Founded by former Miss Florida and Miss Florida USA Jenna Edwards (pictured above), The For A Day Foundation (formerly Queen for a Day) is a non-profit organization that offers quality of life services to pediatric cancer patients through positive attention and self-confidence building activities. QFAD has been featured on Oprah and in People.

Jenna hosted a fundraising mixer at ZENGA in New York to launch the foundation’s New York chapter, and I was happy to support her. While there, I met Miss Gloucester County Kaitlin Davis who had just competed in the Miss New Jersey (MAO) pageant.

To learn more about how you can support The For A Day Foundation, visit qfad.org.

My friend Ruby Veridiano is one of three finalists vying for the coveted position as Alicia Keys’ head blogger on IAmASuperwoman.com. Ruby is an author, blogger, arts educator, media personality and was voted one of the 100 Most Influential Filipinas in the United States by the National Filipina Women’s Network. Wow! It doesn’t get much more super than Ruby!

Ruby included me in her blog post about why Meatless Monday is such an easy way for us to help the planet and improve our health. Stunningly, more than half of the water used in our country is used to raise animals for food. As Ruby explains, giving up meat only one day a week can make a huge impact. I am very passionate about Meatless Monday as a solution to some of the greatest environmental challenges of our day, and it is my platform as I represent our state as Miss Earth New York.

Let Ruby know that you’re ready to meat us in the middle and join the Meatless Monday movement. And be sure to tell Ms. Alicia Keys why you think my girl Ruby should be the voice of IAmASuperWoman.com!

Even cooler, I get invited to many of Do Something’s awesome events like the Do Something Awards Kick Off Event at the world famous Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York. If you can believe it, I have actually never been to the Apollo before, and so I was totally awestruck thinking about all of the acts that have graced the stage over the decades. Um, Michael Jackson anyone?

My friend Anabel (pictured above) joined me to watch Do Something narrow down their 15 phenomenal finalists down to five nominees. The nominees each win a $10,000 grant, and one will be the ultimate $100,000 winner at the Do Something Awards this August in Los Angeles. It’ll be on VH1 so you don’t want to miss it!

Lots of celebs were on hand to help announce the nominees. I love it when stars like Tristan Wilds from “90210″ (pictured above) take the time out to support organizations like Do Something. The Backstreet Boys (pictured below) were there to perform their new single “Bigger” and another little song that you may have heard of before called “I Want It That Way.”  My throat hurt from screaming so much! And when I wasn’t busy screaming my lungs out, I basically wasn’t breathing. I feel like I can finally close the book on my dreams from teendom now that I’ve seen the Backstreet Boys perform live!

And finally, the Do Something Awards nominees were announced (pictured below) at the end of the evening, and they really couldn’t have selected five more dynamic young people. I was excited to be the same building with so many young people that are changing the world!

As part of the film’s crew as a production assistant, I was naturally really excited to see the final cut. And might I add, it never stops being exciting seeing your name scrolling in the credits!

The cast took the stage post-screening (as pictured above) to answer questions from the crowd. That’s Flavio flailing his arms on the far right of the stage. The film’s other stars were Siobhan Fallon, Melvin Shrebnick, Beau Hauser and Richard Scott. Look out for “The Secret Friend” at all of the major film festivals this year.

For more on “The Secret Friend” and its cast and crew, visit thesecretfriendmovie.com.

Get a good look at our banner. Isn’t it phenom? I sketched out the design on a sticky note but it was actually my cousin Kenneth that executed the whole thing. Great job, Kenny!

I also volunteered at the registration tent, where I met an amazing guy named Joe (pictured with me below) and his family. Joe’s son Frankie started the team Joe’s Kidney Beans and they have raised thousands of dollars over the last three years. A kidney disease survivor, Joe put a real face to the disease that affects 26 million Americans.

The event was emceed by Fox 5 New York‘s Andrea Day and Dr. Sapna Parikh, and they gave Team Miss Earth New York a huge shout out! Grizz from the NBC’s “30 Rock” (pictured below) was also there to lead the walk off.

I had a blast at the Walk, and I can’t wait to return next year! I really learned the importance of organ donation, and I sincerely hope that our state can improve the ways that we make New Yorkers aware of their organ donation options.

From a fashion lover’s perspective, I think Sammy and her team of stylists demonstrated the versatility and timelessness of vintage fashion. The crowd got a taste of summer throughout the decades, and the cohesiveness of the collection proves that everything old gets reincarnated. At the fitting for the show, my high waisted banana yellow shorts immediately reminded me of a look I loved on Mischa Barton a few weeks ago.

I am so grateful to Sammy for this opportunity. Sammy Davis Vintage is really in the vanguard of how we consume fashion, and it means a lot to me that I could participate in a runway show for a collection of sustainable styles. This is what green glamour is all about!

For more on Sammy Davis Vintage, visit sammydvintage.com.

To coincide with the launch of the company, RARE released the children’s book Komo the Blue Whale. Komo tells the story of a whale navigating his way through the pollution in our oceans. I was startled to learn that there are only 14,000 blue whales left in the wild. I’m glad that RARE is being proactive in making children and young people conscious about animals and their habitats.

I got to meet founder La Benida Hui (pictured below) and Gina Dona, as well as a host of other RARE team members.

For more on RARE, visit rareawareness.com.

Like many of you, I’ve been closely following the coverage of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. From BP’s response to the slow cleanup, I’ve been encumbered with disappointment as I’ve watched this all unfold over the past weeks.

But it’s important that we don’t let this crisis happening in our own backyard overwhelm us. Instead, we need to be moved to make swift changes to our energy consumption habits, and I want to see veracious efforts in our country to research better kinds of energy.

Until the day that elusive wind farm finally crops up in Massachusetts, there are lots of things that you can do today to help out the communities, wildlife and coastal regions adversely affected by the spill.

1. Ask your representatives to support Coastal Louisiana Restoration.

This is so easy, and only takes a few minutes. Let your representatives know that you want the wetlands of Louisiana to be protected. The National Audobon Society even drafted a template for you to use. Given the oil spill, the urgency is greater now than ever before.

2. Donate your hair trimmings.

Apparently, hair is super oil absorbent and can actually be used in the booms that have been helping to contain the oil slick. Some of our neighbors in New Jersey have been hosting parties to collect hair from salons and barbershops. Matter of Trust is a nonprofit charity that has been organizing the collection of natural fibers all over the country.

3. Make a donation to a wildlife protection organization.

Naturally, there are many ways to contribute financially. Donate to the Greater New Orleans Foundation. They’ve set up a fund to aide New Orleans area communities impacted by the spill. The National Wildlife Federation is also accepting donations on behalf of wildlife protection efforts.

4. Volunteer at a local environmental or wildlife organization.

Depending upon where you live, there may not be many direct volunteer opportunities, and many times, volunteers have already been recruited and trained to assist in times like these. Find local environmental organizations that allow you to support the oil slick cleanup efforts in other ways, like soliciting funding.

I visited the Sammy Davis showroom in New York to try on some looks for the show and, well, check me out…

There are two huge reasons why I love vintage fashion. First, because it’s sustainable. Each time we choose thrift boutiques, consignment shops and vintage stores like Sammy’s, we are keeping fierce stuff out of landfills and subsequently sending a message that less clothing needs to be produced. And naturally, the second thing I love about vintage is that you’ll be hard-pressed to find someone wearing something identical.

But want to know the best part? I get to make my runway debut in eco-friendly fashion. Trés apropos!

I met all of the vendors and learned more about their causes and how we as consumers can empower ourselves by choosing green products. It’s easier than ever for us to green our lives!

Happy Earth Day!

Today we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. It’s particularly special for me, as this year I have the privilege of serving as Miss Earth New York in one of the places where it all began!

I’m here to tell you that you CAN go green overnight! I have done a lot of things to offset my own impact on the planet. But my goal isn’t personal purity — it is to inspire others with my example and to show young women especially that you can be green and glamorous all at once, and you don’t have to sacrifice the things you love.

It can be a teeny bit overwhelming to think about what needs to be done to reverse climate change. But becoming conscious about how your decisions affect the planet (eco-conscious, if you will!) is the first step towards going green. Here are my easy tips to help start you on the road towards consciousness.

5. Calculate your carbon footprint now.

Before you can begin to address the changes you need to make, first determine exactly how you’re contributing to the problem. A free online carbon footprint calculator will evaluate how many tons of carbon that you (or your household) can be held accountable for each year based upon your transportation, recycling, energy and eating habits — it essentially tells you how green you are!

The Nature Conservancy’s calculator also tells you how your footprint rates against the national and world averages. I gave someone the results of their carbon footprint evaluation on an episode of my MNN show last year and he was stunned by his big footprint!

4. Nix the plastic water bottles and plastic bags.

Of all of the things there are to love about New York City, I’d have to say that the city’s recycling program definitely ranks among the top of my list. In the subway, I feel reassured in knowing that all of the trash in the trash receptacles get sorted.

But we all don’t live in New York. I live on Long Island (in the metropolitan New York City area) and I’m not sure whether or not we have anything similar in place. Even still, reduce your plastic water bottle waste by buying a reusable metal water bottle. I have two: a little one that says “Forever 21″ (that I won in a PETA contest) and a “Room Raiders” one  that I got at the production wrap party for the show. Trekking around town, I know people are watching me and thinking, “She’s eco-fabulous!”

Also, bring your own reusable bags out when shopping. Whenever I forget them, I will literally carry everything that I bought  in my hands and purse (totally not kidding).

3. Reduce the amount of energy you use.

This has been one of my biggest challenges but I’ve been getting a lot better at unplugging my phone charger when I’m not using it, turning off lights and using public transportation more frequently. I think kids need to talk to their parents about this kind of stuff. This is an area where being green can really help keep the green in your pocket!

2. Start an indoor or backyard composting bin.

I started composting last year, and I’m reaping the benefits today as I watch my cilantro growing higher and higher each day. Compost is a natural fertilizer that you create over time from decomposing food waste and yard trimmings. I didn’t do much gardening before I started my compost heap but it turns out, my thumb is green too! Composting 101 was one of the most popular segments on my MNN show and it gives great a general education in composting. This stuff doesn’t have to end up in landfills.

1. Make every Monday meatless.

Yes, I am thoroughly aware that today is Thursday but beginning next Monday, I want you to try going meatless. Even if that only means starting with just one meatless meal, try your best. Now that we’re beginning to understand how much greenhouse gas is generated by the meat and dairy industries (not to mention widespread deforestation), I think it’s time we reevaluate how much meat we need to eat.

If we all did Meatless Monday (a 15 percent reduction in meat consumption), that would be the equivalent of everyone driving a hybrid car for a year. And that’s why Meatless Monday was the obvious pick as my number one choice. It’s great for your health, great for the planet, very easy (when have you ever had a hard time eating pizza???) and just an overall good look!