This is a perfect stocking stuffer.

This Consonant Help Somebody Soap would make a great stocking stuffer for anyone!  I was recently sent a sample and am impressed by the cute packaging, subtle scent and great cause. All $12 of the purchase price of this 100 per cent natural product is donated to the Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW) charity, an organization that distributes bedkits to needy children in developing countries (you can find out more info on SCAW here).

According to their website, Consonant Body products are made with natural ingredients like fair trade and organic oils, and are free of artificial colours or dyes.

You can purchase Consonant products at Sears or online here.

Don't forget to enter my current giveaway, I'll be choosing a winner on Monday.

Adria Vasil, of Ecoholic fame, recommends No-Miss and Suncoat nail polish. Though they aren't 100 per cent natural, she says, they're better than a lot of products on the market. Both are commonly available at health stores. Vasil also says that Revlon and L'Oreal's Jet-Set Shine are free of formaldehyde and toluene (two big environmental offenders that are often found in nail polish).

Also, a brief search on the Internet introduced me to Acquarella, described as water based and non toxic, and Peace Keeper (which also carries a vegan, biodegradable nail polish remover). Acquarella and Peace Keeper can be purchased online.

Prefer to get pampered by an esthetician? Bring your eco-friendly nail polish to the spa with you.

Here's to happy feet!

Raincoast supports sustainable fishing practices to ensure healthy fish stocks for future generations, and they harvest only wild caught seafood. Plus, their canned fish is single-cooked to preserve its natural oils, nutrition and rich flavour and they don’t add water or oil to the fish during the canning process. Raincoast Trading products (canned and frozen fish) are sold a Loblaws, Whole Food, IGA and organic grocers, and prices range for $2.99 - $11.50.

Kelly PC, Wonn and Elizabeth V: When you give your fish a try, please let us know what you think of it.

Do you use cloth napkins at home?

Dear Santa: Save some of those cookies for me!

Have you started thinking about Christmas yet? It seems as soon as Halloween is over, the upcoming festive season is on everyone's mind. I have no doubt pretty little lights will soon be hanging from neighbourhood trees and shortly after, Christmas trees will be popping up in people's front windows (not that I look in other people's windows, I swear!).

No matter how early the rest of the world jumps on the holiday bandwagon, I can never seem to get organized early enough. Sure, I make plans in my head, but I usually don't put them into action until December 23. However, one thing I do get excited about is planning how to greenify my Christmas.

This year I'm going to buy a small coniferous tree, plant it in a pot and keep it inside for a couple of weeks over the holidays. When Christmas is over, I'll move it back outside and care for it. I'm hoping this way I'll be able to use it as a Christmas tree for a few years to come.

If you're more into buying a fresh Christmas tree every year, try to find a locally grown one and, before purchase, inquire if it's been grown in a sustainable manner.

Have a greener Christmas!

If you're stumped for ways to go green this holiday season, you should check out A Greener Christmas. It's a great book that will give you ideas on how you can make your Christmas more eco-friendly: From recycled decorations to making your own cards and hand-crafted gift ideas. Now for the good news? I have on copy of A Greener Christmas to give away to one luck reader. Just subscribe to my blog and leave a reply here sharing your tips and tricks for a greener holiday season! I'll announce the winner on Monday, November 23.

Here are few tips and tricks to heat your home efficiently during the cold months:

• Get a programmable thermostat. With one, you can set your heat without even being at home. Try setting it to a higher temperature for the chilly mornings, lowering it during the day when you're at work, and programming it to warm up your house just before you get there. You can get a programmable thermostat for about $50 (and up) at your local Canadian Tire. Think how much money you'll save on energy bills!

• Check your house for air leaks. Is your front room particularly drafty? Could be that you have a leak in your windows. Be sure to seal up any hidden leaks with caulking and weather stripping. Doing so will save you a ton on your power bills.

• Give your furnace a tune-up. It's important to call in a professional every fall to ensure your furnace is in working order and free of deficiencies. Giving it annual check-ups will also make your furnace last longer, saving you money down the road. Also, make sure you clean and/or replace filters regularly.

Find more tips for winterizing your home here!

Also, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to my blog and enter my latest Raincoast giveaway! I'll be announcing a winner on November 20.

I loved reading about everyone's favourite fall dish ... it made me hungry (and gave me plenty of cooking ideas).

Irene said: "My favourite fall and winter dish is any meat stew with hearty vegetables like carrots and potatoes served with hearty home made bread. The smell of stew "stewing" on the stove in the kitchen brings back warm childhood memories of my grandmother's cooking. Now, with our busy lives, I make my stews in the crockpot in the morning, and I still get that warm feeling when I come in through the door and know that a delicious meal is waiting for me as if my grandmother was still here."

Don't forget to enter my Raincoast giveaway. It's a good one!

Have a great weekend.

Raincoast Trading canned fish: Sustainable fish is good for you and the environment!

I recently heard about Raincoast Trading, a company that has been selling premium wild seafood products since 1978. The company supports sustainable fishing practices to ensure healthy fish stocks for future generations, and they harvest only wild caught seafood. Plus, their canned fish is single-cooked to preserve its natural oils, nutrition and rich flavour and they don’t add water or oil to the fish during the canning process. Raincoast is also endorsed by Ocean Wise,  a program created by the Vancouver Acquarium that works closely with restaurants, markets and seafood products to help ensure the seafood they use is harvested in a sustainable manner, keeping ocean life rich and healthy.

Raincoast Trading products (canned and frozen fish) are sold a Loblaws, Whole Food, IGA and or organic grocers, and prices range for $2.99 - $11.50.

Read more about making sustainable seafood choices here!

Want even better news? I'm giving away three Raincoast Trading gift packs, which all contain three cans of premium, sustainable fish: Albacore Tuna, Pink Salmon and Sockeye Salmon.

All you have to do is SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG and leave a reply here, telling me what your favourite seafood dish is and you could be a winner! I'll announce three randomly selected winners here on Thursday, November 20.

And, don't forget to enter my book giveaway, I'm announcing the winner tomorrow!

It's so nice to know that I'll have something to plan for over the winter, making the long, dark and cold months go by faster. I'm already thinking about what seeds I'll order!

Do any of you garden in a community garden? What's it like?

Say yes to reusable produce bags

I just got word that Metro will be selling reusable produce bags come the end of November. These will be available as an alternative to the rolls of plastic bags offered in the produce section. A package of four bags will be sold for $4.99. This is a steal, considering you'll have them forever.

I find this pretty cool. Metro is the first major grocery chain to be selling these, and hopefully other ones will soon follow suit.

Here's another alternative to plastic produce bags, sold at Grassroots stores.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway, I'm announcing the winner on November 6.