Day 99: Buy Products that Give Back

I discovered a product today called Project 7 that I bought for my Good Human Act . Project 7 is a company that sells "products for good." For every purchase of a Project 7 product, some good is done in seven areas of need – Feed the Hungry, Heal the Sick, Hope for Peace, House the Homeless, Quench the Thirsty, Teach them Well and Save the Earth. It has a great website that tells you how they are helping in each of the areas and where you can find their products, why they are doing it and it even has a volunteering group called 7 Day that is a "NATIONAL MOVEMENT TO ENGAGE AND INSPIRE PEOPLE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. THE GOAL iS TO SHOW HOW EASY IT IS TO VOLUNTEER AND TO IMPACT THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH WE LIVE."  http://www.project7.com/

Day 88: Use Rechargeable Batteries

My kids love playing Wii, honestly so do I (Just Dance 3 is addictive and always fun) but those remotes just have a way of sucking the life out of batteries. I have never seen a device that can drain a battery so quickly! When we went to Costco today I saw a rechargeable battery pack with batteries and instantly decided that is what we need, my husband however assured me we had a battery charger and batteries we bought a long time ago and have hardly ever used, so when I got home I looked around and sure enough we have a charger!! I was only able to find a few batteries that go with it so I will be headed back tomorrow to stock up, but the batteries are getting charged as I type and hopefully I won't be needing to but stock in AA's anymore!

Here is a little information on why it is beneficial to use rechargeable batteries from a website called Stop Waste: (The site has a lot more information about when to use them and when not to, different kinds of recyclable batteries and how to recycle old batteries http://stopwaste.org/docs/rechargeable_batteries.pdf)

Rechargeable batteries save money and resources and often are the best choice for many uses. But they are 

best when matched to the right applications and there are some instances when they are not recommended.   

Why Rechargeable Batteries Are Good To Use 

• Save Money - While rechargeable batteries cost more initially, they can be reused hundreds of times 

and last for years, if used properly.

• Protect the Environment - Batteries contain corrosive materials and heavy metals. Their manufacture, 

transportation and disposal can impair human health and the environment. In California, batteries are 

banned from landfills and must be either recycled or handled as hazardous waste. Using rechargeable 

batteries greatly reduces the number of overall batteries required and disposed of.

• Conserve Resources, Prevent Waste - Because rechargeable batteries can be used over and over, far 

fewer need to be manufactured and transported than when using single-use disposable batteries. 

When to Use Rechargeable Batteries 

Rechargeable batteries are a good choice for most frequently-used devices such as wireless mice/keyboards, 

telephone headsets, radios, pagers, cameras, calculators, walkie-talkies, remote controls, regular flashlights, 

toys, dispensers and faucets with automatic sensors, and much more.  

Day 78: Use LED Night Lights

Our night lights for the kids rooms and bathrooms have slowly bitten the dust and we have had to use much more energy to keep the dark at bay. In our big boys room we had to leave the closet light on all night with the door cracked, which we know is a waste, night lights however are apparently really easy to forget when you are at the store. Finally, yesterday  they were remembered and not only can we stop wasting a whole closet's worth of light but while I was looking around I spotted some LED nitelites from Amerelle and LED lights are suppose to be really great energy conservers!

Here is a little more about LED lights from The Daily Green:

LED Nightlights Cost Only Pennies a Year

The technology behind laptop computer screens, LEDs are greener than standard incandescent, and even fluorescent, lightbulbs because they generate less waste heat. Most of the electricity used is output as light. LEDs remain cool to the touch, so they don't add excess heat into living spaces, which means less cooling is needed. They last for tens of thousands of hours, meaning they can go years before they need to be changed, thereby cutting down on landfill waste.

In terms of cost, size and brightness, LEDs are getting better all the time, and are seeing many new applications.

Many companies now sell LED nightlights, which are competitively priced with standard nightlights, and can be found at most home improvement, value and even drugstores. They cost only pennies a year in energy, and result in much lower carbon emissions over traditional lighting.

Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/led-nightlights#ixzz1imk7niAF

Day 68: Buy Organic Fruits and Vegetables

Today we went a Farmer's Market and Sunflower Market to buy some organic fruits and vegetables. I recently learned about the Dirty Dozen List, which is a list of the most important fruits and veggies to buy organic. And the Clean Fifteen which is a list of fruits and veggies that aren't as effected by pesticides etc in non organic produce. Buying organic produce is not only better for your family but better for the environment.

Here is a small blurb about why it is good to go organic from a website called Curiosity by Discovery:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture classifies organic food as any that was not grown using synthetic pesticides or fertilizers that are harmful to people and the environment [source: USDA]. These pesticides and fertilizers also can be reintroduced into the environment by re-entering our water supply as runoff to watersheds when it rains.

Although organic products typically are more expensive, it is worthwhile when you think about the health benefits and the amount of carbon dioxide emissions saved by buying many organic products locally.

Here is a list of the Dirty Dozen from Yahoo Green: :

Fruits and veggies are an essential part of a healthy diet, but many conventional varieties contain pesticide residues. 

And not all the pesticides used to kill bugs, grubs, or fungus on the farm washes off under the tap at home. Government tests show which fruits and vegetables, prepared typically at home, still have a pesticide residue.

You can reduce your exposure to pesticides by as much as 80% if you avoiding the most contaminated foods in the grocery store.

To do so, you need the latest info from the why the Environmental Working Group's "Dirty Dozen" list of foods most likely to have high pesticide residues. Since 1995, the organization has taken the government data and identified which type of produce has the most chemicals.

This year, celery takes the number one spot and both blueberries and spinach make an appearance (displacing lettuce and pears).

The best way to avoid pesticide residue on foods is to buy organic produce -- USDA rules prohibit the use of pesticides on any crop with the certified organic label.

1. Celery
Celery has no protective skin, which makes it almost impossible to wash off the chemicals (64 of them!) that are used on crops. Buy organic celery, or choose alternatives like broccoli, radishes, and onions.

2. Peaches
Multiple pesticides (as many as 62 of them) are regularly applied to these delicately skinned fruits in conventional orchards. Can't find organic? Safer alternatives include watermelon, tangerines, oranges, and grapefruit.

3. Strawberries
If you buy strawberries, especially out of season, they're most likely imported from countries that have less-stringent regulations for pesticide use. 59 pesticides have been detected in residue on strawberries. Can't find organic? Safer alternatives include kiwi and pineapples.

4. Apples
Like peaches, apples are typically grown with poisons to kill a variety of pests, from fungi to insects. Tests have found 42 different pesticides as residue on apples. Scrubbing and peeling doesn't eliminate chemical residue completely, so it's best to buy organic when it comes to apples. Peeling a fruit or vegetable also strips away many of their beneficial nutrients. Can't find organic? Safer alternatives include watermelon, bananas, and tangerines.

5. Blueberries
New on the Dirty Dozen list in 2010, blueberries are treated with as many as 52 pesticides, making them one of the dirtiest berries on the market.

6. Nectarines
With 33 different types of pesticides found on nectarines, they rank up there with apples and peaches among the dirtiest tree fruit. Can't find organic? Safer alternatives include, watermelon, papaya, and mango.

7. Bell peppers
Peppers have thin skins that don't offer much of a barrier to pesticides. They're often heavily sprayed with insecticides. (Tests have found 49 different pesticides on sweet bell peppers.) Can't find organic? Safer alternatives include green peas, broccoli, and cabbage.

8. Spinach
New on the list for 2010, spinach can be laced with as many as 48 different pesticides, making it one of the most contaminated green leafy vegetable.

9. Kale
Traditionally, kale is known as a hardier vegetable that rarely suffers from pests and disease, but it was found to have high amounts of pesticide residue when tested this year. Can't find organic? Safer alternatives include cabbage, asparagus, and broccoli.

10. Cherries
Even locally grown cherries are not necessarily safe. In fact, in one survey in recent years, cherries grown in the U.S. were found to have three times more pesticide residue then imported cherries. Government testing has found 42 different pesticides on cherries. Can't find organic? Safer alternatives include raspberries and cranberries.

11. Potatoes
America's popular spud reappears on the 2010 Dirty Dozen list, after a year hiatus. America's favorite vegetable can be laced with as many as 37 different pesticides. Can't find organic? Safer alternatives include eggplant, cabbage, and earthy mushrooms.

12. Grapes
Imported grapes run a much greater risk of contamination than those grown domestically. Only imported grapes make the 2010 Dirty Dozen list. Vineyards can be sprayed with different pesticides during different growth periods of the grape, and no amount of washing or peeling will eliminate contamination because of the grape's thin skin. Remember, wine is made from grapes, which testing shows can harbor as many as 34 different pesticides. Can't find organic? Safer alternatives include kiwi and raspberries.

And here is a list of the Clean Fifteen:

Nearly all of the data used took into account how people typically wash and prepare produce - for example, apples were washed and bananas peeled before testing. Of the fruit and vegetable categories tested, the following "Clean 15" foods had the lowest pesticide load, and consequently are the safest conventionally grown crops to consume from the standpoint of pesticide contamination:

• Onions
• Sweet corn
• Pineapples
• Avocado
• Asparagus
• Sweet peas
• Mangoes
• Eggplant
• Cantaloupe (domestic)
• Kiwi
• Cabbage
• Watermelon
• Sweet potatoes
• Grapefruit
• Mushrooms

Day 65: Tip & Thank Hotel Room Cleaners

We didn't use the daily Hotel cleaning services while we were staying in Durango the last few days, to save time and resources for the hotel. But we knew that because of that they would probably be in as soon as we left and a bit worried. This time they shouldn't be :) we cleaned the place up as much as we could and left a little thank you/merry christmas note and a small tip for our Good Human Act today so the people who clean the rooms knew that their services were appreciated and that the work that they do everyday doesn't go by unnoticed.

Day 61: Buy Recycled Business Cards

I needed to buy a few business cards today to have on hand, to give out my information easily with my doTERRA Essential Oils stuff. While I was looking around online for a site to buy from I saw 100% recycled business cards from many sites! I ended up going with Vista Print, for my recycled cards for my Good Human Act today, because their site was really easy to use and had so many design options that it made what I was looking for really quick to make! The price on the recycled cards was really reasonable too!

Here is a little infromation from Vista Print on their recycled products:

Thinking Green We’re making responsible choices because every little bit counts Proud to offer 100% recycled business cards and postcards Striving to set the bar as an earth-friendly company Excited about our energy-efficient systems allowing us to pass the savings on to you Are Vistaprint’s recycled products made from 100% recycled materials? Yes. Our recycled business cards and postcards are made from 100% post-consumer waste. What is post-consumer waste? It’s paper that has served its intended purpose and has been separated from solid waste to be recycled into new paper. What is the quality of the recycled paper stock? The paper is 100-lb., pure white stock, meaning it’s the same weight as our premium paper card stock. Will the recycled paper be rough or have specks in it? The paper is smooth and, although it will have more visible fibers than traditional matte paper, the fibers are only noticeable if you look closely.

Day 60: Have a Tree Planted for Shopping Online

Before I get to my Good Human Act for the day I just want to put a HUGE thank you out to the Millae family in our neighborhood for being such GREAT humans. Our dog, Tank, got out last night somehow when we got home from AZ and we could not find her anywhere. Normally, when she has gotten out before we get a phone call right away with her whereabouts from her collar, but we received no such call this time. Fortunately our HOA sent out an email today saying someone found a dog and to contact them if it was ours!! It was Tank! A family had kept her all night long, put up signs by the mailbox, that we never saw, and contacted the HOA, which worked brilliantly because we were able to call and go get her! When I picked her up I found that her collar was still on but her tag was missing! I can not thank the family enough for going out of their way to care for her and try to find her home, especially when it took more work than just calling a number on her tag! We appreciate it is sooo much! Thank you for being so amazing!

As for our small act, that cannot compare in any way, today my Mom told me about a website called Totsy, which is a website that sells children's items designed to give Mom's great deals and is also very green. The things that made me check it out is that they plant a tree for you with your first purchase. I made my first order today for my Good Human Act. I got a couple books, that were really inexpensive for my boys- they seem to have some really great deals, I got free shipping, a tree planted for me and they immediately sent me a certificate for $10 off my next purchase. It seems like a great company with a great environmental awareness and I am happy to have learned about them and support them.

Here is more info on there Greeness:

Being Green

---

TOTSY IS THE FIRST PRIVATE SALES COMPANY TO GO GREEN

For today's world and tomorrow's generation, Totsy is the first company in private sales to take on sustainable and socially responsible initiatives in all areas of business. It’s not always easy being green, but it’s worth it for the future of our children!

HOW TOTSY IS GREEN

Totsy is environmentally conscious in everything we do. We recycle at the office, use less packaging materials when shipping, and support eco-friendly partners whenever possible.

And don't forget about our carbon footprint! Through a partnership with TerraPass, Totsy has reduced its carbon emissions by sponsoring clean energy and carbon reduction projects. Held up to the highest standards in environmental leadership, the conservation and efficiency measures we implement now will help us continue to lower our carbon footprint.

One Baby, One Tree™

---

YOUR PURCHASE MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Totsy plants one tree in honor of your child when you make your first purchase. And, every time you shop with us - we’ll keep it watered for you! As your tree grows bigger, it continues to do more for the environment! Together with Pure Planet and Objective Carbon Zero, we are reducing the effects of deforestation, slowing the effects of global warming, preserving biodiversity, and helping small-scale farmers continue to produce diverse and localized crops.

WHERE TREES ARE PLANTED

Your trees will be planted in Alto Huayabamba, located in the Amazonian highlands in Tarapoto, Peru. This is the most established reforestation project developed by Pure Planet.

Day 52: Tip Well

Today for my Good Human Act when I went and got my hair cut I tipped really well and genuinely thanked my hairdresser for her time and skills. It is easy to go places and just pay the minimum tip to save a bit of money or forget to thank people because it is "their job" to help us, but they are choosing to be of service to the rest of us and for that I am grateful. Service jobs are not the easiest ones out there and it is a great season to spread the love (and maybe a bit of money) to let them know they are appreciated.

Day 50: Help with School Fundraiser

My son, Keston's, school goes to 8th grade and at the end of every year they take the 6th-8th grade students on a "Big Trip" as an extension of their curriculum and something they work towards all year.  Here is an explanation of this activity:

 "Over the years, middle school students have traveled to study the flora and fauna of the Channel
Islands as well as the unique geology of the Colorado Plateau at the Canyonlands Field
Institute and visited Cottonwood Gulch.  Last year the 6th-8th years spent an amazing five days
in the Cottonwood Gulch. This traveling classroom experience has become a highlight of
the middle school students’ years.  These trips involve fund raising as well as a commitment
to be responsible, mature citizens representing their school as they travel.  This year 6th-8th graders
are planning to travel to Cottonwood Gulch again."

Right now, to raise money, for their trips the middle school students put on a Snack Shack every Friday where they prepare and sell healthy snacks to kids at school. For our Good Human Act today, and most other Fridays, we support the kids and send Keston to school with a little extra money to get a snack. It is fun for him to "shop" by himself and he is glad to get to help out the big kids!

Day 44: Support Local Crafters, Groups & Home Based Businesses

Yesterday was so busy I never even got a chance to sit down and write about my Good Human Act. And what a fun act it was! I supported local crafters, home based businesses and a local Mom's Group called Bloom by vending, attending and spending at Bloom's 1st Annual Holiday Craft Boutique! The boutique was set up so adorably! It had all the booths matching to their cute theme, it had a marvelous hot chocolate bar and great raffle baskets that were made with a donation from every vendor! A few friends and I were lucky enough to be able to rent a booth at the boutique to spread the word about the doTERRA Essential Oils I am in love with! And by attending we were also able to shop and help support and encourage local crafters and other home based businesses! It was a terrific Boutique that I will be anxiously awaiting to attend again next year!

Day 42: "Adopt" a Child for Christmas

Happy December!! Our MOMS Club does many service projects throughout the year and for the Holiday season one of them is "adopting" some kids for Christmas, or giving gifts of clothes and toys to kids who are in need. We were given the names of 15 kiddos, from a local Church, that need toys or clothes for Christmas this year and our family is lucky enough to be able to provide the things on one little girl's wish list. We chose to do a little girl because I thought it would be fun shopping for girls' clothes, since we have three boys, but man was I wrong :)! Shopping is not my forte and girl shopping, wow, there are a trillion more choices making it so much more overwhelming.  At least I had Calon and Daxon with me, they were good helpers in making decisions for me and I think we came out of the store with some cute and useful stuff!! It is such a nice thing to be able to do, I have very fond memories of doing the same thing every Christmas growing up with my family and also at school. It is a great to be able to give!

Day 40: Food Bank Donation at the Grocery

When we went grocery shopping at Smith's this morning, a Kroger store, they had a Christmas tree with Bringing Hope to the Table Donation tags as ornaments at the front of the store. Each tag  had a different donation amount on it so you can choose one to fit your budget. Then you just bring the tag to the register with the rest of your groceries, at check out time, and they scan it and that amount gets taken out and given to a local food bank to help feed the hungry. The Smith's by us donates it's donations to the Road Runner Food Bank. We didn't choose an expensive donation tag today but it was still nice to be able to help someone else who needs  food while we were lucky enough to be shopping for all the food we need and want.

Here is a little more about the Kroger Company and their Bringing Hope to the Table program:

For 1 in 6 people across our country, hunger is a reality. 

          • 37 million Americans don’t know where they will get their next meal.
          • 14 million of them are children.
          • 3 million of them are senior citizens.
          • 36% of these households have one or more working adults.
          • 48% of these households are in rural and suburban areas.

More families than ever are turning to local food banks and hunger agencies for help.

The Kroger Co. family of stores is donating $3 million in funds and $1 million in product to help feed those struggling with hunger through Bringing Hope to the Table ®, our annual cause-marketing partnership with Feeding America. Our customers and vendors are strong partners in this effort. Since its inception, the program has directed $20 million in funds and food to local food banks serving the communities across the country where we operate.

You Can Help Food banks are struggling to meet this unprecedented need - we can all help. Make a donation, write a letter, hold a food drive. Go toFeeding America to learn more about the face of hunger in our communities and find the local food bank helping to feed hungry children and families where you live. Leading the Fight to End Hunger in America For nearly 30 years, The Kroger Co. has helped lead the fight against hunger in the United States. Kroger is one of the founding members of Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity. In 2009, Kroger contributed 50 million pounds of food and other product to Feeding America food banks, to assist hungry families in the communities we serve. Valued at more than $75 million, those donations translate to roughly 60 million meals. Our ongoing commitment to bringing as much food as possible to hungry families led to the creation of a new Company-wide food rescue program, thePerishable Donations Partnership. The program allows fresh, wholesome food such as meat, produce and dairy products to be donated directly from our stores to local food banks that are able to safely handle perishable foods. In 2009 – the first full year of the project – more than 36 million pounds of perishable food was donated to local hunger relief efforts All of our regional divisions work closely with more than 200 local hunger relief agencies, including more than 80 local food banks in the Feeding America network. These food banks provide food and other personal items to pantries, soup kitchens and feeding programs for children, families and seniors. Our people give their time and talent to this important cause. Kroger executives and senior managers serve on the boards of local food banks and the Feeding America national organization. Associates volunteer to sort donations, stock shelves and pack care boxes

Day 33: Donate a Turkey

With Thanksgiving so close I was wondering what I could do for a Good Human Act that would fit the Holiday. And lo and behold my sister in law, Kenz, just recently posted a message on her facebook about donating some turkeys which is BRILLIANT and the perfect idea!! I thought it would be an easy task to find a local place that was having a turkey drive, but surprisingly it took me quite a bit of searching to find a place that would accept perishable food donations. The Albuquerque Rescue Mission was thrilled to have it donated though, as they were having a Thanksgiving Banquet today as well as on actual Thanksgiving Day that will feed thousands of local homeless people and families. Plus, it helped that Smith's was having a great deal on turkeys so I was able to donate an almost 21 pound turkey for only $9!

A little more about The Albuquerque Rescue Mission:
 The Albuquerque Rescue Mission offers homeless and near-homeless men and women a variety of daily and restorative services and a network of programs and services to help needy people find housing, employment, and new life in Christ. The caring staff and volunteers not only help meet basic needs, but also help homeless people get off the streets and become stable, productive members of society.
The services offered at the Albuquerque Rescue Mission are available to anyone regardless of age, race, 
nationality,religious or sexual orientation. The services while broad are meant to meet the immediate real 
physical needs of the individual and open a door for restoration leading to a meaningful and productive life, 
active participation in a church body and restored relationships with family and community.  

Day 29: Natural Medicine

I recently fell in love with a company and their philosophy. This does not happen often, I am not a shopper. I actually send blank checks to my mom and sisters to buy things for me. But a couple months ago I went to an Essential Oils class my friend had (and honestly I only initially went to spend some time with another friend of mine who was going) and the class just resonated with me. It was a class about 100% Pure Essential Oils and the uses they have. It talked about how you can completely replace your medicine cabinet with Natural Oils, and I try very hard to not take medicine or give my kids medicine anyway, so I was intrigued. I didn't buy anything at the party I went to, instead I went home and researched the company, their philosophy, their products and only after a week of intense investigation did I call my friend up and let her know that I was interested in trying some oils out and learning more. To make a long story short I love doing as much stuff naturally as possible and have had great experiences with the oils so far. So, today for my Good Human Act I am hosting two parties to share what I have learned about these Essential Oils and let others see if using Natural Remedies works for them. I enjoy, not only the oils, but the message the oils convey, that we can heal our families with stuff that Nature has provided, that the answers aren't always man made and in a child-proof container.

If you are interested in learning more about this great company and their products please email me or comment below and I would be happy to tell you more. The company is called doTERRA, which means "Gift of the Earth", which seems to be a very fitting name. Here is a bit of info on their Essential Oils:

WHAT IS AN ESSENTIAL OIL?

Essential oils are natural aromatic compounds found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, and flowers of plants. They can be both beautifully and powerfully fragrant, eliciting profound emotional responses. Yet the use of essential oils goes well beyond their fragrant appeal. Used throughout history for their
medicinal and therapeutic benefits, essential oils can be used as natural alternatives in holistic self-care practices. Their unique chemistry allows them to be used aromatically and applied topically to the skin, while other essential oils can be used as dietary aids to promote vitality and well being.

dōTERRA® (meaning “Gift of the Earth”) essential oils represent the safest, purest essential oils available in the world today. 

Each of dōTERRA’s Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® essentials oils is carefully extracted by a global network of skilled growers, distillers, and chemists ensuring a consistently powerful user experience. They are 100% pure aromatic extracts and contain no artificial ingredients and are tested to be free of contaminants such as pesticides or other chemical residues.

We welcome your participation in our mission to share the life-enhancing benefits of therapeutic-grade essential oils with the world. Your path to a new philosophy of wellness begins by opening a bottle.

Day 26: Candy for Our Troops

My husband's cousin, Casey, sent me the greatest idea just after Halloween. Send extra candy to the Troops! And who doesn't have extra candy after Halloween?! I looked it up immediately after getting her email and found an organization called Operation Gratitude  that sends care packages to the U.S. Military and they love to add some extra goodies in the care packages to the soldiers around the Holidays. I emailed some friends (thanks Jamie, Megan, Peggy and Leslie!) and was able to send 6.5 pounds of candy along with 10 kid drawn or heart felt thank you notes to them today for our Good Human Act. It is a great mission Operation Gratitude has undertaken and I am so happy to have learned about it and been able to participate. My kids loved making letters for the soldiers (all 3 of them made one) and giving their candy to people who help us so much. We are so thankful for the sacrifice soldiers and their families make to grant us all safety and peace of mind.

Here is a little more information on Operation Gratitude:

Their MISSION

Tens of thousands of American Service Members are deployed in hostile and remote regions of the world, including the Middle East, Afghanistan, and on ships throughout international waters. The physical conditions they must endure are difficult and they may be separated from loved ones for long periods of time.

Operation Gratitude seeks to lift morale and put smiles on faces by sending care packages addressed to individual Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines deployed in harm’s way, to their children left behind, and to Wounded Warriors recuperating in Transition Units.   Operation Gratitude care packages contain food, hygiene products, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation, all wrapped with good wishes of love and support.

Through Collection Drives, Letter Writing Campaigns and Donations of funds for shipping expenses, Operation Gratitude provides civilians anywhere in America a way to express their respect and appreciation to the men and women of the U.S. Military in an active, hands-on manner.

Operation Gratitude is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, volunteer-based corporation, funded entirely by private donations. For safety and security, the assembling of all packages occurs at the Army National Guard Armory in Van Nuys, California.

Wounded Warrior Care Package Program:

Operation Gratitude works with representatives at Military hospitals and Wounded Warrior Transition Units to provide care packages for Wounded Warriors/Veterans to let them know they are never forgotten.

Recognizing that Warriors when first injured are most concerned with the well-being of their comrades still on the frontlines, we also offer a service to send care packages to the wounded’s buddies.  Not only does this let the downrange troops know their wounded comrade is thinking about them, but most importantly, it helps the wounded feel they are still contributing to the mission and supporting their comrades.

Battalion Buddy Program:

In cooperation with Family Readiness Officers and battalion leaders nationwide, Operation Gratitude provides special stuffed toys – known as Battalion Buddies – to the sons and daughters of U.S. military personnel as their units prepare to deploy.

Our special “Battalion Buddy” care packages contain a large, cuddly stuffed animal, along with other special snacks and items. The Battalion Buddy packages are given to each child at their parent’s pre-deployment or farewell event so the child has something to hug while their Mommy or Daddy is away.

The Battalion Buddy Program is designed to serve and encourage the young children of deploying troops and offer them some degree of comfort while their parent is far away, serving their country.

Who We Serve:

Operation Gratitude sends packages to Wounded Warriors and deployed members of all Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and to units from all states and territories. While we will send at least 100,000 care packages per year, we know the recipients share with their comrades, so we project that at least 250,000 service members will be directly touched by our program annually. In addition, the impact of our program on morale is felt generally throughout the Military (2.7 million people) and by the loved ones of those who serve (several million more).

Day 24: Supporting Local Growers

Today I took an idea from my sister and Mom and went to our local Grower's Market in Corrales. In all the time I have lived in New Mexico, I am sad to say, I have never been. It is a chilly day and is getting pretty cold here so there were not many stands or an overabundance of produce, but there was still some great stuff and some very nice growers! I took my middle son, Calon, with me this morning to pick some food to support the growers for my Good Human Act. He loved going to the stands and checking what they had, he also loved helping me pick out the tasty snacks we were going to buy! It was a really nice time. We ended up getting a pound of tomatoes (hand chosen by Cal), a really nice white onion, a small container of fresh, low sugar, strawberry jam and a larger green tomato jam, that tastes like apricot- yum! I can not wait to go back in the spring and summer when the stands are brimming over with fresh goodness.

Day 19: Energy Smart Light Bulbs

I was looking online for simple ideas to help the planet and their were tons of them on tons of different sites. One suggestion that kept recurring as an easy and very beneficial quick fix was changing you light bulbs to Compact Flourescent (CFL) Bulbs. One site with information about these bulbs says:

If you want to change the world, start by changing a few light bulbs. It is one of the best things you can do for the environment—and your budget.

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, if every U.S. household replaced just one regular incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb, it would prevent 90 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, the equivalent of taking 7.5 million cars off the road. And the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says that by replacing regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs at the same minimal rate, Americans would save enough energy to light more than 2.5 million homes for a year.

With this in mind, for today's Good Human Act I went to Sam's Club and bought 2 eight packs of the lights. Each pack was only $7.62, much cheaper than I thought they would be. I was going to buy the much nicer looking version of these bulbs, the ones that look like actual light bulbs but they were 2 bulbs for almost $20. So, beauty be damned, I'll stick with the curly ones. I have changed the dead bulbs in my house already and  these new bulbs are surprisingly bright, I am finding that in a 4 light ceiling fan 2 of these bulbs does more than the 4 we previously had, which seems to be just another way they can help you save:) I will continue replacing all the old bulbs in our house as they die out until eventually we have a completely Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb lit house.

Day 16: Donate (or walk) For a Cure

My sister in law, Kenz, and her girlfriend, Ashley, sent me a link on Facebook to support them while they Walk to End Alzheimer's, this weekend, in Arizona. I think they are amazing and I am so happy to be able to make a donation to back their efforts for today's Good Human Act. My husband's Grandpa suffers from Alzheimer so, this cause really hits home. It is just heartbreaking to see the effects this disease can have. A cure would be miraculous! Here is a link that explains more about Alzheimer's. It has facts and figures, stages, how you can help and so much more: Alzheimer's Association.

If you are interested in donating to this cause click here to be directed to their Team's Donation Page.

Good luck with your walk today ladies and thank you so much for making me aware of this great event and foundation!

Day 10: 5k for RunFit

Today my oldest son, a couple friends of mine, their kids and I all participated in the Great Pumpkin Chase. It is a 10k, 5k and kids 1k and the proceeds benefit RunFit. It was a great chance to get some fresh air, some exercise and have some fun. The atmosphere of the race was fun and light, most of the participants dressed up in costumes and the kids chased a giant pumpkin for their race. We all had a great time. During the day I was able to return two lost items to worried owners also. That was a bonus and was made even better when I walked away from one return and heard the mom tell her daughter, "See, someone found it and returned it, that is the right thing to do. If you ever find anything you should try to return it too and be a good person." So motivational! It was a wonderful Good Human Day!

RunFit:

"RunFit launched the spring of 2006 as a bold initiative aimed at curbing the growing epidemic of childhood obesity by creating a running and/or walking program for children at after-school (or before school) programs across the district. The program is provided free to public and private elementary schools, as well as homeschools. Physical educators, classroom teachers, and parents can incorporate RunFit into their curriculum, after school programs, and at home with their families.

RunFit is a not for profit organization designed to help youth of all sizes, fitness and ability levels utilize the discipline of running to improve health, build character and provide opportunities for children to showcase their talents by participating in a number of RunFit sponsored events throughout the community,” said RunFit founder Stephen Pino. “Before, During and Afterschool programs such as RunFit play a vital role in the lives our communities by keeping kids’ safe, creating healthy habits and helping working families.”

RunFit is a fun program which motivates and trains children 5-13 to run one mile to 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) through active participation on a RunFit team. Participants learn to set and achieve challenging personal goals and are awarded incentives for attendance and improvement and culminating in local RunFit running events. RunFit, while intended to be physically challenging, is designed for children of all fitness and athletic levels.

RunFit provides opportunities to assist schools with their school sponsored jog-a-thons.

While RunFit is designed for elementary aged children, parents are encouraged to participate."

The kiddo line-up!

Me and my awesomely fast friends!

Day 6: Neighborhood Halloween BOO!

For today's act of being a good human I am reverting to a tradition that we have done every Halloween for the last 5 years. It is simple but, unfortunately not free. It is so fun and really builds the excitement around Halloween. It's a Halloween BOO! You drop off a little Halloween goodie bag/basket filled with whatever spooky tricks or treats you are able to and drop it off anonymously at a couple of neighbors houses. With the basket you include a little poem, that I will include the link for at the end, that ask for the neighbors to do the same and you watch as it spreads around the neighborhood. People put a ghost in their window, that you also include with your delivery, if they've been BOOed so no one gets done more than once and it is just a great way to build a sense of community in a neighborhood! We just dropped off our 2 BOOS!


Link with 2 different poems you can include, instructions and BOO signs. Or you can draw or write out your own. Happy Haunting!
Minions Web