Great Lakes Refill Co.

🏖️ Clean up beaches and trails! Spend some time during your travels picking up litter to help keep our oceans and natural areas clean and pristine.

🍲 Spice up your breakfast with flavorful Shakshuka! Made with eggs poached in a spicy tomato and pepper sauce, seasoned with cumin, paprika, and chili flakes, this Middle Eastern dish is perfect for brunch. ❤️

It seems like just yesterday when Laurie joined our team...

Can you guess when that was? 😉

🚲 Pedal your way to a greener commute! Choose biking or walking whenever possible to reduce carbon emissions and stay active while getting around town.

Bonus: this week, NuSarnia and the Bluewater Intenational Granfondo are holding a bike to work contest. Snap a photo of yourself and share to for a chance at a new bike!

🧘‍♀️ Practice mindful travel! Slow down, savor each moment, and appreciate the beauty around you while treading lightly on the planet.

🌟 Introducing our What to Make Monday recipe: Warm Lentil Salad. It combines brown lentils and seasonal vegetables in the tastiest warm salad recipe. Like so many of our recipes, many of the ingredients are interchangeable. Don't love bok choy - substitute some spinach. Not crazy about squash - I highly recommend sweet potatoes. There are many different options. For a vegan version, add in vegan feta cheese or skip it altogether. To make this a full meal, add in the cooked protein of your choice. Many of the ingredients can be found right here at GLRC! https://www.greatlakesrefillcompany.ca/blogs/recipes/warm-lentil-salad
❤️

Did you know that we carry an unscented version of nearly every personal care product in the store? They are all on sale now!

https://www.greatlakesrefillcompany.ca/collections/sale

Throwback Thursday to the time we won an Outstanding Business Achievement Award from the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce. We were recognized as the Green Business of the Year. 😊

Nominations are open for the 2024 OBAAs. Who will you nominate?

We are excited to be supporting this amazing local event that promotes active transportation in our community. If you can, consider joining us as a volunteer on Saturday June 15.

Join Our Team of Volunteers at the Kids Bike Rally on June 15th! 🚲

We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to assist with event logistics, serve as on-course cycling marshals, and support vendor tents. Are you or someone you know a high school student in need of volunteer hours? This is a fantastic opportunity to get involved and make a difference!

Click here to sign up and be part of this exciting event: https://nusarnia.org/kids-bike-rally/volunteer/

Throwback Thursday to the time we were featured in Smash Hits - a kids book all about the opportunities in Sarnia-Lambton!

It's Laura's Birthday (next week)!

We are celebrating with 15% off her 4 favourite products:

Chocolate Protein Pancake Mix - https://www.greatlakesrefillcompany.ca/products/rice-protein-pancakes-chocolate?_pos=1&_sid=279ee9987&_ss=r

Kitchen and Bath Cleaner - https://www.greatlakesrefillcompany.ca/products/cleaner?_pos=1&_sid=e7be42c5c&_ss=r

Goldenseal and Citrus Shower Gel - https://www.greatlakesrefillcompany.ca/products/100000000911?variant=40338789072965

Tamari (Gluten Free Soy Sauce) - https://www.greatlakesrefillcompany.ca/products/100001365?_pos=1&_sid=085333dc5&_ss=r

Now available on tap at our store!

Dive into the delightful world of “Isn’t it Dandy” – our enchanting seasonal kombucha blend!
Crafted with care, this brew captures the essence of dandelion’s versatility!
This blend features a harmonious herbaceous blend of dandelion root, leaves, flowers, with our sweet maple syrup, and a splash of lemon!
Some may see Dandelion as a nuisance, in reality they have an underrated beauty! Dandelions are not only known for their digestive capabilities but also for its heart-healthy benefits, known to support cardiovascular function and promote overall wellness.
Join us in redefining perceptions and savour the magic of nature in every sip of “Isn’t It Dandy”!

Some additional info on our Race to Erase charity of choice.

"Race to Erase" is on the way and we want to take this time to highlight one of the charities you could be racing for: Women's Interval Home of Sarnia Lambton.

Established in 1977, the Women’s Interval Home of Sarnia-Lambton (WIH) provides emergency shelter, support and counselling to abused women and their children. The WIH was one of the first women’s shelters in Ontario. The WIH offers emergency shelter to women and children 24 hours a day and also has a 24-hour crisis/support line. Their staff receive specialized training to assist women with their housing, legal, financial, and safety planning needs. All of their services are free and confidential.

The Race to Erase isn’t a running race, but a race where teams of four compete in fun-filled challenges throughout their community, competing for the fastest time and largest fundraising amount. Teams choose which charity they would like their funds to support and their charity receives 100% of funds received. There is no fee to register, but each team of four is asked to raise a minimum of $500 for the charity of their choosing

Race to Erase, which started in 2006, is a great way to get out in the community, have some fun with friends, and support great local organizations!

Don't miss out on your chance to compete in fun challenges across Sarnia-Lambton, learn about local businesses and organizations, AND support a charity of your choosing.

You can find all the details on Race to Erase at https://sarnia2024.racetoerase.com/

We are excited to offer a monthly subscription box filled with products from Great Lakes Refill Co.

Order by the last Tuesday of the month for pick up or delivery the following Tuesday. Be sure to add any additional items to include in your order to be delivered at the same time!

https://www.greatlakesrefillcompany.ca/products/glrc-subscription-box?_pos=1&_sid=6bc033963&_ss=r

🍛 Indulge in the rich flavors of Ethiopia with traditional Doro Wat! This spicy chicken stew is seasoned with berbere spice blend, featuring chili peppers, fenugreek, and other aromatic spices.
❤️

🍯 Pamper your skin with a homemade sugar scrub! Mix brown or white sugar with coconut oil and a few drops of essential oil for a luxurious exfoliating treatment that leaves skin soft and smooth.

We're having a charity bake sale in support of our Race to Erase Team, Only Here for the Pizza, in support of The Women's Interval Home of Sarnia-Lambton. Stop by the store on Friday or Saturday to pick up a sweet treat and support a good cause. Cash and online donations accepted.

*This bake sale includes gluten free and vegan options.

Not able to make it into the store? Consider donating here:
https://donate.racetoerase.com/donate/donate/form/event/1025/token/k1yzyl93d7/share

Interested to learn more about this fundraising event?
https://sarnia2024.racetoerase.com/how-it-works

Throwback Thursday to the time last summer when we worked with our amazing neighbours at Save the Date - Floral and Decor to update our sign!

🛍️ Shop consciously and support eco-friendly brands! Look for products made from recycled materials, organic ingredients, and ethical production practices to reduce your ecological footprint.

🚶‍♀️ Want to truly experience the essence of a city? Take a walking tour instead of a bus tour. Not only does walking allow you to explore at a leisurely pace and soak up the sights, sounds, and smells of the city, but it also reduces your environmental impact. Plus, you'll stumble upon hidden gems and local treasures that you might miss from a bus window. So lace up your shoes and get ready to discover the soul of the city, one step at a time.

🌟 Introducing our What to Make Monday recipe: Vegan Almond Butter Blondies. This is an easy, vegan, gluten-free dessert. Feel free to add in your own toppings as well (dried cranberries, nuts). Plus, many of the ingredients can be found right here at GLRC!

Yes, we forgot to take a picture of the final product before we ate them :)

https://www.greatlakesrefillcompany.ca/blogs/recipes/vegan-almond-butter-chocolate-chip-blondies

Are you looking for a last-minute Mother's Day Gift for the mom in your life? Why not send her a ticket to our next Make and Take Workshop on May 15 from 6-8. We will be making one edible product and one personal care product. At the break we always serve tea and treats from the store. Join us by purchasing tickets here:

https://www.greatlakesrefillcompany.ca/products/make-and-take-workshop?_pos=2&_sid=443be953e&_ss=r

🥘 Explore the flavors of the Middle East with Falafel! Seasoned with cumin, coriander, garlic, and parsley, these crispy chickpea fritters are perfect for stuffing in pita bread or serving with tahini sauce.

Don't feel like making your own today? We have premade falafels in our freezer!

https://www.greatlakesrefillcompany.ca/products/falafel?_pos=1&_sid=14c0f887e&_ss=r

🌿 Make your own herbal-infused cleaning vinegar for a fragrant twist on homemade cleaners! Combine fresh herbs like lavender or rosemary with vinegar and let steep for a few days before straining. Your house will smell divine.

Throwback Thursday to May 2023, when we hosted an amazing stop for Race to Erase.

While we won't be hosting a stop for this year's Race to Erase fundraiser, we are excited to be taking part this year, raising funds for Women's Interval Home of Sarnia Lambton.

Want to help support our team? Donations can be made here:
https://donate.racetoerase.com/donate/donate/form/event/1025/token/k1yzyl93d7/share

Interested in taking part? All of the info can be found here:
https://sarnia2024.racetoerase.com/register-a-team

🐝 Create a pollinator-friendly garden! Plant native flowers, shrubs, and trees to attract bees, butterflies, and other essential pollinators to your yard. 🌻🌷🌳☀️

🍽️ Hungry for local flavors? Support farmers and artisans by shopping at local markets and eateries. Not only will you enjoy fresh, seasonal produce and delicious homemade meals, but you'll also reduce your carbon footprint by skipping the long supply chains associated with imported goods. Plus, you'll get to connect with the community and learn about traditional cuisines and cooking methods. It's a delicious way to travel sustainably!

🌟 Introducing our What to Make Monday recipe: Home-made Pasta.

Making home-made pasta was actually my COVID hobby. Some people planted beautiful gardens or learned to play a new musical instrument. I taught myself to make home-made pasta. That is not to say that it is hard; it just requires patience. If you haven't done this before, be prepared to start rolling out some dough, then find that it is either too sticky or too dry, and then go back to kneading it and adding either more flour or more water. Like I said, patience.

I have since used the pasta recipe to make beautiful ravioli with our new ravioli roller. Check them out!

https://www.greatlakesrefillcompany.ca/blogs/recipes/home-made-fresh-pasta

Want to catch up with Climate Action Sarnia Lambton? They have an event coming up next week!

General meeting of the annual variety, social get together.
Come mingle next Wednesday May 15th at Refined Fool London Road location.