Green Mummy

A bum choice?

2011-04-18T21:27:00.000+01:00

Cloth nappies or disposables? Like most parents, most of us have a strong view one way or the other.

I think there's a place for both, and it doesn't have to be a black and white choice. My circumstances over the past few years have changed, and so has my choice of nappy for my children. So as a new mum with 1 baby, it was easy to choose cloth nappies. Now I have 2 children and am working again, I have to admit to finding eco disposables easier.

So I figure the most responsible thing to do is choose the greenest disposable I reasonably can. Nature nappies have easily been my fave. They're made from biodegradable materials and 100% chlorine free. And from a practical angle, they don't leak - hurrah! Plus I can buy them on the high street (Boots, Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Tesco). If you're pregnant or have a newborn, give them a go. Find out how to get a free sample (size 1).

Crafty gifts & homeware - April offers

2011-04-05T14:12:00.001+01:00

Those crafty people over at FromBritainWithLove.com have come up trumps with 2 great offers for April.

Get 20% off at The Green Gables by quoting FBWL20 at checkout - paper bunting (see pic above), art prints, handmade gifts using local and recycled materials with a vintage feel and a lot of love.

Get 15% off at Ochre & Ochre by quoting FBWL at checkout - organic and natural homeware, including fine linens, kitchen textiles and hand made gifts.

Up to 80% discounts from Ethical Superstore

2011-03-25T21:14:00.000Z

Ethical Superstore is having a clearance sale with some amazing discounts. All sorts - fashion, organic groceries, green cleaning products, gadgets, jewellery and baby/child products - take a look.

Definitely worth stocking up for birthday (or even Christmas?) presents!

Party bags - ideas that don't cost the planet

2011-03-23T21:21:00.002Z

I'm starting to get the hang of party bags. Easy, cheap and as eco as possible - that's generally the plan.

Now depending where you see yourself sitting on the green spectrum, you might consider the totally green thing would be no party bags at all. After all, they encourage kids to expect 'stuff', they use up resources and they cost money! But I think with a bit of careful planning, it's possible to minimise their environmental impact.

Here's some ideas - gifts that are easy to recycle, or designed to last.

For more inspiration, read 'Birthday Party: Games, Food, Invitations, Party Bags'

Bags
Decorate plain brown sandwich bags with handles - a simple design, cut out pictures from used wrapping paper or simply each child's name. If you prefer something that is a gift in itself, how about a hand-made fabric bag? The photo shows some made by my friend Ange. Ideal for girls to keep nick-nacks, or for boys to keep small cars, marbles etc.
Plant a seed.
During the party, get kids to fill pots with soil, label their pot, plant a seed or bulb, and water it. Add it to their party bag to take home.
Popcorn
Cheap, fun, easy. Make a paper cone or use paper bags, and fill each with home made popcorn (organic if you prefer). Should keep fine if made the day before the party and kept in air tight container.
Books
Buy 2nd hand from Amazon, charity shops etc. Small books are ideal - Mr Men, Ladybird Classics, or small board books for toddlers.
Biscuit
Any type - even a plain old Rich Tea will do. Just add kids' names or simple design using icing/cake decorations. Or get kids to do their own during the party.
Cooking Kit
Cookie cutter + Recipe (try CBeebies) + Cake Icing.
Eco bag fillers
See The Green Familia's list of eco party bag websites. Some lovely little toys - maybe more pricey than the usual fillers, so go for quality rather than quantity - and add a big slice of cake to the bag.
Recycle, Reuse
Don't waste too much time coming up with original ideas - recycle someone else's! Try forums such as The Green Parent and Money Saving Expert - Green & Ethical MoneySaving.
Happy Green Earth
This company deserves a special mention - cute little gifts, biodegradable or recycleable - from 70p.
Good Luck Wishes
How about a virtual gift? Nicola Baird, author of Home Made Kids, suggests giving 'Good Luck Wishes' which are activated by something the kids need to look out for on their way home, like someone on a zebra crossing.

Win £100 to spend on organic products

2011-02-19T13:59:00.001Z

Just stumbled across So Organic's website. First off, the thing that caught my eye was the chance to win a £100 voucher to spend on organic cosmetics, skincare and baby products by subscribing to their newsletter. You've got to be in it to win it, as they say...

They stock a good range of reliable green brands - Weleda, Lavera, Green People - and they go to great lengths to provide information about each product, including ingredients, how to use, reviews etc.

They also have loads of free samples (organic make up, skincare, baby stuff, etc) so you can try out new products (see terms - you need to order paid goods to get the free stuff). Plus a tempting refer a friend deal where you get £5 for every mate you tell about the site.

Definitely worth taking a look.....

20% discount! Cool organic clothes for busy mums

2011-02-05T10:52:00.003Z

Need comfy clothes for your yoga or Zumba class, or just for wearing at home, but feel your tracky bottoms have seen better days? Asquith London is offering Green Mummy readers an exclusive 20% discount from its new spring range of stylish bamboo and organic cotton lifestyle/sportswear.

Alice Asquith set up the company back in 2002, and now sells her outfits, tops and trousers everywhere from the 5 star Mandarin Oriental hotel chain to exclusive pilates boutiques.

Prices start from £25 (before discount), so treating yourself won't break the bank.

To get your exclusive 20% discount, simply type GREEN20 in the promotional code box when you order at www.asquithlondon.com

Cruelty free cosmetics

2011-02-05T10:22:00.001Z

Like many mums, I have 1 or 2 make up essentials to hide the wear and tear, the bags under the eyes, etc.

If you're anything like me, you slap your make-up on in the small windows of opportunity in the morning. Maybe you whip the mascara out on a crowded train carriage to work - or you tempt fate with an attempt to put lippy on while a distressed toddler with yoghurt hands pulls on your best dark trousers.

Anyway, as I have less and less time to add sparkle in the mornings, I'm trying to buy better quality cosmetics. Ideally organic and cruelty-free (lots of companies meet both criteria). So I was chuffed to find someone else has done the research - BUAV's free download contains a list of ethical cosmetic companies - see 'Little Book of Cruelty Free'. Time for a new mascara methinks.

10 tips for (mostly) free toys

2011-01-25T22:21:00.002Z

You can do toys on the cheap, and keep it green.

Here's my tips for toys that won't cost a packet, and make the most of recycling, reusing and borrowing.

Toy Swap. I do temporary swaps of bags of toys with friends and it works a treat. Your little one will be delighted with the 'new' toys, and will enjoy getting their 'old' toys back.
Car boot sales. I can't resist them. Best toy bargain? Toy pram for 25p.
Freecycle. I can't help myself and check this site most days. Latest acquisition was a Playmobil castle with play figures - absolutely free! Items get snapped up quickly so keep your eyes peeled.
Charity shops. 'Nuff said. They're a goldmine of cheap toys just waiting to be loved all over again.
NCT Nearly New Sales. They're popular, and with good reason.
The great outdoors. Get your wellies on! Nothing beats fresh air, and a run around in the park, woods, or garden. Need inspiration? Check out Nature's Playground and Green Crafts for Children.
Netmums. Just discovered I can get free kids' stuff in my local area. And give away/sell my own. It's dead easy to advertise items, I put up 3 items at the weekend with my 18 month daughter messing about on my lap.
Gumtree. See Gumtree Free postings
Libraries. When my kids are fed up of their toys, it's time for a trip to the library. My little boy loves choosing books for himself and his sister, and putting them in the machine to scan them. There's not a toy library near me, but you might be lucky.
Rubbish. Think Mr Maker. Collect toilet rolls, yoghurt pots, boxes, ribbon, any bits that a child can transform into a robot/castle/rocket/etc. Pasta shapes, paint and string? You've got a princess bracelet. Keep bits in a shoebox and rainy days will never be the same again.

What's for tea mum?

2011-01-12T21:58:00.001Z

Please mummy, can I have my favourite tea in the whole wide world? Waffles with tuna, cheese sprinkles and peas. Please mum!

Just been watching Big Fish Fight on Channel 4. I've relied on old faithful tinned tuna as a handy standby for the kids' meals for too long. Time to change my fishy habits. It's impossible to ignore how wasteful tuna fishing is (even if you buy the better brands - see Greenpeace's Tuna League Table), I'm going to try and branch out and try different fish that are more sustainable.

First off, Jamie Oliver's fish fillets with lemon sole or plaice. Just insert the word 'party' before 'fish fillets', and the children should go for them - hook, line and sinker.

Pegs, pegs, pegs

2011-01-02T16:31:00.001Z

Can't get enough of them. I first got a pack when I got my own place years ago, thanks to mum, always one for practical gifts! For years, I used them just for hanging out the clothes (no tumble drier bills). Then a lightbulb moment! I realised I could use them for clipping all sorts of food bags.

So now, everything from pasta, coffee and cereal, to peas in the freezer, means food keeps better and longer so less waste.

Such a humble little thing, but sometimes it's the little things that can make life that bit easier.

Came across these cool recycled pegs by Ecoforce, who have a bucketload of ideas for what you can do with pegs. Submit your own suggestions and they'll publish them. You can buy them in high street supermarkets too. Take a look at their picture gallery - who said pegs can't be stunning?

Image: Ecoforce

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

2010-12-18T15:24:00.002Z

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.

Mumsnet - Ethical living

2010-12-12T12:00:00.003Z

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

Easy Xmas cards

2010-12-11T10:37:00.001Z

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

Method - The new kid on the block?

2010-11-28T10:07:00.001Z

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!

Mama Packs

2010-11-17T20:56:00.002Z

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

Deep breath, here we go again....

2010-10-30T22:16:00.002+01:00

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.

Save cash and save the planet?

2006-12-30T14:43:00.003Z

Time for Green Mummy to start thinking about New Year resolutions - and I've settled on one that doesn't involve any hard work on my part!

I've decided to buy all books in future - for myself, L or for presents - from charity shops and charities, wherever possible. For extra 'green brownie' points, the Friends of the Earth Shop looks like the best bet - they sell their own publications (printed on 100% post consumer waste using vegetable inks) plus their recommended choices from other publishers. For children's fiction, I reckon Barefoot Books have some gorgeous looking titles too. Now, all I need to do is decide which of my old books to donate to the charity shop to make room on the shelves...

[Pic: Friends of the Earth)

Child Trust Fund

2006-12-11T09:46:00.003Z

L's £250 from the Government arrived recently for his Child Trust Fund, so I've been looking into ethical accounts to invest it in. There's literally just a couple, including the Children's Mutual, which the Co-operative Bank have gone into partnership with. As I bank with the Co-op, it made sense to choose this one, so his money can be invested in planet-friendly initiatives, rather than guns and tobacco.

So now his pennies and pounds are being invested in green causes, it's time to invest in treating Green Mummy to something nice! I'm gonna check out Green Knickers, a website I saw mentioned in yesterday's Observer, and treat myself to something green and gorgeous for Christmas...

An udder option?

2006-12-03T11:50:00.001Z

Recent posts have been few and far between, as baby business is taking up more time than I thought possible (welcome to motherhood!) Anyway, I feel like some space is now available in my brain for things other than nappies/milk/laundry, and this happy situation has come about thanks to formula milk. Yep, like so many others, I was going to breastfeed 100% of the time - but being woken up throughout the night for feeds hasn't done my health much good, so wonderful hubbie is now taking over on the night feed front.

I've found Hipp Organic milk has been a life-saver. Just giving L a couple of formula feeds during the night means I get my sleep, and I'm fully functioning to look after him and breast feed him during the day. And I've spotted Cow & Gate have now started an organic version of their milk which is widely available. Others recommended by 'The Organic Baby Book' (Maxted-Frost, 2003) include Eco-Lac, Babynat, Holle and Nanny's Goat Milk.

So at least if L's drinking something that isn't my own milk, he's getting milk that's as good as it can be - for his health and for the planet.

Another of my fave pressies...

2006-11-21T18:57:00.001Z

I got a tree from my friends at work for L - a silver birch, which apparently is symbolic of new birth. I really like the idea of a tree as a gift. Just popped it in a pot in the garden, and it will now grow year by year as L grows up - what could be more green?! See more tree gift ideas at www.tree2mydoor.co.uk

2006-11-13T08:31:00.001Z

One of my fave pressies I've received for L! And when he wore this yesterday, he did actually stop wailing - for a while at least. If you want your little one to sport one of the Little Green Radical selection, check out www.hug.co.uk

[Pic by Hug]

Plenty of energy

2006-11-02T22:01:00.001Z

For someone with such tiny feet, L's environmental footprint is already pretty big. I'm using the washing machine far more than I thought possible, what with loads of his clothes getting soiled with poo, wee and sick. But at least we use a green electricity supplier - so that reduces his footprint a fair bit.

All this climate change coverage generated by the Stern report makes me think I really must do whatever I can as a mum to make sure L's world is one that isn't ravaged by climate change. Will try and get to the 'I-count' event in London on Saturday - more info at www.foe.co.uk

Pain in the bum

2006-10-24T17:09:00.001+01:00

L is now 13 days old already! I'm starting to get the hang of this nappy changing lark - and have quickly realised that although cleaning his bum with just water works fine, avoiding chemical products like baby wipes doesn't necessarily equate with avoiding nappy rash.

Luckily I received some Weleda baby products as a pressie for L, and although I don't want this to sound like an advert, the Weleda Calendula Nappy Change Cream has been miraculous. L is a happy bunny now, and the lovely calendula smell adds to his cute little baby smell (plus it disguises the whiff of poo!!).

Baby's arrived!!

2006-10-18T14:42:00.001+01:00

L arrived on Thurs 12 October, weighing 6lbs 14oz!! Here's a photo of him a few hours after he was born, saying 'hello' to the world. He's a little darling, and I'm enjoying my new role as mummy. The past week has been a roller-coaster, but I feel high as a kite, and can't wait for the joys and challenges ahead.

Still waiting...

2006-10-06T10:43:00.000+01:00

Still waiting for baby to arrive - it was due 8 days ago, so the doc has booked me a date for inducing labour next week if it doesn't arrive soon. Had curry last night to move things along, and raspberry tea this morning, still nothing.

Really hoping it comes naturally without having to resort to being pumped full of drugs...

[Pic by trekguy]

Sowing my seed

2006-09-27T11:21:00.000+01:00

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]

Cleaning frenzy - naturally...

2006-09-20T14:54:00.000+01:00

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]

Freecycle nut?

2006-09-14T17:15:00.000+01:00

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]

Good hair day!

2006-09-06T12:15:00.000+01:00

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]

Happy Nappies

2006-09-02T15:32:00.000+01:00

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 ]

So here goes....

2006-08-28T18:42:00.000+01:00

So I've just about figured how to set up a blog - ok, well I watched while my lovely husband did it - I just chose the colours! I'm setting up this blog because it's been such a faff to find the kind of info I'm after to help me make environmentally-friendly choices about all sorts of baby-related stuff.

First off, my hospital bag - how can I 'green' that, you might well ask? Well, the checklists in mags tell you you'll need disposable knickers - why?? Why not just take some old grey ones that are on their last legs anyway? My own knickers are gonna be more comfy than rustling about in paper ones that will then be chucked anyway!

And for baby, the lists tell me to bring cotton wool pads to wipe its bum when it needs it's first pooey nappies changed - so I've bought some organic cotton wool pleats. Apparently regular tap water is fine to use with the cotton wool, so no need for toxic baby wipes on its delicate new bum.

4 weeks to go, so gotta go and finish packing the hospital bag. Better put my feet up with a cuppa and think about which reusable nappies I'm gonna give a go to get Junior off to as green a start as possible...

Til later, Green Mummy-to-be

[Pic by Lee Coursey]