The Green Familia » Brenda

Eco Tourism in the Cape Wine Lands – South Africa

Brenda — Fri, 18 May 2012 19:58:13 +0000

Due to the global financial climate and dwindling natural resources, it is only obvious that South Africa would embrace ecotourism as a working sustainable answer to the problem. Being one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world, the popularity of South Africa as a tourist hot-spot is on the increase.

What is Ecotourism?

Lately, “eco-everything” seems like the new fashionable craze, but what exactly is ecotourism about? The thing is, there is no universal definition to define ecotourism. It can be summed up in a nutshell as tourism favourable the environment, with a socio-economical implication but with little or negative impact.

To shed some more light on what exactly ecotourism entails, there are several principles surrounding ecotourism;

Enhancing bio-cultural diversity and harmony by protecting natural and cultural heritages and natural conservation schemes
Empowering local communities to achieve sustainable development and fight off poverty.
It promotes better understanding and appreciation of nature, the society and their culture.
Ecotourism supports the local economy and finances must be reinvested into the community.
Raises sensitivity to the country’s political and social climate
Provides a positive experience not only for the visitors, but also the host.

South Africa has whole heartedly embraced this practise, and has in many cases pioneered projects. What makes ecotourism unique from other incentives is the fact that the communities own the development while reaping the benefits.

This cannot be more obvious than in the breath-taking region of the Cape Wine Lands. It is one of the Western Cape’s most popular destinations, but needless to say, this leaves a massive environmental footprint.

Ecotourism in the Wine Lands

Since a very large percentage of the vineyards are spread over areas of native Fynbos and other uniquely indigenous plants, the wine industry made conservation of natural habitats their main priority. The Biodiversity and Wine Initiative managed to set aside larger areas for conservation in the Cape wine region than the total of the country’s national vineyards. In recent years, the wine lands managed the staggering feat of setting aside more areas for conservation than is used for vineyards.

Conservation schemes aside, the Initiative also focusses on giving back to the communities. If you ever ran into one of the very colourful natives of this stretch of land, you will know of the history of alcohol abuse and the lack of proper education and facilities. That is finally starting to change as the farms address the needs of their workers by setting up schools and day care facilities. Ecotourism is directly responsible for job creation within these communities. Not only are guides and entertainers local, but more often than not, previously disadvantaged. They are giving the right training and skill development to sustain themselves.

Ecotourism in the Wine Land is on the increase, as many visitors along this beautiful scenic route become interested in exploring the wealth of activities and cultural tours while they enjoy the world famous and practically unrivaled wines. Eco-tours promise to offer a highly personal tour and experience to small groups of visitors at a time.

The Wine Land is within easy driving distance of Cape Town, and the scenery will leave you awestruck. You will understand the deep seated need to preserve this stretch of land, and the fact that the wine is to die for has little to do with it. The wine region most commonly refers to the quaint towns of Stellenboch, Franschhoek and Paarl, with literally hundreds of wine cellars scattered between them, but there are many different wine regions close to Cape Town.

Whether you are wine connoisseur or not, a trip to the Wine Land is an absolute must. It is unforgivable to miss out on the rich culture wrapped in bursts of color and blue mountains as the backdrop. Old school Dutch colonial homestead surrounded by vineyards of green and orange await you. The area is alive with farmer’s markets, outdoor music festivals, hikes, bike trails and art exhibits.

Wine estates offer their own guided tours and rustic cellars, and more often than not, you can sip wine with the maker himself. Every cellar offers a completely unique experience, so you are sure to find something that appeals to you.

Another option worth considering is “The Alternative Wine Land Tour” by the Dreamcatcher organization. This tour deviates off the beaten track, showcasing instead the life of the laborer responsible for the wine you are enjoying. While exploring the many estates, you will also have a first-hand cultural experience with the local people.

All revenue generated by these activities are ploughed right back into development programs.

Jeff Cammack is the traveler in chief at http://www.safariguideafrica.com and spends much time in South Africa. Safari Guide Africa helps visitors create South African safari vacations many of which take visitors through the Cape Winelands.

Keeping Your Kitchen Green

Brenda — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:32:01 +0000

Kitchen appliances can be made environmentally friendly to save energy in a home. From dishwashers to refrigerators, the kitchen can go green by installing new energy efficient appliances. Before installing a kitchen appliance, you should check the efficiency rating to make sure that it meets the government guidelines for being energy efficient. However, most appliances on the market today meet these guidelines. Dishwashers are a convenience that many people choose for their homes today. With new technology, dishwashers have become more eco-friendly since they use less water per load of dishes than hand washing a sink full of dishes does. The new technology senses the amount of water needed for cleaning making the new dishwashers more energy efficient. Another tip to save on energy when using a dishwasher is to make sure that it is completely full each time it is used. Washing just a few of the dishes at a time will require more energy to operate the dishwasher. Refrigerators are one of the biggest energy users in the home. Older models will need to be replaced to conserve energy. When shopping for a new refrigerator, you should choose a size that is appropriate for his or her needs. Choosing one that is too large will only use more energy and take up more space. An empty refrigerator will also make it more costly to operate since a well-stocked refrigerator uses less energy than one that is empty. Therefore, if you chose a refrigerator that is too large to meet his or her needs, he or she will need to invest in more food to fill up the refrigerator to save on the energy bill. Using a microwave oven whenever possible can be an energy saving device. For example, if you are only going to cook a few potatoes, it can cost less to cook the potatoes in a microwave instead of the conventional oven. Conventional ovens will take longer to use as well as heat up the kitchen. This means that you will be using more energy to cook the food and cool the room. Another alternative for cooking to save on the cooling costs is to use a countertop toaster or broiler oven to prepare some of the food. They do not produce the same amount of heat as the big ovens, and they cost less to operate. However, the conventional ovens are needed at times. The newer models can be found with energy saving technologies to make them better for keeping a kitchen green. Choosing the eco-friendly models can help keep a home energy efficient. To keep a kitchen green, you will need to consider all of their appliances. From the large appliances to the small appliances, homes can become environmentally friendly with just a few changes. Check out the blenders, mixers, electric can openers and any other electrical devises used in the kitchen to make sure that they are all energy efficient devises. Saving energy can improve the environment over time. Author Bio Appliance City are specialists in kitchen appliances including a huge variety of stoves range cookers as well as including the popular American style fridge freezers. For more information visit Appliancecity.co.uk

Guest Post: How To Save Money By Going Green

Brenda — Thu, 17 May 2012 19:48:01 +0000

If you would normally shy away from environmentally friendly products because you think they are too expensive then think again. Adopting a greener lifestyle doesn’t mean having to spend more money. On the contrary, you can actually save a lot of money by being green.

Living a green lifestyle is easier thank you may think. You can make small changes in your home which will have a healthier impact on the planet as well as saving you money. By changing all of your regular light bulbs to either fluorescent or energy saving bulbs you can save up to $100 every year. Make sure that your home is insulated to ensure it stays as warm as possible during the winter months. The outcome of this will be that you do not have to use as much heating during the colder months and this will save you a considerable amount of money and of course you will also be reducing your carbon emissions. Likewise by turning down your thermostat by just a couple of degrees you can save on energy.

Solar Power is always an option
If your budget will stretch to it you could have a solar power generator installed in your home. Your home will then be powered by the energy of the sun. Although you will have to pay for this installation initially, you will soon reap the rewards of your investment as you will stop receiving electricity bills and your heating costs will be lower as solar energy will be heating your domestic water as well as lighting your home.

Think small to act big
There are things you could do immediately in order to be greener and save money such as placing a low-flow showerhead in your bathroom to reduce your water consumption. When you are doing laundry, wait until you have a full load and use a lower temperature setting on your washing machine. You should always try and peg your washing out on a clothes line or hang them on an airer rather than using a tumble dryer. This is far kinder to the planet as well as being kinder to your wallet.

Recycle your electronics correctly
Make sure that you recycle your electronics in a responsible way. Do not simply throw them out with the garbage. Take them to a recycling plant or make extra money by selling them to a company which buys unwanted electronics for spare parts. It is worth knowing that a single home computer adds around three pounds of hazardous waste to landfills.

Car tyre pressue checks
If you own a car remember to check that the tyre pressure is correct. By doing this every few weeks you will save money on gas because a car is more fuel efficient when the tyre pressure is correct. If you drive to work you could perhaps consider cycling or walking, or if this is not an option then you could join a car sharing scheme.

Unplug appliances
Make a conscious effort to unplug appliances when they are not in use instead of leaving them on standby. Switching your computer off at the wall every night could save you over a hundred dollars a year. You could also save a lot of money and have less household waste by using a refillable water bottle instead of buying bottled water. These plastic bottles are very bad for the environment and are expensive.

Extend your thinking to food
Thinking about the meals you make can also save money. Instead of throwing things away, think about whether there is anything you could make with this waste. Breadcrumbs can be salvaged from stale loaves of bread and frozen. These can later be used to thicken soups and stews, make stuffing, burgers and much more. The price of meat and fish has sky rocketed so perhaps you might consider only eating meat and fish once a week to save money. Vegetarian food does not take as long to cook so you would be saving on energy as well.

Have a look around your home today and try to implement some of these green ideas. You will be pleasantly surprised by how much satisfaction it will give you, not to mention the money you will save.

About the author
Mike Sorensen is a structural engineer and master cabinet maker and the author of www.AcousticFields.com/blog audio blog. He provides tips for soundproofing homes using environmentally friendly sound production methods and generally tries to do good by mother Earth.

The natural way to care for your Oleander

Brenda — Tue, 15 May 2012 10:33:15 +0000

If you have a bare spot on your patio or in your garden, then the ever popular oleander bush might be just what you’re looking for. Oleander plants are a quick and easy way to bring colour and perfume to your outdoor space. And because they’re evergreen, their attractive grey-green leaves will provide year round interest in your garden. They have a delightful scent so it’s worth planting this shrub somewhere that you can make the most of it. For instance, you could plant a couple of oleander bushes either side of a small bench to create a pretty sitting area where you can enjoy the lovely perfume. Equally, you could plant them into small pots and stand them near your front door to provide a pleasant welcome.

An oleander bush can tolerate most types of soil but it will do better in well-drained soil. If you’re planting in pots, compost that is loam-based is best. Whether you plant into the ground or a container, your oleander needs to be sited in a very sunny spot as they are tender and will not withstand severe cold. If you live in an area that is subject to freezing weather, it’s wisest to plant them into pots so you can move them under glass during cold weather.

Like many evergreen shrubs, oleander is relatively easy to look after with little pruning required.

Shrubs planted in the garden are best pruned in the middle of spring before the new growing season begins. If there’s a risk of a late frost, it’s worth waiting until the end of spring to avoid any frost damage. While garden shrubs will require only light pruning, you may need to take a more heavy handed approach to container plants in order to restrict growth and ensure flowering.

Generally, disease and pests should not be a problem for oleander bushes growing in the garden. However, if you’re keeping your plants in a conservatory or greenhouse, then you may need to watch out for scale insects, mealy bugs, or mites such as the glasshouse red spider. These pesky sap suckers attack the foliage and this will result in mottling and leaf drop on oleander plants. While the usual chemical pesticides will deal with these pests, natural alternatives include introducing predatory mites, such as Phytoseiulus persimili or parasitic wasps such as Metaphycus helvolu.

Author Bio

YouGarden is an online gardening centre run by three horticulturalist who have over 50 years combined experience. They have one simple ethos “Gardening for Everyone” and sell everything for from easy to grow veg and flowers to fruit trees and borader plants

Guest Post: Are You Furnishing a Green Office Environment

Brenda — Tue, 15 May 2012 09:47:13 +0000

If your small business has been looking for a way to save money and do something positive for the environment, purchasing green office furniture is a great way to go about that.

For the business owner that is considering buying environmentally-friendly office furniture, keep in the mind that there are a number of benefits that go with such decision making. Among such benefits:

Furniture produced with lower emissions and a reduction in volatile organic compounds (VOC);
Furniture that is built with sustainability in mind, especially that which is built with recyclable materials;
Furniture that over the long haul will save the company money;
Furniture that you can promote as using to your clients. Showing yourself to be a pro-environment business owner can only help your image among customers.

If your business is considering purchasing green furniture, keep the following in mind:

Seek furniture built from sustainable certified or reclaimed wood. It is best to avoid furniture made of non-certified exotic woods;
Furniture and fabric coming from the plant bamboo is a great option;
Look for furniture that comes from recycled metals and plastics;
Purchase durable furniture you will be able to repair. By doing so, you improve your long-term investment.

If you want to buy refurbished furniture for the office, you can find such items that are refinished from a manufacturer and then resold as new. This can turn into a great option in the event you require a large quantity of furniture pieces such as desks, chairs, cabinets, bookcases and more.

Also, in the event you don’t want to spend the money on brand new green furniture for your business, you can also search for recycled furniture. If you choose this route, look for furniture that can be found in second-hand and antique shops, along with yard sales, and online sites/forums.

Lastly, adding new green furniture to your office means that you will likely have some items to get rid of in order to make room for the new products.

When you have office furniture you want to do away with, look for a furniture liquidator that will purchase the items from you, then turn around and resell to other businesses that can reuse it. By doing so, you are getting some money in return, plus aiding the environment at the same time.

At the end of the day, making for a greener office environment allows you to improve both the health of your employees, along with that of the environment.

Photo credit: o5.com

Dave Thomas, who writes on subjects such as business plans, writes extensively for San Diego-based Business.com.

Guest Post: Our Guide to Planning the Perfect Family “Staycation”.

Brenda — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:10:48 +0000

The term ‘Staycation’ first came into use in the UK around 2009, as the value of the pound dropped and the savings to be made by holidaying at home just kept rising. There are many brilliant holiday locations right here in the British Isles, so if you are smart enough to ‘staycation’ this summer you will be getting great value for money, whilst benefiting the environment by reducing carbon emissions and getting to know your own Isle that little bit better. With the Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee just around the corner, making this a special summer of celebration, there is no better time to start staycationing!

Before you begin it is useful to decide what you want to get from your staycation. Is it great walking in the hills, time by the coast, or cultural activities and excursions? Perhaps food and eating out are the most important things for you, or visiting historical sites? Then pick an area that has plenty of what you are looking for. If you want hill walking try the Peak District or the Lake District. If your holiday simply must be about time by the sea, look to the Southwest, try Cornwall or the lovely Devon or alternatively if these are too far from you the Gower Peninsula in South Wales is fantastic too.

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If you are looking for cultural activities, you could try a staycation in one of Britain’s cities. London has more free art galleries and museums than anywhere in the world, but don’t forget to check out Liverpool, home to the Liverpool Tate gallery, and Birmingham which has a lively theatre scene and many interesting museums. We really like the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. The gallery is home to the largest public Pre-Rapaelite collection in the world, as well as art from over seven centuries. It is home to such a varied and broad selection of artefacts that there is sure to be something there to interest everyone.

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Edinburgh is a great city to head to if you are looking for culture and history and being over the border will also give you a feeling of being a little further away from home! Whilst you are there try a visit to the famous castle, built upon its own volcanic rock – listen for the one o’clock gunfire, which has gone off daily since 1861. Hit the city centre for a spot of shopping at Edinburgh’s brilliant range of shops. There is an area for everything, from high street brands to the top designer stores. After that how about a visit to the National Museum of Scotland, where you can see everything from the complete skeleton of a Tyrannosaurus Rex to rare specimens collected by Charles Darwin, all under one roof.

If you are into historical sites, Wiltshire is a great location – home of Stonehenge and many other ancient relics, and a number of great National Trust properties as well. These sites can be great to explore and learn more about the history of Britain, and the properties offering indoor access can also be useful if the weather doesn’t hold its own! We love the magnificent Bowood House and gardens and the lovely Wilton House, made famous by the films Sense and Sensibilty and Mrs Brown.

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A great option for accommodation whilst staycationing can be self-catering holiday lets. You can really relax in a space that is set out for your comfort and it can be great value for money as it enables you to cook for yourself. This is a lovely way to really unwind and enjoy the company of your friends and family.

A staycation really is a great way to beat the check in queues and enjoy your holiday with a little less impact on the planet this summer. So we think you should get out there and explore the best of what the UK has to offer!

This post was written by Late Lettings who offer a brilliant service for listing and finding the best last minute cottage deals at discounted prices.

Guest Post: How to Get Started Recycling Old Electronics

Brenda — Sun, 13 May 2012 21:00:33 +0000

There are all manner of household items that you may choose to recycle, from the cans and bottles that once contained your food and beverages to the clothing, furniture, and home goods that are still in good enough shape to be useful to someone else (even though you’ve outgrown them in one way or another). But when it comes to your old electronics; the televisions, tape decks, and computer components that comprise e-waste; you might be scratching your head as to how to go about getting rid of them. You’re pretty sure they can’t go in the trash, but you don’t have the first clue as to how to recycle them. So here are just a few tips to help you get started and put you on the right path when it comes to discarding used electronics.

The first thing to consider is whether or not these items are still usable. If they are still working (albeit outdated) you may be able to do away with them through donation. There are all kinds of charitable organizations that will accept goods. Many have thrift stores that they use to sell these items at a low cost to underprivileged individuals that can’t afford to buy them new. Or they may sell or auction the items to receive some amount of cash value for their organization. In some cases, they will simply pass such donations along to needy families for free. Whatever happens to your old electronics after you donate them, you should get a receipt to see if you can claim them as tax deductions.

Of course, you could also opt to sell used electronics that are still operational in order to see some return on the money you put into them. You’re not likely to get anywhere near what you spent on them, but you might just recoup a few quid to use toward the purchase of newer items. Just list them on classified sites like Gumtree or Blazing Monkey and wait for interested parties to email you. If you want to get rid of items quickly, just list the price as “you haul”. Otherwise, set your price and see if you get any nibbles. And don’t forget that you can also try to pawn electronics or simply set them out as part of your annual garage sale.

Okay, so what if your old electronics are no longer in working order? If they only need simple repairs but you just don’t want to pay for them, you may be able to drop them off with vendors that specialize in refurbishing and selling antique or retro electronics. But these retailers could be hard to find. It might end up being easier to simply call the trash company for a hazardous materials pickup. Although this service generally comes with a cost, you may be able to take advantage of one free pickup each year (just ask your trash company if they offer this) or annual free drop-off days.

No matter how you choose to recycle or dispose of your old electronics, there are ways to scratch your eco-friendly itch and possibly even make a little moola in the process. It probably won’t be enough to cover your new TV or get you the best broadband service, but keep in mind that switching to energy-saving modern electronics will save you money. So you’ll likely be ahead on both your utility bills and your carbon debt.

COMPETITION – Win £100 Argos Gift Card

Brenda — Fri, 11 May 2012 09:57:23 +0000

It’s competition time for you lucky readers – with the chance to win a £100 gift voucher to spend at Argos!

It couldn’t have come at a better time – with summer just around the corner, there’s a million things from Argos that will come in useful this summer. Whether you need a new barbeque for summer evenings, a new sat nav to navigate to theme parks in the summer holidays, or some Lego Star Wars to keep the little ones happy on a wet summer’s day – Argos has it all.

There’s a lot to choose from – and this voucher will go a long way. From hot wheels to hot tubs – we hope the lucky winner doesn’t have too much trouble deciding how to spend their voucher!

The winner will be selected at random from all correct entries received. The winner will be notified within 28 days of the closing date. The prize is as stated: no cash alternatives are available. This competition is open to UK entrants only.

How to Enter

For your chance to enter the draw to win the £100 Argos Gift Card simply emailcompetitions@thegreenfamilia.co.uk and include your name and address. The closing date for the competition is 31^st August. Please note that in entering this competition you are already subscribed to, or are agreeing to, subscribe to the weekly email update which highlights the posts from The Green Familia, the new monthly subscriber list and the new My Eco Biz Newsletter. There is no longer a ‘no mailout’ option

1. Prize draw is open to UK & Ireland residents only.

2. Competition prize is one prize, worth £100 in total and you will be notified by email if you have won.

3. By entering this competition you agree to be added to the The Green Familia Weekly Update mailing list, new monthly newsletter and new newsletter for My Eco Biz. If you’d prefer not to be added to the list, please do not enter. We are keeping a list of people who unsubscribe on a regular basis and those who do will not be entered into the draw.

4. The winner will be drawn at random on the 12th June 2012. Please ensure that all of the requested information is included in your email otherwise it may be exempt from the draw.

5. No cash alternative will be offered for any prize.

Full terms and conditions apply.

Good Luck!

Guest Post: Enjoy the world around you while saving it too with green travel

Brenda — Thu, 10 May 2012 21:21:49 +0000

We all want to make an effort to get greener, but many people are unwilling to sacrifice their precious holidays in order to save the environment. However, with the advent of green travel, people are no longer forced to make the difficult decision between saving the world around them and enjoying it.

When it comes to eco-friendly travel, thinking about the actual transportation you are using has got to be the first port of call. If it is at all possible, swapping planes for trains will do wonders for your carbon footprint, and with the Eurostar up and running, there is no reason you cannot get to most places in Europe by rail. Some travellers may be deterred from using trains by time constraints, but why not think about the journey as part of the trip?

Plane passengers see nothing on their journey other than the inside of an airport and a plane, as well as plenty of duty free shops. However, on a European train journey, people can watch the diverse scenery rushing by, observe how it changes, walk around and stretch their legs in the cabin, interact with other passengers and spend some time in a variety of cities. All in all, train travel is not just more environmentally friendly, it is more daring, and getting around this way, you are sure to have some adventures to write home about.

As with all holidays travel insurance is essential, and you can still keep this green too! If you have an email address you can use a travel insurance provider that only emails your policy documents to you, cutting down on the costs of postage as well as all the paper involved.

Upon arrival at your destination, is your first step usually a trip to the car rental shop to pick up a motor? You’re on holiday, so why not take a break from behind the wheel and rent a bicycle instead – a thoroughly much more enjoyable, and healthy way to travel. You never know, you might like it so much that you decide to invest in a cycle back at home too.

If you’re staying in a hotel, there are plenty of ways you can contribute to saving the environment here too, from turning down the heating and air conditioning, switching appliances off standby and using towels and sheets for more than one day in order to reduce laundry. Other ideas are to use your own toiletries instead of the expensive miniature ones provided by your accommodation, and minimise waste by using recyclable bags, as well as recyclable batteries for cameras and gadgets. You can also give the hotel feedback, suggesting ways it could improve its green credentials.

As people who are dedicated to green travel will tell you, there are also plenty of eco-friendly hotels and lodges around the world. These accommodations typically pay a high level of attention to recycling programs, energy expended on laundry, contributing to local communities and other methods of energy efficiency.

Use those legs!!

Brenda — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:19:51 +0000

How often have you found yourself taking the easy option and convincing yourself that you don’t have the time to get to your destination by foot! I know, I love the comfort of a car with the radio on and heated seats, away from the wind and rain! Granted, a car does often get you from A to B in a shorter time and is the easier option but there are a multitude of advantages to walking!

Time is often an issue and in this culture we don’t have time for anything it seems! Personally I walk to work on a daily basis. I used to get the bus and enjoy reading a paper or my book if I was lucky enough to get a seat. From door to door it took me 45 minutes. I had to get to the bus stop, wait for the bus (which was not always punctual) then walk to my office. Now it takes me 25 minutes, I cut through alleyways and go past children arriving at school enjoying the morning hustle and bustle. I arrive fully awake from my brusque walk, happy having had time to myself with my music on or an interesting podcast.

So why walk? Well, firstly it is much better for the environment! If everyone walked to and from work or the local supermarket or pub we would be a much greener country (and also less obese!). Recycling is a brilliant way to contribute to a cleaner environment but walking benefits both you and the environment. I have lost a couple of pounds since I started walking. For all of you who do want to get fitter but are not inclined to go to the gym then this is a perfect option for you! You need to allocate time at first but honestly you end up killing two birds with one stone, being green and your weight!

Secondly, it’s a way to save money. I save £20 a week, that doesn’t sound much but it means I can go for a beer with my friends or out for dinner on what has been saved! I no longer get frustrated waiting for the bus or being annoyed that I don’t have seat and arrive at work in a positive frame of mind instead of feeling peeved with life. I know petrol is ridiculously expensive these days so just imagine the savings, even if you only walk a couple of times a week!

It’s just a question of setting your mind to it and making the time. Yes, there are weather issues in England but there’s nothing a good brolly can’t face!

Use those legs of yours in a simple way, it doesn’t have to be to get to work, just popping to the shops or to a local friends is pleasant on foot and saves the environment and your health! Even contemplate going for a stroll in your free time, getting away from the house but remember, make sure you have home insurance cover just in case your feet carry you to the pub and you are gone for hours!