Week 1. Plastic Free Travel - What you need to pack

Like me I’m sure you’re trying to do your bit for our beautiful planet and I’m a huge believer if we all make little changes it can have a big positive impact. Like most people I try not to use single use plastic, we’re slowly making the switch in our kitchen to go plastic free and we don't use plastic bags (unless I forget and then I feel super guilty but that's just the away it is sometimes). Where I fail most dramatically is when I go on holiday and this really hit home on our most recent holiday to Mallorca. The amount of plastic bottles being sold is frightening and worse still most of that won’t end up being recycled. So over the next four weeks my good friend Jacqui Scruby is going to share her tips and hacks to traveling plastic free. Jacqui inspires me every day with her eco warrior spirit and her war against plastic. To get daily inspiration follow Jacqui on instagram @jacqui.scruby or if you want extra help to live a plastic free luxe life check out her 6 weeks online course to going plastic free www.6weekstoplasticfree.com @6weekstoplasticfree and www.jacquiscruby.com

Travelling with young children in tow has it's challenges. Add plastic free travel to the mix and it may sound like more trouble that it's worth (my husband definitely thought so). But what I thought may be challenging has turned out to be an incredibly fun journey. Travelling plastic free immerses us quickly into local life as we go on the hunt for local, sustainable and zero waste food, it teaches the children so much and is incredibly satisfying knowing we're not contributing to local plastic pollution.

So how did it all start? Like most of us, my Pinterest Board was full of pictures of Mediterranean islands - dream worthy locations with crystal clear waters. But when I started to make these Pinterest dreams a reality, a cruel irony dawned on me. I suddenly realised that the most beautiful places in Europe have the worst waste management. On the island of Vis, Croatia, we rounded a coastal bend only to find a landfill site on a cliff within 200m of the ocean, directly above where MammaMia 2 was filmed (I've since found out this is standard on most Mediterranean islands). We've seen turtles swimming through plastic and beaches covered in trash and microplastics. But - it's not just these small islands - so many places you travel from Lisbon to Sri Lanka have a plastic water bottle culture - with tourist and locals buying litres per day instead of installing water filters.

Personally, I felt I couldn't unsee the waste I'd seen whilst travelling. Couple that with knowing what I know about waste management, I wasn't comfortable contributing to it. It's become overwhelmingly important to me to show our kids that playing in sand full of microplastics is not normal but also that you can't criticise a local culture's waste management and then be part of the problem. So instead of acquiescing, we decided to embraced plastic free living both at home in London and in our travels.

Travel looks a little different now. Instead of arriving in a destination and planning visits to top restaurants as I did pre-kids - we now seek out bulk and health food shops, local markets and supermarkets. As ridiculous as it sounds, we actually get off on discovering what we can get without packaging or in glass. The kids treat it as a treasure hunt, running around markets and supermarkets to see what they can find. Every destination has it's unique challenges and unexpected bonuses which enriches our visit and provides invaluable insight into global waste management issues. Some places refuse to use our container to put meat in, other times we can't find yoghurt in glass which limits desserts. But then other times we'll walk into a supermarket and find some local homemade ice cream in glass which of course I can't say no to!

We've embraced slightly slower travel. We sit down to eat rather than grab takeaway, we remember to bring our water bottle, smoothie jar and cutlery when we're out and we take the time to go to markets or local farms. We do one beach clean where we go and also get in contact with local sustainability groups via Facebook to see if there's any support we can give and to get their tips.

We're not perfect - sometimes I give into the kids or if I feel they're really missing out I'll grab them something in plastic occasionally. Some things we still buy despite having a small amount of plastic like nut butter with a plastic lid if we can't find an alternative (after trying hard) - but all in all, we have nothing but organic waste and high quality recycling (glass, paper, metal) and NO plastic recycling as it's not readily recycled. We have hardly any waste going to landfill and I actually love leaving a place with the original plastic bag still in the bin (if I've been able to find composting for our organic waste)... and that's a great feeling when you're in places where you know waste management is, well, not managed at all.

So what about your travels? You don't need to get obsessed to make a difference. One of my favourite quotes is "the world doesn't need one person doing zero waste perfectly, but a million people doing zero waste imperfectly". So here are my tips on how to reduce your plastic consumption whilst you travel and reap the new dimension it adds to your travel and family.

What to pack

My husband is as obsessed about travelling light as I am about travelling plastic free. Somehow we've managed to reconcile these two opposing interests and take a few essentials that allow us to significantly reduce our plastic use.

Here are my must-takes for any eco-conscious traveller.

1. The 'Berkley Go' Water Filter + Water Bottles

This has to be the single best thing you can do when travelling to avoid plastic pollution - especially when in locations where you can't drink tap water. From Lisbon to Sri Lanka - people are purchasing millions of bottles of water each year when you can avoid all that plastic by simply filtering. The 'Berkey Go' filters everything from heavy metals and chemicals to parasites and bacteria. We just keep filtering and filling up our water bottles. If we're out and about and run out we either asks restaurants for filtered water or buy water in glass bottles.

I was recommending this product way before I was offered an affiliate code - but I now have one. So if you want free shipping just click here.

2. Market Bags and Tupperware

Markets across the world suffer from what I like to call 'The Market Paradox'. On one hand they are paradise for zero wasters with huge sacks of everything from nuts to rice, crates of veggies and fruit and deli cheese and meats, yet the only bags offered to put your produce in are plastic - completely undermining the plastic free potential (it drives me insane)! I always carry at least one cotton tote and four cotton bags that can be used for rice, cherry tomatoes or nuts. We also carry one tupperware container that we can take for meats or cheeses. Being the smoothie addicts we are - we don't go anywhere without our Yeti smoothie / juice jar - especially to the beach (this is the one item the kids don't complain about carrying!).

You might need to sacrifice one or two pairs of shoes to squeeze these items in but that's it!

3. Mini Blender - optional!

For the diehards out there I love my mini blender to make nut milks as it's almost impossible to find milk - dairy or no dairy in glass (tetra is the worst for recycling). It's far more efficient that an hand blender and charges with a USB on the computer! It's also great for smoothies on summer days. I bought a glass one on Amazon.

4. Toiletries - Using Less is Best

I'm all for eco alternatives to toiletries - as a lifestyle switch not just for travel - but overall the trick here is to simply take less so you're not disposing of empty bottles as you go. I refill my shampoo and conditioner at The Source Bulk Foods and then ration it out (with lots of non-washed hair days) The best advice here is try to reduce what you take. You probably don't need all your beauty products for a short holiday, or to wash your hair every day when you're swimming the whole time anyway. And of course, don't touch the small samples in hotels or the plastic cups.

Jacqui Scruby is a health coach and personal eco shopping advisor in London. She's on a mission to make zero waste and plastic free living aspirational yet also efficient, easy and effective.

Prior to having her two gorgeous girls, she was an environmental lawyer and management consultant and has also owned her own homewares business.

September

How is it September already?! If the news is anything to go by we’re in for an Indian Summer and I’m all for that as I’m not quiet ready to welcome Autumn. If you’re looking for some inspiration of what to get up to this month then look no further. Here are a few of our tops picks from all over the UK for you to check out. Enjoy x

Disco Carbonara by Martino Gamper at Coal Drops Yard

London Design Festival - London

14th-22nd September

London Design Festival celebrates and promotes London as the design capital of the world. The Festival returns to venues and institutes across the city from 14-22 September 2019. There are lots of installations, projects and events taking place all around the city, a lot of which is free and fun for all the family. During the festival there is also the London Design Fair located in the creative heart of East London, the London Design Fair is a four-day event that brings together 550 exhibitors from 40 countries, including; independent designers, established brands, international country pavilions, features and exhibitions.

Words and Source: The Design Festival for more info click here.

Photo : Matt Clayton

Open House Weekend - London

21st - 22nd September

One of our favourite events in the London calendar, Open House Weekend is a chance to go behind the scenes, on roofs and inside London buildings which are usually off-limits to the public. The full programme of over 800 buildings for this year was announced on the 20 August. The more exclusive openings need to be booked in advance and sell out almost instantly — for others, it's a case of perusing the programme, turning up during the opening hours, and being prepared to queue for your peek inside.

Source/Words Open House London for more info click here.

The London Standard - London

Now Open

Housed in the former Camden Town Hall Annex in London’s thriving King’s Cross neighbourhood, the 1974 Brutalist building has been meticulously restored and sets the perfect stage for The Standard’s first hotel outside America. The Standard, London has 266 rooms in 42 unique styles ranging from Cosy Core rooms to terraced suites with outdoor bathtubs overlooking St Pancras station. The lobby lounge, with a carefully curated library pays homage to the building’s original use, with a Sound studio hosting weekly live music and talks. Executive Chef Adam Rawson’s street facing bar, Double Standard, offers lunch, happy-hour and casual drinking and dining, while his garden restaurant, Isla, features a seasonally-driven, coastal inspired menu. Board the street level, exterior red lift directly to the 10th-floor where Chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias’ forthcoming restaurant will showcase his live fire cooking and the building’s 360-degree views of London.

Source/Words The Standard London for more info click here.

Coworth Park - Instagram

Dine under the stars - Coworth Park - Buckinghamshire

Now - until mid September

Until mid-September, country house hotel Coworth Park is hosting an al fresco summer dining concept in collaboration with Dom Pérignon. ‘Dining Under The Stars’ is a pop-up private dining concept held in Coworth Park’s Lime Grove, devised by executive chef Adam Smith. Here, guests can dine under a starry night’s sky in a geodesic dome, where the menu perfectly pairs with a hand-picked selection of Dom Pérignon. Dinner packages offer three or five courses, offering best-of-British dishes such as langoustine with tomato, kimchi and ginger; Kentish lamb kebab with buttermilk, salted cucumber and mint; BBQ veal cutlet with garden salad, pickled tongue and truffle; and Kentish mango and coconut sorbet with lime and chocolate mint. An afternoon tea is also on offer, and a telescope will be on hand during the evening sessions to allow guests to explore the galaxy.

Words and Source from Sheerluxe. For more info visit DorchesterCollection.com

York Food Festival - Instagram

York Food and Drink Festival

20th-29th September

One of the biggest foodie festivals in Britain, York Food and Drink Festival celebrates the best local and regional food and drink.

Make sure you call by for some of the best street food the region has to offer along with a huge range of product traders throughout the ten days. Festival bars will be well stocked to grab a drink from on the way to check out demonstrations from some of the best chefs York and Yorkshire has to offer.

We’ll again be hosting our Food Factory to give you the opportunity to learn more about how our food is produced, this will again feature a strong community element that engages with many local schools.

Entry to demonstrations and the Festival is free but we’ll also be putting on some exciting ticketed events in conjunction with many of our favourite local food & drink businesses.

Words and source from York Food and Drink Festival. For more info click here.

Turner Prize 2019 Nominees - Turner Contemporary Website

Turner Prize 2019 - Margate, Kent 

28 September 2019 – 12 January 2020

One of the best known prizes for visual arts in the world, Turner Prize 2019 is coming to Turner Contemporary in Margate. Every other year, the prize leaves Tate Britain and is presented at a venue outside London. Four of the most exciting artists working right now are shortlisted to win the prize based on an outstanding exhibition that has taken place in the previous year.

Words and Source Turner Contemporary for more info click here.

Mahe Padstow - Instagram

Mahé Cookery School, Cornwall

Now Open

Paul and Emma Ainsworth have opened their fourth Padstow venture, Mahé Cookery School and Chef’s Table. The cookery school, which can host up to five guests at a time, offers a space for students to develop their kitchen skills while learning how to master a selection of delicious dishes from their chosen course. Each class has been designed to ensure each student receives one-to-one time with exec chef John Walton and leaves with expert skills and know-how from his wealth of experience. Courses throughout the year include ‘Dinner Party Secrets’, ‘Sugar and Spice’, ‘Pasta Masterclass’, and ‘Bistro Cooking’. Seating ten guests, The Chef’s Table element of Mahé offers visitors the chance to witness the creation of restaurant-quality food from start to finish – and then sample it.

Words and source Sheerluxe. Visit Paul-Ainsworth.co.uk for more info.

The Gin Society - Instagram

The Gin Society Festival - Multiple locations throughtout the UK.

From the 31st August- Onwards

Friendly and sociable Gin Festivals for gin-lovers. The Gin Society brings you the opportunity to discover over 120 different Gins in a friendly and sociable environment in a beautiful venue near you. Our dedicated and approachable staff will be able to make recommendations, whilst local and national distillers will showcase their expertise and share their knowledge in masterclasses. The Gin Society brings you not only unique gins but also amazing entertainment and street food, making it the perfect night out. Source and words by The Gin Society - Eventbrite

What you can expect:

*Free Gin! A voucher for your first Gin & Tonic
*Your own Copa Glass and booklet to take home
*Access to over 120 gins, plus selected cocktails, Rums, prosecco and ales
*Gin sampling and Masterclasses from Distillers
*Live entertainment
*Street food and snacks to purchase separately
*Festival Gin Shop
*Environment friendly festival: biodegradable straws, glass and cardboard recycling.

Cavolo Nero, Roasted Courgette & Chili Linguine

Looking for some dinner inspiration? Who doesn’t love a big bowl of steaming hot pasta with a tonne of freshly grated parmesan chucked on top. Pasta for us is the ultimate comfort food so we just had to share this delicious Cavolo Nero, Roasted Courgette & Chill Linguine recipe from Erica @naturallynourishedlondon Erica is a London based Nutritional Therapist and on her blog you will find lot’s of hearty recipes, science-based health articles plus beauty & wellness tips. Take a look here Erica’s blog. Over to you Erica….

The cavolo nero, otherwise known as Tuscan kale lends itself well to this dish and provides you with all the nutritional benefits that come with cruciferous veg (see below!). The toasted pine nuts and a creamy nutty texture and the hit of spice from the chili rounds the dish off beautifully. We hope you enjoy, like, comment below and let us know if you try it. x

Prep time: 15 minutes   cook time: 25 minutes   serves: 4

INGREDIENTS

• 200g/2 cups cavolo nero ~ finely chopped with stalks removed

• 1 yellow courgette ~ sliced on the diagonal then halved again

• 1 green courgette ~ sliced as above

• 1 red onion ~ cut in to 6

• 2 red jalapeño chili ~ finely chopped

• 6 cloves of garlic ~ finely chopped

• 400g linguine

• 50g/1/3 cup of pine nuts

• 30g of parmesan ~ finely grated

• Olive oil

• Himalayan salt and pepper

METHOD

1.    Preheat oven to 200°C/180°Fan/Gas 6

2.    Place the courgette and onion into an oven-proof dish or baking tray. Evenly coat the veg with a little olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Place into the oven for around 20 minutes making sure to turn them halfway.

3.    Whilst the veg are in the oven start with toasting the pine nuts in a pan over medium heat for a few minutes until they start to brown slightly. Remove from the pan and set aside.

4.    Heat about a tablespoon of olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the red chili and cook for a 2-3 minutes until it softens. Add the garlic and cook for a minute until it starts to turn translucent. You don’t want it to brown!

5.    To the same pan, add a little more olive oil if needed and add the cavolo nero. Cook for about 4 minutes, stirring frequently until it starts to wilt down then add a splash of water to the pan and continue cooking for another few minutes. Turn the heat off and leave to one side.

6.    Next cook the pasta. Bring a large pan of water to the boil, add a good pinch of salt and then add the linguine. Cook for roughly 8-10 minutes. You want to keep it slightly al dente. Add a small amount of the pasta water to the same pan with the kale, garlic and chili and turn to low heat. Drain the pasta and add straight to the pan. Toss it around, mixing all bits together, add a drizzle of olive oil and salt and pepper to season. To the same pan, add the roasted veg and toss together.

7.    Serve into pasta bowls and top with the toasted pine nuts and a generous helping of grated parmesan. Sit back and enjoy! 

Tip: To remove the stalks from the cavolo nero, run a sharp knife down the entire length of the stalk on both sides. Don’t remove stalks once it’s chopped or you’ll be there all day!

 NUTRITIONAL BROWNIE POINTS

• Cavolo nero is a good source of magnesium, which is an essential mineral for energy production within the body and low levels have been linked to fatigue. It is also essential for the regulation of muscular contraction, blood pressure and nerve transmission.

• It is also a fantastic source of beta-carotene. Part of the carotenoid family, it’s a potent antioxidant and precurser to vitamin A. Beta-carotene has been widely studied for it’s skin protective properties such as:

~ It has photo-protective properties and has been shown to protect against sunburn development by inhibiting free radials and suppressing our cellular and tissue response to inflammation.

~ It also prevents premature aging of the skin. Studies have shown it to prevent wrinkle formation by decreasing the activity of the enzymes (MMP) responsible for collagen degradation.

~ In the epidermis (outer layer of skin), b-carotene is deposited and works to fight free radical damage caused by UV exposure. It is also protective against the development of skin cancer.

• Cavolo nero also belongs to the cruciferous family along with veg like cauliflower, broccoli, sprouts to name a few. Sulforaphane is a compound found in all cruciferous veg and has been extensively studied due to it’s anticancer properties.

• Studies have also shown sulforaphane to be protective against neurodegerative diseases. It is able to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) – a highly selective semi permeable membrane that separates the brain and the blood. Once it crosses the BBB it accumulates in the central nervous system and exerts neuroprotective effects.

• Lutein, like beta-carotene is a carotenoid present in green leafy veg such as cavolo nero. It can decrease the intensity of erythema (red skin) induced by UV-light and also has the ability to filter blue light (computer screens, phones and the sun!), which causes lasting damage to the skin. It may be worth increasing your intake prior to going on holiday to allow for more UV protection!

Cavolo nero sure packs a nutritional punch!

Recipe and words by Erica Rodriguez - Naturally Nourished