Alter Space - What I can do, as a mom, to save our environment

My daughter and I took part in a tree-planting activity organized by their school. Planting a tree is one of the best things we can do to save our environment. Trees breathe in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen.

It's been a while since my last blog. I've been so busy with work and family (our helper is on her month-long vacation right now) that I really have no time to blog. I have so many topics in mind that I've been meaning to blog about...yes, so many backlogs. But, this one, I just can't let pass. It's a blog contest about "What You Can Do to Encourage People to Save the Environment?"

But before I answer the question, let me tell you first about Alter Space because this is where I get the inspiration for this blog. So, what is Alter Space?

" Alter space is the first Filipino environmental awareness game on Facebook.

Your second chance at building a new world, a new life. Only this time, be mindful of the choices you make because every small choice you make creates a bigger impact in your planet. Your only mission here is to stay happy while keeping your carbon emissions low. So you can live safe from disasters, in your brand new planet.

To complete the game, you’ll have to build a network with your friends' planets so you can eventually turn the grid greener with responsible, sustainable and renewable power."

You may check out their facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/alterspacegame

Click the link below to go to the application game:
http://apps.facebook.com/alterspacegame/index.php/

Being environmentally-aware is important to me because this involves our earth that we will leave to our children and our children's children. I want them to grow up with a deep concern for our environment.

It was actually only about 3 years ago that I began practicing a green lifestyle after attending a seminar about zero-waste management which involves the implementation of the 3R's - Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle - in a community.

Practicing a green lifestyle ...

From then on, I have become a frequent user of reusable bags when I do my grocery shopping. I also have made it a point to carry a reusable tote bag wherever I go. I told myself that I would start making simple steps to make a difference for our environment. And I was surprised by how easy it is, really, to make a positive contribution.

Starting with small, simple steps ...

The thing that struck me the most is that it really is something that anyone can do regardless of their circumstances. For some of us, we may be doing already a great deal in reducing our carbon footprint and we just don't know that we are already on the road to living an eco-friendly life. Well, that's good. Let's just continue to empower ourselves even more and be an advocate of change. My wish is that soon, our home will become a green home, too, just like the one below.

There are a zillion ways to reduce our carbon footprint, BUT I would like to limit my tips on how to conserve energy or lower carbon emissions when it comes to taking care of our children. Anyway, it should really start in our own home, right? And as parents who love our children, we should be good role models in living a green lifestyle.

Breastfeed. Aside from the obvious benefits of breastmilk to the baby, breastfeeding helps save costs that go into producing, packing and distributing the formula. It also means that there won’t be any bottles to sterilize or clean.

Use hand-me-downs: clothes & toys. I have 3 daughters and my eldest is already 11 years old. My 2nd and youngest wear hand-me-downs from our eldest who is already 11 years old. Same thing with toys, I got to preserve the toys of their "ate" for my 2 younger kids to play with. We've saved so much by doing this.

Co-sleep with your children. My hubby and I share room with our 3 daughters to save on electricity.

Recycle. Wash any bottles or glass materials that can still be used, pile up cardboards and any paper products that can be recycled. I let my kids do their art on the back of used papers. We don't throw away papers unless they are "super-used" on both sides. When it comes to plastics, if we can't avoid using them, the least we can do is to recycle them.

Less is more. We encourage our kids to use less of anything - school supplies, art materials, etc. We teach them to conserve a) water by not taking long baths and just use a dipper instead of turning on the shower; and b) electricity by letting them turn off the lights, TV, when it is not in use.

Okay, I am not giving tips here just for the sake of giving tips. I am actually practicing those tips myself except for the breastfeed part, which I stopped doing since my kids turned 6 months old.

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My family and I love the outdoors. The last time we flew a kite was late last year and our kids enjoyed it. I enjoyed seeing them having so much fun under that clear blue sky.

My desire is for my daughters to continuously experience life living under a blue sky, breathing fresh air, and enjoying nature's wonders as given by God.

A well known ancient Proverb says:

“We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.”

I guess in essence what this proverb means is that the earth belongs to the children and we need to be respectful of them by safeguarding their futures with what we do today.

Please leave a comment if you like this post. Thanks!

A Cool Summer Night with Magnolia Frozen Delights

I was fortunate to be invited to a Magnolia Bloggers' Night last April 1. I had a great time and it was a privilege being part of the event. I've been an avid Magnolia consumer, particularly, their ice cream, eversince I can remember.

I met a fellow mom blogger, Emiliana "Millet" Sison, who was my "ka-table, ka-chika and ka-kodakan" all throughout the party. Through her, I got to meet some fellow bloggers, too, like Czaroma Roman & Janese Halabaso.

The bloggers' event introduced their Frozen Delights - Pinipig Crunch, Fun Bar, Popsies, Sweetie Bites and Spinner. These were the stars of the night. I can't wait to try them all.

Thanks, Magnolia, for making my April fool's night such a cool summer night to remember.

visit: www.magnoliaicecream.com.ph

Friday night date with Arthur

I remember the first time I fell in love with a knight - it was Richard Gere playing the role of Lancelot in the movie "First Knight". It was a love triangle. Although, I fell in love with the character of Lancelot, I also developed deep admiration for King Arthur who I had known to be very noble and righteous. For the longest time, I have believed the story of King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table to be true...well up until last Thursday night when I and my hubby got an invite from Azrael Colladilla of Azrael's Merryland to the screening of AXN Beyond's new TV series "Camelot" at Greenbelt 3's My Cinema. Oh yes, it was only then that I learned that King Arthur and his boys are a myth. You see, I never really bothered to check any history book at that time after watching "First Knight". Nevertheless, myth or no myth, I still love the story and continue to be fascinated and intrigued by it.

Watching "Camelot" last Thursday night re-fueled my interest and fascination with King Arthur. I wouldn't have minded had all its ten series been shown that night. I got excited that I couldn't wait to find out what transpires in the succeeding episodes. In fact, I was waiting for its premier last night on AXN Beyond. What a blooper! Its TV premier will kick off tomorrow, April 4, and the ten-part series will be aired every Monday at 9:00 P.M.

"Camelot" is the first drama series of AXN Beyond. What I like about AXN Beyond's "Camelot" is that it tackles Arthur's childhood and traces the rise of young king Arthur. It gives us a whole new take on this Arthurian legend.

When I first saw the poster (above), I thought the woman on the right was Guinevere. I was wrong. It was Morgan, the half-sister of Arthur, who I didn't know existed. This "Camelot" tells us about the untold sibling rivalry of Arthur and his half-sister, which makes the plot all the more interesting and makes me all the more excited to watch for the remaining series. So, the story of Camelot is not just about the love triangle of Arthur, Lancelot and Guinevere. There's much, much more to it. Really exciting! And oh by watching this "sneak" preview, I was re-introduced to Merlin (played by Joseph Fiennes). But this time, it was a different Merlin from the Merlin I know. This Merlin had no hat, wand or long white beard.

Camelot is being brought to life by a stellar cast. Rising star Jamie Campbell Bower (tallest one in the photo below) who plays young Arthur is a heartthrob material.


One more thing that I find fascinating about this era where the story of Camelot took place is how the ladies are garbed up in phenomenal gowns yet they still managed to look and move so sensual and lady-like. Haaaay, I desire to wear a similar gown I saw in "Camelot" and just like what Kat Alano was wearing as one of the hosts of the event that night. But I bet, I would be in agonizing pain wearing a Medieval gown just like that. I know, my belly fats will complain.

Event hosts: Rich Arthur (Amazing Race Asia winner) and Kat Alano (TV celebrity/model)

Enjoyed the yummy pica-pica food catered by Bizu.

My real date for the night - my very own knight in shining armor, my hubby. Cheesy!