The Sundara Fund

"I think at our highest level we are all in some way searching for connectivity and a purpose. I love the feeling of going to bed each night feeling like someone,somewhere has benefited from my work.It keeps me going though the hard times- and there have been many. before this I certainly had my fair share of soul-less jobs that I just did for the paycheck or the status, but they left me feeling so empty,which makes me really appreciate the higher meaning in this work."

"One of the best parts about Sundara is how cost-efficient our entire mission is. $130 pays a hygiene ambassador's salary for an entire month and lifts her and her family out of extreme poverty. $100 provides soap to 50+ children in a village school for an entire year.Fundraising for these children is the best way to support Sundara's mission-along with spreading the word!

We would love and welcome you to get in touch with us(michelle@sundarafund.org,erin@sundarafund.org) if they want to be a member of our board,intern or be involved in any other way.

We are so grateful for any and all support!

"Through recycling soap, we’ve rescued thousands of kilograms of waste from ending up in overcrowded landfills – but more importantly we’ve brought soap to those who couldn’t afford it, given economic opportunity to unemployed women and seen increased rates of hand washing in all the communities we work in."

                                      sundarafund.org

Soap Box Soaps

The movement towards using business as a source for social impact has gained a considerable amount of traction as a variety of companies have decidedly established a presence within the landscape of philanthropic initiatives.

Corporate resources combined with a foundation arm have the potential to steward various forms of support as appropriate. 

Over the years I have learned of several companies that have some level of community engagement. I was at my local grocery store and came

across a product from Soapbox Soaps. 

Through Soapbox Soaps, I learned of another opportunity for conscious consumerism. I purchased the,"Smooth and Repair Coconut Oil Body Wash."

The goal of Soap Box Soaps, "Is to empower customers to change the world through everyday, quality purchases."

I see great value in demonstrating that conscious consumerism can be applied in a way that the average person walking down the street can access. 

So exactly what impact was created here?

While visiting www.soapboxsoaps.com/hope, I entered the, "Hope Code," printed on the container and learned of the Sundara Fund.

soapboxsoaps.com

Sundarafund.org

My impression of the idea of conscious consumerism is that purchasing decisions complimented with grants and other forms of support can affect a meaningful social impact.

Book Reccomendation: "Left to Tell" by Immaculee Ilibagiza

Book Reccomendation
"Left to Tell" by Immaculee Ilibagiza

Authors, share your story, say what you have to say because you never know who it may impact. The post below is a piece I originally wrote for Facebook. It is a reflection about the book "Left to Tell," by Immaculee Ilibagiza.

Your book,"Left to Tell," had an incredible impact on me. So much so that I consider it to be a significant life event. I have drawn a great amount from your life story. When you relate your ability to still believe in humanity and love it reminds me of a book by Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. called, "Strength To Love," and to me, your book is the epitome of having the strength to love. One of the things I take from your book is that the human heart could be described as a world unto itself and your writing takes the reader through all of the intricacies within that world. I came across this book when I was about 25 years old,a time when deciding what love is supposed to look like is critical. Your book was a central part of guiding the process of making a conscious decision about what I want in that regard. I thank you for writing, "Left To Tell."

http://immaculee.com/

Injinji Performance Wear

What keeps you motivated in reaching your fitness goal(s)? I define Fitness as a lifestyle rather than something temporary.

Having the best gear for your individual needs is a step in the right direction. Prior to running in Injinji performance toe socks, I was just wearing regular socks and not thinking too much about proper athletic gear.

I used to jog over the Brooklyn Bridge sometimes so my main focus as far as running gear had been to invest in a wind mask and running pants with wind panels on them.

Currently, I run in performance toe socks from California based Injinji (In-jin-jee). This company started in 1999. The name Injinji is a word of African origin which refers to the point at which a drumming circle reaches it peak.

The Injinji Blog features some interesting features including "Foot to the Floor: Why You Should Choose Toesocks."

Through July 31st, Injinji is running an Instagram contest in which they will be giving away a free pair of socks every day.

Visit their Facebook page to read more about the Instagram contest including the Grand Prize of a $100.00 gift certificate to their online store.

Injinji's affiliations include The Independent Running Retailer Association as well as The Conservation Alliance, whose mission is,"to engage businesses to fund and partner with organizations to protect wild places for their habitat and recreation values."

I like the Injinji, "Manifestoe". It is as follows, “Forever committed to innovation that allows your feet to live and perform at their peak. We are a better way.”

                                      

Dulce Bean

I had the opportunity to interview Clara Botero, founder of Dulce Bean,a MWBE bakery featured in the Miami Herald. The food heritage of Ms. Botero's business goes back to her family roots in Colombia and cooking for her family when she was younger.

Dulce Bean provides a variety of gluten free and grain free choices such as Organic Wheat and Gluten Free Apple Ginger Cake and Organic Wheat and Gluten Free Bananas and Cream Cake.
  
Between interviewing Clara and visiting her website I learned about some of the healthy products she uses including coconut flour, something I have not yet baked with as well as coconut oil which I previously wrote about while interviewing Pooka Pure and Simple.

I have to give credit where credit is due and take a moment to mention that the food photography on her website is amazing.

In addition to selling her products she includes the article, "How to Get Started in Health," on her site that reviews healthy eating and gives a primer of sorts for those who are starting out with the process of changing their food choices.

Check out the FAQ's section to find out about shipping, pricing, billing, order status, international shipping etc...

All Dulce Bean products are offered Whole Sale and you can find out more information about this by contacting the company directly.

The Resources section on the website includes topics such as and I think is a great addition as it is a way for you to build a relationship with her brand based on the quality of her products as well as looking to Dulce Bean as a source of information.

Some of the topics include, "How to Sprout Your Own Flour","Sprouted Flours and Products," and "Great Recipes, Blogs and Sites."

Ouça Na Ponta do Lápis de Nery

https://itun.es/br/LYn19

Injinji Performance Wear

What keeps you motivated in reaching your fitness goal(s)? I define Fitness as a lifestyle rather than something temporary.

Having the best gear for your individual needs is a step in the right direction. Prior to running in Injinji performance toe socks, I was just wearing regular socks and not thinking too much about proper athletic gear.

I used to jog over the Brooklyn Bridge sometimes so my main focus as far as running gear had been to invest in a wind mask and running pants with wind panels on them.

Currently, I run in performance toe socks from California based Injinji (In-jin-jee). This company started in 1999. The name Injinji is a word of African origin which refers to the point at which a drumming circle reaches it peak.

The Injinji Blog features some interesting features including "Foot to the Floor: Why You Should Choose Toesocks."

Through July 31st, Injinji is running an Instagram contest in which they will be giving away a free pair of socks every day.

Visit their Facebook page to read more about the Instagram contest including the Grand Prize of a $100.00 gift certificate to their online store.

Injinji's affiliations include The Independent Running Retailer Association as well as The Conservation Alliance, whose mission is,"to engage businesses to fund and partner with organizations to protect wild places for their habitat and recreation values."

I like the Injinji, "Manifestoe". It is as follows, “Forever committed to innovation that allows your feet to live and perform at their peak. We are a better way.”