Fleurbain

Author: tammy.schmidt

  • Steingraber exposes the links between the environment, industry and our health

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    Last night I viewed a compelling documentary called Living Downstream. ?áIt follows the American ecologist, poet and cancer survivor Sandra Steingraber as she tours throughout North America educating people about the links between the environment, industry and health. ?áI found it was a great documentary because it was sensitive to the real issues that must…

  • Photographing Home

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    A few years ago I needed to sell my little cute home. I took some photographs of it in renovated-state, just to remember how great it was. Unfortunately, my Real Estate Agent hadn’t taken such good shots. The only photo they?áhad taken?áwas a distant, exterior shot that just made my place look small and didn’t…

  • gratitude

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    This is a sentimental entry as well as somewhat of a departure from the typical ‘Fleurbain concept’. In the last few days, I have thought about the folks?áwho have got through to me. ?áThese people have been my teachers. I am overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude for the people in my life who have…

  • Herbal Creativity Spa Weekend: Valentine

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    The pinnacle of the dark, dreary days of winter is a purgatory that rests between Christmastime and SpringÔǪ February. Installed into February is a day that is supposed to be a celebration of ÔÇ£LoveÔÇØ. Many lament the commercialisation of ValentineÔÇÿs Day, and resent the high expectations and sadness that come with so many of our…

  • regrets over garlic

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    I am?áenrolled in?áa CSA programme. Like many people, I supplement?áthe bi-weekly?ágrab-bag of organic vegetable goodies?áthat are delivered from “my” farm with additional produce, ideally purchased at one of Montreal’s farmer’s markets. This past fall I bought two different, and regrettable,?ábundles of garlic. The first was a big?ábag: “A Winter’s Worth of Garlic”. It came in…

  • delicious stuff, some might call it ice-cream

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    A month ago, I was putting the following ingredients together for a fruit sauce. ?áWhile making it, I was reminded of ice cream. ?áIt looked delicious and cold. I gave it a taste, and it was amazing! ?áSo I decided that I was indeed making ice cream. ?áThis combination is sweet, but not too sinful.…

  • Recipe Adaptation: Mom’s Scuffles

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    I have been living away from “home” now for four Christmases-worth. Happily, each year I have managed to spend the holiday season with good friends, enjoyed many wonderful meals and parties, and witnessed others’ traditions. There’s no place like home for the Holidays?áin many things, though… and for me, a big part of what makes…

  • My Zen Cat and Super-Rug

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    I have a cat whose name is Iggy. He likes to stare at the wall. I can relate to this; whenever I need to step away from the distractions of my life, I will stare at something. This can prove to be a little awkward when I’m out in public.?áIn that case it?áis good to…

  • small-scale efforts

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    Billionaires, governments, large-scale industry and important people can make major moves in helping the planet.?á?áHowever, when it comes to making a significant impact for sustainable change, it is easy to overlook small efforts, micro traditions and tiny plots that also make a big impact in helping create change.?á?áHere is an example of the importance of…

  • Getting To Know Galleries (a supportive guide for artists)

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    Galleries can be intimidating for artists to approach.?áKnowledge is power, so it is important to understand a bit about galleries before you approach them. Most galleries have websites so you don’t have to go pummel the person working there with questions, and you can research many different?ágalleries from the comfort of your computer-screen. I do…