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

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.

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.

Waste not. Drink lots.

Here's a story that crosses over between the topics of health and energy. This process takes human waste and converts it into pure drinking water, heat and electricity. Watch one of the richest people in the world, Bill Gates, drink water that was converted from sewerage.

Wheat Belly: are grain proteins making you sick?

While we're on the topic of food and health, you might want to watch this lecture from the best-selling author of Wheat Belly, Dr. William Davis. He says the proteins in grains should not be consumed by humans.

Dr. Lustig reveals the bitter truth behind sugar

If you watched the Fifth Estate documentary in my previous post, you were introduced to Dr. Lustig. Here's a full-length lecture on the subject of sugar. How many 1.5 hour lectures do you know of that have more than 5 million views on YouTube? This is definitely worth your time!

Is sugar killing you slowly?

More about how our western diet may be the cause of many chronic diseases. This Fifth Estate documentary points the finger at sugar.

Could many of our current health problems be linked to food? Probably.

Some good research is being done as to what is causing obesity, diabetes, cancer, asthma, dementia, arthritis, cardiovascular disease and other metabolic conditions. Doctors and researchers around the world are starting to speak up. Here's a good lecture from Dr. Gary Fettke linking food to disease. And it's probably not what you're expecting.

More on this topic in coming posts.

French fries to fuel

In New York, this company picks up used cooking oil from restaurants and converts it into biodiesel, a fuel with a low carbon footprint. Can all the spent cooking oil in the world replace petro-diesel? Probably not. But turning waste into something useful is generally a good idea.

Compostable plastic

Speaking of composting, here's a progressive item. This paper cup at Teaja in Vancouver is compostable (not all that new). But the plastic lid is also compostable! Guilt-free takeout is upon us.

Composting at David's Tea

Many of us tea drinkers know that our tea leaves and bags are compostable. Problem is, most tea shops don't provide a way to compost them. Kudos to David's Tea on Bleeker Street in NYC for solving this problem.

Waste not. Want not. Further makes soap from kitchen grease.

Alessi orange dispenser is a new take on the tired old fruit bowl

Some ideas can solve problems you didn't even know you had. In this case, boredom. When was the last time you thought that a fruit bowl was cool? This fine example is at the Alessi store in the SOHO neighbourhood of Manhattan.

Your Personal Paleo Code and The Calorie Myth are eyeopeners

If you found my previous two posts interesting, here are two other books that argue how our health epidemic may be a result of eating the wrong things: Your Personal Paleo Code and The Calorie Myth.

Are processed foods making us sick and affecting our genes?

Could it be that our diet of processed foods is shortening our lifespans, causing chronic disease and hurting our offspring? Could it be that the diet of our great grandparents and other ancestors was actually better? Were they more clever than us?

Probably.

To find out more, you might want to check out the book, Pottenger's Prophecy or listen to a podcast with the lead author here:

Interview with Gray Graham

TED Talk: Is the obesity crisis hiding a bigger problem?

Some clever people are starting to question the typical North American diet and link it to many health issues. Dr. Peter Attia shares his personal and professional observations in this moving TED Talk.

Whole Foods wants you to skip the shopping bag and support local charities

This Whole Foods store on Robson Street in Vancouver appeals to your sense of social responsibility by donating 10 cents to charity each time you forego a disposable shopping bag. Great idea! Not sure if other Whole Foods locations are doing the same thing. If you do decide you need a bag, it's biodegradable paper.

You are what you eat. And you are what you eat, ate.

Another clever sign. This one at Morningside Bakery on Salt Spring Island.

Who reads signs?

Let's face it. Signs that tell you to "do this" and "don't do that" are not very memorable. But inject a little creativity and people will understand and remember the message – like this example at the Salt Spring Island goat cheese farm.

notafactory.com

Kudos to Hope Hill Farm for such a clever web site address!