Brummet's Conscious Blog

Apologies to all blog readers... however over the next few days I will not be in the office much - due to a terrible family tragedy. My terminally ill parents committed double suicide and we are conusmed with the loss and the official things one must do at this time. Please be patient with us over the next few days. We'll be back to work as usual as soon as possible. Find Dave & Lillian Brummet, excerpts from their books, information about their radio shows & free resources & articles at www.brummet.ca

-- Quote of the Day -- “ Volunteers, like I do, find deep joy and meaning in this work. We require volunteers to be 12 years old… some of the work is very heavy, such as in the barn – you know, bales of hay can weigh 40lbs. But there are a million and one things that people can do to help. …Some of our older volunteers will write thank you notes, a lot of the men will help with carpentry and vehicle maintenance and road repair. ...People sign on a 4-hour shift for the same day each week. …What I’ve had to learn (as director) is have my eye on a bunch of things at once. We now have 6000 members in 48 states, members in 18 different countries; we have up to 150 volunteers and 10 staff. I find the very best person for the various roles – my job is to support them, clarify the expectation and support them, be encouraging be there for them – and to ensure that everything that we do is in line with the focus. …We have a 9-page waiting list because of the economy – so who is going to die if t...

-- Metal Recycling -- According to a recent press release: “ The latest figures from APEAL (the Association of European Producers of Steel for Packaging) show that 70% of steel packaging are recycled in Europe .” Over 2.5 million tons of food and drinks cans and other steel containers were recycled in 2008, which is a much higher return rate than any other packaging material (plastic 29%, beverages 33%, glass 62%), saving 3.9 million tons of CO2. Belgium attained the highest recycling rate for food and drink cans at 93%. The fact that steel is magnetic makes it the easiest and most cost effective material to sort and recover. Steel does not lose strength or inherent qualities in the recycling process. -- Recommended Resources -- Information on the fascinating world of recycling: Recycling International : www.recyclinginternational.com The Worldwide Orphans Foundation - http://wwo.org - transforming the lives of orphaned children by helping them to become independent, productive membe...

-- Quote of the Day -- “… If we take a step that is away from who we are then our energy is drained away… we really only feel overwhelmed when we think it all has to be done at once and it really is a matter of …shifting perspective so that you can start to go in the direction of your well-being. …For social occasions, I like to serve a sweet potato or sweet pumpkin pie; you don’t want to cook honey, because cooking honey actually causes it to change into a toxin for our system. But you could use something like a maple syrup as a sweetener… or applesauce …when we choose food that has a lot of life force in it in the first place, it doesn’t need sweeteners .” ~ Oct 29, ’09 – Myra Lewin Today's quote was taken from the Conscious Discussions Talk Radio show interview that aired on Oct 29, 2009. This discussion focused on a Wholesome Relationship with Food - check it out by clicking on the hyper-links here :) -- Zero-Waste Navigation -- Source: www.japanfs.org The "Zero-Waste Na...

-- Quote of the Day -- “ I believe the greatest gift you can give to your family – whether it’s your family at home or your work family – is your time. Not just to have the time, but “real “time. What I mean is that you’ve got to be present and in the moment… one of the definitions of “being” is “conscious existence”. We need to be consciously awake, alive and present when we are spending time with our loved ones ” ~ Randy Cohen’s book: Ticket to the Limit -- Conscious Celebrations -- Candle Night Summer & Winter Solstices 2009 Turn off the lights, take it slow. December 22, 2009 8:00p.m.-10:00p.m. http://www.candle-night.org/en/ Today, the 22nd of December, is officially the – First Day of Winter with Christmas Eve just 2 days from now... how time flies. Dave and I wish you all a Warm & Relaxing Holiday Season! -- Conscious Discussions Radio -- Conscious Discussions Talk Radio welcomes return guest Cathy Nesbitt to discover the fascinating role that worms play in manag...

-- Quote of the Day -- If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things. ~ Albert Einstein -- Chatter -- I'm exhausted - Are you? After weeks of baking and delivering of most of the xmas gift trays of goodies - appointments, interviews and traveling for business purposes... dealing with my parent's farm sale and their needs, along with their escalating illnesses... Whew - I really do feel exhausted. Yesterday, after returning from two day's of travel, we bathed the dogs and filled the fridge for the next week's worth of meals and did a pile of laundry - some day off! (ha, ha) Today, once my office-do's have been attended to, I have a long list of phone calls and a house that needs cleaning. I do wish to send out apologies to all our blog readers who expect me to be posting every single day - as I normally do - however this last month has been a little less consistant due to our schedule constraints. Dave and I wish all of our blog readers...

Authors Nanette Buchanan, Lillian Brummet, and Lorraize Elzia offer insight to inspiring authors who are taking that step toward being a published author : 5 PM - 6 PM (pacific) tonight! Dec 19th... archive will load soon after the show's conclusion and can be accessed at your convenience: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/asa-blog-talk/2009/12/20/write-that-book Find Dave & Lillian Brummet, excerpts from their books, information about their radio shows & free resources & articles at www.brummet.ca

-- Composting -- Last night we went out to a new restaurant in town and though it was not one of the best meals we had, it was presented well and filled the empty holes in our stomachs just nicely. One thing I found of interest was the waitress, Karen, said that the restaurant's organic waste goes to a pig farm! Very cool. This piece below was sent to me in an email and I wanted to share it with you today: Why Composting holds the key to solving four critical problems facing our planet: 1) Global climate change 2) The depletion of soil of key nutrients 3) Unemployment, especially in large cities 4) Energy conservation 1) Global Climate Change. By sequestering carbon in the soil, it reduces the global warming which would be otherwise caused by the carbon dioxide, released rapidly when this material is burned, or the methane that is more slowly released in landfills. Also, in as much as the addition of compost to soil, reduces the need for topsoil, derived from other sources like p...

-- Quote of the Day -- " The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good " ~ Samuel Johnson (1709 – 1784) -- Reminder: Prize Draw Contest! Enter Today! -- Prize draw ( Dec 1-20th ) is for the following: Cathy Nesbitt is offering a copy of her DVD " Squirm " & a stainless steel water bottle (www.cathyscomposters.com) -- Nora Weston has offered a copy of: Paranormal Pleasures Digest (www.noraweston.com) -- Lillian Brummet's poetry e-book: Towards Understanding ( www.brummet.ca ) To enter the draw all you need to do is: Email me at: ldbrummet @ yahoo . com (**remove spaces before sending**) with the word "prize" in the subject line. *We never use email address for anything outside of this contest. Deadline : Dec 20th @ noon (pacific). -- Positive Eco-News -- The Weekender newspaper (serving the Boundary region of BC, Canada) reported that Teck E-cycling a company based in Trail began by recycling televisions...

-- Recycling Numbers -- Recycling By The Numbers , an article written by Michael Gardner & Mike Lee, shared these interesting US recycling stats: 5 cents: The minimum California Refund Value, or CRV, for cans and bottles 74 percent: Bottles and cans recycled in California 21.9 billion: CRV bottles and cans purchased statewide last year $1.2 billion: Annual CRV money collected by the state 1,200: Recycling stations near shopping centers statewide 160: Estimated recycling stations closed statewide since July The last number there is a little scary because it shows that there are some infrastructure & financial issues in the recycling system. Widespread closures of recycling centers would hurt, for example, middle-class families who rely on recycling revenue for small luxuries & homeless people who count on bottles & cans for pocket money. Dave raised the point this morning, when we discussed this issue, that situations that cause these shutdowns could result in a shock to...

-- Quote of the Day -- “… Sometimes the best way to find out about true friendships is when something bad happens. …And I think you just have to realize that if you are always trying to have a positive impact on someone then your energy isn’t wasted. …If you do grow apart – that is OK… Don’t get upset about it; just think about it as something that needed to be there at the time. …One thing I do with my students is to teach them how to give back, such as writing a letter to the veteran’s hospital or care packages for the soldiers. The most important thing I can do right now is to teach the little ones that they can give back and they get so excited and look forward to what they can do next and then the parents get involved. …We can look at our neighbors to see how they are doing and if they need any help. …Don’t just hear a story and say “oh that’s sad”; we need to do something about it… be a mentor, a tutor or fill some need .” ~ Oct 27, ’09 - Michelle Atha Today's quote originate...

-- Vodcast: Limit Climate Impact -- The following announcement was sent to me by Cathy Mitchell, consultant to APEX Public Relations Inc . through the San Diego Zero Waste Group . Please take the time to view this vodcast (a new term to mean a podcast with video - which from what I can see is actually more like a online video). As world leaders gather in Copenhagen for the United Nations Climate Change Conference this December, Tetra Pak launches the first in a series of vodcasts that examine some of the key issues and challenges for both governments and industry if we are to make an impact on climate change. The films contain presentations and comments from participants during a panel discussion at a Tetra Pak media event on climate change, held in Sweden in October. The series tackles various areas of environmental performance and includes comments and analysis from a wide variety of sources including WWF, The Coca Cola Company, Carrefour Group and Tetra Pak. “Only by working tog...

-- Authors Read -- Today's Authors Read episode offers an insider's brief introduction into defining media and free filler material for the new author - Lillian Brummet shares an excerpt from Purple Snowflake Marketing's 9th Chapter, A Word About the Media To access the show click on the hyper-links here or look to the right side of this screen for links to recent Authors Read episodes. -- Reminder: Prize Draw Contest! Enter Today! -- Prize draw ( Dec 1-20th ) is for the following: Cathy Nesbitt is offering a copy of her DVD " Squirm " & a stainless steel water bottle (www.cathyscomposters.com) -- Nora Weston has offered a copy of: Paranormal Pleasures Digest (www.noraweston.com) -- Lillian Brummet's poetry e-book: Towards Understanding ( www.brummet.ca ) To enter the draw all you need to do is: Email me at: ldbrummet @ yahoo . com (**remove spaces before sending**) with the word "prize" in the subject line. Deadline : Dec 20th @ noon (pac...

-- Conscious Discussions -- Sue Scheff joined me today on Conscious Discussions Talk Radio show to talk about the Internet - A Dangerous Asset . In this interesting discussion we explored common terms like: cybyer-sticks and cyber-stones, cyber stalking, hacking, social networking, & email spam . We also learned some tips on how to make sure you know what is happening with your name, business or product online. Just recently I was listening to an interview with an amazing blogger who created a full-time business out of his blogging efforts within a year of starting out… with no prior experience. Tales like this are enticing more and more traffic online with hopes of networking, creating friends or getting the word out about their products and services. Yet there is also a lot of fear. We often hear about Facebook and Myspace horror stories, even a Twitter site from a writer-friend of mine was hacked for a short time… We might also have concerns about shopping online, providing in...

-- Quote of the Day -- "It is our duty to ensure that these rights are a living reality -- that they are known, understood and enjoyed by everyone, everywhere. It is often those who most need their human rights protected, who also need to be informed that the Declaration exists -- and that it exists for them ." ~ Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, regarding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. -- Conscious Events -- Today is Human Rights Day - which is celebrated annually across the planet since Dec 10 1948 when the date was chosen to honor the first global recognition of human rights by the United Nations General Assembly and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. According to the UN website (www.un.org): " This theme for 2008, “Dignity and justice for all of us,” reinforces the vision of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) as a commitment to universal dignity and justice. It is not a luxury or a wish-list. The UDHR and its core ...

-- Quote of the Day -- " If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make The Change You Gotta Get It Right, While You Got The Time 'Cause When You Close Your Heart Then You Close Your...Mind!... " ~ Man In The Mirror by Michael Jackson -- Conscious Discussions Radio -- Today we have a very special show lined up for you… Kathy Stevens, founder & director of a wonderful animal sanctuary known as: Catskill Animal Sanctuary - whose focus is to end cruelty by fostering compassion. Learn about the volunteers, the staff and all the work they and sponsors do to keep this organization afloat. Learn about their campaigns and upcoming events, issues they are addressing and how you can help. Find the interview via the hyper-link above or look to the right side of this screen for links to recently aired broadcasts of the Conscious Discussions Talk Radio show. *Help Dave & Lillian continue to offer fun prize contests every week, fresh interest...

-- Chatter -- Wow, I had an amazing time last night speaking with November on the Voice of the People Radio Show - she's a really talented host and I had such a wonderful experience. I just finished listening to the archive which you can find at: http://www.paranormalradionetwork.org Today I am to finish the last of my xmas baking... WHEW! One more big batch of goodies and that is it for the season. We had to break out the snow-shovels this morning as we had about 2 1/2 inches of snow fall overnight. I know, that isn't much of anything to speak of, but we celebrate just the same! I love the snow, winter is a wonderful time for reflection, reading, cuddling, training the dogs, writing, marketing and studying. It is also a great time to get those projects around the interior of our homes completed from organizing and donations to cleaning and craft projects. We'll be talking more about some great ways to beat the winter-blues after the xmas season, so stay tuned to our blog :...

-- Announcements -- Owner Jennine Morales interviews award winning author Lillian Brummet today at Gathering Authors: Interview Pit this weekend. Gathering Authors is a place where authors join with their written works of art to introduce to the world. Between 6 and 8 PM (PST) tonight (Dec 5th) Voice of the People Radio host November Hanson will interview us (Dave & Lillian Brummet) for the full two hours! This is going to be a very indepth discussion about the world of writing and making a difference as an individual. Check it out by clicking the links here. http://voiceofthepeopleradio.com -- Recommended Resource -- An online writer friend of ours, Barbara Spring, has a new water-related podcast that we would like to recommend: The Dynamic Great Lakes Stuff Your Rucksack (www.stuffyourrucksack.com) a site that enables travellers to help other travellers to give practical assistance to people who have the least, but often give the most. -- Conscious Ho...

-- Quote of the Day -- " Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so love the people who treat you right. Forget about the ones who don't, and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said that it'd be easy, they just promised it would be worth it. " ~ Bob Marley -- Authors Read Radio -- Today we feature Nora Weston on the Authors Read Radio show - fiction writer & poet within the genres of science fiction, fantasy and horror. Today she will read from Adevar - a short story that depicts the journey of Nathan Hawkins who enters an unearthly realm to find his destiny is something only dreams are made of. Access this live show at 9 AM (pacific) today with just a single click on the links here (or on the right side of this page) - of course you can also access the archive of todays episode at your convenience. -- Conscious Holidays -- December is AIDS Awareness Month and yo...

-- Conscious Discussions Talk Radio -- Back on Tuesday this week we offered Conscious Discussions Radio listeners a Positive Eco-News segment that discussed e-waste and lighting innovations like CFL's and LED's. Today we featured Cynthia Primm - to discuss how we can Trade Sorrow for Something Greater . *Our Skype connection was giving us a little trouble so please forgive the minor sound issues for the host's line. -- Domestic Solar Panel Sales Rise -- Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association (JPEA) released its statistics for the shipping of solar panels during the first quarter of fiscal 2009, which it collected by surveying 24 Japanese manufacturers. According to the statistics, domestic sales accounts for 29.3 percent of the total sales in that country… and this sector has increased by 82.5 percent over the last year. -- Conscious Holiday Gifts & Celebrations -- - A reusable coffee filter and whole organic, shade-grown coffee beans. Shade-grown coffee is a method of...

-- You Have A Voice -- Below is an excerpt from a press release article that was circulated to the Zero Waste San Deigo Organization members ... In the past few years, new online tools have revolutionized the way that people can get involved in the world around them, connect with the things they care about, and even organize others to truly make a difference. Of course, traditional media like TV and newspapers are still an important way we communicate. But most of us can't just go on TV or get published in the newspaper when we have something that we want to say. That's what makes The Wall so unique. The Wall is powered by your support for clean energy and enabled by an online platform that brings together your messages from across the country in a powerful, visual display. We then amplify your messages by putting them in mass media ads targeted for your state or community. These ads are uniquely positioned to have an impact on the elected leaders who are deciding now how ...

-- Conscious Holdiay Tips & Ideas -- As promised, I'll continue to offer wonderful eco-conscious gift and celebration options for you to consider over the holidays - and for any upcoming holdiay season, be it a birthday or an office celebration. I'll probably continue this until mid/late-december, so keep dropping by for fun craft and other tips! - As I mentioned before houseplants make wonderful gifts, but this holiday let's purchase a living, potted Christmas tree (it removes carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, ammonia, ozone and nitrogen oxides). A living Xmas tree can be donated to individuals, the city, schools or parks when the season is over. Alternatively, plant it in your own yard for privacy, shade or erosion control. - Dehydrated, canned or preserved foods - especially those you have grown - make excellent gifts. Alternatively look for locally produced jams and preserves. Frozen homemade meals are treasured gifts for time-suppressed or physically limited indivi...

-- Quote of the Day -- " Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better. " ~ King Whitney Jr. -- Conscious Holiday Tips -- Today, as promised, we continue to offer more conscious holiday tips, ways to green your events and green eco-gifts that benefit the planet and the gift recipient. Consider the following - Dimmer switches or compact fluorescent bulbs; don’t forget those 3-way CFL bulbs for lamps, the smaller ones for chandeliers and outdoor lighting. The gift recipeint benefits by having a convenient way to reduce energy consumption. Some retailers and power companies continue to offer rebates, so be sure and keep the receipts for these purchases and you might be able to save a little money too! - For the gardener on your list a s...