attack of the killer.... mosquito?

A couple days ago my friend Troy posed a great question on his facebook. He asked "Does anyone have a cause that they would like more people to be aware of? Something that moves your heart? Something that stirs your soul? Let me know!" What a great question! I of course told him, "How much time do you have because we need to sit down and chat about this." During the past couple of years, I have been researching different causes, movements and organizations around the world that I'm wanting to get more involved in. I've loved learning about each and every one of them and want to find more ways to spread the awareness of each cause. Some that have sparked the most interest in me are ones like Mocha Club, Invisible Children, Blood:Water Mission, Global Support Mission, International Justice Mission, Compassion International,  To Write Love on Her Arms, Falling Whistles and Got Your Back Movement (to name a few :)

One movement that I became aware of recently through Twitter, called Nothing But Nets, is hosting a sleep out on April 24 in L.A., NYC, DC, Seattle, Philly and Nashville to end Malaria. Nothing But Nets is a global, grassroots campaign used to raise awareness and funding to combat malaria, one of the largest killers of children in Africa. With a $10 contribution, Nothing But Nets provides individuals the opportunity to join the global fight against malaria by sending a net and saving a life.

Have you ever stopped to think about how much harm one mosquito can actually do? For us, they are just the tiny insects buzzing around hoping to latch on for a quick bite, it's more annoying that anything.  But for others, if bit, could mean life or death. If you never saw Malaria as being a huge threat to the human population, especially those in developing countries, think again. Malaria is directly affecting and blocking the movement of the Millenium Development Goals (pictured above), which are the eight goals to be achieved by 2015 that respond to the world's main development challenges. 

Fact: Malaria is preventable, but causes nearly 500 million illnesses each year and kills more than 1 million of those who become infected.

Fact: Ninety percent of deaths caused by malaria occur in Africa, where the disease is a leading killer of children. Every 30 seconds a child in Africa dies from malaria.

Fact: Malaria is the #1 killer of refugees in Africa. Two-thirds of the 33 million refugees worldwide live in malaria endemic countries.

According to Malaria Progress: In addition to the human toll malaria exacts, the economic and social impacts are also devastating: Sick children miss school, tourism suffers, and foreign investment is stifled. Annual economic loss in Africa due to malaria is estimated to be $12 billion, representing a crippling 1.3 percent annual loss in GDP growth in endemic countries. Malaria becomes a self-perpetuating problem, where the disease prevents the human and economic capital necessary to bring the disease under control. Moreover, malaria disproportionately affects the rural poor who can neither afford a bed net for prevention, nor access appropriate treatment when they fall sick.

The thing that is most sad to me is how preventable a lot of these diseases and deaths are, it's just a matter of knowing how you can help/get involved. But I think because those in the US are not directly affected by these situations, we don't take it as seriously as one should. Universal bed net coverage is the most effective malaria prevention tool there is, and as little as a $10 dollar donation, you could save a life. You could skip one night out at the movies or two Starbucks stops and start to put a dent in the 1 million deaths occuring ever year. Even if you can't afford the $10, the least you can do is join one of the sleep outs happening on April 24 and/or sign the Petition for Congress to show our world leaders in a very public and meaningful way that we care about ending malaria deaths in Africa.

For those living locally in Nashville, check out the 20 for 10 Campaign from When the Night Comes. Better late then never :)

going barefoot for those growing up barefoot.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to grow up without your every day necessities-whether it be food, shelter or even something as small as shoes? Im guessing that most of us living in America take these things for granted. But could you imagine having to worry about the ground you walk on, being aware of every step you take, fearing you may cut or bruise yourself from the terrain & environment. Not only could infection and disease set in, but what happens in extreme heat or cold? For some, a day without shoes is normal. But it shouldn't be...

That is what today is all about. April 8th marks "One Day Without Shoes." This day is the day we spread awareness about the impact one pair of shoes can have on a someone’s life. Today, TOMS shoes is asking people to go one day, part of the day or even just a few minutes, barefoot, to experience first-hand what life would be like without shoes, while inspiring others at the same time. To know how big of an issue this is, here are some hard facts on how hard it is without shoes:

• In some developing nations, children must walk for miles to school, clean water and to seek medical help.
• Cuts and sores on feet can lead to serious infection.
• Often, children cannot attend school barefoot.
• In Ethiopia, approximately one million people are suffering from Podoconiosis, a debilitating and disfiguring disease caused by walking barefoot in volcanic soil.
• Podoconiosis is 100% preventable with basic foot hygiene and wearing shoes.

Blake Mycoskie, founder and chief shoe giver of TOMS Shoes, says the problem is big, but the solution is quite easy. By wearing a pair of shoes and practicing basic hygiene, they can prevent infection, disease and even death.

Blake started TOMS with one thing in mind: to give one pair of new shoes to a child in need around the world with every pair he sold. The One for One business model has encouraged consumers to purchase and give more than 400,000 pairs of new shoes to children in need (around the world & in the US) in just 4 years. I was lucky enough to be able to attend a speaking engagement Blake hosted at Vanderbilt University last month and I can say after that night I was all on board. If you haven't heard of TOMS or Blake's story, I definitely encourage you to research it. As someone who has a heart for serving others and working with nonprofits, I was encouraged by what Blake is doing and how he is doing it.

So let's recap, what can you do today to help those without shoes? You can research Blake Mycoskie & TOMS shoes and help in spreading awareness of such a large issue with a simple solution; you can give a pair of new shoes to a child in need by buying a sweet pair of TOMS (One for One); and at some point today, you can go barefoot to show "It's hard without shoes."

peepshi-the sweet sushi treat

Easter is the holiday that most people associate with candy treats like jelly beans, Cadbury eggs and the sugary coated marshmellow confections know as Peeps. Now I know many of you like to eat these little chicks and bunnies just as they are or chocolate coated, but what about sushi style? If you're looking to impress your guests this Sunday with something more grown up than just eggs filled with candy, try your skills at Peepshi. (It may even give you a fun practice run before you venture out and try making the real deal-sushi!)

This sticky little receipe only calls for Peeps (generally 6-9 count), 1 box of Rice Krispie Treats, 1 box of Fruit by the Foot and 1 large sharp knife (preferably a cleaver). To find a step by step (w/pictures) recipe on how to create these little rolls, check out How to Make Peepshi = Peeps Sushi 

*Warning this may cause serious sugar comas!

Happy Easter to all you chicks and dudes!