by rebeca on September 5, 2009
Most people who know me are well aware of my borderline obsession with the Food Network. I really got into it when I had a full week off my feet after surgery. Talk about kindness, I’m not going to get too gushy but Mike really went out of his way to make sure I was comfortable while I was stuck home during the healing process. So while I was cuddled up in the most comfortable blanket ever created, I tuned in to watch a variety of different personalities creating some amazing dishes, and I was hooked.
We cook a whole lot now. It’s pretty much a necessity when you are trying to be healthy – so while Paula Deen might not be the best option, there is still a great deal of inspiration I find from the many recipes I witness unfolding on the Food Network. That inspiration has branched out a bit, however. Recently I’ve been seeing some promos for the network’s official charity partner, Share Our Strength.
This organization, in their own words, works hard to make sure no kid in America grows up hungry. I was shocked to learn that nearly 1 in 6 children in this country is at risk of hunger. The charity has a number of different efforts to end childhood hunger, and the work they’ve done so far is really impressive.
One key nation-wide Share Our Strength initiative that can help you get involved is coming up pretty soon, the Great American Dine Out. Bestow a random act of kindness on someone you love, and take them out to eat at a participating restaurant September 20-26. Get involved and support these establishments: “Some restaurants are donating a portion of sales for the week to Share Our Strength, while others are selling T-shirts and bounce back coupons or even creating special menu items to raise much needed funds.”
I’m a fan of pitching in, helping out, getting involved in anything that will help spread good karma around the world. But when it truly speaks to your passions in life, it’s beyond win-win.
by rebeca on July 14, 2009
Major League Baseball is encouraging fans to get involved in charitable work, and is highlighting a flurry of donations throughout tonight’s All Star Game. If you ever wanted inspiration for where you can volunteer or great organizations that accept donations, make sure you hit the site here: http://mlb.mlb.com/gb/
And by the way, so sorry it’s been as long as it’s been without any good karma cooler activity. I underestimated my ability to multitask some of my bigger life goals, but I’m every bit as committed to this blog as I was in the beginning – more to come soon!
by rebeca on April 10, 2009
I am always so inspired by a number of friends, online and off. Marilla over at Cupcake Rehab recently encouraged her readers to support our friend YOYO and I am going to do the same. Miss YOYO is a wonderful friend, human being and lover of Mother Earth. She’s one of the craftiest people I know and is doing her part to encourage people everywhere to care just a bit better for the earth – not only on Earth Day but every day.
To raise awareness surrounding Earth Day, on her Topstitch blog, YOYO is giving away totes filled with things she hand made or bought and things that people donated. Getting in on the contest is REALLY easy and who knows, maybe you’ll pick up some good ideas on how to respect the planet. Please go check it out and show her (and the environment) a little love!!
photo by hartboy
by rebeca on April 9, 2009
Spreading good karma around the world is beneficial for the giver as well as the receiver. Doing good deeds is noble, admirable and sets a great example for people to set free the dormant goodness that resides all around us. The world as a whole would be a better place if we were all just a little bit nicer and kinder to each other – strangers and loved ones alike. It’s easy to forget that our homes, our families, our own lives, are included in that very big picture. There are little things you can do today, and any day, to make someone at home’s day just a little brighter:
- Do the dishes without being asked – really this can go for any household chore, but since I loathe doing the dishes and would rather watch paint dry, I figured it was a good place to start. Essentially, be the one to take care of something when the other people at home don’t expect it. If one person cooks and the other will do the dishes, take care of both from time to time. Offer to throw in some of his/her laundry with yours, help tidy up the place when your loved one is expecting company. Does anybody really like chores?
- Bring home flowers – surprise someone else at home with something they really love and wouldn’t expect on an average day. I suggest flowers because I support the act of giving flowers on random occasions and not commercial holidays. This idea can be expanded to include bringing home a DVD that came out that day that you enjoyed in the theaters, grabbing a fresh loaf of bread to have with dinner that night, bring home someone’s favorite dessert.
- Have a drink ready – Many people come home and want to wind down with a drink. So get your loved one’s favorite beer, have a glass of wine poured, or if you can, set out some shirley temples for the kids (and don’t forget the maraschino cherry, that’s the best part) – point is, have a tasty beverage ready for your loved one, so they can take a sip and relax.
- Put on their show – don’t wait for someone to ask if they can change the channel so they can watch Heroes. Learn when these programs air, and be the first to make sure they don’t miss a second. Offer to go into the other room, bust out the laptop and Tweet, Blog or Facebook or hell, go pick up a book you’ve been meaning to get back to. It’s a pretty selfless act that shows you respect your loved ones and their preferences.
- Leave little notes – it’s one of the easiest, simplest ways to show someone how important they are to you: a little handwritten message that says “I love you” or “Cash this in later for something sinful” or “Kick ass at school today”. Hide them in places they might not expect but will easily find (in a cabinet, under a pillow, in their lunchbox, in a drawer, in the freezer, behind their toothbrush, under their keys, in their purse) Personally I think the more crafty you are in choosing hiding spots, the more fun it can be for you and them. Oh and be sure you leave the right notes for the right people – you wouldn’t want to offer your child the “sinful” invitation!
What are some of the little things you do at home to spread a little bit of kindness?
photo by garr1s0n
by rebeca on March 30, 2009
Once upon a time (not that long ago) I stumbled upon a lovely site that had some kind things to say about Karma Cooler. It turns out that they found us through Serendipity Factory, one of my favorite positivity-inspiring sites.
When you get a quick second, drop by Kind Over Matter because there are countless inspirational ideas that are so appealing on not only a good-vibes emotional level, but also a distinct visual level. In their words, “Our blog is dedicated to Kind Acts, Inspirational Art & Kind Projects, Feel Good Nouns.”
I can definitely get along with their crafty ambitions and affinity for words, and chances are that you can too! Peep their Flickr for a quick snapshot of some of the kindness projects they spotlight.
by rebeca on March 25, 2009
A few weeks back, before we shipped off for spring training, I made some suggestions for how to spread good karma while traveling in my Travel Karma post. Something I witnessed as we prepared to settle in to our tiny little airline seats made me smile. Partly because I was glad to see selflessness and courtesy happen right in front of me, and mostly because it was my brother who was responsible for making it happen!
A woman went to put her large bag in the overhead bin and before she had to struggle with it, he offered to put it up and away for her. She graciously took him up on the offer and settled into her seat next to me. What happens next was actually the best part. She reached into her purse, pulled out a little piece of paper and handed it to him. She said, “Here, have some free ice cream on me, thank you for being so nice” It turns out that she carries coupons for free Ben and Jerry’s ice cream and gives them to people who go out of their way to extend kindness to her.
What an amazing idea! If you could arm yourself with something to say “thank you” to kind strangers, what would it be? And keep it PG, readers. I know some of you!!
photo by Noeluap
by rebeca on March 25, 2009
Zen Habits is one of my favorite blogs to follow. Yesterday Leo had a very simple, easy to digest “Dead Simple Guide to Beating Procrastination” and I think it’s highly worthwhile to share with you. Spreading good karma is easier when you are in a good place personally. For instance, if you feel as though you have accomplished something, chances are you will feel more inclined to help someone else achieve a goal.
Leo points out something important though: procrastination isn’t always a bad thing. But if you find yourself in a situation where you just NEED to get something done, any one of these ten steps can help.
So I am taking the advice and I am getting this post up before I do anything else today. It will mean I need to stay a little later at work to get my full day’s worth of projects done, but the reward is that I am posting, when I have been slacking lately. Specifically #8 has helped me in this instance, because when I think about what Karma Cooler is all about, I’d hate to leave people hanging when they could benefit from dropping in here and find ways to help themselves and help other people.
Is there anything in your life that you always seem to procrastinate when you should really just get to it?
photo property of emdot
by rebeca on March 9, 2009
It’s nearly time for the regular season to get under way – and I’m incredibly excited! This is my first year in a fantasy league and I’m all set to impress the hell out of my coworkers who make up the fellow managers in the league.
Today we are going to take a look at how to spread good karma during your fantasy baseball draft. It’s as simple as this: you can’t. It’s every man, woman, child and animal for themselves – and if I want bragging rights, I need to be crafty, and I need to be deliberate in my planning. I’m a good karma kinda gal, but I’m no saint. These suckas better watch out!!
Wish me luck!
photo by DavidDennisPhotos.com
by rebeca on March 5, 2009
Karma Cooler is shipping off to warm, sunny Tampa Florida for quality time with family and YANKEES SPRING TRAINING! The timing of the trip is perfect when you need to escape the bitter cold and are ready to trade in NFL Draft speculation for Fantasy Baseball draft plans. We’re bringing the love to Tampa and are poised to spread lots of good karma!
So here is one idea for spreading good karma when traveling – inevitably, you’ll be sitting next to a complete stranger on a plane at least once in your flying life. Be aware of them, and try not to focus on the fact that they are hogging the arm rest, but try to be kind. I don’t suggest incessantly chatting your seat mate up, but offer to lend a magazine, offer a piece of gum during the descent, and don’t get pissy when they need to get up and go to the bathroom. These aren’t random acts of kindness, but they certainly can go a long way in your good karma spreading efforts.
by rebeca on March 5, 2009
Lots of stuff going on lately, fueled by this shitty economy… needless to say, we at Karma Cooler are truly sorry for the unannounced temporary hiatus. My spirits have been a bit down lately but I will say, that there is one site whose feeds make me smile (other than Hot Chicks with Douchebags), and that is Serendipity Factory’s Happy Discoveries.
When you hit the site, you see exactly what they are all about: “We seek out people in the world who are doing positive or creative things. People who are being true to themselves and living their dreams. This is simply a collection of random happy discoveries.” And I should add, they do it in such a cute and crafty-looking way. Make sure to add them to your feeds or check them out every Wednesday when they post their fix for the mid-week blues, calling it Anti-Woe Wednesday. Some of my vinyl requiem friends might like the munny video that made it there yesterday! Go give Traci and Tammy a shout:
