Anytime we find an innovative product that is durable, beautiful, versatile and takes an environmentally-friendly step in the right direction, we need to share it with others. Such is the case for Recycled Leather Flooring from a Canadian company that is available from coast to coast.

Torly’s leather flooring is a manufactured product that offers a wide range of colours and textures, and can be used just about anywhere in the home or office. Available in both planks and square tiles, this luxurious leather flooring gives any room a look of distinction.

The finished product consists of 3 layers. The top surface is a 2.7mm layer of post-industrial recycled leather. Beneath this is a core of softwood. The bottom layer is recycled cork - wine stoppers and shoe soles.

Installation is a snap! Tiles and planks are easily installed without any nails, screws or adhesive. Torly uses a Uniclic® joint system that requires only simple tools to install - ideal for the DIY’er in your family.

Though not environmentally perfect, this product scores highly with green consumers because it;

• uses leather and cork that would otherwise end up in landfills.
• employs a softwood centre, wood that is quicker to grow and sustainably harvested.
• lasts a long time, reducing the need to be thrown out and replaced like some other flooring products (25 year warranty – even if you move it from one room/home to another twice!)
• can be easily moved and reused/recycled. (just pick it up, clean it off, and take it to your local ‘reuse centre’.)
• does not require any underlay, saving additional materials.
• does not emit harmful VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compound), no added formaldehyde and it exceeds California Indoor Air Quality standards, among the most stringent in the world.

Learn more and find the dealer nearest you at http://www.torlys.com/.

Carpeting manufacturers have answered the call of green-minded consumers for products that are healthier and that come from sustainable sources. Low VOC-emitting carpet, carpet backing, cushions and adhesives have all been improved from an eco-friendly standpoint. But if you want no VOC’s, go natural;

Wool has been used for carpets for hundreds of years – long before ‘green’ became more than just a colour. Wool is the most popular of eco-friendly carpet fibres, and is cherished for its beauty, luxurious feel, and durability. Wool is biodegradable and non-allergenic, and it requires less cleaning because it is naturally soil-resistant, adding to its durability.
Sisal is another natural option that has gained popularity with eco-conscious carpet buyers. Sisal is a fibre derived from a cactus plant and has excellent wear and resiliency characteristics - stronger and more durable than many other fibres.
Jute, traditionally used as a carpet backing, has also become a fibre of choice for many homeowners concerned about the indoor air they breathe. It has many of the same qualities as sisal, although it is not as sturdy.

Other natural fibres used for carpets include coir (coconut fibre), hemp, paper and seagrass.

When buying carpet, the under-pad you choose can be just as important as the carpet itself. Under-padding will add to the comfort level, reduce fatigue to the body, help reduce noise and increase your carpet’s durability. Thankfully there are a number of environmentally-friendlier, low-VOC solutions for padding material, too. Again, if you want no VOC’s at all, a natural fibre is the answer; animal hair, felt or jute.

Over the years there have been many items and products that have garnered interest from people looking for natural aphrodisiacs. Some – like Spanish Fly – have reached almost legendary status. But they may not be the answer you need…

Spanish Fly – True Spanish Fly is actually ground-up blister beetle, an insect indigenous to Europe. The beetle’s caustic, acid-like juice causes a burning and swelling sensation in the urinary tract as it ‘exits’ the body that some misconstrue as sexual stimulation. The Spanish Fly sold today is simply pepper or other heat-inducing spice combinations.

Rhino Horn – It is hard to imagine that ingesting the powered horn from a species that we have put on the brink of extinction would improve our sex drive. It’s a belief and tradition that itself should become extinct because studies show that it is totally without basis – and illegal.

Alcohol – Alcohol in small doses may lower some people’s inhibitions and help get them ‘in the mood’, but it also obscures one’s sense of reason. Worse yet, alcohol has been found to contribute to erectile dysfunction.

Chocolate - Eating chocolate does set off serotonin which triggers an amino acid that releases hormones, but in such small amounts that it isn’t noticed. The notion of chocolate as an aphrodisiac relates more to marketing efforts by chocolate producers.

Did j’a know…

• The Maple Leaf was first proposed as an emblem of Canada in 1834.
• In 1858, the maple leaf first appeared on Canadian coins; the 1, 5, 10 and 20 cent pieces.
• In 1867, at the time of our Confederation, Canada's national flag was the same as Britain’s; the Royal Union Flag or Union Jack.
• The Canadian Red Ensign was flown as Canada’s first distinctive flag by Sir John A. Macdonald, Canada's first Prime Minister.
• The red - white - red pattern of our flag had been used as early as 1899 on the General Service Medal issued by Queen Victoria.
• Red and white were designated as Canada's official colours in 1921 by His Majesty, King George V.
• In 1964, a Special Committee whittled down proposed Canadian Flag designs to three; one incorporating three red maple leaves with blue bars, one with a single stylized red maple leaf on a white square with red bars, and another version that had both the Union Jack and three fleurs-de-lis.
• On January 28, 1965, the National Flag of Canada was proclaimed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, to take effect on February 15, 1965.

Happy National Flag of Canada Day!

A loose pivot screw or rivet can leave space between the two cutting edges of a pair of scissors as they slide past each other, reducing the ‘shearing’ effect. This looseness can be the result of wear and tear or simply poor craftsmanship. But not to worry – there is an easy solution…

If the scissors halves are attached with a screw, simply tightening is in order. If the problem is that the screw repeatedly loosens again, use a product designed to ‘lock’ that screw in place.

If it is a rivet that joins the scissors, it too can be ‘tightened’. Open the scissors and place on a hard, flat surface. Using a hammer, strike the rivet head lightly. Test the cutting action after each tap to make sure you don’t overdo it. Repeat until scissors cut as desired.

“They laughed when I said I was going to be a comedian. They're not laughing now.” ~Bob Monkhouse

“USA Today has come out with a new survey - apparently, three out of every four people make up 75% of the population.” ~David Letterman

“Love is an exploding cigar we willingly smoke.” ~Lynda Barry