Green on the Rock

EcoGreen Hotel

2009-10-08T06:42:00.005-04:00

For those of you in the hospitality industry, there is a fantastic site out there with green resources, ideas and tips to "green" up your business.

EcoGreen Hotel

The site contains surveys to determine your hotel's environmental impact, checklists and educational info to learn more about green terms and the environment.

I like that the site has a source for green hotel body products. Wouldn't that be a treat, rather than always bringing your own "safer" bodycare from home, so you can avoid using the regular, nasty hotel variety?!

Thanks to Parisiscott for supplying this link through a comment.

Buff'd Cosmetics - BEAUTIFUL!

2009-09-09T20:54:00.005-04:00

Being off on maternity leave for a year, I did tend to let myself go a bit (ok, maybe a lot). I would dress myself in the nearest clothes (usually from the floor), rarely look in a mirror or brush my hair, and as for makeup? Definitely the least of my concerns when I was up all night long with my babes.

Well, now that I am back to work it actually feels good to get a bit dressed up, and yes, even put on some makeup.

When you make the rest of your life as green as possible, you certainly don't want to cheat on things that actually come into contact with your body - and that means no nasty chemicals on your face (do you really want poisonous things that close to your brain?).

Buff'd Cosmetics are the perfect "green" answer. Canadian (yay!), a huge variety of shades for all, and personalized help from owner Jennifer Gerwing if you are colour-dumb like I am and need some assistance in choosing the right shades for you. This mineral makeup is fab-u-lous!

I am fair-skinned with dirty blonde hair, blue eyes and zero ability to pick out colours. I was sent Bisque, Fair and Lace foundations to take for a test run. I did work up the nerve to mix some of the colours together and I even added a touch of honey bronzer because I am a bit tanned from a summer of paddling and and playing out of doors. The colours mixed up so easily in a small jar and I applied them with a Kabuki brush. You do need to apply moisturizer first so it doesn't settle in fine lines (not that I have any - haha). It provides great coverage to cover any minor imperfections (not that I have any of those either - tee hee), and yet is sheer enough that you don't look like you are wearing makeup. NICE!

These sifter jars from Buff'd are perfect for dispensing small amounts of makeup to use with your makeup brushes - no waste and portion control! (think Mimi Bobeck from the Drew Carey Show - no one wants that look!)

They have an incredible selection of eye shadows. I used some brown, earthy shades to complement my blue eyes. The colours actually lasted all day, which is great, since in the past so many eyeshadows seem to just fade away my during my busy days.

And, at Jennifer's suggestion, I tried out a pigment. These pigments are pure pops of colour, and they really add some zing. I had a flashy green shade called Devine, which is a gorgeous green shade. NOT something I would ever pick on my own. I wore it as an eyeshadow and got so so many compliments. Gee, compliments are NICE! Hmmm, I may have to walk on the wild side a bit more often.

Is this an awesome colour or what? I love this Devine shade!

One thing I did experiment with was taking the eye colours and mixing them (not all together of course, I'm not that colour-dumb) on the back of my hand with a drop of water to make a paste. I then applied these as eyeshadows and even a liner and absolutely LOVED the effect. Brilliant colours, and they went on so smoothly.

I haven't had time to try out all the goodies from Buff'd, but I can't wait to get at them. When you only have 2 1/2 minutes in the morning to get yourself ready for work, it's hard to get in too much experimentation at one time. Well, not without looking like a relative of Bozo's, that is.

So be sure and head on over to Buff'd and check them out. I totally suggest the sample sizes - they are enough to last for many applications, since with mineral makeup you don't need very much to make an impact. Plus, you can try out a variety of items to find what you truly love best.

Another bonus? When my little 3 year old princess wants to put on makeup "just like mommy", I don't mind giving her a quick swipe since I know this makeup doesn't contain all the harsh chemicals of most makeup out there on the market. This company ain't trying to hide anything, as they list their ingredients right on their website. How is that for inspiring some confidence in a product, eh?

Did I mention that they are Canadian too, eh?

Reusable snack bags

2009-09-06T10:30:00.003-04:00

Check out this great idea from a crafty friend of mine.

Jackie's Snack Bags

She is sewing her own snack bags for her boys to use at school. What a great idea! I want to make some up for myself, so I need to find that PUL (waterproof barrier fabric) that I stashed away somewhere.....hmmmmmmm...........

By the way, stay tuned for a review of some fantastic mineral makeup. Yup, I finally did myself up, and I am LOVING it! Coming soon.................

School Supplies

2009-08-27T07:43:00.002-04:00

Here is a fantastic post by the Canadian blog site, Ethical Consumer. It contains a list of the most ethical/green choices for school supplies.

It is based on this list from Frogfile - which is a Canadian business supplies distributor of green office products. Pretty neat, huh?

The one that interests me most is the water-based white-out. In elementary school we have basically banned the stuff due to the potential for sniffing and the toxicity of this product ( not to mention the mess) so I am hoping that this stuff has no nasty chemical (read headache-inducing) odour to it.

Back to school...in green!

2009-08-18T20:07:00.002-04:00

Well, it's that time of year again...when parents have a tear of joy in their eyes and teachers just have tears........

After a year off on maternity leave, I am returning to the grind.

This year, I'm trying to go back and be green (well, not literally green, although I am teaching kindergarten, so I could turn myself green for a "green" day while learning our colours.....hmmmm, maybe not).

For several months I have been collecting empy coffee and baby formula cans. Those will become our pencil cases - no plastic junky things from the $ store that the lids break off, or cheap plastic zippy things that disintegrate after day 2.

I have enlisted the help of a parent to help sew book bags for our homework reading program.

And I am working on several other things as well. Oh, and I just bought out a Value Village of all their puzzles and toys for my classroom activity centres too! That was fun - though the cashier looked at me like I was a bit nuts, as she said "well, all your kids will be excited with ALL THOSE THINGS!! (she probably thinks I have 8 kids of my own or something).

Here is a good article from the Toronto Star about Going Green for Back to School.

And if you have lots of money to blow, here is the Daily Green's Back to School suggestions.

Guerilla Bagging

2009-08-10T10:00:00.003-04:00

Okay, there are so many possible connotations to that title - I will stop you right now and explain what it is.

This is a social movement, that has been started by morsbags.com.

It all began when the founder of the movement heard of a young minke whale which washed up on the beach in France on her birthday. The contents of the whale's stomach were as follows:

-15 assorted plastic bags and 1 chip bag

Eeewww!

There are amazingly simple instructions on the site to sew up your own morsbags here.

Use an old sheet, recycled fabric of any sort, and sew one up.

THEN - and here comes the sociable guerilla part.......

You hand them out for free to the unsuspecting public - such as in a grocery story and they are reaching for the disposable plastic bags (or just randomly to people, if you want to avoid any sort of potential conflict).

There is a lot of info on the site - so go check it out now! http://www.morsbags.com/

For pictures of morsbags that have been made by others, click here.

Here is a letter copied from the site, to help spread the word about their movement (which, to date, has recorded nearly 50 000 bags made!)

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + ++ +

let’s do something positive to reduce the hideous number of plastic bags being used - 1 million are consumed per minute globally - of which hundreds of thousands end up in the oceans.

the idea is to get together with people in your local community, drink POP and make reusable cloth bags (from old duvet covers, curtains from charity shops etc) and hand them out to the unsuspecting public for free on specified dates outside different supermarkets.

meet new people, do something marvellous for the planet and beat other pods (groups) of baggers with your morsbag tally.

go to www.morsbags.com to be a part of a wonderful thing!

p.s. non-commercial/ non-profitable - just full of beneficial things for everyone, especially whales!

Odds and Ends

2009-08-09T08:38:00.002-04:00

Aaah, summer....or some strange semblance of it anyway! Lowered uses of air conditioners, the economy causing the cancelling of travellling an vacations...hmmm, perhaps this is a "greener" than average summer.....(plus the lawns are growing like crazy due to the rain and cooler weather - so that takes care of the literal sense of the word).

What have I been up to that is green? Well, other than the everyday attempts at green-ness, nothing drastic, I will admit.

We compost.

We seldom cut our lawn (ok, perhaps not due to being green, but rather, business and laziness, but the outcome is the same!).

We buy as much local produce as possible.

I have hit some good yard sales for re-using other people's unwanteds.

The normal, everyday kinda stuff.

With back-to-school looming on the horizon (ick, back to work for me after a year off with my "babies") I have been collected large coffee and baby formula cans to use in my kindergarten class as pencil containers.

And a fabulous parent volunteer and I will be sewing up some book bags and lunch money/notes to teacher bags so that all those little tidbits will make it to school in one piece. We will be using old upholstery samples for this project. No more ziploc bags!

So, little by little, I am trying to do my part.

I did get a fabulous green birthday present from a good friend too - Plain Jane Soap. This soap has the yummiest flavours too. I actually just sat down to place an order for some more - and decided that I should shake off the laziness and make a post.

By the way, Plain Jane Soap has a new website:

http://www.wix.com/plainjanesoap/PLain-Jane-Soap

Enjoy!

Recyled swimsuit cover-up

2009-07-21T06:45:00.003-04:00

Here is something I had fun designing/making, using a couple of used items I had picked up (an old sheet and a used zip blouse).

I used a Butterick pattern for the base, and added features like the leg zip and adjustable sleeve ruffles.

Energy Act Meeting in T.O.

2009-06-24T19:40:00.002-04:00

For those of you who are in Toronto on June 25th (oh, I just realized that is tomorrow!), there is a meeting to discuss the new rules to permit renewable energy facilities.

With all the wind generation naysayers in the news lately (I'm not saying they don't have valid points - we just have to keep working on improving our sources of renewable energy), I am guessing that wind power generation may be one of the topics.

Here are the details, as received in a Green Energy Act email today:

Dear Renewable Energy Supporters,

We need your help to bring more renewable energy to Ontario! While the government has introduced groundbreaking legislation that will help power Ontario with clean renewable energy, we need to make sure we get the details right and the new legislation is not derailed by other interests.

An important meeting is being held in Toronto this Thursday June 25th from 7pm to 9pm. The meeting is to discuss the new rules to permit renewable energy facilities. Renewable energy supporters need to attend this meeting.

This is the last public meeting on these regulations so come show your support for renewable power and get informed about the new proposed rules for renewable energy facilities. The government needs to hear from supporters of renewable energy.

When: Thursday, June 257:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Where: Ryerson University Ted Rogers School of Management Lecture Theatre – TRS1-067575 Bay St.Toronto, ON M5G 2C3

Summer...finally! Now what to wear?

2009-06-15T12:35:00.004-04:00

It has been a long time coming, but we have actually had a couple of nice summery days in a row, if you can believe it.

In our house, that means that out come the long-sleeve shirts and hats, for the most part....and limited amounts of sleeveless clothing, skimpy bathing suits and tiny shorts.

The reason is simple: you need to avoid overexposure to the sun - and the best way to do that is to cover up.

(plus nobody needs to see me in skimpy outfits anyway....20 yrs old was quite a long time ago for me)

We don't look fashionable - rather dowdy actually.

My daughter often wears long cotton pants with a long-sleeved shirt (my choice). The pants are covered with many unidentifiable stains due to constant use, and the shirt comes to well-above her wrist bone and many inches of belly protrude underneath (her choice). Not that I have dressed her this way, but rather, she LIKES THESE ONES and as much as I try to hide them away to give to another, smaller, child, she keeps pulling them out and stuffing herself in.

My son looks quite dapper though, in his fancy button-up preppy shirts in stripes and plaids. This is due to the fact that they are loose, cool and long-sleeved, and we don't have many for him. So he always looks all dressed up, even if it is to play in the wading pool or the sand pile.

As for me, I usually just pull on something from the nearest pile of soon-to-be-washed laundry and away I go.....long sleeve shirt, and shorts of some description. Hmm, not so yummy mummy, but then again, there's no one around to impress but the mosquitoes and the neighbourhood retirees.

We do all wear our hats as well.......most hail from Value Village (it's so hard to buy kids hats with a big enough brim to block the sun - it seems to be fashion above function).

As for sunscreen - yes. BUT, we do try to limit the amounts, thus the apparel of the long sleeved and legged variety. Looking for the safest sunscreens? Be sure and check out the Cosmetic Safety Database to see how safe yours is.

See you at the beach!

We will be easy to pick out - as my kids have the full-body bathing suits and we will be hiding in the shade as much as possible. And we probably won't be there between 10 and 2, when the sun is at its peak burning capability.

HOME: An amazing film of our Earth

2009-06-10T11:21:00.003-04:00

It's only available until June 14th. For free viewing, it is a fabulous journey, looking at our planet.

Home: the film by Yann Arthus-Bertrand

Be sure and check out these stunning aerial views of our home.

We are living in exceptional times. Scientists tell us that we have 10 years to change the way we live, avert the depletion of natural resources and the catastrophic evolution of the Earth's climate.The stakes are high for us and our children.

Everyone should take part in the effort, and HOME has been conceived to take a message of mobilization out to every human being. For this purpose, HOME needs to be free. A patron, the PPR Group, made this possible. EuropaCorp, the distributor, also pledged not to make any profit because Home is a non-profit film.

'Tis the Season for Yard Sales

2009-05-29T14:06:00.002-04:00

Yard sale season is now upon is - and I have discovered there are many bonuses to these weekly Saturday outings.

In the past, I wouldn't have been caught dead at one - I will admit it.

But these days, with two little kiddies, I have discovered a plethora of perks to the once-thought-lowly yard sale.

1. They are a great way to entertain my daughter on a Saturday, when Hubby is working on the house/yard etc.

2. Kids are expensive, are ever-growing, and ever-needing new toys and clothing. Why not use someone's previously loved items, for a fraction of the price.

3. I never get time to shop anymore, with two tiny tots, so this helps me to assuage the shopping need - and is FAR more inexpensive.

4. I think yard sales even meet some "hunt and gather" instincts from our ancestors.

5. What a rush to find some great deal, for dirt cheap!

6. An even bigger rush to brag about it to friends and family who would have loved to have found that great deal for themselves (ok, I lead a dull existence these days, because this actually does provide excitement for me).

My latest great finds?

A grandmother's button jar, full of buttons, needles and pins and other goodies. This have provided hours of entertainment for my daughter, who has an absurd fascination with buttons ( as does my cousin, who is insanely jealous over these buttons and I'm a bit afraid she will at some point con my three year old out of her wares - just joking!)

A dress made of a beautiful blue print fabric. This dress was about a 3XXL size, so there was TONS of fabric in it. I purchased it for 50 cents - and it is now an almost-finished peasant blouse. I will post picks when I get it sewn.

Several XXL and bigger t-shirts, skirts and blouses that have beautiful fabric and buttons. They are just waiting to be made into some exciting new article of clothing, purse, belt...who knows! (and why pay several dollars for 4 buttons when you can get 8+ buttons off an old shirt for 50 cents??!!)

Several Barbies, books and building blocks for the kiddies - and even a whole set of junior hockey equipment for $10. Beat that!

One caveat is the competitiveness that can arise due to yard sale fever. Get there early, and get out of my way! (you people know who you are - don't touch my deals!!)

Gotta go get my route planned for tomorrow - yard sale day!

Green Giveaway Winner: Plain Jane Soap

2009-05-29T14:05:00.001-04:00

Congratulations to
Anonymous who said...
This soap would be great for my whole family to use. I really try to stay away from harsh soaps with heavy deodorants, so these would be nice to try.

I will be contacting you to arrange for sending you your prize

Ban the Chemicals: a Business Proposition

2009-05-18T21:18:00.003-04:00

I am at my computer right now, writing an article for the paper about the province of Ontario's ban of cosmetic pesticides.

Interviewing many people, it is very interesting to hear various views on the subject.

Business owners, in the lawn care industry, are definitely being hurt by it. Ok, I get that - they need to feed their families too.

Many individuals are very pro-ban (is that a word? it sounds like a brand of sunglasses). Why not? Who wants chemicals in their food, water, children (aaagh.....that's the reality isn't it - these things are ending up inside our children's growning bodies).

Of course, I am very excited about the chemical ban.

HOwever, I do sympathize with those whose livelihood has been dependent upon it.

I have the solution!

Make the kids pull the weeds and kill the bugs (for individuals).

Hire out your kids to pull the weeds and kill the bugs for other people (for businesses hurt by the ban).

I'm joking about that previous statement, obviously.

I was speaking to a lawn care business owner, who did have something positive to say. He felt that people would have to become better gardeners/growers in order to make things thrive without chemicals.

I heartily agree. And what a wonderful business opportunity - so many people have become reliant upon chemicals and they don't know any other way of making their vegetables blemish-free and their lawns green and weedless.

Those with the know-how will be able to lead the way in their industry, and educate and help people become better ( and chemical free ) in their nurturing of their home herbage.

Hmmm, perhaps a new line of work????? Do I want to go back to teaching when my maternity leave ends?

Well, ok, I do love teaching....but perhaps others will pick up on this idea and run with it (please feel free to send me a "cut" when you start making the big bucks).

In the meantime, the rest of us will get out our hoe's and get to work (the garden kind, people!!!!!!!!).

And the best bit of advice that I got was from a long-time family friend, Carol Loveridge. She simply grows exra vegetables so that the bugs can have their share, and that there are plenty left for her.

How simple is that! No chemicals required.

Bags: 5 cents

2009-05-13T12:15:00.004-04:00

I have a theory - well, I have a lot of theories - and this one isn't totally half-baked.

If sales people would ask first, before assuming that 'everyone' wants a bag, then a lot fewer bags would be consumed.

I have noticed that when I am asked if I would like a bag by a retail salesperson, it makes me think: "Oh, no thank you", and then I dig out my stashed bag from my purse.

But, there have been times when I haven't been paying attention during the checkout process, and I am handed my item already inside a plastic bag. 99% of the time I go through the ritual of: blushing - apologizing for not remembering to say something sooner - taking the item out of the bag - handing the bag back to the cashier (and I wonder if in it's now-rumpled state it is simply tossed in the trash) and then continuing on my way.

Once or twice, with screaming child or two attached to my body, and requiring about three extra sets of arms, I have simply sighed, grabbed the offending bag, and exited the store, hoping to escape before an erupting temper tantrum escalates.

I never thought it would happen here on "the Rock", but Manitoulin is moving ahead with the changing times, and businesses are actually starting to charge for plastic bags. Incredible, I know - really!

I'm sure the charge will make some people stop and think, "Do I really need this bag?"

Now if only we could get to the point where there are no plastic bags at all - THAT would be a wonderful world.

I imagine it is coming....after all, I never thought we would ever make it to the bag charge - so, hey, ANYTHING is possible!

(or charge $1 for a plastic bag - THAT would make some heads swivel and some mouths twitch, now wouldn't it!!!)

Green lessons of love

2009-05-10T20:50:00.002-04:00

My Gram passed away on Thursday evening, surrounded by family. She turned 89 a week ago, and has led a full, wonderful life.

As I was contemplating all that she has meant to me, I realized that many of her values and attitudes passed on to her two daughters and her grandchildren as well.

Since I can remember, Gram would sneak me chocolate chip cookies, tied up with a scrap of yarn in a reused milk bag.

I would go home from Gram's house with a loaf of fresh baked bread in the outer milk bag.

I would snuggle on the couch under a lovingly made quilt that was entirely recycled from old, worn-out clothing.

The scrap bucket in the corner of her kitchen always held compostable material and it went to feed the chickens.

Eggs were gathered by hand once a day, and any chicken you ate was fresh, antibiotic free and grain fed/free range.

Her garden was unbelievable - rows upon rows of glistening strawberries, and every type of vegetable you could ever think of - no chemicals used there - just honest-to-goodness hard work got rid of any weeds and pests.

Socks were darned with scraps of yarn when they got holes, they weren't ever thrown away.

Old sweaters were unwound, the yarn wound back into balls, and they would then become another "new" knitted item for use.

And the list goes on, and on. I have so many wonderful memories, and I realize that she has really impacted my life in so many positive ways. Not to mention her incredible love for us all, and her wit and wry sense of humour.

To honour her, instead of buying cut flowers, which can be very un-friendly environmentally, we had a planter put together as a mini-vegetable garden....with tomatoes, lettuce, parsley and brussel sprout plants.

Now, rather than throwing away wilted flowers, we have vegetables to plant in the garden, and in the fall when we are enjoying the bounty of them, we can remember Gram and her wonderful gardens.

I hope that I can instill in my own children the importance of caring for our planet and not wasting our resources - and that these lessons are passed on to my grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well.

I love you Gram - thanks for loving me and teaching me so well.

Green Giveaway....Thursday: Plain Jane Soap

2009-05-06T13:16:00.003-04:00

This soap is anything but plain.

It is handmade in Sudbury, Ontario, and is vegetarian/vegan, all natural and environmentally friendly.

These are crafted at home on the kitchen table, which gives each bar a unique, handmade feel.

Best of all, they come in a plethora of yummy scents that smell great and the ingredients are great for your skin. Cranberry/spice, oatmeal/honey, and so many more.

Most soaps you purchase in stores contain parabens (preservatives), artificial fragrances (causes headaches in sensitive people, such as myself.....haha, betcha didn't all know I was a "sensitive" person!) and colours.

Plain Jane Soap contains items you can find in your own kitchen, such as olive oil, canola oil, honey, dried herbs. Best of all, their soaps contain as many local ingredients as possible. You can't beat that!

So where can you get them? Contact them at plainjanesoap [at] gmail.com, or by phone at 705-673-3037. Great gift idea for all those special moms in your life!

Oops, I almost forgot the best part! I am giving away a set of three of these beautiful soaps (they smell so yummy I could almost eat them). All you have to do to enter is tell me something about soap! Contest is open to Canadian residents only. Enter by May 19th to win!

Watergeeks Winner

2009-05-05T13:25:00.002-04:00

Well, I have gotten behind in my blog - many apologies. Sometimes life just throws way to much at you and you can't keep all the balls in the air!

Anyhow, the lucky winner of the Watergeeks water bottle is:

Josiane who said...
Those bottles are great! I usually carry a bottle for water, simply, but the tea strainer option - what a great idea! - would totally make me use them for loose leaf herbal teas as well.
When I visited the Better Baby Bums store, I saw that they offer non-profit organization to sell this water bottle as a fundraiser, and I thought: another great idea! But the product that caught my eye? The Organic Cotton Happy Lion! When he was a bit younger, my nephew used to roar and say "Je suis un lion!" quite a bit. That was very cute, and this toy is a sweet reminder of that not-far-at-all period of his life.

Congratulations! Please contact me with your mailing address so that your prize can be sent to you.

The Ultimate in Eat Local

2009-04-28T18:45:00.005-04:00

When you get your haircut, as a mom, it is probably one of the few chances you get in a day to sit down, relax, and talk about things other than why "yes, you need a nap, you are grouchy....and no more sandbox until you do!"

At my last haircut, we got to discussing "green" lifestyle habits and I got to hear all about what is probably the neatest "green" bit that I have come across.

A local Island resident actually takes his own homegrown grain and makes his own flour. Then, he bakes his own bread.

Living on The Rock, which is largely composed of just that - rock - we aren't exactly known for our wheat and cereal grain crops. However, most local farmers do put in some various grains for seed and animal feed.

What a great idea! Since you know what you are spreading on your own crops (and hopefully they are for the most part organic) you know what you are eating. No bleach used to whiten the flour, and wholesome full-grain goodness.

The home mill is the really unique part. Apparently, all you do is dump in the grain, turn it on, grind it up, and there it is - ready to use.

If I ever come across one of these things - I would be fascinated to try it.

I have no idea how old this mill is, but I know it didn't just roll of the line in China last week.

Check out the picture (thanks Linda and Ronnie) - pretty neat! (I had some others but blogger wasn't working properly and I couldn't upload.) I sure would love to try some of that bread. And I bet you could come up with some pretty great breakfast/porridge concoctions with it too.

Boy, people in the past sure had it figured out better than we do. It seems that every step forward we make in the name of technology and "progress", we take several steps backwards in the name of our own health and the health of the planet.

DRUNK product review

2009-04-25T11:57:00.009-04:00

No, that's not an altered state in which I am typing this.... it's jewellery!
Personally, I don't really go for the glitz and glam, but I do like adornment of a more subtle nature.

Sweet Organics and Naturals, a U.S. based online shop, has a fabulous selection of eco-jewellery that won't break the bank and will put you in the good books for quite a while.

I was wearing my DRUNK necklace the other day (Handcrafted in the USA, this jewelry makes beautiful use of wine bottles one the wine has been drunk) and my husband gave me a second look. Let me tell you, with 2 little kids in the house, and hectic schedules, that doesn't happen every day!

He then gave me an inquisitive look......aaahhh, he's wondering where I got it! Rightly so, I suppose, as he barely tolerates my online shopping habit.

And then he complimented me on it! He liked it, and when I explained the DRUNK part of it, he laughed. I love wine, but it's so seldom that I get to imbibe that our bottles all have inches of dust on them.

This wearable art is a real conversation starter, and so unique that it does garner second looks and attention. It's quality design means it won't fall apart on you (my 9 month old has given it the tug test nearly every time I pick him up - apparently it really catches his eye too).

The jewellery carried by the shop is funky, hip, and you can bet the neighbourhood teens won't be wearing them as they aren't available at the nearby_____(insert name of cheap/crappy made- in -China -fashion -jewellery store here).

My 3-year-old has been eyeing my necklace up as well, and if it goes missing, I just know that I will have to hunt through her room and toy box for it.

So, for all of you out there looking for something unique for Mother's Day, be sure and check out the selection at Sweet Organics and Naturals. They carry a line of necklaces, earrings, and non-jewellery items such as recycled kimono purses, eco journals and bodycare.

Best of all, they are offering free shipping for orders over $25, and even to Canada! Just use the coupon code Canada for free 1st class shipping on items up to 16oz.

And for all my friends and relatives, I really like the recycled silver jewellery, oh, and the recycled glass pendants (very funky!), and the purses are pretty neat, as are the.............

One Simple Thing for Earth Day

2009-04-21T08:15:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow is Earth Day - and I know there are community events going on globally - but you don't have to make a big outing of it. All you need to do is one "extra" thing and you are taking party in the celebration of our planet (or what is left of it, in some parts of our world).

Personally, I think a lovely way to celebrate would be to have the day to myself to be outside and hike, enjoying the outdoors - and the peace and quiet, listening to the birds. Unfortunately, the reality will be that I will be listening to my toddler whine (or scream/shriek/yell/throw a fit), which will then set off my youngest, and then the dog will probably get in on the action and start barking. *Sigh* Such a nice pipe dream!

But, we will be going for a walk, and taking along some garbage bags (recycled plastic ones - but I didn't buy them around here as I haven't found them anywhere.....I do live on a rock you know). The kids and I are going to pick up garbage around the neighbourhood, and hopefully avoid any major downpours - seeing as how the delightful forecast calls for rain all week. In the words of Winne the Pooh, "Oh, bother!".

We will probably spend the rest of the day indoors, drying out as I'm sure we (I) will end up soaked (did I mention my kids have a lovely covered stroller for their comfort and riding pleasure - it's mommy that gets the shaft, as usual :-) Perhaps we will draw on recycled paper aka printing on one side. We will probably read some books about the Earth from my Earth Day collection that I use for teaching. We will definitely be planting some tomato seeds to finally get our seedlings started.

For local readers, Assiginack Public School is inviting parents and grandparents to their Earth Day activities tomorrow, from 11:30 to 1:30, so be sure and stop by if you get a chance, and show your support and interest to the students.

Any plans for Earth Day?

Cosmetic Pesticide Ban in Ontario

2009-04-17T21:23:00.003-04:00

April 22nd is Earth Day - and it is also the date that the Cosmetic Pesticide Ban begins in the province of Ontario.

So what does this mean?

It means that you are no longer able to use chemicals to kill weeds and bugs for cosmetic reasons. That includes your lawn, driveway, patio, and flower and vegetable gardens.

I imagine that the next few days will incite a flurry of activity as many rush out to dump "-icides" all over their properties before the ban goes into effect. I know - so cynical.

I have never used chemicals on my lawn or garden. I will admit that , technically, my lawn is really only a lame spattering of shade-loving moss and spreading weeds - and my garden consists of a few post of herbs and impatiens ( gotta love that shade).

Quite possibly there are entire communities of people quaking over the thought of rogue dandelions and other perceived nasties, taking over their yards. What will they ever do???

They could always take up wine-making and eating greens for salad. Incidentally, I have never tried either, but have always wanted to. The problem is that I never remember to pick the greens until I see the air filled with dandelion seed - oops, too late! If you have tried them, let me know how they taste, or better yet, remind me to pick my own in time.

There are many organic weed solutions. There are also a variety of ways to deal with pests of the insect and other assorted vermin varieties too.

You can always do what my parents did - make bug picking and weed pulling punishments for crimes against siblings! (although it didn't stop us from committing them, it just made us work harder at getting away with it).

Be sure and spread the word of Ontario's pesticide ban - especially to any annoying neighbours with a picture perfect lawn! Now you have the perfect excuse for the condition of your own - like me, you can say that you were being green.

By-law is for the birds

2009-04-14T09:14:00.005-04:00

My cousin has decided that she needs to become an urban chicken farmer (if anywhere on Manitoulin can be considered urban). She, and her two young sons, have decided to raise some chickens. Unfortunately, where they live is zoned residential, and there is a by-law that doesn't allow this.

Actually, the by-law is so vague that all is says, in a nutshell, is that you can't have buildings on your property for any use other than as dwellings - it doesn't specify dwellings for people, rather than poultry. Hmmm, a possible loophole?

The city of Vancouver has recently changed their laws to allow for chickens, and Toronto and Waterloo are currently looking into the possibility of changes as well.

There are websites springing up, such as Urban Chicken Underground, and there is even a helpful 3-part series on poultry rearing in Organic Living.

Why would one want to raise chickens? (I ask myself that constantly, as I grew up on a farm and grew to hate the things)

You know what the chickens are eating, and therefore, you know what your family is consuming by way of meat and eggs. You also know the quality of life that those chickens have. Plus, what a fantastic learning experience for the kids. Your very own, organic, and "green" food supply can be as close as your backyard.

And really, is there a difference between a chicken coop and a dog house?

Chicken orders need to be in soon (now?), so I hear that she has gone ahead and ordered some feathered friends......and has a back-up foster family lined up, just in case.

Hopefully, things don't turn fowl, and that they will soon be stroking the plumage of their new pets through the wires of their poultry palace on their property.

(YIKES - too much coffee this morning!!)

I will keep you posted on this Manitowaning plea for poultry.

GREEN GIVEAWAY WEDNESDAY: WATERGEEKS

2009-04-08T08:54:00.004-04:00

Check out this week's amazing giveaway for Better Baby Bums!!

Better Baby Bums is excited to carry the new Watergeeks Insulated Stainless Steel water bottles. The bottles can hold BOTH hot and cold beverages and come with a tea strainer. Perfect for a hot summer's day or a cool winter's evening! The bottles are 24oz and are available in 4 great colours, stainless, light blue, pink and black.

Want a chance to win? (You can always give it to me...I LOVE the tea strainer option!)

All you need to do is post a comment about water bottles or beverages that you drink from them. Want another entry? Visit Better Baby Bums and comment on another of their oh-so-neat products.

The winner even gets to pick the colour they want.

Contest closes April 21, 2009, and is open to Canadian residents.

Kai Kids Greentainer Winner

2009-04-08T08:52:00.001-04:00

Congratulations to:

the cooper gang who said...

Hey. KaiKids is a fantastic site. I already love my baby's kleen canteen sippy cup and I see they have one with handles 'Safe Sipper'. Other items I am very interested in are the nickety hipster eco bag for me (& it's on sale!), sniffles cream and the cradle-me salve. I will keep you posted on what I actually purchase.

Please contact me with a shipping address so that I can have your prize sent to you.