greenliving Your lifestyle guide to all things eco...
!L, W E N BRISTOD
March/April 2010
magazine
TO TH AN H BA SOUT THE EST W
Jo Wood Ex-wife of Rolling Stones rocker on becoming a green goddess and why it saved her life
Go Glamping! The latest outdoor trend sweeping the staycation nation
Food, Inc. A powerful investigation reveals some frightening implications for the future of food
WIN!
A two night stay at Primrose Valley Hotel!
greenliving Editor: Holly Aurelius-Haddock holly@greenlivingmag.co.uk
Welcome...
Assistant Editor: Faye Allen faye@greenlivingmag.co.uk
It's very rare for someone to cite a comedian during a heated debate about the environment...
Art Director: Nathaniel Warren designer@greenlivingmag.co.uk Designer: Daniel Wild designer@greenlivingmag.co.uk Advertising: Simon Temme simon@greenlivingmag.co.uk Contributors: Molly Conisbee, Bill Gething, Rebecca Gooch, Richard Spalding, Guy Watson. greenliving Magazine 151-153 Wick Road, Brislington, Bristol, BS4 4HH Tel: 01179 779188 | Visit: www.greenlivingmagazine.co.uk Please send any comments or suggestions to the publisher at the above address. For general enquiries: Peter Francomb Email: peter@greenlivingmag.co.uk © Copyright 2010 greenliving All rights reserved. Material may not be reproduced without permission of greenliving. While we take care to ensure that reports, reviews and features are accurate, greenliving accepts no liability for reader dissatisfaction arising from the content of this publication. The opinions expressed or advice given are the views of the individual authors, and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of greenliving
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Don't ask me why, but it's not the rhetoric of politicians or the preaching of worthy eco-warriers that have stuck with me over the years, but instead the words of stand-up genius Sean Lock. Describing his disillusionment after returning from a holiday in America, he said "I just feel stupid, like I've turned up to an earthquake with a dustpan and brush". Like so much comedy, there's a dark undertone to his observation; an implication that all our good efforts are futile unless the big players are prepared to stand with us. This is of course true, but I for one have no intention of passing the buck when I have to explain to my children why I couldn't bring them up in a better world. The good news is that our government seems to have finally recognised that sustainable development needs to come much further up on the agenda. Whilst some believe this might be too little too late, I remain optimistic that as intelligent human beings, we still have it in us to face what represents our biggest challenge since the dawn of time. And that's the whole point of greenliving, to offer you practical, small-scale solutions to leading a greener lifestyle. Rather than making you feel guilty for what you don't already do, we want to show you the direct benefits that minor modifications can have for your well-being, your family, your pocket and most importantly, your planet. Change starts with us. Holly Aurelius-Haddock. holly@greenlivingmag.co.uk
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greenliving
contents
Welcome to greenliving!
you
your home
your planet
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briGht stars Channel 4 presenter and architect George Clarke under the spotlight
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the biG GreeN challeNGe Innovative communities from all over the UK set the right example
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hOmes iN the future Hemp lime construction: a breakthrough for the construction industry
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earth mOther Ten top tips for making your child’s first steps the right ones
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lOve fOOd hate Waste Planet-friendly advice on cutting down on your waste and your weekly shopping bill
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plaNet WOrth saviNG Inspiring photography from around the globe
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ON yer bike Incorporate exercise seamlessly into your daily routine and do your bit for the planet while you’re at it JO WOOd Ex-wife to Rolling Stones rocker Ronnie Wood tells us why going organic saved her life GlampiNG The latest trend sweeping the staycation nation
We hope you enjoy the first issue of greenliving. We would love to know your thoughts so please get in touch. Email holly@greenlivingmag.co.uk or write to us at 151-153 Wick Road, Bristol BS4 4HH
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March/April 2010 A GREENER TOMORROW...
Meet the team... With every issue we offer the latest eco news and advice from some of the sector’s most prominent figures:
RICHARD SPALDING Richard is a Professor in Human Geography and Environment Studies at UWE in Bristol. Whilst sitting as the Chair of South Gloucestershire Local Food and Drinks Partnership and Winterbourne Medieval Barn Trust, he also finds time to grow a few vegetables of his own too!
BILL GETHING Architect Bill Gething was a long-standing partner of Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios before setting up an independent consultancy last year. He has contributed to the practice's international reputation for sustainable design and is currently a member of the Royal Institute of British Architect’s Climate Change Board.
GUY WATSON Having founded Riverford Organic, Guy Watson has always been fired by a passion for good food combined with traditional farming principles. Determined to loosen the supermarkets stranglehold on quality and supply, Guy Watson deals fairly with everybody, which remains an intrinsic value to the businesses operation.
THE SOIL ASSOCIATION With their fingers firmly on the pulse, the UK’s leading organic organisation keeps us informed on the latest campaigns and community programmes promoting planet friendly food and farming methods.
The past 20 years have seen a growing realisation that the current model of development is unsustainable. In other words, we are living beyond our means. From the loss of biodiversity with the felling of rainforests or over fishing to the negative effect our consumption patterns are having on the environment and the climate. Our way of life is placing an increasing burden on the planet. The increasing stress we put on resources and environmental systems such as water, land and air cannot go on forever. Especially as the world's population continues to increase and we already see a world where over a billion people live on less than a dollar a day. The goal of sustainable development is to enable all people throughout the world to satisfy their basic needs and enjoy a better quality of life, without compromising the quality of life of future generations. Unless we start to make real progress toward reconciling these contradictions we face a future that is less certain and less secure. We need to make a decisive move toward more sustainable development. Not just because it is the right thing to do, but also because it is in our own long-term best interests. It offers the best hope for the future. Whether at school, in the home or at work, we all have a part to play. Our small everyday actions add up to make a big difference. Spokesperson for Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
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News If you have any news or events that you would like to share with us here at greenliving then email info@greenlivingmag.com
Dorset schools go green Five schools in Dorset are urging pupils and school managers across the county to go green this March for the Dorset Schools Eco Summit. Under the rallying cry 'Let's Do Something', Dumpton, Queen Elizabeth's Wimborne, Knighton House, St Nicholas Child Okeford and the summit host, Bryanston, are working together with Dorset and North Dorset District Councils and a number of local and national businesses, to stage a day of events, talks, discussions and exhibitions, which they hope will create a forum for the exchange of ideas on sustainability issues. Schools from across the county are invited to send pupil delegates to attend the event on Friday 5th March at Bryanston School. 01258 484600 www.bryanston.co.uk/ecosummit
Green Loans
Organic Holidays
The government has recently announced plans for a "green loans" scheme to help people pay for improvements to their homes to make them more energy efficient. The scheme, which would see loans remain attached to the house where insulation, solar panels or other green technology was installed, aims to overcome the financial barriers and upfront costs people face when trying make their homes greener.
www.soilassociation.org.
Around 500 homes around the country have been testing out a ÂŁ4m pilot for the programme. The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has already been in discussions with a number of sectors including retail and banking over how the loans can be delivered, while legislation will need to be introduced to allow for the loans to be attached to homes.
The Soil Association’s new Holiday Organic web directory is the perfect place to track down a fantastic rural hideaway this summer. Browse your way down country lanes and through the gates of nearly 200 working organic farms welcoming visitors to cottages, farm buildings, campsites and the odd yurt. All produce foods to the Soil Association’s high organic standards and the nature of organic farming means they are likely to have a good mix of animals and crops, setting the scene for a fab rustic retreat. Visitors can browse Holiday Organic by region and it also includes Scotland and Wales.
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Saturday 27 March
Turning the Tide The Weston barrage, running 10 miles across the Severn estuary between Weston-super-Mare and Cardiff, is the largest of four tidal power schemes being considered by government in its bid to see a 34% cut in the UK’s carbon emissions by 2020. The Environment Agency has warned against what would be the largest renewable energy project in Europe however, claiming that it would cause more harm than good, permanently flooding nearly 35,000 hectares of internationally protected wetlands and destroy some important fisheries in the Severn, Wye and Usk. A final decision will be given next year but the barrage, which would be a huge engineering feat on the scale of some of the world's biggest construction projects, is shaping up to be one the most contentious environmental issues of the decade.
Critical Mass Bicycle Ride The Bath Cycling Campaign, which works to promote and encourage responsible cycling in Bath and North East Somerset, is holding an event on Saturday 27 March, 1pm at Kingsmead Square. Cyclists will be riding around the city centre and through Victoria Park for about an hour. The ride is aimed at bringing cyclists of all levels including families together for a fun packed ride with music and entertainment. High visibility vests and colourful clothing are recommended. www.bathcyclingcampaign.org.uk
Bristol Palm Oil Plans Rejected An application to build a biofuel power station at the former Sevalco site in Avonmouth, capable of powering 25,000 homes, has been refused by city councillors. Campaigners are objecting to the use of palm oil, which has led to deforestation and destruction around the world. The company, W4B Bristol Ltd insists that it would only use palm oil from sustainable sources under license and only as a temporary measure. At a meeting that took place in the Council House last month, members of the Development Control Committee voted six to two against the plans. The chairman of W4B Bristol, Chris Slack, claimed that the plant was essential if the UK was to meet its carbon reduction pledges. There are a large number of palm-oil power plants in the pipeline across the country so this verdict will resonate across the whole of the UK.
Ecobuild Currently in its fifth year, Ecobuild is a comprehensive product showcase, providing the ultimate source of information for the sector. This event promises to celebrate and promote established green companies and initiatives. It engages and encourages debate and discussion and seeks out the continuing opportunities for sustainable development. The best-known names in the sector continue to choose Ecobuild as their most important marketing platform. With 100 free conference and seminar sessions and dozens of interactive attractions, this event is the biggest showcase of sustainable construction in the country.
2-4 March, Earls Court Exhibition Centre, London www.ecobuild.co.uk
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There have been lots of restoration programmes made in the past focused on large scale, very epic projects. These were great series’ but they weren’t very accessible. Restoration Man is about small scale, unusual buildings that you wouldn’t initially expect to be turned into homes.
There is a very strong ecological message with the show: recycle the old rather than buy new! I find it ridiculous
George
bright stars
Clarke
when looking at the housing policy, which goes back to Thatcher’s day when she was promoting new build development. On new builds there is zero VAT on materials. There needs to be zero rates for existing buildings. This is one law that the government has to change immediately.
A lot of makeover shows are too superficial. It’s easy for people to paint a room a bizarre colour and make a pink MDF bed. The Home Show is about making space work for the people that actually live in it. We’re spending people’s hard earned money and we want to make it work on every level.
I’ve actually downscaled in the last three years. I bought a nice, but boring, 1920 Edwardian semi and started from scratch. I maximised every space possible. Now we love it here and I can’t see myself moving for at least another 10 years. Hopefully, with the climate, people will settle down and enjoy what they’ve got.
People need to have a very holistic view about what sustainable and green actually mean. We have to start with the basics before moving to the Rolls Royce of ecological technology. It is complete false economy and drives me mad!
We’re all definitely more eco conscious today, just not enough. I can understand why people find it hard, especially in this climate with the cost of living forever on the increase. But people have got to try and see the long-term investment they will be making. Being sustainable has to be affordable. There have to be bigger incentives, bigger grants available for people. To do this, we need more government help.
It’s all about people power. We live in a democracy so use your council, use your MP. Write a hundred letters if needs be. We are here to make a difference but we have to have help. Apply for as much as you can. The government will start to feel this pressure and realise the demand is there. If we just sit back, nothing will change.
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A
s well as running an architectural practice and a property development company, George Clarke left his university lecturing days behind him to work on Channel 4 programmes such as Property Dreams, A Dream Home Abroad and most recently The Home Show, which has been keeping him busy with a second series coming out in the Autumn. Here, George talks about his new project Restoration Man, which will be hitting our screens from March 21st…
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Land of Hope Part of the answer still lies in the soil As well as teaching geography at the University of West of England, Richard Spalding is the Chair of South Gloucestershire Local Food and Drink Partnership and Winterbourne Medieval Barn Trust.
s this long winter begins to give way to spring, I want to suggest that land and local soils are set to become an increasingly important set of resources needing consideration if we are to address food security concerns locally, nationally and globally.
A
Exhortations by government to “Dig for Victory” during the Second World War gave way to the burgeoning of the global food economy and the demise of, for example, the traditional market garden foodscapes surrounding many of our towns and cities. We now have an opportunity to dig again,
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as a great wave of interest in growing fruit and vegetables sees a new generation of people wanting to regain charge of their diet through growing their own. The site of their endeavours is the allotment and the community garden, as countless groups spring up to start tilling their bit of the soil. Across the South West, local food partnerships, community supported agriculture schemes, land share initiatives, allotment and city gardens all demonstrate the desire of individuals to re-connect with the land to secure a
healthy soil economy. Vandana Shiva’s latest title ‘Soil Not Oil’ points a deeply philosophical, yet practical set of steps for humanity to re-value its relationship with the very thing that sustain us all. In the immediate aftermath of World War II, government audited the best land in the country to produce a hierarchy of land capable of yielding consistent crops under the banner they called “Best and Most Versatile” agricultural land. This land is scattered across the country, but with significant concentrations, for example in the north Bristol fringe, where a finger of
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high grade agricultural land runs virtually from city centre and out into open countryside. This former market garden heartland now lays sadly derelict, threatened by development pressures, but still there. I asked one old tenant farmer I know what he thought about the idea of re-vitalising market gardening and his response was a simple... ‘tis finished”. This neglected foodscape has become the focus of my thinking in recent years. It seems to me that the new challenge for us all in our various landscapes across the West Country is to continue the growth
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and development of community food initiatives with their focus on skills and training and to encourage our planners to protect and use high-grade land for growing food once again. Encouraging and enabling new networks of growers willing and able to take the long view of food production can surely lead to “food and place” being re-united once again. I know many of you are already taking action in these vital areas. Right now, my personal challenge is to get to the allotment twice a week before Easter in order that I can break the back of my soil
preparation before it breaks mine and I’m carried off the plot on Easter Monday afternoon! Our precious soil and land resource has never been so important to us at a defining moment in our relationship with the earth. Part of the answer does still lie in the soil and especially in taking positive action to rebuild all of our growing, cooking and eating communities into a celebratory patchwork fit to eat.
Richard Spalding
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Bill Gething
greenliving_homes
Homes in the Future _ Hemp lime homes – a natural choice
House building in the UK changed forever in 2006 for two main reasons. The launch of the Government’s Code for Sustainable Homes and its sister publication: Building a Greener Future: Towards Zero Carbon Development. Together, these set out an ambitious roadmap for rapidly improving the energy and carbon performance standards for new homes with the ultimate goal being that all new homes will be “Zero Carbon” by 2016 now just 6 years away...
he Code was tellingly subtitled “A step-change in sustainable home building practice” and house builders have had to move into unfamiliar territory to think innovatively about how to achieve the new standards rather than rely on simply adding more insulation into the traditional cavity wall.
T
Mainstream developers have typically turned to prefabricated construction systems to deliver higher levels of insulation and, possibly more importantly, a high level of air tightness; a relatively new requirement of the Building
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greenliving_homes Hemp Lime composite cast around a timber frame
Regulations. These systems tend to be based on timber frame construction or Structural Insulated Panel Systems (SIPS) which use a core of insulation sandwiched between two layers of timber board for the structure of the home. The timber used in this form of construction is obviously renewable, however, the insulants are generally not, being either directly petroleum based or requiring significant energy to produce. There are, of course, “greener” alternatives, such as sheep’s wool or wood fibre, that could be directly substituted but these are relatively expensive and do nothing to tackle the issue of low thermal mass inherent in lightweight construction. “Deeper green” approaches such as straw bales are not particularly well suited to the intricate scale of UK house building and are not a natural fit with the mainstream industry.
Almost completed rendered building
Hemp (Cannabis Sativa) was originally grown for its fibre and used particularly for ropes and sails (the word canvas comes from the word cannabis). Hemp “shiv”, the straw waste remaining after the fibre has been removed (more likely to be used today in German car interiors than for canvas) is mixed with a lime-based binder and water to produce a lightweight composite. By varying the mix it can be made denser or lighter for use in walls, roofs and floors. It is insect resistant,
Lime rendered Hemcrete ® house nearing completion: Aston Clinton, Buckinghamshire; Designer: Simon Radcliffe
Hemp (Cannabis Sativa) was originally grown for its fibre and used particularly for ropes and sails
However, there is one natural construction technology that is starting to be used in the UK that seems to offer the tantalising prospect of using a fast growing renewable material in combination with a timber frame to deliver well insulated, air tight homes that are simple and quick to construct but also have good thermal mass properties. Hemp lime construction has been used in France since the 1990s, initially as a substitute for wattle and daub when restoring historic half-timbered houses, but then for new construction, particularly houses, cast around a timber frame. More recently it has been used to construct larger buildings up to seven storeys high using hemp lime blocks in a concrete frame.
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offers good thermal and acoustic properties and is fire resistant. There are two main sources of binder available: Batichanvre by St Astier in France and Tradical HB made in the UK and available from Limetechnology Ltd along with Tradical HF Hemp filler. The material is normally used in combination with a frame that takes the structural loads rather than acting as a load bearing element in its own right, although it does provide some racking strength. It can either be cast into shuttering around the frame and tamped »
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Brick
down like conventional concrete or it can be spray applied. This is usually done from outside using a moisture resistant inner liner board as permanent shuttering against which the hemp lime is built up to the required thickness, incorporating window openings in the process. Both methods are inherently gap filling making
manufacture, hemp lime construction effectively locks up the carbon dioxide absorbed by the hemp plant as it grew for the lifetime of the building. A comparison carried out by Lime Technology Ltd between a typical masonry cavity wall and a hemp lime concrete wall suggested that the former is responsible for the emission
Hemcrete
One hectare of land planted with industrial hemp (a variety that has been bred to eliminate its narcotic properties) yields about 7-10 tonnes good air tightness more easy to achieve than construction systems that rely on sealing components together. Lime based plaster should be used internally and no vapour barriers are necessary as the construction is breathable. The external surface can be rendered, again using a lime based render, clad with timber or, if required, an external skin of masonry can be added.
of around 100 kg of CO2 / sq m of wall, whereas the latter locked up around 30 kg / sq m – effectively hemp lime is a carbon negative material. What is particularly interesting about hemp lime construction is that its
Infrared images to compare conventional masonry cavity wall and hemp lime homes. Note how much better insulated (bluer) the hemp lime home is generally and how clear the junction between conventional construction and hemp lime is at the bottom of the walls.
It can also be made into blocks which are normally laid using a sand lime mortar which will reduce the thermal performance somewhat as compared with homogeneous methods. One hectare of land planted with industrial hemp (a variety that has been bred to eliminate its narcotic properties) yields about 7-10 tonnes; roughly the amount needed for a typical house. Using about one third of UK Set Aside land in 2008 would have provided enough hemp shiv to build about 180,000 homes a year. Whereas most building materials cause carbon dioxide to be emitted as part of their
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Applying lime render to a hemp lime wall
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Hemp lime composite
Spraying hemp lime composite into a timber frame
performance in practice appears to be better than that anticipated by conventional thermal calculation methods. The Building Research Establishment found, when comparing some hemp lime houses with comparable conventionally constructed houses in Haverhill in Suffolk, that although the hemp lime houses were theoretically built to a lower insulation standard, their internal temperatures were in fact higher for the same heat input. Similarly, in summer, internal temperatures seem to be generally lower and more stable than the theoretical thermal mass of the material would indicate. The University of Bath’s BRE Centre for Innovative Construction Materials is leading a research project to pin down its true technical characteristics which should further underpin its potential as a remarkable renewable material that is ideally suited to the parallel agendas of new home construction: simplicity and speed of construction; thermal properties that will keep homes warm in winter and cool in summer; carbon negative; robust; non toxic and fire resistant. It seems the natural choice for house builders as the industry emerges from Gordon’s great recession.
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Further reading: Hemp Lime Construction: a guide to building with hemp lime composites – Rachel Bevan and Tom Wooley, with contributions by Ian Pritchett, Ralph Carpenter, Peter Walker and Mike Duckett. HIS BRE Press 2008
Lime Technology Limited Unit 126 Milton Park ABINGDON OX14 4SA 0845 603 1143 www.limetechnology.co.uk Pictures courtesy of Lime Technology
Adnams Brewery distribution centre, Suffolk. Lime and earth block diaphragm walls infilled with hemp lime composite. Architects; Aukett Fitroy Robinson
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greenliving_on yer bike
ON YER BIKE! If you’re looking to incorporate some exercise seamlessly into your daily routine and do your bit for the planet while you’re at it, you could do a lot worse than getting back in the saddle this spring. it’s the year of the bike in bristol and just about everyone we know is getting their bike out and using it to get around. So whether you're new to cycling or you're just not sure how to start cycling again, the following advice from Bristol and South Gloucestershire's Cycling City team might help you get those cogs turning once again!
CHOOSING A BIKE If you need a bike you'll find over 50 bike shops in the area happy to help you. Make sure you choose the right bike for the type of riding you're mostly planning to do – or buy two bikes! You can either go brand new or second hand and you can pay anywhere from £50 upwards depending on the type you're looking for. Check to see whether your organisation has a cycle to work scheme and you could save yourself a tidy packet. Does the thought of exercise make you feel weak at the knees? Try an electric bike and coast up the city's hills with consummate ease!
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greenliving_on yer bike
Case study Helen Steele of Ashley Down tells us how her journey has been improved: “I live fairly close to Muller Road, where the St Werburghs bike path starts. When it was built I was intrigued enough to get my bike out and have a go.
BRUSH UP YOUR CYCLING SKILLS A quick one-hour skills course is just the ticket for people new to cycling. People booking on a course find that an hour is generally all they need to get confident on the road. The course teaches you how to position yourself assertively and how to ride confidently. We can also give you one-to-one coaching about planning and making your first journeys by bike. If a lack of confidence is stopping you, there's plenty of help available for you to overcome your fears.
WHERE TO RIDE The Cycling City project is helping local councils to build lots of new bike paths in Bristol so you can travel to your destination off-road or on quiet traffic streets. Find out where your cycle-friendly streets are by picking up or ordering a free cycle map from your local council.
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WHAT TO WEAR Lycra’s a thing of the past. This year it's all about looking chic on your bike. Don't you know cycling is the new black?
“I realised I could get all the way to the shops at Cabot Circus on my bike without going on busy roads. Now I do the journey regularly. I don't have to catch the bus and I never get stuck in traffic jams.”
Make sure you're not wearing anything too baggy that might get caught in your chain. And consider investing in a helmet if you think it'll help you feel more confident – or you plan on going really fast! You’ll want to wear thin layers rather than thick heavy clothing. Consider breathable fabrics too because you'll get less hot that way. Rather than take a back pack we recommend buying some panniers.
MORE INFO To book a skills course, a coaching session or to request a map, contact 0117 922 2877 or visit www.betterbybike.info/get-cycling Find your nearest bike shop at www.betterbybike.info/buying-a-bike
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green? Glamorous and
Rebecca Gooch
R
Once upon a time it would have seemed an impossible lifestyle cocktail. But former rock chick Jo Wood is glowing proof that you can combine glitzy fun with green fervour. The ultimate green goddess reveals her secrets to rebecca Gooch…
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Could there be any better advert for an organic lifestyle than Jo Wood?
twinkle she’s a foxy mix of giggling Barbara Windsor and chirpy Twiggy.
At 54, a grandmother of six, and having survived a wild youth, predatory groupies, drugs and a giddy innings as wife to an adulterous, alcoholic rock star under her belt, by rights Jo Wood should look like a cross between Dot Cotton and Patsy from Ab Fab.
Now single and “loving life”, Jo can still party with mates Kate Moss and Jerry Hall – but not like in the old days, when she once reckoned she could polish off a bottle of vodka a day and joked that the reason she looked so young was that she was pickled in alcohol. But today, how things have changed! If ever there was a minxy poster girl for all things organic, Jo has to be it.
Instead, she has emerged with radiant skin, eyes bright, full of beans and looking half her age. With her kohl-rimmed eyes, silkily tousled blonde mane and Cockney
For the last 18 years, pretty much »
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Jo’s top five tips for becoming a green goddess: • Remember whatever you put on your skin goes into your bloodstream. • A good organic diet will make you feel and look great, giving your body all the nutrients it needs. • Exercise – get on your bike or go running. • Drink green tea, it’s full of antioxidants. • Use ecological cleaning products at home – harmful chemicals in cleaning products can cause allergies and illness.
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everything she’s touched has been organic, right down to her sheets. Her biggest guilty pleasure is Green and Black’s chocolate and her favourite pickme-up is Japanese green tea. When still married to Rolling Stone Ronnie she even made sure his cigarettes were organic, and went on tour with him with a portable stove disguised as a large stereo so she
then on I was going to be an organic girl, as this side of medicine saved my life.” And if she hadn’t? “Maybe I would be dead….” she says. Instead she started growing and eating her own organic veggies and, after experimenting with a ‘home-lab’, launched her own hugely successful Jo
“She once reckoned she could polish off a bottle of vodka a day and joked that the reason she looked so young was that she was pickled in alcohol...” could sneakily cook healthy, organic meals for him in their hotel room. So what happened on her road to Damascas? In 1989 she was misdiagnosed with Crohn’s Disease and put on steroids, which masked the actual problem: a perforated appendix. “Then I met a herbalist called Gerald Green who de-toxed my body. I came off the steroids, began taking the detox, started my organic diet, and then the doctors discovered what was really wrong with me. The steroids were masking my illness. As I lay in hospital I decided from
Wood Organics beauty range – the latest additions, two EcoCert eau de toilette fragrances, are just out. She’s so passionate about spreading the word on the benefits of going organic that she has opened a pop-up restaurant (Mrs Paisley’s Lashings) in her own home, which has helped raise funds for the Soil Association. Never, ever does she fall off the ‘green’ wagon, she promises me. The only nonorganic edible that’s entered her larder since her ‘conversion’ has been HP sauce. “My son calls me extreme organic!” she
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greenliving_jo wood
laughs, stressing that it is possible to live a green lifestyle, and still be glamorous and have fun. “I’ve been doing it for so many years I don’t give it a second thought. It is part of my life and I still have fun. Organic, ethical, green and fairtrade is everywhere now and it is easy to source, just look out for the labels. There are loads of great websites, too. “The organic industry has changed dramatically. It used to be considered hippy and worthy, and was outrageously expensive. But now it is much more chic and rock’n’roll to be organic. It also means you have a sense of love for yourself and the planet.” Once she realised the benefits of eating organic, creating her organic beauty company was a natural progression. “All chemicals bother me in cosmetics. They cause allergies and build up toxins in our bodies, but brands use them because they are cheap. One chemical can be OK on one person, but can poison the next. Women should look out for GM ingredients, parabens, SLS, chemically-derived ingredients and avoid them.” “Of course being the wife of a Rolling Stone helped me get a foot in the door, but even then people thought ‘here comes another rock star’s wife’. I proved them all wrong. My range was the market leader in making organic beauty sexy and luxurious. Ronnie didn’t believe I could do it either, so I proved him wrong too!”
The full range of EcoCert eau de toilette fragrances are available at www.jowoodorganics.com
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greenliving_love food hate waste
love food
hate waste...
With a little planning and imagination, most families could easily be up to £50 a month better off, simply by using more of the food and drink they buy. For the typical family with children, that amounts to over £650 a year, enough to pay off the gas bill, or put towards a holiday. Across the nation more than £12 billion worth of food and drink that could have been consumed is thrown out each year. The Love Food Hate Waste campaign offers easy tips and advice to help us reduce this kind of waste. BAKE IT DON’T BIN IT Jo Kearney from North Yorkshire has been saving at least £10 a week at the supermarket since she started watching the food she wastes. She says: “being more aware about food waste has meant i have become much better at baking and cooking. i think more creatively about food and now i try all sorts of things. “the biggest thing i do is watch portion sizes. my favourite tip is to know what food you have in your freezer, beyond what’s at the front.”
Avoiding waste does not stop with making full use of the food and drink we buy. As spring approaches why not try the following tips from Recycle Now and Love Food Hate Waste:
3 Free up storage space around the house by getting rid of old electrical and electronic items that are lying unused. Anything with batteries or a plug can be recycled, so drop off your items at your local authority waste collection site or find out if you can take them back to a retailer. Visit www.recyclenow.com to find out where your nearest drop off point is.
3 If some items still work, think about passing them on to others. You may be able to sell or swap your “junk” in an online trading community.
3 If some food in your cupboards is out of date, don’t throw it in the bin. Give cans or jars a rinse and put them out as part of your regular kerbside collection scheme. You can recycle glass jar lids too – just remember to unscrew them first.
3 If you can’t avoid throwing out some food, from vegetable peelings and teabags to coffee grounds, don’t forget to compost.
March / April 2010
3 If you’re decorating eggs with children this Easter, don’t forget to put the shells in the compost bin when you’ve finished with them.
3 Did you know, you can compost the hair from your hairbrush and your nail clippings?
3 Don’t forget to send old books to a charity shop – it raises money and someone gets to enjoy a good read all over again!
3 Instead of throwing out your old socks, soak them in water and place them in the bottom of pots to help plants retain moisture. Particularly useful if you are planning spring and summer holidays.
3 If Cliff Richard isn’t your cup of tea anymore don’t sling him in the bin. Hang old CDs in your veg patch to help keep birds away from your seedlings. The Love Food Hate Waste website (www.lovefoodhatewaste.com) has plenty of tips on how to save money by planning ahead and getting the portions right, together with a range of tasty recipes for leftovers. Recycle Now and Love Food Hate Waste are national campaigns run by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme)
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greenliving_food, inc
In the wake of Eric Schossler’s Oscar nominated film Food, Inc., Soil Association’s molly conisbee tells us why the new film is not one to be missed …
Molly Conisbee
Food, Inc., which premiered last month and was shown at Bristol's very own Watershed cinema for a week, is a film by Robert Kenner and authors Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation) and Michael Pollan (The Omnivore's Dilemma).
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It is a powerful investigation into the US food industry and reveals some frightening implications for the future of UK food and farming. The film powerfully highlights the consequences of industrial agriculture and the need to make fundamental changes to the way we farm, process, distribute, prepare and eat our food. It
illustrates the major issues facing the viability of food production and consumption: ownership of food; diet and health; genetic modification; animal welfare; use of pesticides and resources.
Food, Inc. highlights one of the most crucial choices of our time. Everyone now agrees that action is needed if we are to feed the world’s growing population in a sustainable way. The chemical, fertiliser and agricultural multinationals’ vision for the future is Food, Inc. Unless we fight it, the food production of the UK, simply following developments in the US
March / April 2010
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ten to fifteen years later, will take us inexorably into a Food, Inc. future. The Soil Association is campaigning for an alternative future. The current intensive, industrial model based on high inputs of fossil fuel derived inputs, global sourcing and centralised distribution is neither sustainable nor resilient. Over the next 20 years we must make fundamental changes to the way we farm, process, distribute, prepare and eat our food. We are at a crossroads. We can continue with a ‘business as usual’ model for food and farming – characterised by reliance on high oil and chemical inputs and intensification of food production with its attendant pressures on resources, wildlife, landscapes, animal welfare and the global expansion of unhealthy diets. Or we can seek to rebalance our diets, and turn to resource-efficient and more environmentally-friendly farming methods.
March / April 2010
Food, Inc.: The Facts
( In the 1970s, the top five be ef packers controlled about 25% of the market. Today, the top four control more tha n 80% of the market. ( Prior to renaming itself an agr ibusiness company, Am Monsanto was a chemic erican company al company that produc ed, among other things, and Agent Orange. DDT ( In 1996 when it introduced Round-Up Ready Soy beans, Monsanto controlled only 2% of the U.S. soybean marke t. Now, over 90% of soy in the U.S. contain Mo beans nsanto’s patented gen e. ( The average chicken farme r invests over $500,000 $18,000 a year. and makes only (
The modern supermark et now has, on averag e, 47,000 products, the majority of which is be ing produced by only a handful of food com panies. find out more about the film and the soil association's 'hung change' campaign by ry for visiting www.soilass ociation.org
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greenliving_riverford
Down on
Riverford Farm...
here are so many great British vegetables and now is the time to champion purple sprouting broccoli. Thirty years ago, wild and woolly-looking purple sprouting broccoli was the standard, widely available broccoli, before the meteoric rise of green ‘calabrese’ broccoli. But the UK season for calabrese runs from June to November, so to keep up with consumer demand for broccoli through winter and early spring, it has to be imported from southern Europe. Purple sprouting broccoli grows well in the UK during these months, so we make the most of it and include it in as many of our vegboxes as possible.
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We normally start the season with a variety called Rudolf, then move on to Redhead, Red Spear, the high-yielding Claret and finish with Cardinal. No matter
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how much of a fan you are, don’t be tempted to buy it from a supermarket between mid-May and December, when you will be getting an inferior modern hybrid. Purple sprouting broccoli is easy to cook; simply boil, steam or stir fry. The secret is to avoid the flower becoming mushy. Try bunching it loosely with a rubber band and boiling upright in an inch of water, asparagus-style. And don’t just eat the flowers and stems; the leaf is tasty too. Leave on the spear for cooking, or experiment by using it as an alternative green, wilted down into stews, soups and curries.
Guy Watson Founder of Riverford Organic
March / April 2010
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G ww M o w. r ore sOn riv ecip eas lin er es a ona e fo t l rd .co .u k
Recipe
By Jane Baxter, Riverford Field Kitchen Taken from the Riverford Farm Cook Book
Purple Sprouting Broccoli with Mustard and Tarragon Hollandaise Moderate
Serves 4
Ingredients: To make the sauce, melt the butter slowly in a pan, 400g purple sprouting broccoli, trimmed 250g unsalted butter 3 egg yolks juice of 1 lemon A pinch of cayenne pepper 2 tsp wholegrain mustard 1 tsp chopped tarragon 1 tsp chopped chives salt and freshly ground black pepper
then remove from the heat. Put the egg yolks, lemon juice and cayenne in a bowl set over a pan of simmering water, making sure the water doesn’t touch the base of the bowl. Using a balloon whisk, whisk until slightly thickened, then whisk in the melted butter a little at a time until it has all been incorporated. The sauce should be thick and glossy. Stir in the mustard and herbs and season with salt and pepper. The sauce will keep in a warm place for about an hour. Cook the purple sprouting broccoli in a large pan of boiling salted water until just tender. Drain and refresh in cold water, then dry well. Heat on a ridged grill pan (or a barbecue) until very hot, then place the broccoli on it. Cook, turning occasionally, until slightly charred. Arrange on a serving dish and drizzle over the hollandaise sauce.
Special
FREE vegbox offer
Offer!
for greenliving readers!
Place a regular order and the 4th box delivered is free. Applies to new customers placing a regular order. The free box will be the same value as the cheapest previous box. Please quote ‘GLM10’ when ordering.
March / April 2010
Riverford Organic Vegetables Limited Wash Barn Buckfastleigh Devon TQ11 0JU Local Call: 0845 600 2311
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greenliving_green challenge
The Winners >–
The Big Green
The Green Valleys is a community renewable energy scheme in Wales, which has reduced carbon emissions by 20%. Reductions were achieved across 155 households and 4 community buildings, including the instillation of hydro schemes.
Challenge
The events of Copenhagen were a bitter disappointment for many. Walking away without a legally binding document promising a global carbon reduction agreement, triggered doubt in many of us about our world leaders. There is no question that the UK government has invested millions of pounds in unlocking the pathway to a new energy era, by concentrating mainly on large-scale infrastructure projects such as clean technology. While these are vital to reducing our carbon emissions, it’s not sufficient enough on its own. To stand a chance of meeting carbon reduction targets and cutting emissions by a third by 2020, we need to think smaller. This is the opportunity for communities to pull together and take a step towards a greener tomorrow. Thanks to organisations such as Nesta, the UK’s leading independent expert on innovation, setting up initiatives such as The Big Green Challenge, the move to community sustainability is on the rise. This project was a £1m prize challenge designed to support community led responses to climate change. The projects were successful as they directly benefited the people that came up with them, all were cost effective and all can be replicated around the globe.
Household Energy Service (HES) is a free environmental survey service for local households in Shropshire. The subsequent energy efficiency actions carried out in 460 participating homes generated a 10% reduction.
has shown that communities are a vital force in solving some of societies biggest problems. We can no longer afford to pay lip service to the importance of local solutions – now is the time to support communities to make a real difference.” The three winners and the runner-up reduced carbon emissions in their communities by 10% - 32% in just one year alone making a significant dent in the UK’s 2020 emissions reduction target of 34%.
Isle of Eigg is an entire island community that is working together to reduce carbon emissions through a wide range of projects. This has led to a reduction in CO2 emissions of 32%.
Statistics like this are proof that whilst the big players seek out the big deals, it’s the individuals that are getting on with the challenge ahead. To find out more visit www.nesta.org.uk
Low Carbon West Oxford (LCWO) is an environmental project featuring a range of community-owned renewable energy initiatives, which has reduced CO2 emissions by 28%.
Jonathan Kestenbaum, NESTA’s Chief Executive says: “The Big Green Challenge
March / April 2010
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greenliving_pure-fumes
relaX me caNdle, fine cotton company, £35 Great for: Soothing Around 100 hours of dreamy roomscenting, made with pure essential oils and 100% organic plant wax from sustainable sources, free from petroleum-based nasties. contains: bergamot – calms, balances, ylang ylang – a soothing aphrodisiac, ho Wood – comforting, emotionally uplifting
lOve spell caNdle, home scents, £8.50 Great for: Raising desire A heady blend packed with promise for anyone in need of a little instant, aromatically-induced arousal, made with pure essential oils and EcoSoya wax from renewable sources. contains: patchouli – emotionally balancing, clary sage – encourages euphoria, Jasmine – aphrodisiac, overcomes shyness
iNspiratiON caNdle, so Organic, £10 Great for: Focus and concentration Feeling fuzzy-headed? Sharpen your senses with this eco-candle made with sustainable palm oil. contains: mandarin – clarity of thought, lavender – eases mood swings, rosemary – boosts brain power and memory
Pure-fumes with a plus Nature….you know it makes scents. But as well as making us and our environment smell fabulous, there are some additive-free, aromarvels out there which offer far more than a beautiful bouquet. rebecca Gooch sniffs out the best fragrances with a feel-good factor… What was it The Hollies sang? ‘Sometimes, all I need is the air that I breathe…’ The boys obviously hadn’t heard of aromacology. What we inhale isn’t just a matter of nasty or nice – the wafts we whiff have a direct effect on our frame of mind. Whereas aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of plant-derived aromatic essential oils to aid our psychological and physical well-being, aromacology is concerned only with the scent of things, be it lavender or loo paper, grass or gardenia, and the impact those aromas have on our mood and state of mind through the olfactory
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system’s direct connection to the brain. Put simply, some smells can be so psychologically effective that they can leave you perky and perfumed. But to live in a positively effective fragrant world you need an eye for ingredients, as well as a nose for a nice smell. Until scientists discovered how to create synthetic aromas in the late 1880s, all perfumes were made from natural sources. Today, around two-thirds of modern fragrance is synthetically derived. Which is good news for threatened natural resources like sandalwood, or the animals used to obtain musk, but bad news in
other ways. There are around 2000 chemicals used in traditional perfumes – 95% of them derived from petroleum. So hallelujah for the new breed of ecoaromatic, natural nose-pleasers for both home and human skin, which offer more than a whiff of hope for the frazzled, stressed, depressed, too sleepy, too awake… just name your frame of mind and there’s a mood-boosting bouquet awaiting!
March / April 2010
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dOmestic GOddess arOmatherapy caNdle, Nigels eco store, £12.95 Great for: Serenity Made from a new non-toxic, noncarcinogenic candle wax made from renewable, sustainable and biodegradable soybeans, this handpoured, all-natural candle promises 50 hours of Nigella-esque tranquillity – even if your cupcakes sink… contains: sweet orange – relaxing, balancing frankincense – elevates the mind tangerine – uplifts the spirits
lucy b piNk fraNGipaNi eau de parfum, £46.98 Good for: Confidence, positivity Using organic flowers and essences which have been used as holistic healing agents for thousands of years in Aboriginal culture, this is said to be more than a yummy floral fragrance – it is “guaranteed to boost your mood”. contains: frangipani – emotionally soothing, pink grapefruit – uplifts, heliotrope – calms, controls anxiety
flOrame diviNe maNdariN OrGaNic air fresheNer, £16.50 Good for: Well-being and calming Florame made the world’s first EcoCert organic eau de toilette, and this zesty air freshener has the same pedigree. Spritz the room, or spray onto your vacuum filter, to leave senses unjangled yet awakened. contains: lavender – stress relief, Orange blossom – calms, bergamot – deodorising, uplifting
March / April 2010
stella Nude, stella mccartney, 30ml, £28.99 Great for: Sensuality Not only a fantastic, sexy feminine scent, but also it is produced with adherence to Stella’s strict vegetarian and ecological principles. Made with organic oils and essences. contains: moroccan rose – moodenhancer, Grapefruit – uplifts, revives, White peony – seductive
NeOm restOre rOOm mist, £25 Good for: Inspiring, stress-busting A green halo-wearing room fragrance, certified organic with no parabens, SLS or silicone, which is said to create an “instant holistic treatment” to beat mental fatigue as you inhale the moodenhancing essential oils. contains: Jasmine – eases nervous tension Ginger – stimulating, sandalwood – soothing, meditative
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sue darlison designer – maker of fine furniture
Timeless contemporary classics for home, work & public spaces. Made with care & creativity using local, ethically sourced materials. www.sue-darlison-furniture.co.uk sue.darlison@btinternet.com t: 01179697217 m: 07816680659 Sue Darlison Š 2010
19 Zetland Road Redland Bristol BS6 7AH Tel: 01179 098 090
www.urbanekitchens.co.uk
info@urbanekitchens.co.uk
Style & Innovation = Eco kitchens
This stylish and practical kitchen also incorporates many environmentally friendly features: Cleverly hidden in the cupboards is a full recycling facility. There is a low energy, low decibel dishwasher that uses less than 10 litres of water per wash and draws it’s energy from the solar panels on the roof. Also incorporated into the kitchen are the latest ultra-low energy light bulbs. The beautiful worktop is made from sustainable bamboo.
There is a Neff triple glazed cooker that heats up in just 3 minutes. (Not only is this very energy efficient it has all sorts of handy features such as bread proofing for making those lovely organic loaves.) The kitchen has underfloor insulation. Insulation is hugely important as heating our houses takes up most of our home energy use. (Free consultations are available for anyone considering this option, see www.urbanebuilding.co.uk ffi)
greenliving_competition
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rimrose Valley Hotel is a contemporary styled Edwardian seaside villa in St Ives, featuring a beautifully appointed REN Treatment and Therapy Room. Nestled on the shores of the idyllic Porthminster Beach in St Ives, we aim to make a stay with us a memorable retreat where you’ll want to return again and again.
Win a two night stay at Primrose Valley Hotel!
Experience our unique style of awardwinning hospitality safe in the knowledge that it’s founded on sustainable principles. So much so, Cornwall’s Sustainability Awards named us 2009’s Best Managed Small Business. We were also the first Cornish hotel to win green accreditation, vindicating our strenuous efforts to protect Cornwall's beauty. Gaze out at the Atlantic as you await your freshly cooked Cornish breakfast, or amble for a few seconds to the picturesque Porthminster Beach, with one of our tasty picnics in your beach bag. We can supply freshly laundered waffle robes, the finest Cornish cheeses, wines and spirits and a film to snuggle up in front of. Each one of our individually designed rooms is hallmarked by comfort, with its own unique style to immerse yourself into for your break away. Choose from breathtaking sea views, contemporary inland view rooms or our magnificent suite - luxurious cocoons for an indulgent couple.
Primrose Valley Hotel are giving one lucky greenliving reader the chance to WIN a two night stay throughout March and April. To enter, simply email info@greenlivingmag.co.uk stating your name, address, phone number, and where you got your copy of the magazine - good luck! Terms & conditions apply.
Special Offer 01736 794939 www.primroseonline.co.uk
March / April 2010
The Hotel has a beautifully appointed REN ROOM that offers an exciting collection of REN CLEAN BIO ACTIVE SKINCARE treatments and a stunning range of other bespoke beauty treatments and therapies. As part of greenliving’s exclusive competition, we are offering a special REN holiday pampering experience. Book a stay with the hotel for 2 nights and receive a complimentary massage. To take up this exciting offer quote Green Living – Pampering on booking your stay. Subject to T&Cs
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greenliving_glamping
Glamping As the warmer weather approaches, we speak to tobyn cleeves from Bell Tent UK about the newest outdoor trend sweeping the staycation nation… Where did the term Glamping come from?
How easy is it (truthfully!) to put one up?
The term first started in 2005 and things really took off when we had an article on us The Sunday Times Style Magazine two years later. It’s another one of those buzz words that has wriggled its way into everyday use. All that really matters is that it is a wonderful way to spend a few days in the British countryside.
The great thing about a Bell Tent is that one person can easily put one up in around 15 minutes. You peg out the groundsheet and bottom of the walls, go inside and position the main pole and a frame over the door, then back outside to peg out the guy ropes. Job done.
So what makes Glamping different from camping? Glamorous camping, or ‘Glamping,’ is synonymous with creating canvas boudoirs for holding court or a romantic weekend away. A good friend of mine always says, “Any fool can be uncomfortable”, and it’s all about doing things in style and comfort.
What would you recommend people do to get the most out of their Glamping experience? Pack everything including the kitchen sink! Think warmth and comfort – I always recommend complementing it with a selection of Glamping gear like tea light chandeliers and hand-painted folk art side tables from our accessories website. But the most important thing to get right is the tent!
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How eco-friendly are they? It’s got a lot to do with the thought people put into doing things. We operate a policy of “Leave No Trace”. Our tents are made from unbleached cotton canvas and the most energy expended is shipping them from us to the buyer. What is eco about Glamping is that people are doing it instead of jumping on a plane for their holiday.
This must be a brilliant opportunity for quality family time… We’ve got a one-year-old, which presents all of its own challenges when we’re camping! But getting children into the great outdoors and away from the TV or computer screen is good for the whole family. Lots of people also use their Bell Tents as garden playrooms and ‘chillouts’
March / April 2010
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as the walls roll up, creating a cool piece of shade to while away the hours in.
What about cooking and electricity? Cotton canvas Bell Tents breathe so it’s not a problem cooking in them on gas or one of our wood burning stoves, as long as you make sure you’ve got a fire extinguisher. If you really feel you need power for things like charging phones, the easiest way is to buy an inverter that runs off the car cigarette lighter. We also sell a selection of LED lighting that can last for hours on rechargeable batteries, or runs off a solar panel.
How practical are they for a party? We sell two sizes of Bell Tent - four and five metres in diameter. The 4m is perfect for up to a family of 4 and the 5m is for those who want to “hold court” and have a party tent. If the weather turns nasty you can retreat into your glamorous pad and crack on. It’s also good to have an awning to connect the car to the tent.
Can you tell us a bit more about your Camping with Soul accessory range?
March / April 2010
It came about because not everyone who buys a Bell Tent is a Glamper. By creating a separate sister site we can then go mad and list all the wonderful glamping things we come across on our travels. It ranges from high tech laser shows that looks fabulous on the inside of your Bell Tent, through to classic cast iron dutch ovens and trivets for cooking over an open fire.
Where would you recommend going for someone looking to escape on a staycation but wants to avoid campsites? Glamping isn’t about rolling up at a municipal campsite and taking your place in a line. It’s about finding a spot where you can do your thing. You’d be amazed how many farmers are happy for you to park up in the corner of a field if you ask nicely, offer them a drink down the pub and convince them that you know what you’re doing and have the means to stop a fire should it start (water and a fire extinguisher!) For more information, visit www.belltent.co.uk and www.campingwithsoul.co.uk
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greenliving_seasalt
A pinch of
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Seas March / April 2010
greenliving_seasalt
All of the products that are sold are chosen because of their beautiful, functional design rather than throw-away disposable fashions...
For more information please visit:
www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk
easalt is an innovative, ethical family business based in Cornwall that is proud to be the largest producer of Soil Association certified clothing in the world.
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The Seasalt enterprise began in 1981 when Don Chadwick moved himself and his family to idyllic Cornwall from Warsall near Birmingham. Don and his son David, were mooching around Penzance on a drizzly August day and strolled into an old Army &
salt
Navy store to buy a waterproof jacket. Within half an hour, hands were shaken on the sale of the shop. Twenty-eight years later the Chadwick family still run the Penzance shop, as well as ten others throughout Cornwall, Devon, Guernsey. The shops sell a mixture of their own Seasalt items, designed and sourced themselves along with brands such as Oska, White Stuff and El Naturalista. All of the products sold are chosen because of their beautiful, functional design (and because they like them!) rather than throwaway disposable fashions. As Chloe Wild from Seasalt explains: “A motto that reflects what we do is ‘Designed by the sea for people
March / April 2010
green living
everywhere’ which I think sums up what we’re all about. We have a really tight team of in-house designers and illustrators – we make clothes for our type of lifestyle – think relaxed coastal rather than surfy – easy layers in great quality that feel good to 1 wear.”
loves...
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In 2005 Seasalt became the first fashion company to have garments certified to Soil Association standards. Not everything they sell is organically produced but they’re trying to increase the percentage year on year (currently it's 50%). Each year, they expand the Seasalt product range to include bags, towels, waterproof jackets – and anything else you might need to enjoy yourself!
1 Festival time is fast approaching. Why not beat the rush and look the part with a pair of these puddle proof wellies £29.95
Seasalt are committed to promoting the use of organic and other eco-friendly textiles as well as minimising their resource use and dealing responsibly with all their waste. Giving preference to suppliers who share their commitment to the environment and communicating their policies clearly are all factors considered by Seasalt in their efforts to improve their environmental performance. It’s no wonder then that in 2009, they were ranked top UK fashion company for ethical conduct, as certified by the Ethical Company Organisation. Chloe enthuses: “When people walk away from our shops, we want them to have found a friendly welcome – the clothes are great quality, a good fit and are fun to put together. To top it off, people should know they are buying into a brand that is doing what it can to make a difference where it can and subsequently, so are they.”
2 Match up with a beautiful Jute bag with suede handles £18.95 3 You can feel very eco friendly when walking around in this Jersey Skirt – made from 95% organic cotton and certified to Soil Association standards £39.95 4 Protect yourself from the Spring chill with this Impulse Scarf in Seaspray £15
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greenliving_earth mother
Ea rt h FIRST STEPS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION...
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Adopting an eco-friendly attitude shouldn’t only have to kick in once we become responsible (ahem!) adults; the sooner your child can copy your good planet-saving habits the better. If we are to make a difference in our lifestyles, it’s better to do it together, so Greenliving gives you some top tips in making your child’s first steps green ones.
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Love Nature
Use Eco Nappie
Help your child plant a flower, tree or some seeds. When they see or taste the final product they will get a real sense of satisfaction. Being involved in the physical process will help them to understand. Nature is there to be explored. Spend some quality time together and use the opportunity to point out and discuss the plants and animals you find along the way. If you show your child how much you care for nature and the reasons why, they will soon pick up on its importance and associate it as quality time with you.
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Sleep Well Badger Sleep Balm is a calming sleep enhancer. The natural ingredients help to calm and relax for a restful night’s sleep. Rub onto lips, temples, back of neck or pulse points. Sleep balm is safe for use on babies and children, and great for tired parents too!
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Recycling Fun
Turn recycling into a game rather than a chore. Let them make labels and draw pictures of what can be recycled, stick them on the bins and give them a little reward every time they recycle correctly. Show your little one that when they have finished with their fruit or vegetable, there are parts that can be composted. The sooner they see that food waste is not just worthy for the bin but can indeed be turned into soil to grow more food, the sooner you can help them understand the process food goes through before it reaches their tummies!
March / April 2010
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The Eco-nomical Baby Guide
The Eco-nomical Baby Guide is a handbook for all aspects of ecofriendly living with a baby in tow. With a recession in full swing, young families are searching for budget-friendly solutions that dovetail with their green values. This guide offers creative ways for raising a healthy baby on a budget. Learn how easy it is to maintain an excellent quality of life while cutting costs and helping the planet. RRP ÂŁ11.99
othe r
es These award winning Bambinex bamboo nappies are absolutely superb, they are high in the rise, great for boys and tummy sleepers, they have longer wings and cross over tabs to fit the chunky monkey and the skinny minny alike. Being bamboo these nappies are super thirsty, antibacterial and having won so many awards in quick succession are becoming a great reliable brand.
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Look After Yourself
Vita Touch - Natalia is an ideal gift for mum-to-be. A range of 100% natural, pure and hand blended products. Every experience of labour is different but it is well accepted that the more relaxed you are and the more you trust your instincts, the more positive your labour is likely to be. Natalia labour and birth products are created to help calm you or give you a boost when you need it most and the use of baths and massage will help to give your birth partner some positive ways of supporting you through labour.
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Take Care Burt’s Bees Mama Bee leg and foot creme provides comforting care for legs and feet. Peppermint oil relaxes, soothes and conditions while Rosemary Leaf extract encourages healthy circulation bringing relief to sore, tired and stressed legs and feet. Ideal for new mums.
Get Creative
Show them how to make homemade greeting cards and gift-wrap from recycled paper and other recycled materials. Why not also consider buying notebooks, pads, photo albums and even photo frames from recycled materials. Show your child from an early age that you can make ethical decisions as a consumer.
Best Foot Forward
Not only is walking a fantastic time to catch up with each other, it also reduces nasty emissions. If you fancy a country walk, a trip to the park, a picnic or even an adventurous hike, then get those boots on and take a stroll.
March / April 2010
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Water Conscious
When teaching your children dental hygiene, remind them to turn the tap off when they are bushing their teeth. At the same time, show them they only need to keep the water flow to a pencil thin stream when using the tap.
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greenliving_directory
Directory TRAVEL
Welcome to the greenliving directory. Updated bi-monthly, this directory is your essential guide to featured businesses, organisations and producers in Bristol, Bath and the surrounding areas.
Asheston Eco Barns
Camper Daze
Coriander Cottages
Cotswold Yurts
T: 01348 831781 E: ashestonecobarns @googlemail.com
T: 07540 474987 E: info@camperdaze.co.uk
T: 01726 834998 E: info@fowey accommodation.co.uk
T: 01285 760 262 E: stay@cotswoldyurts.co.uk
Jollydays
Ludlow Eco Cabins
O'Connors Campers
Rosehill Lodges
T: 01759 371776 E: hello@jollydaysluxury camping.co.uk
T: 07977091928. E: georgetasker@hotmail.co.uk
T: 01837 659599 E: pete@oconnorscampers.co.uk
T: 01209 891920 E: reception@rosehilllodges.com
Abaca Ltd
Bamboo Textiles
ECOS Organic Paints
Edward Bulmer Limited
T: 01269 598491 E: enquiry@abacaorganic.co.uk
T: 08448 26 25 25 E: info@bamboo-textiles.co.uk
T: 01524 852371 E: mail@ecospaints.com
T: 01544 388 535 E: info@edwardbulmer.co.uk
Feelgood Eco Beds
Fou Furnishings
Gecco Interiors Limited
The Greenshop
T: 01392 811874 E: richard@feelgoodecobeds.co.uk
T: 0141 644 5211 E: info@foufurnishings.com
T: 01494 565459 E: help@geccointeriors.co.uk
T: 01452 770629 E: enquiries@greenshop.co.uk
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ENERGY Apollo Renewables Ltd
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Chris Rudge Renewable Energy
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T: 01747 873003 E: info@soltrac.co.uk .
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Aspara
Ascension
Beyond Skin
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T: 0845 3881 381 E: help@ascensiononline.com
T:0845 373 3648 E: info@beyondskin.co.uk .
Burnt Sugar Ltd
Cool Green Attitude Ltd
Liv-UK
Neon Collective
T:08448 004064 E: sweetest@burntsugar.co.uk
T: 0844 8005346 E: sales@coolgreenattitude.com
T: 01386 791055 E: enquiries@liv-uk.com
T:01273 321619 E: shop@neoncollective.com
T: 01297 306114 E: enquiries@chrisrudge.co.uk
LIFESTYLE
March / April 2010
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greenliving_a planet worth saving
A planet worth saving... Have you taken a breathtaking picture you'd like to share with our readers? If so, please email holly@greenlivingmag.co.uk or write to us at 151-153 Wick Road, Bristol, BS4 4HH
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greenliving_a planet worth saving
Dambulla, Sri Lanka Dambulla is a town built around a vast isolated rock mass and World Heritage city, declared by UNESCO. It’s situated in the central province of Sri Lanka, 148km North-East of Colombo and 72km North of Kandy. Dambulla has over 80 caves in the surrounding, a major attraction is the Dambulla Rock Temple, consisting of five cave temples dating back to the 1st century BC which contain ancient statues and paintings depicting the Buddha and his life. Pictured here, the Dambulla Rock offers a scenic view of the surrounding, beautiful and picturesque countryside. Picture taken by ChloÍ Blackman from Bath.
March / April 2010
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