Hello readers! I’m posting, once again, from my cell phone.

I’m in beautiful Montreal today to take in a concert with some friends.

Just now, while walking down rue Sainte-Catherine finishing off a delicious bottle of sparkling lemonade, I noticed something quite odd about Montreal (well, at least this section of it) — there’s no where to recycle along the streets! I saw plenty of garbage cans but no recycling bins of any sort.

Ottawa has big metal disposals for garbage, paper, cans, and glass on nearly every corner but I couldn’t find a single on in downtown Montreal. It almost broke my heart to have to throw my glass bottle in the garbage. To be completely honest, I did carry it around for about an hour looking for somewhere to recycle it but to no avail.

Are you from Montreal? Do you really not have public recycling bins? If so, why couldn’t I find any downtown?

I did, however, notice that Montreal has rent-a-bike stations and just as I was thinking to myself “yeah, but who uses them?” I saw about 15 of them go by in a row — looked to be a group of tourists. Great way to see the city!

So Montreal: You win some green points but you lose some too. I haven’t made up my mind yet if you’ve broken even though. I’ll get back to you, I suppose.

This is the perfect summer drink — the addition of grated ginger really gives the lemonade a delicious zing! I drink lemonade at least 5 times a week every summer so I’m always looking for ways to jazz up my ordinary lemonade and trust me, this recipe’s perfect.

I’ve just recently – thanks to this green project – have switched up my favourite recipes from standard grocery store purchases to healthier, green choices. And let me tell you, organic fruit and vegetables are so much more delicious! I find that this recipe in particular is much better with organic lemons and ginger. Try it out for yourself!

Ingredients

• 10-12 medium organic lemons (scrub them well, slice them thinly)
• 3 tablespoons grated fresh organic ginger (crystallized ginger works well enough, but fresh is best)
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar (I’ve switched to raw sugar as I like the taste much more)
• 5 cups cold water

Method

1. Mash lemons, ginger, and sugar (and salt, if using) in large, deep bowl with potato masher or wooden spoon until lemon slices give up their juice, sugar is dissolved, and juice is thickened to syrup consistency, about 4 minutes.
2. Pour half the lemon slices and syrup through large sieve over bowl; press on solids with masher or back of wooden spoon to release as much liquid as possible. Discard solids; transfer liquid to serving pitcher. Repeat process with remaining lemon slices. Stir in water until blended.
3. Chill well and stir to blend before serving over ice.
4. Enjoy! No, really. Grab yourself a good book and some sunglasses and go sit outside! Enjoy the summer while it’s still here.