Fair Trade Musings
Peace, Love, & Chocolate!
Read morePeace, Love, & Chocolate! *The following post was written by Ben Conard, Founder at Five North Chocolate® and named one of the Top 10 Biggest Fair Trade Advocates in the World by Fairtrade International. He’s also a cousin of the Fair Trade Winds family 🙂 The #1 Question I’m Asked: “Why chocolate?” People often ask me: “Why chocolate?” And I admittedly don’t have a super sexy
The KonMari Method + Fair Trade
Read moreMarie Kondo wants you to think about what’s important to you when choosing what you keep. Buying fair trade apparel from the start will help keep your wardrobe manageable and spark joy in you and the artisans that made them!
Spicy Fair Trade Gingerbread Cookies
Read moreThis gingerbread is a little different, and we love it this way — it’s spicy and a little sweet. The kick is thanks to the Victoria Falls Rainbow Pepper (a must-have in every fair-trader’s pantry!) The chewy but sturdy texture is created by refrigerating the dough twice — before you roll and make shapes, and after, before baking in the oven.
Join Us for Dressember
Read moreDid you ever think that something as simple as wearing a dress could make an impact? This year, the Fair Trade Winds team wants to invite you-our followers, customers, family, and friends, to join us in our Dressember campaign!
Raise the bar: What’s in your chocolate?
Read moreHow does your favorite chocolate stack up? Check out our comparison of major chocolate brands to see who coms out on top. (Hint: fair trade brands all make the grade!)
A New Fair Trade Charter
Read moreTuesday, September 25th, marks the 3rd anniversary of the Sustainable Development Goals, set forth by the U.N. Tackling inequality is key to reaching all 17 goals. The Fair Trade movement is uniquely poised as a proven method of business that promotes people and the planet over profits. We’ve signed on to a new Fair Trade charter that offers inspiration and a guide to anyone who wishes to see a better, fairer world.
5 Ways to Take Care of Your Clothes
Read moreIt’s time to change the way we care for our clothes. If we’re going to love our clothes, and the people who made them, we’re going to have to take better care of them!
Here are 5 tips to help you take better care of the clothes you love!
Fair Trade Cinnamon Vanilla Ice Cream
Read moreThere’s something truly special about ice cream made with real vanilla beans. You can see the tiny black flecks and it’s aroma is intoxicating! We added fair trade ceylon cinnamon to our ice cream base for a delicate, yet complex flavor that pairs perfectly with an end-of-summer stone fruit cobbler, yum!
Why Real Vanilla Should Be A Luxury
Read moreAccording to a recent BBC article, less than 1% of the world’s vanilla flavor comes from real beans. Learn more about how the rising market price of vanilla affects farmers and why buying fair trade vanilla matters more than ever.
Fair Trade Pad Thai
Read moreIn celebration of World Fair Trade Day, we made Pad Thai (surprise!) This year’s theme was “Live Fair, one product at a time.” While meandering the aisles of our local grocery store, a fair trade label caught our eye on a package of King Soba Pad Thai Noodles. We were inspired!
Fair Trade Pineapple & Carrot Cake
Read moreSpringtime is here, so let’s eat cake! Everyone really enjoyed how moist this carrot cake was, and it is made with easy-to-find fair trade ingredients. This cake would be a delicious way to celebrate mom on Mother’s Day (hint hint!)
Fair Trade Beauty Products Choose People Over Profits
Read moreWhen it comes to the cosmetics industry, fair trade beauty products are head and shoulders above the rest. Fair trade beauty companies like Alaffia put people and their wellness at the top of their priorities.
Fair Trade Snickerdoodle Pie
Read moreFor Pi Day (3-14), we have made something that is definitely pie, based on an irresistible cookie! Eating snickerdoodles in pie form (with gooey cinnamon) is now our favorite way to eat them.
One Pan Gingerbread Cupcakes
Read moreDecorated in pink icing for a special Valentine’s Day treat, these cupcakes have an intense ginger flavor, which is why we like them! It offsets the sweetness of the icing. Don’t skip the fair trade ingredients — look for the Wholesome Sweeteners molasses at your local grocery and check the labels in the spice aisle.
National Soup Month: Help Women Thrive
Read moreIt’s National Soup Month — a perfect time to focus on the soup mixes that we sell at our stores. Why do we sell them? What we have learned about soup from our partners at Women’s Bean Project in Denver, Co., is that something so simple can be magical and transform lives.
Dressember Part 2: Reflections
Read moreJanuary is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and we want to let you, our amazing fair trade community, know that while our efforts to combat human trafficking continue all year long, this is a specific time to focus on learning more about what we can do to stop it.
Dressember
Read moreIt’s Bigger Than a Dress Can a dress change the world? According to Blythe Hill and her group of Dressember advocates, the answer is yes! What started as a personal style challenge for Blythe in college, has become an international movement to rescue individuals out of modern day slavery. More than 30 million people are currently enslaved worldwide and human
Spooky Chili Dogs
Read moreAs Halloween approaches, hot dogs wrapped in dough made to look like mummies (“mummy dogs”) are a fun, easy way to get in the spooky spirit. But could we make this Halloween meal do a bit of good? We consciously incorporate fair trade products and practices into our daily life, like using fair trade soap (we love Alaffia!) and drinking the
Fair Trade as a Yogic Act
Read more“When I shop Fair Trade, I know I am performing a yogic act. I am bringing good to many people and my purchase doesn’t harm anyone. In fact, when I shop Fair Trade, I am voting for a world that is less harmful and more loving. “
Spiced Chai Tea Bundt Cake
Read moreFinally, we can have our fair trade tea and eat it too! At first we were skeptical of this recipe: Are you sure you put the tea leaves directly in the batter? No straining? Yes! We tested it and love the result.
5 Tips for Explaining Fair Trade to Someone Who Has No Clue
Read moreDo you ever find yourself looking for the right words to describe fair trade to a friend or acquaintance? To help you explain fair trade at its simplest we’ve come up with 5 brief points.
Kantha Jewelry
Read moreBefore we say goodbye to summer and hello to colorful leaves, picking apples, and throwing on our favorite sweater, it’s time for an arm party! Add some depth and color to your wrist with kantha bracelets.
Freshly Cut Soul
Read moreThere’s little that’s more enjoyable than intoxicating soul music on a sunny day. We’ve compiled a playlist of freshly cut soul to accompany the growth and possibility of spring and summer.
5 Reasons to Eat Fair Trade Chocolate
Read moreHere are 5 reason to eat fair trade chocolate, including the lack of child labor, protection of the planet, and of course, it tastes great! Read more.
World Fair Trade Day: Open Doors
Read moreMay 13th is World Fair Trade Day! This year, join us as we celebrate the inclusivity of fair trade relationships and the fair trade community’s efforts to open doors for artisans and farmers around the world.
Earth Day Everyday with Fair Trade
Read moreOne of the guiding principles of fair trade is environmental sustainability, and caring for the earth and each other is at the center of what we do. At our stores, we carry products that are very obviously eco-friendly and up-cycled—like animals made of recycled cans, bags made of discarded cement bags, or bowls made of old bike chains. These products
What We’re Spinning: Reggae Revival
Read moreMuch like fair trade as a whole, contemporary reggae demands justice while celebrating and loving the people that inspire the causes of justice and equity. This week’s playlist is jam packed and explores the sonic and lyrical diversity of a new generation of inspiring reggae artists.
Fair Trade Hibiscus Sangria
Read moreThanks to the juicy sweet pineapple and oranges and the dried black currant, cranberry, blueberry, elderberry fruit in the Little Berry Hibiscus Tea, this sangria recipe doesn’t need any added sugar to be delicious, unlike traditional sangria recipes. Get the recipe!
Fair Trade Almond Quinoa Salad
Read moreThis bright, filling salad can be served warm or cold and would be an excellent side dish to any springtime meal, or eat on its own for a nutritious lunch. The mint and lemon make each bite fresh and lively, and the almonds and arugula add a texture-filled crunch.
Fair Trade Fruit Platter Bunny
Read moreGive your next brunch a full spring theme with this cute fruit platter bunny. Watch our how-to video in our latest post! (It’s easier than you think).
Crispy Rice Chocolate Egg Nests
Read moreThese adorable chocolate egg nests are the perfect dessert for easter. They’re easy to make with no baking and look so impressive! Watch our how-to video in this post.
Global Pop
Read moreExploring the globe is a daily occurrence at Fair Trade Winds as we celebrate the culture and craftsmanship of communities worldwide. Similarly, our musical horizons span the globe. In this week’s jukebox playlist we’re exploring global pop sounds.
Top 10 Fair Trade Easter Basket Gift Ideas
Read moreMake Easter fair! Ditch the sugar, and fill Easter baskets for every age with fair trade gifts that are meaningful, creative, and heartfelt. We have many ethical gifts to celebrate the arrival of spring and new beginnings.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart
Read moreOkay, so our definition of what constitutes a “pie” is a little fuzzy, haha. Last year we made a Pineapple Pizza for Pi Day and this year we ventured into tart territory with a Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart.
Why We Are Staying OPEN on “A Day Without a Woman”
Read moreAll Fair Trade Winds+Momentum stores will be open on Wednesday, March 8th in solidarity with the women artisans we support around the world. They rely on our business and we respect their hard work by staying open.
Inspired Justice
Read moreThe terms “free and fair trade” do no not belong in a phrase together. Fair trade alone stands for justice and inclusivity for all those involved.
Solidarity Music
Read moreWe asked our resident vinyl-expert, Philip, for his take on songs to inspire solidarity and resistance. Fair trade is all about embracing our diversity, standing up for what’s right – jam on!
Fair Trade Muddy Buddies
Read moreMuddy Buddies or Puppy Chow (or whatever name you call it) can be fair trade! Elevate this cereal-centered classic by switching to fair trade ingredients. It’s finger-lickin’ good!
Little Quinoa Patties
Read moreSometimes your body needs protein, but you just aren’t in the mood for meat. Quinoa, it turns out, is an excellent source of protein, with over 8 grams in each serving. These little patties also have egg and cheese for an extra boost of protein. Add a small salad on the side and you’ve got a terrifically healthy lunch. There are about
Fair Trade is a Human Right
Read more“…act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.” On this day in 1948, the U.N. signed the Declaration of Human Rights. Today, many people are still lacking these undeniable rights. As we gear up to the holiday season, let the spirit of brotherhood/sisterhood surround you and remind you to think of all others as your brothers and sisters. Take
Sponsoring Artisan Training in India
Read moreOne of our artisan partners in India, Matr Boomie, gave us an opportunity to sponsor a social development project in India, and we jumped at the chance! These projects are part of Matr Boomie’s ongoing commitment to their artisans and to the mission of fair trade. Matr Boomie’s work through projects like this helps build up artisan communities to boost long-term development, giving
Fair Trade Tea Ice Cubes
Read moreNothing beats the summer heat like an ice cold glass of iced tea. We cooled off with a batch made of fair trade Choice Organic peach green tea and northwest blackberry. The combination is perfect for summer afternoons with a bit of sweetness from the peach and half the caffeine since northwest blackberry is an herbal tea. It’s hard to
Fair Trade Watermelon Pico de Gallo
Read moreWe can never get enough watermelon around here (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, repeat!) It’s easy for little hands to hold and little teeth to chew — and adults love it too, of course. Our summer is happier and juicier because of it. Thankfully, we have spotted fair trade watermelons in lots of places at a great price — look for
Lebanese Flatbread with Za’atar
Read moreMana’eesh bi Za’atar Lebanese Flatbread with Za’atar Mana’eesh can be eaten plain or served with olive oil or hummus for dipping. It is also commonly eaten by topping with tomatoes, olives, basil, or cheese. This recipe was adapted from The Complete Middle Eastern Cookbook by Tess Mallos and recipes taught to me by my Lebanese friends and family. Enjoy! – Avery
Fair Trade Strawberry Buttermilk Cake
Read moreFair Trade Strawberry Buttermilk Cake Adapted from Smitten Kitchen Strawberries are abundant and so juicy this time of year, and fair trade strawberries are easy to find at most grocery stores. We couldn’t resist featuring them in this easy, light, and moist cake. It also gave us an excuse to make whipped cream, lightly sweetened with fair trade sugar. Dive
Celebrating 10 Years in Fair Trade with a New Look!
Read moreWe opened our first Fair Trade Winds on World Fair Trade Day in May 2007. It was a tiny little shop up in Bar Harbor, ME, right between a novelty clock shop and a touristy souvenir store. Bar Harbor is a tourist town, with a flood of people who visit in the summer. They go camping and hiking in Acadia National
Fair Trade Zucchini Pancakes
Read moreGrowing up, I always remember a plethora of zucchini growing in our garden each summer. I would always find at least one more hiding after I thought I picked the last one! My mom would make zucchini pancakes as a special treat — a perfect way to use up the zucchini that grew too large. When I found fair trade
Heirloom Quality: Redefining Value Through Fair Trade
Read moreWith the rise of manufacturing, the art of creating and passing down heirlooms has dwindled. Fair trade, however, has the potential to change this. There is something “heirloom-like” about fair trade products in the sense that they are handcrafted using traditional techniques, unique to a geographical area, and they are made with pride.
Fair Trade Pi Day
Read moreHappy Pi Day! Normally, we’d use any excuse to make pie, cause pie is just the best, but we were wracking our brains trying to figure out what kind of fair trade pie to make for Pi Day and came up with nothing. It’s actually pretty hard to find fair trade fruit. We couldn’t find any fair trade apples or
Mouthwatering 4-Ingredient Fair Trade Brownies
Read moreHow do brownies in 30 minutes flat sound to you? Fair trade brownies in 30 minutes sound even yummier! We found a bunch of easy brownie recipes online using Nutella, but we have our own fair trade version from Barefoot & Chocolate that is even more delicious and GMO-free. Smile when you take a bite out of these! Recipe makes