The recent garment factory fires in Bangladesh have put a spotlight on ethical clothing practices. Even though Bangladesh is a world away from where we live, our worlds are very much intertwined. Many of the big brand clothing we buy here, is manufactured over there and in other overseas countries—for a fraction of the cost of manufacturing closer to home. Workers are not always treated fairly and working conditions are almost always poor.
Not quite sure if the napkins, paper towels, or the rolls of toilet paper you are about to buy are truly eco-friendly? Then you need check out the new (and free) Greenpeace Canada Green Tissue Guide App. It’s true—there really is an app for everything!
For the past nine years, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has released an annual Dirty Dozen/Clean 15 list designed to be used as a shopping guide, so you know which fruits and vegetables contain the most pesticide residue. Pesticides are not only harmful to us, they are also harmful to the environment.
Earth Day, which takes place each year on April 22, was started back in 1970 by the Earth Day Network to "inform and energize populations so they will act to secure a healthy future for themselves and their children." It's a great initiative, but remember, even though we’re all different when it comes to the level of “eco-friendliness” we will commit to, there is always something more we can do every day, not ju
Cars and eco-friendliness—two things that don’t necessarily go hand-in-hand. But, by making a few changes to the way we maintain and drive our cars, we can reduce emissions and save gas.
Here are 10 easy things you can do to make your car go a little easier on the environment:
In recent years, car and tire manufacturers have been taking positive steps towards making their offerings more eco-friendly—fuel efficient hybrids, electric cars, cars with interiors that release less toxic fumes (you know, that “new car smell” we all love), and even eco-friendly tires.
Going green can be an overwhelming task for some. Where do I start? Am I doing enough? Will doing this small thing really make a difference? Rest assured, each little thing you do is step in the right direction and will make a difference. And yes, it can be a bit overwhelming at first, but from experience, I know that once you start making little changes, they really become second nature and it then becomes easier to move on to the bigger things!
Earth Hour was started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia. It was created to bring awareness to and support climate change initiatives. The whole purpose and message behind Earth Hour is:
I know I’m not providing you with breaking news, you already know you are supposed to avoid Bisphenol-A (BPA), right? Maybe you think BPA is not that big of an issue, or maybe you already try to stay away from it, but you aren’t sure exactly why. That is the purpose of this post—I think it’s important for everyone to understand what BPA is and why it should be avoided.
Years ago, when we bought our first home, I had my heart set on buying a glass-top stove because I loved how they looked. This is clearly not a great reason to choose a major appliance and I obviously didn't do my homework, because what I didn't realize was that this type of stove is not easy to keep clean.
Wouldn’t it be great if that vanilla-scented air freshener you hang from your car’s rear-view mirror was actually scented with real vanilla? Or if the citrus room deodorizer you use to freshen up your house contained real citrus extracts? Chances are, they don’t contain any natural fragrances. They are most likely scented with a chemical concoction that could be making you or your family sick. Some of these concoctions can contain hundreds of harmful ingredients—just to create that one vanilla or citrus scent.
In my last post, I wrote about films that played a part in changing the way I eat, and even though I’ve cut out certain things from my diet, I still eat amazing foods that are ridiculously delicious. Most of these foods just happen to now be plant-based, even the desserts—like this dairy-free, refined sugar-free, chocolate-avocado pudding.
But I know—avocados in a dessert? Yes—avocados in a dessert. Seriously.
In April 2010, I stopped eating meat. The first question I get when someone learns this about me is why? There wasn’t one event in particular that made me change—it was really a culmination of things that led me to make the decision. The fact that I never really liked meat played a big part. The fact that there is a lot of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in my family was another. The fact that I had recently watched the documentary Food. Inc. also played a role.
Over the years, I’ve become a ‘bring-your-own-bag’ kinda girl. I can hardly remember a time when I didn’t bring my own bags to the grocery store. For me, the hardest thing about using them is remembering to bring them into the store—I know I’m not the only one who has had to run back to the car because I forgot them, right?
We're in the midst of cold and flu season and one of the most imporant things you can do to protect yourself from getting sick is washing your hands. But do you pay attention to what you are washing your hands with?
I teach my kids about nature and the environment by reading themed books with them, spending time outdoors, and by simply being a good example. Since I like to take every opportunity I can to enlighten them about our earth, why not use their fascination with hand-held devices as an opportunity to educate?
Chances are, you have some sort of non-stick cook or bakeware in your kitchen because, let’s face it, non-stick products are convenient to use, easy to clean, and great if you are trying to cook with less fat. Maybe you have a frying pan, a cake pan, a cookie sheet—but do you know what makes these kitchen items non-stick and why you should consider steering clear of these non-stick products?
The New Year is here and this is the time that many of us decide to make positive changes in our lives. No matter what shade of green you may be, the following list will hopefully give you some inspiration on how to make some eco-friendly changes for both your family and the environment:
The cards have been read, the presents have been opened, and the Christmas tree has is starting to wilt. So now what? Throw it all into the trash? No way! Considering that most of the items can be recycled, reused, or upcycled, there’s good reason to be mindful when it comes to dealing with what’s left behind from the holidays.
