I buy less so I won’t feel like this.  If you really need something, save money and the earth with gently used goods. If you want, be green and funny like Portlandia.  

Guess what two sentences will get you thank you letters from strangers?

“Can you please ship my order in reused packaging/envelopes with no packing peanuts, bags, boxes, tissue, etc.? Thanks for joining other sellers to be green and do the right thing!”

That’s what I email to online sellers when my local business can’t get what I need.  Let me know if you also get nice surprises like this:

A new study linked sugary, fatty, processed junk food to lower IQ.   But acai berry, nut butters, broccoli, eggs and fish oil feed your brain (ABC news video).  

Get this app or wallet guide of produce to buy organic to avoid the most pesticides.  I use this site to find local, seasonal produce.  After being harvested, food begins to lose nutrients, so the less time between the farm and your dinner plate, the more nutritious the food is for you.

This NRDC wallet guide lists fish with the least mercury.  Mercury causes health problems in humans.  

I asked my doctor to jab me with needles on several occasions to make sure these vitamins kept my iron, vitamin D and calcium levels in the normal range:

This is the only kids vitamin I found that’s sugar-free & partly organic:

You’ll never be bored with these unusual flavors:

Your acupuncturist can determine if it’s healthy for you to eat raw:

Studies show people lie on dates.  When people lie, don’t say in a disapproving way, “Did you do [this thing that will result in punishment]?”  The book, Nurture Shock, says it helps if you say, “I’d be happier if you told the truth.”  

If you end up having kids with your date:

• Fighting in front of kids could be good for them if they see the fight resolve it in a healthy way.  Get surprisingly hip tips, text messages, and videos on to make your relationship happier. Or read tips for grownups and kids in Hands Are Not For Hitting and Words Are Not For Hurting.   
• Don’t tell them they’re smart.  It makes people avoid or not overcome challenges.   Praise them for what is in their control.  For example, “You worked really hard.”  If they didn’t do well, avoid rewarding them.  Try something like, “let’s figure out how you can be more effective.” Watch the video. 
• Don’t tell people they’re good-looking.   Compliment people on things they can control as in, “I really like that color on you.”  

Jane McGonigal inspired me with her tips, games, videos: 

• If you feel like saying, “I’m miserable,” try saying, “I’m playing a game to reach my goal. Let’s play at SuperBetter.com. It’s helped people overcome fears, cope with illness, lose weight, find jobs, get over breakups, write books, learn to dance, quit smoking, make time for family, etc. ” 
• Feel like telling someone, “You’re wasting your life with video games”?  Try, “Thank you for developing these skills. These skills made you ready to do something extraordinary in your real life now.” Watch the video.
• Video I like to call, Games Make People Survive Famine, Save Real (Not Virtual) World.

Some moth made 59 holes in my wool leggings.  But I still wear them and stay warm.  Icebreaker and SmartWool say they don’t cut skin from sheep without painkillers.  Icebreaker seems more ethical because they:

• Provide workers with three meals a day.
• Recycle water & use eco-friendly dyes (though I have yet to research that).

(Men’s and women’s socks, hoodie, jackets, gloves also available)

You’ll find out after you read:

• Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office.  Don’t wait until you can’t get a corner office.  Read it while you’re in high school.  
• In the Company of Women. If you talk to women, you’ll be glad you read it.

Sign up for tips from a negotiation training I gave on what to say when you hear, “take it or leave it.”   Or I recommend the UC Berkeley Executive Education Negotiation and Influence course more than the four negotiation books I read.   You’ll have fun in complex role play exercises and see a score of how well you did.