Well here we are, in the United States anyway, with another major Holiday in the rear view and heading full tilt into the Christmas Season. Thanksgiving Day, a day to stop, reflect, and give thanks for all of the abundance around us, to be grateful for our homes, our families.....basically everything that is “good” in our lives.
How very American, to schedule a Holiday to give thanks....when in all actuality, giving thanks should be an every minute of every day occurrence. I know, I know, Thanksgiving is historical in nature, a meal between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans whose land they were just beginning to plunder....a benchmark in the development of our country, yada, yada, yada....but historical aspects aside, let's just take a minute to look at the gratitude of Thanksgiving.
Since Thanksgiving is about togetherness, I think it would be safe to assume that first and foremost, Thanksgiving is about the people. Now those “people” don't have to be family members, and in many instances, you are better off if they aren't, but for me, it is a duality, friends and family.
Family. Yep, I'm grateful for that....but whether it is a late night snack with my teenage son or a meal on the go with my daughter, I am grateful. A nice quiet evening with Gary, or a family birthday or celebration that brings everyone together....I am grateful.
Friends. Well, in most aspects, my friends are my family. They are the ones I turn to when I need to laugh, cry, share and grow. My friends bring me joy, tears, laughter and good times, we dish, bitch, you name it....and for the wonderful, beautiful people in my life that I have the honor to call my friends....I am grateful.
Work. My work is another something something I am grateful for. To have the opportunity to wake up each and every day and get paid to do what I love, what a blessing. Whether it is a day working with words or caught up in research and communication...what a cool thing to be fortunate enough to make a living doing the things I am passionate about. For my work, each and every day....I am grateful.
And Stuff. We are supposed to be grateful for stuff too, right? Well, my home is nice, safe, warm, and a great place to both live and work out of and for that, I am grateful. My car, runs, is comfortable and safe and for that, I am grateful. But possessions can be a tricky thing. A great teacher, Rev. John F. Schulte, once told me that, “Everything in your experience, you share energy with. If it does not serve a purpose or it does not bring you joy – let it go.”
I think that oftentimes, people get caught up in the acquisition of “stuff” and that can blur the gratitude of any day, especially Thanksgiving. Now I'm not sitting here pointing fingers, because the acquisition of “stuff” is something I can be guilty of too. Wishing I had a new house, new rug, new this or new that. But those feelings and drive towards acquiring more “stuff” didn't bring me joy – it made me focus on what I did not have, and in turn I was not grateful for the beauty that was already surrounding me. So what if my couch was old or my end tables didn't match, why did I spend the energy focusing on that rather than the fact I have always had a safe, warm home to raise my children in. Always remember, at the end of the day, if it does not serve a purpose or it does not bring you joy – let it go.
It is the people in your life that truly make a difference, whether friends, family, a neighbor, coworker, or even a kind stranger in the supermarket....look for the good things, the smiles, the thank yous, the things to be grateful for. If you have a warm bed to sleep in, be grateful. If you have a job that meets your needs financially and emotionally, be grateful. If you have good health, be grateful. I could go on and on with this, but the important thing is to find at least five things to be grateful for each and every day. Write them down, refer back to them, and remember, gratitude...always.
Thanksgiving is a state of mind, and the more things that you can reach for and for which you can be truly grateful, the more peace you will have in your life. And as we head towards the frantic pace of the Christmas Season, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Peace one of the themes?
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
Organic Really Is Better
Well I've been saying it, and while some people agree, other's think that I am a food snob, a person who truly enjoys flaunting my snobbery by paying two or three times more for an organic product than I would for a conventional. Now how paying 5 dollars for a loaf of bread over 2 dollars can be considered a good time is beyond me, but guess what, my buying habits aren't snobbery, organic food really is better.
Jon UnGoed-Thomas recently reported in the Times Online that the biggest study into organic food has found that it is more nutritious than ordinary produce and may help to lengthen people's lives. Funded by the European Union, the four-year study found that organic fruits and vegetables contained as much as 40% more antioxidants, in addition to higher levels of beneficial minerals such as iron and zinc.
Professor Carlo Leifert, the coordinator of the study, said the differences were so marked that organic produce would help to increase the nutrient intake of people. And while the English Food Standards Agency is reviewing the evidence of the study before deciding whether or not to change it's current stance, “no significant differences between organic and ordinary produce,” Leifert contends that there is enough evidence now to prove that the level of good things is indeed higher in organics.
Imagine that, food grown in healthy soil, lacking all of the pesticides and chemicals from seed to harvest, can actually be healthier for you.....boggles the mind, doesn't it. Taking it ten steps further, organic foods generally (but not always) lack many of the harmful effects of genetic engineering and the thousands of “additives and preservatives” that can make food not so, well food like.
But a word of caution here, not all organic foods are created equally. With the rising popularity of organic products, organic foods have become big business, and we all know what business means to our food supply - some organic standards have been compromised.
Try and buy local when possible, as Dr. Mercola states, “If you want to get the freshest, most nutrient-rich foods available, you simply must seek out real sources close to your home. When I say “real sources” I’m referring to farmers, food coops, farmers’ markets, and community supported agriculture programs. These are the people who are growing your food, and only by speaking with them and establishing a rapport will you truly know if your food is being raised with integrity and health in mind.”
When you do have to hit the supermarket or the local health food store, start with the organic label and know that now when you go through the checkout line, the organic foods in your cart truly will “feed” your family better than anything else in the store.
Jon UnGoed-Thomas recently reported in the Times Online that the biggest study into organic food has found that it is more nutritious than ordinary produce and may help to lengthen people's lives. Funded by the European Union, the four-year study found that organic fruits and vegetables contained as much as 40% more antioxidants, in addition to higher levels of beneficial minerals such as iron and zinc.
Professor Carlo Leifert, the coordinator of the study, said the differences were so marked that organic produce would help to increase the nutrient intake of people. And while the English Food Standards Agency is reviewing the evidence of the study before deciding whether or not to change it's current stance, “no significant differences between organic and ordinary produce,” Leifert contends that there is enough evidence now to prove that the level of good things is indeed higher in organics.
Imagine that, food grown in healthy soil, lacking all of the pesticides and chemicals from seed to harvest, can actually be healthier for you.....boggles the mind, doesn't it. Taking it ten steps further, organic foods generally (but not always) lack many of the harmful effects of genetic engineering and the thousands of “additives and preservatives” that can make food not so, well food like.
But a word of caution here, not all organic foods are created equally. With the rising popularity of organic products, organic foods have become big business, and we all know what business means to our food supply - some organic standards have been compromised.
Try and buy local when possible, as Dr. Mercola states, “If you want to get the freshest, most nutrient-rich foods available, you simply must seek out real sources close to your home. When I say “real sources” I’m referring to farmers, food coops, farmers’ markets, and community supported agriculture programs. These are the people who are growing your food, and only by speaking with them and establishing a rapport will you truly know if your food is being raised with integrity and health in mind.”
When you do have to hit the supermarket or the local health food store, start with the organic label and know that now when you go through the checkout line, the organic foods in your cart truly will “feed” your family better than anything else in the store.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Target Is Right On Target Phasing Out PVC
I have a thing for comfort, and nothing says relaxing more than a good book and a great, comfy chair. Now that chair cannot be some sort of beat up reject, no, been there done that when my kids were small. If I am going to go out and search for a new comfy chair I want it to look good.
Well about six months ago I found a great chair….it was comfy and definitely looked good. I grabbed Gary to go and see it before I made the purchase and upon closer inspection I realized the beautiful red leather chair that had caught my eye seemed well…shiny. Like really shiny…more like the vinyl naugahyde of my youth than the sexy red leather available today.
The more I looked at the chair, the more I became concerned that it wasn’t leather like the tag said, so I called the salesman over. Enthusiastically he explained that the chair was indeed leather, blended with high quality PVC.
PVC – WHAT!
Needless to say, I did not buy that chair.
PVC is not something to sit on, actually it is something to avoid when you can. According to a report I received this morning from the Environmental News Service, Dr. Peter Orris, professor and chief of service at the University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago states, “Study after study have found that chemicals in vinyl can cause health problems in children and adults. While using PVC products, people may be exposed to toxic additives like phthalates and lead and when incinerated, PVC is a major contributor to dioxin.”
Among the health effects of phthalates, plastic softeners found in many PVC products, are premature birth delivery, early puberty in girls, impaired sperm quality and sperm damage in men, genital defects and reduced testosterone production in boys…for starters.
The report further states that the hazards of PVC are not limited to its use by consumers, it creates toxic pollution during its manufacturing. When discarded, toxic additives like lead and phthalates can leach into the ground and drinking water. When burned, PVC produces dioxins and furans, chemicals that can cause cancer and are considered to be among the most toxic environmental contaminants.
Target, the fifth largest US retailer, has agreed to reduce its sale of products containing PVC. Joining a group of companies including Wal-Mart, Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson, Nike, and Apple that are eliminating or reducing PVC in their products and packaging.
Target has pledged to eliminate PVC from a number of infant products and toys, and already, Target’s children’s eating utensils and lunchboxes are PVC-free; baby bibs will be PVC-free by January 2008; 88% of its shower curtains will be PVC-free by Spring 2008; phthalates in baby changing tables are on their way out and by the fall of 2008, Target will phase out phthalates in most of their toys.
So as we approach the Holidays, do NOT buy any “shiny” leather chairs for that special someone and if spending is part of your Holiday tradition, do your research and put your money in the companies that are working to make a difference.
Well about six months ago I found a great chair….it was comfy and definitely looked good. I grabbed Gary to go and see it before I made the purchase and upon closer inspection I realized the beautiful red leather chair that had caught my eye seemed well…shiny. Like really shiny…more like the vinyl naugahyde of my youth than the sexy red leather available today.
The more I looked at the chair, the more I became concerned that it wasn’t leather like the tag said, so I called the salesman over. Enthusiastically he explained that the chair was indeed leather, blended with high quality PVC.
PVC – WHAT!
Needless to say, I did not buy that chair.
PVC is not something to sit on, actually it is something to avoid when you can. According to a report I received this morning from the Environmental News Service, Dr. Peter Orris, professor and chief of service at the University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago states, “Study after study have found that chemicals in vinyl can cause health problems in children and adults. While using PVC products, people may be exposed to toxic additives like phthalates and lead and when incinerated, PVC is a major contributor to dioxin.”
Among the health effects of phthalates, plastic softeners found in many PVC products, are premature birth delivery, early puberty in girls, impaired sperm quality and sperm damage in men, genital defects and reduced testosterone production in boys…for starters.
The report further states that the hazards of PVC are not limited to its use by consumers, it creates toxic pollution during its manufacturing. When discarded, toxic additives like lead and phthalates can leach into the ground and drinking water. When burned, PVC produces dioxins and furans, chemicals that can cause cancer and are considered to be among the most toxic environmental contaminants.
Target, the fifth largest US retailer, has agreed to reduce its sale of products containing PVC. Joining a group of companies including Wal-Mart, Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson, Nike, and Apple that are eliminating or reducing PVC in their products and packaging.
Target has pledged to eliminate PVC from a number of infant products and toys, and already, Target’s children’s eating utensils and lunchboxes are PVC-free; baby bibs will be PVC-free by January 2008; 88% of its shower curtains will be PVC-free by Spring 2008; phthalates in baby changing tables are on their way out and by the fall of 2008, Target will phase out phthalates in most of their toys.
So as we approach the Holidays, do NOT buy any “shiny” leather chairs for that special someone and if spending is part of your Holiday tradition, do your research and put your money in the companies that are working to make a difference.
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