Posted by Tara Burner on February 25, 2009
Green Giveaway Contest has moved to it’s own domain! You can go toGreenGiveawayContest.com to enter weekly!
This week’s contest sponsored by PhysicalFitnessPlan.com
While this isn’t exactly green it will help your kids get in shape, perhaps eat better and be more active so that could result in more green activities on their part.
Shaun T and the Fit Kids are bringing the fun and fitness to help kids of every age achieve a healthy lifestyle!
Plus get snack tips, a label-reading guide, and a FREE cool wall poster!
Shaun T’s got a new workout FOR KIDS ONLY! Get down and get fit with Shaun T’s Fit Kids Club workouts for kids ages 7 and up! It’s all about sweat, strength, and FUN with mad awesome dance moves that keep you healthy and energized! It doesn’t matter what your size or shape is—or even if you can’t dance. Shaun T will teach you cool, new steps with rad music so you’ll be rockin’ out in no time! These workouts are so much fun, you won’t even feel like they’re exercise!
With a childhood obesity crisis sweeping the nation, choreographer to the stars Shaun T wanted to create a program that would get kids off the couch and on their feet. The most important thing was that these workouts had to be fun! And that’s how the Fit Kids Club program was invented. By teaching kids cool, modern dance moves these workouts never feel like exercise.
To Enter the contest to win:
Go here to enter
Posted by Tara Burner on February 24, 2009
People are talking about tankless water heaters.
Facts: Instead of wasting power to keep 30 gallons (or whatever size your tank is) of water hot all day , tankless heaters only heat water when you need it.
They also take up much less space than your typical water heater.
For more information to determine if a tankless water heater is for you, read full article here.
Posted by Tara Burner on February 22, 2009
When you’re stuck in an apartment where do you grow veggies?
In containers/pots/planters, that’s where.
Yesterday I was happy to find some long planters that were made from 100% recycled product so that was cool and even cooler was they were 1/2 the price of the others that weren’t recycled materials!
I planted green bean and radish seeds yesterday.
Trying my hand at strawberries too.
I have a lone tomato growing now and my peppers are growing!
My basil is out of control because I really need to get out there and take care of it.
While this isn’t a lot, it’s enough for me right now. I mean there’s only so much room on an apartment balcony. One of these days I’ll have a real garden, til then….it can be done in containers, pots.
Update!
Here’s a pic of the radishes. The seeds were put in on Sunday and here it is Tuesday and they’re sprouting!
I know it’ll be awhile before they’re “grown” but still they’re sprouting!
Posted by Tara Burner on February 18, 2009
This week’s give away is compliments of DonnasMailboxesAndMore.com.
This large ceramic flower pot features hand painted Tree Frog, will make a great addition to your indoor or outdoor decor. This Ceramic Flower Pot which I have poured and fired has been clear glazed inside, the outside of the flower pot has been hand painted using acrylic paint and sealed with an exterior varnish. This Flower Pot measures aprox. 7″ tall x 8″ across.The Tree Frog design is hand painted on both sides of the flower pot with smaller frogs painted on the sides. This a great looking flower pot for your home decor and what a great piece for the Frog collector to have. Please allow 7 to 10 days for your item to be handcrafted, handpainted before shipping.
To Enter the contest to win:
To enter, do the following and comment here which items you did.
The more things you do the more entries you have, and the better chance to win.
For each item you do, post a new comment:
1) Visit here and come back and list a product that’s offered from donnasmailboxesandmore.com
2) Subscribe to our feedburner then comment here that you did so.
3) Tweet on Twitter.com about the contest
4) Blog about the contest
Posted by Tara Burner on February 11, 2009
Three articles all on Obama’s decision to cancel the drilling leases and save the 130,000 acres:
Obama Overturns Lame-duck Leases
Bush-era energy drilling leases in Utah canceled
Bold Action by Department of Interior Halts Leasing of Utah Wilderness
I remember going to some of the places that may have disappeared if the drilling leases were continued to go forth.
Arches National Park…I loved it there…I was only like 10 yrs old the last time we went but it was gorgeous.
Dinosaur National Monument…again I was like 10 or so but remember finding fossils and petrified wood. Even remember that my mom stepped on a snake and totally freaked out!
Canyonlands National Park is as mind boggling as Arches National Park…the way the erosion of the land has created all the splendor that’s there to see…it’s just amazing.
Bryce Canyon National Park is an array of orange, terra cotta, red, brown and beautiful land formations.
While I have fond memories of all these parks, my kids do not. They’ve never been to any of them. Hopefully, they’ll remain so that when the time comes for us to travel that way my kids and more to follow will be able to marvel at the natural wonders.
Instead of drilling and destroying what little land we have preserved, why not focus on alternative means of energy! That’d be too simple?
Posted by Tara Burner on
This week’s prize is a Green Baggu Reusable Bag as pictured below, compliments of onlinegreendirectory.com
Baggu Bags are made from super strong, rip‐stop nylon, so each bag holds up to about 25 lbs.
They are also super‐light, weighing only 2 oz, and fold into a flat 5 by 5 inch pouch that easily slips in a purse or pocket so you can have one with you all the time or slip 6 into your purse when you are off to the supermarket.
One Baggu holds the contents of 2 to 3 plastic grocery bags.
Baggu Bag handles are the perfect length: you can hold them in your hand, on your forearm, or over your shoulder.
Baggu bags have a nice big gusset in the bottom so they will sit flat when they are filled.
To Enter the contest to win:
To enter, do the following and comment here which items you did.
The more things you do the more entries you have, and the better chance to win.
For each item you do, post a new comment:
1) Visit here and come back and list a category or a product that’s listed on OnlineGreenDirectory .
2) Subscribe to our feedburner then comment here that you did so.
3) Tweet on Twitter.com about the contest
4) Blog about the contest
Posted by Tara Burner on
Expertise: noun
expert skill or knowledge; expertness; know-how: business expertise.
Knowledge: noun
Acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as from study or investigation; general erudition: knowledge of many things.
Experience: noun
knowledge or practical wisdom gained from what one has observed, encountered, or undergone: a man of experience.
As you can see, all three of the above go hand in hand.
They all take time to obtain.
They are all are valuable.
So, why then do people think they can get it for free?
Free: adjective
provided without, or not subject to, a charge or payment
As you can see, free is the opposite of the other definitions.
Lately there have been many who want knowledge, expertise, wisdom handed to them for free.
Why would they think that would happen?
As Denise Michaels discusses in her book, girls were taught to be nice, don’t toot your own horn and other traits similar.
Is this why so many women call or email other women thinking that they’ll be given information, knowledge, expertise for free? Because the one they’re seeking information from should “be nice”…is that why?
This morning I posted on Twitter about a woman who called me seeking free expertise and advise, then got mad when it wasn’t given to her. She got even madder when I told her she could pay for my advise and knowledge.
I loved some of the comments from others on Twitter.
Teresa Berger commented: a lawyer, doctor or accountant wouldn’t give free support; people don’t always value others time
Dr Mommy commented: I hear ya! time & experience = money…but only valuable to those willing to pay
and there were others as well.
So, those people grasp that time is money…knowledge is money.
This happens often…a person wants to know how to do something or wants advice. They’ll pick up the phone or email you wanting it…but wanting it for free. Perhaps I’m from a different “place”, but I’d never ask anyone in business how to do something or expect information for free. Experience and knowledge are worthy commodities. They cost people time, money, and life lessons…living it, learning it, knowing it are worth money to those who want to take the easy way out by asking for free help.
I mean, yes there are groups, networks, blogs, etc that will help with different aspects of life, business, etc. for free.
That’s totally cool, shoot I even offer free stress relief tips via blog, as well as free advice on getinshapestayinshape.com along with free green advice. So, yes there is some free advice and help that’s easily accessible to those who want it.
But, that doesn’t mean that you can pick up the phone and call someone and pick their brain for free. First, that takes time. Time is money. The time one spends on the phone for free they could have been spent doing other tasks that earn them money. The knowledge one has probably comes from years of education that they paid for or for life experiences that they have been through…both having a monetary value.
If you’re starting a company on your own, you really should have knowledge and experience in the particular field.
If you’re going to work as a consultant, distributor, representative for another company then that company should be training you or educating you on the product/service you are going to be providing.
Three people this week so far have contacted me wanting free advice on how to either open a green company, work their own company or how to incorporate green consulting into their existing company. Ironically when I explained that I’d be more than glad to help them…for a fee…they all backed down from my offer. One was via email, at least she was nice about it and understood. Two have been via phone and not so nice…one screaming and then getting sarcastic…the other, went into a cussing rampage..he then heard the phone hanging up in his ear!
This morning a woman called me at 8 a.m. to ask if I’d give her advice and explain to her how to market her green product and help her with her green company. I was in the mood to see where she was going…normally I get people off the phone immediately when it sounds like a spam sales pitch, etc.
But, I asked her what type of product she had and she said “xxx green”
(i’m using xxx in lieu of the company name because I refuse to give publicity to a company that looks like a farce, has no info up on their site and from the ‘conversation’ with this woman, has clueless people repping for them).
I said: “that doesn’t tell me what type of products you have, you just told me the company”
her: “I offer xxx green products”
me: “again, you’re not telling me anything about what you do or offer. The company name doesn’t mean or tell anything”
her: “they have enzymes”
me: “Ok, see here’s your problem..you haven’t a clue what you’re selling or perhaps you do and you just don’t understand a simple question of what type of products are you offering”
her: “they’re green”
me: “ok, again…what type of green products are you offering?”
her: “xxx green”
now do you see where this is going?? NOWHERE! The woman was totally clueless.
me: “ok, not sure why you’re having a hard time answering a simple question…what type of products do you sell specifically?”
her: “I’m sorry if I’m bothering you so early in the morning”
me: “8 is not early but you don’t know what you even have…that’s what’s bothering me”
her: “I have xxx green products”
me: “yes so you’ve said that numerous times now but you can’t tell me what the actual product is!”
her: “it’s green”
Then a pause because at this point I just want to laugh or scream…not sure which to do yet.
She then proceeds to tell me she’s a nurse, blah blah blah blah…ok and that somehow this makes a difference?
Now, normally like I said I’d have hung up a long time ago but this morning I apparently was into self abuse or something because I continued on with the woman.
Now, unbeknownst to her I had already vaguely heard of a new “green” company that was launching mid Feb but the company doesn’t have info on their site and reeks of being something similar to “melaleuca companies and teams” that are evasive in their business dealings. This may’ve been the reason I tried to draw her out more…who knows…maybe it was just because I had nothing else entertaining to do at 8 a.m.
I asked her if it was “cleaning products by chance”
and her response: “yes, that’s what green products are!”
When she made that comment, it about blew my mind! I couldn’t believe that people thought that way?! And, perhaps her comment about being a nurse made me laugh even harder because most people think that nurses would be semi-educated. And, that comment just blew me away!
me: “ummmm yea…your company REALLY needs to educate you or you need to pay for green coaching because cleaning products are NOT the only green product there is”
her: “xxx green products are green”
me: “Ok, I’m done here…you have a choice…pay my hourly rate for coaching or tell the owners of xxx green that they really really need to educate you”
and here’s where she started screaming! “well if you don’t want to help, just say that”
me: “I’ve already told you the options, ma’am. Time is money, knowledge is money. If you want my time and advice, it costs”
her..still yelling: “I thought you’d be nicer”
me: “I am being nice, I’ve already established you know nothing about the product you’re offering and have no intentions on paying for help either”
her: “I thought green people were supposed to be nice…well God bless you”
Now this is the thing….I’m white/tan..not green…I do live a green lifestyle though as much as I can being stuck in an apartment. I do educate others on living a green lifestyle, I do know my services and products. I do want the environment to be improved upon. I’ve gone to trainings which cost money, I’ve gone to school which also cost money, I’ve bought countless books which cost money, I’ve done what it takes to learn and continue to learn on a daily basis and here’s a woman yelling at me because I won’t hold her hand and help her for free!?
The final note of “well..God bless you” always gets me, because while I’m Christian I know the difference in someone’s tone of being genuine and wanting to pour blessings on me and the ones who use that as a last comment with a touch of sarcasm and a hint that somehow they’re “better” because this comment means they are Christian and because I’m not being nice I must not be?! And, my come back to that is the same as it always is…”yes ma’am God does bless me…every day, thank you”…CLICK.
Now, some may be reading this and saying “hey Tara, you just messed yourself out of a paying coaching client”
ummm..no….she never had any intention on paying…that was evident…though she needs it…badly.
Sadly, she is the type of person who gives green a bad name. She hasn’t a clue about her product, hasn’t a clue that there are countless green products besides cleaning products. She really needs help in that area yet will she get it?? Who knows…the company should train people, she should get some training on her own as well…but will she spend the money needed to do that…I doubt it. Sad.
This all goes hand in hand with a previous blog of mine about knowing what’s going on in your business and like my dear friend Laurie Ayers says…. “read the manual” and know what you’re talking about when doing business!
and now I’m off my soapbox!
Opportunity is missed by most because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. ~ Thomas Edison
Posted by Tara Burner on February 10, 2009
February 14th, Valentine’s Day, is quickly approaching.
It’s a day for love.
Here are some interesting stats about Valentine’s Day:
~~25% of card sales are for Valentine’s…consider sending an ecard instead to be green or making your own.
~~over 36 million heart shaped boxes of candy are sold for Valentine’s…consider sending organic chocolate.
~~10% of engagements happen on Valentine’s Day…consider wood rings.
What are you doing to celebrate?
Are you expecting gifts?
Are you the type that wants perfume, chocolate, flowers or do you prefer other types of gifts?
Not that I’m getting anything for Valentine’s Day but I’d not want any of that, give me something useful any day!
Ok, so I’m weird like that. Hmmm perhaps that’s why there’s nobody giving me anything! lol
Are you giving gifts?
If you’re giving…are you giving green, eco friendly gifts?
Need help…try giving some of these:
organic gift bags, Fairtrade items, organic chocolate, eating locally, giving organic or live flowers, organic bamboo sheets…the list goes on.
Are you going to propose? Instead of a diamond, consider wood rings.
What are you doing to be green for Valentine’s Day?
Are you staying home for a relaxing romantic dinner? Making a personal special Valentine’s card? eating locally? buying living flowers? what…
Post in comments section and you might be the lucky winner of a surprise green gift.
Posted by Tara Burner on February 4, 2009
This week’s contest winner will win a hand painted funky fish tote bag.
It’s a Hand Painted Canvas Tote Bag featuring a cute Funky Fish Design. The design is hand painted on both sides of the tote bag using acrylic paint and fabric medium, making this bag hand washable. This canvas tote bag measures aprox. 14″ wide x 13″ long. Each Canvas tote bag is individually hand painted at time of order so color may vary slightly. This canvas tote bag would make a wonderful gift for friends or family.
To Enter the contest to win:
To enter, do the following and comment here which items you did.
The more things you do the more entries you have, and the better chance to win.
For each item you do, post a new comment:
1) Visit here and come back and list a product that’s offered from donnasmailboxesandmore.com .
2) Subscribe to our feedburner then comment here that you did so.
3) Tweet on Twitter.com about the contest
4) Blog about the contest
Posted by Tara Burner on February 3, 2009
Philippians 4:10-14
10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ,[c] who gives me strength. 14 Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.
I saw a sign today that said “Faith makes it possible…not easy”.
That was so appropriate for the day.
After my post about blessings, I’ve been getting hit with “attacks from the enemy” and yet I continue on in faith. Like the sign said “not easy” but yet with faith it is possible. So… I do what I do every day, stand in faith for His blessings, guidance, wisdom, protection, favor for myself, family, loved ones, those who don’t know Him that one day they would come to know Him and experience the blessings.
At the same time I stand in faith, I also have learned to be content with where I am and what I have. It hasn’t been easy, that’s for sure…again with the “easy” aspect. I’ve finally, after years, figured out to be content with the now because God has something bigger in store and while we can only see where we currently are, He knows what lies ahead for us. So, we have to stand in faith, trusting for blessings and continue to be content with what we have in the here and now, knowing that He provides all our needs. So, if you’re stuck and not sure why things are the way they are…don’t worry…go to Him, pray, seek guidance and trust in Him that the now isn’t necessarily what it appears to be.
