tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49448678735448020532024-03-05T05:56:14.700-05:00The Ramadan CompactA "buy-nothing" experiment<br/>from one ramadan to the nextSanjanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804446331972896108noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944867873544802053.post-68754764099038065802010-08-26T02:44:00.014-04:002011-07-15T11:39:04.513-04:00Silencing the noise in my head and heart... by media fasting.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6ui4uOWFj5o1iBs0oohR5Dblm-2Izf67JQXvZCJzNkGgyNtc98rigfc6s6Hr_Wl-LRWL77BG3Hh2Xw3VqwUZgW1itYNW7eQsqRlMWp4biAnumkZQotcek5IY60M3n3uZro-tORZIh5_o/s1600/keep_quiet_by_firemisha.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6ui4uOWFj5o1iBs0oohR5Dblm-2Izf67JQXvZCJzNkGgyNtc98rigfc6s6Hr_Wl-LRWL77BG3Hh2Xw3VqwUZgW1itYNW7eQsqRlMWp4biAnumkZQotcek5IY60M3n3uZro-tORZIh5_o/s200/keep_quiet_by_firemisha.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509612950973790642" /></a><br />
It’s about halfway through Ramadan and the Compact. Time always seems to fly by in the fall season, but is it just me or does this year feel especially anxious to run away?<br />
<br />
After participating in the Compact for the past 3 years, I have become much more aware of what I consume during Ramadan and year round. I purchase fewer things, create less trash, set budgets for my spending, etc. But all of these things are tangible. What about things we consume that are not tangible, like information/media?<br />
<br />
It sounds odd to call information consumable, until you put this kind of consumption into a familiar context. The news and entertainment industries label us as "media consumers." If we aren't perusing articles and videos on the internet, we are watching TV, listening to the radio or an iPod, texting/talking on the phone, or a host of other activities that are made possible by a communications medium. How are we not fatigued by this information overload?<br />
<br />
Well, it seems we <span style="font-style:italic;">are</span> fatigued. According to an article published in the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/25/technology/25brain.html">NY Times</a>, we are suffering from brain overload: the inability to experience the downtime necessary to create real and lasting memories, process information, learn, and come up with new ideas. Our brains are crammed and cluttered with stuff all day long, to the point that we've become addicted to this bombardment of information.<br />
<br />
Yep, sounds about right.<br />
<br />
So, I would like to step up my Ramadan Compact game. In addition to abstaining from food/drink/sex during daylight hours (regular Ramadan fast) and from buying anything unnecessary the entire month of Ramadan (the Ramadan Compact), I am going on a <a href="http://zenhabits.net/edit-your-life-part-6-a-media-fast/">media fast</a>.<br />
<br />
I've set my own rules based upon my necessities and capabilities:<br />
<br />
1. No social media during daylight hours. Including Facebook, Twitter, blogs, etc. Everything.<br />
<br />
1. I can only spend one hour on the internet the entire day, maximum. (Exception: work-related research and communication)<br />
<br />
Pretty simple. I won’t be restricting my allowance of non-internet media (radio, TV, magazines, everything besides the internet) since they are not what I have the biggest problem with. My problem is the internet. What started as a curious attraction to a medium that granted me the ability to converse and learn from people all around the world turned into an addiction to mind-numbing information pollution. But no problem is too big for us Compacters, right?<br />
<br />
In all of these efforts to quiet down the voices of my body and mind so that my soul can sing towards Divinity, I am reminded of Rumi's poem/thoughts on fasting:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>There's hidden sweetness in the stomach's emptiness.<br />
We are lutes, no more, no less. If the soundbox<br />
is stuffed full of anything, no music.<br />
<br />
If the brain and belly are burning clean<br />
with fasting, every moment a new song comes out of the fire.<br />
The fog clears, and new energy makes you<br />
run up the steps in front of you.<br />
<br />
Be emptier and cry like reed instruments cry.<br />
Emptier, write secrets with the reed pen.<br />
<br />
When you're full of food and drink, Satan sits<br />
where your spirit should, an ugly metal statue<br />
in place of the Kaaba. When you fast,<br />
good habits gather like friends who want to help.<br />
<br />
Fasting is Solomon's ring. Don't give it<br />
to some illusion and lose your power,<br />
but even if you have, if you've lost all will and control,<br />
they come back when you fast, like soldiers appearing<br />
out of the ground, pennants flying above them.<br />
<br />
A table descends to your tents,<br />
Jesus's table.<br />
Expect to see it, when you fast, this table<br />
spread with other food, better than the broth of cabbages.</blockquote><br />
And with this beautiful reminder from our beloved poet and intellect of the importance of quiet, let the media fast begin.<br />
<br />
(The beautiful photo above I stumbled across is a self-portrait of <a href="http://firemisha.deviantart.com/art/keep-quiet-93797533">firemisha</a>)Dina B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03747814282876180618noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944867873544802053.post-85071867361173350712010-08-21T00:14:00.009-04:002010-08-21T01:50:28.844-04:00Green Your Deen in 30 Days<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYpZNWej0rejRrowJnfhVg1mV1rAo7Xzz5n8Ye6jh1UqLNBOWgfOCqhV9iTCqhQzNnb6d9TOX_2-d-qb1TdiUA_wrepRSxdPP1hoiZXxqosLBbv4NANii35CdEyO148nLHMoGVl8c5GN8/s1600/greendeen+profile+pic+for+facebk.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 125px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYpZNWej0rejRrowJnfhVg1mV1rAo7Xzz5n8Ye6jh1UqLNBOWgfOCqhV9iTCqhQzNnb6d9TOX_2-d-qb1TdiUA_wrepRSxdPP1hoiZXxqosLBbv4NANii35CdEyO148nLHMoGVl8c5GN8/s200/greendeen+profile+pic+for+facebk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507734043920916962" border="0" /></a>Countering consumerism can not only save you cash and coins this Ramadan but it can save your masjid money. Then, that money can be put towards better things: feeding those without food, paying Quran teachers, developing Islamic institutions of higher learning, and the list goes on.<br /><br />How can you save your masjid money? Simple. Get yourself a "Ramadan Kit." Use what you already have at home, remember, no buying anything new. All you need is a reusable bag (canvas or otherwise), a plate, a spoon, a fork, a reusable water bottle/canteen, and a hand towel.<br /><br />Mosques waste far too much during Ramadan. Iftars and taraweah prayers are places where we can think, really think and reflect, about our negative impact on the planet. However, iftars and taraweah prayers are the places where enormous amounts of paper products, plastic cutlery, foam cups, and water bottles are bought, used, thrown away. Then bought, used, thrown away again. Then bought, used, thrown away again and again for 30 days.<br /><br />The mosque I attend for taraweah prayers is absolutely lovely. The environment is perfect for me to recite, reflect, and revere. If only they would reduce, reuse, recycle. Each night, after 4 rakats of Taraweah, during the break, out come the Poland Springs water bottles. It's a lovely thought to quench the thirst of worshipers - but at what cost to the mosque? At what cost to the country?<br /><br />Brothers and sisters go through through 3 packs of 48 water bottles each night. Multiplied by 30 nights that comes to 4,320 bottles for the month of Ramadan. That comes to approximately $4,320 for the month on water, only during Taraweah prayers. I wonder how much is spent on water for iftars - which most likely has far more attendees? Please note: NYC has over 200 mosques and this one that I attend is one of the smallest. How many mosques are in the country?<br /><br />Now before you say, $4,320 for the whole month isn't that much for the mosque (but it is!!), let's consider the cost as a country. Americans buy 500 million bottles of water every week or 26 billion bottles of water each year. If each bottle costs $1, that's $26billion we spend on bottled water.<br /><br />What is our contribution as Muslims? Well, if we are 7million strong in this country of 300million, we are 2.3% of the population. If we are consuming bottled water at the same rate of the rest of America, we are spending almost $600million annually. Monthly, that's $50million. Now, since this is Ramadan, imagine that our bottled water expenditures are 3 times that of a non-Holy month. We're spending up to $150million on bottled water in one month.<br /><br />Check out <a href="http://storyofstuff.org/bottledwater/">"The Story of Bottled Water"</a> by Annie Leonard.<br /><br />It costs $20 to give one person clean water for 20 years in developing nations. As Muslims, if we stopped drinking bottled water just during Ramadan, we could give 7.5million people access to clean water for 20 years each.<br /><br />Check out <a href="http://www.charitywater.org">"Charity: Water." </a><br /><br />Now, I've only selected to discuss bottled water here. But the costs of our iftars and taraweah prayers go on and on. Lights that can be turned down or off; paper towels that can be eliminated by us bringing our own hand towels from home; and of course, as previously mentioned, the disposables used to break our fasts - plates, bowls, cups, napkins, etc., etc., etc., that can disappear if we all assembled our own "Ramadan Kits."<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4e9Hcrc0OKVNmVL__lxJ2X2SlgxvB_mwHpazXU9gbP9tiB8tQypRGdVrg1wtwLGJGs29N_k2hum18ogFFpN3cW2Qy-8WDl1MEO3JlDWst5gMXt2ph4eJYcy5buoqEjvom9vhQeYFXaFU/s1600/45566_147464948616446_108386589190949_318373_1583965_n.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 119px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4e9Hcrc0OKVNmVL__lxJ2X2SlgxvB_mwHpazXU9gbP9tiB8tQypRGdVrg1wtwLGJGs29N_k2hum18ogFFpN3cW2Qy-8WDl1MEO3JlDWst5gMXt2ph4eJYcy5buoqEjvom9vhQeYFXaFU/s200/45566_147464948616446_108386589190949_318373_1583965_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507734365557288802" border="0" /></a><br />The Earth is a mosque. Mosques are to be kept clean and safe for worship. If the Earth is a mosque, it too is to be kept clean and safe for worship. If we're creating waste in the mosque and throwing it onto the Earth, do we truly recognize the planet's sacredness?<br /><br />Learn more about what you can do to treat the Earth as mosque by requesting "Green Your Deen in 30 Days." Simply email greendeenbook@gmail.com with "guide" in the subject line. A PDF will appear in your inbox that will guide you towards a Green Deen and a greener, greater planet, inshaAllah and Ameen.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-style: italic;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZHzNHzMiuXLW1DZf2PrkR9hNEi-F-gmKGS6Fu23sDCQrjdQQ0GL28mifyhLoXQbXx_Z6P7otw-ZB-2zXCj4xCcX7TvTgJvw_xx8bPTftul308JcxdCBEtv5AsOkB2N2uDyzQ2Lmi2oE/s1600/45566_147464948616446_108386589190949_318373_1583965_n.jpg"><br /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br />-Brooklyn Bedouin, AKA, ibrahim abdul-matin is author of "Green Deen: What Islam Teaches About Protecting the Planet." Learn more at www.greendeenbook.com-</span></span>Fatimashraf http://www.blogger.com/profile/11097961573611765987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944867873544802053.post-15979821064082317542010-08-11T14:07:00.004-04:002010-08-19T22:18:55.877-04:00Ramadhan Kareem everyone!!<br /><br />Ramadhan has been creeping steadily toward summer, I hope everyone is holding up well. Its been a gorgrous day so far, and I've had fresh fruits and veggies from local farmer's markets in mind for both suhoor and iftar.<br /><br />Since the Compact is a place to discuss creative alternatives to buying things we don't need, I wanted to take a minute and mention good things to buy this month: great foods that don't cost a lot to make, and feed our bodies well during this month of fasting. As you'll notice, they are very very simple too, nothing grand or indulgent, if you want to keep the world's hungry in mind, especially those who live and eat on <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBQQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.soundvision.com%2Finfo%2Framadan%2Fdollaraday.asp&ei=qOxiTIXVHcT_lgfI052-BA&usg=AFQjCNEJlW-e5hBvvAIWMkajkaAI-Ln9xQ&sig2=oEMFsWPVziuUw-LmTe7XAg">less than $1 a day</a>.<br /><br />LENTILS. The incredible, less than $2/bag, yummy and versatile lentil. Boil in salt water and add to rice (Iranian Adas polo); make a simple soup by adding some sauted onion and garlic and celery, or roll them up in phillo dough, grape leaves, or wanton wrappers. Spices to consider: cumin and cinnamon.<br /><br />CREPES and BLINTZES. Sooo sooo yummy. They have replaced that stack of pancakes that used be inprinted in my tummy's heart. They are lighter, digested better (at least for me), and can be filled with either sweet things or savory things. Mix up soft cheeses like ricotta or cottage, add in nutmeg, honey, and fresh berries for a sweet treat. SUGAR FREE, FOLKS. Oh yes. For a more filling, savory dish, mash boiled potatoes, add in cheddar cheese with chives or green onions, and pepper. Minimal fat, lots of yumminess. Very easy to make and assemble. I'd consider making them in advance, and then doing some last minute assembling for a wonderful suhoor.<br /><br />BREAD and CHEESE. Been to Halalco recently? Try their Afghan or Iranian (Barbari) breads, under $2, toasted with cream cheese and thin slices of cucumber for a fresh Iranian breakfast sandwich. If you want to go all out, add some walnut halves, fresh basil, maybe even sliced tomato. You can get even crazier with some sliced avocado, or sliced boiled egg. Excellent with some sweet tea. Hello economy, HELLOOOO FLAVA!<br /><br />FRUIT and YOGURT PARFAITS. I don't know how everyone else does it, but here's one simple way thats really quick and inexpensive. Take plain yogurt, add chopped fruit like apples and peaches, OR a variety of berries, sprinkle on some cinnamon (or ginger if you're doing apples), drizzle on some honey, and maybe top it off with some sliced almonds. Filling, easy to digest, and you could get the yogurt and nuts at halalco or other place where you won't have to pay premium price.<br /><br />OATMEAL. Even in the summer, it can be excellent. I'm talking about plain ol' oatmeal, either 1 minute/ instant, or old fashioned. Its worth it to cook it over the stove top, it just takes 5 minutes (approx.). Its always best with a tinsy dash of salt. For a fresh flavor, you can add some ground cardamom, or ginger powder with apples.<br /><br />Voila. Simple foods to nurish your body. Inexpensive, pretty nutritious, and pretty darn yummy if I do say so myself. Enjoy, and Ramadhan Kareem.Lady Eowyn http://www.blogger.com/profile/06672193050862902043noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944867873544802053.post-20773088550471543902009-08-31T00:52:00.009-04:002009-09-02T11:08:04.308-04:00Ramadan 2009: Already a third over...and many bucks saved.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Hr9A_Gubm0KLcAPyIZRqb_kq5emYk3Xpg5ys2-IfizapxWd3iBqtVKoRMd1Qg72H5RGsukacue4KRS16odzUcnT4Rt2KrPCcfpwvIlYPOdcp1_oMzwjFrhrac3ypef0jTo2FIs-eX40i/s1600-h/change.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Hr9A_Gubm0KLcAPyIZRqb_kq5emYk3Xpg5ys2-IfizapxWd3iBqtVKoRMd1Qg72H5RGsukacue4KRS16odzUcnT4Rt2KrPCcfpwvIlYPOdcp1_oMzwjFrhrac3ypef0jTo2FIs-eX40i/s320/change.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376006908312009986" /></a><br />By the time I remembered the Ramadan Compact for 2009, it was already a week into Ramadan. How have I been so busy that even the month of Mercy is flying by? <br /><br />I must admit that the compact has really helped me become aware of and reduce my consumerism throughout the year. I also realized that one of the big benefits of participating in the compact is saving money. So that's been <span style="font-weight:bold;">Step 1 </span>for me: <span style="font-style:italic;">reduce spending.</span><br /><br />My change bag (seen above with the -unfortunately- still truthful statement imprinted on it) has gotten large, with not just coins but bills stuffed into it. Yeah!<br /><br />So this year, I wanted to take it a step further. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Step 2:</span><span style="font-style:italic;"> counter the negative effects of consumer/instant gratification culture.</span> With that money saved, I want to do some counter action... send some positivity back into the world. Lord knows we are always in desperate need for it. But also, I didn't want this money to be spent on something useless once Ramadan is over.<br /><br />There are many ways one can try and do good with a small amount of change, so I tried to get creative. I thought about what makes me happy throughout the day. How wonderful is it when a stranger smiles at you on the street? Or when the receptionist seems to genuinely care about your response to the question "how are you?" Or when you hear a child's laugh? It's the simple pleasures that keep us joyful in this tough world.<br /><br />After Ramadan, I am going to use the money saved in my change bag to buy biodegradeable or recycled materials, create personalized cards with different inspirational quotes, and send them to random NYC residents. Cards of love. The love that does not extinguish but remains forever burning as the Most Gracious's mercy does.<br /><br />Mankind is simple: we want to be loved, inspired, cherished. The reason why we abuse each other and the earth is because we have been functioning without true Love. Mercy. Compassion. Respect. Only by digging and planting these seeds can we truly actualize change in our wasteful/abusive culture.Dina B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03747814282876180618noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944867873544802053.post-36942227244424580022008-10-30T22:31:00.002-04:002008-10-30T22:34:30.119-04:00If you need some motivation to get back on the Compact...<a href="http://lifehacker.com/5071585/share-your-shopping-horror-stories-with-spendster">Share Your Shopping Horror Stories with Spendster [Personal Finance]</a><br />from <a href="http://www.lifehacker.com/">Lifehacker</a><br /><br /><img src="http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/lifehacker/2008/10/spendster_logo.jpg" style="display: block; float: none;" align="left" height="133" hspace="4" vspace="2" width="494" /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">If you have a bunch of expensive stuff collecting dust in your closet or garage, it might be time to sit down with </span><a style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank" href="http://spendster.org/">Spendster</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> and repent for your consumer gluttony. A project from the </span><a style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank" href="http://www.nefe.org/">National Endowment for Financial Education</a><span style="font-style: italic;">, Spendster asks folks to calculate how much they've spent on stuff they simply don't need, and to share their stories. The videos already on the site are a lesson in humility that just might change your habits. And you can use the Spendster calculator to reveal the real cost of those impulse buys, expressed in credit card interest fees or how much you'd have if you bought into Google's IPO or into an interest-bearing savings account.</span><p></p> <div><a target="_blank" href="http://spendster.org/">Spendster</a><a target="_blank" href="http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2008/10/29/confess-your-shopping-sins-with-spendster/"></a></div>Sanjanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804446331972896108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944867873544802053.post-46535405167442434342008-09-29T09:23:00.008-04:002008-10-03T00:27:29.827-04:00Giving and Getting Back"Never neglect to <em><strong>give something away every day</strong></em>, even if a small amount, and do this early, for hardships do not corss [the protective barrier of] charity. Never disappoint a beggar who stands at your door; give him even as little as a date or less, for he is a gift from God to you. If you find nothing to give then <em><strong>send him away graciously with kind words and a promise</strong></em>.<br /><br />When you give a needy person something, smile at him and be aware that<em> <strong>it is you who are indebted to him</strong></em>, for he accepts a little from you for which you receive a reward worth more than the whole world. It has been said that a single morsel of food may bring a reward from God greater than Mount Uhud.<br /><br />Do not let the fear of poverty prevent you from giving charity, for it is the abandonment of charity which brings on poverty. <em><strong>Charity on the contrary attracts wealth</strong>.</em> If the pursuer of the world gave much charity it would return to him multiplied."<br /><br />Imam Abdallah ibn Alawi al-Haddad – <a href="http://www.fonsvitae.com/bookassis.html">The Book of Assistance</a>, from Chapter on Zakat (p. 69).Mohamad A. Chakakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06638876792245979534noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944867873544802053.post-18142777563472845462008-09-18T14:18:00.004-04:002008-09-18T14:40:39.487-04:00Another Year, Another Niyyah<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUWvy3ZPYK2GTLDZknLWExgggcph_DA8PsYjAcBdOyLpRC6xO7NIOE8zfGQhGcIfrZlds_UD_fm5hJ2mY9Ili7QQfyBqPP7Aocfl8hDvE_G7EtNiN4i-ZFKHzHlewtjjd-TlNzQUxkPM/s1600-h/ramadanbk.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUWvy3ZPYK2GTLDZknLWExgggcph_DA8PsYjAcBdOyLpRC6xO7NIOE8zfGQhGcIfrZlds_UD_fm5hJ2mY9Ili7QQfyBqPP7Aocfl8hDvE_G7EtNiN4i-ZFKHzHlewtjjd-TlNzQUxkPM/s320/ramadanbk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247432959359248930" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">"I'm seeking clarity and focus in this blessed month. I pray this becomes an effort we can all extend well beyond Ramdan, insha'Allah!" </span>...that was, in part, <a href="http://ramadancompact.blogspot.com/2007/09/members.html">my niyyah (intention) from last year</a>. I'd like to renew that intention again for this year.<br /><br />Moreover, I'm fascinated (and humbled) by the power of fasting. I think we take it for granted. I know I do. A friend recently told me about the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda">ayurvedic</a> ("life + knowledge") concept of the digestive fire within also being able to digest emotions. If only we don't overtax it by smothering it with food. As we so often do, in Ramadan or otherwise. This reminds me of <a href="http://mysticsaint.blogspot.com/2007/09/rumi-on-fasting-and-jesus-on-spiritual.html">Rumi's <span style="font-style: italic;">ghazal</span> on fasting</a>:<br /><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;">If the soundbox is stuffed full of anything, no music.<br />If the brain and belly are burning clean with fasting,<br />every moment a new song comes out of the fire.<br /></div></blockquote>I believe Ramadan (and all the fasting recommended outside of the blessed month... some calculations of which brings the Blessed Prophet's fast count to 150+ days a year) is a Muslim sabbath of sorts. A time to slow down, reflect, be aware and intentional in terms of our daily habits and relationships. That's what the Compact helps me do.<br /><br />That said, I'm afraid I've already broken the Ramadan Compact on a couple of items. One "big-ticket" (literally!) from DC to Dubai, where I am now. Another, a smaller purchase, is a book... which I could've borrowed from a friend or the local library. See <a href="http://ramadancompact.blogspot.com/2008/09/go-to-your-friend-library-for-books.html">Dina's post below</a> for more on that.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Make <span style="font-style: italic;">du'aa</span> for me out here in this land of plenty! and I'll do the same for all of you, insha'Allah.<br /></div><br />salaam :)<br />MohamadMohamad A. Chakakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06638876792245979534noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944867873544802053.post-76012589617822027682008-09-12T14:50:00.017-04:002008-09-12T19:38:01.897-04:00Go to your "friend library" for books, magazines, or just...stuff.Sometimes I tend to get carried away when I think about reducing my consumerism. Some of <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245227750615995714" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 142px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 229px" height="252" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXxmBe0ZutUHlv5eQl3X2P7W9N3MPFFQZP9WZ8igjeOXGTtRbJt5KfIFAss8nttT-HCvyeQCBwmGWLYNaxszs8GdQda593KK8YmkHwgtIrPeRonOJEiHb8olwO5TOZf9EMQhNYC-RmpNm/s320/untitled.bmp" width="154" border="0" />my most favorite hobbies call for me to buy things, so I find myself limiting the activities I enjoy... but it doesn't have to be that way. I have to remind myself that the purpose of a compact is to:<br /><div><blockquote><p>1. To go beyond recycling in trying to counteract the negative global environmental and socioeconomic impacts of US consumer culture to resist global corporatism, and to support local businesses, farms, etc...<br />2. To reduce clutter and waste in our homes.<br />3. To simplify our lives.</p><p>-SF Compacters</p></blockquote></div><div>This doesn't mean limiting your life to the bare necessities, just finding ways around doing what you normally do that involves spending. Everyone has their "thing" and I've learned that my "thing" is my fascination with books. I love books. Buying them, reading them, storing them, just looking at them. I would always tell myself "you're buying books to read, not junk to just <em>own</em>" and justify the mounds and mounds of books I buy in a really short time period. It's this obsession that I've realized I need to control and have begun to tame in the following ways.</div><br /><div>A few of my friends have this same problem of buying lots of books. We realized that we don't own exactly the same library because of our varying interests, but it was cool to see what the other person has in their library and learn something from what they've read. For example, I would borrow a book from my friend in Chicago, and when finished reading it, would send it to her through the mail or wait to give it to her in person if I knew I was travelling soon. My other friends live close by, so when they come over, they "check out" a few books and return them to me next time they're over or if I visit them. It's endearing to know that you and your friends are offering to each other one of the best gifts in the world: knowledge.</div><br /><div>It's a true library system that has been working great for the past few years without any kind of organization. It happens pretty randomly, at house visits or after a conversation about "this amazing book I just read, and you should too." We don't have a mechanism of keeping track of who borrowed which book, we're just trustworthy and considerate of each other's belongings. But I guess if you want to try this library system out and are worried your books will be jacked forever, try creating your own personal library kit to keep track of who has what.</div><br /><div>1. Stick a sheet of paper on the last page of the book that has your name and info.</div><div>2. Keep a log at home on paper or on your <a href="http://i.msdn.microsoft.com/Aa479392.mediashare_fig12s(en-us,MSDN.10).gif">computer</a> to remember who checked the book out last.</div><div>3. Write on the paper in the book when you'd like the book back.</div><br /><div>You could probably even use this library system with other hobbies, you lend your friend your roller blades and they lend you their ski stuff. Let us know how it works for you.</div><br /><div>Happy Ramadan, happy compact, and happy reading!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Dina B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03747814282876180618noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944867873544802053.post-52233029080585748202008-09-08T22:22:00.004-04:002008-09-08T22:38:33.295-04:00I've got the power...In the midst of tropical storm Saturday, I was trying to figure out how to not use disposable products at an upcoming iftar and thinking, "hmm...wouldn't it be nice if I found a set of used silverware at a garage sale that I could just have on hand for parties...hmm." Sheer boredom (and lack of food) told it me it would be a good idea to drive out to the estate sales in Springfield (about 25min away) in the pouring rain, to test out this idea.<br /><br />And one soggy drive and a 25% discount later:<br /><br />silverware for 8:<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0krwSTeeGiFxIonhM4MMAPnkGHj65JRfKxHfYo8hDKGbH-sZ8HU7HTuuFXQHtgIVgFaqQ-Pgb5OGvnlGBp6VFrT8ErPzGAXKUhp5WlgdClKGQ_4w-yEI45cBy_mhCtW0NR76fNmDC5po/s400/photo1.jpg" border=no /><br /><br />and an insulated carafe for the post-iftar caffeine addicts (ok so its not the prettiest one out there, but the only one for $3 probably): <br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmi2JDrg2y75uUh4DF3qCNf09JTPl32Ypt25wZZOP-oHkdkIIzurh9e4xtT8GpqDON9kMxHfcm5fIs0z4ShM6tRvVh_Mi9NcuXEXjMNZm8u1OpG4ELqyRlTl7R0pCWWimU3XWkt4S9S73p/s320/photo.jpg" border=no /><br /><br />So not only does participating in the compact give you <a href="http://ramadancompact.blogspot.com/2007/09/being-part-of-ramadan-compact-gives-you.html">superhuman powers</a> but good estate sale karma as well ;) alhamdulillah.Sanjanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804446331972896108noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944867873544802053.post-72396707796352244522008-09-02T09:36:00.004-04:002008-09-03T10:38:00.121-04:00Ramadan Mubarak!Click <a href="http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=p4suDzSNDh_zgU3jt4kGWBA&hl=en">here</a> to sign-up for a buy-nothing Ramadan in 2008!Sanjanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804446331972896108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944867873544802053.post-67834029097215841302008-08-22T11:54:00.005-04:002008-08-26T00:47:58.828-04:00Ramadhan around the cornerFunny how summer flew so quickly, and we're looking for Ramadhan yet again--this blessed month that makes us stop in our tracks and reflect on our daily behavior. That takes us back to the beginning of Islam.<br /><br />It begins with the constant readings of the Qur'an, duas, asma ul husna...every masjid and Islamic center sets the mood, replacing songs from the radio with the remembrance of Allah. Slowly, we begin to disconnect from the fast pace of our present lifestyles. Other behaviors that follow vary greatly: I have friends who stopped wearing makeup in Ramadhan, friends who chose to have zero physical contact with other men during Ramadhan, friends who started wearing hijab, did volunteer work at soup kitchens and masjids, and the list goes on...people slow down, don't feel the need to indulge their vanities, try to make time for the needy, or even try to put aside anything that was not happening at the Prophet's time.<br /><br />For me, the feeling of Ramadhan and early Islam brings lots of visions, many of which coincide with the 'sustainable' lifestyle for which aware and conscientious people are striving. I can see the prophet eating a simple meal of dates, bread, and yogurt, repairing his own torn sandles instead of throwing them out, constantly reflecting on nature in his connection to Allah, and encouraging his followers and close family members to live a similar lifestyle of simplicity. His daughter Fatima and her husband Ali were very similar: they chose worship over luxuries, had nothing that was not a basic necessity, and gave generously to all who came to their door.<br /><br />As it is, we have to fight this culture hard just to pray on time every day, let alone eat only 2 or 3 kinds of food and not be walking consumerists. But I'm praying this Ramadhan, we can strengthen our connection and move one step further than last year, and the years before.<br /><br />Ramadhan 2008 is going to be particularly meaningful after the food crisis this summer, and knowing how many people were really deprived of food b/c of high prices. Its not easy to fast when its still so warm outside, but knowing that it helps us connect to the greater body of humanity beyond our own local geography reminds me how very profound it is that Allah prescribed this for us. (I'll admit though, I have to make up some fasts from last year, which is in part helping to prepare me for this year.)<br /><br />What does the feeling of Ramadhan and early Islam do for you?Lady Eowyn http://www.blogger.com/profile/06672193050862902043noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944867873544802053.post-82069330448636115992008-06-27T10:17:00.004-04:002008-06-27T14:06:07.497-04:00InequalityThe Worldmapper project has interesting visual representations of the world, resized according to various criteria: population, energy consumption, poverty, etc, which make for some pretty powerful comparisons.<br /><br />A regular map of the world:<br /><a href="http://www.worldmapper.org/display.php?selected=1"><img style="width: 400px;" src="http://www.worldmapper.org/images/largepng/1.png" border=none alt="" /></a><br /><br />Adjusted for Population:<br /><a href="http://www.worldmapper.org/display.php?selected=2"><img style="width: 400px;" src="http://www.worldmapper.org/images/smallpng/2.png" border=none alt="" /></a><br /><br />According to wealth<br /><a href="http://www.worldmapper.org/display.php?selected=170"><img style="width: 400px;" src="http://www.worldmapper.org/images/largepng/170.png" border=none alt="" /></a><br /><br />According to ecological footprint<br /><a href="http://www.worldmapper.org/display.php?selected=322"><img style="width: 400px;" src="http://www.worldmapper.org/images/largepng/322.png" border=none alt="" /></a><br /><br />Via Professor Mark Newman, University of Michigan: <a href="http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mejn/cartograms/">website</a>Sanjanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804446331972896108noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944867873544802053.post-90579160925047209322008-05-11T01:21:00.004-04:002008-05-11T20:25:38.958-04:00Check out this excellent video about cradle to cradle, an incredible design philosophy subhanallah:<a href="http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/104"><br /></a><h1><a href="http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/104"><span> William McDonough: The wisdom of designing Cradle to Cradle</span></a></h1>Lady Eowyn http://www.blogger.com/profile/06672193050862902043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944867873544802053.post-18620990224653176472008-04-22T14:00:00.005-04:002008-04-22T14:20:16.879-04:00Our Minds... Treasure Without End"Avoid cupidity (i.e. greed), for it is instant poverty."<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">-Prophet Muhammad PBUH </span><br /><br />My Mind to me a kingdom is,<br /> Such present joys therein I find,<br />That it excels all other bliss<br /> That earth affords or grows by kind;<br />Though much I want which most would have,<br />Yet still my mind forbids to crave.<br /><br />No princely pomp, no wealthy store,<br /> No force to win the victory,<br />No wily wit to salve a sore,<br /> No shape to feed a loving eye;<br />To none of these I yield as thrall:<br />For why? My mind doth serve all.<br /><br />I see how plenty surfeits oft,<br /> And hasty climbers soon do fall;<br />I see that those which are aloft<br /> Mishap doth threaten most of all,<br />They get with toil, they keep with fear;<br />Such cares my mind could never bear.<br /><br />Content to live, this is my stay;<br /> I seek no more than may suffice;<br />I press to bear no haughty sway;<br /> Look, what I lack my mind supplies:<br />Lo, thus I triumph like a king.<br />Content with that my mind doth bring.<br /><br />Some have too much, yet still do crave;<br /> I little have, and seek no more.<br />They are but poor, though much they have,<br /> And I am rich with little store;<br />They poor, I rich; they beg, I give;<br />They lack, I leave; they pine, I live.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">-Sir Edward Dyer, 16th Century</span><br /><br />"Consider well contentment, for it is a treasure without end."<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> -Prophet Muhammad PBUH</span>Mohamad A. Chakakihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06638876792245979534noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944867873544802053.post-1690466659694858262008-04-17T10:48:00.003-04:002008-04-17T10:57:39.499-04:00Biking the way to Hajj<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ln2f9u0gp0A/SAdlBu09fDI/AAAAAAAAAdo/TI8eBMcrKsg/s1600-h/Satellite.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ln2f9u0gp0A/SAdlBu09fDI/AAAAAAAAAdo/TI8eBMcrKsg/s400/Satellite.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190228175992224818" border="0" /></a><br />Hajj season may have has passed us by a while ago, but this man's sustainable alternative to the typical Hajj travel and caravan package will be inspiring us all year long, inshAllah. Check out the story of <span id="ContentLabel">Dzhanar-Aliev Magomed-Ali, a 63 year old Chechen villager who <a href="http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=19274">biked </a></span><span id="ContentLabel"><a href="http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=19274">11,838 kilometers to Mecca, Saudi Arabia and back!</a><br /></span>Lady Eowyn http://www.blogger.com/profile/06672193050862902043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944867873544802053.post-64522940606851268512008-04-08T22:36:00.002-04:002008-04-08T22:45:53.330-04:00Heal your homeFor everyone who has seen the Story of Stuff video, you'll remember all the untested chemicals (ahem toxins) that we are constantly exposed to in our own homes!! Scary stuff, especially considering that many of the ingredients are cancer-related, and they are found in so many different places, from personal care items to air fresheners to cookware. Check out Co op America's<a href="http://www.coopamerica.org/pubs/caq/articles/Spring2008/HealYourKitchen.cfm"> Heal Your Home</a>, "a one-stop shop for the articles we’ve written on nontoxic living over the past few years, from finding least-toxic paints and stains to making your own green cleaners to detoxing your entire bedroom. " Just one more reason why I'll have to go back to my dear Baba and profess his genius in using lemon juice, apple cider, and baking soda for the stuck-on grease...Lady Eowyn http://www.blogger.com/profile/06672193050862902043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944867873544802053.post-35440451326896785712008-03-30T19:29:00.007-04:002008-03-30T20:14:51.108-04:00green by design<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ln2f9u0gp0A/R_Ar2FSd5AI/AAAAAAAAAcw/2zJuAaSEfqI/s1600-h/thrddraft_pstr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 268px;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ln2f9u0gp0A/R_Ar2FSd5AI/AAAAAAAAAcw/2zJuAaSEfqI/s400/thrddraft_pstr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183691379236004866" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">I was reading this article for a class and wanted to share: it raises some stimulating points that force us to look beyond the immediate "eco-efficiency" of several industries to the long-term, which is a whole new design-perspective of how our world could be.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">check out the article here:</span><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">h<a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/199810/environment">ttp://www.theatlantic.com/doc/199810/environment</a></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">In response to the article, some will say that our human civilization is bound to produce some toxins if we continue to more forward rather than backward in a technological sense, but I'm way too enthusiastic about our possibilities to indulge in that thought. The article also reminds me of the treasure Allah gave us in nature: it is at once</span><span style="color:black;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> self-regulating and perfectly efficient, all without our help. Subhanallah, no wonder Allah tells us repeatedly in the Qur'an to observe the natural processes (</span><a style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" href="http://www.institut.veolia.org/en/cahiers/water-symbolism/water-symbolism/water-quran.aspx">such as water cycle and the growth of plants</a><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">) to understand him.</span><br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span>Lady Eowyn http://www.blogger.com/profile/06672193050862902043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944867873544802053.post-46100507997651800322008-03-26T09:46:00.004-04:002008-03-26T10:03:32.349-04:00You can do it...Yesterday, while waiting 20 MINUTES for the train to work, I was reading the Express (the free Washington Post paper) and came across this amazing Aveda 'lip balm-lipstick' featured in their beauty column. I immediately think to myself, "ah so useful, I NEED that!!!" and actually made plans to go to the Aveda store over the weekend. Um or not. I hardly wear make-up and hadn't even thought about buying lipstick until reading that. Talk about good marketing!! So, to make an irrelevant story short, I found it nice when No Impact Man posted <a href="http://noimpactman.typepad.com/blog/2008/03/conspicuous-unc.html">this</a> on his blog - we all have our weak moments but persevere, my friends! Unconsuming is not easy, but you can do it.<br /><br />You're welcome :)Sanjanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804446331972896108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944867873544802053.post-69301400268335671562008-03-24T09:39:00.001-04:002008-03-24T09:40:31.077-04:00Nobody ever says...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://noimpactman.typepad.com/blog/images/2008/03/19/more_crap_2_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://noimpactman.typepad.com/blog/images/2008/03/19/more_crap_2_2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Via <a href="http://noimpactman.typepad.com/blog/">No Impact Man</a>.Sanjanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804446331972896108noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944867873544802053.post-11415906178252010262008-03-12T01:25:00.002-04:002008-03-12T01:37:13.804-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ln2f9u0gp0A/R9dq_KCqDFI/AAAAAAAAACs/yONvoX3y2e0/s1600-h/combating-global-warming-map2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ln2f9u0gp0A/R9dq_KCqDFI/AAAAAAAAACs/yONvoX3y2e0/s400/combating-global-warming-map2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5176723929945476178" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Found this wonderful map that summarizes all the different actions we can take on a daily basis to be conscious of our impact on the environment. Enjoy :)Lady Eowyn http://www.blogger.com/profile/06672193050862902043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944867873544802053.post-31646546771265471682008-02-17T00:36:00.008-05:002008-03-11T22:16:46.159-04:00Light in the Darkness: Earth Hour<span><a name="143"><span style="color: rgb(128, 128, 128);font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></a></span><a name="143"></a><span><span><a name="143"><span style="color: rgb(128, 128, 128);font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ></span></a></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);">1. All praise is due to Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth and made the darkness</span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);font-family:georgia;" > and the light; yet those who disbelieve set up equals with their Lord.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);font-family:georgia;" ><a name="143"><span style="color: rgb(128, 128, 128);font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></a></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);font-family:georgia;" >97. And He it is Who has made the stars for you that you might follow the right way thereby in the darkness of the land and the sea; truly We have made plain the communications for a people who know.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);font-family:georgia;" >122. Is he who was dead then We raised him to life and made for him a light by which he walks among the people, like him whose likeness is that of one in utter darkness whence he cannot come forth? Thus what they did was made fair seeming to the unbelievers.</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><span><a name="140"></a></span><a name="143"><br /></a><span><span><a name="143"><span style="color: rgb(128, 128, 128);font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(102, 255, 255);">~Surah 6 Anam (The Cattle</span>)<br /><br /></span></a></span></span>A couple years ago, there was a storm (small tornado?) in the Montgomery County area that made us all lose power for a couple of days. It was a hassle not to rely on electricity for light, not to have a way to preserve our food, and of course, have no INTERNET ACCESS. Good Lord, what would become of us? The TV wasn't a loss because we had already stopped watching mainstream TV, but we still relied on DVD's for entertainment and the internet for instant gratification. Still, those few hours during which we were 'disconnected' from the world were some of the most peaceful hours I've ever experienced. For the first time, the stars were distinct and visible from our porch. There was a general hush that replaced the usual pace of traffic, and time itself slowed down. With no other distractions, we all found ourselves reading by candlelight and dosing off to sleep much earlier than ever possible. It was the kind of beautiful experience that only happens when you slow your pace and simplify. Of course, it also reduces carbon emissions, doubling its beauty. Which is why I'm inviting everyone to join me in observing "Earth Hour" for one hour on March 23rd by turning off all your lights and anything else that you can that uses electricity between 8 and 9 PM.<br /><br />(From http://www.earthhour.org/about)<br />It started with a question: How can we inspire people to take action on climate change? The answer: Ask the people of Sydney to turn off their lights for one hour. On 31 March 2007, 2.2 million people and 2100 Sydney businesses turned off their lights for one hour - Earth Hour. This massive collective effort reduced Sydney's energy consumption by 10.2% for one hour, which is the equivalent effect of taking 48,000 cars off the road for one hour.<br />With Sydney icons like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House turning their lights off, and unique events such as weddings by candlelight, the world took notice. Inspired by the collective effort of millions of Sydneysiders, many major global cities are joining Earth Hour in 2008, turning a symbolic event into a global movement. <p><br /></p><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXxMWSOsFoVtRFOMAlT3JM6mEA9GH4_JwYPtMJbvzReyzvJPUpFEGSAUBhtqBI8lfFJBvD9EiAZg_8HLwtI7ykVgA6PmkcbA-wRdG1HeBIXG1vT6wnSb33kB_aMB2-5KgpM9M5vEHEjs/s1600-h/Star8a-land.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXxMWSOsFoVtRFOMAlT3JM6mEA9GH4_JwYPtMJbvzReyzvJPUpFEGSAUBhtqBI8lfFJBvD9EiAZg_8HLwtI7ykVgA6PmkcbA-wRdG1HeBIXG1vT6wnSb33kB_aMB2-5KgpM9M5vEHEjs/s400/Star8a-land.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167824742687219522" border="0" /></a></p><p><br /></p>Lady Eowyn http://www.blogger.com/profile/06672193050862902043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944867873544802053.post-74186243745539970972008-02-12T17:03:00.006-05:002008-02-17T00:23:22.975-05:00The Story of ....Stuff!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rOE5nX2DpVshOCBmf8M4Qo-qbT3BzUwgW7yv50GstHJyjO4o4M95CKLDzQ3C0mVg4HgJkJOQSsFIUC6QTSe0vkOXchKlXU8tEg97LhdUx21qQ-DTWmK7_qOgJQPiaGmFx95ACfRDwJQ/s1600-h/217x188_SoS_Banner002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166239019286699810" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rOE5nX2DpVshOCBmf8M4Qo-qbT3BzUwgW7yv50GstHJyjO4o4M95CKLDzQ3C0mVg4HgJkJOQSsFIUC6QTSe0vkOXchKlXU8tEg97LhdUx21qQ-DTWmK7_qOgJQPiaGmFx95ACfRDwJQ/s320/217x188_SoS_Banner002.jpg" border="0" /></a> We've committed ourselves to reducing our consumption for different reasons: Ramadhan highlighted the search for increased spirituality and improved quality of life. More recently, we've discussed the environmental consequences of the production and destruction of the materials, many of which are toxic. Annie Leonard's video, The Story of Stuff, ties all of the globalization processes together and explores the unseen exploitation that makes all the mass consumption possible. Her main premise is that corporations have crated vast empires of cheap production and rapid consumption by externalizing the true and full costs of their production and services. Overall, the video is an excellent reflection on not only our consumer behavior, but also every single entity (corporation, policies, etc) that is putting all its might into encouraging us to buy, buy, BUY!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.storyofstuff.com/index.html">http://www.storyofstuff.com/index.html</a><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyPuHVNijFq4r6a_apVYs6Wb2wQQR_Dor4MRk66PhutVBA7A23EHYGlRVreU927vs3yfJJ1dm9ZI3dkhnaMmQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />It’s not all bad, though. I think one of our fundamental jobs is to re-evaluate, re-define, and re-articulate our goals and lifestyles. After all, if we take a second look, there are several alternative markets that don’t exist to be “green”, they just exist because that’s how people get by. My own mother, for instance, grew up with a mother that sewed for the whole neighborhood (local, fair labor, anyone?) and relatives that owned farms. She spent summers shucking corn and pickling peppers and jamming fruit, and browsing through yard sales, flee markets and antique road shows. Now this was all in Tennessee (represent!), in a community of middle class (and conservative, mind you) families. Wherever we look, we’ll find networks of alternative goods and services, from the black market to Craig’s List.<br /><br />Things were a little different for me and my brother. For one thing, we were living in the crowded and polluted (although beloved) city of Tehran. Growing up on a budget in the bustling capital of Iran, we had less, or almost no access to the local farms. And yard sales don’t exactly serve a necessary function in Iran. As far as I know, no one has an excess of material wealth that could be displayed on some lawn during a sunny Saturday morning. As a kid, I considered the fate of all the trash people were so comfortable to toss in the streets; the shiny candy wrappers and old plastic bags floating in the wind. I was totally unaware of the social and environmental costs of that “American” (and thus, I thought, HIGH QUALITY) T-shirt, which coincidentally was made in China anyway. The bazaars and street shops of Tehran are a different story than the malls, Target and Best Buy stores of the US, which brings me back to The Story of Stuff. As citizens, individuals, teachers, policy makers, company leaders, students, and families, we can do a lot to change our perception of what we need in our lives. But the video explores interactions on a global scale, and there’s a lot more to be done than only buy non-sweatshop clothing, and fair-trade chocolate (not that either of those methods aren't important and a good start). I’ll leave that discussion for another time though…Lady Eowyn http://www.blogger.com/profile/06672193050862902043noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944867873544802053.post-27604563545148398612008-02-07T16:36:00.000-05:002008-02-12T16:50:31.257-05:00What the world eats in a weekItaly: The Manzo family of Sicily<br />Food expenditure for one week: 214.36 Euros or $260.11<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Nq3PDtIhzL-EyArBApsVsm7t3WI2hz4WbgAp1dk_4869V8O0qF05xrwhApjuhgn8eGjGenBZ0CY47rz-O0R5med42hfXZbPqm5hr_Rax55OadzUT38-5VrBmjwEFdXnHwo2-nkZz3Zfs/s1600-h/a_002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Nq3PDtIhzL-EyArBApsVsm7t3WI2hz4WbgAp1dk_4869V8O0qF05xrwhApjuhgn8eGjGenBZ0CY47rz-O0R5med42hfXZbPqm5hr_Rax55OadzUT38-5VrBmjwEFdXnHwo2-nkZz3Zfs/s320/a_002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165841845471122306" border="0" /></a><br />Germany: The Melander family of Bargteheide<br />Food expenditure for one week: 375.39 Euros or $500.07<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbZchJv2BiSoQ_cnzh8Aj1_IE9kqyOrU_UyQAZFnlN7qoT_Ekzp-7Wf8JWTvh_q797_Vvl2Wn-HKVIhUzZiory4ySn-ju6FwoN0bLmM3VAAZRd6VDTZEroc0TBsg91JO6D2uYPe_n5ZFb/s1600-h/a_005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbZchJv2BiSoQ_cnzh8Aj1_IE9kqyOrU_UyQAZFnlN7qoT_Ekzp-7Wf8JWTvh_q797_Vvl2Wn-HKVIhUzZiory4ySn-ju6FwoN0bLmM3VAAZRd6VDTZEroc0TBsg91JO6D2uYPe_n5ZFb/s320/a_005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165842111759094674" border="0" /></a><br /><br />United States: The Revis family of North Carolina<br />Food expenditure for one week $341.98<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQsC8pUtXyyjJdsRiK3GJz6oQYZFYxJ09CP-LI7rGSMkJFGOx-0PIP2ZepgVYjbkmXv0KGHi5sZktKpAQQJZotpBZsRaERjkaJnB3oZ_Qa91ofPMqlTHmPAs5P2nZis_w1FpeY4oQE9As/s1600-h/a_007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQsC8pUtXyyjJdsRiK3GJz6oQYZFYxJ09CP-LI7rGSMkJFGOx-0PIP2ZepgVYjbkmXv0KGHi5sZktKpAQQJZotpBZsRaERjkaJnB3oZ_Qa91ofPMqlTHmPAs5P2nZis_w1FpeY4oQE9As/s320/a_007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165842369457132450" border="0" /></a><br />Mexico: The Casales family of Cuernavaca<br />Food expenditure for one week: 1,862.78 Mexican Pesos or $189.09<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhVmAK2eNBrVNg_o0UFKECKyolHC5zhyhY3SkETSBTwtlcMK6-WfR5jfBC58YmP0wscWJPEk5dLaQJRr_jLluZlmDI46nlxgWyCI1sA8ppogu2-N-vb4cEPN-JbFwGru0Zf6v0ohToeFU/s1600-h/a_004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhVmAK2eNBrVNg_o0UFKECKyolHC5zhyhY3SkETSBTwtlcMK6-WfR5jfBC58YmP0wscWJPEk5dLaQJRr_jLluZlmDI46nlxgWyCI1sA8ppogu2-N-vb4cEPN-JbFwGru0Zf6v0ohToeFU/s320/a_004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165842614270268338" border="0" /></a><br />Poland: The Sobczynscy family of Konstancin-Jeziorna<br />Food expenditure for one week: 582.48 Zlotys or $151.27<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PaokaG5PPMykSSWVFWiC51WC9MHswuDG4gqSnqCYN1ziz3Kt1Hg62EVZRWcpFOvtTP1ope7j-BumySXS2Gg8ptVQCSgXuzNBDySPOMwzkXmgJIAWdLbrfcUwmjVAdq6BCt7p-IZkPFke/s1600-h/a_008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PaokaG5PPMykSSWVFWiC51WC9MHswuDG4gqSnqCYN1ziz3Kt1Hg62EVZRWcpFOvtTP1ope7j-BumySXS2Gg8ptVQCSgXuzNBDySPOMwzkXmgJIAWdLbrfcUwmjVAdq6BCt7p-IZkPFke/s320/a_008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165842867673338818" border="0" /></a><br />Egypt: The Ahmed family of Cairo<br />Food expenditure for one week: 387.85 Egyptian Pounds or $68.53<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3B0Od_R-fc8KPYzj-D_HuhXrFlX5MlnXLvIeiIs5zsfYr866m9LH18zBEBPdhWbqRz3FFjT0-QODPhJgABPKliu9Ax9jNSaPmOFyAihWd64dbwTl8jI-P59-WBc05YgnOxNTMDPJWKcbh/s1600-h/a_006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3B0Od_R-fc8KPYzj-D_HuhXrFlX5MlnXLvIeiIs5zsfYr866m9LH18zBEBPdhWbqRz3FFjT0-QODPhJgABPKliu9Ax9jNSaPmOFyAihWd64dbwTl8jI-P59-WBc05YgnOxNTMDPJWKcbh/s320/a_006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165843039472030674" border="0" /></a><br />Ecuador: The Ayme family of Tingo<br />Food expenditure for one week: $31.55<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFfY2U1HbJg5ery9ZDQ4Cl1sY_uAa9R3_FWNJa_VGQ1CthO-vMUQqjWADARlSkHOlJ7VZIypxOYURtPOfhxUYPLdtQKeYKY7ieac2QQAWhNwGWEpLNOFQJqAzEv829AWKuQFZJlVMbxQ0/s1600-h/a_009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFfY2U1HbJg5ery9ZDQ4Cl1sY_uAa9R3_FWNJa_VGQ1CthO-vMUQqjWADARlSkHOlJ7VZIypxOYURtPOfhxUYPLdtQKeYKY7ieac2QQAWhNwGWEpLNOFQJqAzEv829AWKuQFZJlVMbxQ0/s320/a_009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165843228450591714" border="0" /></a><br />Bhutan: The Namgay family of Shingkhey Village<br />Food expenditure for one week: 224.93 ngultrum or $5.03<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjl21-IRvYz8jDFvkH9UhmY9S2tsrK0R-XJrIKbgUz9IuFa-oU0OTdtr8sMv8VwJkYGaxhBv1pHFOILBVtByxpcUFJDN04YKsTcIx3xeEzEvt34A87Uqi80aNmflAq9QUzQPQyhn-2YfOY/s1600-h/a_003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjl21-IRvYz8jDFvkH9UhmY9S2tsrK0R-XJrIKbgUz9IuFa-oU0OTdtr8sMv8VwJkYGaxhBv1pHFOILBVtByxpcUFJDN04YKsTcIx3xeEzEvt34A87Uqi80aNmflAq9QUzQPQyhn-2YfOY/s320/a_003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165843374479479794" border="0" /></a><br />Chad: The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp<br />Food expenditure for one week: 685 CFA Francs or $1.23<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVTB_0PEPlAwmCtVonDq06YlADqKf2gZFdeJhnnpWc00tiDn52lzJ9q2qC4v_sKIgAYd34V0gibE5jZsYg8GyWMaD7AJq3tL1EIagLb_F5wEmAmmKpQ-ufy3wHZ3EKqF52Zir0vWAoRq0/s1600-h/a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVTB_0PEPlAwmCtVonDq06YlADqKf2gZFdeJhnnpWc00tiDn52lzJ9q2qC4v_sKIgAYd34V0gibE5jZsYg8GyWMaD7AJq3tL1EIagLb_F5wEmAmmKpQ-ufy3wHZ3EKqF52Zir0vWAoRq0/s320/a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165843524803335170" border="0" /></a><br /><br />(Thanks to Lena for the info. And to Sabira for this <a href="http://www.oxfamamerica.org/whatwedo/emergencies/sudan/news_publications/feature_story.2005-12-28.9594195110">link</a>)Sanjanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804446331972896108noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944867873544802053.post-7595387675425283542007-12-04T11:13:00.000-05:002007-12-04T11:19:34.493-05:00Concientious Consumer Curbing your ConsumptionIt's been a while since I contributed, but I wanted to share this article that I came across courtesy of <a href="http://seekersdigest.org/">SeekersDigest.org</a>. It's about the careful comsumer and <a href="http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/007630.html">watching how much we eat</a>. It focuses on the size of our servings and what influences our food choices as a society.<br /><br />Let me know your thoughts.Omairahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15237644361854133141noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4944867873544802053.post-83178816947973861532007-11-20T09:35:00.000-05:002007-11-20T09:50:24.189-05:00I love gifts :)Following up Anila's post below, I wanted to share two good resources for those planning to buy presents when visiting family and friends for the upcoming holiday weekend or 'Eid or birthdays or whenever.<br /><br />From Treehugger - How to Green Your Gifts (<a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/11/how_to_green_your_gifts.php">here</a>). The top 10 tips:<br /><ol><li>Be sure your material gift will get used</li><li>Give a consumable gift</li><li>Share a piece of yourself</li><li>Make a gift of a green service</li><li>Make a gift of any service</li><li>Give a gift where it is needed on behalf of someone better off</li><li>Creative gifts show you care</li><li>Buy a local gift</li><li>Buy high-quality goods</li><li>10. Think about your packaging</li></ol>They also publish a yearly green holiday guide (<a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/11/treehuggers_200_4.php">here</a>), for those of you that can't get away with just baking cookies, like me ;)Sanjanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804446331972896108noreply@blogger.com2