Product Review: The Little Fudge Box

On the 7th May, at the Artisan market at Abakhan Fabrics, Mostyn (Wales), Sarah and I were lucky enough to have a chat with The Little Fudge Box – an Artisan handmade fudge from North Wales. The Little Fudge Box team are very privileged to live up in the mountains of Wales surrounded by hills, moors, big skies, woodlands and lots of  farmers and growers producing high quality produce.

Not only are their fudges vegetarian, free from glucose, gluten and palm oil, but all their ingredients are local to production: the Whiskey used in some flavours is a from Welsh distillery, Penderyn, the honey is from just 2 miles down the valley from them and the pollen is from a beekeeper in Shropshire! This reduces the carbon footprint of their fudge immensely! All their packaging is recyclable, even the bag is compostable!

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Keep the High Street Shops ALIVE… help them THRIVE!

In November 2019, Eco Store, Weigh of the World, in Northwich opened - THIS was a game changer for me! Local, and a brilliant concept! (you can read my blog post here). In addition to buying my fresh fruit & vegetables from John Griffiths' Green Grocers in Northwich, between the two of these shops, I found that I had 99% of what I needed! However, many small, independent shops, both in Northwich and elsewhere, are experiencing a massive decrease in sales, despite remaining open during the lockdown - people are doing their main shops in supermarkets. Before your supermarket shop, visit your local, small businesses first! Then only go to the supermarket if there is anything which you are unable to obtain! It is more important than ever that we support our local businesses - especially through this time of crisis! Furthermore, buying locally reduces food miles, helps alleviate our dependence on fossil fuels, reduce air pollution and cuts back on greenhouse gas emissions. With that in mind, I have collated a list of independent shops in NORTHWICH who are still open and operating, and what shopping options are available. Independent Northwich Shops Open/Online during Lockdown: Abda's Coffee Shop: Coffee and Tea can be ordered through their Facebook Page.Artisans Online: The Northwich Artisan Market is now online!Crafty Stitches: Online orders are being taken for delivery on FacebookFirthField Pet Stores: Open for business.Ginger & Browns: Pet Supplies at Blakemere - Open for online ordersJohn Griffiths' Greengrocers: 10 Witton St, Northwich -…

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Product Review: Lavandi Organic Vegan Deodorant

Lavandi Deodorant

I was given the Chamomile and Bergamot deodorant to test by Weigh of the World about 4 weeks ago. And Lavandi provided me with two other versions to try – I took the Sports version and Sarah tried the Cedarwood and Sage.

What I liked most is the fact that Lavandi are based in Northwich, Cheshire, where I live! Lavandi have seen the need for change and have created a range of recipes that are all-natural. Lavandi’s Organic Vegan Deodorants are made from only the finest ingredients and are Zero Waste. With excellent absorption and odour control one application should last you all day, simply apply by pushing up from the bottom of the tube, then warming against your skin and then glide over the required area.

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Product Review: Kutis Natural Deodorant

My usual deodorant was one of the first items to be replaced – it has just taken me a long time to test out different ones and find one I love. Having not used spray deodorant since the 80’s, preferring a stick, I was looking for something with no plastic packaging. But I also needed something that worked…. and that did not have any (overpowering/”girly”) scent….

Well, I found it! The Kutis Natural Deodorant was one of a few deodorants which I purchased, and have since gone through two, tried four and purchased a multitude of other (gentle) scents to try!

Rating Overview: 10/10
Performance: This works really well
Fragrance: They come in two varieties, vegan and non-vegan, and a variety of Natural Fragrances…. suitable for both sexes.
Usability: Great – pushes easily out of the tube – even with arthritis (mum) or after a hand operation (me)

The Kutis deodorant sticks are made from all natural ingredients and they really work! 

With key ingredients such as bicarbonate of soda, arrowroot powder and coconut oil this deodorant gives you the lasting freshness without all the nasty stuff that can be found in commercial deodorants.

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Product Review: Koh

Whats all the hype about?

I became aware of Koh at the end of 2018, when I saw an advertisement, with the below video, on Facebook. I watched it – how could I not be interested?!

“The Koh Universal Cleaner replaces over 20 household products and brings a much needed calm to cleaning”

https://youtu.be/xk08DoWLXjY
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Product Review: Solid Shampoo Bars – Bain & Savon

Following on from my previous review (Product Review: Coconutty Soapnut Shampoo Bar) I tried a few shampoo soaps from the Bain & Savon range, which I obtained from Peace with The Wild, experimenting to see what was most suitable to my hair-type.

Bain & Savon have a variety of options in terms of scents and hair-types:

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Product Review: Coconutty Soapnut Shampoo Bar

After decades of my sensitive skin reacting badly to any soap products, having dry hair (requiring twice as much conditioner as shampoo) I was particularly nervous about finding a more ecological alternative…. especially as I feared that this would dry my hair further.

The Coconutty Soapnut Shampoo Bar from Living Naturally was the first Bar Shampoo that I have ever tried. This particular soap is advertised as being great for “Nourishing & Moisturising. Suitable for all hair/skin types, especially for dry or lack luster hair/skin or inflamed sore skin” with the added appeal of being:

  • SLS Free
  • Palm Oil Free
  • Organic
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Product Review: Soapnuts Laundry Detergent

This is something I put off trying for years, but as soon as I started my quest to reduce my waste, I bought some, and have been using soapnuts ever since! An eco-friendly alternative to laundry detergent and synthetic soaps, they are natural and non-polluting. But for me, with sensitive skin, which goes blotchy with many conventional laundry detergents (and softeners!), I was particularly nervous about changing from the one I have used for well over 30 years…

I am delighted to say that I am more than pleased with the results! Not skin irritation, clothes are both clean and fresh-smelling when they come out of the washing machine and (best of all) they work out just as cheap as the conventional laundry detergent – I even found I could get more washes out of them than they recommend! AND they take up less space!

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Product Review: Primal Suds Vegan Soap Bars “BARE COCONUTS”

After decades of my sensitive skin reacting badly to “soap products” – basically resorting to shower gels in favour of soaps that made me blotchy – I was particularly nervous about finding a more ecological alternative….

However, Zero Filth Bare Coconuts was awesome: smells great, did its job and best of all NO REACTION!
Give it a go!

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Product Review: Kutis Organic Lip Balm

Another lovely lip balm, from Kutis directly or Peace With The Wild. Once again, this is a really nice product and recyclable / up-cyclable packaging! The lip balm is smooth, light and (most importantly) soothed and repaired my dry, cracked lips this winter!

I went for “naked”, but will be trying out others next time I buy more. because this lip balm is available in numerous scents:

  • Naked Lip Balm – Fragrance Free
  • Rosey Lips – Rose Scented & Tinted
  • Peppermint Scented
  • Lime Scented
  • Vanilla Scented 
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