I consider myself pretty well educated on eco-issues. It's my business to be in the know and I'm passionate about our planet, our footprint and being a considerate role-model for my boys. When my girlfriend A asked me which skincare I used and did it have the rabbit on it, I didn't know what she meant?

Really. She said, you know when products aren't tested on animals and are cruelty-free, they have a specific rabbit logo. See it here -

Well it kind of rang a bell, but I realised how much I didn't know that I didn't know about product standards and how this is illustrated to us the consumers! Her son D brought it to her attention when he showed her the 'Save Ralph' YouTube video - A short film with Taika Waititi. It's only a few minutes, but it's so powerful and well done. Please watch it. You might even get your kids and whole family to watch it. It's like a car crash you can't look away from and is done with intelligence and wit.

I've woken up from my slumber and am paying attention. My friend A and I discussed the different brands we used and if they were 'legit' and cruelty-free. I use Sukin products and they are cruelty-free but have a different rabbit logo. No wonder it's confusing! There are different logos apparently but waking up to what it all means is important. Cruelty-free products mean that no animals are harmed - in any way - in the manufacture or development methods used to create and test them. Also, vegan is not the same as cruelty-free. I've discovered that quite a few products I use are on the 'good list' and am going through our entire household to shake things up and ensure we make cruelty-free choices.

There are quite a few great websites that have already done the heavy lifting in terms of vetting products for us like Biome, Hello Green, Shop Naturally and the obvious Nourished Life. But you don't want to get complacent and let someone else think for you, so it's important to be aware, especially as things are constantly changing and so you can guide your kids.

Educating ourselves is so important and we all need to wake up and do better. We can do better and MUST. Animals can't all speak up like Ralph so let's be responsible and make smarter choices, no matter how small they might seem. Lots of small choices makes a HUGE different. Thanks for the nudge D. x