FYI: Stop driving through London

Crawling traffic contributes eight times as much air pollution as traffic moving at regular highway speed. Another reason to get on your bike or use the tube.

Christmas Party Essentials

Beulah Sonia Dress

1. A BEULAH DRESS

Beulah London as a selection of beautiful, festive red dresses to get you through the party season.

For every dress sold a percentage of the profits goes to United Nations Blue Hearts Campaign.









 2.BARE MINERALS MAKE UP

Bare Minerals: Things to make you glow collection

This collection of radiant colours for eyes, lips and face that will leave you looking gorgeously giddy. Includes nine 100% pure bareMinerals Eyecolors, one glimmer Liner Shadow, a happy flush of an All-Over Face Color, one peach-perfect blush, plus two lipcolors sure to put a smile on your face.

3. A CAN OF ALIBI

Alibi Pretox drink lends a helping hand when surviving the party season. A blend of essential minerals and vitamins with no artificial additives. With milk thistle to help against the effects of alcohol.

Available from Holland and Barratt and Waitrose.

Ila Essence of Peace Gift Box

4. ILA ESSENCE OF PEACE GIFT BOX

To maintain a feeling of peace during the crazy pace of the Christmas build up.

1 x Bath Salts for Inner Peace (200g)
1 x Body Balm (50g)
1 x Dream Time Eau De Parfum (30ml)
1 x Dream Time CD

5. GREEN PEOPLE CHERRY RED LIPSTICK

A glamour essential!

Winner of Best Organic Lipstick - Natural Health & Beauty Awards 2008

The first Certified Organic lipsticks in the UK!

Moisturising lip protection made with natural colours derived from earth minerals

My top 5 favourite apps for better living in the city

A great source for recipe ideas using in season ingredients. It also list which foods are in season each month.

FREE

Gives you a rough estimation of your CO2 emissions when traveling.

FREE

A useful tool for meditating.

£0.59

 Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall's guide to eating, buying, ordering and cooking sustainable fish.  Lot s of yummy sustainable fish recipes.

FREE

A excellent guide to vegetable growing. From planting and growing to harvesting and storing. A handle tool for urban gardeners.

£2.49

Ethical Fashion: Made UK

One for your Christmas wish list....

Urban Eco Princess is loving the jewellery available from Made UK.  Not just because their pieces are stunning. affordable and made from sustainable materials. But also because their company philosophy is trade not aid.  Giving talented individuals in Africa the chance to make better lives for themselves.

One of my favourites is the Macho Necklace. Designed by Sarah Andreasen. This stunning Macho necklace is hand-made from recycled glass & sustainably sourced brass. Available for £90.

Natural Beauty: Barefoot

It's official, Winter is here and it's ridiculously cold.  We are all flitting between arctic winds and central heating. If you are suffering from extremely dry skin as a result of the changes in temperature, get your hands on a tube of Barefoot Face and Body Rescue Cream.  Also good for those with eczema as psoriasis.

A little goes a long way so this product is good value. With a mild smell and instant effects.

SMELL: ***
VALUE:****
LASTING EFFECTS:****
Combining the highest quality blend of natural, ethically sourced plant-derived ingredients and the finest pure essential oils, this rich and nourishing unique cream offers the following benefits:

Stellaria (Chickweed) and Burdock Botanical Extracts instantly comfort and soothe irritation
 
Macadamia and Evening Primrose Oil deeply moisturise and restore parched skin  
Organic Sulphur (MSM) intensively softens and replenishes dry skin  
Pure Essential Oils of Neroli and Chamomile gently nurture the skin with a soft aroma 

Free from synthetic chemicals including paraffin, parabens, SLS, as well as artificial colours, fragrances and animal ingredients. 


25ml £5.95
50ml £10.50
100ml £18.00

Buy from here or your local Holland and Barratt.

Christina's Breakfast: Mushrooms on toast

 Mushroom season is coming to an end so we thought we'd make the most of them before they disappear.

Here is a yummy, warming recipe to share with friends and family on a frosty Sunday morning.

Ingredients:

12 Button mushrooms
2 Portobello mushrooms
8 Chestnut mushrooms
A handful of chopped Parsley
2 gloves of garlic
A teaspoon of butter
A splash of white wine
A splash of white wine vinegar
75ml of double cream
Brown bread or toast to serve


Method:

1. Finely dice the button mushrooms.
2. Finely chop the garlic and melt the butter in a frying pan.
3. Slice the chestnut and portobello mushrooms.
4. Add the cream, diced button mushrooms, white wine and white wine vinegar to the pan
5. Heat until the button mushrooms are cooked and add in the chestnut and portobello mushrooms.
6. Toast the bread and butter if desired.
7. Once the mushrooms are cooked, add the parsley and serve the mushrooms on the toast.

Down the market: In season in December

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