free from

6 April 2021

Gwyneth Paltrow and that Vogue video
We've all seen the now infamous video of Gwyneth Paltrow and her skincare routine. I do not support the message she gave in regards to SPF application. It is potentially dangerous and irresponsible but with the backlash came other criticisms which I wanted to address. I personally don't like the words non-toxic, no nasties and clean beauty as I agree they are truly problematic within the Green Beauty Community however I am a supporter of Free From and that isn't changing any time soon. I choose to avoid certain ingredients but that doesn't mean I'm here to 'scaremonger' my readers.

I chose the Green Beauty path because I believe it has many great qualities. It's against animal cruelty, it often supports veganism and it helps promote greater understanding for our environment. I think more of us are concerned about the ingredients that wash down the drain into our oceans. We want to rid ourselves of unnecessary plastic bottles and to recycle or repurpose our beauty waste.

I believe in products 'free from' certain ingredients because I experience eczema and allergies. I want to do the best for my skin after years of suffering. Of crying myself to sleep and feeling ugly in my skin. I'm allergic to both synthetic and natural ingredients because life isn't simple but mainstream products are of no interest to me. I want natural plant extracts without synthetic fillers as more often than not the latter causes irritation.

There are no good or bad ingredients but for someone with sensitivities sadly we can experience side effects which lead us to class something as 'bad'. You can not ignore the fact that we have seen a rise in dermatitis and its root cause is open to further investigation. All I know is I don't want paraffin emollient and steroids in my life. Topical Steroid Withdrawal is a problem which isn't always acknowledged in the medical community. Call it anecdotal or coincidental but I'm seeing changes in my skin when I move away from mainstream product formulations.

I acknowledge that Gwyneth Paltrow, EWG and elements of the 'clean beauty' movement are problematic but I won't walk away from Green Beauty as I believe it has its place. I want to try and do my part to help save our planet from the devastation we have impacted on it as humans. The Green Beauty community may need to overhaul its message with brands needing to re-evaluate their marketing pitch. Behind the scenes I have encouraged some to drop certain words and ditch the "60% goes into our bloodstream" message but I'm just one voice in a sea of many stronger influencers.

Our lives are overwhelmed with beauty products and we have to decide what makes us happy and this is my chosen path. You may disagree with me and I'm OK with that but I hope we can all agree to take care in the sun. Whether you use physical/mineral or chemical SPF protection make sure to apply liberally and use the recommended amount for your face and body.

Sarah x

3 September 2020

Free From Gift Awards New skincare awards for gift boxes and sets
(press release, not sponsored)

I have some exciting news to announce, readers and natural skincare brands should pay attention. We all love the buzz surrounding beauty awards and the team behind the Free From Skincare Awards have announced the launch of the Free From Gift Awards which will run from September to November.

7 June 2020

father's day gift ideas presents 2020
(not sponsored)

This year Father's Day falls on Sunday 21 June and its been a tough few months for us all. Some of us are probably going to have to social distance and send our gifts out in the mail. As I search for a present for my father it gave me the opportunity to collate a thoughtful gift list which you may also find useful. 

29 October 2019

Review Patisserie Valerie Raw Vegan Cake Range
(Gifted Complimentary Voucher)

Until recently I'd never step foot inside Patisserie Valerie as I naturally assumed it was off limits due to my dietary requirements. There have been Vegan launches everywhere on the high street and Patisserie Valerie have followed trend with their Raw Vegan Cakes. These are hand made, plant based cakes that are naturally free from egg, dairy, gluten, preservatives, additives, soy and refined sugar. There is a lovely range of flavour options - Chocolate & Raspberry, Chocolate, Tiramisu, Strawberry, Orange & Turmeric, Peanut Butter, Pineapple & Matcha, Raspberry and Lemon & Blueberry. I think you'd agree it's an impressive selection and a flavour to suit almost everyone. 

14 March 2019

The eighth annual Free From Skincare Awards are now open
The eighth annual Free From Skincare Awards are now open with plenty of changes!

As you may know I'm a long term supporter (and judge) for The Free From Skincare Awards so I'm always happy to shout about it to readers and brands in the hope it catches your interest. For those of us who manage skin conditions, allergies and ethical choices 'free from' skincare can make all the difference to our lives. Speaking from an eczema prospective, after years of suffering, a switch in body wash and shampoo changed my skin and made my daily routine manageable.

The Awards – which celebrate products 'free from' some of the allergens and other ingredients many consumers now avoid – feature fourteen categories, including new categories for Lip Care, incorporating both lipsticks and lip balms, and for Eye Care, incorporating eye make-up and eye creams.

13 November 2018

Chilled & Frozen Vegan Pizza available in UK Supermarkets
I've been doing this free from food thing now for a long time, like 30+ years long. For those of you who are new to my blog, I'm allergic to milk and eggs and I choose not to eat meat. I'm super excited for all the new vegan products that have hit the supermarkets in recent months especially pizza. I've been making my own pizzas for years but it's such a dream to be able to grab something ready made. I thought it might be nice to show you what is available starting with my favourites.

17 May 2018

Natural Organic Skincare Free From Nuts
If you have nut allergies switching to natural skincare can be a little tricky and it's a common asked questions from readers looking for recommendations. As the topic came up in conversation again I thought I would put together a list of brands that should fit your allergy requirements. Please do research and note your allergen in INCI as this will help you shop for skincare. When you find a suitable product always patch test to ensure suitability for your skin. Always check ingredients with every purchase as products can be re-formulated and may no longer be suitable.

Awake Organics - all products are nut free, their focus is hemp oil for its skin benefits and eco-sustainability

Harborist - currently just one product, a cleanser, all ingredients in the cleanser are considered low on allergy risk, it does contain triglycerides from coconut but I understand that most people with tree nut allergies are fine with coconut but if you have doubts consult your Doctor and patch test. 

Odylique - free from wheat, dairy, soy and all common allergens such as, tree nut oils (almond, apricot, walnut etc and peanut oil).

Mel Millis - they have confirmed all products are nut free

Mulondon - all products are gluten-free and free from wheat or nut ingredients but advise the following "for people with extreme sensitivity to traces of these ingredients, we can't make such claims as we don't have certifications in place for that yet"

Natorigin - specialist in skincare and cosmetics for sensitive skin and approved by Allergy UK, free from peanut oil.

Balmonds - they confirmed "Yes, we are totally nut-free. Everything is made in our own workshop, no nuts allowed"

If you have any other suggestions for this list please let me know. This fact sheet from Anaphylaxis Campaign may provide useful reading material - Cosmetics, personal care products and medicines Some of the questions asked by people with food allergies

Sarah x

3 October 2017

Vegan Food, Ben & Jerry's, The White Rabbit Pizza Co, Booja Booja, Liberty Loves, Norah's Brownies, Livia's Kitchen, Freaks of Nature
Top to Bottom Left to Right - Tesco Free From Mac & Cheese, Ben & Jerry's, The White Rabbit Pizza Co, Booja Booja, Liberty Loves Brownie, Liberty Loves Raw Tart, Norah's Brownies, Livia's Kitchen, Freaks of Nature

It seems in recent weeks that lots of new Vegan products have launched into the major supermarkets, alongside this I've managed to pick up a few more from independent shops. Most of this stuff I post to my Instagram or Facebook but I figure why not share on here as well.

Tesco Free From Mac & Cheese - its nice to see Tesco add a vegan/vegetarian option to their free from ready meal range. Personally, I found the sauce a little on the runny side and the taste was ok, mildly cheese-y at best but it could be better. Before now the only other vegan mac & cheese I have eaten regularly is from Amy's Kitchen and in comparison I think it's richer in flavour.

Ben & Jerry's Non-Dairy Ice Cream - its been a long wait but finally these have launched in the UK, at time of writing I think Tesco is the only stockist? We've got three flavours to choose from chocolate fudge brownie, chunky monkey and peanut butter & cookies. The latter I got my hands on and it's simply the stuff of dreams, I love it but at £5.50 a tub this is a real treat. The downside is the ethical dilemma that Ben & Jerry's is part of Unilever and I can't decide how I feel about this. I've lusted over dairy Ben & Jerry since it first came to the UK. It's the creativity of flavours that captures my interest. You have to remember that for a long time there was no dairy free ice cream and then there was only vanilla. I can live without the two other flavours but someone from a more ethical brand needs to get on the non-dairy PB cookie so I can buy guilt free. 

The White Rabbit Pizza Co - when news of a Vegan pizza was coming to Sainsbury's I've pretty much been stalking my store. Sadly, I was really disappointed and it was the base that let me down. It was too hard on the edge and soggy in the middle. I cooked it exactly to the instructions. The toppings and tomato sauce were ok. Sorry White Rabbit but I'll continue making my own.

Booja Booja Ice Cream - I've never been a fan of the original ice cream but this new Caramel Pecan Praline is delicious and creamy. The small tubs are fab because it's a little treat on the go. I bought this at Country Foods Health Food Shop in Swanage and enjoyed eating it on the beach. The simple pleasures, normally I watch my husband enjoy a 99 while I cry on the inside.

Liberty Loves from Cariad Wholefoods - Annie opened her shop a year ago and I finally got to visit. Cariad Wholefoods stock organic, natural, eco-friendly and cruelty free products plus everything is Vegan. I've lusted over the instagrams for Liberty Loves so I knew I had to try them. I bought the Raspberry Brownie and Raw Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart. Raspberry and chocolate is my favourite combination so the brownie was an obvious choice and it was absolutely delicious. I found the tart a little too rich for me but tasty. 

Norah's Brownies - I've met some lovely people in my blogging journey and when Emma won a comp (which Nicola had tagged us in) she was such a sweetheart and shared her winnings with us.  My brownies were gluten free and vegan and absolutely delicious, super rich and moist. The Raspberry & Sesame and Banoffee were my favourites from the four in my box.

Livia's Kitchen - I'd heard a lot about this brand so was interested to see Sainsbury's stocking snack packs of Salted Date Caramel Millionaire Bites and Biccy Boms (which I am yet to try). The millionaire bites were a really nice treat, not an exact dupe for the real ones but a close match given the ingredients. There were 3 bites in the packet. These are gluten free and Vegan.

Freaks of Nature - I had previously tried the Mango Fandango and Zingy Thingy and whilst enjoyable I hadn't gone back for more. I thought I'd give Cocoa Loca a whirl and this is definitely my favourite. Reminds me a little of Pudology as it's a rich chocolate ganache. Freaks of Nature desserts are vegan and free from gluten, dairy, eggs and soya. They do contain nuts as made from cashews. I buy these products at Tesco.

Have you tried any of the foods I've mentioned? What are your favourites?

Sarah x

24 August 2017

Strong Roots Quality Frozen Foods Gluten Free Vegan Friendly
Back in April I discovered Strong Roots Kale & Quinoa burgers at Waitrose and since then repurchased a number of times. I really love the flavour and it makes a pleasant change from the usual vegetable burgers I pick out at Sainsbury's. Coincidentally I was recently contacted about Strong Roots and because I'd already bought the burgers I happily accepted an offer to receive the entire range.

"We’re a new start-up food company from Dublin in Ireland bringing frozen food back from the dead. We’re keeping it simple, tasty and delicious"

16 May 2017

Travel Berlin Germany Vegan Vegetarian Free From Tourist Attractions Sight Seeing
If you follow me on social media you'll know I spent last week in Berlin. I’d previously been to Germany on school trips but my ability to speak the language is little to none. I've two phrases I remember from GCSE and one is laughable - Ich habe ein Meerschweinchen (translates to "I have a guinea pig"). It’s funny how with hindsight you regret not paying attention in school and disappointment that even with an Austrian Grandmother we weren’t taught German at home. When we booked our trip to Berlin it dawned on me I had been in Hamburg at the time the wall fell and I think the significance of that event passed over me as a teenager.

Berlin is a huge city and you could re-visit numerous times and still miss things. It’s a great city to just wander around and take in the architecture. In five days we covered most of the well known tourist stops – Checkpoint Charlie, Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Wall (East Side Gallery & Open Air Exhibition) and Holocaust Memorial. There are many museums and we opted to visit the DDR Museum and the Spy Museum (Deutsches Spionagemuseum).

Sightseeing is one small element to travelling and I'm most certainly someone who books a trip based on the food I can eat. If you are new to my blog I should quickly mention I'm a vegan with food allergies (includes milk and egg). Vegan may carry a risk of cross contamination for allergens but on the whole it can take the pressure off menu choices as I'm not asking for dishes to me adapted. I’m probably not the first to say this but based off my travels around Europe, Berlin is easily one of the best cities for Vegetarians and Vegans. There are dedicated Vegan cafes and restaurants but you’ll also find options elsewhere which is particularly useful for us because my husband isn’t vegetarian/vegan. I did notice that sometimes vegan items are marked vegetarian so don’t overlook this when checking menus. If you're interested in where we ate keep reading.
Vegan Vegetarian Food Berlin Germany Free From Allergies
Boussi Falafel - We arrived in Berlin late afternoon so whilst getting our bearings we found the Mall of Berlin which has a large food court. I wasn’t expecting much but found a falafel stand and was ecstatic to see everything listed vegan including a mayo option with chips. Also whilst I think of it the ice cream stand had vegan options (Alteatro tucked in a corner near the lifts and toilets).

Coffee Fellows - if you love Bagels (like I do) then grab lunch here (we stopped in the store near Checkpoint Charlie). The Vegan bagel was a delicious combination of avocado, hummus and salad. I washed that down with an amazing iced lemon matcha drink. There were also several vegetarian options which I guess they may adapt if you asked.

Dean & David - their slogan is "fresh to eat" so I'd describe this place as a health conscious fast food chain (similar to Pret a Manger?). The menu is salads, sandwiches, soups and curries and you’ll find vegan options marked on the boards. I enjoyed the superfood salad.

Back Werk - we spotted these stores at train stations and I’d describe it as the German equivalent to Greggs. They had several vegan sandwiches including a schnitzel one and I noticed some chia and coconut yoghurt breakfast pots. Everything is labelled on the shelf so easy to pick out what is suitable.

Peter Pane Burgergrill - by far our favourite place as we ate there TWICE! We stumbled across this place as we exited the U-Bahn at Friedrichstraße. My husband just assumed it would only have meat burgers but I checked regardless (thanks Katie for that tip to check where you might not think to look). You can imagine my excitement when I spotted vegetarian and vegan burgers on the menu.  I had the Panflote and Weltreise. The ultimate prize for me was a vegan dessert option, chocolate mousse on chocolate biscuit with coconut vanilla ice cream and mango. I also recommend the Blueberry Mojito.

Brammibal's Donuts - a little cafe on a mainly residential street selling Vegan donuts and not just any old boring doughnut we chose chocolate peanut butter, cherry pistachio, salted caramel and banana peanut butter. My husband who is a fuss pot but has no special dietary requirements happily helped me eat the box of four. Yep! we went a little nuts over that, a box was better value according to my husband....clearly it was all a clever plan.

Bio Company & Alnatura – if you are self catering or looking for snack food then both these stores are equivalent to say Wholefoods or Holland & Barrett. There are stores across the city and they also have a little cafe/deli counter so you can grab and go for lunch if you wish.

Veganz (a vegan supermarket) – this is probably the place I knew the most about before visiting Berlin thanks to bloggers I follow. There are three stores in the city and our closest was in Kreuzberg. This Veganz is located on the top floor of an indoor market with a vegan cafe next door called Goodies. Veganz also have their own branded products which we spotted in various shops across the city including DM and Netto.

One of my most sentimental discoveries was Manner Hazelnut Wafers. I remember these were a treat sent to us from Austrian relatives when my sister and I were little. I had absolutely no idea I was still able to eat them and was ecstatic to see them labelled Vegan. 

If you want to have a true German experience with a Currywurst then you can do so as a non-meat eater. Sadly I forgot to note the name of a place we walked past but I did spot Vegan options so keep your eyes peeled and double check stands as you walk around.

We made one slip up on food whilst in Berlin. Just remember to continually check ingredients even if you've eaten there before as I found myself accidentally chomping down on a pretzel filled with cream cheese. I was so caught up in the buzz of safe eating that I took my plain looking pretzel for granted. Also double check your pizza bases for milk because that's a common mistake assuming they are all safe to eat.

For getting around the city we opted for the Berlin Welcome Card, it covers transport and gives discounts on attractions, we bought in the airport which took the hassle out of getting bus tickets to our hotel. If you’re looking for a hotel recommendation we stayed at TRYP by Wyndham Berlin Mitte. I’d say it’s a modern business hotel but easy to get to from Tegel Airport, it’s located in what would have been East Berlin and a short walk from the Natural History Museum (U-Bahn stop Naturkundemuseum). We were also a 5/10 minute walk to Bio and Rewe supermarkets.

Have you visited Berlin or are you planning to in the future? Will you be going for the sights or the food?

Sarah x

3 September 2016

Places to Shop for Natural and Organic Products
I am often asked where I shop natural and organic skincare and household items. When I am unable to buy locally then I shop online either direct with the brand or use sites that specialise in green and ethical products. Many of these websites I have used for years, long before I set up my blog.

Big Green Smile online supermarket which has wide range of products, aside from natural skincare you can shop for household items.

Content Beauty & Wellbeing is an online store as well as a shop in London, their range tends to be luxury organic brands

Ethical Superstore offers fair trade and green brands with a range includes gadgets, gifts, cosmetics, foods, beverages, books, plus handmade lifestyle and fashion products

Holland & Barrett if you can't get to a store you can order online, a go to place for groceries, health and beauty. 

Naturisimo is my go to site as they have a large selection of brands from budget friendly to luxury, also offer postage to UK and Worldwide.

Only Naturals has a smaller selection of natural and organic skincare brands but they continue to add more listings. 

Planet Organic has stores in London, offers delivery to local areas and online ordering, stocks everything from groceries to health and beauty.

Wearth London an online marketplace with eco friendly and ethical products from everyday essentials, beauty and jewellery

Sarah x

28 July 2016

Afternoon Tea Vegan and Gluten Free at The Aviator Hotel in Farnborough
I was recently invited for Afternoon tea at The Aviator Hotel in Farnborough, Hampshire. For those not familiar with Farnborough it is best known for its history with aviation. The hotel is a short walk from the Farnborough Air Sciences Trust Museum and overlooks the airport. I recently accepted an invitation to try The Aviator’s Afternoon Tea and was delighted to learn that they can cater for specific dietary requirements – vegetarian, gluten free, nut free and dairy free. With my allergies I opted for a Vegan menu, sadly my sister (who is coeliac) was unable to join me so a friend, Kate stepped in to sample the Gluten free.

Afternoon tea is served in the Sky Bar which is contemporary and stylish in decor. The room has a luxurious feel and relaxing environment. The Staff were friendly and welcoming throughout our stay and talked us through everything stage of the afternoon tea experience.

Afternoon Tea Vegan and Gluten Free at The Aviator Hotel in Farnborough
Afternoon tea is served in the Sky Bar which is contemporary and stylish in decor. The room has a luxurious feel and relaxing environment. The Staff were friendly and welcoming throughout our stay and talked us through everything stage of the afternoon tea experience.

After a glass of champagne we were offered a choice of teas ranging from traditional black tea to herbal fruit infusions. I’ll admit I’m not much of a tea drinker but when taking part in occasions like this I prefer fruit teas. After being guided through the Jing tea selection I opted for Blackcurrant and Hibiscus. The teas are loose leaf and served in contemporary glass teapots. 

We were given time to enjoy a cup and then sandwiches arrived. For my friend, gluten free bread with traditional fillings of ham, fish and of course cucumber. Whereas, I had fillings of tomato chutney, onion jam, beetroot and cucumber. We did feel that the sandwiches didn’t quite match up to the contemporary feel of the hotel and were expecting something a little bit more adventurous but none the less they were tasty. The only criticism I have at this stage would be the delay in getting a second serving, staff explained the time being taken was due to the sandwiches being made fresh to order.

Afternoon Tea: Vegan and Gluten Free at The Aviator Hotel in Farnborough
Top Right - Gluten Free Sandwiches; Botton Right - a selection of Jing teas; Bottom Left - Vegan Sandwiches
When it comes to dietary needs, dessert is certainly where the challenge is for most chefs and I have to say the Aviator did an impressive job. Remember we were being offered milk, egg, vegetarian and gluten free. It was nice to see that between myself and my friend our choices only varied a little. This I assume may also help from a cross contamination perspective. We both agreed that the brownie was our favourite. It was a rich indulgent chocolate and wonderfully moist. As someone with a milk allergy, I was delighted to see “cream” on my desserts, that’s an attention to detail which makes me very happy. Kate says she enjoyed the macaroon and chocolate mousse topped with pistachios. For me, the panna cotta was an interesting addition to the dessert plate, having never tried the traditional version I have little to compare it to but was enjoyable. If I am honest, I would have quite liked to have seen a vegan version of the chocolate dessert, after all Pudology make one. 

Sadly the scones were disappointing but to be fair I have yet to find any establishment that can achieve like for like when it comes to making dairy and gluten free scones. It’s a tricky one but what I have noticed is that “free from” scones are best served straight from the oven as I think they lose moistness when left to cool. At another hotel the scones were wrapped in cloth napkins to retain the warmth and that did help. Alternatively, my advice would be to eat your scones as soon as they are served and not leave them to the end as we did. 
Afternoon Tea: Vegan and Gluten Free at The Aviator Hotel in Farnborough
Top Right & Left - Vegan Desserts; Bottom Right & Left - Gluten Free Desserts
Overall, we enjoyed our Afternoon Tea at The Aviator Hotel and whilst there is room for improvement, I am always pleased to see more venues catering for those who require special diets. It is nice to feel welcomed when dining out because it can be a nervous experience for many, a great deal of trust is placed with the Chef and catering staff. If you have allergies or are coeliac it is always advisable to call ahead and discuss your needs so you can feel confident that you will be look after. Based on my experience, I am happy to suggest a visit to the Aviator Hotel whether you have dietary needs or not.

Sarah x

Disclaimer – Afternoon Tea was provided free of charge 

21 June 2016

Organic Labelling Are we being misled? Little Soap Company Greenwashing
Disclaimer - *PR Samples

The world of organic cosmetics can be a little confusing and even I end up in a muddle trying to figure out what is right or frowned upon. I wrote an article back in 2013 which outlined the certification brands can obtain to verify their organic status. The problem is many brands cannot afford to sign up so they formulate with organic ingredients but the end product isn't certified. I have featured brands that fall into this bracket. I’d like you to consider this for products not certified organic, do you think it is misleading to include the word organic in a company name, to boldly display the word organic across packaging or display an in-house designed organic symbol which might imply you are certified to the untrained eye?

I admit that despite what I know I often overlook these misdemeanors. It's fair to say that my blogging relationship plays a part in why I do so. I'm friendly with many founders and I feel I know them on a personal level. However, if I pushed that all to one side would I feel differently about their products? Without the knowledge I have gained from the Green community would I even understand I was possibly being mislead? I received an email from a reader which made me stop and think. It simply voiced the doubts I was already having. Let’s just say the Little Soap Company has raised a few eyebrows since I mentioned them in a YouTube video. As bloggers we often accept products, the liquid and solid soaps met with my ingredient standards but the little green devil on my shoulder asked is it misleading that Little Soap Company have the word "organic" dominant on their bottles when the end product isn't certified? 

When I accepted products I hadn't seen the ingredients on the bubble bath and foaming body wash, these products were not sent to me. Now I am left wondering whether Little Soap Company can honestly claim their products are "free from detergents and synthetics" when they include cocamidopropyl betaine? Is it fair to say this goes against the original ethos and the rest of the product range? A few people have mentioned they feel this is “Greenwashing” so could there be double standards going on within the brand?

Shopping for natural and organic skincare shouldn't be this difficult. Do you ever feel like Sherlock Holmes each time you consider buying products? I often forget things on my checklist and then I feel dreadful when a reader tells me I have let them down. I feel the need to politely remind everyone that my "green" journey is self taught so I do make mistakes. I adore natural and organic skincare, I live and breathe it daily but I'm a consumer like everyone else, the only difference is I decided to write about my shopping habits. I wish organic certification was more affordable because I know there are honest brands out there who feel like the playing field isn't fair.

At the end of the day, I like Little Soap Company hand wash. I've been using it daily at work and at home. It doesn't dry out my skin and they offer an unscented version. The Little Soap Company is in a position which I am sure most natural brands would be envious of; the opportunity to compete on the shelves with mainstream products and bring green beauty to the masses must be the ultimate dream for many. It’s a huge bonus for Green Beauty consumers to be able to purchase natural products in the supermarket.

Let me leave you with something to contemplate. Do you think some brands are seduced by commercial opportunities resulting in a loss of integrity and ethics? Are some maybe partly selling out but doing it under the umbrella of their original ethos?

Sarah x

24 March 2016

Vegan and Gluten free Afternoon Tea at Great Fosters, Egham
I decided to gather a few friends and have a little pre-wedding celebration and we had Afternoon Tea at Great Fosters in Egham. When selecting where to visit it was our dietary requirements that lead the way. My group included of course me with allergies along with two coeliacs. With my dietary needs I often find it easier to request Vegan food so that’s what I booked. I found a number of places who were willing to cater for us and Great Fosters won simply because they had availability on the day we had chosen.
Vegan and Gluten free Afternoon Tea at Great Fosters, Egham
(Pictured above the Vegan options and below Gluten Free) 

As you can tell from the photos the food was great. My sister and friend who are coeliacs enjoyed their sandwiches and cakes as did I with my Vegan options. I had some lovely sandwiches, with interesting fillings and different flavoured breads. My cake selection consisted of two chocolate, one sponge cake, scones and a little fruit compote which I wash down with fruit tea.

We did have a little hiccup with slow service and then we were informed staff had dropped our cakes so a new batch had to be made. When the cakes did arrive sadly one of my scones was burnt so I wasn't able to eat it. I also felt that the second round of sandwiches came out too quick as we were nowhere near done with the first plate. I sent mine away and then regretted it as I missed out, I had expected to be offered more when I was finished. The Staff were apologetic, we were given complimentary champagne and they waived service charge. I know afternoon tea is supposed to be a relax experience but on trying to leave we did struggle finding staff to produce a bill and then to take payment. 
Vegan and Gluten free Afternoon Tea at Great Fosters, Egham
Great Fosters is a lovely historic location and it was a pleasant experience despite the hiccups. You do need to book your table in advance along with any dietary requirements. We paid £25.50 each which I found to be an average price for the area.

Sarah x

1 March 2016

My thoughts on defending free from skincare labelling
I am very passionate about "free from" skincare because I have allergies and sensitivities to foods and cosmetic ingredients. I recently commented on the skinsmatter.com site in which they were defending “free from” labelling on skincare. Their first article was initially in response to a report headline from Cosmetic Design Europe "Free-from claims are based on fear and should stop". They have since written another article defending it again. Then coincidently I also found myself drawn into a similar discussion after Sarita Coren who published "Six terms green beauty brands should stop using now”. Sarita raised some valid points but we differ in our opinions on the use of “free from”. 

I continually review products that promote “free from” awareness, whether that is for gluten or nuts or SLS and parabens. Rachael of Myroo summed up perfectly why I shop for Free From skincare.

"The average woman uses 168 different ingredients across 12 products, so getting to the bottom of a cosmetic allergy trigger can be difficult. This is where free from cosmetics come in. We believe it is really important for those with skin allergies, sensitivities or other personal considerations to be able to quickly and easily locate products that don’t contain ingredients they avoid. Labelling products ‘free from’ signals to customers that the products have been formulated with allergies and sensitivities in mind, just like it does for food products." 

I think of free from labelling as a unique selling point and it enables me to make purchasing decisions but I have been criticised for thinking this way. Apparently it’s simply clever marketing. I’m the most cynical person ever over product claims and I certainly don’t fall for product hype. Every product we pick up is marketed to us. They all have short tag lines which lead us to make a purchasing decision. A cream that claims to target wrinkles, a shampoo that protects against frizz or a toothpaste that whitens teeth, so why shouldn’t a free from claim be a similar statement? Of course I am aware that sometimes cosmetic labelling is flawed, for instance, I don't approve of "free from chemicals" and I recently critic a range which claimed “preservative free” but I encourage the term when focusing on a specific ingredient. 

Sarita mentioned she didn't like the use of "free from parabens" especially when a product contains other preservatives or ingredients which were not any better. My counter argument to this would be if a product is genuinely free of that ingredient then the statement is not wrong. As Bloggers we must think outside of their online community as not everyone has the same ingredient standards. There will be consumers who actively chose to avoid parabens but are not fazed by other preservatives. I suggest that what Sarita is referring to falls under the umbrella of "Greenwashing" and that an entirely different debate. Without regulations we currently can’t stop manufacturers for misleading but we can help raise awareness and educate.

A couple of comments on Skinsmatter’s article also brought up the issue with Parabens and felt that free from labels promotes scaremongering of this particular ingredient. Brands are not daft they will use this to their advantage but is catering to a consumer who is worried about this ingredient really scaremongering? Surely, it is only scaremongering if a product said “we don’t include parabens because they cause cancer” Some Scientists would have you believe parabens are safe but aren’t I entitled to make up my own mind about what I use on my body?

For those of you who are anti-free from labelling let us not forget the fear of allergic reactions is genuine and the concerns are very real and legitimate. Free from labelling is important for food and I believe it should be the same for skincare. I would hate to see the disappearance of "free from" just because some brands are using the term incorrectly. For those that dislike it what would you like to see instead? Think about how you would feel if you had an allergy to a particular ingredient, how would you advertise a safe product if the term “free from” wasn’t allowed?

If you are a reader that relies on free from labels I would love to get your thoughts on this topic.

Sarah x

11 February 2016

Review Skincere Free From Wheat Soya Dairy Nuts Synthetic Fragrance
When Skincere asked if I would consider reviewing their products curiosity got the better of me so I accepted. I like seeing affordable "green" beauty on the high street and this range is currently stocked at Holland & Barrett which makes it accessible for many people. I also receive reader questions asking for recommendations for skincare products that do not contain some of the top 14 food allergens and Skincere products are free from wheat, dairy, nut oils and soya.

28 January 2016

Natural and Organic Wedding Favours Sugarloaf Soaps, Trevarno, Sweet Cecily's
When looking for favours for my wedding I realised that the natural and organic market is often overlooked. I decided that it would be nice to showcase some "Green" options and support smaller brands. I hope you will agree my selection of favours is the kind guests would love to receive and enjoy using. 

19 January 2016

Review Pacifica Aquarian Gaze Water Resistant Long Lash Mascara Abyss Black Vegan
The quest for a wedding day mascara continued after initially testing Natorigin and Avril neither of which I was happy with. I realised that water resistant mascara could be the way forward because my biggest complaint with the other two was smudging. I decided to buy Pacifica Aquarian Gaze water resistant mascara in Abyss/Black (also available in Deep Blue). Now Pacifica is a Vegan brand but their Green credentials are questionable. It certainly is a compromise to mainstream and I am no way claiming the ingredients to be perfect you are likely to find better out there.

31 December 2015

Sugarpuffish Blog Review for 2015 a look back a my favourite products and events
2015 is officially coming to an end and I'm keeping up with my tradition to look back at personal highlights from another year of blogging.


3 November 2015

dairy free, vegan, organic, chocolate, montezuma's
Christmas is once again becoming an exciting time of year for me because with the rise in free from trends there is very little I get to miss out on. I don't know about you but Holland & Barrett is fast becoming my favourite place to shop for free from treats. If you are looking for gifts and festive foods here are some ideas for you all.

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