Business is changing.  Many businesses are moving away from 40 hour work weeks, Google has napping pods, and Pixar employees ride scooters around their building.  This TED Speaker argues that meetings should be changed as well.  Check out this talk from Nilofer Merchant.  

​​What do you think?  Are there business practices you have seen adopted that you have found helpful?

​Christmas is coming, and chocolate and peppermint is a great combination; I don’t care what anyone says.  That might not be the lyrics.  Check out this awesome Chocolate Peppermint Tea Latte recipe we modified from Fork and Beans!

Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins 
Total Time: 10 mins
Yield: Serves 2

INGREDIENTS
2 c. Silk Almond milk, Original and unsweetened
2 tea bags worth of Peaceful Peppermint
1 Tbsp. dark cocoa powder
2 Tbsp. maple syrup
OPTIONAL TOPPINGS:
dairy free whipped cream
crushed candy canes
gluten free gingerbread man cookie
Christmas trees made with dairy free white chocolate and gluten free pretzels
INSTRUCTIONS
In a small pot, heat up the Silk milk. Bring to a boil. Add the tea bags and simmer on low for 5 minutes, stirring often.
Whisk in the cocoa powder and maple syrup until completely blended in.
Pour into 2 separate cups. Top with dairy free whipped cream (optional).

​Fall is in full swing, and that calls for more tea recipes!  We adapted this recipe from Sandra McKenzie’s recipe in Taste of Home.  Happy fall!

Prep/Total Time: 15 min.
Makes 3 quarts

Cranberry Cheer

10 cups of Cranberry Cheer tea
5 cups unsweetened apple juice
2 cups cranberry juice
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Prepare the 10 cups of Cranberry Cheer tea.  Add the remaining ingredients to tea; stir until sugar is dissolved. Serve warm or over ice.

​Michael Porter has written several business books and is now focusing on the intersection of societal issues and corporate interest.  In his TED talk, he makes the case for letting businesses solve social problems.

Some business (like us!) are social enterprises.  

Jim Riley, a business writer and co-founder of tutor2u, said this about social enterprises:
Social enterprises complete alongside other businesses in the same marketplace, but use business principles to achieve social aims.

What do you think?  Is it possible for businesses in general to solve social problems or are other approaches more beneficial?  Let us know what you think!