Creative Ideas – Page 10

by Roxanne - December 25, 2011December 18, 2011

Christmas – God Within Us

Today’s the day we celebrate that God is incarnate (or “enfleshed”), meaning within each and every human person. God became a human person in Jesus, who was truly human. Therefore human beings are appropriate dwelling places for God.

God lives within each of us and loves each of us. God (Reality) is fundamentally good, holy and whole. We are a part of this.

How do we celebrate? Well, to begin with – ignore “Hallmark” Christmas ideas. These are based on cultural fantasy. Likewise, shopping, stress, and over-scheduling will not do. These activities won’t make anyone feel grateful, peaceful or mindful of the sacred within.

How do YOU want to celebrate the Spirit, Life Force or life energy that’s living in you? What will make you – and your family – feel sacred, holy and whole?

Some may want to volunteer or assist those who are struggling. The existence of poverty and hunger is an abomination to the very idea of Christmas. Some may want to rest. Others may want to share their abundance with friends or family. At your house maybe it’s a movie & popcorn? How about a silent retreat?

Consider clicking on one of the On-line Retreats above. Maybe a walk in the woods? A bubble bath?

At our house, we may have a late morning with pizza (post about this to follow) and time with friends. We shall see . . .

Merry Christmas to all. God lives in you.

by Roxanne - December 23, 2011December 24, 2011

Pasta 43 Ways

Christmas and Hanukkah greetings to you!

If you are planning on a more relaxed holiday celebration, here’s a great article from the New York Times (it’s also a slide show) with 43 fast and easy ways to combine pasta with just 2 or 3 more ingredients. The combinations are a bit unusual, but look really good and healthy too.

Try one with salad for a more casual, lighter holiday meal.

by Roxanne - December 21, 2011December 20, 2011

Make Your $$ Do More – Use Cash

AncientCoinsUsMint.gov — Photo USMint.gov

We vote with our dollars everytime we buy something. Use your hard earned money to do more. Buy strategically by looking for fair trade and sustainable items. Use cash when you can.

Recently a commenter on Naked Capitalism made some points worth considering about why it’s better to pay with cash.

“Paying cash to the small merchants in your community helps them in many ways. It avoids the skimming off of percentages from the credit card companies, it avoids the imposition of debit card swipe fees on merchants or you, and it gives them an alternate to begging for credit to make payroll.

If you are scared of carrying much cash, write checks.

. . . Plastic is for proliferate pushover pansies pretending that convenience trumps all.”

I think she or he makes a good point. From now on, I will use cash when I can – like at the grocery store or a local restaurant.

You may also like Buy Local – Support Your Community,

by Roxanne - December 13, 2011December 2, 2011

No “Big Scream TV”

People are often surprised when they find out that we don’t have a TV – or as DH calls it – a “big scream TV.” We haven’t had a TV for years now. They are expensive, take up too much room in our house, in our wallet and in our heads.

There is very little worthwhile on TV. The news is not informative and extremely limited. The shows are mind-numbing, to say the least. Too often TV is negative, violent and thoughtless. I can’t stress this enough: TV is junk food for the mind.

In the end we feel that TV keeps us from reading, conversation and other more worthwhile activities.

People will ask, “Then where do you get your news?” We select our news sources carefully on the Internet. Generally we try to read one or two news sites from elsewhere in the world, then in addition I like to read the New York Times or Washington Post online.

When we do watch movies we look for quality films that are engaging – both English language and foreign films.

Consider the same for yourself.

For ideas check the “Books and Films” category on the right.

by Roxanne - November 25, 2011November 19, 2011

Gift Ideas that Do More

Most of us don’t need (and do not even want) one more CD, T-shirt or pair of slippers. Would you like to give a thoughtful gift, spend your money wisel and have it do something good for the world? My friend T sent me these fun gift ideas:

Try giving an experience of delectable dark truffle hot chocolate from The Ticket Kitchen – using sustainable ingredients and packaging.

Another interesting idea is altruette.com making jewelry out of recycled sterling silver. They make charms and bracelets. 50% of the net profit from their products goest to the organization the item symbolizes and they have many to choose from.

Thanks T!

Certainly don’t forget donating in someone’s name as a gift option. Mary’s Pence is always my first choice. Their ESPERA Funds help women become empowered to lift their families and entire communities out of poverty.

Also, churches can always use gift cards for local grocery stores, local gas stations, and pharmacies. One year when I was a pastoral associate, a parishioner dropped off a stack of grocery gift cards. When I exclaimed “How wonderful!” he replied, “Last year I was someone who needed groceries from the food shelf.”

Before buying toys to donate – consider gift cards for gas, groceries and prescriptions that make it possible for parents to free up resources to buy the gifts they know their children really want.

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