December’s Top Picks

It’s December already and Christmas is just around the corner. We have been busy at Healthy Living London, creating our Christmas Wish Lists for things we’d love to unwrap under the tree, to help inspire others to find that perfect pressie. We also have a few things that we love and own, that we’d like to share with you. December’s monthly favourites range from advent calendars, hot water bottles and shampoo & conditioner. If you haven’t done your Christmas shopping, hopefully December’s top picks will inspire you.

Here are our December’s Top Picks

Divine Dark Chocolate Advent Calendar

What better way to kick-off our December round up than with a delicious, vegan, fair trade advent calendar from Divine?! Each mini chocolate shape is made with skilfully harvested cocoa beans from Kuapa Kokoo, a fair trade co-operative of loud-and-proud smallholder farmers in Ghana. 

What we love about Divine is that it is the only Fairtrade certified chocolate company which is 20% owned by the cocoa farmers themselves. Whilst fair trade values mean that the farmers receive a better deal for their sought after cocoa, this part ownership of the company gives farmers a share of the profits too, as well as a stronger voice in the cocoa industry worldwide.

You can buy the Divine advent calendar online at TraidCraft – the original fair trade pioneers in the UK. TraidCraft advocates for the importance of organic farming, sustainability and transparency to the lives of growers and artisans around the world. 

Find yours at Traidcraftshop.co.uk for £4.99

~ Lizzy Silverton

YuYu Long Hot Water Bottle

I was gifted the YuYu long hot water bottle only a week ago, but I love it so much already that I wanted to include it in December’s monthly favourites. I believe that a YuYu would be a wonderful Christmas present for anyone who feels the cold, like me, or for anyone that suffers from pain, as the YuYu can be used as a natural heat therapy. The new YuYu bottle even has the ability to be used as a cold pack too! Half-filling with cold water and popping the bottle in the freezer, the YuYu is versatile and useful.

I love my Nautical Sky Stripe pattern (my dad is a sailor!). The material is washable, 100% cotton and the bottle is Sri Lankan grade A natural rubber, which is biodegradable! The thoughtfully designed cover has a strap that allows you to tie the YuYu around your body, meaning you don’t have to carry the bottle. ( I wouldn’t advise this one for children, as the strap could be dangerous for little ones, however, YuYu have an awesome warm worm collection for kids… so cool).

I love mine. Find yours at yuyubottle.com

~ Hannah Cox

Nereus Body and Hair Care

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“We want our customers to have all the benefits of high-end products, without compromising their sustainable principles.” Nereus

Nereus London is a brand that I have recently discovered and love because they are eco-conscious, sustainable and importantly, their products smell amazing. Nereus was born out of the desire to create a luxury brand, that does not use plastic and this even includes using a plastic free supply chain! The plastic free products are made instead from recyclable materials, some of which are even biodegradable and can be thrown on your compost heap!

Just a few of the awesome highlights… Paraben free, gluten free, vegan, made in the UK, 100% BPA free.

I took my set with me on a weekend away (before lockdown) and both my partner and I used them as the organic fragrances are unisex. The scent is smokey and woody, probably slightly more masculine, but I like it. Plus, they have recently started selling an antibacterial hand gel which feels lovely and does not dry your hands out, like others.

These would make a great Christmas stoking present. Find yours at nereus.uk

The Gentlemen Baristas

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When I was offered the chance to have tea for two from The Gentlemen Baristas, of course I said yes! Forced to close their restaurants due to the pandemic, The Gentlemen Baristas are currently offering a selection of treats on Deliveroo.

The Afternoon Tea for 2 menu includes some of The Gentlemen Barista’s most popular cakes, coffees, treats and sandwiches made from the finest locally sourced ingredients. They also pop in a couple tea bags and a bag of their coffee beans; grounded if you want, to make your own coffee at home.

I absolutely loved mine. It felt like a little luxurious hamper and it cheered me up, during this lockdown! If you can’t get out, why not treat yourself and bring tea for two to you, to enjoy at home.

You can see the full menu at www.thegentlemenbaristas.com

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Got something you think we’d love? Send Healthy Living London an email to find out more.