Toxins seep into our lives and our bodies in the most inconspicuous ways. The little things we do every day could be leading us down a toxic super highway: washing our face, brushing our teeth, or taking a shower. All of these have the potential of polluting our bodies and our entire environment. Why? Because of the chemicals contained in the products we use and how industry produces these products.

The air we breathe, the products we use and even the food we eat, all contain traces of toxins. Although Canada has strict guidelines on how much pollution a company is allowed to pump into the air and water and how much and what types chemicals farmers are allowed to use, there is not a total ban. This means pollutants still seep through and into our bodies.

Toxic Nation did a very interesting study of how much toxins the human body contains. They sampled different families from different parts of the country. Read more about the study and the findings, maybe find a family close to where you live.

One interesting point in the BC family is that the teenage daughter has more toxins than her mother and her brother, and both children had more than the mother. This could be because of the priming and primping teenage girls do – putting more chemicals in and on their bodies. Young women are developing rapidly and keeping them away from toxins will make a difference to them and our world now and in the future.

It is virtually impossible to keep every toxin out of our body and our system, but watching what you eat and what kinds of soaps, deodorants and shampoos you use is a good start. As consumers we can choose to live in a way that limits our exposure to toxins as well as limits the amount of toxins we send into the environment.

As we refuse to purchase toxic products, companies will cease to manufacture them and real change will happen.

Toothpaste cleans our teeth, freshens our breath and fights cavities. But, what is it made of? Reading a tube of Crest won’t give you the answers. All it tells you is what it can do for you and how much sodium fluoride it contains. Green Beaver offers a solution. Vegan skin care and oral care is still in its infant stages. You have to do a lot of searching to find truly vegan products. Green Beaver is a company dedicated to doing the searching for you. Here you will find everything you and your family needs for healthy vegan skin care and oral care solutions.

Although they don’t have a physical store, their products are available throughout Canada at health stores. Alternately, you can order on-line directly through their secure on-line store. Plus, they offer a vegan toothpaste so you will know exactly what your toothpaste is made of.

The list of ingredients is clearly marked: plants & minerals, real flavours without any chemically engineered synthetic flavours (or dyes), natural antibacterial agents such as Xylitol (which occurs naturally in fruits and vegetables such as berries, apples and plums), lemon and tea tree extracts. According to Health Canada “studies have indicated that xylitol in particular may actually help to prevent tooth decay”

The Green Beaver toothpaste also contains natural mineral whiteners such as Silica and calcium carbonate, and natural breath fresheners like aromatic and refreshing herbs. They add Calcium ascorbate, which contributes to the normal development and maintenance of teeth and gums. We all know that the most important part of healthy teeth and gums is proper cleaning. You can brush your teeth with water but that won’t remove all of the plaque build up.

Aside from toothpaste, Green Beaver also offers a complete line of winter vegan skin care products. Canadian winters can be a bit harsh, so you might want to check them out. Live healthy. Live green!

March is Fraud Prevention Month and the Competition Bureau of Canada has some fabulous information on their website to help consumers avoid falling victim. Read on.

A December 2008 Statistics Canada survey found that 8.7 million Canadians used the internet to search for health-related information, with almost a quarter of them looking for alternative remedies. Of these 8.7 million people, only 38% spoke to their health-care professional about what they found.

In March 2008, the Competition Bureau of Canada launched Project False Hope. With the tagline “The fight against cancer is hard enough, don’t let fraud make it harder”, its aim is to target cancer-related fraud online and combat cancer fraud through education and enforcement. At the time of its launch, the project had already uncovered dozens (now hundreds) of Canadian-operated sites that were offering shady products that fell under the false and misleading provisions of the Competition Act. As March is Fraud Prevention Month in Canada and around the world, here is a brief look at Project False Hope, just one of the fraud-busting programs offered by the government of Canada.

Probably not widely known, the Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency that protects and promotes competitive markets, while enabling informed consumer choices. It provides consumers with information on how to protect themselves against fraudulent claims. The Bureau uses internet surveillance and other techniques to avoid online scams and works in cooperation with, among others, Health Canada, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and in this instance, the Canadian Cancer Society.

Project False Hope features two interactive online tools to educate consumers on how to recognize scams:

o Anatomy of a Health Scam is designed to teach you how to recognize tactics used by scammers. The premise is a bogus website containing some of the “trick of the trade”. When you roll your mouse over the text, a pop-up appears and informs you how fraudsters might phrase something, or why they would use certain tactics to lure you. For example, creating a false sense of urgency, use of lots of technical language and testimonials, pretending they have found a miracle and they are the only ones to have it…

o The Health Fraud Awareness Quiz tests your knowledge of the tactics used and teaches you how to avoid falling victim. It is a short and informative quiz, consisting of eight true or false questions, such as “products that promise to do it all, such as cure cancer, shrink tumours and treat diabetes often do nothing” and “natural and herbal remedies must be safe”.

To quote Andrea Rosen, Acting Deputy Commissioner of the Competition Bureau: “Swindling people living with cancer is one of the most despicable forms of fraud. Consumers should be sceptical of health-related products or services that look too good to be true, and should always speak to a health-care professional before trying any new treatment.” Consumers are also encouraged to report suspicious-looking websites.

A cancer diagnosis is devastating. In their desperate need for solutions, people might search online for health information, only to be exposed to fraudulent and unproven products, claims and cures. Fortunately, for every huckster, there is a helping hand. The important thing, though, is knowing which is which.

We have a lot of people search our site for information about eco-audits, so EC decided to find out more about eco-audits and what you can expect during an eco-audit. Alexandra Henriques (AH), founder of ECO-Audit was kind enough to answer our questions.

EC: So I guess the first question is, what is an ECO-audit?

AH: An ECO-audit helps families and small businesses green their footprint, save money, but above all protect the health of their members. Why? Because almost everything in the average home is slowly poisoning us. Asthma, allergies, and cancer are rising worldwide at alarming rates. Children are the most vulnerable to this assault, but we can protect them. Through the home or business premises audits we do, we facilitate the adoption of sustainable, healthy, and cost-effective materials, products and practices.

EC: What is your background and how did you get into the business of ECO-audits?

AH: I have been a life-long environmentalist, with over 25 years of experience pursuing sustainable practices and applying them. My professional background is in education, which has come in very handy. I find there is a lot of education to do around mainstream products and practices which are no good for the environment — or us. ECO-audit also does sustainability education by providing workshops, and my experience developing learning materials for adults, and facilitating learning has been invaluable. I got into this business because I wanted to share all the environmental knowledge I had, and help others.

EC: What can I expect, when I get an ECO-audit?

AH: When you get an ECO-audit you can expect an appointment on a day and time that’s convenient for you, an interview to determine your concerns and objectives, and a thorough audit of the home or business premises. This will take from 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours. Within a week, you will receive by email the audit report, this will include all positive actions being taken presently, problem areas with concrete suggestions, a glossary of terms used, and a list of resources relevant to your issues and area. The second scheduled appointment will then take place to discuss the report, answer any questions, and help you on your way to healthier sustainability.
Ongoing support is included in an audit, anytime you hit a roadblock; help is just a phone call or email away.

EC: What types of eco-audits do you conduct?

AH: Besides the whole home or business premises audits, we have Focus Audits, featuring the BABY-audit - “peace of mind for expecting parents”, a very similar Pet-audit, a Diet-audit, which helps you become a locavore, green your diet, and avoid contaminants, especially important for children; we also have for D.I.Y.ers the Reno-audit, the Yard-audit, and the Move-audit; finally we have a Transportation-audit that helps those who want to drive less, but are not sure how to go about it.

EC: What are some of the things you might suggest new parents look for?

AH:To new parents I would suggest less is more, and go back to basics. What we see all around in our society is excess, but not necessarily quality, often just quantity. Go for the quality and protect your baby. For example, you say organic cotton is expensive, I say the baby doesn’t need 10 teething toys, a couple will do, get something healthy you don’t have to worry about. Go back to the basic toys all children enjoy, ones made by craftspeople out of solid wood for example, with healthy finishes, not plastic whose ingredients you can’t check and mass produced by exploited workers.

EC: When I took at look at your website, I was really interested in the Yard-audit. I have always thought we should rethink our yards to focus on native plants especially the plants that attract the birds, bees, butterflies and other animals. Our yards should really be part of the natural circle of life. Is that the focus of a Yard-audit?

AH: Yes, that is definitely part of a Yard-audit, we have strayed too far away from nature, by starting with only native plants and then the value-added of drought-resistance we get on the right path again. Choosing to attract birds, butterflies or bees gives even more value. We can go even further by incorporating in the yard bird feeders, baths, or bird houses, a rain barrel, a composting bin, a dog W.C., a laundry line, or games.

EC: Is there anything else that you would like to add?

AH: Check our website for our Spring workshops, and you can also sign up for our blog.

EC: In closing, I noticed that there are gift certificates on your site. What a great idea for a house warming gift or for a shower gift for new parents. Alexandra, thank you for your time.

97% of Canadians recycle where roadside pick up is available. That’s excellent! But roadside recycling is only part of the solution. What about recyclables that do not get picked up roadside? Over the next few weeks, I will look at four items that are recyclable but that aren’t picked up curbside: medications, batteries, Information Technology waste and paint.  More Canadians could be recycling these items and probably would be if they had the right information.

Expired and unused medications find their way into our medication basket at our home and once in awhile I go through the basket and clean it out. This year, when my mother’s medication regiment changed, the pharmacist handed me a bag of old medications and vitamins. I asked the pharmacist if they could dispose of them safely and she said I should find someone who might want them. Huh?

O.K. so maybe the vitamins. Fine. I’ll see what I can do. Well, I started asking around and everyone just looked at me as though I was growing a couple of extra heads. No one who knew and trusted me needed them and no one who needed them knew and trusted me. I didn’t blame them. So where should I take all these old meds and why?

Recent studies have shown that pharmaceuticals and personal care products disposed of incorrectly find their way into our waterways and are causing hormonal disruption in many aquatic animals. The boy fish don’t want to be able to procreate all by themselves. Eventually, we will be drinking those hormone disruptors and as the levels increase so will their effect on humans.

What do you do with your old meds? Here’s a multiple-choice questionnaire for you. When disposing of old medications I
a.    Flush them with the goldfish
b.    Dump them in the garbage
c.    Bury them in the backyard
d.    Keep them cuz I don’t know what else to do
e.    Take them to the local disposal facility.

It turns out that in Canada almost half of us disposed of them correctly. Another  39% dumped them in the garbage, flushed them down the drain or buried them in  the backyard. No kidding, people bury old meds in the backyard. The remainder keeps them. Maybe they just don’t know what to do with them.

Choice e. is easier than you think. You could ask at your local pharmacy, not that it worked out for me the first time, as they should know what the procedure is in your province. In many provinces, the pharmacy is the drop location for old meds. If that doesn’t work then go to Medications Return and click on ‘Provincial Programs,’ choose your province and then your city and you will find out where to drop them off near you.

I don’t know how every province disposes of the medications, but I do know that in British Columbia they are incinerated at extremely high temperatures to neutralize the waste.  For more information about the BC program check out the Capital Regional District.

Another alternative would be for Canadians to come off the meds, but that’s another post. Maybe one day.

There are so many ways businesses can lead the way in looking after our world. Here is a continuation of how yoga studios can contribute, although the ideas can be carried across to other industries as well. Again, thanks to Mojgan from Newport Yoga Studios for her help in writing this. You can find her blog at Newport Yoga Blog

Web Hosting

Since you now have your schedule online, think about switching to a wind powered (or another form of sustainable energy) web-hosting company. This will allow you to feel even better about going paperless.

Cleaning

Plants can help you keep the air clean as well as create a natural and welcoming atmosphere. Choose plants that are known for their ability to take toxins out of the air such as English Ivy or the Rubber Plant. This will help your yogis breath deeply during the classes. To learn more about using plants to keep your air clean, go here… http://www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca/mastergardener/OldPages/cleanair.shtml

Everyone will appreciate your choice of nontoxic natural cleaners and there are more options available each day. If you can, buy your cleaners from a local company to cut down on transportation emissions.

Since we are talking about cleaning up, use towels instead of paper towels. When you have no choice, use recycled paper in the kitchen and bathroom. And while we are in the bathroom and kitchen, switch to water saving devices when you are buying new.

Sharing Space with your community

When you are not using your space, offer it up to the community for events that fit in with your values. These might be educational events about a raw food diet or a dance class. You can advertise these events on your website to your yogis as value added lifestyle workshops. You might need to charge a nominal amount to cover overhead such as lights and heat during the event.

Educating Employees/Instructors/Yogis

First off, let everyone know exactly what you are doing and how this will make the planet liveable now and in the future. Don’t just tell, employees, instructors and yogis, but also your community. Be a leader and educate others. Call the local press and let them know what you are doing…oh that should be part of the marketing/advertising section!

Ask your employees, instructors and yogis to go on a green plan with you. Every three weeks, let them know what step they need to take for the next 21 days. It could be no water bottles, or walking to the studio. Maybe during those 21 days new habits will be formed. Make it fun. Each time someone shows up with a non disposable water bottle, let them put they name in a box. At the end of 3 weeks, pick a winner to receive a special prize such as a free class, a discount on their next month or some eco-friendly, socially-just chocolate. (Oh, and don’t forget to let your community know what you are doing! Maybe other businesses will catch on.)

If you would rather these initiatives be facilitated with someone else, then maybe consider RunforOnePlanet. They offer many challenges that yogis can take together and provide information as to how these challenges actually make a difference in our environment.

Keep public transporation information handy at the studio or have a “how to get her on public transit” on your website. Make sure there are bike lock ups somewhere accessible to you.

Water

If at all possible install a water fountain in the studio, or provide reusable water bottles (either for purchase or for re-use) to encourage your yogis not to bring plastic water bottles. We have all been in those situations where you go to yoga right after work and have forgotten your stainless steel bottle — what do you do? Quickly stop at a convenient store and purchase a plastic water bottle. Well, not if you can get some water at the studio.

Why not brew some organic tea? After class, the yogis can sip some tea and get to know each other better. After all, yoga is all about community building.

Merchandise

If you are selling merchandise such as yoga mats, yoga bags, hoodies and t-shirts try as much as possible to carry eco-friendly products.

Looking for a yoga studio that honours the environment? This is part one of a two part article on how to create a green yoga practice, that was inspired by and written with Mojgan from Newport Yoga in Port Moody, B.C.

Energy Source/Lighting

Natural light is the best source, of course. If that is not possible, use low-watt energy saving light bulbs. When it comes to yoga though, candles not only add warmth and light the room, but they can also facilitate meditation; try using bees-wax soy rather than petroleum candles. Even though energy sources may not be under your control, if you can, weigh all the options before you make a decision.

Turn down, not off, the heat when the studio is not being used. No point in heating up an empty space. This will also save you money.

Flooring

When it comes to flooring there are many alternative options to hardwood, which are durable, and require less time and energy to clean and maintain. One option is cork – it is soft to the touch providing extra cushioning when you are on your knees allowing you to go deeper into your poses. It also doesn’t reach the low tempratures of other flooring options, so it is comfortable to walk on barefoot. Cork flooring is one of the most eco-friendly floorings available, as “the harvesting of cork is performed in 9 year cycles and all of the harvesting is done completely by hand, ensuring that the cork oak tree will be treated with the utmost care and for this reason the bark of the cork oak tree will grow back” according to Floor Build Direct as cited in brighthub.com.

Alternately, why not use renewable resources such as bamboo. Not only does it have hardwood qualities, but it also will add that zen feeling to your studio.

At the end of the day whether you go with the options above, linoleum, or hardwood, you can still contribute to an eco-friendly flooring by how you maintain and clean your studio space. Use non-toxic cleaners, and sweep instead of vacuuming.

Wall Coverings

Why not allow local artists to display their art on your wall? Not only will you be supporting your local artist community, but you’ll also provide interesting and maybe thought provoking ideas and images for your yogis to look at as they are working hard to keep that chair pose. Mojgan, from Newport Yoga finds it also helps during savasana because she have something to focus my mind on.

Newport Yoga Studio

Marketing/Advertising

There are still people who need a paper copy of your schedule and that’s fine. Just print a few at a time and replace them as necessary. Put your schedule on your website and put a note beside the paper schedule to let people know of the option before they take the paper copy. When a new schedule is being posted, email it to all the yogis who have attended in the past year (with an opt out, of course) and encourage them to use it or the one on your site rather than printing it out. If you can control the content of your home page, each morning put that day’s schedule up front and centre so people can quickly see what is happening today. This is also a great place to announce changes and may free up some phone time.

Advertise in non-paper based locations such as online communities and directories. Also implement a referral program. Even if you think you can’t afford it: re-evaluate. If the average clients spends $100.00 per month on yoga or $1200 over one year, and each clients stays an average of five years then each referral is worth $1200 * 5 or $6000.00. That should be worth a free month when one of your loyal yogis brings a friend who signs up for a year and will probably stay as a client for 5 years.

If you are using paper, make good paper choices such as 100% post consumer where possible. So long as you print as little as possible and use the best paper choice available, I say… Job well done!

Stay tuned for part II.