The Greening of Gavin | Sustainable Living in the Suburbs

Erin is the author of The Rogue Ginger a blog dedicated to sharing her plastic free and zero waste lifestyle.

During this episode and via her blog she shares plastic free alternatives to shopping, cooking, makeup, fashion, cleaning and travel while trying to create zero waste.

The journey began June 2013 when she watched a documentary about a couple in Canada who pledged to not buy anything new for one year while trying also to produce no trash. The documentary was called the Clean Bin Project. After the credits rolled Erin looked at her own life and was shocked by the mindless waste her day-to-day actions were creating, so she decided to make some changes.

She discovered Plastic Free July and took on the challenge to quit single use plastic for one month, blogging about it along the way. Once it was over Erin decided to quit plastic for good. Basically, she began living more like her great grandparents.

She is now living a simpler, healthier and happier life. Plus the money saved from buying less stuff has been a nice reward.

Other links mentioned during the show;

* Homemade Mascara

* Homemade Tooth Powder

* ZeroWasteHome Bulk app (iTunes)

* Bag It

 

Don’t forget that this show is financially supported by you, the listener, via our Patreon page.  If you believe the show adds value to the sustainable living community and you would like to support the show, please pledge your support at http://www.patreon.com/greeningofgavin.  Any pledge small or large is most welcome, as it keeps the show going and growing week by week.

And finally, do you think this podcast episode will help someone you know?  If so, help them out by sharing it using the social media buttons below.  And if you are super excited about what you have heard during this episode, pop on over to iTunes using the button under the player and leave a rating and review.

It helps the podcast get noticed in the charts and makes it more visible for others who may be interested in living a more sustainable lifestyle in the ‘burbs.  Thanks!

In the studio this week I have a chat with my daughter Megan. This is her first time on the show, and we discuss in-depth on why and how she now lives a vegetarian lifestyle.

It is amazing that she only embraced vegetarianism a year ago and it has changed her complete outlook on life.

I am one proud Dad!

During the show we talk about;

* Paul McCartney – If Slaughterhouses had Glass Walls

* Esther the Wonder Pig

* Vloggers – Anthony and Kalel (since split up)

* Animals Australia

* *includes Calf Rennet

Don’t forget that this show is financially supported by you, the listener, via our Patreon page.  If you believe the show adds value to the sustainable living community and you would like to support the show, please pledge your support at http://www.patreon.com/greeningofgavin.  Any pledge small or large is most welcome, as it keeps the show going and growing week by week.

And finally, do you think this podcast episode will help someone you know?  If so, help them out by sharing it using the social media buttons below.  And if you are super excited about what you have heard during this episode, pop on over to iTunes and leave a rating and review using the button under the player.

It helps the podcast get noticed in the charts and makes it more visible for others who may be interested in living a more sustainable lifestyle in the ‘burbs.  Thanks!

Catching up with friends made via this community is always a treat.  Sarhn McArthur-Gumbley is one of those many friends that I have made over the years via this podcast and blog but never met.

Sarhn’s first visit to the show was way back in episode 014 where she was living in inner Sydney, well on her journey towards a more sustainable lifestyle.

A photographer by trade, she greened up her business and her lifestyle because it was the right thing to do.

Since we first talked back in 2011, she and her family have moved to a small town in the Southern Highlands of NSW about 1.5 hours from Sydney.  She also has a toddler that keeps her on her toes!

All this and living a sustainable lifestyle as well.  Learn how she fits it all in to her day.  I tip my hat to you Sarhn!

You can connect with Sarhn at www.sarhn.com and click-through using the social media buttons.

Don’t forget that this show is financially supported by you, the listener, via our Patreon page.  If you believe the show adds value to the sustainable living community and you would like to support the show, please pledge your support at http://www.patreon.com/greeningofgavin.  Any pledge small or large is most welcome, as it keeps the show going and growing week by week.

And finally, do you think this podcast episode will help someone you know?  If so, help them out by sharing it using the social media buttons below.  And if you are super excited about what you have heard during this episode, pop on over to iTunes and leave a rating and review using the button under the player.

It helps the podcast get noticed in the charts and makes it more visible for others who may be interested in living a more sustainable lifestyle in the ‘burbs.  Thanks!

Knowing where our meat comes from very important to Kim and me.  We want to ensure that any meat we consume has had the best possible life and has only one bad day.  Ethically raised and not factory farmed.

Imagine my delight when I was contacted by Lucy who runs a free range farm in Baralaba, Queensland.

We talked at length about farm management, how she farms without chemical inputs, and she even makes cheese. She even told me that she is a bit of a Joel Salatin groupie who has seen him talk three times!

So much great information in one episode.

You can find Lucy & Kim (her hubby) at the following places;

* Dawson Valley Free Range

* Healthy Farming, Healthy Food

* Facebook page

Don’t forget that this show is financially supported by you, the listener, via our Patreon page.  If you believe the show adds value to the sustainable living community and you would like to support the show, please pledge your support at http://www.patreon.com/greeningofgavin.  Any pledge small or large is most welcome, as it keeps the show going and growing week by week.

And finally, do you think this podcast episode will help someone you know? If so, help them out by sharing it using the social media buttons below.  And if you are super excited about this episode, pop on over to iTunes and leave a rating and review using the button under the player.

It helps the podcast get noticed in the charts and makes it more visible for others who may be interested in living a more sustainable lifestyle in the ‘burbs.  Thanks!

You’ve heard me talk many times about my sustainable living journey, but what about Kim? After all, she has been right by my side for the entire trip, so what does she really think about it so far, and how does she think she has changed along the way.

It’s an interesting question that we take a deep dive into during the show.

It all stemmed from a Facebook comment from Teena;

How is Kim enjoying her sustainable journey?  Life is very different since you watched Al Gore all those years ago and we have heard and seen how Gavin feels, but not Kim perspective.

And I tell you what, once we get going, Kim didn’t hold back either.

Great show, full of useful insights into someone who has gone from crazy consumer to a very mellow and caring woman who I love to bits!

Who loves their daily cup of coffee? I know that I do! But instead of brewing it up in you K-cup machine, or grabbing that takeaway in a styrofoam cup, think again. There are better and less harmful ways of having your morning cup of coffee.

I’m taking about brewing, coffee cups, coffee grounds, and alternatives to coffee.

Join me for an interesting show just about the environmental impact of your coffee, or tea for that matter.

Links mentioned or used during the show;

* groundtoground.org

* Kill the K Cup (video)

* Homemade Herbal Teas

Don’t forget that this show is financially supported by you, the listener, via Patreon.  If you believe the show adds value to the sustainable living community and you would like to support the show, please pledge your support at http://www.patreon.com/greeningofgavin.  Any pledge small or large is most welcome, as it keeps the show growing week by week.

And finally, do you think this podcast episode will help someone you know? If so, help them out by sharing it using the social media buttons below.  And if you are super excited about this episode, pop on over to iTunes and leave a rating and review using the button under the player.  It helps the podcast get noticed in the charts and makes it more visible for others who may be interested in living a more sustainable lifestyle in the ‘burbs.

Influencing others is often so subtle that you don’t realise that you are doing it! Whenever you talk about your sustainable lifestyle with passion, others pick up on that, and you may just get them thinking that they could also do that in their own lives.

If anything, a sustainable lifestyle is infectious when you share honest stories about what you do and how you live.

During this episode, Kim and I share our own stories about how, upon reflection, have subtly influenced others without really realising it.

Oh, and there are chicken stories as well!

 

Don’t forget that this show is financially supported by you, the listener, via Patreon.  If you believe the show adds value to the sustainable living community and you would like to support the show, please pledge your support at http://www.patreon.com/greeningofgavin.  Any pledge small or large is most welcome, as it keeps the show growing week by week.

And finally, do you think this podcast episode will help someone you know? If so, help them out by sharing it using the social media buttons below.  And if you are super excited about this episode, pop on over to iTunes and leave a rating and review using the button under the player.  It helps the podcast get noticed in the charts and makes it more visible for others who may be interested in living a more sustainable lifestyle in the ‘burbs.

This episode is essential listening for gardeners at all stages, from raw beginner through to the seasoned green thumb.  It has a little something for everyone, even if you don’t currently have a garden, but are wondering what tools to buy or borrow before you start growing your own vegetables.

I list and describe my top 8 tools I use when gardening, every time that I venture into the patch and orchard.

Here they are in no specific order of importance;

* Leather Gloves

* Garden Bag

* 3 pronged handheld fork

* galvanised 9L Watering Can

* Secateurs

* Wheelbarrow

* Cotton Twine, and

* Aerobin 400 for making compost

So there you have it.  All very simple, and mostly inexpensive tools that I use when gardening in our suburban food farm.

I hope that each and every listener got something from this episode!

Don’t forget that this show is financially supported by you, the listener, via Patreon.  If you believe the show adds value to the sustainable living community and you would like to support the show, please pledge your support at http://www.patreon.com/greeningofgavin.  Any pledge small or large is most welcome, as it keeps the show growing week by week.

And finally, do you think this podcast episode will help someone you know? If so, help them out by sharing it using the social media buttons below.  And if you are super excited about this episode, pop on over to iTunes and leave a rating and review using the button under the player.  It helps the podcast get noticed in the charts and makes it more visible for others who may be interested in living a more sustainable lifestyle in the ‘burbs.

I was recently interviewed by Randy Adams as part of his leadership studies at the University of Florida. Randy is a big fan of my other podcast Little Green Cheese and reached out for an interview. Of course I said yes and the rest is recorded history, and I answered in my own modest way.

His interesting questions were along these lines;

1) Can you tell me a little bit about your background and what your life was like prior to your leadership role in the sustainability movement (e.g. adolescence, previous careers, existential crises)?

2) What personal experience(s) gave you the desire to start a blog and educate others about a “greener” way of living?

3) How do your loved ones, friends and colleagues view the work that you do?

4) Looking from the time you began your blog until now, what sort of decisions did you have to make regarding the blog, podcasts, products etc.

5) What do you believe are your greatest resources at hand that allow you to do what you do?

6) In the context of the work you do with the greening of Gavin and the little green cheese, how would you describe your method of leadership (I am not sure if you have ever thought of yourself in the category of “leader”, but if not, have an open mind and go with it)?

7) I realize you do these blogs and podcasts within the walls of your home, but have you ever sought out assistance with some tasks (e.g. posting episodes, more contributors) either from people directly around you or from your cheese and sustainability communities?

8) If not, would this be something you would consider for the future of your work?

9) What personal qualities do you possess that you feel contribute positively to your podcasts, blogging and homesteading?

10) What sort of fruits would you like to see from your work in the long run?

I had a lot of fun during the interview and was quite frank about my work. Sit back, grab a cuppa and listen to Randy interviewing Gavin.

Don’t forget that this show is financially supported by you, the listener, via Patreon.  If you believe the show adds value to the sustainable living community and you would like to support the show, please pledge your support at http://www.patreon.com/greeningofgavin.  Any pledge small or large is most welcome, as it keeps the show growing week by week.

And finally, do you think this podcast episode will help someone you know? If so, help them out by sharing it using the social media buttons now!

Budget cooking without waste is our theme this week.  We talk about all the ways we save money in the kitchen feeding our family.  Includes 101 things to do with Zucchini (just joking)!

Also during the show we talked about using quality ingredients, growing and using herbs, growing your own veg, how to get your kids to eat veggies, how to use leftovers effectively, how to get 3 meals out of a single roast chicken, and how you can save up to $75 a week by taking your own lunch to work.  We also drooled over Kim’s freshly baked Cranberry & Macadamia cookies and Chocolate Muffins.

This episode is chock o block with tips and tricks to save money, and still be green in the kitchen.  Budget cooking without waste!

Don’t forget that this show is financially supported by you, the listener, via Patreon.  If you believe the show adds value to the sustainable living community and you would like to support the show, please pledge your support at http://www.patreon.com/greeningofgavin.  Any pledge small or large is most welcome, as it keeps the show growing week by week.

And finally will this podcast episode help someone you know? If so, help them out by sharing it using the social media buttons now!