Mission Statement

My mission with "Akin To Green" is to educate and empower people to improve human and environmental health, which are interconnected. I consider health and fitness inseparable from green living, and want to raise awareness on how to green up a healthy, active lifestyle. I also want stronger relationships between consumers, companies, health care professionals and communities to improve the quality of living and progress the environmental movement.

I believe “sustainability” is not enough and is uninspiring because it merely represents another static point. Therefore we need to develop a "progressive green wellness action plan" with short-term and long-term goals that can be realistically implemented within our everyday lives. Before we move forward with this action plan we need to…

1. Recognize our interdependence [humans and environment & consumers and companies]
2. Recognize cause and effect relationships [consequences]
3. Recognize some short-term gains may lead to long-term losses
4. Recognize short-term goals are necessary to achieve long-term goals
5. Recognize we are part of the problem and need to be part of the solution
6. Recognize that recycling or down-cycling, hybrid cars, random organic products and re-usable grocery bags are NOT solutions to our environmental problems
7. Recognize that a reactive health care approach versus a preventative one is contributing to our health problems, not solving them

Currently we have no constructive plan and the handful of actions taken have yet to bring any major progress, collectively speaking. Creating a “green” market at this point has served one primary purpose- profits. But it can be so much more than that- it can revolutionize industries, improve environmental and human health and give "us" a voice.

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Unity is when consumers around the world make educated decisions collectively on the products and services they purchase with common goals in mind. [Goal Example: Purchasing environmentally friendly products & services]

Diversity among consumers helps companies and businesses thrive by developing a variety of products and services suited for specific needs based on lifestyle, location, culture, age, sex, etc. Just as diversity is essential in the natural world, it is essential in the consumer world.

Prosperity means consumers voices are being heard leading to improved companies, products and services as well as improved quality of life. Unity among consumers is empowering and leads to that prosperity.

Communication is vital to all relationships and their successes. Listening and talking are of equal value in any discussion; and innovations, compromises and common goals may all be accomplished when communication skills are used to the fullest. Unfortunately technology has not necessarily brought out the best in people’s ability to communicate. Understanding when to talk on the phone or in-person, text, email or blog, is a challenge consumers must face and overcome. Regardless of the format in which we communicate we must take great care in what words, tone and body language we utilize when conveying our message.

Respect is equally as important as communication within relationships and achieving a set of goals. This respect must also extend out to the natural environment and other beings as well. We cannot expect to help improve our surroundings and environment and all that it contains if we do not respect them and their role in our lives, and our role in theirs.