http://www.homemakers.com/blog/ecologic Environmentally friendly advice and green living inspiration Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:50:01 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en [caption id="attachment_3216" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Ash trees under threat"][/caption] If you live in Western Ontario, you know all about the Emerald Ash Borer. The tiny irridescent green bug has devastated ash trees (genus: Fraxinus) across hundreds of kilometres. Like the mountain pine beetle in Alberta and BC, the Emerald Ash Borer, an ... http://www.homemakers.com/blog/ecologic/2011/09/21/tree-threat-emerald-ash-borer/ Stop putting nasty chemicals down the drain. That was the message I got loud and clear while listening to a water treatment expert from the City of Toronto, who was speaking at a conference I attended last June. I went over my cleaning arsenal in my mind. Vinegar? OK. ... http://www.homemakers.com/blog/ecologic/2011/09/15/better-toilet-bowl-cleaners/ Canada's provincial elections are just around the corner. Should you be strategic or vote with your heart? Should you focus on immediate issues, like taxes, or vote for changes that will take a while to pay off? Should you just give up on politics making beneficial change and avoid voting ... http://www.homemakers.com/blog/ecologic/2011/09/02/provincial-election-vote-for-the-future/ [caption id="attachment_3197" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="Courtesy Bosch"][/caption] If you're considering upgrading an old appliance, the chart above helps illustrate how much you might save with that new fridge, washer or dishwasher. It illustrates the energy costs of operating an appliance over its lifespan, comparing 1990 appliances to those built in 2008. Whizzy ... http://www.homemakers.com/blog/ecologic/2011/08/16/new-appliances-reap-home-energy-efficiency-savings/ [caption id="attachment_3173" align="aligncenter" width="378" caption="Courtesy Ontario Parks"][/caption] In late July, a community showed with hard work and with their pocketbooks that they care about their environment - by preserving a piece of it. Neighbours, volunteers, local and national environmental groups and politicians alike got involved, on July 16th they announced that ... http://www.homemakers.com/blog/ecologic/2011/08/09/how-a-community-made-a-new-park/ While it's relatively cool on Canada's west coast, those of us in the central and east part of the country are feeling the heat. Smog is air pollution, that, according to the Toronto Environmental Alliance, is made up of ground-level ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter ... http://www.homemakers.com/blog/ecologic/2011/07/15/10-smog-fighting-tips/ [caption id="attachment_3161" align="aligncenter" width="405" caption="520 solar panels on this horse facility. Talk about competing in the solar arena!"][/caption] Hurtling along South-Central Ontario's Highway 2 on hot and sunny Canada Day weekend, I was thrilled -- and surprised -- to see many homes, barns and riding arenas clad with solar panels. Not ... http://www.homemakers.com/blog/ecologic/2011/07/08/solar-panels-investments-in-the-future-and-a-contest/ It's hard to find made-in-Canada stuff these days. There are proudly Canadian companies, but where are their goods made? Usually not here, not even on this continent. That's why, when developing the Homemakers Summer 2011 issue (out now!) I was so happy we found many stylish items for our Made ... http://www.homemakers.com/blog/ecologic/2011/06/30/made-in-canada-style/ As you walk, you may put more pressure on your feet than your total body weight. Maybe those hard-working heels and toes deserve more attention than the latest nail polish hue. A Canadian outfit, Rocky Mountain Soap Company, makes this skin-nourishing foot butter ($13.50 for 55 g through their online store) ... http://www.homemakers.com/blog/ecologic/2011/06/29/jess-tests-foot-butter/ Looking for a zero-waste, guilt free way to water your plants? I was. And finally, after having the gear to do it for months, my partner and I installed a drip irrigation system this past weekend. It's fed straight from one of our rain barrels. If I sound smug it's ... http://www.homemakers.com/blog/ecologic/2011/06/20/irrigation-from-your-rain-barrel/