We want to reassure you that Lil has your back - and your hands- during this Corona crisis.

We take our hygiene practices very seriously everyday and work closely with our local Environmental Health department to ensure we have all the bases covered. This includes the washing of containers, bags and utensils; safe product storage, surface cleaning and us! We wash our scoops on a hot wash and as an extra precaution make sure to wash our hands before entering the store rooms and frequently while in the Pantry food store. We will maintain a stricter regime throughout this period of high alert.

As an online store, we completely control who comes into contact with the products - no browsing fingers here - and you don’t have to mix with other people to buy them. We’ll get them to you for as long as we are able. We can help you guys out with the essentials you may need. There is no need to panic buy. From toilet roll to hand soap, pasta, tinned tomatoes and eggs and about 350 other products - we’ve got you covered.

Essentials

We have a lovely range of soap bars - all with lots of lovely moisturising oils to soothe frequently washed hands or we have sanitising liquid hand soap with aloe vera. Either is effective in fighting the virus as the lipids (fats/oils) in the soaps dissolve the outer lipid layer of the virus. Frequent hand washing is the first choice over hand sanitiser if your have access to washing facilities.

Those hands are taking a battering at the moment so be extra kind kind them. Treat them to a post wash moisturiser and a its a good idea to moisturise them before bed too so they have chance to benefit fully. Hand creams, bars and balms.

Remember coughs and sneezes spread diseases so follow the Catch it, bin it guidance. Keep disposable tissues to hand.

If you have family coming and going to school and work it’s a good idea to increase home hygiene a bit. Keep frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, the fridge handle and mobile phones clean with all purpose cleaner. Remember this is a virus not a bacteria so anti bac doesn’t work - soap does. We also have a range of cloths and sponges if you’re short.

We have a full range of pantry staples - take a look here You can order most of the things you need to feed a family for a loooong time.

Lil has pasta and rice, noodles and grains, lentils and beans, cereals and oats, dried fruit, nuts and seeds, vinegars, oils and spices as well as snacks, chocolate and coffee! Take a look below at a few recipes - they are great to throw together quickly, make in bulk to cover a couple of meals. The soup is awesome comfort food when your feeling unwell and covers all the nutritional bases.

Recipe Ideas

Bosh bowls

Easy 50/50 bread

Soda Bread (no yeast required!)

Hummus

Basil cashew cheeze pasta sauce

Courier delivery is just £3.50 to EH and some FK postcodes, delivered to your door and if need be we’ll bring it to you ourselves. Existing Phantassie customers can continue their great service to receive all their fruit, veg, eggs and Lil order delivered at once. Email hello@dolilthings.org and we’ll ping you across to join the Phantassie wait list.

This is a great opportunity to enjoy nature. Spend time outside with your immediate family and make the most of Spring. There is much for us all to learn so if the kids are homeschooling it’s a wonderful chance to understand more of our natural world. Learn a new skills if you’re staying home more - all that commuting time is yours now! Get growing in the garden, learn to ferment and pickle or upcycle those gin bottles into lamps - just try not to create too many more empties!

Stay safe and look out for each other lovely Lil people

Sarah & Lou xx

Lil tips for staying safe (actually these are fab Lil tips anytime!)

Fill your water bottle at home

Take your food & cutlery with you

Wash your hands, repeat.

Carry tissues.

Shop local where possible- support businesses so they are still there when we need them. Keeping it local also reduces virus distribution. There are local East Lothian firms offering delivery of everything from ready made meals to pet food - and don’t forget us :-) Search online and follow local facebook groups to find them. They need you right now!

Clean your mobile phone - probably the most touched item that you put near your face! Plain old household soap and a damp cloth are recommended. Watch the BBC clip here to see how to do it without damaging your device.

Look out for more vulnerable friends and neighbours. Let them now you are ready and available to pick up groceries, prescriptions etc if you are able. Stay safe, keep your distance.