Natures Gifts

This beautiful Tagua Nut jewellery is natural, sustainable and organic, hand made in South America from the Tagua Nut.

Made from the Ivory Nut Palm (vegetable ivory) by local communities, this unique jewellery collection is environmentally friendly and contemporary.

Each Tagua nut has a distinctive grain and natural shape which gives a different look to every piece.  Produced in Colombia in safe and healthy working conditions, most of the artisans that create this jewellery are women who are head of their families.  They earn fair wages and the manufacturer is in the process of gaining Fair Trade Federation membership and Fair Trade Certification.

These gorgeous bracelets are available online.

Windows Shopping

There are so many positives about the global market and internet shopping.   At our fingertips we can buy anytime of the day or night, we can save ourselves time and shop in our pyjamas, we can find the cheapest product and order it online with our purchase arriving in a few days (and we still haven’t got out of our pyjamas).  More stuff, more stuff, more stuff, bargain, bargain, bargain – if there was a direct link between more stuff and happiness we would be euphoric by now.

The angst felt by many in modern society today may be perhaps related to the fact that more ‘stuff’ has a limited shelf life and the quick fix will always be that  a ‘quick’ fix.  Roy Eccleston’s viewpoint on ‘Windows Shopping’ in SAWeekend 23/2/2011 on the changing dynamics of retail outlets and the benefits of online shopping perhaps should be discussed from the wider viewpoint of where do we see Australia in the future and how will it affect our way of life.  How do we see our communities and suburbs operating and more importantly how do we WANT to see them?  Do we want our kids to know the local shoe retailer who asks how his footy team played on the weekend?  Do we want the local retailer to continue to support the local footy team?  One doesn’t work without the other.

The legacy that we leave our children is a direct result of the choices that we make today.  From knowing the supply chain to buying from local retail outlets, (even online local would have to be better than shipping all our money across the sea!).  It makes fiscal sense but more importantly it will shape our communities.

BIRTHDAY SPECIAL THIS WEEK

Do you like the look of these gorgeous tights from Layer’d?  With any purchase from the Layer’d Classic Collection online this week 9/8/2011 to 14/8/2011 you will receive a pair of Layer’d tights valued at $29.  Just let us know what colour, size and whether you prefer footless or full tights in the special packaging comments and we will pop a pair in with your order. (Offer valid with purchase of garment only) 

Proudly made in Australia, a superb blend of merino and egyptian cotton.

BIRTHDAY SPECIAL THIS WEEK Don’t forget that with any purchase from the Layer’d Classic Collection online this week 9/8/2011 to 14/8/2011 you will recieve a pair of Layer’d tights valued at $29.  Just let us know what colour, size and whether you prefer footless or full tights in the special packaging comments.  Proudly made in Australia, a superb blend of merino and egyptian cotton. View high resolution

BIRTHDAY SPECIAL THIS WEEK

Don’t forget that with any purchase from the Layer’d Classic Collection online this week 9/8/2011 to 14/8/2011 you will recieve a pair of Layer’d tights valued at $29.  Just let us know what colour, size and whether you prefer footless or full tights in the special packaging comments. 

Proudly made in Australia, a superb blend of merino and egyptian cotton.

“
Each time a man stands up for an idea, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.
Robert F Kennedy

August Feel Good Newsletter



August Feel Good Draw!

Congratulations Mignon McLeod you are the winner of August’s Feel Good Draw.  This months feel good gift is a gorgeous Karen Murrell Lipstick.  You can also choose a scarf from the beautiful range of hand crafted 100% silk scarves from Cambodia as last months winner unfortunately did not collect her prize.

The Feel Good Draw is a small way to thank everyone for joining in and supporting the growth of Levant and it is really easy, you don’t even have to do anything.  On the first day of every month we draw a winner from our database and facebook friends.  The only catch is the prize must be claimed within the month that it is won. The prize will change each month and the winner will also receive 10% discount off any purchases for the month.  The bigger we grow the more Feel Good Draws we will do so make sure you share the joy and invite a friend to join us.

Read More

“
How lovely to think that no one need wait a moment; we can start now, start slowly changing the world! How lovely that everyone, great and small, can make a contribution towards introducing justice straightaway.
Anne Frank
Free Postage within Australia during July - Last days don’t miss out. 4 colours to select from Pink Starlet, Red Shimmer, Violet Mouse & Cordovan Natural. Lipstick with Candelilla, Evening Primrose Oil and Castor Oil. Karen Murrell Lipsticks are made of natural ingredients. They do not contain any mineral oils, animal-based material, parabens or preservatives. And because of the fusion of Mother Nature’s miracle ingredients, the more you use KM Lipstick the better condition your lips will be in. The high-quality formulation means KM Lipsticks last long on lips, and smell and taste great. Sustainable Packaging:Packaging of the KM range, with its original artwork, has been designed with sustainability at the forefront: *  All KM Lipstick canisters are made from PLA (polylactic acid), a corn resin based material that will start to dissolve back into Mother Earth within 100 days. It is also greenhouse gas neutral, helping minimise emissions that cause global warming.*  All KM Lipstick boxes are made from 100% recycled and renewable sources, using New Zealand paper with soy inks.*  All upper boxes are made out of 100% recycled paper.*  All boxes are made in New Zealand from New Zealand wood.

Free Postage within Australia during July - Last days don’t miss out.

4 colours to select from Pink Starlet, Red Shimmer, Violet Mouse & Cordovan Natural.

Lipstick with Candelilla, Evening Primrose Oil and Castor Oil.

Karen Murrell Lipsticks are made of natural ingredients. They do not contain any mineral oils, animal-based material, parabens or preservatives. And because of the fusion of Mother Nature’s miracle ingredients, the more you use KM Lipstick the better condition your lips will be in. The high-quality formulation means KM Lipsticks last long on lips, and smell and taste great.


Sustainable Packaging:
Packaging of the KM range, with its original artwork, has been designed with sustainability at the forefront:

*  All KM Lipstick canisters are made from PLA (polylactic acid), a corn resin based material that will start to dissolve back into Mother Earth within 100 days. It is also greenhouse gas neutral, helping minimise emissions that cause global warming.
*  All KM Lipstick boxes are made from 100% recycled and renewable sources, using New Zealand paper with soy inks.
*  All upper boxes are made out of 100% recycled paper.
*  All boxes are made in New Zealand from New Zealand wood.

Slow Cooked Stroganoff Now if you’re anything like me you’re starting to get sick of the cold weather and overcast skies (actually this week the days have been quite beautiful).  But, there is a silver lining to these cold days and colder nights, it’s the perfect weather for slow cooking.  So if you’re looking for something to warm your cockles this is the recipe for it.  This stroganoff is a fabulous one pot wonder and can be done in an electric slow cooker or in a crock pot in the oven.  I prefer the crock pot for two reasons, 1 it’s what I have and 2 it gives me an excuse the have the oven on for a few hours on a wintry day. The original recipe was on a slow cooker website but I’ve adapted it a little bit.   First and most importantly if you wish you can just mix everything together and put it in the oven.  I prefer to brown my onion and meat first but it’s just as good either way. And while that’s cooking why not get your choco hoto pots ready for a truly fabulous weekend feast. Ingredients: 1 Tbl butter or oil 1/3  cup flour1 tsp salt¼ tsp pepper½ tsp paprika 900 g beef round steak, cut into 12 mm ( ½ inch) thick strips (any budget meat suited for slow cooking) 1 chopped onion 1-2tsp garlic400 ml canned tomatoes with juice 2 tsp beef stock powder2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms  1 cup Light sour creamMethod:Saute onion and garlic until softened.  Add meat and brown for a couple of minutes just until it starts to brown.  Mix all other ingredients, with the exception of the sour cream, through. In the oven at 150 degrees for ½ an hour and then lower to approx. 130 degrees for 3-5 hours.  When you take it out of the oven stir through the sour cream and leave it to warm through.  If you have anyone that doesn’t want the dairy you can then serve their portion before adding the sour cream. Serve with mashed potato, rice or noodles.  TIP:         1.            If you’re in a hurry just mix everything together and straight into the oven.2.            Electric slow cooker - Cook on Low for 7 – 9 hours or on High for 3 ½ to 4 ½ hours. 3.            Can easily be eaten without the cream if you need it to be dairy free.4.            Can also be gluten free if you use gluten free stock (Massell brand is gluten free) and flour.

Slow Cooked Stroganoff

Now if you’re anything like me you’re starting to get sick of the cold weather and overcast skies (actually this week the days have been quite beautiful).  But, there is a silver lining to these cold days and colder nights, it’s the perfect weather for slow cooking.  So if you’re looking for something to warm your cockles this is the recipe for it.  This stroganoff is a fabulous one pot wonder and can be done in an electric slow cooker or in a crock pot in the oven.  I prefer the crock pot for two reasons, 1 it’s what I have and 2 it gives me an excuse the have the oven on for a few hours on a wintry day.

The original recipe was on a slow cooker website but I’ve adapted it a little bit.   First and most importantly if you wish you can just mix everything together and put it in the oven.  I prefer to brown my onion and meat first but it’s just as good either way.

And while that’s cooking why not get your choco hoto pots ready for a truly fabulous weekend feast.

Ingredients:

1 Tbl butter or oil

1/3  cup flour
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
½ tsp paprika

900 g beef round steak, cut into 12 mm ( ½ inch) thick strips (any budget meat suited for slow cooking)

1 chopped onion

1-2tsp garlic
400 ml canned tomatoes with juice
2 tsp beef stock powder
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms

 1 cup Light sour cream

Method:
Saute onion and garlic until softened.  Add meat and brown for a couple of minutes just until it starts to brown.  Mix all other ingredients, with the exception of the sour cream, through.

In the oven at 150 degrees for ½ an hour and then lower to approx. 130 degrees for 3-5 hours.  When you take it out of the oven stir through the sour cream and leave it to warm through.  If you have anyone that doesn’t want the dairy you can then serve their portion before adding the sour cream.

Serve with mashed potato, rice or noodles. 

TIP:       

 1.            If you’re in a hurry just mix everything together and straight into the oven.
2.            Electric slow cooker - Cook on Low for 7 – 9 hours or on High for 3 ½ to 4 ½ hours.
3.            Can easily be eaten without the cream if you need it to be dairy free.
4.            Can also be gluten free if you use gluten free stock (Massell brand is gluten free) and flour.

Someone’s been keeping their eye on this gorgeous Tee from Tiffany Treloar!!  Who will be the lucky one to add this to their wardrobe I wonder?  Everyday the price of this classic Tee is reduced by $1 until someone snaps it up. A classic style with timeless digital print this recycled poly tee is a ‘green’ wardrobe addition. View high resolution

Someone’s been keeping their eye on this gorgeous Tee from Tiffany Treloar!!  Who will be the lucky one to add this to their wardrobe I wonder? 

Everyday the price of this classic Tee is reduced by $1 until someone snaps it up.

A classic style with timeless digital print this recycled poly tee is a ‘green’ wardrobe addition.