By Danielea Castell — There are many ways people talk about Water these days—their concerns about it, how to manage it, how to share it. The 2014 RBC Water Attitudes Study found, “Canadians share a deep connection to Water.” In my life and my work as a Water Gratitude artist and founder of the Water Gratitude Society, my deep connection means I offer my Gratitude to Water at every opportunity at home and in the wild. My admittedly deep and unorthodox connection to the Fraser River also means that when he told me in March, 2013 he is no…
Author: thegreengazette
By LeRae Haynes — One gloriously unique winter activity in the Cariboo is skijoring. Dog lovers, nature enthusiasts, and outdoor adventurers can find fun and satisfaction in a fast-paced activity that combines cross-country skiing with taking your dog for a run. Animal Care Hospital veterinarian Bianca Scheidt loves the sport. She has volunteered as a vet for dog sled racing, and it was while watching sled dogs in full race glory at the Dog Sled Mail Run race from Quesnel to Barkerville that she first saw skijoring. Instantly intrigued, she started looking into it. “It’s cross country skiing with…
By Sage Birchwater — It’s hard to see the forest for the trees sometimes, but in a decade or two, or maybe some time in the next century, we’ll look back on 2014 as the year Canada finally came of age. The year Canada finally did the right thing by First Nations. The June 26, 2014 Supreme Court of Canada decision of Canada vs Roger William, finally recognized the legitimacy of Aboriginal people owning title to their ancestral lands outside the postage stamp reserve allotments. The unanimous ruling by eight Supreme Court judges granting title to 1,700 square kilometres…
By LeRae Haynes — One unique and unforgettable destination in the beautiful west Chilcotin is the Kinikinik Restaurant and store, part of a sustainable, natural enterprise that includes rental cabins and a conference centre, Pasture to Plate ranching, the Chilcotin Harvest abattoir, a feed store, and a butcher shop. Owners Felix and Jasmin Schellenberg have a vision that takes it farther, with plans for a hotel to create a destination for things like weddings, meetings, workshops, conferences, and retreats. They hire local workers and use local contractors and materials, and also have a butcher shop in Vancouver. The Kinikinik…
By Jessica Kirby — The first New Years celebrations date back 4,000 years to the Babylonian religious festival called Akitu, which coincided with the Spring Equinox, honoured barley cutting and the victory of the sky god Merduk over the evil sea goddess Tiamat, and saw a new king crowned or the old king’s rule renewed. In 46 BC, Julius Cesar created a new calendar, which oriented with the sun rather than the moon and brought the beginning of the new year to January 1. In the Middle Ages, the Christian church ended most Roman festivals because of their pagan…
By Ron Young — I woke up this morning with a dead man singing in my head. Worse than that I couldn’t make out the words, but I did remember the singer, Johnny Cash, and the song was “Folsom Prison Blues.” “There is a train a-comin’, it’s rolling round the bend, and I ain’t seen the sunshine since I don’t know when…” As winter dawns on us, this phrase in the song rings ever so true on some of these dreary days. We move into winter, through the ‘holiday season,’ and emerge into the cold hard reality of…
— By Lisa Bland – Numerous studies in humans and animals suggest health benefits from consuming of all forms of tea include the prevention of cancer and heart disease. These benefits are attributed to their polyphenolic constituents. Some of these include Catechins, antioxidants associated with tea’s anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, thermogenic, and antimicrobial properties. As the fallen leaves of October decay into the Earth and we move into the cold mists of November, the pace of summer harvest season slows and we turn towards more reflective or indoor pursuits. This is my favourite time of year for cooking rich vegetable soups, preparing…
Part of the Cariboo Regional District’s Solid Waste Info Series: Ever feel like there just isn’t enough time in the day? Life is so busy for so many people that finding the time to deal with waste can be a challenge. Day-to-day waste that is generated in the kitchen must be dealt with weekly, but unwanted items such as clothing, furniture, toys, and kitchen/household items can easily pile up over the years. Some individuals find disposing of these items in the garbage the easiest way to manage them. Others can’t bring themselves to part with the items as they…
By LeRae Haynes — Canada celebrates National Child Day on November 20 in recognition of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of the Child. One place in Williams Lake where children are celebrated year round is Sacred Heart Preschool where 47 kids are currently enrolled in various sessions throughout the week. Sacred Heart Preschool and daycare manager Tina Weber, who has been at the school for over 10 years, says working with young kids is satisfying and refreshing. “Children are genuine,” she explains. “They say it as it is and their hearts are true. They can say, ‘I love…
By Maureen LeBourdais — Since antiquity, fabrics have been dyed with extracts from minerals, plants, and animals. In fact, historically, dyeing was a secretive art form. The most beautiful and exotic pigments were reserved for those who had the status to wear them. Things began to change around 1856 when scientists discovered how to make synthetic dyes. Cheaper to produce, brighter, more colour-fast, and easy to apply to fabric, these new dyes changed the playing field. Scientists raced to formulate gorgeous new colours and before long, dyed fabric was available to all and natural dyes had become obsolete for most…
By LeRae Haynes — For 27 years Red Shreds Bike and Board Shed has been a source of outdoor gear for all ages in a wide range of activities. But besides bikes and boards, owner Mark Savard and his staff also provide information and inspiration to the community when it comes to getting out and connecting to the wilderness. Red Shreds sells skateboards, long boards, mountain bikes, road bikes, kayaks, paddle and wake boards, rock climbing gear, back country camping equipment, alpine and back country skis, snow boards, and skate skis. They also have gear for mountaineering and camping, and…
By Vera Lehar — People in Europe and all over the world have fermented vegetables for millennia, as it was and still is one of the best ways to preserve food for winter. Sauerkraut from Europe and kimchi from Korea are two common examples of traditional fermented cabbage that are still very popular today. Fermenting, however, is not limited to just cabbage. Practically any vegetables you can think of can be combined in a jar and left to ferment, only to create a superfood that can be used in countless numbers of ways. But not everybody’s taste buds may agree…
By Brianna van de Wijngaard — As winter approaches, it is a good idea to prepare your garden for the harsh weather ahead, to ensure it is healthy and vigorous in the early spring. Low temperatures are hard on sensitive soil organisms, and adding certain nutrients, amendments, and protection now can give those populations the food and shelter they need to survive the winter. This will also give you just a little bit of a head start next season. This article is geared primarily towards vegetable and herb gardens, but many of the steps remain the same for any type…
By Terri Smith — Today we are enjoying yet another beautiful, sunny, September day. I was worried for awhile that the weather was going to skip September altogether and move right on into October. It’s nice to see the sun again, but I’ve got to admit, I’m not sad to be entering fall. It’s a relief to see the sun setting noticeably earlier each night and rising noticeably later each morning. The record-breaking frosts we had all last week have meant that the summer crops in both greenhouses have all been killed off. We replanted one with fall salad greens,…
By Terri Smith — As Amadeus has gotten older, he has filled out somewhat. He’s looking much more like just another member of the herd now. But I hadn’t really realized that his looking like one of the herd would also lead to him to actually becoming one of the herd. You see, now that he’s (just about) a proper goat, he can no longer safely negotiate getting down the balcony stairs. His rear end is just too big and his little goat legs are just too skinny. I’m sure some goats could manage without problem, but Amadeus seems to…
By Van Andruss — The original ALR, or Agricultural Land Reserve, came into effect in 1973 under the influence of Dave Barrett and the NDP government. It was obvious to the Barrett government that prime farmland in BC was vanishing at an alarming rate under the pressure of “development,” for instance, 6,000 hectares per year in the Okanagan and the Lower Mainland. The ALR altogether only amounts to 5% of BC’s land base, covering approximately 4.7 million hectares (47,000 sq. km) on both private and public lands. Some contain thousands of hectares; some are quite small. ALR parcels could be…
By Ray Grigg — Most economists like to think that economics is a science. So they advance economic theories, governments confidently design economic policies, politicians vigorously justify their economic action plans, and the lives of countless people are guided by strategies that are presented as necessities. Success is guaranteed by assiduously following the rules. This, unfortunately, misrepresents the reality of economics. The Great Recession of 2008, an event that was not supposed to happen, sent shockwaves throughout the science of economics. By the time thoughtful economists, psychologists, sociologists, philosophers, archaeologists, and historians finished their analysis of economic theories, little remained…
By Jasmin Schellenberg — HEALTHY SNACKS AND WHY Popcorn (makes 8 cups) ¼ cup organic popcorn 2 Tbsp coconut oil ¼ – ½ cup melted butter or coconut oil sea salt, to taste In a skillet, heat the oil and popcorn over medium heat shaking constantly until popping starts. On lower heat, cook, shaking, until the popping dies away. Add butter or coconut oil and season with sea salt. Enjoy. NUTRIENT DENSE MEAL Spicy Stew (serves 4) 3 lb cubed beef (any cut), marinated overnight in the juice of 2 lemons 1 lb cubed tomatoes 2 Tbsp tomato…
By Adam McLeod, ND, BSc — Everyone has heard that exercise is good for your well being. Exercise has been shown to boost mood and increase energy levels. Patients who regularly exercise are statistically less likely to develop a number of very serious health conditions. The effectiveness of exercise is not debated in the medical community, yet when it comes to cancer care, patients often forget about the benefits of exercise as they focus their attention on more exotic treatment plans. Exercise is not a cure for cancer but it is certainly an important part of an integrative cancer program.…