Community Engagement

Hi there, green beans,

We certainly had a major white Christmas and I can tell you the homemade ice concoction that I used to melt the snow and ice on my wooden stairs worked perfectly; I shared that last month. Plus, I also found that pouring warm water (not hot) is great to de-ice your vehicle doors. It was instant. To de-ice your locks, mix one third water with two thirds isopropyl and spray on your locks and wait; it is almost instant….so I am told.

This year I am all about saving money. I no longer want to waste money on buying food that I don’t end up eating because 2025 is going to be a travel year so I need to save my dinheiro, first stop Portugal.

The following are ideas I got from ‘One Good Thing by Jillee”:

• I do like the occasional New York striploin steak so now I cut it into three pieces and freeze two. The fact is I don’t need that much meat and it gives me three meals for the price of one. And I only ever buy it when it is on special.
• Shredding your own cheese is less expensive than buying it shredded, makes sense. Plus, apparently cellulose is used to coat the shredded cheese in order to keep it from sticking together. Or it could have calcium sulfate in it, which is commonly used to make ground cement and making tiles. Holy cow, who knew? Well, I didn’t and I have been buying bags of shredded cheese for a long time. I know this is hard to believe but the next time you reach for the shredded bag, take a look at the ingredients. You are getting a lot more than cheese in that bag. And when big blocks of cheese go on sale you can buy them, shred and freeze them and you are pizza ready. Putting a tablespoon of cornstarch will help to prevent clumping.
• I love bananas but if they get one brown spot on them, they are history. But now I freeze them and when I want to make banana bread, they are recipe ready. I’m told that they last longer if you separate them and cover the stems in tinfoil.
• And if you like smoothies, this is a great Jillee tip - put extra apple wedges, peaches, pears, bananas, chunks of melon, or any kind of fruit that doesn’t look too appealing but is still good into a freezer bag. When the bag gets full, dump it in the blender and make a smoothie!

That’s it for now. Enjoy your month and remember…

Your responsibility is to be an explorer, not a tourist in this adventure that is your life.~Mary Anne Radmacher

Happy New Year Green Beans, I hope everyone had an enjoyable,restful holiday season. Typically this is the time to make resoultions you know - I'm going to work out, I'm going to take up a new hobby. All decent intentions, but I think there is a road that is paved with good intentions.Having said that....I will try and lose 5 pounds.

As I progress into the New Year I am going to try and think about Jane Goodall's quote below before I make choices. It won't always be easy but it's certainly worth trying:

" I hope people will think about the consequences of the small choices they make every day. What do you buy? Did it harm the environment? If everybody makes ethical choices, we start mobing toward a better world."

The way I will try to do this is researching natural pptions before buying a product. An example would be I needed something to melt the ice on my wooden fron veranda and steps. I know that the chemical products can harm the wood, never mind the environment so the answer seems to be spraying with 2 parts vinegar, 1 part water, and a shot of dish detergent, I will try it today and hopefully it will work.

I am also going to get better at recycling, Here is a great example where I thought I was doing a good job and I wasn't. I have been doing some research and there is all this information about how easy it is to contaminate a load of recycables. It seems mainly items that aren't totally clean or might be wet could lead to creating mold. To get some clarity I input "plastic bags" in the solid waste wizzard (which is excellent) and it said to stuff all plastic grocery and retail bags into one bag then tie it up. So, I will do a much better job at cleaning and drying items before they go in the blue bin and tie up any loose bags.

Another example, put your cardboard pizza box in the green bin, even if it looks clean. It could have grease/food bits therefore it would contaminate the entire contents of a blue bag.

Check the wizzard on the Pictou County Solid Waste app if you in doubt about an item. Innocently putting containments in the recycling bin damage our environment. When a load of recycling has too muchcontamination, the entire loadis redirected to the landfill. This means that even the clean recycable materials in the load end up as garbage.

It takes commitment, but I hope you agree - it's worth it.

Happy Holdays green beans,

"Bake them a cake, write them a poem, give them a kiss, tell them a joke, but for God's sake stop trashing the planet to tell someone you care. All it shows is that you don't." - George Monbiot.

Truthfully, I think that’s a tad bit harsh however his point is on the money. And speaking of money, how about we think of ways to save some money this holiday season, while keeping the environment in mind.

There is a lot of pressure around the holidays and gift giving, and it’s time to sit down with your family, your friends, your colleagues and tell them what’s important to you and why. And I’m assuming if you are reading this then the environmental issue is important to you.

If you possibly can – buy local. There are so many cool items that I’m sure people would love. Try the Farmer’s Market and you will find lots of ideas. Holiday Flea Markets will be starting soon, if not already. Instead of gifts consider treating someone to a nice dinner out or a weekend away. I’m sure they will be grateful. If that is a bit pricey, cook them a meal and deliver it over the holidays so they get to enjoy one night out of the kitchen. Buy somebody a theatre membership or tickets to a specific play you think they might like. I’m sure a massage, facial or mani pedi would be appreciated. Buying local strengthens our economy. It saves energy because everything isn’t shipped from away.

Give a gift that doesn’t take 2 minutes to open, waste a lot of wrapping paper and cards and ribbon. And if you have children buy them one toy and then take them to a charity and allow them to give one old toy away. What a great teaching to give a child.

If you have a big family try drawing names and putting a limit on the gift. Make it gag gifts. I bet that will bring much laughter to Christmas morning

People usually remember being with family and enjoying a big dinner together. That’s a nice Holiday. I hope you and your loved ones have a wonderful happy celebration.

Hi there green beans,

I follow the David Suzuki Foundation and their newsletters are full of great information but the following was a brutal reminder:

Canada is the top per-capita energy consumer in the world! By becoming more energy-efficient, you pollute less and save money.

I get the per-capita reference but still I found it very startling. Canada is making improvements but we can all make a difference, even a small difference.

I’m going back to the basics and ask that we all consider making some or all of these small changes. Some can be costly but there are government programs that you could investigate.

The first few are pricey:

• Swap out your dependency on your furnace for a heat pump. You need an alternate heat source but heat pumps do a great job in winter and summer.
• Replace your gas water heater with a heat pump water heater. I haven’t done that one yet.
• Install a programmable or smart thermostat.
• Buy an induction stove which will lower indoor air pollution.
• It’s hard to beat the ambience of a log fireplace but think about replacing it or your gas fireplace with an electric one. They are looking better than ever.
• Look for the ENERGY STAR label when buying new appliances.
• Repair improperly sealed doors and windows and upgrade your insulation. Winterizing your home will prevent heat from escaping.
• Probably a good idea to get a home or workplace energy audit to identify where you can save the most and then do what you can.

Helping to save the environment helps you save money in the long run – WIN-WIN.

These ones are easier:

• This is a simple one, unplug computers, TVs and other electronics when you’re not using them.
• Wash clothes in cold water. Hang your clothes outside if you can or even inside on a rack. Also use wool dryer balls to avoid fabric softener and dryer sheets; I’ve been using mine for over 2 years.
• Switch to LED bulbs, they will last forever.
• I try to make enough food to last for a couple of days, just a quick re-heat and it keeps me from throwing out food, which is something we all should try and avoid.

Every small step is a step in the right direction and it’s never too late to start…..

Each morning we are born again. What we do today matters most. The Buddha

Hi there green beans!

There is no question that Fall is my favourite season. I love trees all year but when they change and treat us to their beautiful picturesque landscape full of reds, oranges, and yellows it humbles me. I will be enjoying many long drives in the country this fall and taking lots of pictures, Have I told you how much I love Pictou County; less than 4 minutes and you are in the woods.

Today I want to offer a few ways we can get ready for the Fall in an eco-friendly way. As we think about the kids off to school, getting ready for Halloween, and dare I say Christmas, we need to start thinking about trying out the second-hand stores. They don't just sell clothes, you can find all sorts of treasures. When people downsize, as lots of our aging population is doing, they donate some pretty good stuff to thrift stores. You might find lunch boxes, school supplies, and art supplies. school clothes, backpacks, and fall or winter jackets.

You will certainly find decorations for Halloween, Another great idea is to go out to the forest and find the beautiful leaves and cones that nature has left behind for us; they make excellent table decorations, You can fill a vase with gorgeous coloured branches, and if you're crafty, you can make a wreath for your door or press leaves into homemade candles. The ideas are endless, and the great part is you haven't spent a cent!

Fall is also the time when I get into reading. There is no better place to get books than the thrift shops or the library. Don't buy new when you have free options; you can even check out DVDs (for those, like me, who still use them) or magazines, I find it shocking how expensive magazines are now.

There are so many wondergul thrift shops, but be careful because I often come home with more than I need. But like a friend of mine, she buys a bunch of new clothes, returns her used-used ones and still spends very little money.

Please give thrift shops a try and look out for more details on or Nu 2 U sale this month! I hope to see you there!

Hi there green beans,

The Town of New Glasgow's Climate Committee is getting ready for their second used clothing sale, but this time we're adding some pizzazz....a fashion show!

Members of our committee and maybe some members of the Town Council will don some gently used clothing and walk the runway, proudly displaying their finery, We are also going to offer small household items; items that you can easily carry, so kitchen items, ornaments, jewlery, handbags, wallets rtc. The only criteria - is it easy to pick up?

We will be setting up a table at the Farmers Market and people can drop off their treasures, and we will be able to drop off at Glasgow Square at certain times. Stay tuned to social media. we will be advertising a lot.

The actual event will be at Glasgow Square on September 28th. Please join us, proceeds will go toward tree planting, keeping New Glasgow beautiful!

There are so many reasons to buy used clothing or share clothing with friends but some just shy away. The reason people used to go to second hand stores was because they couldn't afford the high prices in the shops but thay's not the case now. Now we encourage shopping at second hamd stores to change the trajectory we are on; now we simply don't want to spendthe high prices in the shops. There is no stigma to shopping in used stores, it is now trendy to do so. So come out and help us circulate and have some fun as well. 

Hi there green beans,

We’re gearing up for July “Be Plastic Free”, which of course can’t really happen because we use plastic in everything - our clothes, furniture, packaging, toothpaste tubes, actual toothbrushes, combs, brushes, shavers, even our pantyhose, unless you buy eco-friendly brands – the list is endless but we can’t throw in the towel any more than we can throw out all these products. So, we start small.

The biggies to get rid of are: bottles of water (you can do it); store your food in glass, silicone, or foil and never heat up food in the microwave in a plastic container NEVER, you are truly inviting bits of plastic into your system.

Invest in a few of those veggie bags so you can avoid tossing your pears into those wretched little plastic bags that are harder to get into than breaking into a safe. Also, you can buy silicone baggies at the Great Canadian Dollar Store and they are great. Use them, wash them, reuse them. And buy milk bags, freeze 2 and when they are empty wash them and reuse them.I know it’s not easy. I found it easier to give up paper towels than to get off plastic because it is just so darn convenient and we are a culture who loves convenience.

We need to change our mindset. When I am out and about in stores or even yard sales and I spy glass containers I grab them. I also try to buy condiments in glass as opposed to plastic and then I wash them out; they are perfect to store and they go into the microwave. And hey, maybe you can consider volunteering at the New Glasgow Net Zero Volunteer Group; you’ll be doing your bit, meeting new people, and having some fun. Until next time…

The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire. FERDINAND FOCH

Hi there green beans,

World Environment Day is June 5^th and the 3^rd week of June is Pollinator week and some of you are going to be very busy mowing! Plus, Father’s Day is June 16^th. What can we do in June to acknowledge these events?

I’m going to start by copying verbatim what I saw on the internet when I googled ‘gifts for dad’:

Personalized digital greeting cards. Sustainable fashion clothing and accessories. Unique experiences like cooking classes, outdoor adventures, or subscriptions to streaming services or online learning. Gift cards for local stores or dining experiences.

I was very impressed with all these great ideas that do not deplete any of our natural resources. I think commercial based paper cards are on the way out and if you don’t like the digital idea, you can always make one using re-cycled paper. If you want to know more about the eco cost of paper, read Janet Wallace’s new book “It is Time – A Time to Change”; a very informative piece on, what I still refer to as, Scott Paper. I bought my copy on Amazon and it is an excellent read.

Look for sustainable clothing or even better, hit the thrift shops. Keep your gifts as local as possible and we have so many wonderful options. This applies to Father’s Day but adopt these ideas any time you feel the desire to treat somebody to a gift.

Now for Pollinator Week - https://www.pollinator.org/pollinator.org/assets/generalFiles/Canada-2024-Official-Pollinator-Week-Toolkit_2024-01-23-204805_gqdl.pdf is the Pollinator Week Toolkit and it covers everything from the history to ideas that we can celebrate. It includes wonderful ways to get children involved so patents and teachers will love this site. And we must keep sharing that New Glasgow is an official Bee City!

For me as soon as the weather stays warm, I will be planting as many herbs and flowers as I can to attract as many bees, butterflies and maybe hummingbirds as I can.

See how you can learn more and get involved in helping New Glasgow celebrate Pollinator Week.

Each person, group or organization working toward a different world may seem powerless and insignificant, but all of them can add up to a force that can become irresistible. David Suzuki

Enjoy your summer!

Hi there green beans,

Hard to believe another year has gone by and here we are again – No Mow May! Firstly, the good news is that summer is coming and secondly, we need to get into the commitment of not mowing our lawns. If you adhere to No Mow May, excellent; you are setting an example for others. And every time you have an opportunity, tell people why you do it!

When the grass begins to grow in early spring, hungry bees start to look for nectar and pollen. By reducing how often you mow, you are letting the flowers bloom, and you are providing a natural habitat for your buzzy friends. We need these little guys not just for their honey, but bees also play an important role in promoting food security. The reality is they are in decline because of all the pesticides being used and urban sprawl. So, what can we do? If I had a huge yard and were 20 years younger, I would follow the lead of Marian Whitcomb from Baddeck. I was reading about her online and how she changed her one-acre yard from a lawn to a native garden. It is gorgeous. But a small yard doesn’t mean that I can’t do my part. I will plant what will attract bees and butterflies and at the same time, not invite the deer to share in the feast. First up is lavender. I’m told it’s easy to grow in pots and bees love it. You can’t beat that fragrance. I love using fresh herbs so lemon balm, mint, rosemary, sage, tarragon, and thyme will attract bees and mint and oregano will also attract butterflies. Then I can sit out this summer with my tea and enjoy the aroma, the beauty, and I will know that I am doing my small part.

Lastly, please brag that New Glasgow is Nova Scotia’s first Bee City; we were given that honour in November 2021. New Glasgow is very serious about being a Bee City. They are planting more native plants and flowers. They are installing four bee hives around the town, adding four bee water drinking baths, installing hummingbird feeders, and making a wildflower garden. One of the many reasons I love calling New Glasgow my home.

In the words of B.B. King - We are here because there are things that need our help. Like the planet. Like each other. Like animals. The world is like a garden, and we are its protectors.

Hi there green beans,

Today I want to focus on the Internet. Did you know that internet pollution seriously affects the environment? It accounts for 4% of global greenhouse emissions. According to my research on the internet (a bit of irony here), it generates about one billion tons of greenhouse gases a year. At worst, it is expected to double by 2025. It increased substantially during and since COVID. However, had it not been for the Internet, I would not have gotten so involved in the climate crisis. We don’t want to give it up but what changes can we make to reduce our technical footprint?

One of the most challenging things for me is when I can’t remember something. A simple example, I am watching a movie and I think ‘Hmmm, where did I see that person before’. Without a second hesitation, I grab my phone.  The reality is the information is there in my brain, I just don’t have the patience to try to remember it. The Internet has become too easy and it has affected our ability to use our memory. It’s almost like - use it or lose it. I am training myself to pause and work on remembering. And learning to survive perhaps not knowing where I saw a particular actor before.  Simply, I will use the Internet for more important things like…. learning about the environment.

The other thing I will work on is not using my phone when I am out. Seriously, can we not at least have a nice meal and not be checking our phones? Our parents didn’t have them and they survived. They went shopping without a phone, they went to a movie, they even went out to dinner. Honestly, if somebody is calling you to let you know you won the lottery, they can leave a message.

We need to get a handle on technology. As great as it is, let’s try and give it an occasional break.

Each morning we are born again. What we do today matters most. – The Buddha