Category: Reviews

1. SodaStream from SaveMoneyCutCarbon | Review

   Posted on 12:00pm Tuesday 11th May 2021

   As a child, a SodaStream was the thing of legend. It was something that everyone else had but we never did. It was coveted and whilst my mum has always been ahead of her time with recycling and sustainability but we could never convince her to swap our plastic fizzy drinks bottles for the elusive SodaStream.

   So my inner child was more than a little excited when SaveMoneyCutCarbon recently asked if they could send us a SodaStream Spirit to put through its paces. The blurb tells us that SodaStream is the easy way to reduce your single use plastic waste and make sparkling water and your favourite fizzy drink, with just a touch of a button. So is that really true?

   

    

   What does it cost?

   Cost is always the big question people have when thinking about buying a SodaStream. How much do they cost and is it worth it? First and foremost, you don’t need to go to their official website to buy one! You can buy your SodaStream from SaveMoneyCutCarbon and if you are a member of the Home Club, you get unbeatable pricing, guaranteed. Their Club Price Promise means that if a Club member finds it cheaper, they will refund the difference. It’s as if you’re buying direct from the manufacturer.

   The basic price is £99.00, plus £24.95 for the gas cannister and if you add one syrup in, that is bringing your total basic startup cost to £130.00. I set about working out how much we spend on fizzy drinks, so that includes all the soft drinks we buy per month and not to mention the tonic water for the husbands gin. I was a little horrified to realise this was costing us approx £72.00 per month. So we would start seeing savings by month two if this little machine lived up to the hype!!

   

   What did we think?

   From the moment you begin unboxing the Sodastream its clear that along with cost saving and waste reduction, simplicity and usability are at the heart of the brand. The latter continues to be the case with the actual set up and usage of the product. The inside of the box is compartmentalised and designed for safe transit and easy access to the unit, the gas canister and the supplied syrups.

   Once unwrapped, the tall, sleek and modern design of the unit fits well in any contemporary kitchen. The accompanying basic diagrammatical instruction leaflet easily demonstrates the simple ‘click to open’ and ‘screw in to fit’ nature of the unit and the gas canister.

   Once put together the supplied water bottle is so easy to fit in place that our 9 year old could easily manage and was thrilled at the satisfying woooooosh and bubbling that comes from pressing the big button on the top the advised number of times (3 for fizzy and 5 for extra fizzy). Delving in to the range of syrups they are all easy to use, again with simple guidance on the side of the bottle and a handy lid that doubles as the advised measure. Once added to the bottle of now carbonated water the results are delicious! We tried the Cola, Lemon and Lime (both containing sugar) and also the Tonic mix and Zero calorie Lime that were sugar free. Thinking back to when we were children in the 80’s our memory was always of a beverage that had the hallmarks of ‘own brand’ cheaper drinks however these mixes are far from that – very much a premium tasting drink!

   Will it help reduce our plastic waste?

   One of the big benefits of a SodaStream is that it allows you to enjoy fizzy drinks and water without having to continue buying plastic bottles. What’s more, SodaStream PET bottles can be reused for up to 3 years, each one helping to eliminate as many as 1,282 single-use plastic bottles.

   So if you are looking to save money and your plastic consumption, the SodaStream from SaveMoneyCutCarbon might just be the answer to the question you didn't know you were asking!

   

   Disclaimer : We were sent the SodaStream to review but all thoughts and fizzy fun are our own!

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2. Top tips to live a more sustainable life in 2021

   Posted on 11:00am Friday 2nd Apr 2021

   2020 was quite a year, especially since most of us were stuck at home for a large part of it. But, being stuck at home opens your eyes- we don’t know about you, but it’s made us want to work on ways to live a more sustainable life. Living and maintaining an eco-friendly lifestyles takes effort, but not that much. The more you learn about the issues that affect our beautiful planet, the more determined you will be to make sustainable choices on a daily. That doesn’t mean you have to change your lifestyle completely, but every little change counts.

   

    

   Here are 3 ways to live a more sustainable life in 2021. 

   Use a different mode of transportation

   You create about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide when you drive to and from work, which ends up releasing into the atmosphere each year- leading to the greenhouse effect, causing global warming. Do your part by making use of public transport, scheduling a carpool with your friends or co-workers, you can even walk or ride a bike if you’re in close distance to your work place. This isn’t just healthy for the environment, it’s healthy for you as well.

   Shop locally and eat seasonally for your groceries

   Shop from your local farmers' market to get fresh food items that were grown naturally without adding waste or carbon emissions to the environment. You’ll be eating healthier and supporting the community. Eat fruits and vegetables that are seasonal, as you’ll be eating the farm-to-table lifestyle which means you’ll be buying foods that were harvested recently by the local farmers. Not only will the foods be tastier, but you’ll be helping the environment as well.

   Make use of eco-friendly products around your home

   Most of the products that we use at home to clean the house, wash our clothes, or do the dishes contain chemicals that are harmful to the environment. Especially chemicals like detergents, foaming agents, and preservatives. Instead, switch to products that make use of sustainably grown ingredients rather than ingredients that are synthetic so that they don’t harm the planets eco-system. These eco-friendly products are also beneficial to people that have weak immune systems and health conditions as they pose less health risks. After starting to work alongside SaveMoneyCutCarbon last year, we have been making small steps in our sustainable swaps journey and being a member of their Home Club means we get regular updates on the positive impact we can all make. 

   Right then, I am off to use my EcoCoconut Scourer and Ocean Saver cleaning products to get this house clean! 

    

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3. Top Tips On How To Boost Your Immunity

   Posted on 12:00pm Sunday 3rd Jan 2021

   There is obvioulsy a lot of concern and talk about viruses right now and boosting your immune system is one of the best ways to protect yourself from illnesses, especially common colds and the flu. The immune system is our defense system against all external attacks: viruses, bacteria, etc. It is made up of complex interactions between the organs and cells of our body. A well-functioning defense system allows our body to effectively fight against colds, flu, and all winter ailments. Below we have mentioned some important tips to boost our immunity.

   

   1.  Zinc

   It is recommended to take 75 mg of zinc for 7 days. This will cut the duration of a cold by half, provided you start treatment immediately after the first symptoms appear. Zinc is found in foods rich in protein such as shellfish, liver, egg yolk, whole grains; in 100gr of meat, there is 3mg of zinc. Zinc is not stored in our body, which is why it may be beneficial to take it as a food supplement.

   2. Immunostimulating plants: Echinacea

   It is the first plant recommended by herbal medicine doctors in the prevention of infections and recurrences. Native to North America, Echinacea is one of the most important medicinal plants. It has antibacterial and antiviral properties and stimulates the immune system. It can prevent and treat infections. It boosts our immune system by increasing the number of white blood cells. Taking Echinacea reduces the risk of winter infections by 58%. Echinacea reduces cold symptoms from 1 to 4 days. Echinacea associated with vitamin C reduces cold symptoms by 86%. It is advisable not to extend the cures for more than 10 days. If the immune system is stimulated for a long time, it could either become exhausted or become tolerant to this stimulation. Echinacea exists in different forms suitable for each person. 

   3. Reduce the stress level

   Scientific studies have confirmed that chronic stress can actually interfere with the proper functioning of the immune system. The secretions of cortisol (the stress hormone) in excess and over time thus weaken the immune system.

   4. Practice regular physical activity

   Regular physical activity reduces stress hormones but also boosts immune defenses during and after exercise. The result: less risk of contracting a virus, but also less severe symptoms and faster healing in case of infection. Be careful, however: practiced to excess, sport is likely to exhaust the immune system.

   5. Sleep well

   The tiredness and lack of sleep weaken the body. Thus, people with poor quality sleep would be more vulnerable to infections with a weaker immune response than good-quality sleep.

   6. Eating & drinking

   Eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables and drink about 2 liters of water or tea a day. For a strong immune system, vitamin C is of central importance.

   7. Avoid defense killers

   Avoid alcoholic beverages, large amounts of caffeine, and stop smoking.

   8. Gut health

   An intact intestinal flora ensures a safe defense. A large part of the immune system is formed here.

   9. Soak up the sun

   Soak up the sun and boost vitamin D3 production in the skin. If there is no sun, Vitamin D supplements are a good alternative.

   10. Movement

   Endurance training increases stress resistance and strengthens the immune system. Walking or walking for 30 minutes every day, boosts your immune system.

   We know that not all viruses can be avoided but taking a healthy approach to your general lifestyle can certainly help and keep your body in a better position to fight anything that comes your way.

   

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4. 4 Reasons to pay attention to social media marketing

   Posted on 12:00pm Friday 1st Jan 2021

   Most small businesses have big ideas but usually not the budget to go with it. Generally, when you have a tight marketing budget, you don’t want to waste it on something that won’t even help you. That is where social media is the perfection solution.

   

   Out of the unlimited marketing strategies available, there is a reason why using social media for marketing is the most preferred choice. In this article, let’s talk about some important reasons that make social media marketing the best strategy for a small business:-

   1. It allows you to be present where most of your audience is.

   Let’s be honest social media has become an addiction for many people in recent years, so one of the ways to ensure success for your brand is to improve your visibility where most of your target niche is.

   Social media marketing is all about promoting your services on various social platforms, so your clients can find you. These platforms make it easier for you to connect to your potential customers and interact with them in a better way. Since new people are always creating new social accounts, you get the opportunity to meet new clients. 

   2. It costs a lot less than other marketing strategies. 

   As we said before, saving money is a big thing when it comes to owning a small business. Though some parts of it do cost money, using social media for marketing is still very cheap. 

   You can easily create a budget and accordingly, use social media tactics to help your business grow. Things like posting regular updates, responding to comments, etc can also get you a lot of attention online. You can start by targeting local consumers and expand your business with time. 

   3. Social media marketing can boost your brand in multiple ways. 

   As a small business, a social media marketing campaign enables you to create a professional image in front of clients. You get to be more visible and promote your new products and services right away. 

   Not to mention that people who follow you on social media are most likely to visit your website and be interested in buying your products. Social media marketing allows you to get more website traffic, boosting your rank up in the search results. Using social media for marketing can make it easier for you to make it big in the market as a brand. 

   4. It enables you to get more revenue than traditional marketing.

   Whether it is a small or a large business, generating more and more revenue each month is essential for any company. You want to get profits, so you can feel better about all the investments you made to start the business. 

   Social media marketing makes your company more personalised and allows you to understand consumer needs properly. You get to interact with them more, answer queries, and make sure they are fully engaged in your business. Such interactions show a huge impact on business success, and you get good revenue constantly. Social media makes your brand more reachable to your target niche, making them more interested in checking out what you have to offer. 

   Conclusion:-

   Social media marketing is one of the most popular marketing strategies currently, which is why you cannot ignore it. As a small business, it can be a great way to improve brand reputation among clients without spending a ridiculous amount of money. 

   If you know you need it but don't have the time, why not drop us a message and see if we can help plan your social media takeover in 2021.

   

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