You know that feeling we all get from time to time,
like we're so small in the greater scope of it all,
and what we do couldn't possibly make "that much" difference
in the grand scheme of things?
I have a great way for you to get over that feeling right now!
The 3rd annual Women Deliver Conference is scheduled to
take place May 28-30 in Kaula Lumpur, Malaysia,
to emphasize the importance of women's maternal health,
as well as women's sexual reproductive health and rights around the world.
Their aim is to eradicate as many preventable deaths to women and girls
as possible by rallying for resource investments, political commitment, and
further education to the general public about their program.
And there are several ways for you to get on board
with the cause and do what you can to make a difference:
http://www.womendeliver.org/
Scroll down and I'll break it all down for ya
so you can just jump right in head first.
Women in the first world nations
benefit greatly from government funded family planning
services and hopefully from child care programs.
However, that doesn't account for 75% of the world.
That's where Women Deliver comes in.
Their plan for saving the lives of women with maternal needs
and their children is as easy as 1-2-3:
1. Access to family planning – counseling, services, and supplies
2. Access to quality care for pregnancy and childbirth
- antenatal care
- skilled attendance at birth, including emergency obstetric and neonatal care
- immediate postnatal care for mothers and newborns
Loading... cocking... BAM!
Finally, on to the next round.
Sorry to keep you ladies in waiting, but sifting through ALL one's earthly possessions is
no small order.
I'm forcing myself to chisel out a chunk of time for this next topic,
which is of dire importance, especially before Black Friday descends upon us and creates a
Zombie hoard that hungers for sales as though it were a matter of life or death!
If you are among this massive gathering of consumerists, I'm not hatin' on ya.
But, I want to put this out there before you feel a massive pull on your wallet.
Maybe I can appeal to your heartstrings and give them a tug in the other direction.
There is a much more urgent congregation of citizens that need $20 more than Uncle Elmer needs another pair of Santa Socks.
Homelessness is at an all time high in the US with the devastated economy,
and worldwide it is an issue beyond comprehension!
Among the homeless are growing numbers of Women and Children,
50% of whom are fleeing domestic abuse, and other's who have simply had their veritable
woven-fabric-of-life rug pulled out from under them. Just how urgent am I talking here?
The statistics of homelessness on a Global scale are stifling:
Even if you didn't read these word for word, the titles alone paint a rather dismal picture.
So what can we do about it?
Here's your detour to some Charities of Choice that are helping put the pieces back together for those who are seeking them out:
These organizations focus on Families, Women and Children who have found themselves in the ultimate of unfortunate conditions. Within their sites, you can find ways to help,
from donating to volunteering:
If you've ever had a hard time being grateful for the cards you've been dealt in life,
VOLUNTEER TODAY!
I think my most valuable life lessons have been gained from
buying a homeless person a cup of coffee, and listening to their life story.
How they still have a sense of humor through all that life has thrown their way, I don't know, but some of them are the most interesting and inspiring people on the planet.
The World Cup agrees, and is a key player in fighting for the people: Homeless World Cup
And speaking of planet, if you're feeling extra adventurous and need a true revelation,
volunteering abroad will open up your crown chakra in a whole new way.
You may have noticed these listings in my random rounds, but today they deserve a spotlight:
If you don't have the time to volunteer, you may also think you don't have the money.
But, you can donate anything from $5 to $50,000 dollars to most organizations.
As many have said before me, sacrifice one Starbucks, feed one who is starving.
I love this organization, because it lets you single out exactly where your money is focused, and it doesn't take much to make a big difference in someone's life:
On the other hand, this organization let's you single out a person or family in need, but you go beyond a one time donation to helping them start a business of their own.
This goes into the "teach them how to fish" category, and can make a world of difference
around the globe. It's a gift that literally keeps on giving:
There are tons of ways to contribute to those in need, as you can see above.
But, I mentioned a Radical Idea for Holiday Charity in the title.
If that caught your attention, then that's all I wanted.
While these take some guts to do,
they stay within the confines of what is safe and expected.
I had a radical idea, but as it turns out, it is too radical.
However, I can't just lead you on like that and still sleep at night,
so "Don't Try This At Home".
My idea was to hand out Santa Costumes to the Homeless.
Crazy, I know.
But I used to live in Downtown LA very near Skid Row, and as I mentioned, most of the Homeless people I've talked to have a very good sense of humor.
I was thinking, Pros:
1) They would have something warm to wear.
2) They could probably earn more money for themselves.
3) Smiles for everyone! You can't be sad while wearing a Santa suit.
And just imagine what SantaCon would be like this year!
But, eventually the Cons caught up to me:
1) I do not want to compete with the Salvation Army. They do really good work!
2) Someone is going to think this is NOT funny at all, and perhaps insulting.
(once again, this doesn't include my comrades in Downtown)
3) With the price of one Santa Costume, you could feed 10 Homeless people!
So, it doesn't fly, but it was fun to think about while it lasted.
Even still, there stands the fact that no one can help but smile at Santa.
So, if you are planning on volunteering, especially for a children's charity,
why not switch the roles around?
Share those smiles, since laughter is the best medicine. It's a universal truth.
It was quite the challenge to find a Well Priced and Non-Sexy Pink Santa Suit, BTW.
So take advantage, because there is no dress code for entertaining at a soup kitchen, but I certainly would not recommend anything sexy. That would just be tasteless and humiliating, for you.
Not to mention, Rockin' the Bearded Lady look is totally in this season ;)
On that note, I'm off to the Salvation Army myself to donate three huge boxes of warm clothes and items I will not be needing for my move. I trust they will find their rightful place in the world.
Spring cleaning comes early for this chick.
While you ponder the above propositions, let Louis lighten the mood for you.
Then you can figure out where your Santa-like service would be
best suited for this Holiday season:
We've got an important topic to discuss, Wo-mano a Wo-mano:
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month,
and on the 1st I posted some amusing and fashion-forward finds to get you into the
spirit of contribution.
Think Pink Day is still going off worldwide,
so if you haven't missed the date in your area, it's time to Think Pinker!
I'm going with the facts today! The Research is coming at'cha!!
So just pretend that this pink ribbon is your face,
so I can put the facts right at front and center:
(Don't worry! Your quest for Knowledge will be rewarded in the end,
but you better read this first!)
Statistics
This info is straight from BreastCancer.org, and gives you an idea
should the question come up,"What are the odds?"
About 1 in 8 U.S. women (just under 12%) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime.
About 39,520 women in the U.S. were expected to die in 2011 from breast cancer, though death rates have been decreasing since 1990 — especially in women under 50. These decreases are thought to be the result of treatment advances, earlier detection through screening, and increased awareness.
For women in the U.S., breast cancer death rates are higher than those for any other cancer, besides lung cancer.
Besides skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women. Just under 30% of cancers in women are breast cancers.
From 1999 to 2005, breast cancer incidence rates in the U.S. decreased by about 2% per year.
In 2011, there were more than 2.6 million breast cancer survivors in the US.
As you can see the vast efforts are paying off. It's getting better all the time!
But the risks still exist, so make sure you know what precautions you need to take.
Myths
Ever played an long Game of Telephone?? Well, you might be feeling like you have been the whole time when you let these demystified myths clear the blurb.
Just because your best friend, your mama, or your mama's mama says so,
Doesn't mean it's True.
For a broader reality check, go to PinkRibbon.org, but here a few to chew in the meantime...
Myth 1 — Having a risk factor for breast cancer means you'll develop the disease.
No risk factor either alone or in combination with others means you'll definitely get breast cancer. There are various factors that may increase your risk of developing the disease. Some of these appear to increase your risk only slightly.
Myth 2 — If there is no breast cancer in your family, then you're not at risk for the disease.
Every woman is at risk for breast cancer. So are some men!
About 85 percent of women who develop the disease don't have a family history. That's why it's important for all women to get screened regularly.
Myth 3 — Breast cancer is passed only from your mother, not your father.
We now know that breast cancer genes can be inherited from your dad's side of the family. So ask relatives about cases on both sides and in both men and women.
Myth 4 — No matter what your risk factors are, you really don't have to worry about breast cancer until you're through menopause.
The odds of getting the disease do increase as you age. But breast cancer can occur at any age. That's why all women need to be vigilant. Though experts recommend yearly mammograms starting at age 40, your doctor may suggest that you start even earlier if you have a family history of breast cancer at a young age.
Myth 5 — Wearing a bra or using antiperspirants and deodorants increases your risk of breast cancer.
These are two Internet rumors that never seem to quit.
Myth 6 — If you have small breasts, you're much less likely to get breast cancer.
Size doesn't matter. Anyone with
breasts can get it.
And we thought we were off the hook, right? Well, I hope you take
at least one thing away from this:
While feeling yourself up may seem kinda weird to some,
it could just be the thing that saves your life!
In Austrailia, I'm loving these Think Pink-ees!
This is going on my bumper, by the way.
If you're down under, check them out for ways to get involved with
I'm in the midst of preparing for a move overseas,
which means I have the excitement of travel and the reality of relocation on the brain.
On that note, I'm going to attempt the difficult:
To provide a variety of unconventional ways to spend your holiday season,
and a real life perspective of what living conditions are like for Women the world over,
in one fell swoop!
I don't know about you, but almost every location I've vacationed in has romanced me to the point of contemplating a permanent stay.
To find out how good an idea it is to pack up your possessions and
transplant yourself in another country, you can skip all the fun stuff and go straight to the bottom,
or you can just read my recommendations for having a
blast until you're sure you've avoided any chance of an awkward family gathering altogether.
For the whole story, it's top to bottom, baby!
Of course it depends on what kind of person you happen to be:
Optimist, Pessimist, or Realist.
Let's start with the fun stuff, shall we? If your usual Holiday consists of tolerating your Mama's opinions of what you should change to meet Mr. Right and choking down Aunt Gertrude's ambrosia salad while random, hardly known distant relatives get plastered and fight over who it was that screwed up your family the most,
there are better options awaiting you in the great wide world!!!
Something unconventional to do this Holiday Season?
As the official site says, "Junkanoo is an energetic, colorful parade of brightly costumed people gyrating and dancing to the rhythmic accompaniment of cowbells, drums and whistles."
They had me at brightly colored costumes, gyrating, and cowbells!!
Hailed as Europe's Largest Fire Festival, leave it to the Scottish to come up with the best fire show on their continent! See ya there on the 29th of January ;)
One of my most favorite, Holi celebrates the coming of Spring.
People throw naturally obtained (and believe it or not, beauty-enhancing?!)
color in each other's faces as an expression of love! March 27th, 2013.
I wish I could pull off this form of P.D.A. on a daily basis!!
Last but certainly not least, celebrate like never before from February 8th-12th.
Well, that's it for now. This is plenty for you to think about 'til the dawn of the New Year.
Tell me when you've visited them all, and then I'll post more amazing festivals from
around the world.
There are too many for one post, seriously.
Every single one of these destinations is sure to charm the pants off any girl, but what is it really like to live in any of these places, after the party's over?
Now that I've WOW'd you with colors and lights,
here's the real deal about living conditions for women internationally,
from worst to best:
While I find India to be one of the most romantic places to visit, it's living conditions for women would be unbearable to most!! From intergenerational prostitution to arranged child-marriage, the truth is a hard pill to swallow.
And would you have guessed these countries are in lead of best places for women to live:
Canada and Iceland?!
To check out the global stats of life for women, visit these sites and you'll be surprised:
Check out this collection of Bright Pink - Bras for a Cause!
And even though I just posted on this topic, I had to save the best for last:
Hell Yes, that's right!!! Aim for the Cause!
Now that's my style to the T!
And if that website isn't big enough for ya, here it is: Jim's Gun Supply
My heart goes out to all the ladies who suffer from this disease.
May you have one Kick-Ass Survival Story!!
*I highly recommend that everyone update their knowledge on what's true and not true about
Breast Cancer. You'll be surprised that most of what you've heard by word-of-mouth
is not the real deal!!
I'm a bit of a Fitness Junkie. And I've tried just about everything. It feels good to sweat it out, gets you out of your head, keeps you bangin' hot, and wishes all that accumulated tension from a stressful week bye-bye!
I know for a lot of people working out is a chore that is not necessarily something to look forward to, but it doesn't have to be that way! These are my preferred methods of getting my sweat on, and they're all things that you can take out of the classroom and apply to real life: from the
Dance Floor to a Street Fight!
Pretty win-win, don't ya think? :)
Zumba
Yep, that's right. I'm 100% on the Zumba train. It's gaining popularity and spreading like wildfire, and there's a very good reason. It's crazy fun!!
I dare you to get through your first class with out busting up, and it's great to do with a group of girlfriends. Plus, there are very few classes that get my heart-rate up and make me sweat like this does. That's the main point, right?
Check out the website for nationwide classes, or get a DVD and make a house party of it.
I'm a fire dancer and a poi instructor, and it's flat out one of the best things I have ever picked up!
Stimulating to the mind and the body, this art-and-exercise-in-one does wonders for hand-eye coordination, muscle strength and tone, flexibility and even helps ward of arthritis and carpal tunnel.
It's fun, inspiring and gives you endless possibilities to be creative.
Fire Groove is one of the most professional instruction and performance groups out there in this category, and they're great people. They're based in LA, so you can check out classes locally, or buy their easy-to-follow DVD collection and Rock It on you're own time.
Their shop has everything you need to get started!
There are groups sprouting up all over the world, so check online to find an instructor in your area!
Krav Maga
I don't like to play favorites when it comes to my workout, but this is undeniably becoming one of the things I look forward to the most in my schedule!
Krav Maga is an Israeli martial art designed for their military, where every person, female or male, big or small, has to serve for a two year minimum. Law enforcement in the US has adopted it as well.
It's a great workout, really gets you sweating and you walk out pretty confident that if some D-bag wants to jack you're Swarovski bedazzled phone or confuses your neck with a squeeze-ball, you could make it a very unpleasant experience for them.
I think Self-Defense is super important. You never know when you'll be in the wrong place at the wrong time. It's best to be prepared for anything!
Check out Krav Maga at these two sites for a directory of skilled instructors:
And if anyone get's their panties in a bunch because I included them both,
suck on a tylenol until the swelling in your head goes down. Enjoy!
MMA
If those last three still leave you wanting for a challenge, this should fill your cup to the brim.
Team Quest is a world renowned fight club specializing in mixed martial arts training.
I focus on their Jiu Jitsu classes, and those are a challenge in strength and will.
I love it!!
If Krav Maga is the viper of the martial arts world, then Jiu Jitsu is the constrictor. Is one better than the other? No comment, as that's a long conversation. The two together round out my practice and give me something to work hard to achieve.
If you really want to get your hands dirty and work every muscle you never knew you had,
this'll do it for ya! I can promise that.
Team Quest serves up a variety of styles, hence Mixed Martial Arts, so if Jiu Jitsu is not your cup'o'tea play around until you find one that hits the spot.
Team Quest MMA has branches all over, so find a location close to you. As with any martial art, take the class and don't try this out on your boyfriend or little sister. Proper instruction is key:
.png)
