Buy Canadian First - Your destination for good shopping

Let's talk money. Several people have asked whether or not I'll be meticulously tracking my dollars spent on Canadiana this year. I don't think so. I'm already a compulsive life-quantifier, and I don't have the spare time to track both Canadianess and price.

However, I do occasionally want to check in on the question of dollars and cents, and how much more-for surely it's more and not less-I need to spend to live my Canadian life.

Here is a sampling of Canadian household goods that I picked up. Not all of these meet the gold standard of sourced in Canada, but these are at least silver medalists (manufactured in Canada):

I purchased these products at my friendly, neighbourhood Whole Foods store Choices (whoops). Collectively, they cost $41.76. Here's the receipt:

More than $40 for six ordinary, household consumables. That's quite pricey, eh? At least I got six cents off by bringing my own bag. Score.

I got to wondering...what would the "normal" versions of these cost at my local Save-on-Foods? I went downstairs (yes, I literally live above Save-on-Foods-I can take the elevator down) to the store and priced out the products that I would normally purchase instead of these wacky Canadian ones. Here's what I came up with. Prices include any savings I might have enjoyed with my magic Save-on-More card:

• Speed Stick antiperspirant - $2.25
• Pears soap - 3 for $3.59, so one bar is $1.19
• Garnier Fructis shampoo (because my hair gets too much sucrose and glucose) - $4.79
• Alcan aluminum foil - $4.29
• Colgate Total toothpaste - $2.99
• Western Family toilet paper - $8.99

Add tax, and that gives me $27.44, or about 65% of what I paid at Whole Foods.

Man, I am getting hosed. Whose idea was this project?

In fairness, I knew that I'd end up spending more money on Canadian products. Hopefully I discover some that are of a higher quality, and last longer than their foreign equivalents.

Are there any Canadian products that you buy, even though they're more expensive?

Read comments here.

Blog post re-printed with kind permission from  Darren Barefoot - 1Y1C.

Winter time is the ideal time to start a book club, especially if, like me, you got a Chapters.Indigo gift card for Christmas! A book club is a perfect cure for the Winter Blahs and will give you something to look forward to while you are waiting for the Sun to come back for Spring. To me, reading a book is like taking a vacation. Right about now, I feel like going somewhere hot and steamy ... somewhere like Dexter's Miami, for example!

 

You can start or join a virtual book club online or start or join a book club in your neighbourhood. There are book clubs for every genre and interest, age and personality. You can choose to go with one author and discuss each new publication or try different authors on one topic. You can  read cook books, craft books or childrens's books, too, if you want. Don't limit yourself to just adult fiction.

  

1. Find other people. Ask at local bookstores to see if there are already clubs in place. Maybe they have a bulletin board that you can advertise on for a new or existing club. Do you have a couple of friends who would like to participate? Each one can bring a friend and before you know it, you will have a club. Find people at work, school or church. Maybe friends from the gym would be interested. An ideal size for a group depends, I think, on where you are meeting. Anywhere from 4 - 1o people sounds good to me. If you have too many, discussion might be limited to only a few people.
2. Set a meeting time - Once a month is usually best for busy people to meet to talk about books. If you are starting the club, set the time that is best for you. Too much compromising can mean no book club if you aren't careful!
3. Advertise. Put up a notice at local bookstores, coffee shops or grocery stores. Try leaving a flyer in the laundry room of your apartment building. Get members to bring a friend. Try using Kijiji.  Just be careful! 
4. Set some rules. Will there be refreshments? Who will provide them? Will you lead the group or have different leaders each month? How will the books be chosen? How much participation will be expected of each member?
   
5. Play it by ear. Start your group and see how it goes. Dont be afraid to be flexible but don't feel that you have to incorporate every, single suggestion!
6. Have fun! If it's not fun, why bother! Make sure that reading your book club book doesn't become a chore!  Decide how many books a year you will read as a group, and how long you will have to read each one. You may want to read and discuss a book a month or one book every three months. It is helpful to have a list for the year right from the beginning so that people can take advantage of sales as they come across them ... or maybe even borrow a copy of the book from a friend who has already read it.

Welcome to the year 4708!!

February 3rd, 2011 marks the new year in the Chinese calender, ringing in the year of the Rabbit.  The Rabbit represents the fourth year in the 12 year cycle of the Chinese zodiac.  Like the houses of the zodiac in Western astrology, the animals of Chinese astrology are thought to describe the personality traits, and possibly, even impact of the world events in any year they rule. Those born in the year of the rabbit, as well as any of the other signs compatible with the rabbit, will likely have good fortune throughout the year. The year of the rabbit will be much calmer than the rough tumble of 2010's year of the tiger.

My mom loves the Chinese new year. Every year she mails a card with the Canada Post Chinese new year stamp and eventually ends up at my home with 2 bags of Chinese take out, little gifts, sparkling loonies in pretty red and gold envelopes and red candles to light up the dinner table. Last year was the year of the Tiger, my year, I still have my little tiger figurines and my red envelopes with a shiny loonie hiding inside. I will keep my day free  and set the table in wait for my mom to enter in a big red gust of good luck.

To prepare for the Chinese new year:

 * Cleaning the House - The Chinese consider it important to give the house a complete cleaning to sweep away the bad luck that may have gathered throughout the year. The rabbit year brings us back to the home and family. The Ecoholic Home from Chapters.Indigo may be just the book needed to clean house for the new year.

 * Decorate your windows panes and doors in red as red is believed to be a lucky colour. You and the kids, with some scissors and a littlle imagination, can make decorations with papercuttings, an ancient tradition.

*Take a few days off from house work - good luck needs to settle in. If you sweep too soon you may sweep away your good luck.

*Give out money packets made up of red envelopes with gold symbols and lucky coins inside.

*Serve festive foods - during the New Year's season there are foods that symbolize abundance and good fortune. Special dishes are prepared and often tangerines and oranges are given to children and guests as they represent wealth and good fortune.

•The Tray of Togetherness - A circular tray with eight compartments that is filled with symbolic foods that represent a sweet start to the new year.

 

Maybe this year I will surprise my mom with a tray of togetherness and fill it with special foods to symbolize and celebrate our sweet beginnings with the year of the rabbit. How does the rest of Canada celebrate and recognize the new year? The Royal Canadian Mint has a collection for the New Year, as does Canada Post and HGTV Canada can help plan your celebration! Do you celebrate the Chinese New Year?

 

 

 Photo credits: Chapters.Indigo, Chinese paper cut art, Canada Post

Image sources: Buy Canadian First member Brookside Foods

Here's a question. The project has received some early media attention, which is great. Along with lots of comments and tweets and email messages, I've already received offers of free made-in-Canada stuff. Thus far, it's been offers of some cleaning products, clothes and Canadian hosting services (never fear, I'm going to switch over from my American hosting before December, the ‘Internet' month).

This was unexpected, and not a goal of the project. I've had a relatively-popular blog for (deary me, is it really that long?) nine years, and I've received a smattering of stuff (and regular tickets to local theatre for reviewing purposes) over the years. If I was going to seek out a bunch of free stuff, I'd have done it over on that site.

I'm not sure how to proceed. If I accepted free stuff, it'd be with no strings attached. I might write about, and I might not. But, on the other hand, I wouldn't want to call the integrity of the project into question. So, I leave it up to you. Let me know what you think in the poll below, and I'll do whatever you choose. I'll close the poll in a week.

 

Photo by Xavier Tredjeu.

Read comments here.

Blog post re-printed with kind permission from  Darren Barefoot - 1Y1C.

 

Can we talk about perspiration? I'm a man. A man with hair on his chest, love in his heart and sudoriferous glands under his arms. I think, therefore I perspire.

I'm not one of those moist-faced dudes who look feverish despite being in the best of health. But suffice it to say that if I go on a 45-minute run, you could water a ficus by wringing out my shirt. I sometimes evaluate how hard I've exercised by the size of the peninsula of sweat that appears on my baseball cap. Sometimes when the sweat dries, it leaves a little shoreline of salty deposits behind.

I've always been an antiperspirant man. I've read the claims about antiperspirants causing Alzheimer's, but I'd rather forget a fragrant life than live a smelly one.

 

I've tried deodorants over the years, but they haven't proved, shall we say, Strong Enough For a Man. I remember, in my university days, trying one of those crystal deodorant sticks-truly a New Age solution for an old-school problem. If memory serves, the crystal stick was pink and odourless, and about as effective as rubbing a parsnip under my arm.

I've only begun my search for gold-standard (sourced, manufactured and designed in Canada) antiperspirant or deodorant. I suspect that I'll have difficulty finding anything as effective as good old ‘sport scent' (surely a misnomer-aren't I trying to avoid smelling like sports?) Speed Stick antiperspirant.

I'm starting with some tea tree deodorant from Green Beaver. How could I resist the hockey player on a frozen pond on the label? It's not entirely sourced in Canada, but a good place to start. I'm deploying it twice a day.

Have you got any suggestions for a, uh, pit stick manufactured and, ideally, sourced in Canada?

Photo by Jon Jablonsky

Read comments here.

Blog post re-printed with kind permission from  Darren Barefoot - 1Y1C.

Do you ever tell yourself that in the Spring you're going to do a big cleanup and get all your stuff organized?  Well, I say, let's do it now!  I would much rather do this type of thing in the Winter when it's -20 degrees outside and it's just too cold to do anything, than in the Spring when it's finally warming up and you just want to go out and take advantage of the beautiful new season.

The first thing I like to do is clean out my closets.  You know the drill, take out every pair of shoes and every piece of clothing you have and then analyze them one by one and go by process of elimination.  If you haven't worn it in the last 2 years, than you obviously won't wear it again.  If it's something that you just can't seem to let go of, or if you think it's something that might be useful to you in the future, I recommend storing it in handy storage bins.  Bins are great because you can put a lot of stuff in them, and they are stackable, so they are easy to keep out of the way and it's just as easy to pull them out when you need to get something out of them.  The best way to keep them organized is to label them using simple mailing labels that you probably have on hand or can purchase at Staples all across Canada.  Try to keep everything of the same category in your bins, that way it's easier for you to keep track and stay organized.

Bins aren't just for clothes or shoes either; on the contrary, you can store all kinds of different things in various sized bins.  Take buttons, for example. We've all purchased a piece of clothing at one point or another that came with spare buttons. But where do we put those spare buttons?  At first, I just used to throw them in a drawer in my nightstand or in my desk drawer or anywhere else.  But the problem with that is that when you actually need that spare button, trying to track it down can be a pain.  I use little plastic containers now to store them, so now they are all in one place and I'm not searching high and low for them.  I use the basic plastic containers from Dollarama which are not only affordable but Made in Canada!

Plastic lunch container - Dollarama

Another great way to be organized and green all at the same time is to start composting.  You can easily do this in any home whether you live in a house in the country or an apartment in the city.  Lee Valley Tools has made this easier for you to do with their kitchen compost pails, which come in different sizes. Each one includes an activated charcoal filter to absorb odours and will fit nicely on your countertop, inside a cupboard door or in a little corner of your kitchen.

Kitchen Compost Pails $ 18.50 - Lee Valley Tools

If you're like me and like to have everything in your life super organized from the kitchen, to your desk, to your CD's, DVD's, books etc., you might be a fan of lists.  I've been meaning to get my CD's and books organized for years and the time has finally come.  Being keen on making lists, I plan on keeping a notebook and having all my lists in one book.  You can get great notebooks from Hilroy that are not only made in Canada, but also have subject separators built right in, to make it simpler to list everything into categories.  So, now, I'll finally have a list of all my CD's and the books in my bookshelf and be able to avoid getting doubles as well as being able to track the items I lend out.

5-subject notebook - Hilroy

It doesn't take much to be organized, you just need a little bit of time to get started. Once you've got the basics down, it's just a question of keeping at it and staying organized to avoid having chaos and clutter overwhelm you.

How about you, how will you get organized this year?

 

By Annie Curran

I know I am often found complaining about Winter, which is pathetic for a prairie girl who marches to work with her little girls in -30 temperatures. I do love the Winter; the crunch of the snow, the way the snow crusts over the tree branches and the way the sun turns the landscape into a sparkling wonderland. I don't love the wind or all the layers of clothes and sinking knee deep into snowbanks. What I dislike the very most are the short days; waking, dressing and travelling in the morning darkness and returning home in the dark as well.

This past week brought -40 temperatures to Southern Manitoba, but life keeps trucking on. I find when the weather becomes like this, I have no problem hibernating in the house, catching up on work or watching movies with the kids. We start to feel it after several days, though. Everyone gets a little cranky and if I don't occupy them, they'll occupy themselves, usually at the expense of my house. So here are few quick and easy tips to keep little ones busy, when the weather is keeping you inside.

• The Giant Cardboard Box: the stuff of endless adventures.
• Journal everything!! Be inspired by Canadian author/illustrator Keri Smith and draw everything you eat for one day or make a stain log. You'll need a journal for this, especially an eco-friendly and adorable one, made in Canada, from Eco Jot.

 

• Collage - Grab anything and everything paper from your Blue Box, including fliers, magazines, clean food wrappers and more or try the pantry for noodles, rice, dried beans and legumes to create a mosaic.

Some Canadians are not so lucky in the Winter; just dealing with a common case of Cabin Fever with a side of antsy, grumbling family members would be a walk in the park when compared to experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) , also known as 'the winter blues'. 

People with mild symptoms of SAD can offset them by trying to get as much sunshine as they can. Arrange your furniture and trim outdoor branches to maximize the light in your space. Go for a walk during lunch and add lamps to your space to brighten things up when the evening comes.  Another activity to boost your mood is simple exercise. especially helpful is a routine that was created earlier in the year. Bodyguard Fitness has several home gym systems to choose from and keep you active inside during the winter months.

 

 

People with more severe symptoms of SAD need to see their physicans for treatment. If you wonder if you're depressed or if you are concerned for someone else, visit Depression Hurts.ca for a questionnaire and more information.

What are your favourite ways to squash cabin fever and kick the winter blues? I know this little prairie girl could use some more ideas.

 

 Images courtesy of Flickr member Markusram, andrea willowcat and Bodyguard Fitness.

 

Thanks to everybody who's left a comment, or followed my progress on le Twitter and la Facebook. A lot of you have asked questions. Instead of filling up the comment threads (as if the comment threads were a finite resource), I thought I'd write a post of your questions and my answers. This will probably be the first in a series.

 

Kyle: Are you going to turn in your iPhone for a Blackberry?

Kyle asks this because Research in Motion, the folks who make Blackberrys, are located in Wateroo, Ontario. While, as you know, iPhones are designed by tiny hipster angels in Heaven.

If you consult the official 1Y1C calendar (note: calendar subject to change), you won't find electronics on it. Why is this? I need to eat. In order to eat, I need to generate income and exchange it for food. Sadly, my only reliable skills require a computer and a phone. Plus, at best, I could find a device that was designed in Canada (and I wonder if RIM doesn't work with American design firms).

I'm looking for (ideally) a company that will produce some little cards for this project, in the style of Moo Cards. Ideally, they're located in Canada, and use card stock sourced from Canadian sources. Any suggestions?

David: Will you be mentioning the retail outlets where we can get the products you write about?

Absolutely. This project is designed to be about my thoughtful consumption, and I hope others who are interested can benefit from my research. I want to reward retailers for talking transparently about where their products come from.

Kat: Will you be getting rid of all the products you have that are not Canadian?

Whenever possible, I'm planning on using up the non-Canadian product and replacing it with a Canadian one during that category's month. It seemed needlessly wasteful to chuck existing products, especially disposable stuff like soap or cleaners. Also, this eases my, uh, transition each month.

Lots of people: What are your rules going to be for the Clothing month, the Internet month or any of the other months?

Good question, lots of people. In truth, I'm not sure yet. That's one reason I organized the project into 12 cumulative months, so that I could spread out my planning and research throughout the year. It also enables me to consult with you good people about what the right set of rules for a given month might be.

Rest assured that the rules will vary for each month, based on the category and the practicalities associated with it.

Theresa: If you can't find toilet paper sourced and manufactured in Canada, why no just use (and re-use!) old rags made from clothes manufactured in Canada?

Fortunately, I make the rules. And while I welcome creative solutions to common problems, this seems like a bridge too far.

Read comments here.

Blog post re-printed with kind permission from  Darren Barefoot - 1Y1C

Official website: Springwater Woodcraft

Air conditioners: Winter

Big appliances: September and October

Bicycles and outdoor gear: January

Boats: January, February and March

Cars: September

Cell phones: any time

Computers: July and August

Cookware: April and May; October and November

Furniture: January and July

Gas grills: Winter

Jewellery: Avoid the holidays, especially Valentine's Day and Mother's Day!

Linens and bedding: January

Mattresses: Always

Real estate: Spring

Recreational vehicles: Fall and Winter

Toys: October and November

TVs and home theaters: Winter holiday sales and January

Vacuum cleaners: April and May

Weddings: Winter

                                      Guru

Armed with this list, and the local flyers, you will be the most informed shopper in town! Do you already shop by the Sale Seasons or is your shopping more hit and miss?

Image sources: Buy Canadian First members

The word knitting is derived from knot, which is thought to originate from the Dutch verb knutten, similar to the Old English verb cnyttan, to knot. Once an essential means of protecting ourselves from the elements, today, knitting is a skilled craft and hobby producing beautiful pieces that still keep us cozy. I love to knit but time is often my foe. To become more skilled in the craft, my goal is to make some time and learn to knit mittens and striped socks, which I adore! I am hopeful that by next winter my fingers and toes will be warm as will all my poppets.

 

Knitting is hip! In my opinion it always has been, but now, knitting is over the top. This is especially seen with sites like Ravelry (A place for knitters, crocheters, designers, spinners, weavers and dyers to keep track of their yarn, tools, project and pattern information, and look to others for ideas and inspiration), knitting circles and guilds all across Canada and all the fabulous Canadian knitters who blog about their craft, such as Hook and Needle with great tutorials and Knitty blog with knitting news (including a piece about a Toronto school art teacher who started a knitting club that inspired both boys and girls to participate), contests and more.

 As a shopper, I find that I am a bit of a tightwad and most of my knitting supplies are found at second hand stores and yard sales. It is truly a joy to chat with seasoned crafters who have tips and stories but who's hands can no longer craft. For me, it is the best way to collect my knitting needles. Sometimes my pocket book widens when it comes to the wonderful world of yarn and ohh, there are beautiful yarns available in Canada! The retail stores Patons and Bernat have several Made in Canada selections. I adore shopping online for yarn, too, as the possibilities are endless; alpaca, merino, wool, angora and mohair, bulky and fine and, of course, any colour of the rainbow. The Canadian Co-operative Wool Growers Limited has a great shop with yarn, supplies, and books as well as this chunky yarn I've been coveting for a while. Sadly after 12 years, Four Seasons Knitting Products is closing it's virtual doors and tempting me with a plethora of discounts.

I know that it'll take years before my socks and mittens are well made enough to be given as gifts, let alone worn, in fact a little, wee voice mocks me about the time needed to hone my skills. Time is a rare commodity in my life so back to scarves and big fluffy wash cloths in those rare sitting moments. Fortunately all is not lost.  Buy Canadian First member Les Bas de Julie can help with her beautiful wool socks, another item on my wish list.  One of these days I am headed to the city to where the wool things are and join my friend Andee for a little knitting. Who knows, I may learn how to knit a mitten yet!

 

I would love to know if  you knit, crochet or spin? What are your favourite materials, current projects and knitty hang outs? 

 

 

photo sources: Flickr- Sunny Buick, Canadian co-operative wool growers ltd, flickr- 111emergency, BCF mamber Les Bas de Julie

Toilet paper should be easy. Canada has vast timber reserves, and we routinely hear about how much virgin boreal forest is getting turned into bog roll. Nobody wants to wipe their bum with old growth forest, but surely I could count on some exploitative Canadian manufacturers. Right?

And yet, my searches-both offline and on-have turned up bupkis. I was optimistic when I spotted Cascades toilet tissue at Choices. Their toilet paper is manufactured from recycled paper in Quebec, and they have a strong commitment to sustainability. Plus, you know, they have an absorption guarantee.

 

I contacted them to confirm the origin of their recycled paper, and this was their reply:

Unfortunately, it is impossible for us to attest that all of the ingredients used to make our products originate in Canada.  In the paper making industry, we deal with big suppliers in North America that have multiple locations.  It would be hard for us to know where every single component is coming from.

We wish you the best of luck with you project to consume only products and services made in Canada.

Zut alors! So, I think Cascades toilet paper becomes the first of the compromise household goods. According to this month's rules, I can use a manufactured product that isn't necessarily sourced in Canada if I can't find a product entirely sourced here.

Sidenote: In writing this post, I solicited my tweeps for synonyms for toilet paper. Popular choices included bathroom tissue, TP, ass wipes, dunny roll, bun wad, sh*t tickets and bog roll.

Photo by Mandie.

Read comments here.

Blog post re-printed with kind permission from  Darren Barefoot - 1Y1C.

Have you ever considered how much stuff you regularly consume and replace around your house? Even when you disregard food, there are cupboards full of things that you use up. Here's my list, organized into the two basic groups of Kitchen and Bathroom.

Kitchen Stuff

• Dish-washing liquid
• Dishwasher detergent
• All-purpose cleaner
• Paper towel
• Saran wrap
• Garbage bags
• Aluminum foil
• Laundry detergent

Bathroom Stuff

• Soap
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Hair goo (at least, that's what I call this stuff)
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Floss
• Mouthwash
• Shaving cream
• Disposable razors
• Hand sanitizer
• Eye bag remover

I'm just kidding about that last one. I mean, who am I, Patrick Dempsey?

In short, it's everything under your kitchen sink, and in your bathroom cupboards. I'm calling this stuff "household goods", though I'm shopping around for a better name. Any suggestions?

. 

The Rules
Household goods are the first category of Canadian stuff I'm consuming. What's my criteria for this month? Ideally, I'm looking for products that are entirely sourced and produced in Canada, excluding the packaging. Lots of products, of course, are "made in Canada" (more on this later), but few are completely sourced in our country.

There will no doubt be items which, no matter how hard I look, are not sourced in Canada. In that case, I'll have to settle for manufactured in Canada.

Images courtesy of Don O'Brien.

Read comments here.

Blog post re-printed with kind permission from  Darren Barefoot - 1Y1C.

I think we'll have contests every month here at One Year, One Canadian. That sounds like fun, doesn't it?

For month #1, let's keep things nice and simple. There's a $50 Mountain Equipment Co-op gift certificate up for grabs. To win it, all you have to do is leave a comment on any blog post, follow One Year, One Canadian on Twitter or ‘like' my brand-spanking-new (and, for the moment, deeply uninteresting) Facebook  page.

If you do all three, you'll treble your chances of winning. For non-British speakers, that's double plus one. I figure one of those activities will take you, on average, 18 seconds.

  

Is the gift card itself manufactured in Canada? I'm doubtful, but I'll look into it.

Read comments here.

Blog post re-printed with kind permission from  Darren Barefoot - 1Y1C.

Earlier this month, I began researching companies that might produce products that are both sourced and manufactured in Canada. I began across the street at Whole Foods (or Whole Paycheque, if you prefer), scrutinizing the detergent and soap sections. I lingered, scrawling product and company names in my notebook while the peppy Whole Foods staff looked on nervously.

I later visited Choices as well, and was surprised by the broad array of Canadian-made cleaners out there. I took my list home, typed it up, and began contacting companies to determine whether their products are entirely sourced in Canada. If you're particularly keen, you can check out my spreadsheet of products.

I quite liked the sound of Green Beaver toothpaste, though they haven't gotten back to me yet. I was also pleased to find a brand of laundry detergent called "Vancouver Only". I made a note of it, and went home to search for the company's website. Amusingly, the top search result begins "Vancouver Only, the brand with absolutely no web presence". So, no joy there.

After some research, the good folks at Nature Clean Living told me that their unscented products are entirely sourced in Canada. Score! I'm now the proud owner of their laundry detergent, dish detergent, hand sanitizer and dishwasher detergent. The dish detergent doesn't quite have the grease-cutting crispness of our usual liquid, but otherwise it's doing a good job.

I am, however, slightly troubled by the eerily-cheerful children featured on the Nature Clean bottles. There's a kind of creepy vacancy in this kid's eyes, isn't there?

Mom, those neighbourhood dogs won't be keeping us up anymore.

Next up, soaps and shampoos.

Read comments here.

Blog post re-printed with kind permission from  Darren Barefoot - 1Y1C.

So here it is, another year has come to an end. Was it a good one? Did you accomplish all that you hoped? I hope that 2010 brought all of you what you dreamt of. 2010, for me, came with changes, some big and others small. There were a few triumphs, some sorrows, visits with old friends that are always missed and all of it, peppered with the giggles of my kids. 2011 is a whole new 365 days that will unfold itself into another year, hopefully filled with some adventure, new beginnings and ultimately, peacefulness. Oh yes, and what kind of New Year would it be with out resolutions and goals?

So what's in store for Dre this year? 

1. Some solitude. I have 3 children of my own and work as a childcare assistant. I am surrounded by giggles and complaints nearly every moment of everyday, including the nights since my toddler has taken to waking in the wee hours. Everyday I would like to find at least 30 minutes to enjoy a quiet cup of coffee (I'd love to try the this dark roast from Kicking Horse Coffee , I have enjoyed some of their other roasts and this one is next), a chapter of a book or just to sit and watch the world pass my window.

 

2. Wellness and fitness. In 2010, I lost about 20kg (about 45 lbs.) and there is still a bit more to go. Taking stock of my habits and the things I enjoy, I know that the gym is not for me. Neither are boot camps or slaving away in a class trying to organize my limbs to follow the instructor (which is a futile task). In 2011 the fitness goals for me include play and peace. Playing with my kids, teaching the eldest girl to ride her bike, tag, hide and seek, rolling down hills and running back up. It truly is the most simple of ideas, just play. The peace comes through a yoga routine: a quiet moment to focus on breathing and the body. To focus on the self and the energy that passes through. I will also visit the dentist, get a check up and focus on improving my diet...though this may or may not alter my coffee intake.

 

 3. Balance. Life is busy. Work, family, school, chores and other unexpected events all take time and deserve the best that you have to give. One can not ignore the value of  balance, though! This year, to tip the scales, I plan to be "cruisy mellow", take some time to maintain my personal blog , go on a vacation , and create, draw, sew, paint, write, take photographs and daydream, all of which may find it's way to my etsy shop .

I have high hopes for 2011, a busy year like every other year, but balanced with time for the small things that fill up my reserves and keep everything in evenness. I hope it turns out to be all I dream it to be. I also hope that your new year is all you want it to be, filled with dreams and hope, blessings and learning. Most of all, I wish all of you heaps of goodness and joy.  How do you plan to spend your 2011? What are your goals and wishes, hopes and dreams for this new year? 

 

 Photo credits: Kicking Horse Coffee, willowcatstudio

The first thing that intrigued me about Essentia mattresses is that you can buy them online and shipping is free! The second thing I liked was how informative their website is. I am not an expert in mattresses, I just know that I want and need a good night's rest. There is lots of helpful information on the site that is laid out in an easy-to-navigate style which I appreciate.

Official website: Essentia

When was the last time that you bought a new mattress?

Has it been a year already since I was telling you about Turquoise? We are trading the cool, calming effects of the ocean for the energizing glory of  a sun-loving flower! I like it! Specifically, the colour is PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle.

Pantone says that energizing Honeysuckle "lifts spirits and imparts confidence to meet life's ongoing challenges"! Couldn't we all use a hit of Honeysuckle right about now? Winter can be so very drab and colourless, so gray and monotonous. Honeysuckle packs a pow that will really perk up anything and everything!

According to their press release, Pantone feels that, while the 2010 color of the year, PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise, served as an escape for many, Honeysuckle emboldens us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor. A dynamic reddish pink, Honeysuckle is encouraging and uplifting. It elevates our psyche beyond escape, instilling the confidence, courage and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life. What a generous and inspiring colour!

“In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum.”
   I actually just got a beautiful honeysuckle turtleneck sweater that has been garnering me lots of compliments! Honeysuckle really is a flattering colour for all ages! A little honeysuckle can flatter your environment too! Toss a honeysuckle coloured pillow or two on the couch, add some honeysuckle coloured sheets to the bedroom and towels to the bathroom, and you'll feel energized whenever you see them! For over a decade, Pantone's Color of the Year declarations have influenced product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries including fashion, home and industrial design. More information is available at www.pantone.com. Images courtesy of Pantone.