Ahoy Matey

Water World...

One summer I got a little fancy and went on my friends' boat a couple of times (they call it a boat... I call it a half-a-yacht). It's a lovely floating mass and easily fit me along with Jessica, Christian, their son Jonathan and their dog Buddy... like I said - it's a half-a-yacht.

On this particular afternoon, we were on the half-a-yacht cleaning up after a fabulous lunch that Christian had carefully prepared and so, to pitch in, I decided to do the dishes. That's when I found out the sticky thing about any kind of floating living space - there is a fixed amount of water. The boat was anchored in the water rather than being docked into a site so there was no clean water source beyond what was in the tank. This fact however, didn't occur to me until Christian said in passing, as I was hunkered over the sink, my hands filled with the sudsy good stuff, "Be mindful of the water, because once we're out, we're out."

I looked at him, my head cocked to one side and said something along the lines of, "Huh. Right." Then I looked back down at the running faucet and abruptly shut it off. I felt confused suddenly - like I was given the task of figuring out some riddle that if answered correctly would result in clean dishes. And that's when I realized how much of an idiot I was being. You don't need to run the water while you're scrubbing the dishes. Genius! I scrubbed the wet dishes while the water was turned off, then rinsed and VOILA clean dishes! I was able to pitch in without costing the boat the remainder of its water supply.

When we began this challenge I remembered that experience. My main goal was always to shorten my showers but who says I can't save a little in my kitchen as well? I'm not always successful at remembering to shut it off, but I'm definitely making some improvements!

And I guess that's the best way to start!

Diary of an American Shopper - Day 16

Woah, what a weekend. Every year, my dad and I get together to start our Holiday Shopping...in November! I know, I know - Christmas shopping at the beginning of the month? Well, I don't do crowds and I don't do rushing, so I start early. As long as your organized, you can get it done and not get stressed, but I digress.

This year, we hit up Portland, ME for a little holiday flair. We've been there before and love the shops - many of which feature local artisans. Sounds like a good place to set up camp for a day of shopping.

We hit store after store, and when it came to most gifts - I was a proud supporter of our Nation! I found pottery, jewelry, accessories (both leather and wool) and a wooden cutting board. However, the brakes hit hard when it came to clothing. I was only able to find one shirt by Steve Allen and that was it. What is that about? I knew that this would be the hardest part of this challenge - shopping for clothes. So what did I do? Well, to be honest - I broke down and bought things that weren't made in these United States with a vow to research more companies that make clothing domestically. I am well aware that buying domestic clothes will likely stretch my dollar the most when it comes to this challenge, but I want to see how far I can go.

I mark day 14 - 16 a fifty/fifty Success/Failure

Diary of an American Shopper Day 13

Seventh Generation got back to me! Here's what they wrote.

Hi Alicia,

Thank you for your loyal patronage to date and taking the time to e-mail us with your question. I applaud your USA loyalty with regard to products. We do our best to do that same thing in our family and I think when possible that is a good method regarding purchase habits.

We have had a percentage of our paper products made in Canada for many years now. We also have paper made from a manufacturer in the US as well. It so happens that you may have been drawing (based on store distribution and location) paper products that were indeed manufactured in the US. While it would be nice just to have one manufacturing source in the US providing all of our paper it is unfortunately not a logistical option at this time. The other challenge is that there are limited partners in the US willing to work with recycled paper fibers so that is why we have to employ the use of a capable site from our friends up north.

We feel good about this relationship and Canada is indeed a good trading partner. Again, we'd prefer to have our entire line of products made in the US, however when it comes to ingredients and sourcing we are not willing to make compromises. I will note your feedback and thank you for your patronage...


I am so happy to have heard from them, and look forward to purchasing their products happily in the future. I already made the decision that if things aren't available domestically, it was okay to use foreign ingredients so I feel that this falls under that category. Their products are so much better for the environment, so it makes me feel much better to use them.

I mark Day 13 a wonderful relief!

Diary of an American Shopper Day 12

From Day 12 of our Challenge...

I am very sad to report that Seventh Generation has not yet responded to my inquiry. And I am mad. It's been a week, I feel like that's ample time for a response. Mostly, I'm mad because I need to purchase toilet paper and I'm left without my go to brand. So, I did some research, and I found that Scotts Naturals is Made in the USA, so I breathe a sigh of relief and place an order.

I am not sure what the product will feel like, but I happen to think that Scotts regular is pretty similar to Seventh Generation. So.....

I mark Day 12 a success!

Diary of an American Shopper Day 9

Written by Alicia - our MADE IN AMERICA gal - written on day 9 of our challenge

Seventh Generation has left me in the dark - no updates at all. What's that about? They asked me if I wanted to fill out a survey, but I would like a response before I check any little boxes. In the mean time, the hunt for garbage bags continued. Yesterday, I went to the mecca of all garbage bag meccas - The Super Market. I knew that I would be able to find something nestled in their bright artificial lighted aisles, I saw them staring back at me. Oddly enough there weren't that many "small" garbage bags to choose from. In fact, Seventh Generation didn't even offer me an option.

I did, however, see a new brand (well new to me)- Bio Bag. It's biodegradable and compostable! Here's what it says on their website - www.biobagusa.com

BioBag is proud to be the best selling brand of certified 100% biodegradable and 100% compostable bags made from the material, Mater-Bi. We are also proud to be the first “bag from corn” to achieve national distribution of retail products through natural food stores across the country.

This product sounds awesome! I know that they're making plastic containers made out of corn, but I hadn't seen any bags yet. I was nervous when I flipped the box over. It is probably made overseas. BUT NO! Made in the USA is right there in print! I throw a couple in my basket, and head for the check out.

I mark Day 9 a MAJOR SUCCESS!!!

A Paper Towel Haiku

from jessica - who seems to have fallen into madness...

oh paper towel
I must break your hold on me
chocolate heals the pain

Absent Minded Recycling

From Melissa... our recycling maven

When Julie floated the idea about a What You Can Do Office Challenge I was super excited about participating. I feel that there are many areas where I could be better about helping the world t be a better place.

One thing that I think I could totally improve upon in my daily life is my recycling habits

When I lived in CA I always recycled everything because we had bins for bottles and cans and newspapers that would be picked up every week. After I moved to NYC I found that it was not as easy to recycle my products If your building doesn’t offer the bins or the pick up service it can be hard to save up all your recyclables and take them somewhere.

There are a few items that I am very good about recycling:

1. Beer Bottles. Not only do I save a lot of them and reuse the bottles for homebrewing, more often then not I have a pile of more then like a 100 bottles stacked up in my kitchen waiting for the next time I go to my local grocery store to recycle them. I get money back and then turn around and by my favorite types of beer. It is a win win situation.

2. Office Paper: Either at my house or in the office I try to reuse paper whenever possible. Be it writing a list or printing a non-important document. I have a little wire bin under my desk that holds my used paper. We also have one in the office that we try to always use.

Now on to the items I am not so good about recycling:

1. Newspapers: In NYC we have at least 2 different newspapers that are free that get handed out in the subway everyday I almost always read them in the morning when I am going to work. After I get out of the subway at 72nd street I almost always absentmindedly throw it on top of the other newspapers in the trash. Today, after I had thrown my paper into the trash, I actually picked it up off of the pile of trash and took it into the office where I will recycle it.

2. Plastic Bottles: When it was easy to throw any type of plastic bottle into my recycling bin I would always do this. But more often then not I have thrown away a shampoo bottle without thinking. These are definitely items that if I just take a little more time to think about I could bring them into the office and recycle them here in the building.

Having written this all done I feel like such a terrible person but I guess the first step to getting better is admitting that you might have a problem and focusing on what you can do better.

I think my next task will be to find out why the hell my building, which has over 5,000 people living in it, does not try to do a better job a recycling.

Onward and upward!

Think there's nothing you can do to Support the Troops in 1 Minute?

Think there's nothing you can do to Support Our Troops in 1 Minute?

Starring: Mark Agard
Written by: Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Consulting Producer: Mary Micari
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission and Fisher House Foundation, INC.

Statistical Information provided by: Fisher House, www.fisherhouse.org

Special Thanks: James D. Weiskopf and everyone at Fisher House Foundation, Inc.
Dennis Arinella and everyone at WLIW

Diary of an American Shopper Day 8

There is one thing that becomes very evident when you meet me. I love Bruce Springsteen. Love him! I've seen him many many times in concert, own all his albums, know all his lyrics, and have cried and danced to his music. So when I heard that he was playing his entire album - The River - and that I was going to be in attendance, I just about had a melt down!

How does this confession fit in to my challenge? I mean who is more American than Bruce Springsteen? Well....I bought a t-shirt. We all knew that the show was a rare treat, but when Bruce said he wouldn't be performing the album live again, I knew this was a once in a lifetime experience. It was amazing and I wanted to wrap myself up in a t-shirt to remember it. A very special t-shirt that listed the date of the show and all the tracks on The River. So, I bought the shirt, and didn't even once think if it was made domestically. It's true - I confess! I wanted the shirt and there was only one to choose from. It's not like I could rule out one in favor of a Made in the USA cousin. So I just took out my money and didn't look back.

Later when I was home - days later, I flipped over the label and it said MADE IN HAITI.

And how do I feel about it now? Kind of guilty I guess - I did commit to this challenge. But how do we react if we really want something and there is no other choice? Should I have not purchased the shirt because it wasn't made here? I guess in honor of this challenge I should probably say an emphatic NO!- However, I can say with confidence that if in the same situation, I would probably buy the shirt again.

I mark Day 8 a very accepted failure

Think there's nothing you can do to fight Wildlife Extinction in 1 Minute?

Think there's nothing you can do to help fight Wildlife Extinction in 1 Minute?

Starring: Barbara Micari
Written by: Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Consulting Producer: Mary Micari
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Statistical Information provided by: Defenders of Wildlife, www.defenders.org

Special Thanks: Lara Koch, Jeff Regan and everyone at Defenders of Wildlife
Dennis Arinella and everyone at WLIW

Confessions of a Water Addict

Julie's latest on her love of the liquid sunshine better known as agua...

Picture It: A Saturday morning in Brooklyn...

I wake up after a virtually sleepless night because my dog was busy wandering around my apartment aimlessly - her nails clicking on the wood floor and her right eye filled with gunk (I believe that’s the technical term). So, leaving myself no time to sleep in, I will myself out of bed so that I can get to the vet to have her checked out. I walk the dog for her morning excursion and to see if the vet has a free moment to check her out. Dyna (my dog) is strutting around the park like she’s had the best night of her life and I’m red-eyed and hoping that I can ride her back home. Through the park and to the vet we go, only to be told to come back later... Oh well... It was a long shot anyway.

I then go home to clean my apartment because, although it’s winter, both my dog and cat seem to be shedding their entire coat of hair. I become one with my vacuum.

A little while later, I head back to the vet to have said gunk-issue looked at. In the waiting room, my dog is shaking and looking at me with her ‘what did I ever do to you to deserve this’ face and my sleepless night is starting to take affect on my eyelids. Thankfully her eye situation is not serious and is resolved with some medication. Upon exiting the vet’s office, Dyna takes hold of her strut again and we make our way back home – both feeling a wave of relief.

Finally, I’m home and it’s time for me to shower (had I mentioned I didn’t have time to do this before?).

So, after a sleepless night, a blurry-eyed dog and a vacuum full of pet hair, I step into the shower. As promised, I turn the dial to 6 minutes. Then something happened. I rebelled. Six minutes came and went. Then 7, 8, 9... Okay people I took a 15 minute shower. I kept saying to myself... ‘Get out! Get out of this shower!’ And yet, my body wouldn’t move. Then I began the bargaining... ‘Tomorrow I’ll cut my 6 minute shower to 3 minutes’... Or... ‘I’ll just pour a bucket of cold water over my head for a week and call it even!’ ‘Don’t I get a cheat day?’

Pathetic, I know. Yet, what I found so illuminating was that, while I may not have had the Saturday of my dreams – it was certainly nothing to complain about, so why was I so quickly willing to convince myself it was worth cheating my water conservation goals for? I’m going to ponder this in the time I now no longer have to spend in the shower and see what I figure out.

Oh, and, I’m happy to say that yesterday and today I was under 5 minutes! Yahoo! I’m barely clean!

That's My Bag, Baby

An update on how Ashley is doing in her pursuit of breaking up with plastic bags...

My quest for the What You Can Do challenge is to shop "greener" by using reusable shopping bags instead of carrying home groceries in new plastic bags. I feel somewhat justified taking plastic bags occasionally to pick up after my dog, but certainly don't need the 50 bags currently sitting in my pantry. And even though I have plenty of reusable shopping bags, they spend most of their time collecting dust in the closet. I read somewhere that it takes three weeks to start a new habit, which means I've got a long way to go towards smarter shopping. In the past, I haven't even been able to remember my reusable bags on back-to-back shopping trips.

On Day One of the challenge, I grabbed four reusable bags from the depths of my closet and placed them securely in my car's trunk. After a quick workout at the gym, I headed to the grocery store and completely forgot to bring in the bags with me. As I was swiping my credit card at the check out, I realized that hiding bags in my trunk was not the way to accomplish my goal of environmentally savvy shopping.

Since then, my success rate of bringing bags to the store is about 50%. I also discovered other opportunities to reduce waste by carrying my own bags to the mall (not sure its going to happen) and drugstore. My goal for this week is to clean out my cluttered pantry by taking plastic/paper bags to the recycling center at my grocery store. And so I can successfully create a new environmentally friendly habit in the next three weeks, my reusable bags will be riding shotgun.

Think there's nothing you can do to Support our Parks in 1 Minute?

Think there's nothing you can do to support our Parks in 1 Minute?

Starring: Abby Lynn Mulay
Written by: Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Consulting Producer: Mary Micari
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Special Thanks: Dennis Arinella and everyone at WLIW

Diary of an American Shopper - Day 4

Below is an email inquiry to Seventh Generation...

Hi. I've been a loyal customer of your products for years. In fact, I've turned other people on to your eco-friendly New England based company. Recently, I've started this experiment to see if I can purchase things that are only made in the USA. I was excited that I could continue purchasing Seventh Generation, and you became my go-to company! However, as I was restocking my toilet paper, I noticed that it now says Made in Canada. I checked my dish detergent, my garbage bags, my cleaning supplies and my paper towels - all say Made in the USA. I'm wondering what caused you to move the production of the TP to Canada? Thank you for your time. Alicia Arinella

So - that was not a nice way to start my day. I will let you know what Seventh Generation says in response, but I'm left with the question - what am I going to do about Toilet Paper?

On their roll it even says - You are Making a Difference.
If every household in the U.S. replaced just one roll of 500 sheet virgin fiber, bathroom tissue with 100% recycled ones, we could save:
-423,900 trees
-1.0 million cubic feet of landfill space, equal to 1,600 full garbage trucks
-153 million gallons of water, a year's supply for 1,200 families of four

And I'm torn - is it better to support our economy and perhaps hurt the environment? Years ago, I had made the decision to shop Green. Purchasing products that are better for the environment. Honestly,it took me a while - Seventh Generation isn't as soft as Charmin that's for sure, but my Mom stocked our house at an early age, and I got used to it. We've all heard the statistics, and I'm trying to be more conscious about my waste and run off, so I want to be more eco-friendly. But with this new challenge, what do I do? Luckily - I still have a few rolls left over before I really need to answer that question for myself. By then, hopefully, Seventh Generation will have replied or I will have been able to find another suitable replacement.

I mark Day 4 enlightening but troubling.

About the WYCD Challenge from Two Participants

Papery Towelry Goodness (or the WYCD Challenge - Jessica-style)

So this week began the On the Leesh challenge. Working on What You Can Do has already made me much more conscious of my impact on the environment. Since its inception I have begun to monitor and curtail my consumption and waste habits. And I have been much better. By simply turning my attention to my daily habits it has been easy to make simple changes to reduce my carbon footprint. For instance, I try to always bring canvas bags to the grocery store. I make sure to run the dishwasher only when its full, and I have been donating many things around the house that I no longer use. But with the official kick off yesterday - I was forced to confront the skeleton in my closet-my global warming nemesis- the big bad of my environmental wear and tear: the paper towel.
Oh how I love a paper towel. I love its absorbent goodness, and its multifaceted purpose in my house.
Spill anything? Paper towel. Need to quickly wipe Scout's paws? Paper Towel. Not sure what that weird thing is on the floor of the kitchen? 3 paper towels! And so on November 1 I was forced to finally have a paper towel intervention.The only way through this was to remove the temptation from easy grasp. So I went downstairs to our storage unit and locked my stash away for the remainder of the month. I instantly regretted it. I was cooking that day and I have never been able to make an apple pie without a massive artillery of paper towel back up. I considered cheating- 'oh gosh! I had no idea today was November 1st!'. I considered bargaining - 'well since we turned the clocks back I have an extra hour of paper towel usage!' And I considered outright lying. 'Oh God, paper towels? Never use them.'
But instead I buckled down and got to it. And it was challenging. When the flour went everywhere -as it always does- the clean up consisted of a dustpan and broom. When I managed to spread sugar and apple over every available service- I turned to a dishrag. All in all, I was successful but it made me realize the full force of my paper towel habit. Hopefully as the month goes on it will get easier. But for now I better hide the key to that storage unit.

Think there's nothing you can to fight Poverty in 1 Minute?

Think there's nothing you can do to help fight Poverty in 1 Minute?

Starring: Michael Chang & Jim Paugh
Written by: Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Consulting Producer: Mary Micari
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Statistical information attained from the US Census Bureau
(http://www.census.gov/prod/2008pubs/p60-235.pdf)

Special Thanks: Erin Moran and everyone at Dress for Success, www.dressforsuccess.org,
John Sanful and everyone at Career Gear, www.careergear.org
Dennis Arinella and everyone at WLIW

Diary of an American Shopper (WYCD On the Leesh Challenge)

Day 1:
Armed with my shopping list and an uber amount of confidence, I head
to the drug store. Perhaps I was filled with a cocky sense of pride.
This is America, I can find things that are made here. No Sweat! Our
forefathers joined to build a more perfect nation and all that jazz.
What's the big deal? I even decided to go easy on myself, opting to
shop at the Mega drugstore vs my small hole in the wall terribly
stocked chain that never has anything.

I look at the list and two items stared back - Small Garbage Bags &
Glass Cleaner. Piece. Of. Cake.

I walk into the sprawling metropolis, a rarity in Manhattan and
swagger my way straight for the cleaning supplies. I usually shop
Seventh Generation. They're made in America (What's up New England!)
and good for the environment. Win win! However, this store doesn't
stock Seventh Generation - news to me - so I must begin my OK Corral
face-off with the garbage bags.

I start with name brands, pick up box one. ABORT - Made in China.
Bummer. Then I go with the store-brand's eco-friendly line. Again,
Made in China. I start to sweat. My black hat-wearing opponent is
gaining the upper hand as Sergio Leone's music starts to play in my
head.

Another box looks out at me, and I wrestle with the possibility that
only Seventh Generation garbage bags are made domestically. Can be
possible? This box will have the answer - I turn it over, and
apparently it's made no place. Not a good sign. I have decided unless
it says Made in the USA - it will not be traveling home with me.

Moving on - I will not be swayed in my quest for Glass Cleaner. Mark
my words! Product one....FAIL! Ugh - on to Clorox. Everyone has
heard of Clorox, and after my garbage bag debacle, I fear this means
defeat. I hear foreign music and voice overs in documentaries about
cutting costs by outsourcing production overseas. I flip over the
Green Works bottle, and... Surprise, Surprise this piece of plastic
bares the four most precious words to me this month- MADE IN THE USA.
WOOHOO! Happy dance begins, drop it in my basket and head to the check
out...

but wait...

the candy is calling my name. Must. Resist. Urge. But all the
Halloween candy is on sale. Must have the Reese's Pumpkin - second
only to the Reese's Egg. LOVE IT!!!

I pick up the nice chocolatey goodness, flip it over and - WHAT?!
Hershey's, the quintessential America company is now making Chocolate
in Mexico? How can this be? It's true - here's the link to the article
I found. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/528711/hershey_outsources_jobs_to_mexico.html

I drop the candy back in it's SALE bin, and head to the register
disappointed.

Still in pursuit of garbage bags, I head to another drugstore which
apparently doesn't sell Seventh Generation either. The sweating
continues. (I mentally decide to pick up a deodorant) The Good the
Bad and the Ugly theme starts again - I unholster my hand from my
pocket, reach out for box one - box two - everything is made in
China. UGH! One more option. The discount bag. Braced with
trepidation - since the whole M.O. of these companies for outsourcing
is to cut costs - I flip over the box. and. It's MADE IN THE good ol'
USA. Go figure.

I happy dance over to the counter and take out my good old American
Cash.

At the end of Day 1, I have learned a lot about where products are
made - but more importantly a normal one minute shopping trip took a
half hour. Isn't this what I wanted? To slow down and become more
conscious about my purchases. Overall I mark day one a success.


Diary of an American Shopper -

Day 3:
Back from a successful shoot for a client, I am in need of coffee.
This time of year, I love the Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks. I love
it so much, I send Julie photos of it when it comes back to the store.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! The warm smell, the cinnamon freshness.
DELICIOUSNESS abounds. As a treat, I head to Starbucks to get my
Latte, and as I hand over my cash, I am gripped with a horrific
realization. Starbucks is an American Company. The barista across from
me will be making my coffee in America. But where do these beans come
from? Where is the cinnamon imported from? The HORROR!!! And the
question is asked- how extreme do I want to go for this challenge?

For my home and office brews, the month of November is all about Kona
coffee and Sugar in the Raw. Both made on lovely island of Maui,
their tasty goodness doesn't let me down. I can feel the tropical
breezes and warm rays of the sun as the gentle aroma wafts up from my
coffee cup (made from a Pennsylvanian artist no less). At home and in
the office I'm on it, but on the road - what do I do?

And what do I do about products that can't even be Made in America -
Cinnamon isn't grown here, so what do I do? Eliminate it from my diet
completely or just opt for Fair Trade? Since Thanksgiving is in the
month of November, I opt for fair trade on this one.

But where was I. Oh yeah, In Starbucks.

My latte has been ordered; it's been paid for; it's been made. As my
name is called - I drop my head, take the coffee and sadly partake in
my imported defeat.

Overall I mark Day 3 a failure.

think there's nothing you can do to support a Child living with HIV/AIDS?

Think there's nothing you can do to help Children Living with HIV/AIDS in 1 Minute?

Starring: Nikaury Rodriquez
Written by: Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Consulting Producer: Mary Micari
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Statistical information provided by: Angelwish - www.angelwish.org

Special Thanks: Shimmy Mehta and everyone at AngelwishThe Rakshys Familiy, Maureen Halaby
Dennis Arinella and everyone at WLIW

Think there's nothing you can do to reduce your Carbon Footprint in 1 Minute?

Think there's nothing you can do to reduce your Carbon Footprint in 1 Minute?

Starring: Eric Walton
Written by: Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Consulting Producer: Mary Micari
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Statistical information found on the Environmental Protection Agency's website and provided by Carbonfund.org

Special Thanks: Ivan Chan and everyone at Carbonfund.org, John Kelleran, The Rakshys Familiy
Dennis Arinella and everyone at WLIW

Six Minutes in Heaven?

Every morning since November 1st, I am living in my own episode of 24... albeit without Keifer's charged whispering or the threat of dying from something other than the aroma of my citrus shower gel... but I am absolutely living a countdown. A six minute countdown to be specific. Somewhere in my brain I formed the magic water conservation shower number of six minutes. Don't ask me where it came from but that was my starting goal. The six-minute shower. I believe somewhere I remember Jennifer Aniston saying that that was what she did so maybe it's just another way my brain is trying to emulate America's Sweetheart, but there you have it - Six. Seis. Sechs. Sei.

It seems like a long time in theory, yet, in reality, when you're bleary-eyed and just waking up, it flies by! I don't know if it's the same for you people, but for me, my morning shower is when I actually start the creaky wheels of my brain turning. I think about my day and about all the things I need to get done. I think about how nice the hot water feels on my back. I think about how freaking cold it's going to be once I step out of the shower and into my poorly heated apartment. And suddenly I'm 4 and a half minutes in and I haven't done squat to get myself clean.

So now, to keep me honest, I've put my little red kitchen timer on the counter in my bathroom and turn it to six before I begin running the water. And it won't stop there. Next week, the clock goes to five.

Oy.

Think there's nothing you can do to protect our Oceans in 1 Minute?

Think there's nothing you can do to help protect our Oceans in 1 Minute? Watch this.

Starring: Grace Tortorici & Richard Tortorici
Written by: Julie Tortorici & Jessica Arinella
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Consulting Producer: Mary Micari
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Statistical information provided by: Ocean Conservancy, www.oceanconservancy.org

Special Thanks: Kelly Ricaute and Tom McCann and everyone at the Ocean Conservancy, www.oceanconservancy.org
Dennis Arinella and everyone at WLIW

What You Can Do Challenge! Day Two

Okay, so here we are on the 2nd day of November; which means, we are in the second day of our On the Leesh: What You Can Do Challenge! As promised, below is the breakdown of what each of us here is doing...

Alicia (Executive Producer, Director, Editor WYCD): Made in America! Alicia is focusing on purchasing only American made products. Is this even possible when pumpkin pie requires the importation of cinnamon?

Jessica (Creator, Co-Head Writer, Producer WYCD): Waste not, want not. The Queen of the paper towels is cutting back on the amount of disposable products she uses. Apparently cleaning her kitchen yesterday really called her commitment to the earth into question...

Julie (Co-Head Writer, Producer WYCD): Water Conservation. The brains behind this Challenge-operation had a guilt epiphany while enjoying a nice long hot shower one day. The self-proclaimed Vice President (her sister is the President - let's face it, she's older), of her own personal Water Park is turning off the faucets!

Melissa (Associate Producer WYCD): Reduce, Reuse, RECYCLE. It seems Melissa's building isn't the greatest about recycling so she's going to make her own individual concerted effort to recycle at all times. Some people bring their laptops to work, others bring their plastic bottles and take-out containers.

Ashley (Public Relations): Paper or PLASTIC? Can anyone say canvas tote bag? It seems that when shopping, Ashley can remember the milk, but not her reusable tote bag. This month, she's going to make a conscious effort not to bring any more of these imperishable baggies into her home.

Can Alicia, who loves a nice Italian shoe really only buy American made? Can Jessica break up with her paper towels? How fast can Julie condition her hair? Can Melissa really carry all that stuff around? Will Ashley need to resort to a tattoo to remind her to tote her tote around with her?

Only time will tell. Stay tuned.

Think there's nothing you can do to support the Homebound Elderly in one minute?

Think there's nothing you can do to help the Homebound Elderly in 1 Minute? Watch this.

Starring: Brian Patacca
Written by: Karen T. Hartline
Shot, Edited and Directed by: Alicia Arinella
Produced by: On the Leesh Productions
Consulting Producer: Mary Micari
Music by: Banana Whale
What You Can Do Logo Created by: SCG Siddharth Creative Group
Additional Footage Provided by: Shutterstock, Inc. Used by Permission

Statistical information provided by: DOROT

Special Thanks:
Barbara Micari, Mary Micari, Andrew J. Martin and everyone at DOROT, www.dorotusa.org
Dennis Arinella and everyone at WLIW