Ethical Shopping... Where?

I realize you might be sick of hearing about Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne... and really that's ok.  You don't have to stick around and read this for my sake... but if you think you can deal with a little more... click on the photo above and read just this page.

A few years ago we stopped buying chocolate that was not fair trade... It was a small step... but a candy bar was no longer a treat knowing that someone had suffered to get it into my hands.

Recently more information has become available to me about ethical shopping... mostly about clothes.  I really love clothes... (which is not so great for my blossoming devotion to a more minimalist life.)  So I have been Googling ethical clothing choices in Canada... since I'm not aware of where to purchase a lot of these brands in my area (still searching)... and honestly I just don't have the clothing budget for many of the items that are branded ethical... for our family thrift stores and hand me downs will probably be the decision we make for a majority of our clothing purchases.  (Plus I love a good treasure hunt!!)

The Art of Simple has the best list for ethical shopping that I have found online... It's mostly U.S. shopping, but there are a few companies that have Canadian branches.

Fill me in... where do you know of that sells ethically manufactured clothing?

Get Your Toe Wet... Or Jump In?

Last night... just on the edge of falling asleep... a thought started buzzing around in my head... kind of like the mosquito in your tent... you do not fall asleep until you deal with it.
So I grabbed my phone... made a note of said thought and then plunked my head back on to the pillow.

Is it better to ease yourself into something... or just jump in with both feet?

Let me give you a little context.  You may know already that I have been reading Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne.  It's making me very uncomfortable... in a very stretching and growing way.  Even though I am still in the middle of it (it's taking me quite a long time to finish this book)... I've been making attempts at creating my brotherly (And sisterly) love strategy... You know all while praying for God to open my eyes to loving opportunities. *insert eye roll here.*

It looks like this...
Me: God... please show me the places you would have me go and serve.
Me (again): Ooh I know... I could do this that and the other thing.
Phone Rings: It's a part of the Body of Christ calling... and it says... "I have a meeting at the New Life Mission (local homeless shelter) on October 1 and you're coming with me."
Me: Well God... you certainly heard my prayers... and now I feel like I'm jumping in...
(God knows that I am a sucker for outings with my favorite people.)

But maybe this is still just me working my way into the water... and I barely have my toes wet.


photo credit: librariantiff via photopin cc