Category Archives: General ramblings

A Buddhist (and Axl Rose) Perspective on Attachment

I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in saying that the beginning of any adventure is generally filled with excitement, intrigue and enthusiasm. Whether it’s a new job, relationship or home – or simply a different way of cooking potatoes – you really can’t beat that honeymoon period of trying something new and sharing what you learn along the way. The uneasy, yet hopeful journey of a road less travelled (at least by you…) is the best part of any new venture, along with the positive intentions and habit changes we all insist will follow!

But as the wise and beautiful Axl Rose once sang: “nothin’ lasts forever, even cold November rain”! And oh how wise and reflective that rock God is! Now, I’m pretty sure these lyrics were intended to provide a positive encouragement to an otherwise heart-breaking situation, but I can’t help but relate these words to the inevitable destination for most things in life. Situations begin and end. We are born and we die. It rains and then it stops (if we’re lucky). Life goes on in a circular of starts and finishes, in which no one factor is truly the creator of either state. To quote a slightly gentler but none the less emotional Elton classic: “It’s the circle of life, and it moves us all”. Continue reading A Buddhist (and Axl Rose) Perspective on Attachment

Tiny Green Living

Earlier this month I made a step to downsize my outgoings, and belongings, by moving into a small but cosy studio apartment. I spent hours in the lead up to the move sorting through my stuff; posting onto Streetbank, donating to charity shops and recycling where they had completely given up the goat. It was surprisingly cleansing to get rid of so much, even the things I had kept onto for over 10 years. But surprise, surprise, when I moved into my new studio flat – which is literally a room with a bathroom attached – I realised that my many attempts of de-cluttering was simply not enough. I still have far too much stuff! Continue reading Tiny Green Living

5 Things I Miss as a Vegan

Aside from the obvious – and completely uninformed – questions concerning where I get my protein from, or how I could possibly live without cheese, one question always pops up when I tell someone I’m vegan; what do I miss the most? I find this a really odd thing to ask. It assumes that by cutting out animal products from my life I have in turn backed myself into a limited resource corner; in which I am deprived of what are clearly the most desirable things in life. Oh poor vegan me, people must think. No chocolate, ice cream, lamb chops, macaroni cheese, leather belts, “luxury” cosmetics etc etc. Surely I would miss all those things as they are so engrained in our culture, our history and more importantly, our habits. Continue reading 5 Things I Miss as a Vegan

Can you really be green and poor?

This past year, my lazy green journey has generally led to the formation of habits which are not only healthy for my body, and nice to the planet, but save me a bit of money too. I buy less stuff – such as clothes, toiletries and gadgets – and save on things like petrol, electricity and heating bills. I’ve banked hundreds of pounds a year from carrying my own water bottle and shopping bags; all in the name of throwing away less, and saving more.

But an interesting thing happened this week, when I had to go over every inch of my outgoings, in order to penny pinch in preparation for  my upcoming backpacking trip. At a point when I’ve realised my savings budget has been dipped into one too many times, I need to save big time if I’m going to live the dream in less than 8 months time. But how do you save even more money, when you already feel like a budget conscious cave woman living a life of little frivolity?  Continue reading Can you really be green and poor?

Work, wine and the Qing Dynasty

Hey lazy green peeps! Apologies for the radio silence recently, but despite intending to start 2015 with a structured and eclectic approach to blogging, I have underestimated a very important thing….life!! The day job has been hectic and my lack of Uni work over Christmas has left me with piles to catch up on the last few weeks (including a rather uninspiring comparative essay on the Qing dynasty) Believe me, I’d rather be here with you guys right now!

So, no new discoveries on the lazy green front from me recently, I’ve simply been trying to stick to as many of my good habits  as possible without reaching for the wine every  few minutes….

That said, one positive thing I have adopted so far this year (without even trying) is to not feel overwhelmed by real, or perceived, obligations. Whether it’s because I’m letting it all grow with the flow, or I’m just getting older and even lazier; I’m finding it easier to give myself a break and saying “Bah, I’ll do later”. Whilst this is incredibly liberating, however, I’m fully aware that later will have to come one day, and all those “fascinating” ideas I have for blogs are piling up to a big old pile of nothing!

Maybe in a small way this is why we have gotten ourselves into a bit of an environmental pickle in the first place? Too many “I’ll worry about it later” and not enough “Lets get this sorted now before it gets too out of hand”. So with this in mind, I better get on and write this darn essay about the Chinese mandate of heaven and how it helped to maintain an Empire. Maybe I’ll even learn a thing or two about how to juggle life when faced with such a diverse and changing number of responsibilities, because I have to admit right now I do have that glass of wine in hand….

My New Year’s Green Resolutions

Hello my lovely lazy green people, I hope you all had lovely Christmas breaks and not feeling too full and lethargic! My break has been so relaxed that I completely switched off from my every day life. Now I’m slowly trying to get back into the swing of things and beginning to think about how I can get next year off to a positive start.

It’s been 8 months now since I decided to change some of my lazy, or procrastinating, habits into green actions. There have been many things I’ve found relatively easy to do – such as switching to organic food and buying less “stuff” – and some things I have gradually learnt to do over time; like going plastic free, and cutting out ingredients like palm oil.

But going green hasn’t always been easy for me, and I thought it might be useful to share some of the things I have yet to transform into more sustainable practices; if only to assure you that these things don’t always happen overnight! Continue reading My New Year’s Green Resolutions

Your Green Life: Jen Gale (My Make Do and Mend Year)

I have to say, I don’t think this weeks Your Green Life needs much of an introduction. Following her family’s attempt to live one full year without buying anything new; Jen Gale has become a massive inspiration for thousands of people seeking to live more sustainably, or simply enjoy a frugal life by having fun with crafty upcycling. 

Now, her blog My Make Do and Mend Year, boasts a large, committed following of makers and doers; in which Jen welcomes everyone to become part of a thriving community sharing successes and mishaps! It’s no surprise then, to find that Jen has become a bit of a make do and mend guru; with articles and ideas popping up across many platforms, including a fab series of “how to mend…” posts on the Guardians lifestyle pages. 

But Jen’s success and all round awesomeness isn’t the only reason I wanted to pick her brains about green living. It just so happens that Jen is the reason I started a Lazy Girl Goes Green in the first place! Earlier this year I was introduced to her through Start UK, when I organised an event with them at Eden Project for The Big Lunch. The event was all about resourcefulness and Jen was highly recommended as one of the most resourceful people they knew!

 Despite working in communications and marketing for years, I had never really had much to do with the blogging world. But after reading a few of Jens blogs I was hooked, and felt utterly inspired to start my own sustainable journey. She also introduced me to lots of other bloggers, organisations and charities I didn’t know existed, and she continue to inspire me to this day! 

Continue reading Your Green Life: Jen Gale (My Make Do and Mend Year)

Tree Huggers Heaven: St Nectans Glen

It’s no surprise that – as a vegan who has a passion for sustainability, and a laid-back attitude to my appearance – I would sometimes be affectionately referred to as a tree hugger. And despite the connotations associated with that term, I think I would have to agree. I really do love trees!!

I grew up in a small market town in Devon, and was lucky enough to be surrounded by beautiful countryside and enchanted woodland. My favourite thing to do growing up was to run through the woodland with my best friend (my adventurous and loyal dog, Roxy) and pretend that nothing else existed in the world other than the beautiful tall trees towering over me. I saw the woods as a place to explore nature, enjoy some fresh air and lose myself.

Continue reading Tree Huggers Heaven: St Nectans Glen