Mother's Day...

Make your mother’s day with an alternative gift from Cancer Research UK.

They have a brilliant range of thoughtful and unusual gifts - a great alternative to samey flowers or chocolates. If you buy a gift from Cancer Research UK, you could also be helping to fund research into breast cancer or buy essential lab equipment for our scientists. Which has to be good, doesn't it?

The choice of gifts ranges from £6 to £600, so there's got to be something there that will make your Mum smile on March 2nd.

They also have a great range of eCards. so if you’re worried about getting a card to your Mum in time or just want to save paper, why not personalise one of those instead - You can even upload a photo of the two of you.

By donating the money you would have spent on a paper card you will be helping to beat cancer.

Meanwhile...also for Cancer Research...I'm still looking for sponsors!

Ooooh Bubbles!

Fans of fizzy drinks can now smile in superiority when they sip - Pepsi is about to launch a new 'healthy' cola, made with all-natural ingredients.

Pepsi Raw will use all natural ingredients like apple extract, coffee leaf and sparkling water and apparently contains no artificial preservatives, colours, flavourings or sweeteners. It might not e as fizzy, and it will look a bit different, but it's cola all the same!

'We are really proud that the UK is leading the way with the launch of Pepsi Raw, which is the most significant innovation from Pepsi UK in the last 15 years,' Bruno Gruwez, Pepsi's marketing director, said.

For now, it will only be on sale in those fine examples of healthy living - bars and clubs in London, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow, Brighton and Liverpool. But if the launch is successful, Pepsi Raw could be rolled out to other areas of the country as early as next year.

Bottoms up!

Get Ethical!

It's Fairtrade Fortnight from 25 Feb–9 March - and to celebrate, you can buy Fairtrade from www.ethicalsuperstore.com

Scrummy products include: Liberation Nuts; an equal mixture of oven-baked peanuts and cashews nuts which come in four varieties; Lemon & Chilli, Lightly Salted, Natural and Smoked. The nuts are oven baked which increases the flavour and maintains the goodness of natural nuts, whilst avoiding unnecessary calories and added fats.

If you are planning a girls' (or boys) night in, why not try a Fairtrade banana or coconut flavoured beer at just £2.10 a bottle? Mongozo is the trade name for these exotic beers and it is available in three scrumptious flavours; banana, coconut and Mongozo.

Or perhaps some gorgeous Fairtrade flowers – a perfect gift for your Valentine to show what a big heart (and conscience) you have. If you are looking for a modern twist on the traditional red roses for Valentine’s, this year, perhaps try pink, orange or yellow roses instead. They can be delivered anywhere in the UK within two working days and include a personal message - or perfect for Mother's Day.

This year is the 25th anniversary of Fairtrade goods being sold in Europe – a key region which represents 60- 70% of the Fairtrade market. Fairtrade products are produced largely in Africa (26%), followed by Asia (40%) and Latin America (34%)*.

Fairtrade means that suppliers in these regions are paid a fair price for their produce.Stocking over 3,000 ethical products and with the widest available range of quality Fairtrade products available on the web, why not visit www.ethicalsuperstore.com for more ideas? They investigate the ethical credentials of all the brands they stock, making it easy for you to buy what you believe in.

Enjoy!