What and Who is Natural Beauty Co-op?

Photographers Amy Cross and Marlen James (aka Jamie) established Natural Beauty Co-op 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.

Fall workshops coming soon! email Amy for more info

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 **

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.

Workshop number 003: 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

Workshop number 004: 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!