HOW DID IT START?

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Although I had already come from a hard working background where partial self sufficiency  was the norm, and my mother and grandmother were great examples of just that, I still recall 3 past events from 2009 that prompted me to further delve into the realm of making better informed decisions and take matters into my own hands when the available options could not meet my expectations. Contrary to the commonly held belief that there is very little we can change by ourselves,I've come to understand through my work how much of an impact every choice we make has, despite it contradicting the mainstream practices.

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1. I caught lice for the first time since my stay in Pakistan. I was pregnant at the time and the responsibility of another human being's health and well being weighed so heavy on my every choice that, while the treatment I used was effective in ridding me of the parasites, I started to question the safety of the chemically enhanced products targeted at getting this desired result. As my research started on the matter at hand, I inevitably went on a no 'poo experiment which ultimately lead to my hair going natural ever since.

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2. My tailor had messed up my Eid suit despite numerous delays and postponements. This is not at all an unusual nuisance for Pakistani women to have to deal with but I, for one, could not come to terms with the whole process, it used up too much of my mental space and energy, and I vowed on that occasion to never return and went on teaching myself how to tailor and sew my own clothes.Little did I know that this would be but one of the many skills I will end up teaching myself down the line.

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3. My younger son has inherited my sensitive skin which is extremely prone to heat rashes and, given Karachi's humid climate, his rashes had become very bothersome at a very young age.Repeated applications of prescribed medication have failed to help and rather worsened the situation.Antibiotic creams have killed off all the bacteria, the good along with the bad, and as a result fungal infections took over and continued the vicious cycle of medication dependency. After noticing some improvement with an olive oil soap bar and neem based products I took yet another step and learnt how to make my own neem infused soap bars and the rest, as they say, is history.

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Once you start to look into healthier alternatives and DIY projects to save time, money, mental stress and lower your environmental impact there's no turning back. The more you get into it the more you learn and the more you want to share that knowledge with others. As a result your entire value system shifts to something that's meaningful (or at least it aims to be), to identify much more precious goals of achievement besides monetary appreciation. It's an ongoing and ever evolving process of questioning, redefining priorities and educating myself that has built up to what Gavrilev stands for today and it's reflected in more than just a product line, it's a philosophy, a source of encouragement for others to take the leap and be more responsible in their consumption patterns, it's a call to recover social bonds that reconnect us to nature, to our communities and family members and build a better future.

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WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT?

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What's so special about My Products?

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When I started making the products that I sell today I had absolutely no intention of commercialising them.As far as I was concerned I was trying to make better/healthier choices for myself and my family and since the market could not cater to my demand the only way I felt I could achieve it was by making homemade alternatives.And one by one I replaced processed foods, chemical laden personal care products, household cleaning products and in the process I also adopted a minimalist lifestyle which meant I’d purchase less clothes, shoes, gifts and stuff in general and opted to either purchase them second hand or make them myself.

And it is with the help of the exact same recipes and methods that I adopted for myself that I make the products for those who wish to purchase them for themselves.I make no difference between myself and my customer and I wish to keep their interest as close to my heart as I do for myself.

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BATH & BEAUTY PRODUCTS

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When I speak of my bath and beauty products,I mostly strive to preserve and harness the purity of nature.Whenever possible, I use unadulterated ingredients. This being said, it is  for the sake of purity that  I sometimes need to use synthetically derived ingredients but even in those cases I always do my research and choose as close to a natural source as possible (i.e. synthetically derived from vegetable sources) once I’m sure of their safety.

Where possible I make my herbal soaps with triple layered herbal addition: #1 I infuse the herbs in the fats, #2 I substitute water with herbal infusion and #3 I add the herbal essential oils.My balms, butters and other body care products are made with natural ingredients in small batches as to avoid their long stay on the shelf. I love to get my products as fresh as possible to the buyer and I feel this is an advantage my customers should take into account when choosing to purchase from me.All natural products are best used while fresh.

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EDIBLE PRODUCTS

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When I put an edible product for sale, I make sure that it has at least one advantage, besides it being homemade, over its counterparts on the market.Some products are defined by their uniqueness and others may be healthier alternatives of their commercial equivalents. I’m proud to call my homemade chocolate, chocolate spread and European pastries unique products on the market and my grain/baked products and preserves versions of commonly found items that preserve the natural goodness and freshness of the ingredients.

Some edible products, supplements, health foods I source and sell for their therapeutic properties.

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OTHER PRODUCTS

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I also make handmade products that can be practically used in the home or gifted to your loved ones. I also try to bring to my online shop products and material that I truly believe in and find helpful in one way or the other. This may include reading material (copies of my original version), utensils, accessories etc.

 

WHERE IS GAVRILEV NOW?

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At this point in time, Gavrilev has established a connection with responsible suppliers and community members through the Karachi Farmers' Market and N'eco's Natural Store and strives to build a meaningful relationship with its customers and supporters. The online platform, the Gavrilev website, aims to offer its readers a fresh perspective on all aspects, from family life to low impact living practices and make responsible living a mainstream practice for the  greater good of all.

 

WHAT'S NEXT?

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One of the biggest steps Gavrilev is preparing to take is to reduce its disposable packaging impact and hence shift to and encourage the use of refillable containers. Celebrating nature is more than just using natural products, it's also about preserving resources for future generations and allowing nature to regenerate, it's simply a matter of respect and conscience.

Another future goal for Gavrilev is to expand its scope of work to holistic health and wellness practices.

Ultimately, though, I would love to open a little Gavrilev nesting space of my own, a place for fresh products to be sold and community bonds to be renewed and information to be shared. This is still a distant reality, if ever to become one and until then we'll just keep working together for our common benefit, insha'Allah.

  

As always, your suggestions and queries with regards to my products and how they are made are welcome. Feel free to contact me and I will try to get back to you as soon as I can.