If you want to grab yourself some they can be found at the following stores:

o   Online at www.littletakas.com

o   Baby Kingdom stores in NSW and online nationally at www.babykingdom.com.au

o   Progressive Supa IGA stores in Western Australia.

o   Farmer Jacks Foodworks stores in Western Australia.

o   Drakes Supermarkets in South Australia and Queensland

o   Foodland supermarkets in South Australia

o   IGA supermarkets Nationally

o   Romeos chain of IGA and foodland stores

o   SA commercial group

Naty’s nappies are not based on petrochemicals like the standard brands. They are formed from renewable raw materials (although they are not yet 100% biodegradable). The conventional plastic outer sheet has been replaced with a biodegradable material made from maize starch and cellulose fibre, both natural materials. This means that the nappy is water tight and allows the nappy to breathe, resulting in an airier, dryer, cooler and more comfortable nappy.

The absorbing layer of the nappy comprises biodegradable chlorine free cellulose fluff pulp, blended with a small amount of super-absorbent granules to increase the absorbing capacity of the nappy to reduce the number of changes needed. Naty are currently testing alternative sustainable and biodegradable packaging material which they hope to release onto the market soon.

Naty’s marketing strategy engages us, the consumers, through initiative such as their Ambassador program. Through the program you receive points for referring friends and family members, taking part in forums or for answering surveys. These points can be redeemed at the online store. If you sign up 50 ambassadors you receive a years supply of nappies.

We spent some time chatting with Maria, who is the key contact for the Australian arm of Naty, and she kindly offered up four packs of the Maxi nappies for Green Beings readers to trial. We are keen to get you involved and find out what you think. To be part of the survey sign up for our newsletter to receive trial panel callout emails, or email me directly at jo@greenbeings.com.au.

Nature Baby Care nappies are available from:

Coles

Woolworths

State of Green

Thomas Dux

Nature Babycare

]]> http://greenbeings.com.au/greenroom/index.php/2010/11/11/nature-baby-care-disposable-nappies-for-testing/feed/ 2 http://greenbeings.com.au/greenroom/index.php/2010/11/11/eco-baby-expo-low-down/ http://greenbeings.com.au/greenroom/index.php/2010/11/11/eco-baby-expo-low-down/#comments Thu, 11 Nov 2010 04:14:33 +0000 admin http://greenbeings.com.au/greenroom/?p=705 Biodegradable baby rattles were only some of the fabulous eco-friendly baby products that we came across at the Eco Baby Expo in Luna Park Sydney. It was great to see so many inspirational products under one roof. We chatted with many of the stall holders and had a great time testing, sniffing and sampling. Here's a few of our favourites.]]>
Biodegradable baby rattles were only some of the fabulous eco-friendly baby products that we came across at the Eco Baby Expo in Luna Park Sydney. It was great to see so many inspirational products under one roof. We chatted with many of the stall holders and had a great time testing, sniffing and sampling. Here’s a few of our favourites.

• Nature Baby Care – eco friendly disposable nappies and baby products. We chatted to Maria about the products which are made from compostable and sustainably harvested materials. These nappies are also available in supermarkets – whats more we have four packs (32 nappies per pack) of Maxi (7-18kg) for you to try out – watch out for our email callout.
• Reusable nappies – there were a number of reusable nappy options exhibited at the show. Some we have tried and some not. Bambooty (we can recommend their bamboo nappies and cute tees) was there and is going from strength to strength. Swimbaby which is, you guessed it, reusable nappies for swimming. Cutetooshies which has a selection of colourful reusable nappies.
• Natural rubber soothers/dummies and teethers made out of 100% sustainable natural rubber. Free from parabens, PVC and pthalates, these one piece dummies are easy to clean and of course BPA free.
• There were several Eco baby shops such as Sustainababy. IttyBittyGreenie were particularly chatty and helpful. Eco-friendly toys, bottles, clothes and skincare were on show. We couldn’t resist picking up one of their Greentogrow baby bottles.
• Eco-friendly baby toys. Decomposing in as little as 5 weeks once buried in the ground, the range of rattles, teethers and other baby items from Kiki Eco are cute, colourful and made from corn.
• Eco-friendly and chemical free cleaning. We loved Naturedirect’s Enviroair revitaliser which helps reduce bacteria, pollutants and odour from the air in your home – great for asthma or allergy sufferers.
• Baby skincare products were on show. There was a great range from naturewithin, great for itchy, dry or excema prone baby skin.
• There were also stands with more information on a range of birthing and baby topics, including naturopaths, calm birth courses and doulas. One for the fellas, a beerandbubs evening – a one night session down the pub where dads can learn techniques for supporting their partner through the birth. Including essential tips on what you should never say to a woman in labour.

The Eco Baby Expo was organised by Bonjour Baby and this expo was their first. A fantastic resource for those interested in getting to grips with how to go green when having a baby.

]]> http://greenbeings.com.au/greenroom/index.php/2010/11/11/eco-baby-expo-low-down/feed/ 1 http://greenbeings.com.au/greenroom/index.php/2010/10/22/eco-disposable-nappies/ http://greenbeings.com.au/greenroom/index.php/2010/10/22/eco-disposable-nappies/#comments Fri, 22 Oct 2010 04:09:03 +0000 admin http://greenbeings.com.au/greenroom/?p=702 When in the supermarket there is a depressing lack of eco-friendly disposable nappies. At last this is about to change. Last week saw the launch of Little Takas 90 per cent biodegradable nappy range. Unlike conventional nappies Little Takas nappies are made of viscose and corn based fibre that will decompose within 6 months in an aerobic environment.]]> When in the supermarket there is a depressing lack of eco-friendly disposable nappies. At last this is about to change. Last week saw the launch of Little Takas 90 per cent biodegradable nappy range. Unlike conventional nappies Little Takas nappies are made of viscose and corn based fibre that will decompose within 6 months in an aerobic environment.

The nappy range was developed by EcoQuest a clean technology business based in Perth Western Australia. Speaking at the launch in Sydney, Sylvia Tulloch, chairman of EcoQuest Limited said: “As is always the case when commercialising breakthrough clean, green technologies, it was a tough road to get to where we are today. But it’s a road worth taking”.

“The Little Takas nappy range is an Australian first and a success story that can and will enable us to better manage our environmental responsibilities,” Mrs Tulloch added.

Swimming great Elka Whalan (nee Graham) is an embassador for Little Takas and has been using them since birth on her daughter Nevada. Check out her blog on www.littletakas.com to see how she is getting on.

The team at Little Takas has been very generous and offered up a range of sizes for Green Beings readers to test. We will be sending out the testing panel callout email soon, so if you want to be involved be quick I have a feeling this will be a popular one !!

The small vertical access turbine ‘eddy’ which has been created for home or office use, starts turning in 8 mile per hour winds. It is 4′6” wide by 5′3” tall. Unlike horizontal axis wind turbines no mechanism is needed to turn the wind turbine towards the wind meaning better performance in areas where a tall tower isn’t feasible, obstacles are nearby or the wind is more turbulent. Therefore they are better suited for harvesting air flow found around buildings and other obstacles, situations more common in areas where people live. They are also quiet.

Urban Green Energy are expanding into Australia and will be installing vertical axis wind turbines in Australia in the coming months. We’ll be heading over to check them out when they are up and running.

For more information check out the Urban Green Energy website.

Its a subject close to my heart – chocolate. Over the years I have become a chocolate devotee. Dinner isn’t complete if it isn’t rounded off with a couple of squares of the dark stuff. But there can be a dark side to chocolate, excuse the pun.

I’ve made it my mission to investigate the impacts of chocolate, and while eating chocolate might take a toll on the waistline, there are a number of choices you can make to ensure your conscience isn’t weighed down.

More on the darks side of chocolate:

• According to Stopthetraffic.org over a third of the world’s cocoa comes from Cote D’Ivoire, West Africa, where cocoa production uses child and forced labour. Buy Fairtrade to avoid this.

• Many brands of chocolate contain palm oil. This may be labelled ‘vegetable oil’ but its the same thing. Clearing of rainforest for palm oil production in Indonesia threatens the survival of species such as the orangutan. Look at the ingredients or buy products you know have no palm oil.

• Many of the pesticides used in cocoa production has been banned in Australia. To avoid, go organic.

• About 70% of the world’s cocoa is grown in West Africa, with the majority being grown on small family plots. A fall in price of raw cocoa, despite an increase in chocolate sales over recent years, has forced small farmers to cut labour costs. To ensure farmers receive a fair price buy Fairtrade.

There are several brands which get the tick in terms of being environmentally and socially sustainable. We’ve researched the best sustainable choco and where to buy them. Although I am on a personal mission to test these chocolates I foundhttp://www.thechocolatereview.net/ helpful for getting the low down on taste.

Scarborough Fair was launched by New Zealand based company Lighthouse Ventures in 2004. 100% Fairtrade cocoa is imported from Peru and sugar from growers in Paraguay. The chocolates are made in New Zealand. They have just released a new range of 70% cocoa chocolates. They also have a range of Fairtrade tea, coffee and easter eggs.

Cadbury – Cadbury Dairy Milk went FairTrade in 2010 so the big brands realise how important it is to share the chocolate love. Fairtrade cocoa farmers in Ghana will benefit from the security of having a fair minimum price for their produce and additional investment for social, environmental and economic development in their communities, including new wells, schools and mobile medical facilities. The international partner certification body FLO-Cert, will independently monitor and audit the supply chain to ensure it meets internationally agreed Fairtrade standards.

Green and Blacks are a subsidiary of Cadburys. Originally organic chocolate makers, they have pledged to switch the entire range of food and drinks to Fairtrade by the end of 2011. The funding received by farmers through the Fairtrade premium will be spent on initiatives to improve quality, yields and education which will in turn increase the income for the farmers and help ensure the sustainability of the Dominican Republic cocoa industy. Green and Black’s has purchased Trinitario cocoa beans from cooperatives in the Dominican Republic for the past 10 years.

Alter Eco produces chocolate, sugar, rice and quinoa.All the products are cultivated using sustainable farming methods, use natural fertilisers and are Fairtrade.

Chocolatier Australia is a Melbourne based family owned company specialising in truffles, pralines and chocolate novelties. Some of their range is Fairtrade. For more information visit their website.

Endangered Species Chocolate. Based in the US this company buys cocoa from family-owned properties grown in the shade of rich diverse forests to help support sustainable forest farmland and the species within. The wrappers features endangered species to help raise awareness of disappearing plant and animal species. 10% of their net profits are donated to help support species, habitat and humanity.

Oxfam have a large range of Fairtrade chocolate that can be bought online or in their stores.

Cocola uses Organic Fairtrade cocoa and is made with unrefined, evaporated cane juice from AlterTrade in the Phillipines. Made in Switzerland the cocoa used in Cocola is produced in Bolivia and the Dominican Republic. Its available in health food and Fairtrade stores as well as Coles supermarket.

You can buy Green and Blacks at Coles, Bi-Lo, Woolworths, Safeway, Oxfam and David Jones. Oxfam also sells Alter Eco, Endangered Species, Oxfam brand, whilst Target and starbucks sells Chocolatier. Scarborough Fair is sold at Woolworths/Safeway.

]]> http://greenbeings.com.au/greenroom/index.php/2010/07/23/choosing-your-chocolate/feed/ 0 http://greenbeings.com.au/greenroom/index.php/2010/07/09/natural-australian-cosmetics/ http://greenbeings.com.au/greenroom/index.php/2010/07/09/natural-australian-cosmetics/#comments Fri, 09 Jul 2010 05:47:32 +0000 admin http://greenbeings.com.au/greenroom/?p=634 After researching and trialling natural skincare products its time for a bit of cosmetic enhancement to make the most of those natural assets. We've moved our focus to sustainable, natural makeup. It's clear that finding natural and dare we say it, eco-friendly cosmetics is a difficult task. However, the demand for more natural products, has lead to the emergence of a new breed of cosmetic company like Zuii Organic. With a focus on 'love, nature and organics' Zuii use Australian grown certified organic ingredients blended using their unique manufacturing process. We'll be profiling Zuii Organic over the coming weeks and putting their products to the test.]]>

After researching and trialling natural skincare products its time for a bit of cosmetic enhancement to make the most of those natural assets. We’ve moved our focus to sustainable, natural makeup. It’s clear that finding natural and dare we say it, eco-friendly cosmetics is a difficult task. However, the demand for more natural products, has lead to the emergence of a new breed of cosmetic company like Zuii Organic. With a focus on ‘love, nature and organics’ Zuii use Australian grown certified organic ingredients blended using their unique manufacturing process. We’ll be profiling Zuii Organic over the coming weeks and putting their products to the test.

Zuii products are free from Talc, parabens, petrochemicals, genetically modified ingredients, preservatives and have not been tested on animals. The range has been developed using certified organic flower petals, essential oils, plant extracts, vitamins and minerals.

The range includes:

• Flora powder foundation produced from organic rose petals, chamomile and jasmine flowers.
• Flora powder eyeshadow, the organic rose, chamomile and jasmine are blended with vitamins and minerals to deliver a range of colours.
• Flora powder blush using the organic rose, chamomile and jasmine flower base.
• Flora moisture liquid foundation provides medium coverage, and contains calendula, aloe vera, vitamin E and antioxidants.
• Flora lipstick, contains jojoba and sunflower rich in vitamins, whilst protecting and moisturising the skin. It also contains aloe vera for extra hydration.
• Flora lip tint is colour blended with organic rose petals, beeswax and aloe vera.
• Flora mascara is a unique blend of coltsfoot, nettle, horsetail extracts plus vitamins E and D. No petrochemicals in sight.

We can’t wait to try them out!

For more information visit http://zuiiorganic.com/

The Green Beings Unico product trial results have now been posted. After several weeks of shampooing, conditioning and scrutinising our hair, we have given our verdict on this natural range. The panel members enjoyed using an Australian salon grade product, but did the products perform? Interesting results. To read our verdict check out our product review page.

Their ‘minimised comprehensive range’ means that the products are potent so that they can be used sparingly and are suitable for many skin types and conditions. That way you don’t need to buy different sets of products for yourself, your partner and your kids.

The range of products is extensive and includes daily skincare, Evohe essence, body-hair care, treatments, eco tools and accessories (think recycled steel and bamboo) as well as the Evohe colours range or mineral makeup. What’s more they will soon be offering a spa range.

We have a bit of mutual love going on here, we love their products and business philosophy, and we want to share the love around. So we’ve got half a dozen Evohe trial packs to put out to our testing panel as we are keen to find out what you think.

Inside each pack you’ve got:

• Cleanse
• Mist
• Moisture 24/7
• Omega 369
• Silica mask
• Exfoliate
• Body mist
• Repair intensive
• Omega body
• Body polish
• And finally a trial size sample of their mineral make up.

So if you fancy a bit of sustainable luxury, email us back when you see our product panel call out email.

Ten years ago, Lindy McLeod was living abroad and while visiting France, admired the women of Paris rushing home in the evenings and on weekends with their fresh produce – fruit, breads, meats and cheeses – brimming in their seriously chic shopping baskets. She bought some for herself which rapidly became an indispensable part of her life because, as well as looking great, they proved to be extremely hardwearing and the handles were very strong and did not break.

After returning to Australia and realising how many plastic bags we use as a nation (at its peak over 7 billion annually!), Lindy began investigating the possibility of bringing a classic French-style shopping basket to Australia.

These baskets are genuine French-style market baskets imported from Morocco. Each one is handmade using traditional methods and techniques and so is unique. The baskets are made of strips of woven palm leaves from a species of date palm. These strips are then sewn together and the basket built up in “rounds” into the traditional triangle shape, variations of which can be found in countries all around the Mediterranean. The more rounds the bigger the basket! The handles are of genuine Moroccan leather and firmly fixed to the baskets so they never pull off. Handles are either short so the baskets can be carried in the hand or on the elbow, or longer to go over the shoulder.

Great for shopping, picnics, beach bags, gift hampers, use them for weekends away or they also make great presents.

For more information visit The Market Basket Co.