Spread Christmas cheer globally, buy locally December 23, 2008

Buy local.  We know you’ve all heard it before, but I think it’s a good time of year for a little reminder.  Small businesses are an important part of a sustainable society – they help us build vibrant communities and contribute to local causes.

When I saw the icy, deserted roads this past week, I immediately thought of our local small businesses.  Would the holiday shopping season – which had the potential to be a bright spot in an otherwise dismal economy – be cut short by shoppers staying bundled up at home?

Luckily this hasn’t been the case for many around Seattle.  A PI story today reports that some local shops are seeing more business than ever before.  Because of snowy weather and treacherous driving conditions, many people are sticking closer to home, and as a result, foot traffic around town is on the rise.

While this is definitely good news, it doesn’t change the fact that these are still tough times for small businesses.  So think of this as a friendly reminder:  As you’re planning your last-minute holiday errands, don’t forget about the little guys!  And with the roads covered in ice and your cars buried in the snow (like mine!), what could be a better time for a stroll in your neighborhood?

Want some more ideas?  Check out Sustainable Seattle’s Celebrate Local campaign.  And for a round-up of local shops and events, visit NWsource.com.

Have a wonderfully merry Christmas!

Adopt for the holidays December 17, 2008

I know last-minute Christmas gift ideas abound, but why not make the holidays bright with the gift of an adoption?

Oceana’s Adopt-a-Creature allows you to “adopt” one (or all!) of ten selected animals for you or a loved one, and your donation will help them work to protect these creatures and their habitats.  You can choose from a dolphin, shark, polar bear, penguin, octopus, sea turtle, hammerhead, killer whale seal and dolphin.  Your adoption includes a certificate and your choice of a cookie cutter or plush version of your animal.  Even better: they are offering free shipping through December 18th!

Being a Parsons turtle lover, of course I adopted my very own sea turtle.  I am looking forward to baking some turtle cookies for the holidays.  Hope everyone’s Christmas is a splash!

Keeping tabs on the next generation December 11, 2008

As a Master Home Environmentalist (check out this post) and diabetic, I am intrigued by how the combination of our genetic make-up and the environments we live and work in can affect our health.  One in four Americans suffer from asthma and/or allergies and eight percent of the population suffers from diabetes – something must be done!

There is a great article in the current issue of Newsweek titled Tracking a New Generation about the largest long-term study of children’s health ever conducted in the US. And it is about to begin.

The National Children’s Study, led by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, will track 100,000 kids from womb to drinking age to identify the answers to critical questions about how the relationship between genes and environment affects kids.  Results from this study will hopefully lead to some breakthroughs in determining the cause-and-effect of what ails us, including learning disabilities, asthma, juvenile diabetes, obesity, autism, the list goes on and on.  Scientists say this study will help to pinpoint what goes wrong by considering many factors in order to create a blueprint for prevention.

The sample will be socioeconomically, ethnically and geographically diverse. Women who volunteer their unborn offspring will have to have to supply a wealth of information regarding their own health and eating habits, as well as samples of blood, urnine, hair and saliva to be tested. At the baby’s birth, umbilical cord blood and a piece of the placenta will be collected. And from that day forward until the child’s 21st birthday, researchers will gather medical information through questionnaires and in-home visits.

Researchers will measure air quality, dust, pet allergens and lead in the children’s homes. They’ll assess neighborhoods too, with the assumption that a cohesive community often means better playgrounds (good for exercise) and less crime (fewer injuries). And they’ll compare family income and race as well.

Government funding for the study is $3.2 billion annually, which sounds like a large chunk of change.  But considering that the combined cost of dealing with childhood obesity, injury, asthma, diabetes, neurobehavorial disorders and low birth weight is roughly $758 billion a year, it’s quite a deal. And none too soon…

Click here for more information.

Gifts of Giving: Charity Gift Cards December 4, 2008

We all know that this is the season of giving. And most importantly, it’s about giving to those in need. A Seattle-based philanthropic organization called TisBest is offering an exciting new option for a holiday gift — charity gift cards, described on their website as follows:

“TisBest Charity Gift Carts give others the opportunity to give — and that, we believe, “TisBest” of all! That’s how we got our name.”

Cards are available in any denomination. All the recipient has to do is to go onto the website and select from a list of charities, all of which have gone through a careful screening process before being selected for the site. TisBest Philanthropy was founded in 2007 and today has over 20,000 satisfied Charity Gift Card donors and recipents and have collected hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities. For more information, visit www.tisbest.org.