Now that it is summer, one thing I miss most about home is sitting outside by a bonfire and eating s'mores. Nothing beats sitting out by a fire after a beautiful summer day and watching the flicker of orange, red, and blue against the black logs. I've always thought the ooey, gooey, sticky, deliciousness of the warm chocolate, crunchy and creamy marshmallow, and sweetness of the graham cracker wrapped up in a s'more is one of life's best simple pleasures. Knowing what I now know about the cocoa industry; however, s'mores no longer have the same comforting appeal as they once did. So, it made me very excited to see that there are people out there fighting for
fair trade s'mores!This site reminded me of a story I forgot to share. A couple months ago I was looking for an Easter present for my nieces. I was strolling along Michigan Ave, popped in the Hershey's store and naively asked the woman at the front counter if they had any fair trade chocolate. She looked shocked that I would ask such a question and nearly burst into a bout of laughter. I quickly ducked my tail between my legs and showed myself out. I never really thought more about this incident until I saw
this website asking for support to petition Hershey to offer fair trade products.
Even though I didn't make a purchase that day, I have to confess: despite the fact that I have changed many habits to decrease my support of poor labor practices in terms of the clothes I wear, the food I eat remains tainted. Ugh, I suppose this is the next battle. I could sit here comfortably and pretend that now that I am a frequent second hand store shopper and all educated on what really happens I am doing "good enough," but we all know that is the most dangerous place to be. I know that I should continue avoiding chocolate and Coca-cola, but have remained stubborn and let these things slip back into my life here and there without much thought. I've even avoided posting some really terrible things about Coca-cola because that means I really have to give it up. So--here's to the next six months-- that they may be a continued challenge and learning process. That my heart and mind and stomach and skin may be at peace with what I eat and wear.
