Are you an Ethical Omnivore?

I loved this post on the High Steaks Farming blog so much I had to share it here with you all – Check out some of their other great posts about the ethical raising cattle and sheep on their farm on the NSW Central Highlands.

Ethical Omnivores

So apparently us compassionate foodie types have been assigned a label. We are known as “ethical omnivores”. I haven’t decided yet whether I like this or not. One one hand, it seems like just another attempt to homogenise a group of people with diverse opinions so that they can be categorised, and hence marketed to. On the other hand, if I believe in the principles of ethical omnivorism, perhaps having it well defined will make it easier for others to get involved.

There are various definitions around, but I’d like to present my own, beginning with what we’re not: ethical omnivores are not failed vegetarians trying to appease their guilty consciences. Most of us believe the best way to make a difference to the welfare of animals is to support those farms who are treating animals with compassion and respect. If you’re of the more fundamentalist view that it is inherently evil to kill animals, you’re never going to accept this philosophy; but those who are vegetarian simply because they feel they can’t source meat which is produced ethically, could perhaps try a little harder.

I quite like the fact that the term ethical omnivore doesn’t just relate to meat. Quoting from an article on the subject, “An ethical omnivore may be just as concerned about the production of the bread he or she eats as the meat inside the bread.” http://animalrights.suite101.com/article.cfm/what-is-an-ethical-omnivore Having seen cereal production close up, I’m just as concerned with finding cruelty free and environmentally responsible grain farmers as I am in finding ethical meat.

From what I can gather, the label is here to stay, it seems to have been around for a while, so I’d best get used to it.

How to make cleaning fun…Yes, we’re serious!

Tips for making the boring thankless task of household cleaning a little less dreary.

1. Use products that smell great and have minimal chemical content. This will lift your spirits (instead of gassing you and giving you a headache) and ensure your skin is protected from drying and allergic reactions.

2. Playing uplifting music when you are doing tasks you don’t enjoy will make them all the more easy to manage. We recommend Motown or the Bridget Jones soundtrack but whatever puts you in a good mood will do the trick.

3. Get yourself a cute apron. Think the domestic goddesses of the 50′s who took such pride in their domestic chores. It’s simple psychology; it’s been proven that if you smile for long enough when you feel down, you’ll start to feel happy. So, why wouldn’t it work for cleaning, put on the apron, think domestic goddess and before you know it you’ll be on the phone to McMahon & Tate asking what time Darren will be arriving home for dinner.

We’re not suggesting you become a Stepford wife, not by any stretch of the imagination, and we’re not trying to set the feminist movement back 50 years. We figure that if you’ve got to do these chores then you may as well attempt to make it enjoyable for yourself. It’s something to think about anyway.

Photo credits: Geraldine Mills

NB: This post was first published in 2007 but it’s one of our core messages so I thought we’d give it another run with the launch of our new site.

Take it Personally – Awareness aint Action

Cast your vote!Read this blog for long enough and you’ll start to get a bit angry. What? Angry?

If what you read sometimes here on Gorgeous Things doesn’t make you angry then you’re probably not taking it personally.

Sure we spend quite a bit of time talking about how to take care of your skin without chemical nasties and style your hair without tipping L’Oreal’s chemistry set on your gorgeous hair. BUT I wanted to give myself and everyone else a quick reminder about what’s at the heart of Gorgeous Things.

Here goes:

  1. Beauty & Brains
  2. Awareness & Action
  3. Natural approach first
  4. Nurture yourself so you can nurture others
  5. Nurture the planet

No where does it say that you need to become an activist but we do try to give you the knowledge and means you need to do something positive. Whether it be giving you reviews of earth and people friendly products, or simple ways to cut down your weekly fuel consumption and sometimes ways to feel good naturally so you don’t have to reach for the pharmaceuticals straight away. Continue reading

Hooray for Hemp – Sustainable Fashion, Fibre and Skincare


Alright, I’ll admit it. Many years ago when I first heard about hemp being used to make clothes and skincare products I thought to myself, “isn’t there way more money in growing it to be smoked?” Didn’t even occur to me that it would be a completely different species of cannabis, didn’t even know there were other species?

Thanks to the dearly departed founder of The Body Shop, Anita Roddick  I now know better. There’s absolutely no point in chopping up a hemp rope and trying to smoke it, the level of THC in Industrial Hemp or as it’s known to those adept with a trowel, Cannabis Sativa, wouldn’t be enough to give you even the mildest buzz.

So, what’s the benefits for our planet and people in cultivating hemp for it’s fibre and oil? Continue reading

Naturelle Perfumes to make your Heart Sing: Y-Yo

Y-Yo Mojo, Slow & Glow

by Angela Stewart

When LA and I decided to review these products I was waiting eagerly to see if they would live up to their enticing descriptions.

My package arrived at the end of a very busy week, so it was great timing. The packaging is simple, eye catching and very easy to read.

I was lucky enough to receive the five cologne sample pack and was impressed by the cute little spritzer bottlers and the ingenious card like packaging.

Treat yourself to these gorgeous Y-yo Ethical & Safe Perfumes online from http://www.y-yo.com.au/ Continue reading

32 Natural Beauty Tips & Tricks – Exclusive Free Ebook

Gorgeous Things

- Want to know how to get luscious locks without all the chemical nasties?

- Maybe you have sensitive skin that reacts to conventional beauty products?

- Or, perhaps you want to know how to bring your abundant inner beauty to the outside?


Here’s 32 Tips & Tricks to do all of that & much more!

DOWNLOAD NOW – PDF (500kb)
32 Natural Beauty Tips & Tricks from Gorgeous Things

Hey there pretty lady! While you’re here – why not join the Gorgeous Things Facebook page and mailing list for regular NEW TIPS & TRICKS

3 Salon Treatments for less than $10

Relaxing in the Spa - HeavenlyThere was that cute line in Legally Blonde where Luke Wilson says something to Reece Witherspoon about the Day Spa being her character’s ‘Mothership’. I loved that film and had a good giggle at that particular exchange between the seemingly frivolous Elle Woods and her endearingly besotted supervisor.

Anyway, we all know there was nothing frivolous about Elle Woods in Legally Blonde – and there’s nothing frivolous about wanting to take care of your skin and presenting yourself in the way that’s increases your confidence.

We know it’s tough times ladies, money is tight and something’s gotta give. So I thought I’d share with you how I’ve cut back trips to the salon by doing some treatments at home. There’s 3 recipies your can DIY for salon quality results and save yourself a packet in the process.

What I’ve had to do is divide the procedures and treatments that I enjoy into 3 categories.

  1. Essential Professional
  2. Essential DIY
  3. Treats

Essential Professional Treatments & Procedures

We all have different levels of skill when it comes to DIY beauty treatments and I’ve decided that these are my ‘don’t kid yourself’ procedures. Continue reading

How to read the label of your Skincare Products

Reading skincare labels can be confusing - get the facts hereWhen I want information about skincare ingredients - one of the first places I go to get informed is the Environmental Working Group (EWG) website.

Their latest offering is a guide to reading the label of skincare products, which I’ll admit can be a pretty confusing exercise at times. So, if like me you don’t have a chemistry degree – here’s the facts you need to know.

Read the EWG article about Choosing better body care products here >>

Beauty & Brains June Newsletter

ecolinenThe Gorgeous Things Winter Survival Guide is now available online.

Subscribe to Beauty & Brains Monthly Newsletter

What you’ll find in the June Edition of Beauty & Brains:

  • Natural Winter Skincare Tips
  • How to Whiten & Brighten your clothes without Bleach
  • Latest Videos on the TED site
  • Anti-viral Aromtherapy to keep you Healthy
  • How to make your Bedroom Allergy Free

>> Read the latest Edition of Beauty & Brains

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