Sowing my seed

My hollyhocks are on their way out, so I've collected the seeds and offered them on (you've guessed it) Freecycle. Within 5 mins, I got 7 replies - for some reason, hollyhocks seem to strike a chord with people, reminding them of their grandma's garden, or their childhood.

Apparently it's 'Seed Gathering Season' right now, which the Tree Council runs from 23 Sept - 23 Oct, so it seems kind of cool to be celebrating it by spreading my own seed to people round London. Baby is due to arrive tomorrow, but I have a feeling I'm in for a long wait...

Find out how to collect seeds on the BBC Gardening website.

[Pic by Byrdiegyrl]

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Cleaning frenzy - naturally...

Having nothing better to do than wait, I've resorted to cleaning, like a demented Kim/Aggie. Thinking more about what's in cleaning products, what with Baby about to arrive and using more 'natural' products - mostly stuff I've got in the kitchen anyway, so saves walking down to the shops, which to be honest, is a bit too much of a faff right now. Oh yes, avoiding the chemicals has saved some dosh too, which can't be bad...

Stuff I've done so far that seems to work:

• white vinegar in place of fabric conditioner - clothes did actually come out of the washing machine feeling soft!
• lemon juice to disinfect wooden chopping boards - needed to rinse well afterwards;
  
• oil burner with lavender oil as air freshener;
• water / white vinegar solution (50:50) left in kettle overnight to remove limescale - boil kettle a couple of times afterwards to remove odour (watered my plants when water had cooled);
  
• olive oil rubbed into chipped bits of woodwork; worked a treat!
• Ecover washing up liquid to clean baths/sinks etc - won't bother buying special bathroom cleaner, this stuff does the trick;
  
• damp cloth for 'dusting' - who needs furniture polish?!

Friends of the Earth's Living website has loads more tips from their best-seller 'Save cash & save the planet'

Right, I'm off for another cup of that bloody raspberry leaf tea....

[Pic by Stephen Pennells/Friends of the Earth]

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Freecycle nut?

I'm getting addicted to Freecycle. Especially since getting pregnant, I've become almost obsessive.

The Freecycle network lets you recycle your unwanted stuff, so you don't have to chuck it in the bin. It also lets you get stuff too. The 'stuff' can be almost anything. I've given away everying from a sack of cat litter to confetti. I've acquired allsorts, from a maternity support belt to a heap of houseplants. But here's the best bit - every exchange has to be free!

With Junior about to arrive, my nesting instinct has gone into overdrive, and I'm keen to pick up any 'baby kit' I can, especially if it's recycled - and free! So after a failed attempt to bargain hunt at a NCT Nearly New Sale (I left after 30 secs of queuing, when I realised I didn't fancy getting entangled with 200 other expectant mums to compete for a steriliser), I'm back to Freecycle. Here I can search for all those last minute essentials by just browsing online - and hubby can go pick them up (yes, he loves it really...)

And because babies grow out of clothes, toys etc so quickly, there's a high turnover of these items offered by parents desperate to make room for their offspring's next lot of 'kit'. So I can save a packet, AND re-recycle our baby stuff once Junior outgrows it. Recycling heaven!

[Pic by Shalf]

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Good hair day!

Getting my hair coloured today, a bit of pampering before Junior arrives. Luckily I live near a hairdresser that uses organic products - Daniel Field - so I don't have to worry about using dyes with risky chemicals, which the 'experts' advise against in pregnancy.

Apparently Sainsburys stock Daniel Field products, so might buy there next time I want to do my hair. That's once bump has gone down enough for me to lean over the bath long enough to colour my hair myself...

[Pic by Miss Pupik]

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Happy Nappies

Fantastic!!!! My local supermarket now stocks reusable nappies (the 'Motherease' brand) - plus the washable covers - plus biodegradable liners and nappy bags.

I'm going to give reusable nappies a go rather than disposables for a few reasons. To start with, the chemicals - disposables contain gels, glues, chlorine bleach, plastics, artificial perfumes and god knows what else - can't imagine these will do baby much good. Also, the waste - I read somewhere that if King James I had worn plastic disposables, his nappies would have only just decomposed! I don't want my baby's nappies still rotting in landfill in 400 years time!! And lastly, the cost - WEN reckon you can kit out your baby in real nappies for under £50 and these would last for the baby's 'nappy lifetime'. To buy enough disposables would cost £922!!! You do the maths... that saves enough dosh so that him indoors can treat me to a few romantic meals out!

I found out my local council subsidises a nappy laundry service - so if I can't face washing stinky nappies, I'll use this weekly pick up service. Or if I wash them myself, the council offers a £54 refund towards the cost of the nappies themselves. Boy, are they keen to stop me using disposables...

I found this comparison by WEN really useful. Also check out The Nappy Lady for reviews and anecdotes, and Twinkle Twinkle for a useful How to Nappy Guide.

[Pic by erzsebel ]

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