Tea, Cake and Parenting

This year for me has really been about trying to make as many small changes as I can. While I have been recycling for years, this year I have thought more and more about reducing and reusing where possible! I have stopped recycling jam jars in favour of saving them and using them as I make more of my own preserves and chutneys which not only reuses the jars but also reduces the number I am buying and reduces my food waste as I put more effort into making chutneys and preserves when I have a glut of something. I have swapped cling film for reusable replacements and more tupperware. I have swapped kitchen roll for old muslins which I wash and reuse over and over again. And a zillion other small changes. But then December started. In our house we have 2 family birthdays and Christmas, between birthday parties, hosting Christmas and all the gift giving this is easily our biggest waste producing month. Standing in the supermarket looking at wrapping paper I felt really queasy as I real

Interested in cloth nappies but have no idea where to start? Here's my brief run down of what you need to know.... Why go washable? Advantages: Cost - £200-300 vs £3000 Less waste - when they've finished their life they can go to fabric recycling.  Better for the environment - especially if you don’t tumble dry the energy and environmental impact is much lower  Fewer leaks - much less poo up the back!  Natural fibres - less chemicals (recent French study on chemicals in disposable nappies) Breathable - better for skin? Most anecdotal evidence claims less nappy rash. Studies limited but definitely support it being no worse than disposables.  Disadvantages? More washing? Only 1 load every 2 days and you’re washing LOADS anyway! Messier? Not really. Changing a disposable poo can get everywhere. With washables you’re organised and everything goes in the loo / bin / washing machine without needing to be handled any more than a disposable.  Smelly? Actually les

It all started with a message from a mum new to the area. Did I know where she could hire a reusable party kit from? ‘A what?’ I asked. Five minutes of googling later and I knew this was something Tea, Cake and Parenting should be doing. As the Eco Event Box is new to Tea, Cake and Parenting and honestly a completely new idea to Madeleine and I, I thought I’d run down the quick what, where, when, why and how of it all! What? A party in a box! Rather than buying a lot of disposable plates and cups for your kids party, you can hire a set of up to 36 colourful IKEA kids plates, cups, bowls and cutlery. You can also borrow serving dishes, platters and even a set of 12 adult plates and wine glasses. All reusable plastic. Where? Simply collect from Cat’s house (SW14 8BZ) and return in when you’re done. When? Whenever you want it. Just check availability with us and arrange pick and collection at a mutually convenient time with Cat. Why? Rather than throwing away a bag of paper or plastic