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  1. What on Earth is Smell Training? The lyrics to the Passenger song ‘Let Her Go’ pretty much sum up what it is like to lose one’s sense of smell: You only need the light when it's burning low Only miss the sun when it starts to snow Only know you love her when you let her go Like so many things, until it is gone, we do not realise how much we need it. Perhaps after a global pandemic we might at last begin to no longer take anything for granted? I had Covid-19 in October and lost my sense of smell and taste for 24 hours, gi...
  2. How to make your very own Rosehip Syrup Brimming with Vitamin C... Now is the time to get out there and forage for rosehips. Pick a beautiful sunset evening and the well-being moments are priceless. I headed out with my pal, Amanda, with scissors and my favourite little upcycled basket. We filled a basket while chatting about all manner of things and appreciating our beautiful surroundings. Remember to leave enough hips for the birdies. Next job... wash and remove prickly bits. Next up, pop into a container and freeze overnight. ...
  3. Let's Get Real about Recycling! Another Recycling Week and the theme this year is 'Let's get Real about Recycling' How many years have we been trying to 'get real' so why haven't we? What is stopping us 'getting real'?By now most of us pretty much realise the threats to the planet- climate change, sea levels rising, poverty, inequality, plastic. But what really is the biggest threat to the planet? Our behaviour.... Overconsumption of products and our buying patterns directly cause climate cha...
  4. International Day of the Girl 11th October 2022 On the tenth year of International Day of the Girl, girls across the world are coming together to make their voices heard. Sadly, girls around the world have continued to face unprecedented challenges to their education, their physical and mental wellness, and the protection needed for a life without violence. COVID-19 has worsened existing burdens on girls around the world and eroded important gains made over the last decade. Investment in girls’ rights remain limited and girls continue to c...
  5. Happy Diwali It's been a long night of darkness in many parts of the world in recent years so celebrating Diwali this year becomes particularly significant. A triumph of light over dark and good over evil is most certainly in order. Wherever you are and whatever your beliefs I hope that Hope is still alive for you and that you can share in the blessings of freedom and enlightenment. Diwali (also called Divali or Deepavali) is a “festival of lights”. The name comes from Sanksrit dipavali, meaning “row...
  6. Dragonflies I have long loved Dragonflies. Even as a child they struck me as magical creatures. With their double wings, their speed, their exquisite flight control, and their iridescent beauty. I was captivated. When it came to my attention that we have Dragonflies featured on RainbowLife.co.uk in the form of an Essential Oil Diffuser Bracelet and a Hand-made Ugandan Greetings card I could resist no longer: blog time. Here are a few little-known facts about wonderful Dragon flies. Did you know for examp...
  7. Why wear a face mask with ties? I am a frontline worker, a teacher in a school for pupils with Special Needs. In most special schools in the UK staff are currently wearing face masks for protection in the communal areas but not in the classrooms as it could be too upsetting for the pupils. We end up needing to take our face masks on and off all day. I bought these SETU hand block printed cotton face masks with tie strings for Rainbow Life due to their practicality and because the purchase supports a self-help group of women...
  8. Scotland at the Bleeding Edge Scotland is famous for many things, some to be proud of, some perhaps not so much. Recently however the Scottish Parliament achieved a world first in the quest to end period poverty. In the words of MSP Monica Lennon: “No one should have to worry about where their next tampon, pad or reusable is coming from.” “Scotland will not be the last country to consign period poverty to history, but we have the chance to be the first.” (emphasis mine) This is laudable, especially from a small nat...
  9. A Good Partnership Genki Designs and Rainbow Life are two ethical businesses that share the same values and ethos. Both companies put a strong emphasis on the environment, inclusivity, fair trade and transparency throughout their supply chains. The partnership between Genki Designs and Rainbow Life makes perfect sense. Both our companies prioritise ethical and sustainable practices and offer products that are unique and one-of-a-kind. The partnership will allow customers to experience a range of eco-conscious a...
  10. A Beginner's Guide to Understanding Sustainable and Ethical Certifications How to decode eco-labels to make informed shopping choices... As more consumers are prioritising sustainability and ethics in their purchasing decisions, understanding the various certifications that indicate a product's environmental and social impact becomes increasingly important. This beginner's guide will introduce you to some of the most common sustainable and ethical certifications, helping you make informed choices when shopping for eco-friendly and ethically-made products.1. ...
  11. A Guide to Ethical and Sustainable Jewellery Shopping Discover how to make responsible choices when purchasing jewellery that respects both people and the environment... When it comes to purchasing jewellery, it's important to consider the effects on both the environment and the individuals involved in the production process. Unfortunately, the jewellery industry faces numerous challenges, including labour laws and mining practices, which are often overlooked by consumers. However, there are options available for those who wish to make ethic...
  12. Take Heart: Rainbows after Rain When my children were small I started a keepsake book for them in which I recorded quotes that I felt could guide them through life. On the very first page of that book I wrote a quote from Nicholas Nickleby which pretty much sums up for me all the guidance one would ever need… “Happiness is a gift. The trick is not to expect it but to delight in it when it comes and to add to other peoples’ store of it ” If we follow this, I advised my small children, you simply can’t go wrong. My eighteen ...
  13. Why Celebrate International Women's Day? Why We Celebrate International Women's Day: The Significance of March 8thInternational Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated annually on March 8th to honour the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. This day also serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality and women's rights. In this blog, we will explore the history and significance of International Women's Day.History of International Women's DayThe First International Women'...
  14. Wood Wide Web One of the most important things we’ve come to understand is that mycelium is a vast ecological network - a cellular network that has a far-reaching and significant impact on everything in its path. A mycelium network acts as a recycling mechanism that helps to nourish other members of the ecological community by recycling nutrients through the food chain from the earth to plants to animals. Some estimate that up to 90% of all land plants benefit from the underground mycelial network. This fu...
  15. A Guide to Ethical and Sustainable Swimwear As the weather warms up, many of us are getting ready for days spent by the beach or pool. However, traditional swimwear can have a significant impact on the environment and the people who make them. From the production and transportation of the materials to the treatment of workers, traditional swimwear can be harmful to the environment and social justice. Fortunately, there are ethical and sustainable swimwear options available that prioritize both the environment and social justice. Here a...
  16. Fair trade ? The Power of the Purchase The power of a customer’s purchase can have a meaningful impact on the world. Through buying fair trade goods and supporting organizations dedicated to promoting fair trade, as customers we can make a difference in the lives of producers in developing countries and help create a more sustainable global economy by making purchases that are labelled as fair trade. Fair trade advocates for paying producers in developing nations a fair price for their goods and, in certain situations, even provid...
  17. What is Vertical Agriculture? Agriculture is still mostly carried out in a "horizontal" fashion, that is, in vast fields that are obviously outside, despite the fact that it has tremendously evolved since its inception, especially in recent decades thanks to machinery and our current technologies. Space, soil quality, unfavourable weather, excessive sunlight, and the large number of pests that demand the use of pesticides are just a few of the drawbacks of this method of operation. These are sharply attacked by ce...
  18. A Guide to Making Your Travel More Sustainable. Cultural sensitivity and carbon offsets Many people now like travelling, but it's vital to think about how it affects the environment. The travel sector considerably raises global carbon emissions, from lodging to air transport. It's not all bad news, however. Fortunately, there are actions we can take to lessen our carbon footprint and honour the local customs when travelling. The idea of sustainable tourism and travel will be covered in this guide, along with information on carbon o...
  19. 10 Simple Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint Climate change is one of the most critical issues that we face today. It is a global problem that requires a collective effort to reduce our carbon footprint. A carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that result from our daily activities. These emissions are a significant contributor to climate change. The good news is that there are many simple and effective ways to reduce your carbon footprint. In this article, we will discuss ten easy and practical steps that you can ta...
  20. Empowering Artisans The modern world is full of mass-produced, low-cost goods. While they may be convenient, the production and transportation of these products have a significant impact on the environment and the people involved in their production. As consumers become more aware of these issues, many are turning to handcrafted products that are made with care and attention to detail. Not only are handcrafted products often of higher quality, but they can also support fair trade and economic development in deve...
  21. The Health Benefits of Playfulness Playfulness is an essential part of mental health. It can help to reduce stress and anxiety, boost creativity, and build emotional resilience. Psychologists suggest that adults should think of playfulness as a way to relax and have fun - not just something that’s meant for children.There are plenty of ways to be playful, from writing a silly poem to playing a game with friends. By taking time to engage in activities that are fun, you can lower your stress level and give your mind a break. Pla...
  22. FungiBrew At RainbowLife we are interested in all things good for us. So, we have been doing a fair bit of research into the benefits of adding fungi to the diet. It is often sought out for its immune-boosting and antioxidant properties... Mushroom tea is a popular and nutritious beverage that has gained popularity in recent years for its many health benefits. Made by brewing dried mushrooms, such as reishi and chaga in hot water, mushroom tea is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that can sup...
  23. What is community? Last Sunday a super group of people in my village organised what has become known as 'The Christmas Countdown'. This is essentially a fundraising event but also locals get a chance to do a spot of Christmas shopping, have a cup of tea and cake and catch up with friends. It has been running for a number of years and each year the organisers select different charities to support. This year we were supporting Alzheimer's Research UK and the representative gave an informative speech o...
  24. NOT Black Friday The environmental impact of Black Friday... As you can imagine, the soaring level of consumption on Black Friday and Cyber Monday inevitably leads to a huge amount of waste. From clothing to gadgets, shoppers across the world rush to purchase millions of discounted products that they may not really want. Once the ‘Black Friday buzz’ has worn off, these (mostly non-recyclable) items are more often than not discarded and end up in landfill. The attractive Black Friday discounts can be hard to...