Non-Polluting Picnics: Eco Products for Parties

Autumn is upon us. So with the last vestiges of warmth threatening to flee, let's take advantage of the sunshine and picnic!  But with picnics come waste and we want to  know which Eco Products can help us minimise our environmental impact.

Plastic plates and cutlery may be convenient, but being non-biodegradable means added waste to landfill.  So we've had our eye on some more Eco Friendly Products like Bioplates Large and Small plates, available from Todae's Eco Store.  They're made from the frond of the Areca Nut Palm, which falls naturally from the tree, meaning no trees are cut down and it's made from completely natural materials.

Likewise, Greenwaves Biodegradable Cutlery is 100% natural.  Made from compostable cornstarch, you won't have to worry about polluting our earth for the sake of a slice of quiche.  Win! Alternatively, you could just take your old dinnerware, hope it doesn't break and hand-wash it after.  Pinterest shows us how -

* Beach picnic with some old ceramic dishes, throw pillows and a gorgeous spread. You know, just a normal Sunday afternoon.

http://pinterest.com/pin/13933080067201788/

* Picnic with a chandelier. Hope those light bulbs are Energy Saving!

http://pinterest.com/pin/135108057540606783/

* Car bonnet picnic. More proof that not all picnics need to take place on a grassy  knoll.

http://pinterest.com/pin/257057091200512431/

Wishing you fun in the sun,

Grace

Eco Friendly Friends

Megan: Oh crap, my annoyingly eco-friendly friend, Julie, has come to the rescue right before I can take a bite out of this delicious-looking meat pie. Good thing she’s here, I was just about to enjoy myself… Maybe if I walk fast enough I can turn the corner before she looks up from her phone and sees me. Oh wait, I’m sorry, I mean her recycled timber-covered iphone. Give me a break for once. Actually, it looks kind of cool… Okay, here goes… Don’t look at me, don’t look at me, don’t loo--

Julie: Megan!

Megan: Dammit. Julie! Hey…

Julie: Oh my god, Megan, I’m so glad I bumped into you.

Megan: Oh, well, I’d say the same but—

Julie: Don’t even waste your breath, you look exhausted. Feeling’s mutual, I’m sure! Anyway, the reason I’m so glad is because I have something I’ve been meaning to give you! You mentioned you were having trouble drying your clothes sufficiently?

Megan: Yeah, like, ages ago. I’m surprised you remember.

Julie: Well, I have something for you that might help. Eco dryer balls!!

Megan: Oh, here we go.

Julie: They’re these two balls that you put in your machine to soften/dry your laundry – and without any chemicals. They’re so much faster than the softeners that use electricity, and they’re so much cheaper. But for you it’s for free, because I already bought it.    

Megan: Gosh, Julie. Thanks, this is actually great… Where did you find it?

Julie: This Australian online store called todae. I found the store at http://www.greenfinder.com.au/. Hey, I actually bought this iphone case from todae!

Megan: Oh yeah? I was just admiring it. Well, thanks so much for your help. Dammit, I hate it when she’s right AND tasteful.  

Take away, take a coffee cup!

I have a take away coffee nearly every morning. I really love the taste of coffee, but I know that part of the enjoyment also comes from the routine. Even if you’re not a coffee drinker, maybe you indulge in a morning tea from your favourite café? Anyway, a couple of years ago I purchased a Hookturn Re-Useable coffee cup, after seeing the rubbish bin in our office piled high with polymer lined (code for non-recyclable) take away coffee cups. They come in different sizes – I got a medium which is 350ml.Since I enjoy using eco products, I decided to try. My main concern was that the coffee would somehow become infused with the silicone smell/flavor, but that certainly hasn’t happened. And another amazing thing about the cup is that it manages to keep the contents at a warm-drinkable temperature for at least an hour! Sometimes I buy a coffee but get distracted when I arrive at work and end up leaving it on my desk. No problems. Most take away cups end up in landfill. It takes 0.55MJ of energy to make a regular paper cup, whilst the equivalent grams of silicone uses 1.24MJ so after just 10 uses, the cup breaks even in terms of your environmental footprint. Fantastic! And they come in range of cute colours which never hurts :).

Grow a garden in your pocket

I’m not sure if I am alone in this (I’m guessing not), but I remember so fondly those class activities at school and even before, where we planted seeds, watered and watched them grow. I loved that preschool activity where we made little heads out of stockings stuffed with soil and seeds inside.

            Well, I’ve found something that even younger kids can enjoy. The Pocket Garden Kids is so simple, you cut it open, add seeds and water and watch it grow. It really does seem that one of the greatest things you can do as a child (and arguably at any age) is create. The excitement and satisfaction your child is guaranteed to experience is a must.

            The fantastic thing about activities such as these is that it is not simply entertainment for your child. It’s not even about trying to keep them occupied for a while. In encouraging them to plant seeds, to water and watch them grow, you will be encouraging your children to consider the environment. When they plant seeds and care for them as they grow, they are seeing the importance of caring for the environment. This is a great way to get your kids thinking, from the earliest of ages, about the environment, nurturing it and living in an eco- friendly way.

Slip Slop Slip the natural way

As the months warm up the summer glow many of us long for feels as though it is within arms reach. And so is that painfully awkward red-raw glow. As I have re-learnt every summer since I was old enough to apply my own sunscreen- the sun can hurt a heck of a lot. It can also do a lot of damage we might not even be aware of as we walk around in sun-kissed skin.

            As we are well aware, sunscreen is the obvious choice. But with endless brands and great variety it can get a little confusing. Well, you’ll be pleased to know that I found UV Natural SPF15 Sunscreen whilst scouring Todae’s online eco store. The light and pure product protects the skin and reduces the signs of ageing. If you have sensitive skin like me, you’ll be pleased to note that the natural ingredients of this product means a chemical- free vacation for your skin.

            And in summer we should really be applying sunscreen everyday, so to know what’s going onto your skin, all the goodness of zinc oxide, macadamia oil, natural vitamin E and many other natural ingredients, makes a big difference to the daily wear of our skin. So, now that our sunscreen is sorted, all we need is some warm weather and the ocean before us!

Organic Recipes for your Bub

It’s so satisfying to cook an entire meal, particularly if it’s a nutritious one. And how much more satisfying is it when you know that all the ingredients used are organic! It’s a nice idea isn’t it?

            However, if you’re anything like me, exciting new meals can soon turn into ‘day of the week’ meals, and a routine ends up being established and creativity diminished. If you’re anything like me, you forget about the importance of organic food and go for the produce closest to you at the time.

            I suppose that’s one thing, when looking after yourself, but when you have a baby to consider, it makes sense to think carefully about the food you feed them.

            The Baby & Toddler Organic Cookbook is full of recipes that are easy and natural. And for busy mums and dads, it’s important to note that they quick meals, whilst still be tasty and nutritious.

            The book gives helpful explanations about what is organic and why it is important. The recipes are divided up into age groups, from 4-7 months to preschool. What’s more, it contains great information about health issues, nutrition, pregnancy and breastfeeding, vegetarian babies and children and a seasonal produce guide.

Time to consider a paper watch?

I don’t know about you, but I love those gifts with a difference. Those gifts that demonstrate thought, gifts that are a little kooky, a little bit fun. I also love to get creative, to draw, paint and decorate different things that come my way.

            So you can imagine my glee in discovering the Paper Watch in Todae’s online eco store. At $19.95 this is certainly a watch with a difference. It can be decorated, coloured, stenciled, painted, the sky is the limit on this blank canvas of a watch. You could buy one for yourself and a friend, you could customize them together, or give it custom- made for that special someone.

            It’s also good to know that the watch is made from tear- resistant paper- style material (Tyvek) with a built-in digital watch. What I love about finding the funky range of things by Todae, is that you’re guaranteed that they are eco- friendly. We can purchase these products knowing that they have been produced in a way that hasn’t damaged this beautiful world we live in.

            It’s these sorts of presents that make you so aware that someone’s cares for you, enough to put thought into creating a gift that will make you smile.

Saving Sustainable Showers

           There’s nothing like the beating of beads of water down your back at the end of a hard day of work. Washing the city grime out of your hair after a sticky commute home is the sigh of relief many understand. If you’re anything like me, you could spend hours thinking, singing, whistling and humming your way through gallons of water.

            However, when you consider that an average family of four uses 1,182 litres of water every day, it can make you wonder how much of that water usage could have been prevented.

            It could be as simple as installing an eco friendly product such as the X Stream Water Saving Shower Head. This shower head uses less water and provides you with a more satisfying shower. Regardless of the pressure used, the shower head transitions smoothly from different levels of pressure, using a gravity- based free flowing drop. This is where the internal spring expands and contracts automatically, based on the velocity and pressure of the water.

            If the comfort of an evenly pressured shower isn’t enough incentive to chase after this great find, it’s important to note that the X Stream Water Saving Shower Head can save the average family up to $700 per year. So what we have is a product encouraging us towards sustainable living, using less water in a more therapeutic way- as well as reducing costs. Next time you pop in the shower for some alone time, consider installing the X Stream Water Saving Shower Head and the savings that are to be made.