GREENLIVINGSHOW
Magazine
Best Practices to Avoid Wasting Food Page 6 Easy and Fun Easter Eggs to Try at Home Page 16 Breaking The Stigma Around Women’s Health Page 24
SPRING 19
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WELCOME Magazine. Inside you will find not only details about the jam packed weekend that is the Green Living Show, but also specially curated features covering many areas of eco-friendly living including health, wellness, fashion and even fun DIY Easter crafts for the kids.
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2019 Green Living Show. My team and I are very excited to host you at this years show, which we’ve spent countless hours lovingly bringing to life. As we enter our 13th year, our team has worked hard to honour tradition, while bringing you new and relevant content! While roaming the show’s floor, you can look forward to enjoying the elements that you know and love, while discovering exciting new pieces that have been thoughtfully curated for your enjoyment. In your hands is our Spring 2019 edition of the Green Living Show
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Our hope is that you will take this magazine home with you to remember your experience with us today and to enjoy and share for months to come. So time to get excited! As you step onto the show floor we hope that you learn, find something that inspires you, and have fun checking out some of the brilliant new products and the people behind them, that we have featured this year. We hope that you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed putting it together for you. Sincerely,
Kathleen Krimker President & CEO, Green Living Show
TABLE OF CONTENTS Best Practices to Avoid Wasting Food
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Best Spots For Sustainable Fashion in T.O.
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Easy and Fun Easter Eggs to Try at Home
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11 Tips for Your Next Eco-Vacation
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#ThePlasticDiet 23 Breaking The Stigma Around Women’s Health
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Top 5 Natural Solutions for Hormonal Concerns
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Read of the Season
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Black Bean ‘Accra’ Fritter Recipe
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Shauna McConnell GRAPHIC DESIGNER Josh Hillman EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Nina Adler ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Max Barill
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mirna Sharafeddine & Lusine Stepanian Shauna McConnell Wesley Wright Kristi MacDonald Dr. Marnie Luck, ND Chef Daniel Holloway & Marie Holloway
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Brave Soles The Saltwater Collective Malleable Jewellers Leafii Awoke N Aware Ahisma Eco Solutions Dr. Marnie Luck, ND Chef Daniel Holloway & Marie Holloway Shauna McConnell
Cover: iStock/Lisovskaya
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BEST PRA AVOID WA According to a report by the CEC, one third of all food produced globally is wasted, with the average Canadian consumer throwing out an estimated 170 kg of food a year. Of that, 43% of the waste is happening at home, so we thought we’d share our favourite tips for reducing waste. Added bonus - save on your grocery bills in the process! Organize Your Kitchen The first step to avoiding food waste is taking stock of what you already have in your fridge, freezer and cupboards. We like to do this every three months, which is perfect for the change of the season. See if you have any products that are expiring soon and find creative recipes to utilize those products. Plan Your Meals Design a meal plan around what you already have. Ok, you don’t need to have your week planned to a T, but having a general idea of 6
ACTICES TO WASTING FOOD
with Registered Holistic Nutritionists Mirna Sharafeddine & Lusine Stepanian
what you want to eat, if you have any plans to eat out, or if you are going away for a few days, will help you better plan what you need to buy. Create a Shopping List Now that you know what you have, what you need, and what you’re cooking for the week, make a list of all the items that you need to buy. TIP: If you’re someone that can’t use large quantities of veggies, or want to always have some in stock, then aim to buy a variety of fresh and frozen produce. Frozen produce is just as nutritious and ensures that you only use what you need.
Keep it Simple with 5-Ingredient Meals How many times have you bought a fancy ingredient for a recipe and never used it again? Cooking with a few ingredients not only helps to keep things super simple and quick, but we’ve done a bit of experimenting and it’s also quite delicious. Not to mention that it helps you minimize food waste and utilize all ingredients at hand.
Freeze Leftovers Made too much soup or curry? Just freeze it. This will not only cut down on food waste, but having pre-made and ready to eat food in the freezer makes it super simple to whip up a quick meal on a busy week night.
Mirna Sharafeddine
Lusine Stepanian
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Creative ways to turn tossing into saving! Spiralize your stocks! Take stubborn stocks (broccoli, cauliflower) that you would normally toss, put them through a spiralizer and add to a salad, pasta or stir fry dish. Utilize your vegetable’s leafy tips! Instead of removing the leafy tops of your carrots or celery, chop them up and add them to whatever you are making. They are great in homemade patties or sauces. Try it dried! Ever wonder what you can do with the cores of different fruits like apples and pineapples? With a bit of time in the oven you can turn your leftovers into delicious and nutritious snacks. Make a broth! Vegetable leftovers are perfect for making your own soup. Puree and add. Sometimes we throw out the best parts of fruits and vegetables! Don’t be afraid to puree some watermelon rinds or orange skins and toss them into whatever you are making (especially good in something sweet!)
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Looking for more tips on minimizing food waste while enjoying delicious meals? Don’t forget to join Registered Holistic Nutritionists Mirna (Co-founder of Naughty Nutrition [naughtynutrition.co]) and Lusine Stepanian, (Founder of Bare Holistics [www.bareholistics.com]) for ‘How to Meal Prep Your Week with Delicious 5-Ingredient Recipes & Avoid Wasting Food’ at the Green Living Show.
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BEST SPOTS FOR SUSTAINABLE FASHION IN T.O. Shopping sustainably can be easy once you know where to look! From shoes and swimsuits, to accessories and classic tees, here are some of the best spots to grab some new sustainable pieces for your wardrobe! 11
Brave Soles Female owned, ethically focused and globally inspired, Brave Soles takes tires from under cars and puts them under your feet! Every sole of their handmade sandals are made from recycled tires and do not involve any chemical processes. From classic to eccentric styles, these sandals are a perfect pickup before the warm summer months. Dupont Street, Toronto, ON www.bravesoles.life @bravesoles.life
Malleable Jewellers From mine to market, Malleable Jewellers creates custom pieces using recycled materials. Ethically sourcing materials from start to finish is all a part of their design process. Their specialty; working with clients who want to up-cycle a precious metal into a new, gorgeous piece of jewelry. Join in the design process and make something uniquely you. St. Clair & Oakwood Street, Toronto, ON www.malleablejewellers.net @malleablejewellers 12
The Saltwater Collective Designed for the conscious consumer who doesn’t want to compromise style or quality, The Saltwater Collective is a Toronto based clothing company who offer unique, trendy and classic swimwear pieces for the everyday woman. With fabrics made from ECONYL Ž yarn (recycled Nylon waste and plastic scraps) you can feel good that each piece you purchase is helping clean up the environment. www.thesaltwatercollective.com @thesaltwatercollective Leafii Leafii is all about turning leaves into useful, everyday items. From wallets to shoulder bags, Leafii uses sustainably sourced teak leaves from Thailand for all of their products. Unique in nature, these beautiful products showcase the natural patterns and variations from the leaves. Their items are one of a kind, and definitely a spot to visit when shopping for your next accessory. The Queen V Boutique, 835 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON www.leafii.ca @leafiibynature
Awoke N Aware Look dope af, but do it the right way. Awoke N Aware is the new brand on the Toronto market that has a mission to save animals one shirt at a time. In addition to donating 15% of their profits to wildlife conservations, this company makes clothes in a sustainable and ethical way using fabrics from recycled plastic bottles and organic cotton. Launching for the first time at the Green Living Show this is a brand that you should definitely check out! www.awokenaware.com @awokenaware
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EASY AND EGGS TO T Decorating eggs for the holidays can be fun no matter what age you are. What’s more fun? Finding creative and natural ways to decorate your eggs. Here are some things you can use around your home! What you need • ¼ red cabbage
• Handful of onion skins
• ½ cup frozen blueberries
• Spices (curry, ginger, paprika) • 1 cup coffee
Don’t limit yourself to just these ingredients! Depending on the colours that you want, there are a variety of vegetables, fruits and spices that you can use.
Get Ready Select a variety of eggs in different hues. Free-range eggs provide a great mix of textures, patterns and colours. 16
D FUN EASTER TRY AT HOME Place the eggs into a pot of cold water and bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn off, cover and leave for 30 minutes. Allow eggs to cool before putting them into the dye. Method There are three ways to get the dyes ready for your eggs. 1 Add the dying agent to boiling water and let simmer for 30 minutes, then drain, add a small amount of vinegar and let cool 2 Set your dying agent in a bowl and cover with boiling water 3 Use the extra of what you already have, like leftover coffee!
Process Add the eggs to the dye and leave overnight. The next day, remove from the dye and let dry for an hour. Done and enjoy! The Result Red Cabbage – Dark blue Onion Skins – Orange & red Spices – Light yellow Frozen Blueberries – Light blue Coffee – Deep brown
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11 TIPS FOR YOUR NEXT ECO-VACATION Do you love to travel but find it difficult to be as green on your vacation as when you’re at home? Ahimsa Eco Solutions has some tips to make your next trip an eco-friendly one!
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Reduce Plastic Waste 1 Food and drink packaging on airplanes creates a lot of waste. Bring reusables like cloth bags, straws, cutlery, and cups on your next flight…think of how many plastic cups you could prevent from being thrown out on one flight alone! 2 Learn to say “no plastic” and “no straw, please” in the local language. Use your eco-friendly reusables everywhere from fast food joints, to night markets, cafés and smoothie bars.
4 Instead of purchasing travelsized products, put your at-home supplies into smaller reusable containers. 5 Say no to luggage plasticwrapping services at airports. It generates unnecessary plastic waste. To keep your luggage secure, purchase a TSA luggage lock; it’s reusable, durable, and won’t be broken by airport security.
3 One of the best things you can do is avoid plastic water bottles! Use your reusable bottle as often as you can. Some countries have potable municipal water that you can drink. If not, bring your own filtration device or look for water refill stations, which provide water that’s cleaner and way cheaper than bottled water. If you have to buy bottled water, get it in larger containers (4 L or 20 L) and fill up your water bottle before you head out to for the day.
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Need some eco-friendly, nontoxic new reusables for your upcoming trip? Go to www. ahimsaeco.com or visit us at our booth (#1434) at the Green Living Show!
Reduce carbon emissions 6 Air travel is the most carbon-intensive mode of transportation. If it’s an option, consider taking the bus or train instead...and taking one overnight will save you a hotel stay! 7 Consider offsetting your carbon emissions by donating to a tree planting organization. 8 Choose public transit, walking or biking over taxis or car rentals. If using a ridesharing company, opt for a shared ride which is cheaper and offers fewer emissions per person. If travelling to Canada or the US, consider using Lyft because they offset all their carbon. Also look for bike, e-scooter or e-bike sharing programs.
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Other Tips! 9 Use an eco-tour operator that supports sustainable practices. 10 Consider biodegradable/reeffriendly sunscreen (DIY or purchased). It’s healthier for you, coral reefs and marine life. Conventional sunscreens contain oxybenzone and other chemicals that are toxic to the oceans and to us. 11 Do a local waste cleanup! Bonus points if it’s at the beach because shoreline cleanups help to keep plastic from entering our oceans and it’s a lot easier to collect waste on land than from the water!
#THEPLAS It’s no secret that plastic is destroying our planet. From covering once beautiful beaches to endangering sea life, plastic is toxic to our ecosystem. Images circulating on social media inspire the environmentalist in all of us but it’s hard to know how to start. We came up with #theplasticdiet to help everyone enact their inner environmentalist by suggesting simple everyday alternatives to plastic. What is #theplasticdiet? In short, #theplasticdiet is an exercise in plastic-free living. It’s an initiative in which you swap out your plastic products for plastic-free alternatives. Why #theplasticdiet matters Every year, nearly 300 million tons of plastic are produced, and roughly half of it is only used once. 91% of all plastic isn’t recycled – instead, 8 million tons of plastic garbage gets dumped into our oceans and landfills. It was numbers like these that used to make my heart sink. When I started #theplasticdiet, it felt overwhelming at first, but slowly each change made it easier and easier. A lot of the swaps that I have made work better 22
iStock/targovcom
STICDIET than their plastic cousin. The most important thing is to leave the guilt behind. Everyone is doing their best. #theplasticdiet is a place for you to start, once you start looking, you will see that there are a lot of options. When we ran #theplasticdiet campaign in January we where overwhelmed with the positive response. Most people when given options want to become part of the plastic pollution solution.
How you can make the swap These top 5 tips are a great place to start: 1 Plastic water bottles: Trade single use plastic water bottles for canteens instead. They’re better looking, more convenient, and keep your water colder for longer periods of time. 2 Straws: Simply swap out those plastic straws for metal or bamboo. The reusable straws are small and can fit into your purse or backpack easily.
with Kirsti MacDonald, founder & CEO of BeeBAGZ™ — BeeBAGZ.com
3 Buy loose, fresh veggies and fruit, and bring them in mesh produce bags, cotton bags or BeeBAGZ™. 4 Dishwashing supplies: Dish scrub brushes are just as effective as sponges without the plastic packaging. 5 Instead of wrapping your kids’ lunches in disposable baggies, try BeeBAGZ™. They’re 100% plastic-free beeswax wrap baggies that are healthy for your family and the environment. In general, #theplasticdiet offers you a chance to examine your plastic use and look for ways to cut back. There are easy and effective swap outs that can help the environment, and in the process, you just might discover some new products that you’ll love. Small changes = Big impact. Say NO to plastic. 23
BREAKING THE STIGMA AROUND WOMEN’S HEALTH With Dr. Marnie Luck, ND
Is this normal? Why am I breaking out so bad? I wonder if all women experience this? These are normal questions that women ask themselves daily. Dr. Marnie Luck, ND dispels some of the myths and gives some answers when it comes to asking questions about women’s health. When we talk about “breaking the stigma” around women’s health, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Women are reclaiming their role in their health and bodies- breasts, vulvas, vaginas. There is a shift from previous decades of shame and secrecy around concerns unique to women, to an emphasis on creating space for open conversation around women’s 24
health so that conditions don’t go underdiagnosed. Women must feel informed and empowered and have the opportunity to take an active role in their health and choose solutions that resonate with them.
When it comes menstruation, should women be avoiding using tampons? What is the truth about chemicals in disposable feminine products?
Which is the most common nutrient that women are lacking in their everyday diets? Vitamin D is the nutrient most women are lacking in their diet and that’s because vitamin D is not naturally occurring in most foods we eat. We require the sun’s UVB radiation to synthesize vitamin D in our skin. Appropriate supplementation of vitamin D reduces the risk of many female predominant health concerns like osteoporosis, breast cancer and MS.
First we must understand that the vagina is a highly vascularized area and compounds can be absorbed into our tissues and blood stream. There is a lack of labeling requirements for tampons; therefore identifying specific compounds is difficult. The cotton in most tampons is chlorine bleached which may contribute to the presence of dioxins and furans in tampons. Super absorbent disposable pads can actually draw moisture from the vulvar tissue and contribute to irritation. What are some of the biggest myths surround women’s health? Myth 1: Alcohol has health benefits for women. This doesn’t mean that having a drink is a bad thing but when it comes to women’s health no amount of alcohol has a protective effect. Have a drink because you’re celebrating, not because it’s good for your health. 25
Myth 2: Any vaginal discharge is unhealthy discharge. The vagina is a self-cleaning oventhere’s going to be discharge. Myth 3: The vulva and the vagina is the same thing. The vulva consists of the external female sex organs whereas the vagina refers to the internal muscular canal that has a soft and flexible lining extending from the vulva to the cervix.
Dr. Marnie Luck, ND is a Canadian Naturopathic Doctor located in the Annex. While her practice addresses all types of health concerns, she has a special interest in digestive issues, weight management and women’s health. Luck is known for taking the time to know her clients so she can provide them with a comprehensive treatment plan. To learn more about Dr. Marnie Luck, ND visit www.marnieluck.com
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Myth 4: Genetics play a greater role in women’s health concerns vs modifiable risk factors. The nature versus nurture argument has been long debated. We now realize that our environment (including toxin and stress exposure) and our lifestyle habits (diet, exercise, work, alcohol, smoking) have a much greater influence on women’s health than genetic predisposition. Myth 5: Snacking throughout the day is better than eating three meals. In general, it is better to eat three balanced meals daily with a combination of foods high in protein, healthy fats and vegetables. This is because it allows our body to move in and out of the fasted and fed state, and gives our digestive tract a break between meals.
TOP 5 NATURAL SOLUTIONS FOR HORMONAL CONCERNS Hormonal concerns can be complex, and the best results are achieved when you work together with an experienced naturopathic doctor (like me!). However, there are some diet and lifestyle recommendations that will support healthy hormones.
1. Increase vegetables especially from the brassica family. Foods like broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, kale, rapini, collards and bok choy contain compounds like I-3-C, which support the healthy metabolism of estrogen (and other hormones) in the liver. 2. Start you morning with a big glass of lemon water. I always get asked, “how much lemon?” You only need to squeeze a small wedge into your water to be able to taste it. Lemon water stimulates your liver and digestive tract to get moving-enhancing liver enzyme function and encouraging bile production. Lemon is also good source of the antioxidant, vitamin C. 3. Eat a diet rich in fibre. Fibre-rich foods help to bulk stool, bind toxins (and hormone metabolites) and promote regular bowel movements. Fibrous foods are “prebiotics” and help maintain a healthy microbiome in the bowels.
Low fibre diets lead to constipation and the reabsorption of estrogen into circulation. 4. Maintain a consistent sleep and wake time with screenfree time before bed. Most of our hormones have a daily fluctuation, most notably, cortisol and melatonin. Cortisol rises in the morning and falls throughout the day. Melatonin, our sleep hormone, should start to rise in the evening. Both cortisol and melatonin influence our sex hormones. When our schedules are inconsistent and we have too much screen-time at night it alters our hormone production. 5. Reduce exposure to harmful chemicals. Chemicals like BPA, styrene, phthalates and parabens that are found in food packaging (canned food, plastic wraps) and household and personal products disrupt our hormones. Some can even bind and activate estrogen receptors. Reduce your exposure by choosing natural products with reduced packaging. 27
READ OF THE SEASON When originally released in 2009, Slow Death by Rubber Duck was thought-provoking, insightful and changed the way people looked at and engaged with everyday items. Ten years later, some things have changed but not much. This landmark book about the toxicity of everyday life has been updated, revised and reissued for its 10th anniversary. Take a step into everyday life with authors Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie while they conduct experiments and offer themselves to science to see how toxicity is really affecting our everyday lives. Last month President & CEO of The Green Living Show, Kathleen Krimker had the pleasure of attending the book relaunch where Smith and Lourie spoke about sustainable and healthy living in our homes. Our suggestion for this month – grab a copy of this book! You and your body won’t regret it!
5 out of 5 Stars!
Stay tuned for our next read of the season by following us on instagram at @greenlivingpage 29
BLACK BEA FRITTER R Serves 8-10 people Gluten Free, Vegan
Ingredients • ¼ cup of Bob’s Redmill 1 to 1 gluten free flour
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• ¼ cup tapioca starch
• 1 (15 oz) can organic black turtle
beans – rinsed, drained and dried
• ½ cup red onion, diced • 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika • 2 teaspoons chili powder
• ½ teaspoon ground coriander • ½ teaspoon salt • 1 lime, juiced
• 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
• 3 eddoes - peeled, cleaned & grated • Vegetable oil for frying
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AN ‘ACCRA’ ECIPE
Recipe contributed by Chef Daniel Holloway & Marie Holloway from Urban Acorn Catering
Method 1 Place grated eddo into a mixing bowl with red onion, garlic, paprika, chili powder, coriander, salt, lime juice and apple cider. 2 In a food processor, pulse black beans until broken down but not quite pureed fully. Place into the bowl with the remaining ingredients and mix until fully incorporated.
5 Using the slotted spoon, take out the fritters and finish with salt.
6 Serve with crispy parsnip chips, hot sauce, shredded lime pickled cabbage and cilantro.
3 Heat oil in an electric home deep fryer (or in a pot) to 375F (use candy thermometer to check heat). 4 With a large serving spoon, carefully portion the mixture directly into the hot oil and fry until crispy (approximately 3 minutes).
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Looks like you appreciate accountability. Same here.