I have a proposition for you all...

When going grocery shopping, buy one extra can of food and donate it to you supermarket.

Errm - sorry why would you buy an extra can of food in the supermarket and then donate it to them??? They would only put it back on their shelves and sell it again, thus giving them even more profit. I could understand if you said buy a tin of food and donate it to a homeless hostel or buy a tin of dog food then donate it to an animal shelter - maybe that's what you meant?

And I do agree with and practice a lot of what you say, but I think on a forum such as this, you are mainly preaching to the converted...

BTW here are several clarifications on this thread. For the donation to the supermarket, if you donate a can of food they will in turn send each donation to a food pantry to feed hungry families.

For the homeopathy, this was of course NOT included for those with very serious ailments, I would never suggest for someone to not take seriously need medication and replace it with a placebo. Sometimes vitamin C can take place of cold medicine (simple, right).

For those who decided that this wasn't doom and gloom enough for you, there is plenty of that to go around. When I wrote this is was to possible get those who can sometimes get tired and distracted, and remember that no matter what is going on, you can make a difference.

It amazes me sometimes that people would suggest that thinking about helping others is a form of not seeing the world the right way.

Thank you to those that participated and even made suggestions, even I at times get caught up with so much wrong in the world and I lose touch to whats important.

Peace to you all...

BTW here are several clarifications on this thread. For the donation to the supermarket, if you donate a can of food they will in turn send each donation to a food pantry to feed hungry families

I don't think that happens in the UK, and to be honest I wouldn't trust any of our supermarket chains, Tesco, Asda etc to actually give the food I had donated to feed the poor, they would probably just pack off unwanted goods that were nearing their sell by date, and none of the donors would be any the wiser.

Sorry if that sounds cynical, but sadly that's the world we live in, where corporate greed is often responsible for people living in poverty in the first place!

I'm trying some of those things, and appreciate your posting a thread reminding us of it. We are eating at home more (and fresh foods) though we do support our local Chinese buffet and local Mexican restaurant and steak house (doing poorly in these hard times) with the occasional trip to nosh on their wonderful stuff.

I *am* much better these days about bringing my own bags to the grocery store, and we do have refillable water bottles that we use when we're outside or hiking. Lipton's makes a "cold brew tea" that we're using instead of brewing with hot water (or even the sun) and we're drinking tea more than other beverages. All our lights are now flourescent or LED. We're a little more consistent with our recycling... and I put less water in my bathtub.

When our new granddaughter arrives (very soon) I'll look for PVC free baby bottles (and thank you for that reminder!)

We could be doing more, but you're right -- the best way of doing it is changing just ONE thing until it's a habit... and then changing another thing.

reply to post by Byrd


The biggest change that could be made i think is banning incandescent bulbs, as done in certain parts of Europe. CFL are far superior to incandescents. LED's are good but not quite at the point of replacing CFL imo. I know a lot about lights as i grow hydroponic peppers and tomoatoes as a hobby, LED's aren't quite replicating quality natural light.

There are a couple of other changes which would be good. Developing more green rooftops would be a big positive along with minimising water usage, micro capture of waste energy would also be good.

Originally posted by NoRegretsEver
For the homeopathy, this was of course NOT included for those with very serious ailments, I would never suggest for someone to not take seriously need medication and replace it with a placebo. Sometimes vitamin C can take place of cold medicine (simple, right).

Vitamin C is not homeopathy and the research surrounding it's effectiveness on colds and flu is not conclusive. Over the counter meds are often very effective and quite safe, demonising medicines is not a good idea and flies in the face of increasing life expectancy.

reply to post by destination now


Thank you for the idea of donating to the animal shelter also, I didn't really think of that one. I know that the local shelter here could use the food.

Peace to you...

reply to post by ImaginaryReality1984


The reason that I posted about the vitamin c was because I didn't want to actually start naming any type of homeopathy remedies for certain ailments, due to that being more or less my opinion on it, and I'm not a doctor, but wanted to put the information into looking into alternatives for other forms of ailments that may not require over the counter drugs.



Peace to you...

Originally posted by NoRegretsEver
reply to post by destination now

 

Thank you for the idea of donating to the animal shelter also, I didn't really think of that one. I know that the local shelter here could use the food.

Peace to you...

Pet shelters would not be needed if pets were licensed. Every pet owner should be required to own a license, have the pet chipped and insured. If they can't do these things then they shouldn't own a pet. All of my animals were insured and chipped, actually if i hadn't had them chipped i would never have found out that one was run over and another killed. Of course animals like pet rats and gerbils should be exempt

I really agree with you about local food. I look forward to this years autumn/winter hedgerow harvest. You might be interested in one of my threads about that issue.

Make A Local Food Map

reply to post by NoRegretsEver


I haven't been to doctors for 9 years, and I haven't taken any medicine except probably Panadol 4 - 5 times within those 9 years, for hangovers.

I'm fine and dandy.

Most of my food is home made, Palaw, dried meat, all types of mean, cooked nicely made at home with that extra love.

I probably go to Mc-Donalds once a month? I don't remember the last time I went to Mc-Donalds.

I actually like Subways more than Mc-Donalds, but I haven't been Subways for 2 months now.

If I have an appointment close to my house, I would rather walk with a friend than to use my car etc etc.

All these things actually helps.


And I drink tap water. I noticed the tap waters had something in them when I just moved to NZ. Heck it tastes yuk when you drink it for the first time. but after 9 years I don't see the difference any more, who would?

Gradually these types of things will become the norm, the more we realise what is not working for us - great suggestions OP.

I must say, that right now getting a good point across to all in the world would only work if the fundamental design of our society is dramatically changed. Once we all see we cannot eat money, we care for others (and not just ourselves), the earth is an extension of us (not separate), than we will see these changes occur. I am beginning so see fantastic changes in people around where I live so I believe it's only a matter of time...

reply to post by NoRegretsEver


Dear NoRegretsEver

So you want to do something that will make a difference well I have a real dusey for you. Donate a Buck just one buck to help these children.

www.hiv-aids-kids.org...

this will make a big difference to them and next to no dent in your wallet.

reply to post by NoRegretsEver


What a great post.

I would like to add:

Tell yourself at least once every day that you are a great person - self-belief leads to great things (also, this is important for people who have no-one else to tell them that).

Always contribute to charities, especially those involving children. If you cannot afford to contribute money, contribute your time.

reply to post by catwhoknows


Don't contribute to charity organizations, they are corrupt.

If you want to help, use your own hands and feet, and your own wealth.

Don't be lazy trusting others with your money.

reply to post by oozyism


You can't use your own hands and feet when the victims are in far off countries.

I am sure that Save the Children and a lot of other charities are honest.

reply to post by catwhoknows


Dear catwhoknows

I am afraid that I can not blame people for being skeptical about a good few charities. However these people should not use this to denigrate all charities without first reviewing them.

With this charity 99.5% of the cash goes to the people who need it that I personally guaranty.

www.hiv-aids-kids.org...

Originally posted by catwhoknows
reply to post by oozyism

 

You can't use your own hands and feet when the victims are in far off countries.

I am sure that Save the Children and a lot of other charities are honest.

Charity starts from people around you. You shouldn't give money to people you don't even know. Think about your neighbors, if you have no neighbors who needs help move on to other streets. There are plenty of people in need of help.


You think you don't have enough homeless in your own backyard?


When you give organizations money, especially money in millions it obviously gonna become corrupt.

Look at Haiti for example, I have given Haiti as an example many times now.
english.aljazeera.net...

reply to post by NoRegretsEver


Great idea, NoRegretsEver!

Meditate everyday -- and if you've never done this, meditate for only 8 minutes everyday.

Read "8 Minute Meditation: Quiet Your Mind. Change Your Life."
by Victor Davich

SeaWind

reply to post by oozyism


Our government looks after people in need.

I would rather help starving children in distant countries.

There are no starving people here.