http://grocerygeek.com/

Have you seen any videos lately that speak to you?  Companies (and politicians) pay big bucks to marketing firms for their gift of alchemy, taking creative minds, technical expertise, and psychology and transmuting it into gold. However, it’s the artists I admire, those with “the eye” for this sort of thing, the ones who know how to turn the camera angle 2 degrees to the left and capture what the rest of us miss.  I appreciate seeing the world through their eyes. Just a little bit of magic.

What inspires you? Feel free to share you favorites in the comments.

Whew.

Ok. Now to tackle new business. 2012. New year. Fresh start.

Lots of developments on the Keystone XL pipeline drama. Wow! Democracy and citizens in action!

Recently BP launched a series of ads focusing on “energy voters” as the everyman. Greenpeace answered with a brilliant spoof video that pokes fun at BP and shames them.  I had to share it:

I Vote 4 Energy

Over the winter, I’ve found myself slacking on the healthy foods and instead, eating (and serving) not-so-great things like lots of frozen food and fast food. I have to say that I’ve pretty much felt like crap for a month, and my energy levels have been low. I’ve also gained quite a bit of weight over the past few years. Partly because of not exercising, but  mostly because of overeating. Even healthy foods make you fat if you eat too much.

My reunion is coming up this summer, and I’ll admit it: I want to look good.  Vain? Sure. I don’t care how smart of successful or happy I am, I still don’t want to go to my reunion looking like a fatass.

I have to run, but I’ll come back to blogging more as we settle into the new year.

Wishing you peace, happiness, and prosperity in 2012!

Now taking pre-sale orders for GS cookies!

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Thanks-A-Lot  Heart-warming shortbread cookies dipped in rich fudge and topped with an embossed “Thank You” message in one of five languages

Shout Outs  Light and crisp, these Belgian-style carmelized cookies are a sensibly sweet treat

Lemonades  Savory slices of shortbread with a refreshingly tangy lemon icing

Shortbreads  Traditional favorite with a buttery light flavor

Thin Mints Thin chocolate wafers dipped in a rich chocolaty coating with a burst of pure peppermint

Peanut Butter Patties Crispy vanilla cookies layered with real peanut butter and blanketed with a chocolaty coating

Caramel deLites Delicate vanilla cookies drenched in caramel, sprinkled with toasted coconut and laced with cocoa stripes

Peanut Butter Sandwiches  Deliciously smooth peanut butter sandwiched between crunchy oatmeal cookies

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We will only ship them to U.S. domestic addresses (excluding HI and AK). No international orders. The cost is $3.50 per box, and there will be a small additional charge for postage. I am going to the post office to have a box weighed and determine the exact amount.  I know you could probably find them locally and save yourself the shipping $$, but doesn’t it feel so right to buy GS cookies from a little girl who is greener than her mom and who works to help the environment? Yeah, you know it does.

Email ecoconvert@gmail.com and let me know how many boxes/what type you’d like to order.
Put GS COOKIES in the title of your email. Please also provide your name and shipping address.
All information will be kept confidential.

Please do not send money at this time!  I will email you an invoice in January.

Payments will be accepted via PayPal, so there’s no worry about sending checks, etc.  Again, do not send payment until asked to do so.  However, please understand that we are placing our troop cookie order based on the number of pre-sales, so if you request cookies, it’s only fair that you actually pay for them later.

Thank you for helping support my daughter’s Girl Scout troop, and we will keep you posted on the cookie sales.

There have been a lot of things going on that I’ve wanted to blog about, but life and work and family have kept me busy. Let’s recap.

First and foremost is the victory against the Keystone XL pipeline. Who knew that a little group of Nebraskans could effect so much change? Thank you to Jane Kleeb and BOLD Nebraska for rallying our citizens and lobbying our state legislature to put a halt (however temporary it may be) to the pipeline. Of course, national and international leaders like Bill McKibben and 350.org, Tar Sands Action Network, and many others put the issue in the national spotlight, and their classy, informative, well-orchestrated media campaign and civil disobedience turned a “fringe” environmental issue into a big, big deal. My hat is off.

There’s more work to be done, though. I encourage you to stay informed and answer the call to action when you’re asked to write a letter or make a phone call to your elected officials. More to come on this as the story unfolds.

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Second, the Senate recently passed the National Defense Authorization Act (“NDAA”). No big deal, they pass this every year to fund military expenditures. Except this year they tacked on a little tidbit of language that allows for the indefinite detention of American citizens. Yes, you heard that right. The army can roll up to your house, haul you out of bed, drag you off, and lock you up and torture you for as long as they want. No Miranda rights, no due process, no explanation, no nothing. Poof, gone.

That is scary business. I find it very telling that civil libertarians on both the right and the left oppose this idea. This isn’t a conservative or liberal issue. It’s an American Citizen issue. The NDAA essentially steamrolls the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and NO ONE IS SAYING ANYTHING ABOUT IT!  Heck, the Senate voted FOR it!  Senator Udall from Colorado offered an amendment to the NDAA to remove the “indefinite detention” language so that the bill could pass and the military could receive its funding. His amendment was voted down 3 TIMES.  Both of my senators, Ben Nelson and Mike Johanns, voted for the NDAA and against the Udall amendment, and you better believe that they’ve already heard about it loud and clear from me.

If you want to read the entire bill, here’s the link: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d112:s.1867:

Now the bill goes back to the House so they can hammer out a final version. It’s imperative that you call/write your representatives and senators and let them know that the “indefinite detention” language must be removed. Do it now! If you don’t know how you contact your elected officials, you can find that information on my Fight It page.

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In other news, Non-GMO organizations are making headway in educating people about the dangers of modified food. I need to do more research and read up on the latest happenings, but I’ve been hearing bits and pieces, and it sounds like ideas are being shared and consumers are being educated. In my opinion, it’s nearly impossible to take on Monstanto and the other bio-giants in the courtroom right now, so the best strategy is voting with your dollars. Buy food labeled Non-GMO or GMO-free. Don’t know how to find it? Check out Non-GMO Project, Food Democracy Now, Center for Food Safety, Institute for Responsible Technology, and Say No to GMOs. That should be enough information to keep you busy for awhile.

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I hope all of you are enjoying a happy, healthy holiday season, and I send my heartfelt wishes for a joyous and prosperous year to come. I’ll try to pop in more often and scribble down some of my thoughts. If you have a question or comment, please post to the Eco Convert facebook page, and I’ll be sure to respond promptly.

Peace!

This weekend wraps up most of my work season for the year, so I’m looking forward to some downtime to retool my materials and marketing. Just waiting to exhale.

Fall is officially here  I don’t care for the cooler seasons. My flowers are in their death throes, and the grass and shrubs are doing dormant. I wish we could have endless summer.

So what do you think of Occupy Wall Street? There have been a few events in my city, but I’ve reserved judgment until I learn more about them. I have seen some activity on facebook, and a lot of the individuals online are saying things that don’t represent me, and I’m not sure if I want to be affiliated with a group that has no clear mission. I’d like to see a written statement of beliefs, goals, and methods of action before I lend any support.  In the meantime, I’ll be watching and waiting.

Since this is a random collection of thoughts, I thought I’d cap it off with a little dose of pure awesome. My son drew this:

Kindergarten creativity

Have a great day!

Wrong.

They have failed to pick up our trash Every. Single. Time.  It’s supposed to be a pickup once every two weeks, and they never get it right. I have to call and follow up with the company, and they send a truck out to get it.  I am so tired of doing this. They forgot to pick it up again last time, and I forgot to call and bitch, so there is recycle garbage filled to the brim of the 96 gal can, in addition to the bags and bags of items in my garage.  I feel like I’m being taken over by garbage.  If they can’t get their act together by the next pickup date, I’m through with them.

Does your community have a recycling program? Does it work well, so-so, not at all?  How can it be better?

Back to work, bills to pay.

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What’s your daydream?

There is a State Department hearing coming up this month over the Keystone XL pipeline, and I hope to attend (if I can get off work early). I hope the groundswell of support generated by the recent protesters in DC keeps going.

We have an appointment at the allergist this month also, and I hope we get good news. I just don’t know if I can stand this restrictive diet. All the food tastes like glue.

The last big push for weddings is happening right now, and I’m totally swamped. Sept/Oct is the new June, apparently. 6 more weeks, and it should be winding down (whew)!

The weather has been cooling down (BOO!)  At least football season is here and we can enjoy our Husker Saturdays (YAY!)

That is all for now. I’ll check in when I have more time. Peace!