GREEN EAST - Eco Friendly Products

Will it Sting?

2010-03-08T21:20:00.006Z

Have you ever used a hand sanitizer and found it stings when it enters at cut or a graze? If you have, then it probably contains alcohol. Alcohol is widely used in sterilizing hands and equipment.

The problem with alcohol is it has a tendency to evaporate too quickly, leaving it less effective.

Newgenn hand sanitizer uses natural plant extracts, which are effective against all kinds of bacteria and viruses, including MRSA, Norovirus and H1N1 (swine Flu) and yet contains no alcohol.
So when you’re thinking of using a hand sanitizer, try using Newgenn’s Foam Hand Rub or their Sensitive Wipes so you can be sure there will be no sting.

Organic Baby Products

2009-12-06T20:50:00.011Z

A new born baby is a prescious little bundle, and starting your new baby on Organic Baby & Toddler Products from day one is a wonderful way to ensure they stay that way for as long as possible.

From the day a baby is born they leap from the safe and natural environment of the womb, into a world where they instantly consume resources from across the globe. Babies and children are well known for being the least environmentally friendly amongst us. From cotton or disposable nappies to nappy cream, baby wipes, lotions, clothing, blankets, toys, carry cots, bubble bath, shampoo and much more. Most of these items come into contact with babies delicate skin on a daily basis.

There are dozens of fantastic site's online that give excellent advice on choosing reusable nappies with natural fibres, flushable liners and much more. But don't forget to carry soiled nappies home in compostable nappy sacks rather than regular plastic, and look for natural Eco laundry products like laundry liquid, fabric conditioner, stain remover, anti-limescale balls, dryer balls and more, to keep babies nappies clean and fresh while saving money, saving energy and reducing the risk of nappy rash and skin irritation often caused by commercial laundry products.

What about keeping your baby & toddler clean and fresh?...

From shampoo and bubble bath to toothpaste, nappy cream, baby wipes and more, Green East have sourced a range of essential Organic Baby & Toddler Products to ensure your baby is kept ...

Paraben Free
Artificial Fragrance Free
Alcohol Free
SLS Free
Toxic Chemical Free
Animal Testing Free

And free from any other ingredients listed as unsafe or not-recommended for use on babies skin. It is surprising how many baby branded products are not entirely full of wholesome, natural ingredients and can contain excess amounts of ingredients including some that are listed as "not advised" for use in baby products. This is not the same as "not allowed" or "banned" but ingredients listed as "not advised" are done so for a reason.

Bath time for babies can be fun, relaxing, soothing, lively, cleansing, organic and enjoyable with organic bubble bath while drying can be soft, gentle and antibacterial by choosing naturally absorbent bamboo towels, made with organic, unbleached fibres rather than the non-organic cottons, heavily treated with pesticides, bleaches and dyes, and often farmed under unfair trade conditions.

There are so many ways you can make life for and around your baby, much greener and healthier without changing your routine, by shopping on Green East Eco Store for the everyday little items baby is likely to need on a daily basis.

If you take the toxicity of products in the home more seriously, and are aware that artificial fragrances and alcohols in cleaning products can irritate respiratory problems amongst other side effects in some people, you might like to keep everything baby comes into touch with as natural as possible. Consider trying things like natural disinfectant for cots and high chairs, eco surface sprays for cleaning around the home, eco washing up liquid for washing older babies bowls and beakers, floor cleaners, window sprays, carpet cleaner liquids and more.

If you are unsure about any product on Green East and how it can help you and your baby, call the helpline and we will be more than happy to talk. We will not try and sell you anything unsuitable for your situation.

We would love nothing better than to see a world full of happier eco babies. Happier because there would be less nappy rash, eczema, asthma and a host of other ailments than can be triggered by non-eco products. We became 'Green East' beause We Care!

Green East - Eco Baby Products because a green world starts with a green home and a beautiful baby.

Christmas Shopping Day!

2009-12-04T11:51:00.000Z

Christmas Shopping at Vintage Deli Sunday 20th Dec 10am-7pm.

Helping you make a difference.

2009-11-21T09:29:00.001Z

There are many ways in which we can all help the environment, buying eco friendly products from Green East is just one of them. Is that car journey really necessary, could I walk or bike? Do I recycle as much waste as possible? Is my electricity bill as low as it could be, or can I reduce it more? The list is endless, but for every little effort you make you are making a difference.

When buying from Green East for instance, you know that the products you are getting have already passed the criteria of eco friendly, and the packaging is either recycled, recyclable or reusable. As a company we strive to keep our carbon footprint as low as it could possibly be. Oh and “yes”, we do use the products we sell. See our Green Policy.

Please don’t think ‘I am just one person, I can’t possibly make a difference.’ You can. We all can!

Sensitive Wipes

2009-10-23T14:41:00.012+01:00

Now we are getting a selection of wipes on site, I thought it a good idea to give you a quick overview so you can compare them side by side to help you choose the right wipes for the job...

Sensitive Wipes: All Purpose, Biodegradable, Flushable, Natural Ingredients. Use on hard and soft surfaces. Safe on broken or irritated skin. Safe to use around the eyes (not in the eyes). Antibacterial and Antiviral. Suitable for premateur and newborn babies through to the elderly. Suitable as feminine wipes - no sting!

Eco Baby Wipes: Natural Ingredients, certified organic ingredients, 100% biodegradable, hypoallergenic. Safe on sensitive skin.

Earth Friendly Kids Wipes: Smaller, flushable wipes for training toddlers. Also ideal for wiping sticky hands. Natural ingredients. Safe on sensitive skin.

All wet wipes shown on Green East are the most natural and gentle wipes you could use on yours or your babies skin. Allergy sufferers should always check the ingredients carefully. We display ingredients of all products on site to help you make the right choice.

Made with all natural ingredients and manufactured in the UK, the wipes help you keep your carbon footprint neatly on British soil.

Green East - Eco Friendly Products because a green world starts with a green home!

What is a Luffa?

2009-10-01T19:16:00.007+01:00

We put all our eco friendly products out on display at a recent exhibition. I was not surprised at the number of amazed reactions I received on explaining that an amazing little Washing Up Luffa is made from a plant such as Okra.

Many people still believe that because of the appearance of the luffa, it comes from some exotic sea creature.

The Luffa is really a vine which grows in tropical and subtropical areas. When the luffa's are picked, they are small, tender and edible in stir-fries and other dishes.

Some of the plants are allowed to go to seed. They grow considerably larger and tougher. When they are ripened, the ends of the luffa are removed, the plant is de-seeded (you can see the chambers where the seeds come from). What is left of the plant is cleaned and hung up to dry and what is left is divided for a variety of uses including bath luffas - which we are more familiar with - and washing up luffas.

In the Phillipines, people have traditionally used luffas for washing up, for hundreds of years. Michael's Luffa Farms have keps this tradition going and are helping to spread the word by providing Fair Trade luffas for sale around the world.

Unlike modern plastic scourers, luffa's are classed as eco products because they doesn't require complicated manufacturing processes, doesn't use toxic chemicals or components and is compostable. The luffa can be thrown into your bin, preferably your compost bin at the end of it's life.

Because the luffa is tough and sinewy, it lasts up to twelve months depending on how heavily it is used. It can also be washed in the Laundry Washing machine or dishwasher to keep it hygienic and fresh. The colour of the luffa is surprisingly durable too, even after curry, bolognese and other dishes that would normally stain a plastic sponge scourer or dish cloth.

Next time you put a used and tattered scourer in the bin - just remember it will stay there for hundreds of years.

We talk a great deal about reducing our carbon footprints, but we need to start reducing our carbon fingerprints too.

Green East - Eco Friendly Products because a green world starts with a green home!

100% Recycled Aluminium Foil

2009-09-27T09:53:00.003+01:00

How many times do we use certain products that shortly get thrown away, seeming pointless and adding to landfill because we needed something convenient?

Aluminium foil cannot change in it's purpose, nor the fact that it ends up in landfill, but what we can think about is it's 'life' rather than it's death - so to speak.

Aluminium foil has for many years been created from ore which requires extraction, shipping to the manufacturer, great heat to smelt it, manufacturing processes to create the foil, packaging, further shipping to wholesalers, distributors and supermarkets and finally, we use it once and throw it away.

The best option would be to use containers that can be washed and re-used over and over. But occasionally, we find the need to enjoy a Sunday roast, pack a picnic or store food in the fridge that we don't have the right shape container for.

Using 100% recycled aluminium foil helps in several ways...

No extraction of raw materials is needed.
Less shipping is required to get used materials to the plant.
70% less energy is needed to smelt the used aluminium.
Packaging is also 100% recycled and compostable.

So as it's Sunday - enjoy your roast today and simply bookmark Green East for when you next need some 100% recycled aluminium foil.

Green East - Eco Friendly Products because a green world starts with a green home!

September Success

2009-09-23T13:57:00.005+01:00

This month we have been busy increasing our Eco Laundry range and attending shows. We exhibited at The Green Build - Felbrigg Hall on 12th & 13th and sold-out on many items over two exhausting and enjoyable days.

We definately enjoyed meeting customers face to face at the event and look forward to being there again next year with even more to offer.

Kay then exhibited on the 18th at Gressenhall's Over 55's Days to Remember" event. Again a busy day with lots of enquiries and a great big thank you to Kevin of 'Ethical IFA' for helping at the stall on the day.

We hope to be back on track with newsletters and special offers for November and start planning towards the coming celebration season, so look out for gift packs and ideas arriving on site between now and the end of November.

Green East - Eco Friendly Products because a green world starts with a green home!

Your Hair Looks Great!

2009-08-24T12:37:00.013+01:00

We all just love to hear the words "Your hair looks great!". Men and women alike, whether it's from a partner, friend or even a chat up line, it always makes your day to receive a complement.
Organic hair care is the new WOW factor for hair and are some points to consider when you next buy shampoo...

The Marketing Angle
Hair care is a massive market with big brands and thousands of products to choose from, but with today's media and seductive advertising, it's easy to get drawn into believing that Shampoo's with Herbal Extracts, Pro what ever's and "real" essential oils are all the best thing since sliced bread and will make us look irresistable. Tea Tree Shampoo may contain natural tea tree extracts and essential oils, but what else does it still contain?

I Knew That!
What many people know is that you should change your shampoo regularly to prevent "build up" from leaving your hair dull. If you wash your hair and it is clean - what is there to build up?
Having used almost every "suitable" shampoo on the market over the years, my personal experience was that the more the advertising claimed it was GOOD for my hair, the more it made my hair dull or wiry and my scalp itchy, irritated and flaky. Dandruff shampoo's being the worst, leaving me feeling like I wanted to wash my hair again to get rid of the wiry feel and the pungent smell they left behind. Great for their sales, but not for my hair.

Which Shampoo Next?
I eventually started looking into ingredients that shampoo's contain and was horrified to find that Sodium Laureth Sulphate (a detergent) found in Shampoos, soaps, bubble baths, toothpastes including children's products, was originally listed as a garage floor cleaner and because of it's manufacturing process, can become contaminated with carcinogens. These following articles explain in more detail, the possible health effects of Sodium Lauryl Sulphate and Sodum Laureth Sulphate.

Smells Nice!
OK, so that explains how some shampoo's clean your hair, but what about smelling great too? Most commercial shampoo's contain fragrances simply described as "perfumes". They might smell like your favourite flowers, fruit or herbs but where to they really come from? This alarming article from the Natural Ingredient Resource Centre highlights some potential hazards not only to the user, but the potential harm to an unborn feotus too. TigerFlag Natural Perfumery provides list of harmful chemical perfume ingredients and their side effects.

That Foamy Feeling
Further more, foaming agents are added to give a further false feel of cleanliness. Many products including washing up liquid and toothpaste are marketed on the base that the Bubbles do the cleaning. The detergent does the cleaning but there are much kinder alternatives available. The foam is not a necessary part of cleaning your hair and actually makes it harder to rinse from some hair types, making skin irritation more likely with residue chemicals.

All these chemicals added together in a product are bound to cause irritation in many people, but even if they don't - what about the waterway when you wash them down the drain?

Don't panic!
I'm not about "Scare Times" just plain and simple information that can help you choose a way forward. There are plenty of healthy, organic and hand blended shampoo's on the market that AVOID all harmful ingredients and in doing so create a double benefit to you as the user and to the environment.

Faith In Nature's
Tea Tree Shampoo
Lavender & Geranium Shampoo (top seller)
Aloe Vera Organic Shampoo
Chocolate Organic Shampoo

Oh, by the way - Your hair looks GREAT!

Green East - Eco Friendly Products because a green world starts with a green home!
By using only Natural healthy ingredients, your scalp and hair can benefit from the therapy of real plant ingredients such as Nettle, essential oils like Tea Tree and organic ingredients like Chocolate for a real feel good factor.

Green East have selected a range of organic shampoo for a variety of hair types with a range of fragrances that leave you feeling hungry just thinking about them.

My Eco Me

2009-08-11T20:58:00.012+01:00

I wanted to call this one 'My Eco Bathroom' but don't stick to using certain skin care products only in the bathroom because I take some of them with me. Recycled toilet roll? Ok that stays in the bathroom as does the toothpaste, organic shampoo and hand wash but my deodorant, face cream and face wipes do move around with me.

I got up for a breakfast meeting last week and was going to be doing a one minute talk about my business to a room full of business people. I thought hard about what I was going to say as I washed my hair in Organic Shampoo, skipped the conditioner as I was in a hurry, brushed my teeth with Organic Fennel Toothpaste, washed myself in Natural, antibacterial Personal Care Foam because it's great for my skin, applied Organic Rosemary Deodorant, cleaned my face with sensitive wipes, again because it's great for my skin.

At this point - I decided to NOT apply any makeup, except for a little mascara as my eyelashes are fair. I wanted everyone to see me with unblemished skin and looking healthy. I didn't want to look like I'd covered up lots of blemishes with a pound of foundation, because I didn't have any blemishes.

I almost chose to make my speech about 'beauty - starting with healthy skin' but decided it wouldn't go down well talking about vegetarian skincare products while ladies wearing their glamourous, corporate made-up images, glared at me over sausage egg and bacon breakfasts. So decided to hold this one in my thoughts till I could blog it down here.

I know I'm not exactly a glamour model, I was born to freckle in the sun and developed the odd mole which even make-up can't disguise, but I still like to feel that my skin is healthy and glowing.

Face to face - every woman likes to feel they have nothing to hide or be ashamed of.

Applying make-up should be about enhancing your beauty, not creating it. Creating your beauty begins with a healthy you and, healthy skin and hair.

Just think about the number of products you apply to your skin and body in a day and think about what you can do to create a more natural you!

Green East - Eco Friendly Products because a green world starts with a green home!

My Eco Kitchen

2009-08-05T11:19:00.007+01:00

Although the media is currently saying that organic food is no better than other food, there is still a level of enjoyment and comfort that organic food brings. The comfort that pesticides have not been used to harm the environment nor been in contact with your food at any time.

I like to apply the same thinking to other products I use around the kitchen so here is an idea of how I have changed over to natural kitchen products in my home.

If I clean my kitchen worktops with a surface spray and then prepare food on those worktops, I like to know there are no harmful chemicals involved as well as protecting my worktops from harmful bacteria and viruses. When I wash my plates up, I like to use organic biodegradable washing up liquid to ensure no harmful chemicals have been on my plates or emptied into the water system. I also wash the plates, cups and glasses with a luffa scourer to reduce the amount of plastic used and put in landfill.

Other items I use in the kitchen include laundry liquid and fabric conditioner, recycled kitchen roll which actually comes in a compostable plastic wrapper and a kitchen caddy with compostable plastic caddy liners making it easier to compost scraps of food and vegetable peelings.

I clean the window with a microfibre glass cloth and NewGenn surface spray, I use the disinfectant concentrate to clean the fridge, the floor and other general cleaning or sping cleaning in combination with a general purpose microfibre cloth.

I bake cakes on the 'If You Care' unbleached parchment paper and wrap other food items in their recycled aluminium foil.

All these things I do in my kitchen are things I would do anyway on a regular basis. The only difference is, I have over time replaced all my regular products with eco friendly products without changing my lifestyle or routine.

Going Green does not have to be difficult and every little change makes a big difference in time.

What can you do to make your kitchen more eco freindly this month?

Green East - Eco Friendly Products because a green world starts with a green home!

Little Thinks make Big Change.

2009-07-25T09:19:00.005+01:00

American Airlines saved $40,000 in 1987 by eliminating one (1) olive from each salad served in first-class.

This was the message I received in a fun email from a friend which got me thinking...

We need small changes like this to make a big difference to our Earth and Environment. In the long run, many people making small changes will have a bigger impact than a few people making big changes.

Just imagine if one corporate company ensured that all their drivers used correct routes and saved a mile a day. Over the space of just one year - big savings in fuel and CO2. What if they all did the same? Imagine they did this and used fuel treatment too!

Dipetane Fuel Treatment gives an Average 10% saving on fuel, 25% less emissions and 50% less smoke. Even if millions of private car owners used Fuel Treatment, the chages could be beneficial to the environment. Put it in the heating oil, lawn mowers, motor bikes and more and now the changes become phenomenal!

If every household turned off one extra appliance over night and saved even 2p each night. Those 2p's add up across the country every day as a large reduction in CO2.

If everyone purchased one product more consciously to reduce packaging, imagine the difference to landfill. If only half the people did it but purchased three items each week with less packaging than their normal options?

Apply the same thinking to your household for water, the use of chemical based products, body products and more...

Global Change is about more than just global warming! Even if global warming was not an issue, there is still the landfill, water pollution, pesticides and the survival of bee's, air pollution regarding health degradation and more... Green East helps make these little changes more easy.

You may not feel that making a little change here and there adds up to much, but when you consider the olive - you realise that every action counts because...

A Green World starts with a Green Home!

3 R's of Going Green

2009-06-27T21:45:00.007+01:00

Three little words that you can use every day to help the environment...

Re-use - we are familiar with making the most of carrier bags, charity shops and many other items from recalimed timber to .

Recycle - again, ensuring paper, card, metals, glass and other items are turned into new items and turning food waste into compost is everyday thinking. Don't forget traditional crafts such as patchwork and mosaic for recycling torn or broken items.

Refuse? - this is often overlooked as a Green word, more than we realise. We constantly think of what we 'can' do to go green, but often forget what we should 'Refuse' to do. When shopping for example...

Refuse to buy items in plastic trays or bags, especially fruit and veg.
Refuse to buy items made from plastic if you can buy an alternative in wood or metal
Refuse to buy food from abroad if you can buy the same locally
Refuse to buy electronic or battery operated items for convenience and only buy what you 'really' need.
Refuse to support slavery and buy fair trade items.
Refuse to buy airosols and use surface sprays, roll-on deodorant, natural wax polish or any alternative instead.
Refuse to buy new containers every time - Concentrates and refills are great at cutting down on packaging and save money too.
Refuse to buy 'everything' from major stores and support local shops too. Especially your butcher, baker and green grocer.
Refuse to travel miles to buy something you can order online and have delivered on transport networks - this sounds less obvious but helps cut emissions and fuel consumption.

This only touches the surface there are hundreds of way you can Refuse and Go Green.

Spread the word and Refuse.

Green East - Eco Friendly Products because a green world starts with a green home!

Eco Gift Vouchers

2009-05-26T23:07:00.014+01:00

Choosing eco friendly gifts a nightmare? Choose an Eco Gift Voucher instead.

Giving and Eco Friendly Gift can be more thoughtful than giving money and can be completed in just a couple of minutes online.

No trapesing round the shops, adding to the carbon footprint or travelling on crowded buses. Your friend or loved one will not have to head into the local town or city to spend their vouchers either, they simply choose their gift from our Eco Friendly Shop online and Green East will post it to them.

With the ever increasing risk of money or cheques being lost in the post, or friends and relatives - especially children - getting more choosy, it's difficult to know what to buy people for occasions like birthdays, christenings, weddings, anniversaries, Mothers day and more.

No matter what the occasion - new baby, good luck, or simply get well soon - Green East can help out!

Now you can show them you do care - about the environment too.

By choosing an Eco Gift Voucher, your friends and loved ones can receive the voucher code by email within minutes (last minute gift) or Green East can print a voucher and post to you, that you can place in a card if you have more time to plan ahead.

Once the gift voucher is emailed or given, all your friend or loved one has to do is browse the site, place their choice of gift in the basket, enter the code, and the gift is already paid for by you up to the value you gifted. (postage additional)

They can choose one gift of equal value, they could choose several smaller items or they could purchase on more than one occasion as the remaining gift credit will stay on their account for a whole year. It is their choice how they spend the money, or they could add more money to purchase something more expensive of their choice.

Just imagine how simple it is for you and the gift receiver - and how special a Eco Gift Voucher is compared to money or cheques.

Green East - Eco Friendly Products because a green world starts with a green home!

Flu-Virus Don't Catch it!

2009-05-02T00:38:00.021+01:00

This message should be as viral as Flu

Make sure you share it as freely as a common cold.

Not only because of the recent outbreak of Swine Flu but any form of Flu, MRSA, E-Coli, Noro-Virus, Hep C, C-Diff, T.B., HIV, and many other bacteria and viruses because they also relate strongly to some of the information below.

Unsurprisingly to some, the Swine Flu has jumped from a single case to over 800 cases in the UK in just a few weeks. Now the talk in the media is about a global pandemic.

Certainly the Swine Flu is not proving fatal, but I will place a certain bet that anyone who has caught it feels fairly rough and run down - and would probably rather not have caught it if it could have been avoided.

The point is...

Prevention is Better Than Cure!

Antibacterial Wet Wipes Antibacterial Foam Hand Rub

NewGenn Hygiene Products kill...

Flu Virus including - Swine Flu, E-Coli, MRSA, C-Diff, T.B., HIV plus other bacteria and viruses.

NewGenn is made from natural ingredients and is "completely safe" to use around babies and pets at home.

Safe and kind to skin.

Make NewGenn part of your daily hygiene routine for home and personal hygiene.

Prevention is better than cure.

Green East - Eco Friendly Products because a green world starts with a green home!

How many ways are there to 'Go Green'?

2009-05-01T23:03:00.012+01:00

There are so many different ways of taking action to Green up at home or at work that it's no wonder people get confused and think that if you can't achieve it ALL then why bother.

We all love a bar of chocolate - right? Of course.

But if you were offered a single square of chocolate, would you refuse on the grounds that if you can't have it all then you don't want any?

Of course not!

So why treat Going Green that way when we can approach it one square at a time and actually enjoy it more than if we pigged out on it and felt sick afterwards.

Of course, going totally green is not likely to actually make us feel sick, but preaching about it by "deep greenies" can leave some people feeling a little sick of hearing about it.

Deep Green people are great - I envy them as they never get sick of doing what's right and enjoy every moment of it. But how do we all do that, when it's not what we were brought up with?

One step at a time

Choose an area that you feel you can change most easily in your life, that at this moment is probably the least green part of your life.

Read up about it, learn what impact your current actions have, what you can do to improve it and what effect that action will have.

Once you have integrated this change into your life and it becomes more comfortable and natural, start another challenge.

One of the first and most obvious things people think of is Recycling but here are a few others to think about and choose from - from simple walking more to more complex ideas for you to research further...

Recycling - is important to reduce landfill and the use of raw materials.
Fuel efficiency - helps the atmosphere and conserves resources.
Energy efficiency - helps the atmosphere.
Organic Food - Reduces destruction of top soil, environment and health hazards.
Oranic Fibres - for clothing. Reduces destruction of top soil, environment, health hazards and eventually landfill.
Buy Local - Helps reduce food miles, supports local farmers, helps local economy.
Walking/Cycling - Reduces Carbon Footprint, improves health.
Ban Plastic Bags - Reduces Landfill, reduces risk to wildlife, reduces toxins
Compost Food Waste - Reduces Landfill, Improves garden soil organically
Reduce Beef Consumption - Reduces CO2 and Water used in farming. Some beef is OK. Local Organic if possible.
Save Water - use less in showers or baths or re-use for organic gardening
Organic Gardening - Food grown at home is the most eco friendly, tasty and healty of all.
buying Fair Trade - encourages growth of poorer communities and ensures cruelty free.
Chemical Free - Reduces environmental impact and improves health from food to toothpaste and any other item in the house or used at home from wipes to creams and shampoo's. Avoid SLS's, Alcohol's, Solvents and others. Lots to research!
Don't Fly - unless it's absolutely necessary, drive, train, boat or holiday more locally.
Nappies - Washable are best! Biodegradable are better than plastic. Try avoiding Gel filler too.
Buy Recycled - sounds obvious but it's easy to recycle and forget when shopping to look for recycled items from shoes to packaging.
Wear a Jumper - on cooler evenings and in winter, more clothing is better than more heating.
Buy less toys - Children with everything are very Un-Green. Children love old boxes, tins and wooden spoons to play with. Imagination is the best learning tool!
Dry clothes outside - use the tumbler less and reduce CO2 and energy consumption.
One Pot Meals - Cooking peas in a steamer over the potatoes is better than heating two pans. Cottage Pie, Casserole, Soup and any other one pot meal is also good. Home made of course.

I can't go on any more - I've reached my chocolate quota for the day but I hope you understand where I am coming from. Tackle one thing at a time and soon you will integrate each of these things into your life style and realise - Wow, do I do that much to be green?

Green East - Eco Friendly Products because a green world starts with a green home!

Hygiene V Antibiotics

2009-04-27T19:22:00.009+01:00

With the recent news about Swine Flu making a global journey, the news makes it obvious that easy travel has a great deal to answer for. Animals and plants are restricted across borders, but humans are free to go where ever and when ever.

It has become well known that you don't drink tap water in certain climates and holiday makers take appropriate precautions on holiday to drink safe water. At home we know to treat meat, salad and cheese with certain precautions to avoid food poisoning. It only takes the same level of precaution to reduce the risk of catching colds and flu viruses.

Around half of Flu cases are caught by touching the eyes and mouth with the infection on the fingers and hands. This is picked up in public, in the home or in the office quite easily from any surface that has been contaminated by a cough or sneeze or by someone with contaminated hands touching the same.

This simple fact simply implies that improved hygiene should drastically reduce the chances of catching flu from surface contact. On the other hand, chemicals and antibiotics leading to Superbugs have led people to believe that hygiene is often the cause of more problems that it cures.

People excuse hygiene by saying that over cleaning reduces our immunity to many things. Agreed, plus when chemicals are used to clean, polish, descale and disinfect the home, they are often toxic and cause other problems on top for example dermatitis, asthma and allergies. They are unsafe to use around babies and pets and often unpleasant to handle and shouldn't be used near food.

Alcohol cleansers and hand rubs kill bacteria and viruses in under a minute. Alcohol however dries on the hands in around 15 seconds - before it has had time to kill some of the more deadly bacteria. It stings in cuts and causes dermatitis when used regularly. You wouldn't use it on a baby!

This means people are taking chances and catching unnecessary Flu and colds then end up taking antibiotics instead. Sure not every case can be avoided for example if someone sneezed directly nearby in a closed environment, many cases can still be caught by airborn viruses.

Antibiotics begin by killing the weaker bacteria and viruses first and then gradually the stronger ones. By the time we have finished a course of antibiotics, any remaining bugs that reproduce are more robust and this is what leads over time to super bugs. This also accounts for the antibiotics used in farming and the resistance that animals and humans are building to them means it is even more important to take every precaution against catching flu and colds to begin with.

NewGenn is a very simple solution. Technology made from a single natural plant provides an antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal cleanser and disinfectant in one that kills even MRSA "on contact". Because NewGenn does not contain alcohol or solvents, it does not dry too quickly, helping break the microbial cycle more effectively and making it kind to skin.

NewGenn was designed for hospital use on premature babies and therefore is absolutely safe to use around the home and on the whole family. Medically approved, NewGenn is available in concentrate, wipes, foam hand rub, foam hand wash and more making it easy to apply to home and personal hygiene for the whole family.

Because NewGenn so versatile and is Chemical Free, it radically reduces the number of chemicals you need to use around the home, making it a healthy hygiene routine. Used in combination with microfibre cloths it makes the perfect eco-friendly cleaning option.

I know from personal experience, given the choice between using a safe and pleasant cleaner/disinfectant to protect my family and the choice of catching colds and flu - risking antibiotics in the long run - I'd choose NewGenn every day.

To see what NewGenn products are available, visit www.greeneast.co.uk/eco-hygiene.html

Green East - Eco Friendly Products because a green world starts with a green home!

Loyalty Points and New Products

2009-04-06T20:08:00.010+01:00

Green East have now added Loyalty Points for every pound spent on any product on site.

Each point is worth 2p and redeemable against future purchases.

A 'Write a Review' option has been added. Now customers can share their experience of shopping with Green East and about the products they choose. This helps future customers make more informed choices and helps them to enjoy their shopping experience to the full.

With even more products online from Organic Soaps to Eco Household Products, there's something for everyone.

Green East - Eco Friendly Products because a green world starts with a green home!

Making Green choices difficult for you?

2009-01-28T20:55:00.008Z

It's amazing looking at my last post and thinking "My how time flies!"

It's just as amazing how quickly money dissappears and changes happen in life. Children grow so quickly and the seasons pass in the blink of an eye. One minute you are passing your driving test, the next you are saying "I've been driving 20 years without an accident." (providing that's true :-)

Why then do we all think we can wait till next week or next month to make the changes we need? Either personal or life changes, financial changes or even Global changes.

When I think back thirty years and realise words like DVD, microwave and catalytic converters were words of the future along with ideas like Global Warming, co2 pollution, melting ice caps and many other features of our changing world - it's worrying to think how much more things will change in the NEXT thirty years!

As making changes means making choices and that is very difficult or time consuming for many people, that is why Green East have already done all the research into these eco products to ensure they do help the environment, reduce health risks and in many cases help save you money too.

The only choice you have to make is spoil yourself and try one out.

Once you get started on these eco friendly products you will come back for more!

Green East - Eco Friendly Products because a green world starts with a green home!

Hygiene at Home and in Hospital.

2008-11-13T23:01:00.008Z

It can be tough looking after family, especially when close or extended family are ill or in hospital. It's times like these that we realise just how fragile they are and how valuable, protection and hygiene can be.

Going Green doesn't have to compromise hygiene and thankfully with NewGenn's range of hygiene products made with natural plant oils (not essential oils) it is possible to provide protection the best protection while still using eco friendly products.

The foam hand rub is an ideal pocket size, allowing hand protection where alcohol is not your preferred method of hygiene.

The wet wipes and personal care foam are great as a gift instead of flowers, helping loved ones to take care of their own hygiene, caring for wounds as well as protecting hands, for refreshing their face and even asking their visitors to clean their hands too.

When children are ill at home, again the wet wipes can be soothing as well as providing protection from the spread of germs and the foam hand wash is great for encouraging young children to be responsible for their own hand hygiene.

When sickness hits home, the all purpose antibacterial surface spray can be sprayed into the air to decontaminate, wait one minute then spray the surface area to be cleaned. It can be used to clean all hard and soft surfaces around the home from work tops to toilets while the disinfectant concentrate can be used in a bowl of water, mop and bucket, damp cloth or even carpet cleaner, ensuring excellent protection for your entire home.

Green East - Eco Friendly Products because a green world starts with a green home!

CLEANING up your Budget...

2008-11-07T20:48:00.013Z

Often it can be simple choices such as, choosing an all purpose cleaner instead of ‘multiple bottles and sprays for different jobs’ that can reduce your cleaning bill. You can save over £200 on buying new spray bottles every time if you use the right cleaning concentrate to refill your existing bottles.

This also has a very positive impact on landfill issues. By choosing a concentrate made with natural plant ingredients and free from harmful chemicals - you are protecting your family, your budget and the environment.

Did you Know? Each litre of NewGenn's Disinfectant concentrate makes 100 litres of all purpose antibacterial cleaning solution. That’s enough to refill the spray bottle 200 times!

Green East - Eco Friendly Products because a green world starts with a green home!

DON’T WASH! Think hygiene...

2008-11-07T20:45:00.008Z

A total of 80% of people wash their turkeys before cooking them, increasing significantly the risk of food poisoning, according to a 2007 survey by the Food Standards Agency.

The Agency warns against washing meat because harmful bacteria could easily splash from raw meat and poultry to worktops, chopping boards, dishes and utensils. Germs that cause food poisoning can also linger on surfaces for days.

To read the full article from the Food Standard Agency..... [click here]

Have you considered using eco hygiene products in your kitchen?

Green East - Eco Store because a green world starts with a green home!

London Pollution

2008-10-26T10:24:00.012Z

It's not often I get the chance to head towards London, but yesterday on the way to Windsor, we skirted around the M25 and caught a glimpse of North London burried under a grey smokey looking haze. It was visibly obvious that this cloud was not part of the natural weather system, but a fog of pollution that hung over built up and industrial areas with clear skies above the grey pillow of pollution. Views in other directions were perfectly clear, the sun was shining and the traffic moving smoothly...

That is apart from the quick actions of traffic police a little earlier. A traffic annoucement sign stated "animals on road" and a police vehicle meandered across the three lanes to stop traffic. About six cars back, we could see police vehicles blocking all three lanes and officers then carried and animal across from the central lane to the grass verge. Imagining it as a deer, fox or badger, we were assuming it was a corpse causing hazard to the road users. I was most shocked as we passed to see the officers still fussing over a Golden coloured labrador that had it's head up and was clearly alive. I hope it's injuries weren't too serious and recovers soon, but well done to the rescuers.

Traffic moving smoothly again round the M25, we continues talking about the pollution and joked about waking up in the morning, opening the window, taking a deep breath of fresh air and "coughsplutterchoke..." taking in all that smoke. That's what makes us realise - it's not just about the future of the planet, it's about the health of the people that live here now. People with asthma, migraines, cancer and other health conditions minor or chronic that are aggravated by pollution.

Diesel smoke contains more known carcinogens than cigarette smoke and yet we still continue to see more and more traffic on the roads. This is not going to stop and we have no intention of preaching to people about not using cars and lorries, our economy would fall apart without them and in an era where knife crime, muggins and violence is as much of a threat as our cave ancestor going out and getting clubbed, people feel safer in their own cars than on trains and buses.

Dipetane Fuel Treatment

All we want to achieve is to make people aware that there is an option available that can be used in their existing vehicle, petrol or diesel, to help reduce smoke by around 50% and greenhouse gases by around 25%.

Pour Dipetane into the fuel every time you fill up! Just squeeze in the right amount while you have the cap open at the pump and job done and because Dipetane achieves this reduction in smoke and emissions by allowing the carbon in the fuel to burn more completely - some customers also report better vehicle performance, more power and improved fuel economy.

Visit Green East to find out more about Dipetane Fuel Treatment and do something simple that truly benefits the environment, your pocket and your vehicle.

Green East - Eco Friendly Products because a green world starts with a green home!

Help a mosquito go green

2008-10-18T23:58:00.016+01:00

I hope this post puts some insight into how Green East is stocked with such wonderful products and such reasonable prices.

I have always been one to glance around any shop or website - then take a sharp breath at seeing the price of my chosen goods. My only consolation is in having excellent taste but sadly never getting to leave the shop with my dream goods through lack of budget.

On the other hand, choosing something because it is cheap, often means that's exactly what you get - cheap! Jewellery that turns your skin black or green. Electricals that spark and fade rather than putting a spark in your life and so on. This is why I have learnt over the years to look for best possible quality but within a price range I can afford rather than just buying cheap.

Through unusual (fated) circumstances I have come across some excellent products that fit my super charged sense of spotting quality - but without the excess expense and fancy packaging.

This is what GreenEast is about. Quality green products that don't cost the earth.

I recently heard a saying said to be by Anita Roddick "If you think you aren't big enough to make a difference, try going to bed with a mosquito in the room."

Help this little mosquito from East Anglia Go Green by telling your friends and family about our environmentally friendly products - that don't bite!

Green East - Eco Friendly Products because a green world starts with a green home!

Welcome to Green East

2008-10-15T00:09:00.013+01:00

Welcome to the Blog of Green East.

A quick intro to Green East - we offer Eco Friendly products in our online store that are normally associated with your weekly household budget, plus some items to pamper your self.

We aim to make our site and blog informative, to help you make the right choices in going green.

Please help us by giving feedback for any Eco Products you have enjoyed using or found helpful, or about Green East's service and delivery. All feedback helps future customers to make the right choices too.

Green East - Eco Friendly Products because a green world starts with a green home!