Though the title may mislead you, I’m not talking about a Solarium used for tanning…

Late in the evening and I am sitting here writing a press piece about the new Solarium/Solar Kiln at the factory in Suva. And it strikes me again that this is SUCH a simple, yet clever, idea!

How does it work? (And why don’t we just line dry the old-fashioned way???)

The Solar Kiln focuses the sunlight and reduces the air humidity inside the kiln – meaning that the air inside the kiln is hot, hot, hot, bone-dry with almost zero humidity!

Which dramatically reduces the drying time of items within the kiln – especially compared to drying in the normally very humid air that blesses our Fiji Islands.

All of our staff in the factory and spa have two sets of uniforms provided by Pure Fiji. Staff get changed into their normal clothes in the locker room before going home for the day, so we wash and dry their uniforms for them.

Pure Fiji Factory in Suva, Fiji

The kiln at the Pure Fiji factory in Suva has primarily been built to reduce the drying time for staff uniforms and spa linens, as well as reducing the factory’s reliance on its tumble dryer – which makes the entire Pure Fiji laundry much more environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

Additionally, the solar dryer is put to good use drying local herbal leaves for our hydrosol extractions!

The Solar Kiln Dryer/Solarium at the factory is so effective, I am actually starting to eye off a corner of my garden – I may need a small home version of this kiln for drying clothes on cold or rainy days. No huge electricity costs from my tumble dryer! Yay!

A similar set up is used by some of our raw ingredient producers to dry nuts before cold-pressing them and a similar set up is also used by the Pure Fiji Paper Makers to dry sheets of their beautiful paper quickly and and efficiently – wouldn’t it be interesting to see how many other applications can be found for this very sustainable drying process…

I will try and upload some photos of this great little kiln in action as soon as possible.

Sophia

Pure Fiji Zenergy opens on Monday April 11th!

Suva Fans – visit Zenergy’s facebook page and find the Zenergy timetable…

If you can tell me 3 different classes that are offered at Zenergy in April, you will go in the running to win a full-size mango shower gel!  (Just what you need to invigorate and refresh yourself before and after a workout!)

Post your replies below! Competition closes on Monday 11th April, 2011!

Sophia

=o)

Bula!

Here’s a few interesting tidbits about our Botanical Blend and it’s benefits:

• Did you know that Pure Fiji’s Botanical blend of Virgin Coconut Oil, Dilo, Sekeci and Macadaemia oils is a potent natural source of Omega 3′s a Omega 6′s!!?
• Pure Fiji’s Botanical Blend is naturally rich in Lauric Acid – the only other rich source of this nurturing essential fatty acid that is also found in breastmilk!
• Pure Fiji’s blend is very similar in structure to the skin’s naturally occuring oils – this is why it is absorbed so readily into the skin to carry its nutrients to where they are needed most.
• Pure Fiji’s Botanical blend has natural anti-fungal and antibacterial qualities. We have tested open bowls of the blend after 3, 6 and 12 months uncovered and found no evidence of bacterial growth. Which is great for your skin because it boosts your skin’s natural defenses! (Anti-fungal properties also mean the blend is excellent for fungal conditions such as dandruff)
• This’ blend’s unique essential fatty acids act as a natural antihistamine which is why oure products are so soothing for itchy, inflamed or irritated skin.

If you’d like to read some interesting articles about the ingredients of our botanical blend, here are some great links:

• Coconut Oil
• Dilo Oil
• Macadaemia Oil

Finally, here’s our question for the week!

Earlier this week I talked about important way in which we make sure our oil is produced in the best way possible to create a quality skincare product.

List three important features of the production of Pure Fiji’s nut oils and be in the running to win a full size Pure Fiji Mango lotion!!!

Post your replies below. Competition closes 12pm Sunday the 10th of April, 2011.

Vinaka!

Sophia =o)

Pure Fiji products are based on a blend of Extra Virgin Exotic Drift Nut Oils that are wild-harvested, slow-grown and cold-pressed.

What do we mean by Extra Virgin Oil?

Extra Virgin Oils are extracted from a single pressing of the raw material. Because the material is not repeatedly pressed, the oil is of a higher quality and purity – the more repeatedly the raw material is pressed, the greater the likelihood that the oil will contain impurities.

What do we mean by Wild Harvested?

Wild harvested materials come from trees/plants that are naturally growing in the environment, rather than being in a farm or plantation setting. Because these hardy wild plants have already survived natural selection to reach fruiting age, they do not require any fertilisers or pesticides. Our gatherers merely harvest the fruit/nuts when they are ready. This creates minimal impact on the environment and preserves the natural ecosystem of Fiji.

Slow-grown – what does it mean and why is it important?

In today’s world of hectic commerce, a lot of commercial crops are given artificial hormones and steroids to bring them to fruiting age faster, cause them to fruit sooner, and cause fruit to ripen faster as well. Because the plants that supply PURE FIJI raw materials are wild-harvested, you can also rest assured that these source plants have never been fed anything that might cause them to artificially ripen. This is important because science still does not fully understand how much of these substances might end up in the products that we consume.

What does Cold-pressed mean?

When buying an oil-based product it is always good practice to scrutinise the process used to extract that oil. Cold-pressed oils are extracted from the nut using a process that generates as little heat as possible, as high temperatures generally destroy the positive nutrients in the oil.

Why would anyone use heat in extracting oil if it destroys the nutrients? Heat is often used because it increases the quantity of oil that can be produced. The nutrients may be destroyed, but more oil is produced.

This is also why cold-pressed oils are much more expensive than other oils. For the same amount of effort, much less oil is produced. However – at least the oil produced still has the nutrients that make it so wonderful in the first place!

Sophia =o)

Well, Earth Hour is here! Today, the 26th of March, 2011 homes and businesses around the World will be turning off all their lights for at least one hour.

In the Spirit of Earth Hour, we’d like to talk about some ways that using Pure Fiji can help you and your family go beyond the hour to help the planet.

Greywater Safe

Waste water from non-toilet plumbing systems such as hand basins, washing machines, showers and baths is known as ‘greywater’. Pure Fiji products are phosphate-free and safe for Greywater use – which means if you use Pure Fiji products, you can safely use water from your bath or shower to water your garden at home.

Water is one of our planet’s most precious resources. Many areas of the World are suffering from chronic water shortage problems.

Recycling bath water means that you can enjoy your soak in Pure Fiji Milk Bath and water your garden – absolutely guilt-free! One of the easiest ways to harvest greywater for garden use is to simply place a bucket in a corner of the shower to catch as much water as possible.

And instead of draining the bath after use, why not take a few bucket loads out to your garden beds and give your thirsty plants a drink instead of using the hose!

Below is a list of Pure Fiji bath and Shower products that are safe for Greywater use:

• Pure Fiji Milk Bath
• Pure Fiji Shampoo & Conditioner
• Pure Fiji Soap
• Pure Fiji Shower Gel
• Pure Fiji Creme Scrub
• Pure Fiji Sugar Rub
• Pure Fiji Facial Solutions Cleanser

And here are some links to help you successfully use Greywater in your garden:

• General information
• Do’s and don’ts
• Greywater Case Studies

Sophia =o)

Did you know that Pure Fiji supports a community of traditional crafts-women that live just outside Suva? These women use their traditional mat and basket weaving skills to weave baskets to package Pure Fiji products.

In 2002, Pure Fiji was honoured to have one of these beautifully packaged products chosen as the gift for the Emmy Awards Beauty Event.

Known as the ‘Spa Basket’ this gorgeous gift has continued to provide a little touch of gold dust in the craft-women’s community, providing much needed income which (in addition to other amenities) has funded the purchase of a water tank and payment of school fees for the children.

Just another testament to the incredible local talent and traditional skills available in Fiji!

Vinaka vaka levu to our wonderful basket makers!

And also vinaka vaka levu to all our wonderful fans – your purchases of Pure Fiji help us to provide a market for wonderful local crafts such as these ladies’ fine hand-made baskets.

Sophia =o)

Pure Fiji's Spa Basket with hand-woven basket.

So the weekend is well and truly upon us! Now that you’re all relaxed, I’d like to announce the competition of the week!

We are upping the stakes the time – to be in the running to win a handmade paper wrapped soap (100gm) and a Milk and Honey sample pack of 1oz sizes,  you have to tell us the following:

• What’s one positive side effect that the Pure Fiji Hand-made Paper Project has had upon the community producing it?
• Name one reason why raw Fiji honey is so good for your skin!

Post your answers below. Competition closes tomorrow 5pm and winner will be announced soon after! Sophia =o)

Pure Fiji hand-made paper wrapped soap

In 2009, Pure Fiji started working with and supporting another fantastic Fiji initiative – bee keeping!

Bee keeping in Fiji is a combined initiative of the Fiji government, the Peace Corps and USAAid. Prior to this initiative, Fiji has always imported its honey, and the bee-keeping initiative is an effort to make the country more self-suficient whilst also providing local farmers and individuals with a low cost method of generating an income from the abundance of nature around them.

Bee-keeping in Fiji has little or no negative impact on the virgin rainforest and is a sustainable source of income for rural communities. Not only can the honey itself be sold, but there are other bee by-products such as beeswax which can be utilised and made into products for sale.

The primary nectar source of raw Fiji honey is coconut and mango flowers along with other rainforest flora.

Why is Raw Fiji Honey good for your skin?

Raw Fiji Honey contains a number of aromatic substances and is also high in vitamins B1, B2, C, B6, B5 and B3 and panothenic acid. It also has minerals like zinc and magnesium, which increase the skin’s moisture retention whilst improving cell production and scalp circulation. Fiji Honey also contains enzymes and amino acids, making it a powerful antibacterial ingredient as well as reducing redness and inflammation. Rich in antioxidants, Fiji honey also helps regenerate damaged tissue, deflect free radicals and improve skin tone and elasticity.

Pure Fiji bee-autiful products:

• Our Milk and Honey range combines the natural benefits of our exotic nut oil blend with the potent nutrients and antioxidants in Raw Fiji Honey.

• Pure Fiji beeswax Votive Candles

Did you know that the handmade paper project in Fiji was initiated by Pure Fiji to provide an income to villagers in isolated villages?

The process to make this paper uses natural fibers sustainably harvested from the rainforest surrounding the village, and also utilizes traditional Masi-making techniques – creating more motivation to pass on these traditional skills and keep them alive for future generations.

Fijian Masi Cloth

Other positive effects of the project have been:

• Empowerment of women. The paper making project is almost entirely run by the women of these rural communities, (As they are the traditional artisans behind masi-making)
• Increased community income has lead to the construction and outfitting of a village store. This brings in additional income to the community through trade with surrounding villages and with its generator-powered deep-freeze brings the benefit of being able to preserve meat and other produce – enabling about a more balanced diet for the entire community throughout the year.
• The construction of additional classrooms for a secondary school and a library. Now 150 children from not only the paper making village but also neighbouring villages have access to higher education.

In rural Fijian communities, families usually have to undertake a lot of sacrifice and financial hardship to send their children to distant boarding schools closer to metro areas.

Pure Fiji is delighted with the development of the school and has further assisted with the construction of this facility.

Sophia =o)

How can you support the initiative?

Of course, the best way to support any proactive initiative is to help make it successful.

The following Pure Fiji products utilise our beautiful handmade paper and every sale contributes towards the success of Rural Fijian communities:

• Handmade, paper-wrapped soap
• Boxed Floral Guest Soap
• Floral Soap Box
• Floral Mini Soap 50g Singles
• Floral Mini Soap 110g Singles
• Pure Fiji Spa Basket (Formerly known as the Emmy Basket)

We were talking about hair care with Pure Fiji last week and now we’re curious: Do you prefer to let your hair air-dry after washing it? Or are you strictly a hair dryer sort of person?

We’d like you to consider giving your hair dryer a holiday – Earth Hour is fast approaching, on the 26th of March 2011. Your hair and the planet will thank you for it!

In the spirit of Earth Hour, the Pure Fiji Spa is finding more Earth-friendly ways to get things dry after washing – with a brand new solar dryer becoming operational this week for drying spa linens and staff uniforms!

(And no – this is not simply a Rotary clothesline sort of solar dryer! LOL)

Being environmentally friendly doesn’t have to be all about big or expensive gestures. A lot of small changes to daily life can make a big impact to your environmental footprint.

At Pure Fiji we believe in considering our impact at every decision-making moment. We have even designed our factory gardens to help insulate the factory and reduce our need for artificial cooling and power consumption.

Check out our Green Earth page to find out more about the many small ways Pure Fiji tries to make a difference every day.

Pure Fiji Factory in Suva, Fiji - Gardens are designed to improve the building's insulation.