Help Yourself & The Planet This Winter...

By giving your body a boost at this time of year, you will not only give yourself a fighting chance at staying well and fighting illness, you will also reduce the load of medications that ventually get thrown out - leaching dangerous chemicals into our environment.

With so many adults and now children reaching for medications at the first sign of ill health, our bodies are no longer given the chance to ultilise their higher intelligence to fight and heal us on our behalf. Boosting your immune system at this time of year, not only increases your immunity's number of strong white cells, it also helps to eliminate any deadwood that may be dragging your body down.

By tucking into the following 8 Nutrients, you will surely eliminate the days spent feeling under the weather this winter.

1. Vitamin C - Vitamin C increases the production of infection-fighting white blood cells and antibodies and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, while lowering blood pressure. Found best in citrus, melons, cabbage, tomatoes, guavas and berries



2. Zinc - increases killer cells that fight against cancer and helps white cells release more antibodies. Found best in raw nuts, oysters, sardines, beef, oats and grains.
3. Vitamin E - stimulates the production of natural killer cells, those that seek out and destroy germs and cancer cells. Vitamin E enhances the production of B-cells, the immune cells that produce antibodies that destroy bacteria. Found best in wheatgerm, wholegrains, raw nuts, pumpkin & sunflower seeds and eggs.

4. Bioflavonoids - aids the immune system by protecting the cells of the body against environmental pollutants. Bioflavenoids protect the cell membranes against the pollutants trying to attach to them. Also lessens risk of cardiovascular disease. Found best in buckwheat, fresh fruits & vegies, strawberries, prunes, cherries and apricots.


5. Selenium - increases natural killer cells and mobilises cancer-fighting cells. Found best in tuna, red snapper, prawns, whole grains, vegies, brown rice, egg yolks, cottage cheese, chicken (white meat), sunflower seeds, garlic, Brazil nuts, and lamb chops.

6. Carotenoids (Beta-carotene/Vitamin A) - increases the number of infection-fighting cells, natural killer cells and helper cells,  a powerful antioxidant that mops up excess free radicals that accelerate aging. Also reduces risk of cardiovascular disease. Best found in parsely, liver, spinach, watercress, tomatoes broccoli, sweet potato.













7. Sulfur - is a powerful immune booster that stimulates the multiplication of infection-fighting white cells, boosts natural killer cell activity, and increases the efficiency of antibody production.  Can also act as an antioxidant that reduces the build-up of free radicals in the bloodstream. Best found in garlic, pumpkin, onions, turnips, watercress, kale, radish and fish

8. Omega 3's - act as immune boosters by increasing the activity of phagocytes, the white blood cells that eat up bacteria. Essential fatty acids also protect the body against damage from over-reactions to infection. Best found in salmon, tuna, mackeral and flaxseeds (linseed).



***Footnote: The safest way to dispose of unwanted medications is to return them to your local pharmacy for disposal. For smaller amounts. simply mixing with cat litter or coffee and throwing into a bin is sufficient. Although flushing old medicines may seem convenient, the consequences can often cause long term damage to our waterways. ***

Until next time,

GC x

It's Competition Time Again!!

To celebrate our new product  Y-Yo Organic Perfumes,  we are giving you the chance to win a 50ml Perfume of your choice valued at $59.95

Simply purchase a (3ml x 5 fragrance) SAMPLE KIT, or CITRUS SAMPLE KIT.
Then, CONTACT US once you know which fragrance you love best, and tell us in 25 words or less which one it is, and what daydream the scent inspires when you wear it. Entries close March 18, 2011.

While you're visiting our store, check out or SALE section - more bargains listed but extremely limited stock - won't last long!


GC x

A Romantic Eco-Valentine's Dinner For Two!

Valentine's day this year falls on Meatless Monday! So in keeping with the spirit, we've combined both occasions to really Green-Up this day of love...A simple italian-inspired  menu that won't have our eco- lovebirds trapped in the kitchen all night.

Entree - Stuffed Field Mushrooms
2-4 field mushrooms   2x garlic cloves    1x T olive oil    1-2 x ripe roma tomatoes   
1 slice old bread, crusts removed, cubed    1/2 t ground pepper   5 basil leaves, torn   
1 x T flat leaf parsely   2 T finely grated parmesan cheese    125ml cup milk  

Remove stems from mushrooms and add into a hot pan with garlic and olive oil. Fry until soft. Add chopped tomatoes and stir until warm. Set aside into a bowl. 

Then add cubed bread, pepper, basil, parsely, cheese and milk.  Scoop this mixture into mushrooms and top each one with a slice of tomato, some basil and some grated parmesan.

Place in greased baking tray and bake in moderate oven for around 15-20 mins. Drizzle with a little olive oil on serving.


Main - Oven Baked Asparagus Risotto
1 T olive oil  1 x onion, finely chopped    1 x crushed garlic clove  
1/2 t finely grated lemon zest   150g arborio rice  350ml vegetable stock   
100g asparagus, sliced diagonally  23g grated parmesan cheese    sea salt    ground pepper

Preheat oven to 180. Heat the olive oil in a large casserole pot on med heat.  Cook onion until soft. Add garlic and lemon zest and cook for 20 seconds. Add rice and stir to coat. Then add stock, bring to the boil, stir occasionally.

Cover casserole dish and place in oven for 10-15 mins. Add asparagus and bake for a further 3 mins, or until asparagus is bright green and tender. Stir in parmesan, season with salt and pepper. Garnish with a little more parmesan to serve.

Dessert -  Chocolate Mousse Pronto!!
80g marshmallows, torn     300ml just boiled water    25g soft butter   
125 g 70% dark chocolate, chopped     140ml double cream    1/2 t vanila extract

Put butter, marshmallows, chocolate and water in a heavy based saucepan. Melt contents gently on stovetop. Stir occasionally. Remove form heat once melted. 

Whip cream with vanilla until really thick.  Fold into the cooling chocolate mixture until smooth.
Scrape into glasses or ramekins and refridgerate until you are ready to serve.  

(Pics courtesy of Foodnetwork, Straight from the Farm and Nigella)