Friday, May 29, 2015

Bull's eye! Organic greens and biodegradable plastic packaging.



I don't know about you, but when I buy organic greens (which is all time time), I don't feel good about the plastic packaging. Organic food and traditional packaging is an unfortunate contradiction. So I was pleased to find this organic produce from Kildara Farms that's packaged in biodegradable plastic bags. Also, kudos to Thrifty Foods for carrying this produce and Richmond Plastics for manufacturing the bags.

Yes, recyclable plastic packaging is a good thing. But biodegradable is even better. It makes me want to burry the plastic in my garden and see what happens. I can't say I've ever wanted to try that with normal plastic.

More information: kildarafarms.com

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Niche is a French word. So is fleur de sel.



Problem: you move to Canada from France and can't find locally made fleur de sel that's up to your standards. Solution: learn the craft, start your own business and serve a niche. It can't hurt that the name of the island you live on has the word "salt" in its name. Well done, Philippe. For more information, visit saltspringseasalt.com.

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Sauerkraut Geek!



Is it possible to be a sauerkraut geek? Yes, apparently that's a thing. Melanie, Salt Spring Island's self proclaimed geek, makes an amazing array of naturally fermented sauerkraut and kimchi. I bought some at the Salt Spring Island farmers' market and I'll definitely be back for more. What's so great about fermented foods? Check out culturalivefoods for some information about how bacteria can make you healthier. Healthier!? It's all stuff our ancestors knew about (and we forgot about). Except for the geeks.

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Reducing the environmental footprint of cement



Lafarge is not only helping to support British Columbia's fish habitat (see my previous post). They are also exploring alternative fuels to help reduce the environmental footprint of their cement plans. Here's a video we produced for Lafarge about their Kamloops plant.

Friday, May 22, 2015

How to build a podium (and a community)



Yesterday I documented the re-opening of the Mossom Creek Fish Hatchery in Port Moody, BC.

I get to attend a lot of events where people are speaking at a podium. The people are usually remarkable, but the podium itself is forgettable. (That's hatchery co-founder Ruth Foster in the photo; she qualifies as remarkable).

Also qualifying as remarkable is Rod MacVicar, another co-founder of the volunteer-run hatchery. Rod designed and built the podium using sustainable materials. Very fitting!

For the backstory on how the community came together and literally made this facility rise from the ashes, visit their website at www.mossomcreek.org

Also, check back here in a few weeks. I'll link to Lafarge's YouTube channel so you can view the video we're producing about Mossom Creek. Lafarge was a major sponsor in the rebuilding of the fish hatchery.

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Have a problem with people urinating on your walls?


Okay, so let's say you have a problem with people urinating on the walls in your neighbourhood. No, really... it happens. I've witnessed it myself across the street while I was enjoying New Years Eve dinner at a nice restaurant in London. I could share the photos, but you probably don't need to see that.

These folks in Germany have a solution to the pollution.

Saturday, May 9, 2015

A battery that charges in only one minute



Some very clever people at Stanford University are working on a new battery technology that can charge in one minute. They say it is safe, even when you penetrate it with a drill (other batteries would probably catch on fire). It's still a lab project, but it seems to hold some promise.

Saturday, May 2, 2015

Wheels with solar panels can power a bicycle



These people in Denmark are working on a solar powered electric bike where the solar panels are actually embedded into the wheels. The wheels charge the battery when parked, which in turn powers the bike when in motion. But don't expect this invention to directly power the wheels without charging the battery first. At least not yet.