Whether you’re throwing a garden party or a children’s birthday bash, maintaining your own green standards can be a lot harder than you’d expect – as the sheer amount of things you need to get ready and cater for end up taking its toll on even the most well-natured environmentalist. From getting rid of waste, to cooking to please a group, here’s a guide to more sustainable party planning:
Category Archives: Green ideas
36 Twitter Accounts That’ll Help you Live Greener
I’ll begin this post by putting my hands up and admitting I am an intermittent and inconsistent Twitter user. I have weeks when I’m completely on it and post regularly, and there are other times when I forget it even exists. Personally I see this approach to social media as healthy; it should simply be something you dip in and out of in between living life, not something you are glued to every second of the day. BUT as a blogger, I am aware that I’m missing a trick.
Twitter is an awesome way to stay on the ball with the people and topics which interest you, and can be an incredible resource to accessing advice, information and inspiration for living a little more sustainably. And its not just newsfeeds and hashtags you can follow to help your green journey. There are also heaps of weekly debates, Q&As and discussion hours – such as #makedoandmendhour and #veganhour – where you can share (or steal) great ideas and easy green hacks from other like minded tweeters.
With this in mind, I thought I would share 20 of my favourite Twitter accounts, for anyone interested in sustainability, veganism or green and ethical living.
Continue reading 36 Twitter Accounts That’ll Help you Live Greener
Five Fabulous Uses for Beetroot
Beetroot. Some say it’s a little like Marmite, you either love it or you hate it. To some, its too earthy, tangy or just a pain in the bum to clean up. To others, a salad or roasted veg dish just isn’t the same without it! I personally love the stuff roasted with sweet potato and tossed into some cous cous, or with an oriental twist in my Thai Spiced Beetroot and Cashew Soup. Continue reading Five Fabulous Uses for Beetroot
Book Review: The Sustainable Design Book
Ok, I’m just going to go ahead and put it out there. I’m a bit of design geek. Well, specifically an architecture and furniture design geek (and yes, I do include my love of Ikea and Grand Designs in this description…); though I also have respect for anything that is a little quirky, practical, and more importantly, sustainable.
But don’t assume this geek love equates to intellectual prowess, no Sir! Not to be confused with someone who actually knows something of substance about a particular subject, a geek is in fact characterized as someone who is (I quote the Oxford dictionary…) “extremely excited or enthusiastic about a subject, typically one of specialist or minority interest” and that’s me with design. I love it with a creepy, stalker-like passion, but am rarely invited to it’s parties.
It is because of this interest, but lack of knowledge, that I jumped at the chance to take a look at a brand new book on this very subject: The Sustainable Design Book by Rebecca Proctor.
First impressions suggested that this was a dream book for arty, designer types with a profound knowledge of design. For those who would pretentiously ponder techniques, or simply leave around for friends and acquaintances to admire. A coffee table book if you will. But a curious thing happened. As I begun to flick through its beautifully laid out pages, I realised first impressions can be very deceptive indeed…
Green Activity Ideas for Earth Hour
Tonight I’m really looking forward to my first WWF Earth Hour experience. This year, the global annual event will see hundreds of millions of people switch off their lights, for one hour, to demonstrate their love of our wonderful planet. I love the idea that for just a short amount of time, millions across the globe are partaking in something so simple but symbolic; in a bid to raise awareness for environmental and conservation issues.
So between 8.30 and 9.30pm, I’ll be switching off all my lights, TV and music; and showing my love to the Earth!
But an hour with no electricity can actually be very long and boring if you’re not prepared, so I thought I’d share some of my green ideas for entertaining yourself during Earth Hour: Continue reading Green Activity Ideas for Earth Hour
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
Book Review: Green Moxie’s Guide to Sustainable Living
This weekend, I’m a bit of a kid in a (vegan) candy shop. I’ve managed to get my hands on one of the most exciting green books of the year: Green Moxie’s Guide to Sustainable living, and I’ve been dying to share my thought with you all!
I’ve been a massive fan of Toronto based Nikki Fotheringham and her website Green Moxie ever since I began A Lazy Girl Goes Green last year, and have be fortunate enough to do a few blog swaps with the sustainability legend. What struck me from the outset was how honest, funny and down to earth Nikki was with her approach to sustainability. Though she specialises in environmentally-friendly building technologies and renewable energy, her cheeky and stylish approach to green living makes it a more accessible, and in fact desirable, way to live. Continue reading Book Review: Green Moxie’s Guide to Sustainable Living
Ditch the January Detox and Try Veganuary
OK, I’m only going to admit this to you just this once, so soak it up while you can. I didn’t exactly follow any of my own advice when it came to succumbing to Christmas confectionary. In fact, not only did I not “step away from those special edition boxes of chocolates” as I advised last month; I continue to purchase said naughtiness to this day. I know I know, I’ve put shame on the whole sustainable community and I deserve every inch of the added layer nestled around my waist!
But as per tradition, January is a time of getting fit, getting healthy, and generally getting off our butts after a month of eating, drinking and being far too merry! I’m sure I’m not the only one making health food shopping lists, avoiding alcohol and setting a 6am alarm for that early morning run (which predictably gets put off for “one more day“). According to the world, we need to repent for our Christmas sins with a diet and exercise regime stricter than our bodies have ever seen! Continue reading Ditch the January Detox and Try Veganuary
A Lazy Girl Goes Green 