DIY and Plastic-Free Swaps Workshop

Surfrider Foundation Vancouver gathered the city’s experts in wellness and plastic-free alternatives for an educational evening, to demonstrate just how easy it is to swap out plastic products in some of our self-care and household routines.

To celebrate plastic-free July, Surfrider Foundation Vancouver held a friendly and cozy DIY and plastic-free swaps workshop at Soundhouse Studios in Vancouver, BC featuring Regan Courtney, Linh Truong and Connie Pretula as our speakers. The Vancouver community came together to learn about a variety of DIY eco-friendly alternatives for household products and self-care items. Our three presenters are all local Vancouverites who kindly shared their knowledge and wisdom with us, so naturally – we have included their recipes below for all to enjoy!

1) DIY Granola demo
2) Body Scrub giveaways/samples
3) DIY Aloe cream moisturizer
4) Household Cleaner
5) Coffee Grounds Scrub

Be sure to stay tuned for our next Surfrider Vancouver event. We hope to see you there! 

Our three presenters delivered tips and tricks for DIY plastic-free options, swaps and practical methods.

REGAN COURTNEY – Regan is a Fitness & Health Coach based in Vancouver, BC and founder of the PACIFIC SOUL LIFESTYLE. Her mission is to Connect, Inspire, Energize and Preserve. You can follow her on Instagram @pacifisoul.regan to find out more about her events and updates.

LINH TRUONG – Linh Truong is on a mission to reduce waste, energy and toxins from our home! As co-founder of The Soap Dispensary and Kitchen Staples, Vancouver’s first zero waste store, the shop helps to keep single-use plastics out of our landfills, watersheds and energy-intensive recycling systems by encouraging customers to refill their own containers and reduce packaging waste. Check out the Soap Dispensary and Kitchen Staples on Instagram @thesoapdispensary and Twitter @soapdispensary. Drop by the store located at 3718 Main Street, Vancouver, BC.

CONNIE PRETULA – Nutrition is the foundation of our health. As a Certified Nutritional Practitioner, Connie Pretula guides her clients to better living through better food choices. Her mission is to make food both healing and nutritious! Experiencing first-hand the challenges of navigating menopause, her passion is to educate and guide women 40+ to experience the restorative and therapeutic effects of nutrition. Follow Connie on Instagram @menopausenavigator

SURFRIDER VANCOUVER WOULD ALSO LIKE TO GIVE A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS WHO ALSO DONATED THEIR TIME AND GENEROSITY IN SUPPORT OF THIS EVENT!

RECIPES

*We have included the recipes we featured at our workshop below. If you’d like more information on these recipes and the method please email us at communications@surfrider.vancouver.org

Granola Demo: Regan’s Chewy Coconut Date Bars (Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Nut Free, Refined-Sugar Free, Vegan)

2tbsp chia seeds (plus 6Tbsp of water)
2 large ripe bananas
1 cup coconut oil, melted
1/3 cup unsweetened apple sauce
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 cup dates, pitted
2 cups rolled oats, or quick oats
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
3/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup hemp seeds
1/4 cup cocoa nibs
1 ½ tsp cinnamon
1 tsp fine sea salt

Sugar Scrub (for body or face):
Makes One Cup

1 cup granulated sugar (brown or cane)
1/2 cup melted coconut oil (avocado or olive oil work but have green colour)
1 tsp real vanilla extract (or bean powder)
15 drops of essential oil (lavendar)

Instructions:

1. Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix together thoroughly.
2. You can add more or less oil to your liking.
3. Store in an air tight container. Since this recipe doesn’t contain any preservatives, it’s best if it’s used within a month or two.

Coffee Scrub:
1/2 cup brewed coffee grounds
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup carrier oil – we will use Avocado for the workshop

Aloe Cream:

Makes 1 cup/small mason jar
1-2 Aloe leaves
1/2 cup coconut oil
1.5 tablespoons beeswax pastilles (Can also use 3/4th of a 1 oz bar of beeswax, diced finely or grated)
5-8 drops essential oil like lavender or geranium or sweet almond oil (optional)

Directions:

Heat coconut oil, beeswax, and jojoba oil in a modified double boiler, stirring occasionally to make sure contents combine.

Once liquid, pour mixture into glass blender and allow mixture to completely cool (about 1 – 1.5 hours.) Once the mixture has cooled, take a spatula and scrap down the sides of the blender to loosen the contents.

Turn blender on low and slowly pour aloe vera gel into the mixture, stopping occasionally to allow contents to combine.

If contents get “stuck” in the blender, continue to scrap down the sides of the blender and whip mixture by hand until light, fluffy texture forms.

Once aloe vera has been mixed in, blend 5-8 drops essential or almond oil into lotion.