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GREEN LIVING magazine

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December 2013

Reducing your water rates xxxx The reinvention of a traditional Thai house Stop the world... I want to sleep

Can you trust labels?

The Green Living Show & NZ Organic Natural Expo 5th & 6th July 2014 • Solar New Zealand • Ecobuild • Healthy Lifestyle

from the editor

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GREEN LIVING magazine The Green Living Magazine is a Green Living Network Publication Editor: Tina Raines Art Director: Sally Travis Advertising: [email protected] Editorial Assistant: Alison Kroes SUBSCRIPTION IS FREE! Email: [email protected] Unsubscribe here. Email: unsubscribe@ greenlivingnetwork.co.nz © Green Living Network Ltd. All rights reserved. Green Living Network Ltd, PO Box 125099, St Heliers, Auckland 1740, New Zealand Phone: +64 9 521 2499/021 940 950 Fax: +64 9 521 2359 Email: [email protected] www.newzealandorganicexpo.co.nz www.thegreenlivingshow.co.nz ARE YOU INTERESTED IN WRITING? The Green Living Magazine is looking for writers from the environmental, health & business backgrounds. Join our green living network of writers. If you also want some internship experience, do contact us: [email protected] FORWARD TO A FRIEND! Send The Green Living Magazine Digital to someone you know. Privacy is important to us; therefore, we will not sell, rent, or give your name or address to anyone. At any time, you can choose to unsubscribe. Green Living Network Ltd. and The Green Living Magazine endeavour to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in the articles provided but do not guarantee its accuracy or reliability and accept no liability whatsoever whether in tort, contract or otherwise for any loss or damage arising from any misstatements, inaccuracies or omissions in the information contained in the articles. The information provided in The Green Living Magazine is offered for general information and education purposes only; it is not offered as and does not constitute to be a substitute for professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner, nor should they be construed as such. Always seek the advice of a physician. 2

The Green Living Magazine

Greetings... The holiday season is soon approaching, what a mad rush to complete work and prepare for Christmas and to plan new goals for a happy and successful year 2014. Let us celebrate the season with extra care for the environment. It is a time to reflect how the year has passed, how ethical we have been as an individual or company and what we can do for others and the planet. Let us ask the following questions about being ethical, mind you I am also examining the “conscience” of my company so to speak and reviewing to make sure I keep to what we preach and I believe we have to do this often as we can forget when doing business: Why am I in a sustainable and green business/NGO, what is my main point? What does it take to start and develop a green enterprise? What is my particular contribution to the world of ‘good business’ and culture change? Am I going to be the change maker and work towards ethical behaviour? How can I balance ‘walking the talk’ ethically and keeping my business afloat in a challenging economy? What companies fail to understand is that whatever companies do, the end result is either the consumer or customer who buys the goods or service and consumers want clean slate brands and guilt free products. Practically every brand claims to be green, honest, sustainable, responsible but how transparent are they? 85% of consumers surveyed indicated that they would prefer brands, manufacturers or producers to label and include details of the product and how safe it was, better information regarding proper use and disposal. They want to be educated on environmental terms. Honesty is the main criteria for consumers. The Green Living Show & NZ Organic Natural Expo 2014 is on 5 & 6th July 2014 at the ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane, Auckland. Here’s wishing you a Merry Christmas, a very Happy New Year and blessings for 2014. Best regards

Tina Raines [email protected]

The Green Liv ing Show & NZ O rganic Natural Expo 2014 5th & 6th July 2014 ASB Showgro unds, Greenlane, Auc kland

Contents 10

21 02

FROM THE EDITOR

organic natural 05 look good, feel good - the benefits of organic makeup 07 a conversation with peter and korin of east west organics

ecobuild sustainability 10 wake up before it's too late! move to sustainable farming systems 12 creating a culture of sustainability in your company

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December 2013

17 protect your biggest asset

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19 sustainable renovations - what are my priorities? 21 The reinvention of a traditional thai house 22 The Green living show & nz organic natural expo 23 Fuelling your garden soil - a biological approach

recycling waste water

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24 Reducing your water rates

healthy lifestyle 26 Stop the world I want to ... sleep

14 a false sense of security - 27 The vibration of can you trust in labels? forgiveness 16 J. Friend and Co finds sweet rewards in carbon 28 Backyard herbal medicine for summer consciousness 29 global news The Green Living Magazine 3

Organic Natural

Healthy Lifestyle

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organic natural

Look Good, Feel Good The Benefits of Organic Makeup The time for high quality, organic makeup has come. For some time now, women have been able to choose from a variety of excellent organic alternatives in terms of their skincare. Unfortunately, they have not been offered a similar choice when it comes to makeup, with most having to resort to the use of more traditional cosmetics in the absence of reasonably priced, high quality lines of organic makeup. Thankfully, that time is over. Advances in farming methods and technology have made the manufacture of affordable organic makeup not only possible, but a reality. For women interested in the health of their skin, this is great news. Here are three key benefits from the use of organic makeup:

1

Organic makeup is chemical free. If a range is truly

organic and natural (always check that the range you are considering, uses only pure minerals and extracts), then it will be free of the synthetic chemicals which are common to most cosmetics currently on the market. These chemicals include ‘nasties’ like phthalates, acrylamide, ethylene oxide, DMDM hydanotin, mineral oil, parabens, and a whole host of artificial fragrances and colours, all of which are absorbed by the skin and which have been linked by

world health and environmental agencies to a diverse range of medical conditions, including impotency, decreased fertility, cancer,1 and obesity2.

2

Organic makeup is good for the skin. One of the key

problems with traditional makeup lies in the fact that it is often used to cover up impurities and blemishes. Unfortunately, such an approach can lead to a worsening of the condition someone is looking to hide. This is particularly true if the makeup contains a silicone like dimethicone, a common ingredient in many cosmetic products. Dimethicone makes products easily spreadable but, like other silicones, it also forms a barrier on the surface of the skin, trapping bacteria and other impurities under it and preventing the skin from performing its normal activities like temperature regulating and sloughing off dead skin cells. Ultimately, this leads to irritations and increases dryness, making wrinkles not only more prevalent, but also more noticeable. In contrast, natural, organic ingredients work to nurture and heal the skin. Not only that, but recent advances mean that these products can now be applied just as easily as those using silicones.

3

Organic makeup offers sun protection. Good quality

organic makeup will inevitably contain cosmetic grade iron oxides (which give mineral foundations and eye shadows their gorgeous hues) and titanium dioxide (which helps prevent slippage and provides long-lasting coverage). Importantly, both of these ingredients have an inbuilt SPF, thus providing the added benefit of offering protection from unwanted sun exposure. Ultimately, the makeup a person chooses to use will come down to individual taste. But if someone is interested in their skin feeling as good as it looks, then organic makeup might be an option they wish to investigate. 1 WHO / UNEP, State of the science of endrocine disrupting chemicals - 2012, published February 2013 2 Newbold RR, Impact of environmental endrocine disrupting chemicals on the development of obesity, PubMed, July-Sept 2010

Megan Douglas is the founder of World Organic. The Organic Skin Co. part of the World Organic collective of companies. Visit www.worldorganic.co.nz The Green Living Magazine 5

organic natural

A conversation with Peter and Korin of East West Organics at their new store in New Lynn Tell me a little bit about what made you go into the organic business? Both of us are ex-teachers, but Peter owned an organic wholefood store in Sheffield, England, before moving to New Zealand 10 years ago. Tell me about how you started your first store and now your big Organic Supermarket in New Lynn? What was your inspiration to set up this New Lynn Organic Supermarket? The original East West Organics started in 1983, so we are 30 years old this year! Peter became a partner in 2005 and then bought the business shortly afterwards. We searched for three years to find the right site in New Lynn as we wanted to create an organic superstore which offered a number of different elements; all local, sustainable, ecologically sound and ethical to provide people with a viable alternative to mass produced and processed products. With the organic Café bakery, heritage garden centre, natural health clinic and the art and crafts gallery, we believe it is unique in New Zealand. What were some of the challenges to get you off the ground for the Glen Eden Store and now the East West Supermarket? How did you realise this dream, the look of the place and the whole set up? Could you tell us your vision for the new supermarket, the design and products at the store? We wanted to make a community space which offered lots of individuals a chance to promote their products for a healthy lifestyle and there are so many artists and craftspeople making fantastic art which rarely gets an audience, so we wanted to provide an opportunity for creative people too, all of it coming together to promote health and wellbeing in the fullest sense, so you shop and dine amidst some inspiring artworks! The complex also supports small local growers and independent producers and has a huge and rapidly expanding range of organic, eco and sustainable products.

One of the difficulties is persuading people that organics and healthy eating does not have to cost the earth both literally and figuratively - and we are constantly fighting to keep our prices low.

We want to be the antithesis of the shopping mall corporates; we support ethical and fair trading producers and aim to keep our prices down. At East West we are aiming for a very different retail experience, one which is relaxing, friendly, knowledgeable and family oriented. We are an ethical business, a creative social enterprise a truly green oasis. With the help of our fantastic staff, we have recycled everything to dress and furnish the complex, all except the food handling equipment, which was all brand new: we have scrubbed, sanded, painted and rebuilt and used natural timbers and oils, showing customers that you can achieve a fantastic outcome without resorting to plastics and chemicals. It has been a mission, but one we are really proud of. What kind of growth is your business enjoying? The new superstore has barely been open for three weeks, but sales are increasing every day as more and more people get to know us. What do you find the most challenging thing about running your business? One of the difficulties is persuading people that organics and healthy eating does not have to cost the earth both literally and figuratively - and we are constantly fighting to keep our prices low. But it is hard to compete against the supermarket giants, who really only have token organic products, when suppliers offer them much better wholesale prices. Nevertheless, we are proud to be independent and committed to educating folk about healthier lifestyles. >>

The Green Living Magazine 7

organic natural

How has the organic market changed since you started your first store? Increasing numbers of consumers are becoming aware that as individuals, we have a choice about what to feed ourselves and our families. We each only have one body, and share one planet, and we need to take good care of both. The media is full of increasing perceptions that we are what we eat, and note that many are worried about the dangers of pesticide residues and growth promoters and GE foods. The supermarket giants see organics and healthy eating as a growth area too, but are probably mostly more profit driven than passionate about it. How has the economy affected your business? Times are hard for everyone, but we believe strongly in the value of the services we offer, so are soldiering on. What are your views of organic prices? Organics are no longer the preserve of the wealthy. We can prove to you that you can eat healthily and heartily on a tight budget. East West has workshops, tastings, samples, demonstrations and classes in store to encourage us all to eat well and to avoid the processed fast food syndrome. We should enjoy what we eat and know where it comes from - not some chemical factory concoction with artificial flavour and colour. How is your new restaurant Ethos different from others in this category? Ethos Cafe was established to provide a wide range of raw, vegetarian, vegan and gluten free food which is really fresh, tasty, colourful and organic. If you have any dietary needs it is well nigh impossible to find any choice when eating out, and we wanted that to be our point of difference. Of course, Ethos is entirely complementary to the organic retail side of the complex. What is the best part of owning an organic business? Working with, and meeting kindred spirits - a wide cross section of amazing individuals -who have, who think and care about the planet and each other. We can change the world together, one lentil at a time.

The media is full of increasing perceptions that we are what we eat, and note that many are worried about the dangers of pesticide residues and growth promoters and GE foods. 8


What are your views on certified organic products? Of course it is good that there are guidelines and quality standards in place, but some small producers cannot afford to undertake the lengthy application and certification process, and that often defeats the purpose of supporting and encouraging organic production and the ability to grow the market. We do sell spray -free produce and sometimes it is hard to sustain constant supplies of certified organic produce. What is the biggest lesson you have learnt so far? That we are personally so far removed from sharp business practices that we are sometimes disadvantaged. We always act with integrity and honesty, and sometimes that is seen as being naive. What advice would you offer to other aspiring entrepreneurs in this line? Remain true to your principles at all times, but do not expect the way to be smooth! Conclusion: Visit East West in New Lynn, a store with a difference, a place to shop, eat at Ethos, visit an art gallery, check your health and get tips on green living and most of all the place has a friendly atmosphere. “I was most impressed at how this store looks, the best well planned organic store I have seen in NZ, you will want to spend a day there and not go home,” says Tina Raines, Editor of GLM.

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Unit 3, 9 Karaka Street, Takapuna, Auckland 0622 Phone: 09 486 2175 Email: [email protected]

sustainability

Wake up before it’s too late! Move to sustainable farming systems

I

t sounds entirely reasonable. Store water when we have too much of it and use it to produce milk, meat, crops and fruit when times are dry. According to our farming leaders we “waste” way too much water down our rivers and out to sea when we could be harvesting it and producing food to “feed the world”. Politicians are right behind this idea, and why wouldn’t they be? More production is good, isn’t it? We’re creating wealth, jobs, overseas funds, closing the income gap with Australia and leading the world in farming knowhow! The current Government wants to “enhance the strategic value of water” (Irrigation Acceleration Fund announcement - budget 2011). Quoting research by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research the Government believes that new irrigation could support intensification of production on 340,000 hectares of land with additional production worth up to an additional $4billion by 2026. What’s more they are prepared to subsidise the cost of building the infrastructure needed to achieve that by a massive $400 million. Canterbury, Hawkes Bay and the Wairarapa are right on board with the program with well advanced plans for water storage dams. Of course farmers understand the strategy. Others who know that the environment will, yet again, be short changed, are soothed by the promise that the stored water will not only drive increased primary production but also restore degraded rivers to more healthy flows. But those rivers were doing just fine until we started taking more and more water from them, and from the underground aquifers that they replenish, to drive increased production? And hasn’t that increased production, mainly dairy, been largely the cause of the gross deterioration of the Manawatu, the Ruamahunga, the Tukituki along with their Canterbury cousins? Over the last 20 years, not only have we taken increasing amounts of water from our rivers for irrigation but we have also been leaching increasing amounts of phosphorous and nitrogen into them. How will additional run off from increased

10


production actually improve the quality of those rivers? The answer is that it won’t. Water that races down our rivers at times of high rainfall is not “wasted”. It feeds thousands of river ecosystems. It floods low lying areas and deposits mineral rich silt that builds into fertile top soils. It replenishes underground aquifers and wetlands. At the coastline it interacts with the sea to create estuaries and buffer zones that teem with life that is vital to the quality of our natural environment. Over the last 50 years New Zealanders have seen their wild and scenic rivers disappear first to the demands of electricity and more recently to irrigation and the demands of intensive farming. They have effectively become drains to carry away agriculture run off, and sewerage from small rural towns. We are being conned. Water storage will not alleviate the problems our rivers face, it will exacerbate it. New Zealand is on a collision course with nature. Our current farming methods are driven by the vested interests that profit from them. Fertiliser companies, feed and animal remedy suppliers, chemical companies, dairy and meat companies, have all created a spiral of costs that demand greater production from farmers just to stay in one place financially. Intensive industrial agriculture is a pathway to environmental destruction. And, it is completely unnecessary. The 2013 Trade and Environment Review by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is entitled “Wake up before it is too late: make agriculture truly sustainable now for food security before it is too late”. The Review calls for: “...a rapid and significant shift from conventional, monoculture-based and high externalinput-dependent industrial production towards mosaics of sustainable regenerative production systems…” The review makes some important points: • Global fertiliser use has increased by 8 times in the last 40 years but global cereal production has barely doubled in that time. • Growth rates for agricultural

productivity have declined to below 1% per annum. • The two global environmental limits that have been crossed, that is; nitrogen contamination of soils and water and biodiversity loss, have been caused by agriculture. • Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture are the single biggest source of global warming in the Southern Hemisphere. Most importantly the Review notes that we already produce enough calories per head to feed 12-14 billion people but we currently waste up to 40% of that. We can produce all the food we need from diverse, local systems that minimise external inputs. Such systems are environmentally benign, sustainable and will not pollute our rivers. Before we rush to store water for irrigation let’s examine our current farming methods and think about the alternatives. Organic, Biological and Biodynamic farming are proven alternatives. They fit the sustainable regenerative production system that UNCTAD says we need to urgently explore and adopt. We can save our beautiful rivers but we need to act urgently. The status quo is not an option. Written by Derek Broadmore. Chairman BioGro NZ and Environmental Consultant

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sustainability

Creating a culture of sustainability in your company Part 1 Whatever your business size or nature, goals are an imperative part of your sustainability success.

G

oals must be SMART: S – Specific, M – Measurable, A – Achievable, R – Realistic, T – Timebound; and both integrated into your employees’ roles and responsibilities and closely tied to your business’ overall strategy. Your employees represent your most valuable asset to driving sustainability outcomes. How you gain their buy-in and engagement and how you support them to reach their absolute potential regarding reaching your sustainability goals is a unique journey for every business. Across a series of articles, The Green Living Magazine will look at how 3 different businesses have approached establishing a healthy culture of sustainability that integrates goals into every aspect of their business. The following, for those at the beginning of their sustainability journey, are 3 best practice recommendations to developing people-focussed strategies that will achieve buy-in and engagement and instil a culture of environmental conservation and social responsibility into everything each employee does, every day.

1. Elevate sustainability initiatives to the same level as other business-critical functions If environmental performance and social responsibility are not seen as an equal priority alongside other businesscritical functions your employees will not take them seriously. Achieving the commitment required to make this a reality is challenging, but every single member of the business needs to be on the same page regarding the importance of sustainability to the business and focussed on achieving sustainability targets. One strategy to achieve this is to make sustainability an integral part of the business’ incentive scheme. Sustainable actions such as car sharing can be rewarded as part of a performance review just like productivity or the gaining of new skills. By the same token, employees do develop through sustainable actions. For example, implementing a management 12


system that sets sustainability targets alongside those for quality, safety and efficiency can help to drive company-wide coordination and widen an employee’s knowledge base and responsibilities. The management system can also be used to encourage best-practice sharing throughout the company by assigning clear responsibility for ensuring that reductions are achieved and allowing for targets to be shared. Equally, teamwork is built when employees are asked to work with each other in terms of reaching goals and coming up with the ideas that will manage sustainability responsibilities. Your employees will provide the richest source of ideas when it comes to what sustainability goals should be set and which actions should be taken. The best opportunities for improving the environmental and social performance of an organisation come from the people who have to deliver because they are much closer to the day-to-day mechanics and shortcomings of existing procedures, and they are among the first to recognize opportunities. By embracing this and supporting them, your employees will become better employees and they, as much as your business will grow.

2. Encourage global best practice sharing, tailored to local conditions For the businesses that have operations around the world, there is the great opportunity to share what works in terms of sustainability. Strategies can be adapted to work under local conditions and businesses should capitalize on the opportunity to adapt lessons learned abroad and scale them across the business, whenever possible.

3. Empower employees to continually drive improvement When a person takes ownership of a goal it becomes a personal mission to achieve it; innovative ideas flow and pride is invested. Therefore, when every employee of a business begins to view

the wider business’ goals as their own personal responsibility great things start to happen. This requires every employee knowing about sustainability goals and understanding the reasons behind them. Leadership must stand up and passionately take ownership of sustainability targets first and then share the responsibility to achieve them with every colleague and empower them to make changes. Only through committed leadership will businesses be able to achieve a level of commitment and performance that wouldn’t otherwise be possible. The word “employees” has been mentioned a lot in this article. It would seem obvious that they are the key element in achieving sustainability outcomes, but they are too often forgotten. This may be because training is lacking to support people to understand sustainability goals and communicating them to employees at all levels across the entire organization is difficult. However, as the case studies presented over the next 3 issues of The Green Living Magazine will demonstrate, committing to creating a culture of sustainability that is adopted and respected across the entire company is critical to driving sustainability outcomes. It also has wider benefits such as improving decisionmaking, while also reducing risk and the likelihood of falling out of compliance. The results will speak for themselves. Written by Clare Williamson, a Sustainability Consultant

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sustainability

A False Sense of Security Can you trust in labels? I remember when I was a young girl watching what life may be like in the change of the millennium in 2000 on the TV. Fantastic images of vehicles like the ‘Jetsons’ and interplanetary travel. Indeed the past 40 years have seen some remarkable advances in technology.

W

e are bombarded by the constant new releases and they never fail to amaze me from smart phones and the progression of hand held devices to cars that can now park themselves. The majority of significant advancements have been made to enhance our lifestyle for minimal cost without taking into consideration if, by these enhancements on one level we are harming ourselves and on another level increasing the cost to our lives and the planet. Faster cars, faster foods, chemical formulations for faster cleaning to name but a few. Around the turn of the millennium

There has been a frightening escalation in all forms of cancer, obesity is an epidemic in most developed countries and asthmas and eczema are at levels never seen before. 14


there was a huge shift in attitude towards protecting the planet. Changes to ecosystems were being widely discussed and people were becoming more aware as to the destruction we had already caused the planet and the need for change. We humans were destroying ourselves in the process of technological advancement. There has been a frightening escalation in all forms of cancer, obesity is an epidemic in most developed countries and asthmas and eczema are at levels never seen before. Male fertility has dropped by 50% which is no surprise really considering the amount of endocrine destroying chemicals that are used in many household products. Luckily for us, due to government intervention, labelling of our foods are comprehensive and can be trusted. Even the humble meat pie has to declare the percentage of meat used. The ‘supplements’ industry was regulated in 2010. This dropped the amazing level of different brands available overnight to just a handful that were able to meet all of the standards within pristine GMP facilities. The downside of this is that not all industries are legislated and the everyday consumer is led to believe that the items we choose are safe and true to label. Within the aisles of our supermarkets we can find many products that have no legal obligation to list ingredients or to be truthful as to origin, natural or organic. We have seen within the same 40 years hundreds of chemicals being added to not only our personal care items such as toothpaste, shampoos, cosmetics and skincare but also cleaning products around our home we use daily such as dish washing and laundry products. However, there is a new form of power changer emerging - the informed and educated choice hunter. Choice is our

weapon that is best used at the point of sale. We can all complain about large corporates or small businesses but unless we choose not to buy their products they will not listen. Money is what talks loudest to consumer companies. As with the electrical industry we all want the latest and best that science and technology can give. We must insist on constant new and improved higher levels of ‘natural’ as any products claiming natural several years ago may have only got a step up away from the real nasties on the ladder to the truly natural smart products we all have a rite to. At the end of the day, only knowledge will enable us to make a truly ethical choice for us, our family, our environment and our earth. In the next issue of ‘Green Living’ I will discuss tips on how to choose good from bad on the shelves. Written by Belinda Robinson Director of ecobeings products designed for the benefit of all beings! www.ecobeings.com

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sustainability

J. Friend and Co finds sweet rewards in carbon consciousness Jeremy Friend and Sharyn Woodnorth dreamed of making and selling the best honey they could without compromising the environment. That dream is now a reality.

T

he multiple awards won by J. Friend and Co Limited are one tangible measure why the company’s boutique range of single flower organic honeys, sourced from artisan beekeepers throughout New Zealand, is gaining bigger shelf space in Australia, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Japan. Jeremy and Sharyn also attribute a great deal of their international success to their honey’s carboNZeroCertTM certification. This certification, along with its organic status, makes the business and its products unique. Some people have asked the couple why a small company would go to the time and expense of seeking certification. Jeremy and Sharyn say their mission is simple: “We are committed to reducing our negative impact on the environment and ensuring the planet’s future survival”. However, they have been delighted to find that the certification processes

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have also delivered significant efficiencies, longer-term planning benefits and new market opportunities that have led to increased export sales. “For us it is a real win: win result,” Sharyn says. To achieve carbon-neutrality the couple chose carboNZero certification, the first Greenhouse Gas (GHG) certification programme to be internationally accredited to IS0 14065. They started with carboNZero certification in 2009. The process involves measurement of emissions and preparation of an emissions management and reduction plan. The final stage involves mitigation through the purchase of carbon credits, together with third-party verification to ensure that information is accurate before the business is certified. Since 2010, both J. Friend and Co’s organisational emissions and those associated with the GHG lifecycle of its products, including packaging, freight and waste, are included in the annual certification cycle. J. Friend and Co purchase credits annually, arranged through the carboNZero programme, through investing in a native forest regeneration project and a wind farm. Jeremy says the costs of certification have been more than recovered in savings

identified during the process. For one, while honey production has more than doubled, the company’s energy costs have remained static. The couple now uses gas for “on demand” water heating and they insulated work areas and installed a heat pump. The future planning exercise saw them buying a much larger honey creaming machine than originally planned and the machine has not only cut energy costs but also allowed the company to cope with accelerated production demands. Sharyn says certification has helped fine-tune the business: “It’s a bit more work, but has cut our costs and helped us to be competitive.” carboNZero certification is one of the environmental performance offerings of Enviro-Mark Solutions Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Landcare Research. Enviro-Mark Solutions also offers CEMARS® (Certified Emissions Measurement and Reduction Scheme) certification, a programme that certifies carbon emissions measurement, management and reductions, as well as Enviro-Mark® certification, which is a five-step certification process to develop a robust environmental management system. Learn more at www.enviro-mark. com or call 0800 ENMARK (366 275).

ecobuild

Protect your

Biggest Asset I

recently attended a Home Energy Performance Advisory course in Hamilton, which was invaluable information and gave me more confidence. One of our tutors was Ian Mayes who is the Eco Design Advisor for the Hamilton Council. What a fantastic service this is. Unfortunately not all councils provide this ‘one on one service’. So this week I want to acknowledge the good work the Eco Design Advisors do at council and in some extreme cases save people’s lives by improving their quality of life in their homes.

How it Started About seven years ago a BRANZ study found there was a lack of factual, independent, tailored advice for Homeowners about sustainable building and how to improve their overall performance in the home, to ensure better use is made of resources. Initial research undertaken by BRANZ showed that the face-to-face nature of the advice was a key part of the success of the service. People are able to discuss their plans for new homes or renovations on a one-to-one basis, and a home assessment enables them to have the confidence that the information provided is specific to their circumstances. Currently there are Eco Design Advisors across New Zealand in Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Kapiti Coast, Hutt, Nelson and Invercargill. The Eco Design Advisor (EDA) in all seven participating councils work to upgrade the condition of housing stock, reduce household running costs and improve the health and comfort of residents. Their advice is focussed on better insulation and ventilation, renewable and efficient space and water heating, energy and water efficient appliances and fittings, better indoor environmental quality, lowering toxicity and use of resources, and minimising construction waste. Eion Scott, EDA from Auckland Council who has visited approximately 1000 homes, said that on average he can spend between 1.5 to 2 hours per visit and that he follows up with a check list to point people in the right direction. Each list of recommendations is tailored to each house that he sees and then after a while he will follow up to see what they actually did.

Recent Research A recent customer survey carried out in February this year found that the face-to-face nature of the EDAs’ consultations allows an exchange of ideas and provides an opportunity to discuss barriers as they are raised. The research also showed that the advice is consistently beneficial and has prompted not only very high levels of satisfaction with the service but also real improvements to housing. The main findings of the 2013 survey were: • Most homeowners were undertaking modifications to their existing homes, although 13% were involved in new building projects

• Energy efficiency was the major motivation for seeking advice, followed by making homes warmer and reducing running costs • The advice received from the EDAs received a 94% satisfaction rating • More than 81% had made changes as a result of the advice and 83% were still intending to make more changes in future • The top ranking interventions were ceiling insulation, underfloor insulation, curtains, energy efficient lighting, draught proofing and accessing Government subsidies • 61.5% made changes to behaviour – using the sun and opening windows during the day, closing curtains at night, and drying clothes outside • 81% have noticed positive effects as a result - a warmer, more comfortable, healthier house, with less mould, and lower water/ energy bills. Our home is our biggest asset and we spend a lot of time in our homes, so why wouldn’t you take advantage of such a great service. It’s the small steps that can really make a big difference to the quality of our lives. Written by Ella Te Huia from Greenstar Energy Solutions www.myhealthyhome.co.nz


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Enjoy healthier, functional and attractive home / work spaces with a personal feel.

At Tasman Building Biology, we • encourage and assist the planning of sustainable and healthier spaces, • extend beyond the Green + Eco friendly paradigm to focus on better human health , • offer a holistic concept of Organic Interior Design by using ecological awareness and • considering personal sensitivities and style, • emphasise non-toxic materials and renewable resources, • create healthy and harmonious spaces, • work for you, for your builder or architect, for your project and for our environment.

Organic Interior Design utilises • low-toxic natural building alternatives which drastically improve the Indoor Air Quality in new and existing homes, • feel-good, natural materials to create harmonious quality and a natural sense of well being, • well-researched principles and common sense to construct balanced living conditions, • individual consultations on Indoor Air Quality, an increasing issue with contemporary airtight buildings. Go to www.building4life.co.nz to find out more about, and to book our Healthy House Test ! Includes testing for • VOC and CO2 levels in home /office, • mould environment, • humidity/temperature, • water test.

You can book a nationwide convenient online consultation ($60/ hr) via our website.

TASMAN BUILDING BIOLOGY www.building4life.co.nz 18


Auckland office 09 632 1250 Nelson office 03 540 3672 Email: [email protected]

sustainability

Sustainable Renovations what are my priorities?

There are many ways to assess sustainable renovations. Because we see so many poorly designed and operated homes, particularly rentals, in the course of our work, I think it’s important to take a health perspective.

O

n this basis, there are four ingredients to a comfortable, healthy house: insulation, moisture management, heating and ventilation. New Zealand homes typically suffer from cold and damp. In winter, minimum temperatures are on average 6ºC below World Health Organisation standards and 45% of New Zealand homes are mouldy. As a result, many people get sick. The Asthma Foundation notes that over 800,000 people have a respiratory illness. One in four New Zealand children are estimated to have asthma and it’s the most common cause of hospital admission among New Zealand children. The elderly are also affected. We have an unusually high level of excess mortality (early death) in winter – some 1600 more deaths in winter than on average for the whole year. This can largely be attributed to the quality of housing and in particular the way we heat our houses. When I first got into this field I worked on Christchurch’s Clean Heat

Project. We knew that to clear up the smog we needed to get rid of a lot of old woodburners, particularly wean Cantabrians off open fires. But cleaner forms of heating can also be more expensive. So it was equally important to ensure homes were insulated thoroughly, to ensure any clean heat generated was also kept in the home as long as possible. Now I live in Auckland and the smog isn’t such a visible problem (though it’s still there for half a dozen days each winter). But the issue of cold, damp houses remains, in fact condensation and mould are even more of an issue in our humid climate. Yes we are fortunate that it doesn’t get down to the sort of temperatures I was used to in Christchurch, and for some that means it’s easy to leave a window chocked open at night to get rid of the half a litre of moisture each of us breathes out in our sleep. But when we see cramped housing conditions, particularly in rental properties, then an open window often isn’t enough to extract all the moisture. I’ve seen small units with three to a room, where condensation has run down the window, pooled on the sill then overflowed down the wall, and discoloured the carpet on the floor. I’ve also seen rentals where the tenants drape a tarpaulin from the ceiling to stop the condensation dripping onto their bed. For landlords, having an effective, externally ventilated fan in the bathroom, automatically operated by the bathroom light, is one way they can ensure that moisture is extracted at its main source – the shower. They could also put a

There are four ingredients to a comfortable, healthy house: insulation, moisture management, heating and ventilation.

polythene sheet on the ground under a timber-floored house to stop rising damp. That’s if the underfloor is accessible – in many instances it may not be. Encouraging tenants to open windows during warm winters days, to wipe down condensation in the mornings, and to use their bathroom and kitchen extractors where provided is a key part of tenant education. So it comes back to doing as much as you can where you can. Ceiling cavities are almost always able to be better insulated. Windows are almost always poorly curtained. Clothes drying on racks indoors can be prevented with an externally ventilating clothes dryer (or better still, a covered outdoor line) and tenants can also be encouraged to part with their unflued gas heaters, that insidiously toxic and expensive heating appliance. Landlords can help with the latter by providing a large, fixed heater, usually either a woodburner, a pellet fire, a flued gas fire or a heatpump. These options are available on the Auckland Council’s Retrofit Your Home targeted rate scheme, which provides up to $5000 in funding for insulation and heating, to be repaid through the landlord’s or the homeowner’s rates over nine years at the council’s interest rate. It supplements the Government’s Energywise grants for insulation, which are now only available to homeowners or tenants holding a Community Services Card. Finally, information is key to getting a healthy, comfortable, more efficient home renovation. Contact the free Eco Design Advisor service, available in seven councils around the country. For contacts, go to www.ecodesignadvisor.org.nz. Written by Eion Scott Auckland Council Eco Design Advisor


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PLUG INTOTHE SUN &

SAVE ON YOUR POWERBILLS

NOW IS THE TIME TO GO SOLAR!

With electricity prices rising and only expected to get higher, generating your own power directly from the sun makes complete sense and will give you more control of your home power bills.

SAVE ON YOUR POWER BILLS

Our grid-tied solar power systems can eliminate your entire power bill by producing the equivalent amount of power free from the sun’s rays (dependant on the size and orientation of your roof, and your budget available). The greater the amount of solar panels we can fit on your roof the larger the output power will be. Every panel that we fit will generate an average of 345 kWh per year so just keep adding them together until you receive the desired result.

WHAT IS THE SOLAR PAY BACK PERIOD?

Many clients ask us about the likely Solar Power Payback period of a solar power system. Every installation is unique and every clients usage pattern is unique. Various power companies have different import/ export tariffs. Generally speaking though, the average residential retail import/ export value of 1 Kwh (Kilowatt hour or unit of power) is currently 25c. We have been advised that the average annual increase in power prices is 7%. It would seem reasonable then to assume a 7% increase in value annually of power produced. If 1kw of solar power system generates 5 hours per day of power that equates to 1825 Kwh a year which at 25c equates to $456.

SMALL HOME

POWER BILL $200/month

RECOMMENDED 3kW Inverter 12 Solar panels

Save at least $1200* Payback 5 years ROI 12.8% per year

AVERAGE HOME



Save at least $1600* Payback 5 years ROI 16.1% per year

LARGE HOME



Save at least $2,000* Payback 5.5 years ROI 19% per year

* Estimated annual saving based on optimal power generated from each solar system

0800 789 276

www.myhealthyhome.co.nz

sustainability

The reinvention of

C

urrently I’m stationed in South East Asia, working out of a small architectural office in Bangkok, Thailand on projects throughout the region and New Zealand. I’ve known Tina Raines for a few years now, the organiser of this ‘e-magazine’ and of course, ‘The Green Living Show’. Tina asked me to write about eco-building in Asia and what’s happening in this region and possibly what NZ could learn. My initial thoughts were, it’s a bit like NZ really, where big budget green projects seek ‘green building certification and recognition’ (Mainly LEED, USA and Green Mark, Singapore, which are equivalent to Green Star, New Zealand) and then there’s everything else which you have to dig deeper for in the green basket. When I say ‘everything else’, it’s the majority of building that happens in the world, it’s something we spend most of our time at, and it’s something that is hardly ever designed correctly and, it’s probably not all that green. It’s our home. I’m going to introduce you to Thai architect, Chutayaves Sinthuphan of ‘Site Specific Company’, located in Bangkok. Sinthuphan produces designs based on climate design principles, direct client engagement in developing designs, uses local materials and tradesmen and, all the while producing great designs on medium scale budgets. It’s unlikely you will see a green certification tag attached to his work mainly due to budget restraints. However the projects ‘Ooze’ with green integrity,

In most Thai homes, the bottom floor is open to the environment – this is where most people spend their days when it is hot.

simple intelligent design and passion. Sinthuphan’s house design for a project in Khoa Yai National Park, Thailand considers the reinvention of a Traditional Thai house. He set out to create a home that retained traditional elements, but upgraded them in a modern and sustainable way. In most Thai homes, the bottom floor is open to the environment – this is where most people spend their days when it is hot. The second story holds private space for the bedrooms. In this home, the public areas such as the kitchen, living room, entrance, and dining area are enclosed in glass on the first floor. This creates a direct connection with the outdoors through the windows while maintaining privacy. The second floor still holds the bedrooms, and the top floor features an outdoor courtyard that is elevated to provide views of the site and the breezes. In order to eliminate the need for air conditioning, the home utilizes natural ventilation and stack effect to move hot air up and out of the home, while drawing cool air in through the ground floor. A staircase in the back corner of the home acts as the stack through which air moves. Meanwhile, the exterior of the home makes use of efficient building techniques to minimize heat gain in the bedrooms. A double wall system with an air gap in the middle provides insulation to prevent heat from entering the living space. This hot air is naturally circulated away from the home and the exterior is coated with earthcoloured plaster reminiscent of traditional wood siting. The house also includes a rain water collection system, an entry point water filtration system, and it’s set up to take advantage of solar and wind energy systems in the future.

According to Site Specific Company, “In the end, we believe that we [are] starting to define the new definition of Thai architecture by simply looking into the spirit of Thai houses rather than just imitation of form. Also, we believe that we have succeeded in creating a simple eco-friendly home for the family”. So how is this relevant to NZ? Good design and eco design are generally based on well-developed simple design ideas which don’t necessarily have to blow the budget. By making climate design principles an integral part of the design Sinthuphan has solved two problems. One is health and comfort of the occupants and the other is environmental with the elimination of air conditioning. The same design ideas apply to New Zealand through passive solar and passive ventilation strategies, simple environmental design ideas that have a big impact on occupant’s health and comfort and overall reduce harmful impacts on the environment. Reference material used from www.inhabitat.com. Compiled by Duncan Firth, Director of www.solarei.com


5th & 6th July 2014, ASB Showgrounds, Greenlane, Auckland A Consumer & Trade show

th Liv & Ze or eX

Are you a consumer who wants a transparent brand? Plan to keep these dates to attend.

M

ake a statement in 2014 to be at The Green Living Show & NZ Organic Natural Expo 2014. Every year we make an effort to refresh and add new ideas to the show. Be surprised at what you will see at the show. Education: Our seminars, workshops, demos and forums are done by the very best professionals and well known people in the industry. We make it a point to give you the best and what's more attend for free. Check our website closer to the show. www.thegreenlivingshow.co.nz and www.organicexpo.co.nz

Want to know what will EXCITE Consumers and Businesses in 2014? Is your company an Eco Superior or Eco Warrior – We want you! We are looking for exhibitors who are innovative and have products or services with labels that indicate transparency or who can tell us their story about energy saving and that their products are safe and green. We want your brands and your products at our show, launch new products, refresh tired products and services, and make a statement at this event. Green Goods & Services – Find out at the show how our products are different and what Green Living Network stands for! • Ecobuild – A whole section devoted to Ecobuild, new brands, products, meet architects and service companies. • Get ideas for renovations, new build, additions to your home and speak to those in the EXPERT ADVICE CENTRE. • Clean Energy – We have an array of companies for you to talk to. Speak to the people who will bring “sunshine and heat” to your home and business 24 hours a day and for 12 months a year, helping you to save energy and money the right way. Speak to the experts! 22


Saturd Sunda

Alexan Greenl www.n www.t

The Green Living Show & New Zealand Organic Expo is the fi at Green the Green Livingand Show in New Zealand to focus on allECO-BUILD aspects of Living S Sustainable Homes for today and tom This event brings together leaders from all sectors to show y The green building sector is gaining imp achieve a more sustainable lifestyle and business.

In late 2010, Minister of Building and Con Maurice Williamson, launched Homesta Consumer & Trade Show Benefits for v home rating system to help Kiwis create FREE ENTRY TO • Organic, biodynamic, natural, sustainable and fair trade SEMINARS/WOR comfortable and energy-efficient living s • Fine food, gluten free organic and natural products, •

• •

•

greatWaste wine, Water beer and Recycling – A beverages • Food Galore – Feast and • Be eco-consc Educate whole on recycling, celebratewill goodcover times all at the show. • A section show case of eco &waste green productsExhibits aspects of aand gre knowledgeab management and services, waste • Wine, beverages, juice and tasty • Health & fitness • Green Home - Eco design & archite FREE SEMINARS, minimisation and innovation, water good natural food. sectors that w • Vitamins, supplements & nutrition • Eco broker WORKSHOPS efficient systems & tanks. • Bring $ to buy – hundreds of you and the p • Baby products & FORuMS • Green building products anddays mater Healthy Lifestyle – Learn to be the groceries to sustainable shoes • Two of s register on the • Cosmetics & beauty, personal care healthy person you deserve to be. and more! • Greenroofs, landscaping and garde • Taste delicio website now! • Textile & fashion Organic – Natural – An array • • Children’s Zoneenergy – Lookefficiency out for this. Solar and drinks of• products for you choose • Interactive happenings at the show. Education andtocommunity • Make choices from. Clean food, cosmetics, • Entertainment and competitions • Reduce, reuse, recycle for homes/business future with a products for you to sample and • Composting for homes & business – find out what is going on for the of products a buy, groceries and more. Meet our 2014 show • Organic gardening Artisan producers. See you there on 5th & 6th July 2014.available BOOK pollution A BOOTH • Make smarte • Sustainable transport moving about without Make organic juice for your health www.thegreenlivingshow.co.nz • the best juicer machines. Opportunities are available spon and for create ch with www.organicexpo.co.nz

your shoppin Green Living Show & New Zealand • Health & Fitn • Businesses/work place - profit and benefit by improving We will be able to tailor marketing o

Sustainability for Profit

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Fuelling your Garden Soil - a biological approach

D

uring my 25 years as an organic horticulturalist I was often asked “what do you do to grow such healthy looking vegetables?” The answer is quite simple and involves doing what you have to do and do it when you have to do it. Put simply a matter of performing certain tasks according to a plan. No special science knowledge is required, however some understanding of plant growth and performance characteristics certainly helps. Like most things the more you do it the easier it becomes, particularly if you observe closely what happens each season and record it. Many conditions of the soil affect the growth of bacteria. Among the most important of these are the supply of oxygen and moisture, temperature, the amount and nature of the soil matter and H ion concentration of the soil solution (PH) as well as the amount of exchangeable calcium present. It is noteworthy that recent well known scientist Dr Arden Anderson during a series of presentations to NZ farmers told them that the key ingredients to more sustainable soils was biology and fine lime (calcium). Most garden soils have one advantage over farm soils in that they have not been depleted of soil organic matter to the same extent as larger scale farmed soils and thus will have a better soil structure. Having said that, many home gardeners continue to apply chemical fertilisers and chemical pesticides in increasing amounts without any regard for their soil and thus do not realise that they too have joined the race to deplete the soil of organic matter and the soil life contained within. Change can be effected by managing your garden soils in a more sustainable manner, by: 1. regular application of organic matter in the form of compost or fermented food waste 2. organic nutrients such as seaweed powder, rock dust and hydrated lime. The latter will assist in re-mineralizing soil of depleted trace minerals not normally available in N. P. K. fertilisers. In addition, applications of soil microbial inoculants will help rebalance the soil of micro-organisms so essential to plant and other microlife. Thus soil biological activity should be stimulated giving: - faster nutrient cycling - breakdown of organic debris and other matter - improved soil structure - improved water infiltration reducing runoff and improving soil moisture - soil aggregates improving soil aeration, drainage around and water retention within, and rooting depth. Neville Burt www.zingbokashi.co.nz The Green Living Magazine 23

recycing waste water

Reducing Your

Water Rates

Do you break out in a cold sweat each month when the water rates arrive in the post? Do you have teenagers that treat the shower cubicle as a cosy place to wile away the evening? Does your garden develop a voracious thirst over summer?

T

ake a moment now to compare your water costs to the ones shown in this chart. If your water costs sit between the blue and red bars, you are reading the right article. Here are some simple, low-cost tips to share that could save you buckets – literally! Leaks are a common culprit for sudden spikes in your water costs and can waste a small fortune if undetected or ignored. Checking for leaks is simple: before you go to bed record your water meter reading and ensure no further water is used overnight. When you get up and before the water has been used again, compare the reading on the meter. If it has changed then you have a leak. It could be as simple as replacing a tap washer, or it could require a plumber. Perform a leak test every 6 months if possible. Showers typically account for up to a third of water usage in a household. Reducing time spent in the shower is a great method to save water, and to encourage this action you can set your household a challenge – each person times themselves in the shower to see if they can be done in four minutes or less. For some the simpler option is to reduce the shower’s flow rate* with the use of low-flow shower heads for wall mounted showers, or flow reducing disks for slide showers. Reducing the amount of water used in the shower can lead to significant water and energy savings, and there may

24


even be some hot water left for the lucky last showerer of the day! If a bath is used, try to limit the amount of water used and the frequency if possible. And parents with small children will appreciate that less water in the bath equates to less floor mopping after the bath festivities subside. Flow reducing aerators* can be handy for bathroom mixer taps, particularly if you’ve experienced the slippery-floor-jig commonly caused by a combination of forceful water flow, a shallow sink, and a

How Waterwise is Your Household?

bleary-eyed flatmate. Turning the water off while brushing teeth or shaving, is also a simple and effective water saving tip. Toilets with plastic cisterns, particularly the single flush models, can use up to 12 litres of water per flush equating to $40 worth of water per person each year more than is necessary. Water consumption can be reduced by putting a couple of two litre plastic milk bottles filled with water, or a few large unsealed glass jars placed upright inside the cistern. A brick is the more common method but be aware that >>

over time it may crumble, distributing pesky bits of mortar into your plumbing for future potential issues. Alternatively you could consider installing a lead counterweight – a “Gizmo” available from EcoMatters for less that $10 – into the cistern to limit the amount of water flushed, or replace your cistern with a more efficient one. Modern cisterns use as little as 4.5L (full) and 3L (half) of water for flushing - far less money flushed down the loo! Washing machines account for nearly a quarter of household water use. Washing only full loads, and using the waterlevel sensing option where available is recommended. And it’s worth noting that

Washing machines account for nearly a quarter of household water use. Washing only full loads, and using the waterlevel sensing option where available is recommended.

top loading washers typically use twice as much water (and detergent) as front loading washers, and generally cause more “wear” to clothing. So when the top loader kicks the bucket, consider purchasing its prestigious sister, the comely front loader… Attaching flow reducing aerators* to your kitchen mixer taps can provide some savings, and using a bowl in the sink or putting in the plug for rinsing dishes or produce also tends to use less water as it can be reused, and then recycled onto the garden. Washing only full loads in the dishwasher, or washing by hand once daily rather than multiple times will also save some water, and using a composting system rather than a waste disposal unit is recommended. If it’s not possible to compost, or you find the concept of compost just too icky, save your food scraps and use the waste disposal only once daily. To halt the thirsty sponge monster your garden becomes in summer, consider mulching around trees and on garden beds. Mulch helps to retain moisture and as it degrades, adds nutrients to the soil. And for the not-so-avid gardeners out there, mulch has a near-magical ability to suppress weed growth. Adding a trigger attachment to the end of your hose will assist in further water consumption by watering only when, and where required

– and great for accurately drenching neighbour that helps himself to your prized tomatoes. When planning a garden, consider plants that are native or drought resistant as they require very little water. And if the waste water charges strike a nerve for the excessive waterers out there, consider harvesting your very own rain water – your orchids (and your household expenses account) will adore you! If collected in large enough quantities rainwater can also be used to supply water to toilets and for laundry, two significant water users. Pools and spa pools require less topups due to evaporation if covers are used over summer, and less cleaning. Lastly, when purchasing an item that uses water, consider its efficiency. A Water Efficiency Label must now be displayed on the following new products for sale: washing machines, dishwashers, toilets, showers and taps. The more stars, the better! May these water saving tips empower you to go forth and make a real splash in the waterwise stakes. There is now no need to evict the teens, or let the garden turn to dust, and may the cold sweat at the letter box be a thing of the past. For further information on saving water, measuring your flow rates, leak testing, water saving products, or to be emailed a Water Savings Guide you can contact the Water Advice Line on 0800 326 628. Happy water saving! * Reducing flow rates is only recommended in a household with a mains/equal hot water system. By Olivia Tukuogo, Water Advice Line Advisor, EcoMatters Environment Trust


healthy lifestyle

Stop the world

I want to …sleep! I’m so tired I can’t get to sleep… then I finally sleep and I can’t wake up all day! What is going on? Are you wired … or are you tired? It’s all part of the Adrenal Fatigue cycle. What is adrenal fatigue? It’s when your adrenal glands become fatigued, tired, exhausted, and even dysfunctional. This is largely due to the high stress and busy lifestyles which we are unable to ‘switch off’ from and it’s affecting many people.

What are the Adrenal Glands? The adrenals are two small glands that sit adjacent to and above the kidneys. They are part of the endocrine system and produce about 50 different hormones. One of the main jobs of the hormones is to create homeostasis, which means to maintain balance in the body.

The role of adrenaline in the fight or flight response: Our body is not supposed to be energised all of the time, nor should it always be at rest. To stay healthy it needs to toggle between “fight or flight” and “rest and digest”. When the body is surging with adrenaline, blood flows from the essential organs (such as those needed for digestion) to the arms and the legs in order to let us run away or turn and fight. This is ok for short bursts as we don’t need to be resting and digesting 24/7. But what happens if we stay in this adrenal state for prolonged periods of time? Those basic organs start to become affected. Digestion cannot occur when we are in an adrenal state. It’s like trying to eat a burger while going for a run. You can’t digest it! You’ll get a stitch. Many people suffering from adrenal 26


fatigue start to suffer from the effects of poor digestion. Now we have another problem. If we’re not digesting our food, then we don’t get the nutrients and therefore the energy from it … even though it may be good food, so we start to rely on adrenaline. And when we have too much adrenaline coursing through our bodies, it becomes harder to relax. We become more anxious, impatient and “jumpy”; all giving the body more and more reasons to release adrenaline. People start to notice that their energy comes in bursts. All day they experience energy highs and slumps and may start to introduce high energy drinks and snacks to maintain this high. Eventually this behaviour begins to affect our sleep. Either it’s impossible to get to sleep as the mind continues to stay wide awake, or, it becomes impossible to stay asleep for more than a few hours as the body continues its adrenal cycle. Needless to say, one does not feel refreshed in the morning. There has simply not been enough deep and restful sleep to restore the body. Another lost opportunity for energy production. And so the cycle begins again. Digestion is compromised … adrenaline is released … rest is compromised … adrenaline is needed … digestion is compromised …

What are the symptoms? You may be experiencing adrenal fatigue if you regularly notice one or more of the following: • You feel tired for no reason. • You struggle to get up in the morning even when you go to bed at a reasonable hour. • You struggle to overcome illness or recover from stress. • Mid-afternoon energy slumps • You crave salty and sweet snacks (especially before bed) • You feel more awake and energetic after 6pm than you do all day • You feel run down or easily overwhelmed

What can you do about it? Where possible, reduce your stressful situations. Think about where overt stress exists; in the home, at work, toxic environments, toxic relationships. Too much to do and not enough support. These are things that we can actively look to change. • Seek professional support. We may need help to change our perception and find our self-worth through deeper therapeutic practices, spirituality, meditation or self-affirmations. • Take the time to rest and recover. Have fun! • Eat a “health-full” diet, and slow down at meal times to allow the body to rest and digest. • Take beneficial supplements to support adrenal function such as Vitamin C, • B Vitamins, Omega 3’s, Magnesium and specific adrenal support through herbs and therapeutic supplementation. Written by Lynette Hill, BNatMed, a Naturopath (utilising Hemaview), Homeopath, and cofounder of My Remedy, Integrated Natural Medicine Clinic www.myremedy.co.nz

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The vibration of

Forgiveness

T

he great English poet Alexander Pope wrote that “to err is human, to forgive divine”. I contemplated this saying for almost two decades before I could finally bring myself to forgive someone for committing an act of violence against me. The act of forgiveness means many things to many people, and for me it meant releasing the burden of this negative experience and letting go of the negative emotions that I was holding onto. We are bioelectric beings; that is, we have electric currents flowing through us, and the frequency of these currents can affect our well-being. Our emotions are energy in motion, and because negative emotions vibrate at a low frequency, emotions such as pain, fear and spite can restrict the flow of energy so that we become heavy, slow and often stuck. For example, when we hold onto anger, this emotion can get stuck in our joints, causing inflammation and pain, whereas deep emotional pain might affect the heart and respiratory system, and fear, worry and anxiety can become trapped along the spine and affect the central nervous system.

With forgiveness, we release negative emotions such as anger and fear, and our energy flow becomes unstuck and begins to vibrate at a higher frequency.

With forgiveness, we release negative emotions such as anger and fear, and our energy flow becomes unstuck and begins to vibrate at a higher frequency. When we don’t forgive, we are the losers, because when we continue to hold onto our negative feelings, we eventually become emotionally and physically imbalanced. However, forgiveness truly gives us personal power. When we forgive someone, we take away that person’s power over us. Past hurts can literally weigh us down, like a ball and chain around our entire being, making us feel stuck and unable to move forward in our life. Forgiveness does not necessarily mean reconciliation with the person who hurt us, or that we condone their actions; however, it is a process that can help us find inner peace. When we forgive someone, we are not only releasing negative emotions, but we are also making room for the free flow of positive high vibrations, and the vibration of forgiveness can indeed lift us and benefit us in many ways. These are some of the things the vibration of forgiveness can do for us: • Lighten our heart by removing the heavy weight of negative experiences • Lighten our speech when we stop complaining or accusing others of being responsible for our experiences • Lighten our emotions by releasing

feelings of anger, frustration, spite and pain and make room for peace, joy and love • Free us so that we are no longer enslaved by the circumstances we once thought were controlled by someone else or by external forces • Free us to live and to love • Strengthen us by allowing us to recognize our ability to withstand any circumstance or experience and rise above it, learn from it and move forward with our life An excerpt from her book Raise Your Vibration, Transform Your Life

Dawn James is an international speaker, green-living advocate, musician and author of several books on vibrational frequency including her newest book How to Raise the Vibration around You, Volume I available in New Zealand, Australia, amazon. uk and autographed copies at www. raiseyourvibration.ca


healthy lifestyle

Backyard herbal medicine

FOR SUMMER S

ummer is the season of growth and maturation, the sunlight brings abundance of flowers, fruits and delightful herbs which are the unsung stars of summer produce. Along with giving us beautiful warm days at the beach, summer can be the time when excess heat may cause discomfort, fatigue and irritability. When I was asked to select my favourite herbs for summer I knew they had to be cooling, refreshing and easy for everyone to grow and use at home. So here are my top 2 herbs for summer:

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale): This is an amazing delicious and nutritious herb and you can use the leaves, roots and flowers as food or as medicine. If you’ve ever tried getting rid of Dandelion from your garden, then you’ll know just how strong this plant is. There is little wonder then that the herbalists traditionally prescribed Dandelion “to help those with a profound and marked state of constitutional disorder” (or a bad habit of the body).

Dandelion flower tea can relieve headaches, backaches and abdominal pain. It is light and refreshing taken cool or hot. Dandelion root is an excellent remedy for the liver and gallbladder (which can often be under extra strain during the festive season). It can be roasted to make Dandelion coffee which is delicious. The leaves are very nutritious and can be added to salads supplying large amounts of vitamin A, calcium, potassium to mention only a few. The leaves have a slightly bitter taste which is cooling and enhances digestion. Lastly the latex (white sap from the stems) can be used to treat warts. Enjoy blowing the white seeds and making your wishes, rest assured that you are spreading seeds of health through your neighbourhood.

Calendula (Calendula officinalis): Calendula gets its name from the Latin Calends (meaning throughout the months), it is a hardy & vibrant herb that blooms for many months in the year. In Ancient Rome it was called Sponsa salis meaning “bride of the sun”. It is considered by herbalists to be the single most useful herb for healing damaged or broken skin and I have no doubt that is a profoundly helpful healer internally and externally. The flowers can be made into a tea which will tone up a sluggish circulation on a hot day. It is helpful for those who suffer from varicose veins, and in fact any other condition with excess laxity (such as haemorrhoids). You can also add the flowers to salads and the “bride of the sun” will brighten up any plate. Information and statements made in this article are for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnose or treat any illness.

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There is little wonder then that the herbalists traditionally prescribed Dandelion “to help those with a profound and marked state of constitutional disorder (or a bad habit of the body). Written by Cobus Botha (BNatMed), Medical Herbalist at My Remedy Integrated Natural Medicine Clinic www.myremedy.co.nz

sustainability

Global News Green-living news from every corner of the globe Africa Despite a past of social division, Cape Town, South Africa is planning for a future as a dynamic African city; and, being recently awarded the title ‘World Design Capital (WDC) 2014’ fits perfectly into that vision. WDC is “a city promotion that celebrates the merits of design;” and, as the first African city to be given such a title, Cape Town plans to use design to help to overcome its past of division and transform into a sustainable, productive city. Throughout 2014 numerous design projects will be carried out in Cape Town, of which a large number will focus on promoting sustainability and green design. One such project, titled ‘I am green,’ will build offices that have been designed considering the health of the building’s occupants by including innovations such as displaced ventilation and an indigenous plant roof garden. Sources: World Design Capital. (2014). World Design Capital Cape Town 2014. Retrieved November, 8, 2013, from http://www. easybib.com/reference/guide/apa/website

America On November 6 Washington voters headed to the polls to vote on Initiave-522. The result of their votes will directly affect consumers’ ability to buy and eat natural, eco-friendly foodstuffs. Voters were asked the question, “Should genetically-engineered foods be labelled for consumers?” If the referendum passes, it will be required that all food containing genetically modified organisms and sold within Washington be labelled from 2015, barring a few exceptions. Though some mail-in votes have yet to be counted, as of November 7 the results, 46% ‘yes’ to 54% ‘no’, suggest that the ‘yes’ campaign is facing likely defeat.

Yet, it is not a total loss. The referendum could motivate other states to put forth their own legislation in the year 2014. 26 American states have already considered GMO labelling legislation this year. Sources: Huck, P. (2013, November 2). Battlelines drawn over GM crops. The Weekend Herald, p. B6.

Asia After the Fukushima nuclear disaster, much controversy and tension has surrounded Japan’s nuclear power plants, to the point that most are not currently operating. And it is amid this controversy and tension that Kyocera completed its new facility and source of renewable energy: ‘Kagoshima Nanatsujima Mega Solar Plant,’ Japan’s largest solar energy plant, opened on November 4. The power plant is able to supply electricity to 22,000 local households and is made from 290,000 solar panels. Construction and operation of such a facility was made possible because, unlike most of Japan, Kagoshima’s sky is clear for approximately 40 days a year, perfect conditions for solar energy collection and generation. Source: Hofilena, J. (2013, November 6). Kyocera completes Japan’s largest offshore solar energy plant in Kagoshima. Japan Daily Press. Retrieved from http:// japandailypress.com/kyocera-completesjapans-largest-offshore-solar-energy-plant-inkagoshima-0639158/

Australia The demand for certified organic products is rising and, in particular, the global demand for certified organic beef now greatly outweighs supply. Therefore, in Australia there is a project underway aiming to lift the nation’s

certified organic beef turnover by 30,000 cattle per year over the next two years. The project funded by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and the Australian Organic Meat Group (AOM) held its first workshops in Emerald, Queensland on November 6. The workshop was a huge success, with more than 50 participants, more than twice the expected turnout, gathering to learn more about converting to organic production. The project has gotten off to a great start and is there is hope for even greater success as the workshops continue over the next two years in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and WA. Source: Condon, J. (2013, November 7). Project aiming to lift Australia’s organic beef supply off to a flying start. Beef Central. Retrieved November, 8, 2013, from http://www. beefcentral.com/production/article/3911

Oceania In the Pacific Islands, many schools rely on diesel generators for electricity. Such generators can be a relatively expensive way to power a school and are neither environmentally friendly nor sustainable. However, the It’s Time Foundation is starting to change this. The foundation is running a project that is working to install solar PV panels in remote schools in Fiji. One such school was Wainimakutu School. Due to a lack of finding, the use of the school generator was carefully monitored. In particular, this put a limit on the number of computer classes, classes essential for children growing up in modern society. Now that the solar panels have been installed, not only is the school able to increase and improve its important computer classes, it is operating more sustainably and efficiently. Sources: iitime (2013). Completed projects. iitime. Retrieved November 10, 2013 from http:// iitime.org/completed-projects/

Compiled by Nicola Pyper The Green Living Magazine 29

If we do not show our children the road to sustainability, nothing will change. Do not expect that the next generation will clean up our mess; we ourselves have to start right here and right now!