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Faerie Cara
The Green Faerie
"The moment you doubt you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it. The reason birds can fly and we can't is simply that they have perfect faith, For to have faith is to have wings."
- Sir J.M. Barrie
eco faeries
faerie cara
Eco Faeries
Eco-Faeries are playful environmental and community folk proudly representing the wild nature within our hearts. We believe even the smallest of folk can make a big difference.
The Eco-Faeries are here to turn green mainstream
There are four pathways to the eco faerie circle
Regenerate- green is the new black. Looking at environmentalism with a positive approach. Encouraging the trend to turn all things green and growing. Finding what people and groups are doing in the community to help the environment.
Activate- if you don't use it you'll lose it. Keep active and don't be scared to step away from the main stream. Poi twirl, hula hoop, skateboard, fire twirl, rollerblade, dance like a monkey, climb rocks, fly with silks, elastics, kite surfing.
Participate- now is all we have. be involved with community, group projects, and cultural awareness. People live differently everywhere and it's the fear of the unknown that causes anger. See how people live, what rallies are going on, festivals, music, theatre, parades, days of cultural significance and alternative culture.
Decorate- never apologise for your art. Art is found in many forms and can be seen through the eyes of the community through exhibitions, graffiti, body art, piercing, hair styling, fashion, architecture and gardens.
Sustainability has become a buzz word for community and a popular selling point for many products, services, and politicians. When it comes to the general public, we want change for a brighter future, this means education that is relevant to households so that we can make a difference now. Everyday we are faced with choices that can create change.
Through ongoing awareness, conscious choices and empowered lifestyles, there really is hope for a greener future.
What we do
Eco Faeries are dedicated to positive action and education through multimedia and community events.
The Magical Times is a UK based magazine dedicated to all things magical, faerie, community, pagan, entertaining and creative. Follow Faerie Cara's regular Eco Faerie column. You can purchase your copy of The Magical Times through all good newsagencies in UK, Barnes and Noble USA or online.
The Green Faerie Show is currently touring schools throughout Western australia and will be heading to the east coast by 2011. The show combines positive sustainable education focused on waste management, permaculture and being a pro-active community member-All intertwined with silly faerie fun and activites.
The Couch is a West Australian produced television show screened nationally on Foxtel Aurora. Faerie Cara presents a regular segment Talking Green that focuses on individual action that can be taken within homes, schools and businesses to build a greener futrure.
Events are invaded by Eco Faeries to bring education and positive energy wherever possible. From the Eco Faerie storytelling tent to roving shenanigans- the eco faeries have become reputable party shakers. Community events, festivals and functions are a regular hang out for the wild faeries.
Facebook is a growing network linking communities, individuals and businesses around the globe. Follow Eco faeries on facebook by joining our group and keep up to date with events, gatherings, pictures, inspirations and workshops.
Eco Faerie workshops for children are presented on school holidays at community centres and libraries. Following the four pathways of regenerate, activate, participate and decorate- children are taken through stories and activites leaving as fully qualified eco faeries.
You Tube will soon feature an Eco Faerie channel presented by Faerie Cara and the trixie Faerie Sarah that delivers the faerie perspective on the green world we are building globally
Eco Faerie International Tour 2011 soon to be announced.
Faerie Cara the eco-faerie has been entertaining children and families around the world for over 15 years. Delivering her charismatic flair and passion for environmental awareness, she is an advocate for children's development through her inspiring messages and traditional faerie shows. Creating headlines for eco-conscious events and social activities, she is a published author and community television spokesperson for environmental awareness on the Foxtel program The Couch. Faerie Cara has studied Humanities and Social Sciences, Naturopathy, Celtic folklore, Shamanism, dance and theatre to become the outstanding performer that she is today.From private parties to international events you will find Faerie Cara and her team of Eco Faeries at shopping centres, schools, festivals, community events and local parks near you.
Faerie Cara the eco-faerie has been entertaining children and families around the world for over 15 years. Delivering her charismatic flair and passion for environmental awareness, she is an advocate for children's development through her inspiring messages and traditional faerie shows.
Creating headlines for eco-conscious events and social activities, she is a published author and community television spokesperson for environmental awareness on the Foxtel program The Couch.
Faerie Cara has studied Humanities and Social Sciences, Naturopathy, Celtic folklore, Shamanism, dance and theatre to become the outstanding performer that she is today.
From private parties to international events you will find Faerie Cara and her team of Eco Faeries at shopping centres, schools, festivals, community events and local parks near you.
Talking Green
Follow The Couch on Aurora Foxtel. You will find all information from Faerie Cara's environmental segment Talking Green. The Couch is a locally produced program delivering community news, music and movie reviews, entertainment, cooking, gossip and charity promotions. http://www.thecouch.com.au/
Caged hens- a life sentence
There are around 11 million battery hens confined in barren wire cages in Australia. In most factory farms a hen is allocated a space smaller than an A4 piece of paper, the confinement does not allow her to extend her wings and has nothing to stand on but wire for her entire productive life. Due to the highly unnatural environment of the battery cage, the hen usually suffers health problems such as broken bones, foot injuries, skin abrasions and respiratory disease.
1 cage egg = 30 hours of battery hen suffering
Male chicks do not have any economic value as they are a different breed to meat hens and won't grow at the required rate. As a result they are killed soon after hatching by being gased or thrown into a huge grinding machine.
Debeaking- day old female chicks are debeaked, that is, they have half their upper beak and a third of their lower beak sliced off with a hot blade, wire or laser. This is a painful prcess that ofter leads to chronic pain in the beak stump. This cruel process done is to prevent stressed chickens from pecking on another when crammed into small cages.
Spent hens- once hens have reduced their egg production after only 12-15 months they are no longer economically sustainable and are taken from their cages into crates to be transfered to the slaughter house. The average healthy hen would live for 10-12 years. Studies show that 1 in 3 battery hens have at least one broken bone by the time they are slaughtered.
•In Australia around 25% of eggs sold are free range or barn laid
•The EU is currently phasing out the barren battery cage. From 2012 no battery cages will be allowed in any of the 27 countries.
•In more than 350 universities in northern America have cage free egg policies for their student dining facilities. Many cases as a result from student led initiatives.
What to do?
•Support business that use cage free eggs.
•Enquire at your local cafe if they are cage free conscious. Ask questions, be the voice for the hens who have no say.
•Write a letter to your local council and ask what they are doing to phase out these barbaric farming practices.
For more information head to www.freebetty.com
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Love your soil
Being a land guardian is a privilege and every step should be taken to make the soil rich in nutrients. Land can never really be owned by anyone, it is its own being, it has its own consciousness and identity. The land beneath your feet makes up the clay of your body. It is our human duty to nurture soil as we would nurture anything that we love. By caring for our land we will benefit our gardens, and the generations that follow.
It is unfortunate that soil is often abused by commercial farming, by housing infrastructure, poor watering, chemical abuse, pollution or from salinity levels rising. The quality of your soil will depend on the location, the history of its use and how much care has been taken.
Soil consists of two main substances, weathered and decaying parent matter (rocks), and organic matter. This is made up of decaying leaves, twigs, trees, animals and manure. It is the organic matter that makes a humous that will create a healthy garden. This forms naturally in the bushland but in our gardens we need to provide the organic matter to make the soil balanced and happy.
Healthy soil smells sweet. It's loose, well drained and rich in organic matter. Air and water move freely through the soil because air space exists around soil. Here are some soil happy tips...
•add mulch to your garden to keep moisture in, cool the soil in summer and provide the yummy organic matter we love
•have a compost heap to recycle your house-hold waste. This will make amazing nutrient filled soil for your garden
•worms are your friends. They will munch away at your house-hold waste, make delicious soil and worm juice for your plants. Worm juice will give your plants a natural boost, replacing yukky chemical ones.
•make sure your soil has enough water. If your soil is sandy, moisture will not lock in and your plants will die of dehydration
•make sure you have enough drainage, if your soil is high in clay, your plants will drown.
•chickens are great for your home. They also eat your house hold waste, provide nutrient happy manure and eggs for breakfast, eat slugs and not to mention, they are wonderful pets.
For further land care information head to
http://www.sgaonline.org.au/
http://www.cityfarmperth.org.au/
To bag or not to bag
Aussies dump 4000 recyclable plastic bags every minute!
We use 4.77 billion bags a year. If each aussies family used one bag less a week we could save 253 million bags a year.
Eco impact- bags are produced from polymers derived from petroleum. The production emits greenhouse gases which are thought to contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer.
8.7 plastic bags have enough petroleum to drive a car for one kilometre.
It has been estimated that 100,000 birds, whales and turtkes die each year from plastic bag related injuries.
Ways we can help
-put your reusable bags in an easy to remember place such as near your front door or in the car.
- there are bags that squeeze down to the size of a keyring
-buy renewable resourced bags such as hemp fibre
-recycle your old plastic bags at the supermarkets you got them from
- not everything needs a bag, say no and try a new juggling/balancing act to the car
Mobile phone treasure
MobileMuster is a non-for-profit program that is funded voluntarily by handset and accessory manufactorers. Phones collected by MobileMuster are not refurbished or resold, they are broken down, the metals extracted and over 90% of materials recycled. Phones are not biodegradable and contain small amounts of potentially harmful substances which if not managed properly may harm the environment.
One tonne of mobile phone circuits can yield the same amount of precious metals as 110 tonnes of gold ore, 123 tonnes of silver bearing ore and 11 tonnes of copper sulphide ore.
In Australia there are over 21 million mobile phone subscribers, on average we upgrade or exchange phones ever 18-24 months. 80% of people choose to keep or give away their old mobile phones, less that 2% throw them out. There is an estimated 14-16 million mobile phones stashed away in cupboards and drawers at home and work.
MobileMuster has made it easy to recycle our unwanted phones.
There are over 3500 drop off points around Australia including phone retailers such as Telstra, Optus, Vodaphone, 3 Mobile, Virgin, Crazy Johns, Fone Zone, Allphones as well as participating local councils, Cartridge world stores and selected ANZ in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. If you don't feel you can find any of these, you can download a reply paid postage label and send your old phones away.
For more information head to http://www.mobilemuster.com.au/
Plastic Attack
Plastic production world wide exceeds 80 million tonnes a year! Ingredients of plastics are mainly crude oil and coal. Aussies consume more than 1.3 million tonnes of plastic every year, that is 71kg per person! As plastics are petroleum based they break down slowly in our land fill so we need to waste wise with them.
Reduce- avoid plastic bags by taking your own, choose products with less packaging, buy larger quantities instead of multi packs, avoid using products that come in disposable containers, reduce cling wrap by using re-usable containers instead.
Reuse- Plastic containers for margarine and ice cream can be used as storage containers. Plastic shopping bags can be re-used as shopping bags or doggy poop bags.
Recycle- check the bottom of containers to see if they are classed as division 1,2 or 3 plastic then check with your local council to see if they are recycled. Rinse and squash containers for recycling. Plastic bags can be returned to coles for recycling.
Studies have found heating plastic can cause leaching into food and drink. Chemicals released are highly toxic and should be avoided. This means look for alternatives for heating microwave food with cling wrap, such as another plate to cover on top. Also drink bottles left in a car are also prone to leaching. Reduce and recycle plastics for your health and for that of the environment.
Trees, trees, trees...
National tree day is July 27th. Circle it on your calender and book a day of tree appreciation before then. There are many reasons to appreciate trees...
•Trees absorb carbon dioxide when they grow so when you plant a tree, especially a tree that will grow tall, you're offsetting carbon dioxide emissions and you're helping stabilize the Earth's climate.
•Trees stop erosion, remove toxins from the soil and water and provide food and habitats for many people and animals.
•Trees block wind, provide shade and can improve the value of your house
•Trees make great tree forts and they're fun to plant, read a book under and climb!
•Every tree has a faerie that lives inside... have you seen the faerie in your local tree??
•"One tree can absorb more than a ton of carbon over its lifetime." --Via: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
•"Trees reduce storm water runoff and erosion, and they remove harmful chemicals from the soil to prevent them from running into streams and rivers." --Via: USDA Forest Service
•Soil: "Over the course of 50 years, a single tree can control $31,500 of soil erosion"
•Air Pollution: "Once acre of trees removes up to 2.6 tons of Carbon Dioxide each year"
•Water: "Trees improve water quality by slowing and filtering rain water as well as protecting aquifers and watersheds"
•Oxygen: "Two mature trees can provide enough oxygen for a family of four. One tree produces nearly 260 pounds of oxygen a year"
How to show your tree love
•With the much welcomed rain, it is busy planting season for Men of the Trees. Gather your friends, book a day and head out to get your hands dirty. There are thousands of trees to plant over the next three months. To see whats happening head to http://www.menofthetrees.com.au/
•Turn your car emissions into trees. Calculate your annual carbon footprint online and see how many trees to plant to offset your usage http://www.carbonneutral.com.au/
•Get involved with the Wilderness Society. Their dedication to protecting old growth forests in Western Australia has had many wins http://www.wilderness.org.au/
•Recycle your waste, buy recycled household goods and support companies that wave a green flag of environmental awareness
Alternative Menstrual Products
A womans menstrual cycle is strangely still a taboo topic. Once upon a time the moon cycle was greatly respected by traditional cultures. This is where secret womens business came from. Women in Native American tribes would leave their daily chores and be among other bleeding women. They held ceremony, shared recipes, stories, songs and honoured themselves within the moon lodge. A young girl would feel great honour when she first journeyed away with the circle of women.
Now there is a great separation from our natural cycle, from other women in our community and also from our natural process. Many women feel incredible pain, unsanitary and embarrassment.
It's time we bring our natural cycle out of the dark ages and work together as a community once again. Unlike the mid 1900s we are no longer slipping our change into a wooden box so we dont have to ask the clerk for a sanitary napkin. However, we are now being bombarded with a commercial twist on feminine hygiene products.
Modern disposable menstrual pads have been engineered using sphagnum and polyacrylate superabsorbent gels derived from petroleum. The materials used to manufacture most pads are derived from the petroleum industry and forestry. The absorbent core, made from chlorine bleached wood pulp, could be reduced to make slimmer products with the addition of polyacrylate gels that suck up the liquid quickly. The cover is polypropylene non woven, with the leak proof barrier made from polyethylene film. The extraction, production and manufacture of these plastics contributes nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide - ozone depleting gases; human toxins that lead to cancer and birth defects as well as chemicals that cause the acidification of trees. The high plastic content of these products ensures they remain in our environment for centuries as they are neither biodegradable nor recyclable. Disposal of used sanitary products by flushing out into the oceans of the world, incinerating or depositing in landfill creates various pollutants including dioxins deposited in the sea through sewerage waste and air pollution from incinerators.
Cloth Pads
For personal and environmental wellbeing there are now natural options available for women. Reusable cloth pads are made from natural fibers such as hemp, bamboo and fleece. They have been designed by women to give ultimate absorbency, comfort and convenience. In some countries you can find them in any good health store. In Australia a local Perth mum has come up with a unique design and makes all menstrual pads with quality materials in bold or contemporary colours to suit your personal flair. There are pads for any menstrual flow and also come with washing tips for ultimate pad care. Find her at www.scarleteve.com.au
The new age of internal menstrual product is the keeper. A small natural rubber cup that folds up for insertion then creates suction once inside allowing the menstrual flow to be caught. Lasting for 10 years this product is safe and once you are used to it, extremely convenient. You can find more information at www.thekeeper.com.au
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Organics
Organic standards place great emphasis on building and maintaining healthy soil, nutritious crops and animal welfare. Organic systems work in harmony with nature, keeping harmful chemicals out of our land, water and air creating a healthy environment rich in wildlife, woodlands and nutrients.
Educated consumers are happy to pay a fair price for the guarantee that the organic produce they purchase is supporting the farmers.
Organic certification is when an organic certifying group audits a businesses methods to ensure that they comply with national and international standards for organic farming and processing.
The Organic standards ensures farming methods maintain ethical soil fertility, pest and disease control, along with the conservation of the environments natural habitat.
If you're living in Perth and looking for somewhere organic you can trust then I recommend Absolute Organics. I know this is sounding like an endorsement but I was truly blown away by this businesses morale ground towards a sustainable future. The staff are dedicated, knowledgable, helpful and friendly. If you're in the area stop by and check it out.
This segment from The Couch can be viewed on Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6S_fQnxvRg
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Fast food Junkie
With a world that seems to be getting faster and faster it seems health and nutrition are not always on the top of the list of priorities. We see fast food outlets lining the sides of the roads, making food easy to get- but just what is in our fast food??
Australian's are proud of their meat pie, we have often heard the rumours of the secret ingredients to a pie, but let's find out some facts. The meat pie is generally considered nutritious food, filled with quality beef, and easy to get from your local service station. Regulations require a pie to contain no less that 25% meat and no more that 35% fat. A 'meat' pie under the national health and medical research council say that a pie can include any edible part of animals including cattle, buffalo, sheep, pig, rabbit, goat or bird (not game). The pie does not specify 'meat flesh' which is the muscle, sinew, nerve and blood vessels. Under the 'meat' catagory they can also include other parts such as lips, snout, scalp and ears.
Apart from the meat surprise package, the average meat pie has 30g of fat and plenty of salt.
Hungry Jacks Quad Stack
This protein pumped burger has caused quite the uproar. It contains four beef patties, four slices of cheese, two rashes of bacon, bbq sauce between two sugared buns. In technical terms this breaks down to 71g fat, 74.8g protein, 1930mg sodium and not a salad in sight. The calorie intake for this stack of flesh equates to more than half a woman's daily recommended intake
Redbull. When we need an extra lift, and food just isn't the source then sometimes it's the liquid injection we reach for. Redbull's main ingredients are sugar, caffine and bile. Taurine was originally isolated from bull bile in 1827. It is now made synthetically. I'm not sure if I'd prefer bull bile, or synthetic bull bile?? Caffine is considered the wings of this power house drink and Inositol is found in animal muscle.
Macdonalds is currently opening up their ingredients books and trying to become a little more family friendly. They offer alternatives in your children's happy meals such as apple slices instead of chips and juice instead of softdrink. Head to their website for a full list on ingredients and nutritional breakdown.
A wise man once told me that food should not be fast, he's rather fast than eat fast food. I think I'll take his words to heart, especially after learning all this.
This segment was filmed for the Couch's 300th show!! Well done to Fred and the team for such an amazing effort. You can see this segment as Fred learns the truth of those fast foods.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dY0vFJyQnoc
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Food for vitality
Healthy eating is the slogan of the century. Food producers can't splash enough 'fat free, cholestorol free, calcium enriched, salt reduced, gluten free,' over the labels. Now more than ever we are inundated with choice towards alternative food. The tantalising ailes of our supermarkets and lunch bars have left our taste buds purring with delight. But when are we claiming our right to a healthy lifestyle we want to know facts.
There are a variety of alternative food lifestyles that can be tested. What scares most people is the belief that they won't be getting enough protien and minerals and won't have the energy to sustain a hectic lifestyle. From my point of view, it comes down to giving it a go over a longer time period and seeing the results for yourself. If you concentrate on foods that give you vital energy, instead of quick fix sugars and pick-me-ups, you'll soon learn the difference between creating energy with your body and borrowing energy that will crash later on.
Vegetarian
A vegetarian is someone who does not eat meat, fish, poultry or any slaughterhouse by-product such as gelatine. Vegetarians live on a diet of grains, pulses, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruit, with or without free-range eggs, milk and milk products. With the growing awareness of the importance of healthy food, many people are also becoming vegetarian because it matches the kind of low fat, high fibre diet recommended by dieticians and doctors. Concern about the environment is another factor as people become more aware of the effect raising animals for their meat is having on the environment. Or you may be concerned about wasting world food resources by using land to raise animals for meat instead of growing crops that can feed more people directly
Vegetarian food is widely available in shops and restaurants, it's easy to cook and you're probably already eating many vegetarian meals such as beans on toast or jacket potato and cheese without even putting your mind to it. It's no sacrifice to give up meat when there are so many delicious recipes and so many tasty foods to experiment with. Plus you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that you're eating a healthy diet that doesn't involve the killing of animals or the abuse of the world's resources. http://www.vegsoc.org/index.html
Vegan
A vegan is someone who, for various reasons, chooses to avoid using or consuming animal products. While vegetarians choose not to use flesh foods, vegans also avoid dairy and eggs, as well as fur, leather, wool, down, and cosmetics or chemical products tested on animals.Veganism, the natural extension of vegetarianism, is an integral component of a cruelty-free lifestyle. Living vegan provides numerous benefits to animals' lives, to the environment, and to our own health-through a healthy diet and lifestyle http://www.vegan.org/
Raw Food Lifestyle
Thank you to Cassey Lorriane who come onto The Couch to talk about her raw lifestyle. "Raw foods are foods in their most natural state - straight from Mother Earth. Raw foods include fresh and dried fruits, fresh vegetables, raw nuts and seeds, herbs, seaweeds, sprouted grains, sprouted seeds, sprouted beans, cold processed oils, many condiments, and superfoods." Food is prepared under 48 degrees celcius to prevent healthy enzymes being damaged from the heating process.
Casey offers a Raw lifestyle coaching service in Perth. To learn more about her way to a healthier lifestyle head to http://www.caseylorraine.com
Tasty recipes prepared for The Couch by Casey
Semi Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
Makes 4 servings
1 cup semi sun-dried tomatoes, no oil
1 cup fresh basil, tightly packed
1/2 cup pine nuts
Fresh juice of 1 lemon
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon of Celtic Sea Salt or Himalayan crystal salt
Fresh cracked black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons water
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
In a blender, mix all of the ingredients except the olive oil. While the mixture is blending, slowly add the olive oil. Enjoy on zucchini pasta or as a dip or salad dressing.
Zucchini pasta
Spiralize or peel strings of zucchini and serve in a mound on plate. Squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the zucchini for extra zing.
Ginger Nut Zing Biscuits
Adapted from the Pecan Spice Delight Cookies by Kristen's Raw www.kristensraw.com
Makes approx. 15 small cookies
1 1/4 cups pecans
1/2 cup unsweetened, desiccated coconut (organic is a must to avoid added preservatives)
pinch Himalayan crystal salt or Celtic sea salt
3/4 teaspoon ginger powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 teaspoons vanilla bean powder or ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup raisins
8 fresh dates, pitted
2 drops stevia (optional)
Combine all of the ingredients, except for the raisins, dates and optional stevia, in a food processor, fitted with the "S" blade, until coarsely ground. Add the raisins, dates and optional stevia and continue processing until the mixture begins to stick together when pressed between your fingers. Roll and form into biscuit shapes. Eat them immediately or put in the fridge and eat cold later. These remind me so much of the Australian biscuits "Ginger Nuts" but much, much healthier and no baking time required
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Chocolate obsession
Ok I'm not afraid to admit it, I have a chocolate addiction and I'm not prepared to stop. However after some much needed research and taste testing (I thought that part was the most important) I have come to a new ground for my love of chocolate. I no longer want to grab any old bar within my reach. Cacao was once more valuable than gold, and I can see why. Now it is available to everyone but to what cost? Cacao farmers have changed their growing traditions and now use farming techniques that are not eco or social friendly.
Traditionally cacao is grown in the shade among other crops, with the high demand farmers have stripped the land and now grow crops in full sun-light. This technique has made the crops more suseptable to disease and insects, leading to heavy sprays. It is now one of the most intensively sprayed foods in the world. One of the chemicals they use is Lindane which is banned in most developing countries, however it can be found in all of our non-organic chocolate. Lindane is a carcinogen and hormone disrupter.
Eco-impact
The Clearance of Shade trees greatly reduces biodiversty and has caused increased nitrogen based fertilisers made necessary by the full sun system. This system has also lead to severe land erosion, decreased soil fertility, pollution of drinking water and damage to aquatic habitats.
Social Cost
Most cacao is grown on the ivory Coast where children as young as nine are found working for no money. There are over 282,000 children in West Africa working in hazardous conditions on cacao plantations.
Chocolate celebration
There are chocolate makers who value every part of the process towards making quality, eco and social conscious chocolate. Organic chocolate is made from cacao beans free from synthetic fertilisers, and have no artificial colours, flavours or emulsifiers- plus it tastes amazing. Dark chocolate is best as it has a high level of anti oxidants, plus you don't need as much to get that chocolate buzz.
http://www.greenandblacks.com/ you can find this chocolate in your local supermarket. The Maya Gold range is also Fair Trade
http://cocolo.com.au/ another organic/ fairtrade goodie
http://www.coolhealth.com.au/ Melbourne based chocolate makers who know what they are doing
http://www.chocolatebar.com/ these chocos not only make fine chocolate, they also donate 10% of sales towards the protection of endangered species
http://www.theochocolate.com/ my personal favourite, if you are ever in Seattle you must do the chocolate tour. These happy chocolate coated hippies take flavour to a whole new level. Using only organic and fair trade beans, they have their magic fingers in every stage of the production.
The Home Birth Debate
Pregnancy is not an illness but the right to not go to hospital for birthing is being taken away from us through government legislation
Women will continue to homebirth, but will now be forced to do so without the assistance of a qualified professional." said Ms Caines.
"It is unacceptable and unsafe to force a woman into a choice that is not optimal for her, whether that is a hospital birth or a birth at home without midwifery support. It is absolutely impossible to understand the government's position on this, other than to say that they have bowed to political pressure from medical lobby groups."
Homebirth - Soon to be illegal?
Since 2001 midwives have been unable to purchase an indemnity insurance policy. Medical Practitioners indemnity premiums were subsidised by the Howard Government and continue with over $900 million of tax-payers money has been spent to date. Homebirth midwives continue to be denied professional parity. Women choosing homebirth are treated as de-facto health consumers and are the only health consumers denied the protection of practitioner insurance. If as planned homebirth midwives are unable to practice, women seeking homebirth care will be unable to access a registered midwife.
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has prepared draft legislation to establish a National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for all Health Professionals by July 2010. This body will require evidence of medical or professional indemnity insurance to secure registration. This presents a very serious threat to women who want to access homebirth with a midwife. To date the Government have made it clear that they do not intend to provide indemnity insurance to private practice homebirth midwives. As a result these midwives will be unable to register, hence making it illegal for them to attend homebirths.
Above information from the home birthing website Australia.
For information on your rights on home birthing and advise from other mothers head to http://www.homebirthaustralia.org/
For natural birth and parenting advise head to http://www.naturalparenting.com.au/
This segment from The Couch can be viewed on Youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDOjfk0GHtU
Genetically Modified Organisms...
do you really know what you are eating?
What is it?
Genetic engineering is a radical new technology that allows scientists to move genes between different species. Using labratory techniques scientists can create life-forms that could not occur in nature. Genes are small lengths of DNA, they are a blue print found in cells of all living organisms. Genetic Engineers use viruses, bacteria and device called a gene gun to randomly move genes from one organism to another to make the species develop differently. This is different from traditional cross breeding methods where you would cross a labradore with a poodle to make a labradoodle for example. Genetic Engineers are doing things such as putting genes from an arctic flounder fish into a tomato plant to make it more resistant to the cold. This would obviously not happen through evolution. They have mixed genes in species such as putting a toads genes into potatoes, scorpian genes into corn and human genes have been places into pigs and rice.
How does this effect us?
The outcome of genetic engineering is random and often unpredictable. There have been no long term studies on the effects of genetic engineered food stuff to our health, or environmental wellbeing. Most studies that have been done, are controlled by the chemical companies that make and sell the products, making them unsubstantial. Once plants are released into the environment and the food chain we then find out the effects of their existance, however they can not be recalled once they are part of the system. There are plants that have been grown with their own self-built pesticide system, they have become a weed and are difficult to kill because they have intergraded with the environment and are incredibly defensive. The farmers then turn to heavy chemicals to kill them off which, ironically enough, can be bought by the chemical companies that engineered the plant in the first place.
Multinationals- who is doing this?
Monsanto is a USA company who were responsible for Agent Orange, a harsh chemical used in warfare during Vietnam. They have also created Nutrasweet that has been linked to brain seizures, Round-up, and Brovine which is a growth hormone for cows banned in countries for animal wellfare and cancer concerns.
Aventis is a European based company best known for providing chemicals for Hitlers gas chambers and chemical weapons. So far they have failed to comply with rules for Australian experimental crops.
Farmers view
To grow a genetic modified crop you must buy seeds from the multinationals and pay royalties from your yield. This must be repeated every year, the tradition of seed saving is a breech of contract and you will be sued if caught. However, plants have spread into neighbouring farms and after they were found by Monsanto in Canada, the neighbouring farmer was forced to pay royalties. The chemical companies are creating a monopoly on farming. Because of the cross contamination of GM crops and non-genetic engineered crops it has become necessary to label all stock as GMO. Many famers in Canada are now no longer able to sell their stock to many European and Asian countries. They have been calling on Australia to not allow GM crops as they have witnessed the economic downfall of their farming.
Labelling
Genetic Engineered foods may be hidden in processed foods. Only foods where GE protein can be detected need to be labelled. Anything that is highly refined such as sugar, starch and cooking oils do not need to be labelled. Neither do meat products that have come from animals fed on GE feed, or food prepared in bakeries, restaurants or fast food outlets.
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Eco-Parenting
Environmentally friendly nappies
The Figures
•There are 1.375 billion disposable nappies used annually in Australia and New Zealand
•That means there are 3.75 million used every day
•every standard disposable nappy ever made still exists because they take centuries to break down.
•In the last 50 years disposable nappy usage has increased by 90%. Nappy rash has also increased by 70%
•There are 2 tonnes of landfill per child using disposable nappies
•3 million trees are felled every year to produce disposable nappies
•It takes 3.5 litres of water and one cup of crude oil to make one disposable nappy
The Modern Cloth Nappies
The new generation in cloth nappies are here. No longer are mums and dads spending hours washing, ironing and pinning a nappy together. Cloth nappies come in many styles and textures to make nature happy nappies not only time and money efficient, they are also healthier for the baby by reducing skin irritations often caused by chemically produced nappy products.
These eco-conscious nappies come in a variety of fibres such as hemp, wool and new kid on the block is bamboo! They are super absorbent, soft to touch and are a highly renewable source. The natural fibres are porous and therefore allow the skin to breathe. Hemp products have natural antibacterial and anti-fungal properties
Bio-degradable nappies
Families are often hard pressed for time and feel cloth nappies are too hard to integrate into their lifestyle. Luckily there are 100% biodegradable nappies creeping into our local supermarkets. These nappies are around the same price as standard disposable, if not cheaper. Bio-degradable nappies are made from natural fibres with no chemicals or pesticides and can be thrown straight onto the compost. They have good absorbency, fit just as well as other commercial nappies and come in packaging made from corn! Check out your local supermarket to see what is in store.
For more information
http://www.modernclothnappies.com/ resource hot spot for cloth nappy seekers
http://www.ozclothnappies.org/ great source of information for frequently asked questions
http://www.sustainablehempproducts.com.au/ amazing range of hemp, wool and bamboo nappies
Entertainment
Faerie Cara or an eco faerie friend will come to your party and enchant guests with stories, songs, games, dancing, prizes and faerie wishes. Capturing children's attention with playful faerie fun that will be remembered for many years. With countless years of partying, Faerie Cara knows just what it takes to make a special day to remember.
Everyone wins in the games that Faerie Cara plays! The party is adjusted to the age group of the children, and boys are most welcome.
Classic Faerie Party
- all games and prizes provided
- Faerie Cara brings her own music and stereo
- A faerie entertainer delivered to your party address
- all guests take home a special present to remember the faeries have visited them
- the birthday girl will be the special guests for the day
- ideal party for 3- 6 year olds
Cost of party is $170 for the hour of entertaining for up to 15 children and $5 per head there after. Cost includes prizes, pass-the-parcel and a take home gift for each child.
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The Green Faerie Party
Introducing a faerie party that truly aligns to all things faerie. Similar to the faerie party above, however this is a party that the earth can celebrate too! Treading carefully on the world with a sustainable conscious event that encourages children to be conscious of the small voices in nature.
Party package includes
- All prizes are hand made. Sourced locally or from a fair trade dealer in Perth, coming from countries such as Peru, Mexico, Nepal, Africa and Indonesia.
- seed planting activity: children take home their own little biodegradable pot with a seed planted in organic soil
- Birthday child is given a plant or tree from the faeries as a gift
- all paper used in pass-the-parcel is recycled and stuck down with biodegradable sticky tape
The Green faerie party is only $190 and doesn't cost the earth. One hour of entertaining for up to 15 children and $8 per head thereafter. Cost includes prizes, pass-the-parcel and a take home gift for each child.
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Magic of Faeries Party
For the little faerie that has grown up and is looking for a deeper connection to faeries through magic and folklore. Ideal age from the magic of faeries party is 7-10 years old. Children learn the magic of connecting to real faeries through activities, magic and wishes. party includes
- Games and prizes
- Birthday child is given a plant or tree from the faeries
- Crystal for every guest
- Faerie oracle card reading and card to take home for every guest
Cost of one hour magic of faeries party is $170 for up to 12 chldren is $5 per head thereafter.
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"We just wanted to drop you a quick e-mail to say a humungous THANK YOU SO MUCH for today - you were absolutely brilliant. You have a wonderful way of keeping the kids' attention and getting them focused together, and this allowed the parents to either sit back and relax for an hour, or simply enjoy taking pictures/footage of their children. All of the kids said that they'd had a fantastic time and that they'd really loved you being there. The feedback from the parents was no different!!! The three of us can't get over how much you completely made the party a success. You are genuinely a star."- Perth parent
Now Touring Western Australia
The Green faerie Show is a positive and inspiring approach to environmental awareness that delivers valuable information about sustainability, being a positive community member and conserving natural habitats.
Children are taken on a folkloric, musical journey where they learn about the voices of nature and how they can create a sustainable future. The valuable lessons of the Green Faerie show include the importance of recycling household waste, caring for soil, planting trees and the awareness of the creatures found in nature.
The Green Faerie Show proudly brought to you by the Eco Faeries and The Waste authority Landfill Levy Fund
Now showing in schools, agricultural fairs and festivals
Faerie Cara and the Eco faeries are the perfect addition to any festival or community event. After many years of experience she has mastered the technique of capturing the hearts of all festival goers. Faeries engage all ages as they wander through the crowds spreading magic wishing faerie dust brewed fresh in faerieland. With shimmering colours, giggles and dance the faeries are alwaus a festival favourite
Faeries will provide
- An entertaining show with a solid environmental message. At a time when global warming and social consciousness is at an all time high, Faerie Cara embodies a sense of hope for the future as she brings awareness to nature and empowerment for children
- A hassle free versatile entertainer. Faerie Cara's high level of professionalism and versatility make her a well sought after entertainer.
- Festival atmosphere. Adding charisma and joy to the crowd as she wanders and greets all attendees with consistent energy.
Green faerie show
An energetic show intertwining the magic of faeries with positive environmental messages. The show is action packed with feet stomping music, dancing, stories and games. Children journey through the imaginative world of faeries as they learn the importance of recycling and how to become eco faeries in their homes and schools
The Nomad Strolling Faery
Faerie Cara is the splash of colour and bubbling charisma that every festival craves. With her playful faerie antics and ongoing mischief, Faerie Cara will step straight out of faerie land and into the hearts of all festival goers. Whether posing with patrons, dancing, spreading magic dust or creating a stir within a bustling crowd.
Storytelling
Storytelling is an ancient tradition that has kept history and folklore alive for thousands of years. Faerie Cara is an experienced storyteller, incorporating all the exhilarating characters of folklore into fun and exciting tales. Stories of faeries, pixies, witches, wizards, giants, pirates, dragons and unicorns come alive through adventures and magical journeys. Stories are intertwined with an environmental message or us to celebrate our nature habitates, as they are homes to many animals and mystical creatures.
Eco faerie activity Tent
A magical space to learn and play with the Eco Faeries. The 6x3metre faerie zone marquee combines education based storytelling with workshops to encourage children to become eco faeries within their homes and schools. Activities available vary from planting seeds, colouring in, friendship bracelets, wand or crazy critter making.
Hula Hooping Pixies
Bring your festival alive with a swarm of hip shaking hula hoopers. Children and adults alike have a giggle as they swirl a hoop or three around their hips. This activity comes complete with hula hooping pixies to encourage the crowd, and bring even more colour to your event. This activity is hassel free, fills a festival area and is hoops of fun!
0415 174 119
mail_faeriecara.com
Please enter your contact details to be on Faerie Cara and the Eco Faeries mailing list for updates on what is happening in the faerie community
The Return to Faerie- A Guide to Faerie Conscious Living written by Faerie Cara Discover the magic of faerie that shimmers within the curves of your existence. Following the elemental pathway to the healing embrace of Mother Earth, we become aware of our primal self. This self, stripped of all social expectations, limitations, ego and inner conflict, is the faerie self. Raw and connected, we are one with the earth, the trees and the faerie folk that tantalised the oldest of cultures. Awakening to the voices within nature, we awaken to the primal faerie spirit.
Label:new
Price:24.95
Original Price:29.95
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