Seaside Sparkles

#ecosparkles2018 : Week 6

Published on February 8, 2018 by seasidesparklesLeave a comment

I was thinking this week that some of this project is not about doing but not doing. For example, I love glossy magazines but I started to think about the energy costs involved for what these days sometimes seems to be adverts and not quality pieces. It occurred to me that blogs are filling that void with interesting, relevant posts and do I need to have the magazines? So one of my eco activities has been not to buy any of this month’s glossy magazines. When I was in town last week I found myself really questioning my need for products, I bought what I needed but didn’t succumb to any other purchases. Here are more of my ecosparkles this week .

This week I have been looking at seasonal foods, rather than choose a recipe and then go shopping I did it the other way. I chose seasonal vegetables and then looked up a recipe in my cookery bible, Good Housekeeping. The parsnip and potato rosti was gorgeous, who would have thought of nutmeg with those vegetables? I’ve also bought this poster to display in my kitchen to promote seasonal eating. https://www.lizcookcharts.co.uk/seasonal-uk-fruit-and-vegetable-chart.html
It was time to tidy up this week and I took all the out of date and used medicines to the chemist to be disposed of safely and not harm our environment in landfill.
I have been looking at food packaging carefully. We have lots of small independent shops in our town who do use paper bags and I always try to use these shops. Sadly there is no independent grocer and no food market until Easter so vegetables and fruit can be quite packaged in the supermarket. I’m finding myself frustrated with trying to prepare a green lunch, my pleas to return the tin foil have varied results. However I have found these beeswax sandwich covers to try. https://www.asliceofgreen.co.uk/food-wraps-and-bags/robots-large-baggie.html

Creating Childhood Memories

Published on February 6, 2018 by seasidesparklesLeave a comment

The above is from a tweet which went viral this week and which I have thought about a lot. I think its simplicity in a digital world is a poignant reminder of what is important to our children. It also reminded me that it is not material possessions which are remembered but a feeling of being loved, involved and belonging.

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about what makes my children happy, its always the simple things, playing at the skate park or on the beach, baking cakes and licking the bowl, having a movie afternoon cuddled up on the sofa, a kick around in the garden. It is often about just being in the moment and doing something as a family or with friends.

Before I became a mum, I knew the type of mum I wanted to be, most of it based on the opposite to my own childhood, which whilst not unhappy was quite chaotic. I wanted to be a present mum, happy in myself and happy being mum.

When we realised that we would become parents through adoption, I understood through my professional background the importance of secure attachment. We have worked hard to create a secure feeling for our children. Whilst I recognise how lucky we are to be able to do what we have done, thanks to understanding bosses, reassessing our priorities etc.. our family has always been at the heart of all our decisions. Its been a journey of trial and error but we now both work part time to ensure that one of us is always there for the school runs, we’re always early so the children never have to fear being left behind and at least one of us is always there for every concert, assembly, sports day, nativity etc.. to wave and encourage. At home, we always sit down to meals together where we talk, we make plans as a family and plot it on our calendar, we constantly reassure the children that we are their forever family and that they will always have a home with us even when we’re doddery, old pensioners. There are so many other little things we do too, all we want is for our children to have that indescribable feeling of being, loved, wanted and belonging.

When I look at the second tweet, I’m quite proud that actually the children do a lot of what’s on the list. I hope we set an example of being kind to not just friends and family but to all. We read books; even at nearly 9 and 10 years old, we always read a story to the children every night and I really don’t ever want to stop this. We spend a lot of time together as a family, but also have started to allow the children more independence (scary but essential) Fortunately living at the seaside we’re at the beach a lot, there is nothing quite like collecting the children from school and walking to the beach until early evening, its like a mini holiday on a school day! There’s also a lot of ice cream shops at the seaside so I think we can confidently tick that one off too.

I hope my children will look back to their childhood with happy memories of sunny days on the beach, ice creams, dancing with mummy in the kitchen, helping daddy in the garden and many family adventures.

#ecosparkles2018 : Weeks 4 and 5

Published on February 2, 2018 by seasidesparklesLeave a comment

Its been a busy few weeks and I haven’t been able to develop this little project as I would have hoped to. I’m hoping to do some research on topics relevant to my lifestyle to see how I can make life more eco friendly. Despite the busyness, I have been continuing with the project and here are some of the things I’ve done.

I’ve been to collect my new food caddies. Our old ones were damaged and unable to be used, so I ordered new ones online and am now saving my food waste again. I also got a battery recycling bag and lots of leaflets and advice on how to recycle more.
Mr S has been making some new raised beds for growing vegetables and I have helped prepare them. He has done most of the work, but I did help line them and move them into position in the garden. We also borrowed a wheel barrow from a neighbour to move the soil rather than go and buy a new one for this job. Sharing is caring!
Disposable cups used : 0 The most difficult aspect of this is not take away drinks but the water fountain at work with its plastic cups.
Plastic bags purchased : 0 I am being really good at remembering to always have bags in my bag and being prepared for my trip.

I think my focus for the next few weeks is looking at the seasonal foods for February and using less food packaging. Happy eco living.

#18for2018 : Bake a soufflé

Published on January 30, 2018 by seasidesparklesLeave a comment

At the end of December, I listened to a podcast by Gretchen Rubin, author of the Happiness Project. Her subject was about creating a #18for2018 and encouraging her audience to create a list of 18 things to do in 2018 to make them happy. Its not resolutions but simply tasks to make you happy, it could be finally ticking off something mundane but essential that you keep putting off, or trying something exciting and new. I created my list and this month have been mainly planning as many are summer based activities. Its not just been research as I have booked tickets to see Wicked in October for number 8, have dates for the kayaking course and have bought some new make up this month. For me, the list is not simply about doing something but getting the buzz and satisfaction of planning and looking forward.

I decided that I wanted to complete at least one item fully in January so took one of the easier tasks and chose to bake a soufflé. First of all it might seem quite a random task, but to me a soufflé is always one of those dishes spoken about in revered tones, something seemingly quite technical with the potential to go wrong (dramatically) I love being in the kitchen and experimenting with new dishes, I can do pies from scratch, mix delicate flavours, cook a risotto just so but the confidence to bake a soufflé had always eluded me.

I am one of those people who likes to be prepared, so I researched a number of different recipes to see the different ways in which to make a soufflé. I read some advice and got some handy hints to stop the disasters, I quickly learnt that the number 1 rule was not to open the oven during the cooking. I chose to make the soufflé as a Saturday evening meal, as the afternoons are normally pretty relaxed at home, giving me the time to potter in the kitchen, to listen to the radio and be relaxed. To me this is part of the project too, creating a happy place whilst you complete the task. The soufflé itself was pretty easy to prepare, I am all for dividing a recipe into little stages. The bit I was dreading most was whisking the egg whites to a perfect state and then combining with the remaining ingredients. Fortunately, this went smoothly and there was a real sensory delight in seeing the transformation from egg white to white soft peaks. I was exceptionally good at not opening the oven, despite the temptation and I was delighted with the result, the soufflé rose and stayed risen until served. It was delicious, a soft, light main with green vegetables, even my most hardened food critic and picky eater enjoyed it.

My soufflé did give me a happy vibe, I enjoyed browsing my cookbooks for a recipe, being in my kitchen and baking a meal which my family enjoyed. Some times the simplest tasks bring a simple happiness and joy.

January 2018

Published on January 29, 2018 by seasidesparklesLeave a comment

From the sublimely brilliant Serious Concerns by Wendy Cope. This book has been so well loved and read over the years. Its inscribed with my name and date of purchase, 24 years ago!

I am genuinely an upbeat, positive and hopeful person. I’m a cheerleader, always looking for something to celebrate and am pretty content with life. However this first month of January has been long, grey and dull. I have never known a month where it has been so grey and wet, there have been days on end when our town has been covered in a sea mist, the dreary skies and the heaviness of the clouds really can affect your mood. I enjoy being outside, particularly walking or running, but even this has had not had the same positive effect. I can do bright, cold days its the incessant grey and drizzle which has been so draining.

January 2018 has been a month to nest indoors and to plan; my #18in 2018 has definitely helped to shape my plans for the year and I’ve had fun researching my projects and booking activities. Its also been a time to create comforting food in the kitchen, there have been lots of roasts and new recipes to prepare, trying to give a warmth and colour to our meals. I’ve also been reading cuddled up in my chair with a blanket and cup of tea, I suppose this month has given us the excuse to stay in and be cosy. But I need those glimpses of spring now, the burst of colour from a bunch of tulips, slightly lighter evenings, new clothes catalogues to browse and choose new outfits for the warmer weather, the winter sun to burn out the dreary sky. January was a hard month but its good to know that the promise of Spring is finally on its way.

Our kitchen table

Published on January 24, 2018 by seasidesparklesLeave a comment

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This little corner of my house, the kitchen table is my happy place. When we had our kitchen redesigned I knew that I wanted a large kitchen table to be the centre piece of the room. A table where we could all sit together for meals and simply take time to be together. The table itself extends so we can easily sit 8 around it. We have windows on both sides of the kitchen so you can look out into the garden from wherever you sit at the table. There is a fig tree in a neighbour’s garden and its a pleasure to look at all the little birds feed in the tree as you sit at the table. I love to decorate the small window by the table, I always keep my light box with a little message displayed on the window sill and during the year it is decorated for Christmas, Easter and Halloween. The table is always the centrepiece for birthday mornings, with balloons, presents and birthday bunting adorning the table.

There is so much family life which happens around this table. All our meals are eaten at the table, even though we have a dining room! I’m a real stickler for all trying to eat together, there’s a no device rule at the table and for the same reason I don’t have a TV in the kitchen either. We do talk lots and its a great way to catch up with everyone. The table is also used for one of my favourite times of day, the after school snack, as its winter, we have hot chocolates and a little snack to warm up and to all just relax a little. The table is also used for homework, the children are not yet at the stage for doing it independently, so I will sit down to help and perhaps write a few to do lists as I keep them company and check on their progress. The table is also used for fun, we play board games here, our current favourite since Christmas is Monopoly, the children love it. If adult friends pop round,we’re most likely to sit and chat around the kitchen table its just welcoming and relaxing, in the summer the back door will be open and the breeze will gently fill the room. Its at this table that I sit and think, plan, write and create, whether it be a little sewing project or some arts and crafts with the littlies. Its also a place to listen to the radio, the station is mood dependent normally radio 2 or 4 with the occasional local station, or to enjoy some music on my phone. When I’m older I hope that I will continue to sit at the table and feel in the wood, the memories and warmth of a family life time of memories.

The light is perfect for a bit of sewing at the table

There’s something special to return home after a school run and to sit at my table and to plan, write etc..

#Ecosparkles2018 : Week 3

Published on January 17, 2018 by seasidesparklesLeave a comment

Its been a quiet, simple week here and I’ve not done anything big for this project. As promised last week, I went onto the council website to discover all the materials I could recycle. I was also able to order a replacement food bin as ours is damaged and a bag for recycling batteries. Other green activities last week include

Driving fewer miles. I’ve calculated that I drove less than 10 miles in the whole of last week after making a conscious effort to walk more. Living and working in the same small town means that shops, school, work, beach etc.. are all in a mile radius of home, so walking becomes a realistic option. My main need for the car is mornings when I take the children to school and need to be at work very quickly. Very few of my car journeys are alone, I either have the children with me or share the ‘commute’ with a colleague.
Recycling foil. I didn’t know that I could recycle my kitchen foil so that is now being done. I’ve asked the children to bring the foil home from their packed lunches so we can recycle or reuse but its been met with mixed results this week.
No plastic bags purchased nor disposable cups used. This is a target I’m trying to maintain for the year, so far so good.

The Simple Life, a new accessory and making plans #littleloves

Published on January 13, 2018 by seasidesparklesLeave a comment

So after the back to school last week, this week has been about getting back into the swing of things and new plans. The return to clubs bought letters home about dance exams, a production, trips out and suddenly my year which I thought was all neatly planned looks a whole lot busier. Thankfully with Mr S no longer working away, it will be easier to co-ordinate. Its also been a week of coughs and cold, Little Man got it the worse, as he normally does because of his eczema and asthma and was off school for a couple of days, the rest of us are all sniffing and cosying up under extra blankets.

I am really serious about living a greener, simpler life this year so have read this short Penguin special by the Australian author, Rhonda Hetzel. Its a book which asks you to focus clearly on what your values and goal are and offers solid advice. I like that she doesn’t demand a total green dedication but allows you to work out what fits into your lifestyle, the author herself argues her life needs to include her car and computer, it makes it all a little more achieveable.

This week, I’ve not watched much television, preferring to read or plan and write in my notebooks. On Thursday evening, I did accompany a school trip from the school where I work to our local theatre to see the pantomime, Robinson Crusoe. Our students loved it and participated well. Whilst the story was an interesting interpretation and some jokes very local, it was a fun night out for all.

Last weekend, I did some research into my #18for 2018 and started to make plans. Many of my activities are summer based so there’s not much I can do at present. However I did make a booking to see Wicked in October so that’s one nearly ticked off. I am very excited and may have already been thinking of an outfit to wear, I’ve always fancied a green velvet skirt.

Last weekend, I listened to Charlie Brooker’s Desert Island Discs, in which as well as playing some rather surreal music choices, he spoke about lying in bed listening to music wearing a headband. I always listen to the radio in bed and often end up twisted and half strangling myself with my headphones. His comment inspired me to do an Amazon search and I purchased this, Bluetooth (so no wires) head band, you can wear it a variety of ways, over the eyes, as a hair band etc.. but it is fabulous and very comfortable for listening to music. I also use the timer function on my phone so it doesn’t play all night.

After booking the tickets to Wicked, I’ve been listening to the soundtrack and having some musical inspired playlists for my walks and runs. (At this time of year when its so dark and our pavements are in such disrepair, I run in daylight and walk in the dark as I’ve never properly recovered my confidence from a fall when running in the dark) The music has only added to my excitement for our theatre trip.

This is a post inspired by Morgan’s excellent linkie, however I’m not linking it up formally as I’m not able to read and comment on the other posts as I would love to. My blog always has and always will be a hobby. Recently especially on Twitter, I’ve been reading a lot what bloggers should and shouldn’t do, like a post if its an ad, comment, retweet and the expectations all seem a bit scary and overwhelming for a hobby. I will continue to read my favourite blogs of which there are many and comment when I can and write my own little thoughts. Good luck to all the bloggers who are trying to grow their blogs and develop a career in blogging, you go ladies, we need your voices and there are some amazing writers and blogs out there. Good luck x

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#ecosparkles : Week 2

Published on January 10, 2018January 10, 2018 by seasidesparkles2 Comments

Whilst I wrote earlier this week of my attempt at a green shopping trip, I have had some little green successes this week.

No disposable cups! Not only did I take a cup on my shopping trip, I also took it on my weekly lunch treat. Once a week, my colleague and I head to the gorgeous little café in town for a takeaway homemade soup and bread. Today we both took our reusable mugs and the owner was more than happy to fill them up with the tastiest lentil, coconut and sweet potato soup!
Decluttering. Yep its that time of the year when I am working my way, room by room through the house to tidy and sort each area. I did the children’s bedrooms this week and sent some clothes, clean and in good condition to the charity shop. There were some stained and damaged clothes and rather than throw these away I cut the t shirts up to make some rag cloths. The jeans which were worn through at the knees have become a pair of denim shorts to wear whilst mucking around in the garden. As well as the clothes, I sent some games and books to the charity shop and recycled paper. There was very little thrown away, apart from used pens for which I need some ideas.
No plastic bags. Whilst I haven’t bought a plastic bag Mr S insisted on buying one despite my alternative offers when he bought some trousers in Next. I was really annoyed with him, it felt like he was ruining my little project, something he is a bit bemused about at present. I just hope that my positive action will rub off on him soon.

I have a few little ideas for next week’s ecosparkles I’m going to see exactly what I can recycle at my local tip and see if I can reduce our landfill.

Trying to be green

Published on January 6, 2018 by seasidesparklesLeave a comment

My resolution this year is to try and be more environmentally friendly and I have created a little hashtag #ecosparkles2018 to illustrate my efforts over the year. I want to see how easy it is to be more ecologically aware by adopting very simple habits, for example I’m hoping not to buy any plastic bags this year or use any disposable cups. Today was my first big test with a trip to big town. I was prepared, I had several bags for my shopping, a reusable coffee cup and I even cheekily took some spare coat hangers I had from my decluttering yesterday to see if I could recycle them in a shop. There were some successes today, I used all the bags and didn’t need any additional and the Sainsbury’s cashier happily agreed to recycle my hangers.

However there were some little things I hadn’t prepared for, the trip took longer than anticipated and Little Miss and I needed a quick bite to eat. The green and more comfortable option would have been to pop into a café but I was on a tight timescale so we ended up with a takeaway, my daughter’s lunch was served simply in a paper bag, a pretty good packaging option and I had a takeaway salad in a plastic box with a plastic fork, not great eco packaging. However to try and make the best of the situation, I took our used packaging to the recycling area of a supermarket as there were no recycling bins in the shopping precinct. Unfortunately the area was only for recycling clothes, paper, books and silver foil. I couldn’t take the used tub home as it had dressing in it which might spill onto my other shopping, so despite my best intentions and search for a green option I ended up throwing it away and feeling guilty. That was frustrating as I had looked hard for a recycling option and it wasn’t there. This was in a busy town centre and I would have expected some recycling bins around the shops, takeaways etc.. to help people make little green gestures.

My other observation from today was around cruelty free make up. I went to Superdrug today which has a good reputation for cruelty free products. I found some of the brands I was looking for and bought a new foundation and mascara which I needed. What surprised me was the air miles involved in these products as some were made in China. To me this also raises the ethical argument of China being the country which is insisting on testing on animals, producing cruelty free make up which I presume cannot be sold in the state. It just doesn’t sit right with me on a number of levels so as well as cruelty free, I’m now looking for make up not made in China and with as few air miles as possible.

Today’s trip has shown the need to be prepared, that you can ask shops to help you be more eco friendly, eg the recycled coat hangers but that there is much more to be done by councils to encourage recycling in busy town centres.

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