Global Warning Reminders!

So I was just out getting some ideas for Christmas gifts, and I was at Ten Thousand Villages and saw these great posters, one was "How to Build Global Community", another was "How to go Organic", and also "How to End Global Warming"! They are a fantastic reminder for people to have up in their homes, work or classrooms and it is from Ten Thousand Villages which we LOVE to support.

Check out what the "How to End Global Warning" poster says...

How to End Global Warming:

Get excited about an energy revolution
Visualize our Earth from space
Know that it’s fragile
MAKE YOUR HOME ENERGY EFFICIENT
Don’t drive, unless you have to
Walk more * Cycle more * Skate more
Switch to energy star appliances
Turn off lights when you leave a room
Avoid drive-thrus
Install Solar Panels... They Work
Build political will for local change
DEMAND BETTER MASS TRANSIT
Use buses,trains, and trams
Share cars * Carpool
Avoid fast food * Eat Less Meat
Share what you have * Buy Less Stuff
Reuse Before you Recycle
Dig up the concrete
PLANT TREES * SAVE FORESTS
Buy eco-certified or re-used timber
Put your hot water heater on a timer
EAT LOCALLY GROWN ORGANIC FOOD
Don’t fly, unless you have to
Support climate friendly politicians
Support neighborhood businesses
Take Pride in being Resourceful
Put on a sweater
Turn off the air conditioner
Buy tree-free or post-consumer paper
Use a clothsline instead of a dryer
Dream of a solar-hydrogen economy
Close down coal-burning power plants
BUY GREEN ENERGY
Slow down * Find your voice
DON’T BELIEVE WHAT THE AUTO
AND OIL COMPANIES SAY
Support the Kyoto Protocol
Demand Strict Emission Controls
And Fuel Efficiency
On All Vehicles
Kiss the carbon years goodbye
Our world will be whole
And Healed Tomorrow
If We Pay Attention Today.

Pretty awesome hey, Check out other GREAT gift ideas at http://www.tenthousandvillages.ca/

Poster Pals

Heather and Chanel

Canned Goods

Something I learned today: BPA isn't only found in plastic goods.... it's also found in METAL CANS.... yes, that's right, canned goods, foods stored in metal containers..... might be at risk for containing BPA. That was a huge shocker to me because I assumed that they were only found in plastic goods. Check out Jillian Michael's website at this link to get more info:

http://www.jillianmichaels.com/fitness-and-diet-tips/BPA-free

Canning considerations,

Chanel and Heather

Flu Flu FLu

It sounds like all we have been hearing about lately is the FLU. What have been some steps that you have taken to prevent contraction of the flu?

We have become much more aware of how the spread of disease occurs in our society. We know a LOT of people have become SICK of hearing about this hype, including ourselves at times. Fighting Footprints always attempts to find something positive in every situation, so what did we decide to do this time? Find something good about this hype!

There's always something to be learned from every situation. Sooo..... here are some things we have learned throughout this media frenzied situation:

The importance of simply washing our hands! (and the art of washing our hands WELL)

Awareness of the frequency in which we touch our faces, bite our nails, lick our fingers, fix our hair, rub our eyes, etc.

The use of hand sanitizers!

Awareness of touching objects such as door knobs (the place on door handles where they are most frequently touched to open and close doors in public), sink faucets, elevator buttons, bathroom doors and toilet flush handles, computer buttons, etc.

Shaking hands with others... always necessary? Where were their hands?

When using debit machines... we punch the numbers with our card instead of our fingers!

Multivitamins and looking at our diets... are they supporting or inhibiting healthy function of our immune systems?

What quantity of fluids are we drinking? And importantly... WHAT KIND of fluids are we putting into our bodies?

It has also made us question whether we need to be out and about as frequently as we are! Do we reeeally need to run erands? Or could we wait until we have a few things to go out for?

There are soooo many more little tricks that other people are doing to prevent contracting the flu or a cold lately... what are you doing?

Please post your tricks for all to see!

Let's learn from one another and live healthier, happier lives!

Healthy and happy,

Chanel and Heather

No Flyers, PLEASE!!!

So many of us have put stickers and notes on our mailboxes for years "No Flyers, PLEASE" and depending on you mail carrier, you mail box may or may not be still filling with flyers, unwanted mail and other junk you neither WANT nor want to be printed off in the first place!

So according to the Canada Post "Action Plan" here is the best way to have your unwanted mail properly vanish...

Canada Post "Action Plan"

1. Leave a note for the mail carrier "No unaddressed ad-mail. Please mark this address with a red sticker for future reference." This should work for anything unaddressed with the exception of House of Commons, election info and community newsleters!

Fact - They MUST deliver anything with you address ON it!

2. Stop most addressed ad-mail by filling out a form here
http://cornerstonewebmedia.com/cma/submit.asp


Next...
How to have your unwanted Flyers properly disappear as apposed to the flyer carriers throwing them away afterward so they are still paid for the numbers they deliver etc.
Fact - They will print and deliver flyers until you call to be removed from their list

Flyers and the Sunday Sun - Action Plan

1. Call 657-6320 to be removed from the list and to report any troubles with flyer delivery. Do this even if you are not currently recieving flyers so they stop PRINTING them for your home.

2. Place a sticker on your mailbox as a courtesy reminder and to promote flyer reduction. Stickers are available for FREE at "The Better Good" - 640 Broadway Ave. Saskatoon

One more thought... if you enjoy the Starpheonix but do not want flyers... please consider the online version.

AND, consider most flyers are also availabel online!

Flyer Fighters,
Heather and Chanel

In Remembrance,

Today is a very special day, let's focus on remembering those who have fought, those that are currently fighting, and those that have lost their lives for our freedom.

It can sound like a cliche, or an overused corny statement, but truly, it is important to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy in Canada. Today, and all-days after, let's silently thank those who have gone to war for the freedom of our country, whether we agree with war or not.

Let's remember those who valiantly fought or fight for our country!

In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae, 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Remembering the soldiers,

Chanel and Heather

Christmas Craze!

So the thought of Christmas is now upon us, and as I think of all the people I need to/want to buy gifts for; our HUGE family and some friends, I am already beginning to feel OVERWHELMED!
Why you ask… there is lots of time left…. Well yes, however, when you start to do the math… 28 people x approx. $20 (or MORE) per person= $560 plus!!!
YIKES…. And then when I begin to think about “What does anyone really NEED anyhow?”… I mean my Nephews and Nieces seem to have every toy imaginable already, and I certainly don’t like ADDING to that… so what should I do?
What can we all do differently which will still fulfill our need for gift giving, without breaking the bank, or adding to our already clutter filled lives?

Here are a few ideas:

1. Have a “Make or Bake” Christmas! Personally make a gift or Bake something for your friends and family!


2. Time is often a bigger gift then money! Make coupons for your time with family members; whether its babysitting time, or housecleaning, neck message etc.
3. On behalf of different family members, sponsor a child overseas or give locally to various causes and charities.
4. A great idea for teaching children to reach out to others is by buying (on their behalf) soccer balls, or a chicken, school supplies, clean water etc. for other children who are less fortunate then them through organizations like Ten Thousand Villages (Living Gift 2009), or PLAN (plancanada.ca)


5. Offer to teach someone a skill you have… music lessons, pie making, computer skills etc.


6. Give FAIR TRADE items which not only act as gifts, but also provide income to artisans, farmers etc. in countries who truly need it.
7. Give a “FAMILY” gift instead of individual gifts, perhaps something that will bring the family together eg. a game
8. Have a recycled Christmas, give gifts that are PRE-loved by you and your family, but someone else may enjoy! Eg. Jewelry that was your grandmothers that you don’t wear may be adored by another family member, an old tackle box filled with lure for your nephew, a purse with FUN makeup for you young niece etc.


9. Have a “Salvaged” Christmas, buy pre-loved gift from thrift stores for you family and friends but at a fraction of the cost! And have fun doing it, hunt out cool ONE of a kind items which you can’t BUY in the stores anymore!
10. Framed photographs or custom family calendars are great keepsakes and at a low cost!
11. Consider giving a living gift, a beautiful potted plant with a pretty pot is a great gift for an individual or a family.



OK so I’m sure there are MANY more great ideas, and I’d LOVE to hear them, so let us know what YOU do to keep costs down and still feel GOOD about what your giving instead of the uggg… consumerism feeling many of us get while walking the malls in search for STUFF to give.

Good luck, and remember it really IS the thought that counts!

Gift Gatherers,
Heather and Chanel