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Yoga mats might have been a statement piece,only a few invested in to boast of an active lifestyle few years ago but today they are a staple found in almost all households. Be it seniors or the younger ones, almost everyone is making efforts to stay fit during these times and that’s how the humble yoga mat has become a thing of necessity. While the market is flooded with printed mats to help people express themselves, this trend is taking a toll on the environment. Digitally printed yoga mats are mostly made of EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate), TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomers), or at best PU (Polyurethane). All these materials are insanely harmful for the health of the planet and the people using them. Moreover, they start stinking just after a few uses and the worst, they curl around the edges! Traditionally, yogis have been practicing on soft dhurries that provide a limited but certain level of grip and cushioning--a great option for light exercises but might not tick all the boxes for heavy or fast workouts. That’s why, we set on some research and experimentation to find out which mats can keep us safe and are sustainable at the same time! Let’s find out: Masu Tattva Yoga Mat | Buy Now For so many people, the cause for looking up yoga mats is the need for cushioning. Tired of hitting palms and knees on the floor, yogis turn to a mat that would provide some relief during workouts. That’s where Masu’s Tattva Yoga Mat comes in. It’s made of jute and cotton, has a firm grip and is super easy to carry around,weighing just 0.9 kg (any other average mat weighs around 2 kg). Most importantly, it has an ideal thickness of 6 mm, which is great for cushioning. You can vacuum or spot clean this mat for best results. Check out its rubbery counterpart Masu Mudra Mat, which has jute woven in a herringbone pattern to avoid any burns after workouts. Both these mats look super earthy and pleasing to the eye. Price- Rs. 1,699  Juru Shakti Cork Yoga Mat | Buy Now Juru makes mats out of cork. Cork provides unparalleled grip and is naturally antimicrobial. It can be reversed and used on both the sides. Cork is pretty water, resistant so you can even use it on the beach side during travels. Juru’s Shakti Cork Yoga Mat can thrive during intense ashtanga sessions. It’s easily washable, recyclable, and biodegradable. The mat weighs 2 kg and has a thickness of 3 mm. We also appreciate the small logo printed in white at the corner of the mat. Nothing is worse than a large print on the mat staring at you during a workout. The price is inclusive of a sling to roll and carry your mat. Price- Rs. 2,999  Proyog Bengal Yoga Mat | Buy Now Saving the best for the last, we are in love with the Bengal Yoga Mat from Proyog. The mat is composed of two favourites, which are jute and pure rubber. It’s entirely recyclable and biodegradable. Free from PU, PVC, and all things nasty. Its rubber sourced from south India provides excellent grip and the 4 mm thickness makes it durable to endure years of usage. The jute keeps the mat naturally fresh and no, it’s not scratchy to touch. Cleaning the mat is super easy, just dust it off and carry on. We recommend this one if you are into heavier workouts as it won’t slip no matter how fast you do those mountain climbers! Don’t forget to check out their Channapatna Jod Yoga Mat Band with lacquer finish that snugs your mat in style to a roll size of your choice. Price- Rs. 4,499 (Sign up on their website to receive 20% discount on first purchase.)  All three yoga mats are amazing in their own right. Pick the one suitable to your needs and let us know about it in the comments. Till then, shop sustainable and stay safe.
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We are continuously looking for ways to reduce plastic based products in our household and whenever we come across something promising, we share it with you. Today, we bring three hacks to you, with a lot of excitement, to swap out the earth-damaging methods of doing our chores. Let’s jump right in: Dish Scrub Hack | Buy Now We abhor nylon mesh and microfiber dish scrub pads. They are too harsh for moderately dirty dinnerware and too ineffective for greasy cookware. We prefer natural scrub pads for the former and steel wire mesh for the latter, which you can find at any grocery store. If you are unable to find a natural loofah in a flat scrub format in local markets, then you can easily find it online. Prefer a one sided scrubber for soft handling? Look no further than this Old tree dried gourd loofah. You might have tried this for your body before, now it’s time to try it for your dishes!  Laundry Basket Hack | Buy Now Foldable laundry basket bags have a bad rep for getting bent and worn out after a few months of use. There’s a new way to store your laundry in an aesthetically pleasing and eco-friendly manner. Laundry baskets made of palm leaves or wicker baskets do the trick. Both are natural materials which add an earthy touch to your room. These are a far cry from the ugly looking digital printed laundry bags that would bulge on being stuffed with clothes. There’s an exceptionally sturdy but slightly pricey option if you are up for investing in a bigger cane basket with a lid. Made in Chennai, this laundry basket looks nothing short of a show piece.  Chopping Board Hack | Buy Now Plastic and wooden chopping boards not only cause harm to the environment but they are also a breeding ground for bacteria and germs. With just a few days of use, such chopping boards develop scratches. These scratches change colour and this discoloration is not just due to dirt, it owes to the bacterial growth in the crevices. We recommend using a marble board for easy chopping and cleaning experience. There’s no room for cuts from wear and tear on marble. You will just have to be careful about handling as it will break on dropping. It’s best to keep it on the kitchen slab itself. You could get this custom made from a marble guy in your vicinity or you could go for this beautiful Ellementry one that we’ve linked above. If you don’t want to invest too much, then you could use the marble chakla present in most homes in India.  Let us know if you found these hacks helpful. Do share if you have any hack that’s tried and tested for knowledge of other Redoers. Till then, shop sustainable and stay safe.
We are all feeling a little more hopeful at the announcement of vaccine trials and launches in a few places around the world. It gives us some amount of confidence to step out while taking precautions. A part of our precautionary regime has been to max our intake of immunity boosters. With much trial and error we have found some of the safest and most effective health supplements that you must try as normalcy is right around the corner. Let’s take a look at them. Kapiva Immune Care Juice | Buy Now If you want to start your day on a healthy note then Kapiva Immunity Care Juice would be perfect. This juice is to be diluted with a cup of water and consumed first thing in the morning as well as thirty minutes after dinner. It has the power of eleven nutritious ayurvedic herbs. Giloy, amla, tulsi, turmeric, ashwagandha, mulethi, and neem are some of the ingredients that keep infections and allergies away. What we love about this juice is that it has no added sugar.  Cureveda Ignite Immunity | Buy Now Cureveda Ignite Immunity has the goodness of spirulina, which is a blue and green algae found in fresh and salty water. It’s a superfood that provides the most essential multivitamins, iron, as well as protein. Besides improving immunity, it also reduces fatigue, increases endurance and stamina.  Bodywise Vitamin C Gummies | Buy Now What we kept hearing throughout the Covid-19 lockdowns is that vitamin C will strengthen your immunity and make you less susceptible to viruses. Though Bodywise recommends its gummies for skin health, we find it to be a fun way of consuming our daily dose of vitamin C in a sweetened manner. And it won’t hurt to have the hyaluronic acid in these gummies working wonders on your skin!  Upakarma Immunity Box | Buy Now You can gift this one or keep it, either way it won’t disappoint because it’s a full package to up your immunity game. The Upakarma Immunity Box consists of giloy juice, chyawanprash, ashwagandha capsules, curcumin drops, and ginger drops. The box comes with instructions as to how one can make a daily regime with these products. This five in one box is quite a bargain at Rs. 1,849.  Siddhayu Turmeric Yogue | Buy Now A turmeric latte better known as ‘haldi ka doodh’ is probably the most delicious way of increasing our immunity. Siddhayu is reimagining ayurveda by using only organic ingredients such as their premium quality Kashmir saffron. Apart from turmeric, it contains ginger, cardamom, black pepper, and cinnamon. Moreover, it’s fit to be taken by both adults and children.  All these immunity boosters will make sure that you are prepped to take that courageous step into the streets. Pick your favourite amongst these and get started on your immune journey. Till then, shop sustainable and stay safe.
It’s pretty regular that we hear complaints about the efficiency of plant based products. To put such claims to rest, we have curated 5 power-packed tried and tested vegan products. check them out: Dot & Key Illuminating Glow Detan Clay Polish | Buy Now This detan mask is hands down the best we have ever used in our lives. You have to put it on for 20 minutes and on washing it off, you will witness a difference of at least 2 shades of brightening. This will not work like bleach and change the colour of your skin. It will just bring out your natural and even complexion. Sandalwood and lemon verbena are the two magical ingredients in it that instantly remove stubborn tan. It’s also infused with kaolin and green tea to provide a wave of refreshment. Trust us on this, Dot & Key Illuminating Glow Detan Clay Polish won’t fail you.  Daughter Earth 100% Vegan Vitamin-E Lip and Cheek Tint | Buy Now Daughter Earth is known to combine new-age green biochemistry with ancient Ayurveda. Their lip and cheek tint is a mineral pigment that has a base of candelilla wax, which is a cruelty-free, plant-based alternative to beeswax. The vitamin E and vanilla extract in the tint fight damage done by free radicals. You must have observed that drugstore lipsticks cause drying and blushes make skin sort of elastic in a non-desirable manner. But since this tint is packed with shea butter, moringa, almond oils, the lipid barrier formed by them combats transdermal water loss. All in all, you won’t have to worry about rubbery skin or premature ageing when you are using Daughter Earth’s makeup.  Khadi Natural Sunscreen Moisturising Lotion | Buy Now This sunscreen is right out of our dreams. For so many years, chemical laden sunscreens have scared us to no end. So much so that we would lean upon aloe vera and coconut oil for heading out. Khadi Natural’s Sunscreen Moisturising lotion is the answer to all our woes. It is full of so many natural ingredients that we lost count. Sandalwood, aloe vera, almond oil, carrot seed oil, rose extract, saffron extract, kokum butter, ashwagandha extract, turmeric, cucumber extract, neem oil, papaya leaf extract to name a few. It’s a broad spectrum sunscreen with various SPFs. Pick the one depending on the sun’s intensity in your city.  Forest Essentials Body Mist Sandalwood and Vetiver | Buy Now Usually a deodorant or perfume would just give you a nice fragrance; however, Forest Essential’s range of body mists is different. These will not only scent you enough to envelop you for a few hours but will also hydrate and soften your skin. The body mist is prepared with natural Indian flowers, herbs, and pure grain alcohol. Vetiver cools, aloe vera hydrates, while sandalwood tones and purifies skin. What more could one want from a body mist?  Adrish Pure Bliss Rose Bath Salt | Buy Now Remember how royals are shown to be bathing in rose water in the movies? Well, that’s the feeling Adrish’s Pure Bliss Rose Bath Salt will arouse in you. It’s a quick, non messy way to exfoliate your body from head to toe. It sloughs off dead skin gently while revealing your natural healthy tissue. It will definitely make your skin look smooth, glossy, and plump. We also love the scent of their lavender bath salt. You will be confused which one to try first!  All these products are super compelling and you must try them to experience the power of plant based skincare. Let us know which one sounds the most attractive to you in the comments! Till then, shop sustainable and stay safe.
Christmas is right around the corner and Christian or not, chances are that you love the winter cheer and participate in all the festivities that come with the birth commemoration of Jesus. Don’t you love doing up the house in accents of red, gold, and all things that shine. We have curated a list of handpicked not so obvious decor items for this special day. So read on and find out what’s in store. Cork Candle Holders | Buy Now We suspect that this might be the most versatile candle holder we have ever come across. It’s made from production cork scraps of Functional studio and comes in a set of two pieces. They have recesses of two different sizes on the top and the bottom. The wider one fits a tea light and the other holds a taper candle well. You can even stack the two to increase the height of your candle. We are sure this will add charm to your Christmas eve. Price- Rs. 375  Dimpled Pourers | Buy Now Clay Ventures has made the cutest looking Dimpled Pourers to store that red wine you’re going to be sipping this Christmas. If you plan to cook up some winter delicacies, then you can fill the pourer up with soy sauce or glaze. But to be honest, we would love to display all the three warm colour variants in a cosy corner of our homes just as is. Price- Rs. 780  Stoneware Quarter Plate | Buy Now You might wonder why we are suggesting a plate for decor. Well, this plate is so beautiful that we want to put it up on the wall rather than eating on it. They describe this plate’s colour as a hue taken up by stone from a red cabbage coleslaw! Ain’t that a pretty picture to paint? Price- Rs. 1,500  Geometry Bunting | Buy Now We Indians love buntings, from birthdays to anniversaries, all of us have used them during our childhood. Perhaps, it’s time to revisit buntings in a new avatar. Move over disposable paper buntings and invest a little into something that will last a lifetime. These buntings are made of copper and painted in brass. We can already imagine them gleaming above those christmas lights and candles.  Eternal Romance Travel Tin | Buy Now We love tinned soaps, shampoos, lip balms, and now we are falling in love with tinned candles. 2020 managed to keep us cooped up in our homes for the better part of the year. But with vaccines coming in and boredom rising up, there’s no stopping us in 2021. Take this Eternal Romance Candle along on your next trip and make your experience as mesmerizing as the scent of this travel tin candle. It will remind you of an open fire set in the chilly winter. The base of rich amber is enhanced with fruity top notes. It’s made of natural, biodegradable, and non-toxic soy wax. But hey! Get them already for ChristmasFor is Christmas decor even complete without candles? Price- Rs. 685  We wish we could get our hands on all of these beautiful decor items but the budget cries out. We have picked our favourite, what about you? Let us know in the comments. Till then, shop sustainable and stay safe.
 This is the first time we are writing an article aimed at lifestyle brands attempting to be sustainable. There’s no doubt that formulating a product and building its manufacturing sustainably is a herculean task. But what’s equally daunting is the packaging that the product ends up in. Not only does it matter for the safe transport of the product, it also is the first impression and needs to look aesthetic when it arrives in the hands of the customer. A product’s packaging has so many components- the outer bag, box, cushioning material, fillers, wrapping, etc. The usual ones, i.e,. the bubble wrap, packing peanuts made of foam, plastic vacuum bags are all hazardous for the environment. Fortunately in 2020, we’ve seen plenty of innovation being done in terms of packaging that now we don’t have to suffice with substandard and harmful packaging. We’ve curated a list of tried and tested alternatives to non-biodegradable packaging items for you. Let’s take a look:
Recycled Carton Boxes | Contact What’s better than paper carton boxes? Recycled carton boxes! Pepaa provides just that and at a good price too. You can pack any lightweight item in these as they come in different sizes. Moreover, the boxes can be customised in terms of size and print. Corrugated Boxes | Contact Corrugated boxes are the heartbeat of packaging. So many items can’t be shipped without them and it is necessary to have them handy in all sizes. There are hundreds of manufacturers selling corrugated boxes directly to the consumer and we found an accessible one for you! Cotton Pouches | Contact This one is essential for clothing brands, for what feels nicer than receiving your clothes in a sung cotton pouch with jute ropes! They don’t come so cheap as they are made with pure cotton but they last a long time, so your customers will enjoy cherishing them for life! Compostable Food Packaging | Contact Plastic food containers have been a menace for as long as food delivery has been a thing. But it’sjust plain stupid to rely on disposable, non-biodegradable plastic when you have greener alternatives. With time and eco-consciousness, more solutions have been developed to combat plastic pollution. That’s why we have a one-stop solution for all types of green food containers made of bamboo, wood pulp, and corn. Paper Tapes | Contact Tapes are an anasumming element of packaging pollution and they are pretty much impossible to recycle or collect post usage. You will be happy to hear about this new trend of using water activated paper tape. Yes, you read that right! A tape which glues after getting activated by water. Get your hands on it now! Paper Bubble Wrap | Contact As much as it is fun to pop bubble wrap, we need to acknowledge that the fun dies in minutes but the plastic does not. We don’t need to use bubble wrap anymore even for glass and ceramics as craft based bubble wraps made of paper work perfectly fine to protect the fragile objects. Try them to believe. Biodegradable Vacuum Seal Bags | Contact If you are into a food business and you need to pack your artisanal granola or teas, then this vacuum seal bag is just perfect for you. Made of paper, these are biodegradable and can easily be sealed with the help of a machine. Biodegradable Poly Mailers | Contact Even the best of the sustainable brands fail to find compostable mailers, which won’t end up in landfills. These poly mailers are biodegradable and an answer most eco-friendly brands have been looking for. This one is a must have. We urge brands to go eco-friendly when it comes to securing products beautifully. Let us know if you are going the extra mile, in the comments! Till then, shop sustainable, stay at home, and be safe. 7/12/2020 0 Comments Make Room for Real HoneyThe news of 10 out of 13 Indian honey brands failing the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance test (NMR) should have shocked us too but honestly, it didn’t! We always had suspicions about off the counter packaged honey being adulterated since it just didn’t taste the same as raw honey from the forests or apiaries. The Centre for Science and Environment has concluded that sugar syrup was being used by these 10 brands in such a way that it would usually go undetected by tests, but the NMR could detect adulteration at a molecular level. CSE researchers selected 13 brands including Dabur, Patanjali, Baidyanath, and Zandu to subject them to tests that are required under national food regulatory laws to be labelled as ‘pure honey.’ Brands like Dabur are denying the study findings but we would want to steer clear of these dubious products. Thus, this is the perfect time to talk about some unadulterated, clean, and raw honey. We have picked 3 indigenous honey labels that we loved the most but we must say that there are plenty of options available online if you do your due diligence. Let’s dive right in to the sweet nectar: Kapiva Pure Wild Honey | Buy Now Did you know that wild honey is collected from forests and not farms? The wild kind is loaded with the best of enzymes, minerals, and antioxidants. It is neither pasteurized nor processed or heated. The brand cautions that since its honey is 100% natural, its smell, taste and colour depend on the flowers that the bees have visited. But doesn’t that add to the charm of wild honey all the more? Price- Rs. 284 for 250gm  DYU Pure Raw Honey | Buy Now DYU Pure Raw Honey is tried and tested by many as it has been around for several years. It is extracted from the honeycombs and is devoid of any processing. Go for this honey if you are looking for a mild antiseptic or a boost to your immune system. Price- Rs. 360 for 225g  Jamun Honey | Buy Now We have heard about single-origin chocolates and coffee but single-origin honey is new to us! Jamun Honey is made from the flowers of Jamun tree. It is comparatively less sweet than any other kind of honey. Jamun has been used as an ayurvedic ingredient for centuries so that makes Jamun honey an excellent bio-enhancer. Price- Rs. 549 for 250gm  All the three honey brands are decently priced, given the assurance of purity that they offer. We would love to know if you will make a shift from off the shelf honey to these. Let us know in the comments. Till then, shop sustainable, stay home, and be safe.
11/11/2020 0 Comments Celebratory CeramicsSweets, namkeens, snacks, and lots more—eateries make it to the top of everyone’s wish list Diwali. In turn, beautiful platters and saucers become quintessential to perk up the table decor in front of guests. And then, the modern Indian wants everything that’s slightly class apart and not run of the mill. That’s why, we have curated a list of three ceramics at three different price points for this Diwali. Let’s take a look: Curators of Clay Dinner Plate | Buy Now Curators of Clay—isn’t that a super cool brand name? At least,wWe think so! They release products in small edits and the dinner plate we like is from their September issue. It’s a slightly deep, wide plate for having hearty meals. The rims make it perfect for Indians who love eating with hands. The plate has a gorgeous green glaze and dark rims. Price- Rs. 1,350  White Hill Studio Platter | Buy Now This Diwali ceramic list would be incomplete without a snack plate, isn’t it? Whether you wish to serve snacks and finger food or display an assortment of scented candles, the Homecoming Deodar Platter is a sight to behold. The platter is handpainted with an image of tall Deodars reminiscent of the forest and mountains. So, this Diwali, if you can’t be in the mountains, why not bring them to you? You must go through White Hill Studio’s entire range as they have an extensive range of options for you! Price- Rs. 1,450  Mudslingers Ramen Bowl | Buy Now Calling friends over for dinner and making ramen or pasta? If yes, then we have the perfect thing for you. Megha Rawat at Mudslingers is a young potter who makes these uber cool pieces. While she has some amazing mugs, plates, and trays to offer, this ramen bowl clearly stood out among the rest. It’s so cute and peaceful looking with those heartwarming eyes. Price- Rs. 1,600  All of these wares are pretty affordable and value for money keeping in mind that they are all skilfully made by hand. Let us know which of these you like in the comments. Till then, shop sustainable, stay home, and be safe.
We have already talked about gifts for your friends and family members but now it is time to graduate to the most important gifts, i.e., gifts for yourself! While we definitely suggest treating yourselves to a lot of edibles this Diwali, we thought why not also look at a few things that are more long lasting than food items. Let’s zip through our curation of gift items just for you! Mud and Moon Banaras Soap | Shop Now Mud and Moon has launched an entire collection of plant-based soaps for Diwali retailing for Rs. 1500. It has four distinct soap bars with unique composition but we have a favourite and that is the Banaras Stripe! It has layers of beautiful rose clay, french red clay, indigo, multani mitti, turmeric, charcoal, and chocolate clay. Add to that, it is infused with essential oils of eucalyptus, cedar, pine wood, and lemongrass. Bathe with Banaras Stripe on the D-day and emit the most Indian earthy scent! Mud and Moon does not have a website yet so you will have to DM them on Instagram to place an order.  Anavila Dhanak Tunic Set | Shop Now A yellow flowy kurta in matka silk is right out of our Diwali dreams. It belongs to Anavila’s latest collection of festive suits and sarees called Dhanak. Thankfully, the set consists of a matching top and bottom otherwise finding matching pieces to complete a pair can become a nightmare sometimes. The best part about this tunic set is that it goes well beyond the festive season and can be worn with or without layers according to the season.  Krithaa 10 Paise Cufflinks | Shop Now Men often struggle to find something beyond regular shirts and khakis for themselves every festive season but we have found a perfectly interesting gift for all the daring men out there. It’s a pair of cufflinks from Krithaa, a homegrown jewelry brand. The 10 paise coin is made out of brass with an oxidised finish and can be easily tucked on to your full sleeves shirt for an elevated look.  Burnt Soul Ikigai Saree & Blouse | Shop Now If you are committed to wearing sarees on festive occasions, then this one’s for you. It’s a vibrant saree in coral colour with intricate dabka work and sequins. The Ikigai blouse complements it the best for a day look and you can find it here. But if you are looking to make a glittery statement, then you can go for a shimmery blouse in silver sequins to amp up your look.  Brass Tea Strainer | Shop Now Are you a simple soul who would rather be wearing something simple and sipping a cup of tea this Diwali? Then, we have just the right thing for you. It’s a brass tea strainer worth Rs. 499 only. But don’t judge the gift by its price, the golden coloured strainer will add the right amount of twinkle to your peaceful evening.  We are excited to know which of these gifts appeal the most to your senses. Let us know in the comments. Till then, shop sustainable, stay home, and be safe.
6/11/2020 0 Comments Celebration Drinks in Eco Glasses!For so many of us, celebrations are incomplete without drinks (of various kinds). So we’ve rounded up for you a list of 3 glasses at 3 different price points to decorate your festive season even further. Cast a spell with the right ones for this Diwali or Bhai Dooj! Read on: Nicobar’s Old Fashioned Glass | Buy Now This Mediterranean style old fashioned glass is sweet for cocktails as well water. It has a natural green tint which looks oh so gorgeous! The look of this glass will add to the freshness of your drink. What’s best is that it is made from glass recycled in Spain! You can complement this old fashioned glass with a decanter made from recycled glass as well. Find it here. Price- Rs. 650  Kavi The Poetry Art Project Glass Set | Buy Now If you are a vodka fan, then this one's for you. It’s visibly made from recycled Absolut vodka bottles. The set comes with 2 glasses and 1 tall glass with Absolut’s logo. These are sturdy, safe, and hygienic to be used as well as gifted. Price- Rs. 699  Ellementry Neve Sage Cup Set | Buy Now If you are not the wine and beer drinker and your celebrations are incomplete without tea/coffee, then we have got the perfect set of mugs for you. The 4 cups in the set come with a lid and are made of ceramic. The lids can be used as coasters as well. The set comprises of two beautiful designs. Moreover, the set comes in a reusable wooden box that’s stunning in its own right! Price- Rs. 1,790  Indulge guilt-free in these eco-friendly and mindfully packed purchases and let us know which of these suits your needs the best? Till then, shop sustainable, stay home, and be safe.
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