Recruit Some Help
The reasons to quit smoking are many; staying healthy is at the top of the list. Just about every smoker I know says, “I know that I should quit.” I know from experience that it is easier said than done. I quit 40 years ago and can still remember the battle. In Success Made Easy I quoted myself as saying, “It’s easy to quit smoking; I’ve done it hundreds of times.”
This article in CBS News makes the case that smokers who quit with company do better than those that go at it all alone. Check it out, pass it along, just maybe you will save a life.

Cut These Out…

And Do More of This…

Or Risk This…
Which would you prefer? This recent CBS News story quoted the authors of a joint American-British study on how to cut cancer risks. The results were pretty amazing. According to the study, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the most important thing you can do to live longer and be healthier.  
The research suggested that about a third (34 percent) of all cancer cases in America could be prevented by simply eating better, exercising more and maintaining healthier weights. Simple lifestyle changes could prevent as many as 38 percent of breast cancer cases and 45 percent of bowel cancers in the U.S. Those are BIG numbers! 
The study said quite clearly that if you eat right and exercise and you’ll probably live longer. It said to work out at least 20 to 30 minutes a day, at least four days every week. That sounds doable (and worth it) to me.

How Do You Get Your Day Going?
Your first moves in the morning can set the pace for the entire day. I discovered many years ago that no matter how short rested I am, that if I can just make it to the shower, I will come out of there wide awake and ready to go.

Honolulu Marathon Finish Line - 12-9-1984
When preparing for the Honolulu Marathon many years ago, my training regimen was a 10 mile run before breakfast. To do that required a 5:30 AM alarm. There were many mornings that when the alarm sounded I was tempted to shut it off and go back to sleep. But that wouldn’t prepare me for the 26.2 miles ahead. I found that if I were to just sit on the side of the bed and rub my shoe lubricant into my toes that I didn’t want to get back in bed. I also noticed that after less than 20 minutes of runniing that I was glad to be out there. By the time an hour of running had elapsed I was as “high as a kite” and loving every step. Crossing the finish line was the ultimate thrill.

No, This Is NOT Me!
Today it’s a trip to the coffee pot and then to the computer. This is followed by either a 3 mile power walk around the park or a one hour session in the gym. In any case, when the day gets off to a good start it’s easy to sail through the rest of it.
How Do You Kick Start Your Day?

“A person of my spiritual intensity does not eat corpses.”
-George Bernard Shaw

I became a vegetarian more than 40 years ago when I learned that I could actually live without eating animals. As time went by, and I never got sick, I realized there was more to being a vegetarian than saving animal lives; I could save my own. I have had just one cold in over 40 years, never missed a day of work, including that sick one (it was hell), and those that know me will attest to my boundless energy. No, you cannot credit my genes, my father was in the meat business, and both of my parents died young of cancer. They both had far too many visits to the doctor. My sister has spent more time in the doctor’s office than most people I know.

No “Killing” Here, but…
In spite of my good health, I continued to eat dairy products, justifying it by saying that you don’t have to kill the cows and chickens to get their milk and eggs. Somewhere in the back of my mind however I knew that cows and chickens that are raised for milk and eggs live a torturous hell, but I looked the other way.

Neal Barnard MD
One day recently an “angel” sent me this little talk by Neal Barnard MD, and everything changed as quickly as my diet did the day I stopped eating corpses. Click here to hear it. That was only about six weeks ago, but I am an entirely different person today as a result. I am working out two times a day, and have dropped more than 12 pounds. Cutting out the eggs, butter, cheese and ice cream has given me an energy boost like never before. About the only thing I really miss is the cream in my coffee, but black coffee is starting to taste good already and I am drinking less of it. 

Good Stuff
I actually gave up trying to convert my friends to vegatarianism many years ago, so that’s not what this post is about. I just feel compelled to share Dr. Barnard’s message with anyone willing to listen. If you would like to live longer, lose weight, feel better, have more energy, get the cholestoral out of your arteries, and the cancer causing back-up out of your colon give it a shot. Dr. Barnard says you can make the switch in just three weeks. That’s not very long considering all of the years you can add to your life. The only people that will suffer from this decision will be your doctors, as they will see you much less often, if at all. In case you failed to click above, here’s another chance; Click Here.

“What do you want for Christmas?”
I am the toughest person I know to answer that question. The reality is that if there’s something I want, I probably already have it. Well, just about anything. Masae isn’t that much different. Suprising her is a real challenge. I don’t dare buy her clothes or jewelry as my opinion is not likely to match her taste and if she goes along it’s not a suprise. What a dilemna this is a couple of times a year.
This year she suggested something real unique.Since we have both upgraded from vegetarian to vegan recently, she said, “How about we go to the Whole Foods Store and buy the ingredients needed for a dinner, and then our gift to each other will be the time spent together preparing the meal as a team?”
I’m no cook, and Masae doesn’t really like to cook, but the “time together” part sounded cool as that’s the one thing I don’t seem to give very much of to anyone, making it valuable. So I went to Google and searched for vegan recipes. We agreed on “Totally Awesome Tacos” and then we went to Whole Foods and had fun buying the ingredients pictured above. The recipe is below, and when done I will post a photo of the finished product at the end of this post. If this works out, gift buying in the future will be easy and delicious.
Totally Awesome Tacos

Ingredients (vegan version):

    1/2 cup chopped onion
    1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
    1/4 teaspoon salt
    2 cloves garlic
    1 15 oz can kidney beans, light red
    3/4 cup water
    1/4 cup nutritional yeast
    1 packet vegan taco seasoning

Directions:

1) Saute onion in olive oil til brown.
2) Add green bell and garlic.  Salt if you like. Saute 3-5 min more.
3) Add in beans, water and 1 packet of taco seasoning.
4) Let simmer until reduced, stirring occasionally.   While stirring, smash up the beans as much as you like (use a potato masher to get them fairly smooth).
5) Stir in nutritional yeast.
6) Place into taco shells and top with your fave toppings: avocado, tomato, lettuce, veg sour cream, etc…
Also, makes an awesome chip dip or layered bean dip.  Enjoy!
Serves: 2-4
Preparation time: 15 minutes

Tearful Task
Chopping onions will indeed bring tears to your eyes.

Done Deal - Let’s Eat
We all like to look back at a job well done. I go to the table with a newfound appreciation for the cook in the house.

Yummy!
I can now attest to the quality of the recipe above. We WILL do this again. No photos of the “dessert” that followed (the dishes). Merry Christmas.

Say It Isn’t So
When I read in this article today that President Elect Barack Obama declared that you won’t catch him lighting up a cigarette in the smoke-free White House, I was hoping that it would go on to say that you wouldn’t catch him smoking a cigarette anywhere. By, NO, it said that he still occasionally smokes a cigarette. During the campaign he said, “I figure, seeing as I’m running for president, I need to cut myself a little slack.” Well, now you are the President and you need to think about being the right role model younger people need to see. Obama is admired as much as any President we have had, and he hasn’t even taken the Presidential Oath yet. I hope that before he does he will take a “Health Oath”.

Mo Betta Image
We would all be better off if Obama were to maintain a healthy image and set healthy standards for Americans to follow. A while back, when the campaign began I read that he was going to quit smoking because “his wife wants him to.” While it’s good to know that she is that smart, that isn’t a good enough reason to quit.

Times Have Changed
A number of years ago the country as whole wasn’t very smart about the effects of tocacco. I remember my father lying in a hospital bed dying of lung cancer and smoking cigaretts provided by the hospital. Such a thing would be thought of as absurd today.

Manly Image?
When John Kennedy lit up a cigar he was seen as a “man’s man.” Today doing so would be seen as foolish. I doubt if he would be a smoker today.

Big Thinker?
And a pipe smoker today, unlike in Gerald Ford’s day, would more likely be thought of as a stinker than a thinker.

“Hey Dude, whazzup?”
And what was this guy smoking anyway?

Grand Opening 9-27-08
Free T-Shirt for the 1st 1,000 People.
Updated again TODAY 11-14-08 at the end of this Post - Scroll Down   

I didn’t need the T-Shirt, but I decided to go to Waikiki this morning to see how long the line was, to hopefully be able to make another point about the economy and that people are buying.

The Line
Sure enough, the line was several blocks long. Apple had their own security people as well as the Honolulu Police Department on hand to control the crowd, and to be sure that nobody got in without waiting in line. They had their employees at the front door cheering for people entering the store. It was like the finish line at the Honolulu Marathon.

Uh Oh!
Those people not in the line for Apple were forced to walk in a narrow section of the Royal Hawaiian Center sidewalk. One would not think that an unfinished section of the flagstone sidewalk would be there to walk over without some sort of warning cone. At least I didn’t.

Poor Footing
It has been suggested that I warn of some graphic images ahead.

As I stepped into the area shown in the prior photo my ankle twisted and down I went like a ton of bricks. My Apple laptop went one way, my iPhone the other way, and I found myself lying there in pain. Most amazing of all was that no one seemed to notice or care. I looked up at the Apple security and HPD people, and they just looked the other way. People were just walking by me; one guy even stepped over me. I felt like they thought I was a drunk laying there unable to get up. I gathered my computer and iPhone, opened up the phone and took the above photo while still on the ground. After what seemed like a very long time a Japanese man came over and asked if I was alright. I asked him to help me get to my feet, and he did. He had me assure him that I was okay, and then he went on his way.

Skinned Knuckles
I looked down at my knuckles and noticed they were severly skinned by the ragged, sharp edge of the unfinished flagsone. I was able to walk, so I proceeded to get in what I thought was the line for T-Shirts. That’s when the Apple security came to life and told me that the end of the line was down the block. He was doing his job; making sure nobody got out of order in the line. As I started to walk (slowly and painfully) towards the end of the line, I looked down at my hand and saw that it was now covered with blood. I went over to one of the HPD officers, showed him my hand and said, “I think I need some minor medical attention.” He looked at my hand and directed me to the Royal Hawaiian Center restroom on the 2nd floor of the building. I said, “I think I would like to talk with someone in Apple, perhaps they have a closer restroom where I could wash the dirt out of this wound.” He said, “Okay, wait here” and he walked into the Apple Store. 
In a few minutes a man wearing shorts and lei came over and asked me what the problem was. I said, “I stumbled on that hole in the sidewalk over there (pointing to it) and I need to wash this blood from my hand.” He said, “Our property line only goes out for 10 feet. That is Royal Hawaiian Center property.” I told him that I didn’t really care whose property it was, I just wanted to wash the dirt and blood out of my wound. He then called for Royal Hawaiian Center Security.

Ouch!
Royal Hawaiian Center security escorted me to the 2nd floor restroom and told me to wash my hand in the basin. As I did that I was amazed at how much blood can come from three little knuckles. I also removed my shoe and saw that my foot was beginning to swell.

More Blood
That’s when I looked down at my jeans and saw the knee area was blood soaked. I rolled up my pants leg and saw that the damage exteded to both my knee and shin. The security person (David) sprayed some anti bacterial solution on my leg and my knuckles.

Elbow Too?
That’s when I noticed that my left elbow took a beating as well, so he treated it too.

Mummy Wrap
David applied a tourniquet type bandage to my leg to stop the bleeding and some ice to my ankle to slow down the swelling. I commented on the amount of bandaging, and he said something like, “They call me the Mummy Maker”. I must point out here that the three or more Royal Hawaiian Center secuity people were extremely helpful and kind throughout this ordeal.

Not you too?
I thought they might have been even too concerned when I saw the EMS (Emergency Medical Service) show up. They wanted me to come out of the restroom, but I refused, knowing how many tourists were most likely attracted by the ambulance and probably followed them up to the 2nd floor to gawk at someone in trouble. ERS took all of my vital signs, changed the bandage on my leg, and asked me if I wanted to go to the hospital. They emphasized that it would be a free trip. I declined and they made sure that I signed a statement saying that if I decide to go later it might be at my own expense. Expenses were at the bottom of my list of priorities at this time. I just wanted to get out of there, but not until after the curious crowds followed the EMS people back down the escalator. I was disturbed that they were not willing to clean the wounds or apply any medication to them. They told me they didn’t have anything to do that, and to do it myself at home. I got the feeling they were maybe irrtitated that I was not interested in an exciting ambulance ride through Waikiki. I called my dermitologist from the restroom and made an appointment to see him on Monday morning. 
The Royal Hawaiian Center Security staff asked me to complete a written statement as to what happened. I obliged, and asked that a copy be faxed over to me. He said he would, but I did not get it, so I decided to document it all here while it’s fresh in my mind.  

My Hero
With me throughout this entire ordeal was Justin Dradi. Justin sells art in the center and knows me from his days at Wyland Galleries. He just happened to be walking by, and saw me talking with the policemen. Justin not only stuck with me, but he was thoughtful enough to take most of the above photos with my iPhone. At one point, without being asked, he handed money to one of the security people and asked him to go get me a bottle of water. When he thought all was finished he wished me well and left.
I was almost tearful when he reappeared with an Apple T-Shirt that he went back to get for me. I asked if that means they didn’t get to 1,000 people yet, and he said, “No, they were all gone, but I talked to someone.” I’ll bet he did. Someone at one point asked me if he was a friend of mine, and I said, “He’s my lawyer.” I was joking, and Justin laughed, but perhaps I was taken seriously. In any case, I know that he was just there out of the goodness of his heart and I will never forget it.

Two for the Price of PAIN
On my way out of Royal Hawaiian Center I stopped in to see the new Apple Store. The manager (Steve Perry) that I had asked for help from earlier approached, and asked if my iPhone or MacBook Air had been damaged in the fall. I said, “No, just my body.” He told me that he is here from Apple Corporate to open the store and that he will be leaving tomorrow. I opened up my MacBook Air, took him to my Blog and said, “Go here tomorrow and read all about it”. I showed him the photos still on my iPhone, and he said. “The policeman that came in here didn’t tell me you were bleeding.” He then asked me if I wanted a T-Shirt. I said, “My lawyer already came in and got me one, but I’ll take another one for my wife.” Yep I got two.

As I type this I am grateful for the Vicodin I had left over from a past dental surgery, and am hopefull that I will be able to walk in the morning, as I cannot at the moment. I’ll surely keep you posted.

———————-
Follow Up Sunday Morning 9-28

I think I can see most of the colors in the rainbow this morning.
——————————————————————-
Follow Up Tuesday 9-30-08

Still Hurting; Still Bleeding; Still Crippled, but Still Working

I want to thank those of you that have posted, called and e-mailed me with your sympathy, wishes for a speedy recovery, and requests for a follow up posting on the status of my unfortunate mishap on Saturday.
Among those that called was Jeanette Castro from Carl Warren & Company.
WHO? Carl Warren is acting as the “Apple Claims Officer.” She said that her company received a copy of the incident report that was sent to them from Royal Hawaiian Center. Her concern was; yep, you got it; if I intend to file a claim against Apple or Royal Hawaiian Center.
While I appreciated the call, I had the feeling that if I had said, “Royal Hawaiian Center” that would have been the end of the call. I told her that I am undecided on this question. She then (very professionally) asked me for details of the accident, and I directed her to this Blog posting. She said that she would be sending me a letter outlining my options, and should I want to file a claim against Apple, to get in touch with Carl Warren & Company.
This call brought to light the fact that I have not heard a word from Royal Hawaiian Center, which is obviously aware of the situation, and are in fact run by people I like to think of as friends.
What I find most disturbing about this whole thing is how our society has become so “litigation fearful” that people are afraid to “get involved” to the point that they “look the other way” when someone is hurting, are hesitant to ask important questions when interviewing job candidates, and afraid to fire employees not doing their jobs.

No Fear Here!
I’m afraid that Donald Trump (Your Fired) would be in constant “deep pilikia” if it were not for television entertainment.

————————————-

UPDATE - 10-1-08
I decided to return to the scene of the accident in the “light of day” to see what happened. By “light of day” I mean with a clear mind. The “problem” became crystal clear, and can be seen in the photos below.
The lower sidewalk was seperated by stantions to seperate the Apple participants from the general public. This greatly narrowed the walking space unless you were in line for a free T-Shirt from Apple.
Add that to the design of the flower planter (without flowers) and it is easily seen what happened. In looking at this today I felt fortunate that I did not tumble out into the line of traffic alongside of the lower sidewalk and the planter box.

Mahalo!
I was pleased to finally hear from Sam Shenkus of Royal Hawaiian Center today, showing concern for my welfare and asking what she can do to help me. I asked her whose decision it was to devide the sidewalk with those stantions, and she said it was made by Steve Perry of Apple.
I intend to attempt a trip to Maui today. The good part will be having an excuse to wear slippers, meaning the security experience will be more pleasant.
Stay Tuned…

————————————————

Update:
Thursday 10-2-08
I survived the trip to Maui, but realize today that it was a bit too much; lots of walking. I plan to put my foot up for the rest of the day, and watch the VP debate. That should provide an adequate “pain transfer” and a lot of good humor for me.
Here’s the latest… I got a call I got today from Todd Onaka at Kamehameha Schools; owner of Royal Hawaiian Center. He informed me that they are filing a claim with their insurance company regarding my accident. (I wonder how much that is for) He said that the sidewalk, while it’s on city land is definitely Royal Hawaiian Center’s responsibility because they got a city permit to put in the flagstone sidewalk. He said that Apple could not he held accountable for what happened. He said that they (Royal Hawaiian Center) would cover any medical or out of pocket expenses that I incur. He also stated that he thinks the center plans to plant more shrubs in the dirt area where I fell. Now that’s the most constructive comment I have heard yet.
There seems to be a lot of attention being paid to legal responsibilities here by everyone other than me. I don’t know of any way to compensate me for the pain and inconvienance I have gone through. It hasn’t been about money; maybe I am being stupid and should listen to Reality Check’s comments on this blog posting.
My goal here is letting people know what’s going on in my world, that’s what this Blog had been about since it started. The good that I have received from this is the realization that I have an audience out there. I have received many more telephone calls and e-mails than Blog comments from people I didn’t know were paying any attention to my ramblings.

Update:
Friday, 10-3-08
One week ago tomorrow I took this tumble. I don’t know if I was hurt more than I knew, or if healing just takes longer at 67 years old, but things still hurt. The most painful of all is the little finger. Isn’t that the way it is sometimes?

Little Finger - Big Pain
I sent this photograph to my dermitologist this morning and asked him if he thinks I have an infection brewing in here. I don’t know the answer yet, but am having dinner with him tonight. We are starting at his house with a martini, and if it’s anything like the last one he made me it should kill any bacteria anywhere in my body, if not me as well.

Update 10-5-08

Little Finger - Healing At Last
My dermitologist replied that I DON’T have an infection brewing in here, invited me to his home for a martini, and we went to dinner that evening. That was Friday; here it is on Sunday. While it is still quite sore, I can see it is healing.

Healing Hands
I had to cancel my weekly massage last week; too much pain, but today we went for it. My back had built up a lot of stress from both the fall and the different muscle usage from favoring the bad ankle, which I am pleased to report seems to be healing also. I still can’t get a shoe on that foot, but the swelling is going down and the pain level (1 to 10 scale) has dropped from a 15 (or higher) to about a 7.

UPDATE 10-11-08

Two Weeks Later
Well, it’s still sore but healing slowly. I cannot bend the little finger, but think I will be able to when healed.  I also went into Waikiki today to see what has been done with the potential ankle buster.

Mulch Filled
I see that they have filled the spot with fresh mulch, but have nor eliminited the hazzard. There is still a sharp edge on the flagstone and still a level difference from the walkway to the lower flower bed. I can think of numerous things that could be done to correct this hazzard. Maybe I am just more sensitive because I have spent the past two weeks inconvienced and suffering as a result of it. I have the feeling that they are no longer concerned since I have stated that I do not intend to file a claim odf any kind. I don’t think that should be the motivation. I got a call from the shopping center’s insurance company saying that he is going to send a very strong letter to Apple about this and that he feels they are at fault. Maybe they are waiting for Apple to repair it. I’m more interested in seeing some future person prevented from an accident than worrying about who’s fault this one was.

UPDATE 11-1-08

5 Weeks Later - 11-2-08 - Foot still Sore and Swollen

I was asked to update this. I visited the doctor and he said that it was a severe strain with muscle tearing and that it’s going to take quite a while before I am back out walking normally, let alone running.

Fingers Badly Scarred, Still Sore and Healing Very Slowly

Finger Disfiguration

The doctor said that the severe scarring has created finger disfiguration. I cannot close my little finger, and it really hurts when trying to. He gave me some medicine to apply twice a day for three weeks to thin out the scarring, with the risk of thinning the skin itself. That’s the latest!

Here I am Again

This Place is Looking TOO Familiar
Seven weeks is a long time to be in pain. I am still not running or power walking on my ankle, but I am getting around okay. The big problem is the little finger. It continues to be very sore to the touch, and has a huge red scar. I returned to my doctor today to see if he thinks that plastic surgery will be required, and he suggested trying some cortisone shots first.

Ouch!
The shots got the bleeding going again, so I am back in “bandage mode.” He said to call him in 5 days to see if the scarring and soreness has subsided any. We take our health for granted until something like this happens, and then it becomes quite apparent how sensitive something like a little finger can be. I suffer most when reaching into my jeans pocket for money. I guess some people find that painful anyway, but I usually enjoy it.

The Next Day
The corisone fluid seems to have made it even worse. I’m hoping this is one of those “looks worse before getting better” things.

19th Annual Memory Walk/5k Run
I was pleased to join a fun loving group of people who gathered this morning to supprt the Hawaii Alzheimers Association.

Peter Skaaning
The Honolulu Design Center and Peter Skaaning sponsored a team of about 30 people to walk the 3.1 mile course around the scenic Ala Moana Beach Park. We were blessed with good vibes and warm weather.

Ready, Set…
Hundreds of people lined up and took off at the sound of the cannon at 7 AM sharp, and then crossed the finish line in 40 minutes to one and a half hour later to enjoy music and food.

Maui Bans Plastic Bags
Read the complete story in today’s Honolulu Advertiser. The only bothersome part of this is that the ban won’t take effect until January 11, 2011. The reason given was to give businesses time to use up their plastic bag supplies. Considering the deadly impact that these bags have on our ocean wildlife, perhaps the $200,000 spent annually for a contractor to pick up stray bags blowing around the Central Maui Landfill could be used to buy them up. Or, possibly those merchants still using plastic bags could be enlightened about their danger and they would voluntarily stop handing them out.

They Are Deadly
Ignorant behavior is tolerable until enlightenment occurs; after that it becomes stupidity or selfishness. I can remember a time when cigarette smoking was fashionable and even allowed in hospitals. Everyone had ash trays in their homes, even the rare non-smokers. But once it became known that cigarette smoking and second hand smoke kills, things changed. Imagine a doctor telling a patient, “You have lung cancer and should stop smoking, but go ahead and finish up the carton you have on hand first.”  
The yet to be enenlightened will no doubt fight this law as they did the smoking ban. For example, the president of Retail Merchants of Hawaii was quoted as saying, “There is good reason to resist the call for a ban on plastic bags.” She said, “It will have unintended consequences for consumers, including higher costs at the checkout stand as businesses pass along higher shipping costs for bulkier paper bags.” She claimed that it takes seven truckloads of paper bags to carry the same number of plastic bags in a single truckload. I ask, “How much are the lives of our turtles and whales worth?” “Consumer acceptance is another issue,” she said. “It’s going to take quite some time to get everyone to use (reusable bags), and to expect people to leave the house and remember to bring five to six of those bags is just not practical.”

It’s Easy!
I stopped by Foodland on the way home from my walk this morning to buy some fruit juice. I simply purchased a cloth bag. As I did, I shuddered as I watched the checkers stuffing things into plastic bags for the uninformed.

No Need!
Some other justifications offered for continuing the use of plastic were “the ease of carrying leaky plate lunches, dry cleaning, potting soil, hardware items and other goods.” She even said, “People use it to pick up dog poop — what’s your alternative, newspaper? That’s just gross. Plastic bags are very practical in our busy lives.”
I am sensing a big opportunity here for someone to come along with a solution to that problem. Some actually have already. Here’s one bag that feels kind of like plastic, but it is actually made from corn!
Assuming that dog lovers may feel some empathy for other animals, if not the environment itself, I think they will buy in to better solutions once they are made aware of the consequences of the convienece of plastic. There are not very many people fighting for asbestos anymore.
The story said that violators of the bag ban will face administrative fines of up to $1,000. That’s a great deterrant, but let’s hope that the enfocement of the law is done better that the smoking law has been.

Honolulu Star Bulletin Headline
The front page of the business section of today’s Honolulu Star Bulletin quoted Macy’s Inc. as saying that their second-quarter earnings show a slight decline from a year ago as they face a challenging economic environment.
The photo used said more than that to me. This shopper in New York leaving a Macy’s store highlights the fact that they haven’t got the message yet about plastic bags and what they do to our environment and wild life. I couldn’t help but think, “KARMA” as I saw the photo and read the headline.
Nordstrom and other planet friendly department stores have moved to paper, and while it is not as “green” as cloth, it’s a lot better than plastic. Yes, plastic kills and Karma is real!