Getting frugal and staying green

The global recession has finally caught up with us here in South Africa and we are starting to feel the pinch. I’m putting some work into finding ways to cut our expenses, all the while staying green, and in some aspects, becoming even greener. Here are some ideas I’ve had for cutting back spending that …

Rainy Day Kids’ Activity: Sowing winter veg

Piper and I have been sowing seeds for winter vegetables this afternoon. It’s fun to do with children of any age when outside is stormy and wet, and inside is a much nicer prospect. Northern hemisphere folks sow summer veg for a school holiday activity. Learning to grow vegetables is a valuable and important life …

Local is lekker, imported is bad for the planet

Mark Berger put into words a couple of weeks ago something that I’ve been thinking since being back in South Africa, and that is that South African’s appear to be suffering under “a massive countrywide inferiority complex.” One particular area that I’ve noticed this, and one that Mark didn’t include in his blog post, is …

EcoDIY: WALL-E the recycled robot

Give some moms a big pile of recycling and instead of dropping it off at the nearest recycling centre, they come up with an inspired toy for their kids. This cute WALL-E robot is made out of what “Kitten Muffin” (not her real name, surely) found in her recycling bin, although looking at the raw …

EcoFood: Butternut, spinach and feta quiche

It’s vegetarian recipe day here at EcoStreet because eating less meat is better for our planet. Today I’m sharing with you a recipe that I improvised after eating something similar at Millstone Cafe at the Oude Molen Eco Village. I’m not 100% sure what goes into their version of this, but here’s what goes into …

Countdown to Planting Season

Down here in the Southern Hemisphere the shortest day of the year less than a week away, and we’re counting down to planting season. Just this past weekend in the rain, my lovely husband was chopping a great chunk out of the lawn so that I can start planting fruit and vegetables in our new …

If you’ve wondered why EcoStreet now has a more African feel

For those of you, treasured readers, who have always looked to EcoStreet for green titbits (I love that word) of the British variety, but have noticed that the flavour has been distinctly African of late, here’s a belated explanation for you. Although I spent 13 years in England (which is where I was living when …

Wetland clean up at Oude Molen Eco Village this Tuesday

CAPE TOWN – Here’s something really worthwhile to do on Tuesday’s public holiday. I’m going because I like to make a contribution to keeping places that I enjoy in good nick, and because I want to teach my children that being a member of a community is a give and take process. Photo credit: Millstone …