Tag Archives: Free From

Holle – make your own finger paints

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holle-home-made-finger-paints

Making your own non-toxic, edible finger pains is simple with this quick, easy and inexpensive recipe using ingredients found in the kitchen. Give those little hands, feet and fingers free rein to enjoy being creative and having fun!

It’s so easy:

  • 5 tbsps of flour
  • 100ml of cold water
  • 1 tbsp salt (for shelf life)
  • To add colour try vegetable juices eg beetroot / carrot or spices eg turmeric (be careful, it can stain) or food colouring
  • Mix the ingredients together

Kept in the fridge, the paints should last up to 2 weeks.

Plastic Free Baby Wipes

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plastic-baby-wipes

Did you know that most baby wet wipes, moist toilet tissues, hygiene wipes and cleaning wipes are made with plastic? Wet wipes are super convenient for cleaning mucky, sticky hands, faces and worktops, but how many of us realise that most are not actually made of paper but contain plastic. These plastic resins like polyester or polypropylene will never fully biodegrade and will break into smaller and smaller pieces polluting land, rivers and oceans, and entering wildlife and human food chains.

Short history of wet wipes

Disposable wet wipes were first used in the 1960’s and were detergent saturated tissue paper. The problem with them was that they would fall apart. Manufacturers started incorporating increasingly tougher fibres and structure in the blend and their usefulness and commercial value multiplied. The wet-wipe boom grew in the 1990s when Kimberly-Clark, makers of Huggies nappies and Procter & Gamble who make Pampers, began pushing baby wipes as the new must-have parental convenience.

Eco-friendly wet wipes?

There are wipes available that are made from more natural alternatives and contain no plastic. Natracare’s baby wipes are made from organic cotton cloth, as are the wipes natracare-baby-wipes-with-organic-cottonfrom brand Organyc. Kit and Kin offer sustainable and biodegradable 100% plant-based wipes. None of these eco-friendly wipes however are flushable and should always be disposed of in the bin.

Why shouldn’t we flush wet wipes?

Even when a wet wipe package claims its contents are flushable, biodegradable or compostable, they won’t degrade quickly enough to avoid being a menace down our drains and in our waterways. Wet wipes, moist toilet tissue and hygiene wipes labelled as flushable can still block pipes and increase pollution in our seas and beaches. According to a study conducted last year by Water UK, wet wipes made up an astounding 93% of the material causing blockages in our sewers. The 2017 Great British Clean weekend found an average of 27 wet wipes for every 100 metres of coastline.

Only three things should ever be flushed down the toilet – pee, poo and paper!

Make your own wet wipes

A cheap, easy and eco-friendly alternative to disposable wipes and a gentler option for baby’s precious, delicate skin is to use a muslin, flannel or cotton wool. By just using water you know exactly what is being applied to your little one’s skin. For a newborn or small baby, water and pure cotton wool is all you really need. The dirty cloths can be washed each evening on a hot wash, ready to be used the next day.

When our children were babies we made our own wet wipes, daily if going out and about, by placing a number of organic cotton wool pads in a leakproof container and pouring over warm water and a few drops of organic baby oil (the oil helps to stop the cotton wool dragging and leaves tiny bottoms soft and moisturised). The pads needed to be wet but not too soggy. The container fitted neatlyown-nappy-wipes in the nappy bag, perfect for changing time.

When at home the simple solution was to fill a little pot with warm water and a couple of drops of organic baby oil. Cotton wool pads were dipped in the water and squeezed out as needed (and disposed of in the bin and not down the toilet). We found this to be an easy, much cheaper and more environmentally friendly option then using wet wipes for every nappy change!

We can all do our bit. Wet wipes are a convenience hard to give up, but we can at least make sure we only use the genuinely biodegradable/compostable ones – and absolutely never flush them.

Shop Ulula Baby Wipes

plastic-free-baby-wipes

friendsoftheearth.uk/plastics/wet-wipes-keeping-them-out-our-seas-and-sewers

www.wetwipesturnnasty.com/

www.onegreenplanet.org/news/wet-wipes-made-plastic-uk-wants-banned/

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/nappies/

www.thenappylady.co.uk/

MOGLi Sustainable Packaging

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It’s not only the content that counts!

Demeter quality in sustainable packaging

Sustainable product packaging is always an issue, because packaging waste is a major problem worldwide. MOGLi have made it their mission to continue to work on adapting all their product packaging into sustainable packaging and are constantly working to reduce plastic waste. MOGLi’s team has already achieved:

1. Packaging of 85% renewable raw materials

To keep product fresh and safe, plastic packaging is currently the “best” solution for packaging many of the MOGLi products. Nevertheless, MOGLi are constantly looking for sustainable packaging solutions. That’s why they’re especially pleased with their new Fruit Pouch packaging. Sugarcane-based and completely aluminium-free: this is their first step towards a more sustainable packaging future.

mogli-no-aluminium-packaging-fruit-pouches          mogli-no-aluminium-packaging-fruit-pouch1

2. Packed 100% aluminum free

All of the MOGLi Fruit Pouch and Spelt Bites packaging is completely aluminum-free. As a rule, deep-fried or oil-baked products, such as aluminium-free-logoMOGLi Spelt Bites, are packaged in aluminum-lined inner packaging. This helps to ensure freshness.

On the one hand, aluminum is harmful to the environment and energy-intensive, and on the other hand aluminum cannot be recycled when used in combination with other film layers of packaging. MOGLi are happy to have found an alternative packaging without aluminum what works as well in terms of freshness and continue to work hard to adapt their other products to more sustainable packaging.

Join us and MOGLi in making that first step and take a minute to think about packaging when you’re shopping.

mogli-friut-pouch-range-aluminium-free-packaging

EKOBO – designed for Good. To be used and REUSED, by big and little, day in and day out, indoors or outdoors x

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Ulula is really happy and proud to introduce a new home living brand from Ekobo!!

 

packed lunch made, breakfast waiting x

Ekobo specialise in the design and manufacture of contemporary home accessories made from renewable bamboo and other eco-friendly materials.

Ekobo’s BIOBU range for kids dinnerware is chic, colourful, practical and fun, and we and the kids LOVE IT!

 

 

The story behind the range is really inspirational. Here’s what Boo & Bruno have to say:

“We’ve been long-devoted to improving the way we engage with people and our planet, but our creative process is fueled by our own family – our 3 girls, our messy real life needs; each collection expands as our own kids grow.

Our first bamboo fibre product, a kids set, was conceived because we couldn’t find BPA-free (or Disney-free 🙂 baby dishware for our first daughter, who just turned 13! At the time, as parents and consumers, we struggled to trust established brands who offered the only products on the market. Leaning on our bamboo expertise, Skype and considerable sweat, tears, in 2012, we partnered with a factory in China that produced a new bamboo fibre eco-composite. We worked together to fine-tune what is now our BIOBU® FSC-certified  Bamboo Fibre Collection. To push both design and function, we’ve added other responsibly-sourced materials to our range, like cork, wood and organic cotton.

We’ve always believed that being green isn’t a fad, nor an option, so we stand committed to making products that are durable, safe, thoughtful alternatives for today, but most importantly, for tomorrow. All our products are meant to be used and REUSED, by big and little, day in and day out, indoors or outdoors.

Thanks for being a part of our family’s adventure. Boo & Bruno // Founders of EKOBO [EKOBO, since 2003]”

But… why Bamboo?

“EKOBO chose bamboo because it is one of our earth’s most renewable resources. It is a fast-growing, naturally-regenerative woody grass which flourishes organically without pesticides, fertilisers or herbicides. It can be continuously harvested every 3 years without damaging the plant or the surrounding environment. The bamboo used in BIOBU products is collected from the sawdust that is shed from cutting and shaping bamboo chopsticks and bamboo flooring.

We are not only rigorous about maintaining worldwide safety standards (LFGB, FDA, REACH) that our products are 100% non-toxic, but our raw material (bamboo recycled from chopstick factories) is also FSC-certified. In case there’s anyone out there that isn’t sure why it’s so important for timber and bamboo fiber products to carry this certification, we thought we’d explain what it’s all about:

FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council; an independent and non-profit organisation set up to address the exploitation of forests, protect indigenous peoples rights to use a forest, support the training and employment of local workers within forests, and much more. ⠀⠀

For a company to be awarded an FSC certification, each business involved in the entire chain of production – from forest owner to manufacturer to seller – must also have FSC certification. So you can purchase our goods, or any good bearing the FSC logo, with a clear conscience that it was responsibly sourced and managed from A-Z. In fact, you can give yourself a pat on the back for shopping thoughtfully and consciously. xoxo”

The Finest ingredients are used for these yummy NEW snacks from Holle!

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After requests, and many hours of trialling and testing, our wonderful Holle Heroes have come up with some really fabulous organic New Products that we are delighted to bring exclusively to you here in the UK. All are great for little hands to hold, and perfect for picnics, on the go or even in the lunch box!

Holle Organic Minis, are soft banana and orange fruit bars. A wholesome and convenient snack made especially for little hands and tummies, they contain a mixture of fruit and rolled oats wrapped in a wholegrain spelt wafer, to help keep little hands sticky-free.

The soft yet firm texture is perfect for babies aged 12 months and over to nibble and chew, and their handy, practical size makes them easy for little hands to hold. Holle Organic Minis come individually packaged ensuring the soft fruit bars are always fresh and fruity and making them perfect for pockets and nappy bags.

Dried bananas* 25%, ROLLED OATS*, pear juice concentrate*, apple juice concentrate*, potato starch*, wholegrain SPELT wafers* (wholegrain SPELT flour*, potato starch*), orange juice concentrate* 4%. * organically grown

“These Mini’s are so cute, and so tasty too! We love them, and so do our little ones”

Your little one will love Holle’s new Organic Biscuits, suitable from 10 months, and you’ll love them too, because they are made solely from wholesome and healthy organic ingredients.

Sweetened only with fruit juices and containing no added salt, these mild tasting Pear-Apple biscuits come in three cheerful, slim animal shapes, perfect for small hands to hold. The freshness packets make them ideal to pop in your handbag or nappy bag when you are out and about.

SPELT FLOUR* (34%), ROLLED OATS* (33%), pear juice concentrate* (16%), sunflower oil*, apple juice concentrate* (6 %), carrot juice concentrate*, vitamin B₁ (Thiamine). * organically grown

“Exciting to have something new from Holle, and these snacks for my LG are just perfect – I love the animal designs, and we all love the taste!”

Holle’s new Organic Crunchy Snack Millet is a gluten-free, bite-sized puffed snack that is ideal between meals and when out and about. It is made from nutritious, 100% organic millet and absolutely nothing else! The perfect size for little fingers, these fluffy puffs help to encourage self-feeding and will melt like butter in your baby’s mouth.

100% Millet* * organically grown

“Ok, these are so moreish… my LO loves them but I admit I had a bag to keep me going the other day, and I finished them off far too quickly!”

Gently flavoured with organic mango, Holle’s new Organic Crunchy Snack Millet-Mango is a gluten-free, bite-sized puffed snack that is simply yummy. Made from nutritious, organic millet it contains no added sugar or salt.

The perfect size for little fingers, these fluffy puffs help to encourage self-feeding and will melt like butter in your baby’s mouth.

Millet* (60%), maize semolina* (26 %), sunflower oil* (7,6 %), mango powder* (6,4%). * organically grown

“Great taste, and my daughter loved holding them and having a chat with them before popping them into her mouth! They are a hit – thank you Holle!”

Try these scrummy new Holle heroes and let us know what YOU think!

 

New! Softest safest organic cotton treasures for your little one have arrived!

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New to Ulula – organic cotton Swaddles, Bibs and Baby Buddies made with only the softest, safest organic cotton…

fresk-swaddle-set-2-pc-120x120-cm-whale-blue-fog-no-box These wonderful swaddles are made from soft, breathable organic cotton muslin with beautiful designs, and are generously sized at 120 x 120cm to make them truly multi-functional. These swaddles are so useful and handy in and around the home, nursery and nappy/changing bag.

fresk-swaddle-set-2-pc-120x120-cm-elefant-pink-no-boxSwaddling your baby in the first instance is so important to support them with the moro (startle) reflex which can be both surprising and distressing to such a tiny one. Joan Salter in The Incarnating Child recommends leaving their arms free to point upwards, so that their hands are near to their mouth. This is a more natural position for a newborn, than to have their arms down by their sides. Place them diagonally across the swaddle, then fold each side in turn, finally folding in the bottom of the swaddle around the baby in an extra layer of comfort.

fresk-swaddle-set-2-pc-120x120-cm-fox-blue-no-boxMuslins truly are a mother’s best friend. I had an airing cupboard shelf full of muslins, as I found that I was using several in just one day when my daughter was tiny!

They have so many uses, here are just a few:

  • great burping cloth
  • discreet breastfeeding
  • snuggle blanket
  • dribble catcher under baby’s chin when feeding
  • sunshade in car seat or pushchair
  • protection against wind in the pushchair or pram
  • impromptu bib as your little one gets older
  • lining the cot so you don’t have to change the whole bedding after your baby is sick

Made to the highest quality from pre-washed, 100% fine organic cotton, the swaddles are kind and gentle to delicate skin.

The smaller swaddles are 70 x 60cm and come in an attractive gift box. You may find these a better size for the changing bag.

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All the swaddles co-ordinate with the wonderfully soft and absorbent organic cotton bib and burp sets which make a perfect gift for your friends and family, and yourself!

The set comes in beautiful gift packaging and contains a bib and burp cloth to ensure that messes are kept to a minimum. When feeding, the bib is simply secured with snaps at the back and the burp cloth sits over your shoulder during winding and cuddles to protect your clothes from any little mishaps.

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Organic Toys? Certainly! These sweet organic baby buddy dolls are handmade in Egypt from natural organic cotton and filled with organic cotton off cuts from Under the Nile’s organic baby clothing range.

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Certified organic fabric makes it a safe comforter and teething toy, and the natural fibres make it nourishing to a baby’s senses.

Suitable from birth, with embroidered features and no small parts, this little friend makes a perfect present for a new-born or little one.

Or, if you prefer an adorable and cute elephant comforter there is just the one for you! Made from 100% organic Egyptian cotton inside and out and safe for little mouths.

organicelephantpink organicelephantblue

 

 

 

 

Perhaps your little one needs this cute cat comforter, or this bear buddy… choices, choices!

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What is so special about these baby buddies, is that they really do become best buddies – friends for life who share in the sleepy mumblings at nap time, and the chatty discussions about the dreams they just had in the morning… perfect!

 

New Rice Mice and Zero Zebra Yummies!

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Organic, Vegan and free from all 14 EU recognised food allergens… The products made by Rice Mice and Zero Zebra not only have fab names, but are utterly delicious and mean that even those of us with allergies, can enjoy treats!

zzc1506_strawb_barexping_sqrgb144dpi15cmUlula was actually asked by one of our wonderful customers to find this brand and make it available to them through Ulula because they had heard such good things about them, and we are so in agreement! As children with allergies, and now as parents with children with allergies, anything that helps an allergy sufferer to feel ‘normal’ is a most fabulous thing to have in your lives.zzc1508_pepperm_barexping_sqrgb144dpi15cm

So, it is a hard job for an Ulula taste tester, but somebody has to do it, and we can say, that hands down, the Zero Zebra Rice Choc Bar with Peppermint is the most minty, yummy chocolate we have all tasted this year – it is delicious, as are all the other flavours.

We asked Monika, the director and owner of Rice Mice and Zero Zebra what had inspired her to create this life changing brand for allergy suffered. As we expected – it is an inspiring, courageous and positive story, and here it is for you to enjoy too:

“In 2008, I founded Marthomi Allergy Free Foods in 2008 in Holland. One of my three children suffered from multiple food allergies and intolerances (milk, egg, peanuts, nuts, soya and many more). Back then, there were hardly any food alternatives, especially of the things that all kids love, like sweet treats.zzc1303_winter_comp2_phrgb144dpi10x7cm

I did a lot of market research and after long and careful consideration I decided to quit my existing career in order to spend all my time and energy on the topic ‘treats for children who suffer from food allergies’.

zzc1301_safari_pack_sqrgb144dpi_15cmI set my goals very high: The products had to be free from all 14 EU recognized food allergens, each product should be vegan, only organic ingredients would be used and these should be from fair and sustainable sources.

I insisted that the production environment should be professional and certified to best food production standards, it should be possible to scale to large quantities and cross-contamination of allergens should be excluded as far as possible. On top of this, the products should taste great, the packaging should appeal to the target market and the product end-price must be in a fair range.

rmb1502ricemice_oats_jpg_rgb_1506_d2 rmb1501ricemice_coconutquinoa_jpg_rgb_1506_d2 rmb1206ricemice_appleginger_jpg_rgb_1506_d2 rmb1205ricemice_cocoa_jpg_rgb_1506_d2 In 2008 (and even today) it was extremely challenging and ground-breaking to fulfil this list of requirements. I was told, more than often, by experienced international food production experts, that it is simply not possible to do all of this.

My enthusiasm and firm belief in my concept paid off and I found and convinced several partners to work with me.

In May 2009 I won a prize ‘Most Promising Innovative Entrepreneur’ at the Innobiz European SME Week 2009 in The Hague. zzc1302_school_openingcontent_phrgb144dpi10x7cm

The best and most fun part was the creation of new and suitable recipes. Towards the end of 2009 I finally had the first pallet of Marthomi’s first product: the Zero Zebra Rice Choc Bar Original, complete with all the attributes I set out to achieve and without compromising on anything!

zzc1507_zerozebraricechocbar_crispy_rgbThe company has two unique own brands  (Zero Zebra and Rice Mice) and we service our loyal customers throughout Europe.”zzc1505_original_barexp_sqrgb144dpi15cm

These wonderful products are perfect for ourselves, and perfect for presents too. They are exceptionally yummy and we look forward to you sharing with us how much you love them too.

And don’t fret – we know that you will be as happy as we are to hear from Monica that she has many more plans for these brilliant products in the future 🙂

 

 

Today is International World Pasta Day!

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Pasta has long been a favourite dish for children and adults alike; highly nutritious and a great energy source, served either with a vegetable sauce or just with some cheese, it is a quick, simple, delicious meal that we all enjoy. With gluten, or without, there is a pasta for each of us. To celebrate the special occasion of today, we have taken a look at what each kind of pasta says about you** but we leave the pasta shapes and the Mie Noodles to your imagination – let us know what you come up with 😉

Spaghetti: Warm hearted

If spaghetti is your go to pasta, you are csm_mais-reis-spaghetti_minikuerbis_gemuese_01_117f7f64d9warm hearted. You gravitate towards the classic and never fail to help a friend out. Choosing spaghetti means you are sympathetic and kind. You are also open-minded and sensitive, and you always listen when someone needs you.

http://www.ulula.co.uk/alb-gold-organic-spelt-spaghetti.html                 http://www.ulula.co.uk/alb-gold-organic-corn-rice-spaghetti-gluten-free-pasta.html

Penne: Easy goingalb-gold-organic-emmer-penne

If  penne pasta floats your boat, you are easy going. You are relaxed and do not have an anxious bone in your body. Even-tempered and mellow, your day to day life may get hectic but you never let that get in the way of things you truly care about.

http://www.ulula.co.uk/alb-gold-organic-emmer-penne.html

Rigatoni: Determined

csm_mais-reis-rigatoni_spinat_pilze_01_28a5780239If you like rigatoni, you are determined. Anything you set your mind to, you accomplish. There is no limit when it comes to what you can achieve. Your resolute outlook on life keeps you focused and gets you places.

http://www.ulula.co.uk/alb-gold-organic-corn-rice-rigatoni-gluten-free-pasta.html

Farfalle (for us the Pantacce Tricolour): Energeticalb-gold-organic-pantacce-tricolore

If farfalle makes your heart soar like the butterflies they are shaped like, you are energetic. Doing nothing all day bores you. You have to get out and experience life! If you like farfalle, you are active, spirited, and have a bubbly personality.

http://www.ulula.co.uk/alb-gold-organic-pantacce-tricolore.html

5. Gemelli: Creativealb-gold-organic-strozzapreti

If you are one with gemelli, you are creative. You have incredible original ideas and are artistic. You are innovative, original, and gifted. Choosers of gemelli are imaginative and resourceful.

http://www.ulula.co.uk/alb-gold-organic-strozzapreti.html

6. Elbow: Generousalb-gold-organic-einkorn-drelli

If elbow pasta is the one that you want, you are generous. You consistently show kindness towards others. You are always thinking about how you can do more for your loved ones.

http://www.ulula.co.uk/alb-gold-organic-einkorn-drelli.html

7. Rotini (Or in our case, Fusilli) : Fearlesscsm_buchweizen_mit_currysauce_02_cf54be97aa

If rotini is your one true love, you are fearless. You are bold, courageous, and brave. Your intrepid outlook on life allows you to live to the fullest. You are lionhearted and not afraid of anything.

Who knew! With this exciting new knowledge, you can enjoy choosing your pasta supper to match your mood!

http://www.ulula.co.uk/alb-gold-organic-corn-rice-fusilli-gluten-free-pasta.html            http://www.ulula.co.uk/alb-gold-organic-wholegrain-spelt-fusilli.html  http://www.ulula.co.uk/seitz-organic-gluten-free-buckwheat-fusilli.html

** http://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/what-your-favorite-pasta-shape-says-about-you/

Gluten Free Pasta for Kids

A new gluten free pasta for kids that isn’t just guaranteed ‘free from’ but is certified organic and comes in fun dinosaur shapes for younger children.

Gluten free pasta for kids by Seitz

Finding tasty gluten free food suitable for children can be a real challenge. That is why the Ulula team is so pleased to be able to stock this latest addition to our kids pasta range. Now you can buy top quality gluten free pasta for kids without having to worry, as this new pasta from Seitz is produced in a factory that doesn’t handle any food stuffs containing gluten. Seitz is a long established family owned business from Germany that has many years experience of producing gluten free products, pasta in particular.

Our new gluten free pasta for kids comes in the great dino shapes that have proven so popular in our non allergy-aware children’s pasta range. Now having a special dietary need doesn’t mean your child has to feel different to the rest of the family or friends when they come round for tea. And, of course, being certified organic you know your child isn’t going to be eating lots of chemical nasties with these fun pasta shapes – an important consideration when feeding kids with special dietary needs.

Seitz Gluten Free Pasta for Kids – on the Plate

The Seitz pasta shapes are made from organic corn flour and organic rice flour and have a slightly longer cooking time than you’d perhaps expect, around 11-13 minutes – just check and adjust cooking time to your preferred texture. Most importantly, and unlike many gluten free pastas for kids on the market, the Sietz dinos retain their distinctive shapes when fully cooked. So, no more sloppy mess that doesn’t appeal to anyone, let alone a young child!

Our taster testers were not only impressed by how these pasta shapes looked on the plate but also their taste. They all said their children enjoyed the mild taste that complemented a variety of sauces. Here’s one of our favourite comments:

“A great gluten-free pasta that my little one just gobbled up. It went down so fast I didn’t think he could have had time to taste it, but when I asked he said the dinos were ‘yummy’. Will definitely give him these again.”

The Seitz Gluten Free Pasta for Kids in Dino Shapes come in child friendly pack sizes of 250g and, depending on your child’s age and appetite, our testers suggest that would give your little one about five portions. Single packs cost only £2.29 and you can buy a multi-pack of three for £6.57.

Let us know how you find the Seitz gluten free pasta for kids. Why not send the receipe for your child’s favourite gluten free sauce or accompaniment and we’ll share it here with other parents.