Resurrection of Pre Loved Goods

Like many other new home owners, we embarked upon renovating our little home.  Full of vim and vigor parts of the project took shape relatively quickly.  I made a conscious decision not to use a skip for all materials pulled out of this 1950’s home.  This proved a challenge for a number of reasons.  Just what do you with what many would perceive as rubbish.

Plaster board can now be separated and processed through a local composting plant…a no brainer considering the amount we had to dispose of.  Concrete from two fireplaces; heavy dusty work and as concrete can last for thousands of years in our environment a solution was required.  I relented and organised a “concrete only skip”.  This was not only much cheaper than general waste, I also had the satisfaction this concrete was going to a concrete crushing plant were it would have a new life.
Next came the 20 year old pink batts from the ceiling.  Having lost much of its heat retaining ability it still had a use.  The antique insulation was double layered and used to insulate the walls of metal garage/shed at the bottom of the garden.  What’s more, any salvageable sheets of plaster board removed from the house were then used to turn this once steel lined only garage into a much nicer storage unit.

The old fireboxes, wetback, roofing iron and any other metal was placed to one side and collected by Hawke’s Bay Scrap Metal who even paid cash. Easy money… just a bit of time to sort things out.
Now the renovations are nearing completion it is time to focus on the clutter of items in storage.  After twelve months of not being used, are they still needed? And if not, what are the disposal options?  Hastings has some great charity shops and second hand dealers, where once loved items are given the chance of resurrection.  I spent last night trawling through ‘stuff’ which I hope someone will enjoy as much I once did.  While an easy option is to reach for the bin; considering the amount of resource invested in manufacturing these products, this should definitely be the last option. 

Happy spring cleaning.

Marmalade

Every year for the past 4 years I have made my dad marmalade for his birthday on the first of August.  I am running a bit late this year because the fruit on their tree wasn’t ripe when I went to visit.  I have since sourced another supplier and will have the marmalade made in time for father’s day.  Dad is the dad who doesn’t like to receive presents and is happy with a block or two of chocolate but his daughter’s homemade marmalade is even better.  I make it just to his liking, nice and chunky and still quite tart in taste.

I’m all about giving presents that are made with love. This year for Christmas I am planning on making some fruit jams for my friends and neighbours along with some shortbread or mini Christmas cakes.

My Marmalade recipe

4 large Grapefruit
2 Large Lemons
3.5 Litres of water
10 cups of sugar, approx 2.5 kgs

Slice and chop the grapefruit and lemons into the desired size, depending on whether you like smooth or chunky marmalade.  I leave mine quite chunky and soak in the water overnight.

Boil until the fruit and water is soft and pulpy, then allow to cool so you can measure the volume of pulp.  Most recipes call for equal volumes of sugar, eg 12 cups of pulp suggests that you add 12 cups of sugar but as I like my marmalade tart I only add 10 cups of sugar.  Bring all the mixture back to the boil and boil rapidly until setting point is reached.  At this point remember to stir regularly otherwise the sugar will burn to the bottom of the pot. You can also taste it at this point to see if you like the flavour, but be careful not to burn your tongue.

Pour into sterilised jars, seal, label and enjoy.

Taking Time Out For Yourself

In our busy lives it is really important to take time out and do something for ourselves.  Having a young family and working full time means my life is extremely busy and it has taken a while for me to recognise the fact that I need time to clear my head and do something rewarding for myself.   I recently read a letter written into a columnist in an American paper which urged me to start giving myself some “me time”.

The letter to the columnist was from a young lady who had a friend with small children and she (the writer) was complaining that she never got spend anytime with her friend.  Instead her friend choose to spend the limited time that she got alone, by herself, having some “me time”. The writer was bemused as to why she wasn’t contacted to catch up for a coffee.

For me I love to spend time with my family and friends but I also enjoy spending time by myself.  Since having my children I have promised to knit them warm clothing for winter.  This year I started early and also enlisted the help of my mum so they were all completed before the real cold of winter hit us. Once I had finished knitting for the family I embarked on a project for myself.  I have just finished knitting myself a woollen cardigan. To keep me inspired I brought it into work most days and completed a line or two each break, it was amazing how fast it grew.  Four weeks later it was completed.

Now I find myself glued to the giggle box again in the evenings, but in a few weeks time I will be able to start venturing out into the vegetable garden in the evenings and pottering around.
I recommend you start making time to do something you love and spending some quality time with yourself.

Reducing your Power Bill

It is always easy to talk about something that you are passionate about.  Well yesterday I discovered another passion of mine – helping people save money on their power bills.

I was approached by the Hastings District Libraries to arrange for someone to give a public talk on how people can save money on their power bills. At first I thought – who can I contact to give such a talk here in Hastings, and as I discussed it further with my colleagues it became apparent that I was best suited to the role.

So I shared my knowledge on the things that we do in our home to reduce our power bill and also printed off some brochures from the EECA energywise website to share with others at my talks.
The easiest thing to do is to start switching things off at the wall when they are not being used, e.g. TV, Stereo, Laptop and mobile phone chargers, microwave etc.

Did you know that almost 60% of your power bill goes on heating your home and hot water?

And then there are things that you can do with a little investment to stop heat escaping from your home; hang thermal backed curtains over windows (and close them at dusk), stop draughts from coming in under doors, put a cylinder wrap around your hot water cylinder & pipes and investigate getting your ceiling and floor insulated through the “Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart” grants.
For more information, check out the energywise website.

Battery Recycling Options

So many electronic devices use them but what are we supposed to do with them when they are past their best?

Batteries - An electrical battery is one or more electrochemical cells that convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy. (Wikipedia.org)

Because there are so many batteries being used each year we have installed new battery recycling stations. It all stated just before Christmas when I received a call from an older gentleman who was constantly having to replace his hearing aid batteries.

Up until now the only disposal option has been in your general rubbish or through the HazMobile collection for household hazardous waste held in November each year.

We have begun battery disposal trials at three sites; Hastings District Council Customer Service Centre, Henderson Road Recycling Depot and the Hawke’s Bay Environment Centre. The receptacles are small wheelie bins with a hole drilled in the top that allows for batteries up to size “D”.

Once collected the batteries are sorted into two types, recyclable (Ni-CD, Ni-MH and Lithium) and disposable. The usable batteries are sent away to be recycled and the others are encased in concrete before being buried in the landfill. Unfortunately this is the only option for them here in NZ.

So spread the word amongst friends, family and neighbours to use this new service.

Winter Vege Gardening

I know the rewards are spread out a bit more when you are growing veges over the winter, but I really wanted to share this photo of my Beetroot with you.  I have a couple of them waiting to be harvested and think I may be eating Beetroot for dinner for the rest of the week.  This isn’t a bad thing, because I went to a nutritionist last week and it was suggested that I eat more Beetroot to help improve my health and immune system.

As you can see from the photo the root on the beet is the height of a teaspoon which I thought was pretty good going considering I don’t give my vege garden much attention.  I am sure the plants are relieved it has rained this past week, as my attempts to water them has been few and far between.  Mainly when I look out the window and notice that they have all gone limp.

I have added a few new winter plants over the past month including my staple of Cabbages and Garlic.  By the way it’s not too late to plant Garlic now, you can plant it up until the end of July.  And I am having more success with my Rocket and Coriander as I have previously tried to grow them both in summer but both have bolted to seed. I may even have enough Rocket to create a Rocket, Feta and Beetroot salad.

I am also having a go at growing some Fennel, I saw the small seedlings at market and couldn’t resist giving it a go, even tho I have never eaten it.  I figure you are never too old to try new things.

Help Plant a Forest at Omarunui Landfill

The public is invited to take part in the planting of the Facebook Forest at the Omarunui Landfill.

Hastings District Council’s Sus’d project has sourced 1500 native trees which will be planted by the public on a part of the landfill site which will not be used for rubbish disposal.

Sus’d ambassador and Hastings District Councillor Tania Kerr says “It is important that the public is involved right from the beginning of the creation of the Facebook Forest. This is the start of a long term project which will help beautify the landscape and attract bird life to the area.”

“Everyone who joins in the planting will also be invited on a guided tour of the landfill, which will teach them more about the operation of the waste facility.”

Species of natives to be planted include cabbage trees, hebe, coprosma, pittosporum, flax, kowhai, ribbonwood, kanuka, and totara.

The area to be planted is quite steep so sturdy boots or shoes are required, and you should bring your own spade. To take part in planting day, please be at the Omarunui Landfill Kiosk on Omarunui Road no later than 10am on Saturday May 26^th. 

Are you interested in taking part?  

Register at www.susd.org.nz or phone Hastings District Council on 871 5000.

Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/lovesusd to keep up with our tips and hints.

Have you ever wondered what you would do without a mobile phone?

Let’s face it mobile phone ownership has become the norm over the past decade.  There are now more active mobile phones in New Zealand than there are people living here.  The phenomenal rate phones have evolved means that they now have an average life expectancy of just eighteen months.  I probably have food in my cupboard which will last longer!

What I’m eluding to here is the value, or lack of,  we place on items such as mobile phones in our quest for the latest gizmo or gadget.  These wonders of the modern age with built in cameras, games,  alarm clocks and more memory than a standard computer from the late 80’s are now easily cast aside for the new sleeker, must have model.   So doing the math, approx 1.5 million phones require disposal every year.

Recycling your mobile phone has just become a whole lot easier.  Our District Libraries are all supporting our mobile phone recycling programme which is just brilliant.  Every phone dropped into Hastings, Flaxmere or Havelock North Library goes to support the Starship Children’s Hospital Appeal in Auckland.  And what’s even better all the phone are recycled too which means less precious metals going into landfills.

I know I have at least six defunct phones in random draws at home.  So like me, why not have a de-clutter, recycle your old mobile phone/s and support a great cause while you’re at it!?

Events to get you on your bike

So there are a few events happening this week in the Hawke’s Bay as part of Bike Wise. They are a great way to get a reward for jumping on your bike for ride. I must admit that the weather so far hasn’t been favourable for cycling. I was aiming to ride 20 kms per week, but due to family commitments and weather I have only managed 21kms for the whole month. On the other hand our team here at work has four cyclists participating and we have cycled 870 between us. Hastings District Council as an organisation has racked up a massive 7250 kms over 463 rides with 20% of staff participating.

The first event is on Thursday (23 Feb) and is to entice ladies to get on their bikes. It is a “Frocks on Bikes” fashion show at the HB Opera House starting at 1pm. Art Deco fashion is the focus which will be a nice way to end the Art Deco celebrations held over the past couple of weeks.

On Friday (24 Feb) at the Opera House will be the annual “Bike to Work” breakfast will be provided from 7am to 8.30am. Make sure you call by to say hi and grab a bacon buttie or some fruit for breakfast.

And finally on Saturday is the Regional Council’s Trail Blazer ride along the stock bank pathway from Pettigrew Green Arena to Puketapu Domain. It is the official opening event of the Hawke’s Bay Trails. The ride starts at 9.45am. For more information on the above events visit bikewise.co.nz

Have fun cycling!

Pedal Power

Getting out on your bike is the smart choice. Whether it’s a ride to school, to work or along one of the many pathways, riding is a great way to explore your own back yard.

A good incentive to get on your bike is here with the national BikeWise programme which starts on Wednesday. Sign up at http://www.bikewise.co.nz/

It is a great way to create a bit of competition in your workplace, especially seeing who can cycle the most kms. I am challenging myself to do 50kms a week, an increase of 30kms from last year. I will keep you posted on my progress. The bikewise website will also have the details of the local events being held here in Hastings over the month.

A FREE Big Bike Fix-Up is to be held at the Clock Tower in Hastings CBD on Sunday February 5th, from 10am to 11:30am. Mechanics from local bike shops will be on hand to give bikes the once-over and make sure they are road worthy.

For more information on off road cycle routes, visit iway.org.nz

Best of all it’s good for our environment, good for you and good for your pocket.
Happy Cycling

Fruits of my Labour

I spent a few weeks away over the holiday period and when I returned my garden looked like a jungle. This was partly due to a friend diligently watering while I was away and the absence of our cat. He was on holiday with us and therefore wasn’t able to disturb the plants.

I spent several hours pruning and tying up my tomatoes and here is a pic of the first ones to be picked, Heirloom Black Cherry Tomato.



The silverbeet had bolted away so strongly that it had gone to seed (the cows over the fence really enjoyed it) and the courgettes had become marrows but that’s what happens in summer; things change quickly in the garden.I’ve put in more mini Brassica’s because I still haven’t seen any white butterflies and I will keep adding lettuces, radishes and beetroot every couple of weeks.

And finally, this is what the garden looked like before I tackled it in the weekend.



Happy gardening.