Plastic Bags saga

The world is going through and environmental shake-up. Every week there is a new focus on what can be done to save the environment from being further polluted by humans. The main focus is always the consumer and never the manufacturer.

I have noticed that when I go into shops these days I am being asked if I need a bag. At first I thought what a stupid question to ask. I am pushing a pushchair with a basket that is non existent and ensuring my toddler is not causing damage to the shop. Of course I want a plastic bag. How else am I going to get these items home. Can you imagine me going into another shop that sells the same items and having to produce a receipt for said items because burly security/toy cop/store staff (delete as appropriate) think I am stealing. Or explaining to the till person I paid for these in another shop.

I remember Kwik Save was the only supermarket where you had to buy your plastic bags. You were given a choice of 1p bags which were really flimsy or 3p bags which were better quality. So you knew your shopping was not going to drop out the bottom before you carried them home, if you did not drive. As was the case for me. They also gave you the option of free cardboard boxes. Waste packaging from their shelf fillers.

Marks N Spencer is a big British Brand High Street Shop. They have announced that they will be charging its shoppers 5p per plastic bag when shopping in the food chains they have. I do not see how 5p will make a difference, just increase the profit margin for the chain. If the option is to buy a plastic bag or carry your groceries in your hand what would you do. Plus it is not like marks N sparks are a bargain shop. If Asda or Sainsbury's was doing this than I would see an impact. I am assuming people who shop in marks have enough disposable cash to pay that extra 5p or they could shop elsewhere.

According to the press release from Marks N Spencer they claim there charge is to encourage change.

"Marks & Spencer is to roll-out a 5p charge for food carrier bags in all* of its UK stores from the beginning of May to encourage customers to reduce the number of bags they use and to raise money for environmental projects."

You can read more about their move here>> 5p plastic bags mark n sparks . Marks in their press release outline how charging for plastic will pay for their charity green work. Surely they could have just used a smidgen of their profits and given each shopper a free re-usable cotton shopper bag. Everyone loves a freebie and I am sure they will re-use them.

The PM Gordon Brown according to the Daily Mail is going to force supermarkets to charge for plastic or be forced to do so. Read more here >> PM to force supermarkets to charge for plastic bags .

How long can a re-useable cloth/plastic/other material last for before needing replacement. Paper bags will not help the environment unless made from 100% recycled material.

I must admit the last time I went to the Body Shop I almost bought a shopper bag but my jaw dropped when I discovered the price was £3. The bag was so small and Marks do a bigger but less strong it seems bag for the same price. I gratefully took one of their small bio-degradable bags.

Trolley bags on wheels I see coming into fashion and no longer a granny staple. Buses will need to be bigger to accommodate. Afterall as well has not having a bag to carry your shopping in, you are expected to use the expensive un-reliable public transport.

Nike's trash repackaged for $100

I was browsing my celeb gossip blogs and came across Nike new concept in recycling. They have decided waste in their factory need not be waste. Thus you can now buy Nike's re-constructed rubbish for $100. I can just see Nike selling their rubbish trainer to Brits for £100 which is double $100 by current exchange rates.

Taken from Nike
Nike footwear designer, Kasey Jarvis said: “ We were really looking for a ‘here and now’ solution to footwear waste, and creating a performance product using waste materials felt like a very innovative solution. Using Nike’s Considered design ethos we were able to create a shoe that stands up to the stringent on-court performance requirements but is also more environmentally friendly.”

To be honest I am quite impressed by this. I would have thought such a big corporate organisation did not consider its rubbish in such a way. Two things come to mind 1) a good image in a world thats becoming aware of the enviroment 2) money maker.

I do wonder if any other sports footwear manufacturer are doing similar things .

Read more here http://www.nikebiz.com/media/pr/2008/02/13_Nash.html

Fidel Castro, the end of an era

Fidel Castro after years of hanging onto power has stepped down from his leadership of the island known as Cuba. He led Cuba to a revolution and an era of resistance to the Western super powers.

As expected news agencies reporting various western governments talking about democracy and change. Though i do wonder if the exiled and non-exiled cuban americans who have been laying in wait, some with baited breath for his eventual departure. What will be there next move. Remember scenes in miami of americanised cubans celebrating Castro's ill health.

It would be a pity if Cuba turned back on itself and the positive things from the revolution are eroded in favour of the world bank, IMF, free trade etc. Cuba has achieved many great things despite the adversities posed by the west known as sanctions.

Cuba has literacy levels above that of the super-power USA. They have top class alternative medicines and they offere free health care.

America has not delayed in saying how she feels. Bush junior has welcomed the resignation of Castro. A feat that no American president could do.

Fact is an era has officially come to an end. So what is the future to be for Cuba.

A side note: who will gain more from a different style of governement in Cuba? white/light skinned cubans which are the only ones you see on telly jumping for joy anytime Castro has had ill health or Afro-Cubans, the people you dont really see. Maybe the question should be who will lose out and who will gain

So long Fidel Castro

potty training

I know this post might not even interest many, but there will be parents who can relate to what i am experiencing for the 1st time. Potty training my 1st born son. Luckily his nursery has been pro-active in starting him off and encouraging him. I used to just get the pull-ups and get him to sit on the potty or the loo.

The toilet seemed to be a winner. I am just glad my husband has finally started to listen to me. Before the situation was he would ask to use the toilet but not wee. He would just sit there for a minute say he was finished and ask for some loo roll.

Now he uses the loo for all his bodily functions. Its just watching him and checking for the signs that he needs to go. I caught him today so engrossed in 'Handy Mandy' he just held himself and crossed his legs. Luckily i got him on the potty in time. I loved it when he said, "finished mummy".

But here comes the crunch. I will need to start taking him out soon without a pull up in sight. Mmm do i buy a travel potty and where exactly can that be used. A toilet seat or what else is there. He is a boy, guess i will need to teach him how to stand and aim. Yes i like that, he will definitely spend more time observing how daddy uses the loo. Mmm guess i will need to check out my favourite pregnancy and parenting forum over at www.bounty.com , i know there are many mums on there who can help me with my dilemma.

My new son started my year

Before the year ended, i gave birth to my second son. I was sooooo praying and hoping as each week went by that he would wait till his due date. I had visions of giving birth on my birthday. Many friends and colleagues were told that i wanted to be remembered too. People thought that was funny but i was serious.

Like my first prince i prayed for my second. I asked the Lord in prayer on a day of expectant prayer that i wanted another child. I also added i wanted a girl. I still do. However the Lord provided and I have now been blessed with two beautiful princes.

As before didnt have any complications with this pregnancy. Due to a history of pre-term birth, well just my 1st born being born 7 weeks early the hospital consultant kept a close eye on me. I had 5 scans in total and on occasions was seen by the medical professions every week. Yet all boxes checked out okay. They still have no clue why i had a pre-term birth.

Anyway this is what happened. My birth story.

I had spent the day visiting my friend who was down from birmingham. I washed her hair over a bathtub (crazy i know) blowdried it etc. Thats as far as it goes for me doing someones hair. My son was quite restless and woke up hot and feverish, so he was allowed to stay in our bed whilst he was calmed down.

I wake up early hours of friday morning and turn over slowly in bed to lye on my other side and hear a pop. I went to the loo and thought something seems different. As i am walking back to the bedroom i am literally leaking. I know, too much information huh. I wake hubby to tell i think my waters had broke. The hospital tell me to come in for an assessment. I am feeling faint pains on the way there.

I am examined routinely and was given the option to go home untill pains increase. Also an induction is booked incase i dont go into labour within 48hrs. By around 7am pain is licking me. I am on the floor and wake hubby again to tell him to go shop for paracetemol. He asked me about the pain and was like call the hospital.

Just so you know, this pain was not sending me loopy like you see on both fictional and factual based pregnancy programs. It was just a bad period pain that made me stop in my tracks whilst the pain rippled through my stomach and sides. Hubby was like hurry up quick, he helped me dress and put my shoes on. Bless him. Men can be useful sometime ;) .

At the hospital they was taking what seemed like forever to admit me and give me my pain relief. I had a thing about pain relief because 1st time round I didnt even so much as get gas and air. Yet it was not as painful either. This time round once in the room i was given gas and air and was sooooo disapointed. I thought it would make me giggle or take the pain away. I was soooo disapointed I said to the lovely midwife its not working I need something stronger. She was an honest midwife though. She said 'I dont know what it helps but it does help something'.

I gave birth on my knees leaning over the top end of the raised bed. Midwife had rubbed my back which felts oh so good. I asked hubby to do the same and that seemed soooo much better than the gas and air. There were concerns about the heart rate but was still able to get a jab of pethodine. But by the time that took effect i had given birth.

Midwife was like wow, you went from 6 to 10 in half an hour. She said my labours are quick. I agree. 1st son 4hrs for the first stage and 24 minutes second stage. This birth labour was down as 2hours 1st stage and 5 minutes for the second. I am not complaining.

He had a low blood sugar level so they did heel prick tests every 3 hours and his feeds were regulated. Finally got to go home.

I am blessed with 2 sons and see them being an unstoppable and blessed duo.

P.S. no 2 pregnancies or births are the same. who knows if have more they will face the correct way round and my back wont be in so much agony.