More info here.

"Go Ape" with our July Paper of the Month, "it's bananas!!!" Our eco-friendly banana stock is made from banana skins and is available in paper and card weights. The Banana Paper is ideal for fruit sellers, milk shake bars, cake makers, health food shops and any organic and food related businesses. This paper also looks great for special occasions, weddings, birth celebrations, as well as offering something different for everyday stationary.

Along with our more exotic range we print on 'standard' white cards and papers that are also 100% recycled too!

Our Eco Policy is Reduce, Reuse and Recycle and this should not mean compromising on quality, or for that matter costing the earth! Eco Print handles all jobs, digital and litho, specializing in short and medium size print runs. We even have an experienced graphic designer on board if extra help is needed.

Like our printing process, every member of the Eco Print team is free from artificial colours and preservatives and happy to offer friendly helpful advice. We are an approachable, locally based company, big enough to cope but small enough to care.

For more information on us and our range of papers and cards, check out our stunning website. http://www.ecoprintUK.com We have just added an FAQ page on the website which will answer all your questions in a nice and concise way! You are though more than welcome to call us on 01722 340350.

N.B. No monkeys were harmed in the gathering of the bananas apart from one...the cheeky monkey wouldn't give up his bunch.

Sustainability initiatives in leading organisations are increasingly focusing on transformational and systemic change, rather than incremental improvements. It is this link between transformation, and the shift to new levels of individual and organisational leadership and development that highlight how can coaching is critical for innovation and sustainability.

In essence, this research identifies that:

1. ‘Inner' (personal development, organisational values and culture development) and ‘outer' (organisational, business, market, sustainable) development are linked;

2. That real innovation and transformation, and the biggest leverage points for integrating sustainability, occur in the ‘interior' of mindsets, values, and culture; and

3. Inter-subjective, developmental approaches like coaching, are the most powerful and effective way to grow leaders and support the adoption of new values and culture.

The most common association with coaching in an organisational context is with one-on-one executive coaching. This form of coaching arguable emerged in a cultural context that is very individualistic, and focused on independence, freedom and self-actualisation. This sort of culture is legitimate and important has not always been the norm; and even now it is not the norm across all cultures. A value system that directs excessive attention to the individual may best serves us in the face of sustainability challenges. The shift from seeing individuals as the primary beneficiary of coaching and primary agent in driving change, to instead focusing on the impact on the collective, collaboration and on the reality of our interdependence is aligned with sustainability

There several different ways in which the same coaching dynamics can be used to support development that goes beyond the individual in its assessment and impact. Through our research we identified means to coach teams, communities or organisations, through individuals, but not focused on the individuals. In these cases, individual's development and enhanced performance is contextualised as a means to higher-performing or transformed teams or organisations. Examples include team coaching, whole-of-business coaching, or hosting communities of practice.

The implications of this for the detail of the coaching practice are that the focus of the inquiries, plans and dialogues would be the collective or the whole, rather than the individual. In practice this might mean that instead of inquiring into ‘What do you want?' ‘What motivates and attracts you?' or ‘What are you grateful for, and want more of?', then the individuals are invited to ask, for example, ‘What does the earth want?', ‘What motivates and attracts this community?', or ‘What is the organisation grateful for, and want more of?'

This type of perspective requires the individual to take attention away from their own ego and in some cases identify with something they may consider to be inanimate (e.g. the earth). But, the exercise of reflecting on how individual priorities do or don't support the health of the whole is exactly the sort of shift that enable next-level thinking and generation of creative solutions to our challenges. The appeal of this sort of self-transcendent perspective is evident in many sustainability definitions and concepts, and is one of the things that attracts people to this work.ⁱ

When practically applying this in an organisational context, this can mean shifting the lines of inquiry to ask ‘What does the customer/stakeholder/organisation/team/community value/aspire to/need to be healthy?' This starts the dialogue from a level in the system that may facilitate greater consensus amongst individual participants, and start an inquiry into any dissonance between individuals' needs and wants and what appear to be the needs of the whole.

It is inquiring into this dissonance that generates transformational and systemic change, and a shift to new levels of individual and organisational leadership. The coaching methods that can facilitate this are documented in greater detail in the full report, as are the additional benefits for individuals, teams and organisations of such approaches.

i Visser, W (2007), ‘Corporate Sustainability and the Individual: a Literature Review' in University Cambridge Programme for Industry Research Paper Series: No. 1, 2007 [Online]. Available: http://www.cpi.cam.ac.uk/resources/publications/sustainability_research_papers.aspx [2008, 16.06.08].

Back to work, Simon de Glanville left the pigeons in Peckham and headed for sunny Somerset for a seven day photo shoot of Myakka's fair trade furniture and home accessories. Myakka's annual photo shoot is on Simon's professional calendar, whereas the recent national media coverage he received for his photos of London's pigeons were taken in his spare time!

The Myakka annual photo shoot is an intense week providing the imagery required for their new catalogue which will be released in the autumn. The images are also used to promote their latest new products through their ecommerce website.

"We have worked with Simon for four years now and the results we achieve are fantastic. The shoot is intense and exhausting, but we have a lot of fun along the way!" comments Georgie Hopkins, Director of Myakka.

Four beautiful old English properties were used as locations including the impressive Marston House. The manor house on the outskirts of Frome was restored in 1984 by the Foster Yeoman family and is currently used as parent company Aggregate Industries head quarters.

As with every year, the smooth running of the shoot is all in the planning which takes many weeks of preparation prior to Simon arriving with his cameras. Now the shoot has been completed the catalogue designers are busily compiling the new Myakka catalogue ready for release in September.

"We jokingly suggested Simon train the pigeons he photographs in Peckham! Carrier pigeons would be a very environmentally friendly way of distributing our new catalogues across the country, although utilising his training methods we would get through a lot of kebabs!" said Georgie.

Myakka tailors the designs of their furniture for the British market. All the furniture is made in northern India by skilled craftsman using the latest German computer controlled machinery ensuring the quality is second to none. Myakka is an ethical business following fair trade principles and is a recognised importer and retail member of BAFTS (British Association of Fair Trade Shops). With a sophisticated ecommerce website, a Warehouse Outlet in Wincanton, Somerset and a comprehensive mail order catalogue, Myakka has a large database of loyal customers across the UK. This summer Myakka is celebrating a decade of business with a huge 10^th Birthday Summer Sale.

For more information about the shoot, Simon de Glanville and Myakka visit their news blog at www.furniture-home.myakka.co.uk/ or the online shop at www.myakka.co.uk.

Introducing the letterbox Ecoflap, the Ecoflap is a cleverly designed letterbox draught proofing system that can be retro fitted to your existing letterbox to totally illuminate draughts.

With up to 27% heat loss occurring through the letterbox the Ecoflap will help you to keep your home warm and save money on energy bills and pay for its self many times over.

The Ecoflap does not use any springs brushes or seals to operate, so there are no components to break , it actually operates using its own weight and the wind to form a draught proof seal with no rattles

Ecoflap is adaptable to fit various sizes of delivery items through the letterbox up to A4 size thick newspapers and magazines.

The Ecoflap is easy to install and comes in the following colours white, silver or black to suit your door .

Here at NeonCollective.com we are all about killer heels without the kill. Neon Collective is the world's first one-stop shop for high-end vegan accessories. We aim to shatter the misconception that vegans aren't fashionable and provide green alternatives for the modern shopper.

We feel passionate that fabulous footwear can be free of leather and all other animal products but even if you don't give a stuff about Daisy the cow, the leather tanning industry is one of the most polluting industries on Earth. So we are joining Paul and Stella McCartney on their 'Meat Free Monday' campaign (supportmfm.org) to prove that by cutting down on leather, meat and any other animal products, you are making a positive step to promote animal welfare and are directly cutting CO2 emissions.

Throughout July NeonCollective.com will be specially discounting a different style of killer heels each Monday.

"I think many of us feel helpless in the face of environmental challenges, and it can be hard to know how to sort through the advice about what we can do to make a

meaningful contribution to a cleaner, more sustainable, healthier world.

Having one designated meat free day a week is actually a meaningful change

that everyone can make" Sir Paul McCartney

Kicking off on Monday 6^th July with the seriously stylish BALANCE £90 (was £139).

There will be a new offer next Monday 13^th so shop now if you just have to bag a pair of these beauties at this special, one-off price!

In follow up to the recent launch of their Shabby Chic range ‘Bamboo Chic by Bambienti' bamboo interiors specialists Bambienti this week announces that London based retail group Chest of Drawers will be stocking Bamboo Chic by Bambienti at all of their three stores in Islington, Chiswick and Kingston.

As an established retailer who specialises in sustainable furniture Chest of Drawers came to prominence in recent years when they pioneered an ethical and environmental rating guide which advises their customers on the ethical credentials of each and every piece they sell. For more information please visit www.chestofdrawers.co.uk

Founder and Director Charles Colbourne said "I am delighted to welcome Chest of Drawers as a retail partner. To be able to work with such an established and credible company, one who has led the way for such a considerable time with respect to responsible and sustainable sourcing of products is such a boost for everyone associated with Bambienti. We're looking forward to supporting them'

Bamboo Chic by Bambienti is a white range of interiors that is hand-made in small to medium sized workshops out of Bamboo, a material that offers strength, style and natural sustainability.

The popularity of Shabby Chic style interiors, particularly furniture and accessories continues unabated in 2009. However the problem for many is that the original sources for this overtly neutral look, namely antique shops and flea markets have become increasingly expensive. The result is that more and more people have started to buy new furniture and accessories that replicate the Shabby Chic look at cheaper prices but in many cases the source of the wood used is unknown and can often be found to be logged using unsustainable methods.

With the launch of ‘Bamboo Chic by Bambienti' buyers who are going for the Shabby Chic look have a naturally sustainable alternative.

For more information about Bambienti, Bamboo Chic by Bambienti or to find a stockist closer to home please visit www.bambienti.com and we will be happy to put you in touch with your local store.

To find out more about Chest Of Drawers please visit www.chestofdrawers.co.uk

2.00 - 4.30pm Saturday 25 July  

Congress House, Great Russell St, London WC1B 3LS (tube station: Tottenham Court Rd)

Entry by optional donation

 On 19 July tens of thousands of Nicaraguans will gather in Managua to celebrate the 30^th anniversary of the overthrow of the Somoza dictatorship and the coming to power of the Sandinistas. Join us to celebrate the astonishing  achievements against tremendous odds of the Sandinista government in the 1980s, the legacy of the Revolution today within the Latin America context and NSC's contribution to the global solidarity movement.

¨ Launch of the film ‘American Sandinista' about the US war of aggression against Nicaragua through the life of US volunteer Ben Linder, murdered by the contra in 1986. The film will be introduced by the director Jason Blalock

¨ Grace Livingstone, author of ‘America's Backyard: from the Monroe Doctrine to the War on Terror'

¨ Francisco Dominguez, Latin America Department, Middlesex University

¨ Alicia Sandino, charge d'affairs Embassy of Nicaragua (invited)

Further information: Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign, campaigns@nicaraguasc.org.uk, Tel 020 7561 4836

www.nicaraguasc.org uk

It's one thing for a French energy company to hijack the Union Jack for greenwash purposes but to take the ad campaign (or something very much like it) of a genuine green electricity company, Ecotricity, has really inflamed green minded consumers.

EDF's sponsored Green Britain Day is taking place on Friday, July 10th and has been positioned as "a community aimed at harnessing the power of collective action". Seems they have created another community aimed at harnessing the power of collective action - true greens are organisisng a boycott and calling it the EDF ‘Greenwash Britain Day' and are urging politicians, musicians, sportsmen and the public not to be taken in and to 'unplug EDF'.

Those in the green space have already started a campaign against EDF (Electricite de France), check out GREEN BRITAIN DAY group on Facebook, and are urging people to complain to the ASA about EDF's claims.

When i saw the posters, a green Union Jack, I was a bit shocked. The original green Union Jack ad was created by Robin Smith of Host Universal (a specialist ethical agency) for Dale Vince's Ecotricity back in 2007 and is well known in green circles, though obvious not by creatives at EDF's agency. Had Ecotricity given it to EDF or had EDF just nicked it? Seems the latter, though they'll blame the agency I am sure. If so I'd ask for the fee back and maybe EDF would be ethical enough to pay it to Smith instead.

Of course it's not the first time EDF have recycled someone else's idea. Their TV ad made from recycled ads was actually a copy of St Luke's Ecover ad, which was ironically created by Smith's wife Kiki Kendrick. Wow, that's a double hit. So watch out everyone who has ever done any award winning eco-ethical ads, EDF may well be eyeing it up for the next campaign. Think I'll copyright my environmental Asthma glue poster as fast as I can.

The Green Britain Day involves many partners including the Eden Project and the legendary musician Paul Weller, who will be playing a gig there. In principle the idea is great, engaging people to make a difference, no one can argue with that. It's the corporation's motives behind it and it's marketing that is causing concern.

EDF claim to be the first sustainability partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Vincent de Rivaz, Chief Executive of EDF, said:
"Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing us. As an energy company, EDF Energy has a responsibility to be at the heart of the solution to climate change...." Nice speech.

EDF Energy also claim to be the largest producer of low-carbon electricity in the UK. Well of course they are because they are 85% Nuclear energy, hence their claims that by 2020 they plan to be totally carbon neutral (nuclear is carbon neutral). Nuclear has certainly split the green lobby, some back it others reject it. However, as it's carbon neutral it's been a gift for greenwash.

EDF states the obvious, "Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing us and EDF Energy believes that we can only tackle the issues we face by ensuring that all of us act together now." True but in the world of eco-ethical marketing do they you define acting together as taking other people's ideas?

EDF's marketing to the British public is designed to make them think they are a company that has real green values, this has annoyed the green community.
To support their sponsorship of the 1012 Olympic Games and Green Britain Day EDF have even set up a .org website (makes it look more caring) and are using the term ‘Team Great Britain' - err, but EDF are French? Is this some kind of invasion? They even have added ‘the big idea' to the URL, who ever said the French can be arrogant?

To put you in the picture, there are only really three genuine green energy companies in the UK, Good Energy, Ecotricity and GreenEnergy UK (who have the greenest tariff of all of them). The next best is Scottish & Southern who operate a lot of hydro electric power stations. So if you want to be even slightly green there's your choice. After that the rest are large corporations with one mission, make profit. And let us not forget British Gas, who despite making many green claims conveniently forgets that gas is as unsustainable as you can get.

All the big energy companies are required by the government to supply a degree of green source energy and it is this small percentage that they are using to spin to try and make themselves look green. One energy company I have spoken with (one of the big boys) admitted to me that they found it really hard to sell a green tariff as consumers don't trust them and if they had the choice they'd drop it. Big surprise.

Now I'm all for embracing big corporates into changing the world, after all McDonalds, Starbucks and a few are making a significant difference, especially in the are of Fairtrade and ethically sourced coffee. Even Wal-Mart have turned over a new leaf. As for oil companies and energy companies... well they have a long way to go to convince the green minded consumer they have changed their ways.

The big issue comes down to the triple bottom line - people, planet, profit. If Profit is at the heart of your ethos, and it is for energy companies, people and planet will always take a second place.

The new guide for green marketers, Ethical Marketing & the New Consumer is published at the end of July by Wiley's (pre orderable on Amazon) and I'd recommend that EDF and many others read it. It'll enlighten them as to why they are wasting their money on their current greenwash campaigns and how they could become more ethical and actually spend their money more wisely.

In the short term I'd advise them to consult the people they appropriate ideas off as they run one of the UK's specialist ethical agencies (Host), as hiring an ethical specialists (instead of big agencies) would start to make people believe they are genuine.

What you can buy

Products available will be: jute bags, rice sack bags, Ugandan cotton bags; banana fibre and raffia baskets; men's and women's handloomed Nepali shirts and dresses; Indian cotton and lace tops; crochet flower necklaces, shawls and brooches; kids' clothes from South America; jewellery from Mexico, Ecuador, Nepal, Uganda, Morocco, Chile, Kenya; skincare range; mobiles, wine glasses, purses, incense, cards and paper, gifts, scarves, handwoven, hand-dyed applique Bolivian cushion covers; food - biscuits, chocolate, Palestinian olive oil, almonds, couscous, tea, coffee; and a whole lot else besides.

Producer groups represented...

Mahaguthi in Nepal, Bombolulu in Mombasa, Godavari Lace Makers in India, Undugu Society in Nairobi, National Association of Women's Groups of Uganda, Women of Hope in Afghanistan, Comparte in Chile, Artesania Sorata in Bolivia, NEED in India, WINV in Vietnam, Asha in India, Tara in India. (These are the large ones - there will be smaller groups represented too).

Local food

Visitors will also have a great range of fairtrade and locally produced food to take away or eat on site, with Mother Bhumi cooking fresh organic bhajis and pakora accompanied by a variety of chutneys; buttery French crepes, sandwiches, wraps, cakes, tea, coffee and soft drinks.

Organisers

The Co-Operative Group are partly sponsoring the event and will be providing information on how fairtrade helps. And, as a special feature this year, we have a representative from Shared Interest, the bank that lends to fairtrade producer groups and importers. They will be letting people know how to invest with them and will have details of a special scheme for schools to set up their own accounts. There will be more information from War on Want, the local Oxfam group, local Traidcraft reps and more.

Greenwich Council and Lovethatstuff are organising the event. Barbara Wilson of Lovethatstuff, who imports from ten WFTO (World Fair Trade Organisation) producer groups says, " I organise a monthly fair trade market in Brighton and now have a shop at Brighton Marina. We organise events like this because it's a great chance for people to see and buy the work of some very skilled artisans around the developing world. People really love the products, not just for the quality of the designs, but the stories behind the products. For example, Mahaguthi in Nepal were founded by a student of Gandhi's and employ over 95% women. With some of the social premium raised through sales, they give untouchable caste girls skills' training so they can return to their villages with a means of earning an income. Bombolulu in Mombasa, Kenya employ 160 disabled people and without their workshops, workers have told me they would be begging on the streets."

Please come along

The Fair Trade Market is a chance to celebrate the wonderful quality and diversity of skills that the producer groups represented have, and you can also find out how fair trade works and what difference you can make in a credit crunched world.

Entrance is free and with prices ranging from £1.50 for a handmade card to £25.00 for a handloomed shirt, these are prices that everyone can afford.

Over 50 styles available at new online shop Reusablebottle.co.uk

From a 1 litre bottle which folds down to the size of a (thin) wallet, to completely natural charcoal-based water filters and an unsuspecting looking bottle which purifies water from normally un-drinkable sources  www.resuablebottle.co.uk is a one-stop shop for this year's must have accessory - the reusable bottle.  

Established with the aim to help reduce plastic waste, ReusableBottle.co.uk is the only UK-based independent online bottle shop, stocking more than 8 different brands of reusable bottles (and more to come) as well as a host of practical and quirky accessories.   

Reusable Bottle.co.uk is doing more than just encouraging people to be eco-savvy explains the brand's founder Dan Brousson:  "We wanted to create a single point where individuals could find a bottle which reflects their personality, a practical need or conveys a message they want to share with the world."

Read on for top picks...

OUR TOP PICKS

For The Multi-Tasker

Product Name:            Source Liquitainer  

Size:                            Ranges from 1L - 4L

Cost:                           >From £5.50

What's interesting about it?

This extra strong, lightweight, reusable bottle folds flat when empty and stands stable when full!

• Resistant to extreme temperature conditions (-i.e. From freezing to boiling)

• Bacteria Free thanks to Grunge Guard (anti-microbial FDA approved technology, which blocks bacteria growth)

• Extremely Durable: Crack and Puncture Resistant.
• Twist Top Sport Cap

For the Host with the Most

Product Name:            Bamboo Charcoal Filters

Size:                            Available in packs of 4, 8 and 12.

Cost:                           >From £4.00 per pack of 4

What's interesting about it?

Bamboo charcoal is a simple and natural way of filtering tap water.

§               Simply leave it in a jug filled with tap water and it will slowly filter out impurities such as chlorine.

§               Works like a sponge, absorbing impurities into its pores. It also mineralises the water during initial usage by slowly releasing minerals into the water.

§               Lasts up to 2 months

§               100 % biodegradable - once they've finished filtering, simply bury them in the garden

For the Adventurer (A gap year must-have)

Product Name:            Aquapure Traveller Bottle by Pure Hydration.

Size:                            750ml

Cost:                           £34.95

What's interesting about it? 

It produces safe, clean, filtered water any time, any place in 15 minutes. 

• The inbuilt filter will purify 350 Litres of water, killing viruses and bacteria and removing nasty stuff like pathogens, chemicals, heavy metals, faecal matter, bad tastes & odours
• It's the only portable water purifier officially endorsed by the Hospital of Tropical Diseases London.
• Replacement filters available.

For the Passionate Enthusiast 

Product Name:            Various including SIGG and Nalgene brands

What's interesting about it?

Forget Slogan Tee-shirts!  Why not share your message with the world on your omni-present water bottle instead?

Take your pick from messages such as:

§         Refill Not Landfill

§         Simply Eco Logical

§         Make Love Not Landfill

§         Green is the New Black

The individuals behind Reusable Bottle.co.uk do their research too; only stocking products from brands with sound environmental and ethical production methods. 

For more information - or to purchase your own reusable bottle - visit www.reusuablebottle.co.uk or call 05602 696001. 

- ends -

Notes to Editor:

Did you know?

§         Britons use approximately 13billion plastic bottles (equivalent to 257,000 tons) every year

§         Only 3billion of these are recycled, the remaining 10bn end up as landfill

§         These landfill-destined plastic bottles would fill Wembley Stadium three times every 12 months

Reusable Bottle.co.uk founder, Daniel Brousson is a dedicated campaigner for plastic alternatives.  He has already achieved success with the Onya Bags range, a collection of durable, lightweight bags which fold down into a compact size making it easier than ever for people to carry them ‘on-ya' as the brand suggests. 

Feelgoodhandbags has now been online since April 2008, providing ethical handbags, accessories and shoes for the discerning shopper. Feelgoodhandbags seek designers and suppliers who use only animal friendly materials in their products.

Fashion and ethics can be combined. We provide charming alternatives to leather. All products available are 100% animal free, for people who wish to make certain lifestyle choices in their purchases. The products are carefully chosen for the benefit of the ethical shopper, taking into account the utmost consideration for animal welfare and ethical manufacturing which gives the customer more choice when considering what to buy.

Feelgoodhandbags is dedicated to bringing about an awareness of non-exploitative animal products which can be readily available to everyone.

We offer beautiful designer created animal friendly handbags with style and quality. We use designers such as English Retreads, AmyKathryn, Susan Nichole, Big Buddha and ESPE all of whom are very much in demand.

To compliment our handbags we also provide Californian Ragazzi shoes and ‘Jewels of the Feet' created by the designer Rina Shah.

Fairtrade recycled bags are also part of the collection.

www.feelgoodhandbags.co.uk

For most people moisturizers should be not be necessary because sufficient oil, secreted from the sebaceous glands in the form of sebum will attract water from within the body. These compounds then react with an emulsifier which we naturally produce in the skin, cholesterol, forming a protective film known as the hydrolipid mantle. Cholesterol isn't all bad. This oily mantle in the upper layer of the skin, if you like, our own personally formulated and produced moisturizing film, works like a team of night club bouncers by allowing water, toxins and carbon dioxide to leave the body while keeping water and pathogens from entering the body and infecting the skin.

Cold press plant oils, such as argan oil, oilve and sesame oil have been the most precious of commodities since trade began.

However in a person with a dry skin type, the hydrolipid mantle of the skin lacks sufficient oil to bind sufficient water to keep the skin moist. This may be worse in areas of the skin where there are no oil glands such as on the lips. Without the proper management dry skin can look dull flaky and cracked, and feel uncomfortable, itchy and tight. Dry skin is less able to perform its protective functions and as the structure deteriorates, the skin becomes more prone to sensitivity, allergic reactions, infections and premature aging. Like you wanted to hear that bit!
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Dietary factors almost certainly play a role in the quality of our skin, as the water and oil present in our skins should originally find its way in our body as food. Certain vitamins, minerals and oils are essential for healthy skin. The skin likes it when we eat Vitamins A, B5, C, E, F; the minerals zinc, copper, sulphur; essential fatty acids; and various other oily compounds from the plant kingdom.
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It is best if we can obtain the nutrients through our diet, but if no balance can be obtained between diet and any environmental factors which disturb the hydroliphic mantle of the skin - our frequent hand washing and use of oil stripping detergents, it is necessary to apply oil from the outside. The ancient civilizations in Egypt, Sumeria, Babylon, Crete, China, and later the Greeks and Romans always used cold pressed vegetable oils, but nowadays using oil seems to be the exception. Oil use continues across Arabia and India, well and pretty much where ever oil bearing plants and humans are found on the planet. Luckily, if the diet does not contain sufficient oil, cold pressed plant oil can supply the skin with crucial oil compounds, helping the skin to build its natural protective film.
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Moisturizers were only mass produced at the beginning of the last century after scientists had begun synthesizing oils with long names in laboratories, often using base ingredients we would not normally put on the skin such as petroleum oil, pig fat, lard, fish and whale oil. Scientists also had to get busy and synthesize emulsifiers and preservatives too, because most commercial moisturizers, besides containing synthetic oil and water, will have to contain these too. The emulsifiers enable the oil and water to bind together, and as soon as water is added to a cosmetic, preservatives become necessary.
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Cold pressed plant oils contain their own natural preservatives. Nearly all of the emulsifiers and preservatives used in commercial cosmetics are artificial. Moisturizers contain water in order to add water from the outside of the skin, but the hydolipid mantle while allowing water and water soluble toxins out of the body, will not let water in. I am glad about that, because if I went for a long soak in the bath, I might end up the shape and consistency of a water balloon. The water in moisturizer evaporates and doesn't penetrate the skin. The skin uses water from the inside the body.
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After the widespread adoption of commercial soap and the more recently acquired habit of showering or bathing in hot chlorinated water everyday, the moisturizer industry took off. Many people have subsequently forgotten about the virtues of oil for reducing dry skin. Yet all across the world in rural areas, households are equipped with mill stones and women proudly make their own oil. I am currently keeping an eye on my olive tree, but it is only three feet tall!
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Tips for managing a dry skin
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1/ Exfoliate the layers of dead skin. It is impossible to moisturize dead, flaky skin. Use exfoliating soap such as savon noir to make the exfoliation more effective.
2/ Introduce strip washing as the primary washing method, showering or bathing once a week. The idea here is to retain your natural oils and to reduce your exposure to chlorine, known to dry skin.
3/ Reduce the temperature of the water used in washing. It is best to wash the face with cold water. Yes, I thought you'd like that one!
4/ Replace conventional soap with rhassoul clay. Spend longer massaging very dry areas of skin with clay while washing. This really does make a huge difference.
5/ Try using a cold pressed natural vegetable oil, also called a carrier or base oil rather than a moisturizer on the body. Experiment with different oils until you find one you like. Begin with oils that you would accept as food ingredients, i.e. ones which are still named after the plants they are made from. Oils rich in linoleic acid (a compound found in natural plant oils) are very beneficial for dry skins and they include safflower oil, sunflower oil, wheat germ oil or argan oil. A cold pressed plant oil is rich in vitamins, some of which act as powerful antioxidants. Then there are the essential fatty acids which we can not make in the body. The level of moisturization of the skin is directly proportional to the levels of essential fatty acids in the skin. Plant oils also contain unsaturated oils which are anti-microbial helping to prevent common skin infections and components called unsaponifiables, so called because these fats can not be used for making soap. These are the super antioxidants.
6/ If you must use a formulated moisturizer, choose one which contains natural oils over synthetic oils. Synthetic oils have really long unpronounceable names and don't sound very appetizing. Avoid skin products containing petroleum, mineral oil, liquid paraffin, Parafinnum liquidum, these are all the same thing. Petroleum oil is cheap ingredient, a by product of the petrol refining industry. The skin can not assimilate petroleum oil. This oil is widespread in baby products (baby oil), moisturizers, lip moisturizers and it is even fed to cats to help with fur ball problems. Brushing the cat is the kindest way to help it make fur balls. Petroleum oil produces a temporary moisturising effect, however prolonged contact is implicated in destroying the natural oily barrier of the skin, in destroying the vitamins needed by the skin, and guess what, in causing dryness and rashes. I think I had one once around my mouth. Petroleum oil can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), some of which are potential human carcinogens. If you really can't contemplate the switch from moisturizer to oil, then try making your own moisturizer with a plant oil! Keep anything oily in glass bottle or jar, as oils will leach plastic.
7/ Moisturize face, neck and hands with a well absorbing oil as often as necessary. Argan oil is the finest and fastest absorbing oil of which I know and the highest in antioxidants. Clicking here will give you a chance to read more about argan oil and to purchase some. New moisturizers are hitting the shops everyday, often with dubious, untraceable and partially tested ingredients. Humans have had thousands of years to work out which how best to hydrate the skin with oils. Among the Phoenicians, the sea traders from the Bronze Age, (active from about 3200 years ago) there was a booming trade through the Moroccan port of Essaouira in precious argan oil and urns of olive and sesame oil were rowed and sailed all over the Mediterranean.
8/ Investigate how dietary improvements such a Palaeolithic, raw food, macro-biotic, vegetarian, vegan or alkaline diets can provide nutrients essential for healthy skin. Or just eat your normal diet with oily fish twice a week, walnuts and other foods rich in healthy oils being sure to obtain the right balance of omega fats. Reducing exposure to alcohol, smoking, sugar and refined foods will help. It would help me too!
9/ Protect your hands from water, detergents and soaps. Once the natural sebum is stripped it takes the skin between 5 and 8 hours to naturally restore the hydrolipic balance. Luckily, the skin has the good sense to accept cold pressed plant oils when they are applied externally and put them to good use. Become an expert in using your chosen oil. Work out the minimum you need and when best to apply it. For example if you apply to much moisturizer or oil on the face at night, then the skin will have trouble getting rid of water and the skin under the eyes will appear puffy in the morning, inversely if you apply less than you need, then the skin will still feel taught in the morning. It's a question of finding the right balance and only you can work it out. Most people prefer a fine (very free flowing oil) which can be rapidly absorbed by the skin and one which agrees well with the facial skin, whether using make up or not.
10/ Before putting anything on your skin or anyone else's skin, get out your magnifying glass and read the label. If it contains a long list of chemical ingredients think twice before using it. Nearly one half of the emulsifiers used in conventional cosmetics have caused skin reactions, and many of the preservatives used in conventional moisturizers have been reported as carcinogens. Be aware that chemical products don't just pollute the bodies of humans, but they also end up in the water sources and indirectly contaminate the planet. Vegetable oils will quite happily biodegrade.
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What is clear is that before the use of moisturizer, oil was used for skin care. Millstones, necessary for oil production appeared during the Neolithic period, when agriculture took off about 9000 years ago. Oil rich seeds might need milling for eight hours before a single litre of oil is expressed. Oil production, even involving a millstone is a very labour intensive. Hand milling was the in thing until machine presses were invented several hundred years ago, and still much oil production around the world is conducted at the household level using a stone mill. Oils could in theory be made with a more basic pestle and mortar type tool kit, but again, it would have been even more work, so if oils were produced before the Neolithic, then it must have been in very small quantities for more or less immediate use. Earlier than this, it would seem more likely that the whole of the oil bearing seed of the plant part would have been pulverized and used rubbed on the skin, but it could be a little inconvenient for some of us today if we do not have our own gathering range. Primates extract their own plant oils directly by rubbing their skin against the plant source. Certainly through much of the Ice Age, the population must also have made use of animal fat such as goose fat, as much as for insulation and water proofing as well as for keeping the skin supple. While this would impose difficulties for the majority of us city dwellers, we can be grateful that cold pressed plant oil also comes in bottles.

Further resources
The Cosmetics Safety Data Base provides a search feature on the toxicity of common cosmetics ingredients.
Smeh, Nikolaus, 1994, Health Risks in Today's Cosmetics: The handbook for a lifetime of healthy skin and hair, Alliance, VA

Visitors to the Kent County Show can come and find ideas and inspiration for greener living at The EcoVillage from a wide range of exhibitors - we have everything from cars to insurance, clothes to garden features, bikes to timber buildings - everything you need for greener living!

If gardening is your interest, Co-op will be giving away free wildflower seeds as part of their Save the Bees Campaign, learn about growing your own with the Soil Association, or get inspiration from English Oak.

If transport is your thing, come and see the Seat Ecomotive range - three of the most eco-friendly cars on the market, or look at the latest in electric bikes with Greased Lightening Cycles.

Paperpod and Playmais will have plenty to keep children occupied and they'll love making their own smoothies with Move ‘n' Smooth! Mums and Dads will find it hard to resist treating them to clothes from Kidz Organic or toys and games from Woodland Children.

The Mark Group will be on hand for advice on making your home energy efficient, while Invicta Clean Energy, Eternal Energy Systems, Solar Age and Viridus Energie will be available to discuss how you can help to power your home with renewable energy.

At The EcoVillage 2009 visitors will discover exhibitors of all shapes and sizes, arranged in village streets such as Energy Avenue and Protect Kent Path, EcoVillage Hall and the Market Marquee. They can also relax in the EcoVillage Green Picnic Area where Well Hung Meats will be providing delicious organic food all day, or visit Goji Wah Wah, a converted London Routemaster bus serving gourmet vegetarian food.

We are also please to be collaborating with sponsors Protect Kent and Countrystyle Group this year, John Suffolk of Countrystyle Group comments:

"Countrystyle Group is pleased to be sponsoring the EcoVillage at this year's Kent Show.

The EcoVillage is a great initiative for green business in the South East and totally in keeping with the business philosophy of Countrystyle Group. We hope that by supporting the event this year that we can help to highlight the importance of protecting the environment."

There will be plenty to see and do at The EcoVillage, so come and find us at this years' Kent County Show to find out how easy it really is to be green!

Notes to editors:

The EcoVillage will be at The Kent County Show at Detling 17th, 18th & 19th July 2009

The EcoVillage is an event which promotes sustainable products, services and organisations. Our aim is that a visit to an EcoVillage will help people to live a greener life and help them save money!

The EcoVillage will also be present at Construction Expo 2009. Held at Chatham Maritime on 30^th September, this event is a key event for construction professionals in the South East.

The EcoVillage was also present at the Kent 2020 Exhibition in April of this year, a great event for

The EcoVillage

For more information about The EcoVillage please contact Vicky Whitlock on 01227 271261, vicky@theecovillage.co.uk or visit www.theecovillage.co.uk, which we'll be regularly updating.

Media enquiries, high resolution photography and requests for interviews for the EcoVillage should be forwarded to Vicky Whitlock.

ibuyeco polled its customers and The Converging World was proud to discover that they were voted as one of the charities to support. Customers can choose which of the 3 charities will receive a £5 donation when they purchase or renew an ibuyeco policy. Allowing customers to choose to donate to The Converging World when they take out a policy with ibuyeco means people can support the charities work to generate renewable energy, reduce carbon emissions and help support developing communities around the world by investing in projects that support change.

The Converging World is a UK based charity whose objectives are to tackle climate change whilst supporting the move towards a just and sustainable world. The Converging World model uses donations to create long term revenue streams that will both reduce CO2 emissions and contribute to sustainable development.

The Converging World invests in renewable energy projects in the developing world and owns wind turbines in India. The turbines produce clean electricity and Gold Standard carbon credits. All of the profits from these investments provide long-term funding for vital health, education and environmental projects around the world.

The Converging World has been recognised as a premium project in the carbon market by Gold Standard for their outstanding level of community engagement and the provision of ongoing support.

  For more info visit www.theconvergingworld.org

A REGIONAL EVENT WITH INTERNATIONAL REACH

WHO WILL BE THERE?

 High Level International Speakers Include:

Melissa Sterry                 CEO, Societás, UK
Prof Takeda Shuzaburo    Exec Director, Business Universities Forum, Tokyo
Veli-Pekka Niitamo          Research Director, NOKIA IT Living Labs, Netherlands
Prof Paul James              Director Global Cities, RMIT, Melbourne
Lesley Gavin                  BT's first female futurologist, UK
Prof Carolyn Kagan         Psychology and Social Change, MMU, UK

WHAT and WHY?
A lack of transparency and a silo mentality is resulting in a global political, environmental and economic meltdown
Open, honest debate and knowledge sharing will help global communities to climb out of these economically and environmentally challenged times
Smart City Futures will provide an honest, open forum that will break down the walls between policy makers, industry leaders, Universities and the communities they serve. Together they will explore open innovation and talk about how to build the foundations for a more sustainable future
Day 3 of Smart City Futures, designed by Just-b. Productions, will bring b.TWEEN magic into the mix to pull crucial conversations into the 21st century at this landmark forum
Using web 2.0 technologies, this innovative event will show how Universities can walk the walk and act as catalysts for change. Smart City Futures will give communities a voice and a chance to interact in real time with global leaders

All speakers will be able to answer unmoderated questions in this rare chance to talk directly and honestly about our future

NEW CHALLENGES CALL FOR NEW SOLUTIONS: What makes SCF different?

This event will be packed with installations, conversations, workshops, brainstorms and one to ones. Moving away from traditional formats, technologies will invite participation and interaction throughout. Sessions will look at a range of thought provoking topics and themes such as:

Professional Futures: Innovation and Collaboration in the Professional realms;
Policy Futures: Towards a Framework for Sustainable Economies;
Community Futures: Empowering Communities

The organisation is the brainchild of Richard Docwra, author of the book ‘Modern life - as good as it gets' and director of ChangeStar (www.changestar.co.uk), a consultancy and think tank for the not-for-profit sector.  Docwra says: ‘We're delighted to be launching Life² it has the potential to help many people.  Modern life can be complex, rushed, stressful and confusing - particularly in the current financial climate - and Life² is providing a vital service in helping people to navigate their way through this and live happier and wiser lives'.

Participants on one of Life²'s initial courses said "The course has been really useful in reflecting and focussing on my life and making practical plans to work towards a future I hope to realise" and "I have thoroughly enjoyed the course and I have not only made changes [to my life] but now have definite aims and goals as well as differing perspectives on important issues".

Oregon Grape is a bitter, astringent, decongestant herb that stimulates bile flow and releases toxins. Interally for skin diseases (especially dry eczema), gall bladder complaints, chronic hepatitis B, catarrhal gastritis, and diarrhea. The Oregan Grape tincture has much better desired effect on eczema and psoriasis if used combined with Oregon Grape ointment.

Oregon grape is an evergreen shrub found growing throughout the American northwest. While this plant is not actually a grape plant, it is grown in Oregon. Oregon grape is a close relative of the barberry plant and has many common medicinal uses and constituents.

It is a very special herb that has been put together in the simple form of tincture and ointment.

Ingredients:

Wild - crafted Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon Grape) tincture1:2 w/v (dried) in 45% organic ethanol

Extra Information:

A new range of Tinctures made by Paul Richards who has been growing medicinal plants for nearly 20 years. The herbs are grown organically in the beautiful Welsh border country of West Herefordshire. Herbs are harvested in peak condition, carefully chopped, and infused in organic grain alcohol. He puts 1kg of herb in 1.33 litres of alcohol is the maximum concentration normally 

Half price offer ends on 30th June 2009. is extended to 10th July 2009

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