This is totally random, but I REALLY wanted to share these amazing videos I took while visiting Blue Springs State Park the weekend before last with my family. Because of the cooler weather in Central Florida recently, manatees were flocking to the warm springs at Blue Springs by the dozens – at one time, I think I counted up to about 20, but there were definitely more around, hiding in the brush.

I grew up in Central Florida and went on many field trips to Blue Springs, but hadn’t been back to see the manatees since I left in 1986, but my father still lives there, so my fiancée and I took the opportunity to pick up his son and head over to the park with my father and step-mom. Here’s one of the videos I took (it was quite possibly the most beautiful day ever!):

httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rATQVRGjUt0

and another:

httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot3oQAtDTl4

The thing that was so awesome about seeing the manatees this time, was that I didn’t see one whose back was scarred and cut up from boat propellers. When I was younger, and visited the park for school, we would hardly ever see one whose back WASN’T scarred, maybe only the very young ones hadn’t had run-ins with boats yet. Boats near the state park protected area are supposed to slow down, or idle their motors passing through, so as not to injure or kill manatees, and it seems to be working (although while there, I did witness a larger boat moving through very fast…).

Anyway, it was such a wonderful opportunity – my fiancée and his son had never seen manatee before, so it was very cool for them to have a chance to see so many, and for me to be able to share it with them. If you ever have a chance to visit Blue Springs in the winter time (maybe while you’re there at Disney World?), definitely go – you will not be sorry! Just check with the state park beforehand to see if there have been many recent manatee sightings…

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Alternative Consumer
Comfy and fashionable, biodegradable booties in natural rubber for your four-legged friend.

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Remember the Rainforest When Shopping with Your Envirosax + EXCLUSIVE GIVEAWAY!

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Review and exclusive giveaway of all-natural flower essences sprays by Nectar Essences

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I just have to give a quick shout-out and some love to one of my favorite eco-blogs: Ethical Style. Although they cover mostly eco-fashion and related subjects, they always manage to find obscure but poignant subjects to write about, and their analysis is spot-on. I nearly always feel compelled to comment on these posts, as I did today on two (I was catching up..):

“Skinny Bitch” no friend of Environmentalists, Manolo Blahnik
Shoppers in ’09: Too Broke to Buy Green? – now you guys KNOW how I feel about that subject LOL!

Ethical Style also produces an online “magazine” every month – which is also very good, but I really enjoy the blog more (and you can’t comment on the magazine articles).

I so enjoy reading Ethical Style – mostly for the irreverent style and totaly honesty of the writers (I can relate to that), and that they’re not afraid to discuss controversial issues.  oh, and also for the fashion.

Do you have a favorite eco-blog? Please share, I love to read new stuff!!!

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Alternative Consumer
Sustainable is sexy.

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NEWSFLASH: Brand New Organic Beauty Mag Hits Newsstands Before Year End {Plus EXCLUSIVE Interview With Editor-In-Chief}

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Alternative Consumer
Trendy Fashion Victim Altert: how to slow it down

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Eco Chick shows you how to rock an ugly Christmas sweater.

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The Green Girls.tv interviews eco-fashion designer Nicole Facciuto

Green Glam Girl
Green Glam Girl sings the praises of the Goody Green Bag

Victoria Everman
Anti-Body all-natural beauty products review, discount code, and giveaway!

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Alternative Consumer
Look and feel great while delivering that eco message.

Eco-Chick
Eco-Chick tells you how to keep away the stink–the natural way!

Fashion, Evolved
Fashion, evolved is drooling over the 100% sustainable and ethical jewelry by Dawes Design.

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Amala Beauty :: An Intersection Of Purity & Luxury {+ $152 Giveaway!!!}

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The Green Girls
The Green Girls.tv has a fun video that teaches you how to make cute sandals out of an old bicycle tire!

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Eco Chick introduces us to Dr. Alkaitis Therapeutic Skin Food.

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60 Natural, Organic, Eco-Friendly Stocking Stuffers $6 And Under (LOTS of affordable eco-beauty buys!)

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From Somewhere Grabs Designer of the Year at RE: Fashion UK

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Neon Collective for vegan-only fashion
New online boutique features ethically made shoes and handbags for the fashion-focused female

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A hand made statement
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Eco Chick reviews E magazine’s Eco Luxe Issue

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2 Green Giveaways from NewBornMom
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Fig+Sage: Spirit Beauty Lounge Launches & Offer 20% Off To Our Readers
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Another week…Another roundup of fabulous posts by my partners at Eco-Chic Weekly…

Charity begins in the wardrobe…
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