February EnVision

Daydream Paradise

How many of us dream of some day having our own little home in the woods? It might be amidst the majestic old growth of B.C. or the tropical and magical rainforest of, say, Costa Rica. But what if, the day your daydream comes true, there are no more forests? Your comfy little house wouldn’t find a home; at least, not in the ancient and endangered forests. Here’s a way to realize the dream and put confidence in the fact that, while you’re saving for your retirement, you’re also saving the very forests where you may want to live. Citizens Bank of Canada (Vancity’s online bank) is offering a very competitive four-per-cent RRSP (on a one-year fixed term deposit). And here’s the thrill: for every $100 you contribute, they’ll donate $1 to preserving old growth. Info: citizensbank.ca/Personal/Products/RRSP/AncientForests/.

Want to know more about socking away money, while promoting a softer footprint? Join SharedVISION for its Ethical Evening on Feb. 15

Spa From the Sea

Seaweed is big in France. Thalassotherapy (spa treatments with seaweed and salt water) is all the rage in Europe. Not just along the coast of Brittany and in Atlantic resorts such as Biarritz, but also in Ireland. So where, asks the savvy spa-goer, is the B.C. equivalent? Look no further than Sherina Jamal’s Ancient Secrets, a unique spa- and skin-care line that draws on the bounty of our natural environment to create luscious products that rival the best Europe has to offer. Ingredients include Canadian glacial clay (helps remove toxins, heal skin conditions, and reduce inflammation) and Pacific seaweeds (with vital micronutrients that revitalize tired skin), which make for a luxurious and local line. And the trip to Commercial Drive’s Flaming June Day Spa, where you can experience the treatments, is a bargain compared to a flight to Paris. Info: 604-253-8001 or ancientsecrets.ca.

Caffeine Consciousness

When you sip your morning cup, are you plagued by the thought that Third World farmers may have been exposed to DDT and are paid next to nothing? Even if you’re a simple hedonist focused on your quality caffeine fix, Ethical Bean is for you. Its organic, fair-trade, pesticide-free coffee is grown using traditional methods that, unlike big agro-business, do not cause soil erosion or harm human beings and wildlife. The company’s smaller footprint includes its new Vancouver “green” headquarters and compostable packaging for the coffee. In addition, the Festival and Family blends benefit the Vancouver Folk Music Festival and the Adoptive Families Association of B.C. Surprised that doing the right thing can taste so dark, rich, and full-bodied? Now you’ll never know if that post-latte buzz comes from the caffeine or your contented conscience. Info: ethicalbean.com.

Natural Glamour

Are you a closet fashionista with an environmental conscience? Do you cast longing, furtive glances at Vogue mag­azines you see in the recycling bin? Now you can have your haute couture and wear it too with Puraza Design. Inspired by the Okanagan Valley’s natural beauty when she moved there last year, founder Nicole Brown launched a line of eco-friendly hemp handbags, dyed naturally and adorned with delicate beadwork. The bags were so popular that she began creating earrings made of hemp thread, semi-precious stones and sterling silver. Now Brown is exploring new materials—such as recycled silver from negatives—and combining them with turquoise nuggets, faceted garnets and smooth blue apatite beads. Freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystals add a touch of glam. Available at Granville Island Organix, 604-681-4243.

Respect Your Bottom Dollar

It’s not just a yoga mat, it’s a yoga mat with a purpose. Lululemon is perhaps best known for its recognizable pants, which seem to have taken this city by storm by turning yoga wear into a socially acceptable form of clothing for everyday living. It’s what’s under your yoga-toned butt, however, that truly reveals the company’s ethos.At Lululemon, yoga is about interconnectedness: all beings and the environment must be treated with respect. With its Eco Yoga Mat, Lululemon has rolled up its philosophy into a nifty little package. Made out of non-toxic material (PVC- and chloride-free), the Eco Yoga Mat is recyclable, biodegradable, and naturally compostable. Info: 1-877-263-9300 or lululemon.com.

An Electric Ride

If your favourite movie is a toss-up between Who Killed the Electric Car and Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless, then E-Ride is your de rigueur choice for wheels. Indulge both your penchant for saving the environment and your Jean Seberg-on-a-scooter je ne sais quoi aesthetic with one of E-Ride’s electric bikes. Ranging from electric motor­cycles all the way down the vehicular food chain to electric skateboards, somewhere in the middle is the electric bicycle, which allows you the best of both worlds. You can pedal to your heart’s content, but if the hills get too steep, make use of the NiMH light battery and geared motor that will speed you to 80 km/h. Definitely a 2007 option for Jean, if only she hadn’t succumbed to the wiles of slimy men and dodgy CIA types. Info: e-ride.ca.

Vogue Lumber

Say the word “vogue” and most people think of high fashion or a Madonna song, not lumber. That is unless they are privy to Men’s Vogue and the Eco-Lumber Co-op. This innovative Vancouver-based lumber company has been featured in numerous publications and is quickly climbing the architectural ranks. For a start, the co-op’s Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified cedar is part of the Ray Kappe-designed Living Homes project in Santa Monica, California, recently featured in Dwell, Modernism, LA Magazine, Business Week, and Men’s Vogue. Other projects currently underway include the Victoria Tube Station in London; Queens Botanical

Garden in Flushing, New York; and Sustainable Condo in Vancouver. Eco-Lumber is committed to tracking products from the forest, through the manufacturing process, and into customers’ hands, thus telling customers the story behind the wood that will eventually be built into their lives. Info: 604-278-4300 or ecolumber.ca.

An EPIC Production

While our water infrastructure and daily newspapers may have a long way to go before they reach that coveted “world class” status, Vancouver is definitely on the sustainability map. What better way to celebrate our growing green consciousness than with Vancouver’s first

Sustainable Living Expo? EPIC (Ethical Progressive Intelligent Consumer) will be held at Canada Place March 16-18 and aims to celebrate both producers and consumers committed to supporting a better world. Featured are guest speakers, innovators, and local companies, pushing the design edge from practical to sexy. If you fancy yourself an Eco-Einstein, check out EPIC’s video competition—in tandem with treehugger.com and Seventh Generation Inc.—for the best film that addresses conscious consumerism and climate change. First prize is $5,000, a jorg&olif city bike, and a pair of biodegradable shoes from John Fluevog. All entries must be received by Feb. 28. Details at epicvancouver.com/contest.cfm.