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OOOO, I AM SOOOOOOOO Scared
Some things are scary. Ghosts, goblins, vampires and bats.
And some things are really scary. Genetically modified
foods. Toxic Face Paint. Insane piles of garbage.
And then there is the combination of all of these things into one massive event:
Halloween.
Halloween produces more boos, eeks, screeches
and ding dongs than I can now handle. So, in an attempt to make sure my
kids don't hate me, my neighbours, family and friends don't ridicule me (although
I have gotten used to this by now), I inspire each of you to have a less scary Halloween.
No, I will not be dressed up as a little green mosquito sitting
in the dark handing out my organic apples we picked last
week.
I am pleased to share a few of my own simple initiatives/suggestions
for a smarter Halloween, (since boycotting the holiday altogether is apparently
a little ambitious and unspirited). I hope you'll read, adopt as many as possible
and pass them along.
1. Since Halloween involves community, support yours. Buy your
organic pumpkin at a farmers market, or better yet, pick your own. Growing a pumpkin
takes an awful lot of pesticides and they take up lots of space in landfills and
release greenhouse gases as they decompose. Make full use of your entire pumpkin
by roasting the seeds (yummy and very healthy), make a soup or pie, and compost
the pumpkin when you're done.
2. Walk, do not drive. Stick to your neighbourhood, talk to your
neighbours and enjoy the crisp fall air. It's a bonus to get some exercise into
your busy day.
3. Use a costume you made the mistake buying years ago (inappropriately
and ironically, my husband has a hershey's kiss costume he has worn for almost a
decade, yes, seriously. He knows it's only a matter of time before he will be convinced
to dress as a green roof or an organic carrot).
4. If you do not have costumes already, make your own costume.
(and NO face paints - check all makeup at www.cosmeticsdatabase.com !).
Remember dressing as a ballet dancer or hockey player? Easy. Plus, I really cannot
understand putting on an off-gassing, store-bought, made-in-china, phthalate-laced,
over-packaged mask by choice! Some costume ideas that are bright, easy and
comfortable: a Whiteboard (all white clothing with a pen on a string around
your neck and people can sign you - now that is interactive!), a Compact Florescent
Lightbulb (again, all white clothing with skinny white balloons in twisty
shapes on your head), a Ghost (with an organic cotton sheet of course),
a Jelly Fish (dressed in pink while opening and closing an umbrella). I'll
stop here.
5. Instead of turning on every light in your house, use old cans
(Eden Organic uses cans that are bpa-free for their non-acid foods by the way) and
punch holes in them, fill them with organic soy or beeswax candles and see what
you can create (all reusable year after year - just keep adding to your collection).
6. Treats are treats. Kids love treats. You love your kids. What
to do??? Every store has those colourful boxes lined up on shelves ready for us
to buy (think of the resources wasted just to get those boxes on shelf!) I shudder
to now think of the artificial colours and flavours, refined, over-processed ingredients
and dyes that I know will be banned someday, that I put into my body. Try these:
Glee Gum or Yummy Earth Lollipops - natural
+ even nut-free! Or how about a pencil made from recyclable materials? (stop rolling
your eyes)
7. Of course, use a reusable bag. (you can always use a pillowcase
- you know the one you used before you switched to sleeping soundly on organics).
And, if you do not yet have one (or more), get a RuMe already! They are gorgeous,
and it's a reusable bag that even a man can use, imagine that! There is a size for
everyone in your family from mini to macro, they fold right
up to tuck away into your purse, briefcase, glove compartment or drawer and you'll
use them throughout the year AND they are made in a fair-trade factory.
8. Walk around with a solar charged, crank powered or shake and shine flashlight.
No batteries required. Eton has a fabulous range of
products powered by alternative energy that every household should have regardless
(think solar energy powering your blackberry in case of emergency!).
9. Beware of phantom power. It's sucking the life out of your bank
account and the environment. You thought your electronics were all off at home?
They are not really off, they're just on stand-by. Exorcism procedure: Unplug stuff!
(or use a power bar and shut it down completely).
10. Reduce everything as much as possible, reuse
as much as possible and recycle the balance (which is hopefully,
not much).
So, be scary, but don't spook our cherished kids and precious planet.
A happy, healthy and safe Halloween to you all.
A few after/before/other thoughts:
We know it's not "safe" to give out unwrapped treats + fresh foods, but
how is an over-packaged, over-processed piece of candy any safer or more trustworthy?
Shameless Plug # 2,198,747 - make sure when you leave your home on Halloween, you
take your own bottled water (aka a Klean Kanteen filled with tap
water), or a warm beverage for yourself in a reusable mug while you are out
in the neighbourhood.
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Lisa Borden is an eco-advocate and
mother of three, whose business is a direct reflection of her commitment to better,
more responsible living. She is a dedicated workaholic, admitting that it takes
a lot of time and effort to change the world, especially in her engaging and inspiring
ways. Lisa consults, writes, engages the media, runs private workshops, and enjoys
speaking to large and small groups. Her full-service marketing firm, Borden Communications
+ Design Inc. is based in Toronto and takes great pride in being an ethical business
providing exceptional ideas.
You can sign up for Lisa's rants
and raves at www.bordencom.com or reach her directly at
lisa@bordencom.com |
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