This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of PBM Products. All opinions are 100% mine.

When it comes to caring for and feeding our little ones, I will always choose the best quality that I can find. Of course, although this is my top priority, I will look for the best prices as long as it does not compromise the quality of the product. And since I look for Organic products, I am quite pleased to note that PBM Products recently introduced the first nationally distributed, organic infant formula with DHA and ARA produced without pesticides, added growth hormones, and antibiotics. This means that the milk in this organic baby formula comes from cows that are fed organic feed, raised with access to the outdoors, and raised without antibiotics or growth hormones.

I find it interesting to note that PBM recently won a $13.5 million false advertising judgment against Mead Johnson. According to a News release, PBM’s lawsuit claimed that Mead Johnson engaged in false and misleading campaigns against PBM’s competing store-brand of infant formulas, suggesting they do not provide the same nutrition as Mead Johnson’s brands. PBM’s store-brand infant formulas cost up to 50 percent less than Enfamil® LIPIL®. U.S. District Court Judge James R. Spencer supported a November 10 jury verdict and in his written ruling permanently enjoined Mead Johnson from making future false advertising claims against PBM and store-brand infant formulas.

“This decision by a jury of the people confirms that Mead Johnson’s ads have been false in suggesting that there is a nutritional difference between our store-brand formula products and their products, when in fact the only major difference is price,” said PBM CEO Paul B. Manning. “Despite Mead Johnson’s scare tactics, parents are assured that PBM’s formula products are as high quality and nutritious as Mead Johnson’s.”

Truth be told, the high cost of baby formula can put quite a dent in our pocketbooks, and we can save hundreds of dollars in a single year, without compromising the quality of our babies nutrition. PBM’s store-brand formulas (including those sold at leading retailers such as Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreens, and many others) cost up to 50% less than Enfamil® LIPIL® and allow parents to save as much as $600 per year on their formula purchases. This is certainly nothing to sneeze at!

Personally, as a parent and grandparent, I find this is really great news, and would be happy to pass this along to family and friends!

I am proud to live in the beautiful State of Oregon. My family and I enjoy our natural surroundings and lovely forests. To walk amongst the great trees brings my heart so much joy! It would be a terrible tragedy to destroy the delicate ecosystem in which we Oregonians have fought so hard to protect. Please read the letter below from Oregon Wild to see the danger our Oregon forests face today…

Dear Teri,

Last fall, we told you about Oregon’s 10 Most Endangered Places. Coming in at #8 on the list were the Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests, threatened by a proposal to ramp up clear-cut logging.

Now, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is set to approve this logging increase, and they need to hear from you! Tell them our state forests are vital for the salmon, wildlife, clean water, and recreational opportunities they provide!

Write a letter to ODF today and tell them to protect clean water, salmon, and recreation opportunities in our state forests.

Oregon prides itself on protecting its natural heritage, but what is being done to our state forests should be an embarrassment to every Oregonian. Instead of a legacy of abundant wildlife and clean water, we are leaving our children a heritage of clear cuts, mud slides, and wrecked rivers.

For decades, all forests in Oregon (including the Tillamook, Clatsop, Elliot, and Santiam state forests) were managed primarily for industrial timber production. As a result, most of our old-growth is gone and the species that rely on complex native forests are still vanishing.

Finally, in the 1990s, forest managers began using science to determine how their logging activities would impact things like salmon populations and water quality. Not surprisingly, clear-cutting doesn’t do wildlife and favors and doesn’t keep streams more pristine. Recognizing this, ODF refocused some of their management plans towards restoring more old-growth forest habitat, calling for an even 50/50 split between timber emphasis and forest protection.

Now, they plan to do away with any sense of balance and ramp up clear-cutting on up to 70 percent of State Forest land.

We need to tell them that protecting only 30 percent of our state forests isn’t enough. Write a letter before the January 29th comment deadline here.

With approximately 50% of Oregon’s forests in private hands (and subject to a constant rotation of industrial logging), it is imperative that we protect the small portion of forest land that we all own as Oregonians.

Thanks for standing up for the Tillamook and other state forests.

For wild forests,
Sean Stevens
Communications Associate
Oregon Wild

Salmon survival is at stake in the ODF decision to ramp up clear-cutting. (photo courtesy Wild Salmon Center)

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Birdfeeders.com. All opinions are 100% mine.

My daughter and I simple love to observe nature in her many forms. As part of our daily lessons in Life, we spend a lot of time enjoying being a part of nature, as well as learning all we can about the natural world. Our observance bring us new respect, and an understanding of how to walk through this Life without creating a negative influence.

We especially enjoy viewing the flying creatures which seem to flock wherever we travel. And we are simply amazed with how many different birds visit the trees and bushes which surround our home. It is wonderful to observe the hawks which fly so high amongst the trees, and the pesky crows which love to torment these graceful avians.

Yet I must say that is quite delightful to look and listen to the tiny birds, especially the sweet and beautiful chickadees and the sparrows which love to chatter to each other as they forage. I am quite certain I have identified correctly the Red-Breasted Nuthatch as well, and it is quite lovely to listen as the beautiful males serenade the females. Just trying to identify the different bird calls is a wonderful experience. If you have ever taken advantage of a quiet early morning, you would know exactly what I mean. One can hear their different voices as they communicate in a world in which many humans seem to take for granted. Such times are to be treasured for the gifts they bring to our spirits.

I must admit that my favorite experiences have been when my daughter and I camp upon the Sacred lands of our people. During this time we are not distracted by outside modern noises which seem to drown out the lovely songs which surround us. To hear them call out to each other, and listen for the reply as we try to identify them, is a game my daughter and I never grow tired of. And the humming birds are so very amazing to observe in all their tiny glory! We also delight in the feathered flights of the pretty little Orioles.

Which brings me to a great idea of the perfect gift for someone special who loves to observe our fine feathered friends. Bird feeders not only bring these sweet little beauties into our personal spheres, they also offer a great treat during the cold months of scarcity to those tiny ones in search of a meal.

Personally, I would choose a gift from the Whimsical Collection of Bird Feeders, yet one may also be interested in the Heritage Collection of Bird Feeders or the Nautical Collection of Bird Feeders.

On January 20th the Senate is scheduled to vote on an amendment that would dismantle the Clean Air Act as a tool for tackling global warming. Urge your senators to oppose the Murkowski amendment, and remind your senators that we depend on the Clean Air Act to protect our health and environment.

The Clean Air Act has effectively regulated some of the most dangerous pollutants for the past 40 years. This amendment would put public health at risk and jeopardize long-overdue action to hold the biggest polluters accountable, reduce America’s oil dependence and jump-start a vibrant clean energy economy.

The Supreme Court has ruled that the Clean Air Act is a tool for tackling the pollution that causes global warming, and President Obama has begun acting — with clean car standards and clean-up requirements for power plants and factories — to protect our health and our climate.

A vote for the Murkowski amendment is a step backward for public health, for protecting our planet, and for our children’s future. It would put our communities at risk, undermine the new clean energy economy and overrule sound scientific decisions.

Instead of standing in the way of progress, Congress should move this year to enact the energy and climate legislation the country needs to build a clean energy economy, create jobs and protect the environment.

Please visit NRDC’s Action Fund today, for more information on how you can do your part to prevent this disasterous attempt to weaken the Clean Air Act. Time is running out, and we need to act Now!

Tell your senators to vote NO on Murkowski’s Dirty Air Act!

Note – This Action is for US Residents only! Do not act if you do not have a US Address.

Sumatran Tigers are the smallest sub-species, and they are critically endangered with around 350 tigers left in the wild. The Sumatran Tiger, as its name suggests, is found only on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia.

Sumatran Tigers are distinctive for being the only subspecies to live in isolation on a large island they have been isolated from their cousins on mainland Asia for over 10,000 years; this happened after a rise in sea level.

At the turn of the 20th century, there were three subspecies of tiger in Indonesia – the Bali tiger (on Bali) the Javan tiger (Java) and the Sumatran. Today both the Bali and Javan tigers are EXTINCT and only the Sumatran tiger survives.

Sumatra prior to 1900 was largely covered in primary forest and the tiger was more or less found throughout the entire island. Today just 100 years later its distribution has become fragmented and substantially reduced. Although found in all the islands eight provinces in highly populated areas such as the provinces of North Sumatra and Lampung, the animal has been squeezed out. It is sad to not that only about 350 wild Sumatran tigers are believed to exist, primarily in the island’s five national parks.

Greatest Threats

Today the greatest threat to the Sumatran Tiger is Man. In Sumatra, tiger habitat is shrinking fast with timber resources being exploited on a large scale. The tiger in Sumatra faces precarious prospects if its present distribution continue to be substantially reduced and populations become small, fragmented and isolated from one another. Loss of their natural habitat often leads tigers to move into settled areas in search of food, where they then encounter problems.

Tiger poaching and the illegal trading of tiger parts and products is one of the most immediate threats to the Sumatran tiger. Chinese medicine has spread throughout Asia. Nearly every part of the tiger is reported to have healing properties from the eyeball-a treatment for epilepsy to the whiskers – a cure for tooth ache.

Symbolic History of the Tiger

Tigers (and all other carnivores) are descended from civet-like animals called miacids that lived alongside the DINOSAURS about 60 million years ago. Fossil remains have been found which put the tiger in Indonesia 2 million years ago

Images of tigers have been discovered as far back as 1700 B.C. (4,000 years ago) and throughout history the tiger has been a symbol of both power and strength. Used as executioners in Asian courts; for entertainment in European gladiatorial combats; and as a status symbol for monarchs.

Tigers have long been thought to hold some mystical, supernatural power. The shang people of China believed tigers (lau hu) were messengers between the human and spirit world, images of tigers were placed upon tombs to warn off evil spirits. In the Hindu religion Shiva the destroyer rides a tiger (Bagh) and wears a tiger skin, followers of Buddah ride tigers to show their supernatural ability to overcome evil. Forest dwellers of India built shrines and temples to worship them, Islam followers in Sumatra believe tigers (rimau) punish sinners on behalf of Allah.

Captive Tigers in Zoos

Approximately 361 captive Sumatran Tigers live in zoos around the world. In addition to the 119 Sumatran tigers living in Indonesian zoos, there are 73 tigers managed by North American zoos, 98 in European zoos, and 2 8in Australasian zoos. (Source International Tiger Studbook – courtesy of Zoological Society of London)

More Information about Donations

If you feel inclined to help the survival of these wondrous and beautiful wild creatures, you may visit the Sumatran Tiger Trust, and become a proud foster parent of a wild Sumatran Tiger.

100% of money raised finances tiger monitoring, habitat preservation, community development, anti poaching patrols, park ranger training and the purchase of essential field equipment. (Activities managed under the Sumatran Tiger Conservation Programme, a collaborative conservation partnership with the Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation (PHKA) of the Indonesian Department of Forestry.)
It is this field equipment – notably remote cameras that have provided us with these magnificent rare shots of these otherwise elusive wild, free animals going about their daily lives within Sumatra’s National Parks.

Your generosity will entitle you to a certificate of adoption, complete with a photograph of your chosen tiger. Also, we promise to keep you informed of your tigers progress and update you on sightings and in recognition of your support will add your name to the roll of honor to be displayed in the park and on the website.

My greatest love in the natural world is that of horses. I have a special affinity with these beautiful animals, and have had some very great experiences with the equines in my life. It has been brought to my attention that America’s wild mustangs are in serious danger, and there is no time to lose in helping them to survive. This is not a natural danger, but a man made one. Disappointment Valley exposes mismanagement and corruption within the Bureau of Land Management. Please watch the following video, which includes heartfelt concerns, and a call for action from Viggo Mortensen and Sheryl Crow…

For more vital information on how you can help, please visit –> The American Wild Horse today. There is no time for delay, as this is happening now, and horses are dying.

Without our help, these beautiful, wild, and noble creatures will no longer exist. They have been our friends and helpers since ancient times… is this really how we will repay these great hearts that have helped us so much? I am not willing to accept this. We need to take action, sign the petitions, and make some phone calls.. let our voices be heard in this outrage!

Some numbers to call – 1) Call President Obama (202-456-1111) and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar (202-208-3100)