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Archives for July 2014

Advanced Soap Making

July 30, 2014 @ 18:33 By Gavin Webber 19 Comments

Kim and I have been honing our soap making skills for an upcoming workshop that we are teaching on the 31st of August.

We have been practicing some advanced soap making techniques that we will be demonstrating in class just to make sure there are no disasters on the day.  Perfect practice makes perfect!

Being the amateur chemist in the family, I get to put these together, and Kim invents the designs.

Advanced Soap Making

After having received numerous requests by alumni of our basic soap making course, we decided to up the stakes and teach more advanced soap making techniques during a new class.  The demand is certainly there, so we have been busily developing new course notes and making up samples/examples for the class.

During this new class, we will be covering the techniques for making soap as follows;

  • layer different colours and create swirls,
  • marbling techniques,
  • confetti, and
  • curl patterns.

Additionally, our students will be shown how to include botanicals and exfoliants into their soap.

The students of this class will also make their own 1kg block of soap.

Sweet Orange Chilli Pepper with Calendula Flowers

Sweet Orange Chilli Pepper with Calendula Flowers in mould

We are very excited to be adding this course to our repertoire.  The only caveat is that only students who have been on our basic soap making class can attend the advanced class.  Our reasoning behind this is because we need them to know how to make soap already, so that we can focus specifically on the techniques.

Lemon with Poppyseeds

Lemon with poppy-seed in mould

Once they have been taken out of the mould and cut into bars, they look like this.

Sweet Orange Chilli Pepper with Calendula Flowers

Sweet Orange Chilli Pepper with Calendula Flowers

The original orange colour softened a lot once it had hardened.  We may have to add a little more colour if we want the bright shade, but I think that Kim is very happy with the result.

Lemon with Poppyseeds

Lemon with poppy-seed

The Lemon with poppy seeds look fantastic.  Kim used her new corrugated cutting tool to make the edges.

Both of these soaps smell heavenly.  Good enough to eat, except I wouldn’t.

If you are interested in attending one of our classes, you can find the course details here as well as all the current information about our beginners soap making classes (which is a prerequisite).  We now teach at Melton South and Hillside community learning centres, covering the west side of the Greater Melbourne area.

Advanced Soap Making

Various bars from batches we are perfecting

We both enjoy making and using our own soap.  I use it daily, including the lather for shaving (with my little brush) and in place of shampoo.  It certainly beats having to buy any of these toiletries, saves me a small fortune, and at least we know exactly what is in it.

Do you make your own soap?  Do you experiment with any of the techniques that I have mentioned or do you just like to keep it plain?

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Filed Under: Simplicity, skills, Soap Making

KeepCup Revisited

July 29, 2014 @ 23:04 By Gavin Webber 13 Comments

It has been a long time since I first wrote about KeepCups.  Way too long.

Back in November 2009, I wrote about this wonderful reusable coffee cup in the post titled My Coffee Guilt is Nearly Over.  I was waxing lyrically about my guilt of using disposable coffee cups and the way I got around it by taking my own to work every day.

Fast forward to today, and I am sad to say that my first KeepCup bit the dust after five years of week day use.  If I calculate correctly, I used that cup 1,320 times during its lifetime!

That is a lot of coffee, and it saved a lot of disposable cups from landfill, which is where the disposable ones  inevitably end up.  Just imagine if everyone used a reusable coffee cup, how much landfill we could avoid and resources we could save?

Here are a few fast facts about KeepCups and disposable coffee cups in general;

  • There is enough plastic in 20 disposable cups and lids to make a small KeepCup.
  • Over a year, use of a KeepCup reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 92% compared to disposable cups.
  • Most disposable cups are lined with polyethylene which makes them non recyclable.
  • Every minute over one million disposable cups are discarded to landfill.

Fascinating hey?

Once the lid split and the cup cracked, I placed it into the recycling bin so that it could live as something else.

So impressed was I with my old faithful, that replace it, I did.  We bought one each, and for visitors when we go on trips.

KeepCup

They certainly have change in funkyness since I first bought my original plain white cup.  The company is even making a glass cup with a cork band for a limited time only.  Check out the KeepCup site for details.  By the way, I am in no way affiliated with the company.  I just like their product.

Anyway, I am very happy that Kim bought me a replacement.  I dare it will last at least another five and a half years of solid use.

Oh, and I still get a 30 cent discount when I use it for my morning flat white at the Melton Railway Station Kiosk!  A big thanks goes out to Kate for supporting reusable KeepCups in her kiosk.

Who has one of these?  Do you use it often and do you like it?

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Filed Under: reuse, waste Tagged With: KeepCup

TGoG Podcast 075 – Australian Price on Carbon with Massachusetts Climate Action Network

July 29, 2014 @ 21:23 By Gavin Webber Leave a Comment

mcan-minute-button Price on CarbonWhen the price on carbon legislation here in Australia was repealed on July 17th 2014, I along with many concerned citizens, were distraught.  Our country went from an effective price on carbon emissions to a big fat nothing where major polluters are free to pump as much greenhouse gas as they like without financial consequences.  You can read about my reaction in this post titled Black Thursday.

Listen to the Episode Below (00:49:16)
Download Listen in a New Window iTunes Stitcher SoundCloud Leave a Review Clammr It Subscribe via RSS Subscribe on Android RSS Patreon

I had the good fortune this week to talk to the team at the Massachusetts Climate Action Network about the repeal of the Clean Energy Future legislation, lessons learnt, and how events unfolded.  This was to help them with their own efforts of getting action on climate happening over there in the US.

Have a listen to the podcast, and let me know how we went.  I know that at 7am on a Sunday morning, when the interview took place, I had just finished my first coffee for the day, so I was a little slow to begin with!

I also promised that I would keep on talking about this and solutions as much as I could.  There have been so many opportunities to do so since then.  I have two Climate Reality presentations locked in locally, which I am looking forward to cutting my teeth on.

If anyone would like to book a Climate Reality presentation anywhere in the greater Melbourne area, so that you can get a better understanding of climate change and the current situation, please drop me a line via my contact page, and I am sure we can organise something soon.

If you got value from the podcast, please pop over to iTunes and rate it and leave a review. You can also do the same within Stitcher Radio if you use that service.  It would help me out so much, and elevate the ratings so that others can find out about the podcast and learn about sustainable living in the ‘burbs and all the things I talk about on the show.

You can subscribe to the show via RSS or iTunes or Stitcher for your portable device.  Just use the subscription buttons below.

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 Until next time, stay green and keep keen!

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Filed Under: climate change, Climate Reality, greenhouse gas, Podcast, TGOG Podcast

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About Gavin Webber

About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

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Podcast Reviews

  • Always inspiring and entertaining!
    August 4, 2016 by floriographer from Australia

    I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

  • ms
    July 22, 2016 by Ketaea12 from New Zealand

    I really enjoy listening to Gavin, he has a kind lovely voice. He covers some great relevant topics for the everyday greenie. With lots of tips or how to or what not to do. Thanks Gavin, love it!!

  • Well worth your time to tune in
    October 23, 2015 by A Vision Splendid from Australia

    I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast ! I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to. Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

  • very good
    June 28, 2015 by Scared pax from United Kingdom

    This is a great podcast if you want to improve your life in so many aspects and become a more sustainable person. I love the soothing voice, the good pace, and it contains lots of useful information. Recommended!

  • opened my eyes
    May 25, 2015 by Gorn4lyfe from Australia

    A wonderful show!

  • Inspiring
    April 30, 2015 by Alan Whelan from Ireland

    This is a great podcast if you're looking for practical info on saving money by living more sustainably from someone who's made that journey over the last few years. Told in a nice, easy conversational style

  • Green Living, inspiring and practical
    January 8, 2015 by EliseMac from Australia

    Thanks Gav for sharing what has (and hasn't) worked along your journey for living a greener lifestyle. Inspiring and achievable for anyone, I look forward to this podcast weekly.

  • Local food equals less waste
    December 27, 2014 by allotmentadventureswithjean from Australia

    Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

  • Honestly australian
    December 15, 2014 by HodgepodgeOz from Australia

    Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

  • Morning motivation
    December 8, 2014 by Bunnyworm from Australia

    Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

  • Passionate Advocate
    October 18, 2014 by BoomOpGirl from Australia

    Gavin's enthusiasm and passion for creating a more sustainable world is nothing short of contagious. Thanks Gav, you are my weekly source of motivation for living a sustainable life! :)

  • Gavin speaks from the heart
    October 13, 2014 by Green gavin from Australia

    Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

  • Green thoughts, so well iterated
    October 9, 2014 by Kwasikwami from Australia

    This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

  • Easy listening inspiration on being green
    September 24, 2014 by Broomedy from Australia

    Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

  • Thanks Gavin!
    August 31, 2014 by Honeywoodmilk from Australia

    Great practical advice for a greener lifestyle. This podcast is for anybody interested in growing their own food in suburbia, saving electricity, brewing beer, making cheese, all that wonderful business and most of all, saving money! Thanks Gavin, love the podcast mate!

  • Enjoyed those ideas for staying warm
    August 15, 2014 by enduringdragon from United States

    Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

  • Green Podcasts
    July 26, 2014 by Carneu from Australia

    Excellent podcasts, which are full of information to help get started on a sustainable lifestyle.

  • Practical ideas and inspiration
    July 19, 2014 by HeathrowHeath from Australia

    I highly recommend Gavin's podcast and blog. Down to earth, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.

  • Interesting & easy to listen to
    April 27, 2014 by Velocity3 from New Zealand

    Gavin & his guests make this green journey lots of fun.

  • Great green listen
    April 18, 2014 by Obscurenickname from Australia

    Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese

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