Lucky for us, our friends at Rainforest Alliance has conjured up a great green guide to gifts and activities especially designed for lovers to, well, show their love for one another. The best part? They are all eco-friendly, sustainable ways to spend it together.

This Valentine’s Day sweethearts can demonstrate their love for one another and the planet by choosing gifts and activities that protect the environment and improve the livelihoods of workers and their communities across the globe.

Surprise your love with certified blooms

Surprise your Valentine with a beautiful bouquet, but make sure it was not grown at the expense of the environment. Flowers that bear the Rainforest Alliance Certified^TM seal were grown on farms that curb deforestation, conserve soil and water, provide habitat for wildlife and protect the rights and well-being of farm workers. You can find certified blooms at: Whole Foods Markets, Sam’s Club, Trader Joes, Costco, and online at FTD.com. 

Treat your love to ethical chocolate

Farmed on over 18 million acres of tropical land, some 40 million people depend on cocoa for their livelihoods. Make sure the chocolate you buy contains cocoa grown in a way that protects forests and helps cocoa farming communities thrive. Find a list of certified chocolate on the Rainforest Alliance’s Marketplace

Tell your love how you feel

Let your loved one know how you feel by sending a romantic e-card. They are environmentally-friendly, save paper, reduce carbon emissions and they’re inexpensive!

Enchant your love with an intimate night-in

Enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner at home while saving emissions and money. When selecting the perfect bottle of wine to complement your meal, look for wineries committed to sustainability. Willamette Valley wines use cork certified by the Rainforest Alliance to meet the environmental and social standards of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Mediterranean cork forests provide refuge for the Iberian lynx and other endangered species, and support local farmers who sustainably harvest the cork bark without damaging the trees. End your evening with a super sweet delight — a chocolate fondue! Indulge in this decadent dessert while supporting wildlife and workers alike by buying fruit and chocolate that bear the Rainforest Alliance Certified green frog seal.

Rekindle your love on a romantic get-away

Rekindle your love on a romantic get-away. Find stunning and sustainable destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean on SustainableTrip.org– a database of tourism businesses that conserve natural resources, protect plants and wildlife, and support local communities.

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The Rainforest Alliance works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travelers. From large multinational corporations to small, community-based cooperatives, businesses and consumers worldwide are involved in the Rainforest Alliance’s efforts to bring responsibly produced goods and services to a global marketplace where the demand for sustainability is growing steadily. For more information, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org

Teams from The Boeing Company in Huntington Beach, California, Lockheed Martin in Palmdale, California, and Northrop Grumman in El Segundo, California have come together and spent the last year studying how to reach the goals of NASA to build and develop a technology that will allow any forms of future aircrafts to use up fifty percent less fuel that current aircrafts that they have been using since 1998. They are also exploring how to integrate 75 percent fewer harmful emissions, and how to ultimately shrink the size of any geographic areas that are affected by excessive airport noise by 83 percent in total.

These flying machines, which they dub as “leaner and greener” are on tap for the year 2025. The three industry teams are currently under contract to the NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate’s Environmentally Responsible Aviation Project.

“The real challenge is we want to accomplish all these things simultaneously,” said ERA project manager Fay Collier in their press release. “It’s never been done before. We looked at some very difficult metrics and tried to push all those metrics down at the same time.”

The three teams have been awarded just under $11 million by NASA to put this challenge to work. They are assessing what kinds of aircraft designs and technologies could help reach the goals for the fuel use, emissions, and noise. The companies have just given NASA their results.

They are currently looking through the studies and seeing what their next steps are.

The Boeing Company’s advanced aircraft concept is built around the company’s signature blended wing body design that is also used in the sub-scale remotely piloted X-48. The X-48 has has been both wind tunnel tested at NASA’s Langley Research Center, as well as flown at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center. A notable aspect of these design, compared to the others and the current airplanes that are used, is the placement of its Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engines. These engines are placed on top of the plane’s back end, and flanked by two vertical tails to shield people on the ground from engine noise. In addition to the different placement of the engines, the aircraft also features an advanced lightweight, damage tolerant, composite structure; various technologies for reducing airframe noise; advanced flight controls; hybrid laminar flow control, which is a design to help reduce the amount of drag; and long-span wings which improve fuel efficiency.

Conversely, Lockheed Martin explored the aircraft from a different angle. The team proposed a completely different design, including box wings, which means the front wing is mounted on the lower belly of the plane and is joined at the tips to an aft wing mounted on top of the plane. The crew at Martin have studied the box wing concept for three decades, but has not put anything into fruition as they have been waiting for lightweight composite materials, landing gear technologies, hybrid laminar flow and other tools to make it a viable configuration. The proposal combines the unique design with a Rolls Royce Liberty Works Ultra Fan Engine, which has a bypass ratio that is approximately five times greater than current engines, spanning over current limits of turbofan technology.

The third company, Northrop Grumman, took some of their company history, aiming for the previous 1930s and 40s designs, which a flying wing reminiscent of its B-2 aircraft. The concept includes four high-bypass engines, provided by Rolls Royce and embedded in the upper surface of the aerodynamically efficient wing would provide noise shielding. Because of the company’s expertise in building planes without the benefit of a stabilizing tail, this ideally would be transferred to the commercial airline market. Their version of the aircraft also incorporates advanced composite materials and engine and swept wing laminar flow control technologies.

The three studies have revealed that though NASA’s three goals (to reduce emissions, fuel consumption, and noise), are doable but definitely a challenge. Though the three preliminary designs from The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman have all met the goal of reducing emissions of nitrogen oxides by 50 percent, the other two challenges (noise and fuel consumption) are still under research. They did have a reduction in fuel consumption (about fifty percent), but the noise aspect isn’t yet under control.

“All of the teams have done really great work during this conceptual design study,” say Mark Mangelsdorf, ERA Project chief engineer. “Their results make me excited about how interesting and different the airplanes on the airport ramp could look in 20 years. Another great result of the study is that they have really helped us focus where to invest our research dollars over the next few years,” he said.

NASA’s ERA project officials do believe that all of the goals can be met if small gains in noise and fuel consumption reduction can be achieved, in addition to those projected in the industry studies. The results of the three tests have brought forth research and conclusions on the current technology and design hurdles that airline manufacturers are facing in trying to design these leaner, greener flying machines. In turn, this will ultimately help guide NASA’s environmentally responsible aviation investment strategy for the second half of its six-year project.

Source

These stir-fries are loaded with vibrant veggies, use flavorful sauces made from scratch, and full of yummy protein (all recipes with vegan alternatives!). Steam up some brown rice, boil up some quinoa, or dunk some rice noodles for serving.

Beef or Tempeh with Asparagus and Mushrooms

Serves 4

1 1/2 pounds flank steak, cut in 1/2-inch strips OR 1 1/2 pounds tempeh, cut in 1/2-inch strips
2 tablespoons wheat-free tamari
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
1/2 pound mushrooms, thinly sliced
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
4 green onions, sliced

Put the steak or tempeh in a bowl and toss with tamari, vinegar and ginger. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour or overnight.

Remove the steak or tempeh from the marinade. Dump the rest of the marinade. Toss the  steak or tempeh with cornstarch until evenly coated.

Heat the oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Once hot, add the steak or tempeh and cook until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside. Add the garlic, asparagus, and mushrooms to the work. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the hoisin and about 1/2 cup of water. Mix well. Cook for a minute, then return the steak or tempeh to the wok, cover, and cook until asparagus is tender and mushrooms are cooked through, about 3 to 5 minutes. Top with green onions and serve.

Orange Chicken or Tofu

Serves 4

6 to 8 sweet citrus, such as satsumas, clementines, or tangerines
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons wheat-free tamari
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
2 teaspoons sesame oil, divided
3/4 pound chicken breast, cut into slices OR 3/4 pound extra-firm tofu, pressed and cut into cubes
2 teaspoons canola oil
3 cups small broccoli florets
1 1/2 cups snow or sugar snap peas
1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced
4 green onions, thinly sliced

Peel 2 oranges in long strips, not taking the pith with it. Then remove the pith from the orange. Thinly slice the peel and set aside.

Carefully cut out the orange segments out of 4 of them and put them in a bowl. Set aside.

Squeeze the juice from about 3 or 4 additional oranges, to measure 1/2 cup juice in total.

Put the juice, rice vinegar,tamari, cornstarch, ginger and 1 teaspoon sesame oil in a small bowl. Mix well. Put 1/4 cup of the mixture in another bowl. Add the chicken or tofu, and mix well.

Heat the oil and remaining 1 teaspoon sesame oil in a large wok or heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced peel and cook until just beginning to brown, about 2 minutes. Add chicken or tofu mixture and cook, stirring, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the chicken or tofu and juices to a bowl, cover and keep warm. Add 1/4 cup water to the wok and bring to a simmer. Stir in the broccoli, snow peas or sugar snap peas, red bell pepper and green onions.

Reduce the heat to medium and cover. Let cook 5 minutes, or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Transfer the vegetables to the bowl with the chicken or tofu. Whisk the remaining juice mixture and add it to the wok. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute, stirring. Add chicken or tofu and vegetables back to wok along with orange segments. Stir to coat and heat through.

Spicy Shrimp or Tofu with Peas and Cashews

Serves 4 to 6

2 tablespoons wheat-free tamari
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon vegetable broth, divided
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger
1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes (more to taste)
1 pound extra-large shrimp, peeled and deveined OR 1 pound extra-firm tofu, pressed and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/8 teaspoon sugar or agave nectar
2 tablespoons peanut oil, divided
1/2 pound snow peas, strings removed
1/4 pound sugar snap peas, stems snapped off, strings removed
1/4 cup green peas
2 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup cashew nuts, coarsely chopped

Put the tamari, rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon of the broth, the sesame oil, 2 teaspoons of the ginger in a small bowl. Mix well and set aside.

Toss the shrimp or tofu with the salt and sugar. Heat a large work or heavy skillet over high heat. Once it is hot, add a tablespoon of the peanut oil. Add the shrimp or tofu and cook until the shrimp is no longer translucent or the tofu is browned on all sides. Transfer the  shrimp or tofu to a plate. Cover to keep warm.

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon peanut oil to wok. Add the snow peas, sugar snap peas, and green peas and cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. Use a spatula to scrape the peas over to the sides of the wok, making a well in the centre. Add the garlic, remaining ginger, and chili flakes. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is fragrant and it is starting to brown a little bit, about 30 seconds. Add the peas back to the center of the wok and toss to combine well. Pour in the remaining 1/3 cup of vegetable broth. Reduce heat and simmer until peas are tender, about 2 more minutes in total. Scrape the mixture into a bowl.

Add the shrimp or tofu back into the work. Pour in the tamari mixture from the first step. Toss to combine. Cover and cook for two minutes. Add the pea mixture back to the wok and toss to mix well. Transfer the mixture to a serving bowl or onto plates.

It can definitely be a challenge for some to reduce their household food waste. After all, we don’t tend to be terribly mindful of what we are tossing. It’s something we just do, especially during food-focused times of year, like the winter holidays.

There have been many studies published about food waste in the world. Last May, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations published a document, Global Food Losses and Food Waste, outlining the details about how the world connects with food waste.

Basically, consumers in North America and Europe toss about 209 to 253 pounds of food per person every year. Considering that according to the USDA the average American eats 4.7 pounds of food per day, the amount of food waste would feed each person for about two months at a time. Overall, one third of the food production for human consumption is lost, as well. Even developing countries tend to waste about the same.

However, the biggest difference is where the food waste occurs. While in industrialized countries, a lot of the waste is had at the retail and consumer levels, developing countries tend to lose it at the postharvest and processing level. So in other words, while we toss good food, theirs is spoiling. Our standards for appearance (really, Appearance Quality Standards causes human-grade to be exchanged for animal feed because it doesn’t “look” good (IE an oddly shaped potato).

Since in the United States food waste is at about 40 percent, it’s important to try to be more mindful of what we can do to change that. A 2002 study of American households indicated that families tossed out about fourteen percent of their food. While this number may seem low, that equates to about six hundred dollars per year–a significant chunk for most folks.

Food waste also impacts the national energy policy. A study from 2010 outlines that energy that is in the food waste exceeds what is available from most popular “efficiency” programs, such as the annual ethanol production output from drilling in the outer continental shelf. An estimated 300 million barrels of oil per year (equivalent to about four percent of the total oil) was used to for the production and transportation of food that was, you guessed it, wasted in some form.

Yes, food waste is a growing concern, and chances are, we all partake somehow. Here’s some ideas on how to change some of your routine in 2012.

• Grow your own vegetables, herbs, and fruit at home, and use these items first.
• Plan your meals for the week, see what you already have in the fridge, freezer, and pantry, then base a shopping list on how to round it out.
• Learn to store fruits and vegetables properly.
• Visit the local market and/or use a CSA farmer for some go-to weekly items.
• Visit the market every few days, purchase fresh food, and shop at the grocery store only for staples.
• Look for good quality, well-grown fruits and veggies… and who cares how they look?
• Buy bulk in terms of items that aren’t as perishable, such as grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes. Buy what you need for the upcoming meals, and you can also store nuts, seeds, and grains in the freezer for longevity.
• Eat and enjoy leftovers, or freeze them.
• Save vegetable and herb scraps for soup stock.
• Be mindful of what you are eating.

Image source

But I only have three things on my mind: fireworks, food, and family and friends.

So how are you enjoying your long weekend?

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Perhaps you need some weekend recipes to get you started? Read more here for some homemade guacamole, corn chips, stuffed zucchini, and marinade ideas.

While you’re at it, check out our twist on a classic broccoli salad as a great side dish.

And you can never saw no to grilled corn on the cob. Have you never had it? Trust me… those sweet, juicy kernels with a hint of that delicious char.. You’ll never boil those babies again.

Spend the time with family and friends going on a leisurely bike ride. If you don’t have one already, here’s a short guide to buying the perfect bike… and take the weekend to relax and peruse the local shops for what they have to offer.

If you have nothing planned, take some time to do some yard work. That might include tending to your garden, looking after your lawn, or getting that clothes line ready for eco-friendly laundry.

Hopefully, no matter what you do, the weather complies, and you can spend it outside, relishing in nature’s own vitamin D.

I can’t understand why you wouldn’t want to end it with some ice cream. Sure, these ice creams are vegan, but they’ll be the best you’ve ever had. Really.

Need some more? Here are some other tips from July 4th, 2010.

Invest in some good chocolate and some organic jelly beans to satisfy that sweet tooth, then fill the rest of the basket with useful goods that they’ll love even more.

Here are nine candy-free Easter basket ideas, each with a theme that will suit whatever your kids love.

With things they’ll use again and again, waste is at a minimum, making it much better for our planet, too.

The Slumber Party Lover

Most young girls love a good sleepover, and a basket of flip-flop slippers, a pair of cute pajamas, some books with girl-driven games (think: truth or dare), and a few others favourites is a great way to give them a basket of fun that they’ll be able to use over and over.

The Video-Game Lover

Go to a trade/buy/sell store and pick up a classic game or a new favourite. Round out the basket with an extra memory card and something that compliments the game, such as a comic book for a game based on the series, or a sports hat for their favourite team.

The Green Thumb

One of my favourite childhood memories is gardening in the yard; the vegetable garden with my dad and the flower garden with my mom. Fill an outdoor pail or tub with a watering can, seed packets, gloves, and a tool or two.

The Budding Artist

Art supplies can be cheap, and a great idea for kids. For younger kids, look for colouring books with spring themes. For older kids, find a good quality sketchbook. Round it out with crayons, markers, and paint, along with a few DIY crafts with step by step instructions.

The Animal Lover

Inspire the kids to bring birds into the backyard. Opt for an inexpensive bird feeder, some bird seed. Look for other options for squirrels and other backyard critters, too.

The Mini-Athlete

Whatever they love, give them something to help build their sport career. Flashy laces for a pair of cleats, a new baseball cap to shield the sun, some legwarmers for the dancer, a jump rope for the young one.

The Toddler

Still have a young one? Fill it up with books of their favourite characters. Choose board books, filled with their current TV and movie stars that they know and love. Add some stickers, a puzzle, and a DVD to bring it altogether.

The Kitchen Chef

Have a kid who loves to help out in the kitchen? Get them an apron, a few kid-friendly tools, and a recipe book designed specifically for them. Look for bright colours, comfortable grips and smaller sizes designed specifically for them.

The Teenager

So they are getting a little old for presents… right? Wrong. All kids, no matter the age, love a basket filled with some goodies! Through in a gift card to Starbucks or iTunes, add a cool pair of socks, a magazine, and something else they love: a book for the bookworm, a baseball for the slugger, and a blu-ray for the film lover.

Whatever you choose, don’t deny your kids of the delicious treats… Just fill it out with some great options that’ll last a lot longer than their sugar high.

Here are our top ten posts of ways you can give back to the environment this Earth Day.

Get On a Bike

If you don’t already own a bike, it’s time you did. Not only are they better for the environment than an automobile, but they are also a great way to improve your health and enjoy the outdoors. Unless you give in ice-laden land, a bike is a great investment to add years to the planet – and your life.

Read more in our article, How to Buy the Perfect Bike.

Mow it Right

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, gas-powered lawn mowers are  responsible for 5% of air pollution, and various studies have compared lawn mower emissions to those of automobiles – the Union of Concerned Scientists contrasted one gas mower running for an hour with an equivalent in pollution as eight cars driving 55 mph for the same amount of time.

Read more in our article, Going Gas-Free When It Comes to Your Lawn.

Gift the Right Gifts

All of a sudden we’re remembering to buy one more thing here and two more things there… And suddenly, we’re feeling a little overwhelmed.

Read more in our article, 101+ Best Holiday Eco-Gift Ideas (good gifts for all-year round!)

Move Away from the Meat

Paul McCartney has recently launched Meat Free Monday, an environmental campaign to raise awareness of the  impact of meat production and consumption has on climate change. Although eating meatless a few times a week to help the environment is old news, having a celebrity backing helping launch a worldwide initiative will, hopefully, fuel the fire a little more.

Read more in our article, Meat-Free Monday, Are You In?.

Get Those Weeds

Luckily, there are plenty of eco-friendly, natural ways to control weeds before they start to cause havoc in your garden.

Read more in our article, Killing Weeds the Natural Way.

Drive Greener

Driving green doesn’t mean investing in a smaller, fuel-efficient car or opting for a hybrid. You can easily start driving green with what you already have. Here are six tips to help you get started.

Read more in our article, Six Ways to Drive a Little Greener.

Clean Your Home Naturally

Everyday ingredients can do double duty in cleaning your home. By utilizing foods found in the pantry, you not only help out the environment, but also your health and your wallet. Some of our favourite foods are perfect as natural cleansing products – and can double for dinner, too.

Read more in our article, Cleaning Aids Found in the Kitchen.

Try Veganism

But I will tell you (and recent media will back me up on this) vegetarianism is one of the foremost things we can do to help the planet. I am not alone in saying that maintaining animals for food is causing more havoc on the planet than anything else. Our land, water, and air quality are all at increased risk with more and more animal-based consumption.

Read more in our article, Veganism and the Planet.

Eco-Friendly Listening

We sure love our music. iPods and MP3 players are quite constantly plugged into our ears. Unfortunately, they aren’t exactly made of 100% eco-friendly materials. But don’t worry – your earphones can be.

Read more in our article Eco-Friendly Earphones by Thinksound.

Get Away the Right Way

Looking for a place to stay for your next trip within Canada? The Hotel Association of Canada has developed a Green Key Eco-Rating Program that can give you advice on where you can sustainable stay on your next trip.

Read more in our article Find a Place to Stay with a Green Key Eco-Rating.

Earth Day 2011 is focused on the recognition of the power of millions of individual actions. Dubbed as A Billion Acts of Green®, with a goal to highlight personal, organizational and corporate pledges to live and act sustainably.

A Billion Acts of Green® campaign is the largest environmental service campaign in the world. Steadily rising, with over 45 million acts to date, individuals, corporations, and governments our coming together in honor of our planet.

This campaign inspires and rewards all acts — whether small and simple or large and measurable. No matter the project, the goal is to reduce the impact on our planet and support a greener lifestyle.

This year’s Earth Day goal is to register one billion actions of greeness in advance of the Earth Summit in Rio in 2012. Their website, EarthDay.org, tallies these acts with an online registration tool. You can submit them by going here http://act.earthday.org.

There are many elements to this year’s Earth Day campaign highlighted on their website.

These include:

Why not stay in this Valentine’s Day, make a meal to remember, and (on your way home from work), grab a single rose and some good quality dark, fair-trade chocolate.

Then, whip up a simple snack, like this vegan fondue (sans cheese, but full of taste). (recipe follows)

But if that is not enough, check out our other ideas, too.

Our friends at Rainforest Alliance have put together a Green Guide to Valentine’s Day, perfect for promoting love, without promoting damage to the planet! (Check out the full article here)

The folks at at LUSH have love-worthy bath fun in romantic and fun choices for that special someone! (Read the full article here)

Our friend Marlie, from barefootandfrolicking.blogspot.com, has concocted some Sweetheart Vanilla Macaroons dipped in Dark Chocolate. The perfect raw vegan Valentine’s Day treat. (Get the recipe here)

What are you planning this Valentine’s Day?

Cheezy Fondue with Roasted Vegetables

(recipe credit: (C) Laurie Sadowski)

Choose any vegetables you love to dip, or use as a cheesy sauce. The cumin and peppers add a slightly Mexican flavour. Also delicious on top of tacos and nachos.

2 cups water

1/3 cup cannellini beans

1/3 cup roasted red peppers, chopped

1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice

3/4 cup nutritional yeast flakes

4 tsp.  cornstarch

1 tsp. cumin, heaping

3/4 tsp. onion powder

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

sea salt to taste

fresh ground pepper to taste

Vegetables, for roasting (such as cauliflower, broccoli, mushrooms, peppers, green beans, asparagus… Anything delicious and in season)

Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Cut vegetables to a uniform size and toss with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast until tender. I recommend cauliflower (about 25 minutes), broccoli (about 20 minutes), and asparagus (about 10 minutes), all perfect for dipping.

In a blender, blend all ingredients except for vegetables until smooth. Transfer to a medium-sized saucepan, whisking frequently over medium-high heat until thickened, about six to eight minutes. Alternatively, place all ingredients in the saucepan, and insert an immersion blender, blending until smoothed. Continue by heating until thickened, as above.

The Frog Prince Bath Bomb

Throw this cute little character in a tub of warm water and marvel as he dissolves in front of your eyes to reveal your very own Prince Charming (a sticker of one of our charming compounders from the LUSH factory)!  And as you would expect from royalty, he has his own exquisite and sultry brand new fragrance – a majestic blend of jasmine, sandalwood, rose and neroli.

It’s Raining Men Shower Gel

Hallelujah!  A divine shower gel scented with our best-selling Honey I Washed the Kids fragrance. Shower with this luxurious honey and tropical flower gel and your skin will be left deliciously soft, scented like crème brulée and extremely lickable.

Love Birds Soap

Something for all those lovers out there, this gorgeous new soap is scented with beautiful aphrodisiac essential oils to make this Valentine’s Day extra special!  This sensual jasmine and vanilla fragranced soap leaves skin delicately scented while it softens and moisturizes.

Ex-Factor Bath Bomb

For all the Valentine-less folks, plan a date with this little guy to cheer you up! He dissolves in the warm water in a swirl of ylang ylang and vanilla to reveal a small pink candy heart.  The delectable mix of essential oils will leave you feeling happy, relaxed and ready to meet someone else.

Magic Mushroom Bubble Bar

Make some magic with this charming toadstool! Crumble this frothy strawberry and cream-scented wonder under running water for masses of yummy skin softening bubbles.

PS I Love You

Tell that special someone what you’ve been meaning to say for ages.  This cute little gift contains four romantic products wrapped up with lovely paper embossed with hearts and love birds.

Includes: Magic Mushroom bubble bar, Strawberry Feels massage bar (mini), Love Birds soap, It Started With a Kiss lip tint.

Be Mine

A sexy selection of six scrumptious treats that’s sure to secure the one you want this Valentine’s Day. Melt into a marshmallow bath and then seal the deal with a chocolate-scented massage. Packed up in a reusable box, they will always remember just how much you love them!

Includes: Melting Marshmallow Moment bath melt, It’s Raining Men shower gel, Sex Bomb bath bomb, Sugar Babe sugar scrub, Soft Coeur massage bar, Lust solid perfume.

Champagne — a sparkling wine developed by fermenting  the wine further to create the effect of carbonation — gets its name from the region in France. It most often uses Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier grapes. But now, many North American companies are producing eco-friendly choices that we can get locally (or at least a little closer than overseas).

Domaine Carneros

This is the first champagne-based Californian winery to gain certification from the California Certified Organic Farmers.  There are no pesticides used in their grape-growing and they also use compost for fertilizing. Seven years ago 2003 they also installed a photovoltaic solar system–the largest of any winery worldwide.

Pommery

As the first champagne-winery to obtain ISO 14001 (environmental) certification for sustainability, waste management and water and energy conservation, they also use lighter glass than conventional champagne. This redues both pollution and shipping energy, AND the label is made with recycled paper and printed with water-soluble ink.

Leclerc Briant

This eco-friendly winery is keen on biodynamic winemaking.  They use only natural fertilizers, compost cleanly, and always aerate soil to maximize its planet-friendly sustainability.

Images courtesy of articles.sfgate.com and domainecarneros.com

He’s put together some great planet-lovin’ options on his website. (Check out more on his green guide here).

From the Rainforest Alliance:

New York – The Rainforest Alliance today announced that Greentique Hotel of Costa Rica has launched a special promotion for Rainforest Alliance supporters, providing tourists with unforgettable, environmentally savvy vacation options that are also affordable. Travelers can enjoy a discount of 25 percent off reservations at any of three world-class-hotels, located within Costa Rica’s most spectacular regions. Further, Greentique Hotels will donate five percent of the total accommodation cost of travelers to the Rainforest Alliance in their name and travelers will receive a one year membership with the Rainforest Alliance.

“We are thrilled that the Rainforest Alliance and Greentique Hotels have joined forces to promote sustainable tourism,” said Ronald Sanabria, vice president of tourism at the Rainforest Alliance. “By making one of these stunning properties their next vacation destination, travelers will have an unforgettable experience while also benefitting local communities, the environment, and the Rainforest Alliance’s work around the world.”

Through its sustainable tourism program, the Rainforest Alliance helps tourism professionals improve the sustainability of their businesses based on the principles of the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria. Initiatives include implementing ecosystem and water conservation measures, reducing energy use, supporting local economies, hiring from within the community and reducing costs. Tourism operations that have been verified by the Rainforest Alliance, certified by independent, third-party programs or recommended by reputable organizations are featured on the Rainforest Alliance’s recently launched website, SustainableTrip.org.

In May 2009, Greentique Hotels of Costa Rica received the 2009 Corporate Sustainable Standard-Setter Award from the Rainforest Alliance at its Annual Gala, recognizing the hotel groups’ ongoing dedication to innovation and leadership in environmental conservation.

“We are very pleased to join the Rainforest Alliance in offering a choice of properties that practice sustainable hospitality here in beautiful Costa Rica. We hope you will take advantage of this exclusive invitation and see how you can travel well and travel right and have exceptional Costa Rica experiences that are easy on the pocket book and beneficial to our precious habitat. We look forward to hosting you as our valued Rainforest Alliance guests,” said Jim Damalas, owner of Greentique Hotels.

By booking your next trip to Cost Rica through Greentique Hotels, you are not only guaranteed an unforgettable experience, but you can rest assured that the hotel you choose will help – not harm – the environment. You are also helping the Rainforest Alliance to ensure that the tourism industry has a sustainable future and that Costa Rica can also be enjoyed by many generations to come.

To take advantage of this promotion, visit www.greentiquehotels.com/ra and use promotion code GTQHRA101.

About the Rainforest Alliance

The Rainforest Alliance works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travelers. From large multinational corporations to small, community-based cooperatives, businesses and consumers worldwide are involved in the Rainforest Alliance’s efforts to bring responsibly produced goods and services to a global marketplace where the demand for sustainability is growing steadily. For more information, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org.

Images courtesy of Greentique Hotel

If you don’t already know, GMO’s are genes taken from one species, combining them into another, and creating a whole new “modified organism”. These unnatural conditions are, well, unnatural.. And not necessarily something we want to be noshing on. (Read “Are GMO’s an eco-friendly choice?“)

A great way to promote Non-GMOs is shopping at GMO-friendly retailers. If you visit Non GMO Project, you can see a list of their retailers that are registered to participate in Non-GMO Month. They will be educating shoppers about GMOs and the Non-GMO Project. Specific stores listed will even be doing special events on 10.10.10, which is Non-GMO Day.

There is an increasing connection between consuming GMOs and health risks. Because of this, more consumers are looking for GMO-free choices, which only accounts for about 20 percent of the goods in the stores. What’s more is that they don’t have to be labeled.

Thus, a “Non-GMO Project Verified” seal has been created. Manufacturers can earn a seal through compliance with specific non-GMO standards. To date, nearly 900 products have been verified, with thousands more in the process.

For more information regarding genetically modified organisms, GM food, and Non-GMO Month, visit Non GMO Project.

How are you becoming a part of non-GMO month? Share your ideas below!

Image courtesy of redgreenandblue.org

Like in the past years, the company encourages folks to visit www.odwalla.com/plantatree to help determine where the new trees will be planted.

From Odwalla

Odwalla_® Expands Plant a Tree Program to All 50 States; Doubles Tree Donations in 2010

Half Moon Bay, Calif., May 24, 2010 ­–– All 50 states will be competing for trees this summer when Odwalla launches its third annual Plant a Tree program. The program is a partnership between Odwalla and America’s State Parks to support the environment and help with important reforestation and planting initiatives.

Beginning May 25, visitors to www.odwalla.com/plantatree can click on one of 50 state park systems where they would like to plant a tree, free of charge. Odwalla will double last year’s donation – which went to the 11 participating states – and plant 200,000 trees through the 2010 program. Tree locations will be determined by website visitor designation.

In addition to the Odwalla website, a portion of the trees will be allocated via codes found in the Park Visitor Welcome Kits at participating State Parks. Fans of Odwalla on Facebook also can create their own virtual Microforest by encouraging others to donate trees via the Plant a Tree program.  Fans will get virtual credit when their friends participate in the Plant a Tree program – helping to spread the word about the program. As more friends designate tree donations from Odwalla, the fan will get a virtual forest planted in their name.

“It was great to see the overwhelming response to the Plant a Tree program in its first two years and we’re delighted to be able to expand its reach to all 50 states in 2010,” said Chris Brandt, Odwalla vice president of marketing. “Odwalla began with a simple vision to make great juice, do good things for the community and build a business with heart. The Plant a Tree program is just one of the many ways we are able to recognize this vision today.”

The website portion of the Odwalla Plant a Tree program runs from May 25, 2010 through August 15, 2010. Codes found in the State Park Visitor Welcome Kits can be redeemed through December 31, 2010. The species of trees donated will vary by region and will be planted in fall 2010 and early 2011.  Odwalla has donated 160,000 trees since the program began in 2008.

About America’s State Parks

America’s State Parks brings together the state park systems of all 50 states representing more than 2,000 parks nationally. Our state parks encompass natural and cultural treasures, and provide recreation opportunities for more than 725 million visits each year. Learn more at www.americasstateparks.com.

Odwalla, Inc., the nation’s leading natural health beverage company, delivers nourishment coast to coast with the Odwalla family of juices, juice drinks, soy beverages and nourishing food bars.  Odwalla has been making juices and innovating in the natural health beverage category for 30 years.  Its nourishing beverages and food bars are available in natural food stores, select supermarkets and specialty outlets throughout the country.

To learn more about Odwalla products and Odwalla’s commitment to the environment, please visit  or call 1.800.ODWALLA. Also follow Odwalla on Facebook (www.facebook.com/odwalla) and Twitter (@Odwalla).

From the Rainforest Alliance:

Leaders in Sustainability Honored at Rainforest Alliance Gala

New York – The Rainforest Alliance, an international nonprofit organization focused on sustainable farming, forestry and tourism, names the 2010 honorees for its annual gala on May 12 at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.  Companies continue to make bold commitments to sustainability, despite an uncertain economic landscape, and these commitments improve livelihoods and conserve biodiversity on the ground.  The annual gala recognizes companies and individuals for their work with the Rainforest Alliance on making sustainable supply chain decisions, or for their longtime support of conservation work.

“Twenty years ago, the Rainforest Alliance had only a handful of companies working with us on their supply chains, and now we have thousands,” said Tensie Whelan, president of the Rainforest Alliance. “The companies and individuals honored during our annual gala are those that show leadership in their efforts to make farms, forests and tourism operations more sustainable so that future generations may also enjoy them.”

The 2010 honorees are:

Sustainable Standard-Setters (recognizing businesses and individuals with strong commitments to sustainability that champion conservation, improve the environment and support local communities):

Pierrick Chouard of Vintage Plantations Chocolates

Columbia Forest Products

Côte d’Or Chocolate

Glenn Jampol and Teresa Osman of Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation & Inn

JD Wetherspoon

Kenya Tea Development Agency

Willamette Valley Vineyards

2010 Gala Co-chairs:

Luigi Lavazza S.p.A.

Suzano Pulp and Paper

The honorees and co-chairs will come together on May 12 with other business leaders and representatives from the Rainforest Alliance for a day-long workshop on marketing sustainability and certification at a location in downtown Manhattan. Following the workshop, they will join other Rainforest Alliance supporters for an awards dinner, dancing and a silent auction at the American Museum of Natural History. Gala proceeds benefit the Rainforest Alliance’s work in sustainable agriculture, forestry and tourism.

Achievements of the 2010 gala honorees:

Pierrick Chouard of Vintage Plantations Chocolates

In the late 1990s, Pierrick Chouard – at the time, manager of a French chocolate company – paid a visit to the Dominican Republic to research local cocoa farms.  It was an eye-opening experience for Chouard, who was unaware of the depth and complexity of the social, environmental and economic challenges facing cocoa farmers in Latin America and the Caribbean.  Following the trip, Chouard developed a class to introduce cocoa farmers to better farming practices and began contemplating launching his own line of sustainably grown specialty chocolate.  Chouard approached the Rainforest Alliance with a generous donation to jump-start a development project in the Dominican Republic and a desire to identify a sustainable source for his new line of chocolate products. Together, we agreed to connect with potential suppliers in Ecuador, where the Rainforest Alliance was already engaged with a number of farmers. By 2004, Vintage Plantations Arriba chocolate had hit the shelves and become the first-ever cocoa product to bear the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ green frog seal. Today, 100 percent of the cocoa used in Vintage’s delicious chocolates comes from farms that protect the environment and the rights and welfare of local communities.

vintageplantations.com

Columbia Forest Products

In the late 1990’s Columbia Forest Products — North America’s leading producer of hardwood plywood and hardwood veneer — identified certification as an opportunity to differentiate its products in the marketplace.  Soon after, it became the first manufacturer of its kind to secure a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)/Rainforest Alliance Chain-of-Custody certificate, and more than a decade later it provides the industry’s most comprehensive line of FSC-certified decorative hardwood panel products. Columbia has incorporated other game-changing practices into its operations, too — for example, eliminating the use of urea formaldehyde from its manufacturing process. According to Columbia, working with the Rainforest Alliance’s SmartWood program “positioned us to make substantial changes in the makeup of our product lines and helped our merchandise to resonate with increasingly sophisticated and environmentally-conscious consumers.”

columbiaforestproducts.com

Côte d’Or Chocolate

Thanks to a momentous commitment and pioneering efforts from Kraft Foods, consumers across Europe and North America are experiencing the delicious taste of sustainably grown cocoa. With Côte d’Or premium line of chocolate products now containing at least 30 percent Rainforest Alliance Certified™ cocoa content, Kraft Foods is demonstrating its meaningful investment in sustainability and responsible agriculture.  It’s a commitment that will continue to deepen: by 2012, all of the cocoa in Kraft Foods Côte d’Or and Marabou chocolate products will be sourced from certified farms. For thousands of West African farmers and their families, this means access to health care, safety equipment and education services.

cotedor.com

Glenn Jampol and Teresa Osman of Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation & Inn

For conservation-conscious tourists and eco-curious coffee lovers, Finca Rosa Blanca is an essential destination. A coffee plantation and inn, it has been awarded a prestigious five green leaves and a perfect 100 percent score from Costa Rica’s Certification for Sustainable Tourism program and Rainforest Alliance certification (plus wide recognition) for sustainable farm management. Finca Rosa Blanca has also

demonstrated a real commitment to the betterment of its local community. For the past 20 years, the inn’s owners have donated five percent of their annual bar and restaurant revenue to community projects, enabling the construction of a new library, dining room and computer center at their local school, developing a community-wide recycling center and providing continuous support to the Children’s Food Bank and Kitchen.

fincarosablanca.com

JD Wetherspoon

With ongoing sustainability initiatives at its 757 pubs and 16 hotels located throughout the UK, JD Wetherspoon has been quietly demonstrating its commitment to ethical business for some time. In 2004, Wetherspoon launched a company-wide recycling initiative and began bringing all of its recycled waste to a national distribution center. In 2009 alone, nearly 5,500 tons of cardboard, used cooking oil, plastic packaging, paper and steel were recycled through the initiative. The company is also working to reduce its energy consumption by 15 percent by the end of 2010 and collaborating with suppliers to minimize packaging. In addition, Wetherspoon has begun adopting responsible sourcing practices and now purchases 100 percent Rainforest Alliance Certified™ coffee for all of its pub locations — a real boon for coffee growing communities, wildlife and the environment.

jdwetherspoon.co.uk

Kenya Tea Development Agency

Producing some 60 percent of Kenya’s tea, the Kenya Tea Development Agency (also known as KTDA) has been working with its farmers to make the case for socially and environmentally responsible agriculture for some time. In 2006, KTDA and one of its main buyers, Unilever — supported by the UK’s Department for International Development — launched a pilot program to demonstrate the value of sustainable agriculture among its small-scale farmers. The project was a resounding success. By the close of 2009, KTDA had achieved Rainforest Alliance certification on more than 38,000 of its smallholder tea farms- a development that has truly benefited the agency, farmers and factory employees. Today, KTDA’s Rainforest Alliance Certified tea is commanding a higher price, workers and farmers have critical safety equipment and employees and farmers now understand the very real value of soil, water and wildlife conservation.

74.63.45.6/cmss4

Willamette Valley Vineyards

If Willamette Valley Vineyards wanted to save $250,000 a year, it could stop using natural cork stoppers and transition to metal screw caps or plastic stoppers. Fortunately, the winemaker understands that that number does not reflect the true cost to the environment, which is why it pays a premium to seal its bottles with cork harvested from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)/Rainforest Alliance Certified forestlands in the Mediterranean. An overriding commitment to social, environmental and economic sustainability is apparent throughout Willamette Valley Vineyards’ business operations. All of the company’s properties have been certified by LIVE (Low Input Viticulture and Enology) as well as Salmon-Safe. The vineyard also offers ten cents for every wine bottle returned to its tasting room (regardless of origin), uses recycled paper throughout its facilities and recycles all plastic, aluminum, paper and cardboard.

willamettevalleyvineyards.com

Achievements of the 2010 gala co-chairs:

Luigi Lavazza S.p.A.

One of Italy’s oldest and most popular coffee roasters and sellers, Lavazza strives for quality and innovation while maintaining a respect for tradition. Since 2004, the Rainforest Alliance and Lavazza have collaborated on ¡Tierra!, a project to help small coffee growing communities in Honduras, Peru and Colombia improve their living and working conditions and become more competitive and self-sufficient. Through the initiative, farmers have learned to protect wildlife, waterways and forests by using eco-friendly techniques – for example, controlling pests without the use of dangerous agrochemicals and replacing inefficient coffee mills with modern machinery that conserves water and controls pollution. The project has borne fruit: Since 2005, Rainforest Alliance Certified ¡Tierra! Coffee, a 100 percent premium Arabica blend, has been sold in specialty and retail stores in many countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Italy. Soon, Lavazza plans to introduce ¡Tierra! to coffee-growing communities in Tanzania, India and Brazil, as well.

lavazza.com/corporate

Suzano Pulp and Paper

Endangered species like the Juçara palm and the Bahia rosewood thrive on Suzano Pulp and Paper’s responsibly managed forestlands in the states of São Paulo, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Maranhão and Piauí. The 86-year-old pulp and paper company – which sells its products in more than 80 countries around the globe – has made environmental stewardship a central part of its business strategy. It’s a commitment that has paid off. One of the ten largest pulp producers in the world, Suzano attributes much of its business success to Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)/Rainforest Alliance certification on its well-managed forestlands. With approximately 40 percent of its 597,000 hectares set aside as reserves — and the rest complying with the FSC’s strict standards for social, environmental and economic sustainability — it’s clear that Suzano’s commitment has been profitable for the environment as well as the company’s bottom line.

suzano.com.br

Gala sponsors: Domtar, Gibson Foundation, Gloria Jean’s Coffees, National Geographic Traveler and Nestlé Nespresso SA

BACKGROUND

Established more than 22 years ago, the Rainforest Alliance seeks to conserve biodiversity through its programs in sustainable forestry, agriculture, tourism and climate in over 76 countries worldwide.  Through third-party certification of forests and farm land and training on sustainable tourism practices, the organization helps promote sustainable livelihoods.  It also works with companies of all sizes on improving the sustainability of their supply chains.  During 2009, the organization saw continued growth in the number of companies buying from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms or forests — an increase of 26 percent from the previous year.  In agriculture, the volume of Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee sold in 2009 grew 41 percent from the previous year to 87,583 metric tons. In forestry, the Rainforest Alliance’s SmartWood program certified 22.2 million acres (9 million ha) of forestland, increasing the program’s overall forest management area 18 percent to 145 million acres (59 million ha) worldwide. For its work in tourism, the Rainforest Alliance received a 2009 Travel + Leisure Global Vision Award for upping the ante for sustainability standards in the tourism industry.  The climate initiative has also seen an upsurge in activity, to date validating or verifying 11 forest carbon projects representing 1,897,239 acres (768,113 ha).

The Rainforest Alliance works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travelers. From large multinational corporations to small, community-based cooperatives, businesses and consumers worldwide are involved in the Rainforest Alliance’s efforts to bring responsibly produced goods and services to a global marketplace where the demand for sustainability is growing steadily. For more information, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org.

Image courtesy of fincarosablanca.com

So I bake a lot for them. And it’s makes them happy.

But what if you aren’t a kitchenista? No problem. Here are seven more ways to say “I love you” to mom this Mother’s Day, for little to no cost.

Pamper Her Pretty

Bring over your curling iron and a bottle of your favourite nail polish. Warm your hands with some scented oil (we like Natures Alchemy Carrier Oil) and get to work on her neck and shoulders. It’s a day for mom, and it’s time she relax. Do up her hair, her toes, and give her a massage – awhile enjoying some good quality chocolate (try Green & Black)and some good sappy movies.

Make Like a Maid

Send her away for the afternoon or ask a friend or family member to hit the town with her… While you get to work on her house. Wash the floors, do the laundry, dust, vacuum (especially if she has a Dyson ) and make the beds… Then have dinner ready and waiting for when she returns home.

Photo Collage

Dig out old boxes from your childhood and beyond then put together in collages, frames, or scrapbook style. Touch on old memories, favourite trips, and countless moments of the two of you spending time together. Find some quotes and write some fitting captions to bring it all together.

Skill Swap (without the swap)

So you have a skill? Use it on your mom. Whether you’re a seamstress, professional organizer or a handyman, lend your mom a helping hand with what you know and do best.

Perfect a Playlist

Does mom love her music but is a little, er, iTunes unsavvy? Pick out her favourites and put them all together on a few CDs or directly onto her MP3 player. Make a few playlists – one featuring her current faves, one highlighting bands and songs that you know she’ll love, one from her youth and family favourites from the past.

Make it a Date Night

Invite her over for a formal dinner, complete with courses and some good wine. Go all out with taking the time to recreate her favourite dishes or trying something completely new. Dress to the nines and leisurely serve courses over the evening. (Try out new recipes with Great Chefs Cook Vegan)

Sow Some Seeds

Get gardening in your home by planting some seedlings to transplant to her garden. Or start some container herb gardening for her indoor use. Either way, she’ll appreciate the bounty of vegetables that will continue to gift-give all summer long. (Get some organic seeds here)

Image courtesy of gardenerresource.com

Rainforest Alliance Certifies Massachusetts Private Forests to FSC Standards

New York – The Rainforest Alliance’s SmartWood program announced today its certification of a Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (MA DCR) group to Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards.  The group, made up of private forest landowners throughout the state of Massachusetts, is only the second program run by a state forestry group to receive FSC certification.

“We see state forestry certifications as a growing trend,” said David Bubser, SmartWood regional manager for the Rainforest Alliance.  “States are opening up to the idea that independent, third-party verification can demonstrate that they are implementing responsible forestry practices.”

MA DCR’s certification follows the December 2008 certification of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Managed Forest Law group.  MA DCR is the first state-run group certification, however, to use an “opt-in” system, which means that land owners must request to be involved in the certification.  An “early adopter” group of seven landowners who own 700 acres were audited in June 2009. Since the audit, an additional 92 landowners who collectively own another 19,300 acres have declared their intentions to join the group. MA DCR anticipates the enrollment will continue to expand as members learn of the benefits of FSC certification.  This certification is separate from the FSC certificate awarded to Massachusetts State Lands from 2004 to 2009.

“The forestry programs offered by MA DCR Bureau of Forestry assist private landowners in maintaining their forests as forests,” said Doug Hutcheson, green certification private lands service forester. “The emphasis of FSC certification on sustainable forest management is consistent with that effort.”

Roger Plourde, a landowner who opted into the group, owns more than 285 acres of oak and white pine forest in Spencer, MA. “I see the DCR-sponsored FSC certification program as a great opportunity for woodland owners in Massachusetts,” said Plourde.  “Practicing sustainable forestry often requires postponing the harvesting of valuable crop trees until regeneration goals are achieved.  I am hopeful that FSC certification will increase the profitability of the small diameter wood products produced in early thinnings.  Without DCR’s funding of third-party audits, green certification would be too costly for small acreages.”

Forests certified by the Rainforest Alliance’s SmartWood program must meet FSC standards of responsible forestry.  FSC-certified forests provide habitat for wildlife, sequester carbon, protect soil and waterways and improve worker safety and training. Continuing growth of FSC-certified forests helps to slow global deforestation rates, which is an effective and cost-efficient way to reduce atmospheric carbon.

Due to the growing demand for sustainable wood for furniture, pulp, paper and green buildings, FSC-certified forest owners often experience better market access and value for their timber.  As part of the certification, the Rainforest Alliance will conduct annual audits to evaluate continued conformance.

With MA DCR’s certification, SmartWood has now certified 14,218,680 acres (5,754,096 ha) in the United States and 153,205,337 acres (62 million ha) in 67 countries worldwide.

The Rainforest Alliance, a nonprofit international conservation organization, was instrumental in the founding of the FSC in 1993.  It is the world’s leading certifier of forestlands to FSC standards, which is considered the gold standard of well-managed forest certification.  In addition to certification, the Rainforest Alliance verifies legality of timber, analyzes supply chains for risk, designs and implements procurement policies and helps communicate partner successes.

For more information on the Rainforest Alliance, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org.

Image courtesy of rainforest-alliance.org

With over 50 million people across 35 countries participating, we’re bound to hear some good stories. Last year, over 4000 cities in 88 countries switched off their lights – this year, you should, too.

Organized by the WWF, almost five million supporters and over 100 countries, we’re excited for another year.

This year Earth Hour takes place this Saturday (March 27th) at 8:30pm local time.

Supporting the Cause

Not sure what to do? Here are some ideas from Earth Hour’s website:

You can support Earth Hour by:

1. Turning off your lights at 8.30PM on March 27
2. Showing your support and adding yourself to our world map
3. Adding Earth Hour widgets, logos and banners to your blog or website to help us spread the word. You could even be our Earth Hour Online Supporter of the Day.
4. Talking about Earth Hour in your social network by updating your Facebook status, grabbing a Twibbon, tweeting about your support, and more
5. Get together with your friends and family, by hosting an Earth Hour party or holding your own candlelit affair
6. Rally your local council or community group to run an Earth Hour event for your community
7. Encourage your employer and workmates to take part in Earth Hour and make energy savings every day
8. Make an Earth Hour Lantern as a symbol of hope for the future
9. Be creative! Find a new way to mark Earth Hour and let us know all about it!

Tell us below what you did for Earth Hour. Better yet, drop us a message as a guest blogger!

Image courtesy of EarthHour.org; Seven Earth Hour lanterns were released over the City of Cape Town, South Africa, (in front of Table Mountain) symbolizing the seven continents taking part in this global call to action on climate change. Credit: © WWF / Sean Kelland