Hey Shannie,
I was actually making a mental list on Earth Day of the changes that I've already made to try and be a little cleaner and greener. Here's my list of some of the biggies:
1) No chemical cleaners in da' house - vinegar, BS, Dr, Bonner's and essential oils. Sure, my house sometimes smells like a fish and chips shop but it beats the "I think I'm gonna pass out from the Tilex fumes" alternative.
2) Organic food where possible - especially fruit and veg. I order a basket from www.ottawaorganics.com. Fresh organic produce, as local as the season allows, delivered right to my door, which also saves on the gas it would take for me to drive to the grocery store - bonus!
3) Cannot remember the last time I got a plastic bag at any store. People whinge and complain that Loblaws are now charging for plastic...how can they be expected to remember their green bags all the time? Um..put them in your trunk, bring them into the store, fill them up, take them home, empty them out, put them back in the trunk. University degree not required.
4) I compost. I recycle - whatever and wherever I can. Big box stores -Best Buy, in particular - is great for old electronics and used batteries.
In the upcoming year, I'm planning on switching my hot water heating over to solar. I think those funky panels in my roof will be quite stylin'. See www.solsmart.com. I'm also investing in a rainwater collection tank to water the lawn and plants when (read: if!) summer arrrives.
Bring on the eco-volution!
"No, no! Say it ain't so! Not another giveaway! It's TOO MUCH!" I can hear you all wailing. Well, you'll just have to get over it because today I have two treats for you from Origins.
It's no secret around here that Origins is one of my favourite brands. While they are a "big" brand, I've always appreciated the fact that they are continually trying to improve their products and provide consumers with high-quality alternatives to regular department store products. Combine this with their fun and innovative blends and the Origins counter is one I find myself spending lots of time at.
Today I have two treats for you from Origins. One: A jar of their gorgeous Ginger Body Scrub. This amazing little tub contains skin-scouring Dead Sea Salts and warming Ginger Zest buffered in emollient-rich Macadamia Oil, Soybean Oil, Kukui Nut Oil and Sweet Almond Oil. This combination, when slathered on dry, flaky skin, scrubs away all the old and leaves bright, healthy, moisturized new skin in its place. It's luxuriant and feels wonderful, and will leave you moisturized for hours. (Just don't wipe out when you're getting out of the tub... this stuff is slippery!)And keeping that jar safe is treat number two: A limited edition Origins I Don't Get Wasted organic cotton reusable bag as shown at left. Big, with sturdy handles, this bag will carry even your heaviest grocery loads and stand up for more.
What do you have to do to get these treats? You just have to comment below and tell me What change you're making to your lifestyle after Earth Day. Are you switching to post-consumer recycled paper products in your home? Are you going to plant an organic veggie garden in the back yard? Whatever it is, post it below by Thursday, April 30. I'll pick a name through Random.org. Don't forget to leave me contact information... and good luck!
20 comments:
Shannon - I'm making a few changes:
- reusable shopping bags 100% of the time; not just at the grocery store but at every store
- using gdiapers (gdiapers.com) for little baby (once born - lol)
- organics composter in backyard.
those are my small changes that I hope make some kind of environmental difference!
Melany
We're going to build a straw-bale (sustainable) home in 2010.
As for smaller day to day things
- I'm seriously thinking about becoming a vegetarian again
- which means composting!
- Using recycled bags (Chico bags!)
- using my bike to navigate the suburbs rather than a single occupancy car.
I already do the reusable bags thing, but my new resolution is to go totally organic in my garden--beef up my composting so I'm not using synthetic fertilizers and actually getting out there and digging the dandelions up by hand.
(jaggedgirl@hotmail.com)
I'm biking more (instead of driving) - the weather's good enough for it now.
ikkinlala AT yahoo DOT ca
I'm going to buy products that use less packaging in their products.
unocon@ryerson.ca
Hello!
I'm glad to find a cool canadian green site. This week I've ditched my car for my bicycle. I needed the extra push not only to become more greener but to lose my "ponch"!
Take care,
Kate mama2lilg@hotmail.com
I've switched a lot of things in the last year, but I am starting to look at composting in my apartment. I am also looking at decreasing my meat consumption, but I haven't decided how much.
fournier.mm@gmail.com
This year's changes will be:
1) Posting a sticker on my mailbox for NO FLYERS.
2) To use cloth instead of paper towels.
angpap20@hotmail.com
I am in the process of planting my own fruit, herb and veggie garden, so I don't have make as many trips to the grocery store and I can enjoy much more healthy and organic foods.
I will also make a point of remembering to take my reusable bags to the store by leaving them in the car so I trigger my memory when I go shopping.
hmmm... I do so much already!
1. green bags 100% of the time
2. use a green laundry soap
3. and actually tomorrow I am staring this year's veggie garden in yard - with our compost as fertilizer.
4. 1 veggie meal a week - save on energy cooking!
klarobinson215[at]gmail.com
We've bought two green bins for groceries & have Chico & other reusable bags for other shopping (or just carry stuff out & put in purse w/o a bag where they allow).
mhanway@gmail.com
Love the site.
I already try to have as small a footprint as possible. I always use reusable bags, I compost and grow a lot of veggies on my downtown balcony, I don't drive and I buy secondhand and eat organic as often as possible and am a vegetarian. Some actions I would like to implement will be
1. making sure my cosmetics are natural and not tested on animals
2. line drying clothes
3. eating locally as often as possible
4. starting a vermiculture compost system
5. bringing my travel mug to the coffee shop instead of using disposable cups
Hi great site very informative! I am going to try to do the following:
1. Switch to enviro friendly cleaning products.
2.Make sure all my major electronics are on power strips.
3.Cut down on my shower time.
4.Bring my own bag to the store - any store. I started to carry resusable bags around or keep one in my purse for any adhoc purchases.
Long term I would like to make some other changes to my home to support greener living. Including replacing my galvanized pipes in order to stop using water bottles.
Replacing my applicances with lower energy and water efficient products...
Thanks
maria_fe_prestoza@hotmail.com
The bags absolutely rock. I have some but it seem at certain stores I never have enough.
Hey Shannie,
I was actually making a mental list on Earth Day of the changes that I've already made to try and be a little cleaner and greener. Here's my list of some of the biggies:
1) No chemical cleaners in da' house - vinegar, BS, Dr, Bonner's and essential oils. Sure, my house sometimes smells like a fish and chips shop but it beats the "I think I'm gonna pass out from the Tilex fumes" alternative.
2) Organic food where possible - especially fruit and veg. I order a basket from www.ottawaorganics.com. Fresh organic produce, as local as the season allows, delivered right to my door, which also saves on the gas it would take for me to drive to the grocery store - bonus!
3) Cannot remember the last time I got a plastic bag at any store. People whinge and complain that Loblaws are now charging for plastic...how can they be expected to remember their green bags all the time? Um..put them in your trunk, bring them into the store, fill them up, take them home, empty them out, put them back in the trunk. University degree not required.
4) I compost. I recycle - whatever and wherever I can. Big box stores -Best Buy, in particular - is great for old electronics and used batteries.
In the upcoming year, I'm planning on switching my hot water heating over to solar. I think those funky panels in my roof will be quite stylin'. See www.solsmart.com. I'm also investing in a rainwater collection tank to water the lawn and plants when (read: if!) summer arrrives.
Bring on the eco-volution!
We're doing a garden! Growing yummy organic tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelon, peas and more... Yummy! No pesticides, and digging those weeds the old fashioned way! :)
If we have to use paper products we are now using recycled ones. We've stopped using bottled water and have instead bought reusable bottles. Garden to be going in next month.
In my house we have done a complete 180 interms of approach to the environment. We have been very busy over the last couple weeks.
We've installed dual flush toilets, purchased rain barrels for watering our organic garden we are going to grow this spring (yes it will come). Last year we had an aphid problem, but this year I have pre ordered my batch of indigenous lady bugs from our local organic green house. In addition, we once produced 4 full garbage bags a week, and now we have difficulty filling a small one, and the one we use is now a bio degradible garbage bag.
I am composting religously, recycling like a fiend, and have come up with some plans for tackling the summer challenges. Besides the lady bug order, I am purchasing citronella plants to plant around the walk ways and gazebo to tackle Manitoba's provincial bird (the mosquito). I have also built a bat house last weekend in the hopes of attracting mosquito eating bats. We have parked the vehicle and are riding our bicycles (now that there is no snow in Winnipeg). Every day is a new challenge, and I'm actually getting quite a rush out of seeing what else we can change. I'm researching a system that can allow us to reuse our grey water!
I have seen the light! I have gone from a user to a re user and recycler!
I just turned over the soil in my backyard to plant tomatoes, cucumbers and green beans and I planted radish, beet and peas seeds!!!
gema.kochovski@ontario.ca
We are using new reusable bags for fruit and veggies. They are mesh bas and can go in the washin machine. I am loving them!
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