"Aware" Businesses Help Families of Children with Autism

If you have any kind of experience with children on the autism spectrum, then you know that sometimes the "simple" things in life can become quite the challenge. Enjoying a meal at a restaurant can present its own unique challenges for an individual diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). For example, a bustling restaurant environment can prove to be very overstimulating and bewildering; an individual with an ASD may also require special assistance when ordering their food.

Fortunately, there are some restaurant owners who recognize the difficulties that these individuals face and are willing to go the extra mile to make things a little more comfortable for them.

The article linked above also features a video report.

I think it's great that some people are willing to step up and work a little harder in order to promote an inclusive environment. Kudos! Maybe this will become the start of a new trend in the restaurant industry?

Fair Trade Coffee

These days, I'm sure that you've heard a lot about "fair trade" coffee. The term has become more common and is something that many coffee lovers are paying attention to when they select their coffee products. What are we paying attention to, though? What exactly does "fair trade" mean?

To begin with, there's no "university accepted" definition of "fair trade." Instead, fair trade labeling organizations rely on a definition supplied by FINE, an informal association of four international fair trade networks: Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International, World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), Network of European Worldshops, and European Fair Trade Association (EFTA). According to their definition, the term "fair trade" refers to:

1. a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency, and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade.
2. contributing to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers- especially in the South.
3. organizations, backed by consumers, that are actively engaged in supporting producers, in raising awareness, and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade.

The term "fair trade" can also be applied to many other commodities, such as cocoa and textiles. Prior to fair trade, prices were regulated by the International Coffee Organization according to the regulations set forth by the International Coffee Agreement of 1962. This agreement set limits on the amount of coffee traded between countries so there would be no excess supply, and consequently a drop in price. The agreement has been modified several times since its creation.

So, what does it mean when modern day coffee vendors are advertising their product as being fair trade certified? The fair trade movement promotes sustainability, which has become more important to consumers over the last decade. It's also important to note that the majority of coffee producers/farm owners are located in developing nations; their products are bought and sold on a relatively volatile market. The fair trade movement also seeks to improve the financial health and profitability of these small producers and farm owners. In other words, buying coffee that is fair trade certified means that you are making a conscious decision to support sustainability and promote the financial well-being of those who produce the coffee beans.

Green Mountain Coffee is one company that is working to make a real difference in the world of fair trade coffee. Their products are carefully selected and cultivated in order to bring you the best possible flavors. Even better, they share their success with the rest of the world, by working hard to better their own communities. That cup of coffee tastes much better when you know that the farmers who grew those coffee beans received a fair price for their labor.

Since I'm a BzzAgent, I was able to sample some of Green Mountain Coffee's products. They were so good that I went out and purchased additional products. One of my personal favorites is their Wild Mountain Blueberry blend. Green Mountain Coffee is also available in K-Cups, for those of you who happen to own a Keurig (or similar device).

My friends and family really enjoyed Green Mountain Coffee. I think the only product that we didn't care for was the iced coffee. Trust me, there is more to iced coffee than simply pouring hot coffee over ice. Otherwise, I enjoyed each and every product that I sampled, and I've definitely converted a few friends as well. I highly recommend Green Mountain Coffee to my fellow coffee lovers: their products provide an ethical way to enjoy something that we all love. Namely, great coffee.

The Diversity of Brown

So, I found out on Monday that UPS plans to halt its donations to the Boy Scouts of America. The reason? They don't agree with the BSA's "anti-gay" policy. Apparently, a petition had a lot to do with Intel and UPS pulling their donations from the BSA. Still, it's a nice gesture. I can say that UPS is a very diverse company and that their corporate culture is very accepting, based on my own experiences.

I'm sure that people are going to have a fit over this, but just remember- you can't force people to agree with you. If these companies aren't supportive of your beliefs, then they are under no obligation to donate money to your organization.

I really wish that the BSA wouldn't exclude people based on their sexual preference. Really, it has nothing to do with being a "good person" or a "good role model." I find it ironic that so many people defended the BSA, stating that they were just trying to protect young boys from perverts. No offense, but y'all are doing a great job without recruiting "perverted" homosexuals.

Maybe someday the BSA will wake up and allow everyone to participate in their organization, regardless of their sexual orientation.

***Edit: After reading this post again, I realized that I wasn't very clear in my explanation. To be fair, UPS isn't specifically pulling their donations from the BSA. Rather, they have committed to only donating to organizations that share their core values, such as diversity. Since the BSA is homophobic, they will not be eligible to receive donations from UPS.

Concessions and Victories

If you happened to miss it, you can watch Mitt Romney's concession speech right here. Short, sweet, and to the point. I find it kind of funny that he didn't prepare a concession speech beforehand, just in case. Wouldn't you want to be prepared for any scenario, especially when running for President of the United States?

Well, at any rate, you can also watch Obama's victory speech below.

President Obama's speech is just a little bit longer... (ha)

You know, I have to say this: I've been really disappointed by some of the reactions I've seen from Romney supporters. A lot of them have been posting some really negative, immature crap on various social media sites. You know what? Obama won. Romney lost. End of story. You can either wallow in negativity and whine about the "coming apocalypse", or you can stand up and work to create a better America. The president is just ONE MAN. You don't need to agree with him in order to work for your country. If you truly care about America, then quit your whining and STEP UP. Make a difference in the world; your delusional social media rants are neither profound nor inspiring.

I don't agree with Obama 100%, but you know what? I think he'll do just fine. I'm going to be optimistic and send President Obama some good vibes. I'm also going to keep working with my partner to create a better life for our family.

Tomorrow is a new day, and we can always make a difference.

Barack Obama: Re-Elected

America has spoken: Obama will be serving a second term as President of the United States of America.

Regardless of your political affiliation(s), it's time to come together and work even harder to improve our country and move forward.

Cher Wants YOU... to Vote!

This video was pretty funny. Women, take note!

It's CHER, damn it!

I Voted.

I participated in the early voting program last week. Casting my vote was bittersweet, but satisfying nonetheless. I know that an obscene number of people in this state will vote for Romney because he shares two common traits with them: he’s a Republican and a Mormon. It’s a shame, because anyone who bothers to research the issues can see what the Romney/Ryan platform is built on: inherently flawed “logic”, numbers that do not add up, and enough flip-flopping to make your head spin. Is Obama perfect? Nope. Not by any means. When compared to the Romney/Ryan ticket, however, Obama is the best option we have. A vote for Romney/Ryan is a vote for the “legitimate rape” of America.

I may not always agree with the Democrats, but I do know that my family will have more opportunities for equal treatment with a Democrat in power. Mitt Romney has gone on record saying some pretty ignorant, hateful things about the LGBT community. He's vowed to do everything in his power as president to revoke our rights and tear our families apart. I refuse to be treated as a second-class citizen when I contribute just as much, if not more, to society than my peers. I refuse to have my children believe that they anything less than regular

Almost everyone seems to feel very strongly about this election. Whatever your beliefs, I encourage you to get out there and vote today. Your vote will always make a difference, no matter what anyone else may tell you. It's your right and privilege to vote, so get out there and let your voice be heard!