Join in to celebrate Earth Day

by EARTH DAY CANADA

Earth Day Canada is inviting communities and organizations to mobilize during the month of April and get ready to celebrate our planet on Earth Day, April 22. While many Canadians want to help better the planet, it can be daunting to know where to start. Earth Day Canada’s mission is to guide people towards action through easy access to local activities available in their event calendar and educating them on how to reduce their environmental impact.

Earth Day Canada is a charitable organization that helps individuals, municipalities and organizations reduce their impact on the environment. In addition to organizing a large-scale awareness campaign on April 22, Earth Day Canada deploys environmental programs and projects with a proven positive impact in various areas such as waste management, the fight against food waste and sustainable mobility.

To help draw attention to this year’s call to action, Earth Day Canada launches Picture a Better Planet campaign in collaboration with creative agency Sid Lee. Recently, young activists have garnered the media’s attention to the pressing environmental issues impacting everyone by throwing soup at famous art that resonate with every generation. Building on this tension, the campaign uses the famous artworks themselves as spokespersons in the quirky campaign to encourage everyone of all generations to join in environmental engagement activities and support environmental organizations by joining their actions or donating to them.

“With this campaign, we are inviting Canadians to reengage in the important environmental movement. We want people to know that Earth Day Canada is a facilitator for companies, communities, and individuals looking to participate in green initiatives to connect with organizations nationwide that are doing work that benefit our shared planet and home”, says Valérie Mallamo, Executive Director at Earth Day Canada. “We welcome everyone to join an event listed on our calendar and also register their own event on our website. When people are informed on the various ways they can create a positive environmental impact, it becomes easier for them to mobilize others to better their local communities and beyond.”

To view Picture a Better Planet and to see the full calendar of events visit www.earthday.ca/betterplanet.

The campaign is also on Earth Day Canada’s social media platforms.

The Food Corner

By Paul Cormier, Salamanders of Kemptville

Ok, so I think I’m on a dessert spree : must be the spring weather. We put four tables out on our Salamanders patio since the weather started being nice and we have folks waiting in line for them. This week’s recipe is Baked Bananas à l’Orange, a fancy name for a very simple recipe. It’s also an easy way to get some potassium into your system.

Baked Bananas à l’Orange

Ingredients

1 banana for each serving, so let’s go with 6 for this recipe

¼ cup of orange juice

¼ cup of Triple Sec or Cointreau (orange liqueur)

1 cup of 35% cream

5 tablespoons of sugar

Another three tablespoons of orange liqueur

1/8 cup grated orange peel

Preparation

1. Heat your oven to 350F and spray a glass pan lightly with canola oil

2. Peel the bananas, slice them lengthwise and place them in the pan

3. Drizzle with the orange juice and orange liqueur

4. Cover with foil and place in the oven for 15 minutes or until the bananas soften

5. Meanwhile, beat the cream until stiff with the sugar and additional liqueur and refrigerate

6. When ready to serve, place one warm banana (2 halves) per serving on a dessert plate

7. Drizzle any leftover juice over them, top with the whipped cream and trim with orange peel

A scoop of vanilla ice cream also works well with this recipe and dark coffee or some Earl Grey tea would highlight the flavours. Mind you, sipping more of the orange liqueur is ok too…Enjoy! Cheers from pcormier@ranaprocess.com.

Travel Talk

Invest in Planet Earth through eco friendly travel trips

by Scott Waldron & Diane Wilson

The theme for Earth Day this year is “Invest In Our Planet” and what better way to do that than to get out and explore it in an eco friendly travel way? There are so many different adventures to choose from and our travel partner, G Adventures, has a great line up to choose from for adventure-seeking travellers in search of a meaningful way to discover the world.

Turn Travel into Impact

G Adventures has partnered with Planeterra, a leading non-profit that is using community tourism to change lives, celebrate cultures and protect the natural environment. Their goal is to help local organizations and communities use tourism as a catalyst to improve the lives of community members as they provide travellers with better experiences.

G Adventures has 13 different tours to choose from in partnership with Planeterra and would provide travellers with an opportunity to support this very worthwhile cause as they explore new adventures throughout the world. Here’s just a few adventures that might intrigue you.

Indochina Discovery

This adventure is for the 18 to-Thirtysomethings that have an adventurous spirit and tastebuds! Spend 30 days travelling throughout Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos visiting ancient sites, vibrant cities, and discovering new local flavours at the markets and villages along the route and some relaxation on beautiful golden beaches.

Peru Family Experience

Have you always wanted to see the wonder of Machu Picchu up close? Do you want to be introduced to the mysteries of the Inca to the amazing creatures found in the Amazon? This 9-day family adventure could be the one for you.

Sri Lanka & Maldives Adventure

This 14-day adventure combines the best of Sri Lanka’s cultural highlights and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sail the islands of the Maldives aboard a dhoni boat. Experience a safari in Udawalawe National Park, and the cultural treasures of Negombo and Kandy before you set cruise for some snorkelling and white sand beaches with crystal-clear water. This tour has it all.

G Adventures also offers the Jane Goodall Collection Tours that help to support wildlife in Africa. This selection of wildlife-focused tours were endorsed by world renowned primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall, whose mission was to protect wildlife and empower local communities.

Speak to your travel professional at Gravitate Travel about how they can help your family discover the wonders of Planet Earth.

When you’re ready, we can assist you in making all the right travel choices. Go to www.gravitate.travel and click on the Let’s Talk icon on the top right hand side.

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