More reasons to brew kombucha

Have you heard about kombucha?  It is a fermented tea.  I read that it originated in China and other parts of Asia over 2000 years ago.  

To brew it, you will need:

-water
-tea
-sugar 
-SCOBY (Symbiotic Colony Of Bacteria and Yeast) pellicle with kombucha (the starter tea) 

A new batch can be brewed with just the kombucha as starter tea as the SCOBY culture is present in it but it will take a longer time to ferment without the pellicle.  The SCOBY pellicle is usually supplied with kombucha.  However, if you only have the pellicle, you can use two tablespoon of distilled white vinegar to replace the kombucha as the starter tea. New SCOBY pellicles will form as a by-product of the fermentation process.  

I became interested in learning about kombucha when I found out that the SCOBY pellicles used in the production of kombucha can be dried to become a leather like fabric that you can use as art and craft material.  Watch this video to see how the material can be created with kombucha.

As shown in the above video, you can make SCOBY pellicles in petri dishes:

-by pouring two tablespoon of kombucha (must be unflavoured starter tea) into each dish.

If your intention is to make art and craft material with the SCOBY pellicles produced, you can: 

-add colourings of your choice to each dish.

-leave them to ferment for 2-3 weeks till pellicles are formed.

-check thickness of pellicles.

-when thick enough, take them out of the dishes to dry under the sun for a day.
-bring them in to air dry in a well ventilated area.

You can start crafting with them when they are dry.  As to what you can make with them, check out videos shared at GiY: Bio Buddies.  I like how they were able to make lanterns with them.

Other than that, why should anyone take the trouble to brew kombucha?  Based on my research, it is a beverage filled with:

-amino acids

-vitamins B
-vitamins C

-minerals

-antioxidants 

-probiotics

Drinking it regularly will:

-boost immunity.

-enhance mood.

-fight allergies.

-detoxify and defend body of infection and disease.

-detoxify liver which will put you in a happy mood.

-increase metabolism.

-improve digestion.

-rebuild connective tissue. 

-helps with arthritis, gout, asthma, rheumatism.

-cancer prevention

-reduce glucose levels.
-aid healthy cell regeneration.  

The tea you buy to brew kombucha should be organic as you do want them coated in pesticides which can inhibit the fermentation and brewing process and can eventually kill your SCOBY.  These are the type of tea you can use:

-pure black tea (reported to make it much more flavourful).
-green tea
-white tea 
-oolong tea 
-hibiscus tea
-a blend of the above

You should avoid using teas:

-that are scented or flavored teas which can effect the growth of your kombucha culture.

-like Earl Grey that will introduce naturals oils as they float on top and suffocates the SCOBY.

-like Chai which contains cinnamon, cloves and cardamom, all of which have antibacterial properties, that will kill the SCOBY.
-that are herbal like peppermint or chamomile as they will not be able to provide the nutrients necessary to feed your kombucha culture. 

Do not start the process till you have the following utensils on hand:

-stock pot or sauce pan
-long *wooden spoon

-glass jar with a wide opening to ease adding or removing SCOBY pellicles in size of: 

1/2 gallon or 2 quarts (64 oz / 1.9 Liter) glass jar - 2 units 

-Tightly woven cloth to cover the jar like:

clean napkins or
tea towels or

coffee filters or

paper towels

-Airtight Bottles:
Six 16-oz glass bottles with plastic lids or
swing-top bottles or
clean soda bottles

-Small funnel to ease pouring into bottles

*Note: prolonged contact between the kombucha and metal both during and after brewing can affect the flavor of your kombucha and weaken the SCOBY pellicles over time.

To start, wear a pair of gloves and spray Isopropyl Alcohol (IA) on the utensils you will be using:

-spoon
-sauce pan
-jars
-funnel
-cookie tray work surface (if you are also making kombucha leather)

Here are the steps based on all the articles I have read about brewing kombucha.

If you still have doubts about your ability to start, you can watch this video I found on You Brew Kombucha Youtube Channel as the brewer shares a lot of answers to questions that you are most likely to ask as you start brewing your own kombucha. 

You can also learn from Raw Brewing on how to start a Kombucha Brew Log so you can record the processes correctly.  It will help you nail the acidic flavour that you prefer best for your kombucha.

Once you have started brewing your own kombuca and have a collection of pellicles in your SCOBY hotel, check out this article:

10 Smart Ways to Use Your Kombucha SCOBY 

Making Full Use of Reusable Bags

I have been receiving lots of reusable bags. The handles of some of them are not strong enough to handle load and some have issues at the seams.  I think the best way to make them last is to use them as inserts for crochet bags.  I decided to use this 22x17cm bag for the project.

And this is the crochet bag pattern that I chose to make.

I have to increase the stitches so that the insert fits in perfectly.

I turned the reusable bag inside out, so that the print will not show, before inserting it into the crochet bag.

When you use a thick yarn and choose a crochet pattern with large holes, you use less wool and complete the bag faster. If you do not have a reusable bag to use as an insert, you can weave your old scaves or leftover ribbons and whatever suitable material that you can weave through the holes.  

Use your imagination to personalise your crochet bag.  I would not mind using cut strips of plastic bags as weaving material as I have always try to make use of discarded material in my handwork.

Will you be ashamed if you decorate your bag with plastic bags?

I can also change the design of my crochet bag by sewing a granny square on it so that I can use it as a pocket for holding stuff like cards or a set of keys.

Container resort home, anyone?

Could you guess just by looking at this photo that this home is made up of six shipping containers?

It is located at Berjaya Hill, Bukit Tinggi in Pahang and took 4 months to complete.  Don't believe me?  Then watch how it is done by Anand Bungalows Sdn Bhd.



Like that?  Here are 15 more container home ideas to drool over.

Heard of seatbelt bag?

Have you heard of seatbelt bags?  No, they are not bags for keeping seatbelts.  They are bags that are made up of seatbelts woven into shape and sewn up to be used like your regular bags.

These bags are not only eco-freindly but should be stronger and more durable, don't you agree?

Bags? Make your own!

Do you need to buy more bags to match what you wear?

How about getting yourself a multicolored one that would match most of what you have?  You think that is too gaudy?  Watch this and you may decide to make your own.



Now you know what to do with scarves and stuff made out of fabric in your home that you have intended to scrap.

Strong weaving material? Found in plastic bottles.

If you need strong weaving material, what you should be looking out for are plastic bottles.



I hope this innovative idea will catch on.

Discards? Keep them for decor.

It is alright to run out of ideas on how you can refresh your home decor because French designer, Pierre Lota of LOTA DESIGN is willing to share some of his decorating trick.



So, now you know.  When you plan to redecorate your home just do what Pierre is doing and don't run out of discards.

A kitchen island for free? Pallet possible.

Looking to get yourself an island for your kitchen?  Before you head off to the shops to find one, check this eco and rustic looking island out and see if you can try making it yourself.



Yes, you saw it right.  Spanish designers, Alessandra Samson and Paco Serinelli from Anatomica Design, had figured out how to built their very own Paletina out of wooden pallets.

So, how many pieces of reclaimed wooden pallet would you need to give that a go?  Here are the numbers:

6 pallets 120 x 80cm (47 x 31.5 inch)
3 pallets American type 100 x 120cm (39.5 x 47 inch)
1 pallet 60 x 80cm (23.6 x 31.5 inch)
1 pallet American type from 130 x 110 cm (51 x 43 inch)
1 pallet 100 x 80 cm (39.5 x 31.5 inch)

To complete the look and make it functional, you will also need:

1 laminated glass sheet
1 stove top
1 oven
1 kitchen sink

While it is cool and environmental friendly to use reclaimed wooden pallet, remember to pop by GreenUpgrader for some hints on how to tell if your collection of pallet is safe for upcycling.

I picked all this up from Gizmag.

Lego, the printer wannabe?

Matthew Krueger make it possible for his Lego bit and pieces to be transformed into...

...LEGObot, the working 3D printer.

 

What's green about LEGObot is that it is made up of everything that Matthew already has on hand.

So, now you know. You can never outgrow that Lego connections and there is always a second life for everything you have, if you put your mind to it.

Cardboard? Light it up.

Cardboard.  A great packing material.  Though can be recycled, usually discarded .  Left in the bin and damaged by rain. Can't anyone see the value in it?

Vicara did with the creation of Cartonado lamp.  See the light.

VICARA from VICARA on Vimeo.

Be inspired.

Plastic waste? An issue to sit on.

Plastic bottle waste is going to be an issue of the past if we can keep coming up with ideas to utilize them.  Here is one from Studio Nuy van Noort to sit on and start thinking.

Be a Green Philanthropist? How?

You want to be a green philanthropist but don’t know how to go about it?  Then, try doing this.

1) Look around to see if you can find any mechanical or industrial equipment that have gone obsolete and could end up at a dump site.

2) Do some creative thinking to see if there are any parts and components that you can salvage to create something out of the ordinary.

3) Selling this eco creation will make you “green” but don’t stop there.  Gain yourself that “Green Philanthropist” title by encouraging your potential buyers to consider donating a sum for a cause you support towards owning it.

Don’t think that will work?

Then you obviously have not heard about Tim Zemanovic, the CEO of Aircraft Demolition, LLC.

Take a look at the High Top Table that his company created from components of aircraft engines.  How cool is that?

This is what he will be offering the highest bidder during the MRO Americas 2013 event in Atlanta, GA.  The money received will go towards the Aviation Student Scholarship Fund that they have set up.

You can check out this eco creation at their booth #1919.  Note that the bidding closes at 11am EST on 18 April, 2013.

Good luck in your bid.

Way to go, Tim.

Old cars? Bicycled!

"Bicycled"! No typo error here. That is a new word I picked up today because that is the way Lola Madrid named bikes made out of cars found at the junkyard. Teachers, take note, "bicycled" is now acceptable in and out of class.

Broken plastic toy? Print it!

The best toy you can buy your kids is a Filabot 3D Printer.  With it, your kids will be picking up plastics waste so that they can create their own toys.  Don't like what they created?  Never mind, put it back into the Filabot to recreate.  What a great way to explore their creativity.

And no more tears or complaints that a younger sibling has broken yet another favourite plastic toy.  Go print it out, kids.  How?

Let's see.

Being Religiously Green

What has drinking beer got to do with this building in Thailand?

Thailand (Temple Wat Pa)

View more presentations from shvax

The building is in the drinking and in this case in the form of a temple where one can seek spiritual abundance from the abandoned.

Bad bags days? No more!

I don't buy reusable bags. Sometimes I get them free from exhibitions attended or with stuff purchased. My children get them from the school they attended.

Take a look at these reusable bags we have on hand.

Do you like the colour enough to go shopping with it?

Some can't even take the weight it is supposed to!

Even if it is reusable, would you continue using it if you can't wash the stain off it?

I am sure you are facing the same problems. Do you have a solution to these problems? Me? You bet!

If the kids don't fancy the colour of their reusable bags to use them, slip them into another that they would consider taking.

Here is a lacy bag that I crochet.

This is how it looks with reusable bag tucked in.

The kids are more likely to handle their reusable bags with care if they like the colour and the design. So, while the reusable bag is still new...

...reinforce the handles by running stitches where they join at the bag.

Here is another crochet bag design I created for reusable bag.

With this design, I can slip the handles of the reusable bag through the handles of the crochet bag.


That should keep our reusable bags from landing in the trash bin any sooner. How do you like that?

I hope that producers of reusable bags should rethink how they design their bags so that they not only will last longer but will be fashionably, the bag of choice.

What's in? Eco freindly bags.

Do you know what some Hollywood stars are carrying at the beach or while marketing these days? It's "Bags on the Run" in their bid to stop using plastic bags!

"Bags on the Run" are reusable eco-freindly bag that you can even use at the library as they are strong enough to carry a weight of 22lbs (10kg)! So, if you are working on raising funds for your school, church, or organization consider making a custom order for "Bags on the Run".

Yes, be good and green and help "Bags on the Run" in their efforts to reduce wasteful plastic bag consumption. Remember that some stores do offer you discounts for using reusable bags.

Look out for such stores, do your sums and you may find that your efforts are being paid for many times over financially and environmentally.

When Celia found me.

When Celia Cristina found me. I discovered a flock.

Celia has included a picture of a bag I made for my write up "I’m A Plastic Bag. Eco friendly? Make me!" on her Flickr photostream.

Going through the other photos she has posted there, I am glad she has found me because we are definitely birds of a feather. All the photos she has collected are images of eco friendly creations. So, click on links to photos you are interested in and it will lead you to blogs and websites she found them at. Some of them will lead you to free tutorials.

If you want to be her friend, check her profile and you will find more birds of a feather. I will find time to write her.