Green Round-up: It’s all about going s-l-o-w

Welcome to the July Green Roundup!

I believe Summer really is coming at last, so before you rush outside to soak up the rays, lap up this month’s inspiration.

We’ve got everything for making the ‘green’ life easy from delicious recipes to cunning reuse ideas.

Say it without flowers…

I used to treat myself weekly to fresh cut flowers at the supermarket.

Then I learned that what I was really bringing home was thousands of air miles, tonnes of pesticides, and some rather rubbish plastic packaging to throw away. Not to mention the fact that in some cases, CHILDREN were used to grow flowers, where they had to handle machetes and dangerous chemicals.

So I reluctantly gave up my treat.

Suzanne, over on Egg Dip Dip has come up with the perfect compromise.

See what’s she up to with her Frugal Top Tip #2.

Perfect falafel

I don’t know about you, but I LOVE chickpeas. Whether it’s in soup, hummous or falafel I can’t get enough of those creamy little fellas.

It seems I’m not alone. After a disappointing experience with falafel, Sadia decided to make her own from scratch. The secret is in the way you prepare the chickpeas apparently.

Feast your eyes on Baked Falafel and see if you don’t drool.

Slow cookers rule

My slow cooker is one of my favourite kitchen gadgets.

They use a tiny amount of electricity and you can prepare an entire meal with minimal washing up.

These nifty beasts aren’t just for comforting casseroles; you can use them for everything to roasting a whole chicken to coming down to warm porridge in the mornings.

That’s why I was super excited to see Aly’s recipe for Slow Cooker Blueberry Muffin Pudding. Be sure to check it out!

Meat free inspiration

Are you looking reducing your carbon footprint or living more lightly on the earth?

The debate is ongoing whether or not eating a meat free diet could be a way to help the environment.

Over on Plus 2 point 4, Aly shares her weekly recipe planner for meat-free vegetarian and vegan meals. This week she’s shared a delicious recipe for Slow Cooker Veggie Stuffed Pasta Shells.

Be sure to check it out and get more inspiration for reducing meat in your diet.

Zip it up

Now I know the idea of upcycling with zips might, quite frankly, sound a bit erm, left of centre, but I urge you to check out and marvel at this lady’s creativity.

Our friend Lucy went to a house sale and came home with a bag of ancient zips, as you do.

She put them to good use with um, Deakin, the punk-chic lamp from Peckham.

Take a peek at Deakin; you won’t be disappointed!

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