:A love revolution.
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Friday, July 30, 2010
Finding Oasis - Powerful stories from the slums of Mumbai
This month Authentic Media are pleased to announce the publication of Finding Oasis - a book that reveals the real world of Slumdog Millionaire. Author, Clare Nonhebel,interviewed slumdwellers, victims of human trafficking, street children, AIDS orphans and others rejected by society, she discovered some people not only surviving but thriving in extremely stressful lifestyles.
Already concerned about the growing ‘stress-relief industry’ in our own Western 21st century society, with all its practitioners and remedies, Clare asked these amazing stress-survivors what they could teach us.
In our affluent and apparently easier lives, why do so many struggle to find peace and happiness? What lessons can we learn from some of the poorest and most marginalized? Through Finding Oasis, voices of the voiceless speak to us, each with their own experience and personality. Meeting these people may change your life.
Clare Nonhebel is a freelance journalist, author of 11 books and winner of a Betty Trask Award for fiction; married to Robin, a history teacher. The author’s proceeds from the book will go to the charity Oasis India.
Our guide to companies that are ethically a cut above the rest. Today Newman's Own foods are up for the taste test.
We always knew we liked Old fashioned Lemonade and that yummy Italian Dressing...and now we know why. In 1982 Paul Newman committed to give all profit from the Newman's Own company to charity. Newman's Own continue to do that to this day. Since '82 the Newman's Own Foundation has given over $300 million to thousands of charities. Now that leaves a good taste in your mouth! www.newmansown.com
For Organics and fairtrade coffees, hop on over to Newman's Own Organics, a daughter company that specializes in snacks, drinks and pet food. www.newmansownorganics.com
Ashley Green sets the palate for this, the Brit fashion phenomenon. Company review of a very green ASOS.
ASOS is becoming something of an international craze. This UK based online retailer is a hit with style savvy natives and had now successfully hopped the pond.
We like it because on top of it's Carbon Neutral status that it achieved this year, ASOS are also putting their growing muscle behind fairtrade and organic womanswear and beauty products featured in their cyber 'Green Room'. They have a vintage and reclaimed department for both menswear and womanswear plus designer green product lines. All this is pretty amazing in light of how influential ASOS has become. This little start up wb site now has over 7.5 unique visitors a month. That's a lot of traffic passing through carbon neutral land.
Scoring hot talent such as Ashley Green (for their July cover) is a little indication of how far this little mom and pops company has come. Miss Green is not the only meter of success either. The figure speak to themselves. During the recession, whilst other stores were closing their doors and suffering huge hits to their profits, ASOS saw 35% growth in revenue. They are not slowing down either. The first nine weeks of the new fiscal year sales have increased 58% domestically and 118% internationally, as news of the brand continues to spread.
Why so popular? A choice of over 35000 products, low prices, free shipping and bang on fashion may have something to do with it. style savvy, internet savvy, money savvy individuals are discovering savvy home shopping that actually works for them.
But this is not all, oh no. What actually sets this ingenious company has apart is it's history of designer inspired and original design clothing. All this design equals lots of fresh concepts alongside multiple brand names. Now ASOS is not just bringing celebrity fashion to the masses but mass fashion to celebrities, all with an ethical twist.
We like to applaud companies who are embracing ethical business practice, whether it is humanitarian or environmental. This could be by reducing food miles, up-scaling fair-trade production, going green, supporting aid and development or making breakthroughs in medicine, human rights or community works. So if you know a company that is doing something right for the world and deserves some recognition, let us know!
This week we want to through our hats in the air for British retailer ASOS.
This business sensation has grown dramatically delivering fashion to the UK and internationally. in the last ten year. We like it particularly because they are now a Carbon Neutral company. Yep that's right - an entire company with 36ooo products and 1000 employees has a carbon footprint of zero. That's less than just one of their native Londoners who on average each have an annual footprint of nine tons. Now that's pretty impressive.
We also like ASOS because they provide a mainstream platform for ethical brands and products to compete on the open market. Sold in their 'Green Room', natural beauty products, womansware and designer heels all get their ethics on. The collections doesn't overwhelm you with ethnic styles - so you won't leave with a hefty order of beaded hessian - unless you really want to.
ASOS also lovingly presents 'clothes with previous lives' in their Vintage collections for men and woman. Expect to find an asortment of good condition, well selected pieces, if you love army styling, you will love this place.
My personal favorite bit after all of that...postage and packaging is completly free on all orders so you won't get stung at the checkout, nor need to calculate it into the total cost of your purchase (international orders have a low flat rate). highstreet prices prevail, unless you shop designer, which yes, they do have.
So keep your car off the road, shop ethical and green at the same time, save money and get all styled up with a good feeling to boot :)
We are learning lots of new things about the sun and how we should and shouldn’t relate to it*.
The Cancer Factor
"Because the incidence [of melanomas] has gone up for both men and women of all social groups and across all levels of cancer thickness, we believe this represents a genuine increase in melanoma cases, not just a sign of better screening," Eleni Linos, from the dermatology department at Stanford University Medical Center
Skin cancer rates have increased dramatically in the same time period as sunscreens have been in use and have doubled in the last 10 years. This could be for a number of reasons. However in recent years we are finding out about some pervading miss-information about skin cancer risk. What we are learning is that what we have been doing traditionally, may have been doing much more harm than good.
The Sunscreen Factor
Studies are suggesting that there are serious problems with the chemicals used in regular sunscreens. Initial testing of traditional sunscreens was never fully carried out, but their use, as we all know, has been heavily supported. Sunscreen use has been promoted as an essential part of reducing the risk of skin cancers. Now we are finding that substantial research suggests they are doing the opposite.
Several of the ingredients** in traditional sunscreens are ‘free radicals promoters’. When exposed to UV rays the chemicals react to produce large amounts of free radicals. When this occurs on the human body, as with sunscreen, they are absorbed into the body. Many studies are now reasoning that this is why skin cancer rates have sky rocketed in the same period.
Estrogen Factor
Traditional chemicals used in sunscreen are also affecting estrogen levels in humans. This has many serious repercussions on the human body in both males and females. It is also part of the gradual estrogenizing of natural watercourses, which is affecting sea-life and is being fed back into human drinking water.
Vitamin D Factor
UVA rays are harmful rays, but UVB rays, it’s been learned, can actually can help protect you against skin cancers. Your body needs to receive Vitamin D from the sun through UVB rays to be healthy and strong. Vitamin D, which is better described as a hormone, even helps reduce the risk of cancer. So receiving the goodness from the sun is important. Whilst over exposure can be harmful, skin type and genetics are the factors to be aware of in determining how long you should be in sunlight. Blocking out UVB rays indiscriminately, may do you more harm than good.
Ozone Factor
Ozone depletion has long been held responsible for the rise in skin cancer and yet in nations where ozone remains in-tact, melanoma rates have also increased.
Professor Johan Moan of the Norwegian Cancer Institute found that the yearly incidence of melanoma in Norway had increased by 350% for men and by 440% for women during the period 1957 to 1984. He also determined that there had been no change in the ozone layer over this period of time.
The Natural Factor
So if we choose an all-natural sunscreen we’ll be safe? Sorry but no, the minefield continues. There are natural ingredients in organic and natural sunscreens that are still believed to be carcinogenic, although insufficient research has been done on them. To be on the safe side steer clear of natural sunscreen products with titanium oxide or titanium dioxide. The good news is that there are natural sunscreens without this ingredient, such as Soleo and UV natural.
According to Dr. Mercola MD, the best way to avoid sun related cancer is to know your skin type.
If you are dark skinned then building a tan gradually helps you to get all the vitamin D you need whilst developing your own natural defenses to UVA.
If you are fair skinned or have many moles then you will need to avoid the sun, particularly during the hottest part of the day.
Wear clothes that shade the most vulnerable parts of your body, such as your shoulders, chest and face.
Drink lots of water and eat lots of anti-oxidant fresh and foods.
Remember to get a little bit of sun (for vitamin D) before covering up and putting on sun bloc. Although sunburn is now not thought to be connected to cancer, it is a sign of too much sun. Make sure you know the sun where you are and you know your skin, get out of the sun before you begin to burn and moisturize!
Buy sun bloc with zinc oxide as the active ingredient such as Soleo
*Please note, this area of research has become a mine-field of misinformation, lack of research and conflicting scientific beliefs. You will need to do your own research to find what you are comfortable with and to discover what you believe is the best option for your family. All information here is a representation of information available, but we cannot take responsibility for the choices you make for you or your family.
** Chemicals used in traditional sunscreens that are regarded as dangerous:
Benzophenones (dixoybenzone, oxybenzone)
PABA and PABA esters (ethyl dihydroxy propyl PAB, glyceryl PABA, p-aminobenzoic acid, padimate-O or octyl dimethyl PABA)
Time is your most valuable asset to invest. To be a world changer and fulfill your dreams you will need all the time you can get!
So ladies, here is the definitive guide to being on time, being efficient and saving yourself an hour a day! Which all adds up to a whole bunch of success.
In the morning:
*Don’t put music or the TVon! Don’t check your facebook/email (unless you get up early to do this – watch the clock!)
Bathroom
Shower, shave with conditioner and deodorize
Clean teeth
Put the kettle on.
Bedroom
Put top of head in rollers and hair spray – before leaving your room take out and either leave down or put in messy bun. Spray.
Just do concealer on spots, around nose and on eyes
Eye pencil
Mascara
Pencil and groom brows
Add blush
Wear jeans/pants, tee/blouse, blazer and heels (OR a dress)
Necklace and rings
Perfume!
Kitchen
Throw water and banana in purse and grab coffee press on the way out (make smoothie only if you have time).
Car
Eat protein bar, banana and drink coffee/water.
Add lip pencil and balm at stop lights
Pray that your day will be a great one!
Prepare for Early:
Get ahead of the game and set yourself up for success:
Put your purse together the night before with everything you need so you can pick it up and go.
Leave 30 min earlier than you usually do and have a book in your car
Choose an outfit the night before, check the weather online.
Detail your car regularly and get coffee stains out with dishwasher soap and water. Keep a trash bag in the car!
Car –
Keep a supply of:
High protein nutrition bars
A tub of your favorite nuts
Deodorant spray, perfume, a scarf, a clean shirt, comfy flats and a spare cardigan in the trunk (in case of emergency clothing needs)
A book in the car (incase you are early)
Ipod – for chilled or energizing music
Kitchen -
For fast, fluid breakfasts…
Keep a few cup holders from Starbucks to help you to the car with:
Coffee machine on timer, or a travel French press ready to go – it’s quicker than drive thru.
Water - A couple of bottles of cold water in the refrigerator ready to go.
Fruit ready to go.
Smoothie – If you have time: a cup of frozen berries, ½ cup of oatmeal covered in juice and blended is an awesome breakfast – add a banana for carb power.
"Pick up the coffee tab for the next person in line at Starbucks"
We did this Quick Kindness at a drive thru Starbucks in Redding California - The Starbucks staff later said that it went on continuously for 4 hours. We were impressed that once it got started, everyone in line kept doing it for the car behind them without any prompt. It's amazing how doing this just as a random act of kindness triggered a line of acts of generosity in the other people. we were also impressed that there was a continual line at Starbucks for 4 hours!!! We all like our coffee here I guess.
Redding, California
I guess they do!!
Keep sending us your stories to info@ livinggenerously .com
Everyone has an opinion on electric cars, but since they are always being changed and developed, isn't it time to take a second glance? So here are our top ten reasons to re-think electric.
Why electric?
1.Inexpensive. Ever had a small heart attack when you saw the gasoline prices at the gas station?Fuel prices fluctuate dramatically and have risen steeply over the past 5 years, but we keep paying because we think we have no choices...we do. Electricity is much, much, cheaper and can even be generated at home if necessary. You can regulate your fuel bill by switching to electric and we could all use a bit of regular in theses unstable economic climes. The initial outlay is often offset with government incentives and rebates, plus your new Electric Vehicle (EV) will last you an entire 90-year lifetime. Work that one out.
2.Green. Electricity produced by coal or oil fired power stations is still greener and more efficient (by 400-600%) than internal combustion engines. Plus more and more of the national grid is being switched to renewable energy. You can opt in to 100% renewables from the national grid now if you switch to an energy provider like Good Energy. Or just buy you a windmill and produce it all in the back yard!
3.Bel Air. City dwellers are far more efficient than country dwellers – they produce around 8 tons pa of carbon compared to 25 tons pa produced by country folk. Living in cities is good for the environment. However, city dwellers have worse air quality because of the smog produced by traffic. Electric cars don't produce emissions and so keep 'green' cities green and clean. They don't eat oxygen and don't produce poisons – all of which is important for human health.
4.Girl Friendly. Electric cars are low maintenance and more reliable than gas guzzlers because they have simpler engines.
5.Longevity. EV's go on forever. Combustion car's mileages are measured in thousands of miles. An electric car's mileage is measured in millions. An electric car can run for 90 years driven 50 miles a day (more than the average daily usage). Work that out...a lease payment over 90 years...
6.Sound of Silence. EV's are quiet. Just think if everyone drove electric, you could live next to the freeway and not hear it.
7.Convenient. The little ones which are good for inner cities, can be parked as easily as a bike. They are shorter than the width of the average car so you can park them nose to the curb and never get boxed in. Genius!
8.All Shapes and Sizes. Like the Chevy Volt you can now get hybrids, electrics and hydrogen cars in Sudan, SUV and truck versions. So there really is an EV for every need.
9.Sporty. Sure you can get EV's that resemble golf carts, but you can also now get high performance too. It's time to take a second look at what's available.
10.Compromise. Even if you don't go the whole way (electric) or half way (hybrid) you can get high performance combustion cars that are more efficient (The Picasso get 74MPG) and utilize electric energy such as BMW’s latest series. You can also go with diesel and run it on renewable bio-fuels.
