In the Metro Vancouver area alone, over 44 million pounds of clothing were thrown out last year and sent to landfills. There, many of the items containing plastic will take anywhere from hundreds to thousands of years to decompose.

Green Leaf Brewing celebrates its fifth anniversary this week. I recall first learning of the brewery’s opening and wondering, at the time, if the North Shore would be able to support the rapid growth trend of craft breweries that was materializing. By my count, we now have six unique craft breweries on the North Shore (as well as three craft distilleries) and, as reported by the North Shore News recently, new proposed brewery developments have prompted North Vancouver city council to take a look at zoning bylaw changes that would make the addition of lounge and restaurant space within breweries easier to secure. Such changes could result in a full-on brewery “district” along East Esplanade. On any given night, each of our existing breweries seem to draw significant crowds, categorically answering my earlier question about whether or not we had a critical mass to support new beer businesses. We do.

If you are worried about the health of your pet during the COVID-19 pandemic, you are not alone.

Just because you’re stuck inside due to this pesky COVID-19 outbreak, that’s no reason to go without beer. Thankfully, a number of B.C. craft breweries offer online sales, with delicious craft beer available to be delivered right to your front door. In Vancouver, you can even get Skip the Dishes to deliver beer from some of your favourite craft breweries.

A new study published May 2 has suggested there are no mental health benefits to eating your placenta. The new research was conducted by the B.C. Mental Health and Substance Use Services’ Research Institute, alongside UBC which was published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada.

My sensible wife reminds me that Valentine’s Day is only a Hallmark holiday – a day when florists are overwhelmed selling roses at the highest prices of the year and when you should have made a reservation if you wanted an intimate night out. Of course, we could never outlaw Valentine’s Day in Canada; the chocolate, floral and greeting card industries would lobby ferociously for their biggest day of the year.

We get it, parents are busy. In Vancouver at least, it’s typical that both parents work, which can make dinner time more than a little hectic. To get some ideas on how to ease some of that stress, the Courier had some questions for Trevor Bird, chef/owner of Fable Kitchen, former Top Chef contestant, spokesperson for Real Canadian Superstore and, most importantly, parent to two-year old Leonidas (Leo).

Vancouver-based Strongbody Apparel is back at it again, this time giving away men’s workout tees. Having sold out of their womenswear launch giveaway of 1,000 leggings in just days, they increased the legging giveaway to 10,000 pairs. Next on the list: menswear! Strongbody is giving away 1,000 of their best-selling Stoic mens tees. Like the women’s free legging campaign, all you have to do is pay for the cost of shipping.

While planning a vacation can be a fun and exciting exercise, it helps to know what to do, where to stay, and where to eat. Booking the travel can be an exercise in patience and persistence as you scour websites looking for the best accommodation packages and event tickets. Whistler Blackcomb has devised a way to help visitors to the Resort and Whistler Village enjoy everything the area has to offer at the best price.

The best summer hikes call for the best summer rewards… If you live in Vancouver, you’re acutely attuned to the changing of the seasons.

A new study reveals that 71 per cent of Canadians participate in cultural experiences to reduce anxiety and stress. “Culture is a place that people want to make them feel better,” says Arthur Cohen, CEO of consulting company LaPlaca Cohen, and millennials are the most culturally active generation – participating in three cultural activities on average each month. Cohen says millennials are really looking for a social, interactive experience. “The idea of the cultural outing is first and foremost social. When people say they want something fun they want something that gives them that opportunity to have that connection with others.”

While skiing and snowboarding are a great deal of fun, Whistler offers a plethora of fun activities that you must try. From dog sledding to luxurious spas, delicious eats to bobsledding, this alpine destination has something for you!

This winter you can be whisked away by helicopter to Canadas largest, southernmost ice field for a private high-end dinner served in a secret, hidden ice cave. The exclusive opportunity is available to guests at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler in partnership with Head-Line Mountain Holidays.

So you’re ready to buy a new home. But as everyone knows, it’s not a simple process.