The Friday 5: Simple Ideas for Big Change Edition

The best of EcoSalon’s stories this week.

Salt is itself an uncomplicated compound – it’s how we use it that’s so fascinating. Take these staggeringly intricate installations by artist Motio Yamamoto.

Similarly, from simple grapes come extraordinarily diverse wines, and not just in Europe – check out these 10 Californian wineries leading the way in producing new wine the traditional French way, without synthetic fungicides, herbicides or fertilizers.

Planning to put up new shelving and loathe the idea of spending cash on it? Take a look at this post for inspiration, then go hunting around your house for anything suitable. (We’re betting you’ll find it).

Think the answer to water shortages is cutting back on the water you use? As Allison Ford explains here, you’d serve your country better by turning lights off and eating locally-sourced food.

Finally, butter pasty, almond filling and icing – that’s how you make the Swedish pastry classics called Mazariner. Piece of cake. (And are they healthy? They are if you eat very small amounts of them. Yes).

Mike Sowden

Mike Sowden is a freelance writer based in the north of England, obsessed with travel, storytelling and terrifyingly strong coffee. He has written for online & offline publications including Mashable, Matador Network and the San Francisco Chronicle, and his work has been linked to by Lonely Planet, World Hum and Lifehacker. If all the world is a stage, he keeps tripping over scenery & getting tangled in the curtain - but he's just fine with that.