Winnipeg Free Press

Are your kids' snacks full of fruit or sugar?
By: Sarah Schmidt

Postmedia News - Many fruit snacks on the market contain a lot of sugar and not much fruit.

 OTTAWA -- If your children won't peel an orange, maybe a picture of one on the front of "RealFruit Minis" pre-packaged snacks will appeal to them.

If rinsing real berries is too tedious, their image on a packet of "Fruit By the Foot" might get the kids eating.

And if depictions of fresh fruit don't catch the youngsters' eyes, perhaps Dora the Explorer, featured on the cover of Betty Crocker's "fruit-flavoured snacks," will do the trick.

The problem? There's no orange puree in those "RealFruit Minis." Sugar is the top ingredient in "Fruit By the Foot," which contains no berries. Corn syrup and sugar are the lead ingredients in each mini Dora.

These products are part of a growing market of prepackaged fruit snacks, their manufacturers jockeying for the attention of on-the-go parents who want their children to get enough daily servings of fruits. Some snacks rely on images of fresh fruit to draw in shoppers; others use cartoon characters.

And in an increasingly crowded market, most feature the word "fruit" on the front of their packages, usually incorporated into the product name. All a company has to do is make sure fruit puree makes up more than two per cent of the total product, and that's enough for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Purees are highly processed, allowing for a long shelf life but can be stripped of fibre, many vitamins, minerals and other phytonutrients.

Are these snacks providing the nutrition they seem to suggest? Are parents getting what they think they're paying for?

There's no comparing fresh fruit with these snacks, says Rena Mendelson, a professor of nutrition at Ryerson University.

"You can replace the vitamins but you can't replace other attributes, like vital chemicals. So there's a big trade-off parents are making for convenience, both for attributes and also the habit-forming nature of eating fruits and vegetables," she said.

What it boils down to in this ever-expanding market, driven by entrenched brands increasing their number of offerings, is the "convenience factor," says Shannon Brown, an analyst at the consumer market research firm Packaged Facts.

"It's an easy little single size of fruit snacks. It's much easier to toss that into your kid's lunch box than cut up an apple, wrap it up, make sure there's a way to keep it cold," said Brown, who authored a recent report on snack products for her firm.

If parents do opt for these prepackaged snacks, it's best to read the fine print of the ingredients on the back of the packaging before making the purchase, says Mendelson.

Brown adds, "There's the fruit snacks made of actual pieces of fruit and there are these so-called fruit-flavoured snacks that are typically for children that are more candy than actual fruit. From the front of package, it's hard to distinguish."

Sugar is the lead ingredient in General Mills' "Fruit Gushers," which contain more than 20 ingredients. Rounding off the top five are concentrated pear puree, corn syrup, modified corn starch and fructose.

Dare's "RealFruit Minis," shaped like "wild kingdom" animals, contain "30 per cent fruit juices from concentrate and fruit puree," according to the front of the package. "Fruit juices from concentrate" is the top ingredient, and there is more glucose, sugar, and glucose-fructose than fruit purees in the mini animals resembling gummy bears.

Dare spokeswoman Kathy Khamis said there is a greater proportion of fruit juices from concentrate than purees, as shown in the claim and the ingredient list, but the company won't provide the breakdown. Calling the information proprietary, Khamis said the company follows the CFIA rule requiring an ingredient make up greater than two per cent of product for it to be highlighted.

Some companies competing for a share of the fruit snack market are hitting back, calling their competitors' products "fruit impostors."

Sun-Rype Products Ltd., based in Kelowna, B.C., doesn't have any trouble meeting the two-per-cent benchmark for its "Fruit To Go" strips. The ingredient list for its "100 per cent fruit snack" is simple: various fruit puree concentrates, various fruit juice concentrates, citrus pectin and natural flavour.

To fight against being lumped into the same category as fruit-flavoured snacks with sugar as a primary ingredient, the company promotes a website called findoutnow.ca on its packages.

The site asks, "If your fruit snack isn't 100 per cent fruit, what is it?"

Gelatin, hydrogenated and modified oils, sodium benzoate, tartrazine, sodium citrate, sulphites, methyl paraben and dextrose, also known as glucose or corn sugar, are among the ingredients listed that SunRype notes it isn't using.

Meanwhile, General Mills is facing a class action suited filed recently in California by a consumer advocacy group.

The Washington-based Center for Science in the Public Interest, which has an office in Ottawa, is accusing the company of presenting its Fruit Gushers, Fruit-O-Long, Fruit By the Foot and Fruit Roll-Ups as "healthful and nutritious" when they are "little better than giving candy to children," according to the complaint filed in court.

-- Postmedia News

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition March 31, 2012 A17

Is Your Family Prepared? 5 Tips for Staying Safe in a Tornado or Other Disaster

A few Friday's ago, numerous tornadoes carved a swath of devastating destruction across four states in the south and Midwest. The death toll rose to 39, with dozens more injured. Stephanie Decker lost both her legs while protecting her children as a tornado flattened their home. “I assumed I was safe and I heard the roar like a train, and I heard it behind me, and I knew it was coming,” she later recalled.

For families across the United States, tornadoes and severe storms throughout the spring months can pose a serious threat. But a few simple steps can help individuals to stay equipped for natural disasters. Is your family prepared? Glance through this short checklist for practical tips and resources to build a disaster preparedness kit, learn more about tornado safety, and stay up to date on the best course of action when a storm strikes near you.

1. Get Informed

Take some time to think through your family's disaster preparedness plan. Ready.gov offers numerous resources to help families prepare for tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters. The site has published a comprehensive manual detailing how to get prepared – and stay safe – in an emergency situation. “You may need to survive on your own after a disaster,” according to Are You Ready? An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness. That's why the 204-page guide exists. “The focus of the content is on how to develop, practice, and maintain emergency plans that reflect what must be done before, during, and after a disaster to protect people and their property,” according to Ready.gov. “Also included is information on how to assemble a disaster supplies kit that contains the food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity for individuals and their families to survive following a disaster in the event they must rely on their own resources.”

2. Make a Plan

Don't wait until disaster strikes to come up with a plan of action. Sit down with your family, and discuss designating a storm shelter and fire escape route, as well as how to handle family communication after a disaster. Make sure that insurance policies and other important records are in a safe place. Plan for shutting off utilities after a disaster, if necessary, and handling pet care if you have animals. Find a time for family members to learn first aid and CPR, and keep certifications up to date.

3. Build a Disaster Preparation Kit

Think ahead by assembling a disaster preparation kit. Ready.gov suggests that families set aside three day's worth of food and water. (Bottled water is the best option for long-term water storage.) When it comes to food, Are You Ready suggests avoiding foods that will make you thirsty. “Choose salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals, and canned foods with high liquid content. Stock canned foods, dry mixes, and other staples that do not require refrigeration, cooking, water, or special preparation.”

In addition to a three-day supply of food and water, Ready.gov recommends that families obtain a portable, battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries, a flashlight and extra batteries, a first aid kit and manual, sanitation and hygiene items, matches, a whistle, extra clothing, kitchen accessories and cooking utensils, including a can opener, copies of credit and identification cards, cash and coins, special needs items, such as prescription medications, eye glasses, contact lens solutions, and hearing aid batteries, items for infants, such as formula, diapers, bottles, and pacifiers.

4. Designate a Safe Shelter

“Although severe tornadoes are more common in the Plains States, tornadoes have been reported in every state,” according to the American Red Cross. That's why experts recommend that families designate a tornado and severe storm shelter. The Red Cross says that the safest shelter is an underground basement, but if no underground shelter is available, “a small, windowless interior room or hallway on the lowest level of a sturdy building is the safest alternative.” It is important to note, however, that no room – even an interior room – in a mobile home is safe during a tornado. In fact, the Red Cross says that if you have access to a sturdy building or even a vehicle, “abandon your mobile home immediately.”

Designate a shelter for your family, and make sure that every member of your family knows exactly where to go during a severe storm or tornado. If you are caught outdoors and cannot get to a sturdy shelter or basement in time, a recent study suggests that your vehicle is the best place to be. “Get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try to drive at right angles to the storm movement and out of the path [of the storm],” according to the Red Cross.

5. Stay Alert

March is Red Cross Month, and it's the perfect time to make sure that your family is prepared for any emergency. “We’re approaching the anniversary of the April 2011 tornadoes that devastated our state,” says Mie Lucas, Emergency Services Director for the American Red Cross in Augusta, Georgia. “While we hope that shelters won’t be necessary this season, the Red Cross continues to test and improve our shelter plans in preparation for the next big disaster so we that can provide the highest level of service in our communities.”

After making a disaster plan, building a preparation kit, and designating a shelter, be sure that your family implements strong awareness strategies, such as paying attention to weather reports, ensuring that fire alarms are working, and remaining alert and vigilant in case of an emergency. Lucas says it is vital for families across the country to implement a safety strategy. “During Red Cross Month, we’re urging families to join us in taking steps to prepare for spring disasters by making a plan, building a kit of supplies, and being informed,” she says.

Kristin Wright is a contributing writer at Crosswalk.com, where she covers topics related to human rights, international travel, social justice, women's issues, religious freedom, and refugee resettlement. For further articles, visit her website at kristinbutler.net or email [email protected].

Actual Publication date: March 8, 2012

 Daylight saving time starts Sunday, March 11th at 2 a.m.

The weekend most Canadians spring forward one hour is also the ideal time to tackle seasonal safety projects. A lot of the routine maintenance on your home and car should be done twice a year, so what better time to start checking items off your "to-do" list?

Around the house

• Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and test both devices to make sure they are in working order.
  
  Tip: Don't toss the batteries; there may still be juice in them. They can be used in children's toys, media players or electronic devices. Squeeze out every drop of power, then recycle them.
• Clean gutters and downspouts to remove debris that may have accumulated during the winter. If clogged, spring showers can wreak havoc and possibly cause leaks.
• Hopefully you'll soon be using your BBQ. Check the tank and hose for leaks or cracks and replace if necessary. Don't forget to fill the tank up while you're at it because you never know when the weather might be ideal for the first BBQ of the season!
• Go through your medicine cabinet for expired medication. Your pharmacist should be able to either take your old medications or provide you with information about where to dispose of them.
• Inventory your home's first aid kit and replace items that are expired, or replenish items like bandages that may be running low.
• Switch your incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). Although initially more expensive, CFLs save you money in the long run because they use 75% less electricity and can last up to 10 times longer.

In your car

• Do not remove your car safety kit! Keep it in your car for the whole year. You never know when you might need that flashlight or those jumper cables.
• Change your wiper blades. They should be replaced every six months.
• A change of season equals a change of oil. This will help to ensure your car operates at peak efficiency.
• Your car's belts and hoses have dealt with cold, snow, salt and sand at some point through the last few months. Get them checked to make sure everything is connected properly and running smoothly.
• If you change your tires seasonally, you'll want to soon consider putting your summer tires on. A good rule of thumb is to put your summer tires on when the temperature is consistently above 7°C.
  

If you don't change your tires seasonally, check your tire pressure and treads. If your tire pressure is off you'll notice irregular and uneven wear on your treads, reduced vehicle handling or decreased gas mileage.

The ECO Edge Company
Email:  [email protected]
Website:  www.theecoedge.com

 
Share this information with your colleagues, friends & family TODAY!

     

 On a beautiful Thursday morning our Winnipeg ECO Edge team headed out to the Council of School Leaders Conference @ Polo Park in Winnipeg, Manitoba. This will officially be the first time that they will have the opportunity to publicly display ECO Edge Fruit Snacks alongside the famous X-TRECO. Check out the display below.

For more information on The ECO Edge check out our website @ www.theecoedge.com or visit our Facebook page here! All the best as you work those chills away. Be safe and have fun!
 

The ECO Edge Company
Email:  [email protected]
Website:  www.theecoedge.com

 
Share this information with your colleagues, friends & family TODAY!

     

1. Do not wear cotton or polyester/cotton fabrics next to your skin. Cotton absorbs moisture and therefore will get cold lying against your skin. This will lead to rapid loss of heat which could cause hypothermia in very cold weather. A good investment is a fleece vest as it will keep the heart and body warm which results in warmer blood being sent out to the body’s extremities. Fleece is very good as it “wicks” moisture away from your skin quickly. Down jackets are great insulators if they do not get wet. But . . . WOOL is the best by far! It traps warm, dry air next to your skin keeping air from moving across your body.
   
   
2. Always dress in layers. Several thin layers are warmer than one heavy layer. You can always remove or add on layers as you need and therefore you can better regulate your core body temperature.
   
   
3. You can lose a lot of body heat through your head so it is important to wear a hat and one that can cover your ears if needed.
   
   
4. Wearing a scarf also will warm the air before you breathe it in.
   
   
5. Wearing mittens (instead of gloves) and long thick wool or polypropylene socks will protect your hands and feet from the cold. Hands and feet are the hardest places to keep warm blood flowing to.
   
   
6. Keep hydrated and make sure you eat a healthy diet so your body temperature stays at a normal level. Dehydration affects your body’s ability to regulate body heat and increases risk of frostbite. Water is just as important in the winter as it is in the summer.
   
   
7. If you get wet remove clothes immediately and warm the core body temperature with a blanket and warm fluids (soup or hot apple cider). Do not drink caffeine or alcohol as they are diuretics and increases heat loss.

For more information on The ECO Edge check out our website @ www.theecoedge.com or visit our Facebook page here! All the best as you work those chills away. Be safe and have fun!

The ECO Edge Company
Email:  [email protected]
Website:  www.theecoedge.com

 
Share this information with your colleagues, friends & family TODAY!

     

There is no better time than Christmas time to provide people in your community with a “One Stop Christmas Shop”. What better way than offering them great products that work with the environment all while assisting & supporting your organization.

How to raise EXTRA $$ @ YOUR Christmas Fair / Bazaar

You already have parents and communities members coming to your Christmas event and they are bound to have a really good time! Not only will they have fun but they could pick up some really great products that work with the environment while assisting you in raising additional funds. How?

Sell ECO Edge products at a table! All you have to do is contact us and place a fundraising order of whatever ECO Edge product you desire. 50% profit sounds great right!

a.       What better way to fill the stockings with X-TRECO (use to clean laptop screens, vehicles, windows, mirrors, etc.).

b.      Purchase for $2.50 | Sell for $5 | Earn $2.50 profit! 

2.      Family Activity Organizer (FAO)

a.       There is no better central family organizer to know the who, what, where and how!

b.      Purchase for $5 | Sell between $10 - $12 | Earn between $5 - $7 profit! 

Both products are family affordable, eco-friendly and useful to have around the house! 

The ECO Edge is all about supporting initiatives that encourage recycling, reducing and reusing. That is exactly what Earth Day Canada is doing in their 2011 Upcycling Challenge. Read their most recent announcement below.

Your participation not only earns you some great prizes but also allows others to learn from your creativity. Together we can all make a difference in maintaining and preserving our surrounding environment.

For more information on The ECO Edge do not hesitate to visit our site here. If you would like to contact The ECO Edge you can do so here or feel free to contact a representative in your area.

At The ECO Edge, we believe that the Partnership & Experience is Everything!

The Ministry of Education recently came out with a list of Back to School Tips to Help Students Succeed. Part 1 of the article read as follows: "Developing good study habits early plays a factor in student achievement. Parents can help their children study by...keeping an assignment calendar on the fridge for quick reference of due dates, exams and how they fit in with other activities." It sounds like the FAMILY ACTIVITY ORGANIZER from The ECO Edge found a place in the Ministry of Education's Plan!

For more tips and information on child development, the B.C. school curriculum, graduation planning and career advice, visit the AchieveBC website at www.achievebc.ca.

Standard fridge, desk, counter top or wall hanging Family Activity Organizer!

Tear away pad, 14" x 21"

16 months: September 2011 to December 2012

Made out of 100% recycled paper!

100% printed and assembled in Canada

For more information do not hesitate to contact us or view support in your area.

At The ECO Edge, we believe that the Partnership & Experience is Everything!

Have you recently looked at the ingredients inside your glass cleaners and know what that means for you and your families health nevermind the negative effects on the environment?

Commercial glass cleaners usually contain ammonia, alcohol, butyl cellosolve, detergents, silicone, waxes, formaldehyde, and lots of water. More so than any other cleaner, when you buy a glass cleaner, you are paying a premium price for mostly just plain water.

What harm can they do?

Most glass cleaners contain just a trace of ammonia. That ammonia generally is not appreciated by our respiratory tract. If you have children, elderly, or even someone in your house with mild respiratory problems, such as asthma or bronchitis, you should at all cost avoid ammonia. Why is it so harmful? When we are cleaning glass surfaces we tend to put a little more elbow grease into it. We lean right into it, breathe deeply while vigorously wiping the surface. Meanwhile we just sprayed a fine mist of the detergents and other chemicals which are not just on the surface but also making there way into our body. Ammonia is a poison when ingested and is particularly dangerous when combined with other cleaners that contain bleach, thus creating toxic chloramine gas.

Do we really need to purchase commercial glass cleaners?

No we don't. Lets stop making life more complicated than it is! Products like X-TRECO, a natural 100% spot & streak free cleaning cloth, exist to keep your family safe while maintaining simple cleaning. Not only does X-TRECO exceed at cleaning spot & streak free, it is durable, washable (reuseable) and biodegradable! On top of that people with special needs fold and package X-TRECO. What a great way to give back to society while doing your part for the environment and your families health!

Where can you purchase X-TRECO?

X-TRECO can be purchased at www.theecoedge.com by

1. Selecting your category (fundraising / business / home),
2. On the next page you will see green tabs @ the top, click on "Create Account",
3. Follow the step-by-step instructions and you will be led to the order form.

How about earning 50% profit while sharing X-TRECO with your community? Fundraising is another great way to spread the word about X-TRECO while earning money for a great cause. This can be done at your local school, church, sports team or organization anywhere in North America. Click here to set up an account and order X-TRECO for fundraising today!

BONUS: Generally people that purchase X-TRECO through a local fundraiser want more once they have tried it themselves. For your fundraiser this means that you can continue to earn great profits throughout the year!

For more information do not hesitate to contact us or view support in your area.

Marketing and Advertising is a powerful mean of selling us on glamour, new and improved products. If it’s seen in Hollywood it tends to be you or your neighbour will have it. How about after that phase of fashion, then where does that product end up? How can we become more giving and resourceful all at the same time?

Here’s a list of ways that we can honour the reuse in our three part action for the environment and our natural resources:

• Go to garage sales! This can be a really fun activity to do as friends, couples or by yourself. Everything on display is a reusable product and often you will find some great deals.
   
• You can buy and sell used items at places like thrift stores, Craigslist / Amazon / Ebay / Amazon, garage sales, community swap meets, etc.
   
• Make the switch from disposables to reusable’s; such things as food and beverage containers, cups, plates, writing pens, markers, razors, diapers, towels, shopping bags, etc.
   
• Donate (and buy used materials): clothes, furniture, dishes, sports equipment, books, appliances, electronics, etc.
   
• Recycle used computer equipment, cell phones, camera’s, iPod/MP3 players, ink cartridges, etc. so all the parts can be reused.
   
• Share your belongings
   
• Use reusable grocery bags rather than purchasing plastic bags.
   
• Purchase products that will last, take care of what you own and they will last longer.
   
• Use both sides of each piece of paper – for note taking or printing documents at home. Using less paper means cutting down less trees!
   
• Pick up books from your local library or used book store.
   
• Avoid waste by using reusable cleaning products (hint hint X-TRECO!) rather than paper towel.
   
• Purchase locally grown food. This will help enrich our soil, protect our air, water quality and encourage a good turnover year after year.
   
• Clean your appliances (filters and coils); they need a tune up too and will last much longer!

·         You know that you are going to purchase certain items annually. Look for products (like the Family Activity Organizer) which are made out of recycled materials.

This is just some of the tips to encourage reusing what you have and purchasing reusable products rather than products that effect the growth of our environment. Once again, get creative for the preservation of our environment and take up your responsibility in caring for our natural resources. YOU CAN DO IT!

The 3 R’s, reduce, reuse and recycle. We have all heard of them at some point over the last 20 years. Yes, recycling has become a huge deal in municipalities and cities across Canada; however we often forget about the first two, REDUCE & REUSE.

Has it ever fazed you that we don’t live simple lives? Here is why...

1. We keep belongings that we rarely use and naturally purchase more/create more waste in the future.
    
2. We purchase stuff we don’t really need. Have you considered how the production of those products impacted the environment and what further impacts there will be when you dispose of them?

How can we battle over spending and REDUCE today?

1.       Whenever possible, replace disposable products with reusable ones

a.      Coffee filters, furnace or air conditioner filters, razor blades, food storage, batteries, printer ink cartridges, etc.

2.       Buy used products whenever possible. Where?

a.      Your local thrift stores, Craigslist / Kijiji / Ebay / Amazon (refurbished products), newspaper ads, used furniture stores, consignment or pawn shops

3.       If you need something temporarily, borrow it from your friend or neighbour.

4.       Share with your friends items like books, magazines, movies, games, etc.

5.       Avoid purchasing packaged items for single use; instead buy bulk.

6.       Buy what you need.

7.       When shopping, bring reusable bags. Only purchasing a few items and forgot your reusable bags? Skip the shopping bag and carry the few items by hand.

8.       Purchasing locally grown produce means lower associated pollution cost from transportation.

9.       Rake your leaves instead of blowing. Your ears and your neighbours will thank you and you will reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

10.   Encourage carpooling!

11.   Fix the leaky hose and dripping nozzle. It will keep your shoes dry and save water!

12.   Install water saving showerheads.

13.   Don’t run the water when you brush your teeth, shave, wash dishes, or clean vegetables.

The list could go on. Get creative and think outside the box in your every day routine. At the end of the day, each one of us has to take action in working with the environment, in utilizing our natural resources and focusing on reducing, reusing, recycling as three in one.

Psst! Word out there is that the mosquitoes are coming your way :[ Want to try some household products that we have in our homes to get rid of those pesky insects?

• LISTERINE!  Any kind will do! Just spray around the area that you will be lounging – lawn, deck, picnic table, children’s play center, doorways, around window frames – just about anywhere. Just stay clear of all edibles : ) The smell seems to last for about a day and that’s about how long there seems to be a decrease in mosquitoes.
  
  
• Another solution to try: Fill a bowl with water and squirt a couple of drops of lemon fresh joy dishwashing soap. Place the bowl on your deck or patio. Mosquitoes are attracted to moisture. Maybe it’s the lemon fresh smell that lures them in!

• When you are working in your garden or just lounging on your patio you can also tuck a fabric softener sheet like Downy/Fleecy in your pocket or around a belt loop. The scent from the fabric softener chases the mosquitoes away.

 

Summer Time is here along with some little irritations. Now is the time to stock up on products that can relieve sunburns, insect bites, rashes, cuts and scrapes. Here are some ECO tips that will cure those irritations:

Sunburns and other Minor Burns

• Saturate a cloth with 4 tablespoons of baking soda in 2 cups water and apply to affected area.
• Old fashioned Quaker Oats can also cool down a burn. Wrap 1 cup of dry oatmeal in a cloth and run cool water over it. Squeeze out the excess water and apply it to the burned area for about 20 minutes. You can use the same solution each time by rinsing it under the cold water before each application.
• For a quick fix, use baby wipes to soothe burns.
• Apply toothpaste to soothe a sunburn or minor burn.

• Combine 3 parts corn starch and 1 part lemon juice to form a paste and apply it to the bite or sting.
• Mosquito bites? A dab of a cotton ball soaked with a few drops of vinegar will prevent itching and swelling.
• Rub a little toothpaste on a mosquito/insect bite to soothe pain and itching.
• Moisten a cotton ball with mouthwash and cover the sting or bite. 

• Freeze apple cider vinegar in a foam egg carton. When needed to relieve an itch, pop out a vinegar cube and rub it on the spot.
• Lemon juice also relieves the itch and alleviates a rash from poison ivy.
• Making a paste of 3 parts baking soda and 1 part water can ease windburn or poison ivy irritations.
• Have hives, eczema flare-ups? Soak a cloth in a bowl of cold milk and apply to affected area. Wring out the cloth, soak in milk again and reapply.

Cuts and Scrapes

• Use baby wipes to clean scrapes, cuts and abrasions. After cleaning scrapes and cuts, rub the inside of a banana peel over the area. The sugar in bananas helps speed up the healing process as it contains antioxidant lutein.
• Shake on some cinnamon on a minor cut or scrape and apply a bandage. It cuts the numbing pain, stops the bleeding, and kills infection-causing bacteria. Added bonus – it smells great! 

The ECO Edge has a blog where we post information including everyday useful eco facts & tips, promo codes and exclusive offers. Subscribe to our blog today @ http://www.theecoedge.com/blog.php.

Learn more about The ECO Edge, our products - X-TRECO & Family Activity Organizer @ www.theecoedge.com.

The ECO Edge
www.theecoedge.com

Yes, it is official! We have just recently published a NEW fundraising video for you to view at your leisure.

Click on the following link http://www.youtube.com/user/ECOEdge11?feature=mhsn to view the fundraising video alongside the X-TRECO video at anytime.

Enjoy,

Spring Time :) What a wonderful refreshing time to get outside and start cleaning up.

But first of all we have an apology to make for one of last months' tips. As we are promoting chemical free products we let one tip slip through concerning stains on porcelain tubs, sinks and tiles. It involved using bleach which it totally not chemical free. A substitute for cleaning porcelain or ceramic surfaces is powdered laundry detergent.

Ready to get started? Here's some helpful ECO TIPS:

Cleaning your garage? 

• If you accidentally spill oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, etc. on your garage floor or driveway sprinkle salt on the spill and wait about 15 minutes. Salt will soak up some of the liquid and make it easier to clean up.
   
• Use dishwashing detergent or powdered laundry detergent to remove really tough stains. Cover stain with detergent, let sit for a while and then with some hot water scrub with a stiff brush.

• To keep grass from sticking to your lawnmower blades coat them with vegetable oil or Vaseline before mowing. It will keep the blades from getting rusty too! 

• Plant your seeds in the cups of a cardboard egg carton. When the seedlings are ready to be planted outside in the garden, plant them directly into the soil, carton and all!
   
• A fun way of planting your seeds ~ make unflavored, clear Knox gelatin in a small clear glass baking pan and drop some seeds on the top before the gelatin hardens completely. Children can watch the roots grow down as the plants grow up!

The fight against grime is a battle we face every day.There are many cleaning products out there but they are expensive, are toxic, and can harm our environment. Use X-TRECO the new world wide patented eco-friendly cleaning cloth for all your day-to-day cleaning. All you need to do is wet it, wring it, and wipe it. It is not only effective but safer for you and better for your planet if you do not use chemical cleaners. Do not underestimate the power of nature’s most effective cleaner ~ elbow grease.

For some of those tough, hard to clean spots in bathrooms here are some remarkable common household products that we have in our homes that we can use:

• Soap scum ~ around sinks and bathtubs use a solution of ¼ cup baking soda, ½ cup vinegar, 1 cup ammonia and 1 gallon water.
  
  
• Garbage containers ~ sprinkle some baking soda in the container after you have emptied it.
  
  
• Mildew areas ~ mix equal amounts of vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spray onto area and let sit for 15 minutes. Wipe clean.
  
  
• Dried-on Hairspray Residue ~ that is left on walls, vanities and floors use a mixture of 1 part fabric softener and 2 parts water. Spray on and wipe clean.
  • you can also use a small amount of shampoo on a sponge to wipe down those sticky hairspray spots and then rinse with X-TRECO.
    
    
• Toilets ~ once a week, overnight, pour 2 cups vinegar in the bowl and let sit (leave brush in bowl with lid closed to remind everyone that it is being cleaned).
  
  • brush toilet well and flush. This will keep hard-water stains away, clean and freshen your bowl.
    
    
• Showerheads ~ clogged? Put ½ cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar in a glad zipped sandwich bag and secure around showerhead with a rubber band and leave overnight.
  
  
• Stubborn Rust Stains ~ in showers + toilet bowls – make a paste of lemon juice and borax scrub on and then rinse.
  
  
• Shower Curtains ~ spray vinegar once or twice a week on the curtain to keep it free from mildew and soap scum.
  
  
• Drains ~ for a slow drain drop in a couple of Alka-Seltzer tablets and then 1 cup of vinegar. Flush with hot water.
  

Let us all get eco-friendly and clean chemical free!

Visit our website today to learn more about fundraising with X-TRECO.

The ECO Edge
www.theecoedge.com

Stay in touch with The ECO Edge and immediately find out about new events and products, receive exclusive offers and promo codes when you become a member of our Facebook page.

Click here to view The ECO Edge on Facebook and become a member TODAY!

You’ve done it? Good, now you will be notified on your Facebook homepage of wall posts and receive exclusive offers and promo codes directly to your email from The ECO Edge throughout the year.

If you haven’t done it yet do it right away so that you don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity.

Did you know that March 10th is annual Bottled Water-Free Day?

• Canadians consume over $650 million worth of bottled water annually
• 2.25 billion liters of bottled water is sold in Canada every year, and approximately 215.68 million kilograms of plastic needed to bottle that water. This is more than the weight of 1328 Boeing 747 airplanes.
• It takes 3 litres of water to produce 1 litre of bottled water
• In Canada, unless bottled water is specifically labeled "spring" or "mineral" it can come from any source. Over 25% of bottled water sold in Canada is packaged tap water.
• Canada has one of the world's largest fresh water supplies, yet over 100 brands of bottled water are sold here, many of them imported from places as far away as Fiji. Think of the fuel usage aand pollution implications!

Some questions to think about:

• Did you know that today most cities and municipalities in Canada have enforced the most regimented regulations regarding the quality and safety of their water supplies then ever before?
• Have you thought about the industrial purchase and repackaging of a basic and natural resource?
• Have you considered that you, your parents and grand parents turned out OK after drinking tap water while growing up?
• How about the fact that over one billion people in the developing world don't have access to safe, clean, potable water?

Take some time to consider all of the above points. How do you feel about bottled water? Should every day be bottle water-free day?

The above points, in addition to comments by The ECO Edge were taken from an article that was written by Daniela Syrovy on March 9, 2011. The full article can be found here.

We are ALL obsessed that our homes are to be free of bacteria, but the truth is that fingerprints, dust, spills and specks will continue to appear. A little warm water and a good strong wipe with a cloth called X-TRECO are sufficient for most cleaning tasks. It is not only plenty effective, but safer for you and better for your planet if you do not use all those household cleaning chemicals.

Do not underestimate the power of nature’s most effective cleaner ~ elbow grease. Here are some suggested natural cleaning solutions for your home:

• General Household Cleaner
  
  • Mix together – ½ cup of vinegar, and ¼ cup of baking soda in ½ gallon of water. Put this solution in spray bottles and you can use throughout the home for everyday cleaning.
• Kitchen Cleaner
  
  • Mix together – ¼ cup of baking soda and ⅔ cup of vinegar in a gallon of water. Store this mixture for up to three months in a spray bottle. This is a strong smelling grease cutter that will help you in your daily cleaning in the kitchen.
• Bathroom Cleaner
  
  •  Combining ¼ cup of baking soda and ¼ cup of water makes a great cleaner for your toilet ~ this paste will take stains off of the porcelain. Another great bathroom cleaner that you can use daily for cleaning is a mixture of 2 cups of baking soda, ½ cup of dish soap, 1 cup of water, and ½ cup of vinegar. Mixing this thoroughly you can use this to kill mildew and to cut soap scum.

We wish you a happy, healthy and green 2011!

The ECO Edge Co.

www.theecoedge.com
     

Are you looking to purchase a product this Christmas that is environmentally friendly and unique? Let us give you a list of people that would be 100% pleased with receiving X-TRECO, the revolutionary cleaning cloth that cleans any surface 100% streak free with just water:

1. Parents - Cleaning streak free without chemicals is already a huge deal however saving time and money is just what they want to hear going through the holidays!

2. Relatives - You need a simple present that is affordable and is actualy useful for near and far relatives. Personalize X-TRECO with your Christmas wishes and save on shipping (X-TRECO is light!).

3. Your Company or School Custodian - You always see them around and maybe even give them a nice "hello" or a friendly wave. Why not pass on X-TRECO which can change the way they clean the space you work in, this time chemical free!

4. A co-worker - You are already purchasing big gifts for close family and friends yet still want to buy something useful for your friends at work. Why not X-TRECO? It's affordable, safe, envrionmentally friendly, biodegradeable, useful and valuable.

5. YOU - X-TRECO leaves such lasting wonderful streak free surfaces that you need while you have your family over during Christmas. Just one wipe and you'll have ANY surface sparkling! You don't need extra work over the holidays and we know your busy, so make the switch and save time with X-TRECO TODAY!

PSST...type in the following promo code when ordering and save 10% on shipping!: XMAS10

Why should we get into the habit of turning our computers off when we leave work?

Did you know...

America could...

1. prevent the release of 39,452 tons of carbon-dioxide emissions
2. save $4.7 million in utility costs
3. reduce energy consumption by 54.3 million kilowatt-hours

IF every American turned off their computer(s) for one day!

This is a statement that all Canadians should take serious. When you leave work how many computers do you still see up and running in your office? In your next meeting or office discussion suggest that all computers are shut off at the end of each work day and especially before the weekend. Not only is it easy to implement and takes very little time but it could result in a huge positive impact.

Information retrieved from this article by Planet Green.

It is with great enthusiasm that we announce the official launch of our new website, www.theecoedge.com. We would like to express our thanks to the crew at Plinka Design for their patience throughout the design and building stages, their continued dedication, support and professionalism.

For all your graphic and web needs visit Plinka Design at http://plinkadesign.com/. 

Enjoy the new ECO Edge site and if necessary do not hesitate to contact us for more information.