Craig Perlmutter, President of Arcadia Earth Toronto, shared with the Toronto Guardian what inspired him to create Arcadia Earth Toronto, merging art and environmental protection to alchemize the scenery into magnificent moments. “Arcadia Earth Toronto was created after a happenstance visit I made to the exhibit in NYC just over four years ago,” says Craig Perlmutter. “I was in the city to watch the Maple Leafs play at Madison Square Garden, and I stumbled upon the Arcadia Earth exhibit on Broadway. I was drawn to the large-scale art and technology which had great entertainment value, but surprisingly, also greatly inspired me. Each room has environmentally focused topics and one room, in particular, created an unforgettable moment for me regarding single-use plastic bags and a newfound motivation to live more sustainably with a just a few solid, digestible lifestyle changes.”

Imagine walking into an Arcadia Earth exhibit, where your connection with the planet transforms. You experience a 17,000-square-foot multi-sensory journey that immerses guests in the heart of worldwide challenges such as plastic waste, biodiversity loss, and overfishing. A newly added exhibit, the LED Tunnel, offers guests the opportunity to transport themselves through different habitats as they explore tranquil lakes, exalted oceans, and abundant forests. Through curved LED screens depicting various ecosystems, guests gain insights into how creatures and species cope with climate change and uncover ways to protect these habitats and support the survival of the species for a more sustainable future.

Perlmutter shares his hope to create eventful experiences for hundreds of thousands of attendees who can make a significant difference for our planet. “Arcadia Earth NYC was born a few years earlier by Valentino Vettori, an accomplished designer and artist,” he says. “Once we met, we shared a clear vision of how art can bring people together while also inspiring them to help protect and restore our planet and its resources. Our goal for the Toronto exhibit is to create an entertaining and exciting educational space on climate change that isn’t overwhelming but rather awe-inspiring.”

Striving to impact attendees’ awareness and behaviour, Craig Perlmutter shares more about the reception and social media buzz surrounding Arcadia Earth in downtown Toronto. “Since opening in December 2023, Arcadia Earth has welcomed over 70,000 visitors who leave the exhibit with new knowledge about our planet and feel inspired to take action towards a greener future,” he says. “People are drawn to Arcadia Earth for the entertainment value and the incredible visuals, but what they leave with is a newfound inspiration to live a more sustainable life with a few tangible, lifestyle changes we’re trying to instil. It’s been amazing to see people of all ages engaging with the exhibit and leaving feeling inspired and activated to make these positive changes.”

He notes that Arcadia Earth Toronto has not only engaged individuals and families but has also captivated the attention of business leaders from several industries. These leaders are bringing their employees and customers for group visits and special events to support spreading their messages about creating a better world.

“One of our projection mapping rooms was created through a partnership with WWF-Canada to showcase Regenerate Canada, the organization’s 10-year plan to expand habitats, reduce carbon emissions, lower industrial impacts and, as a result, reverse wildlife loss and fight climate change. We’re proud to donate $2 to WWF-Canada from every individual ticket sold,” says Perlmutter.

Located at The Well, Arcadia Earth offers an intimately distinctive exploration of the impact of human influence on the environment. Stay enlightened through educational commentary about being part of the solution for a healthier world while witnessing the futuristic lens of augmented and virtual reality. Visit their website to learn more about how you can purchase a ticket and experience the wonders of these innovative art exhibits.

The post Craig Perlmutter Inspires Sustainable Change through Immersive Art and Technology appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

What is your business called and what does it do?

PÁMECARE ® is all about elevating personal care through sustainable products. Our hand sanitizers are only made of premium ingredients, that have been carefully formulated through extensive scientific research to keep your hands protected, moisturized, non-tacky, and smelling great!

Other than premium ingredients, what really sets PÁMECARE ® apart is its unique scents! PÁMECARE ® is currently available in 8 unique fine fragrance scents that match different personalities. Go ahead, indulge your senses and express your personality freely!

What made you want to do this work?

I am very passionate about cleaning in general using various products & solutions. Having been in the commercial cleaning business for over 20 years, I was inspired one day to share this passion with everyone.

What problem did you want to solve with the business?

Over the past 20 years, I’ve been using hand sanitizers almost daily in the field of work in my commercial cleaning business. Having tried hundreds of different brands, I noticed that they all had one thing in common. An unpleasant experience. Be it the bad smell, the tackiness, or the harshness.

I then questioned myself, “why does applying hand sanitizer always have to be such an unpleasant experience?” And that’s when I decided to launch PÁMECARE®, in 2019, a premium line of moisturizing hand sanitizers that’s here to change the way people experience hand sanitizers!

The only premium line of moisturizing Hand Sanitizer that understands your needs.

Proudly manufactured in Canada, PÁMECARE ® has been carefully formulated based on your needs. Backed by extensive scientific research, we know you’re going to fall in love with it from the first rub.

Who are your clientele/demographics?

We offer sustainable luxury products to conscious customers and cater to the ever-growing demand for quality and self-care. The majority of our demographics are women, but a good share is also from men.

How does your business make money? How does it work?

We currently sell on our e-commerce platform. We are also in talks with retail and wholesale for presence.

Where in Toronto can we find your profession?

Imitations you can find everywhere, the original only at www.pame.care

What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.

One of the common questions the industry gets is geared towards quality ingredients. A question might ask, “What makes your hand sanitizer better than anyone else’s?”

PÁMECARE ® is all premium and contains 10x the amount of moisturizing ingredients as compared to ordinary hand sanitizers, offering you a much superior experience.

What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?

Love creating new formulations that people will love. The worst part is that we cannot create products fast enough because of the pandemic.

What is your favourite joke about your own profession?

That there are so many bad sanitizers out there.

What are your social media channels?

You can find us on a number of channels:

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok | Pinterest

PAY IT FORWARD: What is another Toronto business that you love?

There are so many out there and it’s hard to choose, but I really like what Drink Juice Co. is doing.

***

Bonus: My personal review

I had the opportunity to test PÁMECARE ® products and it’s already been a month since I use their products daily.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, hand sanitizers are essential to our health and we use them multiple times on a daily basis. As I have sensitive skin, hand sanitizers are often irritating and they leave me almost always with dry skin.

Why is PÁMECARE® different than the other brands?

It is the first time that I see hand sanitizers that are that moisturizing!!

PÁMECARE® uses hydrating agents such as Aloe Vera, Glycerin, Castor oil and Vitamin E (such good ingredients!) in their hand sanitizers and it shows !

After using PÁMECARE® products, my hands don’t feel dry and they smell good!

I have tried different formulas but I have to say that the Premium hand sanitizer “Golden Amber” is my favourite! In addition to disinfecting and moisturizing my hands, it leaves them with an elegant fragrance smell that I love.

During this month, I also have been sick and I have been disinfecting my house with the Sanitizer Spray that leaves a great lavender smell.

Their products are good quality and very easy to carry everywhere.

Do I recommend PÁMECARE®?

Yes! I definitely recommend their products and I will keep using them in the future.

The post Homegrown Business: Manos Petrellis, Founder & CEO of PÁMECARE appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Rotisserie Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Serves 2 

Ingredients:

– 1 cup shredded cooked rotisserie chicken

– 2 tablespoons mayonnaise

– 1 teaspoon Sriracha hot sauce

– 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

– 1⁄2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

– 1 teaspoon lemon juice

– 1 tablespoon chopped chives

– 1⁄4 cup celery, finely diced

– 1⁄2 medium apple, cored and diced

– Salt and freshly ground black pepper

– 4 slices Oroweat 100% Whole Grain

– 2 tablespoon unsalted butter

– 1 teaspoon olive oil

– 2 slices prosciutto

– 2 slices cheddar cheese

Directions:

1) Add the mayonnaise, hot sauce, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, chives, and some salt & pepper to a medium bowl. Stir until smooth.

2) Add in the chicken, celery and apple. Stir together until combined. Season well with salt and pepper.

3) In a large frying pan, over medium heat, add the olive oil and prosciutto and cook until crisp about 1-2 minutes per side. Remove from oil and reserve on a plate and wipe pan with paper towel.

4) Return pan to medium heat and place 2 slices, butter side down to the skillet.

5) Top with cheese slices, followed by the prosciutto, then top with the chicken mixture. Place the remaining bread on top, butter side up.

6) Cook until cheese is melted, and bread is golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side.

The post Rotisserie Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich recipe by Chef Lynn Crawford appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Mama Earth noticed a significant  increase in their membership over the past year. While that is exciting news, the company still makes it a priority to prove to consumers that by choosing them is not only a great option for delicious fresh food while supporting local farmers and food artisans but also a positive choice for the world. They are not  just another subscription based delivery service, but one that is transparent about their business.

The company also hopes to see the industry adopt more strategies for supporting what they call a circular economy, an alternative to the traditional linear economy (make, use, dispose) and instead prioritize the continuous use of resources. Big or small, good choices, they tell us, add up and that’s how we can all have a lasting positive impact on the world.

If you’re not familiar with the goodness of Mama Earth, they focus on sourcing organic products and building long term relationships with small, locally run family farms as much as possible. They’ve been doing so ever since 2007.  Meats offered are responsibly raised in pastures where animals are free range and where they go to forage. Seafood items are 100% Canadian and sourced through fisheries from coast-to-coast through Fisherfolk. If you visit their site you can dive deep into their philosophy.

“We have spent almost 14 years developing our relationships with more than 150 farmers, producers and artisans in Ontario, to ensure we can deliver the best quality products while keeping our carbon footprint small,” said Mary Graham, CEO of Mama Earth.  “Our community of farmers, producers and makers collectively share our vision in the creation of a local food system, built on principles of sustainability and biodiversity.”

Their sourcing philosophy ensures the business practices are both financially sustainable for farmers and affordable for members, all while making sure that each basket brings the best of Ontario food that’s grown and prepared in a way that’s making a real difference for the planet and the economy. “We curate the best of the best of Ontario and offer our customers local produce, up-market pantry staples, responsibly raised meat, sustainable seafood, and made-from-scratch chef-prepared meals, to nourish you and your family,” said Graham.

In addition, Mama Earth recently launched a reusable frozen bin – an industry first.  “We are planet-first in all that we do and are intentional about our “foodprint” – the impact our food system has on our planet,” said Graham.  “We champion a healthy and sustainable food system, which means we believe in doing things differently – from regenerative farming, to our system of partnerships – to do right by the earth, while contributing to food and nutrition security for present and future generations.”

She tells us Mama Earth Organics members expect a great food experience but they also want to make it easier to make more conscious choices. “One example of this is a recent innovation we have made in how we deliver frozen products.  Our curated responsibly raised meats and sustainable seafood, that are best delivered frozen, have in the past required cardboard boxes with insulating capabilities. They are recyclable of course, but we wanted to create a solution for our Members’ teeming blue bins.”

All their frozen products are now available in a reusable, returnable frozen bin. Including meats, seafood, Mama Earth’s own kitchen items, and yes, desserts! They tell us by using the bins it will help save over 255,000 feet of plastic packing tape and almost 600 trees in the next year! The bin itself is even Canadian made as it’s designed and manufactured in Montreal to ensure the company is supporting the Canadian economy wherever possible.

How else has the pandemic affect their business? Graham tells us right from the onset of the pandemic, their two biggest priorities were first, to protect their  employees’ safety (physical, financial, mental), and secondly, to serve  Members’ needs. “That emphasis on health and safety also extends to our suppliers. We’re very intentional about the way we source, partner, curate, prepare and deliver to our subscription members. To that end, we have reviewed the COVID-19 safety protocols of all of our farm partners and other vendors and ensured that they meet or exceed the regulations and standards of their public health unit.”

Our family has tried several types of deliveries over the past year and Mama Earth Organics has helped us understand how we can shop better even as our city begins to ease up pandemic restrictions.  You can learn more about them here.

The post Mama Earth Organics delivers sustainable ways to shop online appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Do you ever wonder what kind of materials you put on your body and where they come from?

Just like a foodie wanting to know exactly what’s on their plate and where it came from, many people would love to learn about the clothes they choose to wear and the story behind it all.

Miik is a Toronto based company that answers all those questions and aims to provide the best quality of clothing to Canadians.

Founded by Michael Gaughan and his wife Donna, the company features their clothing in more than 75 retailers across the nation.

Something new and refreshing about Miik includes the fact that all their clothing is produced and designed within Canada. This is often unheard of when it comes to clothing companies because it’s cheaper to mass produce from abroad.

“We produce a 100 per cent here in Canada. So we custom-mill our own fabrics here in Toronto as well as Montreal. And then all of our manufacturers are all in the GTA. We design and ship from here, literally everything from what we like to say ‘thread to hanger’ is done here locally in Toronto,” says Susan Cadman, president of Miik.

A little bit on the pricier side, but understandably so, Miik offer a versatile collection of wardrobes designed to last as long as possible, allowing customers to benefit in the long run through their ‘less is more’ approach.

When asked about the advantages of producing locally, Cadman says, “I can go up to the mill at any given time, I can go to the dye house and say ‘you know what, that’s not the quality we expect here at Miik’ and then we send it back. Whereas if you’re producing overseas, by the time you get it, it’s too late. You have already paid for it and you own it.”

Not only that, but the company chooses to use the most sustainable products for their clothing. From reducing their carbon imprint to using products such as bamboo for their clothing, Miik has mastered the art of fashion and ethics.

The company also offers a variety of sizes for women ranging from size 0 to size sixteen, or small to extra-large.

One of their season-to-season products includes the Lisa and Lisa2 leggings, made 90 per cent from bamboo. These versatile leggings are designed to be comfortable, with enough elasticity to tone figures and bring out the most confident yet comfortable woman.

“It’s timeless designs that you can roll over season to season, year to year and mix and match,” says Cadman. “We like to design basic pieces that you can make your own. You style it how you want to make it your own piece.”

Cadman highlights that all Miik clothing can be worn in more ways than one. Whether it’s coming to work on a Friday and going out that same night, you’ll only need one Miik outfit for both occasions. How does it work?

“A lot of our tops and dresses are back to front reversible. It just goes along with the versatility”

Cadman gave the example of the Colby dress she was wearing, saying she could wear the Emily blazer with it for work, then “lose the jacket, go to the washroom, flip it around, and then you can wear the scoop neck if you want a little sexier look.”

Miik is a growing brand staying true to its roots and branching out to all sorts of demographics of women, and now even a small collection for men too.

So if you’re worried about that pile of clothing sitting in the corner of your room, don’t be. Because Miik products are sustainable, environmentally friendly, and will keep you feeling your very best at all times.

“It’s about buying less and having more.”

Visit the Miik website to order online, and follow them on social media to keep up with their ever-growing versatility and new looks each season.

The post Miik clothing is sustainable, environmentally friendly and of course, fashionable appeared first on Toronto Guardian.