Thursday, March 31, 2011

TCR Bowl - A - Thon!


The 7th annual cosmic Bowl-A-Thon is taking place May 14th to raise much needed funds for Toronto Cat Rescue. Join us for a very fun afternoon!

To register & for more information, please fill in our online form on the Events page. Download your 2011 Bowl-A-Thon PLEDGE Sheet.

Playtime Bowl 33 Samor Rd, Toronto (near Yorkdale)

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

What Did You Do For Earth Hour 2011???

*Kristina's dad Vince, me, Kristina and the b-day boys dad Ken*

Kristina and I attended her brother-in-laws surprise birthday party this past Saturday and had a blast! Of course when we saw the invite and realized the party was taking smack-dab in the middle of Earth Hour we freaked out a bit!!! Thankfully to the amazing party planner - my best friend & Kristina's sister Melissa, Earth Hour was incorporated in the party! The lights were shut off, candles were lit and the countdown began. Thankfully it didn't hinder the atmosphere at all - everyone had a great time and having all the electricity off just added a different edge to all of the conversations and dancing. The thing that surprised Kristina and I the most was how the adults got more involved in Earth Hour than any of the younger generation did. Melissa's dad and father-in-law were the ones who initiated the countdown and made sure all the electricity in the house was turned off! Kudos to Vince and Ken - THANK YOU!

Kristina and I have already discussed next years plans! By next April, Kristina and her boyfriend John will have moved into their first house so we already know where Earth Hour 2012 will be held!! PARTY TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

xoxox
nicole

Monday, March 28, 2011

Saying Goodbye Is Never Easy


*Rex at the Tails From Greece Walk-A-Thon!*

I met Rex a few years ago at a Tails From Greece walk-a-thon downtown Toronto. Tails From Greece is an amazing organization that works tirelessly to bring abandoned, abused and neglected animals from various shelters in Greece. Unfortunately the majority of animals in Greece are treated less than dirt and government funded poisonings, hangings and shootings happen on a daily basis around the country and throughout the islands.


Rex was found in Thessaloniki by some caring rescuers and unbelievably re-homed in Toronto. He was diagnosed with degenerative Myleopathy in Greece but this did not stop his mom Candice from adopting him and giving him a second chance at life. (She originally saw him on Petfinder!) Rex was born in 2011 and yesterday he went to the Rainbow Bridge. He'll be missed by everyone who came to know him very, very much. Candice made a beautiful tribute to Rex who many people came to know since his journey from Thessaloniki just short of 2 yrs ago (April 29, 2009). We are so sorry for your loss Candice and may you remember all the incredible memories you had with Rex and what an amazing life you were able to provide him with! You will always be his angel!


*A pic I took of Candice & Rex at the walk-a-thon*
xoxox
Nicole

Have A Minute On Facebook??

Alrighty, I know most of you all have Facebook so please do me a huge favour and next time your checking your news feed and creepin' your friends search for "Petango" and LIKE the page!! By doing this simple task, $1.00 will be donated o an animal shelter for ever 'like' to their fanpage!



It's a win-win situation - much needed money will be donated to animal shelters across the U.S. and you will get awesome updates on your news feed of wonderful animals searching for their furr-ever homes!

Thanx a bunch!
Nicole

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Earth Hour Tonight!!!


What will you be doing at 8:30pm tonight??? In the past years since it began I usually spend the event in my home with all lights, electronics and music turned off. With a few candles lit I cuddle with my dogs and usually talk with friends and family who are over at my house during that time. Tonight however will be different. My friend Melissa is hosting a surprise birthday party for her husband and his twin brother at their parents house. Kristina and I of course warned her that it would be taking place during Earth Hour and she has promised to incorporate it into the party! I am excited to see what she has planned for the time period that the world reflects and takes a stand against global warming!! HAVE FUN!!!

xoxox
n

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Too Many Lionfish To Count


*My first encounter with a Lionfish in the Lighthouse Reef*

It has been 48 hours since I retuned from Belize and I must say that I had a wonderful time! Between the amazing coral, puddle jumpers, bonding with a hawksbill and supporting a mini humane society, the trip couldn't have been better. Unfortunately however, this was my first vacation that I had a first hand account of the invasive lionfish that has been taking over the Caribbean for the last few years.


*Joey from "Frenchies" Dive Shop, myself & dive buddy Shelley*
Although we can all agree that they are a stunning and unique looking fish - I can't help but think of how many native species they are taking over and destroying. While in Placencia, Belize - my divemaster Dereon explained that not only 3 weeks ago the town had a lionfish competition to see which dive shop could bring in the most lionfish. Hundreds of fish had been caught, weighed and eventually cooked by a famous chef from Belize City who came down to show the locals how to safely prepare and fillet the fish with poisonous spines! Apparently it tastes like chicken lol
*Another lionfish inside Laughing Bird Reef, Placencia*

Even though hundreds of lionfish were caught from the local reefs, Dereon informed me that not even a week later many more of these fish were spotted on the exact same reefs. Everyone has now realized that there will be no way to eradicate the lionfish completely but simply try and come up with new ideas to keep their numbers low - like competitions and introducing lionfish on local restaurant menus! Lets hope next time I visit Belize I will see ZERO lionfish! I only want to see them in the Pacific!! :0)

xoxox
Nicole


Wednesday, March 9, 2011

9 Year Old Vows To Save Lolita!!!

The Intelligence & Compassionate Children Demonstrate never ceases to amaze me!




Paul just turned 9 years old, he is passionate, dedicated and an incredibly hopeful child. He wants to educate and inform all those who do not know Lolita's story. He has faith that Lolita can be freed and taken back to Puget Sound were here family including her mother wait for her. She has been kept captive in the Miami Seaquarium for too long. She deserves to be free. Please help Paul and all of us in spreading the message... Help in any way you can and join us in Freeing Lolita!

To find out how you can help and for more information please visit...

Hope4Dolphins.com
Hope4Lolita.com
SaveLolita.com
OrcaNetwork.com

A HUGE thank you and everyone else who has dedicated their time and passion to savinf Lolita. If you would like to voice your concern directly please email: agsec@usda.gov and tell the USDA to enforce their own laws regarding Lolitas tank size!!! We can and WILL make a difference!!

xoxox
Nicole

Monday, March 7, 2011

A Perfect Recipe For Pancake Tuesday!


Many of us around the world will be feasting on pancakes for dinner tomorrow in celebration of the Catholic celebration Lent. I love being able to give up something that I really enjoy whether it be chocolate, potatoes, gossip magazines or exercising. Ok ya, forget the last one I can't give that one up even though I would LOVE to!! Hahaha...........if you are planning a feast tomorrow why not whip up some super scrumptious, fluffy, vegan pancakes!!

Things You'll Need:

1 Cup White Flour (Whole Wheat will make denser pancakes)

1-2 Tablespoons Granulated Sugar

2 Tablespoons Baking Powder

1/8 Teaspoon Salt

1/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1 Cup SoyMilk

2 Tablespoons light Oil like corn or safflower

1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice

1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

2 medium mixing bowls

A spoon or ladle

Spatula

Hot griddle or pan

Instructions:

1. One mixing bowl combine all dry ingredients and stir well. In the other mixing bowl combine all wet ingredients and stir well.

2.

Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix with a spatula gently. Do not beat or overmix. The batter should be thick and lumpy, not thin and smooth.

3.

Let the batter sit while you heat up your griddle or pan. Using a non-stick pan non-stick griddle works well, but some people swear by cast iron pans or griddles. The batter should begin to rise and form bubbles. Do not stir the batter again.

4.

Using a spoon or ladle, scoop out about 2 Tablespoons of batter to make a small pancake, or about 1/8 Cup for a medium pancake onto the grill.
Allow to cook until bubbles that rise to the surface do not close up, and when the surface turns from shiny to dull; flip the pancake and cook on the other side until lightly browned. A thin spatula works best for flipping pancakes. Stack pancakes on a paper towel until ready to serve. It is preferable to just serve your pancakes as you make them, because if you keep them in a heated oven as some people recommend, they won't end up fluffy. Vegan, yes. Fluffy, no.



Serve with real CANADIAN Maple Syrup!!!!

ENJOY!!

P.s. Don't forget to cook up a small batch for your furr-babies too! Even they can't resist a small silver-dollar sized pancake!!

xoxox

N

Saturday, March 5, 2011

All Might Not Be Lost In The Serengeti!


The African Regional Manager for the Frankfurt Zoological Society, Mr. Gerald Bigurube, confirmed that the German government will finance construction of tarmac roads that will link dozens of rural villages adjacent to the Serengeti National Park.

He also said that the World Bank and the German government are also ready to finance southern route that will link the Arusha region with the Lake Victoria regions without crossing the Serengeti. According to an interview with the Daily News, Mr. Bigurube said, "Linking rural villages in Serengeti and Loliondo districts with the their district headquarters is the best way of addressing economic needs of the communities living near the park."

The news article says Mr. Bigurube "disclosed that the German Federal Ministry for Development was ready to finance feasibility study of the rural roads in the districts if the idea will have blessings from the government of Tanzania." He said the "international community is also concerned with the needs of the people in an environmental friendly way but the road should not be close to the park because it will have serious impact that cannot be mitigated."

The next step is up to President Kikwete who recently turned down an offer from the World Bank to fund the alternate route.

All of the above information was provided by the incredible non-profit group: Serengeti Watch which has been building a strong coalition of support, advocacy, and funding for the Serengeti ecosystem, the people living around it, and the adjacent reserves and protected areas!

Last week I attended the Toronto Outdoor Adventure Show and had the wonderful opportunity to speak with the Canadian Ambassador of Tanzania. I reiterated the concerns I and my fellow friends & conservationists have regarding the proposed highway through the Serengeti and encouraged him to relay this information back to his superiors. I also informed him that my family and I are planning a trip to Tanzania in July 2012 but the lack of concern the government is currently showing towards its ecosystem and wildlife is very upsetting to us and we just might change our travel plans and put our money elsewhere and choose another country to spend our money in. He was extremely polite, courteous and agreed with my concerns! Let's hope he does tell his government that their ill-advised plan is affecting not only the greatest migration on earth but also the tourists who spend millions of dollars to see it each year!!

xoxoxox

Nicole

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Save The Date.......Green Living Show Toronto Is Back!!



And the countdown begins to one of my most favourite weekends in the year.........THE GREEN LIVING SHOW!!!! If you are an eco-freaka, environmentally conscience parent or just someone who is interesting in finding out ways to live a greener life then the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto is the place to be from Friday April 15th - 17th 2011!! Last year was a huge hit with amazing exhibitors, businesses, non-profit organizations and even Academy Award WINNER Colin Firth who took the stage to discuss how he runs a very successful green store in the UK and lives the eco-dream!


Again this year, attendees to the Green Living Show can receive free admission by recycling electronic waste (cell phones, printers, monitors etc) at the front entrance courtesy of Samsung :0) THANK YOU SAMSUNG!!


Although the line-up has not been released yet as to who will be presenting/speaking on stage keep checking Ecochica 101 for the latest!! Mark your calendars now as this is a fantastic Toronto event NOT to be missed!!!

xoxox
Nicole