Uh, okay so it's been a while. I never said I was gonna be very good at keeping up a blog, just that I wanted one ;)


I have also decided to make my blog a forum of sorts to share some of what I have learned in my research on being green and couponing and whatever else I can think of. I don't guarantee to be unbiased or even right, but I'll do my best.

The first topic I want to touch on is the idea of Free Trade.

For those that don't know, a short laypersons (actually this particular layperson) definition of Free Trade might be a fair and healthy work environment for the folks who do the hard work to actually pick or make the product. Basically, the little label means the workers are getting paid a living wage.

Not much to think about right? OBVIOUSLY Fair Trade buying must be the way to go.

And it very well could be.

Here's where I get hung up: there's no standard. No set of rules governing what "fair" really means. Not only that, but Fair Trade is monitored by several companies who each have their own set of guidelines to gain that little stamp of approval on my coffee bag or chocolate bar.

Then there is the question of everybody else. If the brand I usually buy is not Fair Trade, what's happening to those workers? Is there anybody trying to protect them?

But Sarah, you say, how can Fair Trade be bad??? Good money, ethical treatment of workers...sounds alright to me.

Of course, the idea of Fair Trade is great. There shouldn't even be a need for Fair Trade because all people should be treated ethically. Children shouldn't be put to work. A day of work should pay enough for a family to live on.

Look, I have only just begun to explore how I can use the one voice, the one power I have for good. The only thing that gets one little person heard: money. I think what I buy can make a difference in the right coffers. I'm just not sure Fair Trade is, in fact, the right coffer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_trade
http://www.fairtradefederation.org/
http://www.equalexchange.coop/index.php
http://www.fairtraderesource.org/
http://www.crsfairtrade.org/

I can't really tell you what might grace these pages. I made a promise to myself that 2010 would be a year of change.

"But Sarah," you may say, "you are practically perfect in every way! What could you possibly change for the better???"

I know, I know, it's hard to believe, but even I could improve a few things about my life.

I have been struggling with depression for years and I have finally started therapy.

I have been flossing more.

I started going to the gym....not really a change since shortly there after I stopped going to the gym.

I started organizing my house.....also not a big change since it still isn't.

I dyed my hair.

In other words, I'm trying to take care of myself. And by "myself" I mean ME. I'm not focusing on being a better mother or wife, although I think those will be pleasant side effects. I'm trying to be ME.

The challenge is that I have to figure out who exactly that is first.

So perhaps the point of this is to brag up my accomplishments. I suppose I can tell you about set backs (not failures!) but I really don't think that is quite as fun. ;)

It would be really fun for me if you have accomplishments to share as well!

For instance, yesterday I FINISHED the laundry. Oh yeah. For about 5 minutes, there was NOTHING in the dirty clothes basket. I can savor those minutes. I can make those minutes great because I feel like I did something with my day. Of course, there are many MORE days when it's just the damn laundry.

So we'll see what happens with this blog thingy. I may never post again. More than likely, I'll tell you all in minute detail about my journey with flossing my teeth.








So exactly what do I need to do to accomplish this task? Great question because I'm not sure. I think there are a lot of little things that will all contribute to being healthy in mind, body and spirit.

One portion of this formula is creating a home environment that is a sanctuary. I don't mean it's holy, I mean it's comforting. It's HOME. And although I'm super lazy (like I could haver spandex and a big L on my chest) I need a certain amount of order to achieve that feeling. That order is, so far, elusive. Stuff seems to accumulate everywhere!!!