Monday, April 18, 2011

Interview with Author Kaayla Canfield

At a very young age Kaayla Canfield enjoyed spending a great deal of time outside, close to Mother Nature, planting and tilling their family garden. Years later she started doing “Going Green Seminars” for elementary school children in her hometown of Calgary.

Hello, Kaayla. "Going Green" seems to be of great concern now days and what better time of year to discuss your book than the Easter season and the celebration of Earth Day. Please tell us about your new book.

My book is about teaching people how to go green in simple to implement steps. Breaking it down into baby steps, so people are not so overwhelmed by the prospect of greening their life. I have done a lot of research, and give lots of resource material to people, to help them along their green journey.

I started off writing the book for homeowners, thinking that they would be my target audience, but along the way, I found that children in various grades were very interested in this. That is when I started to give talks in schools, to help the children understand how simple things add up and make a big difference.

Then it was suggested to me, to contact Alberta Education, and submit my book for consideration in Alberta’s curriculum program. It was approved in October 2010, and it should start appearing in classrooms soon.

Where did you get your inspiration for this book?

I have had allergies all of my life, so I was brought up finding ways to look after myself, that were healthy and inexpensive. When I was a little girl, my mother did not buy commercial house cleaners, we used vinegar and water to clean mirrors, counters and many other things.

If a room had an odor, we opened a window for a few minutes in the winter, or placed a bowl of vinegar in the room, which got rid of the odor. Febreez did not exist back then, but I never would have been able to use it anyway.

A few years ago, I was working in a warehouse environment, and I developed asthma. After doing some research, I found that peppermint oil worked at helping to open my airways, and allowed me to breath. I have never enjoyed taking medications, so I always try to find natural ways of taking care of it. I really feel that there are too many drugs out there that have harmful side effects, and they lead to really serious health problems.

I totally agree with you. Dr. Quentin G.R. Schwenke said, “I wish that I had had ‘Simply Going Green’ available to recommend to my patients during my many years of Preventive Medical Practice. It prevents illness. That is true Preventive Medicine.” Tell us your thoughts about this and why it prevents illness.

When you study what all these chemicals do to our bodies on a daily basis, it is no wonder that so many people have health problems. I think people need to take more responsibility for their own health, and find natural ways to heal themselves. My book “Simply Going Green” is chalk full of resources to help people find natural ways of healing themselves. By using essential oils like Peppermint to help open airways or to help take the edge off a headache, you are not adding chemicals to your body, which could bring on other problems. I provide website links, so people do not have to do a lot of research, and instead just need to do some reading. Preventative Medicine, starts with us, and our willingness to look for alternative ways of healing our bodies.

Wow! I didn’t know about Peppermint taking away headaches. That’s awesome! How do you save money by going green?

When we repurpose items and find different uses for them, we are saving money by not spending it. When we make purchases, buy quality items, not stuff that will wear out in short order and leave us spending more money in the long run. Research what products are quality, so you know when you do go shopping.

Also, learn to do things for yourself. Grow a garden, and save money by not spending it on food. Learn to grow herbs in the winter, in containers on a kitchen window ledge. Learn how to do simple maintenance on your vehicle, like checking the tire air pressure so you are getting good gas mileage. Instead of buying new jeans when the zipper wears out, learn how to stitch a new zipper in. Take a good look at what you want to replace, and decide if it has a lot of wear left in it, if you took the time to fix it. If the answer is yes it does have lots of wear left in it, then learn how to fix it. There is usually a family member, neighbor or friend that knows how to fix these things, and will happily show you how to do it.

If you think about it, our grandparents lived on a whole lot less, were healthier, and had a good life. They knew simple green methods for everything, and if we pay attention to them, if they are still alive, then we too can learn how to be a lot greener and save money.

Thank you for your good advice, Kaayla. Now it’s time to tell us something about the real you that we’ll never forget.

When I was a small child, my father used to make homemade wine. One afternoon when it was raining, he was sitting on the covered doorstep outside, and enjoying his wine, and let me have my first sip of the wine. Now, when it rains, I always grab a glass of wine and like to sit outside enjoying the smell of rain and the taste of wine. It reminds me of my father. I guess it is a way of being close to him, even though he has passed on. Wine and rain always reminds me of my father.

It sounds like you have some wonderful memories with your dad. How wonderful! Thank you so much, Kaayla, for this interview.

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great interview.
Love the giveway, i'm an international entry.
msuck27@hotmail.co.uk

karenk said...

i would like to know more about 'going green'

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

RaNae said...

Wow! I'm with you Linda, I didn't know peppermint will take the edge away from a headache, as I am sitting here suffering from a headache. Peppermint oil will definitely be my next essential oil purchase.

raynib9ads@gmail.com

apple blossom said...

please enter me thinks

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Mozi Esme said...

Looks like a useful book! I had allergies as a child, and my daughter also deals with them...

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Katherine said...

I am always looking for ways to be healthier! I would love to read this book!
katsaddress AT gmail DOT com

Jennifer R said...

We all need more help in going green. This book sounds like it is a valuable tool. I know that my husband would also be able to use it in his 5th grade classroom.
Thanks,
Jen
jryder416 at yahoo dot com

Chelsea Rafferty said...

This looks like it would be a great book! I'm all about alternate methods for going green and for health issues :)

swtlilangel4jc@ yahoo dot com

thank you for the giveaway :)

Katie said...

I love to learn more about go green, US entry

thanks for the giveaway!

katie_tp(at)yahoo(dot)com

Michelle said...

I love ideas that help me live a more natural lifestyle. Thanks for the giveaway.
Canadian entry
cmichellehofer(at)gmail(dot)com

rhonda1111 said...

I am going to try and grow a garden square box last summer so i am trying a little. please enter me. thanks

Anonymous said...

librarypat said...
It is much easier to go green than most people realize. Most are too lazy to try. All members of our family have started recycling and resource saving programs where we work and with organizations we belong to. We are pleased that our children are as concerned as we are. Our oldest daughter has gone even further than we have.
I am always looking for new resources with more suggestions.
I love your wine in the rain remembrance. It is nice how certain things bring back warm memories of those we love.

I live in the US.

librarypat AT comcast DOT net

Unknown said...

I love that she started this for homeowners but kids of all ages are interested in it. My granddaughter is only 8 months old but I want every resource I can get to teach her to be more "green".

I love in the US

blazesandbubbles AT gmail DOT com
readingwithbakingoddess.blogspot.com

mamabunny13 said...

I would love tho read this. Thanks for the giveaway.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I use Migrasticks for headaches which contains peppermint oil. It works great.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a great book! I'm a big propagator of staying green among my friends. I'd love to win a copy and learn more useful tips!!

Kris
elfdrop AT gmail DOT com

Devony said...

That's such fascinating information! As a child I saw an herbalist for some recurring headache problems and was fascinated by what different herbs do to our bodies. Please enter me too! I'd love to learn more! wilsondev(At)gmail(dot)com. USA

holls said...

Thanks! Holly wright
hollybwright at comcast dot net
boudoirbook.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Wow awesome interview and giveaway!!

Morganlafey86(at)aol(dot)com

Connie Black said...

Wow, thanks for the chance.
epblack at zoominternet dot net

IandSsmom said...

Great interview! I have allergies too so I found this very interesting! It is all just a great idea for kids to be exposed to less toxins!!
shannonjean14(at)gmail(dot)com

Stacie said...

Loved the interview. Never knew about peppermint helping with headaches :)

scouts579(at)aol(dot)com

Alexis Amelotte said...

Love the concept of "going green"!

shakespeareanlover1215@yahoo.com

Elle said...

I have allergies too. I would like to read this book. Sounds interesting.

elleberra at gmail dot com

Carina L. Tai said...

Coincidentally, my birthday was Earth Day :) I'd love to learn more on the concept of going green!

Thanks so much for the giveaway!


alicia.aatran@yahoo.com
http://dystopiandesserts.blogspot.com/

angieb said...

angiebestboss@gmail.com

I had never heard of using vinegar as an air freshener!
Thanks!

Unknown said...

Very nice interview

velvethubler at yahoo dot com

Linda Weaver Clarke said...

Thanks for stopping by everyone, and don't forget that every week I have a new book giveaway. Congratulations, Lexie, you are the winner of this awesome book.