We are delighted to stock delicious and certified organic herbal teas from nearby Peppermint Farm, one of our most local West Cork suppliers. The brand name 'Peppermint Farm' was created in 1999 by Doris and Achim Hoffmann when they established their organic herb nursery in rural West Cork. Then, ten years ago, Doris started to blend herbal teas from her...

[caption id="attachment_4437" align="alignleft" width="1000"]    Laura's Peanut Cacao Raw Balls[/caption] Ingredients (makes approx. 10-15 balls) 200g soft dates (soak in boiling water if hard) 75mls water (measure from water that dates were soaked in) 80g cacao powder 150g gluten free oats 50g desiccated coconut 50ml maple syrup 20g cacao nibs 300g crunchy peanut butter Pinch of salt Continue reading →

[caption id="attachment_4429" align="alignleft" width="1029"]        Jo Browne organic perfumes[/caption] We are very pleased to be offering a new range of fragrances by Jo Browne: Floral Note, Oriental Note and Sweet Note. Jo, a qualified reflexologist and holistic therapist, discovered a gap in the market for a new, gentle and conveniently packaged perfume. All her products are individually handmade using organic beeswax and essential oils, a process which takes up to six months. The bamboo tube packaging not only looks really attractive, but is natural, ecological and from a sustainable source, and the fragrances are all travel friendly and approved to fly with. Continue reading →

[caption id="attachment_4423" align="alignleft" width="1000"]         Summertime in West Cork[/caption] Summertime is my favourite time of the year, I just love it! I even love the damp days - I love not having to wear layers, or shoes, and not having to think about firewood. I love leaving home in the light and getting home in the light. But summertime can be exhausting if we aren’t careful, and whether you are staying at home or going abroad, here are a few essentials for summertime health and wellbeing... Continue reading →

(This article first appeared in The Irish Times on 9th July 2016) Women stir it up in west Cork’s kitchens Running a food business is a dream come true for these women, but it involves a lot of hard work and dedication [caption id="attachment_4415" align="alignnone" width="800"]       Rachel (left) and Hannah[/caption] Family values, a culture of collaboration, respect and sense of community are the common denominators in these five westCork kitchens run by remarkable women chefs in Bantry,Skibbereen and Baltimore. They share stories of how their careers started and developed and their hopes for the bright-looking future of Irish food. If you are headed there this summer, be sure to sample the delicious serenity of their restaurants and the wholesome food they cook with so much love, care and pleasure. Rachel and Hannah Dare, Organico, Bantry In 2014, sisters Rachel and Hannah Dare expanded the Bantry organic health shop and cafe their parents Caroline and Alan had started in 1992, creating a brand new bakery and a big, friendly, open space on two levels. Ground-to-ceiling windows, reclaimed industrial fittings, high walls filled with work by local artists, comfy sofas and loads of child friendly space keep faithful clientele happy. Continue reading →

Our next exhibition in the cafe is the work of Sherkin photographer Nuala Mahon. Her photography career began when she was given a box Brownie camera by her father, at the age of twelve, and she has been capturing images ever since. Nuala is also an extensive traveller; most of her life has been spent outside Ireland and she has visited every...

[caption id="attachment_4403" align="alignleft" width="1000"]       Dee Cotter of Organico, with some of her favourite Trilogy products[/caption] We were delighted when Dee joined the Organico team as a shop assistant and trainee consultant in November, bringing with her five years of valuable knowledge gained from her previous health food shop experience. Dee says... Continue reading →

I was on my way back from a weekend in the Aran Islands recently, feeling great as I had spent the weekend in the sun and sea, walking and swimming and generally being enthralled with our incredible amazing beautiful country. On my journey home I stopped to visit a lovely shop run by Nancy Flexman. Nancy picks the products she stocks with extreme care and attention, so when I saw she has a large area dedicated to something I had only vaguely heard about I was intrigued. The most prominent item was a book, called ‘Earthing - The most important health discovery ever’. I bought the book, and found the information it contained completely fascinating and absorbing. Here is my take on it. Continue reading →