One thing that's sure to make a winter night feel cosy to me is lighting up a candle, and now all I use are soy or beeswax candles -- they don't have any nasty things like carcinogens. Dirt Candles are my latest indulgence. Sure, at first glance the name sounds strange, but dirt is, as the website says, "where nature begins and ends," and Dirt Candles are "formulated from beginning to end with natural things." The 10-oz candles made of GMO-free organic soy wax and natural essential oils, are lead- and soot-free and have a natural cotton wick. They come in 25 fun scents like Take It Easy (Bulgarian & English lavenders, Mexican and Madagascar vanillas) and Beach Bum (seawater, kelp, fresh rain, white sand), and the metal lids ensure those scents remain fresh. I like them because the ones I tried out (including Fountain of Youth, After Hours and Open Arms) are subtle and not overpowering, a big plus in my books. I like some scent, but being knocked over by any too-powerful perfume is not only irritating to me, it's also potentially harmful since it can trigger a painful migraine. There's also an unscented version, cheekily called Skinny Dip. The paper packaging is 100% post-consumer recycled (and recyclable) and printed with soy inks and the labels are made from corn. The recycled-metal lids and glass are all recyclable, but hold onto the glass containers -- after you finish burning the candle and wash them out, they make nice tumblers for drinking! An added bonus: a portion of the money made from each candle sold goes to charity; for a list of the charities funded click here. Available at: www.dirtcandles.com, as well as Pistachio stores in Toronto (check out www.epistachio.com) Price: approx. $31.50

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