Author Archive for Brenda

Brenda writes…

On behalf of the team here at The Green Familia, I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and a very merry new year.  May 2009 be a healthy and happy year for you and your family.

We took a little break over the festive period and am gearing up for the new year.  Posting will get back to normal next week.  Look out for a fantastic competition from recently featured company - COOL GREEN ATTITUDE, coming up next week, we will also bring you the best in the sales roundups amongst other posts.

If you would like to try your hand at writing for The Green Familia, get in touch with us at brenda(at)thegreenfamilia.co.uk, not forgetting to add in the @ sign.

Brenda writes…

I have been saving this store as my Xmas gift to you, our readers on TGF.  Cool Green Attitude are a fab site that caters for the whole family and starting today they have started their January sale which is valid until the 31st January 2009.  With prices being slashed by upto 50%.  They are also offering you free Postage and Packaging for all orders over £75 in the UK.

Cool Green Attitude was inspired by 3 mums who have developed and created a unique organic and sustainable clothing range for children and adults that are more than just something to wear, but also something to think about.

All products are certified by the Soil Association in the UK, and produced under GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard).
They only use 100% certified organic cotton or 70% bamboo and 30% organic cotton in all of their products. Continued

Brenda writes…

Environment Secretary says ‘Grow Your Own to Save Money & the Planet’ and now Penney Poyzer shows you how on ooffoo.com
 
During the week where Environment Secretary Hilary Benn publicly encouraged people to grow their own fruit and vegetables in order to cut waste and save money, multiple award-winning eco retailer Natural Collection’s new online eco community site ooffoo.com published a live call-in (including a PDF summary sheet) with Penney Poyzer, celebrated green queen looking at how to kick-start growing your own vegetables in the New Year to save money and reduce waste. Continued

Brenda writes…

I was lucky enough to be sent a review copy of the fab Eco Hotels of the World Book, written by Alex Conti.  If you are planning a holiday, whether it be here in the Uk or to far reaching destinations, this really is a must read book.

What is it?

This is a book all about green destinations from all around the world, from the UK to New Zealand and more…  It gives you an in depth review of all 87 venues chosen.  Printed on FSC sustainable paper, by a printer who adheres to strict environmental standards and it has the carbon footprint offset.  Each destination has been awarded a green rating of 1 to 5 stars.  Whether you are looking for a luxury or you want to camp out in the desert this book has it all.  My kids have had great fun, picking out destinations of where we should be going and also learning a bit more about how it is possible to visit places, but still be eco-aware. Continued

Brenda writes…

Here are a few ethical christmas gift choices that would make your friends and family very happy this christmas.

Mini Spa Bag

Bellingham Soap Company make gorgeous soaps and bath goodies, which are made from entirely natural products.  This gift bag is made from sustainable jute bag, which includes 1 creamy soap and 1 fabulous fizz bath.  You have a choice of 3.  Price £10.

Green Glass Recycled Glasses - Sol Bottles

Ethical Superstore, a favourite here at TGF, has these cool glasses on sale.  They come in a pack of two and are made from recycled empty Sol bottles.  They stand at 23cm tall and hold approximately 330ml.  Perfect gift for the hubby, who has everything.  Price £11.74.

Enlaira Recycled Glass Vase

Biome Lifestyle, have this stunning looking eco-friendly vase for sale.  Which has pink butterflies on a black background.  Made from 100% post-consumer recycled glass, which is sea-freighted in from Spain.  Dimensions are 38 x 25cm.  Price £70.

Brenda writes…

Daisychain Baby has just celebrated its first month in business.  It is a hot new eco-friendly website, not only in its choice of products being sold, but how it operates as well.

Here are three of the best hot new products added recently to the Daisychain Baby website.

Goldfish Bowl Logo T-Shirt

This is a cute t-shirt that is made from 100% organic cotton and features eco-friendly  printing.  The t-shirt has an envelope neck for ease of getting off and on. Available in two sizes 12-18 and 18-24 months.  Designed by Milk & Cereal.  Price £10.99.

Unisex Denim Jeans

Made from 100% Bamboo, these cool jeans have an elasticated waist and front popper for ease of slipping on or off.  They also feature 6 pockets. Available in sizes 6-12, 12-18 or 18-24 months.  Designed by Bamboo Baby.  Price £25.

The Snowman Pyjamas

Recently we had a competition, which was kindly sponsored by Green Eyed Monster which was a hat and scarf set with The Snowman embroidery, so I instantly picked up these pj’s on my search of cool goodies for your little one.  Made from Organic cotton, with elasticated waist, ankles and cuffs these would make a great pressie for Christmas.  Available in one size 12-24 months.  Price £25.

Brenda writes…

Here is a fantastic newsworthy piece of information, that deserves to be shared with as many people, read it and pass on the link, so others can get involved

60 years on from the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights –

the UN has been called upon to officially recognise the rights of the Planet

10th December 2008 – today’s 60th anniversary of the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been chosen as an appropriate springboard for addressing the growing crisis of global climate change.  Choosing to launch a campaign for a UN Universal Declaration of Planetary Rights on this significant date is hoped to encourage people to recognise its urgency and importance in a bid to raise widespread awareness and positive action across the globe.

The Trees Have Rights Too campaign was introduced to the United Nations by Polly Higgins, on 6th November at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, in a bid to encourage this uniquely placed organisation to put in place the necessary steps to achieving this Universal Declaration.

Says Polly Higgins, “What is required is a seismic shift in our consciousness, rather than a mere reduction of emissions.  This shift should give full recognition of the duty of care that we owe to this beautiful planet. Just as the humanitarian crisis of the Second World War gave birth to the implementation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 60 years ago on 10th December 1948, so we now have a planetary crisis that needs to be addressed with equal urgency. Let this be the date when we take those first steps to seriously address this problem.”

Official advice from NASA’s James Hansen urges us as a civilisation to reduce our green house gas emissions to 350 parts per million from the current 385ppm.  Polly Higgins extends this, saying “It’s not merely a matter of reducing emissions, but also formally committing at a meaningful global level to a duty of care to the planet. We have to provide an inspirational legal foundation to create the legal tools to remedy the damage, pollution and loss as well as to protect that which is precious and still exists. Just as The Universal Declaration of Human Rights has provided us with the tools to fight for human rights so now we need to do the same to provide the necessary tools to fight for the planets rights”

Climate change is one of the symptoms of the damage humankind has caused by excessive consumption of the earth’s resources.  We have but a small window of opportunity to act – and that window is opening now.  The Trees Have Rights Too campaign for a Universal Declaration of Planetary Rights would create the international impetus to act now in our collective duty of care towards our ailing planet.

“We must speak for the Earth - We are the Earth”

http://www.treeshaverightstoo.com

Brenda writes…

Here are a selection of xmas goodies for you to choose from, from Green Rewards.

FSC Fairtrade Cheeseboard

Made from a selection of FSC certified stunning Brazilian woods, this would make a stunning board to display your organic cheese selection over the festive period. Size is 22 x 22cm. Price £24.

Pure EVOKE 1s DAB radio

This a one of the 3rd generation Pure DAB radios. It uses less power consumption in operation and standby than others, it is made using recycled and sustainable sources, comes with the minimum packaging, has preset stations, and an auxillary input for an iPod. Price £97.50.

Pants to Poverty ‘Santa Pants’ Boxer

Pants to Poverty want to rid the world of “bad pants”. There pants are made from organic and fairtrade cotton. These are perfect for the man in your life to wear on Christmas Day as a bit of fun. Available in small, medium or large. Now with 20% off, was £9.75 now £7.80.

Brenda writes…

Here a few more ideas, coming from Natural Collection for xmas gifts, if you are still in the market for buying gifts this year.

NaturaLeigh Classical Organic Lavender Collection Gift Bag

Coming in a classical gift bag, is this divinely scented organic lavender bubble bath and two hand-crafted NaturaLeigh soaps.  Price £10.72.

Retro Snowflake Jumper

Available in either a Charcoal or Grey colour.  It is available in one size only and has to be handwashed.  It has a pure wool outer layer and a polyester fill fleece lining.  Price £39.10.

Medium Fair Trade Balinese Mosaic Dishes

These gorgeous decorative only Mosaic Dishes, would look stunning on your dining table.  They are 30cm in diameter, available in a choice of two colours - red/brown or turquoise/gold.  Price £14.63.

Brenda writes…

There is a new day nursery opening up in Ealing, West London. It is called Little Acorns Day Nursery. It is run by a very professional team, led by Teresa Stear, who has over 25 years in the business and has managed successfully previous nurseries.

Little Acorns will be opening up their doors to their little visitors in January 2009. If you are interested in finding out more details and having a look at the nursery, they are having an open day on 10th December 2008, check here for more details regarding the open day.

At the moment they have a special offer on, register before the 5th January 2009 and you will receive the first week’s fees free.