DIY Plant Pot Slipcovers

Give ugly plastic garden pots a makeover with these simple DIY plant pot slipcovers – and turn your potted garden plants into a colourful focal point for your garden, patio or deck! No need to send the plastic garden pots your flowers, herbs and vegetables come in to the landfill and spend time and money replanting them into brand new ones. Use the original pots instead. Simply dress them up in your kids' old clothes (we used leggings and a long-sleeve shirt) and within minutes, you'll brighten your outdoor space like never before. The best part? Changing slipcovers is as easy as changing clothes. Every time the kids outgrow something, you can always dress your plant pot in it next!

Here at Lavish & Lime, we're always on the lookout for ideas that allow us to live more gently on this earth. This one we came up with ourselves and it fits the bill to a 'T' – it's a brilliant way to reuse. Below is a short pictogram showing how to make your own plant pot slipcovers – and an eco tip: keep fabric remnants and reuse them as cleaning rags.

A Sock Bun How To for an Easy Eco Up-Do

Want a great up-do that's quick, easy and eco-friendly too? Try a sock bun. That's right, reuse an old sock and you'll be able to show off one of the best – and easiest – diy hairstyles you've ever had. We tried it and were amazed at how easy it really is! If you want a natural-looking up-do, this is it. First, find an old sock that roughly matches the colour of your hair. Cut off the toe of the sock and roll it down to make a 'doughnut'. Next put your hair up in a ponytail and push the ponytail through the centre of the sock. Stretch the sock out along your ponytail so the sock covers it as much as possible from top to bottom. Then roll your ponytail down the outside of the sock, constantly rolling your hair under into the sock. Slightly tricky, until you practice a couple of times. Finally, secure any loose ends with a bobby pin.  For a great sock bun step-by-step pictorial go to Beautylish and the best video tutorial we've seen is at our Canadian fave Natural Mommie. Enjoy a sock bun – your easy eco up-do for any day!

For an easy eco up-do, reuse an old sock and create a sock bun in just a few minutes.

3 Clever Ways to Reuse Plastic Bottles

We love these clever eco-friendly tips for upcycling plastic bottles into handy items you'll actually use! A suntan lotion bottle becomes a great valuables holder for the beach that keeps both water and sand out. Take your scissors to a vinegar bottle and you have a DIY dust pan or scoop or to a shampoo/lotion bottle and you have a handy holder for messy cords. It's easy to reuse! Click for more eco-friendly ideas about reusing.

5 Eco-Friendly Travel Tips for Off-Season Whistler, BC

Whistler, BC may have established itself as a world class ski destination during the 2010 Winter Olympics, but it's still a great place to visit during the off-season. A two-night stay over Labour Day Weekend provided a relaxing last kick at the summer can before the school rush began. Always open to green ideas, we discovered a few ways to make a short stay in the village as eco as possible.

Picturesque Whistler village is a pedestrian haven.

Here are five eco-friendly travel tips to help keep Whistler, BC as beautiful as Mother Nature intended.

1. Park your car and leave it parked. Whistler village offers everything you need for an enjoyable weekend stay, from restaurants and shops to grocery stores, spas, cinemas and playgrounds. The great thing is they're all within walking distance of the major hotels, resorts, condo complexes and other accommodations.

2. Bike it. To go further afar, travel sustainably by bike. If you don't bring your own, there are loads of bike rental outlets located in the village. The gorgeous walking/jogging/biking/rollerblading - friendly networked Valley Trail links 40km of paved pathways from the village to picturesque lakes and parks. For the more adventurous, there's the Whistler Bike Park with trails to suit a variety of tastes and abilities.

3. BYOB. Be sure to bring your own bottle. Cut down on landfill waste and carry your own reusable water bottles. Of course you can buy filled plastic water bottles at the hotels and stores to keep you hydrated when you're walking, hiking or biking but use your own bottle and not only will you be guaranteed a non-leaching, BPA-free drink but you'll be able to enjoy some safe, clean and great tasting Whistler water.

4. Enjoy local events. From the busy Whistler Farmers Market in the Upper Village where you'll find an endless assortment locally-produced fresh, organic goodies to runs, races, sales and fundraising dinners, check out the schedule of local Whistler events. Many of these support local farmers, artisans, environmental or animal-focused organizations.

5. Take out what you pack in. Whether you go on a hike up the mountain or take lunch to the lakeside, the golden eco rule - take your garbage with you - applies here, especially with the co-existence of bears in and around the village. Bear-proof garbage bins are generally available at the more popular venues and bear safety is always something to keep in mind while at Whistler, as well as the environment. Reusable food and snack containers are a smart option to throw in your suitcase, just in case.

A Guide to Natural House Cleaning

While many of your average cleaning products may describe themselves as “green” that may not always be the case. Many manufacturers are jumping on the bandwagon and there are no set guidelines as to what constitutes a “green” product. Below are some handy hints on things to look out for.

Natural household cleaners are safe alternatives to traditional chemical cleaners.

• Be informed. Make sure that all ingredients are listed and avoid products with only partial listings.
•  Look out for “Poison”, “Warning” or “Danger” labels and avoid, avoid, avoid!
• Make sure your product is “readily biodegradable” rather than just “biodegradable” which means it could take several lifetimes to break down.
• Ingredients ending in “-ene” or “-ol” indicate the presence of a petroleum based solvent (eg: benzene and xylol) that could cause illness.
• Are there any warnings that the product can cause skin irritation or should be used in a well-ventilated area? Give any products with these statements a miss!

Did you know, the human body can absorb chemicals left behind by household products or that on average there are more than 150 toxic substances linked to cancer that float around our homes? The decision to stop using synthetic chemical cleaners and instead use natural house cleaners may be one of the most important ones you will ever make for the health of your family and home. Extra chemical ingredients such as fragrances and dyes contribute nothing to a products cleaning ability and only add to chemical contamination around your home, children, pets and food.

A great alternative to the common chemical cleaners is making your own cleaning products instead. Effective cleaning products can be made from items commonly found around the home – why not try these easy natural household cleaners recipes?

Glass Cleaner Recipe
Mix 1/4 cup vinegar or 1 tablespoon lemon juice with 1 liter warm water for sparkling windows or glass tables.

Furniture Polish
Mix two parts olive oil or cooking oil together with one part lemon juice for an effective and incredibly fresh-smelling furniture polish.

Drain Cleaner
Pour 3/4-1 cup of baking soda in the drain. Pour 1/2 cup vinegar in the drain and immediately cover the drain with a plug or set a plate over it to keep everything inside the drain. Leave it to sit and work for about 30 minutes. Don’t use the sink during this time. After 30 minutes, remove the cover and let hot water run through the pipes for about 2-3 minutes. 

Microwave Cleaner 
Put lemon slices in a bowl of water and heat in your microwave for 30 seconds to a minute then wipe out the microwave. Stains will be easier to remove and any old food odours will be neutralized. 

Cookie Sheet Cleaner
Try useing tee tree oil mixed with dish soap to shine your pans!

Guest post by: AspenClean with additional natural household cleaners recipes contributed by Lavish & Lime. AspenClean are the only EcoCert certified natural household cleaners in Canada.

Super Easy Cool Berry Snack for Summer

Finally we're enjoying some sunny summer daze in Vancouver and naturally with the sun, comes the warmth – something us west coasters aren't entirely used to! Pretty much by accident, we stumbled across a healthy cool treat to beat the heat and keep the kids happy. It's simple and maybe you've discovered it, but we thought we'd share it: throw some fruit in the freezer. We were worried about our meager crop of fresh homegrown raspberries going off, so put them (along with a few strawberries) in the freezer, in the stainless steel Lunchbots container we picked them in a few days ago. (Stainless steel is great for freezer storage.) This weekend we came across the container and as it was hot, passed them around to the kids. Have you ever popped a frozen raspberry in your mouth? Yum, to say the least. The outer bit melts right away for a zingy raspberry taste while the centre stays frozen for a cool treat. The kids loved them. Try it yourself with raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, or pretty much any fruit you can lay your hands on and at this time of year, there's plenty to choose from. Enjoy!

Freeze berries for an easy icy treat to help you keep cool in the summer heat.

Kids love these tasty all natural frozen treats.

8 Natural Manicure Tips for Healthy Summer Nails

Guest post from Ginny Cardenas, Hopscotch Kids & Scotch Naturals
  

When things heat up during the summer, everyone loves to show off their perfectly manicured fingers and toes. Here are eight rules for natural manicures that will leave your nails feeling healthy, fun and flirty all summer long. Learn more during our Healthy Nails Healthy You Facebook Q&A with Ginny Cardenas this Thursday, June 21st, 10am to 8pm PST. You'll be able to ask any questions you like and receive answers from an expert! Plus there will be some fantastic nail care products to be won!

1. Hydrate. Keep your nails hydrated by buffing in a bit of oil. We prefer jojoba oil as it is the closest oil to what your body naturally produces. Though we must admit, we are not afraid to slap some olive oil on our nails while making dinner. A mom has to fit in her beauty routine when she can! 
2. Buff! We love to buff our nails. This technique will help smooth out any uneven surfaces and give your nails a natural shine. It also stimulates blood circulation for healthy nail growth. You don’t need to do it too often, but you will notice a big difference if you add this step to your nail care routine about once a month. 
3. Sunscreen. Protect your hands with sunscreen. My mom always told me that a woman’s hands can reveal her age. Women are good about protecting their faces with sunscreen on a daily basis but we forget to protect our hands! So slap some sunscreen on in the morning and reapply throughout the day. 
4. Avoid acetone! There are several products that contain acetone (most removers and several polishes) that should be avoided. Acetone is toxic and can affect the nervous system causing headache, nausea, dizziness and irritability. If that is not bad enough it also damages your nails causing them to be dry and brittle. 
5. Remove stains. If you have yellow nails from using traditional nail polish you can use a slice of lemon to help remove the stains. Just rub the lemon across the nails and let it soak. Lemon juice is a natural lightener and bleach so it will help restore your nails to their natural color. Are your nails badly stained? Let them sit in a bowl of lemon juice for about five to ten minutes. 
6. Trim safely. When trimming your nails, be sure to do so after they have soaked in water. This will ensure that you do not crack or break your nails when clipping. 
7. File in one direction.  When filing your nails, make sure you are filing in one direction to avoid jagged, uneven results. 
8. Be bold. Don’t be afraid to wear bold colors! Scotch Naturals has loads of intoxicating colors to choose from that will help you show off those perfectly manicured nails. Don’t be afraid to swap out your colour often! Our soy based remover and water-based nail polishes allow you to change your polish as often as you change your mood, without harming your nails. 

5 Natural Musts for any Travel First Aid Kit

Guest Post: Dr. Cameron McIntyre ND, Naturopathic Doctor

The car is packed and the kids are bouncing off the walls to get away.  Before you leave home, have a look at your travel first aid kit to make sure it has all the essentials.  In addition to bandaids, natural mineral sunscreen and deet-free bug repellent, here are a few natural additions that you really shouldn't leave home without. Safe travels everyone!

1. Traumeel Cream - a homeopathic for bumps and bruises, sore muscles and inflammation. Apply liberally to skin, as long as the surface has not been scratched or cut. A must-have for toddlers to avoid those “goose egg” bruises!
2. Tea Tree Oil - a natural anti-bacterial for cuts, scrapes, insect bites and athlete’s foot.  Just put a little on a cotton swab and apply to affected area.  Also makes a great natural disinfectant for cleaning when diluted with a little water.
3. Oil of Oregano - a great natural immune booster; also helpful for upset tummies and food poisoning.  Try to find pure oil of oregano with no other additives for best result. Take orally (1 to 2 drops) as needed.
4. Aloe gel - for sunburn relief and healing.  Again, look for the purest form you can find.  This is lovely and soothing on a burn; keep it cool in the fridge or cooler if you can.
5. Probiotic - a wonderful immune booster; also helpful for upset tummies and food poisoning.  I like to mix some into yogurt or applesauce for kids - they will never know it’s there!  Look for 6 billion active strain minimum - best kept in your cooler/fridge or purchase the travel form which does not require refrigeration.

3 Ways to Keep your Family Healthy for Summer Travel

Guest Post: Dr. Cameron McIntyre ND, Naturopathic Doctor

Believe it or not, the end of the school year is a really common time for kids to get sick. Everyone is tired after all the year-end activities, and ready for the lazy days of summer.  This is exactly when immune systems can be run down and easy targets for a virus. Most families have made plans to get away somewhere this summer - be it camping locally, a trip to your family cabin, or hopping on a plane to a bigger adventure. To help make sure everyone in your family enjoys your summer plans, here are a few tips to boost your immune systems and stay healthy. Find out more during our Boost your Summer Immunity Facebook Q&A with Dr. McIntyre this Thursday, June 14th, 10am to 8pm PST. You'll be able to ask any questions you like and receive answers from an expert!

1. Stay Hydrated: Forget the pop, juice and energy drinks - make sure to take water in the car.  Pack your own, ice-filled fresh water bottles - even pop in a lemon wedge or cucumber slices to help you stay cool and refreshed.  By the time we are thirsty we’re already dehydrated, and even if it means taking a few extra bathroom breaks along the way, this is much better than grumpy travellers with headaches.
2. Pack Healthy Snacks: Take a few minutes to put throw together some portable, healthy snacks. Take advantage of the amazing local summer fruits coming our way - like nectarines, blueberries, raspberries & cherries. These sweet treats provide all kinds of vitamins and anti-oxidants. There are so many innovative portable snack containers that make it easy to keep fruit intact without going squishy, there's no reason now not to take them along.
3. Don’t Forget your Vitamins: Did you know that we can still be Vitamin D “deficient” in summer if the weather is poor or if we are constantly slathered with sunscreen? When sunscreen is on the skin, you do not get as much vitamin D conversion, so it’s a good idea to still stay on this supplement over the summer. While it’s true that we typically need fewer supplements when we are exposed to more sunlight and eating a rainbow of colours (ie seasonal fruits & veggies), it’s still worth reviewing the list below to see what supplements you should consider.

Supplement Suggestions for Kids:
• Vitamin C - 500 - 1000mg. Children's Emergen-C is a great option that tastes good. Packages are easy to travel with and mix well with water.
• Vitamin D - 400-1000 IU per day depending on age. This is an immune booster extraordinare for kids.
• Probiotics - Take before breakfast and bed with a children’s formula probiotic or approx. 6 billion strain. Tummy health and immune health go hand in hand, especially for kids.
• Fish oils - Healthy brain and skin but also a natural anti-inflammatory for respiratory infections and allergies. It now comes in flavored chewables to make it more appetizing! 1 teaspoon a day should do the trick.

Supplement Suggestions for Adults:
• B complex - 100 mg in morning after food. For energy, stress, brain health and detox. When stress is high, immune function is low. This will help keep you going.
• Vitamin C - a classic - 1000 mg 2-3x/day. Immune and adrenal (stress) support.
• Vitamin D - 1000-3000 IU per day depending on sun exposure. If poor weather or using a lot of sunscreen, keep the dose higher. Great for immune systems all year.
• Probiotics - 1 capsule before breakfast and bed (6 billion active strain minimum). Should be kept in a fridge or cooler but can last 7-14 days outside of fridge if needed.

Learn from the Experts: Summer Series

Have questions about Sunscreen? Food Allergies? Nail Products? Bring them to our 'Learn from the Experts' Summer Series and get answers about Safe Sun Care, Naturopathic Remedies and Smart Nail Care. During the month of June, we're featuring a different expert each week with informative guest posts on our blog. We'll be making that same expert available to answer your questions via email and Facebook. The Facebook Q&A will take place on Thursdays. Post your comments and questions about the day's topic on our Lavish & Lime Facebook Page when you have a moment and our expert will check in periodically throughout the day to provide answers and commentary. At 8pm PST that Thursday night, we'll draw for a prize. The winner will be chosen from among those who posted a comment or asked a question. If you are not on Facebook, feel free to email your question to us at customerservice(at)lavishandlime(dot)com and we'll put it to the expert so you too receive a direct answer. By putting you in direct contact with those who know, we hope our expert series helps you get the information you're looking for so you can have a safe and happy summer!

Learn from the Experts Summer Series Schedule

June 4-8: Safer Sun Care with Tyler Porteous of Coola Suncare

June 11-15: Naturopathy & Summer Food Allergies/Travel Tips with Dr. Cameron McIntyre, ND of Lonsdale Naturopathic Clinic

June 18-22: Smart Nail Care & Tips with Ginny Carderas of Scotch Naturals and Hopscotch Kids

5 Ways to Care for Our Planet

Thinking about our impact on the planet this Earth Day, means rethinking activities we do every day and doing our best to minimize any negative effects they might have. Here are five simple ways to make a difference and show the planet you care.

A blue heron dining out on the sunny Sunshine Coast at Sechelt, BC.

1. Choose biodegradable sunscreen that, unlike many traditional chemical sunscreens, does not harm coral reefs and other marine plants and animals. According to National Geographic News, 4,000 to 6,000 metric tons of chemical sunscreens wash off swimmers' bodies annually, significantly contributing to the growing worldwide coral bleaching problem.
2. Refuse excessive packaging and choose recycled packaging whenever possible. With increasing consumer demand, more and more companies are coming up with consumer packaging alternatives made with recycled and recyclable materials. Companies are also rethinking the direct impact of their packaging on our health, as seen with Campbell's recent announcement to introduce BPA-free soup cans.
3. Opt for reusable straws over disposable plastic straws that often end up as potential choking hazards for wildlife. Plastics do not biodegrade, they photo degrade, breaking down into smaller and smaller toxic bits contaminating soil, oceans and entering the food chain when eaten by animals. Scientists estimate each plastic item could last in the environment anywhere between 400 to 1000 years. A non-toxic option for reusables are stainless steel straws.
4. Reduce plastic bag use. You may have mastered the art of remembering your reusable shopping bags on grocery runs, but what about all those plastic produce bags? Reusable produce and bulk bags are the next step we can take to help reduce the profileration of plastic bags in our landfills and oceans - bags that never go away. In the ocean, many marine animals mistake plastic bags for food and swallow them, with painful and often fatal consequences.
5. Commit to doing something for the earth on Earth Day. Pick up a piece of litter, or 20. Make a meal with wholly organic and local foods or these all natural, organic Earth Day cookies. Walk instead of drive. Join an organized event or group dedicated to the environment like the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. It's a great way to do your bit, teach your kids by example -- and recognize the importance of keeping in mind the impact of your actions on the planet on Earth Day and every day beyond.
   

5 Ways to Clean with Lemons

Naturally at Lavish & Lime we have limes on our minds, but when we do think lemons, we think cooking or lemonade - especially at this time of year. Yet, there's so much more we can do with lemons than simply eat them, especially when it comes to cleaning. Here are five handy tips for using lemons around the house instead of potentially toxic and smelly chemical cleaning products. For more natural cleaning ideas, click here.

Lemon slices in a bowl of water leave your microwave spic & span.

1. Fridge
Store half a lemon in your fridge to help control and eliminate unpleasant smells.

2. Garden
Pour lemon juice around areas frequented by ants to repel them.

3. Fresher Air
Mix equal amounts of lemon juice and water in a spray bottle and use as an air freshener for a chemical-free air freshener for your home.

4. Furniture Polish
Mix two parts olive oil or cooking oil together with one part lemon juice for an effective and incredibly fresh-smelling furniture polish.

5. Microwave
Put lemon slices in a bowl of water and heat in your microwave for 30 seconds to a minute then wipe out the microwave. Stains will be easier to remove and any old food odours will be neutralized.

5 Best Green House Cleaning Tips

We all know spring really means spring clean. This year, why not make yours a green spring clean -- free of all those nasty chemicals? Here are five top tips to help from our friends at AspenClean, makers of our 100% Ecocert certified natural household cleaners.

Microfiber cloths are better at picking up dust, dirt, hairs, lint and microbes than cloth or paper.

1. To freshen up carpets, try sprinkling them with a little baking soda, leaving overnight and vacuuming in the morning.
2. A soft pumice stone is a great tool for scrubbing away mineral deposits and stains on marble.
3. Instead of focusing on killing germs, focus on getting rid of the carriers. Microfiber cloths and mop-covers are far more effective at picking up dust, dirt, hairs, lint and microbes than cloth or paper.
4. Add a few drops of tee tree oil to your cleaning solutions to add cleaning power.
5. To remove kids crayon marks from walls try applying some baking soda paste and let it dry before brushing it off.

Here's one more general rule to keep in mind to help reduce your workload: always be sure to clean from the top down and the inside out.

Enter for a chance to WIN an AspenClean Whole House Cleaning Kit (value $50) packed with four natural cleaning sprays and four matching microfiber cloths in our Go Green Get Clean Spring Giveaway.

Top Green Living Eco-Tip for Summer 2010

We sifted through all the great entries we received over the past month or so in our Eco-Tip Giveaway, chose 10 finalists (it wasn't easy) and after taking a vote on our Lavish & Lime Facebook page, the top eco-tip for the summer was chosen.

It came from Alanna Teed and here is the winning eco-tip as chosen by our Lavish & Lime Facebook fans.

"I hang a bucket on the shower handle. When we take showers it fills up and I water the plants with it."

Alanna won a 5-pack Envirosax pouch of designer reusable shopping bags and runners up Dawn-Marie and Melerie won bags too. They each received 15 votes for their great tips.

Dawn-Marie's Eco-Tip: "Instead of using SOS pads and things with chemicals in it...when trying to clean a super messy frying pan, I put in some baking soda, some water and a little bit of eco friendly soap, and let the baking soda do all the work....works best when pan is still hot."

Melerie's Eco-Tip: "Two of us at work take turns taking the compost home - it took a week to get everyone used to putting compost-friendly items in bin but it works beautifully now - no more coffee grounds and wet garbage for the cleaners and we all feel like our office is doing its part for the environment."

Thank you to everyone who sent us their eco-tips and to all who voted for their favourite finalists on Facebook. Through sharing, hopefully we've all got a few more ideas about how to take easy, do-able steps towards living life a little greener.

For more ideas about greener living, please visit eco boutique Lavish & Lime. If you have any thoughts or ideas about this post or eco-tips generally, please leave a comment below. We'd love to hear from you!

Tuesday Eco-Tip: 3 ways to reuse dryer lint

Did you know dryer lint is compostable? That you can make dough - even candles - out of it? Instead of simply throwing it in the garbage, there are a few ways you can reuse your lint.

1. Compost it. When you clean out your lint trap, toss it in the compost instead of the trash.

2. Dryer lint makes a great fire starter. In fact, it may be the easiest and most effective homemade fire starter around. It burns hot and fast and only needs a spark to get it going. Take the lint directly from the dryer and put it in a sealable container. As long as it's kept dry, it will be ready when you need it. Ideal for camping, wood stoves and fireplaces.

3. Make modeling dough - yes, dough. Simply mix with water and flour as below, and voila - hours of fun for the kids direct from your dryer!

To make lint modeling dough:

1. Place 3 cups (shredded) dryer lint into a pot.
2. Pour in 2 cups water.
3. Stir in 1 cup flour.
4. Add ½ teaspoon vegetable oil.
5. Stir continuously over low heat until the mixture binds together and is of a smooth consistency.
6. Pour onto a sheet of wax paper to cool.

And if you're feeling creative yourself, you can always make paper out of lint from your dryer. Another adventurous option is lint candles, all you need is an egg carton, some candle stubs and of course, lint.

Whatever you do with it, cleaning out the lint from your dryer is a good idea. If not cleaned, the tray can become a fire hazard. Apparently, almost 20 people die every year from home fires attributed to this.

For more ideas about living life a little greener, visit Canadian online eco boutique Lavish & Lime. Do you have an eco-tip you'd like to share? Please leave a comment below. We'd love to hear from you!

Eco-Friendly Tip: Make it a PVC-Free Lunch for Back-to-School

Back to school also means back to packing lunches on a daily basis. While you may have ideas on what to put inside the lunch box, have you thought about the actual lunch box itself?

In this case, it may be what's on the outside that counts.

Eco-Tip #3 - Choose a PVC-Free Lunch Bag

Many lunch bags and boxes on the market are actually made of toxic plastic, most commonly polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl). PVC contains harmful chemicals, including phthalates, lead and cadmium which can be toxic to a child's health. Phthalates and other toxic additives can leach out or evaporate into the air over time causing potential danger to children. That's why PVC is called the poison plastic.

PVC has even been linked to autism. A recent Swedish study published in Scientific American found that infants or toddlers who lived in a bedroom with vinyl or PVC flooring were twice as likely to have autism five years later than those with wood or linoleum floors.

There are lots of great looking, fun and funky PVC-free options on the market now so our tip for you is: choose one of them. It's your child's health at stake - why take the risk?

Check out the vibrant graphic bags with simple, eye-catching neoprene designs from Seattle-based Dabbawalla or the sleek and stylish new brown bags from New York's Milkdot. And what about you? For adults there's a great range of four funky neoprene gourmet getaway lunch bags from Built NY.

This eco-tip is for those of us who are definitely not litterbugs, but we're not tree huggers either. It's simply an idea or suggestion about taking easy, little - do-able - steps towards living life a little greener. If you have any thoughts or comments on PVC, we'd love to hear from you!

Visit our online boutique at Lavish & Lime for a great selection of back to school products that are good for you and for the planet.

Eco-Tip: Recycle Household Water

This is the first of what we're planning to be many tips on light green living.

These eco-tips are for those of us who are definitely not litterbugs, but we're not tree huggers either. They are ideas and suggestions about taking easy, little - do-able - steps towards living life a little greener.

So here we go.

Eco-Tip: Put a bucket in the shower

It's watering restriction time again for the garden (at least in Vancouver) and while we watch the amount of water we use outside the house, what about inside?

Do you know retro shower heads use about 20 litres of water per minute? That you'll waste 15 litres of water per minute by leaving the tap running? Or that 30% of water use in the home is in the shower?

Why not recycle household water? One of the simplest ways is to put a bucket in the shower. Use the water you collect to water your garden, or even your houseplants. What about washing the car? And dare we say it, the dog?

You could always reduce the amount of water you use inside too. Yes, you can install a new shower head or you can simply pick up a shower timer. A great way to reduce your shower time from 20 minutes to the Aussie-recommended 4 minutes. Yes, a bit of push to get all your bits done, but the upside is more time to enjoy that extra morning cuppa!

Do you have ideas or tips about recycling household water? Please add them below! Everyone who leaves a comment before July 31st will be entered to win a sport size all natural sunscreen from Soleo Organics.