It really is true that actions speak louder than words.
Since I have changed my way of thinking towards sustainability and consumerism, my behaviour towards 'things' and waste has obviously changed too. The type of food we eat, product packaging we buy and 'things' we accumulate (or more accurately don't accumulate) are noticed by others. I don't mean this in an holier than thou way, but subtly.
As a positive result, I find that it is starting to rub off on others. So much of living a little greener is about awareness. There are so many issues that until only a few years ago I hadn't really thought about. I earned money, I could buy things, I could put my rubbish in the bin and it then became someone else's problem.
It is great to see others starting to think too. Gavin's latest post made me think about my own situation at work. It is really nice to get a response from someone about how they now think about their waste a little more. Food can be composted, paper and cardboard can be recycled or composted, and juice boxes really are the work of the devil. By doing what you really believe and committing yourself to it, other notice and start to ask questions. There is no need to stand on a soapbox and preach. Giving people information, when asked, is a great way to make a change. I feel that Gandhi's quote "Be the change you want to see in the world" is relevant. I want a world that cares about its people and environment, and I hope that my actions may help others think about that too.
There are so many fabulous people out there who inspire me and get me thinking.
Who gets you thinking?
Take care
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Giving Day is On My Mind
Once again I'm joining in with On My Mind.
I have been thinking about the gooseberry seedlings that I potted last Sunday. So far only 2 haven't made it so I am really happy that that one little clump of green leaves that was in the garden bed last weekend now is 42 little plants that will hopefully go forth and multiply.
It is wonderful to see that so many of these plants have now grown a fourth leaf in only a few days.
My plan for these little babies is to distribute them during Giving Day in a week's time. Over at Sow. Give. Grow. we are planning a mass day of trans-plants.. We are hoping that other Sowers and Growers will join in an leave little parcels of seeds or a seedling in their neighbourhoods for a Grower to find and re-home.
There is much excitement around here in the lead up to next Friday and we hope that others see the possibilities and join in the fun.
We would love you all to join in (and spread the word).
Take care
I have been thinking about the gooseberry seedlings that I potted last Sunday. So far only 2 haven't made it so I am really happy that that one little clump of green leaves that was in the garden bed last weekend now is 42 little plants that will hopefully go forth and multiply.
My plan for these little babies is to distribute them during Giving Day in a week's time. Over at Sow. Give. Grow. we are planning a mass day of trans-plants.. We are hoping that other Sowers and Growers will join in an leave little parcels of seeds or a seedling in their neighbourhoods for a Grower to find and re-home.
There is much excitement around here in the lead up to next Friday and we hope that others see the possibilities and join in the fun.
We would love you all to join in (and spread the word).
Take care
Monday, June 20, 2011
Fracking for Beginners
I was pointed in the direction of this great video to help explain fracking.
Take care
Edit - Take Actions in Australia
Take care
Edit - Take Actions in Australia
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Seedlings on a Sunday
What better way than to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon planting out a group of gooseberry sprouts into their own little seedling pots.
A clump of greenery had recently appeared in one of the garden beds. I had originally thought these to be basil plants as there had been a plant is the same spot last year. On closer inspection, and after asking Mum, they have turned out to be gooseberry plants. As many of them had now developed their third leaf, it was the perfect opportunity to give them a bit of space of their own.
I sat and made some of the seedling pots that I can now just about make in my sleep. I started with about 20 and thought that there would be enough. Not likely. I know it would have been easier to actually sit and count how many little sprouts there were, but they were so intertwined that I just kept guessing. After a few trips between the table, to make more pots, and the garden, to plant them out, I have ended up with 44 little seedlings.
Each has been given a good drink and is about to be placed in the little hothouse to get a little bigger and stronger. I have some friends who have already asked for a plant or two, and I am sure that some of these will make their way to Sow. Give. Grow.
We have just started a new little project over at Sow. Give. Grow. Head over and read all about Giving Day. I would love you to leave a comment if you think this is something you might like to join in. Pass it on.
It has been a great way to end the weekend.
Take care.
A clump of greenery had recently appeared in one of the garden beds. I had originally thought these to be basil plants as there had been a plant is the same spot last year. On closer inspection, and after asking Mum, they have turned out to be gooseberry plants. As many of them had now developed their third leaf, it was the perfect opportunity to give them a bit of space of their own.
I sat and made some of the seedling pots that I can now just about make in my sleep. I started with about 20 and thought that there would be enough. Not likely. I know it would have been easier to actually sit and count how many little sprouts there were, but they were so intertwined that I just kept guessing. After a few trips between the table, to make more pots, and the garden, to plant them out, I have ended up with 44 little seedlings.
Each has been given a good drink and is about to be placed in the little hothouse to get a little bigger and stronger. I have some friends who have already asked for a plant or two, and I am sure that some of these will make their way to Sow. Give. Grow.
We have just started a new little project over at Sow. Give. Grow. Head over and read all about Giving Day. I would love you to leave a comment if you think this is something you might like to join in. Pass it on.
It has been a great way to end the weekend.
Take care.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Are you up for the challenge?
The wonderful girls over at W.M.R.C. Earth Carers are setting a Plastic Free July Challenge.
Instead of me rewriting their post, why not head over and take a look for yourself.
This is something I am certainly going to join. Do you think you would like to have a go too?
Take care.
Instead of me rewriting their post, why not head over and take a look for yourself.
This is something I am certainly going to join. Do you think you would like to have a go too?
Take care.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Yoghurt + Flour = Gozlemes
With the yummy yoghurt making that has been going on here, it got me thinking about some camp cooking we did last year.
I am not really one for camping, especially when I know there is a perfectly good bed not too far away. Our compromise with the kiddies was to do some cooking over a camp fire.
I had found a wonderful gozleme recipe a few months earlier over at Slow Living Essentials and knew that it was really simple and everyone would be happy with the results.
With the glow of the fire and the chatter of family poking and prodding at the embers, we cooked away watching the dough turn to a gorgeous golden. This is certainly the sort of food that needs to be eaten to keep out the biting cold.
If I remember correctly the compromise even ended with us all going inside to eat. Much warmer there.
On another topic, we have had the first Non-Bruisemouse-or-J trans-plant over at Sow. Give. Grow. Thanks so much to Gooseberry Jam for playing along. We are very excited.
Take care
I am not really one for camping, especially when I know there is a perfectly good bed not too far away. Our compromise with the kiddies was to do some cooking over a camp fire.
I had found a wonderful gozleme recipe a few months earlier over at Slow Living Essentials and knew that it was really simple and everyone would be happy with the results.
With the glow of the fire and the chatter of family poking and prodding at the embers, we cooked away watching the dough turn to a gorgeous golden. This is certainly the sort of food that needs to be eaten to keep out the biting cold.
If I remember correctly the compromise even ended with us all going inside to eat. Much warmer there.
On another topic, we have had the first Non-Bruisemouse-or-J trans-plant over at Sow. Give. Grow. Thanks so much to Gooseberry Jam for playing along. We are very excited.
Take care
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Fracking
Normally a Saturday night at home would involve a fun, no-brainer movie with a few giggles (and some chocolate). Last night was a little different. Last night we watched Gasland.
It left me with a mixture of sadness, anger and frustration.
It is as though the people in the positions of powerthink believe that there is not a problem if it in not happening in their community. The companies do not take responsibility for gas and other toxins in household drinking water that was uncontaminated before the nearby fracking started. People are having to prove that the fracking caused this rather than the companies proving that it didn't. We all know it did. Some of the companies are even trucking in fresh drinking water for some of the families but they are still not admitting that they have caused the problem.
Although this evidence is out there for the world to see, Australia have still decided to go ahead with this practise. This is already happening in Western Australia and in areas close to homes.
"While the process is banned in France and parts of the US, Canada and South Africa, "fracking" - where sand, chemicals and millions of litres of water are blasted underground to rupture rock and release trapped gas - is happening in WA."
In a country where water is such a valuable resource, the governments are allowing fracking. Not only does this contaminate the drinking water (with hundreds of chemicals drilled down into the coal seam that then seep back into the water) but also 400 to 600 truckloads of water are needed for each hole to be drilled.
Four Corners report.
When there are so many renewable, sustainable, safer energy options available, why is this allowed to happen?
Take care
It left me with a mixture of sadness, anger and frustration.
It is as though the people in the positions of power
Although this evidence is out there for the world to see, Australia have still decided to go ahead with this practise. This is already happening in Western Australia and in areas close to homes.
"While the process is banned in France and parts of the US, Canada and South Africa, "fracking" - where sand, chemicals and millions of litres of water are blasted underground to rupture rock and release trapped gas - is happening in WA."
In a country where water is such a valuable resource, the governments are allowing fracking. Not only does this contaminate the drinking water (with hundreds of chemicals drilled down into the coal seam that then seep back into the water) but also 400 to 600 truckloads of water are needed for each hole to be drilled.
Four Corners report.
When there are so many renewable, sustainable, safer energy options available, why is this allowed to happen?
Take care
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Cooking Seasonally
Our little Saturday morning jaunts to the local Farmers' Markets have become a regular part of out weekend. Everyone knows that by getting out of bed and dressed, they will be rewarded with a yummy breakfast of something other than toast or Weet-bix.
Although the weather was a tad on the chilly side, two of us organised ourselves onto bikes and headed over. Our regular organic supplier was there and didn't disappoint with a great selection of seasonal fruit and vegetables. I love the winter vegetable in particular because just looking at them makes me think of warming soups and stews. When I heard one lady ask for a cauliflower to be cut in half, I knew the other half was meant for me.
So cauliflower soup in now simmering on the stovetop ready for tonight's dinner.
Luckily the bakery had a great loaf that would be the perfect accompaniment. (I know I should have made my own, but I like to think on these little occasions that I am helping support small business).
The soup turned out to be average at best. Any wonderful cauliflower soup recipes would be greatly appreciated.
Although the weather was a tad on the chilly side, two of us organised ourselves onto bikes and headed over. Our regular organic supplier was there and didn't disappoint with a great selection of seasonal fruit and vegetables. I love the winter vegetable in particular because just looking at them makes me think of warming soups and stews. When I heard one lady ask for a cauliflower to be cut in half, I knew the other half was meant for me.
So cauliflower soup in now simmering on the stovetop ready for tonight's dinner.
Luckily the bakery had a great loaf that would be the perfect accompaniment. (I know I should have made my own, but I like to think on these little occasions that I am helping support small business).
The soup turned out to be average at best. Any wonderful cauliflower soup recipes would be greatly appreciated.
Friday, June 10, 2011
No 'Poo is On My Mind
I can't believe it was nearly two years ago that I first read about the No "Poo way of cleaning hair.
Being a child of the 70s and 80s I always though that unless my hair smelled of some exotic fruit from the jungles of a far off tropical isle, it just wasn't clean.
My hair had always been quite fine and oily (I thought) so through my teens it was washed, conditioned, blow-dried and styled just about every day.
As I have got older, the shampoo and conditioner changed to the more expensive brands and the 'product' was only purchased from the salon, as I thought this was all so much better for my hair. Being a everyday consumer, I had never read the ingredients on the back of any of the bottles and shudder to think about the chemicals I have been massaging into my scalp for the last .... (cough) years. What frightens me more really is the impact of the kiddoes.
In the year before going No 'Poo I had pretty much changed to organic products where possible, which I felt was a good compromise.
There was never really an a'ha moment (I know you are all humming "Take On Me"). I just thought "Why not give it a try".
It has been about a year now and I would not go back to chemicals in my hair. I have even stopped colouring it. My hair feels amazingly soft and only needs to be washed twice a week. I have stopped using any sort of product what-so-ever as it feels quite a bit thicker. The amazing difference I have noticed with the kiddoes is the lack of knots. Combing wet hair used to be an Extreme Sport in this house, but not anymore.
There are so many benefits.
Being a child of the 70s and 80s I always though that unless my hair smelled of some exotic fruit from the jungles of a far off tropical isle, it just wasn't clean.
My hair had always been quite fine and oily (I thought) so through my teens it was washed, conditioned, blow-dried and styled just about every day.
As I have got older, the shampoo and conditioner changed to the more expensive brands and the 'product' was only purchased from the salon, as I thought this was all so much better for my hair. Being a everyday consumer, I had never read the ingredients on the back of any of the bottles and shudder to think about the chemicals I have been massaging into my scalp for the last .... (cough) years. What frightens me more really is the impact of the kiddoes.
In the year before going No 'Poo I had pretty much changed to organic products where possible, which I felt was a good compromise.
There was never really an a'ha moment (I know you are all humming "Take On Me"). I just thought "Why not give it a try".
It has been about a year now and I would not go back to chemicals in my hair. I have even stopped colouring it. My hair feels amazingly soft and only needs to be washed twice a week. I have stopped using any sort of product what-so-ever as it feels quite a bit thicker. The amazing difference I have noticed with the kiddoes is the lack of knots. Combing wet hair used to be an Extreme Sport in this house, but not anymore.
There are so many benefits.
- No more chemicals massaged into the skin.
- No more irritations from fragrances.
- No more screams from shampoo in eyes.
- No need to worry about animal testing.
- No more chemicals down the drain.
- Nowhere near as many empty bottles as I buy bicarb in bulk. I take my own jars and pay between $2 and $3 a kilo. I just need to find a place where I can buy Apple Cider Vinegar in bulk.
- The money we have saved.
One down-side is that I wouldn't travel overseas with a little container of white powder in my luggage. I think that could raise a few eyebrows.
Take care
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Little Surprises
I love surprises, especially those that happen in the garden.
When plants such as rocket and coriander (cilantro) go to seed, I generally leave them in the garden to "do their thing". The bonus for me is that the following season I have a lovely little crop that I had usually forgotten about.
A fortnight ago when I was sorting out the vege garden, I found some tiny coriander seedling popping up, so I made some seedling pots and potted up these little babies. Since they have spend two weeks in my little greenhouse they have grown so much.
I am really excited about trans-planting these are part of Sow. Give. Grow. and sending them to a new home.
Take care
When plants such as rocket and coriander (cilantro) go to seed, I generally leave them in the garden to "do their thing". The bonus for me is that the following season I have a lovely little crop that I had usually forgotten about.
A fortnight ago when I was sorting out the vege garden, I found some tiny coriander seedling popping up, so I made some seedling pots and potted up these little babies. Since they have spend two weeks in my little greenhouse they have grown so much.
I am really excited about trans-planting these are part of Sow. Give. Grow. and sending them to a new home.
Take care
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Cinnamon Swirly Goodness
Yesterday a request was put in for some Cinnamon Scrolls. It was a bit of a Little Red Hen moment as no-one was really that interested in the making of the rolls, but everyone was more than happy to assist in the eating. In fact, they were so willing to oblige that the last two were finished this morning after a pancake breakfast.
With guests coming for afternoon tea the suggestion of another batch was made. The first batch of the dough went straight to the compost. I have absolutely NO idea what happened but it was just wrong.
Take two.
The dough this time looked and felt right. I did cheat a little though and used the bread maker for getting the dough to the rolling stage. I made sure to add all the the fluids first and made sure to leave the flour and yeast till last.
I haven't bothered to ice the buns as the recipe suggests as these are already sweet enough.
Even though the afternoon tea didn't eventuate there are only a trio of scrolls remaining on the baking tray.
Hoping you all had a great weekend.
Take care
Friday, June 3, 2011
Long Awaited Winter Rains Are On My Mind
It feels as though our dry spell is hopefully coming to an end. I know that we need a lot more rain to be out of trouble with regard to the dam situation, but the rain we have had over the last few days is making my garden look so much greener that it has for quite a while. Everything looks really healthy.
These winter rains have definitely been on my mind.
Take care
Take care
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