School’s out for the summer, and for many, including my family, that means it’s time to get the kids ready for camp. As we prepare our campers for lots of quality time outdoors, breathing in fresh air, and reconnecting with nature, it only makes sense to send them with the smartest and healthiest camp essentials to protect them and their environment, so they can focus on the things kids do best, making great friends and memories!
PVC-free Packs + Rainwear –PVC is one of the most toxic plasticsmade and it can’t even be recycled. Thankfully, there are places like MECwho continues to make efforts to minimize our environmental impact by building and selling products that last, and that are made in a way that respects the people who manufacture it. They have packs that are rock solid in value and durability, and you can even send them in for repair if needed.
Light at Night - For hours of bright light when they need it most, choose a solar charged, crank powered, or shake and shine LED flashlight. They don’t require batteries (which is one less thing to remember to pack and won’t run out!), and it uses your own energy to charge, rather than from an outlet.
Chem-free Personal Care– Keep your kids protected against sunburns and bug bites with something that is both safe and effective. Graydon’s Sun Creamblocks out damaging rays and soothes the skin with aloe, and her Outdoor Sprayrepels those pesky mosquitos while keeping skin conditioned and moisturized, all without any dirty ingredients.
Safe Splashing – When the kids are having fun, jumping in and out of the pool or lake, or paddling down the river with their friends, it can be tough to remember to reapply their sunscreen. Send them with some long and short sleeved rashguards, like thesefrom Lole, which offers them some protection from both scratches and UV rays.
“They say the happiest place on earth is Disneyland. They’re wrong, it’s camp.” #campconfessions
Lisa Borden, owner ofBorden Communications, takes a unique approach to holistically marketing eco-intelligent living and working. Some of her favourite titles (from along 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.
A trip away with the family can sometimes feel like even more like work rather than a vacation for us moms. But, good news, it doesn’t have to be! After years of traveling with my family of 5, there are a few tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way to help me prepare beforehand, and to pack smarter and lighter, so we can enjoy the quality time together that we intended to.
1. Bring some instant eats. To avoid yucky airplane food (re: fake stuff wrapped in plastic) bring your own. Get a dose of leafy greens, with a side of calcium, magnesium, iron and fiber, all with a delicious “chip” taste and crunch. Kids can polish off an entire bag - it’s that good.
2. Use your reusables. No matter where you’re off to, smart and reliable reusables will take you from A - B to C and back again. Pack your Klean Kanteen bottle in your carry-ons and fill at the airport (after going through security of course), and you’ll never have to worry about waiting in lines for a pricy, sugary soda. Plus, staying hydrated during air travel helps fight fatigue and helps fight the munchies too.
3. Multi-purpose care-to-go. Less is always more, but even more so when you’re traveling, and multi-purpose products make for lighter luggage and a lighter (travel) footprint. The worldTRIO comes with a shampoo, body wash, conditioner, moisturizer and all-purpose balm (all in 3 little bottles!) that are safe and effective for the entire fam. They can be used interchangeably on both skin and hair, and all three “travel” bottles are under 100ml so you can even pack them in your carry-on.
4. Smart takeoff toteables. Choosing the right luggage and travel accessories is just as important as choosing the right destination. I use Nau’s Lightbeam Tote because it can transform from a backpack, to a single strap shoulder bag, to an organizer bag inside a suitcase, making it the ultimate all-in-one travel bag for moms. This featherweight tote doesn’t weigh you down on your travels, and bonus, it’s made from 100% recycled polyester.
5. Clean lightweight luggables. You won’t have to worry about leaving this travel essential behind. Berryplus laundry soap is only 55mls (under airplane liquid standards), yet this highly concentrated small bottle (think the size of your cell phone) effectively cleans 20 loads of laundry. Small and lightweight, you can pack it in your carry on, and know that this tiny lifesaver will come in handy at some point during your travels.
Elbert Hubbard said “No man needs a vacation so much as the man who has just had one.” I think he may have just needed a great travel guide to help him plan ahead.
Lisa Borden, owner of marketing firm, Borden Communications, offers a holistic approach to consciously marketing responsible brands and services. She encourages everyone to be their own expert by offering new perspectives, and helping them find the clarity to uncover simple solutions to daily challenges. She claims that she is not a coach, a consultant, or a concierge, but rather a strategic blend of all of these roles - working to increase efficiencies, revenue, health and happiness. As a consultant to small businesses, corporations, non-profit organizations, school groups and individuals as well as a dynamic campaign and brand ambassador and motivational speaker, her message is always clear. Every action and every dollar matters and has an impact - so we’d better take each step wisely. Together. Follow Lisa on twitter @LisaBorden.
This time last week my two children, husband and I were cruising aboard Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas. Prior to our adventure, I’d never pictured myself as a sailor. I worried about motion sickness and feeling lost adrift a gigantic vessel on a seemingly infinite sea. I could barely watch Life of Pi or Titanic without projecting myself onto the screen, fear rising up inside me. Ultimately, I began meandering closer to thinking about cruising as a vacation possibility. Many of my friends are avid cruisers - one has cruised over twenty times and for years, has hosted a community forum thread on cruisecritic.com (look for “attempt at a semi-live report from the Adventure of the Seas). So, I became more and more curious about what the fuss was all about. Upon exploring the option of all inclusive resorts in the Caribbean versus a cruise holiday, I was surprised to learn that the cruise was actually more economical. I became excited at the idea of being able to see five new places in one week, while only unpacking once. I realized that being on the ship was about enjoying the journey along the way to sampling wonderful destinations. Suddenly, I became hooked and before long, we were all booked and raring to go.
Now that we have been there, done that, we are glad we did. I’m not sure that we will become like some of my friends and people we met on board (one couple spend eight months of the year on board, another eight weeks and many do back to back cruises) who count down the days between one cruise and the next, but we will certainly add cruising to our list of vacation options. Although there were many couples cruising without kids, there were also just as many with their families – sometimes multi generational. Children ranged in age from infants (although our ship didn’t really cater to families with infants as some do), all the way through to young adults. The programs at ‘Adventure Ocean’ allow children the option of participating in activities with peers when they’re not hanging out with their families. Some children even prefer to stay back to play mini golf, participate in rock climbing, skating or swimming with their friends and counsellors rather than join their parents on island excursions.
One thing you will never hear onboard a cruise is “I’m bored.” Figuring out how you’re going to manage to do everything that is offered is more of a problem than finding something to keep everyone happy and occupied. Another thing you’re never going to hear onboard is “I’m hungry.” Everything you’ve heard about cruising and food is true. The food was excellent and the choices huge and there was barely enough time to get hungry between one meal and the next, especially with so much snacking in between. It was a common sight, for example, to see families commune around 11pm in restaurants along the ship’s “promenade” after the main shows of the evening were over. Sandwiches, pizza, cookies, cakes and refreshments were flowing like the sea around us. One night, a midnight buffet beckoned with rows and rows of hot and cold food. It had throngs of guests out around the pool on one of the upper decks, eating as if they had never seen food before.
Here are some tips I’d like to pass onto you following my first voyage atop the no longer scary waters.
* Book your own flights. Next time we cruise I will arrange to arrive at the destination we are sailing from with at least a day to spare. Since we booked our cruise and flight as part of a single package, we weren’t given a choice as to time and date to fly out. As a result of a five hour delay in our flight the day we were to set sail, we arrived at the ship with an hour to spare before sailing. We missed the orientation and muster drill, which allows you to know what to do in the case of an emergency. In regards to the flight home, I would prefer to arrive home at a reasonable time, such as mid afternoon, for example. We didn’t get home until 10pm on Sunday evening so there was no time to catch our breath before having to get our kids ready for bed and Monday morning at school. Returning home on a Saturday is ideal, if possible.
* Read and complete custom forms carefully. Take special note of what you can and can’t bring on board your flight. Whether cruising or not, fruits and vegetables, for example, need to be declared. We inadvertently didn’t declare an apple and were interrogated in a secondary screening room. When the US agriculture customs official spied a US sticker on our apple, we were suddenly free and clear. Apparently, US apples are allowed into the States. Canadian apples not. Make sure to complete the customs forms carefully and accurately. I don’t think my children will ever look at an apple the same way again.
* Be tourist savvy. Beware that tourists (especially those coming from cruise ships) are like prey to some locals. Twice we were intentionally misled as to the cost of our taxi fare in Puerto Rico. Another time in St. Kitts we were handed the most irresistible green monkeys to stroke but before we knew what was happening, we were asked for ten dollars in exchange for the photo we had taken. I understand that this is how some of the locals make money to survive, but don’t assume anything is free – not even directions – on some of the islands.
* Making connections. Everyone is required to carry a set sail pass with them at all times. An excellent system allows computers to scan in your personal electronic bar code on it so that ship personnel know who is onboard and who is not. This pass is also used in place of cash on board since ships are cashless. It’s also the “key” to your cabin. We asked guest relations (open 24/7) to punch a hole through the corners of ours so that we could wear them on lanyards around our necks. Prior to leaving Canada, we purposely purchased dollar store red and white lanyards with “Canada” on them so that we could proudly identify our nationality. This proved to be a great way to meet people. Other Canadians made themselves known – one person even lived in the same community as ours.
* Communication. Christian Franco, Adventure Ocean Manager, suggests bringing walkie talkies with. These are great ways to keep in touch with your kids, in particular, and vice versa. He also suggests another simple but great idea for communication - a white board left in the cabin so that family members can leave messages for one another such as “meet me at pool.”
* Cabins. Although inside cabins are slightly less expensive, it’s worth paying the extra bit for a cabin with a balcony. Even though our standard balcony room was very tight for space (and I had to keep reminding the girls to keep organized so we didn’t misplace anything), it was great even leaving our empty suitcases on the balcony. It was especially nice just standing out at night looking up at the stars in a clear sky or leaving the door open slightly to hear the breaking of the waves against the ship. Better yet, if you can afford a junior suite or the crème de la crème, an owner’s suite, you will experience true luxury.
* Footwear. Christian Franco recommends that each family member brings along at least a pair of waterproof shoes such as Crocs – these are great for around the pool, at the beach or at the kids club.
* Excursions. Before leaving, I did a lot of research on various excursions offered through the ship as well as by local companies. I also researched places of interest that we could get to by foot. I’d recommend internet sites such as cruisecritic.com and tripadvisor.com to learn about excursions at the various ports of call that others have taken. Ultimately, I booked a combination of tours – one through the ship to the amazing Dolphin Academy in Curacao where we hugged, stroked and kissed dolphins, another through Island Marketing Tours for an excursion in St. Thomas and a third through a wonderful woman, Beulah Mills, who you can contact through Welcome Tours in St. Kitts. Both these companies offered reasonably priced tours, the guides were incredibly knowledgeable about their islands, very friendly and extremely familiar with how to manage cruise guests such as making sure that we got back to the ship on time. I corresponded with Beulah and island marketing tours several times via email before leaving and felt good about supporting locals. Resortforaday.com, operating on various islands, also allows outside guests to take advantage of their facilities for the day, should you choose.
* Leave all technology at home. Connecting to the internet or sending texts or emails from a ship is extremely expensive and the perfect reason to leave all technology behind. If you really need to connect with others or check emails, you can find eating places on the islands that offer wi fi connections.
* Dining. On board you can choose to sit at the same table at the same time every evening or you can choose My Time Dining which allows you the freedom of choosing when you want to dine. The benefit to sitting at the same table each night is that you avoid line ups, get to know your waiter and him/her your family, and if you choose the earlier time slot, have a longer time for entertainment in the evening. If you’re travelling with an only child or have children who would like to meet others their age while, request a larger table with a family who have children of similar ages.
Overall, I highly recommend cruising with kids. Explore which lines and ships will best suit your family’s needs and then sail away, leaving all your worries behind you.
Sara Dimerman has been an individual, couple and family therapist for over twenty years. She is one of North America’s most trusted parenting and relationship experts and the author of three books - ‘Am I A Normal Parent?’, ‘Character Is the Key’ and a book for couples – ‘How can I be your Lover when I’m too Busy Being your Mother?’ Learn more or listen to advice from Sara and her colleagues by searching for ‘helpmesara’ podcasts on iTunes or by visiting www.helpmesara.com. Check out her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/saradimermanhelpmesara or follow Sara on Twitter @helpmesara.
I badly needed to update my photos of Bowmanville Zoo so last weekend, I decided to do something very daring… I took three teens to the small zoo, with a friend of mine. (Actually, it wasn’t that daring. One of them had expressed the desire to visit a zoo to take animal shots.)
It is worth describing Bowmanville Zoo at this time of the year since it will be open daily throughout September and on weekends until Thanksgiving Weekend (including Thanksgiving Monday).
Perfect stroll in the fall
We all loved it! After an incredibly hot summer, the cooler sun of September was more than welcome and the animals were quite lively.
The site is filled with mature trees so it is always nice to stroll around this zoo. (We saw many three-generation families enjoying the premises.) They provide shadow in the summer and the colours are gorgeous in the fall.
What makes it even better is the catwalk Bowmanville Zoo has added over a little forest near the Animatheatre. It is an upraised boardwalk allowing us to look at two wolves and one lion down below (not in the same pen). Weather allowing, after the shows in the Animatheatre, people can tour the enclosed pens under the catwalk in a bus dressed up as a vintage trolley while a zoo keeper interacts with the animals.
Something fishy!
September is the perfect time to watch salmon swim up the river in the north side of the zoo. We could see (and hear) them from the catwalk. They’re quite big and strong!
Close-up opportunities
One of the reasons it is a great place for young photographers is that we can buy $2 bags of biscuits to feed the animals. They look yummy, in their greasy brown paper bags. (Watch out for your little ones, they probably will be tempted to eat some!)
As soon as the animals see people approaching the fences, they greedily run towards the visitors. (Even at the end of the season, they still haven’t tired of the treats.) All the animals seemed healthy and fit so I’m assuming the biscuits sort of “go through” (if you know what I mean).
The parrots located near the entrance are very colourful and fun to watch. Since they can’t fly, there was no need to put them in a cage, which makes them more interesting to photograph.
Animals, activities and extras
The zoo hosts around 300 animals including: elephant, lions, tapir, all kinds of horned animals, emus, camels, parrots and monkeys.
Activities offered daily during the summer, are still on on the weekends during the fall, such as the shows in the Animatheatre (look for the show schedule at the entrance). They last longer in the summer but we could still enjoy a half-hour performance involving a lemur, a miniature horse and a humongous Asian elephant.
There’s a carrousel and two other little kiddie rides in the Funland by the entrance (staff members operate them one at a time). In the summer, kids can enjoy a large splash pad conveniently equipped with a line of benches for the parents and enjoy more animal encounters.
All these activities are included with the admission. You can pay $6 extra for a ride on the elephant or on a camel near the camel enclosure.
IMPORTANT TIPS:
• Their end-of-the-season admission fees don’t show on their website. It is now $17/adults and $12/children (tax included).
• Go to their website to print a couponfor a free kid admission with a paying adult.
• There’s a Wimpy’s Diner less than one km west of Bowmanville Zooat 219 King Street East in Bowmanville.
•To get to the zoo, take exit 432 off Hwy 401to Liberty Street, then turn right on King East. The zoo will be on your left.
Nathalie Prezeau has played the tourist in and around the city since she moved to Toronto from Montreal 20 years ago. She’s the author of Toronto Fun Places… for families, 5th ed. and the blog Toronto Fun Places. Her new guide, Toronto Urban Strolls… for girlfriends (1) made the Globe & Mail’s bestsellers list this summer. Both guides are sold in major bookstores and on torontofunplaces.com
Last summer my husband and I chose to drive from Toronto, Ontario to Halifax, Nova Scotia, with our two daughters, then aged twelve and nineteen. It was one of the most memorable and awesome summer vacations we had ever experienced as a family. Along with being able to capture the historic beauty of Quebec, we also visited New Brunswick and PEI for the first time. After spending time with friends in Halifax, we were awe inspired by the breathtaking Green and White Mountain ranges as we drove back home through Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Never having experienced a family road trip before, I wasn’t sure how everyone would adapt to spending so many hours on the road but planning ahead really paid off and we can’t wait to do it again. If you’re planning a road trip with your family anytime soon, here’s what you might like to know:
• Consider the age and temperament of your children. Travelling as we did with two older children who are quite capable of entertaining themselves, and each other, made our trip that much more enjoyable. I don’t think it would have been quite the same if we had made the same trip when they were much younger. Although travelling overnight so that young children can sleep the hours away may make getting to your destination easier, there are cons to this. For one thing, you may feel exhausted from driving without getting a night’s sleep and the beauty of your surroundings will be lost.
• The journey is really just as important as the destination. If you plot out stops and points of interest along the way, then the final destination becomes the place that you are spending the most amount of time at, but is not that much more important than all the special stops along the way. If you journey over several days and don’t need to be somewhere in a hurry, then you’re more likely going to appreciate every place you stop at. And dont be afraid to make slight diversions along the way if something special catches your attention.
• Involve your family in the planning stage. If your children do research on the internet, for example, about special places they’d like to visit and if you integrate these stops along the way, they will feel that their needs have been equally considered. Then, the vacation truly becomes a family vacation.
• Take lots to occupy them in the car. One of the great things about car travel is that you don’t have to worry about your luggage being a couple of pounds overweight. You also don’t have to worry about other restrictions such as products that are not allowed on board an aircraft, for example. Other than the portable dvd and other electronics, how about a knapsack of creative car activities such as a paper and crayons, stickers and maybe even a small lap tray to place the material on. This knapsack can also be taken in and out of restaurants, for example, too.
• Other than material items for the kids, think about other games that require nothing more than thought and imagination. Counting the number of red, versus blue cars, for example between point A and B or playing a memory game such as “I went to the market…..”are great ways to pass time.
• Help your children know in advance how much time between stops so that they don’t ask “Are we there yet?” every half hour. Older children, who understand time and can read, can be provided with an itinerary including approximate time planned to be on the road. Children can also be helped by showing them how to read a GPS so that they can see at a glance how much time remains until they can stretch their legs or visit another place of interest.
• If you typically drive a smaller car, consider renting a mini van for the time you’re going to be away. A van allows you the luxury of extra leg space, extra luggage space and extra elbow space may even mean that the children are less likely to fight with one another – both physically and verbally.
• Place a small garbage can or hang a small garbage bag by the front passenger seat so that you can keep the interior of your car (or van) organized and clean. You’re less likely to misplace items if you have everything organized and throw out litter or items you no longer need right away. Then, when you stop to fill up with gas, for example, you can dump your garbage into a larger bin and start fresh again.
Most importantly, take lots of time planning and researching a road trip so that you know where and when you are coming and going. Treasure each stop and inhale every moment along the way. Don’t rush the trip but plan the scenic route so that so that you can experience the beauty of your surroundings. Safe travels!
Sara Dimerman has been an individual, couple and family therapist for over twenty years. She is one of North America’s most trusted parenting and relationship experts and the author of three books - ‘Am I A Normal Parent?’, ‘Character Is the Key’ and a soon to be released book for couples – ‘How can I be your Lover when I’m too Busy being your Mother?’ Visit helpmesara.com.
We were referred to a great list of recommended tween books on Twitter in the last few days. It was from Candace, found at @seemummyjuggle. The list was inspired by her daughter, who is an avid reader. We are of course pleased to share the link she provided with you.
Spring is here, and in an attempt to bring the season indoors, I made a new dessert last weekend … Ina Garten’s Lemon Cake Recipe. The result was fresh and lovely, served with strawberries and vanilla ice cream. Perhaps one of the best parts was that the recipe makes two loaves, and I was able to put one away in the freezer to enjoy any day I want to make extra special.
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.
I must admit, I would have never guessed that reducing would have been a hobby of mine, but, once I started, I realized that I was good at it, and it felt good too. I hope that what I’ve done (so far, because it’s a work in progress) inspires you on your own path of living a little bit lighter.
1. No buying of gum (except Glee Gum - it’s all natural, plus in a little box, none of those plastic blister packs in more packaging).
2. No buying single use stuff (although gauze pads and bandages were recently required for a major boo-boo -I was bothered by the purchase and each day of required use).
4. Cancelled my newspaper subscriptions (I get my news from twitter mostly! :).
5. Cancelled my magazine subscriptions (and resist my children’s pleas to support their schools by ordering more magazines through fundraisers).
6. Call companies that still send their catalogues to my address to cancel them. Frustratingly, repeat requests are required. I’m looking at you, Restoration Hardware!
7. No purchasing of gift wrap - reusing what’s around, including kids artwork, magazines, catalogues, junk mail or using a reusable bag or a dishcloth, scarf or towels so the wrap is part of the gift.
8. No pop, or drinks in cans (bonus: we’re reducing the chance of getting cancer from aspartame, or BPA in linings.
9. No water in plastic bottles - that includes vitamin waters, herbal waters and other bottled water pretending to be better than bottled water (keeping our hormones undisrupted).
10. No beverages from disposable cups (bonus: I make tea at home and don’t wait in line ups - plus my counters and appliances weren’t cleaned with bleach or other toxins - so not going into my system, and a Styrofoam cup isn’t leaching into my drink ).
11. No takeout containers (I even pass up buying something that I want if I don’t have a bag or container with me - after all, I did start the TakeOutWithOut Campaign).
12. Buying bread and chocolate from the farmers’ markets with my own bags - they love it, and so do I (bonus: they smile, I smile, the whole world smiles…plus my bread bags are pretty awesome and baggies are fair-trade made!).
13. Shopping for produce at the Farmers’ Markets, which is incredible for so many reasons, but also means NO pesky stickers on each piece!
14. Returning egg, fruit, berries and veggie containers and cartons to the farmers at the markets for reuse.
15. Using neither paper nor plastic bags and bringing own bags when grocery shopping.
16. Using neither paper nor plastic and bringing own produce bags when shopping for fruits and veggies in stores.
17. Using neither paper nor plastic bags, refusing tissue or stickers and boxes and bringing own bags when shopping for clothes, books, and personal care items.
18. Choosing products that have less packaging, and safer packaging (glass over plastic, tube over tube AND a box etc.).
19. Carrying my awesome reusable bottles with me everywhere - usually a Reflect (no paint, NO plastic!) and an Insulated bottle to keep my cold drinks cold, and my hot drinks WAY hot no matter how cold it is out).
20. Carrying People Towels for drying my hands, wiping my kids hands and occasionally using as a carrier/placemat for food too.
21. Wiping my hands on myself and letting my kids wipe their hands on me if I forget my cloths instead of paper towels (it takes a while to get in the habit of remembering to wash them and put them back in your purse!).
22. Carrying a Hankybook for wiping/blowing my nose. I know, you think that’s gross. It’s not as gross as what you are doing with tissues. Trust me.
23. Asking waiters/hosts at restaurants to not give paper and plastic disposables - napkins, placemats, straws, cups, ketchup and soy sauce packets (don’t get me started on that green plastic sushi grass!).
24. Making my own household cleaners (bonus: no heavy jars and jugs to lug home from the store).
26. Reusing the small amount of plastic bags that end up in my home to share homegrown veggies or leftovers with others.
27. Reusing cloths (and old t-shirts too) for cleaning cloths around the house.
28. Buying the largest size product I can (I would shop from bulk bins, but with severe allergies in our family, we cannot take the risk).
29. Walking right by prepackaged, ready to serve, over processed foods (bonus: we eat Real Food).
30. Giving our used clothing to charity or even to friends - and taking theirs too.
31. Offering products we no longer need to friends - try listing on Craigslist, or Freecycle if no one I know wants it.
32. Using Strawesome Glass Straws instead of plastic ones (bonus: incredibly awesome woman makes them and is as excited about you using them as you are with each sip!).
33. Printing as little as possible and always using both sides.
34. Taking kids art and remodeling into other art, or making it into gift tags (after taking digital pictures to preserve the memory, of course).
35. Not printing all pictures of my family (no matter how cute they are) and sharing with others electronically.
36. Packing litterless lunches and snacks for my 3 kids, and husband too - I work at home, so no packing required (bonus: eating real food from home costs less than junk and takeout - and I’m saving my money, my health, and my time too!).
37. Using cloth napkins for all meals, always.
38. Using cold water to wash laundry and saving more heat by hanging to dry when the weather allows.
39. No fabric softener sheets - we use BaaLLS - I created this product and they last for years! (bonus: they are not impregnated with toxic chems).
40. Buying less of everything. But buying better quality from ethical and sustainable sources so it lasts longer and I value it more.
41. Remembering to unplug chargers, and refusing to use energy when it’s not working for me. (bonus: lower bills, right lowfoot?)
42. Refusing copies of receipts when possible (thanks Patagonia and other retailers for emailing receipts now).
43. Buying loose leaf teas instead of individual bags - no string, staples, packet and box! (bonus - no chlorine bleach or other toxins being steeped into my cup).
44. Constant reconsideration of my habits, knowing that I can always do better.
45. Choosing organic/ethical clothing as much as possible (bonus: reducing chems, formaldehyde, phthalates coming into my home or my family’s bodies).
46. Using unpackaged, or lightly packaged bar soap instead of liquid (except in powder room, for many reasons where I refill a pump from a large container of concentrate) - it’s not only less packaging, but you can use it all, and nothing is left at the end.
47. Volunteering where I can, to inform, inspire and educate others on reducing.
48. Sharing my refusing and reducing efforts with anyone who will listen (even if they think I’m crazy).
49. Teaching my kids to be proud of their refusing and reducing, and inspire them to share with their friends.
50. Living and working by this African Proverb ~ If you think you’re too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a room with a mosquito.
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.
Like many 12 year olds, my daughter recently completed her “Babysitting Course”, which in theory will enable her to venture forth into the world of watching other people’s children with insight, knowledge, and experience. However, after having reviewed the course materials and grilling her on the information that was shared, I do believe that as a mother of four I should share some vital facts which seem to have been left out of the course content.
• Changing a diaper on a teddy bear, life sized baby doll or stuffed Elmo is nothing like changing the diaper on a real life, pooping baby. In order to replicate this activity without borrowing an actual baby, you could practice by stuffing an angry octopus into a small plastic bag. About 14 times. For one change. And if you think the squid ink is bad, well…
• Most children do not like going to bed. Most babysitting jobs span the exact timeline of getting children into bed. This is not an accident by the employing parents. They may have in fact secured your babysitting services entirely to avoid putting their own children to bed, for one night. A refusal to go to bed by the child, coupled with the 114th reading of GoodNight Moon will wear down even the most patient of parents. They’ve decided it’s your turn. Good luck. Wear protection.
• Parents will tell you that as long as the kids are safe, happy, and healthy (and put to bed on time, as per the last point), they aren’t fussed if you make a mess doing arts and crafts, feeding the kids, or playing games/building forts. This is a lie. We all hate coming home to a messy house and if you need to leave Junior in front of the television or video game for half an hour before we get home, it’s fine with most of us if it means all the couch cushions are back in their rightful spots.
• Parents who tell you outright that they try to limit their children to only half an hour of television per night are most likely to be the ones who let their kids watch television non-stop all week and are trying to lower their child’s average hours of viewing for that week, all in one night, courtesy of you. Good luck with that. Start building that fort.
• Use the “Well I’m just going to call your Mother and ask her” threats wisely. Kids catch on to this really quickly (just like the fake calls to Santa and the Easter Bunny). Practicing a fake one-way conversation with fake angry Mom is good practice for any babysitter. Do some role play with your friends.
• It’s not always a bad thing if the parents don’t have the money to pay you on the spot when they get home. Most of us feel so guilty that we made you wait for your money that we top up even more the next day when we drop it off. And never say “It’s too much.” We know what the real cost is of watching our own kids. It’s not too much. Reading GoodNight Moon one more time? Now that’s “too much”.
WRITTEN BY
