Happy Earth Day!

Well it's April 22, Earth Day!

What are you doing to celebrate? I'm having a giveaway on my book blog for a book titled Trash Talk by Dave and Lillian Brummet. It's all about reducing our waste in creative and simple ways.

Your Guide to a Greener World

Mad White Woman's Earth Day Post
Weird Earth Friendly Products

Celebrating Volunteers!

Today is Volunteer Recognition Day and it's also National Volunteer Week so I thought I'd interview a volunteer!

If you volunteer in any way and would like to be featured here this week, send me a quick email (callista83 AT cogeco DOT ca). I'll post your answers and a link to any website or blog you may have. You must contact me this week though!

I'm interviewing Guider Barb from Guides 44 in Community #1 Girl Guides in Canada. C (Callista) and GB (Guider Barb)

C: When did you first become a volunteer? What sorts of volunteer job(s) have you done?

GB: In 1990 I became involved with Girl Guides of Canada as a group leader.

C: What made you volunteer?

GB: They asked and I needed something to do. Wanted to experience new things.

C: What do you do in your volunteer job?

GB: A lot of things. Plan, prepare and implement program for the girls. Take care of finances for the unit. Prepare paperwork. Lead our team of leaders. I’ve since becomes more involved in Guiding. I have run more than one group of girls. I became a trainer to teach new leaders. I am an assessor for Girl Guides for paperwork. I have been an administrator within Guiding where I've managed other leaders within a specific area. My newest position is leading a group of girls through correspondence.

C: What's the best part about being a volunteer?

GB: Making a difference in the life of a girl. When a girl learns a new skill. When a girl feels pride in her accomplishments. Also the growth I’ve experienced personally.

C: If your volunteer job were a paid job, how much do you estimate you'd make in a year? Considering how much work you put into it.

GB: I couldn’t give a number but it would be a lot considering all the work I do. I consider Guiding a full time job.

C: What advice would you give to someone who wanted to volunteer but wasn't sure where to start?

GB: Start where there is a need. Look for something you think may appeal. I had no idea what was really involved when I started but I’ve loved every minute.

C: Is there anything else you would like to add?

GB: Volunteering is a very good way to get out there and be involved. It’s rewarding and a great way to grow and learn new things. It’s also a great way to make new friends and be social. Try it.

Links:

Volunteer Canada

Volunteer USA Foundation
Volunteer Match (USA)

If you live outside Canada or the US, just do a google search for 'volunteer (country)'

World Creativity and Innovation Week

I always find out about these things a little late. World Creativity & Innovation Week is April 15-21 (which means it already started) So let's take a moment to reflect on creativity/innovation.

Without Creativity and Innovation we wouldn't have many of the objects we use everyday. I could name off everything we use but just as a sample: cellphones, internet, toaster, microwave, Wii, Kindle, Twitter etc....

Then there are those things that are very new and you don't see them in stores (at least yet). Check out these cool innovative products. (but come back!)

So did you ever create something new? Perhaps in school? We had to invent something in school and I ended up creating a sling for dogs. You know how people carry their babies on them? Well I made one for dogs. I tried it out on my dog and he didn't like it much but I know the dog my parents have now would love it. I wish I knew what happened to it. It would have been perfect for those little dogs who just want to be held and carried. Perhaps you've heard of or seen a dog stroller? But oh wait, what's this? Someone HAS invented Dog Slings. They're not quite what I invented, these are more like purses.

So what innovation do you covet the most? Which one could you never live without? Inquiring minds want to know.

Are you going to be creative or innovate anything this week? Check out the Innovation Mindset for some ideas and an Innovation 'Prayer.' If you're on Twitter, you may want to follow @WorldCreativity

Blog Reader Appreciation Day

Today is Blog Reader Appreciation Day and I wanted to take a moment to thank all my readers!

I don't have very many at the moment but I really do appreciate each and every one of you. Especially those of you who comment! If you don't comment, I only know I had a visitor, not who it was!

I'd like to thank my first few commentors:

Tony - my brother.
Call Me Betty
Nicole - no blog
Ingrid - of Happy Abnormality
Audrey - now of Mom Generations, was Pink and Blues Girl Blog then

And now some of my more recent commentors
BermudaOnion
Kimbofo
Jenners

If I didn't mention you, don't worry I still appreciate you! I hope to continue to build this blog and get some more regular readers so that next year, I'll have more to appreciate!

Where do you list/find your giveaways?

There are now tons of places to list your giveaways but recently another giveaway site has come into existence and each day it gets better and better. The Big List of Giveaways is growing faster and faster.

It's only been running for a month and it's already listed 391 giveaways from 182 different sites. I will be listing my future giveaways on their site. Not only is each giveaway listed on the site but it's also sent out as a tweet on twitter, as a daily newsletter to subscribers plus through the rss feed.

So check it out!

REVIEW: Nestle Carnation Breakfast Anytime

I had decided I wanted to try some Carnation Instead Breakfast and what better flavour to try than Chocolate! So I sent away for a free sample and just after it came in I told hubby what it was and that he could try some. Nex thing I know he has it made and is telling me I can try some. Um not quite what I had in mind!

So I only got a moderate taste and it wasn't as chocolately as I would have liked but I think he added too much milk. (Guys don't measure right?)

My sample also came with a coupon so I'll buy some more so I can get a better taste but I think it would make a good quick breakfast for someone who doesn't ever eat breakfast.

Each serving of powder (when prepared with milk) has:

15 grams of Protein
50% Daily Value (DV) of Calcium
50% DV Iron
50% DV Vitamin C
and Preibio, a prebiotic that helps maintain a healthy digestive system.

You can also buy it premade in ready-to-drink tetra packs but what I would have preferred to see was a mix that mixes with water so that I'd have something to eat/drink even when there is not milk in the house.

Have you tried any Carnation Instant Breakfast products?

A New Look

* If you happen to be reading this in a feed reader, please click through to check out my new design!*

Thanks to Lissa at She Designs I have a unique look finally! Check it out and check out my buttons across the top. Read all about me and I'm looking for feedback on my PR Info and Review Policy page too. Please send any feedback to callista83 AT cogeco DOT ca

This is what my blog looked liked before :