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One of my favourite thing about my blog is that I have this massive opportunity to make at least a little difference. At least I can try, no? I try use my blog to spread the word and make people aware of ethical and green issues. I find, that the best way is to do this by introducing other sustainable options, that are positive choices for people and planet. We don’t have to accept and buy the goods big labels and glossy adverts are trying to sell us. Money is a vote which you can use every time you go shopping. By using your spending power wisely you can help to create a better, healthier and greener world.
With that in mind, the idea to create a this monthly review series called “My Ethical And Green Picks Of The Month” was born. The monthly round up articles are to introduce all the small shops and indie brands which produce and sells ethically produced, eco-friendly, organic, natural, cruelty – free and fairly traded goods, that are alternatives to everyday items such as fast fashion, processed food, cosmetics and cleaners containing toxins and harmful chemicals. I hope you’ll find some new things to like.
Catnip Queen sustainable cat toys
The Catnip Queen is a NEW sustainable cat toy brand offering kitty-approved, durable pet toys filled with organic catnip. UK-based, family business The Catnip Queen is challenging throw-away culture with its signature Royal Collection, a curated range of luxuriously soft cat toys.
And to ensure toys remain fresh and exciting, there’s the exclusive, organic Royal Elixir spray made with an ultimate feline fix blend of Organic Catnip and Silvervine fruit extract.
What we thought about it
I mean…. the above photos of Tokyo and he toys speak for themselves! She found them on the table and started to rub herself all over them, started a play fight with them, chewed on them a little bit – then went to sleep in her basket. I personally love the royal purple colours, that are fit for this little Queen.
Boatilus sustainable kids’ shoes
Boatilus offers a collection of playful and practical shoes for children, combining comfort with genuine sustainability – all waterproof so they’re perfect for travel and holidays! Founded in 2000 by seventh-generation shoe manufacturers whose family heritage dates back to 1810!
The brand uses biodegradable and recyclable materials, avoids harmful chemicals and incorporates recycled oyster shells into its soles — replacing up to 15% of traditional components. Every pair is fully recyclable, as is the packaging, supporting a more circular approach to children’s footwear. Materials are infused with natural lemon zest for antibacterial properties — so they stay fresh and smell good, too.
What we thought about them
The shoes are very well made, sturdy, they don’t slip because of the sole design. Very good pair of sliders. Price-wise, I’d say absolutely spot on, you cannot get this well-made summer slippers for £22 anywhere. The alternatives are cheap high street shops and they fall apart after a few weeks or fashionable still cheaply mass produced slippers from the big Spanish retailer chain. Even the famous slip flops cost this much (and kids hate those)!
In comparison Boatilus slippers are:
- cheaper
- excellent quality and durable footwear
- safe and comfortable
- can be passed on to sibling
- they really do smell like lemon!
- as mentioned above: made from sustainable materials
- great colours
My only, really the only remark is: kids grow quicker these days and so are their feet. The largest size available is 34/35 (UK1/2) and that is just about fitting for my 9 year old daughter… We will need larger sizes! In fact if it would go up to 36/37 (UK3/4) I’d buy one for myself!
A fantastic Father’s Day gift idea: A Picture of England
A beautiful coffee-table book that is ideal for cricket lovers, with photography spanning 20 years of test matches and tours. A Picture of England is a stunning collection of cricket photography by award-winning photographer Gareth Copley-Jones, who has captured the story of the England men’s team across two thrilling decades. Spanning over 180 Test matches and 38 overseas tours, this book brings to life the triumphs, travails and travels of English cricket. RRP £40
What I though about it
It’s a beautiful gift for anyone who like cricket and my husband doesn’t like cricket… he loves cricket! So, as you can imagine, he was very happy and looked at all the pages in one sitting.
Grow your own herbs in the windowsill with Hydro Herb
The Hydro Herb kits are made from recycled, recyclable or biodegradable elements throughout and are all handmade in Suffolk. They’re perfect for the cook in the family who like to use fresh, authentic flavours. £25 each – 14 herbs available https://www.hydro-herb.co.uk/ The organic solution used in the kits is vegan certified. They don’t need any soil or electricity, just lots of natural sunlight, and are perfect for the household that may not have much outdoor space – windowsill gardening at its best.
What I thought about them
I thought they look so cute and totally gift-worthy! Love the design and the idea of the recycled glass bottle working as plant pot – it’s so clever! I got a purple basil and a coriander plant. I thought they are a little bit difficult to set up – but I might just have been running low on patience that day. Anyway, after setting it up, the kit needs about a week on average to germinate, so I’ll add some more photos of the growing plant later.
Seggiano ethical Italian food
Seggiano, the ethical italian food brand, have a whole heap of vegan products! They sent me some of their Organic Ancient Grain Wholewheat Paccheri (£4) and Tomato and Almond Trapanese Pesto (£8)
Over 30 years operating, they source all over Italy, from artisan pioneers who make truly delicious food, with simple, clean ingredients.
What I thought about it
Well, they certainly have a price tag, but I’ve not tried tomato and almond pesto in my life and it’s absolutely delicious! It’s very different from the regular pesto and it was such a treat with the beautiful pasta. Would definitely buy them as a treat or gift.
Bio D house hold products
Eco cleaning product manufacturer Bio-D makes the cleaning jobs healthier for you and your family. They are made from naturally derived, ethically sourced ingredients, free from harsh chemicals and toxic preservatives – and they are effective! Their products span laundry, household and personal care and are all made from naturally derived, ethically sourced ingredients, free from harsh chemicals and toxic preservatives.
What did I think about them
Well, I’m not new to Bio D… We sold some of their products in my zero waste shop a few years ago (past tense, because unfortunately the shop is closed now). From the photographed products, I also used the lime-scale remover in my home before, it’s my go to when I can’t buy my own cleaning vinegar. I’ve not used the rest but now I’ve tried them and I am especially in awe of the laundry products – that is something I always buy and never make my own. They are great laundry products – it’s the usual Bio D quality I know well and love.
Eco-friendly DenTek Dental Products
The new, plant-based DenTek flosses, floss picks and interdental brushes are designed to deliver the deep-clean results you’d expect from the original but thanks to the use of more sustainable materials, these are kinder to the planet.
They are made using bio-based plastic (produced from a raw material derived from sugar cane plants). Firstly, this is a renewable material and not fossil based plastic. So the new products help to reduce reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% in comparison to conventional plastic. The rest of the design remains the same with the same cleaning power.
What I thought about them
This has to be the easiest review, to be honest. They work perfectly just as they intended and as their plastic counterparts. All you have to do is to find the right size of interdental brush or just use the floss picks. Really simple. They cost the same too, so it’s actually a no brainer for DenTek to swap their entire range for the new, eco-friendly, plant-based material.