Renaissance Garden

Sustainable Living 14

2012-02-13T07:00:00.035-05:00

One sustainable thing that I've been doing for years now is making my own brown sugar. It's so simple to do and saves the extra packaging that comes with buying those little cardboard boxes that contain brown sugar encased in plastic. Sugar can be purchased in the grocery store in large paper bags - that are a renewable resource and can be recycled - or, better yet, purchased from bulk bins at health food stores. The only other ingredient is molasses. Unfortunately, the molasses I have came in a plastic bottle; next time I purchase some, I will be looking for a glass bottle. However, since a little goes a long way, it's going to be some time before I need to buy more.

Brown Sugar

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoons molasses

Thoroughly mix molasses into sugar. Store in an airtight container.

The amount of molasses can be adjusted to make the brown sugar lighter or darker, depending on your needs.

Quote for the Day

2012-02-12T07:00:00.012-05:00

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“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”

~Cicero

Fighting Fair

2012-02-11T07:00:00.005-05:00

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Last Sunday the sermon at our church was about "Fighting Fair." The pastor said that if one fights fair in a relationship, that relationship is doomed. The reasoning behind this is that we set a standard that we expect others to perform against. When they fail to meet that expectation, we then believe that it is fair to engage that person on the same level at which they treat us. Thus, if we speak reasonably to them and they lash out, it's only fair that we respond likewise. See where this is going? The relationship will escalate to the point that it disintegrates.

As I listened to the message, I thought about how we Christians are often quick to support the application of "Love one another" and "Turn the other cheek" to individual relationships. However, when it comes to foreign affairs, we neglect to use the same principles. On many occasions, I have heard fellow Christians explain that war is sometimes necessary. Yet they would strongly disagree if I said the same about a feud with a neighbor. And if it came to a marriage, most Christians would say that disagreements should be settled in order to save the relationship.

What defines a relationship? Two humans in a marriage is a relationship, as is the interaction between the United States and a country such as Iran or Syria. Saying we should be the more mature person and rise above the antics of another person in a relationship should also be applied to foreign affairs. If we only retaliate against other nations because "that's the way they treated us," we will never achieve the peace we need and long for.

Nurdles

2012-02-09T12:31:00.001-05:00

What? You've never heard of nurdles? Well, to be honest, I hadn't either until I read EcoYogini's post on The Green Phone Booth. To give you a visual, here's an example of what some nurdles look like:

Source

Liquid hand soaps and body washes contain extremely tiny nurdles, the "micro beads" you read about or hear about in the advertisements. These nurdles are the means by which these liquids exfoliate our skin. However, these bead don't dissolve. Instead they go down our drains, into our sewer systems, sometimes into our water treatment facilities (where they remain intact), and ultimately end up in our oceans where fish and other sea creatures ingest them and die due to intestinal and other blockages.

If you're a liquid hand soap or body wash user, I suggest switching to bar soap and/or creating your own liquid soaps and body washes using all natural ingredients. I recently blogged about making my own liquid hand soap. Go here for the recipe.

Wellness Wednesday

2012-02-08T07:00:00.026-05:00

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A friend recently posted a great article on facebook. The article listed five packaged foods that you should never buy. These foods include:

Soup
Stock/bouillon
Beans
Hummus
Cereal

Go here to read the article, find out why these foods should be avoided, and get links to easy recipes to make your own. These items are easy to make and you will know exactly what goes in them so avoid nasty things like BPA, GMOs, and high fructose corn syrup. A side benefit of making these items yourself is that you will save money.

This post could also go under my "sustainable living" series as all of these alternatives eliminate excess packaging. I've already posted about making my own hummus and I'll be doing a future post on making my own granola.

Sustainable Living 13

2012-02-07T07:00:00.001-05:00

In carefully analyzing household and personal item purchases with an eye towards sustainability, I realized that there must be a better way than to buy aerosol cans (with plastic lids) of shaving cream for my husband. Thinking "pioneer" or "Victorian" days, I remembered that once upon a time ago, men used shaving soap. After doing some research on Etsy I found a store that sells a shaving brush and mug with handmade shaving soap (available in different scents). They also sell the refills for the mugs. I liked the idea of the refills plus it's a small business, so this is what I ordered for my husband:

As we don't buy one another gifts very often, I told him it was a combination Valentine's Day/anniversary gift.

*Postscript: Today, February 8, I received the shaving kit in the mail. The mug already had soap in it and there was another bar included with the kit, so two bars, plus a sample of another soap was included. A very nice touch.

Sustainable Living 12

2012-02-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

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I love hummus! But what I don't love are those pesky plastic containers it comes in. So last week I made some homemade hummus, something I haven't done in years. There are lots of hummus recipes out there so I don't need to share the one I used.

Hummus is basically a puree of chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and garlic. These ingredients can be adjusted to taste and other ingredients can be added - cumin, curry, chili, oregano, spinach, feta, roasted red pepper, jalapeno - the sky's the limit! It's as simple as blending all the ingredients together and then serving with pita bread, crudites, making a sandwich, or whatever appeals to you.

Making your own hummus only takes a few minutes, but you get a delicious, healthy product and you aren't adding more plastic to landfill.

Quote for the Day

2012-02-05T07:00:00.002-05:00

Found on Morning Ramble:

"To live content with small means, to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion, to be worthy and wealthy, not rich, to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly, to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart, to hear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never - in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony."

- William Ellery Channing

Cheap Morality

2012-02-04T07:00:00.000-05:00

These past few months, I've thought a lot about social justice and caring for others. I often see news articles about people who are outraged over various moral issues and I have noticed that many times these are what I call "bedroom sins." As I consider the needs of the world, I see that people who spend most of their energy monitoring the behavior of others are practicing a cheap morality. That is, they are most vocal about changing things that do not affect their lives at all. They don't have to change their behavior nor does it hurt their pocket book. These people pretend to fight for morality...as long as it doesn't affect them.

Meanwhile, children here and abroad languish in foster care and orphanages; homelessness is a growing issue; we have the largest prison population in the world; the working poor cannot afford decent health care; our country is at war a nation that did not attack us; we have innocent people on death row; we are poisoning our planet and our bodies with dangerous chemicals, all in the name of progress; and citizens of the world are dying due to lack of clean drinking water. While just a year ago, people in Texas clamored to keep homosexual behavior a criminal offense and a small church in Florida burned the Koran. Do these people really care about others? Or are they merely disguising their hatred under the banner of morality and religion?

It's easy to tell other people their thinking or their behavior is wrong. Because it doesn't require any action on our part. Righting the wrong requires that the other person do something. However, it's hard to tell people that society is wrong. Because that requires us to act, for if we point out the wrongs of society and do nothing, we look heartless. Fighting to right those kinds of moral wrongs will take energy and money and time - things we would rather not give up.

It's easy care about what happens IN people: in their personal lives, in their bedrooms, in their heads. It's hard to care about what happens TO people: when they live on the street, when they are incarcerated, when they are ill, when they live in war-torn nations. That's because once you care about these people, you have do do something about their circumstances.

Telling others what to do in their personal lives does not engage you in any activity nor is there any risk. You do not have to change your behavior or your lifestyle. This is not really caring about others. This is about being nosy.

Wellness Wednesday

2012-02-01T07:00:00.004-05:00

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Here is a link for 80 uses for coconut oil. Seems that coconut oil is healthy and versatile. Who knew? Back in the 80s and 90s, coconut oil, a tropical oil, was demonized as it was believed to be extremely bad for one's health. However, research and a less processed product (no trans fat) has proven the oil to have great health benefits.

Sustainable Living 11

2012-01-31T07:00:00.001-05:00

Last week I tried a new recipe to continue my quest for sustainable living. I made my own toothpaste! It was very easy and tasted pretty much like toothpaste. As the original recipe might be a bit abrasive, the next time I will experiment by reducing the amount of baking soda. Below is a photo of the end product, as well as the original recipe:

Homemade Toothpaste

5 Tbsp baking soda

4 Tbsp coconut oil

10 drops of essential oil (peppermint

You can also add a bit of stevia or other natural sweetener if you're used to sweeter toothpaste.

(Source: weewaldorf.blogspot.com)

Sustainable Living 10

2012-01-30T08:53:00.000-05:00

A new way I've come up with to be live a more sustainable life is to keep a "sustainable bag" in my vehicle. This bag contains:

a reusable cup for when I'm away from home and want some iced tea
several plastic jars marked with the tare (weight) for buying items from bulk bins
muslin drawstring bags for buying produce
a collapsible container for when I need a doggie bag at a restaurant

In the past, I've found myself away from home without these items and ended up getting plastic bags, plastic cups, and/or Styrofoam containers. Having this bag in my vehicle at all times will help eliminate all that waste. I haven't included reusable bags as I've been using them for quite a while now and always have them available.

Quote for the Day

2012-01-29T09:16:00.000-05:00

"We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another."

~Jonathan Swift

Denial

2012-01-26T07:00:00.002-05:00

This is a photo of my great grandmother Estelle. Estelle died in her early twenties, leaving behind a husband and three children, one of whom was my paternal grandmother. Estelle died from a horrible disease called pellagra. Pellagra was rampant in the South at the turn of the 20th century. It's cause was unknown at the time and there was very little research going on to determine its cause because of politics. Southern politicians denied that there was a problem so there was no way to investigate it. Pellagra was a horrible disease that led to insanity and death. The cause: a vitamin deficiency. Had the politicians admitted the problem, research may have revealed its cause in time to save my great grandmother and untold numbers of victims. It was the denial that killed.

This last fall, I had two separate conversations about serious issues in my community. One conversation was with a minister. She is a survivor of domestic violence and so has a heart for working in that area. As a pastor, she is often a first responder in domestic violence situations yet she is frustrated with her inability to navigate the complex system of politics and social services. According to this minister, the clergy in our area, which is mainly male, is in denial about the problem. Further, a social worker I spoke with said most of the clergy in our area, when approached for help, counsel the victims and their abusers to "work it out." Again, it is denial that is causing pain, suffering, and sometimes death.

Another conversation I had was with a friend who works with the homeless population. He said that he was concerned about his friends who live on the streets as winter approaches as they lack adequate clothing and shelter to protect them from the freezing temperatures. Again, politics comes into play because he said that the leaders in our community don't want to acknowledge that we have a problem. Despite the fact that we have over 150 registered homeless people (and countless unregistered homeless and semi-homeless people, many with mental health issues), the elected officials deny that we have a problem. Denying that these people exist means their lives are at risk in the coming months. Denial is death.

Wellness Wednesday

2012-01-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

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While many of us are concerned about the foods we eat and are careful to buy organic produce, especially those items that are on the "dirty dozen" list, we often ignore the fact that when we use many conventional toiletries, we are slathering on a potent chemical cocktail. Below is a list of the worst ingredients in personal care products from the MindBodyGreen blog:

1. BHA and BHT
2. Coal tar dyes
3. DEA
4. Dibutyl phthalate
5. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
6. Parabens
7. Parfum (a.k.a. fragrance)
8. PEG compounds
9. Petrolatum
10. Siloxanes
11. Sodium laureth sulfate
12. Triclosan

Go to this link to learn more and to access the full report on toxic chemicals in cosmetics.

Sustainable Living 9

2012-01-24T07:00:00.000-05:00

One fun sustainable idea is to grow your own green onions. Although it doesn't save a lot as far as packaging, every little bit helps. Here's how to do it:

When you purchase green onions, us only the green tops and save the white bottoms with the roots attached. Place in a glass of water, put in a window, and watch the green tops regenerate. As the tops grow, you can cut them to use fresh or you can put them in a container in the freezer to use later.

Sustainable Living 8

2012-01-23T07:00:00.001-05:00

One of the easiest sustainable living projects I've done to date - and one that is very kind to the environment - was making liquid hand soap. It took about 10 minutes to make the soap! No nasty chemicals and no plastic bottles. A very good result. Here's the recipe I used:

Hand Soap

1 bar grated soap (any natural soap)

1 gallon water

2 T vegetable glycerin

In a large pot, mix the grated soap, vegetable glycerin, and the gallon of water. Slowly melt over medium heat until all of the soap is dissolved. Remove from the heat and let sit overnight. May need to be stirred before decanting into a container.

Quote for the Day

2012-01-22T07:00:00.005-05:00

"It is my conviction that killing under the cloak of war is nothing but an act of murder."

~Albert Einstein

"Capital punishment is the most premeditated of murders."
~Albert Camus

Feminist

2012-01-21T07:00:00.014-05:00

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This past Tuesday I had the opportunity to see a heroine from my childhood - Gloria Steinem - and I loved every minute of it. Ms. Steinem spoke at a local private girls' school and fortunately the evening event was open to the public. After introductions, Ms. Steinem gave a definition of a feminist. It was very similar to this one found on dictionary.com:

"feminist: advocating social, political, legal, and economic rights for women equal to those of men"

Living in the Bible belt, I often hear people demonize and twist the definition of this adjective. I hear people say that feminism has "ruined it for women." It seems as if it is a threat to Christianity when that couldn't be further from the truth.

First, when one looks at the life of Jesus, one sees how he went against the status quo and treated women as equals. Religious Tolerance gives some great examples of how Jesus defied tradition in his treatment of women:

he ignored religious impurity laws

he talked to foreign women

he taught women students

he used terminology which treated women as equal to men

he accepted women into his inner circle

he told parallel male/female stories

That kind of behavior tells me that Jesus was a feminist.

Second, I'm afraid these people don't know their history or else have a short memory. Women were treated as second class citizens and routinely discriminated against before the feminist movement. Ms. Steinem pointed out that in order for a woman to be believed when she accused a man of rape, she had to have a witness to the event to testify on her behalf. When Connie Chung, one of the first female news anchors, got her start, I heard men complain how wrong it was for a woman to fill that role. My mother told me that when she was pregnant with me, she had to quit her job at the bank where she worked as soon as she started "showing." Apparently, it was scandalous to be pregnant in public. And the feminist movement put domestic violence on the radar. Up until that time, it was considered a "private" matter between a man and a woman, even if the man chose to beat and rape his wife. The idea of a domestic violence shelter was unheard of.

And I think of all the conservative Christians, especially women, who were thrilled when Sarah Palin was selected to be John McCain's running mate. If not for the feminist movement, she would not have had that opportunity. Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court could not even get a job as an attorney after graduating from Stanford Law School, one of the top law schools in the country. She was forced to begin her career as a secretary, a job for which she was not actually trained but it was considered the only acceptable job in the legal field for a woman. Of course, politics was out of the question.

The conservatives that I hear complain about feminism do not understand what the world was like for women. They seem to accept the freedom and benefits that their wives, daughters, mothers, and sisters have received from the movement without giving credit to that movement. And then they focus on any and all perceived negatives they can attribute to it. I submit that, while many conservatives like to find fault with the feminist movement, they are really the beneficiaries of that movement.

I thoroughly enjoyed hearing Gloria Steinem talk. She was charming and funny and engaging and optimistic and does not at all show her 77 years of age. At the end of her talk, she gave the audience a challenge for the next day. She asked that we each go out and do something outrageous. Not only could we help change the world, but she said it would be fun. I can't say I had the opportunity to do anything outrageous that day (although I wanted to). However, I did sign an online petition protesting the attempt to censor the internet and then posted information about it on facebook. I suppose that's a start.

Sustainable Living 7

2012-01-19T07:00:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I set about making a batch of homemade lotion. I found a recipe for "Easy Beeswax Lotion," gathered the materials, and set about making the lotion. I have to report that it was a semi-fail. The end product was too thick and greasy (too much olive oil), and I used wrong kind of jar so it's difficult to scoop out. But I'm not giving up, my plan is to remelt the lotion and add some grapeseed oil to liquefy it somewhat and to reduce the greasiness. I will also put it in a more accessible container.

If the re-do works, making my own lotion will be more sustainable as there will be less packaging and no chemicals involved. The beeswax comes from our local bee supply store just as you see it, no wrapping whatsoever. The olive oil and coconut oils are products I already purchase for cooking and I already had the lavender essential oil that I used for fragrance. I did have to purchase some vitamin E in capsules but the bottle should last me a very long time. (However, I wonder how necessary this ingredient is). When I get around to fixing my fail, I'll report on the results.

Wellness Wednesday

2012-01-18T07:00:00.052-05:00

This article from the New York Times was a real eye opener for me. Although I was aware that a common serving size mentioned in the nutritional information box on prepacked foods is rarely realistic - I mean, how many people actually only eat three Oreos? And the amount of sodium in some prepackaged foods is scary when the typical consumption rate is taken into account. However, what shocked me was the "serving size" for cooking sprays. In order to get the zero-calorie/zero-fat serving size, one must spray for a third of a second. I'm sure when I spray a pan, I spray for far more than that. The article points out that about six seconds is more reasonable and that gives you 50 calories and six grams of fat!

Source

I don't know about you, but I prefer using the real deal since we don't really know what is in those cooking sprays. One alternative to cooking spray is to purchase an oil spray bottle, such as those sold by Misto, and fill with your own cooking oil.

Sustainable Living 6

2012-01-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

Another way I am both living more sustainably and also moving closer to veganism is by making and using rice milk. This recipe is super easy, inexpensive, and helps eliminate the plastic and plastic-coated cardboard cartons that cow's milk comes in.

Rice Milk

1 cup cooked rice

4 cups water

dash of salt

1 Tablespoon sweetener (if desired)

Vanilla to taste (if desired)

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend for 4 minutes (2 minutes if using a high-speed blender). Can be strained to remove some of the rice particles that didn't blend well.

(Based on recipe found at: http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/09/do-it-yourself-homemade-rice-milk.html)

I've used this recipe over homemade granola and in baking cornbread and I liked the results. Plus I'm glad to be able to reduce the number of cartons that go to land fill. My husband still likes milk in his cafe con leche so I'll have to continue to buy small quantities of milk. I'm going to look for milk sold in glass jars next time I'm at the health food store.

If you try it, let me know how it works out for you.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

2012-01-16T07:00:00.002-05:00

2012-01-15T07:00:00.004-05:00

"At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love."

~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Quote for the Day

2012-01-15T07:00:00.001-05:00

“Let us remember, always, that we are the consumers. By exercising free choice, by choosing what to buy, what not to buy, we have the power, collectively to change the ethics of the business of industry. We have the potential to exert immense power for good – we each carry it with us, in our purses, cheque books, and credit cards.”

~Jane Goodall, “A Reason for Hope”

Sustainable Living 5

2012-01-14T08:30:00.000-05:00

One thing I do on a daily basis to live more sustainably is to use cloth napkins. Whenever we use cloth napkins, that means we aren't using paper napkins - paper napkins that come wrapped in a plastic wrapper. Typically, I use cloth napkins at dinner and still use paper napkins for breakfast and lunch. I need to get better about using cloth napkins at every meal. One thing that keeps me from making this a habit at every meal is the need to iron the napkins after they've been laundered. I'm going to work on fitting ironing into my regular schedule so that I can all but eliminate the need for paper napkins.

Helpful Download

2012-01-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

I stumbled upon this free download that I wish I had known about when I went out and purchased a magnet for my dishwasher. Frustrated at times with finding the dishwasher empty and the sink full of dirty dishes, I realized I needed some way to let family members know that they could put dishes in the dishwasher. I found a nice little magnet that said "clean" and "dirty" that I could affix to the front of the dishwasher to indicate the status of the dishes inside. However, a free download from Carina Gardner would have been better as so many companies promote their businesses with magnetic business cards and calendars. It would have been simple to print out the form, glue it to a free magnet, and then cut it to size. Get your free download here.

Sustainable Living 4

2012-01-12T09:06:00.000-05:00

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Continuing with documenting the ways I try to live a sustainable life, I want to emphasize the need to stay out of stores. During my no shopping challenge last year, I only went to the store when I knew I needed something; I never went to just "browse." Browsing leads to desire for things you don't need - and really don't want - all because you are suddenly aware of these new things. And the desire and purchase of said items adds to the waste stream.

On a recent outing to Target to purchase some necessities, I found myself drawn to all sorts of bobbles and began mentally justifying purchasing those items. All those shiny new items seemed to call to me from the shelves. I could have easily filled my cart with things I didn't need, that were probably made overseas by individuals in virtual bondage, using our precious resources, and that would just contribute our already toxic world via the chemicals in the manufacturing process, and would ultimately go to our already clogged landfills.

One might argue that the products already exist and, therefore, my decision to not purchase would not change anything. However, by refusing to buy frivolous items means those items end up on clearance, meaning the store would not realize the expected profits and would not order as much the next season. Remember supply and demand? If we don't demand as much, the manufacturers and stores won't supply as much. So, one of the most important steps in living a sustainable life is to avoid recreational window shopping. Looking leads to buying.

Wellness Wednesday

2012-01-11T07:00:00.000-05:00

Here's a visual reminder of how calories can add up quickly, even when one isn't eating a lot:

Source

That's approximately what an averaged size, sedentary woman should consume in calories all day!

Human Trafficking Awareness Day

2012-01-10T07:00:00.000-05:00

President Obama has declared January Human Trafficking Awareness Month and Congress has designated tomorrow, January 11, as Human Trafficking Awareness Day. There is an estimated 27 million slaves or individuals living in slave-like conditions around the world. 13 million of these are children. Although slavery is illegal in every country, many turn a blind eye to the plight of those suffering in bondage. Slaves can be found in the US in the sex trade and labor market and around the world in places like coffee, tea, and cacao plantations and in garment factories. For more information on modern day slavery, go to the Polaris Project.

If you live in the first world, you are in some way culpable in the exploitation of other human beings. Go to Slavery Footprint to see how many slaves you keep in bondage through your lifestyle and purchasing choices. Then, if you live in the US, go to Fair Trade USA to learn about food products made without slave labor and to Green America to learn about sweatshop-free clothing. Or do your own internet search to find resources to help fight human trafficking.

Veganism

2012-01-09T10:04:00.000-05:00

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One of my goals this quarter is to move toward veganism. Once again, I'm joined on this quest by my friend Shona of LALA dex press. We're both huge cheese fans but know that, for us, the right thing to do is to move away from regular (or at least daily) consumption of this product. Go here to see how Shona is approaching this topic.

For me, moving towards veganism will not mean completely eliminating animal products from my diet. First of all, I will continue to eat eggs as we have chickens who are very well cared for so our eggs are cruelty free. Secondly, eating vegetarian away from home has enough challenges. Many restaurants in my area offer very few entrees that don't have meat in them; those that don't have meat almost always contain cheese. Finally, when I eat at the homes of friends or at other social functions, most people who know me are kind enough to go out of their way to accommodate my vegetarianism; telling them I'm a vegan would be too much for them to handle. However, in my daily life, I'm giving up cheese and dairy.

I'm not going to purchase any more cheese at the store. I have a small stockpile of cheese in my refrigerator that I'm working through but once it's gone, I won't be replacing it. I will be buying small amounts of milk for my husband as he drinks Cuban cafe con leche and it wouldn't be fair for me to force my choices on him. As for cheese, he's not a big fan so that won't be a sacrifice for him. Also, I won't be using milk in my cooking anymore but will be substituting rice milk where appropriate in recipes calling for cow's milk.

Giving up cheese also goes along with my sustainability goal. Since I like to eat a variety of cheeses, that always means a variety of plastic packaging. Now that I'm giving up cheese, that means less waste that will go to landfill. So giving up cheese and dairy is really a part of my sustainability goal.

Quote for the Day

2012-01-08T07:00:00.001-05:00

"God is more within us than we are ourselves."

~St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Founder of the Sisters of Charity

Georgia

2012-01-07T08:56:00.000-05:00

On Thursday, my daughter and I decided to give our scarecrow, Georgia, a much needed and much deserved makeover. For several months, Georgia had been rocking a 70s short-sleeved denim jumper, macrame bag, and felt purple hat. But given the season and the fact that she was looking a little too shabby, we went shopping.

We ended up dressing her in a satin orange gown with a beaded neckline, a modified black stretch lace top to cover her awkward shoulders, a black tasseled velvet evening bag, and a black hat with assorted coordinating ribbons. And voilà:

As you can see, Georgia is now ready to make the rounds at all the krewe parties for Gasparilla and Mardi Gras - all along the Gulf Coast, from Tampa to Mobile to New Orleans. (Our black lab Ginny is thinking about joining her in the festivities.)

Sustainable Living 3

2012-01-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

Of course, since I've decided to make the switch from liquid shampoo in plastic bottles to bar shampoo, it only follows that I do the same with hair conditioner. Bar conditioners are more difficult to find than bar shampoos. I used Lush's bar conditioner for a while but decided to make a switch to support an indie company. A search on Etsy revealed several choices. I made a selection and placed an order with BallyHoo Bath and here's what I received:

Clockwise from upper left: solid lotion bar (that's for another post); solid hair conditioner bar; and a soap sample

I received my products with minimal impact packaging. There was a plastic bag, that might have actually been cellophane, but the conditioner bar comes in a cardboard box. (More later on the solid lotion bar.) I was pleased with the size of the bar and, as I had just run out of hair conditioner and didn't have a replacement bottle (part of my "use it up" challenge), I put the bar to work. So far, I'm pleased with the results. If you're interested in trying bar shampoo and conditioner, Ballyhoo Bath offer samples of each for $3.00.

After using up the last bottle of hair conditioner, I can now boast that my shower is plastic free!

Sustainable Living 2

2012-01-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

Another area where I felt I was lacking in sustainability was with my shampoo. Between the chemicals in the shampoo and the plastic bottle (and cap), I knew I had room for improvement. As with laundry detergent, I tried to buy ecologically friendly shampoos to at least reduce some of the chemicals. However, the bottle issue still bothered me. Although the bottles can usually be recycled, that's not good enough for me.

A few years ago a friend mentioned that she used shampoo bars and so I ordered from the company she recommended. The shipping was expensive so I ordered several bars that lasted quite a while. When my last bar was almost gone, I looked up the web site to order more and found that the online store had closed. My research had revealed that Lush made shampoo bars. Unfortunately, they don't have a store near us and the shipping can be expensive. Again, I used up my Lush shampoo bars and started looking for a new source. Thus, I stumbled upon Chagrin Valley where they ship the bars in a $5 flat-fee envelope and say they can get as many as seven bars in a package! So, I ordered from them and this is what arrived:

[sorry about the poor quality photo]

They arrived packaged in paper bags, so no plastic bottles or bags. These bars are a good size - about 3 x 3 1/2 inches - so I'm going to cut them in half for use. I ordered three different types of bars to get an idea which I like best and then will order more of my favorite once they're all gone or perhaps try a new variety. Although I was pleased with the Lush bars, I like the idea of ordering from a small company rather than a major corporation. However, it might be a while before I need to place another order.

Wellness Wednesday

2012-01-04T07:00:00.001-05:00

Source

Winter seems to be the time of year when our health can be at it's worst. Often, it's not the weather but it's poor habits we have acquired that cause many of our health problems. MindBodyGreen offers the following ten things to avoid to stay healthy over the winter season:

Sugar and artificial sweeteners
Being a couch potato
Stress
Drinking
Smoking
Processed foods
Cold medication
Staying up too late
Negative attitude
Artificial heat

For more details on why to avoid these behaviors, go here.

Sustainable Living 1

2012-01-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

My first post on sustainable living covers laundry detergent. My journey to sustainability with laundry detergent has taken many turns over the years. Originally, I used powdered laundry detergent because that's what my mother always used. Then I learned about how bad phosphates were for the environment and that liquid detergent didn't contain phosphates, so I switched to liquid. A few years ago, I started buying Seventh Generation laundry detergent to avoid the other nasty chemicals found in your typical laundry detergents. However, I knew that even Seventh Generation was not perfect and that the plastic bottles were not good for the environment. So now, this is what I use:

Soap nuts! Soap nuts are entirely organic in the sense that they grow on a tree, the sapindus tree to be specific. There is minimal packaging and a few soap nuts go a long way. As you can see from the packaging, I should be able to get 330 loads out of a bag the approximate size of a typical laundry detergent bottle. All I need add is boiling water, some essential oils, an upcycled bottle, and my time. And the used soap nuts go to compost. It's a win-win situation.

2012 Goals

2012-01-02T08:18:00.000-05:00

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Rather than doing New Year's resolutions, I prefer to set goals - usually monthly or quarterly. This year I have two goals for the first quarter of 2012:

I'm going to recommit to my Quaker testimony and will be focusing on the concept of sustainability. In doing so, I will be blogging regularly about the ways in which I attempt to live a sustainable life. When I say sustainability, I look to the environmental science definition which, according to Dictionary.com means "the quality of not being harmful to the environment or depleting natural resources, and thereby supporting the long-term ecological balance." My goal is to both share with others how I attempt to do this in my everyday life and to also learn new things to reduce my own environmental damage.

My other goal is to eliminate dairy from my diet. Except for the eggs produced on our farm and when I eat away from home, I want to go vegan. The main reason I am a vegetarian is because of the cruelty visited on animals in order to provide food for human beings. Although I refuse to eat animal flesh, I've turned a blind eye to the truth behind the dairy industry. Milk and cheese comes from the production of milk by cows and goats who have given birth. While the female offspring of these animals will become producers of milk themselves, the male calves and kids are useless to the industry. Therefore, they are removed from their mothers shortly after birth and become the veal and other types of meat that are consumed by others. Thus, I have been helping to perpetuate cruelty to animals.

Although I dearly love cheese, it is wrong for me to continue to be a part of this cruel industry. So, I'm going to use up the cheese that is already in our house and then no more cheese for me except when I'm away from home. If I could, I would go entirely dairy-free. However, it is very difficult to eat a healthy vegetarian diet away from home (at least where I live), so meat- and dairy-free would be impossible.

A Year in Review

2012-01-01T00:01:00.001-05:00

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It's hard to believe 2011 is over and 2012 is here! So much has happened this past year that I had to go over past blog entries to help refresh my memory. Here are some highlights of my year:

visited Haiti and saw old friends and made new ones
began my second year in my volunteer job for Danita's Children
went vegan for 21 days
began a cookbook project for low income families [close to completion]
completed 4 grad school classes
started shopping more consciously - no bananas due to environmental degradation; fair trade chocolate, coffee, and tea due to child slavery
worked on the CROP walk for the first time
got involved with Grace and Main, a great homeless ministry
hosted two of the children from the His Little Feet Children's Choir Haitian group when they were in town
Bill retired from the practice of law
finished reading the Bible in a year
worked on ways to refuse/reduce/reuse/recycle
continued my "use it up" quest to use what I already have before buying replacements for food, cosmetics, etc.
successfully completed a 3-month no shopping challenge
attended Wild Goose Festival where I got to see a lot of progressive/liberal Christians - some heroes of mine, such as Jim Wallis and Brian McClaren, and some new to me, such as John Dear, Jay Bakker, Nadia Bolz-Weber, and Jennifer Knapp
saw Sister Helen Prejean (of Dead Man Walking fame) speak
saw student production of Dead Man Walking and heard a first-hand account of a man sentenced to death for a crime he didn't commit (he was since exonorated)

A very busy and fulfilling year. Can't wait to see what 2012 has in store!

Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year,

Auld Lang Syne

2011-12-31T08:00:00.002-05:00

Source

Holiday Waste

2011-12-28T18:25:00.002-05:00

I found an interesting chart on The Everyday Minimalist. Go here to see a larger version of it. I tried and tried to get it to upload to fit my blog but each time it ended up as either too large or too small.

The chart talks about all the waste associated with the holiday season - waste in that we spend a lot of resources wrapping gifts that people often do not want that end up being given away or put into landfill. One interesting fact is that half of the paper that Americans use goes into wrapping and decorating!

A lot to think about...and to reconsider.

Wellness Wednesday

2011-12-28T08:32:00.000-05:00

Source

Do you know what's in your cosmetics? Most likely some very toxic ingredients. The Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep database contains over 69,000 products that are analyzed based on health concerns such as cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity, allergies and immunotoxicity, and other potential hazards. With the new year approaching, now might be a good time to rethink products you purchase and look for healthy alternatives.

The Future

2011-12-26T09:26:00.000-05:00

I hope all of my readers are enjoying happy holidays. We had a very quiet but enjoyable Christmas at our house. A number of years ago, my hubby and I decided to forgo exchanging gifts as we have everything we need and tend to have few wants. We both find the Christmas season to be painful to watch as people spend more than they should on items that they feel obligated to give items to people who don't really want them. It all seems such a waste. From Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve, people go into a shopping frenzy, spending money they don't have and running up credit card bills they will be paying over the course of several months, sometimes not even finishing paying off one Christmas before the next Christmas comes around. On Christmas day, the consumerist orgy commences and is over in the blink of an eye. Then, on December 26, everyone runs to the stores to return the gifts they received. (And I'm not even going to talk about what the holidays do to the environment.) Over the years, Bill and I have asked family to not purchase gifts for us and most have ultimately honored our request. It makes us happier when we do not receive gifts.

This year my family decided to do something more meaningful. My hubby, daughter, and I helped out at our annual community Christmas dinner that serves low income individuals in our area. Guests received a hot Christmas dinner, a bag of used clothing they selected from donations, a blanket, a bag of toiletries, and a gift. For many of the guests, that was the only gift they received for Christmas. Driving home after helping to clean up, the disparity between rich and poor was really driven home as we passed the local trash dumpsters which were overflowing with cardboard boxes, plastic wrap, and gift wrap:

Photo courtesy of my husband

It became even more personal as we passed a house where they actually had their own personal trailer filled with their discards from the Christmas gift frenzy.

I often hear people lament that they want to "take back Christmas" and "go back to the way it used to be." Well, that's up to us. We need to tell family and friends that we're opting out of the meaningless gift exchanges. We once participated in a family gift exchange among the cousins in Bill's family. Often, these were people we only briefly saw two or three times a year and didn't know them well. The year someone suggested I buy long underwear as a gift for one of the male cousins was the year I said no more. Almost everything I ever received in those exchanges ended up in the donation pile the very next week. I wasn't ungrateful as I know much thought and time went into selected the gifts. It's just that I didn't need the items and I didn't want the clutter in my home. A friend commented that her family gift exchange has turned into everyone exchanging gift cards: "Merry Christmas! Here's a $25 Outback card; thanks for the $25 Olive Garden card." How is this showing love to one another? I'm not a Grinch and I like to receive surprises. But we need to rethink, simplify, and personalize gift giving. Cookie exchanges, giving to favorite charities, or volunteering together are much more meaningful and definitely less wasteful.

As I approach the new year, I want to continue focusing on appreciating the simple things and working towards reducing, reusing, and recycling in all areas of my life. I want to more fully live out my Quaker ideals of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and sustainability. Over the next week, I'm going to be pondering how I will continue this personal journey and then share a few of my thoughts and goals.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T06:00:00.001-05:00

Source

Wishing you all a very blessed holiday!

Homeless Veterans

2011-12-22T08:14:00.000-05:00

Now that some of the troops are coming home from Iraq, let's remember to continue to support them.

Source

Wellness Wednesday

2011-12-21T16:18:00.000-05:00

Now that the holiday season has arrived, below are a few common sense tips from Jigsaw Health on staying healthy through what can be a very stressful time for many people:

Spend time with people you love
Stick to your regular exercise program
Enjoy the outdoors
Watch your sweets intake
Moderation is key
Take supplements to ward off illness
Take a complete multi-vitamin

Quote for the Day

2011-12-18T08:46:00.000-05:00

Fair Trade

2011-12-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

A while back, I posted about child slavery and buying fair trade. Well, I finally was able to get out of town to purchase some fair trade items. Here's what I got:

I got some organic, fair trade black tea to brew up some iced tea. And I realized that it is actually probably cheaper for me to brew up this tea rather than the "cold brew" Lipton's that I had been using since I use very little loose tea for a very large pot plus I'm not paying for the convenience of the processed stuff.

I was a bit overwhelmed by the coffee selection as not all were fair trade, some were ground, some were beans, and some were those detestable "K-cups" that are a huge waste of resources. My husband drinks Cuban coffee so the closest I found was an espresso bean that needed to be ground (we don't have a grinder at home). I felt pretty happy with myself as I had to learn how to use the store's grinder and I ground up a pound of beans to take home.

I also picked up some organic, fair trade chocolate chips for my daughter and me to make chocolate chip cookies over the school break. The chocolate bar was just because it looked so good!

Now that I know the truth behind coffee, tea, and chocolate, I can't go back. I now need to make planned purchases of these luxury items when I'm out of town; otherwise, I'll run out and have to do without.

Wellness Wednesday

2011-12-14T08:39:00.000-05:00

In the past, it has been difficult for researchers to make the case for a clear link between the use of indoor tanning beds and deadly skin cancer. However, the Yale School of Public Health conducted a study of almost 400 individuals who received a basal cell carcinoma diagnosis and who had at some point used a tanning bed and compared that group to a control group. The results were that those who had used a tanning bed were almost 70% more likely to get skin cancer. Another study said that the biggest deterrent to using tanning beds is not the threat of cancer but an emphasis on the threat of wrinkling. Read more about the study here.

Quote for the Day

2011-12-11T07:35:00.000-05:00

Credit

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul."

~John Muir

A Better Plan for Gift Giving

2011-12-09T11:50:00.000-05:00

Credit

A couple of weeks ago I heard a DJ on the radio talking about a blogger who had a somewhat different philosophy on gift giving for her family this time of year. The blogger told her family she would give them each four gifts:

Something you want;
Something you need;
Something to wear;
Something to read.

Perfect.

Randomness

2011-12-08T08:00:00.006-05:00

So, I'm in CVS picking up a few items. I round the corner of an isle and there, on the end cap is a display of these:

They're called "Easy Feet" (as seen on TV) and they're $9.99. The box said they eliminate the pesky need to bend over to wash your feet. What?! Why is it that we as a nation have found that bending over is too much trouble and that we should spend our precious earthy resources to make these gadgets? That, I might add, will quickly end up in our landfills. And we wonder why we have an obesity epidemic. Or maybe it's the obesity epidemic that makes it difficult to wash our feet. Am I the only one who thinks this is one of the worst ideas? Evidently, the inventor and CVS don't think so.

Wellness Wednesday

2011-12-07T08:52:00.000-05:00

When it comes to being sedentary, I'm as guilty as the next person. Being in school increases the amount of time I spend sitting as I have to do a lot of research and writing on the computer. So, I was pleased to find these six simple tips to help decrease the amount of time spent sitting:

Pace while talking on the phone
Putter after eating - or take a quick walk
Sit in bar seats at restaurants
Stand at events rather than bringing a chair
Do things in person rather than calling or emailing
Have multiple work stations that force you to move your body from one place to another

Although many of these tips are applicable for people who work in an office, you can adapt these tips to your own lifestyle. The bottom line is: don't make life too easy. Find creative ways to structure your life in a way that makes you get up out of your chair throughout your day.

(Photo source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1131628)

Quote for the Day

2011-12-04T07:43:00.002-05:00

"A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog."

~Jack London

2011-12-04T07:40:00.001-05:00

A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog
.

Wellness Wednesday

2011-11-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

This week I'm in the process of writing a mock grant proposal for a class plus getting ready for a craft show that I'm doing as a fundraiser for our local homeless ministry. That said, I haven't had a lot of time to do research for *Wellness Wednesday." Instead, since it is the holiday season when many of us get off the good health track, I'm sharing 6 Healthy Holiday Tips from MindBodyGreen:

6 Healthy Holiday Tips

By Katie Bressack

The holidays are always a wonderful time to see family, friends and be with loved ones. They are also the busiest time of the year and sometimes we get so caught up in what we need to do, that we might forget about taking care of ourselves.

Here are six of my favorite healthy holiday tips that I like to share with my clients to help them maintain balance in their lives.

1. Tis the Season to Plan

A secret of mine is to plan ahead by writing lists. Write down everything you need to do and give yourself deadlines. It is amazing how much you can get done if you actually know what you want to accomplish.

2. A Spoonful of Love

Don’t forget about you. It is the season for giving but if you are overworked, stressed and running around you won’t be able to enjoy the holidays. Keep your energy levels up! Maintain your sleep schedule and aim for at least 8 hours of sleep. Stay focused on your exercise regimen. Working out will help your energy levels remain high and keep your brain clear and focused. It also keeps us from binging on all of the cookies and treats in your office or home.

3. Have Yourself A Very Merry Plate

At your holiday gatherings, eat whatever you want just take smaller than usual portions. Keep enough room on your plate so you can see spaces in between the different foods. If you know you will still indulge just a little too much use a smaller plate so even if it is full, your stomach won’t be.

4. Joy to Making Memories

You usually only eat Pecan Pie once a year so how about actually tasting and enjoying the Pecan Pie. By taking small bites and chewing all of your food slowly you actually taste all of the deliciousness you or a loved one has made.

5. Sleigh Bells Ring, Is It Time For Seconds?

A great trick is to drink an entire glass of water after you eat. Then wait 15-20 minutes. Take this time to jump into conversations with your loved ones or start a fun chat. It also allows you to really listen to your body. Are you really hungry and need seconds? The time in between your last bite and your spoon in the mash potatoes will make this clear for you.

6. Enjoy, Enjoy, Enjoy

The holidays are special because they only happen once a year. The most important thing to remember is to enjoy them because they go by so fast. Sometimes it is the only time of year you might see someone you love.

Quote for the Day

2011-11-27T08:19:00.000-05:00

"The solution to adult problems tomorrow depends on large measure upon how our children grow up today."

~Margaret Mead

Thinking of Others

2011-11-26T09:14:00.000-05:00

I meant to put up something about Buy Nothing Day here on the blog yesterday. Well, time got away from me and I ended up just putting a quick comment about it up on facebook. Over the last few years, I've tried to spread the word about Buy Nothing Day as I am so opposed to the rampant consumerism that we gorge on in the US. My husband also pointed out that we spend one day counting all of our blessings, and then the very next day we run out in search of more *stuff* because we don't have enough.

I'm embarrassed to admit that there's another element of the day known as "Black Friday" that I haven't given much thought to: the store employees. This morning, as I was going through the blogs that I read on my Google Reader (I'm way behind with over 800 to read!), I ran across this commentary on the day. As someone in retail, Vivienne points out that stores opened early, early on Black Friday - as early as 10:00 p.m. on Thursday. Not only that, employees had to arrive before the store opened to get ready for the sale. Add time for commuting, time getting ready for work, and to get enough sleep in order to be able to function on the job. In order to accomplish all of this, she points out that bedtime needed to be at 2:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day! As bad as that is, other stores opened as early as 9:00 p.m. this year so those employees really didn't have a Thanksgiving holiday.

I read another blogger defending Black Friday as an opportunity for less fortunate individuals to purchase much needed items like socks and jeans at a more affordable price. However, nothing prevents the stores from offering special sales at another time, allowing a more sane holiday weekend. And we can have a say in this madness. What if they threw a sale and nobody came?

I'm especially addressing people of faith who should be the most vocal on this subject. I hear people lament how terrible it is that employees are forced to work on holidays, Sundays, etc., yet have no problem frequenting the very places that are open on those days. It's simply a case of supply and demand: If we stopped shopping on those days, the stores and restaurants would not be open. So maybe we should extend the Buy Nothing Day spirit into the rest of the year and refrain from shopping and eating out on days when everyone, by our own admission, should be home with their families.

(Photo source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1335852)

I Am Thankful

2011-11-24T07:57:00.000-05:00

As I celebrate Thanksgiving Day, I am reminded of all the things I have to be thankful for. Here are ten things:

I am thankful for my husband who is also my best friend.
I am thankful for my two beautiful children who have grown into loving, caring, amazing adults.
I am thankful to have been born into a culture where I am free to worship in my own way.
I am thankful to have all of my material needs supplied: water, food, clothing, shelter.
I am thankful to have all of my luxuries supplied.
I am thankful to be a small part of Danita's Children, working to help orphans in Haiti.
I am thankful that I have been given the opportunity to receive an education.
I am thankful for good health.
I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to travel which has expanded my worldview.
I am thankful for all the animals that have been a part of my life and show me unconditional love.

These represent just a fraction of the many blessings that have been bestowed on me.

Wishing all my American readers a very Happy Thanksgiving!

(Photo source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/401684)

Wellness Wednesday

2011-11-23T08:10:00.000-05:00

Being grateful is good for you. It not only makes you feel better, it serves as a stress reducer. And we all know what stress does to our health. Go here to read more about what mental health experts have to say about gratitude. Then, despite what difficulties you may be going through, take a few minutes every day to remember what you have to be grateful for.

(Photo source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1370477)

That Time of Year

2011-11-22T08:26:00.000-05:00

This is one time of year that I really dread. No, it's not the rampant consumerism of the season (although that does bother me, a lot). It's hunting season. That means men and boys (and sometimes women) in camouflage clothing, vehicles - everything - invading the quiet corners of the country. Regular readers will remember that I wrote about the whole phenomena here.

Many of these people have no respect for private property. They feel that when they see wide open spaces, they're entitled to hunt there (despite there being laws to the contrary). We who live in the country are forced to wear a color called "blaze orange" on our own farms in order to not get shot at.

Last year, my husband was in the woods behind our house, minding his own business, when a hunter took a shot in his direction. As he ran out of the woods, yelling at the careless hunter, the man jumped in his truck and took off. I hope that this hunter was so shaken up by the possibility that he could have killed someone that he no longer hunts like that. Not long ago, my husband talked to a fellow goat farmer who told him that he and his wife have actually been shot SEVERAL times during past hunting seasons! So this poor man wears blaze orange, even when he's inside during this time of year.

And don't even get me started on the hunters who use dogs to hunt. Jack, my little beagle/basset hound mix who passed away almost two years ago, was a former hunting dog. He was abandoned to fend for himself because he didn't live up to hunting expectations. (We're glad he became a part of our family, though.) Even many of the dogs who do perform well are ill-treated. They're not fed enough food so they're "hungry" when they hunt. Recently, two local hunting dogs attacked our chickens, killing several and maiming others that were so bad off that my husband had to euthanize them. All for sport. Most of these dogs are beagles who do not naturally attack chickens or other livestock. It's just that they were so hungry that they were desperate. Just so their owners can use them to hunt deer. And most of these hunters don't even want the meat; they want the antlers as trophies.

I suppose I'll just grin and bear it - and try to avoid getting shot. On several occasions I have told my husband that I'd like to follow one of these hunters home to the city one day and then sit in front of his house with a loaded rifle in my lap. I wonder how he'd feel about that.

(Photo source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1355961)

2011-11-21T08:00:00.001-05:00

I feel a pang of guilt every time I use my trash can at home (or anywhere, for that matter). As I drop something into the container, I think about how wasteful our culture is. Each item I discard represents something that was once of value but is now worthless and will join the millions and billions of other useless items that have been used up. Each item often represents finite resources that are being used up for our convenience, not always out of necessity.

I recently had a conversation with someone who had briefly done some missionary work in Russia a few years ago. She told me how shocking (to her and the rest of her group) it was that the Russian women they came in contact with had never seen nor heard of paper plates. Her group supplied them with some disposable goods and they discovered the women were washing them! The American reaction to this was to tell them to stop doing it and to just throw everything away.

At this point, I tried to keep my jaw from dropping to the ground as I thought, what is wrong with washing reusable plates and why are we (Americans) introducing such an unsustainable practice to this culture? People in poverty do not need to get into the habit of disposables. While it may be good for the companies that manufacture such goods, it is certainly bad for the Russian (and other) people. When it is a struggle to feed the children (this was in an orphanage), how on earth are they to find the resources to pay for disposable goods? And once the plates, cups, and utensils are used, where will they go? Who will pay for the expanded infrastructure to handle the extra garbage that will be generated?

As I close the cabinet door where I keep my kitchen trash can, so many more questions and feelings come to the surface. Why has our world come to this? Why has it become the norm to have so much trash? Why don't we think about where it all goes? Why aren't more of us thinking about alternatives? Call me crazy, but it seems there has got to be a better way to do life.

(Photo source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1218054)

Quote for the Day

2011-11-20T08:10:00.000-05:00

"Peace is not the product of terror or fear. Peace is not the silence of cemeteries. Peace is not the silent result of repression. Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution of all to the good of all. Peace is dynamism. Peace is generosity. It is right and it is duty."

~Oscar Romero, Archbishop of El Salvador

Martyred in 1980

Slavery and a Phone App

2011-11-19T09:44:00.000-05:00

In follow up to yesterday's post about modern day slavery, I want to share with you a phone app for smart phones that allows users to be conscious consumers. The app is Free2Work. Users scan bar codes and are then provided with information on that particular product. Companies receive grades from A to F based on their efforts to prevent and address child slavery. If you have a smart phone, I highly recommend you download and begin using this app.

Modern Day Slavery Part II

2011-11-18T11:00:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago my husband and I attended a viewing of a film called Sex+Money. It is a documentary about the sexual exploitation of children in the United States. The group that made the film had also traveled the world and put together a book about human trafficking in general. The church that hosted this event has a ministry called Abolition! Ministry which works to bring awareness to the fact that there are over 27 million modern-day slaves in the world and 80% of them are women and children.

In addition to working in the sex trade, many of these individuals work in sweatshops and plantations, unwillingly giving their health and their lives to produce products that make our lives easier. Things like coffee, tea, and chocolate are products that are often produced by these slaves, many of them children. Much of the clothing we wear in the United States also comes out of these conditions.

If we heard that a neighboring community was enslaving children to produce our consumer goods, we would be outraged. We would refuse to buy those products and would fight to put an end to the cruelty. Yet every day, in far away places, that exact situation exists and we aren't doing anything about it. I used to hear about "fair trade" products and thought that it would be nice if I could buy it but they don't carry those items in the stores where I live, blah, blah, blah. However, now that the proverbial curtain has been pulled back, I must do something about it. Many of those items that are produced are luxuries - we don't need tea, coffee, chocolate, the latest fashion...you name it. By refusing to purchase those items unless they are fair trade means helping to free those slaves.

To get you started, go to Sweatshop Hall of Shame to find out about companies that employ slaves. Learn about coffee and chocolate (and vanilla and sugar) here and here. Then go to the Fair Trade Federation's web site to learn about fair trade.

And I'll leave you with the following facts on annual salaries for the coffee industry in 2000:

Child slave: $0

CEO of Philip Morris (owner of Maxwell House): $45,000,000 plus $71,000,000 in unexercised stock options

(Photo source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1153852)

Wellness Wednesday

2011-11-16T08:14:00.000-05:00

There might be help for migraine sufferers who dislike taking medication. A recent study compared three treatments for migraines: medication, physical exercise, and relaxation exercises. Comparable improvement was seen in all three groups, meaning regular physical exercise could be a viable treatment for individuals who get migraines. Read more here.

Fall Editing

2011-11-14T10:24:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year when I get the urge to go through my things and edit out what is no longer necessary and in the way. I think what motivates me is bringing out my fall/winter clothes from storage in the attic and putting away my spring/summer ones. Although I don't own a lot of clothes (one full season fits in a small portable wardrobe), I still notice clothing I haven't worn or an overabundance of similar items.

Over the next month or so, I'm going to take stock of my possessions - both personal and household - and decide which items are just taking up space and donate or discard them. This past spring, I used a great trick with my clothing to see what I don't wear. I turned all of the hangers backwards and, as I wore items, turned the hanger around. That way, last week when I went to move my clothes, I saw what I hadn't worn this year. Upon spotting backwards hangers, I immediately pulled those items out of the closet and placed them in a "to donate" bag that I will be taking to our local thrift shop.

Right now I'm focusing on editing my clothes and am trying to make decisions on each category of clothing. For example, with jeans I need to determine how many pair I truly need and stick to that number. Having more than you need leads to both physical and mental clutter. A packed closet reminds me of the saying that you can't see the forest for the trees. Having a closet full of clothing that is mostly not worn makes it easy to overlook the items that are actually worn. Removing all but the items you wear cuts down on frustration and makes it easier to get dressed in the morning. It also makes you keep up with doing the laundry, something else that can cause mental clutter when it starts to pile up.

As Thoreau said, "Simplify, simplify, simplify."

(Photo source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/842486)

Quote for the Day

2011-11-13T08:00:00.001-05:00

"When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world."

~John Muir

(Photo source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1324306)

Modern Day Slavery

2011-11-10T08:00:00.001-05:00

Yes, it does exist. Around the world, thousands upon thousands of individuals labor in actual slavery in order to give the western world its modern conveniences. More on that later. In the meantime, go to www.slaveryfootprint.org to find out your involvement in this issue. Take the quiz. It may shock you to find out how many modern day slaves it takes to make the things we enjoy in our everyday lives.

(Photo source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/955162)

Wellness Wednesday

2011-11-09T08:00:00.001-05:00

High cholesterol is a hot topic nowadays. So many people are on prescription drugs to counter this health problem. However, according to an an article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers have discovered that drinking green tea (or taking an extract) can reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. With fall upon us in the northern hemisphere, it is a perfect time to curl up with a steaming cup of green tea.

Source: Taste for Life Magazine (2011, October). Lifestyles Ink: Keene, NH.
(Photo credit: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1214621)

Quote for the Day

2011-11-06T07:35:00.000-05:00

“If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.”

~ Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

How to Be a Barbie

2011-11-03T08:00:00.000-04:00

Below is a photo from O Magazine. It's a picture of Katie Halchishick, a founder of the blog Healthy Is The New Skinny. The dotted lines on her represent areas of her face and body that would need to be removed in order to look like Barbie.

(Photo source: http://rachelhills.tumblr.com/post/11495411676)

Wellness Wednesday

2011-11-02T08:00:00.001-04:00

From the October 2011 issue of Taste for Life magazine:

Overall Healthy May Determine Dementia Risk
Improving and maintaining aspects of health not usually associated with dementia may lower a person's risk for developing the condition. A 10-year study evaluated more than 7,000 adults ages 65 or older who were free of dementia at the start of the program. Participants were asked about health problems including trouble hearing or seeing, chest or skin problems, stomach or bladder troubles, and feet or ankle conditions. Older adults with none of these problems at the start of the study had an 18 percent chance of developing dementia within 10 years. The risk for dementia increased to 30 percent for those who had 8 of the health problems, and to 40 percent for those who had 12. Researchers determined that 19 seemingly unrelated factors such as arthritis, denture fit, sinus issues, and broken bones appeared to increase the likelihood of developing dementia.

"Our study suggests that rather than just paying attention to already known risk factors for dementia, such as diabetes or heart disease, keeping up with your general health may help reduce the risk," said study author Kenneth Rockwood, MD.

All Saints' Day

2011-11-01T13:03:00.001-04:00

Today is All Saints' Day, a day observed worldwide by Catholics and some Protestants. On this day, churches commemorate Christian saints, especially the martyrs who lost their lives in the service of the faith. In past posts, I have lamented the fact that many American churches glorify nationalistic, militaristic, and patriotic holidays such as July 4th, 9/11, and Veterans' Day. Much flag waving occurs in churches on those days and some churches even endorse the necessity of war.

As a pacifist and follower of Jesus, who is the Prince of Peace and loves everyone regardless of nationality, I find this disturbing. And I find it sad that many of the same churches that glorify those national holidays ignore one of the holidays they should be observing, a day that is recognized throughout the world.

All Saints' Day provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the rich history of the Church and the sacrifices that have been made. Our history contains many tales of brave Christians who went before us, often suffering poverty, imprisonment, torture, and even death, all in the name of Jesus. Many have been killed loving and serving fellow human beings in distant parts of the world. Rather than celebrating our man-made borders, I think we should be emphasizing the kingdom of God by observing All Saints' Day.

(Photo source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1228744)

Skipping the Middle Part

2011-10-31T08:00:00.001-04:00

Several weeks ago I heard a pastor talk about how people often go through rough times and believe that, during those times, God hates them. This comment came as a bit of shock to me as I don't think I've ever felt that way. Of course, there have been times when I've wondered "Why me?" or fervently prayed, "Help me, help me, help me...." But believing God hated me? Never.

I pondered this for a while and came to the conclusion that it is probably due to my faith background. You see, I wasn't raised in church. Up until the age of about 5, I attended Sunday school with my aunt. My parent's didn't go to church but my uncle's wife taught Sunday school at a local church. On Sundays, they would come by my house to pick me up and take me to church with them. This ended when I was about 5 when they moved out of state. Although I didn't attend church again until I was an adult, what I learned during those early years really stuck. Children in Sunday school are taught "Jesus Loves Me" and "Jesus Loves the Little Children." And most of the Bible stories taught in Sunday school are about how God shows his love.

As church goers age, they're exposed to more serious parts of the Bible and are taught about wrath and anger and that sort of stuff. Since I didn't go to church during those years, I missed out on that part of Christian education. Once I started going back to church as a young adult, I already had in my mind a loving God rather than a vengeful one. No matter how many sermons I heard about God's anger and his desire to punish us, it never shook that foundation of love.

So I'm glad I skipped the middle part. Since I never learned about the possibility that God could hate me, I've never felt that way and don't need to be retaught about the love of God. Perhaps churches should skip that middle part as well; that would certainly save a lot of sermons and time.

(Photo credit: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1364014)

Quote for the Day

2011-10-30T08:00:00.000-04:00

"From pacifist to terrorist, each person condemns violence - and then adds one cherished case in which it may be justified."

~Gloria Steinem

Saturdays and Puttering

2011-10-29T12:21:00.000-04:00

Although I don't work outside the home in a paid job, I do love my Saturdays. Weekdays are pretty regimented for me as I have certain days on which I perform certain chores and I have regular meetings and errands that keep me on the go. Even Sundays are busy as we typically go to church and sometimes have other obligations.

Saturdays, however, are a different matter. I don't have anything scheduled or any place where I need to be. I just am. However, don't think I sit on my laurels. I get a lot of work done but it's all in my own time and I don't have expectations on what must be done. I don't fret over time or schedules. Instead, I take my time on tasks and often tackle those things are are on my To Do list but never seem to get done. I will work for a while then relax a bit, catching up on blog reading or pleasure reading or just listen to music. It's such a relaxing, yet productive, time, and I jealously guard that day. Puttering is good for my soul.

(Photo source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1354628)

Wellness Wednesday

2011-10-27T09:44:00.000-04:00

Once again, I'm late with the "Wellness Wednesday" post. This time I've been unexpectedly called out of town and have limited internet access. However, I can still share some wellness with you!

In my current studies, I've had to explore the Healthy People 2020 website. This is a government initiative that has been ongoing for over 3 decades and has the goal of improving the health of all Americans. The Healthy People 2020 press release has something for us all to ponder. According to their press release, "Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes, are responsible for seven out of every 10 deaths among Americans each year and account for 75 percent of the nation's health spending."

Many of these killer diseases are linked to lifestyle and personal choices and so are preventable. Imagine how much better off we would all be and how much money would be available for other pressing needs if we took preventative health more seriously.

(Photo source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1317230)

Quote for the Day

2011-10-23T08:00:00.000-04:00

"Fashion your life as a garland of beautiful deeds."

~Buddha

(Photo source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1366526)

Wellness Wednesday...On Saturday

2011-10-22T08:00:00.000-04:00

Wellness Wednesday is not gone, nor forgotten; it was just postponed this week.

In doing some research, I found an article about people who are successful with losing and keeping off extra pounds. It's all very common sense stuff that requires some discipline but the results make it well worth it. Success boils down to the following:

Track food intake

Count calorie or fat grams or use a commercial weight-loss program to track food intake

Follow a low-calorie, low-fat diet - approximately 1,800 calories and less than 30% fat

Eat breakfast regularly

Limit eating out

Eat similar foods regularly and don't splurge much on holidays and special occasions

Walk about an hour a day or burn the same calories with other activities

Watch fewer than 10 hours of TV a week

Weigh at least once a week

It's all about a lifestyle rather than a dieting mentality. Successful dieters know that keeping weight off is a matter of burning off what is eaten. Most people fail when they feel the "diet" is over and revert back to their former eating and activity ha

Leadership and Authority

2011-10-20T09:53:00.000-04:00

As a Quaker, I tend to bristle at the idea of anyone having authority over me, especially in areas where I am voluntarily associated. The Quaker ideal is for equality and consensus. Thus, there are no masters and servants, only fellow human beings working towards a common goal.

These past few months I've encountered situations where I see individuals in leadership roles abuse their power. In one instance, I essentially stepped into a hornet's nest. A friend who also had the misfortune to get involved in that particular situation described it as "evil." Unfortunately, I cannot disagree with her. Fortunately, we are no longer involved with that particular group and its leaders.

In addition, on several occasions, I have found myself in very different settings, hearing leaders share misinformation on subjects about which I either had personal knowledge or had thoroughly researched the topic. Because they wished something to be true, they declared it to be so rather than taking the time to understand the topic or situation and risking the possibility that they were wrong. However, because the individuals exposing their lack of knowledge were in positions of authority, they could not be refuted. In fact, when challenged, I've seen leaders throw what I would describe as "tantrums." And their "followers," who often weren't themselves educated on the topics, took the misinformation as absolute truth.

Over the summer, when I attended the Wild Goose Festival, I sat in on a session where Lutheran minister Nadia Bolz-Weber discussed authority. If my memory serves me correctly, she confirmed that, as a pastor, her position did not convey authority, but that it was the people in her congregation from whom she derived her authority. Should she do something the congregation disagreed with, her "a** was out of there." (She's a very colorful speaker.)

Leadership and authority are complex concepts which I plan to explore more fully. However, in light of my experiences this year, I will share a few observations.

Those in authority do not inherently have power; it is given to them and can be taken away.
Leaders should admit when they do not know or understand something. Discussing a topic about which they lack knowledge makes them look ignorant and undermines their authority. Educated people recognize propaganda.
Being right does not make one a good leader. Willingness to listen and to compromise does.
Those in authority must be extremely aware that power corrupts. Power often insulates one from others and can lead to poor judgment.
Leaders must be exemplars, that is, they must practice what they preach. This is difficult (and sometimes impossible) and that is one reason why I disagree with having positions of authority.

I am far from perfect and make many mistakes on a daily basis. However, I also do not hold myself up as a leader or as a person with authority. Instead, I try to associate myself with groups of like-minded people who are focused on problem solving and bettering the world in which we live by engaging in healthy discussion and debate.

Quote for the Day

2011-10-16T08:00:00.013-04:00

Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you. Be curious, not judgmental.

~Walt Whitman

Catch Up

2011-10-15T08:45:00.000-04:00

Seems like this fall has taken on a life of its own and have neglected some aspects of my life while making progress in others. I finished yet another class towards my master's degree - three more to go! I've also been extremely active in several nonprofit ventures in my community, one of which wrapped up two weeks ago and another which is ramping up on Monday. Usually, I make quarterly goals but this fall I didn't seem to manage to make any as I never took a chance to sit down to contemplate. I am continuing my annual goal of reading the entire Bible this year. It has become such a habit that the few mornings when I'm not able to do it, something seems amiss in my life. I'm WAY behind on reading my friends' blogs and am hoping, with my one week break between classes, to be able to catch up. As of today, I have over 700 blog posts to read!

I recently got a nice surprise from my friend Shona of LALA dex press. A package arrived with two things I love: a book and a journal. Shona passed on the book In Praise of Slowness (which I need to take time to savor!) and a beautiful journal she hand made from ledger paper that her office was discarding. (The photo doesn't do the journal any justice.) Two of my favorite "R's": reading and recycling - plus "riting"! Thank you so much, Shona!

Wellness Wednesday

2011-10-12T09:21:00.000-04:00

Once again, a study shows that what we eat matters. Researchers have found that even those with a genetic predisposition to heart disease may be able to compensate for it by eating a healthy diet. Read more about the study here.

(Photo credit: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1362067)

Quote for the Day

2011-10-09T08:00:00.000-04:00

What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy?

- Mahatma Gandhi

Wellness Wednesday

2011-10-05T09:50:00.000-04:00

As those of us in the northern hemisphere get ready for the winter months, it might be a good idea to look into Vitamin D3 supplements to protect against flu viruses. According to one study reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, "vitamin D3 supplementation during the winter is linked to lower incidence of influenza," especially among schoolchildren. Read more about this study here.

(Photo credit: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1365132)

Consumption

2011-10-04T08:22:00.000-04:00

Patty of Morning Ramble had this video on her blog. It's a good reminder of some of the reasons we should limit our consumption.

Wellness Wednesday

2011-09-28T08:03:00.000-04:00

Here's an interesting article about how exercise revitalized brain cells in mice. Perhaps it might be the same with humans.

End of No-Shopping Challenge Part 2

2011-09-27T08:00:00.003-04:00

Due to a lot of busy-ness in my life, I neglected to mention my partner-in-crime in my no-shopping challenge. Shona at LALA dex press not only joined me in this challenge but encouraged me to extend my challenge beyond 30 days to make it a full season. Making it three times longer than planned made this challenge a real life-changing experience for me and for Shona. At the end of the three months, I had a completely different mentality when it came to shopping. It also helped prepare us for changes in our lives. For me, it was my husband taking an early retirement from his profession. We had talked about it for many years but had never set a specific date. In the midst of my challenge, we decided it was the right time for him to step away from his career and embark on a new adventure.

I'll let Shona talk about her own experience - you can read about it here.

Quote for the Day

2011-09-25T08:00:00.001-04:00

"If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there'd be peace."

~John Lennon

End of No-Shopping Challenge

2011-09-24T08:00:00.001-04:00

This week marked the end of my no-shopping challenge. If you count the forty-four days that I didn't shop during Lent, that means for almost half of this year, I have gone without shopping for non-necessities.

I did pretty well as I tried to only purchase food and personal care items. And if I already had a personal care item that filled my need, I didn't go out and buy a newer, better, more improved version of it until it was gone. I did purchase a newspaper once (not a necessity) and a couple of small potted plants (again, not necessities). The biggest purchase I made that was not a food or personal care item was a bed sheet that I had to buy to replace a threadbare one that had started to tear. Fortunately, I had some store coupons that brought down the cost quite a bit. Overall, I stuck to my no-shopping pledge.

Making a decision like this and then going through with it has made me think a lot about our culture and our privilege. I got thinking back to my ancestors who blazed trails across this nation. They had an expectation of certain privileges which included personal freedom and personal individuality. However, these were just two aspects of the personal "three-legged stool." Early Americans also realized that personal responsibility came with the other privileges. We can make individual choices as a result of our freedom, however we also need to recognize that we assume personal responsibility in those choices.

In this nation, we have so many benefits and choices. And we've come to see those choices as rights and needs, rather than as the luxuries they really are. A hundred years ago, a woman was happy to have one good dress in her closet; now we think we need a whole closet full. When I was growing up, having dessert or going out for a meal was a huge treat; now many people eat out three meals a day, and include dessert with at least one of them.

We're now seeing the consequences of this shift in mind set in what we consider necessities and luxuries. We're overweight and broke. Because we have such a wide variety of foods available to us, we indulge in them, all the time, thinking that we'll cut back "next week." Because we see the latest, newest, fastest, shiniest products advertised, we happily hand over our cash and credit cards to obtain them, all the while thinking they are necessities and we will figure out how to pay for them, eventually.

Obviously, we haven't figured it out. The problem is, we never cut back. Instead we push forward, digging ourselves deeper and deeper into debt or obesity. We're in serious trouble yet don't want to do the hard work to get out of it. We've lost that American belief in personal responsibility and its twin, self-control. I remember the phrase that Nancy Reagan popularized, "Just say no." Many people expect "the others" to apply this mentality to their lives when it comes to drug, alcohol, or any other vices. However, all of us need to learn to "Just say no" to the cornucopia of stuff available. We lack willpower when it comes to food, clothes, cars, electronics, even houses, yet we expect individuals with serious addictions and personal problems to have that very same willpower.

Now that my no-shopping challenge is over, I also will have to face the temptation of all the marketing techniques that are thrown my way. Of course I do have advantages over others right now. I've learned the lesson that I can do without much and will appreciate luxuries in small doses. I also discontinued my television service almost a year ago, so I don't have Madison Avenue in my house. Magazines no longer hold sway over me as I don't subscribe to any and, as a result of another challenge, am not tempted to buy them at the grocery store check out. I now look at everything with an eye to whether or not it is a necessity and, if it's not, is it worth the price in the long run.

I encourage my readers to take a similar challenge to gain a broader perspective on needs and wants. You will come out of it a changed person.

DIY Cosmetics

2011-09-22T08:00:00.001-04:00

Just found this recipe for do-it-yourself bronzer on PETA's web site and thought it was worth passing on. It contains no yucky chemicals and is extremely inexpensive to make.

DIY Bronzer

Cocoa or cinnamon powder
Powdered sugar or baby powder
An old mineral makeup sifter jar or an old compact

Mix the ingredients together until you've reached your desired shade for bronzing. Add more cocoa or cinnamon powder to darken, or add more sugar or baby powder to lighten. Pour the mixture into the sifter jar or compact and apply using a blush brush.

International Day of Peace - 30th Anniversary

2011-09-21T08:00:00.001-04:00

Wellness Wednesday*

2011-09-20T07:55:00.002-04:00

Seems the color of the fruits and vegetables you eat affects your stroke risk. In one study, participants with a high intake of "white" produce like apples, pears, cauliflower, bananas, and cucumbers lowered their risk of stroke by 52 percent. Researchers believe part of the reason is because apples and pears (which made up over half of the white foods consumed during the study) are high in dietary fiber. Another explanation is that individuals who consume a lot of produce tend to lead healthier lives. Read more here.

(Photo credit: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1070022)

*Haha! Got a day ahead of myself and published on Tuesday instead of Wednesday.

Quote for the Day

2011-09-18T08:00:00.001-04:00

I say: NO TO WAR! War is not always inevitable. It is always a defeat for humanity.

International law, honest dialogue, solidarity between states, the noble exercise of diplomacy; these are methods worthy of individuals and nations in resolving their differences.

~Pope John Paul II

Consumerism

2011-09-15T08:00:00.001-04:00

When it comes to consumerism and finances, I have for years felt like Cassandra crying in the wilderness, warning people of the dire consequences of their quest to live in affluence. Rebekah, a fellow blogger who is also a financial counselor, recently put up an excellent post exposing the dangers of living the "good" life when you cannot afford it. I recommend you go here to read it.

Wellness Wednesday

2011-09-14T08:00:00.001-04:00

Here's an interesting article linking the virtue of patience with health:

Various studies over the past decade have pointed to a correlation between impatience and several health issues.

One report from 2003 found a link between impatience and the risk of hypertension in young adults. A 2004 study in the Journal of Biosocial Science uncovered an association between impatience and obesity. John Komlos, PhD, one of the researchers, explained that seeking instant gratification (i.e., being impatient) is a means of justifying that extra dessert or ice cream. Furthermore, in 2007, European researchers found that impatient people are more likely to experience financial insecurity.

So, if tension, weight gain, and feeling broke seem unappealing, try making patience your number one virtue.

(Article source: Taste for Life, February 2011. Keene, NH: CCL Publications.)

How to Be Caring and Sensitive

2011-09-13T08:00:00.000-04:00

Often I hear people refer to certain individuals as caring and sensitive people. What they mean is that if those individuals happen to see something a bit uncomfortable, they get teary-eyed. Or that those individuals are the ones who worry about whether or not someone is able to afford a meal at a nice restaurant or whether or not they've provided enough pillows or blankets for their overnight guests.

I'm often surprised that these same people, when confronted with the atrocities of the world, say, "Oh, it's too hard; I don't want to know about it." These are the very people who need to know about it as they would be the ones most likely to take steps to do something about it.

Although I am a gentle vegetarian and I don't confront people over the issue nor do I expect others to follow in my path, I am appalled by the response of caring and sensitive people when the topic is discussed. On the occasions when I am actually asked the reasons I am a vegetarian or when people share myths they've heard about vegetarianism, I try to clarify and educate. I tell people that one of the reasons I am a vegetarian is because of the way factory farms torture the animals. In most instances, people whom I consider caring and sensitive immediately respond, "Oh, don't tell me about it. I don't want to know. I can't give up meat." What they're saying is that if they knew the truth, they would have to make that sacrifice.

When talking about 9/11 and the aftermath, I rarely hear any discussion about the innocent children in Iraq and Afghanistan who have been maimed and killed. Bringing it up among caring and sensitive people turns me into a social pariah. They don't mind talking about the brave American firefighters and other emergency personnel who gave their lives to help others, probably because that is over and done with. There is no ongoing ugliness to deal with. It is easier to commemorate the fallen and departed than to confront the grim realities of people "over there."

We need caring and sensitive people who are caring and sensitive about serious issues. While it is nice to be hospitable to one's neighbors, there are far greater needs in the world than the comfort of friends. Caring and sensitive people need to see photographs of maimed and wounded children and videos of cows, chickens, and pigs as they are inhumanely treated in the factory farms. Yes, these things are hard to view, but refusing to look at these images means not being moved to tears to do something. And this is how atrocities continue to occur - people don't want to know. People with sensitivities need to put that very disposition to use effect change in the world however difficult it may be.

(Photo source: http://www.womensviewsonnews.org/2011/02/report-finds-iraqi-women-and-children-victims-in-dirty-war/)

Perspective

2011-09-12T08:00:00.001-04:00

While waiting to get my car inspected, I overheard one of the employees of the automobile repair shop talking to a customer about the high price of food in this country. I ran across the following chart in the fall issue of Heifer International's World Ark magazine that puts food prices into perspective. Below is a list that gives the percentage of the people's total expenditure towards food in several countries, including the U.S. Here's how it breaks down:

Azerbaijan 46.9%
Pakistan 45.5%
Kenya 44.9%
Ukraine 42.1%
Cameroon 38.4%
India 35.4%
China 32.9%
Peru 29.0%
Russia 28.0%
Mexico 24.0%
Japan 14.2%
France 13.5%
United States 6.9%

It is hard to believe that even in France food is twice as expensive as in the United States. However, one can see the correlation between food price and obesity. France has an obesity rate of less than 12%, whereas the obesity rate in the United States is almost 34%. So, while we might be saving money on food, the trade off is that we're not saving our waists.

(Photo source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/546207)

Quote for the Day

2011-09-11T08:00:00.000-04:00

"Love your enemies."

~Jesus of Nazareth