Writers: Robert Glensor

The occasional drought notwithstanding, New Zealand is a pretty good place for a backyard garden; for growing a few fruit and vege plants that you can feel proud of when you incorporate their products in your daily meals.

That doesn’t mean you need to be out there cultivating every square centimetre and composting every organic scrap: that’s great if you can do it, but for many of us, we need to start small. Staying small is OK too – probably the most important thing is to enjoy your garden, especially with the kids. Continue reading »

For me, the idea of family celebrations brings forward warm feelings of fun and love as I have two wonderful families to enjoy our differences with. I that appreciate for some the thought of a family celebration is not so great but remember your family are the only ones you have and almost certainly their hearts will be in the right place. As we head into this festive period, here are some ideas of ways that you can celebrate with your family.  Continue reading »

Well, creativity coupled with sustainability is one of my favourite subjects as when we learn to awaken our family’s creativity, wonderful things will happen: you’ll make meaningful connections with your children in large and small ways; your children will more often engage in their own creative discoveries; and your family will embrace new ways to relax, play, and grow together.  Continue reading »

It is difficult nowadays when we do our weekly shopping for the family to choose food that is not only healthy but has been produced in a sustainable manner. Packaging is overloaded with information, most of which means nothing to an average shopper. Over 3000 tons of pesticides, including insecticides, herbicides and fungicides are used in New Zealand every year. These chemicals leave residues in the food we eat and are soaked up by our soil and find their way into waterways. These pesticides end up in the food we consume on a day-to-day basis and are not required to be listed on nutritional labels. Continue reading »

Pregnancy is a major life event, and therefore a great time to reflect on your health and what you eat! Now is the time to consider incorporating the benefits of organic food into your diet, here’s why: Continue reading »

I’m sure that this is not news to you, but health comes in all kinds of ways including environmental, social and physical … all aspects of our lives can be healthy- or unhealthy. If you’re thinking about way that you can make you family’s life a bit more sustainable, consider some of these easy ideas. Continue reading »

Things always seem to pick up pace this time of year. It’s back to school; back into routine; and back into our usual habits. As the kids head back to school, it’s a good time to start to think about those everyday habits and how we can make small changes that can make our everyday lives just a bit more sustainable. Continue reading »

The holidays are on the horizon. Whether you get a long break or a short one, take some time out. Summer is the perfect time of year for tending – to our gardens, our family and friends, but most importantly to ourselves. It’s been a big year. All around me I hear people talking about how hard they’ve worked this year – with smaller budgets and less staff. We deserve a rest, so make sure to take one!

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Being active is so important no matter what your age or stage is. It’s about staying fit for your life but also about following your heart and staying receptive to ideas and opportunities. It’s not about thinking one day you’ll join the community choir or learn the ukulele or play netball in the local social team or plant your vegetable patch or learn tai chi; it’s about making time to do it now.

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Is that green as in ‘green around the gills,’ feeling ill, sick?

Or green as in immature, naïve?

Perhaps green with envy or jealousy?

Or even, gone green, mouldy or rotten?

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