http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/Worms glorious worms. They eat everything... well almost. I've just set up my Wormery Jr, fed the leetle beggars some limp leaves and slightly shrivelled cherry tomatoes and we'll see what they do. en-EUMokoFeed10http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/bb/e02f2854d463c9a5fa07e03fe8cff9_160x200.jpghttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/11/05/president-for-the-planet-4990290/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2008-11-05:/2008/11/05/president-for-the-planet-4990290/Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:53:03 +0100 <p>The election of Barack Obama breathed hope into the United States of America and the world. He's an inspiration and a real leader. In particular, his ability to lift people up and inspire them is going to be one of his greatest gifts to the American people. That ability alone will allow him to make real change. He's going to empower people, show people how to reach for their goals and realize their dreams.</p> <p>The environment was the second issue Barack Obama mentioned in his speech last night. What a relief to have someone in the White House who believes in science and understands the concept and the perils of climate change. The US was heading down a dangerous path when it comes to the environment and in doing so, gave other governments excuses not to address our planet's environmental problems.</p> <p>It's been a great day for us all--an emotional day. Why are we Americans so enthused, so emotional? It's because for the first time in eight long years justice has been done. We have a real leader now. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/11/05/president-for-the-planet-4990290/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>environmentnewsusaobamapresidentclimateelectionpoliticshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/11/05/president-for-the-planet-4990290/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/09/24/thriftysomething-4773177/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2008-09-24:/2008/09/24/thriftysomething-4773177/Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:06:06 +0200 <p>What a nice word the Guardian has coined--<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/sep/21/foodanddrink4">Thriftysomething</a>. Here are some more timely tips for saving cash as the economy slide further into oblivion thanks to the greedy so-and-sos that inhabit (or used to) Wall Street and The City.</p> <p>In worm news, they are thriving. They sure like to eat old bread, tea bags and broccoli bits. </p> <p>I've been trying to keep up with my plan to buy less food each week and use it all up rather than feeding it to the worms. So far, I've been doing quite well. I try to limit the amount of fresh veg I buy when I do a big shop on the weekend. Then if need be, I pick up what I need on the way home from work or whatever. I haven't been measuring but I would say my efforts are a qualified success.</p> <p>By the way, I don't know if I've mentioned this site before, but if you are looking for some super-tasty vegetarian meal ideas check out <a href="http://www.101cookbooks.com/index.html">101 Cookbooks</a>. I made the TLT sandwich over the weekend and it was delish. The broccoli pesto is also magnificent! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/09/24/thriftysomething-4773177/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>shoppingnew-wormsgreenvegetarianwormwatchhealthcompostfoodhttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/09/24/thriftysomething-4773177/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/08/11/food-tiering-do-you-get-what-you-pay-for-4571277/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2008-08-11:/2008/08/11/food-tiering-do-you-get-what-you-pay-for-4571277/Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:47:16 +0200 <p>All this talk about increasing food prices has got me thinking. It seems that it is common practice in British markets to have three tiers when it comes to food quality and pricing. </p> <p>The first and the cheapest are the so-called value ranges. These come in no-frills packaging and are considerable cheaper than the other ranges or name brands. What I want to know is whether the quality is also lower. What I want to know is what's the difference, for example, between a value tin of tomatoes and the middle-tier or top-tier ranges? I'd say taste, for starters. And what is the difference between value chicken and the other ranges? Taste? fat content? Water content? </p> <p>The obvious answer is that for the lowest price, the consumer is getting the lowest quality.</p> <p>Then there are the baffling mid-range products. Not as crap as the value range, but not as good as the so-called Finest range. Here you get your unripe, rock hard fruit, moderately flavoured bread, fatty battery chicken, and beef that has no flavour whatsoever and is virtually impossible to chew. Utter crap.</p> <p>Then there's the top range. It's pricey, but probably not too different from the mid-range. Take the chicken and beef as an example--even if you're paying over the odds for Tesco's finest it does not compare with meat from a good butcher. Never. When it comes to fruit, the top of the line is better, but I really object to having pay extra for fruit with actual flavour. </p> <p>The top-tier food lines are mainly a marketing gimmick. The Tescos and Sainsburys of this world are tapping into consumers' belief that buying something more expensive somehow makes them a better person, or posh. It's psychological--nothing to do with the actual quality of the food.</p> <p>Having said all this, my question is why can't these stores just give people quality food at a reasonable price? Why do I have to pay way over the odds for a nectarine that actually tastes like a nectarine?</p> <p>Shopping in one of the big markets has one advantage only--convenience. The quality of product is a non-issue. And when it comes to fruit, veg and meat the quality just isn't there--value, mid-range or top priced. </p> <p>My prediction is as food prices increase this sly marketing will intensify--in fact it already has (see tesco and sainsbury TV adverts). They want us to think they're trying to help save us money but they're really just pushing the same overpriced, mediocre to poor product on us. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/08/11/food-tiering-do-you-get-what-you-pay-for-4571277/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>pricetescomarketingshoppingsainsburyfoodeconomyhttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/08/11/food-tiering-do-you-get-what-you-pay-for-4571277/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/07/08/alternative-village-fete-4421243/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2008-07-08:/2008/07/08/alternative-village-fete-4421243/Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:31:02 +0200 <p>On Saturday we went down to London's South Bank to the National Theatre where The Alternative Village Fete was happening. It was a breezy, cool afternoon, perfect for gallivanting by the river. I loved it. </p> <p>There were the <a href="http://www.wildhunt.org.uk/">Wild Hunt Bedlam Morris</a>. </p> <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/519/2646519_2051a968a9_s.jpeg" alt="Ring my bells!" vspace="5" hspace="5"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/520/2646520_6fadc11c85_s.jpeg" alt="Waiting to go on" vspace="5" hspace="5"></p> <p>Kids and parents were busily making monsters from veg.<br> <img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/526/2646526_f679e5590c_s.jpeg" alt="vegetable table" vspace="5" hspace="5"></p> <p>And there was the opportunity to write a letter to a politician to let them know what you think about climate change.</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/write_on/2646540" title="write on"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/540/2646540_e6f75779a1_s.jpeg" alt="write on" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/07/08/alternative-village-fete-4421243/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>entertainmentleisurehttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/07/08/alternative-village-fete-4421243/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/07/05/litter-i-hate-it-4406280/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2008-07-05:/2008/07/05/litter-i-hate-it-4406280/Sat, 05 Jul 2008 09:59:24 +0200 <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/215/2639215_15b4945b85_s.jpeg" alt="McDonalds cup" hspace="5" vspace="5"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/216/2639216_92a911acd6_s.jpeg" alt="Who needs a bin?" hspace="5" vspace="5">             <br> This morning I was thinking about this post and thought I needed a photo to illustrate. I knew if I walked outside my door it would only take a minute or so to complete the task. And sure enough there was a McDonalds cup stuck in a shrub and garbage all over the pavement.</p> <p>The amount of litter in all its shapes and forms on the pavements, in the streets, hedges and grassy verges of Hackney is mind-boggling. I am well and truly stunned. It's not just Hackney either--although it is particularly bad here. London generally is awash with litter. People here have no compunction about dropping cans, bags, bits of food, etc etc on the ground. I suppose they think someone else will pick it up for them. </p> <p>For the non-litterers amongst us, those of us who hate litter and would never drop anything on the ground, litter is more than an eyesore. It's a sign of laziness and apathy. People don't seem to care about their communities, we think, to them, it's just a big bin.</p> <p>So what to do about it? Littering used to be anathema. Litterers were scolded. The received wisdom was littering was a disgusting thing, done by disgusting people. No more. It seems littering is ok now. Why?</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/07/05/litter-i-hate-it-4406280/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>garbagehackneyenvironmentlitterlondonhttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/07/05/litter-i-hate-it-4406280/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/06/21/save-money-help-save-the-planet-4343935/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2008-06-21:/2008/06/21/save-money-help-save-the-planet-4343935/Sat, 21 Jun 2008 13:37:46 +0200 <p>There's been a lot of talk recently about belt-tightening as fuel, electricity and food bills skyrocket. Many publications have been coming out with their top money saving tips and I've put together a few of my own combining saving money and becoming greener at the same time.</p> <p>1- <strong>Buy what you need</strong>. We all have the tendency to overdo it at the grocery store and wind up spending a lot more than intended. Today's markets are designed to throw temptation in our paths. So you go in with a short list and come out with all sorts of extras. </p> <p>According to studies, <strong><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4443111.stm">we throw out nearly 30% of the food we buy</a></strong>. By sticking to your grocery list, buying what you need, you'll save money. First off, you won't put 30% of your weekly shop in the bin, which is just like flushing money down the toilet. Additionally, buying what you need, not overshopping means less food and packaging going to landfill. That's good for you and the planet.</p> <p>I'd suggest doing smaller, more frequent shops (taking the bus or walking to the shop). Filling up the fridge to the brim means by the time you get to some of the bits and pieces you've bought, they'll have rotted or gone off and wind up in the bin. </p> <p>2- <strong>Eat more veg, less meat</strong>. My husband hates tofu and complains bitterly that we don't eat more meat. Despite the moaning, he never turns up his nose at my vegetarian meals. In fact he devours them. Veg is cheaper than overpriced, fatty meat that you find in the big chain grocers. Supermarket meat tends to be pretty disgusting, tasteless and pumped full of chemicals and dyes. Think about getting some of your protein elsewhere. Try tofu or beans, both of which are cheaper and healthier than the majority of supermarket meat. I'm not saying go vegetarian, but diversify. Get more variety in your diet rather than going for the meat and potatoes option. If you go for meat, I'd buy it from a butcher. Eat less of it, but spend a little more on what you do eat.</p> <p>If you are looking for inspiration check out <strong><a href="http://www.101cookbooks.com/">101 Cookbooks</a></strong> a food blog by Heidi Swanson. I find her recipes to be delicious and quite easy. </p> <p>3- <strong>Plan your meals</strong>. Having an idea of what you're going to do with all the food you buy will help reduce waste. Go to the grocery store with a few ideas of what you're going to cook that week and buy accordingly. It's simple, but effective.</p> <p>4- <strong>Cook your own food</strong>. There are a lot of reasons why cooking your own food is good for you and your wallet. Avoiding expensive, fatty, salty and chemical-filled ready meals can only be a good thing. Today there are about a zillion online resources for recipes, so there really is no excuse not to get cooking. You'll save money and all those plastic ready meal packages will stay out of the landfill.</p> <p>5- <strong>Pack your lunch</strong>. Once you've cooked your own meal, save some of it, whack it in a container and bring it into work for lunch. Again, you save money and have a nutritious meal. Take your lunch outside, eat it then go for a walk. It's a no brainer.</p> <p>So there you go. Easy ideas for saving money, eating healthier and becoming a little greener. If anyone has any tips, I'd love to hear them! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/06/21/save-money-help-save-the-planet-4343935/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>environmentvegetariancostsavingsgreencookinghttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/06/21/save-money-help-save-the-planet-4343935/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/05/14/worms-unhappy-about-boris-4172213/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2008-05-14:/2008/05/14/worms-unhappy-about-boris-4172213/Wed, 14 May 2008 11:14:33 +0200 <p>The worms tell me they are not pleased by the election of B Johnson to the mayoralty of London. They think he is a fat, flatulent git. They are preparing for the worst--buying worm-sized masks to wear when the mayor repeals the congestion charge and London is clogged with diesel and petrol fumes and it is even more difficult to breath than it already is. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/05/14/worms-unhappy-about-boris-4172213/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>worms-mayor-londonhttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/05/14/worms-unhappy-about-boris-4172213/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/04/20/tumbling-toms-empress-of-india-and-basil-4069614/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2008-04-20:/2008/04/20/tumbling-toms-empress-of-india-and-basil-4069614/Sun, 20 Apr 2008 15:08:14 +0200 <p><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/795/2480795_6e7dd8fb8f_s.jpeg" alt="Tumbling toms" hspace="5" vspace="5">I've grasped the nettle and used my Sunday afternoon to get some gardening done. Well it's not really proper gardening, really messing about with some pots on my balcony. I've  planted tumbling tomatoes, said to be good for growing in a pot, basil and some <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasturtium">nasturtiums</a>--the empress of India variety (red). At the moment the toms and basil are living on my bookshelf ( a sunny spot) until they are sturdy enough to go outside. The nasturtiums are outside, but I may bring them in. The weather here in London has been quite cold of late. All seeds have been doused with worm juice. Fingers crossed. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/04/20/tumbling-toms-empress-of-india-and-basil-4069614/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tomatoes-basil-nasturtium-gardeninghttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/04/20/tumbling-toms-empress-of-india-and-basil-4069614/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/04/14/vote-for-the-environment-4042814/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2008-04-14:/2008/04/14/vote-for-the-environment-4042814/Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:09:04 +0200 <p>I'm not the only one terrified what the deranged buffoon Boris Johnson might do if elected mayor of London. Today <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/apr/14/charliebrooker.boris">Charlie Brooker</a> has a humorous piece in the Guardian about this fear.</p> <p>Ken Livingstone has done a lot to address climate change and its impact on Londoners. When it comes to environmental issues and climate change, Mayor Livingstone and his team have made London into a living example of how change is possible. That's come from the congestion charge, the low emission zone and the better buildings initiative--to name a few examples. </p> <p>I'd like to add that I am not a member of the Labour party or an official supporter of Ken. I'm a Londoner who is afraid of Boris Johnson. He is not a joke. He is a sinister force who could put our city back 20 years at least. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/04/14/vote-for-the-environment-4042814/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>ken-livingstoneboris-johnsoncharlie-brookerlondonhttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/04/14/vote-for-the-environment-4042814/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/04/04/worms-thriving-3994232/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2008-04-04:/2008/04/04/worms-thriving-3994232/Fri, 04 Apr 2008 10:15:34 +0200 <p>The worms have weathered another winter. They are fruitful and multiplying in the wormery munching away on whatever I put in there.</p> <p>Worms are catching on. Increasingly people and companies are using worms to help them cope with waste. </p> <p>Here's a piece my friend Tom passed on. It's about a printing company in Cornwall using worms in their waste management efforts. <a href="http://www.printweek.com/PrintWeekDaily/News/799459/Worms-chew-40-tonnes-Cla">St Ives</a></p> <p>And here's something about <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7324687.stm">Sutton's War on Waste</a> from the BBC News site. Shows that not everyone has a backward, 20th century view about dealing with the real problems around waste management. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/04/04/worms-thriving-3994232/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>wormscompostingwaste-managementsuttonhttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/04/04/worms-thriving-3994232/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/04/04/vote-for-ken-3994155/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2008-04-04:/2008/04/04/vote-for-ken-3994155/Fri, 04 Apr 2008 09:56:21 +0200 <p>I am terrified that Boris Johnson might become the Mayor of London. Not only would it be a disaster socially and economically, it would mean a complete about turn for the environmental policies <a href="http://www.kenlivingstone.com">Ken Livingstone</a> has implemented.</p> <p>Don't be fooled by Boris' buffoonery. He is an old-fashioned Thatcherite who doesn't accept that climate changer is real. He's dangerous. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/04/04/vote-for-ken-3994155/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>ken-livingstoneboris-johnsonhttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/04/04/vote-for-ken-3994155/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/01/28/food_miles~3645619/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2008-01-28:/2008/01/28/food_miles~3645619/Mon, 28 Jan 2008 19:22:37 +0100 <p>If anyone missed the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/foodprogramme.shtml">food programme</a> today, take a listen. Very interesting report green options for buying food. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/01/28/food_miles~3645619/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>food-miles-green-foodhttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/01/28/food_miles~3645619/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/01/28/success_a_very_green_christmas~3645604/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2008-01-28:/2008/01/28/success_a_very_green_christmas~3645604/Mon, 28 Jan 2008 19:19:17 +0100 <p>It's still January, so I can get away with sending New Year wishes for a few more days. </p> <p>I'm happy to report that my Christmas crafting went well. I made scarves for my sister and mother, the socks for Bruce and heart-shaped lavender sachets for friends. On the baking front, I made heaps of mince pies, biccies, xmas puddings (gave some as pressies) and some truffles (not really baked, nor were the puds).</p> <p>For wrapping paper I used plain brown paper dressed up with drawn decorations. I also drew on a recycling symbol, which I hope reminded people what to do with the paper when they were finished. </p> <p>In other news, I've been doing really well in reducing the rubbish that goes in the bin. Recycling and composting is way up and the worms are thriving. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/01/28/success_a_very_green_christmas~3645604/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>green-holiday-recycle-bakinghttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2008/01/28/success_a_very_green_christmas~3645604/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2007/11/29/i_m_dreaming_of_a_green_christmas~3369999/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2007-11-29:/2007/11/29/i_m_dreaming_of_a_green_christmas~3369999/Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:54:35 +0100 <p>Just came across this piece in the <a href="http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/ethicalliving/2007/11/real_treats_that_dont_cost_the.html">Guardian</a> discussing and suggesting green and ethical christmas gifts. For those of you fed up with the rampant consumerism of the holiday season it's worth a read. </p> <p>I'm making moves to cut down on holiday excess this year (sorry friends and family!!)--apart from nice wine, of course! I've knit a lot of presents for people, including a pair of jubbly socks for my long suffering fiancee! I'm going to make some christmas puds and mince pies as well. </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/2053003113_108295ee7c_s/2179150" title="2053003113_108295ee7c_s"><img src="http://data3.blog.de/media/150/2179150_63c1a1c1d1_s.jpeg" alt="2053003113_108295ee7c_s" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>This is the first year we're having a tree, but it's a fake one that we can use for years to come. I'm going to make some ornaments for it. Yet more crafty projects! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2007/11/29/i_m_dreaming_of_a_green_christmas~3369999/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>environmentholidayschristmasgiftsgreenethicalhttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2007/11/29/i_m_dreaming_of_a_green_christmas~3369999/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2007/11/16/plastic_bag_ban_bring_it_on~3307964/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2007-11-16:/2007/11/16/plastic_bag_ban_bring_it_on~3307964/Fri, 16 Nov 2007 21:24:50 +0100 <p>I'm all for a <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7097234.stm">plastic bag ban</a>, obviously. Thing is, it's tough to change people's habits, especially when we live in a society that is telling us to consume all the time. How will we bring home all the tat being pushed on us without plastic bags?</p> <p>Too bad more communities aren't ready to take a page from Modbury in Devon's book:</p> <p><em>Wicker baskets, rucksacks and reusable bags of every shape and size swing from the arms of shoppers in the bustling town of 1,500 people. But if you're spotted with a plastic one you risk becoming a social pariah.</em>--From the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/may/12/uknews.waste">guardian environmental blog</a>.</p> <p>Being green, not using plastic bags, recycling, composting, reducing your carbon footprint one day will be the norm. There will be a day when people who litter, generate bins full of rubbish and don't recycle will be social pariahs. It's happening. It's going to be slow though. People don't want to sacrifice, give up their creature comforts, make life moderately less easy for themselves. </p> <p>On a slightly different note. </p> <p>Question one: I've been wondering whether online grocery shopping and home delivery might not be very green. I can see how home delivery is good for the elderly. However do we really need all these Tesco and Sainsbury vans driving around? I don't know. Probably not.</p> <p>Question two: Why do people litter? I thought it was clearly not acceptable to litter. I live in London, which is awash with litter. People litter with impunity. It's not just the kids either, it's everyone. I think if we're talking about the environment, we should take the opportunity to remind people that littering is disgusting. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2007/11/16/plastic_bag_ban_bring_it_on~3307964/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>greenenvironmentplastic-bagslitterlondonbanhttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2007/11/16/plastic_bag_ban_bring_it_on~3307964/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2007/11/02/recycling_challenge~3234761/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2007-11-02:/2007/11/02/recycling_challenge~3234761/Fri, 02 Nov 2007 13:35:27 +0100 <p>Inspired by the <a href="http://blogs.reuters.com/uknews/2007/10/30/pay-as-you-throw/">pay-as-you-throw</a> schemes that will likely be implemented in many communities in the not too distant future, I'm setting myself a challenge. I'm going to see how much I can reduce the amount of rubbish I bin. I'll let you know how I get on. Maybe I'll come up with some tips...</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2007/11/02/recycling_challenge~3234761/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>rubbishrecyclepay-as-you-throwhttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2007/11/02/recycling_challenge~3234761/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2007/07/06/worm_charming_championship~2587106/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2007-07-06:/2007/07/06/worm_charming_championship~2587106/Fri, 06 Jul 2007 19:55:22 +0200 <p>We've all heard of the horse whisperer and the dog whisperer, but what about the worm whispers. Check out <a href="http://www.wormcharming.com--home">www.wormcharming.com--home</a> of International Federation of Charming Worms and Allied Pastimes. It is fantastic. I can't believe I haven't heard about this earlier!! Maybe next year I'll have a go. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2007/07/06/worm_charming_championship~2587106/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>worm-charminghttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2007/07/06/worm_charming_championship~2587106/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2007/07/06/worms_in_peril~2587087/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2007-07-06:/2007/07/06/worms_in_peril~2587087/Fri, 06 Jul 2007 19:50:29 +0200 <p>Last week the worms were a witness to a crime. Too bad they are dumb and blind otherwise they might have been able to tell me who stole the flower pots off my front steps. To say I was livid when I discovered the theft is an understatement. I'm just glad the thief or thieves didn't take the wormery. </p> <p>Apart from this brush with the flower pot thieves, the worms are thriving. There are lots of baby worms in the wormery. They are munching away on all sorts of nice things and will grow up to be lovely fat adult worms. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2007/07/06/worms_in_peril~2587087/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>wormwormerybaby-wormscrimehttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2007/07/06/worms_in_peril~2587087/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2007/05/14/worms_continue_to_thrive~2267402/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2007-05-14:/2007/05/14/worms_continue_to_thrive~2267402/Mon, 14 May 2007 13:51:53 +0200 <p>It's all good news for wormkind in Hackney. The worms are loving life in their new home on my front steps. I will post some pictures of our slimy friends soon.</p> <p>The worms have even had a little excitement. They were visited by some kind of creature last week--probably one of the giant urban foxes that prowls around Hackney growing immense on kebabs and fried chicken. </p> <p>The lid was off the wormery last Thursday, but there were no signs of disturbance otherwise. Also, something was digging in one of my potted plants over the weekend which I found most strange. I'm assuming it's not one of the neighbours but you never know. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2007/05/14/worms_continue_to_thrive~2267402/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>wormsfoxhackneyhttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2007/05/14/worms_continue_to_thrive~2267402/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2007/04/29/happy_healthy_worms~2180715/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2007-04-29:/2007/04/29/happy_healthy_worms~2180715/Sun, 29 Apr 2007 16:53:39 +0200 <p>I picked up the new worms from the post office on Saturday morning. They're in the wormery now any hopefully will be making loads of worm castings that I can put on the plants I bought today.</p> <p>I'd like to point out that these worms arrived in a bucket rather than a flimsy envelope. They arrived in great condition unlike most of the worms I've received through the post previously. </p> <p>Wormeries were mentioned this morning on <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/news/bh/">Broadcasting House</a> on Radio Four during a discussion on garbage collection and recycling. For those of you who live in areas of the UK where garbage pickup is going to be reduced to every other week composting using worms is a perfect way to deal with organic waste. </p> <p>You can put all sorts of things in a wormery including tea bags and dust from vacuum bags. And unlike wheely bins brimming with nasty rubbish, wormeries don't smell. I know this sounds crazy, but eventually I think having a wormery is going to be the norm, not the exception. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2007/04/29/happy_healthy_worms~2180715/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>wormerywormsradio-fourrecyclingbroadcasting-houseecologyenvironmenthttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2007/04/29/happy_healthy_worms~2180715/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2007/04/26/new_worms_on_the_way~2165026/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2007-04-26:/2007/04/26/new_worms_on_the_way~2165026/Thu, 26 Apr 2007 14:58:05 +0200 <p>Literally seconds ago, I ordered a new batch of worms from <a href="http://www.britishwormbreeders.co.uk">British Worm Breeders</a>. If all goes according to plan, I should have my new worms TOMORROW. How exciting. </p> <p>Last year I learned a lot about worms. For starters, not all worms are created equal. I bought worms from a few places that sent me terrible specimens (see post about Original Organics) that arrived dried up like worm jerky. When I contacted them to get my money back, they weren't very helpful or responsive.</p> <p>I've also learned that worms that live in a bucket shouldn't live on south-facing balcony. This time when the new batch arrives, I'm going to move the wormery to the front porch by the recycling bin. This way they won't fry when London experiences tropical summer time temperatures.</p> <p>Fingers crossed that I will finally have some success with the worms. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2007/04/26/new_worms_on_the_way~2165026/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>wormshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2007/04/26/new_worms_on_the_way~2165026/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2006/12/29/christmas_overpackaging_hell~1491323/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2006-12-29:/2006/12/29/christmas_overpackaging_hell~1491323/Fri, 29 Dec 2006 17:53:01 +0100 <p>While some retailers like Sainsburys allegedly are taking measures to reduce the amount of packaging around products it seems like there is a lot still to be learned. This Christmas (and every previous one) is a case in point. Shops overpackage to the extreme. </p> <p>It makes me sick to think of all the plastic crap that's being thrown into landfills, not to mention all the crap that people give and receive that is only thrown away a few weeks later. And for some reason the recycling people in Hackney don't take wrapping paper! Why not??? </p> <p>Just say no to plastic and remember to recycle!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2006/12/29/christmas_overpackaging_hell~1491323/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>packaging-recycle-crap-plastichttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2006/12/29/christmas_overpackaging_hell~1491323/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2006/11/28/more_worms_in_the_office~1377433/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2006-11-28:/2006/11/28/more_worms_in_the_office~1377433/Tue, 28 Nov 2006 11:06:26 +0100 <p>No, I'm not refering to the nematode sitting across from me, but another article I found in the Sacramento Bee about <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/83034.html">using worms in the office</a>. </p> <p>I'm wondering if more offices should be using worms to reduce waste. The people in my office are barely capable of recycling white paper and newspaper. It's really a disgrace. I may start a campaign to have these haters of the earth fired and replaced by worms. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2006/11/28/more_worms_in_the_office~1377433/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>wormsofficesacramento-beehttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2006/11/28/more_worms_in_the_office~1377433/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2006/11/23/my_office_the_garbage_pit~1362175/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2006-11-23:/2006/11/23/my_office_the_garbage_pit~1362175/Thu, 23 Nov 2006 20:41:34 +0100 <p>I hate it when I get mass emails from my employer asking for ideas on cost savings and offering a bottle of plonk as an award for the best idea. </p> <p>There are three things that annoy me about these emails:<br> 1) It means that the chiselers who run the place are launching a cost savings drive right before they're due to announce pay rises. Bastards!<br> 2) They think a cheap bottle of booze is enough to motivate employees. I think it's patronizing.<br> 3) They haven't noticed how much waste there is in the office.</p> <p>Onto point number three. Offices, especially mine, are garbage-generating machines. Many of my colleagues print out 100 page documents, every email they receive, stupid stuff their mates send them on a daily basis. We go through reams and reams of paper. Few recycle.</p> <p>Cost savings idea number one: stop buying paper or ration it. They could save money and help the planet.</p> <p>Another peeve is the plastic cups people use and throw out. My office alone goes through dozens of these cups every day. I hate it. So obviously cost savings idea number two is: stop buying plastic cups.</p> <p>No one in my office turns off their computers when they go home. Idea number three is obvious.</p> <p>My other ideas involve sacking people who annoy me, which I won't go into here!! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2006/11/23/my_office_the_garbage_pit~1362175/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>cost-savingsrecyclinghttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2006/11/23/my_office_the_garbage_pit~1362175/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2006/11/06/title~1302509/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2006-11-06:/2006/11/06/title~1302509/Mon, 06 Nov 2006 18:50:34 +0100 <p><a href="http://www.technorati.com/claim/xrkfuzku5t" rel="me">Technorati Profile</a></p> <p>A vain attempt to extend my sphere of influence. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2006/11/06/title~1302509/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2006/11/06/title~1302509/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2006/11/03/stern_warning_get_green~1292236/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2006-11-03:/2006/11/03/stern_warning_get_green~1292236/Fri, 03 Nov 2006 16:54:22 +0100 <p>The recently published <a href="http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/independent_reviews/stern_review_economics_climate_change/sternreview_index.cfm">Stern Report </a>should be taken seriously by all worms and humans alike. It's tempting to live without thinking about the future of the planet, but it has to be done and the sooner people start changing habits, the easier it will be to adapt a to greener lifestyle. </p> <p>As an avid recycler and until the death of my poor worms this summer, a citizen composter, I can tell you that getting green or at least green-er, is easy. </p> <p>Take a few steps at a time. No one's forcing you to go buy an electric car or install a windmill at your house. Start with recycling as much as you can. Cut back on the amount of plastic you use--take carrier bags to the market with you and reuse them! Before you throw something in the bin, think: can I recycle this? You'll be amazed how many things belong in the recycling bin rather than the rubbish.</p> <p>Teach your kids green habits. Take the first steps yourself. Change your attitude to the planet. It's easy. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2006/11/03/stern_warning_get_green~1292236/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>wormsthink-green-stern-reporthttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2006/11/03/stern_warning_get_green~1292236/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2006/10/03/urban_beekeeping~1183403/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2006-10-03:/2006/10/03/urban_beekeeping~1183403/Tue, 03 Oct 2006 11:40:12 +0200 <p>Keeping bees in the city is not an urban myth. Check out this informative article from <a href="http://environment.guardian.co.uk/food/story/0,,1885714,00.html">the Guardian </a> on how one North London family (Queen's Park) set up their hive in the garden. Last month it yielded 50 small jars of honey.</p> <p>I've heard about urban beekeeping in New York. There was someone in the East Village who allegedly kept bees in a hive on top of their building. I think it's great. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honey_bee">Honey bees </a>are in some places endangered by lack of space to roam, pesticides and disease. </p> <p>My dad used to keep bees in Connecticut, but the enterprise was never a huge success. We had trouble with the queen bees laying the right amount of eggs and then one spring the bees swarmed twice and flew away. He's had much better luck with his chickens! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2006/10/03/urban_beekeeping~1183403/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>beeshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2006/10/03/urban_beekeeping~1183403/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2006/10/01/worm_dilemma~1178347/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2006-10-01:/2006/10/01/worm_dilemma~1178347/Sun, 01 Oct 2006 19:42:36 +0200 <p>In August I ordered new worms from Original Organics which arrived half dead and died shortly after I put them in the wormery. I emailed Original Organics and asked them to send new worms and they never returned my email. Losers. </p> <p>What to do... I need to get the wormery sorted, cleaned out and re-wormed. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2006/10/01/worm_dilemma~1178347/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>wormeryoriginal-organicshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2006/10/01/worm_dilemma~1178347/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2006/08/14/the_worms_died~1038388/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2006-08-14:/2006/08/14/the_worms_died~1038388/Mon, 14 Aug 2006 13:08:40 +0200 <p>Last week I mentioned that I'd ordered some worms from Original Organics. When they arrived in a flimsy envelope with no protection, most of them were looking a bit beat up and lifeless. I put them straight into the wormery and thought they'd perk up. They didn't.</p> <p>By Friday all the worms were dead. They hadn't moved an inch since I put them in the wormery. There was plenty in there for them to eat but they were too beat up to move. I was sad and kind of disappointed with Original Organics.</p> <p>Today I emailed Original Organics demanding new worms be sent to me. I took the opportunity to point out to them that instead of the 150 worms promised, I only received about 50 (limp) ones. Let's see what they have to say for themselves.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2006/08/14/the_worms_died~1038388/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>wormsoriginal-organicshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2006/08/14/the_worms_died~1038388/#commentshttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2006/08/11/at_work_with_worms~1031315/tag:earlyworm.blog.co.uk,2006-08-11:/2006/08/11/at_work_with_worms~1031315/Fri, 11 Aug 2006 12:16:53 +0200 <p>Worms are getting a lot of attention these days. The Financial Times jumped on the bandwagon yesterday when on page two it published a nib about worms at work: <em>Worms join agency's war on waste</em>. The <a href="http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/1448711">Environment Agency's </a>York office staff have bought a wormery to compost the eight kilos of leftovers generated each week. </p> <p>This sets a great example and shows that wormerys are appropriate for the workplace, not only the home. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2006/08/11/at_work_with_worms~1031315/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>wormscompostenvironment-agencyhttp://earlyworm.blog.co.uk/2006/08/11/at_work_with_worms~1031315/#comments