Penny Blake

Romanticise my poverty

Christmas is certainly a time when family traditions are important and most of us have our own set ways of celebrating which were passed down to us from our parents and grandparents. But sometimes these old ways of doing things can begin to seem dated, irrelevant and stale; particularly in the climate of anti-commercialism and eco-culture.

Whether it's saving money on bills, or trying to reduce our impact on the environment, there are lots of good reasons to resist turning on our central heating until we absolutely have to. Here are ten simple, cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly ways to stay warm this winter without cranking up the dial on our thermostat.

Pine Cone Bird Feeders

Foraging for wild food can have many benefits. Besides being an enjoyable hobby and a good excuse to get out and enjoy a productive walk in the fresh air, it can save you money on your grocery bill, and give your health a boost, because wild foods often contain more nutrients than those grown in intensive farming conditions.

For your convenience then, I'll change my name and forget the story that brought it to rest in my breast like a wind blown leaf finding the niche inside the blood dark hole within the trunk of this old tree where a vital limb had been torn away.