Ecoholic; The Virtuous Consumer :: Environmental and Health Concerns

Ecoholic; The Virtuous Consumer
by author HÃ©lÃ¨ne Meurer is

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then these two writers must adore each other’s work. Both Vasil and Garrett have authored shopping guides that alert readers to the hidden perils of daily consumer choices. Never before have I seen two books so alike in content, form, and intent.

Speaking from the zeitgeist of their generation, the authors of Ecoholic and Virtuous deliver their messages with uncanny similarity. Both authors are savvy, cheeky Canadian women with relevant researching and writing credentials. Vasil is known for years of penning the Ecoholic column for Toronto’s NOW magazine and Garrett is equally prolific as an award-winning author and journalist. Garrett’s eco-passion was fuelled when motherhood forced her to question the many buying decisions that affect children and families. Vasil’s energetic, youthful voice belies her extensive curriculum vitae–one that includes a lifelong dedication to environmental advocacy.

The staggering amount of eye-opening information contained here will surprise even readers who consider themselves to be well in-the-know. Each book puts household products under the microscope to expose the minutiae of environmental offence associated with their manufacture or use. No stone is left unturned. Women can get the dirt on cosmetics, birth control pills, and menstrual products. Couples will learn how to shop for condoms that have lower environmental toxicity and how to safely dispose of them after use. Of interest to all are the health and environmental questions to ask before buying alcohol, shower curtains, and bedding (who knew?), paint, and so much more.

Last year alive readers may have contented themselves with being aware and committed to improving health. Today, we must do more. Vasil and Garrett ask, test, and follow up on close-to-home and global concerns on our behalf. By dissecting prominent North American products and lifestyle habits, both authors make it easy for us to implement tiny changes toward greater personal and universal good.

Vasil’s Ecoholic brings matters much closer to home, however. Her book almost exclusively addresses familiar Canadian product lines (everything from toothpaste to flooring), so that reading labels becomes almost unnecessary. Her directory of healthful sources for major Canadian cities is an added bonus.

Both books offer a wealth of interesting online resources that kept me hopping between paper and Web pages. Kudos to two fabulously engaging authors and their respective books!

HÃ©lÃ¨ne Meurer is a writer and reviewer who finds it easy to live an eco-friendly lifestyle among conscientiously green neighbours in beautiful Victoria, BC.

Source: alive #305, March 2008

Water-The Precious Oil of the 21st Century
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The Nature Challenge
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A Weekend at a Health Show
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What is Adaptation?
The human body is brilliantly designed. A complex and miprehensive network of psychological, neurological, emflfcrinological and immunological mechanisms maintain good health and equilibrium called "homeostasis."

Making a Difference
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Introducing alive Around the World
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Siegfried Gursche
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Schools Embrace Nature
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Giving Something Back
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One Woman's Dream Becomes Every Child's "Right to Play
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Nature Does It
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Low Energy Lights
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The End of Food
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Our Toxic Nation
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Taking Care of Business by Taking Care of People
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Toxic Imports
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What the Future Holds
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Environmental Illness

LOHAS: Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability

Bridging Conventional and Alternative Medicine

Environmental Causes of Breast Cancer

Better Safe Than Sorry

Lousy Fish Farms

Silver Screen or Smoke Screen?

Less Gassy

How Big is Your Footprint?

Eradicating E-Waste

Canadian Idle?

Deep Heating
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Ways You can Help Clean Up the Earth
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The Good Kitchen
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Ethical Funds
The morning I began writing this article, I was at a familiar haunt dressing two grande mild coffees. Touch of cream, milk, and one sugar. A nearby brochure caught my eye. Entitled "Starbucks commitment to social responsibility, it set out the guiding principles this megacorp now supports.

Saving on Insurance
Life and health insurance companies want you to live a long, healthy life. But are their motives altogether altruistic? Insurance companies are in the business of maximizing profits, and it stands to reason that the healthier you are and the longer you live, the more money they make.

Consumer-Driven Evolution
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Don't Turn a Blind Eye
Angels responded to the Pakistan earthquake, Hurricane Katrina, and the Guatemalan flood.

Here Comes the (eco-savvy) Bride
Tying the knot? There are many ways to make your wedding environmentally friendly. Here are 12 tips to make your special day sustainable as well as unforgettable.

Panda Approved
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Luxe Linens
Sleeping and bathing are two daily rituals. We snuggle between our bedsheets every night and towel our bodies dry after our daily shower or bath. But what do we really know about the fabrics in our bed and bath linens? For most of us, the answer is, not much at all.

Cool Canada
Last Christmas was more hectic than holiday. As we rushed from visiting the in-laws to dinner at my parents' house, I asked, "Wouldn't it be nice if we could get away next Christmas? Without missing a beat, my husband responded, "Yes, but could we get enough time off?

Corn Kernels of Truth
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Pharmed Rice
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Modern Mud Huts
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Walking the Enviromental Talk
It's one thing to talk the talk; it's quite another to walk it. What would you be willing to give up to save the environment? Paper napkins? Takeout food? Cable TV? Refrigeration? Driving? Vanessa Farquharson has given up all of these things for a year, at least.

Step Lightly On the Planet
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Celebrate Your Right to Dry
This month I'm putting it all on the line. The clothes line, that is.

Passionate About Compost
Composting has an effect on me unlike any other thing I do. It makes me feel virtuous to create something valuable from what many people consider mere garbage.

Green Dry Cleaners
After scouring the racks for that perfect outfit, you get home only to discover the "dry clean only tag-and your heart sinks. Not only is the dry cleaning process expensive but it's also harmful to the environment, your health, and the health of your entire family.

Detox Your Living Room
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Are We Smart Enough...
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Exposing Hidden Agenda
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Crusading Against Catastrophe
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The Power of Passion
If you've never heard Stephen Lewis speak, you may be forgiven for not recognizing his name. But once you've heard his passion and conviction, you won't soon forget the man-or more importantly, his message. Articulate and eloquent, Lewis inspires, not just to think, but also to act.

Packrats and Clutterbugs
You walk through the front door and immediately encounter the clutter-a stack of unopened mail sitting on the hall table, along with a tangled heap of gloves, scarves, hats, keys, maps, umbrellas, and shopping bags.

The Geography of Hope: A Tour of the World We Need
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Ruining the Rainforest
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As the Light Dims
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Phthalates and Parabens
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Car Sharing Co-operatives
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Are Cough Medicines Doing More Harm than Good?
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Trends 2009
The New Year traditionally affords a chance to look back at what's just past while creating excitement about what's to come. It's a time of change that generates hope for the year ahead.

Pink Alert
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Love Your Lips
Plump, juicy lips coated in bright red lipstick have always been considered the ultimate in sex appeal and feminine beauty. But could the product that gives us that glamorous, movie-star appeal be endangering our health at the same time?

Going Green One Step at a Time
Every day we;re bombarded with more gloomy news about the sagging economy and the threats to our environment. We're all focused on protecting our financial well-being, but we want to do this without compromising our green principles.