Our top food & clothing picks

Soil Association Round Up
 It’s Organic September. To celebrate, Our BritMums Eco correspondent Ali Clifford shares her favourite organic picks for this month’s Green Round-up. This September you can make a small change to your everyday shopping, a simple but powerful form of direct action and small changes really can make a big difference. Swapping to organic food and clothing has huge benefits for people, animal welfare and the environment. 

1) But first coffee… I was introduced to ‘Grown By Women’ Equal Exchange Organic Fairtrade Coffee by my friend Margaret Rooke   

Evidence shows that where women control household income the family’s health, nutrition and education improves at a faster rate because less money is spent outside the household – and the coffee tastes good too….

 

2) Beaumont Clothing –  Beaumont clothing specialises in luxury casual pieces made only from 100% organic cotton. Designed here in Manchester, definitely a ‘one to watch’.

3) Sophie la girafe Cosmetics Sophie la girafe sets the standard for organic cosmetics. Providing a wide range of cosmetics – from face cream to bubble bath. Ideal for mums and their little ones. I highly recommend the face cream.

4) Green People Cosmetics – Whilst looking for an organic mascara I came across Green People’s natural organic mascara which contains Vitamin E and plant oils – looks great! 

5) Natracare – Organic, natural, biodegradable feminine hygiene and personal care. Massively reduce the risks of Toxic Shock Syndrome, and reduce landfill at the same time.

 

6) Organic Holidays – A useful link if you’re looking for places to stay where you’ll find organic, natural, homegrown and wild food. regularly updated, with links to amazing places like Middlewick in Glastonbury, and Aller Farm in Devon. 

7) PoZu ‘edible’ coconut shoe cream – One of the most versatile Soil Association certified items on this list. Primarily a shoe cream but the coconut oil can also double up for cooking, and even after-sun. A must have all-rounder.

8) People Tree – All of People Tree’s clothing and accessories are made from GOTS certified cotton, you cannot go wrong. Simple, ethical and affordable.

9) Frugi –  Have always been a big fan of Frugi kids and baby clothes, 100% fair trade, organic cotton clothing – yippee!

10) BoojaBooja – For those cosy autumn/winter nights. Why not indulge in some BoojaBooja ice cream. Its dairy free, organic, gluten free, made without refined sugar. An icecream you can feel good about eating. Yes please.

11) Pamper Parcels – Perfect for any birthdays and definitely Christmas, Pamper Parcels provide a wonderful gift option. Filled with organically sourced goods, you cannot go wrong. Particularly like the look of this Truffle Treat parcel.

12) Love it Love it Love it –   Ruth curates this home of unisex, ethical and funky clothes for babies and children. Bright, organic and practical kids clothes. She’s got it going on.

13) piupia Super soft baby clothing – 100% organic cotton. Designed in London, made in Portugal.

14) Divine Chocolate – “Giving cocoa farmers a stronger voice in the community” – Divine Chocolate combines the ethical and the scrumptious.

15) Mother’s ruin – ok, you know I like a G&T – so if you ARE going to indulge, why not try the world’s first organic gin Juniper Green Organic. Hic. 

16) Joe’s Tea Company – “Tired? Happy? Sad? Whatever the day, whatever your mood, nothing beats a good glug of Britain’s favourite brew” award winning eleven teas and herbal infusions are exclusively organic guaranteeing a top notch cuppa every time.

 

17) Little Valley Brewery Craft Beer is all the rage – am more of a G&T girl, however, Little Valley Brewery organic beers come highly recommended. 

18) The Duke of Cambridge – I used to work close to this fab pub in Angel, Islington – great organic fair, pretty delicious menu.

19) The Plant Cafe Exeter @theplantexeter a really rather lovely independent vegetarian cafe in Exeter, which we found this summer, using local and organic produce.

20) Edible Flowers – It’s not just the Great British BakeOff that are mad for edible flowers – I’ve been a long time fan of Jan and her wonderful edible flowers – oh you should have seen my (organic) wedding cake! 

A call out on twitter garnered a couple more organic bits and bobs worth looking at: www.snuz.co.uk , www.thelittlegreensheep.co.uk ,  www.outsiderfashion.com sustainable organic fashion brand, and stockist of tabithajk.com – eco-luxury hair organics,  tazekaaromatherapy.com – Pure organic essential oils. and ila-spa.com organic luxury skincare and spa brand.

To find out more about Organic September, and the changes you can make check out the Soil Association’s blog post here