Campingandcaravandirect

UK Suppliers of famous outdoor brands like Coleman, Campingaz, Sevylor and Royal all at great prices. They also have a camping & caravan site finder that holds the contact details of camping & caravan parks from all parts of the UK for you to choose from for your next holiday, you can even leave your own site review or photos of your holiday.

Ethical cooking and dining

Whether you’re cooking the family meal or you’re having a dinner party for friends, there are a few easy steps you can take to ensure a successful and ethical dinner:

Ingredients

We’ve already mentioned the popularity of free range eggs and sales are now hitting the £2 billion per year mark. Battery egg sales are plummeting and by 2012, eggs laid by caged hens will be a thing of the past as a ban is due to be implemented. All the major supermarkets are joining in to support free range produce because the demand from the public is stronger than ever.

Take an interest in where your ingredients come from and how they were grown or raised. Free range and organic produce is not only more ethically sound, it is also more nutritious which can only be a good thing for health.

Try to buy produce that is in season. We’ve become so used to having any type of fruit and vegetable at any time of the year but the fact remains that buying produce that is in season is more cost-effective, fresher and better for the environment.

Environmental impact

Actively seek out information about your food. ‘Food miles’ is an often used phrase and relates to the distance travelled from source to point of purchase. Be aware however that fuel consumption is not always judged on distance. A container ship full of apples travelling from another country can use less fuel than trucks driving hundreds of miles up and down this country. Buying locally is best to maintain freshness of food but don’t be over-enthusiastic as many poor countries rely on income from fruit and vegetable exports.

If you’re buying fish, find out how it has been caught and whether the stocks are sustainable. Fish is a rapidly depleting food source across the planet and some of the methods involved in fishing are detrimental to animal welfare and the environment.

Meat farming is having a major impact on the environment. While you don’t necessarily have to abstain from eating it, having a few meat free days every week can make a big difference. Did you know that a steak dinner for a family of four is roughly equivalent (energy wise) to driving around in 4×4 family car while leaving all your house lights on.

Grow your own

It is possible to become self-sufficient by growing your own vegetables and fruit. If you’ve a garden, patio or even just a window box, you’ll be amazed at how much you can actually grow yourself. Why not buy an organic garden gift voucher and grow your own tomatoes, peas, courgettes, runner beans and even strawberries.

Serving your food

You can even be ethical in the way you prepare and serve your food. Buy plates, utensils, chopping boards and bowls made from sustainable materials such as bamboo. Bamboo is a fast growing plant which is easily renewable therefore having very little impact on the environment. There are a number of stylish bamboo products for the kitchen and home.

Ethical thinking now radiates through every aspect of business practice from alternative energy sources to sustainable manufacturing materials to reducing pollution. Even corporate ethical gifts are replacing the usual offerings to incentivise or congratulate the workforce for a job well done.

The ethical business

With the general population organising their lives in a more ethical way and seeking eco-friendly alternatives in their lifestyles, so businesses are researching and initiating new environmentally ideas to help keep them ahead of the competition. From huge corporations to small start-ups, using green practices throughout day-to-day operations can provide huge gains.

The idea of a company towing the environmental line was once met with derision among the business community, but those who took the initiative earliest are now watching as the sceptics play catch up. The change in attitude among consumers and business alike has increased the interest in all things green.

While many corporations have a vast challenge ahead of them to convince the public that they are putting the environment first, there are definite changes being made. Office buildings are being constructed to maximise energy efficiency and occupying such a premises not only offers a better public image but also the potential for long-term savings. Even companies that are seen as traditionally eco-unfriendly are now committed to better environmental practices. What these businesses are seeing by going ‘green’ is better public relations and significant ways to improve their bottom line.

Most environmental initiatives stem from demand by clients and consumers. The pressure is on businesses to meet this demand because if given the choice between one product being environmentally friendly and the other not, the majority of consumers are choosing the greener option.

We’ve come a long way in the past twenty years - in the past consumers would struggle to name any green brands but now they have become the starting point when deciding on lifestyle choices. It is imperative for survival and growth that a business increases consumer and employee reaction by instigating wide-spread environmentally friendly practices.

Ethical gifts for the workforce

Anyone who has worked within a team of people will at some point have contributed to, or been a recipient of, a gift. A birthday, departing colleague, promotion or just a hearty well done are all reasons to show someone at work that you appreciate them.

For businesses to make a real effort in going ‘green’, a great show of intent is for everyone involved to buy gifts that are ethically sound. Whatever the reason, buying an ethical gift for employees or an ethical gift for the boss is a great way to increase awareness within your company about the importance of green issues as well as giving a present that has lasting impact on the recipient.

Some great bargain buys can be picked up in clearance sales. Cheap leather jackets are now being sported by the younger generation due to their versatility and low cost. They can be worn with anything, and their affordability makes them attractive to the younger crowd. They can be seen to and from work (and even some schools), in town with pals or out with families.

Leather blazers, on the other hand, scream expensive – but need not be. A well-cut leather coat can look like it cost a packet but actually cost very little; it all depends on where you source it. Of course, having one tailor-made might run up the price, but it’ll fit you like a glove and no doubt look like it cost far more than it actually did. And if you don’t put on too much weight as you get older, a leather jacket made to your measurements can be worn well into your twilight years!

Leather biker jackets are huge at the moment, especially with the current tattoo trend. It seems everyone these days is sporting ink somewhere on their bodies, and what better way to compliment the look than with chunky, belted, zippered, low-slung leather coats. Designed to be functional and practical, a biker jacket will ensure your back doesn’t get too cold while you’re motoring down the highway with your gal (or guy) riding shotgun. And slung over the bike when you pull up, you can still maintain the look as you show off your tatts.

Classic ladies’ leather jackets are indeed timeless. Whether made-to-measure or off-the-shelf, a women’s leather jacket can be teamed with jeans, a skirt, or trousers. In an emergency it can be worn over a formal outfit and not look too out of place. It is equally at home on a picnic or out at dinner.

Even the not-so-humble red leather jackets are still being seen (how can you miss them!). Can be worn to revive an old outfit or set alight a new one, a red coat can make you stand out in the crowd – it’s just up to you how much and how good you’ll look while doing it!

The ethical toy debate

The toy industry, which is said to worth around £8 billion, has long been criticised for its lack of environmental awareness. However, that hasn’t stopped adults from splashing the cash. By the time the average British child reaches the age of 16, they will have owned around £11,000 worth of toys. It’s impossible for all those toys to have been made from sustainable materials or be ethically sound, so what’s being done to improve the situation?

The answer has, until recently, been very little. The mass market for cut-price toys lends itself to huge industrialisation leading to outsourcing and then questionable labour rights for the workforce who produce the products. Then there’s the materials used in manufacture.

The idea of the ‘toxic toybox’ has been in evidence for decades. A 1997 study into 71 toys from 17 countries found that they contained between 10 and 40 per cent of a plasticiser that is connected to childhood asthma and reproductive disorders. And the problems still exist today. As recently as 2007, around 21 million toys were recalled for posing hazards such as excessive levels of lead paint.

So, the manufacturing process is damaging to health, natural resources are being depleted and the recycling of toys that are no longer wanted is near on impossible because the materials simply can’t be reused. Will parents refuse to buy their child the latest Dalek or Transformer toy based on these revelations?

Eco-friendly toys

There’s a long way to go until the mainstream toy industry ensures all materials are sustainable and all factory workers are given fair wages and basic human rights. However, this will be the decade of the environment and consumers are waking up to the fact that things have to change.

The majority of ethical toys made from sustainable materials are wooden and while this may not appeal to the ipod generation of kids, it makes sense for the tiny tots. Sustainable toys made from sustainable hale wood or rubberwood and coloured with vegetable dyes remove the danger of potential toxic poisoning and reduce the devastation of natural resources.

Fairtrade toys produced by workers in impoverished areas give communities the chance to work for a decent wage and the profits are utilised to improve health and education.

Recycled toys manufactured from materials that have been recycled (and are recyclable when the toy is no longer wanted) reduces waste going to landfill.

These options are available to us as consumers and the more we demand them, the quicker the toy industry will change its practices.

As you head into the new year, it’s a great opportunity to evaluate just how eco-friendly you are and make changes to maximise your green potential. Recycling is something we can all be part of with very little effort, and that goes for giving gifts too.

Why buy recycled gifts?

We’re all familiar with recycling to a certain extent as two thirds of people now separate their recyclable waste into green bins. The latest recycling figures show a growing trend for more eco-friendly waste disposal. In the last five years the amount of rubbish sent for recycling has doubled with a staggering 33.8 million tonnes recycled since 2003. In terms of financial value, that’s £1.1 billion worth of materials reclaimed and £1.8 billion saved from sending waste to tips.

This is the start of the recycling process, but recycling isn’t just about one process, it’s a series of them. To fully recycle, we must buy the products that have been produced using the materials that we’ve made the effort to recycle in the first place. This is known as the ‘recycling loop’.

To ensure there’s a future for recycling, there must be a market for recycled products. So, when you’re shopping for goods, whether it be household or gifts, why not buy the products you’ve helped to produce and complete the loop. And when you’re done with them, send them off to be recycled again.

Recycled gift ideas for 2010

Christmas may be done and dusted but there’s usually someone in your life with something to celebrate so here are a few great recycled gifts you could consider giving.

Vinyl is dead and there’s an awful lot being sent to landfill so why not give the music lover in your life these great coasters, bookends and bowls which are made using genuine vinyl records.

Vinyl Coasters - Pack of 6	Small Vinyl Bowl - Made from a single	Small Vinyl Bookends - Pair - Made from Singles

In the past year, the UK recycled 3.3 billion aluminium cans and over two billion glass wine bottles. Why not complete the ‘recycling loop’ and buy recycled jewellery that uses recycled aluminium or glass.

Recycled Glass Bracelet - Green	Preeti Bead Bracelet

Recycled paper produces 73% less air pollution than if it was made from raw materials so buy recycled stationery. For example, these notebooks are perfect for kids to use at school or for adults to use around the house.

Eden Project A5 Notebook - Lime	Skinny Notebook - Home Sweet Home

The Canaries

The Canary Islands are a top choice for year round sun-worshipping. Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote are the most commonly visited islands and all offer dazzling coastlines and varying degrees of action and adventure. Each enjoys a warm and dry climate with well over 300 days of sunshine a year. Temperatures usually remain comfortably over 20°C so the concept of peak season has been slightly distorted here.

November to mid-December and April to June – avoiding Easter – are good times to enjoy fewer crowds and low prices, whether you’re seeking self catering apartments in Lanzarote or luxury hotels in Tenerife.

Egypt

For something completely different head to the Land of the Pharaohs, Egypt. The country is packed full of both desert and sea treats making a visit well worthwhile. Peak season runs between October and May so to avoid crowds choose June or September.

Maximum temperatures in Cairo average over 30°C during these months so be prepared to take it easy. Heading to the coast will help you to keep cool. Sharm el Sheikh on the Red Sea a popular choice. Go out of season and you will find plenty of Sharm el Sheikh hotels offering comfortable accommodation at a reasonable price.

Cyprus

Cyprus is a good early spring option thanks to its favourable Mediterranean climate. Peak season runs from June to September, so avoid these months to experience the slightly quieter side of the isle.

Visit in April and May and you can enjoy average maximum temperatures of 22°C and 26°C respectively while you laze on the beach, explore historic sites or indulge in some of the country’s delicious cuisine. Temperatures remain high into October and November, but heavier rainfall makes these months a less appealing choice so avoid them if you want to get the best mix of affordable Cyprus hotels and good weather.

Another area you can save money is by cutting back on the amount of maintenance you do around your property. Imagine simply enjoying your home and not planning the next painting job – and who actually likes taking doors off their hinges, painting them, and then the arguments as you try to re-hang them, lining up the screw holes and the attempts keeping the door exactly this many inches off the floor while you do it. UPVC (or unplasticised polyvinyl chloride, as opposed to PVC, or polyvinyl chloride), is gaining popularity in the construction industry, particularly UPVC doors and windows, especially when double glazed windows are installed (or, in older buildings, when single glazed windows are replaced with double glazed). UPVC is also being used in the production of fascias and soffits, meaning less upkeep. And the big plus is that they won’t warp, rot or flake, so what you get is what you’ll have in many years’ time.

You can get quotes to have your older fascias and soffits replaced with newer UPVC, and they come in a range of colours and finishes. Ensure that when you call for a quote, though, the company sources their products locally and not from overseas (especially the states) as this will help keep costs down. And the time and place has to be convenient to you. It would be best, and it would make sense, if the sales person came to you, so they can measure up and give the best price – not something they make up on the phone. They will also be able to answer any questions you have on the spot, which only goes to demonstrate their expertise!

But it’s little wonder that some may have unrealistic expectations  about a psychic reading when you consider all the advertising hype on television and in the newspapers. Many ads announce how having an accurate psychic reading can solve just about any problem you may have in your life. Really!

That doesn’t mean that email psychic readings can’t help. If you’re confused or uncertain about which direction to take in life a good psychic reading can be very helpful.

HERE’S A FEW TIPS ON HOW TO GET THE BEST FROM YOUR PSYCHIC READING:

1) Don’t ask a psychic to choose the winning lottery numbers for you, because they can’t. Do you think they would be offering psychic readings if they could. No, of course not! They’d be on some white sandy beach in the Pacific enjoying a rum and coke! And, of course, it would be a misuse of their psychic gift to do so even if they could.

2) Remember if you are  afraid or unwilling to move forward, no amount of psychic help and guidance will help you. It’s necessary to let go of the past to move towards a more positive future.

3) A good psychic will not tell you silly things such as what you had for breakfast yesterday, or what time you went to bed two days ago. How could this possibly be of help to you?

4) Good psychics may use psychic abilities such as clairaudience, clairsentience or clairvoyance when reading for you and many will often use a combination of all three.

5) Good psychic readings should be about self empowerment and personal development. A good psychic will be able to see your possible future, which will allow you to make informed decisions.

6) A good psychic reading should give you insight into how to improve your life, especially when things have been difficult.

7) Psychics are only human and unfortunately don’t always know  all the answers to your questions, when this situation arises they should be honest and tell you they can’t help.

A good psychic can only give you psychic guidance on how to solve your problems, you are the one who has to make the final decision.

9) A good psychic will tell you if they foresee any problems in the future, they will not peddle false hope just to keep you happy.

If you’re unhappy with the psychic reading tell the psychic you want them to stop, there is no reason for you to sit through a reading that is not working. The psychic should have no problem with refunding your money and may even suggest another reader who will be able to connect to your energy.

But we don’t have to cancel Christmas to turn things around, we just need to think, act and buy in a responsible manner. Here are a few ethical Christmas ideas and gifts for the holiday season.

‘Tis the season to be ethical

It’s true that we are beginning to live our lives in a more ethical way and so Christmas shouldn’t be any different. In fact, it’s the ideal time to focus on what really matters in life. With a little thought and planning, you can do your bit for the environment and those people who are less fortunate.

Every purchase you make has an impact on the environment and the people who inhabit this planet. Key things to look for when buying products and gifts this Christmas include:

• Is it fair trade – buying fairtrade goods means that the workers involved in the production are being paid a fair price and monies are going toward improving social, health and education projects for local communities.

• Is the manufacturing process ecologically sound – what resources were used in producing the goods you buy, how were they transported and what impact did that have on pollution? Are they organic?

Try to make purchases that have not in some way exploited people or resources and the minimum amount of pollution has been caused by the manufacturing and transportation process. Here are a few tips to help you achieve this.

Have yourself an ethical little Christmas

Buy local – Using smaller independent shops for your shopping discourages car use and supports your own local community. However, sometimes you can’t always get the range of products you’re after so check out some of the excellent ethical websites.

If you do have to head out to the shops, take your own bags with you so as not to contribute to the millions of plastic bags that litter the streets or get thrown away only to end up in landfill sites.

Fair trade – To be ethical this season, look for fair trade products. This will mean the production chain from manufacture, shipping, wholesale to retailer has been treated with equity and fairness.

Organic – Look for products that have been certified organic by a respected body such as the Soil Association. How about some organic chocolate treats for the kids (and adults!)?

Milk Chocolate Snowman Lolly	Milk and White Chocolate Snowmen

Recycling – Are the gifts you buy this year recyclable and have they been made using recycled materials. What about the wrapping? Why not take advantage of a recycled gift wrap service if it’s on offer by the retailer.

If you’re throwing a party this Christmas and need some extra glasses for the drinks, get everyone talking with these great recycled tumblers, wine glasses and goblets.

Chunky Recycled Tumbler - Amethyst	Chunky Recycled Wine Glass - Turquoise	White Frosted Fish Goblets - Pair

And when it comes to finally thanking everyone for your gifts, send thank you cards printed on recycled card.

Christmas Bunny Thank You Cards - Pack of 10

With the growth of the ethical market and plenty of websites to find everything you need, it doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming to do your bit for an eco-friendly Christmas this year.