Embracing the Journey: Reflections on My First Year of Motherhood
The journey into motherhood is one of the most transformative experiences a woman can embark upon.

April 19, 2022
Research by Maple Leaf Foods has revealed that Canadians throw away an average of $50 worth of expired food a week, and over a third are looking for tips on how they can help to reduce food waste and preserve our planet for future generations1. There’s no Planet B, so this Earth Day, we’re sharing some friendly tips for little changes you can make while grocery shopping that can have a big impact on the environment.
By bringing your own bags to the grocery store, you’re helping to decrease waste and pollution caused by plastic bags that can take hundreds of years to decompose in landfill. If you forget your bags, choose paper over plastic where possible but remember – buying more bags than you need will end up creating unnecessary waste too. Also, don’t forget produce bags! It can be tough to skip plastic produce bags when you don’t want your produce rolling around in your cart or touching the conveyor belt, but cotton mesh bags are a great alternative to plastic and are available to buy at most grocery stores.
Try to avoid products in excessive packaging and in packaging that can’t be recycled. This way, you can reduce your own environmental footprint and the amount of waste you send to landfills.
Look for fresh foods such as bread and meat that have been marked down and freeze them for later. This not only reduces food waste but also the impact on your wallet.
Plan your meals ahead and don’t overbuy foods you can’t freeze. If you love fresh produce, it’s best to head to the grocery store when you need it, in order to avoid having to throw out food that’s gone bad.
While shopping, be sure to read the packaging and look for environmentally friendly logos like ‘Non-GMO’ (which suggests healthier, unprocessed ingredients), or for more sustainable brands that display a Carbon Zero logo, such as Maple Leaf Foods. When you choose these products, you’re supporting efforts to build a carbon neutral world.
Happy Earth Day!
About the author
Tim Faveri is Vice President, Sustainability & Shared Value at Maple Leaf Foods and is known amongst friends as a ‘Green Guru’. To learn all about key environmental terms and some little changes you can make in your everyday lives that have a big impact on the planet, visit: https://www.mapleleaf.ca/carbonneutral/green-glossary/
1 About this Study: These are the findings of a study commissioned by Maple Leaf Foods among a nationally representative sample of 1,532 Canadians who are members of the online Angus Reid Forum, balanced and weighted on age, gender, region and education. For comparison purposes only, a sample of this size would yield a margin of error of +/- 2.4 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. The study was conducted in English and French from March 17-21, 2022.
The journey into motherhood is one of the most transformative experiences a woman can embark upon.
On June 27, Canadian Multiculturalism Day honours the many cultural communities that help build a strong and vibrant Canadian society. Take this opportunity to celebrate the cultural diversity that enriches us collectively and reaffirm your commitment to equity, inclusion, and mutual respect. Here are some resources to introduce your children to this concept.
Kids often like to play in an environment that feels open and allows them to wander. With parent supervision, the outdoors can be a great place for safe and mindful play. Join them in exploring nature.
It wouldn’t be summer without a chance to hike through BC's most beautiful trails. The WILD Outside team hikes throughout the year, whether that’s under Douglas Firs at Lighthouse Park or climbing Mt. Seymour for a breathtaking view of Vancouver.