Parent Club Giveaway: Energy Basket

The Ontario Power Authority, WWF-Canada and a major loyalty program have launched a campaign which provides Ontarians with a way to continue the momentum of Earth Hour by pledging to take simple actions that will have lasting financial rewards and help fight climate change.

One example action is reducing "phantom power" - the electricity used by electronics and appliances even when they're switched off - an unknown problem that accounts for as much as 15% of a home's monthly energy use!

Parent Club has TWO gift baskets (worth approx $250 each) to giveaway to help save energy in your house.

Each gift basket contains:

• 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

TO ENTER:
Write a comment (below) on an action you do in your house to help save energy thus fighting climate change.

THE RULES (because life has rules)

Ontario entries only (sorry rest-of-the-world-friends)

One entry per day

Tweet the giveaway (and comment you did so) = an extra entry

Parent Club Green Idea: Sending Coins to School

This Green Idea was e-mailed by a Parent Club reader...

You know how the school is always needing you to send in forms and cash for things like Pizza lunch, Scientist in the school, field trips, purchasing 50th Anniversary T-shirts etc. (and then there is also the Daycare…)

And how the amount the come up with always seems to include coins?? You know how you never seem to be able to find an envelope when you need one and how all those crazy utility companies always send you an envelope to pay your bill with even though you always pay it online?

Well I have started saving the utility bill payment envelopes (and any other unsealed envelopes I get from birthday cards or in the mail for other promotional stuff) and I put them in a basket on my desk and then whenever I need an envelope for something I take a big black marker to cross of any unnecessary info on the envelope and write something on it like “Boy 1 – Pizza Lunch $$ - Room XX” That way I reuse before the school hopefully recycles the envelope!!

Maybe other people have been doing this already but it is just something I have been feeling good about doing so I thought I would share…

We LOVE LOVE LOVE when readers share ideas, tips, comments, rants & experiences. To the tens of people who read Parent Club ;-) -- thank you and keep em' coming!

BlogHers ACT Canada Column

Why?! Fast food/take-out misses the recycling bin...
Why?! Why?! I ask! Why do fast food/take-out food places miss recycling? From actually having recycling bins in the restaurants to separate paper/glass/organic to using containers which don't go in the bins at all -- I don't get - how they don't "get" - common-sense-recycling. Should I name the companies?...

Continue reading at BlogHers ACT Canada (yes click that)

Disneynature EARTH - Earth Day 2009

Disneynature EARTH opens in theatres across Canada today - Earth Day.

Narrated by James Earl Jones,“EARTH” tells the remarkable story of three animal families and their amazing journeys across the planet we call home.

We had the chance to enjoy a sneak peak of the film and can, without hesitation, share...the cinematography is quite amazing! Directors Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield, the acclaimed creative team behind the award winning “Planet Earth,” have produced an epic film. In fact, if you have seen "Planet Earth" you will note some of the clips are the same in EARTH.

This is the trailer (thank you youtube)



Parent Club Tip: we recommend this film to ages 8+ years old because there are two chase scenes which could be viewed as "scary". We took along a child to see the film - and during the chase scenes the child was, in fact, scared and had to look away. However, parents rest well, as this is "Disney" - there is no actual killing or bloodshed shown. Other than the worrysome chase scenes, the child LOVED the film.

This is a great tween/teen/date night movie. If you liked "Planet Earth" then you will love Disneynature EARTH.

Disneynature has committed to plant a tree for everyone who sees this motion picture between April 22-28. Already, because of advance tickets sales 500,000 trees will be planted. Disney will oversee the planting of the trees in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, which is considered one of the most endangered rain forests in the world.

For more information about EARTH, ticket or theatre information please visit: www.disney.com/earth

PC Green - Make Earth Day an Earth Year

Admitted: I am a PC shopper - out of convenience and brand loyalty. When I was sent information about the new PC G.R.E.E.N. products (just in time for Earth Day!) I was completely on board to share.

President's Choice was been committed for more than 20 years of environmental sustainability. I have the PC reusable bags in my vehicle and at home*. Their bag reduction plan will divert 1 billion plastic bags from landfills by the end of 2009. This is a good thing.

Keep these in mind: PC G.R.E.E.N. Phosphate-free dishwasher detergent. PC G.R.E.E.N. Muli-Purpose Cleaning Putty, PC G.R.E.E.N. All-Purpose Cleaner (fragrance-free/dye-free). PC G.R.E.E.N. Active Oxygen Bleach. Why are these important? Because what we wash down our drains eventually go into our water systems affecting the environment and aquatic life. There are alternatives to phosphates and petroleum-based products. Fragrance is important to families with skin sensitivities and allergies; eliminating this element in products reduces the exposure to your family.

What else goes into my environmental shopping cart. Pick-a-size paper towels (whoever came up with this is must be a parent - we don't need a whole paper towel for little messes! Well, except when THIS happens). Also, unbleached coffee filters and double roll bathroom tissue (both environmentally friendly and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference from other not-PC brands).

I choose environmentally sustainable (yes, PC G.R.E.E.N. brand) products because it's my little consumer part to do something for the environment. What do you do?

p.s. The folks at President's Choice/Loblaw has generously donated to Parent Club a package of PC G.R.E.E.N. Diapers which will be sent to www.eastendchildrenscentre.org (a non-profit Canadian children's charity).

*Parent Club tip: the PC Green bins work really well as recycling bins for your paper & plastics. For some time, I have had one in my kitchen, where the kids pitch their plastics as needed.

Earth Day chez nous

Earth Day is fast approaching. As a parent, who enjoys "teachable moments" I am trying to come up with some activities/ideas for Earth Day. And why not? My kids are part of the tree-huggin', polar-bear-lovin', we've-got-to-do-somethin' generation. They have grown up with recycling programs and water conservation. At school, they create art projects using re-purposed materials. At home, they turn off lights when they leave a room so they don't use up energy. Saving the Earth isn't part of what they do...it's is part of who they are! I wonder, do they really need more "teachable Earth moments"?!...

Continue reading "Earth Day chez nous"over at our BlogHers ACT Canada column»

BlogHers ACT Canada Column

Eco-birthday parties: The Good and the Bad

I have fond memories of stacks of birthday prezzies wrapped with colourful paper, eaten store-bought cake (the icing - most likely contained red dye) and brought home loot bags filled with items manufactured in China).
Geez...so many good times. So when I receive an e-mail invitation for a paper-less birthday party - well I feel a little jipped. Here's why...

Read on at my latest column at BlogHers ACT Canada

Earth Hour - Sat. Mar. 28, 2009

Nickelodeon is asking kids to turn out the lights during Earth Hour 2009 (8:30pm to 9:30pm). My question: Aren't most kids in bed by 8:30pm?

Kids might not get included in the actual Earth Hour but there are things which they can do to stop climate change/live a little greener/be kind to the environment.

• Don't fill a glass of water up and then not drink it. Instead of dumping water down the drain - water plants with unfinished water. [Ed. Note: was recently at a birthday party where Mom served bottled water with the pizza lunch. She re-capped the half-drunk bottles and took them home to water the plants]
  
• Turn out the lights when you leave a room. (energy efficient nightlights to ward away monsters very much allowed)
  
• Put plastics in the recycle box all-by-yourself
  
• Help Mom pack a litterless lunch for school

Earth Hour 2009 @ BlogHers ACT Canada

In general, turning off lights is a precursor to fooling around. "hey honey, wanna turn off the lights?"(insert nudge nudge wink wink HERE). Now, put this on your calendar; Saturday March 28th, 2009 - 8:30pm - turn off lights. Now, before you tell your spouse/hurry the kids to bed/get new batteries/whatever...know that turning off lights on this date is a precursor to climate change (and fooling around - if you so desire). It's Earth Hour 2009.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Continue reading my earth-lovin'-article over at my post on BlogHers ACT Canada

BlogHers Act Canada and Eco-Guilt

Read my latest enviroment column...

International Women's Day and Eco-Guilt

Dear fellow mothers (and mother-lovers),

In recognition of International Women's Day (Sun. Mar. 8) - let us all - for a moment - get off our environmental-mother-loving-high-and-mighty-friggin'-pedestals. Let us stop the green guilt we lay on each other.

Read full rant at BlogHers Act Canada

If you are the "friend" I refer to in the story and you are reading this...no guilt tripping intended. If Angie or Brit are reading this...I am still...very...sorry

On the Road to Plastic Free

I am on - that yellow brick road - to plastic free (I imagine "my road" the hipper yellow version as shown in The Wiz - with Michael Jackson and Diana Ross). Goodbye Bisphenol A, also known as BPA. What is BPA? (yes, click that - it's important).

Gettin' back on down my road. I've finally gotten around to stainless steel cups. Rewind back; last summer at a play date - a friend had stainless steel cups. ooohhhh said I. smart!. They don't leach. They don't break. Great-environmental-green-living-kid-friendly-product.

I've been looking around for stainless steel tumblers - found on loads of environmental living websites...but here is where eco-mom who tries to incorporate sustainable living in everyday life meets frugal mom who is basically - admittedly - budget-minded.

Long story (and it could be so much longer - as I am currently trying to avoid laundry) - short. I found, bought and brought home stainless steel tumblers yesterday. [Things 1 & 2 think they are pretty darn cool!]

Plastic cups you're as done as the witch of the west. How 'bout you? Are you done with BPA?

BlogHers ACT Canada - Green Valentine

Check out my new article at BlogHers ACT Canada; Green Valentine

I am, admittedly, a curmudgeon when it comes to Valentine's Day. My thinking is that it is a holiday created by card companies and marketing firms to take advantage of February blahs and boost sales. Valentine's Day - Bah Humbug! That confessed; I am also a hypocrite who partakes in Valentine's Day projects with my kids (damn you Valentine!). The saving grace is that I have some great tips for a Green Valentine...

Continue reading (and you really should at BlogHers ACT Canada

Free Green Box at Loblaws

Some Toronto Loblaws stores are offering a FREE Green PC Box (Till January 22, 2009) with this coupon.

After reading; Parent Club green living tip a reader shared the information about the free green boxes. Merci for that to Parent Club reader; TMcM.

How else can we live a little greener?

• Don't buy juice boxes. Instead send juice to school (or work) in a reusable BPA free (i.e. stainless steel) re-usable container.
  
• Don't buy snack bags. Instead send snacks in re-usable containers. TIP: dry cereals are great snacks.

Juice boxes and pre-packaged snacks are convenient but you are paying for that luxury - truly they aren't family budget friendly.

Maybe it's because I saw An Inconvenient Truth again recently, or because we are all trying to save a little bit more money (just in case), or because it seems like a little effort for a bigger cause. Maybe it's all of the above, but I got my green bin today. You should too.

Parent Club Green Living Tip

My newest fan-tab-u-lous Parent Club green living tip...carry a canvas bag with you.

Move over the fact that major grocery stores will soon be charging for plastic bags.

Move over the fact that canvas bags are better for the environment.

Move over the fact that canvas bags are sturdier for carrying 4 litres of milk.

This is the fact you should be interested in...canvas bags can carry the mittens, hats and scarves when you get into stores! Think about it. One Mom. Two kids. That is 6 loose mittens, 3 hats, 3 scarves - to keep track of (don't get me started on holding hands in stores, or getting someone on a potty when that Mom is holding that much polar fleece).

Over the holidays, I folded up a canvas bag and threw it into my (too heavy) sling. When we got to the store and Thing 1 and Thing 2 started undressing their layers - I smartly took out the canvas bag and in went all the warm layers of clothing. It was a moment of genius!

A fellow Mom nodded, smiled and threw up an "THAT'S IT!!" when she saw my fan-tab-u-lous invention. Nothing lost. Hands free to hold (or get people on potties).

I'm telling you -- it will change your life.

Green Christmas

Tree is up. Decorations are up. Are you interested in making your Christmas a little greener? Well, we know solar powered Christmas lights don't really work so well. However, there are some other ways in which you can green your Christmas...

• Use felt bags in lieu of paper gift wrap
  
• Instead of buying plastic tree decorations - make your own paper decorations (hand prints, photos, snowflakes, snowmen)
  
• Use plantable paper (paper embedded with seeds) for cards
  
• Give baked items in re-usable containers
  
• In lieu of gifts for your kids little friends -- arrange play dates at a favourite indoor playground
  
• Carpool to Christmas parties
  
• In lieu of a teacher present - donate a book to the class
  
• In lieu of buying plastic dollar store stocking stuffers - purchase items with a longer life -- toothbrushes, comic books, games
  
• Turn off the television and radio and decorate the house while singing carols

Sigh...the first bee sting

Ah, the first steps. The first word. The first bee sting?! OK, not a very nice first -- but yesterday we experienced the first bee sting of life.

Well, we now know - with certainty - Thing 2 does not have an Anaphylactic shock reaction to bee stings. Panic attack reaction - yes. HUGE panic attack. HUGE.

Thank goodness for TeleHealth Ontario - those nurses are fantabulous (1-866-797-0000). They asked if Thing 2 had a tickle in Thing's throat or chest. If there was difficulty swallowing. If the swelling extended past the wrist (bitten on the "not polite" middle finger).

The remedy was ice, a water + baking soda solution on a cloth, some acetaminophen to ease the pain and a lot of television.

Lice and Olive Oil - Who Knew?...

Update on the lice; 3 tea tree oil treatments and Thing 1 and Thing 2 are lice free (crossed fingers as I type). Still a couple of nits last night so we'll keep at it.

Two Parent Club readers "shared" a lice treatment tip; covering wet hair with olive oil - then put up in a shower cap, cotton wrapped around the edges to avoid seeping - then sleep overnight with the shower cap.

Apparently, olive oil suffocates the lice. Also oil helps; well oil, the hair for the nit picking. There's a good toxin-free way of getting rid of lice!

There should be nothing "poison" at school!

Do you remember, last week, I wrote about Thing 2's itchy burning mystery rash?...The point of origin is poison ivy and poison oak growing on the school grounds (insert surprise/horror here). The above picture is what a mild reaction looks like - multiple this by 10; move the rash to a child's face and you have an idea of the reaction of Thing 2.

Apparently, it is growing around the fence in the school yard. SOME staff know that there are poisonous plants on the grounds - and they have told SOME the kids not to play there.

The Weed Control Act of Toronto states any owner of land (be it a home, work - or yes, school) must destroy noxious weeds and if they fail to comply - the City will go in and remove the plants - at the offenders cost. btw - the number to post a complaint is 416 338 0711 - yes, I complained.

Wait, more outrage coming! Another child has also had a severe reaction to the plants. And one other had a reaction last year. The school has never sent out any information of the existence of these plants to the parents. Amazing, they send out many memos about head lice and requesting volunteers for field trips but nary one piece of literature that my child is exposed - 3 times a day - to poisonous plants.

Kids should be safe at school. Period.

The Mini Chair - Mega Fun

Found this interesting Canadian Made Kid product in the latest yummymummyclub.com newsletter.
The Mini Chair Kit by Elia Fun. This is activity will appeal to toddlers, children and/or tweens as an independent project or family fun. The chair blends functionality with fun. Scribble, paint, colour or decoupage; hours, if not days, of fun can be had. Not just another cardboard box; this chair can actually support up to 200 pounds.

The Elia website has many suggestions on how one can decorate this chair. Specifically, we LOVED the idea of pasting pictures on the chair to make a memory collage. Great gift idea for a baby shower, birthday or a start of summer gift.

The reversible mini chair (which comes with 6 sticker sheets) is made of 100% recycled materials. 5% of sale profits go to charities supporting children and the environment. Available for purchase on the Elia Fun website at $29.99 each (shipping via FedEx to the Toronto area is approx. $16.00).

BPA Free

Thanks for the comments regarding the FREE avent sippy cups and BPA. Absolutely, research what you buy (or get for free). Read the Parent Club post which tells you about BPA and where to buy BPA-Free gear HERE.

On this vien of thought...a reader has shared that Zellers and toysrus is taking; bottles pumps, soothers, etc... back no matter the shape. They return full price for the item. Up to last week, these stores were taking items back without a receipt but starting this week -- you do need a receipt.