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Book review: Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

July 19, 2020 By Ellen Long Leave a Comment

We are all children of blood and bone. All instruments of vengeance and virtue.

In the wake of George Floyd’s death, worldwide Black Lives Matter protests, and the public fury that brought down the Edward Colston statue, it’s becoming increasingly apparent to me that it’s not enough to try to do right by the planet – it’s also essential to do right by its people.

With that in mind, here’s my review of Tomi Adeyemi’s awesome kids’ book: Children of Blood and Bone – a book that’s so right for these strange times. It holds up a mirror this world’s “pandemic of racism”, while at the same time, providing an escape from it.

What is it?

A West African-inspired fantasy novel published by Pan Macmillan in 2018. Soon to be turned into a movie (eek!) this stunning book – the first in the Legacy of Orïsha series – has a sequel: Children of Virtue and Vengeance, which was released in December 2019 and is on my to-read list.

The book follows Zélie, Amari and Tzain on their quest to return magic to the maji in a bid to finally end their bitter oppression at the hands of kosidán (non-magical) king, Saran.

Magic is Zélie’s birthright, but it’s also the reason why she and her white haired, silver-eyed kin have been brutalised for over a generation. Their magic is universally feared; they are persecuted, and derided with a particular slur, yet they have a potent connection with the sky gods and the deep power of the earth.

Who’s it for?

I love a crossover book – as a child I read mostly adult books and now I read (and try to write) mostly children’s books. This is one of those wonderful books that I think would appeal to a wide age range.

There’s a fair amount of violence in Children of Blood and Bone, so while younger teens would love the magic, adventure, well-built world and powerful characters, it is definitely well-suited for YA readers. There’s certainly enough depth and brilliant writing in this book to compel any adult reader to devour its 500+ pages, too.

Things I love about it

This book has everything I love: tangible gods, a brilliantly-drawn fantasy world, earthy magic, compelling characters, clearly defined shifts in point-of-view and page-turning suspense.

It’s one of those books that is utterly word-perfect; despite its length, every sentence has been crafted to perfection. Here’s an example of what I mean:

This late into the day we’ve ascended thousands of meters, giving us startling views of the jungle beneath. Greens of all hues cover the land, creating endless canopies beneath our feet. A rushing river curves through the tropical brush, marking the only water in sight. It grows smaller and smaller as we climb, shrinking until it’s only a thin blue line.
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Heaven.

Things I don’t love about it

I have no criticisms of Children of Blood and Bone; I love the characters, its plot and narrative arc, the setting details and writing style.

While this is by no means an issues book, the way the maji are abused draws clear and uncomfortable parallels with the racism and violence of our own world. For me that is part of the book’s strength, but if you haven’t read Children of Blood and Bone and you want to (you must!) be prepared for some heartbreak.

All-in-all?

Children of Blood and Bone kept me gripped, but it’s also substantial enough that I couldn’t gobble it up in one or two sittings.

I’ve spent the last few days yelling, swearing, and tutting while I’ve read it. “What’s happening now?” My husband would ask. It felt good to tell him about each twist of the adventure, to offload some of the tension.

Please, please read this book if you haven’t already – it’ll connect you with what’s happening now, while allowing you to slip into a fantastic world.

Have you read Children of Blood and Bone? Let me know in the comments below!

I’ve found the one: Ben & Anna toothpaste

January 25, 2020 By Ellen Long 2 Comments

Gorgeous natural toothpaste with activated charcoal – packaged in a glass jar.

What’s the big deal?

Remember all the trouble I had trying to switch to natural deodorant, before I finally found something that worked with my sensitive skin and permanent paranoia about pongy pits?

Well, finding toothpaste that works – and comes in reusable / recyclable packaging – has been almost as difficult.

I’ve used natural toothpaste for well over a decade, but my favourite brand comes in those squeezy plastic tubes that are difficult to recycle (in other words: aren’t recycled).

I’ve tried many low-waste toothpaste brands and products since I first started my journey to reduce plastic use, including all the ones you’ve likely seen in your local zero waste or health food stores… tooth tabs, tooth powders, even tooth soap… you name it, I’ve tried it!

I was so desperate for a decent toothpaste option that I even wrote to my favourite natural toothpaste brand and asked them to offer an alternatively packaged version of their toothpaste.
I told them that I understood that it would cost more, and that I would be willing to pay for the privilege of not using plastic.
I didn’t get a response.

It’s their loss, because this toothpaste is easily as good as my old favourite.

I’m relieved to have finally found something that makes my teeth feel clean, my mouth feel healthy, and even has some bonus whitening action, too!

None of the plastic-free toothpaste options I’ve tried has been even half as a good as Ben & Anna’s Black toothpaste.

Who is it for?

Everyone who wants to cut plastic out of their bathroom, and have clean teeth.

How do you use it?

Just scoop a small amount onto your eco-friendly toothbrush, wet, and brush your teeth as usual!

It’s just wonderful, black, sticky goop that makes my mouth feel great and my teeth appear whiter.

Ben and Anna Black toothpaste with the lid open

Things I love about it

Packaging
Flavour and texture
Whitening power
Long-term results

Lots of natural toothpaste tastes and feels a bit funky. Ben & Anna’s Black toothpaste is a lot more like a conventional toothpaste (it’s not like the dry, powder or oil-based toothpastes I’ve tried).

I’m not a dentist so I can’t advise on dental health and care. All I can do is compare how my mouth feels after using Ben & Anna for a few weeks versus using other toothpastes. I do know that my mouth has felt really good, whereas dental tabs, powders and soaps have made my teeth feel achy and my mouth feel less clean than it normally does.

Things I don’t love about it

I don’t use the little stick that comes with the toothpaste – the one that’s intended to act as an applicator. It makes the process messier that just dunking my toothbrush into the jar.

The toothpaste is also quite expensive, especially in comparison with conventional brands that you can buy in the supermarket. I think it’s totally worth it, though, especially when I consider how much money I’ve wasted on natural, low-waste toothpaste brands that have let my mouth down.

A bit like my deodorant of choice, Ben & Anna is made overseas (but then again, so was my old toothpaste). It would be great to source everything in my own back yard (or even better, source things from all over the world without upping my carbon footprint), but for the moment, I’ll take a clean and happy mouth!

All-in-all?

I can’t recommend Ben & Anna’s Black toothpaste highly enough – especially if you like natural toothpaste with activated charcoal, and you want to cut down on unnecessary plastic in your bathroom.

Have you used Ben & Anna toothpaste, or found something else that works for you? Let me know in the comments below!

This UK-made, eco-friendly dog bed just got an update on its 40-year old design…

August 26, 2019 By Ellen Long Leave a Comment

Ever feel like every day is an internal and external battle against throwaway culture? I do. It even extends to our pets!

Don’t get me wrong – I’m not blaming consumers. I never do.

Everything we do day-to-day here in the UK – everything – is set up to make it easier to choose cheaply made, disposable products that ultimately break and need to be replaced.

That’s why I always champion businesses that do their bit for the planet.

I was intrigued when Emma from Barka Parka reached out to me to see if I’d like to attend their launch event for a new range of dog beds that, rather than being filled with polystyrene beans, contain BioFoam instead.

I thought, here’s something I haven’t obsessed over yet: the plastic in dog beds!

Why consider an eco friendly dog bed?

These dog beds are built to last to the same design that’s been in use since the 1970s.

When I attended the launch on 31 July this year I got chatting (of course) to Janet – one of the company’s founders, who started Barka Parka in Australia in 1979 with her sisters Janet and Marion.

How many people just go to the pet shop and buy the first dog bed they can find? The dog hates it, and ends up chewing it to pieces. They’re made of the cheapest synthetic materials. And, they’re hideous!

I know exactly what she means. I’ve bought two rubbish dog beds for our little dog. And they really are rubbish: when we’re long gone they’ll be in landfill somewhere, taking centuries to break down.

The beauty of these beds is that dogs actually like them. They’re durable: unlike the rubbish I’ve bought in the past. And, since Janet and Brenda now live here (Marion has sadly passed away), the beds are also made in the UK.

Janet and Brenda may have handed over the reins to Emma and Richard, but they were still keen to show me one of their first beds (circa 1976).

Still going strong, the bed was complete with a lolling pooch who had to be shifted off the bed temporarily, to demonstrate that, after more than 40 years, the only damage was a tiny hole in the bed’s removable outer cover.

What’s changed at Barka Parka?

Barka Parka has been going strong for 40+ years. Emma and Richard haven’t been at the helm for long – they took over in January this year – but already they’re making an impact.

They’ve taken these instantly recognisable beds (which have found their way into several prestigious homes) and updated the range in one crucial way that couldn’t be more on-point for 2019.

Now, they’re offering a more eco friendly dog bed that, instead of the usual polystyrene, is filled with groundbreaking BioFoam.

Doing so hasn’t been easy – or cheap. Sourced in the Netherlands, this revolutionary BioFoam is the first of its kind on the market. It’s fully bio-based, carbon neutral and eco friendly to produce.

At the end of its life, it can be industrially composted or transformed into PLA – Polylactic Acid. PLA is derived from renewable sources such as sugarcane, and has a wide range of uses including ‘films, bottles and medical devices’.

The huge benefit of PLA as a bioplastic is its versatility and the fact that it naturally degrades when exposed to the environment.
Creative Mechanisms

If you’re a Plastic Free Spirit, fossil fuel-derived polystyrene probably makes you wince.

According to Recyclenow:

Polystyrene is a type of plastic which is not commonly recycled… Expanded polystyrene should be placed in the waste bin.

Most bean bags are filled with – you guessed it – expanded polystyrene, or EPS.

While BioFoam does still require industrial composting, crucially, it’s not sourced from fossil fuel polymers.

Emma and Richard had their work cut out sourcing it from suppliers who are used to fulfilling much larger orders, but they persevered, and the BioFoam was delivered to the team’s rural Somerset workshop just before the launch party.

About the Barka Parka dog bed design

I love the bespoke ethos of Barka Parka. You order the size that suits your dog, and the colours that suit you.

The outer layer is a removable, elasticated polycotton cover. The inner is a round, flat bean bag that dogs find undeniably comfy (the pooches at the launch were testament to this).

The option to fill your dog bed with a greener alternative to polystyrene feels like a natural next step.

What does the future look like for Barka Parka?

Barka Parka beds are made in Butleigh, Somerset (also home to the wonderful Naked Pantry), and plans for the future include more of the same – handmade, British dog beds of quality, with a three year warranty.

Since they took over in January, Richard and Emma have also launched Stormhound – durable, high-end dog coats – built for longevity.

When I asked Emma whether they wanted to make the dog bed covers from fully natural fibres in the future, she said:

We’re trying! We were in talks with a company in Lancashire that supplies durable waxed cotton. But the quantities that we’d need to order make it impossible for us at the moment.

Instead, Emma says they’re looking to their packaging next – with plans to deliver their dog beds in less wasteful materials.

Emma and Richard are also selling the BioFoam beans, so if you have a bean bag at home that’s looking a bit flat, or a craft project that needs beans, you can now use something better than polystyrene.

Finally…

I want to applaud Emma and Richard for doing all they can to avoid passing on the high costs of the BioFoam beans to their customers. They’re committed to keeping them as affordable as possible, to make the eco friendly dog beds a truly viable alternative.

Update 22/10/19: Plastic Free Spirits get 15% off at Barka Parka! Just use the promo code PFS15 at the checkout. When I spoke to Emma a few weeks ago, she said: “No-one has requested polystyrene since we launched. It won’t be long until we’ve ditched polystyrene for good.” Barka Parka now also stocks genuinely plastic free poo bags.

Why you should try Fat and the Moon’s plastic free deodorant

August 10, 2019 By Ellen Long 2 Comments

I’ve been looking for a plastic free natural deodorant for sensitive skin – one that works – for over a year. I thought that I’d found it in Nuud, the carefree deodorant in the sugarcane tube.

Trouble is, that tube causes controversy on the plastic free scene.

Designed to be recycled, the tube itself isn’t biodegradable. As you may already know, plastic can only be recycled so many times; eventually, it will end up being thrown away or incinerated:

Plastics typically degrade in quality during the recycling process. For most recyclable plastics, they are typically only suitable for recycling once. As a result, most recycled plastic we use eventually reaches landfill, even if it goes through an additional use cycle as another product. Recycling typically delays rather than prevents plastic disposal to landfill or incineration.
Our World in Data

For this reason, Nuud is often not recommended in zero waste shops. When I approached Nuud customer care about this earlier in the year, they said:

Our tubes are indeed 100% recyclable through the regular plastic waste channels. The cardboard box, where the tubes ship in, is biodegradable on it’s own!

While I do believe that Nuud’s eco credentials are incredibly strong, and for me, it really works, I wondered if I couldn’t find something even better: a plastic free deodorant that’s effective and suitable for my sensitive underarms (I just can’t handle baking soda!).

That’s when I tried Fat and the Moon’s Sensitive Pit Cream. And it was superb.

Before I continue, I want you to know that finding a natural deodorant that works for you is a bit of a journey.

While I loved Nuud – it worked perfectly for me and kept me fresh at work at during workouts – some of my readers didn’t have great results, while others loved it (see the comments on the post).

A little bit of trial and error may be necessary if you’re making the switch to natural deodorant for the first time, but the great news is, Fat and the Moon offer a travel sized tin (Lil’ Sensitive Pit Cream). My advice is, if you want to try it, get this smaller tin before you invest in the bigger one, and see how you go. It worked for me.

What is it?

A baking soda free deodorant – great for sensitive underarms. Made from just 6 natural ingredients, it’s also plastic free, cruelty free, natural and handmade.

It’s a cream that you rub onto your underarms, with a delicate scent (it’s light, earthy and fresh – all at once).

Who’s it for?

This is plastic free, natural deodorant – perfect for anyone who wants to use natural skincare and avoid plastic packaging. It’s made in California, so if you’re in the States, it’s a great product to try.

I tested UK brands, both locally-made and from Lush (Lush are low waste packaging pioneers) and I just couldn’t find anything else that was as gentle and effective, and packaged in a way that made me feel proud to use it.

You may have seen Fat and the Moon products in your hunt for plastic free skincare alternatives and makeup. So far, I’ve also bought the eyeliner and a lip stain and I’m thrilled with these, too.

Fat and the Moon offer ‘simple products that are good for the body and the earth’, making them a great addition to your low waste lifestyle.

How long does it last?

I used the Lil’ Sensitive Pit Cream – the same formula but in a travel-sized tin that makes it perfect for sampling – for about 2 months before I ran out.

I’ve just started the Sensitive Deodorant Cream jar, which is about 4 times the size – Lil’ Sensitive is ½ fl oz (about 15ml) and the larger jar is 2 fl oz (about 60ml).

How much does it cost?

Two jars of Fat and the Moon Sensitive Deodorant Cream should last me 16 months, which means that with current pricing, I’ll be spending £2.40 a month on deodorant (without accounting for UK shipping).

Things I love about it

I adore pretty much everything about this product, especially the following:

Formula: the combination of delicate scent, creamy texture and efficacy makes it unique.
Brand: I love the quirky branding and sustainable, healing ethos of Fat and the Moon.
Packaging: (maximal) minimalist, reusable, recyclable and low plastic.

Things I don’t love about it

There’s only one thing I don’t love about this product – the airmiles. I’d like to be able to source something just as good from the UK. Actually, let me rephrase that: I’d love to be able to source gorgeous products from around the world without the shipping affecting the environment.

Sourcing plastic free natural deodorant from overseas may not be ideal, but on the other hand, in doing so I’m supporting a brilliant brand that’s doing everything with care and conscience.

We work with plants that are abundant, ethically harvested and organically cultivated and combine them in formulations that are radically non-toxic. Our priority is to use reusable, recyclable containers, and to minimize superfluous packaging.
Fat and the Moon

For me, a beautiful, botanical product that works well and doesn’t come in plastic is the priority (progress, not perfection!).

How to source Fat and the Moon from outside the US

There are a few UK stockists of Fat and the Moon, so you don’t need to order direct from the US.

I reached out to The Future Kept, to ask company founders Jeska and Dean for their thoughts on importing Fat and the Moon.

Here’s what they said:

Your concern with the mileage is something that we both consider and struggle with. Fat and the Moon is one of only two brands with products that ship to us via air, it is less than ideal and we have considered stopping to sell anything that we have to ship by air, but it is also a brand that we have stood behind and promoted with passion from the very first day that we started our store almost 5 years ago.
We have looked for options that are made here in the UK or in Europe, but to be honest we haven’t found anything that is as good, there is always a trade off and with this it is the air miles, but the way the Fat and the Moon products are made naturally, sourced ethically and organically and the family legacy behind the brand are what we fell in love with when we first discovered it all those years ago and for us those are so important.
We try to offset the impact of that part of the supply chain in other ways, by ordering efficiently, so that small parcels are not regularly being shipped, not shipping any orders with it in that do require air shipping so they don’t travel by air twice etc.
We take our impact as a store very seriously, recycling and reusing any packaging products arrive in, using a carbon neutral courier, not using any new plastic in our packaging, using recycled cardboard and paper tapes, working with all the brands we supply to eliminate plastic in their own supply chain and packaging, and being a member of 1% for the Planet to support grassroots environmental non-profits.
Alongside this we have both personally shopped, eaten and lived as minimal impact a lifestyle as possible for a long time, so we are continually listening, researching and looking at ways that we can be and do better in our own lives and through the store, so we really appreciate it when people like yourself give us the feedback and support which enable us to do this!
Jeska and Dean, The Future Kept

I’m planning to stick with Fat and the Moon deodorant for the foreseeable future.

When I buy it from The Future Kept, I’m also supporting 1% for the Planet and a UK business that I love – Jeska and Dean have curated a unique range of ethical homewares, magazines, books, jewellery, skincare and much more.

In the past, when I haven’t had an effective natural deodorant to rely on, I’ve switched back to my old brand of roll-on deodorant out of desperation.

Now, I don’t want to let the pursuit of perfection hold me back from making progress in my pursuit of a plastic free bathroom.

All-in-all?

I highly recommend Fat and the Moon Sensitive Deodorant Cream if you’re looking for a plastic free deodorant that’s kind to your skin. The travel sized tins are an affordable way to give it a try, and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Have you tried Fat and the Moon deodorant, or found something else that works for you? Let me know in the comments below!

8 low-waste beauty essentials for your festival survival kit

June 10, 2019 By Ellen Long Leave a Comment

This year, I’m heading to Glastonbury Festival for the first time (eek!), and I want to make sure that my festival looks are based around conscious product choices – low waste (or plastic free), natural and cruelty free beauty products are all I want in my makeup bag.

This weekend, I had lots of fun putting together a makeup kit for Glastonbury Festival – here are the results!

Check out my review of Love the Planet’s mineral makeup products: Glow, Sparkle, and Perfecting Powder. For the record, Peach blush is glorious, too.

Zao Mascara wand — Zao refillable mascara

Replacing my makeup with low waste and plastic free alternatives has been the most fun aspect of life with less plastic so far. There are great brands out there. I’ve reviewed some, like Love the Planet Mineral Makeup, before. I also love Zao mascara – everything from the tactile bamboo exterior, to the refillable design and the long-lasting formula.

While I like nuud deodorant a lot, I also wanted to try a something in a tin, too. Lil’ Sensitive is great for my sensitive underarms (I’ve had a lot of issues with natural deodorants in the past). Its scent is subtle and woody, and it has a light, creamy texture. It also works well to stop pits smelling (ask me again when I’m camping in a field for a week 🙂 – Glastonbury might be the ultimate test!).

Glitter has been a problem at festivals in the past, and Glastonbury wants its traders to only bring biodegradable glitter. I like Eco Glitter Fun because they’re pretty transparent about their eco credentials and how biodegradable their glitter really is. The glitter comes in plastic free packaging, too.

Pink and gold glitter in a glass pot — Biodegradable glitter

We need to talk about Fat and the Moon’s eye coal. Everything on this page falls under the category of even-better-than-its-plastic-wrapped-alternative, and this natural eyeliner is no exception. It’s everything you want in an eyeliner – easy to apply and blend, yet it doesn’t smudge or smear easily, and lasts all day. Make sure you have a decent angled brush, so that you can get the effect and line that you want.

Have you found any great zero waste beauty products lately? Or do you have a product you want me to review? Let me know!

9 Simple ideas from macrobiotics that can help make a plant-based diet more inspiring

May 25, 2019 By Ellen Long Leave a Comment

How do we create a future in which both people and nature can thrive? This is the biggest question of our times. In the next few decades we need to do something unprecedented – achieve a sustainable existence on earth. But how do we do it?
– David Attenborough, Our Planet

George Monbiot, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, David Attenborough, scientists and health professionals have all been saying it: we need to eat less animal foods and more plants. Now, in the face of the sixth extinction event, it’s even more essential to make meaningful changes, and fast. I believe that those meaningful changes could be good news for small, organic farms, too. By not eating the cheap stuff, we can save money and spend it where it counts: with local families who truly care about the countryside and the welfare of their animals.

Choosing what you feed yourself and your family is very personal. Nobody likes to be told what to eat, but the evidence is mounting.
– Aoife Behan, The Scotsman

I might as well say it: I love meat. And fish. And eggs. In fact, it might be more accurate just to say that I love food – pretty much everything except Jerusalem artichokes which, let’s face it, only maniacs enjoy.

I was raised in a meat-eating family and I know how to cook with animal foods. I know how to get lots of taste into stews and curries by cooking meat on the bone, and how to lightly flavour fish. I’ve learned that you can fix pretty much any bland creation with butter, and I also find that when I pile my plate high with lean animal protein, I don’t gain weight or lose stamina as easily.

But there’s a problem: I love animals, and I love this beautiful, messed up world. And it’s becoming clear that, when it comes to animal foods and climate change, less is definitely more. In fact, there’s evidence to suggest that the meat and dairy industries impact the climate more than fossil fuels.

Flexitarian – is the the way forward?

We need to start talking about values for money – not just value for money. Cutting the amount of meat we buy means we can invest in better quality when we do. Switching to free range, organic, sustainable… produce wherever possible is a win-win for the environment and for our farmers.
– Aoife Behan, The Scotsman

It’s getting harder and harder for me to make excuses for an abundance of meat in my shopping basket, and I’ve been steadily cutting down over the last few months. That being said, I also know that I’m not cut out for veganism. So what’s the answer?

For me, it’s going plant-based, or flexitarian.

This is exciting to me because, I love vegetables! Eating more of them is not a hardship. And, after watching Our Planet (which I thoroughly recommend, by the way – yes, you’ll cry a little, but it’ll be worth it), even my husband – the thawed out caveman – is on-board.

In this post, I want to dive into a few things I learned from macrobiotics that enhance plant-based eating. Because, like any way of life that restricts or limits certain foods, a plant-based diet can get a little boring if you don’t do it right (just ask anyone on a diet).

Here’s what I learned from macrobiotics: 9 great principles to keep your plant-based diet interesting

A few years ago, I was lucky enough to get some personalised recommendations from a friend and macrobiotic chef.

What I learned was tailored to me, and may not be applicable to macrobiotics in general. But all of these principles come to mind when I’m cooking plant-based dishes and seeking balance – which for me means not relying on the same foods all the time.

Here’s what I learned, and it’s so applicable to a plant-based diet:

1. Texture is more important than you think

Many diets fail us because they’re simply a bit boring. If you’re eating healthy foods and feeling uninspired, you may think you’re bored of tastes. But it’s actually easy to become bored of the same old textures: tender steamed veg, or soups and curries, for example. Mix up your textures. Add crunch with toasted seeds and crisp salads, or make a creamy dressing with a base of cashews or tahini. Then eat them all as part of one dish.

2. Use a range of cooking styles

Variety is the pungent condiment of life (sorry – bad macrobiotic in-joke). There are lots of ways to get bored of an eating style. Save your sanity and vary not only what you eat, but how you eat it, every day. Steaming, sauteing, roasting, mashing, toasting, baking, frying and pickling all have their role to play.

3. Sometimes you just need fried food

We all know fried food isn’t a great basis for your diet. But you’re probably safe to enjoy something crispy once in a while. Try dipping vegetables in homemade tempura batter, then deep-fry in hot coconut oil with a dash of sesame oil for flavour. Blot away excess oil, drizzle with tamari and continue to crisp in the oven while you fry the next batch. You’ll never look back. Don’t eat it all, though; excess oil makes humans grumpy, apparently (it’s a chi thing).

4. Eat three decent meals a day for satiety

Macrobiotics taught me that it’s OK to feel hungry sometimes. Without constant snacking, your body gets a much needed break from digestion. That said, I don’t believe in starving yourself. Three proper meals a day will keep you more satisfied than small meals eaten often. Listen to your body, and grab a healthy plant-based snack if you need it.

5. Avoid extremes to stay off the food roller coaster

You know that feeling of eating something salty, then craving dessert? Do you usually crave salted nuts or crisps with your glass of wine? Macrobiotics teaches that this cravings yo-yo is down to the energies of foods being excessively yin (sweet, watery, spicy) and yang (salty, meaty and rich). Eating more balanced and neutral foods helps reduce food cravings.

6. Eat dessert daily

Remember I said that my knowledge of macrobiotics stems largely from some personalised consultations I had a few years ago? Well, maybe my friend realised at the time that I’m just someone who needs a daily treat. She clearly knew it was a good idea to build healthier homemade desserts into my life – rather than letting me react to cravings on the fly. She created a few low-sugar options for me, including fruit jellies made from agar. Yum!

7. Eat a little raw food with every meal

I’ve heard this many times and you probably have, too: it’s important to incorporate raw veggies into your diet so that you can benefit from the nutrients that would otherwise get lost in cooking. Macrobiotics relies on lots of cooked food (which is more balanced), but there’s an emphasis on green salads and home pickled veggies, too.

8. Incorporate the five flavours

What does ‘flavour’ mean to you? You may be thinking – sweet, sour, and salty. But what about pungent and bitter? Making sure to get lots of different flavours into your meals – preferably all on the same plate – is a good way to add healthy variety to your diet, and keep boredom at bay.

Meals that include the five tastes will prove more satisfying, in terms of limiting cravings, and more fortifying.
Marlene Watson-Tara, Centre for Nutrition Studies

9. Enjoy natural sweetness

If (like me) you’re a bit of a sugar-junkie, make the most of the natural sweetness in foods like pumpkin, beetroot, onions and carrots. Think root veggies and less sugary fruits such as apples and berries, rather than high sugar, tropical fruits like banana and mango (which are too extreme).

I’m still figuring out the best things to eat for people and planet, and I’m always keen to hear what you think (let me know below).

My plan is to cut down on meat, dairy and fish so that I’ll be able to afford better quality, local and organic meat and dairy when I do eat it (which is great for me, for animals, for farmers and for the planet).

For a little macrobiotic recipe inspiration, check out these recipes from Clearspring.

The beautiful food pictured in this post was created by Nook.

The Green Shop in Midsomer Norton has all the cleaning refills you could possibly need

May 18, 2019 By Ellen Long Leave a Comment

As you probably know, I’m on a mission to source everything I need with as little packaging as possible, and that means checking out lots of local shops.

Health Food Shops have been the unsung heroes of the high street for decades, offering supplements and natural remedies, organic veg and unprocessed wholefoods. They also cottoned onto the need for gluten-free and special diet foods long before the supermarkets.

Now, they’ve joined the fight against plastic, and The Green Shop in Midsomer Norton is no exception.

Back in December, we moved house, and I’m still finding my way around the shops in the area. That’s why I was thrilled to discover The Green Shop, with its superb selection of cleaning refills.

What can you buy?

Among its other ethical goodies, The Green Shop offers refills of natural washing liquid, fabric conditioner, and sanitiser for spray bottles, eco friendly floor cleaner and toilet cleaner, and a selection of natural shampoos and conditioners. I can’t think of anywhere else I’ve been locally that offers so much choice in the way of products like this.

I also spotted a few other zero waste wonders:

Loose herbs and spices
Beeswax candles in various sizes
Beeswax wraps

New to refills?

In case you’re unfamiliar with refilling your cleaning products, it’s really simple. You just reuse an old bottle and refill at the store – turn the tap and away you go! It’s a good idea to make a note of the bottle size if you’ve already removed the label (staff will do the maths for you) and watch out for fast flowing fluids… things can get messy very quickly.

More about The Green Shop

It’s kind of important, when you’re lugging a big bag of empty containers around, to find welcoming staff waiting for you at the other end.

The Green Shop staff were extremely kind and helpful. The shop also has a café, and I was sorry that I didn’t have time to stop and chill with a coffee and a piece of cake on my visit.

Maybe next time…