Happy Earth Day 2011!!!

Happy Earth Day everyone! I hope you take this day and reflect upon the things you have done to help our precious planet and its eco-system during this past year. Also, think of the various ways you can step up your game and make an even bigger difference for the rest of 2011 and 2012. Whether it be volunteering, buying local produce, taking less vacations or purchasing a hybrid car there are always new and inventive ways to make an even bigger difference then you already have been doing!

Today I will be celebrating Earth Day and Good Friday together with my family and enjoying a vegetarian meal together! :0)

Tomorrow I will be heading down to Hamilton Ontario to participate in their Earth Day Ontario Tree Planting ceremony which I have been attending for the past four years. Hamilton has come around full circle for environmentalists. A decade ago the city was only known for its Steel production and now we are seeing the return of the Bald Eagle for the first time in 50 years!!

* A bald eagle sits in a tree at Cootes Paradise along Hamilton's Lake Ontario shore. Two bald eagles are nesting in a tall pine and may be making babies, which could be the first homegrown bald eagles on the north shore of Lake Ontario in 50 years *

Don't forget that Disney's African Cats debuts this weekend across theatres in North America. Money from each ticket sold during the opening will be donated to Save The Savannah. I Can't wait to see the documentary tomorrow night - reviews have been awesome so far!!!

Last but not least, if you are looking to purchase an Earth Day present for your best bud or significant other and don't have time to get out to the movies this weekend then I would definitely suggest Emily Hunter's new book "THE NEXT ECO WARRIORS". This incredible book written by one of the planets loudest and proudest warrior's features 20 young women and men who are dedicating their lives to protecting and saving our environment! I had the pleasure of meeting Emily for the second time at this years Green Living Show and was able to purchase the book directly from her which was such a treat!!

*Eco princess Emily Hunter and I at Toronto's Green Living Show*

Thank you everyone who reads my blog on a daily basis! I appreciate all of your feedback and suggestions. Have a wonderful Earth Day and lets make this summer one to remember for all wildlife and green spaces!!!

xoxoxox

Nicole

The Gift That Keeps On Giving hahaha

*Melissa and her hubby Ryan*

One of my best buddies, Melissa, celebrated her 27th (ahhhhhh) birthday this past Sunday and of course I wanted to get her a meaningful gift! Now what could be more meaningful than a gift that you can re-use each month, lasts 12 years, saves you hundreds of dollars a year and is environmentally friendly??? It can't be anything other than the super duper DivaCup!!

Alright, if your a male just go to the next posting now because it has nothing to do with you guys! However, for us girls, we know what its like to throw away countless pads and tampons each year which pollute our environment, are harmful to our bodies (all that bleach yuck!) and drain our wallets. Isn't it time you try something new? My bbf's Serena, Kristina and I have been using the Divacup for 3 years now and we honestly love it to pieces! It is so easy to use, quick to clean and best of all there is no waste.

If I could get you to purchase one thing this year for yourself or a friend it would be the Divacup. You won't find the Divacup at any big box store like Wal-Mart, you need to search in a Whole Foods or your local health store to purchase one. You see the big bad companies such as Proctor & Gamble (Always & Tampax) and Playtex don't want you to know about the Divacup. Once you buy the Divacup you won't ever need to buy tampons or pads again, therefore, they won't be getting your hard earned money!! The big companies may be smart but us ecochica's are smarter!!

*Melissa with her mom Sherry & step dad Larry*

Melissa also received this stunning Citizen watch with Eco Drive from her mom and step-dad. Using light from any source provides the watch with endless energy without the use of batteries! Now that's a birthday present if I ever saw one!! :0)

Happy Birthday Melissa!!!

xoxoxox

Nicole

unBELIZEable!!!!

*Delivering the cage to Amanda in Caye Caulker, Belize*

As many of you already know, whenever I travel abroad I try and help out the local animal welfare groups and humane societies that work tirelessly to prevent animal suffering in third world countries. Once I booked my March Break trip to Belize, I emailed the Caye Caulker Humane Society to find out if there was anything they desperately needed that could easily be found in Canada. The answer I received in their response was a request I wasn’t sure if I could help out with – they wanted a humane animal trap to catch homeless and abandoned cats that were wandering the island!!

UH OH!

I have brought vet meds to Uganda, collars and leashes to the Cayman Islands and office supplies to Mexico but NEVER something as unique and large as an animal trap!! Where the heck to start looking?? After some brainstorming I decided to email SWAT Wildlife from the Greater Toronto Area and see if they could sell me an old, rusty trap that was collecting dust in a corner. Rather than selling me one of their cages, SWAT blew me away with their incredible DONATION of an awesome humane animal trap at no cost at all!!

*I had to improvise on how I was going to "pack" a trap! I wonder what security thought!?*

The Humane Society and I are so grateful for their support and selflessness which has now been shared throughout the island of Caye Caulker. In just one weekend, the donated cage from SWAT caught 8 cats who were taken directly to the islands vet for a check up, vaccines and then spayed/neutered. This trap will now save countless lives of unwanted litters that would have been born on the streets and live a life of uncertainty.

Amanda, from the humane society, emailed me and said "one kitten wondered in without it even baited, then we found the others nearby, must have smelt good!" (picture attached) A HUGE thank you to Derick and the SWAT Wildlife team for making such a difference for the animals – your generosity will never be forgotten!

*Very safe & lucky kittens who have already been vet checked & are in their furr-ever homes!*

XOXOXO

Nicole