Guest blog post from Jean Sheehan, Medical Intuitive

This week Jean discusses the link between blood and life force...

Teaching Thursday:

Metaphysically, the Father, Son,and Holy Ghost refers to your journey and process of life. The Father is the authority, which is you writing your own story and perception. The Son is the child within you that will believe anything you say,as it must be true since you are the SELF. The Ghost is looking back at your past and seeing that what we have, will do, or are doing,is not an illusion or scary, but actually a lesson,as you are a soul having a human experience. 

AsI have written for the Millennium Modality, "The human body is a blueprint for your most dominant thoughts. It is a print out of the internal vibration. Our bodies hold on to our experiences, thoughts and belief systems. The body is a reflection of our truth and shows our unconscious secrets. You are the author of your life. Your biography becomes your biology in your body.” This last line is the key point ... what do you keep 'writing'? And once you are conscious & aware (through the organ of the heart) then you have the opportunity to change it and your outcome. The commitment is always to SELF (represented through the thyroid), and being your own best friend. Would you treat your loved ones the way you treat you??!!

Jean Sheehan is the Principal and Director of Millennium Education. As a leader in her field of self development and internationally recognised Medical Intuitive, Metaphysical Teacher and Life Skills Coach, Jean facilitates extraordinary transformational change by teaching individuals to see their own potentiality. As a Nurse for 15 years, Jean knew there was an innate wisdom within each person.

Sharing her personal journey of how she healed her own cancer and created a life from rags to riches, Jean is sought after as a motivational speaker who educates, coaches and mentors schools, childcare centres, corporations and the health cares systems to all possibilities.

She is inspirational and captivates her audiences connecting souls to their purpose and assisting them to release limiting beliefs & patterns to experience an absolute empowered & fulfilled life. An expert in Children’s emotional care, Jean successfully guides parents and children to a sense of fulfillment and purpose. 

Guest blog post from Jean Sheehan, Medical Intuitive

This week Jean discusses teenagers.

When children transition during teenage years, their body consciousness changes. The pituitary linked with the anja chakra perceives life as 'unfair', the thymus glad (all about responsibility) reacts in the"victim”and lungs (grief, reaction, response) share the grief. This can come across as children being ungrateful, miserable, 'it’s not fair' and over reacting to the slightest of things.  This is all linked the Millennium Grid of Evolution (Taught in Module II Medical) For more information, head to: http://www.absoluteempowerment.com/the-merkaba.php

If you are looking for a romantic and absolutely perfect gift for an anniversary, shopping online is probably going to be your best bet. Though there are plenty of great gifts in shops around town, the entire world will open up for you when you choose to shop online for great anniversary gifts. The benefits of shopping online for gifts in Australia will quickly become apparent as you start your shopping. Here are a few great tips to choose amazing anniversary gifts online:

One of the best tips that you should keep in mind is to ask others' opinions. Though you may think that you know exactly what your partner wants as a wedding anniversary gift, many times this strategy falls short. For example, if you are shopping for anniversary gifts for women, you may want to consider asking another woman who knows her well, like a friend, sister or co-worker, what they think of the anniversary gift that you have chosen or thinking of purchasing. You should be able to get a great gift for your wife when you have a little help from someone else in the process. (Kindred Gifts can help, with a beautiful and romantic gift such as the Dogeared 'Pearls of Love' Necklace, as above). 

Another great tip for shopping online for the perfect gift for an anniversary is to compare prices. Since you are online, it is very easy to look at other sites to find out if you can find cheaper prices. Make sure, however, when you are doing this, to take shipping into account. A lot of online shops will ship for free, Australia wide, but may have slightly higher prices. In this case, you want to look at the value of the price you are paying.

You will certainly want to make sure that you are focused on your partner’s needs and wants when getting a great anniversary gift. (Cute Bold & Noble Love Print for him and her, Left). See if you can pick up cues on things they may want. Ask their family, friends, co-workers or even your own children to find out if they have any ideas on what Mum or Dad may want as an anniversary gift this year. (A great anniversary gift for a couple would have to be the Handpresso Wild Hybrid Espresso Maker, right. Its portable, easy, and they'll love it).

Finally, make sure there is a return policy just in case the recipient doesn’t like the gift. Shopping for anniversary gifts for men and women can really be quite simple if you keep these things in mind.

Environmentally Friendly Gift Ideas for Kids

When it comes to kids, buying environmentally friendly gifts can be quite easy. There is a wonderful range of toys, activities and other things kids need that they will also love. Dolls and plush toys are always popular with kids and there are many available that are made of organic cotton, bamboo or hemp, as well as recycled materials. Activity books, toys, and craft sets made of or using recycled paper make great kids gift ideas and also teach children to be more environmentally aware (the Makedo range is a fabulous example).

Some lovely online baby gifts are also easily available, including sweet organic cotton Onesies or natural skincare that contains no nasty chemicals to hurt babies' skin. Solar powered Nightlights (as seen to the left) made of recycled metals, are also wonderful environmentally friendly gift ideas for kids or babies, and can be the perfect choice when looking for newborn baby gifts; Christening gifts or naming day gifts; or baby shower gift ideas.

Green Gift Ideas for Men

For the man in your life, shopping for green gifts doesn’t have to be difficult at all. There are loads of wonderful gift ideas out there for men who want to make the extra effort to be friendly to our planet. A wallet is always a wonderful idea for men when you need to buy a gift and there are plenty of wallets on the market that are recycled from other materials including bicycle inner tubes. These cool wallets for men made by Alchemy Goods are one such example.

Another idea for an environmentally friendly gift for a man is a reusable coffee cup. Australian’s throw away tonnes of paper and plastic coffee cups each year. Take a stand against it with this great gift idea that makes a wonderful birthday gift, anniversary gift, or Secret Santa gift idea. Australian designed BYO Cups from Hookturn Industries are a great example of eco friendly, BPA-free, reusable coffee cups.

Earth Focused Gift Ideas for Women

As with the men and children, there are also lots of fantastic gift ideas for women that are focused on being earth friendly. Jewellery is always a hit with most women and there is no reason why you can't find gorgeous jewellery for women that is made of recycled or earth friendly materials. Delight her with a beauiful Valentine's Day gift or Christmas gift that she will treasure always, such as the always popular Karma necklace from celeb-favourite brand Dogeared. Offering one of the largest ranges of Dogeared jewellery online in Australia, Kindred Gifts is a proud supporter of this great example of design led, eco friendly jewellery manufacturing. 

Women also love their bags, so a handbag made of organic, sustainable, or recycled fibres will likely be the perfect gift for the environmentally cautious woman. We, and celebs such as Anne Hathaway and Brooke Shields, love the great range of handmade bags from New York based Fleabags. Their totes, like this Original Flea in Pebble, make a lovely birthday present idea or Christmas gift.

Looking for more online gifts in Australia or gifts online that can be sent internationally? Check out our range of unique Gifts for Men, Gifts for Women, Baby Gifts, and Gifts for Kids today.

Magnets

Fridge magnets are pretty well known in the corporate gift circuit, so you want to make sure you are getting something unique if you really want to get noticed. Designer magnets, such as the huge range of themes from Kate Grenier Designs, really stand out, and can be a great choice when it comes to these types of gifts. Kate Grenier Designs Fridge Magnets are available in more than 75 different themes, making them a great gift for staff as you can customize the gift to suit your team member's tastes. Are they a bookworm, a runner, a chocoholic or a whiz in the kitchen? We've got something to suit every taste!

If you're looking for a great bulk corporate gift idea to give to customers or use a conference gifts, talk to us today about having some specially designed magnets made specifically for your company. Your company’s magnets - made from recycled bottle tops with your own images, logos or phrases no less - will definitely stand out when placed side by side with competitors' boring offerings. 

Lunch Bags

Reusable organic cotton lunch bags can also make great corporate gifts. These bags will definitely come in handy at the office and since they are reusable, buying these bags will really help the environment, something that all of us should be doing anyway. Giving your clients reusable cotton lunch bags like the great range range from Fluf, will help them to think of you every time they eat lunch, which may be the perfect time to contact your company when they need a product or service from you!

Skin Care Items

Another great idea for the unique gift in a corporate setting is some type of natural skin care item. These items, like lotion, scrubs and travel packs, can really make an impression, especially if you have a client or employee who travels a lot. You can get these packs for both men and women (brands include Li'tya, left, and Purestuf), and they all contain high quality skin care products appropriate for specific genders.

As you can see, these are just a few great ideas for gifts that you can buy online. Finding the best corporate gifts in Australia doesn’t have to be difficult and can even turn into a fun experience if you allow it to!

World Environment Day!

This event, taking place on the 5th of June 2012, is an annual event that brings awareness to the environment and what we can do as a community to improve human well-being and social equity, while reducing our environmental impact on the earth :) Here's a link for more information about the day and ways to get involved. 

Top 10 Tips for going green this environment day

1. Hang your clothes on the line to avoid using the dryer.

2. Use a reusable water bottle rather than regularly buying disposable plastic bottles that add to landfill. A great example of clever reusable bottle design is the 321 water bottle. This bottle is BPA free, created from recyclable materials and is designed and made in Australia. 

3. Save power by making sure appliances are turned off at the wall when not being used.

4. Reuse tote bags for shopping, instead of using nasty plastic bags that end up in landfill, aren't degradable, and often end up in waterways harming wildlife. Fluf Little One Handbags made from organic cotton, are a perfect step to helping the environment. 

5. Set air-con units to 25ºC to help reduce the energy cost of cooling our homes. Or you could open the window to let the breeze in. =]

6. Take public transport, walk or ride a bike to work or school. Organize with employers to work from home on some occasions too to save the commute. 

7. Choose stationery or other paper items made from recycled paper rather then using virgin pulp. For example, take a look at our range of environmentally safe Notebooks.

8. Use natural cleaning products in your home or office has a beneficial effect on the environment. Great natural options include bicarb soda, vinegar and lemon juice. This is a great way to keep our planet healthy. 

9. Choose organic locally produced meat, fruit and vegetables. This supports the producers that don't use chemicals on their goods. It also means less transporting miles if products aren't being shipped into the country and transported around Australia.

10. Have one meat free meal per week as animal farming is one of the highest emission producing areas. When shopping at the supermarket try looking for healthy and tasty vegetarian foods. If you're stuck for ideas try the lovely Australian vegetarian cookbook Martha Goes Green.

Following these simple tips will not only save you money but the planet as well! Do your part for our environment, this Environment Day. :)

Babyology is Australia’s premier lifestyle website keeping hip parents and their bubs up to date with the world of baby-related design. From building a dream nursery to checking out the newest designer babywear, our readers rely on Babyology to keep them up to date and in touch. Many of our readers are enthusiastic and seasoned travellers and we’ve learned a thing of two over the years about how to travel with babies and young children so we’d love to share our top ten tips with Kindred Gifts!

1. Check the airline’s regulations regarding children and travel. Will your baby have a bassinet or will your child have a seat to himself? Worth checking for those long-haul flights!

2. Take photocopies of birth certificates and a change of clothing for both you and baby in case of an accident.

3. When it comes to booking your flights and if you are flying a long distance with another adult, consider booking seats apart from one another. This allows one adult to rest whilst the other entertains (or wrangles!) the children.

4. Allow plenty of time for check-in and when you are checking in, always ask if the flight is full. Some assistants will block out the seat next to you in a less full flight or offer you the option of seating you next to a vacant seat. This is particularly good if travelling with a toddler without their own seat. Some airlines also offer the loan of a stroller for getting to and from gates with a baby or active toddler.

5. Many people do not know that car seats can be used on planes for children. Be aware that only certain types of seats are suitable and that most airlines require a car seat to be pre-approved for use as a child seat at least twenty-four hours before departure (generally, approval of car seats cannot be obtained on departure at the airport).

6. For toddlers and young children, pack an activity kit including crayons, snacks, a small Etch-a-Sketch, stickers, a roll of sticky tape, cars and other small toys. Balloons are great for waiting at the airport! Also, air-conditioning on a plane is incredibly dehydrating – no need to make it uncomfortable for kids as well. A standard saline nose spray for kids, available at chemists, will do the trick.

7. Bottle feeding baby? The attendants heat bottles using hot water so it takes a god five minutes for them to complete. Try to time baby’s feeds outside of peak meal times.

8. If baby needs a nappy change, don’t do it on the seat. Aircraft toilets are fitted with change tables and you should feel free to ask a flight attendant to get the table set up for you. Keep in mind that there’s no such thing as packing too many wipes. Also handy is a wet face washer in a snap-lock bag.

9. The compact book Around the World in 80 Ways is packed with fun activities for little travellers. Most of the activities don’t require anything but imagination – we like the game ‘In-flight Magazine Treasure Hunt’ – devise a super-long list of items for the kids to hunt down in those glossy in-flight magazines and it can have them going for hours.

10. The old saying "expect the worst, get the best” is a good way to approach flights with children. We received this advice to parents from a flight attendant who has clocked up thousands of flights with crying babies and children – "You’ll never see these people again and they’ll get over it”. Don’t waste your energy getting upset by rude people.

Bon voyage!

We asked our Guest Blogger Meagan Genovese from This Whole Family to share with us some facts on Hemp and Bamboo Fabrics.

Meagan is first and foremost a mama to two gorgeous little ones, a wife, a green cleaner and vegetarian chef, a writer, a yoga teacher, an animal rights activist and creator of all things homemade. She enjoys shopping, vegan baking and her newfound hobbies- sewing, knitting and photography. You can find her playing hide and seek at the park, drawing with crayons, reading a book or feeding her newborn while sipping soy chai lattes and nibbling on Fairtrade chocolate.

Hemp and Bamboo fabrics are all the rage nowadays and for good reason! From stylish clothing to luxury bed linen to funky table cloths and napkins, hemp and bamboo fabrics offer both luxury and sustainability.

Both hemp and bamboo grow, mature and are ready for harvesting faster than cotton which means they require fewer natural resources to produce each crop. Both hemp and bamboo require less water than cotton does and do not require pesticides or fertilisers, so, they are durable and more resistant to disease and insects. Hemp and bamboo are also highly adaptable and can grow in diverse climates and conditions making them highly sustainable fabric choices that can be grown and produced locally.

Hemp clothing is not only better for the environment, it is also durable, comfortable and contrary to popular belief- soft. Hemp is twice as strong as cotton and holds its shape well, preventing hemp garments from stretching over time. When hemp is turned into fiber it becomes very porous, which makes hemp clothing beautifully breathable and cool in warm weather. On the other hand, when air is trapped inside the fibers, it is warmed by the body, making hemp garments naturally warm in cooler weather. Hemp fabrics soften with wear and actually become more beautiful and lustrous with washing.

You can also enjoy the luxury of silky soft bamboo products while feeling good about the ethicality of your fashion choices. Bamboo grows at super speeds (up to 1-4 feet a day!) and is therefore harvested quickly and does not require intensive watering, chemical fertilizers or pesticides. This makes bamboo products naturally more sustainable than other fabrics and fibers. Bamboo also prevents (and treats) soil erosion. The roots of the bamboo plant branch out from the stalk securing soil from erosion and preventing silt from overtaking rivers and streams. Bamboo fabric is soft, naturally breathable and repels UV rays making it highly suitable for hot and humid climates. 

You can find a range of hemp and bamboo products at Kindred Gifts. The gorgeous Fleabags designer handbags; and Manor12’s pillow covers, and even tea towels and napkins, are all made from a beautiful and durable hemp and cotton blend.

The adorable range of Dandelion plush animals is made from viscose bamboo as well as the very cute Hank and JoJo Retro tube socks, plus a trendy range of iPhone and iPod covers, earphones and dock from Vers Audio.

These hemp and bamboo based products are the perfect excuse to splurge on a new bag, shirt or some living room decor. When you buy hemp or bamboo textiles you're not only beautifying yourself and your environment, you’re also making an eco-friendly and sustainable choice for the greater environment too.

- Easy Vanilla Cupcakes

The Sustainable Table - Raw Chocolate and Banana Tarts

Makes 8-10 small, 6 medium or 4 large tarts

summer, autumn, spring

"Food is unparalleled in its nutritional quality in its raw and natural state." Angela Gioffre

2 tbsp agave syrup

1 cup almonds, soaked in 1 cup of water for around 5 hrs

1/3 cup cashew cream

¼ cup cashews

¼ cup water

1/3 tsp vanilla essence/syrup

agave, to taste (optional)

ground cinnamon, to taste (optional)

3 tbsp cashew cream, see above

1 banana

1 tsp raw cacao powder

1 strawberry

strawberries, sliced

chocolate mint herb or mint leaves

METHOD

1. Blend agave syrup and almonds, then press into flan tins of your desired size.

1. Blend all ingredients until smooth and creamy.

2. If you would like it a little sweeter add agave, or spices such as cinnamon.

3. Use, or store in the fridge until ready to use.

The cream keeps for about one week.

1. Blend cashew cream, banana, cacao powder and strawberry.

2. Spoon into flan tins.

3. Top with strawberries and a leaf of the chocolate mint or regular mint.

4. Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours and enjoy.

We love using candles to create mood in our home. We light a candle each night before saying our grace at dinner; we light one or two naturally scented candles throughout the house during the day when we’re hanging out at home; we light a candle when we’re quietly drawing and we also light a candle at storytime to create a sense of stillness, wonder and reflection. We have been long-time fans of beeswax candles, but when we are in the mood for a new scent and a bit more luxury our choice is soy candles.

Using soy candles instead of conventional paraffin based ones is better for you and the environment- a win-win situation. Here’s why:

* Soy wax is non-toxic and burns cleaner than paraffin, while paraffin based candles emit a petroleum exhaust leaving smokey residue on walls, ceilings, furniture and even in your lungs.

* Soy candles burn longer, slower and cooler compared to conventional candles.

* As long as the soybeans are grown sustainably, they are a renewable resource, unlike paraffin which is derived from petroleum.

* Soywax is made from hydrogenated soybean oil and is therefore naturally biodegradable.

Kindred Gifts sells a beautiful range of candles called Pompadour Soy Candles that are scented with natural essential oils and fine fragrances of frangipani and willow bark blended with jasmine, orange, grapefruit, bergamot, pettigrain, ylang ylang and mimosa. Unlike many conventional candles these are free from paraffin, palm oil, animal by-products and chemicals.

From the Kindred Gifts website: "The range draws inspiration from the legend of Madame de Pompadour - a woman who personified learning, wit and style, who embraced luxury, aesthetics and indulgence to please her soul in the same way that art, literature and music did”. This sentence alone makes me want to light a candle and get in touch with my creative side!

Gift Giving
We all have our own reasons for giving gifts but regardless of the occasion, the intention is the same: that small smile as the wrapping comes away and the warm fuzzy feeling of knowing that you have made someone feel that little bit special.

Now, with www.kindredgifts.com.au that gift can bring smiles all round, as you shop from a range of gifts which are all helping to support the environment, and the people and animals in it.

Effort:

Finding a gift for someone which reflects what they mean to you far outshines how expensive (or inexpensive !) it was: in this coffee crazy era, the Handpresso Wild Outdoor Espresso Maker Travel Set is perfect for those caffeine crazy buddies we have who live in tiny city apartments and don’t have the space for a regular sized coffee machine.

Can’t decide what to buy?

Kindred Gift’s "Buy Once, Give Twice” philosophy means that their gift cards aren’t just contributing to some corporate fat-cat’s private island fund.  Instead, they’ve adopted a whole new way of doing business and buying from them means that you’re being eco friendly, buying handmade goodness or contributing to fair trade initiatives and charitable causes.

On top of that, Kindred Gifts also donate 2% of their revenue to charities, so if you can’t decide on one thing in their fantastic range then why not buy a pretty little gift card and let the person you’re buying for decide?

Battling the computer games..

Are you fighting the battle to seduce your kids away from technology and out into the bright sunshine of summer? Why not try introducing them to some old school favourites like the traditional Egg & Spoon Race?

The Fun In The Sack Egg and Spoon Race kit gives you everything you need without running the risk of broken eggs all over the back yard. It keeps the kids outside in the fresh air, moving, having fun, and staying away from nasty, chemical laden plastic toys at the same time! 

Ever dragged a surly child around the supermarket?

It’s difficult to motivate kids to enjoy the weekly food shop, but the "sustainability challenge” is sure to boost their interest.  Each child gets a list of the items you need at home and it’s their challenge is to find the most environmentally friendly products.  It could be the "greenest” washing up liquid or the loo roll with the highest recycled paper content.  Getting them involved and making the trip more entertaining for them will teach them and save you the chore of doing it all yourself!

Remember, remember...

Anywhere past year 12, writing notes to yourself on the back of your hand becomes less and less acceptable. After all, a client of yours doesn’t need to know that you need nappies and tomatoes when you’re on your way home tonight.

So why not invest in the Fuz by Josh Jakus - Dusty Woman Chalkboard, $39.95? It’s cute, functional and much easier than trying to decipher the notes on the back of your hand after a day of wash and wear!

Man Up!

Buying for your typical twentysomething is not easy: he manscapes, straightens his hair and cares for the environment and has a solid knowledge about what makes a good Pinot Noir.

 It’s his birthday, and you’re flummoxed as to what to get him. How about Vers Audio 1E Earphones?  Stylish, suave and much far superior to their plastic counterparts, they’re designed to be noise cancelling, which is perfect for when you want to ramble about your latest shoe purchase: he can just plug in and drift off....

Today Meagan shares: Tips for Packing a Waste-Free Lunch

Thankfully, "waste-free lunch days” are becoming more and more prevalent in schools and workplaces, although at first the task can seem a bit daunting. But, with a bit of planning and the right tools and ingredients, packing a waste free lunch can become a part of your daily rhythm. 

Here are some tips to get your started:

Sandwiches

Sandwich wraps can be made easily with just a few supplies. If you’re brave enough, try this tutorial. Otherwise you can always purchase them to be used over and over again. If you’re worried your sandwich might get soggy and you think your child will be up for making their own, pack the sliced tomato and any dressings in a little container for them to put together at lunchtime. 

Left-overs

Left-over soups and stews can be reheated in the morning and put into a thermos with a lid that also acts as a bowl. If you’re doing this for a small child make sure the soup isn’t too hot when you put it in. A thermos can hold heat very well and the soup will come out steaming even hours later. Don’t forget to pack a spoon!

Salads

Pasta salads, green salads, quinoa salads and alike can be put in a container with loads of veggies, cubed cheese or chopped egg. Store the dressing on the side. We love re-using mini vegemite containers for dressings and sauces because they don’t leak.

Drinks

Our stainless steel water bottles go with us everywhere. Kindred Gifts carries gorgeous styles by One Bottle to choose from. If you want to pack some tea or a warm broth on a cold day warm it up in the morning and pour it into a thermos to enjoy later.

Snacks

A lot of waste in lunches can come from pre-packaged snacks. These are easy to imitate and much more healthy when you are selecting the ingredients yourself:

Whole bananas, apples, pears and mandarins make for excellent finger food. For a special treat cut some fruit up and put it in a container with a bit of orange or apple juice for homemade fruit salad.

Sliced veggies, pita and crackers all go nicely with homemade hummus, cream cheese or baba ganoush. Use a small vegemite jar or a small BPA-free plastic container to store dips in. 

Hard boiled eggs are a regular packed snack in our household: full of protein, delicious and completely waste-free. You can choose to remove the shell at home or out and about. Just depending on who it is who will be doing the peeling. 

Cheese blocks can be cut into cubes or sticks and kept in a small container. 

You can make your own ‘snack bag’ or buy fun ready-made options, like these Fluf organic cotton Snack Packs (above) to put cookies, squares, biscuits, popcorn, sultanas, or dried fruit in. 

Napkins and Cutlery

Cloth napkins made from natural materials like organic cotton, hemp or bamboo fabrics are readily available online or in stores, or if you’re feeling creative you can make your own napkins and placemats easily.

A Lunchbag

Finally, no waste-free lunch would be complete without a lunchbag to carry it in.

The Fluf Organic Cotton Lunchbags are adorable and come in a huge range of designs to suit a variety of ages and personalities. 

Packing a waste-free lunch can be stress free and enjoyable. Cutting out packaging often means cutting out the preservatives, flavourings and colourings that come with it. Homemade food will always be more delicious and nutritious. And above all else, waste-free lunches make for a healthier, happier planet.

Pumpkin and Feta Savoury Muffins

Looking for a way to use up all that leftover Halloween pumpkin? How about making some healthy, vegetarian Pumpkin and Feta Savoury Muffins, as seen in fabulous handmade Australian cookbook, Martha Goes Green: A Vegetarian Cookbook?

The recipe makes 12, and contains simple ingredients that are easily found at your local shops or markets.

Top 5 Ways to Green Up Your Halloween

Once a Celtic celebration of the harvest and a new season, Halloween is now a lot less spiritual and a whole lot more commercial - these days it's an industry worth more than six billion dollars a year! With that kind of consumption comes a hefty carbon footprint and an environmental impact that lasts long after you've see the last of those fun-size Snickers bars.

Luckily, there are plenty of simple and cost effective ways to go greener this Halloween, without causing tantrums from the kids. To help you on your way we've compiled our list of the top 5 tips to have a more eco friendly Halloween this year, and teach the kids a thing or two while you're at it.

1. Make your own costumes for the kids out of bits and pieces you have lying around at home.

With a little planning and creativity, even the least handy DIYers can put together a costume with items they have at home. Let's face it, with kids around, there are always extra odds and ends that you could make use of. Empty boxes and egg cartons; the kids' crayons and textas; old fabric remnants; pipecleaners... Be creative and avoid buying cheap plastic masks and other costume accessories because they cannot be recycled. You'll not only save money, but teach the kids a valuable lesson at the same time.

Not very crafty? What about getting together with a group of creative friends and putting your heads together to see what costume ideas you can create? Throw in a glass of wine and some tasty snacks, and we think you have a fun night (or day) ahead!

2. Green Your Treats

When the neighbourhood kids come knocking on your door for their candy stash, make sure you have more wholesome treats to offer. Try to avoid lollies full of sugar, flavours and preservative, and choose organic or natural treats when you can. Also, look for brands that donate part of their profits to environmental causes or use Fair Trade-sourced cocoa and other ingredients. Do your best to avoid individually wrapped candies, and consider making your own organic fudge, brownies or cupcakes  etc.

If you want the kids to skip the sweets altogether, try handing out small wooden toys, handmade barrettes & clips, or soy crayons. The other parents in the neighbourhood will love you for not adding to their child's sugar rollercoaster on the night too!

3. Decorate from nature - not plastic  

Spend some qualiy time with the kids on the weekend hunting around the garden or park for fallen leaves and feathers and other natural items you can use use for decoration, rather than the standard chemical laden plastic banners and signs that just end up in landfill.

Have fun choosing a pumpkin from a Farmer's Market or organic grocer, and let them express their creativity in helping you design the perfect Jack-o-Lantern.

4. Choose a kid-friendly bag or backpack to lug around the loot

When it comes to hauling all those treasures home, reusable hemp, bamboo, organic cotton or natural canvas bags easily win over standard toxic-laden plastic for both safety and environmental reasons. Choose kid- friendly sized backpacks or totes rather than large shopping bags (less room for a truckload of lollies that way!).

5. Choose your candles carefully

The soft flickering of candles and jack-o-lanterns certainly give Halloween its spooky feel, but the paraffin in wax candles releases toxic chemicals like toluene and benzene through smoke and soot. Not to mention that the palm oil used in most traditional candles is causing massive deforestation  in many areas around the world (80% of the world's palm oil production is in Indonesia and Malaysia, where irreplaceable rainforests that are home to wildlife such as the Sumatran Tiger, Sumatran Rhinoceros, Borneo Orangutans, Asian Elephant and the Clouded Leopard are being destroyed).

Clean up your home and keep your lungs healthy with organic soy or beeswax candles, which last longer and don't have the same environmental costs.

Green is a Community

Help make the community green by volunteering time at a community garden where your children can learn how others grow fruits and vegetables. Learning to cook the food you grow together will provide an ideal opportunity to encourage your kids to think green. You can teach them all about nutritional health, where our food comes from, and the importance of eating together as a family.

Buying for your "kooky” best friend....

Everyone has that friend, who is a little different from the norm; who isn’t going to appreciate a gift card or a cookbook for their birthday.  Ours is a Cartographer (she is map crazy!) so for her the Bold and Noble Type Map British Isles Print was a perfect combination of hobby and homely reminder. Now it takes pride of place amongst all the other standard maps! 

Do you have a friend with a passion or hobby that you can buy for? Look for a gift that speaks to their interests, or that says something about who they are and what they value, and you know you'll be getting them something that really shows you care.

Turn off that computer!

Childhood should mean playtime, and the most important thing you can do to teach your children about the environment from an early age is easy – just give them plenty of opportunities to play outside and switch off their computers or whichever electrical device they are currently absorbed in. Why not bond on a family bike ride out in the woods or on the seafront? Collect rocks or spot birds or sit in the shallows of the local lake and watch the fish – after all, isn’t it the simplest memories that you have with your parents that you treasure the most now you’re all grown up?

Another great idea for birthday parties or school holidays is to take the games outside. Instead of the usual fare like Pin the Tail on the Donkey, why not try getting the kids out in the fresh air and sunshine playing fun retro games like Fun In The Sack's Egg and Spoon Race or Ring Toss games? The kids will love it, and you'll love that there is a lot less mess to clean up!

The Letter

When was the last time you wrote a letter? No, not an email.  Or a customer-feedback survey or a Facebook post.  A real letter. Our bet is that you can’t remember!

Well Isak are looking to revive this great art form with their Isak Happy Little Things Quicknotes Notecard Pack. These quirky and beautiful handmade cards are just big enough for you to tell someone about your day without boring the pants of them with an encyclopaedic essay!

Sustainable Produce for Zero Food Miles – growing fresh veggies at home

Growing your own vegetable garden provides a great outdoor activity for your whole family and there really is nothing like the taste of home grown vegetables! Not only that, but working together on your own vegetable patch will provide your children with a chance to exercise regularly and help them to avoid the pale "all I do is sit on my computer” look that so many youngsters are suffering from these days. Add to that the fresh flavours and chemical-free benefits of home grown vegies, and you'll never want to go back to store bought produce again!

Looking for some great new recipes to use for cooking all those fresh veg? You could take a look at two of our favourite sustainable cookbooks - Martha Goes Green: A Vegetarian Cookbook, and The Sustainable Table, both produced sustainably and locally here in Australia.

The "I’m sorry gift”

Ever had a stupid argument with your best friend? Or called your mum something that you have regretted for weeks afterwards? 

Moments like this are the perfect opportunity to give a little I’m sorry gift that lets them know you really do mean it when you apologise. But that's no reason for sorry gifts to be sombre – what about something that makes them smile like the Dogeared Pearls of Friendship Sterling Silver Reminder Necklace?

Your choices will be your kids’ choices...

If living green is important to you, then you can rest assured that your children will pick up the habit. You are, without doubt, the most influential person in their life, and chances are they will want to do what you do. The earlier you can get your children interested in sustainability then longer they will hold the lessons with them...why not get them a worm farm to help them learn? 

Sharing ecological tasks with your kids will help them to understand the impact they are having on the environment, as well as bringing you all together as a family.

Look at all of the rubbish that your family throw away each day. Did you know that on average more than 400 kilograms of waste is produced by each Australian household every year? Scary, huh?

So why not build a multi-coloured recycle station in your back yard to make recycling more fun for the family? Or develop a competition between family members which rewards the use of the recycle bin? Think about ways that you can encourage the whole family to reuse and recycle all those things around the home which can quickly add up to a whole lot of landfill.

Another terrific way to encourage the kids to recycle, while also encouraging their creativity AND keeping them busy on those rainy days, is the fantastic Makedo craft kits for kids. Starting from just $14.95, Makedo kits are about sustainability, imagination, creativity, community and play - but most of all fun! Using the materials around them, kids enjoy the open ended possibilities as their playful creativity is set free.

The Makedo founders believe that by encouraging people to use their imagination and see the creative possibilities in the things around them, we not only reveal a boundless source of creative play but plant the seed for a new way of seeing and thinking about this world we share. They want people to see and inject new value into things that might otherwise be regarded as waste. Their aim is to encourage people to use their imagination and see the creative possibilities in the reuse of everyday materials around them. Through this process we can begin to redefine what’s considered waste.

You know the song...

” I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way”   

But how often do we really put the words in to practice?

Living sustainably doesn’t have to mean huge, expensive changes –the smallest lifestyle change can make a difference and with thousands of resources available on the internet, we can all learn about the benefits of a veggie patch in your back garden or why investing in a reusable travel mug is better than using paper cups for your coffee each morning.

To help make it nice and simple, and ban the brain overload, we decided to put together our top 8 tips for living sustainably to help you on your way. We'll be posting one tip a week, starting with...

Tip 1:

Move more (or as Nike like to say, 'Just Do It'!)

Sustainable lifestyle changes can mean something simple – like utilising public transport. Did you know that 81% of Australians never use public transport? By minimising your car use and taking public transport, riding a bike, or walking to the shops you’re not only improving your impact on the environment but benefitting your own health as well.  Don't forget the little ones either - kids love to be active and will happily jump on their bike to ride to school or meet up with their mates to walk together.

Do you know someone who loves their bike and regularly cycles to work, home or school? You can reward their good work (or your own) with a fabulous upcycled messenger bag or haversack from eco friendly innovators Alchemy Goods.

Made from recycled bicycle inner tubes and car seat belts, all these bags are one-of-a-kind, practical, yet sustainably stylish beauties for keeping all those goodies in one place and safe and sound on the commute to work or school.

With reflective panels and plenty of storage pockets, these bags are a great option any time you're looking online for gifts for men or teenage guys. An easy choice for Christmas gifts or when you're looking for really unique birthday gifts for men, these bags are sure to make a lasting impression, and show just how thoughtful you can be!

Stay tuned next week for our next tip, and change your life for the better!

20 Easy Uses For Bi-Carb Soda - the cheap and cheerful way to clean a home naturally.
Used by households around the world for generations, bicarbonate (or bi-carb) soda is natural, easy on the earth, and definitely easy on the pocket. An affordable cleaning solution for any home or work environment, bi-carb soda is a must have pantry staple. Throw out all those nasty, chemical laden, and expensive cleaners, and buy a big box of bi-carb for your house instead. You'll not only help the environment, but also your whole family's health, and save money at the same time!

Here are our top 20 uses for bi-carb in the home or office:

1. Unblock your kitchen sink by pouring 1 tbsp of bi-carb plus 3 tbsp of vinegar down the drain. Allwo to fizz and then pour boiling water (a full jug's worth) down the drain.

2. Pop a small container of bi-carb into the fridge to absorb strong odours.

3. Use bi-carb to remove tarnish from your silverware by applying a paste of bi-carb and water with a damp cloth and then rubbing clean.

4. Sprinkle bi-carb onto a damp cloth and then wipe over the inside of cups and mugs to remove tea or coffee stains.

5. Soften your skin by adding 1/2 cup of bi-carb to your bath.

6. Use bi-carb to clean multiple surfaces around the house. Add it to a damp cloth to remove stains from bench tops, soap scum from showers, baked on grease from ovens, and rust from sinks.

7. Soak greasy, food-caked pot and pans overnight in warm water and 2 tbsp bi-carb soda.

8. Sprinkle inside shoes to deodorise.

9. Add bi-carb to kitty litter to absorb odours.

10. Soak food and drink containers, or porous surfaces such as chopping boards, in a mixture of bicarb soda and water to remove strong food odours.

11. Sprinkle bicarb soda over the carpet to deodorise carpets. Leave for a few hours and vacuum as usual. (You can also add a few drops of essential oil to the bi-carb before sprinkling it over carpets for a fresh smell).

12. Use baking soda to relieve the itch and sting from mosquito or ant bites, or bee stings, by simply applying a paste of bi-carb soda and warm water to the affected area of skin.

13. Remove liquid stains from carpet by pouring a liberal amount of bicarb on the fresh stain and leaving to dry, before vaccuming off.

14. Add bi-carb to your wash to soften and whiten clothes. To whiten clothes add 2 teaspoons to half a bucket of cold water, soak the clothes for 30 minutes and then wash them as normal. Freshen up your laundry by adding half a cup of bi-carb to the rinse cycle of your laundry which will give your sheets and towels a nice freshness.

15. Mix three parts bicarb soda to one part water for a gentle facial scrub that won't strip oils from the skin. (You can also create an exfoliating facial scrub by adding three parts ground oatmeal to the mix).

15. Use bi-carb as a pre-soaker for soiled nappies; or to help get rid of stubborn mould, grease or oil stains. Simply dissolve 45 grams of the soda in a bucket of warm water, let the clothes soak for half an hour, then wash in hot soapy water and dry in the sun.

16. Remove the smell of baby spit or stale milk from your shirt or jacket by wiping it with a damp cloth dipped in baking soda.

17. Help your children to alleviate the itchiness of chicken pox by soaking them in a bath that is filled with slightly cool water and a cup of baking soda.

18. Create your own homemade skin acne treatment by mixing a little bit of both baking soda and water to form a paste. After washing your face first, apply this natural acne cleanser as a mask to your entire face, taking care to avoid getting it in your eyes. Leave it on for a few minutes and then rinse off with warm water.

19. Clean the dirt and insecticides off your store bought fruits and vegetables by washing them in a sink full of water mixed with ¼ cup of bicarb soda.

20. Use a paste made from bicarbonate of soda and water to clean walls and wallpaper of crayon and other dirty marks.

Want to have an environmentally friendly Easter this year? Follow our tips to green up your Easter and have a guilt-free holiday!

- Buy fairtrade or organic chocolates so that you know the treats weren't made from ingredients that exploited workers or contain chemicals and toxins. Buy ethical store-made options or make your own eggs and treats using good quality, organic and fairtrade cooking chocolate.

- Want to have fun creating pretty dyed egg creations without the toxicity? Firstly, make sure you buy organic or at least free range eggs so you know the chickens that laid them were kept in cruelty free conditions. Next, use natural dyes from vegetables instead of the usual chemical laden synthetic dyes. Not only will the colours will look great, but you can also teach the kids (or yourself!) a mini science experiment as you discover what colours come from which ingredients. Suggested vegetables to use for the dyes include carrots peels (yellow colour); spinach (green); beetroot (pink); purple grape juice (soft purple); and red onion skins (red).

- Instead of a traditional Easter egg hunt which results in lots of little pieces of foiled paper floating through the yard and house, how about creating a treasure hunt style of game whereby a series of clues leads the children to one eco friendly gift option at the end? Not only will they likely consume less chocolate (always a good thing!) but they'll also have fun solving the clues and learning as they go.

- Instead of buying a traditional Easter card, why not have the kids make one themselves - it will be all the more special and eco friendly to boot. Other greener options include sending an E-card (electronic version, easily accessible online on multiple sites for free these days) or at least purchase a store bought card that is printed on recycled stock and using soy based inks (look for eco friendly logos on the back of the card).

- Hosting a dinner party or lunch time Easter feast? Create a sustainable table and you'll be well on your way to a more environmentally friendly holiday. Start by buying local, organic and free range produce and meat from farmers' markets, organic butchers or organic food stores. If you can, serve a vegetarian dinner or at least have some of the dishes meat free. Carry reusable shopping bags with you so that you forgo the need to use plastic bags; and set the table with organic napkins and table runners or tablecloths, eco friendly napkin holders and simple table decorations like soy candles, flowers picked straight from the garden, or naturally dyed hard boiled Easter eggs sitting in a cute holder.

- Give an Easter gift that is not only eco friendly, handmade, fairtrade or charitable, but also long lasting. While most people like the idea of chocolate at Easter, many will find themselves inundated with the sweet treats and really appreciate a special gift that they can use long after Easter has passed. Some fantastic Easter gift options include an organic lunch bag (like this 'Chirp' version from Fluf); some funky yet practical fridge magnets (like these Kate Grenier Designs 'Chocolate' magnets made from recycled bottle tops); a fantastic outdoor game for kids like the Fun In The Sack 'Egg & Spoon Race'; or a beautiful Noah's Ark inspired print (like this 'Ark' version from Bold & Noble). 

Sweets for your sweet, and sugar for your honey...how to tempt their tastebuds this Valentine's Day

This recipe has kindly been supplied by Mrs Byrnes, CEO Kellie's mum.

(This recipe was used to make coconut ice which was placed in bowls on the tables at Kellie's wedding. Trust us - it's very tasty!).

Coconut Ice

Ingredients:

500g icing mixture, sifted

250g desiccated coconut

2 egg whites, slightly whipped with a pinch of salt

l teaspoon vanilla

125g copha, melted, warm not hot

Pink food colouring

Method:

Combine icing sugar and coconut and then add in egg whites

Mix in the melted copha

Divide into two bowls

Colour one mixture with food colouring

Press the white half into paper lined, 20cm square cake tin

Top with pink coloured mixture and press evenly

Sprinkle with extra coconut if you like

Refrigerate well before removing from tin and cutting into squares

Enjoy this sweet sugar fix with your loved one at anytime! Also perfect with a cup of tea or coffee. Yum!