Possibly one of the most delicious ways to eat zucchini ever – with coffee and chocolate! This recipe made enough for a loaf (which is more cake-like than bread consistency) and a tray of twelve mini muffins, perfect for the kid’s lunch boxes. I made it without eggs but I’ve included both recipe options so you can choose which one suits. The …
In-ground Pet Poo Compost Bin
Last week I mentioned that we now have compostable poo bags available; these have had a great response with the first lot selling out in a few days, I also mentioned that they can go in the rubbish, which on further investigation is not a good idea as they’ll take many years to break down and need specific requirements to …
Fighting Terrorism with Yoga
The lovely Denise Ferguson – yoga teacher, retreat facilitator and owner of the Yoga Sanctuary in Mairangi Bay, Auckland – is our guest blogger this week. Denise strives to get a positive message across via four modalities; how to thrive in life using yoga, meditation, kindness, and a good attitude. In response to the Christchurch shootings last Friday, she wrote …
Wendyl’s Taniwha Blue Recipe
This is a recipe Wendyl tried a few years back. The original idea came from an old magazine from the 50s that had an advertisement for Taniwha Blue laundry soap – a product which whitens clothes without the need for bluing powder in the final rinse to whiten whites. You’ll need to buy some Prussian Blue – which is what we use …
Best Essential Oils For The Kitchen
A busy kitchen needs to be kept clean, but it doesn’t need superbug killing power, because by necessity you are wiping and washing several times a day. Essential oils are a kitchen’s best friend – not only do they smell amazing but they also have great germ-busting power. The main functions for any kitchen cleaner are not only to clean …
Figs Four Ways
It’s fig season! These delectable little bundles of joy are ready for picking and best of all eating. I love them fresh off the tree, but there are so many delicious ways to eat them. Here’s my favourite four, quick and easy fig recipes. Simple but totally moorish .. cut your figs in half length ways and sprinkle over some …
Biodegradable Versus Compostable
Biodegradable versus compostable “plastics” – whats the difference? Compostable products are biodegradable materials that break down quickly and can support plant growth. A compostable product must meet specific criteria in terms of time, environmental conditions and quality of compost produced. An ideal composting environment is subject to certain heat, moisture, and oxygen conditions to assist the biological breakdown. Compostable products break down to carbon …
DIY Liquid Stain Remover
This stain remover works on practically every stain imaginable: food, grease, most grass stains, mud, coffee etc. I’ve found it’s more effective and easier to make than the magic stain ball recipe I shared a few weeks ago. Whip up a jar of stain remover and keep it handy in your laundry. Apply a little directly onto the stain, give the …
Flynn’s Compostable Poo Bags
A few weeks ago we were walking our dog Cruz along Takapuna Beach and came across a very industrious young man and his Dad raising awareness about compostable poo bags. We were very impressed with the information they were sharing, and noticed they also sold the bags – so we decided to put them on our site at only $4.00 …
DIY Garden Bug Spray Concentrate
One of my absolute favourite groups on Facebook is the NZ Vege Gardeners page. There are so many innovative gardening ideas, fantastic recipes, advice, tips, pictures of homegrown crops and awesome Kiwi gardens, and every time I have a look it brings a big smile to my face. Some time ago there was a recipe for a natural bug spray …