Changing to planet friendly cleaning

Most of my life have been plagued wit eczema so changing from familiar products I know and can use without itching and breakouts to Eco friendly versions has been a much considered opinion. Ultimately the planet has won out, its worth the odd itch if necessary.

So I got Eco friendly laundry products, cleaners and sprays. And so far so good. Not an itch, not a single scratch. Bonus it cleans just as well too.

I don't have the facilities to air dry unfortunately so I also invested in tumble dryer balls. How they work I have no idea, the packaging doesn't say. They do. Drying times are reduced by at least a third so I am saving on power too so even better for my pocket and the planet. Added bonus the clothes are so soft its amazing.

The boys have not noticed any change so I got away with this one. Not like the food where they are resisting a bit. Of course having a tree hugger mum is embarrassing. Jamie is slowly converting and got quite peeved that two pears replaced two apples in the box.

After a month I haven't itched any so I am guessing I won't. Should I be really brave and go green on shampoo and shower gel too?

Farmer's Market

Sunday I managed to get myself a bit more organised and get back up to our local farmer's market instead of having to a mad dash to the local convenience shop for Sunday lunch. Contrary to the belief that these markets are expensive I always find I get much better quality and more for my money. I can also walk to the market so save a little on carbon footprints too.

Everyone is so friendly and very helpful. A newbie organic like me needs all the help I can get, anywhere I can get it. I wish I had taken my pencils and pad today really as the stalls were so well presented and colourful. Maybe if I can get my act together I will do that next week. I did get a project vegetable ( that means I paint it then eat it). A purple cauliflower, something I have never heard of or seen before. Its a gorgeous deep purple too.

Odd how and where inspiration can hit you really. I also got a huge parsnip, yes only one it was massive not like the scrawny things that pass for parsnips in the supermarket. Tasted really nutty but sweet too just like a 'nip should.

From the meat stalls I found chicken, sausages, home made faggots and oxtail. Yes oxtail not seen that for so long. So we have a ragout coming this week and another trip back to my childhood. Oxtail ragout was a regular when I was growing up. Also got some eggs in white shells. Odd really as a child I longed for a brown egg now they are so rare.

Vegetable Box 2

Wow this box is even better that the first one - thank you to all at Shropshire's. So to quote the box labelling ' What's in the Box this Week?'

Potatoes - if the last box was anything to go by a spud with a perfect texture and flavour for a nice tatty salad, now my window sill herb pot is producing some healthy fresh parsley.

Savoy cabbage - for me the savoy is the king of cabbages and is it possibly more green than the non-organic types or am I wishful thinking. It will taste better of that I am sure, I am now so tasting flavour in my food and all since I changed to an organic diet.

Carrots - and this time I will be good and eat them as carrots not carrot cake, although that was delicious. OK its not really me being good as I made a ginger cake yesterday.

Cucumber - and its got a bend to it like the old days. So memories of my dad's homegrown are rushing in. Damn EEC insisting everything is straight, round etc. How dull! How would they like it if we force grew them in a tube (hmmm now theres a nice thought of what to do with a MEP)

Mushrooms - OK I will be upfront and honest here, this does puzzle me. How can a mushroom not be organic they grow in dark places with manure. Perhaps someone could kindly enlighten me on that please. I have to say the mushrooms are lovely as I nicked one for a treat raw as I was putting my box away. Definitely a difference.

Iceberg lettuce - Oh happy day, I love salads and needed an excuse to knock up some more mayo. I got some lovely eggs to do that too.

Apples - well they looked nice as they flew out the box via Jamie's hands. Comment from the sporty dude, 'Yeah mum fab'. Three words almost so must be good. Normally its a singular grunt.

Pears - HANDS OFF THESE ARE MINE!!! I love pears and again reminders of my youth and dad's home grown. Drooling already so gonna skip decorum and manners for a second... sweet and juicy perfect!

Garlic - the must have in my cooking well most of it. A fall back to my pre-organic days when food needed something to give it flavour maybe.

Anyway I am going to make some veggie soup, my lunch box needs something warming now the autumn has set in. Brightest blessings and thanks again to the lovely folk at Shropshire's for a fantastic box.