h is for health(ier) living

It's an utterly glorious day in Melbourne today, so I'm airing the house, the washing is drying in the sun and the solar fairy lights are charging.  Of course, the kitchen is in dire need of attention, but I'll save that for later on today!

There is so much conflicting information out there about what we should and shouldn't eat; it makes my head positively hurt.  That said, I've just started the eight-week 'I quit sugar' programme (the name is misleading, as it's not actually about quitting all sugar, just fructose), and have had quite a time finding some of the more...interesting items required to make up meals (which, incidentally, are generally easy and delicious).

So, here are some sites I've stumbled across in my quest for healthier cooking and living.

www.goodness.com.au

I first saw this brand in Maxi Foods, a totally fabulous supermarket in Upper Ferntree Gully.  Don't be fooled by its kind of dowdy appearance - this place is an absolute ripper, full of hard-to-find items and European delights.

Of course, I then googled 'Honest to Goodness' and found their site, which houses an impressive variety of stuff, from organic pantry staples to household items.  I think my best purchase was 2.5 kg of coconut flakes (so tasty and so versatile) for $22...along with cacao nibs, cacao powder and coconut flour (interesting to cook with).  From memory, postage was quite reasonable and delivery quick (they're based in Sydney) - will definitely return once my stocks have dwindled to alarming levels.

www.lovingearth.com.au

Another great site full of deliciousness.  I am particularly fond of their chocolate coconut butter - good on toast or straight from the jar!  I took advantage of the sale they had on this particular item and stocked up.  Again, from memory, postage was reasonable and delivery quick (unsurprising, given they live in Melbourne).

http://sunshinevanilla.com.au/

A number of sugar-free recipes call for vanilla powder, something that is not all that easy to find in stores.  So, once again, I hit up google for the answer and came across Sunshine Vanilla which, unsurprisingly, deals with all things vanilla (and organically so).  When compared to other sites, their product is very reasonably priced and, given a little goes a long way, it will last for ages. It took a few days to reach me, but it is travelling from Queensland, so that's to be expected.

www.biome.com.au

I can't remember how I came across this site, but am so glad I did.  The stores are based in Brisbane, and have a wide range of all things eco-friendly and earth-huggy, ranging from homewares, to tasty treats, to shiny beads and clothes.  Definitely worth a look, and is a site I return to time and again (particularly when they offer 20% off the entire site).

www.iherb.com

This site is based in California, and I stumbled upon it whilst on the quest for eco washing powder, of all things (Grab Green pods in Vetiver - divine).

They sell so many things it makes my head spin, and while navigating can be quite a challenge (so much to see, how do you choose??), it's well worth the effort.  In addition to stocking up on the washing pods, I've also purchased body wash, hand wash, room spray, dish-washing tablets, lip balm and an array of flavoured liquid stevia (so much cheaper than here).  Postage is quite reasonable, particularly as it comes by DHL, so you receive all your goodies within a week or so.

And for those who mutter to themselves about the issue of having things flown here not being environmentally friendly, it's not as though a separate flight is chartered...the plane was already coming here, it's just being chucked aboard! :p

So, there you have it - happy shopping, cooking and eating!

O is for oh dear....

Yes, it's true, it has been an abysmally long time since I last posted about the delights of online shopping.  Fear not, my love affair with online shopping has continued with gusto, it's just the recommendations of said lust-worthy sites has rather fallen by the wayside...

So, to remedy this aberrant behaviour (and to get back into the habit of updating this blog), please find a few of my favourite sites below (in no particular order or category).

www.beautybay.com

Based in Manchester, England, this fabulous site stocks a wide array of wonderful beauty products and affiliated bits and bobs, and has free world-wide shipping.  Sadly, some items cannot be sent to Australia (such as Opi nail polish, due to some kind of caveat from said manufacturer), but, even with the falling dollar, prices are still better than here (which, admittedly, isn't all that hard!).

www.bathandunwind.com

Another UK-based site, I stumbled across this when I was looking for, well, to be honest, I can't remember, but needless to say I found what I was looking for and then some.  I absolutely love this site for so many reasons and, in no particular order, here they are:

• free international postage
• loyalty scheme, where you get credits towards future purchases
• wide range of fabulous products (such as Moroccan Oil, amongst other things)

I think the best thing about both of these sites is that they stock entirely different items, so I get shopping satisfaction at both, knowing that what I'm buying from one isn't generally available at the other.  Likewise, postal delivery between here and the UK is pretty good, so you usually get your goodies within a week or so.  Huzzah!  

In keeping with my UK theme of the night, who can resist a blitz at M & S?  I certainly can't! (particularly as I've discovered that their sheets fit my bed).

www.marksandspencer.com

Again, even with the depressing downward spiral of the dollar, things are still reasonably priced, as is postage (last time I checked, delivery to Australia was free, though that may well have changed).  So, if you fancy some department-store shopping that's quite affordable, check it out.  

Another rather delectable Brit site is Anorak, which features quirky kissing animal prints on a range of products (such as bedding, toilet bags, picnic-ware, to name but a few).

www.anorakonline.co.uk

Postage can be rather prohibitive as it is, naturally, dependent upon the amount you purchase (as it comes by courier, so, on the upside, it arrives in record time!), however, their stuff is gorgeous and, in my opinion, worth it.  I recommend signing up to their newsletter and/or liking them on stalkbook, and then waiting for the next sale - I splurged when they had 30% off and got some wonderful sheets, towels, tins and a toilet bag (there may well have been more, but that's what springs to mind).