Hartley's Crocodile Park

Crocodiles of all shapes and sizes were lurking in the water between the reeds and hiding in shadows as we ate a delicious lunch of fresh seafood and 'dinosaur' burgers which in actual fact were crocodile burgers...

Where were we you ask? Hartley's Crocodile Adventures in Stunning Port Douglas in Top North Queensland. In the last few days of our most recent trip to Queensland we took Amelie to experience crocodiles, snakes and other less dangerous Australian wildlife. I must say she was fearless. Running to be the first of the line to pet the giant snakes and spending almost an hour with the baby crocodiles.

She referred to the kangaroos as her friends and insisted on returning to them. I feel so blessed that I was lucky enough to be taken there on an adventure with my parents. She was really able to get up close and personal with the animals. She could see what they felt like, how they reacted to her and how they live in their natural environments. It is so much more of a learning experience than going to the zoo. Getting to see the crocodiles leap out of the water, nestling her head in to the soft fur of a kangaroo, running her hands over the scaly slithery skin of a giant snake all the while listening to the calls of native Australian birds and breathing in the fresh smell of Eucalyptus from the Gum trees in the surrounding rainforest. What a way to stimulate the senses and get in touch with nature.

I honestly give this place a 10 out of 10. (This has never happend before on this blog!)

The food in Lillies restaurant on site was excellent. There were ample highchairs for the little ones. We were able to hire a good quality stroller for the day for only €5 which could be picked up and dropped of at the entrance and exit so was no hassle whatsoever.  The changing facilities were also immaculate. The staff really made the day.

We love the commitment Hartley's have to the environment, they are a conservation park who are committed to conserving crocodile populations in Australia, they re-vegetate and work in harmony with the World Heritage forest that borders the park. They provide a natural sanctuary for many of Australia's rarer flora and fauna species. Hartleys are accredited for providing Eco Tourism and we just love that!

From the second we arrived and purchased our tickets we felt so welcome. We were greeted by smiling staff and that is all we saw all day. The people that work here obviously love their jobs. In particular we loved Wade the park ranger who was working on our boat tour. He had kids himself and was really having the craic with the small children on our tour. This is really a great action packed day for the whole family but also set in such a relaxing and stunning part of Australia that it is easy to find time to relax in between all of the animal encounters.

Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures is located just off the Captain Cook Highway at Wangetti. You can enjoy a spectacular scenic drive between Cairns and Port Douglas, 40 minutes north of Cairns and 20 minutes south of Port Douglas. If you are visiting Top North Queensland this place is a must!

Love the Yummy Mummies and the Jetsetting Babies

xxx

Lets talk travel mugs... again x

 

OK so have been 'off line' for a while but here we are back and blogging. No promises that I will get in more than one a week but that is my plan for now. Some new and updated reviews in the pipeline. We will bring back our Dublin Events Page and launch a London Events Page too... but for now lets talk travel mugs and me!

Not all that long ago I jumped on the travel mug band wagon. It was the boring silver type with a black lid. It did the job right but it didn't look all that me, I love a little colour in my life. So recently it broke, I recycled it and got super excited about getting a new travel mug.

I spotted these gorgeous ceramic travel mugs in Urban Outfitters around Christmas time. One of those things I should have just got there and the patterns are adorable. I thought that I would shop around a little more but nothing topped these until I was in good old Oxfam and found a simple but funky ceramic travel mug. Buy of the year I reckon... It's just like these ones only its plain white with a red band and a red top, seeing I'm trying a little to move away from pink and bring red back into my wardrobe its perfect, a little retro or something...

The first time I posted about my travel mug I gave you the math so here it is again

The Math –

If I got 1 take away coffee a week (and well let’s face it, it’s usually three) for a whole year I have saved by using my travel mug between 52 – 156 paper cups, and 52 – 156 plastic lids from ending up in landfill.

I also urged everyone who hasn't got themselves a good travel mug to do so and this little change in your life could make a big difference to our earth. It's a change I made a year ago and I haven't looked back just re-styled that's all :)

You can buy a huge range of travel mugs from Urban Outfitters online at www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk/gifts-+amp-novelties/mugs/icat/mugs/

Angi xxx

Mama Loves an Eco-friendly Christmas...

Christmas can be such a wasteful time, that is not what it is all about at all... over the next few weeks I will try to post a few of my favourite tips for keeping it green this Christmas, to get the baubles rolling here are a couple of pics that have given me a little inspiration this festive season....

I absolutely love love love this, combining the silver candle holders and adding pine cones, so simple and so effective, a perfect table centre piece.

This is so subtle and cute, I adore it because it doesn't scream CHRISTMAS it whispers Christmas ever so quietly.

I'm loving the red and white tea set, very candy cane and the baubles make a cute way to serve delicious chocolate or fudges on Christmas day!

I found this image at www.furniturehomedesign.com

Pop over to this site for and endless list of amazing eco- ideas, I just love it, so inspirational! I think this particular tree could be great in the garden and wouldn't it be pretty if tea lights were placed at the end of each branch instead of lights... ooh magical!

Loads more Christmas to come soon...

Love the Yummy Mummies and The Jestestting Babies

xxx

Eco Tip - 10 ways to reuse yougurt containers

Good morning everyone, I have not done a good eco-post in a long time, so I though that it was a great day to start the week. I recently found myself getting a little creative in re-using yogurt containers of different shapes and sizes. Amelie has a variety of different yogurts that come in differ sized pots, I also eat yogurt that comes in large pots with lids. Taking them to the beach is her favourite or using them in water play. I have also recently started finger painting with her at home and using yogurt tubs as paint pots or to hold glitter (or the bits of paper from the  hole punch) she can crate master pieces that are now suck all over our house.

Ten ways to reuse yogurt containers…

1.     Small yogurt containers are perfect mini paint pots or holders for brushes for the budding artists

2.     Take a bunch of them to the beach and let your child fill them with sand and rock I guarantee it will keep them amused for hours

3.     Use them in the bath or in larger tubs for water play

4.     Homemade music makers, for small babies just pop in a few popping corns or a bit of rice, stick on the lid or cover the top and you have a homemade rattle.

5.     Larger Yogurt containers with lids can be fantastic for storing crayons, paint brushes, glitter, beads and strings

6.     As mini pots for planting seeds and seedlings

7.     Donate them to your local school to be used in arts and crafts

8.     Use them to make giant ice cubes to keep food or drinks in a cooler cold

9.     Use them to make icy poles in the freezer

10.  Use them to store snack and food in the fridge

*For the last two keep an eye on the type of plastic, be aware that we now know that BPA found in certain plastics may be harmful. We also know that heating any type of plastic not specifically designed for the microwave can be dangerous so do not expose these containers to high heat and stick to plastics with recycle numbers 1, 2, 4 or 5 for food storage.

 

If you would like to read more of our eco tips pop on over to our Eco Love page and please send us any suggestion you have, we would love to hear them.

Have a lovely green day,

Love and smiles, the Yummy Mummies and the Jetsetting Babies

xxx

Eco-Tip #5 - The Creative Reuse

Hi Everyone, I haven't posted an eco-tip in a while but I was inspired as a friend shared a great re-use idea with me over coffee this week so here we go re-using ideas for your home...


Everyone by now has heard the words reduce, reuse and recycle and tried to incorporate the idea into different aspects of their life, I would like to share just a few of my 're-use' ideas with you... I hope you will share some with me too as I am always loving new and creative ways to reuse!

Egg Cartons - Tara and I both take our empty cartons down to the Coco Farmers Markets in Dun Laoghaire to be reused by local farmers, find your local markets I am sure there are farmers that would make great use of your egg cartons for you!

Tissue boxes - If a box is emptied I keep it and have so many in my house being used to create dividers in drawers and cupboards or to store things that don't really have a home...


Glass Bottles and Jars - Can be used for so many different things I have swing top bottles I use for water in the fridge, old cola bottles I use in the kitchen for olive oils and vinegars, filled with pine cones or shells they can make a lovely ornament, large jars a perfect for storing rice or pasta, small jars can be used for storing buttons or screws


Chipped crockery - Old Mugs and bowls can be used to store things like pens or hair clips. You could also use them for small plants on your window sills or outside, chipped plates can be used under pot plants too.


Old clothing - Not fit to be donated can be used as dusting or cleaning rags


Yogurt tubs - This one is a new idea given to me by a friend Katie I can't wait to try it... re-use empty yogurt containers to freeze fruit juices for your toddlers, they are the perfect mini popcicle size

If you would like to read more visit our Eco Love page,

Angi xxx

A fabulous weekend at Peas and Pods

Last week I posted about Peas and Pods Market in the Dublin Food Co-op. It was my first time going to the market but I can say that I will be back the next time, no questions asked.

What a totally brilliant day, I do not even know where to being maybe by recounting the chilled and relaxed atmosphere that oozed from the markets the moment we walked in. I went in with a friend and her son and we really had no idea what to expect.  The market is located in the Dublin Food Co-op which in itself was a wonderful experience, Katie and I picked up some tasty organic food for ourselves and the babies and we were both really impressed at how reasonable the prices were, they beat Tesco any day!

I was blown away by the market stalls belonging to different mothers with different ideas from eco-friendly baby products and birthday decorations to hand made booties, shoes and clothing. It was quite inspiring to see so many mothers with their own businesses managing to be successful and do such a wonderful job at parenting.

There were so many activities for toddlers and children. Amelie and her friend Hugo began with a sing-a-long lead by the gospel choir all of the favourites, twinkle twinkle, row row row your boat and some new ones too, the choir were singing in aid of Bernardos and it was great to see the little ones having such a great time and supporting a well-deserved charity at the same time.

After a lunch break and some delicious pizza’s Amelie had a try at getting her face painted, after just a minute she was squirming away so I gave up and took her to an activity she would enjoy a little more. A baby dance and music class where she got to have another dance and make a lot of noise with different instruments.  

Baby Wearing Ireland were in attendance with a wide selection of slings to try or buy, I did spend a lot of time at their stall but it is a great reason to go to the next Peas and Pods Market. The next Peas and Pods Market will be held in the Dublin Food Co-op on the 3^rd of April. If you are looking for a really great day out, a chance to meet  some new people, eat some good food and have fun with your babies and toddlers!

Amelies face was painted by Elder Trindade, he was wonderful with the children on various ages and the face painting was brilliant, I got chatting to him and guess what he is on blogspot too so if you are looking for something different for your next party check him out!

www.eldertrindade arts.blogspot.com

 

Eco Friendly Tip # 4 - Water for life

Hi Everyone, here is another eco tip for you and a few facts about the worlds water supply. I'll be honest this is not the most upbeat happy blog to start the weekend with but maybe when you try a few of these water saving tips at home you can feel happy and upbeat that you are making a difference to the world.

‘Nearly 70 percent of the world’s fresh water is locked in ice. Most of the rest is in aquifers that we’re draining much more quickly than the natural recharge rate. Two-thirds of our water is used to grow food with 83 million more people on earth each year, water demand will keep going up unless we change how we use it’ – NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC APRIL 2010

Growing up in Adelaide, Australia the driest state in the driest continent in the world, I was always aware of how much water I used. I knew what water restrictions were and water was always something that you paid for. In Ireland where is seems to rain more often than it is dry it is easy to forget how important conserving water is if not for myself but for the generations to come. I did a bit of reading to refresh myself on good practices to use in the home to conserve water.

1.       Ensure there are no dripping taps anywhere in your home check and mend faucets often

2.       Test your toilets for leaks too… try adding a few drops of food colouring to the water in the tank but do not flush the toilet. Watch to see if the colouring appears in the bowl within a few minutes if it does you know your toilet has a leak that needs to be repaired.

3.       Instead of running the cold tap until it is icy cold to drink fill up several bottle and keep one in the fridge you will always have chilled water and you will save a phenomenal amount

4.       When you are waiting for the water to run hot use a bowl to catch the water and use it to water plants, brush your teeth or for your pets.

5.       Always make sure your dishwasher or washing machine is full before you use it and use the lowest water settings available.

6.       Don’t use too much water when cooking vegetables, steam where possible not only will you save water but the nutrients will be locked in the vegetable rather than lost in the water.

7.        Install a water efficient shower head, they are easy to install and can halve the amount of water used in each shower saving thousands of litres of water not to mention reducing your power bill too.

8.       Do not let the tap run while you are brushing your teeth or shaving

9.       Water your garden early morning and late evening to reduce the amount of water that can be evaporated during the day.

10.   Try using a little less water each day in your child’s bath, bath children together and when they are old enough teach them to shower if you have a water efficient shower head it will save more water than if they have baths. Or get a bath divider you can save 20L of water per bath – My Aunt in Australia had one and I’ve yet to find one in Ireland I am currently looking at a brand called Tomy but just trying to find it… even online? If any of you knows where I can get one let me know :)

There are children living in this world who do not have enough fresh water to drink, in fact one out of eight people lacks access to clean water. We are lucky that we live in a place where we do not have to worry about providing the basics for our children. Water is a precious resource that should be valued by everyone it is a privilege not a right and we should be conscious to save every drop wherever we can, as cliché as it sounds every little helps.

Love the Yummy Mummies and the Jetsetting Babies
xxx

Eco Friendly Tip # 3 – Goodbye Chemicals, Hello Lemons and Lavender

Chemicals are everywhere in the home, when it comes to cleaning it is so easy to go overboard and fill our cupboards with a different spray, gel or soap for every different problem We can become obsessed with disinfecting and sterilising everything.  How healthy can this be for our children? Older generations survived without all the chemicals and cleaning products in fancy, over engineered, heavily packaged plastic bottles and so can we. Here are a few tips to help you eradicate the chemicals from your home and make for a clean, green and healthy environment for your children to grow and play in.

There are some great eco-products on the market and I will dedicate a blog to some of the best ones available in Dublin soon. First I want to go back to the basics and give you a few hints on cleaning the home without chemicals. Baking soda and Vinegar can clean most things and are essential in keeping your home sparkling, lemons can help remove odours and essentail oils can give your home a lovely aroma not sure where to start? Read on for a few handy tips:

To clean chopping boards

Use a cloth and vinegar to disinfect and clean wooden chopping boards

To clean floors

I love to use my H20 steam cleaner on our floors. I give them a quick sweep and then fire it up. It uses steam (no chemicals) to remove dirt and even sterilise my floors. (Ok this isn’t exactly basic but I couldn’t leave it out)

To clean chrome

Use undiluted vinegar to polish clean and shine.

To remove fridge odours

Place 2 tablespoons of bicarbonate soda in an open container and leave it in the fridge, I also find a few slice of lemon left in the fridge does the trick too.

To remove grease stains in your clothing

Forget expensive satin removers full of chemicals you’ve never even heard of. Either add baking soda to the wash load or pre-treat the stain with a baking soda paste.

To clean counter tops and kitchen surfaces

Sprinkle baking soda on a damp cloth, wipe and then rinse with clean water.

Use a couple of drops of lavender oil in water in a spray bottle as a last risnse on your bench tops for a pretty fragrance in your kitchen.

To clean mirrors and glass

Mix 1-2 tablespoons of vinegar with 1 & a half of water in a spray bottle, and wipe clean with paper or a dry cloth this works so well.

To clean aluminium

Use a solution of cream of tartar and water.

To clean silver

Use toothpaste instead of toxic sliver cleaner to clean silver it will come up really well. If you want to get a great polish on your silver try boiling water with a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of baking soda in a pan lined with aluminium.

To give your house a lovely smell

Trdae in the 'glade' and chemical infused home fragrances for some essential oils diluted in water I like tea-tree or lavander best. Fresh cut lavander looks stunning and also smells so much better than anythign you can buy in the cleaning isle in the store.

The Yummy Mummy and Jetsetting Babies Eco Friendly Tip # 2

Eco Friendly Tip # 2 – Toys that ‘never die’

I read a great book while on holiday in Australia on having a green mind when you go about your day to day living of your lives. The name and author has escaped me but I promise to find out ASAP and post it in to this blog. Basically the author talked about items in their lives which lasted, ‘things that never died’. These items were ones which once purchased once did not need to be replaced for a very long time, if you could re-use and re-use an item it’s carbon footprint in less than something that you only use once and dispose of. It inspired me to try and make as many of my belongings ‘things that never die’.

When first buying toys for my daughter I realised that I had an opportunity for me to make eco-conscious purchases and buy toys that would ‘never die’. There are so many plastic bits and bobs out there that can be squashed, smashed and broken and so often there is a wooden alternative. If you purchase a wooded toy it will last the life time of your child, your children, friend’s children and even be passed down generations. (Dylan’s rocking horse is a great example, Tara’s husband found it in his Dad’s attic it looks great in their sitting room, works just as well as all the plastic rocking horses out there and not only did it not cost a cent it has close a zero carbon footprint .)

I find the ‘Melissa and Doug’ toys to be really good quality, brightly coloured educational and most importantly indestructible. Amelie loves her wooden toys. Now I won’t lie she has her share of plastic ones too but I find a little solace in my eco-conscious purchases and know that when she out grows them I can put them away for my children, grandchildren or great grandchildren to come, at best they will need a dust and a new coat of paint.

Amelie concentrating very had on her 'Melissa & Doug' stacking toy

There is a wonderful store in Stillorgan called Nimble Fingers. They are jam packed wall to wall with wooden and fabric toys for your kids. They are beautiful and reasonably priced. I can’t wait to get Amelie a doll house when she is a little older. You can even shop on line http://www.nimblefingers.ie/

Eco-Conscious Toy pointers

We all love to spoil our kids but before you rush to the shop to buy them all the newest and latest toys think about the following ideas, you might save a few bob and help out mother nature too.

-          Sometimes children will have as much fun with the pots, pans and wooden spoons do they really need a new toy, get creative around the house you’ll have fun and save money!

-          Swap toys with friends when your children get bored as opposed to buying new ones.

-          Put some toys away and bring them out again after a few weeks, it is like having new toys.

-          Raid the attic of your parents, who knows what you might find?

-          Second hand toys will only need a clean and polish and if you buy from a charity store you are giving back to your community too and helping those in need.

-          Buy toys made locally or by hand, check out your local craft markets.

-          Buy toys the will ‘never die’ made from wood or fabric

-          Donate old toys and books to a school, charity or crèche

-          Get outside and in touch with nature, far better than any toy you could imagine!

 Amelie gettig up close and personal with some of natures most beautiful toys at Adeliade Zoo

Dylan and Amelie having some fun in the park... They look like they could do with a few toys here

ha ha ha but they were actually having a great time this day enjoyng the grass and the birds they

were full of smiles, I promise!

Again, I completely plagiarised this term ‘thing that never die’ and will post the author

responsible for my inspiration as soon as I find the book again. It was a great read and clearly very inspirational.

With love,

Angi, Tara and the Jetsetting Babies