DO CHRISTMAS SUSTAINABLY

SUSTAINABLE CHRISTMAS DECOR 🌲
* Reuse paper for wrappings (@whogivesacraptp is even doing Xmas themed wrapping)
* Cutout paper & magazines for window decorations * Make Gumnut Herb holly (see my IGTV for a how too)
* Use pine cones, wattle, leaves or Gumnut a for natural garlands
* Get a second hand plastic tree to use each year (avoid buying new)
* Get a pine tree in a pot that you can use each year
* Make sure your cut pine tree gets turned into mulch for gardens
* Buy second hand decorations or make them out of natural object & recycled paper etc
* Use natural twine for trying your Christmas presents
* Use second hand fabrics for wrappings
* Use collected elastic bands for keeping your wrappings on
* Don’t buy a wreath, make one! From herbs, fallen leaves, dried flowers, etc
* For decorating items try to use eco friendly paints, glitters and glues 👌🏽 

 If you’ve been watching my IG stories you’ll know by now I’m a BIG Christmas fan 😆 I love the festivities, the trees, the decorations and the events! 🎉 but that doesn’t mean we have to celebrate Christmas
wastefully • it doesn’t mean we have to buy new decorations each year or fill our landfill with plastic wrappings • we can do it differently, we can do it SUSTAINABLY 🌏 For example, I had a big roll of brown paper for wrapping presents and now that it’s run out I’ll be using the colour wrapping off my rolls of @whogivesacraptp toilet paper 🧻 I’ve been slowly stacking them away 😆 Below o have listed a bunch of ideas for being more sustainable this Christmas and I plan to share many more • here’s a few things to get you started -

GUMNUT HOLLY

Decorations are pretty useless other than making our homes look festive right • so I wanted to create something that was EASY • FREE • 100% sustainable and had MULTIPLE USES ☺️ and by joe I did it! ••••
These are my Rosemary and Sage Drying Gumnut “Holly” • literally took me 5 minutes to make! Merry Christmas 🎄

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THOUGHTFUL GIFT PERFECT FOR YOUR MUM, SISTER, AUNTY OR INNER SLOTH 🎄🎁

I love inspiring people to pull their finger out and DIY their gifts • not only does it give you control over your waste and plastic packaging • but it comes from the heart ❤️ and screams EFFORT! I dropped into my local @greatocean and threw together this neat little blend of Rose & Lavendar for the tub 🛁 I’ve also listed below a few other mixes you might like to try -
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
BATH TIME BLENDS
* Lemon Rosemary - clears the mind
* Lavendar Cedar wood - relax & ground
* Chamomile Calendula Lavendar - calm & sooty
* Eucalyptus peppermint - breath easy
* Sage mint tea tree - balance
* Lavendar chamomile- sleep

THE TRUTH About A Stand Up Desk

"Stand up, sit less and move more." - Lifehacker.com.au

As I stand here at my own makeshift stand up desk I've been contemplating the THE TRUTH about the stand up desk experience. Honestly it's not all it's cracked up to be! YES YES, this is the lazy in me talking, but it is damn hard to stand in one spot for more than...10 MINUTES without getting the fidgets, wanting to lean on something or being distracted by tea making or food foraging! Anything to get me away from my desk!

Now I'm not normally the "Sit at my desk for ages because it feels so good to take a load off!" type. BUT I am MISSING IT! So I wanted to share with you some of my observations and yes, discomforts with working at a STAND UP DESK!

Pros & Cons (I mixed them in together so you get the right picture, think of it as my thought process)

• This is going to take some getting used to, that ergonomic chair looks so comfy...
  

• Simply stacking books for a laptop isn't ideal
  

• You definitely need the computer at eye level and keyboard below shoulder level
  

• It's easy to fall into bad posture, I even find myself
  locking my knees
  

• I work fast because all I want to do is walk instead
  of JUST STAND
  

• No wonder people loss some weight just from standing, my muscles are so ACTIVE!
  

• My neck is hurting from looking down at the screen
  

• Not digging this laptop mousepad, missing my mouse :(
  

• Lean lean lean, all I want to do is LEAN, on my desk,
  on my laptop, ANYTHING

Yep...so it's tough but I've been standing and working now for 45mins and the conclusion I have come to is EVERYTHING IN MODERATION! Duh!

I liked this post from Lifehacker.com.au on The Health Benefits Of Standing Versus Sitting, check it out for some great references. I'm no expert on OFFICE ERGONOMICS but I do know the body and standing for too long can be just as bad as sitting for too long. Leading to bad posture and exhausted lower half.

My recommendations if you're looking into the standing desk method -

• Stand for 20/Sit for 20/Walk for 5 in between
  

• If you spend your week at a desk, invest in a PROPER Ergonomic Standing Desk
  

• WATCH your posture - AVOID locked knees, rolled shoulders and draw your belly IN!
  

• Get yourself a Fitball or Ergonomic chair to sit on
  

• WATCH your posture while you sit!
  

• STRETCH your Shoulders & Hips - everyday X3
  

• Make sure you're wearing GOOD SHOES

Now I'm going to take the dogs for a walk and move my static
standing bones! ;)

Don't forget to check out the Little Bantam Facebook page and follow us on Instagram for daily surf fitness inspiration! Show me your morning routine with the hashtag #LIVEHEALTHYHABITS

Big Love,

EC x