Green Options

Cadbury’s, the firm which makes Diary Milk, Britain’s highest-selling chocolate has said that it wants the bar to be Fairtrade certified by the autumn of this year.

The Top Five Secrets of Indian Beauty

Slumdog Millionaire is a great movie. Uplifting and heartwarming, without being cheesy. But let’s be honest for about 45 seconds, shall we? Freida Pinto is a total babe. I’m a straight woman and I’m halfway in love with her. Want to know her beauty secrets, other than unfair genes? Here are five, for starters.

1.  Aromatherapy

Most of us know the benefits of aromatherapy, but it’s useful to know the individual benefits of the plants, herbs and fruits used in this wonderful form of alternative medicine. Basil, for example, helps with digestion, while cinnamon acts as a stimulant and lemongrass helps reduce cellulite. Florapathics has an extensive selection of aromatherapy products with prices as refreshing as their ingredients.

The Bishopston Trading Company wears their heart on their sleeve and walks the walk. The company offers up clothing, jewelry, bedding, as well as fabric by the meter. Their wares are made from organic fibers that are certified both organic and Fairtrade.

Their fabric collection is populated with bright, airy colors that give off a sturdy and durable vibe. There are several solids in the mix as well as limited strips and one small plaid in the offering. The cotton used in their fabrics has not been genetically modified and it is dyed using traditional methods that are easier on the environment.

The company seems to be transparent about their materials, factory and policies; all to the benefit of people and the planet.

Over the past few years fair trade products have expanded into many new markets. With this trend we inevitably have to reevaluate the micro and macro systems involved in producing and providing fair trade products.

There is a rather large difference between fair trade products and fair trade companies, says Mary Morison, executive director of the Fair Trade Resource Network. Large corporations that sell or promote individual

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Editor’s note: We’re very happy to welcome Lisa Kivirist to the Green Options writing team! Lisa, along with husband John Ivanko, is the author of Rural Renaissance: Renewing the Quest for the Good Life (which we reviewed), and Edible Earth: Savoring the Good Life with Vegetarian Recipes from Inn Serendipity. Lisa and John own and run Inn Serendipity, a central

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Parents want the best for their kids, so buying items with organic cotton is the minimum for most. As environmentalists of all different shades of green, being proud and outspoken about what you believe in becomes second nature. In a matter of weeks, babies show their own unique personalities, and their surroundings (clothing included) should reflect that.

London-based brand Hug, well known for their womens wear, recently re-released their unique children's line

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In 1988, in an effort to expand the distribution of fair trade products to mainstream retailers, a Dutch Alternative Trade Organization, Solidaridad, established a creative solution to increase sales while maintaining consumer trust. The organization created a label, called Max Havelaar, which guaranteed that the goods met certain labor and environmental standards. The label, first only applied to coffee, was named after a best-selling 19th century book about the exploitation [...]

Sandhill Cranberry Farms via Equal ExchangeFair Trade often conjures images of distant lands and foreign cultures. However, Fair Trade is not limited to the Third World and its benefits are realized by all people. There are several organizations within the states that follow the ideal set by the Fair Trade movement.

Equal Exchange has started a "Bringing Fair Trade Home" program which seeks to extend

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Whole Foods LondonThe Brits have never been known for their culinary instincts, but Whole Foods is putting this to the test. The mega retailer opened its doors last week to lots of eager consumers and a flood of press. Everyone has a point of view of Whole Foods’ impact on the ethical consumer, true level of sustainability and “Whole Paycheck” pricing. The big question is how Whole Foods

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Having looked at the various criteria for Fair Trade products (transparency, environment, wages and financial and technical assistance) the natural question is how do we monitor these? As Brady pointed out, one of the biggest failures in the Fair Trade movement occurs when only the initial producer is certified but subsequent steps are not. This is especially possible in products which require

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Image source: WikiMedia Commons: Photographer: Dider Gentilhomme

Editor's note: Fair Trade is a topic that GreenOptions.com has been covering for some time now, so we thought it might be interesting to debate from the progressive vs. conservative perspective. Brady and Alicia offer us some excellent background on the discussion. Now, it's Jimmy and Shirley's turn…

Jimmy: Although I am generally conservative on fiscal matters and would normally lean toward

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