Author Archives: simplyradical

Blast away winter blues with herbs

Posted on November 5, 2014 by simplyradical

Seeing as I’m running workshops at a city farm to help people move to a simpler lifestyle, I’ll start sharing some of the learnings here. I’ve covered lots of different subjects in my workshops this year: growing on balconies and containers; … Continue reading →

Posted in DIY Food, nature connection, resilience, simplifying daily life, Uncategorized, urban living | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Growing and making your own medicines

Posted on June 18, 2014 by simplyradical

Earlier this month I found myself alongside three other women, standing round a stove watching an older, grey-haired woman stir something in a cauldron..sorry saucepan. I was on a day’s intensive workshop focusing on 15 medicinal herbs – how to grow them, … Continue reading →

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Bladerunner weather

Posted on February 12, 2014 by simplyradical

Friends dubbed last year’s winter ‘Narnia’, it went on so long, with snow falling on Easter Sunday. This year the winter reminds me of Bladerunner, as I negotiate city streets through day after day of rain. Today, as I hurried … Continue reading →

Posted in community activism, nature connection, sustainability, urban living | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

On foraging

Posted on August 24, 2013 by simplyradical

I’m writing this in response to a recent column in the Independent on foraging. The column by CJ Schuler was prompted by destructive, commercial foraging of wild garlic at a local ancient woodland in south London.  Any foraging, let alone … Continue reading →

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Simplicity and wildflowers Part 2: New London Meadows

Posted on August 9, 2013 by simplyradical

All over London this summer, I’ve noticed wildflower and grassy meadows where before there was regularly mown grass. This is something I’ve been persuading landlords to do for the last year and a half, and now, suddenly, it seems to … Continue reading →

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Simplicity and wildflowers Part 1

Posted on June 26, 2013 by simplyradical

In my part-time day job, I attempt to sow wildflowers, food and inspiration in built-up urban areas. The idea is to make them healthier to live in, for both humans and other beings. Despite the huge benefits, there are many … Continue reading →

Posted in allotment gardening, DIY Food, mindfulness, nature connection, simplifying daily life, sufficiency, urban gardening, urban living | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Sunlit tree flowers and leaves

Posted on June 7, 2013 by simplyradical

In homage to this week’s beautiful sun-filled evenings… Sun through horse chestnut leaves, Dulwich Silhouetted tree flowers, Dulwich

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Heygate Urban Forest

Posted on May 31, 2013 by simplyradical

As featured on the new nature. I lie on my back on the grass and watch the clouds, my view framed by hundreds of newly-budding branches arching above me. I’m the only person in this vast decanted housing estate, once … Continue reading →

Posted in forest gardening, guerilla gardening, nature connection, politics, simplifying daily life, urban gardening, urban living | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Tree flowers

Posted on May 18, 2013 by simplyradical

I’ve really enjoyed noticing flowering trees this spring, hungry for signs that the Narnian winter was on its way out. Many wind-pollinated trees put out tiny flowers before, or alongside, their leaves, as leaves can get in the way of … Continue reading →

Posted in mindfulness, nature connection, simplifying daily life, Uncategorized, urban living | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The denatured cat

Posted on March 28, 2013 by simplyradical

A beautiful rescue cat has recently come to live with me, and she is wild and lovely in many ways. No-one knows how old she really is, but we guess somewhere around 10-14. That means she’s on the elderly side, … Continue reading →

Posted in sufficiency, sustainability, Uncategorized, urban living | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments