Natural Beauty Coop Workshops

committed to the environment + education + art + animals + community 

What and Who is Natural Beauty Coop?

Photographers Amy Cross and Marlen James (aka Jamie) established Natural Beauty Coop in 2008. Marlen is the creative comic book lovin, design and computer master and Amy is the prairie girl who is passionate about the environment, natural health, art and education. Natural Beauty Coop Workshops merge Marlen and Amy's talents and interests while also celebrating community, knowledge, awareness, connections and creativity.  

The majority of Natural Beauty Coop workshops run for two hours. Most begin with an innovative and interactive educational experience. The next hour is devoted to either a homemade creative eco project or a collective exercise like yoga, meditation, or dance. Amy's holistic approach to education and community forges strong healthy connections within ourselves, with each other, as well as with animals and the planet.  

Spring/Summer 2009 * pre-register for all workshops, max 10 people  

Workshop number 001: Plastic friend or foe?

Ever wonder if plastic is safe for you or your loved ones? The environment? What is BPA? Which plastics are recyclable? What do the numbers mean on plastic containers? Which plastics are safe? Amy's Plastic Workshop will answers these questions and more.  

This workshop will also inspire your creative self as Natural Beauty Coop welcomes eco-artist extraordinaire Dayna Fradette who will teach us how to crochet a one of a kind re-usable plastic beach bag out of old plastic bags! 

** Please save and bring your old plastic bags! Crochet hooks provided **

Saturday June 20th 11am-1pm $10 or pay what you can 

Workshop number 002: What's in your bottles?

Go and grab your shampoo bottle. Can you read the ingredients? In Canada our cosmetics industry is not well regulated. There are ingredients in your personal care products that are proven carcinogens and that can cause skin reactions and fertility problems. In this workshop Amy will share with you the top four ingredients to avoid in your personal care products. Avoiding products with these ingredients is not only better for you and your loved ones, but also for animals and the planet.  

Amy will also show you how to make your own homemade personal care products. In this workshop we will make a yummy body scrub, a soothing facial serum, and relaxing salts for your bath.

Saturday July 4th 11am-1pm $20 or pay what you can  
 

Workshop number 003: Meditation & Yoga for fun and laughter?!

For those who are curious about mediation, and for those whose practice needs a kick start with belly laughs and bright colors! This workshop is an introduction to meditation with a fun dose of laughter yoga.  

First, Amy will introduce the basics and benefits of meditation and then Green Cross welcomes the colorful talents of Cassandra Rizzotto a fine artist and private yoga instructor whose is passion for people and community is contagious.  Cassandra will guide us through a mini meditation exercise and then lead us through a fun and hysterical experience with laughter yoga!

Sunday July 12th 11-1pm $20 or pay what you can  

Workshop number 004: Paint your home Green!

We won't literally paint your home green but we will show you how to best make your nest as healthy and eco green as it can be! The extra bonus... Amy will share with you over 25 ways to go green which will also save you money!  

In this workshop we will make a multi- purpose home cleaning product that is good for you, the environment and your wallet!  

***All ingredients are provided please bring an empty spray bottle

Saturday July 18th 11-1pm $20 or pay what you can  

Workshop number 005: Healthy Food for you, animals and our planet!

Confused by organic vs local vs bio-dynamic? This workshop will educate you about Toronto's food system, inform you about what is best to buy organic and share with you some healthy raw food recipes which we will make for lunch. Food that is good for you and your wallet!

Saturday July 25th 11-1pm $20 or pay what you can 

Workshop number 006: Naturally Beauty Coop's Photography Jam Session & Summer Workshop Wrap Party!

You are a natural beauty! And Amy & Marlen want to thank you for support with our summer workshop series. So on Saturday August 1st we are hosting a photography jam session at Rawlicious Vegan Cafe at 3092 Dundas Street West. We will the capture your natural beauty with an organic photo with you and/or your friends. **Note your friend can be a child or baby... This workshop is a great deal! And a portion of the proceeds are going to Amy and Marlen's favorite charity... SickKids! Foundation. 

Saturday August 1st 11-1pm $20