Dear Santa: Save some of those cookies for me!

Have you started thinking about Christmas yet? It seems as soon as Halloween is over, the upcoming festive season is on everyone's mind. I have no doubt pretty little lights will soon be hanging from neighbourhood trees and shortly after, Christmas trees will be popping up in people's front windows (not that I look in other people's windows, I swear!).

No matter how early the rest of the world jumps on the holiday bandwagon, I can never seem to get organized early enough. Sure, I make plans in my head, but I usually don't put them into action until December 23. However, one thing I do get excited about is planning how to greenify my Christmas.

This year I'm going to buy a small coniferous tree, plant it in a pot and keep it inside for a couple of weeks over the holidays. When Christmas is over, I'll move it back outside and care for it. I'm hoping this way I'll be able to use it as a Christmas tree for a few years to come.

If you're more into buying a fresh Christmas tree every year, try to find a locally grown one and, before purchase, inquire if it's been grown in a sustainable manner.

Have a greener Christmas!

If you're stumped for ways to go green this holiday season, you should check out A Greener Christmas. It's a great book that will give you ideas on how you can make your Christmas more eco-friendly: From recycled decorations to making your own cards and hand-crafted gift ideas. Now for the good news? I have on copy of A Greener Christmas to give away to one luck reader. Just subscribe to my blog and leave a reply here sharing your tips and tricks for a greener holiday season! I'll announce the winner on Monday, November 23.

Here are few tips and tricks to heat your home efficiently during the cold months:

• Get a programmable thermostat. With one, you can set your heat without even being at home. Try setting it to a higher temperature for the chilly mornings, lowering it during the day when you're at work, and programming it to warm up your house just before you get there. You can get a programmable thermostat for about $50 (and up) at your local Canadian Tire. Think how much money you'll save on energy bills!

• Check your house for air leaks. Is your front room particularly drafty? Could be that you have a leak in your windows. Be sure to seal up any hidden leaks with caulking and weather stripping. Doing so will save you a ton on your power bills.

• Give your furnace a tune-up. It's important to call in a professional every fall to ensure your furnace is in working order and free of deficiencies. Giving it annual check-ups will also make your furnace last longer, saving you money down the road. Also, make sure you clean and/or replace filters regularly.

Find more tips for winterizing your home here!

Also, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to my blog and enter my latest Raincoast giveaway! I'll be announcing a winner on November 20.

I loved reading about everyone's favourite fall dish ... it made me hungry (and gave me plenty of cooking ideas).

Irene said: "My favourite fall and winter dish is any meat stew with hearty vegetables like carrots and potatoes served with hearty home made bread. The smell of stew "stewing" on the stove in the kitchen brings back warm childhood memories of my grandmother's cooking. Now, with our busy lives, I make my stews in the crockpot in the morning, and I still get that warm feeling when I come in through the door and know that a delicious meal is waiting for me as if my grandmother was still here."

Don't forget to enter my Raincoast giveaway. It's a good one!

Have a great weekend.

Raincoast Trading canned fish: Sustainable fish is good for you and the environment!

I recently heard about Raincoast Trading, a company that has been selling premium wild seafood products since 1978. The company supports sustainable fishing practices to ensure healthy fish stocks for future generations, and they harvest only wild caught seafood. Plus, their canned fish is single-cooked to preserve its natural oils, nutrition and rich flavour and they don’t add water or oil to the fish during the canning process. Raincoast is also endorsed by Ocean Wise,  a program created by the Vancouver Acquarium that works closely with restaurants, markets and seafood products to help ensure the seafood they use is harvested in a sustainable manner, keeping ocean life rich and healthy.

Raincoast Trading products (canned and frozen fish) are sold a Loblaws, Whole Food, IGA and or organic grocers, and prices range for $2.99 - $11.50.

Read more about making sustainable seafood choices here!

Want even better news? I'm giving away three Raincoast Trading gift packs, which all contain three cans of premium, sustainable fish: Albacore Tuna, Pink Salmon and Sockeye Salmon.

All you have to do is SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG and leave a reply here, telling me what your favourite seafood dish is and you could be a winner! I'll announce three randomly selected winners here on Thursday, November 20.

And, don't forget to enter my book giveaway, I'm announcing the winner tomorrow!

It's so nice to know that I'll have something to plan for over the winter, making the long, dark and cold months go by faster. I'm already thinking about what seeds I'll order!

Do any of you garden in a community garden? What's it like?

Say yes to reusable produce bags

I just got word that Metro will be selling reusable produce bags come the end of November. These will be available as an alternative to the rolls of plastic bags offered in the produce section. A package of four bags will be sold for $4.99. This is a steal, considering you'll have them forever.

I find this pretty cool. Metro is the first major grocery chain to be selling these, and hopefully other ones will soon follow suit.

Here's another alternative to plastic produce bags, sold at Grassroots stores.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway, I'm announcing the winner on November 6.

Luckily I came across WWF's Canada's Sustainable Food Buying Guide. The Guide has a handy list of what's available in specific provinces in different seasons. It also has some information about sustainable food, food-buying tips and yummy menu ideas. You can download your free copy here!

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Organic Living

Also, I have great news. I'm giving away one copy of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Organic Living, written by Eliza Sarasohn and Sonia Weiss. This is a guide that provides step-by-step solutions for going organic in most aspects of your day-to-day life. It's useful for anyone wanting to make sustainable changes to their lifestyle.

All you have to do is subscribe to my blog and leave a comment here telling me what your favourite fall and winter dish is (showcasing local bounty, of course)!

I'll announce a winner here on Friday, November 6.

During tomorrow's many events, the focus will be on the number 350 - representing 350 parts per million, which is the safe limit for atmospheric c02.

Search 350.org to find a group gathering in your area.

Have a great weekend!

Do you think this kitchen actually gets any use?

When I asked you all last week what part of your house you would green, many of you mentioned your kitchens. Well, I have good news: greening doesn't always mean spending lots of money. There are lots of little things we can do in our kitchens to help reduce our ecological footprint.

• What are you cooking with? Make sure your staple fry or sauce pans are made of stainless steel or cast iron. These options are free of toxins.

• Say no to plastic baggies and wrap. Though little resealable bags are darned convenient, they cause unnecessary waste. You can find glass and BPA-free plastic alternatives to house odds, ends,  snacks and lunches!

• Close the door. Your oven door, that is. Taking a look at your apple pie before it's finished will allow lots of heat to escape from that oven, which will then have to work extra hard to climb back up to the appropriate temperature (I get scolded for this one all the time ... but it's really hard not to peek!).

• Go ahead and put the kettle on, just don't fill it up all the way. If you're only having one cuppa, put the required amount of water in the kettle. If you fill it all the way up, you're wasting more energy getting water that you're not even using to a boil.

For all of you who dream of a nicer, cleaner and greener kitchen, I have great news. You can enter Canadian Living's Ugliest Kitchen contest for your chance to win a $25,000 kitchen makeover from The Home Depot. All you have to do is submit a photo or video of your kitchen here. Find more information on the Ugly Kitchen Contest here!

I'd like to congratulate ...

Almost Green, by James Glave

... the four, randomly selected winners of James Glave, funny and enlightening book Almost Green.

Laura, Debbie W., Rose and Linda C. are our winners. They'd love to greenify their kitchens, windows, bathrooms and install solar panels.

Hopefully this book will give you some inspiration, tips and tricks to help you green your life further.

Happy reading!