Get Revitalized!

We've Got the Whole World in Our Hands! - Simple Environmental Solutions #4

2010-07-27T12:14:00.003-04:00

Composting intrigues me! I know it sounds funny that this mish-mosh of Earthly goodies runs through my mind all of the time but it does. Now that I have the means and space to make it happen, I'm starting up a composting project with my nephew, Kyle!

(Once again thanks to the Practical Environmentalist for these green goodies!)

Remember, don't take this too seriously! It's simple AND fun!!! Now, go get dirty and help Mama Earth!
xxoo,
Jess

Compost!

Return your organic waste where it belongs: the soil! Rather than sending banana peels, grass clipping, etc. to the municipal dump, start a compost pile instead. The Environmental Defense Fund says that around 18 percent of the waste an average family in the U.S. produces comes from the yard and garden. If you recycle your yard and garden waste, you’ll reduce the amount of energy used to send this waste to the dump. Add your organic kitchen scraps to your yard waste and you’re significantly decreasing your waste.

Compost also makes your plants stronger and healthier, reducing the need for fertilizers and chemical pesticides. Don’t forget that many cities have municipal composting programs for your yard waste. Need more info about the benefits of compost, how to compost, and what to compost? Check out this quick read and easy guide to get composting!!!

We've Got the Whole World in Our Hands! - Simple Environmental Solutions #3

2010-07-20T08:02:00.003-04:00

Another easy tip to make this world a better place!!!
(Once again thanks to the Practical Environmentalist for these green goodies!)

Enjoy the day - go outside and thank Mother Earth for her beauty!! <3
xxoo,
Jess

3. Switch as many bulbs as possible in your home to compact fluorescent bulbs.

Good news! Compact fluorescent bulbs are really going mainstream nowadays, which means they’re cheaper and easier to find than ever. That’s great, because the California Energy Commission reports that lighting can make up to 25 percent of the average home’s electricity consumption. When you switch your incandescent light bulbs to ultra efficient compact fluorescent bulbs, you’ll be making a big difference in your energy use.

A while ago, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration stated that when the average cost of a fluorescent bulb was around $11.00, your energy savings would be around $20.00 for each bulb over a three year period. Now that Walmart and other stores are selling these bulbs at about 2 bucks each, think of the savings you’ll have from switching! Additionally, compact fluorescent bulbs generally last up to seven years each.

Revitalize Your Soul - Life's Tornado

2010-07-16T10:20:00.008-04:00

"It's just life..." That's why my mom has been telling me for years. I always discounted her words, dreaming of a life with a few road blocks but not an annoying series of speed bumps.

Recently, my life has been like a wicked bad tornado - material belongings, friends, hopes and dreams nonsensically churning in the grey clouds. Some things stuck it out and enjoyed the twirl, but many were tossed hundreds of feet away, landing in a tree or on a trailer.

This "it's just life" attitude helped me realize that stuff is stuff and unfortunately friendships come and go. Through this tornado of rough times, I've seen long time friends fly away and new ones that chose to join in the fun of the chaos.

I've lost three cars...four if you count the brakes going out on my in my rental car yesterday. Most of my worldly belongings are roaming the proverbial sky or landed on a roof due to the move, and the tornado is heading to Middleburg tomorrow, so I'll have a whole new set of stuff to jump in.

Typically, my reaction would be that of anger and sadness due to loosing things like my favorite rug, yet another car or that favorite painting a friend made me. But all that is just stuff.

The only pain from this "life tornado" that I'm feeling is the damage that it has had on several of my closest friends...some that have been in my life for more than 15 years. My appologies and canned goods don't seem to help anymore. I choose not to be upset, however, knowing that they, too had something to do with not holding on in the wind.

And like mom says, "It's just life". One minute the sky is cloudless and vibrant blue, and within moments another tornado can just pop up (and probably will). We know that this will happen again and again, so the trick is how to handle it.

Will you see your next tornado as one of nature's glorious creations or a destructive force aimed to scatter you life?

See the beauty in the change; not the pain of the destruction.
It all happens for a reason...

Much love,
Jess

We've Got the Whole World in Our Hands! - Simple Environmental Solutions #2

2010-07-13T12:58:00.005-04:00

We all know that Mother Earth is in peril. With each day that pases, she's tread on more and more...with some of us leaving debris and waste with each step.

It's time to tighten up and do something. There are so many easy-peasy ways to make this land beautified and healthy. Start small...one step at a time. :)

This weekly series will give you tid-bits each week of how you can do your part!

(Thanks to the Practical Environmentalist for supplying some of this info!)

Love and light,
Jess

2. Lower Your Thermostats!

That’s right, thermostats, plural! Most people have their heater, hot water heater, and refrigerator thermostats set at unnecessary temperatures.

Try this out for a few months: Set your heater at 68 degrees F or lower in the winter and 78 degrees F or higher in the summer. Programmable home thermostats are an even better way to heat and cool your home responsibly.

Next, adjust the temperature on your hot water heater to 140-degrees F or lower if possible. Most people keep the temperature on the hot water heater much higher than they really need. Try it out!

And finally, make sure to use the energy-saving settings on your refrigerator. Better yet, try switching to a more modern, energy saving frig. Look for new refrigerators with the Energy Star label.

What’s with all this Energy Star Business? Check out the U.S. government’s Energy Star program homepage to find out more about how you could be saving money on energy costs and help the environment at the same time. It’s win-win, baby!

We've Got the Whole World in Our Hands - Simple Environmental Solutions #1

2010-06-30T14:21:00.004-04:00

We all know that Mother Earth is in peril. With each day that pases, she's tread on more and more...with some of us leaving debris and waste with each step.

It's time to tighten up and do something. There are so many easy-peasy ways to make this land beautified and healthy.

This weekly series will give you tid-bits each week of how you can do your part!

(Thanks to the Practical Environmentalist for supplying some of this info!)

Simple Solution #1:
1. Prevent energy leaks at home.

Check this out: Did you know that heating and cooling can make up to 50 percent of your energy bill each month? If you heat and cool your home more efficiently by fixing leaks, you’ll save money and reduce your impact on the environment.

Plugging up those energy leaks is simple. Insulating your home will keep your house warmer in the winter and help to cool things off in the summer. Sealing all your ducts can help as well. This Energy Star website will help with simple techniques for improving your homes efficiency.

Weatherizing your home is also critical. Want to learn how to weatherize to prevent energy leaks? Read more at this U.S. Department of Energy website!

Love, love, LOVE our Mother!!

Peace and light,
Jess

The Science of Sleep

2010-06-11T16:32:00.003-04:00

Lately, my lack of sleep has been really getting to me. I mean, I've always had trouble sleeping but with some major changes going on in my life, the bags under my eyes keep building up.

So in my quest for snooze, I've discovered how precious the gift of a good nights sleep really is.

Check it out:

*Studies show that power naps can help kill stress and recharge. Just don't doze for more than 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, your body enters the deep stages of sleep and it's hard to get refreshed.

*It’s impossible to tell if someone is really awake without close medical supervision. People can take cat naps with their eyes open without even being aware of it. (Don't tell your boss!)

*Anything less than five minutes to fall asleep at night means you’re sleep deprived. The ideal is between 10 and 15 minutes, meaning you’re still tired enough to sleep deeply, but not so exhausted you feel sleepy by day.

We all know that sleep is important, but sleep deprivation can lead to additional life stress.
The solution: A healthy lifestyle inside and out.

Have a daily routine.
Work out on a regular basis.
Read or write or stretch prior to bed. Leave the laptop in the office
De-stress each night in a healthy way.

Good luck catching zzzzzzzzs!
Much love,
Jess

Revitalize Your Soul - Let It Go!

2010-06-03T12:24:00.004-04:00

This message was emailed to me recently and really hit home in many ways. I had to share it with all of you today in hopes that it truly means something special to you as it did for me. Sooooo profound! Letting go can bring true freedom. :)

L E T T I N G G O By T.D. Jakes
There are people who can walk away from you. And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you: let them walk. I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone.

When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left.

The bible said that, they came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19]

People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay.....Let them go.

And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead.. You've got to know when it's dead.

You've got to know when it's over. Let me tell you something.. I've got the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye.. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay....Let them go!!

If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to......LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to past hurts and pains .......LET IT GO!!!

If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth......LET IT GO!!!

If someone has angered you. LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge..... LET IT GO!!!

If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction... .. LET IT GO!!!

If someone broke your heart and brought you pain... LET THEM GO!!!

If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents.. LET IT GO!!!

If you have a bad attitude.... ... LET IT GO!!!

If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better...... LET IT GO!!!

If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him.... LET IT GO!!!

If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship. .... LET IT GO!!!

If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves.. .... LET IT GO!!!

If you're feeling depressed and stressed ............ LET IT GO!!!

If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying 'take your hands off of it,' then you need to...... LET IT GO!!!

A Healthy You is a Happy You!

2010-05-28T17:50:00.003-04:00

Welcome to the first posting of our new weekly topic dedicated to health and fitness for the mind, body and soul.....A Healthy You is a Happy You!

Sooooo .... have you ever heard of FitClick? If you haven't, you should definitely check it out today! I HIGHLY recommend it for those of you who desire a healthy lifestyle. This fantastic, free online service offers tons of great options and guides to help you with your goals...no matter what stage you're in with your diet and exercise. It really is a great source for free weight loss programs, diet plans, workout routines, recipes and more.

One of my favorite features is the calorie counter and food journal, where you can track everything you eat and it will add up your calories automatically without you having to do the math yourself.

Customize your profile and set your goals, so FitClick can calculate your targets and progress. They even have a feature where you can track your exercise and see how many calories you are burning.

The possibilities are endless on this site and you are sure to find something that will help you reach your weight loss goals. So what are you waiting for? Check it out now and get on the path to the new healthy and happy you!

Welcome to Animal Nation!

2010-05-27T21:12:00.007-04:00

Lions and tigers and bears ... oh my! Pets and the wild and their rights ... oh my! We will now be writing a weekly posting dedicated to all things animals, called Animal Nation!

I would like to start this off on a cute and funny note about my dog Hannah (a.k.a. Hannah Banana .... also, the love of my life). There's no doubt that pets have a way of brightening your day. Nothing compares to that unconditional, never ending love they give .... and of course, who can forget all those entertaining and hilarious moments.

Hannah has acquired this quirky new habit lately of sleeping with her tongue sticking out of her mouth. The first time I noticed it, I laughed so hard and grabbed my camera right away to make sure I could document this kodak moment. So, here is my Hannah Banana caught with her tongue out ... hehehe!

ENJOY!

On this day, the tongue was slowly making it's way out ... lol

Revitalize Your Soul - Honesty Series 5

2010-05-26T21:12:00.003-04:00

“Freedom is for honest people. No person who is not honest with themselves and with others can truly be free ... instead they become their own trap.”

Have you been building your own traps? Break the cycle, break the chains .... speak the truth, be the truth, live honestly with yourself and others .... and finally be FREE!

Revitalize Your Soul - Honesty Series 4

2010-05-18T14:06:00.004-04:00

“To be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible; to be credible we must be truthful.”
~Edward R. Murrow

Honesty is a part of who you are and affects many areas of your life....it is the core of your character....it is the foundation that builds bonds and true friendships with others. Do the people in your life believe you, do they trust you?

Revitalize Your Soul - Honesty Series 3

2010-05-13T15:25:00.002-04:00

“The worst lies are the lies we tell ourselves. That is when we live in denial of what we do, even what we think, because we are too afraid to face the truth.” ~Unknown

Are you being honest with yourself or are you living a life of denial? Free yourself ....

“The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be.” ~Socrates

Revitalize Your Soul - Honesty Series 2

2010-05-10T18:24:00.002-04:00

“If it is not right don't do it; if it is not true don't say it.” ~Marcus Aurelius

Enough said ....

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T20:32:00.003-04:00

Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing moms of this world! Hope you all enjoyed every moment of your special day and wishing you many blessings, laughter and love to warm your hearts always! BIG hugs!!!

“A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.” ~Washington Irving

“A mother is a person who, seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.” ~Tenneva Jordan

“My mom is a never ending song in my heart of comfort, happiness, and being. I may sometimes forget the words but I always remember the tune.” ~Graycie Harmon

“Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.” ~Author Unknown

“Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.” ~Marion C.

“I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.” ~Abraham Lincoln

Revitalize Your Soul - Honesty Series 1

2010-05-09T18:38:00.004-04:00

Someone inspired me today to begin this Honesty series. I've unfortunately experienced a lot of dishonestly from people very close to me lately and it breaks my heart. So I found this very appropriate to remind myself, and hopefully others, the importance, meaning and impact that honesty has on ourselves, the ones we love and the rest of the world.

So here the first one. Someone special to me posted this on their facebook yesterday:

"No one can lie, no one can hide anything, when he looks directly into someone's eyes"
~Paulo Coelho

Revitalize Your Soul - Gratitude Series (repost)

2010-05-09T18:31:00.000-04:00

Happy Mother's Day mom!!!

Today, I am thankful for my wonderful mother. She is an absolutely amazing woman, beautiful inside and out. An incredible mom, full of unconditional love, never ending support, the warmest heart, sweet compassion, full of wisdom and healing hands...she means everything to me, she is my best friend, my rock, my “go to” person. She has taught me so much in my life, molded me into a caring, loving and nurturing person. She will baby me when I need it and will give me tough love when it’s necessary. She knows my strengths and my weaknesses...without judgment, without disappointment, she listens to me no matter what state of mind I am in. I am so thankful for the unbreakable bond we share that continues to grow each day. I love you and adore you ma! I am sooo lucky to have you!

What are you thankful for today?

Me and my mommy! :)

The Gratitude Project by Thankasoldier.net

2010-01-18T08:24:00.002-05:00

We are so honored to share with you the information on The Gratitude Project brought to us by Thankasoldier.net.

As we all live our every day lives, our brave soldiers are far away from home and often feel forgotten by us. The Gratitude Project has been created as a effort to let our troops know how much we love them and how thankful we are for what they do and what they sacrifice for us.

Thankasoldier.net has come up with this great idea to make a YouTube video that will be send to soldiers serving in various locations around the world. The video will be a collection of photos with people from everywhere (not just their home town), who want to let our soldiers know that they are NOT forgotten. This is an opportunity to come together and express our gratitude. The video will be a filmstrip of photos that will warm their hearts and remind them that they are in our thoughts and prayers…and that we love them.

Here’s how you can be a part The Gratitude Project:
1. Snap a photo of yourself with the word “Thank You” in it somewhere. It can be on your hand, on a sign, spelled out with people it doesn’t matter. PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR LOCATION in the photo somewhere e.g. “Thank You from Boston, MA”
2. Email it to ThankYou@thankasoldier.net
3. If you’d like, you can also include a suggestion for what song should be playing in the background of the YouTube video.
4. Share the YouTube Video with friends to get the word out.
**The deadline for the photo submission is February 28, 2010

Get Revitalized! We are so excited to join this awesome project and submit our photo!

Peace, Love and Light!
~Ami

The people of Haiti need our help!

2010-01-17T10:04:00.007-05:00

We are all saddened by the devastating affects of the earthquake in Haiti this past week. We have also been amazed by how so many people have come together already to help in any way they can. There has been a huge outpour of love, support and donations to help provide food, shelter, medical care, water, and other necessities to the people of Haiti. Unfortunately, they still desperately need our help.

We’ve gathered information to share several ways that you can help with the Haiti relief:

Send a Text Message.
Texting seems to be the most immediate way to help. Send a quick text to the numbers below and a small donation will appear on your next phone bill (about $5-$6). This donation will go towards helping the earthquake victims in Haiti. It’s easy, fast and convenient!
• Red Cross – text ‘Haiti’ to #90999
• Yele Haiti – text ‘YELE’ to #501501
**T Mobile, AT&T and Verizon have all waived their text messaging fees for Haitian relief.
**Texted donations can usually take approximately 90 days to get to their destinations. But all parties involved in this effort are working extremely hard to get the money to the charities as quickly as possible.

Donate to a cause that is specifically fundraising for the Haiti relief.
• Doctors Without Borders
• Unicef.org
• Friends of the World Food Program
• International Rescue Committee
• Partners in Health
• Clintonfoundation.org/haitiearthquake
• OxFamAmerica
• United Nations World Food Program
• Yéle Haiti
**If you donate by credit card, Visa, Master Card and American Express have all agreed to waive donation percentage points they would normally get off of your charge. Good for them!

If you can contribute to help fund these emergency efforts, please do.

Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with everyone!
~Lovebug

Help stop the animal abuse at Ringling Bros. Circus

2010-01-11T21:41:00.005-05:00

Animals at some circuses unfortunately live miserable lives of deprivation, confinement and abuse. Ringling’s animal-care history is riddled with USDA violations and penalties. (Click here to learn more) Twenty-six Ringling elephants, including four babies, have died since 1992!

After a change of heart, former Ringling trainer Sam Haddock provided never-before-seen heart-breaking photos of baby elephants bound by the legs, neck and body with ropes and chains while being shocked and hit with bull hooks in order to learn unnatural stunts.

Please join the ARFF at their demonstrations in Orlando thsi week:
When:
• Thursday, January 14 at 6:00pm (opening night candlelight vigil; please dress in black!)
• Friday, January 15 at 6:00pm
• Saturday, January 16 at 10:00am, 2:00pm and 6:00pm
• Sunday, January 17 at 11:30 noon and 3:30pm
Where: Amway Arena - 600 West Amelia St., Orlando (view map)
Everyone will meet on the Amelia Street side of the arena, facing West Colonial Drive

Post-Ringling brunch
When: Sunday, January 31 at 10:30am
Where: Ethos Vegan Kitchen, 1235 N Orange Avenue, downtown Orlando
Even if you can't make it out to the protests, ARFF invites you to join them for brunch and find out how you can help at upcoming events. There will be a special protest recap and speaker. Don't miss it! Please RSVP to: ArffCentralFl@arff.org.

Update on Nosey the elephant
Sadly, it appears that "Nosey," the circus' solitary elephant, remains in poor health. (USDA inspectors have repeatedly noted the elephant's "extremely poor skin.")
Please contact the President of the Osceola Flea & Farmers Market and urge him not to host circuses with animals in the future.
Frank Buonauro, Jr., President
Osceola Flea & Farmers Market
2801 E. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy.
Kissimmee, FL 34744
Fax: (407) 846-3392
E-mail: usaflea@aol.com
Online comment form

Thank you for anything you can do to be a part of helping our animals!

Peace, Love and Light!
~Ami

Revitalize Your Soul - Gratitude Series

2010-01-10T22:09:00.003-05:00

It's so uplifting and life changing to take time to be thankful each day of our lives. You can surprise yourself by how many blessings surround you, when you take the time to recognize and reflect on each one. I am beginning a series on our blog that will be dedicated to expressing my deep gratitude to each blessing in my life. I am so excited to share this part of my heart with all of you...my old friends, my new friends, my future friends, my family, my angels. I hope that this will awaken your soul to see all the blessings in your life and will inspire you to meditate in gratitude.

Peace, Love and Light!
~Ami

Help animals for free

2010-01-10T21:42:00.003-05:00

You can help every day by clicking on the purple button at The Animal Rescue Site. When you click on the purple button, the sponsoring advertisers make a donation to feed and care for animals in shelters.

Looking to buy a something for your pet or possible searching for a great gift for your animal-loving friends? Check out The Animal Rescue Site store for an array of options! Every purchase made at The Animal Rescue Site store helps fund food for animals in shelters at no extra cost to you.

Help our lovely animals today - It’s super easy and FREE!

With warm thoughts,
~Ami

The Gratitude Project for our troops

2010-01-09T14:36:00.002-05:00

Be a part of The Gratitude Project and submit your special thank you to our brave soldiers. Watch this video to find out how.

Much Love,
Ami

Choas by Mute Math

2009-12-04T15:45:00.000-05:00

Listen to Chaos by Mute Math

This is SOOoooo my song right now. Reminds me of how my pain makes me feel, but also about how important God is in my life.

Lyrics to Chaos :
Complication is my claim to fame
I can’t believe there’ s another, constantly just another
and I can’t avoid what I can’t control
I’m losing ground, still I can’t stand down
I Know, yeah I know… Yeah

I know you stay true when my world is false
everything around’s breaking down to chaos
I always see you when my sight is lost
everything around’s breaking down to chaos
(Repeat 1x)

It’s hard to trust anyone again
after all the let downs I’ve been through,
haunted by what I’ve been through.

Air’s still trapped, while I still can’t breathe
and I’m screaming out, give me help somehow
I know, yeah I know… Yeah

I know you stay true when my world is false
everything around’s breaking down to chaos
I always see you when my sight is lost
everything around’s breaking down to chaos
(Repeat 1x)

Make a difference - Brushing your teeth

2009-12-03T22:09:00.004-05:00

Try to get into the habit of turning off the tap while brushing your teeth in the morning and at bedtime. You can save up to 8 gallons of water per day, which could save about 240 gallons monthly.

Surprised Kitty video

2009-12-03T21:52:00.003-05:00

This is so adorable that I had to share... Hopefully it will bring a smile to your face right when you need it :)

Surprised Kitty Video

Pink Glove dance for Breast Cancer Awareness

2009-12-03T20:35:00.004-05:00

Check out this video

A bunch of employees, doctors and patients participated in this video, wore Medline Pink Gloves to promote breast cancer awareness and they really enjoyed doing it. Medline will donate a portion of sales generated from their pink gloves to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Check out the video It's touching and fun! :)

Our troops .... Our heroes!

2009-11-30T13:02:00.003-05:00

This commercial really pulled on my heart strings. Our troops are our heroes and they deserve to be acknowledged, loved and appreciated. May God bless our soldiers and bring them comfort on a daily basis. As we all enjoy the conveniences and joy of being home, lets always remember to keep them in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.

With the warmest wishes + deepest love,
Ami

Yo de leh, yo de leh, yo de leh hee hoo!

2009-11-27T22:00:00.002-05:00

Ok, so my mom and I came across a random utube video today with some yodeling and it was actually kind of entertaining. haha! Thought you might get a kick out of it too. Enjoy!

Tiffany Jo's Yodeling

Jewel's Yodeling

A 4 yr old singer that is sure to make you smile!

2009-11-27T21:54:00.002-05:00

This is just SUPER ADORABLE! Had to share ...

The Shift - A movie being made by a movement

2009-11-24T15:38:00.002-05:00

Check it out!

Reusable is what they are....

2009-11-24T14:56:00.002-05:00

"Next time you go to toss a reusable sandwich bag, think to yourself: Can I rinse out and resuse? They don't call them reusable for nothin', honey"
~Healthy Bitch Daily

Revitalize Your Soul

2009-11-16T11:24:00.001-05:00

Forgive quickly. Love without boundaries or fear. Laugh without control. Never stop smiling. Be thankful for all your blessings. Live with hope and positivity. Embrace every moment.

xoxo,
Lovebug

God and Dog

2009-11-12T08:36:00.002-05:00

This is so beautiful! Made me appreciate and love my Hannah even more. Can't wait to take my morning walk ... and my walks are also my pray time. This video really touched my heart :)

Red Fridays - Support our troops

2009-11-10T13:59:00.001-05:00

Wear your red on Fridays as a sign of support and love for our troops. Lets no longer be silent and voice our gratitude and warm wishes to all our brave soldiers away from home. They need to know that they are not forgotten …that we have them in our hearts and prayers.

By word of mouth, press, TV – we can all come together in making the United States a sea of red on Fridays …. much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves our troops will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know that we are all on their side more than ever.

So don’t forget to wear your reds this Friday to be a part of showing the solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect -- and continue each and every Friday until our troops all come home!

The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make things better for you?" is. "We need your support and your prayers." Please help to spread the word….

Revitalize Your Health

2009-11-10T09:54:00.003-05:00

Here are a few articles I wanted to share:

A Little Planning Can Lead to Big Weight Loss

You Can Eat Great and Still Lose Weight

Self-Sneaking: How to Trick Yourself into Eating Healthy Food

Order holiday cards + ornaments that help animals

2009-11-10T09:07:00.002-05:00

Purchase your holiday cards and ornaments through the Humane Society of the United States to support this amazing organization and help our beautiful animals.

Choose from a beautiful array of holiday cards or fun ornaments!

Spread the word and send this link to your friends and family.

Much Love!
~Ami

Revitalize Your Soul!

2009-11-10T08:56:00.001-05:00

Good morning! And what a beautiful morning it is! Remember to smile today and take time to be thankful for all your blessings. Stop and smell the flowers or (depending where you live) stop and breath in the crisp air and take in the beautiful colors of the falling leaves. Do something nice for a stranger. Tell someone special in your life that you love them or how beautiful/handsome they are. Brush off your challenges...they are probably smaller than you think and soon they will be in the past. For those of you going through any real tragedies, may you be surrounded by love and comfort that will heal your heart and bring you peace.

Sending my warmest wishes to you all!
~Lovebug

Revitalize Your Health

2009-10-03T17:44:00.005-04:00

A few articles I wanted to share:

10 reasons why women need to lift weights

10 fit foods in season for the fall

Boost your metabolism all day long

Earthlings - Intense!

2009-09-28T21:52:00.003-04:00

The trailer to this documentary called Earthlings is why I am a vegetarian. Please prepare yourself before watching this trailer. It is intense - AND real! I've read a bunch of details about what we are doing to our animals and could barely get through each word, but actually seeing some of it goes way deeper. The cruelty and inhumane torture of animals is beyond my comprehension. Please take the time to watch this....it's hard to watch, but if we can eat it, we need to see it .... we need to know.... we need to be aware of what we are promoting by what we eat. So please have the courage and the heart to watch this and help spread awareness by sharing it with others.

Earthlings - watch the trailer here

Wow! A must see....Deep

2009-09-28T21:35:00.001-04:00

The girl who silenced the world for 5 minutes

Buy from Staples to help cancer research

2009-09-28T19:46:00.001-04:00

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and Staples is offering you the opportunity to help make a difference with your purchase. When you buy select Pink Ribbon products this month at Staples, a percentage will go to breast cancer research. So check out their selection and spread the word!

Shelter animals make GREAT pets!

2009-09-28T19:41:00.003-04:00

Between three and four million dogs and cats are euthanized each year in animal shelters across the nation. If more families looking for a pet chose to adopt their new furry friend from a shelter, we could put an end to this tragedy. The bottom line is shelter animals make great pets! Your local shelter is full of pets looking for love and a second chance for a loving and forever home.

That's why I encourage you to please take a moment to watch this video and pledge to adopt your next companion from a shelter -- you will be saving a life!

You can also search for adoptable pets near you

Person to person advocacy

2009-09-28T19:38:00.001-04:00

Put that compassion into action for the animals! By spending just a few hours handing out literature and talking with people one-on-one, you can educate countless people about the exploitation of animals. The Animal Rights Foundation of FL (ARFF) needs your help to leaflet at the following events:

• Maitland Art Festival, October 2-3.
• Winter Park Autumn Art Festival, October 10-11.

If you can help please contact: ArffCentralFl@arff.org

Help needed at ARFF Information tables

2009-09-28T19:37:00.001-04:00

Information tables are a great way to educate the public and provide them with literature and information they need to be informed about animal exploitation and abuse.

Animal Rights Foundation of Florida will have a booth at the Central Florida VegFest on Saturday, October 24 in Orlando's Loch Haven Park.

If you would like to sign up for a shift for one of the following events, please contact: ArffCentralFl@arff.org.

McCruelty: I'm Hatin It!

2009-09-28T19:28:00.003-04:00

In the U.S., chickens killed by McDonald's suppliers are slaughtered using an outdated method that results in extreme suffering. As the biggest seller of chicken meat in the U.S., McDonald's has the responsibility and the ability to reduce this abuse. They can demand that their U.S. suppliers use a less cruel method of slaughter available to them called controlled-atmosphere killing, or CAK, and it would cost the corporation nothing to demand that its suppliers use it. CAK would eliminate the worst abuses currently suffered by chickens killed for McDonald's.

Please help Animal Rights Foundation of Florida speak for the chickens and educate the public at our McMurder protest.

Date and time: Saturday, October 3 (for World Farm Animals Day), starting at 6:00pm
Location: 2535 Howell Branch Road (SR 436 & Howell Branch Road), Casselberry 32707

If you can make it to the protest please RSVP to ArffCentralFl@arff.org

Ask IHOP To Let Hens Out of Their Cages

2009-09-28T19:13:00.003-04:00

When IHOP serves its pancakes and eggs, you can be sure the eggs come from hens crammed into wire cages so small the animals can barely move for their entire lives. The restaurant chain most known for its breakfasts refuses to take make a change and buy their eggs from cage-free farms that don't cruelly confine hens in barren battery cages. Major restaurant chains such as Denny's, Burger King, Wendy's, etc. got on board earlier this year…. Why can’t a restaurant as large as IHOP make the same changes?

IHOP's refusal took on new urgency this week with the release of this undercover video that reveals shocking abuses at IHOP's primary egg supplier. As you can see, the footage reveals filthy conditions, sick and injured hens, and birds forced to live in cages with the decomposing corpses of dead birds.

You can help to move IHOP away from this cruelty. Please urge IHOP to follow its competitors' lead and start switching away from battery cage eggs. Here's how:

TAKE ACTION
Please make a brief, polite phone call to Argonne, a company that owns hundreds of IHOP restaurants, at 404-364-2984 (if voicemail picks up, press '1' for Argonne President Michael Klump). You can say something like this:

"Hello, my name is [your name] and I am calling to ask IHOP to start using eggs that don't come from hens crammed into cages. I just watched the undercover video of your egg supplier, and the images of animal cruelty are appalling. Please start switching to cage-free eggs. Thank you."

After you make your call, please follow up with an email to IHOP headquarters to let them know that customers care about animal welfare.

A few more health & fitness articles ....

2009-09-14T17:07:00.003-04:00

....I read today and wanted to share

Boost Your Metabolism All Day Long

10 Appetite-Suppressing Foods to Conquer Your Cravings

7 Common Factors of Successful Weight Management

7 Tips for Fast Food Survival

Have a super day!
~Ami

Help our wounded soldiers

2009-09-14T15:14:00.002-04:00

Give back to those who've given to America by making a donation to the Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation. This is a Military Heroes Fund that helps provide emergency financial support for our wounded soldiers and their families. This fund also helps pay for daycare expenses at Walter Reed Army Medical Center for children of the wounded.

Read more about the Foundation's accomplishments.

The Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Pentagon Federal Credit Union pays all administrative expenses. Every penny you give goes to programs.

Much Love,
Ami

The gratitude campaign

2009-09-14T14:09:00.004-04:00

Jessica and I both had the opportunity to watch this video for The Gratitude Campaign before we went to NY on vacation. While we were in the city one day, we passed by several soldiers at Penn Station and we both took the opportunity to acknowledge them, say hello and most importantly ...to say Thank You. They smiled at us and you could tell that it meant a lot to them. It truly warmed my heart and felt wonderful to show my gratitude. I promised myself that I would post this video when I returned to share it with all of you.

Check it out and pass it on to others.....

With deep gratitude, warm thoughts and peaceful wishes to all our brave soldiers!

~Lovebug

Revitalize Your Soul! - Healthy lifestyle

2009-09-14T13:06:00.005-04:00

Most of you who know me well are aware that I have made some big changes recently to live a healthy lifestyle. I quit smoking, barely drink alcohol, no longer eat chicken and rarely eat red meat. I also work out a lot at home and love going to the gym! My life has changed for the better in so many ways. I feel strong, emotionally balanced, healthy, fit and just all around blissful. I just want to spread my happiness to everyone and let you all know what a great blessing these changes have been to my life.

For those of you that are trying to make some of the same changes in your life, I wish you all the will power, motivation and encouragement you may need to carry you through. You will definitely reap all the benefits of taking care of your mind, body and soul. I know I am :)

Here are a couple of articles I read today that you may want to read:
Eat your way to great abs
Does exercise matter for weight loss?

Much Love and Peace to all!
~Ami

Help animals through your wedding registry :)

2009-09-14T12:46:00.005-04:00

To all couples who are animal lovers...

Guess what? By creating a wedding registry at WeddingChannel.com, your guests can purchase gifts for you and a portion of the sales price will be donated to benefiting The Humane Society of the United States. Isn't that wonderful?!

Be a part of this awesome opportunity to help animals and visit WeddingChannel.com to create your wedding registry today.

Many blessings,
Ami

Recycle your Electronics

2009-09-14T11:24:00.003-04:00

We wanted to share with you a great opportunity to help the planet as well as animals!

Have you ever wondered what to do with all your old electronics? Now you can recycle your old cell phones, MP3 players, laptops, and many other electronics through a company called My Bone Yard. It's simple, safe, and My Bone Yard will even pay for shipping.

How does this help our animals? ..... By recycling through this company, the value of your items will be donated to The Humane Society. Get started now and visit My Bone Yard for more information.

Peace and blessings!
Lovebug

End Dogfighting Program

2009-08-21T14:36:00.002-04:00

The End Dogfighting program through The Humane Society of the United States focuses on young men on the streets who have been involved in fighting dogs. This program gives these dogs the opportunity for a new and better life that is free from animal cruelty. They offer free pitbull training classes to these young men who can not control their lunging, snarling animals. They have the opportunity to gain pride their dog's performance and experience positive competition, which makes dogfighting much less tempting. The men begin to see their dogs as friends, not fighters -- and with these new feelings and beliefs, they realize it is no longer the way they want to treat their pets. Some men even become community representatives and help pull others out of the quicksand that is urban dogfighting.

Over the last year alone, the End Dogfighting programs have reached hundreds of at-risk youth and dogs with constructive alternatives and a message of compassion. So many cities across America are desperate for The HSUS's innovative community-based outreach programs.

This program is about change -- the kind of change that inspires. Both people and pups can make astonishing progress through The HSUS' End Dogfighting program. But they can’t continue to make a difference without our help.

If you would like to contribute to this wonderful program, Click Here to make a special gift today . This is an opportunity to reduce dogfighting on the streets and protect dogs from this horrible lifestyle and brutality.

Revitalize Your Soul - Change

2009-08-12T17:24:00.004-04:00

There will always be something going on in our lives or around us that we wish were different or wish it would just go away. Although somethings are completed out of our control, we need to focus on the areas that we do have control over. Instead of complaining about it and dwelling on the negative, lets take the time to figure out what we can change - what we need to change, in order to improve the situation. Usually the change has to be within ourselves. We have full power over our actions, reactions, emotions and decisions, how we treat ourselves and how we treat others...even every word we speak has an outcome. So if something is picking at you and you want it to go away - sit back, take a deep breath and figure out what you can do to set that change in motion. Don't just think about it - BE the CHANGE!

“If you always do what you’ve always done, you will always get what you’ve always gotten”.
-unknown

Peace & Blessings to all!
Lovebug

Big Hearts for Small Bottoms - Diaper Drive

2009-08-12T17:10:00.003-04:00

Times are tough and money is short.
Please help Orlando families cover tiny bottoms!!!!

Diapers of all sizes (sizes 2 and up are needed the most!) are
urgently needed to help struggling Orlando families who are
unable to meet this expense. Your generous donations can
be dropped off Monday through Friday, between the hours
of 8:30 am and 5:00 pm at the offices of:

A Chosen Child, Inc.,
Suite 200, 1516 East Colonial Drive,
Orlando, Florida, 32803
(407) 894-1599

Feed Hope Now - Portraits of Hunger Showcase

2009-08-12T13:29:00.003-04:00

Portraits of Hunger Showcase: Enzian's Eden Bar
Wednesday, September 30, 2009.

Join us in viewing photo submissions from this year's Portraits of Hunger Photography Contest. Winner will be announced at this event. Bring a food donation (non-perishable) and receive one ticket for a Free bottle of Peroni.

Photographs will be voted online by the public. Voting will start on Tuesday, September 1, 2009. Chosen photos will be displayed at the event and some will be picked to be made into larger than life size banners to be hung at the food bank’s warehouses. Winning photo will be put in our Gatherer Newsletter - 10,000 distributed.

If you would like to participate in the contest go to www.FeedHopeNow.org. Deadline to submit photos: Monday, August 24, 2009

Healthy school lunch options for our children

2009-08-09T20:32:00.002-04:00

Congress will shortly be considering revising what children are fed in schools, as part of the Child Nutrition Act reauthorization. As this occurs, the meat, dairy, and junk-food lobbies push hard to keep their products front and center in schools. As it stands, children are eating more of these unhealthy products than ever before, and childhood obesity is at its worst levels ever.

ARFF (Animal Rights Foundation of FL) are now pushing Congress to mandate vegetarian (vegan) options in schools. Currently, most schools do not offer anything along these lines.

Add your name on a petition to Congress

Remember to also spread the word to others so that they also have the opportunity to be a part of this important change for our children. The more names on the petition, the batter chance we have to win this battle.

Animal Protection Studies - Degree available

2009-08-09T20:19:00.004-04:00

The Humane Society University (HSU), a division of The Humane Society of the United States is licensed to provide degree-granting undergraduate curriculum exclusively dedicated to Animal Protection Studies for a Bachelor of Science or Graduate Certificate Programs in Animal Studies, Animal Policy and Advocacy, and Humane Leadership.

Apply Today

Some exciting course topics include Animal Behavior, Animal Minds and Animal Protection, Animals and Literature, Animals and Ethics, Animals and Public Policy, Organizational Leadership and Culture, and Finance for Managers. Online courses are also available.

See how you can make a difference for animals. For more information, to fill out an application, or to see course listings: Click Here or email them at admissions@humanesocietyuniversity.org

Protect animals and their fur!

2009-08-09T20:07:00.003-04:00

Please join ARFF (Animal Rights Foundation of FL) and local activists to speak up for the millions of animals who are poisoned, electrocuted or skinned alive for their fur every year.

Together, we can educate others about the cruelty involved in the fur trade. Help to make our community aware in hopes that they will choose compassion over fashion by no longer buying fur. Hopefully, they will also spread the word to others and we can truly make a difference.

Posters and leaflets will be provided by ARFF, so just bring yourself and anyone else who may want to be a part of this cause.

Date and time: Wednesday, August 26 from 12:00 to 1:00pm
Location: At the corner of International Drive and Universal Drive

If you can make it to the protest please RSVP to ArffCentralFl@arff.org

Great Love Song - Had to share

2009-07-19T18:24:00.001-04:00

CLICK HERE: He Loves Me by Jill Scott

"You love me especially different every time
You keep me on my feet happily excited
By your cologne, your hands, your smile, your intelligence
You woo me, you court me, you tease me, you please me
You school me, give me some things to think about
Ignite me, you invite me, you co-write me, you love me, you like me
You incite me to chorus, ooh
Ooh...

You love me especially different every time
You keep me on my feet happily excited
By your cologne, your hands, your smile, your intelligence
You woo me, you court me, you tease me, you please me
You school me, give me things to think about
Invite me, you ignite me, co-write me, you love me, you like me
Incite me to chorus
La, la, la...
Da, da, da...
Do, do, do...

You're different and special
You're different and special in every way imaginable
You love me from my hair follicles to my toenails
You got me feeling like the breeze, easy and free and lovely and new
Oh when you touch me I just can't control it
When you touch me, I just can't hold it
The emotion inside of me, I can feel it

Ah... "

Revitalize Your Soul! - Life according to Mister Rogers

2009-07-16T15:14:00.002-04:00

A friend of Jessica's posted this on facebook and we wanted to share this wonderful message with everyone:

"If you could only sense how important you are to the lives of those you meet; how important you can be to the people you may never even dream of. There is something of yourself that you leave at every meeting with another person." Mister Rogers

Every encounter we have leaves a lasting effect; even when we don't realize. And the ripple effects are limitless. We should always present the best, most real version of who we are in all we do.

"Won't you be ....my neighbor?"

Revitalize Your Soul!

2009-04-16T13:08:00.002-04:00

Jessica sent this to me in an email today and I wanted to share it with all of you :)

Happiness keeps You Sweet,
Trials keep You Strong,
Sorrows keep You Human,
Failures keeps You Humble,
Success keeps You Glowing,
But Only God keeps You Going

God does keep me going and as I read this today, I started to remember how He is everywhere and in everything. The beauty of nature, the blue endless sky, the things that make me smile and laugh and inside every person that I love...all my angels. It all equals God to me .... it's what keeps me going, living and loving.

xoxo
~Ami

Wonderful puppy needs a new home

2009-04-16T12:47:00.006-04:00

Are you looking for an affectionate and kid loving puppy to add to your home and family? Sadie would be perfect for you! She is 15 months old and is a very happy, loving and friendly dog. She is excellent with kids, other dogs and cats too. She has a great temperament and is up-to-date on all her shots. She also is current on her heart guard medicine AND is also crate trained. Her current owner just doesn't have the time and energy to keep up with the care and attention that this wonderful pet needs.

It would be wonderful if she could find a new, loving home with kids and maybe other dogs to play with. If you are interested or know anyone who is, please feel free to contact us:
revitalizeorlando@gmail.com
http://www.myspace.com/revitalizeorlando

Much Love always!
~Ami

Do not divorce them!

2009-03-13T17:59:00.003-04:00

Ken Starr and the Prop 8 Legal Defense Fund is an attempt to forcibly divorce 18,000 same-sex couples that were married in California last year. The Supreme Court will be making their decision within 90 days.

The Courage Campaign has created a video called "Fidelity", with the permission of musician Regina Spektor, that puts a face to those 18,000 couples and all loving, committed couples seeking full equality under the law.

The more people who see this video, the more people will understand the pain caused by Prop 8.

After you watch the video, please join me and over 350,000 people who have signed a letter to the state Supreme Court, asking them to invalidate Prop 8 and reject Starr's case.

Puppy mill survivors free from cages

2009-03-13T17:47:00.002-04:00

Thanks to the work of your Humane Society of the United States, nearly 300 puppy mill dogs have a fresh start and are free forever from the horrors of the mass breeding operation known as Thornton’s Kennels in Wayne County, N.C.

The animals were treated at an emergency shelter, where dedicated teams of local volunteers and veterinarians, along with partners from the animal welfare community, have been tending to the dogs' many critical needs. Finally, these dogs are at the beginning of their ultimate journey -- to a loving home of their own.

Watch this video that takes you inside the rescue of these innocent victims. You can also make an emergency contribution to support this rescue operation and others like it.

Tragically, hundreds of thousands of dogs still suffer at the hands of this industry. These are the animals that the HSUS rescue teams are trained to save. In fact, during the past year alone, they’ve rescued thousands of animals from puppy mills around the country.

Please help make these animal rescue operations possible.

Thank you for you love and support!

Help protect FL turtles

2009-03-13T17:41:00.002-04:00

Florida’s freshwater turtles are facing a serious crisis: They are being ripped from the wild by hunters who sell them to feed the growing world market for turtle meat and products. The methods used to capture, handle, transport, and slaughter turtles are invariably cruel, and the number of turtles caught threaten the species’ very survival. Scientists have already sounded the alarm. The state isn’t doing enough to protect its wild turtles. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has set such ineffective limits on commercial turtle hunters that Governor Charlie Crist recently urged the FWC to move towards a complete ban. The FWC has agreed to consider a ban. You can help end the turtle hunt!

TAKE ACTION
CLICK HERE to send an email to the FWC asking them to ban the turtle hunt; be sure to copy Governor Crist to let him know you share his concern on this important issue. It only takes a minute. And don’t forget to tell your friends and family in Florida about how they can take action, too. Thank you for taking action on behalf of animals!

Thank you for all you do for animals!

Help neglected animals

2009-03-13T17:33:00.004-04:00

Hi, all you animal lovers!

The Animal Rescue Site is having trouble getting enough people to click on their web site daily to meet their quota of getting free food donated every day to abused and neglected animals. It takes less than a minute (how about 20 seconds. CLICK HERE to go to their site and then click on the purple box that says "Click to give, it's free". That's it and it doesn't cost you a thing. Their corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate food to abandoned/neglected animals in exchange for advertising.

Pass this along to people you know, so they can help as well :)

Stop Canada's Cruel Seal Hunt

2009-03-13T17:26:00.000-04:00

Dear Friend,

The 2008 Canadian seal hunt left more than two hundred thousand
seals dead -- almost all of them were babies as young as 12
days.
Stand with me today to stop the seal hunt forever by joining the
Canadian seafood boycott.

Seal hunting is an off-season activity for Canada's east coast
commercial fishermen. They earn a small fraction of their
incomes from selling seal skins to the fur industry: less than
$7 million (Canadian) in 2008, compared to the nearly $2.5
billion taken in by the Canadian fishing industry from seafood
exports to the United States.

The connection between the commercial fishing industry and the
seal hunt gives consumers all over the world the power to end
the cruel slaughter of seals.

The Canadian fishing industry has suffered a $750 million
(Canadian) decline in the value of snow crab exports to the
United States since the boycott began. That's more than $200
million a year.

Once you've signed the pledge, you'll be able to identify
Canadian seafood by using The HSUS's downloadable pocket guide.
You can also find out which restaurants and other businesses
have also signed the pledge -- and which ones to contact to ask
them to sign on.

Thanks for joining me in ending this cruel hunt. Here is the
link to sign the pledge:
https://community.hsus.org/campaign/protectseals?rk=HdsX1i71JQF1W

Help to stop Puppy Mills!

2009-01-20T15:45:00.005-05:00

Many of you are probably aware of the investigations linking Petland to Puppy Mills. Well, on January 10, 2009 a bunch of people came together for a demonstration and crowded the sidewalks in front of 22 different Petland store locations to tell the company to stop supporting puppy mills. What an amazing experience this must have been! Hopefully the word is getting out to more and more animal lovers and will encourage them join this effort to protect our animals from this cruel treatment.

Are you interested in attending or helping to organize future demonstrations at a Petland near you??? Please email the Humane Society at stop-puppy-mills@hsus.org with the following information:

1. Your name, email address, phone number and closest Petland: Go Here for a list of locations (just scroll down to the bottom of the page to do a simple search)
2. Whether you would like to be an attendee or organize and lead a demonstration.
3. Whether you would like to take photos at a demonstration.
4. Whether you would like to accept pet supplies (including towels and blankets) at a demonstration and take them to local shelters.

We can make a difference if we put our hearts out there....

Peace and God Bless!
~Lovebug

Cell Phones for Soldiers!

2009-01-19T07:49:00.002-05:00

Got any old cell phones laying around the house? Has you or anyone you know upgraded or bought a new phone recently? What should we all do with all these old phones? ....... We have the best solution for you that's super easy AND free!

Donate your old and unwanted phones to our brave soldiers. The phones are recycled and the money is used to offer a source of communication for our troops to keep in touch with friends and family. This is a true gift from the heart and is so simple to get your donated phones shipped out...

... Just throw them in an envelope (chargers and batteries are not required, but gladly accepted). CLICK HERE and print your postage free shipping label. Stick the label to the envelope and toss it in the mail.

I've shipped out old phones twice already in the past month and I have to tell you..........It feels GREAT!

If you prefer, you can also collect old phones from friends and family (spread the word) and bring them to one of our future gatherings or donation drop off locations and we'll ship them out for you.

Well, we hope this has given you another opportunity to share your hearts and send a gift of love.

May you have a restful night's sleep and wake up feeling at peace and rejuvenated!
xoxoxo
~Lovebug

Revitalize Your Soul - Step Away

2009-01-02T17:57:00.001-05:00

Sometimes taking a few days to step away from
a routine.
a job.
the computer.
life...
helps put everything in perspective.

And for the past two weeks that's what I've been doing. And I've laughed so much more.

Maybe I (or we) should step away more often.

Love,
Jess

No More Puppy Mills!

2008-11-20T22:20:00.005-05:00

The Humane Society has released a national, eight-month investigation and have discovered that Petland stores in multiple states are marketing dogs from cruel puppy mills to unsuspecting dog buyers.

Many people don't realize that the unseen victims are the mommy dogs who are forced to live their entire lives behind bars. They live without exercise, socialization or ever being a part of a loving family. They don't get to even see the outside of their cages.

The Humane Society is committed to stopping puppy mill cruelty, but they need all our help.

Tell Petland to Stop Selling Puppies -- Watch This Video, Then Take Action

YOU can also act locally by contacting a Petland franchise near you and discussing your concerns about puppy mills. Below are a few locations and you can go here to search for more:

Petland Altamonte Springs
924 W. State Road 436
Suite 1800
Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
Phone: 407-682-7387

Petland Leesburg
10601 US Hwy. 441
Unit E3-E5
Leesburg, FL 34788
Phone: 352-323-1580

Petland Orlando East
453 N. Alafaya Trail
Orlando, FL 32828
Phone: 407-273-8839

Petland Orlando Lake Fredrica
3920 S. Semoran Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32822
Phone: 407-381-5777

cuddly kitten needs a home

2008-11-20T21:23:00.005-05:00

A little itty bitty kitten, about 7 to 8 weeks old, was wandering outside a vet's office near the road. They will keep it there for a couple days, but someone will have to come pick it up and take it somewhere. Friends are still waiting to hear back from the rescue groups and time is running out.

Can anyone out there give this adorable kitten a loving home? Or do you know anyone who might be able to help? Please contact us via email at revitalizeorlando@gmail.com

AAAAAaaaaaawwwwwwww!!!!

Thank you for sharing and playing at the Park!

2008-11-19T12:05:00.005-05:00

Just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who made it out on Saturday for our Annual Picnic in the Park. The weather forecast anticipated rain, but it did not stop us from gathering together for this fun filled day. Turns out it didn't rain at all and we had absolutely beautiful weather! We really enjoyed everything, from painting, coloring, puzzles and potato sack races. It's always wonderful to come together.....friends and family of all ages...for this great cause. Thank you so much for joining us and for the donations. We will be shipping out care packages within the next couple of weeks.

Hope to see more of your beautiful smiles next year. :)
Check out the photos!

Much Love,
Ami and Jess

Picnic in the Park! Langford Park, Tomorrow!

2008-11-14T20:26:00.003-05:00

We hope to see you at this year's Picnic in the Park, as the Revitalize Family continues to grow and grow! The weather should be marvelous and the friends bountiful! Plus it's also another opportunity to give donations to our brave soldiers oversees!

If you need donation ideas, check out our blog.

Revitalize Your Soul - Emotional Health

2008-11-12T09:09:00.001-05:00

Recently, my mom shared this with me. She was studying about stress and emotional health, and there are some fundamental points that she broke down for me and my brother to read and remember. These resolutions helped her a lot and they are also a big part of how I want to live my life.

It’s about taking control of your emotions and how you react to everyday situations and experiences. It’s a reminder that we all have a choice. This year has been very challenging for me and almost everyone that I know. I have felt completely lost and trapped within my own emotions, creating claustrophobia in my own skin. I have also seen my own friends and family drowning and indulging in their own pain, losing complete control of the life around them and choosing to be a victim of them selves. It doesn’t have to be this way….we DO have control. It takes a lot of work and practice, but in the end it’s all worth the happiness and peace you can feel inside and out.

Please take the time to read this…I hope it somehow helps you with whatever you struggle with and that it lifts your spirit knowing there is hope and that you can make a change in your own life.

1. Never say bad things about yourself. Look for sources of your unhappiness in elements that can be modified by future actions. Give yourself constructive criticism - what can you do differently next time to get what you want?

2. Compare your reactions, thoughts and feelings with those of friends, family, co-workers and others so you can gauge the appropriateness and relevance of your responses against a suitable norm.

3. Have several close friends with whom you can share feelings, joys and worries. Work at developing, maintaining and expanding your social support networks.

4. Develop a sense of balanced time perspective - be future oriented when there is work to be done, present oriented when the goal is achieved and past oriented to keep in touch with your roots.

5. ALWAYS TAKE FULL CREDIT FOR YOUR SUCCESSES AND HAPPINESS and share positive feelings with other people. Keep an inventory of the qualities that make you feel special and unique - those qualities that you can offer others. Even a shy person can provide a talkative person with the gift of listening. Know your sources of personal strength and available coping resources.

6. When you feel you are losing control over your emotions (emotions can be controlled), DISTANCE yourself from the situation or conflict, projecting your image into the future to gain perspective on what seems to be overwhelming now. Allow yourself to feel and express your emotions, but remember that you are in control.

7. Remember that failure and disappointment are sometimes a blessing in disguise. They tell you that your goal was not right for you, and save you from bigger letdowns later on. LEARN FROM EVERY FAILURE. Acknowledge setbacks by saying "I MADE A MISTAKE" AND MOVE ON. Every accident, misfortune, or violation of your expectations is potentially an opportunity in disguise.

8. IF YOU FEEL YOU CANNOT HELP YOURSELF OR ANOTHER PERSON IN DISTRESS, SEEK THE COUNSEL OF A TRAINED SPECIALIST. In some cases, the problem that appears to be emotional can be physical and vice versa. Remember hwlp I always available.

9. Cultivate healthy pleasures. Take time out and relax, meditate, fly a kite, enjoy hobbies, listen to music that brings you to good places, and pleasurable activities you can do alone and by which you can get in touch with and better yourself.

Much Love and Peace!
~Lovebug

Gift Drive for the Holidays!

2008-11-05T20:28:00.002-05:00

A friend of ours in involved in a wonderful gift drive for the holidays. They find families in need and create a wish list for them that is posted on their website. The items can be purchased online and gifted to these families. If you are looking to help others have the chance to enjoy their holidays, this is a great opportunity to look into.

They are also currently looking for families to reach out to. If you know anyone at all (w kids or w/o kids) who is struggling this holiday season, PLEASE contact us at revitalizeorlando@gmail.com, so we can connect you to this wonderful cause.

Much Love to all,
Ami & Jess

Our New President

2008-11-05T19:28:00.002-05:00

Enjoy! :)

FREE COCKATIEL - Needs a good home

2008-11-05T18:33:00.003-05:00

Hi everyone,
A beautiful, young, yellow/grey cockatiel is looking for a good home. The owner was an older lady who recently passed away. Temporarily staying with a neighbor until we can find a new and loving home.

If you are interested or know someone who might be, please contact me at ami@macreations.net or 407.694.1467

Please pass this message along to your friends and keep this sweet cockatiel in your thoughts.

Peace and Love,
Ami

Revitalize Your Breasts!!!

2008-10-22T19:49:00.002-04:00

As many of you already know, October marks breast cancer awareness month. Revitalize wanted to reach out to everyone about this important challenge that can affect all of us in many different ways. Breast Cancer isn’t just about females and everyone should take a moment to learn more about what we can collectively do to assist with awareness and research.

Check out this great informative site!!

The official National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Site

Please remember to do monthly self-exams and visit the doctor if you find anything you shouldn't (guys this means you too) and also remind each other! The earlier cancer is detected, the better chance there is of fighting it!

One really cool organization that we wanted to share with you is Think Pink. We learned about this organization through a local photographer, Lori Barbely. Think Pink Sessions help breast cancer survivors and their supporters to celebrate life through a complimentary photography session. Any individual that has been diagnosed with breast cancer or completed treatment within the past 12 months qualifies for a Think Pink Session. Sessions are available to document the fight before or during treatment or to celebrate the victory when treatment is completed.

With love and hope,
Jess & Ami

Care Packages for our Troops - We need your help!

2008-10-08T21:31:00.003-04:00

Revitalize has been in contact with several units of brave soldiers that really need our help. We will be shipping care packages to them as often as possible. We would love for you to be a part of this wonderful cause and community movement. Any contribution you can offer sends a message of love and hope to these incredible courageous men and women who will not be returning home for several months. These care packages mean more to them then we could ever imagine.

One unit consists of about 70 men in the Navy that are stationed in Iraq for 8 months and have been there since April 2008.

In addition, we have connected with several units that are also stationed in Iraq, consisting of about 800 Marines (male and female). Wow! They will be on temporary camp for the next 3 months. This means sleeping in tents, no air conditioning, no showers, very limited phones access, no internet access and more.

Once again, they are extremely grateful for anything you can do - even down to the smallest gestures - writing a letter, sending positive thoughts their way or putting out a collection box at your work. If you would like their address to send them a letter directly, please let us know!

We will be organizing several upcoming events where you can join us for some fun filled times and also gives you the opportunity to drop off your donated items to include in Revitalize’s shipments.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. We are happy to hear from you!

A customized donation guide is below with a list of specific items they currently need.

With thoughts of peace,
Jess and Ami

CARE PACKAGES - DONATION GUIDE
If you would like to give a donation, please feel free to contact us at:
revitalizeorlando@gmail.com • http://www.myspace.com/revitalizeorlando
Jessica 407.399.7589 • Ami 407.694.1467

Food and Beverage:
•Lots of Snacks (crucial) – no chocolate (this will melt in the mail)
•Instant Coffee / Automatic Drip Coffee
•Creamer
•Sugar
•Energy Bars (very useful when walking all night)
•Sunflower seeds
•Beef Jerky
•Canned soups and stews (starting to get cold at night)
•Any non-perishable food items
•Powered drink mix (Propel, Crystal light, Red Bull, etc.)

Clothing:
•Socks (wool only in black or green) – you can purchase these at any military store

Toiletries:
•Baby Wipes are extremely important! Some of our troops do not have access to showers.
**Please note that the unscented are much better. Scented wipes can attract a lot of mosquitoes and bugs
•Soap
•Liquid Soap
•Hand sanitizer
•Q Tips
•Shampoo
•Deodorant
•Tampons
•Female hygiene products
•Male hygiene products

Misc. and More:
•Chap Stick
•Fly swatters
•Bug Spray
•Dryer Sheets – These are very helpful to keep clothes fresh when they can’t be washed
•Pipe Cleaners (To clean equipment)
•Batteries (AAA, AA, and D cell )
•Silly String (use to detect trip wire and also for fun  )
•Hand and Boot warmers for the cold nights
•Back Scratches
•Letters can be written for encouragement, to thank them, etc.
•Cards can be sent from you and your family for the holidays, etc.
•Pens (the locals feel that pens represent education and constantly ask the soldiers for them).

Entertainment
•Magazines – all kinds
•Movies – all kinds
•Music – all kinds
•Board games
•DVDs of recorded TV shows, any prime time sitcom, TV series, and shows from the Discovery channel, the History channel, and the Military channel are also great.
•Books – all kinds

We thank all the men and women overseas for the sacrifices that they make everyday. We're so excited to help in any way we can!

Confused about eggs?

2008-10-08T19:05:00.004-04:00

Hi everyone,
My boyfriend sent me this link recently that gives some information about how eggs can affect your health. There are also some guides on what kind of eggs you should buy.

EGGS!!!

I do try to be health conscious whenever possible, but I feel very mislead with so many mixed messages out there on what you should and shouldn't eat. I try to read these articles whenever I can in hopes that they will all produce similar "facts". So I thought I would share any interesting information that I might come across.

Since I am not a vegetarian, I do try my very best to purchase food that promotes the proper treatment of animals. This can get very expensive, but my peace of mind is worth it in the end. I totally love eggs for breakfast! .... but realized after reading this article that I was buying the wrong ones. Soooo, out with the cage-free and in with organic. I am starting to realize that organic is pretty much the best way to go when buying meats and poultry as well.

Well, that's all for this random posting :)

Have a great day!
~Ami

Revitalize the Beach Girl Within! - Pictures are up

2008-10-02T09:16:00.006-04:00

This past Saturday was our Girl Beach day and it was absolutely fantastic. This was the first gathering that no one could make it to ........ however, Jess and I enjoyed and cherished every moment as we bonded with the ocean, the sun and with each other. What a relaxing, rejuvenating and joyous day! As always, we also dressed up for the occasion. :)

Check out the photos we posted on our myspace gallery http://www.myspace.com/revitalizeorlando
Fun Times!

See you at our next event.... Don't miss the Monster Bash on Saturday, 10.25.08!

Much Love Always,
Ami & Jess

Register to Vote - Last day to register via mail

2008-10-02T08:43:00.002-04:00

Hey everyone!

Just wanted to send out a quick reminder that election day is around the corner. We encourage you to be a part of this very important decision for our country.

Today is the last day to register to vote through the mail. Go to www.voteforchange.com to register today. It is extremely simple and takes only 5 minutes to complete.

If you drop it in the mail today, it will still arrive by the October 6th deadline.

Have a beautiful day!
~Ami

Revitalize Your Soul - Let the color within you shine

2008-10-01T18:59:00.002-04:00

Lately, my light has dimmed.

But in my darkest moment, somehow a spark appeared and pulled me out of what I thought was going to be a never ending hole of despair.

"And then there was Light."

It may sound cheesy, but since the day after my 30th birthday I've felt more alive than I have in the longest time. I'm feeling all of the colors of me resurface into a beautiful being that has so much to offer the world.

At my lowest, I didn't know what to do, how to think or who I was. Thankfully, it didn't take me long to realize that I am a Light Being - full of the colors of the rainbow and beyond.

My hopes are up, my focus is on my well being - no one else's, my businesses are bringing a renewed joy and I am finally getting my body and mind back into shape.

I will never forget my low - the dark period - so I can constantly be more appreciative of the light...of my light...of the colors within me so they will shine like never before.

With so much more than a glimmer of hope,
Jess

Upcoming Events!

2008-09-30T21:49:00.000-04:00

Revitalize Your Soul - Happy Birthday Jess!!!!

2008-09-22T12:23:00.014-04:00

Hello Everyone,
Do you know what today is??? It's a very special birthday for our very own J.Rock, founder and co-owner of Revitalize! Yes,that's right....Revitalize was originally created by the beautiful Jessica Smith. Today we celebrate her 30th birthday. The year of full self discovery, of huge changes, and answers that will lead towards a new life of bliss! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY DEAREST JESSICA!!!!!

I wanted to take a moment and give her my own personal and most heartfelt thank you for letting me be a part of this amazing organization. I am blessed to have the opportunity to be on this incredible journey with my best friend. A journey of balancing our mind, body and spirit...a journey of peace for ourselves and everyone we touch....a journey of a balanced and blissful heart....a journey to find ourselves and realize how special we are, to realize the beauty in ourselves and in everyone and everything around us.....a journey where we welcome everyone to join us and share their lives with us......a haven for all of our hearts...a safe place to voice our thoughts.... a resource to information on how we can all make a change within ourselves and make a difference in the world around us.

I enjoy every single moment of being a part of our Revitalize team. The charity work, the Revitalize Your Soul postings, communicating with and collecting donations for our troops, Picking fruit and veggies for the hungry, every single AWESOME theme party we organize, every Girl Gathering and family Picnic....I will always hold each memory dear to my heart. I am so excited for the future of Revitalize!

So, once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Revitalize has Revitalized my Life! The experience is magnificent!

I wish you the best birthday year you have ever experienced in your whole life.

Love you bunches!!!!
Ami~Lovebug

P.S. Pictures of Jessica's Surprise Birthday Party Coming Soon!

ATTENTION all animal lovers!

2008-09-16T12:36:00.010-04:00

Disaster relief teams from The Humane Society have begun search-and-rescue operations in Texas. They desperately need our help to save animals stranded by Hurricane Ike.

Be a part of saving animals stranded by the storm and reunite them with their families.....There are many pets and other animals that are still waiting to be rescued.

The Humane Society is currently collecting emergency contributions that can help them respond to this and future crises.

Just go to this link for more information on sending a donation:
https://secure.hsus.org/01/disaster_relief_fund_2008/nYdNYr61qfJxA?source=gabhdg

From one animal lover to the next!
~Lovebug

Upcoming Revitalize Events!

2008-09-15T21:26:00.005-04:00

Come join the Revitalize family!!!
Love, love, love,
Jess & Ami!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Revitalize

2008-09-08T19:46:00.008-04:00

Let's love our Mother Earth! Below are ways that we can make a change...one day at a time:

1. Reuse your plastic bags or use cloth bags instead when you go to the grocery store (the cloth bags can hold a lot of stuff and they're only $1.00 at Publix & Dollar Tree). You can even use them when you go to your favorite record store or go shopping at the mall. You could start a trend! Just make sure to keep a few in your car so that when you go to the store, you already have them. :)

2. Instead of tossing your cigarette butt on the ground, put it out in an ashtray. It'll only take a few extra seconds.

3. Check out this list of how long it takes certain material to biodegrate:

Paper: 2-4 Weeks
Banana Peel: 3-5 Weeks
Wool Cap: 1 Year
Cigarette Butt: 2-5 Years
Disposable Diaper: 10-20 Years
Hard Plastic Container: 20-30 Years
Rubber Boot Sole: 50-80 Years
Tin Can: 80-100 Years
Aluminum Can: 200-400 Years
Plastic 6-pack Holder: 450 Years
Glass Bottles: A Very, Very Long Time (Forever)

*Pick up that piece of trash on the ground instead of walking over it.

4. Don't litter!

5. Reuse the scraps of your fruits and eggs...toss them in your garden instead of the garbage. Your plants will eat them up!

6. Go paperless with your bills and call them if they do not honor your request. It's worth a try and maybe one day they'll really start to listen.

7. When you're brushing your teeth, turn the water off in between brushes. It'll lower your water bill and consumption. :)

8. Recycle! In fact, many counties and states have expanded their recyclable item list. Check out your local county's website to see if you can throw away things such as paper towel rolls and cereal boxes.

**Here's a website where you can order recycling bins and get some more information on recyclable items - http://www.ci.orlando.fl.us/public_works/solidwaste/swmrec.htm

**Publix has recycle bins outside their locations where you can throw out recyclables such as paper and plastic bags...they even have recycle bins for foam trays and egg crates. :)

Just remember to continue to love our dear Mother. She's our lifeline....

Much love,
Ami & Jess

*Feel free to send us any additional tips to add - we'll be updating this list periodically and would love your input!

Revitalize Your Soul - Mistakes

2008-09-08T10:18:00.001-04:00

We are all human and we tend to make mistakes…..it’s inevitable. Of course there are different levels of mistakes that we can make and we should have full control on the line that should not be crossed; which is usually based on our beliefs and morals of what is right and wrong. Those are guides that live deep within us…they are a part of us and who we are.

However, no matter how hard we try to listen to our guides…sometimes we make a bad decision or ignore our instincts or even refuse to do the right thing. We may try hard to beat temptations and keep a balanced life, but we are not perfect and sometimes we slip.

Whatever mistakes we have made, it is important that we try our very best to not dwell or regret on what has come to pass. We can not reverse time, decisions or actions….and if we dwell on them, we can not move forward in life. We end up trapping ourselves in feelings of guilt, remorse and sadness. Wishing we could change something that we’ve already done. I am a strong believer that regret and dwelling are a complete waste of our time and energy. We should definitely acknowledge our mistakes and take the time to reflect on them, but we must accept that we are human, take the lesson of our mistakes and use them to grow and become a better person. Lets promise ourselves to not repeat our mistakes, so we can continue to move forward in this beautiful journey of life. Lets forgive ourselves and release the trap of the past…the trap of regret.

Be free with me!

Peace and Love,
~Ami

Let your voice be heard!

2008-09-04T22:17:00.004-04:00

Revitalize would absolutely love it if you joined us to share a piece of Your Soul!

If there is anything you want to talk about, a message you want to spread to the world or an experience you want people to hear about, just email us..... We are so excited to come together as we Revitalize Our Souls!

We can post your message or just be here to listen.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Have a beautiful day!
Jess & Ami

Revitalize Your Soul - Stop and smell the roses

2008-09-01T10:55:00.002-04:00

Each day passes by so quickly. We go through our daily routines and then start all over again the next day. It’s so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everything that we forget to take a moment to stop and smell the roses. Something as simple as stopping whatever you are doing and concentrating on your breathing, can be so therapeutic sometimes. Or sitting back for a moment an enjoying the silence, the stillness, the peace. Or just taking a 5-10 minute walk around your neighborhood to let your blood flow and take in the beauty that is our earth. It’s always nice to even call up a loved one that you haven’t spoken to in a while to catch up on each other’s lives.

Whatever it might be, lets try to take more time for ourselves. Stop in the middle of all the madness that can sometimes be our daily lives and remember that it’s the little things that we ignore or often forget about, that actually brings us the most joy and bliss. Lately, I have been trying to make an effort to take a few minutes each day and do something that just feels good for my heart, mind and soul. Every time I do, I am never disappointed with the result of continuing my day with a bigger smile and a delightful vibe. And you know what? Sometimes the day even feels longer because of it.

Remember…..in the mist of it all….we have everything we need inside ourselves and surrounding us constantly that can bring us pleasure and contentment. We just have to decide to make the time to enjoy them.

Peace and Light,
Lovebug

Revitalize Your Soul - In Search of Insperado...

2008-08-27T18:54:00.001-04:00

My brain's creative side has suffered a major fart.

And I am in now in search of insperado (aka INSPIRATION!).

This typically doesn't happen to me, but with all of the recent changes in my life, I've been searching, grounding, thinking (perhaps too much) and reaching for inspiration.

Of course Revitalize and our wedding business is inspirational to me, but I'm in search for more...
...more creativity to decorate my new pad.
...more motivation to finish a painting I started.
...more drive to work even harder on our businesses.

I suppose I just need to continue to go with the flow (one of my favorite new phrases) and let inspiration flutter my way. If I believe that it's out there, it will find me....and you. Just try not to look too hard.

In search of insperado (if you can connect this to Tenacious D, you rock),
Jess

Revitalize Your Soul!

2008-08-22T14:33:00.001-04:00

It can be so hard not to let each day pass, constantly letting our minds be consumed with the everyday problems that surround our lives and those around us. There are so many thoughts of worry, concern, stress and negativity that we allow our emotions to indulge in on a daily basis.

The fact is that there is always going to be something that we can waste our energy complaining about or stressing about. Life wouldn’t make sense without these constant challenges that we are forced to face. We would be bored and confused and we probably wouldn’t even know what happiness felt like. We need these challenges in order to appreciate all the amazing things about life, earth, love …… and ourselves. It’s just so easy for us to hate these moments…..we sometimes despise them and just want them to go away. However, we usually choose to indulge in these terrible emotions, spreading the negative poison to others and sharing the misery.

So, I say…Lets try a different approach. Lets take these moments in as blessings of growth, lessons to be learned and an opportunity for us to cherish the good moments and remember the beauty of life which far exceeds these challenges. They are a gift….They are what give essence and meaning to everything that matters in our lives.

So bring it on! It will only make me Love Life even more!

Peace and Light to all!
~Lovebug

Revitalize Your Soul - The Little Things

2008-08-18T16:41:00.001-04:00

Today I had to go to the tag office to renew my tag, get a title reprinted and change the address on my license.

To me the tag office is as horrible as the dentist.

Both tend to make you wait to long, only to tell you that you either have more cavities or not enough proof of being you.

Both have tons of strangers that are forced to sit in uncomfortable chairs, waiting for the inevitable.

Both are typically filled with workers that can't stand to be there and let you know it!
And both tend to cost way more than you thought.

For some reason, today was different. And I think my attitude played a major role in my experience...
There was hardly anyone there waiting and when I was waiting, I had a super conversation with some new parents and their glowing toddler, Jada.

When I was called, the woman that helped me, Julia, was really down to earth and took care of everything I needed - no running back to the car and having to get some other paperwork.

And all of the staff there was laughing and having a fun time.

Oddly enough, a trip to the tag office was not hell! Can you believe it? I left feeling nearly uplifted. As I continued to think positively, I noticed that I every light I hit was green on my trek home. I received several nice texts and calls and I just felt great. The fun continued when I got to my new place and had a conversation with one of my nosy neighbors who actually offered for me to chill with her if this storm gets bad.

As soon as I walked up to my door all I could think about was how each of those little things made me happier, therefore making the rest of my day even better!

Perhaps the little things are self created by the positivity that we put out there. The more we give to the universe's glowing light, the more we'll get back.

Whether it's a dentist office or a tag office or whatever task you may dread, enter the situation without preconceived notions and see what happens.
You may be surprised!

Much love,
Jess

Revitalize Your Soul – One more birthday message

2008-08-14T09:37:00.002-04:00

Do you remember your previous birthdays as a child? I do and a lot has changed since then. It’s all different now. Mommy doesn’t bake me a cake and throw me a birthday party anymore and family members no longer send me cards in the mail full of cash, even though it is now that I need it the most. Haha! Actually, once you become a full grown adult, birthdays just don’t seem to be much fun anymore. They can become just another day. A lot of us stress about becoming older and some of us feel forgotten and/or alone. What happened to the excitement and anticipation to celebrate the day we were brought into this world? Many of us have forgotten what it means and how special our birthday really is.

This year, I have decided to enjoy my birthday in a whole new way. It is the day I celebrate LIFE! It’s another year that I am absolutely blessed to be alive, another year to cherish each lesson I have learned and every amazing experience that I have been carried through that has lead be to become the person I am today. It is a fresh start, a new beginning, a whole new year of being me! I have been given a gift to continue this amazing journey of becoming who I want to be, to fulfilling my purpose in life, to finding the peace and bliss that comes from expressing unconditional love for myself and everyone around me. It is a chance to accomplish the goals and dreams I hold dear to my heart and the opportunity to be grateful for every moment I have been given and to look forward to continuing this magnificent voyage. Every birthday is most definitely a cause for celebration!!! I pray to always remember how important it truly is….

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to me! Happy Birthday to everyone!

Have a beautiful day!
~Lovebug xoxo

Revitalize Your Soul - Be thankful for this moment

2008-08-11T09:00:00.002-04:00

Right now, sit back and take a deep breath.

Look around you.

Look past you.

Feel inside of you.

Hear the sounds around you.

Feel your heart beat.

Recognize the energy that surrounds.

Be mindful,

And be thankful for this moment.

Much love,
Jess

Revitalize Your Soul - Birthday Time!

2008-08-07T13:34:00.003-04:00

Sooooooo, this past Friday, 8.1.08 was my birthday! Happy Birthday to me! This year I turned 29 and I feel DIVINE! As I quickly approach my fabulous thirties, I realize that my thought process and decision making continues to grow and change. This year I have felt maturity and adulthood more intensely than ever before. I have been on my own and supporting myself since I was 18 years old, I have been married AND divorced, I have had several surgeries and health issues in the past, I have traveled a decent amount and have seen, survived and enjoyed all levels of experiences (the good, the bad, the best and the rest). Yet, this is the year…..2008… that I feel the most mature.

This got me thinking…..why after all these years of living an adult life am I finally feeling the most “grown up”? I am really not sure what the answer is, but I will tell you this….It feels Incredible!!! I have gone through so many phases of self discovery in the past 29 years and I feel very accomplished and content with where my life currently stands. There are so many pressures out there as to where we should all be by a certain age. The fact is that no one has the right to tell us who we should be, where we should be and how we should live our lives (especially not according to our age). If I had followed the “guidelines” and “timelines” of this world, I probably would have never gotten a divorce and stayed in an unhappy marriage OR would already be married again, I definitely would already have children, own a house, have my degree and be set in my career. I can definitely admit that these all can be wonderful accomplishments. However, I do not have any of them right now, yet there are so many things I have done in my life that I am most proud of. Things that I chose over everything else and I still have so much to look forward to. I refuse to feel that time is running out. We have been gifted the blessing of life and our sole purpose is to cherish and enjoy all the beauty it has to offer….at free will and on our own terms. I am blessed to have an amazing bond with my mom and brother, I am surrounded by the comfort and support of true friendships, I have a magical connection with the love of my life, I am co-owner of a business that specializes in Wedding Design (the celebration of Love!), I run a charity organization with my best friend, I try to focus on living each day filled with gratefulness, peace, love, balance and bliss that extends itself to all those who are the closest to me and to anyone that comes in contact with me. I am content, proud and at peace with who I am, where I stand and how I live my life. The best part is that I still have the opportunity to live and accomplish so much more. I can marry the man of my dreams (after waiting very patiently for him), I can be a mom at a time that I feel I know myself the best and can give the most, I can see my business grow into a success that becomes my livelihood, I can see Revitalize grow into a huge community the glows with positivity, encouragement and the unending act of giving, sharing and coming together to extend our love to the world.….

….My life is in my hands and I choose to be guided by my faith, spirituality and heart.

Big warm hugs to all!
~Lovebug

And now, introducing our new platoon!!

2008-07-30T19:10:00.006-04:00

We're happy to announce our new unit of brave men that we've adopted. This time, they're fighting for us on the seas...

Once again, they are extremely grateful for anything you can do - even down to the smallest thing - writing a letter, sending positive thoughts their way or putting out a collection box out at your work. If you would like their address to send them a letter, please let us know! Otherwise, we'll have a collection gathering soon! :)

Check out these pictures of our newest group of guys:

Doing their thing on the water:

We thank them and all other men and women oversees for the sacrifices that they make everyday. We're so excited to help more and more!