Eco Friendly House And Garden

I have been sitting in traffic lately – and have found out why there are always big queues!

People seem to have trouble accelerating away from their standstill when the lights go green; I’m not sure why but there is always a massive delay with people pulling away at the lights when they change.

Seemingly, people forget that they have just been sat in traffic for ages and so pootle about themselves when they get to the front of the queue – creating even more of a queue behind them.

It is the same as the people who queue up for ages in a fast food restaurant, swapping from leg to leg while they wait for the orders up ahead to clear – yet when they get to the front, they have no idea what they want to order – and stand there ‘umming’ and ‘ahhing’.

People don’t seem to connect their actions with cause of the problem – and have just come to accept queuing as a part of life rather than think about how they could make everything that little bit nicer if they just thought about others rather than themselves all the time.

The Traffic Lights:
I always wondered why the traffic all didn’t move forward together when the green light finally appeared.  The whole of a train can move forward at the same time – so why can’t a train of cars all go forward on green.

I thought that having sat in traffic for a while, they would all have their foot on the pedal waiting to take off again as soon as they could – but it seems as though people don’t do this.

photo credit: oksidor

I have recently watched people at the front of the lights sorting through their bag and not spotting the green light appear until someone honks at them.  I have also watched people not know whether to pass on the nearside or far side of a car at a junction when they have clearly had ages to think about it at the front of the queue (especially when passing on the passenger side means more cars can pass through at a time).

People pull away slowly, take extra wide corners, don’t accelerate at a normal speed and basically ‘dolly daydream’ a bit about the whole thing.

Yet we all need to get to work – and noone likes sitting in traffic!

Why Does It Matter?
Well being a slow driver doesn’t really matter in itself – but queues of traffic are no good for anyone.

Yes, we have all heard the stories about avoiding the busiest times on the road unless it is absolutely essential travel – and I am a true believer in this – but sometimes you just have to sit in it.

Now surely, if everyone sped up their actions a little bit around traffic lights and round-a-bouts etc, there would be less queues on the road – and less queues mean less sitting traffic; less pollution; less angry divers; less of a rush hour and faster moving traffic. 

All adding up to a healthier traffic network, less stressed people and means that the morning or evening commute will take less time and so more time can be spent at home with the family and less time is spent in your car polluting.

So next time you are sat in traffic wondering why the traffic isn’t moving up ahead even though you can see a green traffic light – think of the mantra: You aren’t stuck in traffic – you ARE the traffic!

Eco thinking isn’t just about turning lights off and shopping locally.

Sometimes it’s the thoughts and actions of the ordinary person that can change things down the line – creating a better result for many people.

For example, there is a new project underway in the US with carpenter Carter Oosterhouse from HGTV, who is working alongside several organisations looking to create ‘healthier’ homes for allergy sufferers; called the Build Smart – Breathe Easier project.

We aren’t just talking about avoiding air fresheners and not keeping shedding pets here – they are designing the whole home and all its materials to reduce the chances of triggering reactions in asthma sufferers.

Why Now?

Well, asthma is a very serious disease - with over 24 million Americans currently suffering.

Statistics show that 11 people a DAY die from asthma and around a quarter of all emergency room admissions a year are from asthma-related incidents.

So why wouldn’t you want to reduce your chances of suffering from an attack?

And with technology, materials and medicine all advancing at a rapid pace – it seems about right to start considering our health when we create new homes – rather than just the environment or our bank balance!

Ultimately though - the 3 are closely linked.

The Larger Picture:

As with all things eco, it isn’t just 1 thing that can make a difference – it leads to a change in a lot of things, and that can only be good.

For example, by keeping yourself healthy at home, you are reducing the medical resources need to keep you healthy; less medication, less days off work or school, less days at the doctors, less time in ER and more time with your family!

So by thinking a bit harder about the requirements of a low allergy home – even if there are costs involved – could actually save an awful lot of othr people resources, other peoples and your own time as well as the drain on the planet with medications, equipment and resulting waste.

To find out more - why not click on their video below……

Deciding to stay at home for the day – instead of a walk in the park – could end up costing more than you thought!

Obviously a day out on a plane won't be better than staying at home, but if you take yours kids out to a local park, woodland or beach – you could be saving electricity, water, food and all sorts of other resources.

Lets take a typical afternoon stroll and a day at home as comparisons for a family with 3 kids, and see what could happen in both instances – good and bad…..

Pack Up Your Troubles:

Right, so the kids are up and have had a tasty breakfast.  They have played about a bit with each other and are starting to get restless.  The sun is shining – so let's get going.

Firstly, you would make a nice packed lunch or healthy sandwiches, fruit, vegetable sticks and maybe yoghurts.  You then fill up bottles with some cordial, grab a blanket and some balls and off you all go.

photo credit: Chris. P

Even if you drive somewhere local first, the whole afternoon spent playing with the kids and eating 'raw' foods will have been very easy on the environment.

The kids will no doubt entertain themselves for most of the time, maybe learn something while they are exploring, find plenty of natural things to 'own' and have worn themselves out for when you get home!

It's Mine!

However, at home there might only be one of something – and so the arguments begin!  Maybe even forcing you to end up buying multiple items in the future to avoid the rows!

And will your kids choose to eat a cheese salad sandwich on brown bread if they had the whole kitchen to choose from? I doubt it.  There will be demands for larger meals of more processed foods (if you have them in the house) or maybe even a cooked meal instead – all adding up over the day and increasing the washing up and filling up the bin!

There is also the likelihood that they will want to play with electrical goods while at home too – as this is where the power is.  No doubt they won't be choosing the watch nature programs and play online puzzles either – they will be watching endless American movies and playing tiny consumer games on they energy-intensive hand-held gadgets!

Share The Love:

I am well aware that all kids like different things – and that taking out 3 kids every day can be very time-consuming and sometimes expensive – I'm just suggesting that a simple trip to the park isn't so bad to force on them.

Many parents I know think that the local park is so boring – but that is a parent-only point of view.  We as adults just see the same old swing, round-a-bout and climbing frame – but the kids will see castles, speed trials and ways to show off their bravery (or stupidity in our eyes!).

I know of kids who beg their God Mother to take them around the block on their bikes every time she visits – just because it is something different for them – rather than a life-changing experience.

So going out for a walk or picnic isn't just great fun for the family and energy-saving - it can also inspire and entertain! 

Using the incorrect medical services could be draining valuable resources – so learn your medical ABC!

That's DR ABC to anyone who has taken and Emergency First Aid course in the past few years – and you should all consider such a course – whether you are required to at work or when volunteering – just having family and friends should be enough encouragement.

I mean, why do we take a first aid course to use at work – when your family are more important to you than an unknown work colleague or a customer in your shop who you have never seen before?  Surely learning the basics of first aid should be a priority for everyone.

But it isn't just Emergency First AId that is essential – being consious of the threat level for that person can also help you choose the best course of action that uses the least amount of unnecessary resources and wasted time without putting the casualties health at risk.

Emergency First Aid:

Obviously, I can't teach you the basics of Emergency First Aid in this article, but I can let you know that a person who you find collapsed needs you to act on them fast. 

This doesn't mean that they need you to go and get help quickly or call an ambulance asap – if means that they need you to clear their airway and check that they are breathing confortably within a few seconds of finding them.  Otherwise getting help or calling 999 will be a waste of time for 2 reasons:

1) if they aren't breathing and you leave them for as little as 5 minutes - it is unlikely that they will survive.

2) if they were breathing and had just fainted (or were just drunk) - you would have called an ambulance unnecessarily.

Yes, of course – if you are in doubt about a collapsed person and have checked their breathing – then call the emergency services and take their advice, but by calling an ambulance before assessing the full situation you could be taking the emergency services away from someone who really needs them.

There are only a certain amount of ambulances available in each area – so calling one out to a person who is just drunk could mean that a heart attack victim could have to wait too long for emergency treatment.

Other Medical Services:

We all know how long you have to wait up A&E to be seen – but we all still go there without a thought.  So by thinking ahead we could reduce waiting times by not getting in the way of more important procedures.

For example, you can self-treat many simple injuries like wood splinters, small clean cuts and sprains, but when would a nosebleed need to go to hospital?  Either call NHS Direct or visit them online to get advice before you head off anywhere.

And if you had a rash but felt well – you shouldn't go to your GP but your pharmacist.  Same goes for coughs, colds, advice on medications and known medical conditions as well as minor infections and minor pains.  Rather than take up your GP's time and services – you can just pop in to any pharmacy on the high street or local shops (many have consultation rooms too).

And what about that nasty infected cut, that small bump on the head on a minor burn?  Where would you go?  Hopefully not A&E – they will have more serious things to be getting on with and you could be sitting there for hours waiting until they have time to see something so non-life threatening.  So where would you go?

Well, the NHS have opened many smaller and more specific centres across the country to help deal with non-emergencies that people need to get checked by a professional without queueing in A&E or making a specific appointment with their Dr; they are Minor Injury or Illness units as well as Drop-In Clinics. 

These allow you to pop in during their extended opening times without an appointment and get seen to by a nurse or doctor as appropriate.

So basically – unless you have a life threatening condition (like you are having chest pains, losing a lot of blood, are unconsious or can't breath) then don't rush to your local emergency hospital – grab your First Aid book, go online or pick up the phone and find out more first.

It makes eco sense to plan ahead and assess your needs.

We all love eating outside – but plan ahead otherwise you could be creating waste.

There is nothing better than eating outside with your family and friends in the summer as it isn't something we Brits normally get the chance to do.  But watch out for potential problems that could fill your bin bags and make you break your eco promises!

Shops across the country are currently selling out of everything disposable – and this is where you shouldn't be involved!  However, it is really tempting to do so.  so here are a few tips to keep you on your toes.

The Barbeque Itself:

Now although the food needs to be cooked – it doesn't need to be done outside.  You can bring all the cooked meat outside along with all the salad and drinks you prepare – but using your own oven will actually be more eco friendly than buying a disposable barbeque that stops cooking effectively after about 5 minutes.

Your fitted outdoor cooker may well do a bit better for you, but all that smoke and open spacing means that a majority of the heat you generate with coals or gas is wasted as it passes right by your food and heats up your face!  Not to mention all that smoke.

photo credit: zoetnet

Food For Thought:

Why opt for the standard outdoor fare of sausages and burger slapped in a white bun with some lettuce and ketchup?  When you are cooking indoors you could rustle up some cous cous, pasta and better quality meat products – as well as using alternatives to bleached bread – like wholegrain pittas, corn wraps and homemade breads as they don't have to be burger-shaped!

And these days you don't need to go an buy lettuces and tomatoes – you should be growing them in your garden.  It is so satisfying to go and collect a handful of salad leaves, asparagus and radishes from your own garden to eat – or step in your greenhouse for fresh tomatoes!

The Washing Up:

No need to wash up after a barbeque – just throw everything in the bin!  Only if you forgot to plan ahead….  Buy buying a set of plastic 'crockery', cups and large bowls you can stop worrying about broken plates and dishes and start enjoying yourself!

The dreaded paper plates – aren't so eco friendly if you think about it.  They never last well with sauces and hot food on them anyway – and you can't compost them with cooked food all over them – or really throw them in the recycling – so they go in the bin.

Plastic cutlery rarely serve their purpose and can't be recycled either, and we all know where plastic cups go.

So spend out on a great set of long-lasting outdoor products that you can use year after year for such events without having to worry about breaks or filled to the brim bin bags!

Or that last minute rush to the shops over the bank holiday to get supplies. 

Is there really an eco difference between a Bulldog and a Beagle?

When you are thinking of buying a puppy and are considering breeds that are easy to train, good with children or don't shed hair – shouldn't you be considering the eco side effects of these breeds too?

All dog breeds and cross breeds (dogs that have obvious traits of one or 2 breeds but are not pure) have a certain amount of 'known' traits that can end up taking up time and money – and maybe affecting their health – and your families enjoyment of having a dog in the first place.

General Health:

Firstly – there are breeds of dog which are known to have certain health issues within the breed circle – for example you might hear the following phrases: all Westies have bad skin; German Shepherds often get bad hips and Yorkies have bad teeth.  Of course not every single German Shepherd on the planet will have hip problems and other breeds of dog can also get bad hips – but there are trends that are common in certain breeds.

So, should you not buy one of theses in the first place – incase it ends up needing ongoing treatment, pain-killers and possibly surgery? 

Of course there are breeders who have made sure that the unhealthy breed traits are not found in their offspring – but should we even consider the risk?

The last thing I would want as a dog owner is a sad sick dog who always has to take certain tablets, can't walk very far, is always in pain or is at the vets every other month.

And all those car journeys, treatments, tablets, operations and specialist diets aren't much good for the environment either!

The Type of Dog:

Not only are there known health issues with certain breeds – there are also certain breeds themselves that can generate problems without really trying.

photo credit: bomb_tea

For example; dogs with very short faces will virtually always get out of breath with exercise, and make terrible breathing noises in hot weather.  Dogs that have heavy flaps of skin will no doubt suffer from some types of skin problems, including ulcers, eczema as well as harbouring fungal infections and ticks.  Dogs with long bodies can find themselves with skeletal and muscular problems if overweight, with too much exercise or just as they age.

Why would you buy a dog with the potential for these health issues before you even take it home?

And You?

Well, nothing genetic that a dog has wrong with it can be 'caught' by humans – but surely you got a dog as you enjoy the outdoors and think that they will be great company in the home – so what if it can't fit that bill?

A dog with itchy skin problems, sore joints, digestive upsets and breathing problems isn't really going to suit your needs.

How can you go out all day with the kids if the dog can only walk for an hour at most before collapsing in a heap?  You won't want to take it to the local park if it has loose stools or patches of fur missing, and you can't ask a friend to watch it every time you go out can you? Or make it wear a giant headcollar so it can't chew itself!

And you won't get a moments peace indoors with a scratchy dog following you around, or a stiff old thing that keeps slipping over as it wanders between rooms, or a dog that has to have a tablet every 4 hours through the night!

So, when you are considering a new dog, don't just think about whether they are easy to train or if they are the same colour as your sofa – think about the environmental effects of owning them too.

Final Note:

Of course, any dog can get ill and as a result suffer from any of these complaints, but there is a difference between 'knowing' that these complaints exist in the dog when you first buy it and having them happen by accident.

I mean your car might break down at any time – and mine have done just that – but would you buy a car that was known to break down every year?  Would you regularly eat spicy foods that make you ill - or do you avoid them completely because of that?

However dogs aren't disposible items – once you buy one, you will have it for around 10-20 years – so think that far ahead!