The Greening of Gavin | Sustainable Living in the Suburbs

It is autumn here in South Eastern Australia and time to start preparing for your winter planting. I talk about all the beds I have to prepare, what I am going to plant, basic crop rotation, and some tips about composting and worm castings and how to keep snails/slugs and earwigs off your newly planted seedlings.  Who am I kidding, the show is full of organic gardening tips!

Join me in a chat about preparing for winter planting.

Don’t forget that you can become a patron of the show and support it moving forward by visiting http://www.patreon.com/greeningofgavin

 

Can you be self-sufficient in the suburbs? That is a big question. It may have worked for Tom and Barbara, but can it actually be done?

Let Gavin guide you through some of the barriers that may hinder true self-sufficiency in the suburban context.  Being self-sufficient is hard work.

There is a bit of something in this episode for everyone.  Very thought-provoking.

Also if you like the show and would like to help it continue, please visit my Patreon page and pledge a dollar or two for hosting and equipment costs. www.patreon.com/greeningofgavin is the place where you can help.

Our topic is this week is Downshifting.  We explain why I downshifted and how it is possible by living a simple/sustainable lifestyle.

We cover the decision-making process, finances, family discussion, telecommuting, and much, much more.  It was a big decision, but it was one of the best decisions that we ever made.

And the best thing was that we didn’t go in for the sea change/tree change, we downshifted right where we were with what we had.  It also gave us time to start our own small business teaching others green living skills.  Without the downshift, we wouldn’t have taken that most enjoyable step.

We also talk about smaller homes that allows bigger yards, and the current practice of banging out McMansions in new suburbs.

Kim also has a soft spot for Esther the wonder Pig, whose friends also had a downshift experience.

So, if you liked the show or have downshifted yourself, please leave a comment.  We would love to read your story.

Also if you really enjoyed the show please take the time to leave a rating and review over on iTunes, using the iTunes button under the player.  It would really be great to get some feedback about our current format, now that I have a semi-permanent co-host.

100 episodes! I had no idea that when I started the show back on 26th March 2010 that I would reach this lofty goal. Nor did I think that the show would become so popular and have so many guests and eventually a part-time co-host (aka my lovely wife Kim).

During this episode I start off with a bit of a monologue, but then around the 14 minute mark, Kim joins me for a very entertaining show.  It’s full of stories about how we started, and who inspired us along the way.

Anyway, we think you will enjoy the show. Please join us for the next 100 episodes as well!

Now, a favour.  If you really liked the show, leave a comment, or better still head over to iTunes using the button above and please leave a rating and review.  Honest feedback is always appreciated!

Kim joins me on the show this week where we talk about our recent visit to the Mill Markets at Daylesford, Victoria.

This market had lots of very cool old stuff that we discuss during the show, which inevitably leads to a rant about designed obsolescence.

We finish off with a little bit of our philosophy about buying quality items and repair them if they break.

Some of the cool old things items we talk about are;

* Cast iron clothes irons

* Hand sheep clippers

* Scythes

* Jaffle Maker

* Hand Beater

* Hand Drill

* Singer Sewing Machine (hand and foot operated)

* Tin snips

* Vinyl Records (Ben had never seen one)

* 21st Century TV Annual

* TV chairs

* Butter moulds

* Typewriters

* Soda Syphon

And probably a few things I didn’t list.  I am sure you will enjoy it.

Now for episode 100.  We are asking you all to send in voice mail questions via the speakpipe widget below so that Kim and I can answer them in the episode.

They can be about anything as long as the focus is on sustainable living.  Please record something, even if it is feedback about the show.  We want to make the next episode really special and memorable.

Don’t be shy, we would love to hear from you.  All you need is a PC, laptop, notebook, tablet, or smartphone and record your message.  It is as simple as that!  Don’t forget to play it back before sending to ensure it is audible.

So, until next episode, stay green and keep keen!

Firstly, I would just like to let you know that Episode 100 is rapidly approaching.  It is going to be a massive show, and it will focus on listener questions.  So don’t be shy.  Send in a sustainable living question or a message for Kim and I using the widget below, and we will play it and/or answer the question on the 100th show.  I am really looking forward to this milestone event in two weeks time.

This episode is a roundup of sustainable living events that I will be speaking or manning a stall at or visiting in the next two months.  I also talk a little about the yearly Sustainable Living Festival here in Melbourne.

I talked about the following events;

* Melton City Energy and Sustainability Expo, Saturday 31st January 2015.  More information Environment and Sustainability Expo flyer A4.

* Macedon Ranges Sustainable Living Festival, Saturday 28th February 2015.  More information Macedon Ranges Sustainable Living Festival.

* The main Sustainable Living Festival for the year will be held from 7th February to 1st March 2015.  You can find more infomation at their site www.slf.org.au

I also chat about some of the happenings around here, and new products in our shop www.littlegreenworkshops.com.au.  We have been so busy making and putting up new products lines, including preserving kits and equipment, handmade soap, and soy melts.  Add that to all the other kits, supplies, and equipment that we have available for Cheese, Soap, and Soy Candle making, we haven’t had time to scratch ourselves!  Starting a small business is not for the faint hearted.

So, we hope you can get to some of these sustainable living events and drop in and say gidday.  Most are free and very educational.  I would love to meet you.

February is the busiest month in the sustainability calendar here in Victoria.  I love it, because it recharges my internal green batteries, and puts me on the path again for another year of our journey.  Without these types of events, I think I would feel a little lost, and a little alone.

During this episode I share all the tips and tricks that I have learnt over the years to take charge of my personal time and to live a life with purpose.

I cover off the following topics for Personal Time Management;

* Setting SMART goals

* Planning ahead, doing specific tasks on certain days

* Keep a diary/planner (I use an online calendar)

* Early to bed, Early to rise

* Do things when you know are most effective (I’m a morning person)

* Regular exercise

* Minimal screen time

* Handling each task once, and do one task at a time.

* Write a to do list, prioritise the list, but be realistic

* Keep a journal or blog in able to reflect back at past achievements

So that’s how I cram so much into my day and week and still manage to deliver the goods at work, home, and with my family.  I hope you take the time to listen and learn a few tips and tricks on how to manage your own personal time better.

If you liked the episode, please feel free to leave a comment or even pop over to iTunes using the button under the player and leave a review and rating to help build the shows profile.  I would be eternally grateful!

A quick garden update, accompanied by a chorus of native Australian fauna.  I recorded this episode outside in my garden at about 9pm, just as twilight was waning.

I announce that I will be creating a series of gardening video tutorials which will cover any vegetables that I plant, maintain, or harvest.

An interesting project for sure, and one that you will be able to keep track of using this link; www.greeningofgavin.com/gardeningvideos/

Enjoy your summer or winter as we swelter here down under.  Another nasty, angry summer is forming.  We have had three days over 38°C and it is only seven days into the year.  Way above average.

Here is to some cooler, wetter weather over the next few days.  The garden desperately needs it!

A retrospective look at 2014 and all the things we achieved during the year.  Join Kim and I as we share the highs and lows of the last 12 months, and what our simple goals are for 2015.

There is laughter and tears as we step through each month’s events.  We held it all together and believe that we covered the most important things we achieved.

It was great to look back and talk about where we started in January and where we ended up in December.  It’s only after you think and talk about it that you actually realise how much we got done.

Oh, and some quick podcast stats for you all.  During the year I produced 46 episodes, with 48,494 downloads, and many wonderful guests including Tanya Ha, Greg Foyster, Mick O’Connell, Madeleine Booth-Smits (aka NZEcoChick), Amy Webber, Adam Webber, Stacey Warlich, Teena Webber, Kathy Finigan, Kate Nye-Butler, Pam Dawson, and of course my lovely wife Kim.  There were also interviews by Ted, Amy, and DR at the Massachusetts Climate Action Network and by Matt and Beau from Reaction Podcast.

Those stats really blow my mind, so I thank you one and all for listening to me talk about sustainable living in the suburbs week in and week out.  Don’t forget that if you like the show that you can rate and leave a comment via iTunes using the button under the player.

Thanks again for listening.

When you grow your own food you are less inclined to waste it.  This is the basis of this weeks episode.  My belief is that organically grown local food equals less waste.

I talk about our failed 100 mile diet and how hard it was to stick to it, and the realisation I came to that most of our food is grown with the assistance of fossil fuels.  In the second half of the show, I give tips about how to prevent food waste.

I believe that growing your own food is one of the most radical acts that you can achieve in your own home.  You break that dependence on the industrial food system and become that little bit closer to be able to look after yourself.  Especially that most of our food is grown using oil.

Did you know that for every 1 calorie of food grown, it takes 10 calories of oil to grow it?  That is unsustainable considering that fossil fuels are a finite resource.  Something to think about when you tuck into your next meal.

It you liked the show, please click-through to iTunes using the button below the player, and leave a comment and a rating.  It helps push the show up the iTunes charts where it will reach others who may be thinking of beginning their own simple/sustainable journey.  Every little bit helps.

Also, if you have any questions or observations that you are burning to share, please leave a comment below.  I answer as many as I can and would love to hear from you.

Next week we have our Christmas Special where Kim and I share what we achieved this year, including the highs and lows.  I don’t know if we will be singing this year, but you never know.  I might even belt out a verse or two of a White Christmas, that old Bing favourite that gets a hammering around here at this time of year!