The Green Familia

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.

Seeded Gifts and Cards from Big Tree Little Tree

erica — Mon, 14 May 2012 08:00:53 +0000

Big Tree Little Tree sell an innovative selection of cards and gifts. Their collection of cards and bookmarks all come with seeded shape attachments, once your intended recipient has finished with their card or gift, they can then remove the seeded shape from the front of their card or bookmark, plant it in a pot and watch it grow.

This Grow Me A Flower Card comes in four different, traditional, flower varieties: poppy, daisy, violet and forget-me-not. Each card contains an appropriately seeded shape that can then be planted to get some plantsof that type of your own. Each card is priced at £3.60.

If vegetables or fruits are more suitable for the occasion or the recipient than flowers, then these recipe cards may be just the thing. Each card offers a seeded shape and a delicious sounding recipe using the vegetable concerned. You can choose from: cheesy courgette tart, honey roast beets, strawberry fool and tomato cream crunch. They’re priced at £3.99 each.

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.

Diamond Jubilee Royal Spa Packages – Feel like a Queen!

Jo — Sun, 13 May 2012 20:53:37 +0000

Feel like a Queen for the day! Marking 60 years of The Queen’s reign, the Diamond Jubilee celebrations take place over the extended weekend of 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5^th June. To celebrate this special event, The Malvern Spa has launched two Diamond Jubilee Royal spa packages ‘Fit for a Queen’ and ‘Right Royal Occasion’ that will leave you feeling as pampered as a princess from the top of your crown right down to the very tips of your toes.

Available throughout May and June the ‘Fit for a Queen’ package costs only £99 per person and includes:

- full use of the luxurious spa facilities,

- a light one course lunch with a celebratory glass of Champagne

- an ESPA holistic back, face and scalp treatment plus

- a mini manicure or pedicure

The Malvern has also launched a ‘Right Royal Occasion’ package which is available in June and costs only £75 person and includes:

- full use of all the spa facilities

- a light one course lunch

- a Combo treatment

The Malvern in Malvern, Worcestershire, is one of the most significant hotel and spa developments in the UK providing first class spa and wellness facilities alongside luxurious accommodation and fabulous fine dining. So why not take the opportunity to treat yourself during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations and visit The Malvern, with all that you need to revitalise and refresh your body and soul?

Whichever package you choose at The Malvern you can sit back and relax amid the ancient olive trees of the Italian themed Grand Salon, spend time ‘taking the waters’ in the deliciously warm indoor-outdoor hydrotherapy pool fed by the Malvern spring waters, the Queen’s favourite water, experience the four sense stimulating heat and water rooms and relax in the total tranquility of the post treatment relaxation suite after a day at The Malvern you will feel like royalty!

Veja Méditerranée Small Organic Cotton Sneakers

Jo — Sun, 13 May 2012 20:52:03 +0000

Veja Méditerranée, the two-tone boat-shoe and sneaker crossover introduces an element of coastal living to the Veja Small line with its nautical inspired design. We all know how kids like to emulate adults dressing in the same clothes, well now they can look just like Mum or Dad with a cool pair of canvas two-tone trainers.

Using eco-friendly materials, the new Veja Small model is made from organic cotton canvas with a vulcanised wild Amazonian rubber sole. The organic cotton for Veja’s trainers is grown without fertilizers, or pesticides, according to the principles of agro ecology. The rubber used in Veja soles comes from rubber growing in the wild Amazon rainforest.

The Veja Mediterranee sneakers for children are available in 5 bright, playful colours; Green, Grey, Groseille, Royal, London Red, and they fit sizes 22 to 35 and are priced from £49. Don’t forget that these sneakers are built to last and they won’t fall apart after a few weeks.

Veja Small has been created especially to fit your little one’s growing feet. Your kids will be able to walk tall knowing that their shoes are not just super cool but have been ethically and respectfully made.

Find out more about the Veja brand and Veja Méditerranée Small here at www.vela.fr

The Baoli Wellbeing Guide

Jo — Sun, 13 May 2012 20:49:53 +0000

The Baoli, is a really great wellbeing guide to all things mind, body and soul and TGF is pleased to congratulate The Baoli on the celebration of its first anniversary. With over one hundred top brands that have been tried and tested, it’s the ‘must-go’ one-stop shop for inspirational wellbeing ideas and shopping. Whether you are looking for that special ethically made gift for a loved one or searching for a great place to visit for a wellbeing holiday, The Baoli will have the perfect solution.

Here are the top ten things you can do on The Baoli:

1. Discover new wellbeing brands

2. Find inspirational gift ideas. Browse through all the gorgeous gift ideas and bring happiness to someone really special on their birthday, anniversary or just because they are so special to you!

3. Access exclusive promotional deals

4. Review new wellbeing products & services

5. Win wellbeing freebies each month

6. Sing-up to their newsletter and get access to significant discounts, free services, last minute deals, 2 for 1 packages and other great benefits

7. Read ‘behind the scene’ interviews

8. Browse gorgeous seasonal finds. What’s the next best thing on the market? Baoli samples and compares the new arrivals and trends in search of good value for money

9. Visit wellbeing city guides

10. Join their wellbeing community on Twitter/Facebook

All the products and services meet with The Baoli code of holistic ethics, and because giving back to the community is a high priority for The Baoli they give away 5% of profits to non-profit organizations and charities whose work supports their commitment to wellbeing.

Baoli is the brainchild of certified yoga teacher Michaela Olexova. Originally from Prague, Czech Republic, Michaela has travelled the world and influenced by her travels, coming across many wonderful people, cultures and rituals, she decided to create Baoli and share her knowledge and experience with people who wish to find a way to a more healthy and balanced life.

For your Baoli experience, visit www.thebaoli.com

New Nose Nuzzles from Jackson Reece

Jo — Sun, 13 May 2012 20:48:07 +0000

You know what it’s like when your little ones have a cold! Constant wiping of a runny nose soon makes it sore and cracked and then your already fractious kids get even more upset. New Nose Nuzzles from Jackson Reece are really great because they offer a gentle alternative to rough, hard tissues. The pure natural saline wipes can help soothe dry skin if used regularly.

The new Jackson Reece Nose Nuzzles can help relieve the problem of sore, chapped noses. They are made with 100% bio-degradable, compostable and chlorine free cloth and come in an easy to carry pocket sized pack made with environmentally friendly packaging. With more than 99% naturally derived ingredients, including soothing Aloe Vera and Chamomile, the natural saline helps to relieve stuffy noses. The Nose Nuzzles are pH Balanced, 100% unscented, not tested on animals and made in the UK.

Tidy up tiny noses with Nose Nuzzles, available in packs of 20 from Sainsbury’s, they retail at £2.49.

Baby wipes are an essential part of any Mum’s kit, something that you are never without. Jackson Reece Kinder by Nature wipes are perfect for delicate newborn skin. Midwives recommend that babies should not be exposed to any new products until they are one month old. The Kinder by Nature Herbal wipes have been made using a completely natural herbal blend of organic essential oils of Tea Tree, Lavender and soothing, healing Aloe Vera that ensures they are mild and gentle for baby’s skin, leaving you free to enjoy your baby without worrying about using products that may aggravate and harm their skin.

The Flushable wipes are another must-have Jackson Reece product for your changing bag. They come in really handy when you are out and about, and you can be confident that the wipes will flush away once used.

Visit JacksonReece for more information.

Little Wren Gifts

erica — Sun, 13 May 2012 20:41:27 +0000

Little Wren Gifts are based in Wales and specialise in selling goods made by different artisans. Many of their products have strong eco credentials too.

I do like these cute vintage style coin purses. They are made by hand from colourful, vintage look fabrics and decorated with complementary buttons. You can use them to keep money safe or to hold other small items. They measure 10 cm in height by 12 cm in width. As each one is handmade, they will vary a little. They’re priced at £10.50.

Another favourite of mine is this geometically patterned, handmade, wooden jewellery box. They’re made by a craftsman in Merseyside . The top of the box is Louis cube design using 3 different colours of wood in the veneer and the sides are fashioned from iroko wood. A closed box measures 19 cm width by 10 cm length and 5 cm depth approximately. Inside are six compartments to store all your bits and pieces away neatly. They’re priced at just £26 each.