Plastic…Part 8…It can’t all be recycled…Or can it?

5 Replies

Obviously, all the plastic which is collected cannot be recycled…

Let’s have a look at what is being done with the plastic which can’t be recycled through the normal channels…A good example is PET(E)

pollution-359014_640

French company Carbios has signed a letter of intent to install a demonstration plant for its enzymatic PET depolymerization technology. The French company signed the letter with vinyl producer KEM ONE. Construction is expected to start in mid-2019. Carbios’ “bio-recycling” technology can break down challenging polyester streams, including opaque containers and textiles, into their components, which can be used to make new plastic. Thus completing a circular economy…

PET(E) as we know is one of the most commonly used plastics for consumer products which include:- Water bottles, soda bottles and some food packaging.

It is intended for single use only….One time usage…as reusing increases the risk of leaching and bacterial growth. It may leach carcinogens and should NOT be reused.

Just the fact that it could leach carcinogens is enough to stop me using it…However, recycling PET(E) is also a problem a packaging producer has created a glass-lined PET bottle it claims is easier to recycle than composite materials, according to Beverage Daily. KHS has developed what it calls its FreshSafePET bottle, which uses an ultra-thin layer of glass on the inside of the PET bottle to provide a barrier layer to protect the drink. According to the article, the glass washes off in the PET recycling process.

I think this is a brilliant idea …

I have heard of Crowdfunding and come across companies who use it mainly it has been small companies with a prototype and it seems to work really well…

Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project or venture by raising small amounts of money from a large number of people, typically via the Internet. Crowdfunding is a form of crowdsourcing and alternative finance.

Because of the recent closures of Asian export markets for waste plastic…Countries are having to come up with their own ideas to recycle or create a circular economy to dispose of their own waste plastic…I personally think it is a great idea and that countries, manufacturers and individuals should all be responsible for their own waste plastic…

Pyrolysis development: Which is a UK startup is seeking to raise another 1.3 million British pounds (more than $1.6 million U.S.) via crowdfunding to advance commercialization of its pyrolysis technology, according to Waste Management World. Recycling Technologies is developing the business for RT7000 machines, which convert scrap plastics into an oil called Plaxx that is used to make new plastic.

Sounds good to me…

“Our children will have to pay a much bigger price unless we change our behaviour now.”
Sir David Attenborough…

What can we do or where do we start? I know many of you already are by using bamboo or glass straws in your home, by taking your own cup for when you buy a drink on the go…Most places if you offer cup will fill it up…Their drinks are measured so it makes no odds to them…

To make it easier… Plastic Oceans UK has launched a new education site for primary and secondary schools.

For individuals who want to know more about the problem? Plastic Oceans UK recommends watching this video…To get inspired as an individual or to start a community project …

 

Help to change the world’s attitude to plastic…

It is certainly good to see how many businesses and individuals are now looking at their plastic footprint and how they can reduce it…

Many companies are looking at a circular economy for those of you who are not sure, have maybe heard of it but don’t really know what it is…Quite simply… A circular economy is restorative and regenerative by design. This means that materials constantly flow around a ‘closed loop’ system, rather than being used once and then discarded. As a result, the value of materials, including plastics, is not lost by being thrown away.

Unilever is a huge company with many, many outlets and subsidiaries I wouldn’t even like to hazard a guess as to the overall size of it however they seem to be serious…About the issue of plastic…They are rethinking plastic packaging and their progress so far is quite impressive and their timescales given the enormity of the project are realistic.

But ladies and gentlemen who do their own weekly shop ...How can we shop without plastic…I didn’t say it was simple it requires some thought …But it is doable and will soon become a habit…

  1. We need a few reusable plastic-free shopping bags.
  2. Some reusable produce bags in different sizes…plastic free or if you’re handy you could make your own.
  3. Reusable food containers.

Are you ready to shop?

Firstly choose products which have no packaging or packaging which is easily recyclable. Fruit and veg are generally quite easy as it seems to be where the stores make their starting point…I know mine has they use banana leaves and these delightful containers made out of bamboo which they then tip the tomatoes into a paper bag at the till and reuse…

I think the deli, meat and fish are the hardest…We have our reusable containers and the stores really don’t mind us using them it is just us getting used to it …

Tins and glass jars just buy as you will that can be recycled or in the case of glass jars, I soak the labels off and use for my jams and pickling.

Dry goods like pasta come ready sealed although many stores are now selling many dry goods without packaging you just take your container along and buy the quantity you want or with pasta you can make your own if you don’t already do so and it really is so much nicer…

The bakery is quite simply a nice cloth bag will protect your loaf and containers are ideal if you are buying cakes…

The most difficult of all are those cleaning products…Soap is ok as it normally comes packaged quite prettily …We could look at making our own and there are many recipes for cleaners etc I will dig some out for you…My all purpose cleaner is great it comes in little brown paper packets and I just mix it with tap water it cleans everything even the oven..seriously I am the sceptic and have used many products which do not live up to the hype this does and did…Morris Clean is the name…and it can be purchased online but it is a brilliant cleaner…

By trying to avoid so much plastic packaging when we shop we will send a direct message to the supermarkets and also to the food manufacturers that we no longer want to buy our food in this way. There are also many zero packaging stores springing up around the world so check and see if you have one near you. As a consumer, we have to show by our actions what we expect as a customer and stores will soon realise if they want our custom, then they need to provide the consumer with a more environmentally friendly shopping experience to keep up with demand.

Photo credit: konarheim on Visual Hunt / CC BY-NC-SA

That’s all for today I hope you have found this useful and good luck with your shopping xxx

About Carol Taylor

Enjoying life in The Land Of Smiles I am having so much fun researching, finding new, authentic recipes both Thai and International to share with you. New recipes gleaned from those who I have met on my travels or are just passing through and stopped for a while. I hope you enjoy them.

I love shopping at the local markets, finding fresh, natural ingredients, new strange fruits and vegetable ones I have never seen or cooked with. I am generally the only European person and attract much attention and I love to try what I am offered and when I smile and say Aroy or Saab as it is here in the north I am met with much smiling.

Some of my recipes may not be in line with traditional ingredients and methods of cooking but are recipes I know and have become to love and maybe if you dare to try you will too. You will always get more than just a recipe from me as I love to research and find out what other properties the ingredients I use contain to improve our health and wellbeing.

The environment is also something I am passionate about and there will be more on this on my blog this year

Exciting for me hence the title of my blog, Retired No One Told Me! I am having a wonderful ride and don’t want to get off, so if you wish to follow me on my adventures, then I bid you welcome! I hope you enjoy the ride also and if it encourages you to take a step into the unknown or untried, you know you want to…….Then, I will be happy!

Carol is a contributor to the Phuket Island Writers Anthology: https://www.amazon.com/Phuket-Island-Writers-Anthology-Stories-ebook/dp/B00RU5IYNS

Connect to Carol

Blog: https://carolcooks2.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheRealCarolT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carol.taylor.1422
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/caroltaylor56/pins/ 

MeWe is a new social media and one which many of us are turning to mainly migrating over to as FB has banned many of my friends and for what seems no good reason that we can see I hope you will join us there.

MeWe: mewe.com/i/caroltaylor3

Thank you once again for reading this post I hope you all have a great week  xx

CarolCooks2…Weekly Roundup…Squidilicious, Cholesterol, How to brew green tea…

10 Replies

Welcome to this weeks roundup…Take a pew, grab your favourite drink and have a read most of all enjoy!

great reads a weekly roundup lady with electronic reader

How does plastic get into the sea?… It is the subject of many news desks, question time, documentary’s, in fact, it is on the news, it comes up on your FB news feed, magazines, newspapers..everyone is talking about plastic…But although plastic is a huge problem so are discarded fishing lines and nets so let’s not forget those and the distressing photos of turtles and fish with hooks in their bodies or caught in discarded nets and they can’t free themselves…So much abuse of the natural world is caused by man.

https://carolcooks2.com/2019/05/06/plastic-part-7-how-does-plastic-get-into-the-sea/

Healthy Eating...How is your eating plan going? If you have reached a plateau and we all do at times Sally has a written a great post with lots of tips …and there is also a video for some great arm exercises…

ladies jogging

I am only walking and when I come back I am leaking like nobodies business…The humidity here but it seems to be helping me lose weight and inches so I am not complaining…haha

https://carolcooks2.com/2019/05/07/healthy-eating-eat-smart-have-you-reached-a-plateau/

Cholesterol something which many people have or have a problem with or someone they know has a problem…Sally’s post busts the myths and gives you the facts…

https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/05/07/smorgasbord-health-column-cholesterol-and-fat-myths-part-two-vitamin-k2-and-healthy-fats-by-sally-cronin/

Waste Not! Want Not! …Lots of good news this week and ways that as an individual we can help…

Bluebell woods

To me, there is nothing more beautiful than a bluebell wood.

https://carolcooks2.com/2019/05/09/waste-not-want-not-week-23-bees-and-coffee-grounds/

I do a lot of research and I found this post very helpful as to what questions to ask and how to study…A very useful article if you do ant=y research or just look up things as you think of them …Which I do if I see a news article and want to check something out…

Featured Image -- 19748

https://motivation-environment.com/2019/05/08/7-important-steps-that-can-be-used-to-study-environmental-problems-like-a-scientist/

Squid or Calamari...I call it squid purely out of habit and it is called squid here in Thailand whereas in Europe it is called Calamari. What I buy here is definitely Calamari family but I refer to it as squid.  Squid is different it is cheaper and not so tender…If you are not sure ask your fishmonger or check out this post to see the difference between the two …Either way, the recipes are Squidilicious…

https://carolcooks2.com/2019/05/10/this-week-in-my-kitchen-squidilicious-salt-pepper-squid-and-bbq-squid/

Green tea…So often I hear the comment as to it is bitter…It is if you don’t brew it correctly my post tells you how and you never have bitter tea again unless like me when I leave my little strainer in the pot…

china green tea pot

https://carolcooks2.com/2019/05/11/green-tea-or-oolong-how-to-brew-the-perfect-cup/

I hope you have enjoyed this weekly roundup if you have any comments please share as I love your comments and always answer them…Enjoy your week xxx

About Carol Taylor:

Enjoying life in The Land Of Smiles I am having so much fun researching, finding new, authentic recipes both Thai and International to share with you. New recipes gleaned from those who I have met on my travels or are just passing through and stopped for a while. I hope you enjoy them.

I love shopping at the local markets, finding fresh, natural ingredients, new strange fruits and vegetable ones I have never seen or cooked with. I am generally the only European person and attract much attention and I love to try what I am offered and when I smile and say Aroy or Saab as it is here in the north I am met with much smiling.

Some of my recipes may not be in line with traditional ingredients and methods of cooking but are recipes I know and have become to love and maybe if you dare to try you will too. You will always get more than just a recipe from me as I love to research and find out what other properties the ingredients I use contain to improve our health and wellbeing.

The environment is also something I am passionate about and there will be more on this on my blog this year

Exciting for me hence the title of my blog, Retired No One Told Me! I am having a wonderful ride and don’t want to get off, so if you wish to follow me on my adventures, then welcome! I hope you enjoy the ride also and if it encourages you to take a step into the unknown or untried, you know you want to…….Then, I will be happy!

More and more of my blogging friends have joined me on MeWe…A social media site which is fairly new and which promises much without the restrictions some other social media sites are choosing to impose on many of us…Join me if you will on  mewe.com/i/caroltaylor3 

 

Carol is a contributor to the Phuket Island Writers Anthology: https://www.amazon.com/Phuket-Island-Writers-Anthology-Stories-ebook/dp/B00RU5IYNS

Connect to Carol

Blog: https://carolcooks2.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheRealCarolT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carol.taylor.1422

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/caroltaylor56/pins/

Thank you once again for reading this post I hope you all have a great week xx

Green Tea or Oolong…How to brew the perfect cup…

12 Replies

I love green tea and am discovering more about the types and how they are produced and what health benefits they have… I always use loose leaf tea and if the green tea has a lot of stalks then it is a low-grade one the one I bought the other day is completely different in appearance it is like little buds I can also see and taste the difference this one has slightly more colour and a refined taste. Although how you brew your tea makes a lot of difference and I don’t get that bitter tea taste anymore…

 

What is Green Tea?

Like all teas, it is brewed from the dried leaves of the Camellia Senensis but it is the level of oxidation in the initial production of tea which determines the type of tea.

Green Tea drinking set-3057645_640

Green tea is produced from unoxidized leaves which means it goes through fewer processes thus it has more antioxidants and polyphenols than it’s sister black tea. Oolong is fermented and allowed to partially oxidize, while green tea is not.

Green Tea has been used for many thousands of years in traditional Chinese and Indian medicines.

The amount of research into the medicinal properties of green tea is mind-blowing and very interesting but this post is about how tea is made and the types and how to brew the perfect cup.

Like lots of other products, the Green Tea market is a very lucrative one. It can be bought ready made to drink on the go… BUT just because it says Green Tea somewhere on the label …Please don’t be fooled…

If it is sitting on the shelf among the other sodas you can bet your life it is loaded with sugars and the like…

Here I only promote good teas…no nasties..just tea… Nuff said!

So what does Green Tea taste like?

The most common comment I hear and I have also been guilty of this…It’s bitter!

I now know why?

It is only bitter because either your tea is low-grade aka cheap or it has not been brewed correctly,  brew with cooler water and don’t leave the leaves in the tea once it has brewed. Once you have that bitter taste no amount of sugar or milk will get rid of it….

It is only since living here that I have learnt the art of brewing a nice pot of tea but no matter where you live the amount of information online is astounding and with a little effort you can benefit from an amazing cup of beautiful tea.

Cup of green tea-1887042_640

How to brew Tea.

Makes 1 cup.

Ingredients:

6 ounces of water, a little more if you are pre-warming your cup or teapot.

About 1 tsp of or 2 grams.

Let’s brew….Get that on to boil and get your cup or teapot.

Your water ideally should be 160F -180F so bring your kettle to the boil and let it cool it should be just short of boiling. Obviously, if you have a temp thingy that is great.

Pre-warm your cup or pot ( my mum) always used to…I don’t well if it is a pot I do but my cup…I know I should and I will…promise.

Measure out your tea leaves set to one side pour your water into your cup and add the tea leaves then cover your cup..let it steep for 1 -3 minutes if your tea is small-leaved it will be quicker…I just set my kitchen timer to start with but practice makes perfect and no more bitter tea…

Once it is ready…Enjoy!

When you use a new brand of tea it takes a little adjustment in amounts of tea or steeping time to get your perfect cuppa… But when you do a sense of achievement.

I spent so many years really disliking green tea and only drinking because it was ” good” for me….Since I have learned how to brew it correctly…I can say hand on heart…I am a convert…Although…

My favourite tea now I have tried so many different ones is Jin Xian Oolong No 12 Tea also known as Golden Lily Oolong tea is 100% organic and contains no artificial additives.

Jin Xuan Oolong No 12 tea

Grown in the northern mountains of Thailand 1200-1800 metres above sea level it is untouched by pollution… a low oxidised tea of twisted little balls /snails… Called BiLuoCun which means the green shell which because the tea is hand rolled it looks like small snail shells..hence the name.

Dut to its high concentration of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals it is said to increase the metabolism thus breaking down fat, reduce cholesterol and improve skin condition. Jin Xian Oolong No 12 Tea also known as Golden Lily Oolong tea is 100% organic and contains no artificial additives.

Grown in the northern mountains of Thailand 1200-1800 metres above sea level it is untouched by pollution… a low oxidised tea of twisted little balls /snails… Called BiLuoCun which means the green shell which because the tea is hand rolled it looks like small snail shells..hence the name.

Dut to its high concentration of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals it is said to increase the metabolism thus breaking down fat, reduce cholesterol and improve skin condition.

About Carol Taylor:

Enjoying life in The Land Of Smiles I am having so much fun researching, finding new, authentic recipes both Thai and International to share with you. New recipes gleaned from those who I have met on my travels or are just passing through and stopped for a while. I hope you enjoy them.

I love shopping at the local markets, finding fresh, natural ingredients, new strange fruits and vegetable ones I have never seen or cooked with. I am generally the only European person and attract much attention and I love to try what I am offered and when I smile and say Aroy or Saab as it is here in the north I am met with much smiling.

Some of my recipes may not be in line with traditional ingredients and methods of cooking but are recipes I know and have become to love and maybe if you dare to try you will too. You will always get more than just a recipe from me as I love to research and find out what other properties the ingredients I use contain to improve our health and wellbeing.

The environment is also something I am passionate about and there will be more on this on my blog this year

Exciting for me hence the title of my blog, Retired No One Told Me! I am having a wonderful ride and don’t want to get off, so if you wish to follow me on my adventures, then welcome! I hope you enjoy the ride also and if it encourages you to take a step into the unknown or untried, you know you want to…….Then, I will be happy!

More and more of my blogging friends have joined me on MeWe…A social media site which is fairly new and which promises much without the restrictions some other social media sites are choosing to impose on many of us…Join me if you will on  mewe.com/i/caroltaylor3 

 

Carol is a contributor to the Phuket Island Writers Anthology: https://www.amazon.com/Phuket-Island-Writers-Anthology-Stories-ebook/dp/B00RU5IYNS

Connect to Carol

Blog: https://carolcooks2.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheRealCarolT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carol.taylor.1422

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/caroltaylor56/pins/

Thank you once again for reading this post I hope you all have a great week xx

This week in my kitchen…Squidilicious…Salt & Pepper Squid and BBQ Squid …

13 Replies

Welcome to this week in my kitchen …The kids go back to school next week…I am off to Bangkok to spend the weekend with my big boy which will be really nice…This week I have squid recipes for you as I know many of you love squid but find it tough when you cook it …I hope you enjoy these recipes and you enjoy some nice tender, soft squid if you have any questions then please ask…

Squid is very popular in Thailand it can be found on every menu and every street market…But hang on a minute are squid and calamari one and the same…The answer is no!

Squid is tougher than Calamari which means of the two Calamari is the most expensive…How to tell the difference? You can tell squid from calamari by the fins that form an arrow shape on the end of the squid’s hood. The fins of calamari extend almost all the way down the hood.

The squid I buy I think is classed as calamari as it has long fins and the quill is longer…Calamari is the Spanish word for squid and although species-wise there is a difference cooks and consumers call it either squid or calamari and I think that depends on where you originate from…I always call it squid and it is a called squid here in Thailand whereas Europeans tend to use the term calamari…If you weren’t confused then I am sure you are now…

There are many health benefits from eating Calamari or Squid. Among the benefits, they provide Copper, Selenium, Zinc, and they are a very good source of vitamin B12 and B3. They are also a great source of protein. It also contains very little fat …

A 3-ounce serving of uncooked squid contains around 198 milligrams of cholesterol and 13.2 grams of protein along with 0.3 grams of total saturated fat. It also contains healthy fats: 0.09 grams of monounsaturated fat, and 0.4 grams of polyunsaturated fat.

One of all our favourite squid dishes here apart from the delicious Thai squid salad which I gave you the recipe for last week is Salt and Pepper Squid…

Easy to do and it takes minutes to cook…Between 1 -2 minutes max…Any longer and it will be tough…It is also one of the kids favourite squid dishes after Thai squid salad…

Salt n Pepper Squid

Ingredients:

Two servings as a snack…

  • 2-3 small calamari cleaned, remove the quill and cut into about 5mm rounds.
  • 1/2 cup of flour
  • 1 1/2 tbs pepper
  • 1/2 tbs salt

Put the flour salt and pepper in a bag add the squid slices and jiggle them about until covered…Heat just enough oil to fry and turn over a couple inches and heat until medium hot not smoking. Fry the squid in batches for 1-2 mins turning to colour evenly.

Drain on kitchen paper and serve with a dip of your choice either mayo or a spicy Thai Dip( recipe below)

If you are unsure about the cooking time of squid cook one as a tester but you really do not want to cook for too long as it will not be tender.

Chilli Lime Dip…

Ingredients:

  • 2 green chillies
  • Juice 2 limes and the zest of one
  • 1 Kaffir lime leaf very finely shredded
  • 4 stems coriander chopped
  • 1 clove garlic crushed
  • 2 tsp palm sugar grated
  • A pinch salt.

Blitz all the ingredients and check to season.

This lovely cucumber salad is also a nice accompaniment with squid.

  • 2 cucumbers
  • 1/3 cup rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp palm sugar
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 red birds eye chilli  finely sliced
  • 2 shallots finely diced
  • 1/4-1/2 tsp red chilli flakes ( optional)

Let’s Cook!

Combine the chilli, sugar, vinegar and oil and mix together…Put to one side… Then either thinly slice or if you have a spiraliser…I don’t yet! your cucumber. Then finely chop your shallots then combine with your vinegar mix and put in the fridge until required..To serve gently mix in coriander and top with a few peanuts if liked.

BBQ Squid is seen everywhere here in Thailand …

Lady cooking squid

Some are cooked as it is and some coated in a very spicy sauce the one thing that it has in common is how wonderfully tender and delicious it is…

If you want to BBQ your squid at home then working with one squid at a time, make 1″ cuts on squid tubes( like the image) above about halfway through then season with salt and pepper. Heat a charcoal grill or set a gas grill to medium-high. (Alternatively, heat a grill pan over medium-high heat.) Brush squid with oil and, using a grill press or thread them on wooden skewers, cook, until charred and cooked, 4-6 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and drizzle with sauce; sprinkle with peanuts and coriander.

You may prefer to brush your squid with your chosen dip again as in the image above…

I hope you all enjoy these recipes until next time…Have a great weekend xxx

About Carol Taylor:

Enjoying life in The Land Of Smiles I am having so much fun researching, finding new, authentic recipes both Thai and International to share with you. New recipes gleaned from those who I have met on my travels or are just passing through and stopped for a while. I hope you enjoy them.

I love shopping at the local markets, finding fresh, natural ingredients, new strange fruits and vegetable ones I have never seen or cooked with. I am generally the only European person and attract much attention and I love to try what I am offered and when I smile and say Aroy or Saab as it is here in the north I am met with much smiling.

Some of my recipes may not be in line with traditional ingredients and methods of cooking but are recipes I know and have become to love and maybe if you dare to try you will too. You will always get more than just a recipe from me as I love to research and find out what other properties the ingredients I use contain to improve our health and wellbeing.

The environment is also something I am passionate about and there will be more on this on my blog this year

Exciting for me hence the title of my blog, Retired No One Told Me! I am having a wonderful ride and don’t want to get off, so if you wish to follow me on my adventures, then welcome! I hope you enjoy the ride also and if it encourages you to take a step into the unknown or untried, you know you want to…….Then, I will be happy!

More and more of my blogging friends have joined me on MeWe…A social media site which is fairly new and which promises much without the restrictions some other social media sites are choosing to impose on many of us…Join me if you will on  mewe.com/i/caroltaylor3 

Carol is a contributor to the Phuket Island Writers Anthology: https://www.amazon.com/Phuket-Island-Writers-Anthology-Stories-ebook/dp/B00RU5IYNS

Connect to Carol

Blog: https://carolcooks2.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheRealCarolT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carol.taylor.1422

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/caroltaylor56/pins/

Thank you once again for reading this post I hope you all have a great weekend xx

 

 

 

 

 

7 Important steps that can be used to study environmental problems—like a scientist

3 Replies

I think this is a really good post on how to do research and what to look for …#recommended

Motivation & Environment

This article contains an outline of seven important steps most inquisitive people and scientists have been using to understand how the natural environment works, and the composition and behavior of living and non-living things.

It must be noted that, in order to comprehend the physical world, it is not necessary to follow the steps below, in the exact order they appear on this post.

The step-by-step outline listed below is based on the experience of the author, and is a highly valuable procedure which he thinks is appropriate for studying the environment and other things within it:

(1) Acquire correct information about an environmental problem: What is the actual or basic problem? What are the specifics?

What is known about a particular issue? What is the basic information available, even if it might be a bit trivial?

Example: Plastic debris has been polluting a river (of interest), reducing the speed…

View original post 730 more words

Waste Not! Want Not!…Week 23…Bees and coffee grounds…

8 Replies

I am going to be looking at the many types of pollution over the next month or two and how as an individual we can help…

How does pollution affect us and which types of pollution affect us as humans?

To live we breathe air but the quality of the air we breathe does determine whether we live or what impact it has on our health…

I will be covering all of those when I have finished my research as much research is pointing at CO2 as the enemy I am not convinced…What do you think and why?

Today though I will be looking at the many positive actions that are being taken by individuals, communities or charity organisations…Good New stories…I think we all need those as much of the news is doom and gloom…

What I love about Climate Change is that it is bringing out the creativity of many individuals and that to me is good it is creating a society where people look at solutions and what is better than that?

Take Revive Eco who are finalists from Scotland in the Chevas Venture 2019...This is the 5th year the Chivas Venture competition has supported the world’s best social startups with $1 million in funding and expert coaching. Applications were to social entrepreneurs from around the globe who are using business to solve social and environmental issues. The finals take place today 9th May in Amsterdam and I wish all the finalists good luck…

 

Or these guys…Save the bees…

Both are worthy winners as are the others…Check it out…

Capri …a beautiful small Italian island situated 5km from the Italian mainland in the Bay of Naples…Known for its beauty and coastline it has been written about( Somerset Maughans) The Lous Eater and filmed…The soaring Faraglioni Rocks …Capri has been known in Greek mythology as the isle of the sirens, was a favoured resort of the Roman emperors. Most notoriously, the emperor Tiberius had his villa on the island, the location (supposedly) of debauched orgies. Those who displeased the emperor were flung to their deaths from the cliffs. The island is world famous and is very touristy, especially when swamped with tourists in July & August, but other times of the year it is calmer and more relaxing.

Well, it sounds like official mean business…and good for them…Tourists are now banned from taking any plastic to the Italian island and risk fines of up to €500 if they are caught using plastic bags, plates or cutlery as the Italian island introduces new draconian laws.

The ban, which started this month, has outlawed traditional plastics in a bid to protect the surrounding coastline near Naples.

Capri a beautiful Italian Island

 

Photo credit: Rich Jacques on Visualhunt / CC BY-NC-ND

Mayor Giovanni De Martino and the local head of the green group Legambiente have welcomed the decision.

This decision is not just confined to Capri...I think it is a great step forward…

News from New Zealand is that the government are close to finalising a plan to plant 1 million trees… I think trees and forests are very beautiful and peaceful and the habitat on wildlife and flowers and we need all of this preserved to preserve life as we know it…Deforestation is killing so much…

Bluebell woods

World Environment Day is a UN Environment-led global event, which takes place on June 5 every year and is celebrated by thousands of communities worldwide.

China is this year’s host for World Environment Day on June 5th 2019…China with its growing green energy sector has emerged as a climate leader. The country owns half the world’s electric vehicles and 99 per cent of the world’s electric buses. By hosting World Environment Day 2019, the Chinese government will be able to showcase its innovation and progress toward a cleaner environment.

Maybe I was a little harsh about them using the army to plant trees but given the amount of smog in their cities, I really hope they are serious and it is not all show.

Mindfulness And Meditation Will Now Be Part Of The Curriculum In 370 Schools In England…

Mindfulness and meditation

 

Image by John Hain from Pixabay

I think is one of the best ideas I have heard for a while…I have always believed that when a child acts up much of the time it is because they do not understand their feelings and emotions…often this comes out as anger because of their frustration. Schools in England have started to look at this problem in a different way by teaching Mindfulness and meditation this is an initiative being run under a Mental Health study that the Britsh government is running until 2021…

Lots of good news stories this week I do hope you enjoyed them and it makes you feel more positive I look forward to your comments xxx

 

About Carol Taylor:

Enjoying life in The Land Of Smiles I am having so much fun researching, finding new, authentic recipes both Thai and International to share with you. New recipes gleaned from those who I have met on my travels or are just passing through and stopped for a while. I hope you enjoy them.

I love shopping at the local markets, finding fresh, natural ingredients, new strange fruits and vegetable ones I have never seen or cooked with. I am generally the only European person and attract much attention and I love to try what I am offered and when I smile and say Aroy or Saab as it is here in the north I am met with much smiling.

Some of my recipes may not be in line with traditional ingredients and methods of cooking but are recipes I know and have become to love and maybe if you dare to try you will too. You will always get more than just a recipe from me as I love to research and find out what other properties the ingredients I use contain to improve our health and wellbeing.

The environment is also something I am passionate about and there will be more on this on my blog this year

Exciting for me hence the title of my blog, Retired No One Told Me! I am having a wonderful ride and don’t want to get off, so if you wish to follow me on my adventures, then welcome! I hope you enjoy the ride also and if it encourages you to take a step into the unknown or untried, you know you want to…….Then, I will be happy!

More and more of my blogging friends have joined me on MeWe…A social media site which is fairly new and which promises much without the restrictions some other social media sites are choosing to impose on many of us…Join me if you will on  mewe.com/i/caroltaylor3 

 

Carol is a contributor to the Phuket Island Writers Anthology: https://www.amazon.com/Phuket-Island-Writers-Anthology-Stories-ebook/dp/B00RU5IYNS

Connect to Carol

Blog: https://carolcooks2.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheRealCarolT
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carol.taylor.1422

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/caroltaylor56/pins/

Thank you once again for reading this post I hope you all have a great week xx

 

 

Smorgasbord Health Column – Cholesterol and Fat Myths Part Two, Vitamin K2 and Healthy Fats by Sally Cronin

2 Replies

Another excellent and informative must-read post from Sally…Cholesterol and Fat, Part two…#recommended

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine

Last week  I explained how cholesterol was essential for a number of functions in the body and that dropping levels too low could impact the balance of hormones and also brain function. I also shared the latest research on the effectiveness of Statins on cholesterol levels for a large percentage of patients who are prescribed it.

You can find the previous post on Cholesterol here:https://smorgasbordinvitation.wordpress.com/2019/04/30/smorgasbord-health-column-the-cholesterol-myth-part-one-and-statins-the-new-research-sally-cronin/

Today I wanted to focus on fats which also play a massive role in the balance of LDL– Low density lipoprotein (potentially unhealthy cholesterol) and HDL– High density lipoprotein (healthy cholesterol).

It can be tricky because the good fats are fairly easy to spot but the harmful fats tend to be hidden and disguised in the packaged and processed foods we buy. Responsible manufacturers have mainly moved away from using the highly toxic ‘trans fats’ but unfortunately the cheaper your processed family…

View original post 2,091 more words