The Bower Blog

The Green Living Show

Toddled down to the Green Living Show on Sunday.  Lots of yummy food, mostly organic...best coffee I ever had!  It's funny how Green has taken off; a few years ago this show was very "grass roots" (no pun intended) It was quite small consisting mostly of local farmers.  I was astonished how much green we have in our local communities.  At my mosaic class, I had received a free ticket from Carol Anne who is the owner of Ontario's Own.  These are people living out their dream.  A number of years ago, they sold their home in Leaside and bought a trailer park outside of Toronto.  I suspect this is what sustains their Ontario's Own business.  Their products include soups, stocks, purees (apple, pear, peach) and jarred chillis.  It's enterprising.  They contact local farmers and only use their product for their jarred goods.  When we first met Carol Anne last week, she was in the throws of being accepted to appear on the incredibly popular show, Dragon's Den.  I hope she does well either by way of money from the Dragons or from promotion.  She's an enthusiastic gal who loves her business but if the show and her phone ringing is any testament, it's a lot of really hard work.  I saw a number of Dragon Den recipients at the show-kudos to all.

The food tasting was great; local shops and restauranteurs cooked for you.  You purchased 5 tickets for $10.00 and then presented either one or two at the cooking kiosk.  We calculated it was a bit pricey, but sampling is always fun.  My particular favourite? Beet salad with goat cheese.  MMMMM.  I wish I could invent something and hop on the Green Gravy train.  Alas, my area of expertise only extends to art and real estate.  Not sure yet how to incorporate those things!

Cheryl Bower

www.CherylBower.com

 

Strolling in the Neighbourhood

I live in a great area; tree lined streets, between two major retail roads, Mount Pleasant and Bayview, plus my neighbours are great. 

Today I worked out with Reggie the Great.  Reggie has been my trainer for a few years and I see him a couple of times a week.  As I've aged, it is important to have some muscle training and since I can't remember any of the exercises, he gently guides me through routines.  Some days I curse him; other days thank him as it feels good to stretch and limber up.  We talked as usual about work-outs, food input, diet and what to do exercise.  The twice weekly is just not enough.  Reggie said, "Have you thought of taking an evening stroll?"  I responded that I walk Elmo Bower 3 times a day and to date, that's about as much strolling I do.  He mentioned another client that takes a stroll after dinner.  It's not vigorous, however it is for about an hour.  His client has never felt better and is gradually dropping some weight.  Since I love walking and Spring is my favourite time of year, I think I shall take a stroll in my great neighbourhood after dinner each night.  Today I spent 3 hours in the garden cleaning up.  I even planted a little pot for the porch.  The container is from my dearly departed friend Helen.  It made me very happy to put those lovely yellow flowers in her pot.

 

Cheryl Bower

www.CherylBower.com

A Gardener's Itch

Last Thursday was a warm day.  As a result, I decided to pop into my backyard and see what up.  This past winter has ravaged the lawn as discovered in my exploration.  Some large plants are leaning over and of course there is the usual residue of animal "stuff".  I got to cleaning up as the City of Toronto had their first garden pick up this past week.  I also popped down to Canada Blooms.  The show is expensive, $20.00 + $13.00 for parking, however if you want a blast of spring, this is the place to be.  In conversation with one of my gardening friends yesterday, he said that if your shoe leaves an inprint in the lawn, you're in your backyard too early.  In other words, wait a few weeks.  If you are a gardener, two weeks is a lifetime!

I cannot wait for the first bloom of my deep purple tulips in the front lawn.  Right after, the pink ones pop up.  In the back, the climbing hydrangea starts to bud, as do the hostas.  I love seeing the lime green colours of spring.  I've enclosed a picture from last year's garden to remind myself that it's coming!

 

Cheryl Bower

www.CherylBower.com

Earth Day

Did you know that April 24 marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day?  There is something about the weather today, impending spring all coupled with a disturbing movie I just watched called FOOD, Inc. that gets me thinking about the greening of our country.  FOOD Inc. is an insider's view of the U.S. food industry, additives (hormones and antibiotics) to the feed for our chickens, cows and pork.  Gotta tell ya, made me want to be a vegetarian, or at least someone that buys from local organic farmers.  Check it out; it can be downloaded or purchased from www.Amazon.com  Anyway, I digress.  I started to really think about our planet a few years ago when we went to Italy.  The food was so fresh, unpreservered and simple.  The following year, I made a potted garden of tomatoes and herbs; this year will be more.  There are a few things on the market that I'd like to mention in case you lean the ecology way. 

The AeroGarden takes the guesswork out of growing fresh herbs or vegetables at any time of the year.  It's easy; pop in a grow pod, add water and a nutrient tab, plug in the Aerogarden and voila, it will sprout everything from herbs and sale greens to cherry tomatoes at a rapid-speed growth as a result of being in a rainforest-like environment.  No dirt, weeds or mess plus auto alerts that notify you when water or nutrients are needed.  Go to: www.aerogardendirect.ca

Southbrook Vineyards was the producer of Canad's first biodynamic wine in 2008 and the only LEEP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold-certified winery.  Their Cabernet Rose will be released, fittingly, on Earth Day for $19.

There is a new restaurant on Yonge street called GLOBE EARTH (www.globeearth.ca) that features fark to fork cuisine.  Everything is slow cooked and is eco-friendly with soft black wlls, recycled aluminium chandeliers.  Lovely.  1055 Yonge Street, Toronto 416-551-9890. 

Anyway, I can't wait to get my hands dirty; garden will be bigger and better this year; even thinking to purchase a mini-greenhouse.  How cool would that be?

Cheryl Bower

www.CherylBower.com

RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.

Homebuyers care about Sustainability

What is sustainability?  The World Commission on environment and Development defines it as"meeting the needs of the present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs."  Small, everyday changes we make can affect the future of our environment.

As concerns over climate change continue to grow, more homebuyers will demaind sustainable features in a home.  Homeowners planning to update a home to sell, may turn to a Realtor for information on sustainable improvements to enhance the home's salability.  Hoebuyers may want to talk to Realtors about what sustainable features to look for that help save money on utility usage and costs.  You'll find many tips about sustainability as well as energy efficiency grants available at the following goverment websites:

Homeowner grants  www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca

Using less, Living better www.ecoation.gc.ca

Hydro One energy Efficient Tips and Tools  www.powersaver.ca

Water Saving tips  www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca

Conservation Solutions  www.greenontario.org

tips on Greening your Home  www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/myenvironment

Recycling:  www.rc.on.ca/resources/residents

Habitat for Humanity Restores:  www.habitat.ca/restore

Garden and Landscaping 

www.compost.org/backyard.html

www.evergreen.ca/nativeplants

The Eat Well Guide:  www.eatwellguide.org

Cheryl Bower

www.CherylBower.com

RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.

Eco Friendly STUFF

My dear friends, Peter Chin and Nancy DeHart, created a company which promotes and sells Eco-friendly gear for Baby and Mama.....  The company's name is Kai Kids (www.KaiKids.com) It is gentle on your family and gentle on the earth. 

Kai Kids is a family-owned, Toronto-based online boutique specializing in ethically-made, eco-friendly clothing and accessories for babies, toddlers, new moms and moms-to-be!  From BPA-free bottles to bamboo scratch mittens, stainless steel food containers to sexy soy nursing gear, they've got everything you need to raise your family green! Many of the products are Canadaian and mom-made, plus they try their lines on their own family.  They have a local pick-up option in the GTA to avoid shipping costs.

I've tried the momma butter, a luxurious body butter that makes your skins feel sumptuous afterward.  Give www.KaiKids.com a try!  They'd love to hear from you!

Cheryl Bower

www.CherylBower.com

RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd.

 

Up Nord der, eh?

I was born and raised in Toronto; a large city to be sure.  There is something in me that absolutely loves the North country.  When we were little, my dad used to drive and drive and it was always in the country.  I suspect I became a budding Real Estate Agent/Designer/Entrepreneur when I was 4.  My dad's family had a property in a town called Hornings Mills. The property was gorgeous and my great grandmother lived there, tilled the land and had this spectacular old Victorian home that sat nessled at the bottom of a hill.  The heat was an old wood stove in the kitchen and hot rocks at the bottom of the bed.  I recall standing in that kitchen, overlooking the back meadow, filled with spots of yellow and purple flowers and say, "one day I'm going to have something like this"  Throughout my life I have had those moments that changed a direction of focus.  That was an early one, but every home I've ever had was at least 80 years old.  I love the creaks, nuances and the character of them.  The purchase of a new condo in central Toronto was quite a departure to say the least!

Over the years I have driven up north to either our own cottage or other peoples.  This week we are heading up to a lodge in Algonquin Park.  I keep going on-line to look at the place.  With all the rain this year, I'm so happy the trees have been late in turning their colours.  I can't wait to see the explosion of colour and experience fresh air, a fireplace, good books and...ATV riding on Monday through the bush.  Have a great Thanksgiving everyone, from our home to yours.

A sea of Green, Blue and Grey

The City of Toronto has set up an exciting plan that supports our ability to make a serious contribution to waste reduction; this is a vital step in making positive change to our environment.  You've seen it; the sea of blue and green bins, respectively recyclable and perishable items in each box.  We will soon be introducing the grey garbage bins.  By 2010 the City will divert 70% of Toronto's waste from our Green lane Landfill site which will extend its life until 2034.  The new bins are on wheels which make for easy transportation to the curb and also when it is lifted into the garbage truck by mechanical means, it helps the workers.  I suspect the lifting can get pretty heavy. 

You can read more about the City of Toronto's Target 70 Plan at:  www.target70.ca

I think it's a good thing.

I Read, Therefore I am

On this beautiful Earth Day, 2008 I have just finished GO GREEN, LIVE RICH by my guru David Bach.  I have read all of David Bach's books for the simple reason they have changed my financial life and outlook.  Let me tell you why I like David Bach. (he has written Smart Women Finish Rich, Start Late, Finish Rich, the Automatic Millionaire to name a few).  His books are an easy read and what I get from him is that he genuinely wants to help the reader better their lives.  This is also helped along by the fact that he has taken the time to translate all of his books (he's from New York) to Canadian content.  This is incredibly important; I attended a Wealth Symposium last year through the Learning Annex and my biggest complaint, other than the carny-like atmosphere and the push to buy tapes, was that the majority of the speakers had not taken the time to educate themselves to the rules of our land, Canada.  In the Real Estate seminars, of which I was interested in, there was much talk of closings and hiring staff to close your deals.  In Canada, we entrust our closings to competent lawyers.

David Bach spoke at this year's Learning Annex symposium.  He was eloquent, articulate and classy not to mention he had meticulously researched the lay of Canada's land when it came to real estate and finances.

So what did I garner from his new book?  Well the earth is the "new black" in the context of dinner party conversation.  So I have implemented a programmable thermostat (this year saved about $400!!!!); I had Rob install a clothesline; he went outside yesterday and said the clothes flapping in the wind reminded him of our trip last year to Italy. We are big recyclers of everything and put out a garbage can only once a month.  This year, I am hosting in my neighbourhood the Yardsale for the Cure (May 31).  I've started to collect stuff to sell-one gal's junk is another's treasure.  By selling things and having others use it is a way of recycling. Then the proceeds can go to the Canadian Cancer Foundation, a cause near and dear to my heart.  Oh, yeah, I installed all those fluorescent bulbs (make sure you bring them back when they burn out to Ikea or Home Depot which has disposal units set up; they have small amounts of mercury in them).

I know this does not sound earth-shattering, but if we all did a small part, what a difference it would make to our planet.  Nothing touched me more this weekend then to see all those people out with their children, cleaning up the side of the Bayview extension and local parks.  We are setting an example to our children by participating in these events.  Kudos to Canada.....

"The Night the Lights Went Out In...."

Was Earth Hour a success?  I think anything that has momentum and gets the world thinking succeeds.  Us gals and partners treated it like New Year's Eve....turned the lights out, went around hugging and kissing and then kept the lights off until around 10. Glorious candlelight, passionate discussion.  Only one mishap; Deb almost fell down the stairs because she couldn't see. 

According to the media, and in particular The Star, which has been a huge promoter of this event, the Control Centre at Toronto Hydro recorded 5% below the consumption levels an hour earlier between about 8:15 and 9:10.  Not earth shattering, but what it proved was that individuals can collectively make a difference. 

What we discussed last night was,  why do we leave lights on and electricity running when we go out?  What is the purpose?  My friend Laura has been a passionate recycler for as long as I've known her.  She is the one that has one tiny bag of garbage (non-recyclable) every 2 weeks.  No small feat when you are running a household.  My friends Peter Chin and Nancy DeHart were featured in the Toronto Star as part of the promotion for Earth Hour.  They have a company called Kai Kids (www.Kaikids.com) which focuses on using only sustainable and natural products.  The kids clothing are made of things like bamboo and the products, like Mama Butter (I ordered that!!!) are scrumptious.  They are people making a difference and they are local so if you like their products, you don't even have to have them shipped!

Big or small, there are neighbourhoods, individuals and companies making a difference in our society.  It's a good thing.