June Do Gooder Challenge

With summer in full swing, this month's challenge focuses on Mother Earth and is a 2 part challenge.
We eat and drink every day, taking from Mother Earth...water, greens, fruit, vegetables, etc. Even if you open the freezer and take out a Lean Cuisine, take off the plastic, and throw it in the microwave...at some point before all the man processed stuff, there was Earth in there in the beginning. A lot of us eat most of our meals without really tasting the actual food or being grateful for it.
The Challenge this month is to create and savor at least one completely organic meal. Some of you may do this already a lot, and if so, this will be especially easy for you! But, for the rest of us...if you are growing your own vegetables in the back yard, this is a great place to start. If you don't cook, think salad, lol. If not, focus your ingredients on the organic section of the grocery store. Nothing processed or chemically altered/sprayed. If you need meat, try for free range, catch of the day, etc. Prepare your meal simple and fresh - don't mask it with butter and salt or sugar. Try fresh herbs like basil, cilantro, chives. When you sit down to eat, focus in on the flavors.
Part 2 of the challenge is to *with intention* give something back to Mother Earth. Whether it be planting a tree, watering, composting, throwing one of those fish you caught back in the water, etc. Give thanks and think a little bit about just how much the Earth nurtures us in our daily lives.
As usual, post any great recipes, ideas for challenges, or your thoughts about this month's challenge! Look forward to hearing about your experience!

All Good Things for May

1. Sent by Margie Goertzen:
Time to get ready for summer! Clean out those closets and help support Big Brothers Big Sisters by donating clothes, shoes, hats, gloves, linens, blankets and any other cloth items to our upcoming Clothing Drive:Saturday May 16th, Noon-5:00pmValue Village1042 Fairbanks AveAll the revenue generated by this clothing drive will go to support the Big Brothers Big Sisters mission: Help children reach their full potential through professionally supported one-to-one relationships.Thanks for making a difference today!

May Do Gooder Challenge

With the arrival of warm weather, this month's Do Gooder Challenge is focused on getting outside! Commit to either participating in a walk for an organization in your community (whether the walk takes place this month or later in the year...at the very least set the intention now to participate), or participate in a community clean up day or planting day (not just your own garden, that's cheating, lol). As usual, post your experiences (especially if it's something you've never done before!) and feedback! I look forward to hearing from you!!!!

Today is Earth Day, check out H2O at Home

In honor of Earth Day today; this was sent to me by my friend Becky Kingry:

H2O at Home: www.myh2oathome.com/becky2
We offer innovative home care solutions using natural products that meet the highest standards to easily and efficiently maintain the comfort and hygiene of your home while protecting the environment. We are just launching in the US. I’m the 20th Consultant to join and the only one in Alaska! (They’ve been in France for years where they are so much more advanced in the “green” movement then we are and these products meet the HIGHEST standards for Natural products) We carry Eco-Friendly products that are 100% Natural and Organic for the home and personal use. It is an innovative concept which eliminates the use of chemicals in the home. These products also greatly reduce the cost and the amount of time needed to clean your home! We are launching with the home products and will carry wellbeing and skin care soon and products for pets by the end of the year!

Save the Dates Fairbanks Events

Save the dates Fairbanks (the first one was sent in by Meadow Bailey, thanks Meadow)!

May 8th: Please join me in participating in the 7th Annual Alaska Visitor Industry Walk for Charity and consider naming the Fairbanks Arts Association as your chosen non-profit.The walk is Friday, May 8, starting at 6pm at the Immaculate Conception Church. The walk is often referred to as the “4k graze”, food vendors are stationed along the course through downtown Fairbanks. You can register online at http://explorefairbanks.com/charity-walk and pay with a credit card. Registration is just $25 for adults and $15 for kids.Bib pickup is on Monday, May 4 form noon-7pm at the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center. Walkers who are registered by May 4 are eligible for prizes. Please designate Fairbanks Arts Association as your charity!

May 9th is Clean Up Day (yahoo, Spring!!!)

June 6th is the March of Dimes Walk for Babies at Pioneer Park (registration starts at 9 am, walk begins at 10am)!

Event at Food Bank in Fairbanks

This Saturday, April 4th, from 11am-2:30pm, the Food Bank will be hosting its annual Empty Bowl Fundraiser. If you've never been to this event, they have really neat bowls for sale.

All Good Things for April

1. This comes from Becky Kingry:
http://www.downtoearthnw.com/
This website might be a good share. They have good little daily tips that I like to read!

2. Michele O'Connell, who lives in Florida writes:"...there is a website called thunderfap.com that I use for free samples. You have to register with them, but then you get an e-mail every sunday with sites where you can get free stuff. Sometimes it's not worth it to sign up or further commitments but some are okay. I usually get samples from WalMart. It's fun to go get the mail and get a prize inside every week or so!"

3. I found two GREAT sites today: http://www.idealbite.com and http://thefrugalcouple.com - both have a newsletter that you can subscribe to; Ideal Bite looks especially Fun!!!!