After my article on the hidden toxins in everyday things for NOW’s green issue, I got a lot of reader mail asking me what drugs I was talking about when I mentioned that some pharmaceuticals contained hormone disrupting phthalates and parabens. Figured it was time to expand on the topic with a whole column of it’s own.… ◂ReadPreviousNext Post▸

The Beatles may have sung about love, but I, my friends, am singing about oil. Yes, forget half the products you rely on to get through your morning routine. A little oil on your skin after a shower makes a great moisturizer (my mom likes safflower oil, but coconut, jojoba, grapeseed, olive oil, or great… ◂ReadPreviousNext Post▸

You’ve probably heard me ranting against antibacterial triclosan on radio, in my books, in my column (as early as 2006!) and well, everywhere really.  The government now says it’s toxic and the Canadian Medication Association says it should be banned thanks to its link to super bugs and yet there it still sits on shelves! Take a… ◂ReadPreviousNext Post▸

Hey gang, I’ve joined forces with Earth Day Canada to encourage YOU to Take It Up for Earth Day 2012. This April, make change a habit and pledge to detox your personal care routine! And remember, if you’re trying to keep track of which are the big baddy ingredients to avoid and which are the good… ◂ReadPreviousNext Post▸

Ever tried to persuade your boyfriend/wife/roommate/parents/children/colleagues/friends to stop using a product you think is toxic but they just don’t seem to listen? Last thing you want to do is get all preachy. Check out my latest Ecoholic column in NOW with tips on encouraging those around you try more natural products this Earth Day/Month. My mom will tell you… ◂ReadPreviousNext Post▸

I’m sorry but there is no bigger waste of money than buying a body scrub from the store. Come on, $20 for a jar of sugar and oils? Nuh-uh. Hence why I didn’t include any store-bought scrubs in Ecoholic Body. Just mix half a cup of leftover coffee grounds from this morning’s cuppa joe with… ◂ReadPreviousNext Post▸

This week was our big Green Issue here at NOW Mag and I’m proud to say I’m on the cover! What a Bizarro World-experience to walk around Toronto and spot your face under people’s coffee mugs on tables — especially when there’s been a moustache graffitied onto it (okay fine, I was the one pencilling… ◂ReadPreviousNext Post▸

I was sent to a Shopper’s Drugmart on a mission for my guy with one prescribed task…buy some flash tape, whatever that is. Now keep in mind, going to the pharmacy is never a 5 minute pop-in for me…I’m always compelled to scour a few random product labels and suddenly an hour’s gone by. Call… ◂ReadPreviousNext Post▸

  So you’ve given up the Comet and are huffing away at your tub and counters with vinegar. High fives! But the question on many minds is, does it actually kill stuff? It’s true that most green cleaners on the market talk up their general earth-friendliness (biodegradability, plant-based ingredients, that kind of thing) but rarely… ◂ReadPreviousNext Post▸

So you’re primed to flick off the lights and spark up some low-emission soy candles. Excellent. Now, don’t even think about throwing all that energy saving out the window by baking a six-hour slow roast pork shoulder. Sorry, Jamie Oliver fans. If you want to impress your friends and family with a proper Earth Hour… ◂ReadPreviousNext Post▸

A certain amount of mythology is woven into every nation’s identity. Canadians, for instance, tend to believe that our fresh water sources are vast and infinite and that we ourselves are decent water conservers, thank you very much. It’s a shame that we’re totally out to lunch on both counts. True, the Great Lakes hold… ◂ReadPreviousNext Post▸

If the shoe fits, do you buy it? I can tell you finding footwear to fit my size 11 requirements is no easy… well, you know. But tracking down ethically made shoes has thankfully gotten a little easier over the course of my years at Ecoholic – a major relief considering the newest sweatshop allegations… ◂ReadPreviousNext Post▸

While kids are pumped about revelling in a week of freedom, parents everywhere are poised to pull out their hair trying to keep their offspring occupied. You could park them in front of a stack of video games, but what if you want their time off to be a bit more environmentally enlightening? A lot… ◂ReadPreviousNext Post▸

Q: How do I go about seeding plants from scratch organically? A: It could be miserably grey and 30 below out there and serious gardeners would still have a spring in their step and a glint in their eye right about now. Why? Because hope is sprouting in their hearts thanks to the recent start of… ◂ReadPreviousNext Post▸

Q: I need new patio furniture. Are there more eco-friendly choices around these days? A: Let me guess. Your old plastic patio furniture has collapsed on you, has it? Now, I hate to say I told you so, but that cheap vinyl stuff is not only toxic to produce, but lasts about as long as… ◂ReadPreviousNext Post▸