In a nutshell – I’m testing different growing methods to see which comes out best. This month it’s spinach. I love my Ikea Vaxar Hydroponics unit but I wasn’t very impressed with the taste of the lettuce that came out of the first crop. To see if it makes a difference I’m trying (not terribly scientifically) to see if soil …
Ikea Hydroponics 3 months on, tips and hacks.
In a nutshell – I bought the Ikea Vaxar hydroponics unit as part of the Ikea Live LAGOM project. This is how it is 3 months after setting up with some growing tips and hacks. As a Live LAGOM participant I had to come up with resolutions that would help us live more sustainably. I chose growing salad all year …
How to make reusable wax cloth alternative to cling film
In a nutshell – Step by step easy instructions to make your own waxed fabric. It can be used instead of cling film to keep food fresh. If you like this tutorial and want more ideas to reduce your plastic waste please check out the Sustainable Summer Workbook. It has 42 easy ideas to make and do that the planet …
Optimal Living Daily – little podcasts with lots of useful info
In a nutshell – Optimal Living Daily is a series of podcasts about productivity, health, finance and business. They saves you the bother of hunting out the very best authors who are read daily in short bursts. If you are at all interested in learning new ways to manage your time and life better, then I totally recommend the OLD …
Less waste – An A-Z of leftover food ideas.
In a nutshell – in the spirit of less waste the less-stuff Facebook group came up with lots of ideas for using up lefovers. They vary from vegan to meaty but can all be adapted to suit what you have. My plan for using up leftovers is usually heavily reliant on having a blender. I’ve a stick blender which can …
Living lagom and making draft excluders
In a nutshell – as part of the Ikea LiveLAGOM project we were invited to make draft excluders from fabric scraps. Here are the instructions for a double one that moves with your door. There are huge gaps under the door of my living room. It is a rickety Victorian house with no right angles and lots of drafts. It …
Things to do for free on uninspiring winter weekends
In a nutshell – a few ideas for things to do on a uninspiring winters weekend. None of them involve money, some need no energy at all. I’ve added some to keep kids amused too! Staying warm: make a cosy winter corner with a comfortable chair and a warm blanket, settle in by the fire for a good read. nap …
Back to Basics; The Humble Cloth Pad – Guest post by Rachael Hertogs
In a nutshell – Instead of buying tampons monthly there are alternatives that save you money & are good for the environment. Guest Post by Rachael Hertogs. This is a guest post by Rachael Hertogs of Moon Times. Reusable menstrual products are safer for your body and more cost effective; they are not a step back in time but a …
First indoor salad crop from hydroponics kit
In a nutshell – 7 weeks ago I started some seeds off in a hydroponics unit bought through the Ikea Live LAGOM project. This is our celebration meal with the first crop. I’ve been growing 3 different types of lettuce in the grow house for the last 7 weeks and today we started eating it. We can kiss goodbye to …
Live LAGOM Actions – Inspiring sustainable change
In a nutshell – As part of the Live LAGOM project I’ve been thinking about tiny ways we can all make changes for the better. Here are some ideas to live a more comfortable and sustainable life. Illustrations of key points from my Live LAGOM experience, where Ikea gave me a budget for things to make life more sustainable at …
7 weeks from seed to salad – indoor hydroponics
In a nutshell – how quick it is to produce your own salad indoors, even in mid winter. 48 days after planting seeds we have a good crop we can start eating this weekend. They are growing in the darkest room in the house, under Ikea VAXAR lights, bought as part of the Live LAGOM project. You can read about …
How long will it take for a hydroponics unit to pay for itself
In a nutshell – How long it will take for an indoor hydroponics growing kit to pay for itself. Assuming I eat one packet of bagged lettuce a week at a cost of £1.50 a week. If I spend £1.50 on a bag of lettuce a week that is costing me £78 a year. How much does the growing kit …