Caine's Arcade

Here is a little inspiration and motivation for the rest of your week...


Caine's Arcade is a fully functional cardboard arcade built by 9-year old Caine Monroy in his father's small auto-part shop.


Check out the video below to see how far a little creativity, many recycled boxes, and a 9-year old boy's dream can go. 

For more information on Caine and his arcade visit Caine's Website


Happy Tuesday!


- M

Green Your Camping

With spring finally here, and the warm weather approaching, I along with my boyfriend and family have been getting camping fever. There's nothing more relaxing then waking up early morning with the fresh summer breeze flowing through your tent, the scent of the dew-filled forest around you, and the sound of the chirping birds or gentle coo's of a loon in the background. Yupp... I reeeeeeally am getting the itch to go camping.

Algonquin 2011

Being Canadian and having such a vast amount of untouched beautiful land to explore, camping is a great way to experience the Great Canadian Outdoors... but it is important to remember that all of this untouched land is only untouched by humans... it is the home to millions of species - both animals and vegetation.


Below I have listed a few tips on how to be more of a green camper...


Tip # 1
       Eliminate Garbage - try your best to pack items that do not have plastic or metal packaging - aim for items that are either packaged in cardboard and re-pack items into reusable containers. If you do bring plastic or metal garbage - take it home with you and recycle/dispose it accordingly.


Tip # 2
       Do not burn Plastic - only burn paper, cardboard, leaves, or wood - and do not just cut any branch off to burn, be sure to ask the park supervisors where you're staying about fire wood - some may allow you to use wood from the forest that is already dry and dead. Also, be sure your fire is in a designated fire pit or if there is no pit, in a dry, grass-less and vegetation-less area.


Tip # 3
       Do not Feed the Animals - trust me... I know they are super cute, and you think you're just helping them out but realistically you are harming them. When animals are constantly fed by campers, they become dependent on being fed rather than finding their own food making it more difficult for them to find food when there are no campers around. It also attracts more animals to your campsite which can be both bothersome and dangerous. Also, burn leftover scraps of food rather than burying them. This will keep animals from coming to your campsite at night and digging up the leftovers. 

Alogonquin 2011

Tip # 4
      Use Biodegradable Soaps - Especially if there are no bathroom facilities - but also know how to use biodegradable soaps, as they can still cause pollution in our water systems because they need soil and rocks to help break it down. When camping with no running water system be sure to rinse your hair, body and any dirty dish water at least 200 feet away from any body of water - this allows the soap to be filtered out of the water through the soil and rocks before it reaches the stream, river, or lake. Dig a hole at least a foot deep and try to dump most of the soapy water in the hole... not on vegetation. Again - this is for biodegradable soap, do not use regular brand-name soaps that are full of toxins and pollutants. 


Tip # 5
      Shop Locally - As you're driving to your campground you may pass a bunch of local farmer stands with fresh fruit and veggies. Not to mention the little towns that most likely have small local bakeries and delis. Try to purchase most of your food supplies from these vendors. See my Shop Local blog post for the benefits of supporting local vendors. 


Tip # 6
      Pick A Clear Spot - for setting up camp that is. Most campgrounds will have designated campsites, even in the backcountry of Algonquin National Park. Whether you have a designated site or not, be sure that you pick a clear, flat spot away from large hills for your tent. This will not only protect you from the lumpy ground or from rainwater running off the hill and building up under your tent... it will also help keep vegetation from being destroyed and flattened by your tent. 

Alongonquin 2011

Tip # 7
      The Classic - Take only memories, leave nothing but footprints 


For more tips from friendly staff on camping and great green camping products visit your nearest Mountain Equipment Co-op!!!


What are some of your favourite camping memories/tips/experiences?


- M
 

Green Bin Pilot Project

Hey Friends, 


Sorry for the delay in a blog post, I have been busy finishing up exams and now getting back into my work schedule for the summer.


This past weekend I was in Toronto with my boyfriend, and as we were walking around we noticed that many of the residences had Green Bins. For those of you who may not know what Green Bins are, well they are composting bins!! So the residents of Toronto can compost all of their household food waste (coffee grinds, eggshells, waste from produce and even things such as newspaper, leaves, brown bags, etc...). This compost can then be used as a fertilizer in gardens and parks as it puts nutrients and moisture back into the soil and helps feed microorganisms and insects that benefit the growth of gardens.


Russel (my boyfriend) and I have always talked about how we would compost if we had the proper outdoor space, but being in an apartment, and having no backyard makes composting impossible..... that is unless the city came out with a Green Bin program (just like our recycling/garbage pick up programs).


I thought I would look into what options London has for composting, and even thought about starting a campaign of some kind to get something started... but to my discovery (and liking) London has already implemented a test-run for composting called the Green Bin Pilot Project. They have approximately 750 households in the Pond Mills and Glen Cairn area participating in the Green Bin Pilot Project, and based on feedback they may end up implementing it all throughout London. 

via http://www.london.ca/d.aspx?s=/Garbage/greenbin.htm

To me it only makes sense that London would start to collect compost from it's residents. Think of all the money that could be saved from London if it used the compost in it's many parks rather than spending money on fertilizer. Not to mention, it is one step closer towards a greener London.


For more information the Green Bin Pilot Project and composting in general, check out the City of London's Website. 


What are your thoughts on the Green Bin Pilot Project? Do you think it will be implemented throughout London in the near future?


- M

Earth Day: April 22, 2012

This month is a pretty exciting month for me...
I finish school (for the summer)
I start working full time again (hooray for a steady income)
It's my 7 year anniversary with Russel <3 
It's my brothers graduation month from 4 hard years in University
and
It's Earth Day... on my anniversary to be exact ;) ... what a coincidence

So I've been trying to think of way I could celebrate... while being as green as possible..
To be honest, I kind of want to have a small Earth Day gathering of some kind... but those ideas are still to come. 


I have looked up events that are happening in my city to see how I can help out...
If your from London there is an Earth Day event happening off Wellington Road at Watson Street Park which includes tree planting, bird box building, face painting, and more. 
There are also other events going on all week...
For more details visit Clean & Green London's website!


What are your plans for Earth Day? What events are going on in your hometown? 


- M

Yes To Inc...

I try my best to reflect my green attitude in the products I purchase - especially the ones I put directly on my skin. 


A few of my absolutely favourite natural and organic skin and hair products is created by Yes To Inc. 


I religiously purchase Yes To Carrots Pampering Conditioner for my hair and Yes To Cucumbers Daily Calming Moisturizer for my face. I feel comfortable and confident knowing that the products I am putting on my skin are all natural (98% natural according to Yes To Inc's packaging) rather than full of harsh and harmful chemicals!

Yes To Inc's products are free of parabens, petroleum, SLS, and phthalates - and a portion of their profits are donated to the non-profit organization Seed Fund, which provides grants to elementary schools to aid with teaching students about health and nutrition. 


Not only do you smell good and have healthy smooth hair and skin, but you are also contributing to a healthier future!! 

Check out Yes To Inc's website and blog below...

Website

Blog

What are some of your favourite all natural beauty products?

- M

14-year-old Buys a House With Her "Green Business"

I was watching the Ellen Show online today (last weeks episode) which featured a young 14-year-old guest named Willow. At a young age Willow began purchasing used items off of Craigslist, from bargain shops, and finding used items in the garbage that could be fixed up and re-sold. 


She managed to save a decent amount of money, found a very good deal on a house, and purchased her very own house by the age of 14!!! She has since renovated the house and now rents it. Imagine having rental income at the age of 14 - smart girl, and she managed to do it with a green idea! 


Check out the clip below...

- M

Green Building - Bathroom Design

Today, I thought I would share one of my favourite ways to incorporate recycled materials into designing your bathroom. 


I absolutely love the look of using coloured glass (such as wine bottles) as tiles and using cork (yes, even the cork screws from wine bottles) as flooring in bathrooms (or even kitchens !!!). 


It is a great way to reuse any empty wine bottles and corks you or friends/family have laying around and it adds great punches of colour to your home - Of course providing you have the lucky chance of being able to personally design the interior of your home.


Here are a few pictures I pulled off the internet to demonstrate what I'm talking about:

Beautiful punches of greens look great in bathrooms
or kitchens (via)

Glass can also be sanded and reshaped and you can use
multi-coloured glass to get a chic designer look (via)

Cork flooring can give a very chic yet natural feel (via)

If you live in an apartment like me - how about a wine cork bath mat?
(I've got to try this !!!) (via)

What are some of your favourite green home designs?

- M

A Greener Roll up the Rim

Here is a letter I wrote to Tim Hortons today regarding a more green Roll up the Rim... What do you think? What are your ideas/opinions?? 

"Tim Hortons
874 Sinclair Road

Oakville, ON L6K 2Y1

To whom it may concern:

Being a Tim Hortons customer, I get pretty excited when Roll up the Rim season comes around, as do many Canadians. It gives us Canadians something to look forward as these last few weeks of winter drag out. Although this year I was a little disappointed in the set up of Roll up the Rim.

I use a travel mug regularly (along with many others) as it is one way in which I reduce my carbon footprint. When I asked a Tim Hortons employee what they do for us travel mug users, she simply replied, "We give you a cup to roll up". Does this not completely defeat the purpose of bringing my travel mug? If I'm going to roll the rim of a cup up and chuck it right away, I might as well use it at the least.

I guess a simple answer would be to not take the cup. But during Roll up the Rim season, that's not an option! I might as well just not buy coffee and make it myself.

In this day and age, it only makes sense that we are leaning towards sustainable development and more green business practices. Rather than wasting an entire cup, why not have scratch cards for those who bring in travel mugs (or something of that form)? Better yet, why not give customers who bring in travel mugs double the chances of winning as an incentive to reduce waste?

Being such a large corporation in Canada, you as a company have the power to make these positive changes, not only for our planet, but for both my future and yours (and ALL of your customers/employees).

Thanks for your time,

Michelle Langdon"

Cap N' Trade

It is currently one of the biggest environmental concerns contributing a ton of harm to our planet - you've guessed it... carbon emissions. Where do these carbon emissions come from? Everywhere... Cars, Trucks, Factories, you name it! 


Unfortunately in order to stop harming our planet, we need to reduce these emissions we are letting into the atmosphere by 80%!!! How might you ask...?


Cap N' Trade, a way to create a new Carbon Stock Market. Generally, the idea is that companies that have been releasing Co2 emissions into the atmosphere are going to be given a "cap" by the government on how much emissions they are legally allowed to produce. Once the company reduces their Co2 emissions they can apply for permits to produce more carbon emissions if needed. If they continue to reduce their carbon emissions they are able to sell their "remaining emissions" to other companies.


Sounds like a great way for businesses to come together and help save our planet, unfortunately there are some kinks that need to be worked out before Cap N' Trade can be successful.


 One of the disadvantages includes the idea of "offsetting", where companies reduce their carbon emissions, apply for a permit to produce more and then sell them to another company for profit. In other words, the businesses that decide to "cheat" will be creating a carbon black market. 


If Cap N' Trade can work out kinks such as offsetting, and be organized in a way that no one is able to "cheat" I think it could be a great start to saving our planet. The government can use the revenue created by Cap N' Trade permit purchases to fund other areas of the environment that need help. It only makes sense to put the money created by saving the planet back into saving it, or better yet preserving it one day. Not to mention it benefits our Canadian economy, and could possibly help boost it.


- M

Shop Local!

Shopping local has many benefits for both sustainable development and our economy. What do I mean when I say shopping local - exactly that. I try my best to purchase my produce from local farmers.


No, I am not saying I drive out to an assortment of farms to pick up my fruits, veggies, dairy and meat (although if I could I would consider it). I do however make a conscious effort to read all my labels! At the grocery store the labels that name the type of produce and states the price also states where it came from! For example: Blueberries may be a "Product of Chile"


I try to pick "Ontario grown" produce, and if not at least produce that is a "Product of Canada" - these simple changes not only reduce Co2 emissions created from shipping blueberries from Chile (or any produce from any part of the world), it also supports Local Canadian Farmers (AKA: our Economy!!!). Why wouldn't you want to put your money back into our own Canadian economy??


Not to mention the health benefits - the less traveling the produce does, the more time it spent on its vine or plant, which also means more nutrients in the vegetable itself!!! Haven't you ever wondered HOW it is that they ship strawberries all the way from Florida without them spoiling?? Picking a fruit of vegetable before its ripened helps it last longer, but doesn't give it a chance to ripen and fill with all those good-for-you nutrients!


Other places to find Local produce in London include the Covent Garden Market right downtown (one of my favourites!!). There are many local vendors that sell produce of all kinds - but do still read your labels as some sell a combination of local and imported produce. Beginning in May (weather permitting) the Covent Garden Market also has an outdoor farmers market on Thursdays and Saturdays from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm.  www.coventmarket.com

Covent Garden Market - London ON

There is also a Farmers' and Artisans' Market located on the Wester Fair Grounds on Saturdays from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm with over 70 vendors and 2 floors!!! If it's still there, check out the vendor that sells fresh baked pies and tarts - amazing!!! www.londonsfarmersmarket.ca


Not from London? Check out www.greenbeltfresh.ca a fresh produce search engine for Ontario!


- M

the Never Ending list

This morning I was in the mood for some online shopping, well... more like browsing, being a student on a super low budget. Anyways, I have always LOVED Ikea... I love looking through Ikea catalogs, I wouldn't mind going to Ikea in the near future!! I have quite a few Ikea items in my home at the moment! It's cute, classy and cheap... 


... perfect for my super low student budget ;)


Anyways... Lately I've been making it a point to check out what the businesses I'm shopping at are doing towards sustainable development. Hooray for Ikea (and my love for Ikea)... they are trying to make a difference through "the NEVER ENDING list"... check it out:


http://theneverendinglist.ikea.ca/en/What-is-the-List.html


So now not only is it cute, classy and cheap... it's also green!!! 


Here are a few examples of what they're doing around the store:

Check out "Programs in Canada" under "What we're doing" on the link above!!


Ikea has also won Canada's Greenest Employers by Mediacorp Inc's "Canada's Top 100 Employers" 3 years in a row!! 


Now, back to my online browsing :)


-M

Mountain Equipment Co-op

A quick post for tonight...


Here is a perfect example of a sustainable, green business... Mountain Equipment Co-op


Not only do they sell sweet clothes and awesome camping supplies or any supply for any outdoor sport imaginable (well... for the most part anyways), they also are constantly looking for ways to get involved and reduce their company's carbon footprint.


Check out how they stay green on their Sustainability page... click the link below!


www.mec.ca

What's one of your favourite green companies?


- M

What Green Means to Me

Each person has their own concept of what green means to them, so I thought defining MY concept of green might be a good place to start. 


Greening to me is not just the conscious act of recycling and reducing energy where possible, it is a lifestyle and a way of thinking. Every time I place something into the trash I think (if even for a brief moment) what impact is it going to have on our planet? I'm not saying I think of every scientific, environmental, or community impact... Just generally. Will this plastic bottle decompose in a landfill?...No... Does it take me that much effort to hold on to it or walk a few extra steps to recycle it?...No... SO, recycle it!!


At the grocery store I find it unnecessary to bag every vegetable/fruit I purchase. I am going to wash it before I eat it anyways! And same with reusable, cloth grocery bags... if you make it a habit, it's not that difficult to remember... even when making short trips to the store to grab milk! And it saves you the $0.05 spent on a bag. Double Win!


Beginning a green lifestyle or way of thinking is not only recycling, but reducing waste and consumption in general. Purchasing bulk foods usually requires less packaging, and purchasing green cleaning supplies in concentrate saves on both packaging AND takes up less space when being shipped across the country!


The planet has taken such a beating already, our natural resources are running out, it only makes SENSE for our new generations to think and live green if we want to have resources left for our future generations (yes.. that means your kids and grandkids, and MINE too!). It's the idea of living a sustainable life, and supporting sustainable development! 


Small changes are a great start (like the ones mentioned above) and the more you get involved the more interest you will find in thinking of creative new ways to live sustainably. It also ties into ALL aspects of life, so greening can be done through interest, work, and school! 


What are some things you do to try and live a more sustainable life? I'm interested to hear any tips for beginning a green lifestyle. Please comment below!


- M

Welcome

Welcome to my blog,  A Green Adventure


Please bear with me, as I am new to the blogging world and still learning the ropes!


A new green post coming soon!

- M

Algonquin Park 2011