Meet Compass, our resucued injured Pigeon.

For me, caring about our planet is directly linked to caring about all of it's inhabitants.  Sometimes this level of caring lands an adorable yet hopelessly injured pigeon in your lap, who quickly earns himself a spot on the spoonfeeding schedule.  Meet Compass, so named for my 4 year old's friend of a friend, the later being a curious monkey named George.

Besides looking good in turquoise, Compass has a perfect disposition.  He sleeps all day, eats what's in his syringe and never sqwaks back.  But then he has had a concusion, been in shock and doped up on pain meds for the past two days.  Actually, he showed his first sign of spunk when the meds kicked in and he, thinking himself healed tried to hoble over the 6 inch side of his box.  (Hey, who hasn't made the same mistake?  Take it easy there Compass!)

What I hope to deliver with this post is the documented recovery and hopefully sucessful release of this bird back into the wild/Springboro city streets.  Actually, we'll be happy to take care of him indefinately but are sincerely hoping he learns to feed himself and fly again.  Here is his story.

My husband found him unconscious on the side of the road near a highway ramp.  He called every wildlife rescue around and they all said that because pigeons are not a native species (where are they from? Mars?) that the only assistance they could offer is euthanasia.  So, we decided to care for him ourselves and took him to a local vet that treats pet birds.  Turns out he has a fractured wing and a broken jaw bone causing his beak to line up crooked.  The vet gave him a pain shot and an antibiotic prescription and advised me how to syringe feed him until he learns to eat again.  This is what I will be doing for the next 4 weeks, as well as taking photos to update his progress.

My boys are 4 and 21 months and they couldn't be happier to have a bird around.  They love birds and feel like real animal rescuers!  Don't worry, I don't let them touch him and he has his own warm, quiet room to rest in when he's not in his net covered box on the back porch.  Please, if any readers have experience with wild birds, drop me a line of adivce!  Otherwise I'm operating on my love, instincts, google and the vet in the next town over to keep this bird comfortable and having a chance a life.

Follow Compass's journey here.

Green Earth Grill, Vegan Street Food

It's been about 2 months since my last post.  I hope to share with readers my  enthusiasm of the new project that has taken up so much of my time lately (as if 2 small children isn't enough of a reason to be busy.)  As you may have guessed by now, I have a strong desire to share with others the benefits of living a plant based lifestyle.  Even being a vegetarian for 14 years,  only in the last 2 years have I become a vegan and activist.  The issues that have demanded this change in me are the same ones that will eventually demad it from all of us  for they are pressing, dire and abundant, however... I have found that it's so much easier to share these harsh details with people while also presenting them with the delicious and exciting solution: vegan food!  Enter: Green Earth Grill, Vegan Street Vendor Cart

Doesn't it look awesome!  This photo was taken at our Grand Opening at Sawyer Point's Earth Day Celebration, April 18, 2009.  The menu was: Vegan Hot Ving Soft Taco's (a veganized version of a buffalo wing wrap), Vegan Meatball Hoagies and Consession Style Nachos with Vegan Cashew Nacho Cheese.  

The feedback was amazing!  The Grill will be serving the Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio areas throughout the Spring and Summer, more infomation can be found at the website: www.greenearthgrill.com

Early Budding Trees

These photos were taken on New Year's Day of the Magnolia  and Ginko trees in our front yard.  The week of Christmas we had record high temperatures of 67 degrees in Ohio.  After just a few unusually warm days, the trees in our yard began to bud. 

 

5 Finds for the Winter Season

Below are my five favorite gifts and finds to help you enjoy this winter season in warmth, health, and good peace of mind. 

1.  Coral Reef Protection - Gifts that protect our earth's ecosystems will only become more popular as the need persists. Topping the list of meaningful gifts our family received this Christmas was a certificate from The Nature Conservancy stating that "A generous gift was made to protect the coral reefs of Palau on behalf of your family."  According to the giver (my sister), a $100 donation helps protect 1 acre of this precious ocean habitat.  Learn more about giving this gift at The Nature Conservancy.

2.  Celestial Clothing - A personal favorite gift that I received is a most versital polar fleece vest on a website called the Celestial Shop.   It's the most lively turquoise color which goes surprisingly well with everything I own.  My closet is so full of earth tones that a piece of color cheers it right up. The clothing is designed by a Spiritual Master who uses the proceeds from their sale to fund her associations humanitarian relief efforts worldwide.  I learned about their efforts on a free-to-air satellite channel called Supreme Master TV. As a social bonus, all of their gear is made in Taiwan.

3.  Flowering Tea - What better way to treat yourself to a moment of peace than with a fragrant jasmine flowering tea?  I put some in my own stocking on the advice that "Taking care of mom is taking care of everyone."

4.  Acorn Sox - Another shameless self-stocking-stuffer, I enjoyed wearing my Acorn Sox while also giving them to almost everyone as gifts.  Made from recyled materials,  these vegan fleece wonders are just the right amount of cush and keep you feet warm yet totally breathable.  Polyester fleece used to on my naughty list, but thanks to Acorn Sox and a little research, we have a new understanding. 

 5.  OregaSpray - North American Herb and Spice Co.'s OregaSpray is a true necessity for winter and all year round.  Oregano Oil is a natural anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral... it does it all.  As a mother of small children, I keep mine on hand at all times.  I've been known to douse elevator buttons, public train tables, tiny hands and even my own throat if necessary (it's totally edible.)  As a bonus, it leaves that nice pizza smell temporarily wafting in your wake.  Get yours here.