Here is a quick and easy thing you can do to help support public radio if you are in Los Angeles or Orange County. Go do your grocery shopping on Wednesday, April 8 at Whole Foods and 5% of all net sales that day will be donated to KCRW. Find out all the info here: KCRW.com/wholefoods
If you live in Southern California and you are not familiar with KCRW, I highly recommend giving it a listen and getting out from under the rock you must be hiding under. It is my favorite station here and is practically the only thing I listen to. Tune in to 89.9 FM and you will find a great array of eclectic music not played on the commercial stations, NPR programming and original programming by local hosts. You can also listen online which is great for people who don't live in LA or when you are working on your computer. Just go to: KCRW.com to listen to the live stream or podcasts.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Earth Hour
I must apologize for my absence in posting anything for the past several weeks. I have been traveling so much that it has been difficult for me to keep up with my other pursuits such as this blog. However, that is about to change. My travel schedule is winding down and I plan to post much more frequently in the coming weeks. In fact, I will probably be posting quite a lot in the next few weeks to make up for some lost time. OK, enough of my excuses, let me get to the point of my post!
One of my recent trips was to Sydney which happens to be the city where this exciting movement "Earth Hour" was started in 2007. It is a very simple idea with a profound effect. Simply turn of your lights for an hour this coming Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 8:30pm (your local time) and make a statement to show your support for helping to protect our planet and create a sustainable future for the Earth. To help inspire you, watch this 3 minute video.
Below is some more information from the Earth Hour website.
For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.
This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.
Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.
In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.
We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.
VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.
Saturday, March 28, 8:30-9:30pm.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Swap unwanted Books, CDs, DVDs and games
Do you have unwanted books, CDs, DVDs or video games at home that you don't know what to do with? I do and I wanted to get rid of them so I started looking at my options. I had about a dozen books and 20 CDs that I didn't want any more. I checked on some websites that buy back used CDs and I was only going to get a few cents for them that way. Next, I went to a local used CD store and they offered me a whopping $5.00 store credit in exchange for all 20 CDs. I wasn't satisfied with any of these options, so I kept looking. I finally found a website that offered me a solution that really fit my needs. It is called Swaptree.
The idea is pretty simple. You sign up to become a member for free. Then you list all of the items you have that you want to trade and what their condition is. You can list books, CDs, DVDs or video games. Then, you add items that you want to your want list. If you have an amazon.com wishlist, you can simply upload it in seconds. Or, you can just search for items you want and then add it to your list. Then, the site will try to find matches for you to swap with someone who has what you want and vice versa. If there is a potential match found, you can initiate a trade with the other member. You can trade any one item for another. For example, I could trade a CD for a book, CD, DVD or game. In addition to letting you know if you can get an item on your want list, the site will also let you browse through all the items you could get in exchange for an item you list for trade. Once a trade is accepted by both parties, you are sent the address of who to send your item to. The site even gives you the option to print out a postage paid shipping label that you can use and save yourself a trip to the post office. They charge your credit card once a month for all the postage you bought in the past month plus a $1 convenience charge total. Pretty great, huh?
I've been on the site for a little over a week now and I've already sent and received 2 trades. It feels great to be getting rid of things I don't need and getting new things in return that I do want for just the cost of postage! There are various other trading sites out there such as this, but this is the only one I've found that allows you to trade books, CDs, DVDs and games in one place.
Check out Swaptree, I think you'll love it!
Happy Swapping!
The idea is pretty simple. You sign up to become a member for free. Then you list all of the items you have that you want to trade and what their condition is. You can list books, CDs, DVDs or video games. Then, you add items that you want to your want list. If you have an amazon.com wishlist, you can simply upload it in seconds. Or, you can just search for items you want and then add it to your list. Then, the site will try to find matches for you to swap with someone who has what you want and vice versa. If there is a potential match found, you can initiate a trade with the other member. You can trade any one item for another. For example, I could trade a CD for a book, CD, DVD or game. In addition to letting you know if you can get an item on your want list, the site will also let you browse through all the items you could get in exchange for an item you list for trade. Once a trade is accepted by both parties, you are sent the address of who to send your item to. The site even gives you the option to print out a postage paid shipping label that you can use and save yourself a trip to the post office. They charge your credit card once a month for all the postage you bought in the past month plus a $1 convenience charge total. Pretty great, huh?
I've been on the site for a little over a week now and I've already sent and received 2 trades. It feels great to be getting rid of things I don't need and getting new things in return that I do want for just the cost of postage! There are various other trading sites out there such as this, but this is the only one I've found that allows you to trade books, CDs, DVDs and games in one place.
Check out Swaptree, I think you'll love it!
Happy Swapping!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Change your Mobile Phone Company
One of the easiest ways to start doing something positive with your money without having to think about it all the time is to change your mobile phone company. I was with Verizon for the past several years and after learning about some of their terrible corporate practices such as discriminating against pregnant employees, I switched to a great mobile phone company called CREDO Mobile. They use the Sprint network and their coverage is the same as Sprint's, however, they are not owned by or affiliated with Sprint. The company does so many great things it is hard to even think of them all, but I will do my best to list a few here:
1. 1% of your monthly charges go towards 50 progressive non-profits that you as a member get to vote on every year. (some examples include: Amnesty International, Doctors without Borders, America's Second Harvest, Sierra Club, Rock the Vote, Planned Parenthood, and Greenpeace) Non-profits have been really hurting with the current economic climate because people are not donating as much. This is an easy way to contribute to causes you care about without spending any additional money on your part.
2. Your phone bill arrives with citizen actions that highlight important issues and who you can call or write to about them.
3. You can sign up for automatic CitizenLetters for those that want to make their voices heard but don't want to take the time to write your own letter or make a phone call. Or you can just check off a box on your payment stub.
4. You can round up your phone bill if you want and send the difference to the pool of nonprofits.
5. They will cover the cost of any early termination fees up to $200 to get you out of a contract with your current mobile phone company.
6. When I signed up and ordered my phone they sent me a free phone case made from recycled tires salvaged from Colombian cargo trucks.
7. When they sent me my phone I also received a free shipping label to send my old phone to CollectiveGood for recycling.
8. The customer service is friendly and personal. When you call in you initially get an automated answer that asks you to enter your phone number, but after that you can press "0" and be immediately switched to a live person without having to navigate through 10 minutes of automated phone tree frustration.
9. You can try out the service for 30 days and if you are not satisfied, send your phone back with no obligations. (I tried it for a couple weeks while maintaining my old phone initially and then once I knew the coverage was good, I called and had my existing phone number switched over.)
10. Their plans are competitive with all the other major companies.
11. They have several phones for free or you can also choose to get a refurbished phone and save one from going into landfills. They've also got great accessories such as solar phone chargers!
12. They do cool things like on election day, you could send as many text messages as you wanted for no charge so that you could remind your friends and family to vote.
13. By referring a friend (any of YOU), I can have the option of donating another $25 to the pool of nonprofits or receiving $25 off my bill. I am choosing to donate to the nonprofits for anyone who signs up. Just mention my member number when you call: 1673965 or let me know that you are interested and I can send you a referral email. Of course, once you join, you have this benefit as well, so help spread the word!
14. And, when you sign up we'll be able to talk to each other on our cell phones for free!! :)
15. There is a new member special going on right now that will get you a free Samsung Camera Phone ($199 value) plus all the other great perks. The offer code is: 500230
Please check out their website for more info: http://www.credomobile.com
Or call to speak with someone helpful and friendly: 877-76 CREDO
Make the Switch!
1. 1% of your monthly charges go towards 50 progressive non-profits that you as a member get to vote on every year. (some examples include: Amnesty International, Doctors without Borders, America's Second Harvest, Sierra Club, Rock the Vote, Planned Parenthood, and Greenpeace) Non-profits have been really hurting with the current economic climate because people are not donating as much. This is an easy way to contribute to causes you care about without spending any additional money on your part.
2. Your phone bill arrives with citizen actions that highlight important issues and who you can call or write to about them.
3. You can sign up for automatic CitizenLetters for those that want to make their voices heard but don't want to take the time to write your own letter or make a phone call. Or you can just check off a box on your payment stub.
4. You can round up your phone bill if you want and send the difference to the pool of nonprofits.
5. They will cover the cost of any early termination fees up to $200 to get you out of a contract with your current mobile phone company.
6. When I signed up and ordered my phone they sent me a free phone case made from recycled tires salvaged from Colombian cargo trucks.
7. When they sent me my phone I also received a free shipping label to send my old phone to CollectiveGood for recycling.
8. The customer service is friendly and personal. When you call in you initially get an automated answer that asks you to enter your phone number, but after that you can press "0" and be immediately switched to a live person without having to navigate through 10 minutes of automated phone tree frustration.
9. You can try out the service for 30 days and if you are not satisfied, send your phone back with no obligations. (I tried it for a couple weeks while maintaining my old phone initially and then once I knew the coverage was good, I called and had my existing phone number switched over.)
10. Their plans are competitive with all the other major companies.
11. They have several phones for free or you can also choose to get a refurbished phone and save one from going into landfills. They've also got great accessories such as solar phone chargers!
12. They do cool things like on election day, you could send as many text messages as you wanted for no charge so that you could remind your friends and family to vote.
13. By referring a friend (any of YOU), I can have the option of donating another $25 to the pool of nonprofits or receiving $25 off my bill. I am choosing to donate to the nonprofits for anyone who signs up. Just mention my member number when you call: 1673965 or let me know that you are interested and I can send you a referral email. Of course, once you join, you have this benefit as well, so help spread the word!
14. And, when you sign up we'll be able to talk to each other on our cell phones for free!! :)
15. There is a new member special going on right now that will get you a free Samsung Camera Phone ($199 value) plus all the other great perks. The offer code is: 500230
Please check out their website for more info: http://www.credomobile.com
Or call to speak with someone helpful and friendly: 877-76 CREDO
Make the Switch!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
It Starts with You and Me!
In the spirit of taking action, making a positive impact and being part of the solution as we have been called to do by our new President Obama, I am starting my first blog. I have come to realize that I have much to share and contribute and I now feel inspired to be a beacon of information on how to help make the world a better place for all of us. It starts with the vision of what is possible and then following up with being-ness and action. My goal is to illuminate the vision, inspire others to be in line with that vision and provide the tools, insights and information needed for action.
The purpose of this blog is to bring awareness and provide valuable information as to how we can all take responsibility for the world we live in by making changes in our daily life that will have a positive impact on our communities and the world. I intend to cover a variety of topics such as environmental issues, community involvement, social issues, health and wellness, personal and spiritual growth, human and animal rights, and an other relevant topics. My personal interests include cooking, entertaining and travel so I will be including information along those lines which tie in with the overall mission of making our individual lives and world better. And, given the current economic challenges we are facing, I will also be looking at ways to save money and maximize efficiency. My love and respect for my amazing friends and community at large means that I will most certainly be highlighting people and businesses that I know personally whenever appropriate. Eventually, I hope to do interviews with exceptional people of interest. I also invite input and ideas from any of you who will be reading and are engaged in this movement. This is a collective raising of consciousness and we are all in this together!
The first thing to realize is that each and every one of us is making an impact on the world at all times with every thought we think, action we take, every thing we buy, and so on. My biggest message to all of us is to become totally conscious and aware of all that we do. This may seem daunting at first, but with practice and continued awareness it will become second nature.
Let me give an everyday example of what I mean here. Let's say my fridge is bare and I need to buy some groceries. I might first start to prepare for my trip to the store by coming up with some menu ideas for the upcoming week and preparing a list of ingredients to buy so that I can be efficient with my shopping time and not have to make a return trip later for something I forgot. Next, I will think about what store to go to. It is important to look at what stores we patronize and what they stand for. When shopping for produce, I try to go to the local farmer's market for fresh, organic, locally grown produce. My second choice (for produce and a wide array of specialty items) is Whole Foods which has a good selection of produce and it is labeled where it is grown and whether it is organic. For my basic essentials and some produce, I go to Trader Joe's which has a widening selection of organic items at very reasonable prices. Lucky for me, Trader Joe's is within walking distance so if I'm not getting too much stuff, I can walk over with my rolling cart and my own bags. Otherwise, I'll drive our Prius which is very fuel efficient and make sure to bring in my re-usable canvas bags that I keep in our trunk. When selecting items to purchase, I look for organic and fair trade options, fresh foods, limited prepared foods with wholesome ingredients, minimal packaging that is re-usable or recyclable, primarily vegetarian food with an occasional wild caught Alaskan Salmon thrown in the mix, products by companies that are leaders in the movement towards environmental and social responsibility. When I pay for my items, I will strive to use a credit card from a socially responsible bank. My purchase will be placed into the bags I brought. When I go home I unpack items and place recyclable items such as egg cartons in my separate bin for recycling.
I can go into a lot more detail on each of the choices made above and will do so in future entries, but this is just a quick example to get you thinking. I know this may seem like a lot of things to think about and remember, but once you start doing these things regularly it isn't that hard. The thing to really keep in mind is that each of the choices made has an impact... the question is are you aware of the impact that your choices have and are you doing your best to make choices that will have a positive impact vs. negative? The practice is to become conscious and aware in every moment of the actions you are taking.
I do not know exactly where this blog will take us, but I hope that it will inspire us all to See and Be the Change and that the ideas will spread out like a ripple and eventually a huge wave across the sea of life that we are all swimming in!
The purpose of this blog is to bring awareness and provide valuable information as to how we can all take responsibility for the world we live in by making changes in our daily life that will have a positive impact on our communities and the world. I intend to cover a variety of topics such as environmental issues, community involvement, social issues, health and wellness, personal and spiritual growth, human and animal rights, and an other relevant topics. My personal interests include cooking, entertaining and travel so I will be including information along those lines which tie in with the overall mission of making our individual lives and world better. And, given the current economic challenges we are facing, I will also be looking at ways to save money and maximize efficiency. My love and respect for my amazing friends and community at large means that I will most certainly be highlighting people and businesses that I know personally whenever appropriate. Eventually, I hope to do interviews with exceptional people of interest. I also invite input and ideas from any of you who will be reading and are engaged in this movement. This is a collective raising of consciousness and we are all in this together!
The first thing to realize is that each and every one of us is making an impact on the world at all times with every thought we think, action we take, every thing we buy, and so on. My biggest message to all of us is to become totally conscious and aware of all that we do. This may seem daunting at first, but with practice and continued awareness it will become second nature.
Let me give an everyday example of what I mean here. Let's say my fridge is bare and I need to buy some groceries. I might first start to prepare for my trip to the store by coming up with some menu ideas for the upcoming week and preparing a list of ingredients to buy so that I can be efficient with my shopping time and not have to make a return trip later for something I forgot. Next, I will think about what store to go to. It is important to look at what stores we patronize and what they stand for. When shopping for produce, I try to go to the local farmer's market for fresh, organic, locally grown produce. My second choice (for produce and a wide array of specialty items) is Whole Foods which has a good selection of produce and it is labeled where it is grown and whether it is organic. For my basic essentials and some produce, I go to Trader Joe's which has a widening selection of organic items at very reasonable prices. Lucky for me, Trader Joe's is within walking distance so if I'm not getting too much stuff, I can walk over with my rolling cart and my own bags. Otherwise, I'll drive our Prius which is very fuel efficient and make sure to bring in my re-usable canvas bags that I keep in our trunk. When selecting items to purchase, I look for organic and fair trade options, fresh foods, limited prepared foods with wholesome ingredients, minimal packaging that is re-usable or recyclable, primarily vegetarian food with an occasional wild caught Alaskan Salmon thrown in the mix, products by companies that are leaders in the movement towards environmental and social responsibility. When I pay for my items, I will strive to use a credit card from a socially responsible bank. My purchase will be placed into the bags I brought. When I go home I unpack items and place recyclable items such as egg cartons in my separate bin for recycling.
I can go into a lot more detail on each of the choices made above and will do so in future entries, but this is just a quick example to get you thinking. I know this may seem like a lot of things to think about and remember, but once you start doing these things regularly it isn't that hard. The thing to really keep in mind is that each of the choices made has an impact... the question is are you aware of the impact that your choices have and are you doing your best to make choices that will have a positive impact vs. negative? The practice is to become conscious and aware in every moment of the actions you are taking.
I do not know exactly where this blog will take us, but I hope that it will inspire us all to See and Be the Change and that the ideas will spread out like a ripple and eventually a huge wave across the sea of life that we are all swimming in!
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