Blog

We are consciencous about what products we use in our home and in our office on a daily basis. In a disposable world it is hard not to get upset with how much waste is created by single use products everyday.

The white cup phenomena has gotten out of control as the coffee and tea craze have amplified exponentially while people are rushing to and from their destinations. Do you actually save time by having to find parking, wait in line, or go off course to get your “quick” coffee on the go? Not likely. A simple solution is to make your own and bring it to go. Allow yourself an extra few minutes to take some deep breaths will your tea steeps before setting off, or pack a reusable cup for your daily fix.

Takeout containers are another area that create ridiculous amounts of consumer waste. Packaging has come a long way since the styrofoam era, but the energy and resources still required to create these single use containers, ship them, use them, and recycle them is crazy. I know people are busy and don’t always have time to make or pack lunches. We are two professionals raising a family too, we get it. But, with some conditioning it is easy to throw a reusable container and bamboo cutlery set into your purse, or to leave at the office, or in your vehicle for those days where eating on the run is your only option.

It is estimated that there are one billion non-recyclable plastic straws in use globally everyday. You read that right. 1 billion. Now imagine what that looks like in oceans and landfill sites. Gross right? Again, with a simple shift in consumer behaviour we can have a huge impact on our personal carbon footprint, while contributing to a more sustainable place for generations to come. There are many straw alternatives out there that are easy to carry with you. Glass cocktail straws, glass smoothie straws, metal straws and bamboo straws to name a few. If we all carry the mindset that “it’s just one straw” the sea of waste will continue to tax our eco systems.

I could go on and on about many other everyday single use waste products that are failing our sustainability but I will end here. I leave you with the challenge to consciously consider your own consumer behaviour in your home, in the workplace, and in your busy lifestyle.

At BOHO & HOBO we are solution oriented and want to help make your transition into a greener lifestyle easy. The products we carry or make in our eco boutique are all ones that we have incorporated into our lives. It feels good to save money and to play a small part in reducing single use products and the impact they have on our earth.

A few of our products include, beeswax wraps, wool dryer balls, reusable cotton produce bags and bulk food bags, glass travel cups, wheat straw bento lunch boxes, bamboo cutlery sets and many other products. Visit the eco boutique.

Today it is -16 celsius and it “feels like” -22 here in Kingston, Ontario. When it is too cold for the dog to head outside, and yesterday’s snowfall has turned to squeaky snow ( a tell tale sound of frigid temperatures ), it is time to pull out  the Hobo Hand Warmers before stepping foot into the great Canadian outdoors.

One would benefit by heating these reusable rice filled hand warmers in the microwave or oven, and tucking them into their coat pockets before heading out.  At -22 human  hands have their work cut out while trying to function under such conditions.

For people keen enough to train, play, and handle these arctic conditions for the sheer enjoyment of skiing, skating, tobogganing etc, the Hobo Hand Warmers  will  help your hands remain toasty warm much longer, and offer you a little more staying power to keep on keeping on .

Personally, I always like warm hands so these are a perfect eco-alternative to single use packets that end up in the landfill. Heat…Stay Warm…Repeat!

Limited quantities.

Hot / Cold Packs

We often have great expectations of ourselves as we embrace the new year with renewed hopes of accomplishing all the things we didn’t get to in the previous year. We create a new list of aspirations often without an action plan in place to help aid us in the success of fulfilling these well intentioned goals.

If you have resolved to relax more in 2018 and take some more time for yourself, this is a great first step. We are all over worked, over planned and over scheduled at different times throughout the year, often leaving ourselves depleted of time, energy, and enthusiasm for self nurturing and restorative relaxation.

We want to help put your 2018 relaxation plan into action by offering our customers these handmade restorative, relaxing, and calming Zen Hobo Eye Pillows. https://www.bohoandhobo.ca/product/zen-hobo-eye-pillows/

By spending just a few minutes a day laying down, blocking out light and distraction, and allowing the weight of the pillow to target acupressure points around your eyes, you can achieve a deeper relaxation in a shorter period of time, allowing maximum benefits for the few moments you decide are yours for the taking. The pillows are also a great compliment to savasana during yoga practice, and the essential oil disc allows you to add an oil of your choice to infuse your pillow with. If you suffer from tension headaches these will work wonders at the end of a long day.

I never thought I would want to replace all that colourful glittery shimmering wrapping paper that looks so pretty under our tree. But, as I have evolved as a conscious consumer, not only have my purchasing decisions been swayed by environmental  impacts, but product packaging has been a determining factor in my buying decisions as well.

Now when I see all those beautiful rolls of gift wrap, I can’t help but think of the post festivity garbage bags bursting with landfill waste which will remain on our earth well beyond the moments of joy that it gave in the process of unwrapping.

I decided it was time that I started creating ways to reduce my carbon footprint in our home one product and one decision at a time. I purchased a whack of holiday themed 100% cotton fabric from my local fabric store ( hands up for shopping local too ), and cut various sizes with crimping sheers to create an edge that wouldn’t fray. 

Taking my mission to be able to reuse everything from packaging my holiday gifts one step further, I decided to use twine as my ribbon which would be interchangeable with other wraps I decide to use throughout the year. The tags were a no brainer, and I enlisted my keen daughter to help paint recycled cardboard stars a nice gold colour. The tags can be repainted and used again next year, along with the wrap and twine.

The first question that comes to mind for most people when I discuss my new found passion for reusable gift wrap is “How do you wrap fabric without using tape?” After a few attempts I figured out the trick is to simply ensure enough fabric on the ends to create a secure fold before bringing the twine ends up and over for a tight tie.  Simply lay your twine beneath the fabric before you start wrapping, make your fold and carry the twine up, twist once and run it back around and tie a bow.

You can do it. If you have been conscious about the wastefulness of the holiday season and disposable wrapping paper, you can easily make the switch. Visit our online boutique for a starter package and see if it’s for you.

Hobo Holiday Wrapping Gift Pack

How many times have you been at a grocery store and felt guilty when reaching for another plastic bag to put your produce or bulk food and snacks into? We have been frustrated too many times by the lack of green alternatives available to make better buying decisions in supermarkets. We decided to take action and find a sustainable alternative.

We have just released our newest product, the Boho Produce & Bulk Food Bags. These bags are unbleached 100% cotton, reusable and washable with a drawstring top. They are light weight, breathable and versatile in many ways. Not only are these bags great for produce and bulk food, but you can use them for toiletries, packing delicate items for travel and as an alternative to gift bags.

We sell these in sets of 2 for $9.99 in the Boho & Hobo Boutique. Check out the Boho & Hobo Beeswax Wraps too. They are another great alternative to plastic food storage and cling wraps. One product at a time we hope to provide affordable green solutions to common everyday items that are currently impacting our environment. Help us make a difference and make the switch.