Happy Earth Day. Inspired by the environment and the planet in which we live on, our global community celebrates today, April 22 as Earth Day. Earth Day intends to cultivate an awareness and sensitivity to our changing planet and how we all can reduce our impact on the environment everyday.

Taking small considerations in your life can help reduce the amount of waste you produce and increase the energy you conserve. Here is a list of ten things you can do to support a healthier environment.

1. Smart shopping
· Buy what you need, not what you want
· Consider renting and borrowing things that are seldom needed
· Buy used items from garage sales and second-hand stores
2. Simple savers
· Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs
· Use aerators on faucets and shower heads
· Weatherstrip windows and doors
3. Transportation alternatives
· Walk, cycle, car pool and use public transportation
· When driving, reduce idling and maintain correct tire pressure
· Consider car sharing programs or renting
4. Food choices
· Choose local and organic foods that are in season and support local food producers
· Eat less meat, and only eat meat that is humanely farmed.
5. Washing and drying
· Wash full loads of clothes in cold water and hang to air dry
6. Heating and cooling
· For summer air conditioning, set your thermostat to 24°C or 25°C
· For winter heating, set your thermostat to 19°C or 20°C
· Install ceiling fans and programmable thermostats
7. Close to home
· Vacation, travel and work as close to home as possible
8. Bathroom basics
· Take short showers instead of baths
· Close water taps while brushing your teeth
9. Careful cleaning
· Choose natural, non-toxic cleaning products
· Make simple, natural cleaners with ingredients like vinegar, baking soda and water
10. Don’t discard
· Donate, reuse and recycle items before throwing them into the trash
· Harmful materials like chemicals, batteries, electronics, etc. should be taken to local hazardous waste depots or recyclers



I'M FINE, YOU'RE FINE: ARTISTS RESPOND TO CLIMATE CHANGE
April 22nd – 26th, 2009
Opening Reception today from 5:00 – 8:00 pm
2231 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC

Joy Yoga: mystic skeptic meets master healer: jaw drops

Joy Yoga: mystic skeptic meets master healer: jaw drops

20 Reasons to Drink Water

1.Nothing can live without water.
2.Water is our main source of energy.
3.Water generates electrical and magnetic energy inside every cell of the body.
4.Water increases the immune system’s efficiency in the bone marrow (where it is formed) and all its mechanisms including its efficiency against cancer.
5.Water is the main solvent for all foods, vitamins, and minerals. It is used in the breakdown of food into smaller particles as well as their eventual metabolism and assimilation.
6.Water transports all substances in the body.
7.Water increases red blood cell ability to collect oxygen in the lungs.
8.Water clears toxic waste from different parts of the body and takes it to the liver and kidneys for disposal.
9.Water is the main lubricant in the joint spaces and prevents both arthritis and back pain.
10.Water is used in the spinal discs to make them shock-absorbing cushions.
11.Water is the best lubricating laxative and alleviates constipation.
12.Water reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.
13.Water gives power and electrical energy for all brain functions.
14.Water expands your attention span.
15.Water reduces stress, anxiety, and depression.
16.Water restores normal sleep rhythms.
17.Water reduces fatigue.
18.Water reverses addictive urges including those for caffeine, alcohol, and certain drugs.
19.Water reduces the incidence of morning sickness in pregnancy.
20.Water prevents the loss of memory as we age. It reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s, Lou Gehrig’s, and Parkinson’s disease.
*From You’re Not Sick, You’re Thirsty! By F. Batmanghelidj, M.D.


Try and drink filtered water. Filtered water provides better tasting/smelling water by removing chlorine, lead and bacterial contminants. A filter is the last line of defense between your body and 2100 known toxins found in tap water. Drinking clean filtered water can boost immunity and protect the body from disease and create general overall better health. Do your research and find a water filter that is suitable to your needs and price range.



Spike your water!

Boost your H2O from plain jane to hooray by adding lemon, lime, cucumber, mint, ginger, rosemary or strawberries!
Refridgerate or leave overnight for maximum flavor!

Drink half your weight in ounces of water everyday!
ie: 120 lbs = 60 oz = apx 8 cups of water

Cherry Blossoms!

The trees are budding and the sun is hanging out longer each day, it seems our city is coming back to life. I think we can all agree that once the cherry blossoms begin to flower, we feel a little more vibrant and thankful we've made it through another winter. Vancouver's Cherry Blossom Festival includes some cool events as well as an annual Haiku contest. Check out this map for a list of all the great streets home to cherry trees, and take an afternoon bikeride or stroll to admire beauty that only comes this time of year! If you have a stressful day, try to take 5 to take in some of the pink flowers, according to the psychology of colour, pink is said to induce tranquility and calmness - as well it is associated with selfless love. Enjoy some flickr faves of this celebrated spring flower, and some 2009 winning Haiku's!

the more I have
the less I need—
cherry blossoms!
Aurora Antonovic
Tecumseh, Ontario

just a petal
the mountain vanishes
into pink air

Jill Stanley
Victoria, British Columbia

Photo Credits:

Yelena_YK,Tilo Driessen,avatars_unite

Get Crackin'

Let those glorious days earlier this week be just a taste of what's in store for us this summer! Fingers crossed! This weekend is Easter long weekend. Toni & Guy are hosting a fabulous easter egg hunt around our fine city. It should be a perfect opportunity to get outside and enjoy some spring time in our city and eat some chocolate bunnies.

Or maybe you'll be making your own eggs...

Perfect Hard Boiled Ruby Eggs
Place 6 eggs (or as many that will fit in a single layer to cover the bottom of a pot)
Cover with water plus an inch.
Bring the water to boil on HIGH.
Prepare the ice bath. This is 2 - 3 cups of ice cubes in a large bowl, filled with cold water but leaving room for the eggs.
Just as the water begins to boil, let it boil hard for 1 minute -- set the timer!
Turn off the heat (remove from the element if it's an electric stove) but do not drain.
Cover the saucepan and let sit for 10 minutes -- set the timer!
Drain the eggs and gently lower them into the ice bath. Let set 5 minutes -- set the timer!
For RUBY Eggs: soak peeled eggs in a bowl of beet juice (canned works too) for 24 hours.
Tip: The beet color starts to leech into the yolk a couple of hours after slicing so time accordingly. And because the eggs are peeled, they won't last forever like hard-cooked eggs still in their shells. I'd plan to use within 48 hours.

Credits:Vegetarian Celebrations & Veggie Venture

Weekend Events

Projecting ChangeApril 2-5

Fifth Avenue Theatre

2110 Burrard St., Vancouver (AT 5TH)An educational film festival endorsing sustainability and green living in our community. Join motivational guest speakers like David Suzuki and enjoy innovative films connecting you to the world in which we live and how to do your part.

Ski For Free!

Treat yourself and take a mini vay-cay this weekend. Take a scenic drive and head up to Hemlock Valley Resort, about a 2 hour ride from Vancouver. Bring a donation for the food bank and all weekend long you can enjoy FREE spring skiing!