Now imagine this: you have just spent the entire night in your mud-walled hut, continually swabbing the face of your two-year-old son with a dirty rag. He is burning with a fever you cannot control. He had an upset stomach, which led to vomiting and diarrhea for three days straight. The flies are pestering you and the heat is rising along with the sun to about 110 degrees Fahrenheit outside. His body quakes with a seizure — it’s the second one in about an hour. He won’t drink, he is delirious and the nearest hospital is a five-hour bus ride away. You look down at your helpless child. What could you have done to save him? Your stomach turns. Today will be the darkest day of your life as he takes his last grunting breath.

What do these two stories have in common? The simple concept of hygiene. That bar of soap that caused you to have a “bad” day could have saved this young boy’s life. The first line of defense against disease is washing your hands regularly. It is so easy for us to just waste those bars of soap — you know, the ones that are replaced in your hotel room every day of your stay. Sure, they downsized the bars to cut costs and make us think nothing of tossing it in the trash, but seriously, you just used it twice and you get a new one in the morning. Our over-indulgent, hyper-clean society has become so spoiled. The absurdity of over-consumption should make our stomachs turn.

Thank goodness someone out there figured it out. Why waste all that perfectly good soap? Why not collect it and shave off the outer layer, chip up the remaining soap and remake it into bars of soap again? Why not contract with the hotels and help them throw less soap away into landfills — WHY NOT!?

Global Soap Project and Clean the World are doing just that. These non-profit organizations have seen the vision of a healthier world, taken an idea and acted on it. Please support these wonderful groups through financial donations, recruiting hotels for soap donations, and getting the word out.

And remember, you did not get to choose where you were born and into what society and which family. You could just as easily be that poor mother in the mud-walled hut as you are the business woman who just tossed that soap in the trash.

Please read more about hand-washing from the wonderful people at UNICEF. At KOR, we believe water is precious — and so is soap.

Founded in Chicago in 1950 by architects Eero Saarinen, Charles and Ray Eames, and Edgar Kaufmann, Jr., GOOD DESIGN remains the oldest and the world’s most recognized program for design excellence worldwide. For 2011, the Museum received thousands of submissions from the world’s leading manufacturers and design firms and only selected about 500 product designs and graphics.

The Aura and Vida were selected for their innovative concepts, invention and originality, and for stretching the envelope beyond what is considered ordinary product consumer design.

Other Awards

KOR Aura wins iF Award
KOR Vida wins IDEA Award

I also found that even the big box chains like Target are following the desires of their communities and are no longer using plastic bags in their stores. I have to admit I missed seeing that big red logo on the thousands of plain Jane brown bags that were rustling out the door this Holiday season. But then it struck me: wow, that is a lot of paper, which means a lot of trees died to make those bags possible. So are we any better off with paper bags, as Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods has lead us to believe for several years?

“Studies sponsored by independent retailers or governments generally agree that paper bags are less of a litter problem, but that plastic bags consume less water and energy, and produce less pollution, including greenhouse-gas emissions. In the end, it is a tradeoff. ‘There is a popular misconception that paper bags are more environmentally friendly than plastic bags,’ said a 2005 report for the Scottish government.”

Wall Street Journal, 2009

Hmm, my suspicions are justified. This is the part where the music gets louder, trumpets herald, and you sit on the edge of your seat in anticipation — wait for it. The answer, my friends, is a cache of reusable fabric bags in your car. Many stores are now giving out rebates for each reusable bag you use at their store. Real Simple has a short list and I am sure there are others, too.

Oh, I know — you are like me and you forget them in your trunk, right? Well, try putting them in your front seat instead when you leave the house to go to the market. Tie them to your purse straps, your bike handle, or your wrist if you must! When we were in Germany a few years ago, the stores had no bags, so if you didn’t bring one, you were in bad shape. The home we stayed in had a big colorful selection of bags and baskets hanging from hooks right inside the front door. Make your bags visible instead of hidden in a drawer so you don’t fall victim to the “out of sight, out of mind” ruse. Use your bags for several trips and then toss them in the wash. Wash, rinse, dry, REPEAT!

Let’s get with the program and start making a difference in 2012. Make your bags an extension of your life “style”: pick bags you like or bags that go with your outfit or bags that your kids will help you carry. Possibly you are a basket person instead of a bag person and you just never knew it? Just check out the selection at reuseit.com (they carry KOR too!). There is something for everyone there. So next time you hear, “Paper or plastic?” say, “Neither,” and toss your stylish reusable bag up on the checkout stand, collect your 15 cents and be proud!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I love working near an IKEA store! I know that some communities have rallied against having such a giant of a box store in their areas, but I say if you can’t beat them, join them. First of all, for all you electric car owners, my IKEA has a free vehicle charging station AND those three stations are located in the best three parking spots at the store. Seriously, the only way you are going to do better is in the handicap parking and even some of those spots are further away from the door. So they are giving out free electricity— wouldn’t we gas guzzlers love it if there was also a free 87 octane pump out there, too! (I suppose that would defeat their mission of eco-friendliness.)

Perk #2: Free Breakfast

The second gift one can get at IKEA is what I go for every Monday: I get a free small breakfast. Yep, you heard me right — free food! I go to work early, so heading over to IKEA between 9:30 and 11 AM is not a big deal. Waiting for me, I find piping hot scrambled eggs, two slices of bacon, and some of the best free fried potatoes in California. And if you join the free IKEA family program and carry their little card, you get unlimited free tea or coffee at every visit. And frankly, the rest of the week I usually eat there too for another breakfast at $0.99 and a lunch of pasta for $1.99 and another Wednesday lunch special of $1.99 for roasted chicken and mash potatoes. I know you all were wondering if I had some secret source of money to afford eating out four times a week. Well, for a grand total of FIVE BUCKS a week, I am fat and happy!

So don’t let anyone tell you there is no such thing as a free lunch/breakfast! Head on over to your IKEA store in your plug-in hybrid and belly up to the buffet and join me for some decent lunches on a tight budget while you wait for your free charge up on your car. And here you thought that IKEA was just a big, ugly, bright blue and yellow monstrosity full of cool-looking, cheaply made furniture that takes a rocket scientist to put together!

Thankful indeed we were for our over indulgence of food, drinks and laughter. This year was even more special as we had an 18-year-old exchange student through the Model United Nations program from the Czech Republic with us for Thanksgiving. He described his day to his teachers as, “The best day of my whole life.” Wow, that made me feel pretty good! He and my son went jet skiing out of Dana Point all morning, where Matej got to see up close and personal pods of dolphins (including a baby) and sea lions. He then sat down to his first meal of turkey, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. He loved it all. It was no wonder: when we asked what they ate for their special occasion meals, he twisted his face up and said, “Carp.” Well alrighty then! No wonder he loved the turkey. And you can imagine my enthusiasm when the next day, he timidly asked if he could have a piece of the pumpkin pie for breakfast! “Hell yeah! That is what most Americans eat for breakfast the next day after Thanksgiving!” I responded.

The corn casserole recipe remained unaltered, the deep fried turkey was a big hit over the traditional roasted one. The “other pumpkin pie gal” was content to make flour-less chocolate cake this year and even she raved about my pumpkin pie complete with homemade whipping cream sweetened with maple syrup.

Needless to say, all this caloric extravaganza led to a nasty case of writer’s block. I have had two weekends of food-induced brain sludge blocking my ability to even think of something to write about. But I figured a recap of the festivities would bring me back and sure enough, it did. And you know what? My stupor has lifted and I am still thankful.

Why the South Berry Island Marine Protected Area (MPA)?

One hundred percent of all proceeds from the KOR ONE Black will support Summit Series and their partnership with The Nature Conservancy to turn 70 square miles of ocean around the South Berry Islands in the Bahamas into a fully functional marine protected area (or “MPA”). More than three-times the size of Manhattan, the South Berry Island marine protected area is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the Bahamas — but it’s an MPA in name only. For more than a decade, there’s been no infrastructure, no enforcement, and no protection. Funding of this project will help The Nature Conservancy transform the South Berry Islands Marine Reserve into the nation’s first no-take marine reserve, contributing to healthy marine habitats and species and supporting sustainable livelihoods for the people of the Berry Islands.

For more information on how humans are affecting marine parks and why they should be protected, please visit The Nature Conservancy.

To date, KOR has raised more than $5,000 toward protecting our oceans in the South Berry Island MPA. Let’s do even more, so we can make this project a reality.

Auction Instructions

1. Access the auction either through this blog post or the sidebar widget.
2. Enter your information under “Enter Your Details to Bid” on the left column.
3. Enter your bid under “Enter Your Maximum Bid” below.
4. Make sure you are familiar with the rules below on this blog post.
5. Click “Bid Now.”
6. To bid on or view another auction, click “Other Auctions” on the right column.

Auction Rules

• By submitting a bid, you agree to pay the winning amount at the end of the auction whether you are chosen as a winner or an alternate winner.
• Highest bidder at the end of each auction wins.
• An individual may only win one item. If an individual is the winner of multiple items, they are awarded the prize with the highest bid and the second highest bidder(s) for the remaining prize(s) are selected.
• KOR will verify e-mail and payment with winner. If there is failure to respond or pay within 3 days, the next highest bidder wins.
• Accepted method of payment: PayPal.

Auction starts Wednesday, November 30, 2011 and ends Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 5 PM PST. If you have any questions, please leave a comment. Happy bidding and thank you so much for your support of the South Berry MPA project.

Let’s start with an obvious question: why filter your tap water? While we are strong advocates for tap, there are some good reasons to filter it. First, while the vast majority of Americans’ tap water meets or exceeds EPA standards, the EPA hasn’t been very good at keeping pace with the latest science on what constitutes a threat. Second, the piping in your house or apartment may be adding contaminants to your water. Finally, even though your tap water may be perfectly safe to drink, chlorine or rust may contribute to unpleasant taste, odor or appearance.

The easiest way to get started with home filtration is to purchase a pitcher, countertop or on-faucet unit.  Each has its pros and cons. Most people start with pitchers, such as those made by Brita. These are inexpensive and require no installation. The downside with pitchers is that you have to keep refilling them and they filter very slowly because they are gravity fed. On-faucet units, such as those made by Pur, overcome these problems, but they require installation and can be somewhat unwieldy because they protrude from your faucet. With a countertop unit, such as the Aquasana, the filtration mechanism sits away from the faucet and is connected by a hose. This has the advantage of removing clutter and provides the opportunity to house a larger, longer-lasting and more effective filter. The tradeoff is that these units tend to be more expensive and the hoses can get in the way, especially if your countertop is far from your faucet.

At my house, we’ve used all these solutions over the years, graduating from pitcher to countertop unit. When we got the new AQ-4000, I was eager to test it out. I had been using the previous version for over a year and was impressed. The new model adds some key improvements and I can now recommend it without hesitation. First, the diverter mechanism (the part that dispenses the water) has been completely re-designed. It’s sturdier, operates more smoothly, looks more attractive and provides a faster flow of water. Second, the appearance of the filtration unit has been upgraded and now comes in two new finishes (black and silver). Finally, installation is easier due to color-coding of the parts. In fact, the whole process took me all of five minutes and didn’t require any tools.

Aquasana has also upgraded its excellent filtration technology. As this chart illustrates, their two-stage filter removes more contaminants than the leading pitcher or on-faucet solution. They’re also less expensive to operate and don’t have to be replaced as often. This last point is not to be underestimated; replacing filters can be a bother. Running out is even worse. Aquasana makes things even more convenient with their Water For Life program, which provides free delivery of a new filter every six months and a 20% discount.

Sound interesting? Learn more about the AQ4000 here and automatically receive a 20% discount through korwater.com.

For another guest it’s all about the corn casserole, she is trying to modify her recipe to accommodate the gluten free member of our tribe.  And let me tell you, her kids are having a hissy fit, “Mom, it won’t be the same”…”make something else for her”…”Mom please don’t change it, I won’t like it”.  Note:  Her kids are in their 20’s!

This year we will be deep frying our turkey—but since some cannot deal with the thought of all that greasy fat, there will have to be two turkeys, so that those who want to “be good”—can.  I live by Paul Dean’s mantra “If it ain’t fried, it ain’t food”. And my husband lives by the mantra “If it involves a hydraulic engine lift and the danger of fire–I am all over it”. Our need to try to make everyone happy comes out in the strangest ways.  But traditions are part of what makes us feel grounded and content. There is just something about tradition that brings about controversy—it’s hard to break them, even when some should be broken!  And yes there are some things that are sacred and just cannot be changed.  The battle rages on—one pie, one casserole, one turkey (or two) at a time.

I am thankful to be in the 99% who will be not occupying Wall Street or any other city park or street corner eating spam out of a can.  I will be in a safe, warm, friendly place with people I care about and they care about me. I will not be shopping at any store that is rude enough to open on November 24^th.  This is a holiday about food and friends and family—make the most of it, eat until your belly is bulging, drink until you are merry, and laugh until it hurts!  Best to all of you this Thanksgiving.

• You’re giving back: 1% of each purchase goes toward selected water charities.
• Your recipients are giving back: Thanks to you, people will be inspired to drink from a reusable container and reduce the footprint of single-use bottles.
• There’s a wide variety of colors and styles to choose from. There really is something for everyone.
• There’s also a wide range of cost to meet your budget.
• Distinct, expressive design. KOR Hydration Vessels are the accessory. The item you can’t leave the door without, like your phone and wallet. It’s also a statement that you care about style, health and the environment. And of course, you just might get a reaction like, “WTF is that?”

If you’re not sure what to get, this guide will help you decide on something your recipient(s) will like by highlighting KOR’s innovative features and how you might match these to people you know.

For the Active People: KOR ONE and KOR Delta

For people who enjoy running, yoga or just about anything that requires you to move and sweat, the KOR ONE and KOR Delta (both sizes) are perfect:

1. No-Worry Cap. Take a quick sip in between sets. In a simple motion of pressing a button and flipping open, the lid stays out of your way while you drink.
2. Hygienic Spout. The cap design actually protects the spout when not in use and while you’re out and about. Compare these to bottles with an exposed or threaded nozzle where not only would it be difficult to clean between the grooves, but sometimes need to be opened by hand. So while you’re stretching on the mat or huffing and puffing it at the gym, you don’t have to worry about sneeze or spit particles from other people landing where you drink.

For the Fashion-Forward: KOR ONE and KOR Vida

Ever since the KOR ONE came out, it has enjoyed worldwide attention for its sophisticated, iconic shape. We wouldn’t be surprised if you wanted one of each color to always match your outfits. The stylish people in your life will appreciate the cut glass look and feel as well as the timeless elliptical shape. It’s not just the looks that make the KOR ONE appealing — with an open handle, this hydration vessel is highly functional and easy to carry.

Another high performing, high style product is the KOR Vida with its sleek and tapered body. In Arctic White, Anthracite and Stainless Steel, the KOR Vida makes a great accessory that will pair well with any look. See below for inspirational accessorizing from one of our awesome Water Advocates, Agent Nerdy. How would you accessorize KOR?

For the Traveler: KOR Vida and KOR Aura

Whether a commuter or vacationer, you need a KOR Hydration Vessel to stay hydrated on the go. Any of the product lines will work, actually, but we’ll focus on the KOR Vida and KOR Aura for these reasons:

1. They’re our lightest and simplest offerings, ideal when you’re moving around. With their trademark Ergo-Comfort feature, they’re even better to use and hold.
2. The base of these vessels are round, making them the perfect size to fit in cup holders.
3. They’re also sleek enough to fit in on-the-go bags like laptop bags, tote bags, large purses or backpacks.

And there you have it — the perfect gift that’s sure to delight anyone! For the ultimate gift, may we suggest our Stocking Stuffers — a specially created, limited-time list of KOR gift sets, designed to meet your gift-giving needs. The best part about making KOR your one-stop holiday shop? As 1% of each hydration vessel sales goes to our water charities, it’s a gift that keeps on giving.

If you have your own recommendations or questions, please leave a comment below!

For America Recycles Day 2011, I pledge to:

Learn about the recycling options in my community. I will find out what materials are collected for recycling in my community at americarecyclesday.org.

Act. Reduce my personal waste by recycling. Within the next month, I will start to recycle one new type of material.

This is a real day: America Recycles Day on November 15, 2011. Here is what the day is all about, according to the website:

“Since 1997, communities across the country have come together on November 15 to celebrate America Recycles Day. More than a celebration, America Recycles Day is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to the promotion of recycling in the United States. One day to educate and motivate. One day to get our neighbors, friends and community leaders excited about what can be accomplished when we all work together. One day to make recycling bigger and better 365 days a year. Get involved!”

I guess they have been promoting this since 1997. Who knew? I didn’t. Well, I think that we can all pull together a little bit tighter and take the pledge. I am glad they gave me 30 days to figure out what new material I am going to recycle, as I am actually looking forward to figuring it out.

Hey, I just determined that I was going to go ahead and reuse the fake spider webs that I had up for Halloween. Seriously, I was just going to toss them out because they were full of leaves. But then I thought that if I buy new ones next year, within a matter of a day, they too will have leaves stuck in them — so why buy new faux webs? (I wonder if that can count for the pledge?)

This week, I reeled at the announcement that the Duggar family was having their 20th child. I really came down hard on them on my own personal blog. But I have to say, I did get one very positive comment in response to my not so positive post: what is the difference between 10 families each having 2 kids and one family having 20? The family of 20 creates a lot less waste by pooling their needs. They buy items in bulk. So rather than there being at least 10-30 different shampoo bottles being tossed into a landfill per month, there would only be 2-3 large bottles instead from the family of 22. I most certainly did not change my mind on the concept of every family having 20 kids, but I have to say that this point of creation of waste was completely valid. I think even smaller families could do much better at using the same products rather than every person having a different brand of  shampoo or vitamins or juice, etc.

Anyhow, I digress — as my regular readers know! Go to America Recyles, take the pledge and pass it on. It’s all about teamwork. Together, we can make a dent in the amount of trash we create and the amount of resources we use.

Let us know in the comments: what are YOU going to start recycling?