Eco retreats are a must even if you’re not the most “Eco” person in the world. They can be quite the adventure for those who have never witnessed the great outdoors in this way! Kw’o:Kw’e:Hala (koh-cah-hal-ah) is no different! Located in Hope, British Columbia nestled in the Coquihalla River along side Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park you’ll find possibly the most stunning eco retreat destination spot you’ve ever experienced.

At Kw’o:Kw’e:Hala you can take some time out to do whatever it is you need to do to relax whether that’s relaxing in their authentic finnish wood fired sauna, getting a massage, creating eco art, doing yoga, or visiting the Harrison Hot Springs.

Enjoy breakfast in bed with organic coffee served to you right in your cabin or head out to the Riverside Belvedere for fresh fruits, organic muffins or breakfast casseroles. Lunch on the go can be provided for your walk along the trail. They also offer tapas on the deck where you can enjoy some olive tempenade, west coast mussels, fruit and vegetables while you chillax on the patio. Dinners will also baffle you with their array of organic choices, and speciality meals dedicated to meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans alike!

If you’re interested in experience one of Canada’s top eco-retreats check out: http://www.eco-retreat.com/index.htm

And as always, Happy Planning!

Tiffany & Amalia

In our last blog we introduced SmartBride Boutique, now we have a special announcement about a great Charity Event Talen Events went to and ways you can help the “Women Moving Women” Campaign.

On Thursday March 26, 2009 Amalia had the opportunity to attend the 1st SmartBride Spring Charity Event in support of the Canadian Women’s Foundation and its Women Moving Women Campaign.

Held at the Steam Whistle Brewery, we were entertained by trapeze swings, music and a tour of the brewery. Along with a fun photobooth with props, the food was great.

In order to help raise the money for this campaign there was a Silent Auction held with prizes ranging from a Image Consulting session from Your Shop Girl  to Toronto Raptors Tickets.

Women Moving Women campaign is an intiative to help women move out of poverty and into a better life, the event raised $3800 and helped move 1.5 women out of poverty. SmartBride Boutique would like to raise the other $1200 to move 2 more women out of poverty so they have resolved to donate $1 from every bridal or bridesmaid gown that is posted to the site throughout the month of April.

So we are encourage all of you to pass the word along about this campaign, if you or somebody you know has a bridal or bridesmaid gown in your closet to please list your gown on www.smartbrideboutique.com and help us move women in Canada out of poverty.

It’s Spring Cleaning Time! So If you live in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Halifax, Victoria and Winnipeg, clean out that post-wedding closet and post your gowns today!

As Always… Happy Planning!

Tiffany & Amalia

So you’re married (Congratulations!), nostalgia has slightly warn off and now have a basement full of wedding stuff and don’t know what to do with; OR your planning your dream wedding (Congratulations!) and would like stay within a reasonable budget.

In either case, we have the PERFECT solution for you. SmartBride Boutique will help you help the enivronment and recoup some of the money you spent OR save you some money while planning your wedding!

Introducing Smartbride Boutique, www.smartbrideboutique.ca an online bridal boutique where you can buy and sell everything from your wedding dress right down to the decor you used that day!

Currently this online boutique services Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Halifax, Ottawa, Vancouver, Victoria and Winnipeg. The listings are free and there are no commissions.

When Andrea Lown, the founder, was planning her own wedding she disliked the department store feel of other online sites and thought she would give it a try. Her partner Leah Andrew thought this was a great idea for Canadian women to plan the wedding of their dreams and still recoup some of the money they spent after the fact.

Over the next couple of weeks will be beginning a series on this excellent company, giving you tips for buyers and sellers and also about their community involvement! Learn everything you need to know about buying (slightly) used wedding items online!

And don’t forget to check out the site: www.smartbrideboutique.ca 

Happy Planning!

Amalia & Tiffany

Ever wondering what that leaping bunny is on your cosmetic packages? Well, it’s a cruelty-free standard developed by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics’ (CCIC). If you find the leaping bunny you can be rest assured that there was no animal testing used in any phase of product development by the company, labs, or suppliers.

What’s so wrong about animal testing?

You hear the media bashing the idea and cosmetic companies like Avon and Body Shop refusing to take part — but what is animal testing?

There are two kinds of testing primarily done on animals: product testing and lethal dosage testing. Product testing is used to measure skin irritants, eye tissue damage and toxicity caused by the various chemicals and substances in the cosmetics you use every day. If that isn’t gross sounding enough — imagine the draize test, a test where caustic substances are placed in the eyes of conscious rabbits to evaluate the damage on sensitive eyes. These tests can sometimes cause the rabbit so much pain they die from neck or back breaks trying to struggle free.

The Lethal Dosage test isn’t much better. It’s tests used to determine the amount of substances that can be used before killing an animal. Some tests, the LD50 test in particular entail giving poisonous substances to animals until half of them die. The sad thing about this, is in no way can this really be used to evaluate the actual lethal dosage of a human being.

The International Humane Cosmetics Standard symbol or Leaping Bunny will let you know that the company no longer tests its cosmetics or other products on Animals.

Should you Beware of “Not Tested on animals” label?

Yes! Sometimes products claim to be “cruelty-free” or “not tested on animals,” but that may only mean to the finished product. Most of the testing, (and perhaps the worst kind) occurs at the ingredient level.  Also, a company may say they don’t test on aniamls but actually contract another company to do so.  So still with the Leaping Bunny, and you are safe!

For more information and to find a list of cosemtic companies that are participating in the program check out: www.leapingbunny.org

Until next time.. Happy Planning!

Tiffany & Amalia

Sadly, we’re at the end of our beautiful voyagearound the world to the Top 10 Eco-Honeymoon Spots. If you’ve just joined us, don’t hesitate to check out some of our previous destinations:  Turtle Island in Fuji, Jungle Bay Resort & Spa in Dominica, Lapa Rios Ecolodge in Costa Rica and Six Senses Soneva Gili in the Maldives. 

Chumbe Island Coral Park

If you’re looking for a secluded spot to spend time with your loved one, don’t move a muscle because we have the place to you. Last but not least, is my personal favorite the Chumbe Island Coral Park located in Zanzibar, Tanzania. In this gorgeous spot, only 7 couples can be on the island a time. Can you say paradise?

Activities

If you’re an adventure seeker on this island hideaway - have no fear. There are dozens of activities to keep you occupied including the Reef Sancutuary, Scuba Diving, Nature Trails, Forest Reserve, and a Historical Monument to explore.

Accomodations

Accomodations provide the privacy and freedom you’ve always wanted. Each Eco- Bungalow overlook the sea and give you that romantic take your breath away feel that you can’t get anywhere else.

Eco-Chic Fact:

Each bungalow collects its own freshwater supply from rainwater (captured from the specially designed expanse of roof) during the rainy season. This rainwater passes through a complex filtration system and is stored in spacious underground cisterns (under each living room). The water is then hand-pumped (by either Ali, Juma or Yussuf on the Chumbe Team) through a solar-powered heating system into hot & cold-water containers for the shower and hand basin in the bathroom.

Beyond that, the open design of the bungalows, with minimal barriers to the open air, allows for maximum through-draft for cooling of the bungalows; a form of natural air-conditioning. To enhance this louvres are in place that can be lowered or closed depending on the desired temperature.

Organic Soaps can also be found on the premise produced by a local women’s co-operative in Zanzibar. Drinking water is provided by advanced filters (made in Switzerland) located on the island. These effectively clean readily available tap water from Unguja, avoiding the need for mineral water in plastic bottles (which are still available for purchase, but are not readily encouraged, as plastic bottles are a problematic environmental hazard recently introduced into Zanzibar).

Check out this beautiful getaway at their website:

http://www.chumbeisland.com/index.html

Located in Rim of Copper Canyon, Urique Mexico this Tarahumara owned lodge was built with government funding and operated by Canyon Travel. You’ll be wowed by the panoramic overlook - known as the biggest of any canyon rim lodge. 

The lodges are comfortable, environmental friendly and offer dining rooms with scenic views.  All rooms have two double beds, tiled bathrooms, and fine bed and bath linens including terry-cloth robes.

If you’re a hiker, you will find some of the best hiking in North America here. For those that are less active you can take a van and go sightseeing to a nearby stream with a waterfall.

For more information check out their website..

http://www.canyontravel.com/unoydoslodge.htm

As Always… Happy Planning!

Tiffany & Amalia

If you’ve been tuned into our Eco-Honeymoon Spots Series then you’ll love what we have for you next..

The Fairmonth Sonoma Mission Inn

Located in the Sonoma Valley,California The Fairmount Sonoma Mission Inn is the ultimate Wine Country destination for you wine buffs out there! Not only that but you’ll find a spa, golf and award winning restaurants, blessed by natural mineral hot springs in Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California.  Don’t forget to try out Santé, a restaurant known for its local cuisine and luxury eats.

Eco-Chic Fact:

They have a luxurious eco vacation package just made for you. Supported by Fairmont’s green partnership program, this package includes:

• One night Suite category accommodation
• Two-day rental of a Hybrid Vehicle from EV Rentals (pick up at SFO or OAK airports)
• Organic Sonoma Lavender Kur (or choice of (2) 50-minute spa treatments)
• Dinner for two at Santé Restaurant - featuring a regionally inspired “Farm Trail” menu
• Daily Complimentary Hike (led by the Hotel’s Activity Director) to the resort’s adopted Sonoma Overlook Trail

For more eco-chic vacation information please check out the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn’s website:

http://www.fairmont.com/sonoma

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:

• Top Product/Ideas for 2008
• The Good Life

If you need more information check out these websites:

• www.futurefriendlybrands.ca
• www.rco.on.ca
• www.energyefficiency.ca
• www.canuhome.com

Cheers for 2009!

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?

• Toyota
• Honda
• Saturn
• Acura
• GMC
• Dodge
• Ford
• Lexus
• Mazda
• Subaru

If you need more information please check out www.hybrid-car.org

Happy Car 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