Earth's Hour of candlight. Soy, no sugar..

On Saturday March 28 we switched off the lights for Earth Hour to show our commitment to the earth, and to combatting climate change. Some people saw Earth Hour as a dark inconvenience or pointless but we saw the opportunity to light up some romance. Mr K cooked a scrumptious meal and finished preparations by candlelight. I had bought candles on our trip to the Blue Mountains, soy based tealights from a store in Leura.

I love candlelight and I love 'burning' essential oils but I have been enjoying both much less since I read numerous articles on paraffin wax and the toxins released from regular candles. The cost of healthier alternatives is what has kept me in limbo. When the everyday punter can buy 100 tealight candles at IKEA for around $4, why would they buy 9 for a dollar each? At over double price it can seem pretty steep.

This time I bought aromasoy candles as they were fragrance free with cotton, lead free wicks. When we burnt them I felt at ease, no nasty paraffin smoke swirling about as we dined during our shared Earth Hour. As an initial venture into the world of non paraffin candles I was happy with my experience. Made in China and hand poured, I cannot assume Fair Trade or not, and so perhaps next time I might look for something made in Australia. www.vervehome.com.au

Another purchase I loooved and wished I had bought more of was a lovely tealight holder made of papier mache' from the iKOU store, also in Leura. www.ikou.com.au

Made by HIV positive women in Cape Town who work from home. The income this brings in enables them to take greater control of their lives & support their families as as increasing their self worth.

Knowing my purchase helps others directly feels so empowering. I do continue on the candle mission..