Christina Perri - A Thousand Years (Official Music Video)

"A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri is truly beautiful! This clip also features snippets of the new film in the Twilight Saga "Breaking Dawn - Part 1". I know many critics panned the new Twilight film, but myself and a friend, found the film absolutely wonderful! Only one part that didn't work for me, when the wolves (who are meant to talk to each other telepathically) looked like they were actually having a spoken conversation - made it look for a moment like a talking animal Disney film! Other than that, the film was visually stunning, and the script and acting fabulous! This Twilight instalment reminded me of the first Twilight film for it wasn't typically "Hollywood" in nature. Can't wait for the second instalment of "Breaking Dawn".

Denver Official Guilty! Dog Video

This gorgeous clip will make you smile, especially if you love animals, dogs in particular!

Stevie Wonder - Superstition live on Sesame Street

Fabulous music by Stevie Wonder combined with the joy of Sesame Street is enough to put a smile on anyone's face, as well as put a little boogie in your day! Enjoy!

Compassion needs to be shared with all living, feeling creatures.

Be a voice for animals at AnimalsAustralia.org

Our treatment of animals raised in cruel conditions and then slaughtered without respect for the lives being taken, needs changing. This clip shows the final moments in the life of a gentle (six month old baby) pig. These creatures have the same feelings and emotions as our pet cats, horses, and dogs; it is just that we have categorized them as food rather than companion. Should we not afford them greater compassion, give them better treatment during their short lives and at their transition to death; in appreciation and respect for their lives they have given up so that we may eat their body?

"A man is truly ethical only when he obeys the compulsion to help all life which he is able to assist, and shrinks from injuring anything that lives." - Albert Schweitzer

Pets are not gifts, or disposable or returnable items! Pets are new lifelong members of your household.

"Every year in Australia over 250,000 healthy cats & dogs are euthanized,the majority are killed as a result of impulse buying (which supports irresponsible breeding).

Adoption (of shelter animals) should be the first option.

PLEASE SUPPORT OSCARS LAW, to stop puppy farms, backyard breeders and people who profit from animal cruelty. If a pet shop won't let you see the puppies mum, then you have to wonder is the cute puppy in the window hiding the cruelty that his mum is enduring - often in a cage where they cant even stand up! Trapped for all their breeding years without sunlight, grass, or kind human touch. And when their breeding years are finished, or they become too ill and need treatment, the way they are disposed of, is often as inhumane as the treatment they have suffered during their lifetime.

Be a voice for our furry friends, they need us!" (message from Paws on the Coast).
(Oscars Law is named after a kitten that was beaten to death with a baseball bat by a woman and her children in a park in the US.)

Pets are not gifts. They are special lives that deserve our love and respect. Our disposable society that views all things can be returned or got rid of if we do not feel that our choice suits us anymore, but this should NEVER apply to animals! If you return an animal, the reality is, they are likely to end up dead because of your decision. Only adopt from animal shelters or ethical pet stores such as Pet Headquarters at Blackwood Street, Mitchelton Brisbane, which are a rehoming centres for shelter animals. If you buy from breeders or let your animals breed (even if you find homes for your litters) you are unintentionally contributing to the death of other animals. Unless you can make a lifelong commitment ( for the pet's natural life, sometimes up to ten, twenty, or more years) to provide a safe, loving environment for a pet, despite your changing circumstances, then do not buy a pet.

Never buy online pets as they are usually sourced from puppy/kitten mills, where breeding animals spend their entire lives in tiny cages like battery hens, used to bred puppies and kittens for money, and the kittens and puppies not seen as "the right quality to be sold" are often killed brutally. The adults used for breeding are often maltreated and neglected, without proper medical treatment, and when they are no longer producing litters, killed or dumped. Be an advocate for animal welfare and be part of the solution.

Fun Ways to Manage Stress

By Laurel House, Planet Green

Being “stressed” seems to be as trendy as being “on a diet.” Everyone’s doing it, throwing the terms around as if it’s an excuse for a bad mood or short fuse. Problem is: stress has some serious side-effects that can be detrimental to your health and happiness if it isn’t addressed. Of course there are lots of pills to help you ease off angst, but we prefer to do it green – naturally. No drugs, no chemicals, just good natural cures. Our favorite and the most fun by far: Kissing!

1. Reduce Stress with Touching, Kissing, Hugging

Touching, kissing, and hugging (or any other affectionate activities) are activities that stimulate the brain’s release of the hormone oxytocin. If you want to take it up a notch, get a room! Recent studies reveal that the surge of oxytocin released during orgasm can lower blood pressure, calm nerves and tame tension. In fact, according to the British Medical Journal, sex is so good for your heart that it cuts your risk of heart attack and stroke in half when performed three times a week.

2. Reduce Stress by Eating Garlic

The main ingredient in garlic when digested is organosulfur allicin, which triggers your body to produce hydrogen sulfide. The combo creates an internal reaction that relaxes blood vessels and encourages blood flow. Translation: garlic is good for your heart and your head and helps manage stress.

3. Reduce Stress by Eating Chocolate

Balance isn’t just for yoga. In fact, a little bit of chocolate can go a long way when it comes to your diet. Dark chocolate has been shown to be filled with antioxidant flavonoids (which can minimize your risk of heart disease and reduce blood pressure). Some scientists have gone so far as to claim that the sweet stuff has more flavonoids than any other food (including blueberries). According to research published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, those said flavonoids help blood vessels relax, helping calm overall stress. Word to the wise, choose the lower fat dark chocolate to milk chocolate. It has a higher count of the good stuff. And of course opt for organic chocolate.

A Few Organic Chocolate Options to Salivate Over:

Dagoba Eclipse 87 percent Organic Extra Dark Chocolate. We are getting crazy here now with this souped up super dark chocolate bar that offers flavor elements of tart and only slightly sweet citrus. Your taste buds start playing tricks on you once you reach this intensity! We also love their annual Seed the Day campaign that supports urban greening activities and encouraging volunteerism.
Shaman Chocolates Organic Dark Chocolate with Acai, Lemon & Orange is Certified Organic, Fair Trade and souped up with superfoods like Acai berries (containing more antioxidants than blueberries or pomegranates).
Amano Artisan Handcrafted Single Origin 70 percent Dark Chocolate—Montanya is, like a fine wine, all about the terroir. Each variety comes from a specific place or origin, which imbues the bar with subtle hints of flavor reflective of the area. Montanya is made from cocoa beans exclusively from the mountains of Venezuela. It has natural flavor notes of apricot, nuts, marshmallow, and spice. This is the art of chocolate.


Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/8-fun-ways-to-manage-stress.html#ixzz1fYNrogkN

4. Reduce Stress by Rubbing your Hoku

Your “hoku” is that flap of skin on your palm that connects your pointer finger to your thumb. It’s also an acupressure spot related to upper body tension that, when squeezed, can minimize stress by up to 39 percent—that’s according to scientists at Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

5. Reduce Stress by Watching/Reading Something Funny

Laughter is a proven way to ease stress. Even the mere anticipation of something funny has the ability to calm us down thanks to the release of stress hormones like dopac, cortisol and epinephrine. More than easing angst, short funny film clips have been proven to increase blood flow to the heart according to scientists at the University of Maryland.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/8-fun-ways-to-manage-stress.html#ixzz1fYO343wm

Dermot O'Leary - The truth about buying a puppy online

Please view this clip. Puppy (and kitty) mills (where most online pets are bred) are terribly cruel places which result in sick, distressed animals. If you love dogs (or cats) avoid buying from breeders and especially DO NOT buy online! If you love dogs (or cats), it means you do not like the idea of cruelty to these animals, so don't become part of the reason for their suffering by supporting online breeders.