Life hacks facts
Tips, tricks and remedies that will change how you go about everyday tasks, for the better.
Apple cider and honey shampoo
This gentle, nourishing and all-natural hair rinse is made from just three ingredients – ¼ cup raw honey, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar and 1 cup filtered water. Combine ingredients in a bottle and shake well to dissolve the honey, then use about a quarter of a cup on your hair. This formula doesn’t strip the hair of natural oils and leaves your hair feeling incredibly soft, silky and shiny. Note, it doesn’t lather like store-bought shampoos.
The Art of Simple by Eleanor Ozich
Find your yay mates
In the same way that you might have workout buddies, you might also find that you unwind best with certain friends. Book tickets to things in advance to stop work getting in the way, or a mini-break to look forward to…and simply focus on having fun. How strange that we need accountability buddies to remind ourselves to have fun and enjoy our lives! But without them, we can find ourselves living a life with too much work, not enough yay. Seize the Yay by Sarah Davidson
Jewellery cleaner for silver, copper and brass
It takes just a few minutes for the tarnish to disappear. You can also use it to brighten gold and white gold: 1-2 tbsp bicarbonate soda (baking soda), 1 tsp salt. Find a bowl that fits the item you want to clean, and line the bowl with aluminium foil. Place the baking soda and salt in the bowl, then pour in enough boiling water to cover the item in question. Immerse the item in this solution and leave to clean for 5 minutes. Take out and rinse.
Low Tox Life by Alexx Stuart
Toast alternative
Love toast with toppings but bread doesn’t love you? Try toasting kūmara or potato slices instead. This ‘healthy toast’ can be topped with delicious spring produce such as avocado, mushrooms and fresh herbs for a nutritious start to your day. Simply cut your kūmara or potato lengthwise into slices (slim enough to fit inside your toaster) and cook them for 4-10 minutes depending on your toaster’s heat settings and the thickness of your vegetable toast. Once slices are golden and cooked through, you can get creative and have fun experimenting with different combinations of fresh seasonal produce. 5+ A Day
Calculate your global footprint
The Footprint Calculator (footprintcalculator.org) is a terrific, clear tool that shows you how many Earths’ worth of resources you are currently using in your own life. It’s a fun exercise to do with children as the graphics are very clear and playful. 2040 by Damon Gameau
Starting on a creative project
There is something challenging about that empty computer screen or blank canvas. At the start of your creative time make sure you have all the material or equipment you need. Organise a cup of tea/coffee/water for yourself and whatever else helps you to feel ready to go. Give yourself permission to start anywhere rather than at the beginning. This frees you and warms up the creative flow.
The Creative Seed by Lilian Wissink