I am writing this week’s article from a hotel room in Toronto. Earlier, while I was waiting in a seemingly-endless line at the check-in desk, I had a few moments to peruse the hotel’s “environmental pledge”. It got me thinking; as diligent as we are to remain environmentally-friendly at home, it seems that many of us slip into bad habits as soon as we check into a hotel. How soon we forget that the little things, like leaving the light on when exiting the room and taking extra-long hot showers, can quickly add up. You probably don’t wash your bed sheets every day or use a fresh towel (or two) for each shower that you take at home, so why should you expect it elsewhere? I’ve compiled a few tips to help you “go green” and reduce your impact when you travel. Of course, I’ve also included a few eco-friendly, handmade items to make your trip a more pleasurable one, too. (Upcycled suitcase, above, by Get Ready, Set Go!)
Have you ever wanted to throw a dart at a map and travel to the spot that it hits? While that idea has a certain spontaneous appeal, perhaps a little more thought should go into not just the location, but the timing of your trip. Traveling during the high-season can mean a higher stress level for the traveler and for the destination itself. By shifting your travel plans to even just a month after a peak period, you allow the area to recover and rejuvenate itself. Plus, chances are that you and your family will get to see things that high-season visitors don’t and you will be get a more authentic experience. It’s a great way to get to see a culture at it’s relaxed and natural best. (Passport holder, above, by My Paper Garden.)
Eco-conscious travelers choose tour operators and facilities with strong environmental sustainability policies Before you book, do a little research and ask questions about the property that you intend to visit. If they have good practices in place, then they’ll be happy to brag about them! You might be pleasantly surprised to learn that your hotel composts kitchen waste, or that they are taking actions to conserve water and energy. Ask about low-flow toilets, water-saving showerheads and earth friendly housekeeping, then reward companies that put these polices into practice by giving them your business. And, don’t forget to write home – recycled map stationary (above) by Dote.
As the old saying goes, “take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints”. While those little single-use shampoos and soaps are cute, they tend to generate more garbage than they are worth. Before you depart for your adventure, buy small, refillable containers to port your own toiletries. Not only will you reduce waste, you’ll be using products that you know are good for you, rather than leaving it to chance. Even better than bottled, the Lemon Basil shampoo bar (above) by Beautiful Soaps contains conditioning rose hip seed and neem oils and is 100% spill proof – perfect for the suitcase or backpack.
Whether you are hostelling or staying in 5-star comfort, you can always try to make a positive impact on the places you visit. By treating your home away from home with the same care that you treat your own, you help to ensure others who follow will be able to experience and enjoy it, too. We can all can make a difference, especially if we take the steps, both large and small, together. What else can we do? I would love to hear your eco-friendly travel tips – please comment and share them with us. (Travel journal, above, by Blue Toad.)
Rebecca Hadfield
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Ok, I’ll admit it – I am a romantic. Not your stereotypical “roses and sonnets” romantic, but an optimistic, lover-of-love just the same. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy getting flowers as much as the next girl, but it tends to be the off-beat that makes my heart skip-a-beat. One of the most romantic gifts that I ever received wasn’t a piece of sparkly jewelry or a candlelit dinner in a fancy restaurant, but a group of googly-eyed rocks placed around my garden by a certain handsome fella. Given the fact that my idea of a romantic hero is less Romeo Montague and more Lloyd Dobbler, it should come as no surprise that he (and the rocks) won my heart. I suppose that little story serves to explain why I adore all of this week’s handmade finds so much.
“I gave her my heart and she gave me a pen” – Say Anything
Created without a pattern and made from a combination of upcycled and new materials, Love Bunny (above) from Design Lab 443, is quirky-cool (and adorably eco-friendly!) Tracy, a busy mom and talented graphic designer, creates fresh and original items like these out of a love for making “something out of nothing”. Be sure to check out her blog for a sneak-peek of what’s she’s currently working on, as well as a glimpse of all the things she holds dear.
“That day, she was amazed to discover that when he was saying “As you wish”, what he meant was, “I love you.” And even more amazing was the day she realized she truly loved him back.” – The Princess Bride
At first glance, this pillow (above) reads “As you wish”, but anyone who is familiar with the timeless love story of Buttercup and Westley will know that what it really says is “I love you”. With a pocket in the back to hold a token of your affection or perhaps a love note, this upcycled heart has been lovingly fashioned from a wool suit coat and can even be scented with your choice of essential oil. Kendra of By Hand at Home can even create a custom heart for your sweetheart; just contact her through her shop for details.
“It doesn’t matter if the guy is perfect or the girl is perfect, as long as they are perfect for each other.”- Good Will Hunting
One thing that I love about handmade items is that no two are ever exactly alike. To me, the beauty lies in the differences that exist between one item to the next. These little works of art, like the one above, by Recycled Art Company embrace that concept to the fullest. Handmade with reclaimed wood and salvaged license plates, each one is perfectly, or rather, imperfectly unique. Not surprisingly, the story behind Recycled Art Company is a love story in itself. Working their way through grad school with two young children in tow, the creative “tree-huggers” behind the art are celebrating 12 years of marriage and partnership. The passion and enthusiasm that they share is truly evident in the fun, whimsical pieces that they create.
“Hearts will never be practical until they are made unbreakable.“ – Wizard of Oz
According to that logic, I suppose this pillow by Raging Wool is as practical as can be. Made from hundreds of strips of pure cashmere, recycled from thrifted sweaters and inserted by hand into a base of 100% wool (also upcycled), it is as soft and touchable as it is lovely to look at. The clever person responsible for the creation of this one-of-a-kind piece is Peg, a mother of three and self-described “fiber junkie”. A quick browse around her shop is all you need to see the care and patience that goes into each item. And, just like all of this week’s featured shops – you can feel the love. <3
Rebecca Hadfield
If it stands still long enough, Rebecca will most likely glue something to it and then blog about it. Visit Rebecca's
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When you think of Valentines Day, what comes to mind? Giant heart-shaped boxes of candy filled with high-fructose corn syrup, artificial-colours and synthetic flavours? Surely there is a better way to say “I love you” without sacrificing our commitment to better eating! Thankfully, living the life organic doesn’t have to mean giving up sweet treats.
Meeting the demands of consumers looking for high-quality, scrumptious and “better for you” confectionery products, Beth and Vincent of Have it Sweet offer an incredible range of mouth-watering products made by hand with natural, organic ingredients. “We use local farm fresh cream and organic butter, all natural, non-GMO corn syrup, organic cane sugar, organic fair trade vanilla, Callebaut Belgian Chocolate, perfectly toasted organic nuts, organic spices and extracts and unrefined salt. We are completely and utterly preservative free and 90% of our products are gluten free.”
Vincent, the brilliant pastry chef and confectioner behind Have it Sweet’s original recipes, has worked tirelessly to create a veritable rainbow of flavours that will tempt your eyes and your taste buds, such as his unique Cinnamon Almond Nougat (above). Described by Beth as “a confection created by angels”, this soft, pink-tinted nougat is made in the French style and is filled with crunchy roasted cinnamon-sugar coated almonds. Made with all-natural ingredients (including the food colouring used to give it its rosy hue), this nougat will make your sweetheart say “Ooh la la!”
What would Valentine’s Day be without a little chocolate? The adorably-named “Love is in the Airamels” (pictured above) are blushing-pink Tahitian vanilla caramels layered with Callebaut Belgian dark chocolate. Made with Have it Sweet’s secret recipe and the finest ingredients, these are caramels like no other. Plus, they’re good for you! Loaded with anti-oxidant flavonoids, dark chocolate has been shown to lower blood-pressure and increase anti-depressant serotonin levels in the brain.
As light as air and swirled with natural pink peppermint, Have it Sweet’s Pink Peppermint Marshmallows are as pretty to look at as they are fun to eat. Free of dairy, gluten, soy and nuts, these all-natural fluffy delights are perfect for snacking, floating in a mug of cocoa, or as the star of the show in a chocolate-peppermint s’more. You can also indulge your darling’s sweet tooth all year round with a gift of the “Marshmallow of the Month” club. Every month for an entire year, your Valentine will receive an eco-friendly package containing the marshmallow flavour-of-the-month. February’s flavour is, of course, Pink Peppermint. Please see Have it Sweet’s shop for more details.
Not only are all of these confections a delight to behold, they will all arrive at your door in 100% environmentally-friendly packaging. From the parchment that wraps the treats, to the tape that seals the boxes, all of the packaging materials used by Have it Sweet are recycled/recyclable and eco-friendly. As Beth sweetly puts it, “Our packaging, ingredients and core values are a symbol of who we are a company and how we feel about the earth.”
Rebecca Hadfield
If it stands still long enough, Rebecca will most likely glue something to it and then blog about it. Visit Rebecca's
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I’ll admit it – I have really been slacking on my workouts lately. My running log has more blank pages than I care to mention and I can’t remember the last time I saluted the sun. With the new year, though, comes a fresh start and a chance to get back on-track. Step one of my recommitment to fitness took place this morning when I signed on the dotted line, smiled for my ID photo and joined a wellness-center. After perusing their catalogue of classes and workshops, I realized just how much I miss taking Yoga and the balance that it brought to my body and mind.
If you have ever taken a Yoga class, you are most likely familiar with the salutation “Namaste”. A composite of two Sanskrit words (Nama = “bend/bow” and Te = “you”), it is commonly spoken at the end of class as a gesture of respect and honor. With the two hands pressed together and held near the heart, teacher and student gently bow to one another and say “Namaste”. When I came across this gorgeous hand-knit shrug (pictured above), I knew by it’s name, Namaste, that there was a Yoga-fanatic responsible for its creation. Manuela of Lunamuse Fibers is not only a talented fiber-artist, but also a passionate Yoga instructor and regular blogger on yogajournal.com. Check out the Lunamuse Fibers shop to see more of Manuela’s gorgeous hand-spun yarns and knits and be sure to visit her Yoga website to learn more about her teaching of the ancient practice.
Thinking back on the classes that I have taken in the past, made me reflect on the ways that practicing Yoga helped me work through some challenging times. One symbol of overcoming struggles in life and achieving enlightenment is the Lotus flower. Starting out in the mud at the bottom of a pond, the lotus grows up through murky water, optimistically reaching toward the light. When it reaches the surface of the pond, it blooms into a beautiful flower. These Samsara Lotus Flower earrings (above) handmade by Lauren of Lala Design Studio perfectly capture the essence of that symbolism with darkened, twisted stems leading to a polished, shining blossom.
The beauty of Yoga is that it one really requires little in terms of equipment to practice it. While all the fancy accessories are nice, all I require (besides something comfy to wear) is an extra-long “sticky” mat and a good bag to carry it in. I love this eco-friendly, upcycled Yoga mat bag (above) made from old sails. Anyone who has ever struggled to get their mat back into a traditional bag will appreciate the unique, easy to use design by the talented mother/daughter team behind RAGGEDedgeGear. And, as someone who practically grew up on a sailboat, I can vouch for the durability of the materials used to create the bags. If sailcloth can withstand the punishment of the seas, it can handle pretty much anything you can throw at it. I have no doubt that your one of a kind Ragged Edge bag will see you through years of downward dogs and mountain poses.
I’ve always said that I do my best thinking when I run, but it’s during Yoga that I do my best “un-thinking“. Taking an hour or so to focus on my balance and breathing gives me a chance to disconnect from the demands of the world and re-connect with my own needs. It might sound a little selfish to the uninitiated, but it has been my experience that the more I nurture my own body and mind, the better equipped I am to nurture others. I always find that my most satisfying classes are those that challenge me both physically and mentally and then conclude with a long, well-deserved Savasana, or “corpse pose”. It is during this time of total stillness that the mind is allowed to enter a higher state of awareness and is said by some to be better than sleep. Sometimes, though, even in Savasana it is hard to calm a racing mind. During those times, the remedy can be as simple as applying a soothing eye-pillow filled with organic lavender and kamut, such as the ones pictured above from Vancouver’s Stitchella. Ahhhhh….serenity now.
Namaste.
Rebecca Hadfield
If it stands still long enough, Rebecca will most likely glue something to it and then blog about it. Visit Rebecca's
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At our house, December 2009 was a blur of working, crafting and traveling. Somehow, in all of the excitement and frenzy of the holidays, the 31 days of 2009’s final month felt more like 13 days. There just never seemed enough time! That must be why, almost a full week into the new year, we are just now getting around to replacing all of the calendars in the house. In past years, I have always grabbed a big, glossy shrink-wrapped calendar from the big-box bookstore, but this year I am looking for something different. Because we are going to have to live with it for the next 12 months, I want something unique, clever and, of course, eco-friendly.
Read more…
Rebecca Hadfield
If it stands still long enough, Rebecca will most likely glue something to it and then blog about it. Visit Rebecca's
Etsy shop, find her on
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