Category: Sustainable

Milk Topz and Pot Lidz

eco friendly, Family Life, Food & Drink, Home, Home & Garden, Plastic free, REUSABLE, Summer, Sustainable

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

One of the side effects of living a more sustainable life is having more ‘stuff’ in the house. You can’t throw away reusable bottles, pots and boxes like you can plastic ones so you need somewhere to store them. Don’t get me started on pots and bottles that don’t have reusable lids, like the milk bottles the milkman brings…

Which is where Milk Topz and Pot Lidz come in!  In a bid to support the comeback of the door-to-door milkman, the team at Milk Topz have developed re-usable milk bottle tops which fit on most delivered milk bottles.  They’re made of food grade silicone in a multiple of colours to replace the foil lids which don’t last and can’t be airtight, so helping your milk last longer.

Each pack of 6 lids contains three different colours, so you can use the different colours for different types of milk (ie semi skimmed and full fat).  The lids are designed to be re-usable so you can put them in the dishwasher and they’re even 100% leakproof. Tip them upside down and they won’t leak!  There has been controversy on BBC Breakfast News this week with talk about keeping milk at the back of the fridge instead of in the door like most of us do… except most of us would have milk leaking all over the place if that happened. Not with Milk Topz. They fit over the top of the 1 pint bottle of milk snugly, keeping air out too so your milk lasts longer. 

In addition to Milk Topz, Pot Lidz do much the same job. Still made of food grade silicone and dishwasher and fridge safe, these lids stretch over pots such as cream, yoghurt and soft cheese with a diameter of 95mm.  They’re also 100% leakproof, which is great for me when I buy mascarpone and the water residue leaks everywhere in the fridge. Pot Lidz will be a huge help in preventing spillages from now on. 

Both Milk Topz and Pot Lidz also support the local community by allowing you to use your local milkman, or local farm shop more effectively and prevent food waste with milk expiring quicker. They’re safe to use and after time, you can find a lot more uses for keeping food fresh!

Available for £6.99 at: https://www.milktopz.co.uk

Oxford Rye Whisky Easy Rider

alcoholic drinks, Birthday Gifts, Drinks and Mixers, Father's Day, Food & Drink, Gifts for Him, Sustainable

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Oxford Rye Whisky Easy Rider makes a fabulous Father’s Day gift. Whether Dad is a seasoned whisky drinker or just likes to keep a bottle for special occasions throughout the year, this is a great choice.

Oxford Rye pride themselves on making easy-to-drink spirits, with this batch of whisky being their 7th of Oxford Rye Easy Rider. Based in Oxford, as the name suggests, the distillery has worked hard over the last decade to create the best environment for growing crops which produce the best spirits.  Easy Rider is blended from 9 different casks including American Oak to give it that authentic Southern State aroma.  The result is a blend which is sweet, rich and not too smokey, leaving the 50% ABV to work its magic. The aroma is slightly fruity, with a sweet aftertaste and subtle finish. It would work perfectly as an after dinner drink, or mixed with soda for an afternoon drink in the sunshine.

The Easy Rider is perfect for making an Old Fashioned cocktail (or to give it its proper name, the ‘Old Fashioned Whisky Cocktail’) and the recipe can be found on the Oxford Rye website: https://www.theoxfordartisandistillery.com/blogs/cocktails/how-to-make-a-wriggly-old-fashioned

WRIGGLY OLD FASHIONED INGREDIENTS

  • 60ml Oxford Rye
  • 10ml Wriggly Monkey beer sugar syrup (see below)
  • 10ml Triple sec or Cointreau
  • 1 dash Angostura bitters
  • 1 dash Orange bitters
  • Orange twist (to garnish)

WRIGGLY OLD FASHIONED STEP-BY-STEP RECIPE

  1. Chill an Old Fashioned glass by filling it with crushed ice.
  2. Add all the ingredients apart from the orange bitters to a mixing glass or tin, and stir for at least 30 seconds and then a little more.
  3. Discard the ice and add a large ice cube to the glass.
  4. Pour the cocktail into the glass and dash the orange bitters over the top.
  5. Garnish with the orange twist

You don’t often find whisky distilled in the UK, and there isn’t much of a history to it apart from in the Highlands of Scotland, but Oxford Rye are blazing the way with creating a new type of whisky and traditions, based on heritage grains. In addition to heritage, they are building a sustainable way of creating the best possible whisky they can.

Dad will love this new twist on a traditional whisky with the bonus of it being distilled in the UK and not like any other brand out there.

Modibodi Basics Period Pants

beauty, eco friendly, Family Life, Fashion, Gifts for Her, health, Plastic free, REUSABLE, Sustainable, Tech, Women

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Period products have come a long way in just a few short years, not just because of the environmental impact of throwing away disposable pads and plastic but because the materials which can be used for more innovative products has greatly improved as well.

The company Modibodi.co.uk have created a range of products for everyone, from pregnancy pants, incontinence clothing and period knickers.  We were sent a sample of the Basic Mid-Rise Brief Period Pants (in pink!) to try as part of their bigger range.

The briefs come in 6 different colours including black and various shades of skin-colour plus sizes from UK 8 (extra small) up to UK 24 (5XL).  These pants are different to what you buy in the clothes shops for one particular reason – you don’t need to use pads or tampons when you are on your period because there is built-in technology to prevent you from needing them. You can of course, still wear them but just use the Modibodi Period Pants for insurance!

These Modibodi period pants have a moderate to heavy absorption, which is good to know if you find that other brands aren’t good at keeping up with your needs. There are other varieties which are light to moderate absorption available too, also in a range of colours.  At present, there’s an online deal on of 5 pairs of briefs for under £80 in a mix-and-match offer. One pair costs £15.50 without postage so it’s worth buying 5 pairs or more so that you have the choice of colours. Bearing in mind how much you’ll save on tampons and pads over the next few years, it’s an economic save in the long run too.

As for using them, I loved the colour of these Modibodi mid-rise briefs, and was very pleased to see where the absorptance technology was. Other brands don’t re-enforce in the right areas so you’re still prone to leaks, or the threat of a leak because you’re not sure how well they fit.  These lasted as long as any pads would, and in conjunction with a tampon worked really well especially as I was wearing an evening dress and didn’t want to be uncomfortable.  When it comes to washing, I try and soak them as soon as possible as well as put them in a cool wash as soon as I could – 20 Centigrade would be ideal but 30C works just as well.  The pink colour comes up well in the wash and they do keep their shape and absorbency over time. 

I would take advantage of the 5 for Under £80 deal online, with different colours and different types of brief so that these last a long time and can also be used in a variety of ways with different outfits. They work brilliantly and give you peace of mind as well as help to save the planet and a lot of fuss with remembering what to bring with you when you go out! The Modibodi online site also has period bikinis for holidays and new products coming out all the time.

£15.50

RINGANA Travel Sets

beauty, cruelty-free, Gifts for Her, Sustainable, Vegan, Women

Disclaimer: We received these products for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

It’s the start of June and thoughts are turning to holidays, whether you are planning on staying in the UK or heading for more exotic locations it’s even more important to look after your skin as the heat, humidity and long haul flights can play havoc with your skin.

Many beauty brands now have miniature versions, enabling you to stick to your favourite tried and trusted products whilst you are away. I don’t miss the days of decanting favourite products into travel sized bottles and then finding myself using body lotion instead of face cream as the pen has rubbed off the bottle and I can’t tell which is which – I’m sure I’m not the only one that this happens to!!

If your holiday plans involve a flight, travel-sized products are perfect as not only do they keep the weight down they are essential when travelling with only hand luggage. Airlines still have restrictions on liquids and containers must hold no more than 100ml and fit in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag, which holds no more than a litre and measures around 20cm by 20cm.

RINGANA are an Austrian skincare brand and their products are vegan, natural, ethical, eco-friendly and aren’t tested on animals. We’ve tried a few of their products recently and they also have a fantastic selection of travel sized products to suit all skin types. They sent me a couple of sets to try and I have enjoyed discovering some new RINGANA products.

The WASH sample box contains a great selection of holiday essentials to keep your hair and body lovely and fresh.

FRESH BODY WASH 50ml which lathers nicely to clean and freshen my skin after a day on the beach.  

FRESH SHAMPOO 50ml this gentle shampoo leaves hair lovely and soft and shiny.

FRESH STAY FRESH 50 ml, a gentle foam that you spray onto toilet paper to leave your skin fresh and clean.

FRESH DEODORANT 5 ml, this handy bottle protects against unpleasant body odours and is small enough to keep in your bag to freshen up whenever you feel the need.

FRESH TOOTH OIL 15ml, used instead of toothpaste this oil-based tooth care is derived from the ancient practice where oil was swished in your mouth to remove bacteria and promote oral hygiene. It doesn’t foam like toothpaste and I wasn’t keen on the taste but I did find it left my teeth feeling surprisingly clean and fresh.

I loved all these products but I would have liked to see a conditioner in this set as my hair can get wild and frizzy on holiday and I prefer to use the same haircare brands for shampoo and conditioner to get the best results.  

€27.10

The BODY sample box contains smaller samples that are perfect for a weekend away.

FRESH BODY MILK 15 ml This rich body milk nourishes and soothes dry skin with high-quality plant oils, restoring its suppleness.

FRESH FOOT BALM 15 ml – Just what you need to soothe tired feet after all that sightseeing.

FRESH HAND BALM 15 ml – This hand and nail balm melts into my skin and doesn’t feel greasy. It leaves my hands beautifully soft and smooth.

€14.90

The FACE RICH Sample Box is ideal for trying out RINGANA’s skincare range, the samples are in now in handy sachets with a screw top lid which take up very little space in a wash bag. The set contains

FRESH CLEANSER 15 ml – Apply to damp skin, massage in and rinse with warm water, this cleanser is great at removing all traces of make up and leaves my skin feeling clean and refreshed.

The FRESH TONIC CALM 15ml is gentle on skin and removes the final traces of dirt, grime and impurities after cleansing.

FRESH CREAM RICH 10ml – This rich cream is perfect for my perimenopausal skin, it sinks into my skin effortlessly and leaves it nice and hydrated.

FRESH ANTI WRINKLE SERUM 5ml – The highly-concentrated serum nourishes the skin and RINGANA claim that over time it will boost the skin, correcting and smoothing wrinkles.

€29.80

These are just a few of the RINGANA sample sets so whether you are looking for miniature versions of your favourite products or looking to change your skincare routine then I recommend taking a look at the RINGANA website. In time for the holiday season the popular RINGANA travel sets are now in the eco-friendly foil pouches which are 100% PCR – post-consumer recycled plastic. Mono-material is the ultimate pioneer in terms of recycling, and its 100 per cent recyclability makes it a real winner. Other improved sustainability features are a 20% reduction in the packaging weight, and they are much easier to empty so no wastage. Thanks to the oxygen barrier layer the high-quality formulations are protected even better than they were before. 

Dentek Eco Friendly Products

beauty, eco friendly, health, Plastic free, Sustainable

Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

It’s World Environment Day today and the perfect opportunity to tell you that the popular dental hygiene brand Dentek has gone green! Their interdental brushes and floss picks now have handles made from a naturally derived, organic, plant based resin and the interdental brushes have plant based bristles. In their efforts to become more eco friendly they have also changed their packaging – it is now made from 30% recycled material which can be recycled.

The Dentek Plant Based Floss Picks are perfect for cleaning between your teeth and removing those stubborn bits of food that don’t get removed when brushing. They are easy to hold and can be used in 3 different ways.

Flossing– the floss pick has a soft ribbon that gently removes food and plaque without irritating sensitive gums. It is perfect at getting in the gaps between teeth where a toothbrush just can’t reach.  

Pick – it has a curved pick to enable you to gently massage gums.

Tongue Cleaner– this helps remove bacteria from your tongue and can help prevent bad breath.

I’ve been trying out two different floss picks from the range – the Sensitive Clean and the Whitening floss picks. They are both easy to use and I especially liked the minty taste which leaves my teeth feeling fresh. Flossing is a great way to remove plaque and help prevent tooth decay by removing the small pieces of food that get stuck between your teeth

The slim interdental brushes are just what you need to remove food and plaque from the gaps between teeth helping prevent cavities and gum disease. There are 32 brushes in a packet and it is recommended that you replace the brush after 3 uses, or when it is worn.   

I found the brushes very easy to grip and they do a great job of removing those little pieces of food that get stuck between your teeth.

Using both products is a great way to keep your teeth clean which is bound to keep your dentist happy!

DenTek products are available at Boots, Amazon, Waitrose, Ocado and from the the DenTek website. 

iSqueeze Juice

Drinks and Mixers, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gluten Free, Lunchbox Fillers, Sustainable, Vegan, Vegetarian

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are our own

After the excess of food and drink consumed over the Christmas period, Dry January provides the perfect opportunity to reset your body and mind. Dry January is the month when many people abstain from alcohol and as well as saving money it also has plenty of health benefits too, including improved sleep, weight loss and cutting out alcohol can also help lower blood pressure and cholesterol too.

Lots of people associate orange juice as a breakfast staple but it can now be enjoyed “on-the-go” thanks to a growing number of iSqueeze machines in retail establishments, enabling you to grab a fresh juice whilst out and about. You will find machines in supermarkets, convenience stores, cafes, restaurants, gyms, and even hospitals.

The easy to operate self-service machines squeeze the fruit in seconds before bottling it, letting you enjoy fresh orange juice with no nasties, preservatives or sweeteners. The juice is packed full of flavour with plenty of zesty pulp and is very refreshing to drink.

The juice is available in a variety of sizes and each iSqueeze 250ml bottle (priced between £1.50 – £2.50) contains 3 oranges, 330ml (priced between £2 – £2.80) bottle – 5 oranges, 500ml (priced between £3 – £4.00) bottle – 8 oranges and the 1 litre bottle (priced between £4.25 – £6.00) contains an impressive 15 oranges.

As well as orange juice iSqueeze also have machines that will squeeze pomegranates and grapefruits too, with the technology to extend to further fruits including apples, so keep your eyes peeled!

All fruit is sustainably sourced, meaning zero waste, and the bottles are made from 100% recycled plastic which can easily be recycled. The juice is squeezed whilst you wait and is packed full of immune boosting ingredients and is high in vitamin C, folate, as well as potassium.

You will find iSqueeze machines in a growing number of places around the UK, we have one in our local Booths and you can also find them in Sainsburys, Coop, Nisa, Costcutter, Spar, Centre Parcs and plenty of other locations too.

Liforme Yoga Mat

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, cruelty-free, eco friendly, Family Life, Fashion, Fitness, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, health, Home & Garden, Plastic free, Sport, Sustainable, Women

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

By a certain age, or maybe it’s a certain level of fitness, yoga becomes less of a puzzle and more of a necessity. The company Liforme pride themselves on doing things differently to support and encourage the practice of yoga, and do so with their conscientious products. Their ethos to ‘Live for More’ by positively engaging communities is evident on their website, along with some delicious products any yoga fan will adore!

Amongst the products available was this Liforme Grateful Rainbow Yoga Mat which was sent to us to try out.  It’s bright pink, printed with an eco-friendly, non-toxic design of a rainbow mandala and alignment markings which can be described as guides for your feet and hands. This mat is a serious bit of kit for serious yoga people and you can tell just by looking at it. There’s much more science, and thought, behind it than you realise though, as I discovered.

The Liforme Yoga Mat is made with a real natural rubber base (so that it doesn’t slide all over the place) and the top layer is made of eco-polyurethane.  In all, the mat is 4.2mm thick but it feels thinner than that. It’s not chunky or clunky at all. The top eco-polyurethane layer is designed to be more grippy than other mats, so that you can practice without worrying about sliding all over the place, and the design is printed with durable yet eco-friendly ink. The same goes for all the designs of the yoga mats available on the Liforme website.  The mat weighs in at a hefty 2.5kg though so if you’re used to your yoga mat being light-as-air, this is going to be quite a shock!  The weight comes from the quality of the material though.

The dimensions of the mat come in at 185cm long and 68cm wide. That’s 73 inches long and 27 inches wide in old money.

As for the usability, the mat comes with a free carry case, which is needed when you have a rolled-up mat of this size and weight and need to transport it to several lessons a week.  The real test is in a yoga class, which is where any yoga equipment needs to prove itself.  The bright pink façade is very pleasing especially as you know in a dimly lit room and when you might need to wander around a bit, you can never lose it!  The surface is nicely grippy. Grippy enough for a Downward Dog and to not face plant yourself.  Liforme call this GripForMe technology and it allows you to use your full body weight in poses and not move an inch. Not even a millimetre for that matter, as I discovered when I was able to more pressure into some of the poses than I usually would. So in some ways, you could say that the Liforme Yoga Mat made me better at yoga as a result!

Liforme as a company have recently been awarded B Corp status. The B Corp status proves that Liforme has high standards of social and environmental impact as their core belief as a company and a quick look at their website proves that their high quality and non-toxic materials are the tip of the iceberg when it comes to responsibility. The mats bio-degrade in 1-5 years (depending on conditions) and believe that they have the world’s most planet-friendly yoga mat.

Truly a treat, the Liforme Yoga Mats aren’t cheap but they are suited to the serious yoga practitioner or fitness expert and look simply gorgeous. The unique design and alignment cues make this yoga mat stand out from all the rest, and a perfect gift too. 

Available for £140 (but currently on sale for £105) at:

Liforme Grateful Rainbow Yoga Mat – Grateful Pink/Rainbow

SodaStream Art Review

Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Home & Garden, Plastic free, REUSABLE, Summer, Sustainable

Soda Stream

Disclaimer: We received the SodaStream Art for the purpose of this review but all words and opinions are our own.

The forecast next week is predicted to be hot, hot, hot with temperatures up in the 30’s. We are not used to those temperatures in the UK so it is really important to stay hydrated. We all know we should drink 8 glasses of water a day, but I really struggle to do this so was really pleased when Sodastream sent me a Sodastream Art to try.

SodaStream have been making fizzy bubbles for over 100 years now and their aim is simple, allowing people to make fizzy drinks in their own homes and saving the planet in the process. One SodaStream bottle can save up to thousands of single use plastic bottles, so is the perfect swap this Plastic Free July.

The Sodastream Art is a stunning machine with its sleek black housing and looks great in the kitchen. I was a little disappointed that the machine didn’t come with any syrups so until I could get to the shops, we just made fizzy water and added it to cordial which is a great way to get children (and adults) to drink more water. When I went shopping, I discovered our local supermarket stocked the Pepsi Max and 7Up , so I picked a bottle of each, much to the delight of my sons!

We were really impressed with the flavours of the syrups and the thing I liked most was each drink can be made fresh, so they are always fizzy. Normally once you open a 2l bottle you really need to drink it the same day, otherwise it quickly goes flat but with SodaStream each drink can be made fresh and you can even control the fizz, making your drink lightly sparkling to super fizzy.

The C02 cylinder that comes with the machine holds enough gas to make 60 litres of sparkling drinks and refills are available from the Sodastream website.

Staying hydrated has never been easier and when it’s hot why not liven up your drinks with plenty of ice and a slice of lemon or lime.