Commerce

What exactly is commerce? Why do I ask? Well, I'm doing homework for my Cross-cultural Promotional Concepts and Practices class right now and I'm reading about intercultural commerce. My textbook defines COMMERCE as "the activity embracing all forms of the purchase and sale of goods and services."...and I am left wondering what happened to the traditional idea of commerce?
Why do business classes stress the importance of "connecting" with other cultures and "embracing" others beliefs when we don't even do that in our OWN culture, right here in the good 'ol U. S. of A.!?!?!

I guess I may be naive. The 'all mighty' dollar hasn't seized me yet...

I just wonder why more consumers aren't proactive in their search for products that are healthy for themselves and the environment. I wonder why consumers place their trust in companies that will do and say anything to continue making sales.

If commerce really is about embracing all aspects of buying and selling, then is commerce on a large scale truly lost?

I actively embrace all aspects of what I do, from choosing drop shippers, to reviewing products, to staying in touch with my customers, and there are many other companies out there that put the same amount of heart and soul into their businesses. Let's support these small companies that do what's right. Let's not let million dollar ad campaigns tell us how to think or how to buy.

Let's become educated consumers.

February's Featured Product

Did you get a puppy for your loved one last Christmas? Are you now realizing that that pup has way more energy than you planned for? This behavioral toy could be the answer to all of your out of control puppy problems!

Maybe the above doesn't apply to you OR your dog. Maybe you just want to engage your dog more fully. Perhaps you need a gift for a dog lover...

Regardless of you or your dog's circumstances, the Buster Cube Behavioral Toy is an ingenious way to mentally stimulate any canine.

Many dogs do not get the opportunity to use their natural instinct for mental exercise. Mental stimulation not only provides a fuller life for our canine companions, but it is also vital in the prevention of almost all behavioral problems. A contented dog often means a happier owner.

Today, most dogs live solely as companions and very few are offered the opportunity to carry out the tasks of tracking, hunting, and herding that breeds were originally developed for. There is no question about the love that dog owners have for their pups, but many owners just don't have the available space and/or time to provide this level of stimulation.

Many dogs are indoor, and indoor activities are not that interesting for these canine creatures. A bored dog usually lies down in one particular spot where he/she can watch us in hopes for something exiting like feeding time, play time or walk time. These are often the MOST exciting events in a dog’s life. How fair is that? The more a dog rests and watches, the more pent up energy he has. If this energy is not used, it usually results in various behavioral disorders such as chewing, jumping, barking, and aggression.

This toy helps to address three levels of a dog's natural abilities; problem solving, sense of smell and mental stimulation. But don't become frustrated if your pooch doesn't immediately play with the Buster Cube. You have to interact with your dog and the toy together the first few times to get him interested. A dog imitates its Alpha dog and pack mates...which is where we humans fall in the hierarchy. If we show interest in the toy, often they will do the same.

So, get your dog's mental juices pumping!! It will help improve your relationship with your dog, and keep him active and avoid or decrease behavioral problems.

January's Featured Product

It's 2009 and we've gone through our lists of things to do better this year. How about adding your pet's health to that list. This month's featured product is a perfect and simple way to help your pet's digestive health and overall well-being.

My girls have been fans of the Drinkwell Aqua Garden since I brought it home months ago. It was a total impulse buy when I was browsing one of those HUGE discount pet stores. I do, from time to time browse these warehouse stores to keep up on new products AND products to avoid. I saw this small rack next to the gazillions of types of cat litter all lined up on the bottom racks. It jumped out at me because it said "Natural". Now, we all know that the word "natural" in and of itself is a good thing. But we should also remain aware that marketers KNOW we like this word and will use it when ever they please, even if the product isn't so natural. Apparently the FDA had rules about all kinds of labeling issues, but none that specifically address the word "natural".

I know, I know....what a bummer right? Well despite this, I bought this little Aqua Garden and took it home to my girls. I snapped it on to their Drinkwell and in about three days I saw all kinds of little sprouts. The seeds are wheat grass, and grow quickly. The cats knew immediately that this stuff was meant to be turned into little barf balls. Yay for me!!

Both domesticated and wild animals are often seen chomping on grass, and later regurgitating it. But why? Well, here are just a few possible reasons, some proven, some speculated:

1. Grass helps them pass hairballs lodged in their lower intestines.


2. Grass helps them vomit the hairballs in their upper digestive tract.


3. Grass helps them rid their bodies of toxins / poisons via vomiting.


4. Grass helps them relieve inflammation of the throat.


5. Grass helps them relieve stomach upset.

Eating greens, including grass, is a sign of a healthy pet. Who doesn't want a healthy pet??

The best part about this little contraption is that when the grass is gone, all you have to do is add more seeds. There's no need to buy another one!

Health in 2009

It's 2009, what are your New Year's Resolutions? I don't have anything concrete just yet. I know objectives are supposed to be set so it's easier to reach goals, but I'm having trouble sifting through the many things I'd love to do and the realistic aspect of accomplishing them. Like what you ask?

How about...world peace? ending hunger? helping homeless pets? advocating for no-kill shelters? stopping the fur trade? educating myself and others?

I wish you more clarity and focus than I'm able to muster right now :)

Whatever it is, I hope you focus on the importance of health and happiness. Take care of your body and it will take care of you. The same can be said for your pets. Check out this link for some healthy pet recommendations thanks to our friends at ThisNext.com:

http://www.thisnext.com/by/AlienAlly/

All the best to you in 2009!

Holiday Gift Idea

The economic situation is clearly in a downward spiral. Things are getting worse for many families in the U.S. and the announcement of numerous job layoffs from previously solid corporations like AT&T and Dow are hitting closer to home. Now is the time to bow out of the usual holiday consumerism. Now is the chance to give gifts with more intrinsic value. Join me in avoiding the shopping malls and retail outlets. Give a priceless gift this holiday season. Click on Changing the Present below:


<--- Click Here! My partner and I were able to save money this season which we love to do, but beyond that we were able to give gifts that actually MATTER in the grand scheme of things. I mean really...who wants another pair of fuzzy slippers or matching pajamas? There comes a time in a persons life where they no longer "need" presents. So instead of buying "fluff" items...you know, the portable radio, the monogrammed socks, gourmet cheese baskets, and that next piece of jewelry think about a few things:

1. Where are these products made? (Are they made overseas causing American job loss?)
2. Who makes these products? (Are they made by irresponsible corporations?)
3. How are these products made? (Are they made in a sustainable manner?)
4. Will they be tossed aside in a few months? (Will they add to the landfill crisis?)
5. Is this really NECESSARY????
   

Once you've thought about it you'll realize that the people on your gift list would appreciate something socially, economically, and environmentally responsible and friendly. These gifts are far more personal and thoughtful than a boxed cologne/perfume set...

The great thing about this website is that you can make donations to numerous different non-profits and give that donation as a gift to someone special! They offer more than 1500 meaningful charitable gifts that actually change the world. The prices vary from $5 to $9,999! You can make a difference!

My mother is all for women's rights and small business entrepreneurship, so I sent her a holiday card with a donation to Tostan. Tostan’s Community Empowerment Program will change the life of one woman, her family, and her community through respectful, positive methods of sustainable social transformation. I hope she doesn't read this blog just yet...I just sent it!

My father is a dog lover, so I sent him a holiday card with a donation to the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) for two identifying micro-chips. An electronic chip about the size of a grain of rice that has a unique code is implanted between a pet’s shoulder blades. The code is entered into a database that links up the animal’s family’s address and contact information. Similar to a routine vaccination, this procedure is quick and painless. If a lost animal is brought to a shelter or vet’s office, the facility will use a scanner to check the dog or cat for a microchip. This donation allows the ASPCA to microchip two adoptable shelter animals, affording peace of mind for the new pet parents and helping to ensure a speedy return in the event that the animals accidentally becomes lost. He did this for Max and Blitz (his dogs), so I'm sure he'll appreciate this gift!

My partner gave gifts from Changing the Present to all family members on his holiday shopping list as well, but I don't think there's any need to go on. Check out the website for yourself! Save money AND the planet!!! ...and as if you need any more reasons to go to this website, all donations made are tax deductible! They send you a receipt with all the information you need to apply it to your taxes.

And if you have pets and would like to include them in the holiday fun, click the link below...

http://www.alienally.com/holiday_coupon/

This is a link to a coupon for 10% off on all natural, healthy and fun items at my store!

Featured Product: Nature's Miracle Cat Litter

This month's featured product is something that almost every cat owner depends on...unless you're cat is of the stuffed variety, or uses the toilet...

CAT LITTER!

I've been living with cats since I came into this world. But it wasn't until I adopted two rescues, Victoria & Violette, that I even considered the ingredients IN litter. Once again little Victoria taught me more than I bargained for.
When I adopted her and her sister Violette, they were on heavy doses of prescription antibiotics. They were healing from wounds as a result of a house fire that claimed the life of their previous owner. What I didn't realize was that Victoria had something else ailing her. I noticed that she always seemed to have a runny nose. It was significantly worse when the temperature and seasons changed. So I went out and bought one of those "baby booger suckers" to help clear her sinuses. You can imagine her immense joy at the purchase of this fun new toy. Strangely the problem has only ever manifested in her right nostril. She's been seen by three different veterinarians and they've all suggested different diagnoses, from an incurable virus, to nasal polyps, to allergies. The treatments ranged from heavy doses of medication to expensive surgical procedures; neither viable as far as I was concerned.

So again, I shunned modern medicine and started a new quest to help heal her nasal discomfort. The first and most obvious issue was diet. I slowly started the process of switching both cats to a species appropriate raw food diet. I immediately noticed a difference in Victoria's little nose. She sneezed much less and the fluid was more clear. This was a positive result and motivated me to look further into how I could help her breathe more freely.

I decided to take a holistic approach and look at all the things she comes into contact with. First and foremost, cat litter. I remember seeing a commercial on TV that asked "What's in YOUR cat litter?" Why on earth didn't I think of that? So I looked. It's not a food product so the "ingredients" aren't exactly clear. One thing was for sure...it wasn't all natural! So, I started a hunt for an all natural cat litter with three main properties:

1. MUST contain natural, biodegradable materials not harmful to feline respiratory systems


2. MUST be able to control odor effectively


3. and finally MUST clump effectively

It took me some time to come up with exactly what I wanted out of an all natural litter, since I had only ever used execrable litter. I've heard one too many horror stories about expensive, all natural cat litters that just didn't get the job done, which made me reluctant. The first complaint noted was that the smell of urine was so overwhelming that many ended up switching back to the old, UNhealthy litter. The second most common complaint was that the clumping effect was non-existent (many ended up using more litter because the entire box needed to be emptied and refilled each time).
SO...this is it:

I found Nature's Miracle, read about it, and decided to place an order. The day I received it I emptied out the old litter and thoroughly scrubbed out the box. When I opened the bag the first thing I noticed was the smell. It wasn't what I expected from a corn based product. It was almost pleasant...if cat litter could be considered pleasant! I poured it into the litter box and was surprised at how low the dust content was. I previously tried Swheat Scoop, which worked well for the most part, but aggravated Victoria's sensitive nose beyond belief due to the large amount of dust. But they didn't seem to object to this stuff. They jumped right in! My sweet little cats just LOVE to use the box immediately after I clean it. I guess I can relate. Using a freshly cleaned bathroom IS rather nice.

After a month the verdict was in. THIS was the cat litter I had been looking for. It met and exceeded my requirements. In addition Victoria's nose seemed to get less aggravated than with previous brands of litter. Not to mention the clean up was MUCH easier. The consistency of this litter is fine enough that the tracking is greatly reduced. I am a bit obsessive when it comes to cleaning, so I appreciate anything that makes cleaning easier.

Featured Product: Neem Shampoo

This month's featured product is Ark Naturals, Neem Shampoo.

When I first found this product I had to do some research to find out what in the world "Neem" was. Ark Naturals touts this product as some sort of miracle topical treatment safe for pets AND people. I am often skeptical when products are referred to as such.

I was surprised to find out that Neem oil has been around for some time. The earliest recorded use dates as far back as 3500 BC and the earliest recorded use in veterinarian medicine was in 300 BC. It is a natural insecticide, insect repellent and medicinal herb. There are many other beneficial properties, but I am focusing on the ones that helped Victoria recover from her mysterious dermatitis.

Here's a quick run down of the benefits:

• Relieves dry skin
• Soothes dry, itchy, red, and inflamed skin
• Improves general skin health and immunity
• Combats bacterial boils, acne and ulcers
• Treats and prevents eczema, psoriasis, scabies, head lice, fleas, ticks

After spending hundreds of dollars on vet bills only to be told that the problem could not be clearly identified I decided to purchase this Neem oil shampoo. A shot of steroids is often the first step in the standard treatment of various types of animal dermatitis; cortisone to be specific. Cortisone is an anti-inflammatory steroid and can have undesirable side effects. I noted drastic behavioral changes in little Victoria. She became shy and nearly unapproachable, and normally she is anything but shy. She became increasingly depressed, and I noticed an increase in hair loss accompanied by dry, red, patchy spots that formed scabs over time. This, to me was unacceptable. After giving "modern medicine" a chance I do what I normally do and revert back to natural cures.



Using this shampoo, along with a change in diet brought my sweet, little Victoria back to her old self again. I must emphasize that as I conducted research I noted the need for a change in diet. Modern medicine focuses on the specific problem and often leaves out the "big picture" whereas holistic medicine focuses on the whole being. I assume that the change in diet alone would have remedied her skin condition over time, but the addition of the Neem shampoo hastened her recovery. That was enough for me to recommend AND carry this impressive product on my website.

If you have any questions or comments please feel free to e-mail me at JBoyer@AlienAlly.com.

Good reading, for your own reference:

http://www.neemtree.info/eng/history.shtml

http://www.animalwellnessmagazine.com/m/m75/feature2.htm