I don’t remember anybody eating anything other than ice-cream in theatres in the UK. As a child, I can remember the thrill during the “intermission” when the ice-cream lady would walk to the front of the theatre and stand there, with her tray of ice-cream bars supported by a neck strap, and a small light focusing on the product. We would line up quietly and take our ice-cream bar back to our seats. I loved the chocolate covered bar and only ever had one at the cinema. I have a vague recollection that she might have also sold small bags of peanuts, but cannot be sure. Regardless, they were not crunchy foods!

I can also recall going to the Royal Festival Hall in London for a classical concert and learning early on that food and beverages were to be consumed outside the concert hall. Woe betide any concertgoer who dared to take in a packet of candies or, worse, a beverage. They would probably have been sent to the Tower!

So why, then, do North Americans feel compelled to sit and stuff their faces with over-priced popcorn during a movie. Is it a ritual that is learned in childhood? Is it brainwashing from the POS marketing materials at the cinema (i.e. your visit is incomplete without …?) Or, is it just that I am of a different generation?

Perhaps future movie theatres will have specially designated areas for popcorn eaters!!

Globally, the annual production of synthetic chemicals has grown from one million tons in 1930 to 200 million tons today. And, here’s the scary part: of the approximately 900 common chemicals tested over a 30 year period, ONE has been deemed non-carcinogenic; 95 are known cancer-causing agents, 370 are possible carcinogens and the rest haven’t been sufficiently studied (Research by the World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer.)

Pretty scary stuff … and yet more proof that consumers should be cautious about using products with synthetic chemical ingredients. A simple guideline when reading labels seems to be if you cannot read it easily, don’t buy the product!

Today’s Vancouver Sun reports:

OTTAWA — The federal government on Friday declared four chemicals widely used in paints, varnishes, stains and industrial cleaners as toxic to human health, paving the way for their possible ban in products.

Read more at http://www.vancouversun.com/Health/chemicals+slapped+with+toxic+label/1369842/story.html

I have become increasingly concerned about the chemicals that surround us in our day-to-day lives and when I hear that 50% of cancers are preventable, this makes me determined to minimize the risks from those preventables in our lives.

My friends know that I am an ardent watchdog, always seeking to change to products and services that are friendly to our health as well as the health of mother earth. But I hadn’t thought of this until I was talking with a friend recently …

Pink Solution (PS) has been around a long time. We bought a tub of the pink jel-like cleaner at a Home Show many years ago and while we were convinced of its efficacy based on a demonstration at that time, we weren’t as aware as we are now of the health hazards associated with regular cleaning materials, so it wasn’t used for long … until now.

My friend told me she uses it for all her household cleaning tasks and that it works wonders, even for steam-cleaning carpets. So I went out and bought a new tub – the product is no longer pink, but white. It cost just $22.99 for a one-litre tub and my local hardware store, and this amount will last a long time since it is more often used diluted.

The container states that that the multi-purpose cleaner is non-toxic, organic and bio-degradable product, and – a BIG plus here – safe to use around children and animals. Also, that the solution (you make up a light or heavy mix depending on desired use), can be used as “the one cleaner that is only limited by your imagination.” Apparently, PS can be used for a multitude of jobs, including kitchens, floors, pets, fireplaces, stone, vehicles, boats, campers etc., bathrooms, carpets and upholstery. Of course, though, as with all non-food products, PS should be kept out of the reach of children.
I made up spray bottles of the light and the heavy mixes and am now using them for everything, from stone to stainless steel. And best of all … it works without any chemicals!

For more information, visit www.pinksolution.ca

Well, our first snowfall is here and as usual, we are busily clearing the driveway and paths around the house.

I couldn’t find my snowboots so I slipped on my fancy, patterned rubber boots. Well, after I had slipped on the boots, I also slipped on the areas that hubby had cleared, struggling to stay vertical a couple of times (our driveway is steep.)

Certainly, these boots are great for keeping feet dry in the rain, but be warned, rubber gum- wellington- or otherwise-named boots are NOT safe when walking on icy or snow-covered concrete unless they are specifically designed for such conditions.

Heeding my hubby’s advice, “those boots are hard rubber so the traction isn’t good for snow” I searched for – and found – my snow boots, made of a softer rubber with deep treads. I now feel confident as my feet grip the ground, like snow tires.

Patterned, fancy rubber boots are very popular these days, even a fashion statement. It follows, then, that people may think these boots will keep them fashionable in the snow and venture out into the winter conditions.

Forearmed is forewarned. Please take care.