As an individual or group we can make a difference in a stranger's life. Tapping into the wealth of individual instinct, we can encourage change,



creating momentum in such projects as building sustainable housing in developing countries, and working with companies that support that. It is imperative that we focus on disaster management, increased preparedness and mitigation in order to

make a difference in sustainableglobal living.

What do the indigenous people of Costa Rica, an international spa consultant, a non-profit foundation, and a vegetarian restaurantuer turned financial consultant have in common? For starters, their companies and interests in global wellness, have taken root in Salt Lake City. Utah is a place where roots seem to hold strong,

the attraction of mountains, valleys and changing seasons, along with a high concentration of health minded individuals and practitioners, pursuade those from out of state to stay, and those with

wanderlust to find their way back.

As one of the latter, I feel at home returning to the familiarity, and old friends, after years of living and working outside of the U.S., in the spa and beauty industry. It has been an interesting trek, resulting in an acummulation of knowledge that I hope to project in upcoming ventures, while I plant my own local roots.

One aspect of this process is seeking out fellow members of the wellness community, in initiating a strong, far reaching web of interconnected and mutually beneficial relationships that share the goal of contributing to the lives of others.

I invite individuals and businesses to participate directly in this goal, by supporting the quality of life, and self sufficiency among indigenous tribes of Costa Rica, while still attending to their own needs.

You can help us put some beautiful ideals into real motion, by making conscientous purchases and supporting select companies. Allowing us to reach a collective goal of lessening global borders, and producing tangible results for sustainable living on this planet.

I decided it was time to integrate my collected knowledge and contacts to bring about awareness, and encourage greater cooperation, by invoking the local and international wellness industries, to bring about an innovative mix of beauty, wellness, community and fund raising that would get some results.

I became wholly aware of the call for individual involvement, in my personal experiences. As director of a spa consulting and management company, and a foreigner, I was exposed to both sides of the economic scale and foreign relations in Costa Rica. My first hand experience of the severe imbalance in economies, made this a personal project for me, along with watching the fearful neglect of important issues that allows a perpetual loop of passivity, where topics are more easily forgotten than dealt with. To make the goal of an interconnected web of community health and fund raising a reality, I have combined efforts with local and foreign affiliates who will be key in the role of promoting change.

One such person is, Mark Machalis, financial wellness consultant, and previous owner of Park Ivy cafe. Our common interests are what encouraged the pursuit of this project. Mark now contributes to Wellness Capital Management, a financial institution geared towards spas and hospitality. He also believes that combined talents and business cooperation are key to creating a viable way to achieve both our business and altruistic goals, while forging ahead in gaining support and funding for sustainable housing and communities in

developing countries. With participation of an

impressive team of people, and the generosity of others, we are on the way to reaching that goal.

The importance of these strategic partnerships can be seen with some background on two key companies. The RAW BOTANICALS® company, not only supports the local Costa Rican community they live in, but allow us to raise funding by designating a percentage of products sold at fair market value,

towards global wellness, particularly, the type of affordable and sustainable housing provided by the Domes for the World Foundation. Each time you

purchase product from any of their amazing lines, these generous business owners, will provide 25% of total sales for project development. Created by founders and owners, Molly & Adam McBride, these organic products are hand made with the freshest

Costa Rican ingredients, especially with the

environmentally conscious person in mind. Easily shop online and find the best products for your skin at rawbotanicals.com You will also receive a free gift with your purchase.

With this funding we can begin to work towards providing educational opportunities, sustainable housing, community, and teach much needed labor

skills to hundreds of indigenous people who

have been pushed to the border of the rain forests. Their culture almost forgotten and consumed by the encroachment of strong foreign development, lack of governmental involvement, increased tourism, and youth with a taste for American capitalism and branding.

We will be able to do this with the support and skilled labor of the Domes For The World Foundation (DFTW), an organization that promotes practical, affordable and safe housing efforts in underpriviledged lands. Their EcoShell technology ensures homes can be built using 50% less material than other construction methods, without consuming local resources, or increasing deforestation.

Progress can be seen in the success of similar DFTW projects, in collaboration with members of the United Nations, individual philanthropists, grants, and downright hard work. Villages in several countries, will begin to rebuild homes, and lives, after tragic disasters, with DFTW EcoShell technology, within the next few months.

The same technology we will secure for the sub-tropic climate of Costa Rica, to save energy, and local resources, while protecting inhabitants from insects and climate changes.

You can find out more about this technology and upcoming projects by visiting monolithic.com. Rebecca South, Managing Director for the DFTW, states that "We live in a global economy, and we cannot ignore one nation and hope that wealthier countries will pick up the slack."

This sentiment is shared by a significant group of individuals, and we should acknowledge the power of "one". Individuals can come together to enact

change and educate the public. "We are all interconnected and we cannot ignore that anymore. If we have a global economy, where half of our brothers do not have access to clean water, something needs to change." remarks South, who is passionate when she speaks of what the DFTW can

do to bring housing and change to global communities.

With their support, established technology and experienced personnel, we can help sustain the viablity of communities for sub-tropic tribes. To do that we need your support.Part of my being a consultant, and my personal call to action, is to provide valuable information to new or exisiting businesses, and help them to find a way to

change the present for a better future.

This is not only true in business, but in life. I've been fortunate in meeting individuals who look towards a better future and streamline change. They share like minded interests in combining logical strategies with real issues to get a human return on investment. Not just monetary investment.

As our world grows more chaotic and we ourselves are unsure of how to create change, it should be in the forefront of our minds to seek out opportunities that sustain the interconnectedness of all of our lives, familiar and foreign. This project directly promotes that sentiment. We have global leaders who swear dedication to the elimination of impoverished regions, however, with the continuing lack of fair distribution of goods, food, healthcare, and housing, do we want to leave those decisions solely up to our leaders?

By utilizing our promotional powers and media exposure, we will be able to gain influence and support within Costa Rican borders. We ask beauty and wellness communities, and individuals not just locally, but around the globe to join in our venture.

We invite you to explore your own future ideals, and make a smart decision to combine global wellness with daily living, by purchasing a great product. Support not only the Costa Rican economy, but raise funds for development of safe, sanitary housing.

Feel free to contact me with your feedback and opinions on how we can continue to make equalizing economies a global priority. Individuals can make a difference. Find out more information, how you can be directly involved, or to purchase products for yourself, your spa and beauty business or as gifts. Take advantage of a certified organic product using the best herbs and oils, for hair, skin and body. Don't forget when you purchase with our reference code you will receive a free gift, and know that you are making a difference. You may purchase directly online at rawbotanicals.com, just use the sustainable global living code #4W6SCMA.

All inquires and questions for this project, will be answered at liz@thelotuseffects.com . I look forward to hearing from each of you.

If we have the ability to help another person, why do so many of us hesitate to take that step or wait for the next person to make a move? I

challenge you to create your own path, with that first step, keeping in mind, opportunities are made, not taken. I want the fullfillment of

making this part of my personal journey, will

you make it part of yours?