The rise in illnesses is leading many people to consider their health differently. There is increasing evidence that many health conditions are caused by nutrition and environment. People no longer trust that the government and powers that be are taking proper measures to protect them and are searching for their own answers. The empowered customer can find nutrient dense, unprocessed, pesticide free food by shopping at the Organic Supermarket or by getting to know their local farmer. We are the counterpart to this search, offering healthy choices to fulfill the rest of one’s lifestyle. We look for products made of fibres that have been farmed without pesticides, that have been processed without chemicals and that haven’t been treated with toxic preservatives or flame retardants. The reduction of hazards throughout the process means that fewer chemicals will be found in the end product. To find a product that is healthy to the end user, we need to study the entire process from farming or harvesting to processing, to manufacturing, to transport and distribution. There are many factors that need to be studied to assess the health implications of an item. Ultimately we attempt to make sure that we provide products from which nothing harmful will enter your body, either through contact with your skin, or by breathing in gases or airborne particles. Common sense goes a long way for the educated consumer. For example, a toy made of a natural material such as solid wood, and finished with a pure natural plant oil that hasn’t been suspended in a toxic solvent will be inherently safer than one made of plastic (which can contain many things, including lead or BPA) and synthetic fibers (which have to be sprayed with fire-retardant chemicals, amongst other issues.) Beyond common sense, things get trickier. Natural fibers can still be farmed and processed in ways that will bring chemicals to the enduser, and are still often sprayed unnecessarily with flame retardants or synthetic preservatives. Cotton is a major culprit, often being farmed using tons of pesticide that can remain on the fiber and enter the body through the skin. Health effects of these exposures are only just being understood and we recommend adopting the precautionary principle as a key component of your preventative medicine. Make good choices, and take care of your health!