A mocktail is simply a cocktail drink, without the booze. Ideal for those who don’t drink alcohol, would like to drink less alcohol, those who can’t drink alcohol or designated drivers, try one of these lovely drinks! Tonic waters contain quinine, so avoid serving them if pregnant or you have an abnormal heart rhythm, kidney or…
Special Days
Make Your Own Mexican Margaritas
No matter where you live, most people enjoy a Margarita (Spanish for ‘daisy’) drink, especially when served alongside Mexican food. It’s not usually true that there is a ‘worm in the bottle’, for tequila. But its cousin mezcal may have one, so avoid those. Tequila is made from the blue weber agave plant (related to…
Zero Waste (vegan) Beauty Gifts
Choosing biodegradable beauty products is best, as fragrance oils create algae bloom when washed down sinks. This chokes oxygen out of the water, and harms marine wildlife. Try to also find beauty products in zero waste packaging, to avoid plastic pouches and tubes. Avoid aromatherapy essential oils for pregnancy/nursing (and medical conditions like epilepsy and…
Switch to Reusable Christmas Crackers
Reusable Christmas crackers are far better than disposable crackers, which are full of plastic and small choking hazards, and can’t be recycled (refuse collectors have to collect millions the week after Christmas, and take them all to landfill). The loud bangs also upset pets (see more on keeping pets safe at Christmas. Disposable crackers are…
Keeping Pets Safe at Christmas
Red & Howling, read Amy’s book to keep your dog safe Christmas presents lots of dangers (tree needles, discarded gift wrap, food, alcohol, chocolate). Keep fatty meats and leftover cooked bones out of harm’s way, but bin it (don’t give it to birds as it can affect waterproofing and insulation, even if leftover buttered sandwiches)….