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Archive for January, 2011


This week, Jan 24 – 28, 2011 is No Name-Calling Week in the States. Someone forgot to tell that to Rush Limbaugh.

Last week, during a Jan 19 radio program, Rush Limbaugh spent a full 20 seconds mimicking Chinese President Hu Jintao’s speech at the White House. “… Hu Jintao was just going ching chong, ching chong cha …” Despite demands for apologies for this display, none has yet come. Mr. Limbaugh apparently has said, “it was a service.”

There may be some who feel that those who don’t find this funny have no sense of humor. I say if you feel that way, you’re clearly one of the lucky ones to have never been subject to ridicule or discrimination for being different.

For me, it’s personal

Mr. Limbaugh’s mocking of President Hu brings back many harsh memories: (more…)

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From "The Story of Cosmetics"

Earlier in the week, I presented a dilemma I had last year with the cosmetic industry. I was shocked to discover what we’re putting on our and our children’s faces, bodies, and even in our mouths (in toothpastes).

I shared my own natural beauty solutions, which I hope you’ll consider and adapt for yourself. But, in addition, I think it’s important that we help the beauty industry do their own makeover to keep us, future generations, and our wildlife and environment safe.

Simple actions we can all take (more…)

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About eight months ago I began a descent toward hell. With the intent of doing an Impact Effort on commercially-made beauty products, I started doing research into ingredients typically included in these items. What I found was disturbing, in many cases, frightening.

My dilemma: I didn’t know how to present my findings to YOU. I, personally, don’t believe in scare tactics as a motivator — mostly because they depress and de-motivate me. On top of that, if I presented the findings, I‘d have to take action, too. So, I put it all aside, and Nils and I went along our merry way doing other Impact efforts. I closed my eyes and buried my head in the sand.

From The Story of Cosmetics

No more rose-colored glasses

But, I found myself looking at the cosmetics and hair and skin products in our home with a jaundiced eye. (more…)

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Nils wears it proudly


Nils wears his bandage proudly

This past week, as I was recycling and up-cycling holiday cards, Nils was off being brave.

On Friday, he, with his boss in tow, headed to an area Red Cross Blood Center and donated.

Knowing that his single pint of blood could potentially save three lives, he wears his bandage proudly!

Don’t forget, this is the time of year when blood banks are at their greatest need. January is National Blood Donation Month in the U.S., but no matter where we live, there are so many good and great reasons to donate. (more…)

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This year's holiday cards

… give them a new life!

All your used holiday cards can be recycled, up-cycled (made into something even nicer — I love this word), or re-purposed.

I’ve already re-purposed some of our cards (see “Try it yourself” below), and a few others I’m donating to a friend who recycles them into cards sold at her charity church bazaar.

Try it yourself

recycled cards

My friend, Sylvia‘s mother-in-law collects her family and friends’ holiday cards, cuts out the images, pastes them on new card stock, adds a dash of this and a sticker of that, and … Voila! (see right)… beautiful new cards. Not so complicated (even I can do it ;-) ). And, it’s fun. (more…)

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Public Domain. U.S. Information Agency. Press and Publications Service.Twenty-five years. It feels like an eternity, it feels like yesterday.

I remember well when the “King Holiday Bill” was struggling its way through Capitol Hill in the United States. The bill, seeking to make Martin Luther King, Jr.‘s birthday a federal holiday languished in Congress and the Senate for years. With the likes of Republican Senators John P. East and Jesse Helms of North Carolina vehemently opposing the idea, and taking on obstructionist tactics like holding a 16-day filibuster to stop passage of the bill in the Senate, it was a long road. (more…)

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Now, all of us who are on Facebook can be a part of a network to help locate and ensure the safe return of missing and abducted children.

On Wednesday, Facebook joined the network of organizations that distribute Amber Alerts, urgent all-points bulletins sent out by law enforcement agencies in the United States regarding serious cases of child abduction.

The Amber Alert Facebook landing page is simple to navigate. (more…)

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Was Santa Claus good to you this year, too? Did you get that new 3D flat screen TV, new iPad or iPhone, PC/Mac upgrade, or other techno-gadget?

Congratulations, join the crowd and enjoy! But, what to do with the old?

Why Care?

In 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States estimated that the U.S. alone generates about 2 million tons of e-waste per year. More recently, estimates claim that the UK generates 1.8 million tons per year. In a 2009 report, the UN assessed that worldwide, we generate as much as 50 million tons per year. These mountains of e-waste contain lead, mercury, cadmium, brominated flame retardants (BFRs), and other toxins (more…)

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Dark Humor Generates Blood Donation


On my way in for some surgery tomorrow and couldn’t resist. I thought it was just TOO appropriate to share these! :-)

Santa Casa Hospital, in São Paulo, Brazil, teamed up with Y&R advertising agency to develop this unusual ad campaign to encourage blood donation.

Don’t waste your blood. Donate.

If we weren’t already committed to the cause, this would convince us.

January is Blood Donation Month, Give the Gift of Life.

p.s. – we take strong exception with one of the ads in the series (pitbulls that we know are friendly, intelligent, and loving), but we support the objective.


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January is National Blood Donation Month in the U.S. and no matter where you live, this is the perfect time to give. Blood donations are often critically low this time of year, but, the need remains constant during this period.

Perhaps you feel drained from all your holiday giving, but there’s no greater gift than the Gift of Life. (more…)

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