Enough with the old wives' tales that have kept kids indoors long enough! It's time to fight back with facts.
The time has come to debunk these myths, because North American kids and their parents need every bit encouragement to spend time outside — not outdated and unfounded beliefs that make them think it’s not safe.
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They say ignorance is bliss and, when it comes to shopping, I have to agree. There was a time when shopping was a pleasurable experience, but that ended once I learned too much. Now, instead of looking at something and thinking, “Oh, that looks nice. How much is it?”, my head is filled with other, competing thoughts: “Where was that made? How was it made? Who made it? What’s in it? How is it packaged?”
Add to that my instinctive urge to be thrifty and frugal, and I’m often left weighing whether or not I should fork out for an expensive item that ticks the ethical boxes (an act which, I could argue to myself, is unethical in itself), or opt for a cheaper item that keeps more money in the bank right now.
Being a conscientious, ethical shopper is a never-ending struggle, but it becomes particularly difficult at this time of year, when it seems the whole world is going crazy for holiday shopping. How does one strike a balance between buying ethically, intelligently, and thoughtfully, while also saving money?
Read more here.
Forget the Internet and the mall. Show support for innovative, independent local business owners instead. It's a win-win situation for all.
Forget about Internet shopping. Put down your credit card and phone. Close the browser window that’s open to Amazon, eBay, and the like. Put on your boots and coat. Don't go to the mall. Go, instead, for a walk. Head to the main street of your town or city, where glowing shop windows are decorated and lit up for the season. Perhaps there is a Christmas tree somewhere, carols piping softly from a speaker.
Grab a cup of hot cider from an independent coffee shop and let it warm your hands. Relax. This is supposed to be fun, not stressful. This is a time to savor.
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The show is now set to enter an exciting ‘next chapter’ under the guardianship of both GIMA and the HTA, who together will work to add more content and value for both exhibitors and visitors. Guy Burtenshaw and Sue O’Neill, the original founders of the exhibition, will continue to be involved in the event.
Talking about this exciting development, GIMA’s Director, Vicky Nuttall, said: “The Garden Press Event has continued to cement itself as the go-to annual exhibition for those brands that want to talk exclusively with members of the press as it’s a great way of developing both marketing and PR strategies for the year ahead. Meanwhile members of the press can enjoy uninterrupted time with leading and emerging brands, together generating exciting content for future publications. GIMA has long been a supporter of the show and the opportunities it presents, so we are so pleased to be able to report this latest news.
Echoing Vicky’s thoughts, Carol Paris, HTA Chief Executive, said: “The HTA is delighted to confirm its involvement in the future of the Garden Press Event. We want to retain the values of the show, but also add extra content in turn providing a great opportunity for our members to showcase and promote the garden industry to the media I’ve no doubt that together the HTA and GIMA will be worthy new owners of the event.
Guy Burtenshaw, Director of Media Events, along with journalist Richard Jackson, was inspired to set up an event exclusively for the press in 2006, when the first press event took place. Guy added “We want to say a particular thank you to all of the exhibitors and visitors who have helped to grow the Garden Press Event and make it such a great success over the past 11 years, we now believe the time is right for the event to grow and develop and be ‘owned’ by the industry, and GIMA and the HTA are the right organisations to do this”.
The 2017 event takes place on 16th February at the Barbican (London) and will not be affected by this change in ownership.
Space is still available to book and all enquiries for the time being should continue to be directed via email to guy@gardenpressevent.co.uk or telephone 01243 860600.
The Garden Press Event is the only event of its kind aimed specifically for the industry to showcase the latest products and stories exclusively to the key names in the garden & home press and media.
The 2016 event took place once again at The Barbican Exhibition Halls, and there were a record number of media and garden and home writers in attendance, and more exhibitors than ever, including exhibitors from Holland, Germany and France. For further information contact Guy Burtenshaw on 01243 860600 or email guy@gardenpressevent.co.uk
The Garden Industry Manufacturer’s Association (GIMA) is a dynamic and proactive membership organisation representing the majority share of suppliers and manufacturers operating within the UK gardening industry. Formed over 15 years ago, its goal is to promote the commercial, trading and industrial interests of its members. For further information call the GIMA office on 01959 564947 or email info@gima.org.uk
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) is the trade association for the UK garden industry. It helps its members to flourish by representing, promoting and developing the garden industry through their key values; collaboration, innovation, influence and integrity. Its key roles include: provision of advice-based services such as business improvement schemes, briefings and helplines; training, conferences and events for members; market information and research; promotions such as the National Garden Gift Voucher scheme; and working closely with government and the media to influence policy and projects. Find out more at www.hta.org.uk
PRESS RELEASE
INI reports are important tools for shaping the political agenda; they pave the way for new legislation and explore diverse topics of interest to MEPs and the European Parliament.
Following the vote, Keith, a member of the European Parliament's Transport committee, commented: “I am very pleased that my report has been received so well by my colleagues in the European Parliament. Inland and maritime ferries, as well as cruises and barges, play a crucial role in achieving a more sustainable and efficient European transport sector. Within the framework of this report, I looked at environmental standards, safety and security, cross-border cooperation and competitiveness as well as service quality, passenger rights, and barrier-free accessibility."
"Many commuters in Europe travel by road, creating bottlenecks, congestion, and delays. With its many rivers, waterways, estuaries, long coastlines and islands, Europe’s geography offers extraordinary opportunities for waterborne transport. There are many areas in Europe where travelling by ferry or cruise ships would be more sustainable, easier and quicker. Exploiting this potential would strengthen local economies and help protect Europe’s environment and its citizens’ health."
"This initiative will, hopefully, prompt the action necessary to bring us one step closer to harnessing the huge potential of waterborne transport, which could not only help improve air quality and provide better transport services, but also reduce congestion and CO2 emissions in Europe."
[2] The report was adopted by a large majority: 551 MEPs voted in favour, 62 against, and 82 abstained.
Keith Taylor is the Green MEP for the South East of England and is one of 50 Greens/EFA MEPs in the European Parliament. He sits on the Committee on Transport and Tourism, and the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety. He is a member of the European Parliament’s delegation to the Palestinian Legislative Council which works to forge greater links between MEPs and parliamentarians in Palestine. Keith is also Vice Chair of the parliament’s Intergroup on animal welfare and a member of the parliament’s Intergroup on LGBTI Rights.
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As counterintuitive as it may seem, some fruits and vegetables get a nutritional boost upon cooking.
Most of us have all too many un-fond memories of vegetables cooked into a soggy gloppy mush. With their taste and texture and vibrancy cooked out of them, it’s no wonder that so many of their nutrients are obliterated as well. With that in mind, raw vegetables rose to rule the roost in terms of nutritional virtuosity.
But for some of us, raw-everything all the time isn’t that comforting; so it’s good to know that not every vegetable is necessarily healthier when uncooked. The following exceptions to the rule actually gain in benefits when put to the heat.
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Handmade in San Francisco, these bags give new life to durable material otherwise destined for the trash.
Sails are a perfect material for upcycling. They’re tough, strong, lightweight, colorful, and resistant to the elements. When a brother and sister team from Buenos Aires, named Marcos and Paz Mafia, realized that significant numbers of sails were stashed away in storage lockers upon reaching end of life, or, even worse, tossed in the landfill, they came up with a clever solution to use the material.
Marcos, a former professional kitesurfer, and Paz, an engineer, launched a company called Mafia Bags in 2012. This innovative line of tote bags, backpacks, duffel bags, messenger bags, and other accessories is made entirely from old sails. The bags have proven to be so popular that the Mafia siblings moved their operation to San Francisco, California, where they have an office with in-house production (which is now a Certified B Corporation) and a storefront, as well as an online store.
Read more here.
Nobody should have to figure out these basic life skills as adults. Better to start teaching them from a young age.
You’ve probably heard the word “adulting” if you’ve spent any time on the Internet in the past year. Despite the obvious annoyance that it’s a noun being used as a verb (this writer takes issue with that), it’s a cute moniker for (a) acting like an adult, or (b) trying to get someone to act like an adult.
Why does this word even exist? Well, my fellow Millennials have developed a rather unfortunate reputation for not being able to function as whole adults. We may look like adults and do adult things, but there are many things we’re clueless about – things that, in the traditional definition of adulthood, we really should know how to do. This could be changing a tire, fixing a broken window, budgeting and saving money properly, cooking dinner from scratch, or filing papers.
Read more here.
Past expiration dates? Fuzzy berries? Old leftovers? Some of it can be eaten, the rest not so much.
Fortunately, there are wafts of change in the air. Ugly fruits and vegetables are the new supermarket darlings; people are becoming more aware of food waste; and more of us are learning that older foods can be revived or used in delicious ways.
Read more here.
