Full disclosure - this is a cat video. It is, however, one of the funniest videos I've seen lately (perhaps it's because I really get the cat humour).
Norman isn't just any cat, he's an Eco-Warrior. How can anyone resist a quick peek? Great work WWF!
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Friday, August 31, 2012
Tip: Good Eating, and Cheap!
You had me with the headline! Environmental Working Group's (EWG) "Good Food on a Tight Budget" shopping guide recently appeared in my inbox and I just had to share it.
Who doesn't want to save money on their grocery bill while still being able to enjoy good, healthy food?! This is such a great resource, and in great time for school and, heck, even for those of us raring our engines for the fall work rush.
Visit the website below to learn what the top 100 foods are that will help keep the "beans" in your pockets while still giving you the goods (nutrients and proteins, that is). They also highlight which organic foods are most worth the extra $$.
The site offers plenty of tips, a quick list of the top 100 foods, a menu planner, shopping list, price tracker, and a whole lot more:
http://www.ewg.org/goodfood/index.php
Also, EWG did this all for our health. But they are not-for-profit and if you like the information you see here, they would appreciate our donations so they can keep doing this kind of great work. If you do donate, EWG will send you a hard copy of the guide so you have the food list accessible all the time - pretty great!
Thanks for this great resource, EWG!
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Read: Body Care Gets Personal
Ecoholic Body
2012
$29.95 (CAN)
Is it just me, or is body care a hot topic right now? I know I may be tuned in a little more than the average consumer to what's on the green scene, but the fact that ENGOs from the David Suzuki Foundation to Environmental Defence are campaigning about the toxins in our personal care products is no coincidence.
Great timing for a new book all about products we're putting on our bodies then, no? Released this past April, Adria Vasil's book Ecoholic Body is an ultimate resource for learning all about the items we're slathering on our skin, wearing on our backs, and putting in our bodies.
While I happily read this book from front to back, I imagine some people might balk at the more than 450 pages of carefully researched details on sunscreen and supplements. Adria even confessed during one of her book launch parties that this one was actually much longer before being edited down. I would recommend (as she has) that this ambitious read be treated more like a resource to pick up when you want to dig deeper into personal care topics like body care for kids and babies or hair dye.
Best bits: what I like most about this latest edition in the Ecoholic book series are the product suggestions and rankings provided. It's hard to know which brands are really the greenest and also perform the way you want them to, so having Adria package all this up for us is awesome. The range of products covered is also impressive so you'll most likely find answers to your body care questions. I also appreciate the great breakdowns at the front end of each section in every chapter of the specific health issues associated with the product in question.
I'm also a sucker for lists, and Adria has created a memorable name for top chemicals to avoid: the Mean 15 (adding to Environmental Defence's Toxic Ten and David Suzuki Foundation-backed Dirty Dozen... see these lists are kinda catchy!!). Mean 15 ingredients to avoid can also be downloaded off Adria's Ecoholic website and folded to fit in your wallet.
I've bought sunscreen, chosen a hair salon and am eyeing a pair of jeans thanks to this book, so it definitely has my thumbs up. You'll definitely see me referencing this bad boy in upcoming personal care posts, so get ready!!
About the author: A Toronto gal, Adria Vasil has become an acclaimed and bestselling author for her past two Ecoholic books. She's also demoed her expertise weekly in her NOW magazine Ecoholic column since 2004. You may have even seen her on TV or heard her on the radio giving the skinny (no holds barred) on the latest greenwashers.
Related posts:
- Read the review on Adria Vasil's Ecoholic Home.
- Personal Care Product Guide from Environmental Defence.
UPDATE
Thanks to my sister and her good suggestions, here are some online shops where you can find healthier/greener personal care products (I can't guarantee all products on these sites get the thumbs up, so make sure to either cross-reference with Ecoholic Body or look the product up):There are plenty more where this came from, so watch my blog for more on where you can find the best personal care for you and your family.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Happy World Oceans Day!
This is a photo I took at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta (I know aquariums can be controversial), but I wanted to share this because of the important educational component (also, whale sharks are my favourite fish). Though aquariums are like zoos for our fresh and saltwater friends, they also provide us with a place to develop an understanding and admiration for life we might not otherwise see.
Today is World Oceans Day and it affords us a reason to stop and think about these vast bodies of water and the impact we have on them. So, take some time today and think of maybe even just one simple action you can take to show you're thinking about our oceans.
My suggestion: support more sustainable seafood. This is one of the easiest ways you can show support and make a difference. There are also many fantastic not-for-profits doing great work with our oceans that are always looking for donations and volunteers.
For sustainable seafood labels and more on this topic, visit:
www.seachoice.org (Sustainable Seafood Canada), www.oceanwise.ca (Ocean Wise), and www.msc.org (Marine Stewardship Council).
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Tips: Balcony Tomatoes!
Nothing really says spring like getting some gardening tools out and surveying the land (in this "city-case", perhaps more like balcony space or a window ledge). Plotting out which edible spices, flowers and veggies to plant is a great way to use your space and to get the benefits of some lovely greenery to look at.
The following video by a Montreal crew should get some inspiration flowing in this tasty direction:
Video courtesy of The Rake and by Marie-Eve (who also writes a very cool blog: Lake Jane).
The following video by a Montreal crew should get some inspiration flowing in this tasty direction:
Video courtesy of The Rake and by Marie-Eve (who also writes a very cool blog: Lake Jane).
Monday, April 16, 2012
Tips: Spring Breakup
Are you in a toxic relationship with your household cleaners?
Did that catch your attention? It certainly grabbed mine! So, what's this all about?
We can thank the David Suzuki Foundation for bringing us this funny twist on the spring cleaning theme. Specifically, it's David Suzuki's Queen of Green, Lindsay Coulter, that's launched this month-long campaign to help you and I get out of unhealthy relationships with conventional cleaners.
This is an issue that's close to my heart (I grew up around lots of cleaning chemicals through a family business and am still working on getting my Dad to make the full switch). Cleaners pose a significant threat to our health (the clear links to asthma alone are mega concerning), so it's campaigns like these that will hopefully grab our attention enough to make a change.
More about the Spring Breakup: this campaign has four weeks worth of content ranging from chemical education to advice on what you should be looking for on the product's labels.
I know from experience that most of us are wary of performance and cost when it comes to buying environmentally-preferable cleaning products for our home. The thing is, cleaners have come a looong way since their early "green" days, and there are loads of healthier, effective, and cost-conscious options to choose from. There really isn't an excuse for not making the switch (just admit it, this relationship needs a clean break!).
Also on the Spring Breakup website, you'll find a handy, downloadable shopper's guide to cleaners that you can pack in your pocket or wallet.
The trick to buying truly greener cleaners is knowing what chemicals to avoid, looking for proof that their claims are for real (ecolabels are here to help), and not giving up - your health is too important not to keep at this). I'll definitely post future tips on choosing greener cleaners, but do check out the Spring Breakup site for how to do this.
Here are some of my favourite greener cleaners and check out your local natural food store or green aisle in the grocery store for more:
 | |
| Image Cred: www.springbreakup.ca |
Did that catch your attention? It certainly grabbed mine! So, what's this all about?
We can thank the David Suzuki Foundation for bringing us this funny twist on the spring cleaning theme. Specifically, it's David Suzuki's Queen of Green, Lindsay Coulter, that's launched this month-long campaign to help you and I get out of unhealthy relationships with conventional cleaners.
This is an issue that's close to my heart (I grew up around lots of cleaning chemicals through a family business and am still working on getting my Dad to make the full switch). Cleaners pose a significant threat to our health (the clear links to asthma alone are mega concerning), so it's campaigns like these that will hopefully grab our attention enough to make a change.
More about the Spring Breakup: this campaign has four weeks worth of content ranging from chemical education to advice on what you should be looking for on the product's labels.
I know from experience that most of us are wary of performance and cost when it comes to buying environmentally-preferable cleaning products for our home. The thing is, cleaners have come a looong way since their early "green" days, and there are loads of healthier, effective, and cost-conscious options to choose from. There really isn't an excuse for not making the switch (just admit it, this relationship needs a clean break!).
Also on the Spring Breakup website, you'll find a handy, downloadable shopper's guide to cleaners that you can pack in your pocket or wallet.
The trick to buying truly greener cleaners is knowing what chemicals to avoid, looking for proof that their claims are for real (ecolabels are here to help), and not giving up - your health is too important not to keep at this). I'll definitely post future tips on choosing greener cleaners, but do check out the Spring Breakup site for how to do this.
Here are some of my favourite greener cleaners and check out your local natural food store or green aisle in the grocery store for more:
- Nature Clean
- Attitude
- BioSource
- Baking soda (seriously, this stuff is awesome!)
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Earth Hour: this Saturday, March 31
How will you celebrate Earth Hour? It's only one hour, or one evening, but it's all about raising awareness of climate change - the issues and some of the things we can do about it. Not sure what to do during Earth Hour? Check out WWF's website for some ideas, and to learn more about climate change and how it impacts us: http://earthhour.wwf.ca/earthhour/index.html.
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