Raw Organic Chocolate for Easter

This Easter why not go for organic chocolate or even better raw organic chocolate. Most major supermarkets now stock organic chocolate and you may be able to find ready-made raw organic chocolate at some health food shops, but why not try making your own.

 

Raw Organic Chocolate Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup Organic Cacao Butter

1 cup Organic Cacao Powder

1 cup Organic Sweetener (Agave syrup, Raw honey, dried fruits)

any other additions to taste

 

Method

• Melt cacao butter in a bowl (by placing a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of boiling water).
• Mix in cacao powder and stir well
• Add sweetener and mix well
• Add any other ingredients.
• Pour into moulds, allow to set in fridge overnight, ENJOY!!!

 

Notes

Quantities of the ingredients can be altered to suit the amount you wish to make, you just need roughly equal parts of each main ingredient.

This recipe is vegan, dairy free, organic and nut free.

 

The ingredients are available from most health food shops and online. Although you can also buy the finished product online and from some local produce markets.

 

WildRaw

WildRaw makes beautiful raw chocolate in a variety of flavours and styles. Available at the Margaret River Farmers Market and online at www.wildraw.com.au

 

Loving Earth

Loving Earth sells a wide range of Organic Raw chocolate bars online at www.lovingearth.net

 

Andersen Cacao Creations

Sell a great range of organic raw chocolate products online and at the Fremantle and Subiaco markets http://www.andersencacaocreations.bigcartel.com

The water wise plant battle – Native vs Exotic

Every time we hear about gardening, you hear water wise. While this in itself is a good thing, the other word that is usually associated with water wise gardens is native. Personally I am a little over the whole idea that the only way to have a water wise garden is to use Australian Native plants, because this is simply not the case.

 

There are many exotic plants that are just as water efficient (if not more so) than Australian natives. The secret to success is to plant to your environment, which varies greatly in Australia. For example in far North Queensland you can plant tropical plants without any worry, but in the South West of WA it is unwise as they require far more water than is readily available.

 

I have put together my top 10 water wise exotic plants:

1. Proteas (any plant from the Proteaceae family as these developed in Africa’s dry environments)

 

2. Cactus and Succulents (they store their own water for dry times)

3. Pigface (a type of annual or perennial succulent that has masses of beautiful flowers, great as a groundcover)

4. Agave

 

5. Grasses (Mondo, blue grass etc)

 

6. Echium (beautiful silver foliage, with large flower spikes from later winter)

 

7. Alstroemeria (Princess Lilies are a great cut flower as they last for over a week in a vase)

 

8. Day Lilies (huge range of flower colours)

 

9. Frangipani (flowering shrub/tree)

10. Jacaranda (flowering tree)

 

These are just some of the beautiful exotic plants that are water wise and grow in most areas of Australia. In order to find the right plants for an area it is always useful to go for a walk around the neighbourhood to see what is growing well in other people’s gardens. In addition to this most states in Australia now have websites that list suitable water wise plants for each area.

Soap Nuts – Natures Eco Cleaner

When I first heard about Soap Nuts, I must admit that I was sceptical, to say the least. Could the shell of a berry really be used to clean my clothes? The answer is yes!

I have just started using soap nuts for my clothing and I was very pleasantly surprised at how good they are. Not only are they eco-friendly and super cheap compared to other laundry detergents, but they work really, really well!

Soap Nuts are a berry (not a nut) which is produced by the Sapindus Mukorossi tree. The shell of the ‘fruit’ is dried to produce soap nuts. They are totally natural and unprocessed which means that they are great for allergy sufferers and people with sensitive skin.

After using soap nuts in my laundry, and seeing the great results, I decided to try some of the other cleaning products that soap nuts can be used to make…

Soap Nut Liquid Concentrate

Place 10-12 whole nuts (or equivalent in pieces) into a saucepan with 6 cups of water. Boil for approximately 30 minutes. This should result in approx. 4 cups of liquid soap.  Strain the liquid through a cloth and then discard the nuts (they are great in the compost). Because there are no preservatives, it is best to only make in these small batches otherwise it may spoil.

The concentrate can be used as is or diluted for a range of cleaning:

All Purpose Cleaner – simply place soap liquid in a spray bottle and use around the house. You can add a couple of drops of eucalyptus oil (or another essential oil) to act as a disinfectant and leave a lovely smell.

Window Cleaner – place 1 cups of water, 1 Tbsp vinegar and 1 Tbsp soap nut liquid into a spray bottle.

Pet shampoo – leaves hair soft and silky, will also repel fleas, mites, ticks and mosquitos, but make sure you keep it out of their eyes!

Carpet cleaner – spray or sponge onto stain and blot clean

Bug spray – use a spray bottle to spray bugs on plants (great organic and eco-friendly way to get rid of unwanted bugs in the garden).

I have also read about some people using soap nut liquid to clean rust off prams!

To find a stockist near you visit: www.kussen.com.au  (Kussen sell and distribute Nutcases Soap Nuts which are organic and Fair Trade).

Eco Toys

 

My little boy is a little over 12 months old and everything he can find goes into his mouth. This has made me even more careful with the toys that l buy for him and let him play with.

 

Wooden Toys

There are some great wooden toys available (many from sustainable sources), but I have found that even though they may be rated for young ones, sometimes the glue isn’t as good as it should be (only last week my little boy pulled one of his apart in small pieces). So I guess it is something that you really need to think about when purchasing wooden toys. I also always make sure that the paint is non-toxic and as eco-friendly as possible.

 

Organic Cotton Toys

Organic cotton toys are beautiful as gifts for babies because they are safe, environmentally responsible and little ones love them. For a great range of organic cotton toys visit http://www.theworldofgood.com.au/dandelion/organic-cotton-toys-teethers-rattles.html to find a stockist near you.

 

Recycled paper / cardboard toys

Cardboard and recycled paper toys are on the rise in Australia (although the ranges are still a bit limited and can be hard to find). One brand that is really exciting is http://www.flatoutfrankie.com/ which is made in New Zealand, but can be purchased in Australia, check out their website for stockist details.

 

Why not make your own cardboard toys (just like when we were kids). All you need is an empty cardboard box and a little imagination (cubbyhouse, aeroplane, castle), the ideas are endless.

 

Get outside and play

Why not just shut off the TV and get outside and play.

• Build a cubbyhouse under the outside table using an old sheet or better still build one in the bush using fallen sticks.
• Take the dog for a walk
• Play at the local playground
• Plant a vege patch or herb garden with the kids

 

When it comes to toys the options in the shops are endless, but the options at home are only limited by your imagination. Old boxes, containers and sheets can be used in any number or ways and are all eco-friendly.

 

Other great online stores include:

http://www.ecotoys.com.au

http://www.learninghouse.com.au

http://www.honeybeetoys.com.au

Valentine’s Day

Yes, Valentine’s Day is almost here and it is time to start planning. While the shops are filled with the usual red balloons, streamers and hearts, why not try the green approach this year. There is a range of eco-friendly Valentine’s Day ideas right here.

 

Jewellery

If you want new eco-friendly jewellery you can go past the beautiful range by Polli. For a full list of stockists visit www.polli.com.au .

Alternatively why not visit a local second hand shop to find a beautiful pre-loved piece for that someone special.

 

Flowers

It can be difficult to find flowers that are grown organically in Australia. The best option is to pick your own from your garden, or if you know someone who has a beautiful range you can always ask to pick some from their garden. If you do want to purchase flowers from a florist, why not ask them if they have any that have been grown without using chemicals.

 

Chocolates

While many supermarkets and specialty stores now stock organic chocolate, you can’t go past raw, organic chocolate. I found the ultimate raw chocolate at the Margaret River Farmers Market in the South West of WA. This rich and delicious chocolate is made by Wild-Raw and can be ordered online from www.wildraw.com.au

 

Growing Gift

Why not purchase a living gift. If your loved one is the gardening type, why not buy them a rose bush or a beautiful plant in full flower, not only will it look great on the day, it will last for years to come. Even if they are not into gardening you can still purchase a living gift. Why not help to protect a rainforest by purchasing a gift from www.rainforestrescue.org.au

 

Unique Gifts

I love shopping at local markets and little handicraft stores because you never know what beautiful and unique gifts you might find. Travelling to find these shops can be a little time consuming, so why not look online for the same things. Two of my favourite websites for handmade gifts are www.bluecaravan.com.au and www.etsy.com , both of these sites allow you to search by category (including handmade and eco-friendly).

 

General Gifts

If you want to get that someone special something useful, rather than traditional, you options are endless for eco-friendly presents. You may choose stainless steel water bottles, organic skincare, bamboo tableware, a gorgeous bag or something handmade from your local markets. There are many online stores which specialise in organic and eco-friendly products (www.ecoeffect.com.au) and most health food shops and speciality gift shops also stock small ranges of products.

Eco Shopping

When you go to your local supermarket to do your shopping you are bound to see people using reusable shopping bags (and you may choose to use them yourself). By taking your own bags to the supermarket you can prevent hundreds of plastic bags from ending up in landfill.

While taking your own shopping bags to the checkout is a great way to help the environment, there are several other things that you may like to consider.

Produce Bags

Produce bags are a great alternative to the small plastic bags that are found in the fruit and vegetable section. These bags are sold in a set of 4 (1 large mesh, 1 small mesh, 1 large calico, 1 small calico). The large bag is big enough to fit an Iceberg lettuce or cauliflower. The bags are breathable which means that produce has a longer shelf life.

Available at www.ecoeffect.com.au

 

Menu

When planning your shopping trip you can not only reduce waste but you can also save money by taking some time out to create an effective menu. By planning the week’s meals you can make sure that you use certain ingredients in more than one meal, thus reducing waste.

For example you may decide to make pumpkin gnocchi for an evening meal; this would not use an entire piece of pumpkin. You could choose to make pumpkin scones or have roast pumpkin with a meal to use the remaining pumpkin.

Planning your weeks menus is extremely important when choosing fruit, vegetables, dairy and some meat products as these all have short shelf lives. If you still have waste from these types of products why not put them into compost for the garden?

Buying in Bulk

Buying in bulk will save you money on most grocery items. Bulk items are usually have less packaging meaning that buying in bulk is better for the environment. While not all supermarkets offer the option of buying things such as lentils, rice and nuts in bulk, most health food shops do or you could try your local farmers market or co-op.

Eco Cleaning

You can save money and help to save the environment by selecting you cleaning products carefully. Rather than buy cupboards full of expensive cleaning products why not get a few basics that will not only last longer and save you money, the are also safer for the environment. https://ecoeffect.wordpress.com/2011/12/27/eco-cleaning/

Water Wise Living

As the summer progresses in Australia there is the ever increasing need to protect our most valuable resource – water. There is a huge range of water-wise products available on the market today, from shower timers through to flow restriction valves, however there are also a lot of ways to save water without having to purchase or install a range of products.

 

Washing the car

Why not try washing your car with a bucket of water and a sponge on a patch of lawn rather than heading down to the local car wash. Not only will you be saving water (and money) but it is also good exercise.

 

Using grey water

By capturing water from you washing machine and using it to water your lawn or garden you are not only recycling water, but the detergent in the wash acts as a soil wetting agent (especially good in WA’s sandy, water resistant soils).

There are several simple ways of setting up a system to reuse your washing machine water.

• Attach a hose extension to the outlet, run it outside and place on the lawn or garden bed. This is a simple and cheap method and allows you to move the hose to different patches; however you are required to have a door or window open to allow the hose outside.
• Placing a bucket under the outlet to catch the water is a simple method, however it will need to be checked and emptied regularly to prevent it from overflowing.
• A more complicated method is to integrate it into your existing water system, which may require some research depending on your set up.

 

Shower /bath water

Rather than wasting shower or bath water why not use this for your garden. Simply place a bucket in the bottom of your shower and then empty it once you have finished. Alternatively if you use a bath simply bucket the water out of the bath rather than letting it flow down the drain.

 

Water tank

Every house should have a rainwater tank, they are cheap (from under $1000) and easy to install and are available in a range of designs that allow them to blend with almost any house design. If you are able to get a large tank then is it worth having it professionally installed so that it can be used for the majority of your water needs (hooked into your existing plumbing). However even if you only get a small tank they come with a simple tap outlet that means you can fill water bottles, jugs etc to use the water for drinking and cooking.

In many places in Australia water supplies are treated with chemicals or have fluoride, chlorine etc added. While this may have some health benefits it can also lead to discolouration and an unpleasant taste. If you have unpleasant tasting water it is even more reason to install a rainwater tank.  

 

Gardens

By planting water wise plants and using dripper watering systems instead of traditional overhead sprinklers you can save huge amounts of water. Other simple actions, like using mulch, reducing the amount of lawn and planting water efficient lawns are also great ways of ensuring a water wise garden.

 

Every drop of water matters and we should do everything possible to reduce our use and wastage of this precious resource.

Eco Parties

It is time to start planning my little boys 1^st Birthday! Although it will only be a small gathering of friends and family I want it to be environmentally friendly while still being kind to my budget. After some research I have come up with this eco-friendly party guide.

There are a lot of places that supply eco-friendly party invitations, decorations, tableware’s etc., however if you have some time and the inclination you can really customise the party to suit your tastes by doing a little of the work yourself.

Invitations

Why not make your own invitations by using old greeting cards – simply cut the front picture off the rest of the cards and write you invitation on the back, not only will each invitation be unique it is a great way to recycle.

Venue

For my little boys birthday we are simply having a backyard party, to not only reduce the cost to us, but to reduce the amount of travel that the guest have to do. Many local parks are now equipped with shelter and BBQs as well as a playground, so they are also a great alternative for a party venue.

Decorations

If you want streamers and balloons at the party, you can be a bit limited on how eco-friendly you can go. Latex balloons are available in most shops now and while they are 100% biodegradable, there can still be some risk to wild animals as they break down (choking etc.).

If you want to make your own decorations there are several options as alternatives to traditional streamers.

• Paper Bunting – You could make your own bunting out of old magazines and twine (simply fold a magazine page in half, cut out a triangle with the fold as the base, open the page (it should look a bit like a diamond), place twine inside the fold and glue down. Repeat as many times as required).
• Material Bunting – if you are good at sewing, you could make a section of material bunting. Or many local handicraft markets now sell material bunting.
• Paper Chain – while it is ‘old school’ it can still look really effective and if the kids are old enough to help is gives them an afternoon of fun.

Food

Trying to be eco-friendly when it comes to food can sometimes be a little confusing. I simply follow some very basic rules.

• Use your own shopping bags
• Try to purchase products with minimal or no packaging
• Plan a menu that will maximise the use of each product (reducing waste)
• Buy organic if possible

Tableware

There are some online stores that are now selling compostable tableware (plates, cups, spoons etc), but personally I have simply decided to use the plates and cups that I use on a daily basis. Yes this will lead to me having to wash some dishes, but I would prefer this to buy and then throwing out disposable plates.

Games

If your child is old enough for games then there are some old favourites that really are eco-friendly.

• Pass the parcel is a great way of reusing newspaper before it goes in the recycling bin.
• Pin the tail on the donkey – why not draw your own on some recycled paper, or pin the tail / or something else (nose, mouth etc.) on a picture from a magazine.
• Musical statues and musical chairs are both great games that don’t require anything but music

Lolly bags

Even lolly bags can be eco-friendly by using recycled paper bags, making your own or why not give out reusable lunch wraps with a couple of lollies in. Stamping brown paper bags means that you can put your own personal touch to them, or why not get the kids to draw and colour in pictures on the bags.

Wrapping paper

While there is a huge variety of wrapping paper on the market today, why not get creative and eco-friendly by making your own.

• Using old newspaper or magazines as wrapping paper can create a unique eco-friendly look.
• 100% recycled brown paper (either plain or stamp it yourself)
• Reuse gift wrapping that you have received from other gifts
• Instead of wrapping presents why not make a birthday bag (similar to a Christmas stocking) and simply place presents inside unwrapped.

Party Suppliers

There are many party suppliers online and quite a few specialise in eco-friendly parties. Below is a list of some great eco-friendly suppliers.

• Eco Party Box (http://www.ecopartybox.com.au ) is a great online store that can supply everything you could possibly need for an eco-friendly party; they really are a one stop shop.

• Write to me (http://writetomestationery.wordpress.com ) have a beautiful range of invitations, lolly bags, wrapping paper and placemats.

• Eco Office Supplies (http://www.ecoofficesupplies.com.au/pages/products.html ) have a great range of compostable tableware and cleaning products.

• Think Eco (www.thinkeco.com.au ) are suppliers of catering products, serving ware and containers.

• The Eco Effect (www.ecoeffect.com.au ) has a range of wrapping paper, reusable lunch wraps and some very nice eco gifts.

Back to School – the eco way

It is almost that time of year again, when the Christmas rush is over and parents start looking forward to the beginning of the school year. To help you get a head start we have put together our top picks for back to school products, that are not only eco-friendly and safe for your child but super stylish.

Lunch Boxes…

Look no further than So Young Mother insulated lunch boxes. These super stylish lunch boxes are BPA and Lead free and come with a shoulder strap that enables it to be worn as a side satchel or backpack. There are a range of retro inspired designs to choose from including- Pink Giraffe, Blue Aeroplane, Red Scooter, Brown Horse, Orange Flower and Green Rocket.

 

Water Bottles…

There are great BPA free water bottles available at most supermarkets and department stores, but if you want your child to stand out from the crowd you can beat Stainless Steel Water bottles from Naturally Sustainable. They have a great range of designs and are available in sizes 380ml, 600ml and 1Ltr. They also have sports caps available, if you are the sporty type.

 

Reusable Lunch Wraps…

Imagine how much cling wrap you use every year wrapping sandwiches, now imagine how many zip lock bags you use each year – worried yet? Reusable lunch wraps are a great alternative that will not only save you money, but help save the planet at the same time. These are a must have for all school bags!!! Great for sandwiches, snacks and more, these lunch wraps are BPA free and fully machine washable. They are available in a variety of sizes and designs.

 Recycled Newspaper Coloured Pencils…

Mini coloured pencils made from recycled newspaper are great for school or for busy mums to carry in their bags for when the kids need entertaining. Presented in a cute recycled paper container, there are 12 pencils per set. 

 Reusable Coffee Cups…

Don’t forget to make sure that you look after yourself on those early mornings when you are rushing to get the kids to school. Reusable coffee cups are great for people on the run as you can take your morning coffee with you, or if you prefer to buy one ask your local coffee shop to fill yours rather than giving you a paper cup. Hookturn make great reusable coffee cups made of food grade silicon which are dishwasher and microwave safe, sturdy and stylish.

To get any of these great back to school products you can check out the manufacturers websites to find a stockist near you, or you can purchase all of these products and more online from the eco effect – http://www.ecoeffect.com.au

Eco Cleaning

When I walked into my local supermarket the other day to get some new cleaning products, I was amazed at the range available, everything from caustic soda based products through to those that claim to be environmentally friendly. Then there was the range of prices, from just over $1 through to $15 for one bottle.

 

Surely there is a simpler and cheaper way to ensure that my house is not only clean, but also free from harsh chemicals. After a little bit of research I think that I have found the answers!!!

 

• Good old salty water not only cleans but also deters insects.

 

• White vinegar is great for cleaning bathrooms, toilets or anywhere else that you would normally use bleach.

 

• Lemon juice is great for removing perspiration stains in clothes, simply dampen the article with lemon juice and salt before putting it in the wash.

 

• Boracic acid sprinkled in cupboards will banish cockroaches.

 

• Tea tree oil is great as a disinfectant, simply put a few drop in water and then wipe down areas or use it when mopping the floor.

 

• Bicarb soda can be used as an oven cleaner, mix with a little water to make a paste and smooth over oven areas that require cleaning. Leave for half an hour before cleaning off with a sponge.

 

The other household item that I have decided is essential to reducing your environmental impact (and the impact on your wallet) is a steam cleaning unit. Although the initial outlay can be costly (prices range from $120 – $800) they will save you heaps in the long run.

 

When purchasing a steam cleaner make sure that you get one with the mop attachment for all of your hard floors (tiles, wood, laminate, vinyl) and with the small attachments for cleaning grout, windows etc.