There's always hope...

We can all use a little inspiration every now and then…

Life is hard. Life is complicated, unjust and sometimes harsh. Seeing as life is sometimes so cold and cruel, we (I have to include myself, since I'm often too realistic or as it's been pointed out to me,  just plain negative) have to focus on the positives. 

So, on that note, I will like to share with you many positive changes happening in our world, these all came from people demanding change on behalf of those without a voice. Sometimes, we all need a little inspiration… here's hoping this can inspire many of you. 

Distance makes the heart grow fonder?

Distance is generally bad...

Long distance relationship = bad, long distance commute = bad, long distance rates = bad. Unless you're referring to a sport (long distance running, long distance swimming, etc), distance is generally bad. Well folks, when food and distance mix, it is also bad. 

Let's explore Food Miles.

Food Miles are a way of attempting to measure how far food has travelled before it reaches the consumer. It is the concept of looking at the environmental impact of foods and their ingredients. Globalization and free/fair trade agreements have allowed for food to travel even further than before, this means thinking of where your food comes from and considering the impact food travel has on us, you can do this by measuring the pollution the food has caused. 

Think about the distance the food has travelled to get to you. Was it by plane? Boat? Road?

You can find out the impact your food has on the environment by going to Foodmiles.com. 

What can you do to reduce the impact your food has on the environment?

• Buy local! 
• Grow your own food

These two ways not only decrease the impact food miles have on our lives but by growing your own food or buying local, you may also be decreasing the number of GMOs you consume. 

It is understandable that not every item on your grocery list has to come from a local market. Start with buying your apples from local farmers, any small act helps send a message that consumers want to reduce "food mileage".

Cruelty Free Products

Know the facts before buying that sexy red lipstick.

I'm a big believer that once reality is exposed people will make the more humane choice. Some don't realize that most products we purchase are animal tested. Unfortunately Canada has yet to catch up with European countries that have banned animal testing.

Almost every product humans use on a daily basis is first tested on innocent animals. From cleaning products to make-up products, they must all be proven safe. 

Some of the products that commonly involve animal testing are:

- Cosmetics
- Drugs
- Food Additives
- Supplements
- Household products
- Pesticides
- Industrial chemicals

To those that argue that animal testing must be done in order to ensure they are safe for humans, companies like LUSH, The Body Shop, ALBA Botanica, Burt's Bees and many more have found ways for you to still get products you enjoy, without harming any animals. 

If you are interested in becoming a conscious shopper, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have made a list of cruelty free products.  

          

The Leaping Bunny is also an easy way to find out whether the product you're interested in is cruelty free. 

Please consider how much an animal suffered before purchasing items, consider a cruelty free lifestyle. As consumers we all hold the power to make changes, it's up to us to demand change, change for those that do not have a voice.

Ecotourism

I have an addiction, I love to travel. It's an expensive addiction and one that can't be fulfilled every time I crave it, in the mean time I research and plan my future trips that I will one day like to go on. Being concerned with our environmental impact and also wanting to travel to mostly every part of the world, I fell in love with what is called ecotourism.

Ecotourism combines my two passions, travelling and my love for nature. Ecotourism is defined as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people"



As the concept of ecotourism becomes more popular the number of ecoDestinations increase, you are now able to travel to every continent and take part in ecotourism!

Whitewater rafting in Ottawa River

So why not go to Costa Rica and experience horse back riding while enjoying the wonderful beaches or go to India and travel from Delhi to Mumbai and ride on a few camels, the possibilities are endless!

Next time you're planning your vacation, think of the impact you have on the places you will be visiting and consider ecotourism.

24th Annual Canada Life CN Tower Climb in support of WWF-Canada

Help me climb the CN tower, help the WWF raise funds and get some much needed exercise!

For the first time, I will be attempting to "climb" aka walk 1,776 steps, and yes, I know what your thinking, medical staff will be nearby incase I collapse.

By sponsoring me you will support the WWF to continue to;

• Protect fragile ecosystems
• Educate for real change
• Ensure industry plays its part
• Influence government on behalf of all Canadians
• Protect the species and spaces that make Canada the envy of the world
• Stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment
• Help to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature

Please go to 24th Annual Canada Life CN Tower Climb in support of WWF-Canada to sponsor me.

Any amount of money helps and is very appreciated!

Thank you and enjoy an adorable video
of cute  animals!        

Drive less, smile more!

Time to "pool it!"

I often struggle trying to pick topics that others will care about related to the environment because even though I think there are lots of pressing issues not everyone will agree with me. This post was inspired during a conversation with a classmate of mine.

Carpooling, WHY NOT?

Personally, I carpool from Tues-Thurs with some friends of mine, we save money on gas, reduce our impact on the environment and let's face it, you're going to be judged less by others if you're singing/dancing in the the car with friends vs. alone. (although I totally sing and dance alone, regardless of others watching me)

According to Environment Canada, overall transportation represents the largest single source of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 27% of the total.

Let's talk $$$

• Carpooling allows you to share the cost of gas and parking, cutting your expenses by nearly 50% or more; the more occupants in your carpool the more you save.
• The Canadian Automobile Association reports the average yearly cost to operate a car can be as much as $9,000 year, or nearly $25 per day!
• The average carpooler can cut out as much as $600 each month on the cost of their commuting drive
• About 18% of a person’s monthly budget it taken up in car maintenance, repairs, and gas.
• The total amount of money saved by carpooling every year is $1.1 billion.

Environmental Impact

• Having fewer cars on the road means reduced Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and improved air quality.
• By carpooling just twice a week, 1,600 pounds of greenhouse gases can be kept out of the air each year.
• If 100 people were to take advantage of the carpool option every day, more than of 1,320 pounds of carbon monoxide and 2,376,000 pounds of carbon dioxide could be removed from the air.
• Carpooling means fewer cars on the road each day which means less oil usage, and this can help reduce the nation’s dependency on foreign oil.

Other advantages

• You get to use the Carpool Lane!
• Carpooling is a great way to make new friends!
• If everyone opted to carpool just one day a week, the traffic on the nation’s major highways and roads would be reduced by as much as 20%.
• Carpooling means fewer cars on the road each day which means less oil usage, and this can help reduce the nation’s dependency on foreign oil.
• Your health also benefits from carpooling; The congestion and volume of traffic on the roads are a major source of stress for many drivers. Studies show that those who commute by means other than a single-occupancy vehicle demonstrate lower levels of stress, higher morale, and lower blood pressure.            

If you would like to carpool but don't know anyone you can carpool with, visit carpool.ca. This new program can assist in the formation and management of carpools.

Bottoms up!

With so many issues affecting our environment, I was unsure of what to write this week, as I was sitting in class wondering of how to motivate others to care for their environment, I noticed that a lot of my class mates had plastic bottled waters.  

I think sometimes people like to believe that buying plastic water bottles and then recycling them makes it all better. Truth is that only 1 out 5 can be recycled. That means 80% are thrown out and end up...

Think you should buy bottled water because it's "healthier"? Well then the marketing gurus are doing their job, by adding "spring water" or "majestic alpine peaks" to the labels, we believe we're drinking cleaner water. Bottled water is just water. Water privatization is not only hurting animals but restricting a basic human right to those oceans away.

What can you do?

There's a simple alternative to bottled water: buy a reusable water bottle, and use it. Don't like the way your local tap water tastes? Inexpensive carbon filters will turn most tap water sparkling fresh and save you money.

So think, every time you spend more than $2/bottle, remember where it will end up. More than a million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals die every year from plastic.



Unless you're planning on doing this,



just buy a reusable water bottle, save money and keep the plastic to yourself.




To learn more about how harmful plastic water bottles are to our environment, check out The Water Project.

Solar is in!

Go solar and make some money!

So being green doesn’t always mean spending more money. I know that most people think that those of us who choose to be environmentally friendly are choosing the more expensive options, and although that is true in some cases, if research is done you can find the exceptional cases.

People are busy and things are expensive, so I understand those that don’t have the time to research opportunities that are out there that can simultaneously help the environment and you.

Currently, for a limited time offer, the province of Ontario is providing funding for those who want to go solar. Although Ontario is considered to be behind in the solar/green advancements, this is definitely a step up in the right direction. Pure Energies partnered with Ontario Power Authority is now providing free installation of solar panels so you can go solar without the financial commitment or risk. The company solar specialist will do all of the work and you will even receive some money!

Pure Energies will:

·         Engineer, install, monitor and maintain your solar panels

·         Warranty all parts for 20 years

·         You can earn up to $500 every year, guaranteed for 20 years!

·         Provide you with full ownership of the system at the end of your 20 year lease

When your 20 year lease free lease is over, you own the system, the power and money it generates.

Being green can be both beneficial for you and the environment if you do your research!

How the seed was planted...

Loving nature since 1989

Since I could remember I have always loved being around nature and I was lucky enough to see nature everyday growing up.

L-R: My cousin, Ricardo, our boxer, Laika and me in Medellin.

L-R: our lab Sara, me and my cousin, Luisa in Medellin

I grew up in Medellin, Colombia, a city surrounded by mountains. Weekends in our family were spent in the mountains where my grandparents had a house, each weekend the entire family would meet and spend time together - no TV, no computer, no distractions, just 3 horses, 2 dogs, lots of Cuban chickens, 3 bunnies, and 2 macaws.

L-R: Me, mom & dad on vacation in San Andres Island, Colombia

                 







My passion for the environment and animals grew deeper as I got older and learned more about it. Now living in the Niagara Region for more than 10 years, I see the daily impact we have on animals and the environment, yet with so many resources we have to our disposal, this can quickly change - enter my blog!

I created this blog to show others of how easy it is to be green. From day-to-day to long-term actions, being green can be to you and your family’s advantage! If you still think being environmentally friendly is lame and pointless, here are some scary stats that I’m hoping will change your mind…

.    Pollution affects over 100 million people. That’s comparable to diseases like malaria and HIV.

.    5,000 people die each day due to dirty drinking water.

.    14 billion pounds of garbage are dumped into the ocean every year. Most of it is plastic.

.    Over 1 million seabirds and 100,000 sea mammals are killed by pollution every year.

.    More than 3 million children under age five die annually from environmental factors.

Recycling and composting prevented 85 million tons of material away from being disposed of in 2010, up from 18 million tons in 1980.