'Parlour Games for Modern Families' - Fun without TV?

Just in time, found a book for an xmas present. My husband will be under the impression it's for him, but really it's to unleash my own inner child....

First I must come clean. I am not the biggest fan of family board games. The husband's family love them, and this has only highlighted quite how much I detest the likes of Monopoly (or Monotony as I call it).

But I can see the benefits of games generally - especially for developing kids' skills - fair play, basic literacy and maths, etc. And more importantly, having fun without TV or computer games, but with people instead! How retro.

So an article about 'Parlour Games for Modern Families' in The Guardian last week might end up making a bit of an impact on my family's down time. I have been persuaded to give games another go. Take a look yourself.

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Mumsnet - Ethical living

Just a quick one. Can't believe I've not discovered this part of the Mumsnet Forum before.  A whole section with threads on everything from ethical pants to natural hair dyes. Grab a coffee and join in! http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/ethical_living

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Easy Xmas cards

If you're anything like me, doing the Christmas cards is probably one of the jobs you dread at this time of year. Yes they're a lovely idea, but the reality of writing lists, cards and envelopes in the evenings when I just want to veg out and watch TV, is a bit different.

So this year, I'm going to save some trees and a few £££s by sending some ecards. Friends of the Earth has some lovely ones and you can send to a handful of friends all in one go. Spending a few mins at lunchtime doing ecards means more TV time in the evenings once the children are in bed - hoorah! www.foe.co.uk/cards

Image copyright: istock

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Method - The new kid on the block?

Can't resist a freebie sachet of anything, and so a sample of 'Method Laundry Detergent' which claims to be 95% natural and renewable ingredients, readily biodegradable and non-toxic just had to be worth a try.

Now I've always been an Ecover girl - tried and tested, and available in huge sacks, which is great for saving dosh and cutting packaging. But then I noticed my laundry didn't smell so great when it was drying. Could I admit that my beloved eco washing powder actually made some clothes smell of sick?

So I gave Method a go. It was easy to use in a cute dispenser so easy to squirt into washing machine drawer (lose eco points for the plastic bottle - yes I can recycle it but it can't beat Ecover's eco friendly cardboard box). And it smelt pleasant (or not unpleasant) if you choose the 'free and clear' one that has no scent.

It saves space as it's super concentrated, and I reckon works out about 20 p per wash - so not really cheap. (Note to manufacturers - lets see a bigger pack please!)

I got lucky when I spotted Sainsbury's selling Method for £3 instead of £6 so if I can occasionally get discounts like this, I'll continue to use it. Otherwise, Ecover will probably remain my old faithful friend. And maybe the occasional bit of Ecover Fabric Softener will hide the smell of sick.


GreenMummy request! 
If you spot Method at bargain prices anywhere online or in the shops, please share your tips!

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Mama Packs

Check these out - Mama Packs are ethically sourced Mum and Baby natal sample pack - what a great idea! More at http://www.mamapacks.eu/

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Deep breath, here we go again....

OK, I'm very, very embarassed - it's been nearly 4 years since I last wrote this blog. I've had a beautiful daughter R who is now nearly 1.5yrs old - and our little boy L is now 4.

I may have disappeared from cyberspace, but I've been busy living in a universe where my main preoccupations have been what my children eat and poo. I continue to search for the 'CBeebies holy grail' (ie the optimum amount of daily viewing so their eyes don't go square, but enough to let me do all my jobs AND have a cup of real coffee and a choc chip biccy if I can eat it quick enough before L pops his head into the kitchen'.

So why have I started blogging again? Simple. Although life is busy with juggling work, home and kids, I keep spotting great green websites, ideas and kids' stuff. So I gotta share the green love with you guys.

And this has got to be one of the best things I've seen for you mums and dads out there. 'Home made kids:
Thrifty, Creative and Eco-Friendly Ways to Raise Your Child' by Nicola Baird. The author is a friend so yes I'm a bit biased - but her credentials for this book are great. Take a look at her blog - http://homemadekids.wordpress.com - or read more about her book on Amazon.

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