I am very proud of BlogHer for the attempts that were made to reduce consumption of paper, and to partner up with sponsors who were focused on environmentally friendly products and services. For an organization that made so many attempts to "go green", I found it sad that the lunches that were provided were served in plastic containers. Perhaps the system is different in California (and please, someone correct me if I'm wrong), but where I live the kind of plastic that was used is not recyclable.
The meals were served in large, plastic compartmentalized containers. The cutlery was also plastic, as were all of the soft drink and water containers served. Because attendees had little choice as to which foods they would like to eat, as well as the quantities they could eat, I saw an awful lot of food get thrown away. The employees at the Westin St. Francis were collecting this plastic and food waste and throwing it right into black garbage bags (along with my glasses, which is another story altogether...).
I realize that there are limitations in the planning of large events and conferences when it comes to the catering arrangements that can be made by organizers. Many venues offer a limited variety of products to their clients. I also understand that organizers were doing their best to keep the costs down for those of us who were able to attend.
However, I couldn't help wondering if serving food in disposable plastic was the best choice given the environmental focus of the event. A buffet would have been a "greener" option.
]]>We've discussed the meaning of eating locally.
I analyzed my breakfast on a random morning to see how much of it was supportive of the local food movement, referring to the concept of the 100-Mile Diet.
I visited farmer's markets and Pick-Your-Own farms with a friend to gather locally-grown food to eat at home.
I investigated several services that offer front-door delivery of locally-grown fruits, vegetables, eggs and meat.
And finally, this week, we looked across the country to find community leaders among restaurant chefs, to find restaurants that place an emphasis on including locally grown food on their menus.
In short, we've discovered that there are many, many ways to eat locally, regardless of budget, regardless of diet, regardless of lifestyle or location.
The local food movement is growing, and with the help of thoughtful bloggers who write about the things they are passionate about, who communicate their appreciation for the use of locally grown food at restaurants in their neighbourhoods, it will continue to grow!
]]>When I checked to see where exactly that 100 mile radius fell, I was surprised at how small the distance actually appeared on the map. Obviously the apples grown just up the road are still considered local. And fortunately, one of Canada's beautiful wine regions is also within that radius (phew!). But a large portion of that area is taken up by Lake Ontario, and I just don't like to eat fish all that much.
Take a moment today to head over to the 100 Mile Diet website to see what your 100 mile radius looks like. Think about the foods you eat and whether they are local. Decide whether it is important to you to save fuel, reduce carbon emissions, to know where your food is coming from. Then click on over to today's post on BlogHers ACT Canada to see how "not-so-local" my own breakfast turned out to be.
We'd love to hear from you!
]]>Every year, thousands of gardeners all over North America head out to shop for flowers and vegetables, taking all kinds of non-biodegradable plastics home along with their plants. Most municipalities do not recycle these pots and flats, which then end up in landfill sites.
]]>Every year, thousands of gardeners all over North America head out to shop for flowers and vegetables, taking all kinds of non-biodegradable plastics home along with their plants. Most municipalities do not recycle these pots and flats, which then end up in landfill sites.
Although there are some growing operations that use fibre pots, or offer a national recycling program, these are few and far between. Conscientious gardeners can make environmentally friendly choices when it comes to shopping for plants for their gardens.
This week's post at BlogHers ACT Canada is all about greener garden shopping. My suggestions for reducing your garden's carbon footprint include avoiding plastic, attending local plant sales, swapping plants with friends and neighbours, and opting to garden without the use of chemical herbicides or pesticides.
Please check out our entire post for more information!
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Later this month, stay tuned for:
]]>Later this month, stay tuned for:
Please check us out!
]]>A private member's bill set to enforce the labeling of genetically engineered foods is at second reading in the House of Commons this month.
Ontario Premier Daulton McGuinty will celebrate Earth Day today by announcing that effective Spring '09, the cosmetic use of pesticides and herbicides on Ontario will be BANNED.
And now, BlogHers ACT Canada is teaming up with Green Mom Finds to bring you the Official BlogHers ACT Canada Earth Day Kids Gardening Photo Contest!
Head on over to BlogHers ACT Canada to check out the details for all of these important news items, and more.
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If yes, please contact your Federal Member of Parliament and tell him or her that you expect him or her to support the very important Bill C-517, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (mandatory labelling for genetically engineered foods) which will make it a legal requirement for all food containing genetically engineered ingredients to be labelled as such.
The Bill will also make it necessary for our government to maintain a list of food suppliers and manufacturers who sell GE food, and to make that list available electronically and free of charge to all Canadian citizens.
For more details, please visit BlogHers ACT Canada, where you will find information about why genetically engineered foods are bad and instructions for how to contact your MP to make your voice heard.
Use your blog to help spread the word!
]]>This week my goal is to provide a few ideas not just for teaching kids to be more
environmentally responsible, but for showing kids that they can teach
each other about how to go green, too.
We'd love to hear your ideas!
]]>This week my goal is to provide a few ideas not just for teaching kids to be more
environmentally responsible, but for showing kids that they can teach
each other about how to go green, too.
We'd love to hear your ideas!
It's also not too late to join in on our contest to win a copy of My Bag and Me! by Karen Farmer or Whole World, featuring a performance by Fred Penner. Check us out!
]]>This first week of April, we're focusing on discovering great books for teaching kids about the environment.
]]>This first week of April, we're focusing on discovering great books for teaching kids about the environment.
We want to know all about the books you are reading to your kids about
the environment. The book that comes to mind might not be focused
entirely on the environment or eco-living, necessarily, but still
instill awareness of the earth around us. (E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web
comes to mind for me, personally.) This is the time and place to make
an all-important recommendation, and you can make that recommendation
either here in our comments section, or in a blog post of your own,
linking back to this site. Your post might be a book or website review.
It might also simply be a quick little list of books about eco-living
for kids. It could be a story about an experience you’ve had with kids
who have taught YOU something about going green!…It is our
hope that at the end of the month, we will have a fantastic resource
here…a list of recommended books about the environment that parents can
consult from time to time.
In week two, we'll be exploring ways that kids can spread the messages they learn at home to other children.
In week three, we'll be celebrating Earth Day with a contest, as well as talking about how kids can garden, teaching children where food comes from, and the importance of growing food organically.
Finally, in the last week of April, we'll be discussing David Suzuki’s Nature Challenge for Kids.
Please join us in these fun and important discussions, and feel free to participate in our book review activity. It doesn't matter if you are Canadian...we are all citizens of earth and these messages are universal.
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