Keeping Cheese Fresh: Plastic-Free Cheese Storage

We love cheese. Besides the ridiculously high prices we pay for it here in Canada, the only other thing that can potentially affect the moment when a wave of rich creamy brie rolls over our taste buds is when we think about how to store the remainder of the round – until now. A plastic container? Ziploc bag? Plastic wrap? Foil? They've all come up wanting in one way or another for keeping cheese fresh. Not so with our newest eco find: Abeego Flat Wrap Covers for Food. This innovative food storage idea ticks all the boxes - and not just for cheese. Wrapping up fruit, bread, vegetables, dishes and more has never been easier, or healthier. Made of beeswax, tree resin and jojoba oil infused in a fabric of hemp and cotton, these all natural food storage wraps do not leach chemicals into your food, on contact or otherwise. With the heat from your hands and a little pressure, they mold to cover any food or dish you want to store plus they're fluid resistant and breathable so they keep food fresh. Compostable and easy to clean, they'll last well over a year with cold water washing and eco-friendly dish soap. Another big plus? Abeego flat wraps are made by hand, in Canada. No more bits of nasty-smelling, moldy cheese within what often seems like mere hours of putting your cheesy leftovers in the fridge - just tasty remnants to enjoy another day.

Abeego flat wrap covers for food are a plastic-free way for keeping cheese fresh.

Top 3 Made in Canada Bodycare Products

At Lavish & Lime we love it when we find a product that ticks all our boxes. When an eco find is not only eco-friendly and natural/non-toxic but also made in Canada, we beam. In honour of Canada Day this weekend, we scanned our eco collection and came up with our top three made in Canada natural bodycare products to make every body proud – especially us!

1. Rocky Mountain All Natural Body Deodorant Unscented - made in Canmore, Alberta, this is one 100% natural deodorant that really works - honestly! Aloe is the primary ingredient, soothing and moisturizing the delicate skin under the arm while the beneficial properties of potassium alum provide effective odour control to keep you smelling fresh. It may take a few weeks for your body to adjust so the deodorant works effectively but trust us, it will.
2. Phillip Adam Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Shampoo - made in Vancouver, BC, this ultra fresh (think Granny Smith apples) smelling shampoo contains only natural-based ingredients, all of which are 100% biodegradable. Free of potentially harmful sodium laurel sulphate (SLS) and parabens as well as petro-chemicals, artificial colouring and harsh preservatives.
3. Taslie Natural Turtle 3-in-1 Shampoo Bubble Bath Body Wash - also made in Vancouver, BC our favourite turtle is filled to the brim with a gentle, no tears chemical-free bath product that is softly scented with mandarin and vanilla essential oils. Makes for a fun foamtastic bubbles experience for kids!

Rubber Travel Accessories: Perfect Father's Day Gifts

Travel accessories can be stylish, should be waterproof and must be durable. Recycled rubber ticks all the boxes and is an ideal material for passport covers, luggage tags and more. Not only do recycled rubber accessories stand up to the rigours of travel but because they're crafted from reused tires and other post production rubber waste, they're earth friendly too. The material is reduced to powder, mixed with polymer resin and extruded in a cold process. Eco-friendly recycled rubber passport holders, key chains, luggage tags and card holders make perfect Father's Day gifts, plus they're designed and produced in Canada. How's that for green innovation, eh? For more, click here.

Go Green Get Clean Spring Giveaway

Spring is in the air. It's time to refresh your living space and a good clean is a great place to start. While conventional chemical cleaners are loaded with pollutants to make the job easier, the cost to our health can be high. Breathing nasty fumes only compounds the problems of allergies, sinusitis and asthma. The healthiest path to a great clean is to go green with natural household cleaners. AspenClean is the only Canadian-made cleaning line with the stringent European Ecocert certification for being made of 100% wholly natural ingredients. That means these natural cleaning products are 100% vegan and biodegradable. They also smell wonderful. Lavender and lime, geranium and orange -- the essential oil scent combos are unbelievably fresh. To help you with your spring cleaning, we're hosting the Go Green Get Clean Spring Giveaway! You could win a fabulous AspenClean Whole House Cleaning Kit (value $60) packed with eight different natural cleaning products including four cleaning sprays and four microfiber cleaning cloths. Simply tell us your BEST green cleaning tip and you could win!


WIN IT!
Tell us your BEST green cleaning tip and you could win a Whole House Cleaning Kit from Canadian company AspenClean. Kit contains: Lime Natural Glass Spray Cleaner, Lavender & Lime Bathroom Natural Spray Cleaner, Grapefruit & Lavender All Purpose Natural Spray Cleaner, Grapefruit & Bergamot Kitchen Natural Spray Cleaner each paired with a matching colour-coded, eco-friendly microfiber cloth specifically designed for natural products.

Leave your answer in a comment below or email it to us at customerservice@lavishandlime.com with 'My Best Green Cleaning Tip' in the subject line. **Please be sure to include your name and email address so we can contact you if you win.**

EXTRA ENTRIES:
Leave separate comments for each
- 'Like' a post about this Giveaway on our Lavish & Lime Facebook Page - the more posts you like, the more chances to win
- Share this giveaway on Facebook and tell your friends
- Subscribe to receive our Lavish & Lime email newsletter
- Follow us on Twitter and tweet:
I entered to win the @AspenClean Whole House Natural Cleaning Kit ($60) @LavishandLime http://bit.ly/AnmGTn
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The winner will be chosen in a random draw. Deadline for entries is midnight PST Sunday, April 1st. The winner will be notified by email Monday, April 2nd. Open to Canadian residents only.

5 Best Made in Canada Products

In honour of Canada Day tomorrow, we thought we'd share our top picks for the best Canadian-made products we've found so far. We're a proudly Canadian company and get really excited when we find a product made in Canada that's also eco-friendly or natural/non-toxic!

Post by Louise

Here are our picks for the Top 5 Best Made in Canada Products for Canada Day 2011.

1. Banana Guard - invented by three St. Paul's Hospital doctors here in Vancouver and manufactured just outside the city, this innovative BPA-free reusable food container eliminates 'banana trauma' and truly does fit over 90% of bananas. Did you know bananas are flexible? We didn't until we came across the Banana Guard.

2. Skateboard Cufflinks - also created here in Vancouver, these unique - and colourful cufflinks - are made from recycled skateboards.

3. Heiko Natural Sunscreen - so many sunscreens on the shelves, how many are actually manufactured here in Canada? We've found Heiko Kids and it doesn't contain all the nasty chemicals conventional sunscreens do.

4. Snack Flap Duo - yes, it's an idea we came up with ourselves purely as a result of talking with customers and we have it manufactured in a small town right here in beautiful British Columbia. Ideal for snacks on the go, the Snack Flap Duo is a soft, non-toxic snack bag that keeps two different snacks separate.

5. Reusable Produce Bags - these gorgeous mesh bags are the next step on in reducing the plastics we use. Don't forget your reusable shopping bags - or your produce bags too! Ideal for shopping your local farmers' market this summer.

Congratulations to all the creators and manufacturers of these great Canadian products. Happy Canada Day to you all!

For more greener living ideas, visit eco boutique Lavish & Lime. If you have any thoughts or ideas about products made in Canada, please leave a comment below.

Kids Jewelry from China Found Toxic

We want to indulge them with pretty things, but not put them at risk. Unfortunately, that's exactly what's been happening with cheap necklaces and bracelet charms made by Chinese manufacturers substituting cadmium for lead and selling them for distribution throughout the US and possibly Canada.

Cadmium is a known carcinogen and ranked as No. 7 out of 275 hazardous substances in the environment. Cadmium can affect brain development and doesn't have to be ingested to cause damage. Children can be exposed to low levels by sucking or biting a piece of jewelry.

The US Product Consumer Safety Commission has been conducting tests and Health Canada says it's going to launch an investigation. According to the CBC, jewelry with the highest levels of cadmium has been found to come from three sources: Wal-Mart, dollar stores and girls' jewelry chain Claire's.

But concern doesn't stop with cadmium. There seems to be plenty of lead in children's jewelry too. Health Canada reported in December that half of the kid's jewelry it had tested in 2009 was made of almost pure lead. Apparently, targeted testing of 67 suspicious pieces found 39 had illegal levels of lead.

Read more about the investigation into tainted kids' jewelry here.

There are lots of safer and smarter options - from our own backyard. Our little princesses need not go without. Buying Canadian and buying quality makes sense. So does choosing materials like sterling silver, porcelain and pearls.

This pink cupcake charm necklace and porcelain blue heart pendant come with 1" extenders on the chain, so the necklace can 'grow' as she does. This baby heart charm bracelet and girls' heart charm bracelet come with an additional upsizing option. While these pieces may cost more than their dollar store counterparts, they can last for years and in the long run are well worth the money.

Visit Lavish & Lime for a full range of quality children's jewelry. If you have any questions or comments about tainted kids' jewelry or buying local designs, we'd love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.

Top 5 Green Gifts for Women

While practicality sometimes guides our gift-giving sensibility, making it special should also be in the mix - especially when it comes to the women on your list, or you for that matter.

We've come up with five gift picks for her that you know she'll use yet are guaranteed to make her feel special - plus they're all good for the planet too!

1. Bamboo Dreams Nightshirt
Why it's a top pick: Night or day, this is a nice fitting long shirt that feels so incredibly soft and luxurious she'll never want to take it off. Plus it comes in a handy reusable bamboo bag.
What makes it green: Made from 95% viscose from bamboo/5% spandex with non-toxic and AZO free dyes. Bamboo is considered nature’s most sustainable and naturally regenerative resource.

2. Will Cook for Shoes Apron
Why it's a top pick: She has to wear something to protect her gorgeous little black dress when she's cooking a storm, so why not make it a bit glam and humorous. A definite ice-breaking talking point.
What makes it green: Made in Canada.

3. Bamboo Dreams Short Wrap
Why it's a top pick: Totally versatile, this lightweight wrap can be worn tied up at the waist or open for a more fluid look. Again it's so incredibly soft, the question will quickly become, what won't she wear it with?
What makes it green: Made from 95% viscose from bamboo/5% spandex with non-toxic and AZO free dyes. Bamboo is considered nature’s most sustainable and naturally regenerative resource.

4. Pink Bedol Water Alarm Clock
Why it's a top pick: It's totally pink! Plus it's so cool that it runs on tap water - every morning she can wake up knowing she's starting out the day doing a little good for the planet.
What makes it green: Runs on natural energy - water - with no batteries, no electricity and no chemicals.

5. Recycled Silver Leaf Imprint Necklace
Why it's a top pick: It's gorgeous. It goes with everything. The leaf imprint and long shape is so unique, it's a definite source for compliments.
What makes it green: Made from recycled, re-melted, and recombined sterling silver components. Handmade in Canada.

For these and a great selection of unique, affordable green gifts for everyone on your list, visit Canada's eco boutique Lavish & Lime. If you have any thoughts or ideas about great gifts for women, please leave a comment below - we'd love to hear from you!

Accessorize those Rain Drops: Rain Hats for Kids

While there may be snow already in other parts of Canada, here in Vancouver it's all about the rain - at the moment.

After our great summer, we honestly can't complain. In fact, to us born and bred West Coasters, the grey days are a bit of a comfort at this time of year. For kids however, they're not so great. There's more clothes to wear, boots and hoods that never stay on and if they do, they don't seem to protect their little faces from getting soaked.

Next time you bundle them up to play outside on a rainy day, consider adding a wide-brimmed rain hat to their gear. Not only does the brim protect their faces - and eyelashes - from being laden with wet drops, but the velcro chin strap keeps the hat on so there's no more need for you to worry whether a hood is on or not. Plus, unlike a hood, the hat allows a child full peripheral vision and doesn't cover the ears. They're also lined with a viscose from bamboo/cotton blend that's ultra-soft and keeps their heads warm.

The best part is these hats are made in Canada and feature colourful and funky prints that kids love. Choose from flower power, paisley or pink bloom for girls and a stripey blue bucket style for boys. Even better, for the next two weeks they're our Rainy Day Special and have been reduced by 15% - shop now while stocks last!

Browse our collection of kids rain hats at Lavish & Lime. If you have any thoughts or ideas about playing in the rain or rain gear, leave a comment below. We'd love to hear from you!

Bobs & Lolo Rock with Gold Award

A big CONGRATULATIONS to local children's entertainers Bobs & Lolo for winning a coveted 2009 Parents' Choice Gold Award!

The award goes to their latest album Action Packed, featuring songs like Muscles, I Love Bugs!, Snappy Snacks and more. The Parents' Choice Awards program honours the very best products for children of different ages and backgrounds, and of varied skill and interest levels. It's considered a 'prestigious' award among children's products and has been described as the industry equivalent of an Academy Award.

Here's what long-time Parents' Choice music critic and staff writer at the Los Angeles Times, Lynne Heffley, has to say, "Bobs & Lolo, a.k.a. Robyn Hardy and Lorraine Pond, meet a challenge that sinks many would-be children’s artists: presenting frankly good-for-you messages without sounding preachy or patronizing. The duo’s smooth harmonies and frolicsome approach impart refreshing life to original songs…instead of sinking under their own worthy weight, these tuneful tracks float and shimmer like soap bubbles in the sun.”

We first saw the dynamic duo about three years ago at the Harmony Arts Festival here in Vancouver. Our daughter (now six) still absolutely adores them and both of us freely admit theirs is the only kids' music we actually like and find ourselves humming to... on a continual basis! The gentle Cindy Seahorse on their Sea Notes album, is a particular favourite. This latest win doesn't surprise us in the least.

Well done, ladies!

Listen to the award-winning Action Packed album and the entire Bobs & Lolo collection here at Lavish & Lime.