Trade as one

"Fair trade allows you to use your spending power to make the world a better place."

"Here at Trade as One we’re passionate about using our spending to address 3 crises. 

                      First, the HIV/AIDS pandemic. It’s an emergency on an unprecedented scale. 

                      Second, the problem of human slavery. Fair Trade is about both prevention through employing vulnerable women, and bringing hope and restoration to survivors. 

                      Lastly, the problem of extreme poverty. The worst evils in the world are rooted in the desperation of extreme poverty, and Fair Trade employment is a sustainable route out of that desperation."

My church has events with Trade as One a lot, so I thought I'd do some research.

From John Robbins Blog

Is there Slavery in your chocolate?

Most likely, Yes.

 The US spends 16.7 billion Dollars on Chocolate every year.

70% of the worlds Cacao supply is grown in West Africa, and 43% is grown on the Ivory Coast (the southern coast of West Africa)

 Hundreds of thousands of children are being purchased from their parents or stolen, and then sent to the Ivory Coast, where they are sold as slaves to cocoa farms. 

These children, 12-to-14-years-old, sometimes younger, are forced to do hard labor 80 to 100 hours a week for no meals or pay. And are terribly beaten if they try to escape.

 Most never see their families again.

Some companies that use "slave tainted" cacao beans include:  M&M Mars,Hershey Foods Corp., ADM Cocoa, Ben & Jerry’s, Cadbury Ltd., Chocolates by Bernard Callebaut, Fowler’s Chocolate, Godiva, Guittard Chocolate Company, Kraft, Nestle, See’s Candies, The Chocolate Vault, and Toblerone.

Trade as one sells Slave free chocolate, as well as many other products that help other people through your purchases. So before you buy some chocolate for Christmas presents or stocking stuffers, consider that you may be indirectly funding Child slavery. Just because we don't see it daily, doesn't mean its not happening.

Eggplant and Muppets

If you're ever craving Italian food, but don't feel like consuming empty carbs, here's a great alternative.

Saute some eggplant with olive oil, garlic, and top with tomato sauce ...voila! No guilt!

On another note, are you excited for the Muppets movie, because I know I am!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm all for wholesome entertainment, and the Muppets are just that, clean fun!

Philippians 4:8:

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Gourmet Grilled Cheese and a Black Friday Heart

Here is a gourmet twist on a classic sandwich!

credit: Gina-Taste.blogspot.com

A grilled cheese with not just cheese... Carmelized red onion, Fresh apple slices, 

and 2 cheeses: mild cheddar cheese and asiago cheese.

I of course will urge you to try this on Ezekiel bread... its amazing toasted, and more filling!

It is grrreeattt!

Well, the Thanksgiving holiday is gone, I really don't like how black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving, 9the day that we thank God for what we are blessed with and already have) and then turn around the next day and buy a new flat screen TV. But that's consumerism for you! 

King Solomon had a bit to say about possessions:

 Here's a piece of bad luck I've seen happen: 
   A man hoards far more wealth than is good for him 
   And then loses it all in a bad business deal. 
   He fathered a child but hasn't a cent left to give him. 
   He arrived naked from the womb of his mother; 
   He'll leave in the same condition—with nothing. 
   This is bad luck, for sure—naked he came, naked he went. 
   So what was the point of working for a salary of smoke? 
   All for a miserable life spent in the dark?

After looking at the way things are on this earth, here's what I've decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that's about it. That's the human lot. Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what's given and delighting in the work. It's God's gift! God deals out joy in the present, the now. It's useless to brood over how long we might live.

                                       Ecclesiastes 5:13-20 THE MSG

So before you complain about the sale you missed, or the new shoes you want, make sure your heart is in the right place before you buy any luxury items, and make sure that they don't oppress others. it's time we begin to make a difference with our purchases!