Lunch time triumph

This morning when I woke up I decided it was time to start packing my own lunch. This week has been quite busy and I haven’t been eating regularly or healthy, grabbing food on the go.

When packing my linseed and soya sandwich (which might sound unappetizing but is my favourite type of bread currently) I wondered how many people I know take the time to look after themselves when scurrying to get things done. Getting all the things you need to do done can be very stressful and eating well can reduce these stress levels. Comfort food is, well, comforting and makes you feel good.

Packing lunch I’ve found has saved me some time and effort (as well as money of course) but it is also lowering the level of waste I produce daily. This is because there are no plastic wrappers, containers or bottles that are being thrown away as a result of food consumption.

Some people argue one should use paper bags when packaging your food for the day, I believe a once of investment in a lunch box is a better alternative. Its re-usable, sturdy and inexpensive. Furthermore you can fill old water bottles with whatever you want to drink, no drinking on the job hey ;)

Quick Lunch tips:

-When packing lunch you can also remember to pack in utensils so as to avoid having to use plastic knives, forks and spoons.

-Use a flask/bottle from home to bring your drinks to work/campus

-Use re-usable washable containers to store your food in.

Photo: http://goo.gl/HabDE

Green gifting

Its that time of the year when shops are starting to remind as that the end of the year is near and that Christmas time is coming. Being a person who likes personal gift buying as opposed to generic ordinary, expected gifts I’ve been thinking that this Christmas I want to buy greener gifts and encourage my friends to do the same.

Gathering information on how to do this is a bit tricky. Firstly I know that I usually tend to try and buy all the gifts I need in one day to avoid having to spend hours going through the same shops with the same uninspired goods. One good idea is to visit local markets. These markets usually produce local goods, which not only helps you to support a local trade, but also gives you the opportunity to invest in the community where you live. I especially love the different markets that Hermanus has to offer including a craft market, which is held every first Saturday of the month.

Furthermore people say you should avoid plastics, pva, overly packaged goods and anything made from endangered woods (I’m not really sure which type of wood this is, so should probably check into that.) It makes sense that one should try not to increase your waste output by buying a lot of plastic stuff that will probably break and then end up in the bin anyway. How about treating your bookworm friends to a second hand book, who needs a new home?

I am definitely going to try and keeping wrapping paper out of the picture by using something more environmentally friendly or perhaps even trying something that is functional as well. Green gifting can be way more creative then conventional gift giving.

If you have any other green gifting ideas or tips let me know!