LiveWell Home Parties “Give with heart. Buy with heart. Live with heart.”

LiveWell Home Party

Party with Heart has a lot of wonderful friends. Last month at a Fair Trade festival a woman came up to me and asked if we do home parties. Home parties? Like Pampered Chef? No, we didn’t. She explained now people in her community would welcome the opportunity to buy fairly traded gifts. She went on to say that people are scaling back on “things” and are looking for gifts that have meaning and that benefit others. My ears perked up.

Thanks to her energy and encouragement, Party with Heart has teamed up with Mayanhands.org and Mangotreeimports.com and created LiveWell home parties.

The gifts cover the board: children’s products, hip and colorful jewelry, baskets, textiles and other goodies.

Parties are held in NY for now, but don’t worry our wheels are turning and thinking of ways to make them accessible (and fun) for our friends and supporters everywhere.

To host a party, just email me at partywithheart@gmail.com and mention this blog to receive $50.00 worth of products at your party. Looking forward to meeting some of you, having some laughs and helping the worldJ

Best to all,

Beth

LiveWell Home Parties to learn more contact me at Partywithheart@gmail.com

For years, I have focused my energies on the wellbeing of people.  I have read more books than I can count.   If I were asked today to travel the country and share what I know on the state of people living in the developing world, I would have enough material to begin right NOW!

I became consumed by the knowledge.  So much so that I failed to see the action steps I could take in my daily life to make a difference in the lives of people I knew so much about.

Last year I took action steps and developed daily practices that put my knowledge to good use.  I looked for the best Fair Trade coffee I could find and I feel in love with Deans Beans.   My veggies are purchased from local farmers.  Chocolate?  That’s Fair Trade too.  The changes have required very little energy on my part and the rewards are very sweet.  Aside from them tasting so good, I am making connections with the suppliers.  We’re becoming friends.

Party with Heart supports Fair Trade Practices.  Visit us to support Fair Trade too.  And, if you’re a fan of facts like moi, go ahead and check out the Fair Trade Federation website at www.fairtradefederation.org.

Here are some stats excerpted from the Fair Trade Federation website.  Thank you for reading, learning, sharing and making a difference.

$13 billion - total amount required to provide basic education and nutrition in all developing countries, according to the 2005 UNICEF State of the World’s Children Report

102% - growth in US and Canadian sales for Fair Trade between 2004 and 2007 according to the Fair Trade Federation Interim Report on Fair Trade

284,000 - number of children in the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon working in hazardous tasks on conventional cocoa farms, according to a 2002 International Institute of Tropical Agriculture study directly involving 4,500+ producers.

2 cents - amount farmers on conventional farms receive from the average $3 latte, according to Transfair USA

Dream Village: books for children with a focus on social responsibility.

www.dream-village.org

Party with Heart became acquainted with Dream Village several months ago while searching for children’s books that speak to social and environmental issues in our world.  As a mother, I always sought out books that could offer my children some insight into the larger world we inhabit - one that expands beyond pizza, soccer and dolls (sugar and fun, basically) - to reveal a larger and more complex entity.  I found it with Dream Village.

Armed with the book, Saved by the Well, I sent an email to my children’s school principal and librarian.  I shared with them my desire to read the book and conduct an after school program that I aptly titled, Water & Africa.  On May 20^th, the after school program was full of 2^nd and 3^rd grade students.  Here, you can see a photo of moi reading Saved by the Well.  The program was a success.  We did some reading, shared some facts, watched a video by charity:water featuring children in Africa (www.charity:water.org) and participated in hands-on activities like carrying bottles of pond water on our heads (what we do for our children!).

After all the hoopla, I was happy to see the children interacting and talking about water.  Each child left with a bottle of water that they decorated and labeled.  Some labels read, “Peace Water”, “I’m Grateful for Clean Water”, “Good Water”, “My Clean Water” and my favorite, “Evie’s Yummy Water”.

I always say that talking about making a difference is good, but the action steps one takes are even better.  If you share my desire to educate young people about the larger world around them, buy Saved by the Well and share it with the children in your life. Get them excited, inspired and activated to learn, make new connections and get involved.

Visit us online at partywithheart.com (category-books) to get a copy today!  I might also add that this would make a  fantastic end of the year gift for your child’s school library or classroom.

If you would like a copy of the program I taught in my local grade school using Saved by the Well, email me and I’ll send it right out to you!

Heifer International (www.Heifer.org)

With gifts of livestock and training, Heifer helps families improve their nutrition and generate income in sustainable ways.

Our view of the perfect gift is evolving. While we remain committed to our growing collection of fun, fresh and beautifully crafted fair trade gifts we see an opportunity to stay true to our mission by supporting non-profit organizations that offer you the opportunity to give a sustainable gift.

Heifer International is a Hilton Humanitarian prize winner that has caught our attention for several reasons. First, Heifer.org offers a wide range of opportunities for people to get involved. If you are the type of person who longs to be a part of the movement, Heifer is for you.  Navigating through the Heifer website and speaking personally with Heifer’s Marleen New, has given us the bug to spread the word and become actively involved with this work.  Our children have the Heifer bug, too. They are thrilled to see that Heifer offers hands-on educational courses for them.  The World Neighbors class at Overlook Farm in Massachusetts will certainly be on our to-do list this summer. What’s more, Heifer provides reading materials (check out World Ark for intimate stories of real-life gift recipients) as well as educational materials for teachers.

And yes, we are focused on gifts.  Heifer’s online gift catalog is full of many opportunities to give back in a profound and sustainable way - at various price points for any budget.   We were particularly struck by the warm-hearted photographs of the animals and recipients.  Our children were captivated!   Finally, we love Heifer’s  Pass on the Gift program that requires gift recipients to give the offspring of livestock to a neighbor. Through this sustainable program, one gift becomes many.  Ity doesn’t get better than this.

Please join us in support of Heifer & happy gift giving.

Promise Basket: a committment to end poverty $85

Pig: provide for families $120 or share a pig (US $10)

All of you know that children hold a special place in my heart.  I just adore them.  Their sticky hands, big smiles, the dolphin -like sqeals they make when they are excited, their energy and love of everything sweet!  Oh, the joys of children!  What I fancy even more is their ability to enjoy life and PLAY even when the rest of us don’t want to (beacuse we have serious things to do).   It’s true they teach grown- ups a lot about life and living well, wouldn’t you agree?

As a somewhat experienced parent (whatever that means), I have learned that children know what’s good.  This rule applies to all parts of life - food, relationships, toys, friends, books, ways of being, etc.

Last week, my daughters decided to accompany me to a program called “using your gifts.”  They were excited to learn that  ”complimentary refreshments” woud be served.  While we were there my daughters were treated rudely by a cranky lady  (I didn’t witness it) and beautifully by a colleague of mine (which I was lucky to witness!).  During the program, my daughters said nothing.  But, once we walked out the door, the conversation began like a tornado.  ”Mom, did you hear how badly that cranky woman treated us? We didn’t do anything wrong!”, and “Mom, Madgelena told us a cool story, she’s so nice.”

They also went on to talk about the refreshments.  ”Mom, did you notice that they served raspberries on tooth picks? and honey with the tea?  That’s so yummy!” “Yeah”, chimed in my 8 year old, “Raspberries are expensive now!”

Hearing this conversation was enlightening!  My daughters recognize what’s good and what’s not!  Children with an internal compass, hooray!

I share this story with you beacsue I think as parents it’s important for us to offer our children good choices.  Whether it be whole foods, good books, interesting conversation, or a new improved way of doing something.

This is where Party with Heart comes in.  If we begin to teach our children that there is a world outside their mini-world that they can positively influence they will feel pretty good about themselves.  If we buy gifts that are fairtrade or “socially conscious” and explain to our children WHY we choose to buy such gifts, our children will learn what’s good.  And they’ll LOVE it because children like GOOD THINGS!

This blog subject was inspired by a photo I received last night from a happy Party with Heart gift recipient.  He is one of the most delicious babies I have ever seen!   His froggie friend just so happens to be handmade and fairtrade, supporting a cooperative of women in Nepal.  His parents are happy about that and so are we!

Lots of love,

Beth

Party with Heart finds inspiration from the joy of children, celebrations, goodwill and connectedness.

We love this new seed necklace made in South Africa for a few reasons.  First, it’s beautiful and as with anything we can see, beauty is the first quality we notice first, right?  But beyond the beauty is heart and soul.  We have been wearing ours for the past couple of months and everyone is taking notice.  People come up and want to touch it because it has this cool feeling and texture to it.  What’s more, it has an interesting story.   I recently wore mine to the beach while I was on vacation with my children and it was so utterly fantastic!  I recommend it to all - even you’re tween who’s yearning to express her self.

the cutest party girl!

Well, you’ve seen it with your own eyes…the cutest baby ever!   This handmade onsie is created by Hot Tots, a sweet designer who donates 20% from the sale of her shirts on partywithheart.com to a non-profit organization that supports the well- being of vulnerable children living in Rwanda and Burundi.  Very sweet, thank you ladies.

Greetings Do-gooders,

I sat and thought about a topic to share with all of you - at first, my inclination was to post something sort of silly.  But, the reason why I am here and you are reading is to be actively involved in helping the less fortunate among us.  That leads me to the topic for the day - Haiti.

This past November, my colleagues and I (chabha.org) had the good fortune of visiting one of the three Rwandan hospitals run by Partners in Health, a U.S.non-profit organization that works to deliver quality healthcare to the poor regardless of their ability to pay.  PIH works in Rwanda, but they began working in Haiti 20 years ago.  When the earthquake shook Haiti, I contacted a friend from PIH to offer a hand.

Given that I have no medical experience or technological expertise, my service to Haiti has come in the form of  raising awareness in my community.  I make phone calls to friends, send email updates and include Haiti in my conversations.  Have you donated to Haiti yet?  I’m not ashamed to ask.

I urge you to continue watching news reports, and continue staying informed - YOU can help.

Party with Heart has made a donation to PIH.org, and I have worked diligently to spread the word about relief efforts in Haiti.  Will you do something to help?  When you do, will let us know what you’ve done?  We’d love to share it.

Peace to Haiti and to you,

Beth

Best wishes for a prosperous New Year that provides you with joyous occasions and opportunities to lend a hand.

Peace,

Beth

Party with Heart teams up with CHABHA Rwanda