☆ The Cost of Cheap Fashion ☆

 Just this morning as I was sipping on my morning smoothie, scrolling through my Facebook feed, an ad popped up. It was a sponsored ad which a few friends had liked. It was an ad for some super cozy looking sweaters. Visually enticed, I clicked through the link. After all, they looked so cuddly warm and pretty and I just couldn't help myself for curiosities sake. The cozy looking fleece-lined hoodies were $15, And free shipping. $15!? AND free shipping?! Too good to be true? Absolutely! And for so so many reasons. Allow me to explain… 

While prices this low may seem like an amazing deal, in the long run, in the outlook of human workers, in the outlook of the planet, in the outlook of anything morally right in the world, these low prices are Not. In the words of a lovely Care2 article: 

"Cheap goods equal a not so cheap global footprint. Even though you’re probably not thinking so rationally while being bombarded with club-thumping music and eye-catching merchandize, try and restrain yourself; the planet will thank you.

A new book by Elizabeth Cline entitled Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion critiques the mindless, shopaholic culture permeating modern day society and takes the reader on an eye-opening journey behind the name brands and store shelves and into the depths of the economics, resources and labor required to make your clothes.

Cline explains that the clothing industry is able to maintain such incredibly low prices due to sheer volume of production.  In order to further cut costs, clothing companies have resorted to cheaper materials and, as a result, an overall loss in quality. Have you ever noticed that those new jeans from H&M didn’t last very long?  Perhaps holes in the knees developed sooner than you’d prefer, or maybe that shirt from Target felt thinner and lighter in quality than you’d like?

This business model is by no means accidental and it’s bad news for human rights and the environment as most high volume, low price clothing stores employ cheap labor and promote extreme turnover and waste. In fact, we throw away “68 pounds of textiles per person per year,” according to Cline, which leads to overflowing closets and thrift stores now bursting with low-quality items.  It’s a vicious cycle, particularly for those who can’t afford anything better.

With respect to market extremes of super low prices (think big box stores) versus super high prices (think Madison Avenue), Clines states that “There are very few middle-market brands and retailers and everything has become very cheap or irrationally expensive on the other end.” Leaving little room for quality products that don’t cost a fortune, most of us fall victim to clothing items we know aren’t the best sourced, yet we buy them anyway. There’s often simply no other financial choice and going naked obviously isn’t an option.

So how can we balance the need for affordable clothing with labor rights, a local designer economy and a healthier environment?  Cline reiterates the need for more independent fashion designers who use and promote sustainable products.  Check out Fashioningchange.com if you want to learn more about sustainable comparable clothing alternatives.  Also, and most importantly, be sure to choose quality over quantity when given the choice. Although initial sticker shock might dissuade you, the handmade dress that lasts for 10 years is worth much more in the long-run than five t-shirts that will last a summer."

Care2 Article: http://www.care2.com/causes/cheap-clothing-costs-a-lot-more-than-you-think.html

Now, adding to this lovely piece of writing… 

Absolutely choose independent designers. It actually really isn't that hard. There is a Huge marketplace full of ridiculously talented designers who offer their goods at totally reasonable prices. Okay, so a pair of leggings may not cost $10 when they're handmade, but, as stated above, there is a reason for cheap fashion and those leggings will fall apart within the year while something bought from an independent designer will last years! Cheap fashion is cheap for a reason. 

I cannot even fathom how a fleece-lined hoodie could only cost the company $15, what when shipping is probably almost that amount, you know they must be paying their employees Nothing and the fabrics they are using must be absolute garbage! The fabric alone if I were to make such an item would be More than $15!!!

Cons of Cheap Fashion: 

Environmental impact: think 68 pounds of waster per person annually; the chemicals, water loss, and mass pollution from factories (and quadruple it because they keep pumping out more garbage every day).

Unethical Labour: Yes, I'm sure you're familiar with the reality of underpaid workers and children in China and other countries making your clothes. Yes, you pay more for ethical fashion for a reason! 

Garbage: As already mentioned, those cheap clothes will last you a season of wearing them at best. It may look cute at first but chances are it will fall apart in no time. 

Cheap Fabrics: The online shopping world is forever expanding (as mentioned at the very beginning of this post) and that means more bargain deals at steal-of-a-deal prices! That $15 hoodie you may never receive because of poor customer service, you'll probably get sent the wrong one (again, poor customer service), and the item will Not look even close to what you actually order--due to fancy looking photography that makes the item look appealing when that's not what you're actually getting. 

Again, cheap fashion is cheap for a reason, so try to restrain your initial temptations for cheap clothing. Don't get me wrong, I get it, I've been there and fallen victim to the cheap clothing. Again, so not worth it. It's actually cheaper for me to buy that cheap clothing than to make it myself, so I feel your struggle. And this is not some shameless post to get you to buy My brand of clothing either--it's simply a reminder to what most of us already know but like to ignore: that there is a huge cost to cheap fashion. 

Support local independent designers--again there are Tons of them out there! Places like Etsy are fantastic to browse if you're unsure where to start--all artisan made! You support a better planet, someone's actual livelihood, you'll have clothing that won't fall apart, and you can keep your conscious clear. Wins all around! 

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

The Sad Truth About Your Thanksgiving Turkey (Infographic)

Infographic by Jan Diehm for the Huffington Post.

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

☆ 14 Ways Your Cat Improves Your Health (infographic) ☆

I love my cats. They are absolutely my babies. The joy that I receive from these adorable little fur-balls cannot be put into words. If I am in a bad mood, they always cheer me up and make me feel loved. 

Now there's even more reasons to love your cat: by revving up your cat’s purr motor!

Our feline friends provide us with more than just emotional support. House cats may actually be contributing to our physical well-being. When a cat purrs within a range of 20-140 Hertz, nearby humans may be therapeutically benefiting from these vibrations. Purring has been linked to lowering stress, decreasing symptoms of Dyspnoea, lessening the chances of having a heart attack, and even strengthening bones.

Pet-therapy has been gaining momentum and it is already a well-established fact that having cats or dogs (or bunnies, etc.) in the family is good for your health. Even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) acknowledges it. Many studies have found a variety of health benefits we derive from petting and interacting with companion animals. And there is scientific research that suggests pet owners live longer than those without pets.

Daily Infographic illustrates:

Infographic courtesy of Daily Infographic

(“dysponea,” usually spelled “dyspnea,” means difficulty or pain with breathing.)

Cuddling up with your cat is good for you and for her. Scratch her favorite spot (try her cheeks!) and get a good purr going. She’ll be ecstatic, and you will get healthier. (Good news for those who cannot take advantage of this feline-based health regimen because of cat allergies: an effective treatment may be only five years away.)

Even if she doesn’t get her purr on, time with your cat (or other animal) is still good for you. Here are just a few of the many ways they take care of you.

Pets Help Sick People Feel Better

WebMD describes a number of benefits ill people derive from living with companion animals.

1. “Alzheimer’s patients have fewer anxious outbursts” if they live with a companion animal.

2. “Pet owners with AIDS are far less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets.”

3. People who suffer from high blood pressure, then adopt a cat or dog, navigate stressful situations with lower blood pressure than people who don’t have pets.

4. “Heart attack patients who have pets survive longer than those without.”

Pets Also Help Prevent Health Problems

5. Taking care of a pet provides elderly people with “exercise and companionship,” with such a positive effect that one company gives bonus points to elderly life insurance applicants for having a pet.

6. “Male pet owners have less sign of heart disease — lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels — than non-owners.”

7. Want your kids to breathe easy? Make sure they have furry family members. That lowers the risk that they will have allergies, asthma and even eczema, plus it strengthens their immune systems.

If you have quadripeds in the house, go play or snuggle with them at once. If you don’t, get thee to the local animal shelter and save the life of a homeless animal who will pay you back with years of good health.

Thanks to Care2: http://www.care2.com/causes/14-ways-your-cat-improves-your-health.html#ixzz2aGjzojbG

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

☆ The Importance of the Rainforests ☆

This infographic is full of information about the importance of rainforests and their current condition around the world.  It also provides advice on how rainforests can be saved.

Courtesy of Oak Furniture UK

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

☆ Boycott the Brands that Blocked your Right to GMO Labelling ☆

Prop 37, the California Right to Know GMO labeling initiative, was narrowly defeated thanks to a relentless, deceitful $46-million advertising blitz. Among the largest bankrollers of the NO on 37 campaign were huge multinational food and beverage companies whose subsidiaries make billions  selling some of your favourite organic and "natural" brands.

This is where "greenwashing" comes into play, a company that calls itself "organic" "natural" or "green" but truly isn't. It sucks when some of our favourite brands that are supposed to be good for us and the planet are owned by a greedy corporation that pours that kind of money to oppose human rights to Know what is in our food. You can argue GMOs left and right but at the end of the day, they are dangerous unknown "foods" and if they are so afraid of GMO labelling then isn't that a sign of guilt in the first place? 

Well, we could mope about all this, or we can take action. Join Organic Bytes in the boycott of these companies. 

Please sign the pledge to let the following companies know you're joining the boycott. These companies make billions of dollars selling organic and "natural" brands, yet they spent millions to defeat Prop 37, CA Right to Know's ballot initiative to label genetically modified food. 

• PepsiCo (Donated $2.5M): Naked Juice, Tostito’s, Tropicana, Loóza, Izze, Sabra, Smartfood, Stacy's, Mother's and Near East

• Kraft, recently became Mondelez (Donated $2M): Boca Burgers and Back to Nature

• Safeway (Member of Grocery Manufacturers Association, which donated $2M):“O” Organics

• Coca-Cola (Donated $1.7M): Honest Tea, Odwalla

• General Mills (Donated $1.2M):  Muir Glen, Cascadian Farm, Larabar

• Con-Agra (Donated $1.2M): Orville Redenbacher’s Organic, Hunt’s Organic, Lightlife, Alexia

• Kellogg’s (Donated $791k): Kashi, Bear Naked, Morningstar Farms, Gardenburger

• Smucker’s (Donated $555k ): R.W. Knudsen, Santa Cruz Organic

• Unilever (Donated $467k): Ben & Jerry’s

• Dean Foods (Donated $254k): Horizon, Silk, White Wave

Download your wallet-sized boycott guide. 

Download a poster-sized boycott guide. 

Learn more about the boycott.

Click here for a comprehensive list of all the brands owned by corporations that donated to the No on 37 campaign. 

Spread the word and take action, because your voices and your wallets have the biggest impact.

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

☆ Canada's Annual Seal Hunt (Infographic) ☆

Stopping Canada's Annual Seal Hunt is such a pressing subject that needs more awareness brought to it. I myself only heard about it a few years ago yet it's been going on forever.
Here is a helpful infographic for you to share and bring awareness to it. 

Thanks to the Humane Society for the infographic and all their hard work. 

Also check out ReLove's Article on the Seal Hunt: 

☆ Canada's Annual Seal Hunt ☆ 

And the fur industry:

 ☆ Fur: Mean and Not Green! ☆  

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

☆ Why Buying Local Is Worth Every Cent (Infographic)☆

Big box retailers are taking over in even the smallest cities these days--our own Wal-Mart wiggled it's way into our small town many many years ago. The impact big chain stores has on a local city, big or small, is bigger than you'd think. 

When thinking of our economy and environment, here’s something to consider:  Buying from a local business generates 3.5 times more money for the local economy compared to dollars spent at a chain-owned business. 

Check out this infographic for more financial and environmental facts.

Click to Enlarge Image

Why Buying Local is Worth Every Cent Infographic by CustomMade

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

☆ Infographic: 13 Oil Spills in 30 Days ☆

Moving oil is a dirty business, and never has that been more clear than this past month. Since March 11, the global oil industry has had 13 spills on three continents. In North and South America alone, they’ve spilled more than a million gallons of oil and toxic chemicals – enough to fill two olympic-sized swimming pools.

How bad was it? Here’s an infographic of all the oil spills, leaks and derailments in the past 30 days. 

Visit http://tcktcktck.org/2013/04/infographic-13-oil-spills-in-30-days/50100

All spills in order of occurrence:

March 11 – 21: Gwagwalada Town, Nigera

A week-long leak of Kilometer 407.5 NNPC (Nigeria National Petroleum Corp) pipeline. No official # of barrels spilled released, however the spill saturated a hectare (10,000 sq metres) of marshy ground near a major water source.

Tuesday, March 19: Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories Canada

Enbridge Norman Wells Pipeline leaks 6,290 barrels of crude oil

Monday, March 25: Fort MacKay, Alberta Canada

Suncor Tar Sands tailings pond leaks 2,200 barrels of toxic waste fluid into the Athabasca River

Wednesday, March 27: Parker Prairie, Minnesota USA

CP Rail train derails and spills 952 barrels of Tar Sands crude oil

Friday, March 29: Mayflower, Arkansas

Exxon Mobil’s Pegasus Pipeline suffers a 22 foot-long rupture, spilling at least 12,000 barrels of diluted Tar Sands bitumen

Sunday, March 31: A power plant in Lansing, Michigan USA

16 barrels of an oil-based hydraulic fluid spills into the Grand River

Tuesday, April 2: Nembe, Nigeria

After suffering a reported theft of 60,000 barrels of oil per day from its Nembe Creek Trunkline pipeline, Shell Nigeria shuts off the pipe for 9 days to repair damage.

Wednesday, April 3: 350KM southeast of Newfoundland, Canada

A drilling platform leaks 0.25 barrels of crude oil

Wednesday, April 4: Chalmette, Louisiana USA

0.24 barrels (100 lbs) of hydrogen sulfide and 0.04 barrels (10lbs of benzene) leak at an Exxon Refinery

Monday, April 8: Esmeraldas, Ecuador

The OPEC-managed OCP pipeline leaks 5,500 barrels of heavy crude oil, contaminating the Winchele estuary

Tuesday, April 9: 29KM NE of Nuiqsut, Alaska USA

Human error during maintenance spills 157 barrels of crude oil at a Repsol E&P USA Inc pipeline pump station

……………………… 

Never has it been more important to move away from crude oil that is destroying our environment, communities, and wildlife. Enough is enough. With the Keystone XL Pipeline still trying to be pushed through, further drilling, and the Canadian Northern Gateway Pipeline, it is important to voice our opinions, to spread awareness and act for the goodness of our planet. There are still lots of petitions circulating to sign so do those, attend rallies, share information, contact your officials to let them know you want clean energy, and so forth. Every action counts. 

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

☆ Ways to Help your Local Animal Shelter! ☆

I know, we all live busy busy lives. We want to help and volunteer but sometimes we just don't the time for helping out at our local animal shelters. However, because Animal Shelters depend on donations to save lives, there are always things you can do to help, things that require very little time and effort on your part. 

If you haven't started your spring cleaning, or if you haven't gotten around to the disposal part of your spring cleaning, then you use it to get rid of old things you’re not using any more and donate these items to animal shelters to help them not only save lives, but make the lives of those animals a little softer, warmer and more comfortable.

Things you can Donate:

Used pet toys or new eco ones

Used dog and cat sweaters and clothes or new eco ones

Used bedding or new eco bedding

Used towels or new, eco towels

Recycled paper and plastic bags

Dog food and cat food

Newspaper

Office supplies

Dog & cat beds (used or new and eco)

Kennels & crates (used or new and eco)

And then of course there's your time if you have it. These animals need love and attention and don't always get enough, so be sure to get in there and play and help out volunteering when you can. 

Other ways you can help Shelter Animals: 

Spay/Neuter!

A big thing you can do to help out animal shelters is by making sure more aren't going to end up there. How do you do this? By spaying or neutering your companions animals. This is honestly my biggest pet peeve, because people too often Don't do it when it is so so so important. I see people posting cute new photos all the time on Facebook of their cat or dog's new litter. Yes they're cute but do you have any idea how many animals are in shelters that will never ever have a family thanks to you introducing more and more puppies and kittens into the world when others are on death row waiting for their families. Seriously maddening. Please spread the word and get your friends and family to spay and neuter their pets. Please! 

Adopt don't Shop!

Exactly as I said above, there are so many animals in shelters that need homes that get neglected so please do not support breeders or buy from that fresh new litter your friend has. Please support your local animal shelters and give those animals a chance, you won't be sorry! 

Support Programs That Spay/Neuter at Low or No Cost

Some families don’t spay or neuter their cats because they can’t afford to. If you adopt from a shelter, they may spay or neuter the cat before you take her or him home. If your cat comes from some other source, look for programs that offer spay/neuter operations at low or no cost. You can find these services at the Humane Society’s handy webpage.

Cat lovers who can afford it can donate to these programs to help reduce the homeless cat population.

Support Programs that Trap-Neuter-Return Feral Cats

Many homeless cats are feral, meaning they are not tame and cannot be adopted. Feral cats can produce a whole lot of kittens who, if caught early enough and depending on their luck, will go either to a shelter or a foster or forever home.

There is another solution: Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). Cat rescuers trap feral cats, neuter them, clip off a corner of one ear to let others know that this cat has already been spayed or neutered, and then release them back into the colony of feral cats they live in. Colony caretakers bring the cats food and water and make sure they have adequate shelter from the weather. TNR has been proven to be the best method of reducing the feral cat population because it prevents colonies from reproducing.

So do what you can and, one last time, please spay and neuter and tell others to do the same. Adopt don't shop. Spread the love! :) 

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

☆ Monsanto: Protected Thanks to Congress ☆

If you feel squeamish at the mere mention of the name Monsanto then you have good reason. If you still don't care about what Monsanto is doing then it's time to wake up.

I'm actually surprised at myself for not having yet written an article about Monsanton directly yet or GMOs. I've talked about reasons to go Organic, but not specifically about Monsanto. Guess that will be coming soon then. In the meantime, GMOs (genetically modified organisms) cause known health problems, and wreck havoc on ecosystems and the environment. So why was a bill just passed that protects Monsanto from lawsuits and from being held liable?  

Almost any industry that puts its consumers in harm’s way is subject to lawsuits, yet the U.S. government has just granted corporations that genetically alter food an exemption by sneaking it into the Agricultural Appropriations Bill. Activists are not so lovingly referring this new Bill as the "Monsanto Protection Act."

This bill was quickly and rather sneakily signed into law, with Obama and Congress under the pressure of a government shutdown due to being out of a federal budget. The politics of it all sounds as absurd as they likely are. On top of that, this law was signed while everyone was so busy paying attention to the Marriage Equality rights were being reviewed in the Supreme Court. Sneaky much?

Congress members are also playing dumb, saying they weren't aware of that part of the bill when they signed it. Well, that's reassuring? 

Monsanto, of course, is the agricultural biotechnology giant constantly surrounded by controversy. Considering the company had the most to gain from this law’s passage, surely it played some role in lobbying. As if it weren't obvious enough, Monsanto has really labeled itself guilty by needing this act to go through, in the first place. I mean if Monsanto genuinely believes its approach to agriculture is not harmful, then it wouldn't go to such great, secretive lengths to grant itself immunity from litigation now would it? 

Let's take a look at Monsanto's track record shall we? 

Research Firm Blames Monsanto for Bee Deaths So…Monsanto Buys It 

8 Reasons Not To Trust Monsanto With Your Food [Infographic] 

Monsanto Gets $2.5 Million Penalty For Misleading Cotton Farmers 

Did Monsanto Trick California Voters? 

UCS Exposes Lies Behind Monsanto’s Claims 

Is Monsanto Responsible For 200,000 Farmer Suicides? 

I think one word can continually be applied to the corporation’s business practices: Untrustworthy! 

So what to do about it?

Well, despite all of this there is a stem of hope and good news… since the entire bill was passed on an emergency basis, the law is only in effect for six months. The real question will be now that the formerly “oblivious” members of Congress have been made aware by concerned Americans, will they put a stop to this dangerous precedent or renew it to continue to protect their negligent corporate friends?

I say we keep some pressure on Congress to reverse the bill over the next six months. Join any lobbying against Monsanto and GMOs.  

And, of course, aside from being aware and speaking up, you can always put your money where your mouth is; by choosing to support companies against GMOs and for GMO labelling, and by buying from companies that do not use GMOs in their products. Choose Organic, and Local whenever possible. Grow your own food, and choose to get your seeds from local people or sources that you know are organic and non-gmo, and open-pollinated seeds so that you can save seeds and replant the next year. Remember that money speaks. With GMOs already being banned in other regions of the world, I certainly believe we can band together to make that happen in North America. It's time for a Food Revolution!

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

☆ Pit Bulls: Dispelling the Myths! What they are Really Bred to Do ☆

I get so sick of hearing all the bad talk about pit bulls. It's truly such a sad thing that these gentle loving dogs have been doomed to this bad reputation, all thanks to terrible dog fighting. Even dog-lovers are weary of pit bulls. It's just sad. 

Anyway, I came upon this article the other day on the awesome Care2 website and thought it was absolutely worth sharing. Time to debunk those myths and get these poor pups adopted! 

And as always, choose to adopt and never buy from breeders! 

Here’s What Pit Bulls are Really Bred to Do

This article originally posted at Care2: http://www.care2.com/causes/heres-what-pit-bulls-are-really-bred-to-do.html#ixzz2P2rHlJMM

The SPCA Serving Erie County in New York hopes to dispel common myths about pit bull terriers and show the world what they’re really born to do with its new Bred to Love campaign.

“Pit bull terriers are a severely misunderstood breed. The SPCA Serving Erie County’s goal is to educate and bring awareness to this issue in our community. The Bred To Love program’s main purpose is to put an end to the myths surrounding this amazing and loving breed. Pit bull terriers are loyal happy go lucky dogs that just adore people and will make a wonderful addition to a family looking for their new pal,” said Lindsay Guiher, a volunteer at the shelter.

According to Guiher, most of the dogs coming into the shelter are pit bulls who take longer to adopt than other breeds, which they suspect has to do with common myths surrounding the breed.

Some of these myths include the beliefs that pit bulls have locking jaws and are more likely to bite than other breeds. To clear that first one up once and for all, pit bulls do not have any anatomical mechanism that would cause or allow their jaws to lock. No dog does. And while pit bulls still get a lot of bad press, they’re no more likely to bite someone than any other breed.

The American Temperament Testing Society (ATTS), an organization that promotes uniform temperament testing, has found that the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier and Staffordshire Terrier all had a higher than average passing score, which is 83 percent, and did better than many other breeds, including Golden Retrievers, when it comes to stability, aggression and friendliness, among other traits.

Even the AVMA has stated that despite the stigma, when it comes to pit bull type dogs “controlled studies have not identified this breed group as disproportionately dangerous.”

In fact, pit bulls used to be referred to as the perfect “nanny dogs” for children because of their fantastic temperaments and were used to represent America on WWI posters because of their loyalty, bravery and determination. Even Helen Keller had one.

“As any responsible owner knows, it’s not these sweet and loyal animals that are the problem, but rather a handful of self-serving and unethical breeders. Raised in the right environment, pit bull terriers are naturally inclined to be wonderful pets, sure to steal your heart!” according to the shelter.

Along with urging people to consider adding one to the family, the SPCA Serving Erie County wants everyone who loves pit bulls to join the campaign by submitting a photo showing the world what their dogs were born to do. So far, they’ve got people showing off pit bulls who were bred to give kisses, be loved, be best friends, protect, be loyal, brighten lives and be family, along with a few who were born to cuddle.

If you want to join the campaign and help spread the truth about pit bulls, visit their website, download and print a sign and fill in the blank: Bred to _____, and take some pictures. You can then submit your images via their website, which will be shared in an album on their Facebook page.

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

☆ The Strongest Full Moon of 2013 ☆

The strongest, most intense full moon of 2013 is tonight!

We all know how full moons can make us restless and crazy, right? Well this one will be a big one. We watched it last night and it was enormous! Full moons are transitional phases, especially in this lovely spring energy. So what does this moon mean? Well, it's time to clean up your life! 

The Libra Full Moon brings forth powerful life-changes and awareness, and a reminder to practice conscious awareness in our lives. It is a time when we need to surrender and keep in mind that change is our friend so not to resist it. 

Expect some emotional power struggles, and an awareness to the people around you. You may have noticed a lot of relationships falling apart and/or rebuilding recently (I know I have), it's all part of this spring cleaning, of moving into a better space in your life. Again, it's important not to resist and to be honest and open with yourself and your heart. Remember that the mind can complicate things. Chances are life is giving you a nudge, removing people from your life that are not serving you in a positive way or are restricting your personal growth. Trust life, know that everything happens for a reason and that, if you let it, it will help you out and guide you in the right direction. Pay attention so that you can cleanse and remove these negative people from your life, and so that it can make room for new relationships to emerge. We are moving from breakdown to breakthrough in this moon phase. 

“Remember that, these planets only take that which is obsolete. They will not take what you need for your personal evolution.  In fact, the main purpose of the Libra Full Moon and the Sun/Pluto transit is to empower you. So that you are ready to receive the positive creative changes that can take place now.”

Full moons are wonderful, enlightening experiences, so treat them as such. Since the full moons are active for four days before and after, make this a full moon week to work on yourself. Take some time to prepare yourself, to work on yourself and your life, and to do some personal spring cleaning. 

Work through any of those situations or areas of your life that need healing, things that still have not been addressed and have been left open. Get into a good creative "Self" space as well. Take some time to do yoga (under the moonlight would be even better!), rest lots and get some good sleep, pamper yourself with a bubble bath, meditate in a sacred space, finish up that spring cleaning in your home by clearing out any unused junk, and spend some time being creative with art or music. Dance around and enjoy being You. Be creative, be relaxed, and find your inner peace. Take care of your mind, body, and soul. 

And if you can, find an outdoor space, away from city lights, where you can truly enjoy the light and beauty of the full moon--it will do you good. 

This is a good time for self-reflection, to release self-limiting beliefs, negative thought patterns and attitudes, and to get yourself back on track to a happy life. Remember that your attitude shapes everything else around you. Come from a place of love and not fear. Release and let go. 

So, what do you want to create? Take charge of your mind and life.

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

☆ Support Marriage Equality! ☆

Today and tomorrow are big days for LGBT rights in the Supreme Court! 

I don't know about you, but I can't believe we still have to argue about this subject at all. Marriage equality should be for everyone, it's ridiculous that any religion or narrow-minded idiots' opinions should stand in the way of two people being able to get married. 

Regardless, we're on the positive train here are ReLove Plan.et, and I have to say it's been awesome today seeing all the pro equal marriage messages being spread. If you want to stand up for LGBT rights then join in, by spreading messages all over your social networking sites and getting out there at any events if you can.

You can also follow @HRC on Twitter and at www.hrc.org/blog for live-updates from the first day of at the Supreme Court hearings. 

Make sure you wear red to show your support for marriage equality. And make your Facebook profile red too! (Also here's a link to some fun equal rights symbols to post to your Facebook) 

And, for your entertainment, and to further how ridiculous any of the arguments are against marriage equality... ;)

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.

☆ Bunny Adoptions for Easter (& why you shouldn't Buy!) ☆

It's that time of year again, when cute wittle bunny wabbits start popping up everywhere… sadly that includes pet shops. Now, I'm not going to flat out tell you not to buy a bunny rabbit, on the contrary bunnies can be lovely companions, but I am going to advice you on a few things to do it Right. 

Rabbits require much more care and attention than most people suspect. Rabbits are like any other pet, they require work, attention, time, and your love and affection. The problem is most people think they can buy these little critters shove them in a little cage, feed them, and that's the end of it. People mistake rabbits as an easy pet. And since most pet stores aren't going to tell you otherwise, thousands of impulsive buyers go home with their new little bunnies as cute "easter" gifts for their children without having a clue what they're getting themselves into.  

Instead of impulsively buying, you should stop and think about this before committing to it. Ask yourself if you and your family are ready for a new family member, if you have the time for one, and if it's a good fit. 

If you are on thinking about adding a rabbit to your family for Easter, here are some things to consider…   

"Easter" bunnies usually end up being neglected, abandoned, sold, or left for adoption. Rabbits Are high-maintenance pets, and once people realize this (unfortunately After they've already bought one) then what happens to our little bunny friends? They join the other unwanted pets in animal shelters, or worse. The commitment to one is no smaller than that of bringing a puppy or kitten into your life. Rabbits live for around 10 years, or longer, so they aren't a short term pet and shouldn't be viewed as a disposable item. Pets are not disposable, but they are marketed as such by pet stores. They are living, breathing, heart-beating loveable creatures that want your love and attention. And you should make sure you have the time and energy for one. Any pet is a commitment, and rabbits are no exception. They are forever animals. You don't just have a child and then give it away after a couple years if you don't have the time for it anymore or have to move or change your mind, or anything like that now do you? Animals are family members. Period. 

Bunnies make wonderful additions to a family that is ready for that kind of 10-year commitment. They are quirky, rambunctious, and absolutely loveable… but they Are work and you can't neglect them. (here is an amazing guide on how to care for your rabbit)

Never buy from Breeders or Pet Stores! 

As with puppy and cat mills (that I wrote about here), rabbits are inbred, mistreated, abused, and sold to hasty buyers. I won't go through all the horrible details, you can check out the link to my previous post if you're interested in that. But most of these rabbits don't stay with one family, because pet stores promote this kind of impulse buying. And when there are hundreds of little bunnies already waiting for new homes in shelters, why on earth would you support a greedy breeder or shop that supports animal cruelty and treating animals like material objects instead of living creatures? 

Adopt!

Instead, if you decide that you are indeed ready for a new bunny family member, then adopt one instead from your local animal shelter or rescue group. They are bursting with unwanted bunnies that have been bought in that hasty easter rush, and are in desperate need of new homes. So best to wait a little bit after Easter. Bring your kids to the shelter and give them the joy of picking out your new family member with you. Get your new bunny spayed or neutered as well--there are already enough bunnies in need of homes, so don't take that chance away from a shelter rabbit by letting your new friend have a fresh litter of bunnies.  

(You can start by looking up your zip code on Petfinder.com for shelters to adopt from.) 

So…

Don't impulsively buy. Ask if you're truly ready for another high-need animal companion. And if you are then adopt.

Make this Easter a happy one for your kids and the bunnies!

If you'd like to read more here is another informative and eye-opening article from Care2: http://www.care2.com/causes/easter-is-no-treat-for-pet-bunnies.html

If you found this article to be helpful, please consider a small donation or visit the shop. Thank you for your love and support.