IT'S SO EASY TO BE #GREEN - SMALL CHANGES THAT BRING ABOUT BIG RESULTS

Everyday small changes can bring about BIG results. Take for instance if you used inexpensive mess bags for your produce instead the plastic bags you get at the grocery store. Assuming that you purchase 5 types of produce a week, that is 5 bags x 52 weeks = 260 plastic bags that will NOT end up in landfill! Now multiple that by each person or family in Canada! Small changes bringing about BIG results!

• These mess bags are light weight so don't add weight or increase the cost of your produce.
• They are see through so cashier can see the produce and UPC codes.
• They are washable since they are laundry bags. You can use them to wash and store your produce in.
• They can be purchased inexpensively at a dollar store - 2 for $1.00.

But it doesn't stop there. Every time I use these bags someone in line or the cashier comments on what a great idea that is, thinks about doing the same thing, and the impact is multiplied! 

So the question now is What are you waiting for? and How many friends and family are you going to share this idea with, so together we can make small changes that have BIG results?

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about being green.

No Doubt About It 2013 Was A Busy Year For Me

No doubt about it, 2013 was a busy year for me! 

I went to Florida and Disney World in March, Washington DC in August, and Syracuse shopping with my friend in June and November. All were fun filled and left me wanting to stay longer!

Washington DC Makes Me Happy Post

I attended MomMeTime in April, and BlissdomCA in October! This was a huge step out of my comfort zone! At both events I met amazing people, and was able to connect in real life with many of the people I know from the social media world. These real life meetings completely change the social media experience for me. 

I am going to BlissdomCa: My First Blogger Conference Post

Reflections: Did I Find My Bliss Post 

In July I started a Blog! WHAT!! Yes another huge step out of my comfort zone. Not only am I not comfortable sharing, far less in such a public way, I am at best a beginner in the world or social media, and technically challenged to boot. So many people have been so kind and supportive while I tried to figure out the Blogging basics. I can't even begin to explain how meaningful that was for me. Such generosity of peoples time and help, and willingness to share, again I am so thankful for having these very special people in my life. 

OK I started a Blog! Now What? Post 

This Old Dog Can Learn New Tricks: Blogging 101 Post

The Many Sides of Me Post 

November and December in the Blogisphere brought about many firsts for me. I did my first sponsored post, and participated in my first group giveaway (ok it was my first giveaway at all, ok ok it was my only giveaway). I participated in my first Book Review Blog Tour. Last, but definitely not least I had my first gig as a moderator for a twitter party! All of these were very scary for me, given I had NO clue what I was doing. If I'm honest I still don't, but I'm proud of myself for trying. 

I celebrated another Birthday (no I will not tell you my age! LOL), and another wedding anniversary, 21 in total! My eldest turned 18, and despite how he may act sometimes he is officially an adult. 

I came to terms with the fact I can no longer ignore my health. I needed to stop talking about taking better care of myself, and getting more exercise, and actually needed to do something about. Granted it was late in 2013 that I finally accepted I could procrastinate no longer, but still better late than never.

Yes indeed, 2013 has been a busy year, but I think one of growth and learning. The learning curve continues to be a steep and sometimes overwhelming one for me, but overall I think 2013 has been a good year. Here is hoping that 2014 will be filled with more exciting and new experiences, opportunities to grow and continue to make amazing connections.

Yep, just me, Cathy thinking out loud about 2013.

SURPRISE! JOIN THE PAY-IT-FORWARD FUN!

SURPRISE! 

Yesterday two of my Facebook friends posted a Pay-It-Forward message on Facebook! (see below). They were Paying It Forward from posts they had seen or were inspired by! I hear this has been happening all over Facebook in the past few days! 

What a lovely idea! Why not share some of the items you have been lucky enough to win, or have extra of. What about investing $25 to buy 5 assorted Gift Cards and another $5 in postage and make 5 lucky people's day when they receive it in the mail! I am planning my Pay-It-Forward surprises now and I can't wait to surprise and add a bit of fun to someone's day! 

Go ahead Pay-It-Forward. 

I bet you get as much out of giving as receiving! 

Happy New Year! and here is to the best 2014 ever! 

(via Tammy D Facebook - Jan.3rd)

"It's that time again!! Pay-It-Forward 2014: The 1st five friends to comment on this status that they want to play will receive from me, sometime in this calendar year, a random gift... It will be a total surprise! Maybe it will be a candle, jewelry, gift card, movie, collectable figurine, food, kitchen stuff, home decor, who knows?? There will be NO warning and it will be sent whenever the mood strikes! So, what's the catch? If you decide to participate you MUST make this same offer on YOUR page and get five people to randomly gift too.

If you're one of my five, I will confirm by liking your comment and asking for your mailing address in a PM. No double-ups though, aka spouses

So, please if you're not going to follow through, don't commit to it!!
This is supposed to be fun and give us a treat in the mailbox vs bills bills bills and junk mail!! Haha! Sure this will go fast!"

Join @Telus 31 Day #Sustainability Challenge WHO KNEW IT WAS SO EASY TO BE GREEN!

HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR THE TELUS 31 DAY SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGE YET? 

GO ON! DO IT NOW! AND SPREAD THE WORD! 

WE ARE GOING TO BE HEROES OF SUSTAINABILITY THIS MONTH! 

ALL THE COOL KIDS ARE DOIN' IT!

(from the Telus Community Blog - via Dom Repta)

"My fellow team member and I were brainstorming ways that we could promote sustainable living in the New Year. We didn’t want to run your typical resolution campaign, so we have a different type of challenge for you that we’re calling The TELUS 31 Day Sustainability Challenge. That’s right. We want you to consciously participate in one sustainable action for 31 days and then share it with us via Twitter, Instagram or Facebook using #31DaysOfGreen. You can participate with your family, get your co-workers involved or go all in solo. We’ll be providing you with helpful tips everyday starting January 1, 2014, but we want you to share your actions and ideas as well.

It’s easy, just sign up for the challenge and join us in a more environmentally conscious month, that will hopefully lead to better practices going forward for all of us.

TELUS 31 DAY SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGE

Note: I have not been compensated in any way for this post. All opinions are my own.

The @Belkin WeMo Switch Makes Me Happy!

Who knew a tech gift could be so much fun! My Hubby bought one of these and had so much fun, he went back and bought three more! This switch allows him to control a variety of appliances and electronics from his cell phone (iphone, ipad, or android). Including the light I am using. He found turning the light on and off to be most entertaining! 

Me...not so much! 

(LOL - Evil Husband! - Just saying) 

Besides the obvious entertainment value, the Belkin WeMo switch allows you to turn your electronics on and off from any location using Wi-Fi, G3 or G4, and a simple app. (Even the tech challenged like myself will find this easy to use.)

It is perfect while visiting family over the holidays, or while you are out of the house at work. You can use the WeMo to program electronics to start or stop at schedules times, or manually turn them on and off! 

Of course, it makes a perfect gift! My sister in law was quite disappointed to find out we had these and had not wrapped one up for her! (Next year for sure!)

Cost: The WeMo retailers between $40 - $50 dollars, but we found ours on sale at a number of retailers over the holiday season, so be sure to watch for those deals! 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BELKIN WEMO SWITCH  BE SURE TO CHECK OUT BELKIN HOME AUTOMATION SECTION OF THE BELKIN WEBSITE! 

NOTE: I have not been compensated in any way for this post. All opinions are my own.

IT'S SO EASY TO BE #GREEN - MAKE EASY #COMPOST BIN LINERS FROM #RECYCLED NEWSPAPER & FLYERS!

DON'T THROW OUT THOSE FLYERS - USE THEM TO MAKE COMPOST BIN LINERS! FREE, EASY, AND OH SO GREEN! 

Everyday we can make small changes that have BIG results. By using flyers and newspapers to make bin liners not only do you save money (the bin liner bags are so expensive) you also find a way to reuse the endless supply of flyers that end up in your mailbox. 

So the question is What are you waiting for? and How many of your friends and family are you going to share this idea with so 
together we can make small changes with BIG results?

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about being green.

DOGFIGHT - How Apple and Google Went to War and Started a Revolution by Fred Vogelstein

  DOGFIGHT by Fred Vogelstein

Hardcover | 320 pages | ISBN 9780670067190 | 12 Nov 2013 | Allen Lane Canada

I'm so excited to be participating in Penguin Canada's Star Blogger Holiday Blog Tour! I just received a copy of "Dogfight: How APPLE and GOOGLE Went to War and Started a REVOLUTION" by Fred Vogelstein. 
What could be more exciting than a book that includes suspense, rivalry, betrayal, power struggles, and egos. Most of us know where we currently are as far as tech devices go, but few know how we got here. This non-fiction book documents the corporate rivalry between Apple and Google for dominance in the smartphone market, and the personalities of the major players that drove this rivalry.  On first glance you might think that this is only for the business or technology enthusiasts, but this book has so many exciting insights into the personalities, deals, and alliances involved that it is a recommended read for everyone.  Lets face it most of use smartphones and tablets, and this is about more than which phone you will use, this "revolution" impacts what smartphones are available to buy, content, and what can be done on these devices. Alliances, mergers, and acquisitions, between major players and endless advances in technology have given Apple and Google immense power and control over how we access content and the type of content we will be able to access on the devices we use now and into the foreseeable future. 

Note: I received a copy of Dogfight by Fred Vogelstein for review as a participant in Penguin Canada Star Blogger Campaign. All opinions are my own,

DON'T MISS ALL THE FUN IN DECEMBER AT PENGUIN CANADA'S DECEMBER DELIGHTS! BE SURE TO VISIT EVERYDAY, SINCE EACH DAY HOLDS SOMETHING NEW!

PENGUIN CANADA DECEMBER DELIGHTS LINK

Be sure to check out some other great books that are on my Holiday Gift List for my friends and family!

Dear Life by Alice Munro                                                                         Back to Basics by Michael Smith