Britmums Green Round-up: Chickens to dogs and everything in between

Spring is in the air, blossom and shoots are showing their proud faces across this green and pleasant land and I don’t know about you, but I’m getting in the mood for a bit of a spring clean.

What better way to find a spring in your step than joining in with the Britmums Green Roundup? On the 4th Tuesday of the month you’ll get the latest news on all things eco to help you achieve your green aspirations for the year.

You’ll get tips on gardening in case you fancy dipping a toe into some self-sufficiency. You’ll find recipes to help you reduce food waste and some crafty projects to turn your rubbish into a resource. So without further ado, let’s introduce this month’s eco heroes:

Bin porn

Kicking off this month is Jacqui who, unbeknown to her, has led me into a haze of fetish and lust. You’ll have to avert your eyes if you’re offended by such things as I reveal the source of my excitement.

I can’t begin to tell you just how magnificent a set of sparkly, stylish recycling bins can be.

Thankfully it appears I’m not alone in my desires.

Jacqui is now the proud owner of a pair of super stylish, sleek, front loading recycling bins.

Be still my beating heart …

Doggy bags – yay or nay?

Jennifer gives voice to one of my conscience-tickling concerns.

Doggy bags.

I mean, a bit embarrassing right? A bit ‘un-British’ perhaps? A bit, dare I say it, undignified?

But what about food waste? What about “getting what you pay for”? What about thinking of people across the world that barely have enough to eat?

Check out Jennifer’s view on the latest great American import and let me know what you think about doggy bags.

Eggcellent ideas

Here at Chez Green we’ve just welcomed three chickens into the family.

They’ve not been the easiest girls to deal with (think pecking order, literally!), but now the weather is warmer and the grass is shooting up, they’ve finally started to lay!

Last week I found myself with 8 eggs and fortunately Mamacooks was on hand to help us use up our glut with her Top 10 egg recipes.

Easter cards

Staying on the egg theme; no sooner have we wiped away the crumbs from Mothering Sunday, than we’re preparing for Easter.

When it comes to artistic endeavours, the simpler the better is my mantra.

If you’ve got pre schoolers to entertain, look no further than these delightful Easter chick cards from Maggy. You don’t even need a green finger to join in the fun; all you need is a yellow thumb.

I think even I could manage to make them…

Reconnecting with nature

This morning I sat in the early spring sunshine weeding some patio containers ready for this year’s sowing.

Everyone who indulges in some ‘grow your own’, whether it’s a single pot outside the back door or a full allotment, shares the same delight this time of year.

The joy of watching seedlings push their way through the soil never fails to bring a smile to your face.

Over on Carrots and Kids Deb shares her list of things to do with kids to get them back to nature; and there’s not a patronising ‘kids project’ in sight.

Spinning a yarn

There’s a bonus post for you this month…

A couple of months ago, my husband was cutting back our hedge and he found a birds nest.

Woven into the nest was some of our bunny’s fur and this week I’ve seen some of the sparrows pinching pieces of hay and straw from aforementioned bunny’s hutch.

For those of you who might live in more built up areas or away from nature, you can still help the birds find nesting materials with this pretty nesting material supply.

I had concerns about using manmade yarn for birds, but it appears the blogger has taken on expert advice…

If that’s not enough green living content for you greedy little Easter bunnies, hop over to some of the Brit Mum’s greenest groups: Green parents, Allotment bloggers, The Simple Life or the gardening group.

What about you – Have you written about something green and eco this week? Add your post to the linky below so we can come and oooo and aaahhh at your inspirational ideas.