So I have finally caught on to the trend - a relatively old one really.

I am joining the ranks of the bulk food junkies, and am vowing that by the fall, I will have re-invented my purchasing patterns, and my cupboards! It all started when I read an article baout a womean who is trying to becoming zero-waste; a tuly admirable, and difficult feat! (You can check out the article by clicking here.)

I don't clain for a second, to be able to go as far as becoming zero-waste, but with my avid recycling, and my new composter, I have already drastically reduced the amount of garbage that leaves my home. Still, I would like to even reduce the amount I recycle, because afterall, REDUCE comes first in the reduce, reuse, recycle triad!

After reading the article, and because I am a little OCD when it comes to organization, I decided to take up the challenge and start the process of converting to bulk, and reducing waste along the way. This means:

a) anything that I can buy in bulk, I will . This includes rices, pasta, spcies, oats, baking supplies, and once I get more familiar with the Bulk Barn, anything else that I can!

b) Using my own bags for bulk and produce buiying (See more about that below)

c) Sustainable storage - storing non-perishable items in glass containers, with glass or stainless tops whenever possible.


To continue to lead the pack in providing the best quality, Canadian made, re-useable produce and bulk food bags. To support a local community in our business, to provide food storage education, and to give assistance to entities working toward similar sustainable eco goals. To operate ethically and morally.


I have used them already and I love them. Plus, they are Canadian!!
 
But what about spices? I went online, and found an Etsy store called Kootsac. They are reuseable bulk bags made in the Kootenays in British Columbia. Handmade by a textile articst and clothing designer, these cute little bags - I ordered the spice ones - comes in a variety of colours and sizes! They will be very helpful when I go to replenish my spice rack! I haven't recieved them yet, but I am super excited to give them a try. They come in silk and ripstop nlon, and like the Carebags, you can throw them in the washing machine to clean! I am sure there are other varieties of bags out there, but I am going to try these two for now.
 
 

This may be more of a rant than a blog. I am a little bit ticked at my cell phone company right now.

You see, here is what happened. I have - rather HAD - a Blackberry Bold that I absolutely loved. As much as I hate to admit it, it was a bit of an attachment to my arm. My home phone, my cell phone, my computer, alarm clock - EVERYTHING! I have only had it for less than 19 months, and everything appeared to be going smoothly. Until BOOM!

First thing Monday morning, which is already hard enough, the darned thing wouldn't turn on. I had charged it all night too. Called the lovely customer service people, who were of little to no help - and they decided it was a software issue, and to uprgade on my computer. Easier said that done. Tried and tried and tried, until 11pm Monday night, to no avail. My precious Blackberry had met an untimely death.

So, after a bit of pleading with my service provider, they are going to send me some pink, flip, refurbished Blackberry that I hope will hold up until I am at least eligible for an upgrade, which isn't until November.

But that's not what makes me the most upset. It's the fact that these cell phone companies and distributers are so wasteful! First of all, they come out with a new model, what seems like practically everyday, so only as to encourage the ridding of one, and purchasing of another.

Secondly, you think for all of these smart, technologically saavy people, they would be able to make a phone that would last, or be able to fix a phone. How many phones do we all have laying around the house, that are now obsolete, or 'unfixable'. GRRRR!!! At least there are some places to take your old electronics now, to be recycled, rather that going to a landfill. That's a topic that opens up a whole new can of worms, but to put it into perspective, watch this E-Wasteland video.


All of this wastefulness, and creating "throwaway products' does not help our society move away from commercialism, or becoming more sustainable or thoughtful with purchase decisions.  These companies make it easy for us to do that, by not giving us options. I guess a bit of a silver lining is that I am getting a refurbished phone, so it's not like I am starting all over again. I will just be adopting an old phone. And I am going to try and make this one last, beyond my upgrade threshold, mainly so as not to waste, and secondly, because I don't want to give the provider any extra money than I have to!

So, that's my rant for today.  In any case, just think about e-waste next time you go to upgrade your phone or other piece of technology. It might make you think twice!

In Irish, Inishkeen comes from the word 'inniskeen', meaning peaceful island. I couldn't agree with that definition more!

I just got back from another great weekend on Prince Edward Island, and my boyfriend's family farm - McNally's Inishkeen Farm. What a beautiful place to spend time, and I always leave feeling more rejuvanated that when I arrived.

The weather is getting nicer and the trees and flowers are in bloom! The strawberries are already in the ground, and they should be ripe for the picking come July, and then it's on to raspberries! What a yummy place to be! And it's also planting time for the vegetable gardens!  They plant a wide variety of veggies to use themsleves, which has to be the best way to eat!

For the first time, I tried my hand at planting a garden. I must say, that growing up in a city, I haven't had a lot of experience in farming. But there I was, on Friday, pushing a tiller through the red dirt, and transplanting greenhouse cucumbers, and planting seeds for beans and cucumbers. These accompanied the potatoes and pumpkins already planted.

In the other, smaller garden, you will find many more veggies -everything from asparagus, to beans, peppers, potatoes, peas, corn, cukes - and that doesnt include greenhouse tomoatoes and spinach!

I am so exctied to test the produce of my labour when it's all ready! It is such a great feeling to cultivate the earth and grow the food that will end up gracing your dinner plate. It has to be one of the best , most economical and environmental friendly ways to eat, and I find you enjoy food more knowing that you helped grow it!

I learned a lot this weekend about farming, planting and what it takes to grow, and sell produce, and cultivate your own. I certainly appreciate it far more than I ever have before!

An interesting story came out in the Ottawa Sun a couple of weeks ago, and it is shocking!!

Would you believe, that there are drinking water conditioners, similar to that of third world countries, right here in New Brunswick. Now, I absolutely do not believe that we are in such dire conditions as those countries, but certainly, some things have to change!

The Ottawa Sun story, entitled There's s--- in the water...literally. talkes a most interesting look at some of Canada's cities and how they compare when it comes to water. Take a look, it will really open your eyes! Well, now I know I shouldn't be too boastful, but Fredericton got some good PR here! We have a most excellent Water and Sewer Department, anmd some of the best ground sourced drinking water in Canada! (And I know I am partial, but we have actually won awards for our water!) On the other hand, just down the road, another community is pumping millions of gallons of waste into the harbour each year. Gross. Me. Out. Take a look at the pictures in the story...they speak for themseleves!

Mind you, each community has their own challenges, and everyone gets caught at times, when water isn't as good as it should be. But, in this day and age, with our resources and technology in Canada, should we really even have to be talking about this? Why should any community be pumping feces into waterways. Why shouldn't there be more accountability on this front? It costs money, yes, but think about this, isn't water a precious enough resource that it should be revered more highly.

This is just my opinion, and I am sure there are many more views that could be taken on this subject. However, we need to start paying more attention and treat our water as it should. Perhaps if we were experiencing mass shortages similar to third world countires, we would be more diligent. But, we aren't experiencing those conditions, and we still pay far less for our water as a commodity compared to say, gas.

I am always proud to say that I don't buy bottled water, because we are lucky to have lots of tap water at our disposal. Mind you though, next time I venture out of town on vacation, for a visit or a meeting, I might be a little hesitant to drink from the tap.

I know I have ranted about the oil spill - or major catastrophe in my books - before, but it's getting so out of hand that it deserves another post. Here are some of my opinions:

Leave President Obama alone! The poor man is doing his best to clean up someone else's mess. LITERALLY! I know he was once behind increasing the amount of oil drilling, but he has totally retracted that and is now trying to pick up the pieces of the lives of hisconstituents that have been so radically altered. (PS. I just heard that the Prez is sending BP a bill for $36 million plus. Good on ya!)

Why, oh why, wasn't there a plan in place BEFORE this happened to mitigate the chance of the spill, or at least to be prepared if it happened! I know people are talking about this ad nauseum, but it's true. It would have saved a lot of time, money and extreme environmental harm!

The BP President made a quote saying that he 'wants his life back'. You have got to be kidding me. I am sure that it's tough for you right now buddy, but please, try to consider the lifes of the fisherman in the Gulf that this this spill has ruined, the environmental affects and the time and money that so many people have put into clean up. You might have to wait awhile to 'get your life back', until others are able to get one with there's in light of the disaster.

A little bit of a silver lining in all of this, is that people may start to see that green energy options aren't so bad, even if they do cost a little bit more. After all, would it be better to pay up front for clean energy, rather than have to clean up the mess left by dirty oil. Something to think about.

How will you celebrate?

Canadians have been celebrating Environment Week for 39 years. Taking place annually during the first week in June, to coincide with World Environment Day on June 5th, Canadian Environment Week is designed to educated people about the value of our environment and to talk about what we can do to help preserve our earth's beauty and make our plaent sustainable.

Clean Air Day, celebrated on June 2nd, raises awareness and encourages action on clean air and climate change issues. Canadians can show their commitment by participating in activities that contribute to cleaner air, healthier communities and a better quality of life for all. Along that same vein, the National Commuter Challenge also takes place during this time of the year, to encourage commuters to get out of their cars, and use alternative transportation to get to work. Why not try walking, biking or taking the bus? Even carpooling is a good option.

Here in Federicton, we have a bit of encouragement when it comes to alternative transportation. For 2 months this summer, one of the bridges that crosses the river separating our City is going to be closed to traffic. 20,000 vehicles will have to be diverted, and it will increase traffic on our second bridge by 40-50%. Fredericton residents have never had to deal with congestion before, but they will now! In an effort to encourgae alternative transportation - which in fact is also a sound environment choice, and depending on what you choose, a healthy and active one too - we are launching Freddy's Commuter Challenge. We want people to challenge their old commuting habits and start alternatively commuting! By allieviating traffic congestion caused by the bridge closure, it will make for a much more pleasant summer.

There are many ways to celebrate Environment Week in Fredericton! Check out the Green Matters Website for a complete list of all the great activities!

Environment Canada also has some tips about how to celebrate Environment Week.

Here are a couple challenges I urge you to consider:

• Drink your coffee or tea only from a reusable mug this week
• Walk or bike or take the bus to work rather than driving
• Take a walk on one of Fredericton's beautiful tree-lined trails, and enjoy the beauty that our natural surrounding possess
• Teach someone else about Environment Week
• Join Freddy's Commuter Challenge!

Happy Canadian Environment Week! Let's show our planet a little love!