Our newsletter is also available on our website in English and French
March 2009
Menstrual products, your health, and the environment
Message to Members
Can you feel it? The light changing, the days getting longer, less of a chill in the air (on some days)… Spring is coming, and we know that all of the gardeners out there are already planning what seeds to sow and what plants to grow. We’re happy to say that a variety of organic vegetable seeds are now available in the store.
Call to Artists:
The Co-op is looking for artists to showcase in “The Look Up Gallery,” above the bar. The space is approximately 4 feet high by 24 feet across. Additional spaces are available above the bookshelf – each are 3' x 2'. Two dimensional work is preferable.
Please submit: Name, contact information, web site if available, images and description of your work at the Co-op or to Nina Dubois at ndub79@hotmail.com. Submissions will be taken on an ongoing basis and selected work will be exposed for one month.
News from the Board:
Did you know that La Maison Verte is in the process of buying the building in which it is located? In order to give our members the opportunity to participate in raising capital for this project, the Board of Directors has passed a resolution authorizing the sale of Preferred Class "A" shares. These shares are sold for $100 each, at an interest rate of 1.5% per year over five years.
Securing a greener, more sustainable future for La Maison Verte starts by giving your Co-op a permanent home. This is your opportunity to help us succeed, and we do need your help. For details visit our Investment Page.
Finally, as many of you know International Women’s Day is March 8. Read Eco Logic for some information on women’s menstrual health and the environment, and note that we are offering all of our alternative menstrual products tax-free for the month. In fact we don’t think women should ever have to pay taxes for these products… what do you think?
Thanks to: Gilles Rondeau, Sabrina Perreault and Franco Boriero (translation); Isabelle Berthelot (revision)
Events 
Please phone or visit the Co-op to sign up for these events. For more information visit our website.
MAR 13
Friday 13 March,
(Palais des Congrès, metro Place D’Armes )
The Eat Well and Green Living Expo
March 13th through 15th, come visit our kiosk at the 12th annual Eat Well Expo, and check out hundreds of other exhibitors in the categories of Healthy Foods, Ecology, and Global Health.
(Tickets $10, free for children under 12 years of age). For more information visit: www.expomangersante.com
MAR 16
Monday 16 March, 7pm to 9pm
(Coop la maison verte)
University of the Streets Café [Université autrement: Dans la rue] presents…
The Politics of the Now: How do we shifting our thinking from disillusionment to engagement? Guest: Brian K. Murphy; Moderator: Nayiri Tavlian. For more detailed information visit our website.
MAR 18
Wednesday 18 March, 7pm to 9pm
(Coop la maison verte)
University of the Streets Café presents…
A Changing Community: So I have a diploma, can I get a job? Guest: Giordano Rosa; Moderator: Lise Palmer. For more detailed information visit our website.
MAR 19
Thursday 19 March, 7pm to 9pm
(Coop la maison verte)
Ferme Mange-Tout Organic Food Baskets Information Session
Do you know where your food comes from? Do you have a family farmer? Come learn about community-supported agriculture and how you can join the movement toward a sustainable local food system.
MAR 20
Friday 20 March, 7pm to 9pm
(Coop la maison verte)
Worm composting workshop II
Learn everything you need to know about starting and maintaining your very own worm compost from the experts. Starter worms will be available for sale. (Space is limited. Please phone to reserve a spot for this workshop.)
New Products
Organic Castor Oil by Palma Christi (120ml & 250 ml): Castor oil has been used for centuries for relief of pain relieving massage oil, natural skin care, and many other uses.
Ghassoul Cleansing Clay (500g): A natural mineral clay for cosmetic hair and skin care cleanses gently by absorbing impurities and excess oil. Excellent as a soothing facial mask or hair treatment.
Café Splendide de Santropol : Not only is this a delicious dark roast coffee bean, but it is one of the only fair trade and organic coffees grown in Haiti. For more of the story visit our Eco Logic blog.
Organic vegetable seeds: Tomatoes, peppers, melons, lettuce and so much more from Jardins de l’Écoumène!
EcoTraction: The icy season isn’t over yet! This effective mineral traction agent is all natural, safe for children and pets, and doesn’t harm the environment. Now let’s convince our boroughs to start using it! For more information visit: www.ecotraction.com
Member Specials
We pay the taxes on all menstrual products: In honour of International Women’s Day we will pay the taxes on all of our alternative menstrual products for the month of March. Now’s your chance to try these safer more environmentally friendly products, or to stock up if you are already a fan. To browse our products click here.
Eco Logic
International Women's Day feature: Menstrual products, your health, and the environment
(message from Co-op La Maison Verte)
In honour of International Women’s Day (March 8th) we wanted to talk a little bit about women’s health, the environment, and access to alternative menstrual products.
Did you know that every year 13.5 billion pads and 6.5 billion tampons end up in U.S. landfills? With the average woman in Western society throwing away an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 disposable non-biodegradable pads or tampons in her lifetime, Canada certainly isn’t far behind.
Mainstream menstrual products also contain synthetic and toxic materials like rayon (which can contain dioxins), chlorine bleach, pesticide residues (from the cotton), fragrances, and dyes. These components are not only released into the environment when the product is thrown away, they may also be absorbed by the body. If you are trying to eliminate toxic products from your home, why would you want them close to—or inside—your body?
While every woman’s menstrual needs are different, we’re sure you can find an alternative menstrual product that works for you at Co-op La Maison Verte. We have reusable options (The Diva Cup, and Moontime organic cotton washable pads), as well as biodegradable pads and tampons that made from organic cotton, and are synthetic- and chlorine bleach-free (from Natracare).
For the month of March we will be offering all of our menstrual products tax-free (which is how we feel they should always be, if there are any government officials reading). We invite you to browse through these products for detailed information and prices. If you have further questions don’t hesitate to call our store. Here’s to making empowered choices about our bodies and the environment. Have a wonderful International Women’s Day!
Links:
For more information: http://www.cbc.ca/newsatsixmontreal/begreen/2009/01/go_with_the_flow.html
Hollyhocks painted by Camille Young: www.camilleyoung.com.
Eco Logic is a place for members to write or suggest articles about environment or community-related subjects of all kinds. Email your ideas to newsletter@cooplamaisonverte.com
5785, Sherbrooke street West, Metro Vendome + bus #105 - call us! 514-489-8000