

Your Title: Top 20 Easiest Vegetables & Herbs for Beginner Gardeners
Perfect for Small Gardens, Raised Beds & New Zealand Backyards Starting a garden shouldn’t feel complicated — especially when you’re just beginning. The trick is to choose crops that are easy to grow, forgiving, space-efficient , and suited to New Zealand’s climate. These 20 favourites tick every box and are ideal for small gardens, raised beds, and even patio-friendly spaces. Home-Grown Vegetables - Are The Best! Growing your own vegetables at home is one of the simplest way


Discover the Top Benefits of Attending a Soapmaking Workshop
Top benefits of attending a soapmaking workshop:
n many workshops, participants craft beautiful soaps rich in texture, color, and natural toppings like botanicals, clays, or herbs. The structured setting allows you to ask questions and receive hands-on guidance, helping you understand each step with confidence. You’ll leave the class not only with your own handmade creations but also with a sense of pride and a new hobby to enjoy and grow.


Foraging Tips: Discover the Wonders of Elder Bush Flowers in Season
Learn how to forage for Elderflowers and Elderberry and free downloadable recipes!


Fragrance - Warning!
Did you know many women wear around 85 chemicals on their body everyday?


🌿Neem: The Natural All-Rounder for Pets, Gardens & Homemade Soap
It’s that time of year again — warm days, cool days, and everything in between here in the South Island. With the unpredictable summer weather come those unwelcome little visitors: the bugs that bother our pets, nibble our gardens, and sometimes find their way indoors. One ingredient I’ve relied on for years is neem . It’s one of those beautifully versatile, old-world remedies that fits perfectly into a natural home and garden. 🌱 What Is Neem? Neem oil comes from the seeds o


This made me cry.......
I’ve had ‘problem’ skin for about the last 16 years, with very sensitive but very oily skin, leading to my fair share of acne.


Facial "the Kiwi way"!
Kiwifruit for a Facial!


Shampoo.. Why pay for water?
That's right.... Liquid shampoo is just that, soap mixed with enough water to create a liquid you can squeeze out of a bottle! The word shampoo comes from India champu meaning to massage. The Indians used soapnuts (Sapindus) boiled and mixed with herbs to create a soapy lather which left the hair soft, shiny and manageable. My first memory of liquid shampoo is Egg Shampoo and VO5..... maybe even with Farrah Fawcett Major advertising Wella Balsam with her beautiful hai


The Butcher, the Baker, the Candle Stick maker..... where have they gone?
I don't think we really understood the importance of individual stores making their own products, being able to go to your local town or nearby town and wander into each store, having a chat to the owner, sampling their wares, knowing that majority of the ingredients would have been sourced locally and having your goods wrapped in paper and string. Well the Soap maker is back! Why do I love making soap for myself, my family, friends, and, of course, those who choose to buy


ECO TIP OFF THE WEEK!
It's amazing how inventive people become when they choose an eco option. To look at an object and think now "can I use this item again in another way before just throwing it out?" Oranges, Oranges, Oranges....... I love oranges! New Zealand Oranges are absolutely beautiful.... juicy, sweet and leave a fresh taste in your mouth. I've swapped using Bananas in my smoothies to Oranges, adds fibre, naturally sweetens it and is super refreshing! If you use lots of oranges and
































