“This is a story about a world obsessed with stuff. It’s a story about a system in crisis. We’re trashing the planet, we’re trashing each other, and we’re not even having fun. The good thing is that when we start to understand the system, we start to see lots of places to step in and turn these problems into solutions.”
The above text is the opening for Annie Leonard’s latest video, The Story of Cosmetics. This is just another installment in her ongoing The Story of Stuff project, a non-nonsense introduction to the system of over-consumption in our modern societies. The original 20-minute web film has been watched over 10 million times around the world, including at community centers, houses of worships, and schools. Read more...
You might remember my post from last month about my new-found enjoyment of jogging. Fear not – the joy still remains. In fact, my clothes are already starting to fit better. Even with my noticeably results, I’ve missed my past 2 workouts.
It all started Saturday morning. Long story short, I was feeling lazy and didn’t want to get out of bed at 6 a.m. to jog … so I didn’t. Later that day, I got stung in the foot by a hornet. Yes, it was painful, but some quick acting and pasty baking soda relieved my strain. Monday rolls around and it’s time to get up at 6 a.m. and jog … but I didn’t. Why, you ask? Laziness again. Read more...
From ages 2 to 92, there is no better time to enjoy the natural bounty of nature than today. Recent research from the BBSRC Centre for Integrated Systems Biology of Ageing and Nutrition (CISBAN) at Newcastle University shows that eating a low-calorie diet for even a short amount of time can slow the effects of age-related diseases. Like practicing an instrument, the longer you eat a low-calorie diet, the more positive effects it has on your body.
The key element in the CISBAN’s discovery is that, no matter your age, eating a low-calorie diet can have marked benefits on your health. If you’re still young – great! Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, complex carbs, protein, and healthy fats is your ticket to a rich and vibrant life. Already showing your age? The same rules apply. CISBAN found that eating less processed foods and more fresh produce at any age can slow the development of age-related diseases. Read more...
Sometimes, peace makes me cry. Oh not peace itself. That makes me smile. It’s the dearth of peace that causes lachrymosity.
Lately, the lack of peace has been obvious to me in … Read more...
From magazines and newspapers to doctors’ offices and backyard barbeques, people are talking about life - more specifically, about how simple life used to be. Our modern conveniences and downright addiction to constant forward progress have made the idea of living a “simple life” nothing but a novelty … or so it would seem.
The opportunity to live a simple life is within the reach of all of us. Articles and books abound with details how to have a more streamlined, low-drama life. Of course, you know as well as I do that you don’t need that stuff. Living a simple life is simply living – cut out the rest. Too many social media websites? Delete your profiles. Too many electronics? Recycle them. Certain people bringing stress into your life? Sever your ties. I think you get the idea. Read more...
Iku has been my student for several years. Her open mind and curiosity about other cultures have always impressed me. She sincerely wants to know how other people live, think and behave. And there is always helpfulness there, too. I readily see that in her gentle eagerness to assist other class members as we all stumble along through our lessons.
Once someone told me Iku assisted foreigners living in her town. Knowing that, I became more interested in her and wanted to learn more. That is when I asked her for an interview. “What! So much attention on me!” she said in embarrassed astonishment. But with a shy smile she agreed. Read more...
Environmental tragedies, religious conflict, dead soldier tallies … when will some good news start making the headlines? Today would be good.
Started in California in 1984, TED began as a small conference covering three wide subjects: Technology, Entertainment, and Design (TED). With phenomenal interest and support, TED has also launched a non-profit dedicated to spreading intelligent ideas and, in 2005, TEDGlobal was born. Read more...
This is a blog post by my friend Elizabeth Cunningham. Elizabeth is the author of The Maeve Chronicles - at this time, three novels about her Celtic Mary Magdalen, Maeve Rhuad. Her blog has two voices: Elizabeth’s and that of her character, Maeve.
I have Elizabeth’s permission to use it here. Read more...
“Hey baby, you know you want me.”
“Hey, baby, you’re so beautiful.”
“Hey baby, I’m talking to you.”
These are no longer lines women hear only on the street. They're part of Hey Baby, a recently released first-person shooter video game. Read more...
The next time to visit The Big Apple, be sure to partake in their world-renowned … tap water? You betcha – tap water. On the all-American date of July 4th, New York City major Michael Bloomberg and Environmental Protection Commissioner Cas Holloway announced their proactive campaign to promote the city’s tap water to locals and visitors alike.
The NYC water system supplies over 9 million people with over 1 billion gallons of water every day. “Our high-quality drinking water not only quenches New Yorkers’ thirst, but is the not-so-secret ingredient in the bagels, pizza, and thousands of other dishes that people come from around the world to get,” said Holloway. Read more...
