Giveaway!

You may remember that last year, I wrote a post about Better World Shopper.  You can read about it here.

I've been in touch with the author of Better World Shopper, Dr. Ellis Jones.  He graciously offered me 2 books to giveaway on my blog.  So fun!

To be entered in the draw, just leave a comment with your name below.

You have until Monday, April 2nd, at noon to enter. The winners will be chosen randomly. I'll announce the winners later that day, so be sure to check back then.

I'll post the two winners on Monday afternoon.

Best of luck!

Better World Shopper

With Christmas coming and all, I gotta tell you about one of my favourite websites.  The information on this site is changing the way that I shop.  The truth is that we vote with our wallets.  If you're anything like me, I want to be more and more a part of the solution and less and less a part of the problem.

BETTER WORLD SHOPPER is a site dedicated to providing people with a comprehensive, up-to-date, reliable account of the social and environmental responsibility of every company on the planet AND making it available in practical forms that individuals can use in their everyday lives. Coming out of more than 5 years of intensive research, this work is based on a comprehensive database of over 1000 companies and utilizes 25+ reliable sources of data to cover everything from the environment to human rights, community development to animal protection (taken from website).

Companies and Products are given a grade, based on the following 5 areas of criteria:

Check out the website at www.betterworldshopper.com.  The website is so informative.  There is also an app you can download to your phone or a book that you order through the website.  I just got my hands on the book.  Really great stuff!

My Journey Toward Becoming Green

My last 7 years or so have been the start of a new and exciting journey for me.  A journey of becoming more and more 'green'.  I still have a ways to go, but this learning curve for me has been fascinating.  I love the way I am being stretched.  I'm learning that I can't profess to love God and not care about His creation.  The two go hand in hand.  The truth is I really want to become a better caretaker of this earth.

In addition to the obvious - recycling, green bin, drive less, use reusable bags, reduce water, no plastic bottles and so on....

Here are a few 'green' products that I absolutely love:

1.  Aveda.   As I have mentioned before, I go to an Aveda salon and love Aveda hair products.  They are environmental, organic and smell amazing!  Aveda.com

2.  Diva Cup.   I have been using the Diva Cup for just over 5 years (huge thanks to my sister, who bought it for me one year as a birthday gift!).  It is a menstrual alternative to tampons and pads.  It is easy to use.  Saves a ton of money.  Keeps waste out of the landfills.  Totally game changing.  Wish I knew about it decades ago.  Check out www.divacup.com

3.  Shaklee.  Every month I order my cleaning products, vitamins and skin care through Shaklee.  For sure, Shaklee is not the only great company out there, but it is the one I use the most and love.  Check out shaklee.ca

4.  MAC make up.  I have been using and loving these Canadian cosmetic products since my early 20's.  Long before it was the trendy thing to do.  I love all of their make up, but their lipstick is out of this world!  Check out maccosmetics.com

5.  Milk Bags.  Okay, so obviously milk bags are not a 'company', but I had to add them to my list!  For the last year and a half, instead of buying ziplock bags and cling wrap, I have been cutting the tops off my milk bags, washing them and reusing them for all kinds of things.  Things like:
school lunch snacks
freezing meat
freezing fruit
storing cheese in my refrigerator
and so on...
*I even bought some cute little plastic colourful clips at IKEA and use them to seal my bags and then keep using them again and again :)


I'd love to learn from some of you.  What are some ways you are 'green'?  What are some 'green' products that you love?

p.s.  A super resourceful website is gilldeacon.ca.  You'll especially want to check out her Wallet Tip Sheet as well as Gill's10 Top Ten List of easy tips and tricks.

p.s.s.  Some of you may be surprised to know this about me, but I am also a big fan and advocate for natural family planning as a method of birth control.  While I am no longer in a season of life where I 'use' this method, I loved it for the 12 years that I did.  Even though I never thought about it at the time, now looking back, I realize it was pretty 'green' :)

Storm Hair Group

I know there are tons of great salon's out there, but I need to brag for a minute about the hair salon that I go to.  It's called Storm Hair Group.  It's a really fantastic Aveda concept salon and spa.  They have three locations in Niagara. I attend the Fonthill location for my hair and the Lake Street location for my esthetics:)

Anyways, I am a big fan of Storm for so many reasons.  They have fantastic customer service, great staff, a focus on social justice, give back to their community and their products are chemical free.  I so love the way this company cares about the environment.  The fact that a hair cut and style includes a head, neck and shoulder massage and a hair wash includes a scalp massage and hot towel is pure heaven.  Honestly, I try to make up reasons to get my hair done!

Anyways, Storm has always used Aveda products (which I love) and recently has come out with their own line of products:

I recently tried the Intense Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner and loved them!  The lavender scent is divine.  I also found out that they are made in Canada.  Can I tell you how happy that makes me? 

I couldn't help but share.  Check out their website at stormhairgroup.com