Eco-Friendly & Green Living Blog

Sorry I haven’t posted in anything even approaching a timely fashion this week, but I’ve been felled by a super-cold that’s just been lingering on and on. Feeling somewhat better today, though, so fingers crossed the cold is finally on its way out!

I still remember clearly the day in the summer of 2003 when the power when out in the Northeast. We were all sitting around a table in our art department here at the magazine editorial offices and everything shut down and went totally quiet, At first we figured it was just a blip, but it soon became clear it wasn’t.

If only we, and I, had had one of these babies back then to find out what was going on. The FR500 Solarlink from Etón is a feature-packed self- and solar-powered AM, FM and shortwave radio that also has an LED light (including a red LED light for emergencies, along with a siren). It also has cell phone charger (a card is included with the radio; just fill it out with info on what cell phone you have and mail it in and you’ll get the cell phone tip you need!). What more could you ask for in the case of a blackout?

Available at: The Source, Canadian Tire

Price: $80

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The second winner of a Go Green Works Starter Kit, including the following products, is Sylvia McGinley of Alberta Beach, Alta.! (To see the original post announcing the contest, click here.)

• Green Works Dishwashing Liquid
• Green Works Natural All-Purpose Cleaner
• Green Works Natural Glass & Surface Cleaner
• Green Works Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner
• Green Works Natural Dilutable Cleaner
• Green Works Natural Bathroom Cleaner

You still have a chance to win one of the last two kits. All you have to do is be a subscriber to my blog. If you’re not a subscriber already, sign up to have the Natural Chic blog delivered directly to your e-mail inbox for a chance to win. To do so, just click this icon:

I’ll pick one more winner a week for the next two weeks. Good luck!

Do you have a product you’d like to recommend for this blog? Email me at naturalchic@styleathome.com!

Louise Campbell of Vancouver-based online site Lavish & Lime let me know about the great sale they’re having until Jan. 31 on this fabulous mohair/wool/acrylic blend throw.

I love the way the robin’s egg blue of the mohair blend throw is accented by the frivolity of the incredibly generous recycled yarn fringe in a multitude of colours. It just makes me smile!

The throw is 70″ x 53″, dry clean only and also comes in White Snow, Dark Grey and Deep Chocolate Brown.

Check out the other products Lavish & Lime has on offer, too; the site focuses on Canadian-made and eco-friendly products and has lots of lovely items.

Available at: www.lavishandlime.com or call 877-216-5463

Price: $112 (regularly $160)

Do you have a something you’d love to recommend for this blog? Just drop me an email at naturalchic@styleathome.com!

The first winner of a Go Green Works Starter Kit, including the following products, is Steven Miscione of Dundas, Ont.! (To see the original post announcing the contest, click here.)

• Green Works Dishwashing Liquid
• Green Works Natural All-Purpose Cleaner
• Green Works Natural Glass & Surface Cleaner
• Green Works Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner
• Green Works Natural Dilutable Cleaner
• Green Works Natural Bathroom Cleaner

You still have a chance to win one of the remaining three kits. All you have to do is be a subscriber to my blog. If you’re not a subscriber already, sign up to have the Natural Chic blog delivered directly to your e-mail inbox for a chance to win. To do so, just click this icon:

I’ll pick one more winner a week for the next three weeks. Good luck!

Do you have a product you’d like to recommend for this blog? Email me at naturalchic@styleathome.com!

In honour of Barack Obama’s inauguration today, I’m posting about a fun little site where you can create a version of yourself in the style of the now-famous election poster. OK, it’s not really anything to do with the environment or nature, but it is chic, no? Pictured above an image of me.

Just go to www.obamiconme.pastemagazine.com, upload an image of yourself (or whomever you like – your family, friends, etc.) and follow the instructions. You can add any of the preselected words or customize the poster to say something near and dear to your heart.

Have fun!

I’ve had one of these therapy pillows for ages and love using it in the winter. I pop it into the microwave after I get back from riding my horse and am chilled to the bone, and it’s perfect for warming me up really quickly.

This version, though, is way better than my Plain Jane one. Not only is it much prettier, it also smells fantastic – the organic buckwheat and flax seed filling is laced with lavender flowers. Unheated it smells great; heated, the aroma fills the room and is incredibly relaxing. And in the midst of the bonechilling cold Toronto’s currently experiencing, you can bet I’ll be using it when I get home tonight!

Measures 15″ x 7.5″. The pillows also come in a Neck Hugger version that’s shaped to fit around your neck, or you can get an eye pillow to chill and use as an eye compress. A bonus: the covers, which come in lots of different patterns, are removable and washable.

For availability visit: www.mettevangso.com

Price: approx. $48 for Classic pillow (Acacia pattern pictured)

Do you have a product you’d like to recommend for this blog? Email me at naturalchic@styleathome.com!

This is your chance to win a great prize! I’m giving away four Go Green Works Starter Kits, including the following products made from plant-based, biodegradable ingredients, all in a handy big metal bucket (retail value $50).

• Green Works Dishwashing Liquid
• Green Works Natural All-Purpose Cleaner
• Green Works Natural Glass & Surface Cleaner
• Green Works Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner
• Green Works Natural Dilutable Cleaner
• Green Works Natural Bathroom Cleaner

This is a super-easy contest. I’m giving away four kits over the next four weeks. All you have to do is be a subscriber to my blog.

If you’re not a subscriber already, sign up to have the Natural Chic blog delivered directly to your e-mail inbox for a chance to win. To do so, just click this icon:

I’ll pick one winner a week for the next four weeks. Best of luck!

Open to all residents of Canada, except those in Quebec. Not open to any Transcontinental Media employees, their families, or any other persons with whom they reside.

Do you have a product you’d like to recommend for this blog? Email me at naturalchic@styleathome.com!

In these cold winter months, my hands really take a beating, and I’ve been using Lovefresh’s fragrant concoctions to rectify the sad situation. The Toronto company was started just over 18 months ago by aromatherapist Stacey Davis, who originally sold the stylishly packaged, plant-based products at the city’s St. Lawrence Market.

My go-to goodies have been the yummy scented Lemon Verbena Scrub followed up by the Pear Body Butter (both paraben and petroleum free), and my hands now look and smell beautiful. I also had friends who were over on the weekend test out the Body Butter to get their thoughts and they loved it, too!

Price: $22 (Body Butter), $24 (Scrub)

Available at: www.lovefresh.com

Do you have a product you’d like to recommend for this blog? Email me at naturalchic@styleathome.com!

Aren’t these reusable mesh bags fabulous? Buy a few, take them with you to the grocery store for your produce and never again use those flimsy plastic bags that just get tossed in the garbage later.

They have a drawstring for easy closure, checkout clerks can see what’s in them, and they’re made in Canada of 100% washable cotton. What’s not to love?

Price: from $5 each (small)

Available: check out www.credobags.com for stores and online retailers

Do you have a product you’d like to recommend for this blog? Email me at naturalchic@styleathome.com!