mygreenlifestyle August 2009 Hen Run from Vanessa Arbuthnott Fabrics mygreenpromotions All offers close on 31 August 2009 Cioccolatina is home to a fine range Bootliner Bag from ForKeeps of handmade natural toiletries. Rehydrate your skin with pure unrefined sheabutter. It is a versatile product that can be used from top to toe in the hair, on the face, lips, hands, body, heels & cuticles. Sheabutter does not contain cornflour, oils, or scent. It is whipped into a creamy texture, a perfect moisturiser for dry itchy skin. Want to give it a try? Revolutionize your life with this multipurpose "Duffle Sheet". It's a carboot liner, duffle bag or even a ground sheet when flat. Pull the four corners together and it's a carry all. Use it for all the virtues of recycling with none of the muck. You will wonder how you managed without it. www.forkeeps.co.uk Mygreenlifestyle has teamed up with Sheabutter Cottage to offer 10 lucky readers the chance to get their hands on a free pot of this creamy moisturiser. Simply email [email protected] subject line: sheabutter. My greenlifestyle has teamed up with `For Keeps' to offer 3 of our lucky readers the chance to get their hands on this useful carboot liner. Just email to: [email protected] Subject Line: Bootliner Organic Meltdown, chocolatier, has teamed up with the World Land Trust to preserve trees in the Equadorian Rainforest. Each wrapper on each bar of Organic Meltdown carries a unique number which corresponds to its very own tree, and chocolate lovers are encouraged to log onto www.organicmeltdown.com to register their tree and see where it's situated. Organic Meltdown's target is to save five million trees. Two new tempting delicious flavours have been added to the range, so there is no need for guilty feelings when tucking in to this delicious chocolate bar. Made using carefully selected Fairtrade ingredients, Organic Meltdown is a premium organic range. Available at Waitrose stores from August 9th priced £1.99. Mygreenlifestyle has teamed up with Organic Meltdown to offer 3 lucky readers a free month's supply of this delicious chocolate. Simply email us to; [email protected] Subject line: Organic Meltdown Contents 19 14 Features 12 5 12 14 19 5 Regulars interiors mystyle myhealth&wellbeing food&drink outdoors myleisure eco issues mygreenwedding mygreentravel 5 8 10 12 16 18 19 23 27 If you think you can't DIY, think again. A free feast from the hedgerows. Take the eco road Back to School. Solar energy ­ there's more to solar than meets the eye! Welcome I have been amazed by the number of people who have taken to growing their own fruit and veg this Summer. It's astonishing, nearly everywhere I look. One small house in my village has turned over the entire front garden to vegetables, an apiary and two hen houses. I don't exclude myself from this. We have been dining on home grown lettuce, strawberries and blackcurrants. Sadly the birds seem to have eaten the raspberries, the rhubarb has been going well and at last I have flowers on my tomatoes which are well behind, due to my lack of time earlier on in the Spring. We're still eating last year's green tomato chutney and something tells me I may have to make some more! In this month's magazine we have some great DIY ideas for the home and garden, and we show you how you needn't spend a fortune to improve. No sooner is it `school's out for summer' than we are thinking of `back to school'. Who'd have thought you can buy just about everything the kids need for school with ecocredentials; check it out, it is possible. You might be wondering what this enormous plant pictured on my left is. Well you are not alone, I haven't a clue either! These strange plants appeared in our garden when we bought the house a couple of years ago. This one has not stopped growing. It started off looking like a tiny weed, but it's not very tiny now! If anyone has any idea what it might be, please email me to [email protected] I haven't been able to `unearth' it in any plant encyclopaedia I have looked in. For those of you who have been away on holiday, I hope you had a great time, and for those of you who have yet to go, have a safe trip. We went mad this year and took up camping again after a 30 year break ­ it's still great fun, read all about in the greentravel brochure. Whatever you do, have a great Summer! Yvonne Ainsworth Editor Credits EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Yvonne Ainsworth [email protected] ACCOUNTS Patrick Ewing [email protected] DESIGN CF Graphic Design [email protected] CONTRIBUTORS Dirty Nails P.H.Ewing Trevor Thomas FRONT COVER Vanessa Arbuthnott Fabrics www.vanessaarbuthnott.co.uk According to research from The Energy Saving Trust... Brits are too shy to try DIY! (see page 6) Jali Design makes DIY easy. If you're looking for anything from a cupboard door, to a built in bedroom suite, jali can do it to any size or spec, and it is all done on their website. Just logon and the most amateur DIYist can order to the slightest measurement. Just select the style, click on the arrows and take it to the size you require. Jali does the rest, and the price is on the screen as you make the adjustments. Simple! Jali is a sustainable business nothing is produced that does not have to be, the wood used in the MDF is from approved FSC forests. They pool all of the pieces from the collective orders that they take in order to maximise the number of pieces that can be cut from any sheet of MDF. All of the off cuts are collected up and are used to reheat the building during the winter months. www.jali.co.uk Exquisite hand finished wallpapers from ecocentric This charming design is based on a photograph taken on a beautiful summer's day, exactly as the name suggests, in Harry's Garden (left). The birds are individually hand coloured giving each roll a unique handcrafted quality. Pavilion Birds (right). The eco wallpaper range is printed in the UK on chlorinefree paper sourced from managed forests. The inks are waterbased with no use of hazardous solvents. And any waste from edge trimmings is recycled. Available with a stone coloured background with a pale greenish tinge. Approx. 10 m x 52 cm www.ecocentric.co.uk According to research from The Energy Saving Trust; Brits are too shy to try DIY! New research from the Energy Saving Trust reveals over half of the population are DIY Shy, not confident enough to use basic practical skills which will enable them to improve their home. Yet over half of this group (around 13 million people) say that in the current economic climate they would prefer to `improve' their current property, rather than move house. Research shows many Brits are shying away from easy cash savings by ignoring simple, energy saving tasks which need to be done around the home. For more information about making home improvements yourself and to save money, contact your local Energy Saving Trust advice centre on 0800 512 012 or visit the website at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk This is one job even I could do! How to stay safe when stripping paint One of the most dangerous DIY jobs is stripping of old paintwork/varnishes around the home because many traditional paint strippers contain hazardous methylene chloride, or dichloromethane (DCM). This ingredient causes dizziness, nausea, and even death in severe cases. Classified as a Class 3 Carcinogen DCM evaporates quickly and is easily inhaled and also cause problems for people with heart, lung or blood diseases. Just unscrew your old showerhead and screw in the new ecocamel showerhead. What could be simpler? At only £24.95 it is the UK's leading aerated showerhead proven to save the ecoconscious shopper energy, money and water whilst maintaining an amazing shower experience. www.ecocamel.co.uk So how do you strip paint and stay safe? n Use a nonDCM paint stripper ­ such as Home Strip® from Eco Solutions Limited taking care to read label information carefully ­ if not using Home Strip® make sure product does not contain Nmethyl Pyrrolidone (NMP) which is dangerous for pregnant women. NEVER sand paint which you suspect may contain lead based paint. n REMEMBER to prepare well for the job, and use the product's technical or customer number to ensure you are properly protected. www.ecosolutions.co.uk n Pots of Paint, 100% natural paints This glorious pigment rich paint is made with traditional formulations that have been adapted for modern use. The paint is kind to people, kind to homes and kind to the environment. 100% Natural shades and tones are made with only sustainably produced raw materials such as bees wax, milk casein and linseed oil green paint in every sense of the word. Available in 50 colours Prices start from £29.50 for 2.5 litres www.potsofpaint.com Okay, one of the hardest jobs for the diyist is putting shelves up straight, not with Rock'n'Roll Shelves unique eco shelving from Sweden Create your own configuration in minutes. Putting one up is easy, two or three units can be fixed to the wall, the rest hangs on the velcro. Rock'n'Roll is a unique ecoshelving system. made from high density paperboard unbleached cellulosa fibres. And velcro'd together however you like fun and functional. The price is for five units in different sizes. The rock'n roll shelves come in sets of five different sizes for details visit www.ecoage.com. Tile your own floor There's no great secret to laying your own stunning tiled floor. With a little planning and careful setting out, it's as easy as tiling a wall. Floors have to take more wear than any other part of your home, so choosing tiles is the ideal solution, especially for kitchens and bathrooms. It's not a job for the complete novice but someone with competent DIY skills should be able to tackle plain floor tiles. There's usually less cutting around awkward shapes than with wall tiles and you're not fighting against gravity. For advice on laying floor tiles and a whole lot more DIY solutions go to: http://www.channel4.com/4homes/diyselfbuild/ diybuildadvice/azofdiybuildingguides/howtotileafloor080618_p_1.html mystyle Summer Shoulder bag from Nomads Clothing. Woven cotton multi coloured with zip fastening (40x36cm) £17.99 www.nomadsclothing.com Organic Bloom The new range from Skin Blossom is Organic Bloom; an organic skin care range that is certified by The Soil Association and is also registered with the Vegan Society. An ethical company, Skin Blossom sets a high standard in using only the most natural plant products, whilst still attaching a modest price tag. Organic Bloom products are suitable for all skin types. www.skinblossom.co.uk Try th i s No gunk, no junk just clean, clear and vibrant skin. Fresh young skin with a clear complexion is number one on the wish list for most of us girls. Green People has come to the rescue with Oy!, the first certified organic range created just for young skin. These funky products use a clever blend of certified organic and fairly traded ingredients, and a nononsense approach to chemical nasties, Oy! gives kudos to any beauty cabinet. Simply put Oy! promises no gunk, no junk just clean, clear and vibrant skin. Oy! products are available from www. organicyoung.com or www.greenpeople.co.uk orgeous vintage linen cushion with floral butterfly motif. G These pretty cushions look perfect in any room in the house. Made from Vintage French Linen, with a luxury feather pad. The cushions are made to order, no two are alike. www.angellifestyle.com Handmade in Britain Go Green with Yankee Candle Made from 100% natural soy beans and 100% natural wicks, the Beanswax collection will subtly fragrance your home while leaving you with ecofriendly peace of mind. No artificial colours or dyes have been used in fact, even the packaging is earthfriendly, with untreated pine lids sourced from sustainable wood sources, recyclable tins and frosted glass jars made from recycled materials. Each of the ten new fragrances has been inspired by the wonders of the great outdoors and Mother Nature. www.yankeecandle.co.uk Online boutique Neon Collective aims to revolutionise ethical fashion We'd all like to buy more ethically if we could, but women often have to compromise style and glamour to do so. That's all about to change thanks to NeonCollective.com. This new website finally marries cuttingedge design with ethical production and launches with a stunning range of animalfriendly shoes and handbags. Neon Collective is a fresh concept in fashion retailing; a collection of likeminded designers and manufacturers who share one core belief ­ looking good needn't cost the Earth. All available at www.neoncollective.com BOB by Beyond Skin ESPERANZA by Neuaura £75 SWIM by Olsen Haus £139 myhealth&wellbeing NEW!!! 100% Organic Body Bar from beyond organic skincare Soothing herbal body bar, help for troubled skin richly moisturising and softening with added herbs of Calendula & Chamomile. These are NOT soaps they are moisturisers in a solid bar form use as you would a cream or an oil but with no messy drips! Simply rub the bar directly onto the skin and your body's warmth will melt the bar enough for it to sink into the skin. The bars are available as three hearts each 10gms (total 30gms) or one single bar 30 gms £5.80. www.beyondskincare.co.uk Add a Healthy Touch of Pink to Your Recipe! The Salt Seller' Whole Pink Himalayan Salt is a high grade, ancient salt which was deposited several hundred million years ago in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains. The delicate pink tint is due to its high mineral content which contributes to its taste and healthy reputation. People are often told to use less salt in their diets, but by changing to whole salt instead of refined salt, they can benefit from the rich natural mineral content. The salt has a particularly strong taste, so we can use less of it to stay within the RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) of about 6 grammes, or a teaspoonful, which also means it will last even longer than other salt products, advises Lenni Smith founder of the Salt Seller. RRP only £2.99 for 300g www.thesaltseller.co.uk Need a little homework stimulus or motivation? Tisserand's NEW Concentrate can help to restore your clarity of mind when you've hit a mental block. Ideal for school or when clear thinking is a necessity, this little homework hero will help to stimulate mental energy and lift your fog. Simply glide Concentrate over your pulse points when your focus is frazzled and you need the support of a 100% natural ally. Tisserand products and ingredients are not tested on animals and are certified by the Vegan Society. www.tisserand.com Cult Aussi Suncare Brand, Invisible Zinc Has Arrived With skin cancer becoming more and more evident in hotter climes, INVISIBLE ZINC has launched exclusively on www.cultbeauty.co.uk. Developed and tested in Australia where the glaring sun, predominantly fair skin types and active, outdoorsy lifestyle means their sun care technology is extremely advanced. INVISIBLE ZINC products work as a physical sun block ((UVA/UVB SPF 30+) using microfine Zinc Oxide as the only active ingredient. The range is free from the cheaptoproduce chemical absorbers, contains no Titanium Dioxide and is a broad spectrum sunscreen with very high protection against UVA & UVB rays. The formulations are all mineral oil free, nongreasy and because they are a low irritant for sensitive skin, are suitable for babies and children. Try this! Do you suffer from Travel Sickness? Travel sickness can be an absolute misery and can spoil what should be a pleasant experience. Ginger is a safe and effective treatment for travel sickness. Crystallized ginger is easy to keep and great to chew if you are feeling queasy. Alternatively try a cup of Ginger Tea. Roughly slice a 2cm piece of root ginger into a cup, and pour over boiling water. Add 1tsp of honey to sweeten, if preferred and a slice of lemon. Leave to infuse for a few minutes, then drink. From Grow your own Drugs James Wong. The new `COSMOSstandard' will sort out the wheat from the chaff. The Soil Association is pleased to announce a new EUwide, harmonised standard for organic health and beauty products. This is the first common standard in the world that will ensure clarity and transparency for both consumers and the trade at a time when the organic health and beauty market is experiencing extremely significant growth. t also covers the regulation of `natural' cosmetics. The objective of this new standard is ambitious and goes beyond all current requirements for organic and natural cosmetics. To see the indepth details of this important report go to: www.cosmosstandard.org Indulge in a free for all, the fruits of the forest and hedgerow. If you have the time or inclination, there are many rewards for taking a walk in the country and helping yourself to its bounty. Elderberry Cordial Elderberries (still on stalks) Sugar Cloves Pick the fruit on a dry day and stew with the stalks in a large stainless steel saucepan, with just enough water to cover. n Strain through muslin squeezing to get all the juice. n To each pint of juice add 1 lb of white granulated sugar and 10 cloves. n Boil for 10 minutes. n Allow to cool and bottle in sterile bottles with good quality plastic screwon tops making sure you distribute the cloves evenly amongst the bottles (they act as a preservative). n The cordial can be used immediately, and will keep well for a year or two. n Taken with hot water it is renowned as a guard against colds, and a glass a day through winter is a wise precaution. n Rosehip Syrup Rosehip syrup is full of vitamin C and makes a lovely cordial drink. 1kg rosehips, washed and chopped, (any size). 1kg caster sugar You will also need a jelly bag (or a clean cotton cloth and a big sieve) Put two litres of water in a large pan and bring to the boil. Add the chopped rosehips, bring back to the boil, then remove from the heat, cover and leave to infuse for half an hour, stirring from time to time. n Strain the mixture through a jelly bag. (Alternatively, line a colander with a couple of layers of muslin and place over n a large bowl. Tip in the rosehip mixture, and leave suspended over the bowl.) n Set the strained juice aside and transfer the rosehip pulp back to the saucepan, along with another litre of boiling water. Bring to the boil, remove from the heat, infuse for another half an hour and strain as before. n Discard the pulp and combine the two lots of strained juice in a clean pan. Bring to the boil, and boil until the volume has decreased by half. Remove from the heat. n Add the sugar and stir until dissolved. Return to the stove, bring to the boil and boil hard for five minutes. n Pour into warmed, sterilised jars or bottles and seal. Tip Use small bottles, it only keeps for a week or so once opened, or the syrup can be frozen in cubes. Easy Peasy Blackberry Jam 1kg/2lbs Blackberries washed Juice of half a lemon 1kg/2.2lbs sugar with pectin Knob of butter. Put the blackberries in a preserving pan with the lemon juice and 120ml/4floz water. n Simmer gently for about 30mins or until blackberries are very soft and are well reduced. n Remove the pan from the heat, add the sugar, stir until dissolved, then add the butter. n Bring to the boil and boil rapidly for 45mins until setting point is reached. Remove any scum with a slotted spoon, pot and cover in the usual way. n You can always go Foraging! Hogweed Hogweed gets its name from its former use as pigs' fodder, yet it is one of the best of our wild vegetables. The flavour is aromatic, sweet and slightly citrus. Uses It is becoming a very popular way to experiment with wild food and there are now many books available on the subject. The Forager Handbook ­ Miles Irving, is a very comprehensive wild food directory. Irving has developed his knowledge and skills over a lifetime of interest in the subject. The book details how to recognise and find edible wild plants and innovative ways of using these nutritious ingredients. He now supplies wild food to the restaurant trade and runs regular foraging courses. For more information go to: www.forager.org.uk The Forager Handbook ­ Miles Irving Ebury Press £30 Steam or boil hogweed shoots for 35 mins and serve with butter and fresh lemon juice or hollandaise sauce. They can also be fried or braised. Honeysuckle The name of this plant probably refers to the nectar being sucked from the base of the flowers. Uses Eat flowers from the bush or use in salads or as a garnish for puddings especially ice cream. Berries can be poisonous in large quantities. For more see the Foragers Handbook. ack Bo t ol! cho S Top to Toe Recycled School Uniform from M&S This complete outfit uses polyester made from recycled polyester, which is made by chopping up used plastic bottles into flakes, melting them and then squeezing them through tiny holes to make a polyester yarn which is then woven into fabric. Recycled shoes are also part of the range made from E leatherTM. This material contains 85% recycled fibre which is made from chopped up waste leather shavings that are normally sent to landfill. The top to toe uniform includes: Senior blazer from £17 Pack of two blouses from £10 Button detail skirt from £9 Scuff resistant shoes from £19.50 Available in M&S stores and at www.marksandspencer.com Very Clever! EcoStapler £8.50 Never run out of staples again with this eco must have. The eco stapler clips your pages together by a clever cutting and folding action, which happens as you clip and requires no staples. Waterpowered calculator £5 This is a great little calculator, simply add water and away you go, removing any need for traditional batteries. It will only need topping up on average once a month and offers a full range of functions. Both are available from www.biomelifestyle.com Spud's not Superman, but he wants to save the planet! Back to school eco stationery available from Eco Age, www.ecoage.com Cotton on to Fairtrade with Tesco School Uniforms Tesco pride their low price school uniforms on the large volumes they buy and the partnerships they have developed with their suppliers over many years. As a founder member of the Ethical Trading Initiative, Tesco continues to support efforts to improve workers conditions in the countries they buy from. Girls 2 pack Fairtrade cotton pique polo shirts from £4 Fairtrade cotton pinafore from £6 4 pack grey tights from £4 Leather shoes £9 Boys 2 pack Fairtrade cotton short sleeve shirts from £6 Fairtrade cotton trousers from £5 Leather shoes £18. www.tesco.com Trutex 100% Organic Fairtrade Cotton sports wear. Selected Trutex products are made from organically grown and Fairtrade certified cotton which brings social and environmental benefits to smallscale cotton farmers in developing countries. Through Fairtrade certification the farmers receive a stable price for their cotton and are committed to caring for the environment through organic farming practices. Organic fairtrade polo from £6.00 Organic fairtrade sweatshirt from £8.00 www.schooluniformshop .co.uk/section.php/25/1/ polosandsweats On the allotment with Dirty Nails Radishes & Spring Onions Spring is traditionally the great seedsowing time, but August offers opportunities too. Radishes (Mooli, Black Spanish Round) and spring onions (Guardsman, Ishikura) can all be planted now, with or without a garden. Flower pots are good but all manner of plastic containers can be employed. Just remember to punch drainage holes in the bottom. I use multipurpose compost for container growing. It can be `peatbased' or `peatfree`. The latter is more environmentally sustainable but quality of some really cheap bags may be suspect. Radish and spring onion seeds can be scattered on the surface then covered with 1.5cm or so of compost. They grow fast. I `thin' radishes by pulling weak or overcrowded specimens to allow 5cm between plants. Kept moist in plenty of sunshine they can be ready in little over a month. Onions need no thinning but take a few weeks longer. How to Grow Your Own Food by Dirty Nails (ISBN 9781905862115) is available from bookshops and www.dirtynails.co.uk priced £10.99. Copyright, Joe Hashman July 2009 Italianstyle decorative planters represents the epitome of garden luxury. The Stewart Company leading UK supplier of garden style products has introduced a range of beautiful pots to transform any outdoor space into a beautiful, green space. For the ultimate centerpiece, the brand new range of Italianstyle decorative planters represents the epitome of garden luxury. The three designs, Verona, Tuscan and Tivoli will give your garden that truly Mediterranean feel. All three come in lighter, frostresistant shatterproof finishes that look just like expensive terracotta, with the advantage of them being easier to carry, longerlasting and far better water retainers. These are available in authentic looking sandstone or the new soft `suede' finish. www.stewartcompany.co.uk Recycled materials and D.I.Y bring economies of style to this eco friendly garden. Trevor Thomas is a retired graphic designer/copywriter who lives in Stone, Staffordshire. Like many retired pensioners he is fit and has all the time in the world, which he has put to good use with seven weeks of hard graft in this simple but effective transformation of his small town garden. The previous layout consisted of a tired uneven patio with a path to the left under the bay window. Further paving has been added to provide dry access to all areas of the garden including the drying line. The patio was laid using the cheapest slabs possible, which when overturned matched the older slabs. Their rough surface deters the snails and slugs from the lawn and borders. The wood purchased to frame the footings for the patio is now a sturdy side entrance door to keep out the keen winds from the "Cheshire Gap" In for the slabs, cement , New d and one, san g and pointing Limest nderin tings, re foo Timber, 07 ne Circle : £395. Sto al cost cluded: hases in tal purc ll, the to a These are the slabs which, when overturned reveal a subtle terracotta underside which when relaid with half inch spacing, adds a linear effect and a perspective which also adds an illusion of width and length to what is, a small garden. tot and the ... A stone ring provides a sitting out area for the afternoon Sun Downer. To add interest to what are bog standard slabs, levels, steps and areas for pots are included to add variety and colour. The Bristol International Festival of Kites & Air Creations myleisure 12 13 September Ashton Court Estate, Bristol. This year's show will be an action packed aerial extravaganza featuring spectacular flying displays, kite fighting battles, breathtaking synchronised routines flown to music and awesome power kites as well as colourful groundbased inflatables and air sculptures of all shapes and sizes. International kite guests will be winging their way from across the world to join flyers and enthusiasts from the UK and Europe. Plenty of free flying area for anyone who wants to bring along their own kite to fly. Free children's kitemaking workshops run by local kite group. Entry free on foot £7 to park a car on site. See www.kitefestival.org.uk for more info. New North Devon and Exmoor Autumn Walking Festival. This is a great opportunity to discover the region's beautiful and diverse scenery on foot. Friday 18 Monday 21 September 2009 sees the start of the New North Devon and Exmoor Autumn Walking Festival. It will take over thirty guided and speciality outings over the four days. and cater for most levels of ability. Exmoor is particularly beautiful at this time of year when there's still a chance to catch some warm sunshine and the leaves start taking on the golds and russets of autumn. Organised by West Country Walks, and supported by Active Exmoor, the new autumn festival will feature several new routes as well as a number of firm favourites. Highlights will include fungi forage and deer search walks with an Exmoor National Park ranger and special outings within the North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to mark their 50th anniversary year.. Walks are priced from £5 £6 for adults and £4 £5 for children, tickets should be booked in advance; dogs on a lead are welcome on some walks. Reservations can be made online at www.walkingnorthdevon.co.uk Solar powered energy is moving on! With improvements to earlier designs, and applying the technology to other areas, we are realising that there are a lot more ways to benefit this form of energy. Smart Solar ... taking the mystery out of solar microgeneration! In an attempt to combat consumer confusion Smart Solar has developed a new solar PV system to make the technology as accessible as possible for homeowners. The new easy to install system has been specifically designed for a domestic setting, providing ease of installation and use that makes solar straightforward. The new `off the shelf' system is a product that anybody can use. It has been made easy to install and groundmountable to avoid complicated planning permissions. Smart Solar's new 1.2kW gridconnected PV system (www.pvmicrogeneration.com) requires no planning permission* and has been developed to attract a nearmaximum government grant of £2,400. The system is also perfectly positioned to take advantage of the increased feedin tariffs due to be brought into effect next year, to enable homeowners to make the most of the upcoming change in legislation. The system will generate on average 1000 kWh per year, about one fifth of the average UK annual domestic usage. Smart Solar's new PV microgeneration system is available nationwide at selected stores. The system is also available online at www.pvmicrogeneration.com and costs £5599 net of grants. * Subject to certain criteria being met. Government Solar Power Grants Are you eligible? If you are planning to install a solar power system at your home or workplace, it is well worth looking into what is available in terms of government solar power grants. You may be eligible for considerable assistance in financing the project which only increases the ultimate cost savings you will make. The government solar power grants available come from the Low Carbon Buildings Programme and are managed by the Energy Saving Trust. Government solar power grants are available to two distinct `streams' as follows: Phase 1 ­ Householders Phase 2 ­ This covers projects for public sector and charitable organisations The government solar power grants available are then broken down accordingly. For solar photovoltaic projects homeowners can be entitled to a maximum of £2000 per KW installed up to £2500 or a maximum of 50% of the total installed cost. For solar thermal hot water projects the homeowners grant is for a maximum of £400 or 30% of the total installed cost. It's well worth checking it out! www.energysavingtrust.org.uk "Nephelios" to attempt English Channel crossing this summer More than 30 French university students have collaborated to design the world's first solarpowered blimp, Nephelios, unveiled at the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget last month. This innovative and ecological aircraft, measuring 72 feet long and 18 feet in diameter, with an average speed of 25mph, is set to change the concept of air travel. One hundred years after the first flight across the English Channel by Louis Blériot, Nephelios will undertake an English Channel crossing in late August, making it the first manned solarpowered airship flight of its kind. The students have been working on the project for more than a year, largely inspired by past exploits in modern aviation. The innovative aircraft has the latestgeneration, semiflexible photovoltaic panels installed on its top side. The collected solar energy drives an electric motor situated behind the steering pod, which is equipped with two twinbladed propellers. Ecological, powerful, silent, in the future, airships will benefit from significant competitive advantages over other means of transport, such as their ability to move extremely heavy and bulky loads (power turbines for example). A solar airship also has the advantage of being very quiet and provides an alternative to carbonpowered air transportation. The project's technical teams hope that Nephelios becomes a benchmark in terms of selfsufficiency and maneuverability. It is hoped that after further development, the airship will also have applications in the transport of freight, aerial observation, tourism and telecommunications. www.projetsolr.com SOLAR LAPTOP CHARGERS At last... an office in the sun! Who would want to be without one of these? The summer is eagerly awaited by most of us but there is nothing worse than when the heat wave starts to be stuck at work in our offices or homes glued to the computer screen. You could of course take your laptop outside. There is a problem though. No matter how advanced a laptop you have, it is doubtful its batteries will last a full working day so at some point you have to resign yourself to going back in to plug it back into the wall. Or you could get a Solar Gorilla, the most powerful portable charger available. It is the ultimate renewable powerstation for your notebook, cellphone, iPod and many more devices. Charge the solargorilla directly from the sun to power your notebook/laptop or charge your cellphone and other handheld devices Available from www.greenstamp.co.uk or telephone 01637 854717 Cost £139.99 Make your big day even more special by choosing a venue that is not only the perfect location for your dream wedding, but it's also `green'! The National Trust offers over 100 properties from clifftop temples and beachside settings, picturesque ruins and extravagant interiors, ancient fortresses and intimate halls, glorious gardens and sweeping driveways ­ catering for everyone's taste. The National Trust will not just help you to find a breathtaking backdrop for your wedding day, you can also rest assured that you are doing as much for the environment as you possibly can on your wedding day, just think this part of your wedding fund is going to charity! Ethical food sourcing ­ local, seasonal food is put at the heart of our catering. With over 50 working kitchen gardens, wedding couples can work with our Catering Managers to develop a menu that is truly local and seasonal as well as delicious. With over 850 weddings a year at our properties, you can be sure that your chosen venue with the National Trust is as green as it can get! Please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/weddings to find out more about the over 100 wedding venues the National Trust has to offer or email [email protected] mygreenwedding Trevenna Cornwall magazine 2009 Weddings at Trevenna In the heart of Cornwall, Trevenna is perfect for your Informal Wedding, with 142 acres of private grounds and stunning views. Licensed for Indoor and Outdoor Ceremonies and Partnerships. Intimate Wedding celebrations are held in the Threshing Barn, with larger parties in a Marquee Extension & Lawn. Trevenna is commited to preserving their unique environment at the same time balancing a warm welcome to their guests. They believe that by making themselves aware of their footprint they can leave behind them the first steps in minimising their imprint. Trevenna Includes: l Secluded location for beautiful Wedding Ceremonies and Celebrations l Licensed venue for civil ceremonies & civil partnerships l Exclusive use hire for 2 nights. l Inclusive accommodation for up to 26 guests in barns l Additional onsite guest accommodation available l Inspirational photo opportunities l Discrete wedding team on hand. For more information on this stunning location go to: www.trenvenna.co.uk Oxfam offers Brides tobe the full service Oxfam has ten bridal departments across the UK, all of which offer specialist advice. Over 95% of their wedding dresses are new donated by designers and bridal shops that need to make room for the next season's stock. There's always a wide range of styles and sizes on offer. The average cost of an Oxfam wedding dress is around £250. At least 5% of dresses are second hand and are donated by generous brides. Some brides who originally buy their dresses from Oxfam go on to donate them back to the shop. The bridal shops can also help with accessories, shoes, bridesmaids' dresses and outfits for the mother of the bride; and some departments can also advise on alterations. Brides can now also buy wedding dresses, bridesmaids dresses and accessories online, although most prefer to come into one of the bridal departments to try the dresses on and to benefit from the advice of our experienced shop staff: www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/results.aspx?catalog=HighStDonated&category= ClothesandAccessories_Bridal_WeddingDresses DEPLOY ploughs new fields for sustainable production and consumption Since opening its doors in 2006 with a distinctive range of innovatelyengineered womenswear that boasts design features allowing every garment to adapt into at least 2 different looks the DePLOY demicouture brand is fast expanding beyond its original Clerkenwell and Islington fan base. The implementation of its innovative modular system for garments (including a unique popper system for detachable sections) enables customers to stay fashionable each season by acquiring new garment parts, and thereby engage in recyclable design and production process. The upshot is the fabulous but very real notion of the largest wardrobe fitting into the smallest suitcase: where a blouse can become a dress, a coat can become a skirt, all with the snap of an imperceptible fastening. www.deployworkshop.com Silver bird necklace by ORIA ORIA's wedding collections are a contemporary twist on classic designs Their jewellery is designed and made in their London studio using ethically sourced gold, silver and gems. ORIA offer a bespoke wedding ring service, and all wedding and eternity rings are designed to match. Brides can also adorn themselves with jewellery from their `Nina' and `Bibbi' gold collections or for something more contemporary, a piece from their silver collections. For more details on Oria Designs, go to their website www.oriajewellery.co.uk mygrivenliwsatyyle g e fe ea ORIA has teamed up with my green lifestyle to offer one `bridetobe' the chance to wear this beautiful silver bird necklace on her Special Day. If you would like to nominate a `bridetobe' please send us her details to: offers@mygreenlifestyle .co.uk. Subject Line: ORIA Designs. Offer open until 31st August 2009 mygreenweddingdirectory Delightful organic wedding flowers from Sweet Loving Flowers. No air miles, no artificial chemicals or pesticides. Personalised muesli breakfasts for the Bride & Groom from Muddycook. Great tasting ingredients that are kind to the planet and its inhabitants Each pack is blended to order and personalised. www.muddycook.co.uk. A small scale producer of organic cut flowers based in the Dyfi valley in Wales. petal confetti www.sweetlovingflowers.co.uk Unique Jewellery Tiarastore stocks a wide range of beautiful 100% natural biodegradable delphinium petal confetti grown on a local Shropshire farm. www.tiarastore.co.uk Sarah Drew works in mostly recycled materials such as beach objects, antique brooches and crystals. She combines these with sterling silver, handmade chain and semiprecious stones to make unique jewellery. Bridal tiaras can incorporate a piece of jewellery from the bride's family, for `something old' a real personal connection for their wedding day. www.sarahdrew.com Ochre & Ocre now have a unique collection of traditional British cut flower bouquets. They have teamed up with Charlie Ryrie, based near the Welsh Borders. Charlie grows seasonal flowers without using any chemicals. Every bouquet is unique, containing a wide variety of seasonal home grown flowers. www.ochreandocre.com A perfect makeover for the bride NVEY ECO from Lucy Rose online natural beauty boutique www.lucyrose.biz The aim of Organic Buffet is to provide good quality food not expensive, or complicated just wholesome, tasty and fresh. More people are attracted by the idea of having a green, ethical, organic caterer supplying great food at a reasonable price. Crockery, cutlery, glasses, linen, tea & coffee service, waiting staff, tables, chairs, marquees, bands, theme parties decorations can be provided. Organic buffet is registered to the foodservice and organic catering code of practice of the Soil Association. For example of menus go to: www.organicbuffet.co.uk www.greenunion.co.uk Present Aid... is a thoughtful alternative to traditional wedding gifts and makes a meaningful impact to others around the world. To discover how Present Aid works and to register: www.presentaid.org mygreenwedding To advertise in the magazine or on our website please click here for our media pack Lac D'Annecy mygreentravel brochure 2009 You don't need to have your own tent to go camping! Angel Cottage Farm is situated in the heart of the picturesque Nadder Valley. They farm organically, producing meat which they sell to local people. They run 5 day painting courses on their beautiful 20 acre smallholding. Expert tuition from experienced landscape painter, Tom Benjamin, is combined with the unique experience of staying on the organic farm. Accommodation is in individual bell tents, complete with organic bedding, and all meals [breakfast, elevenses, lunch, tea and supper] are provided using their organic produce. http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/2545.htm Garway Hill Garway Tipi offers luxury camping in a secluded meadow in a hidden valley between the Black Mountains and the Wye Valley. There is only one tipi on site, a lo/no carbon footprint getaway for ethical travellers. A small hamper awaits you upon arrival, bursting with locally produced organic and Fairtrade food items. No electricity or running water on site. Water and firewood are provided. Art and nature workshops, £200 per person. http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/2621.htm The Owl Dynamo Camping Lantern from Ecoutlet It's very reassuring when you're camping to know that your lighting is on tap. It's OK taking electricity from the car's battery, or having a battery operated lamp, but when it's pitch black in the middle of the night having something to hand that you know is going to work instantly is vital. The Power Plus Owl lamp has 6 LEDs and requires a minute's wind to provide you with 25 minutes light. Fully charged it gives 100 minutes continuous shine time. It works particularly well hanging from the ceiling of a tent as a room light. Available online from www.ecoutlet.co.uk £4.99 The Baylis Self Powered Maxi ProTorch from Biggreensmile The Maxi Pro torch is a great tool when you are on holiday, particularly camping. Having a mobile phone charger attachment is particularly useful. As well as having 2 settings, 1 main beam, or the full five LEDs on, for getting from the tent to the `facilities' in the dark, this is a must. It also has a headlamp, that's useful when you're pegging the tent down at night in the rain and you need both hands! The Maxi ProTorch boasts: No Batteriesever 5x super bright LED lamps 1 min. winding = 90 mins. light Built in mobile phone charger. Waterproof ­ suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Available online from www.biggreensmile.com Is it possible to `do' Europe on a low carbon footprint? We set off to Europe with the intention of seeing how small a carbon footprint we could leave and, how little money we could spend for a 2week touring holiday in 3 or 4 countries. We set out for Dover with an open mind, a small tent, minimal equipment (mostly circa 1970's) and a 2001 campsite book from our local charity shop. We followed the sunny weather as much as possible and headed off through France and beyond. Our Camping equipment comprised of, a doubleburner cooker on a tray with legs,a camping gaz bottle, a small wooden table, a double air bed and pump, a 5litre water carrier and a whistling kettle, all from a previous life in the 1970's. Our 2person tent, that it's possible to `standup in', was our most recent purchase; it was last year's display model reduced to only £45. Addin two folding chairs and a picnic hamper, which housed all of our cutlery and crockery, plus a frying pan and one small saucepan! We picked campsites from our 2001campsite book en route and in terms of the area we chose, we were never disappointed. I was keen to learn what campsites were doing in their efforts to counter global warming. In France all of the sites we chose had measures in place to save wasting water and electricity, both of which were on time switches. Most sites had some solar panels on the washroom blocks. However on all sites recycling facilities were limited to paper and glass which was disappointing. Campsites costs varied, but on average for two people with a car and a tent without electricity you could expect to pay around £15 per night. Hot showers sometimes cost extra, and so too was hot water and washing machine facilities. We stayed a maximum of 3 nights at any one site, and spent most of our time in France. Our one night in Switzerland was not so comfortable and quite pricey. Germany was better, but for us France came out on top overall. Local produce is in abundance in Europe and we found people are more inclined to use local stores than their hypermarkets. In the small country towns there are often markets that were buzzing with people, whilst the supermarket was usually empty. We chose to go local when we could, using supermarkets only when necessary, (we even managed to get locked inside a supermarket, but that's another story!). Our biggest concern about the holiday was the amount of fuel we used and its cost, and was the cost of camping offsetting this in any way. Having little or no facilities for 2 weeks definitely cuts down on daily consumption of water /electricity. We used a windup torch and lantern only and charged our phones from the car. Our camping gaz stove (yes even the gas was probably 30 years old!) was employed most nights, although we cheated and ate out three times. Overall this was not a cheap holiday, mainly because fuel was more expensive in Europe (except Switzerland) and we travelled over 2,225 miles. However, our overall impression was that it would be very difficult to have made the trip from England through France, Switzerland, Germany and Belgium at a lower cost. Yvonne Ainsworth Coming acro ss Mount Bla nc in the French A lps , Laon France first stop our The Municip al campsite in St Fereol The Stunning Rhine Falls, Switzerland Hebog House ...in the heart of Snowdonia, in the village of Beddgelert North Wales Hebog House is a spacious Scandinavian Style house in a quiet peaceful location right on the edge of the village. It has a 4 Star Accreditation with the Welsh Tourist Board, and the accommodation is situated over 4 floors. The large sitting room has a wood burning stove, and glazed patio doors looking out up to Moel Hebog (hawk mountain). Open plan dining room, fully fitted kitchen and utility room. There are three double bedrooms, two bathrooms and a patio garden. Beddgelert is in a conservation area surrounded by some of the most stunning scenery in Britain. For availability and rates: www.holidaylettings.co.uk/26159 H e b o g House is getting an eco makeover! A Stainless Steel Steamer from Lakeland is the latest addition to Hebog House's eco makeover. The energy saving stainless steel steamer has extradeep baskets, a glass lid and an encapsulated base. Not only does it cook three items on one ring, steaming is by far a healthier way to cook food. The Purchase price for this steamer is just £29.99. Available at Lakeland stores or online: www.lakeland.co.uk/9091 mygreentravel The Granary, Aunby, Lincolnshire The Granary near Stamford is a spectacular loft style holiday cottage created from an ancient building (parts of which are believed to be 900 years old). The owners have implemented eco friendly products and systems, including a wild flower meadow they have planted outside. For details visit www.aunby.co.uk Green Award Winner Graig WenDolgellau, Wales. Campsite, yurts, B&B and holiday cottages. www.graigwen.co.uk director y Hebog House... in the heart of Snowdonia. A three bedroomed house in the village of Beddgelert, North Wales. www.holidaylettings.co.uk/26159 Highly Recommended Campsite in France Camping Municipal "la Grappe Fleurie" La Lie 69820 Fleurie France www.fleurie.org [email protected] www.campingbeaujolais.fr, Highly Recommended Campsite in France Camping Lac de Panthier 21320 Vandenesse en Auxois France www.lacdepanthier.com [email protected] Highly Recommended Campsite in Germany Campingplatz Bühlhof Hinterzarten Bühlhofweg 13 79822 TitiseeNeustadt Germany www.campingbuehlhof.de [email protected] Stephen Gelly Yurt Bodmin Get back to nature with all the comfort of our beautiful yurt, set in its own small field overlooking the Camel Valley. Inside is simple and stylish, fitted with a wood burning stove, two futons and a gas hob. Honey, eggs and various preserves are available. Charcoal for barbecues is made on the farm. There are facilities 200m from the farmhouse and a solar heated shower. There's room for an additional tent for larger parties, available JuneSeptember. http://www.organicholidays.co.uk/at/2617.htm Snowdonia Society an environmental charity encourages local youngsters and youth groups to come along and get involved in their free fun days. Bea Kelsall says youngsters are missing out. To get more info on the scheme call Bea on 01690 720287, or visit www.snowdoniasociety.org.uk www.organicholidays.co.uk mygreentravel To advertise in the magazine or on our website please click here for our media pack British Food In next month's The Recycling & Waste Management Exhibition (RWM) 15th 17th September 2009 NEC Birmingham This is the undisputed leading exhibition for the recycling and waste management sector. It has more exhibitors and more visitors than any other event in the sector. mygreenlifestyle Harvest Giveaways Organic fortnight Harvest Preserving summer produce for the winter months. Cleanup the World Weekend British Food Fortnight We have lots of exciting giveaways for our lucky readers Wildflower paradise by the M25 Britain's biggest wildflower meadow, covering 20 acres and containing tens of millions of plants, has opened just yards from the M25, designed to safeguard London's waning population of the insects. It hosts 65 different flower species from around the world, to create a blaze of colour with 250,000 sunflowers at its centre. The meadow, near St Albans, was created in 12 weeks. When the project is completed in 2011 it will feature the biggest biodome in Britain, housing thousands of tropical butterflies. The meadow was planted using a radical method: seeds were mixed with seaweed and water and industrial equipment was used to spray the mix directly onto the soil. The project also includes 17 smaller plots the size of an average back garden to inspire people to make their own plots butterflyfriendly. mygreenlifestyle Back to School Waste Free Lunch Kits reusable and waste free! www.bynature.co.uk online shopping centre Boiler manufacturer Baxi, has launched Baxi EnergyHub for energy conscious visitors to find out how they can lower household heating bills and reduce their carbon footprints. www.baxienerngyhub.com Just for You www.biggreensmile.com Designer Thea Cutting customises individual pieces with a name or message. This makes for a truly individual, oneoff item and a fantastically thoughtful gift. Thea Cutting originates each item herself. For more details; www.gallerythea.co.uk www.ecoutlet.co.uk The UK's ONLY Green Social Networking Site It's free, it's fun and for each member who joins the community, Cooltribe will plant one tree in the rainforest on their behalf to counteract illegal logging and deforestation. www.cooltribe.com www.energysavingtrust.org Traidcraft Traidcraft celebrates its 30th anniversary celebrations this year, and as part of the celebrations and ongoing fight against poverty through all things fair trade, it is encouraging people to bake a fair trade cake in the cause of global poverty. To help them, Traidcraft is offering a `bake pack' with a cake recipe card, fair trade almonds, honey and sultanas. Also included is a pair of fair trade rubber gloves to help with the washing up! The pack costs £14.95 (inc P&P) ­ with £5 going directly to Traidcraft's charity, Traidcraft Exchange, to help producers in the developing world. People can order a cake pack direct from Traidcraft on 0845 330 8900 or online at www.traidcraftshop.co.uk CFGraphic Design & Print Magazines l Brochures l POS l Leaflets Posters l Media Advertisements l Packaging Tel: 01572 757315 Mobile: 07790 122863 Email: [email protected] mygreenlifestyle To advertise in the magazine or on our website please click here for our media pack mygreenlifestyle.co.uk mygreenlifestyle magazine [email protected] next issue ­ September 2009

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