Average Consumer vs. Holiday Candy

by Elisa | Oct 31, 2011 | Art of Advocacy, Ethical Fashion, Fair Trade Products, Human Trafficking, Ways to Make a Difference

Where Does My Holiday Candy Come From? Should I consider buying Fair Trade or Slave-Free Candy? Chocolate. Candy. Halloween. Holidays. Lots of Candy. Now that I think about it, the only thing very constant about all holidays is candy. You might not go to grandma's for...

Art of Advocacy: Where You Are Planted

by Elisa | Oct 27, 2011 | Art of Advocacy, Good Charities, Spiritual Discipleship

Where You Are Planted Do you ever read about someone doing something so awesome, or extraordinary, and then think to yourself...what am I doing with my life? I felt that way when I read about Katie Davis. At the age of seventeen, she went to Uganda for a ten month...

Loving the Oppressor Pt.2 (Art of Advocacy)

by Elisa | Oct 24, 2011 | Anthropology Psychology Sociology, Art of Advocacy, Human Trafficking, Seeking Justice, Spiritual Discipleship

Last year I wrote the short post Loving the Oppressor, and I still haven't forgotten it. It revolutionized the way I see evil people. Little boys are so weird. They talk about poop. For fun. Who cares about poop? I was observing at a group of ten or so elementary aged...

Christians vs. Poverty: A Review of 58: The Film and its Movement

by Elisa | Oct 21, 2011 | Art of Advocacy, Good Charities, Human Trafficking, Poverty, Seeking Justice, Spiritual Discipleship, Ways to Make a Difference

The Documentary on Poverty: Step #1 is to get to it Have you ever been in a tornado warning zone? I didn't experience this much until I moved to the East Coast. The last time I was in a tornado warning I had assumed sirens would go off if there was a problem. After...

Blog Action Day 2011: Food For Hunger

by Elisa | Oct 16, 2011 | Art of Advocacy, Good Charities, Helping that Doesn't Hurt, Poverty, Ways to Make a Difference

Food For Hunger Last year it was water. This year it is food. I'm wondering if next year will be air? Are we covering the fundamental elements for survival? Regardless, today thousands of bloggers (those people who have so much to say for so few to read) are coming...

Understanding Terms for Poor Nations vs. Rich Nations

by Elisa | Oct 11, 2011 | Anthropology Psychology Sociology, Poverty

Terms of Poverty Whether in public political addresses or in pleas from non-profits, we have all heard some of these terms thrown around at some point or another. But just because we can infer their general meaning, I won't assume that we really get these phrases. ...

Documentaries: Growing Our Awareness in 2011

by Elisa | Oct 7, 2011 | Human Trafficking, Poverty, United States

There are some GREAT documentaries and movies being played all around the United States- RIGHT NOW! These give a better understanding on what is going on in the world around us. I haven't seen all of these, yet, but as I get reviews on them I will post them. Don't...

A Lemon:Aid Stand For Clean Water

by Elisa | Oct 1, 2011 | Art of Advocacy, Clean Water, Fair Trade Products, Good Charities, Ways to Make a Difference

This summer I decided to try this relatively simple project of using a lemonade stand -- or Lemon:Aid stand -- as an advocacy project for clean water. You charge a buck for a glass of Lemonade, which you then give away to a clean water organization. Nicely, every cup...

Movie Review: Machine Gun Preacher

by Elisa | Sep 27, 2011 | Good Charities, Human Trafficking, Poverty

This guest post was written by a friend of mine, Amy, who is one of the main bloggers and founders of a great young adult book review site, The Reading Teen and its partner website, Parental Book Reviews. Besides reading and writing, Amy has some other great skills...

Adventure

Swamp Wisdom: An Ecclesiastes on Human Rights

Ever heard of ancient King Solomon? He was said to be the wisest of them all as he philosophized...

Busy Moms, Community, Family & Relationships, Raising Kids

Identity Crisis #3467 – My Messy Beautiful

The other day, my daughter was excitedly expressing her admiration of the teachers and helpers at her school. I usually resist the temptation to to ask my kids what they want to be when they grow up because at some point in my...

Anthropology Psychology Sociology, Mental Health, Recovery, Safe Spaces

What to Do With that Blasted Holy Discontent (I used to be a radical)

I used to be a radical. I used to be a radical–until I wasn’t. After high school, I...

Ethical Fashion, Fair Trade Products, Giving Back, Socially Conscious Brands

10 Ethical Fair Trade Gifts Under $10

Ever have a hard time finding cheap ethically made, sustainable and socially good gifts to give? Check out these 10 ethical fair trade gifts under $10!