Envirosax has just released a new bright and cheery range of stunning reusable shopping bags for Spring 2010 and top of these, they've come up some funky little lunch bags that are literally a steal.
At just $5.50 each, the new Minisax Reusable Lunch Bag is sized to fit your lunch, plus a drink in the inner pocket. Cleverly designed, the whole bag ends up folding into the pocket for a flat, easy-to-store or transport 4" x 4.5" rectangle when not in use.The best part is these fully washable bags are made of recycled plastic bottles. Envirosax has come up with a new RPET fabric, made of 55% polyester and 45% Repreve®. Repreve® is made with 100% recycled fiber—and manufactured like no other recycled yarn in the world. The process is so unique, the Discovery Channel featured it on an episode of How It's Made. The inclusion of polyester in the fabric is important for ensuring its durability and strength. The fabric is made of a stronger weave than regular Envirosax shopping bags and feels heavier to the touch. 
But back to the Minisax design, which is quite frankly, stunning no matter which of the three bags you choose. There's funky flowers, fine print leaves or stripes - all on a black background with a different pattern on back. The flowers feature a contrast green/white polka dot design on back, the leaves a solid aqua and the stripes, a black back panel. The contrast trim detail is not to be missed either. All three are stylish and fun - perfect for older kids and taking to work.For more information about the Minisax lunch bags, visit Lavish & Lime where you'll find a great selection of Envirosax reusable shopping bags and new shoulder Slingsax bags too. If you have any thoughts or ideas about reusable lunch bags in general, please leave a comment below. We'd love to hear from you!
Share your favourite Olympic experience and you could win up to $50 at Vancouver-based eco boutique Lavish & Lime!
The torch has arrived, the Games have officially begun and it seems our host city has finally been hit with Olympic fever - in a big way! At Lavish & Lime we want to help spread the spirit of the Games through sharing personal Olympic experiences.
The Games may be taking place in Vancouver and Whistler, but the torch traveled 45,000 km across Canada and was carried by 12,000 people. It was accessible to almost all of us - 90% of Canadians were within one hour of its journey. Did you see the torch in your town? Did you get to hold it? Do you know an athlete? Are you going to a local celebration? Are you watching the Games on TV?
Let us know about your Olympic experience by leaving a comment below and you could win Gold ($50), Silver ($30) or Bronze ($20) to spend at Lavish & Lime.* On March 1, 2010 we'll randomly choose three winners. Once you've shared your experience below, you can increase your chances of winning with
Bonus Entries:
1) become a fan of Lavish & Lime on Facebook and leave a comment below telling us you did
2) sign up to receive our latest email specials and tell us below you did (2 entries)
3) email a photo of your experience to customerservice@lavishandlime.com with 'My Olympic Experience' in the subject line
Comment below and help spread the spirit - good luck!
*All prizes will be presented in the form of a Lavish & Lime gift certificate code and cannot be combined with any other promotional discount or offer.
Yesterday's postponement of the men's downhill olympic event at Whistler Creekside because of mild weather conditions is yet another reminder about the impact of global warming on our climate - and winter sports.
For the past couple of weeks here in Vancouver we've been reminded of our unusually mild winter temperatures not just when we step outside, but by the constant hum of helicopters overhead. Our recent two digit temperatures have taken their toll and olympic organizers have been transporting snow by helicopter to local mountain Cypress (at a rumoured $10,000 per hour!) - the site of two olympic events. Apparently as of last Tuesday, 170 loads of snow had also been trucked to Cypress from 200 miles away. Difficult to host the winter olympics without snow.Organizers of the 2010 Olympics have dubbed these games the 'greenest ever' and the David Suzuki Foundation has backed this claim with a bronze medal award for organizers' efforts to reduce the event's climate impact. According the Foundation's news release, these include building energy-efficient venues, using clean-energy sources and relying on public transit during the Games.
While there are still some concerns about the projected carbon emissions generated mainly as a result of travel by spectators, etc., the fact that climate impact has taken a front row seat at the 2010 games is a huge step forward. Now it's up to all of us - as individuals - to do our part too.
Visit Vancouver-based eco boutique Lavish & Lime for ideas about how you can reduce your carbon footprint and live life a little greener. If you have any thoughts or ideas about the 2010 Olympics and climate impact or the effect of climate change on winter sports, please leave a comment below. We'd love to hear from you!Photo: The non-competition side of Cypress Mountain. Ralston/Ghetty
For a unique, eco-friendly Valentine's day gift that will wow your Valentine, look no further than the Chocolate Lover's Pocket Garden - the perfect calorie-free and guilt-free chocolate gift for February 14th. 
The recycled steel container features 4 varieties of seed of chocolate-y smelling and looking flowers, 4 seedling garden stakes and growing information with tips.
This is an ideal gift for the chocolate lover who likes to garden.
Flower seeds included: Chocolate Pincushion Flower, Chocolate Cosmidium, Chocolate Sunflowers and Chocolate Drop Rudbeckia
If chocolate isn't your Valentine's 'thing', try our Herbal Tea pocket garden for tea lovers who can grow, harvest and blend their own. We also have a Wine Lover's version with information about wine/food pairings and for the chef, a pocket garden to grow everything they need for a fresh Gourmet Salad.For these and more ideas for unique Valentine's gifts, visit eco boutique Lavish & Lime. If you have any thoughts or comments about unique Valentine's gifts (family appropriate!), please leave a comment below. We'd love to hear from you!
We're really excited about the newest addition to our Lunch Essentials range - Lunch Punch Sandwich Cutters. And we're even more excited that we were able to have a few words with the Aussie mompreneur behind these fantastic sandwich cutters that make eating so much fun, the brilliant Kiersten Jowett. 
1. How did you come up with the idea for The Lunch Punch?
Cutting crusts off my kids sandwiches, I wished I had a tool that would help and would make the sandwich into fun, interactive and engaging shapes at the same time. So I thought, well, I guess I could try to do it.
2. What was the journey like taking Lunch Punch from concept to market?
The journey has been fun. I had no experience in this (before children I was the manager for our state's deaf interpreting service) so I started from scratch. I designed the puzzle shapes using cereal boxes which I cut up and taped together. Then I took it to a manufacturer I found in the yellow pages. That's how it started. I didn't end up using the manufacturer I started talking with but he has been very helpful and supportive throughout this journey.
3. What environmental considerations have you taken in creating the Lunch Punch sandwich cutter sets?
It was very important that both the product and the packaging be 100% recyclable. So I wouldn't even start before I was sure I could achieve that. Also, being a conscientious mother of three, safety is a big issue for me. So I spend a lot of time researching the safest materials and ensure our products meet the highest world standards for safety. The Lunch Punch is also independently tested by a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission accredited company to certify its safety.4. What's life like for you as creator of this innovative product?
My day is about small, simple things like getting my eldest sons to school and playing cars and trains with my youngest one. I suppose I am an inventor, designer and entrepreneur but if people ask what I do I tell people I'm a stay at home mom. Because even The Lunch Punch is really just a part of me being a mom. The Lunch Punch is just a tool I made to try to help kids (like mine) enjoy a healthy lunch and to make it more fun for parents (actually, me) to make sandwiches.
5. There's the match n' munch puzzle sandwich cutters set and the animal critter set. Which is your favourite punch?
I go through phases of different favourites; at the moment I like Flash, the dog.
I should also mention that some children like crusts and their parents have told me they still use the Lunch Punch for those kids, they just keep the crust on and serve their shape in the crust "frame"!
For more information about Lunch Punch Sandwich Cutters and a full range of litterless lunch gear, visit Vancouver-based eco boutique Lavish & Lime. If you have any thoughts or ideas about the Lunch Punch or making eating fun in general, please leave a comment below. We'd love to hear from you!
