This week, Jeremy Bally is joining the LUSH blog just as he prepares for another incredible adventure with Pedalling for Papua. We're proud to have Jeremy and his incredible organization as part of our Charity Pot family and we wish him the best of luck on his journey and sharing the messages from West Papua.

I pored over my itinerary last night with a calculator, and realized that I’ll be cycling 12,633 kilometers before this year is over. I haven’t started training yet, and it’s about 3 weeks until I leave. But I really don’t feel concerned. At least about that.

On the 1st of May in West Papua, dozens of demonstrations were held around the region to protest the 50th anniversary of Indonesia seizing control over the area. Over those 50 years, it’s been estimated that as many as 500,000 West Papuans have been killed either by the Indonesian security forces that operate with impunity there, or by the inequitable lack of development in their resource rich homeland. These protests saw 2 more added to that number, as military and police fired indiscriminately on peaceful protestors. Incidents like this fuel the belief that a slow motion genocide is still being perpetrated against West Papuans, who in the past few years have become a minority in their homeland. This is what I feel concerned about. I figure it’s worth more worry than a p...

Read More...

Meet Chainsaw!

Another one of our cast of characters living the LUSH life, Chainsaw (otherwise known as Shannon), works in Manufacturing Management in Vancouver. While she won't reveal where her nickname comes from, you can find out about her various roles in the company, what her secret wish is, her favorite memories working at LUSH, and all about the return of Goat Snake!

Read More...

And yes, technically it's still Spring for another month. And we know that our US friends have to wait another week for a 3-day weekend...

But those are just minor details! What's more important is that the warm weather and sunshine are finally upon us. The days are long and languid. Gone are the memories of cold, rain, sleet, and snow. Even if it was only last week.

We're dreaming of bicycle rides, the Farmer's Market, picnics in the park, lazy naps in the sunshine, BBQ's, gardening, chalk drawings on the sidewalk, watermelon and popsicles - every fun-filled, carefree activity we can think of to pack into a long weekend.

After months of feeling cooped up inside it's time to get outside and enjoy green spaces, friends, family, and the neighborhoods we live in. Now 3 long days are before you. Are you staying in town, or heading out to a lake or seaside locale? Or are you packing your hiking boots and getting ready to scale a mountain? Wherever you go, or whatever adventures you get up to - enjoy every minute! And please don't forget to protect your skin with sunscreen and a hat!

Read More...

We're not ashamed to say it - we get around.

We love it when you send us pictures of your trips when you spot LUSH shops in a new city, and the shots of your bags packed with our products safely included. Now that the warm weather is here, our thoughts naturally turn to vacations and time off to enjoy the season. Hopping on planes, trains, and automobiles. Travel by pedal, foot, and board. No matter where you're going this summer - to the lake for a weekend, a tour of a land afar, or backcountry to pitch a tent, let us be your trusty travel companion. Are you having a stay-cation in your city instead? Let's hang out.

Solid, naked products like shampoo bars, body butters, and toothy tabs are perfect for packing and you never have to worry about spillage, (or meeting size restrictions). Plus, shampoo bars and body butters can do double-duty. You can use a shampoo bar for your hair, as a body wash, and even as laundry soap in a pinch. Get scrubbed up and moisturize all in one handful with your favorite butter in a bar.

Packing for the plane? You can re-use your empty black ...

Read More...

This Mother's Day remember to treat your Mum to all things that make her happy.

After all, she's spent many years caring for you - tending your skinned knees, wiping your tears, and cheering you on. Call, send flowers, make a card - and if you're lucky enough to live close by, perhaps you'll invite her over for brunch or an old fashioned tea party. We've been busy in our kitchens testing and sampling new recipes for the occasion. And just to be thorough in the process, we sat down with a few cups of tea and ran a taste test to be completely sure that our vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free baking would be just the right fit for teatime.

Here are two of our favorites:

Lemon Poppyseed Loaf

A comforting classic, this recipe was originally for 12 muffins, but it works equally as well as a loaf. It also has a blend of flours, which makes a big difference in gluten-free baking. Not a fan of maple syrup? You can substitute agave nectar or concentrated pear juice for the syrup. It will change the flavor slightly - the nectar and juice will result in sweeter muffins or loaf. The recipe is from Flying Apron's Gluten-free and Vegan Baking Book, by Jennifer Katzinger (published by Sasquatch Books). If you're vegan, gluten-free, or both, it's an incredible resource full of tasty recipes. Highly recommended.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups brown rice flour
• 3/4 cup garban...

  Read More...