Who’d a thought that lemon juice could be so versatile? Antiseptic, abrasive and sweet-smelling, lemons and their juice can be used in a variety of ways to keep your home fresh and clean:
Serves: 8
Cooking Time: 55 minutes
180C/160C fan/gas 4
Required: 900g/2lb loaf tin
Enjoy!
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Happy International Women’s Day, m'dears!
We thought we'd celebrate this year by shining a torch on a subject we are passionate about. Women's health. As a woman-owned company run by a female-dominant team, we are fully aware of just how capable women are at kicking arse and achieving great things. But as we live in a society that makes little to no effort to work with our natural cycles, a hormone-supportive diet can make the world of difference. There are so many herbs and foods that can help women maintain their health, wellbeing and energy levels, prevent certain conditions and ease symptoms of menopause, PMS and pregnancy.
Here are some of the top nutritional and organic foods and herbs that are beneficial for women's health, all of which are available in store, or via our online shop:
Leafy green vegetables, such as kale and spinach, are packed with vitamins and minerals. They are particularly high in iron, which is important for women to maintain healthy blood levels, and for managing heavy periods. These greens are also a great source of calcium, which is important for maintaining healthy bones.
We receive a weekly delivery of fresh, organic fruit, veg and salad every Monday from Riverford, our Devon-based supplier.
This superfood is excellent for balancing hormones and supporting female reproductive health. Avocado can help manage cortisol, a stress hormone which can affect blood cholesterol levels. Avocado also contains plant sterols that have a positive effect on estrogen and progesterone, two important female hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle.
Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, cabbage, turnip and kale are known hormone cleansers and have powerful detoxifying properties that help get rid of excess hormones.
Enjoy cruciferous vegetables steamed to gain their full nutritional benefit.
Turmeric is a spice that has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine. It has anti-inflammatory properties and may help to reduce pain and inflammation associated with conditions such as arthritis. Turmeric is also being studied for its potential to prevent certain types of cancer.
Maca powder is a root vegetable that has been used for centuries in South America for its health benefits. It is particularly beneficial for women as it may help to balance hormones and improve mood, as well as assisting with fertility (for both males and females), libido, and energy levels. Studies have also found it to help with symptoms of the menopause.
Maca powder is a versatile ingredient that can be easily added to smoothies, cereals, or baked goods.
Flaxseed (also known as linseed) is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for heart health. It is also high in fibre, which can help to regulate digestion. Flaxseed also keeps your hair shiny and healthy, and your skin clear, helps to regulate the menstrual cycle and helps with PCOS. They also help with focus and cognition and weight management.
These flavourless, gluten-free seeds are easy to incorporate into your diet and can be added to smoothies, oatmeal, or yogurt. We sell brown flaxseed both online and in-store and we currently sell golden flaxseed exclusively in-store.
Garlic is a popular herb that is used in many different cuisines around the world. It is known for its heart-healthy properties and may help to reduce the risk of heart disease. Garlic is also believed to have anti-cancer properties and may help to prevent certain types of cancer.
Berries, such as blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries, are packed with antioxidants and other nutrients that are beneficial for overall health. They are particularly high in vitamin C, which is important for maintaining healthy skin and immune function. Berries are also a great source of fibre, which can help to regulate digestion.
We sell berries both dried and frozen, and, during the summer season, fresh. Check out of online shop, or pop in store to see our full range.
While protein is renowned as a food source for building muscle, there are countless other reasons why it is such a vital part of our diet. Protein regulates appetite for weight management, maintains bone health and balances hormones. Eating protein provides your body with amino acids that are used to produce specific hormones, like estrogen, insulin, and thyroid hormone.
Lentils, seeds (especially flax, chia & sunflower), hemp, nuts, eggs and protein powder are all excellent sources of protein.
Hormone balance is about having the right balance of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory while omega 6 fatty acids are pro-inflammatory. Walnuts are rich in omega 3 fatty acids. They are rich in antioxidants, protect those healthy gut bacteria to keep our microbiome looking good, decrease the risk of certain cancers including breast cancer, protect brain health and help with weight management.
There are so many ways to add walnuts to your diet. Try them sprinkled on a salad, cereal or yogurt, ground into dips and sauces, baked into bread, or use walnut oil as a vinaigrette dressing.
Peppermint, typically consumed as a tea, is anti-inflammatory, and studies have found it to help with period pain, eases hot flashes by cooling the body, boosts energy levels and supports healthy digestion.
Hibiscus tea has been shown to regulate blood sugar, lower hot flashes, support liver health, relieve depression, lower inflammation, fight oxidative stress, support weight loss. Studies have also found it highly beneficial for helping with the menopause.
Chamomile is a herb that is commonly consumed as a tea, and used for its calming properties. It may help to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation, making it a great choice for those who suffer from insomnia or other sleep disorders. Chamomile is also thought to have anti-inflammatory properties and may help to reduce pain and inflammation associated with conditions such as arthritis.
Early research on marjoram in humans and animals has evaluated how it could reduce stress and help people with PCOS. Marjoram tea has been linked to significant reductions in fasting insulin hormone levels, which could indicate improved blood sugar management.
According to studies on PCOS, cinnamon may help to improve insulin resistance and support regular menstrual cycles. Furthermore, cinnamon is anti-inflammatory, helping to ease menstrual pain and other signs of inflammation.
For centuries, cinnamon has been used to treat period cramps, heavy periods, nausea and vomiting. We sell cinnamon both in powdered form, as well as cinnamon sticks.
For women with body lives, we highly recommend our 'Relax with Me, no Anxie-tea'. A blend of lemon balm, skullcap, rose and liquorice, it's perfect to help you to take it easy after a long day. A great tea for worriers and those with anxiety.
Warning: do not consume with barbiturates, benzodiazepines or convulsants.
The flowers of Nigella sativa (also known as kalonji or fennel flower) produce tiny black antioxidant-rich seeds. Researchers are investigating nigella seed’s protective and therapeutic effects in those living with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), with positive results.
Nigella seeds have a distinctive savory flavour, that works well in curries or soups.
Medical research has found that many hormones are actually produced by the beneficial bacteria in the gut (the microbiome). Fermented foods such as sauerkraut, but also kefir, kombucha, miso and kimchi have been shown to increase the number of friendly bacteria in your gut.
Our organic sauerkraut is currently available exclusively in store.
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These books are an excellent starting point for anyone interested in the zero waste lifestyle. They provide practical tips and inspiration to help us reduce our impact on the environment.
Most of us appreciate the environmental benefits of leading a sustainable lifestyle. However, many believe it’s out of their price range.
According to a recent poll by Essity, 62% of Brits want to live and buy sustainably — but worry the rising cost of living makes it impossible.
But is this belief based on fact or fiction? On a planet on the brink of a man-made ecological disaster, does sustainable living really cost the earth?
In this blog, we’re pulling no punches. We’re pointing the spotlight at the secrets corporations are hiding in plain sight, and sharing straightforward tips on how you can live 100% sustainably without breaking the bank.
But first…
What does it mean to live sustainably?
Sustainable living (or “net zero living”) is a lifestyle choice designed to reduce an individual’s or a family’s environmental impact. It’s a decision to consume consciously — not just food, but everything bought and used, including clothes, transport and energy.
Living sustainably means reusing what you already have, and buying what you need from suppliers of plastic-free, ethically sourced goods and local, organic produce.
It’s holding accountable the corporations guilty of unimaginable levels of waste and pollution, and rejecting the “buy cheap, replace soon, ignore the planet” mentality they force feed us.
In short, it’s voting with your money for a clean, fair and responsible world.
Does it cost more? And, if so, why?
The simple answer is no it does not!
But it’s probably easier to answer the question of why it doesn’t seem that way by first addressing why most unsustainable products cost less initially.
Quite simply, it all boils down to one word: profit.
Profit isn’t bad. It’s what keeps every business afloat. The issue we have isn’t with profit itself, but with the companies that prioritise profit at the expense of everything else.
Did you know 71% of global emissions come from just a hundred companies? Each of them has a board of directors whose jobs exist solely to harvest as much profit as possible for their shareholders.
This usually means taking the cheapest, fastest options when it comes to packaging, labour and materials. It’s why Coca-Cola make a hundred billion unrecyclable plastic bottles every year. It’s why several high street clothing brands pay their Bangladeshi workers less than $3 a day. It’s why supermarkets sell mass-made, plastic-wrapped produce that’s neither organic nor local. Is this something we really want to support?
Sustainable brands act differently. We at Almond & Co. partner with them because they prioritise quality and ethics over quantity and speed. They pay their workers fairly, invest in durable, reusable and responsibly sourced materials, and ensure their packaging is plastic-free and recyclable — if there’s any packaging at all, that is. You vote with your money, and your money doesn’t just go towards the product and its usage but everything it represents.
The cost of sustainable goods and produce reflects the cost of their production. They tend not to be as cheap as their unethical alternatives because, well, they’re not made as cheaply. But overall when more quality and care is taken for production it lasts you so much longer, reducing waste and saves you money in the long run.
Let’s look at food as an example.
Organic farmers don’t protect their crops by spraying artificial chemicals on them. Instead, they tackle weeds and pests manually. These long hours — the ones pesticides were made to save — need to be factored into the sale price to make the juice worth the squeeze.
Natural fertilisers also cost more. Instead of using synthetic fertilisers and raw sewage sludge (which are cheap to buy and transport), organic farmers favour higher quality, environmentally friendly alternatives like compost and animal manure. This protects the food you eat, the flora and fauna around the crops, the soil health and the farmers health too!
And most locations aren’t fit for purpose. Soil quality is essential, but a lot of agricultural land in Britain has been chemically tainted. In 2020, only 2.8% of British agricultural land was suitable for growing organic food. This is crazy when you consider 2021 saw a 12.6% rise in sales of organic produce in Britain — the highest year-on-year growth since 2005. Demand outweighs supply, which farmers recognise when calculating their prices.
Ultimately, supermarkets sell fruit and veg at low prices because they can buy in extraordinary bulk from suppliers whose unsustainable methods mean they can keep up with demand, they also force the farmers to reduce their own prices leaving them severely underpaid leaving government tax funds having to support them so they continue to run.
But that’s not the world Almond & Co. wants. We want a fair and sustainable world that doesn’t sacrifice quality for profit.
As an independent zero-waste shop, we can’t possibly match the buying power of global corporations. Per item, we spend more than supermarkets on the food we stock, and shrink our profit margins to keep it affordable for you.
Even so, you’ll often find that, gram for gram, ethically sourced foods — and products — are more expensive than their unethical counterparts. But believe me you will be able to taste the difference!
So how can we afford to live sustainably?
Most of us can, comfortably. It just requires a different way of thinking.
Firstly, we should aim to buy our food loose. Supermarkets pre-pack far more fruit and veg than we can feasibly eat. It’s cheap stock, and they want to get rid of it, but inevitably creates 1/3 of your food (and money) going to waste.
Bulk stores like Almond & Co. offer you a chance to buy only what you need, spreading costs out and not making food go to waste in your fridge or cupboards. If you want 100g of polenta for a cake? You can just buy 100g of polenta and not an entire pack that will inevitably sit at the back of the cupboard for years.
There are now loads of apps that allow you to buy perfectly good food at a reduced price that would otherwise go to waste!
Olio - local businesses and people giving away food they won’t be able to consume.
Too Good to Go - Restaurant, cafes and shops offer “magic bags”
Earth and Wheat - Wonky Bread Boxes
Wonky Veg Boxes and Odd Box - Veg that don’t fit the aesthetic requirements of supermarkets but are still just as good to eat!
It explains why the UK produces around ten million tonnes of food waste every year. That’s about £19bn of food, and roughly twenty-five million tonnes of greenhouse gases.
Buying loose gives us total control of our expenditure, saving us money and preventing us from adding to the food waste mountain. We won’t have as much to show for our money, but that’s okay because we’ll have exactly what we need, and it’ll be ethically sourced, organic and far more nutritious, and better for your health too.
But what about non-consumables like clothes, containers and razors?
The solution here is to keep reusing the things you already have until they’re no longer usable. Then, when you need to, buy durable, ethical replacements.
A key aspect of sustainable living is extending the lives of everything we use as much as possible. We can do this by investing in high-quality items that we won’t need to replace as often, if at all.
Take razors, for example. Here at Almond & Co., we sell metal recyclable safety razors for £24 that should last you your whole life. All you need to do is replace the blade every so often (we sell a Pack of 10 for £3). Alternatively, you can buy a plastic “disposable” razor online for £5, which you’ll need to replace regularly. Our razors, although more expensive upfront, will save you an estimated whopping £6,000 in a lifetime of a safety razor (if not more for multiple lifetimes).
Our Make Up reusable pads set of 5 can potentially save you £300 over a lifetime.
Reusable Nappies cost £14.95 per nappy but will save you £1475 per child and on average 5000 nappies going to landfill.
A Stainless Steel Water Bottle we sell insulated ones for £20 can save someone up to £10,000 over a lifetime if you frequently buy bottled water.
With these kinds of figures it’s almost impossible to ignore!
When you live sustainably, you’ll discover higher upfront costs are counterbalanced by significantly fewer purchases. The idea is to buy what we need when we need it and make it last — not to buy what we’re told to want when we can and replace it frequently. As soon as we think to ourselves, do we really need this, can I fix this instead, can I reuse this, is there a reusable version of this? Your spending significantly reduces.
How can I start living sustainably?
The easiest way to start is by making a few simple switches here and there.
If you’re about to run out of loo roll, for instance, consider ditching the plastic-wrapped multipacks and buying Bumboo toilet paper from us, made from 100% bamboo.
Or if you fancy porridge but need oats, why not visit us with a container you already own? Just weigh it when it’s empty so you don’t pay for the container, then fill it up with our organic oats.
At Almond & Co., all our food is loose, organic and locally sourced where possible. You can pop in, grab a basket, and help yourself to whatever you need — from fruit and veg to pastas, flours and spices.
We also stock a hand-picked selection of personal hygiene, household cleaning and homeware products, all made sustainably and sold without plastic.
It isn’t always easy, but for our planet to heal, we need to change the way we consume. And that’s why Almond & Co. exists: to help people transition to a cleaner and more sustainable lifestyle. Use what you have and conscious spending is key towards living more sustainably. It doesn’t always work straight away like everything, it's a journey and small changes make a world of difference!
If you want to give it a go or get some advice, come and chat with us. We don’t put anything on our shelves before trying it ourselves, so we’re in the best possible position to make recommendations. And if you can’t make it to us, don’t worry — you can give us a call on 01202 280 303, or message us on Facebook!
There's even books, online articles and blogs to give you tips on saving money by going green!
@Helios Copyrighting
]]>If you’ve been following our blog, you’ll know that each month we’ve been giving you tips on how you can reduce your household waste and live in a way that is kinder to our planet. We’re back today with the third instalment in our trilogy to talk about how you can avoid single-use items when you’re out and about.
Coffee Cups
Each year the UK throws away an estimated 2.5 billion coffee cups (1). When the pandemic hit in March 2020, there was a huge backtrack in the number of shops and cafes accepting reusable cups and containers due to safety concerns. Greenpeace organised a statement with almost 120 scientists, doctors and academics around the world confirming the safety of such use, yet amid fears, the amount of single-use plastic being used soared. Luckily many places are again happily accepting reusable cups and we can highly recommend these ones. They’re made from recycled single-use paper cups, are 100% leak proof and designed to last for 10 years at which point they can by fully recycled! Perfect for grabbing a take-away coffee from your favourite café or simply taking your own from home!
Stainless Steel Bottles
Ready for another scary stat? In the UK 7.7 billion plastic water bottles are used each year (2). Many end up in rivers and seas and here in Bournemouth we are exacerbated by the amount of litter, including plastic bottles that get dumped on our beautiful beaches after any glorious weather day. If one in 10 of us refilled a bottle just once a week we could save approximately 340 bottles each year (3). These insulated stainless steel bottles are fantastic – not only are they reusable but they keep drinks cold for up to 24 hours, or hot for up to 12 hours! They’re also BPA-free and look pretty!
Lunch and snack bags
We’ve all been there, we don’t know what we want for lunch so going into the supermarket and then getting trapped into the sandwich meal deals that is near impossible to recycle purely because you can’t separate the plastic from the cardboard! And then the sandwich is just so so, and really you could have made a better one from home, you know what I mean?
So, that one miraculous day you have some time in the morning, making that perfect sandwich with just the right amount of mayo (Rubies in the Rubble Garlic Mayo of course) then having something to put it in…but don’t touch that cling film! Why not be super cute and eco-friendly with it? We have something great for kids and adults alike for sandwiches and snacks either going out for the day or for school and work, the Keep Leaf Reusable Baggies are waterproof lined, really good size and keep your favourite snacks (bought in bulk, duh) and sandwiches safe and fresh in the day.
We also have something if you want a stylish way to transport you lunch and snacks these vegan leather lunch bags certainly tick that box! They’re ethically hand-made in the UK using wood pulp, synthetic latex and cotton and can be washed in a normal laundry load to keep them clean and reusable for years!
Eco-friendly food wraps
If you’re still using cling film or foil to wrap your food and wanting to make a small change, we have a good range of single-use food wraps that offer a more eco-friendly alternative. In our last blog post we talked about beeswax wraps and compostable cling film but we also have 100% recycled aluminium foil and unbleached parchment paper. The foil takes 95% less energy to produce, creates less waste and reuses a precious resource. The parchment paper is chlorine and quilon-free (both nasty chemicals found in most parchment papers) and it can be reused and composted! Great options from just £3.50.
Bamboo utensils
In July this year, EU member states banned most single-use plastics (including cutlery, plates and polystyrene food containers), but, despite the UK having agreed to the move before leaving the EU, legalisation is not being discussed and the government has been accused of backtracking on its promise of ensuring environmental standards do not drop following Brexit. In the UK 16.5 billion single-use cutlery items are used each year (4) and the Ocean Conservancy lists plastic cutlery as one of the most deadly items to marine creatures as it is mistaken for food. This handy pouch comes with a bamboo knife, folk and spoon – perfect for keeping in your bag when you’re out and about so you can avoid plastic cutlery.
Collapsible metal straws
In October 2020 a ban on single-use plastic straws, stirrers and cotton-buds came into force in the UK. Living by the beach, we were seeing our shores littered with these items everyday and of course there was the heartbreaking images of seahorses innocently clinging to cotton buds. We rejoiced when this bill was passed. We’ve got a good range of metal and bamboo straws starting from just £1 and we love these expandable ones. This nifty little product means you can still enjoy sipping a cold drink through a straw when you’re out and about as they collapse down and can be attached to a keychain making them easily portable. Much better than the cardboard ones that tend to get a bit soggy and are after-all still single-use.
image; Dane & Port, Westbourne
Top Tips for eating out
As ever, please feel free to pop in and see us, give us a call on 01202 280303 or message us on Facebook – we have tried and tested all our products and love helping you to choose items that will fit with your lifestyle.
1 - UK Government report 2018
2 & 3 - Water.org 2018
4 and 5 – earthwatch.org
]]>We’re back to chat about how you can continue reducing the amount of waste you produce in the hub of the house – the kitchen. This is where most food prep and storage tends to happen and it’s also the room that produces the biggest amount of waste. From food scraps to plastic, cardboard to chemicals, we are binning a lot of mixed waste in our kitchens.
Loose food
One of the main reasons people pop into the shop is to refill jars and tubs with their favourite everyday foods. We have around 240 loose foods in stock making it possible for you to create your own plastic free pantry. Supermarkets are now putting an estimated 900,000 tonnes (1) of plastic packaging on their shelves each year and although they are all showing signs of a commitment to reduce this, it’s going to take a real shift in the industry and in consumer shopping habits to help make this happen. At Almond & Co it’s not just pasta, rice and cereal that you can purchase loose. Our range includes herbs and spices, nuts, oils, frozen fruit and veg (even chips) and loads of baking ingredients.
Beeswax wraps and compostable cling film
If cling film is your go-to food packaging then the good news is that there are lots of clever solutions that allow you to avoid single use plastic. As well as the amount of waste, research has also shown that some plastics can leach chemicals into our food (especially when heated or scratched) and whilst gaps remain in our understanding of the impact this can have on our health, we don’t like the sound of it and want to avoid it. Reusable beeswax wraps just need the heat of your hands to mould them around food or bowls. Wash them in cool water and recondition them with a wax bar when required. We also stock Bournemouth based non-profit Coacoara Foundation who donate profits to the Ocean Cleanup, they make a cornstarch compostable cling film, Bamboo Kitchen Towels, Bin liners and lots of other amazing products as an eco-alternative to your kitchen essentials, that are work just as well if not better than the your disposable plastic counterpart.
Tea Strainer and Coffee Filters
Out of the 100 million cups of tea that are consumed in the UK each day, 96% come from a tea bag. (2) Although the tea industry is changing, most tea bags out there contain plastic. There continues to be some debate over whether this bio-plastic is compostable but if you want to be sure that your daily cuppa isn’t damaging our wonderful planet then switch to loose leaf tea. We love these infuser tongs, which are perfect for making a single cup, or this strainer, which fits most cups and pots!
And when it comes to coffee… well, you may need some serious caffeine to stay awake if we were to quote you some of the scary stats around how much waste is produced by the 35 billion cups we guzzle each year as a nation. Take-away cups, coffee pods, plastic bags of ground and whole bean coffee…we could go on. But the good news is, you can be way more eco-friendly! We stock locally roasted Bad Hand Coffee which all comes in home-compostable packaging. And if you find yourself dumping loads of paper coffee filters, or would like to move away from a pod machine, grab some ground coffee and one of these great reusable coffee filters instead.
Bread Bags
The UK buys an average 12 million loaves of bread each day and it’s also the single most wasted food. Keep your bread fresher for longer by storing it in a breathable, linen bag. This is a good option if you like to shop locally and buy your bread from the bakery (or bake your own)! We stock Bakehouse24’s (based in Ringwood) organic sourdough loaves, which are free of packaging and way better for gut health than most commercial breads, and are suitable for gluten intolerance as they don't add extra gluten to their loaves.
Cleaning Products
Most household cleaning products get ditched in dustbins in the UK and banished to landfill sites. Plastic bottles with spray nozzles are made up of loads of different parts, making them impossible to recycle and everyday we are binning loads of scourers, wipes, cloths and sponges, most of which contain plastic. One of our most popular items is a £1 biodegradable sponge. Great for the kitchen or bathroom and it can then go into your compost bin. And if you need to scrub stubborn stains, the ethically made Ecoconut brush will do the job.
To avoid nasty chemicals as well as the plastic bottles when it comes to your cleaning products then opt for natural ingredients that will shift the grime, protect the planet and save you loads of cash. Baking powder and bicarbonate of soda are just as effective, cost next to nothing and are available in store as loose products. We also stock the brilliant ‘Raw’ range by eco-cleaning and laundry product company, Fill. Their products are vegan, biodegradable, free from harsh chemicals and are packaged in reusable and recyclable materials. With single ingredients such as their citric acid or white vinegar you can make up your own cleaning products or choose from their ready-formulated ones. They can all be purchased in-store in the bottle then brought back and refilled, or simply bring your own container for a refill.
Finally, when it comes to saving your hands during the washing up our compostable rubber gloves! It says what it does on the tin – chuck them in the compost bin after use rather than the rubbish bin! Exactly what rubber should be, naturally sourced without mixing it with any complicated unrecyclable plastics, and don't worry they won't suddenly decompose whilst your using them!
If you are local, one of the best ways to start your waste-free journey is to pop in and see us. What we won’t do is try and sell you every item in the store, but what we can do (if you want) is show you a few things that you might like to try and answer any questions you have about any of our products. We understand most items are new to people and there are so many alternatives which can be intimidating, which is why we're here to help!
We hope to see you soon, but you can also send us am email at almondandco.bournemouth@gmail.com, message on Facebook or give us a call on 01202 280303 if you have any questions.
(1) – Greenpeace.org.uk
(2) – tea.co.uk
If you’ve all ready decided you’d like to try some sustainable products, it can be really overwhelming when you start looking at the options. With most items being unavailable in high street stores, you’re often left to research online and just hope that you like whatever arrives in the post. At Almond & Co, we have done all the research and all the trying for you! We only stock products that we love, that work, that look/taste/feel good and most importantly are actually beneficial to the planet. Wherever possible we work with local suppliers who we know and trust. If you’d like to see what you are buying before you make the leap, then please do pop into the shop and we can show you the products and help you choose.
Here we’ve selected some of the easiest swaps can you make. We’re going to do this as a trilogy, (don’t worry, it won’t be as long or as complicated as the Lord of the Rings). We’re starting today in the bathroom, next time we’ll delve into the kitchen and then we’ll give you some tips for when you’re out and about.
Before we get started, we’d just like to answer a question we get asked a lot. Is it more expensive to use sustainable products? There might be an initial investment at first, but in the long run, all of these swaps will end up saving you money. They are made to be used again and again and again, so you can start eliminating the usual things you put into your trolley each week!
Reusable make-up pads
The UK uses an estimated 11 billion wipes per year (1). There seems to be wipes for everything now – hands, faces, bottoms, surfaces, children… But they all get binned and go to landfill, or worse, they get flushed and end up clogging up our sewage systems and flowing into our rivers and seas. Part of the issue is that most wipes contain plastic and synthetic fibres. When they enter the water systems they break down, releasing microplastics, which end up entering wildlife and human food chains.
Reusable pads are a great way to reduce this crazy amount of waste. We love the ones made by local company, the Stitchery Dorset. They are the perfect replacement for make up wipes. Use with water or coconut oil then simply rinse and pop them in the washing machine. Kind to your face, kind to the planet, and kind to your wallet - at £6.50 for 5 these could end up saving you hundreds of pounds!
Safety razors
This is probably our best zero-waste swap in terms of the amount of money and waste saved. The razor uses a single blade, which makes one clean cut on the surface. It doesn’t cut quite so close to the skin (yet still leaves a smooth finish) so it’s great for your skin as it avoids ingrown hairs and razor rash from the tugging of multiple blade razors. The idea of using a single blade can be daunting at first but it’s nothing to worry about. It took just a few goes to get used to and if you slowly glide it along your skin at a 45 degree angle you’ll soon be silky smooth, and safe in the knowledge you’re not chucking tonnes of plastic razors in the bin each month. We stock Naked Necessities shaving products, who tell us that over 2 billion plastic razors are thrown away each year, as well as a metal range from the Zero Waste Club. Combined with moisturising shaving bars, olive soap and blade disposal tins (for safe recycling) we have everything you need to make your hair-free swap carefree!
Reusable sanitary pads and menstrual cups
Let’s talk about periods. Chlorine, bleach, dioxins and dyes probably wouldn’t be on the list if we were to ask you what you want inside your body. But in fact, that’s exactly what you’ll find in most period products, which tend to be made from synthetic fibres and chemical-filled materials.
Not only this, but with women using an estimated 11,000 disposable sanitary products in a lifetime (2), there is a lot of waste (often containing plastic) ending up in landfill and waterways.
If you’d like to consider a more natural way of dealing with your period, then reusable pads or menstrual cups are a great alternative.
The pads simply need rinsing with cold water after use (this will help to stop them from staining), and then pop them in the washing machine (they come with a little laundry net to keep them together in a load). If you’re unsure, then you can always buy one or two, see how you get on with them and then gradually build up a bigger collection. We stock a range of ethically produced moon pads by local supplier, Victoria Lovett (fun fact, she is the wife of Bad Hand Coffee owner, the local roastery based in the Triangle whose beans we stock). They come in an array of colourful patterns and you can choose from hemp or cotton.
Menstrual cups are another option. They are a reusable device, usually made from silicone and are worn inside the vagina where they collect (not absorb) the blood. They tend to hold three times more than tampons or pads making them easy to use, eliminating the need to carry loads of spare products and are great for overnight use. At around £20 each the initial outlay is a bit more, but they will last for years and years. They can take a little bit of getting used to, but most people we speak to say that once they started, they never looked back.
We have chosen to stock the Talulah Cup, an ethical company which is helping hundreds of woman in Zambia with menstrual health and hygiene. You can read more about their story here www.talulahcup.com
Not only do these reusable products help eliminate waste, anecdotally users tend to experience less pain and lighter periods.
Shampoo bars
Washing your hair frequently can actually cause your scalp to produce more oil resulting in greasy hair, making you want to wash it again and again – it becomes a bit of catch 22 situation. Whilst we don’t expect you to stop washing your hair, the rise of the shampoo bar is helping us get back to our natural roots (haha, geddit) as they tend to be made with more natural ingredients. Shampoo bars are really concentrated (picture normal shampoo but without the water) and as long as you keep them dry between uses, they will last for 50-80 washes. It’s thought in the UK alone we will get through a whopping 520 million shampoo bottles every year so that’s a lot of plastic waste you’ll be saving if you make the swap.
We stock Nope products - they don’t contain any synthetics, are SLS free (the nasty chemical that can make your hair dry and brittle), are plastic free and aren’t tested on animals. With natural foaming cleansers from coconut oil, the bars still lather up beautifully and used with the conditioner bar too you’ll be left with silky-smooth, clean and nourished hair.
Natural deodorants
Okay, we get it – not many people these days want to go totally ‘au naturel’ when it comes to their armpits. But with pretty much all of us either spritzing or rolling on deodorants and anti-perspirants every single day, we’re creating a huge amount of rubbish in order to smell sweet. Packaging from these products is not always easy to recycle - they usually need to be totally empty/dry with lids and tops removed and in reality this is just not happening. Coupled with the chemicals released from aerosols, which have a harmful effect on CO2 emissions, these products are really hurting our planet.
There are some fantastic options on the market now that will allow you to avoid all the nasty chemicals found in most conventional deodorants, and ditch the plastic and aerosols. Most anti-perspirants can actually end up putting your body into a bit of sweaty cycle. They work by blocking the pores of the skin to stop you from sweating (usually with aluminium), but your body then just wants to sweat more in order to unblock the clogged pores… The deodorants we have tackle the bacteria instead as this is what creates the body odour. They tend to help your body re-regulate and you end up sweating much less. At Almond & Co we stock plant and mineral derived, cruelty-free products by ‘Scence’ ‘Ben and Anna’ and ‘Biork’, all of which use eco-friendly, recyclable packaging. This can be quite a big change, so why not pop in and see us so you can smell and feel the products and we can talk you through the different options.
Bamboo toothbrushes
Finally let’s talk teeth! Globally, every year over a billion plastic toothbrushes are thrown away (4). That is a whole lot of rubbish for sparkly smiles and fresh breath. Please don’t stop brushing your teeth (no, seriously, don’t) but do think about making a super easy switch to a bamboo toothbrush. We stock Truthbrush – with bamboo handles and plant-based bristles these brushes are eco-friendly, award winning and effective and we also stock our very own branded Charcoal Bristled bamboo toothbrushes pack of 4 for all the family!
We hope that’s given you some information and advice about how you can start ditching the plastic and gradually bring reusable products into your daily routines, but please feel free to pop in, give us a call on 01202 280303 or drop us line for more information.
(1) – Water UK – www.water.org.uk
(2) – Wen, www.wen.org.uk
(3) - Circular, www.circualr.co.uk
(4) – Truthbrush www.thetruthbrush.com
Recipe created by Magda from Rebel Animal @rebel_animal @fearless_plant_life
INGREDIENTS
2 large carrots, peeled
1 ½ cups (180g) oats, blitzed onto the flour, or shop-bought oat flour
1 cup (175g) pitted dates
1 cup (145g) dried mango or dried apricots
½ cup desiccated coconut, unsweetened
¼ cup melted coconut oil
½ tsp cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg
Walnuts or pumpkin seeds to decorate- optional
METHOD
Cut the carrots into smaller chunks and put them into a high-speed blender. Blitz for a few seconds, add the rest of the ingredients and pulse till everything sticks together. The mixture should not be too wet, if it seems to dry, add few more drops of coconut oil.
Line the square tin, anything between 15-20cm will work, press down the mixture evenly, arrange pieces of walnuts or pumpkin seeds, if using, gently press them onto the mixture, and refrigerate for a good few hours. Take out from the fridge, cut into bars and keep in airtight containers. They will keep for 5days.
]]>Hello! We’re Eleanor and Sam, co owners of Almond & Co. Here on our blog we are aiming to give you tips and tricks to help you reduce your waste and shop sustainably. But we thought we’d kick things off with how Almond and Co came about – people tell us it’s quite a cool story!
When we first met we actually thought we were going to be in competition with one another! We met at Earth.Food.Love, the UK’s first zero-waste shop. To be honest, neither of us were very happy after our first encounter! It turned out we both had plans to open our own zero-waste shops and whilst we were excited to meet someone else with the same passion for the movement, when we realised we both wanted to open up in Bournemouth, well, then we were worried!
Eleanor
I had contacted Earth.Food.Love, based in Totnes, to ask for some work experience with the end goal of opening my own zero-waste shop. Owners, Nicola and Richard Eckersley welcomed me with open arms and there I learnt all about the day-to-day runnings of a shop. I was inspired by the couple too – they have been ground-breaking in bringing the term ‘zero-waste shopping’ away from the health food association and really introduced the modern world to the idea of plastic-free living. They are absolute ambassadors for people wanting to follow in their footsteps and for me they have been my mentors, allowing me to bring the movement to life in my little part of Dorset.
When Sam visited the shop we started chatting and after exchanging many emails and messages about locations and how we could both set up in the same area, we decided to join forces and make a go of it together! I wanted to run the shop whereas Sam always wanted to take more of a background role. He was invaluable however in making Almond & Co what it is today, taking the lead on our business plan, the shop design, the logo and branding.
Sam
Having been surfing for over twenty years, I have seen first-hand the dramatic increase in plastics in our oceans and on our beaches. I moved to the area fifteen years ago and became involved in beach cleans with Surfers Against Sewage. But I knew there was even more I wanted to do to help enable people in my local area to change how much they use plastic in their everyday lives.
I work for the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts, implementing the European Commissions’ Climate Change Service so when I started to plan a zero-waste shop, I always intended on hiring a manager. When Eleanor and I met and she said she planned to use her previous management and customer service experience to run her own shop, it made sense to team up and open one together. We feel so lucky to have found one another in order to fit the roles we were both missing.
This is Us
Our main goal is to help people easily reduce their household waste and showcase how this can be done no matter what your dietary choices and way of life. It doesn’t even have to be an ‘all or nothing’ approach – really small steps can make a big difference. We want to help detach the stigma that is associated with eco-friendly living and make it accessible, acceptable and normal to be able to shop and live in a way that reduces waste. We want to provide consumers with choices and make it easy to buy everyday items in a sustainable way.
Inside the shop you’ll find a big assortment of products. There are loads of every-day staples such as pastas and cereals but without any single use packaging. Our aim is to help you reduce you household waste dramatically - it’s not about changing what you eat, just how you shop. Pop in and let us help you find a better version of the things you love!
So, this is us! We love what we do, but we don’t really love talking about ourselves. So, for the next instalment, tell us what you’d like to know? Drop us a line and each month we’ll pick a topic and give you some of our very best tips to help you make great choices that suit you and our wonderful planet!
We’d love it if you followed us on facebook and Instagram too – there we’ll keep you posted on new products that we have available in-store and online.
@almondandco.bournemouth
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