A Natural Obsession

I've always been a bit of an environmentalist: in high school I was a devoted secretary in the Friends of Mother Earth club and I'd always discouraged and shunned wrapping paper during Christmas and birthdays, way before it was cool to do so (just ask Tatin. She was always forced to think of creative ways of wrapping my presents. My favorite was using a handkerchief as a wrapper). What can I say? I was way before my time ;)
But as much as this "reduce, reuse, recycle" fad is old news to me, I only started the cross-over to all natural, organic, and eco-friendly products in 2008. I discovered Burt's Bees, Badger Balm, and LUSH and pretty soon I was hooked. The problem was that these products are realtively pricey, even on a US salary. I allowed myself to splurge on Burt's Bees facial wash (because its the BEST!) and some Badger Balms every now and then but it wasn't very practical to only use these brands because they could be as much as 3 times the price of a commercial brand of shampoo or soap.
When I moved back to Manila and discovered that those 3 brands are even more expensive here - and I am no longer earning in U$ dollars - I accepted the fact that I will have to kiss my eco-friendly products goodbye.
And then my prayers were aswered. I discovered that there are so many all-natural and eco-friendly products available here and what makes them even better is that they're made in the Philippines. Yay! SUPPORT PHILIPPINE-MADE PRODUCTS, people!!!! Go Lokal!
Another great thing is that I found that there are stores near by that only sell eco-freiendly products and I'm all for one-stop shopping.
The first store I discovered, or rather, that Ate introduced me to, was Producto Natural Inc. at Alfaro Place Condominium on L.P. Leviste street in Salcedo village. They sell all natural products for very reasonable prices. My favorite products are: the Chocolate soap - it smells fah-bulous! I'm addicted to chocolate scented products but 95% of products that claim to smell like chocolate simply don't. This is the one and only chocolate scented soap that earned the Bear's seal of approval. Lyf Saver is a strong, minty oil that clears your nose, wakes you up when you're drowsy (falling asleep in class or in front of your boss at a meeting - not good!), helps motionsickness (guilty!), keeps you from throwing up in a particularly stinky place (portalets, public bathrooms, open sewers, etc), the uses are endless. Breathe Easy is similar but with a crisper, green apple top note; Lyf Saver has cinnamon and sandalwood instead of green apple.
Since the store is just across the street from the Salcedo Market, go visit them next Saturday and by yourself a bar of soap!
The other store that I recently discovered (and this time, all on my own) is EchoStore in Serendra. I am totally bonkers over this store. In addition to carrying Lyf Saver and Breathe Easy, they also carry Messy Bessy and Amu'in, two makers of fabulous hand sanitizing sprays and anyone who knows me knows that I am positively addicted to hand sanitizing sprays. Messy Bessy makes Little Warrior, a super handy little spray that I use both on my hands and on the elliptical machine in the gym because its both a hand sanitizer and a surface disinfectant. How fabulous is that???
Amu'in makes a natural hand sanitizer with lemongrass, lime and orange. Its twice the price of Little Warrior but it smells wonderful.
EchoStore also carries IndigoBaby, a line of all natural baby products. I have sensitive and quirky skin so I frequently use baby products when my skin reacts. I haven't exactly tried this line yet but I fully intend to.
Other interesting brands I intend to try are Ilog Maria Honey Bee products (my sister has the lip balm and its really nice), and Wild Organics (they have neem products which are supposed to be great ant repellents).
EchoStore also carries Rags II Riches, cloth bags made out of "retaso" by empoverished Payatas women, designed by my fab cousin, Rajo Laurel; Malunggay Pesto and Bangus paté by Pinoy Or Durvz, a cute "Bento Box" of Pinoy themed stationery, and a lot of other very cool stuff so next time you find yourself in Serendra, pay the EchoStore a visit and treat yourself to something nice, eco-friendly and Pinoy-made!