3 Ways To Make The World Healthier

The reason I work so hard to help your business thrive, is because I understand how vitally important good nutrition is to people's health.  And I see how beautifully sustainable business practices can support a healthier environment.

In addition to all the good businesses out there - like yours - there are millions of non-profit organizations working hard to make a better future.  Here are three of my favorites:

The Heifer Project

Each year we get a new set of laying hens.  And each year, my children revel in the discovery of the first pullet (young hen) egg!  Breakfast is transformed into an event as we feast on this miracle of nutrition.

The Heifer Project has been bringing this experience to families around the world - families for whom an egg, a chicken, a goat or honeybees can make the world of difference in their lives.  It's a beautiful set-up.  Each recipient family gets a female animal (chicken, goat, sheep, pig, cow, water buffalo, and more) with a contract:  They must pass on some of the female offspring to another family in need.  Each recipient becomes a donor as well. 

These new additions not only provide families with necessary nutrition, but also with a source of income as they build businesses around the animal's products.  Heifer Project personnel work closely with recipients to develop skills in sustainable agriculture, animal care, nutrition, business development and more. 

For more information about this great international program go to The Heifer Project.

The American Community Gardening Association

When I lived in New York City, I relished the respites in the concrete jungle created by community gardeners.  Not only did this intrepid bunch create oases of green, but they also created places to grow fresh vegetables, share seeds and recipes, teach the next generation about nutrition and history or simply enjoy some time with the neighbors.  At one garden I worked at in Harlem, I remember how intrigued, disgusted and excited the kids were when they discovered a worm.  What a rich place to learn and grow!

Gardening is one of the best ways for people to have control over their food, and consequently their health.  I continue to grow much of my family's food in our garden and I greatly admire the people who are working to make sure this option is available to as many people as possible.

The American Community Gardening Association works with community gardens throughout the country, in all kinds of neighborhoods - rich and poor; urban and rural; northern and southern.  While these gardens vary according to their location and gardeners, a few things are constant.  People have access to good food, green space is preserved and seeds of community are planted.

To find out more about community gardens near you or about the American Community Gardening Association click here. 

Freecycle.org

Nothing like good stuff!  Except when it piles up in your closets and starts to creep into the barn as well.  Here is a great way to get rid of good stuff without filling the landfill or organizing a yard sale.

And if you're looking for something - you might find it here as well - for FREE!

Freecycling is great system taking off in communities around the country.  Through internet forums, people post both what they want to get rid of and what they are looking for.  And hopefully, the two will meet.  And everything is FREE - you cannot charge for the items you're getting rid of.

It takes a little perusing, but you may get FREE exercise equipment, a new bed, cookware or some great books.  And you can empty out your closets and leave the barn to the barn swallows.  A note of caution:  Make sure you only arrange pickups with a buddy.

Here's where you can find the Freecycle community near you.  Happy hunting!