I had a day off today and needed some pampering after working all weekend. So I told kindly asked our resident therapist Emma if she could fit me in for a few things, including this:
Each toe has a little jewel on and my big toes have nail art. Should be getting a manicure on Friday ready for a Halloween party!
Our skin plays a key role in protecting us against pathogens, but skin cells are permeable and substances can seep through and end up in our blood stream with ease. Just think of the nicotine patch which takes advantage of this to release chemicals into the body. It is estimated that the body absorbs 5lb of make-up chemicals a year. If your skin care products contain harsh or toxic ingredients then your skin will absorb them. Therefore we only stock products that contain mainly natural and organic ingredients.
Women who use make-up on a daily basis are absorbing almost 5lb of chemicals a year into their bodies, it is claimed.
Many use more than 20 different beauty products a day striving to look their best while nine out of 10 apply make-up which is past its use by date.
Dependence on cosmetics and toiletries means that a cocktail of 4lb 6oz of chemicals a year is absorbed into the body through the skin.
Some synthetic compounds involved have been linked to side effects ranging from skin irritation to premature ageing and cancer.
Richard Bence, a biochemist who has spent three years researching conventional products, said: “We really need to start questioning the products we are putting on our skin and not just assume that the chemicals in them are safe”.
“We have no idea what these chemicals do when they are mixed together, the effect could be much greater than the sum of the individual parts.” Mr Bence, an advocate of organic beauty products, believes that absorbing chemicals through the skin in more dangerous than swallowing them.
He said: “If lipstick gets into your mouth it is broken down by the enzymes in saliva and in the stomach. But chemicals get straight into your bloodstream, there is no protection.”
Warnings over using out-of-date lipstick and mascara have also been issued by the Royal College of Optometrists which believes such items are a “hothouse” for harmful bacteria.
Clio Turton, of the Soil Association, said: “Many women are using over 20 different products a day, bombarding themselves with hundreds of different chemicals. They should be asking themselves ‘is that eyelash conditioner really essential?’ ”
Among chemicals under scrutiny are parabens (para-hydroxybenzoic acids) which are preservatives used in products including soap, shampoo, deodorant and baby lotion. Traces of parabens have been found in breast tumour samples, although its link to the development of the cancer is disputed.
Body absorbs 5lb of make-up chemicals a year.
Our staff are on hand for free advice on our entire range of natural and organic body care products and make-up, including Dr Hauschka, JASON, Elysambre, Barefoot Botanical, Burts Bees and more.
In January 2009 The Leeds Guide held their annual Take-Away Awards. They picked six of their favourites from accross the city and pitted them against each other to determine Leeds best take-away. Guess who won….!
Leeds Guide, Wed 21 Jan-Thu 5 Feb 2009:
Having recently opened a big new store on Vicar Lane, Millies Fresh & Organic are one of Leeds’ foremost providers of, surprisingly enough, fresh, organic and locally sourced foods. Their shelves are stacked with health foods, herbal teas, and they even have a therapy room. We’re not interested in that though. What we were loving was their takeaway sandwiches, cakes, soups and buns. It might not be your traditional takeaway, but swear you can actually feel some of that stuff doing you good. They were kind enough to send over a variety of sandwiches (including their New Yorker – steak, cheese and onions – which has become an office staple ever since) a few cakes and even some pumpkin soup.
Our Favourite Dish
Their pork, turkey and stuffing pie. At least two of our judges agreed that it was “the best thing they had ever put in their mouth”. High praise indeed.Overall winner:
Topping our poll (probably thanks to that aforementioned pork pie) was Millies and their sandwich, pie, soup and cake combo. A healthier alternative to take-aways, and thoroughly tasty to boot. We spoke to owner Geoff about his victory.How do you feel about winning?
I’m delighted! We’re a family business, very much driven by customer service, and want to provide the best of everything – every product we use is the best we can find: meat from our local farmers, bread from our local bakers, and so on.Why should we go organic?
Organic, locally-sourced food is the way of the future. We’re about helping to save the environment, supporting local businesses and providing a means for people to buy affordable, healthier, tastier food.Why do you think your company won?
Fresh, organic food tastes better. We cooked the meat that we served in the takeaway ourselves – everything we use in a takeaway is from our store, so you know exactly where it’s come from and that it’s good quality.How does your business fit in with the city of Leeds as a whole?
City centres in general have suffered a decline in independent food stores. We wanted to provide Leeds with a store the like of which isn’t widely available in the North. Everything that we use in store is the best we can find.
We’ve been featured in the Leeds Shopping Guide Autumn/Winter 2009 magazine, a free magazine available to pick up at various locations throughout the city. In a section dedicated to the local, independent stores, Geoff answered a few questions in an interview with them:
Why Leeds?
We felt the city would benefit from a shop much more similar to what’s available in the south where you can almost do your weekly shop in mid sized lifestyle stores. Leeds has a varied customer base, we feel we offer something for everyone.
What’s your advice for leading a more healthy lifestyle?
Don’t try to eat a limited range of foods just because that food group is a healthy option, buy better quality from sources you either know about or can find out about. Enjoy your diet, but keep it varied.
I’ve been busy in the kitchen today baking lots of yummy treats for the people of Leeds! (left to right) All-Bran Loaf, Banana Cake, Chocolate Chip Flapjacks, Chocolate Brownies, Fruit Cake and Cherry Bakewell Cake.
Also at the back are our whole Large Christmas Cakes (3kg), Small Christmas Cakes and Banana Cake.
Call in for a slice and a coffee!
We’re delighted to be short-listed for the Leeds Guide Retail Therapy Awards 2009 in the Health and Wellbeing category. This category “aims to honour those who make us feel beautiful from the inside out”. Well, we would like to think that’s us!
As an independent organic, local Yorkshire produce and health food store we believe we can make you feel truly beautiful in a range of ways – our organic fruit and veg, local meats and wide range of supplements and minerals will certainly make you feel better on the inside (and maybe some of our home-made cake!). For the truly healthy our sports supplements will help boost your health and fitness. Our bodycare ranges (including Dr. Hauschka, Elysambre, JASON and Barefoot Botanicals) not only make you look gorgeous but protect and repair your skin. Our environmentally friendly household goods from Ecover will even make the planet a more beautiful place! Finally our resident therapist will certainly make you feel fantastic in our therapy room, with treatments such as our Relaxing Package (prescription facial and full body massage), waxing, Swedish full body massage, plus lots more
We are a Yorkshire family bringing that classic Yorkshire life – knowing the providers of fresh, local produce by name – to the city of Leeds, with a community-focused ethos. We would be very grateful if you would consider us for the Health and Wellbeing category:
On a rare day where we were both off, we decided to test the new bike and go for a little bike ride. We ended up doing about 10.5 miles.
We started off along the canal, heading west out of the city, but when we got to the Thwaite Mills Industrial Museum – the canal footpath was closed. While we stood looking lost a nice women came out and informed us it was closed for 20 weeks and gave us directions to get back on the canal further on. Unfortunately we didn’t get back on it and instead ended up going along the river. But then we found this gorgeous little spot for our picnic!
We headed back the way we came as the footpath in front of us was more like a jungle and a bit too extreme for our first outing. Thanks to an iPhone and Google Maps, we were soon back on the right track – heading towards Kirkstall Abbey.
We laid in the sun, had a flapjack and caramel slice then nodded off in the sun for a bit! And on the way back we found a pub for a quick drink in the beer garden!