Green Calgary

Healthy Homes Calgary Stories and Testimonials

 

Healthy Homes Calgary Testimonials

May 2012

For us, the most important part of the program was realizing the amount of chemicals we used on a daily basis in order to “Clean” our house.  This was an eye opener for us and something that we’re working on to make better in our house.   Having Green Calgary’s knowledge of this subject area was really important and very useful to us.

~ A & A Brown (2012 Healthy Homes participants)

 

 

April 2012

I thought I would email you with some feedback that I have noticed since having you over. We gradually switched over our chemicals to recipes that you supplied us with.  We’re not 100% finished with everything that we already had (I can’t find a shampoo recipe that I like long-term and we still have some hand lotion) but for the most part, there are no more chemicals in the house.

As you might recall, I have three little boys – 1, 3 and 5.  My oldest is in kindergarten, and my middle boy is in a once a week preschool program at the Y.  Lots of germ exposure, in other words!  Since November, we have not had a cold in the house, and aside from a stomach bug that my oldest boy had for a couple of weeks off and on in December, nobody has been sick at all (!!!) since Christmas.  I haven’t changed anything else – we’re all still on the same probiotics we’ve been on for two years, and the boys (especially my oldest who is a very selective eater) aren’t eating any differently.  All I can conclude is that my decreasing (and in terms of cleaning supplies, eliminating) the chemicals that we were being exposed to, their immune systems have been strengthened to the point that even being exposed to a plethora of germs, they’re not getting sick!
 
If I ever needed another reason to keep making my own products, that would definitely be it. Thank you again,
 
L.P. (2011 Healthy Homes participant)

 

April 2012

Thank you so much for visiting our home for our Healthy Homes visits. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with you and learned so much. We are excited about the changes we've made so far and are even MORE excited about all of our "green" plans for our home, our garden, and our future. Thank you for sharing your invaluable wisdom with us.

Sincerely, Stephanie and Lee

 

March 2012

Our organization has recently started a green initiative and to help jump start our internal program we invited Lynn McCallum, Healthy Homes Program Assistant, to provide us with a lunch and learn. This was more than what we were expecting. The information that was provided was helpful, insightful, and engaging. Not only was Lynn a wonderful presenter, but she also demonstrated a strong working knowledge of our community issues and gave easy to apply techniques to reduce our ecological footprint. I would recommend this for other organizations, individuals, or families.

~ Scott Watson, Human Resources Business Partner, Alberta Utilities Commission

 

 

March 2012

When I first signed-up for a Healthy Homes visit, I was a bit nervous because I was worried I wasn't 'green enough' and thought I might get judged for some of my eco faux pas. That wasn't the case at all.  My advisor was super friendly and non-judgemental. She answered all my questions and she helped me think about how to overcome barriers. I highly recommend a visit to any Calgary household.

~Julia

 

March 2012

Thanks Lauren! It was a pleasure having you come into our home and talking to us, changing our shower heads and taps, obtaining important information and receiving all the cool products. We have become more mindful about what we are putting in and on our body, saving money and helping the environment. 

~ Darlene H.

 

March 2012
My Healthy Homes visit was incredibly valuable.  I learned about simple steps I can take to make my home better not only for the environment, but for me and my family. My advisor was super friendly, non-judgemental, answered all my questions and helped me think about how to overcome barriers. I highly recommend a visit to any Calgary household!

~ Julia W

 

November 2011
Our family participated in the Healthy Homes Program offered by Green Calgary in the Spring of 2011.  We gained a tremendous amount through the program – so much so that it’s hard to know where to begin describing the benefits!  One thing we really appreciated was that our facilitator, did a great job of affirming the things we were already doing for the environment. Healthy Homes explained some benefits of the choices we had made, such as the cumulative effect of our choice to make our own laundry soap.  We also loved the opportunity to try new eco-friendly products and how our Healthy Homes taught us to differentiate between products that are truly environmentally sound and products that employ “green washing”. 

One reason I had asked for a Healthy Homes assessment was because I felt we had reached a plateau; we knew we were doing some things right, but also knew there was a lot more we could be doing. Healthy Homes did an excellent job of showing us where we could make further changes. They also gave us the tools and resources to assist us in those changes.  Something as simple as knowing that taking the time to install insulated electrical faceplates can save 3%-4% of your heating bill is inspiring because it is so doable and so rewarding.  We also love our new shower head as it enables us to switch easily between half-flow for sudsing or shaving and full-flow for rinsing off.  Our new hair care regimen includes homemade shampoo and conditioner, which we made by following the directions in the recipe book we received from Healthy Homes.  While each of these changes is quite minor, their cumulative effect is staggering.  When I think of how many thousands of litres of water are saved each year and how many chemicals are being avoided just in our little home I’m awed.

Some further changes our family has made as a result of our consultations include using our compost bin more.  At one point, our family of five was throwing out one 22 litre white kitchen garbage bag a day.  Now we dispose of one bag a week – and it’s rarely full!  Another factor that contributed to this reduction is that we buy more of our groceries in a whole state, which requires much less packaging and the packaging we do get is almost all recyclable.  This transition was made possible by the encouragement of the Healthy Homes team and because they gave us a list of wholesale retailers in Calgary, which made it easy for us to shop a little differently than before.

One thing I really love about the Healthy Homes program is that it has inspired and equipped us to continue making changes in our home.  I’m working out a new laundry routine so that our clothes can be hung to dry instead of exclusively relying on our fifteen-year-old dryer and my husband is researching energy efficient furnaces and hot water heaters as we anticipate making that switch in the near future. 

But perhaps the best benefit of participating in the Healthy Homes program is that we’ve joined an amazing new community.  My husband and I both look forward to the upcoming events offered through Green Calgary, namely, the canning class and the workshop on socially responsible investing.  Having the ongoing support of Green Calgary in terms of inspiration, resources, and expertise is a gift beyond compare.  I think everyone should participate in Healthy Homes!  Just imagine!

~ Rhonda C.

 

November 2011
I am so impressed with the Healthy Homes Program and HIGHLY recommend that EVERYONE sign up for it. The professional and knowledgeable Healthy Homes Advisor provided my husband and I with a thorough assessment of our energy and chemical use in our home and left us with a plethora of samples, practical tips, rebate coupons, recipes and resources that we continue to use today. We now use all the products that were left as samples (yes, they actually work!!) and I have made several cleaning and hygiene recipes from The Clean Home Handbook By Lauren Mangion. I continue to save money weekly as a result of the Healthy Homes Program. Each dollar that I paid for this service feels like $25 in return.  It's a fabulous project which gets us all thinking about what we are putting onto and into our body, how we impact our globe and how we can live healthier, more sustainable lives. If you care about your health and the health of the our future generations, I highly recommend you invite a Healthy Homes Advisor into your home.

~Amiee

 

October 2011 - Red Amber Green, Ready Set Go!
Already Green, my son says you must be the Greenest Mom in Calgary.  We have now replaced the insulation on the outside wall electrical outlets, most bulbs where possible are energy efficient.  We are conscious of the electricity usage and turn off when not in use. The bedrooms had blinds and now we have installed heavier curtains for warmth.  Our second compost bin is fully operational.  It became easier knowing the technique by attending the workshop. I am already raking the fallen leaves, so that I will have enough throughout the winter.  I have planted some chilli pepper seeds in the fall hopefully for their arrival in
spring/summer.  The rain barrel has been great for watering all the outdoor trees/shrubs.  Inside the home we have an alkaline water machine that spits out acidic water, which we use to wash fruits and vegetables
and water the plants.  In the bathroom I collect the cold water in a bucket before the arrival of hot water from the showerhead, which would otherwise go down the drain. This water is then used for cleaning the sink and tub, or wash the floors.   We have NOT put out our blue or black bin  all of September and it is now 12 October.  There is hardly any garbage!  The heat only goes on when necessary, wearing layers helps. Additionally, we use our fruit bags again and again until un-usable and then send them recycling.  We wash the ziplock bags.  Keep grocery bags in all your vehicles, so you are not caught bagless. Do your whites, darks, sheets and towels when full loads.  Dishwasher, let air dry powering off heat dry.  Leting the sun in through your windows helps warm up the home.  Put “No unaddressed ad mail” sign in your community mailbox for the Mailman.  We called the Flyerforce to cancel any delivery of flyers 7+ years.  Become a library member and loan out books and dvd/cds. Buy bulk where possible (eg. Lentils, specialty foods) so you do not drive long distances.  As winter approaches, wear thermal and keep a blanket, etc in the car.  Gargle with warm salt water every night, keeping the bugs and bills at bay!  As more of us become GREEN, we will be less of a burden to our planet, Mother Earth and our children, grand-children and great grand-children will be able to enjoy the same natural resources that we have. LET US ALL LEAVE OUR CARING IMPRINT, BY BEING THE ROLE MODELS FOR OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS, THEY WILL APPRECIATE OUR EFFORTS.

~ ams - Green Human Being, Calgary

 

June 2011
I would just like to thank you for coming to our house on Monday and giving us such valuable advice and products.  I am so looking forward to starting composting, will be collecting the composter on Saturday.  I am
slowly talking to my parnter around not having the whole back yard covered in grass too.  I will keep a journal of what changes we make so we can discuss next time.  Even my daughter went through the booklet and is planning to make her own lip balm and personal products this weekend.  She was jealous of our new shower head so we will buy her one at the weekend, hopefully this will stop her having deep baths all the time.

~ Joanne

 

June 2011
Thanks again for your visit. We were very impressed and have started to make changes already. The power strips are now on the TV and computer down stairs, many of the chemical cleaners will be properly disposed of, the vinegar is in the dishwasher, the castile soap cleaner is mixed up in the spray bottle and I am singing your praises to friends and co-workers. I can hardly wait to see what differences the changes make...the shower head is great!!!  Thanks again for all the information, have a great summer and look forward to reconnecting in a couple of months.   Take Care.  

~  Anne

R's of Exellence Award - October 2011

Congratulations to Green Calgary's Healthy Homes program for winning the Community-Based Social Marketing Award at the Recycling Council of Alberta conference!
Congratulations to all other award recipients!

Calgary Award! - June2011

Green Calgary's Healthy Homes Program is very honoured to announce our recent acceptance of the 2010 Calgary Award!

Healthy Homes was awarded The Environmental Achievement Award for a Not-for-Profit Group- recognizing and celebrating Calgarians and local organizations for outstanding achievements and significant contributions to improving the quality of life in Calgary.

Thank you so much to all the Healthy Homes participants, volunteers and program sponsors- you all played an integral part in helped us achieve this honour!

For more information on the Calgary Awards, visit calgary.ca/calgaryawards

Alberta Emerald Award Finalist - June2011

Healthy Homes Calgary was nominated as a finalist in the 2011 Emerald Awards. We wish to offer a heartfelt congratulations to all the 2011 winners and to Climate Change Central for their non-profit award win and the wonderful work they do for our province!

 

Video

The Healthy Homes Calgary Submission to the 2010 Alberta Emerald Awards

Cindy Fitz shares her experience in the Healthy Homes program.

Ursula de Vries talks about how Healthy Homes gave her inspiration to begin gardening and raising chickens.

Heather Liska talks about household cleaners and air fresheners and how they impacted her son's health (video 1 of 2).

(Video 2 of 2)