October is Fair Trade Month...Easy Ways to Get Involved!

"This October is the 9th annual Fair Trade Month.  Throughout the month, ethically-minded consumers, retailers and brands will unite to celebrate and promote Fair Trade. A variety of education events, in-store sampling programs and online initiatives have been planned to help increase awareness and sales of Fair Trade Certified products, ultimately leading to greater impact for farmers and workers in developing countries."

Visit Fair Trade USA's Fair Trade Month webpage for information about Fair Trade, events, and how you can get involved. They've even put together 10 Easy Ways to Celebrate Fair Trade Month...check it out!

Of course, don't forget Fair Trade chocolates for Halloween this year!

Fair Trade Month Kickoff Party at Temple Nightclub in San Francisco

Last Wed night, Fair Trade USA (formerly Transfair USA) held a kickoff party for Fair Trade Month at TempleNightclub in San Francisco. Along with music and a great crowd there was Fair Trade vodka, food and chocolate (of course)! Coco-Zen was there and we were serving up our vegan truffles.

Check out some of the photos (via Fair Trade USA)...

Temple Nightclub -	Joyce & her chocolates -
Environmental lawyer by day, Coco-Zen spokesperson by night... Thanks Mary!	Paul Rice, CEO of Fair Trade USA hangs out with the Coco-Zen ladies. - -
Serving up truffles...everyone was surprised that these were vegan!	Partygoers enjoying the night. -

Stuff We Found Today - 10.28.08

Family, Kids & Health Stuff

• What Is 1,4-Dioxane And Why You Should Avoid It - (post from The Good Human) This post does contain a bit of scientific mumbo-jumbo, but for your family's and your own health - read through it.

Food Stuff

• Starbucks to Double Purchases of Fair Trade Coffee - (post from Fair Trade Resource Network) Hello!!! It's about time!
• Ratings of Organic Milk Producers - (post from Eat. Drink. Better.) Oh, Trader Joe's...we're sooooo disappointed.
• 4 Reasons to Go Green With Sardines - (post from The Green Life)
• 14 Quick Vegetarian Recipes for the Hopeless Cook - (post from WebEcoist) Although we are certainly not vegetarians, we try to do our planet a little good by whipping up a vegetarian meal every so often. We're loving the Savory Apples n' Onions.
• 20 More Tasty Vegan Recipes...That Don't Suck - (post from WebEcoist) This covers desserts and appetizer. Of course, we love the chocolate cake, fudge and brownies recipes.
  

Home Stuff

• Septic Tank That Waters Your Lawn Coming to California - (post from CleanTechnica)
• Kartsen Toilet With Dual Force Technology - (post from Sprig) "The dual-flush technology allows you to choose between a 0.8-gallon flush for number ones, and a 1.6-gallon flush for number twos, which helps conserve water."
• Bed, Bath & Beyond Organic Kitchen Towels and Potholders - (post from Sprig) Made from 100% organic cotton and very affordable!
  

Beauty & Fashion Stuff

• Kate Hudson's Green Shampoo Coming To Target, CVS - (post from Ecorazzi) "...10% of all profits to Wild Aid, the Global Wildlife Conservation Organization."

Nature & Environment Stuff

• 52 Epic Natural Wonders of the World - (post from WebEcoist) Amazing images.
  

Website Stuff

• WebEcoist: Sustainable Living, Green Design and Environmental Oddities - (post from Eco-Chick) Just a really cool website with some amazing images.
• Green Search Engine Knows What You're Looking For - (post from EcoGeek) Perfect for all you online die-hard greenies out there.
  

Other Random Cool Stuff

• Reversing Halloween: Fair Trade Treats Seek to Sweeten Workers' Lives - (post from Fair Trade Network Resources) Hey, didn't we write about this in our October Newsletter?
• Fair Trade Fashion Show and Concert Advocates Awareness of Modern Day Slavery - (post from Fair Trade Resource Newtork) The Life Mission Fashion Show and Concert is to be held Sunday, November 2, 2008, at 2 p.m. at Pepperdine’s Alumni Park in Malibu, CA.
• Buddhist Temple Built from Beer Bottles - (post from TreeHugger) This is so cool!
• Billionaire Philanthropist: 1 Year Older - (post from TheSocialReformer) Happy Birthday, Bill Gates!
  

Stuff We Found Today - 10.18.08

Food Stuff

• Homemade Halloween Treat: Maple Candy - (post from Eco Child's Play) You may find yourself making these for yourself!
  

Tech & Science Stuff

• Revealed: Electric Mini E - (post from Autoblog Green). We're lovin' it!
• Want Energy Efficient, Mercury-Free LED Light Bulbs for Your Home? - (post from TheDailyGreen) Looks like there's still work to be done on this technology.
  

Nature & Environment Stuff

• Junk Mail & Global Warming - (post from GreenMuze) Also read about junk mail in our October newsletter (Planet & People Friendly Tip).
  

Other Random Cool Stuff

• October Is Fair Trade Month - (Coco-Zen repost) We're giving away free "I Support Fair Trade" kits all month long - get yours!! Plus, you can earn a $5 Coco-Zen gift certificate - get the details.
  

Stuff We Found Today - 10.02.08

Family, Kids & Health Stuff

• Little Twig - A natural body and bath care line for kids. Joyce is a fan of Calilfornia Baby, but maybe she'll give this a try. Read Eco Child's Play's review.
• Exposure to Some Plastics May Hit Men Where It Hurts Most - (post from TheDailyGreen) Yikes!!
  

Food Stuff

• Yummy Earth Organic Candy - Mmmmmmm! These organic lollipops are perfect for Halloween.
  

Home Stuff

• Coconut Pod Bowl - (post from EcoSalon) This gorgeous bowl/sculpture is definitely not to be confused with the coconut bowls you find in tiki bars.
• Amazing Rotating Dome Homes - (post from Environmental Graffiti) You can have one of these for $200K - $850K!
• Green Homeowners Insurance Repairs Damaged Homes Sustainably - (post from EcoLocalizer) Fireman's Fund is offering this “green” homeowners insurance in select states.
• Naturally Clean: The Seventh Generation Guide To Safe & Healthy, Non-Toxic Cleaning - (book) Read the review of this book on Eco Child's Play's post.
  

Beauty & Fashion Stuff

• William Good - Remade in America - (post from EcoSalon) Thrift-store fashion insiders already know about this "line of reconstructed 'designer' pieces made from secondhand castoffs".
• Mod.Skin - A holistic skincare line. Read more about Mod.Skin in Feelgood Style's post.
• The Battalion - Eco-conscious couture that's definitely wearable - recently featured on the new "90210".
• Coco Eco Magazine - Another new eco-fashion magazine is about to hit the stands. Read Feelgood Style's review.
  

School, College & Student Stuff

• Greenraising: School Fundraising With Purposeful Products - (post from Eco Child's Play) "This fabulous one stop portal imparts an earth-friendly message, while helping financially strapped schools and youth organizations with socially responsible spending."
  

Nature & Environment Stuff

• Lost Ladybug Project - (post from EarthFirst) First bees, now ladybugs?? Are we humans just going to kill off all of nature's little helpers?
• Greenest City in the World to be Madsar City in United Arab Emirites - (post from EcoScraps) Who knew this would happen in this oil rich part of the world?
  

Cool Website Stuff

• How Safe Is the Air You Breathe - (post from TheDailyGreen) Use this web tool to find out.
• ecomii - A new site "created to specifially addiress this need for a single credible and comprehensive resource for everything green." Read TheDailyGreen's review.
• EnergySavers.gov - A new site from the Department of Energy to help you save energy (and money) this winter. Read more on TheDailyGreen's post.
  

Other Random Cool Stuff

• Bicycle Maker Grows Sustainable Bikes Made of Bamboo - (post from EarthFirst) Yes...that's right, bamboo.
• October is Fair Trade Month: What It Means and Where to Buy - (post from EcoSalon) We can't talk enough about Fair Trade.
• Clay Hill Farm Is Giving Away a $40,000 Green Wedding - (post from Feelgood Style) If you're and eco-bride-to-be and live near York, ME, check this out.
  

October is Fair Trade Month

In honor of Fair Trade Month, we're giving stuff away!

Free "I Support Fair Trade" Kit
Throughout the month of October, we're giving away a FREE "I Support Fair Trade" kit with every purchase made on www.Coco-Zen.com. This kit contains a t-shirt iron on, Fair Trade pin, brochures, etc. - all kinds of "goodies" to help you show your support of Fair Trade.

Want to earn a $5 Coco-Zen Gift Certificate?
Send us a photo of how you support Fair Trade and we'll give you a $5 Coco-Zen Gift Certificate!

Get the details