Inspiration

• Aug
  9
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• 1

There are those days when I don't want to get out of bed. When I just think life is too overwhelming. I should be ashamed for thinking this. I'm healthy, have a great life, want for nothing, have friends and family that love me, have a wonderful job - pretty much no reason to complain. And yet, there are days where I forget this and need a little reminder. Enter my reminder for today - Staff Sgt. Dale Beatty. Dale Beatty was awarded the Purple Heart after being wounded in combat and loosing both his legs. This would be enough to cause most people to give up. But not Dale. A veteran of the Iraq War, Beatty counts himself more fortunate than most and is doing his part to give back to veterans who are less fortunate. Beatty and partner John Gallina started Purple Heart Homes, Inc. This entirely veteran-operated organization modifies homes to accommodate newly-disabled veterans. Purple Heart Homes focuses on helping these vets transition smoothly to a new home or an accessible home regardless of their injuries.  Check out the full story here. There is a great video of Beatty. Truly inspiring.  So the next time I don't want to get out of bed because I'm "too tired," I'll remember Staff Sgt. Dale Beatty and how adversity just prompted him to be even more of a hero.

Sustainable – all the way down to your shoes.

• Aug
  2
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• 1

So the question is, how sustainable are your sneakers or you jeans? The answer is, we don't know... but we will soon! A number of companies - including Target, Nike, Levis, Timberland and Adidas - have signed on to bring you the Eco Index. The Eco Index is a software tool engineered to help you measure the impact of your apparel and footwear. In addition, based on the Eco Index rating, products will display an eco-value on their tag or packaging - helping consumers know the final answer to who is the most sustainable of all. So, what's holding up this tool? Well, the more than 100 companies that have agreed to take part can't agree on what the green parameters should be. But, this still in the works index has made some companies change their ways already - Levi's changed its transportation route last year to make them more efficient - Brooks redesigned its shoe boxes after finding that it would score as high as it had hoped. To read the whole Wall Street Journal article on the Eco Index click here. So, we pose the question - would a clothing company's sustainability rating change your buying decisions? Let us know.