Find me online
Miss Write
  • Home
  • Blog
  • My Writing
  • About
  • WIP

Battling Single Use Plastics in Covid-19 Days

15/7/2020

0 Comments

 

How has waste and recycling been affected by Covid-19? I attended a really good webinar this morning about this question, and I thought I'd share some information about single use plastics. 

Picture

Lockdown has had an affect on our types of waste and the behaviours we display around getting rid of our waste. For example, who could have predicted 5 months ago that so many face masks would be dropped into supermarket bins as people exit the building? I certainly didn't have any face masks at home in February, but we have a stash now, ready for whenever the weekly shop is called for. 

Even during the pandemic, it's important to remember to AVOID, REDUCE, REUSE, and RECYCLE your waste. The environment can't take a 'messy break' and litter, waste and pollution are not something to allow just because "times are unprecedented". Through lockdown, more single use plastic has been used, in an effort perhaps by people trying to reduce their contamination risks. This is often things like

 - plastic cutlery and plates on picnics and in school canteens, when reusable ones from home would be easy to take instead, and easily washed to use again. 

- delivery packaging from supermarkets. If you've been lucky enough to 'bag' *ahem* a supermarket delivery slot, you may have noticed they are not using reusable containers anymore, and are relying on plastic carrier bags a lot more. 

- takeaway containers not only from your normal Chinese or fish and chips shop, but also from restaurants and cafes who are now offering a new 'lockdown' takeaway service. Most of these are (recyclable) plastic or (non-recyclable) polystyrene containers, many of which are not disposed of properly when the meal is over. 

The reduced choice and availability in supermarkets has also contributed to the issue. Many people who would have chosen the 'plastic free' produce now have now option but to buy the cellophane wrapped broccoli and the huge 1kg bag of carrots instead of buying loose. 

Picture
​Masks are a new challenge in waste generation circles: A growing demand (which will continue to grow next week with it becoming compulsory to wear masks in supermarkets), a complex material, and a very visible one when some people simply cannot be arsed to dispose of them properly. Some people even have been flushing them down the toilet.

Masks need to be put responsibly in the bin; They are made from a mix of materials, including plastics, and cannot be recycled. Masks often end up thrown on the floor when used, left available for wildlife to eat and to create an eyesore in public areas. I know I've seen some on the pavements in my local area, and in green areas...

​And marine pollution doesn't escape either. The Guardian reported 'more masks than jellyfish' recently. 

How can we combat this?

- Report littering and flytipping to your local council. You can often just fill out a quick form online and they generally clear up the issue within a few days, if you're lucky. 

Picture
​- Social media the hell out of irresponsible plastic littering! I found this on Instagram recently, specifically for plastic gloves litter on beaches >>>

 - It is still safe to litter pick, if you wish, but I'd strongly recommend using gloves and a litter-picker if possible (the grabbing stick kind). 
​
​- Now the recycling centres are open again, make full use of them if your recycling is overflowing. This will leave more space in your refuse bin for things like masks and rubber gloves which cannot be recycled. 

- Make sure your mask is binned - and stays in the bin! If the bin is overflowing, take it home with you and dispose of it there.

 - Use reusable masks 

Picture
On the plus side, waste carrier Veolia has reported a 30% increase in recycling since lockdown began, and the materials are 'cleaner' too, with fewer waste items contaminating the bins and boxes. This is a big win, let's hope it continues!

​You may have seen this striking photo from Oceans Asia. Possibly does more with the image than my 100s of words here. 
Picture
Throw nature a bone - not a mask - and dispose of your waste properly, folks!

Lou x
0 Comments

Baking Pretzels

5/7/2020

0 Comments

 

Yesterday I made pretzels for the first time.

Yes, I know, some are submarines and the pretzel holes are far from defined, but they tasted perfect. Yum yum! One more from the buns of the world baking book!
Picture
 This is my last Lockdown diary style post. I feel like all that's missing from 'before' is the social distancing, the 2m rule still being advised. It's feeling doubly like the end of lockdown as I'm working again, albeit returning from mat leave, and only upstairs in the spare room, but still, feels like a new beginning.

​Honestly, on meeting friends, once we got over the initial 'can't hug hello', a walk or a cuppa continues as normal, especially now we're allowed indoors. Still waiting for the cinemas to re-open, personally, but it's not bothering me much at all nowadays. Hope you're feeling similarly!

My final wellbeing lockdown challenge looked like this yesterday...

Something for me: Online Zumba class
Something to make someone else smile: Pretzels for friends and neighbours
Productivity: The pretzels - they took forever to make!

Lou x
0 Comments

Fresh Cherry Scones

30/6/2020

0 Comments

 

Today I picked some wild cherries and made scones with them. 

Picture
The local fruit trees are just coming into season, but I'd never noticed the cherries before. I picked exactly one cup's worth too, on a whim, and that's exactly what I needed for a recipe I found later that afternoon. 

I have never baked (or indeed, tasted) cherry scones with fresh fruit before, but these are YUMMY. The dough was really wet, which made rolling it out and using a cutter impossible, but I 'blobbed it' on a baking tray and they came out pretty well. 

Ooh look, it's time for afternoon snack. 

​Lou x

Lockdown Wellbeing:

Productivity: See above
Make myself happy: Enjoyed having a coffee in the garden with my brother this afternoon. 
Made someone else smile: I delivered a chococlate cake to my very pregnant friend. 

0 Comments

The Big Three

27/6/2020

0 Comments

 

Today I struggled with my anxiety. 

Picture
I'm going back to work this week after 13 months of maternity leave, and I am full of emotions. I've thoroughly enjoyed being a new mum and having so much time looking after Rox. Honestly, if we could afford it, I wouldn't be going back to work. Consequently it's been a bit of an emotional time lately, and I've felt pressured to 'enjoy the time' I have left with Rox, even through the limits of lockdown. 

Here's a few of the things which have been playing on my mind...

 - Will I remember  what I need to for my role? My brain is a bit mushy right now!
 - Will my new mum crowd drift away?
 - Will our childcare plan work out well? This involves El Husbandio having Rox two days in a row, he'll be learning fast!
 - Will I be as good as my team expect or remember me to be?
 - Is there anything I should do before I return to work to help Rox's development? To enjoy myself?
 - Why are me and El Husbandio at each other this week?
 - How will domestic duties be split now I won't be as available?
 - How will home working work when both of us are in the office?

So many things on my mind!

I had a bad day today with all this - and more - going round my brain. I realised I felt 


  Worried
   Angry
   Sad

This is a bit of a lethal combination for me, the Big Three. These feelings do dominate when I'm having a rough time. Spotting I felt this way is a HUMUNGOUS achievement for me, given I had no emotional awareness a couple of years back. I've worked hard to recognise my emotions and to help let them be and pass, if they're not helpful. 

I didn't want to reflect any more. It was getting too much.

I took some deep breaths. . 
I spent some time in the garden alone. 
I reminded myself I'll still be a mum forever, it's not ending. 
I thought of the near future, how exciting it'll be when Rox is walking, talking...
I made a mental list of all the great things Rox and I are planning for the next year.
I reminded myself that I like my boss, my job, I'm going to go back to having a monthly income. 

And this helped enormously. I start work on Wednesday, and I don't feel terrible about it. Now I feel

  Proud
  Relaxed
  Sad

I'm immensely proud of what I've achieved this year, relaxed about going back to work (slowly does it, it'll feel normal before long), but still a little bit sad still I won't have my little shadow by my side all day. 

And that's ok. 

​Lou x
0 Comments

Treble Bake Day

3/6/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture

This morning I baked bread rolls, carrot cake and cherry buns.

Something possessed me and I couldn't turn the oven off. I've just kept going since Sundays major charity bake, it seems!!

The rolls are linseed and oat (for tea), the buns are almond sponge with cherries for decoration (reminds me of my grandma), and the carrot cake is egg free - vegan, actually - as my baby can't eat egg. 

Picture
​So there's my productivity ticked off for today...
For myself... I participated in a weekly quiz my mum friends and I do, and I won, even with the theme of TV! I don't watch much so I wasnt hopeful, but yay!
And to make someone else smile, Rox and I played for ages with the Paw Patrol sit-on car we have, making the lights flash, the sounds blare, and riding on top. Love her laugh!!

Lou x
0 Comments

Cupcakes for Alzheimer's Society

2/6/2020

0 Comments

 

On Sunday I baked 66 cupcakes to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society on their Cupcake Day fundraiser.

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
I promised you photos!

My kind friends and family helped me to raise £175 for this worthy cause. It was exhausting and delivering them all in Bristol took some time, but I really enjoyed it. I have a feeling my home baking business 280 Bakes will be back this year! 

Thank you again to all who donated xxx

Lou x
0 Comments

Chequerboard Cookies

1/6/2020

0 Comments

 

These chequerboard cookies took more time than standard cookies, but they were worth it!

Picture
The recipe was massive, so I batched up half of them and posted them to a friend's parents who needed a hug in the post. Hopefully they arrived in one piece!

Productivity - boom!
Making someone smile - I walked the neighbour's dog because he's sick.
Something for me - I sat down and read a huge chunk of my current book, Freakonomics. 

Lou x
0 Comments

Scruffy Trainers

30/5/2020

0 Comments

 

I love this photo of my scruffy trainers.

This photo reminds me of a great day we had as a family recently during Lockdown. We cycled out to Severn Beach and back, with a picnic in a field on the way. The dog ran the whole way - about 10 miles! - and we had a lovely time. 

You don't have to go for to feel like you're some place totally new and away from home, sometimes. 

Lou x
Picture
0 Comments

Shampoo Bar Mission

29/5/2020

0 Comments

 

I've been trying for almost a year to find a shampoo bar and conditioner bar that works for me. I've finally done it!

I made huge strides last year in going plastic-free. We started having a milkman, buying soap in bulk, using laundry soap nuts and much, much less cling film. 

Finding the right shampoo and conditioner has been a hard mission to complete, but I've finally done it. My hair is fairly dry and curly, frizzy if I don't use a serum or mousse. It's never been oily, happily, and I was using a scaled down version of the Curly Girl Method with liquid products before I moved to bars. I would wash my hair twice a week and condition every night. That soon changed.

LUSH - 3/10
I started on a whim at a Lush store. The staff recommended a 'jungle' shampoo bar and a curly hair friendly conditioner. These smelled good but were both TERRIBLE. The bars didn't  lather up at all and I felt like I wasn't putting anything at all in my hair... which didn't feel especially clean afterwards and got greasy quickly. Added to that, I found them a little more expensive, but justified that by saving on postage by grabbing a bar when I was at the Mall anyway. However, the colours weren't too nice and there was very limited selection.

SUDSMK - 5/10
I totally fell in love with this small home based business. The owner lives a few houses down from where I used to live, for one thing! Anyway, the bars from Suds were better at lathering up some soap but still not much. After around 3-4 weeks my hair adjusted and wasn't  greasy any longer, but El Husbandio not-so-tactfully said my hair smelled like an old mop. Thanks. I hadn't noticed so it couldn't be THAT bad, could it?! My main problem with these bars was the bogey-looking lumps they left behind in the tub after a wash. Ick. One plus point has been added just because when your delivery arrives, the artisan maker has handwritten an inspirational feel-good quote on the box. Nice touch!

ETHICAL SUPERSTORE - 9/10
Until now, I thought I'd just have to settle with a 5/10 satisfaction level. I now use a shampoo from Faith in Nature and a conditioner from Friendly Soap, both available at Ethical Superstore - the same place I get my soap nuts, so I can whack it all on one delivery charge, too. The bars are £5.79 and £4.95 respectively, very reasonable, and they're a clean white/cream colour with no lumpy bits. They both lather up properly, and have a decent level of scent. 
Picture
Picture
My shampooing has increased in frequency (now every other day) but these bars last so well, and conditioning every day keeps on top of any grease building up. 

Find the bars here >> https://www.ethicalsuperstore.com/category/beauty-health-and-wellbeing/hair-care/

I'm proud to be plastic-free and all natural with my shampoo and conditioner! I've already started giving bars as gifts, look out, friends and family!

Lou x


0 Comments

Remembering Charities in Lockdown

27/5/2020

0 Comments

 

We all know charities have found it hard during lockdown. I decided to help.

Charity shops are closed.
Marathons have been cancelled. 
Public events (like cake sales and summer fairs) are off.
I bet you anything government funding cuts are in. 

Charities have very limited ways of getting crucial donations during these strange times. However, I saw something advertised on my Facebook - possibly the first ad I've ever clicked on! - which said the Alzheimer's Society was running Cupcake Day (again), remotely. 

Now, cake and volunteering are two of my favourite things, so on the 31st of May (this Sunday) I'm going to be baking cupcakes for people I know around Bristol. They've kindly donated something between £5-20 to have a batch, so I'd better make them good ones!

I've raised £150 - smashing my first target of £100 -  which has already gone to the charity, helping those with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. It must be truly terrible to have such a lonely condition when the whole world is already feeling a little isolated. 

So that's my something for someone else today. Proud. Stay tuned for photos of the bakes!

Picture

I've also been thinking how else I can help charities in this time. I've had a huge clothes clearout and bagged up three lots for when the shops reopen. Any other ideas welcome!

----

Something for me: I read loads today. I'm shooting through Sue Perkins' EAST OF CROYDON. What a luxury when you have an under one year old!

Something productive: I collected some spare sand my brother had on his driveway so we can crack on with our paving outside the backdoor, and did his Sainsburys shop as payment in kind. 

Lou x
0 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>
    Picture

    Author

    I'm a writer based in South Wales, with an unhealthy obsession with stationery and baking. I mainly blog for my own sanity, but I'm also working on a novel. Still. 

    Archives

    November 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    August 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    May 2017
    April 2017
    August 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 1970

    Categories

    All
    April 2013 Blog Challenge
    Baking
    Being A Mum
    Blog Hop
    Books
    Campaigns / Charity
    Christmas
    Competitions
    Contemporary Fiction
    Craft
    Cycling
    Ebooks & Apps
    Environment
    Events
    #fail
    Films
    Fun Life Stuff!
    Gifted Reads
    Guest Bloggers
    Halloween
    Holiday Reads
    International Women's Day
    Lockdown
    My Wedding
    My Writing
    Out And About
    Poetry
    Random Inspiration
    Rant
    Reading
    Reviews
    Social Media
    Treasured Reader
    Wedding
    Well Being
    Well-being
    Women Writers
    Writing
    Writing Tips

    Get your own free Blogoversary button!

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.