tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-209596292024-03-07T15:53:51.376-08:00Ponderings Ramblings of a Welsh-Canadian Green Chick from the westcoastLouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701672549469536935noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20959629.post-45396712357603949562016-03-10T09:05:00.000-08:002016-03-10T09:05:25.494-08:00Post-Op Observations: From surgery February 25, 2016<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_56e19fdae999f8258067962">
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_56e19fdae94404150075936">
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_56e19fb9b20054587606882">
Feb 25 to March 5 - 10 days from Surgery: Post-Op Recovery Observations. <br /> 1) Big day today, the staples holding the wound together were coming out this morning. <br /> 2) I've looked at the incision with the staples in -- Frankenstein's aren't so bad. <br /> 3) Removal tool resembles a stapler remover. <br /> 4) Not wishing to rip my skin off due to itchiness. This has settled down to a manageable issue.<span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> 5) Can't sit all the way back in the front car seat. Skin pulls too much and I can't get out of the car due to needing leverage to push out of the seat. <br /> 6) Doctor appointment this morning. Good news wound is healing nicely. Bad news: it looks terrible and I feel like Frankenstein. Good news: I've never been a bikini wearer. <br /> 7) Have empathy for paper when we humans staple it and deeply when we remove those staples with the stapler remover. <br /> 8) Asked doctor how many staples I had in me, he wasn't counting. Of course he wasn't counting he was just trying to get them out as I was trying to remember to breath. I guessed 25. Actually number - 27. <br /> 9) All those years my mother told me to walk not shuffle. Now I get to shuffle not walk. Nahnahnahnah<br /> 10) My toes are getting a work out picking up things I drop on the floor. Yes <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100006382393116" href="https://www.facebook.com/wendy.lightbody.7">Wendy Lightbody</a>, I am dropping things: clothing, makeup, money. I dropped the same dime and nickel three times today.</span></div>
<br />
Thursday Day 7 of Post-Op Observations<br /> 1) I stretched this morning, or at least my legs did. See Day 6 observation for more info.<br /> 2) I sat for longer than 20 minutes at one time. Sit bones are working but back doesn't like it now. Healing takes time.<br /> 3) Standing is the best positon.<br /> 4) Bruise on hand in now a pink shade. <span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> 5) Wound finally stopped being itchy and I no longer want to rip my skin off.<br /> 6) Coughing and tickle seem to be gone<br /> 7) Still have a small portion appetite. Ok with that.<br /> 8) Swelly belly is going down, slowly. Healing takes time.<br /> 9) First week of recovery ends today<br /> 10) Tomorrow staples come out. Something new to experience.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Wednesday Day 6 of Post-Op Recovery: Observations - <br /> 1) tongs make a good arm extension to reach things if one can't bend.<br /> 2) bruise on hand is more red than brownish gray<br /> 3) sit bones don't like being sat on for more than 20 minutes<br /> 4) the tendency to stretch upon waking hasn't happened since Feb 26, the day after the surgery. <span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> 5) my shuffle walk has gained some speed<br /> 6) Tickle in throat from tubes during operation = coughing = pain<br /> Suppressing cough, no pain, sighing with relief, sneezed instead. Will take coughing over sneezing. Thought I pulled staples out. <br /> 7) Have patience with others. Need to extend that to myself and repeat several times "healing takes time". <br /> 8) Had 25 pain pills to take every 4 hours or as needed for 2 days. One or two pills. Got them Feb 27. I have 19 pills left. I'm wondering if the IV was in my wrist where there are lots of nerve endings did my body get so numb I don't feel pain or do I just have a very high pain threshold?? <br /> 9) Send thank you to <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=748925734" href="https://www.facebook.com/vanessa.bird.58">Vanessa Bird</a> for her advice on hospital clothing, especially a certain item. I got to take home a swag bag of items including several of that certain item.<br /> 10) Thank you to <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=564151035" href="https://www.facebook.com/katrina.pandak">Katrina Pandak</a> and Sara Henderson for all their advice as I entered this unknown territory.<br /> 11) and 12) To <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=618936183" href="https://www.facebook.com/john.herbert">John Herbert</a>, you are my gentle giant, your help and care are appreciated beyond words. Thank you for my family and other friends for your phone calls, texts, and visiting me in the hospital, as well as your offers to help during my time off.</span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701672549469536935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20959629.post-49356775170128294152015-11-23T07:22:00.000-08:002015-11-23T07:22:20.715-08:00A whole year and a month has passed since writing. Time does fly in these hectic times. During this year the world has changed. Change always comes. Nothing remains the same. We change too. My coffee shop campaign hasn't progressed. The expansion of the deck on our house did progress and finally was finished. Luckily in June and we were able to enjoy sitting outside, buy a BBQ and finish staining it before the winter rains came. <br />
<br />
Paris go attacked by suicide bombers. The world shifted. Muslims and Syrian refugees are in the news. Here in North America so many are saying "no in my country" and wishing to turn the refugees away. We are living with fear and fear makes people nasty. I've been shocked to see incredibly cruel statements made on Facebook about the situation. In a world that wishes to see itself as nonjudgmental we are a judging lot. We resort to skin colour and differences rather than finding the common thread. We are homo sapiens, there is no skin colour, we are the same species. <br />
<br />
With such world problems it makes one own problems seem so small in comparison. These past few days I've been thinking of my parents a lot. I miss them. For some reason I miss them more so suddenly and I'm not sure why. The strange part is, twice I've seen or read about the energy of people who has passed. Mostly via an article on a medium who was here in Victoria. When things like this stand out for me, there is a message. Wondering if I am to see a medium or if my parents are trying to connect. Maybe all due to feeling lonely these days. I've not heard from either sister. Have texted without a response. I've always been sad that I didn't come from a family that was close. I've discovered some families just aren't and mine is not exclusive in that regard. <br />
<br />
I've made a new friend at work, actually two. Something I didn't try to do. It is nice to have someone close to my own age to talk to. I haven't connected with Angela as much this year. I'm hoping that will resolve itself and we do start to connect more. Office friendships can be fragile. I just hope this one isn't and will last a long time. <br />
<br />
I am trying to figure out how to express my feelings. I'm tired of not saying what it inside. I'm at a point in my life where I need to say my truth. I've bitten my tongue so often it has hurt. I hold onto things I should let go or wish I'd said something. Maybe it is time to find the words and let go.<br />
<br />
Then there are the surprises. Such as being told I am interesting, I am cool, I am a lovely person. The biggest surprise was being told I was the prettiest woman in my exercise class. That was a lovely surprise. I graciously said thank you. <br />
<br />
Finally there is my relationship with John. First I need to start with my relationship with Wayne. I often think it was the best love of my life. In many cases it was, I loved him with all my heart. Plus he is entangled in so many of my memories being there since I was 19. Most often we remember the good times over the bad. I can confirm that, my memories of my time with Wayne are loving ones and I forget how I found it hard to please his family. Being myself didn't seem good enough. Now here I am in a relationship where being myself is accepted. John accepts all of me. We frustrate each other, but there is this wonderful acceptance. I'm trying not to put my expectations onto John but it is so hard, finances especially. It is the one thing couples do argue about. I've gone from a man who counted almost every penny to one who hardly counts them at all. I find it hard to live with debt, even a bit. I need to let it go too. I need to know that it will be ok. I suppose I'm worried about the future and retirement. It seems so much closer now when not too long ago it seemed far into the future. I have panic that I'm not going to have enough. That I will have to work and never truly retire. Or rather I should say we will not have enough. I should realize John is in this with me and that is a comfort. I am not alone. For all the investing it doesn't seem to be as big a nest egg as I thought. I'm hoping that changes and I see some major returns on my investments. Or win the lottery, but then I've always said, I don't want to win the lottery, just enough to pay off the mortgage and have some to renovate the kitchen, bathroom and paint. Plus some to go to Tofino once or twice. <br />
<br />
I am writing this in the early hours of the morning. I couldn't sleep. I was hungry and my mind was spinning. Instead of waking John to talk, I have come to this blog post to quiet the swirling of my mind. I think I've quieted some sections and some I still need to ponder.<br />
<br />
I also wrote this silliness...<br />
<br />
Sitting in the desert <br />
By my camp fire<br />
Munching on my crunchy<br />
Doritoooos<br />
<br />
I can hear the coyotes talking to each other<br />
yippee yip yip yip<br />
Howling at the mooooon (howl here)<br />
<br />
I don't have any hotdogs<br />
or marshmallows<br />
Just a bag of <br />
Doritoooos<br />
<br />
I can hear the coyotes talking to each other<br />
yippee yip yip yip<br />
Howling at the mooooon (howl here)<br />
<br />
My hands have turned orange<br />
Orange is a word without a rhyme<br />
I'm having a delicious time<br />
Eating my Doritoos<br />
<br />
I can hear the coyotes talking to each other<br />
yippee yip yip yip<br />
Howling at the mooooon (howl here)<br />
<br />
From all those chips<br />
My lips are numb<br />
I've got no more words<br />
So I'll just hum<br />
(hum here)<br />
Eating my Doritoos<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701672549469536935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20959629.post-22585063295675360412014-10-13T08:54:00.000-07:002014-10-13T08:54:10.936-07:00My Coffee Shop Campaign <br />
<br />
I would like to start a coffee shop campaign regarding the options offered for alternative milk. Most coffee shops offer soy. Well let's start with soy then. Women who have or who have had breast or ovarian cancer shouldn't drink soy. Plus soy is a GMO crop and many people today wish to avoid GMO crops. Some people are allergic soy as well. It isn't the best alternative milk option and I really wish coffee shops would stop using it.<br />
<br />
The other option is Almond milk. Ok, not bad. However what about people who are allergic to nuts?? Other milk options like hemp or rice cost the same as soy or almond milk. Why not offer rice milk? It foams up better than any other milk for lattes. Most people I know can drink rice milk. I haven't heard of any people being allergic to rice. <br />
<br />
Want to help? Then start telling coffee shops to provide another alternative. Maybe start a petition??<br />
<br />
<br />
Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701672549469536935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20959629.post-62893951734484943682014-07-04T18:39:00.000-07:002014-07-04T18:39:36.845-07:00Oh dear me, it has been awhile since I posted! It has just been such a busy last three years. Some personal things happened with my family and I had to attend to those matters.<br />
<br />
One thing that I pondered these past two years was green burial. Ok not the nicest topic, but with both my parents passing and cremating them it did bring up the question of how to have a greener burial. Plus it is something we all face one day. People do have "green" weddings so what about "green" funerals. <br />
<br />
I learnt that Royal Oak Burial Park opened in 2008 and is the first urban green burial interment site in Canada. The first Green Burial Park was in Britain in 1993 in response to the high cremation rate and the emissions released in to the atmosphere. Cremation does have an impact on the environment. <br />
<br />
In a Green Burial the human body is returned to the earth to decompose in a natural state. This means there is no embalming, although basic sanitary care is done such as washing, bathing and topical disinfection. The body is dressed in organic clothing and either placed in a biodegradable casket or wrapped in a shroud. The body is then placed directly into the earth and over time with decompose and contribute to new life.<br />
<br />
At the Royal Oak Burial Park there are no headstones. Plants natural to the Victoria area, selected by the family, are planted on top of the grave. The name of the deceased is then inscribed onto a community boulder in close vicinity to the grave. <br />
<br />
I'm not sure of the cost. I've tried to find more information. Considering the costs of a funeral, and cremation, going a greener route may cost less. It doesn't prevent a celebration of life either, as that can still take place. In keeping with the green burial, think about keeping the celebration of life as green as possible too. <br />
<br />
<br />Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701672549469536935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20959629.post-4922474006913027982011-07-13T14:45:00.001-07:002011-07-13T15:08:19.156-07:00Gillian Deacon's New Book<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-5NCEwckVMI?fs=1" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
Gillian Deacon's new book <i>There's Lead in Your Lipstick</i> has been getting rave reviews. I first saw it at Rocky Mountain Soap Company's Spring Open House. The employees at Rocky Mountain Soap Company mentioned they had tried many of the recipes and were now incorporating them into their daily routines. I'm a big fan of avoiding toxins in my personal care products. <br />
<br />
I haven't bought this book yet. It is on my wish list. I own Gillian Deacon's <i>Green for Life</i> and refer to it often. I'm looking forward to adding this one to my book shelf.Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701672549469536935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20959629.post-9331818962828910072011-04-01T09:43:00.000-07:002011-04-01T09:43:17.117-07:0030 Days to a Greener You | Chatelaine.comHere's a challenge to make some changes to be greener. It take more than 30 days to make any changes in one's lifestyle into habits, be it eating healthier, eating local or being green. 30 days is a start, you just need 36 more days to make the 66 required days to make a habit stick. So start with the 30 days here, then start at the beginning and do all 30 again and add 6 more that you find online. That's the challenge. <a href="http://www.chatelaine.com/en/content/26109--30-days-of-green">30 Days to a Greener You Chatelaine.com</a>Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701672549469536935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20959629.post-27007550324640822812010-11-11T11:52:00.000-08:002010-11-11T11:52:55.278-08:00Learn how to make a soft and silky eco-friendly scarf - Knitting - Canadian LivingIn keeping with being a site for "green" tips, here is a scarf pattern using bamboo yarn. Just in time for Christmas gift giving. <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.canadianliving.com/crafts/knitting/learn_how_to_make_a_soft_and_silky_eco_friendly_scarf.php?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=crafts_08Nov2010">Learn how to make a soft and silky eco-friendly scarf - Knitting - Canadian Living</a>Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701672549469536935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20959629.post-15763829493965709102010-08-11T20:36:00.000-07:002010-08-11T20:36:13.300-07:00The Story of Cosmetics - NaturalNews.tv<a href="http://www.naturalnews.tv/v.asp?v=DF7480A7C06A9D99B9F641B0F0D4AB00">The Story of Cosmetics - NaturalNews.tv</a>Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701672549469536935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20959629.post-86472089454627699882010-04-17T20:56:00.000-07:002010-04-17T20:56:44.511-07:00Seed Starting Tips: Start Your Sustainable Garden Today<div>A great article on how to start your garden indoors before planting outside. It isn't necessary to have a home with land to garden. If you have a balcony or window box you can garden, if you have a sunny apartment, you can garden. Herbs do very well in apartment windows and lettuce can be grown in a container on a shady balcony. I grew my own lettuce last summer and it was delicious. Plus it was fun getting up in the morning to pick it, the best time to pick lettuce, and I had a nice bunch of organic greens to put into my sandwich. I have a home with a garden although this year will be a time to replenish the soil and plot out what to do with what we have inherited. My green thumb is going to be itching to garden and I hope to container garden some lettuce.</div><div><br /></div><div>We are a bit past the point of being able to do starter plants now, but start thinking about next year. During January start looking at the seed web sites, Salt Spring Seeds is a favourite of mine <a href="http://www.saltspringseeds.com/">http://www.saltspringseeds.com/</a> and visit Victoria's Seedy Saturday event <a href="http://www.bcseeds.org/">http://www.bcseeds.org/</a> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://www.naturalnews.com/028588_gardening_seeds.html">Seed Starting Tips: Start Your Sustainable Garden Today</a>Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701672549469536935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20959629.post-61201225460387416742010-01-19T20:40:00.001-08:002010-01-19T20:44:49.544-08:00Pesticide free BC<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dTcvO-o8NTA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dTcvO-o8NTA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br />Viewing of this important film is coming this week. Unfortunately I cannot attend due to a prior committment. I hope BC does become pesticide free. We need to take action to protect ourselves and our children. I believe that our use of pesticides and all the other crap in our food is causing many conditions we are seeing on the rise. Besides our American lifestyle. <br /><br />VICTORIA<br />Jan. 21 — 7 p.m. <br />(doors open at 6:30)<br />David Lam Auditorium<br />University of Victoria<br />Admission by donation<br />Book signing to follow<br />For more information, contact: <br />Nancy Falconer<br />nfalconer@bc.cancer.ca <br />or 250-380-2358Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701672549469536935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20959629.post-36712957427786269732009-11-19T20:14:00.003-08:002009-11-19T20:24:46.394-08:00Fake vs Real Tree DebateAs Christmas time rolls around again the debate between a real tree and a fake tree starts all over again. This year will be the first year I've had a tree in a long long time. Normally I use a table top tree purchased on sale and probably after off-gassing in the store. After a bit of a debate my partner and I purchased our first tree, and yes it is a fake one. If I could have gone a more eco-friendly route I would have. Maybe I should have done more research? Today, Sweetspot newletter delivered to my email inbox a lovely note on a PVC free tree. Yeah, great idea! My favourite quote in the article is "And while they're a touch on the expensive side, they're guaranteed to last for years" Yes, they are a touch on the expensive side, check out <a href="http://www.sears.ca/">http://www.sears.ca/</a> (search Christmas trees). Considering the tree I got was $150 and will last for years too, I think these are priced out of most people's range. Why do I have the feeling eco-friendly products have become so expensive? It is because it is now chic to be eco?? Hopefully not!!<br /><br />Although with the proposed rise in the cost of a monthly bus pass by BC Transit I have to question the sanity of penalizing green initiatives.Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701672549469536935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20959629.post-36184951607246768132009-10-01T18:36:00.001-07:002009-10-01T18:36:33.235-07:00Toothpaste, Shampoo and Body Wash - Are They Worth Harming Your Health<a href="http://www.foodmatters.tv/_webapp_256369/Toothpaste,_Shampoo_and_Body_Wash_-_Are_They_Worth_Harming_Your_Health">Toothpaste, Shampoo and Body Wash - Are They Worth Harming Your Health</a><br /><br />Shared via <a href="http://addthis.com">AddThis</a><br />Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701672549469536935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20959629.post-59918671932875172782009-09-18T20:55:00.002-07:002009-09-18T21:05:50.794-07:00Going Green with lunchesI don't mean green food, although that wouldn't be a bad idea, having more salads and vegetables.<br /><br />This month school started and I hope parents as well as brown baggers are thinking about bringing their own cutlery, lunch boxes, storage bins and reducing that handy plastic wrap.<br /><br />Great finds are easy to come by in Canadian prices:<br /><br />http://www.fenigo.com<br />http://www.lavishandlime.com/ (Vancouver location)<br />http://www.goneshopping.ca<br /><br />I've got my lunch bag, spork and stainless steel containers. Now all I need is to make some interesting lunches.Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701672549469536935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20959629.post-41717728788720082592009-06-26T10:13:00.002-07:002009-06-26T11:04:05.572-07:00EWG Healthy Home TipsToday my EWG (Enviromental Working Group) newsletter arrived in my mailbox. EWG is our watchdog in the United States, pushing to ban harmful plastics and working towards safe cosmetics. Although working in the United States, EWG has an impact on Canadians, their neighbours to the North, as a lot of cosmetics arrive on our doorstep from the U.S. I believe that the toxins in our products, the harmful plastics and our love affair with oil have contributed to the situation we are now facing, our own demise. For now, all I can do as one person is to pass the word...<br /><br />Next time you head to buy your personal care products, read the labels. Besides avoiding parabens, other preservatives should be avoided to: <br /><br />•DMDM hydantoin<br />•Imidsazolidinyl urea<br />•Methylchloroisothiazolinone<br />•Methylisothiazolinone<br />•Triclosan<br />•Triclocarban<br />•Triethanolamine (or “TEA”)<br /><br />Also look for words with "PEG" or “-eth” in them such as: sodium laureth sulfate. Fragrance, FD&C, or D&C are also not friendly to our human systems. <br /><br />EWG has a wallet sized list to carry when you go shopping at: http://www.ewg.org/files/EWG_cosmeticsguide.pdf<br /><br />The next step is to sign petitions and keep pushing for safer products for ourselves and our children.Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701672549469536935noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20959629.post-246011794461034922009-05-07T21:33:00.002-07:002009-05-07T21:43:21.046-07:00Pure Radiant Energy - BC productsA few years ago now I mentioned in this blog Pure Radiant Energy a Vancouver based skin care, hair and body line of products. I had tried some myself and was impressed as the products were SLS free. I didn't reorder due to the debate on parabens at the time which PRE was using although in small amounts. Caroline and Maury the owners of PRE had been working at the time on trying to find an alternative to parabens and have recently announced they are PARABEN FREE!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.pureradiantenergy.com/">http://www.pureradiantenergy.com/</a><br /><br />If in Vancouver visit the store.Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701672549469536935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20959629.post-82840324790744105372008-12-29T08:03:00.002-08:002008-12-29T08:17:25.245-08:00Make my day...I woke up early this morning...obviously sleeping in on vacation is not working and I suppose 7:30 is two hours later than my usual 5:30. I turned on the computer to find Yahoo News (I know not CBC) has on the front page an article that one product in food was making us fat. Hmmmmm...another one than the one I already know is the culprit? Nope, just an article finally published and for the general public to see...high fructose CORN syrup is making us fat. No kidding! Hard to avoid and not only causing us to be fat, but some of us are allergic to corn. <br /><br />If you need to cut this out of your diet and really want to lose weight go here:<br /><br />http://www.accidentalhedonist.com/index.php/2005/06/09/foods_and_products_containing_high_fruct<br /><br />The article on Yahoo was written by Shelagh McNally, the editor of Green Living Online<br /><br />I still think we the people need to start putting our foot down and demand better food. We have a huge food industry that is making us sick, we then take drugs from companies who do not have our best interests at heart and would like us to remain sick because it is profitable. All I can say is for now, read labels, cut these foods out of your diet, support your local organic farmers and do all you can to obtain better food and better health.Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701672549469536935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20959629.post-65665091760836308672008-12-23T17:32:00.004-08:002009-06-26T11:10:46.581-07:00Not a Green ChristmasNot having a Green Christmas does not refer to my being eco-friendly. It refers to the fact that Vancouver Island is covered in snow. It will be the first time since 1971 that Canada, in every province and territory, will experience a white Christmas.<br /><br />On the other hand I tried to have a green Christmas. I confess I have a fake mini tree which I've had for many years. My cat is 10 years old and I haven't had a real tree since she was a kitten. <br /><br />I do recycle my wrapping paper. Last year I was handed all the paper my mother has recycled and now have a supply of paper, gift bags, bows, ribbon and gift tags to which I do not need to add to for many years. <br /><br />I did shop. Some gifts I got at fair trade places, some at eco-friendly places and a lot on sale. Each year I try to be a more responsible consumer and do my part to cut down in some way and spend less or make a list of green gifts. <br /><br />If anyone is still shopping, Juliet's Room offers lovely body butters, skin care, hand creams which are organic. <br /><br />One thing I have noticed. In bringing my own bags all the time I now find I do not have bags for garbage. Unfortunately the apartment building does not compost and I still have garbage no matter how much I reduce. I've been searching for a garbage bag that will decompose quickly when it goes off to the landfill without it falling apart by the time I take it out. My paper bag solution did not work very well and I ended up with a soggy mess in the garbage can. Any ideas?Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701672549469536935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20959629.post-55253225978100669572008-12-10T20:33:00.002-08:002008-12-10T20:35:09.106-08:00toxic toxins<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sOvzL5ZBz0I&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sOvzL5ZBz0I&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Thank you to Food That Matters for directing me to this YouTube clip. I know there are a lot of issues out there, but we really need to stand up and demand better food, better health!!!Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701672549469536935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20959629.post-7478980074195085262008-12-01T21:36:00.002-08:002008-12-01T21:36:54.064-08:00The Story of StuffThere is a great site with information on how we consumer called the story of stuff and can be found at http://storyofstuff.org/index.htmlLouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701672549469536935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20959629.post-57759951206667215242008-11-17T21:26:00.005-08:002008-11-17T21:44:31.972-08:00King Corn get 3 1/2 kernals<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFt40cLNfZwWAID8oUJBZPS4G3NEl7a1DsfRsaeYGm4uVbhdz8OunT7A0ZC-1CjIsHmK1SeRNUGSGB5qC6MKAlj3hvE1kCSE-MbvkwGIb3nn1lneMV2gCLSMfxUgEuhVy4u08U/s1600-h/Kingcorn.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFt40cLNfZwWAID8oUJBZPS4G3NEl7a1DsfRsaeYGm4uVbhdz8OunT7A0ZC-1CjIsHmK1SeRNUGSGB5qC6MKAlj3hvE1kCSE-MbvkwGIb3nn1lneMV2gCLSMfxUgEuhVy4u08U/s320/Kingcorn.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269868359672309970" /></a><br />Although not entirely sure, and thinking I will be tested for allergies and intolerances, I am almost postitive I have an intolerance to corn. I stopped eating beef due to not feeling well whenever I ate it and I know cattle are corn fed. I know taco chips also don't digest very well, as does popcorn or corn-on-the-cob. When I heard a documentary had been made about corn I decided I needed to investigate. On a Saturday night I sat with John and my friends Cat and Jon to watch King Corn. King Corn is about two friends who grow one acre of corn, the subsidized corp that drives the American fast food nation. Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis take us on a venture that raises some very disturbing questions about what we eat and how we farm.<br /><br />If you're into Fast Food Nation, Super Size Me and ask the question "what are we eating" then you need to see King Corn.Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701672549469536935noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20959629.post-17531075185335493142008-08-08T13:42:00.000-07:002008-08-08T13:43:31.281-07:00A good reason to drink tap waterCanadians wanting to do something about the environment can start by drinking tap water, environmentalist David Suzuki says.<br /><br />I have purchased 3 stainless steel canteens to use for my water--filtered TAP water. One is for kayaking, one is for work and one is for using at the gym. I've given up spending money on bottled water not just because of the price of paying for what may be filtered tap water, but for the following reasons:<br />Bottled water generates up to 600 times more CO2 than tap water<br /><br />Most plastic bottled water bottles are not recycled but end up in landfill Drinking a bottle of water has the same impact on the enviroment as driving a car for a kilometer<br /><br />A Swedish study calculated that the environmental impact of bottled water was 90 to 1,00 times greater than tap water and could be higher<br /><br />Britons use 275,000 tons of platic bottles (includes drinks other than water) each year. 15 million a day in the UK, 3 billion litres of bottled water every year. The plastic bottles left over would fill the new Wembley Stadium three times over. Imagine how much Canadians produce in plastic bottle waste.<br /><br />Bottled water costs more than gasoline per litre.<br /><br />And just because I like this Canadian study statistic (and I have some university but certainly am not earning a ridiculously high salary plus I live in an apartment) University-educated households were less likely to drink bottled water than households with a lower level of formal education. The lower rate of bottled water drinking among university-educated households, set against the higher rates seen in high income households, shows that behaviours associated with income are not necessarily also associated with level of education. (full article at: <a href="http://www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/16-002-XIE/2008002/article/10620-en.htm">http://www.statcan.ca/english/freepub/16-002-XIE/2008002/article/10620-en.htm</a>)Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701672549469536935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20959629.post-69232595554800138652008-07-19T13:03:00.004-07:002008-07-19T13:37:43.878-07:00Environmental Working Group & Skin DeepDon't go shopping for personal care products without first checking the EWG site <a href="http://www.ewg.org/">http://www.ewg.org/</a> and especially Skin Deep <a href="http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/index.php">http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/index.php</a>. I had a spa party on Tuesday night and afterwards I checked Arbonne products. They tend to be in the moderate range with a rating of 3-6. Which isn't bad considering 7-10 is high and many of the common products found in most pharmacies fall into the hazardous zone. A lot of the US cosmetics companies and personal care products are in the database, which was a huge undertaking to develop. Thankfully it is the EWG that is pushing for all ingredients to be listed and for safer cosmetics to be on the shelves.<br /><br />In Canada the push for the same standards isn't really underway. Still the Skin Deep site can be used to find products available in Canada. Suki's lemongrass facial wash/scrub is listed with a rating of 2. I purchased a sample box of all the Suki products. Most are in the low to moderate range, Transformative Facial Clay has a rating of 4 and Velvet Facial Cream has a rating of 3, the two highest ratings this line obtains. Available at Planet Organic, or online at <a href="http://www.upurea.com/">http://www.upurea.com/</a><br /><br />Nadarra (see previous post) is another Canadian line in the database. Highest rating is a 3, which is in the low end of the moderate rating zone. I recommend this line and hope one day Nadarra will be available in a shop in Victoria. Available online at <a href="http://www.nadarra.com/">http://www.nadarra.com/</a><br /><br />Juliet's Room Organics, a BC company in Vancouver, is currently entering their products into the database. If you search their name they do come up which means they are registered, and I emailed them to which they responded putting all the ingredients into the database takes time. Available at <a href="http://www.julietsroom.com/">http://www.julietsroom.com/</a> or Safura 635 Fort Street Victoria BC. I haven't tried this line yet.<br /><br />I will admit, once you start using this site you might just throw out everything in your medicine cabinet. Not a bad idea really, with all the other toxins in our food, water, etc, maybe making changes in your personal care is reducing the exposure. It certainly is another step towards going green.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.safecosmetics.org/">http://www.safecosmetics.org/</a> the campaign for Safe CosmeticsLouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701672549469536935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20959629.post-1354420604709117182008-07-17T13:08:00.002-07:002008-07-17T13:11:27.352-07:00Green your Campbell DollarsI thought this was the best contest I've seen yet!! I've spent my $100 already, I purchased a stainless steel water bottle from MEC and the rest went to food.<br /><br />Check this out <a href="http://contest.thetyee.ca/greenyourcampbellcash/">http://contest.thetyee.ca/greenyourcampbellcash/</a><br /><br />I voted for the Madrona Farm, a productive, biologically diverse urban farm on Blenkinsop Road in Victoria, under strong development pressure.<br /><br />We truly need to save our urban farms, we need to support local producers of food, we need to have 95% of our food grown on the island rather than 5% and the rest shipped in. There is a looming food storage coming and I don't see municipalities or the provincial government doing too much about planning for it.Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701672549469536935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20959629.post-82148902116240488212008-07-03T18:37:00.002-07:002008-07-03T19:15:35.428-07:00A new locationJune 30, Moving Day:<br /><br />The move was rescheduled for an hour earlier. Which was great. A two man crew showed up instead of the three man crew booked. Still I think Steve and Doug did a great job going from the main floor of a house to the third floor of a walk up, on a day of extreme heat. Everything has arrived, a few nicks and scratches, but that is the norm for moving. Which I haven't done in 10 years. Hard to believe really. I know some people think I should have done this a long time ago, but moving is not cheap. What cost me $300 approximately 10 years ago cost me over $500 this time. My deepest thanks and love to John who cared for my cat during moving day, helped provide boxes, packed items for me and gave me moral support to keep going when I felt that burning everything and starting over would be a simple solution, minus items with sentimental value of course. He also, got popsicles, bottles of water, dinner from Subway and did a multitude of other little errands that added up.<br /><br />Thank you to Leslie for grabbing boxes and packing material.<br /><br />A deep thank you to Paula J. for being there on moving day, baking cookies, having bread and apple for a snack, suggesting making the bed first and just being a great friend.<br /><br />Gratitude to my parents, for moving us around a lot. During this move I kept thinking of the 68 times my mother has moved house and survived. I knew I would get through this too.<br /><br />July 1, Canada Day:<br /><br />John treated me to breakfast.<br /><br />I started unpacking and piling up boxes to take to recycle. Neatly folded newpaper from each box and took to recycle. Noted we have 3 bins for paper which is a good thing.<br /><br />My friend, Leah dropped by to view new place. Stamp of approval received.<br /><br />Went to bed. Did not sleep well. Cat still prowling around. Another hot day and apartment is very warm. Noise from Cadboro Bay disturbs my sleep.<br /><br />July 2:<br /><br />Shaw Cable showed up between 8-10 am as booked, eventhough Shaw Cable don't book 2 hour windows but rather 4 hour windows so customer is not disappointed. TV and internet hooked up, phone is hooked up but phone number has not been released from Telus yet. Due to have same number by July 9. Cat was terrified by front door buzzer and hid for the duration of Shaw connection.<br /><br />Had coffee with Paula and we did some shopping for local raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb and local vegetables at Ambrosio. <br /><br />Went home, more unpacking. Box collection is flattened, but now need to take them away.<br /><br />Went to bed. Did not sleep well. Noise from Cadboro Bay still not use to yet. Finally fell asleep only to wake up to flashes of light. Seems we had a storm. Cat prowled again and meowed several times.<br /><br />July 3:<br /><br />Apartment is much cooler today. <br /><br />Changed address on car insurance. Got car insurance reduced too and have $5 refund coming. Not bad.<br /><br />Had coffee and my free snack from Serious coffee. Won the free snack on a scratch card on first neighbourhood coffee!!<br /><br />Went to Surroundings in Cook Street Village. Did not purchase over $500 teak table and chairs that slide apart from small to large. However, did see new desk, walked away, came back, looked again, measured, perfect apartment desk. Teak sliding desk with a lot of options. Made the plunge and bought it. Now to sell my old desk and Ikea table I have.<br /><br />Did first load of laundry. Couldn't dry any of it in machine. Realized I had one loonie and all quarters. Machines take $1.25. Definately needed the drying rack today. Next item to purchase for household.<br /><br />Hopefully will sleep better tonight and will get used to noise of traffic. Although I'm not directly on Cadboro Bay, the noise travels to my windows. Hope cat is settling down and she will not prowl tonight but will sleep too.<br /><br />Still more boxes to tackle, unpack and break down.<br /><br />Looking forward to kayaking this weekend, picking up desk and going to Organic Food Festival. Need some time to feel this week has been vacation.<br /><br />Will be heading back to work on July 7th.Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701672549469536935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20959629.post-41336133892329884702008-07-03T10:10:00.003-07:002008-07-03T10:19:14.238-07:00Ottawa does it againAlthough I left Ottawa 13 years ago, I am still impressed when it comes to recycling. This city operates in the right direction regarding garbage. When I lived there I was able to put out my recycling bin along with my garbage same as here. However, when I wanted to recycle clothing, I could put this out too as long as I tied a shirt, scarf or other visable indicator onto the bag. Appliances could be put out on the street too, just remove the door on the fridge or stove.<br /><br />Now Ottawa is going even further and I'm impressed again....wish muncipalities in Victoria would get on the bandwagon to reduce what we are sending to Hartland Landfill.<br /><br />Here is what is happening in Ottawa:<br /><br />City Council today approved the next step towards implementing aresidential curbside organics collection program to begin by fall 2008. Under thisnew program residents will be able to annually compost over 100,000 tonnes of kitchen scraps and other organic materials that otherwise would go to local landfills. "City-wide composting means that the residential sector will be able to meet the provincial target of keeping 60% of our garbage out of landfills. It is a huge step forward compared to the current 33% diversion level," stated Councillor Peter Hume, Chair of the City's Planning and Environment Committee. "Investing in this program now will benefit future generations and will add years of life to our local landfills." This program lets residents put fruit and vegetable peelings, food scraps, meat,bones, egg shells, vegetable oil, paper towels and napkins, waxed and/or soiled corrugated containers, wood shavings, and yard waste into a different container than the normal garbage can or recycling boxes. "City staff look forward to being able to offer residents a new organics collection and composting program," said Richard Hewitt, Deputy City Manager of Public Worksand Services. "We will review proposals from potential private-sector partners to provide organics processing services and bring forward a report for Council's consideration on the preferred partner with complete costs and details about the new program by fall 2007." The City's Compost Plus+ pilot project, which is in its sixth year of operation,offers a voluntary program of collection of household organics to nine communities comprising 5,300 households. On a yearly basis, the program has successfully captured and diverted approximately 2,000 tonnes of residential organic waste that would have gone to the landfill. Experience gained with this pilot project will be used to design the city-wide program.The City is also exploring new technologies as an alternative to landfills and is pursuing increasing recycling rates in the industrial, commercial and institutional sectors, which currently generate approximately 70% of the city's solid waste. Formore information on all the City's recycling programs visit ottawa.ca/rethinkgarbageLouhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02701672549469536935noreply@blogger.com0