Earler this year, I suggested growing some items in your urban garden.

Well I am pleased to share the fruits of our labour.

A massive harvest of pumpkins so versatile this time of the year.

An abundance of herbs including basil, thyme, lemon thyme, sage, mint and Thai basil. The lemon tree is starting to fill with large solid delicious smelling fruit.

Look at our harvest it was worth the effort. These items will be on our list for planting next year.

While visiting New York may be high on the list of many travellers, eco-tourists have long had a love-hate relationship with the Empire State. Yet a recent uptick in the state's green initiatives, including Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified destinations, might be changing the way eco-conscious travelers think.

Located in the heart of Manhattan, the Empire State Building is inarguably one of the world's most iconic buildings. Built during the great depression, the art deco masterpiece has undergone numerous upgrades over its life, none of which may be more important than those that earned it the Gold LEED Certification. One of only a handful of LEED certified national landmarks, recent renovations to the structure include plans to reduce energy consumption by 38% and reduce carbon emissions by 105,000 tons over the next 15 years.

Further upstate, at 2.4 million square-feet mall and entertainment center Destiny USA, in Syracuse, is the nation’s largest LEED certified mall. Using a multi-tiered approach, Destiny USA was designed, built, and maintained in ways intended to reduce its impact on the environment. Principles of sustainability, conservation, and efficiency have all played a role in Destiny USA’s commitment both to maintaining its Gold LEED certification and its requirement that all of its tenants become LEED certified.

Before revisiting the city, a trip even further upstate reveals the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort in the Adirondacks. Located just off Lake Placid, the Golden Arrow is one of the most distinguished eco-friendly resorts in the US. Balancing luxury and sustainability, the Green Arrow prides itself on using its green programs to enhance customer satisfaction. Perhaps nowhere is the success of this mission more apparent than at the resort's Generations restaurant. Not content to stop at utilizing organic produce and freshly grown produce, the restaurant itself is constructed from a range of recycled materials including bamboo and tire rubber.  A green roof, energy-saving guest rooms, eco-friendly water and HVAC initiatives, and a storm water management system are just a few of the other green-initiatives undertaken by the Golden Arrow.

Another art-deco masterpiece in located in Midtown Manhattan: the Beekman Hotel was one of the first hotels in NYC to be recognized for its green initiatives. In addition to offering long-term residency, the boutique hotel offers a number of elegant room styles, each of which comes packed with amenities. Efforts to go green range from energy saving appliances to a wide-scale conservation and sustainability plan.

We all know how luxurious and divine are the scents of the “commercial’ perfume industry and, yes, they smell wonderful and last quite a long time on the skin. My personal favourites were Guerlain Champs Elysees and Thierry Mugler Angel. As I became aware of the dangers of synthetic fragrances to my health and wellbeing, I decided to ditch these and switch to natural perfumes. Most perfume that is available in the department store or chemist is made with man-made flower essences or chemicals made in a lab to resemble flowers plus alcohol that is derived from petroleum. Numerous studies have indicated that exposure to phthalates and synthetic musk chemicals (Xylene, ketone, Tonalide) could disrupt the body’s endocrine system, and are known to cause hormonal abnormalities, birth defects and reproductive problems. There is a lot of evidence also that artificially scented products are also among the top five known allergens that may also trigger migraine headaches, allergies and asthma attacks. Check out this link – Not So Sexy – hidden chemicals in perfume and cologne by the Environmental Working Group.    

So what are the benefits of wearing a natural or organic perfume?

Natural fragrances are a combination of essential oils and isolates derived from botanical ingredients that are harvested from the earth such as: flowers, fruits, sap, seeds or skin of the plant, as well as the bark, leaves, roots, resins or wood of certain trees and not from a lab (synthetic). These oils are derived from natural raw materials by steam or water distillation.

Essential oils have transformative healing powers. They have energetic, emotional, and physical healing properties.  Essential oils enhance your well being by creating happiness and uplifting states of mind. They have been used safely for hundreds or thousands of years by healers, alchemists and mystics. Alchemists believed essential oils to be the ‘soul’ of plants, which contained therapeutic and, some say, even mystical characteristics that synthetically produced fragrances can never hope to emulate. Natural perfumes provide a much-needed connection to nature that so many of us lack today.

Wearing or smelling synthetic perfumes pack a punch, (also due to the addition of synthetic fixatives) they take over the space; part of the beauty of an organic perfume is that they have softer and subtler scents. Natural scents are non-invasive; they stay close to your body and create an individual scent that is unique to the wearer. If you are used to a strong perfume, you will need some time to get used to the subtlety of a natural fragrance and to enjoy the new experience and love the way its smells. Synthetic fragrances cannot capture the same subtlety or softness; they cannot mimic the way a natural perfume evolves on the skin that is unique to our own body chemistry.

We are pleased to announce that, after many months of planning and development, The Green Directory and shmeco have combined to form a new greenspace for the sustainable living sector.

What is GreenD?

GreenD is a multi-functional community social network with an enhanced SEO business directory. You can ask questions, find answers, search for eco products and services, share stories, inspire the community and make informed decisions. Most of all we encourage your stories and the sharing of information. Ensure the visibility of your business by advertising in our green directory and interacting with consumers and other business members on GreenD.

What can you do on GreenD?

I love candles, especially now that it is getting darker with winter on its way; their warming glow creates an ambience that is relaxing and romantic.

At Chikii, we researched candles to find out which candle is the safest and cleanest. We considered many aspects giving our health and the environment being the main priority, so below are some discussion points on why we chose Beeswax candles to be the safest and non-toxic. We also wanted to be responsible for our purchasing decisions, as we are aware on how our decisions affect our environment. Candles are made from four different types of raw ingredients and only one of them we consider is to be non-toxic. Beeswax candles are the only non-polluting, good-for-you-and-the-environment candle. 

Most candles are made with Paraffin. Paraffin is a petrochemical by-product which, when burned, emits a toxic smoke (toluene, benzene, MEK and naphthalene).The paraffin is then bleached (which creates dioxins), coloured with synthetic colourant and scented with synthetic fragrance. UGH! 

Soy and Palm – Turning soy and palm oil into a wax is energy intensive; they are bleached and then hydrogenated, which involves adding all sorts of nasties.  Palm oil is involved with deforestation on a massive scale in Indonesia and Borneo, the home now of the endangered Orangutan and Sumatran tiger.  Evidence tells us that most of the soy produced in the U.S.A. is genetically modified and that the production of soy also adds to deforestation in the Amazon, Argentina and Brazil.    

Scented Candles – Most commercial brands are scented with fragrant oils, blended with synthetic compounds and diluted with a carrier such as propylene glycol or the use of mineral oils. Essential oils are sometimes used, but the issue here is that essential oils are “volatile” simply meaning that they easily evaporate at normal temperature but when combusted the healing molecules are destroyed and they create toxic compounds which are not good for you to breathe in.

I love my Wicked Sense mood lamp, an aromatherapy diffuser and air purifier. The soft rainbow colours set the mood; I drop my favourite essential oil mix in and enjoy the quiet mist of refreshing and purifying scents.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), some air fresheners used in the home may contain toxic chemicals. Volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) used in aerosol and electric plug-in air fresheners contain cancer-causing carcinogens and other irritants. VOCs are known to aggravate pre-existing health conditions.

Here are some ideas and tips to healthy alternatives to indoor chemical air fresheners and how to cleanse and refresh your home.

Keep your home well ventilated by opening windows to eradicate stale odours. Fresh air can act as a filter for the air in your own home.

Fill your home with plants. Plants act as natural air cleaners.

Are you new to using organic skincare products?  Do you know what to look when shopping for an organic skin care product? Are you considering to using an organic product instead of using a conventional product?

Below is information on what to look for when shopping for a high quality pure product and some tips on how to use them. How to make an informed decision on the right product for you?

It is important to look and understand the ingredient listing on the label.

Below are some guidelines.

How natural is the product? What percentage is plant and essential oils? Are the ingredients from a natural source, certified organic, or are they synthetic? Approximately the top third of the ingredients usually take up 90- 95% of the product, the middle third about 5-8% and the bottom third, 1-3%. The ingredients on the label are listed in quantity order, the first ingredients being the most active and result orientated to help you achieve a balanced, glowing, healthy complexion. 

With the shift in environmental consciousness, more and more people are opting for clothing made from natural fibres, using eco-friendly manufacturing practices. Sustainable fashion or ‘eco-fashion’ is about making clothes that take into account the environment, the health of consumers and the working conditions of people in the industry. Making clothes that are using organic raw materials grown without pesticides, where they are produced without the use of harmful chemicals and bleaches. The majority of clothing on the market is made from cotton which is the most heavily sprayed crop in the world. Man-made textile products can have detrimental effects on the environment, such as pollutants that run off into river systems. Synthetic options such as nylon and polyester are made from petrochemicals, the dyes that are used to colour fabrics are also chemically laden. Nylon production creates nitrous oxide, while polyester uses large amounts of water for cooling and the use of potentially toxic chemical lubricants. 

Enjoy this link article from Wellbeing.com.au “Is green the new black” about eco friendly fibres.

Soft stretchy fabric made from natural bamboo fibre is the environmentally-friendly choice for leisurewear, travel, and yoga. Bamboo is a sustainable crop which grows at a very rapid rate with no need for irrigation or chemicals. Bamboo fabric is more breathable than cotton, and more absorbent. It's hypoallergenic,  naturally antibacterial, softer to the touch, and thermal regulating. Once you feel for yourself how luxuriously soft it is, you'll want to wear nothing else.

Anna Walsh, the Creative Director of  Bodypeace Bamboo Clothing, has been in the fashion industry for over 15 years.  Anna started the business four years ago as she identified a market niche for bamboo clothing that was stylish and flattering to all body types.  She is also opposed to the use of cotton due to its impact on the environment and wanted to create a fabric that was primarily bamboo with only a small amount of elastane added to keep the fabric's shape.  Bodypeace has grown extensively due to its popularity - one piece of Bodypeace is never enough!  

Beginning with only 2 staff members, Anna now has a team of 11 equally passionate women. The mission of Bodypeace is to create classic, elegant bamboo clothing with the purpose of flattering all shapes and sizes whilst limiting the impact on the natural world.  Bamboo is possibly the most sustainable fabric on the planet as it requires no irrigation and no replanting.  Classified as a grass it is also very fast growing. The Bodypeace label is a collection of timeless pieces that can be mixed and matched from season to season with the addition of new colours three times a year to complement the base colours of black, cream and charcoal.  It is also the perfect travel companion as it is comfortable requires no ironing and can be dressed up or down. Fabric made from Bamboo is incredibly soft and luxurious plus it drapes amazingly well due to the particular weight of the bamboo fabric that Bodypeace uses in its collections.  Underwear tops, dresses, pants, cardigans, wraps, yoga and maternity wear are all part of the collection, so be dressed from head to toe in beautiful bamboo.  Look elegant…feel comfortable.   Find out more at the website - http://www.bodypeacebamboo.com

The interest in organic skin care is glowing, I mean growing, and celebrities are leading the way in their promotion of organic skin care. Many eco chic celebrities regularly offer beauty advice and product recommendations and the key items all have 'organic' in common. So who are the top 4 organic beauties?

 1. Miranda Kerr – Kora Organics, which is infused with a variety of  natural nourishers like noni fruit extract and rosehip oil. The KORA Organics products  use only the highest quality certified organic and natural ingredients. The products and story behind the range are a reflection of the models' passion for clean living and organics.

2. Jessica Alba founded honest.com to provide safe, chemical-free baby products  and other items hip green mums are searching for. 

3. Alicia Silverstone – Silverstone is one celebrity who talks the talk and walks the walks she is a vegan and environmental activist, who also created her own line of cruelty-free, eco-friendly makeup brushes and bags.

4. Gisele Bundchen – The model and Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) skincare collection, is made without any harmful chemicals or excessive packaging, which includes a variety of skin care creams. The range is called Sejaa Skincare, 

Consumers are becoming aware and educated on the benefits of organic food: they have more nutrients, and taste better. They can be fairly pricey in comparison to conventional food, which is why having your own vegetable patch is also an attractive option. Food grown without the use of chemicals and are more nutrient rich means less stress and toxicity on our bodies and more goodness our bodies can absorb to give us maximum health and vitality. Organic farming only uses animal mature and vegetable fertilisers rather than chemical fertilisers. They use natural substances to ward off pests instead of spraying with harmful chemicals. They work with nature to increase the health of the soil, choosing plants that are suited to the area, and producing a healthy and productive garden that benefits the environment.

Below are some tips to help you get started in growing your own vegetable patch.

Make your own compost – compost enriches the soil by giving it some plant loving nutrients. Set up a little bin or canister with a lid in your kitchen.  Add your kitchen scraps such as vegetable and fruit peelings, dried eggshells, tea bags, and coffee grounds. If your fruits or veggies went bad before they were eaten, the compost bin is a perfect place for them. Household items such as newspapers can be used in your compost. Garden refuse such as lawn clippings and leaves are also good to use. Manure from grass-eating (herbivore) animals, such as chickens, horses, and cows. (This is not necessary, however, if you can find a farmer or someone with horses that will let you haul away some manure –  it will be wonderfully beneficial to your plants!). Do not put these things into your compost: - Bones, meat, wood ash, pet waste, fat, or dairy. Also, stay away from weeds – they might be ready to seed, in which case they could grow into new weeds.

Harvest rainwater – Water that is mineral rich and chlorine free to use to water your garden. Make sure your water tank as a mesh screen over the top to keep out bird poop and other debris out of the water.

Be water wise – Mulch and compost added to the soil will help to retain water and cut down evaporation. Water early in the morning or late in the day.

One of the biggest consumers of electricity in the house is the refrigerator. If you are looking to reduce daily consumption, some real gains can be made here and Solutions can be provided by your local retailer.

There are two types of fridge operating systems out there. Cyclic defrost and frost free. The methods and the mechanisms don’t need to be explained here, just how they affect you. Frost free uses up to 65% more power than cyclic defrost, but there’s always a catch. Even a top cyclic defrost fridge will need to be manually defrosted every so often. They recommend once per year, but I know people who have not had to defrost their fridge for over two years. Your preference will be determined by how much you value your time.There are catches a-plenty too. A certain Scandinavian brand much favoured by power police makes interesting claims on its daily consumption. European standards are based on an ambient temperature of 25C. Australian standards are based on the same as the USA at 32C. One study I sighted showed that a European refrigerator used 65% more power at the increased ambient temperature of the USA and Australian standard. 

The moral of the story is to do your homework. Read the labels that state how much power the fridge uses in a year. From my own experience the numbers on the stickers are pretty accurate.   Another interesting feature is digital temperature control. Each compartment can be set at the temperature you want. A degree here or there can make further savings over a year.   Here is my story. I had an ancient Tuckerbox freezer that used 700 kWh per year and a twelve year old fridge freezer which was four star rated when I bought it, using around 900 kWh per year. The new (enormous) two door unit with the same or better overall internal capacity uses 660 kWh per year. 

The star rating system has certainly sharpened up in recent years. My saving is about two and a half kilowatt hours per day.   When you are ready to purchase, take a good look at what is available, pester the sales staff and wait for the end of financial year sales. Worked for me.

The release of the Predator and Bullshark electric bicycle models are set to take ebikes mainstream. With head turning good looks, high end components, and smooth performance to match. Most people have felt it is not “cool” to be riding on an electric bike, until now, the Predator is an ebike that people actually want to ride. This years 2013 release of the Reef Bullshark and Reef Predator electric bike models look just like a regular bicycle With Samsung lithium battery technology hidden inside the bicycle frame, giving consumers the sleek design, and reliability they have been looking for.

For alternative green methods of transport to develop into mainstream culture, we need to give the Australian consumers what they want. Riders don’t want everyone to know they are riding with electric power, and they don’t want chunky Chinese batteries and awkward looking frame designs. This has been a huge limiting factor stopping ebikes from getting into the mainstream market. With the latest game changing e bike technology developed by Reef Bikes Australia this is now possible.

Electric bicycle riders can cruise along effortlessly using the pedal assist sensor, get up hills without pedaling using the hand twist throttle, travel longer distances faster, all while looking like a regular bicycle! This technology is great for commuting to work, without getting stuck in the peak hour traffic, and avoiding parking and congestion issues in major cities.

The Reef Predator is the pinnacle of electric bikes, with high end head turning components, monster dirt bike zoom suspension, dual high beam front spotlights, 2” LCD screen display on the dash, 26” x 2.5” fat dirt bike tyres, Shimano Alivio gearsets, Samsung lithium battery hidden inside the frame and a 500W offroad only motor will give you loads of power and acceleration. The Reef Bullshark is the street legal version of the Predator, using the same frame technology with the Samsung lithium battery hidden in the frame.

For many years now electric bicycle consumers have been asking for reliability, hassle free maintenance, performance and style, all at an affordable price. Instead the market has been inundated with e-bike companies pop up overnight and disappear just as fast. This has affected the electric bicycle market, and has stopped it from going mainstream. But with this years vast improvements in technology we have seen more and more regular bicycle stores get interested in electric bikes now.

At the end of Spring, I seem to always have a pile of unripened tomatoes, then I found this great recipe, so each year I make up a batch.  I can’t remember where I got the recipe from but it’s worth a go!

You will need:

1kg of green tomatoes

4 green shallots, chopped

½ cup water

Visit our farmer’s markets and our Café and enjoy which freshly roasted Rubra Organic Coffee and beautifully prepared breakfasts.

WHERE: 1 City Farm Place, East Perth (off Lime Street, next to Claisebrook train station)

WHEN: 8 am to 12 noon every Saturday (including public holidays)

CAFE: Mon to Fri 7am to 3pm, Sat 7am to 12pm

There is something very satisfying when you turn an exposed old grazing paddock into a productive veggie patch and orchard.

We wanted to use permaculture principles on the site, but the exposed conditions were going to make that a challenge, and a little lateral thinking!  A lemon tree we had in a pot from our old property lasted 2 weeks in its new windy site.  It became obvious that until we had shelter from the wind nothing was going to grow. 

Of course trees take years to grow, the solution was to cover the area 30mts x 10mts with shade cloth.
Fixing that one was a challenge in itself, after a few experiments with fencing wire, we ended up with plastic coated cable.  The plastic coating means it doesn’t ware through the shade cloth like the wire did, and when the wind hits is flexes more and doesn’t break.

We used the butterfly clips to join the shade cloth, a big job, the only other way would have possibility been to use an industrial sewing machine.

Eliminating any hard corners is another key to not tarring the shade cloth…but there always seems to be a place the wind finds you didn’t notice, so patching regularly to keep it secure is a must.

Mandurah's weekly farmers market: buy locally grown, locally raised, locally produced fruits & vegetables (organic & hydroponic), plants, herbs, farm-fresh eggs and dairy products, organic & biodynamic  meats, a great array of preserves and pickles, delicious baked goods (organic, biodynamic & conventional), olive oil, olives, dukka, honey and much more.

The market is located at Dolphin Quay, Mandurah Ocean Marina, Dolphin Drive, Mandurah, WA, every Sunday from 8am to 12 noon.

Good design can make the difference between a workable kitchen and one that’s not.   So next time you’re building or renovating here are some design tips to help make it more ‘user friendly’.

Keep the area reasonably compact and functional to allow for ease of movement around the areas.  Think ‘can 2 people work in this kitchen without falling over each other?’   There are some guidelines available called Livable Housing Design Guideline.  This is a great resource, not just for ensuring there is enough space for getting around the home, but also for longevity of use of the space.   You can download the guide for free at http://www.livablehousingaustralia.org.au  .

Make sure you include good ventilation and natural light, both are necessary to ensure the areas remain pleasant healthy spaces to be in.  Put the flooring from wall to wall if you can because this allows cupboards to be moved without having to replace the flooring.  It all saves money in the longer term.

We all love a good Pantry, they’re a great to have as they take up less floor space, use fewer materials and can maximise storage availability.   Design in drawers instead of cupboards in the kitchen cabinetry, they’re easier to use and you can reach all that ‘stuff’ at the back!  And remember to include somewhere convenient to put a recycling station.  Anything that makes it easier to use, makes the space work better.  

If you happen to have the walls open (plaster off for any reason), take the opportunity to insulate the hot water pipes and install some insulation.  It all helps to keep the home comfortable.

What most users of eucalyptus oil in Australia are not aware of is that the eucalyptus oil they purchase in supermarkets and other retail outlets is not Australian Eucalyptus Oil!

Does that really matter you might ask?  

1. Quality

"Absolutely” is the response from Bygum Eucalyptus Oil - one of Australia’s leading producers of Australian Eucalyptus Oil and the oldest family company still producing Eucalyptus Oil in Australia.

Australian Eucalyptus Oil from E. Polybractea (commonly known as “Blue Mallee”) is the strongest and most medicinally pure oil yet to be discovered.