Going Green One Step at a Time Conscious choices...from renovation to fashion-ation :: Home and Garden

Going Green One Step at a Time
by author Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

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.

Many cost- and eco-conscious Canadians have closed the door on plans to renovate, shelved redecorating ideas for another day, and even skirted thoughts of any new summer clothing.

If you’ve been put off your plans for updating your home, your bedroom, or your closet because of concerns for your pocketbook and your world, read on. We have some ideas that just might change your mind.

Canada’s new Home Renovation Tax Credit
The credit will only be available for the 2009 tax year and applies to eligible expenditures of more than $1,000, but not more than $10,000, resulting in a maximum credit of $1,350.

Expenses related to the following home projects may be eligible:

renovating a kitchen, bathroom, or basement
new carpet or hardwood floors
building an addition, garage, deck, garden/storage shed, fence
re-shingling a roof
new furnace, woodstove, boiler, fireplace, water softener, or water heater
new driveway or resurfacing a driveway
painting of interior or exterior of a house
some window coverings
laying new sod
swimming pools (permanent)
fixtures, such as lights and fans
associated costs, such as permits, professional services, equipment rentals, and incidental expenses

—Source: Canada Revenue Agency (cra-arc.gc.ca)

1: Renovate with an eco-conscience
Now’s a good time to fix up

With the new economic reality on everyone’s minds, renovating our home looks a whole lot more attractive than buying new. And with Canada’s new Home Renovation Tax Credit, upgrading our existing home makes even more sense.

“When we’re renovating, we check with our Habitat for Humanity ReStore for leftover building supplies from contractors,” says Angela Krueger, a mother of two in Guelph, Ontario. Materials sold by ReStores are usually donated from building supply stores, contractors, demolition crews, or from individuals who wish to show their support for Habitat for Humanity.

According to Kim Pettersen, director of marketing and development for Habitat for Humanity ReStores, pricing of donated building materials ranges from 50 to 80 percent off their fair market value. For example, a steel entrance door that retails at Home Depot for $404 would sell (as a returned or donated new item) at ReStore for as little as $80. You can even purchase an entire kitchen at their stores—at incredible savings.

Auctions, demolition sales, architectural salvage yards, and bankruptcy sales are additional ways to avoid buying new and put existing materials to good use.

Colour your rooms green
When you want to freshen up a room with new colour, it only makes sense to spread organic paints on your wall. These paints are free from petrochemicals, fungicides, and preservatives and are made from natural wood resins, plant oils, and earth pigments.

Use specially formulated paints for low odour and low VOC emissions (volatile organic compounds, which the US Environmental Protection Agency regulates to control air pollution).

“These paints are available in latex flat, eggshell, and semigloss finishes, so they’re easy to apply and clean up,” says interior designer Debbie Wiener, author of Slob Proof! Real-Life Design Solutions (Alpha, 2008).

Though you can pay as little as $15 for 3.79 litres (1 gallon) of inexpensive latex paint at a large building supplies store, a premium latex paint can run upward of $50—and you get all the toxins to go with the price tag. Instead, buy “green” for the price of a conventional premium paint and get the reassurance that comes with knowing you’ve made a choice for the environment—and your health.

Step up your flooring
Bamboo and cork are eco-friendly alternatives to hardwood flooring. Bamboo, a grass that grows quickly and renews itself, is as durable as wood when fully harvested. Cork, which comes from tree bark, can be harvested without harming the tree and is widely available from most home improvement and flooring outlets.

Another option that has become popular—and widely available—is “engineered” flooring in the form of durable wooden planks made out of wood scraps originally classified as unusable.

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Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen is a freelance writer on Bowen Island, BC.

Source: alive #319, May 2009

Put Your Best Foot Forward
Oh, my aching feet! To ease your foot problems, you may want to try one of the many natural foot care products on the market or whip up a home remedy. Shoes that are too tight can cause a callus. This lumpy accumulation of cells isn't unbearable, unless it develops a hard core and becomes a corn.

Get Rid of the Orange Peel Look
Cellulite is described as a fat accumulation on the thighs and hips. It usually causes a dimpled effect and even extremely slim women aren't immune to it. Most naturopaths know that the whole picture is more complex than just a fat accumulation: cellulite is also a toxin accumulation.

Handcrafted Aftershaves
We use aftershaves because they smell good and are beneficial to the skin. However, commercial brands often contain harsh chemicals and synthetic perfumes. They can't compete with the wholesome fragrance and healing properties of natural ingredients.

Tender Lovin' Tootsies
Your feet have 26 small bones with 200 ligaments and 20 muscle.

The Holistic Gym Bag
In order to have a truly holistic approach to getting in shape at the gym, you'll need a gym bag that's in tip top shape as well. With these natural toiletry items and remedies, you will be ready to kick some butt.

Perfume
Think about the last time you felt nauseous or had a headache for no apparent reason. Could it have been from the perfume you smelled in the elevator? Or from walking down the detergent aisle at your grocery store? These reactions are your body's way of telling you something is wrong with the air you're breathing.

The Clean, Green Home
Culturally we have been conditioned to believe that only the "whitest of whites will do"; that all bacteria must be ruthlessly exterminated; that dust and dirt are best removed with powerful chemicals; that our hair needs cleaners, conditioners and managers; that our teeth require fluoride and abrasives; and that our underarms ne.

Water-The Precious Oil of the 21st Century
Water is a public trust and a basic human right. We cannot live without it. Like air, water should never be considered "goods to be traded and sold on the world market; yet the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has left our water wide open to exploitation. Canada's water is in crisis.

Get a Clean Green Home
Keeping up with a clean home can knock you out in more ways than on.

The Nature Challenge
When we read about health issues in the newspaper or seestories on TV, the focus is almost always on the potential benefits of the latest medical "breakthrough, such as an exciting new drug, technique or technology.

So Clean, It's Sickening
After centuries of using simple cleaners-and elbow grease-synthetic compounds invaded our homes half a century ago. Now, cleaners are the most hazardous chemicals in your home.

Cleaning Green
A friend of mine recently bought an aquarium, three goldfish, and an angelfish. He proudly set up the tank in a corner of his living room for all to see. Last time I visited I noticed the fish were gone.

Are Men Really Hooked on Looks?
Beauty has long been linked with health. For centuries our genes have driven us to seek out a good-looking mate to increase our chances of producing healthy offspring. Psychologists tell us that it's in a woman's nature to attract men with beauty.

Feng Shui
A secret ancient Chinese practice used to ensure good health and fortune for the dynasty, feng shui provides tools to examine the flow of life energy (known as "chi) to assist in finding balance and harmony. Traditional feng shui examines four aspects: building, environment, time, and people. However, westernized feng shui commonly only examines two of these: building and environment.

Five Steps to Safe Cleaning
Like many people, you probably have a cabinet of cleaning products. A spray for this, a gel for that, a powder for something els.

Pamper Your Piggies
Are your feet still hibernating and sweating it out in winter boots? Summer is just around the corner, so give those tootsies a kick-start on the sandal season with a rejuvenating pedicure.

Help Yourself Soothe Your Soles
Your pretty painted toenails match your new spring sandals, but the rear view of your foot doesn't look so appealing. Footwear can be serious fun for many women, but dry cracked heels may spoil the joy. Those discoloured and dry heels can be unsightly, uncomfortable, and even painful.

Buyer Beware, Buyer Compare

A Weekend at a Health Show
A few weeks ago, I attended a health show in Victoria with a friend and, upon reflection, it was a very rich way to share time together! The exhibit floor Was animated with lots of sights, sounds, colors and tastes, and the seminars were information-packed and inspiring.

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."

Holiday Herbs for Decor and Digestion

Clean Home, Clear Conscience
Until cheap, petroleum-based synthetics came along, all detergents were made from vegetable fats such as coconut oil. "Green cleaners including soaps, fabric softeners, laundry or dish detergents and all-purpose, glass, tile and toilet bowl cleaners are still made from plant oils.

Making a Difference
Severn Cullis-Suzuki's brightest moment was probably at the Rio Earth Summit, where the then 12-year-old Severn delivered a powerful speech to the political representatives. However, her first environmental and social justice work began at an even younger age.

Introducing alive Around the World
At alive, it is our goal and privilege to bring you up-to-date research and information on health and wellness to improve the quality of your lives. Our intent is to raise awareness regarding natural and preventive approaches to healthcare.

Getting the "Dirt on Household Cleaning Products
You've spent hours cleaning your house. Now you're sneezing and coughing, your hands and eyes are red and itchy, and you have a headache. What's wrong?

Man, This Bud's for You
If you have happy hemp memories from your golden youth, you might be interested to know that you can revive the vibe with hemp products that promise to clean, refresh, feed, and cover you from head to toe.

Siegfried Gursche
After 30 years natural health pioneer Siegfried Gursche has retired from his position as the publisher of alive. While no longer at the helm of the nation's much-loved natural health publication, his entrepreneurial spirit lives on as the magazine continues to inform and educate.

Schools Embrace Nature
Every Monday morning, bright-eyed kindergarten and grade one students from South Carvolth Environmental School in Langley, BC, trek through Campbell Valley Regional Park to check out what's new this week.

Goodbye, Red Eye
Recently, I found myself under pressure to complete a project that involved spending a great deal of time working on the computer, poring over graphics, and proofreading small print. Although I took breaks, I developed a nagging headache and my eyes were burning, bloodshot, and blurry.

Giving Something Back
Listening to Chantal Kreviazuk's music is always, for me, an inspiring experience so intense that I can easily lose track of time. While writing this article, I am listening to her 2002 album What If It All Means Something. She has a unique gift-a divine voice.

One Woman's Dream Becomes Every Child's "Right to Play
Play comes naturally to all children. But not all children are able to climb that ladder to the top of the slide, nor can they hold on tightly as the merry-go-round spins.

Nature Does It
Robert Bateman is not only an internationally acclaimed Canadian artist who paints wildlife, he also has a high profile as a conservationist, environmentalist, and naturalist. Bateman lives by his convictions-caring for the planet, for his art, and for his own and his loved ones' health, naturally.

Bringing Feng Shui Home
I had the fortune of experiencing the benefits of feng shui while staying at a hotel in Singapore. Accustomed to running my motor at high speed, I was amazed at the calm I felt. I was certain something subtler was affecting me beyond just the warm sunshine, luscious mangoes, and the break from the ubiquitous laptop.

Low Energy Lights
Millions of colourful lights illuminate the night air, shining iridescently through snow-covered bushes and trees and casting a romantic glow. However, times have changed since Edison's incandescent light bulb moment in 1879, and the rising cost of energy and our environmental responsibilities are taking some of the romance out of extravagant light displays.

The End of Food
Thomas Pawlick delivers an in-depth exposé of the food industry with the comfort and candour of a neighbourly farmer/investigator who might be seated at our dinner table.

Our Toxic Nation
More than 23,000 chemicals are registered for use in Canada and each year this number grows. Obviously, some exposures we can't prevent. But every attempt is worthwhile, says Environmental Defence (ED), a Toronto-based organization that has recently released eye-opening data on the chemical burden we face.

Taking Care of Business by Taking Care of People
Workers and the workplace have come a long way. Today a healthy, positive, and enriching workplace is increasingly valued by employers and employees alike. The bottom line is that workplace wellness is good for the bottom line.

Toxic Imports
Canada is importing huge amounts of heavy metals, solvents and sludge for disposal each year, according to a new report by the Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy. Most of this toxic waste is headed for Quebec--about 299,000 metric tonnes a year. Ontario receives a little less--294,000 metric tonnes.

What the Future Holds
There are people in this world who make it their business to predict the future. And it's obviously a good business, for it's only human nature to want a glimpse of what lies ahea.

Environmental Illness

LOHAS: Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability

Bridging Conventional and Alternative Medicine

Get to Know a Spa

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
Green energy doesn't always lend itself easily to the urban environment. In the city the skyscraper across the street can compromise the solar installation of your dreams. Nearby neighbours cringe when you mention your backyard wind-farm idea. Now geothermal heat pumps may offer the solution you need.

Ways You can Help Clean Up the Earth
Do you carry a reusable lunch bag? Buy recycled computer paper for your printer? Prepare vegetarian meals once or twice a week? In other words, are you concerned enough about the environment that you're doing something to protect it and the humans and animals that live within it?

The Good Kitchen
There is nothing nicer than a clean, neat, well-equipped kitchen. Your kitchen is the heart of your home. Whether you are remodelling your kitchen or installing a new one, there is much to consider about the best choices for you and your family.

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
What was once considered a fringe industry has now become a mega money-maker-no surprise to alive readers. Drop into any drugstore or supermarket and you'll find energy drinks and organics where you once found cigarettes.

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

Organic Chic
If you think bamboo is for pandas and hemp is for rope, you'll be surprised at the booming organic clothing industry. It's great for the environment-and even better for fashion-conscious shoppers.

Spring Clean-Go Green
During a recent curbside conversation with my neighbour, Shawna, she mentioned that she had been busy with her annual spring cleaning blitz.

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
Bamboo is tough. Bamboo is strong-it's one of the strongest building materials in the world. Yet despite its strength, when made into clothing, bamboo is softer than the softest cotton and smoother than the smoothest silk.

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
Dare to start a conversation about bean sprouts or broccoli at a party and watch those around you drift off toward the punchbowl. But launch into a discussion on corn and you could find yourself smack in the middle of a raging debate.

Pharmed Rice
Greenpeace calls it cannibal rice-a genetically engineered grain containing human proteins that poses health and environmental hazards-but the company developing this product calls it a lifesaving treatment; their company website refers to it as a Holy Grail.

Modern Mud Huts
It's no wonder straw bale, rammed earth, and hempcrete homes are getting more popular: they're low maintenance, rodent-proof, fire-resistant, eco-friendly, and healthier than conventional houses. These modern mud huts, or green houses, are popping up all over Canada-and they're slowly edging their way into the mainstream.

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.

Spic and Span
Does the thought of spring cleaning your kitchen conjure up buckets, sponges, and an army of chemical cleaners to scrub, scour, and disinfect every surface of your home sweet home? Do you throw open all your windows and don your rubber gloves before opening those pungent bottles of sanitizers?

Ecoholic; The Virtuous Consumer
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.

Step Lightly On the Planet
Despite the debates that rage about climate change and sustainability, many of us remain unaware of our personal load on the planet. The idea of an ecological footprint was explicitly designed to raise that load to consciousness using simple concepts that everyone understands-consumption, pollution, and land.

Midriff Miracle
What does an 80-year-old woman have between her breasts that a 20-year-old woman doesn't? Answer: Her navel.

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
The furniture, lighting, and textiles that decorate our living rooms can take a toll on our health and the environment. The way we clean this room each week is also important.

Are We Smart Enough...
What's the evidence for intelligent life on Earth? Would an intelligent species, one capable of rational thought and forward planning, persist in doing something from which it gains nothing and, in the process, undermine its own existence?

Exposing Hidden Agenda
Some things in life just aren't what they seem. This is particularly so in the case of astroturfing.

Detox the Bathroom
Smart advertising has led many of us to believe we need a different product to clean each fixture in our bathrooms. In reality we need only three ingredients to get the job done: white vinegar, baking soda, and water (plus lemons if you want a nice smell).

Greening My Face
I have a confession to make: I wear a lot of makeup. There are few personal-care products that I don't own, and when a new one comes along, chances are I'm buying it.

Crusading Against Catastrophe
It is surely naive to imagine that any one human being can save the world. But, Stephen Lewis, in lending his intellect and a large chunk of his heart to several of modern time's toughest causes, is making a pretty good effort.

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.

Label Lowdown
Organic beauty products are spreading faster than you can say, "go green. But when you read their labels, what do the terms organic, natural, or vegan really mean?

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
By the time this month's alive arrives in readers' hands, Chris Turner and his Geography of Hope tour will be household names.

Ruining the Rainforest
When we think of the Amazon, most of us conjure images of a lush, leafy, humid forest, home to an exotic array of tropical species. We envision a peaceful place-the soothing quiet broken only by the call of a bird or the gurgle of a stream. Unfortunately, the Amazon most of us imagine is quickly disappearing.

As the Light Dims
The light is dimming for some eco-conscious householders who believed they were doing the right thing for our environment by replacing their energy-guzzling incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent lighting (CFL).

Phthalates and Parabens
As a conscientious consumer, you stay informed about what you put both on and in your body. But getting to the bottom of the issue of synthetic preservatives in consumer goods is a challenge even for the most astute.

Car Sharing Co-operatives
They walk among us. They're our friends, our co-workers, our corner store owners. Undetectable by sight, they look just like you and me. They are people who don't own cars.

Are Cough Medicines Doing More Harm than Good?
Health warnings about the damaging side effects of cough medicine for young children have made many parents concerned about the safety of common medications-for anyone. The cold and flu season is almost upon us, so here are some herbal and homeopathic approaches that boost immunity and beat viruses faster.

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
During my phone interview with Alexandra Morton, renowned author, whale and salmon researcher, and environmental advocate, she discusses the plight of pink salmon in the Broughton Archipelago, which is located between BC's mainland and the north end of Vancouver Island.

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?

Drowning in Greenwash
If you've bought soap, shampoo, even paper products you thought were good for the planet because they said so, you've likely been greenwashed faster than a newbie at a paintball game.