The Bower Blog

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.

Earth Hour

On March 29, 2008 at 8 p.m., the world is turning off its lights for an hour-Earth Hour-to show it's possible to take action on climate change.  Switching off your lights is a simple action that you can take to help make a difference and it sends a powerful message that we care about our planet.

What are you doing for Earth Hour? We have gathered the "girls" and their respective partners and we're having a giant Italian dinner by candlelight; we may even go one more hour, who knows?  All I know is climate change is a big environmental scar on our planet and a number one concern for Canadians.  We want to be part of the solution and send a powerful message to others that, together, we can make a difference. As a concerned community, it's also a way to get together, catch up and discuss how we can make change.  Funny, we actually discuss this stuff.  My friend, Laura prides herself on her ability to throw out only one tiny bag in the garbage every 2 weeks; I've seen it, it's unbelievable-she recycles everything.  I want that dedication.