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Experience the Thrill: Science World’s Extreme Sports Exhibit is Here!

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Push Your Limits at Science World’s New Extreme Sports Exhibit!

If you’re looking for a way to experience the rush of extreme sports—without the scraped knees or broken bones—then you need to check out Extreme Sports: Beyond Human Limits, the newest exhibit at Science World! Running from January 31 to May 19, 2025, this action-packed experience invites visitors to test their skills, challenge their balance, and dive into the science behind some of the world’s most thrilling sports.

What to Expect at Extreme Sports: Beyond Human Limits

Presented by White Spot Restaurants, this exhibit isn’t just about watching—it’s about doing! You’ll get the chance to:

  • Test your balance on a high-line simulation
  • Try a parkour course and see if you have the agility of a pro
  • Grip the hanging wall to test your strength
  • Immerse yourself in a 360° virtual reality experience that puts you in the seat of a mountain biker tackling intense terrain
  • Learn the science behind the rush, from the role of adrenaline and dopamine to the physical and mental endurance of extreme athletes

This exhibit is perfect for adventure seekers, sports lovers, and anyone curious about what it takes to push human limits. Plus, it’s interactive, making it an exciting stop for families, friends, and solo explorers alike!

Why Science World is a Must-Visit Year-Round

While Extreme Sports is only here for a limited time, Science World offers endless opportunities for discovery all year long. This iconic Vancouver destination is packed with hands-on exhibits that make learning fun for all ages. From exploring the wonders of physics and chemistry to understanding the complexities of the human body, there’s always something new to experience.

  • The Eureka! Gallery lets kids and adults alike play with water, light, and motion in a hands-on environment.
  • BodyWorks takes you inside the human body to discover how we function and what keeps us healthy.
  • The Tinkering Space inspires creativity and problem-solving through engineering and design challenges.

And when you need a break, there’s even a Triple O’s inside for a delicious meal or snack—because science is best experienced on a full stomach!

Make the Most of Science World with a Membership

If you’re local to Vancouver, a Science World membership is one of the best investments you can make. With unlimited visits, exclusive member-only events, and discounts on guest tickets, OMNIMAX films, and at the gift shop, it’s the perfect way to keep the fun going all year. Whether you want to pop in for an afternoon or spend an entire day exploring, a membership lets you experience new exhibits and returning favorites as often as you’d like!

Plan Your Visit

Whether you’re visiting Vancouver or lucky enough to live here, Science World is a must-see destination. Extreme Sports: Beyond Human Limits is only here until May 19, 2025, so don’t miss your chance to experience the thrill! Grab your tickets, bring your sense of adventure, and get ready for an unforgettable day of learning and fun.

For more details and to plan your visit, head to scienceworld.ca!

Toddler Meltdowns in Public: How to Handle Them Like a Pro

The Ashley Rhapsody1 Comment

Hey moms, let’s be real: there’s nothing quite like the embarrassment of your toddler having a full-on meltdown in the middle of the grocery store. It’s like your little angel has been possessed by a tiny demon, and everyone within a ten-mile radius is staring at you with judgment in their eyes.

But fear not, my fellow mamas! I’m here to help you navigate this minefield of toddler tantrums like a pro. Here are my top tips for handling meltdowns in public:

  1. Stay Calm (Even When You Want to Scream)

Your child is feeding off your energy, so the last thing you want to do is escalate the situation by losing your cool. Take a deep breath, count to ten, and remind yourself that this too shall pass.

  1. Get Down to Their Level

Toddlers are tiny humans with big emotions, and they often feel powerless in a world that doesn’t make sense to them. By getting down to their level and validating their feelings, you can help diffuse the situation.

  1. Offer Choices

Toddlers love to feel like they’re in control, so offering them choices can be a game-changer. Instead of saying “stop crying,” try saying “would you like to walk or be carried?” or “do you want to hold my hand or the cart?”

  1. Distract and Redirect

Sometimes, the best way to handle a meltdown is to distract and redirect your child’s attention. Point out something interesting in the store or start singing a silly song to get their mind off their distress.

  1. Know When to Cut Your Losses

There are times when you just need to throw in the towel and call it a day. If your child is inconsolable, take a deep breath and leave the store. Sometimes a change of scenery is all it takes to calm them down.

Remember, mama: you’re not alone in this. Toddler meltdowns are a rite of passage for all parents, and no one is judging you as harshly as you’re judging yourself. So take a deep breath, put on your big girl pants, and handle that tantrum like the badass mama you are!

I hope you find this helpful! Let me know if you need any revisions or if you have any other topics in mind.

Indoor (Free/Cheap) Play for Rainy Vancouver Days

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It can be a lot of fun to throw on the muddy buddy and go play in the rain, but let’s also be real, I have yet to find an adult muddy buddy and standing out in the rain supervising gets old fast.⁣ SO I’m constantly compiling lists of fun indoor activities for those days I really don’t want fresh air.

☔️ Morgan Play Centre (Surrey, BC) : Between $5.99-$13.99

Morgan Play Centre is a great option for anyone in the South Surrey area. Lots of spaces for all ages, giant slides, and it’s located directly next to a Starbucks. Check it out here.

☔️ Toys R Us at the Willowbrook Mall (Langley, BC) : Free (for those with self-control)

Did you know that Toys R Us has little play stations all through the store? And PRO TIP: have your child go around and take pictures of things they want for their birthday/Christmas etc. and then you won’t be spending the whole trip fielding shopping requests. The Willowbrook Mall is also a pretty fun space (and they will be opening a new open-air section soon). ⁣Check them out here.

☔️ Public Libraries (All over YVR): Free

The library isn’t 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 the library anymore. Play structures, puzzles, story times and more. Check the Surrey Libraries website for times and events like story time and more.

⁣☔️ Oh My Land Club (Coquitlam, BC): $15-$20

This one is the most expensive on the list but most definitely worth every penny! Seriously! This place is a WONDERLAND! Do you ever walk into a place and think, “Wow! This was designed by a single white man without kids!” Well, this place is the complete opposite. I went with a friend of mine and her kiddos and every time we turned a corner we kept proclaiming, “They thought of EVERYTHING.” Water tables complete with long sleeve water-proof aprons, sensory bin rooms, sing-a-longs for the little ones, ball pit, rock climbing, baby space complete with nursing area, hand-washing stations… I’m telling you… worth every penny (for drop-in- their yearly passes are a bit nuts). For more info check them out here.

☔️ Tsawwassen Mills Mall (Tsawwassen, BC): Free (for those with self-control)

This is a great mall during the week because it’s pretty quiet and it’s a great big circle (so you can run that toddler until nap time). They also have a play structure in the middle to climb on, Mastermind Toys to visit (I set a timer for Suubs in the toys store 😜), an aquarium full of fish at the Outdoor World, and of course Stuff Riders! The Stuff Riders are $8.50-$12.50 for your first 10 minutes and then you get charged per minute, but it’s definitely a fun treat now and again.⁣ Check them out here.

☔️ Surrey Recreation Stay & Play (Surrey, BC): $3.75

This has been the greatest discovery thanks to a Dance Momma friend of mine. Stay and Play is only $3.75 and your kiddo gets a good two hours of gym time to run, bike, climb and PLAY. Parent supervision is required, check the Surrey Recreation website for times and locations.⁣ If you’re not in Surrey, be sure to check out the programs at the local recreation centres… because they’re awesome, and pretty cheap.

☔️ IKEA (Coquitlam & Richmond): Free (for those with self-control)

I mean, inexpensive food (kids meals range from $3.49-$4.99), toys to play with, and lots of space to walk and play. Always a win 🥇 ⁣

☔️ Museum of Surrey (Surrey, BC): FREE

We all know about my love for this place! It’s absolutely free and they constantly have special events happening, a great big indoor playground, nursing stations, and of course the museum! ⁣Click here for more details.

Do you have a favourite rainy day hangout? Let me know in the comments and follow for more fun around YVR 🎉⁣

Top 5 Fall Family Activities (that aren’t scary & won’t break the bank) around YVR

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I love all that Fall has to offer and I also love the cutesy side of Halloween. I also love not spending all of my money trying to show my kid a good time, can I get an amen?  If you are looking for fun (not scary and not super costly) activities for your family this October, I have got you covered. 

Loft Country Farms

We visited Loft Country Farms for the first time this year and it was SO much fun! Honestly, I didn’t expect there would be so much to do and see, but we probably could have spent the whole day there. Pony rides, panning for gems, petting zoo, gourmet hot dogs and desserts, a western shootout, wagon rides, tractor rides, and of course the pumpkin patch. As a mom with a potty training 3 year old, I also really appreciated the cleanliness of their washrooms (let’s be real: this is something I appreciate with or without a kid lol). 

Online Pricing:
General Admission (Ages 3 and up) – $13.50 
Family Admission (2 parents and their children) – $54

They also have season passes available. 

Location: 2640 248 St, Langley, BC V4W 2R2

Laity Pumpkin Patch

It’s been a couple years since we have visited Laity Pumpkin Patch so we’re really excited to check it out again this year. 

Public Admission Rates

Weekend/Holiday Rate: $12.00 each (ages 3 and up) – incl. GST & ticket fees

Weekday Rate: $9.00 each (ages 3 and up) – incl. GST
(please note: Mon, Oct 10th and Fri, Oct 21st are holiday rates)

Ages 2 and under – Free (with paying adult)

South location: 12725 Laity St, Maple Ridge, BC V4R 2P2

North location: 21145 128 Ave, Maple Ridge, BC V4R 2R9

Art Knapps Surrey:

This one was a cute little surprise! You can buy pumpkins, visit their candy story, ride their train, and even partake in some mini-golf! The train rides are only $3.50 a person, and run every half-hour. They do have some “scary-ish” decorations (my kiddo was not into the giant sparkly purple spider… but it was all pretty tame). 

Location: 4391 King George Blvd, Surrey, BC V3Z 1G6

Circus Osorio

Okay this is not fall specific, but a super fun outing around town this October. Tickets are $25 for adults, and each adult ticket comes with 2 free kids tickets (under 10). October 13, 2022 – October 17, 2022

Location: Coquitlam B.C. Coquitlam Centre – 2929 Barnet Highway, Coquitlam BC V3B 5R5

Arts Nursery Scarecrow Stroll: 

This is such a great FREE activity to enjoy with the kiddos (I mean, “Free” if you don’t buy yourself a ton of houseplants and pumpkins). 60+ Scarecrows to see, a pumpkin patch, and of course so many beautiful plants. We went during the week and there was an Ice Cream truck on site, but word on the street is the weekend has live music and food trucks. Open from 9:00am-6:00pm Mon-Sat, and 9am-5pm Sundays from Sep 24-Oct 31

Location: 8940 192nd Street, Surrey, BC, Canada, V4N 3W8

If you want to stay up to date on fun family activities around Greater Vancouver Area make sure to follow me on Instagram & TikTok @theashleyrhapsody

Tips for Traveling with a Toddler

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I have read every mom-blog that exists about toddler travel, and lived vicariously through others while I awaited our time to finally travel with the kid.

This past week we finally got a chance to travel (for work, but also with the whole family, so I’ll take it). I’m glad we got a little travel-taster with a short domestic flight before we do a big international trip.

Here’s what helped with the kid :

✨ Car seat bag: I bought a car seat bag on Amazon that has handles on it and backpack straps. It was tremendously helpful and helped to keep our car seat clean. My friend also put a little backpack filled with diapers inside her car seat to make extra space on her carry-on and I marveled at the brilliance. I’ll for sure do that next time.

✨ Snacks and Containers: I went to the dollar store and got some wonderful snack containers. I didn’t do all my shopping in the container section though; our dollar store has a crafting section and they had some wonderful little divided containers. We packed berries and other fruit in the divided containers, and dry snacks in the stackable ones. Next time though, I will only put dry fruit in the divided containers; I put pineapple in one and it got leaky. Which leads me to my favorite travel item for every family member.

✨Glad Press’N Seal: I’m telling you this is one of my favorite travel hacks that I’ve used for years. I’ve never had to clean up shampoo messes because of it! Use Glad Press’N Seal to cover the lids of any container that could leak. When you arrive, remove it and save it for the trip home; it’s far sturdier and reusable than Saran Wrap.

✨Umbrella Stroller: No big sell here. We almost didn’t bring it because we didn’t know how helpful it would be. It was helpful even though we were pretty close to everything. Toddlers are tricky creatures who sometimes need to be confined. That’s all on that.

✨ iPad: Wow, ground breaking stuff Ashley! Kids like technology?! Shhhh don’t give away all your secrets. But seriously, I downloaded girlfriends favorite shows from Netflix and Disney + and it saved the day several times. I brought colouring and toys, but sometimes you face problems only Peppa Pig and Bluey can fix. I also love the case we have; it stands up on its own, has handles, and packs easily.

✨ Play Pen: listen, I know this one won’t be a necessity for everyone. However, in 2020 we stayed at a hotel where the kid got lice from sleeping in the hotel’s crib. After that our own playpen became a necessity. Another option is bring garbage bags to wrap the crib mattress in and bring your own bedding. Trust no one.

✨ Colouring: I love the Melissa & Doug Water Wow sets because I don’t need to bring a ton of markers or colouring books. Once the sheets dry, they’re ready to use again.

Here’s my Amazon list of some of the go-to products I mentioned and more: https://www.amazon.ca/shop/theashleyrhapsody/list/2YHVIA7P051KW?ref=cm_sw_em_r_inf_list_own_theashleyrhapsody_mw_OUPSuo81FrTSo

When it came to the actual flight, girlfriend did pretty well, however her ears were really bothering her during take-off and landing. I brought lollipops for her but messed up the timing, so by the time we were actually taking off or landing it was done. Any tips for plugged and popping kiddo ears?

Hope this was helpful amidst all the other many blogs about traveling kiddos. I know because I’ve read them. All of them.

March: Gentle Cleaning Rules for the Month

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I know, I know, I need to conclude my February Vegan month still! If you follow me on social media, you will have seen my husband and I recently announced we are expecting a little Halfrican™ bundle in August. I wanted to wait on talking about being Vegan because I REALLY wanted to address what it’s been like being Vegan for the month AND being pregnant (spoiler alert: it’s been a real treat). It made it hard to talk about vegan pregnancy before actually announcing that I’m pregnant. So look forward to that coming soon. IMG_9122

Meanwhile, it’s March which means new month, new project! 

This month I am going to venture into Gentle Cleaning. I am going to overhaul our house and see what I can do to get as many cleaning chemicals out as possible. I am also going to clean like I’ve never cleaned before… which I am beyond excited about. I can highly identify with Monica on “Friends”… except the episode where she has a secret closet where she keeps all her mess, I can not handle that business. And before you say “Oh, you must be nesting,” I am not. My love for cleaning and organizing is just me on a normal day. Same thing with my love for naps and snacking… completely unrelated to pregnancy, it’s just how I roll. 

All throughout my high school days, I worked at a wonderful fish market to which I credit for teaching me how to clean. There I learned how to sweep effectively, how to clean sharpie off of a counter top, how to wash dishes by hand and, most importantly, bleach everything! I became accustomed to associating the sensation of something being “clean” with the smell of bleach, and have carried this into adulthood. However, my house is not a fish market, and does not require the same amount of disinfecting. So this month, I shall teach myself new ways! 

Here are my Gentle Cleaning goals for the month: 

  1. Replace household cleaning chemicals with natural solutions
  2. Experiment with different DIY cleaners
  3. Clean, Organize, Purge! 
  4. Continue to reduce household waste
  5. Continue to explore new Vegan recipes

As I have for the past two months, I’d love any tips and resources from those who are wiser than I. Let me have it; what do I need to know about chemical free cleaning? 

Gentle Eating: Mid-Month Update

The Ashley Rhapsody1 Comment

My Vegan month has been eventful thus far. 

I must confess, I’ve slipped up a few times. 

I went to A&W for a Beyond Meat burger and was very conscientious about stating boldly “NO CHEESE” at the drive-thru window. Then, about half way through eating the burger, I realized it was riddled with mayo. Oops. 

Last week, in a famished blur, I saw one of my students with a giant bag of Flaming Hot Cheetos. Before I could even think about Vegan anything I found myself making intense eye contact with said student and muttering, “What’s good?” as I reached out my cupped hands for Cheetos.  

In the same way I discovered mindfulness during my January of “Gentle Waste,” I’ve been realizing how much more mindful I need to be to find success living a Vegan lifestyle. No hazy brained adventures to the drive-thru in the morning, every restaurant visit requires very diligent reading of menus beforehand, and cooking at home requires a great deal more creativity and thought. 49864750_340699400105138_4016678476353372160_n

But with that said, when I put thought into my meals, I don’t feel that I am making huge sacrifices with my eating. One of the first things people said to me when they found out I was going to eat Vegan for the month was, “Sooo, you’re going to eat lettuce?” At that time I would ignorantly respond, “Yeah, I guess so,” however now I know that’s not always the case. Vegans are a creative lot and whether it be “burgers” or “cream” sauces, or “cheese,” I have been able to find delicious replacements for most things. I would choke a salmon with my bare hands for some sushi right now though. I do not have the patience or the time to be rolling my own sushi rolls. That’s another kind of extra that I’m just not. 

Stay tuned to my Instagram account as later this month I will have special Instagram live interviews with some talented Vegans.

For those interested, here are some great recipes and references I have discovered so far.

I found this TED Talk from Erin Ireland fascinating. Vegan or dedicated carnivore will find this a useful watch.

Plant Based News has been an interesting resource:

https://www.plantbasednews.org/?fbclid=IwAR0aP4eRC2fRx1cfDqh3dVqbiRir2GUt93ODlhju49zXFPQAXvDGZ8FEe8k

16549307059_ba959fc04a_z

https://olivesfordinner.com/2015/03/carrot-lox.html

Our “Before” baking our Cinnamon Buns
Erin Irelands “After” Cinnamon Buns (ours turned out delicious, but not this pretty

http://itstodiefor.ca/the-best-soft-and-gooey-cinnamon-buns-by-indian-rock-vegans/

Erin Ireland’s version of the Virtuous Pie “Stranger Wings” Pizza (This is one of my absolute favourites): http://itstodiefor.ca/buffalo-cauliflower-wing-pizza/

One of my favourite websites for Vegan recipes is: https://ohsheglows.com

Here’s a link to my “VEGAN” board on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/theashleyrhapsody/vegan/

 

 

January: Rules for the Month

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Eco Footprint: I am currently using 20.3 Hectares of land (Average Canadian: 9 Hectares), 2.3 Earths, and my “Overshoot day” is June 10th 

All I Want for Christmas is EVERYTHING

The Christmas season is always a great reminder for me of all the crap I think I need. I am all of a sudden acutely aware of every kitchen gadget that will elevate my cooking, every item of clothing that will make me feel like a Pinterest feature, and of course the new watch that will track my steps, heart rate, and emotions guaranteeing I will be a more balanced, and aware human. 

The truth is I do not really need anything. I can cook just fine with what I have, I have enough clothes to be fully dressed for work each day, and that watch that counts my steps is only going to turn me into a neurotic basket case, marching in my living room at 10:36pm because I haven’t hit my 10,000 step goal for the day. 

Waste Not, Want Not

I have created a bit of a tradition for myself every time I come home from a trip to Uganda. I arrive home with my luggage covered in fresh red dirt, and my head whirling with thoughts about how us “Westerners” live. Before my shoes are even off I am scanning my house looking to give away anything I haven’t used in the past 6 months. 

“Why do I have so many shoes? No human needs this many throw pillows. Am I planning on conducting a seance? Why do I need all these candles?” I mumble to myself as I ferociously toss all the things I don’t need. 

And here in lies the strange tension I hold between Christmas and my most recent trips to Uganda. How do strike a balance? How do I become a conscious consumer in every season of my life? How do I de-clutter but also not waste that which I already have? 

Rules for the Month of “Gentle Waste” January

In the past being “waste free” looked like a giant purge of my home inventory. I was living “simply” if my counters were clean, and my Tupper-ware cupboard wasn’t overflowing. However once I took the Eco footprint quizzes (Eco Foot Print Quiz 1 and Quiz 2 ) a whole new world of (rather simple) changes opened up to me. I was forced to think about the way I consume and waste not just at home, but also when I’m out and about. 

Here are my goals for January: 

  1. Shopping: Reusable bags for groceries and produce, cut down food that has packaging (by at least half). Look into reusable snack bags, and wraps. This is really just a matter of REMEMBERING my bags. I have all the reusable bags I could ever need, but I am constantly forgetting them in my house or in the car. I suppose it’s also a matter of laziness… walk ALL THE WAY back to the car for a bag? Meh, just once will be okay. 
  2. Cook the correct amount & eat leftovers. We are usually pretty good at this, but we could surely get better. Our biggest problem is when we intentionally make big batches of something and then not freezing it in time. 
  3. Coffee Talk: Make coffee at home. If I am stuck, I am only allowed to purchase a coffee if I have my own reusable cup. Same goes for water. My S’well Bottle has definitely helped with my water consumption and cutting down my use of plastic water bottles, but I have yet to hit my stride with coffee. Having the rule that I cannot have coffee without the cup should definitely keep me thinking about it. 
  4. Recycle with more accuracy and Compost ALL food waste. This feels really shameful to admit, but I have been guilty of throwing out entire containers of food if the food is too moldy or gross to deal with. Especially if it’s just those cheap zip-loc containers. I also get really lazy about composting and recycling. I have no idea what all the different recycle numbers mean, and I am sure I recycle the wrong things to the wrong places. 
  5. Water Usage: 3 minute showers- use a timer/ Reduce flushes/ Cut down dishwasher use. This one kind of devastates me. Not only do I love long, hot showers, I also love putting on full blown concerts whilst in the shower. I’m going to need to find somewhere else to perform the entire score of “Wicked.” 
  6. Watch “A Plastic Ocean,”  and “Before the Flood.” I want to educate myself. I hope the more I know, the more I will care. 
  7. Visit the Surrey Bio-Fuel Plant. Surrey’s Bio-Fuel Plant is one of only a few of its’ kind in all of Canada. An understanding of where my compost goes, and how it’s used will hopefully help my buy in. 

There it is, month one! Any great resources you think I need to be aware of? Any giant blind spots in my plan? I’d love to hear from you. Comment below, and follow along on social media @theashleyrhapsody

The Gentle Project

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In the past, whenever I have made “big announcements,” they have been really BIG announcements. For example: “SURPRISE I’m moving to Uganda!” Or, “Surprise, I’m married!” So I shouldn’t have been surprised when I announced on Instagram I had a “big” announcement, and everybody over shot. 

No, I’m not moving or winning a Grammy. 

This announcement does have the potential to be life changing though. 

Let me set this up a bit for you. 

Be Careful

I recall as a child being told to “ Be Careful!” an awful lot. Be careful not to break your toys, your bones, your friends toys, or your friend’s bones. As I grew older the list of things I needed to become more “careful” of changed. Be careful where you walk at night, be careful with how you dress, be careful to choose the right friend group, and be careful with what you say and how you say it. An endless list of all that could befall me developed. 

As a result, I have grown to be a rather “careful” person. I would not say that I exhibit very risky behaviour: I have never broken a bone, I’ve never smoked a cigarette, I don’t think I’ve ever been drunk (I got giggly once after my second Bellini, does that count?), and I’ve led a pretty vanilla young-adulthood. 

As careful as I have attempted to be in my life, I had an epiphany over the past year: I am a very careful person, but I am not very gentle. 

Peaches, Pampers, and Baby Animals 

When I hear the word, “gentle” I think of baby ducklings and Dove soap. I think of pastel colours, Jesus holding a lamb, and diaper commercials (which is funny because diapers themselves are quite possibly the complete opposite of gentle). 

To me, being gentle to the earth meant: “The Three ‘R’s.” 

Being gentle to myself meant: don’t get drunk, or high, or obese. 

Being gentle to others meant: treat other’s the way you would like to be treated. 

Being gentle looked a lot like abiding by Sunday School directives, and if you did those things, Congrats! One ticket to heaven! 

I have taken great pride in the illusion of my “gentleness,” but really I am just good at being careful not to appear as if I am a shitty human being. 

An Alarmist 

I think that I need to become more radical about how I treat the earth, others, and myself. The older I get the more I recognize that these things are intrinsically connected; I can no longer merely exist knowing the way I mindlessly shop, eat, clean, spend, and talk affects those around me so deeply. I also think it is hypocritical of me as a “Christian” to say I believe theologically I am meant to be a steward of the earth, and then on a practical level treat the earth like trash. 

I thought a great way to start thinking more deeply about this would be to calculate my ecological footprint. I went to www.footprintcalculator.org and did their quiz to determine what my ecological footprint is, and to calculate my overshoot day. 

Do you know what an overshoot day is? I had no idea. The world’s overshoot day in 2018 was August 1st; that is the day humanity exhausted nature’s budget for the year. To put it in financial terms, August 1st is the day we stop paying cash, and start throwing all our coffee orders on the credit card. 

I did the quiz, and to be honest, I thought my results wouldn’t be too bad. My husband and I carpool to work or use public transit, we recycle, I buy my clothes from consignment, and we make the occasional vegan meal… what more could you ask for Earth? 

I was expecting a hearty pat on the back for all my efforts but instead, I was floored! 

Screen Shot 2018-11-20 at 1.42.42 PM

2.3 Earths! That’s how many earths we’d need if everyone on this planet lived like me. To make matters worse, my overshoot day was June 10th. To remind you, humanity’s average was August 1st… which still sucks. 

Screen Shot 2018-11-20 at 1.43.07 PM

After calculating my Ecological Footprint on www.footprintcalculator.org  a teacher-friend of mine shared another more extensive Eco footprint calculator. 

That quiz can be found here if you’re interested: http://www.earthrangers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/how_big_is_my_ecological_footprint.pdf

I thought surely I would be around the average consumption level, but this quiz gave me an even WORSE score. 

Our earth has approximately 12 billion hectares of biologically productive land and there are about 6.3 billion people on the planet. This means that the average person should use approximately 1.9 hectares of biologically productive land (the “Average Earth Share” number). The average Canadian uses 9 hectares (22 acres). 

Do you want know how many hectares I use? Approximately 20.3 Hectares! That’s right, recycling, no-meat-Monday Ashley is using 20.3 hectares of land. That’s 11.3 more than the average Canadian, and 18.4 more than I should as a human. 

The Gentle Project

It’s time for me to make some changes, and I would love all of you to keep me accountable.

Each month in 2019 I will develop a new way in which I can be gentler to the earth, those around me, and to myself. At the beginning of each month I will share what my “Gentle Project” will be, and how I am planning to stick with it. I will do my best to share what I learn and to be honest about how committed I’ve been. My goal will be to build upon each month, and not ditch what I learned the month before. 

Each month I will also retake the ecological footprint quiz to see if I can move my “overshoot day” (and perhaps also adjust the number of earths I use). 

I am, clearly, not an expert in this area so I could use all the help I can get. Feel free to share your feedback, take the Ecological Footprint Quiz for yourself, let me know how many earths you’re using, and maybe even join in on the fun! 

Changing how I live is a scary thought, but I am excited for the challenge. 

The Gentle Project begins January 1st, 2019! 

Monday Moments of Joy: Money Saving Apps

The Ashley RhapsodyLeave a comment

My husband finds my love for points programs comical. He knows that almost everywhere we go I have a punch card, a phone number to give, or an app to make use of. Though my enthusiasm for contests and rewards programs may seem a little “intense” (Me? Intense? Never!), our household does end up saving a lot of money, and earning lots of free treats. 

I believe in using my enthusiasm to help those around me, so in the name of being helpful, here are some of my favourite rewards apps that have great pay-offs. 

PC Optimum (Click & Collect)

I love the PC Optimum card and Click & Collect. I know what you’re thinking: “You are a young-ish, married woman with no kids. Why on earth would you use Superstore’s Click & Collect?” Well, Judge Judy, let me tell you why. 

Why am I so in love with this app + feature?

  • I save a butt-ton of money
  • I earn free groceries
  • Makes life easier

What’s the deal?

Recently, Superstore and Shopper’s Drug Mart merged their points systems from PC Points and Shoppers Optimum to the PC Optimum card, and I couldn’t be happier about it. It’s just a typical points card, but if you keep close track of your deals on the app, you can earn points quickly. I also love Click & Collect, and I believe it’s helped me earn more points and save money. When I order my groceries online with Superstore, I am home! This means I am not impulse buying, I can check my pantry as I shop, and I can sit with the PC Optimum app open next to me and check what deals I should be jumping on. It also really helps my grocery-shopping rage because few things can require me to renew my salvation than shopping inside Superstore on a Sunday afternoon. 

Check it out

Ebates

I am constantly preaching the gospel of Ebates. 

Why am I so in love with this app?

  • It’s easy
  • There is NO “catch”
  • I make money on items I would purchase anyway
  • Free money

What’s the deal? 

Basically, you start on the Ebates website to access stores you’d already be doing your online shopping on. Then you access your desired store, and shop as you’d normally do. Once you have made a purchase, Ebates will give you a percentage of the amount you spent back to you (every store has a different percentage). They literally just send you a cheque in the mail. It’s flipping amazing! I use Ebates regularly for Amazon, Sephora and Groupon purchases, but my absolute favourite was when I was booking Giddy and my trip to Uganda on Expedia. It made dropping thousands of dollars on a flight feel a bit better knowing I’d be getting an Ebates cheque at the end of it all. 

Check it out 

Groupon

Thanks to Tiffany Haddish, most people know what Groupon is. I love Groupon but probably don’t use it enough. 

Why I am so in love with this app? 

  • It’s simple to use
  • It saves me money 
  • It helps me discover new local restaurants and activities

What’s the deal?

Simply download the app, view coupons for everything from food, spas, travel, stuff… you name it! But don’t forget: Ebates is a supporter of Groupon! Make sure you use Ebates to access Groupon and then you can save even more money! 

Check it out 

Carrot Rewards

This card requires little work, and zero money to earn points. 

Why I am so in love with this app?

  • I can earn points on cards of my choosing (I use my Scene Card)
  • I can earn points both consciously and unconsciously 

What’s the deal? 

Download the app, and decide which card you want to earn points for. You can earn Scene points, Save-On More points, Aeroplan, Drop rewards and Petro-Points. Once you’ve decided, there are two ways you can earn points: Carrot Rewards will track your daily step count and give you points accordingly, or complete short health questionnaire’s to earn points. The questionnaire’s take typically about 5-10 minutes; I’ll do one when I’m in line somewhere and it’s a quick way to earn some points. I have had the app for about a year, and I’ve earned 4 free movies. Totally worth a few minutes here and there! 

Check it out Use my personal bonus code when you sign up for Carrot and earn 50% more points on me! ashleym5321 http://www.carrotrewards.ca

And there you have it! Now it’s your turn: do you have a favourite money saving, points earning app? Tell me more *Ashley said as she drums her fingers together in a Jafar-like manner.*