Spring cleaning without the chemicals

Its that time of year (thankfully) when you feel like throwing open the windows giving the house a spring clean.  This year I am all about reducing my chemical load, both for environmental reasons and for the health of my family. Here are our top tips for a greener spring clean: Swap your regular cleaning [...]

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Recycle for cash with Simply Drop

Have you heard about Royal Mail’s new technology recycling service?

Every year, over 1.1 billion printer cartridges are sold around the world with half of these ending up in landfills. Inkjet cartridges can easily be remanufactured up to two or three times each resulting in fewer going directly to landfills.

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Dangers of cooking with Teflon and non stick cookware

According to tests commissioned by Environmental Working Group (EWG), in the 2-5 minutes that Teflon coated cookware coated is heating on a conventional hob, temperatures can exceed to the point that the coating breaks apart and emits toxic particles and gases. At extremely high temperatures these coatings can release at least six toxic gases, including [...]

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£400 off a new A-rated boiler or renewable heat technology with new scrappage scheme

If you are shivering at home with a decrepide heating system this could be your lucky day.  The government have launched the boiler scrappage scheme (similar to the car scrappage scheme) meaning that if you buy a new boiler you could save you money, the environment, and give a boost to the jobs market .  [...]

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Gorgeous Alice and Emma christmas stockings

We love these funky and original Christmas stockings. We love them even more because they’re handmade from 100% recycled materials and appliquéd with vintage fabric, buttons and hand stitched with your choice of name. Each one is individually designed and handmade to order exclusively for you- there will never be another one like it. They [...]

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Thrifty advent calendar ideas

I know, I know its the 30th November so we’re cutting it fine with this piece. You’re probably all over this already but you can always save any ideas you may take from it for next year. However, if not then you’re in luck. 1. Marilyn Scott-Waters, The Toymaker, can bail you out with her [...]

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Light my fire – natural way to light the best fire

If like me you are obsessed with lighting fires to keep the house toasty as we go into winter you will love these. Instead of buying chemical fire lighters (which stink so bad you know they can’t be good for you) you can use these organic cone firelighters which smell amazing and are lots better [...]

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Incredible brownie recipe with beetroot

I am sure when carrot cake first came along people thought it sounded disgusting and so it probably will be with the suggestion of putting beetroot with chocolate but IT WORKS.  I have made a few brownies over the years and honestly none have come close to the recipe from Hugh Fernley Whittingstalls latest book [...]

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New eco friendly brand from Dr Hauschka

The people who brought the Dr Hauschka brand to the UK have created a new eco-friendly lifestyle brand, Liv. The range of products – from bed linen and towels to pyjamas and underwear – are all 100 per cent fair trade and organic and all have been developed by Elysia, which distributes Dr Hauschka.

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The truth about toxins in mattresses

When it comes to buying a mattress for your baby’s cot or your child’s bed its worth considering the health benefits of a buying a natural mattress. Mattresses are treated with chemical flame retardants which are used for our protection in the event of a fire.  However these flame retardants are potentially lethal. According to [...]

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