Viva!LIFE issue 40 Spring 2009

Lifestyle

Sweet and simple vegan-friendly delights with Viva!'s Julie Cook - this issue including special web offers and giveaways!

Sweet nothings

Sweet Freedom is a new natural syrup sweetener, containing only three ingredients: apple, grape and carob, suitable for vegans and diabetics and comes in a squeezy, non-drip bottle too!

Available in two varieties, Mild and Rich, both are superb in hot drinks, on toast in place of honey, drizzled on pancakes and porridge (kids love it!) and generally in place of sugar or honey in your baking . in fact, anywhere you need a little sweetness. Available in all good health food stores at £2.99 for a 300ml bottle and online at www.sweetfreedom.co.uk.

Offer

Sweet Freedom are giving you the chance to 'buy one get one free' visit www.sweetfreedom.co.uk and simply order one bottle of Mild, enter VIVA  in the promotional code box at the checkout to automatically receive a bottle of Rich absolutely FREE!  *One offer per household valid until April 30, 2009.

Chocs away

Those clever people at Geo Organics have created a treat for the chocoholics amongst you with their Organica Couverture Bar with Almonds and Raisins. A vegan version of fruit and nut with added rice syrup, it's much sweeter and creamier than the other two bars in the Couverture range and personally, I want more! A 100g bar costs from £1.79, available at selected supermarkets and many online stores. For further stockist information visit www.seriouslyorganic.co.uk.  

Giveaway!

Geo Organics are giving 20 Organica Couverture Almond & Raisin bars away - to get your chocolate fix (if I don't eat them all) send your name and address to Viva! Geo Organics Giveaway, 8 York Court, Wilder Street, Bristol BS2 8QH or email juliecook@viva.org.uk with "Viva! Geo Organics" in subject by May 31, 2009.

Pure and simple

It's fair to say that hairdresser Daniel Field is at the 'cutting edge' (!) of devising hair and beauty products that are kind to us and the environment.  Daniel's latest idea is The Purity Project, an umbrella group that will launch a number of different natural beauty ranges intended to be amongst the purest and safest in the world. First out, is The Face Range, made up of seven frequently-used products that encompass both anti-aging and daily face care. This range is great if you have sensitive skin, as its extremely mild but also nourishing and soothing.  The products range in price from £12 for a face wash to £20 for anti-ageing moisturisers. The Face Range is available exclusively online at www.purity-project.com or via their Personal Care Advisors on 0203 006 1313 (9am-10pm, 7 days a week).

Giveaway!

The Purity Project would like to offer one lucky reader the opportunity to win the following skincare essentials:  Face Cleanser, Anti Age Day Moisturiser, Face Firming Serum. Send your name and address to Viva! Purity Giveaway, 8 York Court, Wilder Street, Bristol BS2 8QH or email juliecook@viva.org.uk with "Viva! Purity" in subject by May 31, 2009.

Genuinely not leather

Beyond Skin is an exclusive, ethical, vegan footwear label created in 2001 in response to the challenging predicament of combining both style and fashion with an ethical lifestyle. Brighton based, Beyond Skin produce both a mail order and wholesale trans-seasonal range. Taking its cue from developing trends, its collections are continually evolving, producing capsule ranges and exclusive one-off designs that transcend the typical rotational calendar supporting a more sustainable lifestyle. I covet the cute Cherub shoes (pictured) in pillar-box red, faux felt (sale price £75). See the whole gorgeous AW09 collection at www.beyondskin.co.uk.  

Giveaway

Beyond Skin are giving one lucky sole (!) the chance to win a pair of shoes from their AW09 collection, simply send your name and address to Viva! Beyond Skin Giveaway, 8 York Court, Wilder Street, Bristol BS2 8QH or email juliecook@viva.org.uk with "Viva! Beyond Skin" in subject by May 31, 2009.

Special web offers and giveaways

Get up and grow

Few things are more rewarding than eating vegetables picked fresh from your garden! Following the success of the BBC series "Grow Your Own Veg", long-term vegetarian Carol Klein's book 'Cook Your Own Veg' is perfect for getting the most from your garden.  More than just a cookbook, it provides tips on growing, harvesting and storing your veg, as well as over 80 effortless vegetarian recipes (easily veganised!) using seasonal produce to inspire both foodies and gardeners alike. 

Giveaway!

Viva!'s got six copies of 'Cook Your Own Veg' worth £16.99 each to give away - for your chance to win, send your name and address to Viva! Cook Veg Giveaway, 8 York Court, Wilder Street, Bristol BS2 8QH or email juliecook@viva.org.uk with "Viva! Cook Veg Giveaway" in subject by May 31 2009.

Foaming heck!

A favourite product at Viva! HQ is Red Star's Liquid Soap. Beautifully natural, you don't even have to waste time working up a lather, the unique foam dispenser creates a magical liquid to foam transformation, without the need for additional additives or chemicals - so a little goes a long way!

Naturally moisturizing and good for sensitive skin, the foam smells fresh and clean, and leaves no residue on your hands, just a light wonderful scent and it comes in a refill bottle too. Like all Red Star products it contains no animal derived ingredients and complies with the BUAV cruelty-free standard.  Choose from Lavender, Lemon & Lime, Peppermint, Tea Tree, Marjoram & Fennel and Fragrance Free varieties. Order online at www.redstarnaturalliquidsoaps.co.uk

Offer

Red Star are offering any 250ml foamer (£4.50) and any 1000ml refill (£10.00) at a buy one get the second half price - while stocks last.

Giveaway

Red Star are giving away 10 foamers complete with matching 1000ml refill in the fragrance of your choice. Simply send your name, address, email/contact telephone number, stating which variety of soap you would like to receive to:  Red Star NLS(VIVA! Comp), Portal House, 52 Hyde Lane, Kinve, South Staffordshire DY7 6AF or alternatively email redstar@gn.apc.org

Neon brights

Neon Collective is an online vegan boutique bringing you the best in ethical bags and non leather footwear. To meet their philosophy of 'responsible luxury' all their goods are completely free of animal products but are bang on trend, fresh from the catwalks of award winning vegan designers such as English Retreads and AmyKathryn.  Each one-of-a-kind English Retreads product is handcrafted from reclaimed truck inner tubes, their Clutch is adorable and practical (£40) whilst AmyKathryn's signature look is created by mixing custom printed fabric and animal-friendly faux leather like their best-selling Sunflower duffel bag, (£85) an absolute must-have in any eco fashionista's wardrobe.  With an exclusive choice of quality vegan purses, bags, boots and shoes, Neon Collective showcase the very best in compassionate fashion.  Visit www.neoncollective.com

Offer

Here's a good excuse to get shopping, Neon Collective are offering Viva supporters a 10% discount. Enter the code VIVA10 at the checkout at www.neoncollective.com