Posts Tagged ‘Contest’

I don't know what it is, because my partner is very eco-conscious in most ways, but I seem to follow him around the house turning the lights off after him. No matter how much I pester him, he still leaves them on. I think I'll make him sign up for the Ontario Power Authority's Power Pledge, a online pledge to reduce Phantom Power — the electricity used by some home electronics and appliances even when they are turned off. Phantom Power can waste up to 15 per cent of the average home’s electricity use.

OK, so not exactly about turning off the lights, but it will certainly keep us cognizant of the amount of power we use in our home.

Apparently for the average Ontario household, which uses about 1,000 kilowatt-hours of power a month, phantom power can cost up to $100 a year. And, three of every four Ontario residents are unaware of this invisible user of electricity.

Aside from committing to reducing phantom power (by totally shutting off your TV, stereo, computer, rechargeable devices and gaming consoles when not in use), you can commit to reducing your power usage a variety of other ways. And, Ontarians who take the Pledge will earn 20 AIR MILES reward miles. Plus, the Ontario Power Authority will donate 10 reward miles to a participating charity of your choice, like WWF-Canada.

If you don't live in Ontario, it's still worth checking out the site to see how you can cut down on power usage.

In honour of this great program, the OPA has offered up three AMAZING prize packs (check out the image below). They include:

• A power bar with automatic shutoff to reduce phantom power
• 1,000 Bonus Air Miles (this could get $140 in grocery gift certificates, movie tickets or even a 3 piece luggage set)
• A cute & cuddly toy panda from WWF-Canada
• Cold water laundry detergent

The OPA prize pack!

To be eligible to win, simply tell us here what you are going to do to help reduce the use of phantom power. I'll announce the winners here on Tuesday, April 20. Remember, you need to be a subscriber to win. Also, even those who live outside of Ontario are eligible to win.

I think it's official: Spring is here to stay. When I woke up this morning I ran over to my little seedlings, and alas, my cucumbers, tomatoes, kale and marigolds have all sprouted. I'm patiently waiting on a few others, though. Tomorrow I'll be heading over to my garden plot to start working on the soil and pulling out some weeds. Sounds like spring, right?

Also, I have another great giveaway for you folks. I'm offering up a year supply of Cascades Enviro 100% recycled fibre bathroom tissue (see image below)! Cascades bathroom tissue has been given the seal of approval by Eco Logo and boasts that its:

• Made of Enviro 100 per cent recycled fibres (with a high percentage of post-consumer material).
• Produced with 80 per cent less water than the industry average.
• Bleached without chlorine.

Imagine not having to buy bathroom tissue for a whole year?!

If you'd like to enter to win this prize, just subscribe to my blog and leave a response hear telling me how you're going to enjoy these first few days of a real, sunny spring. I will announce the winner here on Friday, April 9.

I'm sure you've all been thinking about gearing your garden up for spring. You're all ordering your seeds, stockpiling used yogurt containers for starting your seedlings and dreaming of fresh produce. I have a great giveaway for the gardeners of the bunch - A Garant Enviro planter (an environmentally friendly planter made of renewable resources like bamboo and rice, and will apparently biodegrade when buried or put in a landfill), a Garant Botanica compact utility shovel and a Garant Total Control cultivator!

Calling all gardeners - Who wouldn't want this nifty prize to get their garden going?

To win this prize, just subscribe to this blog and leave a message below telling us what you look forward to the most about gardening season? Is it the dirt in your nails? The exercise? The ripe produce? Share you answers here. I'll announce the winner next Friday, March 5.

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.

Congrats to Irene! You've been randomly selected to win a copy of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Organic Living, written by Eliza Sarasohn and Sonia Weiss.

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!

I always find that it's a bit harder to buy local foods during our colder months. There's something about the lack of berries, peaches and tender lettuce that just gets me down about grocery shopping. Oh, don't get me wrong, I love my sweet potatoes and apples just as much as the next gal, but I think spring and summer bounty is my absolute fave.

Luckily I came across WWF's Canada's Sustainable Food Buying Guide. The Guide has a handy list of what's available in specific provinces in different seasons. It also has some information about sustainable food, food-buying tips and yummy menu ideas. You can download your free copy here!

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Organic Living

Also, I have great news. I'm giving away one copy of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Organic Living, written by Eliza Sarasohn and Sonia Weiss. This is a guide that provides step-by-step solutions for going organic in most aspects of your day-to-day life. It's useful for anyone wanting to make sustainable changes to their lifestyle.

All you have to do is subscribe to my blog and leave a comment here telling me what your favourite fall and winter dish is (showcasing local bounty, of course)!

I'll announce a winner here on Friday, November 6.

Do you think this kitchen actually gets any use?

When I asked you all last week what part of your house you would green, many of you mentioned your kitchens. Well, I have good news: greening doesn't always mean spending lots of money. There are lots of little things we can do in our kitchens to help reduce our ecological footprint.

• What are you cooking with? Make sure your staple fry or sauce pans are made of stainless steel or cast iron. These options are free of toxins.

• Say no to plastic baggies and wrap. Though little resealable bags are darned convenient, they cause unnecessary waste. You can find glass and BPA-free plastic alternatives to house odds, ends,  snacks and lunches!

• Close the door. Your oven door, that is. Taking a look at your apple pie before it's finished will allow lots of heat to escape from that oven, which will then have to work extra hard to climb back up to the appropriate temperature (I get scolded for this one all the time ... but it's really hard not to peek!).

• Go ahead and put the kettle on, just don't fill it up all the way. If you're only having one cuppa, put the required amount of water in the kettle. If you fill it all the way up, you're wasting more energy getting water that you're not even using to a boil.

For all of you who dream of a nicer, cleaner and greener kitchen, I have great news. You can enter Canadian Living's Ugliest Kitchen contest for your chance to win a $25,000 kitchen makeover from The Home Depot. All you have to do is submit a photo or video of your kitchen here. Find more information on the Ugly Kitchen Contest here!

I hope you all had a nice weekend!

I'd like to congratulate ... (more...)

What local delectable will you be cooking up this weekend?

Well, it's here. There's no denying that summer is totally gone, and fall has reared its chilly, yet spectacularly colourful, head. I forgot about all the delicious bounty that's available this time of year. Apples, squash, potatoes, Brussels sprouts, kale, cranberries, cabbage, carrots ... you catch my drift.

Tonight, I'll be knee deep in the apples I picked last weekend. I'll bake my mother's apple pie (I watched her cook pies for years, and it's amazing what one remembers) and Canadian Living's Apple Cardamom Cake. Then I'll be heading up to the cottage - pie in tow - with my family, and who knows what yummy treats will be served!

What special treat, made with your local ingredients, will you be cooking up this Thanksgiving?

If you need any tips, head to our everything Thanksgiving page for great ideas.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!