Articles

Everyday people are encouraged to apply - you don’t have to be famous! We’re looking for the unsung heroes. If you know of a person or community group who make a difference to life on the Sunshine Coast, don’t miss the opportunity to nominate them for the Sunshine Coast Australia Day Awards.

Set to an original sound score by Harel Tsemah, and filmed on the beautiful secluded beach at Third Bay in Coolum, this work is both visually captivating and deeply sensitive to the current times.

13 July web page live with video 15 July video goes live Facebook

20 July webpage live with video 22 July video goes live Facebook

Learn which plants to grow in your garden to add to your daily cuppa or craft your very own herbal tisane. Take a stroll with Monica through her own tea garden and demonstrates the art of tea blending.

Dirty nappies are a major contributor to waste dumped in public places. Nappies are also of the top contaminants that are mistakenly plastic in yellow lidded recycling bins here on the Sunshine Coast.

It’s always harder to keep up your low waste lifestyle when away from home because you are far away from your tried and trusted bulk stores and you don’t know the area and where zero waste is supported.

The organisation was founded by Sunshine Coast local Alison Foley, who was recently recognised with the 2020 SCC Australia Day Award for the Environment and Sustainability for her efforts in tackling plastic pollution.

And with a surge in single use plastics due to Covid-19, local environmental groups are concerned about the potential impact of even more plastic pollution on Sunshine Coast marine life.

Jazmin Simmons and Poppy Ives, 15, will host a mini festival at Caloundra’s Happy Valley in September where people can turn trash into treasure. Every ten pieces of litter collected earns a Trash Token which becomes currency to purchase second hand clothes, toys and books at a pop-up market set up on site.

After reading Bea Johnson’s book Zero Waste Home Amy was determined to reduce the amount of landfill her family generated with a focus on plastic use.

Below are a few recipes to give you the know-how to get making and reducing single use plastics. Why not invite a friend to join you or try it with the family?

How do we know which tea bags can go in the compost and which should go to landfill? Which tea bags do not contain plastic and which tea bags do?

Now, how to line a garbage bin at home has become a hot topic of conversation…and a source of confusion. Sure, you could use the fifteen cent heavy-duty bags from the supermarket but that would defeat the purpose of trying to reduce single-use plastics.

You might have a keep cup and you’re doing pretty well at cutting down on plastic use in the kitchen. But walk into your bathroom and it’s filled with plastic bottles, tubes, tubs and pump packs filled with ingredients you can’t even pronounce and it all feels a little overwhelming.

We recommend starting in the kitchen as it’s generally the place where our plastic-using habits are most prolific. It’s also where most plastic is brought in from outside the home.

But how do you get the kids involved in taking action on ocean pollution? Living Smart has partnered with Ten Little Pieces to create this guide for parents, teachers and anyone who spends time with children to empower them to take action on ocean pollution.

There’s nothing like the smell of freshly baked sourdough bread…the irresistible, comforting aroma that that evokes a sense of the simple life. With many of us having extra time at home time on our hands, due to Covid-19, more people have been discovering the soothing ritual of sourdough breadmaking.

Create better and change for good. The SPRUNGG Sustainable Change Accelerator program, from Sustainable Innovation CO- powered by FAN, is designed to help food and agriculture businesses bring about radical change, better innovation and a more sustainable world.

Therefore it was a no brainer for him to move onto his next business challenge that tackles the issue of single use takeaway food packaging.

Living Smart hosted a series of workshops for Plastic Free July, designed to cut through the information overload and make waste and plastic reduction achievable for everyone.

Recent discoveries indicate First Nations Australians were turning seeds into flour for breadmaking over 36,000 years ago. The origins of leavened bread (using a raising agent) are uncertain but it is thought that sourdough, one of the oldest forms of leavened bread, dates back to the Middle East around 8000 BC!

The lawn may not be growing as fast as in summer, but make the most of grass clippings by using as mulch or adding to your compost.

From Gourmet Traveller magazine to the plates of Brisbane’s top chefs, The Falls Farm is renowned for its fresh, nutrient dense, healthy produce. Set in an idyllic Mapleton location between two of the Sunshine Coast’s most spectacular national parks, The Falls Farm is a remarkable tale about farming in harmony with nature.

Vashti from Nest Nappies and Kelly from Strucket talk about all the different styles and types of cloth nappies and how to use them.

Repairs and repurposing Whether you are staring down a long list of home repairs or twiddling your thumbs itching to start a new project, here have some DIY tips and tricks to help you along the way.

Potter about your patio Anne Gibson, the Micro Gardener - introduction to growing microgreens It’s the perfect time to get dirty. Dirty hands that is, by digging deep into some micro gardening on your patio, veranda, landing, balcony, courtyard or deck.

With self-sufficiency becoming the new norm, it’s no surprise that chickens are popping up in backyards everywhere. Keeping chickens has many benefits and done properly will reward you and your garden for years to come.

The micro-organisms in the mix also ensure the waste does not putrefy. To complete the composting process the waste is transferred outside and buried beneath the soil.

Permaculture is the skill we all need to learn how to help us through this challenging period. The world urgently needs more permaculture gardens, designers and teachers everywhere.

When you sit down to have a yarn with Robyn Cook, there’s one thing for certain - you’re going to hear some colourful stories.

This time of year is a LOT more comfortable to enjoy your garden than summer. With lower humidity and cooler temperatures, many pest insects exit stage left and there are so many more plant varieties you can grow.

Get inspired and discover how to transform leftovers into quick tasty meals with our Love Your Leftovers community recipe eBook. Leftovers can be turned into quick and tasty meals and are a great way to make the most of your shopping budget.

It’s Fashion Revolution Week. This is the week, traditionally, when we pause to remember the 1,138 fast fashion workers who tragically lost their lives, with many more who were injured, at the Rana Plaza factory in Bangladesh on 24th April 2013.

ARISING from Disruption is a series of interviews with thoughtful, creative and entrepreneurial people stepping up and talking about how they are coping, adapting and thriving despite the uncertainty of what lies ahead.

With a routine that’s been thrown out of the norm and greater inconsistency between days working and getting that all-important paycheck, it’s a great idea to have some healthy home-made meals on hand when you need them.

The fashion industry is responsible for up to 10 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Watch this video for three ways you can reduce your fashion footprint and still dress to impress.

The Horizon Festival has curated some great creative online home activities for kids KINDY + PRE-SCHOOL Zdoodle Drawing App A simple, no-nonsense drawing app for iOS, perfect for entertaining little humans.

Anxiety, panic and overwhelm are emotions that have become all-too-familiar within our modern society. The ever-increasing pressure of the world, with a growing mental health epidemic, now thrust into the midst of a viral outbreak will have large-scale consequences for public health long after the lockdowns finish.

On our virtual sofa, we spoke with resident expert and senior food microbiology consultant, Cathy Moir. Here’s what she had to say on all things food and coronavirus.

Morgan Gamble has created a free masterclass about COVID-19 and permaculture, 10 practical how-to films and 12 blogs about no-dig gardening, simple composting, worm towers, quick vegetables, growing medicinals, creating a thriving edible garden, community food systems creating a small scale garden, some recipes and more.

Recipe by Simon Bryant - dirt(y)Serves four INGREDIENTS 150g whole red lentils (skin on) 700g of peeled potatoes 1 onion 2 celery sticks 1 carrot 2 cloves crushed garlic 1tbsp tomato paste 1 cup diced tomato 1 tbsp red wine vinegar 100g mushrooms 100ml cream 100g butter Handful of grated cheese Handful of parsley Olive oil Bay leaf (optional) Thyme (optional) Puff pastry (optional) METHOD Cook 150g whole red (i.

If there is a COVID-19 transmission in the workplaces contact your local public health service or phone 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) at any time.

Headspace are offering free meditations, sleep, and movement exercises to help you out in your time of isolation. You can listen to these anytime, anywhere to help you feel calm and grounded in these uncertain times.

Our content is simple, engaging and provides you with real, practical and inspiring information. Signing up to the B-Well + Prosper Hub gives you access to all of this content + more!

These times of the Covid-19 pandemic can be tough for parents with school-aged children at home (not to mention for children with their parents always around!

Spending a lot of time at home? Struggling to keep the kids amused? The Sunshine Coast Libraries website has thousands of entertainment and educational resources that can be accessed online - for free!

Now is an ideal time to experience the joy of sharing. Never before in our recent history has the need to come together and support each other been so important.

Tough times can often bring out the best in a community and the coronavirus crisis is no exception. Across the Sunshine Coast, acts of generosity and kindness are bringing people together as we learn to adapt to a completely different way of life.

Microgreens are the “saucer on a windowsill” herbs and leafy greens that have risen to fame as petite garnishes on the plates of celebrity chefs like Curtis Stone.

The threat of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is impacting lives worldwide, social distancing and self-isolation will be a challenge for many people with feelings of loneliness having a negative impact on health and wellbeing.

Here on the Sunshine Coast, we are fortunate to have an abundance of fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs, nuts and local goods grown and crafted right here, in our own backyard.

Vibrant, tasty and nutritious, microgreens can bring salads, smoothies and main meals to life. Their rich green and fuchsia hues are an ideal way to enliven a boring salad, garnish your favourite chargrilled meat or add verve to school lunchboxes.

Free help aimed at saving on professional services energy costs. Tailored advice and tips to help cut energy costs for small businesses in the professional services industry.

With the outbreak of the serious virus COVID-19, known as coronavirus, we are naturally concerned about whether natural hand sanitisers will be as effective as synthetic chemicals.

The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation is excited to launch our new Kitchen Garden Program for Early Childhood. The Kitchen Garden Program for Early Childhood was developed in consultation with the early childhood community over a three-year period and promotes a whole-service, play-based approach to delivering pleasurable food education to young children.

Fortunately, the Sunshine Coast is home to a growing number of microbreweries embracing both the craft of beer-making and a commitment to sustainable practices.

February is typically the time of year when we get the most rainfall in our climate. Heatwaves, hail and even cyclones. Based on past patterns, we often get heavy downpours and thunderstorms, creating hot humid conditions and temperatures can be very uncomfortable.

Original article found at: theconversation.com Summer in Australia is getting hotter. Extreme heat events, with daytime temperatures over 35 degrees Celsius, are becoming more common and we are getting more of these days in a row.

The Sunshine Coast Design book is the result of a collaborative process that included: residents design professionals planners professional associations and community groups of the Sunshine Coast.

From cafes to celebrities, it seems everyone is jumping on board the plant-based food train and for very good reason. Whether you want to reduce the level of meat in your diet or go vegan, there are many benefits for having more plants and less meat for your health, the environment, animals and society as a whole.

From the gym to Pilates to school drop-offs and coffee with friends, activewear is everywhere. Comfortable, relaxed and the perfect accessory to a laidback Queensland lifestyle, our obsession with taking gym wear to the streets shows no sign of slowing.

At least eight new electric vehicle models will hit Australian shores in 2020, opening up further choice for drivers wanting to reduce private transport emissions or simply have the latest in automotive technology.

A new report from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis has found that by as early as 2024, it will be cheaper Australian households to invest in solar, storage and an electric vehicle in combination, than in a solar system alone.

This year has been hotter and drier than we’ve experienced in a while. Whilst it’s typical for spring and early summer to be dry, we usually have had more frequent storms and a decent top-up of rain by now.

Whether you are new to op shopping for clothes or a regular, we thought we would share some useful tips from Emma Willmann, Statement Styling and Katie Roberts, Sustainability in Style who were facilitators for our recent fabric program Op Shop rambles in Maroochydore and Nambour.

Multigenerational housing has the potential to offer creative solutions to some of the social and environmental challenges of our time. A panel of experienced and emerging architects, along with community members with lived experience discussed the role multigenerational housing could play in shaping our communities of the future at the recent Sunshine Coast Open House forum held at the Innovation Centre.

Unsatisfied with the housing options served up by mainstream developers, a Sunshine Coast couple is exploring alternative responses to housing and whether there is sufficient interest in our community to explore co-housing or cooperative housing opportunities.

Did you know that almost a quarter of the strawberries grown in Queensland are grown on the Sunshine Coast? In fact, an abundance of fresh fruit, vegetables and other items are grown right here, in our own backyard.

What can and can’t go in the recycling bin can be confusing and recent reports about the “waste crisis” have reduced the trust Aussies have in council kerbside recycling.

Recycling may seem complicated so follow these rules to help with the war on waste. And remember to reduce and reuse first. #1 LOOK FOR THE LABEL The Australasian Recycling Label is a proven system that tells you which bin each piece of packaging goes in.

When Kelly Lavery found herself constantly soaking onesies, bibs and items covered with bodily fluids from baby number three, little did she know that the experience would ultimately transform households across the country.

In October, we move into our fifth season here in SE QLD. ‘Sprummer’ is a highly changeable period during October/November, where we transition from spring into summer!

Conservationist, activist and founder of 1 Million Women, Natalie Isaacs is proof that a single person can change the world. The former cosmetics manufacturer who started a global movement of women and girls after reducing her own electricity bill shared her story with Sunshine Coast changemakers at the second annual Spring into Sustainability lunch recently.

The first community energy project by a Queensland group is now up and running with a social enterprise in south Brisbane successfully powered by community-funded solar.

Sustainability champion Joanna Kristoffersen spent much of her childhood living on a yacht off Mooloolaba so it’s no surprise that she has a strong affinity with the ocean.

This year, we had a wetter than normal June (which was very welcome!) but warmer than average temperatures during July - and a very short winter.

The Energy Efficient Communities Program will deliver $50 million of grants to assist businesses and community organisations to improve energy efficiency practices and technologies and better manage energy consumption to reduce their power bills.

“We are definitely coming back again next year” was the phrase heard repeatedly at Sunshine Coast Council’s National Tree Day celebrations. More than 350 pairs of willing hands planted 3000 native trees, shrubs and groundcovers at the Doonan Creek Environmental Reserve in Verrierdale yesterday, Sunday July 28.

The Sunshine Coast is ready to welcome food lovers and the world’s best chefs from far and wide. With a number of the 50 events on offer already sold out, and registrations for The Food Fair increasing by the day, the event is proving popular with locals, and visitors to the Sunshine Coast.

Are you new to events or an experienced event manager looking to plan a sustainable event? At Living Smart we share a lot of events for people to attend, so thought we would take the opportunity to share these handy resources for the people who organise them.

Council is developing a Design Strategy for the Sunshine Coast Council area to INSPIRE and ENCOURAGE GOOD DESIGN of new communities, buildings, streets and spaces.

Channelling her passion for art, fashion and sustainability, Heidi Middleton is redefining what a small, ethical creative fashion business can look like today. Heidi’s latest project, ArtClub was born from a desire to make things of beauty, with purpose and meaning.

Earthborn has been turning raw organic materials such as green waste into value add products at their Palmwoods site for almost two decades. The family-owned company has been involved in green waste recycling since its inception in Australia, through its Gold Coast-based sister company, Phoenix.

The inaugural National Clean Technologies Conference was held on the Sunshine Coast in May 2019 bringing together clean technology innovators, entrepreneurs and thought-leaders from around the world.

Runaway Art, part of the Sunshine Coast Council’s Horizon Festival, took place this August. Designed to bring together acclaimed fashion designers and wearable art masterpieces, it was also the platform to launch the much larger wearable art festival in May 2019.

Circular economy thinking is not new, leading think tank, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation has been cheerleading CE principles to governments and industry for almost twenty years.

The impact of changes in Australian electricity markets and a growing community desire to embrace environmentally sustainable practices is leading schools to consider how they meet their future energy needs.

Easter is just around the corner and there’s one question on everyone’s lips: What Fairtrade Easter eggs and other treats are available, and where can I get them?

Sunshine Coast Council is leading a nomination for the local government area to become a UNESCO Biosphere. A biosphere is a special place. It’s where responsible development and people living sustainably sits alongside active conservation - just like our region.

For the past 7 years the Ethical Fashion Guide has grown to engage with 480 fashion brands to improve the lives of millions of vulnerable workers in the textiles industry globally.

We’re commencing the journey to develop ‘Our Resilient Coast. Our Future.', a long-term strategy to help manage the impacts of coastal hazards. Coastal hazards include erosion of our beaches, and short or long-term seawater inundation of land along the coastline.

Earth Hour 2019 is almost upon us. This stand against climate change has grown from relatively humble beginnings in Sydney in 2007, where 2.2 million people switched off their lights for one hour, to becoming the largest environmental movement on the globe.

Many of us love to travel, but how do we avoid all the single use plastic that can often go with it? Beyond your reusable drink bottle and reusable bag, Lonely Planet share some tips on how to reduce your throw away plastic and how to be a more conscientious traveller.

No matter what choice of diet or way of eating you follow, there is one thing everyone can agree on: increasing our plants (fruits and veggies) is always a good thing.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said that business had a responsibility to lead on environmental issues. Some examples of changes to be implemented across Qantas, QantasLink and Jetstar from later this year include:

Our population is growing at record levels, and so is our waste. According to Blue Environment’s 2018 National Waste Report, Australia produced 67 million tonnes of waste in 2016-17.

One of the easiest ways to save money, reduce waste, grow a healthier garden and tread lighter on our beautiful planet is to make your own compost.

With Clean Up Australia Day fast approaching, there are already 83 sites registered on the Sunshine Coast for the nation-wide event on Sunday March 3.

Eating an ice cream cone can save a turtle! Who would have thought that choosing to eat an ice cream cone could save a turtle?

Coca-Cola Amatil Australia has heard the community message loud and clear and have announced it will no longer distribute plastic drinking straws or stirrers in Australia.

Turtle hatchlings across the Sunshine Coast have started to emerge from their nests and make their way to the ocean. To help support these beautiful creatures, more than 700 community members came out to the annual Clean Up for the Hatchlings event on Saturday February 2 held at beaches across the coast.

That’s right, there is a World Pizza Day! Have I answered all your prayers and dreams at once? I thought as much. Pizza is that soul food that pretty much everyone loves.

How are your New Year’s Resolutions tracking? Hands up if you set a New Years Resolution for 2019? Keep your hand up if you’ve already lost momentum or you realise it’s quickly taken a back seat?

“I’m bored, Mum.” “What can we do now, Dad?” Sigh. It’s a couple of weeks (or days) into the school holidays and the kids are looking to you for inspiration and fun stuff to do.

Our homes are a place of refuge, where we escape from the world and spend time with loved ones. They’re also where we tend to accumulate “stuff” - furniture, soft furnishings, clothing, toys, electronics, tools, kitchen goods…the list goes on.

Paper pots are a fun, eco-friendly alternative to plastic pots for anyone who grows vegetables, herbs or flowers from seeds. Paper pots degrade naturally once plants seedlings mature and are an ideal way to use up excess newspaper.

Are you looking for some fun holiday activities for the kids that tap into their creative abilities? Why not create a few DIY projects to keep them busy?

There’s a new grassroots activism emerging from deep within our communities - where knowledge is openly shared, creative strategies for change are hatched and movements unite for a common purpose.

When we think of electric cars, most of us think of Elon Musk, or his electric car company Tesla.When we imagine the setting for this Tesla car we’ve just conjured, we generally think of city surrounds, with perhaps a young hipster, or business tycoon behind the wheel.

Thinking of renovating your home?Have you considered the amount (and cost) of waste this exercise will produce?When we plan ahead, we can reduce waste in any project we work on, so why should home renovations be any different?

The rising cost of electricity is in the news almost every day. But how much control can we have over our power bills?After we’ve shopped around for the lowest rates, what other low cost ways can we achieve lower electricity costs.

The new CSIRO Energise App gives each of us the opportunity to be a ‘citizen scientist’ by contributing information about energy consumption in our own households to a major research project.

There are many factors which contribute to positive education outcomes in a school environment. Purposeful design of campuses, buildings, social spaces and classrooms can facilitate deeper learning, greater social connectivity and a more discernible connection between the culture of a school and its architecture.

There are many factors which contribute to positive education outcomes in a school environment. Purposeful design of campuses, buildings, social spaces and classrooms can facilitate deeper learning, greater social connectivity and a more discernible connection between the culture of a school and its architecture.

The Queensland verandah is recognised as one of the original icons of quintessential Australian living. The timeless appeal of this shaded outdoor living space is the unlikely inspiration for a lifetime of work by celebrated architect Professor Kerry Clare.

A Sunshine Coast café has embarked on its own war on waste, cutting the amount of waste it sends to landfill to just one cupful per day.

Succulent plants are everywhere right now. You’ll find these quirky, fun splashes of greenery adorning tables in cafés and bringing colour to interior and exterior spaces.

There’s no doubt that surfing is one of the most popular leisure activities in south-east Queensland. With our mild winters, superb beaches and fine selection of breaks, why wouldn’t it be?

There are loads of places across the coast where you can self-serve bulk foods, bringing your own reusable containers or using paper bags or reusable glass containers supplied.

Sex and the City meets a girl’s night out is a fitting description of the vibe at the Sunshine Coast’s dynamic, preloved clothing market, Another Woman’s Closet.

Moving house can be an exciting and stressful time. There’s so much to think about and organise. It’s also an excellent opportunity to ditch excess stuff that you have accumulated and no longer need or use.

Sunshine Coast Council is calling all young aspiring Sunshine Coast, film-makers and environmentalists to submit a short 2 minute film featuring their School’s War on Waste.

As the war on waste gains momentum, communities of passionate people are popping up on social media to discuss solutions and share ideas. On the sunny coast, a Facebook group called War On Waste - Sunshine Coast has clocked up 350 members with more joining every day.

With so many fad lifestyle programs and diets filling our social media feeds, finding a practical approach that is healthy, nourishing and improves vitality can be challenging.

In our fast-paced world, there’s something indulgent about drinking coffee or tea from a real ceramic cup, an experience which many reusable coffee cups don’t quite capture.

Food saving habits start when you LOOK.BUY.STORE.COOK. Here are some quick tip to start reducing your food waste. LOOK So many of us forget to LOOK at what we already have in our fridge, pantry and freezer before shopping.

Jane Milburn is a sustainability consultant and founder of Textile Beat. She upcycled a career in agricultural science and communications to champion Slow Clothing as a creative and ethical way of dressing that engages hands, head and heart.

Jane Milburn is a sustainability consultant and founder of Textile Beat. She upcycled a career in agricultural science and communications to champion Slow Clothing as a creative and ethical way of dressing that engages hands, head and heart.

Australian SMEs are set to benefit from customers demanding more than just a place to shop, with around three quarters (73 per cent) of shoppers actively seeking out businesses that offer sustainable products and services.

As awareness grows about the disastrous effects plastic straws have on our environment, more venues that serve drinks are considering reducing or eliminating single-use plastic straws from their beverage services.

Would you believe that Aussies consume a whopping 10 million plastic straws per day? As straws cannot be recycled, they end up in landfill or waterways where they add to the plastic problem in our oceans and harm marine life.

The single-use plastic bag ban is here and it’s now illegal for retailers in Queensland to supply customers with singlet-style plastic bags for purchases.

Beeswax wraps are a great option to include in your mix of solutions to avoid cling wrap or other single use packaging. Swapping out single-use plastic wrap is easy with these natural wraps that are hygienic and look beautiful in your fridge or on a table.

National Walk Safely to School Day (NWSTSD) was held on Friday 18 May 2018. Now in its 19th year, the purpose of the event is to celebrate active travel as part of the school day and encourage those students who haven’t walked to school before to give it a go and experience the benefits.

Personal stylist, sustainable fashion advocate and queen of the capsule wardrobe, Emma Willmann, knows the power of clothes. A former criminal prosecutor turned image consultant, Emma launched Statement Styling to help women find their authentic style and become the best version of themselves.

Personal stylist, sustainable fashion advocate and queen of the capsule wardrobe, Emma Willmann, knows the power of clothes. A former criminal prosecutor turned image consultant, Emma launched Statement Styling to help women find their authentic style and become the best version of themselves.

Composting is surprisingly easy and can be a fun, educational activity to do with the kids. Not only does composting reduce the amount of rubbish that ends up in landfill, it turns would-be waste from your household into a resource for your family.

Serves 4 Ingredients 2¾ cups full-cream milk 1 tsp. vanilla extract ½ cup short grain rice ¼ cup sugar Method Place the milk in a large saucepan over medium-low heat.

by Janene Inigo Ingredients Banana And your choice of: Vanilla Cacao or peanut butter (or a combination of the above) A pinch of salt Method

by Simone Bright Ingredients 1-2 over-ripe bananas 1 teaspoon bicarb soda Dash of nutmeg and ground cinnamon 1 cup pitted dates ½ cup brown sugar ¾ cup orange juice 60g butter - melted 1 egg 2 cups self raising flour (or try using almond meal with baking powder).

Calling all South East Queensland residents, We’d love to know how much you value and use your local waterways. Take part in our anonymous 10-minute survey and you’ll be in the running for one of ten $100 Coles Myer Gift Cards.

Imagine if you could use your talent to create something beautiful and at the same time empower other women to lead more fulfilling lives. Andi Vendy is doing just that with her ethical fashion label 108 Dresses, which provides employment and upskilling opportunities for women and single mothers in India.

Introducing your child to craft can be a fun way to spend time together and enrich their natural creativity. Google “craft for kids” and you’ll find thousands of ideas to get you started including painting, drawing, sewing, needlework, pottery, paper crafts and card making.

It’s Fashion Revolution week, let’s talk….. There’s a certain sense of gratification about heading out shopping and coming back with a mini haul of new clothes.

Living Smart speaks with Alice Jones, co-founder of ethical, Fair Trade clothing company, Sinerji, on getting started in ethical fashion, the impacts of the fashion industry on people and the environment, and how to dig deeper to find out more about the clothes we buy.

Project homes can be an ideal way of achieving a more affordable home, as they are designed and built to a formula that reduces risk and allows for economies of scale for the tradespeople, construction systems and materials.

Have you ever noticed how much hotter the black asphalt on a road is, compared to the white lines painted on it - or a light coloured concrete path nearby?

You probably have a list of the features you’re looking for in your new home - the number of bedrooms, size of the garden, whether it needs renovations or if it’s ready to move in.

Solar PV prices having rapidly fallen over recent years, whilst energy prices seem to keep increasing. Having a solar system installed on your roof can be a smart investment.

Indoor plants are one of the cheapest and most effective ways to transform your home, and generally require very little care or love to thrive.

It’s a common misconception that building a sustainable home costs more money, and that it’s all about saving the environment. In fact, a sustainable home may not cost you any extra if you design features in right from the start - and it may even cost you less by making some clever design decisions and reducing excess space.

Whether you are building or buying, spending some time to really think through the way that you will use your home now and into the future can save you a lot of time and money, and will make sure that your new home is the right fit for you.

It will come as no surprise to pasta lovers that the family favourite, spaghetti bolognaise, was the most popular home-cooked meal for residents in the Redland area in a recent study.

No one likes to see good food go to waste. Soup: There is nothing better about a dreary day than breaking out a big pot and creating a nice hearty soup.

Fruit, vegetables, bread products and leftovers are the most common foods thrown out by residents in the Redlands area, according to a recent study.

It is generally understood that the addition of organic matter (mulch or compost) to the garden is for the improvement of soil health, which in turn improves plant health.

Nature is more than just a faraway national park. So much can be discovered be getting outside and into your local bushland, park or forest.

Pasta is an absolute hero dish when it comes to using up leftovers! Pasta provides the perfect foundation for healthy, nutritious and satisfying meals as it is usually eaten with nutrient-dense food partners.

For a quick breakfast on the go… why not try a smoothie?! Makes 1 *1 cup Milk *1 frozen banana *1/2 cup muesli *3 tbsp.

These present beautifully and are very popular with the kids. Serves 2 * 4 slices of soy and linseed bread (or bread of choice)

NO salt, NO sugar- the perfect lunchbox alternative. DID YOU KNOW: The commercial banana chips that you see in the supermarket have been deep-fried, hence why these banana chips bear no resemblance.

Leftover breakfast cereal? Why not make a special treat for your kids lunchboxes?! TIP: I personally prefer any treats to be homemade, at least then I know exactly what ingredients are being used.

The wondrous diversity of the Redlands is ripe for exploration. Whether you’re out for a short walk in nature, or a more adventurous day trip, the region boasts large tracts of bushland and islands with distinctive places that are relatively unknown.

Reconsider throwing your leftover condiments away- they could be the perfect ingredient for a salad dressing. Have a tiny bit of mustard left in the jar?

These easy Vegemite and cheese scrolls are a delicious snack, even when the budget is tight. Bake them as an after-school snack or to pop into your kids’ lunchboxes.

Reduce food waste and enjoy a delicious breakfast made from your leftover stale bread. Learn how to make this simple and delicious meal thanks to Kim McCosker and the 4 Ingredients team.

Serves 1 * 1 large Lebanese bread * 2 tbsp. pizza paste * 1 cup grated cheddar cheese (whatever cheese you have) * 1 cup mixed bits from the fridge (pepperoni, olives, capsicum, capers, cherry tomatoes etc)

Serves 4 * 12 Roma tomatoes, halved lengthways * 2 tbsp. EVOO * Thyme from 6 sprigs * 1 litre vegetable stock Preheat oven 180C.

Four reasons why we should use popcorn as a snack more often: It’s gluten free. 2. It’s a healthy snack, air-popped popcorn has only 30 calories per cup or if you choose to pop it with oil on the stove, it has only 50 calories per cup, making it a great diet food.

Don’t throw those leftover bikkies away… you’ll regret it come dessert time! Serves 6 * 2 cups stewed apples * 1/2 cup sultanas * 200g leftover biscuits

Leftover fruit? Get creative with refreshing summer fruit frappes! * 5 lychees * 10 mint leaves * 1/2 cup fresh pineapple chunks * 10 ice cubes

Tired of your fridge being a messy den of unidentifiable leftovers, little plastic containers and spills that someone pretended not to see and forgot to clean up?

Nutrition is key, but learning nutrition is essential! Throwing lunchbox food out, or discovering your child hasn’t eaten much during their school day is one of the most frustrating issues parents have.

Avoid food waste! Kim McCosker and the 4 Ingredients team have shared their top tips for freezing the right fruit and vegetables! DID YOU KNOW: In Australia, the government estimates food waste costs the economy $20 billion each year?

Serves 2 * 1 Lime * 415g canned pink salmon, drained * 1 egg * 3 slices wholemeal bread, finely grated Into a large bowl, grate the lime zest, then juice the lime.

> Serves 2 * 2 eggs * 1/4 red onion, finely diced * 1/2 Zucchini, grated * 2 tbsp grated carrot Beat eggs and add remaining ingredients; season with sea salt and cracked pepper.

As we embrace healthier lifestyles and become more conscious of chemicals in our foods and environment, it’s important to also consider what we are putting into our bodies through our skin and hair.

No one likes to see good food go to waste. Get inspired. Transform leftovers into quick and tasty meals. Learn simple and fun ways to make the most of your shopping budget.

It only takes a walk down any supermarket cleaning aisle to comprehend the abundance of products for home cleaning. The underlying message from manufacturers of detergents, disinfectants, bleaches, crèmes, powders and pastes for household cleaning is that we need to use chemicals to keep our homes fresh, clean and hygienic.

This article is part of a series that draws on the latest research on back to school transitions. In it, experts explain how best to prepare children for school, and counter difficulties such as stress or bad behaviour.

Too busy to sit and meditate? Can’t possibly juggle family and work responsibilities and that yoga class you’re wanting to attend? We get it.

If you watch a garden intently for long enough, you will notice a buzz of insect activity - in the air, on plants, in flowers, and within the soil.

Growing your own sprouts at home is fun and easy. It’s a perfect activity to get the kids interested in producing their own food as they can watch progress each day.

Summer in Queensland can be long and hot. It is also peak demand time for our power supplies. With household power prices continuing to soar, save power and help prevent power bill shock with these tips.

OzHarvest Sunshine Coast has rescued over 100 tonnes of excess food from landfill since 2014. Coordinator Michele Lipner is passionate about tackling food waste, regularly attending markets and events to talk to community members about healthy eating, nutrition and minimising food waste at home.

Across the country and throughout the world, thousands of people are turning to sewing to bring about change. Using fabric from upcycled quilt covers, coffee sacks and feedbags, these new age artisans are crafting bags that provide a unique alternative to less planet-friendly options.

Credit: Ben Dearnley Turn leftover Christmas ham into delicious finger food for breakfast, lunch or tapas with these tasty croquettes. **Prep Time: **15 mins ** Cook Time: **30 mins ** Ingredients: **11 ** Difficulty: **Easy ** **

The 12 DOs of Christmas are twelve simple positive actions that everyone can use to help fight the festive war on waste. From green gifts, food and tech waste tips to sustainable summer holiday renovations and decluttering we’ve got it covered!

How to shop around Customers in South East Queensland are able to choose their electricity retailer. This means you can shop around for an electricity retail offer that suits your household or small business.

Leftover Sunday Roast - rehash your roast into these delicious fritters! RECIPE: www.ozharvest.org/wasty-recipes-by-ozharvest/

The War on Waste survey has been completed by 36,722 Australians, making it the largest study of its kind on waste in Australia. Some great stats and facts here for your interest (PDF)

The Australian Government launched their ambitious strategy in November 2017, have embarked to halve Australia’s food waste by 2030 Here is the report (PDF attached) or for more background info visit the website

There’s nothing like immersing yourself in nature to disconnect, unwind and recharge the batteries. Getting out of town and into a park is a great way to exercise, spend time with the family, and switch off from technology for a couple of hours.

OzHarvest groups across the country are waging their own “war on waste” by rescuing surplus fresh food that would otherwise end up in landfill and getting it into the hands of needy families.

Using kerbside recycling bins to recycle household items reduces the amount of waste that goes into landfill. However, contamination of the recycling remains one of the biggest challenges for Council kerbside collection programs.

Living Smart speaks with The Micro Gardener, Anne Gibson on gardening for the seasons in our region. How would you describe our south-east Queensland climate?

The inspiration to bring about change can come from unusual places. For Helen Andrew, a surplus of mandarins that no one else wanted was the motivation for starting an online community aimed at creating connection and reducing waste.

From 1st July 2018, it will be against the law for retailers in Queensland to supply customers with single use plastic bags. The state-wide ban applies to all retailers including supermarkets, take away food outlets, restaurants, pharmacies, butchers and convenience stores.

Millions of people around the world follow Kim McCosker’s recipes every day, turning to her 4 Ingredientscookbooks for simple, family-friendly meals and treats that don’t break the bank.

The average Australian household produces approximately 1.5 tonnes of waste per year. Reducing the amount of waste your household sends to landfill is easy with these tips on recycling everyday items.

This simple and nutritious breakfast is another popular before school breakfast from 4 Ingredients. Children just love the layers and it’s an easy way to get them to eat fruit for the first important meal of the day.

Here’s a breakfast treat the kids will love from Kim McCosker of 4 Ingredients. It’s the perfect way to Love Your Leftovers and use up any excess bananas.

Love Your Leftovers with this simple and delicious tart from Kim McCosker of 4 Ingredients. It’s the perfect way to make the most of just about any leftovers you have in the fridge – zucchini, feta cheese, corn, asparagus, baby spinach, semi-dried tomatoes.

Your Home is Australia’s most comprehensive guide to environmentally sustainable homes. Your Home continues a long-standing effort by the Australian Government, in partnership with the building and design industry, to give comprehensive, expert and independent advice to everyone interested in building homes for a sustainable future.

No one likes when the electricity bill goes around - well no one we know anyway. Often the bill is higher than you were expecting.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the amount of stuff in your home? Then the Minimalism lifestyle movement may be for you. Guest blogget Nicole Lutz explains.

We all know that takeaways aren’t the most nutritious choice we could be making, but let’s face it – everyone loves a good burger and fries once in a while.

Great health is more than just eating well and exercising. Stress, sleep, caffeine, alcohol, breathing and digestive health are all equally important factors. Here are a few pointers taken from my book Fresh Start (there are more in the book!

As cities sprawl and become less affordable for many residents, the suburbs are seeing the rise of self-contained studios and granny flats. We look at the changing regulations controlling these small ‘secondary dwellings’ and feature 10 sustainable designs that are striking the right balance between urban infill, amenity and precious urban vegetation.

Presenter: Gardening Australia, 08/04/2017 SERIES 28 Episode 06 - Turn your excess chillies into powder to warm up any dish! Pre-heat oven to 120 degrees Celsius (fan-forced oven)

There’s nothing like a pamper session to set your zen to ten. The sounds, the scents, the special stuff they apply to your skin to make it feel extra smooth, soft, and supple - you wish you could do it yourself at home.

Great article from our friends at http://liveforless.com.au (image: Liveforless.com.au) Camping is a great way to spend time together outdoors as a family. It’s also a relatively cheap and sustainable way to holiday.

Are you a working mum with too little time on your hands? These life hacks and tips will help you organise your life and home so things run more smoothly.

99 Things To Do Before You’re 3 is Nature Play QLD’s outdoor play solution for infants and toddlers, aged 0 to 3 years. The information on this page has since been developed into an App called GROW with Nature Play.

Great article from our friends at Live for Less As this excellent graphic by Foodwise shows, continuing to let our food waste end up in landfill is not a very good idea.

If someone asked you to picture an ‘eco-friendly’ home, what would spring to mind? Good Environmental Choice Australia reports on an inexpensive, sustainable renovation.

It would seem my latest book, I Quit Sugar: SIMPLICIOUS, is a little contentious. The fact I advocate doggie bags, double dunk my teabags, and cook up my friends’ fish bones into stock apparently leaves some a little uncomfortable.

Savings in excess of 90% have been reported by the first Australian to install a Tesla Powerwall after a year of living with the solar system.

I’ve also asked a few foodie friends to contribute, including Curtis Stone whose latest book What’s For Dinner is really very, very clever. Martyna Candrick is a recipe developer and photographer in our orbit.

OzHarvest is passionate about minimising food waste and protecting our environment for future generations. Here’s why…Local food facts Australians throw out $8-10 billion of food every year.

Have you ever… put leftovers in the fridge only to rediscover them a week later with some fuzz growing on them? bought some fresh fruit only to see its passed over until it’s shrivelled and unappetizing?

NEARLY every household has bananas that begin to spot and go black. No need to waste you can either freeze them for smoothies and purees or even better, use them up in some yummy baking for the family.

Half of the plastic produced globally goes into products that are used only once, which creates a staggering amount of waste. This is one reason why we don’t use disposable cups at home.

You€Ûªre taking positive steps to reduce your energy use by turning down the heater or air conditioner, but did you know that a number of household appliances are busy using electricity even when they€Ûªre on standby mode?

Most kids love learning new things and relish the opportunity to be helpful around the house. When you explain the importance of saving energy, they’ll be more than happy to do their bit.