Due to concern about the reactors in Japan, there has been much talk about the fate of nuclear power in recent days. Is there a future for nuclear power?
I must admit that I am torn on the question. Nuclear power is not safe, at least not the way it is built, used and run by corporate and government entities around the world. But is there a way we could make it safe? In theory, it looks pretty good, but the reality is a little more complicated.
Nuclear power is cheap, until you take a closer look. First, there is the mining of uranium and other related minerals to consider. Then there is the building and maintaining of reactors, and most of us are aware of the shortcuts that have been taken in both of these, particularly in maintenance. I find it unbelievable to hear how the Mox fuels are being used, and how storage of spent fuel is designed close to the reactors. IMO, this is carelessness in the name of profit. This isn't only about Japan. By all accounts, the Japanese are dealing at least as well with this as any other country possibly could at this time.
If we were to incorporate every available safety precaution into the design of reactors, including the storage of spent fuel; and if we were to run the plants on a strict safety policy in which business models of "cost/benefit analysis" and "insurance risks" based purely on probabilities tallied against financial and political motivations were replaced with the calculation of risk to life and health as the only consideration, then perhaps there might be a place for nuclear power. However, the current realities show us that this simply isn't the case, and isn't likely to happen anytime in the near future. Nuclear power is cheap until there are accidents. And the cheapness of this source fails to take in some very real costs--even before disaster strikes. Government subsidies hide some of the costs. Uranium mining is costly in social, economic and especially environmental terms. The actual running of reactors, including maintenance, can become costly, particularly if public and employee safety is prioritized (as it should be). The lifespan of reactors is relatively short, although in many cases has been pushed beyond original design limits, again, due to economic and political concerns.
I have read conflicting reports about cancers and other radiation related illnesses in people living close to nuclear power plants; since I am no expert, I will leave that argument out for the time being. However, there is no doubt that there are safety concerns for the people who live near nuclear disaster zones, and also for the storage of spent fuel.
Spent fuel is often buried deep, however, geological disturbances happen, and are more likely to happen when the "safe" time frame reaches into the realm of tens of thousands of years or more. Moreover, this is costly disposal, and it is only a matter of time before those in charge start taking shortcuts (assuming of course, that that hasn't already happened).
One thing that generally does not enter into the discussion is the idea of cost/benefit analysis in terms of time. In a best-case scenario, with no further nuclear accidents, leaks, etc., there is still the issue of spent fuel. The half-life of spent fuel, and the resulting large time lag between its use and the time in which it can be safely handled by unprotected people means the problems associated with its radioactivity will exist far into the future and affect many generations. Its useful production time and power is relatively minuscule in comparison.
Several years back some researchers mistakenly thought they had found the modern holy grail: cold fusion. Unfortunately, they were mistaken. Perhaps it is time for a new "X Prize" in energy research. Until then, we would be wise to eliminate our subsidies to dirty energy including fossil fuels and invest instead in renewable energy technology and conservation research and incentives. We can't afford to complacently continue on our current path.
Wednesday, 23 March 2011
Monday, 7 March 2011
Kids Can (and should) Learn to Cook
I've been reading with interest various posts and comments regarding the family dinner, and the tendency people have to eat more and more processed and "fast" foods. We all know that eating a variety of whole, fresh foods is important to maintain optimal health, both for ourselves and for the planet, however, we aren't always very good at putting that knowledge into practice.
While there are clearly several factors that lead to this, one thing I noticed is that in most families it is still the woman who bears the responsibility for shopping, meal planning and meal preparation, and in NONE of the piece or responses I have read do the children make any of the meals. Not a single response from any of the families who responded to the articles I read even mentioned their child(ren) helping in any way with dinner preparation.
This tendency towards processed food also coincides with another tendency of our society: to do everything for our children and deprive them of the opportunity to learn and take responsibility for meeting their own basic needs.
Toddlers as young as 3 (or younger) can learn to wash baby carrots and cherry tomatoes for themselves as snacks and make a simple sandwich. They can pour themselves a drink. They can pour baby spinach leaves into a salad spinner to wash and spin it for salad. They can set a table and clear the dishes afterward. Child labour? Hardly! This is part of learning needed skills and will help them learn that they are capable people with contributions that are important. Cooking can be creative and fun. It incorporates many of the skills involved in crafts and free play, with the added bonus that you can (usually!) eat what you make when you're done.
Like many other families, we converted a pot drawer to a plates and dishes drawer using a plate rack from Ikea. This made it easy for young children to be able to set the table without having to climb to reach items in high cupboards. It may seem backwards to some, but we keep less fragile items in the top cupboards so that if they are needed and the person reaching them fumbles, there is less potential for serious accidents. That is especially useful for me as I am rather vertically challenged, and tend to fumble, but is also practical for kids working in the kitchen. It is good to remember that cleanup is important when cooking too, for both practical and safety reasons. Show your child how to clean as they go so that there isn't a mound of mess left over at the end.
By the time children can reach the microwave or toaster oven, they can and should be taught how to use these safely. It is just as easy to teach them the safety rules that allow them to use them properly as it is to ban their use completely and then try and police that ban when they see you use these items regularly. Make sure you teach them to seek parental supervision first (at least until you are comfortable enough to allow them to work independently), stay with their cooking, and teach them specific safety tips for the appliances used (no metal in the micro, always empty the crumb tray before you turn on the toaster oven, watch your food so it doesn't burn, how to turn off the appliances, etc.).
Teaching them how to use your kitchen fire extinguisher is also a good idea. By the time a child is using appliances, they should be familiar with other major safety skills, such as the home fire plan, how to dial 911, where the family emergency meeting place will be, and which neighbours they can call on for help. More than once a child as young as 3 has saved a parent's life by calling 911.
There is no reason why a child who is able to reach the stove top cannot learn how to boil water. This is a good time to teach them about the dangers of dangling hair and clothing near a hot stove, and also a great time to introduce them to cooking a variety of pasta dishes. As they gain proficiency, they can learn to make soups, scramble eggs, cook rice and lentils, etc.
Learning to bake often starts with making cookies. This is a good project because few kids dislike cookies, measuring skills and reading a recipe are a part of the process, and the baking time is short. From baking cookies, kids can move on to preparing quiches, simple casseroles, and fun (but healthy) treats like pita pizzas.
By this time, your child will have gained enough cooking skills to be able to cope with feeding himself. He will also be able to help speed up dinnertime meal preparation because he have a better understanding of what needs to be done in order to get food on the table. This will make it easier to cook real food and enjoy more meals together as a family. This is a great way to put the maxim "many hands make light work" into action. Your toddler can put together a simple salad and set the table while your 2nd grader cooks the rice or pasta and pours water into glasses for everyone. A parent or older child prepares the rest of the stir-fry or curry, and in 40 minutes (the time it takes the pizza delivery to reach your home), you have a healthy meal on the table. Other meals such as pasta marinara, make-your-own pizza, casseroles, omelets, etc. can be made in even less time.
Slow meals eaten together encourage family conversation, and this in turn helps improve your child's language and communication skills, as well as awareness of other family member's experiences, local, national and international current events, and more.
At the grocery store, point out the country of origin signs on the fruits and vegetables. How far did your carrots travel to reach you? How about your mangoes, bananas, or broccoli? You can even do a whole study unit on this topic (you will need to scroll down a bit).
In fact, our food and where it comes from is an incredibly important, diverse and relevant topic for our children, and teaching them about it will serve them well throughout their lives.
Lemonade's Easy Kid-Friendly Recipes
Litterless Lunch Tips and Recipes
Baked Treats and Holiday Favourites
While there are clearly several factors that lead to this, one thing I noticed is that in most families it is still the woman who bears the responsibility for shopping, meal planning and meal preparation, and in NONE of the piece or responses I have read do the children make any of the meals. Not a single response from any of the families who responded to the articles I read even mentioned their child(ren) helping in any way with dinner preparation.
This tendency towards processed food also coincides with another tendency of our society: to do everything for our children and deprive them of the opportunity to learn and take responsibility for meeting their own basic needs.
Toddlers as young as 3 (or younger) can learn to wash baby carrots and cherry tomatoes for themselves as snacks and make a simple sandwich. They can pour themselves a drink. They can pour baby spinach leaves into a salad spinner to wash and spin it for salad. They can set a table and clear the dishes afterward. Child labour? Hardly! This is part of learning needed skills and will help them learn that they are capable people with contributions that are important. Cooking can be creative and fun. It incorporates many of the skills involved in crafts and free play, with the added bonus that you can (usually!) eat what you make when you're done.
Like many other families, we converted a pot drawer to a plates and dishes drawer using a plate rack from Ikea. This made it easy for young children to be able to set the table without having to climb to reach items in high cupboards. It may seem backwards to some, but we keep less fragile items in the top cupboards so that if they are needed and the person reaching them fumbles, there is less potential for serious accidents. That is especially useful for me as I am rather vertically challenged, and tend to fumble, but is also practical for kids working in the kitchen. It is good to remember that cleanup is important when cooking too, for both practical and safety reasons. Show your child how to clean as they go so that there isn't a mound of mess left over at the end.
By the time children can reach the microwave or toaster oven, they can and should be taught how to use these safely. It is just as easy to teach them the safety rules that allow them to use them properly as it is to ban their use completely and then try and police that ban when they see you use these items regularly. Make sure you teach them to seek parental supervision first (at least until you are comfortable enough to allow them to work independently), stay with their cooking, and teach them specific safety tips for the appliances used (no metal in the micro, always empty the crumb tray before you turn on the toaster oven, watch your food so it doesn't burn, how to turn off the appliances, etc.).
Teaching them how to use your kitchen fire extinguisher is also a good idea. By the time a child is using appliances, they should be familiar with other major safety skills, such as the home fire plan, how to dial 911, where the family emergency meeting place will be, and which neighbours they can call on for help. More than once a child as young as 3 has saved a parent's life by calling 911.
There is no reason why a child who is able to reach the stove top cannot learn how to boil water. This is a good time to teach them about the dangers of dangling hair and clothing near a hot stove, and also a great time to introduce them to cooking a variety of pasta dishes. As they gain proficiency, they can learn to make soups, scramble eggs, cook rice and lentils, etc.
Learning to bake often starts with making cookies. This is a good project because few kids dislike cookies, measuring skills and reading a recipe are a part of the process, and the baking time is short. From baking cookies, kids can move on to preparing quiches, simple casseroles, and fun (but healthy) treats like pita pizzas.
By this time, your child will have gained enough cooking skills to be able to cope with feeding himself. He will also be able to help speed up dinnertime meal preparation because he have a better understanding of what needs to be done in order to get food on the table. This will make it easier to cook real food and enjoy more meals together as a family. This is a great way to put the maxim "many hands make light work" into action. Your toddler can put together a simple salad and set the table while your 2nd grader cooks the rice or pasta and pours water into glasses for everyone. A parent or older child prepares the rest of the stir-fry or curry, and in 40 minutes (the time it takes the pizza delivery to reach your home), you have a healthy meal on the table. Other meals such as pasta marinara, make-your-own pizza, casseroles, omelets, etc. can be made in even less time.
Slow meals eaten together encourage family conversation, and this in turn helps improve your child's language and communication skills, as well as awareness of other family member's experiences, local, national and international current events, and more.
At the grocery store, point out the country of origin signs on the fruits and vegetables. How far did your carrots travel to reach you? How about your mangoes, bananas, or broccoli? You can even do a whole study unit on this topic (you will need to scroll down a bit).
In fact, our food and where it comes from is an incredibly important, diverse and relevant topic for our children, and teaching them about it will serve them well throughout their lives.
Lemonade's Easy Kid-Friendly Recipes
Litterless Lunch Tips and Recipes
Baked Treats and Holiday Favourites
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
A Life of Awesome
The other day, when we were out browsing at a local bookstore, my son happened upon The Book of Awesome by Neil Pasricha. In case you are unfamiliar with it, it is a collection of life tidbits that are often overlooked, such as when you are in a long lineup and suddenly a cashier opens up a new checkout.
We were in a bit of a hurry by the time he found it, but it stayed with him and he proceeded to share some of his favourites with us over dinner. His enthusiasm was catching, and we found ourselves coming up with "awesomes" of our own.
The first true spring evening. Catching a glimpse of a shooting star. Unloading the dishwasher to find no rejects. The delicious smell of line-dried bedsheets. Being greeted at the end of the day by your favourite tail-wagging dog. The first crocus buds peeking through the snow cover. The shy grin of an infant over her mother's shoulder. Being the first onto the skating rink after the Zamboni. Buses that connect. All green lights on a drive when you're running late. The taste of a cold drink of water on a hot summers day. The sound of waves on the seashore.
I could go on. And the thing is, I should go on. All too often we fail to appreciate the small wonders in our daily lives. We forget to stop and smell the roses (or bedsheets--take your pick!), and yet, when it all comes down to it, it's those small, seemingly insignificant miracles that hold so much importance in our lives.
You've probably heard the phrases "count your blessings" and "stop and smell the roses", but for us, it was this "Book of Awesome", with its obvious appeal to a tween boy (which is awesome in and of itself) that really made us stop and put those things into words to share.
We are now working on our own "awesome lists". With all the rushing around that we do in our society, it can become all too easy to focus on the negative, to work on problems that seem urgent and forget to balance that with the positives that surround us. Shifting the focus to the positive in our lives is helping us put things into a more balanced perspective.
Your list will likely be a little different than mine, but chances are we will have at least a couple of things in common. These are things that bring us together in our experience, despite the fact that we may live in different countries, be of different cultures, religions etc. and never meet. It is part of the shared human experience. We are not so different as it might appear after all.
We were in a bit of a hurry by the time he found it, but it stayed with him and he proceeded to share some of his favourites with us over dinner. His enthusiasm was catching, and we found ourselves coming up with "awesomes" of our own.
The first true spring evening. Catching a glimpse of a shooting star. Unloading the dishwasher to find no rejects. The delicious smell of line-dried bedsheets. Being greeted at the end of the day by your favourite tail-wagging dog. The first crocus buds peeking through the snow cover. The shy grin of an infant over her mother's shoulder. Being the first onto the skating rink after the Zamboni. Buses that connect. All green lights on a drive when you're running late. The taste of a cold drink of water on a hot summers day. The sound of waves on the seashore.
I could go on. And the thing is, I should go on. All too often we fail to appreciate the small wonders in our daily lives. We forget to stop and smell the roses (or bedsheets--take your pick!), and yet, when it all comes down to it, it's those small, seemingly insignificant miracles that hold so much importance in our lives.
You've probably heard the phrases "count your blessings" and "stop and smell the roses", but for us, it was this "Book of Awesome", with its obvious appeal to a tween boy (which is awesome in and of itself) that really made us stop and put those things into words to share.
We are now working on our own "awesome lists". With all the rushing around that we do in our society, it can become all too easy to focus on the negative, to work on problems that seem urgent and forget to balance that with the positives that surround us. Shifting the focus to the positive in our lives is helping us put things into a more balanced perspective.
Your list will likely be a little different than mine, but chances are we will have at least a couple of things in common. These are things that bring us together in our experience, despite the fact that we may live in different countries, be of different cultures, religions etc. and never meet. It is part of the shared human experience. We are not so different as it might appear after all.
Sunday, 20 February 2011
Disconnect Disease Part 2
Not long ago I wrote about "disconnect disease" has affected our society in that fewer people than ever have a connection with nature. We no longer see ourselves as part of the web of life, nor do we understand how interdependent we are with other forms of life.
After some reflection, I realized that people are also disconnected from each other. We no longer know the names of our neighbours. We no longer know the parents of our childrens' friends--or even the names of their friends at times. We fail to take the time to stop and talk with the librarian, grocery clerk, or any of the other people we encounter as we go about our daily tasks. We walk past the street musician without even hearing their music; we ignore the homeless, and we fail to make eye contact with passers-by.
Stranger danger is highly over-rated. Statistics show that crimes are much more likely to occur between family and friends than from a stranger.
We are busy, but does that business bring us any joy or fulfillment? Surely taking a moment to say hello and inquire about someone is worth slowing down a little. Life is not a race.
I have lived in ten different cities now. We stayed in the last one for ten years, but only ever got to know our neighbours by their first names, and knew very little about them. Everyone kept to themselves. We didn't try very hard to change that, and were not sorry to leave. Perhaps if we'd made some effort, things would have been different. Sadly, many others have similar experiences.
When I was in my teens, we lived in an unusual neighbourhood. It was a large city block of low-income housing. It wasn't pretty, but it wasn't terrible either. There was no graffiti or garbage lying around; it was just old war-time housing. There were no fences in the backyards, so all the back became a large field. The younger kids would play baseball there in the summer, and even cross-country ski in the winter. It was a perfect spot for huge games of hide-and-seek and capture the flag. Neighbours would sit outside on warm summer evenings and watch the kids play, or join in every now and then. As the mosquitoes came out, the women would often visit each other for a coffee while the men put the kids to bed.
One summer, our neighbour who had recently immigrated from Italy took it upon herself to teach us all how to make fresh pasta. We'd drape pasta all over the kitchens to dry. She also organized us all in a huge tomato canning weekend. We peeled and chopped huge tub-fulls of Roma tomatoes together. Once the tomatoes were in the jars she added her own home grown basilica (basil) before the lids went on. Some of those tomatoes and pasta were used at my youngest brother's Christening party in a huge lasagna. Of course, the neighbours were a part of that too. I can tell you that after doing the same thing in my own home alone, that there is nothing like the camaraderie of friends to make such things not only faster and more efficient, but extremely fun as well.
My parents bought their first home a few years later. Their neighbours only speak to them if they have a complaint. The house is quite nice, and they own it, which is somewhat of a dream for them. But they have not been happy there. They now hope to sell the house and move back into that complex so they can once again be a part of the community. Although many of the neighbours we had then no longer live there, the sense of community lives on. And the friendships they made during those years have also lived on.
Community, although very rare, is still possible in the western world.
Former Canadian Olympian Silken Laumann is an advocate for unstructured family play. She suggests getting the neighbourhood together to play at a local park at a regular designated time. Including as many people as possible, and playing along with the kids every now and then can help get things started. Some tried and true outdoor games for larger groups can be found here: http://www.greensim.com/lemonade/summergamerules
Other ideas:
- organize a block party and/or street dance, being sure to invite everyone
- volunteer locally with your entire family
- organize tree planting at a local park and make it a potluck picnic too
- smile and say hello when you see a neighbour
- shovel your neighbour's walk
- mow your neighbour's lawn
- be sure to make a point of knowing your neighbour's full names and contact info in case of emergency
- organize a street-wide yard sale
- sit outside and chat with neighbours on evenings when the weather is nice (it will make you feel better than watching re-runs on television!)
- refrain from gossip, and always give the benefit of the doubt if you hear gossip from others
- include everyone
- be willing and ready to receive kindness from your neighbours too
- be quick to introduce yourself to new people in your neighbourhood to make them feel welcome
It is tough to get started, especially if you are shy like me, (I still never make eye contact with strangers!) but the effort is well worth it. Just ask my parents!
After some reflection, I realized that people are also disconnected from each other. We no longer know the names of our neighbours. We no longer know the parents of our childrens' friends--or even the names of their friends at times. We fail to take the time to stop and talk with the librarian, grocery clerk, or any of the other people we encounter as we go about our daily tasks. We walk past the street musician without even hearing their music; we ignore the homeless, and we fail to make eye contact with passers-by.
Stranger danger is highly over-rated. Statistics show that crimes are much more likely to occur between family and friends than from a stranger.
We are busy, but does that business bring us any joy or fulfillment? Surely taking a moment to say hello and inquire about someone is worth slowing down a little. Life is not a race.
I have lived in ten different cities now. We stayed in the last one for ten years, but only ever got to know our neighbours by their first names, and knew very little about them. Everyone kept to themselves. We didn't try very hard to change that, and were not sorry to leave. Perhaps if we'd made some effort, things would have been different. Sadly, many others have similar experiences.
When I was in my teens, we lived in an unusual neighbourhood. It was a large city block of low-income housing. It wasn't pretty, but it wasn't terrible either. There was no graffiti or garbage lying around; it was just old war-time housing. There were no fences in the backyards, so all the back became a large field. The younger kids would play baseball there in the summer, and even cross-country ski in the winter. It was a perfect spot for huge games of hide-and-seek and capture the flag. Neighbours would sit outside on warm summer evenings and watch the kids play, or join in every now and then. As the mosquitoes came out, the women would often visit each other for a coffee while the men put the kids to bed.
One summer, our neighbour who had recently immigrated from Italy took it upon herself to teach us all how to make fresh pasta. We'd drape pasta all over the kitchens to dry. She also organized us all in a huge tomato canning weekend. We peeled and chopped huge tub-fulls of Roma tomatoes together. Once the tomatoes were in the jars she added her own home grown basilica (basil) before the lids went on. Some of those tomatoes and pasta were used at my youngest brother's Christening party in a huge lasagna. Of course, the neighbours were a part of that too. I can tell you that after doing the same thing in my own home alone, that there is nothing like the camaraderie of friends to make such things not only faster and more efficient, but extremely fun as well.
My parents bought their first home a few years later. Their neighbours only speak to them if they have a complaint. The house is quite nice, and they own it, which is somewhat of a dream for them. But they have not been happy there. They now hope to sell the house and move back into that complex so they can once again be a part of the community. Although many of the neighbours we had then no longer live there, the sense of community lives on. And the friendships they made during those years have also lived on.
Community, although very rare, is still possible in the western world.
Former Canadian Olympian Silken Laumann is an advocate for unstructured family play. She suggests getting the neighbourhood together to play at a local park at a regular designated time. Including as many people as possible, and playing along with the kids every now and then can help get things started. Some tried and true outdoor games for larger groups can be found here: http://www.greensim.com/lemonade/summergamerules
Other ideas:
- organize a block party and/or street dance, being sure to invite everyone
- volunteer locally with your entire family
- organize tree planting at a local park and make it a potluck picnic too
- smile and say hello when you see a neighbour
- shovel your neighbour's walk
- mow your neighbour's lawn
- be sure to make a point of knowing your neighbour's full names and contact info in case of emergency
- organize a street-wide yard sale
- sit outside and chat with neighbours on evenings when the weather is nice (it will make you feel better than watching re-runs on television!)
- refrain from gossip, and always give the benefit of the doubt if you hear gossip from others
- include everyone
- be willing and ready to receive kindness from your neighbours too
- be quick to introduce yourself to new people in your neighbourhood to make them feel welcome
It is tough to get started, especially if you are shy like me, (I still never make eye contact with strangers!) but the effort is well worth it. Just ask my parents!
Friday, 18 February 2011
Bucket List of Giving
You've probably heard about "bucket lists" from the movie of the same title. The idea is that you make a list of "must do" items to complete before you die. This can be a great way to get your life back on track and to focus on the things that are most important to you.
Lately I've been thinking a lot about what I can contribute to the world that is truly meaningful. What causes mean the most to me? What differences can I make in this world to leave it better for my descendants?
It's a difficult choice, and the possibilities can seem too great to know where to start.
Then I remembered (actually, through a cheesy ad on Facebook) about making a bucket list. The two ideas seem to go hand in hand. So I am going to work on a bucket list of giving. Here are a few ideas, but the list is still in the making:
- spend a day planting trees with a group of neighbours or youth each spring and fall
- make my home a meeting place for my kids' friends to come and help work on service projects
- volunteer my services as a tutor for kids whose parent's cannot afford it
- visit a 3rd world country with my family so we can learn first hand about how the rest of the world lives, and hopefully participate in helping that community
- make crafts with the kids to sell at the annual holiday bazaar and let the kids donate proceeds to their choice of charity
- become more aware of the various cultures in our community and participate in cultural events
- remember to start carrying cash so I'm prepared to give when I see a homeless person
- remember to buy for the food drive in the "off season" too
- participate in creek/river/park cleanups when needed
- write more letters and raise awareness on key issues esp. regarding children and the environment
- play "secret Santa" all year long, whenever I can find an opportunity to lift someone's spirits
- write letters to the stores and businesses I boycott to let them know that I'm doing it and why--like the Bulk Barn store I avoid after hearing a manager there complain about a "bag lady" who "had the nerve" to stand outside the store (she was afraid the woman would scare off customers!), and the numerous businesses with signs that limit the # of students in the store at a time, as well as Walmart, Costco, etc.
There will be more, but this is a starting point.
Lately I've been thinking a lot about what I can contribute to the world that is truly meaningful. What causes mean the most to me? What differences can I make in this world to leave it better for my descendants?
It's a difficult choice, and the possibilities can seem too great to know where to start.
Then I remembered (actually, through a cheesy ad on Facebook) about making a bucket list. The two ideas seem to go hand in hand. So I am going to work on a bucket list of giving. Here are a few ideas, but the list is still in the making:
- spend a day planting trees with a group of neighbours or youth each spring and fall
- make my home a meeting place for my kids' friends to come and help work on service projects
- volunteer my services as a tutor for kids whose parent's cannot afford it
- visit a 3rd world country with my family so we can learn first hand about how the rest of the world lives, and hopefully participate in helping that community
- make crafts with the kids to sell at the annual holiday bazaar and let the kids donate proceeds to their choice of charity
- become more aware of the various cultures in our community and participate in cultural events
- remember to start carrying cash so I'm prepared to give when I see a homeless person
- remember to buy for the food drive in the "off season" too
- participate in creek/river/park cleanups when needed
- write more letters and raise awareness on key issues esp. regarding children and the environment
- play "secret Santa" all year long, whenever I can find an opportunity to lift someone's spirits
- write letters to the stores and businesses I boycott to let them know that I'm doing it and why--like the Bulk Barn store I avoid after hearing a manager there complain about a "bag lady" who "had the nerve" to stand outside the store (she was afraid the woman would scare off customers!), and the numerous businesses with signs that limit the # of students in the store at a time, as well as Walmart, Costco, etc.
There will be more, but this is a starting point.
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