Eco Living Display Centre Workshops

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Last Saturday, I ventured to the The Eco Living Display Centre , located at The Briars Park in Mt Martha.



The Eco Living Display Centre was developed from an identified community need to have easy access to information about implementing sustainable living.

As well as offering personal tours of its energy and water saving features, the centre also conducts workshops, with an emphasis on sustainable living principles.

Last weekend's 'Lotions and Potions' workshop, enticed us into learning how to make simple home made remedies and creams like calendula salve, aloe vera gel and comfrey ointment using all natural ingredients.

The 1.5hour workshop, was conducted by Maree, the former president of Mornington Community Garden. Her workshop highlighted not only sustainability, but also frugality.

Who needs to buy expensive shop purchased chemically enhanced 'skin care', when you can make it in your own kitchen, from ingredients in your backyard!

For a very reasonable $15, Maree demonstrated how to make
her potions, and all of us (an audience of approximately 20) were able to walk away with a tub of freshly made Calendula Salve, useful for: rashes (including nappy rash), chapped lips, cuts and scrapes, dry skin, minor burns, etc.



Calendula Salve 'recipe':

1 cup calendula petals
1 cup cold pressed virgin olive oil
1/4 cup beeswax

Method:

1. Collect calendula petals in a colander and shake to remove dust and dirt.
2. Place petals in a jar, and cover with olive oil. Put lid on jar and close.
3. Put jar with oil and petals in a warm position, e.g. windowsill and leave for 2-3 weeks.
4. Place muslin/cheesecloth/sieve over heavy based saucepan and strain oil into saucepan.
5. Heat oil very gently until warm
6. Add beeswax and stir until melted.
7. Decant into small dark or opaque jars and wait until cool before putting lid on.

I'm excited to have discovered The Eco Living Display Centre, with lots more sustainable living workshops to take part in, such as bee-keeping on the 1st December, and beginner chook rearing. Practical activities, to help us reduce our own ecological footprints.

Well done to the Mornington Peninsula Shire for the initiative!

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