28 Friday Nov 2008
Posted in Children & Education
I came across this really cute video on You Tube and just had to share it with you. I hope you like it as much as I did! Debs x
24 Monday Nov 2008
Posted in Sylvia's Thoughts
Hello there!
This is just a quick note to remind you that today is the day that voting is crucial if Helmsley Walled Garden is to win £50,000.00 to finish the restoration on their wonderful walled garden. The number to call is 0871 626 8122.
Calls cost cost only 10p from a Landline; rates for mobiles vary according to your network. Calls will not be registered after midnight. When you ring you will hear that you have voted for the “Garden of Contemplation” – this is correct!
18 Tuesday Nov 2008
Posted in Products
Tags
We thought you might like to see this video of our raised beds being reviewed on Gardencentertv website.
It shows both how easy the raised beds are to assemble and how versatile they are. They say a picture can say a thousand words ….. so please take a look!
Our thanks to Mervyn for letting us use the clip.
17 Monday Nov 2008
Posted in Environmental Issues
I received the monthly newsletter from my local Wildlife Trust (Lancashire Wildlife Trust) today and as Marine Zoologist by training, this caught my eye, so I thought I’d add it to the blog to help the cause!
I copy it verbatim.
Marine Conservation Bill Campaign Status: Next 3 weeks are critical – Bill at risk!
Hydromedusae
This month -as the Marine Bill hangs in the balance – we have an urgent request; that you take 5 minutes to email your MP asking for his/her support.
We have been tipped off by MP’s that there are too many Bills lined up for the coming year. The Government has many serious issues to address and may decide to drop some of these Bills before the Queen’s Speech on 3 December. The UK Marine Bill has been mentioned as being vulnerable. We cannot let this happen! New laws to protect the marine environment are already long overdue. If the Bill is postponed now, we may not get another chance for many years.
We have just 3 weeks to keep the Bill afloat – but you can throw a lifeline! Just 5 minutes could be enough to help save the Bill. Simply follow the 5 steps below.
If you don’t know who your MP is, visit http://www.theyworkforyou.com/and enter your postcode.
Once you’ve done that, please send an an email letting us know which MP you have contacted: marine@wildlifetrusts.org
Bear in mind that some MP’s are unable to sign EDMs because of the position they hold. Others do not sign EDM’s on principle. If your MP chooses not to sign the Marine Bill EDM, please be respectful of his/her decision.
Simon
17 Monday Nov 2008
Posted in EM - Effective Microorganisms
Tags
activated EM (EM-A), cleaning, cleaning without chemicals, effective microorganisms, EM, EM-1, emc probiotic cleaner, flatcoat retriever, odour control, puppies
This is a follow up to Debbie’s previous post relating to the Google Video link I sent her!
It is now 12 weeks since I was blessed (?) with the arrival of seven gorgeous Flatcoat Retriever puppies, their mum Fern has been an absolutely brilliant mother …. and it has been her first litter.
In anticipation of their arrival, I activated a full litre of EM-1, so I had 20 litres of EM to ensure that the ‘maternity wing’ would be a healthy one and to ensure the pups would get a head start!
Proud mum
So here we have a picture of a very proud mother checking out her gorgeous babies.
At this stage, mum was doing all the work, cleaning up all that the babies ‘produced’, but she was helped by the fact that the whelping box was sprayed on a very regular basis with EM.
Two day old Flatcoat puppies!
Who would think that these small, blind, deaf, defenseless creatures would turn into a pack of needle toothed, chewing monsters – whose agenda was either to rip up or chew anything in their path (when not fighting with each other) …… while at the same time making as much mess as possible!
Those of you who have experienced the arrival of a litter of puppies will know that the most essential item is a large supply of old newspapers, however, there is can be associated smell problem. Mum will clean up after them initially, but there are limits! There is a cut off point – then you have your work cut out. It is then that the smell of puppy wee & poo can become a problem – and the disinfectants come out!
For those of you who don’t know about EM (Effective Microorganisms), the one thing that they do love is ‘muck’ and puppy muck to them is ‘manner from heaven’! Not only with they help clean it up, but will also neautralise any smells and when used at a low dilution rate, activated EM will act as a disinfectant. The combination of liberal applications of activated EM and eMc Probiotic Citrus Cleaner meant that the kitchen …… yes, my kitchen, ….. smelt clean and fresh ….. environmental health would disapprove no doubt ….. and as in this house this in no ‘her indoors’ as Arthur Daley (remember him?) would say, there were no complaints!!
Most folk would probably apply liberal applications of disinfectant and anti-bacterial sprays …. but not in this house …. it is an EM house and as such is cleaned using EM to ensure it is populated with the beneficial microbes.
Seven Little Monsters
The pups thrived in their EM environment and as soon as they started to feed on solids, they had some EM bokashi bran added to their feed – they also had EM in their drinking water – just like their mum, who, regardless of all the stresses and strains of motherhood, retained a wonderful shiny coat.
The pups have grown really well and are amazingly fit and healthy, regardless of the fact that they have a penchant for all things horrible, which include the chicken’s droppings and their latest favourite – sheep poo! Marvelous!
Four of the monsters have now gone to new homes, one of which, Monty has taken up tax exile in Jersey!
Now, I intended only to keep one of the pups – and that was a wicked little girl called Moss, however things never go to plan and one her brothers – Rob, stood out from the others and so I decided to keep him too. Then there was Oscar …. he was the smallest in the litter, but a real character, who although everybody fell in love with, he wasn’t picked, so being a big softy, he staying too!
From L-R. Fern, Moss, Oscar, Rob
So, I now have 3 very energetic pups that tend to run riot in the house and as result get very wound up – the result of which is that ‘accidents’ to tend to occur.
Fortunately, I always have a spray bottle of EM to hand and it has been a god send. My mother’s remedy for ‘puppy accidents’ was a good squirt of soda water to ensure no stains on the carpet – now we know we she should always make note of what our mothers teach us, but on this one I disagree …. because EM is BRILLIANT …. a good squirt of EM and there are No stains and NO smells.
A Happy Hound is an EM Hound!
Simon
17 Monday Nov 2008
Posted in Products
Here at The Recycle Works, it must be said that we have a wonderful team, who in my humble opinion, all really enjoy working together. So much so that we’re all concerned for each other and bless him, Simon sent Sylvia and I a lovely article all about how ladies hands harbour more bugs than men (except in his case!). Bless him!
So, having just found out that we now stock antibacterial gel and anctibacterial wipes within our range, I thought I’d share the article Simon found with you! (To view the full article simply click here)
“Dr Fierer said that the higher bacterial diversity on women’s hands may be due to the fact that men tend to have more acidic skin, which provides a more harsh living environment for the microscopic bugs.
Alternatively, differences in sweat, oil gland or hormone production may be key – or the fact that women and men tend to make different use of cosmetics such as moisturisers.
Dr Fierer said the study also found hand washing had little impact on the diversity of bacteria found on an individual’s hands. While some groups of bacteria were less abundant following hand washing, others were more abundant.
However, the researchers said that washing with anti-bacterial cleansers was still an effective way to minimise the risk of disease, as it seemed particularly to target harmful bugs. The diversity of bacteria types on the palm was three times higher than that found on the forearm and elbow and appeared to outstrip that found in the mouth and lower intestine.”
Interesting facts I think and as for us using more hand cream than men – Simon, I know what Santa will be getting you this Christmas! And on that note if you are looking for some little stocking fillers, our range of either antibacterial gel or handwipes would be perfect!
As always, have fun!
Debs x
