ecomama.ca-part-deux

Teenager for a Day

2008-12-18T03:07:00.000-08:00

Excerpts from two conversations I overheard yesterday:

Conversation 1 (overheard at the supermarket)

Woman A: “Hi (Woman B). Are you ready for Christmas?”

Woman B: “Oh my gosh no. My shopping is nowhere near done. And then there’s getting the house ready for my in-laws visiting from Toronto. Between work, the kids’ hockey and the transit strike, I have no idea how I will squeeze it all in”. Woman B sighs.

Conversation 2 (overheard at the library)

Teenager A: “Hey (Teenager B), so how’s it going? Are you excited for Christmas yet?”

Teenager B: “Oh yeah. My mom’s family will be visiting from Europe. I can’t wait to see them! It’s been so long. I miss my cousins a lot”.

Made me want to be one of thoses teenagers for a minute, and feel "excited " instead of "ready". No worrying if the house is clean, and the baking and shopping done. Maybe we should all take a page out of their book and focus on what really matters? I know for one that when my sister who lives in Montreal shows up on the 23rd, all thoughts of what I haven’t managed to do yet will vanish as I give her a big hug and look forward to catching up with her over the next few days.

Word of the Day and Other News

2008-12-12T14:18:00.000-08:00

Are you ready for it? It's... Frugalista. It means “a person who lives a frugal lifestyle but stays fashionable and healthy by swapping clothes, buying secondhand, growing own produce etc.". So I'm adopting it. I'd much rather call myself that than be described as cheap, frugal, or even economical. (Though while we are still on the topic of confessions, I must admit that I there are some areas of frugality with which is still struggle, namely my hair, but that's another story).

And in other news...

(That's me these days)

Our local transit union went on strike on at 12:01 Wednesday morning, which means that a great deal of our time has been spent in the Big White Beast (my pet name for our "car"), ferrying Ecopapa to and from work, picking up and driving home the eco-tots' caregiver, all in very dense, smog producing traffic and with three eco-tots each voicing their toddler opinion on the matter in the back seats. Needless to say, it's left me feeling slightly grinchy and with little time to dream up blog posts (and quite frankly dreaming of the days when we owned a second car - I know, me very bad. But at least in my dreams it's a hybrid). Unlike Toronto and Montreal we have no subway system, which in cases like this would make many an Ottawan's life much easier. Sad indeed.

Green Confessions

2008-12-10T09:01:00.001-08:00

Forgive us readers for we have sinned. You see, we have just hired a snow removal company to clear the snow from our driveway this winter. I know, I know, how very un-green of us. Obviously being parents of multiples and living in the suburbs (for now), this isn't our only green sin. But, while some sins are almost inevitable, this one doesn't seem like an obvious choice. But, between an injured shoulder (mine) and ecopapa working full time, and co-parenting our three eco-tots AND getting the house ready to sell after Christmas AND because we really value what little sleep we do get, this decision was a necessary evil. So there, I've confessed. I feel a whole lot better already. Next year will be different, I promise. Are there any little green sins you'd like to confess? Oh come on, I know you do!

Ethical Spending in this Economy

2008-12-06T04:33:00.001-08:00

While there has been growing interest and commitment to ethical shoppping in the last years, our tough economic times will certainly put pressure on many and cause them to re-evaluate their spending, especially on "green" items which usually are at a premium cost.

Some have embraced ethical shopping (or lack thereof if you're truly embracing a minimalist lifestyle) out of deep personal conviction, others because "green is the new black" - a cool fad to go along with, and still others a little bit of both, going along with the fad and along the way developping a new awareness of the impact of their decisions on our planet earth.

Whatever the motivations though, our shrinking economy is sure to present a few spending dilemmas to many. Faced with an ever-stretching family budget, how do you decide whether to keep splurging on fair trade, organic coffee or revert back to your more moderately-priced, generic old standby? How do you justify spending $12 a bottle for environmentally friendly laundry detergent when you can get twice the amount of a popular brand for half the price at Costco? What about that 100-mile Christmas turkey which will certainly cost more than your average Butterball?

So, are more or less of your dollars going towards green purchases? Or, has nothing changed?

Large Family in Small Space - Part One of Many

2008-12-04T12:04:00.001-08:00

This is likely the first of many installments in the “eco-family’s great downsizing adventure”.

When I posted last March about our plans to downsize to a smaller home in the city it still seemed very distant. But with the foundation of our new house having been poured, and talks of putting the house we currently live in on the market, it’s all of a sudden become very real. Next September we’ll be doing the exact opposite of what most people in our stage of life usually do; though judging by articles I have been reading lately, the trend is on the rise. Instead of up sizing, we’ll be trading our larger home in the suburbs for the convenience of city living and the benefit of reducing our ecological footprint in a smaller house.

I have to say that having become accustomed to our 2,800 sq. ft (plus finished basement and in-law suite) home, I am little scared of how we’ll manage to squeeze ourselves, our three children, and our big fluffy golden retriever in a space half that size. Obviously, during the next months we will be in full purge mode. We’ve actually already started. It’s amazing how much stuff we’ve collected in only six years of being here. And, although we’ve got a ways to go before we’re streamlined enough to move into our new digs, I feel lighter and freer already.

I did a quick online search to see if anyone else was doing something similar and found a slew people living large in small spaces and blogging about it (here and here and here for example). In fact, there is a whole movement of people living in tiny spaces, and a host of resources who cater to them. Suddenly confronted with stories of people living in tiny, 140 sq. ft. homes (granted they are usually single or childless couples), our 1400 sq. ft. town home (1900 sq. ft. if you count the family room and office downstairs) seems downright palatial! It’s all about keeping only the essentials and making whatever space you’ve got work for you. That’s exactly what we had in mind when we were house hunting and in the end, we’re going to end up with a home where every square inch is put to good use, unlike here where we basically live in the kitchen, family room and bedrooms and where the rest of the house goes mostly unused. Even though in our new house the family room is in the basement, the open stairway at the back of the house which has windows stretching from below ground level to the ceiling, should provide plenty of natural light on that lower level. And, we’ve opted to have an additional room and full bathroom finished down there to accommodate guests and also to serve as home office.

I do think that I will miss my large kitchen – I am a chef at heart, and there’s nothing I like more than having space to spread out and cook up a storm. Entertaining might also be a challenge since our dining room will be a more modest size. We can presently sit about 10-12 very comfortably in our dining room, and coming from large extended families, we do so on a regular basis. I have a feeling Sunday dinners will be considerably cozier and intimate.

Another required feature was outdoor space where the kids could play safely and where we would be able to plant a large enough garden. Not easy if you’re buying in the city, especially a new property. At the end of the day, after much arm twisting (and having to drop another huge chunk of cash!), we managed to snag the largest lot in the subdivision which is about 43 feet and change in width, and 126 feet in depth. That should give us a considerable side yard (we have an end unit) and about 35 feet at the back. So, not rolling green pastures, but lovely additional outdoor living space. Add to that three good size bedrooms, three full bathrooms and a powder room and we should be able to all live more than comfortably in our new home.

This weekend we will be transitioning the boys into one bedroom in anticipation of our move next September. Lucky Ecogirl gets to keep her own room. When they were first born, all three babies shared a crib (we slept in the same room) and then they eventually shared a bedroom. As they grew and as our need for a full night’s sleep became more and more desperate we gave them each their own bedroom in the hopes that they would sleep through the night. Alas, while one is now an amazing sleeper, the other two still tag team and wake up at 2am wanting kisses from Ecopapa. So bringing the boys together again in one bedroom should be interesting. Wish us luck (and some sleep)!

Oh, and if anyone has any purging advice, we're all ears!

photo courtesy of Tumbleweed Tiny House Company

And the Winner is...

2008-12-02T06:27:00.001-08:00

Congratulations Myla (*name edited to screen name), you are the winner of our Lunapads giveaway. The correct answer was Garret, Aiden and Genevieve (or Gigi). Myla, please send me your coordinates and I will make sure you receive your kit.

We got lots of answers and I wish I could have given you all a kit, because lets face it, every gal deserves her very own Lunapads! Don't forget though, you can still get your kit at a special discounted price over at Lunapads. Just enter the promo code "ecomama" during the checkout process to get 10% off your purchase.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

2008-11-26T06:01:00.001-08:00

It's inevitable. We are less than a month away from Christmas, and this dumping of snow we've been having in Eastern Ontario has me thinking of, you know what, the big C-word. Aside from the hustle and bustle of the malls (which don't do it at all for me), it's one of my favorite times of year. Before we had the kids, I used to deck out the house in all kinds of trimmings, decorations and of course, not one but two trees. Now I'm lucky if I can get the stockings hung on the fireplace mantel before midnight on Christmas Eve! But one tradition I could never part with is putting up our Christmas tree. Growing up we always had real trees that we would put up just a few days before Christmas. Some years we would go and cut down our own. I loved it! And, of course, nothing beats the smell of a real Christmas tree.

But exactly what is the impact of a real tree on the environment? According to Environment Canada, using a real tree is preferable to using an artificial one. How can that be when real trees are grown, used once and then disposed of? Well, consider the following:

- by choosing a real tree, you are not depleting any forests since most Christmas trees are grown as crops on tree farms, and that for each tree harvested, there are 10 more growing (from the Ontario Farm Grown Christmas Tree web site);

- while they are growing, Christmas trees remove CO2 from the atmosphere (that's a good thing, considering all of the CO2 produced by the burning of fossil fuels, you know, like when we drive our cars for example), and one acre of trees can produce enough oxygen for 18 people (again, from the Ontario Farm Grown Christmas Tree web site);

- Most Canadian municipalities have a tree collection service where they pickup trees as part of regular garbage collection. The trees are usually recycled into mulch. The mulch can then be composed or reused, for example in landscaping.

Sure, artificial trees can be reused year after year. But once again, consider this: artificial trees are made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and what's more, most contain lead (used as a stabilizer). Can you say t-o-x-i-c? And, although their lifespan can be considerably longer than a real tree (though that might depend on how you recycle your real tree), once their life is over, there are no recycling facilities for artificial trees. Which means that, you guessed it, they end up in a landfill. So, from the beginning of their life (the production of PVC creates an enormous amount of pollution), to the end, they are great big, toxic soups of plastic and lead.

A few last considerations about real Christmas trees. Like with any other farming activity, practices can vary widely, namely with the use of pesticides and herbicides. So, if you want your tree to be as green as possible, look to support a small, local, conscientious grower and you will have all bases covered.

(photo courtesy of Soil-Science.info)

A Giveaway!

2008-11-25T12:43:00.001-08:00

How about we celebrate our return with a giveaway?! The girls over at Lunapads have generously offered an Intro Kit up for grabs. But since I've blogged about Lunapads reusable cloth pads before, and it's no secret how great they are and how those who use them wouldn't trade them for the world (I seriously can't live without mine, and I betcha you couldn't either if you tried them!) we thought we would do something a little different for this giveaway: a skill testing question! So, are you ready? Here is your question: what are the names of the owner's (Lunapads, not ecomama.ca) 3 children? Please email your answer to info at ecomama.ca. I will announce the winner (randomly picked among all correct answers received) on December 2. Contest closes at midnight on December 1. Oh and even if you have some Lunapads already (shhh, don't tell me!), you can still participate. The kit makes a great Christmas gift!

And, because there sadly can only be one winner, the girls at Lunapads are offering ecomama.ca readers 10% off on their purchase at Lunapads.com. Just type in the promo code ecomama when you check out. This offer is valid until March 31, 2009. How great is that?!

New Directions

2008-11-25T12:35:00.001-08:00

It's been quiet here these last weeks, not because we've gone away, but because we've been in transition. Many of you faithful readers are up to par, so I won't bore you with the details. For those of you who might not be too sure what is going on, here's a little tip for you.

We're glad to be blogging again and from now on we'll try to keep our hiatuses to a minimum. On with the show!

Clean Green

2008-10-28T12:11:00.001-07:00

If you're like me, cleaning the microwave is a task you just don't relish. Scrubbing all these stuck-on food bits and splatters. Blech. There are many cleaning agents out there (green and not-so-green) but this has got to be the greenest, easiest and cheapest tip I've come across, courtesy of my grand-maman.

Slice up half a lemon and put the slices in a cup of water (squeeze a bit lemon juice in the water first). Microwave for a few minutes, until the water is boiling. Let it stand in the microwave for a few more minutes while the steam softens up the baked on bits. Remove carefully and wipe the interior of your microwave with a damp cloth. It's magic I tell you, and it smells delicious to boot.

The Never-Greens

2008-10-14T17:51:00.001-07:00

Maybe you know them? They are the neighbors who drive their gas-guzzling, carbon dioxide-emitting SUV to the polling station even though it is only 500 meters away. I wonder if they voted for Harper?

Recycle Your Old Computer

2008-10-10T17:56:00.001-07:00

If you have an old computer that needs recycling and you're in the GTA area, here's something for you next weekend:

What:

Free computer recycling drop-off day at the Dell
Canada headquarters in Toronto where residents of the Greater Toronto
Area can drop off any make or model of computers, laptops, monitors,
printers as well as peripheral devices including computer speakers and
mice to be recycled free-of-charge. Only computer-related equipment will
be collected at this event. This is a safe and secure way to recycle
electronics.

When:

Saturday, October 18, 2008
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Where:

155 Gordon Baker Road (Highway 404 and Finch), North York, ON
M2H 3N5

Examples of materials accepted: Computers, CPUs, computer parts -
cables, hard drives, memory keys, computer peripherals - keyboards,
mice, monitors, laptop computers, printers, fax machines, servers and
ink/toner cartridges

Examples of materials NOT accepted: Wood console televisions, video
games, game controllers, DVDs, CDs or VHS/BETA video tapes, DVD & VHS
Players, CD Players or stereo equipment, cash registers and adding
machines

Ooooh, we have a few computers that need to be recycled. Too bad we're in Ottawa. There really should be more of these drop-off! Thanks to John at the CGI Group for the heads up.

On Hiatus

2008-10-09T14:39:00.001-07:00

From October 10-20, 2008, ecomama.ca is going on hiatus! You may still place your order online (or by fax or phone). We will start filling and shipping orders again on October 21.

Ciao for now!

Diva Cup Policy Changes

2008-10-08T17:57:00.001-07:00

We've recently posted some Diva Cup policy changes on our web site and sent around a notice to our subscribers to that effect. Some of these changes have generate quite alot of feedback and questions which we've been fielding. We've received a further update from Diva Cup which we thought would be important to pass along as well. Here it is, from the email we received yesterday:

Background on menstrual cup regulations

On the surface, Diva International's decisions to discontinue their return policy and to suggest that users replace their cup annually may seem like simple business decisions. They are in fact the result of DivaCup's commitment to adhere to a multiple of international health regulations. We'd like to provide you with appropriate background information so that you are better able to support customer awareness and questions should they arise. Due to the intimate nature of internal menstrual products, including menstrual cups and tampons, they are regulated as medical devices by Health Canada, the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration), and comparable health and consumer safety regulatory bodies in almost every country in the world. Health Canada additionally requires all companies that manufacture medical devices, including menstrual cups, to adhere to the ISO (International Standards Organization), a set of standards different and independent from government regulations.

The lifespan of menstrual cups

There has been, and is, erroneous information on other company's websites and consumer blogs indicating that menstrual cups can be used for up to 10 years. Diva International has never made this claim about its products, but it is often falsely attributed it to them. In the past (in relation to another company) Health Canada has indicated that menstrual cups should be replaced annually. Due to this directive and the intimate nature of the product, Diva International now suggests that menstrual cups be replaced annually, and that silicone menstrual cups should also be replaced if the silicone has been compromised because of improper cleaning, cleaning with harsh products, or for any other reason that could affect the cup or the health of the user. Realizing that usage will vary from woman to woman, Diva International is in ongoing discussions with Health Canada and the FDA about the lifespan issue for clarification, and will post new information on their website as they receive it. For now, they are fulfilling their regulatory and ethical obligation to the consumer to provide the best, most up-to-date information they have concerning correct usage of the cup. By complying and making this statement, the customer is informed; but it is ultimately the customer's choice as to when to replace her menstrual cup.

The return policy

Due to the intimate nature of the DivaCup, as well as national, state/provincial, local health, postal, government and ISO regulations pertaining to handling used intimate products, returns will only be accepted for the reason of manufacturer's defect and they will be handled directly through Diva International. Diva International takes pride in the fact that, over the years, they have been providing women one-on-one usage troubleshooting and assistance. The majority of usage issues are usually resolved after a little assistance and practice.

We hope this provides a more thorough explanation of the parameters and reasons for the new policies.

Please do not hesitate to refer to Diva International's FAQ.

Friday Recipe

2008-09-19T17:44:00.000-07:00

These muffins were a cinch to make and a huge hit this morning around these parts. Perfect for this time of year with the abundance of local apples. From yesterday's 24 Hours (and courtesy of the Dairy Farmers of Canada):

You will need:

1 1/4 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
1 1/2 cups milk (I used 1 cup almond milk, 1/2 cup regular milk and it worked great)
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup granulated sugar (I replaced w/ 1/4 cup brown sugar, not too packed and it was plenty sweet)
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 egg
1/4 butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla (in the throes of breaking up conflict between my two boys and thus avoiding an all out mutiny, I forgot to add this - oops!)
2 cups finely diced apples (peeled or unpeeled - I did peeled)

Topping: 2 tbsp pure maple syrup

Preheat oven to 400F. Lightly butter nonstick muffin pans or line with paper liners (I have a major aversion to cooking with nonstick, so I did paper liners in the spirit of saving time, and my muffins).

In bowl, combine oats and milk; let stand for 5 minutes. In separate large bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk sugar, maple syrup, egg, butter and vanilla (don't forget) into milk mixture. Pour over dry ingredients and sprinkle with apples. Stir until just moistened.

Spoon into prepared muffin pan. Bake for about 25 minutes or until tops are firm to the touch. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes. Transfer to rack.

Topping: Brush warm muffin tops with maple syrup. Let cool completely. Makes 12 muffins.

Enjoy!

Free Book Download

2008-09-19T17:00:00.001-07:00

Starting at midnight tonight, until midnight Sunday night, you can download Philip Lee's new book, Bittersweet: Confessions of a Twice-Married Man at no cost. Go to: http://www.gooselane.com/.

From the publisher:

Philip Lee has survived "the dark year" - a year in which two newly divorced brothers rough it, with no running water or indoor plumbing and contend with a feisty band of squirrels that inhabit their kitchen. Dishes are washed in the rain, coffee is made with a can and a blowtorch, a bucket becomes a make-shift shower, and renovation projects are abandoned almost as soon as they are started.

But life never stands still, and Lee churns his way into new chapters of his life with the help of a therapist, and the new love of his life. Choice literary snippets gleam among his personal epiphanies, life's losses, and small victories. Slowly, enlightenment dawns, and with it, a second chance at love and happiness.

With wry wit, warmth, and sensitivity, Lee shares a personal journey that takes him from the rivers and coastlines of Eastern Canada to the cities of China and the Greek island of Naxos. He cuts to the heart of the matter - how it is that we might lift ourselves up through the great work of love.

Free Book Download

2008-09-19T17:00:00.000-07:00

The Not-So-Soft on Fabric Softener

2008-09-13T05:12:00.000-07:00

Seems everyone in my neighborhood does their laundry early on Saturday mornings. I was on my morning run and I noticed I couldn't run a hundred meters without being assaulted by the scent of "apple mango tango" or " fresh mountain breeze" or whatever they're called these days. It was enough to turn my sensitive morning stomach. It got me thinking to the days back when I had no idea how harmful these seemingly benign toxic chemical soups (or sheets) were. I stopped using them completely when I was pregnant and couldn't stand strong smells. While I was doing research on products safe and gentle enough to use on my babies I discovered the harsh truth about fabric softener. Needless to say, never again was a bottle or sheet of the stuff to cross the threshold of our house. These days for the most part I use nothing. When I throw some jeans in the dryer after they've been on the line, I use some dryer balls to beat the stiffness out of them. Our clothes usually come out of the laundry smelling mildly clean (we use Ecover laundry detergent and it has a very, very mild scent) and "outdoorsy" if they were line dried, but not much else.

If you're wondering if now is the time to ditch the softener, here's what you've got to lose (hint: they're harmful chemicals and their effect on the human body):

Benzyl acetate (linked to pancreatic cancer)
Benzyl Alcohol (upper respiratory tract irritant)
Ethanol: On the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Hazardous Waste list and can cause central nervous system disorders
Limonene: Known carcinogen
A-Terpineol: Can cause respiratory problems, including fatal edema, and central nervous system damage
Ethyl Acetate: A narcotic on the EPA's Hazardous Waste list
Camphor: Causes central nervous system disorders
Chloroform: Neurotoxic, anesthetic and carcinogenic
Linalool: A narcotic that causes central nervous system disorders
Pentane: A chemical known to be harmful if inhaled

(source: sixwise.com)

Go ahead, ditch the softener. Your body will thank you for it. So will the environment. So will this early morning runner.

Victory

2008-09-11T04:37:00.001-07:00

Our voices were heard. We can look forward to hearing May and her party's position in the leaders' debate.

Add Your Voice

2008-09-09T18:41:00.000-07:00

Add your voice to the growing masses who are demanding that true democracy be protected. You can urge the consortium of television networks to include the Green Party leader, Elizabeth May in the upcoming leaders' debate by signing this petition.

Where's the Democracy?

2008-09-08T19:01:00.000-07:00

Sigh. Elizabeth May has been excluded from the Leaders' Debates on October 1 and 2. Once again the Greens are being excluded from participating. Regardless of where our votes lie, this exclusion is completely un-democratic.

Apparently, the big boys threatened to boycott the debate if she was included. How juvenile of them. Quite reminiscent of a five year-old refusing to play nicely in the sandbox, walking away stomping his feet. And how galling but unsurprising really, coming from (among others) a man who broke his own fixed election date law.

Good for you Elizabeth for hiring a lawyer and challenging the consortium of TV networks in the courts. Let's pray your case lands in front of a judge gifted with some common sense and a feel for true democracy. And while we're at it, I'd love to see good old Stephen be made accountable for breaking his own law. His last move as Canada's Prime Minister. Speaks volume doesn't it?

New for Fall!

2008-09-05T10:37:00.001-07:00

Just in time for Fall, we've received a shipment of these soft, gorgeous organic cotton scarves from Maggie's. They feature rich colours and inspiring prints. The perfect , guiltless accessory for your Fall wardrobe! They should be up on our web site within the week - so keep checking back. In the meantime, if you must have one right away, email us at customerservice at ecomama dot ca and we will be happy to oblige. :)

New for Fall!

2008-09-05T10:37:00.000-07:00

Coming Clean with Green

2008-09-05T06:24:00.001-07:00

Ever feel like some companies are trying to pull the wool over your eyes when it comes to claims of "greenness" for their product? At greenwashingindex.com users can submit and rate ads on a greenwashing scale of one to five, with five being the top measure, and greenwash sin indicator. There you'll find ads for mainstream products like Seventh Generation diapers, Starbucks coffee, the Ford Escape Hybrid and tons more. Our favorite: (of course!) Fiji bottled water with a rating 4.49 (uh huh).

Coming Clean with Green

2008-09-05T06:24:00.000-07:00

Election Primer

2008-09-04T18:55:00.001-07:00

Well it looks like we Canadians will be going to the polls this Fall (thank you Stephen), along with our American friends. I'm not a huge political buff, but I have been keeping my ears perked. Frankly I find McCain's running mate Sarah Palin, with her ties to big oil, to be absolutely scary and bad news for the environment at best.

What about you?

Test your political views here.

Election Primer

2008-09-04T18:55:00.000-07:00

The Sustainability Conundrum

2008-08-28T11:05:00.001-07:00

Are you sick of hearing me talk about the 100-Mile Diet yet? How about if I change the subject? I've had this little dilemma gnawing at me these last couple of weeks. It all started when I picked up the book Affluenza by John De Graaf et al. at the library. You see, while it does offer up many thought-provoking ideas about the sustainability of our consumer behaviors, it paints quite a grim picture of today's society, and makes me wonder about, well, the sustainability of sustainability.

A few side notes for those of you not familiar with the book: It is based on the premise that today's society is afflicted with a "disease" (called, you guessed it, Affluenza, a play on words using the word influenza) which sees us consuming vast amounts of goods, resources, all in a bid to satisfy an inner yearning which can never be fulfilled by material goods, and which is self-perpetuating. It first describes the symptoms, explains the causes and goes on to propose some treatments.

While reading the book, I've found myself alternately nodding my head in complete agreement, and shaking my head in complete denial. Yes, yes, this society is way too geared towards consumption, and the costs (less literally than figuratively) are astronomical (think ecology). Reading this book has made me pause, reflect and re-evaluate many of my "needs". It's also re-affirmed my philosophy towards material goods. That is, give me just enough. Not so little that I feel deprived, not too much that I can't figure out what to do with. Just enough. But reading this book has also made me aware of the sustainability conundrum. This passage at the end (p.232) nailed to the point home for me: "Spiritual leader Joanna Macy urges our civilization to take a deep breath, admit we have a major problem, and collectively go cold turkey".

Which is fine if you're a "cold turkey" kind of person, but I am willing to bet that most of us aren't. Is quitting all consumption realistic? And if you make that dramatic lifestyle decision and come at it from a deprivation standpoint, doesn't it defeat the whole purpose? After all, how long can you deprive yourself before feelings of resentment and entitlement start to set in? It reminds me of the dieter who starts a strict diet based on limiting the calories/ types of foods/ portions etc. and who deprives himself to lose weight until one day he decides he just can't starve anymore and poof he's off the bandwagon, binging, and back at square one.

So tell me, is depriving ourselves dramatically over the long term really sustainable? Or are we better off continuing to find ways to gradually reduce needless consumptions, while educating ourselves, making wiser decisions, but also discovering ways to produce the products we do need in cleaner, more energy efficient ways?

The Sustainability Conundrum

2008-08-28T11:05:00.000-07:00

What We've Been Up To

2008-08-27T03:11:00.001-07:00

Those blog posts I promised? They're coming. Really. It's just that we've been busy with these (36 liters of them in total, less maybe a few pounds which didn't quite make in the canner because I had hungry mice to feed):

Doing this (this is my mom, helping me in my endeavours as always):

To end up with these:

44 in total. Not bad.

The running total for food squirreled away for the winter is:

44 jars of peaches
50 lbs of frozen blueberries picked by yours truly
26 lbs of green beans bought from a local farmer

On the agenda next week (after I've recovered from the peaches and the kids' second birthday party): tomatoes. Lots of 'em. And maybe freezing carrots. My husband still thinks I'm nuts.

What We've Been Up To

2008-08-27T03:11:00.000-07:00

Our Future 100-Mile Farmer?

2008-08-21T08:35:00.001-07:00

It's been quiet this last week on the blog front. I've got about three posts started, all of them in progress. While I finish them, I will leave you with this picture of one of our sons, who's currently in the grips of a torrid love affair with tractors of all sizes and colors. Think he's a future farmer?

Our Future 100-Mile Farmer?

2008-08-21T08:35:00.000-07:00

Summer Sale!

2008-08-13T19:02:00.001-07:00

Please check out our summer sale!

Great new prices on Badger sunscreen (by the way their shelf life is two years + and the lot we are currently carrying is this year's so if you stock up now and don't use it all, you can still use it next year and well into 2010!).

Also, we've stocked up on Born Free glass bottles because we know you like them so much! And we've lowered our prices to make summer even sweeter!

(Offers are while supplies last)

Summer Sale!

2008-08-13T19:02:00.000-07:00

Please check out our summer sale!

Also, we've stocked up on Born Free glass bottles because we know you like them so much! And we've lowered our prices to make summer even sweeter!

(Offers are while supplies last)

The Case Against Bottled Water

2008-08-11T13:39:00.001-07:00

By now it's not news to anyone that drinking bottled water is a big eco-no-no. But, if like me you know a few who are still reluctant to part with their precious clear plastic-encased libations, here are few compelling facts to help usher them along into the post-bottled water era:

At least a third of bottled water on the market is just packaged tap water (think Dasani and Aquafina).

It's cost is up to 1,000 times (and sometimes more!) the cost of tap water. Pepsi Co. et al. have got many suckered into lining their deep corporate pockets with that priceless liquid drawn directly from the tap. (I do have to hand it to them though, it's brilliant marketing. If only that energy had been expended on something a little more benevolent...)

Since most of the plastic bottles are made of polyethylene terephthalate (or PET), they come with health risks - leaching contaminants.

Their environmental impact is severe and tragic: the depletion of energy sources (petroleum for manufacturing plastics), the carbon dioxide produced in the manufacturing process, the pollution from transportation, and the transmission of contaminants in our food chain to name a few.

Once these facts start hitting home, the days of toting around the ubiquitous Evian bottle should soon be a mere memory.

*edited to add: a fellow reader brought this to my attention - spell Evian backwards and it should make you chuckle or at least raise an eyebrow!

The Case Against Bottled Water

2008-08-11T13:39:00.000-07:00

At least a third of bottled water on the market is just packaged tap water (think Dasani and Aquafina).

It's cost is up to 1,000 times (and sometimes more!) the cost of tap water. Pepsi Co. et al. have got many suckered into lining their deep corporate pockets with that priceless liquid drawn directly from the tap. (I do have to hand it to them though, it's brilliant marketing. If only that energy had been expended on something a little more benevolent...)

Since most of the plastic bottles are made of polyethylene terephthalate (or PET), they come with health risks - leaching contaminants.

Their environmental impact is severe and tragic: the depletion of energy sources (petroleum for manufacturing plastics), the carbon dioxide produced in the manufacturing process, the pollution from transportation, and the transmission of contaminants in our food chain to name a few.

Bean Counting

2008-08-07T11:23:00.001-07:00

Someone asked me if I saved money by freezing all these beans. The answer is I think so.

I did some researching. Consider this:

- I paid approx $1.30 per lb of beans, after bargaining with the farmer. $13 was knocked off the original price tag of $48 for 26.4lbs.

- Our local Loblaws currently has a sale on fresh green beans (product of Canada but not necessarily local); they are $1.49 per lb.

- At our local Loeb they are currently a whopping $2.99 per lb (product of Canada once again).

- If we consider frozen beans, at Loblaws a kilogram of Green Giant green beans sells for $2.99.

So overall, I think I did great if we consider only fresh beans. If we throw in the frozen beans, not as good. But then, there's the environmental cost. What is that worth?

Bean Counting

2008-08-07T11:23:00.000-07:00

Someone asked me if I saved money by freezing all these beans. The answer is I think so.

I did some researching. Consider this:

- I paid approx $1.30 per lb of beans, after bargaining with the farmer. $13 was knocked off the original price tag of $48 for 26.4lbs.

- Our local Loblaws currently has a sale on fresh green beans (product of Canada but not necessarily local); they are $1.49 per lb.

- At our local Loeb they are currently a whopping $2.99 per lb (product of Canada once again).

- If we consider frozen beans, at Loblaws a kilogram of Green Giant green beans sells for $2.99.

So overall, I think I did great if we consider only fresh beans. If we throw in the frozen beans, not as good. But then, there's the environmental cost. What is that worth?

And So It Begins

2008-08-06T19:42:00.001-07:00

The great food preserving adventure began today when I bought 26lbs of green and yellow beans. My children's caregiver actually asked me if I was nuts (it's great that she feels that comfortable with me, though I think she's been talking to my husband) when I came home with a great big box of beans freshly picked from the Orleans Fruit Farm. Nope, but I admit I have my moments these days. It doesn't get any more local or any fresher than that. Straight from a field about 12 kilometres away from our house. All part of our family's effort to eat (and live) more sustainably.

Here's how I treated them in case you're interested in trying this yourself:

- I broke off the ends.

- Washed thoroughly: in a sink of cold water, one batch at a time. Rinse with running water (they were very sandy).

- Blanched them for one minute in boiling water: (though some sites say to do this for three minutes, the lady at the farm said she does for one minute only and it works great for her). I used a 21qt canner thinking it would go faster. You can blanch more at one time, but a tip, start boiling your water while you are still prepping your beans. It takes a long time to boil. You also should wait to bring it to a full boil between batches when you are blanching, so be prepared to multitask (I drafted this post and answered emails while waiting for the water to boil).

- Cooled them in a bath of cold water: again, some recommend ice in the water, I just used cold water, and gave them another quick cold rinse before I drained them.

- Let dry: I did this on clean towels spread out on my kitchen island. If it has been nice out, I would have laid out my towels on the patio table and let them dry in the breeze.

- Freeze in batches on cookie sheets.

- Transfer to freezer bags when frozen. Remove air with a straw before sealing closed.

To be fair, I only got to the green ones this afternoon. I was late getting started. Tomorrow I will finish up the yellow ones. If you're thinking of doing this yourself, I say go for it. It's a long and tedious process, though somewhat therapeutic, and once you start seeing food stack up in your freezer, it's very satisfying. I'm already having visions of enjoying my favorite bean salad next winter. Recipe to follow...

And So It Begins

2008-08-06T19:42:00.000-07:00

Here's how I treated them in case you're interested in trying this yourself:

- I broke off the ends.

- Washed thoroughly: in a sink of cold water, one batch at a time. Rinse with running water (they were very sandy).

- Cooled them in a bath of cold water: again, some recommend ice in the water, I just used cold water, and gave them another quick cold rinse before I drained them.

- Let dry: I did this on clean towels spread out on my kitchen island. If it has been nice out, I would have laid out my towels on the patio table and let them dry in the breeze.

- Freeze in batches on cookie sheets.

- Transfer to freezer bags when frozen. Remove air with a straw before sealing closed.

Fresh Bean Salad Recipe

2008-08-06T19:09:00.001-07:00

Adapted from Les Haricots de L'Ile D'Orleans

- 1 3/4 lbs green and yellow beans, stems removed
- 12 sundried tomatoes cut into strips
- 1 lb bocconcini cheese, sliced
- 4 shallots, thinly sliced (I've used green onions and they work well)

For the vinaigrette

- 4 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh herbs such as chives, oregano, basil, savory etc. (my favorite combination is chives and basil)
- 1 cup olive oil (I use a little less, more like 3/4 cup)
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
- salt and pepper

1. To prepare the salad, cook beans in water until crisp-tender, then plunge in iced water to cool as quickly as possible. Drain and transfer beans to a large salad bowl with the tomatoes, bocconcini and shallots. Set aside.

2. For the vinaigrette, in a small bowl briskly whisk Dijon with the herbs. While continuing to whisk, add oil in a thin steady stream to obtain a smooth mixture. Add vinegar and garlic, then salt and pepper.

3. Finish the salad by tossing the vinaigrette with the bean mixture. (I find that there is a lot of vinaigrette, so I usually reserve a small portion for later use with a green salad)

Tip: Marinate the bocconcini slices for about 2 hours in red or white balsamic vinegar (or even the wine vinegar). This will make them firmer and tastier.

Fresh Bean Salad Recipe

2008-08-06T19:09:00.000-07:00

Great Summer Book Swap

2008-08-04T11:40:00.001-07:00

DATE: August 20, 2008

TIME:

8 - 10pm

LOCATION:

Precious One's Kids Consignment store, 2675 Old Innes Rd., Gloucester (just east of the Bearbrook intersection).

WHAT:

It's time to clear out your bookshelves, bring your previously-read books and exchange them for "new" treasures! A very green (and free!) way to read. Also, take advantage of after hours shopping and get 15% off your purchases on both ecomama.ca items and kids consignment items (stock up on back to school clothes and shoes!)

COST:

This event is free!

Bring your sister, your girlfriend, a co-worker and come spend an evening among friends. Your next great read is waiting for you, and who knows, maybe a few more treasures!

Refreshments will be served.

RSVP: info at ecomama dot ca or (613) 698-9272

Great Summer Book Swap

2008-08-04T11:40:00.000-07:00

DATE: August 20, 2008

TIME:

8 - 10pm

LOCATION:

Precious One's Kids Consignment store, 2675 Old Innes Rd., Gloucester (just east of the Bearbrook intersection).

WHAT:

COST:

This event is free!

My Husband Thinks I'm Nuts

2008-08-02T11:21:00.001-07:00

The last post talked about produce I want to can. But I forgot to mention that I also want to freeze at least 10-20lbs of blueberries, and the same or more of beans. And in the 100-Mile Diet, on page 151, Alisa mentions freezing corn. Of course!! Now that's been added to my list too (30lbs or more). I casually mentioned my project to my dear husband this morning and while he was super encouraging and said he thought it was a great idea, I could see the amused twinkle in his eye and I just know he was thinking "wow, she really is a nut". Bless his heart, he suggested we go blueberry picking as a family. Apparently he's an amazing "picker". Super fast and all. I wonder though, if he's thought about the logistics of picking blueberries with three spirited two year-olds running amok. I don't know, who do you think is the real nut?

My Husband Thinks I'm Nuts

2008-08-02T11:21:00.000-07:00

Eating Locally Year-Round

2008-07-31T18:58:00.001-07:00

So far this summer our challenge of eating locally has been going well enough. Between our Garden (yes, even though it's a mini-garden I am still proudly calling it "our Garden"), our CSA and the local farmers markets we've been enjoying beautiful berries, peas, lush greens such as lettuce and spinach, green onions, beets and now tomatoes, carrots, beans, zucchini and much more.

All of this has got us pretty spoiled and though I'd rather live in the present, I can't help but think of the coming Fall and Winter and how to make this bounty last. One thing is for sure, going back to supermarket produce won't be easy. And now that I'm reading The 100-Mile Diet (I'm really happy I managed to get my hands on a copy!) I'm already quite resistant to the idea. So I've decided to can as much of our favorite produce as possible. My canning experience is limited to watching my mom can tomatoes, pickles, jams and all kinds of other goodies years ago. Since I'm the type of person who learns "hands on", I've asked my mom to teach me and help me. I had big plans for four dozen jars of each: tomatoes, peaches, beans and carrots. Though I've just learned that we have to leave out the beans and carrots (unless we pickle them) because they require a pressure canner (needed for low-acid foods) and pressure canners can't be used on a ceramic stove top surface which both my mother and I have. So, until we move next year and replace our current stove with a brand new gas stove, we will have to settle for plan b which will see us canning (still four dozen jars of each I hope) tomatoes, peaches and salsa and maybe dill pickles (but not as many). My mom has graciously accepted to help - though I've yet to mention to her that I am aiming for four dozen jars of each kind. Think we'll make it?

I've already made three batches of strawberry and strawberry/banana jam which I am quite pleased with. And they were easier and quicker to make than I had anticipated. So really, I am quite gungho about what's to come. Go ahead, laugh if you want. (Kinda like when I was pregnant with the kids and ecopapa and I were telling everyone what a piece of cake it would be - all it took was a bit of organization. Yeah, funny, I know.)

Eating Locally Year-Round

2008-07-31T18:58:00.000-07:00

EcoKids: Raising Children Who Care for the Earth

2008-07-30T12:30:00.001-07:00

Another book added to our reading list which I can't wait to tuck into. Angela over at EcoBrain generously provided us with an e-copy of EcoKids: Raising Children Who Care for the Earth which I will be reading (shortly) and discussing over at the EcoBrain Book Club. I am extending an invitation to all my blog readers who are interested, we'd love to have you join the book club. If you'd like to be added as a member, please send an email to angela at ecobrain dot com. To get your copy of EcoKids, please visit www.ecobrain.com.

EcoKids: Raising Children Who Care for the Earth

2008-07-30T12:30:00.000-07:00

August 2, 3, 4 - Project Ecosphere Fair

2008-07-27T17:36:00.001-07:00

Unfortunately, because of family commitments, we will not be at the Project Ecosphere Fair on August 2, 3, 4. We are a bit disappointed and would have loved to see you there. We'll catch you at the next event, stay tuned!

August 2, 3, 4 - Project Ecosphere Fair

2008-07-27T17:36:00.000-07:00

We're Expanding our Family!

2008-07-24T09:54:00.001-07:00

Nope, we're not having any more babies. Seriously. But after a search for some safe food storage alternatives, we came across Greentainers, which we decided would make a great addition to our family of products! They are made of food grade, #304 stainless steel and they come in two sizes, medium (12 cm diameter) and large (15 cm diameter). The large containers are split level which make them super practical when packing lunches or leftovers. They are also available with or without clips for fastening the lid (only in the large).

Our first shipment will arrive around mid-August and we are happy to offer a pre-order special of 15% off the regular price on paid orders received before August 7. Regular retail price for the large container is $26.50 and $14.50 for the medium container. To place your advance order, please send an email to customerservice at ecomama dot ca. Hurry - these will go fast!

For those of you who are curious, we will be placing a few on display at our kiosk if you want to check them out (with the exception of August 2, 3, 4 when we will have them with us at the Project Ecosphere Environmental Fair).

We're Expanding our Family!

2008-07-24T09:54:00.000-07:00

Come Visit our Booth on August 2, 3, 4

2008-07-21T08:37:00.001-07:00

On August 2, 3, 4 we will be at the Project Ecosphere Environmental and Green Building Fair which will be taking place in Confederation Park in Ottawa as part of the Rideau Canal Festival.

The Project Ecosphere Fair is a multidisciplinary environmental fair dedicated exclusively to ecology and the environment. The main goal of this event will be to raise collective awareness.

We will have most of our goodies on display for you to browse, purchase or just learn more about. We look forward to seeing familiar faces as well as lots of new ones!

Come Visit our Booth on August 2, 3, 4

2008-07-21T08:37:00.000-07:00

On August 2, 3, 4 we will be at the Project Ecosphere Environmental and Green Building Fair which will be taking place in Confederation Park in Ottawa as part of the Rideau Canal Festival.

The Project Ecosphere Fair is a multidisciplinary environmental fair dedicated exclusively to ecology and the environment. The main goal of this event will be to raise collective awareness.

We will have most of our goodies on display for you to browse, purchase or just learn more about. We look forward to seeing familiar faces as well as lots of new ones!

EcoBrain

2008-07-20T18:24:00.001-07:00

This comes on the heels of my "Green Confession" post and I have to say, when Angela at EcoBrain (the only online retailer of eBooks about the environment and environmentally friendly living) contacted to tell me all about her venture, I got so excited I just had to share.

In her words:

The eBooks we offer on EcoBrain are from top-quality publishers, are excellent eco-resources, have zero impact on old growth forest and use very little energy to produce and distribute. EcoBrain is an excellent way for anyone to make a difference. EcoBrain offers thousands of titles from hundreds of publishers. EcoBrain has topics such as sustainable living, cookbooks, outdoor living, environmental science, fiction, and it even has a section dedicated to kids, "EcoBrain Kids", as well as green parenting books.

Of course, being addicted to books as I am, I couldn't help but mosey right on over to her site to check things out. Let me tell you, within 5 minutes, I had a wish list a mile long. Now, don't get me wrong, I am still completely in love with paper books. There's something so enchanting about holding a book in my hands, feeling its weight and the promise of an unforgettable adventure that it holds. However, eBooks are a very green way to read and a great alternative, if only to replace a few of your book purchases a year. Why not download a few books you can read on your mobile device while riding to bus to work? Or download a few reference works that can be stored on your laptop to use as needed? Either way, I can almost guarantee you that once you drop in at EcoBrain, something will tickle your fancy, and your wish list will take on a life of its own!

EcoBrain

2008-07-20T18:24:00.000-07:00

In her words:

Odds and Ends

2008-07-17T19:26:00.001-07:00

This post is made up of different posts I started this week, none of which I've managed to finish. So I thought I'd round them up and try to string them together in a semi-coherent way (though far from eloquent I'm afraid; eloquence, not to mention inspiration, has a tendency to elude me after sleepless nights and days of alternately wiping noses, hands and bums X many, many, many).

1. Klean Kanteen Kolor has (ahem, FINALLY!) arrived. For now we are offering sippies in every "kolor" available: green moss, orange sunset, ocean blue, black eclipse, pink renewal and tree bark. Our introductory price is $21.95. They are already in our kiosk and will be on the web site shortly. If you're too excited and just can't wait to place your order, please email us at customerservice at ecomama dot ca. We'll gladly sort something out for you.

2. Did you notice we've lowered our prices on gdiapers?! All in an effort to keep things as affordable as we can. Also, coming very soon, refills available in cases! I do have to offer this warning though, that cases will incur extra shipping charges. Unfortunately, Canada Post charges an arm and a leg to ship. While as a general rule we don't make a profit on shipping, we don't believe in padding the prices of the products we offer either and then offering artificially low shipping fees. We don't usually charge more than the going rate, in fact, our fees are usually less! OK, enough about shipping, it's depressing and turning my good news into bad news!!

3. I've been testing out a deodorant stone sent to me by one of our suppliers. I'm really hoping it will pass the (not so scientific) test - then I can offer it to my customers who have asked me about alternatives. So far so good. Though this week may not have been the ideal time to test it out (you can go ahead and chuckle at my idiocy in a few moments). I've had no sense of smell since a lovely infection has decided to set up shop in my sinuses and I've been relying on the honesty of my nearest and dearest to tell me whether my presence is offensive. So, stay tuned for more on that. Or, if you're really gungho and know that this is for you, email me (at the above) and ask me about ordering it in for you, which I would be happy to do in any case.

Odds and Ends

2008-07-17T19:26:00.000-07:00

Green Confessions

2008-07-09T17:49:00.001-07:00

We've really been striving to reduce our consumption lately. That means I've been finding other ways to satisfy my book cravings (shh, don't tell anyone, I have a book fetish). For that I've become reliant on the library, swapping and borrowing, and the occasional used book purchase. Except that yesterday I bought a brand new book. I was at the pharmacy, buying ibuprofen for my (feverish) little penguins and in a moment of pure impulse (and feeling pathetically sorry for myself because the whole family has been sick this week) I picked up Late Nights on Air by Elizabeth Hay. The fact that it is the winner of the Giller Prize, set in the Great North and not to mention 25% off made it all the more irresistible.

So, to green my conscience, I will offer it up for a swap once I am done reading it. Some of the titles I'd love to get my hands on are (notice the theme he he):

Plenty: One Man, One Woman, and a Raucous Year of Eating Locally by Alisa Smith and J.B. Mackinnon

Food Not Lawns: How to Turn Your Yard into a Garden And Your Neighborhood into a Community by Heather Coburn Flores

In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan

If you're interested in a swap, please post a comment or drop me a line at info at ecomama dot ca.

Another great way to offset the environmental impact of book purchases is by having a tree planted for each book. Last Christmas I discovered Eco-Libris, an organization that will work with you to balance out your book purchases. Through them, you can buy stickers made from recycled materials and non-toxic inks. For each sticker bought a tree is planted. Last Christmas I added a sticker to every book I gave as a gift. I've corresponded with Raz at Eco-Libris a number of times now, and he's always been hugely helpful. I received an email from him just yesterday telling me that Eco-Libris is celebrating its first birthday. He says: "It has been such an exciting year for us, and I'm happy to report that we have balanced out so far 50,005 books, which results in 65,586 new trees that are being planted with our planting partners in developing countries.". So dear Raz and team, congratulations and Happy Birthday !!! Here's to another year of balancing books and planting trees, keep up the good work.

Green Confessions

2008-07-09T17:49:00.000-07:00

So, to green my conscience, I will offer it up for a swap once I am done reading it. Some of the titles I'd love to get my hands on are (notice the theme he he):

Plenty: One Man, One Woman, and a Raucous Year of Eating Locally by Alisa Smith and J.B. Mackinnon

Food Not Lawns: How to Turn Your Yard into a Garden And Your Neighborhood into a Community by Heather Coburn Flores

In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan

If you're interested in a swap, please post a comment or drop me a line at info at ecomama dot ca.

Bags, Bags, More Bags - Part 3

2008-07-03T04:52:00.001-07:00

Warning, rant ahead.

I just can't help myself. This post is prompted by a flyer we received in our mailbox from a well-known retailer of handbags and luggage, advertising what else, but eco-friendly bags. OK, so the LCBO has banned the use of plastic bags and others retailers are starting to encourage the use of re-usable bags (which I still think is fantastic, but we have a ways to go yet). Now all your Walmarts, Zellers, The Bay and I could name a few other handfuls, are selling eco-friendly bags en masse. I wonder, just how eco-friendly are these bags? Sure, they are meant to be re-used, but how eco-friendly was the manufacturing process? Do they still contain plastics or were they made with recycled materials (those get brownie points)? Were they made with regular cotton or organic cotton (more brownie points)? Where were they made, by whom and under what conditions? China? Thailand? The Philippines? You get the idea. And finally, are they really going to be reused or just forgotten in the trunk of someone's car, prompting them to buy a few more each trip?

I don't know about you, but I already have dozens of reusable cloth bags sitting at home without needing an extra supply from big box stores, though I admit that the black grocery bags from Loblaws are hugely useful, resilient and the perfect size. From book bags given out by the local library, to "giveaways" from conferences I attended and bags my mum sewed for my groceries, I don't really need Walmart et al. to supply me with their version of the new (almost disposable) "eco-friendly" bag so that I can ease my conscience (and theirs). And I don't need a cloth bag to coordinate with my every outfit. Of course, we can't expect giant retailers to get that the whole "earth-friendly" movement is actually about consuming less (or what I like to call responsible consumerism) so we need to make our own decisions about which bandwagon to jump on.

Bags, Bags, More Bags - Part 3

2008-07-03T04:52:00.000-07:00

Living the Three R's

2008-06-25T18:39:00.001-07:00

This morning I saw the coolest thing I've seen in a long time. The irony is that, five years ago, I would not have used the word "cool" to describe what I saw. It's amazing what a bit of time and three kids can do to a person's perspective.

Today was garbage day in our neighborhood. Every week on garbage day, a series of people (usually men) in their pickup trucks or else in a car with a trailer hitched on the back, come around and give every one's garbage the once over to see if there is anything they can salvage. That's not a new occurrence at all, although, I have to say, that I've gained a growing respect for these individuals who, for whatever reason, take the time to go around and save some of our "garbage" from the landfill.

This morning was no different. As I was putting the kids' wagon in the car getting ready for an outing, someone drove by and picked up some aluminum siding and other bits from my neighbor across the street's pile. I couldn't resist telling him I thought what he was doing was great and we chatted for a few minutes. As we were saying goodbye, another guy in a pickup pulled by and the two of them gave each other the scoop on where all of the "goodies" were. Turns out one was looking for stuff for the exterior of his house and the other wanted metal hardware and lumber. Then they wished each other a good day and said "see you later". Somehow that whole exchange just made my day.

Living the Three R's

2008-06-25T18:39:00.000-07:00

The Growing Garden

2008-06-24T18:15:00.001-07:00

I just have to share these pics. If I can grow stuff like this, so can you! (trust me)

The last of my peonies for this year (I get little credit for these, they were here when we moved in five years ago).

My first red pepper (you have to use your imagination to picture it red):

Some of my cherry tomatoes (yellow I think, note to self: must label tomato plants next year to identify variety):

In the two days since these pics were taken, my peonies have completely conked out, the tomatoes have multiplied like rabbits it seems, and my largest pepper is now the size of a small plum. Who knew I could grow stuff like that?! (never mind the good soil, sun and rain, they're totally secondary)

I also have tons of basil (guess what I will be making this week - pesto!), mint and a bunch of others that my tired mind is leaving out for some reason right now.

The Growing Garden

2008-06-24T18:15:00.000-07:00

The Living Lightly Project

2008-06-21T18:04:00.001-07:00

Last night my friend Dava and I went to the premiere screening of David Chernushenko's new documentary, Be the Change. It featured an assortment of Ottawa area residents who are striving to "live lightly". We arrived right on time to grab a couple of the last seats in the front of the auditorium and I have to say, I'm glad we made it because I thoroughly enjoyed the film. Far from portraying the "doom and gloom" feeling which seems permeate many environmental films, this project was a refreshing departure from the usual. It emphasized the positive impact we can all make through our own individual, sometimes small, sometimes bigger decisions. I was fascinated by his choice of individuals, sometimes understated, sometimes very colourful, and sometimes just very ordinary; each of them offering their own perspective. I was completely inspired at the end when David, as the narrator, talks about like-minded individuals coming together and leading the Living Lightly movement as a joyous procession (I wish I could remember the exact words to quote them!). What a nice image.

If you get a chance to see this film, jump on it.

This film also made me feel better about our recent decision to downsize from our current house to a smaller one. Hearing about friends who are doing the exact opposite of what we're doing and buying a big house in the suburbs to accommodate their growing family has made me wonder if we aren't completely nuts to give up the space we have. After all, we already have a hard time getting and staying organized in our existing space on a good day. David's film has reaffirmed that our decision was the right one for us. I'm still thinking it will be challenging to purge our excess stuff (but God knows it will feel good!), get organized and stay organized but I'm feeling positive overall about seeing our project through and teaching our kids to live lightly. Thanks David!

The Living Lightly Project

2008-06-21T18:04:00.000-07:00

Citronella and Babies

2008-06-20T10:47:00.001-07:00

I've been asked this question a number of times, so I thought a post about it would be a good idea. Many of us have wondered about the safety of citronella as as mosquito repellent. Generally, it is not recommended for toddlers under the age of two years old.

The concern is mostly with a) high concentrations of the product (pure citronella essential oil is an irritant to skin, eyes, etc. and b) synthetic versions can contain harmful chemicals.

The citronella we carry is by Druide, all natural, and certified organic. That said, I haven't yet used it on my kids (they are almost 22 months). I prefer instead to dress them in long pants, shirts, hats etc. if I know they will be exposed to mosquitoes.

Here is a good source of information on insect repellents in general: http://www.environmentaldefence.ca/toxicnation/resources/newsletter/Toxic%20Nation%20Guide%20to%20Insect%20Repellants.pdf.

Citronella and Babies

2008-06-20T10:47:00.000-07:00

The concern is mostly with a) high concentrations of the product (pure citronella essential oil is an irritant to skin, eyes, etc. and b) synthetic versions can contain harmful chemicals.

Here is a good source of information on insect repellents in general: http://www.environmentaldefence.ca/toxicnation/resources/newsletter/Toxic%20Nation%20Guide%20to%20Insect%20Repellants.pdf.

The Weekly Goody Box

2008-06-12T12:27:00.001-07:00

I posted a few weeks ago about having joined a CSA. Well, I've just received notice that our first pick up date is coming up in a week, and I have to say, I am very excited about seeing what will be in our box! I am assuming that accordingly with seasonal rythms, there will be lots of leafy greens and among them some swiss chard (ok, so a little bird who's been a member for the last couple of years told me what I could expect!). I don't know about you, but even though we cook a variety of foods at our house, I tend to run out of ideas when it comes to swiss chard. Sure, there's the standard sauté with a bit of olive oil and garlic (throw in some red pepper flakes if you're looking to spice it up, or even mushrooms for a bit a variety) but beyond that, I'm fresh out of ideas. So in the spirit of planning ahead and being organized (it really means the difference between sanity and insanity with three little people running the roost) I've found a few recipes, two of which I thought were really worth mentioning and which I will definately be trying in the very near future. Here they are (from Leslie Beck's website, and also on epicurious):

Penne with Swiss Chard and Garlic (I looooooove pasta, especially pennes!)
This dish can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Ingredients
1 lb Swiss chard, stems cut from leaves, stems and leaves chopped separately
1/8 tsp dried hot red pepper flakes, or to taste
3 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup water
1 cup drained canned tomatoes, chopped
1/2 lb penne or other tubular pasta
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan plus additional as an accompaniment

Directions

1. Rinse and drain separately the Swiss chard stems and leaves. In a large heavy skillet cook the red pepper flakes and the garlic in the oil over moderate heat, stirring, until the garlic is pale golden. 2. Add the stems and 1/4 cup of the water and cook the mixture, covered, for 5 minutes, or until the stems are just tender. Add the leaves with the remaining 1/4 cup water and salt and pepper to taste and cook the mixture, covered, for 5 minutes. 3. Stir in the tomatoes and cook the mixture, covered, for 3 minutes, or until the leaves are tender. 4. While the chard is cooking, in a large pot of salted water boil the penne until it is al dente and drain it in a colander. In a large bowl toss the penne with the chard mixture and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese. Serve with the additional cheese. Makes 2 servings.

and (this looks like a totally interesting combination!):

Sweet Potato, Swiss Chard and Quinoa Gratin

Full of fiber!

Ingredients
1 1/2 lbs sweet potatoes (about 3)
1 cup quinoa
4 tbsp olive oil
2 cups coarse fresh breadcrumbs
2 1/2 lbs Swiss chard, washed well, stems trimmed, removed and reserved
3 tbsp minced garlic (about 6 cloves), or to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450F and butter a 2-quart shallow baking dish. 2. Prick each potato with a fork 3 times and bake on a sheet in middle of oven about 1 hour, or until very tender. 3. While potatoes are baking, in a bowl wash quinoa in at least 5 changes cold water, rubbing grains and letting them settle before pouring off most of water, until water runs clear and drain in a fine sieve. 4. In a saucepan combine quinoa with 2 cups salted water and bring to a boil. Simmer quinoa, covered, until all liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes, and remove lid. 5. In a skillet heat 1 tablespoon oil over moderate heat and cook bread crumbs until golden brown. Season crumbs with salt and pepper. 6. While quinoa is cooking, finely chop reserved Swiss chard stems and coarsely chop leaves, keeping both separate. In a deep heavy 12-inch kettle heat remaining 3 tablespoons oil over moderate heat and cook stems until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in leaves, a handful at a time, and stir in garlic, tossing. 7. Cook leaves until just wilted, about 4 minutes. Remove kettle from heat and stir in quinoa until combined well. Season mixture with salt and pepper. 8. Reduce temperature to 350F. 9. When potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel and mash with a fork. Season potatoes with salt and pepper. With a large spoon drop mounds of potatoes and Swiss chard mixture in baking dish, alternating them decoratively to cover bottom, and smooth top. Top gratin with bread crumbs. 10. Bake gratin in middle of oven about 30 minutes, or until hot. Cool gratin 5 minutes before servings. Makes 6 servings.

Don't forget the glass of wine and you're all set to enjoy!!!

The Weekly Goody Box

2008-06-12T12:27:00.000-07:00

Directions

and (this looks like a totally interesting combination!):

Sweet Potato, Swiss Chard and Quinoa Gratin

Full of fiber!

Directions

Don't forget the glass of wine and you're all set to enjoy!!!

Smelly Business

2008-06-10T18:55:00.001-07:00

Warning: poop talk ahead. It's impossible to parent three toddlers and not have a bit of poop talk once in a while. But don't worry, I'll spare you graphic details. Mostly anyway. Where am I going with this you ask? And what does it have to do with this "green" blog?!

Let me go back in time a couple of days. Sunday night to be precise, bedtime. Seems bedtime at our house is the time for, well, smelly business. Dirty diapers are us. Which means a whole lot of stinkiness going on. Last Sunday night stands out in my mind, possibly because we usually have guests on Sunday nights and stinkiness is even worse when you are playing host. So I got thinking, there must be a recipe for a non-toxic, earth-friendly air freshener out there. A quick Google search later and here is a cool homemade gel recipe I found (here) which I can't wait to try next weekend (if you end up trying it before me, let me know how it turns out!) :

What you will need:

container for the finished air freshener (i.e. glass jar)
whisk
cooking pot
food coloring (optional)
packet of unflavored gelatin
Measuring cup and spoon
essential oil of your choice

Steps to follow:

Boil 3/4 cup water. Whisk in one gelatin packet and stir until completely dissolved. Remove from heat. Add 1/4 cup cold water. Add food coloring if you're feeling fancy (and why not let your imagination run wild and add stuff like fresh cranberries, bits of cinnamon, a dried flower, a eucalyptus leaf etc. to make it look even more interesting). Add a couple of teaspoons of essential oil of your choice to scent. Cool for a few minutes and pour into the jar or container. Let cool completely. Cover with lid. Uncover whenever you need a whiff (or two, or three!) of fresh scent.

Smelly Business

2008-06-10T18:55:00.000-07:00

For the Carnivore in You

2008-06-09T06:30:00.001-07:00

In a perfect world I would be a vegetarian. In fact, I once was. Not in a perfect world (I wish) but a vegetarian. In my last year of high school and through university, I swore off meat (though not dairy or fish). But I've since married a meat lover, and gave birth to two mini meat lovers - my boys (my daughter is more like me). So most meals at our house present a little bit of everything to satisfy everyone's taste and meat is usually served as an accompaniment with veggies and grain products. After searching for a while for a local producer of natural beef, through word of mouth I came across L.J. Hefferty's farm. Though his farm, located near Douglas Ontario (about 120km west of Ottawa), is not certified organic, L.J. produces natural, grass-fed beef, raised without antibiotics or hormones. We ordered a sample pack of his young beef. For $105, we got 20lbs of meat, including roasts, steaks, ground beef and stewing cubes, and some free bones; all of this delivered to our house by his son within a couple of days.

So far we’ve enjoyed some of the ground beef and we barbecued some steaks over the weekend. While I am not a meat connoisseur, I can still say that this is quality meat. That is tasted fresh and tender was definitely the consensus around the table. And, as a mom I really like that I am not exposing my kids to pesticides and growth hormones. So if you are looking for some all natural beef, look up L.J. Hefferty. On top of providing quality meat, he's a pleasure to deal with!

For the Carnivore in You

2008-06-09T06:30:00.000-07:00

New Kiosk Hours - Closed Sundays

2008-05-29T16:57:00.001-07:00

We've designated Sundays "family days" throughout the summer and for that reason, the kiosk will be closed on Sundays as of June 1, through early September. You'll probably be so busy enjoying the gorgeous weather we're going to have that you'll hardly notice. ;)

New Kiosk Hours - Closed Sundays

2008-05-29T16:57:00.000-07:00

Summer Fresh Herbs and Container Gardening

2008-05-29T05:55:00.001-07:00

In addition to being a bit of a greenie, I am a huge foodie! There is nothing I like better on a gorgeous summer day, than a warm, fresh, garden tomato, sliced and topped with crumbled feta cheese and fresh basil. While I love gardening with flowers, last year was my first attempt at growing an herb garden, and though my mint ran completely wild (dried mint anyone?!) I am proud to say it was a success. This year I thought I would expand my horizons and try some veggies in addition to my herbs. The catch is that, the way our yard is setup right now, container gardening is pretty much my only option. Also, given the fact that we will be moving at the end of next summer (2009), I don't want to invest too much energy in a garden we will only be leaving behind. So container gardening it is. I'm a hoping for some tomatoes (of course!) and maybe some beans, in addition to some thyme, basil, mint, parsley and maybe oregano. I went to my good friend Dava for some advice, which I will share because it is if you are a beginner like me, you will need a few tips:

You can buy container tomatoes (ones that were developed specifically to be grown in containers!!!!) Cool huh!
The thing with containers: keep them watered! They can dry out really fast; you may have to water 2 x a day, or move into shade if really hot and sunny. Tomatoes love sun and heat, but other things like lettuce bolt in heat and too much sun.
Tomatoes get diseased really easy too, which can spread very fast in containers. Don't water leaves, as it makes for a lovely moist environment to grow the mildew and promote disease, then water droplets spread it. You should water at ground level. When you see the leaves turn yellow, immediately take them off and put them in garbage. Do not compost they or they will re-infect your plants later.
Lettuce is a good fall crop.
Bush beans, and pole beans up a trellis work well too.
Don't be afraid to be creative!

Thank you Dava! Now, if I can get my hands on some extra containers and sort out the rainwater barrels we have been planning to get for this spring, I will be all set.

Summer Fresh Herbs and Container Gardening

2008-05-29T05:55:00.000-07:00

You can buy container tomatoes (ones that were developed specifically to be grown in containers!!!!) Cool huh!
The thing with containers: keep them watered! They can dry out really fast; you may have to water 2 x a day, or move into shade if really hot and sunny. Tomatoes love sun and heat, but other things like lettuce bolt in heat and too much sun.
Tomatoes get diseased really easy too, which can spread very fast in containers. Don't water leaves, as it makes for a lovely moist environment to grow the mildew and promote disease, then water droplets spread it. You should water at ground level. When you see the leaves turn yellow, immediately take them off and put them in garbage. Do not compost they or they will re-infect your plants later.
Lettuce is a good fall crop.
Bush beans, and pole beans up a trellis work well too.
Don't be afraid to be creative!

Thank you Dava! Now, if I can get my hands on some extra containers and sort out the rainwater barrels we have been planning to get for this spring, I will be all set.

Bags, Bags, More Bags - Part Deux

2008-05-28T06:48:00.001-07:00

You have to check out this great post by ecochick. Doesn't she rock?!

Bags, Bags, More Bags - Part Deux

2008-05-28T06:48:00.000-07:00

You have to check out this great post by ecochick. Doesn't she rock?!

Bags, Bags, More Bags

2008-05-27T07:27:00.001-07:00

Many stores in Ontario (and the rest of Canada!) have recently introduced cloth shopping bags to encourage their customers to use and reuse rather than collect plastic ones and then throw them away. A few steps in the right direction. The LCBO (Liquor Board Control of Ontario) has gone one step further (yay for them!) and are phasing out their plastic bags (which means that they are using up their current supply and not replenishing it). Very good news indeed - that will mean 80 million (yes!) bags less to end up in our landfills. Heartening. Now the only question that remains is, who's next? If the LCBO can do it, why not Loblaws, Sobey's, Loeb and company?

Bags, Bags, More Bags

2008-05-27T07:27:00.000-07:00

Partnership with Sustainable Ottawa

2008-05-13T18:43:00.001-07:00

We're proud to announce our recent partnership with Sustainable Ottawa. They are a community energy co-operative, a group of citizens concerned about the environment, gathering together to exhange ideas and information on how to live more sustainably. With their membership (the cost is $40 for five years), members can benefit from discounts at a number of local eco-friendly businesses (yours truly now included!). We encourage you to check out their web site - it is super informative, and become a member!

Partnership with Sustainable Ottawa

2008-05-13T18:43:00.000-07:00

ecomama.ca on TV!

2008-05-13T18:29:00.001-07:00

Check out Rogers (Cable 22) Daytime television tomorrow at noon! We are very excited about our ImagiPlay toys being featured on the show!!

We know we've been quiet on the blog lately, but we've been working diligently behind the scenes making sure we can respond to the huge increase in demand for Born Free products and also to bring you new lines. As of earlier this week, Soapworks soaps and the Green Beaver line were added to the site. Enjoy :)

We'll be back shortly, rested and inspired. And with maybe a sale or two to keep things interesting ;)

ecomama.ca on TV!

2008-05-13T18:29:00.000-07:00

The Badgers are Here

2008-05-05T03:35:00.001-07:00

No, we haven't adopted any new little furry friends (one big one is enough!) but we did receive our Badger sunscreen. Both SPF 15 and 30 as well as an SPF 15 lipbalm are now available online and in the kiosk.

The Badgers are Here

2008-05-05T03:35:00.000-07:00

Please Note

2008-04-28T19:13:00.001-07:00

If you are wanting to visit our kiosk, please make note of this information: it is located at 2675 Old Innes Rd, in Gloucester (Blackburn Hamlet, just after the Bearbrook intersection). This is one is those unfortunate instances where if you are relying on Mapquest to guide you, you will be lead astray. Their map is incorrect (trust me, I'll be e-mailing them about that!) If you are at the corner of Bantree and Old Innes (which is where the map currently directs you), between St. Laurent Blvd and the 417 Overpass, you will not find us! In case you get lost, please feel free to call us at (613) 845-0017 and we will do our best to guide you back to the right spot!

Also, we've had a couple of very keen visitors to the kiosk hoping to find some Badger sunscreen. Please bear with us, it's on its way :) It should be in by the end of the week. I will post an update as soon as it is. The web page should be posted fairly soon as well.

If you're wanting to visit the kiosk for a specific item and want to make sure we have it in stock, please feel free to call ahead, we always love hearing from you.

Please Note

2008-04-28T19:13:00.000-07:00

What's New

2008-04-23T10:24:00.001-07:00

In the next weeks, we will be bringing in three (yes three!) new product lines, all three by popular demand. You talk, we listen ;)

Many of you have asked us about sunscreen. Well, I am happy to say that we will be carrying three new products by Badger: the SPF 15 & 30 for face and body, and an SPF 15 lipbalm. These SPF formulas are water resistant for up to 40 minutes, safe for children of all ages, thoroughly moisturize while they protect and are reminiscent of a holiday luau (OK, so I stole this blurb from the Badger web site, I was so enthralled by the visuals). These are natural, physical barrier sunscreens.

We are also bringing body care products by Green Beaver, an amazing Canadian company. The majority (>95%) of the ingredients used for their products (shampoos, conditioners, body washes and lotions) are organically grown or ecologically wild crafted right here in Canada, and their products are safe for the whole family including babies, are 100% natural, biodegradable, vegan, gluten and (as if that wasn't enough!), do not contain paraben or hydantoin preservatives, sulfate detergents, artificial aromas, fragrances or dyes, phthalates, quaternium, EDTA, propylene glycol or petrolatum. They've been tried and tested by yours truly, and we hope you will like them as much as we do!

And last but not least, we are bringing in some soaps from The Soap Works, yet another Canadian company (did I ever mention how much I loooove Canadian products?!). These are reasonably-priced, minimally packaged, beautiful soaps made with a variety of pure ingredients, and which do not contain any harsh chemicals, fragrances, dyes, SLS or anything else that doesn't belong in soap!

While these lines aren't yet listed on our site, they will be going up in the next few weeks. Please bear with our very efficient, yet tiny, one-man web team (Sam you're the best!) while we try and catch up with the demand!

Feel free to contact us if you want more information or want to pre-order.

What's New

2008-04-23T10:24:00.000-07:00

Earth Day, David Suzuki and ecomama.ca

2008-04-21T07:38:00.001-07:00

We brainstormed ways to mark Earth Day (tomorrow!) and other than marking the occasion with our family in our local community, we've decided to donate 10% of our net profit for sales on April 22 (tomorrow!) to the David Suzuki Foundation. We love the Foundation because it is a Canadian organization that uses science and education to promote solutions that conserve nature and help achieve sustainability within a generation. So, tomorrow will be a great time to make some green purchases and help the environment. Later this week we will be posting our official donation amount - stay tuned!

Earth Day, David Suzuki and ecomama.ca

2008-04-21T07:38:00.000-07:00

More on the Eco-Stewardship fair

2008-04-21T05:16:00.001-07:00

The Ottawa Eco-Fair on Saturday was a rip roaring success. Attendance was high and many of you from Ottawa and surrounding areas came out to see us. It was nice meeting you :).

My good friend Dava who spent part of the afternoon with me got to schmooze with John Baird (!) our Minister of the Environment - although, they talked about baby bottles rather than politics. Bless you Minister Baird for keeping a straight face while we extolled the virtues of Born Free baby bottles for breastfed babies!

We ran out of Klean Kanteens early during the day (note to self for next time!) and almost ran out of Born Free bottles too! Those of you who've pre-ordered or want to place an order, rest easy, we have shipments of both coming in today and later this week. You will not be without your BPA-free accessories for long!