alternatives, there are few options that meet your ethical fashion needs with as much sass and style as My Paper Tote.

This weekend I absolutely loved taking my bag with me on a girls weekend away at the seaside – relaxing on the beach and picking strawberries at a local farm.

If you want to get your hands on one of these gorgeous bags then you can shop the entire collection online here with matte and metallic totes to choose from.

Don’t forget to use the discount code ‘SUSTAINABLYSIMPLE20’ for 20% off when you checkout!

*Please note that The Metallic Paper Tote in Silver you see in photographed in these pictures was kindly sent to me free of cost by My Paper Tote.

Wax + Wick: From Wine Bottle to Candle Jar

Published by Rachel Elms

Wax + Wick is a London based company that creates beautifully scented candles from repurposed wine bottles.

I love the simplicity of these candles both in their design and in their story.

They begin their journey in the pubs of Primrose Hill where the empty wine bottles are sourced and repurposed as candle jars, contributing to the circular economy and minimising waste.

With sustainability at the heart of Wax + Wick’s story, the vegan-friendly candles are hand poured locally using only two ingredients: oils and soy wax – meaning that they contain no hidden nasties such as artificial colours or parabens.

But the good stuff doesn’t stop there since Wax + Wick have developed such an extensive range that you will no doubt find your perfect scent from ‘Amber + Mineral’ to ‘Lavender + Bay Leaf’.

My favourite though is their best selling ‘Grapefruit + Sage’ candle with its fresh and fruity fragrance.

You can shop their full product range here and, for 20% off, remember to use the discount code ‘RACHEL20’ at check out!

*Please note that the product you see in these photos was kindly sent to me free of cost by Wax + Wick.

Bali – The Eco Traveller’s Guide

Published by Rachel Elms

A travel guide to exploring Bali sustainably…

Enjoying our mojitos on Gili T with our bamboo straws!

Balinese Farm Cooking School

The first stop on our Bali adventure was the Balinese Farm Cooking School which we absolutely loved! There are lots of cooking classes to choose from in Bali but I thoroughly recommend this one because they really do mean it when they say ‘real food by real farmers in the real village community.’

The morning was broken up into 3 stages:

Local Market Guided Tour
Organic Farm Tour
Cooking Class

After the local market tour (where we got to discover and try locally grown exotic fruits) we arrived at the organic farm where the cooking classes are held.

As we arrived at the farm, a lush green oasis, we were given a basket and knife for harvesting some of the ingredients that we would later use. During the tour we learnt all about the plants, fruits and herbs that they grow here including aloe vera, coffee and mango.

We then headed to our cooking stations where we each made 6 traditional Balinese dishes using the fresh produce that we had just picked ourselves from the farm.

Threads of Life

Our next stop in Ubud was Threads of Life, a fair trade textile arts centre that works with women in rural Indonesia to alleviate poverty.

Through working directly with weavers across 11 different islands in Indonesia, Threads of Live helps them to form independent cooperatives, recover the skills of their ancestors and manage their resources sustainably whilst securing financial stability.

I especially loved learning about their natural dyes that, with patience and skill, master dyers are able to manipulate to obtain exquisite colours. In fact most of the blues, reds, blacks, purples and browns come from only two vegetable dyes: indigo blue and morinda red.

Bali Swasti Eco Cottages

The third and final place that I want to tell you about is Bali Swasti.

Here you can escape into a retreat of natural tranquility, away from any hustle and bustle. Bali Swasti prides itself on incorporating an organic approach that respects the earth and minimises any impact on nature.

We visited their organic farm and ate at their restaurant but the site offers so much more with yoga classes and places to stay.

I really recommend their restaurant where I ate the ‘Beloved Earth Salad’ – a uniqely sweet and rich combination of fresh delights from their organic garden including kale, avocado, grated coconut, dried fruits and edible flowers.

I also ordered a ‘Summer Smoothie’ that came with a glass straw (instead of single use plastic), in keeping with their eco-friendly approach!

So there you have it – an eco traveller’s guide to Bali!

As always I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

Ethical Travel Essentials

Published by Rachel Elms

Having just returned from the most wonderful trip to Bali I thought that I would take this opportunity to share with you all my favourite travel essentials!

From organic suncream to fairtrade jewellery you can find it all here:

Organic Therapi Honey Moisturiser

Therapi produces certified organic products that combine honey, a natural moisturiser and skin conditioner, with active botanical extracts. Perfect for hydrating your skin in hot weather!

Fairtrade People Tree Necklace

People Tree is a fair trade fashion pioneer where I found this gorgeous necklace. It was handmade by artisans in association with TARA, a fair trade organisation in India, that campaigns to end exploitation.

Georganics Beech Toothbrush

Say no to plastic with this beech toothbrush from Georganics! Made out of eco-friendly and biodegradable natural beech sourced from Germany, you can choose from three different types of bristle including charcoal.

Yuhme Water Bottle

Yuhme is the world’s most eco-friendly water bottle. Not only is it carbon neutral but money raised from the sale of each bottle goes to provide clean water for someone living in the Central African Republic.

Green People Organic Sun Cream

Protect your skin this summer using organic sun lotion from Green People. I loved using Plus 30p from the sale of this product goes towards the Marine Conservation Society.

What are your favourite travel essentials? Let me know in the comments below!

Please note that I make a small commission on purchases generated by some of the links in this blog post