Buy Canadian First - Your destination for good shopping

Dogs are awesome companions. They get us up off the couch and enjoying the outdoors, they cheer us up, help us out and improve the quality of our life. In return, all they want is TLC and healthy food & snacks. That's not too muck to ask, is it? 

I was instantly sold when I read about these made in Canada dog treats, "...the benefit of treat giving with the ultimate peace of mind." Perhaps this statement from BioSnax regarding their functional and healthy treats for dogs resonated with me as that is how I feel about feeding myself and my family. Frankly, it shouldn't be anything but the same for our canine family members, should it?

According to Patricia and Nick Grillo, co-founders of Northern Biscuit Bakery, it started with a bag of Canadian flour, fresh beef liver and a real picky dog. They soon discovered that tasty and healthy treats begin with fresh and simple ingredients. They are passionate about finding the freshest ingredients supplied from local mills, growers and suppliers. This company is also committed to their community in another way: they work with their local Community Living Ontario to employ intellectually disabled people to affix the labels onto the bags.

I was the lucky one to receive some samples and even though I have not had a dog in my family for sometime now, I couldn't resist the opportunity to go far and wide to visit with some new and old puppy friends.

Merf is a lab cross who used to be my pup once upon a time. Now she lives happily on a big ol' farm in southern Manitoba with a great family. She chases rabbits, visits neighbors, receives lots of love and hangs out in the shop with the guys. We brought Merf a bag of BioSnax's Shiny Coat, which contains the omega fats from both flax and chia seeds to aid with dry skin and promote a silky smooth coat. I made the mistake of giving the bag of treats to my girls and before I knew it, Merf had eaten the better part of the bag of treats! Probably not a bad thing for a dog who enjoys spending a lot of time out doors in these cold dry winters.

This is Benny and he is a middle-aged city pug. Benny enjoys bones from the butcher, barking at dogs through the window, visiting his beagle cousin and hanging out with his human. I sent Benny the Fresh Breath BioSnax treats a combination that contains parsley, myrtle and Atlantic kelp all of which help with freshing breath, detoxifying and getting rid of bacteria. Benny sniffed and nudged the treat but to no avail, he was simply not interested. I guess we can't win them all, maybe future tries will change Benny's mind.

This is Aksel and he's just an awesome northern elkhound lab cross pup. He is quite affectionate, will jump all over you, adores running and if you open the door he will be gone in a flash! Aksel needed a little Zen in his life so I brought him the Calm treats from Biosnax. Calm is filled with chamomile to soothe as well as the amino acid trypotphan found in turkey. Aksel's human sent me a message stating Aksel loved the treats. He also said that he noticed the calming effect it had on Aksel and will be looking for the product the next time he is at the pet store.

The final bag from BioSnax is the hip and joint treats. This treat features New Zealand green lipped mussels tart cherries and glucosamine all to help build cartilage, reduce inflammation and ease the effects of arthritis. I thought of giving the final bag away to another dog, but l couldn't help but keep it. You see, I keep a few in my bag and when I come across a pup I pull out the treats and the information to share with the owner and pup. I mean, how could I not tell everyone about this great Canadian-made treat from a great Canadian company! 

What kind of treats do you give your dog?

Image credits: Northern Biscuits Bakery, willowcat, Benny's human, Aksel's human

Hi Everyone,

Let me introduce myself: my name is Samantha and I run a fun website dedicated to Made in Canada fashion called Samantha Stylish. Visit daily to see a Canadian outfit of the day.  Every Friday I will be writing an original review of my featured week here on the Buy Canadian First Blog.  Enjoy!   

Whether you like it or not, Fall fashion is here! Mandala Design is a Toronto based apparel line founded in 1991 by clothing designer Mandy Armstrong. Initially Mandy worked on her line part time, while gaining crucial experience working in the Canadian fashion industry. After working long hours at her industry job Mandy would sew till the wee hours and spend her extra time selling her designs at the One of a Kind Show! It wasn't until 2005 when Mandy was able to take on her business full time and many of us customers, praise this day!

Today, Mandala Design is sold at eight retail locations from Toronto to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. She has a very dedicated following of Canadian women who scoop up her collection each season. The key to Mandy Armstrong's success is her experience in the Canadian fashion industry. 20 years of knowledge translates through her line in excellent fit, classic styling and impeccable quality.

Today we explore her gorgeous Fall 2012 Collection that is filled with lace, polka dots, fashionable fall prints and more! Lovely lace is everywhere in this collection, and we love it! It is truly remarkable the way Mandy is able to take something associated with formal or lingerie wear and create it into office attire for the modern woman. Available in a variety of colors the lace dress, top and skirt are all pieces that will easily fit into your existing wardrobe, sprucing up your fall style!

Mandala Design collections each season are made in Toronto with-in the studio as well as by family-run contractors ensuring Canadian made quality! Designer Mandy is able to bring brilliant comfort to her collections never compromising the design! Take these pants for example, they look like your average dress pants however, there is no zipper and they are made in a heavy jersey knit! The Jane pants are paired with the Opal Dotty tie top and they have you looking sleek while you feel like you're strutting around the office in sweats!

The Fall 2012 collection from Mandala Design retails from $78-$198 visit Samantha Stylish  for more information on this week's designer review!

As well as visit Mandala Design's website to dive deeper into the world of Mandala Design!

Images courtesy of Samantha Stylish

 

 

 

 

   

 

Soaperie Main de Nature came to light when Nicole Poitras of Quebec began formulating a detergent-free soap. After four years of trial and error, with her co-workers as her testers and evaluators, Nicole came up with an all-natural formula using fresh vegetables and fruit, gentle enough for everyone to use, including her dogs and horses. Join their facebook page for updates and the activities of the Soaperie.

Do you buy skin care products made locally?

Image credits: Buy Canadian First members Whistler Naturals, Organically Hatched, Natural Plantation, Pure Anada, Vidoma Naturals, Soaperie Main de Nature,  The Great Canadian Soap Co. 

Father’s Day is coming up, and there is no better time to reflect on the role of a father in his children’s life. Fatherhood has changed dramatically in the past few decades, with Dads spending much more time with their kids. I see it all around me and find it very inspiring.

My son's father and I have been divorced for 9 years now. Throughout those years, we have always shared custody of our child and I have seen him rise to the challenge of caring for him in amazing ways. They have developed a close relationship which is heartwarming and wonderful to witness. My son will be a better man because of it, and I am thankful for that.

To help celebrate Dads across this great country of ours, we have put together an awesome gift-pack filled with Canadian-made products that Dad is sure to love. Here’s what’s up for grabs:

1) For the fashionable Dad: 2 pairs of designer underwear made in Montreal by Dylan Ribkoff. These creations are known for the quality and comfort of their fabric, and the originality of their design. (approx. value: $60)

2) For the handy Dad: a collection of multi-bits screwdrivers made in B.C. by Picquic. The original multi-bit screwdrivers invented in 1988 and still “Built right….in Canada” (value: $ 66)

3) For the wine-loving Dad: Ravi wine refresher made in Quebec by Ravi Solutions. Store in your freezer and pop on any wine bottle to chill the wine as it comes out of the bottle. An ingenious invention! (value: $40)

4) For the high-tech Dad: a laptop stand made in B.C. by Chillbeds. This is a limited-edition 15” wide deep blue model. It will keep Dad and his laptop cool! (value: $50)

5) For the meat-loving Dad: a yummy collection of beef jerky made in Alberta by McSweeney’s. A selection of flavours, all made with top quality ingredients. (value: $50) (selection may differ from image)

6) For the sporty Dad: a real treat from Sam Bat in Ottawa: one of their famous maple bats, a mini-bat and a T-Shirt. Yes, they are the makers of the famous bat that enabled Barry Bonds to break the home-run world record (value: $175) (selection will differ from image)

7) For the brainy Dad: a set of beautiful stainless-steel brain teasers courtesy of Ottawa-based Lee Valley Tools. (approx. value: $50)

Almost $ 500 worth of great products made in Canada. Now that’s a gift fit for a King!

To enter the giveaway, do as many of the 3 following things as possible, as they each count for one entry. The more the merrier (and luckier)!

• Leave us a comment below telling us what you think is the best quality in a father (Comments are moderated, so don't panic if your comment doesn't show up right away!);

• Follow us on Twitter and tweet the following:  @BuyCndianFirst loves Dads #madeincanada. I entered their #FathersDay #giveaway here: http://bit.ly/MjLMTS

• Like us on Facebook.

The giveaway ends on Saturday, June 16th at 5:00 PM ET. We will pick one name at random from all entries and the winner will be announced on Father's Day, Sunday June 17th.

Good luck!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. CONGRATS TO OUR WINNER: INGRID, FROM TORONTO, ON.

Images courtesy of Buy Canadian First members, as listed.

I am told that this weekend is the time to get my seeds in the ground in Southern Manitoba . So, the girls and I are heading outside and we'll officially start our garden this Mother's Day weekend! Once we get the beds ready, we will be planting them with some red onions, pumpkin, zucchini and radishes and in our container's we will be growing red and blue potatoes, carrots, beans and peas.

We are very excited as this week, I received two yards of dirt from Brunet, a local construction company. We were also given nearly a dozen, five gallon pails from the school my middle child attends, as the pails would just have been thrown away otherwise. Last night I visited Hillbilly's Garden Centre . I couldn't resist it when I saw the "shamrocks" and ivy and knew that planting them would be a great activity for us this evening.

As we move through Spring, the girls will be a great source of help in the garden and will, I hope, feel a sense of pride and accomplishment when the vegetables start coming. I would like to give them something that they can plant on their own and nurture. So, when the risk of frost has waned, the girls and I will go back to Hillbilly's Garden Centre and they will each have a chance to make their own container gardens. I saw the Tubby Containers  by Buy Canadian First member Garant in several awesome colours there and the girls will have the opportunity to choose their own plants and colours for their Tubby.

I love the idea of a child's garden and envision it as a space they can call their own, to dig in, plant and tend to plants. While space is limited, I would like to cordon off a corner of the yard and fill it with their Tubby containers and large natural elements like logs, stumps, large rocks and maybe even a pile of dirt to dig in and explore. I would adore watching them within this mini, natural playscape. One final detail I keep forgetting about is getting some catnip and cat grass seeds to plant. My handsome Mitty Kleeburger loves to play outside with us and his latest joy is to dig, burrow and play in my two yards of soil. I'm sure that cat grass would be preferable to just soil!

Are you going to plant a child's or a pet garden in your yard this Spring?

Image source: Andrea Williowcat, Melissa Lacelle and Buy Canadian First member Garant. 

I live in a small, French-Canadian town  in Southern Manitoba. I was a little apprehensive when I moved here, but six years have passed and I can't come up with enough reasons to move back to the city. Back then, as pretty as this place is, my first glimpse left me unimpressed. I was missing my coffee haunts, the zoo, the book and art supply store as well as the anonymity of city living. I now see that this small section of Manitoba has all one needs; a grocery store, hardware/liquor store with a post office, restaurant and bar, K-12 school, bank, insurance company, arena, curling rink, campground and social hall. Recently a health centre and daycare opened. Life in this friendly town is very comfortable.

When I lived in the city, I often saw the Co-op gasoline stations, but thought nothing of it until I moved to the country. In my area, there are about six Co-op locations. All are a part of a small, regional group offering petrol, food, farm supplies, hardware and more. Throughout the Western provinces, there are about two hundred and fourty retail Co-op locations , all of which form the Co-operative Retailing System. Co-ops are owned and operated by members of the community that they service. Each member has a vote to elect members, who also live and work in the community, to the board of directors . Co-ops bolster the local economy, employ locally and support community projects or charitable organisations.

I have to admit that I do shop at the Real Canadian Superstore, about every six weeks, as some things are unavailable at my Co-op food store, like cilantro and Buy Canadian First member So Good and their yummy chocolate beverage.  The best thing about my local Co-op is the Manitoba-produced products available on its shelves that include eggs, carrots, honey, cheese and pork. It doesn't stop there! My Co-op also has Canadian products that includes beef, salmon, milk, apples, tomato paste, soup, potatoes, locally baked items, prepared pizzas and fresh-made perogies. How awesome is that?  I wouldn't trade in for the world, being able to buy local Canadian-made products in rural Manitoba at a reasonable price, from people who greet me with a huge smile and by name. Now ,if only they would sell me the winning lotto 6-49 Quick Pick...

So Canada, I encourage you to support your local businesses, seek out homegrown enterprise and continue to shop for local and Canadian made product.

Do you have a favourite local business?

image credit: Andrea Willowcat and Buy Canadian First member So Good 

I am "pfffting" the scene outside my window right now. The night has left southeastern Manitoba  with some lovely dusting of Canadian snow. I really shouldn't complain. We have had a mild winter with little precipitation, but I will belly-ache none the less. If only there was enough of Buy Canadian First member Premier Tech Home and Garden's  Alaskan Premier Ice Melter to rid my back walkway and yard of ice and snow. Well, ok, just the slippery walkway. I am eager for warm weather and sunshine; I want to start my garden.

I am very interested in composting but am not keen on the fruit flies that come with collecting the organic material in buckets or canisters. Buy Canadian First member Mr.ECO and their Pro-compost trash can  seems to be what I have been looking for; a made-in-Canada product from recycled materials that is not fruit fly friendly. This will make composting easy. If I am going to grow a mountain of cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and radishes, I'll need a rich black soil. Sadly this bounty of veggies will include picking out weeds, too, so I am looking forward to trying member Lee Valley's Hard-Shell Knee Pads.

 

 

 Images courtesy of Buy Canadian First members Premier Tech Home and Garden, Mr.ECO and Picquic

I am the proud owner of two small, itty-bitty, made-in-Canada businesses. Being little is huge! Allow me to explain. I’m Donna, an artsy, single parent of an awesome twelve year old son, residing in Very Small Town, BC. 

One of my businesses is a sign and graphics shop, called Graphic Impact, where I specialize in designing and manufacturing vehicle graphics. Design and decal fabrication are done at home, then I run out and install at my customer’s location while my son is in school. My passionate side fired-up Funky Junk Interiors, a decorating studio where I flip junky relics into unique decorating elements for the home. Thrifted treasures are found and revamped, then my home is used for staging photo shoots. From there, I submit the write-ups to magazines and blogs for features. I'm also a freelance writer and photographer and am so very glad that Buy Canadian First is part of my lineup! FUN!

But what really makes this story profound is the fact that businesses choose to buy Canadian first, by choosing me, this little Canadian small town girl, over much larger international corporations. They don’t have to choose me. There are plenty of others they could use to either make their trucks look pretty or their magazine spreads or blogs shine. But the fact that they did choose me says something about them. They are supporters of ensuring that my son gets a new pair of shoes every so often and that there's fuel in our vehicle. They know where their money is being spent which also means that they care about us.

In return, I attempt to offer something extra-special so that they call again. How about the very best work I can muster, topped with a sprinkling of true blue passion? When you care about what you do, you tend to conduct business a little differently, wouldn’t you agree? I see it when I visit my hairdresser in her beautifully decorated, cozy basement, for that invaluable one-on-one service or at the unique diner down the road that dishes up homemade fare like no one else. The small town folks, and what they offer, are special, and that's what keeps me coming back to buying Canadian first. I love knowing where my hard-earned Canadian dollars are going and I’m just very glad that my customers appear to feel the same way about me!

What keeps you going back to your favourite, small businesses?

Written by, and images courtesy of, Donna at Funky Junk Interiors.

A plan for health and fitness that is made in Canada...how wonderful would that be? Why not take a little initiative and do it yourself! School, work, homework for both, house work, three children and managing time zones to talk to my friend, can leave a girl spent, despite how wonderful it all is. So, towards the end of 2011, I dove head first into a healthier lifestyle. My main motivation was to lose weight, manage stress and have more energy so that I wouldn’t end up a bear at the end of the day. 

My friend joined the Tyson Method Boot Camp for Moms. The program is based out of L.A. but Tami Tyson , a mom of three from Steinbach, Manitoba, brought it back home. It is taking over southern Manitoba. I didn’t join her for the program but I watched my friend shrink in some places, get a boost in others and she raved about her strength. I joined the next session with a local trainer and after six weeks I lost a total of 8 inches!

I am now doing their nutrition program and, while I falter some days, I am enjoying my new view of foods. The one food that I am missing and seem to have the worst time finding are alfalfa sprouts, I don’t know why they are so hard to find, so I decided to grow my own.  So, I took a quick walk over to Roy Legumex  and bought some lentils and took them home. Lentils are easy to sprout. You need to soak them over night, fill a jar 1/3 full of lentils and cover the top with cheese cloth. They need to be rinsed twice a day for two to three days and then they are ready to eat. The wonderful thing about sprouts is that they improve cardiovascular health, prevent heart disease and stroke and can improve bone density. I liked, but did not love, the lentil sprouts so I am going back to Roy’s and buying five pounds of sunflower seeds to see if I enjoy the sprouted seeds more.

I have changed other aspects of my diet as well, and have fallen in love with Greek-style yoghurt and Buy Canadian First member Almond Fresh unsweetened almond milk, which is  the perfect start to any smoothie and provides eighty per cent of your calcium needs!

The very best part of my lifestyle change, besides being fit and healthy, is modelling a healthy lifestyle for my two young girls, as well as my son. I believe this to be one of the best gifts to give them; the tools to eating well and living a healthy life. 

Have you changed your lifestyle in any way this January?

:: images courtesy of Buy Canadian First member Almond Fresh and Andrea Willowcat 

My little sign and graphics business resides in a very small town in British Columbia, Canada. But, apparently, size has no merit when it comes to making good decisions for a business that continues to thrive after 20 years.  And I believe that has a lot to do with purchasing made-in-Canada products.

Canadian purchases treat my business very well! And here’s why:

Speed:
Whenever something is required, a quick phone call to a Canadian supplier will have that item in my driveway the next day. YES! The next day! How quickly stock is received is a huge factor in the success of my business. Staying within my border simplifies the steps and helps keep details on track.

Lower fees:

Even if an item shows a bit more expensive in Canada than elsewhere, I generally still end up saving money. Things like brokerage issues, higher shipping fees and the exchange rate all come into play.

This is not to say that I don’t enjoy shopping elsewhere, on occasion. Sometimes Canada doesn’t carry what another region does. However, I gauge the time frame and extra costs associated with each purchase and always come up with the realization that staying within the Canadian border is the best choice for my business.

Having local suppliers AND shippers provides everything possible to keep my business happy and prosperous. And I know I have Canada to thank for that!

How has using local services helped you?

 : :Photos are courtesy of Donna's local Canadian businesses: Graphic Impact and Funky Junk Interiors.