I’ve never been one to make New Year’s Resolutions (for various compelling reasons), but I must admit, it is a good time to kickstart a happier, healthier you. All you need to do right is the right stuff (see below). These simple products will save you time, save you money, save your health, and save the environment… it’s my common theme for everyday, and hopefully will be yours now too.
1. Clean Bottles (clean from toxins and easy to clean)
Staying hydrated is one of the best things you can do for your body, and I always encourage you to take your bevvy on the go, but you want to make sure that what goes in to your bottle, is exactly what comes out. Use ones made with no liners, no BPA and 18/8 stainless steel. Klean Kanteens have rounded corners making them easy to clean, and also making them the healthiest, safest bottles you can buy.
Swap all your plastic (which can leach toxic chems onto your savoury leftovers) with glass containers. They can go from your table, to the oven to the freezer and back again. Wean Green’s tempered glass containers with colourful, silicone-sealed lids are great for storing and the Smart Clips locks mean no leaky spills so you can take them anywhere you go (even if that means they are thrown in the bottom of your purse).
3. Super Foods (because they are packed with super good stuff)
Incorporate foods packed with nutrients that will boost your immune system, heighten your energy levels, and improve your overall health. Mum’s Originals, a Canadian company dedicated to ethically making super foods without the use of any toxins (in production and farming) offer an array of delicious tasting super foods that you can add into your favourite recipe, create new recipes with, or eat on their own (the organic cacao nibs are loved by all in my home!).
4.An A- Z living conscious “guide” (because you’re not expected to know it all)
It’s equally as important to avoid the bad, than it is to buy the good. It can all seem overwhelming, but putting off living healthier and smarter isn’t the answer. My new book, Alphabet of Avoidance is complete with examples of what to avoid for every letter of the alphabet, and easy and simple solutions to replace the “bad” with something “better” or even nothing at all. You can “do” one letter of the alphabet each day, or read through the book cover-cover in an hour!
5. Glass Straws (don’t worry, they are lifetime guaranteed)
Aside from the amount of waste that builds up by using disposable straws, why would you want to be putting toxic chems from plastic in your mouth? (yuck!). Strawesome glass straws are beautiful, extremely durable (made with the toughest glass commercially available), kid friendly (my 4-year old loves his), dishwasher safe, and drinking from glass makes everything taste better!Do I need to go on?
6. Washable, reusable bags (think about where your bag goes and what it brings home)
While you may know what you’re carrying around inside your bag, do you know what you’re toting around on the outside? Think about where you put your reusables. You take them into washrooms, place them on the conveyer belt and shopping carts in the grocery store, put them on the floors/tables/benches/cars and then we take them inside our home and sometimes even might plop them on our clean counters or kitchen tables. RuMe Bags are versatile, washable, durable and designed for daily use in any situation (grocery shopping, mall shopping, gym bag, diaper bag, beach bag, overnighters, laundry bag and even reusable gift bags!). Wash, fold, stash and repeat as needed.
7. A Safe Soap (because natural doesn’t always mean natural)
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. You are your own best advocate, so read your labels. If you don’t know what something is, or the word is too hard to pronounce, you shouldn’t be using it. Just because packaging may tell you it’s “all natural” on the cover, doesn’t mean that it truly is. Replace all your cleaning products in your house with safe ones you know and trust (or even nothing at all). Berry Plus is a laundry soap that is 95% berry based and 100% plant based (yes, a soap that grows on trees – now that you can trust!). You’ll become a hero just by doing laundry.
As you start off the New Year, be open to change. Life is all about change. It’s not about the speed of change, it’s about ensuring that we constantly strive to do the best we can, based on the information we possess, and of course, the tools we have to help us.
We really can make a difference. It starts with a jump in the right direction.
Here’s to a happy and healthy 2012
Lisa Borden, owner of Borden Communications, takes a unique approach to holistically marketing eco-intelligent living and working. Some of her favourite titles (from a long list) include: Catalyst for Change, Enthusiastic Philanthropist, Inspiration Agent, Strategist + Catalyst, Mother of 3 and Wannabe Organic Farmer. You can follow her on twitter @LisaBorden or learn more about her and her business at www.bordencom.com.
Instead of careening madly around stores desperately purchasing gifts this holiday season (translation: possibly useless stuff that is not needed or wanted), make the getting and giving of gifts smart and easy - change the present this year!
The “new” present is one that inspires people to live healthier lives, makes the world a better place, supports good people and companies, doesn’t create excess waste…and of course, makes your getters really, truly, very happy!
FOR THE MULTI-TASKING MANIAC Since we cannot clone ourselves (tragic!), we need hard-working gifts that are “get-me-through-the-day” helpers! These are welcome additions to life - try them!
Lay On This:
Some of us may only get a few minutes of downtime a day, so make each minute count! Enjoy all the benefits of acupuncture, but in the comfort of your own home.The Spoonk Mat’sspikes increase blood circulation, boost energy levels, release muscle tension, heal joint pains and induce deeper sleep, and all you have to do is lie down and close your eyes. A few minutes of downtime and you’ll be revved up again in no time.
Pleasure Yourself:
When a chance for some “you” time presents itself (whether or not it was forced), these Mette Vangsopleasure pillows filled with organic flaxseed and natural lavender and chamomille flowers, provide soothing relief whether you heat them up or cool them down, givingyou maximum therapeutic benefits.
Roast Your Beans:
100% organic and fair-trade made, the carefully selected roasted beansfrom 23 Degrees Roastery pack a mean punch of energy. Buy one or purchase a set, and choose a blend that speaks to your morning senses. There are even private label opportunities. Talk about a unique and creative gift.
Warrior Powers:
100% raw vegan, 85% pure protein. Unlike other protein powders that taste bland and chalky, this Sunwarrior Protein Powder is smooth (you can choose between three flavours). Burn fat, tone muscles and boosts energy, all in a day’s work! No fake junk in these bags and great for kids too. It’s really good for you. Really.
FOR THE ECO-KID Children are our future. Teach them well and arm them with products that they’ll love (and serve a purpose too). It’ll inspire everyone to make better choices.That’s a guarantee.
Rock your world: Clementine Art Crayon Rocksare made from USA grown soy beans and coloured with natural mineral pigments. They were originally designed by an occupational therapist to help kids develop find motor skills and prepare fingers and hands for writing.Small and large fingers alike will have fun colouring bold strokes in rich hues…so go on, colour outside the lines!
Small Yet Mighty:
It’s never too early to teach kids to shop responsibly (and in style).The RuMe Bag is ideal since you can throw it in the washing machine or wipe it clean - we all know it will get dirty like all good kid stuff does.The bonus? There’s a pattern and colour to match everyone’s style.
Sleep Tight:
Did you know that your pj’s could be doused in flame retardants (read: toxic chems embracing your loved ones all night long?). New Jammies are made with 100% organic cotton so you can send your little ones off to bed knowing that they are tucked in with only the purest fibres. Sleep easy.
Let The Games Begin:
Play that doesn’t harm the earth and provides fun and games for all (learning a thing or two is what family time is all about). Each Anoukpuzzle or game is designed with passion, made in Toronto, and FSC certified paper and vegetable based inks are used. Definitely a win, win!
FOR THE BEAUTIFYING BELLA A girls’ cosmetic routine can be as unbreakable as her love for Brad Pitt. However, if you have ever glanced at an ingredient list on your soap, concealer, lipstick or body lotion (if there was even a list at all) it would make going all-natural a no brainer.Do not fret, there are safe alternatives and you don’t have to compromise quality.
If It’s On You, It’s In You:
Did you know that the average woman eats 4 pounds of lipstick (it had better be safe) in her lifetime?Environmental Defenceis known for putting up a stink about things that put the lives of Canadians in danger, and the chemicals that are in your cosmetics are no exception. Peeyouu.How about giving someone you love safe and clean lipstick along with a donation in their honour?
Stay Polished:
Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or a salon-going-manicure-maven, make sure that what you’re putting on your nails is safe. Try water-based polishes like Hopscotch Kids that are free of the harsh chems found in most pretty paints. It’s safe for even your youngest bella!
Shop Safely:
The only thing worse than not enough choice, is too much choice! Switching brands can be difficult but when you have a place with a SAFE selection, you can feel good knowing you are making a better, and healthier choice (and will still look fab!).
Instant Life:
Rose Marie Swift, celebrity makeup artist, is dedicated to transforming the way we use makeup. The beautiful RMS Beauty line uses raw, food-grade, organic ingredients that actually heals and nourishes the skin. As they state, “created by nature, untainted by man”.
FOR THE MUSIC MAVEN Tune into your favourite playlist with the respect it deserves. These innovative music accessories are not only head turners and crowd pleasers, but they’ll do your music justice.
Log In:
Listen up! There are all kinds of smart, portable music player speakers out there, butthe 100% eco-friendly bamboo “log” amplifies the sound of your iPhone 4’s built-in speakers, intensifying the stereo effect without plugging in. No cords. No wires. No power.Just bamboo! How’s that for getting something from (almost) nothing?
Pack N’ Play:
Portable Fold N’ Play Speakers lay flat for travel, weigh less than a pound, and can then be folded into a box for the ultimate portable speaker. Self-powered and made of heavy duty recycled paper, this plug and play cube can be hooked into any device with a headphone jack.Origami has never sounded so good!
Big Sound, Small Footprint:
Need big sound? No big deal. Bring your fave iPod or iPhone tunes with you and blast it on the portable speakers for all to hear.Too sunny to stay inside?Even better. With the high efficiency solar panel, the Eton Soulra charges itself with just the power of the sunlight (so leave the batteries and cords inside).
Music to Your Ears!
You don’t have to sacrifice on quality to help save the environment. Thinksound cables made from PVC-free material and housing made from wood means you can rock out without toxins coming in. Best part? The sound is even better than you would get from conventional headphones. Big sound, small footprint.
You’ll find lots more gifts for The Eco-Bully, The Very Vegan, The Gadget Guru, The Sustainable Stylist, The Fitness Freak, The Happy Homemaker and The Wonderful Wrapper, in the Borden Communications 2011 Holiday Gift Guide. Wrap up your gift giving easily and eco-ly. Happy Holidays!
Lisa Borden, owner of Borden Communications, takes a unique approach to holistically marketing eco-intelligent living and working. Some of her favourite titles (from a long list) include: Catalyst for Change, Enthusiastic Philanthropist, Inspiration Agent, Strategist + Catalyst, Mother of 3 and Wannabe Organic Farmer. You can follow her on twitter @LisaBorden or learn more about her and her business at www.bordencom.com.
Welcome to 2011. Where does the time go? Kids grow up so quickly and are expected to adapt to change constantly. Shouldn’t we, as adults and responsible parents change too? (we all agree the answer is “yes”, right?)
It’s easy to stick to our routines and habits, but there are better ones for us, and our world. So bend, and twist and bring on some “new”.
There is no time like the present. So, in honour of this glorious new year, find below 10 very simple, extremely easy, common-sense, changes that will benefit us all.
Take a low flow shower If 36 people were to take a low flow shower, in a year they would save enough water to fill a bucket the size of an average house. That’s some BIG bucket! Do Something Now:
You can get low flow shower and tap heads at pretty much any local hardware store.
Have a corn-free meal
There is high fructose corn syrup in soda pop, fruit juice, cookies, candy, pasta, bread, and breakfast cereal among other things. Animal studies have shown a link between increased corn syrup use and diabetes and heart disease. You are what you eat! Eat what’s fresh and not stuff out of the box. The less factory, the better. Do Something Now:
Watch King Corn a documentary about what we eat and how we farm. Or check out Fresh and start thinking about what you’re eating!
Trash the Trash
Next time you’re out walking around, take a look around. We bet you’ll see a few used cups crushed on the sidewalk, or sitting half full on a ledge. Our culture seems to have a disposable attitude…maybe it’s time to dispose of it. North America uses 50 million trees a year to satisfy its paper cup habit. On average, one person throws away 100 cups per year. Do Something Now:
Stay away from toxic containers and join TakeOutWithOut, the free campaign to reduce restaurant waste.
Take the Initiative
Pick an action and take the initiative. Sometimes the ripple you start turns into a wave. Do Something Now:
Join the Boom Boom Revolution. That’s right…Boom Boom.
Take a Break
Studies show that workers who take regular, structured breaks actually get more done and are happier than those who keep plugging away non-stop all day. Do Something Now:
Enjoy five minutes with an organic pleasure pillow by Mette Vangso or with a set of t spheres. It’s a great way to take a break.
Unplug your Cell Charger
It sucks power even when you’re not using it, and that sucks! If every one of North America’s 100 million plus mobile phone chargers were left plugged in, they would consume enough electricity to power 264,000 homes! Do Something Now:
It’s called “phantom” power. If it’s plugged in, then it’s using power! Read this article and learn how to reduce your power consumption drastically.
Clean Without Chemicals:
Did you know that the average home contains more than 62 toxic chemicals? That’s more than a chemical lab… yikes! Humble, unassuming household vinegar kills up to 99.9% of bacteria – you know, the stuff you put on your fries and your salad dressing? Do Something Now:
Make your own! For inspiration, check out what the brilliant Alexandra Zissu suggests for all easy and safe cleaning in her newest book, Planet Home
Shop with a re-usable bag
A reusable shopping bag will save over 10,000 plastic bags from being produced and dumped into landfills in its lifetime. Yes, you’ve heard in all before but you forget your bags at home or in the trunk?! Keep washable bags in your car, purse, briefcase and pockets! Do Something Now:
Never forget your re-usable shopping bag. RuMe Bags are available in so many different shapes, patterns and sizes (and they do fit in your purse or your back pocket)!
Use Safe Personal Care Products
89% of the 10,500 ingredients used in personal care products have not been appropriately safety tested. Do Something Now:
Find out what’s in your chosen cosmetic products at Skin Deep, and then join the Just Beautiful Campaign by Environmental Defence.
Get Some BaaLLS! Fabric softeners, dryer sheets (and even dryer balls made from plastics and PVC) contain chemicals that cause damage to the central nervous system, narcotics that impair the respiratory function, and known carcinogens (just to name a few!). Do Something Now:
Choose something safe and long lasting, that will soften your clothes and shorten your drying time, try wool dryer balls -they make sense and cents! Check out www.baalls.com
Do Something. And do it now. Then do more. We really can make a difference. Together.
Lisa Borden is an eco-advocate and mother of three, whose business is a direct reflection of her commitment to better, more responsible living. She is a dedicated workaholic, admitting that it takes a lot of time and effort to change the world, especially in her non-preachy, fun, engaging and inspiring ways. Lisa consults, writes, engages the media, runs private workshops, and enjoys speaking to large and small groups. Her full-service marketing firm, Borden Communications + Design Inc. is based in Toronto and takes great pride in being an ethical business providing exceptional ideas. You can sign up for Lisa’s rants and raves at www.bordencom.com or reach her directly at lisa@bordencom.com.
Our kids are used to change because they change constantly. Growing up is all about change. They change grades and schools, and teachers and friends, and even change what they know and how they think. They learn that change is hard, and it can even be scary, but it’s really exciting too. I know as parents, we all know that we’ve made some very bad choices (from misinformation, or simply being uninformed) – plastics, toxic chemicals, McDonald’s, BPA laden bottles and on and on. We are often appalled by some of our decisions and wish we could go back to the days of shouting out “do-over”!! But, since we can’t, we now need to look to our kids to be our eco-heroes - most of the time they are students or following our rules, but often, we’d be better off letting them be our teachers. Our kids know so much stuff we don’t, and they believe in change, and want to take care of themselves, their family, friends and our world. Embrace that enthusiasm with them, don’t brush it off. Teach your kids to put their best foot forward everyday and show them how much change every one little thing they do can matter in a big way.
When I speak to groups of kids, I see the sparkle in their eye, and they tell me the most amazing things that they do or want to do – and their frustration only lies in the fact that we don’t listen to them enough. Kick start a little social action into your kids, and make them feel good about their efforts and caring to do “good”.
Here are 6 little things that your kids can be in charge of (obviously there are hundreds more!) Encourage it. Watch them love being in charge, and love making change…then watch what that leads to, and follow their lead.
1. Leave the Dirt at the Door. Your kids can be in charge of keeping all shoes and boots and sandals behind an imaginary line at the front door…that includes guests too. (let them explain why to everyone…education delivered by a child is hard to not appreciate!) Think of your kids crawling around in your home on pesticides, road oil and gas and assorted outdoor gunk. The professional cleaning industry believes that 85% of indoor dirt is tracked in from the outdoors on our shoes and pet paws. And, in a recent warning about lead exposure, the EPA specifically recommends that shoes remain outside the house. Just remove them at the door - your house will stay cleaner, toxics won’t come in, and you have an excuse to buy new slippers!
2. Gift Wrap Wrapping paper and shopping bags alone account for about 4 million tons of trash annually in the US. Not to mention, how harmful they are to make, the fact that they are only used for moments and they are not even recyclable! Decide what your family could use instead of wrapping paper – old magazines, newspapers, scarves, kids art from school, reusable shopping bags (my favourite are www.rumebags.com in every shape and size – even snack size ones for little gifts) etc.
3. Junkmail Think of the term even! Junk?! Of course you need to get rid of it. And, the industry standard is a 2% response rate which means 98% of the resources making junk mail are wasted! Get on board the Red Dot Campaign for more details on stopping your unaddressed mail today (no cost to you, big savings for everyone). Or your kids can make their own, and even offer them to your family, friends and neighbours for their homes).
4. Running Water Make sure everyone in the family is turning the tap off while they brush their teeth…do you flush the toilet the whole time you are sitting down? Kids LOVE to be in charge of this reminder…and get them to time themselves (and you) to take shorter showers too. (remind them NOT to cut out washing anything though!!)
5. Idling Any time you stop for more than 10 seconds (except in traffic) usually is worth turning off your engine. Idling gets us nowhere. Quickly. Let your kids remind you (never touching the ignition, thank you!), and turn off!
6. Straws I know you probably like drinking through a straw, but, do you really need that plastic thing in your drink, and then does it need to get tossed in our landfill? If you are at a restaurant, make it family policy to just order your drink and proclaim, “HOLD THE STRAW!” There’s a reason that straws are not allowed at the zoo you know. Anyone know why? You can also check out www.glassdharma.com – yes, reusable glass straws, great for kids too – lifetime guaranteed!
Note on Eco-Bullying (same rules as all bullying – NEVER!) Instruct your kids proactively that screaming or making fun of someone for not doing what they want, or forcing someone to do something against their will is a BIG ECO-NO-NO – teach them to always lead by good example and give gentle reminders that don’t make others feel badly about what they are not doing, because they may be doing other great things that others are not.
Remind your kids (and yourself) not to worry about what you are or you aren’t doing right now, but what you are going to do moving forward – and, pat yourself on the back for caring to make change, every little bit adds up. And, as parents, we all deserve to be kids again.
Lisa Borden is an eco-advocate and mother of three, whose business is a direct reflection of her commitment to better, more responsible living. She is a dedicated workaholic, admitting that it takes a lot of time and effort to change the world, especially in her non-preachy, fun, engaging and inspiring ways. Lisa consults, writes, engages the media, runs private workshops, and enjoys speaking to large and small groups. Her full-service marketing firm, Borden Communications + Design Inc. is based in Toronto and takes great pride in being an ethical business providing exceptional ideas. You can sign up for Lisa’s rants and raves at www.bordencom.com or reach her directly at lisa@bordencom.com.
New Year’s Resolutions? Why is it that we are all compelled to make these silly things? Big goals are difficult and for those who fail at sticking to them (most of us!!), my advice is simple…no new year’s resolutions. Instead, 2010 is the year of the eco-reSOLUTION! Make the best decisions you can each and every time …do the best you can in all you do, always. This includes everything and anything. From choosing what to buy at the grocery store to purchasing a new pillow, to volunteering at your child’s school or even booking a massage for yourself. All these decisions are very important!
Trying to protect your health and save the planet singlehandedly? Not going to happen. Try these 20 eco-reSOLUTIONS - one per day, per week, or simply when you feel like it. They are purely inspiration to get on a different track. And each time you do, try and get a friend, a family member or a colleague to join you. I’ve supplied you with the action and ultimate solution (ok, that’s just my opinion) for each…so you have little excuse not to at least consider them. Feel free to add your own…there are an infinite number. The other great news: you’ll start off the year saving money, time, your health and the planet…a deal!
The following are just ideas and inspiration and are in no particular order of importance or priority to save the world.
1. Take reusable bags on all shopping trips, not just for groceries – Nicole Ritchie and Jennie Garth love these ones.
2. Use reusable produce bags…yes, many exist! Credo Bags are made in Canada.
3. Clean the greenest way possible and get rid of all your household chemicals – Gone Shopping offers the Eco-Me home kit.
4. Don’t buy unnecessary and un-NEEDED toys for your children…and watch for pvc, lead, phthalates…why are they in our toys in the first place? Read Slow Death by Rubber Duck to learn more.
5. Take your shoes off at your front door – why bring that outdoor road gunk inside (lead included)?
6. Turn the water off while brushing your teeth…there is NO reason why this can’t start happening today!
7. Make sure your tires are properly inflated – just ask how to check at your next service call if you don’t know how.
8. Don’t chew aspartame (ick!), and certainly don’t give artificial gum to your kids – try Glee Gum.
9. Do not give out conventional invitations when throwing your next party (I do hope you have a lot to celebrate) – try this instead.
10. I’m hoping that you’re excited knowing that this next point was checked off your list ages ago - NO PLASTIC water bottles…disposable or reusable…use a Klean Kanteen or a glass bottle.
11. Try packing a waste-free lunch –Oprah, Martha Stewart and Rachel Ray all agree.
12. Be an Agent of Altruism TM. Nothing will make you feel better than doing a random act of kindness. Check out Boom Boom Cards to get started.
13. Avoid canned foods – the same scary BPA made famous in baby bottles are in those can linings. – Eden Organics cans of beans are BPA free and a healthy choice too!
14. Try a little alternative medicine – consult a naturopath and avoid putting synthetics in your body that are harmful in production, to your body and when you pee it back out and it goes into our water system!
15. Source one new and very safe personal care item…maybe mascara, toothpaste or a shampoo…wondering why only one? I know once you get started, you’ll keep going. Try Upurea or your local health food store.
16. Donate something – recycle stuff you don’t use and give it to someone who needs it.
17. Inspire your school or organization to run an eco-friendly, intelligent fundraiser like this one.
18. Don’t idle your car, and ask those that you see idling to cut their engines too.
19. Use an eco-friendly ice melter/traction control – where do you think it all goes once you dump it on your walkways and driveways? Aside from our water system, it travels to our interiors (think cars, landscaping, pets and our children), and it gets taken into our schools. Home Depot has multiple options.
20. Spend a few minutes on the Canadian food inspection website and sign up for their alerts via email. This will be the quickest way to convince you to buy as local, as fresh and as organic as you can…melamine? Listeria? Oy.
Focus on the positive impacts your eco-reSOLUTIONS will have and remember that every decision you make does have an impact, whether negative or positive…so inform yourself and make decisions wisely.
And, without going back on my first thought (oops), maybe also make the resolution to lead by example in 2010…what better time to start?
Lisa Borden is an eco-advocate and mother of three, whose business is a direct reflection of her commitment to better, more responsible living. She is a dedicated workaholic, admitting that it takes a lot of time and effort to change the world, especially in her non-preachy, fun, engaging and inspiring ways. Lisa consults, writes, engages the media, runs private workshops, and enjoys speaking to large and small groups. Her full-service marketing firm, Borden Communications + Design Inc. is based in Toronto and takes great pride in being an ethical business providing exceptional ideas. You can sign up for Lisa’s rants and raves at www.bordencom.com or reach her directly at lisa@bordencom.com.
- most look forward to Spring, not Spring Cleaning.
In order to Spring Clean, we are supposed to clean up our lives, straighten out our acts and find (literally and figuratively) ourselves. No small feat, right? Right. So, let’s get rid of Spring Cleaning Madness as we know it, because…
a. we have too much stuff anyways (and we can’t find what we need when we are looking for it!)
b. it will make your life easier throughout the entire year
c. it will make your home healthier
d. it’s fun to get rid of things (and others can use them) and you might even get something back ie. garage sale, ebay, a thank you
e. you shouldn’t be waiting a full year to find out it’s old or expired anyways
Now for the Dirty Talk - getting your home to be truly clean. Here are a handful of simple steps for Green Spring Cleaning; they will give you a great start toward a healthier home. Follow them and you’ll save time, save money, save your health, save the planet…..and, triumphantly, you will never have to Spring Clean the same way again.
1. Clean up your act. Replace every conventional cleaner under the kitchen sink and in the laundry room with NOTHING (well, maybe not nothing, but as close to it as possible!). I spend entire workshops with clients addressing real “clean” cleaning, the merits of it and the dangers of the chemicals. There is a true, clear, easy and immediate fix – you can buy good, trustworthy brands of eco-friendly cleaners or even smarter… use microfibre cloths with water, and if you are inclined, it’s so easy (and inexpensive) – just make your own (look at the brilliant www.eco-me.com kits). You do NOT have to sacrifice the cleanliness of your home (trust me, I’m a completely neurotic mother of 3!). Visualize not only how much space you have just “won” in your home, but what routines you have just changed.
2. Make your mat more welcoming. Think of your kids crawling around in your home on pesticides, road oil and assorted outdoor gunk. The professional cleaning industry believes that 85% of indoor dirt is tracked in from the outdoors on our shoes and pet paws. And, in a recent warning about lead exposure, the EPA specifically recommends that shoes remain outside the house. So, have your carpets eco-cleaned and remove your shoes at the door - your house will stay cleaner, toxics won’t come in, and you have an excuse to buy new slippers!
3. Bottle your own water and get the plastics out. Forget the coolers, the disposable bottles, sippy cups and the juice and pop (think of all of that space saved already). Did you know that some bottled water is treated more than tap water, while some is treated less or not at all? Use a Klean Kanteen, the original stainless steel bottle and fill it up with Toronto Tap. To sip it all up, no plastic straws – you can now get Glass Straws that are so durable that they offer a lifetime guarantee at www.glassdharma.com (hint: FREE straws are been given away in honour of earth month of their site!) And, while you are in the kitchen, recycle all of those plastic containers, especially the ones without matching lids! Instead, invest in glass containers with lids.
4. Just say no. Kick your disposable habit. Even if it says biodegradable or compostable, a reusable is still probably better to swap in for the trashy one. Water bottles to reusable bottles and plastic straws to glass ones as above in #3. Take Out containers and utensils for Take-Your-Own containers and utensils – try www.laptoplunches.com. Plastic or paper shoppers to quality reusable bags – and ones that fold up and can be stashed in your purse or briefcase so you don’t forget them – try www.rumebags.com. Paper Cups to Reusable Mugs. Paper Napkins to Cloth Ones (Dolores Saunders of WeRevive in Toronto can upcycle your old tablecloths, curtains or clothing into fabulous napkins – www.werevive.ca)
5. Do it in the Bathroom too. Check all of your personal care and cosmetics at www.cosmeticsdatabase.com. The bathroom can be a chemical cocktail between the cleaners, the make-up, the fragrance and the finishing sprays! Again, by simplifying, you’ll save money moving forward and your drawers and cupboards will almost automatically become organized! Safer make-up lines, toothpastes, shampoos and indulgent products are becoming more mainstream everyday and again, you will compromise nothing and gain everything.
6. If it stinks….it stinks! Far from freshening air, chemical-based air fresheners and deodorizers add dangerous chemicals to the air we breathe. The best air freshener is of course…fresh air! Open your windows! So many people tell me that they love the smell of clean (relating to their bottled cleaners) - remember, clean air is the air you DON’T smell! And, if you need, buy an essential oil and add a few drops into a dark spray bottle of water. Just shake and spray. Or you could also check out a remarkable new (well, new to me at least) product line at www.everbamboo.com – it actually works!
7. Be a snobby shopper. Proclaim “not in my cart”. It’s good to be very discriminating because labels are deceiving, claims such as organic, natural, eco and green are not regulated and greenwashing is rampant. Bright toys with lead paints, toothpaste with pesticides, plastics with hormone disruptors and foods with toxic chemicals are all reminders that items that we consider to be ordinary can be unsafe. With everything you purchase, you are voting with your dollars, so make the right choice and you’ll be sending the manufacturers and retailers a clear message about what we want on our store shelves.
So, now you’ve accomplished reducing, and recycling….and hopefully, as you’ve sorted through everything, you’ve happened upon some old favourite things you can now reuse. Enjoy days of budding trees, blooming flowers, sunny skies and no toque-wearing temperatures outside from now on, instead of being stuck indoors Spring Cleaning - and, as a bonus, when you are inside, you will be enjoying a healthier home.
Happy Spring!
Lisa Borden is an eco-advocate and mother of three, whose business is a direct reflection of her commitment to better, more responsible living. She is a dedicated workaholic, admitting that it takes a lot of time and effort to change the world, especially in her non-preachy, fun, engaging and inspiring ways. Lisa consults, writes, engages the media, runs private workshops, and enjoys speaking to large and small groups. Her full-service marketing firm, Borden Communications + Design Inc. is based in Toronto and takes great pride in being an ethical business providing exceptional ideas. You can sign up for Lisa’s rants and raves at www.bordencom.com or reach her directly at lisa@bordencom.com.
