Google has so delightfully reminded us that today, April 22^nd, is Earth Day, and that we should all be outside appreciating our beautiful planet.

Families often have a hard time finding activities that are appropriate for all ages, so here is a list of a couple great ways to celebrate the great outdoors:

• The traditional outdoor activities like the beach, hiking, picnics, sailing, kite flying, and BBQ are often the most enjoyable. A visit to a local zoo, wildlife reserve of stable are also wonderful options.Plan a relaxed, nature-filled day with little touches everyone will enjoy- including the dog! Play Frisbee, have ice cream, roast some marshmallows… The simple things in life will remind you and your children to appreciate nature’s comforts.
• If the weather is bad, or the mood just isn’t right, you can  appreciate Earth from your own living room. As ironic as it seems, there are some great nature-focused movies that will help you and your kids reconnect with the beautiful landscapes and climate of our planet. Try Avatar, Wall-E, March of the Penguins or The Day After Tomorrow. If your children are younger, The Magic School Bus TV series is a wonderful way to expose them to the wonders of nature.
• Another great home-based activity is revamping your yard and window boxes. Get connected with Planet Earth by planting a new tree, trimming the hedges, adding flowers throughout your home and new compost to your garden. Try adding herb pots to your kitchen window, these not only smell great but will come in handy for cooking as well!
• Lastly, engage in some spring cleaning and air out your home. Open all the windows and doors while you go through your winter clothes, scrub mirrors and window panes and dust the bookshelves. You’ll be surprised at what a difference it’ll make, and how great you feel once you’re done!

Coca-Cola has teamed up with the advertising firm Ogilvy & Mather for a brilliant ad campaign. As part of their “Open Happiness” global marketing campaign, they’ve introduced a new Coca-Cola Hug Machine in Singapore.  As Leonardo O-Grady, ASEAN IMC Director for the Coca-Cola Company said,

“Happiness is contagious. The Coca-Cola Hug Machine is a simple idea to spread some happiness. Our strategy is to deliver doses of happiness in an unexpected, innovative way to engage not only the people present, but the audience at large.”

The new machine, at the National University of Singapore certainly lived up to the Coca-Cola “Open Happiness” mission.

As did this part of the marketing campaign delivered a few years ago.

Nice job Coca-Cola!

If you have yet to see this awe-inspiring snippet from Britain’s Got Talent, it’s time to do so.  With judges Simon Cowell, Carmen Electra, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams mesmorized, Charlotte Jaconelli performed Andrea Bocelli’s and Celine Dion’s “The Prayer” with rising star Jonathan Antoine.

Sadly, Jonathan revealed to the UK Sun that he has not been in school lately, as he’s been the butt of much bullying.  As he said, “I had a nervous breakdown back in October. At that point I left the school I was at and rejoined the school I was at previously in the New Year. But then I couldn’t handle at either, so I’m currently not at school but still enrolled. Me and school just don’t get on. That’s just the way it has always been. I’ve never felt right there. Ever since I was quite small I’ve had weight problems, and the bullying was related to that. People would be nasty about my weight and say nasty words.”

However, he is certainly worth watching. Let’s hope that Britain’s Got Talent allows Jonathan to turn a corner with his amazing talent.

Yesterday, April Fool’s Day, featured several celebrity gags, postings, videos and photos. One of the most admirable was undoubtedly the “I Predict…” short clip in support of ONE and its mission to bring the beginning of the end of AIDS by 2015.

Celebrities like Bono, AnnaLynne McCord, Ice-T and Casper Van Dien all participted in the campaign this April 1st.

The general belief is that the best amount of exercise to get in a week is 150 hours. Many would claim that this suggestion is in the fact what keeps them overweight or unhealthy, since finding even an hour or two of free time during the day is no small feat.

An amazing solution to this issue is the HIT workout, or High Intensity Training. This miracle worker helps the body lower blood sugar levels, release fatty acids, and improves both aerobic and anaerobic aptitudes within minutes.

This 3-4 minute form of exercise is not new. One HIT routine was developed in the nineties by Dr. Tabata of the National Institute of Fitness and Sports. He dictated a workout that merely included eight 20-second bursts of high activity with a 10-second pause between each one. In total, such a workout would take less than four minutes.

HIT workouts consist of exercises like squats, pushups, sit ups, lunges, ‘the plank’, crunches and dips. Done in quick succession, these drills will leave the body aching, shaking, sore and continuously burning calories. The body will continue to burn fat and strengthen muscles long after you shower and continue with your day.

The benefits of the HIT workouts are endless. They are short and do not require equipment, can be done as many times a week as possible, burn fat and strengthen the muscles, circulatory system and respiratory system, alleviate stress, boost your mood and focus and improve sleep. There is no excuse; finding a total of four minutes every week is no chore.

This is the season of engagements and weddings, and rightly so- what season is more romantic, pleasant and convenient than spring?

Outdoor ceremonies, beautiful wedding photos, beautiful flowers, colors, dresses, weather…. The works. Still, there are a few season-related problems that could arise that you should be prepared for when planning a spring event. Theknot.com lists a few.

The first are unexpected showers. Though spring is usually clear and sunny, don’t forget that the weather is still rather iffy through April and May, and rain is a possibility. For an outdoor wedding, be sure to use a rental with a rain policy. This arrangement will provide your event with a tent at the last minute, in case of weather emergencies. Hair and makeup can also be damaged from the moisture, so consider using waterproof war paint and perhaps even extensions or hairpieces to maintain your chosen style.

Another issue is mud, which can be a problem even if your wedding day is rain-free. For this, wear plastic bags around your shoes until the ceremony, and keep an instant stain remover stick on hand for a muddy hemline. Some couples even wear rain boots for a cute, easygoing effect.

Temperature issues can be easily resolved as well. For nights with a chill, post an email or Facebook notice alerting guests of the weather prediction. If you want to put in a bit more effort, have someone pick up a bunch of inexpensive shawls to set out in a basket for chilly guests. Windy conditions can be resolved by placing candles in glass hurricane holders, or buying pre-used candles. Battery operated candles, which give off an authentic flicker, are also a good option.

In contrast, spring afternoons can be hot and sunny. Parasols, handkerchiefs, cold packs, and ices are all great things to have on hand for the guests in this situation. Fondant icing for the cake is a must, because it holds up well in extreme temperatures, and hair that can be put up is also advised. Lastly, if your dress has sleeves, aim for an airy, mesh-like material.