What Do All These Ethical Standards and Labels Mean?

Posted on by Emily UebergangPosted in EcoLiving |Leave a comment  

What Do All These Ethical Standards and Labels Mean? - The Urban Ecolife

We all want to make the best possible choices as consumers, not only for ourselves but for others and the environment, right? Right people? I’m imagining a wave of applause and shouting in agreement as I write this. After all, no one wants to be responsible for the plight of the Orangutan, the loss of biodiversity, over fished oceans, the deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest and the poverty of whole nations to be casting a shadow over their head as they weigh between two different brands of coffee beans before placing one in their shopping cart. That’s a weighty purchase you have there in your hands my dear friends.

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The Most Ingenious Recycled Pot Plant Containers

Posted on by Emily UebergangPosted in EcoLiving, Home & Garden |Leave a comment  

The Most Ingenious Recycled Pot Plant Containers - The Urban Ecolife

As I made my way through El Salvador, I stopped by a lesser frequented town called Juayúa. Not only was I treated to a weekend of amazing local food at the renowned weekend food festival (think chargrilled meats, fresh tortillas, sides of yucca, vegetables and yes, even frog!), stunning crystal clear waterfalls and trekking through jungles and sustainable coffee plantations, but also an endearing little hostal where I couldn’t help but be inspired by their garden paradise. Hostal Casa Mazeta is like a home away from home where travelers meet to relax, enjoy good food together, have a few drinks and if you’re lucky, play some epic mega Jenga.

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Do you make these recycling mistakes? Time to rethink your recycling.

Posted on by Emily UebergangPosted in EcoLiving |2 Comments

Do you make these recycling mistakes? Time to rethink your recycling - The Urban Ecolife

Now I’m not one to pull the ‘Peeping Tom’ on someone’s trash can and pass judgment on their recycling mistakes and attempt to predict what kind of person they may or may not be based on the fact whether they know how to separate their recyclables from their organics from their landfill (*gasp*, you actually make landfill?). But then again, I did once work as a waste auditor during my university years, so yes, maybe I am that kind of person after all.

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New to Permaculture and Don’t Know Where to Start? Start Here.

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New to Permaculture and don't know where to start..... then start here! - The Urban Ecolife

I’ve been asked on numerous occasions by those dabbling in the art of Permaculture for the first time, where on earth does one start?

 

If I’ve just blown your brains because it is the first time you’ve heard this word even mentioned,  then you should probably get yourself oriented by reading this. THEN, come back here and check out some of these books that I highly recommend you get stuck into, because they will blow your brains further into more smithereens.

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How to Grow Your Own Food in Small Spaces

Posted on by Emily UebergangPosted in EcoLiving, Home & Garden |Leave a comment  

How to Grow Your Own Food in Small Spaces - The Urban Ecolife

By Dr. Mercola

 

You probably know already that organic foods are good for you. The major problem most people have with organic food is the expense. However, there are several different ways to radically reduce the cost of your food.

Growing your own is probably one of the best, and can be extremely satisfying. I am convinced that growing sprouts is more practical and useful for most people and takes less space and time but it will be a bit longer before I am able to provide a comprehensive article on how to do that.

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Is there such thing as Sustainable Coffee? (and it’s not just about being Organic)

Posted on by Emily UebergangPosted in EcoLiving, EcoTravel |14 Comments

Does Organic Coffee really even matter? - The Urban Ecolife

Confession time. I’m a caffeine addict. Whoa Emily… starting it off heavy.

 

I’ve been this way since who knows how long. Probably when my Dad bought his first espresso machine back when I was fresh out of high school. I figure I could have worse addictions because at least this one brings with it some health benefits (but I won’t delude myself into believing that there aren’t plenty of downsides as well). There’s something about the morning ritual, the social experience and the indulgence of splurging ridiculous amounts of money on just one cup of coffee at a nice cafe (in Australia at least) that does more for me than simply the caffeine hit. Something I’m sure other addicts can agree with me on. Of course, I’m not swigging the cup of Joe like water (depending on the day) and I do try to keep it in moderation, but being in Guatemala, where organic and sustainable coffee appears to be the norm and costs little more than a bottle of water, I can’t help but down a few cups here and there. Seriously, this stuff is good.

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Why Paleo and Permaculture Go Hand in Hand

Posted on by Emily UebergangPosted in EcoLiving |3 Comments

Why Paleo and Permaculture Go Hand in Hand - The Urban Ecolife

Paleo and Permaculture. Permaculture and Paleo. There’s a certain ring to it, no? We’ve all heard of the Paleo Diet. If you haven’t, well, good for you. You probably don’t use the internet that much anyway. Double thumbs up. For the rest of us clawing at our keyboards far too much, we know it as a way of eating that focuses on eating grass-fed meats, pasture-raised eggs, organic vegetables, fruits, a healthy dose of quality fats, seeds, nuts and some extend it to include raw and cultured dairy (aka, ‘Primal’, as coined by Mark Sisson over at Mark’s Daily Apple).

 

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Adventures in Building a Biofilter Duck Pond

Posted on by Emily UebergangPosted in EcoLiving, Home & Garden |8 Comments

Adventures in Building a BioFilter Duck Pond - The Urban Ecolife

 

[ UPDATE : Click here to see pictures of the Permaculture BioFilter Duck Pond – One Year Later ]

I’m sure when my friends decided to undertake this biofilter duckpond project, they had no idea what was to come

 

Many observed from the sidelines and would remark how they were totally, whole-heartedly and utterly, in over their heads.

 

There was no denying this fact from our end. We knew full well we were in over our heads.  Our heads were buried in that duck sludge. No one had to tell us that twice. But they were going to prove everyone WRONG. This is a hero story for sure.

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