How to get your family on board with decluttering

July 19, 2021 · Leave a Comment

How to get your family on board with decluttering

By Cari Milton, decluttering and organising coach at Clutter Free with Caz

Tell me if this sounds familiar.

You’ve spent way more time than you’d like cleaning the house. The space is feeling tidy and relaxed and it makes you absurdly happy. It may not be magazine layout perfect, but things are where they belong for the most part.

You enjoy a cup of tea in your happy place… and then it happens.

Maybe it’s the kids pulling out toys, leaving them discarded like the debris field of a plane wreck, in their search for that one specific thing they really wanted. They don’t play with most of it, but struggle to let a single thing go.

Or your partner comes home, leaving their keys and other random items piled on the table where they collect other clutter to them like an electromagnet. It could be a hobby that creeps into the rest of the house, until you find paraphernalia in every single room… or worse, there’s a mountain of stuff that hasn’t been touched since the cretaceous period (ok, slight exaggeration there!) but they can’t possibly part with it.

The allure of one day having the time or energy to use it is strong.

You mentally throw your hands in the air and resign yourself to living with clutter, because you don’t know how to get your family on board.

I talk to a lot of women about clutter and what their challenges are in tackling it. That story is their most common pain point! I don’t have a magic wand to wave (if wishing made it so!), and it won’t happen overnight, but here are a few strategies for infecting them with the clutter free bug!

♥ First, make it fun!

Let’s be real, if it feels like a chore, it’s going to be met with resistance. Make it a game for the kids, get silly with them. Record a video of you (and them) doing the tidy up and then play it at ridiculous speed. Watch them crack up as they see themselves zooming around the screen. Set a challenge… if they keep things where they belong instead of the floor for an agreed amount of time (even just a day to start with!), have a treat with them.

Keep a basket somewhere the family can put items to donate. It may take a while for this to catch on if they are younger, because kids often view their stuff as an extension of themselves. We have one and it fills up every few weeks!

♥ Second, Lead by example.

Get your own stuff in order first. Declutter your closet, donate things you don’t use anymore, toss out anything unusable. If you’re the head chef in the house, declutter the kitchen so you have only what you use and need. Make sure your personal desk area is clutter free. Let them see you enjoying the benefits of being clutter free!

♥ Third, set them up to succeed!

If you’ve got kids, start as young as possible by giving them less stuff. Advertising convinces parents they need every contraption under the sun for their little darling, but we got through millennia as a species without seven different types of items to hold our babies when they weren’t in our arms.

You don’t need most of it. Consider experience gifts over toys… a day trip somewhere fun creates memories you’ll both cherish… and no clutter! If you do give toys, go for quality over quantity. One well made toy that will last is a much better option than several things grabbed from the shelves of the local discount store! You’ll be picking up the broken pieces of those within days.

♥ Fourth, communicate!

Talk to the family about why you are decluttering. ‘Laundry piles up because we have too many clothes! Let’s pare down so it’s less overwhelming.’ Or ‘If we donated some of these toys you’ve outgrown, you’d be able to find your favourites so much easier!’ Remind partners what the benefits are, if they make homes for their things, they’ll never have to tear the house apart searching for their keys (for example).

♥ Fifth, give them the tools they need.

Help them by setting up systems that will work for them and for you! For kids, a toybox is a recipe for disaster, because when everything goes in one container, they inevitably must dig for things. Try baskets or bins on shelves instead and label the heck out of everything! If they can see Barbie goes in this bin, things are more likely to end up where they belong. If your little ones are pre-reading age, use picture labels for easy recognition.

The same works for partners and other grown-ups, too. Labelled containers are your friend! Start with something they use often, like your utility drawer. I don’t know about you, but my techy Virgo husband would be almost giddy at the sight of the batteries, cords, and those tiny tech accessories all being in clear, labelled containers. I’m pretty sure if we tallied up the amount of time he has spent searching for those types of things in his life, it would add up to months!

Once they have the tools, give them the opportunity to fail too. Don’t automatically swoop in to save the day when they can’t find something. Sometimes a little tough love is needed to form new habits… make some suggestions on where it might be and remind them where it should be. But let them try to find it for themselves.

♥ Last, create your own clutter free zone!

This is a marathon, not a sprint. You’re going to need to carve out your own little clutter free zone where you can retreat to keep from losing your *$%@ while you work with them on learning new habits.

Trust me. It will be worth it.

I hope these tips have given you some ideas on how to get your family on board with decluttering.

Interested in more help and advice? Hop on my mailing list or book in for a session or course.

About Caz

Caz Milton is a Decluttering & Organising Coach who helps busy women go from being stressed and overwhelmed by clutter in their homes to feeling in control with organised, clutter free spaces!

She has spent decades helping family and friends declutter just for fun and is coming up on her first anniversary in business. Caz absolutely lives for the transformations she makes in her clients lives and their feedback makes her as giddy as a schoolgirl!

Caz lives in sunny Queensland, Australia with her hunky husband, 3 teens, and a menagerie of critters in a tiny suburban home. You can usually find her writing saucy novels, cross stitching snarky samplers, or organising the pantry. Again.

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Would you like to feature on Natural New Age Mum? Get in touch: sonia @ naturalnewagemum.com

How to do a $10 Christmas

December 1, 2019 · Leave a Comment

We had a $10 Christmas last year and it was so wonderful, that we are adopting this tradition for ever more.

I haven’t really seen a $10 Christmas concept around so when I asked on socials if anyone was interested in hearing about it, the response was overwhelming!

So here we are, I am going to share with you our tips and gift ideas to create your own $10 Christmas tradition.

“A recent Australian survey by McCrindle Research has shown that 78.5% of Australians have received a present that they didn’t want. 13.7% of people will throw away these unwanted presents – meaning they go unused from manufacturer to landfill.” ~ Clean Up Australia

Why did we do a $10 Christmas?

Basically we were fed up with ‘stuff’ and the gross consumerism of Christmas!

As a family we have long been conscious consumers and our Christmases have always been very low-key.

Last year in December, we had decluttered, downsized and moved to a smaller house. I suggested we cut back even further and limit gift purchases to ten dollars or under.

Luckily the family thought it was a brilliant idea. We were all keen to avoid adding loads more stuff back into our new house!

Why stress?

I know that for many people, gift giving has become a ridiculously stressful ordeal. There are expectations of a certain dollar spend, having to buy for lots of people, actually getting to the shops and doing all the shopping and then wrapping everything, having anxiety about what to buy and if the recipient will like it and use it and more! Then the credit card bill arrives in January just before the school expenses begin.

I think that all that stress, anxiety and overwhelm start to over-ride the joy of gift giving and gifts can become infused with negative energy. There was a time when kids were happy to just get an orange for Christmas in their stocking! Christmas can be simply a lovely family time to spend together and celebrate, not a huge spending spree that ends up in debt.

Keep it simple

My first tip is to scale right back and keep it very simple. We limit the gift buying to just the immediate family. This year we have decided to go even thriftier and make the gifts from each couple, not individuals.

Have a chat to the extended family and see what you can work out. Maybe you could do a $10 Kris Kringle if the aunts and uncles still want in or maybe just buy for the kids.

Cheap doesn’t mean nasty

I was very adamant that buying $10 gifts didn’t mean we were going to buy cheap AND nasty stuff. Just budget-friendly stuff!

By nasty stuff, I mean anything poor quality or novelty that will end up unused and unwanted in landfill and anything unethical that was so cheap that someone, somewhere was exploited.

Second-hand is a winner

For some reason, giving a pre-loved gift seems to come with a stigma of being stingy. Not in our family! We actively celebrate the amazing things we have found for under $10 and congratulate each other on the find.

Check out your local op shop (find my tips here for op shopping), vintage stores, buy swap and sell groups, Facebook marketplace and places like Reverse Garbage and tip shops. You can find lots of things still in original packaging if second-hand bothers you. We don’t buy anything that’s in poor condition or grotty! A quick wash or polish can be needed though.

Op shopping is a little bit harder than regular shopping as it’s lucky dip! If you can devote half a day, visit a few op shops and see what’s on offer. Many times you will find three or four op shops conveniently located together. If I am out and about on errands, I will pop in and have a quick look in my local shops to see what new stuff they have in. If you want to get really serious, visit those more affluent suburbs where the quality of donations tends to be better.

You can also regift anything received throughout the year that you don’t have a use for. I keep a basket in a cupboard for these and then either regift or donate.

Ideas for gifts $10 and under

The family and I find the challenge of gifting amazing things under $10 lots of fun! You do have to be a bit more creative and think outside the box.

Here is a list of things that we gifted each other and some other ideas you could do as well.

Books. Many book shops will have a great selection of books under $10 – check out those pop ups where everything is $5 or $7. My daughter found a beautiful set of animal oracle cards for $7 and I found a book on numerology for my son’s partner at QBD for $10. QBD also have a whole online section of discounted books under $10. Second hand book shops and op shops are great for books too. My mum received a brand new Food Safari cookbook from me last year and it only cost $4!

Toys. Depending on their age, kids won’t notice if their toy is second hand or new. Op shops always have a selection of toys, board games, sporting equipment and sometimes electronics for kids. I found my son a ‘Star Wars Family Feud’ board game for $2 which has provided us with lots of laughs. You could also hold a ‘Toy Swap’ with some friends and get free toys! Older kids and teens are able to understand the eco implications of too much stuff and hopefully will be on board with the plan. It could also be a fantastic learning tool to research things for their wish list that meet the $10 requirement. We tend to make Christmas low key and birthdays a bit more special with gifts up to $50, so that could be a new tradition in your house too that keeps the kids happy.

DIY Beauty Products. These are very easy and fun to make. My daughter made us all a beautiful lavender body scrub in upcycled glass jars last year. Krissy Ballinger has an awesome book, The Inspired Little Pot with all sorts of easy recipes for DIY beauty and home products including these gorgeous bath bombs. I am using her lip balm recipe to make a gift for my son’s partner this year. You can personalise it with some cute labels and different essential oils.

Plants. My son chose an easy option last year and just went to the local nursery and bought everyone a plant! New plants are always welcome.

Food. It really can be as simple as a box of chocolates, tin of special tea or basket of fresh cherries. If you have time, make a big batch of something yummy, pop it into some glass jars and whack on a Christmasy ribbon or a bit of twine and foliage. Here are 25 Real Food Homemade gift ideas to get you started.

DIY Gifts. Okay, this does take a bit more time and effort, but things lovingly made are such treasures. You don’t even have to be that crafty or clever – there are loads of ideas out there that are very easy to execute. Here are a few to get you inspired. It can also be as simple as a photograph or postcard in a nice frame.

Handmade. Have a browse around your local markets for beautiful things made by hand.

Eco-friendly. My favourite eco stores have whole sections online devoted to budget gifts. Check out the soaps and tote bags at Biome.

Clothes and Jewellery. This is where op shops really come into their own! For this year’s Christmas, I found my son a Politix business shirt and a Mossimo t-shirt for $6 and $2.50 respectively. A quick google online shows the value of these as around $150 and $30. They are in perfect condition. I also found two nice pairs of pants for my mum for a combined total of $6.00. A few months ago, the op shop gods delivered a Spell dress for $5! I really should have saved that for my daughter for Christmas but I was too excited and gave it to her! This year she is getting a gorgeous aventurine necklace and bracelet set from the op shop which was half price and exactly $10.

Homewares. Again op shops and Facebook marketplace are amazing for quality homewares at a fraction of their retail price. Last week at my local op shop, I found a stainless steel coffee moka pot for $4 and an insulated drink thermos in original packaging for $6. Most kitchen shops would at least have cute coffee cups under $10.

Other stuff. I could keep going and be here all day, but I’ll wrap this up for you with a few other things we have gifted. I found my son a large Reebok sports bag as new for $6, my mum got me some teeny bird statues for the garden, we found a new wooden painting easel for my daughter on Facebook marketplace for $5 (although I ended up giving the lady $10 because it really was worth a lot!).

When it comes to wrapping gifts, we use Santa Sacks (basically fabric bags in Christmas prints) that we have had for years. I pop them out on Christmas Eve and everyone adds their gifts (without peeking in!).

On Christmas morning, we all get our bag and take it in turns to pull out one gift each. It’s really lovely and mindful and we all get to see and appreciate each gift instead of it being a frenzied free for all. Here are some more ideas for eco-friendly gift wrapping.

This is my Christmas shopping all done for the year as mentioned throughout the article. Seven gifts, three op shops, two hours and all for under $45. Yes, I am loving myself sick!!! 😉

How do I get the family onboard?

I think once you explain all the benefits of a $10 Christmas to your family and present it as a fun challenge, they can see that it’s a great idea. If anyone is resistant, they are totally fine to do what they want to do but you can still go ahead with your plans to gift them a $10 gift! Here are some great tips to navigate gift giving with the extended family.

What do you think? Would you give the $10 Christmas a go? I found it so fun and so liberating. Best of all, I love that I don’t have a huge credit card bill due in January! I hope these tips and ideas have given you some inspiration and a starting point. Let me know if you have any questions!

If you are up for the challenge, I would love you to tag me on socials and show off what you’ve come up with and what your ideas are. You can also use the hashtag #atendollarchristmas

How to do a $10 Christmas

Want to read more?

How to do a $10 Christmas

Check out my eco-friendly tips for a very green Christmas.

Top ten tips for a Stress-Free Christmas.

Here is Lindsey from Treading My Own Path on why she completely opts out of Christmas.

Love List ~ October 18

October 18, 2018 · Leave a Comment

Love List ~ October 18

I haven’t done a Love List in ages and I quickly realised the year was slipping by very fast! There are so many awesome things and some exciting news that I want to share with you.

Check out what my made my latest Love List!

♥ Amazing Oils Baby Calm Gel

I have been using Amazing Oils magnesium products for years! I absolutely love how well they work and of course I love supporting a family-owned Aussie business.

Amazing Oils has just released a roll-on magnesium gel specifically for babies and small kids. Magnesium Chloride can help kids with sleep, irritability, restlessness and growing pains.

The roll-on makes it easy to apply and gently massage into their feet and lower legs before bed-time. You could also keep it in your handbag for when you are out and about too!

Check out the Baby Calm Gel here.

♥ Waters Co Water Filter

I have had my Waters Co Water Filter for over five years now and I absolutely love it! I am so excited to share that I have just teamed up with this amazing Aussie company as an ambassador.

I will be talking more about Waters Co in coming articles, but I wanted to let you know the news and give you the heads up about a great sale they are having. You can save up to $100 on a water filter right now!

Get Waters Co Water Filters here.

♥ Shine From Within

This gorgeous new book from Amanda Rootsey is a beautiful resource for teenage girls. Amanda runs Shine from Within workshops on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland and has put all of her brilliant advice into a book!

Shine From Within helps girls navigate their teen years with a positive, fresh take on self-image and overall wellbeing. Amanda’s relatable and down to earth approach in this book will appeal to teen girls looking for some gentle ‘big sister’ guidance.

Get Shine from Within here.

♥ Berry Yum Biotics Bar

I had every intention of taking some beautiful photos of these bars, but the teenagers demolished the lot before I had a chance. Two thumbs up from everyone here!

Nutra Organics whole food bars are one of the very few packaged snacks I am happy to give to my family to eat. The ingredients are brilliant and they are only $2.65 a bar!

With real raspberries and blueberries for flavour, they are certified organic, all natural, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free and they taste soooo good! Keep in mind that they are still a treat food but one that has better quality ingredients packed with vitamins, minerals and probiotics.

Get Berry Yum Biotics Bars here.

♥ Patch Organic Strips

Finally! Band-aids that are not plastic! Aussie-owned company, Patch, has made these awesome hypoallergenic, biodegradable organic strips. And packaged in a plastic-free, re-usable cardboard tube. Genius.

Made with 100% organic bamboo fibre, they come in plain or enriched with wound-healing aloe vera, coconut oil or activated charcoal. These bandages are completely natural and safe unlike regular band-aids which have toxins that can irritate the skin.

Get Patch Bandages here.

♥ Stainless Steel Pegs

These stainless steel pegs have a lifetime warranty! In an age when everything is disposable, it’s nice to see more ‘purchase for life’ products becoming available.

Guaranteed to never rust, break or lose their spring, they are made from high quality stainless steel in a clever one piece design. I love that they eliminate the waste that comes from plastic pegs that perish and disintegrate.

Get Stainless Steel Pegs here. For 10% off your first order, use the code: NNAM10

♥ The Mad Food Science Program™

I am sure you have already heard of the brilliant work that my friends Bel and Israel Smith at The Root Cause are doing around Australia with The Mad Food Science Program. The big news is that they now have 12 certified instructors around Australia to deliver the program to even more kids.

They have had huge success with getting kids to eat more fruit and vegetables through their ground-breaking, interactive school incursions featuring fun science experiments. If your school hasn’t experienced the Mad Food Science Program yet, enquire about how you can make it happen.

I am 100% behind these guys – they are really make a difference to our kids’ health and I could not be prouder!!

Find out how to get the Mad Food Science Program in your school here.

You might like to check some of my other Love Lists here.

(parts of this post are sponsored)

My Top 15 Father’s Day Gift Ideas

August 16, 2018 · 1 Comment

My Top 15 Father’s Day Gift Ideas

Father’s Day in Australia is the 2nd of September this year. I have got 15 gift ideas for your Dad that are eco-friendly, ethical, organic, healthy, natural and well… pretty much just awesome!

With thanks to my amazing sponsors and affiliate partners, there are also some brilliant discount codes and shipping offers exclusively to you!

♥ Byron Bay Gifts Hamper

Byron Bay Gifts is an online store that has a gorgeous range of gifts and boxed hampers, including this one for Dads. Zoe is passionate about showcasing ethical, organic, natural or hand-made products produced by amazing people in the Byron Bay region.

Everything is of the highest quality and beautifully packaged and you can add a personalised message to the gift card. This hamper is a combination of local treats and organic body products – sweet & salty peanuts, beef jerky, handmade soap and biccies. Zoe has made it easy to add in extra gifts like socks or goodies like wine, chocolate and olives to each box too.

Get the Gift Ideas For Men hamper here. Check out Zoe’s FREE shipping offers.

♥ Black Shakti Mat

We love our Shakti Mat here! I got one for my Dad at Christmas and he also loves it.

So what is a Shakti Mat? It’s a hand-made acupressure mat with an organic cotton cover and 6000 spikes or points, that you lie on, sit on or stand on. It’s a bit like having a personal masseuse on hand, anytime you need it.

The idea is that it works on your acupressure points to not only relax you, but also boost circulation, calm down the nervous system and release endorphins. Benefits can include pain relief, better sleep, more energy and less stress. Bliss!

Get the Shakti Mat here.

♥ Gaia Men’s Skincare

The males in our house rate Gaia as one of their favourite skincare ranges! It often makes an appearance around here for gift giving because it’s such great quality while still being very affordable.

Gaia is made from natural and organic ingredients with plant extracts and it’s very gentle on sensitive skin. The range is free from soap and sulphates, petrochemicals, artificial fragrance, propylene glycol and paraben preservatives. Gaia uses lush essential oils of patchouli, spearmint and lime for a fresh manly scent that is all natural.

Get Gaia Men’s Range here. Use the exclusive code NNAM18 to receive 20% off your order until Dec 31, 2018.

♥ Crio Bru

Crio Bru is one of the gifts we give that is always well received! Crio Bru is like ground coffee but it’s ground cocoa beans. It comes in a variety of different flavours, but all are delicious and complex and it’s the perfect coffee alternative. There are also amazing health benefits of Crio Bru and it will suit most diets because the ingredients are simply just roasted cocoa beans.

You can brew it up on the stove, in a plunger or in travel plungers or even in your thermomix. Mandy has all the accessories to make up a gorgeous gift pack up and you can add a personal note too. My top pick is the Bodum travel plunger and a taster set so Dad can try all the varieties out!

Shop Crio Bru here. Use the exclusive code: DAD10 to get 10% off everything storewide until the 2nd of September.

♥ Pet Poo Composter

This really is the gift for the Dad who has everything. I bet your Dad doesn’t have a pet poo composter!! This is quirky gift giving at it’s best! But it really is such an ingenious idea to convert waste into something useful.

The EnsoPet Poo Composter kit has everything you need to start composting any pet poo in an easy and hygienic way. As well as keeping your back yard poo-free and preventing it ending up in land fill, it returns carbon to the soil and helps rebuild the soil on a microbial level. Dog not included. 😀

Get the EnsoPet Poo Composter from Sustainahome here. Use the code: NEWBIE to get free shipping with your first order at Sustainahome.

♥ Lhami Men’s Cologne

Natalie is an Aussie mum who hand-makes luscious natural skincare with beautiful essential oils. Her Men’s Cologne is 100% natural with no nasty toxins or synthetic fragrance.

This cologne has fresh citrus top notes and a blend of sandalwood and peppery spice base notes. The beautiful Buddahwood adds in a real leather and tobacco note to the fragrance.

Get Lhami Men’s Cologne here. With any purchase from Lhami’s men’s range until Father’s Day, you get exclusive FREE shipping with the code: DAD

♥ Zero-Waste Safety Razor

We swapped over to these zero-waste safety razors at Christmas and haven’t looked back! With no plastic parts at all, these stainless steel razors reduce so much single-use waste.

I thought they would be tricky to use, but it’s really easy to load the blades and the heavier razor actually gives such a close and precise shave. They will last forever and you can recycle the blades too.

Get zero-waste safety razors here. For an exclusive 10% off all razors until midnight 26th of August use the code: NNAM-RAZOR10

♥ Conscious Step Socks

Socks for Father’s Day are not lame when they are eco-friendly, fair trade, social-good socks! Made with high quality organic cotton, these socks do good with every pair you buy.

The company partners with organisations that plant trees, feed kids, give water and many other social causes. Beautifully gift-boxed in packs of three or just buy a single pair for the cause you want to support.

Get Conscious Step Socks here. Spend over $50 and get FREE shipping with the code: FREESHIP

♥ Recyled Tyre Wallet

How cool! Felvarrom hand-make innovative and functional wallets, wet bags, belts and accessories from old bike inner tubes. An awesome eco-friendly idea that will be an interesting talking point.

Get the recycled tyre wallet here.

♥ WeWood Watches

Made from 100% recycled and reclaimed wood, all WeWood Watches are free from artificial and toxic materials and are splash-proof too. A tree is planted for every watch sold!

Get WeWood Watches here.

♥ Solidteknics Wok

Dads that loves cooking will be stoked with anything from the amazing Solidteknics range, including this big 30cm wok. Made from wrought iron, the pans are non-stick, Aussie engineered and made and will last many generations.

Get the Solidteknics Wok and Pans here with free shipping.

♥ Cedar and Stone Beard Oil

The beard trend is not going anywhere soon, so make sure Dad is taking good care of his facial hair! This beard oil from Cedar and Stone will condition and soften without leaving a weird greasy feel.

Cedar and Stone are a gorgeous skincare range that is 100% plant-based and hand-made at the Gold Coast.

Get the Cedar and Stone natural beard oil here.

♥ Ginger Beer Kit

This is a fun project to do with the family! These Mad Millie ginger beer kits have everything you need to make fresh, additive-free, waste-free ginger beer at home. It makes 6 large bottles of both alcoholic and non alcoholic ginger beer.

Get the Mad Millie Ginger Beer Kit here.

♥ Fatherhood by William McInnes

I am such a huge fan of William McInnes and his work – he’s the quintessential Aussie bloke! His new book, Fatherhood is full of stories, laughs, tales and memories about being a Dad.

Get Fatherhood by William McInnes here.

♥ Loving Earth Chocolate Almonds

Under $10, these double-coated chocolate almonds are amazingly good. I highly advise getting a sneaky box for yourself as well.

These activated almonds have a double layer coating of salted caramel and coconut mylk chocolate. It’s the perfect combination of salty, sweet & crunchy and they are also gluten-free, dairy- free, organic, vegan and fair trade.

Get Loving Earth Chocolate Almonds here.

Where to shop?

Have a browse at some of my favourite online stores that have a huge range of Father’s Day Gifts:

Flora and Fauna

Biome Eco Store

Emporio Organico

PIN ME!

(parts of this article are sponsored)

Easy ways to save water and reduce your water bill

July 31, 2018 · 2 Comments

Easy ways to save water and reduce your water bill

My last water bill was a bit of a shocker!

Once I started researching, I realised there were some really easy things we could do straight away to help reduce our water consumption. So, now I am sharing them with you!

Here are some really easy ways to save water and reduce your water bill.

♥ Buy a water-saving shower head

Now that we have moved house and are renting for a while, I realised we had old shower heads that were not water conservation friendly!!

You can buy a basic water-saving shower head quite inexpensively at your local hardware store and they are usually easy to install. You can also get tap aerators that go on the end of your taps if you still have old-style water-wasting ones.

♥ Check for leaks

When I asked for help in our NNAM Facebook group (email me if you want to join us), heaps of you told me to check for leaks. It’s so simple to do!

Just turn off all your taps and appliances, take the meter reading, wait one hour and then take the reading again. Obviously don’t use any taps or toilets in that hour! If the meter has ticked over, you might have a leak.

To check for leaks in your toilet, add a few drops of food colouring (hey, this is how you can use up any toxic stuff still lurking in the pantry!!) to the cistern after you flush. Any leaks will show up in the toilet bowl.

♥ Half flush only

Yes, I did! While hubby and I are motivated to save water and get that bill down, the teenagers in the house need a little reminding. You really only need to use half a flush, not a full flush.

Old fashioned single flush toilets use 12 litres of water per flush, so it’s worth replacing them if you can.

♥ If it’s brown..

We are also practising the old ‘if it’s brown flush it down, if it’s yellow let it mellow’ trick. Not when we have visitors though!!

Just be careful not to let too much paper build up because it can clog the toilet. There’s definitely a sweet spot when it’s just the right time to flush.

♥ Bottle in the cistern

I’m still talking loos! The idea of putting a brick in the cistern to save water (I am sure we did that when I was a kid!) is not recommended. Bits of the brick can disintegrate and cause problems (thank you Google).

So, the better option is to use a plastic bottle (another great recycle idea for milk bottles) filled with a few rocks and water. You pop it in the cistern (away from any of the mechanisms) to reduce the amount of water in each flush. So far it seems to be working well!

♥ Shorter showers

I know, this should seem obvious right? I think it’s because the negative ions from water makes us feel so good we want to stay under there!

We are making a better effort at turning off the shower for shampooing and shaving and making shower time short and sweet. You can put a timer in there if your kids really need a reminder – make it a fun game!

♥ Water-saving mode

Most new dishwashers and washing machines these days will have a water-saving or eco option. If you are in the market for a new appliance, check its water efficiency rating and go for the best you can afford – it will save you money over time.

♥ Full loads only

Wait until you have a full load in the dishwasher and washing machine before you use it. If you need something straight away, it’s much more eco-friendly and efficient to wash by hand.

♥ Fill the sink

Fill the sink with water when you are cooking or cleaning. Use it as much as you can for rinsing instead of having the tap running.

♥ Wash your clothes less

It’s not always easy living in Queensland, because we do get sweaty! But just getting as much wear out of clothes as we can before we wash them really helps.

Wearing pyjamas, jeans, jumpers etc multiple times, sponging off small stains, hanging up and airing clothes instead of washing are all things we can do. Do a sniff test and stain inspection before throwing stuff in the laundry basket.

I hope this has given you some inspiration on easy ways to save water and reduce your water bill. I would love to know your water saving tips! Leave us a comment below.

You might also like to read: 10 Easy Ways to Be an Eco-Warrior

10 ways to repurpose old clothes

July 18, 2018 · Leave a Comment

10 ways to repurpose old clothes

Fast fashion seems to be the buzz word at the moment. It’s great that people are becoming more aware of the environmental repercussions of buying poor-quality, cheap clothing that just doesn’t last.

We buy the majority of our clothes from op shops in an effort to be more sustainable. Reusing what’s already been produced and buying nothing new really helps the war on waste.

If your unwanted clothing is still in good condition, donate it to an op shop, post it online to sell or give away or organise a clothes swap with friends. One man’s trash (or questionable fashion choice) is another man’s treasure!

What do you do if your clothes have stains, holes and tears?

Don’t bin them! Put them aside in a dedicated storage place and upcycle them into something new or repurpose in another way.

Take the buttons off old clothes and store them in a jar for repairs or make something crafty with them.

Here are 10 ways to repurpose old clothes.

♥ Make a shopping bag

It’s ridiculously easy and requires no sewing to convert old t-shirts into shopping bags. With the plastic bag ban in place this is a zero-cost option for you. Find the tutorial here.

♥ Cleaning cloths

Cut up your old clothes into squares and use them for cleaning cloths. You will never have to buy another cloth or paper towel again! Some fabrics work better than others – old t-shirts, socks, flannelette pyjamas, nappies, towels and any natural fabric are great for cleaning. Other fabrics might work better as painting or garage rags. Experiment!

♥ Make a headband

Most fabrics will convert easily into a headband. Cut off strips of fabric and tie them anyway you like! If you want to get a bit more fancy, check out this tutorial for a beautiful celtic cross band made from a t-shirt.

♥ Make a doggy coat

If you are a little more advanced with sewing skills and a machine, you can turn a flannelette shirt into a dog coat! Find the tutorial and pattern here.

♥ Save them for dirty jobs or pyjamas

I know this seems really obvious but I am often surprised that some people don’t have ‘old clothes’! Maybe I got it from my mum, but I always change out of my ‘going out clothes’, hang them up and change into my ‘old clothes’ when I get home.

I use old house clothes as dual purpose for pyjamas – who cares if they have holes in them or have a spaghetti stain you just can’t get out? I then have ‘old old clothes’ which are used for painting, gardening and heavy duty cleaning. I’d love to know what system you have!

♥ Make storage buckets

With a no-sewing and sewing tutorial these storage buckets from old jeans are so cute! Find how to to make them here.

♥ Make pot holders

How cute are these pot holders made from old t-shirts?? You could use them for coasters or trivets too. Get the tutorial here.

♥ Make a rag rug

There are so many different ways to make a rug from old clothing and fabric. I like this easy version which involves braiding strips and sewing together.

♥ Make a cushion

That favourite, old, snuggly jumper can become a favourite, snuggly cushion! You could even make them a bit larger and use as a pet bed.

♥ Reshape and restyle

I’m so impressed by people that can restyle old clothing into something new! This top is a no-sew, funky one-shoulder number that was made from a boring boxy mens t-shirt. Pinterest has so many amazing ideas and it’s something fun you can do with the kids and teens too!

♥ Make a plant hanger

This is your bonus tip! There are so many great tutorials online to make a macrame plant hanger from t-shirt yarn. T-shirt yarn is simply cut up strips of old t-shirts. You can use the yarn for so many things around the house!! Check out how to make this hanger here.

I’d love to hear from you. Do you repurpose? What do you make?

Introducing… Culture Clean, probiotic cleaning sprays!

May 31, 2018 · Leave a Comment

Introducing… Culture Clean, probiotic cleaning sprays!

You might know my friend (health coach and bone broth goddess) Micheline Andrews from her amazing work with bone broth! Well, she has just released a new range of cleaning products that also hark back to traditional ways.

Micheline is using her Nan’s original secret recipe to make a range of fermented cleaning products called Culture Clean. I thought that probiotic cleaners were a new thing, but once again the old fashioned, natural remedies prove how amazing they really are.

What is Culture Clean?

Culture Clean is a range of cleaning products that are naturally fermented. Harnessing the power of probiotics, Mich makes the sprays all by hand at her home in Tasmania. There are two products in the range at the moment – an all purpose spray and a mould spray.

Unlike some probiotic cleaning products on the market, Culture Clean grows the culture in the cleaning product (see the photo below). Probiotics are not just added into to a mixture. The whole process takes four weeks and results in a powerful cleaning solution full of beautiful, live cultures.

The sprays are non-toxic, vegan, plant based, cruelty free, palm oil free and totally safe to use around children and pets. They are also completely safe for the environment and our water ways. The sprays coincidentally also act as an ant-repellant!

I love that Mich packages Culture Clean in reusable and recyclable amber glass bottles too. My package arrived very well packed with upcycled materials.

It’s perfect for people who are sensitive to chemicals and aromas as it’s made from all natural plant ingredients and there are no nasty toxins. The sprays have a very mild, citrusy scent that you hardly notice.

Why fermented?

We all know we need probiotics in our diet for good gut health and optimal wellness, but what about probiotics for our homes?

Chemical cleaning products and even essential oils will kill everything – good and bad bacteria, leaving the surfaces in our home sterile. Unfortunately that doesn’t help us fight infections and bugs – we need good bacteria and probiotics for that.

Culture Clean fights the harmful bacteria with the probiotics and introduces the good bacteria to our homes. Rather than living in a sanitised environment, we can create a more natural environment in our homes that helps maintain our good health.

What did we think?

I will admit I was rather skeptical about how this product would work. Sorry for doubting you Mich!

My whole family tried out the Culture Clean products (because I make my family clean too!) and all of us were really impressed at how they worked. It’s a very simple spray and wipe. It cut through the grease and grime with one application and left surfaces squeaky clean.

We found it worked equally as well in the kitchen and in the bathroom. I would tell you about how well it went in the kids’ toilet but that would be gross, so you will just have to take my word for it!!

You don’t need to rinse the spray – it’s streak free and leaves no residue. I love that the smell is very mild too – it makes cleaning a much nicer experience.

The sprays come in big 500ml glass bottles so they last forever and they are very affordable too. If you get five, Mich gives you a really good discount, so it’s worthwhile to share with friends and family.

I love that the product is hand-made in small batches by an Aussie mum. Slow living and traditional methods and remedies really appeal to me these days. There’s also a lot of love that goes into every bottle. You don’t get that with Spray and Wipe!! 😉

Want to try it?

At this stage, Mich is selling Culture Clean directly to the public from her website and at her local Tassie markets. But feel free to chat to your local health food store and let them know about Culture Clean.

If you want to give Culture Clean a try for yourself, Mich is kindly giving us all free shipping!!

Use the code: NNAM until 14th of June here.

Follow Culture Clean

Website

Facebook

Instagram

(this post is sponsored)

How to negotiate the plastic bag ban (like a boss)

May 25, 2018 · 4 Comments

How to negotiate the plastic bag ban (like a boss)

It’s such a massive win for the planet that single-use plastic shopping bags are going to be banned in QLD, WA and Victoria in the next few months!

Plastic bags cause lot of trouble with our sea life and of course plastic never breaks down so we are just constantly adding to landfill.

Major supermarkets are phasing out those horrible grey plastic bags but are introducing thicker plastic bags at a cost of 15c each. Instead of using that option, I think it’s such a great opportunity to make a real difference and start using more eco-friendly bags.

I can remember my grandparents using boxes, paper bags and food wrapped in brown paper, so it’s not that many generations ago that we all got by perfectly well without plastic.

Some of you have already been using your own shopping bags for years – go you!

If you haven’t, take the next few weeks to get prepared. Here are some tips to get you ready for ban the bag!

What exactly is being banned?

Check with your state government websites for more specific information but basically single-use, lightweight, plastic shopping bags less than 35 microns in thickness are banned. You will still be able to get thicker plastic shopping bags, nappy bags, dog-poo bags, bin liners and plastic produce bags.

Choose a better quality bag

The best sort of bag for the environment is one that can be reused many times and will then break down naturally at the end of it’s life.

I broke up with green bags some time ago as they are also made of plastic. Your most eco-friendly option are bags made from natural, biodegradable materials like plant fibres, cotton and jute.

In my handbag, I keep a fold up lightweight bag that I have had for over ten years! It’s still going strong.

For the weekly shop, I use an eclectic mix of jute bags, cotton bags and smaller fabric produce bags. Most have been sourced from op shops, some have upcycled from old pillowcases and some have been purchased.

I find them really sturdy and easy to use and you can fit a lot more into each bag. So instead of 2o plastic bags, I might only have four or five fabric bags.

I make sure I wash them every few weeks in a hot wash with a few drops of eucyalptus oil. This keeps them clean and hygienic. Trust me, the checkout operators will thank you for not giving them a dose of E.Coli !

This organic cotton shopping bag from Green Essentials is a great size and has several different compartments and reinforced stitching for extra durability. Get it here.

Find other alternatives

Do you even need a bag? We seem to have just been in the habit of accepting things in a plastic bag.

Pop your shopping in your handbag, backpack or pram or carry things with your hands. This is where taking the kids shopping can come in handy!

You could also use cardboard boxes too – many places will give you one. Are you a farmers’ market shopper? Invest in a gorgeous big basket or cart.

These shopping baskets with leather handles are so stylish and durable! Find them here.

DIY bags

If you are handy, you can make your own bags! Sew yourself fabric shopping bags – there are loads of free patterns on the internet! You could also upcycle old pillowcases or t-shirts.

How do you remember your bags?

The secret to remembering your bags is just making it a habit.

After unpacking my shopping, I fold the bags up and put them in one larger bag and then pop them by the door to go back in the car. It really does become part of your routine and I very rarely forget them. I am still working on getting the rest of the family into a regular habit though!

You can also set up little reminders like writing ‘bags’ on your shopping list, leaving the bags near your car keys, leaving the bags on the front seat of your car, writing yourself reminder notes or set phone alerts. Find something that works for you.

If you do forget your bags, have a look around for a Boomerang Bag– you can borrow a reusable one!

What about lining my bin?

I know! A lot of people do use their single use plastic grocery bags for lining their bin. You can still buy bin liners but you can also see it as an opportunity to do something different.

You can just put rubbish straight into your bin and then wash after use. Wrap anything really gross in newspaper!

You can use newspaper to line your bin.

Starting a compost bin will help you get rid of a lot of the smellier garbage. You can get these awesome compostable plastic bags for food waste that will completely break down in your compost.

You could also use any plastic bags you end up with – produce bags, the thicker shopping bags or even bread bags!

Of course, recycling reduces a lot of rubbish we put in the regular bin as well. Did you know you can recycle soft, crushable plastics now?

Some savings for you:

20% off Envirosax reusable bags here.

40% off White Magic market carts here.

What do you use? I would love to know how you navigate plastic-free shopping!

Tips and safety for using the slow cooker

May 4, 2018 · 9 Comments

Tips and safety for using the slow cooker

How good is the slow cooker? We use ours all the time.

It’s so handy to be able to throw something in to the slow cooker in the morning and come home to a beautiful hot meal. We often think of using slow cookers in winter but they are great to use in summer too because they don’t heat up the house.

It’s brilliant for families who eat at different times for dinner. You can keep everything warm and just dish out portions as needed.

Slow cookers are a pretty easy way to cook but there are a few tips that can help you get the most out of your appliance. Let me know if you have any other tips to share in the comments!

Tips for cooking in the slow cooker:

♥ Stack the denser vegetables and meat on the bottom of the slow cooker and the lighter vegetables on top.

♥ Resist the urge to open the lid, you lose cooking time every time you peek!

♥ Browning meat first is totally optional, but it will add to the flavour. Do it if you have time and can be bothered washing another pan. Don’t forget to deglaze the pan with some liquid and add it to your slow cooker to get all that extra flavour.

♥ The general rule is four hours on high or eight hours on low for most meals. I prefer low and slow and try to cook things longer for better flavour.

♥ Slow cookers need a lot less liquid, so if you are adapting a favourite recipe, cut the liquid down by about a third. Remember that your veges will release a lot of liquid too.

♥ If you want your liquid to thicken in the slow cooker, coat meat in flour and brown in a frypan first. If you want to thicken at the end of cooking time, just make a paste of cornflour and water and add to the slow cooker, stirring in well. Leave it on high heat for ten to fifteen minutes or until it’s the thickness you want. You can also just take the lid off and turn the heat up to high to reduce the liquid too.

♥ Don’t overfill the slow cooker! Leave room for air flow to get consistent cooking.

♥ Always add cream, coconut cream, yoghurt or milk towards the end of the cooking time. Too much cooking makes these curdle.

♥ Lean meat tends to dry out so stick to meat with some fat or tougher cuts. For example, chicken thighs work better than chicken breasts. The cheaper cuts of meat like neck chops and chuck steak work perfectly in the slow cooker.

♥ Slow cookers are perfect for cooking roasts! I pop a few large slices of onion on the bottom of the pot and then add a good splash of water. Your roast will be beautifully tender.

♥ Slow cookers are also great for making your own bone broth. You can leave it on overnight and not worry about it burning dry!

♥ Hard herbs like rosemary and thyme will take the long slow cooking of a slow-cooker but soft herbs like parsley and basil are best added just at the end of cooking time and stirred through.

♥ Make sure your food is defrosted before it goes in the slow cooker or you could risk bacteria growing.

♥ Slow cookers are very forgiving for beginner cooks and it’s pretty hard to stuff up a meal! As long as there is enough liquid, most meals will be okay well past the eight hour mark.

♥ Meat, vegetables, liquid and some seasonings are all that is needed to make a yummy meal. Experiment with different combinations.

♥ Don’t limit yourself to stews and braises, you can cook all sorts of things in your slow cooker from porridge to cakes and it makes the best sweet potatoes! We often cook bulk amounts of (pre-soaked) chickpeas and beans in the slow cooker too.

♥ Most slow cooker inserts should go in the dishwasher. If not, you can get rid of baked-on food with bicarb and vinegar.

Slow cooker or crockpot? Same thing! Crockpot is just a brand name for a slow cooker.

Slow cooker safety:

Slow cooker safety is an issue that has come up lately and some of you are a bit worried.

Personally, I would not use a slow cooker with a non-stick surface and anything with Teflon is a definite no from me. Even if they proclaim to be safe, I am still very wary of the chemicals they use to make it non-stick! Check out my post about non-toxic cookware to find out more.

There is also some concern about lead in the ceramic glaze of slow cookers. For this reason, I would avoid really old slow cookers, stick to quality brands, ring the manufacturer and ask about your brand or invest in a slow cooker with a stainless steel or glass insert.

There are recommendations to avoid cookware made in China as they have less regulation around lead safety. I would definitely avoid cheap slow cookers!

You can buy also lead testing kits at hardware stores to check your current slow cooker to make sure it’s safe.

KitchenAid and Cuisinart have both stated that their slow cookers do not contain lead. I recommend both brands. Having worked in a kitchen store, these are top performers! You can get both on sale here.

Slow cooker recipes:

Check out my bumper list of 20 Wholefood Slow Cooker Recipe

Love List ~ Feb 18

A new year is upon us and I have been busting to tell you all about some amazing new products that have been released! So many more innovative people making awesome things that are good for us and the planet.

♥ Hello Sunshine Natural Sunscreen

The amazing Alisa and Danni from 123 Nourish Me have released a cracking natural sunscreen and people are going crazy for it!! It’s got an SPF rating of 30 and also comes in a small wind-up stick which is perfect for the handbag, nappy bag or for the kids to take to school.

There are no nasty toxins here! Hello Sunshine is made with organic, quality ingredients that will not harm our families or our oceans and reefs.

It has a very subtle vanilla scent, goes on smoothly and sinks in without leaving a greasy white residue. I tested it out on my family and everyone is a fan, particularly the fair skinned ones!

Keep an eye on my Facebook and Instagram, where I will share a video of using it on the skin.

Get it here. PS get 10% off with the code: HELLOTEN

♥ Cheeki Leakproof Stainless Steel Lunchbox

This is what mums everywhere have been waiting for and wanting. A stainless steel lunchbox that is affordable and leak proof!!

This new one from Cheeki is double layered and has a silicone seal under the lid (which doesn’t touch your food) – genius. There are three variations: double stacked, regular and large so you can find a size that suits you.

Get them here.

♥ Fur Baby Pet Support Essence

Alisha from Naughty Naturopath Mum has just released her brand new blend and it’s all about supporting our furry friends.

If you are a long time reader, you will know we have a dastardly dachshund called Wilbur. Dachshunds tend towards being anxious, having loud barks and being notoriously difficult to train. We have had a lot of trouble over the years with continual barking – in his mind, he is protecting the family against perceived threats. That means he’s a great guard dog but even falling leaves can make him go crazy!

I have been testing the Fur Baby Pet Support essences for just over a week now and we are pleasantly surprised! We have been popping them in his water bowl daily and he was calmer over all. On several occasions when he got himself into a barking loop, we administered directly into his mouth (that was fun!!!!) Within five minutes he had settled right down and stopped barking. Woohoo! I am calling that a win.

If you want to try them out, they can also be used for settling traumatised and rescue pets, nerves and fear, travel, vet visits, loneliness, separation and any antisocial behaviours! Find them here.

♥ Eco by Sonya Face Compost Mask

Another gorgeous product from Eco Tan founder, Sonya Driver. This is a lush organic seven minute face mask made with superfoods and antioxidants.

It’s designed to cleanse, soothe, brighten and draw out impurities. I know my skin needs a little TLC right now, so this is just the ticket.

Get it here.

♥ WayCap Stainless Steel Coffee Pods

Australians use and throw away over a billion single-use coffee capsules every year!! Far be it for me to come between anyone and their coffee but man, that’s a lot of waste.

Well the solution is here – WayCap make reusable, stainless steel capsules for your coffee machine. They come with 4 interchangeable steel filters, for extra fine to coarse grinds, and are compatible with certain Nespresso machines.

Get them here.

♥ Cedar and Stone Oils

I am a sucker for essential oils and I am always keen to try out new brands and blends. All of these smell amazing but Namaste is my favourite. Maybe I am really just a hippy at heart because I tend to adore anything that has patchouli in it!! 😉

Cedar and Stone are a small Aussie owned business in Kingscliff in Northern NSW. They have such a funky vibe going on!!

Get them here.

♥ Wolf Stainless Steel Drink Bottle

I know many of you resonate with wolf energy and love wolves! This is a perfect way to keep that energy close to you. The same print is also available in a lunch bag and tote bag. Isn’t he magnificent?

Get them here.