GREENLIVINGSHOW
Magazine
Which National Parks to visit this summer • Page 10 Details on the latest report from the UN • Page 8 Everything you didn’t know about bug protein • Page 14 Summer eco-tips for parents! • Page 17
SUMMER 19
WELCOME the UN regarding the potential extinction of one million species of animals and give you a new book to add to your cottage reading list!
Summer is here! The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and we at the Green Living Show have been working hard at collecting and collaborating on some pieces that we think you will really enjoy heading into the sunny season! We are thrilled that you have taken the time to pick up and read through this season’s magazine. From learning how to plant a beautiful veggie garden in the city and which national parks to visit this summer, to eco tips for parents and learning all about bug protein (we promise it’s really yummy!), this issue is sure to be a great garden read. We also break down the facts to help you understand the latest report from 2
After we had a chance to catch our breath following this year’s show, the team got hard at work planning our 2020 Green Living Show! From new content and features to cutting edge innovations in clean technology, we are taking next year’s show to a new level. We would love to hear from you! Do you know anyone doing great things in the world of sustainability? Write to us to let us know who you think needs to be at the next Green Living Show. In the meantime, we wish you all a great summer! May it be filled with lots of sunshine, time with family and zero waste :) Sincerely,
Kathleen Krimker President & CEO, Green Living Show
TABLE OF CONTENTS How To Maintain the Perfect Veggie Garden in the City
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Transformative Change Needed as 1 Million Species Face Extinction
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National Parks You Should Visit This Summer
10
What You Didn’t Know About Bug Protein
14
Heat Up the Holidays! Five Hacks to a Greener Summer with Your Kids!
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Q&A with Awoke N Aware
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Fresh Summer Pesto
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Read of the Season
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Shauna McConnell ASSISTANT EDITOR Adrienne Collins GRAPHIC DESIGNER Josh Hillman ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Adrienne Collins Roberta Smith
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Shauna McConnell Just Vertical Thomas McAuley-Biasi Happier Camper Fit Cricket EcoParent Magazine Awoke N’ Aware Adrienne Collins
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Just Vertical Happier Camper Fit Cricket Awoke N’ Aware Chris Ramsay Brad Davies Shauna McConnell
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HOW TO MAINTA VEGGIE GARDEN We love living in the city for the vibrant culture, community gatherings, and amazing food. For all the things city living brings, one thing it doesn’t make easy is gardening. Don’t despair though because in any concrete jungle you have options for building the perfect garden for your needs - you just need to know where to start. Let’s begin with the basics of what you should be growing for best results in the city. Herbs Who doesn’t wish they could be surrounded by the smell of fresh herbs every day? Well, let’s make those wishes a reality. Herbs are some of the easiest things to grow in city centres. They often last all summer and you can trim them weekly for constant access to fresh herbs. Some of the best options to start with are basil, mint, and cilantro. Make sure to trim your herbs consistently from the top of the plant to get the best results. Greens Maybe you thrive on the crunch of fresh greens. Then kale and lettuce could be the perfect fit for you. Kale is great as it is nutrient dense, super durable and is able to handle any challenges city gardening may bring. We recommend planting a mix of kales to enjoy the benefit of being able to grow kale that you can’t get at the grocery store. Some of our favourites 6
AIN THE PERFECT IN THE CITY By: Just Vertical
are dinosaur kale, purple kale, and blue scotch kale. Okay, you’re hooked on the idea of growing your fresh greens but now the question remains of how to grow them. First off, if you have a backyard in the city with access to a traditional garden count yourself lucky! Even if you do have a backyard, or a condo, we recommend going with either a raised bed setup or using pots. Both options do a great job of containing the mess that soil can make while ensuring that your plants have plenty of room to grow. If you are growing with a raised bed, make sure to have at least 6� of soil depth to allow the roots to grow properly. Potted plants can be a great fit for balcony living. When planting lettuce and kale, opt for wider spread,
smaller plants. This will actually produce a larger yield. For herbs, you have a few different options, but it can be very cute to plant multiple herbs into one larger pot and produce a single herb garden. Want to take your gardening to the next level? Try indoor growing. Living in Canada growing outdoors is just out of the question for 8 months of the year. Lucky for us, innovative technology has allowed us to grow indoors all year round in sleek new ways. Our favourite method is using the AEVA by Just Vertical. This comes with a built-in grow light and water tank so there is no need to worry about natural light. Its sleek design makes it a great fit for those of us without a lot of space, balconies or not enough light to grow. 7
TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE NEEDED AS 1 MILLION SPECIES FACE EXTINCTION By: Thomas McAuley-Biasi
UN Global Assessment finds that 25% of plants and animals will disappear within decades due to human activity. On the 6th of May, the Intergovernmental SciencePolicy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Plenary approved the Summary for Policymakers of the Global Assessment on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Paris, France. This global assessment, being released in full later this year, found that human activity is causing 25% of assessed plant and animal species to face extinction, some within the next few decades. The assessment, put together by 145 expert authors from around the world, highlighted changes in land and sea use, exploitation of 8
species, climate change, pollution, and invasive species as the main factors driving the current decline in global biodiversity. As human consumption increases, more and more natural resources are being used up, to the detriment of both the natural world and ourselves. While humans as a species are typically considered outside of the natural world, our livelihood and health depends heavily on nature. In the natural world, we have all come to understand the negative impacts our actions can have. We’ve all seen images of pelicans drenched in oil, of starving polar bears looking for land, and of sea turtles caught in fishing nets. Without changing our actions, these images will repeat over and over as 1 million species slowly disappear- and at this point, that really shouldn’t come as a surprise.
What’s typically forgotten, but highlighted within the assessment, is the effect biodiversity has on humans. As we destroy our coral reefs and marine habitats we put 100-300 million people, worldwide, at an increased risk of floods and hurricanes. As we continue to destroy terrestrial ecosystems and lower biodiversity we put more and more indigenous peoples and poor communities through hardship and risk, altering their way of life for the worse. Fortunately, we still have time. If we change our economic, social, political, and technological values to favour the environment, we can enact beneficial changes. It has already been found that better social, economic, and ecological outcomes can be achieved by turning ecosystem functions and nature’s contribution to humans into economic incentives. As the assessment calls out, this is the sort of transformative change that we need. While a degree of this change will need to come through international cooperation and laws, individuals still have a large role to play. We need to reduce our consumption, our waste production, and change our own views. For Canadians, in the short term, we have the
opportunity to evaluate our priorities when going to the polls in October. In the long term, we need to change how and what we consume. We know land use, pollution, and invasive species are all major drivers of biodiversity loss. So how can we affect positive change as individuals? Buying local, shifting away from single use plastics, buying products with less packaging, and planting gardens with local species, are all easy ways that we can shift our consumption. Along with this, we need to hold our governments accountable for the environmental plans they promise us, and campaign on- either as individuals or by joining our voices to eNGOs locally and worldwide. Money is said to be the universal language, so let’s speak with our wallets. When we collectively change our consumption patterns, we change our social priorities, and ultimately change what is valued by society. We now know what our actions are causing - 1 million extinctions. We can either accept that fact, or take our emotions and turn them into action. The story isn’t finished yet.
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NATIONAL PARKS YOU SHOULD VISIT THIS SUMMER By: Happier Camper
Point Pelee National Park, Ontario Point Pelee is located at Canada’s most southern point. It is located below the 42nd parallel, which means it is as far south as Rome and Barcelona! Due to its mild southernly climate, it is home to some of Canada’s rarest plants and animals, and is world-renowned for spotting migrating birds. It is also the smallest park in Canada at 46 acres and has beaches on both sides into Lake Erie. You can ride a bike around the whole park in two hours which can make a great Sunday drive from the city.
“My grandparents would take me as a child to Point Pelee to watch the birds, and standing on the southernmost point of Canada was always the best part!” - Sharon, 24 10
“Obviously Banff is like no other. The colour of the water and the mountains take your breath away. But what I really loved was all the Caribou! I have never seen so many!” - Brad, 20
Banff National Park, Alberta Banff is an awe-inspiring park where the mountains come alive and the water, produced from ancient ice age glaciers, is so blue it makes you think “how can this be real?”. It is very easy to get lost and mesmerized by its 360º panoramic views. Camping is abundant and available for all types of campers, from RV’s to backpackers! 11
Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario
“The canoeing in this park is bar none. The beautiful rock formations and spectacular natural waterfalls make this park one of a kind.” - Chris, 29
Algonquin Provincial Park is a vast 7,653 km2 of dense forest with thousands of crystal clear lakes and rivers. Canoe down the river and watch the wildlife pass you. It is often referred to as an inspiring park that provides a lot of zen. Algonquin is a short 3 hour drive from our nation’s capital, Ottawa. We would recommend staying a week to experience the full effect of the Park.
Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland & Labrador Referred to as a gem of the Maritimes, Gros Morne National Park is found in Newfoundland and Labrador. Shaped by colliding continents and glaciers, this park offers a diverse landscape of beaches, bogs, forests and breathtaking valleys. It has picturesque hiking trails located at the western shore of the island. Due to its ancient landscape, Gros Morne is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 12
“Gros is the most wellpreserved national park I have ever had the chance to explore. The locals do an incredible job of maintaining the integrity of the park as well as respecting the wildlife. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.” - Joe, 30
Happier Camper was founded on the idea of getting people out of the city limits to explore and create new adventures. The Happier Camper adapts to your needs and lifestyle as you grow. Our HC1 trailers can be towed with a small to midsize car and is compact enough to be stored in a garage.
Some camping essentials we recommend for your next camping trip are: 1 An LED camping lantern. These can spread light 360º so you can see exactly where you’re stepping or working. 2 Camping chairs: Something comfortable that folds up easily. Make it even better with a chair that can hold a plate or a cold one. 3 Bug spray! Depending on how wet the area you’re in is, mosquitoes, black and horse flies can make your trip unpleasant. 4 Bring a propane fire pit. A propane fire pit can cut back on forest fires and during dry spells campgrounds usually only let you use these self contained fire pits.
5 Sleeping bag or a thermal blanket. You never know when the weather will change so these are items you should always keep stocked in the car or camper. 6 A first aid kit with flares and a compass. 7 Two-burner camping stove - butane or propane. 8 A raincoat or jacket. 9 Water shoes. 10 And of course, a smores kit with graham crackers, marshmallows, and fair trade chocolate bars! 13
WHAT YOU DIDN’ ABOUT BUG PROT Does the idea of eating bugs leave you a little squeamish? You are probably wondering why oh why would I eat an insect when I can have a steak or chicken? I get it, eating insects isn’t really a North American tradition. It is still very common for people to have that automatic ick factor associated with it, but there are so many ways we can benefit from it. Let me explain… • Crickets are very high in protein! In only 12 grams of cricket flour, there are 8 grams of protein plus all of the essential amino acids that your body needs. • For 100 grams of cricket powder, there are 24 micrograms of B12, compared to 3.18 micrograms in salmon. You can get 80% of your B12 in approximately 1 tablespoon of cricket flour. • Cricket flour is produced with ethical and humane practices and is cultivating a movement amongst some vegans (called the Entotarians or Entovegans) who are introducing it into their diets due to the high B12 content.
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• Crickets are a great source of fatty acids, especially anti-inflammatory omega 3s in the desired 1:3 ratio to omega 6. They can also improve your gut health and reduce
’T KNOW TEIN By: Fit Cricket
inflammation in the body due to the fact they contain fibre, unlike most other animal protein. • SUSTAINABILITY! Cricket production is 20 times more efficient as a protein source than cattle, and produces 80 times less methane. Additionally, crickets can thrive on organic waste and require dramatically less food than raising beef. They are extremely efficient at converting feed into protein.
surprised by the earthy, nutty and pleasant taste and often compare it to a sunflower seed or roasted chickpea. Hailed as the superior tasting cricket it is preferred over what is often used here in Canada.
Many people have embraced the concept of eating crickets in the form of a ground ‘flour’ or ‘powder’. The correct term is ‘powder’ as it is just ground up crickets, making it gluten-free and therefore cannot replace classic flour in a recipe. It is important to note that if you are allergic to shellfish, you may be allergic to crickets too as crickets are also crustaceans because of their exoskeleton.
• Many parts of the world already consume insects and rely on them as part of their daily diets. The FDA allows a certain amount of insect fragments in all of our foods. It’s inevitable that we are eating them on some sort of level so we might as well embrace it!
There are plenty of ways to get this incredibly healthy protein into your diet including in all types of baking from cakes to cookies, to breads and muffins. Boost your nutritionals in soups, salads or even pancakes. You can experiment with it in some tortillas or even in pie crusts. Just a few ideas - so let’s get cooking!
• They can taste great and not all crickets taste the same! That’s right, crickets taste different from one another based on their species. At Fit Cricket Nutrition we use only the Acheta Domestica which is lighter in taste. In fact, most people that try it are
Try this recipe! Double Chocolate & Coconut Paleo Cricket Cookies (Page 16)
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Makes 15 cookies By: Naughty Nutrition
Ingredients • 1/2 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 /3 cup maple syrup
• 1/3 cup almond butter, or any other nut butter
• 1/4 cup cricket powder
• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 egg, room temperature
• 1/3 cup cacao
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
Method 1 Preheat your oven to 350F. 2 Take all the dry ingredients (except for chocolate chips) and thoroughly combine into a bowl. 3 In a separate bowl add all the wet ingredients and cream together until combined.
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4 Make a well with the dry ingredients and add the wet ingredients. Mix until everything is incorporated, then fold in the chocolate chips. 5 Take a cookie scoop (or about 1 tbsp of batter) and portion out 15 cookies on to a parchment-lined baking tray. 6 Bake for about 10-12 minutes (if overcooked they will get dry).
HEAT UP THE HOLIDAYS! FIVE HACKS TO A GREENER SUMMER WITH YOUR KIDS! By EcoParent Magazine
Listen up: Summer has finally arrived! Get ready to barbeque to your heart’s content, wade in the water until your fingers (and toes!) prune, and lick melted popsicle off your arm. Summer is a license to chill! Literally. And while you’re enjoying all the season has to offer, why not go next-level by adopting a few greener measures that say a big thank you to Mother Nature.
1. Ditch the plastic. Maybe you’ve already started doing this. Perhaps you’ve even gotten tough on the storage container drawer. Make this summer the one you go full on plastic-free and toss anything plastic (even those BPAfree plastics aren’t awesome!), and try stainless or glass. If you’re on the go, especially with the kiddos, make sure to pack a reusable water bottle and a set of stainless straws. Not only are they reusable superstars, they also make drinks feel colder (which is always a welcome surprise on a hot summer day!) 2. Keep the cool factor in check. Sure, being able to cuddle under a duvet in a super-cool room at night might be a summer luxury you look forward to at the end of a long, sweaty day, but cranking the a/c isn’t only hard on the pocketbook, it’s also hard on the environment! If you have central 17
air, invest in a programmable thermostat that will automatically set the temperature higher when you’re away. And when you’re home, try a little test to see how cool you actually need it to be comfortable by starting at 26 degrees and dropping it a half degree at a time until it feels just right! You can also help keep things cooler by investing in a few fans, letting the cool outside air in at night, and by keeping curtains drawn and windows closed on those scorchers. 3. Hit the farmers’ market. Got a hankering for some local peaches? Instead of heading to your neighbourhood grocery store, why not pop by a farmers’ market? Not only is it great to support your local farmer, it’s also a fun excuse to get a little exercise, check out the scene, and maybe pick up something delectable you or your family have never tried before. Best part? Many vendors at farmers’ markets offer organic, naturally grown, or even biodynamic products. While you’re there, grab some delicious local honey to drizzle on that perfectly fresh-from-the-farm fruit! 4. Use non-toxic sunscreen. While covering up skin is a summertime essential, sometimes (like at the beach) less is more. Protect that tender skin with sunscreen! While there are a number of sunscreens on the market that 18
make big promises of super-high SPF, waterproof/sweatproof/anythingproof protection, the claims come at a huge price: toxins. That’s why a good quality mineral-based sunscreen is key. Look for ones containing ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium oxide—an SPF of 50 is more than enough! 5. Plan a staycation. Feeling the sting of flight-shaming? Lots of people are trying to rely less on airplanes for travel because of pollution concerns. If you’re feeling the guilt or even just want to save some cash, why not opt for a staycation? Stay in town (or at least stay fairly local and bust out the camping gear!) and get to know your area! Walk through your downtown and travel by public transit to get to those more distant destinations. Check out some cool shops you’ve never ventured into, or grab a bite to eat at a great hangout you’ve heard about but haven’t tried. Or what about doing an ice cream crawl? Instead of the pub crawls of your younger days, why not grab the kids and hit every ice cream shop in town, trying whatever they’re known for!
Get out there, throw on those shades you’ve been itching to pull out since winter, and celebrate summer. (Just make sure to take your reusable bag with you!)
Q&A WITH AWOKE N AWARE “If you were to describe Awoke N Aware as a person, how would you describe them?” Awoke N’ Aware is unapologetically cool. Awoke N’ Aware makes a statement when they walk in the room, with an edgy, sarcastic and outspoken demeanor, and of course, a style that demonstrates attention to detail. Looks are important, but above all, Awoke N’ Aware won’t shy away from voicing their opinion (especially on the importance of our planet). 19
“What prompted or inspired you to create this brand?”
make sure that we can trace that development, and ensure a positive impact.
Our passion for wildlife, love of fashion, and a struggle to stay true to both in the current fashion world prompted the creation of Awoke N’ Aware. We wanted consumers to shop with the planet in mind while helping wildlife but still looking dope. That option just didn’t exist. So we’re SO excited to bring it to our like-minded consumers.
“What are some of the challenges you face when starting a sustainable brand that people might not expect?”
“What does ethical production mean to Awoke N Aware? Can you walk us through the process” Ethical means that our people come first. Overseas, we maintain a minimum standard of fair trade and fair wages. We want to empower our network of workers, so they are proud to be part of the creation of each Awoke N’ Aware piece. We want to make sure our supply chain is safe and focuses on the best interest of each individual involved. While making a t-shirt, many hands will touch that process. We want to 20
Educating consumers (outside of the sustainable community) about the importance of shopping with the environment in mind. People don’t realize how they can impact the planet with each dollar they spend. “What are your items currently and how do you see this growing over the next 1, 5 or 10 years?” We currently have 100% organic t-shirts, and a cozy hoodie made from eight recycled plastic bottles. With these items, we’re able to support elephants, rhinos and polar bears through our 15% donation per item sold. We have a goal to donate $50,000 to our wildlife conservation partners. To accomplish this goal,
we will need to expand our product offering, use new innovative fabrics and see consumers’ purchasing attitudes shift with the planet in mind! Next up: vegan tie dyes! “Do you have a favourite product?” We both live in our organic cotton tee <3 “What is your biggest accomplishment as a brand so far?” Hearing reviews from our loyal consumers that they absolutely love the look, feel and wear of our apparel! “Do you have any tips for those who want to change their shopping behaviour?” It’s not easy. Give yourself time and you will probably f*ck up. That’s okay. You’re aware and you’re taking steps in the right direction...we’re still learning, too. “Where can people grab your stuff?” Awokenaware.com. Use the discount code “greenlivingmag” for free shipping :)
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FRESH SUMMER PESTO Looking to try something different and fresh at your next bbq? How about a fresh herb pesto that is sure to step up anything you pull off the grill! Ingredients •
1
bunch leafy carrot
•
1
lime, zested &
•
1
large handful parsley,
•
2
tablespoons
•
1
large handful cilantro,
•
2
green onions, thinly
•
1
clove garlic, minced
tops, finely chopped finely chopped finely chopped sliced
juiced
pumpkin seeds,
toasted and roughly •
chopped 1/3
cup olive oil
• Salt & pepper, to taste
Steps 1 In a medium bowl combine carrot tops, parsley, cilantro and green onions.
2 Add garlic and mix through.
3 Add lime juice, lime zest, and pumpkin seeds 4 Add the olive oil and stir to combine. Salt and pepper to taste.
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READ OF THE SEASON
Selection by Adrienne Collins, Communications & Account Director, The Green Living Show
Do you suffer from “eco-anxiety”? Do you feel overwhelmed by the existential challenge of climate change? Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine: Sorting Out the Recycling System informs without the preach or guilt; and will leave you feeling encouraged to check in on your own community’s recycling rules and regulations. You’ll learn about the steps we need to take to strengthen our recycling loop and you’ll feel hopeful and optimistic about the future of recycling! Throughout Reduce, Reuse, Reimagine, Beth Porter equates our modern-day communities to ecosystems in the natural world to help us understand the cycle of the recycling system. By providing an accessible recounting of the history of recycling systems in the United States she effectively informs on the psychology and economics of contemporary recycling. Thoughtfully addressing the confusion surrounding recycling and explaining the
complex systems that guide it, Porter helps us learn how we can balance our system and resources in a closed loop. Our suggestion for this month – grab a copy of this book and start understanding the importance of the loop!
Stay tuned for our next read of the season by following us on instagram at @greenlivingpage 25
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