Brummet's Conscious Blog

-- Reusable Straws --  Andy and I started communicating about a review project for stainless steel drinking straws sold by the Eco-Straws Company ( www.eco-straws.co.uk ) back in early July and due to shipping delays we received the sample by the 23 rd of July, which arrived by airmail in a small padded envelope. In the package there was a scoop straw (for things like smoothies), a straight straw and a curved straw. I was thrilled to see that the sample also came with a cleaning brush – it looks like a stiff, short bristled narrow bottle-brush on a wire handle that is about 19 cm. or 7.5 inches in length.  The first thing my husband said when he saw these products – “ these are fantastic, we have to buy some! ” What I really liked about these stainless steel straws is that they are dishwasher friendly - we tried out the dishwasher option but found only the straight straw would work in our silverware section of the dishwasher, the other...

-- World of Writing -- Yes, it is time for another World of Writing interview here on our blog... today we are enjoying hearing from Jerry Nelson: Jerry Nelson is an American freelance photojournalist now based in South America. His newest book, Journey America: Behind the Image , is collection of stories about the images highlighted on the homepage of his website, www.JourneyAmerica.org Nelson has visited all 50 states and over 50 countries working as a traveling photojournalist, an adventure and travel photographer and a curious writer. The tagline on his website sums up his mission: “I see it. I Shoot it. I Live it. Join the adventure” Q: Who inspired you to pursue a career in writing? Jim Arrendel.   Jim is a good friend in Asheville, North Carolina.   Several years ago Jim and I were talking and I was complaining about how everyone with a camera thought they were a photographer and this mindset was making it harder for le...

-- Quote of the Day --  “To live content with small means, to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion, to be worthy not respectable, and wealthy not rich, to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly… to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages with an open heart, to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never – in a word… to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious grow up through the common – this is to be my symphony.” ~ William Channing -- Conscious Discussions Talk Radio --  * Airs live @ 10-11 AM (Pacifc)  - all episodes are archived indefinitely within moments after they air live, and are available for you to listen to later on at any time of day. Sign up via itunes for the Conscious Discussions Radio show: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id262138144 ...

-- Quote of the Day --  “There is a real competition between our energy needs and our need for healthy soil. …Whether that cellulose goes into the energy stream or whether it will be processed by microorganisms and builds healthy soil – is going to be both a marketing and regulation issue. …we are not saying that we don’t aren’t going to want to transition to bio energy because that is what green energy is, in addition to solar and wind. …Methane is a natural gas, as opposed to ethanol and alcohol in its liquid form. I like this option because we can produce it from plants and organic waste. There is no magic bullet (when it comes to global warming and managing organics) – but there might be magic buckshot solution… because there is a lot of different opportunities here.” ~ Dan Noble Access the full interview with Dan via:  http://tobtr.com/s/5058487  -- Referral Corner -- http://oedb.org/online-schools ...

-- Quote of the Day --  “'Tis said of love that it sometimes goes, sometimes flies; runs with one, walks gravely with another, turns a third into ice and sets a fourth in flame; it wounds one, another it kills: like lightening it begins and ends in the same moment, it makes that fort yield at night which it besieged but in the morning, for there is no force able to resist it.” ~ Elizabeth Bowen -- Conscious Discussions Talk Radio --  * Airs live @ 10-11 AM (Pacifc)  - all episodes are archived indefinitely within moments after they air live, and are available for you to listen to later on at any time of day.   Sign up via itunes for the Conscious Discussions Radio show: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/id262138144   Susan Finch is the ...

I was thrilled to hear from Kara (of Uncommon Goods -  an online retailer that endeavors to feature unique designs and handcrafted products to a broad audience , while raising funds for a variety of  charities). Kara tells me that they have the aim of increasing their monthly donations by 10%... and asked me to help get the word out about their  Better to Give   charitable program that allows their customers to choose a  charity at checkout for us to make a $1 donation to. Our goal this month is to increase average monthly donations by 10%. So of course I was thrilled to play a small role in this - I can only celebrate businesses that act in such a conscious and proactive way to create positive change across the planet. In just 12 years UncommonGoods.com has raised over $300,000 for several charities including RAINN (an anti-sexual violence organization with programs to prevent violence and help survivors in the healing journey), American Fores...

-- Quote of the Day --  “If you’re able to be yourself, then you have no competition.  All you have to do is get closer and closer to that essence.” ~ Barbara Cook -- Conscious Discussions Talk Radio --  Guest was a no-show today... apologies :) Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts from their books, their radio program, blog, and more at: http://brummet.ca * Support the Brummets by telling your friends, clicking those social networking buttons, or visiting the Brummet's Store - and help raise funds for charity as well!