Sustainable September 2015 - Day Two

Hello lovely people,

So what did you think of the videos by Lauren Singer? Do you think you can make small changes and end up just being completely waste free? Well that is an idea... right?

One things we will talk about today is plastic. Plastic is one of the most harmful things to our environment. Plastic is a long lasting and durable product that is often only given a "single use" before being discarded. Wikipedia states that plastic makes up at least 10% of all discarded waste.

I saw this quote the other day and I realised with great weight, its truth.

The article by Environmental Health News called The Enviromental Toll of Plastics states in their article from 2009 that...
                                        "Evidence is mounting that the chemical building blocks that make plastics so versatile are the same components that might harm people and the environment. And its production and disposal contribute to an array of environmental problems, too. For example:
• Chemicals added to plastics are absorbed by human bodies. Some of these compounds have been found to alter hormones or have other potential human health effects.
• Plastic debris, laced with chemicals and often ingested by marine animals, can injure or poison wildlife.
• Floating plastic waste, which can survive for thousands of years in water, serves as mini transportation devices for invasive species, disrupting habitats.
• Plastic buried deep in landfills can leach harmful chemicals that spread into groundwater.
• Around 4 percent of world oil production is used as a feedstock to make plastics, and a similar amount is consumed as energy in the process."

Okay... plastic is not very good. Not good for us or the environment. Take note today where plastic is turning up in your life. Can you substitute it? Can you change anything so that you use less? In the next few days I will be looking at small simple things that mean you don't have to use plastic.

You might be thinking that it does not seem so simple.

Don't Panic! Grab your towel (Hitch-hikers unite! lol. Sorry. Couldn't help a literary reference!).

Today's Sustainable September idea is very simple. By making one change you can help marine animals and yourself avoid one type of plastic.

September 2: Buy/use a reusable metal or glass straw instead of plastic ones. 

Cardboard straws [also called Paper Straws] are also available and can be composted after use.

I don't know if any of you saw the video that showed up on Facebook recently of a poor turtle that had inhaled a plastic straw. The video was really distressing to watch so I wont share a link to it. It was most distressing for the turtle that was having the straw removed from its nose. Plastic in the ocean is a huge issue. It takes hundreds if not thousands of years for plastic to deteriorate. 

"The Marine Conservancy has predicted the decomposition rates of several plastic products. It is estimated that a foam plastic cup will take 50 years, a plastic beverage holder will take 400 years, disposable diaper will take 450 years, and fishing line will take 600 years to degrade." Wikipedia (2015).

"So why straws?" I hear you ask. Well we have to start somewhere.

"Would you believe that enough plastic straws are produced annually to fill over 46 thousand full sized buses! Each time you use a reusable glass[or stainless steel] straw it means one less plastic straw ends up in landfill or in our precious oceans." (Biome 2015)

Personally, I just bought a bunch of Stainless Steel straws. I have recently discovered E-bay (I know I am about 10 years behind everyone else with this one). I was able to buy 10 stainless steel straws (with two little cleaning brushes) for about $10 AUD! That is awesome to me!!! When I get home to Perth (from Sydney, where I am currently) I will let you know how they go! I am actually really excited about them!

If you want to avoid plastic and you have a big event coming up think no further than cardboard straws. They come in a range of brightly coloured cardboard lengths and are about $2 AUD for about 24 cardboard straws. They are only really one use things (hence I love the idea of the reusable straws more). However once these are used they can go in the compost bin rather than the trash/rubbish.

Can't figure out where to get them? There are lots of places online. Just google "Glass Straws" or "Stainless Steel Straws" and you can get heaps of options.

Cardboard straws are found in supermarkets, cheap stores (like Red Dot, Price Savers, King Kong, Reject Shop). Beware that they are often packed in a plastic single use bag for sale. Some places sell them in cardboard packaging, although not many. So look around

One small change can make a huge difference. Think about the turtle. We have to start somewhere so why not with straws.

KINDNESS IDEA: Buy a couple extra reusable straws when you buy them for yourself and give them to your nearest and dearest!  :) Or simply refuse a straw - it means you totally just saved a turtles nose!

I hope this finds you all well.
Love Daena

Sustainable September 2015 - Day One : And so it begins!

Hello beautiful people, 

Seeing as last year’s Sustainable September was such a success I have decided to do it again. I chose to do this for a couple of reasons:

1. I like to be KIND (in general and) to the environment as much as possible! After all we have to live on this planet for the rest of our lives and then our children have to too. So I guess it is a KINDNESS for future generations too really! 
   
   
2. It keeps me accountable to post regularly through the month of September. It is basically a month of daily blogging. Seeing as my track record this year for blogging is not as good as i would like it to be, it helps me to focus on a month. Also if I hit a day where I can't make it to the Blogger website, I have to be prepared for that. So technically this is an exercise in me getting my stuff together and being organised.YAY organisation!!! 

So this year I am going to start with some inspiration.

September 1: Watch one of the following videos on how a girl, Lauren Singer, was able to go completely waste free. She is an environmental inspiration to me!

Here is the Short video Interview, for those short on time.  

Here is the longer TED talk, for those who like more detail. 

And for those who just love videos you can watch BOTH!!! :) Doesn't Zero Waste Girl sound like an awesome super hero? She could join Captain Planet and save the world! :)

Are you interested in having a trash/rubbish free home? The website Trash Is For Tossers is from Lauren Singer and she shares here about the steps to get to the point of being as rubbish free as possible. 

I have just bought the book called Zero Waste Home by Bea Johnson. My plan is to read it as the month goes along. Hopefully we can all learn more about this idea of creating a waste free home together and help each other in achieving this. Even if it can never be completely 100% waste free, a point Bea Johnson has already made in the first chapter of her book, even the first steps make a huge difference. If you want to check it out the book here is a listing on Book Depository.

What is next for Sustainable September?

For the next few days I am going to give you a few things you can change fast and easy to help the environment. Then I will progress to other things that may take a little more effort.

I have also decided to include tiny kindness ideas for those who are wanting to share Sustainable September with other people. 

So a simple idea today is: pay it forward. If someone does something nice for you, pass it on to another. If someone buys you a coffee (preferably in a reusable cup), pass it on, and buy one for someone else. It is really as simple as it sounds. If someone buys you a book, like "Zero Waste Home" pass the kindness on - in face just give people books all of the time...okay... maybe that might not be the best kindness for everyone. Just ME!! hehehe. You all know how I feel about books! Love, love, love!

I hope this brings you a little bit of knowledge and a lot of inspiration. We need to be KIND to this planet of ours. It is the only one we have got! or as my sister says "There is no planet B"!

Much love to you all, 

Daena x

Those things I promised... FINALLY HERE!!!

Hello my beautiful people,

Wow... the last few months have been a whirlwind and are showing no signs of slowing down. The Kindness a day i have been doing for years now has become almost second nature. I have stopped recording the kindnesses everyday (mainly because I have not been journaling for a while now). I have NOT given up on my kind acts. Sometimes it can be as simple as inviting a neighbour in for a cuppa, leaving your boss a block of chocolate (for while you are away and he will need it - i did that today!), and or Sending a message on Facebook to someone having a hard time.

I apologise again for not sharing the following images with you sooner. It was a pain in my buttocks that the App on my phone didn't work for those blog posts (two that I had posted - one in April, one in May (whilst I was gallivanting around Europe). So here is my attempt to resend them. Or basically start from scratch... again! :S Oh well...

As many of you know in April I cut all my hair off and donated it to charity (Pantene Beautiful Lengths Campain) and then dyed it for another charity (Worlds Greatest Shave).  I have been PROMISING photos from it for a couple months ... okay... more than a couple now. So let the showing begin!

This was my hair to start with!

 I had a video to share... And of course I cant find it now on my computer. Eeepp! Sorry guys! I think it is on the Facebook Page if you want to have a look?! If not I will try edit this post later with the video in it (assuming I can find it this time).

My kneck was naked! NAKED I SAY!!!

My new 'do' from the side. SO SHORT!!!

JUST A LITTLE EXCITED!!!

 I went immediately and posted my hair off to the people at Pantene's Beautiful Lengths Campaign. [insert photo of me with my hair in a bag ready to post - yes this photo is MIA too].  I had a hilarious conversation with the guy at the post office. When I explained what I was posting, to whom and why he showed all his fellow staff and some of the customers too. He was such a sweet guy. I was pretty happy that I had brought awareness to these project, some people had never heard of the donating hair idea before.

THe little money box you get in the pack given to you from World Greatest Shave! :)

The Hair colour for Worlds Greatest Shave.

Even Better I reached WELL over my goal! :) Awesome huh? 

I was so pleased that I could support two FANTASTIC organisations who make such a difference to people with Cancer.

A few weeks after I sent my hair in to Pantene I got a beautiful letter in the mail thanking me for the donation of my luscious locks. I felt very appreciated and was also super glad I didn't send it to the wrong place. talk about an awkward misdirect if that happened. i can just imagine it now... "honey, there was a package in the mail... i think its human hair! OMG!!! WHYYYYY?" (maybe I just have an over active imagination! hehehe).

I have to admit that my hair is growing back pretty fast. I measured it before it was cut off and discovered it grew at about 1.5cm a month. Seeing as its been a few months since I posted I am back to having medium length hair. And i can finally tie it back wihtout having to pin it a hundred places.

So what else have I forgotten to share? Lets not beat around the bush, it was quite probably a lot!

I went to Wales, UK for a friends wedding and while I was in Europe I managed to also visit friends in Germany. Plus I went to France and England. So lovely, these places are.

Then I had my 30th Birthday party. Sheesh I'm starting to feel old! hehehe.

On the work front I did a crazy work week (on top of my usual work week) when the people I work for had a National Triennial Conference that was last held in Perth ... 20 years ago. I have never worked so hard in my whole life. And it took me about 3 weeks to recover.

I also went to the CWA (Country Women's Association) State Conference. I was a delegate. I had no idea what I was doing. I WAS, however, under the watchful eye of some of the long standing members of the branch, so I couldn't get up to too much mischief. Sadly. At the conference Mum was installed as the new CWA of WA State Community Co-ordinator, of which I am very proud of her. I have spent a bit of time helping mum with this role. Taking mum and her stuff to and from CWA House in the city and bringing things home again. Helping her pack shelves. Being her chauffeur. I have made a whole lot of "Thank you" cards for her to give to all those who have donated time, money and 'things' to CWA since she started the role in June. And if you think I make only a couple, I made a dozen to start with and she has already used almost all of them. So time to get back to making thank you cards for her to pass on, I think.

I have been rather unwell. Suffering from extremely painful Endometriosis and pelvic adhesions. I have recently spent a LOT of time in bed or in front of the heater with a heat pack on and under large doses of pain relieving medication.

The next exciting thing is that I am going to Sydney, NSW, for a conference ... TONIGHT!!! Squeeee! Excited! :) I will be gone for 10 whole days. So my life is a little rushed at the moment.

I have been putting together some things for Sustainable September too. So forgive me if they are very short. I am working on them before the conference starts.

I hope this finds you all well.
Much love,
Daena 

30 years young and celebrating 6 years of kindness

Hi everyone,
So it turns out that the posts I have been putting up through the app have not been working for some reason. So sorry to have missed these posts. I will try and copy them and get them back up to date in the future. :)
You didn't even get to see my short hair (well in the picture below you might but not yet the one straight after the "Big Snip")! :( I will rectify this as soon as possible.

If you want to catch up with good news stories and Kindnesses alike on a daily basis, please check out the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/365daysOfKindness, my sister helps my update this regularly... well more regularly than here!

On Thursday I had my 30th Birthday. It was busy and involved kindness for others as well as the fact I got thoroughly spoiled. I am completely blessed with the friends, family, acquaintances and complete strangers who wished me a Happy Birthday in their own ways.

My birthday is always an anniversary of sorts. This is originally how this project got off the ground. I wanted people to do kind things (and i gave everyone a year to do it) for me & my birthday and then I would share it all. It didn't go to plan, but it was still beautiful.

6 years this project has been going. People have been doing kindnesses for others and themselves under the guise of this project. It means the world to me that people have taken Project 25 and 365days of kindness and run with them in their own lives. I like to think even though they may not blog about it, like it do, others are doing the 365days of kindness, or 52 weeks of kindness, or 26 fortnights of kindness or 12 months of kindness. Expressing kindness and sharing this journey with me.

I just want to wish you all a happy Anniversary. Kindness is still a priority for me. A daily one.

I do have to be honest, I have fallen off the wagon though... the recording wagon. I stopped writing the kindnesses down on a daily basis. Which is not what I had intended, however i have not stopped my kindnesses. They are so ingrained into my nature now, i do not think i could stop even if i wanted to! hahahah! What a way to live! :)

I hope this finds you all well! :)

Love Daena x

Another type of kindness...

Hey everyone. 

I need your help. 

I've signed up to the worlds greatest shave for next week. I'm NOT going to shave my head but cut off most of my long locks to give to wig makers for cancer sufferers AND then colour what's left of my hair for the Worlds Greatest Shave for people with leukemia. 

I need your help to raise the $500+ I've signed up to raise. I was sick last week so didn't get a chance to share my plans with you. You can donate online at www.worldsgreatestshave.com  

You just have to type in Daena Guest in the "sponsor" section. I'm an 'individual' not a group or team This is my first time volunteering to do this! 

My hair grows super fast, to the frustration of some, but I thought I would actually use that awesome super power for good & hit two birds with one stone*. So please help me to raise money to keep a family together whilst one of them is receiving treatment for blood cancer. 

Cancer is a big deal in my family, breast cancer being the worst and affecting almost all of the women in my family (most of them on my mums side - including my mum). And the wigs make a difference to women who loose their hair due I cancer treatments. So if you or someone you know would also like to donate hair to make wigs Pantene Beautiful Lengths is one way to do it! http://www.beautifullengths.com.au/?gclid=CMXw8LCHt8MCFQYAvAodnj4AOQ 

Thank you so much for helping me out. So far it looks like this will all happen on Friday 13th March (this coming Friday). I really appreciate your help raising money to help out others in need. 

Thanks again, 

love Daena 

*no actual birds were hurt in the making of this post! 

So many things to say... (but maybe I need a better title)

Hey everyone,
So I've been a busy little bunny.

This year so far has been filled with weddings, anniversaries, funerals, birthdays, catching up with friends, and continuing to get healthy.

I got my contract renewed for all of this year, so I am back working for the Social Justice Unit. Which as you all know, is a passion for me. Doing things for others, and creating kindness in everything. Plus its nice to get paid! heheheh.


I am still working on my kindnesses. This year I was introduced to a "Charity" that I hadn't heard of before. I was introduced to Days for Girls. Days for Girls is groups of people all over the world (there is a group right here in Perth, Western Australia), who are committed to providing girls in third world countries access to feminine hygiene products, so that they don't miss school. I ripped this next bit straight from the international webpage...

What is Days for Girls?

Every girl in the world deserves education, safety, and dignity. We help girls gain access to quality sustainable feminine hygiene and awareness, by direct distribution of sustainable feminine hygiene kits, by partnering with nonprofits, groups and organizations, by raising awareness, and by helping  communities around the world start their own programs. Thanks to a global grassroot network of thousands of volunteers and supporters on 6 continents, we have reached women and girls in 76 countries on 6 continents.  It's working. You can help us reach the rest.

Imagine…

What if not having sanitary supplies meant DAYS without school, DAYS without income, DAYS without leaving the house? Girls use leaves, mattress stuffing, newspaper, corn husks, rocks, anything they can find...but still miss up to 2 months of school every year. It turns out this issue is a surprising but instrumental key to social change for women all over the world. The poverty cycle can be broken when girls stay in school. Learn more 

Mission:

Creating a more dignified, free and educated world through access to lasting feminine hygiene solutions. 

Days for Girls International is a grassroots 501(c)3 non-profit. Women, and girls discover their potential and self-value, are equal participants and agents of social change and are given opportunities to thrive, grow and contribute to their community's betterment while ensuring quality sustainable feminine hygiene.

Vision:

Every girl and woman in the world with ready feasible access to quality sustainable hygiene & health education by 2022.​ 

If you want to know more about the international organisation you can read more here. 

I met one of the Perth Days for Girls representatives at a talk she gave a group of CWA ladies, including my mum, sister and I. She told us all about what Days for Girls needed and what we could do to help. So some of my kindnesses over this last month has been providing some of the things she, and her fellow workers, need to send to girls. This in turn means that the girls go to school, instead of missing out because they are bleeding which is completely normal and healthy (gentlemen... it happens!)

The Perth Chapter are available on Facebook here and are always looking for supplies and donations (if you find a chapter of Days for Girls in your area, I suggest contacting them and finding out what they need most). 

What they do need (stuff for a pack): 
100% Cotton for the liners and Shields
Flannels/ Face Washers (bright coloured preferred over white)
Zip Lock Bags (28cm to 36cm)
Plastic Snap Fasteners (not metal)
Knickers (girls sizes 14-16 and womens sizes 8-10)
Small soaps (Hotel sized ones are perfect)
PUL - the only waterproof lining for shields that Days for Girls uses (It has limited sources so Chapters are happy to receive money for the purchase of this stuff). 
Bright Coloured fabric (100% cotton not required) to make drawstring bags to hold it all.

You can also check the website if you are inspired and start your own group or chapter. 

Apart from that, I have been doing my kind deeds everyday, sometimes more than one. It has been so busy.

Yesterday I went to my nieces 7th birthday party and helped a whole bunch of kids Ice Skate for the first or second time. I'm pretty confident on skates (years of Rollerblade as a young'en) so I could help kids, parents and toddlers alike (oh yes... the toddlers seemed the most adventurous). Happy Birthday AV! :)

I've been cleaning out my bookcases (a miracle for me) and donating books to charity and to libraries.

I've been cleaning out my clothing and donating all the stuff I don't use any more to charities and op-shops! Not to mention I have been going op-shopping and buying clothes from there. Reusing and recycling are kindnesses to the planet.

I helped a friend, who lives out of town get her musical instrument back from a group she lent it too a while ago. Because she lives out of town, I went a picked it up and stored it at my house until she was back in town. 

I helped create decorations for my sisters "Love Boat themed" valentines day birthday party.Happy Birthday V! :)

That beautiful life preserver I made from a $2 swim ring and a whole roll of Masking tape and a roll of red Gaffa tape

I spent time and money sourcing and buying knickers, flannels, cloth, soaps and other things for Days for Girls. I know I mentioned Days for Girls already but my sister, mum and i have been working with other interested people to get a range of stuff to the Perth organiser. Here are some of the things we have acquired between us.

Photo from the Days for Girls Perth facebook page: Fabrics from the CWA ladies, money and kickers from people of the hills (near where my sister lives). Mum and i dropped this delivery off on Saturday.

Bright face washers (I bought at IKEA) and the 9 packs of unpacked knickers (from K-mart), my next door neighbour supplied all the hotel soaps, my sister supplying all the other knickers in the photo.  Plus there were Snap lock bags not in photo which my sister also got. These were taken to Days for Girls Perth HQ on valentines day.

I bought and donated wool to be made into blankets for Wheelchairs for Kids, Nursing homes and for homeless people. 

Not to mention working and having a social life. This year I have been making a concerted effort to see people and catch up with old friends. 

Last year I was basically in hibernation with all the stuff that happened then. Dad passing away, mums cancer and her surgery, some personal issues of my own, not to mention trying to function as an ordinary human. Its been pretty full on this last year. But I'm so glad its over. 

Good things did happen though. I saw my Best friend Tanya get married to her now, hubby, Isaac and in a week they will be celebrating their first wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary! :) 

I got a 3 month contract for work in the Social Justice Unit of the Uniting Church, which turned into a 6 month contract and that has now extended again! YAY! I work with some amazing people! Pretty awesome there. 

We got a 'new' car. Our little blue baby had to go to Car Heaven after dying quite spectacularly. Our 'new' car is Silver and can hold a lot more stuff than the little blue one... which has been a blessing getting big things from the shops! So i have been trying to look after it better, hence the photos of me washing it on new years day ! we have had it for about 11 months now... time flies so fast. 

Like I said... so much to say...   and I know its not a day by day listing of my kindnesses, like I have done before, but at least you are seeing some of the things I'm doing. Or at least see that I'm sharing them.

Anyway, I hope this finds you all well. 
Much love, 
Daena x

An anniversary of sorts... still missing dad!

Hey everyone,
So today is the anniversary of my fathers death.Victor Guest (my dad) died one year ago.

Just after midnight this day, last year, mum & I got a phone call to say dad had passed away peacefully in his sleep. We made our way down to his nursing home, and said our good byes. My sister Vandra made the journey down from the hills, to say her own goodbye. And then we waited with him until the early hours of the morning to see him taken safely into the care of the undertakers. We watched over him like guardians.

When we eventually got home we slept badly (my sister having to sleep on the couch in our tiny house). And we woke early, after only a couple hours sleep, to make the phone calls and tell those who knew us, and dad, what happened. It was one of the longest nights/days of my life. 

But even through it all I am grateful. He is at rest. No more suffering. No more pain! It hurts for those of us left behind but it is a blessing for dads body and his spirit. I miss him. But he is a constant companion to me when I work, and spend time in the garden. Social justice and Permaculture, just two of his many and varied passions!

I miss talking to him. He would be so proud of us, working together as a strong family (those biologically related and those "add ons"). He would be proud because we are following our passions in all shapes and forms.

I'm proud to have had a dad like Victor. He helped build me into the amazing person I am today (and a modest girl too. Lol)! And I miss him, I miss him oodles. I continue to love him dearly, in new ways, for the things he taught me without me knowing it!

He taught me kindness, understanding, and generosity of spirit (all with the help of my amazing mum). He taught me that it doesn't matter what colour, race, religion, creed, sexuality,or life choices a person has made, they are still human, after all "we all bleed red blood". He taught me that everyone deserves kindness, and that is what I am trying to pass on to others too. So a part of him will live on in others, even if they never got to meet him.

So today I ask something simple of you... could you please do a kindness for a guy you've never met today, to honour his life? You don't need to tell me what you've done, just that you did it. Please? Thank you! I appreciate that! :)

Lastly, can I say, rest well Dad, you deserve the peace. See you in the next life.
Love from your little Miss Chief! Xxx