Reiki

Reiki is a drug free healing method and a good way to keep up your health and good vibes by balancing your body and mind. Reiki releases pain and lines up your energies. Take a look: reiki-network.net and www.reikiry.fi [in Finnish]

Gentle Barn

I have never been there but I have seen some videos and read through their web pages... Just love the place and ideology and everything. Their mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and give sanctuary to abused animals and they are home to over 120 rescues. Their unique treatment philosophy rehabilitates animals and connects their stories of survival and healing to the personal experiences of at-risk and special needs children who have suffered physical, mental or emotional trauma. Through the interaction with their animals children learn reverence for all life, forgiveness, courage, strength, leadership skills, trust, empathy and kindness. So they are helping rescued animals as well as special needs kids! Love it! I definitely will visit that place as soon as I get myself to California... And it would be a lovely place to do some voluntary work, so hopefully I can do it - rather sooner than later. Take a look: www.gentlebarn.org and follow Gentle Barn on Twitter
[The pic of organic cow is drawn by very talented Seppo Leinonen www.seppo.net]

Animalia

Animalia works to enhance the recognition of animal rights as well as to improve the status and the wel-being of animals in our society. Animalia - A Federation for the Protection of Animals - is against any treatment, breeding and use of animals that causes suffering or prevents them from exhibiting their natural behaviour. Animalia is commited to persistent work for animals by focusing on campaigning, distributing information and influencing legislation, attitudes and practices. Take a look: www.animalia.fi

Friends of the Earth

Friends of the Earth International [FOEI] is the world's largest grassroots environmental network and they campaign on today's most urgent environmental and social issues. They challenge the current model of economic and corporate globalization, and promote solutions that will help to create environmentally sustainable and socially just societies. I'm a member of Friends of the Earth Finland and have participated some of their actions. I also always pay a voluntary flight fee when travelling by plane, to support their work for preventing the climate change. Take a look: www.foei.org, www.maanystavat.fi [in Finnish], lentomaksu.fi [in Finnish] and follow FOEI on Twitter

IFRC and The Finnish Red Cross

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies [IFRC] is the world's largest humanitarian organization, providing assistance without discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. The Federation's vision is to inspire, encourage, facilitate and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies, with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering, and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.
The Finnish Red Cross is one of the largest civic organisations in Finland. I have participated Operation Hunger Day as a volunteer collector, I have taken some first aid and CPR courses so I should be able to help if something happens to you and I donate blood as often as I'm able to. Take a look: www.ifrc.org, www.redcross.fi, learn about blood donation and follow IFRC on Twitter

PETA

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals [PETA] is the largest animal rights organization in the world. PETA focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time: on factory farms, in the clothing trade, in laboratories, and in the entertainment industry. Take a look: www.peta.org, buy some cute stuff and follow @peta on Twitter

CouchSurfing

CS is sooooo great. The very best way to get an accommodation and some local company when travelling. I have surfed in Finland, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria and Slovakia and I have hosted people from France, Australia, Belgium, Poland, Canada and Brazil. I only have positive and extra positive experiences. Take a look: www.couchsurfing.org and find me. Welcome to my couch. :)

The Nature League and The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation

During this week I'll introduce you some of my favourite organizations. The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation [FANC] is the largest non-governmental organization for environmental protection and nature conservation in Finland, and The Nature League is FANC's youth organization. I participated in The Nature League's summer camps and other activities a lot when I was younger. At first as a participant and later as a camp leader and a vegan chef. Tons of good memories - lovely friends, making kids familiar with the nature, good action for the environment, animal rights and sustainable development, campfires, good laughs... I learnt to appreciate nature, myself and all the other people and I'm so grateful for all that. Take a look: www.luontoliitto.fi [only in Finnish], www.sll.fi and follow The Nature League [Luonto-Liitto] on Twitter.

Bagdad Café

Like Amélie, Bagdad Café makes you smile and is one of those movies you want to watch again. Take a look: wikipedia.org

Amélie

Amélie is one of those movies which you just have to watch again every now and then. And everytime it makes you smile. Take a look: wikipedia.org

Hayao Miyazaki

Hayao Miyazaki makes only good movies. I admire his imagination and that great skill how he builds up facinating stories with all kind of interesting characters and deeper meanings. Take a look: wikipedia.org

The Lord of the Rings

I love the books as well as I love the movies. J.R.R. Tolkien created such a wonderful and fascinating world. Take a look: www.tolkien.co.uk and www.lordoftherings.net

Star Wars

Normally I don't like any violent movies with big fighting scenes etcetera but Star Wars is an exception. The older movies are great and I also do like episodes I, II and III. Princess Leia is my hero, idol and a true love. :) Take a look: www.starwars.com

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

The very best TV show EVER. So hilarious and so very good in so many ways. You have to see it yourself! The show is airing all over the world, almost in every country, and season 8 just started. I hope it will be airing in Finland too. Otherwise I may have to move... Take a look: ellen.warnerbros.com and follow @TheEllenShow on Twitter

Deepak Chopra

Some time ago I saw Deepak Chopra's interview on TV and got impressed by his wise words and good thoughts. Shortly after seeing that interview I bought 'Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul' and liked it a lot. That's one of those books everyone should read. Take a look: deepakchopra.com and Follow him on Twitter: @DeepakChopra

Moomin books

All Moomin books are soooo goooooood. If you haven't read any, you definitely should do it as soon as possible! I think my favourite is Moominsummer Madness. The books were originally written in Swedish and I have all books in Finnish and almost all in Swedish and in English. Tove Jansson, the author, was a lovely and multitalented lady and she has also illustrated the books. Take a look: www.moomin.com and www.moomintrove.com

Clipper

Another favourite brand of mine is Clipper. Yummy organic and Fairtrade teas. Take a look: www.clipper-teas.com

Simple

My favourite sneakers are made by Simple. They use recycled materials, organic cotton, hemp... and the shoes are also very cute and comfy. I highly recommend! Take a look: www.simpleshoes.com

Tempur

The one and only mattress which is really comfy and guarantees a goooood sleep. I have some problems with my lower back and Tempur is the only mattress I can really sleep on. I also have a Tempur pillow which I like a lot and I'm considering buying a travel set too. Take a look: www.tempur.com

Terhi Mickelsson ceramics

So cute! That bunny mug is my official coffee mug and I use it every day. Take a look: www.terhimickelsson.com

Lush

I just love all Lush products! Vegan friendly, handmade and organic cosmetics. I found Lush when I was travelling in Prague, Dresden, Vienna and Bratislava in 2008. Take a look: www.lush.com

Nooka

I think my theme for this week is to introduce some of my favourite brands to you and I start with Nooka. Lovely products. I have two watches and a belt. Take a look: www.nooka.com

Today

I had a nice walk in the woods with my adorable part-time doggy Nipsu.