We Canadians are indoors more than a lot of people because of our climate’s relatively low temperatures, so the air we breathe in our homes and places of business is a particularly important factor in our overall health.

Much has been said about the impact of ‘offgassing’ - the release of VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) through evaporation, emitted from many building materials and items in our homes - and its contribution to poor air quality in the home. Are you impacted by them?

Materials such as painted and sprayed finishes, insulation, flooring, cabinets, and countertops are popular contributors. Furniture made from particleboard or plywood is included, as is synthetic carpet. Because this offgassing evaporation process can continue for years after purchase, you are subjected to these chemicals long after that ‘new carpet’ smell goes away.

Thankfully, identifying the problem has led to many new solutions to dealing with the offending ‘offgassing’ materials and items, and options abound. So whether you are planning to redecorate or renovate, be sure you consider these tips to reduce or eliminate offgassing in your home;

Wood – use solid, untreated wood whenever possible. It costs more, but has no offgassing and adds value to your home.
Paint – choose low or no-VOC brands, available in a full range of colours and purposes.
Flooring – new or reused hardwood is a good choice, as are ceramic tile, stone, linoleum, cork and bamboo. Finish with a low or no-VOC stain and sealer.
Carpet – area rugs are preferable. Choose ones made of untreated, natural fibers.
Countertops - natural stone such as granite and marble or ceramic tile.
Furniture – covering should be natural fibers. Plus ask about the level of VOC’s in the stuffing and backing used.

If replacing offending items isn’t in the cards at the moment, you can drastically reduce offgassing from anything paintable by coating with a low-VOC sealer.

People thought paying for bottled water was a crazy idea when it was first introduced. Now, it's common. But is it really necessary?

Most Canadians are blessed with a very safe and reliable source of drinking water. Why bother paying for another source, especially when you consider the negative impact of plastic bottles on the environment;

• difficult/costly to recycle.
• often end up with regular garbage – then the landfill, where they take ages to break down.
• potential leaching of chemicals into the water.
• must be transported by fossil fuel-burning trucks and trains.
• wind blows them around easily, littering sports fields and playgrounds everywhere.

So be eco-friendly - drink tap water while at home and take it with you when out. (Use a stainless steel water bottle to avoid any potential leaching of harmful chemicals into your drink from plastic or plastic lined bottles.)

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf's a flower."
- Albert Camus

Halloween is always a fun, exciting time for kids. Spread out their enjoyment of this memorable time for them by starting your jack o’ lantern carving early. They last quite a while left alone, and sometimes look even better, scarier after sitting carved for a week or so.

Try these tips;

• Decide on your design before choosing a pumpkin. The size and shape of your design will determine whether you need a tall, narrow pumpkin or a short, round one.
• Scratches, dents and gouges can be incorporated into your design.
• Larger pumpkins are best for young children. It gives them a larger 'canvas' on which to create.
• Beginners should choose a simple, bold pattern to start with.
• ‘Uncarved’ jack-o'-lanterns can be made by painting on the face with royal icing.
• To remove large pieces easily and avoid damaging your jack o’ lantern, first cut them into smaller chunks.
• Use toothpicks to securely hold things like ears or noses in place.
• Coat the cut edges of a jack-o'-lantern with petroleum jelly to help them last longer.
• The longer the candle is left burning, the quicker the pumpkin will decompose.
• Discourage critters from gnawing on your creation by sprinkling some pumpkin pie spice inside. Smells nice, too!

Halloween Fun Recipes - These scary eyeballs are easy to make and fun to surprise your guests with. I also vary the recipe a bit and add them to tomato juice for the kids.

Copper Fall Wreath - Crafting isn't just for the kids. I made a really beautiful wreath made of copper that absolutely everyone is commenting on since I put it up last week. This site tells you everything you need to know to create one for yourself.

Alternatives to Raking Leaves - Raking sucks! Composting and mulching is better. Plus, it's good for the earth - the big round one we live on and the stuff under your feet.

Thanksgiving Turkey Alternatives - Turkey is great! In fact, not having turkey isn't an option at our house at Thanksgiving. But we also make another dish for variety. Try one of these as an alternative or addition to your turkey dinner.

Did j’a know that one of the best known wild plants, found just about everywhere in Canada, is also one of the most useful? Hikers, backpackers and wilderness experts prize the common Cattail (typha latifolia) for its versatility. It can help keep you warm and comfortable and be eaten at any time of the year!

Did j’a know;

• In the spring, the fresh tips of cattails can be cut from the mud, rinsed, and eaten either raw or cooked. Apparently they are both nutritious and tasty.
• In early summer, the lower several inches of the stem (white) will be tender and delicious. Carefully pull them loose at the base, rinse and enjoy. Raw, they taste like cucumber. Cooked, the taste is a little like corn.
• Later in the summer, the flower heads can be harvested and enjoyed. Pick them while the spike —composed of protein-and-carb-rich pollen—is still green. Boil the upper part until tender, add salt and butter, and eat like corn on the cob.
• By mid-summer, yellow pollen will start falling from the flower heads. This can be shaken into a container and used to thicken soups or even mixed with flour for making bread.
• In the fall and winter, the rope-like cattail roots that crisscross the swamps can be collected, cleaned and mashed to extract starch that can be used to make a type of bread or in soups.
• Dead and dried out flower heads are very flammable and stay dry even in heavy rains. Broken open, they make excellent fire starters.
• The ‘fluff’ from the flower heads can be used as insulation. If ever stranded outdoors in the cold, it can be stuffed in your shirt and pants to keep you warm, or used as bedding.
• The long, flat leaves of cattails are excellent for weaving. Even dried out leaves can be soaked in water to give them back their flexibility. In early civilizations they were woven into mats, baskets, and other containers.

Bibme.org - Ben, age 13, says, "This site is a great resource for school projects and other things involving a bibliography. All you have to do is put in the info and it will set up a printable bibliography."

Pinecone Turkeys - Samantha, age 8, says, “Grandma’s helping me to make a Pinecone Turkey for everyone coming to Thanksgiving dinner at our house this year. They look really cute. They can take them home with them too, if they want.”

Halloween Fun Food - Nicholas, age 11, says, “My brother and I always make some cool, scary things to eat at Halloween. And we have to try them out first, of course. This site has lots of good ones. Try the Barbeque Worm Sandwiches. They’re easy to make.”

Halloween Quiz - Kia, aged 7, says, “This is a fun quiz about Halloween stuff. I did okay. I got one wrong. I never knew what a mummy was.”

Download free Halloween fonts to spice up your communications for the scary season. You can find a great selection here and here.

Follow these simple steps to install your new scary font file in Microsoft Windows:

1. Close any open Windows applications, such as Microsoft Word or Outlook.
2. In Control Panel, click Appearance and Themes.(Note; If you are using Control Panel Classic view or Microsoft Windows 2000, double-click Fonts, and then go to step 4.)
3. In the task pane, under See Also, click Fonts. (Note; If a folder tree appears instead of the task pane, click Folders on the toolbar, and then under See Also, click Fonts.)
4. On the File menu, click Install New Font.
5. In the Drives list, click the drive you want.
6. In the Folders list, double-click the folder that contains the fonts you want to add.
7. Under List of fonts, click the font you want to add, and then click OK.

“This Halloween the most popular mask is the Arnold Schwarzenegger mask. And the best part? With a mouth full of candy you will sound just like him.” ~ Conan O'Brien

“An optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day.” ~ Irv Kupcinet

“Autumn is a season followed immediately by looking forward to spring.” ~ Doug Larson

“Thanksgiving. Man, not a good day to be my pants.” ~ Kevin James