Stay Safe This Long Weekend: Water Safety

We, at Roots, hope everyone has a fun and fabulous long weekend! But one key to that is water safety.

For those of you visiting the beach, a dock or going out on a boat this weekend remember make sure you, and your whole family stay safe.

enjoying swimming on Wolfe Island in Lake Ontario

Here are a few tips for making sure that your weekend is safe and stays fun:

Before you head out, make sure you check the weather reports for the day. You don't want to be in an unexpected storm while out on the boat or at the beach. While out on the water, make sure you keep an eye on the sky. Weather reports aren't always 100% correct and storms can pop up out of no where.

If you plan on going swimming, don't go in the water alone. You never know what could happen. Even if you are a professional swimmer or have been swimming all your life. It's better to be prepared than run into a bad or scary situation alone. Also before diving in make sure you check the depth first and remember that water levels constantly change throughout the season.

When going out on the boat, before you leave shore, make sure you've got all the equipment you'll need while on the water. Also make sure that everyone on board has, and is wearing, a lifejacket, you take a paddle, a sound making device like a whistle and a bailer. Make sure you've got a first aid kit and a flare gun just in case.

And one final tip: driving a boat is no different than driving a car; make sure you have a designated driver to ensure everyone arrives safely. We wish everyone a fun and safe Labour Day weekend!

For more information about boat and water safety, check out some of these links:

The Canadian Yachting Association

Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons

Canadian Red Cross

Canadian Lifesaving Society

Mother Nature's pH Balance

Guest post by Goodkin

Now that we are in May and are quickly moving towards summer, it's easy to look outside and see how nature is evolving. Here in Los Angeles, the changes are subtle, and yet, we still feel them in our bodies. The kids are wearing shorts now and wanting to go swimming (and we adults are hoping that we can fit in to our bathing suits!). This may help motivate us to change our diets. 

We all want to take care of ourselves and at this time of the year it seems only natural that we want to find a balance for ourselves and our children. Kids seem to naturally reach for something sweet, and this can present a problem when we are trying to keep them healthy. 

In our family, we try to provide that balance by offering green vegetables to infuse our daughter's system with its much needed counter-balance after a day full of carbohydrates. 

Everything we eat can be broken down into acid and alkaline content, which in turn, affects the natural pH chemistry of our bodies.  Many of the foods that we naturally reach for, especially children are high in acid. Foods like bread, crackers, pasta, cookies, candy and cheese may be quick and easy, but are acidic. That is why paying attention to foods like broccoli and other green vegetables is important to keep the body healthy. Without that balance it's easier to get sick.

 To maintain health, the diet should consist of roughly 60% alkaline forming foods and 40% acid forming foods.  To restore health, after an illness, the diet should consist of 80% alkaline forming foods and 20% acid forming foods. In other words, the more alkalizing foods we can eat, the more our body likes it. 

• Watermelon
• Apples
• Green Beans
• Broccoli
• Bananas
• Avocado
• Carrots

For a more extensive list, click here. As we get closer to summer, it's easier to find more of these foods available to us. That's the beauty of nature's abilty to give us what we need to keep us healthy.        

Are you mindful of the pH chemistry of foods when deciding your family's diet? Are there any foods on the alkalizing foods list that you know your picky eaters would like? Let us know what you think!

Goodkin is a website devoted to family.

The definition of what matters most in life, the connection with those we love, has broadened and made room for people to create worlds that feel right to them; that fit and bring out the best in them. Goodkin wanted to hear those stories, feel their magic, and bring it to you.

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Canoe Landing Park Now Open

For those of you in Toronto, you may have noticed the large red canoe just north of the Gardiner Expressway, just west of Spadina Avenue. This canoe was designed by Canadian author and longtime friend of Roots Douglas Coupland. 

*Photo from alexander.wanuch.com

The park surrounding the canoe features eight hectares of land, the big red canoe, an all seasons AstroTurf field and a commemorative Terry Fox running trail called the Miracle Mile.

The park finally opened after months of construction and legal red tape on April 29, 2010. 

Read more about the park:

National Post: After months of hurdles, Canoe Landing Park opens

BlogTO: When will Canoe Landing Park finally open?

The Best of Dog Parks!

Guest post by Goodkin

What's better than hanging out with your best four-legged friend on a gorgeous day in a dog park? The freedom to run around, catch frisbees, horse around with other dogs and just be a dog is fun for the pup, but also fun for the adults! With spring just around the corner, your dogs will no doubt be itching to get back outside after a long winter, so we're helping you and the pups out by providing this list of some of the best dog parks in America.

Of course, this is a pretty limited list. We've picked our favorites from some of the biggest cities, but we'll need your help filling in the blanks. Whatever city or town you live in, we'd love to know where you take your furry friend to get exercise. If it's a dog park, please give details. If it's somewhere else, tell us that story, too!

• In Austin, we love the Auditorium Shores dog park. On the edge of Lady Bird Lake, you can get a phenomenal view of the downtown Austin skyline as well as have some fun on the town lake trail. Though it's not fenced in, the park offers pups different levels of running fields and easy access to the lake. Just be prepared to get wet yourself; those dogs love to shake as soon as they get out of the water! 
   
• Los Angeles offers a number of off-leash areas for pups to get some freedom, but there's one dog park that sticks out the most: Laurel Canyon Dog Park. With nearly three acres of off-leash fun for dogs, this place is huge; there's plenty of room for long games of fetch. The only downside seems to be the smell; just be prepared that it's a dog park and not a potpourri shop and you should be fine! 
   
• In New York City, you might think we'd choose Central Park as the best place to go with dogs in Manhattan, but you'd be wrong. Riverside Park, the often overshadowed park on the Hudson River offers great options for dog owners. With three big dog runs (safe, fenced-in areas), dogs and owners can enjoy the outdoors in a less-crowded version than Central Park. Along with the dog runs, dogs are also allowed off-leash from 9pm to 9am in most areas of Riverside Park.

• Let your dogs get a taste and feel for a little sand in Chicago's only leash-free dog beach, Montrose Dog Beach. Partially fenced in, your dog will love getting down and dirty with other pups and enjoy the sun at this area of fun in Chicago. We even suspect owners will love this place, too!

• Miami has a lot of choices for dog parks as well, but we're choosing the bark park at the Amelia Earhart Park as the best Miami has to offer. Offering five acres completely fenced in and a separate section for smaller dogs, you can also find paved walkways, benches, shade trees, waste dispenser stations, and drinking and spray fountains for dogs and their owners.

As mentioned above, this list isn't NEARLY complete. Help up make the biggest list of the best dog parks in America! Tell us your city and state, and then share with us your favorite place to bring pooches. Feel free to include details and links!

Goodkin is a website devoted to family.

The definition of what matters most in life, the connection with those we love, has broadened and made room for people to create worlds that feel right to them; that fit and bring out the best in them. Goodkin wanted to hear those stories, feel their magic, and bring it to you.

Get more Goodkin:

Goodkin: Family Living, Modern Style
Goodkin on Facebook
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Green Living Show 2010

This weekend, Toronto is hosting the annual Green Living Show at the Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition place.

The event features a wide array of eco-friendly products, useful tips and inspiration to help people save the planet, save money and feel good.

As part our environmental commitment, Roots has taken part in the Green Living Show ever since it began and again this year, we will have a booth at the show.

The Green Living Show started yesterday. It's open today from 10am - 9pm and again tomorrow from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. You can find more information here.

Stop by the Roots booth at the show this weekend and say hello! Learn about our other environmental initiatives here.

Earth Day: Great Green Gear from Roots

Since it's inception, Roots has been an environmentally conscious company. We were one of the first retailer to begin using reusable shopping bags rather than paper or plastic. We have been creating clothing out of 100% organic clothing for years.

During Earth Week, think about what you have done the past year for the environment. Whether big or small. Come up with a list of things you can change in your every day life to help the environment. Plant a tree in your back yard, start growing your own tomatoes, make sure the lights are turned off when you leave a room, turn off your computer when your not using it. It doesn't take much.

Here are some of my favourite green items from Roots. Happy Earth Week everyone!

Patterson Polo, $42

 

Narraway Classic Fit T-Shirt, $30

Roots Original Pocketed Crop (Eco), $50

Roots and Shoots Relaxed Crew Neck Tee, $30

Stop Global Warming Bracelet, $5

*This bracelet is made from leather scrapes from our state-of-the-art leather factory in Toronto, Ontario.

Check out what else Roots is doing for the environment here.

Read about other Earth Day activities and ideas:

Participate in a local book swap

Check out our packable shopping bags

April 22 is Earth Day!

Oh So Cocoa

Guest post by Lucky Penny

Lucky Penny has spring fever… Parka is at the dry cleaners. Sorels are nicely stowed away in her closet’s back corner.

Last friday, she had lunch on the patio at The Rivoli with a dear friend and her new baby girl… Then, rooftop drinks with cute boyfriend at Adelaide Street Pub.

This time of year is about dusting off her spring wardrobe, and donating old winter clothes to charity. Drawers can close, again. Extra hangers are now free for more indulgences, which she will most likely regret later.

But let’s not speak too soon, some unmentionables also spent the chilly months tucked away… Legs, pegs, gams, stems. Oh my!

Frigid temps [insert horribly negative number here] can be tough on them, and Lucky Penny refuses to take chances. She knows it is best to stick to the basics, just like grandma would say.

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula is a lifesaver. The cream smooths and tones her sensitive skin… Subtle scent of chocolate is a bonus! Lucky Penny’s sister, when she was expecting, also swears by it.

Lucky Penny loves to shop all things gorge, indulge her culinary palette, and explore the city (Toronto, that is).

This is a daily blog written by two lovelies (whose fifteen year friendship started back in awkward grade seven). One moved to sunny California, and charmed all the beautiful people in film and production. The other, a former science geek, tripped and fell into the fashion editorial and luxury goods PR in Canada and abroad.
These golden nuggets must only be shared amongst her nearest and dearest. Lucky Penny can’t keep a secret. Can you?

Get more Lucky Penny:
Lucky Penny Daily
Lucky Penny on Facebook
Lucky Penny on Twitter

Spring Cleaning with the Kids

Guest Post by Goodkin

“You and Joel are just too clean,” Sami groused after the fifth time I had asked her to pick her dirty socks up off the living room floor (ok, maybe it was only the second time). I asked her if she’s actually seen how dirty the bathtub is? But I know she is talking about the fact I am always picking up—and asking her to pick up—because I just cannot stand all our clutter. Sometimes you can’t even sit down on the couch because it’s covered with stuff—sweatshirts, books, dolls, art projects, backpacks, socks. And I always have to clear off the table so we can eat there—though the lava lamp and toy computer have remained shoved in the corner of the table for the last 6 months.

Honestly, Lucy has far less than Sami and Cate had at her age. I feel like I just got rid of all Sami and Cate’s baby toys—and I just don’t have the heart to start over again. So, Lucy’s learning to get by with less. But for Sami and Cate, when it is time for some serious spring cleaning, how do I get them to get rid of some of their beloved (and suddenly favorite) stuff?—and no, I’m not saving it for Lucy for seven years like they want me to.

Last year I took a trash bag into their bedroom and threatened, “Whatever is not organized and put away neatly by the end of the day, I am throwing out!”  And I meant it. It produced amazing results, along with a lot of whining and a little stress. But, by the end of the day, their room was the tidiest it’s ever been. And I had a bag of stuff to give away.

But this year I had an even better idea: Yard Sale!  I told the girls that whatever they brought out and sold—they could keep the money. They got totally into the idea. They discussed, organized and carried things down to the curb. They set up their corner of the sale like they were professionals. Joel made and hung signs and I got change. We sat outside on the steps in the sun and waited for our customers. The girls started off reading, but as the day went on, we brought out music and hula hoops. We played in the street, skipped, danced, joked around, and even sold quite a few items. We met one of our neighbors that we had never even seen before. Our little sale became a fun little gathering. The best sale of the day came from the owner of the restaurant down the block, Sassan. He stopped by and bought a painting from Joel, and then Sami convinced him to swap 8 of her splatter paint cards she had made a few months back for her favorite “Super Grilled Cheese Sandwich” that he makes. He brought the sandwich back along with 5 of his gourmet chocolate chip macadamia cookies.

At the end of the day we had made $225, one cheese sandwich, 5 chocolate chip cookies, and a lot of fun family memories. Much better results than threats and a trash bag of last year.

[Photo: Flickr member Pink Sherbet Photography]

Goodkin is a website devoted to family.

The definition of what matters most in life, the connection with those we love, has broadened and made room for people to create worlds that feel right to them; that fit and bring out the best in them. Goodkin wanted to hear those stories, feel their magic, and bring it to you.

Get more Goodkin:

Goodkin: Family Living, Modern Style
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April 22 is Earth Day!

Started in the US in 1970 as an awareness event, Earth Day has now spread to over 6 million Canadians, 170 countries world wide and over 1 billion people.

There's a ton of Earth Day events and projects going on throughout Canada during the month of April and on April 22 specifically. They range from large public events, such as Victoria’s Earth Walk (5,000 participants), Edmonton’s Earth Day Festival at Fort Edmonton Park (30,000 participants), and Oakville, Ontario’s Waterways Clean-up (2,000 participants) to the thousands of small, private events staged by schools, employee groups and community groups.

Want to get involved? Check out this list of events happening throughout the month of April across the country. Want to set up your own event? Well EarthDay.ca has tons of resources to help you do this as well.

Visit EarthDay.ca, get involved and help spread the word!

The Begley's, Green Royalty

Guest post by Goodkin

When it comes to the term “modern family” you could say there is no family living more modernly than Ed Begley, his wife actress Rachelle Carson and their daughter Hayden.  It’s not the décor or the house that they live in that makes them modern; there are no Eames chairs or glass Neutra walls. Instead, a white picket fence surrounds their homey, Studio City compound that is completely tricked out for optimum preservation of the planet.  If you think Ed would cut down trees to build his symbol of the American family, think again and check out the video.

Begley Fence from Goodkin on Vimeo.

“It’s not always easy, believe me” Rachelle says with her now very well-documented mix of love and mock disdain. And one can see why. Everything that Ed speaks about makes total sense; take for example his knowledge of why water preservation will be the most important issue we have over the next ten years: “We’re facing a serious water crisis as a country and planet. It’s going to get more and more expensive and the quality is going to get worse…Did you know that 60% of the rainfall we just experienced here in Southern California went straight in to the ocean…we need better...rain water catchments…man-made cisterns so we can catch it.” Sometimes a gal just wants to blow dry her hair without having to power it by peddling a bike, right? Of course they do. 

Their struggles to maintain harmony while living as the “King and Queen of Green” are well-documented in the hit TV show Living with Ed. As one of the ads for the show puts it, “this is not your usual Hollywood power struggle.”

Ed is a walking, talking encyclopedia of ecological, environmental and sustainable information and is so passionate about it that it feels almost like a preacher’s calling.  Rachelle agrees, “It is a calling. And it is amazing, but I’d still like to move in to a bigger house with some new furniture and some cushy amenities.”

Hayden Begley, the couple's ten-year-old daughter, came into the living room while we were talking. She is a tall and pretty girl who has an easy going way about her. I asked Ed and Rachelle how to your get your kids to be environmentally conscious without scaring them or sounding like a broken record? Without missing a beat, Ed turned to Hayden. “Honey, why don’t you talk about why we need to use less fossil fuels?” She doesn’t miss a beat, either: “Because it harms the environment,” she said. “And where does the smoke come from,” he prompted her. “Coal, which creates smoke and damages the ozone,” Hayden smiled politely and walked back into her room. Clearly, she had been initiated. 

Read the rest of the article here.

Goodkin is a website devoted to family.

The definition of what matters most in life, the connection with those we love, has broadened and made room for people to create worlds that feel right to them; that fit and bring out the best in them. Goodkin wanted to hear those stories, feel their magic, and bring it to you.

Get more Goodkin:

Goodkin: Family Living, Modern Style
Goodkin on Facebook
Goodkin on Twitter