You may or may not have heard the term ‘upcycle’. Upcycling is similar to recycling except you give the old item more value, not less. It’s a great way to keep costs down and be kind to the earth. Last weekend I attended a workshop called “Upcycle: bring new life to your threads” put on …
A big part of downshifting is refusing to keep up with the Joneses. It’s making do and being content with what you have. Sounds simple but this can be a real struggle for some people, others find it a relief and quickly adjust to this way of thinking and living. For those who have trouble, …
One great way to simplify and save money is by making your own cleaners. Bicarb, vinegar etc are great however sometimes you want that little bit of extra grunt, and a lovely natural scent wouldn’t go astray either. That’s where this citrus cleaner comes in. This is not something I’d buy citrus fruit specifically for, …
This would have to be the most simple recipe ever. There are only two ingredients- red cabbage and mint. Whenever red cabbage is in season I buy one and make this salad. I usually make a huge bowl which lives in the fridge and makes an appearance at every lunch and dinner that week. I … Continue reading »
Children may be priceless but they do cost a lot of money to raise. It’s worth it of course, but there are a lot of unnecessary costs that can be eliminated with a little creative thinking. After her surgeries Wilhelmina required occupational therapy, something she’s still undergoing, and we try very hard to facilitate her … Continue reading »
Preparing the midweek meal can be a stressful affair. It needs to be nutritious, frugal, quick, and easy. Meal plans can go a long way to easing the stress of getting dinner on the table but it also helps to have a few stand-by midweek meals you can call on in times of needs. These zucchini … Continue reading »
With a toddler in cloth nappies we do a lot of washing. A lot of washing. Although it’s more economical than disposable nappies I wanted to reduce that cost even more so I decided to start making our own laundry liquid. In Rhonda Hetzel’s book Down To Earth she crunches the numbers and estimates making … Continue reading »
The Autumn chill has started to set in and this means hot drinks will be consumed more and more frequently! One of my favourites is masala chai, a delicious spiced tea. The spices seem to warm me up that little bit more than a regular cup of tea, so I find it perfect for colder … Continue reading »
Are you a kale lover? If you haven’t yet given kale a chance, or you have and you or members of your family weren’t too keen, you must give these kale crisps a go! The texture is divine. Large waxy leaves transform into bite sized wafers of heaven! And they are so simple to make! … Continue reading »
Sometimes life gets in the way of the best laid plans. Even when you know a certain event is approaching and you think you’re prepared life has a canny way of turning things upon their head, leaving you somewhere you never thought you’d be. In such situations I find it’s always best to go with … Continue reading »
