So it is almost time to make that pesky New Year’s Resolution, some may decide to play it safe with a familiar “lose weight; eat better; spend more time with family” mantra… but not you! You’ve decided to make a resolution to join the environmental revolution (errr.. okay maybe not necessarily join but go to a few meetings?) Either way, even thought it is cold outside there are still a few things that you can do to help reduce waste in 2009.
1. Reduce the Brrrr…
Take the necessary steps to use caulking in any cracks you may see and insulate your windows and reduce the drafts in your house. If your home is airtight you will stay warm this winter.
2. Using your appliances efficiently
Instead of washing your clothes in hot water why not try washing your clothes in cold-water. Also, you can make sure your dishwasher is full before running it and try running it at night.
3. Reduce your waste
Simply bring a resuable shopping bag whenever you shop be it clothing or groceries. Replace your plastic wrap with an air tight container and try to find products with reduced packaging.
You can also learn more from our previous blogs:
If you need more information check out these websites:
Cheers for 2009!
Amalia & Tiffany
Wow 2008 was a big year! The year that environmental awareness really began to take root and since this the time for yearly “Top Lists” may we present to you the Top Environmental Products/Ideas of 2008 as voted by the Metro Life Panel Members:
- Reusable Shopping Bags
- Buying Locally Grown Food
- Taking Transit
- Compact Flurescent light Bulbs
- Resuable water bottles
- Recycling Bins
- Riding Bicycles
- Reusable coffee mugs
- Programmable Thermostats
- Low-flow showerheads
If you are looking for more ideas or products on how to become more green please check out our previous blog on “The Good Life” by WWF or check out http://green.cbc.ca
Cheers
Amalia & Tiffany
For those of you recently engaged couples, or those researching their new years resolution… CONGRATULATIONS to going Green!
Now if you’re trying to find a quick checklist of sorts to start you on your green adventure, then we’re here to help. Below is a quick list of different ways you can green up your wedding and your life!
- Stationary: Choose 100 % Post Consumer Recycled Paper or send an Evite to your technologically sound friends.
- Location, Location, Location: Choose a location that is all encompassing, place where both the ceremony and reception can be accomdated
- Ethically mined Gold & Diamonds: Take a closer look at where your diamond came from and make sure it’s conflict-free!
- Flowers – Choose flowers that are fair trade or organically grown. Check out www.ecoflora.com for our favorite place!
- Bakeries -Organic & Local Breads and Desserts are the perfect place to start your sweet tooth off right!
- Favors – Why give favors when you could donate the money in the honour of your guests to a charity that is close to you and your spouse to be. Even if you feel like you need to give your guests a treat, check out your charity anyway sometimes they’re able to donate a small gift as a token of their appreciation that you can direct to your guests!
- Transportation - Let your guests know about alternative transportation, encourage car pooling and make sure your ceremony and venue are either in the same location or nearby to eachother.
- Honeymoon - Chillout and Rela at one of the fabulous eco-lodges and vacation spots around the world. For more information check out our blog about Amansala.
These are just a few of the many things you can do to quick start your green wedding. But, don’t forget the most important part - spread the Word! Making a difference is all about getting the word out. Talk to everyone you meet about your plans for a green wedding, and inform them of how easy it was for you! The more people know, the more people will look to make simple changes in their wedding plans too.
Happy Planning!
Tiffany and Amalia
Hi everyone!
We just wanted to wish you the most fabulous and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We’ve had a great year and we hope you have had one too. We’re thinking that Santa will be a little greener this year and throw out the coal for an eco-friendly substitute.. any ideas?
Until next time.. Happy Holidays!
Amalia & Tiffany
For some fun Christmas reading:
Talen Events wishes you a happy and safe Hanukkah!
If you’re looking to find ways to green up your hanukkah festivities, check out these links here:
Until next time.. Happy Planning!
Amalia & Tiffany
Kudos Aeroplan for looking into and creating the first eco-friendly loyalty gift card. And Kudos to Innovative Graphics the company that created the First and Only GREEN Card, the EnviroCard. Instead of using cards made from polyvinylchloride (PVC) material, Envirocard uses plant-based resins which are 99% biodegradable.
Tune in for your next Aeroplan card available in 2009.
For more information:
www.innovativegraphics.com
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1033870
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/December2008/09/c8162.html
And till then.. Happy Planning!
Amalia & Tiffany
We know how it is, you’re watching all the commercials about those fancy hybrid cars and they look really great, so you want one. That part you know, but where to start? Here’s some tips and resources to buying your very own hybrid car:
What is a hybrid car?
Simply put it is a passenger vehicle that operates using a hybrid engine, which is a combination of two or mores sources of power. In the case of most hybrid engines gasoline and electricity are the most common combinations.
There are two types of hybrid cars; the parallel hybrid and the series hybrid. The parallel hybrid engine is the gasoline engine and the electric motor work together to move the vehicle; while the series hybrid the gasoline engine directly powers the electric motor or charges the batteries that power the electric motor.
Why buy a hybrid?
Hybrid cars have lower emissions that most standard passeneger vehicles, use less fuel, low depreciation and savings at the pump. Just think — not only you are helping the environment, but you’re saving money too!
What help do hybrid cars offer to the environment?
With the current passenger vehicles pumping so much greenhouse gases in the earth’s atmosphere, hybrid cars offer us the option to reduce it. So while you’re using a car that offers lower fuel emissions, the smart guys in labs can find a definitive way to eliminate greenhouse gases from cars all together
Who offers hybrid cars?
If you need more information please check out www.hybrid-car.org
Happy Car Shopping! 
Tiffany and Amalia
With everyone trying to jump on the sustainable lifestyle bandwagon, it is so easy to get caught up in all of the different terminology. As we are embarking on understanding what this lifestyle entails, we thought we would do a series on the different eco-labels we have come across and what they really mean.
“Certified Organic”
Produce that is not fertilized by synthetic fertlizers, pestcides and sewage sludge. Produce that is not genetically modified using organisms or irradiation. It employs proper soil and manure management.
Where these products are produce goes under strict inspections, detailed record keeping and the testing of the soil and water that is used to grow the produce.
“Natural”
Are products that contain no preservatives, artifical colours or ingredients, unlike organic products which are regulated under strict rules, natural products can have some of the things that organic products don’t; like genetically altered hormones and can be minimally processed.
“Vegan”
Simple defintion of vegan is a philosophy and lifestyle that seeks to exclude the use of animals for food, clothing, or any other purpose.Vegans do not use or consume animal products of any kind. We recently did a full blog on what is vegan — Check it out!
“Cruelty-Free”
Cruelty-Free is a label that is commonly used by the cosmetic industry to indicate products that were made with out the using of animal testing in it’s creation. This label is a voluntary label and currently there is no inspection or auditing.
“Biodegradable”
Is a product that can dissolve and breakdown easily into the environment without destroying nature.
As we come across more labels well be adding them to this series.. so stay tuned and of course..
Happy Shopping!
Tiffany and Amalia
There is a revolution coming… and it’s for people against Dirty. Founded by roommates Eric Ryan and Adam Lowry, Method Home has become not only one of the greatest cleaning products out there but definately one of the coolest. Eric had the eye for design and wanted the type of packaging that made people want to showcase their cleaning products instead of hiding them away in embarassment. Adam knew how to make cleaning products that were not toxic. Together, they formed Method Home.
Some of our Favourites:
- All Surface Cleaner – Cucumber
- Best Glass Cleaner – Mint
- Aroma Spray – Lavender Lemongrass
Why We love them?
How can you not? They truly stand behind their product and have an idea of what they stand for and are taking small steps from the top down to improve their company’s impact on the environment. Just like you and us they are trying to make the best choices that cause the least amount of impact on the environment.
Why you should love Method Home Products?
The products actually work and you are not exposing yourself to some of the dangerous chemicals that are found in the regular household cleaners.
Where can you find Method Home Products?
- Shopper’s Drug Mart
- Canadian Tire
- Costco
- Sobey’s
- Safeway
For more information check out www.methodhome.com
Want a honeymoon that takes place at an eco-friendly hotel or resort? More couples are looking for an alternative to the all inclusive honeymoon and are looking to have an eco-friendly honeymoon… Thanks for your interest, it’s people like you that are finding new healthy ways to celebrate their wedding, while giving back to the earth.
On our previous blog “Eco-savvy tips for the Frequent Traveler”, we mentioned that an eco-hotel/resort would try to do the following:
- Make important environmental improvements to their structure and practices in order to minimize their impact on the environment
- Place an emphasis on sustainability and environmental conservation
- Consider the needs of local communities and promote fair trade
- Promote knowledge and understanding of sustainability and ecological practices
Below is a list of the Top 10 Eco-Honeymoon Resorts in the World:
1. Turtle Island Resort
2. Jungle Bay Resort & Spa
3. Lapa Rios Ecolodge
4. Six Senses Soneva Gili
5. Tiamo
6. The Fairmount Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa
7. Maho Bay Camps
8. Ranweli Holiday Village
9. Uno Lodge
10. Chumbe Island Coral Park
Until next time Happy Planning
Tiffany & Amalia
