simple - seasonal - sustainable
Was it worth trying to grow our own fruit and vegetables in our small suburban garden, whilst also caring for our two young children, three chickens and a dog during a global pandemic? Until recently, my answer would have been a resounding no. But it took scrolling through my camera roll to realise that not all failures constitute waste, and that often success can be found in the most unusual of outcomes.
Read MoreEvery day I take a moment to step outside and wander. It grounds me and gives me that one moment to be nothing more than a humble visitor - not a mother, nor writer or photographer. The garden is full of rich promises that tantalise us. This is our edible attempt at suburban permaculture - so far, it appears to be working.
Read MoreIn my guest talk for the Sustainable(ish) Online Festival, my Beginner's Guide to Reusable Nappies talked through the following key points parents new to cloth nappies have: What is a cloth nappy? How many types of reusable nappies are there? How do they work? How do you store dirty nappies? How do you wash them? Where does the poo go? And how eco are reusable nappies compared to disposable nappies. I am delighted to say you can now watch the playback right here on my blog.
Read MoreIf you type ‘Are reusable nappies better for the environment than disposable nappies?’ into a search engine, the answer that comes back is effectively, no. The top four responses are articles dated from 2018. They all reference a report published by the Environment Agency from 2005. But in February 2020, a new set of statistics were published. Come, hold my hand. Let’s answer the environmental cloth nappy debate once and for all.
Read MoreOn Wednesday 13 May 2020 I was the guest speaker at author Jen Gale’s online Sustainable(ish) Festival on the topic: ‘A beginner’s guide to reusable nappies’. I was honoured to be given the platform to help guide beginner’s (and some dab hands too) in their cloth nappy journeys - thank you to every single person who watched. In lockdown, there has been unprecedented interest in real nappies. It warms my heart completely.
Read MoreWhen author of The Sustainble(ish) Living Guide Jen Gale announced she was going to run a virtual festival on living a sustainable lifestyle, it felt like fate. Not being a keyworker, I’ve felt redundant during the pandemic but this, this was something I could help with that should spread some positivity. Now I find myself a guest speaker on a topic I am a passionate advocate for. Can you guess what it is…?
Read MoreAs the lockdown approached, and anxieties around food were raised, it was time to take growing our own more seriously. We’ve started our own rapid response victory garden in earnest and I’m delighted to be able to share this new gardening category on the blog with you.
Read MoreFor some, this enforced slow-down is the first time to go out in the world with no goal other than to exercise and see what Mother Earth has on offer right now. This is our home and now more than ever we can hear its call to take care of it. Here are five things you can do to support World Earth Day today and everyday.
Read MoreIf I said to you, I earn less money than you do, my house is smaller than yours, my clothes are secondhand, or my cupboards are almost empty, what would your gut reaction be? I’m sorry for you, perhaps? Or, work harder to earn more, maybe? How about - you’re lesser than me…
Read MoreIf our world felt loud and demanding before the pandemic began, now it is a defeaning roar that threatens to envelop us all. Here are habits that may help you to stay grounded, patient and above all calm. Come quieten that roar.
Read MoreMaking the decision to raise our children as humanists was easy - we want them to make sense of the world using reason and experience, and base their ethics on the goals of human welfare, happiness and fulfillment. Hosting a humanist naming ceremony was their start on this amazing journey, but keeping it low waste was a challenge.
Read MoreWhen my daughter was four hours old, she was taken into my hospital’s neonatal unit with suspected meningitis. She was administered antibiotics that undoubtedly saved her life. The only long-lasting effect is that she suffers from childhood eczema.
Read MoreAlong my journey into living a more minimalist, sustainable and low waste lifestyle, I've been educated and galvanised by some amazing books, documentaries and content creators. This list comprises some of my favourite zero waste, minimalist, and ethical, sustainable living inspirations.
Read MoreWe’ve all heard the saying that children can spend more time playing with the cardboard box than the toy that’s in it. If it’s contents is single-use or a more ‘throwaway’ plastic toys, then why throw more trash in landfill? The alternatives are some of the most beautiful, plastic-free, ethically made (or home made) toys you and your children will love.
Read MoreIn 2018 Helen White from WRAP’s Love Food Hate Waste told The Telegraph that: ‘The UK’s total annual food waste amounts to a shocking 15 million tonnes, of which nearly half is binned by households.’ And that’s just food. What about wasted energy, heating and lighting? There are some ridiculously simple ways you can reduce your household waste, saving your wallet whilst saving the planet too.
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