Buy Canadian First - Your destination for good shopping

Wellness and sleep are closely related. How have you been sleeping lately? Since you spend about one third of your life in bed, it's well worth considering what kind of mattress you (and your kids) sleep on every night. 

A good sleep is everyone's wish, but what about the stuff you breathe in all night? Did you know that most mattresses are made with toxic foams, glues and chemically treated fabrics that emit harmful VOCs? Not to mention that they are a breeding ground for dust mites and other allergens. That’s enough to keep you up at night, right?

We did a little digging and found a healthy, Canadian-made alternative: natural memory foam mattresses made in Montreal by Essentia. Using all-natural ingredients, Essentia has created the World's ONLY natural memory foam, which they use in their collection of mattresses and pillows.

Naturally dust mite and bed bug resistant, this hypoallergenic foam is made from the sap of the rubber tree, organic essential oils, natural plant extracts, and water. Unlike all other memory foams on the market (which are made with petrochemicals!), Essentia mattresses and pillows are breathable and will not leave you hot and sticky. And as far as comfort goes, experts agree that memory foam is best, as it contours the body and provides excellent custom-made support for a restful sleep.

Essentia has been featured on Dr. OZ, Anderson Live, Rachael Ray and the Dragon's Den.

You're probably wondering if you can afford an Essentia mattress. Well, we’ve got excellent news for you! The answer is YES!

We have partnered with Essentia to offer you their biggest sale this year, exclusive to Buy Canadian First readers like you: get 20% back in Essentia products with every mattress purchased.

This exclusive offer is available online, or in any of their retail locations in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Ottawa. Just mention the promo code: Buy Canadian First

Choose among a wide selection of mattresses for the entire family, including your pooch! Add pillows, organic cotton sheets, mattress covers, etc. You will be well on your way to a healthy & restful sleep, made in Canada.

Good night...zzz

The last time I was in Winnipeg was 16 years ago. I was backpacking alone across this great country of ours by train, stopping in Toronto, Niagara Falls, Sault Ste Marie, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Jasper, Kamloops and Vancouver, staying in youth hostels along the way. At the time (I was about to turn 19) this was something I felt I had to do before I started travelling to foreign countries. I only spent 3 days in Winnipeg but have great memories of this fun and historically rich city.

So obviously you could understand why I was excited to get a call from the producer at BT Winnipeg inviting Buy Canadian First to be on their show... and I'm thrilled to say that my second time out to Winnipeg was equally fun. I stayed at the Inn at the Forks. Primarily because of location as the CityTV studio is litterally around the corner from the hotel, but boy what a gorgeous boutique hotel!

Once there (at 7:00AM Wednesday morning), I was welcomed by the security guard and then the set director who gave me the 411 on how things were going to happen. He was really helpful and also very curious about what Buy Canadian First was about. As I crossed the set, while the BT crew was on a commercial break, Pay Chen, producer and co-host, recognized me. "Hi Melissa!" she yelled and waved. So nice... I set everything up for our first segment that I would be doing with Pay. Jon Ljungberg, her co-host, came by to chat with me and to talk about the wine we were going to feature (huge fan of Canadian wines)... The crew was also very inquisitive about the products and even gave me a few leads on Manitoban-made products they knew of (thanks guys!). I had a bit of time left to run through the layout with Pay and then we went live!   

Segment 1: Spring Cleaning for the Mind, Body & Soul. These are the companies we featured:

The Garlic Box, Ontario (official website)

 

Evengrow, Quebec (official website)

 

Pure Anada, Manitoba (official website)

 

Aroma Crystal Therapy, British-Columbia (official website)

 

Peller Estate Wines, British-Columbia & Ontario (official website)

 

Elvira Jewellry, Ontario (official website)

 

My wardrobe was graciously provided by Diane Kennedy Designs and Elvira Jewellry. And my makeup was from Pure Anada.

The display counter was quickly carted off the set when we were done (and almost ran out of time) and I quickly setup for the second segment. I was going to change my outfit and jewellry, but there was no time. Live TV is a different beast, I tell ya! Pay and I did a quick run through and then the countdown began again "and we're back in 4...3...2..."

Segment 2: In time for earth week, eco-friendly made-in-Canada products. These are the Companies we featured:

Natural Plantation, Saskatchewan (official website)

 

Green Beaver Jr, Ontario (official website)

 

Majesta, New Brunswick (official website)

 

Diane Kennedy Designs, British-Columbia (official website)

 

Truth Belts, Ontario (official website)

 

All the companies we featured also made donations to the Rainbow Society. A wonderful non-profit organization dedicated to realizing the dreams of seriouslly ill children in Manitoba. If you'd like to make a donation, or get involved by volunteering, visit their website here.

I was (still) wearing Diane Kennedy Designs and Elvira Jewellry. My makeup was (still) from Pure Anada.

I left a bunch of the products behind for a lucky viewer to receive. There must've been about $400 worth of products... lucky indeed! I then reluctantly bid farewell to my new Manitoban friends and headed back to the hotel.

It was such a beautiful day yesterday. I spent the rest of my time at The Forks Market, walking around the grounds and browsing the shops. I even found a first edition Stuart Little for $30 at the antique store in the Johnston Terminal (no, it's not Canadian, but come on... it's a 1st edition of a children's classic book! What a find!)

Before long, it was time to go. I finished packing and headed towards the airport. This trip came at a good time for me. Felt good to be away from home. Even if it was just for a day. I hope to be back again real soon! See you later Friendly Manitoba! 

Author: Melissa Thibodeau

Blog post written by: Kirsten Bartel

Your dog was skunked? No problem! Read our recent post entitled Tackling Aromatic Encounters - Preparation for information on how to make a home remedy to combat this problem, roll up your sleeves and get ready for the fun part! Oh and don’t forget those all important items of lavender, hops and herbs.

pour the solution over your dog, often using sponges will help in the process, and massage well into the fur. Make sure none of the bath water gets into your dog's eyes or face as it is a very strong irritant. Gently wash the face by using a paper towel and soft strokes, ensuring to keep it out of the eyes and mouth. Also Hydrogen Peroxide should not be digested internally, so no drinking out of the tub! Leave the solution on the dog's fur for about five minutes and then rinse well. Pour the water out and make a new solution and repeat the entire process.

Optional: Many people use vinegar for the first rinse, then clear water, then do the second washing and then they repeat again. If you are using white vinegar, it is best to dilute it with water to minimize skin irritation. Apple cider vinegar is a good alternate solution as it has some medicinal properties and helps the fur.

If your dog was sprayed directly in the face, make a thorough inspection of the eyes, call your veterinarian if at all possible, and rinse her eyes with a natural saline eye drops or artificial tears. You may want to use some drops for yourself to ease the effect on your eyes from the strong skunk vapours. The spray from the skunk is extremely irritating and can also cause some nausea.

Dry the dog off with some eco-friendly paper towels and old towels (it is best to not to use your best bath towels for this). Dispose of any items which are unsalvageable in bio-degradable bags.

After you get the smell out, it is a good idea to use natural Oatmeal and Aloe shampoo to revitalize the skin and fur. Your dog's fur may bleach from the solution and may shed more for about a month until it recovers, however, the wonderful aroma should be eliminated. Any lingering scent may come from the dog’s face but it will dissipate.

Lavender, Hops and Herbs

Now you are probably wondering where the lavender, hops and herbs come in? After such a wonderful ordeal, you will no doubt need to calm your nerves. Lavender oil is a great essential oil which calms the skin and nerves, for men, women and dogs. You can mix some up in water or try member's Tuscan Farm Gardens product Lavender Body Spray and spray it on the dog's bed and on yourself. Even better, use the spray for the dog and take a bath using their  Lavender Milk Bath, so you can relax and regain a sense of well-being while allowing the sodium bicarbonate to soothe your skin.

The solution is strong and although you should be wearing gloves, some solution may make it's way into your gloves and could roughen up your hands. If so, don't worry. You can get the care you need, all the while also supporting made-in-Canada brands: Buy Canadian First has members who manufacture and sell some pretty great hand and body lotions: Upper Canada Soap has an amazing hand care collection called All About Hands. Through our retailer Well.ca, try Ella's Botanicals Yummy Almond Hand and Body Lotion. You can also check out Canus Goat's Milk product Canus Goat's Milk Moisturizing Lotion with Shea Butter or Mont-Echo Naturels, Inc. product purSea Hand Lotion.

Afterwards, have a fine relaxing herbal tea, such as member Nature Bella's product Algonquin peace tea by Mother Earth herbal teas.

If you feel you need something stronger, hops is also a great herb for relaxation (seriously). You can buy some in bulk at your local health food store. Or perhaps a nice bottle of beer from one of our local microbreweries may fair you well. A Boréale perhaps? The Quebec-owned microbrewery, Les Brasseurs du Nord, have six ale-type beers with a lot of character to help you chill. Or maybe a choice selection from la microbrasserie Unibroue, such as a Maudite or Fin du Monde, since no doubt you thought it was the end of the world until you were completely free of that smell!

Source: Flickr Creative Commons, Oakley Originals, Flickr Creative Commons, Selma Broeder, BuyCanadianFirst.ca, Nature-Bella.com

Blog post written by: Kirsten Bartel

Even with the best intentions of preventing such an encounter, unexpected things can unfortunately happen — especially when you own a curious pooch — and your greatest fears may be realized:

You or your dog, or worse, both of you met a skunk!

Don’t panic. Just remember to be prepared and to know of a simple home remedy for that lovely aroma these creatures leave behind on our dogs and ourselves.

To recover, you will need the following:

• One skunked dog
• Hydrogen Peroxide 3% solution: You may want to  have two bottles of Canadian-made Résérvé Hydrogen peroxide 10 Volume 450ml, manufactured by Groupe Pharmessor in Boucherville, Quebec, in the house as a topical antiseptic for minor wounds and skunk emergencies
• Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda): Try Canadian made Eco-Pioneer Pure Baking Soda by Verve Naturals

• Dishwashing Liquid: Buy Canadian First member Attitude has amazing environmentally-friendly, biodegradable and non toxic dishwashing liquids, available in Grapefruit & Bergamot or Ylang Ylang & Lime. Any citric dishwashing will do, just make sure there is no tea tree oil in the product you choose as tea tree oil can be toxic to pets.

Other useful items:

• Rubber gloves & rubber boots: Try these Waterproof Rainboots available from Buy Canadian First member Rallye Footwear Inc.
• Vinegar: President's Choice The Natural Vinegar (white vinegar) can be used if diluted with water, or Apple Cider Vinegar. You can learn more about the Vinegar Market in Canada by reading articles on the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada web site.
• Bio-degradable Plastic bags
• Paper towels: Buy Canadian First member, Cascades Inc. makes some wonderful products. Check out their Cascades Enviro 100% Recycled Paper Towels, which are made without new tree pulp
• Old Towels
• Toothpaste: Any brand will do, but you may want to check out Buy Canadian First member Green Beaver's natural toothpastes, such as the Green Beaver Green Apple Toothpaste

• Sponges: Try Buy Canadian First member Polyad Industries Ltd. various collections of sponges, such as the The O’Maré® Seahorse™ Sponge Collection - sponges which will pamper the skin and foam up with minimal soap, Equest® Sponge Collection - great for bathing horses or skunked dogs, or the SOAKER® Sponge Collection, all by SOAKER® Seahorse™
• Dog Shampoo: an oatmeal and aloe shampoo would be good to soothe the skin and help the coat
• Lavender, hops and herbs

The procedure
Step one - Preparation

First do not let the dog, or anyone who was sprayed, in the house or car. Then mix the following concoction together:

1 litre Hydrogen Peroxide 3% solution
50 ml (1/4 cup) sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
5 ml (1 tsp) dishwashing liquid

But wait! What about the tomato juice, you ask? The best thing to do with tomato juice when it comes to skunks, is to pour it in a glass and drink it, or even better, get some Canadian invented Clamato Juice and Canadian vodka, like Polar Ice and mix yourself a Bloody Caesar, and take a sip. It may help in bracing yourself for the next step ;)

It is best to wear old clothes, rubber boots and especially rubber gloves so that you do not get the smell on your hands. If you should already have some from catching your dog, you can either put some toothpaste on your hands and rinse or wash them in the solution you just mixed together, then dry them with some eco-friendly paper towels, roll up your sleeves and put on your gloves.

Ready? Okay, now remember this important concoction and stay tuned, as in the next segment I will give tips on how to survive the actual bath!

Image sources: Flickr Creative Commons, Oakley Originals, Attitude, labonneattitude.com, BuyCanadianFirst.ca, Flickr Creative Commons, Kristen Taylor

Blog post written by: Kirsten Bartel

Ah! Fall has arrived at last! A season when dog owners, and all Canadians across the country, can still rush to get outdoors without multiple layers of clothes and coats, or fear of sinking belly deep in snow ... Just yet. The joys of hiking in the wilderness, exploring the countryside and enjoying nature at its best with your canine friend is sure to put smiles on every face. Dog lovers across the country will attest that there is nothing quite like it.

Preparing for an outing is important, even if you don't have far to go. Five kilometres from home is still a fair hike if you find yourself in need of something which is laying on your kitchen table.

Some basics for a pleasant trek in the country with your pup:

( ) A Hat. Personally I love my "Handcrafted in Canada with Care" Tilley hat for sun protection, however, you can find others. Perhaps a made in Canada Blurr Flora Cap or a MEC Rover Hat from Mountain Equipment Co-op is more to your liking?

( ) Bio bags. Try eco-friendly bags such as those from Sacsmunger, Epi-global or Natursac.

( ) Rubber boots. I use the traditional Canadian Marshland Red Sole Rubber Boots from Canadian Tire, but you can also try these Waterproof Rainboots available from Buy Canadian First member Rallye Footwear Inc.

( ) Quality sunglasses

( ) Water. If you haven't done so already, get a refillable aluminium water bottle, like Otterbottles. Otterbottles are not Made in Canada (nobody seems to make aluminium or steel bottles in Canada) but they are a great Canadian company - They even received a thumbs up from David Suzuki!

( ) Waist / Backpack

( ) Basic first-aid items

( ) Sun screen

( ) Lip balm. Try Buy Canadian First member's products like the Clear Lip Saver by Aroma Crystal Therapy, Tuscan Farm Gardens Organic Lavender Honey Lip Balm, or Pursea Lip Balm.

( ) Natural bug repellant. I make my own but try the Natural Insect Repellent by Glengarry Gardens for yourself and maybe the Tuscan Farm Gardens Lavender Body Spray for your dog.

( ) Natural doggy treats (not essential but always appreciated)

( ) Leather leash and collar. I really like this leather dog lead and leather dog collar from Buy Canadian First member Roots.

And don't forget your camera! Even during short walks just this past week, I was able to sight a red-winged blackbird flying over the crop fields, a deer feeding in the early morning sunlight and a rainbow arching across the sky. You just never know what is in store for you, even in your own backyard.

Explore, discover and enjoy!

A camera is also handy to capture any antics your dog may decide to throw your way. Dogs In Canada magazine often has a photo contest and, who knows, you may just get that winning image!

Being prepared makes all adventures more enjoyable and that includes learning about your area and what natural wonders you can find. Summer to early autumn, as even urban lovers know, is a time when wildlife is in abundance. An encounter we all dread is one with our friendly neighbourhood striped skunk. You can't get more natural than a skunk, however, there are some things in nature we may like to live without.

 Image sources: Flickr Creative Commons, Jesse Yardley (Fotographix.ca), BuyCanadianFirst.ca

My household is ill. The toddler was struck last weekend, my computer on Monday, and the baby this past Wednesday. I have cold butterflies in my belly, a thump in my head and an ache in my throat: I think we have the flu. Health Canada describes the flu like this; "Human influenza, or the flu, is a respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus. Influenza typically starts with a headache, chills and cough, followed rapidly by fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches and fatigue, running nose, sneezing, watery eyes and throat irritation. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may also occur, especially in children." Those are my toddler's symptoms.

In most cases people will recover from seasonal influenza within 10 days, but the elderly and children with existing health conditions may develop more serious conditions like pneumonia. Sadly 4,000 - 8,000 Canadians die from influenza and its complications every year.

Influenza prevention
These are some common tips and tricks but before starting any health regime, you should consult your family physician first.

• Get your flu shot - Each year virologists try to make an educated guess as to which strains of influenza virus maybe approaching us. Your flu shot contains a vaccine for about 3 different strains but you won't get the flu from the flu shot! The vaccine is created with a dead virus to simulate a real virus, your body attacks it creating antibodies and when the same strain attacks your body your antibodies are already in place to destroy it. In Manitoba the vaccine is free to certain risk groups; aged 65 or older, between the ages of 6-23 months, if you have heart and lung disease or any chronic illness, a first responder, a health care worker, reside with anyone under the age of 2 or over the age of 65 or are pregnant. Find a flu shot clinic in your town here.

• Wash your hands! It's easy to do and is a highly effective way of preventing the spread of germs. It is good practise before handling food, eating meals and feeding children. As well as after changing diapers, using the restroom, blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, handling shared items like toys or stair rails and handling animals. If you are visiting a sick person ensure you wash your hands before and after your visit, for the patient's consideration as well as your own. To properly wash your hands remove rings and put a dab of liquid soap on your hands, with warm water proceed to rub your hands together all over including between your fingers. Continue this motion for about 20 seconds then rinse with warm water. Soap and water do not necessarily kill all the germs but the act flushes the germs and bacteria away. You could also use hand sanitizer products. In Canada, we manufacture One Step. You can get this product in various formats, so that you always have some readily available. Afterwards moisturise your hands to keep your skin subtle and strong. Here at Buy Canadian First we have several soap manufacturer members such as the Goat milk soaps from Canus that are biodegradable & phosphate free and

• Take care of your immune system -  Stay active, get proper rest, manage your stress levels and eat well. You'll have a greater chance of avoiding the flu bug. Interest in tart cherries are proving to not only give pain relief to gout and arthritis sufferers but also a rich antioxidant giving the immune system a boost. The NaturEmporium sells Cherry Lane's Montgomery Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate. These special cherries are grown in the Niagara region. You dilute 1/2 cup with water and you can sweeted to taste with honey or maple syrup. This all natural fruit may just be Canada's little super hero!
  
  Another made in Canada product - Cold FX, can also help stave off the flu when taken daily. It gives your immune system everything it needs to stay vitalized. A friend of mine swears by this product every year during the cold & flu cycles.
  

• Be mindful of where you sneeze - Finally, all the droplets that come from our mouths and noses while we are sick with influenza are highly contagious. When you are about to sneeze or cough be sure to cover your mouth with a tissue or the inside of your elbow to prevent the spread of germs.

If you are already sick, as I am, lay your sorry bones down, get your rest, drink plenty of fluids, and wait until your fever is gone and your cough has gotten better. It is critical to stay home and get better. If you venture out too soon, you will spread the disease and you will prolong your suffering because of lack of proper rest and bad karma (!) Luckily, we'll all be better soon, except for the computer and for her, we're keeping our fingers crossed.
Be well!

Image sources: Flickr Creative Commons - lesleyhyphenanne, Canus, Lush, NaturEmporium

Blog post written by: Judy Brown

I confess, I'm a soap junkie. This morning I went online looking for Canadian-Made bath products.

I found Ella's Botanicals in Ontario. A trained herbalist and aroma therapist, Ella uses organic Canadian biodegradable ingredients. My soap choice looks good enough to eat! Morning Buzz. Coffee and oranges! The coffee grins exfoliate, and the scent of orange and rosemary is going to rejuvenate me as well as soften my skin. Can't beat that.

Carmel Soaps in Alix, Alberta has more fruit to go with my coffee. The Cucumber and Melon soap is great. The goat's milk soap really lathers up nicely. They have an assortment of 4 bars for $20.00 - a good price for handmade naturals. They also sell balms, oils and hand-poured candles.

Okay, I've had my coffee and fruit, let's see what I can find for dessert. Aha, right in trendy Yaletown, Vancouver there's Beauty Mark. And here's my dessert, Buttercream Frosting Hydrating Shower Syrup. Hmmm, who would have thought you could get hungry shopping for soap and bath items?

On the site, you can put your birth date and find out what your Chinease Astrology sign is. I'm a 'wood personality.' It tells me: Don't let yourself be lost in a vast forest, an anonymous tree among millions of others. Make your mark on the world, don't be shy. I'll have to think about that one, shy is not a term that has generally been used to describe me.

You can visit the store and get make-up lessons, or have make-up applied by an expert; this would be a great gift to give someone who is hard to shop for. I'll have to tell my son (who lives in Vancouver) to check out Beauty Mark when he is wondering what to get me for Christmas.

All of the products mentioned above can be ordered online and shipped. This is one of the nicest things about shopping online; you can get all these Canadian-made products no matter where you live.