Embarking on a journey towards a plant-based lifestyle can be both exciting and challenging, especially when it comes to finding diverse protein sources that satisfy the whole family. Whether you're looking for hearty mains or tasty snacks, incorporating a variety of plant-based proteins is key to a balanced diet.
Share your favorite recipes, food suggestions, and sources of inspiration in the comments below. Let's support each other in making this transition a joyful journey filled with flavorful discoveries.
In the coming weeks we'll consolidate everyone's feedback and help us all take the plunge.
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You see, last summer when the first Monarch landed in our front 'ditch', turned pollinator sanctuary, I was overcome with a weird mix of excitement and GRIEF. Similar to that feeling when you see a celebrity you've watched most of your life age and even die.
Because let's be straight about it. Monarchs are dying in large numbers, due to pesticides, habitat destruction (they need Milkweed and Milkweed alone to survive) and climate change.
And I really want to help these incredibly tough, beautiful and magical creatures.
Part of the magic is that they weigh half a gram [0.01 ounces], and yet can migrate more than 5,000 kilometers [around 3,000 miles] largely from Canada, through the US and to Mexico for a winter vacay.
NOTE: It works AMAZINGLY well to clean cookware, and I think it's pretty good for your plants, but I'm not convinced it sharpens blender blades.
Make sure to compost the leftovers, DON'T wash them down your drain as it could lead to clogs.
How easy is it?
It took me about 10 minutes of dedicated time - rinsing eggs, removing shells from water and blending / clean up.
Steps: SEE VIDEO BELOW
1- Rinse 8 - 12 shells.
2- Put shells in large pot, ideally in a submerged steamer, and bring to light boil, then turn off heat and leave overnight.
3- Pull out shells and use leftover water for plants
4- Put shells in blender.
5- Mix blended shells with 3 - 5 squirts of etee dish soap (of course) and use to clean up stainless steel cookware.
6- Compost shells.
Have you tried it? Would you try it? COMMENT BELOW!
Click here to visit the shop.
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1- ONE in five British men admit to wearing their underwear for a week - that's 7 whole days - before washing them AND 5% of those dirty underwear wearers will even stretch it to 2 weeks or more! WOWZERS.
2- Cold water washing saves energy, but did you know there are often THREE cold settings on your washing machine and it may help to understand the difference, ESPECIALLY IN WINTER?
TAP cold Setting: uses water directly from the plumbing in your home with no temperature adjustment. That means the water temperature is super variable depending on the weather and outside temperatures, as well as the temperature inside the pipes in your house, so in colder weather, the water temperature may be well below the ideal 60-degrees needed to work with your detergent of choice.
The cold setting: uses a mixture of cold and hot water to reach an adequate temperature while using the least energy. Most machines use a range between 60 and 80 degrees for their cold water cycle, but the actual temperature may vary depending on your machine and the temperature outside. If it’s very cold outside, the water may not warm up enough or may warm too slowly to fully dissolve and activate the detergent during the wash.
Cold ONLY for Rinse Setting. Some washing machines offer a water temperature for the rinse cycle only. To save energy and safely rinse all types of fabrics, you can set the washer dial on cold rinse and leave it for EVERY load. Rinse water has little effect on stain removal or cleaning, so cold water works just as well to rinse away detergents and suspended soil.
So there you have it, a PSA alert for the next time you cozy up to a British Man AND a good watch out for all you cold water washers.
]]>We were thinking about putting together a petition to eliminate disposable plastic dental products and sending it to the American or Canadian Dental Association.
Would you support this?
What might be an even better way to bring this to the attention of Dentists across Canada and the USA?
If you want a FREE bamboo toothbrush CLICK HERE, today only!
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Last summer, Joe and I went to our old skate park in Parkdale.
It was 7pm, so the sun was hidden behind buildings and trees.
And yet, when I sat down on one of the concrete stunts to shoot some video I almost burned my butt off. I was shocked at how hot it was because the sun hadn't been shining here for hours....
Apparently this is a big contributor to climate change.
It's called the urban heat island effect because concrete and other building materials trap more heat than woodlands, water and plants.
And this is where the Atlantic Council discovered a snow leopard or underappreciated opportunity, named after the well camouflaged mountain cat.
And what is the snow leopard that's going to help curb the heat island effect?
White paint.
But not just any white paint, the whitest paint in the history of white paints (it's actually in the Guiness Book of World Records) and it works on the principals of physics to reflect the heat back into space.
It was developed by Xiulin Ruan, a professor of mechanical engineering at Purdue University and
"the paint’s properties are almost superheroic. It can make surfaces as much as eight degrees Fahrenheit cooler than ambient air temperatures at midday, and up to 19 degrees cooler at night, reducing temperatures inside buildings and decreasing air-conditioning needs by as much as 40 percent.
If materials such as Ruan's ultra-white paint were to coat between 1 percent and 2 percent of the Earth’s surface, slightly more than half the size of the Sahara, the planet would no longer absorb more heat than it was emitting, and global temperatures would stop rising." (The New York Times)
Of course there are going to be downsides - there are always downsides to mass market solutions - and it shouldn't stop us from reducing fossil fuel emissions, but it's an IMMEDIATE action that we could start implementing today.
Isn't Science awesome?
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So my latest - and most effective move - is to make a paste using baking soda, dish soap and a touch of peroxide.
I made a little video of it. I also included a little bonus of how I'm keeping the drain clean and less smelly.
@shopetee #cleantok #cleaninghacks #cleanshower #showercleaninghack ♬ original sound - etee
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But, like many changes, it's not that simple. So here are
3 reasons we should think twice before jumping on board the 'bio-plastic' wagon.
1- PLANT PLASTICS DRIVE UP FOOD PRICES FOR THOSE IN NEED.
Most Compostable, plant based plastics, are made using cheap, readily available crops like corn, these are also cheap and valuable food sources that drive up the price of that food source in countries that already struggle to afford basics.
2- NOT ALL PLANT PLASTICS ARE BIODEGRADABLE
Bio-based plastic doesn't necessarily mean it will biodegrade, it just means it is made from plant based materials. To biodegrade, microbes need to 'feed' on it and turn it back into soil, which leads to point 3.
3- MOST PLANT PLASTICS ARE COMPOSTABLE, BUT NOT BIODEGRADABLE
Huh? Compostable means it'll be sent to a commercial composting facility where it will be heated up and broken down. If that same plastic were to wind up in your backyard compost - or soil - it would behave like and other plastic. Furthermore, most commercial composters can only handle a small amount of bio-plastics, so if we switched ALL plastics to bio-plastics, we would 'bung' up the system.
Does this mean plant-plastics are 'BAD' and anyone who promotes them is greenwashing jerk-face? Of course not, it's just that they're useful in some situations, but maybe not all.
is not about developing a bio-based or recycled plastic bag.
My solution is to stop using big garbage bags and just put it into a garbage bin.
And I just suggested it to my wife and her response was...
"ugh... that sounds like a lot of work... I just woke up Steve, can we talk about this later?"
But here's what the City or Toronto says about garbage collection:
Each bin/bag/item cannot weigh more than 20 kg (44 lbs) or it will not be collected. Ties/bungee cords must be completely removed before collection. All items must fit in the appropriate bins and the lids must closed for collection.
Do you see ANYTHING on that list that requires you to use a garbage bag?
I don't use a bag for my recycling and I used to put my compost in a bin without a bag and that could be messy, but manageable.
So why do we need garbage bags?
I know some municipalities require residents to use specifically coloured bags, but I don't think that's the norm.
Of course there will be times when a garbage bag is necessary, but I think most of the time it's not.
Are you with me???? And will you offer me a place to stay if my wife boots me out for taking on yet another planet saving project?
LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!!!
But Steve... you moved to the country, why did you give up composting?
Because in the City it was easy, I just put all our food scraps in the bin, hauled it to the end of my driveway and in the spring the City would dump a huge pile of soil at the end of our street for everyone to use.
So when the local municipality from our new house offered us one of those 'electric composters' for only $100, I jumped on it.
I've been using our food cycler for almost 3 years and on a personal level I like it. Our garbage output has gone down, and we've been mixing it into our garden soil and our veggies seem to be growing well.
As we zoom out, I feel like the good guy who's fighting climate change, because apparently only 5% of the nearly 66.2M tons of food wasted each year (in the US) actually gets composted.
"The result is that food is the single most common material sent to landfill in the US, where it releases methane, a potent climate-warming gas, as it breaks down." (The Guardian, UK)
But, like all things, there's a flip side.
What comes out of an electric composter is not 'compost', it is simply ground down and dehydrated food scraps. I was able to confirm this because if given the chance my dog tries to eat these food-like bits, but turns her nose up at regular soil.
And according to one expert - Ron Alexander referenced the above Guardian article - when he tested these dried scraps in his own garden, the 'compost' turned moldy and killed the plants it was supposed to be fertilizing.
A better way to describe the material might be 'food grounds', because:
“Using the term ‘compost’ flippantly puts billions of dollars of composting infrastructure, and all the work that’s been done to build it, at risk,” he said. “I think it is going to put a blemish on real compost products. I hope that the FTC or the government steps in and puts an end to this.”
In the end, it seems the best way to reduce food waste is to:
Okay everyone, it's time to let your imagination run FREE like a pile of smarties in a thunderstorm.
Have a cool product idea?
Think we should eliminate or add certain ingredients?
Got some ideas on how we can give back or partner with a cool organization?
What about some clever ideas on how to spread the word about etee's FABULOUS products?
Here are 14 things I've changed that have eliminated single use plastic from my bathroom. Make sure to check out the 2 tools at the end too...they have made a huge difference for me (and saved me some $)
I was inspired to write this post this morning as I glanced at my shower. It was neat and tidy... I smiled, as I recalled the mess of bottles that used to litter my shower. This morning, I wasn't thinking of the reduction of plastic, but more the clutter. Let's start with...
1) Facial Cleansing Bar - Charcoal & Aloe
Though it's called the "facial cleansing bar" , I use this for my whole body and face. I like it because it's mild and doesn't leave much residue. (it's expensive but it seems to lasts forever so the cost isn't much)
2) Lavender Chamomile Shampoo Bar
This is my favorite. I didn't think I'd like the smell of lavender, but it's very mild and I guess I do. It's leave my hair soft, and feeling clean, with a bit of a nice tingly feeling on my scalp. NOTE: You must rub the bar into your hair, not just on your hands and then your hair, otherwise you won't get enough into your hair.
3) Lavender Chamomile Shampoo Bar
I have short hair, so I don't need to worry about tangles, but I find this just makes sure my hair doesn't have a dry static feel.
I don't use this as it was intended...I use it as an alternative to a stying gel, hair putty, bryl cream, or whatever else guys use so they don't go around looking like Lloyd Christmas. (Bowl cut, hair stuck to forehead)
5) Ginger Body Butter (Sold out right now)
I only use this once in a while if my skin is dry, and I usually keep it under the sink, but I thought I'd put it in the shower and start using it more, especially as it's getting dry here in the winter.
1) Goji Berry Ginseng Dandelion - Facial Cleanser
Great facial cleanser that works and won't dry out your face.
15% Vit C Serum...very powerful, in bioactive form. Helps protect skin from sun damage which is a big concern for me.
Premium quality face moisturizer...super smooth.
Reef Safe, goes on much smoother than most mineral sunscreens.
My skin used to get irritated from the Old Spice, this took a bit of getting used to but it's works great and no irritation anymore.
6) Chewpaste (Sold out right now)
I didn't like this at first, because I didn't know how to use it. You need to chew it first before you start brushing, and make sure you have the right amount of water on the brush. Now I love it because it leaves no aftertaste or residue compared to regular toothpaste.
7) Gently Minted Waxed Silk Dental Floss
I didn't include this in the pic because mine has no container, and looked kind of weird.
....#13 in the list of plastic-free alternative for the bathroom is our
Pro-Tip I use this for my sink too! I found my sink sort of had a smell too it and was draining slowly...it was my wife who only day put this down the sink....the bad smell hasn't been back for months, and the sink is draining perfectly. Sure beats calling a plumber or using Drano/Liquid Plumber....there are some really nasty chemicals in that stuff.
#14 is the Coconut Scrub brush (not pictured...we are out of it right now,)
I use this as my toilet bowl scrubber. I don't use it very often because of the tool I'm going to show you next.
1) The Hand-Held Bidet (we don't sell them)
I am very grateful to my friend who lived in Taiwan for 15 years for telling me about this. Apparently in Asia they are standard, and I don't know why they aren't widely adopted here but they should be. Toilet paper is only needed for drying.
I suggest you pick one up. (amazon has them for about $30) If you are handy and have a wrench you can probably put it in yourself.
2) The Grabber ( I don't know what else to call it)
My father in-law left one at our house years ago, and it has probably saved me over $1000 and a lot of time. It helps unclog drains and fishes whatever you dropped into a tight space out...and odd tool I thought I'd share.
note: If I had to choose the hand-held bit vs. the grabber. I'd choose the bidet by a mile.
That's a lot of stuff.
Hope that of some help to you!'
Thanks for caring about our environment and considering etee's solutions!
PJ
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CLICK HERE and enter this code LIPBALM20 at checkout if you'd like 20% of lip balm.
We thought we’d talk sunscreen
More specifically, how you might want to consider changing up your sunscreen before heading down south.
You might have seen labels like “reef-safe” or “reef-friendly” on your sunscreen and wondered what it means
It means it doesn’t contain ingredients that harm the coral reefs.
Ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate may block harmful UVA and UVB rays, but they’re also destroying the coral reefs.
These ingredients have a bleaching effect on the coral reef. They weaken–and even kill–the reefs over time.
The coral reefs are critical to our environment, they play a huge part in biodiversity, preventing natural disasters, and our food supply.
Here are a few crucial roles the coral reefs play:
According to the NOAA, 25% of the world’s fish depend on healthy coral reefs to survive. That’s about 4000 different species of fish. They rely on the reefs for food, shelter, reproduction, and raising their young.
The coral reef acts like a physical barrier protecting coastal towns from natural disasters. The NOAA says healthy coral reefs can absorb 97% of the energy from waves, storms, and floods. Without them, natural disasters would have a much harsher impact.
Healthy coral reefs provide employment and income, especially in the fishing sector. Fish need healthy coral reefs to survive. Without them, fish would face mass extinction and fisheries would suffer. The coral reefs are also crucial to the tourism industry, providing jobs to hotel staff, tour guides, hospitality workers, and more.
More than 10% of the global population relies on oceanic food. Without coral reefs, there would be a global food supply crisis.
The coral reefs are dying due to a number of factors, like ocean acidification as a result of climate change and chemicals entering the ocean.
Those are huge problems that require the government to step in. But in the meantime we can take action on our own to protect the reefs.
You can have a big impact when you switch to reef-safe sunscreen.
Why?
Because reef-safe sunscreen doesn’t contain coral bleaching ingredients like oxybenzone or octinoxate.
Instead, it contains zinc oxide, a mineral that blocks the sun’s ray just as well as the coral-killing chemicals.
Zinc oxide is considered reef-safe because the particles are larger than 100 nanometres–too large for coral reefs to consume.
Maybe you’ve already heard of–or even tried–zinc oxide based sunscreens before.
Many of you may have abandoned them because you looked like Bob Dylan in the Rolling Thunder Revue.”
Well, etee created a mineral sunscreen formula that doesn’t give you that ghostly white pallor...It even feels light and comfortable on your skin.
In fact it was Tatiana's review we got on Monday that prompted me to write this email.
"it’s hard to believe that this is a sunscreen. It goes on totally clear, does not feel heavy or sticky, works great under makeup - powder and cream based, DOES NOT MAKE ME BREAK OUT!!! That last one is such a win with mineral sunscreens.
And the 2nd best part is that it doesn’t come in a plastic tube or bottle.
Instead, it comes in a home compostable Chrysalis Beauty Pod, made of natural waxes, hemp, and algae.
All you have to do is just squeeze the tube into your favourite jar (or we'll provide you one you can reuse) and then toss the tube into your home composter.
When you use etee mineral sunscreen, you’re not only saving the fish, but you’re also tacking single-use plastic waste.
Thanks for joining us on our mission to end plastic pollution and restore biodiversity!
]]>In 2016 China Labour Watch - an NGO established to create "meaningful change for workers’ rights" - showed us what it's like to make the Barbies and HotWheels that sit under Christmas Trees the world over.
And it wasn't pretty.
The report listed heaps of labour law infractions, from low pay, to over 100 hours of overtime a month (the legal limit is 36) and excessive exposure to toxic chemicals.
China Labour Founder Watch and executive director, Li Qiang, said:
“We can’t tolerate that children’s dreams are based on workers’ nightmares, and we must fight against the unfair oppression of workers who manufacture toys.”
That 2016 Christmas season, headlines like this one from the Guardian in the UK started popping up:
And the issue rose again in 2018 in US headlines:
And then, I didn't hear much....
But I can tell you this. After much discussion in my house about these appalling conditions, you know what we did????
I'm a little ashamed to say. Not a whole lot.
Sure we talked about it, but our kids really love Hot Wheels and other hit toys of the day, and so we caved (with Santa's help).
Now, in fairness, it did push us to find some cool alternatives like Kiwi Co. But our kids watch Disney movies, they trade Pokemon cards with their friends and they are inundated with messages and stories, books and movies about these toys and so we felt a little stuck.
When I tried to find out what has changed since these reports came out, it's hard to know if the needle has moved.
The latest report from China Labour Watch, released in 2020, included the headline: "Workers in Misery, An Investigation into 2 Toy Factories", and it chronicles poor conditions in a Mattel (Barbie and Hot Wheels) owned factory, so it looks like the problem is still a problem.
And what am I doing about it? Trying and teach my kids compassion for the workers who make the toys they are so stoked to receive on Christmas Day, while continuing to look for alternatives.
But it's tricky because my kids are under 10 and 'don't Santa's Elves make all the toys'? Oh boy...
And so, as with many lessons I try to teach my kids (like stopping to take a breath before 'whomping' your brother) this is another one that will take some time.
If you have any suggestions or alternatives, please share!
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So, picture this - you're sorting through your wardrobe, and suddenly, you're hit with the realization that there might be more than just fabric in your clothes.
I totally get it because, a while back, Mandy and I were on the same boat. We went down the rabbit hole of BPA in clothing after attending a concert (story for another time!) and felt the need to spread the word.
BPA, a common chemical in consumer products, including clothing, poses health risks highlighted in studies. Risks include endocrine disruption, skin absorption, and oral exposure, especially concerning children.
Now, how do you minimize your exposure ?
Choose clothing made from natural materials (cotton, wool, linen, hemp) to minimize BPA exposure.Check labels for composition, prioritize basics in direct skin contact, and avoid washing polyester-rich items with other clothes.
Prioritize a healthier lifestyle by staying aware of potential hazards like BPA in clothing. While GOTS-certified products are ideal, opting for natural materials is a practical step to reduce BPA exposure and safeguard your family's well-being.
Oh, and speaking of toxin-free choices, check out this collection of organic cotton women’s underwear from Q for Quinn. They prioritize using organic cotton, which ensures that their products are not only gentle on the skin but also kind to the environment. It's a small but impactful step towards a healthier wardrobe.
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I thought there were only 3 R's. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle...or were there 5? Well, people keep adding more R's (one site had 12). I found that 7 of them were interesting, useful and worth sharing. The extra R's actually made me think more specifically and more expansively about my consumption and what I'm leaving behind. Here's a link to the blog I came across at Kiss the Ground. 7 R’s of Regeneration. Kiss the Ground is an educational non-profit dedicated to addressing soil health and climate change. They also made a documentary I enjoyed about soil health, narrated by Woody Harrelson. I think it's worth a share too. You can stream it on Netflix.
If you want to minimize your impact on the planet, there’s more than one avenue to take. You can go full-blown zero-waste mode and refuse plastic-packaged products. You can also be a steward of the land, regenerating soil and protecting biodiversity. Two completely different approaches, but they share guiding principles. Let me show you what I mean. After reading these principles, I realized they guide the zero-waste movement as much as they guide farmers and land stewards. Whether you live on an acreage & manage a permaculture project or you’re a busy working urbanite, the 7 R’s apply. Let’s apply all 7 R’s to zero-waste living:
#1: Rethink Do you really need that new treadmill? Is there another way to get fit and get outside? Where is is going to be in 10 years? What about a gym? #2: Refuse (*our favourite ‘R’) Instead of buying your essentials in plastic, can you make the decision to buy your dish soap and toothpaste in plastic-free packaging? Maybe you can buy tickets to the movies, or a concert instead of a bunch of plasticky through away Christmas presents? #3: Reuse Can you save that glass peanut butter jar and bring it with you to the bulk store to stock up on pantry essentials? #4: Repair Do you have to buy that brand new backpack, or can you mend up that hole at the bottom with a sewing needle and some thread? And can you commit to only buying clothes made of durable materials like cotton & hemp so they don’t fall apart within a year? #5: Recycle Can you take the time to recycle properly by rinsing your jars before they go in the blue bin, and not contaminating your bin with plastic? #6: Repurpose Can you compost your veggie scraps instead of tossing them in your green bin where they’ll rot and release methane gas? (In case you didn’t know, methane gas is a potent greenhouse gas and a huge driver of climate change.) #7: Regenerate Can you use that compost you made from your veggie scraps to heal the soil in your backyard, invite friendly microorganisms and earthworms, and grow some giant zucchinis & tomatoes in the summer? Thanks for considering Etee's sustainable plastic-free products. We hope they can help you along you journey.
P.S. Which ‘R’ resonates with you the most? Please reply with any ideas and recommendations you have...we read them all, and would love to share them with the community. |
Shrinkflation, AKA the Grocery Shrink Ray is a way some companies are reducing their costs by “stealth”. The package looks the same, but the quantity or size is reduced, and you are still paying the same amount…blissfully unaware.
Imagine opening a bag of your favourite chips, only to find that the contents seem mysteriously diminished. Or perhaps you've noticed that your toothpaste doesn't quite fit with the box.
“Honey, They Shrunk the Toothpaste Too”
The above examples from Bored Panda
(You can see about 48 more examples at the link above)
Some “trusted” brands are taking advantage of their most loyal customers, knowing they won’t scrutinize the label, packaging or compare unit costs. This isn't an entirely new phenomenon, but rising production costs, increased raw material and labour costs are squeezing corporate margins, so “Shrinkflation”, the a sneaky short-cut to maintain profits and customers is more prevalent than ever.
We must be aware that packaging is the marketers billboard calling out for our attention as we walk our carts down the grocery store aisle. If we are sleepwalking, and making decisions on autopilot we may pay the price in 3 ways.
1) Our Finances (ie: Shrinkflation)
2) Our Health (ie: sugar, and it's 61 different names)
3) Our Environment (ie: unnecessary clamshell packaging)
Should government help us with more regulation? Well that's another question up for debate.
In the meantime, the best we can do is stay curious, aware, and conscious of what's going on.
Thank you for considering etee to support you in your quest for a more mindful and sustainable lifestyle.
Now check out another vitamin C serum from a company I just randomly picked, with the odd name of 'etee' (weird right)?
Notice how their vitamin C - L-ascorbic acid - is actually the SECOND ingredient on the list after water (I know, why are they shipping water??? It's a little trickier to remove water from serums, but 'they' are trying I promise).
3: Your 1% Watch List...
So, if you want to know which ingredients typically fall within the 1%, look for these ingredients as indicators:
And if you'd like to check out any of etee's ingredients...
CLICK HERE to visit the shop!
Last December Mandy and I went to a concert for one of our favourite bands, where the front man started the show by saying "this concert is taking place on stolen Indigenous lands".
And I gotta say, I kinda rolled my eyes. NOT because I am against the overall message, but it felt insincere, like he was jumping on the latest #trend.
I've heard a lot about the Land Back movement, but I still don't entirely understand it, so a couple months back I hopped on a TikTok live with @Deannehupfield, a Powwow Dance teacher from the Temagami first nation, and she provided a more personal take on things like the Indian Act, The Residential School System and the 60s Scoop, which have all contributed to the recent push for the 'land back movement'.
You see, as a kid Deanne felt stuck between a culture that hurt her and others from her community - sometimes literally hit by rocks - and her Temagami Nation that she didn't know because:
"My mom was taken from her home and made a crown ward... She was raised away from her community and her culture.”
And Deanne feels this disconnect led her on a path of poverty and addiction - bouncing between non-indigenous foster homes - and occasionally stealing just to feed herself.
It was when she discovered powwow that she began to heal...
And when it comes to the land itself, Indigenous scholar, Lindsey Schneider, says that all First Nations communities tend to hold one common belief, that is:
So rather than looking at it as a Native Real estate scheme, where indigenous peoples seek to gobble up your property, it seems that it's more about enabling first nations to return to, care for, and have a say in the future of the land.
And while I am still at the very early stages of understanding exactly how it would work, I want to learn more because I just don't think our current system of 'extraction and exploitation' of the land is working, and so I'm starting with this CBC podcast.
Thanks as always for reading and learning with me.
If you'd like to learn more about Deanne's programs, VISIT HER SITE HERE.
And if you'd like to take a small action to reduce your emissions and plastic, CLICK HERE to visit the shop!
It was 1988 when New York City police officer - John McClane - set out to save his estranged wife and several others taken hostage by terrorists during a Christmas party at the Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles.
And you know what? Against all odds... HE. PULLED. IT. OFF.
HOW?
Resilience and the power of HOLLYWOOD BABY. (Yes the officer in question is a fictional character from the movie DIE HARD, played by Bruce Willis).
Until recently, our culture's been obsessed with stories about one tough person's ability to rise up and overcome insurmountable odds.
It makes for a great story, and it's helped shape our perception around resilience, but it's just not true.
According to research, the lone wolf (individual) is less, rather than more resilient.
Resilience is all about one's ability to overcome challenges and bounce back when things are tough, and according to research:
"The single most common factor for children who develop resilience is at least one stable and committed relationship with a supportive parent, caregiver, or other adult." (Harvard)
It's become super clear that our 'climate' is a shared resource - burning coal in the US and Canada can actually have an impact on droughts, floods and wildfires the world over.
To overcome the challenges ahead, I think we will need to apply the principals of resilience, building bridges, and partnerships across national and political boundaries.
For this reason, I think the Climate Crisis presents a needed opportunity. The 20th century showed just how nasty we can be to each other (massive wars, nuclear weapons, multiple attempts at genocide... Ugh).
I believe the 21st Century and the ensuing climate crisis is demonstrating just how much that old system didn't work and we need to figure out ways to work together.
Thanks as always for reading and learning with me, I hope every time you think of etee, you think about new ways that EVERYTHING TOUCHES EVERYTHING ELSE.
And if you'd like to take another action to reduce your emissions and plastic, CLICK HERE to visit the shop!
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Were the first publicly printed words in response to Toronto's decision to ban smoking in bars...
"Where are we supposed to go if we can't go to our local watering hole and have a glass of beer and a cigarette?"
While bar smoking stopped in 1997, the health risks had been widely accepted in the Scientific community for over 50 years.
So why did it take so long for the general public to accept that smoking really was THAT bad for your health?
Many fingers point to Big Tobacco...
Today we face a similar problem with climate change, where Big Oil Companies have borrowed similar tactics from their Tobacco counterparts to delay action.
But California - and other US States - are reopening a playbook they used to take on Big tobacco companies by trying to prove that big oil has concealed evidence linking fossil fuels to climate change, in a similar manner to how tobacco companies hid the health risks of tobacco smoke.
And they're accusing the world's biggest energy companies - Shell, Exxon Mobile & Chevron - in a landmark court case of concealing the damage caused by fossil fuels for more than half a century.
It's the BIGGEST law suit of it's kind.
California wants big oil to cover the costs of fighting wildfires and mitigating the effects of dense smog. (New York Times)
Last month I spoke to close friend who would likely be described as a 'conspiracy theorist'. He doesn't believe in climate change and I could see how his arguments could resonate in certain groups, but here's the thing, he hasn't done the research like my other friend Mike.
Mike is a Scientist (Dr. Mike, I call him) and he lives in Canada's arctic, where he has spent years studying the effects of climate change on permafrost.
I went kayaking with Mike this summer and he said, rather matter of factly:
"The caribou are dying".
Over the last decade he has watched their populations decline as vegetation changes due to human induced climate change.
And that's why I'm excited to see that momentum is building, and awareness is growing, with actions like California's law suit.
It makes me feel stronger every day that...
We can save our planet and ourselves, I just know it!
Thanks as always for reading and learning with me, if you'd like to take more small steps towards reducing your own emissions, CLICK HERE!
There's one thing I believe each individual can do to prevent environmental disasters and the spin-offs of increased political tension, poverty and the domino effect of conditions that lead to war.
And that is to truly care for bodies (including our minds... and booty as my son Huckey likes to say).
This was made super clear to me after watching 'Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones' on Netflix last week.
The documentary takes you on a trip around the world to Italy, Greece, Japan, Costa Rica and even a small enclave in California that shows how more people in these communities live past 100 and avoid dementia then anywhere else in the world.
So what's the secret to living independently past 100? These 4 things:
1- Move Naturally
It's less about 'gym memberships' and more about incorporating movement - especially walking - into your everyday to get groceries, pick up kids and grandkids from school and to get to and from work.
It's about doing more with your hands, making bread, chopping wood and creating things with your own brain (my personal favourite is sitting down and playing my drums).
It's about the gentle movement and connection of daily gardening practices - weeding, planting and harvesting.
2- Find Meaning and Purpose
The most extreme example of the power of purpose was documented in Viktor Frankl's book - Man's Search for Meaning - where he observed that those who were most likely to survive the horrors of Nazi Concentration Camps, were the people who connected with a purpose and took action to realize that purpose - even if that action was as simple as an imagined conversation with a loved one.
In Blue zones, purpose is about unwinding - even though most folks in blue zones work well past retirement - they socialize face to face, dance and even socially drink with friends and family.
They often have a deep sense of faith & spirituality regardless of denomination, and they have a strong sense of purpose that drives them every day to get up and take action.
Below is a clip from a canoe trip I take with my friends each May. The natural rhythm of a canoe trip provides a framework of meaning and purpose for the rest of my life (including insights from magical mushroom trips and ridiculous stunts that dudes our age should probably not be doing).
3- Eat 'well'
This seems to be less about 'eliminating' - everything from gluten to meat, dairy, alcohol and carbs - and more about filling yourself with the nutrients you need.
All the blue zone diets seem to be mostly - but not all - plant based, with up to 95% of their diets coming from a diverse array of vitamin and protein-rich vegetables, beans, and nuts.
All but one of the communities highlighted drink 1 to 2 glasses of wine a day, which appears to be as much about the social connection of the 'one drink buzz' as it is the dietary benefit.
NOTE: I found this especially interesting because the W.H.O. recently declared "No level of Alcohol Consumption is Safe for Our Health'. What's of note in the blue zones is that most of the wine they consume is made locally in the same way they've been doing it for the last 2,000+ years.
And they try to eat mindfully, meaning they stop eating when they're about 80% full - remembering that it takes our bodies 20 minutes or more to fully digest and 'feel full'.
4- Connecting Blue Zones to Environmental Sustainability
The last piece is about connection, connecting to others, connecting to family and finding your tribe, and I think this piece is a great point to talk about also connecting to the environment.
While the idea of environmental protection and sustainability was never mentioned in this documentary, it was obvious that healthy bodies lead to a healthier and more stable planet because:
1- People in blue zones move more and drive less, and - in turn - their communities are set up for easier foot and bike travel, which means a lower carbon footprint.
2- They eat locally grown, whole food and 90% plant-based diets, thereby clearing less land for cattle and meat products, shipping less and depending on less plastic packaging to preserve their food, which reduces their carbon footprint and plastic consumption.
3- They derive meaning and purpose from activities like dance, hands-on work and other social outlets that are more focused on connection as opposed to consumption.
Dan Buettner - author and driving force behind the Blue Zone movement and documentary - has begun implementing this blueprint in a variety of Cities across the US - with great results.
"For Albert Lea [Minnesota] that meant the town of roughly 18,000 people was pushed to do more daily movement, with citywide changes that turned healthful actions into the simplest choices.
The city added 10 miles of sidewalks and bike lanes for its residents, and local businesses made it easier to pick and eat healthy food. People started walking more and creating their own strolling groups that hit the streets together, collectively shedding 4 tons of weight (an average of 2.6 pounds per person). Smoking went down by 4% during the first five years of the program." (Business Insider)
Too often health, wellness and environmental sustainability are put into separate camps, but they're not. Eat a plastic packaged 'diet food or supplement' and you're not only polluting our planet, but also your body.
It's all connected.
Thanks always for reading, sharing and learning with me. If you live in a community that could benefit from blue zone practices, check out these programs, and if you want to take immediate action to live more sustainably & purposefully, come visit our shop.
What's the longest a person has ever lived Daliah?
I've seen reports ranging from 116 to 146... but more recently, the oldest living person has dwarfed those estimates by centuries.
How?
It's part of a growing movement, where indigenous communities around the globe are granting rivers 'legal person status'.
From the Amazon river in Brazil to the Magpie in Quebec, Canada, indigenous beliefs of the living and equal attributes of nature are being presented in way that western law can understand - like a corporation or any other independent, legal entity.
"Where there is water, there is life. It moves around the Earth like a great river that flows and continues its eternal cycle to sustain life." (Uapukun Mestokosho-McKenzie, author and innu activist)
Most recently, the St. Lawrence River (Canada's second largest, and a massive shipping hub that flows from just east of Toronto, past Montreal to the Atlantic) has been granted legal rights by the the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL).
How this translates into legal protection is still being tested, but so far 'legal person status' has prevented mining in Equador and in Florida, there is a lake - Mary Jane - suing for her right to be protected from development:
"In an effort to protect herself, Mary Jane is suing. The lake has filed a case in Florida state court, together with Lake Hart, the Crosby Island Marsh, and two boggy streams. According to legal papers submitted in February, the development would “adversely impact the lakes and marsh who are parties to this action,” causing injuries that are “concrete, distinct, and palpable.” (The New Yorker)
And just last week my friends and I met on the Madawaska river in eastern Ontario to introduce our kids to l'eau vive' (living water / rapids) as some French Canadians may say, and the calming effect that river had on my 6 & 8 year old, made me hope we continue to explore these entities as 'persons' because I promise you, they definitely have personalities.
Last week my friends and I met on the Madawaska river in eastern Ontario to introduce our kids to l'eau vive' (living water / rapids) as some French Canadians may say, and the calming effect that river had on my 6 & 8 year old, made me hope we continue to explore these entities as 'persons' because I promise you, they definitely have personalities.
Thanks always for reading and learning with me, and if you'd like to make a small change today, come visit our shop!