Brummet's Conscious Blog

-- Quote of the Day -- "Extinction does not only apply  to giant pandas or tigers or exotic species that dwell in the rain forests.  Vegetables can go extinct too and when our food goes extinct then we follow." ~ The Henry Double Day Research Association, England -- The Advantages of a Virtual Office for Your Small Business -- * Today's article came to us through Sachin from www.webprofits.com.au who thought our readers might want to learn more about the benefits of a home based business.  Are you a small business operator and your business is growing? Are you afraid of all of the costs that you will incur? Sometimes when we grow from a simple start-up sole trader we hit a point where we can no longer handle it on our own, but we don't want all the hassles that come with hiring staff and setting up an office when an answering service will just do any more. How much business are you losing, or how much of your time is being ...

-- Quote of the Day -- "I can think of no better way of redeeming this tragic world today than love and laughter. Too many of the young have forgotten how to laugh, and too many of the elders have forgotten how to love. Would not our lives be lightened if only we could all learn to laugh more easily at ourselves and love one-another?" ~  Theodore Hesburgh  -- Conscious Discussions Talk Radio --  Cathy Rosenbaum joins us today, sharing her thoughts on how people can be more proactive about their health and the importance of prevention. We're talking about looking for answers Beyond the Prescription Pad .  Join us live, and drop in the live chat room too if you can, via the hyperlinked show title (above) or access the archived interview at your convenience via itunes and Blogtalkradio station home page: Conscious Discussions Talk Radio  Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts from their books, information about their radio prog...

-- What's the secret to a long lasting relationship? -- Dave's 47th birthday has arrived and I wanted to celebrate his life by sharing some of the lessons I've learned about relationships through being with him all these years. It can surprise me sometimes when I realize that Dave and I have been together for nearly 22 years (as of April 25) and are still going strong, despite many life obstacles from physical injuries to work-related or financially-related stress and traumatic grief.  Many people are impressed by the number of years we've been together, but more are impressed by the fact that Dave and I also work together. All this time we've shared one office, one vehicle and up until this last year - we shared one computer. Being writers and working different schedules, this often felt like we were performing a juggling act.  There are several secrets that I learned from my mother's mishaps in relationships. She used to remind us to ...

 -- Conscious Living Event -- Sept 27-29th Corporate Recycling & Waste Conference Orlando, Florida (USA) Info : www.crwcconference.com -- Positive Eco-News -- I read an interesting article in the Japan of Sustainability org newsletter about an eco-friendly train station. Apparently West Japan Railway built the station with a dome roof that allows natural light to penetrate inside, they’ve installed solar panels that can produce about 90,000 kilowatt hours of electricity each year, and they are using misting for air conditioning. The company has future plans to utilize the more than 2900 square meters of building rooftops within their corporation as gardens – that’s enough space for 30,000 plants and 90 trees – which they intend to rent out to locals.  Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts from their books, information about their radio program, newsletter, blog, and more at: www.brummet.ca * Support the Brummets by telling your...

-- Quote of the Day -- " Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not, and a sense of humor to console him for what he is. " ~ Sir Francis Bacon -- Positive Eco-News -- Really cool article by the Recycling News Magazine - which talked about a new technology for turning medical waste, like syringes and medications, into a sterile pellet product that has been successfully tested as a feed material for energy intensive industries, and for making roads and building construction. Check out the company that came up with the technology at: www.sharpsinc.com Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts from their books, information about their radio program, newsletter, blog, and more at: www.brummet.ca * Support the Brummets by telling your friends, or visiting the Brummet's Store - every sale raises funds for charity as well!

-- Quote of the Day --  “ From decreasing our reliance on virgin natural resources, to reducing energy use and pollution, to growing recycling jobs right here in America, there are tremendous environmental and economic benefits from increasing our nation’s abysmal 34% recycling rate,” …In order to move forward, we need manufacturers to team up with small businesses and solid waste officials to eliminate the concept of waste altogether. ”   ~ Matt Prindiville, Associate Director of the Product Policy Institute ( productpolicy.org ) was recently interviewed in the Recycling Product News Magazine – where I found this quote.  -- Conscious Discussions Talk Radio -- Today's Conscious Discussions Talk Radio show episode will feature another Positive Eco-News segment with a discussion on green business ideas, and tips on being a humanitarian at home, at work, and while on vacation.  Check it out via the hyper link above Airs live @ 10...

-- Quote of the Day --  “ Laugh at yourself, but don’t ever aim your doubt at yourself. Be bold. When you embark for strange places, don’t leave any of yourself safely on shore – have the nerve to go into unexplored territory. ”  ~ Alan Alda   -- Conscious Living Event -- Sept 25- 27 Waste to Fuels Conference and Trade Show Location: San Diego, CA - USA Info : www.WasteToFuels.org Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts from their books, information about their radio program, newsletter, blog, and more at: www.brummet.ca * Support the Brummets by telling your friends, or visiting the Brummet's Store - every sale raises funds for charity as well!

-- Organic Waste --  According to an article I read recently on the Recycling Product Newsletter – about 30% or 50 billion dollars worth of food produced for human consumption, is THROWN AWAY! That is about 31.79 million tons tossed out by citizens of the planet earth, and results in over 1 billion dollars in disposal related costs. There are several high-volume composting systems available for hospitals, restaurants, hotels, schools, prisons and other high volume areas like this… and we’ve highlighted a few of these in previous discussions on this topic over the years. One other that we learned of recently is called the Eco-Safe Digester which converts the waste into a liquid which can be processed in a much more eco-friendly way in the septic system. Personally, I’d rather see the product in the form of a dehydrated powder soil amendment that the establishment can give to staff or offer to a fundraising event… or make arrangements with a local farmer. I’...

 -- Conscious Discussions Talk Radio -- Today's special featured guest is: Chitoka Webb is our featured guest of the day – who is currently a successful business owner, motivational speaker and author residing in Tennessee, USA. Chitoka joins us to share her poignant, funny and inspiring life story from her humble beginnings as the daughter of a single mother holding her family together in the Nashville housing projects, to her rise as the CEO of several companies  - choosing to find love in herself and in others along a journey from the lowest valleys of misery to adrenaline-filled tops of personal and professional achievement. With so many businesses to run – juggling numerous volunteer activities – writing books… and I’m sure she’d tell you of hundreds of other projects she’s either working on or working towards – Chitoka is certainly one woman who won’t be leaving any stones unturned in her life. Check out the live show (10-11 AM Pacific) or...

-- Quote of the Day -- “A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without spring s- jolted by every pebble in the road.”  ~ Henry Beech -- Positive Eco-News -- Source : Recycling Product Newsletter … Ice River Springs have been successfully operating a new PET recycling plant where they produce their own resin and can make bottles now with 100 % recycled plastic, and this bottle has a lower weight, and a smaller label. On top of this, the company also creates all kinds of things using this recycled PET resin including trays and shrink film. This one company which has some 6 locations across Canada, can reportedly process 80% of the bottles collected in Ontario’s blue box program.  Now that is definitely a fantastic example of what businesses can do to save money, increase employment, and have a powerful positive impact on the world!   Find the company at: www.amut.it Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpt...

 -- Brummets in the Media -- I was just interviewed by the http://businessinfoguide.com site - about being an entrepreneur and running our business. Check it out when you can - http://businessinfoguide.com/entrepreneur-interview-lillian-brummet-drum-it-percussion/ Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts from their books, information about their radio program, newsletter, blog, and more at: www.brummet.ca * Support the Brummets by telling your friends, or visiting the Brummet's Store - every sale raises funds for charity as well!

-- Quote of the Day -- “Writing, I think, is not apart from living. Writing is a kind of double living. The writer experiences everything twice. Once in reality, and once in the mirror, which waits.”  ~ Catherine Bowen  -- Chatter --  Well, as you can see I took a few days off from the blog, and I've skipped one issue of the newsletter (for the first time, ever!), due to a heavy schedule around the home office and peak harvest season for peppers and tomatoes.  I'm taking the next few days to catch up on the canning, freezing and so forth... but can be in the office for a few more hours now that the real rush is over. Last Sunday, I hosted another World of Writing segment of the Conscious Discussions Talk Radio show - offering a number of resources, and advice on personalities in or around the home office. I was surprised by some heartwarming comments in the chat room (for live listeners) where one person in particular spoke of how...

* Today's article came to us through Sachin from www.webprofits.com.au who thought our readers might want to learn more about reducing their bills by saving energy.  --  How to Reduce Your Bills -- If you are serious about saving money then you need to have a good look at where your money goes. A large portion of it goes towards bills, as well as other items like food, petrol and of course, rent or mortgage. We can't avoid paying our rent or mortgage, nor can we control the cost of petrol and we certainly have to eat. But our bills are one thing that we can adjust, with a little careful consideration as to how they can accumulate and what we can do to control them. Whether you save on electricity by installing solar panels for your home or putting in rain water tanks, you can take some positive steps towards reducing your household bills. Any adjustments or additions you make to your home to help curb your bills will also help increase its value, in case...

-- Quote of the Day -- "To make the right choices in life, you have to get in touch with your soul.  To do this you need to experience solitude,  which most people are afraid of  because in the silence you hear the truth and know the solutions." ~ Deepak Chopra  -- Chatter -- Well, Brummet's Muse Newsletter goes out today. I'll have made some changes to it for this release, however the next few newsletters will have more changes to come, so keep watching to see what we come up with for you  :) - If you haven't already signed up for the newsletter, it is easy to do so via the widget here on the blog, or head over to our site and sign up for it there. www.brummet.ca A new set of bookmarks and business cards will be ordered in soon. Dave's got some lovely designs prepared for us, once again. I look forward to holding them in my hand, and being able to give some away as well. As soon as they arrive I intend to offer a set to o...

-- Quote of the Day -- “ I believe a man is born first unto himself for the happy developing of himself – the world is a nursery and the pretty things are to be snatched for, and pleasant things tasted.Some people seem to exist thus right to the end. But most are born again on entering manhood; they are born to ‘humanity’ – to a consciousness of all the laughing, and the never ceasing murmur of pain and sorrow that comes from the multitudes .”  ~DH Lawrence -- Referral Corner -- Its time again for us to celebrate the incredible positive, proactive work done in the world by so many individuals... We love to highlight non-profits, and others, in this section - offering their sites so that you can follow up, network, share with others, or support them in some way.  New Start Highland : this organization was established to provide practical help to homeless people who are moving into their own home. They offer everything from home improvement, ...

-- Conscious Discussions Talk Radio --   Sept 11-17 is also International Coastal Clean-up Week * Composting: cleaning up the garbage crisis  Our guest of the day canceled via email only this morning, so we're presenting a new contingency show for you... lol - today we'll offer an installment of the Best of 2007, where we feature some edited excerpts of our favorite interviews of that year. Today's topic will be on vermiculture (composts, with worms) with two Canadian experts in the field. We'll start the show with: Cathy Nesbitt - founder of Cathy’s Crawly Composters - believes worms are going to play an ever-increasing role in waste management and soil remediation. Learn about the importance of adding life back into the soil naturally and how worms can help divert 30% of our waste from the landfill. ...and then close the show with:  Children series author, Larraine Roulston, will discuss her desire to pass on worm composting knowledge ...

-- World of Writing -- Today's guest, Ami Blackwelder, offers an interesting look at the how's and why's of her writing career: My writing process is a lot like the author of Vampire Academy. Quiet and Alone! (ha, ha). I've heard of other writers say they turn the music up, or go to the beach, or enjoy a spot at the local coffee cafe. I've tried that and that one and...well, maybe it is me but I can't write with other people around. Its too distracting. I thought I was alone on this process. But after reading up on Vampire Academy, I learned she is exactly the same way! Thank goodness, I'm not alone. All I want is my laptop and a warm cup of tea. I might go to my porch or by my room window, but I don't want people walking around when I'm writing. Nothing personnel. I think to dive into that imagination, that creative quality, I have to be separate from the real world.  Once alone and quiet, I spend time pondering the outline, the ti...

-- Conscious Discussions Talk Radio -- Sunday Gardening with Chris McLaughlin ! … Chris has been an avid gardener for over 30 years and became a Master Gardener in 2000. Author of several books, she teaches kids gardening and actively writes for several online sites. Her work tends to focus on guiding and encouraging gardeners living in suburban or urban spaces to grow food in their own backyards. Chris appeared on our radio show back on May 22 nd when we discussed composting… She’s graciously agreed to come back to answer some questions we didn’t get to in our last discussion for our audience and then we’ll learn about heirloom varieties, seed saving, making a difference in your community, getting stuff for free... and much more!  Join us live @ 10-11 AM (pacific) today & drop in the live chat room if you can... or - access the archived interview at your convenience later on: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/consciousdiscussions/2011/09/11/sunday-g...

-- Quote of the Day -- " Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence  of consistently applying the basic fundamentals ."  ~ Jim Rohn  Today's quote has me thinking of one of the 'basic fundamentals' of life - and that is taking some time to recharge our mental batteries. Decision making and efficiency declines when we are stressed, have low energy due to improper nutrients or rest - and this affects how our work is presented as well. So it really is important to take time for you, and only you - regularly. I'm learning this lesson this year myself and have found it quite difficult to actually use the days I book off for rest. Like most of you there's laundry, and lawns, and many other chores or responsibilities that get in the way of time off from the office. It isn't easy to let the dishes go unwashed or let the berries in the garden go unpicked, but training ourselves to do this is essential. If...

-- Quote of the Day -- “ To change your life, you must change your perception of the world and everything around you. …The experience provides an opportunity to learn and grow from the challenges. At the Same time, the experience is inevitable because you create it in the first place. …The fact is, you cant help but create these experiences. They automatically happen because they represent what you believe to be true .”  ~ Gary Spinell, It Was You All Along -- Eco-Travel Tips -- In these times of economic strife and environmental concerns, it is no wonder that eco-tours, volunteer travel and stay-cations (staying at home during vacation time or within their borders) are becoming more popular. JTB Corp., a leading Japanese travel agency, released results of its survey on environmental awareness while traveling. According to the results, 70 percent of respondents are conscious of eco-friendly activities on their trips. There are dozens of things th...