Center for the New American Dream

Here is a wonderful organization that focuses on conscious consumerism. Please visit: http://www.newdream.org/index.php

This group supports the ideal that the American Dream is about “more of what matters in life,” not “more is better.” They share a vision of a world in which a healthy global ecosystem anchors a just society offering all global citizens the resources, freedom, peace, and security necessary to pursue their dreams, respect the natural world, and enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

This group also like to have fun. Last year they gave away a bicycle and a gas-sipping hybrid car as part of their campaign to push automakers to do their part to reduce oil dependence and stabilize the climate by bringing far more efficient vehicles to market. In January they gave a New Dream Community member a ten-day trip for two to Costa Rica, complete with airfare, carbon offsets, domestic transportation, activities, and lodging at eco-resorts.

They currently have their sights set on a number of specific goals, including:

• Pushing policymakers to adopt forward-thinking energy initiatives – New Dream Community members have sent thousands of letters to Congress pushing for a forward-thinking energy bill and, in November, participated in a coalition of groups that delivered 85,000 comments in favor of higher fuel economy standards;
• Simplifying the holidays and greening back-to-school retailers – those are the two biggest shopping seasons of the year, with big implications for workers, pollution, and consumer debt;
• Reforming the junk mail industry – in winter 2006, we will deliver thousands of petitions to Congress calling for a Do Not Junk opt-out registry, patterned after the popular Do Not Call telemarketer registry;
• Helping citizens band together to promote positive initiatives in their home cities and towns – this fall, for example, New Dreamers organized alternative gift fairs in 57 communities across the country.

“So,” you say, “that’s exciting and all, but what exactly is MY role in this community?” That’s ultimately up to you, of course, but here are four possibilities:

• Find tips and tools to live consciously, buy wisely and make a difference.
• Influence businesses and policymakers to do their part for a sustainable future.
• Teach, and learn from, others.
• Find events and people on and offline.

To global health!

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Two Friends and One Horse

 

 

An Isreali Tale told by Crimean Jews
rewritten by Yoel Perez ©2001
Adapted by Laura Simms

“Among the Peul people of Africa it is said that there is a little peace and a big peace, but there is no little quarrel. Even a matchstick can burn down a village.”

Two men, neighbors and friends, named Nabek and Dagar, lived near a great desert. Nabek had an incomparable horse. It was beautiful and as graceful as a deer. Dagar dreamed of having his friend’s horse. Day and night, he could not stop thinking about the horse. Finally, he went to Nabek and asked him to sell it to him. Nabek said, “I would not sell this animal for all the gold and diamonds in the world.”

Unable to control his desire, Dagar decided to trick his friend in order to gain the horse. He disguised himself as a beggar, covering his face, and sat by the side of a road where Nabek passed each day. When Nabak approached, Dagar moaned and called out for help, pretending to be thirsty and hungry. Nabek took pity on the beggar who he thought could no longer walk. He put him on the horse’s back in order to carry him to the marketplace.

The moment Dagar was on the horse, he sat up straight and took control of the reins. He kicked the horse and galloped away, shouting back at his neighbor, “I am Dagar. You will never get your horse back!”

Nabek did not chase after Dagar. But, he called after him, “Dagar, stop for a moment. I want to ask you something.” Recognizing that his friend could not catch him by foot, Dagar stopped. Nabek called out, “By Allah’s will you are now the owner of my wonderful horse. But, please never tell anyone how you got the horse.”

“Why not?” inquired Dagar.

“If people should hear how you tricked me they might never stop to help another beggar at the side of the road. They will be afraid. Perhaps they will leave some poor soul to die. If this story should be told, it could cause great evil in the world.”

Dagar listened and said nothing for a long time. Then, he climbed down off of the horse and gave it back to his neighbor. Together they returned to the tent of Nabek and made an agreement of peace and swore to be friends forever.

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Locally Grown Spinach

I just ran across a wonderful blog titled, I Heart Farms. This site advocates eating only locally grown produce and has a wonderful article on the latest food controversy: Spinach and E. Coli.

Please take a moment to read:

http://smallfarms.typepad.com/small_farms/2006/09/here_
and_there.html#comments

To your health!

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