This month I have written a blog post for www.energyrethinking.org about the importance of recycling and although as a nation we are improving, lots more needs to be done.

But rather than just explain the benefits of recycling, which you can find on many fantastically helpful and practical sites, e.g. www.Recyclenow.com, www.recycle.co.uk. I have shared products and ideas that I have found which take recycling one step further

Here’s the post if you missed it: http://www.energyrethinking.org/earth-mummy

Now you’ve read it you may be wondering where you can find out about these products, well here they are:

Eco Hen Ark
Raised garden beds
- Chic Water tanks and Garden bird feeders – both designed by Claire Potter Design

So when you decide to buy (well, why wouldn’t you?) please don’t forget to tell them that you heard about them from The Queen of Easy Green.

Have fun and happy recycling!

We are proud to announce that Count On It labels are featured in this month’s Eat In magazine, the monthly magazine for food lovers and aspiring cooks everywhere.

If you’ve not got your copy yet, check this out to give you a flavour of what’s in store.

http://www.eatinmagazine.co.uk/in-this-issue

Thank you ‘Eat In’ and food lovers everywhere, if you want to make good use of your leftovers, why not click on our Count On It link here to buy some labels to try.

Count On It labels, the easy peel, freezer label is featured in Eat In magazine. These removable labels are perfect for jars, freezing leftovers and baby food storage. No need for Sharpies, Count On It labels can be used on freezer bags, food storage tubs and glass storage containers. Ideal for safe food storage, the make First In First Out super simple.

Did you hear me on Jim Davies morning show on BBC Radio Leicester? I was invited to talk easy eco, green cooking tips with Jim and a listener, Judith, who only eats vegetables she has grown in her garden, to help keep her grocery bills down.

Talking about vegetables and getting the most out of our food, always brings us round to leftovers – something I absolutely love to talk about (and eat!). But as Jim pointed out, it’s not always easy to eat fresh produce in time, plus conjuring up a meal from leftovers can sometimes leave us scratching our heads.

So to help us all get the most out of our food, whilst saving time, money, waste and energy, I have put together my top 5 products, plus I’ve posted links to some fabulous websites that’ll get you out of those leftover menu dilemmas.

1. Whirlpool WBC 3546 A+ NFCW Frost Free Fridge Freezer 6th Sense White
- your food storage best friend. Perfect for lengthening food storage times and ideal when batch cooking

2. Lock & Lock Food Storage Set 7 Piece
- not only are these fantastic for bulk cooking, they are perfect for keeping the portions right – no need to over cook, or over eat!

3. 3 Tier Stainless Steel Multi Steamer Pan
- fantastic for keeping in the nutrients in your food, plus they use less energy (3 vegetables can be cooked simultaneously on one ring)

4. Storage labels – ideal for keeping track on how long your food has been stored, plus they also show you when it has to be eaten by. No guessing or waste

5. FOOD STORAGE BAGS-POTATO-VEGETABLES- KEEP FOOD FRESH
- fruit and vegetable storage bags keep food fresher for longer, ensuring you have plenty of time to eat them up.

For some brilliantly practical leftover recipes, visit:

www.lovefoodhatewaste.com

Want to know what vegetables are in season, check out:

www.eatseasonably.co.uk

Have lots of ’spare’ land or want to find an allotment, visit:

www.landshare.net

I’d love to hear what your favourite easy eco cooking/storge saviours are, plus how do you get the most from your food. Do leave your comments below.

After seeing my guest blog post for www.energyrethinking.com, Simple skincare got in touch to say they had really enjoyed reading it, and my other easy eco blogs here and over at www.queenofeasygreen.co.uk , and would I kindly write a blog post for their Simple VIP’s.

‘Yes, I’d love to’, was my immediate reply and so I have.

The New Year is such an inspiring time to kick off great habits such as getting more exercise and eating healthier – but would you ever consider that you can do both of these and be more energy efficient at the same time.

Well, as the Queen of Easy Green™, I’ve written a timely guest post for Simple.co.uk to say – yes you can.

Not only that, you will find out how these can be achieved easily and econveniently, whilst saving money at the same time. To find out how, just bob over to my guest post at www.simple.co.uk – and please, don’t forget to add your comments and suggestions while you’re there, I’d love to hear them.

p.s. don’t forget while you are there to sign up as a Simple VIP – they have some great offers, discounts and prizes to save you even more money and keep you looking simply fabulous!

Fabulous news, as the Queen of Easy Green™ I have been invited to join the At Home magazine and every fortnight, commencing January 2011, I will be sharing my exclusive easy eco tips and advice, to help us all save time, money and waste and live a greener life.

Keeping it seasonal, my first guest blog post is all about trimming our waste. But I don’t just mean our food waste, I mean our waist-line too. I’ve got some fantastic ideas that’ll help you lose lbs but save £’s at the same time. To find out how, just pop over to www.athomemagazine.co.uk. And don’t forget to leave a comment, I’d love to hear what ideas you have for your new year – waste-watching!

It’s all getting very exciting over here at Count On It® towers as I’ve recently found out that I’ve been shortlisted for another award, this time for the Mum and Working Awards. These awards recognise flexible family-friendly employees, companies and small businesses, their judges are ‘ looking for real, everyday stories where flexible employment is working and proving that having family-friendly approach can be a real asset to a company.’

My business has been chosen as a shortlisted nominee in the Business Parent of the Year category, sponsored by RSM Tenon, here’s the press release, oh and if you want to ‘like’ my nomination, please click on Lyndsey Young, Open Design here:

http://www.mumandworking.co.uk/awards/businessparent/

Lyndsey from Open Design, said: “I’m thrilled to be shortlisted for this award. It is great that parents running a business, whilst raising a family are recognised in such a way. My business was established when my children were toddlers and I have the best of both worlds, a stimulating career and flexibility to be there for my children whenever they need me.”

The judges , including multi-award winning business woman Wendy Shand of Tots To Travel, are now reviewing all shortlisted entries and the finalists will be announced at the end of September.

All finalists will be invited to the stunning Hilton St Anne’s Manor near Bracknell for a very special champagne awards ceremony on 4th November that will be attended by Sarah Beeny.  The winners will walk away with a selection of indulgent prizes worth over £3000 in total.

TO FIND OUT MORE OR ARRANGE A PHOTOGRAPH, PLEASE CONTACT LYNDSEY AT OPEN DESIGN ON 078757 19849  AND LYNDSEY@COUNT-ON-IT.CO.UK.

A full list of the available mumandworking 2010 awards::

Business Parent of the Year sponsored by RSM Tenon

Open to any parent who has their own business..  A parent that has overcome many challenges to launch their business but has made it a success. The winner will receive a luxury spa weekend for two at　Ragdale Hall Health Hydro and Thermal Spa worth £660.

Self-Employed Parent of the Year

Open to any parent who is registered self-employed.  A parent that has overcome many challenges to work for themselves but had created their own flexible employment. The winner receives a Candoo Concierge & Lifestyle Management Service for 1 year worth £250 and an advertising campaign with What’s On 4 worth at least £250!

Company of the Year sponsored by Hilton Hotels

Open to　any company who actively promotes exceptionally　family-friendly and flexible working policies to it’s team.  The winner receives a family leisure weekend at　Hilton St Anne’s Manor　including tickets to Legoland, Windsor.

Franchisor of the Year sponsored by whatson4me.co.uk

Open to any franchisor who actively promotes exceptionally family-friendly and flexible working policies to it’s franchisees. The winner receives a recruitment campaign on mumandworking worth over £500!

Working Parent of the Year sponsored by Tepilo.com

For companies and colleagues to nominate a parent who clearly demonstrates the asset that working parents are to any business with their dedication, enthusiasm and hard work. The winner will receive an Evening Bliss health spa pampering session at the Sanctuary in Covent Garden including treatment, dinner and Sanctuary gift!

Franchisee of the Year

For companies and colleagues to nominate a franchisee who clearly demonstrates how a flexible franchise can bring out the best in individuals for the benefit of their families and customers. The winner receives an advertising campaign with What’s On 4 worth atleast £250!

Count On It labels, the easy peel, freezer label. These removable labels are perfect for jars, freezing leftovers and baby food storage. No need for Sharpies, Count On It labels can be used on freezer bags, food storage tubs and glass storage containers. Ideal for safe food storage, the make First In First Out super simple. Count On It food storage labels for safe food storage.

As some of you may already be aware, I have recently found out that I am a finalist for the Mumpreneur Awards 2010, Best Green Business. I am really thrilled to have been selected as a finalist, as any person who has tried to raise a business and a family at the same time knows, it takes a lot of hard work, dedication and commitment. But I have done it because I believe I have something great to offer other families; products that can help them get the most out of their food and keep a bit more money in their pockets. Food waste is a huge problem in the UK and with food prices set to rise again in 2011, it’s vital that households are encouraged to be more efficient with their food and management of it, to ensure less goes in the bin and ultimately landfill.

Back at Count On It® towers (or garden office, more correctly) I am currently in the design stage of my second product to add to the Count On It® range and hopefully will be launching it later this year. I’ll keep you posted.

Anyway, here’s the press release which tells you more about the awards and who’s judging etc. Good luck fellow category finalists and I’ll see you on the 18th September.

Here’s also a some articles that have just appeared in the press:

http://www.thisisbusiness-eastmidlands.co.uk/news/Bottesford-inventor-line-Mumpreneur-Awards/article-2492227-detail/article.html

http://www.thisisbusiness-eastmidlands.co.uk/news/Mum-counting-awards-joy/article-2496312-detail/article.html

http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/leicester-mercury/mi_8142/is_20100806/mum-counting-awards-joy/ai_n54704072/

http://www.bostonstandard.co.uk/news/Mother-hopes-for-awards-success.6465214.jp

Local Mumpreneur Reaches Finals of National Awards

Local mum, and entrepreneur, Lyndsey Young, is excited to have reached the finals of The Mumpreneur Awards, a conference and awards aimed at celebrating women throughout the UK who manage the difficult task of juggling business with family life.  Lyndsey ensures her company remains on track for success by making the most of local business support services such as Business Link which is delivered by EMB Ltd.

The mother of 2 from Bottesford, runs Open Design and Communication Ltd, a design business which specialises in designing / inventing innovative kitchen products to help households save time, money and unnecessary food waste. Her first product, Count On It® labels was launched in 2008 and was immediately stocked by nationwide retailers, Lakeland and Betterware. Lyndsey is currently involved in developing the next product for the Count On It® range.

Lyndsey has been shortlisted for the Best Green Business Award, sponsored by Yell.com, which will be given to the finalist who has the most eco-friendly business or the business with the most unique way of keeping it green. As Count On It® products aim to help households reduce the amount of unnecessary food waste thrown-away, whilst also saving them time and money, Lyndsey hopes that she has what it takes to walk away with the prize.

As well as being shortlisted for this category, Lyndsey is also in with the chance of winning the title of The Inspirational Business Mum 2010, which will be awarded to the mum who is an inspiration to all women in business, and could walk away with a range of fantastic prizes.

To find out more about Count On It®, please visit Lyndsey’s website at www.countonit.co.uk

Judging Lyndsey’s entry will be a panel of 10 judges including ex-BBC Dragon, Rachel Elnaugh and successful entrepreneur and star of The Apprentice, Jo Cameron. The winners of The Mumpreneur Awards will be announced at The Mumpreneur Conference on September 18^th 2010, being held at the Heart of England Conference Centre in Warwickshire, an event open to all mums who run their own business, or are looking at starting up. Tickets cost just £20, and can be purchased through the website www.themumpreneurconference.co.uk

-ENDS-

Note to Editors

1. For more information on Open Design and Communication Ltd contact Lyndsey Young on 078757 19849 or mail Lyndsey@count-on-it.co.uk
2. For more information on The Mumpreneur Conference and Awards 2010 contact Laura Rigney on 07855240442 or email info@themumpreneurconference.co.uk
3. Photographs available on request

What an absolutely fantastic week it’s been this week. Here’s just a taste of some of what I’ve been up to:

Monday

To start off the week, I was invited to address 300 Business Link, UKTI and Train to Gain employees at EMB Ltd’s staff conference at the East Midlands Conference Centre. David Polkey and the fabulous PR and Communication Team at EMB Ltd wanted to use me as their Case Study story, somebody who has set up their own business and has an interesting story to tell! Well, with help from David who put together my powerpoint presentation, I told the conference about how my ‘Why Not?’ philosophy had taken me from inputting electricity meter readings, to Zimbabwe then onto Downing Street. Going from my childhood, I explained that how by setting goals, focussing on my dreams it had enabled me to travel around the world, do charity work, be on TV’s Deal or No Deal, win money and invent a successful product, Count On It labels, which now retail nationally and internationally.

After my presentation I had some great feedback, people said that they really enjoyed my presentation and that it was inspiring to see that someone who had experienced setbacks along the way, still maintained a positive focus on their dreams and aspirations and was doing what they loved.

Since doing my speech, I have been asked to do another presentation which is fantastic. Motivational talking and presenting, is definitely an area where I feel I can make a difference – watch this space!

Tuesday

Funnily enough, my second appointment of the week was again at the East Midlands Conference Centre. This time I was there as I had been shortlisted for the Extraordinary Women Awards 2010, in the Extraordinary Entrepreneur category. What a fabulous day this was, organised by Vicki Espin and her ‘extraordinary’ team, the day was a fun-filled, enthusiastic and inspirational event. Attended by inspirational women from around the UK, the event aims to recognise the achievements of women who have not been recognised before. Women who are living extraordinary lives, having extraordinary achievements. After listening to fantastic presentations by Sue Stockdale, Lisa Warner, Trish Davidson and Alicia Kite, the time had come to announce the winners, they were:-

Nikki Sharpe who won Extraordinary Personal Contribution 2010
Patricia Eufron Lunn who won Extraordinary Personal Endeavour 2010
Kim Cottee who won Extraordinary Young Woman 2010
Alison Thompson who won Extraordinary Organisational Success 2010

and me, Lyndsey Young, who won Extraordinary Entrepreneur 2010!

I was absolutely flabbergasted as I was shortlisted in the same category as Alicia Kite and Gillian Brown two fantastic ladies who are achieving amazing things. But there it was, I was announced the winner.

What a wonderful day it had been, I couldn’t have imagined that just by doing what I absolutely love, my passion, I would have received an award, but I am really grateful and proud. To anyone out there who has a dream go for it, for those who know someone who is doing something extraordinary, nominate them – I cannot recommend it highly enough. Nominations for 2011 are now open and all the details are here: http://www.extraordinarywomenuk.com/

Good luck!

Lyndsey

p.s. Wednesday was a great day too, radio and press interviews and photos, I’ll update you soon…

I am enjoying this. Been on the morning show on Radio Lincolnshire with Judy Theobald today. She was very interested in Count On It and I had about a 30 minute interview and managed to get www.count-on-it.co.uk in several times. Again I offered the first 20 listeners free samples, producer said afterwards that they don’t normally do that, but told me not to worry, seems strange that BBC Radio Leicester are quite happy with that, but not Lincolnshire – makes you wonder who is up to date with the current BBC policy. Anyway, all in all a successful second live interview – I am really going to try and get some more of these arranged, the hits on the websites certainly peak during and after the interviews.

Well my first venture onto live broadcasting went really well. I got a good response from the interview, quite a few hits on the website and also sent out samples to the first 20 people who contacted me via the website. Radio Leicester want to put Count On It labels in their Community Service Volunteer packs, a promotion they run that encourages the community to recycle amongst other things. They’ve already got shopping bags for life etc, so Count On It will fit in perfectly.

Interview at BBC Radio Lincolnshire tomorrow, hopefully this will be as successful – need to keep on spread the word. Next – recruit more word of mums (or moms as they say in USA).