
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Free Yoga

Thursday, 19 February 2009
Obama Loves Canada

Tuesday, 17 February 2009
Using Up Fabric Scraps
How many of us have heaps and mounds of scrap fabric just calling out to be used in some way? I'm always trying to think up new ways to make use of this fabric supply. One of my recent projects was this quick and easy fabric bookmark. Here's what you'll need:
- Scrap fabric
- Cardboard (cereal boxes are perfect)
- Grommet punch (optional)
- Ribbon (optional)
rectangle. Cut out a small square (as seen on the right) in the top centre of the cardboard. This will make way for the grommet hole later. Next, insert the cardboard into the fabric sleeve you have just made. Make sure the end with a square cut out is inserted first. Turn the raw edges inside 1/4 inch and top stitch closed. For added decoration, cut a small hole in the top centre of the bookmark (there should be a space in the cardboard, so you only have to cut through fabric). Using a grommet punch, insert a grommet hole. Then thread a thin ribbon through the hole using a slip knot.Caution: This becomes very addictive after you've made a few. I made 7 bookmarks in one sitting!
Monday, 9 February 2009
Vegan/Vegetarian Fast Food

- HARVEY'S - I didn't even know Harvey's offered a veggie burger until a few days ago. The sandwich itself is not bad, and they'll serve it on a whole wheat bun if you ask. You can also ditch the fries for salad in the combo.
- KFC - After buckling under pressure from PETA, KFC now offers a simulated chicken sandwich at most of their Canadian restaurants. Great news for chickens everywhere!! However, not so great for those of us who eat their faux chicken sandwich. I thought it was quite bland (the bun was more palatable honestly), but I don't mind buying it if I'm in a pinch.
- QUIZNO'S - I like their veggie sub because it has guacamole on it (a topping not found at most sub places). Ditch the mozzarella and it's vegan! They do offer a few soups, but none of the sales people seem to know if they contain an animal based broth, so I've never tried any of them. It's probably a better bet to purchase a sub on whole wheat.
- STARBUCKS - Great place for a latte made with soymilk, however they are lacking big time on the food menu. The last time I visited this chain, the salesperson offered me an egg sandwich. She said she'd take the cheese off to make it vegan (eeeek!). I ended up getting a yummy Asian inspired cold noodle dish with sesame and edamame. I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious it was, but I'm not sure if it's available at other branches. Apparently they are offering oatmeal now as well, but I've yet to try it.
- TIM HORTONS - Not my favourite place since the lines are always so long and they don't offer soymilk as an option for your coffee. However, in a pinch you can ask for a veggie sandwich on whole wheat. It's usually not on the menu, but they will make it for you if you ask. Ditch the cream cheese (they always give me a weird look) and it's vegan! The mushroom soup (not vegan) is pretty good as well. Make it a combo with a multi-grain bagel and it's enough to fill you up.
- WILLIAMS Coffee Pub - I like their veggie panini, although its pre-made, so you can't opt out of the cheese. Their soup of the day is vegetarian sometimes. DO NOT purchase a green tea here (the worst tasting tea I've ever had)!
Saturday, 7 February 2009
5 Gifts for Your Green Sweetie

- Dark CHOCOLATE from Green & Black's Organic Chocolate
- Organic ROSES from your local flower shop
- Fairly traded JEWELRY from Ten Thousand Villages
- Send your love electronically with an e-CARD from Care2
- Make your sweetie an organic, locally sourced DINNER with farmer's market finds
Thursday, 5 February 2009
DIY #2: Beaded Bracelet
Like many of you, I have a lot of leftover beads from different crafts and projects. This bracelet is a fast and easy way to use up some of those beads and create a custom piece of jewelry.
You will need:
- handful of beads
- 1 jewelry closure
- 120 cm of beading wire
- Fold the wire in half and insert one side of the jewelry closure. You should now have two separate ends of the wire.
- Thread one bead onto both ends of the wire (you can also use a cripping tool if you have one).
- Next thread two beads onto each separate wire.
- This step will form the middle decorative part of the bracelet. For mine, I used one plain bead, followed by a larger blue glass bead, and then another plain bead. Thread these 3 beads onto one wire.
- Then take the other wire and thread it through the same 3 beads in the opposite direction (the wires should crisscross inside the beads).
- Gently pull and tighten up all the wires.
- Thread two beads onto each wire separately.
- Continue with another 3 beads for the decorative part crisscrossing the wires.
- Continue in this pattern until you reach the desired length.
- Finish with the other end of the jewelry closure.
I can't wait to show off my new bracelet this weekend!
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
Organic Tip #2: What is GMO?

Sunday, 1 February 2009
International Development Week 2009

- Zimbabwe's cholera outbreak is one of the world's largest ever recorded. More than 60,000 people have been infected and more than 31,000 have died since August 2008.
- Every 30 seconds a child dies from malaria. In Africa a child has on average 1.6-5.4 malaria induced fevers each year.
- In 2007, there were more than 2 million people displaced in Darfur, Sudan.
- Water scarcity affects 4 out of 10 people.
- More than half a million women die every year from complications during pregnancy. The majority of these deaths could be prevented with quality health care before, during and after childbirth.
- In 2002, nearly 11 million children died under the age of 5. Almost all of these deaths (98%) were in developing countries.
- More than 70% of all cancer deaths occur in low and middle income countries.
- Approximately 1 billion people are affected by neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which are named so because they exist only in the poorest regions. Treatment for some NTDs costs as little as two cents USD.
source: http://www.who.int/en
To find an event near you search the Canadian International Development Agency's (CIDA) calendar of events.
Friday, 30 January 2009
Monday, 26 January 2009
More Sock Softies
I made a few more softies from Sock & Glove. The pink monkey was a gift for my niece's 1st birthday. The party had a "pretty in pink" theme, hence the pink monkey. The perfect gift for a pretty princess like her [The blue monkey is featured in this previous post]. The second is a blue elephant that I made for a friend's baby. She uses it for his nap time routine. Who wouldn't love to cuddle up with this soft elephant every night?

Sunday, 25 January 2009
Guacamole (vegan of course!)

- 4 very ripe Haas avocados (mashed)
- 1 white onion (diced)
- 2 Roma tomato (diced)
- handful of chives (finely chopped)
- juice from 1-2 limes (depending on how juicy they are)
- 1 jalapeno pepper (if you like it spicy)
- Sea salt & black pepper to taste
Mix everything together in a bowl and enjoy!! For a rustic look, spoon the mixture back into the hollowed out avocado skins to serve.
Thursday, 8 January 2009
Vegan Lentil Soup
January is national soup month! I didn't know this holiday existed, but now that I do, we must celebrate ... with a steaming hot bowl of vegan soup.
My favourite middle Eastern restaurant serves a chunky lentil soup and I love it so much I decided to attempt to copy it. Here's what you'll need:
- 1 can of lentils (drained) I like yellow, but any kind will work
- 1 glove garlic (peeled)
- 2 cups of vegetable stock
- 1 red onion
- Various spices (I like cumin & turmeric)
- 1 avocado (optional)
Happy soup month everyone!
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
The Indecisive Crafter
Have you painted a room in your house recently? Did you consider every colour in the rainbow before deciding on a paint colour? Are you now drowning in those paint chip cards that you get free? Well this craft post is for you! I've been noticing the increasing popularity of paint chip card crafts on the internet lately, so I decided to pool together some of my favourite.- Card holder from DesignVerb!
- Valentine card from Webshots
- Valentine wreath from Instructables
- ID tags for glasses from DAILY DANNY
- Gift tags and mini notebooks from A Spoonful of Sugar
- Notebooks from WhiMSy love
- Christmas gift tags from A Spoonful of Sugar
- Scrapbooking ideas from organizedscrapbooks.com
- Wallet from Flickr set
I can't stress enough that this is a REUSING craft! In other words, don't rush out to your local hardware store and grab a pile of cards. The idea is to reuse the cards you have already amassed, and transform them into something you can use and enjoy. Happy crafting!
Monday, 5 January 2009
Sock Softies
Did you know if your library doesn't have a book you want to read, that you can ask them to order it for you? I decided to make presents this year for my niece and nephew's Christmas gifts, and I'd been dying to try out a Japanese craft book, Sock and Glove, which has patterns for stuffed animals all made from socks and gloves. So I went to my local library only to discover that they didn't have it. To my surprise the librarian said they could order it, and they did!!
I made a monkey (socks) and a dog (gloves) for my nephew, and an elephant and a zebra (both made from socks) for my niece. As you can see from the pictures, I didn't stay with the traditional colour for these animals, and the results were so cute! The zebra was the most labour intensive (mostly because of the hair) and the monkey was the easiest to make by far (the legs, body and head are made from one entire sock). I can hardly wait to try Miyako Kanamori's newest book Happy Gloves.
Friday, 2 January 2009
A New Years Present
Happy New Year! I have the perfect new year's gift for you - the gift of knowledge. Not too long ago I discovered that the Montreal based company, Matt & Nat, make vegan bags and accessories (why didn't I know about this before?)! Canadian and vegan - this is a dream come true. So I decided to share this knowledge with all of you. While their products can be pricey (usually + $100) and albeit harder to find, I know a lot of you are willing to pay a little more and search a little harder for products that haven't caused animal suffering and/or environmental degradation. They have lots of different styles and colours. Check out their new line.
Sunday, 21 December 2008
The Best Things in Life Are Chocolate
What better way to celebrate the first day of Winter than a cup of hot coco? Last year I discovered the most delicious hot chocolate. Vitasoy's Peppermint Chocolate soymilk will make you never even look at another hot chocolate. Even those who don't normally drink soymilk love it's chocolaty flavour with a hint of candy cane. I think it's best when heated up on the stove and then poured into mugs. I've only seen it available for the holidays and it's usually located where the other shelf stable soymilk products are.
Monday, 15 December 2008
10 Tips To Green Your Holiday
- Reuse wrapping paper, tissue paper, tins, boxes, bags, ribbon and bows. This year think twice before you throw that wrapping paper into the recycling. Just because you recycle it, doesn't mean trees weren't used to make the paper in the first place. Why not collect all your holiday gift wrapping and store them with the rest of your decorations? That way, next year when you get it out, you'll remember to re-use your wrapping paper, and thus save a tree. In our house, we each have a gift box with our name on it. Every year our gifts are put in the same box and kept to use again the following year.
- Send an e-card instead of a paper one (no more stamps either!) Check out Care2, a free site that will make a donation to a ecological organization for preservation of the rain forest for each card that is sent out.
- If your gift requires batteries, buy rechargeable ones.
- Replace your ancient lights with new LED (light emitting diode) string lights. LED lights use up to 85% less energy than conventional lights. Most brands make indoor and exterior versions. Some are even solar powered!
- When you hit those holiday sales, take your own bag. Don't we all have enough of those branded store bags?! And if you forget them in the car, just go out and get them before hitting another sale.
- If you're hosting a holiday gathering, skip the disposable plates, cups and cutlery. Instead ask a neighbour or friend if you can borrow some of theirs for your party. Use cloth napkins instead of disposable paper ones.
- Arrange a carpool with family and friends to mutual holiday gatherings and save money and CO2 fumes.
- Resist buying holiday themed trinkets and do-dads. How many singing Rudolphs does your aunt really need? Your gift is less likely to end up in the landfill if it's something that the recipient can actually use/eat.
- Electronics are popular gifts this time of year, but what to do with the older, now less attractive version of your MP3, digital camera or laptop? With programs like Sony's upgrade & save, you can trade in your old electronics for discounts on new products.
- Set a New Year's resolution: to live healthfully in harmony with nature.
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
What to do with Leftover Pineapple Rinds?
In my previous post I included a recipe for easy vegan pineapple rice that was served in a hollowed out pineapple. But after the rice was all gone, I began to wonder: what can I do with the rind that's leftover? It seemed such a shame to just throw it out. To google I went! After a few seconds I found that many people in the Caribbean use the pineapple rinds and core to make a pineapple infused drink. I picked out a recipe and tried it out that night. The result was a delicious fruity drink with just a hint of pineapple. Here is my process:- Wash the pineapple rinds and cut into long strips.
- Place the rinds (and core if you still have it) into a large pot and fill it with enough water to cover the rinds.
- The recipe I used called for 1/2 - 3/4 of a pound of dark brown sugar, but I found that was way too much (the pineapple itself is quite sweet). When I make this drink again I am going to use only 1/2 cup of sugar. This will give people the option to add more sugar to their individual drink if they desire.
- Add your favourite spices. I used a few cinnamon sticks, a piece of fresh ginger, a dash of cloves, cardamom seeds, nutmeg and all spice (if I had some star anise I would have used that too).
- Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and then simmer for 1 hour.
- Strain and reserve the liquid.
- I drank it hot, but you could chill it and serve it cold as well.
- The next day I put the rest of the drink into ice cube trays and froze them. You can use the cubes in drinks to add an extra spice to sodas, juices and waters.
Saturday, 6 December 2008
Easy Vegan Pineapple Rice
I was first introduced to pineapple rice in Shanghai when one of my co-workers had a dinner party and served it in a hollowed out pineapple. A lot of the restaurants also serve it this way. Last night I attended a vegan potluck dinner so I decided to try to make it. Well the results were great! Everyone raved about it and it was gone so fast. It's so incredibly easy to make, I thought I would share my recipe:
- 1 cup rice (use your favourite kind)
- 1 whole pineapple
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp saffron
- 1 tsp diced ginger
- 4 basil leaves
- 4 sage leaves
When the rice is cooked, add the diced pineapple and mix thoroughly. Spoon the mixture into the hollowed out pineapple. I love how the pineapple looks like a boat for the rice and after the potluck, no dishes! Just toss the pineapple in the compost.
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
Eco Gifts Guide 2008

- Organic cotton tote from Roots - made from 100% organic cotton, this tote bag is made with material grown in harmony with nature. An added bonus: it comes with a detachable change purse. Available in two colours (black coffee and dove) $38
- Solar LED exterior string lights from Noma - These solar powered lights will save on energy while still allowing you to show your holiday spirit. Available in multi-coloured and white. $24.99
- Music/movies/audio books from iTunes - Eliminate the resources needed for the production and shipping of a CD, DVD or book by buying electronic versions. Gift certificates available in many stores in various denominations.
- Eco jeans from Levi's - Although there aren't many styles to choose from, Levis has launched a new eco Levi's collection. Choose from either 100% organic denim or recycled cotton jeans.
- Digital picture frames - Never print another photo ever again! With digital picture frames you can display all your photos, and some models play accompanying music. Various retailers sell at varying prices.
- Candy Canes from Pure Fun - Certified organic, kosher, vegan, fair trade, non-GMO candy! Perfect for your green holidays. They're almost too perfect to eat ... almost. $3.99
Sunday, 30 November 2008
Stella McCartney Fashion Show
Stella McCartney is one of my favourite designers with a no fur/leather philosophy. Check out her latest stunning designs and new organic skincare line.
Friday, 28 November 2008
DIY # 1: Dead Man's Chest

I re-finished this chest of drawers last summer, and I decided to post a short tutorial in case any of you out there are looking for pointers. The whole project is actually less complicated than you may think. If this is your first attempt at refurbishing, I wouldn't recommend using a piece that is valuable or irreplaceable. My brother purchased this chest of drawers a few years ago, and then abandoned it. It was perfect for my first project because it cost me nothing, and if I destroyed it, no one would miss it.
Materials Needed:
- Dust mask
- Safety glasses
- Gloves (I used rubber kitchen gloves)
- Screwdriver
- Sandpaper (100 - course & 220 - fine)
- Paint brushes (various sizes depending on your project)
- Wood stain
- Sander
- Old rags (for cleaning dust & paint drips)
- Newspapers
- Hammer
- Wood filler
- Chemical wood stripper
- Varnish
- Steel wool
- Drill
- Hardware (handles & knobs)
Your work space should be well ventilated. If your piece can be separated, then sand each of them individually (i.e. I took out the drawers). To begin load the sander with the most coarse grade of sandpaper. Put on all your safety gear - mask, glasses and gloves. Now it's time to get down and dirty. Strip off all that old flaking paint with the sander. I used a belt sander that I borrowed from a friend, but a small sheet sander would also work. When all the paint is stripped off, switch to a fine sandpaper, and go over the entire piece again. Remove any built up dust on the piece with a rag. The end result should be a smooth, clean finish. If your piece has curves or an intricate design, you will need to either sand these parts by hand or use a chemical wood stripper to remove the old paint.
You're half way there! Protect your work space from drips with old newspapers. Next apply a coat of wood stain to your piece. Stains are available in a wide variety of shades and types. Pick the one that best suits your project. I wanted to save time so I chose a 2 in 1 stain and polyurethane that
worked as both a stain and a top coat of varnish. For best results lightly rub the piece with steel wool in between coats. Each stain will have different directions, so make sure you read your label. I applied 2 thin coats, and allowed 10 hours in between for each coat to dry.Now it's time for the best part - picking out the hardware! Most home improvements stores have a large selection of handles and knobs in lots of colours, shapes and sizes. My chest required two knobs for the smaller drawer on top, and four handles for the two larger drawers on the bottom. If you'd like to change the direction of your handles or replace them with ones that are a different size, you will need to drill new holes. Another option is to clean up your old hardware with a coat of metallic spray paint.
For more tips and ideas for your DIY projects, visit Be Jane, a great site for women DIYers.
Happy sanding!
Thursday, 20 November 2008
Organic Tip # 1: The Frugal Hippy
Okay, so you want to be healthy, do your part for the planet and not end up in the poor house. I know a lot of you are interested in organic products, but have been deterred by it's high prices, especially in this era of economic uncertainty. If you'd like to start eating more organics in an affordable way, a good start is to cut out the conventionally grown foods that are most prone to pesticides, and buy their organic counterparts instead. According to the Environmental Working Group, the top three pesticides prone foods are:- Peaches
- Apples
- Sweet bell peppers
You may have noticed that all three of these foods are thin skinned and usually eaten unpeeled. In fact, this is true of all but one of EWG's dirty dozen.
Read the entire report from EWG here. If your local grocery store doesn't carry these organic foods, ask to speak to the manager and let them know there is a demand for these products.
Saturday, 15 November 2008
Save Paper - Use a USB
Saturday, 1 November 2008
A Rouge Halloween

This is my favourite photo of the night. An homage to Palin's interview with Katie Couric. I'm reading ALL the newspapers (ha ha ha ...)
Hope everyone had a good Halloween!
Thursday, 16 October 2008
Thanksgiving with a bullet!
Monday, 6 October 2008
Vegan Pumpkin Pie!
Just in time for Thanksgiving. Here is a quick and super easy pumpkin pie recipe, that's sans dairy, eggs and nuts. Pour the mixture into a gluten free pie crust and it's also gluten free! I made this pie last weekend for an early Thanksgiving celebration, and everyone loved it. I don't even think my family realized there was tofu in it ;)Preheat the oven to 350°F. Combine the following ingredients in a blender until smooth:
- ¾ lbs. tofu
- 1 16 oz. can of pumpkin
- 1 ½ tsp. cinnamon
- ¾ tsp. ground ginger
- ½ tsp. nutmeg
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/3 cup oil (I use extra virgin olive oil, but any kind is fine)
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 ½ tbsp. molasses
You can add more/less of the tofu to get the desired consistency. Pour the mixture into an unbaked pie crust (make sure you read the ingredients to make sure it's vegan). Bake for 1 hour. Let the pie cool completely, and then chill in the refrigerator. Cheers to vegcooking.com for the recipe.
Lawyer-ish Stuff:
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