A leader in all-inclusive resorts throughout Mexico and Mexico has never been so affordable. Visit Mazatlan, Cozumel Island or Cancun. 

For families there are several kids stay and eat free packages. Save even more if you book airfare and hotel accommodations together.  Plus all the families’ meals and beverages are included.

There are also offers where you can stay in one place and play in four area hotels. So, see yourself this year on the white sand beaches of Mexico with that Margarita in hand and the small ones playing in the surf.

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El Cid Vacations

You could help clean up a local park or maybe plant an empty field with wildflower seeds. You could make a pact to recycle all of your recyclables, or a promise to always bag your doggie’s droppings. You might want to join with a group and undertake a big clean-up project, or make a commitment to keeping the earth greener every day, by joining one of the many organizations that need regular volunteer help. Whether you donate money, your time, or you just spend a day without polluting, you will be giving Mother Earth a present that ensures she will be healthy and able to sustain us and our fellow citizens of the planet for many more years. I know the planet and all the other creatures and plants that share her with us, will appreciate your gesture.

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Plant Wildflowers In Honor Of Mother Earth

However, one thing that travelers may notice upon landing in Hawaii is the lack of casinos. If you’re someone whose idea of fun is rolling the dice, shuffling your cards and challenging Lady Luck, then the lack of casinos in Hawaii may be a bit bothersome for you. Indeed, many Hawaii visitors have wondered why there aren’t any casino establishments on the island, or at least, not legitimate ones.

The reason why there are no casinos in Hawaii is because state laws prohibit any form of gambling—from casinos to lotteries. Any person who assists in any type of gambling activity will be punished by the law.

Hawaii is one of two states in the US that has not legalized gambling, the other being the state of Alaska. Recently, Hawaiian lawmakers have been engaging in a debate about the legalization of gambling on the island and this includes having online casinos that are like Caesars online.

These lawmakers know well that legalizing gambling would certainly increase the funds of the island. In the end, however, the decision was reached to continue the ban on gambling. Religious groups, law enforcement agencies and social organizations insisted that allowing gambling in Hawaii would smear the island’s reputation for being a pristine and family-friendly destination.

Now that gambling on the island continues to be illegal, lawmakers are yet to find a way to boost Hawaii’s dwindling bank account. A land-based gambling industry would have brought the island and substantial $500 million increase, not to mention the numerous jobs that it can create.

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Gambling Continues to be Illegal in Hawaii

Each and every one of us has an obligation to safeguard our environment as a legacy that we are going to leave to our children and grandchildren. If all of us pitch in and do our bit, the collective impact on the environment can be quite staggering. Every little act counts. For instance, if you want to send picture postcards to friends and relatives when you are on vacation in Switzerland, all you need is to select your favorite photograph and upload to a responsible online printer. The printer will produce beautiful environmentally friendly postcards that you can be proud of.

Even businesses can take advantage of producing direct marketing collateral such as postcards of brochures by using green online printing. Without any compromise on the quality, businesses can fulfill their social obligation agenda. Here is how you can go green on eco-friendly postcards:

-print your postcards on 100 percent recycled matte paper stock. The matte paper provides excellent reproduction of colors and shades so that you can achieve outstanding quality while demonstrating your environmental friendliness.

-use soy inks for printing. Soy inks emit far fewer volatile organic chemicals than conventional printing inks and do not, therefore, cause much pollution. There is absolutely no compromise on quality as soy inks can reproduce colors faithfully and with brilliance.

-Use electronic proofs where possible: in many situations, it is true that an electronic proof is no substitute for a hardcopy paper proof where you can check out the product as it is actually going to look. But there are instances such as minor text corrections where you can replace paper with electronic proofs and thus avoid wastage.

-Recycle all old postcards: throwing away old postcards simply adds to the trash around you. Recycling also makes business sense since many municipal garbage collection services will take away material for recycling for free but charge you for other forms of garbage collection.

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Using Green Postcards Intelligently

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Green Travel

If you have an unruly dog that refuses to do his business in a spot where you want him to, then you must be very familiar with those yellow ugly grass spots caused by dog urine, especially that of a female dog. In your search for a solution to such problems, you’ve probably come across plenty of solutions that all promise to treat those problem spots. However, the best remedy for your problem may be as simple as installing a water source in your front lawn. Constantly watering your entire lawn, especially those burn spots, will stimulate the green grass to grow and proliferate.

Finding out the root of the problem may also save your green lawn once and for all. Those burns in your lawn are actually caused by the high nitrogen content in your dog’s urine. Talk to your veterinarian about modifying your dog’s diet to decrease the nitrogen in his system.

Most dog owners think that they can say goodbye to green grass once they’ve acquired a dog. However, all you may need to do is purchase a different type of grass seeds that will let you grow beautiful green grass that will not be destroyed by your canine companion. Among all the types of grass, Bermuda grass is considered to be one of the most durable that will be able to survive the heavy traffic of both feet and paws across your lawn.

If you’ve always wanted to plant pretty flowers in your lawn or grow edible fruits but have never gotten around to it because of your dog or cat, then fences are the right solution for you. Picket fences that are made of wood are particularly charming and can make your home look like a luxurious summer inn from an English countryside.

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Creating a Dog-Friendly Lawn

 Ancient Hawaiians built agricultural terraces out of lava rock and planted cultivars of kalo (taro), an important cultural food crop.

It is located on the most northern section of the North Shore of Kauai at the end of the highway.  Set in a narrow valley framed by soaring cliffs, just on the other side of the Na Pali trail.
 
The ancient Hawaiians developed their ahupua`a system of resource management as a means to live sustainably in an island ecosystem. This system recognized the interconnection between the mountains and the ocean, and the roles that fresh water played in linking the two.
 
In the 1800’s, the valley fell under the ownership of an absentee landlord. Subsequent reforestation of cleared lands was accomplished by introducing faster growing non-native trees, which overwhelmed the less aggressive native species.
 
In 1967, Limahuli Valley was assigned to Juliet Rice Wichman, a member of the Hui who had long recognized the need to preserve and protect Limahuli. She immediately removed the cattle and began developing a garden. Land was cleared, gravel roads were installed, and restoration work to the taro terraces started. In 1976, she gifted the lower part of the Valley, now known as Limahuli Garden, to the National Tropical Botanical Garden, and upon her death left the nearly 1,000 remaining acres to one of her grandsons, Chipper Wichman.
In 1994, Wichman gave his acreage to the National Tropical Botanical Garden, forming Limahuli Garden and Preserve.

We took the walking tour and towards the top of valley and shot the video below to provide a visual feel for the tropical splendor of the gardens.

Find out more about the botanical gardens on the North and South shores of Kauai by visiting:
http://ntbg.org/

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Limahuli Garden – Living Sustainably in an Island Ecosystem

September is a wonderful time to visit the islands.  The weather usually cooperates and the seas tend to be calm. With children just starting school, it is an especially romantic time for couples to enjoy the less crowded conditions and peaceful surroundings. Membership in the Pacific Whale Foundation comes with special discounts and V.I.P. priority boarding making this dinner cruise an affordable and pleasant experience.

Our cruise took off just before sunset and we sat outside with a slight tropical breeze cooling the evening air. Dinner is buffet, but you do nothing, but relax and allow the crew to pamper you with excellent service. The menu accommodates most palates and lifestyles, from vegetarian to steak lovers. The buffet allows to you sample some of everything, all you have to do is ask.

The Ocean Discovery is the newest catamaran and is custom designed for a smooth ride and an optional premium seating can be arranged for a reserved table. Drinks are included except for a few premium choices. The menu features locally grown foods and eco-friendly disposable glasses for on-board safety.  Appetizers were Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip with Hand-Rolled Breadsticks and a Caesar Salad. The main courses were a choice of one or more of the following: All-natural Maui Cattle Co. Top Sirloin Steaks with Maui Onion Burgundy Sauce, Grilled Teriyaki Chicken, Vegetable and Tofu Stir-Fry with Zesty Black Bean Sauce (my favorite) and Basil Pasta Al Fresco with Fresh Tomatoes. All excellently prepared and presented.

There is one more bonus to enjoy from December 17 through April 23 and that is a whale-sighting guarantee. So, if you want to score points with your significant other, Greener Living Today recommends you’ll be glad you chose the best eco-friendly dinner cruise out of Lahaina harbor.

Author Notes:
Elaine Webster is a regular contributor to Greener Living Today.

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Pacific Whale Foundation Sunset Dinner Cruise

Based in Hawaii, with offices and retail outlets on Maui, they offer eight different trips on seven vessels.  We chose September to make our trip because of the good weather and fewer crowds. It worked out perfectly.  Most excursions were about thirty percent full, so there was plenty of room to spread out with maximum time in the water.  I recommend becoming a Pacific Whale Foundation member several months before your trip. This allows ample time for receiving the membership package, which includes one free ticket for a Whalewatch (check for seasonal dates) or Wild Dolphin Encounter Cruise. You also save 25% on all Eco-Adventures, 15% discounts at the retail stores and V.I.P priority boarding.

The first excursion was an all day (eight hour) snorkeling trip to the Molokini crater and then on to Lanai. Included was a light breakfast on the way to Molokini, a full lunch as you crossed the channel to Lanai, drinks, and snacks after the last snorkel.  Captain Jeremy, a Tennessee transplant, expertly maneuvered the Ocean Voyager inside both locations and instead of dropping anchor, hooked to permanent underwater moorings. We dropped off the back (or slid down the slide) into clear water for a least an hour of exploration at each place.  Safety was paramount, with the crew watching and guiding our movements. Neoprine tops are optionally available for a $10 fee, adding warmth and comfort in the water. Especially fun was the crewmember lead underwater snorkeling “tour” off the coast of Lanai. As we bobbed up and down in a group, Jackson, the first mate, native to North Carolina, pointed out the subtleties of the area and directed our attention towards easily missed sea life.

Equally charming was Jenn, a naturalist from Wisconsin, who managed to give an informational talk, along with visual aids, while balancing expertly on the front deck without a microphone.  I bet she can rub her head and pat her tummy at the same time, too!

There are a myriad of choices in Maui for ocean exploration.  The Pacific Whale Foundation does an equally good or better job of entertaining their guests. By sailing with them you support a nonprofit organization that does so much more than just tourist cruises.  Greener Living today highly recommends checking them out on your next trip to Maui.

Author Notes:
Elaine Webster is a regular contributor to Greener Living Today.

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Molokini & Lanai Wild Dolphin & Snorkel Adventure