Green Living Magazine - Winter '19

GREENLIVINGSHOW

Magazine

Check out our 2019 holiday gift guide! • Page 22 Six reasons to try acupuncture next year • Page 16 Tips on how to stay cheery during the holiday madness • Page 24

WINTER 19

It is a very important time to be a part of the ‘green’ community, and we hope to keep the ball rolling with everything that we have planned for the 2020 Green Living Show.

In the meantime, we are excited to share our 2019 Winter edition of the magazine with you! While the holidays are great for spending quality time with friends and family, they can be a wasteful time of the year. Candice Batista shares her tips for staying eco-conscious over the holidays on page #4.

Maybe you want to try acupuncture in the new year? We dispel some of the myths with Aim Acupunture on page #. We also speak with Hoame on how to stay relaxed over the hectic holiday season.

Welcome Wow, what a few months it has been. In September, 7.6 million people took to the streets to strike for climate action. To date, it is the biggest climate mobilization in history. The following month, Canadians headed to the polls where climate change became a front and centre issue, and discussions of how we can further reduce carbon emissions became a significant talking point.

Since then, the conversation has continued.

Climate rallies are still taking place across the globe, spearheaded by Greta Thunberg and supported by Hollywood stars like Jane Fonda and Ted Danson. Politicians are speaking (and arguing) about the climate, and new reports and studies are being released every day, focusing on the planet and how we can do better.

So, it’s time to dive into the festive season.

I would also like to take a moment to wish you a happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year from all of us at the Green Living Show. We look forward to seeing you in March!

Sincerely,

Kathleen Krimker President & CEO, Green Living Show

TABLE OF CONTENTS Going Green for the Holidays

4

Your Eco-Holiday Traditions

8

Paradise Preserved

12

6 Myths and Truths about Acupuncture

16

The Avoidable Crisis of Food Waste

19

Looking for the perfect gift?

22

How to Stay Cheery Over the Holidays

24

Exhibitor Spotlight: Organic Garage, Keeping it Real!

26

How I Turned Food Waste Into A Business

28

Living with Eczema

31

Sustainable Fashion Podcasts You Need to Check Out!

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Shauna McConnell ASSISTANT EDITOR Adrienne Collins GRAPHIC DESIGNER Josh Hillman ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Adrienne Collins Roberta Smith

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Candice Batista Olivia Gissing Kathleen Krimker Carlyng Monika Patel Kenneth Choi Jason Valdeavilla Benita Aalto Stephanie Kersta Carolyn Plater Randee Glassman Jill Weaver Lunah Life Vanessa Li

33

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Candice Batista Olivia Gissing Hoame Organic Garage Jill Weaver Lunah Life ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Adrienne Collins Roberta Smith

GOING GREEN FOR THE HOLIDAYS

By: Candice Batista

FROM GIFTS TO EATS TO HOSTING FEASTS!

What I love about the holidays is the opportunity to get together, but what drives me crazy is the waste! Did you know that Canadians produce up to 25% more waste during the holiday season than the rest of the year?

Let’s lower the statistic by using this Green Guide for the Holidays!

Gift Giving Gift the Gift of Zero Waste My favourite gifts to give (and receive!) are the ones that inspire my friends and family.

So, this year, I’ve decided to put together a gift basket filled with zero waste items! These items have cut my waste significantly, and simplified my life, so it’s exciting to share.

Initiate a Gift Exchange If you’d rather spend the holiday season away from shopping malls and instead with the people in your life, consider a gift 4

exchange! By drawing names and buying one gift, the holiday moves away from being about things, and more about people. The names drawn can be a secret, or be out in the open.

If it’s the first time doing a gift exchange, here are a few ideas to get you started: • Be sure to set a spending limit that everyone agrees on • Theme it! Why not exchange house plants-purchased or propagated from your own collection?

• Do a DIY gift exchange. Not only are homemade gifts more personal, they’re also fun to make: one that I love is a stovetop potpourri in a mason jar - all the recipient has to do is boil water and pour it in for a fragrant, delightful scent to fill the room!

why I refer to a simple meal planning guide to get a sense of how many portions I should account for per person, and I take the time to make a detailed list before going to the store.

There’s always plenty for seconds (and even thirds!) on the table, but it cuts down on my own stress of whether or not I made enough.

Give Leftovers New Life Re-Write the Wrapping Rules Although it’s called wrapping paper, it’s typically not actual paper, and most likely not recyclable. A good way to test it is that If there’s glitter, foil, or you can’t tear it, it has to go in the garbage.

Here are ideas to replace wrapping paperand even customize it for the recipient!

• A scarf or other fabric to wrap the gift • You can even stitch a button on it to seal it up • An old map you’ve kept stuffed in a drawer • The brightest, most vibrant pages from a magazine

In a year, 63% of the food Canadians throw away could have been eaten. So if you have too much food left over, don’t trash it! First off, I suggest having a dozen empty mason jars on hand so that guests can dish up their favourites and take them home.

For what remains, there’s always another use for leftovers that aren’t turkey sandwiches.

It’s amazing how gravy or leftover squash can become a soup base. Or, those mashed potatoes can top off a shepherd’s pie. It’s so easy to stuff stuffing into peppers and roast them. Of course, if you are short on time, pop leftovers in the freezer. Your January self will thank you for a complete Christmas meal in the new year.

• The comics page from the paper • If you’re feeling crafty -or have kids around- make a day of it by decorating paper yourselves!

Cooking Plan Ahead It’s no surprise, but the #1 thing you can do to cut back on food waste is to PLAN! That’s 5

that’s festive and sustainable instead of plastic and shipped across the world. I like to start with what I already have at my fingertips, so here are a few of my favourites from this year.

Sweet Idea: Cookie Swap!

Rather than buying over-packaged chocolates, I try to bake during the holidays. The downside is, baking several different sweets can be a TON of work.

The beauty of the cookie swap is that you bake 1 recipe in a large quantity (5-10 dozen), and so do your friends. Then, you get together and swap so that you leave with the same number of cookies you came with, but in an assorted variety!

Plate Problems?

Do you not have enough dishes for your guests? There are a lot of alternatives that aren’t paper or plastic: • For a uniform look, rent what you need.

The bonus is that rental companies oftentimes allow you to return the dishes dirty • Find a set second hand at your local thrift shop- who knows, you might end up liking them more than your original plates!

• Ask a friend or two to bring their plates • Last but not least, turn it into a bring your own plate party (BYOP) for an eclectic look!

Low-Impact Ornaments There are SO many options to have décor 6

Need some more inspiration? I love the detailed list that The Mini Smallholder has put together. From drying citrus fruit to make a fragrant chain, to incredible paper-made ornaments, there are options for everyone to repurpose what’s already available.

Feel great (and green) about the holiday season!

Celebrating doesn’t have to benefit us in the moment and then harm us and the environment in the long term. I’ve loved sharing my passion for the environment with friends and family by showing different ways to celebrate which are also low impact on our most precious resources. It’s the gift that keeps on giving - to you, me and the planet!

Candice Batista is an award-winning environmental journalist and one of Canada’s leading eco advocates. Her career spans national and international media outlets, where she has used her background in environmental studies and media & communications to produce and report on various environmental and climate issues for primarily television and digital audiences including Huffington Post, The Globe & Mail, The Weather Network, CityTV, Rogers Television, The Pet Network, iChannel, and CTV, where she is currently the National Eco Expert for the stations number 1 daytime talk show, The Marilyn Denis Show.

7

YOUR ECO-HOLIDAY TRADITIONS 8

We asked you to share your holiday traditions with us and you didn’t disappoint! Here are a few of our favourites.

Olivia How you are being ecofriendly over the holidays?

We try to be eco-friendly in any way that we can, especially during the holiday season.

This Christmas, we will be making tree ornaments out of baked clay, which is our annual tradition. We’re also cutting back on store bought gifts, and will instead be making gifts for our families. Last year our jars of vanilla sugar were a big hit - pop a vanilla bean into a jar of sugar and let it sit for a few weeks.

Delicious to use in coffee and in baking!

How long have you been making your own ornaments?

We’ve been making our own clay ornaments for the past 6 years, and it’s our favourite holiday tradition by far. It’s special to us because we get to spend quality time together crafting, while also sticking to our values of buying less, and reusing more. We avoid buying disposable and wasteful ornaments every year, and enjoy creating our own that we can cherish for many holidays to come.

Talk us through how you create your ornaments.

We use bakeable clay to create our ornaments. We use coloured Fimo clay, but are hoping to try creating our own homemade salt dough this year. We use tools we have in the kitchen like butter knives and rolling pins to shape our ornaments.

Each ornament is inspired by something that was impactful for us in the past year - a place we travelled to, a series we loved, a snack we discovered. It’s really fun to unpack the ornaments year after year and rediscover memories we’ve shared together over the years. You can’t buy that kind of festive fun in a store!

9

on out. Our guests last year seemed to be surprised with how much they enjoyed it and have since then asked for many of the recipes.

Carlyng and Kevin Bawden How you are being ecofriendly over the holidays?

This year we will be having an eco-friendly holiday by purchasing gifts from local artisans and small businesses, rather then big box stores/online. We will also be using paper bags collected throughout the year or reusing bags/boxes collected from previous years to wrap gifts, rather than buying new wrapping paper or new bags/boxes.

We will be using the same fake Christmas tree we have in all of the years past. I have read it is best to buy a real tree for environmental purposes, but the tree we use, was used by my grandparents, than passed down to my parents and now my husband and I use it. So rather than throwing it out and it ending up in the landfill and buying a new one every few years, we have used it for three generations and it still looks beautiful!

Lastly, we will be making a vegan dinner for ourselves and our guests to enjoy this holiday season.

How long have you been making a vegan holiday dinner and what has been the guests’ reaction?

This will only be our second year making a vegan dinner, but we loved it so much last year, we will be doing it every year from here 10

What will you be making this year?

The Main: all gluten free and vegan • Maple roasted carrots • Balsamic glazed brussel sprouts with red onions • Acorn squash stuffed with wild rice stuffing • Creamy mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy • Braised red cabbage • Brown “butter” mashed turnip Desserts: gluten free and vegan • Apple cider donuts • Gingerbread chia pudding • Vegan pumpkin pie

ket stalls adorned in dried fruit, cinnamon, and natural elements like bark or branches.

These garlands are not only beautiful, they are biodegradable and won’t take thousands of years to decompose like their plastic counterparts would. I always make a wreath as well, it adds such a festive vibe to my front door!

Talk us through how you create your ornaments.

Zuzanna How you are being ecofriendly over the holidays?

I aim to be more eco-friendly by adapting a low-waste mentality when planning my décor and gifts. I reuse gift wrapping or look to alternative options like reusable bagsor napkins for a less full post-Christmas recycling bin. I use base décor elements like baskets, or vases, and just switch out the contents seasonally. For winter, I love pinecones, evergreen branches, and dried citrus, while in the summer I might opt for wildflowers and dried grasses. For my tree, I make a popcorn garland which I can later put outside for the birds, and make ornaments out of salt dough and string up dried fruit. It looks and smells beautiful!

I like drying my fruit early in the Christmas season and incorporate them into many of my décor elements as I make them. Slice oranges into 3-4 mm pieces and lay them out on a lined baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 225 F and let them bake low and slow for about 2-3 hours, flipping halfway. You’ll know when they are ready when the flesh of the orange is no longer tacky when you touch it and starts to become translucent.

It’s fun to try different citrus fruit, but I’ve had best results with oranges, blood oranges, and thick-rind clementines.

How long have you been making your own ornaments?

I’ve been drying citrus slices for 3 years now, inspired by European Christmas mar11

PARADISE PRESERVED:

SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY SEES GORILLAS IN CONGO THRIVE By: Monika Patel, FSC Canada

12

Something exceptional is happening in the vast rainforests in the north of the Republic of the Congo: loggers are at work. But they’re not destroying the environment; instead, they’re helping to preserve the tropical forests and their biodiversity.

Deep in the heart of Africa in the depths of the Democratic Republic of Congo, there is a national road. On one side of the road is Odzala-Kokoua National Park which is home to over 100 animal species. On the other, is a forestry concession managed by Industrial Forestière d ‘Ouesso (IFO), an FSC-certified timber company.

Although a single road may separate the two, wildlife does not distinguish between the national park and the forest of a timber company. Both areas are home to western lowland gorillas – which represent a quarter of the world’s gorilla population and the largest concentration of this species.

So how does a national park and a forestry concession reside peacefully next to each other?

A new documentary by German director Thomas Weidenbach explores how sustainably managed forests, like those certified by the Forest Stewardship Council® - a global organization dedicated to promoting environmentally sound, socially beneficial and economically prosperous management of the world’s forests - may be the new model for forestry, by enabling the preservation of the environment and wildlife.

Responsible forestry in the Republic of the Congo — a role model for other tropical forests in the world The rules followed by IFO to comply with FSC requirements play a significant role in this peaceful cohabitation. The forest concession is divided into 30 different areas, and only one of these areas gets harvested annually to let other sections of forest regenerate for 30 years.

The FSC also requires that more than a quarter of the total forest surface be set aside permanently. They do this to preserve the trees and protect the habitat where there are high concentrations of animals and rare plant species.

Certified forest concessions under FSC are also required to maintain a constant dialogue with local communities and Indigenous Peoples. They are expected to help protect their interests, keep them informed of the company’s harvest activities and to some extent, provide jobs.

In the Congo, IFO is the main employer in the region with over 1,000 employees.In addition to providing financial support to local villages and well-paying jobs, the company signed agreements with local communities before starting work in the area. Through mediators, they listened to their requests: to improve the road leading to the neighbouring village, to not cut down some trees around the community, and to contribute to teachers’ salaries, etc. They also met the pygmies living in the forest. Together, they identified 13

sacred places and precious trees, which IFO vowed not to touch.

Sustainable forestry, FSCcertified tropical timber and national parks promise hope for this forest, for the benefit of people and nature Surprisingly, censuses conducted by independent researchers have shown that gorillas are well adapted to the presence

Many have concluded that the company’s activities are beneficial to these animals by providing a safe haven from poachers.

In turn, gorillas, who consume a lot of fruit, contribute to the regeneration of the forest by spreading seeds.

In northern Congo, an area faced with illegal logging, poaching, mining and other threats, FSC-certified concessions have made a significant impact. Between IFO and its FSC-certified neighbour, Congolaise Industrielle des Bois, the territory considered safe for gorillas has grown (and is now almost twice the size of Belgium). While national parks have contributed to the success, these two forestry companies have played a significant role in this evolution. Weidenbach’s documentary shines a light on the positive effect sustainably managed conservation projects have on forest regeneration (which is great for the timber companies) and the conservation of gorillas (which is great for everyone!).

How you can make a difference?

of loggers. Currently, 70,000 gorillas in the western plains of the country have found shelter in the IFO concession. This is the highest concentration of the species in the world. What is also remarkable is that this figure remained stable from 2007-2014, while in other regions, including the nearby national park, monkey populations were declining due to poaching and local hunters.

14

The next time you go to pick up your favourite book or a carton of milk from the store, look for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo. Then you will know that your products are coming from one of these responsibly managed forests, and that you are helping keep our forests for all, forever. Learn more at www.ca.fsc.org

GIFT A

TREE FOR TREECEMBER PLANTED IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS

GIFT A TREE!

15

6 MYTHS AND TRUTHS ABOUT ACUPUNCTURE By: Kenneth Choi, HB.Sc, M.Sc, R.Ac, R.TCMP and Jason Valdeavilla, HB.Sc, B.A Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (AIM) Academy and Wellness Clinic

16

Acupuncture is the use of small thin needles that are inserted into specific points in the body, called acupuncture points. It is becoming increasingly popular as a form of treatment - most people who have tried acupuncture swear by it. However, many people are still apprehensive about trying it because there are a lot of myths, mysteries, and misconceptions about it. The truth is that acupuncture is found to be a very safe and effective form of treatment. Acupuncture can treat many different conditions from muscular pain, anxiety, and even digestive issues.

Here are six myths about acupuncture and the real truths behind them:

Myth 1: Acupuncture hurts!

Truth: For most people, acupuncture is not painful at all, and many do not feel the needles puncturing the skin. Acupuncture needles are very thin, only slightly thicker than a single human hair and around ten times thinner than a butterfly needle, which is used for taking blood. Since acupuncture uses needles, there may be a pricking sensation when it punctures the skin. This pricking sensation subsides quickly, and the needles will likely not hurt afterwards. Some people experience heaviness, itchiness, or throbbing sensations, which indicates that the needle has hit the acupuncture point correctly and is working. If any needles are uncomfortable, you can let your therapist know, and they can adjust it for you until you are comfortable.

Myth 2: Acupuncture is an ancient medicine and is not relevant in today’s medical field.

Truth: Acupuncture and Chinese medicine’s first uses trace back over 5000 years ago.

The earliest evidence of acupuncture was in the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BCE). The theory behind acupuncture and Chinese medicine has evolved since then and the field of acupuncture is still growing. Integrative approaches to acupuncture are incorporating modern technology to study and better understand it, making the practice more mainstream. There is a mound of evidence that acupuncture is effective in treating a wide range of conditions, and many doctors recommend it as a form of treatment or as a complimentary form of care .

Myth 3: Acupuncture is just a placebo.

Truth: There have been thousands of clinical studies that prove that acupuncture works. For many types of pain, acupuncture has been found to work as well as, or better than, pain medication. According to the World Health Organization, acupuncture has been proven through scientific studies to safely and effectively treat many diseases.

Acupuncture works by activating the natural healing mechanisms in your body, balancing the chemicals and hormones in the body, and helping to regulate the flow of blood and energy (or Qi) in the body.

Myth 4: Acupuncture is only useful for treating pain.

Truth: It is true that acupuncture is effective at treating pain, such as lower back and neck pain. However, acupuncture has been proven to be an effective treatment for over 140 diseases. The list includes, digestive, 17

neurological, cardiovascular, mental health, endocrine and hormonal disorders, male/ female issues, and many more health matters. Each treatment plan will vary based on the condition and the client, although many people experience some relief or beneficial results after a single treatment.

Myth 5: Acupuncture is not safe.

Truth: Acupuncture is very safe when performed by a qualified health practitioner. In Canada, the practice is strictly regulated by the Ministry of Health to ensure that all practitioners are trained rigorously in safety protocol. A Registered Acupuncturist has a minimum of 2 years of training. This training consists of not only Traditional Chinese Medicine theory but also training in the biomedical sciences, including anatomy, pharmacology, and physiology. During training, Acupuncturists are taught the varying depths of needling for every acupuncture point on the body. In more sensitive areas, Acupuncturists are trained on how to needle those points safely and effectively. Registered Acupuncturists must also pass national examinations to receive a license to practice.

Myth 6: Receiving acupuncture from a Registered Acupuncturist is the same as receiving acupuncture from other health care practitioners.

Truth: Getting an acupuncture treatment from a Registered Acupuncturist (with the R.Ac designation) can be very different than 18

receiving it from other types of health care practitioners. Registered Acupuncturists are taught based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, meaning that they may diagnose patients within that framework, whereas other healthcare practitioners who perform acupuncture are only allowed to treat musculoskeletal issues. Acupuncture performed by an R.Ac can treat not only musculoskeletal issues but also a variety of health conditions.

Acupuncture is an ancient practice with thousands of years of clinical history. In modern-day health care, there is a place for acupuncture in an integrated health environment to improve general well-being and to prevent diseases. Acupuncture is an alternative therapy that offers people more options for effective treatment of many diseases. Acupuncture is designed to restore balance within patients; similarly, it encourages balance in the modern health care system by offering more options to the public. Although there may be misconceptions about the practice, it is always advised to ask a Registered Acupuncturist how acupuncture can improve your health.

At AIM Academy and Wellness Clinic, we work one-on-one with our patients to design custom treatment plans that work for you. Visit us at aim-academy.ca or call us at 416-323-1818 ext. 200 for more information.

THE AVOIDABLE CRISIS OF FOOD WASTE By: Benita Aalto

The data is out and the sheer amount of food loss and waste in Canada is shocking: according to research by Second Harvest, Canada’s largest food rescue organization, nearly 60 percent of all food produced in Canada – 35.5 million metric tonnes – is lost or wasted. While some of that waste is inedible (like husks and hides) 11.2 million metric tonnes of it is edible. Frustratingly, it’s food that could have been rescued and redistributed to feed people. Instead, it is plowed under or sent to a landfill where it decomposes and releases greenhouse gases which contribute to climate change.

But what is perhaps even more shocking is that this massive amount of wasted food had never been measured before: how is it possible that there are more than 11 million metric tonnes of wasted food and no one in Canada has been counting it?

“Before our research, the only data available was from the US which was used to extrapolate the scope of the problem in Canada, but no primary Canadian data, and no standardized measurement methodology that industry could use,” says Lori Nikkel, CEO, Second Harvest. Second Harvest’s research, 19

The Avoidable Crisis of Food Waste, was produced with Value Chain Management International and is the very first to use primary data collected from across the food supply chain, from farm to retail.

Typically, the problem of lost and wasted food is pushed back onto the consumer – and as consumers, we need to shop, cook and eat smarter. But we operate in a food system that overproduces, then sends the surplus to a landfill or plows it under. Food retail demands perfect produce, overflowing shelves and abundant food displays.

Industry-driven best-before date coding has confused generations of people about when food actually becomes unsafe to eat, leading to garbage bins full of food that is still edible.

“Food waste and its environmental impact are starting to be top of mind at both the consumer and industry level, but implementing change can be difficult because the issue is systemic,” says Nikkel. “The first step is measurement: figure out what food waste looks like in your restaurant, processing plant, farm or store. It’s a business cliché, but it’s accurate: you can’t manage what you don’t measure. Our research report has a measurement tool that any business can modify to suit their scale of operations.”

20

Second Harvest’s research also revealed that the cost of food loss and waste also hadn’t been fully measured. Typically, industry counts the cost of disposal (such as landfill or tipping fees), not the value of the food that is sent to landfill. For example, if you threw $25 dollars’ worth of food into a 10 cent garbage bag, the cost would be considered 10 cents. Both the food industry and consumers need to acknowledge the labour, resources, water and other costs that go into producing our food – and we also need to rescue surplus food so it can feed people, not landfills.

“We have created a culture of accepting waste, and we need to change that. We need leaders at all points on the supply chain who will champion measurement and then put systems in place to address the source of the losses,” says Nikkel. “Food is precious; it gives us life and health; it is not just a commodity. We need a food rescue revolution.”

Join the revolution! Read The Avoidable Crisis of Food Waste at www.SecondHarvest. ca/Research and go to www.FoodRescue. ca to see how your community can benefit from rescuing food.

21

Province Apothecary: two headed jade roller and a hydrating/rejuvenating serum.

LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT GIFT? HERE ARE SOME ECO-FRIENDLY OPTIONS WE LOVE FOR THIS HOLIDAY SEASON! Want to win these items? Follow us on Instagram @greenlivingpage for our holiday giveaway!

Heal Doggy Supplemental Treats: plant based, vegan, organic, additive free, allergen free and preservative free dog treats.

22

Cork St Imports: cork coin purses created and imported from Portugal.

Kiss Naturals: (DIY Kits) with 100% natural ingredients.

4ourclimate Candles: Removes 100 pounds of CO2 for every item purchased.

NuPasta: Low calorie and gluten free pasta made from konjac plant found in Japan, China and Korea.

Allbambu: zero waste kit!

Alive Intention Bracelets: meant for motivation, strength and passion.

6ixMan: beard grooming kit that includes face cleanser, beard oil, beard balm and beard comb.

23

HOW TO STAY CHEERY OVER THE HOLIDAYS By: Stephanie Kersta MSc, RP and Carolyn Plater MSW RSW

The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year! But as the festive season fast approaches, it isn’t uncommon to feel less cheery and a little negative towards the season of giving. Along with all of the fun and exciting moments, the holidays can also bring up feelings of stress, sadness, or grief.

Additionally, the holidays can be very busy, and people tend to spread themselves thin while putting a lot of pressure on themselves.

So how can you avoid feeling like the Grinch when all is said and done? We have some tips for managing your stress levels during the holidays.

Emphasize Your SelfCare Routine At a time when the hustle and bustle, and the fast pace of the season seem to be tak24

ing over, remind yourself that it’s essential to slow down and focus on taking care of your wellbeing. Self-care routines become important at times like these, in order to keep yourself feeling well physically and emotionally. Some self-care strategies that may be helpful at this time of year are focusing on relaxation techniques, mindfulness, and exercise.

Incorporate Self-Care Into Your Social Gatherings When every minute of your day is planned with work, shopping, wrapping gifts, and social gatherings - it can be hard to prioritize self-care. What if instead of going for dinner or meeting up at a bar, you and your friends take a meditation class at Hoame? With a private sauna for up to three people and a salt

cave for up to four people, think how great you and your friends will feel after an hourlong sweat and gab session?

Don’t Be Afraid To Say “No” At this time of year, it may seem that you have countless events to attend to celebrate the holidays. Between work parties, family parties, and gatherings with friends, sometimes it can feel like there are too many commitments to keep up with. As much as you may want to attend every single event, it may not be realistic. If that’s the case, that’s okay!

It’s okay to say “no” when you have too much on your plate.

Focus On What’s Important To You During The Holidays Take some time to figure out what’s most important to you this holiday season. Is it spending time with your kids, making time to build a snowman, going ice-skating with your friends, or enjoying that perfect cup of hot chocolate while curled up with a blanket?

Whatever it is, make sure to prioritize what’s truly important to you.

Soak In The Special Moments As busy as the holidays are, there always seems to be some special moments. Make sure that you don’t let these moments pass you by. The holidays tend to fly by, and if you’re able to focus on being mindful and present, it can help ensure that you truly experience and enjoy the special times.

We hope these tips will be helpful for you during this time of year, and we want to wish you and yours all the best during this holiday season!

Give Presence Instead Of Presents With the holidays comes financial stress, and an overabundance of “stuff.” So often we buy gifts just because traditionally, that is what’s done. But what if this year you give the gift of connection, with a fun experience together rather than the latest tech gadget or article of clothing? Human connection has been linked to longer life expectancy and overall life satisfaction.

25

EXHIBITOR SPOTLIGHT ORGANIC GARAGE, KEEPING IT REAL!

By: Randee Glassman, Director of Marketing at Organic Garage

When the year comes to a close and the promise of a new year is on the horizon, I like to take stock of what I’m most grateful for. Naturally, the health of my family and an abundance of great friends top the list.

Then, after my dog, and living in a democratic country, comes how thankful I am to be the marketing director at Organic Garage.

I started working with the company nine years ago, after being a regular customer for four years; probably their best! As a custom26

er, what I loved about Organic Garage was being able to buy groceries for my family that I know are clean and that I don’t have to spend my whole paycheque on. What I love about my job is being able to share what Organic Garage has to offer with customers old and new. A healthy and value-focused grocery shopping experience with nothing artificial; Healthier Food For Less! In fact, the slogan, “Organic Garage, a grocery store with a Healthy Conscience” I came up with!

It speaks not only to the integrity of our listing

criteria for the products we sell in the store but also to the day-to-day operations and the need to be as environmentally responsible as possible.

In the past year, we have increased our zero waste initiatives from biodegradable shopping bags and straws, a battery recycling program and a partnership with HOP Compost to an almost zero bagged (where available) produce department; bulk oil, vinegars, and cleaning products; and a Bring Your Own Container (BYOC) initiative on loose teas, nuts, beans, and spices .

Healthy for the holidays.

We provide top quality products for conscious consumers at all times of the year, but around the holidays, we get especially excited about what we have on offer. Stay healthy and eco-friendly over the holidays with these natural and organic products you can feel great about!

• Seasonal Certified Organic Produce: 100% certified organic produce at your dinner table and in your holiday meals means no pesticides and no chemicals; dishes made only with love!

• Bulk Offerings: Bulk up your recipes with a great selection of organic and all-natural varieties of nuts, spices, candies and baking ingredients.

• Vegan Alternatives (tofurky, jackfruit, vegan eggs): Don’t forget the vegan on your list; choose from a great selection of plant-based alternatives to some holiday classics.

• Kitchen Original Ginger Snaps: Classic ginger snaps made from a 100-year-old recipe containing just eight ingredients and nothing artificial.

• Make it Natural: From stocking stuffers, special gifts or presents under the tree, it’s what’s on the inside that counts and that includes the ingredients in beauty products or foodstuffs you may be giving this season. We carry a variety of eco-conscious products that you can feel good about.

So, when I take the time to reflect upon the year that has passed, I can honestly say that it makes me feel extremely grateful to work, and shop at Organic Garage. It’s important to me to live my life with a Healthy Conscience, and that I do.

27

HOW I TURNED FOOD WASTE INTO A BUSINESS By: Jill Weaver

The numbers are staggering. We waste enough food in Canada to feed a second country. Doesn’t that blow your mind! There must be a better way.

And there is!

My passion for reducing and reusing food waste started at home while I was preparing homemade food for my toddler. His food allergies led me to take a hard look at the ingredient lists of everything we were eating; where our food comes from, how it’s grown, harvested and prepared.

We started visiting farmers markets, signed up for a CSA (Community Shared Agriculture) food box, and began purchasing our meat directly from local farms. The personal connections we were making with our food sources, witnessing the care and intention that went into raising and harvesting our food, inspired me to let nothing go to waste. Realizing early on that I could make homemade stock from all of the leftover bones and vegetable scraps I was generating in my kitchen.

I spent a lot of time flipping through cookbooks searching for the perfect ‘comfort food’ recipe, and noticed a trend; almost every recipe called for stock or broth. Conventional store-bought broths 28

looking for a convenient option. This demand prompted me to launch my business: Stock Exchange Mindful Nourishment Inc., for people who want to know where their food comes from, how it is prepared, and how their consumption impacts the environment.

are gravely lacking in nutrition and contain a large quantity of sodium, sugars, preservatives and MSG (things I didn’t want my family to consume). This was when I looked at a homemade alternative.

I spent some time researching food allergies, intolerances and how certain foods can heal and repair our gut-health. I learned the benefits of using leftover bone and that if you leave the right ratio of bones to water on simmer for 24 hours, you extract collagen protein and essential minerals which are easily absorbed and digested while offering rich nourishment. The result was a vitamin-rich stock that became a great homemade alternative and offered my family a healthier option.

This was a huge shift for our family. Our household food waste was being redirected back into our kitchen, our meals were elevated to a new level of satisfaction and we started to see an improvement in our son’s health, as well as our own health.

But not everyone has the time to source and prepare their food with such care and are

Since 2015 we have partnered with over 25 family farms who specialize in regenerative agriculture. Their passion for growing nutrient dense food and their commitment to nurture Ontario’s diverse ecosystem, enrich our soil, improve watersheds, and increase resilience to climate change, has formed the base of our artisan kitchen. It is so important to us to support the farmers and families that are at the forefront of this industry, which is doing so much for our planet.

“We need to treat our animals as sacred and be thankful for what they provide us, and we believe that Stock Exchange values this as well,” Jayne Green, mindful farmer and partner of Stock Exchange.

Over the years, my team and I have perfected our technique and ensure nothing goes to waste in our commercial kitchen. We even use the bi-products of our own production skimming the fat off the top and selling this traditional cooking tallow to restaurants and food service accounts. At the end of each week, we drive all of our spent bones and vegetables out to a farm where everything gets composted. The farmer turns it over, transforming the waste into a fantastic organic fertilizer. We are very proud to have a closed-loop production circuit!

My hope from sharing this story is that you 29

will be able to look at ways you can reduce and reuse your food waste. Every bit helps.

CSA MINESTRONE

For more information visit stockexchangebroth.com

Ingredients

Want to try one of our products? The next time you’re cleaning out the fridge or have some extra vegetables kicking around from your weekly food box, you could make this tasty soup:

●● 500ml Stock Exchange Chicken BONE BROTH (defrosted)

●● 2 cups water ●● 4-6 cups vegetables chopped ●● 1tbsp whole cloves. ●● 2tbsp tomato paste ●● 2tbsp olive oil ●● 2tbsp chopped garlic ●● 2 cups soaked and boiled/or canned beans ●● Salt and pepper to taste ●● 1 cup herbs ●● Juice 2 lemons

Serves 6-8

In a saucepan on high heat add olive oil and garlic. Cook until garlic begins to brown, add your chopped CSA veggies and continue to sauté.

Reduce heat to medium-high and season with salt and pepper. Add tomato paste and continue to sauté. When tomato paste begins to brown, add broth, beans and 2 cups water, and bring to a simmer for 20 minutes.

Remove soup from heat, add chopped fresh herbs and lemon juice. Serve immediately.

30

LIVING WITH ECZEMA PART 2 – LIFESTYLE

If you are someone that suffers from the common imbalance of eczema, then winter can be tough! It can also be hard to nail down an actual cause of your discomfort. While many people try to manage with supplements and diet adjustments (see our tips for that in GLS fall magazine), many forget about one thing – lifestyle.

Lifestyle After you have made adjustments to your diet and tried supplements, think about some lifestyle changes to get you back on track. Baby steps are where it’s at to see improvements and to help you stick with your new habits. It is not a quick fix, but I promise over time, this will give you lasting results.

Here are some other tips to soothe eczema: • Follow a healthy diet. Eliminate pro-

By Lunah Life

cessed foods/drinks, and any allergenic or intolerant food culprits.

• Move your body for 30 minutes daily. It keeps the good things moving throughout your body and the bad things moving out. It also helps to pump fresh blood carrying skin-loving nutrients to the surface of the skin for healing.

• Did you just change your laundry detergent? That may be the cause of your itchy skin.

• One of the biggest factors in flare-upsstress! Manage it with adaptogenic herbs, stress-reduction techniques like yoga, meditation, walking in nature, cooking/ baking, taking five deep belly 31

hydrated all day long. Be careful of the bottom of the tub; it may become slick!

You could even add some oil to your bath water for relief.

• Ditch your commercial skincare that often has fragrance, and other chemical irritants. Switch to a local, handmade natural skincare company.

breaths upon waking, delegating tasks, slowing down where you can.

• Shower smart. If you have eczema, do not take long hot showers or hot baths.

Keep them cool and short.

• Use a humidifier in your bedroom to add moisture to your air as you sleep.

• Stick to a regular daily schedule for sleeping, eating, exercising etc. Your body runs most efficiently on regular routines.

• Daily dry brushing can absolutely improve your situation. Why? It decreases dead skin cells that can contribute to itching, and it stimulates your lymph system to empty all of the waste it’s been collecting.

• Moisturize daily, but also properly.

Use oils that will nourish and hydrate, not strip the skin. The best way? Oil up while you are in the shower, your skin will stay 32

If you have anything to add that has worked for you, please tell us! And of course, if you have questions, we would love to hear from you all. Find us online or email us at lunahlife@lunahlife.com. You can also visit our website www.lunahlife.com. *The information here is not intended to treat or cure. Please consult your trusted health care provider before going ahead with any new program.

Find more tips on our blog at greenlivingshow.ca/blog.

SUSTAINABLE FASHION PODCASTS YOU NEED TO CHECK OUT!

By: Vanessa Li, Events Assistant, Green Living Show

With the recent bankruptcy and storefront closures of one of the largest fast fashion companies in Canada, it seems as if the fashion industry is moving towards a new era. Galvanized by trailblazing documentaries like The True Cost and Instagram accounts akin to Fashion Revolution, the average consumer is evolving. Your colleague who’s always scoring the best deals at that

fluorescent-lit store is beginning to question who made her clothes. Your trend-conscious cousin, who crowns herself the queen of sales, is realizing that t-shirts shouldn’t be thaattt cheap. And your best friend who exclusively shops vintage and second-hand is throwing her arms around saying, “This is what I’ve been talking about!” If you’ve been zoning her out for the past few years, it’s time 33

to listen (to her and these podcasts we’re about to recommend).

If you didn’t already know, here’s a simple fact: the fashion industry is one of the world’s top polluters. From the high levels of water used to grow cotton, to toxic chemical leaks as a result of fabric dyes, to the lack of extended producer responsibility for the endlife of clothes, fashion, and specifically fast fashion, is unsustainable. These brands run on a model of pumping out new styles every other week for insanely low prices and they’re only able to do that because they snake around compliance; environmental and labour. So not only does the planet suffer for the industry but people do too (remember the Bangladesh factory collapse of 2013?).

By arming you with podcasts that spotlight the reality of the industry (we hear you auditory learners!), we hope to equip your journey into the foray of ethical and sustainable fashion.

The Fashion Revolution This podcast is a great launching point for those who want to learn the basics of fast fashion. When shopping, it’s not instinctual to associate the trendy Y2K slip you’re trying on to the disenfranchised garment maker who sewed it. This three-part series hosted by international fashion journalist Tamsin Blanchard bridges the schism. Diving into the obstacles surrounding the unionization of garment workers, the blatant exploitation of their rights and how low wages threaten their livelihood, Blanchard gives a face and 34

a voice to the garment maker.

Wardrobe Crisis

Conscious Chatter

Wardrobe Crisis is headed by Australian Vogue’s sustainability editor-at-large Clare Press. With years of experience writing for outlets like Marie Claire, InStyle and Harpers Bazaar, Press brings her insider knowledge of the fashion industry to her podcast.

By coupling interviews with changemakers in the field of sustainable fashion to dismantling theoretical concepts like circular economy and fashion colonialism, Press expertly weaves together a narrative that is approachable yet insightful.

When you’ve graduated from The Fashion Revolution, give a listen to Conscious Chatter. Kestrel Jenkins, long time ethical fashion advocate, is your host. Her podcast is a collection of carefully curated interviews.

From conversations with cool girl brands like Christy Dawn and Reformation, to discussions on personal style and body inclusivity, Jenkins packages ethical and sustainable fashion as more than a moral alignment but rather as a way of living.

Pre-Loved Podcast To top you off is Pre-Loved Podcast, presented by Emily Stochl, a vintage lifestyle blogger of Brume & Daisy. In each episode, Stochl hosts a down-to-earth dialogue with a seasoned thrifter/ vintage lover/ secondhand connoisseur. Her diverse guestlist includes Emma Zack, founder of the popular Instagram store Berriez, and Jenny Welbourn, a sustainable fashion influencer. By asking her guests what their wish list items and style inspirations are, Stochl leaves her listeners with a yearning to go treasure hunting at their local Goodwill.

Pop one of these podcasts on for your commute home - there is a lot to learn when it comes to understanding the intersectional implications of fast fashion. These episodes will empower you to consume with a greater depth of curiosity and consciousness.

35