Great Intentions: Get Fit and Lose Weight

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Title image with woman doing yogaIt’s been almost two weeks since I introduced my new blog series in my post A Year of Great Intentions. Today, I am officially starting the first category of this series, with the topic Get Fit and Lose Weight. When I was writing that last blog, I had just begun taking yoga classes and I was loving it. Later this week I will be checking out a new studio with friends to continue with my practice.

As a reminder, this year is about having great intentions and following through with them so that you will be satisfied with the time you have in this life. Getting fit might mean you will have to purchase some new apparel and gear. Intending to do great things for ourselves has the potential to lead to doing good for others, such as shopping ethically. Below are ethical products I found for three common workouts.

Yoga & Pilates
Studios usually have blocks, straps, and other props available for students to use. Many also rent mats so you do not have to purchase one, especially for your first time. If you are going to practice yoga or Pilates at home, check out thrift shops in order to purchase and then reuse mats and other gear. Or, shop online. YogaAccessories.com has a strict fair trade policy, and sells everything you will need for yoga and Pilates, including kits with the essentials.

Running/Walking
New Balance is an American company that sells American-made or -assembled running and walking shoes. On their website, there is the option to shop for “Made in the USA” shoes, socks, t-shirts, and other apparel. These are produced using at least 70% domestic material.

If you have been a runner for a long time, you might have your favorite brand or style and are now wondering how New Balance might match up. Do not fret. Runner’s World had six pairs – both men’s and women’s styles – of New Balance shoes in their Winter 2013 Shoe Guide.

Hiking
First of all, I haven’t been able to find a store that sells ethically-made hiking boots for serious hikers, but Oliberté is a shoe company that sells somewhat rugged boots for men and women. Made in African countries, the shoes are made in a Fair Trade Certified factory, and the company is open about their ethical practices.

Secondly, you cannot go on a hike without some form of hydration and comfortable clothing. This filtering water bottle is Made in the USA and these cold-beverage bottles are made by EarthLust, a Certified B Corporation.

Finally, WOMbat sells men’s and women’s outerwear and has a strong ethical policy, and PrAna sells a few basic Fair Trade Certified t-shirts for men. Later this year, keep an eye out for Patagonia’s new Fair Trade Certified fall line!

I wish you all the best in your fitness pursuits this year. Moreover, I hope that you think about any purchases you need for those pursuits primarily from an ethical standpoint. What fitness activities do you enjoy and are going for this year? Swimming? Dance? Rock climbing? Please contact us if you have any leads on ethically-made products for your fitness routine!

Fair Trade Sales & Deals

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When I began fair trade shopping several years ago, I experienced a little sticker shock. I was a college student who wasn’t used to paying full price for anything, let alone the “true” full price charged by many fair trade retailers.

It’s not a big secret that fair trade items are sometimes more expensive than their conventional counterparts. It makes sense: when workers are paid a living wage, that cost gets added to the final price of the product. What is a secret is that fair trade items can often be just as affordable (or more affordable) than conventional items.

One way that I eased into buying fair trade—and a practice I still follow today—was to take advantage of sales and deals. Just like any other stores, fair trade shops have periodic sales to clear out old merchandise or promotions to attract more customers. In 2014, I want to share more of these sales with you to help you find ethical goods that are just as affordable as conventional ones.

Fair Indigo, one of my favorite ethical retailers, has frequent sales and happens to be having their big winter sale right now. They sell a mix of fair trade, made in USA, and organic items.

Fair Trade Sales & Deals header with Fair Indigo product images

There’s plenty of cold weather left, so perhaps you could use a cozy recycled fiber cardigan or knit blazer. Or if you’re preparing for spring, check out their adorable organic cotton dresses. (I have professed my love for these before and I will do it again and again, occasionally in song.) Some of the sale prices are even lower than what you would find in a regular store.

Items shown above with sale prices:

  1. Fair Indigo Organic Pima Cotton Circle Neck Dress – $29.99 (50% off)
  2. Green 3 Apparel Reclaimed Tan Collage Skirt – $29.99 (40% off)
  3. World Finds Fair Trade Gold Cuff Bracelet – $16.99 (10% off)
  4. Ethos Paris Organic Cropped Knit Fair Trade Jacket – $39.99 (60% off)
  5. Imagine Hardware Necklace – $9.99 (70% off)

Now that I see them all together, they make a nice little mix-and-match set, don’t they? And don’t worry: when you buy a fair trade item on sale, the maker of that item has already been paid a fair price. It’s the retailer who takes any losses.

What are you shopping for right now? Are you getting ready for spring or still layering on sweaters? (After the Polar Vortex every 30-degree day feels like picnic weather to me.)

A Year of Great Intentions

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A Year of Great Intentions header image

Laura is back on the blog today introducing her new series about new year’s intentions and ethical ways to fulfill them. —Julia

We are into the second week of January, and I just returned home from back-to-back yoga classes. This year, I decided for the first time ever to set new year’s resolutions. One I actually set a few months back, when I decided I needed to travel to Europe in 2014. I am planning on visiting Tuscany and Rome for two weeks in the fall and already have a couple travel books from my favorite travel author, a list of cities I want to visit, and a preliminary budget. My second resolution is to get into a fitness routine. I tried out yoga a couple times in the summer and really loved it, and then found a great beginner’s deal at a yoga studio. I postponed signing up to due to two consecutive foot injuries, but now I am currently acting out this resolution.

As I was thinking about my resolutions in December, I had a question pop into mind. What if one of my resolutions had something to do with fair trade shopping? What if I could make ethical choices when making preparations to fulfill my resolutions?

Recently, my friends and I came up with this concept: that a resolution in the new year can be re-phrased to “being more intentional.” That is, whatever we do now is not just an activity but a practice to contribute more to this short life we have. How it benefits us will look differently depending on what the resolution is.

Here is a proposal I have for your new year resolution, or intention: purely to help improve the lives of others through your consumer choices. Below are some of the top American new year’s resolutions that we are going to explore more deeply this year.

  • Get Fit and Lose Weight
  • Manage Debt
  • Take a Trip
  • Eat Healthy Food

Whether your resolution requires buying new exercise gear or an international tour package, we’ll suggest ethical options for fulfilling your intention. We can make 2014 a more intentional year and I hope to show you how in the coming months.

Year in Review: 2013

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2013 Year in Review party image

Wowza! How did it get to be 2014 already? (I’m pretty sure it was 1998 two weeks ago…)

The Fair for All Guide has grown and changed a lot this year, and I want to thank all of you for being a part of it! The sustainable and ethical fashion movement gained a lot of traction in 2013, and we’re excited to see how it will grow in 2014. And of course, we look forward to sharing the latest with you.

It was kind of unbelievable to look back and see how much we’ve written in 2013—posting once a week really adds up! (We’re definitely at the lower end of post frequency… to every other blogger who posts more than that: you are incredible.)

In case you missed them, here are some of our favorite posts from the last year:

Thanks again for being with us, and may 2014 be your best year yet!

News Roundup: December 2013

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Happy holidays! We’re taking next week off, so this month’s roundup is coming early. Here are some of the articles and features I’ve been checking out this month:

NPR's Planet Money Makes a T-Shirt

Planet Money Makes a T-Shirt – NPR’s Planet Money team follows the creation of a t-shirt around the globe, from the cotton farm to the factory to the consumer. The story is told in five short video chapters—I’ve only watched the Cotton one so far, but it was fascinating and I can’t wait to watch the rest! (NPR)

My Fair Gift Guide – This is technically from November, but can I say how impressed I am by Rachel’s catalog of ethical holiday gifts? (My Fair Vanity)

Amazon UK: A tough place to work, but Brits keep clicking – A BBC documentary reveals the harsh working conditions of an Amazon fulfillment center. (Christian Science Monitor)

Connecting the Dots between Consumerism and Indifference – According to a 2012 survey, consumers in developing countries feel greater guilt about their environmental impact despite it being relatively small, while consumers in developed countries feel less guilt but have a much larger environmental impact. (Green Fudge)

Microsoft’s Stress-Detecting Bra Attempts to Curb Emotional Eating – This story is an oddball, but it’s an interesting idea to use clothing to try to influence healthier behavior. (Triple Pundit)

I hope you have a peaceful holiday that’s not about shopping or Pinterest envy or any “gotta have it!” stress. Enjoy some cozy times with family and friends, and I’ll see you after Christmas!

Ethical Style Blogs

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Ethical Style Blogs mosaic

When we shifted the focus of the Fair for All guide to the blog about a year ago, it was because I was having a hard time finding any blogs that covered shopping and style from an ethical, human-rights-based perspective. There were many blogs covering environmentally-friendly style, but few that addressed the human aspects of fair trade, working conditions and labor rights.

Thankfully, over the last year I have found that I wasn’t the only person thinking this way! I have discovered several excellent blogs focused on style that’s good for the people producing it as well as the earth. Each blogger has a different style and approach, covering the gamut from made-in-USA goods to thrift and vintage shopping to eco-friendly items to fair trade. I’ve found all of them to be helpful and inspiring resources.

Here is my ethical shopping blogroll:

  1. Made-to-Travel — Jamillah serves up boundless positivity, collections of ethical and stylish products, and other inspiring stories.
  2. Stylewise — Leah shares ethical outfits from her wardrobe and explores the spiritual effects of how we consume.
  3. Let’s Be Fair — Dominique showcases fabulous ethical product collections, giveaways, and a new “Manthropologie” series that I can only assume addresses ethical style for men.
  4. My Fair Vanity — Rachel presents a fashion-forward, high-end perspective on ethical style. If you’re a high-powered CEO and need ethical shopping tips, start here.
  5. The Dollar — This blog has a cool post structure where they show “The What,” or the product, and “The Who,” or the person or group who made that product. Great way to show the direct connection between artisans and their creations!
  6. In Tandem Fair Trade Weddings — Tegan focuses specifically on ideas for planning a fair trade and ethical wedding, from the dress to jewelry to gifts and more.
  7. October Rebel — Anna shares gorgeous, ethereal photography and her experiments with ethical style.
  8. Lifestyle: Justice — Hannah and Andrew post about fair trade style and social justice issues like human trafficking.

I recommend checking out any of the above blogs to get more insight and advice on how to shop (and live) ethically and intentionally. I’ve added them to our Resources page for quick reference.

What are your favorite ethical style blogs? I’d love to add some more to my list!

It’s #FairTuesday!

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To celebrate, I’m guest posting at Little Nostalgia as part of Paige’s Handmade Holidays series. I’m sharing a list of holiday gifts that are both fair trade and handmade. Go check it out!

Fair Trade Handmade Holiday Gifts

I hope hope hope that you are making ethical and fair trade purchases part (or all) of your holiday shopping this year. If you are, share your purchase with the hashtag #FairTuesday to show your support!

News Roundup: November 2013

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Ethical shopping flow chart

Ethical shopping flow chart via Lifestyle: Justice

Happy almost Thanksgiving! And with Thanksgiving comes the beast of Black Thursday/Friday… I encourage you to skip that nonsense and instead participate in #FairTuesday, one week from today! Simply purchase an ethically-made gift and share it with the hashtag #FairTuesday to show that you care about a different type of consumer culture, one that values the people who create our products.

Here are the ethical shopping articles I’ve been reading this month:

Why give thanks for what you have when there’s so much you don’t have? That’s the new meaning of Thanksgiving: count your blessings, and then buy some more blessings and count them again. — Matt Walsh

If You Shop on Thanksgiving, You Are Part of the Problem – A partly cynical, partly idealistic editorial on the phenomenon of Thanksgiving shopping and our collective power to stop it. (Huffington Post)

Chinese labor camp inmate tells of true horror of Halloween ‘SOS’ – A letter hidden inside a package of Halloween decorations reveals labor abuses in China. (CNN via Stylewise)

Coffee in Crisis: The Silent Disaster You’ve Never Heard Of – I’m not a coffee-drinker, but this article was an interesting look into some major issues that are affecting the livelihoods of coffee producers. (Triple Pundit)

Equitable Origin: Ethical Trade Certification for Oil and Gas Companies – Can oil and gas production be labeled sustainable? This article examines a certification system that seeks to do just that. (Triple Pundit)

Fair Trade Federation 2013 Holiday Gift Guide – Browse holiday decor and gift ideas from over 50 FTF members. (Fair Trade Federation)

Fair Trade Cheat Sheet – Dominique has compiled a “cheat sheet” list of some of her favorite ethical retailers. Super helpful for #FairTuesday pinning, holiday shopping and beyond! (Let’s Be Fair)

Where I’m Donating for Haiyan Relief – Jamillah gives her recommendation on where to donate to typhoon relief in the Philippines. (Made to Travel)

Do you have any exciting Thanksgiving plans? My sister is jetting off to Paris with her husband for their first international vacation… jealous!

Our Fair Trade Holiday Wish List

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Laura and I are joining forces this week to share our top three ethical wish list items for this holiday season!

Julia’s Wish List

Fair trade cerulean leather purse from SERRV

1. Cerulean leather purse from SERRV

Spoiler alert: My mom already bought this and showed it to me to make sure I liked the color. The blue isn’t quite as vibrant as it looks in photos—it’s got more gray in it—but I still like it so I gave her the stamp of approval. It’s the perfect size, has several pockets, and has both padded shoulder straps and a cross-body strap. It’s made fairly by an artisan group in India. I can’t wait to open it on Christmas!

Adie Cut-Out Oxford by Bhava from Modavanti

2. Adie Cut-Out Oxfords by Bhava from Modavanti

Work-appropriate, stylish, ethically-made shoes are one of the toughest things to find. These Oxfords are both classy and fun and are not ridiculously expensive, particularly for such a versatile style. The label, Bhava, focuses primarily on environmental concerns, using organic cotton and reclaimed wood in their designs. However, they do meet the sustainability threshold of Modavanti, an ethical shopping storefront that has baseline standards for ethical labor and environmental preservation. Plus, orders from Modavanti have free shipping both ways, which I consider key for buying shoes online.

Scoop neck shirt from Maggie's Organics

3. Scoop Top – 3/4 Sleeve from Maggie’s Organics

Sometimes the gifts I appreciate the most are the simple, practical ones. There’s nothing flashy about this black scoop-neck shirt, and that’s what makes it great. It would be perfect with a pencil skirt for work or with jeans at on the weekend. It’s a 95% organic cotton/5% Spandex blend and is grown and sewn in Peru under fair conditions. One of my favorite things about Maggie’s Organics is their openness and transparency about their process for verifying their good labor practices.

Laura’s Wish List

It was a challenge to find fair trade, ethically sourced gifts that I would very much care to have. I have a particular taste and style which some may describe as picky. So I tried to recall items I have seen or thought about wanting for a while. Once the three below came to mind, I began the hunt and am pleased with what I came across.

Reversible headbands from Mata Traders

1. Reversible headband from Mata Traders

For several months, I have been growing my hair out from a very short style. I have had to cut it a couple times since, just to shape it, which basically means I have started the process over again… and again. I keep it up most of the time because I can’t do anything with it, but I really don’t think that is healthy. So, I have been dreaming about owning a headband that will make my hair tidy and cute with very little work. I discovered that Mata Traders has three Reversible Headbands ($16.00) to choose from. I prefer the Black/White one, though I would be happy with any of the colors. Mata Traders is on our Fairly Friendly list, and according to the website, the company works only with producer groups in India and Nepal “that practice fair trade principals.”

Highlands Carafe from Ten Thousand Villages

2. Highlands Carafe from Ten Thousand Villages

If you come to visit me, one of the first things I will say to you is, “would you like something to drink?” And by saying that, I mean it. You can have anything I have in my home – beer, wine, juice, milk, or of course, purified (or tap) water. In most cases I will pour that directly for you from the container, but at times I wonder about having a nicer presentation. Now, I like carafes more than pitchers. Thanks to Ten Thousand Villages, I found one that is both charming and classy. This is the functional and decorative bubbled-glass Highlands Carafe ($29.00), handmade in Bolivia through Crisil Srl. The glass is recycled. The artisans are poor residents who live near the town named Cochabamba. Ten Thousand Villages is a member of the World Fair Trade Organization and is on our Fairly Friendly list.

Warm Welcome Batik Tray from Ten Thousand Villages

3. Warm Welcome Batik Tray from Ten Thousand Villages

Last year, I lived with my sister Kate, who is an artist and a decorator. She has “the touch” when it comes to turning a bedroom into a retreat, a house into home. It is from her that I learned that every item you own can be part of your overall design. This includes one thing I have been seeking for years – the perfect tray. I was stunned to find one at, again, Ten Thousand Villages. The Warm Welcome Batik Tray ($39.00) is just that, and more! It is beautiful. Every inch of it has a purposeful design element. It is exactly what I have been hoping to track down. This tray is designed by artisans in Indonesia who are members of APIKRI, an NGO that “helps organize artisans and provides export marketing services, technical assistance, training and other supports.”

What’s on your holiday wish list this year? Let us know in the comments!

Don’t forget to check out #FairTuesday for even more fair trade, ethical, and eco-friendly holiday gifts!

Fair Trade Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

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For the Harry Potter-themed Halloween party I went to, I wanted to bring a pumpkin-flavored dessert to stand in for the pumpkin pasties served at Hogwarts. I’ve made pumpkin cookies before by mixing a can of pumpkin with a box of cake mix, but I wanted to do them totally fair trade, which meant that conventional boxed cake mix was out. Thankfully, I found that making them from scratch was just as easy!

Fair trade pumpkin chocolate chip cookies ingredients

Here’s the recipe I used:

  • 1 can of organic pumpkin
  • 1 cup white Wholesome Sweeteners fair trade sugar
  • 1 free-range egg
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon milk (I used almond milk)
  • 1 tablespoon Frontier fair trade vanilla extract
  • Sunspire fair trade chocolate chips (eyeball it to your preferred chip density—I used about half a bag)

Fair trade pumpkin chocolate chip cookie batter

  1. Combine pumpkin, sugar and egg. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. Dissolve the baking soda with the milk and stir in. Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture and mix well.
  2. Add vanilla and chocolate chips.
  3. Drop by spoonful on greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Fair trade pumpkin chocolate chip cookies on cookie sheet

The recipe is supposed to yield two dozen cookies. I ended up with 21 because some of my cookies were bigger than others. The cookies’ texture is similar to a muffin, which I think makes them acceptable for breakfast OR dessert!

Fair trade pumpkin chocolate chip cookies done

I’m not a baking expert, but I haven’t noticed any quality difference between the fair trade ingredients and conventional ones. They were a big hit at the party, so if you’re looking for a fair trade treat to bring to a fall party, I recommend giving these a try!

Have you baked any fair trade fall treats this year? I bought enough ingredients to make a second batch of these, so I’ll be on the road back to pumpkin town in a couple of weeks.