3 easy ways to book an eco-friendly vacation
Summertime is approaching.
What are you planning to do? Want to have an amazing trip AND help our planet?
VOTE with your DOLLAR$
Consider supporting hotels and resorts that have your same planet savvy values.
Currently, there are many choices worldwide that offer eco-friendly vacations. You don’t need to sacrifice luxury if you like the 5-star accommodations. Alternatively, if you prefer to travel more economically, those planet-friendly locations are widely available as well.
Create a positive ripple effect. The more people booking eco-friendly vacations will send a message to hoteliers worldwide that we value conservation and corporate social responsibility. Thereby, offering more value, choices and global citizenship for everyone.
3 easy way to book your eco-friendly vacation
Below are three ways to easily find the hotels and resorts that follow eco-friendly and environmentally conscious business practices.
1) TRIP ADVISOR
Search for your preferred city and dates for your vacation. Look for “GreenLeaders” written next to eco-friendly qualified locations. These are also marked with a small leaf badge and one of four levels earned: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.
Read More »Is our fight against GMOs hopeless?
What exactly does GMO mean?
G=Genetically
M=Modified
O=Organisms
Why are GMOs controversial?
Approximately 80% of US processed foods contain GMOs.
GMO seeds are produced primarily by Monsanto (alongside five other smaller companies). In addition to providing seeds for corn, soybean, cotton, wheat, canola, sorghum and sugar cane seeds, Monsanto is the producer of RoundUp Weed Killer. They have manufactured a way to place built-in pesticides into the seed so bugs won’t eat produce as it grows. They have modified the DNA so fruits and vegetables grows faster and larger than conventional seeds.
Research has linked dis-ease, cancer, tumors and organ failure in 80% of rats fed GMO foods. However, Monsanto’s website says, ”There is no need for, or value in testing the safety of GM foods in humans.”
Read More »Where is away? Plastics and disposables
What kind of world would you like to leave our future generations?
Your children and their children …
What can you do to make a difference?
Please spend two minutes with Julia Butterfly Hill, Author and Activist, watching this video.
Read More »Top 100 San Diego SOLdining Restaurants
DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO
Burger Lounge, Little Italy
Chef Miguels Deli, Downtown
Croce’s, Downtown
El Camino Super Cocina Mexicana, Little Italy
Extraordinary Desserts, Little Italy
NaPizza, Little Italy
O’Brothers, Horton Plaza
Organic to Go, Downtown
Quality Social, Downtown
Shakesmart, Horton Plaza
Vela, San Diego Hilton Bayfront
Read More »Things I Carry: Connection
Things I Carry: Connection is the first but not necessarily the most important
Connection to people, organization and knowledge
My iPhone and iPad Mini offer me a way to connect on many levels. First, I can communicate traditionally with a phone call, quickly with a text or virtually with social media forums. Then, I can keep track of appointments and to do’s. Next, I can document with photos. Last, I can read, research and revel.
Nourishment for my mind and body
I carry a refillable water bottle, tea, sweetener and some snacks. My favorite tea is Egyptian Licorice Mint by Yogi (introduced to me by a dear friend) with a drop of SweetLeaf Stevia. The snack is either a Clif Bar or something a bit sweeter like Australian black licorice or Endangered Species organic chocolate.
Relaxation for peace of mind
Music is a must. Either Pandora or predesigned iTunes song lists. Also, Beats by Dr. Dre headphones that can drown out all the hustle and bustle. Sometimes, it’s valuable to recharge and music seems to set the mood.
Read More »Leadership as an Experience in Humanness
GUEST BLOGGER
Cheryl DePonte
The Ken Blanchard Companies
Why Lead Now
Cheryl DePonte is a Human Resources Learning and Performance Specialist at The Ken Blanchard Companies and has over 15 years experience in the fields of organizational effectiveness and human resources development.
Leadership as an Experience in Humanness
At the beginning of my career, desperate for experience, I took whatever job I could in my field. Fortunately, my first manager treated employees and customers like gold. Luck struck twice when I was hired by yet another wonderful manager.
Regrettably, subsequent managers provided the “opportunity” to witness appalling treatment of both employees and customers. Still relatively naïve, I unconsciously swept their behavior under the rug in an attempt to gain valuable experience.
As my skill-set grew, I became disillusioned with my own attempts to lead. Emulating a combination of previous managers, who overall, seemed successful, led to followers who appeared blatantly angry, humiliated, and hostile. Advised not to take it personally, I couldn’t help but wonder what I was doing wrong and how I could change. With a warrior mentality, I read every work regarding leadership I could find and studied leaders as if by doing so I could internalize their success merely by being in their presence.
Make a name for yourself
During my morning walk, I realized that everyone is just trying to make a name for themselves! A name written on cement screams, “Please please remember me.” Tagging on the walls communicates many messages; one of which is I AM IMPORTANT. One wedding anniversary, I remember my husband also carved our names on the cliffs of La Jolla (along with many other people’s words of devotion). How romantic – a symbol of longevity! If our kids, parents, teachers, politicians, activists, and entrepreneurs just want to make a name for themselves … I ask, “Why not leave a legacy?” Why ONLY write your name on a wall or cement?
Be an example for all those you meet. Be the light that lights the candle (analogy for anyone who loved RENT as much as I did!). First, write a list of what gives you peace. Then what makes you happy. Then sad. Then angry. In these lists, you will find your legacy!
Many thought leaders before us have said that you gain as much, if not more, by giving rather than receiving. I know how, as Americans, our motto is BIGGER IS BETTER or I want more, more, more. What about switching it around to giving more, more, more? I’m not talking about giving away your hard earned buck$. Rather, devote your passion to make a positive change to pass on to future generations.
Capitalism. Consumerism. Consumption.
Americans … It’s in our nature to buy, buy, buy. Even after 9/11, as we mourned, our president asked us to go make purchases to save the economy. Capitalism is the basis of our system. We are bombarded with commercials and bill boards to increase our list of wants. Brand-placements have been subtly put in the movies to reach our subconscious. Every magazine offers a plethora of ‘things’ we must buy! If we could only have ____, we would be rich, thin or happy. It saddens me that we have built our self-esteem on what we have rather than the authentic relationships we nurture. This may be the environment we grew up in but it doesn’t have to be our reality.
What guides your purchasing decisions?
- What is the best product?
- What is the best price?
- What is trendy?
- What do the Jones’ have?
- Is there free delivery?
- What colors are available?
Now is the time to THINK DEEPER as a consumer and as a human being!
Have you thought about?
- What materials were necessary to build your coffee maker?
- Who assembles your child’s Aurora doll?
- How much water was needed to make your carpet?
- How much electricity was used in producing your car?
- How much waste was produced while making your wide-screen television?
All the questions listed above relate to the Supply Chain. These are valid and essential questions.
CALL TO ACTION #1
Consider every dollar you spend a vote! When you vote for products made with values of sustainability, you will be a driving force in inspiring companies to do the ‘right thing.’
Read More »12 important questions about women and girls
These questions address society’s view of women and girls.
They are a compilation of 12 social justice issues from around the globe.
They affect each and every one of us. Especially women and girls: OUR mothers; daughters; sisters; cousins; girlfriends; fiancees; wives; aunts; school mates; colleagues; acquaintances and friends.
1. Why are child abusers tormented in jail but rapists are not?
2. Why was there a law against raping married women on the books in several states in America but the same law didn’t protect unmarried women?
3. Why are women and children still being kidnapped (or sold by their own families) and placed into the sex trade and sex trafficking?
4. Why is it the fault of the woman being raped for wearing something provocative (or merely attractive) and the perpetrators are not blamed?
5. Why doesn’t no mean NO?
Happy Everything and Merry Always!
Happy Hollydays from Blazon Laurels
“May beautiful moments and happy memories surround you with the joy of this holiday season.”
Read More »“AWAKENING THE LEADER”
You’re invited!
“AWAKENING THE LEADER” Global, Systemic & Sustainability Workshop
January 21st, 2013, San Diego, CA
Designed for professionals looking to optimize their impact personally and professionally!
Thought-provoking, challenging, and deeply moving, this workshop contains a dynamic multimedia presentation drawing on some of the most respected social and scientific experts of our time, interwoven with age-old wisdom and inspiration.
With informative videos and guided personal reflection exercises, this “Awakening the Leader” experience reaches deeply into both the heart and mind.
Read More »ORGANIC isn’t healthier?
Recently, some news has been circulating about the validity of organic food not being more healthy than “other” food.
The Elephant in the room EXPOSED.
Let’s consider this statement from a few different vantage points. Quickly!
1. US regulations state that products can be sold until proven unsafe. No accountability for safety.
2. Public is at risk as guinea pigs while corporations make astronomical profits. Some health issues associated with chemicals may not surface for years. A calculated risk on part of money hungry corporations and CEOs.
3. Chemicals used in production of food and products do harm workers & environment. Clearly placing people and planet at risk.
4. You are what you eat. Whether healthy or unhealthy. Your choice (sorta).
Read More »
