Recent Comments

1. Don't just recycle, Freecycle - 29 Mar 2007

   Thank you all. I found out about Freecycle through this site and signed up a couple of weeks ago. I’ve just made my first Freecyle giveaway and am feeling very generous. :-) I’m sure we have a lot more clutter we could get rid of – stuff which could easy go to a new home. Our challenge over the coming months will be to make sure that we complete a ‘clean out’.

2. Switch To Energy Saving Lightbulbs - 29 Mar 2007

   We have a lot of energy saving bulbs around the house – and have done for several years now – but I’ve spotted a few that have somehow escaped – and need to remedy that.

   The only problem we’ve had has been that some are very dim – even after the obligatory 5 mins warm up. I’m sure that technology has moved on and brighter bulbs are now available – so I’ll check those out.

3. DIY vegetables! - 29 Mar 2007

   I have my first vegetable garden ready for planting this year – currently all kinds of seedlings growing on sunny windowsills around the house. The greenhouse arrived today and will be erected this weekend – ready for the toms, aubergine, and peppers. Courgettes almost have flowers on them already. How very exciting!

   MaryC – if you are looking for advice re strawberry seeds still, I’d recommend you sign up to Rivercottage.net forum – lots and lots of help there regarding not just fruit and veg growing, but all kinds of topics relating to eating generously. I’d recommend it (and am also there with the same forum name).

4. Compost Your Leftovers - 29 Mar 2007

   3rd compost bin arrived today! Other two are well on their way. Plenty going in there from the garden and kitchen – but didn’t know you could add cardboard, so will add some of that from time to time to booze the carbon – same goes for hoover dust.

5. Stop Taking Plastic Bags From Shops - 29 Mar 2007

   Re carrier bags – there’s no excuse to use them! I am now starting to get a bit ‘grumpy old woman’ about this – as I enter the supermarket (or more likely farmers market or farm shop) with my banana boxes and various fabric fold up bags.

   Ok, there is the occasion when I forget, and they stay in the boot of the car, but those times are happening less and less frequently now.

   Cheers. PS No idea why I’m showing up as homeless; I have put in my location!

6. Ladies: Consider a mooncup! - 29 Mar 2007

   This was recommended to me by my best friend a couple of months back. I’ve had no joy finding the right size in my local Boots – so finally just hit the link and ordered one online today. Thanks for advice re boiling / sterilising.

7. Ladies: Consider a mooncup! - 02 May 2007

   It works! It’s fantastic. 2nd month in and can’t believe I didn’t do this sooner. Am already evangelizing to friends (obviously those with whom I can have this kind of conversation!)

   Don’t delay. It’s easy.

8. Buy An Ethical T-Shirt (Support Someone In A Developing Country) - 02 May 2007

   Howies (.co.uk) are a great place to find organic cotton – and have a very interesting, generous website. Their stuff is pricey though (shorts £55 I found out this morning) – but worth a look for those with the money to spend.

9. Get a water butt! - 15 May 2007

   I’m just waiting for the connector kit to arrive – then can install 3rd butt next to new greenhouse. I have 2 others already installed off garage roof and they are both completely full following all of the recent rain! I’d like a chance to start to empty them again now!

10. Go Local - Join A Food Cooperative - 30 May 2007

    I’ve recently started shopping with Somerset Local Food Direct. They are the nearest I’ve found to a Food Co-Op – with food of all kinds sourced locally. The good news is that they also provide various non perishables – including the Suma brand (for loo rolls) and Ecover Products. So now I’m even closer to avoiding the supermarket!

11. Improve your home's energy efficiency - 30 May 2007

    Taunton Deane Borough Council are offering reduced price wall and roof insulation. I’ve signed up and someone should be visiting shortly in order to ‘audit’ my home. Hurrah!

12. Put Your Money Where Your Heart is (Bank Ethically) - 17 Jul 2007

    Just joined Smile. Now have full suite of visa, current account and ISA – though need to go through rigmarole (sp?) of transferring all of my DDs/SOs and pay to the new accounts before they work quickly.

    So far not liking the telephone service as much as First Direct (with whom I’ve banked for 15 years or so)... Ho hum. The price we have to pay for banking ethically I guess.

13. Give Your Unwanted / Unworn Clothes To Charity - 14 Nov 2008

    I have a a couple of bags waiting to be taken away right now!

14. Walking ... It's The Way To Go - 14 Nov 2008

    I’ve just started walking my children to school – to save the 2 mile or so drive twice a day. We are doing it 2-3 mornings a week – no mean feat when it’s 40 mins walk for children of 6 and 8! But we are enjoying the time spent chatting together as we walk, seeing passers-by, nature and all kinds of things along our journey. The walk back home (to work) afterwards is done at a brisker pace so I get exercise too!

15. Switch to Green Household Cleaners - 14 Nov 2008

    I’ve been using eco friendly products on and off for several years now – but took the plunge and purchased some 5lt containers of washing up liquid, washing liquid and conditioner last week. Only just space for them. My problem always comes when there are really bad stains that just won’t come out without heavy doses of Vanish (eek). So I’m not 100% there yet…