BGI Newsletter

Issue 4 - December 2008

DIARY of green events

From the Editor...

No matter what we call it or how we chose to celebrate it, Christmas is on its way! But there is more to this season than presents and excess and credit card bills.

It's the small things that really count; who you are with, how you value each moment, that peace and calm amidst the chaos, a smile that says a thousand 'thank yous'. No matter how I tried to keep Christmas an 'also ran' in this newsletter, it seemed to permeate everything, from Badger's magical article on the true meaning of the season, to articles on how to beat the credit crunch and make your own presents. It is possible to stay green even at Christmas!! And on a more serious note, please read the two views on turkey rearing...if only to make you aware of how your Christmas bird gets to your dining table.

From all of us at the BGI, may your season be peaceful and happy and may you be close to the ones you love .. Jo x

BREAKING NEWS!! Read Brigit's blog for some really exciting news on the bus...here

For Life, Not Just For Christmas...

A turkey's lot is often not a happy one. Turkeys are reared intensively because of consumer demand for cheap meat but the cost is not just financial; there are welfare and environmental costs to consider too.

Dick Strawbridge gives a first hand account showing the huge benefits of going free-range, for him and his turkeys... read on

Meanwhile Jo compares the conditions of intensive and free range-turkeys and shows that it costs less than you think to buy free-range... full details

Midwinter Festivals

Worried that Christmas has lost its meaning? That it's commercial and stressful, fraught and expensive? Badger, an English environmental horticulturist and neo-pagan living and working in Canada, tells us what the Winter Solstice means to him and how he will be celebrating this magical time of year... more here

Get Crafty This Christmas

Christmas doesn’t need to wear out those credit cards! There is a way to fly in the face of consumerism, be green and keep your loved ones happy! Make your own…presents, cards and wrapping. And all for pennies! Karen Hurley tells us how...full story

No Space To Grow? No Problem!

It's not only smallholders who can be self-sufficient! According to Dave Hamilton, who along with his twin brother Andy wrote The Self-Sufficientish Bible, all it takes is a windowsill, a pot and some imagination... find out more

Vegan Christmas Recipes

Good food, family and friends. The recipe for a perfect festive season. Sometimes it's not all about the meat... more details

RSPB Feed the Birds Update

RSPB Volunteer Fiona Sharp gives us her story of the RSPB Feed the Birds event... full story

Product review - Weleda Wild Rose Natural Deodorant

Call me shallow but it’s the stuff dreams are made of...being shown a box of delectable eco-girlie goodies and being told to ‘Help yourself, they are samples...'

Christmas comes early for Jo as she gets her hands on some natural products, and all in the name of 'research'! more details

SAS Drawing Boards Update

With contributions from artists such as Tracey Emin and Paul McCartney, the Surfers Against Sewage Drawing Boards Auction was always going to be a success. Find out how much they raised here

If you have a green tip you would like to share, an idea for something you would like to read about or any comments on this newsletter please email me:

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The Big Green Idea registered charity No. 1123650

Disclaimer: All views expressed in the content are those of the relevant author or sources they draw upon, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Big Green Idea or its Trustees. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of any information in this publication, readers should not rely upon it and should verify the detail for themselves before acting upon it.

Important Notice: Although The Big Green Idea does not encourage consumerism, we do appreciate that everyone shops for essentials and the occasional treat they cannot create themselves. If you choose to shop with BigGreenSmile.com or GREENPEOPLE via the links in the right hand column, they will donate between 7% and 10% from the sale to us.

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'I’d like to take this opportunity to say an enormous thank you to all the lovely people who have helped The Big Green Idea this year, in any way, shape or form. You are all wonderful and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!'
Brigit

Brigit's Blog

Chat from Brigit and the team as they find out what makes a green charity tick!

A little Green thought...

We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.

Native American Proverb

Little Green Balm

Specially blended for the BGI, 100% vegan, toxin free balm from Helen James of Innocent Oils. Click here to buy some and raise money for the BGI at the same time!

Reader's Tip

Following on from last month's article on conserving water, Kathryn Colling from Plymouth wrote in with the following tip:

'Another trick that we have learnt is to save the water that we have to run
while waiting for the hot water to reach the taps into old plastic milk containers. It can sometimes give us 2 or 3 litres until the water is hot. I know an instant heater would save even more, but as we only put our water on for half an hour a day and would need at least 2 heaters for different rooms it seems extravagant.'

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ARTICLES in this issue

Karen Hurley

Gets Crafty

Dave Hamilton

No Space to Grow? No Problem!

REGULAR FEATURES

Gardening in December

Seasonal Recipes: Wren's Festive Fare

Green News from around the world

Seasonal Snippets

Skincare treats

Resources

From crafts through building useful stuff, from pallets to natural skincare or wormeries, you'll find lots of helpful advice and links to useful websites in our resources area!

Website of the month

Innocent Oils, producers of award winning, 100% toxin free, vegan skincare

visit their site