Here are some zero-waste tips to help you make the most of July:
 

1. Reusable Picnic Gear: Enjoy summer picnics with reusable plates, cups, and utensils. Skip the single-use items and pack your food in reusable containers.
   
   
2. Homemade Ice Pops: Make your ice pops using fresh fruit and natural juices. Use reusable moulds to avoid plastic waste and enjoy a refreshing, zero-waste treat.
   
   
3. Garden Composting: Take advantage of summer's abundance by composting fruit and vegetable scraps. Your garden will thrive with the nutrient-rich compost you create.
   
   
4. Eco-Friendly BBQs: Host an eco-friendly BBQ by using reusable grilling tools, cloth napkins, and avoiding disposable plates and cutlery. Choose sustainable charcoal or a gas grill for a lower environmental impact.
   
   
5. Plastic-Free Beverages: Opt for glass bottles or cans when purchasing drinks. Better yet, brew your own lemonade and store it in reusable glass jars.
   
   
6. Zero Waste Travel Kits: If you're travelling this July, pack a zero-waste travel kit with items like a reusable water bottle, metal straw, cloth napkins, and a small set of reusable cutlery.
   
   
7. Solar Lights: Brighten up your summer nights with solar-powered outdoor lights. They’re energy-efficient and reduce your reliance on disposable batteries.
   
   
8. Upcycled Decorations: Get creative with your summer décor by upcycling materials you already have. Turn old jars into lanterns, use fabric scraps for bunting, or repurpose bottles as vases.
   
   

Enjoy a sustainable and zero-waste July with these simple, eco-friendly tips!

​Geraldine Fitzpatrick

I recently tried Tory Hill’s skyr yoghurt and am loving it. I discovered that this yoghurt has a high protein level. It tastes delicious on its own, or with a bit of whatever you fancy. I use it to create a quick breakfast.
 
I add chia and linseed seeds with frozen berries and a drop of kefir the night before and leave it in the fridge. Then when I am ready to eat it I add a mix of poppy, sesame, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, plus some nuts.
 
I also tried the Tory Hill kefir and that is also delicious.  Review by Aida
 
Let us know which of our products are your favourites and why
Email Geraldine [email protected]
​

The idea came from a café in Vancouver. They used ricotta but we have found that Hungry Soul vegan cream cheese’s tangy flavour is a perfect alternative … perhaps better?
 
It tastes so good there is no need for dairy.  Toasted sourdough, a layer of Natural Hungry Soul and pan-fried peach slices gives the most amazingly delicious snack to have any time of the day.
 
There is something so refreshing using fruit on toast. I have known people actually using the Hungry Soul Smoked Paprika with slices of green apple on toast for breakfast … why not!
 
Recipe 
 
INGREDIENTS 

• One tin of peach slices
• On tub of Natural vegan cream cheese by Hungry Soul
• Sourdough bread
• A few mint leaves
• A drop of coconut oil
•  A few strawberries, just because they are in season and so good! 

 
METHOD 

1. Toast a few slices of sourdough bread.
2. Lightly fry the peach slices in a little coconut oil until they start to caramelize.
3. Spread a nice layer of Natural Hungry Soul onto the toast, then add the peaches and sprinkle chopped mint on top.

 
Perfect as a morning snack, in the afternoon with that coffee or whenever you want something very tasty… you can have this in minutes anytime!
 
Bon appétit !    Jacques
@HungrySoulVegan_  - Changing the Culture
 
P.S.  Did you know that when cooking with Hungry Soul cream cheese there is not dairy, no lactose, no cholesterol … just pure goodness 😊

Bagel Goggles
by Emma Goodwin

I cannot tell you how excited I was to see Emma’s new book. A friend of The Urban Co-op for some time we have been following her mission with rapt attention. Here is a summary of the description of same on Amazon. We are awaiting our order and will be devouring the bagel goggles with extra butter as soon as we can!!
 
Tourette's, according to modern medicine, is for life. Same for Autism and ADHD. Yet, after a year of compulsive shouting, we solved my daughter's vocal tics. How many more diseases are "life-time" afflictions that will need a life time of drugs or constant care?

GAPS coach Emma Goodwin shares her treasure chest of home remedy and food as medicine gems. In a world where Big Pharma, Industrial food systems 'education' and 'entertainment' come at us from all angles, Emma takes off the Bagel Goggles and destroys these institutions, in her mind's eye, with home made truth bombs.

Part biography, part recipe book, part self-help paradigm-shifting spell-book, this joyful read shows how to survive and thrive in these troubled times.

"Emma Goodwin writes with a passion of a person who has first-hand experience in healing her body. She has worked with the diet, detoxification, enemas and removal of parasites. She speaks from the heart in an engaging manner and with a good sense of humour. This book is going to be very helpful to many people. Thank you, Emma!"
Dr Natasha Campbell McBride

Her mission is to help people with chronic ailments recover their strength and vitality. She works with a passion to promote regenerative agriculture and strengthen the web of life. Here are some testimonials from those who have worked with GAPS coach Emma in Timeless Cookery Club.

“your content on multiple subjects really has been a beacon of light in difficult times” Joe

“I highly recommend working with Emma! Emma provided some much needed clarification and guidance on our daughter’s health journey (Juvenile Arthritis) Her knowledge has been immensely valuable. Her warmth and enthusiasm is inspiring and uplifting. Thank you Emma for your amazing support” Angela

“Love your beautiful light hearted way towards such deep controversial subjects in life that we have been lied to about. You’re a great teacher and make learning fun” Gill

“Emma, I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you do. You have been such a pillar of strength and wisdom for me” Amanda

“Ok Emma, you have officially helped change my life!” Alissa


https://timelesscookery.com
https://www.facebook.com/emma.goodwin.7549
https://www.instagram.com/timelesscookery
https://www.youtube.com/@timelesscookery
https://wildhartradio.com/emma-goodwin-gutsy-gaps-chat

Anne Maher

A simple recipe for those hot days…

Raspberries are overflowing in my garden at the moment, and there's no better way to enjoy them than in a quick and easy summer dessert. When the heat is on and you want something refreshing yet satisfying, this recipe comes to the rescue. With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you can whip up a treat that’s simple to make and sooooo delicious!

• Skyr yoghurt from Tory Hill Farm
• Raspberries
• Spoonful Botanical
• Nibbed cocoa nibbles

Anne Maher

It’s a race to see who will come up with “The Answer” to the problem of our pesky farmers and how they are destroying the planet… I am not the only one who sees a different perspective.
 
For now though it may be starting to become apparent that an orchestrated and well meaning campaign is underway to nudge us all in the direction away from agricultural practices as we know it. As we move increasingly towards a technological age – the 4th industrial revolution it brings to mind the challenges that must have been faced by pastoral farmers who were “encouraged” to accept the mechanisation of the Industrial Revolution. We are where we are.
 
The narrative though is such that a psychological nudge is deliberately used to create a scenario of farmers effectively giving up their right to farm and perhaps relieved to do so. (Mass evictions are not so trendy these days). The nudge factor is effective instead. Slower, but insidious and ongoing. Let me give you an example. Here is a phrase from a company website for a product called solein.
 
It’s time to enter the era of sustainable food production to liberate our planet from the burdens of agriculture.
 
The burdens of agriculture?! Liberate?! I imagine the person ( or AI bot) that came up with that is a bit removed from the land.
 
Solein is a protein made from thin air they say… what’s not to like. This is factory farming at its best. Alternative protein sources shunting out the need to farm animals like beef and chicken.
 
Add this strategy to a public health measure where animals are culled ( avian flu, foot & mouth)
 
Demonise farmers for being cruel with select investigative journalism. Amplify the story with social media. Reinforce with the bureaucratic research and legislation and voila…
 
Lets eat more Ultra Processed Food and feel great to save the planet…etc etc
 
Life is never so simple. The process of bringing real food to the table is a spiritual transformation that science cannot replicate in my opinion. The connection to the land is part of our health journey. Protect them and nurture them. Don’t demonise them and erode their spirit to continue. They are our connection to this earth and ground us in ways we will never understand.
 
A packet of protein powder made from thin air just doesn’t have the same power.  

Anne Maher

The recent horse documentary from RTE has caused its justifiable furore. Animals unfit for human consumption are being falsely microchipped to pass a determined standard and create a lucrative business for those who care little for the final consumer.
 
Trust is built with truth and transparency. Exposing the truth brings some transparency but certainly trust in our food system is shaken yet again. There is much to delve into this.
 
This malpractice is not news to the department as it was flagged for a few years. The horse industry seems to be able to by pass the scrutiny that other small farmers cannot avoid. Why is this? Why are some farmers hounded and others ignored? A two tier system of regulation. We have seen raw milk get a lot of scrutiny recently. It certainly seemed over zealous and unfair.
 
Can a consumer trust the food they consume if there is such blatant attempts to put such products on the market? Do labels mean what they say? When trust is broken it is so hard to bring it back. The longer the supply chain the less responsibility you have for the final consumer.
 
This is why shortening the chain can help build back the trust. Many shorter chains in local contexts. Globalisation means we can have what we want when we want but to be honest is it worth the mistrust? I am beginning to wonder. 

​Anne Maher