Blog mini-series: Eco pets!

Anyone who knows us, will know that our animals are very much the centre of our lives. And if you don’t know that already, I’m sure you’ll get the message throughout the next few posts. We love to write and share our experiences of the eco products that we use, so we think its only right to share the things that we use to make our pet ownership eco too! From the food that we use, to the places we shop at, we try to be as environmentally conscious as possible. Although our cats and dogs are blissfully unaware of the climate crisis, I’m sure their future ancestors will thank us! Throughout the coming posts, you’ll get to know our animals, and the products that we’ve loved using to help reduce our carbon paw-print! Feel free to follow our dogs on Instagram (or Purl / Bobbin on Facebook) if you want to keep up with their antics! The cats (Albie & Bluebell) sometimes make a guest appearance too!

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Read more about the article Product Review: Butternut Box (Dog Food)
Butternut Box lover, Rainbow ©ZeroWasteLlama 2022

Product Review: Butternut Box (Dog Food)

By Sarah Bellis
Sarah, Rainbow & Bambi ©ZeroWasteLlama 2022
Sarah, Rainbow & Bambi ©ZeroWasteLlama 2022

I’ve always been really “funny” about what I feed my dogs. You hear about people who give their dogs the cheapest foods, and the dogs live forever! But knowing my luck that would never be the case. My dogs have always been fed better than myself. They dress better than me too, but that is another story!

As a dog-parent, it’s easy to get caught up in dog food marketing campaigns. The ones with the bright packaging, the ones with the happy dog on the packet with the shiniest coat and the brightest eyes. Some promise things that they definitely do not fulfil. When it comes to genuinely excellent quality food, it is so important to do your research. Something that can be confusing, you end up down a rabbit hole.

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Read more about the article Zero Waste Gift Idea: A Photoshoot!
The whole pack - a family portrait to treasure!

Zero Waste Gift Idea: A Photoshoot!

Following on from the December post (Season’s Greetings!), when I put forward some ideas for last minute gifts for the season, one example was missing in the ‘make memories, not waste‘ section…. gifting a photoshoot! Quite frankly, I had not thought of it at the time!

However Sarah won a Ginger & Browns photo competition, in collaboration with Bartley Studios! The Winning Photo showed a picture of Bambi the St Bernard and Rainbow the Shih-Tzu, looking up at Sarah. They are both wearing Christmas bandanas which I had made for them!

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Read more about the article Become your own Brand: Sustainable sewing
Photo by Merve Sehirli Nasir on Unsplash buttons speaking

Become your own Brand: Sustainable sewing

In sewing an item from scratch – either using purchased materials or upcycling old items – you will experience the time, skill and patience it takes to create an item of clothing or accessory. Your journey to self sufficiency moves forward, and mending, fixing, upcycling and creating new, bespoke/tailored and exciting items becomes an enjoyable hobby: you become your own brand!

If you are interested in sustainable sewing projects, or maybe have been motivated to look into this more during COVID-19 lockdowns, here are a few ideas, patterns and links – I just hope that in inspires just one other person to replace one item which they usually buy, with a home-made / upcycled item:  By sewing your own clothing and/or accessories, you are choosing a leisurely, more sustainable lifestyle and, at the same time, making a stand against fast fashion.

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Keep the High Street Shops ALIVE… help them THRIVE!

In November 2019, Eco Store, Weigh of the World, in Northwich opened - THIS was a game changer for me! Local, and a brilliant concept! (you can read my blog post here). In addition to buying my fresh fruit & vegetables from John Griffiths' Green Grocers in Northwich, between the two of these shops, I found that I had 99% of what I needed! However, many small, independent shops, both in Northwich and elsewhere, are experiencing a massive decrease in sales, despite remaining open during the lockdown - people are doing their main shops in supermarkets. Before your supermarket shop, visit your local, small businesses first! Then only go to the supermarket if there is anything which you are unable to obtain! It is more important than ever that we support our local businesses - especially through this time of crisis! Furthermore, buying locally reduces food miles, helps alleviate our dependence on fossil fuels, reduce air pollution and cuts back on greenhouse gas emissions. With that in mind, I have collated a list of independent shops in NORTHWICH who are still open and operating, and what shopping options are available. Independent Northwich Shops Open/Online during Lockdown: Abda's Coffee Shop: Coffee and Tea can be ordered through their Facebook Page.Artisans Online: The Northwich Artisan Market is now online!Crafty Stitches: Online orders are being taken for delivery on FacebookFirthField Pet Stores: Open for business.Ginger & Browns: Pet Supplies at Blakemere - Open for online ordersJohn Griffiths' Greengrocers: 10 Witton St, Northwich -…

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Read more about the article COVID-19: Staying Home, Staying Safe and keeping up with your Eco-Friendly Lifestyle Part 3
Copyright 2019, Izzy Davidson

COVID-19: Staying Home, Staying Safe and keeping up with your Eco-Friendly Lifestyle Part 3

Responsible pet ownership during COVID-19 Although there have been a few reports of dogs and cats testing positive for COVID-19, the World Health Organisation (WTO) has stated that there is not enough evidence of cats, dogs, or any other pets transmitting COVID-19 to humans as of now. Despite this, this is now the time to be sure to give your best friend(s) extra love and attention - this will benefit both your and your pets’ safety and mental health! Get the lowdown from this helpful Q&A from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). The very least you can do is to wash your hands thoroughly before and after caring for your best friend, when preparing their meals or bathing them. After your pet does their business, make sure to disinfect the area thoroughly to make sure your best friend does not accidentally lick up cleaning product residue.  If you’re feeling ill, avoid close contact with your best friend! It is very important to keep physical distancing for everyone’s safety.

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Product Review: Faith in Nature Coconut Conditioner

I bought this coconut conditioner from Faith in Nature before I started on my quest for reducing waste. It is a great conditioner which I have used for over a year, with good results and contains organic coconut oil and is brimming with tropical aromas and natural hydration. Although it comes in a plastic bottle, there is the opportunity to buy 5 litres for refill, however this also comes in plastic bottle… Never the less, it is a wonderful product, and does the job well.

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Read more about the article Product Review: Coconut Oil Unscented Solid Dog Shampoo – The Dog and I
Copyright 2019, Izzy Davidson

Product Review: Coconut Oil Unscented Solid Dog Shampoo – The Dog and I

It is no secret that I love my dog more than life itself – she is my best friend, my soul mate! But lets face it – Poppy DOES love to roll around in the mud (and will take any opportunity to apply her favourite perfume: ‘Eau de Fox Poo’).

So, when making a purchase of shampoo bars for myself from Peace With the Wild, I took a moment to browse through the Pets section of the website.

Choosing the unscented soap (I am not really someone who likes their dog to smell like a perfumery!), I was pleased to find that the shampoo was easy to use, and even removed ‘Eau de Fox Poo’ successfully!

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