Little Green's CBD : Unwind Candle

As we kick off the new year, finding new ways to improve our hectic lifestyle and reduce stress, we're making a priority. Here at The Amazing Blog, it is no secret that we are huge fans of CBD, as it helps relax our minds and improve our focus. Regular readers will know we’re also big fans of scented candles, so when we received the UNWIND Candle by CBD wellness brand Little Green's CBD, we knew we were in for a treat.  

Little Green's CBD was founded by former personal trainer and model, Sasha Green. Having worked for over ten years in these professions, he noticed the stressful impact they were having on both his body and mind. Sasha started using CBD products on his journey to find a holistic way to help deal with stress, sleep, and recovery, but his experience was not exactly what he was hoping for. With his research and difficulty to find top-quality CBD products that also offered full transparency, it inspired him into creating his own brand, Little Green's CBD. Sasha explained, "Little Green's CBD was created with the main focus on being high quality, and where each product had a specific purpose." The brand has a range of CBD products that include candles, oils and a balm, where each is aimed at targeting a specific need. The candles have been developed to promote a sense of calm and help de-stress, the oils, one for the day to combat stress and anxiety, and the other to be taken at night to improve sleep patterns, and the balm to relieve pain and revitalise overworked bodies. Both the candles and oils are made from the broad-spectrum distillate, which is THC-free and uses the whole plant to retain the full-plant synergy. Sasha himself has benefited from using the products and commented, "These CBD products have helped me immensely and have become an integral part of my self-care routine." The emphasis here is on the importance of full transparency, as they work with a certified government supplier, and all their products are developed and tested in the UK. The brand also conducts thorough in-house testing at its factory and sends all products to a third-party lab for further testing. They also work closely with hemp plant farmers who avoid using pesticides, which means the CBD will be additive-free, with a more natural and sustainable growing approach. The company works towards safeguarding the environment by using a more eco-friendly extraction method, and through their partnership with One Tree Planted This charity aims to help with global reforestation, they plant a tree for each product sold. We were also happy to hear all their products are made from natural ingredients and are vegan-friendly and cruelty-free.  

The UNWIND Candle is made from 100% eco soy wax and is infused with CBD to soothe the mind and body. Soy wax, derived from soybeans, known to be an excellent carrier oil. As a natural and renewable resource, soy wax is biodegradable and has a lower melting point than other waxes commonly used for candle-making. This difference means that soy wax candles will burn cleaner and longer, and emit less black soot than other candle composites. This candle uses a natural hand-made cotton wick, which also means it burns longer and emits less smoke. The infusion of 1500mg of broad-spectrum distillate allows the candle to harness the soothing and healing plant powers of CBD. When this candle is lit, and the fragrance fills its surroundings, the CBD here offers benefits such as boosting mood and promoting a sense of relaxation and relieving insomnia. The candle also includes a blend of essential oils with holistic and aromatherapeutic properties combining tobacco absolute, lemon, mint and jasmine – which create a warm and comforting oaky scent. The tobacco fosters an enriching and energising aroma which has been proven effective in relieving symptoms such as mild depression. The zesty lemon oil fights fatigue and listlessness, and the refreshing peppermint has uplifting qualities with compounds that promote muscles relaxation. As for jasmine essential oil, it's believed to relax the nervous system while also improving mood and wellbeing. For those looking for new ways to integrate CBD into their lives, this candle is perfect, as the CBD is not ingested, so the effects are more gradual as the candle disperses its scent into the atmosphere. Let us explain; as this CBD infused candle burns, the uplifting aroma from the CBD and essential oils stimulates the cell receptors, transmitting tranquil messages throughout the nervous and limbic system (the part of the brain that regulates emotion). Burning a candle is a great way to unwind and promote a feeling of calm and serenity, so adding CBD into the mix only further enhances these positive effects.

By lighting a candle, it offers a soothing and intimate ambience, which is precisely what we all need to start this New Year by feeling calmer and stronger. This CBD infused candle's burn time is around 30-35 hours, but we suggest trimming the candle wick around ¼ of an inch to make it last longer. Remember that you should only snip the wick when it is completely cool and always clean off any smut or remnants. This hand-poured 20cl UNWIND Candle (with 1500mg CBD) is available for purchase directly from Little Green's CBD website here are now on offer at £29.  

The Cool Projects : Mood of the Day Box of 7 Soaps

With Christmas just around the corner, spirits are high and keeping that festive mood going is just what we are looking for, that, and of course, finding the perfect last-minute Christmas gift. At The Amazing Blog we couldn’t resist this Mood Of The Day: Box of 7 Soaps by The Cool Projects, these are a set of 100% natural soaps, beautifully designed with feel-good themes that helps keep the festive mood going.

The Cool Projects is founded by Greek designer Marina Koriolano-Lykourezou and her artist life partner Giannis Zagorianakos after they moved to the island of Aegina from the hectic city of Athens. What they found there were lots of olive tree groves, and a beautiful environment, which would later spark their business idea. Living in Aegina brought Marina and Giannis closer to nature, prompting them to create handmade, natural cold processed soaps using the traditional Greek method of production. In 2013, they began their business journey with the launch of their soap company, Cool Soap. In a recent interview with Greece Is, the co-founders explain how they wanted to develop a “local product that could travel”, and their soaps, made from Aegina extra virgin olive oil and other natural ingredients, reflect just that. Greece is known for its olive oil, and it’s one of its top agricultural exports. Their goal is to “produce a series of quality natural handmade Greek olive oil soaps with respect to nature, people and animals.” Cool Soap has gained an international cult following and expanded to become the brand The Cool Projects, that we all know and love today. Under this umbrella are four collections, Body, Bath, Kitchen and Lifestyle.  The Cool Projects team work in collaboration with skilled artisans from Aegina to produce not only handcrafted soaps but also bath and home accessories ranging from ceramic cups to cutting boards.  The Cool Projects company, as a whole, values the importance of craftsmanship, high-quality designs, “natural handmade products, and an effort to sustain small traditional workshops.” The Cool Projects also works to respect the environment by reusing and recycling as much as possible and only using natural ingredients. 

The Mood Of The Day: Box of 7 Soaps is a part of ‘The Mood Series’ collection which has soap bars, soap flakes and shower gels. The idea for this product stemmed from a collaboration between The Cool Projects and graphic designer Iliana Alexandrou. They wanted to create the ideal gift by providing customers with natural and colourful soaps presented in unique packaging. These offer a range of olive oil-based soaps in seven different colours and scents to help improve specific moods, hence the name. What we like about these seven soaps, is that you can use one for every day of the week for a different positive affirmation. As we near Christmas, being able to choose a desirable mood to improve our day sounds like the best way to let the festivities commence! Each of The Mood Series soaps represents a different mood, curious, happy, loved, sexy, calm, relaxed, and lucky. 

As these soaps are all made with olive oil, they’re rich in antioxidants with anti-ageing properties and are packed with vitamins that leave skin moisturised. They use palm oil which they reassure us is from “responsible sources” see here for more on this. Plus a blend of carefully selected essential oils which are coloured with natural pigments and oxides to match the given mood. For the yellow ‘Curious’ mood soap, it is scented with rosemary and sage essential oils. Some studies have found that rosemary essential oil can increase brain activity and combat tiredness, and sage has been known to clear the mind and fight fatigue as well. The orange ‘Happy’ soap blends citrus fruits and rosewood essential oils together to create an improved mood. Citrus fruits harness the power of vitamin C to help combat depression and drowsiness, and rosewood essential oils have sedative properties that allow the body to calmly deal with stressors. The pink ‘Loved’ mood soap purposefully combines jasmine and bergamot essential oils to encourage a warm, loving feeling, as jasmine has been linked to acting as an aphrodisiac and bergamot is believed to help the brain release dopamine. The ‘Sexy’ red soap is scented with ylang-ylang and bay essential oils, known to promote sensual energy. The jasmine and lavender essential oils found in the blue ‘Calm’ soap accurately depict this mood, as they help relax your nerves to relieve stress. As for the ‘Relaxed’ mood soap, it’s a combination of lavender and chamomile essential oils that creates a masterful cocktail for relaxation. Lavender and chamomile are some of the most well-known essential oils for promoting a sense of calm and fighting both depression and anxiety. Finally,  ‘Lucky’ the green mood soap, is composed of lavender essential oil, which eases stress and boosts your mood, and eucalyptus essential oil, known to stimulate and revitalise your mind and body. 

Their stylish packaging is also very pleasing with the white canvas-looking background paired with the playful and colourful imagery exclusively designed by Iliana Alexandrou, with a character holding the ‘mood’ like a present. We think these are perfect for those looking to create a positive affirmation and good energy, making this box of 7 soaps the ideal gift for all. They also offer a single soap where you can select any specific mood which makes the perfect stocking filler at €4 each, see here. You can purchase the full set of The Mood Of The Day: Box of 7 Soaps on their website here for €22, or you can buy here in the UK for £18.

H Drop CBD : Sixty Moments

As the festive season gets underway, are you getting enough sleep? Perhaps you’re burning the candle at both ends.  Or maybe you’re lying awake feeling anxious about the spread of the new Covid variant. Well, at The Amazing Blog, we’d like to make a suggestion, to try these rather aptly named ‘Sixty Moments’ from one of our favourite and trusted CBD supplement brands, H DROP.

H Drop is a Dutch family business whose story began in the 19th-century when their great-grandfather Rochus Sliupas started his medical practice fighting cholera and tuberculosis outbreaks. Today, his great-grandson, also named Rochus, continues the family tradition of working in the wellbeing sector. Only this time, it’s with hemp-based full-spectrum THC-free CBD supplements. H Drop’s range currently comprises four CBD oils and two CBD capsules, and they conveniently have a CBD dosage calculator if you’re unsure of the amount to take. H Drop uses only 100% organic hemp, sourced from European fields and extracted in German/UK labs, with an ISO 9001 certification and manufactured under the HACCP  guidelines. This means that they comply with the strictest standards of processing raw materials, quality control, packaging and distribution of the products. Where they have perfected one of the most advanced extraction methods with CO2 chromatography technology. The CO2 extraction means that the CBD is a raw oil and not extracted at high temperatures, ensuring that the enhancing properties of the plant are not damaged. This method also allows them to detect and carefully remove 99.9% of THC molecules from the naturally extracted full-spectrum oil. The H Drop extract still contains all the beneficial cannabinoids (CBN, CBV, CBG, CBC), myrcene, limonene, pinene, humulene, flavonoids (apigenin, quercetin, cannaflavins) and other terpenes which are found in hemp leaves, except for the intoxicating THC. You can also see their laboratory results here. The range is deemed suitable for everyone (although not vegans/vegetarians, as the capsules are made from bovine gelatine!) The packaging is simple and made of recycled cardboard and filled with hemp fibre. There’s also a nice touch with Braille on the sides, translating their motto of Hemp (fully organic), Help (GMP certified) and Health (CO2 extracted).

Sixty Moments’ capsules are a little stronger at 25mg of full-spectrum CBD than the other 10mg Sixty Breath which we reviewed a while back.  Although with the same ingredients, these have been specifically “created for those seeking precise and stronger dosage.” We took these to help improve our sleep patterns – anything to stop those 4 am brain scrambles that poke us awake. These, of course, are made worse at this time of year, with the series of late nights, followed by super-early mornings at our desks. Striving for better quality sleep and balance, these offer a potential solution done by taking some ‘Sixty Moments’ - and mindful moments - stop, breathe and clear the mind. CBD interacts with the serotonin receptors (these play a role in regulating our mood) and is thought to help promote a more positive mental state and a healthy functioning nervous system. The organic hemp oil in each capsule has the bonus of omega 3, 6 and vitamin E. The hemp oil contains cannabinoids that ease anxiety and help to reduce the symptoms of depression. The essential fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6, are also known to improve memory and work to protect the brain and the nervous system and can work as an immune-enhancing supplement if taken regularly. Therefore helping to improve mood and enhance sleep quality

They suggest dividing the dosage evenly with 1, 2 or even 3 times a day. Swallow don’t chew and gradually increase the dose if needed but never exceed 200mg of CBD per day. The bottle contains 60 capsules (1,500mg) which offer approximately a 30 days supply. As they say, the amount of CBD you take will depend on several factors such as body weight and chemistry, the condition you’re treating and the concentration of CBD. For us, it was trying to regulate our sleep patterns, so we took two capsules at night and two during the day (total of 100mg). As we’re old hands, it only took a few days to kick in. It gave us a sense of calm, and so far, to quote H Drop, “no more anxious days and restless nights.” They are a little pricey, but worth it for the quality of the ingredients. To purchase H Drop: Sixty Moments 60 capsules for €89, see here.

Purdy & Figg : The Original Citrus Hand Sanitiser Spray

Now with Omicron, yet another strain of COVID-19 on the rise, it’s even more critical to keep hands clean and sanitised. And at The Amazing Blog with how often we use hand sanitiser, it’s a must to have one with a good fragrance too. This is where Purdy & Figg's Original Citrus Hand Sanitiser Spray comes into play. Plus, we love their coordinating Refillable Atomiser, making it even more convenient to carry hand sanitiser in our party bags this season.

Purdy & Figg is a company that was founded in pursuit of reducing "the number of toxic chemicals that we use on our skin and plastic waste around our homes." NHS nurse Purdy Rubin and horticulturist Charlotte Figg shared this passion and began experimenting with creating natural cleaning products for the home. When cold and flu season rolled around, these founders wanted to create a solution, "For a better, bacteria-killing and moisturising alternative to the toxic mass-produced hand sanitiser gels found everywhere else." Beyond their passion for finding good, natural products, they have helped others discover ways to make their own products. Purdy & Figg held "workshops to share their knowledge with others on how they could create great products at home, to save money and to help the planet." Purdy & Figg remains a family business with Purdy's sons now at the helm, and Charlotte & Purdy still creating new sprays and products. 

The Original Citrus Hand Sanitiser Spray is an effective sanitiser and made with 70% pharmaceutical grade alcohol and safe, pure essential oils. This spray has a sweet orange, pink grapefruit and niaouli flower scent, making it smell infinitely better than your standard hand sanitiser. For a sanitising product, it's impressive that there are only a few key ingredients: pharmaceutical grade Isopropyl Alcohol, Hamamelis Virginiana (witch hazel), vegetable glycerin and three 100% pure essential oils. Witch hazel is a popular ingredient in skincare due to its anti-inflammatory and bacteria-fighting properties. Vegetable glycerin is Non-GMO and vegan friendly, and this ingredient is essential in helping the skin stay smooth while retaining moisture. This hand sanitiser has proven to kill 99.9% of bacteria. What we love is the uplifting fragrance of pink grapefruit, sweet orange, and the aromatic niaouli flower essential oils, which are energising with anti-depressant and naturally anti-bacterial properties, making them a winner. The essential oil niaouli will probably be new to our readers, it’s a relative of the tea tree plant with many similar healing benefits which is why it’s probably used here. It has sweet camphorous like top notes and undertones of eucalyptus, blends particularly well with the other essential oils pink grapefruit and sweet orange.

Purdy & Figg packages their products in sustainable glass bottles with the option to purchase refills. They even created a 15 ml refillable aluminium atomiser spray bottle in vibrant colours of red or blue (suitable for spotting quickly in a handbag!) With any of the four preferred Purdy & Figg sanitisers, fill up this container to have a stylish yet practical (and sustainable) way to carry your favourite sanitiser. Made of aluminium and glass this reusable container is small and convenient, allowing you to keep it unobtrusively in a pocket or in a tiny party bag.

We’re big fans of hand sanitiser sprays, as they’re easy, quick-drying and less fiddly to use than their gel cousins. Simply spray this Purdy & Figg sanitiser onto your palms then rub your hands together to ensure complete coverage and take in the beautiful scents of the essential oils. There are four fragrance blends to choose from with Floral, Woody, Frankincense & Myrrh and Citrus. Oh, and we must mention that they were voted best hand sanitiser of 2020 by ITV This Morning! This is another one of our #amazingfinds. To purchase the 50ml Original Citrus Hand Sanitiser Spray and 15ml Refillable Atomiser Spray, together, for £17.99 see here. We also think this makes a very practical stocking filler.

Clarity Blend - Mind Spa Bath & Body Oil

At this time of year, at The Amazing Blog, some of the favourite things we enjoy are aromatherapy based products - especially when we can add them into a long de-stressing hot soak. This is where this multi-tasking Mind Spa Body & Bath Oil from Clarity Blend’s comes to our aid. Also for Christmas gift ideas, we thought we’d kick off with Clarity Blend, and share a few more in the run-up to the big day.

Clarity Blend is a natural aromatherapy brand based in the heart of Berkshire, where they offer well-being and at-home spa products for a more balanced, positive, and healthier lifestyle. Bulgarian born Veronika and Dimitar Vasilev, founders of Clarity Blend, wanted to start a brand that shares their passion for aromatherapy. Their love for essential oils was founded when the couple wanted to reconnect with themselves and nature, helping to give them a calmer way of life. “With happy memories of growing up surrounded by the aromatic meadows of the Bulgarian countryside, we found ourselves craving the feeling of calm that time spent in nature had given us.” Their journey began after a long search for natural, non-toxic and sustainable products, that would fit their remit. So, they started with research combining nature’s best from woods, flowers, resins, and fruit essential oils to create quality products with the help of top clinical aromatherapists, and finally launching their two initial ranges with Sweet Dreams and Energy Boost. Clarity Blend values education and sharing the power of aromatherapy and its many benefits with its loyal customers. “The power of aromatherapy is a wonderful thing, and we’re passionate about sharing its benefits so you can enjoy a more balanced, positive, and healthier lifestyle. We like to call it ‘Nature in a bottle,” and they went on to say, “We source pure essential oils from all over the world and sprinkle a touch of our Bulgarian heritage into our blends. Our aim from the outset was to capture the essence of the meandering meadows and flowery scents of our childhoods and share their natural benefits.” All products are eco-friendly, 100% natural, vegan and free from artificial fragrances, parabens, sulphates, phthalates and SLSs. In addition, they are handmade in the UK under Good Manufacturing Practice using oils sourced from worldwide reliable suppliers. A core value of Clarity Blend is never harming endangered or vulnerable plant species. However, what makes this brand even more noteworthy is its sustainability efforts, where they use glass products, bamboo and rubber-capped glass, and metal roller balls to minimise the use of unnecessary plastic. Even their hampers and delivery boxes are made with kraft boxes, fully recyclable filling or biodegradable peanut pellets. They now have ten collections and within each of these are four different products with Body & Bath Oil, Bath Salts Roll-on and a Diffuser Blend.

The Mind Spa range focuses on relieving stress, anxiety, irritableness, and tension in daily life. Truly an at-home spa experience, filled with four key essential oils eucalyptus, patchouli, bergamot and lemongrass. Eucalyptus eases breathing, giving one a sense of fresh air and the feeling of a deep breath. This fresh and clean smell is one of our favourite oils of all time. Patchouli has antidepressant properties that help the nervous system and emotions become more balanced. It also gives this product a sweet and earthy scent. The Sicilian bergamot is fresh, citrusy with hints of floral, and exudes positive and happy vibes. Lastly, lemongrass helps reduce fatigue and lack of motivation by stimulating the mind and emotions. We’re focusing today on the Body & Bath Oil. This product is a good body oil that nourishes and moisturises the skin while also treating the mind and spirit, particularly when inhaling the aroma. In addition to the essential oils, this Body & Bath Oil also has the carrier oils of jojoba and almond. Both these oils treat dry skin while also reducing the appearance of stretch marks and scars. We were curious to try this product as it recently received the Bronze Award for Best 100% Natural product at the Global Green Beauty Awards 2021 and was a finalist for best body oil at the Natural Health Beauty Awards 2021. We put a few drops in our hands to warm it up. As directed, we applied it directly after shower or bath on warm, dry skin, then massaged it in gentle circular motions towards the heart. We also think that you could add a few drops of this oil to a warm bath for even greater relaxation. We liked how there was no oily greasy residue, and it absorbed quickly and thoroughly into the skin. It made us feel balanced, focused and boosted our end of the week self-care night. Whether you’re a beginner or avid lover of aromatherapy, the brand offers the opportunity to join their Wellness Club where you’ll receive valuable tips for healthy living. Plus, members get a free digital copy of our Wellness Pocket Companion and 10% off on all orders. To purchase Clarity Blend’s 100ml Mind Spa Body & Bath Oil, for £16, see here.