Alternative Gift Ideas

While yesterday I included some Etsy holiday gift and decor ideas, I came across this today on World Changing and thought it was worth sharing with you. Recently for my wedding, a great gift we got was a gift certificate from JustGive, which allows you to donate the money to whichever organization you choose. We chose to donate to CPAWS, a Canadian organization that protects fragile/valuable land by turning them into parkland. Their latest triumph was hugely expanding the wondrous and fragile Nahani River National Park. Anyway, I just think maybe this is another approach, and while not for everybody it may ring really true with someone on your list. Read on for a few other really good, non-materialistic ideas!

Thank You World Changing and Andy Lubershane

Etsy Finds for the Holidays, Pt. 1

I scoured Etsy to find a few objets that exuded holiday spirit, while there's still time to squeak in an order and get it in time for Christmas.

1. Hand etched votive holders by DayDreemDesigns.

2. Owl ornament felting kit by FancyTiger.

3. Seeded Confetti or Tissue by GreetingsThatGrow.

4. Some modern gift bags by Hijrik.

1. Ceramic votive holders that are cast using vintage canning jars by AlyssaEttinger. Love These!

2.Retro modern stocking by CherryLand.

3. Calendar printed on recycled paper by Curious Doodles.

Christmas Trees Part II

I mentioned yesterday that I would post some of my own DIY tree ideas. I was debating what to do at Sustain (my eco living store), as on contentious issues such as these I feel under the looking glass a little, so to speak. So, while walking my dog one day in the bush, I spotted this fallen branch and felt inspired. I set about dragging this larger than usual branch out of the bush, shoving it my Honda Fit and reincarnating it as a xmas tree at the store. I kind of like the whimsy and non-traditional feel of it.

{it doesn't get more eco than this! Sorry about the poor quality photo - not sure what happened there! I don't feel that it does it justice! It looks really great in person}

{i wanted to keep the decorations sparse and organic. folded paper cranes add a bit of colour, and i love how they look. there's a legend that says if you fold a thousand paper cranes, you are granted a wish. very romantic. look below for the instructions on how to fold one for your own tree.}

{notice the log house in the background? those were made by Bryce, age 11, with dead fall! the string balls are my own creation. very simple. to make: wrap hemp or sisal string around a small balloon. mix non-toxic, water based glue (of course) with water and use a paint brush to apply it liberally to the string. allow to dry then pop the balloon. make a slightly different version (i did this with darker string to accent) by wrapping string very densely around an old tennis ball - no glue required.}

What d'ya think?........

Here's is how to fold a paper crane. It took me a couple tries, but once you get it it's easy - Thank you papercrane.org

The Great Debate - Real or Fake?

Lately everyone has an opinion on this. And there are definitely two sides. One says that a fake tree saves a real one, leaving it to live a full life taking carbon out of the atmosphere. The other says that fake trees are made with petrochemicals and will never biodegrade. Ever. So, what's the right answer.....? I think this is ultimately up to the individual (not to cop out), but each has its own argument). If you can't bear to kill a tree, but want a traditional christmas, opt for a really good quality fake one that's made in North America (if that's even possible). Make sure that its not stylized and looks very authentic. This way you won't tire of it, can keep it your entire life, and maybe even pass it down.

If real is the only way for you, please, please make sure that it comes from an organic, sustainable tree farm. Make sure they're not taking up valuable, fertile farming land and ask if they use pesticides. Buying a farmed tree means that the trees are always replanted after harvest, and seedlings will take Co2 out of the air for the 10-15 years it lives. Also, for maximum freshness trees are usually farmed somewhat locally, providing year round jobs in your area. If you must make a family trip to the bush for your tree, strap on your snowshoes and pick a tree that won't survive. Brush up your horticultural skills (aka google it!), so that you can spot a tree in trouble. Usually this means they're too close together and are fighting for light or food. Further, just like cutting a tree is a tradition for many families, keep that going into the spring and start a tree planting celebration to give back the tree you took. Finally, recycle your tree! Most townships provide curbside collection after the New Year, after which your tree is mulched and used for landscaping. Don't just pitch it in a ditch. Honestly. There's nothing sadder than a discarded tree.

The last option is to have a potted tree. This idea's been floating around a little, but its a little more idealistic than people think. First, you can only have it indoors for a few days (otherwise it thinks its spring and will die when it goes back out); second, its rather unwieldy - a 6 foot tree would have a 200 pound root ball, so you have to stay small; third, if you'd like to replant it, you have to live somewhere somewhat temperate for it to survive. Not so easy, but I love the idea.

If you feel like being a little untraditional, there are some cool ideas for tree-subs out there. I've collected a few ideas for you. I was thinking about a DIY tree of sorts. More on that later. Even while reading this, you've probably got your mind made up over what sort of tree to have, so lets get to the fun stuff and talk eco friendly ornaments. I've made a few of my own for you to see, but the photos below have a few ideas too.

{if going real is what you want, I really like this idea. it keeps everything natural. i've seen pinecones used before, but stringing them into a garland is a new idea, and very eco}

{if you'd like a potted tree, these 2 photos are a realistic size. popcorn and cookie cutters (below) is very family friendly and inexpensive. (photo from Pottery Barn)}

{photo from Country Living}

{these 3 photos are good examples of what you can do with pine branches. pick some nice ones and display in a pretty vase. you'd be surprised at how realistic it can look. keep water in the vase and it should last for several weeks. this is especially great in a small space, but either way it saves cutting a tree and save fumbling around with a potted one. search out some vintage baubles to get a look like the photo above (photo from Real Simple)}


{to acheive this look, use tidbits of leftover ribbon to drape on your branches. the nests were made using moss and foil covered chocolate eggs. you may need to use floral foam to anchor the branches in such a small base (photo from Country Living) }

{this is a neat idea - use coat hooks to attach the branch to the wall, and decorate away. You could also do something neat with this hanging over a table.}

Welcome to Christmas on PGD!

Well its Dec. 9 and I'm a little behind jumping on Christmas on PGD, but a little late is better than never. I want to focus on a few ways to make the holidays a little easier on the planet, and a little easier on you by providing some ideas. Christmas doesn't have to mean one giant headache for the earth, there are some simple ways to have all the fun while keeping it clean. I thought I'd start today with outdoor decor. I know I'm always looking forward to prettying up the front stoop during the holidays, so here are some ideas to make your home ultra welcoming to all your guests while embracing 'la nature'.

{this first one, very natural, kind of requires a covered entrance, cuz I can just picture these little pretties all covered in snow on my front step! this is an easy look to acheive - visit your local nursery and pick up some greenery (try to get locally grown) and wrap it in some burlap. burlap is made of jute, which is a quick growing sustainable fibre. when you're done with it just compost it. if you live in a temperate climate, buy potted plants (they won't freeze) and plant in the spring. if you live where its cold, just get branches, otherwise the roots will freeze and the greens will brown.}


{I personally really like this look - an eclectic mix of modern & rustic, although I think the woodstack may be a tad contrite if you don't actually have a wood burning fireplace. I tried this last year and really liked it. a light dusting of snow really adds to it. all you need to get this look are some white pine boughs, a few sparkly glass (aka recyclable) balls, some good L.E.D. lights and a few planters (go clay for maximum eco points). for all you L.E.D. phobes out there, don't cry they don't give warm white light, I was pleasantly surprised this year with the selection, and mine are all the perfect shade of 'warm'!}

{lastly, go twiggy this Christmas! this rustic country look suits absolutely any home, and is super low maintenance. I like red dogwood as it gives nice contrast against the snow. twigs are very eco as they are usually the result of trimming existing live trees, they last a few years, and can biodegrade. I'm told that sometimes they will even take root! see what you can do about getting local twigs to reduce the Co2 they would otherwise emit during travel. for this look, just ram some twigs in a planter and you're done. heck, you could even shove them in a giant snowball and they would look good. twig wreaths can be hard to find, but I've got good news...just click here (thank you Cool Native) for an easy DIY!}

I hope that gave you some eco inspiration. Make sure you snuggle up with a warm cup of organic tea to warm your hands after tackling your front step in this chilly weather!

All photos: Canadian House and Home

New Column: The Organic Kitchen

Hello again! I'm introducing yet another new column, part of PGD's exciting new line-up, called the Organic Kitchen ( Style me Green, The Green Traveller, Eco-DIY, Eco-Style and Pure Green Living are all part of the PGD family). The Organic Kitchen is about food, what is good for you, why eating organic as much as possible is so important, and what's both healthy and tasty. I'm not a cook, so a lot of this stuff is adapted from some of my favourite cookbook authors (Molly Katzen, for example), my mom, sister and hubby (all wonderful in the kitchen) and my more adventurous friends. My first installment is about Nutella! Who doesn't love this tasty breakfast treat? But a careful look at the label leaves this classy condiment a few nutrients short of healthy. Milk solids aren't always great, especially in the great gads that we ingest it; sugar, sugar, sugar {!}, our kids are hyper enough, among other things. Well, who knew how easy it is to make your own...? This is coming from my good friend Nicole. I didn't believe her 'till I tried it myself. I didn't even use a recipe, and it came out deliciously. Before I divulge the secret, here's a little more about hazelnuts, and why they're worth eating, especially for breakfast: rich in vitamins & minerals, provide your entire daily requirement of Vit. E, good for the heart (lowers the bad cholesterol), good for your bones, super high in Vit. B, and adjust the body's protein, fat and carb metabolism, and finally, good for the nervous system. I personally find this amazing. Eating organic hazelnuts ensures that you are getting the purest nutrients that haven't been tampered with by pesticides and other nasties, and preserves the environment and farming practices. Check out this site for more even more info. So, without more preamble, here's how you make your very own healthy Nutella:

1. Roast about 1 cup of whole hazelnuts, at 350 for 15 min.

2. Shake to remove skins.

3. In a food processor, purée until becomes oily (hazelnut butter, anyone?), about 3 min.

4. Add 2 tbsp. of organic cocoa, and a good glug of maple syrup.

5. Process until it globs up, then spoon into a jar.

Note: keep in the fridge to keep from going rancid (there are no preservatives in healthy food!)

6. Enjoy!

New Book: Ecoholic Home!

Yay! I've been looking forward to this book for MONTHS! (It has nothing at all to do with the fact that my little store, Sustain, is in it!!!! Okay, okay, its just a little mention, but still, its an international bestseller! Check out page 346!!!! Ahem, pardon my excitement.) Here's how Adria describes her book: 'Ecoholic gives home owners, renters, condo-nesters and even dorm dwellers all the most up-to-date Canadian product and service info you need to eco-fy your private space - all the while pocketing planet-friendly cash savings. So stop stewing in toxins, chucking energy out the window and feeding the trash treadmill, and start transforming your abode into an Ecoholic haven!' This sets the tone for the book - you can imagine how great it is.

Just a note: while this book is useful for everyone, it is really best suited for Canucks, as its full of resources just for us.

New Column - The Green Traveller

Whether you're planning to take a trip in the near future or not, its always nice to let yourself be taken away for a moment to a sunny place - hence I've decided to bring a new column to the PGD, called 'The Green Traveller', featured every Saturday (what better time to daydream than the weekend?). I love travelling, and would forgo so much else in my life in order to be able to afford it. My husband and I have a 'travel fund', in which we put small amounts away each month so that each year we can afford a trip. If its a great year and we've squirreled away a bundle, we go all out and travel Europe or South America; if we've had to skimp out a little, then we go for the quaint lodge somewhere close(ish) to home, like the Caribbean. The point is, there's nothing quite like experiencing other cultures to broaden your horizons and make you truly appreciate the planet we live on. For these reasons I've decided to bring you 'The Green Traveller', but with an eco spin. Eco resorts are popping up all over, so I thought it nice to educate you on just such places. Next time you're planning a trip, make sure you check and see if there are any green lodgings near by. The chances are good. And while you're at it, offset the carbon of your flight. Most airlines will let you do this when you purchase the ticket (online or with a travel agent), and it doesn't cost a lot. Last time, it cost $16.50 (CDN) to offset a flight to Cuba!

For my first posting, I've decided to feature something close to home, in Mexico. Lots of you may be planning a holiday getaway, and Mexico's a hotspot, so I thought it would be fitting. (I'm not ignoring my design fans - each lodge is carefully chosen for both it's eco creds and design.) The Balamku Inn, a small intimate inn with 9 'Palapas' (cottages), and located in the Costa Maya region (southern area of the Yuccatan Penninsula), is strongly dedicated to the environment. It runs completely off of wind and solar power, it was carefully built so as to not disturb the fragile surroundings, and has a strong lean towards ecotourism. You can sea kayak, deep-sea fish, snorkel the nearby world famoush Chinchorra Reef, go birding, hiking, explore Mayan ruins, go horseback riding or just plain veg on the beach with your non-toxic sunscreen and copy of Ecoholic. (Also, for you fellow Canadians, the Balamku is owned by Canadian Expats!). The Balamku has been certified as an EcoResort by several third parties, so you can be sure they are doing what they say!

Here's the best part....it doesn't break the bank! The rates are $80 (high season), $75 (mid), and $70 (low), respectively, with a two night minimum, double occupancy.

'Tea' Lites DIY

During the holidays everyone is sure to have some candles burning - there's something about them that just lend a magical festivity to everything. At the end of every season though, I have all these little bits of candles left over that I don't know what to do with, so I was excited to find this DIY activity. Make these adorable 'tea' lites as eco friendly gifts, or just repurpose them for yourself, they're sure to be a conversation peice at a holiday party. Find old teacups with personality at any salvage shop; in Canada try the Salvation Army or Goodwill. Click here for the full tutorial. If you want a healthier version, try beeswax instead. (Beeswax is infinitely better for the air quality in your home; they actually help purify your space. You can tell how dirty the air in your home is by how black the wax around the wick gets. YIKES, you may not want to know! Beeswax is more expensive to buy, but you get your money's worth as they last A LOT longer than paraffin candles.) You can usually buy just the wax at your local healthfood store. Have fun!

New Column - "Livin' the Green Life"

I'm introducing a new weekly column to Pure Green, in an effort to help PGD apply to all areas of your life, not just design. Lets face it, we all love a pretty room but most of us have practical areas of our lives that we just can't ignore in favour of redecorating, so I'm trying to help with that.

As the holiday's approach, I'm going to feature eco friendly ways to introduce a little cheer into your home. Today I'm tackling air scents - the holidays are perhaps peak time for spritzing a little something, burning some candles or plugging in the glade, not realizing that all the while your home is a toxic soup of chemicals. Scented products for the home often cause an oil film (often methoxyclor, a pesticide that builds up in our fat tissue) to coat our nasal passage, or they release a nerve deadening agent to mask odor (eeew, that can't be good for you!). Now that I've scared you (sorry), the good news is that there are wicked alternatives. The easiest way is to make your own and simmer it in a pot on the stove, thus effectively filling your home with yummy, natural, non-toxic holiday deliciousness.

It's simple: place a pot with water on the stove, and add various ingredients depending on your fancy. Here are some of my favourites:

1. Cloves (or nutmeg) & orangepeel.

2. Cinnamon & vanilla (make sure you get pure vanilla, without added sugar, otherwise your pot might get sticky).

3. Add a few drops of peppermint oil and vanilla for a super yummy holiday scent.

4. Love Chai tea? Add cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom and pepper and bask in the vapours of a delicious cup of chai all day!

Enjoy!

p.s. - I'll be looking for reader inspired, eco friendly holiday decorating. If you're particularly proud of your holiday decorating, or have a great organic cookie recipe, or if you have any requests for something you'd like to see on Pure Green, don't hesitate. Email me!