Since it became headline news earlier this month, I’ve had conflicted feelings about the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. On the one hand, I’m inspired by how many people have gotten involved. Videos like this one are a powerful vehicle, giving a voice to those effected by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). On the other hand, I’m uncomfortable with…
Officially my 30 sustainable habits challenge was over last week, but I’ve fallen behind on writing about it. Thirty posts in thirty days turned out to be a bit too ambitious after my daughter decided she hated naps, however, adopting thirty new sustainable habits has proven anything but. The whole family has been enjoying a lot…
I’ve been holding off on this post because I was hoping to do a more detailed post about my trip to the Re-cycle shop to pick up a new bike, but the weather and our schedule haven’t been cooperating. I still intend to do a more in depth post over the next few weeks, but…
I know I’ve already discussed cutting out most of my shopping, but since Mother’s Day is coming up, I was thinking specifically about gifts. I’ve come to the decision that there are probably still some gifts that I’m going to have to purchase…but Mother’s Day gifts do NOT fall into that category. After all, what…
Jane’s Walks started in Toronto, following the 2006 death of the urbanist, Jane Jacobs. The idea was for members of the community, politicians, planners, designers and leaders to provide free walking tours of neighbourhoods to present information on planning, design, history and community engagement. Since its inaugural event in 2007, the idea has spread across Canada and to cities…
My 26th sustainable activity was to realize that I know where to get horse manure for my garden so I should probably go and bag some up. I don’t know why I didn’t think of this sooner. It’s going to be a stinky drive (I’m going to have to pick it up first thing Sunday…
Up until the past two weeks I’d been planning my garden with one goal in mind – return on investment. My goal was to get as much food out of that garden as possible and ignore flowers (which I considered lazy for not yielding a harvest). Then I saw an interesting news release about planting milkweed…
I am sometimes disheartened by the enormity of climate change and how insignificant the impact of one person can seem when considered on a global scale. Last night I was doing some research into green building practices and I came across the Climate CoLab and I was reminded why my actions matter – because it’s not just me.…
It’s been a busy week, so I’m a little behind on writing about my sustainable habits. The week started with Meatless Monday. I’m not a really big meat eater, but to save time planning and preparing balanced meals I’ve been using a lot of ground beef and other meat lately. Well no more laziness. It’s time…
I hate the idea of watering the lawn. We wouldn’t do it if our landlord didn’t ask us to (and it’s her house and property value, so we oblige). It’s a waste of water, just to keep up appearances. So this year, we’re going to do everything we can to avoid watering the lawn, without…
Since I started this challenge, I’ve had a list of possible activities and habits that I’ve been adding to as I think of things and removing items as I adopt new habits and write about them. At the top of the list is the one habit that I knew I would have to do, but…
The other day, while I was trying to decide what my 20th sustainable habit was going to be, I received an email from the David Suzuki Foundation about their 30×30 Challenge. The basic premise is a pledge to spend 30 minutes outside, everyday for 30 days (the month of May). It seemed like a great fit…
While looking into battery recycling for my 18th post, I realized that waste disposal was a huge topic on its own. I also realized that although I’ve been trying to decrease the amount of trash I put out at the curb, there are things in this house that will still need to be disposed of…
But so many children’s toys need them. Before having a baby, I could probably count on one hand the number of devices we had in the house that required batteries to operate. Most of those were remote controls. Now it seems, I’m constantly pulling out a screwdriver to switch out batteries on one noise-making-lights-flashing-probably-bouncing-or-vibrating device…
My seventeenth habit will be to do an inventory of how we’re using electricity in the house and see if we can make some changes. My husband has a handy-dandy meter-thingy (note to self – ask him what it’s actually called and listen to the answer this time instead of instantly forgetting). It plugs into…
between nature and culture 