Although COVID-19 might be stopping us from celebrating Mother's Day with Mom IRL, there are many ways to show her you care even while social distancing. We love how the Support Local movement is gaining traction and local businesses are offering flexible options for buyers: from online shopping, to pick up and delivery services and even virtual markets. To save you some time and research, we've compiled a list of Ottawa's best resources that support our city's local businesses and will help you find something special for Mom while practicing physical distancing: BREWERIES, COFFEE SHOPS, RE ..read more

Hi! My name's Noelle and I would consider myself an eco-citizen. I've spent most of my childhood living abroad in countries like Argentina and India, but Ottawa is and always has been home. Only a one hour drive away, our family cottage in La Pêche, Quebec is where I spent most of the day outside, swimming in the lake. Today, it is where I disconnect from the city and reconnect with nature. With a degree in Geography from Queen’s University, I’m passionate about sustainability and community development. I've studied tropical ecology in Costa Rica and benefited from an internship in environment ..read more

Today is day #12 of my self-isolation time. I returned from my trip to Guatemala on March 17th, just in time before they closed their borders to incoming and outgoing flights. I'm glad I got to travel when I did, before all of this broke out. I got to experience the colonial city of Antigua and its landmark yellow Santa Catalina Arch, surrounded by volcanoes. At night, the Volcan del Fuego gushed glowing orange lava. I got to see the cloud forest and lush jungle, swim in the turquoise pools of the Cahabon River and got to witness the beauty of Atitlan lake and the richness of the Mayan culture ..read more

As a new snowstorm is upon us, the thought of settling down into a coffee shop for a warm beverage to escape the cold can be comforting. Over the last few weeks, I have been exploring several coffee places across the city, with a particular interest in their 'bring your own mug/cup' policy (for research, you know). Below is the list of all the places that I found accept customers bringing their own, some of which even provide a discount or incentive for doing so. Not only can you feel good about bringing your own mug instead of using a takeaway for your coffee, but you can be rewarded for y ..read more

Ever wondered how to turn your food waste away from landfills and into healthy soil for your houseplants and/or garden? Look no further. This week, Good Choice Initiative met with Akil, Founder of The Box of Life, who explains the benefits of using vermicomposting in your home. What is vermicomposting and who is The Box of Life? We've all been there...a smelly or leaky garbage bin, that sometimes attracts flies, that your cat often knocks over, and that you have to take out to the kerb at -20 C in the winter, when you'd rather be doing anything else. This is how Akil, Founder of The Box o ..read more

Monday, January 20th, was apparently the "most depressing day of the year", suggesting that many of us tend to be under the weather due to the cold, lack of sunlight and pending bills from our Christmas expenses. On the other hand, some of us may just be affected by the seasonal blues as a result of winter's cold weather and darker days. I sometimes dream of going traveling to get away from it all and start imagining the places I can escape to with warm weather and nice beaches. If you're like me, you're ready to go on your next holiday by now. Beach in Koh Lipe, Thailand I've compiled some ..read more