Post by Prabhjit Banga

“I wish I wasn’t busy all the time”

 “Life is so hectic!”

“I’d really like to come, but I just don’t have the time.”

“If only I had some free time…”

Do these comments sound familiar? Imagine how it would feel to be able to give or receive the gift of time. It sounds like a hard task, but when you’re old and you reflect back on your life, what will you remember most, the stuff you received as gifts, or the time you spent with the people you care about?

Last year around the holidays my grandpa suffered a heart attack. All I could think was how little time I had been spending with him. When I went to go see him the first thing he said to me was “So you’re too busy for everyone these days.” Those words really hit home with me. 

My grandpa made me realize life really is short and how important it is to make time for the people you love. Because what we cherish and remember even more than materialistic things are meaningful, memorable experiences spent with people we care about. Now, I spend time with him at least once a week.

So in preparation for the holidays, consider giving the gift of an experience rather than a thing. This can be anything from:

- making a home-cooked meal
- special dinner out
- movie passes
- an outdoor adventure or day trip around the city
- coupon book filled with redeemable vouchers reading “Good for 3 hours of time spent with me” or “Good for one whole-house cleaning” (I personally would love to receive this last one) 

Be creative and think about what you are able to offer and what the person would appreciate most.

Happy Holidays to you and your family!

 
Source: http://www.buynothing.biz/blog/index.php?itemid=37 

Source: the dailygreen.com

It’s hard to believe that summer time is coming to an end and “back-to-school” is here. Whether you’re helping your children get ready for school or going to college/university yourself, this year plan ahead and go back to school in eco-style.

Reuse supplies from previous years
Before you hit the store, do an inventory of any school stuff from previous years. Most supplies, such as sturdy backpacks, lunch kits, pencils can last more than year, so you don’t need to buy them every year. If you do have to buy, look for items that are sturdy, long-lasting and contain recycled materials (see below for more tips).

Moving on?
If you’re moving away for college/uni, ask your family or friends for unused furniture or household items. If you do have to buy, check out your local thrift store or on sites like Craig’s list and Kijiji…it’s cheaper than buying new and you’ll be recycling!

Litter-less Lunches
When preparing your kid’s lunches, think litter-less! Not only does it save money, since you won’t always be purchasing brown bags, but it also reduces the amount of waste you’re producing! For older students, its easy to fall into the trap of always eating at the cafeteria, but if you bring your own healthy homemade lunches, not only will you save money but you’ll also avoid the freshman 15!

School Green Clubs

Last but not least, encourage your kids to join the school’s green club and if there isn’t one, help to start one! In elementary school I learned a lot about environmental issues through my school’s green club. Most colleges/unis also have environmental clubs… they’re a great way to take part in environmental causes as well as to network and meet people in the environmental field! I found my first environmental job through my uni’s green club.

Here are some more ideas for back-to- school prep:

- Buy a sturdy, comfortable backpack that you or your child can use year after year. Avoid backpacks made of nylon or new plastics, especially PVC (vinyl), and look instead for bags made from recycled materials or natural materials, such as hemp.

- Purchase recycled paper – then try to use both sides to reduce waste even further.

- Reuse last year’s pencil case. To make it look new, decorate it with fabric paint and create a new look.

- Buy beeswax or soy-based crayons, water-based paints, and water-based markers and glue, all of which are better for the environment than oil-based products.

- Buy in bulk and avoid individually prepackaged items.

- Healthy lunches and snacks are important for children and help with concentration and learning, so pack nutritious lunches with vegetables, fresh fruit, dairy, protein and water.

- Have your children walk or take the bus to school. If you do need to drive your kids to school, try to start a carpooling initiative with other neighborhood parents and kids.

- Encourage a non-idling policy for your school, so school busses and parents picking up their kids are not idling in front of the school.

By: Prabhjit

Halloween was no ‘holiday’ for prairie kids. I grew up in Winnipeg and every October 31, it never failed; Halloween was the coldest day of the fall.

We’d be sitting in class in the afternoon, and all of a sudden the sky would turn grey, the wind would pick up and sure enough it would be ice-cold come time for trick-or-treating. Us kids were forced to wear our Halloween costumes over our snowsuits!

Now when I think about Halloween, I think less about the meteorological aspects of the day and more about the socio-environmental. I think about the mass consumption of artificially sweetened candies, chocolates, pumpkins, one-use costumes, and toxic makeup products. I also can’t reconcile the offensive costumes that are still a staple each year (the ‘Indian brave’, the evil witch, and the offensive to good taste french maid outfit).

Of course, I still look forward to a good party, fun costumes, and loads of sweets. And it’s actually pretty easy to bring an environmental ethic to Halloween…

Top 5 Ways to Green Your Halloween

1. Look for better candy alternatives to give out at your door at the health food store.
2. Go natural. While you’re at the health food store, check out the line of natural cosmetics. These products are pricier, but you (or a friend) can use them again. Or make your own blood, bruises, and dyed hair with kitchen ingredients like flour, corn starch, syrup, and food coloring.
3. ‘Concept’ costumes are cool. A friend of mine made her own Miss Universe costume but instead of the dress, tiara and sash, she built a solar system out of Styrofoam balls and attached it to an old pointed hat.
4. Say no to vinyl masks and fake teeth. These plastics may contain lead and phthalates. Now that’s scary!
5. Lazy? Re-use a costume from Halloween past, pay a visit to a second-hand store or rent a costume.

Happy green Halloween everyone!