You may remember that last year, I wrote a post about Better World Shopper. You can read about it here.
I've been in touch with the author of Better World Shopper, Dr. Ellis Jones. He graciously offered me 2 books to giveaway on my blog. So fun!
To be entered in the draw, just leave a comment with your name below.
You have until Monday, April 2nd, at noon to enter. The winners will be chosen randomly. I'll announce the winners later that day, so be sure to check back then.
With Christmas coming and all, I gotta tell you about one of my favourite websites. The information on this site is changing the way that I shop. The truth is that we vote with our wallets. If you're anything like me, I want to be more and more a part of the solution and less and less a part of the problem.
BETTER WORLD SHOPPER is a site dedicated to providing people with a comprehensive, up-to-date, reliable account of the social and environmental responsibility of every company on the planet AND making it available in practical forms that individuals can use in their everyday lives. Coming out of more than 5 years of intensive research, this work is based on a comprehensive database of over 1000 companies and utilizes 25+ reliable sources of data to cover everything from the environment to human rights, community development to animal protection (taken from website).
Companies and Products are given a grade, based on the following 5 areas of criteria:
Check out the website at www.betterworldshopper.com. The website is so informative. There is also an app you can download to your phone or a book that you order through the website. I just got my hands on the book. Really great stuff!
I've had my eye on a pair of TOMS for some time (pretty much since I heard Blake Mycoskie speak at the 2010 Global Leadership Summit). Everyone is chatting about how comfy and stylish they are. The best part is that when you buy a pair of TOMS, you actually purchase 2 pairs of shoes. One pair for yourself and one pair is given to a child in need in the developing world.
Here's what is written on TOMS website:
One for One Movement
In 2006, American traveler Blake Mycoskie befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by TOMS customers.
Why Shoes?
Many children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or going to school, these children are at risk:
•A leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted diseases, which can penetrate the skin through bare feet. Wearing shoes can help prevent these diseases, and the long-term physical and cognitive harm they cause.
•Wearing shoes also prevents feet from getting cuts and sores. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected.
•Many times children can't attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don't have shoes, they don't go to school. If they don't receive an education, they don't have the opportunity to realize their potential.
Check out this short video about the One for One Movement:
If you have Christmas presents to buy, a pair of TOMS would be so great. You can buy them for men, women, kids and even toddlers. Or there's always a TOMS gift card :)
As you can see, I am in love. Check out www.TOMS.ca
