Organic and Biodynamic Wine

I was in Sonoma county last month, one of my favorite places!  Not only did I attend the most beautiful wedding of a good friend, I also got to indulge in some amazing wine.  It got me thinking and wanting to know more about organic wines.  I found this article and thought I'd share it with you.

Mark Cuff, sommelier and owner of The Living Vine - a Canadian dealer of wines made with sustainable practices - took the time to explain the difference between and the principles of organic and biodynamic viticulture. So, whether it’s red or white, make sure your next glass of wine is also green!

What is organic and biodynamic viticulture?
In order to say it’s organic or biodynamic on the label, it has to be certified by an accredited certifier, like Ecocert (www.ecocert.com) or Demeter (www.demeter.net).
For organic wines, it’s a 3-year process of certification. Someone tests the winery’s soil and wine - it’s a check-box system - and every year, they certify that, yes, the winery grew organically this year, After the third year of growing organically, the winery can be certified organic. Organic wines are just wines made with the absence of pesticides, chemicals and chemical additives.
Biodynamic certification is a little tougher. All biodynamic wines must first be certified organic in order to be certified biodynamic. Biodynamic wines have a greater focus on soil health. The vineyard is a self-enclosed, sustainable eco system., moving toward zero input or output. The winery - or a group of wineries together- does its own composting, has its own cattle, etc. It also pays greater attention to the natural world and plans its harvest with the lunar calendar. A full moon directs more energy at the soil. Biodynamic viticulture is actually very close to how human beings grew food for thousands of years.

Do organic and biodynamic wines then have no sulphites?
No, you’ll find sulphites in both organic and biodynamic wines. Sulphites naturally occur in the fermentation process, so it’s almost impossible to create a completely sulpher-free wine. Organic wines tend to be lower in sulpher, though.

Is there a difference in flavour?
Personally, I think they taste better and cleaner, but generally, they taste the same. Consumers aren’t going to buy an organic wine just because it’s organic. It has to be a good product, too.

How do the prices compare?
Theoretically, if you grow organically or biodynamically, the cost to produce the wine should go down over time. I find a lot of people who have been doing this for a long time have prices that are comparable to regular wines. It’s such a competitive market.

Is Canada producing organic and biodynamic wines?
In Ontario, a lot of great companies are moving towards biodynamic production. For example: Southbrook Vineyards, certified organic and biodynamic, released 3 new VQA biodynamic wines on Earth Day this year. Frogpond Farm was the first certified-organic wine producer in Ontario. They make great value organic wines.

What should shoppers look for?
Most LCBO stores have an organic section. Or, look for a note on the tag - most of the time there’s a note or mention on the label. The consultants should also know.

Wines Shown (clockwise from top left): Southbrook Vineyards, 2009 Cabernet Rose VQA, $19; Southbrook Vineyards, 2008 Triomphe Cabernet Sauvignon, VQA $24; Southbrook Vineyards 2009, “Fresh” White VQA $17; Fropond Farm, 2007 Organic Chardonnay $13, Frogpond Farm, 2007 Organic Riesling Icewine, VQA, $32.

Want Beachy Hair? Try This DIY Sea Salt Spray Recipe

I love the look of beachy hair but some products are so expensive.  I found this DIY Sea Salt Texturizing Spray recipe, its similar to Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray and Aquage Sea Salt Texturizing Hair Spray but costs much less.  It’ll perk up any natural wave in your hair a la Giselle and give you that whole “I just spent a day by the sea” look we all love so much.

What you need:
*A clean spray bottle. You can find them super cheap at dollar stores, grocery stores, and mega marts. Make sure it holds at least 8 fl. oz. to 10 fl. oz.
*8 fl. oz. of water. Try distilled or filtered if your tap water isn't the best on hair
*Sea salt. Use the more finely ground stuff because it mixes easier and faster with the water. It costs around $2.19 for a large canister of it. Use 1 tsp for each 8 fl oz of water.
*Coconut scented conditioner. It doesn't have to be expensive conditioner - Suave brand for $1 at the dollar store. This has a great beachy scent but it helps counteract the drying that the salt will do. Use 1/2 a tsp - use more if you have extra dry hair.
*A dab of hair gel. Unscented, preferably—otherwise it will interfere with the coconut scent of the conditioner). Usually the cheaper brand are more runny and mix better."

Her optional add-ins:
"* Essential oils: If you have dry or coarse hair, this is a good add-in. They will help condition your hair and add some shine. Choose whatever scent you want - ylang ylang works great for sensitive skin and problem scalps. Rosemary is great to help deepen the color of brunette's hair and chamomile brightens blonds. Use 3-5 drops.
* Tea Tree Oil: Great for sensitive and oily scalps. If you have oilier hair, this is the best oil to add for you since it won't make your hair oilier or weigh it down. Use 3-5 drops.
* More sea salt - You can add a little more if you have oilier/thicker hair. The more salt you use, the more it will dry out your hair. BUT the more you use, the "beachier" your hair will look and the more hold there will be. If the recipe doesn't have enough salt for you, add 1/4 tsp at a time until you reach the desired level. Make sure to record your changes so you know how much to add when you want to make more!

To do: 

Add all your ingredients to the spray bottle and shake it until it mixes together. Any oils added will never fully combine well with the water so you'll have to shake it a little before each use. If your hair gel and/or conditioner don't combine you can try warming the mixture in the microwave (remove any metal pieces and don't use until cool!) to see if that helps - if it doesn't, you may have used too thick of a conditioner/gel.

Here is a certified organic product for those of you who don't want to make your own.

sea mist sea salt spray with lavender

$22.00

Klean Kanteen Wine Karafe

I've long used the Klean Kanteen water bottles but was absolutely over the moon when they came out with Klean Kanteen wine Karafes, available in stainless steel or merlot colored.  Sometimes you want to take your wine with you. But what do you do when getting to your destination means climbing a few thousand vertical feet, a bike ride through busy city streets or a paddle to an uninhabited island?

Whether it's up a ridge to your favorite picnic spot or along a beachside trail, replace that glass bottle with a lightweight, shatterproof Wine Karafe. When you get there, make a toast knowing that the glass of wine you raise retains its true flavor.

The Wine Karafe was designed to hold a standard, 750ml bottle of wine and is made from high quality, 18/8, food-grade stainless steel that's totally free of BPA and other toxins. Because stainless steel itself is safe, they didn't need to coat the inside of the bottle with a plastic or epoxy lining, which is one of the main differences between a stainless steel Klean Kanteen and aluminum bottles.

Food-grade stainless steel is used in the brewing, food and winemaking industries too. It's the material of choice because it doesn't retain or impart flavors. No matter how many times you refill it, no matter what you put into it, your Klean Kanteen will keep your drinks fresh, crisp and clean tasting. All their caps are BPA-free too, and they offer stainless steel options for Classic bottles as well.

The large mouth makes it easy to fill or pour from, and it's a cinch to clean. Just rinse it with mild soap and water and give it a quick scrub. Your Pinot Gris will never know you were drinking a Zinfandel yesterday. When the weather is warm, they recommend using a Built insulating tote to keep your wine cool and protect the flavor profile. 

Features:

• slim, wine-perfect 800ml. size
• no BPA, phthalates, lead or other toxins
• made of 18/8, food-grade stainless steel, no liner needed
• never retains or imparts flavors
• rounded corners are easy to clean with no hard angles
• stainless steel threads
• shatterproof, durable & lightweight
• 100% stainless interior: comes with a stainless steel flat cap
• 
  
  
  bottle is dishwasher safe; cap should be handwashed
  
  
  
  
  
  

Dry your dishes in style

Dainty, delightful and Danish in design, these black-and-white beauties are super green! Ferm LIVING’s tea towels will match almost any kitchen, maybe adding a little retro kitsch. Super stylish, they’re made with 100% organic cotton and packaged in 100% recycled cardboard – so your dishes will be dry and squeaky green.

Price: $25 each

Available at: www.modernkaribou.ca

A Healthy Pillow

If you're committed to living an organic lifestyle, you eat organic foods and have probably replaced toxic household cleaners with products that are safer for your health. Time now to move on and create a healthier environment in the one room where you spend one-third of your life: your bedroom.

Look no further than the pillow you place under your head each night. If it's made with synthetic materials you could be sleeping with toluene, diisocyanate, formaldehyde, PBDEs and petroleum derivatives. Toss that pillow into the recycling bin and get a better night's sleep on something that is all natural or organic from the inside out.

Before the 1950s and the advent of poly-fiberfill people slept on pillows made from materials found in nature, heavenly sleep conducive fibers and fills like goose down, cotton, natural latex, wool. Rest your head on any of these natural fibers and you'll notice an immediate difference in your quality of sleep each night.

Some fibers like wool enhance deep REM sleep by wicking moisture away from your head, keeping you cooler so you toss and turn less often. A latex contour pillow or buckwheat hull pillow will support your neck and shoulders. Matching your sleep preference to the right fiber and pillow configuration is like finding the right toothbrush, it's very personal.It can be hard to know where to turn for the best pillow: we've heard a lot about buckwheat and organic wool pillows, but reviews can be scewed depending on what type of sleeper the reviewer is (stomach, back, side) and how firm they like their pillow. Everyone's different. So how to choose! First, you need to know the options and what they're best for:

1. Latex: made of 100% latex, which is naturally hypoallergenic and resists dust mites. Available in standard, queen and king sizes.

• Best For: Side and stomach sleepers. Side sleepers should stick to the contoured shape, as the pillow's firmness helps support the neck and keep the spine aligned. Stomach sleepers should go for the soap shape, which tends to be softer and flatter.
• Care: Hand-wash the latex in warm water with mild soap, blot with a towel, and air dry. Case can be machine-washed.
• Average price: $69-$89

2. Buckwheat: buckwheat pillows are filled with buckwheat hulls and, if you're used to fluffy pillows, may take a bit of time to get used to. Buckwheat is also great for air circulation and keeping your head cool, especially in warmer weather. Look for ones with an organic wool outer layer to muffle the 'crunchy' sound.

• Best For: All types. A zipper lets you fill or remove the hulls to your desired thickness. You could even make your won.
• Care: Rinse the hulls in cool water, drain, and air dry. Machine wash the case.
• Average price: $75

3. Kapok: is a silky fiber harvested from ceiba trees (a tropical tree). After the ripe pods of the tree are harvested, the seeds are removed and the fluffy fiber is then thoroughly cleaned and dried. It is 8 times lighter than cotton and feels very much like down (without the accompanying allergies).

• Best For: Back sleepers. This material is very fluffy and offers minimal resistance.
• Care: Machine wash gentle cycle in warm water. Cool dry with tennis balls for fluffing.
• Average price: $50

4. Organic Wool: A pure wool pillow is great for regulating temperature and moisture as the wool fibers naturally wick moisture away from your face so you remain at an even temp all night. Wool is also naturally mold, mildew, and fire-resistant.

• Best For: Side sleepers, due to the firmness of the wool, although you can find differing degrees of firmness.
• Care: Spot clean with water and vinegar. Air outside in the sun or fluff in a dryer with tennis balls to freshen.
• Average price: $70

5. Organic Cotton: organic cotton pillows are made without perfumes, formaldehyde, or dyes, are very soft and will compress over time.

• Best For: Stomach sleepers, because you can squish it.
• Care: Cotton will shrink if you wash it, so wash in cool water on a gentle cycle, or spot clean with water and vinegar.
• Average price: $45

6. Millet: Similar in performance to a buckwheat pillow, the hulls from millet are smaller and circular, making for a smoother and softer pillow (also less noisy) than a buckwheat pillow.

• Best For: Side or stomach sleepers
• Care: Rinse hulls in cool water, drain, and air dry. Machine wash case.
• Average price: $70

Sweet dreams!

Green Garmento

I got to wondering what happens to all those plastic bags from the dry cleaners? I don't dry clean many items but there are dry cleaners all over the country and they are filled with one time use plastic bags. I did a little research and found out that over 300 million pounds of single-use plastic dry-cleaning bags are dumped into the landfill each year!

I saw this product and thought it was a brilliant idea. Its a hanging laundry hamper, a duffel bag and a garment bag! The best part is you can use it over and over again. It is made of 100% recyclable polypropylene, each bag comes with an outside ticket pocket so the dry cleaners can easily identify your bag, don't you hate it when your clothes go missing!

Get yours today at Green Garmento. Comes in three different lengths (40"/48"/54") one bag will cost you around $10.

Illuminating Art

These luminous pieces would look great in any room. The canvas is made from 100% cotton (from sustainable sources); the frame, from FSC-certified wood; and the print is illuminated by long-lasting low-energy fluorescent bulbs. So, while art can be pricey, at least it doesn’t come at a high cost to the environment.

Biodegradable Dinnerware

I thought that BBQ days were long ahead of us but the past few days have been gorgeous so my husband and I are having a BBQ and my mum called me to see if I had any disposable flatware. We had bought some great compostable products last year from an Eco expo but unfortunately we ran out! I was searching online trying to find this local company and ran across this. I would prefer to buy these products locally but I just love the chic design of WASARA products.

Sheer beauty is only half the story, though: WASARA is also an earth-conscious product. Made from tree-free renewable materials (sugar cane fiber, bamboo, and reed pulp), and fully biodegradable and compostable, WASARA is as good to the earth as it is to your culinary creations.

Organic forms that can be handled comfortable, and the textures that give a handcrafted feel are the bases of the Japanese custom of holding dishes as we eat. Perfect for picnics, BBQ's or really any occasion!

Tap Water Bottle

Its crazy that a bottle of water costs more per litre than gasoline, and ever crazier that water is free and yet we still buy those plastic water bottles. How about those fancy bottles from France, do you know in most cases its just tap water, but from France. The one thing everyone loves about the water bottles is the convenience of having water on the go. There are lots of environmentally friendly, health-conscious options to make your H20 portable, like the Klean Kanteens but when I saw these glass jugs I thought this is exactly what Ive been wanting. I love the sleek design of these bottles by Tap Water Bottle. Water bottles are expensive, bad for the environment and bad for your health. Fill these up with filtered tap water, place in your fridge, drink and refill! You can use any glass bottle for this but these would look really good on the table.

DIY Cleaners

Why pay more for Earth-friendly cleaning products when natural solutions can be created at home? My girlfriend was telling me about her frustration with having to throw away cleaning bottles, regardless if they are biodegradable they are still ending up in the landfill, my thoughts were instead of throwing those bottles away every month why not make your own cleaners. Not only does it reuse the bottles and keeps them out of the landfill but it will also save you lots of money. The ideas in this easy-to-use card deck describe how to make all-purpose cleaners, tub and tile soft scrubs, spot removers, laundry deodorizers, insect repellents, and more in an eco-clean way.

Eco Wallpaper

CLD PURE Wallpaper

CLD PURE wallpaper (Carey Lind Designs, Crown Wallpaper) covers your walls with natural, non-PVC product. These stunning, subtle solids and loud patterns are printed using low-VOC water-based inks without lead cadmium so you can breathe easy in your home. So whether your concern is for the ecological impact on our environment or the visual impact on your interior, CLD PURE offers eco-friendly wallpapers with beautiful images inspired by nature.

Price: $80-$100 per roll Available at: http://www.crownwallpaper.com/

Helpful Medicines

I`m not one to pop pills but if I do I`m gonna do it in style. These helpful medicines are so cute and small and can be tossed into any purse for sper of the moment relief on the go.

While some health problems are large, complicated and frightening, most problems are not the end of the world. A kind word and a little help can get you on your way. Help Remedies was created to make solving simple health issues simple. They find the best solution there is, and take away everything else. By stripping away some of the complexity and fear mongering of the health industry, they hope to make medicine friendlier and more accessible, and in doing so empower people to make their own health decisions, even if it means popping pills. They think a little help, honesty and kindness will go a long way .

Their packaging is made of molded paper pulp and a bio plastic made primarily of corn. They use these materials because they are interesting to look at, and they are compostable—which means one day, they might become part of a large tree!

Help products are medical products and can legally only be shipped to US locations.
Sorry!

Soji Solar Lanterns

Who doesn’t love having that ambient glow on your patio during those summer nights. I tried battery operated ones last summer but found that they didn’t put off much light and I had to remember to turn them off every night, it was quite the hassle. The Soji lanterns are solar powered, no hassling with stringing electrical wires or having to manually turn each one on and off! These lanterns collect light all day and turn themselves on to cast a stunning golden glow by night.

Created in a layered wave-like form Soji Modern Lanterns are unique, portable and efficient.

Elegant festival lanterns add color to any outdoor space. Constructed of heavy duty nylon for outdoor use and available in 8 fantastic colors: White with Amber LED, Red, Blue, Orange and Green, Pink, Purple, and White with White LED.

Modern design meets sustainable solar for the ultimate in elegant outdoor lighting. Creating the effect of a solar powered chandelier, bringing a clean modern design to any outdoor space.

Love these solar hand-blown clear glass globes each created with their own glass hanging hook adorn this string of 6 amber LED lights.

Soap Leaves

Your guests are sure to love them! These handmade soap leaves are good for one to two washes and come in a variety of colors.

Reusable Produce Bags

So we have our Eco grocery bags but what about all those plastic bags we use for our fruits and veggies? Here are some green options for your produce and dried foods. These bags are light weight, washable, reusable and most importantly better for the planet.

"I Love Dirt" Reusable Produce Bag

Made from natural cotton (totally unbleached and untreated). Say "no" to single-use paper and plastic bags. Bring along a reusable bag, reduce waste and help keep our planet clean.

SmartCycle Recycled PET Produce Bag
Made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. Each bag saves a 1-liter plastic bottle from landfills.

Baggu Reusable Produce Bag

Made of durable nylon, rinse your produce right in the bag!

Kootsac, handmade in the Kootneys

Paperless Posts

Sending letters in the mail is a thing of the past. Today's communication is primarily electronic using Facebook or Evite to send our invitations. I am the first to admit I love it when I receive anything in the mail other than bills! But in a world of environmental consciousness, every piece of paper mail squanders energy and trees. Go Paperless. Paperless Post is a genius idea of the sibling team, Alexa and James Hirschfeld, and I couldn't be more impressed with their product.

Paperless Post's invitations and announcements have the beauty and thoughtfulness of traditional cardstock, with the convenience and accessibility of today. It's sustainable and convenient. Your other mother (Earth) will approve.


And because of the low cost (250 emails will cost around $10, design is free) many brides and grooms are utilizing their services to not only go green, but save some green. Trust me, you will love it!

My New Composter!

I am so happy to report that I just got a new composter!! The new Sun-Mar 400. You can find it at Green Planet Wholesale.