If we started from the beginning of my relationship with It’s Organic Darling, we’d go back to the year 2000; when I was as tall as Lesley’s (founder and owner) knee and we first met.

Lesley has been a family friend since I was four years old. We’ve inhabited the same coastal town for decades, but it wasn’t until a few years ago when it clicked:

Lesley has a freaking rad sustainable company. I’m an eco lifestyle blogger = LET’S DO SOMETHING.

So, here we are. Lying on Shakti Mats, using Q Rub sports creams, and working together to give you options for how to live a more sustainable lifestyle here in Aotearoa New Zealand.

It’s Organic Darling is about having a bit of fun with something that is very dear to us! We believe that by choosing an organic product, you are purchasing something that is the best that it can be. There will be a journey… thought, care and consideration that has gone into the making…

In a nutshell, It’s Organic Darling love working with Aotearoa New Zealand based and international companies who are trying to make a difference. Their name is a fun play on the phrase that Lesley lovingly overuses, and they focus on stocking a wide range of products made by kind and conscious people who love belly laughs and fit their tongue and cheek approach to life!

Lesley and I share the same belief that we must live in a way that is not only sustainable for the planet, but for our bodies too.

It is important to consider what you are putting on your skin (our biggest organ) to actually have a look what’s in your products…these can accumulate to hundreds of different nasties on our skin in a day!

It was after her father was diagnosed with skin cancer that Lesley started to look even deeper into the types of products we should and shouldn’t be putting on our skin. It’s Organic Darling relaunched in September 2019, and they’re on their way to becoming a one stop shop for all home, health, and beauty products in Aotearoa New Zealand. Products are added weekly, the blog site will soon be filled with all sorts of information, and Lesley continues to work around the clock to make the online platform bigger and better!

It’s Organic Darling stock many of my favourite products, and recently I had the privilege of trialling two new ones to help with my active lifestyle and Raynaud’s Disease (which is essentially chilblains in my toes).

Shakti Mat

I thought Shakti Mats were an absolute load of bullocks… until I tried one from It’s Organic Darling a month ago. In efforts not to jump on the trend of lying on 6000 spikes in order to relax, I was several years late to the party. I’m frustrated at myself for wasting the last few years of my life without a Shakti Mat; they don’t just live up to their hype, I genuinely think there should be MORE of it.

Chances are, you’ve already heard of the world’s beloved Shakti Mat, but just in case…

The Shakti Mat is an acupressure mat designed to relax the body and calm the mind. The mat stimulates blood circulation and provides acupressure simultaneously. This combined effect is helpful for so many situations. I’ve heard successes with child birth, carpal tunnel, and in lieu of physiotherapy sessions during COVID lockdown times too! I use it as a way to unwind, paired with a book or partnered with silence after a workout.

The effects of The Shakti Mat are addictive. The fresh and clear feeling in the back of your eyes, the lower back release, the body collective ‘ahhh'

It’s made from organic cotton, with plastic disks, and polythene foam. The women who make the mats in Varanasi, India, are paid a living wage and given all the essential employee payouts such as medial care and holiday pay. You can read more about the craftspeople here.

Qrub - Organic Muscle Rub

My husband, Tim, and I practice a HIT (Hit Intensity Training) work out of 100 burpees in 10 minutes, three times a week - alongside warm up and warm down which includes planks, start jumps, and sit ups. When it’s not a scheduled HIT workout day, I’m practising yoga or running, plus every morning I walk my dog.

I’m active. My body is constantly working.

You know that classic ‘deep heat’ stuff that is usually the most helpful aid for aching muscles? This is the organic version. Unlike some organic versions of creams I’ve been known to rub onto my skin that simply smell pleasant and make me feel accomplished, this one truly helps.

Ingredients:

Purified water,Organic grapeseed (Vitis Vonifera), Beeswax, Cetearyl alcohol, vegetable glycerine, Glyceryl sterate, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopheroal), Organic peppermint oil (Menthe Arvensis), Caprylyl glycol, Arnica (Arnica Montana), Organic Calendula (Calendula Officinalia), St Johns wort infused, menthol, Capsicum Oleroresin, Capsicum Fructecens (Capsicum Annun), Chilli seed & Vitamin A (Palmitate veg based).

Made in Aotearoa New Zealand + 100% cruelty free too.

I personally apply it to my muscles (calves, upper arms etc.) after working out, and also use it to treat my Raynaud’s Disease to reduce my chilblains. The cream encourages circulation, which is what my feet lack.

This winter has been the least painful to date, and although I’ve also been better at other habits that reduce the pain (e.g. wearing socks 24/7 and changing out of my exercise gear immediately after exercising), it’s also the first winter I have used the cream. This is only one case study and only my body, but it’s worth a try if you have horrific pains like I do!

From organic makeup to period products and fair trade teas, It’s Organic Darling on on their way to acing their goal of being Aotearoa’s one-stop-shop! I am so inspired by Lesley and all that she does and stands for.

Shop It’s Organic Darling here.

Use code ETHICALLYKATE for 5% off and code ETHICALLYKATE10 10% off selected products:

Qoleum

Pearlbar

6cBinchotan

Rustic Maka

As a rule, I only work with brands I love, use, and can whole heartedly back. This is a sponsored blog (I can't pay my electricity bill with free products), but 100% my own words, photos, and opinion.