Viva!LIFE issue 39, Winter 2008

Lifestyle

Viva!'s Julie Cook brings you ideas to pack your life with fun, flavour and freebies

Wicker Wonderland

There's nothing quite like a hamper to evoke some Christmas spirit! RipeGifts offer an extensive range of vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and kosher Christmas hampers and gift baskets.

There's a choice of two vegan hampers this year - The 'V' Vegan Hamper (£67), and the small but perfectly formed, Vegan Christmas Cracker (£36). Both contain some fabulous foodie finds, including turkish delight crammed with pistachios and hazelnuts, and absolutely divine organic Booja Booja truffles.

Visit www.ripegifts.co.uk or call 0845 226 9182 (calls charged at local rates). All prices include free next day delivery!


Giveaway!
We have three Vegan Christmas Crackers to give away - to be in with a chance just send your name and address to Viva! Cracker
Giveaway, 8 York Court, Wilder Street, Bristol BS2 8QH or email juliecook@viva.org.uk with "Viva! Cracker" in subject by Monday,
December 15, 2008.

Chocolate Cheer

Chocolate bath goodies are the ideal, calorie-free, no-guilt pleasure for any chocolate lover! Raw Gaia have launched their latest luxurious gift set, Bath Time Heaven (£23.90) - 100 per cent organic, vegan raw chocolate bliss! The set includes Chocolate Orange Bath Melt, Chocolate Face Pack, Rose Geranium Soap and four Raw Orange Chocolates - your cares will melt away .

Giveaway!
We have a Bath Time Heaven gift set for one lucky reader - simply send your name and address to Viva! Bath Time Giveaway, 8 York Street, Bristol BS2 8QH or email juliecook@viva.org.uk with "Viva! Bath Time" in subject by January 31, 2009.

Offer!
Raw Gaia are offering 15 per cent discount on all orders until January 15, 2009 use code RAWVIVA at
www.rawgaia.com or to order call 01273 311476.
 

Tested on film stars - not on animals

Tara Smith is a respected hairstylist. In demand on both sides of the Atlantic working with many famous faces both on and off the film set, her work is regularly published in Elle, Harper's Bazaar and Vogue magazines. British-born Tara has developed a stunning new range of vegan shampoos, conditioners and styling products made in the UK with natural and organic earth-friendly ingredients and contain certified organic fragrances. It is one of the first professional standard haircare ranges to be produced free from harmful chemical additives; the products do not contain any parabens, SLES, PEGs, phthalates, glycols, artificial colourants, synthetic fragrances or animal derivatives.

Such admirable ecostandards are not confined to the contents of the bottle either; the pumps are made with no metal so they're easy to recycle and the products' swing tags are made from handmade paper impregnated with wild seeds which can be planted to grow into flowers! The Base Coat Serum is miraculous! It's chock full of omega-rich borage oil and made my frizzy, fried locks feel and look super-silky smooth. Shampoos and conditioners are available for dry, straight, sensitive/baby or curly hair - prices are a purse-friendly £4.99 and under. The range is available now in Tesco stores.

Giveaway!
To get your hands on a shampoo, conditioner and two styling products send your name and address to Viva! Tara Smith Giveaway,
8 York Court, Wilder Street, Bristol BS2 8QH or email juliecook@viva.org.uk with "Viva! Tara Smith" in subject by January 31, 2009.

A better blend

Did you know that 60 per cent of what we put on your skin goes into our bodies? Organic Botanics high quality skin-care products consist of organically grown plant oils, herbal extracts, floral waters, aloe-vera, essential oils and other lush, natural, organic ingredients. All products are paraben-free, contain no GM animal ingredients, petrolatum, alcohol, artificial colours, synthetic perfumes, propylene nor chemical UV filters and it shows. Having been lucky enough to sample most of their products, my verdict is Organic Botanics are heavenly! Pay them a visit www.organicbotanics.com or call 01273 573825 mail order.

Offer!
Organic Botanics are giving you the chance to receive 10 per cent discount on all orders placed between and December 2008. Quote discount code VIVA23X.

Giveaway!
We have an Organic Travel set worth £34.45 Nutritive Medium Light Moisturiser, & Body Lotion, Deep Cleansing Toning Lotion, together organic cotton bag. Send your name and address to Viva! Organic Botanics Court, Wilder Street, Bristol email juliecook@viva.org. Viva! Organic Botanics" subject by January 31, 2009.

Moonshine Vollmond 33cl) launched Made using biodynamic which means brewed only night of a Vollmond wholly organic, vegan, and promise you werewolf! selected health stores.

Good to Glow

Afterglow Cosmetics is the latest mineral make-up brand to take the UK by storm. Available in dazzling, highly pigmented colours, containing natural and organic ingredients of the highest quality, the mineral formulation also includes antioxidants to protect and care for your skin. The complete range comprises of Mineral Foundation, Setting Powder, Glow Bronzer, Mineral Blush, Mineral Matte/Shimmer Eye Shadow and Lip Love Lipstick in a choice of great shades. Visit the website at www.afterglowcosmetics.co.uk or call 0845 325 9243. Prices start from £16.

Giveaway!
We've got a Glow Kit full of beautifully compact Afterglow goodies worth £75! Send your name and address stating whether you'd prefer light, medium or dark to Viva! Afterglow Giveaway, 8 York Court, Wilder Street, Bristol BS2 8QH or email juliecook@viva.org.uk with "Viva!Afterglow" in subject by January 31, 2009.

Purple Cobwebs

If you are stuck for a unique gift or card Purple Cobwebs provide high quality handcrafted gifts, jewellery and greeting cards. All items are lovingly created by hand in Essex and many gifts can be customised at no extra cost to make the recipient feel that extra bit special. Many of the jewellery items are either one offs or are made in very limited quantities. The best bit though is that for every item sold a donation is made to Viva!. Shop to your heart's content at www.purplecobwebs.co.uk.

Giveaway!
Purple Cobwebs are giving three readers the chance to choose an item of jewellery from their store. Send your name and address to Viva! Cobwebs Giveaway, 8 York Court, Wilder Street, Bristol BS2 8QH or email juliecook@viva.org.uk with "Viva!Cobwebs" in subject by January 31, 2009.

Win a mini-break in Cheshire!

Yew Tree Apartments www.yewtreeapartments.co.uk have teamed up with Viva!LIFE to offer readers the opportunity to win a two night stay for two people worth £100 at one of their four star apartments in the heart of Cheshire.

A recently built barn conversion, Yew Tree Apartments consist of five fully furnished luxury self-catering apartments set in a beautiful and peaceful rural location, with planted gardens and private parking. The apartments overlook both open countryside and a lake which are great for watching birds and other wildlife. Hares are often seen, with foxes and badgers if lucky.

The nearest village, Davenham, is just a mile away and other local places of interest include Cranford and Knutsford (seven miles), Tatton Park, Jodrell Bank, Lyme Park, Whitegate Way, Anderton Boat Lift, Oulton Park, Delamere Forest and Chester (19 miles).

To enter the competition send a postcard marked 'Yew Tree/ Viva!LIFEcompetition' and including your name, address and phone number to: Nicky Brooks, Yew Tree Apartments, Davenham Road, Whatcroft, Northwich, Cheshire CW9 7RZ or email ade@yewtreeapartments.co.uk. Closing date: January 10, 2009.