ecobites.com

Making your life greener - one bite at a time.

Various techniques are used for seed collection, depending on the growing and seeding habits of the plant. Choose seeds from healthy and productive plants that have that variety's typical - and desirable - characteristics. Don't just harvest from the first plant to go to seed.

Of course the only real way to make ice cream is in one of those old churns filled with ice and salt that your grandmother used to have. However, if you have to use a mere freezer, the only way to avoid lumps of ice is to whip the mixture every half hour when it is freezing. So start early in the morning unless you are one of those night-people. If you have your own cows and chooks, use cream and eggs to make the real thing.

The fibrous husk is easily shed during milling leaving the oat grain intact with germ and bran layer - thus our oats if steelcut or rolled are in the whole grain form. With the high fat content germ present, oats should be stored in a cool dark airtight place to prevent rancid off flavors developing.

High in protein and fat content, oats are an excellent source of vitamin A and contain a useful amount of vitamin E. Whole, cracked, steel-cut, rolled. The main ingredient in

Reuse plastic bottle tops and plastic jar lids and make some DIY plastic people.

This little fellow is ideal to hang in the trees, the children love them in their special garden play areas. You may have to go to the local cafe or bar and repurpose their used lids and corks.

Children will have fun with this recycling project. Use your imagination and let it flow. Other great ideas include a bottle windmill. It looks good (refer photo), but if might not function well.