Green Options » values

Natural Health and Beauty Products for the Whole Family by EO

Jennifer Lance — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:48:52 +0000

I have long been a fan of EO (Essential Oil) products. I discovered EO when I was searching Environmental Working Group’s cosmetic database Skin Deep for products that would not irritate my son’s sensitive skin. EO was the answer, as they never use irritating sodium lauryl or laureth sulfates, and I quickly adopted the products into my preschool classroom, as well.

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Power to the People: Can We End Human Suffering?

Dumisani Dladla — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:15:32 +0000

Africans were colonized for hundreds of years. In the process they have lost their culture and religion. There are deep wounds in the collective consciousness of the African continent. Colonization has dismembered people’s culture and religion. Africans went through a lot of the suffering that has ever existed in this world.

Let’s put an end to human suffering and racism by treating each other with respect and dignity. UBUNTU: I am because we are. No individualism. Let history be our teacher. When countries and leaders are fighting over natural resources, when they want to overpower another country, this has a huge effect on the ordinary people on the ground. There is a proverb that explains this very well. “When two bulls are fighting, what suffers the most is the grass.”

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Is Spreading Environmentalism a Form of Cultural Colonialism?

Gavin Hudson — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:46:44 +0000

For those with an appetite for cultural exchange, Seoul offers all the trappings of a cosmopolitan city: Starbucks, the ubiquitous Irish pubs, and, of course, the real gem of international cities–Mexican restaurants.

But hold on. You’re the type who wants to help make the world a better place. Frappuccinos, Guinness, and burritos are not the be all and end all of cultural exchange. Then you’ll be happy to know that environmental values are making their way into Korea as well.

Many Koreans are taking note of the global environmental movement, which is already in full swing in much of the world, with increasing interest.

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Becoming “That Mom”

Beth Bader — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 05:38:30 +0000

I pretty sure that when I call or email my child’s school, my child’s school staff cringes. Oh, no, it’s her. What does she want now? For a while, I think they even “forgot” to put the suggestion box back out. I had stuffed it full. It seems that I’ve become difficult, a real pain, That Mom.

Their first battle with me was the “treasure box.” Children earning three stars a day, got to choose a reward from the treasure chest, a box filled with junk candy. The kind of stuff my child never had before. We do an occasional treat, but it is always something made from actual food. It is not daily, and it is never used as a bribe.

I requested the practice to stop, or at least offer only healthy choices. To get me to shut up, the school turned over treasure supply to parents. When the parents didn’t fill the box, the box finally went away. But the candy reward still shows up from time to time — supplied directly by the teachers. And I still complain to the staff. A lot. I am sure they roll their eyes and think, “Doesn’t That Mom have something better to do?”

I don’t. And I am not overreacting.

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