The Green Parent

Moon phase update

2010-01-19T14:53:00.002Z

It's ages since I've posted on my blog and I have been prompted to because I want to get back to writing about lunar phases again as I find the moon so influential in how I feel and what I am capable of.

The New Moon in Capricorn on 15th January was really intense for a lot of us. It is the second darkest moon of the year (the first being on 5th Dec 2010). We are in a period of darkness anyway, in the depths of winter, a time for reflection and planning. A new moon at this time, really brings us face to face with our shadow side and our deepest needs and desires. For some of us this has manifested as sadness and a feeling not unlike despair. If we can learn to sit with these feelings we can reach a place of acceptance and this is the catalyst to change and growth.

Each new moon signifies rebirth, new starts and the beginning of another cycle. The qualities that capricorn brings to this moon phases are determination, ambition and discipline. This is an even better time than usual to start planning a new project or a change of direction in your life.

How did the new moon affect you? Post your observations here and I'll be back with more lunar info soon.

Buy Nothing Month challenge

2009-11-04T10:35:00.004Z

Hello and sorry for being absent so long!

Back with some news of our annual Buy Nothing Month challenge which started on Sunday. Today is our fourth day of non-consumerism and all is sweet. We haven't had to resist any temptation yet, but the kids have found the rationing of food a little tough. I have spent hours over the last week with my nose buried in recipe books and it always comes as a surprise that we don't have the key ingredient and obviously can't actually buy it either. Oh well, perhaps most of these exotic culinary treats will have to wait til December.

Am being quite resourceful in the sense that I have made tzaiki with courgette and smoothies with nut mylk - both of which were rejected for being 'weird'!

Enjoying rereading some of my favourite books about Simplicity, like John Lane's beautiful poetic Timeless Simplicity, the brilliant guide to creating an authentic life by Dan Price, Radical Simplicity, the inspirational voice of the Nyerges in Extreme Simplicity and of course, Tom Hogkinson's How to be Free.

Spent Sunday searching for a book about the spiritual benefits of clearing your space but couldn't find it so decided to just get on with it and cleared out a cupboard that had been looming large for months. Yay!

As a friend said yesterday, it's amazing what space is created in our lives by letting something go. For me observing a month where we buy nothing brings so much space and clarity - it's almost addictive! Will share more soon.

Unschooling Conference

2009-07-23T13:10:00.002+01:00

We are off to the unschooling conference this weekend in London. Really looking forward to all the talks, workshops and activities on offer. As well as the chance to meet other home educators and get inspired. It takes place on Saturday 25th July at The Music Room, just off Oxford Street.
There’ll be lectures from Dayna Martin, radical unschooler, author of Radical Unschooling: A Revolution has Begun, la leche league leader, natural birth educator … (I can’t wait to meet this incredible woman!), Matthew Speno, educational consultant and unschooling dad, Wendy Lewis, home educated illustrator of the brilliant practical guides to HE – Unqualified Education and One to One and many other speakers.
The crystal reiki workshop for adults and children will really appeal to my eldest daughter, whilst yoga for families is where my youngest will make a beeline for. All of us are looking forward to creating art with Emma Neuberg. If you would like to attend, I believe that there are still tickets available. Visit The London Unschooling Conference for more information.

2009-06-10T19:37:00.004+01:00

May is probably my favourite month - I love the celebration of Beltane, which marks the start and the lush greenery and hedgerow flowers that appear during the late spring. There a real feeling of opening during this month and of receptiveness and joy. And we did indeed have a marvellous month of May filled with flowers, family and festivals.

Our Natural Gardening Special edition of The Green Parent came out in mid-May, carrying articles on how to create a wildlife garden, parenting and permaculture, lotus birth and our favourite family festivals. When it was published we took the opportunity for a quick break in the Lake District to cheer on my courageous and exceedingly fit brother-in-law as he made short work of the Brathay Marathon round Lake Windermere. We spent a week exploring the area around Coniston and discovered some beautiful stone circles, a really inspirational garden at Brantwood, home of John Ruskin and some great wholefood cafés.

Once home we set to work on the next edition which is published next month and also managed to squeeze in a weekend at Sunrise Celebration, which comes top of my list of favourite festivals. It was a truly blissed out and loved up affair taking place on an organic farm in Somerset and powered ostensibly by renewables. Added extras such as the Earth Heart Cafe, which served energised chai from a huge conch shell, fairy permaculture gardens and a large hot tub made it even more magical. We're looking forward to Sunrise Off-Grid in August, if we can manage to get our Education issue of the magazine produced in time.

Other exciting happenings this spring have included a series of breathing workshops run by my lovely and very talented yoga instructor, Julie Stannard, a foraging walk along the South Downs to discover the healing properties of our native flora and fauna and some joyous time spent with friends. We have had a really social time recently, meeting up with friends every day. The girls especially have really enjoyed this and our home education journey seems to be quite focused on emotional and social intelligence right now. That feels really good for us all. Will post more later - right now I have stories to read...

quick catch up

2009-05-06T17:18:00.002+01:00

Well it's been ages since I last posted so I thought I'd do a quick round up of what's been going on here at The Green Parent. We certainly felt the powerful effects of the Equinox and had a good old clear out and were able to let go of some items and systems that we'd been holding onto for a long time! Then, I did an Energy Awareness training course back in April, inspired by Natalie Fee, who writes the Spiritual Parenting column in the magazine. This course coupled with a series of yogic breathing workshops have helped me release a whole lot more so am feeling really good right now.

Carry on camping

We treated ourselves to a beautiful bell tent for festivals this year and are so thrilled with it. We camped out amongst the bluebells for a week, cooking on a fire and sleeping on the earth. Absolute bliss. It was tough resuming 'real' life and the box-like confines of a house after tented living. Planning a solitary moon lodge in the tent this week and am so excited!

The magazine

We've just finished our Natural Gardening special edition which will be out next week. It's packed with stuff - inside there's articles on how to create a wildlife garden, unassisted birth and a huge festival ticket giveaway. In stores or available here from 14th May.

ostara blessings

2009-03-23T20:32:00.003Z

Just wanted to post a quick note on Ostara or the spring equinox, which took place on Friday. We spent it with friends around a bonfire after an egg hunt amongst the wood anemones. Am just reading The Idle Parent (which is hilarious, subversive and quite brilliant) so it was timely to watch all these home educated children running free, climbing trees and enjoying self-directed play with other kids of all ages. And hasn't the weather been gorgeous and uplifting? I have had the chance to get really stuck into my garden and that has been blissful. Also brewed up my first batch of nettle tonic of the season and it's taste is spring encapsulated. Anyway, back to Ostara... Cultural connections Ostara is a time of balance, as the equinox is the point at which the day and the night are of equal length. After this night the days become longer than the nights which is a special cause for celebration in some cultures (such as Iran, Azerbaijan and Turkey), and actually marks the beginning of their New Year. For the Anglo-Saxons, the equinox also heralded the beginning of the New Year. The celebration honoured their Goddess of Spring, Eostre, and this is believed to be the forerunner of the Christian celebration of Easter. The themes of these celebrations throughout the world are very similar, all of which focus upon new beginnings, fertility, and new life. Embrace fertility Ostara is a wonderful celebration, the second of the fertility festivals (Imbolc being the first). Falling at such a beautiful time of year, there is much to celebrate! The days gradually lengthen and the beauty of spring is all around. The air is fresh and sweet smelling, and there is a sense of ‘lightness’. Our heavy winter clothes are shrugged off, and most are feeling a renewed sense of hope and happiness as the sun prepares to smile down upon us for a little longer every day. Personal celebration It's a good time to reflect upon the balance of your life. Springtime heralds change and transformation, and the opportunity to hold a mirror to yourself and ask, ‘what do I see?’ This is not a physical question, rather one of honesty. It is a time of clarity and new beginnings, a fresh outlook. All that we resist will reappear continually until we confront and accept what we fear to change. We can manifest new intentions just as easily as flowers spring up from the earth. Ostara blows in on a fresh easterly wind, (usually accompanied by cleansing showers as we have seen today!), as its element is that of Air. Accept change Allow the winds of change to move you. This may be gently, blowing away the cobwebs of winter, freshening the space between your relationships, and cleansing your communication with others. If you have stagnated, hibernated or stayed stubbornly in one place allow the sweet easterly breeze to flow around you and through you. Savour and delight in the fresh fragrant smells it brings: spring blossoms, warming earth, awakening fresh greens. Permit yourself the youthful perception and clarity of spring; it’s flexibility and strength. Once you embrace this, you yourself will bend gracefully under the fiercest of winds like a strong, young sapling. Living life lightly and affecting positive change is all about acceptance – of others, yourself and your situation. Spring is a special time to invite new challenges, or face old problems, with a renewed sense of purpose. This evocative pentagram image is created by Jennastasia

Last night on raw

2009-03-11T22:37:00.004Z

Well, tonight is officially the end of our raw week - we shared a cheeky dinner of mango and raw chocolate brownie. No-one complained! I am thinking about doing a Master Cleanse starting next week to help shift some of my own stuff in preparation for the spring as the raw week was very much about everyone else and I didn't really get a chance to go deep into the detoxing process. I fancy putting together a programme of journalling and massage, inner truth seeking and yoga to lead up to the spring equinox. We are organising a big Ostara egg hunt though so will have to curb all those chocolate cravings! I'll let you know how I get on.

Raw Update

2009-03-09T20:44:00.004Z

Hey lovely folk, Just an update on being raw as a family for a week. Well Jez and I are on Day Five and feeling pretty fantastic. I started introducing cooked foods again for my children on day three because I didn't think that raw was really working for them. They ate loads of fruit, a bit of seaweed and quite a few raw veggie crudites but my youngest in particular was not keen to try anything more complex so when they started to get hungry I made some soup and the next day jacket potatoes and so on (they are now eating raw for two meals and cooked at lunchtime).

Making mylk One of the most successful things has been hazelnut mylk which I make fresh every morning by blending two handfuls of hazelnuts (that have been soaked overnight with two dates) with about a pint and a half of water. I drain this for a lovely creamy mylk to accompany raw granola. 1 cup sunflower seeds, soaked 1 cup pumpkin seeds, soaked 1/2 cup agave syrup 1 cup almonds, soaked 1/2 cup raisins (not usually raw as they are coated in oil, so omit if on a strict raw diet) 1/2 cup hemp seeds 1/2 cup flax seeds 1/2 cup coconut flakes Put all ingredients in a food processor and blitz until well mixed and nuts and seeds are broken down a bit. Put into dehydrator overnight. If you don't have a dehydrator - put in the oven on lowest heat with the door open for an hour or so (although environmentally this is a bit of a disasterous use of energy!)

Crisps and other snacks We have also dehydrated parsnip and courgette crisps which went down well and made tomato nachos by blending five tomatoes in a food processor and dehyrating the mixture. When ready I broke it into triangle pieces and we have them with sprouted chickpea humous (which is made in just the same way as normal humous, just with sprouted chickpeas instead). Mains and salads Vegetable pasta (peelings of carrot and courgette) has featured prominently either with raw tomato sauce or spinach pesto. Am going to try nettle pesto as well this week. I have become addicted to a brassica leaf mix (finely chopped with a hemp seed dressing), available from the local farmer's market and have had to phone the lovely farmer who grows it to ask if I can go and pick up some more because I've run out and have been eating it for breakfast, lunch and dinner for three days! Detoxing and cleansing One of the things that has struck me is that we have all gone through a detoxing phase and that I have been so anxious about how everyone else is feeling, what they need to eat etc that I have not been able to tune into my own detox at all. I love fasting and doing equinox and solstice cleanses so will probably carry this through into next week and do a Master Cleanse to finish the clearing out. Oh, and clearing out has been another good thing to come out of this going raw experiment. I have taken lots of things to charity and done some regifting of books and clothes. Will keep you updated with our progress!

Full Moon in Virgo

2009-03-09T20:42:00.003Z

Early on Wednesday morning the moon reaches its fullest point. So what does this hold in store for us? Well, she will be full in the sign of Virgo so we can expect this to be a time for healing and serving others. Its also ideal week to concentrate on our body and to take responsibility for our health. On 11th March at 2:38 the moon is full and the energies that surround this event will affect our lives for the day before and will continue for several days afterwards. So let’s look at the impact of this Virgoan full moon. Virgo is the healer, nurse, doctor and therapist. According to Astrolger, Lisa Dale Miller, “This sign is the true healer of the zodiac because in its mind, if it causes pain, it warrants attention and a cure. For Virgo, caring comes in the form of finding workable solutions to everyday problems.” This is the time to take full responsibility for our health. The current alignment of planets invite in depth questioning of our beliefs about medicine, healing and disease. Listen to what your body is trying to tell you about your life. An interesting exercise is to do a body scan. Lie down in a warm, candlelit space and relax deeply. Take your attention to the top of your head and listen to the message of your skull, then take your attention to your eyes – what are they trying to tell you. The message might pop up in your head as a thought, you might hear a voice or perhaps see a picture in your mind of the body part and what it is feeling like. Some parts of the body may not give a message. Others may have lots to tell you. Once you have completed this exercise, scanning through the whole body, write down what you can remember of the observations. It makes for interesting reading and gives you a deeper insight into how your body is really feeling. Its a good opportunity to start a detox programme of body, mind and space. So embark on a few days of healthful eating, decluttering and addressing any issues that come up through journalling or talking them through with a close friend. Volunteering and helping others is also key at this time. Celebrate your hard work as a carer for your children and extended family. Take a walk in a beautiful location, book a massage or treat yourself to a candlelit bath. Enjoy the bountiful full moon energy and let us know what you got up to when the moon was bright!

Raw Food Week

2009-03-04T15:19:00.001Z

Amid today's scary headlines about the food industry - declining bee population could cost millions in terms of crop loss, fruit and vegetables being grown in factories devoid of natural light and the unveiling of aggressive marketing techniques used in the food industry in a new book - we have decided to go raw for a week. We already eat quite a lot of raw food but we have decided to try going raw for a week and charting how this dietary change affects our moods and emotions. As spring approaches it feels like the right time to do a bit of a clear out and transition to some lighter, juicier foodstuffs. I ordered a bumper selection of fruit instead of our organic veg box this week and have started sprouting seeds on all available surfaces in the kitchen. Have made some raw granola for breakfast tomorrow morning and will get some nut milk started before retiring tonight. Tonight is the last supper and I'm out at a workshop on Nutrition for Children, appropriately, so I won't be around to eat it. The last few days we have stopped eating wheat, sugar (a few blips!), caffeine (coffee, choc etc) and alcohol. I'm excited and I'll keep you posted about how we get on.

New Moon in Pisces

2009-02-22T14:49:00.004Z

The New Moon is a time of rebirth—a time when we are given a chance to start fresh. On Wednesday 25th February the New Moon is in the altruistic, receptive, and dreamy sign of Pisces. So what does this mean? Well, it is a good time to commit to personal goals that express positive and creative energies.

You might choose to:

• take a leap of faith – believe in something that you always wanted to believe in, but were too afraid to put your trust in,

• accept imperfections in yourself and in others,

• start a creative or imaginative project,

• consciously put aside time for peaceful, rejuvenating activities – these can include yoga and meditation, but can be as simple as recognizing your need for “down time” on a regular basis (a cup of tea and five minutes silence every afternoon for example),

• practice putting yourself into others’ shoes, and let some things go (such as judgments and frustrations),

• energize yourself through new experiences that require your imagination and compassion,

• connect or re-connect with a lover on a romantic level; share a dream with a friend.

One of the “lessons” brought by Pisces is to release some of the anxiety that takes control of our everyday lives. As an example if someone takes your place in a queue, tell that person, “Go ahead”, and mean it! If that feels sarcastic, don’t say it out loud, but think it instead. You might “lose” a minute of your time because that person jumped ahead of you, but you will have saved yourself the stress and negativity that comes from allowing yourself to get annoyed and impatient. Same goes for when you are driving. Let small grievances go. Smile at other drivers, or at least, smile to yourself. There is no need to get worked up. These are “little things” that, if practiced often, will help us to understand and apply Pisces lessons in far-reaching ways.

It can seem that the fishes are the easy going, romantic sign of the Zodiac but still waters run deep and we only see the part that’s visible. Pisces swim in deep waters and what happens deep within requires a level of solitude to understand. This is an ideal new moon to find your own way of diving within. One way to do this is through meditation, but you may have another method for accessing that deep private place. For me, it’s yoga. You might prefer surfing, chanting, or walking in the woods. Going deep within is the alternative to catching up on the latest news bulletins, and riding the waves of fear. This is the time to choose another path, and turn inward to find what you need to sustain you through hard times. Since Pisces is the natural artist, this diving inward is also a path to greater personal creativity, too. So unleash your creative side, bake a cake, paint a picture, make something. Do it just for you and enjoy yourself!

So this new moon is a portal to choosing love or fear. We are more powerful than we realize; what’s cultivated within is reflected by the kind of world we live in. This new Moon is a chance to re-create the world, one that is a mirror of who we are, at our most compassionate, unique, colorful, visionary and hopeful.

Today’s painting is by the incredibly talented Josephine Wall. With many thanks to her for her inspiring work.

I'm back

2009-02-20T22:43:00.003Z

Just a quick post to say that I'll be back over the weekend with some ideas for the New Moon in Pisces coming up on Tuesday - it's a time of homecoming and awakening so should be fairly nurturing and blissful after overcoming the challenges that this moon phase usually presents us with - you know going deep into the darkest parts of our self, etc.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that I wanted to carry on writing on this blog as well as the one on the main Green Parent site. So, hope you enjoy reading...

cloth from pineapples!

2009-02-20T22:35:00.003Z

Following on from our exciting natural textile discoveries in the latest edition of The Green Parent magazine, in which we showed beautiful clothing made from nettles, hemp and bamboo, I have just learnt about a cloth made from the fibre of pineapple leaves. How cool is that!

Produced entirely from the leaves of the pineapple plant, Pina Cloth is gossamer thin yet strong enough to construct light, airy garments. It makes a fantastic animal-friendly alternative to silk, is fair trade and is still made using the age-old traditions that have been used to produce it for hundreds of years. Weaving the fibres from the plant's leaves is an age-old tradition which was recently revived in the past 20 years. History records suggest that Kalibo's Pina cloth was traded during the Pre-Hispanic times and reached as far as Greece and Egypt during it's heyday. At Boutique Ethique, Pina cloth produced by a fair trade family-run company in the Philippines features is used to make items for the Spring/Summer 09 Collection, like this beautiful blouse, £130 (pictured). The company employs 85 weavers and insists on maintaining the traditional techniques, such as manual extraction of fibre, and preserving the cultural heritage of the weaving industry.

For more info on natural fibres see issue 27 of The Green Parent magazine.

news and a redirection

2009-01-28T21:05:00.003Z

Hello,

Been meaning to post for ages to say that our new website is up and running and there's some juicy competitions and interesting articles about co-sleeping, being a good birth partner and fun activities to do in February.

So, this also means that my blog has moved a few doors down and can now be found here. I'd love for you to come and visit! Still posting a mixture of moon musings, green reads, news, a few ideas and some nice things I've spotted.

Hope to see you there,

Melissa

PS: Also forgot to mention there's a new mag out with lots of gorgeous ethical fashion and ideas for greening up our wardrobes. All subscribers this month will be sent some yummy natural beauty products to accompany.

happy new year

2009-01-06T14:04:00.004Z

Well, a very happy and green new year to everyone. I am really excited about 2009 - it feels like a time of great change and potential. I am looking forward to continuing to share the positive message of The Green Parent magazine, bringing inspiration on parenting issues and green ideas to an even wider audience. We have lots of fabulous things planned for this year along with a new website, launching next week that will be packed with articles, comment, reviews, competitions and much much more. The next edition of the magazine is also out next week and has some great new features including a reader's panel where our lovely readers share their opinions and ideas.

I hope that the festive season was full of light and joy for all. We spent most of our time celebrating with family and friends which was absolutely wonderful and has reaffirmed a resolution that I made to myself at the Celtic New Year in November that I should spend more time enjoying my loved ones company and less time fretting over work, household chores, shopping and other activities that involve separation rather than connection.

After all the festivities Jez and I found ourselves with a free weekend (children happily ensconced at their grandparents) and we indulged in a spa weekend, which was out-of-this-world. We ate, slept, went for long walks and lounged around in hydrotherapy pools for two days. I think it will be become our new New Year ritual and maybe we'll have to commemorate the Chinese and Islamic New Years in Feb and March, respectively, in a similar fashion!

I am leisurely re-reading Tom Hodgkinson's How to be Idle at the moment and I think this has, in part, affected a sea-change in my previous workaholic state. I'd recommend every time-poor, overstretched person get a copy of this book and take it to bed at some inappropriate time, like in the middle of the afternoon. It's quite revolutionary!

Anyway, love and light for an abundant, healthy, happy and slow 2009,

Melissa

xxx

new moon in sagittarius

2008-11-27T20:37:00.003Z

Just wanted to share a quick post on today's new moon which is in the sign of Sagittarius. Both the sun and the new moon are in the same sign so it will be a warm fiery time with plenty of optimism floating around. It's a great time to begin projects that are focused on spiritual or educational endeavours.

However, it is also a time to shine a light on the truth as Sagittarius embraces honesty. It provides the chance to listen to our own truth and to hear what others have to say without judgement. The power of Sagittarius can help us see past our own limitations, let down defences that block the light and help us to realise new adventures and explore new pastures. It is after all the sign of travel and exploration. At this time of year I plan to use this as a focus for inner travel and exploration as the wheel of the year is in its darkest phase.

Today I have done some really useful emotional clearing and felt really in tune with my need to look after myself during the new moon. I sought and found solace in a large mug of peppermint tea, a big blanket and the chance to sew tiny chicken finger puppets as gifts. Bliss!

Wishing you a joyful and optimist exploration of your inner truth.

buy nothing month: day twenty seven

2008-11-27T08:59:00.003Z

Yay, only four days left of our Buy Nothing Month and then we can unleash ourselves on the shops and buy loads of, urm, organic coconut oil and selotape. Wild - huh?

This week I am working on sourcing amazing clothing and accessories for our Ethical Fashion special edition of The Green Parent magazine and I have got to admit to a haze of avariciousness enveloping my desk. Hunting down inspirational stories of women creating beautiful recycled items and speaking to key people in the ethical fashion industry whilst musing over their gorgeous designs, it has been hard to keep a lid on the "I want" mentality. I have subconsciously created about a zillion wish lists.

One positive aspect of this is that it has inspired me to get crafty and start making some garments of my own ... for the girls' Sylvannian characters rather than proper people sized clothing. But it feels good to sit around the fire in the evening with needle in hand and a bevvy of small woodland folk to clothe.

I have also discovered the Handmade Pledge for the holidays and am delighted by its ethos. Encouraging consumers to make gifts or purchase homemade presents for giving this festive season, Pledge Handmade has collected over thirty thousand signatures to support its cause over the last couple of months. That means over thirty thousand people who are going to steer clear of shopping centres and give one-of-a-kind meaningful gifts this year. They say, "The ascendancy of chain store culture and global manufacturing has left us dressing, furnishing, and decorating alike. We are encouraged to be consumers, not producers, of our own culture. Our ties to the local and human sources of our goods have been lost. Buying handmade helps us reconnect."

Reconnecting through crafting sounds like something to aspire to!

By the way, the picture is of the Irregular Crochet Necklace by Irregular Expressions at Etsy.

stop enforced vaccination

2008-11-26T13:59:00.004Z

You may be aware that the government is considering making vaccination compulsory in order for our children to attend UK schools & to claim child benefit. This link will take you to a Downing Street petition if you want to record your opposition to it. This will only take a minute. More and more parents are looking into the safety and effectiveness of vaccinations. Greater knowledge enables parents to have the confidence to exercise their right to an informed choice. To be forced into vaccinating our children so that they can attend school or that we can receive child benefit would be ridiculous.

A useful starting point for parents keen to find out more about vaccinations is The Informed Parent website and newsletters. My children are not vaccinated because I believe that inoculations can cause more harm than good. I think that bolstering their immune system with a healthy diet, plenty of fresh air, dirt and a little homeopathy when they need it is a better course for us in achieving complete health.

homes for wildlife

2008-11-26T13:49:00.005Z

The RSPB have just released results from the first year of their Homes for Wildlife campaign and have reported that 300,000 actions have been taken to create habitats for garden creatures. Apparently, more than 25,000 gardeners have done an average of 12 things each that help frogs, toads, bats, insects, hedgehogs and birds. Providing seed mixes, growing flowering nectar-rich plants and planting dense thorny bushes are just some of the top actions people have taken as part of the project. Alongside the campaign the RSPB is offering free, tailored wildlife-gardening advice to help people transform their homes and gardens into mini nature reserves. The RSPB’s Richard Bashford, said: “Wildlife is increasingly reliant on our gardens for food, water and shelter so it’s fantastic that people are so committed to making their homes and gardens wildlife friendly. “Through Homes for Wildlife, we’re trying to reverse the alarming declines of familiar birds such as house sparrows, starlings and song thrushes. Large numbers of these birds make their homes in our gardens. The time committed by people in taking actions will help create a better future for them and other wildlife in the not too distant future.” One of the most popular activities in the project - growing plants in tubs to attract insects – shows that regardless of size or shape of garden everyone can take part. More than 4,000 people took action on balconies or in gardens smaller than squash courts. In even a tiny space, you can make a real difference for wildlife. On average, 60 bugs were seen in each garden. Snails were most common with an average of 12 per garden. Ladybirds were seen more often in the south and east than the north and west. Other results show that three-quarters of gardens surveyed had frogs, more than half had bats, a third had hedgehogs and newts and a quarter had toads. Richard added: “We’ve made a fantastic start but it’s really important that more people get involved. Now is a great time to think longer term about turning your garden into a haven for wildlife. The more people who sign-up and take action, the bigger effect we will have. By taking simple wildlife-friendly steps in our gardens, collectively we will make a real difference for many of our birds and other wildlife.” To get involved you can sign up on the Homes for Wildlife site and you will receive seasonal advice sheets and surveys that the whole family can take part in.

cool offers

2008-11-24T17:52:00.002Z

Just a little note for anyone who's starting their christmas shopping early - here's some lovely offers from companies we like, including money off organic wine and free handmade soaps:

• 20% off organic clothing at Tattybumpkin - code: GPWIN

• 20% off natural petfood at Denes - code: TGP002

• 15% off toys and games at Ecotopia - code: GPTOY15

• 15% off Soft Star Shoes - code: Greenparent

• 15% off healthcare and natural beauty products at 100% Nature - code: GP12

• 10% off organic clothing at Dam Tam - code: GP1008

• 5kg of fairtrade dates in time for Christmas - £33

• 10% off all natural beauty products at Purely Bliss - code: GP08

• 10% off organic clothing and ethical gifts at Love Cow - code: GREEN

• 10% off vegan skincare at Innocent Oils - code: GP11

• Free Box in the Boot with every shopping trolley ordered at Trollease

• Free subscription to The Green Parent magazine when you sign up to Ecotricity

• 10% off beautiful toys and playthings at Laughing Bear - code: GXM10

• 10% off organic wines at Vinceremos - code: GP

• 10% off Clothes, toys and nappies at Makes a Change - code: Greenparent

• 10% off soft baby slings at Bambino to Go - code: Green Parent

• Free handmade soaps and p&p at Centre for Alternative Technology - code: GP08X

• Free nappy sample at Spirit of Nature

• 5% off ethical gifts and homewares at Fig 1 - code: m/gparents

Hope this helps.

buy nothing month: day twenty four

2008-11-24T10:11:00.003Z

Wowzer, can't believe that we only have a week to go. We are now thinking about how to roll this out into our lives beyond Buy Nothing Month. It's surprisingly liberating. And whilst the kids have a yearning to take some hard cash into our local town to splash out, when we asked what they wanted to buy they explained that they wanted to get each other a Christmas present at the bookshop. Bless!

They have gone to their beloved aunt and uncle's house for a sleepover and are looking forward to butter with their bread and a chance to go to the shops (not to buy but just to look), as well as lots of love and silly games as well I'm sure.

A friend is organising a bring and buy sale in the village in aid of Blue Peter's Mission Nutrition and I felt a bit churlish when I remembered that we wouldn't be able to purchase anything. Surely this is the sort of consumerism that we should support regardless. Jury's out on this. Sale is this afternoon so I'll keep you posted what decision I come to.

Food around here is getting decidedly weird - cabbage soup anyone? But essentially apart from an ear infection, chest infection and a few sniffles we are all fairly fit and healthy! For medicine we have relied completely on the kitchen cupboard and a bottle of amazing tonic from the marvellous Nancy Makin of Barefoot Herbs, who is really our family doctor.

In the office we have run out of recycled paper envelopes and tape so have been more careful than usual about opening envelopes to ensure that they can be re-used and using old stickers to seal mail.

I have not experienced the spiritual effects that I thought that a buy nothing month might bring. I expected small moments of epiphany. I expected to discover greater clarity and and a sense of lightness. Perhaps I have experienced this but on a smaller scale than I envisaged. Perhaps I need to step away from the computer and my day-to-day life to realise that on a grand scale?

Anyway, although we did this for political and environmental reasons, I expect that the economical effects won't have hurt either. And now, I'm off to make a few felt toys for the advent calendar, which will be hung expectantly in just six days time!

six interesting things

2008-11-24T09:11:00.004Z

I've been tagged by the lovely Mrs Green at My Zero Waste (thanks Rae!) and asked to write six interesting things about myself but since this blog is ostensibly about the office in which I work I'll post three things about the company and three things about me.

1. This magazine was conceived in a small cottage on a Cornish cliff. We were on a winter holiday with our two very small beans and wanted to create a way in which we could home educate, live and work together and grow our family relationships. Jez is into design, I love to write - perfect combo!

2. We work out of a spare room at home - this means having to be very disciplined to leave work behind at the end of the day. I am descended from a long line of workaholics so have to be very careful!

3. in the last year we have been featured on the BBC news, in The Observer, Guardian and lots of glossy magazines, including Woman and Home and Eve. We haven't won any awards yet but we think what we are doing is pretty special and unique so maybe one day we will.

4. I love to sing and got offered a recording contract when I was a teenager. Now, when I sing at home, everyone leaves the building.

5. Before having babies, I used to work for a multi-national company on the Kings Road in Chelsea and hang out with meed-ya types. I swapped all that for wellies and chicken poo and have never been happier.

6. I have itchy feet and am always ready to move onto something new. Sometimes it involves gypsy caravans, sometimes Spanish olive groves. My current dream is to live in a yurt in the middle of a wood. I also want to set up a moon lodge for all the wonderful women in my life, and my daughters when they are older.

buy nothing month: day nineteen

2008-11-19T09:10:00.004Z

We're nineteen days into our abstinence from consumerism - so how is it going? What are we missing? Any slip-ups?

Each of us has expressed a desire for some food that has not been prepared in our kitchen. My youngest wants sandwiches on white bread with hula hoop crisps to accompany. Jez wants to go out for a luxurious meal at our favourite veggie restaurant in Brighton partly to eat amazing food but also to avoid the washing up for a night! And create washing up we have done. In a normal month we eat little processed food anyway but never before have we made so much washing up. It seems that when everything is prepared from scratch, at least double the amount of time is spent in the kitchen. Which can be tricky when you have a business to run and two home educated daughters to inspire. Yesterday whilst making a load of breads and pies and stuff to last for a couple of days I made salt dough too, for the girls to get creative with. We also boiled up some beet juice to make pink food colouring and the salt dough creations look really gorgeous in shades of pink and white.

As for me, I seem to get a brief burning desire for things that normally I wouldn't feel too bothered about. It passes quite quickly and sometimes I don't get affected at all. At the weekend we went to Wakehurst Place as we have Kew membership (so free to get in!) and the shop there is great. I really enjoy noodling round gift shops in these sorts of places. I saw plenty of nice things that would make great Christmas pressies. And yet, walking around I felt so liberated. Completely freed from having to make a decision on any of this STUFF. Which is essentially what it was, albeit very nice stuff.

And on to slip-ups. Have we had any? Well yes, last week we had a home ed trip pre-organised and despite lots of creative ideas about how we could get there and get in without paying in money, but using other resources instead, we ended up parting with cash. Yep, I spent over £10 that day; on entrance to the fort and also on public transport home. So we didn't actually buy anything physical but we bought experiences and it still felt as though I was 'breaking the rules'. To our credit we did have a crazy packed lunch of things like sprouted seeds and pieces of dried fruit that we ate alongside friends availing themselves of café fare.

So, that's where we at at the moment - 11 days to go...

vegan celebration six

2008-11-19T09:04:00.004Z

Well the Heavenly Cake Company must be busy little bees if their testimonials are anything to go by. They make vegan birthday cakes and celebration cakes with 100% coconut oil, which owner Luzolo believes is the healthiest oil on earth. Apart from the range of gluten free cakes, their cakes are made with organic spelt flour; an ancient flour used by the ancient Egyptians and Romans, also known as the 'mother' of wheat. It contains more protein and fibre than wheat and also has ingredients which stimulate the body's immune system. Even though it contains gluten, it can often be tolerated by gluten intolerant people because it is whole and unadulterated. I like the sound of their Chocolate Love cake, which is apparently melt-in-the-mouth good. Hopefully I'll find them at a vegan fayre next year.

buy nothing month: day thirteen

2008-11-13T09:16:00.005Z

It's been nearly two weeks and we have not succumbed to any of the temptations of acquiring more stuff - yet! As I mentioned previously this is chiefly to do with the fact that we live in the sticks but we have had to brave the lure of internet shopping daily! I have run out of tape and am feeling a bit under the weather. Dosing myself up on lots of honey and lemon drinks and wearing lots of scarfs! So I thought I'd use today's post to write about health.

The average person spends £137 on medicine a year in the UK. Although some of this is necessary all too often we seek quick fixes from pills so that we can 'get on' with our lives.

BE AWARE OF THOUGHTS - Being aware of your thoughts and how you react to things can have a profound effect on your health. Positive thinking instantly lifts our spirits and gives us more space to seek out an alternative.

TRY AN ALTERNATIVE There are a growing number of alternative practitioners in many different fields. Ask friends for recommendations and notice what form of treatment you feel drawn to. I would advise building up a bank of alternative practitioners that can support your family's health and wellbeing. You might want to consider homeopathy, reflexology, traditional Chinese medicine, herbalism or cranial sacral therapy for example.

BE YOUR OWN DOCTOR Our bodies are incredible organisms that strive to create health - they are always working in that direction, to be healthy. If you are unwell and you sit quietly with your thoughts, you can find out what is the problem and what your body needs in order to effectively heal. Just be willing to dialogue with the disease or the part of the body that is suffering.

LOOK OUTSIDE YOUR FRONT DOOR Many herbalists believe that the plants that a family needs for health are growing around the house or in the local environment. What is growing outside your front door? Mint is good for digestive troubles, lavender for aiding relaxation, sage to soothe a sore throat.

HYDRATE YOURSELF Many headaches are caused by dehydration. Ty to drink around 2 litres of water a day. A glass of water with lemon juice first thing in the morning is a cleansing start to the day. Every time you walk past the kitchen tap, fill a small glass and drink it.

To your good health!

vegan celebration five

2008-11-13T09:08:00.002Z

This time it's all about the fabulous Raw Gaia and their yummy living skincare. When raw foodie Lisa Lennon couldn't find a chemical free moisturiser to soothe her dry skin she started to experiment in her kitchen. She utilised the principles of her raw food diet to create a vegan skin cream, packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Lisa created the first ever 'living' skincare product, 'For Her Daughters Living Moisturiser', (£12.50 for a 60ml jar) handmade through a special low temperature process, using only organic cold-pressed butters and oils. Raw Gaia now sells a range of beauty products made with 100% organic, living and vegan ingredients. We like the selection of articles on their website about aging, detoxing the bathroom and the importance of deep sleep for radiant skin.

buy nothing month: day twelve

2008-11-12T10:36:00.004Z

Hey, good morning everyone!

Just a quick post to say that we're on day twelve and all is well. The fact that the sun is shining makes a big difference! I also wanted to post that I LOVE my job. Am just planning and putting together a fairtrade edition to come out in January and am very excited about all the projects and ideas that I am reading about and the people that I am speaking to. Discovered a Canadian based eco mama yesterday who runs an online homebirth supplies store and also provides natural birthing kits for women in Uganda through a programme that she and some friends have set up.

The programme is dedicated to helping children, women and communities in Uganda find peace and health. They believe that in order to overcome trauma and conflict in a community, first people need to heal and uplift their bodies, minds and spirits. Shanti Uganda aims to provide the tools needed to support inner peace and wellbeing, encourage conscious birth (in a country where medicalised birth has taken its toll and many of the traditional practices lost) and manifest health, happiness and community.

Some of the initiatives include running yoga classes and art workshops to aid trauma release and providing luna washable pads to the young women. The latest project was to build a chicken coop next to the school so that the school children could have fresh eggs for breakfast. An organic farm and birthing centre are planned for the Community Centre that they are hoping to build. All in all - an inspiring vision and one that brings a real sense of hope that such pockets of light exist around the world.

vegan celebration four

2008-11-10T16:33:00.003Z

Bourgeois Boheme have a fabulous range of vegan shoes and accessories. In their new eco range, made from hemp and fairtrade cotton, I love the BoBo Rhea Oat in hemp. I know it sounds like a large feathered flightless health snack but look (pictured right) it's really very pretty, dainty and just ideal for an Earth Goddess stepping out. I know that I can't have a pair of these, especially not right now, but I just like to look. Anyway back to BBoheme's sterling ethics... They aim to provide quality footwear and products that last and last. They are not into throwaway fashion so they actively want you to wear last summer's sandals next year, and the year after and so on. They are trademarked with the Vegan Society logo and always use organic and natural materials to create their shoes.

vegan celebration three

2008-11-10T16:12:00.003Z

Well at number three it has to be Yaoh, home of a large range of hemp goodies, organisers of the world's biggest vegan event and now publishers of new funky vegan magazine, Off the Hoof. The Bristol Vegan Fayre which Yaoh organise takes place next year on May 30th - 31st, complete with musical entertainment, workshops, demos and lots of yummy vegan goodies to sample. And next year will see the start of a Brighton event in March too. Expect to find juice bars, an eco boutique, showcasing the latest in ethical vegan fashion and a dedicated kids area. This vibrant vegan vessel is expertly captained by Timbo, who I'm sure has many other cunning plans up his animal-friendly sleeves. Send us a copy of your exciting new magazine Tim and we'll write a proper review! Also check out the Oct/Nov 08 edition of The Green Parent for your chance to win a set of luscious products from Yaoh.

buy nothing month: day ten

2008-11-10T13:40:00.005Z

It's day ten of Buy Nothing Month and we ate soup for lunch (again). Trying to remain calm and optimistic in face of depleting food stocks - at least we have a gazillion squashes in all shapes and sizes that can be put to many different uses - bread, soups, stews, cakes etc, etc.

I have looked through the waste that we have accrued and discovered that it is all plastic packaging - bags for lentils, muesli, pasta etc. I am going to email each of the manufacturers and ask them if they have any advice on what I can do with it. I'll let you know how I get on!

All our lovely subscribers will have received the latest copy of The Green Parent magazine in the last couple of days and it goes on sale in shops later in the week. I'm really pleased with all the juicy editorial in this issue from how to make edible Christmas pressies to a fabulous article on celebrating ageing, rather than trying to hide behind expensive creams. It's certainly helped me be kinder to my reflection in the mornings!

buy nothing month: day eight

2008-11-08T13:16:00.003Z

Hey, we have completed the first week or buy nothing month and all is going well. I expect the real challenges to come in a couple of weeks time. I am carefully rationing food items and it is making me more creative in the kitchen. We are going to a party tonight and I am planning what to take with me as a gift - will probably make some edible treats and maybe something from the garden, like a bunch of carrots, in place of flowers!

One pleasing aspect is the reduction in the amount of waste that we have created over the last week. So far we have accumulated half a carrier bag of rubbish in just over a week. I know that we have further to go on waste reduction so I am aiming to cut this as we progress.

I haven't travelled further than we can cycle over the last week so have enjoyed more time spent with close neighbours and people in the local community, which has been another added benefit. Next week we have a couple of home ed trips planned and I haven't yet worked out how we are going to travel and pay for these, if we go. I am sure that there is some creative trading that could be possible. I'll keep you posted.

Meanwhile, off to make something to rival a box of organic chocs...

vegan celebration two

2008-11-04T15:57:00.002Z

Yay - today in our vegan spotlight we have another yummy food company. This time we are focusing on the lovely Natural Balance Foods (NBF), who are a small company dedicated to increasing world happiness. NBF produce a range of scrumptious raw bars called Nakd and Trek from their base in Wales. I found some of their products in a health food store in Wales and was hooked.

Nakd bars come in a range of flavours including Berry Cheeky, Apple Tart and Cocoa Loco. They don't contain any artificial ingredients or added sugar and are 100% raw and v tasty.

Their website contains things to make you laugh, get more health aware and plenty of great competitions to enter - fancy a big box of raw bars?

Although they do not carry the Vegan Society label, there is no animal-based products inside these healthy bites and each product does display the Animal Aid symbol on the packaging.

buy nothing month: day four - green pets

2008-11-04T14:52:00.003Z

Hello - it's day four today of our month long period of abstinence from shopping and I have been getting a little panicky about food and whether we are going to be able to manage on a veg box a week alone. I made soup for lunch and carefully metered out the ingredients for the kids to make scones to go with the soup. My youngest said to me that I'm not very good at following my own advice in that the thoughts you focus on and give most time and energy to are the ones that are mostly likely to happen. I broke off a big piece of humble pie and marvelled how even when I think no-one is listening, it's all being absorbed.

We said goodbye to our adopted puppy yesterday and I felt really sad to see him go, although the house had started to acquire that warm, wet dog smell and he did try to eat one of our lady chooks. Jez rescued her in the nick of time. As he is a rescue dog he was in quite a bad way emotionally and health wise. We gave him Bach Flower Remedies to balance his emotional state and fed him on 'natural' dog food but it got me to thinking about other ways in which we can reduce the carbon pawprint and nurture our animals in as natural a way as possible.

Over 50% of us have pets at home and £3 billion pounds are spent annually on petcare products in the UK. So it is certainly worth making ethical choices in this area of our lives.

COME TO THE RESCUE - Find out about your local animal shelter and adopt a rescued animal if possible - there are thousands of mistreated or abandoned animals who need safe homes. Try the RSPCA, Battersea Dogs Home or Cats Protection.

ORGANIC FOOD - Look for organic or natural petfood at your local pet food store. Try and avoid plastic packaging as far as possible. The most healthy diet for cats and dogs is said to be raw meat, combined with cooked rice and vegetables. There are many books with recipes and further information about providing pets with a diet as close to their wild ancestors as possible - try the local library. Find out more about the nasties contained in conventional pet food and about how to give your pet a natural diet in Issue 23 of The Green Parent magazine.

NATURAL TOYS - Shun plastic in favour of homemade toys - what cat can resist a feather or a ball of string? Animal Pure and Ecoutlet have a great range of natural alternatives made from hemp and loofah.

SCOOP THE POOP - Bag and bin dog poo in a biodegradable Poop Scoop bag or use the Onya Dump It with biodegradable bags inside.

BANISH FLEAS - Add 2 crushed cloves of raw garlic to your pet's food at each mealtime as a natural flea repellent. Ask a herbalist about a herbal treatment, containing wormwood and tea tree for example, that can be added to your pet's collar. Find out more about pesticide-free flea treatments at Pesticide Action Network.

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE - Animals respond well to many alternative therapies including homeopathy, Reiki and Bach flower essences. You might also be able to find a holistic veterinary surgeon near you - we have one at the end of the road! You can read more about natural therapies for pets in Issue 23 of The Green Parent magazine.

BIODEGRADABLE LITTER - If you use cat litter, for kittens or housebound pets, source natural cat litter, which is made from 100% paper and is completely biodegradable (although faeces has to be removed before composting).

ANIMAL WELFARE - Exotic animals are not suitable for pets but are still sold in some pet shops. These animals have usually been trafficked thousands of miles, often illegally, in cramped and inhumane conditions. Find out how you can help stop this at Traffic International. In this country some dog breeders are unscrupulous and puppies are kept in dark, cold, cramped conditions. Find out more at The Dogs Trust.

PROTECT WILDLIFE - Domestic cats are one of the main causes of declining bat numbers in the UK - fix a bell to your cat's collar and stop him from being so stealthy. RSPB reports show that bells reduce wildlife deaths by over a third.

Any other green tips for pets - do let me know!

making a bum job better

2008-11-03T18:41:00.004Z

Mum of two (soon to be three), Helen Blaber has created a great alternative to disposable nappy wipes - the washable cheeky wipe, after four years experience of nappy changes. She says that using these soft cotton cloths instead of disposable wipes, which can contain chemicals such as benzoic acid, parabens and phenoxyethanol, could save over £200 during the baby's lifetime in nappies.

Every nappy wipe that is thrown away ends up in landfill but these little beauties require only water and possibly a few drops of essential oil to soak. They come in an airtight container with 25 towelling wipes, mesh bags for when out and about and 2 different essential oil blends. A kit costs £29.95 and holds everything you need for one baby.

Of course, you could just do as Helen did to start with and cut up an old towel into small squares and soak in water to use as wipes. There are plenty of recipes for baby wipe soaking solutions if you fancy making your own. I like a combination of chamomile tea bags, steeped in a cup of hot water, mixed with 50ml of organic sweet almond oil. Place cut up flannels or towels (preferably organic) in an ice-cream tub and pour the solution over. Top up with water and use as needed. Great as a facial cleanser before bed too!

1) vegan company spotlight

2008-11-03T16:26:00.004Z

The first vegan company that I would like to feature in our spotlight is Plamil Foods because they are probably one of the longest running. Originally the company was set up in the 1960's to produce an alternative to dairy milk, producing milk from plants, the original 'soya milk' called Plant Milk. PLAnt MILk became Plamil Foods.

All their products are suitable for vegans and are also gluten free. Plamil's chocolate is almost a 'guilt free indulgence' and even comes as a 'no added sugar' bar, sweetened using Xylitol, which is made from birch trees. They also have a new range of snack bars, an organic dairy free chocolate spread and the ever popular carob bars.

Ethics are high on the agenda securing high scores in the Ethiscore ratings published by Ethical Consumer magazine. From sourcing ingredients right through to the way they do business ethical issues are at the forefront and in fact all the energy used to make the products is sourced from 100% renewable energy.

Look out for their yummy chocolate range at your local health food store.

vegan month

2008-11-03T16:16:00.003Z

November is Vegan Month, organised by animal welfare charity, Animal Aid, to raise awareness of an animal-free diet and lifestyle and to improve availability of vegan food.

Visitors to the site can download a vegan recipe book and action pack, enter a competition to win a hamper full of vegan goodies, find out about events taking place in the local area, source recipes, watch videos and find out why going vegan is good for animal welfare, the environment and our health.

I am going to be celebrating a different vegan company every day on the blog this month so keep reading to find out which companies have animal welfare at their heart.

buy nothing month: day three - the green office

2008-11-03T13:25:00.005Z

Well, we haven't spent any money for three days although I did go a little crazy whilst playing shops earlier and spent a whole purse full of crystals on some pieces of wooden fruit. I also got a slight pang for lunch in a café, rather than having to make everything from scratch again (and wash up afterwards!) but that passed quite quickly.

Our office is also part of the Buy Nothing Challenge as well so we will not be splurging on stationery items this month or indulging in edible treats to fuel the late nights that are often necessary when producing a magazine every two months. We don't really buy 'things' for work though so I thought I would come up with a few other ideas on how to create a really clean green office.

• SAVE PAPER - The average office worker uses 20,000 sheets of A4 paper a year, most of which gets thrown away. It is easy to reduce the amount of paper used though - print and photocopy on both sides, send emails rather than letters, reuse envelopes and turn scrap paper into notepads. Set up an office recycling scheme and be sure to source recycled paper.

• BUY TO LAST - Avoid disposable biros and choose refillable pens or pencils instead. A plastic pen in landfill will still be there in 50,000 years time. Globally 14 million biros are bought a day!

• SOURCE GREEN STATIONERY - Buy recycled stationery, eco staplers and more from the Green Stationery Company. If each of the UK's ten million office workers used one less staple a day, 120 tonnes of steel would be saved a year.

• FAIR TEA BREAK - Drink Fairtrade tea and coffee, bought from a local shop, if possible. Use a real mug, instead of a disposable cup. Rather than buying pastries and cakes to treat colleagues, bring in homemade goodies instead.

• PACK AN ECO LUNCH - Mrs Green recommends a zero waste approach to packed lunches over at the fab Little Green Blog, capitalising on nature's own perfect packaging.

• RECYCLE YOUR CARTRIDGES - Over 7.5 million toner cartridges and 12 million ink cartridges end up in landfill each year - and the sad thing is that about 90% of them could be recycled. Cartridge World says that 12 months of cartridge recycling in the UK could save up to 15 million litres of oil. Look for one of its 280 stores in high streets across the country where you can refill your cartridge instead of buying new. Alternatively check the manufacturers guidelines on the packet for the freepost address to send used cartridges to for recycling.

• RECYCLE FURNITURE - Unwanted furniture can be recycled by Green Works, a not-for-profit organisation that donates office furniture to schools and charities. This reduces landfill, supports projects in need and provides employment for disadvantaged and disabled people.

• SAVE ENERGY - Position desks to get the best natural light. Switch off lights and machines when not in use. Screensavers do not save energy - switch your machine to sleep mode or turn it off.

• GET WATER EFFICIENT - The Environment Agency has produced a range of leaflets to encourage organisations to become more environmentally aware. You can download free guides on becoming more water efficient and other aspects of greening your business.

• LOOK FOR THE STAR - If you need to buy new equipment, look for the Energy Star - a system developed in the US that also applies to goods sold in the UK. Purchasing a printer, modem or monitor with the Energy Star, you know it will be one of the most efficient models and you will save around £25 a year in energy costs.

• READ CHANGE THE WORLD - For heaps of inspiring ideas and actions to take at work, check out We Are What We Do's book - Change the World 9-5.

• TRAVEL LIGHT - Work out your carbon footprint of travelling to and from work and how you can reduce it. Try a car pool and who knows you might find some new friends whilst saving the planet.

• GET A PLANT - House plants improve indoor air quality, they can reduce pollution by 87% in 24 hours. They look good and lift your spirits too.

• GO NEW AGE - I have a selection of crystals round my desk, specifically clear quartz, as it helps to soak up some of the ElectroMagnetic Radiation that leaches from electrical equipment.

Any more ideas? Do let me know ways that you have managed to make your work environment a greener, more lovely place to work!

facts about waste

2008-11-02T18:24:00.004Z

• In the past 30 years, one-third of the planet’s natural resources base have been consumed.

• In the United States, less than 4% of the original forests remain.

• Forty percent of waterways in the US have become undrinkable.

• The US has 5% of the world’s population but consumes 30% of the world’s resources and creates 30% of the world’s waste.

• If everybody consumed at rates, similar to those of the UK we would need 3 to 5 planets to support us all.

• There are over 100,000 synthetic chemicals on the market today.

• Only a handful of synthetic chemicals have even been tested for human health impacts and NONE have been tested for synergistic health impacts.

• In the US, industry admits to releasing over 4 billion pounds of toxic chemicals a year.

• The average person now consumes twice as much as they did 50 years ago.

• We each see more advertisements in one year than a people 50 years ago saw in a lifetime.

• In the US, national happiness peaked sometime in the 1950s.

• Average house size has doubled since the 1970s.

• For every binfull of waste you put out, 70 binfulls of waste were made upstream to make the waste in that one bin.

day two: buy nothing month

2008-11-02T15:29:00.004Z

Well, it's a gorgeous autumnal afternoon on day two of our Buy Nothing Month and I'm sitting here with a cup of tea and an almond and chocolate muffin, feeling pretty good. So how is it going? And what temptations have we encountered so far?

It's going well, although this might have something to with the fact that we live in the back of beyond and retail temptations don't really exist out here - unless you count the fab village shop and of course, the ever present lure of internet shopping. We are all looking forward to the challenge and even the kids have volunteered to forfeit their pocket money for the month, in order to be more involved in the experiment. I have cancelled our weekly newspaper fix and the film club that we belong to.

I am being extra cautious and sparing in the kitchen with store cupboard ingredients like coconut oil, agave syrup and dairy items such as butter and yoghurt as these will run out quite quickly and we will not replace them during November. I guess there will come a time towards the end of the month when we eat lots of soups and flat breads!

Yesterday, I made big batch of pastry using flour, coconut butter and cold water and turned it into a gigantic pumpkin pie (to make use of all that pumpkin flesh left over from Halloween) and a batch of mini tartlets filled with leek and cheese or tomatoes and herbs, which should last a day or so. On presenting the massive pumpkin pie at dinner last night, amid cinnamony wafts and proud smiles, I discovered that I am the only one of us who likes this traditional treat. Anyone who visits in the next day or so will not get away without being sat down for a cup of tea and a large slab of pie.

Today for lunch I unearthed a packet of couscous from the back of the cupboard and made a salad with tomatoes, herbs and chilli from the garden. Dinner will probably be pasta with similar seasonal veg. I must confess that my cupboard is probably fuller than the average store stump as we do an Infinity Foods bulk order once every few months, so I have a stock of items like tinned tomatoes and large bags of flax seeds, almonds etc.

We usually sell our eggs to neighbours and passers by but this month I will be using them or maybe bartering them at the dairy farm round the corner. I am really interested in nutrition and will keep a close eye on the kids to check that they are getting everything they need this month in order to thrive. I used to feel that my girls were very picky eaters but since I have relaxed my attitude to this, they in turn have relaxed and are mostly happy to try things before rejecting them. My eldest is happiest with raw fruit and veg and her sister prefers pies and potatoes and more carby food. It is an interesting balance but I now love being in the kitchen, when a year or so ago food had become a bit of a sore point.

Over the last two days we have discovered that we 'need' a few things for the house - a lightbulb, new washer on the tap, over mitt etc. and although these items have been on the To Buy list for a while, now that we can't just go out and buy them, they are causing more frustration. Perhaps I might get around to making my own oven glove this month. Watch this space...

buy nothing month starts tomorrow

2008-10-31T11:51:00.005Z

Tomorrow we begin our Buy Nothing Month (BNM), an extension of Buy Nothing Day, which takes place on 29th November. We will not spend any money for a whole month. We had a BNM last year and it was rather successful - a chance for us to explore our relationship with money and really assess our needs and wants. Last year we experienced more time together as a family and a greater sense of resourcefulness, especially in the kitchen. Given that my biggest financial indulgence is good quality organic food I am hoping to be able to take this resourcefulness a step further this year. So what are we going to do without?

• No food purchases apart from our standard family-sized box of vegetables and fruit that is delivered every week. We will use the last harvest from the veggie garden and clear our storecupboard items. I will get more creative with food that we have foraged for and will probably spend a good proportion of my time in the kitchen!

• No newspapers, books, magazines, or similar items. We will make our own family news for a month, concentrate on reading our accumulated library rather than buying more and spend time trusting innate knowledge rather than looking to books, etc for answers.

• No clothes purchases - easy one really since we only shop in charity shops and with ethical clothing brands periodically. However, I will make more of an effort this month to repair clothes rather than giving them away or textile recycling them. These will become last resort options.

• No trips out that cost money - this will be quite tricky as part of our home education schedule is a day out every couple of weeks or so, either up to London to the museums or to local historic sites. I expect to use the bikes to explore deeper into our local area instead.

• No gift purchases - there are a couple of friends' and family members' birthdays coming up in November. We will be making presents and cards for all the lucky gift recipients!

There are probably other areas too - I shall cover those as they come up during our month of freedom! Hope you enjoy reading about our experiences during the coming weeks... And if you fancy joining us, I'd be delighted to hear from you.

happy halloween

2008-10-31T11:23:00.005Z

It's Samhain, the ancient pagan festival and the eve of the new year according to the Celts. So, what are we up to in the office? Well, we are having a big sort out and making sure that all loose ends are tied up before we enter the next phase of the yearly cycle. This will hopefully create space for lots of new exciting developments to come into fruition, like our sparkling new website, which will be launched in the New Year. In the meantime, we have just finished a beautiful edition, which is published in a couple of weeks. It's our craft special and is stuffed with projects to get stuck into during the winter months. You can order a subscription to make sure you don't miss out!

Time for fun

As well as finishing off the latest edition of The Green Parent magazine we have also been having fun, we spent a frosty night in a yurt set in the middle of a beech wood and held a pumpkin party last night attended by a coven of small witches, cats, ghosts and even a fox! We played murder in the dark, went on a treasure hunt in the woods, carved pumpkins and bobbed for apples. Lots of fun was had by all.

Full of energy

We also have a new companion in the office for a few days - a Bedlington terrier puppy called Jasper, who was rescued by a friend a couple of weeks ago - we are looking after him whilst she is away. His puppy energy is very engaging and he is full of joy, leaping about like a lamb in the fallen leaves. I am feeling slightly less energetic myself, having been woken for a walk at 5:30 this morning. Yawn! The sunrise was exceptionally beautiful though and it feels great to get outside when all the rest of the world is silent. At the moment he is sleeping by my feet in a box, between walks. Bless him!

apple day

2008-10-15T22:39:00.004+01:00

October 21st is officially Apple Day and although many events have already taken place there is still lots to get your teeth stuck into this weekend. And plenty to get the juices flowing!

Make your own cider

At the Cider Museum in Hereford, visitors on Sat and Sun can roll up to make their very own cider. Learn about the history of cider making, how the apples were milled and pressed and the resulting juice fermented to produce cider.

Enjoy some beautiful orchards

Home to the UK's largest collection of fruit trees, Brogdale Trust in Kent is hosting an Apple Festival this weekend with lots to do for all the family. Visitors can wander in the orchards, taste different varieties, buy Kentish crafts and watch cookery demos.

View an A to Z of apples and squash

At Luton Hoo walled garden in Bedfordshire there will be stallholders, an exciting array of alphabetical produce (?!), storytelling, apple printing and pumpkin decorating.

Play Apple Games

Take your children along to Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire on Sunday and they can plant their own apple tree to take home, try apple printing, help dress the apple tree and hunt for giant alphabet apples. Adults can take part in a course on pruning and training fruit trees.

Meet the Apple Lady

Hilary Wilson holds court at Beetham Nurseries, in Cumberland on Sun. Her interest in apples began as a child and led her to research varieties suited to the climate in her area. She enjoys helping people identify their apples and is available for advice. Other activities include tastings, and competitions.

Take part in the longest peel competition

Join competitors at Eggesford Gardens in Devon to pit your peeling skills against some of the county's finest on Sat and Sun. Afterwards, check out the tasting tables, home made cakes and preserves or get your own apples pressed into juice.

Enjoy morris dancing displays

On Sat and Sun morris dancers will be entertaining the folk at Thames Chase Community Forest in Upminster, Essex. There will be 20 varieties of apple on offer, a wildlife treasure hunt in the forest and bee keeping demos.

Find out how to decrease your carbon footprint

Spitalfields City Farm, London, wants to encourage visitors to buy local at their Apple Day event this year on Sunday. Also try your hand at apple bobbing, the longest peel competition, apple crafts and lots more besides.

Visit the Pip Inn and camp out

On Sat and Sun, Middle Farm, nr. Lewes, East Sussex will play host to thousands of folk coming to enjoy the special brand of magic that makes their apple festival so memorable. You can camp overnight, watch morris dancers, indulge in local ciders at the Pip Inn, taste a whole cornucopia of apple varieties and much more. Last year there was even a mouse circus. Might see you there!

There are about a gazillion other events going the length and breadth of the country and it seems that everyone must have an apple celebration nearby. Check out all the other events on offer and if you are free do explore one. This festival is an important celebration of our food heritage and an important step in relocalising food production, therefore reducing environmental impact.

Happy scrumping!

sharkwater

2008-10-15T22:09:00.003+01:00

Earlier in the year I watched an amazing movie made by a young guy called Rob Stewart about sharks. Sharkwater began as an underwater documentary but quickly became a shocking expose into the horrific and illegal global finning trade when Stewart found that finning was taking place in protected waters in The Galapagos and Costa Rica.

Shark Week

This week sees the start of European Shark Week, which aims to highlight the dramatic decline in European shark populations and the role that Europeans play in the global shark trade. Sharks are among the oceans most threatened species - tens of millions are killed every year, intentionally or as 'bycatch'. Despite evidence of overfishing and depletion, few countries restrict shark fishing. Stewart works with Captain Paul Watson, founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society to raise awareness of these issues through his film. And it's certainly well worth a watch.

Interesting Shark Facts

Sharks have roamed the oceans for more than 400 million years, making them 200 years older than dinosaurs.

The threat of sharks is not as dangerous as we think. Crocodiles kill more people in one year than sharks will in 100 years.

Sharks play a crucial role in the ocean ecosystem as they are the predators at the pinnacle of the marine food pyramid. Populations decline and the ecosystem is thrown out of balance.

eco yoga

2008-10-15T20:15:00.004+01:00

I love yoga - my practice has helped me through so many challenging patches and has made me much more in tune and aware of my body and it's strengths and limitations. In preparation for an article in The Green Parent magazine at some point I wanted to round up some of the great eco yoga products out there.

Of course, you don't need any of these products to practice yoga but if you are thinking of getting a mat, for example, it's worth looking for one with minimal environmental impact. Same goes for clothing - look for organic items and you can be sure that they are less damaging to the environment, and your health, than conventional garments. It's a good idea to consume as little as possible but when we do purchase things to shop ethically and look for durability in the items we choose.

Eco Yoga Mat

This mat is completly PVC free. It is made from natural jute fibre with a pure rubber backing to prevent sliding. It uses plant based materials in its construction and is also biodegrable although manufacturers admit that composting trials are still in operation. Eco Yoga beleive that practicing on a plastic mat made cheaply for maximum profit is the antithesis of yoga and that this jute mat brings you to be closer to nature. It costs £31.50 from Yoga Matters.

Bamboo Yoga Block

Bamboo is light, strong and sustainable. This yoga brick is hollow and is made from laminated bamboo using FDA approved adhesives. Use in numerous standing and seated postures to provide lift or grounding. With three distinctly different dimensions to vary the height, the yoga brick offers firm support and is available from Yoga Studio for £8.99

Natural Rubber Tree Mat

This is made from natural rubber from the Havea Brasiliensis tree, on a 100% cotton mesh. Natural rubber and cotton are biodegradable making this an ecologically sound yoga mat. It's available for £29.95 from Yoga Studio.

Eco Smart Yoga Bag from Gaiam

Yoga bag made from recycled plastic bottles with a handy adjustable shoulder strap, breathable mesh to allow your mat to air dry after practice and a roomy main compartment.

Bamboo Yoga Pillow

This bamboo pillow offers the head & neck ideal support when lying down during meditation or relaxation. Available for £17.50 from Yoga Studio.

Fairly Traded Energy Wear Tunic top from Everyday Alchemist

Natalie Fee crated this range of clothing to help boost people's energy, help them feel more alive and chilled out, have better concentration and be happier. She recommends this for yoga bunnies as it helps keep the stomach and kidneys covered and warm. Each top carries a

special symbol that has been charged by a chi-light resonator - an instrument that infuses chi (or energy) into various objects or substances. Available for £19.99 from Weaving Star.

Organic yoga trousers from Ethical Superstore

I really rate these fold-over yoga trousers for their comfort, softness and durability. Available for £35 from Ethical Superstore.

Organic Sports Bra

An organic cotton sports bra made from super soft organic jersey cotton so it's comfy to wear and great for yoga. It has adjustable shoulder straps and is made in Turkey from 95% organic cotton with 5% elastane. Available from Spirit of Nature for £19.95.

Fairly Traded Mohair Blanket

We are getting into luxury relaxation territory here but this sumptuous soft mohair blanket looks just the thing for aiding savasana. It is handmade in a weaving co-operative in Southern India and comes in raspberry, ocean blue and green. Available for £33 from Biome Lifestyle

Minds Eye Opera CD by Anahata

I received this CD for Christmas a couple of years ago from my mum and it is truly blissful - a journey from the deep rhythmic roots of the earth and ourselves, through the heart centre and up to the ethereal space of the crown chakra. Perfect for relaxation and deep connection after a yoga session. Recorded in Glastonbury and available from Red Temple Records.

Movement kit

And for small yoginis I love the concept behind Tattybumpkin - their philosophy and clothing is just so positive. They produce a Bendy, Giggly, Clever and Strong movement kit for £40 with a natural organic cotton mat, a CD and a bendy yoga doll.

Go to the show

And lastly, for all things yoga, under one roof - why not visit the Yoga Show, taking place in London from 31st Oct to 2nd Nov.

new ethical store in brighton

2008-10-15T19:44:00.003+01:00

I have long been a fan of Gossypium's fabulous organic cotton clothes so when I spoke to Abi today and learned of their new store in Brighton I was very excited. Nestled in the Lanes, the shop has been kitted out with recycled cardboard shelving and carries all their fab organic basics such as babygrows and t-shirts for teens, yogawear and the new make-it-yourself dress kits. Gossypium aim to be completely transparent in every aspect of their business from cotton field to shop shelf and this commitment to ethical practice was recently recognised by Ethical Consumer magazine. Abi Petit has been a pioneering force in the textile industry and it is great to see her company thriving.

the cacao bean

2008-10-15T18:56:00.002+01:00

I have been alerted to the pleasing news that we are in the midst of Chocolate Week, which runs from 13th to 19th October. What a perfect time for a post on one of nature's superfoods - the marvellous cacao bean.

Pure and simple The purest form of chocolate is the cacao bean. Cacao is one of nature's superfoods, with a wide array of unique properties, many of which get destroyed during the cooking process. Standard chocolate bars get a bad press because of all the stuff that’s mixed in with it; sugar, hydrogenated fats, and dairy products, for example.

Chocolate - health benefits?

The raw cacao bean, on the other hand, has amazing health-giving properties; it is the number one dietary source of magnesium - one reason why many women crave it around the time of menstruation. It is also exceptionally high in sulphur, the 'beauty mineral'. Added to that, it is rich in antioxidants, it's a natural anti-depressant, and an aphrodisiac! In fact, it contains over 300 identifiable chemical compounds, making it one of the most complex foods known to man.

Energy boost

So not only does it taste divine, it makes you feel like a goddess too! And instead of feeling low in energy after eating raw chocolate, you actually feel an energy boost and some people report a cacao high. Although cacao does contain small amounts of caffeine, experiments conducted by homeopaths found that the effects of caffeine in cooked chocolate (raised blood blood pressure and excitement of the nervous system) differed greatly from those of caffeine in raw chocolate, where the effect was not noticeable. This led the experimenters to conclude that the physiological changes were caused by aromatic substances released during roasting. So this is chocolate that you can enjoy at any time and positively revel in its health giving properties.

Our Favourites

We take our duties seriously here at The Green parent magazine and therefore when it fell to us to sample some of the raw chocolate available we rose to the challenge with not a whisper of complaint and here are some of our finds:

Pitch Dark from the Raw Chocolate Company, 44g, £2.99

This bar has a grainy texture and is quite sweet, using mulberries to achieve the sweetness with not much bitterness. I love really dark high cocoa solid chocolate so this wasn't one of my favourites. However the same company produces (or certainly used to produce - I can't find it on their website now) a double bar pack for children with animals on and my kids love them. So different strokes for different folks, I guess.

Real Raw Chocolate Bars from Total Raw Food, 40g, £1.99

Total Raw Food produce a range of bars that have a similar taste to those from the Raw Chocolate Company. They do a silver bar with maca and a red bear with goji berries for longevity. The mint one is pretty tasty and my kids love all of them! Total Raw Food also offer all the kit needed to make your own raw chocolate on their site too.

Raw Chocolate Pie from Raw Intent, 90g, £4.99

Oh my goodness, this is simply divine! I could have eaten this delectable morsel all by myself but testing meant sharing it. Shame! This also got the thumbs up from Jez, who is hard to please in the field of raw chocolate. Raw Intent also offer lots of other superfoods and luxury items like raw chocolate spread - yes indeedy!

Choca Mocha Magic from Conscious Chocolate , 40g, £2.50

Wowzer, now I have to admit I have a bit of a thing for coffee - I can wean myself off for months on end, then catch a whiff of a well brewed espresso and I'm off again, needing a daily fix. Well, this bar meets my needs in a much healthier and all round lovely way. This is my favourite raw bar! The kids didn't get a look in - but that's okay because they had their own bars of Nicely Nutty and Hint of Mint. I gave my last piece to Jez - true love eh?! They make a bar called Love Potion No 9 and any company that honours The Clovers musical masterpiece in such a sweet way gets my vote.

Enjoy the rest of chocolate week!

full moon antics

2008-10-14T15:54:00.005+01:00

Is anyone else out there feeling the effects of this full moon? I'm getting myself in a right old pickle and feel incredibly emotional to boot. At 3 minutes past eight tonight the glorious silver orb in the sky is at her fullest and boy, is she having fun this cycle in a fiery, vibrant Aries manner.

Rebirth and new beginnings

As Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, this moon is about rebirth and new beginnings, so it's a wonderful time to start new projects and to let go of old hurts, feelings and beliefs that no longer serve us. We can embrace the fire aspect by having a fire ritual to release the old and welcome in the new. I am going to write a list of things that I am ready to release and burn them in a candle later on tonight. I am also going to focus on my own inner fire during my yoga class tonight and then continue to kindle it through creative projects in the coming weeks. Of course, Aries also signifies playfulness, fun and joy so there is much to be said for enjoying and celebrating the lighter side of our nature around this time.

Warrior spirit

Perhaps the emotional turmoil that I recognise in myself and others right now is due in part to the Aries connection with our warrior spirit, the raw animal nature in each and every one of us. The warrior is a powerful force, who needs the balance of the playful child on his shoulders to temper the raw and almost blind strength and force.

Affirmations

Starweaver, who created the beautiful full moon image for this post, has a suggestion for a ritual that can be held tonight to honour each person's uniqueness, incorporating the following affirmations:

I am unique.

I act from my own centre. My will is pure and strong. I stride forward toward my future.

Meanwhile, the lovely Mrs Green shares her insights on this full moon and a meditation over at Little Green Blog, focusing on healing and releasing blocked anger.

Bright blessings and a magical full moon to all, especially all you other lunar bunnies who are feeling a little shaky!

land of the gm free

2008-10-13T12:26:00.004+01:00

Is America starting to turn against GM food? The GM industry has managed to keep consumers in the dark about the GM food they are eating for more than a decade. However, some major new developments in the US market suggest that the tide may finally be turning against GM technology. The Soil Association has published a report on the launch of a major new non-GM labelling initiative in the US. It covers the US farmers rejection of new GM crops and the staggering collapse in the market for Monsanto's GM milk hormone. These are very significant developments that are being ignored in the current UK debate on GM. Read more here.

the climate rush

2008-10-13T12:19:00.003+01:00

One hundred women dressed as suffragettes will cram the Lobby Room of Parliament today as part of the 'Climate Rush,' 100 years after the historic parliamentary rush, demanding 100% cuts in the UK's carbon emissions by 2030. Dressed in Victorian bloomers and bright red sashes reading 'No new coal' and 'End airport expansion', the women will press their MPs to take tougher action on climate change - demanding the de-carbonisation of the UK power and transport sectors by 2030. Where the original Parliament Rush helped win women's rights to vote, today's event will mark an energetic protest for stronger action on climate change. Suffragette Diane Selway said: "I want my daughters to look back to 2008 and say that this was a turning point. We've done enough talking about climate change. Once it was politically unacceptable for women to have the vote. It will require the same courage and commitment to decarbonise our society as it took to gain women their basic rights. " The new Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Ed Miliband, has the opportunity to push for radical reform of the UK's energy and climate policy, to deliver on the kind of emissions cuts scientists now agree are necessary to prevent dangerous levels of global warming. Recent reports from researchers at University College London have shown how the UK can be powered using clean renewable technologies. In fact the UK has the largest renewable resource of any country in Europe, but has the second-smallest installed renewable capacity, after Malta. Sarah Bricknall, another woman attending the event, said: "The creation of the new Department for Energy and Climate Change is a powerful opportunity for Ed Miliband to step up to the challenge, be the visionary climate leader we need, and get on with decarbonising our country. 100% emissions cuts in the UK by 2030 would make us world leaders and create hundreds of thousands of jobs - but it will take action, not just words, from the Government."

Fancy joining them? Be there at 6:00pm - the rush takes place at 6:30 this evening.

reduce nappy waste

2008-10-11T21:04:00.003+01:00

Three billion nappies a year - that's eight million a day - are thrown away in the UK. 90% end up in landfill. Landfill space is running out and local authorities face tough targets to reduce waste. Real nappies can be reused time and time again so they don’t contribute to household waste. The Cornish Real Nappy Project are giving parents the chance to try washable nappies for free during Zero Waste Week from 20-26th October. CRNP are supporting the week long challenge by asking parents to sign up for a free real nappy trial, allowing them to try out washable nappies in their own home and on their baby, before spending any money on purchasing washables. Zero Waste is impossible for parents to achieve whilst using disposable nappies (which account for around 2.6% of all household rubbish). Washable nappies are an easy to use alternative which not only have environmental benefits but also look great, are made from soft fabrics and save parents hundreds of pounds.

Approximately 27% of Cornish parents already use washable nappies, which I think is a high percentage compared with other areas. The project has been running a county wide trial scheme which has proved popular with parents who are often overwhelmed by the amount of different types and brands that are available. Bec Thomas, who runs the scheme as well as looking after her three children said: “One of our volunteers delivers the kit, talks through the different types and how to use them and then leaves the kit with the family for a month. 83% of the parents who use a kit then go on to use real nappies which is a fantastic conversion rate.” She continues, “The service is great value at £10 as it helps parents make the right choice before investing any money. However we are pleased to be able to offer the service free to parents and expectant parents signing up during Zero Waste Week, as it will help parents address a huge source of their household waste.”

In addition to the trial kits, CRNP are able to offer parents access to interest free loans which help spread the costs of buying real nappies and allow families of all financial means to benefit from the overall savings that can be made. The loans are not dependent on credit checks and are paid back at as little as £5 per week.

learn all about it

2008-10-11T20:37:00.003+01:00

It is one of my missions to get up to Bucks to meet the folk at the Low Impact Living Initiative at some point in the near future. I have just received a course list for 2009 and the breadth of workshops on offer is quite incredible. Fancy trying your hand at straw bale building or making your own natural beauty products? How about unearthing the secrets of tree bogs? Or discovering how to make your own pedal powered generator. It makes me feel so good to know that there are such passionate people out there busily actioning powerful positive change. Here are some ideas from LILI about how we can make a difference: First of all, take a deep breath - there are so many things you could do, but you can't do them all at once. Doing things slowly, one at a time until you get used to them will probably increase your chance of success, and help you stay sane.  Energy: make sure your home is well insulated, and that you have energy-efficient appliances, and low-energy light bulbs. Then you can think about installing solar hot water, photovoltaics or even a wind turbine; or you can switch to a renewable energy supplier.  Transport: walk or cycle to work or school; use public transport; work from home; car share; use biodiesel.  Housing: use eco-paints, lime, linseed oil putty and other environmentally friendly materials; if thinking of self-build, consider natural materials like straw-bales, wood, rammed earth or cob; join a community/housing co-op.  Food: grow your own; keep chickens or bees; eat less meat; buy organic; use farmers’ markets, veg boxes and local suppliers (reduce food miles).  Water: install water-saving facilities such as rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and a compost loo.  Waste: start a compost heap; recycle; re-use or repair things instead of throwing them away.  Consumerism: you have the ultimate power of deciding where or whether to spend your money. Don’t believe the hype. Research tends to show that populations with an average income of around $10,000 (eg Portugal) are happiest – basic needs are met, communities and traditions are intact, and there isn’t an emphasis on fulfilment through making more money and buying more consumer goods.   Local/small-scale: join a LETS scheme; use your local farmers’ market and credit union; reduce the distance that the things you buy travel, and keep money in the local economy; DIY is of course the most local of all!

off to market!

2008-10-11T20:03:00.003+01:00

I had a lovely day today at Mansion Market in Forest Row. It's a monthly market held at the local Steiner school, Michael Hall. And yet, it's so much more than a market; there was this fab biodynamic café where we tucked into tomato and lentil soup, a therapy area where you could indulge in trial sessions with local therapists, from reiki to massage and a magical puppet show, telling a Native American Indian tale, complete with a harp or maybe a lyre(?). My eldest and I were having a girl's day out and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, stocking up on Conscious Chocolate (my very favourite raw chocolate - although apparently Shazzie's is also very good, but different - I haven't tried it), listening to two young buskers and availing ourselves of all edible delights. We started reading Little Women together on the bus, which was good and found some wool children's slippers and a guy making lovely wooden things from wood reclaimed from skips. You don't pay for the wood but every item is priced according to how many hours it took to make. How refreshing and real. Although we are planning a Buy Nothing Month for November, I might go back next month to soak up the ambiance, and hang out with lovely people doing great things.

mast business

2008-10-08T21:02:00.005+01:00

Mast Sanity is a campaign group in the UK working towards raising awareness of the health hazards caused by mobile phone masts and the safe siting of masts. We have chosen not to have a mobile phone in The Green Parent office because we are unsure what effect the radiation could have on the human body and also for reasons of peace! There are times when no-one can reach us because we are deep in the woods or out with the kids and that feels pretty wonderful. Very occasionally I imagine that our lives might be easier or smoother if we had mobile phones but that thought soon passes. I don't meet many other phone-less folk these days.

Growing in number There are now over 50,000 mobile phones masts in the UK and they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. So how to spot them? Well, they can look like big towers that seem similar to pylons but don't have wires attached. Or they can be tall poles that look like lamp posts but don't have a light on top. Confusingly masts can also be what look like sticks or long grey or white boxes put at the top of buildings such as schools, hospitals, colleges, flats and offices. And they can even just be small boxes the size of burglar alarms, placed on the sides of shops. Unfortunately avoiding masts is almost impossible. What's wrong with masts? According to Mast Sanity "cancer clusters" have been found around mobile phone masts, up to 400 metres from a mast. People living near each other and close to a mast have ended up with rare cancers at nearly the same time as each other. These people live where they are getting the strongest signal from the nearby mast(s). This has been the case in Devon, Lincolnshire and Staffordshire. Other people living in these areas find they get many common symptoms including heart palpitations (flutters), lots of headaches, nose bleeds, problems sleeping, itchy burning skin and feel really depressed.

Mobile phone masts give out the same sort of microwave radiation in their signals as microwave ovens use to cook food but the signals also carry data sent along in packets or 'pulses'.

Other problems noticed by European doctors, particularly in Germany where petitions have been launched to halt the use of some mobile technology, are: • Learning problems • Trouble concentrating • Behavioural disorders such as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) • Extremely high and extremely low Blood Pressure - and swapping between the 2 • Medicines stop working as well, so prescriptions have to increase • Heart Rhythms get upset • Sudden Heart Attacks and Strokes happening in younger and younger people • More Brain diseases such as Alzheimer‘s, Parkinson's, Motor Neurone Disease and Epilepsy • More Cancers, Leukaemia and Brain Tumours • More and worse Headaches and Migraines • Constantly being tired, getting sleepless and being sleepy during the day • People feeling anxious all the time • Ringing in the ears (Tinnitus) • People more likely to get infections, colds, allergies and viruses • People feeling pains in their nerves and bodies for no apparent cause Medical tests When doctors in a town in Germany (West Kempten) decided to prove that it was the mobile phone mast that was causing these problems they took blood samples from people before and after a new mast was put up and turned on. The people also stopped using their mobiles, cordless phones, wireless internet and other wireless/mobile gadgets too. The results were very clear. The levels of two vital chemicals serotonin and melatonin found in the blood were found to be seriously altered once the mast was turned on.

Happy hormone reduced Serotonin levels were halved. Serotonin controls your mood, anger, aggression, body temperature, sleep, sexuality, appetite and metabolism. Many of the people found themselves feeling moody, depressed, tired, and lethargic. Some also felt agitated and had lost their appetites. Nearly all felt really down.

Immune system affected The results showed melatonin levels that were too high during the day and much too low at night. Melatonin is a hormone that is important in boosting the immune system and fighting cancer. It protects DNA from damage. Since it also helps regulate sleep it's important to have high levels at night otherwise restlessness occurs. If the immune system isn't boosted people become ill easier, stay ill longer and can't fight cancer so well. The Doctors requested that the mobile phone mast be turned off again.

So what can we do? • Find out where your nearest mobile phone mast is.

• Cancel the mobile phone contract if you have one (If you are worried about emergencies swap to "pay as you go" until you are happy to do without.) • If you must keep your phone, use it as little as possible and just stick to talking and texting - ignore all other functions and activities. • Realise that every call or text needs a mast, and that more calls or texts mean more masts nearby. • Read up on the science, facts and shielding materials and tell others. • Write to your MP to tell them that you too are concerned about the health issues. • Take action by joining support groups such as Mast Sanity • If you already live near a mast you should consider shielding your home from the microwaves.

If you are interested in this from a personal perspective there's a piece on this in the next edition of The Green Parent, about the campaign launched by the people of Glastonbury to stop a WiFi mast being erected in their town.

organic clothes for sensitive skin

2008-10-08T20:27:00.003+01:00

I just received the latest catalogue from Cotton Comfort, the eczema clothing specialists and wanted to post on the great range of organics that they now offer for babies, children and adults. From underwear to pyjamas, tights and socks to school uniform, they've got it covered and the sizes go right up to 160cms. Another new addition to the catalogue is a set of natural beeswax face paints, as regular paints can be a real problem for children with sensitive skin. In fact, even the natural facepaints I use that are made by Lyra affect some children causing a rash and tightness. Not today though - today we had a wood full of home educated butterflies and one little mouse, climbing trees and playing sardines and there were no adverse reactions to the facepaints!

Back to clothes and for those suffering with severe eczema, Dorothy Clark (who designed the range in response to her daughter's eczema) has created Comfymitt items with mittens attached to stop scratching at night. Many products are made from 'silver soothe cotton', which uses silver in its colloidal form to ease itchiness. Well worth a look.

hello again

2008-10-08T20:13:00.003+01:00

I can't believe a whole week has flown by without me getting a chance to post on the Green Parent blog. We are currently hard at work on our Christmas edition, which promises to be really special. It has a focus on crafts and is already stuffed with fabulous things to make and create. Mrs Green shares her ideas for a waste-free Christmas and we discover why singing is so good for the soul. It's all very exciting! Subscribers will get their copies in exactly a month so if you fancy a copy of this vibrant green magazine dropping onto your doormat every issue, simply sign up here. It's printed on recycled paper and comes with a free activity magazine for children, all about the environment. Oh, and you might still be in time to secure yourself some lovely goodies from Weleda as well, which is our current subscription gift.

colourful ethical cashmere

2008-10-01T14:20:00.003+01:00

Known as the Yarn of the Kings or Soft Gold, Cashmere is the world’s finest and most luxurious fibre; soft, warm, and hard wearing. The term comes from the Kashmiri goats of the Himalayas and the actual wool used is winter down, combed from the underbellies of the goats in early summer. Some of the finest cashmere comes from the high plateau of Mongolia, where the goats are well suited to the harsh dry conditions and sparse vegetation. Garments made with cashmere become softer with wearing, and it is up to 8 times warmer than sheep’s wool. So imagine my delight to find a pair of long magenta cashmere gloves inside this morning's post. But, these are more than beautiful, soft, cashmere gloves - they are from Mudra, an ethical clothing company who design colour conscious clothes. So the gloves, that when worn, feel as though someone is caressing your hand (no sniggering at the back, I'm serious!), are designed to affect physical and mental wellbeing. The magenta hue promises to nourish, soothe, soften and signify gentleness. Oh boy - this is so what I need right now! Rita Hraiz, clothing designer, goddess and entrepreneur creates clothes for women who love to be women, for those who want to embrace their feminine side and express how they feel within. I am planning an article in an edition of The Green Parent for early next year. Thank you to Katherine at the Queen Bee Partnership for introducing me to such luxury.

green birthday parties

2008-09-30T15:21:00.004+01:00

It's our birthday tomorrow - The Green Parent will be six years old - hurrah! You can read a bit about how and why we started the magazine on our website. Well I figured that with celebrations in the air I'd write about how to host a magical eco-friendly party.

The heat is on

Everyone wants to host a great birthday party for their kids, but the pressure to provide a spectacular party with equally spectacular party bags full of plastic toys and sweets creates a lot of waste, as well as a lot of hyperactive energy. Wrapping paper, boxes, disposable plastic cups, plates, plastic toys that will never get used… all these things get thrown away - it’s enough to send an eco-minded parent quite crazy.

What's the alternative? There is another way, and with small changes and a little creative thought, you can create a wonderful and inspiring celebration for your children without harming the planet. There are many added benefits to holding an eco-friendly party for kids. Children can learn so much about the impact of their choices while having fun helping to plan their ethical party with you. There is great joy to be had in educating kids in the joy of helping others and protecting our planet. The key is to combine green choices with the themes that your child will love, and involving them in the whole process of creating a party that will inspire them, their friends and their parents to think of the planet, not just the party. 1. Venue: Have the party at home, or if you don’t have space, think about using a local park or village hall where you can provide your own food and drinks. If you have the space to hold the party at home the birthday child will enjoy inviting all their friends to share their familiar environment.

2. Invitations: Send out recycled card invitations if possible. Make your own by cutting out shapes from recycled card and encouraging the birthday child to decorate them. Remember to include the date, time, venue and RSVP details. Otherwise, send an email with all the important details - a little impersonal but much more eco-conscious.

3. Gifts: How to avoid the onslaught of tons of plastic junk that will end up in the bin? That can be a tricky one. If any of the party guest’s parents makes enquiries about gifts, you might tactfully suggest something that your child needs, e.g. paints, paintbrushes, crayons, colouring books, books, jigsaw puzzles. If your child is older and interested in this idea, you might consider asking other parents to make a donation to an environmental charity on his/her behalf. You don’t want to ruin your child’s birthday so tread carefully with this one!

4. Food: Make your own party snacks. It’s a great way to prevent kids going bonkers after ingesting lots of artificial colours and flavourings, not to mention the sugar overdose. There are books on making children’s party food in most libraries if you lack ideas, and here are some suggestions: sandwiches, cut-up fruit arranged into a platter, homemade dips, such as humous and guacamole with vegetable sticks, small squares of homemade pizza, cheese straws and popcorn. For drinks you could serve diluted organic fruit juice, or make a fruity punch.

5. The cake: There are lots of good books on the subject of cake making, but it’s even more rewarding to use your imagination. By making your own cake you can control what’s in it by using organic flour, eggs, etc. and you can really customize it for your child. There are a growing number of books offering ideas for wheat, sugar and dairy- free cakes. I love some of Nomi Shannon's ideas in The Raw Gourmet or for baked cakes try How it All Vegan.

6. Activities: Depending on the ages of the children, you might include an eco-friendly activity in the party, like planting a tree in honour of the birthday child or going for a nature walk. Or stimulate their creativity by offering watercolour painting or providing a dressing-up box and encouraging them to dress-up, Older children will enjoy making their own personal pizzas, decorating T-shirts or making a dream catcher. Story-telling is also a magical shared experience.

7. The party bags: Gone are the days of a slice of cake in a serviette. If you can't manage to ditch the concept of party bags altogether (it takes a strong woman!) there are some options other than the plastic bags and plastic favours that are so widely available. There are a number of eco-friendly and ethical party bag suppliers offering recycled or reusable bags filled with fairtrade chocolate and fairtrade or recycled gifts.

8. Waste: It is best to use ordinary crockery for parties and avoid disposable items altogether as these just use up resources in the manufacture and again in their disposal. If you really can’t face all the washing up after the party, there are some other, less eco-friendly options. You can get disposable plates, cups and cutlery that are biodegradable and made from renewable resources.

9. Clearing up the mess: What can you recycle or re-use? Wrapping paper, gift bags, unwanted gifts. See what you can salvage?

And a couple more ideas because us adults like to have parties too!

10. Food: To save you time and effort ask friends to bring a little food with them - you could specify homemade, organic or local only.

11. Drink: Organic wine and beer are widely available now, both from specialist retailers and supermarkets. It may be a bit more expensive, but it tastes better and is healthier for the soil. Wine carrying the fairtrade mark is also growing in popularity. Drinking this means that you are protecting worker's rights and welfare in the developing world. Make sure that you provide plenty of tempting non-alcoholic drinks too - I really like the new Blueberry Sparkle from Organico but a homemade hedgerow fruit punch would be lovely too.

12. A helping hand: If you are looking for an eco consultant to manage a big bash or a small intimate do, a wedding or a launch for example then I have to recommend the fab folk over at Eco Events Ltd. They are pioneering eco experts that are hoping to green the world, one party at a time. Happy partying!

new moon in libra

2008-09-29T21:55:00.004+01:00

This morning the new moon moved into Libra, signifying a time of balance and deep listening within relationships. It is a time of love and therefore a great chance to honour a relationship that you are already in or an opportunity to find love if not. As Libra is about balance this forms part of our practice over the coming weeks. You could try asking yourself - is there balance in my life? Where do things feel unbalanced? in what areas of my life are my energy levels out of sync? how can I achieve greater harmony?

Time for clearing

As ever, the new moon is a good time for clearing away and letting go - of unwanted possessions, long-held beliefs that are holding you back, draining relationships etc - clear out all that is not needed. I found myself at a Meditation with Crystals evening last week and almost all of the practices that we did focused on deep cleansing of old beliefs and behaviours. After a series of really powerful meditations we started work with this beautiful stone called Apophyllite, a stone that allows one to see the truth and act on it, that releases trapped emotions and calms the spirit. During the session I had this vision of white doves circling down through my body in a spiral from my crown chakra in a blaze of pure white light. It felt so joyful. That's the stone and energy that I'm working with over the next few weeks. Yay!

green reads

2008-09-29T20:14:00.004+01:00

Next week sees the start of Children's Book Week on 6th October. I thought I'd post about some of my favourite green reads for children.

1. The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

This was first published in 1971 and as well as being a great example of Seuss' intermiable rhyming style and fantastical illustrations, it is a book with a serious ecological message.

2. One World by Michael Foreman

This beautifully illustrated picture book addresses the problem of ocean pollution using the tiny ecosystem of a rockpool to illustrate its point.

3. Brother Eagle, Sister Sky by Chief Seattle

This book contains the powerful message from Chief Seattle of the Northwest Indian Nations speaking to the American government, 150 years ago. He believed that all life was sacred. Reading it makes me cry.

4. Spirit of the Forest - Tree Tales from Around the World by Eric Maddern

A beautiful cultural book about tree folklore from Wales to Nepal. A magical spellbinging collection.

5. Willie's Garden by Myra McGee

An inspiring tale of how one boy grows all his own fruit and vegetables, and keeps finding room for more!

6. Dear Greenpeace by Simon James

A whimsical collection of letters, which presents an introduction to this environmental charity in a humorous and enlightening manner.

7. The Flower by John Light

A mesmerising and yet slightly eerie picture book about the importance and vitality of plantlife on our planet.

8. Herb, The Vegetarian Dragon by Jules Bass

I really like the character Herb - he's a great gentle advocate for vegetarianism - he even practices NVC!

9. Big Mama Makes the World by Phllis Root

The creation story with a difference. I love this warm, joyful book with a central character that is both larger than life and down-to-earth.

10. The Song of the Trees by Kenneth Steven and Lily Moon

A beautiful story of redemption about a young girl who refuses to leave her beloved trees. A picture book with a deeper message.

There are many more of course - this is just an off-the-top-of my head list, which doesn't include the fantastic non-fiction books about environmental issues for children. Maybe I'll write about those another day...

what's in season?

2008-09-29T19:24:00.004+01:00

Buying local, seasonal food is really important to me. Growing my own or foraging for wild edibles is even better. At this time of the year, the hedgerow is bursting with bountiful treats. Here's a selection of things we have enjoyed recently and which are coming up in the next few weeks:

Elderberries: These rich purple-black berries offer a range of benefits during the colder months. They can be used to make a fruity wine, a soothing tonic or a delicious herbal tea - simply dry some berries and steep a handful in near boiling water for ten minutes. Strain and enjoy.

Hazelnuts: These tasty nuts are just forming on the trees in Sussex and will be ready in a few weeks time. The squirrels love them and often strip the branches before I get there. Hopefully I'll manage to secure a few this year as they are so nutritious and rich in good fatty acids. Health benefits are lost in cooking. Traditionally 31st October was known as Nut-crack Night in Ancient Britain, with revellery, feasting and fortune telling. Young lovers would burn hazelnuts on the fire and they way they burnt foretold the nature of their relationship; sparky or calm.

Crab Apples: There are still some of these tart little beauties to be found - I have to beat my neighbours to the one wild tree bearing fruit in our area though. If I get some I combine them with blackberries to make pies or crumble, although Hugh, of Fearnley Whittingstall fame, makes them into a rather tasty sounding jelly.

Chestnuts: I have seen a few chestnuts in the last few days - they are not fat and juicy yet but give them a couple of weeks or so and they should be perfect. Gather in their prickly shells and take home to roast by the fire.

Damsons and Bullaces: The crop seems quite small this year, but trees should still bear fruit up to November. A bowl full of damsons, wild relative of the plum, made a truly sublime crumble, when added to a larger haul of blackberries last week.

Hawes: The bright red berries of the Hawthorn tree which can be eaten raw (they have quite a mealy taste) or cooked in a hedgerow jam with other berries.

Hips: I love rose hips - they are so colourful and jolly. I make them into a rosehip syrup which is said to be good for coughs and colds, although I would think that the sugar content negates the Vitamin C in the berries.

Fungi: All sorts of varieties are prolific at this time of the year but I'm afraid I don't really trust myself fungi foraging. I have only ever found and eaten Parasol mushrooms, which were lovely and I keep promising myself a day out with an expert. Maybe this year is the year!

Happy hunting!

search in black

2008-09-29T18:51:00.004+01:00

I received an email from Andrew Davey at the weekend, a thirteen year old entrepreneur who has launched his own green search engine called Ecosmartsearch.com. Apparently a computer screen displaying a black image only uses 59 watts, in comparison to 74 watts to display a page with a white background. This means that we can save 15 watts per page load, and its Google powered so you get exactly the same results as google, just in black and green, rather than white and blue. It takes a bit of getting used to but after a while starts to feel a bit punk, and that's no bad thing. Andrew was inspired by an expert in green computing, Mark Ontkush, who calculate that we could save about 3000 Megawatt hours a year of energy, or $75,000, just by switching a few colour codes. Andrew says, "I want to be a entrepreneur and become better at website design. I came up with the idea of a eco-friendly search engine as I could make money, become better at website design and help stop global warming. I'm very proud of myself for what I’ve done as I don't think many people of my age have made a proper website and got it onto the web." And proud he should be!

water bottles to go

2008-09-25T18:11:00.004+01:00

A friend asked me about water bottles today and having discovered a couple of great products over the last couple of weeks, I thought I'd post about it.

The Reasons

Firstly, the reasons to choose tap water over bottled mineral:

• Bottled water has to be transported to stores across the country from source, resulting in thousands of water miles and an accompanying increase in fossil fuel consumption.

• 2.7 million tonnes of plastic are required to produce the world's water bottles every year.

• Dumping a plastic water bottle in landfill is no solution, they take around 1000 years to biodegrade.

What's the alternative?

The Tap water bottle comes in two sizes - 'executive' 400ml or 'biggie' 1 litre bottle. Using one of these helps to save 1000s of bottles of water over its lifetime offering clear financial and environmental savings. It is made from Tritan plastic, which is guaranteed free from Bisphenol A, found in many other plastic bottles and linked to increased risk of cancer and early onset puberty. The base and top are made from stainless steel.

A non-plastic option

For longevity I have chosen the Kleen Kanteen range for our family made from durable, toxin free, non-leaching, recyclable, stainless steel. These products are made in China although the US based company assures it customers that the factory is audited four times a year to ensure respect for workers' wellbeing and the environment. I guess the product that I have from Eco St is then shipped to the UK, adding up to make a pretty hefty round the world trip for a little metal bottle. I need to crunch some figures to find out whether this is still an environmentally sound decision, but I am confident of its health benefits. Little Acorns to Mighty Oaks also have a baby's and children's version of these stainless steel bottles.

And lastly, best of all has to be this idea from No Impact Man - a glass jar - cup and water bottle rolled into one!

snakes to capture ocean energy

2008-09-25T11:55:00.002+01:00

Just off the coast of Portugal strange things are afoot. The world's first commercial wave power farm is up and running with the energy being captured by a huge red device - that looks slightly snake-like when viewed from the air. The project promises to produce clean green energy for around 1,500 homes at peak output and project managers aim to increase this using greater numbers of snakes as the project progresses. Friends of the Earth believe that similar technology employed in the UK could be significant in reducing the UK's dependence on fossil fuels. And in fact Wavehub is the name given to a project planned off the coast of Cornwall but work is not scheduled to start until Spring 2010.

chocs away!

2008-09-25T11:41:00.003+01:00

Figured I should probably let you know what chocolate I am eating (see last post). Well, it's my new favourite brand - The Organic Seed and Bean Company. They produce a range of devilishly dark bars delicately flavoured with additions such as rose oil and lavender essential oil. Normally I'm of the opinion that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Dark chocolate is absolutely fine all on it's own - stop adding weird flavours like lime, ginger, anchovy etc. But these bars manage the additions so smoothly it's impossible to dislike even the more ambitious ones - Mandarin and Ginger par example. All their products are organic and fairtrade. Which is more than offered by the organic chocolate giant that is owned by Cadburys and available in a shop near you, pushing small artisan producers off the shelves.

love your heart

2008-09-25T11:09:00.005+01:00

In recognition of World Heart Day on 28th Sept I thought I would post about having a healthy heart. Our hearts are the organ of emotion and stress management and are just as important and require the same level of care as other more visible parts of our body to ensure good health and wellbeing.

Hugging for Health

According to herbalist, James Green, boys are hugged 60-80% less than girls when growing up and this cultural inheritance plays into adulthood with many men being more emotionally reserved and less spontaneously affectionate than women. But the good news is that hugging and communicating through physical touch nourishes the heart muscle. And childhood wounds can be healed through lots of physical affection in adulthood.

Ambrosia of the heart

Tears are shed a s a health response to life's stimulations and are to be encouraged. Too many of us ( and especially men, though I don't wish to generalise) subscribe to the belief that it's weak to cry. Crying helps us to release held emotions and stress. In fact studies have suggested that suppressing tears can cause illness and diseases of the heart. Cardiac disease statistics show that cultural expectations of men have taken their toll; this now needs to change and crying in response to stress, grief, joy and empathy must be embraced as a manly response.

What you eat

In addition to reclaiming emotions, diet plays an important part in heart health. Eat unadulterated, whole foods whenever possible. Plenty of fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables and lots of water are vital. Avoid excess salt, sugars, additives and processed foods. But rather than cutting things from your diet, which can aggravate our pleasure-seeking monkey minds, try adding good stuff to your life instead. Want to give up coffee/smoking/alcohol? Indulge in something that's good for alongside and make it part of your daily routine. Always have a drink when you get home from work? Have a fresh fruit smoothie and a drink aswell. Keep adding the good stuff at the rate of about one new thing a week. Think a daily walk, cycle ride, time to read a book/meditate, hot bath etc. Eventually unwanted habits will start to drop off the radar and you'll be a more healthful, energetic, happier version of yourself.

Go for garlic

And lastly, garlic and other alliums, such as onions, support heart health - try and include them in every meal. Except perhaps breakfast, unless you're a bit weird, like me.

By the way, I wrote this with a bar of chocolate besides me on one side and a pint of water and lemon juice on the other. Am hoping that if I practice what I preach, the chocolate might slip off into the ether. Maybe I'll replace it with a little bowl of sprouts or something - mmm!

recommend your favourite walk

2008-09-23T16:41:00.003+01:00

Got a favourite family walk that you can get to on foot or using public transport? Car Free Walks is an info site for environmentally friendly walkers. The aim is to build up a database of walks that can be reached using public transport. This will provide free information for people who want to reduce their environmental impact by using their car less frequently. The website already features over 100 car-free walks across England, Scotland and Wales, with more being added each week. Visitors to the website can search for walks near to towns or cities, by county or by the type of walk. Each walk has an outline of the route, points of interest along the way, and a map showing key points to help with navigation. The website also links to information about public transport to and from the walk. It's easy to submit your favourite car-free walk - simply register and post the details. One criterion is that it must be possible to reach the start and finish of the walk using trains or buses. The site also offers tips for car-free walking. So share your knowledge of the local countryside and help other walkers go carbon neutral!

bizarre but lovely

2008-09-22T14:46:00.002+01:00

Needed a little afternoon pick-me-up for continued productivity and my mind had started wandering in the direction of coffee and/or chocolate (I know, I know!). Decided to do a yoga workout for half an hour instead and feel much better now. Cravings have gone as well. Anyway, just came back into the office and here on my desk is a beautiful grey feather. I am the only one here so don't know how it got there but it's good.

have a healthy pair of lungs

2008-09-19T16:56:00.008+01:00

With Car Free Day approaching it seems appropriate to share some of the thoughts on lung health from holistic practitioners at the Vale Practice in London.

Breath is something we take completely for granted. Controlled by the respiratory centre of the brain, the primary role of breathing is gas exchange: our cells need oxygen and their waste product, carbon dioxide, needs to be expelled. But as we age we become less efficient at this vital function, as tension, pollution, stress and sedentary lifestyles take their toll. Here’s a guide to understanding your lungs and assisting them back to full efficiency!

Release your ribs Osteopath Julia Finlay says: ‘People get into poor breathing habits as they get older. In particular, people may become “upper rib breathers", where they use a lot of muscular effort to lift their upper chests but don't use their diaphragms properly or expand their lower rib cage. This can contribute to abdominal problems in the form of poor digestion, constipation and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and contribute to feelings of stress and anxiety. It can even lead to hyperventilation and contribute to panic attacks.

‘To improve your breathing, concentrate first on breathing out through your mouth slowly for a count of 7 and try to relax completely while exhaling. To begin with you may find a straw helps you do this. Practice this daily for 30 breaths. As you get better at breathing out you can begin to think about breathing in through your nose, deep into your tummy - your abdomen should go out when you breathe in. At this point, you can begin to breathe in for a count of 4, making your lower ribs and tummy expand, and then out for a count of 7. Try and rest briefly between inhaling and exhaling. Practice during the day when you get the chance. As your breathing improves you should begin to feel better within yourself and cope much better with stress. You will also be breathing much more efficiently ,which will improve your energy levels.

‘If you have ever been an asthma sufferer you may find that your lungs and chest are permanently very tight. Osteopathic treatment can help reduce these side effects and may even help you reduce the need for medication in the long term. It can also help establish good breathing by removing restrictions in the body that may have given rise to these problems in the first place.’ Upper body tension can also be relieved with massage. ‘You wouldn't have thought massage would be any good for the lungs,’ says JuileAnn Gillit, massage therapist 'I mean, how do you massage a lung? It's on the inside of the thoracic cage. But in order for the lungs to expand, the thoracic cage first has to expand. Not only are there plenty of massage strokes and stretches that can effectively be applied to the muscles used both in quiet, normal breathing and forced respiration - the deep breathing associated with asthmatics or experienced after a run - but the relaxing element of most massages will also encourage overall body restoration and repair, including the lungs.’ A healthy lungful Traditional Chinese Medicine links healthy lung funciton to a strong immune system, among other things. Individuals who fall foul of frequent colds and viruses, who suffer dryness in the nasal and bronchial passages or excess mucus, could be suffering from a lung imbalance says Vale Practice acupuncturist Angelo D’Alberto. He explains: ‘Lungs get their vital force (qi) from the air we breathe and mix it with the qi our bodies take from the food we eat and then distribute it to the surface of our body - the mucus membranes and interior surfaces of our lungs. These surfaces are designed to protect us from viruses, bacteria and anything else trying to invade our bodies or attack our immune system. ‘Lung vitality shows itself in three ways: it connects directly with passages through the nose, the mucous membranes connected with the skin and also through how much mucous our bodies produce. A person with healthy lungs maintains a light, moist protective coating alongside nourished energized skin.’ Let your feelings out Emotional stress can also affect your lungs. Says Angelo: ‘Grief and sadness are directly linked to the lungs. When we suffer something sad our bodies natural reaction is to cry, which uses our lungs, expressing our emotions and letting go of them. The same with sighing, which is our way of breathing out the problem. If we hold on to our grief our lungs contract and hold on to the emotion. As the lungs suppress these emotions they cannot function normally and become congested, causing problems. Likewise with stress, where our bodies protect us by shallow breathing. The lungs are muscles which need exercise- if we stop using part of our lungs they stop working and also become blocked and congested with toxins. This is also why it is so important to live an active life - getting some form of exercise and fresh air every day - for lung vitality.’ Acupuncture is a powerful remedy for all imbalances, improving the flow of energy through your lungs and the rest of your system. Diet can also help: to promote healthy lungs include foods such as red peppers and chilli, also horseradish, cabbage, radish, garlic and turnips. Beta carotene-rich foods such as orange and green vegetables support the mucous membranes - the ultimate protective surface of the body. Green vegetables help to build up the cell walls which filter out some of the toxins and chemicals we invite into our lungs from living in polluted London! Simple, daily practices Yoga, Tai Chi and meditation have long been known to improve our lung function, as well as tone and energise the body, inside and out. The deep, restful breathing achieved through meditation or these quiet, rhythmic exercise forms has been shown to reduce anxiety, as well as improve sleep and concentration. Of course, if your daily vices include smoking there is nothing better you can do for your lungs than give it up! Hypnotherapy is one of the easiest ways to stop smoking. Says hypnotherapist Jane Crowe: ‘It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been smoking or how many. When the time is right you can take control back from the Younger You who made the choice to start smoking. A one-off two hour session will help you break the link with the past, ‘switch off’ the habit and regain control of that aspect of your behaviour. Aromatherapy aids respiration Last but not least, use the power of smell to restore your lungs. Benzoin Resin has an affinity with the lungs. Try putting a few drops into a base oil and rub into the chest, or in a bowl of hot water to inhale. It is a thick resin which clears away congestion and blockages. Eucalyptus is also great at opening the airways, especially when blocked by sinusitis or influenza. It is also antibacterial and can help fight harmful bacteria in the lungs when inhaled, as can Lavender. Rosemary also opens up the airways and calms breathing. It is especially effective in asthma attacks as a steam inhalation. It can also be made as a tea: brew some sprigs of rosemary for 10 minutes and then drink.

gorgeous clothes for kids

2008-09-19T16:56:00.002+01:00

We have just received some samples from Frugi's beautiful new Autumn/Winter collection and the quality is remarkable. The organic cotton that they use for all of their yummy items is so soft to the touch and the fabric is thick, hardwearing and perfect for autumnal days. We love the berry and earth inspired colour pallet including green tea, apple and blackberry hues. The lined cargo trousers, which cost £27 are a real find being both super soft and comfy, yet v. practical for romping in the woods and exploring. Another favourite is the reversible snuggle fleece in choc chip and tulip wood. Oh, and Frugi do lovely items for babies too. Plus if you are after a bargain, they have a sale of all their summer items at the moment, up to 70% off!

seasonal celebrations

2008-09-18T10:21:00.026+01:00

Next Tuesday we celebrate Mabon, the Autumn Equinox - a time of balance and the transition from the light half to the dark half of the year. We will begin our journey to winter, as the nights draw in, the leaves change colour and animals prepare for hibernation or migration. This is the final harvest, a chance to gather apples, grapes, blackberries and hops and in that sense it is a celebration focused on feasting and community as well as preserving and preparing for the winter months ahead. As the wheel of the year turns we are reminded of the need for fallow periods, for times of rest and regeneration. We need this space in order to fully learn from and embrace life's lessons. Here are some of the ways in which you can mark this occasion:

• Take some time out alone to meditate on the year so far - where you have come from and the journey that you have travelled over the spring and summer months. Celebrate your achievements.

• Gather your family together for a seasonal Mabon meal - using home or locally grown produce to create simple, nourishing fare.

• Go foraging for wild food such as blackberries and mushrooms. Take an expert or a field guide with you when fungi foraging.

• Create a seasonal tableaux for a windowsill or tabletop, focusing on the delights of this time of year - use branches with colourful leaves, berries, teasels, nuts etc set in a vase against a backdrop of rich coloured material. Populate the area with gnomes or fairy folk for a magical scene!

• Mabon is also about death and loss as the earth turns fallow and the leaves drop from the trees. Take time to talk about those you have lost and what they meant to you. Celebrate their lives.

Equinox blessings to all.

local food facts

2008-09-18T10:21:00.024+01:00

Saturday sees the start of British Food Fortnight from 20th to 5th Oct. In celebration of local food here are a few juicy facts:

1. There are more than 2000 varieties of apple grown in Britain.

2. Britain's seasonal climate produces one of the greatest varieties of vegetables in the world and each season's crop gives us all the nutrients, minerals and trace elements that our bodies need at particular times of the year.

3. There are 350 types of potato grown in the UK, each with its own unique taste, texture and flavour

4. There are now over 500 regular farmer's markets around the country, where you can buy food direct from the producers and often from within a 30 mile radius.

It's a good time of year for British food - the harvest brings lots of producers and consumers together for food festivals up and down the country. Check out what's happening near you.

car free day

2008-09-18T10:21:00.022+01:00

Next Monday, 22nd September, it's World Car Free Day and motorists are encouraged to leave their cars at home in favour of bikes, trains, buses and feet. The event focuses on alternatives to car travel and the need for more and better public transport and pedestrianised areas. According to the ETA, 37% of British drivers feel that there is no practical alternative to driving whilst another 11% have already taken steps to reduce their mileage due to financial and environmental concerns. Other studies show that nearly two thirds of us find traffic in cities unbearable with suggestions ranging from increased public transport in city and suburban environments to a complete ban on car traffic in city centres on certain days of the week. Meanwhile the number of cars on the roads and the amount of urban traffic is steadily increasing, adversely affecting the wellbeing of city and town dwellers, with increase in noise, pollution and stress. However, on Monday we can make a positive change and choose an alternative method of transport. Over 4 million of us commute a distance of less than 3 miles by car every day. Let's get creative; pull out those bikes, dust off those walking boots or get on the bus for an altogether different experience!

In Brighton on Sunday (always have to be a little bit different those Brighton folk eh?) people will be invited to take to the streets for dancing, music, activities and entertainment, organised by Transition Brighton and Hove. Visitors can hop on a rickshaw for a free ride, create artworks by cycling through paint, picnic in the street or go on a health walk through the city centre. Sound too cool to be true - it's not, and there's loads more stuff planned too.

Leytonstone have adopted the same approach and are planning a car-free extravaganza on Sunday with Geno Washington and Ram Jam band rocking the streets, along with a french market and a chance to try out all kinds of weird and wonderful two wheeled contraptions.

Fancy a free massage? Head to Camden tomorrow for Car Free Friday where you'll find green police on stilts, friendly folk giving away pedometers, the Bike Doctor on hand for cycling advice and maintenance and the chance of a free commuter massage.

On Monday, you can bike for your breakfast at the BlendaVenda stall in Hounslow. Cyclists can use pedal power to create a free smoothie or flex their vocal cords as well as their leg muscles on a bike powered karaoke unit. Lots of free green transport guides and advice on hand too.

Meanwhile in Devon, prizes of £50 worth of vouchers are being offered for the most creative method of travelling to work. Last year, the prize was won by Mark Bailey who used a mini canoe, mini bicycle and the bus to commute to work.

In Harrogate, travellers on 24th Sept will be offered a free day's bus pass to encourage citizens to see how the service has improved recently. At 11am Toddle Through Town is for all those parents and toddlers who want to get involved. There will also be free rickshaw rides and a community bike ride through the town at 5pm.

Have fun!!

sorry to tempt you...

2008-09-18T10:21:00.020+01:00

Thought I should let you know about some great offers from ethical companies that we have in the current edition of The Green Parent:

10% off at The Organic Baby Boutique - code: GP08

10% off at Dam Tam organic clothing for kids - code: GP1008

20% off Denes Natural pet food - code: TGP001

15% off fairtrade toys and bags at Fair Connections

10% of ethical toys at Laughing Bear - code GRE10

5% off gorgeous traditional and ethical playthings at Ninny Noodle Noo - code: greenparent

10% off wonderful Storybox magazines for children - code LtUK9WT6qk

10% off all ethical products for babies and children at Babipur - code: GP811

10% off all innovative products at Ecoutlet - code: green10

20% off all Tattybumpkin togs - code: GPAUT - they even do adult stuff now too!

10% off baby signing kit - code Green

10% off soft snuggly baby carrier - code: Green Parent

15% off beautiful ethical furniture at Myakka - code GRPT88

Enjoy!!

oooh new book!

2008-09-18T10:21:00.015+01:00

I am very excited indeed - the new book from Ben Law, The Woodland Year has just dropped into my lap, from the lovely folk at Permanent Publications. Billed as Britain's greatest living woodsman, Ben Law brings us tempting recipes including Prickly Nut Wood Soup (ingredients sourced from around Ben's home), coppice crafts such as beautiful willow fencing and inspiring photography in this month by month guide to life in the woods. Ben built his own house in Prickly Nut Wood in Lodsworth West Sussex and makes his living from working on the land. In The Woodland Year he shares this knowledge and experience both through personal stories and practical advice, recipes and species information. I feel like disappearing into the woods myself for the day to digest some of this sumptuous tome but have work to do so this indulgence must wait 'til later.

tell us what you think

2008-09-18T10:21:00.009+01:00

We love to hear from our readers about what they like about the magazine, what they'd like to see more of, what they don't like etc. so that we can continue to improve. You can let us know your thoughts and be in with the chance of winning a lovely set of fabulous Badger Balms. Simply fill in the form on our website and send back to us with your comments. We look forward to hearing from you!

good news for green homes

2008-09-18T10:21:00.006+01:00

The Roundhouse near Brithdir Mawr community in Pembrokeshire, Wales has finally been granted planning permission after years of battling with the authorities. This is one of the greenest buildings in the UK. Built in 1997 by Tony Wrench and Jane Faith, it is perfectly camouflaged within its natural surroundings in the woods on the edge of ecological community Brithdir Mawr, which I visited in May this year. It is a magical spot and I am so pleased to be able to report that this beautiful dwelling is allowed to stay. It is a real inspiration and Tony and Jane welcome around two groups a week to visit the site and learn more about how to build roundhouses and live in harmony with Mother Earth.

a beautiful start

2008-09-18T10:21:00.003+01:00

I try to take a walk every morning as it really sets me up for the day ahead. If I have managed an hour of solitude striding through the gorgeous Sussex countryside I know I am going to be more productive at work, more effective at home and a calmer, more playful mother with my children. This morning I slipped out of the house before anyone else was awake and walked until I came to my favourite spot. Just down a country lane, between two huge gnarled oak trees is an old wooden gate leading into a field. The field is backed by trees on the cusp of changing colour and I feel completely alone and at peace here. I like to climb up onto the gate and watch the sun rise over the hills. This morning the sun was almost orange as it rose and the moon was still full, transparent and silver, behind me. I sat on the gate, watched rabbits bounce across the field and as I breathed in and exhaled, it was as though I was breathing in union with Source. After a while I felt ready to come home and embrace the day ahead and the tumbling, excitable children that light up my day and leave me feeling exhausted by bedtime. Onwards....

tribute to a big guy

2008-09-15T20:06:00.004+01:00

One of the most sterling members of our team, the big guy who would sit up all night with Jez during deadline, hour after hour, keeping him awake and his lap warm, and still be ready for a walk in the woods at dawn, died this weekend. We think that he was hit by a car in the small hours of Saturday morning, on one of the quietest roads in East Sussex. Tony is already sorely missed - although a wild and independent spirit, he used to take up residence every night at the end of the bed, revealing the softer side of his nature. Here he is curled up in a box one night keeping Jez company as he worked late. I feel like we've lost more than a pet and I just can't believe he's gone...

moneymakers

2008-09-15T18:57:00.002+01:00

While we were away our local town launched its own currency - the Lewes pound. This currency is bought and spent locally to benefit the local economy and can be used in any shops that carry the Lewes pound sign, which is most of the independent shops in the town, including all the traders at the monthly farmer's market, the fabulous herbal dispensary and eco store, Barefoot Herbs, and organic cotton clothing pioneers Gossypium. Within a few days almost all the 10,000 notes printed have sold out and local brewery Harveys have created a special brew to celebrate, called appropriately Quids In. Organised by a team from the local Transition Town group, the Lewes Pound is expected to have far reaching benefits; including economic, social and environmental. In supporting local businesses and goods we can start to reduce the need for transport and minimise our carbon footprint. Socially this new currency is expected to increase customer loyalty, encourage stronger links between customer and shopkeeper and support people looking for new ways to make a sustainable living. Elsewhere in the UK, the Totnes pound is now in its third phase of development and indeed Rob Hopkins, who launched the new currency in Devon, was also responsible for guiding the Lewes currency into being, alongside the New Economics Foundation.

trees glorious trees!

2008-09-15T18:13:00.004+01:00

We went to the Weald Woodfair this weekend, which was great, not least because I LOVE trees. As always there was a good community spirit and some fab stuff going on especially for families such as creating your own tree spirits, bushcraft skills, cooking prehistoric style and making apple bird feeders. There was also a space for budding potters to create their own pots, plaques etc and have them fired on site as iron age people would have done. We ate acorn flour patties sweetened with blackberries and elderberries and tried roasted crab apple. Alongside all this activity was another element to the event with a field of incredibly talented craftspeople selling their wares from huge oak tables to beautiful; bowls crafted from a single piece of wood. And Ben Law was there too; home building, woodland dwelling guru - unfortunately I didn't get to speak with him but met lots of other passionate people, leaving me feeling inspired and excited about the autumn months and forging a deeper connection with the earth.

spread the love

2008-09-15T12:16:00.003+01:00

Just had to post a quick one on this new adventure story and interactive pack produced by Splodge Publishing. It's a magical story with a powerful message and comes with a range of beautiful tactile gifts such as feathers and a rainstick to help children explore each of their their senses. Our young testers were delighted by the inclusion of a liquorice stick to taste and a read-along CD. Oh, and to celebrate the launch they are offering a weekend for a family at a Bushcraft camp next year to the winner of a nature poetry competition. All in all an unusual and beautiful gift for young and old alike - anyone looking to find and ignite their spark!

where have we been?

2008-09-15T10:46:00.003+01:00

We decided to take a last minute, spontaneous holiday to the Isle of Wight for a few blustery days in a 1950s caravan and it was very lovely, most relaxing and refreshing. On arrival we discovered not only a seriously cool caravan complete with retro boardgames, rock n' roll tunes and all the little cubbyholes to explore but the owner Helen had laid out scones, jam and Babycham for us to enjoy - who'd have thought how yum that was! We even enjoyed a bit of heady autumnal sunshine whilst playing on the beach at Alum Bay on our last day. One of the highlights, after a day exploring Blackgang Chine, which hasn't changed since my childhood (yay!) was dinner at a cafe on the beach at St. Helen's at sunset - we felt very blessed. Other discoveries included The Garlic Farm - one of my favourite foods and a whole farm and shop devoted to it. Godshill Organics is a huge exciting organic shop on the edge of heaving tourist village Godshill. And Ventnor Botanic Garden is beautiful, well kept and home to a few red squirrels. It was also a breath of fresh free air after a mistaken trip to The Needles Pleasure Park - money making machine extraordinare. All in all - v restorative and good to back in the Green Parent office with a new issue out this week!

foodie news

2008-09-05T14:47:00.003+01:00

This weekend promises to be a food lovers paradise with the Soil Association's Organic Food Festival taking over Bristol's waterside from 6-7th September. With tastings, talks, cookery demonstrations to inspire parents, children are also well catered for with a giant cardboard structure from cardboard toys folks, Paperpod, in the gardening area, a food trail, more tasting and cookery workshops. Elsewhere London Vegan Festival will take over Kensington Town Hall on Sunday and visitors can expect to learn how a vegan diet can reduce harmful emissions that affect climate change. Younger visitors will be treated to storytelling, puppet shows and workshops. On Monday a lecture held by Compassion in World Farming is taking place at Savoy Place in London about the impact of meat production and consumption on our planet. Given by Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and joint winner of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, this looks to be a fascinating talk with discussion welcomed afterwards.

moon time

2008-09-05T14:08:00.004+01:00

Well, I just got sent a femmecup in the post this morning - thanks to their PR people! I am intrigued - it is almost identical to my beloved mooncup but a smaller version. The press info that comes with this silicone menstrual cup says that we use 3 billion disposable sanitary protection items a year in the UK. And of course these are flushed away, adding to marine pollution or dumped in landfill sites. Choosing reusable products like a menstrual cup, sea sponges or washable pads means pretty much zero waste; a mooncup lasts for ten years, the femmecup lasts for five. Femmecup's website is all yoga and ladies drinking wine, with lots of information including the fact that women have been using this sort of protection since 1896. In addition to switching to reusable products I recommend keeping a moon diary as well; recording your cycle helps you to get in touch with your body and provides a useful indicator of health and wellbeing. I like to mark moods on mine as well so that I have a better idea of what sort of frame of mind I'll be in on any given day. Then I can organise parties/meetings/duvet days accordingly!

bad month for bugs

2008-09-05T13:49:00.002+01:00

Apparently all this rain hasn't been much fun for the insect population of our fair isles either, with low numbers of dragonflies, hoverflies, ladybirds, bees and moths recorded during August this year. Cold blooded creatures need the warmth of the sun to raise their body temperature and allow their muscles to work. A cold wet day means that they are unable to function properly and a succession of days like this can prove fatal. This also means that fewer flowers are being pollinated resulting in a smaller harvest. According to the Met Office the rain is unlikely to let up for the next few days. But plans for a wild event at Notcutts Garden Centre in Norwich, Norfolk are set to go ahead this weekend where families can meet the crew from conservation charity, Buglife, and find out more about wildlife gardening to benefit bugs. Those who can't make it might like to try these downloadable bug activities instead.

ethical living made easy

2008-09-04T12:32:00.002+01:00

Just wanted to put up a quick post on Living Ethically who have just revamped their information portal on all things green and ethical. They have pages of articles and a shopping directory stuffed with companies offering ethical goodies. There's also a whole range of special offers with many online retailers offering a 10-% discount to new customers through the site.

ethical clothes shopping

2008-09-03T20:04:00.002+01:00

I have just discovered this new ethical clothing shop based in Farnham in Surrey, called Purity and they have a fabulous sale on at the moment. Many items like this gorgeous dress (in organic cotton voile and dyed with vegetable dyes £28) have been reduced by 50% - wow! They also have great reductions on their organic children's clothing ranges too. If you live near Farnham you can pop in to the shop at 20 Downing Street to check out their new autumn collection and maybe pick up a bargain or two while you're there.

new challenge

2008-09-03T14:04:00.003+01:00

We are officially in the middle of National Lunchbox Week so I have decided make this week's challenge about packed lunches. A standard lunchbox these days contains heaps of waste as every item tends to be individually wrapped from tetrapak juice cartons to plastic an foil wrapped bars. In fact, estimates show that each child generates nearly 70lbs of waste a year. Multiply that by the number of us eating packed lunches around the country every day and that's a lot of rubbish. But there is a way to change this and to pack delicious lunches that don't require any packaging. Enter Mrs Green of My Zero Waste and the US based WasteFreeLunches pioneers. I have ideas for a number of other ways that we can reduce our carbon footprint at lunchtime. Why not try one, two, or all of these over the next week to make your family's lunches a more virtuous version of their former self.

1) Switch to a reusable bottle and fill with cold water from the tap, or occasionally some locally grown juice or cordial. You can even make your own though I haven't found a way to do this yet without using sugar.

2) Ditch cling film, aluminium foil and waxed paper and instead get creative. Reuse the bags from inside cereal packs as sandwich bags. Use a yoghurt pot or margarine tub as a pot for pasta or rice salads.

3) Choose fruit with its own natural wrapping that is unlikely to get damaged in a lunch box, like apples, pears and plums. Or knit some wrap! Squishable berries, grapes etc can be stored in a washable container.

4) There have been warnings about hazardous levels of lead in children's vinyl lunchbags (the soft plasticy character type bags). Avoid these and opt for a tupperware box, ice cream carton or sturdy paper bag instead, which can be used again. I love the tiffin tins that some specialist stores sell - they make great lunchboxes. Alternatively check out these new Laptop Lunchboxes which provide all the containers, some with lids so extra packaging is not necessary.

5) Avoid individually wrapped items and opt for bulk items such as dried fruit, nuts and crisps. Decant a small amount into reusable pots each day for lunch. This helps to save money too, especially if you eschew things like those little children's snack bars and make your own. I'll post a recipe later.

So go forth and green up those lunchboxes! Let us know how you get on and please share ideas for greening up your lunchtime meals.

A greener London

2008-08-29T14:09:00.003+01:00

According to a report in the Indy today, Boris Johnson has plans for a greener, cleaner London. He has launched a strategy to help the capital cope with climate change, which includes urban greening - more green spaces, tree planting and green roofs, addressing water loss by reducing pipe leakage and encouraging homes to become more water efficient and designing new buildings and adapting existing ones to reduce need for air conditioning. Johnson said that quality of life in the capital could be seriously threatened by climate change, especially extreme weather conditions bringing the increased risk of flooding. I recently read Carbon Diaries 2015 by Saci Lloyd, insightful and timely fiction for teens on how climate change might affect London. In the book the Thames barrier can't cope with the pressure of freak weather conditions and London floods leading to devastating circumstances. Despite this, it is an uplifting tale with a strong community thread running throughout the book. Worth a read even if your teenage years are but a distant memory.

new moon in virgo

2008-08-29T13:45:00.004+01:00

Well, since I completely missed posting about the last full moon on 16th August - because I was out having fun and meeting new people, in the true spirit of Aquarius - I figured I'd post about the New Moon tomorrow in good time. Both the Sun and the New Moon will be in Virgo meaning that it will be a good time to get things in order, complete unfinished projects and nourish the body since Virgo energies involve purification and whole body health. As Virgo is an Earth sign we can also benefit from forging greater connections to the earth at this time. This can be through practical activities such as gardening, harvesting or putting some time and energy into your local environment, or perhaps connecting on a spiritual level. I like going moon walking, laying still on the forest floor and blessing the trees around me to help me feel more connected to the earth. Am looking forward to some serious sorting out over the coming days. Certainly our office could do with a good ol' sort out after completing our October edition, which went to press this week. There's piles of proofs, books and paperwork everywhere but next week we'll be back to a clear organised base again on our crazy bi-monthly cycle - fingers crossed!

heartening news

2008-08-28T15:13:00.003+01:00

According to a new study nearly half of Australia is untouched by man. 40% of the land or 1.1 million sq. miles (equivalent to twelve times the size of mainland Britain) make up one of the largest pristine areas of wilderness left in the world, alongside the Amazon and Antarctica. The edges of this area are predominantly peopled by Aboriginal communities who have managed to stem the growth of plants brought by colonial settlers, such as mimosa, in order to allow native species to thrive. However the report also highlights the high rates of extinction of endemic species in Australia and hence the Pew Environment Group and The Nature Conservancy have joined forces to protect this wilderness and the wildlife that it supports. Let's hope it's not a case of Whitey thinking he fix everything by waltzing in, conducting a survey and hammering in a few signs. I know I'm a cynic - I try not to be.

colour in wallpaper

2008-08-28T14:37:00.004+01:00

This is a bit of frivolous one but I couldn't resist after receiving a sheet of this colour your own recycled wallpaper this morning. Introduced to me by the lovely folk at Papergrain, Nineteen Seventy Three also offer a range of post consumer waste cards, postcards and giftwrap. In fact, Furochic is a new alternative to wrapping paper - reusable material gift wrap that requires no selotape and comes in a range of gorgeous big, bold floral designs. I fancy papering a wall with the Jon Burgerman wallpaper and having a family and friends colour-off but know only too well what happens when I introduce my kids to a labouriously papered wall - out come the fingernails and the malicious intent. They can't help picking at it. We're sticking with paints for now...

week four challenge

2008-08-27T10:32:00.003+01:00

This week it's all about compost. Composting is one of the simplest ways of reducing your household waste and improving your garden's output. What a serendipitous circle - you can throw less rubbish into landfill and grow fatter, juicier tomatoes into the bargain. So here are a few ideas to get started with:

1. Get a bucket (preferably one with a lid) and start throwing your veg peelings, tea bags, coffee grounds, egg shells and torn up junk mail inside. When full empty into a compost bin in the garden. You can make your own or buy one from a garden centre.

2. Find out whether your local council has any great offers on compost bins at the moment. Mine was half price (I think - it was actually a Christmas present from my beloved, deposited on the doorstep with him inside)

3. As a end-of-the-summer-holidays project try making a worm farm. These are easy to make and introduce the concept of composting in such a visual and captivating way.

4. Make a leaf litter bin ready for the autumn. Hammer five 4ft poles into the ground, wrap chicken wire round the outside and you have a bin to collect leaves in. After 1 to 2 years this will have decomposed into a good addition to your homemade compost.

5. Make a batch of homemade fertilizer with some nettles or comfrey. Put on some gloves and fill a bucket up to the brim with nettles or comfrey leaves. Cover with water and leave to infuse for a week or two, by which time it should be humming. Dilute one part fertilizer brew to 15 parts water and use to feed your tomatoes, sweetcorn, apple trees etc. A little treat for the plants, which might encourage the fruits to grow just a little bit juicier before harvest.

Hope you enjoy getting busy in the garden this week!

environmental photography

2008-08-21T13:45:00.003+01:00

Photography is a powerful medium through which to raise awareness of environmental issues. Images can speak directly to our soul, replacing reams of text that might not have as great an impact. Which is why I am excited about the Environmental Photographer of the Year awards that have just been unveiled. The award winning entries for the category Changing Climates show clearly the impact that global warming is having on our world and depict climate change as a human rights issue, which I think is an important distinction. It's not just about the devastation of plants and wildlife; we are all connected and human populations are already being affected. This beautiful picture of a woman and her child in Abhijit Nandi, India is the winner of the Quality of Life category. From 17th Sept to 11th Oct, visitors to the Art Pavilion at Mile End Ecology Park, London can view an exhibition of some of the entries.

new challenge!!

2008-08-19T14:39:00.002+01:00

It's World Water Week this week so I figured it would be a good time to turn my attention to the way we use water in our homes. We often take this essential resource for granted and can be very wasteful in our use of it, so I want to look at a few simple changes that we can make that might get us thinking about water's true value. Here are the week's challenges:

• If you have a conventional toilet (not a low flush or an ultra efficient loo) pop a brick or a hippo in your cistern. This will save around 3 litres per flush.

• Take the Aussie attitude to waste and follow the 'if it's yellow, it's mellow' rule. You could even put a little sign on your loo to explain this to guests!

• Ditch bottled water - globally we drink over 150 billion litres a year! In the US 86% of plastic water bottles end up in landfill. The remainder were incinerated, causing toxic off gassing or sent to China for recycling. Buying water like this costs up to 12,000 times the cost of tap water and according to Gomestic, around 40% of bottled water originates from our ordinary tap water supply. Fill a glass or plastic bottle with water when travelling and water plants with any that is left over at the end of the day.

• If you don't have one already, buy a small washing up bowl to fir inside your sink - this can save several litres per washing up session. It is also useful to have in the sink to collect the excess when you run the tap to get cold water. Use it to water plants.

• Get a water butt to collect rainwater and if you already have one, install another. You are sure to accrue plenty of rainwater at the moment, which will come in useful if we have an Indian summer. Fingers crossed!

Let's get saving!

week two challenge update

2008-08-19T11:06:00.004+01:00

Transport has been on my mind over the last week following the challenges that I set. We changed travel plans for a journey and we all bundled in the back of a friend's van rather than driving to a party at the weekend. I found a brilliant bus timetable which centres around a large map of the downs and all the places that you can visit, such as the Long Man of Wilmington and gorgeous woodland - Abbotts Wood, using local bus services and trains. We can also get to my favourite crystal shop with a short walk and a hop across a field - hurrah! We went on lots of bike rides last week, mainly locally - the kids are getting so confident on their bikes now. On one ride we cycled to a local village and found a rope swing behind the church, which made a fun rest stop. On the way home from that ride, we sang the whole journey and the hills suddenly didn't seem nearly so challenging. I signed up to Flight Pledge last year and we haven't flown for several years, but have taken holidays by train and car instead. I haven't yet discovered how much it costs to drive a mile but Chris Goodall, author of How to Live a Low Carbon Life, a fabulous sourcebook of crunchy figures and insightful comment says that it costs on average £0.10 a mile to make a car journey. I would like to work out how much it costs taking into account the road tax, insurance and initial cost of the car so will get back to you on that one. Out of curiosity I have been looking at the G Wiz electric car - apparently they cost £0.017p a mile to run and owners also don't have to pay tax. It does cost £6,999 to buy new though. Am going to ask the neighbours how they feel about car sharing too. New challenges will be posted later...

gorgeous new book

2008-08-15T12:27:00.003+01:00

The Tree Council are publishing a book to celebrate 10 years of their seed gathering season events. Featuring 80 native and ornamental species, Trees and How to Grow Them gives growing tips and tree trivia as well as lovely colour images of each tree. Find out how to grow a tree from seed, what it's like being a tree warden and lots of facts and figures like where the oldest tree in the world is situated (it's a bristlecone pine, thought to be 4,600 years old, located in the White Mountains of eastern California) and the number of tree species in the world (around 100,000) Wowzer - I love trees. Some of my other favourite books about trees are: The Secret Life of Trees: How they live and why they matter by Colin Tudge, A tree in your pocket by Jacqueline Paterson, Myths of the Sacred Tree by Moyra Caldecott and the Healing Energies of Trees by P. Bouchardon.

week two challenge

2008-08-12T10:34:00.003+01:00

Well here it is folks - how to green up your travel arrangements, save money and have fun into the bargain. Try these five simple steps this week:

• Make a note of all your regular journeys and replace one journey this week with a different mode of transport - think bikes, buses, trams or shanks pony.

• Find a bus timetable for your local area and see what exotic locations you could visit!

• Go for a bike ride. If you haven't got a bike, borrow or hire one. Check out Sustrans for ideas of local cycle routes, including off-road trails.

• Calculate how much it costs to drive a mile in the car.

• Sign up to flight pledge. You can choose from options such as not taking leisure flights or not flying except in emergencies.

I'll let you know how we get on with these in the office a bit later in the week!

press coverage!

2008-08-11T15:10:00.004+01:00

We're featured in the Irish Times in an article about green parenting after I did an interview with Sheila Wayman a couple of weeks ago. Also there's a piece in the South Wales Echo today in response to the report that I wrote a month or so ago about how you can save £3000 in the first year of your baby's life. We will be publishing an article in the December edition of The Green Parent about how to go green and save money.

week one: challenge update

2008-08-11T14:53:00.003+01:00

Well, the assistants in the fridge shop clearly think that I am a loon. So what if a fiver can be pulled out of the fridge door - have I checked the temperature? Uh no - how do I do that? Apparently if "the temperature of the item retains a suitable temperature inside the unit, it is fair to say that the item is in perfect working order." They actually said that! Sales-speak gives me uncontrollable giggles so we didn't get much further than that. Back to the drawing board on that one. But, the corners of the mini ice box are stuffed with bits of paper and bubblewrap and I have hardly opened the fridge at all this week, preferring to eat fab food made by my mother-in-law and have a sneaky lunch out with my aunt. Am sure I have done other virtuous things too to counteract the vast quantities of chocolate consumed in the office this week prior to deadline, but they are alluding me. This weeks challenges will be posted up later - all to do with getting from A to B in the greenest possible way. Exciting - non?