Sustainable Lifestyle Shopping Online with EarthEasy

I recently came across a fantastic Vancouver family owned and operated company who provide sustainable products online. Eartheasy is the name of this unique online company which features some of the best sustainable products available.

Some of my favorite products include:

The clever design of the Triolife 5-level Pyramid Planter can hold 3.5 times more plants per square foot than a standard planter of the same footprint size. It covers only 6.5 sq. ft. of ground space, but offers 36 sq. ft. of space for planting. It comes in several different sizes so you can customize where you would like to grow your favorite plants.

How amazing is this? Definitely cheaper than a real living wall, but with similar benefits and calming results. This vertical gardening woolly pocket is only $40.00 and can be easily hung indoor or outdoor.  Even better, the breathable material is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. Mother’s day gift anyone?

Fresh, organic, herbs make anything taste better. This adorable recycled steel pail comes with essential herbs (basil, garlic chives, and parsley) to add some zest to any dish.

Be sure to follow Eartheasy on Twitter (@Eartheasy) and check their site regularly to stay on top of the latest green and sustainable products. Their website also provides healthy and sustainable living guides such as how to reduce exposure to indoor toxins, where to find organic seeds for your garden, and many more. Their blog articles are also filled with useful information and the latest research relating to pollution, health, and sustainable living.

Vegan Energy Balls

I have never attempted to make energy balls, but the few that I have tried at coffee shops have tasted even better than cookies to me. This weekend, I think it’s time for me to attempt to make some vegan energy balls. I am going skiing tomorrow and will need the energy! For you chocolate lovers out there, read the “Chocolate Sunbutter Balls” recipe below from A Dash of Compassion‘s blog post, or follow the link here.

 

 

Chocolate Sunbutter Balls

 

Ingredients

• 1 cup almonds or peanuts
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/4 cup flax meal
• 1/4 cup hemp hearts
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup sunbutter (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp sea salt

Instructions

1. In a food processor, process the almonds and sunflower seeds to a coarse meal.
2. Add the remaining ingredients and process until well combined. The mixture should stick together when pressed between two fingers. [Update: A reader kindly pointed out she added agave nectar to sweeten these, so feel free to add some at this point if desired.]
3. Roll the mixture into small balls (I used heaping tablespoons). Store balls in a tightly covered container in the freezer.

Free Geek Vancouver

Technology moves at such a fast rate that it becomes difficult to keep up with the latest ipad, laptop, or audio system. According to recycling industry experts, in the US alone, over 400 million units per year of consumer electronics are scraped. Frequent technology consumption combined with high sales in consumer electronics, often results in perfectly functioning products being disposed.

According to Electronics Takeback Coalition, “The EPA estimates that in 2007, the US generated over 3 million TONS of e-waste. But only 13.6% of that was collected for recycling. The other 86.4% went to landfills and incinerators, despite the fact that hazardous chemicals in them can leach out of landfills into groundwater and streams, or that burning the plastics in electronics can emit dioxin.”

But what about technology recycling programs? Electronics Takeback Coalition unfortunately claims, “Most recycling firms take the low road, exporting instead of recycling. From 50 to 80% of e-waste that is collected for recycling is shipped overseas for dismantling under horrific conditions, poisoning the people, land, air, and water in China, other Asian nations and to Ghana and Nigeria in western Africa.”

So where can a Vancouverite find a trustworthy non-profit community organization that helps reduce e-waste by reusing and recycling donated technology? Meet Free Geek Vancouver.

Free Geek’s Mission: 

Free Geek is a nonprofit community organization that reduces the environmental impact of waste electronics by reusing and recycling donated technology. Through community engagement we provide education, job skills training, Internet access and free or low cost computers to the public.

This unique and sustainability conscious organization accepts just about anything computer related. The organization is such a success because of like-minded and dedicated volunteers who share their knowledge. Once a volunteer has committed more than 24 hours of time, they are rewarded with a free computer!

Free Geek Vancouver also has a buy computer hardware thrift store located on the second floor of the Free Geek Vancouver facility.

Free Geek is conveniently located near downtown Vancouver, 1820 Pandora Street. Hours of operation are Tuesday-Saturday 11am-6pm.

For specific questions regarding types of electronic waste Free Geek accepts, give their friendly staff a call at: 604-879-GEEK (4335)

Vancouver Car Sharing

For the most part, we can get away with taking the SeaBus, SkyTrain, Canada Line, or just a regular bus for our daily transit commute in Vancouver. Although, every once in awhile, you need a car for a big Costco run, a ski trip, or transporting something you can’t carry all by yourself. Joining a car co-op can give you some of the benefits of owning a car when you really need it, without a high price. Car co-ops are growing and becoming popular all around the world. Some of Vancouver’s best car sharing options include Zipcar, Modo, and Car2go.I recently joined Zipcar and lots of people have asked me how it works.

 

Here’s a simple breakdown:

 

1.) Apply online to become a member. Once ICBC has approved your driving record, you will receive a personalized Zipcard. Your Zipcard is the card you swipe on the windshield that will open the car to access the car key inside.

2.) Reserve your spot. Sign in online or use a smart phone to reserve a car type, location, and hours you plan to use the car.
3.) Get to your reserved car location and unlock it with your personalized Zipcard.

4.) Drive. Begin driving and be sure to fill up the gas tank, using the gas tank card inside the Zipcar, if the tank is running low. Return the car back to the reserved parking spot.


Zipcar Member Perks:

•  Play a part in making Vancouver a greener city! Each Zipcar shared takes at least 15 personally owned vehicles off the road.
• Saves money. Zipcar members save approximately $500 a month compared to their car owning friends.
• Zipcar offers a variety of car types to choose a style that suits your needs.
• If your family member or spouse takes the car for the day, you have a backup car.
  

If you are planning  a road trip for several days, I would not advise reserving with a co-op car for the whole trip. Do the math ahead of time, but most likely, it will be more economical to rent a car. Car co-ops are best for short trips within the city.

Sweet Potato Veggie Burgers

Isn’t this the most beautiful veggie burger you have EVER seen? This recipe from kblog.lunchboxbunch.com is vegan, delicious, and won’t leave you feeling guilty after eating a burger! Follow the Lunch Box Bunch blog for more vegan inspired recipes and healthier alternatives.

 

Sweet Potato Veggie Burgers(Makes 7-8 large patties)2 cans cannellini white beans, drained
1 large sweet potato, baked/peeled/mashed (about 2 cups)
2 Tbsp tahini
2 tsp maple or agave syrup
1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning OR Cajun seasoning (or another fave spice!)
1/4 cup wheat flour
optional: additional seasoning (whatever you have on hand – I used a few dashes cayenne, black pepper and a scoop of nutritional yeast)
salt to taste if needed
Plentiful Panko crumbs

Safflower oil for pan

Burgers: avocado, Dijon mustard, grain buns, romaine, onion, olive oil, pepper 

Directions:

1. Bake sweet potato. Peel, place in large mixing bowl.
2. Add drained beans to mixing bowl. Mash beans and potato together.
3. Mash in seasoning, flour and any additional seasoning. Your mixture will be quite soft and moist. But you should be able to form a patty. Add more flour or a scoop of breadcrumbs – or dry rice to thicken the mixture if needed.
4. Heat 1 Tbsp safflower oil in a pan over high heat.
5. Form a patty from mixture and coat in Panko crumbs. Thick coating. Then drop the patty in the pan. Repeat until the pan is filled. Cook until browned on both sides. You could also bake. If baking, use less Panko.
6. Transfer cooked patties to paper towel. Cool for a few minutes.
7. Serve on toasted bun with lots of toppings.

Safe Household Cleaning Alternatives

Have you ever experienced watery eyes, a burning throat, or an overwhelming synthetic smell from a household disinfectant cleaner? If so, those reactions are a warning sign…why would we want to use toxic chemicals in our homes?

 

We need to learn to read the labels and know when to call a household cleaner’s bluff. Here are some quick ways to spot greenwashing:

• SEARCH THE LABEL FOR PLANT BASED INGREDIENTS.
• SKIP THE ANIMAL INGREDIENTS.
• LOOK FOR COMPLETE DISCLOSURE OF INGREDIENTS. If they are not all listed, they are hiding something potent.
• AVOID SYNTHETIC DYES AND FRAGRANCES.
• CHECK FOR THIRD-PARTY CERTIFICATIONS. Such as: the Green Seal, EcoLog, Cradle to Cradle, and the EPA’s Design for the Environment (DfE) Formulator Program.
• AVOID ANY LABELS WITH “DANGER,” “POISON,” and “CAUTION.”

There are many safe, non-toxic, household cleaners available that are just as efficient for eliminating dust and dirt and pose no health risks.

SIMPLE BAKING SODA.

Baking soda is a fabulous all-purpose cleaner! You can even sprinkle a little in with a laundry load for extra freshness. Baking soda can also be used as a disinfectant if combined with a plant-based liquid Castile dish soap. Add in a few drops of a great smelling essential oil for a wonderful aroma to use as a safe all-purpose cleaner to disinfect toilets, tubs, kitchen countertops, and sinks. Baking soda also works like magic to deodorize unwanted carpet odors. Simply sprinkle over the carpet and let sit for 15 minutes. Vacuum up the remaining baking soda and voila! The odor will have vanished.

MIGHTY DISTILLED WHITE VINEGAR.

Works like a charm as a glass cleaner, spot cleaner for carpets and linoleum floors, and toilets. Also works well as an ant repellant if sprayed around windowsills.

NOURISHING OLIVE OIL.
Moisturizes and polishes wood furniture for a natural shine.

TEA TREE OIL.
The best and most useful essential oil in my opinion. It is a natural antiseptic with germicidal, anti-fungal, and immune-boosting abilities. For a powerful and natural all-purpose cleaner; combine 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil and 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Shake well and use to clean tubs, tile floors, and kitchen countertops.

LEMON JUICE.
Lemon juice is a great alternative from bleach and works well as an all-purpose disinfectant. Lemon juice can also remove yellow discoloration from armpit stains by squeezing lemon juice onto the discoloration and letting it sit in the sun until dry.

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE.
Safe and chemical-free solution that’s better than bleach! Hydrogen Peroxide works well to whiten whites, remove stains, purify a pool or spa, remove mold and scum in the shower, and even remove blood stains. To create a powerful, all-purpose cleaner, mix 2 cups of water, 1 cup of Hydrogen Peroxide, and 1/4 cup lemon juice into a spray bottle. It’s ready to be used on countertops, tables, stoves, and toilets.

There you have it! A list of safe, alternative, household cleaners that will have your home smelling fresh and free from toxic chemicals.

Best Plant Purifiers

Our home is where we invite friends, family, and spend time relaxing… It is our space for comfort, entertainment, rest, and time with loved ones. Unfortunately, our home can also be a place filled with volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These toxic compounds are embedded in our furniture, certain kinds of wall paint, and nestle themselves into carpets. It’s a scary thought…

Thankfully, I have some good news. Plants are great air filters that can absorb CO2 and some toxic chemicals we don’t want hanging around. Some of the top plant purifiers work hard to pump out cleaner and fresher air. Be wary of plants sprayed down with fertilizer and insecticide because pesticides can reverse the plant’s ability to grab indoor air pollutants. Invest in organic and local plants instead.

TOP 12 PLANT PURIFIERS

 

1.) Reed Palm

2.) English Ivory

3.) Spider Plant

4.) Pothos Ivy

5.) Peace Lily

6.) Chinese Evergreen

7.) Indoor Snake Plant

8.) Heart Leaf Philodendron

9.) Elephant Ear Philodendron

10.) Red Edge Dracaena

11.) Weeping Fig

12.) Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica)

 

Purchasing from your local farmer’s market or natural health store is most likely the best option. Be sure to spend some time researching and calling before you drive all over searching for an organic version. Trust me, it is worth the call!