Can Do, Part Two!

Some of my more loyal readers may know that this year marks both my two-year friendiversary and my two-year canniversary with my friend, Anne. She's one of my heroes when it comes to  sustainable living, and our first friend date two summers ago was a marathon canning session that yielded inedible blackberry jam, very edible frozen blackberries, and somewhat edible canned tomatoes.



Early attempts to pickle using magic were unsuccessful

However, not ones to be easily deterred, we decided to embark on another canning adventure this year. After all, preserving food is one of the best ways to supply yourself with a diverse, local diet year-round. This time, we decided to learn from our mistakes and tried not to tackle more than we could handle. We headed to a local farm a few days before the canning date to pick green beans, cucumbers, and dill for our dilly beans and fridge pickles. In a clutch division of labor (and if successful, bounty) decision, we also invited a few friends over to help.


This time we were extra dill-igent in our measurements

Anne had gathered a few books since our last canning adventure, and she'd found recipes for "Fresh Pack Refrigerator Dill Pickles" in The Big Book of Preserving the Harvest by Carol W. Constenbader and one for "Dilly Beans" in Putting Food ByPutting Food By: Fifth Edition by Ruth Hertzberg, Janet Greene, and Beatrice Vaughan.

Beanpole cuts string bean... I love you Nick!

Armed with recipes and reinforcements, we chose a Sunday afternoon for our adventure. We sterilized jars, followed directions, and just a few short hours later, had several jars of dilly beans and pickles to take home. We had to wait a few weeks to eat our pickles (best breaded, fried, and dipped in buttermilk dressing) and our dilly beans (best straight from the jar or as garnish in a Bloody Mary), but both were totally edible! However, a word of warning...the pickles were only supposed to last a few weeks, and we all learned the hard way that this was true. Enjoy them when ready to eat!

This summer has also brought a bounty of FoodSavers to our lives (thanks mom-in-law!), making it easy to preserve fruit. My freezer is currently filled with raspberries, blueberries, cherries, rhubarbs, and peaches, all of which I'll be grateful for during the dark months of winter! I'm excited to break out my first batch batch of frozen fruit at Thanksgiving.

Who knows what follies next year's canning endeavors will hold, but I promise to keep you posted. Please post your favorite canning tips, disasters, and recipes for all of the Weekly Way readers to enjoy!

 

New assistants! New products! Modestly new results!



Want to Change the World? Vote.

Seriously.

This year's midterm election has been hard to ignore, which is a good thing since some major initiatives as well as several terrifying candidates have made their way onto the ballot.

So, you're voting, right?

Good.

Before making your way to the ballot box, do a little bit of research about the candidates and the initiative measures, amendments, or propositions whose fate resides in your hands.

In addition to state and county voting guides, nonprofit organizations like the Sierra Club also distribute regional voting guides. If you're lucky enough to have a local newspaper you trust, like The Stranger in Seattle, consult them too.

There are close races all over the country this year, and many will decide policy for years to come. On Tuesday, November 2nd, make sure you, your family, your real friends, your Facebook friends, and even your acquaintances VOTE. Please.

10.10.10 - Just the Beginning

This past Sunday, 7,347 work parties were organized in 188 countries. The goal of each event was to do something tangible about climate change in our communities. As I wrote last week, the events were organized by 350.org. The number and success of these events is clear evidence that there is concern all over the globe about climate change, and commitment to do something about it.



Obviously, these many events are just the beginning of a grassroots global movement, and you can join the effort by visiting the 350.org website for actions you can take in your local community and beyond to address climate change. 

 

350.org Beach Cleanup on Lummi Island

It is also crucial that you vote for leaders who will enact legislation to combat climate change. Be sure to register and vote in the upcoming midterm election on November 2nd. You can check out the environmental voting records of your senators and representatives at the website for the League of Conservation Voters.

Join the Party on 10.10.10!

What are you doing this weekend? No matter where you are in the world, you have the opportunity to do something about climate change this Sunday.

350.org, an organization founded by Bill McKibben and some very inspiring twentysomethings, including Ten Ways world-changer May Boeve, have organized a global work party to encourage people to join or create an action that "will help deal with global warming in your city or community."

The event is a follow-up to last year's 350.org International Day of Climate Action, which was successful in raising awareness about the pressing need to address climate change with tangible actions from community members and political leaders.

 A woman in Babylon, Iraq calls for action at one of the over 5200 Day of Action events.

Photo courtesy of 350.org.

As of this writing, 6846 events are registered in 188 countries. Global work parties range from trash cleanups to solar installations, and there are many ideas for organizing or joining a party on the 350.org website. I'll be at this event on Lummi Island. Join me or find an event near you.

Register or create your own event right now, and remember that the work party is just the beginning. Send pictures, let us know which events you attended, and tell us how you plan to keep the momentum going!

Back to School with Climate Counts

From backpacks to transportation to and from school, students spend hundreds and even thousands of dollars each fall getting ready to make the transition back to the classroom. One of the easiest ways for back-to-school consumers to make a difference is to make sure to spend those dollars on companies that are working to lower their overall environmental footprint.

Climate Counts offers consumers easy tools with its pocket assessment guide that scores companies based on reduction efforts and commitments. When you consider the billions of dollars that college students spend on everything from electronic equipment to food, it is easy to see how much influence back-to-school consumers can have now and throughout the school year. 

Download the Climate Counts Pocket Guide at the Climate Counts website, and join the Back-2-Cool Campaign on Facebook to get started on your own campaign to become the coolest kid in school. 

Educating Girls Matters

As a former middle school teacher, I am passionate about education. I'm always excited about initiatives that seek to improve the quality of education worldwide. A new resource to help do just that has been launched called Educating Girls Matters. 

As chronicled in Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn's book, Half the Sky, education is one of the most effective ways to combat gender inequality around the world.

Speaking Matters LLC, which created this website, launched this initiative to "help potential donors find news and organizations that help educate girls/women." The website is also an excellent resource for anyone interested in learning more about organizations that may need volunteers locally or abroad. Educating Girls Matters is not only a public service, it addresses a growing need for more information about the challenges we need to be overcome in order for girls all over the world to receive a meaningful education.

The Real Garbage of New Jersey

Tom Szaky, founder of Terracycle, who was featured in Ten Ways to Change the World in Your Twenties, has continued to expand his business that runs on the motto that "There is no such thing as garbage." 

Szaky and his team at Terracycle are featured in new episodes of their series "Garbage Moguls" this Saturday night on National Geographic. I know, it's Saturday night; TiVo it. The show follows the merry band of transformers as they conceive of and create products made from trash. Here is the schedule:

TUNE IN
Garbage Moguls
Saturday, August 21st
Catch the re-airing of the pilot at 7:00pm, followed by three new episodes!
8:00 - "Pet Project"
http://bit.ly/99pYEl
Pedigree has challenged the TerraCycle team to create an entire line of pet products made from dog food bags in just two weeks. From leashes and collars to doggie rain hats and octopus toys, the team crashes on developing, creating, testing and then pitching the goods.

9:00 - "Fishy Business"
http://bit.ly/atENqu
The TerraCycle team develops the “Garbage Garbage Can” — a garbage can made from chip wrappers that is less expensive and just as strong as commercial plastic cans — they pitch to Home Depot. Additionally, they design, create and use fishing lures made from old CDs, then test their product on the open seas.

10:00 - "All-Nighter"
http://bit.ly/awTQfY
Multitasking at its finest — the TerraCycle team renovates, designs, stocks and opens a storefront for business … in one night! Back at the office, there’s no rest for the weary, as Tom tasks his crew to create an entire line of products, including a suit jacket, made from Target plastic bags!

National Park Fee? Free!

This weekend, the price of admission is certainly right for a visit to any of the country's amazing national parks. Here is a list of participating National Parks by state. Find one and go.

At Olympic National Park - Not during the free weekend but definitely worth the $15 entrance fee.

Website 2.0 and Kindle Edition

The book is now available in a Kindle edition, so those of you waiting for the paperless version should grab a copy now!


AND


The updated website is live! The website has all of the same resources as before, but the businesses and organizations section has been greatly expanded and is much easier to navigate. All of the organizations and businesses mentioned in Ten Ways are now listed on the website by category as well as many others. We will continue to update this database as we learn about and try out new organizations and businesses. 

In addition, my speaking schedule is now listed along with links to our Facebook page and my Twitter feed. Our endeavors to make the world a better place are a constant work in progress, and we are now even easier to reach thanks to the new contact form. Please email with thoughts, suggestions, speaking inquiries, and anything else that's on your mind.

Well, Now What?

With the oil spill now capped (assuming everything holds), the assessment of the full extent of the devastating damage begins. Many environmental organizations were already active in the Gulf long before the oil spill, and their commitment to the region and to the cleanup efforts is unwavering.

Donations and volunteers will be needed for months and even years to come. The Waterkeeper Alliance has launched the Save Our Gulf Campaign, which follows the efforts of the Gulf Waterkeepers. Consider making a donation to their efforts or to the efforts of the many worthy organizations working in the Gulf that I wrote about in the previous post.

One of the most important actions we can all take is to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels; check out My Gulf Action to find easy ways to do just that.

With all of the devastating reports and pictures rolling in it is easy to feel discouraged, but there are simple actions we can all take to hold those responsible accountable and to help with the cleanup.

How to Help in the Gulf

With all of the bad news about the BP oil disaster, it is difficult not to feel discouraged. The reports about how much oil and methane is spilling into the Gulf are daunting, and it is clear that we are faced with one of the biggest environmental disasters ever.

It is important for all of us to stay informed and to do what we can to ensure both accountability and adequate clean-up. Here are three things you can do to help:

First, consider donating money to organizations involved with the monitoring and cleanup efforts, and second, consider volunteering. People are needed to do everything from cleaning wildlife to monitoring the movement of oil. A coalition of organizations including The Nature Conservancy and the National Audubon Society has put together the Louisiana Gulf Response. Organizations like The Waterkeeper Alliance and Matter of Trust are also very active in responding to the oil spill and can use donations and/or volunteers to help with their efforts.

Third, stay informed and up-to-date and encourage accountability and ongoing cleanup efforts. Visit the websites above, as well as the Deepwater Horizon Response website, for more information. Post information on your Facebook page, tweet about the latest developments, and encourage your friends to take action as well.


In a crisis of this magnitude, even small steps are essential reminders that we all are able to make a positive difference.

My Green Dream Job

As a freelance writer, part-time teacher, part-time speaker, and sustainability activist and volunteer, I often get the question, “So, what do you actually do for a living?” or “How do you pay your bills?” It’s a fair question. After all, I’m always espousing the value of pursuing your passions and making a living doing something that makes a difference.

The answer, of course, is complicated. As is the case with many writers, I have had to come up with many different ways to minimize and yes, eventually pay those pesky bills. The short answer is that I write and I speak about what I write. I write for pretty much anyone who asks me to, and I hope that they are able to pay me a bit of money so that I can keep writing. I also teach writing and even yoga sometimes, both of which are endeavors I love. The energy and creativity that teaching requires is renewing and gratifying, regardless of the subject matter.

No matter how creative I have to be to make ends meet, the effort and even the stress of a career like mine is always worthwhile because I get to research and write about issues that matter. What’s more, I have the privilege of speaking to people about tangible ways they can take action. I love my job, and I believe strongly in the work I do. Sometimes I even get to plan parties, like the Party with a Purpose we recently threw here in Seattle. By definition, therefore, and no matter what the number is in my bank account (and it’s often a minuscule one), I consider myself successful.

It wasn’t always this way. My route to a dream job was a circuitous one. In my early twenties, I worked in production on big budget movies in Los Angeles. I landed my first “dream job” producing a low-budget independent film, and from there I was able to find jobs on Hollywood blockbusters, working with stars like Harrison Ford and Cameron Diaz. While I do believe that the medium of film has the power to change the way people think about important issues, I didn’t feel like I was using my talents to effect change from my post in the production office. The job was fun and exciting though, and I cultivated many of the traits I would need to pursue a career in writing—patience, persistence, creativity, multitasking, organization, and the ability to work insanely long hours while still keeping a smile on my face. I’m grateful for my time in the film industry, and I’m also glad that I experienced my quarterlife crisis right on schedule at the age of twenty-five.

I went looking for the kind of book that I would eventually write once I realized it didn’t yet exist—one that goes beyond raising awareness by offering tangible suggestions and inspirational stories about people all over the world who are making a difference. I left the film industry to teach middle school English and build my platform as a writer. After a few years of teaching and writing, I was able to find an agent and publisher for my book. Along the way I encountered many people who inspired me and encouraged me to keep writing, even when rejections greatly outnumbered acceptances. I met people who had started nonprofit organizations and sustainable businesses, and I met volunteers who changed their entire career paths because they were so moved by what they had seen while volunteering. I met scientists, activists, lawyers, politicians, teachers, entrepreneurs, doctors, writers, students, and countless others who devoted themselves tirelessly to the issues they were passionate about. Even as the circle of world changers I personally know continues to expand, I am continuously reminded of the energy, innovation, and potential of my generation and the next. These people also reinforce my belief that no matter what we decide to do for a living, we all have a tremendous capacity to make a difference.

Photos courtesy of Paul Grady

Throw a Party. Change the World. Really.

Recently, I worked with several other people to plan and execute a Party with a Purpose, which raised over $13,000 for oral rehydration therapy corners in Kenya, which are key in combating diarrheal disease, which kills millions of children each year,  in developing countries. The party was based on a chapter in Ten Ways of the same name, and I hope this party inspires many more energetic twenty and thirty-somethings to raise money and awareness about a cause they believe in. Feel free to email me for tips and more information, and let us know if you throw your own party with a purpose!
Photo courtesy of Paul Owens.                               

Chicago Green Festival

I had the privilege of speaking at the Chicago Green Festival this past weekend. A joint project of Green America and Global Exchange, the event attracted thousands of people from all over the Midwest and speakers and exhibitors from all over the country. Here is a video with excerpts from my presentation. I'll be speaking at the Seattle Green Festival next Saturday, June 5th at 3pm, and I hope to see many of you there!

Party with a Purpose!

When I started writing Ten Ways to Change the World in Your Twenties, the chapter “Ways to Party with a Purpose” was one of the first ones I came up with. After all, it is how we spend a lot of our twenties – celebrating, networking, meeting new people, and gathering information about the issues that matter most to us. It seems like an easy leap to transform some of this time spent socializing into time spent making the world a better place. Parties and fundraisers are also a great way to meet like-minded people, who might have a lead for that perfect world-changing job.

I've been involved with planning a Party with a Purpose in Seattle. Since Seattle is a nexus for global health research and innovation, we decided to put our focus there. We have raised all of the money for the glamorous cocktail bash, and therefore all of the proceeds from ticket sales will go directly towards combating rotavirus, a leading killer of children under the age of five.

It’s so inspiring to see Party with a Purpose come to life, and it wouldn’t have happened without all of the incredible members of the planning committee, who have devoted themselves to making this party one of the best Seattle has ever seen replete with an amazing band, a great locale, sweet swag bags, and awesome raffle items. I’ve only lived here for a short time, and I’m amazed by how many energetic innovators call Seattle home.

No matter where you live or what your budget is, you can plan your own Party with a Purpose. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

• Gather a few like-minded folks who are also interested in the idea of throwing a party with a purpose.
  

• Decide on a cause and a charity that will receive the proceeds. Once you have chosen a few options, contact each organization to see how the potential donation would be used and what the organization would be willing to do to help promote and plan the party.

• Choose a venue and calculate your budget. If this will be a bigger bash, create a list of possible sponsors. Even if you're doing something smaller at your favorite neighborhood bar, for example, ask potential sponsors to consider donating space, food, drink, helping to recruit a local band, etc.
  

• Send out invitations via social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook and ask that everyone pass on the information about the party to their various networks. If you're selling tickets, you may also be able to get marketing assistance from your ticket vendor.

• Accept help from guests. You will probably need additional volunteers beyond the members of your planning crew, so let guests pitch in as well. Offer different levels of involvement, so that everyone can be involved with the growing community of world changers!
  

Turning Your Passion Into Promise

Many of us are passionate about one thing, or more often, a whole lot of things, but the next step is the tricky one: how to take that excitement and translate it into a job? I’m a big advocate of figuring out what you love by volunteering, traveling, and dabbling in all sorts of ventures before deciding on where to place your most valuable resources, your time and energy.

The final chapter of Ten Ways to Change the World in Your Twenties focuses on how to land your dream job with suggestions throughout about resources and organizations for job seekers, as well as success stories of people who navigated their way to the perfect fit.

Every chapter has a “Ways Guide” that is applicable to the focus of the chapter. Here is an updated excerpt from the Chapter 10 guide:

Ways Guide to Finding the Perfect World-Changing Job for You (or at Least One to Try Out for a While)

Read all about it. Learn as much as you can about the job market and the trends of potential employers. For the green job hunter, some excellent resources include websites like the New York Times’ Green Blog, Green America, Treehugger, Grist, and Earth911. Also, check out the internship opportunities on the Green Collar Earth website to learn more about the many shades of green jobs available.

Build a platform on the web. It should come as no surprise that one of the best ways to network these days is by using Web 2.0 tools. Set up a LinkedIn account and invite key people you’ve worked for or with to write a recommendation. Also, ask friends for recommendations of colleagues you should connect with. Add professional information to your Facebook and Twitter accounts, and consider setting up a website or blog with samples of your work and testimonials (when appropriate) about your expertise.

Become a member. Once you find a few organizations or businesses that might be good potential employers, visit their websites often and sign up for email action alerts and updates. If you can afford it, consider becoming a donor. Doing so not only guarantees that you will stay informed, but your membership will show a tangible commitment to their cause when a job becomes available.

Network, network, network. Put the word out to anyone who asks (and even those who don’t) about the kind of work that you would like to do. Check in with friends, acquaintances, former bowling league buddies, and basically anyone who might know someone at the type of organization or business that you would like to be involved with. Attend mixers like the Green Drinks parties, and don’t be shy about asking for help. Many people find their job through someone they know, and it only takes one good connection to turn you on to that perfect job!

Get in the door with informational interviews. Even if you can’t immediately find an organization that has a job opening to match your skill set (expert hacky sacker, soap opera trivia genius, nap master), many will be more than willing to sit down with you for an informational interview. These types of conversations are an excellent way to learn more about an organization, express your interest when something does open up, and make a good first impression on someone influential within the company. Treat these discussions like real interviews and schedule as many as you can. For more tips to help you prepare, check out the SkillsBuilder section on the Green Collar Earth website.

Earth Day 2010!

Today is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, and there are celebrations going on all over the world this week. To find an event near you as well as actions to participate in, check out the Earth Day Network. If you live in Seattle, join me tonight for an Earth Day celebration at Nectar with two favorite Seattle bands, Kore Ionz and Publish the Quest.

Many sustainable businesses are also offering sales this week including Ten Ways' favorites Pangea Organics and To-Go Ware.

No matter what you do today, please commit to take action that will lower your environmental impact year-round, and visit the Ten Ways website for more information about many organizations and businesses committed to doing just that!

Can't Find Your Dream Job? Create It!

We are hearing a lot these days about green jobs and green entrepreneurs. What emerges as a theme in most of these stories is that innovation and imagination are necessary components when exploring the next wave of sustainability. So, what if your dream job doesn’t yet exist? What if you have an idea for an incredible new product? Where to begin?

Start with what you love.

Tia Kramer, a Seattle-based artist, became interested in papermaking while taking a textile course as an undergrad. Little did she know that her newfound passion for papermaking would evolve into a career as a paper jewelry maker. As a student, she seized opportunities to study the relationship to nature in her work, as well as the many complex issues surrounding sustainability.

Kramer has always been interested in integrating her artwork with her values, and an art installation that featured her papermaking first sparked the inspiration for her jewelry. “As I was trying to figure out the color scheme for the sculpture I was building, a professor and a classmate both commented on my sculpture models exclaiming, ‘Wow, I want those for my ears.’ In this way, I feel like jewelry found me.”

Kramer at work on the art project that started it all.

Kramer decided to take her colleagues up on the challenge, and her earrings were so popular that she soon realized she had the potential products for a start-up company. Curious about the workings of a sustainable business, Kramer worked part time with Noon Solar and assisted them in teaching a course called “Sustainable Forms.” Her business started small, and she sold her jewelry at local shows and to friends and colleagues. After a stint working as science support staff for climate change scientists in Antarctica, Kramer decided she had saved enough to pursue jewelry full time and relocated to the Pacific Northwest.

While the first thing you are likely to notice about Tia Kramer’s jewelry is that it is a stunning combination of artistry and color, when you delve a little more deeply, it is clear that her art has a deep connection and respect for the natural beauty that inspires it.

In addition to fine craftsmanship, Kramer is also committed to running a sustainable business, and she is constantly examining other sustainable small business models that work. To that end, her efforts include:

• The use of primarily recycled sterling silver
• All paper is made using all-natural, biodegradable pulp
• Packing supplies, gift boxes, shipping boxes and papers are recycled or reused
• Paper and other raw materials are sourced from companies with eco-friendly practices
• Production uses very little electricity or machinery

In addition to her manufacturing processes, Kramer takes a whole-system approach to sustainability. She tries to model these values with the lifestyle choices she makes. “I pack a healthy, homemade lunch, bicycle commute to work, donate jewelry and money to local causes, patronize other sustainable businesses, build and retain relationships with the community and fellow jewelers, and try to maintain a healthy balance between my work and my personal life,” she says.

For artists like Kramer who are considering starting their own business, she encourages them to find mentors who are doing similar work. “Don’t hesitate to work for free if the job that you are doing is something you want to do.” She also encourages entrepreneurs to be inquisitive about how to diversify their skill set. “Learn how to be a multi-faceted person. Being creative isn’t just art; how you manage your resources, how you pay your employees and yourself, as well as how you manage your personal life are all important factors in being a successful artist,” she says.

Kramer’s designs can be found at Tia Kramer Jewelry as well as at museum stores and galleries nationwide. Look for her work at The Art Institute of Chicago’s Modern Shop, The Seattle Art Museum Shop, and The Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Annex Store. For those of you in Seattle, Kramer has an upcoming trunk show April 10th at the Seattle Art Museum shop.

Help Haiti on World Water Day

Charity: Water, an organization featured in my book, and also one that I have written about on this blog before, has started a campaign to fund several water projects in Haiti. Watch the video below and visit Charity: Water's website for specific information about the water and sanitation challenges in each area, and Charity: Water's plans to meet those needs.

What Do Ben Harper and Drake Have in Common?

They will both be participating in the Campus Consciousness Tour. According to the CCT website,

"Half rock tour, half environmental campaign, CCT aims to inspire and activate students in an electric atmosphere while leaving a positive impact on each community the tour visits. In addition to educating and mobilizing students, the tour includes many greening elements and is run to have a minimal environmental footprint."




This spring's CCT tour is actively seeking volunteers for each event. Check out the website for dates and more ways to get involved, including an extensive toolkit with resources and ideas for becoming more eco-active on campus and beyond.

Climate Change and Clean Energy in 72 hours?

The Senate is currently negotiating a bipartisan clean energy and climate bill. Dozens of environmental organizations including The Sierra Club, 1Sky, and Repower America have teamed up to make it easy for you to contact your Senators about this bill during these crucial next few days.

Simply visit any of the websites listed above and enter in your zip code, or call the Repower America hotline (1-877-9-REPOWER) in order to obtain your Senators' contact information.

Many of the organizations are also providing talking points for your call. Here are the suggestions from the Sierra Club:

Hi-

My Name is _______ and I'm a (SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, TEACHER, FARMER, OTHER) from TOWN/CITY, STATE.

• We desperately need help to jump start our economy and create jobs -- and a clean energy and climate bill can help us do it. We've waited long enough -- the clean energy economy is passing us by. We are losing ground to China and India and losing jobs here in America.
  
  
• I've seen how our dependence on foreign oil puts our soldiers at risk, hurts our economy, helps our enemies and endangers our security. We need to stop sending a billion dollars a day overseas for oil. Some of that oil money goes to countries that support the terrorism we are fighting across the globe.
  
  
• I want you to do something about Climate Change -- now. If we don't do something, our children and grandchildren will suffer the consequences. They'll have to deal with rising sea levels, stronger storms, increased famine and droughts and more threats to our national security.

I want my senator to act now to pass clean energy and climate legislation. Not next year – NOW.

Will the senator support strong, clean energy and climate legislation?

Thank you.

No matter how you decide to contact your Senators, visit one of the participating websites and log your calls. Momentum is building, and it's never been easier urge your Senators to pass crucial clean energy and climate change legislation.

Last Minute V-Day Gift Ideas

Valentine's Day is in two days, but there is no need to panic about what to get your crush or your beloved.

Consider Getting Nothing: I'm a big proponent of experience over stuff. Most of us have too much of the latter anyway, and as the No Impact Project reminds us, a zero-waste lifestyle is easier than you might think. Consider a hike or a romantic dinner made with organic, local ingredients.

If you are planning on buying a gift this V-Day, here are some excellent, low-impact options:

Much Better Than Those Cheap Candies in the Heart-Shaped Box: Organic, fair trade chocolates from Theo's Chocolates. As an added bonus, Theo's is based in Seattle, so if you live in the Pacific Northwest, it's a local gift too.

Shameless Plug: A copy or two of Ten Ways to Change the World in Your Twenties makes a great gift. It's full of ideas, resources, and inspiring stories. What's more romantic than changing the world?

Help Those in Haiti: Check out this recent post about organizations working in Haiti, and consider making a donation in a loved one's name.

Bring On the Waterworks: Send an e-card from Charity: Water. The proceeds from the card go towards clean water projects around the world.

Get Wild: Sponsor one of the Sierra Club's "wild places". Who knows what your sweetie will be inspired to do when they open this gift...

Free Love: Donate money to the Human Rights Campaign, which is working hard for equal rights for all.

Enjoy, and remember that every day is a good one to celebrate love.

What Can You Do? Anything You Want.

One of my favorite parts about writing Ten Ways to Change the World in Your Twenties was having the chance to interview people all over the world engaged in incredible ventures. My inspiring conversations with them further confirmed my faith in the potential for individuals and organizations to use their creativity and energy to affect change even in the most difficult of times.

Many of their “success stories” can be found within the pages of Ten Ways. However, due to space constraints and time (many people were referred to me after the completion of the book), not all of these amazing stories could be included. The world changers I have spoken with are as interesting as they are diverse. In the upcoming months, I will include many of their stories here.

I hope their stories inspire you as much as they did me.

Unless It's a Movie or a Check, I Don't Want It

The Seattle City Council has a great opportunity to curb junk mail on Monday, January 25th by voting to approve the Do Not Mail resolution. Think of it as a spam blocker for your mailbox.

According to Do Not Mail, it takes approximately 200,000 trees to produce Seattle's junk mail every year and another $400,000 dollars to dispose of it.

If you live in Seattle, call or email the city council members, and if you can, attend the meeting on Monday at 2pm at City Hall, 600 4th Ave., 2nd floor.

Whether you live in Seattle or not, there are simple steps you can take to greatly reduce the influx of paper in your mailbox.

How to Help in Haiti

What's happening right now in Haiti is devastating, and everyone I speak to wants to do something to help. The basics are what is needed, and the best way most of us can offer immediate assistance is to give money to a reputable organization that is on the ground in Haiti right now.

Here are links to some of the organizations working in Haiti. Each of them has received a four-star rating from Charity Navigator. Be sure to also check with your employer or university to see if they are offering matching funds.

• Doctors Without Borders
• Oxfam America
• Save the Children
• Partners in Health

Loving the Local Leeks

I've been traveling a lot this year, and it seems that something different is in season every time I return home to visit my local farmers' market in the Ballard neighborhood.

I'm happy to report that there are delicious possibilities for organic, local eating even in the middle of winter. This leek pasta recipe is one of my favorites. It's easy, delicious, and it utilizes leeks, which are a welcome, hearty green in December and January. Thanks to my friend Joe for initially coming up with this recipe, and my husband Steve for adapting it. As an added bonus, he can even find leeks in Jordan!

Winter Leek Pasta

For a pound of pasta you need three big leeks or a handful of midlings. Thin slice the leeks up to where they get really dark green and coarse (you can go higher with smaller leeks), and put them in a bowl of cold water for a while. I also poke the rings to separate them since it's better at getting the dirt out.

Start the water boiling for pasta - spaghetti or linguini work best.

Save some pasta water to add to the leeks later.

Over medium high heat, put in a shallow coat of olive oil and maybe 2-3 tbsp. butter. Also add 1-2 tsp salt to lightly coat the pan, some pepper flakes, and a few cloves of thinly sliced garlic.

Once the butter melts, add the leeks and cook until they're soft (10-15 minutes depending on the stove top). You'll know they're ready when they start to carmelize and brown.

Keep stirring, and add the pasta. You can scoop the pasta straight from the pot into the sauce, and then add about a quarter cup of grated parmesan cheese (is there such a thing as too much?) and toss.

You can (read: should) throw in another tbsp. or two of butter, and if the dish looks dry, add some pasta water while stirring over heat.

Bon Appetit!

Construction for Change: Building Community, Building Hope

Volunteering with an organization is one of the easiest ways to make an immediate impact in the lives of others. In this week's blog, twenty-something guest blogger J. Renee writes about the work of local non-profit Construction for Change, which was founded by three twenty-somethings eager to make a difference.

In 2008, I started volunteering with Construction for Change (CfC). I was immediately impressed by the vision, velocity, and integrity with which this small group of my peers was chasing a dream to help fulfill the UN's Millennium Development Goals.

Construction for Change facilitates building projects for organizations that have long-term visions for the communities they serve. Because fundraising and building projects often swallow up valuable time and resources, they can become a burden. CfC holistically and sustainably partners with organizations, and provides the aid needed to build healthy communities and provide opportunities.

CfC began in 2006 as the vision of three friends, Nick Tosti, Elijah Grindstaff, and Mike McEvoy. They came up with the idea while completing the Construction Management program at the University of Washington. Volunteer projects overseas had exposed them to the obstacles that face the developing world, and they had met many people who work to forge a better quality of life for themselves and their communities.

After a series of introductions, the founding members of CfC met the Zambian ambassador to the US, Inonge Mbukusita-Lewanika, a brilliant example of the great power that is released when women are educated. Inonge’s sister, Mbuywana Mbukusita-Lewanika, is the headmistress of the local school in Limulunga where over five hundred school children needed a new building.

The Zambia group and Mbukusita-Lewanika decided to give the young men behind CfC the chance to learn and fulfill their dreams.

By December 2007, construction in Limulunga was well underway. The new school not only provides room to learn, but also utilizes an existing water supply to improve sanitation with clean water and toilets. The only resources CfC exported to Zambia were a construction manager and the finances to purchase supplies locally. They hired members of the local community to do the construction and used methods of building that were cost efficient, durable, and environmentally conscious.

Students attending class in the new school in Limulunga.

By the time CfC presented themselves to the public in April ’09 at their Inaugural Banquet, “An Evening at the Ground Floor,” the three founding members had already completed over $300,000 worth of construction and built themselves a volunteer base big enough to run multiple projects on multiple continents.

It’s common to hear the members of CfC refer to the work they are doing as “building boxes with triangles on top.” But CfC does so much more; they build communities. Investors, artists, students, contractors and volunteers from Seattle are linked to school children, mothers, teachers and craftsmen in Zambia.

When I sat down with Nick Tosti, CEO and co-founder of Construction for Change, he explained why his organization has been so successful. “People in Seattle want to serve and give their time for something bigger than a paycheck… Internationally, you can do things within your profession. You don’t have to be Bill Gates. You can build something somewhere. You can invest in a community somewhere.”

Students on their way to class after the completion of the first building.

Construction for Change has now completed phase one of the Limulunga school and a community center in Rio De Janeiro. They are currently raising funds for and building a second building in Zambia, a kindergarten and teacher training facility in Cambodia, a sustainable farming program in Kenya and an orphanage in Ecuador. They build with style, sustainable integrity, and a vision to eradicate poverty and build opportunity for those living in impoverished nations.

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After working overseas with a non-profit, J. Renee settled in Seattle to study Creative Writing and International Studies. She takes a special interest in Women's issues and refugees and plans to tell as many stories as she can about the strength and beauty of the overcoming human spirit.