Posted in Air Quality, Green Living, Health & Wellness, Transportation on March 18th, 2009 | 2 Comments »
Signs of Spring
For the last few days, we’ve been treated to some mighty fine weather in Grey/Bruce! I’m told it got all the way up to 15c yesterday afternoon. Our woodpile is dwindling, and the ice is slowly being overtaken by water on our little scummy pond. Dogs, cats and humans alike have an extra spring in our step, and we’re all breathing in the emerging scents of grass and earth. Around our neck of the woods, one of the greatest signs of spring is my first bike ride of the year.
A Fixer Upper
After a long cold winter, temperatures like this inspire me to throw off the shackles of gasoline and hop on my bike. You guessed it, that’s my old clunker up there. A few years ago, it was given to me by my friend, Ellen at Indira Devi Studio of Yoga. Neither of us thought it would be fit to ride when she pulled it out of the storage room, but since I love fix-up projects, I thought I’d give it a try. I brought the bike to a small shop in Durham (I believe they’ve moved to Owen Sound now), Bikeface Cycling. I had figured that the bike would need a total overhaul, and that only the frame would be salvageable (the most desirable part of course!). When I arrived to pick her up, the owner told me that all he’d had to do was oil the chain, and pump up the tires!
Where to Tune Up
After reading this blog entry, I hope you’ll all haul your bikes out of the garage and take ‘em for a spin! However, you might be needing a tune-up, or perhaps you’ve outgrown your old bike and need a replacement. Here are a few suggestions on where to go in Grey/Bruce:
Bikeface Cycling Owen Sound 519-376-9777
Jolley’s Alternative Wheels Owen Sound 519-371-1812
Wheel Fast the Bicycle Shoppe Scone 519-363-3175
Martin’s Bicycle Shop Southampton 519-797-3645
Please leave a comment and let us know where YOUR favorite bike shop is!
In With the Old
It’s now been about 2 years, and I’ve put a lot of miles on this old bike. It has affirmed what I already knew; we shouldn’t throw away the items of the past in exchange for modern gadgets. Many people might have seen this old bike and sent it to the dumpster without a thought. So here’s your lesson of the day Grey/Bruce: Think twice before you toss that “old piece of junk”, it could definitely turn out to be someone else’s treasure.
Posted in Animal Welfare, Green Living, Household Products on February 24th, 2009 | 2 Comments »
I live in a no-bleach zone. I’ve always trusted my instincts, and my instincts have always told me that bleach is not to be trusted. I admit, I haven’t always been successful at keeping one of North America’s most dangerous chemicals from my doorstep, but I am more vigilant now!
The fact is, I haven’t allowed bleach in my home for over a year, and yet I can still smell it leeching out of my counters when I wipe them down with plain hot water. I knew there was more to it than just a bad smell, so I looked for more information. Here’s what I found out:
Why it’s bad for you
Bleach contains sodium hypochlorite (chlorine added to lye) which is highly corrosive, and causes burns and caustic skin irritations. Studies have also shown a relationship between bleach and cancer, birth defects and many other ailments.
Sounds bad enough, right? Well that’s just bleach on its own. The truth is, most people use several different products when cleaning house. Windex for the windows, Bowl Brite for the bathroom, Fantastic in the kitchen, need I go on? The problem is, many of these cleaners contain an ingredient that is sometimes left off of the label: Ammonia. When bleach comes in contact with ammonia, it can have one of three reactions:
- Chlorine Gas (Cl2) - “The gas tears into your nasal passages, trachea, and lungs by causing massive cellular damage.” - source
- Nitrogen Trichloride (NCl3) - “even if you did get close enough to ingest it, it would probably explode in your face first,” - source
- Hydrazine (N2H4) - “The heat is so great that it usually leads to an explosion.” - source
Who else is it bad for?
Your cat may be one of many who are actually attracted to bleach. Maybe it’s because I’m such a cat person, but while researching this article I decided to search for cats and bleach. What I found horrified me! Apparently, many cats are attracted to bleach, and will roll in it, and lap it up if given the chance. Part of me wasn’t surprised because I’ve heard too many times about animals dying after drinking anti-freeze. What really horrified me was that so many cat owners think that this behavior is adorable, and will give their cats little puddles of bleach to play in.
People also clean their litter boxes with bleach. They think the bleach will kill any kittie poop bacteria. Did you know that cat urine contains ammonia? What did I just say about ammonia?
You’ll be much better off cleaning your kitties commodes with a lot of hot water, and a little bit of hydrogen peroxide (which breaks down into water/oxygen in wastewater). Which leads me to my next point:
What to use instead
Have I mentioned that I use three basic ingredients to clean my whole house? They are: Water, White Vinegar, and Baking Soda. Here are a couple of great little recipes that you can use in lieu of bleach:
Drain De-Clogger
- Boil 10 cups of water
- Add 1 cup of white vinegar
- Add 1 cup of baking soda
- Pour solution down drain while fizzing
Cutting Board Sanitizer (Can even be used after cutting meat)
- Sprinkle backing soda over cutting board
- Spritz vinegar over baking soda
- Pour a bit of boiling water over all
- Watch it fizz, then wipe it clean with a cloth
4 ways to get your whites whiter.
- Pour 1/4 cup of Vinegar into your load
- Squeeze some lemon into your load
- Use a homemade eco-friendly laundry detergent that contains baking soda
- My personal favorite Hang your clothes out in the sunshine to dry!
In conclusion
A lot of the points in this article seem harsh or extreme. Of course you’re not going to drop dead the second you open the bottle. Many people use bleach “properly” (read:extremely diluted) and suffer no side effects. However, there are thousands of .
Besides, we need a certain amount of germs around to keep our immune systems up to snuff. As babies we were exposed to all kinds of great immune system building germs and bacterias. Sure we may have caught a cold, or even the flu, but this is far safer than the completely germ free world that we’re sold nowadays.
Posted in Animal Welfare, holidays on February 1st, 2009 | 1 Comment »
When I was younger, I’d always look forward to birthday & Christmas gifts. What kid doesn’t? As kids, when we’re faced with piles of presents wrapped in pretty paper, of all shapes and sizes, we tend to overlook the little gifts in envelopes. Sometimes it’s a small cheque, sometimes it’s well wishes. It’s almost never as exciting as a big colourful box that could contain just about anything.
Now, in my 27th year, I don’t remember every toy, every trinket, every colourful bit of paper strewn aside. The gifts from my childhood that move me still to this day came from my Grandma Betty. An envelope, usually covered with cat and dog stickers, containing a card. No cheque, just a birthday wish and a little note saying “Dear Jod-Lee: I’ve donated $10 in your name to the SPCA. Love, Grandma-ma Betty”
This Valentines Day, I have the opportunity to continue her tradition. The Owen Sound Animal Shelter is doing a little V-Day fundraising. Give your loved one the gift of a donation to a cat or dog in need. Here are the details from their website:
For a $10.00 dollar donation, you can sponsor a homeless animal who has no one to be their valentine, the proceeds will help keep them well, or go to the spay/neuter fund. This donation can be made via Paypal, at the Shelter, or you can email me [Renee Robins] for directions to mail a cheque. Please make sure you attach the message “for valentines sponsorship”. Please specify if this is in honour of someone or in memory. Letters can be provided if this is a gift for a person loved one, or can be emailed too.
We also have great treat bag valentines for your four legged friend. These are available at the Shelter for $2.00/each. Every penny helps and is appreciated. Your donations will help save lives and ensure more help and love for all.
It’s not a diamond ring, or a romantic dinner, but these little donations mean the world to the animals who benefit from them. And if your sweetie is anything like mine, they’ll be moved by the thoughtfulness and kindness of your gift in years to come.
I’m grateful to this day that my Grandma, who still strolls to the dog park every day to see her friends of fur, has inspired such a love of animals in me.
