Birthday tressures!

Hello friends, this blog post will be centered around exactly what the title line suggests... BIRTHDAY’S. Given it recently was my own I want to share my experiences about a day we all celebrate every year, and how we all can and should spend it, in a way that better considers our environment. Don't get me wrong; I am not trying to suggest I am perfect and have this all figured out. No, I am sure that I am far away from that. Still, I am hoping to share the small moments I have achieved towards celebrating my day, by doing it in an environmentally conscious way while still having a wonderful time on such a special occasion.

Here are some great ideas:

Recently I had been telling my partner, that I would love to find "my scent" but without all the unnatural and toxic chemicals added to perfume. A scent that will represent me, and be kind on my skin. Well, he sure delivered on this for my birthday and found a brilliant company called WiDEYE, not only are the ingredients they use organic, and their products smell amazing but their packaging is completely made of recycled cardboard along with packing biodegradable peanuts, meaning you can add this to your compost bin!

Another one is getting your nails done, I’m curious about your points of view on this topic!? I wanted to get my nails done as well, but without needing to go all the way to a salon. This for me personally is not the most convenient way of pampering myself as it not only involves having to go all the way to town but also means I will need to spend a certain amount of time in an environment that smells terrible, due to all the different products being used. So, I had an idea why don't we outsource a local mobile beautician, and get my nails done in the comfort of my own home where the air I breathe is so much better than what I would have in a salon? Best of all it provides business to small business owners, and it’s more affordable. Yes, there is the aspect of the beautician having to drive around; but this is why you find a local one as it will minimize how far they are traveling from, which betters the environment. Again, as I said they don't need to be massive changes, but they are changes in a positive direction.

Lastly support local, for me that is through food! So go out to your favourite local café! While you are there not only are you enjoying one of life's great pleasures which is food that our planet nourishes our bodies with but, also an opportunity to create more need for business opportunities in your community. This benefits the environment as people won't need to commute as much, given they live local enough to perhaps walk or cycle to work.

I would love to read all your thoughts on this blog, and perhaps some ideas I could take on myself too. Until next time!

Casey xxx

Another recipe, coming in hot!

Dearest readers, as most of you have already gathered, I am a foodie and love creating easy-to-make yummy goodies. So, without any further ado, I will be sharing one of my many favourite items I love to make!

Called Black Pepper and Olive Soda Bread. Yes! this will be the quickest bread recipe you will come by.

Ingredients:

3 c white bread flour

½ tsp salt & bicarbonate of soda

1/3 c chopped black olives

2 tsp milled pepper

1 ½ c buttermilk

Method:

Preheat the oven to 220 degrees C and line a baking tray or tin keep it simple with just some flour or a non-waxy baking paper.

Mix the flour, salt, bicarbonate of soda, olives, and pepper in a bowl.

Gradually add the buttermilk and stir until a soft dough forms.

Shape into a round loaf, and place on the lined tray.

Bake for 20 min; then reduce the oven heat to 200 degrees °C and bake for a further 20 - 25 minutes until the loaf is golden.

P.S.

If you have a gluten intolerance or preference you can use gluten-free flour with this recipe.

Should you not have buttermilk there are many substitutes you can use. One of which I have personally used is fresh lemon juice added to milk the ratio of this for this specific recipe is 1 tbsp and 1 ½ tsp - of lemon juice or vinegar then add milk on top of this to make the 1 ½ cup milk must be room temp for it to split when adding the lemon juice or vinegar.

Of course, there are so many other things you can add to this bread aside from olives.

I hope you enjoy making this delicious recipe, know I have many times now! Remember there are ways to go about making your own baked goodies that can still have a positive environmental impact, and they don't have to be massive changes. Keep it simple like getting all your produce from a local farmers market or a baking tray that is not Teflon-lined. Until next time!

Casey xxx

Why not make it yourself!?

A couple of months ago, we wanted a desk for our home however, given our home is rather an old build it meant we would need to make something unique that can fit in tiny and tight spaces. At first, we thought the best way to go around creating this would be to seek out a small business that customizes such things. Until we recognized that although this would support small businesses, it would not necessarily support the sustainable lifestyle we try our best to attain. So, we decided to make our own!

Now at first reading this it may read a bit daunting for one building their very own desk however, I can assure you it was the total opposite and rather a fun and simple enough process. We started first by going to our local B&Q store, where we bought some OSB board that is cut in-store to your required measurements. For those of you who may not know this. B&Q will cut whatever board you need in-store without any additional charge. Anyway, back to building our desk but first, some interesting information about why we chose this wood. Well, there are many reasons, however, just to mention a few; is that this type of board is made from wood found in fast-growing trees meaning less land needs to be allotted to acquire this. Next, is that they make for a unique look and a budget-friendly DIY. Who wouldn't try this specific wood type out with such great points!?

Once the board was cut, we brought it home and lightly sanded it down with some sandpaper, we already had on hand. We wiped the board clear with a dry worn dishcloth and started measuring where the raw steel desk legs would go, once they were all measured up we secured each leg one by one. Fun fact, we chose raw steel for the legs as not only does it have a much better environmental impact compared to other material types but it also fits in best with our style, which if I do say so myself, seems like a great WIN!

The final touch was to varnish the wood, which I suppose depending on how you look at it can have both a pro and a con, being that the pro: varnishing the wood will thus make this last longer without the need for either making or purchasing a whole new desk in the future and con: unfortunately it is hard to come by varnish that is not toxic to yourself and the environment however, there are some varnishes you can buy, that are known as UV varnishes meaning they don't release VOC's (volatile organic compounds) into the atmosphere as the product dry’s. Despite how small this win may seem it is a win nevertheless!

I hope that this blog inspires you to create something of your own for your home. Although this may read daunting it was not, and all we needed was some wood, desk legs, and some tools which I am sure most of us would have at home anyway (sandpaper, measuring tape, pencil, drill, paintbrush), and lastly varnish. Piece this all together and VOILA! there you have your very own carpentry masterpiece. Until next time!

Casey xxx