tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67683163866272341052011-04-21T15:44:31.156-04:00Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.comBlogger681100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-26251912717065097692009-04-22T16:01:00.006-04:002009-04-23T10:28:29.680-04:00

Next time you mail some bad news, you can still come out smelling like roses. Or at least like a Snap Dragon.Plantable paper from Botanical Paperworks is embedded with wildflower seeds and made of 100% recycled material. When you're done with the paper, you simply drop it in soil, water it and wait for the color.So you can help the paper return to its roots - literally - while getting your point

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-44235786936922008692009-04-22T13:18:00.001-04:002009-04-22T13:19:14.502-04:00

No soapbox. Day speaks for itself. Now go out and try not to do too much damage.HOW NOT TO MARKET EARTH DAY TO KIDS.

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-3602816227622163042009-04-10T16:35:00.003-04:002009-04-10T16:40:01.892-04:00

Are you using enough coconut alcohol ethoxylate when cleaning your house? Or maybe too much? Who knows what chemical concoctions swirl around in those canisters, casks, jugs, jiggers, buckets and bottles we stuff under the sink. I assume the lab coats do. Maybe.Even if you can pronounce names on the ingredients list, you're irritated by a cloudy stink of "what the heck is that?"

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-23777347088462360452009-03-26T15:22:00.006-04:002009-03-26T15:41:44.517-04:00

Besides your socks, your hair and the occasional significant other, some changes can affect your life more than others can.According to the Better World Shopping Guide, diligent decisions are doubly divine when buying these product categories. They have the biggest impact on people and the planet:BankGasolineSupermarketRetail StoresCarSeafoodChocolateCoffeeCredit CardsCleaning Products

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-91397724402765323352009-03-13T11:32:00.003-04:002009-03-13T11:45:50.385-04:00

Thousands of years ago, Roman coins could have passed through some unsavory hands. Tax collectors, corrupt senators, pirates, slave owners - even this guy. How ironic is it that today these same coins could save the lives of children?This is just plain cool: At the Child Health Site Store, you can buy an ancient Roman coin for $10. Each coin you buy funds health services to save or improve the

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-16727317398261572032009-03-10T13:43:00.007-04:002009-03-10T14:25:20.110-04:00

Who knew that a Ugandan caterer was a better investment than my 401k? About a year ago, I joined my first Kiva loan, to Zaituni Mudoobi's group of caterers in Kireka, Uganda. 44 of us made a total loan of $1,350 (my share was only $25). At the time, I wondered if it'd really be paid off. A year later, I have my answer. Yep.My own house payments were never this regular. The last payment of $112.50

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-90372758303521599922009-03-06T14:16:00.003-05:002009-03-06T15:18:28.357-05:00

I like my toilet paper fluffy and my tush pampered. None of that rest-stop rag in my house, not when I can freshen up with silken pillow clouds while cottony cherubs massage my delicate skin. But how much is that little extra comfort worth?The public's perception problem with recycled toilet paper isn't so much the cost as the causticity. Fiber from live trees can be fluffed more and softened up.

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-53589787344364401682009-02-24T15:25:00.005-05:002009-02-24T16:08:10.151-05:00

Organic Valley Family of Farms produces batches of gourmet butter that win awards all over the world. It's completely organic and part of a small family farmer-owned cooperative. Now, I know what you're thinking: "They give out awards for butter?"I guess when you take extra care to raise dairy animals the right way, with organic feed and pastures, your product is going to contain extra yum. The

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-78902897349287954092009-02-13T09:29:00.003-05:002009-02-13T10:21:15.948-05:00

Here's your good turn for today: share this site with a bunch of your friends. See that little green icon in the right sidebar that looks like conjoined tadpoles? It's a ShareThis button. It's under the the subhead that says "Share a Good Turn with a Friend." (Well, you might not see it I guess. For some unexplained reason, it simply doesn't show up sometimes. Kind of hit or miss. It's the

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-50962993710628143412009-02-12T15:59:00.009-05:002009-02-12T16:38:03.420-05:00

Speaking of chocolate... found a captivating slideshow that tells the story of much of the world's chocolate. Stripped of romance, it's a cutting reminder that we need to make sure the entire chocolate chain is doing their best to improve working conditions.See "Chocolate's Not-So-Sweet Side" at msnbc.com.West Africa produces the biggest pile of cocoa in the world - 40% comes from small farms in

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-6596210423356016652009-02-06T14:37:00.007-05:002009-02-06T15:54:54.500-05:00

I'll spare you the dog-tired, extra-toothy Valentine's Day carnival schtick ("It's that time of year again guys!" or "Love is in the air" or "Cupid is aiming his arro -- okay, make it STOP!!!)Let's just get straight to the point, because you're busy and... well... your lady is serious about chocolate. Very serious. Here's how it works:Chocolate = yummyGood chocolate = Good timesExtra good

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-86007079837459625762009-02-04T16:46:00.005-05:002009-02-04T17:01:27.965-05:00

Meat, for lack of a better word, is good. Meat is right. Meat works. Can you tell I like meat? I'll never be a vegetarian, but they may be onto something. Eating LESS meat may be good too. Good for the land. Good for the gut. Good for poor people around the world.Here are some recipes that do more flavor-packing than meat-packing. They all include meat. They just include less.Take my beloved beef

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-88480704959512139492009-01-22T14:57:00.002-05:002009-01-23T14:27:16.785-05:00

No finished basement is complete without some sort of dead animal parts, right? A skin, a head, a fish, a tooth, a paw, a tusk, or even your beloved Bowser stuffed on the hearth.If you're looking for that finishing piece for the wood panel - but aren't too keen on hunting - might try a 3D rhino head puzzle from Cardboard Safari. Or deer. Or bison. Or moose.Every puzzle is made from 100% recycled,

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-47553300571456411602009-01-16T16:23:00.001-05:002009-01-16T16:27:39.023-05:00

Broken glass can do more than help celebrate Jewish weddings or bloody up Bruce Willis' bare feet while he strafes bad guys in an LA highrise. Broken glass can help you eat. And it can do it beautifully.It's been said that a glass bottle takes about 1 million years to decompose. May or may not be true, but the point is that glass would be much more useful on your kitchen table than on the side of

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-82928209108212759572009-01-13T12:05:00.002-05:002009-01-13T12:06:44.504-05:00

When we give to a non-profit or charitable program, we like to know that it's on the up and up. People don't want to feel used or perpetuate the problem - is the money really going to buy rice for those barefoot kids or am I just funding a new Bentley for their "leader"? Personally, I also like to know whether the program works or not. Here's the problem: cynicism in many cases can cost lives.

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-47494112064611477942009-01-09T10:08:00.002-05:002009-01-13T12:09:53.541-05:00

If you want something that an elephant produces to hang on your wall, it'd normally involve ivory or something a little smellier. Maybe a lot smellier.But at a special camp in Thailand, rescued elephants learn to paint, and you can pick up a print of your own. At the very least, you have to watch the video of one elephant in action. Amazing.Proceeds are used to keep their native habitats as well

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-72531984022267858812009-01-08T15:37:00.002-05:002009-01-08T16:10:21.493-05:00

Six months of procrastination - check. Glad I got that over with.Calling it a sabbatical is so much more impressive than calling it laziness. Fact is, I haven't posted in six months. It wasn't a case of burnout as much as it was simply not having two-hour windows to devote to each post. Yes I know I write slow, but I am what I am. It just got too easy to put off posting until tomorrow or next

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-75071068384335487832008-07-12T21:52:00.003-04:002008-07-12T22:07:13.757-04:00

We're almost halfway there! Another payment of $113 was posted on our microloan to Zaituni Mudoobi and her catering group in Kireka, Uganda this week. The loan is now 42% paid off and every payment has been on time.Even better, with some smart shopping and a few gift certificates, I've been able to help spread the genius of Kiva. Now I feel responsible for not just one business, but three.My

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-27367267419606679742008-07-11T15:32:00.001-04:002008-07-11T17:08:29.645-04:00

THE ISSUE:Don't hate me because I'm tan. Don't resent me because I'm relaxed. Don't mock my souvenir T's or wish hot death to rain down upon my sea-sponged shoulders because I seem to have forgotten what a hectic, horrible, dangerous, filth-ridden, mean, harsh, unhappy, back-breaking toilet the world really is - not to mention the rancid meatheads who occupy it. I'm simply too at peace to argue

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-6950479690033803982008-06-18T12:53:00.000-04:002008-06-18T12:54:13.709-04:00

While US companies and Asian society catch most of the blame, child labor is a global issue in every sense. The list below offers up just a few of the product categories - and sources - that have been accused of exploiting or abusing children. Of course, it's not a complete list and just because you see "Made in Bangladesh" on the label, it doesn't mean your shirt was weaved by tiny exploited

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-44920898808189500592008-06-16T16:29:00.000-04:002008-06-16T16:30:13.451-04:00

THE ISSUE:Cars drove out the horse and buggy for good reason. They were faster than horses, easier to control and (except for my brother's car) smelled better. But they haven't beaten the bicycle. Bikes were around long before the Model A ruled the 30's and will be around long after the last 280Z finally succumbs to seagull droppings. If anything, cars are starting to lose the battle. In 1965,

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-58612728414972619132008-06-11T10:05:00.004-04:002008-06-12T08:44:31.296-04:00

THE ISSUE:This is one campaign I can really throw my weight behind. All 200 pounds of beer belly momentum. This summer, for every Miller Lite bottle cap collected, the brewer will donate 10 cents to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). The MDA fights more than 40 neuromuscular diseases - including Lou Gehrig's Disease - that attack millions of people. Most people my age (38) grew up watching

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-67854021964760241422008-06-09T21:56:00.008-04:002008-06-11T09:38:50.614-04:00

Here's a fun little eye-opener quiz:How long does it take these items to biodegrade? Put them in order from shortest time to longest time. Go ahead, I'll wait...- Tin Can- Disposable Diaper- Plastic 6-pack Holder- Paper- Wool Cap- Aluminum Can- Glass Bottles- Rubber Boot Sole- Banana Peel- Cigarette Butt- Hard Plastic Container For answers, go to the Mothers Fighting for Others site.

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-73342973746447979492008-06-07T17:09:00.005-04:002008-06-07T22:52:03.789-04:00

THE ISSUE:Nothing says "love" like a diamond. And apparently, nothing says "soulless, worthless piece of crap" like not having a diamond. But not all ice is clear. Some of it's badly stained.You've probably heard of "conflict-free" diamonds. It means the UN vouches that the country of origin doesn't use diamond funds to pay for civil wars or other conflicts. It's a good start, but not good

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-14301393317729439432008-06-04T13:17:00.000-04:002008-06-04T13:18:29.636-04:00

I'm not a vegetarian by any stretch of the imagination. And you know what? That's okay. I've made my peace with it. Because I know that we all - carnivores and herbivores alike - share one belief in common: that cows have the innate right to fight for their own freedom.This is the most inspiring piece of bovine propoganda I've ever seen. After watching it 3-4 times (like I did this morning),

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-87999810702097619352008-06-01T11:49:00.002-04:002008-06-01T11:56:08.481-04:00

Another payment of $113 was posted on our microloan to Zaituni Mudoobi and her catering group in Kireka, Uganda. The loan is now 33% paid off and every payment has been on time. Here's a very thoughtful post on why microloans like Kiva are growing in popularity. Could it be as simple as the fact that EVERYTHING about the experience reeks of positive energy?For background, here's my original post

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-31531683976571392252008-05-30T11:11:00.004-04:002008-05-30T11:20:46.729-04:00

THE ISSUE:You may have noticed a little item in the news lately about gas prices rising slightly higher. Over dinner, we watch in horror as the local news exposes the daily price tag felony. Never mind that the tomato in our dinner salad probably had to travel about 1,500 miles to be the object of an indignant fork stabbing.Most produce has been ridden hard over the nation's highways, airways and

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-17769557448745145182008-05-27T16:12:00.003-04:002008-05-29T16:51:43.788-04:00

I never said I knew everything about showing the environment some love. Apparently, MSNBC.com agrees that I have a lot to learn.For all you eco-knowitalls out there, try this quiz:HOW ECO-SAVVY ARE YOU?You'll be grilled on everything from batteries and bottled water to banking. The encouraging thing is that over half of the people who took the quiz scored an 80% or better. That means people are

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-64280910138755128882008-05-21T17:04:00.008-04:002008-05-21T22:22:15.321-04:00

Before I begin, let me get one thing straight: I'm NOT trying to stomp on a cherished bit of childhood memory. Guilt sucks. THE ISSUE:Went to a restaurant the other night with my three-year-old. She got her three-crayon pack and placemat maze and I got my rum and coke. When we left, the maze and drink(s) were done. But the crayons were still there, almost brand new. It didn't feel right to throw

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-32551200387305062162008-05-20T12:15:00.005-04:002008-05-20T13:40:25.423-04:00

THE ISSUE:I voted today. Got my sticker and everything to prove it. But maybe I shouldn't have.I thought I was doing the right thing. Wrote myself a reminder note. Left the house early to drop my daughter with the babysitter. Made a point to reroute my commute. Waited (semi-patiently) while the volunteer clerk couldn't find my name in the ledger. (Hint for next time: don't look for "Kramer" under

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-77616302259477567972008-05-16T15:02:00.009-04:002008-05-21T21:57:17.780-04:00

THE ISSUE:Some magazines never die. I'm not talking about the retreads in your doctor's waiting room or the lining of your birdcage. I'm talking about magazines that get recycled and thus become immortal.Keeping magazines alive can be a big deal. The September 2007 issue of Vogue weighed in with a whopping 727 pages of advertising. That's not 272 pages. That's 727. Of ads. Since centerfolds

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-32479554250342071152008-05-14T14:40:00.006-04:002008-05-14T14:52:57.624-04:00

THE ISSUE:A friend of mine once had a cat, I forget his name. All I remember is that he was around forever and he was really, really fat (the cat, not my friend). Looked like he swallowed a football. One day I noticed that the cat was just staring out the window for over an hour, didn't move a muscle.Turns out the mangy critter had passed on to Kitty Heaven and my friend had had the cat stuffed.

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-4895932953053868812008-05-07T16:24:00.003-04:002008-05-07T16:29:44.090-04:00

This is more than just a commemorative day like Barbershop Quartet Day or International Bandana Day where you're simply asked to "observe" something. World Fair Trade Day is more like a celebration. A day of events and festivities saluting fair trade and everything it means. It's an international statement that our purchases can stand for something - but not stand on someone.Find a World Fair

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-15912757613298984882008-04-30T12:34:00.004-04:002008-04-30T12:44:03.389-04:00

Like clockwork, another payment of $113 was posted on our microloan to Zaituni Mudoobi and her catering group in Kireka, Uganda.The loan is now 25% paid off, right on time. Guess I shouldn't be surprised. The Kiva field partner for this loan, BRAC Uganda, has only been working with Kiva for 4 months, but is already helping 747 entrepreneurs and has a 0% delinquency rate.For background, here's my

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-64293730780463850792008-04-28T16:51:00.006-04:002008-04-29T11:44:55.500-04:00

THE ISSUE:The office where I work uses more paper than a diarretic elephant. We go go through more ink than Tommy Lee's tattoo guy. If printing and copying were Olympic sports, we'd be getting tested for performance enhancing bull elk testosterone. In other words, we do it a lot.So I started thinking of ways to use paper less epic-ly.THE GOOD TURN:Here are a few ideas (some original, some

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-53059530307861897972008-04-24T11:01:00.005-04:002008-04-25T11:17:01.881-04:00

I'm a little frustrated right now. Not with the blog, I love this stuff. It's just so hard to pin down what's going on sometimes. Today, I read about a bishop in Guatemala who's supposedly getting death threats based on his opposition to Goldcorp mining activities. Now, I don't know if the allegations are true or whether GC had anything to do with it. But that's not really why I'm frustrated. My

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-72211642137219252192008-04-20T21:20:00.010-04:002008-11-12T23:47:51.061-05:00

THE ISSUE:"Organic" is an easy term to throw around. Smells like the latest advertising buzz word, right? Right up there with "green," "light," "new," and "eco-friendly." I needed to know - can I remain safely cynical and skeptical, or start to trust "organic" as a buying feature? When I looked into it, I was surprised in a couple of big ways.THE GOOD TURN:The first surprise: there's only one way

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-45525439791090260982008-04-17T12:10:00.006-04:002008-04-18T09:10:40.098-04:00

I'm a capitalist. There, I said it. I love how it fills the needs of millions of people efficiently. I love seeing talent used to the fullest ability, to innovate, experiment and try new things. I love giving freedom and fuel to the entrepreneurial spirit. No other system can motivate large groups of people to fill the needs of others so well.BUT, I don't believe corporations can just do whatever

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-29217255288112072952008-04-16T20:41:00.004-04:002008-04-16T22:17:06.398-04:00

Fair Trade. It's a loaded catchphrase, declaring proudly that workers are being paid a fair wage. Well, exactly how fair is "fair"? One man's plenty is another man's pittance. Next time you're buying handmade goods from around the globe, I found a hot little tool that can help.It's called the Fair Wage Guide. If you know some basic info about the piece and where it came from, you can learn how

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-9358936498511820222008-04-10T16:48:00.004-04:002008-04-10T16:56:34.132-04:00

THE ISSUE:Being a kid is tough enough. Being a kid with a medical problem is even tougher. But being a kid with a medical problem that makes your hair fall out? That's bordering on unfair. Imagine being an insecure teenager trying to grow up bald. Or (sometimes even worse) wearing an ill-fitting, taped-on, obviously fake wig that could slip off or be pulled off at just the wrong time. Swimming,

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-61622758655620939842008-03-31T21:21:00.004-04:002008-03-31T22:27:58.238-04:00

Some companies are genuinely interested in doing the right thing. Other companies know their actions smell a bit dicey and feel badly, so they paint their crap pink and call it a cupcake. And then there are companies who'd push their grandmother down a staircase for her bingo money, post a video of it on YouTube, and laugh into their mimosas while you write scathing letters to the editor. All

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-17868708304576153132008-03-31T21:05:00.003-04:002008-03-31T21:19:11.447-04:00

Two months, two loan payments right on time. Another $113 was just posted to Kiva.org for our loan to Zaituni Mudoobi and her group for her catering/restaurant business in Kireka, Uganda.The businesswomen haven't posted any journal entries yet, it'd be interesting to hear directly from them about their experiences and success.Don't confuse Kiva with a "donation" loan. This is a REAL loan and the

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-31148157908037597922008-03-22T10:54:00.003-04:002008-03-22T17:07:44.546-04:00

THE ISSUE:Auctions are about winning. Silent auctions, online auctions, live auctions - that moment between bid and gavel can make your heart race and your palms sweat. You get something cool and unique, and if you do well, you get it at a solid price. What if you could make it even more fun by supporting a cause you believe in?THE GOOD TURN:Now, auctions are about winning for a good cause. Next

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-37337832485547025812008-03-21T11:06:00.004-04:002008-03-21T11:14:29.714-04:00

THE ISSUE:People with just two hands, a thin wallet and arms tired from being pulled in several directions (like myself) can feel helpless in the face of enormous issues. That's why this site exists.And there's probably no bigger issue than the tens of millions living in makeshift slum communities around the world. That's pretty intimidating for one person to take on.THE GOOD TURN:Thankfully, I

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-60125830859908629502008-03-13T14:32:00.007-04:002008-03-13T14:45:45.559-04:00

THE ISSUE:Paper or plastic? Sort of like asking whether you'd like your eyes glued shut or your tongue stapled. Or asking which of your children you love more. There's no right answer. I found an excellent media show on MSNBC.com that shows just how hard this choice can be. I thought it was a simple choice - would you rather have toxic landfills or wipe out some more trees? Apparently, not even

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-56166446100389280462008-03-02T14:10:00.010-05:002008-03-13T14:46:22.702-04:00

THE ISSUE:Choosing a wine is tough enough already. Flavor, color, finish, aroma, palate, viscosity, clarity, intensity, character, dryness, acidity, body, fruit, temperature, vintage, age -- is it fair to throw Fair Trade into the mix? But in many developing countries, grape farmers and workers are dependant on low incomes that often don't cover labor and production costs. I think how it's made

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-67809430954030651302008-03-02T12:43:00.003-05:002008-03-02T12:51:20.251-05:00

Not too long ago, I joined 43 other people from around the world to loan $1,350 to Zaituni Mudoobi and her group for her catering/restaurant business in Kireka, Uganda. We did it through Kiva.org, an online company that arranges microloans for thousands of businesses in developing countries.We just got our first loan payment: $113 right on time! If all goes well at this rate, the loan could be

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-63877440734235683122008-02-19T21:33:00.005-05:002008-02-22T16:35:31.694-05:00

Recycling's easy, right? You chuck newspapers, cardboard and plastic bottles in those green recycle bins and take it out to the curb once a week. What else can you do?Turns out, PLENTY. You can recycle more than you think -- if you know how. Everything from VHS tapes and computers to wire hangers and those little packing peanuts. This article explains how to recycle anything.My favorites:-- Dead

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-63591163143242102252008-02-17T13:48:00.005-05:002008-02-17T15:01:10.244-05:00

THE ISSUE:When you buy a vase at an import store conglomerate, do you really feel connected to the fingers that actually touched the clay? When you pick up a fabulous bamboo chest at the mall department store, do you put much thought into the brains behind the beauty? Chances are, probably not. That's not a dig, just human nature. It's natural for us to put more value into items that we feel

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-43239051144525187642008-01-31T21:52:00.000-05:002008-02-01T20:15:41.689-05:00

THE ISSUE:Who has time to read anymore? 237 channels and endless web gems of insight (like this) fight with the published word and usually win. Anymore, a book in the hand is as rare as an poignant episode of Joanie Loves Chaci. But what if we lost the ability to read simply from neglect? Seriously. What if the literate parts of our brains just unwrinkled and shriveled up like Carrot Top's career

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-44947972419778762102008-01-30T21:38:00.000-05:002008-01-30T22:15:49.857-05:00

My first microloan through Kiva just got distributed today! A couple weeks ago, I loaned $25 to a team of caterers in Kireka, Uganda (Oliver Nabawuka, Elizabeth Namanda, Margret Nabukera, Zulaika Nabakooza, Zaituni Mudoobi). Here's a pic and a little more about them. Zaituni (I believe she's the one on the right in the photo) owns a small restaurant. The groups asked for $1,350 in part so they

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-87087683694068199502008-01-25T11:40:00.000-05:002008-02-01T20:18:57.127-05:00

THE ISSUE:There's a fine line between being realistic and selling out. My last post begged America to stop drinking bottled water, in part because of the millions of barrels of oil it takes to make the damned things. Realistic? Probably not. Like it or not, bottled water is here to stay. Best we can do is get people to drink less.So am I selling out to suggest that -- if you insist on drinking

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-49861422417085154872008-01-16T14:58:00.000-05:002008-02-01T20:20:02.543-05:00

THE ISSUE:Bottled water is a classic double-edged sword. After years of being nagged into drinking more water, we are - to the tune of 8.25 billion gallons of BOTTLED water alone in 2006.Sounds great for our health, right? Except that means over 70 million little plastic bottles are hitting the US market every day. And of those 70 million, only 14% are getting recycled. That's 60 million bottles

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-90658249747118150812008-01-03T22:12:00.000-05:002008-02-01T20:20:25.798-05:00

THE ISSUE:Being an entrepreneur is tough enough. Now imagine trying to keep that business afloat in a developing country where local money lenders can easily charge annual rates of 60%-800%. When you need more fabric, feed or fruit, where do you turn to help your business survive, much less grow? Makes it tough to become economically independent, doesn't it?THE GOOD TURN:Making a one-time

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-83242726861075402272007-12-27T15:23:00.000-05:002008-02-01T20:21:19.941-05:00

THE ISSUE:Bananas aren't funny anymore. Can't enjoy a monkey or well-timed sight gag now without remembering reports of wrecked rain forests, intimidated workers and corporate corruption on a multinational level.For years, huge banana companies have been accused of worker and environment exploitation, with reports pouring out of Costa Rican, Ecuadorian and Panamanian plantations. Everything from

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-16718639999562093992007-12-20T22:47:00.000-05:002008-01-05T22:03:13.781-05:00

Someone sent me this article from the NY Times last week and it felt like the writer had been eavesdropping on my morning commute musings. Mainly, it talks about how "buying green" has become so mainstream that it's practically trendy. Problem is, most people aren't equipped to evaluate the claims of "eco-friendly" products.Here's a quick peek:"No matter how sincere fashion designers may be in

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-20473813252422857752007-12-16T13:12:00.000-05:002008-01-05T22:03:34.616-05:00

THE ISSUE:Part of the fun of being a kid is running around barefoot, letting the mud squish between your toes and the cool grass massage your soles. But it's not quite as fun when you have cuts and blisters that get infected because you have no shoes to wear. It's what many kids in the world face, but we rarely think of shoes as a health issue.THE GOOD TURN:TOMS Shoes has a simple answer - for

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-45148883170862130322007-12-11T20:34:00.000-05:002008-01-05T21:59:32.682-05:00

THE ISSUE:Used to be that "going green" meant buying a pair of Birkenstocks, throwing on a hemp poncho and getting knee deep in murky compost. But now hard core has gone mainstream. Now "green" means so much more. In fact, the term has grown to stand for social and economic justice, and community and environmental health. When you think about it, a "green" business could sell just about anything

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-20908073004898452692007-12-05T20:22:00.000-05:002008-01-05T22:01:28.085-05:00

THE ISSUE:Let's try something. Let's try to forget about politics. Forget about WMDs, flimsy intelligence reports, rhetoric and exit strategies. Let's forget about pre-election posturing. Let's forget for a moment whether you're left or right, red or blue, a Hillary hater or Bush basher. There's one simple fact that we can all relate to: hundreds of thousands of US servicemen and servicewomen

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-53021733015062333992007-11-29T14:33:00.000-05:002008-01-05T21:39:01.048-05:00

THE ISSUE:Real Christmas trees are making a comeback. Last year, nearly 29 million households decorated a real tree for the holidays, according to the Nat'l Christmas Tree Association -- yes Virginia, there really is an NCTA. Personally, I've always hated fake trees out of principle; plus anything fake means paint, chemicals and plastic. So I'd say this is good news.But they have to grow them

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-73720611724271244862007-11-24T13:21:00.000-05:002008-01-05T21:58:48.287-05:00

Here's a chance to buy high quality, fairly traded handcrafts and gourmet food items from disadvantaged artisans and farmers all over the world. It's the Work of Human Hands program. And a look through their catalog will present hundreds of beautiful, unique handcrafted gift ideas. All at very reasonable prices that are also fair to the people who create the items.Click here to get their latest

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-61799783925166122242007-11-24T12:47:00.000-05:002008-01-05T21:34:50.295-05:00

THE ISSUE:The word "environment" pops up in conversation and the rest can often become white noise. Seems like we're hit over the head with so many calamitous and guilt-ridden stories, they begin to lose meaning faster than a Teletubby Christmas special. I mean, when you're continually told that you're responsible for wiping out 37 species today, your ability to hear and understand can wear a

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-3793382482035276152007-11-22T22:06:00.000-05:002008-01-05T21:33:23.728-05:00

My brother and I were trading e-mails about this site the other day. As he ALWAYS seems to do, he raised some potentially prickly issues. I stumbled and bumbled through some anwers, and realized that since the blog is a brand new baby, it's a good time to mold its personality and set some ground rules.Here's what you can expect from me and this site:I promise to bring a healthy amount of

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-41055190098462341042007-11-15T14:37:00.000-05:002008-01-05T21:34:10.966-05:00

College students in the US have $198 billion in spending power. That's a lot of clout. A recent study looked at where the heck all this money is going and why. One stat says a lot:37% prefer brands that give back to the community, are environmentally safe, or that are connected to a cause.The question is, who and where are these brands? That's what this site helps you find out.In case you want to

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-32112013497346861812007-11-15T13:33:00.000-05:002008-01-05T22:01:49.186-05:00

THE ISSUE:Many American companies give money to charities through foundations. And that's great. But how many give EVERYTHING to charity? Obviously, they can't all do that - who would invest if there was no hope for a return? But it's good that some do.THE GOOD TURN:Paul Newman gives 100% of after tax profits of Newman's Own products to educational and charitable purposes, with a special emphasis

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-11867949556183584762007-11-14T14:18:00.000-05:002008-01-05T21:30:33.247-05:00

THE ISSUE:How do most dishwasher detergents clean your plates to a sparkling shine? By using complex phosphates. By itself, not horrible.But when it accumulates in rivers, lakes, and canals, too much of these nutrients can cause too much algae growth and decay (if you're a biologist or crossword nut, you might recognize the formal name 'eutrophication'). In the end, that means less oxygen, much

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-84214974109208976802007-11-13T22:15:00.000-05:002008-01-05T21:59:12.825-05:00

FROM THE GLOBALEXCHANGE:Fair Trade Soccer Ball"Hey soccer fans, Fair Trade Sports sweatshop-free soccer balls have finally arrived! Each soccer ball was hand-stitched in Pakistan by adult stitchers that are ensured fair wages and a healthy, safe working environment. They are skillfully stitched using superior Japanese cordley shine leather. Fair Trade Sports donates all of its after-tax profits

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6768316386627234105.post-55197588513512358362007-11-13T20:51:00.000-05:002008-01-05T21:33:48.220-05:00

This is the first of hopefully many posts. It's sort of an experiment. Here's my theory: I believe that most people want to do the right thing, to make good choices, but they don't have time or resources to find out what those choices are. Sure I might buy a certain coffee brand every day, but how do I know if my brand is socially aware, economically fair and environmentally friendly? For that

Mike Kramerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17762228801255268518noreply@blogger.com0