April 15, 2021 · 0 Comments
By Martina Rowley
Of course, I love Earth Day! I am an environmentalist through and through, often to my own chagrin when I deliberate back-and-forth whether to buy an over-packaged item especially when it is wrapped in plastic or Styrofoam or asking myself, “do I really need this?” as I ogle something new that I would really like to buy. Naturally, I am on-board with environmental awareness-raising and tangible initiatives, whether they take place on the last Saturday of March for Earth Hour (literally for one hour) or April 22 for Earth Day.
My mental dilemma is this though: Who, that is not a diehard environmentalist, part of a niche green group or a school student participating in a class project, actually does anything of note on either of those days? And even if they or we are, isn’t this just a token gesture, when in truth we cause such a general mess and environmental destru
By Martina Rowley
Starting in January, Orangeville is allowing residents living in semi-detached and single-family homes to have backyard chickens. This pleases me immensely! Many cities across Canada and other countries have acknowledged the benefits of urban backyard chickens. Far from turning an urban environment into a giant farm, it has so many good sides that instead of questioning, “why should there be hens in town?” one should exclaim, “why not?”
Some of the benefits of eggs from hens raised on pasture or your backyard compared to factory-farmed hens are that they contain less cholesterol and saturated fat, and more Vitamins A, D, E, omega-3 fatty acids (the good fats) and beta carotene.
By Martina Rowley
Christmas means presents and toys and in today’s world that means many electronic and electric gift items. Black Friday and other special deals tempt us year-round to buy new tools, toys and household items that fall in that category: cellular phones and tablets, microwave ovens, blenders, mixers, electric drills, or big-ticket items like washing-machines and refrigerators.
Of course, they need to get replaced or repaired when they break or are no longer safe to use but our lifestyles today also entice and socially pressure us to buy that latest phone or computer device upgrade long before the item is actually defunct. And, sadly, many items are intentionally not built to last or be repaired, much to my chagrin!