[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”8887″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]For November we bring you news of some of the small companies both new to us and not so new who are natural partners for us ethically and otherwise, from a new vegan ‘cheese’ producer to a small scale soap producer in the West which came into being in answer to an bigger environmental issue to our favourite candle producers in Cornwall. Our industry seems to be conducive to building a network of individuals and companies who, although each doing different things, are united by a bigger aim, healthier people and a healthier planet! We have quite a number of events happening this month so make sure to have a read below and keep an eye on our Events section of our website.

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Little Green Leaf

Little Green Leaf is a new Irish one man operation making a real splash right now with his artisan, vegan ‘cheeses’. Here’s what Vegan blog ‘Polly’s Vegan Bounty’ recently had to say about the range.
These cheeses are really inspired and I love that Bob is really creative with his flavours. It’s exciting to be able to try a food product that doesn’t feel like a vegan substitute but rather an innovative, well thought out, high end product. I believe these cheeses deserve a place on your next cheese board whether vegan or not. Definitely the best non dairy cheeses I’ve eaten!
and about about their ‘Picante Blue’ cheese
This was the first cheese we tasted and we feel like we started at the top! Neither of us were previously Blue Cheese eaters and I was actually almost going to pass up getting it because I just didn’t think I’d like it or have anything to compare it with. Even the pungent smell of a real blue cheese would turn my stomach. This smell was in no way overpowering like a heady blue. The texture was really creamy and soft and the flavour was delicious, just the right balance of saltiness and not too sharp. It was the most flavoursome of all the cheese we tasted and was our winner by a country mile.

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I couldn’t agree more, I’ve grilled them on toast and used the blue for vegan pasta sauce and loved every bite.
I asked Bob a few questions about his background and how Little Green Leaf came to be.
Q : How long have you been working with food?
A : Prior to starting Little Green Leaf I’ve been a Chef for fifty years.
Q : So I gather you’re not vegan yourself, why vegan cheese?
A : I’m an experimenter and I like nothing more than bringing my many years of experience of taste and flavour to developing something new and delicious. I’ve always felt that vegans have gotten a ‘raw deal’ in catering generally so when vegan friends said that what they really missed was the savory hit of cheese I set about recreating it without any animal products. Now you can taste the results.
Bob will be with us on the 4th of November from 12pm to 4pm so, yes, now you can come and taste the results.

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Palm Free Irish Soaps

A small Irish Soap Company and a very big issue.
The palm oil industry is synonymous with environmental distruction and yet it’s byproducts still find their way into countless everyday products all over the world.
The industry is linked to major issues such as deforestation, habitat degradation, climate change, animal cruelty and indigenous rights abuses in the countries where it is produced, as the land and forests must be cleared for the development of the oil palm plantations. According to the World Wildlife Fund, an area the equivalent size of 300 football fields of rainforest is cleared each hour to make way for palm oil production. This large-scale deforestation is pushing many species to extinction, and findings show that if nothing changes species like the orangutan could become extinct in the wild within the next 5-10 years, and Sumatran tigers in less than 3. Check out saynotopalmoil.com if you want to know the facts. It makes for sad reading and will spur you on.

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We can all do our bit to say no to Palm oil as have Palm Free Irish Soaps based on the beautiful shores of scenic Lough Derg in East Clare. The company was born out of the first handmade Irish soap company (Gallunac est’d in 1996) to exhibit, produce and sell Nationally & Internationally, A Luxurious Handcrafted Artisan Soap.
Their beautifully scented bars of goodness contain pure filtered crystal clear Irish rainwater (no shortage of that), nourished with lashings of skin loving natural Oils & Butters such as, Cocoa & Shea Butter, Coconut, Olive and Carrot Infused Sunflower Oil, with only the finest quality Pure Essential Oils to add their lingering scent, with the addition of exciting Botanicals and Minerals.

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“Although using these ingredients makes our production more costly, it does give us a peace of mind and we hope to contribute in a small way to help conserve the beautiful Rainforests.” Packaging is minimal, nothing more than a recyclable brown paper bag. They also “ensure that all of our ingredients and products are completely GMO Free, and naturally enough, Free from any form of Animal Testing. All soaps are genuinely handmade, they are mixed, poured, cut & individually stamped by hand and are very modestly priced. Our Soaps DO NOT CONTAIN any artificial fragrances or preservatives”
We’ve loved Palm Free Irish Soaps (as have our customers) for all the years that we’ve stocked them and are delighted to welcome Palm Free Irish Soaps instore on Saturday 4th November from 1pm to 4pm who’ll be happy to share the Company’s story and the issues that made it with you!

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St Eval Candle Company

Tis the Season (or it will be before you know it!), the story of a Candle Company.
Every autumn for the last twenty or so I fall prey to an uncontrollable urge to order in large quantities of candles. But not just any candles, mind you! I’m talking about the exquisite range of hand made candles from the St Eval Candle Company in Cornwall. I discovered them on a trip to that part of the world all those years ago and have proudly sold them in Only Natural ever since.
I love lighting candles in my home as soon as the nights start to lengthen. I guess I always loved the feeling of Hygge even before I knew there was a word for it.
“Hygge is as Danish as pork roast and it goes far in illuminating the Danish soul. In essence, hygge means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people. The warm glow of candlelight is hygge.”
So candles it is, but not just any candles. These people are so inspired by and choose to work with nature. This is from their site.
“Unique, beautifully fragranced and inspired by nature – that’s our candles in a nutshell. Based as we are on a traditional working farm (the farm is mixed arable and livestock), environmental issues are very important to us. We are surrounded by fields and hedgerows all teeming with wildlife. Following an RSPB bird survey there were several breeds spotted which are on a red watch list, meaning they are endangered such as Barn Owls, House Sparrow and especially some Corn Buntings. We look forward to working with the RSPB and Natural England over the next couple of years to create and evolve a true haven for wildlife. The summer of 2013 saw our first attempt at a Bee Garden blossom into life. The verge leading up to the workshop and office was planted with various bee friendly flowers, in the height of the summer the noise was incredible as the bee population thrived.
As a business we are always working towards reducing our impact on the environment. In 2011 we erected the UK’s quietest wind turbine and to follow up in 2013 our workshop roof was decked in PV Solar Panels. Our packaging is sourced from recycled materials and we do everything we can to minimise the waste we produce. In 2015 we also had our new Bio Mass Boiler installed. Through each of these we are able to produce enough energy to power our workshop, including keeping our wax tanks at the perfect temperature for making our candles. We are now nearing being carbon neutral.

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And as for the candles they’re truly wonderful. From now on I want the Wintery/Christmassy fragrances of Inspiritus (cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg), winter berries and orange and cinnamon. They’re truly part of my winter ‘Hygge’ plan.
“Simple touches such as adding soft textures to your home like cushions and blankets instantly boost the comfort factor and will create a lovely environment to relax in. Even a cosy dressing gown, chunky knitted jumper or warm pair of slippers can achieve this feeling quite simply.
Denmark is well known for it’s incredibly dark and cold winter days so lighting is an important part of Hygge. Soft lighting is a great way to add that feeling of cosiness. Candles dotted around the front room will create a feeling of warmth and intimacy. Crowding round the fire on a cold night is a great way to get that cosy-factor. There’s something about an open fire, the crackling wood, the smell, the warmth, the low light – you can’t beat it!”
So winter’s coming. Let’s get cozy. Let’s enjoy it with good friends, comforting food and the gentle glow of firelight and candles, but not just any candles.

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Nutritional Therapy Week in Only Natural

The Nutritional Therapists of Ireland (NTOI) are hosting their annual Nutritional Therapy Week from the 6th to the 13th November. This is all about raising awareness about just how much improved diet and supplementation can be the road to easing, or indeed curing, many common ailments and generally improving health and wellbeing. We have not one but four (OK, three and a half, Paul Wright’s still studying!) nutritional therapists in Only Natural and are only too pleased to support the event.
On Friday 10th Paul will offer free mini consultations in the shop from 12pm to 2pm and Michelle will do the same on Saturday 11th from 11am to 12.30pm. If you’ve ever wondered if seeing a Nutritional Therapist could benefit you, here’s your chance to find our for free. To book a time on either day just call us on 053 912 3236.
Also on Saturday 11th we’ll host a coffee morning around the event. You can pop in between 11am and 1pm to taste some super nutritious goodies and have a cuppa and a chat. Maybe you want to know what a Nutritional Therapist does and just what the client can expect from the experience or perhaps you’ve thought about it as a career option for yourself. Either way we’ll pass on whatever info. you need on the day.

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On Friday 10th Paul will offer free mini consultations in the shop from 12pm to 2pm and Michelle will do the same on Saturday 11th from 11am to 12.30pm. If you’ve ever wondered if seeing a Nutritional Therapist could benefit you, here’s your chance to find our for free. To book a time on either day just call us on 053 912 3236.
Also on Saturday 11th we’ll host a coffee morning around the event. You can pop in between 11am and 1pm to taste some super nutritious goodies and have a cuppa and a chat. Maybe you want to know what a Nutritional Therapist does and just what the client can expect from the experience or perhaps you’ve thought about it as a career option for yourself. Either way we’ll pass on whatever info. you need on the day.

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Collagen Now in Powder Form

Many people are experiencing the benefits of collagen (and not all of us want to make our own bone broth to do so!).

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The particular amino acids in collagen are said to be especially beneficial in the body for:
  • Supporting hair, skin and nails
  • For joint health
  • To encourage skin elasticity and reduce the signs of aging
  • Improving digestion
  • As a source of protein
The downside is that until now it’s been a comparatively expensive supplement. However we’ve just introduced Healthreach Pure Collagen Powder. Retailing at €19.95 for 120 grams (18 days’ supply) it’s lemon flavored and pleasant just taken in water or can be added to yoghurt, juice, smoothies or even just sprinkled over your breakfast cereal. John from Healthreach will be instore for tastings and to answer all your questions on Friday 10th of November.

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Support Irish, Support Independent Health Stores

A new supplement brand has come to market and we’re quite excited to be one of the first shops in the country to stock it. Macánta products are manufactured in Galway. These quotes are from their website.
“The word Macánta itself means honest/sincere, and to us it represents the standard for everything we do as a company. In the design and development of our products, product integrity and quality are the number one priority. We source only the best ingredients and create products that our customers will be assured are helping them to maintain their health as they go about their busy lives.
We believe that your local health store has a very important role to play in supporting the community and your health needs. The standard of knowledge in the areas of natural health and nutrition among staff in health stores is something that you will generally not find in any other retail outlet that sells health products.

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Their customers trust them, and the valuable advice they have to give. This is why we choose to sell our products exclusively in health stores where we are confident that you will receive the best advice and health products available.”

Check them out next time you’re in Only Natural, they’re a real, honest to goodness, Irish supplement range and we’re proud to be working with them. We also have some Macánta products to give away to some of our Facebook Fans, check our page today!

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Free Dr Hauschka Consultations

We’re delighted to have Katie, one of Dr. Hauschka’s skincare experts offering free consultations on Friday November 24th from 11am to 1.30pm.

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Are you thinking of upgrading your winter skincare routine to the super therapeutic level that Dr Hauschka products offer?
Do you have skin issues like acne, acne rosacea or even eczema or psoriasis that the range could help you to overcome?
Would you like to try the amazing new Dr Hauschka Make Up range?
If the answer to any of these is yes book your consultation with Katie today!
Skincare consultations take 20 minutes and skincare and makeup consultations take 30 minutes. The cost is €10 which is redeemable against the purchase of any Dr Hauschka product (and we now have their rather lovely Christmas gift sets in store which are also fantastic value).

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