Why I Can't Be A Vegan (despite PETA)

Don't get me wrong, I think PETA has great recipes and do it yourself projects. But, I'm not convinced being a vegan is the healthiest choice for me. I read. Sometimes I think I read and research too much. See, many soy products are actually GMO. That isn't healthy. Plus, it's hard to find tasty, soy free, gluten free recipes and cookbooks. Call me lazy, but I don't want to invent it myself. I know how to get nutrients from a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts. That isn't my problem.

I don't believe in fake meat. Seriously, it's chemicals that making that soy taste like chicken and beef..I see that as a gateway product that would turn me back to eating the real thing instead of being a gateway to less meat. I think back to when my brother became a vegetarian in the early 1990s. It was healthier back then because Monsanto wasn't as big and there weren't as many cage free, open pasture, less cruel and less unhealthy alternatives to buying meat. We didn't have trader joes, whole foods, etc where we grew up. So I supported and still support his decision as a teenager.

I say go big or go home. It takes dedication that I just don't have. I go meatless a few days out of the week. I don't want to be a veyo ( yo yo vegan) or yotarian (my term for yo yo vegetarian). I don't believe in seafood vegetarians either...fish is meat. Duh. So for now I'm an omnivore lite who applauds those with the willpower and conviction to make the jump.

Out of curiosity, what made you take the final leap or keeps you from doing it?

 

 

Cross Training Pays Off

Who knew I know so much? That isn't an ego statement. I answered the phone today because our secretary was off. A caller asked about our services and I was able to list and describe them. I did this not only for where I work, but for another nonprofit as well. It turns out cross training staff in different departments and having full staff meetings really can pay off.

What does this have to do with my next career? I was marketing our company's services while making sure I was pleasant, informed and came off as an authority. The caller complimented and thanked me. You see, I didn't have to spend 25 minutes explaining services, explaining services on another company's website. But, I did so she could make an informed decision. For that brief time, I was the voice of the company and I wanted to make sure she had the best impression possible. What do you do to make a good first impression? Should I become a customer service representative?

 

I just #jobjacked a Facebook Post

I was on Facebook this morning and saw this:  

"People's Food Co-op Ann Arbor 3 minutes ago A fond farewell to our Outreach, Ed and Volunteer Coordinator, Caitlin. Smiley icon for all you've done, frowny icon for leaving. Like · · Share"

Most people would just comment on the post or like it. Me, I shared went to their website and checked the job openings. Then I sent it to a friend who is looking for work. See, going on to social media to check where friends work and using apps like BranchOut won't cut it in today's job market. Think about all the places you enjoy, the companies and brands you love. Fan them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter. Follow people on social media networks who work at the brands and companies you love. You never know when they'll post that they're leaving the company. They may not post an actual job opening on there, but you may see that post above that says one opened up. Share these with people who are job hunting. That is jobjacking a post. Have you ever jobjacked a post on a social media network? Let me know in the comments.

When I Grow Up

I remember being asked what I want to be when I grow up. My answer always varied from gymnast to dancer to teacher, nurse, astronaut, engineer, homemaker, chef and more. I settled into teaching special education, retired from that at the ripe old age of 24, worked in the disability field with adults as a direct care worker and intermediate care facility administrator, moved on to caregiving for an elderly couple (and running their household), became an 99+er, started a nonprofit that provides fiscal sponsorship and pays for labwork, school supplies and more, and now work full time as a transition coordinator. In between, I volunteered and learned direct action organizing and how to organize political campaigns. Along the way, I started and failed a few solopreneur ventures and learned some quality lessons. I never became the gymnast, but I did do elite athlete workouts. I didn't become a dancer, but I learned kickboxing. I didn't become an engineer, but I learned about web development and design. What do I want to be when I grow up? I am 33 and don't have a clue. But I hope it includes advocacy, marketing, social media and crafting. How about you? What do you want to be?

 

Investing in Me

A few months ago, I wrote about my desire to micro-invest in businesses starting on the 30th anniversary of my first open heart surgery. Well, I ended up having a pacemaker implanted on November 10th (yes I'm 32 and a cyborg lol) so that didn't go as planned on November 8th. Instead, I decided to invest in me this month.  Although, I did give to a couple of small businesses in October :).

I thought long and hard about my next venture. I've worked in education (former special education teacher), nonprofit (people with disabilities), volunteered with veteran service organizations and helped startups.  I decided that it was time to start my own for-profit social enterprise.  The thinking didn't start in November.  It started last year on a visit to Michigan, my home state.  I was devastated to see empty storefronts.  Later, Borders, my favorite local bookstore (I grew up in Ann Arbor), closed.  I wanted to do something, but couldn't decide what or how.  In November, after the pacemaker implant, I decided to go for it.

I asked a web developer for help, asked a friend for more help and while recuperating, did market research.  I had to learn how to incorporate in Michigan while living in California.  I engaged a great Michigan-based writer to help with articles that I'd need written.  In January, my new venture will debut.  Wish me luck!

I'm not giving up on my promise for micro-philanthropy.  I'll still give and document my $30/month.  Now I'm going to spread what I'm doing even further. 

30 Years later, a pacemaker and lessons learned

Uh oh. I'm getting reflective.  In April, I turned 32.  November 9th I celebrated the 30th anniversary of my first open heart surgery.  I didn't celebrate by having a huge party that day, but by having an electrophysiology study that was supposed to lead to a cardiac ablation. Fortunately, they found put the root cause of my problem.  I had sinus node attacks, which isn't an allergy attack.  It caused extremely slow heart rates and wasn't discovered using an echocardiogram or an EKG.  I was given a pacemaker 2 days later.  In fact, I'm sitting at a friend's house typing with one hand now.  The pacemaker isn't solving the whole problem, but tomorrow I find out if it means I can take new medication and other therapies for my irregular heartbeat.  I think it it is a pretty awesome gift.

These past 30 years, I've learned a few things:

1. I know my body.  If I'm not feeling well, I need to listen and force doctors to listen and act.
2. Life is a gift I treasure everyday.
3. Never make a New Year's Resolution.  That day doesn't have meaning for me.  I make a resolution every November.  
4. Make specific resolutions I can keep.  I never promise to lose a dress size. I promise to be up front about my condition, to ask for accommodations when needed, to volunteer 30 hours for the year, etc.
5. Never hide the scar.  It's a source of pride, strength, love.  It reminds me that I'm lucky.  There are people worse off than me.
6. Give back.  I feel great volunteering.  I may have physical limitations, but I can still help someone else.
7. Know my limits.
8. Never be afraid to ask. 
9. Failure is not doing anything.
10. It's ok to ask for help.
11. Love really is the most important thing in the world.
12. Reach for the stars. 
13. 
    

Why the #occupy demonstrators are selfish

I’m part of the 1%.  I admit it freely.  No, not that 1%, the other 1%....I’m 1 out of 100, the estimated number of people born with congenital heart defects.  I’m also part of the percentage of people who are looking at the occupy Wall Street people and thinking, “you’re selfish.” 

There. I said it. I put it in writing even.  I think they’re selfish.  Where were all of them when gays weren’t allowed to be married in certain states? When they were getting beaten, bullied and killed?  Where was all their outrage when people were being called “retarded” like it was alright?  Where were they when it was deemed that Medi-Cal and Medicare didn’t have to pay for therapies for children with Autism?  Why is it that they aren’t all lining the streets every time the “n” word is used or others are being called wet backs?  The Boycott Arizona Movement seems to have died down, hasn’t it? Voting laws are being passed that are taking us back to the Jim Crow era and they’re occupying Wall Street. 

The Super Committee put social security up on the table.  They’re looking at making huge cuts to Medicaid and Medicare.  This will negatively impact current and future generations, especially those who have disabilities and the elderly.  All research shows that people with disabilities utilizing the federal medical systems do so at a disproportionately high rate.  There are more hospitalizations, medical appointments and prescription drug costs.  These costs cut into the amount of money these individuals receive from federal resources and private savings.  When the occupiers pooled their money, it went towards:

A.      A.  Helping the elderly and people with disabilities make mortgage/rent payments

B.        B.      Helping the elderly and people with disabilities pay for medications

C.       C.      Organizing rides and paying for transportation to the polls for the elderly and people with disabilities

D.       D.     Paying for a commercial

For all of you that answered, A, B or C….I’m sorry.  But, the people occupying Wall Street paid for a commercial.  You know, to tell others what we already know.  That despite the cost of the medication we all need right now, the inability to keep a roof over the head of a person who receives less than $900/month to pay for all needed items in the state of California (without a Section 8 voucher or food stamps), that despite voting is important and many are disenfranchised due to the inability to use public transportation, a lack of pick up by ACCESS services and not enough money to get to the polls, a commercial to inform us that banks are the root of all problems was more important. 

In Los Angeles, the group of Occupiers refused to let a Farmers Market reclaim their spot.  A movement that is for small business owners, the hungry, the unemployed decided that small farmers should not sell their goods, that the workers should get paid less, vendors who paid the city for a booth should not sell their wares, workers, the underemployed, jobless and the unemployed should not eat fresh, local, potentially organic food downtown and that produce should go to waste.  That’s what their actions said.

When they surround the banks, do they think of the small business owner who is bringing cash and checks to the bank to make payroll? How he or she must fight through the crowd of angry people before the bank closes?  Do they think of the people who have disabilities who must arrange for public transportation to drop them off at a certain time and pick them up at a certain time or else they don’t have a way home?  That those people have accounts there too and must decide if as someone who is elderly, uses a wheelchair, walker, cane, fear of crowds, has a seeing eye dog (or miniature pony as my allowed assistive animal due to the Dept of Justice ruling), no computer for bill pay because they never were able to afford one even before the mortgage crisis, can get through the crowd and take care of their business without being afraid of getting hurt? On top of that, I alluded to people who have a fear of crowds. Not everyone has a visible disability, one that comes with “hardware” or assistive technology.    

I’m all for protesting, but where were they when Medicaid rates were cut?  Where were they when the elderly didn’t get a raise in their cost of living?  Where were they when voting rights were getting cut in certain states?  Where were they when their representatives in the senate were voting on the jobs bill?  That’s right….they weren’t occupying their offices…no.  They were occupying Wall Street.  When key votes happen on a nonpresidential Election Day tomorrow, where will they be? Occupying Wall Street. Once their demands are met and they get what they want, where will they be when historically disadvantaged groups need assistance?  At their high paying jobs with health insurance and 401k glad they occupied Wall Street and still uncaring about the injustices that happen to the people with disabilities and people of color who stood next to them, who will still be Occupying Wall Street and the Capital without news coverage.