December 10, 2010Issue 74   

Mrs. Green's World

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Greetings!   

 

Happy Sustainable Holiday to YOU:

Sustainability from the Inside Out
Chances are if you are one of the people who need to read this, you probably won't because you are tooooo busy! (Me? I would be one of the guilty ones but I am the author trying to practice what I share - not preach.)

Reflecting back over the past week and looking ahead to my schedule, I keep asking myself: why do we do this? Why do we plan holiday parties, say yes to going so many of them, schedule attending multiple events in the same night, take on projects that involve giving back - all on top of simply getting ready for Christmas Day? And why do we continue having to learn the same lessons over and over? Let us all help each other by being mindful of this in the home stretch and actually be proactive in moving your own sustainability up a notch. It will actually help others as well.

So here are a FEW tips to keep in mind and maybe actually DO in the 15 days that we, who celebrate Christmas, have left until the big day:

Get yourself back in touch with the true meaning of this holiday. Be the role model for that. Isn't spending quality time with loved ones what we always remember and value the most? For me there is one word: family - by blood or choice!

Keep it simple. The less you buy, the less you owe, the less you have to wrap, and the less goes into the landfills. Is there a downside?

Give gifts that keep on giving. Dinner (as in making it for someone!), movie tickets, theater tickets, restaurant certificates, season passes to a zoo.

SCHEDULE time for yourself. I mean SERIOUSLY schedule time with and for you. A long walk, a trip to a local nature site, catch a movie in the afternoon, take a nap, get a massage, hold hands with someone you love, take the phone OFF the hook and read or just stare out the window. Just savor the quiet.

Give thanks. If you are too busy to do any of the above, give thanks - for YOUR presence on the planet, for the unique gifts you bring to the planet and for all that you have right now, in this moment, on this day. And then hope and pray you will do better next year. (Schedule it?)

I am going to stop now because I have too much to do. Just kidding - really.

 

   Rosie on the House

Did You Know?
Did you know that the University of Arizona is a TRUE partner in sustainability - not just to their local community but for the planet? Did you know that they have some of the greatest minds in the WORLD doing research and making discoveries every day that will benefit us all? You name the area - alternative energy, agriculture, water, arid lands study, biodiversity, social justice, science, and the green beat goes on. Did you know that President Robert N. Shelton has requested that all faculty convening groups of cutting edge leaders in every discipline include a community presentation component so that the UA expands its reach to include the community at large? Did you know that Biosphere 2 does things like partner with the Department of Education to make life more relevant "outside the glass"? Did you know that every single building they build from this point on will be constructed sustainably achieving LEED certification when possible? Did you know that they actually have an Office of Sustainability? And did you know that Mrs. Green is a proud UA alumnus? Now you do and can learn so much more about this incredible institution just by visiting their website.

Are You Dreaming of a Green Christmas?
It's honestly amazing and thrilling to me that we actually have over 2000 votes for the Mrs. Green's World "I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas" contest at press time. What thrills and excites me is that people care enough to submit their green ideas and then members of the Mrs. Green community from all over the country took action and continue to vote. It's wonderful on many levels starting with building awareness, taking action and changing patterns of behavior. Yes, the prizes are great. And yes - WE are making a difference. The contest ends on December 15th at midnight. Let's rock it as my friend Kimberly says.

Enter to win

Upcoming Shows

12/11
It's an All About You & Your Green Christmas Show! TEP's Bright Solutions will sponsor this first ever "I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas" show featuring contestants from the Mrs. Green's World website contest who have truly committed to making their holidays more sustainable from beginning to end. We hope you will not only tune in but plan to call in to share what traditions - old and new - your family celebrates. 

Goodwill of Southern Arizona12/18
Grand Opening of Goodwill at Bear Canyon - Mrs. Green is on the road again this Saturday at noon to celebrate the grand opening of the newest Goodwill Store at Bear Canyon and Tanque Verde. Hear about some of Goodwill's outstanding success stories and from friends of Mrs. Green (including Legendary World's Legend Scott Caddow) who have discovered why it's fun AND sustainable to shop at Goodwill. And you don't want to miss the debut of Where is Mrs. Green? Come help us find her!

Gadabout Salons12/25
How Healthy Are Your Hair & Make Up Products? Mrs. Green's Christmas show will feature guests Jana Westerbeke, owner of Gadabout Salon Spas and Verve and Ken Penner, head stylist at VerVe Salon and national trainer for Aveda. Aveda's mission? To care for the world we live in, from the products they make to the ways in which they give back to society.  At Aveda, they strive to set an example for environmental leadership and responsibility, not just in the world of beauty, but around the world. Why did Mrs. Green consciously choose VerVe as her salon of choice? There will be no doubt in your mind once you hear this great show - it's ALL about your health.

Mrs. Green1/1/2011
Let's Start the New Year Sustainably. Mrs. Green is changing the name of the show to Mrs. Green's World! Hopefully, 2011 will result in the rapid expansion and growth of the show and thus the message Mrs. Green wants to share with the world every day. We have guests lined up to call in about what they are going to do in the New Year to make it a greener, healthier one for them and the planet and we will be encouraging people to call in to share their ideas with Mrs. Green's World! Honestly? I can't wait.

HabiStore1/8/2011
Mrs. Green Goes to the HabiStore! What better way to celebrate Mrs. Green's THIRD anniversary than spending it on the road with one of her best buddies and favorite causes Terry Dee and the HabiStore! The HabiStore in Tucson has moved to a new, bigger, convenient location at Grant and I-10. ALL proceeds from sales at the Habistore benefit Habitat for Humanity - the epitome of reduce, reuse, recycle! Rumor has it that we will be interviewing Michael McDonald, Executive Director of Tucson's very own Habitat for Humanity.  Tune in, come by, make a difference!
 

Mrs. Green Goes Mainstream's All Green Talk Radio Show
Please remember to tune in to Mrs. Green Goes Mainstream every Saturday at 12:05 p.m. PST on NEWSTALK 790 KNST AM or live, streaming on the internet at www.790knst.com.
 
 
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Mrs. Green welcomes your comments and feedback:
info@mrsgreensworld.com