Monthly Favourites - January 2019 (and my beginner's approach to use less plastic)

Monthly Favourites - January 2019 (and my beginner's approach to use less plastic)// Monthly Favourites - January 2019 (and my beginner's approach to use less plastic)// Hello, I know that so many of us want to make changes in our everyday lives when it comes to the use of plastic. Are there ways to reduce it? There are and if you're like me and need some ideas to gradually make a chance, here are some small tips. I also made a very big change when it comes to eating chocolate and here are my favourite British chocolate brands from last month. Hope you enjoy.x

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OUR MILK SUPPLIER:

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F.E.T.E BAMBOO TOOTHBRUSH:

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LADY BETTY CHOCOLATE SELECTION:

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MONTEZUMA'S BLACK FOREST GATEAU PUDDING BARS (Available at Morrisons):

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BBC ONE LES MISERABLES:

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CONNECT WITH ME:

[biddydibdab]

The struggle to reduce plastic seems like reinventing the wheel. When I was a little girl in the ‘50s and ‘60s we didn’t have plastic and we got along fine. We returned milk and soda bottles and used paper bags for everything. We also carried fabric shopping bags. Simple way to start.

[mimilion]

Think it's Wonderful how you are trying to use less plastic. I'm trying too. Greta is making us all See and change! Love the chocolate recommendations!

[wendygillard]

In Australia we use a lot of plastic. Recently supermarkets banned plastic bags but sell recycled bags. Milk comes in cartons. Recycling is also encouraged.

[stephanieruggles]

We reduced plastic in our household here in Germany. My daughter uses the sodastream with the 2 glass bottles once per day. We even have a large assortment of syrups here which you can add after you have sparkled your water. The flavors range from coke to tonic and of course a lot of fruit syrups. And we have switched from plastic to borosilicate glass containers. And from plastic bowls for cake mixes and salads to steel ones. They are dishwasher compatible as well as unbreakable. And not so heavy like porcelain. We even went so far to go to a professional kitchen utensils provider and bought a measuring can out of steel since it has the Milliliters engraved inside. The glass measuring can has the Milliliters and pints printed on the outside. Now the colour is slowly coming off in the dishwasher. And glass is certainly not compatible with the paws of our dog. The last thing I got is little cotton bags for shopping fruit and vegetables. They are even washable and they have different colors in the strings to pull close for safe transport. And they are big enough to hold bananas or carrots. Or even cabbage. You can probably order them via amazon or ask your local vegetable farm. That is were I got mine. And I saw washable bamboo kitchen wipes on a roll at amazon. The same applies for toilet paper. I will order it soon and try it out. But what I heard from friends is that some drugstores in the bigger city nearby are already selling the bamboo toilet paper and that it really feels nice and soft. I have bought so called „door closing automats“ which can be added to the door so that it closes itself ajar and therefore reduces heating cost by keeping the room warm. They are made of steel and have a steel spring inside which shuts the door. You can adjust the strength of the feather in order to ensure that the door shuts either completely or remains ajar. We did the latter because of our dog always wanting to have access to the rooms we are in a lot. I also collect glasses with screw on lids for storing spices, collected herbs from my garden such as mullein and calendula. I also got a traveling case made of bamboo for my bamboo toothbrush. We have a shop here called „unpackaged“ which sells spices and detergents, soaps etc. without any packaging. You can bring your own containers or by them in the shop directly. Then you fill them and they are weighed. It is a little more expensive but a step in the right direction. I also ordered dishwasher gel with a nice lemon cent. It contains raw materials and ingredients which grow locally and have no need to be imported. They have no stores and therefore can only be ordered online and on demand. With this dishwasher gel we donor have the salty taste of the dishwashing powder on the dishes and glasses anymore. That is not only more friendly to nature but also to our stomachs.

[LotusLady]

Just discovered your channel from another blogger and enjoyed catching up and watching previous videos. Love your trips showing the beautiful English countryside and your relaxed style!

[philipdoyle-allen]

My husband Phil and I had the same idea as you buying milk and having it delivered to our door it was great and worked out cheaper than going to the supermarket and putting more items in my basket,

[veronicaelsegood]

Well done Kristen, especially with the milkman .The milkman was a friend when I was a child.He delivered in all weathers and noticed if you hadn't taken the milk in and would check if you were okay.
Soda streams were the in thing and they are fine. Especially if you don't want sugary drinks.plus they have their own glass bottles.
During lock down I'm gardening in my little dirt patch garden and you will find many tips on yoo tube for making gaily decorated plant containers.the clear plastic ones can be used as cloche like covers for seedlings.And you may not be perfect but you are a delightful couple and who is 100% perfect anyway !
P.S.: Really love that tin .

[lyssamilhaven]

I know you made this video just about a year ago but it’s so heart warming to know people from all different countries are trying to cut back on their use of plastic!

I found on amazon these mesh produce bags ( I think the ones I got are cotton) anyway they are great for produce that’s wet like lettuce from the market and of course use your own re usable grocery bags!

[claricevercelhese]

Oh my..the toothbrush in bamboo..so echofriendly.

[loriar]

Plastic is also a problem here in the US, though we do recycle. Our city has curbside recycling but I'm not sure how much truly gets recycled. It is better to cut it out as much as possible. I get my soy milk in paper cartons. I think that's better than plastic-- at least I hope so.

[oxogoxv]

I have started to buy milk and almond milk etc in tetra PACs which are recycled.i buy more fresh produce without plastic packaging.mortisons now do paper bags for loose produce.or you can buy dry foods and ingredients in a weigh in shop and get a little or large amount, take your own containers.i also have thyroid problems and gained a lot of weight and my hair fell out, went very thin. unknowingly.meds
and change of diet help it.carbs are limited too.cant wait to see more of your house decor.🦋

[susenjarvis]

I also remember that we also had bottles too. Much better for everyone.

[AmySmith-hhyn]

This is great! I’m trying to do the same...less waste. I recently discovered a YouTuber named Fairyland Cottage who is a zero waste YouTuber. She’s Irish and the settings of her videos are similar to yours...cute, cottage, etc. I remember, when visiting my aunt in uncle in England, stepping out onto their doorstep and collecting the glass milk bottle and bringing it in for cereal and tea. It was (and still is) the absolute best milk I have ever had in my entire life. I also agree, high quality chocolate is so much better than cheap chocolate. Unfortunately the chocolate and candy bars that are here in the states is abominable in comparison to British chocolate. Even the candy that is sold here and also sold there in the U.K. (like Hershey’s snickers, m&m’s, chocolate bars etc) are made differently there. I really miss the Rose chocolate tin that we would often get while there.

[margaretjames]

'And the milk stays so cold and fresh in the glass bottles..it's good to minimize the plastic and or give it up completely..here in the states they are using metal straws you can wash and keep to use again and they are switching to fabric bags that you can design and make as well..yes I love the Vintage cans of real chocolate..'what other ideas can we create to make life more simple and fun..love Dominic too..I love the little decorative boxes for easy storage..you could make your own ..you could paint and decorate yourself .. little conversation pieces..that tell a story..'

[jo-annoconnor]

Hi Kirsten! I agree with you, that we have too much plastic in our lives and I'm also making small changes. I read lately that it's not about someone doing recycling perfectly but that many people are doing anything to help reduce. Just ordered my Lady Betty chocolates. Looking forward to them. I also don't eat just any chocolate but prefer really good quality chocolate less often. Thanks for the video! Great content.

[itsmewende]

Here in the states many of us are stopping the use of plastics as well, I carry my own fabric shopping bags in the car, never use a plastic straw anymore, only buy non dairy milk in a cardboard container, which can go in the compost, it's hard at times tho, an there's a touristy historic town near me that has banned the use of plastic bags for shop owners. Good luck with the pursuit of no plastics. About the soda stream, it's a bit late for my opinion, I've been watching my health now for about 7 yrs, I heard that carbonation is not good for your health, now I'm sorry I gave one to my daughter yrs ago for Christmas.

[sylviapage]

Oh dear I feel like the grumpy old aunt! I have never used a soda stream because we don’t drink soda. We drink water, tea and occasionally coffee. Oh and wine and beer in glass bottles! We also love chocolate. I love the Montezuma buttons and used to buy them when we lived in East Sussex and they first launched. My favourite chocolates are Charbonnel and Walker, their shop in the Bond Street arcade is so nice. Many years ago my husband bought me chocolates from there in a round hand made box. They were so beautiful and I felt like a movie star from the 1950s. It is still my first choice for traditional British chocolates (even though Charbonnel is French, I think!), the rose and violet creams are divine and I love the Champagne truffles, they are delicious. However, being English a very close second is the Cadbury’s whole nut chocolate, it’s not expensive but so traditional and we love it. Why not enjoy cheaper chocolate occasionally at a lower price but we must not overindulge! Thanks as always for sharing your great ideas.

[PhyllisNagle]

Love the milkman, when I lived in England the milkman came every morning.. so miss it now back in Canada. When we all do our part with plastic it makes a difference. Nice to hear you share this, also bamboo toothbrushes are a huge help.. Keep up the great videos Kirstin. Love your channel, keeps England alive in my heart between my visits . Stay safe xxx

[yolandatorres]

Oh, Kristen
Thank you so much!
I made my first order of bamboo toothbrush. I am very excited about it.
I also ordered a tweed vest to wear it with my black dress.

[adrianagalli]

I agree with you about plastic. Thanks for having stressed the problem