Ditching Plastics

I often find myself in conversation with like-minded parents in the shop about eco-healthy choices for kids. Many of us are concerned about chemicals that leach from plastic, like Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, that have been linked to developmental disorders and cancer. Currently the Oregon Environmental Council is taking up the cause to reduce plastics in child cares, in homes -- and on the shelves of second-hand stores.

They are collecting them and will deliver them to lawmakers in Salem who have the power to pass laws that keep toxic chemicals out of children’s products altogether.

And they are asking for our help to get the word out to parents in Oregon about these collection events, and their campaign to pass a children's safe products law. Help us spread the word! Here's what you can do:

1) Below are listed events where they’ll be collecting plastics.

2) We’ll have a petition, as well as a fact sheet about children's safe products legislation. Please come by the shop to read the information and sign the petition.

3) Share this campaign with friends and family and childcare providers who can in turn share with other parents. Go to the Oregon Environmental Council web site for more information!

http://www.oeconline.org/our-work/kidshealth/HealthyKids/dropyourtoxics

Collection events/locations:
Portland: Through March 1, you can drop off plastic toys & bottles at the Urban Grind coffee shop 2214 NE Oregon, Portland

Salem: Thursday, March 12, noon, at noon on the Capitol front steps. There will be other toys collected there, other parents, and speakers talking about the healthy kids bills before congress.

Our hope is for truly effective legislation to be created that tackles the root problems in the manufacturing of plastics without creating obstacles for small businesses and producers already doing it the right way! ~Karen

Trunk Show from Bambootique

Women helping women to end poverty is a big part of why we come to work each day. One of our many fabulous partners is the Fair Trade company Bambootique. Located in Portland, but featuring amazing artists from around the globe, the gals at Bambootique have a mission closely aligned with our own.

Come to our Trunk Show for Girl's Night Out on Wednesday the 18th from 5-8 and experience a little of what makes Bambootique so special.

We'll have

• Unique bags from Afghanistan
• Gorgeous Silk bags and accessories from Cambodia
• Jewelry from Thailand and Honduras

Plus a slideshow of the artists who bring you these amazing items. Goodies to munch on while you shop. Win a pair of silver and black pearl earrings.

Find out more about Bambootique

See you Wednesday!

A Slave for Chocolate?

Are you a slave to your chocolate craving? Even if you aren't, your favorite chocolate treat may be brought to you through child slavery. Yes, still, in 2009. In West Africa young boys are sold or lured in to slavery to work in the cocoa fields. Cocoa is a labor intensive crop to grow and harvest. When not managed in an organic and sustainable manner, it is also very chemical-intensive. But that is a different story for a different day.

Several years ago the major players in the international cocoa scene promised to get slavery out of the cocoa fields. The latest follow-up reports show that the efforts have not been effective in actual practice.

The only easy way to make sure that your chocolate was not harvested by a 13-year old slave is to choose Fair Trade chocolate. Fair Trade standards mean that small farmers using organic and sustainable farming methods grew your cocoa. Luckily there are more and more great Fair Trade chocolate choices to meet any chocolate craving.

In the store today we have Equal Exchange chocolates in 5 different flavors and cocoa levels, Divine dark and milk bars in a "snack" size and in the shapes of hearts for those Valentine's. Oh, and don't forget the latest Divine milk chocolate with crispy rice.

Each year our wonderful Fair Trade partners come out with new and yummier options for all tastes. And no worries about slave labor, not to mention lead, melamine..... need I say more?

Oh, but if you'd like more information, here are a few of my favorite resources.
http://www.laborrights.org/stop-child-labor/cocoa-campaign/1669

http://marketplace.publicradio.org/shows/2006/02/06/PM200602068.html

http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/cocoa/chocolatereport05.pdf

Happy Valentine's Day, as if you needed an excuse to enjoy chocolate, DeLona


For a further list of slave-free chocolates, check out Everyday Just Living's recent blog post