Buy Canadian First - Your destination for good shopping

Your heart, we've discussed it in  February of 2009 and again in February of 2010. We've discussed strokes, exercise and even the mathematical formula for the approximate shape of a heart ( (x2+y2-1)3-x2y3=0). We spoke of the importance of exercise, weight control and quitting smoking, but, this year I won't get so technical. This year, we are going to the kitchen and having a little fun cooking and grocery shopping with help from Simply HeartSmart Cooking from Canada's cooking guru, Bonnie Stern. 

Shopping can be a dangerous event, especially if we are starving, so never do it hungry and stay focused by using a list. The Heart and Stroke Foundation follows the Canada Food Guide as a healthy way of eating by showing you what foods are important and how many daily servings you require. The average adult needs 5-12 servings of grain products, 5-10 servings of fruit and veggies, 3.4 servings of dairy and 2-3 servings of meats and alternatives. 

Upon first glance at the amount of grains, one may think that it is a lot, but it's not. The complex carbs keep our engines running and, of course, the serving amounts are based upon your age, sex and activity level, see chart here . When choosing your grain products think whole grains, add flax to your baking, try new grains as a new alternate to rice (like quinoa) and think of your fiber intake. Fiber is so important and adults should try and get about 25-35g of it daily. Not only does it keep you regular but it may also help regulate blood sugar, reduce the risk of cancer and lower blood cholesterol.

 

 

 

When it comes to dairy, if you are over the age of 5, choose low fat or skim milk  to get the protein and calcium benefits without all the fats.

When choosing your meats and alternatives remember to look outside the meat cooler. Fish is an excellent choice and should be considered at least twice a week (like salmon or rainbow trout) but be aware of the mercury content in your fish . Including beans and other legumes in your diet packs a huge fiber and protein punch without all the animal fats. I made this recipe this weekend and it was so good! I had my patty with a salad without a bun and my son made a monster burger with his. We added the recipe to our home recipe book.

Falafel Veggie Burgers
makes 8 burgers
1-1L4 cups cooked chickpeas or 2- 540 ml (19oz ) cans (rinsed and drained)
1 284ml/10 oz can of mushrooms, drained and patted dried.
4 slices of bread moistened and squeesed dry
1 tsp baking powder
2 cloves garlic
1 small onion finely chopped
1 small carrot grated
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1Tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp hot red pepper sauce
1tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
Tahini sauce:
1/2 cup soft yogurt cheese or thick yogurt
2 TBSP Tahiti
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 garlic clove
1/4 tsp hot red pepper
salt to taste
2 Tbsp chopped fresh mint
2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
1. In food processor, combine chick peas, mushrooms, bread and baking soda until finely chopped but not quite a paste (chop in batches if necessary). Add garlic, carrot, onion, parsley, cumin, coriander, hot pepper sauce, salt and pepper. Mix lightly and shape mixture gently into 8 patties.
2. Bake burgers in single layer in preheated 350F/180C oven for 30 minutes. Or brush a large non-stick skillet with oil, heat and cook burgers on both sides until brown and crisp.
3. To make sauce, combine yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, hot pepper sauce and salt in food processor or blender. Blend in mint and cilantro. taste and adjust seasonings if required. Serve burgers with sauce.

  

We need fats but only from the right kinds of fats. Try and avoid convenience and snack foods are they are usually high in fat and the ones labeled fat free are usually high in sugar and salts. Limit saturated fats from fatty meats, butter, lard, shortening and hard margarine and avoid trans-fats. Choose unsaturated oils such as canola, olive, and flax as well as non-hydrogenated margarine (trans-fat free).

Finally limit your salt, alcohol and caffeine intake.

Grocery shopping need not be any more of a hassle when shopping Heart Smart. With a good meal plan, especially from Bonnie Sterns recipe book, and following Canada's food guide, you are all set up to succeed. Read your labels for fat and fiber contents. Of course always shop Canadian first, items such as oatmeal, flax seed, root veggies (even in the winter), meats, fish, canned beans, milk and baking supplies may be made in Canada! Think of what a good, no amazing, shopper you will be! In fact an amazing shopper with a healthy heart!

What are your Heart Smart food habits? 

 

 photo credits : chapters-indigo, health's delight, buy canadian first, the heart and stroke foundation

My fellow Canucks, it's August and summer is still in high gear. Our skin and hair take quite a beating in our varied climates. The sun, swimming in fresh, salt or chlorinated waters, wind, dust, bugs, poison ivy and everything else, all contribute to us ending up burnt, itchy, breaking out and drying up. It's not pretty but we can fix that. Whether you are seeking lotions, oils, clay, tinctures and any other creams and potions, Canadian makers will not let us down. So keeping healthy summer skin and hair in mind, I have chosen a great summer collection of must haves from our fabulous Buy Canadian First members.

Water - It is so very important for the human body. Water regulates your temperature, carries nutrients throughout the body, removes toxins and does wonders for your skin. Your body uses up 250ml of water daily just by breathing, your blood is 83% water and you can only last up to a week without it, so drink water (beer doesn't count)! Hydrate your skin on the outside too with Moisture Hydration Fix Serum from Dermaglow that is for all skin types and will give your skin a more supple, radiant and youthful look when well hydrated. Dermaglow also has a fabulous promo for our readers!

The sun is essential for our existence, providing us with vitamin D, photosynthesis and a fabulous summer day. Too much sun gives us a sun burn, wrinkles and even cancer. It's easy to be sun safe and a good start are hats, like this Roots baseball cap , and some sunglasses that offer 100% UV block.  Your next line of defence is sunscreen: Heiko and Dermaglow offer products for both the face and body starting with spf 15 and up as well as a kids' formula . Wearing a minimum SPF 15 daily year round will not only protect your health but also your good looks. Remember infants under 6 months of age should neither wear sunscreen or be in direct sunlight. For more summer sun safety tips check out this Health Canada link.

Insects. Regardless of the latitudes we live in, we are still covered in mosquitoes, flies, ticks and other troublesome pests. In Canada, we have a vast selection of repellents to choose from including products from Muskol, a proud Canadian company since 1951, which contain Deet to Natural Insect Repellent and Bug Joose! Outdoor spray by Glengarry Farms, boasting catnip as the muscle behind them.  Bug Joose! by All Things Jill , from member Organically Hatched, also uses natural ingredients in their bug repellants.

Once the damage is done, though, it is time to soothe and restore. DermaMed Natural Healing Cream for baby and child will help with diaper rash, eczema, rashes and hives. Restoraction® Cream from member St. Francis Herb Farm is used to  sooth sore muscles and inflammation due to strains, sprains, bruises, contusions and wounds and also aids with the symptomatic relief of inflammatory processes including arthritis, fibromyalgia, polymyalgia, bursitis and tendonitis. Pure Aloe Vera Gel from Jamieson is a little wonder plant for both inside and outside the body. Keep on hand for use as a topical cream for sunburns and scrapes and as an internal remedy for stomach aches. Clay-neem by Earth to Body  is a tantalizing blend of french green clay, oatmeal and Neem powder that is rich is minerals and will soothe and cleanse your skin and hair.

This marvelous list is a fraction of the many wonderful skin care products, made in Canada. There is no agruing that the choices are seemingly endless in our pursuit to keep our selves healthy and beautiful.

What are you favourite summer skin care products? Do you have any homemade tips and tricks? Be sure to share your thoughts and comments. We love hearing from you!

xo

all photos taken from Buy Canadian First member pages.

 

 

 

 

I just returned from a second overnight trip to Winnipeg. The amazing people at BT Winnipeg invited me back to talk about more cool made in Canada products (read about our April segments here). I really don't tire from spreading the word about the availability and variety of Canadian-made goods. It's always exciting.

The first segment Pay Chen and I did was on Canadian-made kids stuff - just in time for the Kidsfest that's opening today and running until Sunday, down in the Forks Market area, where the Children's Museum is located. Not only that but CityTV's studio (where BT Winnipeg broadcasts from) and the hotel where I stayed (the Inn at the Forks) are all conveniently located. Timely & convenient, huh? So if you're in the area this weekend, you should check it out. The site looks awesome and Fred Penner will be performing too! Remember his remake of The Cat Came Back? Man! that song brings me back... lol... But alas... I digress... These are the companies we featured:

Canadian Cozy, Ontario (official website)

 

Outset Media's Professor Noggins, British-Columbia (official website)

 

Sam Bat, Ontario (official website)

 

Also displayed but did not have time to talk about is Heiko, Quebec (official website)

 

I was wearing Le Chateau, my jewellery was by Pushan Designs and my makeup was by Pure Anada and Cover FX.

After a few commercials and the weather we were back with a second segment in which we focused on Canadian-made products meant to enhance our outdoor living experiences.

First up was dermaglow, Ontario (official website)

 

Then Terrassa, Ontario (official website)

 

Next was Rallye Footwear, Quebec (official website)

 

Last but not least Kisko Products, Ontario (official website)

 

All of these companies graciously donated the products we featured for one lucky BT viewer to win... Lucky indeed! I must've left about $500 worth of goodies for the prize pack!

I kind of expected this to happen, because I also get nostalgic when I talk about Mr Freeze but I have to say that I was a bit surprised when upon taking the boxes out, while I was setting up, that the hosts and crew immediately started sharing their chilhood stories about where they would have some, how many they'd have, what their fav flavour was and most admitted to still having a few every summer, to this day... So how could I not leave behind some extras for them to enjoy this summer? Note: Thanks Debbie at Kisko for sending more than enough to go around!

Thank you to our awesome members who made sure they sent me all of the products I featured on time and for including a few extras! And thank you to my Winnipeg hosts... Always a pleasure.

Author: Melissa Thibodeau

My husband and I are very fortunate to be able to eat just about whatever we want to ....and that's just it! We ARE lucky, because 1 out of 133 Canadians, including several people I know, have Celiac Disease, a condition that prevents them from eating gluten, a very common ingredient in many, many foods.

Gluten is an ingredient in flour that helps baked goods keep their shape. This is why gluten is found in so many processed and packaged foods. Foods such as barley, breading, Communion wafers, hydrolyzed wheat protein, modified wheat starch, oatmeal, oat bran, oat flour, whole oats, wheat flour, wheat germ, and wheat starch, must be avoided, and food labels diligently studied for 'hidden' sources of gluten. You really have to look because even freezies can have gluten in them! Thank goodness for nut free, dairy free, gluten free and kosher Freezies from Ontario-based Kisko Products !

Eating a gluten-free diet is a life long commitment! For the sake of my friends with this intolerance, it's good to know that companies like El Peto Products are dedicated t0 making and distributing lots of different types of delicious, gluten free foods. Known as "The Gluten Free Experts", El Peto has been in business since 1988 and all of their fresh products are made in Cambridge, Ontario.

But, oh oh! Gluten isn't just in food! It can also be found in things like lipstick,  skin cream, shampoo, deodorant and toothpaste! Who knew? Well, companies such as Natural Beauty knew, a mom & baby store, owned and operated by Shelli Chastkavich, a Canadian mom in B.C. Natural Beauty carries everything from mineral cosmetics to cloth diapers and everything is  "free".

Vidoma Naturals  is another Canadian company that makes gluten-free skin and body care products. As a matter of fact, 99% of their products can be used by Vegans! They were ahead of their time when Marilyn Haggerty, an Aromatherapist and Dorothy Turner, a Chartered Herbalist, started their company in 2003 and continue to be so today.

 

On Facebook, some of my friends are actively discussing changing over to gluten- and wheat-free diets... and they don't have Celiac Disease or food allergies. They are just very concerned about the long term effects of the contents of the products that they are eating and using. With this in mind, they are turning to people like Maggie of Peterborough, Ontario, whose gluten-free blog, She Let Them Eat Cake,  both informs and entices!

What about you? With "free" products becoming more varied, competitively priced and available, would you consider going gluten-free, even if you don't have allergies or Celiac Disease?


Image source: BuyCanadianFirst.ca

The heart; an organ that tirelessly beats within our chests circulating our blood and delivering oxygen to our cells. But it is so much more. It is embedded into our modern culture; a symbol representing love, charity and the soul. Through the ages the symbolism of the heart has been seen in several ancient cultures like the Celts, Egyptians, Buddhists and Catholics.

We can even get an approximation of the heart shape using this mathematical description  (x2+y2-1)3-x2y3=0, or so they say. You can have a heavy heart, be faint of heart, have a heart of gold or wear it on your sleeve. Your heart can skip a beat, break, bleed and change. When your heart stops you're either in love, lust, really scared or (but hopefully not) dead. Your heart often trumps the wisdom of the brain and without it you would be 'heartless'. I say YAY to the heart and another YAY to a healthy heart!

The state of the Canadian heart
The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada has a grim report for 2010. Between 1994 and 2005, rates of high blood pressure among Canadians young and old skyrocketed by 77%, diabetes by 45% and obesity by 18% - all major risk factors for heart disease. What's your risk ? One of the new at risk groups are young adults between the ages of 20-30! Heart disease and stroke costs the Canadian economy more than $22.2 billion every year in physician services, hospital costs, lost wages and decreased productivity and by 2020 this number could climb to nearly $29 billion. We are in big trouble Canada, and I am not talking of the financial cost but of our own health and that of our children.

Put your heart and soul in to it: changes for the better

You CAN make changes. You can begin today to make your heart healthy, as well as your family's. These changes will improve your quality of life, provide you with an extended life and indirectly make you a more responsible citizen. Buy Canadian First has lots of members with heart smart food choices pictured throughout the site. 

Eliminate trans fats ("partially hydrogenated" or "hydrogenated oil") from your diet, as research has shown that trans fats raise your LDL levels (bad cholesterol) and lower your HDL (good cholesterol) levels. If something is listed as 0 trans fats look on the label for any form of hydrogenated oils as this is what you wish to avoid. It is also wise to watch your saturated fat intake.

Maintain a healthy weight.  Obesity is a major cause of heart disease and nearly 20% of Canadian children are obese. If you are having a hard time with this, talk with your doctor or naturopath for help on creating a better food plan.

• Instead of fad or crash diets, alter your own to include: 5-10 servings of varied coloured fruit and vegetables daily, whole grain breads and cereals, lean cuts of meat, cold water fish, low fat dairy products and include other healthy choices like beans, seeds and nuts.

• Avoid deep dried and high fat foods, pop, sugary items, alcohol, excessive salt and mindless nibbling (in front of the TV or at your desk for example).

• Portion your plate outright: half your plate should be your fruit and/or veggie, one quarter your grain and the other quarter your protein.
• Eat breakfast; people who eat breakfast tend to maintain a healthy weight.

• Make it a habit to read the ingredients and nutrition labels
  

Get moving 30-60 minutes everyday; take a walk, enroll in a yoga or pilates class, go for a bike ride or dance with wild abandon. This will help get the weight off and keep it off. It will also strengthen your cardiovascular system. Plus, it's fun!

If you smoke, Quit today. If you don't smoke, never start.

For more tips and tricks to healthy eating and information about heart disease have a peek at last years blog post and visit the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada website.

 

I ♥  my heart, you should ♥ your heart too. How do you show it?

Influenza and the common cold. These are  words we have been hearing a lot about the last while from the news on television to radio and even on the internet.  This tends to be the time of year that these viruses make their appearance annually. Influenza, though commonly referred to as the flu, is a infectious respiratory  infection caused by a virus. It can produce aches and pains, chills, fevers, sore throat, coughing, weakness and general discomfort.  Vomiting and nausea can sometimes be caused by influenza but is often gastroenteritis which is unrelated and caused by a different virus. 

The common cold also circulates during this time of year and can also be misinterpreted as influenza. There is a great article in Canadian Living Magazine explaining the differences between the two. Generally the flu comes on suddenly leaving you feel very tired and "wiped" along with chills, fever, aches and headache. The cold usually presents with a stuffy and runny nose with possible nasal congestion, mild cough and dry, scratchy throat. The main difference is the sudden onset of the flu with fever and aches. The Government of Canada also has many great articles on their website such as this article about influenza. There is also Fightflu.ca which is a comprehensive guide with a wealth of information.

The H1N1 virus is a new strain of pandemic influenza. We are not known to have any natural immunity to this virus.  Symptoms present like seasonal influenza but are more severe.  It has also been shown that this virus can target young, healthy people as well as seniors and young children.  People with medical conditions and pregnant women are also more at risk for H1N1.  For more information on the H1N1 virus please visit Fightflu.ca. Presently, there is a mass country-wide immunization going on for the H1N1 virus.  Whether you choose to be immunized or not is your choice. For more information on the H1N1 vaccine by province please visit this page.

There are many things that you can do to help your body heal and fight off that cold or flu. 

• First and foremost, rest is key. Make sure you can rest as much as possible.

• Avoid work or school if you are feeling symptoms to prevent spreading the virus. Cough or sneeze into your sleeve so not to transfer germs to your hands. Dispose of tissues as soon as you use them and then wash your hands. Did you know Scotties tissues are a Canadian product?

 

• Proper handwashing and hygiene is very important as well. There is an excellent guide on handwashing here, provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada. If you cannot wash your hands because no water is available, using a hand sanitizer will work as long as it is used correctly. Soapopular hand sanitizer is available on BuyCanadianFirst.ca member's Well.ca website.

 

• Keep areas such as doorknobs and lightswitches, telephones and keyboards clean Attitude Eco Cleaner is a great Canadian-made product to use for such jobs as this. It can be found at BuyCanadianFirst.ca member Well.ca.

 

• Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Drink plenty of fluids such as water, juices and teas. BuyCanadianFirst.ca member Fully Loaded Tea has many delicous teas to drink. Citrus Spiked Black Tea looks and sounds very tasty.

 

• Certain vitamins such as vitamin C and supplements such as Echinacea have been shown to help relieve symptoms. There are many great Canadian supplements, immune boosters and vitamins such as Echinace from St.Francis Herb Farm or Body Break Immune Health Plus Supplements.

 

These are a few  tips and products to help prevent cold and flu.  Do you have any tips that you use to help you out during cold and flu season?  Please share them with us!

 Image sources: BuyCanadianFirst.ca, Well.ca, St.Francis Herb Farm

What if there was a way to improve your concentration, learning ability and help you maintain a healthy weight? What if this could also help your kids get better grades and improve their behavior?

Would you take 10 minutes (or less) everyday and give it a try? It is a simple thing: just eat a healthy breakfast.

 

A recent study on Breakfast for Learning shows that 31% of all elementary school children and 62% of secondary school children do not eat a healthy breakfast. This is dreadful. A skipped breakfast means that a child will not eat until lunch time, leaving anywhere between 12-16 hours from their last meal! Food is the body and brain's source of nutrition and energy, not eating breakfast is akin to dragging your car to work, this is why breakfast is the most important meal of the day. 

 

Breakfast for Learning is the leading, national non-profit organization solely dedicated to child nutrition programs in Canada.

They provide:

• Nutrition grants to obtain food
• Staff and equipment to meet the need of the school community
• Child nutrition education resources
• Research information to support the link between child nutrition and learning
• and a voice that advocates a national meal program in Canada. 

Breakfast for Learning funded over 3,000 meal programs in the 2007/08 school-year serving over 56 million breakfasts, snacks and lunches to more than 360,000 students! That is truly amazing and still it doesn't meet the national needs, as they were only able to grant 27% of all fund requests last year. 

There are several reasons why children go hungry in the morning; 1 in 9 children live below the poverty line, long commutes, unsupervised meal time and busy morning routines leave children hungry. This in conjunction with the alarming rate of children who are obese and being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes as well as other health issues it is very important to educate children and their families about proper nutrition.  Please take a few moments and visit the website, they have a brilliant resource page and if you are able to donate, it is certainly an investment in all of our future. Especially the little people in our lives.

A good rule of thumb for a balanced healthy breakfast is to use at least 3 of the 4 food groups. Here is a handy recipe and breakfast idea list that may require some weekend prep but make for quick and easy and healthy breakfasts.

 

• Protein bars (Road Grill Food Network Canada) serve with either a glass of milk or juice.
• Vanilla yogurt topped with berries and granola
• Cheesy scrambled eggs stuffed in a pita with a glass of juice
• Banana and Date Flaxseed Bread (recipeshare.ca) with peanut butter and apple slices.
• Hot oatmeal with blueberries and milk
• A slice of leftover homemade pizza

Take the time for some breakfast. The short term and long term benefits are so worth the few minutes spent every day to prepare them.

Here in Manitoba the threat of emergency has, for the most part, abated. The flood waters have ravaged communities across the Red River valley and to the north into the interlake area, people are taking stock of the damage or are grateful to have stayed safe.

Now Manitobans are waiting. Waiting for the waters to recede so the highways can open up, linking our individual communities once again and waiting for the ennui to pass. Canada is not immune to natural hazzards like, ice storms, rock slides, earthquakes  and more but now there is alarming news of a possible (global) pandemic  a unique influenza strain that has been dubbed the Influenza A (H1N1), keeps the nation's curiosity piqued. There is always a possibility of a disaster or an emergency occurring at any given moment how prepared are you?

The news is all buzz with the Influenza A(H1N1) (formerly known as the swine flu) that on April 29, 2009 was upgraded to a level five risk (a pandemic is looming and countries must confirm preparations to deal with the outbreak of Influenza A (H1N1) with the World Health Organization (WHO). On occasion pigs will pass a virus to a human and then it is possible that the virus will mutate into a strain that is easily passed from person to person. Public Health Agency of Canada recommends the regular precautions against this or any other flu; wash your hands regularly, cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or in the crook of your elbow and stay home if you are ill. If you are feeling sick, especially with respitory symtoms like difficulty breathing and coughing, contact your doctor. In the meantime give your immune system a little boost with a great diet, proper rest and drink lot's of water.

What if a pandemic or a natural hazzard keeps us from leaving the house? Have you seen the "72 Hours.....is your family prepared?" campaign? Launched by Canada's public safety minister The Honourable Peter Van Loan it is ‘designed to improve Canada's readiness to prepare for and respond to an emergency by mobilizing families to take three practical steps'; Know the risks, make a plan, and get a kit.

1) Know the Risks. Canada is a huge country and it is important to know what kind of natural hazard can occur in your region and be prepared for it. Being prepared makes all the difference for both the health and safety of your family and the teams coming out to help.

2) In case of emergency remember the plan! Every Canadian household should have an emergency plan stating what to do incase of emergency. Details like safe escapes from your home and neighborhood, a safe meeting place and the location of your fire extinguisher, water valve, electrical box, gas valve and floor drain all need to be addressed and known. The plan can be completed online or printed and completed in pen.

3) Get a kit. Being prepared and secure for 72 hours (3 days) is vital so that you are able to sustain yourself while emergency workers are aiding people who are in need of urgent care. Your basic kit should contain; 2 liters of water per person per day, non-perishable food items for everyone, manual can opener, batteries and flashlight, windup or battery powered radio, first aid kit, special needed items (medicinal needs, baby items, etc.), extra keys for your house and car, your emergency plan and Cash as ATM and credit cards may not function. The idea is to try and have your kit in a bag in case you have to leave the house. A backpack is ideal. It is recommended to include these items, like candles and clothing as well but you can also buy ready made kits that you can later customize to your family's needs.

Get on board! Be prepared and feel safe and at ease, even in an emergency.

Today we are highlighting and celebrating another Buy Canadian First member and announcing our second giveaway (more on that at the end of this post).

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Aroma Crystal Therapy was founded by Jane Janzen in 1989. This is when she opened a stand at the renowned Salt Spring Saturday farmer's market in Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. Using her knowledge of natural plant elements, tinctures and bio-electric technologies she was inspired to create alternative body care products. This was so her family could have access to safe and clean, natural products. Aroma Crystal Therapy is now well known in both Canada and the United States.

The goal of Aroma Crystal Therapy is to create balance and abundance by supporting health and well-being. This is done by using energetically enhanced aromatherapy products. They use only 100% pure essential oils, and the finest plant extracts. Their products are manufactured in Vancouver, B.C. under the strict guidelines of GMP and Health Canada. 

Here are a few of the wonderful products that Aroma Crystal Therapy has to offer.

Gardener's Dream Cream is a great product to use year round. Especially at this time of year, we are working outside and can end up with rough, dry and irritated skin. It is made with essential oils such as lavender, peppermint, rosemary, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary - each with its own health benefits. Oils such as shea butter, sunflower oil and grapeseed oil all benefit the skin as well.

Our lips can suffer and get neglected and chapped year round.  Aroma Crystal Therapy has Crystal Clear Lip Saver to help alleviate dry, chapped lips.

Mother's Day is fast approaching. How about giving mom an Aroma Crystal Therapy gift basket filled with luxurious products.

You can learn more by visiting Aroma Crystal Therapy's Member profile page here. Have you tried their products? If you have, leave us a comment here but don't forget to rate and review the products you have tried in the catalogue!

And now for the fun part! The Giveaway! The good people at Aroma Crystal Therapy have created a gift basket for us to give as a prize to one of our lucky readers!

The basket includes:

• A 6 oz. tube of Gardener's Dream Cream - The award-winning Gardener's Dream Cream is made from 100% natural ingredients and pure essential oils and combines the benefits of vibrational and aroma therapy.  It provides amazing moisturizing for all skin types and so much more. Customer's have used Gardener's Dream Cream for weird rashes, muscle & joint pain, edema, skin conditions and soothing massages.
• A jar of Ohm - Ohm is a naturally nourishing, rich facial moisturizer which protects the skin and promotes a youthful complexion. Ohm acts as an effective barrier against pollutants and toxins that dry and age skin. The fragrant formula promotes circulation and helps to smooth fine lines and wrinkles with the power of 100% pure essential oils and extracts.
• 5 sample packages of the Gardener's Dream Cream.

What do you have to do to be eligible? You must leave a comment below, answering the following question: "What kind of Canadian-made products do you purchase the most and why?" and we kindly ask that you do as many of the things that are listed on the Get Involved page as you can. We cannot stress enough that without the support of consumers like you and of manufacturers and retailers like our members, we would not and could not exist. Please spread the word: Buying Canadian-made is everyone's business!

We will announce the winner next Friday, May 15th 2009.

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. WINNER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. 

Your lawn is a sea of green blades, the platform of picnics, something to squish your toes in and the best place to play croquet. In the middle of last century a green lawn was usually the source of competition. He with the greenest and most manicured lawn wins. In those days pesticides like chlordane were readily used on lawns. Chlordane is a man made pesticide banned in 1988 for personal use and completely banned in 1995 for commercial use of termite control. Chlordane is suspected of being the cause of several health issues including: child cancers, neuroblastoma, leukemia, chronic infections, bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, infertility, neurological disorders, aggression and depression. Who was the winner? Certainly it was not the children who played in those lawns, they are often most vulnerable to the effects of these chemicals.

With the David Suzuki Foundation watching, lawn care is a whole different story as provinces are banning the sale of pesticides for cosmetic use. Quebec and Ontario have already put into place provincial bans of the sale of pesticides for lawn and garden use. Prince Edward Island is joining the ban in 2010. New Brunswick, Alberta and British Columbia have all started the ball rolling in this direction but are still in need of amending their legislations and committing to a total product ban. The rest of the country needs our voice to tell them that we want a ban on these products polluting our communities and children. You can take action here.

So what exactly is going on our lawns today? I called a nearby southern Manitoba garden center requesting the best way to care for my lawn and was recommended a weed and feed product. Most weed and feed products are chemical soups or granules that usually contain 2,4-D (2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid ) a herbicide readily available in the provinces without the residential bans.  2,4-D has shown to cause cancer in humans, high toxic effect in fish, and moderate exposure of 2,4-D to honey bees severely impaired their reproduction. If that is not incentive enough this may be, over 6000 Canadians suffer from acute pesticide poisoning every year and nearly half of those are children under 6 years old. Think about it!

So how do you care for your lawn without all the chemicals? It is quite simple really, in fact with a little love and attention your lawn will surly thrive without the use of chemicals. 

1. Your lawn needs some water. The most optimum time to water your lawn is early in the morning as it allows for a good saturation and protection from the days sun. Early in the spring it is recommended to not water your lawn until mid to late June, the drought effect builds a better root system and suppresses weeds. This rule does not apply for newly seeded grass, which needs to be watered often.
2. Weeds are a pain. The rule of thumb is to cut your lawn to 6 -7.5 cm. This will usually keep any weeds from seeding and discourage growth. It is beneficial to leave your grass clippings on your lawn. This layer of mulch in rich in nitrogen and another weed growth suppressant.
3. Fertilizer and lime are essential to your lawn. Most often if you have good soil, leave your trimmings and water regularly you may have little need to fertilize your lawn. In the fall you can take your soil to a garden center or lab to have it tested for quality and PH. Organic fertilizers such as dried blood, bone meal, dehydrated manure, fish emulsion or seaweed are good but if you require a scientific mixture of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. 
4. Seeding is best done in the fall while the days are still warm but lacking the scorching summer heat. A thick lush grass will naturally suffocate the weeds.
   

For more lawn information including more watering tips, thatch help and seasonal charts, please visit the Environment Canada lawn care page. 

Buy Canadian First's member Sure-Gro can help you with your fertilizer and grass seed needs with products from C-I-L, So Green, Perfectly Natural, and Vigoro.

"Oh but I still really need a herbicide, what can I do?"  Well, good old weed picking is one way and a spray of vinegar as well but there is a new product made of corn gluten. Turf Maize Bio-Weed N'Feed Lawn Fertilizer is made of 98% corn gluten. Turf Maize boasts great lawns, totally safe for your family and doesn't have fillers, animal waste and sludge.

 

Happy walking barefoot in the grass Canada! What are your favourite lawn tips and your favourite playing-in-the-grass activities?