such 'romantic' gifts.

you know you are a 'old' couple when you no longer buy traditional gifts for each other.

the husband's birthday is coming up and all he asked for was a water bottle for his birthday!  he showed me a photo of his office bottle (a neon orange plastic one), and immediately I said...

"Plastic! No!"

paranoid I know, but if I can avoid plastics touching my food, I will.  besides, it's easy to get a stainless steel alternative.

he was cool with metal ones, and a quick google unveiled the Klean Kanteen!  and what do you know - its available at 2 online shops in Singapore! Actually, you can already find s/s bottles at Isetan or the major shopping centres, but the capacity is too small, usually quite ex if its the branded ones, sometimes not clear whether it's stainless steel or just aluminum (depending on the design, you have to check how the inside lining of the bottle looks).  and more often than not, the design is just ugly - with over-the-top ugly patterns on the bottle or weird shape.

since the husband uses his bottle just to hold drinking water, the normal (uninsulated) one works for his needs. plus its wide mouth for easier gulping!  I got this from the good things - delivery is free for $60 and above.  unfortunately quite a bit of their Klean Kanteen stuff are out of stock.  blessing in disguise, saved me from unnecessary spending cos I already have a stainless steel one...albeit an ugly one esp since the outside sticker is flaking off like it's having an eczema fit (yah, i don't understand why they bothered with the sticker since I think it looks nicer without it!).  i added a couple of other stuff to make up the $60 and I just hit the mark!

The Klean Kanteen is a simple, no frills, minimalist bottle which suits the hb just fine!


Remember the Nature Mill composting bin I was lusting after? just a week or 2 ago, the husband sent me an article about composting taking off in Singapore.  In that article, it mentioned about the Smart Cara - a composter that breaks down your food in 4 - 6 hours!!!! Not even the already super fast 2 weeks taken by Nature Mill!

The Smart Cara (known as the Food Cycler in the US/Canada market) does not use the true microbial composting process.  It merely SUPER speeds up the decomposing process  by heating it up and breaking it into smaller pieces.  but it works well for me - a balance btw convenience and yet doing my small part for the environment.

The best part is that Smart Cara does not need any sawdust, nor baking soda!  no need to balance your greens and browns!  and you can compost anything (except for tough bones with pork and beef as you might damage the bucket), and they recommend not to put too starchy food in (e.g. rice, potates) and too much high sugar stuff (e.g. fruits) cos' it will turn out a mess in the bucket.  In korea there is some volume based disposal system, so the Smart Cara also helps families reduce the waste from their kitchen (and pay less disposal fee).

For me, I want to reduce my food wastage and reuse/recycle some of the kitchen scraps like vegetables, eggs, fruits scrap, coffee beans, tea leaves, etc.  As I am using it as compost for my soil, I don't use cooked/seasoned food in the SC as the salt levels will be too high for my plants.   so in a way, you still need to roughly know how to 'balance' your composting if you are reusing the compost for your plants.

Within a few hours of reading about the Smart Cara, the husband agreed to get it for me and I placed an order!:) So fast right!  So here it is!  My advanced birthday present! A compost bin!!!! soooooo unromantic i know! but I'm so thrilled!   Maybe I can restart my juicing again...;)

I have been using it for 3~4 times already and I love it so far!  Will post an post on it later!

coconut oil!

so there is a huge rave on coconut oil in recent years.  after being bashed for being unhealthy previously, now coconut oil is all the rage!  from cooking to applying to your skincare and even making toothpaste!

while i try to use simpler and natural products, i'm not that hardcore.  I went to a DIY skincare workshop before and while interesting, I'm not a fan of using oils as a cleanser (aka oil pulling cos' i don't like the feeling/texture) and prefer not to have vinegar in my skincare (no matter how much it is promoted...i really don't like the smell in general.  smells like wet clothes...and not in a good way).  ok, i digress from the topic of coconut oil... 

skincare made from mostly food! almond oil, coconut oil, brown sugar, oats, flour, etc. Vinegar, clay and essential oils too. 

so the reason why i got interested in coconut oil again was cos' of Jabba! My sister's adopted pug. Yes, what would you know!  a dog!! hahaha...this is a photo of the silly boy.:)  Pugs are not exactly my favourite, but he has a easy going personality and super affectionate in his clumsy way!  plus he likes me...so.....;)  then again, he likes EVERYONE!

Jabba! a happy dog!

I was dog sitting him a couple of weeks ago.  and Jabba always had an immensely STRONG dog smell (even my old boy Twinkle who passed away a few months ago doesn't smell as bad as him!).
I reckon cos' he has skin issues right from the beginning.  And while it has tremendously improved and is under control,  it is still not the best.  maybe food allergies causing his skin issues which contributes to his really strong smell.  even bathing every 3 days or so only lessens the smell for a while...and it isn't sooo good to bath your dogs too often too.  cos' you strip it of its natural oils. 

long story short, I noticed that Jabba had dry skin and someone who smelt him said he may have some yeast infection, so i did a quick google and coconut oil came up.  I have heard quite a bit about coconut oil and it being used on dogs, so since I had some, I applied on smelly boy....and WHAT WOULD YOU KNOW!!! His doggy smell lessen IMMEDIATELY!  no kidding!!!

i was a bit worried he will be all oily and smell like coconut oil (aei..i'm not exactly a fan of it...sometimes I don't mind it, sometimes I like it, and sometimes I don't like it....it depends on my mood), but strangely, he didn't feel the least bit oily (he has short fur though!), and no coconut smell! at least a very weak scent. I think his body odor and coconut oil cancelled each other out!

I'm super super surprised cos' it's super simple yet works where nothing else has!  of cos' it works for Jabba's dry skin and probably yeast infection....and merely controls the smell (he still has to go for food allergies test to get to the root of the problem).  best part? if he licks himself, I don't worry cos' not poisonous! in fact coconut oil can be ingested (in small amts lah)!

even my parents noticed Jabba didn't smell so bad! so when he went home, a bottle of coconut oil went home with him! ;)

Jarrow coconut oil has a nice coconut scent. CocoNurture has 2 versions...this is the 'milder' version good for baking and cooking.  haven't tried it yet...so can't tell.  but I do like that it's in a glass bottle! easier to dispense as well.  

if you are keen to try, do find one that is unrefined and expeller or cold pressed cos' the nutrients are retained and not damaged.   organic is preferable. but that's up to you.  I got the Jarrow coconut oil (organic and expeller pressed) on iherb - it has a nice rich coconut oil smell and smells quite good actually (as long as it's not applied on my body. yes i'm weird like that).   Definitely recommended!

p/s:  If you are shopping on iherb, please don't get the cococare one! it's cheaper, but smells weird and I suspect has been highly processed. if you want the benefits of coconut oil, get the jarrow one instead! I tried both before...and Jarrow is leaps and bounds better!

i personally don't recommend this brand.  esp after I tried the Jarrow one! 

Before you buy online, pop by to your local supermarket and check the price!  It might be cheaper at your supermarket! again, look for one that is unrefined and expeller or cold pressed!

there are many applications for coconut oil....you can DIY a super easy sugar scrub with just coconut oil and brown sugar, bake and cook with it (i used it for baking my granola!), use it in your own DIY toothpaste (you can google it! I'm not keen on that idea..), use it on your dog, or use it as a body oil! (I don't recommend applying on the face as coconut oil is supposedly comedogenic.  if you really want to apply on your face, please do your own research k!  cos' our face is super delicate and needs to be lovingly treated! ;)

composting. part 2!

after being all fired up about actually maybe composting, i went online to find a nice bin to see if i can get more motivated! ideally, small, un-obstructive and decent looking! and it should have some aeration so that the bin gets sufficient oxygen and doesn't end up smelling like a hot mess due to anaerobic process. 

couldn't find one that fit my requirements, and then I stumbled upon Naturemill!  GOSH! it seems EXACTLY suited for apartment composting!!!!

1. decently sized
2. looks sooooo slick
3. compost in 2 weeks!!! instead of months!!!

BUT it works on electricity though - it uses it to speed up the process by heating up the food wastes to the optimal temperature for composting and also it aerates it by churning the insides (this helps introduce oxygen and reduce the bad smell).

take a look at these pretties!!! if you see what's currently available for apartment compost bins (which ain't many), these are real stunners!  yes yes, i'm a geek.  I actually lust over a compost bin!!! 

 

Traditional Way

• during the compost class, we were told to layer greens and browns - to allow aeration and also probably to ensure the water is better mixed and not all gooey cos' water cuts oxygen and in the absence of the vital oxygen, it turns into an anaerobic mess...which means stink bomb! 

• also, it was recommended to  avoid adding meat to the bin. technically you could - but it was recommended NOT to add it in - to prevent rodents and insects.  

• and if you could, it was good if you could turn the compost every 2 wks or monthly...just to have everything mixed well, aerated (so it doesn't stink) and to speed up the composting process. 

• a bit of skill required for composting as you need to balance your 'greens' and 'browns', know when the aerate to ensure sufficient oxygen so your bin doesn't stink.   

• 2 to 3 bins.  cos' compost takes a while to breakdown, so you probably need more than a bin. 

• patience.  about 3-6 months generally for a home compost...cos' you need your pile to 'heat' up and for the bacteria and stuff to break it down. 

Naturemill

• you don't need to layer greens and browns.  you simply just throw your scraps anytime! the machine will churn and do its thing.   BUT you do need to add sawdust and baking soda to balance the compost and help the process along. also to reduce the smell. there is btw, a charcoal filter in Naturemill's machine! 

• you CAN add meat (cos' it is securely covered and the heat in the bin ensures the bacteria level is safe or something along those lines.  so.....)  BUT they recommend avoiding citrus, brocooli and certain food to avoid a stink bomb in your home. 

• you don't have to add any newspapers (I wasn't particularly keen on newspaper cos' of the ink..which may be lead based). you have to add sawdust or pellets.  if you have a carpenter friend, you can ask for sawdust waste...or you could use hamster bedding... or cat litter pellets (pee wee i think shd work fine!) 

• FAST! 2 wks and you get compost! instead of ~3 MONTHS via the traditional way.  so you don't need more than 1 compost bin!  

• Fuss free - throw in your scraps anytime. 

• Runs on electricity so you have to keep it indoors. it works outdoors too if you have an electrical outlet! and fingers crossed no one steals your bin from you! it's a possibility! 

Isn't it amazing!  but alas, the cost is high for me.  It's actually decently priced, but after conversion to SGD and the shipping costs, it is something that i have to mull about and lust after in my dreams for the moment.  One day i will get it!

after I saw the Naturemill bin, I personally reckon you don't really need to go for a lesson on composting! (i could have saved that SGD 80 and contributed to the bin hor...but ok lah. take it as an excursion with the hb)  you can if you are geeky and wanna learn more, connect with fellow greenies. if your main purpose is to reduce waste / compost for your garden or herbs and not so much interaction (aka anti social...which i am) - then I reckon you can just go ahead and get this beauty!  

the traditional method works great if you have your own land and enough space and HUGE loads to compost.  In Singapore, that's rare. I live in a apartment with the husband and don't have THAT much food waste to compost, and have limited space.  smell is also an issue cos' of the enclosed area, and stink bomb will really suck! 

composting! part 1.

you know the tons of fruit / food scraps you get each time you prepare or finish your meals?  every time I see the amount of fruit peelings left after preparing the husband's fruit lunch box, I feel a twinge of guilt as I throw it into the garbage.  living in a city and apartment - you don't learn how to recycle your food cos' mostly it goes down the rubbish chute...

photo from http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/

Recycling paper, plastics and other stuff?  in recent years, it's SOOO easy - recycle bins are all over the place and there is one literally a stone's throw away ( i have to throw the stone really hard...but yah. you know. very near).

Electronic waste? a bit harder...but a quick google and I found a bin in a nearby community centre!!! :)  i rather the items be recycled than collecting dust in my drawers. No use to anyone languishing there...

but FOOD? ney. nothing. na-da.  it always goes into the trash (except for the ground coffee beans...those go to my plants!).   I read and even you-tubed about composting before but just couldn't get round to it cos'

1. the smell!

• basically the idea of food decomposing/breaking down.... you probably know that smell when the rubbish collector whizz by in their machine or when you pass by a hawker centre's waste dispoasal area - WOAH! no thanks!

2. the bin.  

• WHERE to put it. indoors? YUCK. i rather not. outdoors? okay...i think i can put it somewhere outside.....if unobstructive  (i live in a HDB aka pigeon hole in the sky.  apartment living doesn't give you that outdoor space where you can safely put it so that the smell doesn't get to you...and the idea of something decomposing....) 
• AESTHETICS of the bin.  Yes, call me shallow, but i realllllyyyy don't get motivated if something's really unmotiviationg to look at.  
• SIZE of the bin. can't be too big cos' space is limited!

3. the idea

• well, you know. the idea of it in general.  it's okay to mess it up, but the messing up literally will STINK! and I (or the husband) will have to clean the stinky mess up!

so when I learnt about the Urban Food Farm lessons organized by Edible Garden City, I dragged the poor husband along for 2-days morning lessons over the weekend for the class on composting! (hey! better than sleeping in over the weekend right and someone stuck to the tablet watching tv series?;) )

The lesson was held at Growell Pop up @ Rowell Road.  Once you enter the quaint space, you are greeted by a amazing smell. shelves flanking both walls and rows and rows of microgreens! it just smells wonderful especially in the early morning. You kindda feel you stepped into a forest..that kinda scent.

you are greeted by shelves of greens and a wonderful aroma as you step in. 

Lesson was about an hour, followed by Q&A and a quick look at a compost heap they had at the back of the shophouse.   Much of the info can be learnt online...but you do get interesting info and tips along the way about composting and also gardening in general. the Q&As is also the time where you can bombard the speaker with questions.  If you are shy, don't worry - the other gardening enthusiasts will do the asking for you!:) and good questions too as quite a few of them are quite involved in the green movement!

Day 2 was held at Minden Road - Edible Garden City is creating a edible garden complete with huge ass compost bins for a upcoming restaurant 'Community Food Farm'.  It would be interesting to go back and see it when it's ready in May/ June!   We were taught to make a compost bin using materials around us...and after just an hour in the sun, I was completely depleted...and dying to leave!  I absolutely have no stamina....plus  i don't enjoy taking instructions esp if it could be done faster and more efficently.   As usual  the hb had more patience than me and gamely took it as it came...and i was getting grouchy. Yah....i have an attitude at times. 

All in all, it was an interesting course. Worth attending if you have the interest and time.  Wait for part 2 when i get round to writing as i chanced upon a wayyyyy easier and faster way to compost!

A church nearby...so unlike Singapore! So much greenery around, unblocked view of the skies and an old quaint building!

lesson starting