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Rediscovering Vancouver’s green outdoors with Alfresco’s secret city potlucks

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:34:52 +0000

One of the highlights of my move to Vancouver was experiencing shared dining in its finest form: the potluck. It’s a neat concept that entails sharing your dish of home-cooked meals with other locals at an outdoor space, the location of which is kept secret until the last minute, making the experience even more spontaneously fun!.

The organization that puts these on is called Alfresco, and was introduced to me by one of its creators, Rob MacDonald. I carefully combed through the website looking for dollar signs: how was this event making money? I kept looking for a catch that was never there.

Ok, let’s get cookin’ for the Vancouver potluck with strangers!

When I decided to participate, true to tradition, the secret location was disclosed the night before (Alfresco is modeled after Parisian white suppers). Also true to tradition I didn’t start cooking until the last possible second. I went with my nanny’s mac and cheese recipe since it is the only thing I can make without burning. Not knowing how many people would be coming I doubled the batch just to be safe. I loaded 5 casserole dishes to the brim, sprinkled the Panko and…..The unthinkable happened. My stove broke.

Well maybe not broke…there’s a good chance it never worked. That’s when I started knocking…hoping (praying) that one of my new neighbours would open their door and lend me their oven. It’s funny what your mind goes through at that time: I could always pick up something from Whole Foods and put it in Tupperware claiming it as my own. Or what if I just scoop off the uncooked Panko….would it really taste that bad? Sure enough Katie (who I had never met) opened the door and was happy to pop 4 trays in the oven. Way to go community!

The experience: communal food sharing on the beach shores of Vancouver

My first Al Fresco was on the seawall near 2^nd beach. I was pleasantly surprised to see a long white wave-like table created by Molo that weaved around natural imperfections in the picturesque landscape we were surrounded by. Mason Jars in white bags housed candles framing our impromptu supper that looked more like a photo shoot for a magazine than the guerilla potluck it was. I sat down on my little recycled disk and laid out my spread amongst dishes that looked as if they were pulled straight off of all my favourite shows on the Food Network. I started to secretly wish I had made something more interesting when the first person approached and said, “Hey guys get over here someone made mac and cheese and it looks sooooo good”.

A group of almost 100 came together sharing meals, stories and a passion for community and our city. My favourite part was watching complete strangers turn into friends in an abundant sea of home cooked goodness. It was one of those nights that you never wanted to end but secretly you knew that if it didn’t end you would likely explode after trying a spoonful of every unique contribution.

I quickly learned that Rob and his friend, well known Vancouver entrepreneur Scott Hawthorn, started this event with a goal of creating a gathering to encourage locals to explore and use Vancouver’s unique urban spaces. Another beautiful reason to follow these innovative eco-preneurs is that Alfresco leaves no carbon footprint .

What started out as a 50- person guerilla dining club has evolved into a sought after community dinner club that ‘sells out’ within minutes. Check out their press and following here: http://www.alfrescotonight.com/press.html

Oli is the Community Manager for ethicalDeal. She is a passionate eco-writer, photographer and lover of food.

An Online Wedding Registry that Gives Back & Saves You Time!

admin — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 01:18:04 +0000

What other wedding registry allows you to:

Earn $100 in FREE credit

Then lets you add items from any other online store?!

Only shoo-foo.com can offer you THAT!

We’ve joined forces with MyRegistry.com!

In short, that means when you create a registry at shoo-foo.com, you’re also creating a registry that can be used on ANY online store.

BUT wait – it gets better!

How would you like $100 in FREE product from shoo-foo?

That’s right, when your guests spend $500 on shoo-foo products through your registry*, we give YOU an extra $100 in credit to spend on our online store!!!!

*Before taxes and shipping, online retail only, non sale items.

Start your Wedding Registry now! Click on “Create a Registry” to get started!

What does shoo-foo offer in a wedding registry?

Shoo-foo sells eco-friendly bamboo towels, bedding and baby basics. Our line of affordable luxury linens include:

Super soft bamboo bedding

Generously sized luxury bamboo towels that stay fresher longer and absorb 4x more than cotton!

Bamboo bathrobes for breathable, healthy comfort:

Gift sets – combinations of our products at great prices!

Like what you see? Feel free to browse our Online Store!

Shoo-Foo talks about sustainable textiles on a TV documentary (Artisans du Changement)

admin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:00:19 +0000

Last Spring, you might have remembered us gleaming about being interviewed for the French TV show called Artisans du Changement (Architects of Change). Well the time has come and our debut has hit the television air waves!

The show airs on the RDI channel (in French only, sorry to those who only speak “Eng” and “Lish”) this week and you can view the full feature here: http://www.tou.tv/les-artisans-du-changement/S03E05

The subject of the documentary-style series is “weaving a sustainable future.” It’s about eco-textiles and features three companies (including Dany Filion, the owner at Shoo-Foo), who are taking action to help “weave a sustainable future.”

Other than Dany is a person recycling tons of clothing to transform them into something new and a very creative architect who is using textile to weave intelligent fabric-based shelters and interactive art in collaboration with local communities.

We hope all our French readers will watch the show and let us know what you think!

Inventory Blow-Out – bamboo towels, bamboo bedding and bamboo baby basics

admin — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:12:15 +0000

Shoo-Foo is clearing out its old office!

We don’t want to transport all our showroom inventory, so we’re selling it at 40% off THIS WEEKEND ONLY!

We’ve got all types of our bamboo towels, bamboo robes, bamboo bedding and bamboo baby basics ready for clear out!

Here are the details:

Saturday Jan 21^st: 10am to 5pm

Sunday Jan 22^nd : noon to 5pm

Location:

2435A Granville Street (2nd Floor)

(near the Broadway and Granville intersection)

CASH ONLY

All items are final sale.

No product reservations can be made and we can not respond to requests about item availability. Please come by and have a look!

A green salon owner achieving 85% waste diversion (almost impossible) shares her secret to eco business success

admin — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 19:18:58 +0000

I was AMAZED at the effort owner Jen Vanderleij puts in to avoid waste. If there ever were a true ‘green’ salon, Clover Salon would be it.

As I explained to Jen, I always thought that “eco friendly” in a salon referred to the products being used in hair treatments; you know, paraben free, ammonia free, that kind of stuff. But boy was I wrong.

In fact, salons are very wasteful, and that’s where Jen pays special attention. When Jen worked at other salons, she had set up recycling programs because it bothered her that the industry was so wasteful. Then the light hit her and she said, “why not turn that into an entire business model?”

So she set out to do it. And her vision of a salon that is “waste free with ecological kindness throughout, from waste basket to waterways” came true.

At Clover Salon, you will find one of the only places yearly audited by Green Workplace that has an 85% waste diversion rate. Their goal for next year is 90% – practically impossible.

“We are called “green office champions” because our waste is so much lower than that of even a Canadian household, let alone a business that sees up to 6000 visitors per year, “ says Jen.

How does one achieve an 85% waste diversion rate? Listen to this explanation from Jen:

“Greenworkplace comes in to weigh our waste…all types from paper to aluminum, organics to landfill etc., and uses our weights in comparison to statistics Canada…what they are looking at is the fact that we divert a much higher percentage of waste than we actually throw away. 85% more actually.”

Jen actually sifts through her garbage pails to sort out recyclables, and asks her suppliers to send her product with less packaging. Plus her back room is set up to be a “mini [waste] diversion palace” where her and her staff can sort garbage, not letting one piece of plastic or paper slip through the cracks.

“We’ve taken being an ‘eco-salon’ one step further in assuring that we are responsible for the waste that we, and our clients contribute to this space,” says Jen. (Man was I glad I walked into that salon with my trusty Starbucks tumbler. I wonder what Jen would have done with a paper cup after I left…)

But that’s not all. She has gone so far as to cut out perms and straighteners, petro-chemicals, ammonia, sulfates, products with animal testing (including cleaners), GMOs, DEAs and more. Also, where possible the salon is decked with refurbished and reclaimed furniture (you would never be able to tell, trust me).

Oh yeah, and they use Bullfrog Power.

“I think what we don’t use is more important than the things that we do… We keep our waterways and scalps cleaner than a standard salon. This is good for clients and stylists alike,” says Jen.

So one has to beg the answer to this question: “How much effort does it really take for a business to do all this?”

Luckily, Jen knows the solution, and is ready to share the secret with all:

“All they need to do…is put systems in place and a little bit of leg work.”

What does she mean by that? Well, for any business wanting to go green, according to Jen, they should “Mean it. You’ll fail if you don’t.”

“I think if you are legitimate and sincere in your mission, people will notice and know that you are the real deal if you are serious, honest and committed to all of the hard work that is involved in starting a green business. Without commitment well, you don’t have much,” explains Jen.

In other words, make a plan, set up a system, make sure everyone follows it, and stick to it.

I was so impressed by Jen’s efforts, I also had to ask about her certifications, and why they weren’t splattered all over her front window for good marketing. Turns out Jen is a greenie at heart (duh), and found out that many certifications for salons are basically a form of paid advertising…or just plain green washing. That being said, she’s looking into more options. (Hey, maybe you can send them along to her if you know of any).

So it seems that being green because you really care for the environment can still have a wonderful effect on business – because people will notice, even without the fancy logos on your marketing material. I say, and I’m sure Jen would agree, if you want to be green don’t wait for a certification – just go for it!

If you would like to visit Clover Earthkind Hair Salon, their address is 678 Richards St, downtown Vancouver. You can also visit cloversalon.com

Shoo-Foo Bamboo Bedding gets a glam new photo shoot!

admin — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 22:59:32 +0000

As those of you who have already experienced our bedding know, the photos of Shoo-Foo bamboo products can never do justice to their wonderfulness. But, that doesn’t mean a good photographer can’t help!

Just recently our bedding got a photo shoot makeover. We LOVE the new photos, which were taken by a friend of ours (who is actually a movie camera guy).

Tell us what you think!

[Show as slideshow]

This Summer, we’re celebrating Indigo Blue!

admin — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 16:00:01 +0000

During June & July only, enjoy an automatic 25% off the Indigo Blue items when you shop our online store!

Bamboo robe: (usually $98) now only $73.50 (this is a hotly craved item!)

Bamboo bath sheet: (usually $48) now only $36!

Spa Combo (Bath towel, Hand towel & Face towel): (usually $48) now only $36

Small Combo (Hand towel + Face towel): $16 now only $12

The “Man who has everything gift” (Robe + Spa Combo): $120 (already discounted set) now only $90!

The “Ultimate His Bathroom” Gift set (Small Combo, Spa Combo & Bath sheet): $99 (already discounted set) now only $74.25!

Shop now!

3 good reasons to go with blue!

1) Indigo Blue is the perfect colour for Dad!

It’s a known fact that women are household buying decision makers. That leaves half of our population lacking the enjoyment of colours that bring out their true masculine side. Father’s Day is the one day of the year Dads get what they really want – towels in navy blue of course With Shoo-Foo’s irresistable price reduction on blue bamboo towels and robes, even the ladies will be proud of their investment! (And probably “borrowing” the soft lucious items every once in a while).

2) Dark blue behaves well at the beach!

You couldn’t take a Natural Beige towel to the beach, rub it in the sand, and expect it to keep looking pretty and elegant. But with royal blue you can! Our bamboo bath sheet is so big, it makes the PERFECT beach towel for a comfy surface and ready-to-go, super absorbet drying device. After the beach, use it on your car seat so your wet bathing suit doesn’t leave water marks

3) Indigo Blue is for a year-round Canuck!

You can blend in during the Cup and still look chick afterwords

Bet you never guessed it….

Blue is said to be the most favourited colour of Canadians from Ocean to Ocean!
What a safe pick for a gift!

Bridal swap 411: It’s fun, it’s ‘green’ and it’s good for your closet!

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 21:00:47 +0000

A bridal swap is the number one event for past and future brides to be ‘green’ and recycle, and is especially useful for two groups of women: the past bride who is in desperate need of more closet space and the eco-conscious bride on a budget. But what exactly is a bridal swap? Well, we’ll tell you about!

The Event
A bridal swap is a green event that gathers all participants for a field day of shopping, wedding-related activities, and fun times with the girls! Basically, it is an event held in a hall filled with tables that are rented out. There, you can sell your gently used wedding items (that you store in the back of the closet and never see again anyway!) for cash, buy gently used wedding items at affordable prices, and check out some wedding vendors who promote their wares to brides on tight schedules. The items sold and bought include centerpiece vases, ring pillows, candle holders, garters, jewelry, and so much more. Even bridesmaid dresses, as well as wedding dresses and veils, are offered up in this “everything goes” swap!

Thanks to Dream Group for a photo of their bridal swap yearly event.

The Players
In Vancouver, DreamGroup puts on a bridal swap every year, and then helps out the participants by posting their items for sale all year round at SmartBride Boutique’s website, www.smartbrideboutique.com

The Reasons
Bridal swaps are eco-friendly wedding saviours because all kinds of wedding items are exchanged and recycled rather than made new. This avoids the environmentally damaging effects of planning a non-green wedding. It’s simple, really: all the processes that go into making new items for show on your wedding day (and it’s only a day!) are bypassed altogether, making your choice to be green a huge, positive effect on the environment. So, if you’re feeling guilty about overindulging on your big day, decide to go green for your wedding and attend your next local bridal swap, or even better, hold one yourself!

How-To
Past brides, here’s how you can attend the swap: start by collecting all your wedding treasures (and I mean all of them!) and checking their conditions to see if they’re ‘gently used’ or worn out. After all, you don’t want a future bride to wear your tattered gown on her big day, and she likely won’t buy it from you either! Then, contact DreamGroup or another bridal swap organizer to let them know that you’d like to participate and sign up for a table. Also, don’t forget to list your items on SmartBride Boutique’s site for maximum exposure! (Leave us a comment if you know of another site past brides can list their used wedding items for sale!)

Future brides, all you need to do is show up, shop till you drop, and feel good about doing your part to preserve the planet!

So, if you’re a bride-to-be from Vancouver reading this now and realizing you’ve missed the event by a few months (regrettably), don’t fret! Remember, SmartBride Boutique is holding items from the event until they’re sold. Check out their website for wonderful finds, and be proud to have contributed to preserving our planet for future brides.

For more information on bridal swaps and the next event (it’s in November!), visit DreamGroup’s website at www.dreamgroup.ca/bridalswap.

Happy bridal hunting!

Advertising in the ‘green-scape’: How effective are environmental advertisements?

Thu, 19 May 2011 17:00:24 +0000

Shockvertising for the environment. Photo taken from http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/gallery/2009/jul/01/act-responsible-environmental-advertising#/?picture=349852423&index=19

The advertising industry’s craze in social advertising has really put a new spin on the public opinion of whether or not these ads are, indeed, effective. The issue is a complex one: more often than not, social advertising sees shock or scare tactics as a core method in creating effective social ads – a phenomenon recently dubbed “shockvertising” – but when they’re everywhere, you might wonder whether their prevalence has made you immune.

Ask yourself: is social awareness something you can really sell? Because certainly, that’s what’s happening in today’s world of advertising: we’re being sold social messages as if they were consumer products, which begs the question: is social advertising even effective?

The direct link between shockvertising and the environment is unmistakable: environmental advertising (or, more accurately, shockvertising) can be found everywhere. Much like other forms of social advertising, the purpose of environmental advertising is to sell a lifestyle to consumers – in this case, the ‘green’ lifestyle – from which consumers will adopt values, beliefs, practices, and the general culture.

Many believe that even though these advertisements have an eco-conscious twist, they should not be mistaken for anything other than a business practice. Despite the message in social advertisements – green advertisements included – they are still trying to sell you something.

Realistically speaking, what the prevalence of green advertising amounts to is the possibility that some will question the truth in the message of environmental degradation. With green advertising and shockvertising attempting to jolt the people into caring, they may very well be doing the opposite – frying them into apathy.

So how effective are green ads, anyway? To take a look and decide for yourself, visit http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/gallery/2009/jul/01/act-responsible-environmental-advertising#/?picture=349852423&index=19 for some examples.

Also, don’t forget to leave a comment and tell us what you think!

Bamboo buggy: Japan brings out the best in eco-chic design with new bamboo electric cars

Thu, 05 May 2011 17:00:35 +0000

The Bamgoo. Taken from: http://www.japanprobe.com/2008/11/03/bamgoo-bamboo-made-electric-car/

Leave it to the Japanese to combine sustainable living and fabulous design into one innovative bamboo car! Japan has been experimenting with methods to incorporate bamboo into the production of cars. The result is not just an eco-friendly car, but one that is also easy on the eyes.

It’s no surprise that bamboo is the ideal candidate for the job: Its strength, durability, and flexibility make the material easy to work with. As well, as a type of grass, bamboo is the fastest growing ‘woody’ plant on earth. It’s no wonder the bamboo trend has spread to all different aspects of life around the world. It’s contagious, and good for the planet!

Two types of cars have resulted from Japan’s experimentation with bamboo vehicles: the BamGoo and the Meguru.

BamGoo

The first, called the BamGoo, is an electric car with an all-bamboo body. Invented by researchers at the Kyoto University in Japan, this car was developed as a single-seat, 60-kilogram, electric car that can run for 30 miles on a single charge. Unfortunately, some have questioned the sturdiness of a 60-kg bamboo car, as its strength is a fraction of steel and aluminum, which are commonly used in car body construction. They wonder if it’s safe to be driving around in a vehicle that weighs as much as a single grown person. On top of that, some say 30 miles isn’t really a lot to work with.

To see what the BamGoo looks like, visit http://www.ecofriend.com/entry/eco-cars-bamgoo-a-bamboo-car-that-runs-on-electricity/.

Meguru

The second is called the Meguru (Japanese for “to move”). This three-wheeled, electric car is made of traditional materials, such as bamboo (flooring) and paper (folding fans for the doors), for the purpose of sustainability. It is designed to be used as a taxi, and seats two passengers, on a couch, behind the driver, in the front. Unlike the BamGoo, the result of university research, the Meguru was developed mainly by Yodogawa, a metalworking firm, and Kinki Knives Industries, a blade making company. The prototype was designed distinctly with Japanese styling in mind, with the cooperation of Kyoto craftspeople. This car uses a lithium ion battery that takes approximately two hours to charge on a household power supply. It can travel about 25 miles on a single charge, and can be driven at a top speed of about 25 miles per hour.

Because the Meguru was developed under the precepts of business, the firms involved in its production plan to mass-produce it and sell it for less than $10,000.

See for yourself at http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20005629-1.html.

These zero-emission cars both make creative use of bamboo, although one focuses on function and the other on form. The use of bamboo for cars is a novelty, but history has seen bamboo being used for many other purposes worldwide. The fact that it is an eco-friendly and sustainable material makes it that much more appealing to both ‘green’ and non-‘green’ consumers alike. After all, we all want to help out our environment where we can.