Counting On … – Page 114

Counting On … day 22

Reduce reuse and recycle are the three “R”s for the well being of the environment. In the run up to Christmas use the three “R”s as often as possible. Take wrapping paper, for example:-

Reduce = buy less: it is easy to think I’ll just buy an extra roll in case we run out, only to find three half used rolls from last year.

Reuse = make a habit of keeping wrapping paper after unwrapping your gifts. Flatten and fold it neatly ready to be reused. You can ease the future re usability of paper by using string or ribbon or elastic bands rather than sticky tape. You can also reuse things like paper bags or sheets of newspaper as wrapping – the Guardian’s middle page is often a full spread picture which can make an ideal gift wrapper.

Recycle = when the paper is beyond reusability, recycle it. NB plastic coated paper cannot be recycled – if after scrunching the paper it springs back, it most likely has plastic in it.

Counting On … day 21

The title Counting On has the meaning of counting and also of someone or something we are relying upon. In the character of this blog, it is who or what we are relying on to resolve the crises that threaten our world, our ecosystems.

Money can be significant both in adding to these crises and in alleviating them. Banks who look after our current and savings accounts, also act as lenders. Depending on where and to whom they lend, they can contribute negatively or positively in achieving, for example, net zero carbon emissions. How does your bank measure up?

There are now a number of websites who will give you a rating for your bank and if need be, advise you of alternative banks that may offer a more responsible approach.

https://www.switchit.money/ This web site will also give advice on the performance of energy supply companies too.

Counting On … day 20

3rd December 2021

Christian Aid has already prepared a giant Christmas card to send to Boris Johnson signed by over 50,000 people with a message letting the Prime Minister know that when it comes to the pledges made at COP26, the proof is in the pudding. The lives and well being of so many people, plants and animals are still at risk. You can still join the campaign by sending your own Christmas postcard. https://www.christianaid.org.uk/christmas-card

Counting on … day 19

2nd December 2021

Updating an earlier Count Down action, more supermarkets are now collecting soft plastics for recycling. Soft plastics are best described as scrunchable plastics – plastics you can scrunch up without them cracking or shattering – such as plastic pouches for coffee beans, wrappers from packets of biscuits, the film from the top of a plastic tray, crisp packets, and plastic bags for rice and pasta. Most Coop stores collect soft plastics including those in Putney and Twickenham.; and some Tesco stores including Tesco Metro in Richmond. A trial is being operated by some Waitrose stores but not as yet here in London.

NB compostable packing even if it looks and feels like plastic can’t be recycled as plastic. Instead it should go in your compost bin or food waste bin.

Counting On …. Day 18

1st December 2021

During Advent I have a YouTube series with a short story and activity designed for children but just as enjoyable for adults. Today’s episode shows you how to make a paper angel. Over the course of the whole series you will find instructions to make several Christmas decorations and a crib set.

Counting On … day 17

30th November 2021

Today is the feast of St Andrew, patron saint of Scotland. Here is a recipe for vegan haggis, not entirely my own, but having no note of the original recipe, I cannot credit its creator.

Haggis. Serves 2-3

50g Puy lentils

50g pearl barley

oil

1 large onion, finely chopped

1 large carrot, finely chopped

75g portobello mushrooms, finely chopped

½ tsp ground allspice

½ tsp ground black or white pepper

90g pinhead oatmeal

½ tbsp marmite

1½ tbsp brown sauce or treacle

Sauté the onion and carrot in a little oil till soft. Add the mushrooms and the spices. If need be add a little more oil.

Add the barley and lentils. Add about 400ml hot water and yeast extract. Feel free to add a sprig of thyme.

Simmer until the mixture is very thick, adding more water if necessary.

Heat the oven to 180C/350F/gas mark 4.

Stir in the oatmeal and brown sauce and tip into a greased loaf tin and cover with foil. Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 30.

Leave for five minutes, then turn out and serve.

Counting On … day 16

29th November 2021

Things we find around us can be used to create alternative and wonderful Christmas decorations. Rather than buying a Christmas tree, a more sustainable option might be to find a decorative branch or twiggy stick that you can take from your garden. This you can decorate with baubles and the like (often people have collections of decorations going back over many years and embed with happy memories). Or you can make new decorations and I’ll be suggesting some of the next few days.

Counting On … day 16

29th November 2021

Counting On …. Day 15

28th November 2021

Even though it is late November there are still plenty of autumn leaves around – on the ground if not so many on the trees. And what amazing shapes and colours there are!

Why not collect some? And then press them between the pages of a heavy book to stop them curling up. Leaves and dried seed pods can be threaded onto embroidery silks to make beautiful and ecological decorations.

Counting On … day 14

27th November 2021

“Snowman Weather”: it is not that I think it os going to snow in London anytime soon, but when the weather is cold, think of it as “snowman weather”. By this I mean weather when we dress in lots of layers such that we might eventually resemble in shape a snowman.

Today’s outfit includes tights, socks and trousers topped with long sleeve vest, polo neck jumper, and woolly jumper. Further layers for going outside include duffle coat, hat, scarf, gloves and an extra pair of socks.

At the same time you might also consider supporting someone else in need of warm clothes: https://www.unicef.ie/shop/product/winter-clothing-kit/