So there I was sipping my morning cup of certified organic free trade coffee, feeling pretty good about my very recent ethical consumption choice and perusing the PPBP blog (since she is my source for all things that people might actually enjoy reading), when I discovered today is Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. It gave me an idea.
Renouncing something for forty days is so, like, the middle ages. So I propose instead a substitution in consumption for forty days. If coffee is your bag, go for the organic fair trade beans. If driving a car is big deal, drive a bike or take public transport. If you like clothes, buy only second-hand (designer labels is OK) or buy only from places you know don’t use sweatshops. Chocolate — fair trade and organic. Don’t renounce, but choose differently. Positive action, rather than puritan inaction.
Here’s an easy and tasty one: I recently discovered organic frozen veggies. Now you may not know this, but frozen vegetables are often more healthy and tastier than fresh because they are allowed to ripen “on the vine” before being picked and flash frozen. Most fresh veggies ripen in trucks on the way to the grocery store — ergo, less nutrients and taste. Even with normal frozen veggies, the difference in taste is noticeable. Well, when it comes to organic frozen vegetables, the difference is substantial. Like yummie yummie love in my tummie different.
So for the next forty days, why not choose organic frozen vegs (or fresh if it is currently available where you live). They are tastier, healthier, and super convenient! You will enjoy it and be making a difference.
I personally will now pledge to drink only Organic and Fair Trade Coffee for (at least) forty days since, as luck would have it, I had my first taste today. I could go with the organic veg but that feels like a cheat since I have already converted. Any other pledges? PPBP? Perhaps, you might buy only second hand clothing? Wayne C? Organic local beer?
Eventually, it occurred to me, this is so totally the message of The Otesha Project. Simple easy choices do make a difference. I’ve been to a couple of their events due to a friend’s involvement in the project and their message must be sinking in. Just the other day I had a totally unplanned ethical shopping spree at the grocery store. I discovered and am now converted to the organic frozen veg option. So if you like the general rub of what I am suggesting, check them out.
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Paper Bag Princess
February 25, 2009
hmmm, only second hand clothes eh? I’ll compromise – how about only clothes on sale? ha ha, just kidding. I think I can do that!! Shoes are part of that deal I assume?
*resolve weakening* (:
Whoo hoo – all aboard the Lent train!
sterlinglynch
February 26, 2009
You are lapsed, I understand if the will weakens. But look at it this way: you can buy super cool uber high end designer stuff now and if it is second hand you can feel ethically pure in doing so (not yet tax deductible but I’m working on it). Besides, you can do much better than that J. Crew stuff … wot! he didn’t just diss da J. Crew did he. Oh no he didn’t. Ah, I think he did. Oh no he didn’t. Oh yes he did! (and scene.)
Paper Bag Princess
February 26, 2009
Awwww hell no. I will make a believer out of you once I do my spring arrivals round-up! GET READY TO … feel wrong.
Wayne C
February 26, 2009
I’m glad you gave the plug to Otesha as this is definitely inline with their approach. I like the 40 day limit. Commitments should always be made in small chunks of time and then re-evaluated. Baby steps are totally the way to go. Organic local beer huh? If I committed to that I think I would just end up avoiding beer entirely and drinking other forms of alcohol in its place. I’m not sure that’s the substitution you are looking for. I’ll think about this a little more. Maybe I’ll be able to come up with something.
Paper Bag Princess
February 26, 2009
I’ve never even seen organic beer for in my neck of the woods…
Wayne C
February 26, 2009
There isn’t much available in Ottawa either. It certainly is not available at the Government ran monopoly. There is some available at one Pub in Ottawa but I’m not sure even that is local. I think it’s Belgian. Still, for the lack of anything better to do. For the duration of Lent, I will commit to drinking organic beer when it is made available by the pub I am drinking at.
sterlinglynch
February 26, 2009
I don’t think you need go local necessarily.
Tho, I would encourage you to take on a stronger vow. That is, you won’t drink beer unless it is organic. Saying you will drink organic beer if it is made available seems a little passive. Think of the impact you might have, if at every bar you went to, you asked, “Organic?” And they went, “No.” And you went, “oh well I guess I won’t have beer, then.” Remember they may have it in bottles!
But if it seems too daunting I understand. It was only a suggestion!
Wayne C
February 27, 2009
Wait a minute; your initial proposal was a substitution rather than a puritanical denial. This is an effort which I support because then it becomes a positive choice rather than a negative stance. Going to a pub and asking if they have organic beer and than not drinking beer at all if they don’t is an not inline with this at all. That would be an act of puritanical negation and a particularly annoying one since organic beer just doesn’t have the market reach (organic beer is very rare, available in one pub in Ottawa only in bottles) of say shade grown fair trade coffee (which is available even at Starbucks and is completely mainstream). Don’t get me wrong, I fully support you in this positive choice and I hope you continue the practice past lent. This is the beautiful simplicity of the ideology the Otesha Project is promoting. Small choices can make a big difference. Let’s not lose sight of that and get back into negation. Choose positive change without denying yourself. Do that as often as you can and we will change the world. Think in baby steps.
sterlinglynch
February 27, 2009
I think we are operating on different levels of analysis here. I don’t really consider it puritanical denial to elect to drink scotch rather than to drink beer because it is not is organic. And you could frequent that bar (who knows maybe its filled with vegan hotties who will love your dedication to the cause). You could home brew, or get home brew, meet a whole new group of people who are into organic beer etc etc. I think your point is on par with someone who might say, “giving up my car for a bus is puritanical denial,” and I disagree with that too. I guess it all depends on where a person thinks the “substitution” is taking place. Many car owners see cars as more than a means to get from one place to another. Clearly, you see beer as more than just a tasty beverage with alcohol. Moreover, my coffee choice is not without sacrifice — I will need to give up my favorite coffee shop (I think) or only drink tea there. Plus the beans cost twice as much at the grocery story, so I will be giving up on other consumption choices as well. In fact, that’s why I made the pledge. Double the cost seemed outrageous but by turning it into this little game, I think I can justify it.
At any rate, I take your point that the organic beer choice might be a non-starter in Ottawa at this time and suggested as much in my previous reply. I only suggested organic beer as an option because it was the first thing that came to mind while posting — there is no need to focus exclusively on that suggestion. The main thrust of my previous message was to suggest “I only will drink organic beer when it is available” does not strike me as strong enough of a substitution. That’s like saying, “I will take public transport whenever it is absolutely no inconvenience to me to do so.”
So if you don’t like the organic beer option, try something else but try for a substitution which has some affect … you could use only organic cleaning products, drink fair trade and organic coffee, maybe look into organic wine, etc etc…. lots of options It doesn’t have to be organic consumption either. you could volunteer, donate, etc etc.
Paper Bag Princess
February 27, 2009
When I asked a co-worker where I could find organic beer in Regina she said she thought that was more of an ‘Ontario thing’. (:
Wayne C
February 27, 2009
I will stand by my first commitment/pledge (based on your suggestion). It seems the most fun. Your suggestion of substituting a non-organic Scotch in place of non-organic beer seems to me of dubious value for the world at large, or the cause, but I will consider it as a potential addition to my pledge. I am nothing if not philanthropic and open-minded. Though drinking non-organic tea when organic coffee is not available also seems odd.
As far as brewing my own beer or the other large scale projects, I have no interest in that at least for the next month (beer takes a month too brew alone and last time I did that it exploded). I am willing to put in only as much time and effort as it would take to say buy a cup of organic fair trade coffee, which is available every where (even in Regina I’m sure). I am not being dismissive of these small acts. Quite the contrary, I am for these small acts. They all add up. It is small acts that I thought you were originally promoting. Got to say I’m kind of losing interest in the project. I didn’t realize you would get all self-righteous on me
sterlinglynch
February 28, 2009
I appreciate your devil’s advocacy because it helps tease out what is actually happening here.
A single consumption substitution in and of itself is unlikely to have any measurable affect on the world or the market. The affect it may have is on the person making the substitution choice. What initially seemed like an impossible or even difficult substitution may come to seem pretty easy. And from that realization more substitutions may follow, and other people might also follow suit.
For example, a lot of people who refuse to give up their cars do so because they have so much ego invested in those cars and have a preconceived notion of what public transport will be like and what their life will be without a car. So, not surprisingly on those rare occasions when they use public transport they interpret the experience in a way which supports their preference for car use. But, if as part of a game or challenge like this, they choose to use only public transport for forty days, they may learn that their cars aren’t as important to them as they really thought. Moreover, the will live the experience of making a different kind of choice and know that their world doesn’t actually collapse around them.
And the same thing might happen with you and the organic beer. So yes in real terms substituting non-organic beer consumption for non-organic liquor consumption has no affect on the amount of organic consumption but you may come to realize that the process of substitution isn’t so hard after all and maybe even fun — like making special trips to particular bars to have organic beer, etc. After all, even if you some how pledged yourself to a situation where you could only drink tap water, you wouldn’t be changing anything in real terms because water isn’t organic either. Well, I suppose you’d be much healthier in real terms giving up all that booze but you know I would never advocate that!.
I am already seeing my own consumption patterns changing because of this little game. I am buying more and more stuff from the organic aisle of the grocery store and I will be better off for it.
Paper Bag Princess
February 27, 2009
I think I made a deal with the devil [Sterling]. Darn if my pledge didn’t exactly coincide with J Crew’s spring ‘New Arrivals’.
Yet still I am steadfast!!!
Oh and totally off topic but Sterling, thanks for the cat brothel article. So cute!!! They need one with puppies.
puddingandpaperbadprincess@gmail.com
February 28, 2009
I agree in with you re. the value/purpose of the torturous game. (:
By the by, did you know there was a shoe store called Sterling? I’d never been there before but it is a nice store!! I was sorely tempted to fall of the wagon, as they were having a 50% off sale.
sterlinglynch
February 28, 2009
I think I did. Avoid temptation! Try to find some high end second hand places for your fix!
puddingandpaperbadprincess@gmail.com
February 28, 2009
Watchu talkin’ bout Willis? This is Regina!!
Wayne C
March 2, 2009
First of all you are correct, I was largely playing devils advocate but that being said I have learned a valuable lesson, which I didn’t anticipate. I assumed incorrectly that organic beer was only available from the LCBO around Christmas time, as this was the only time I had purchased it. This is not the case. While I will have to do some running around Ottawa, I will be able to get a decent selection of organic beers to sample. Perhaps, there are more pubs out there that provide it as well. This has been very educational. Thank you for proposing the project Sterling.
I will now pledge to only drink organic beer for the rest of Lent. If unavailable I will substitute another alcohol in its place. Yes, perhaps giving up alcohol all together for the month will be healthier, but let’s face it I’m not that strong and St. Paddy’s day is coming up.
Paper Bag Princess
March 2, 2009
Good for you Wayne C!!! I am a disgrace. I already messed up a little yesterday. Sterling can I have a do-over? I am willing to start back at day 0 and go for another 40 days. Or I can start today as day 0 with Wayne.
By happy coincidence I have recently discovered a weekly exchange on the J.Crew Aficionada’s website were people buy/sell/trade their wares.
sterlinglynch
March 2, 2009
Lol. Well, to be honest, I didn’t think either of you would take up the challenge — it was meant only as rhetorical flourish in the post. So do your best and take any do-overs as is necessary. Did you at least hesitate before buying? Oh and what caused your downfall? Shoes?
I also can’t help but note PBPP that your lapsed Catholic-ness is peeking out — i.e do-overs after a few Hail Marys.
Paper Bag Princess
March 2, 2009
ha ha ha, I must say that I did not hesitate before breaking ‘lent’ but I felt an ENORMOUS amount of guilt afterward. How Catholic is that? Funny also how I labeled myself a ‘disgrace’. I don’t think it was 100% conscious!!
sterlinglynch
March 2, 2009
Well I had my own Catholic moment. I checked on-line to make sure my favorite coffee shop was fair trade and organic, but felt the need to ask the guy at the counter who was unsure. He was convinced they had not changed suppliers, so I went ahead and bought a cup. But then the worry began to settle in, then guilt, then worry about the guilt, etc etc…. I even checked again before writing this reply — just in case.
Here is the supplier.
Wayne C
March 2, 2009
Well off to a theatre performance tonight at a local tavern (a real tavern by the way one of the first in Ottawa) and guess what? They have organic beer. A brave new world is opening up for me.
P.S. Thanks for the support PBP and good luck with Lent. With a little research you just might find a high end second-hand clothing shop in Regina. I’m a little shocked by how quickly and with how little effort I’m finding organic beer in Ottawa.
paper Bag Princess
March 3, 2009
Indeed, would that I were not so lazy I could probably find one. There is always ebay I suppose! (:
Wayne C
March 3, 2009
Here is an official review of the Organic Beer served at the Elmdale Tavern:
Beau’s LUG•TREAD
LUG•TREAD is a golden Lagered Ale hand-crafter with springwater and certified organic malts. It’s Beau’s tribute to the classic beer of Cologne, Germany. Top fermented (like an ale) and then cold aged (like a lager) for a lengthy period, this beer has light ale notes complemented by a lager-like crispness.
My own review: While this beer did not blow my mind, it is a very refreshing thirst quenching beverage. The all natural ingredients are certainly a huge plus. I will order this again as the price is quite reasonable (on par with other premium beers). Tap water is probably healthier than any spring water (but I’ll save that for another post). In short, I recommend Beau’s as a great choice for Lent. Ask for it at pubs near you.
Wayne C
March 13, 2009
Miller St. is another readily available organic
beer. Look for it in Ontario. Very tasty.
Wayne C
March 13, 2009
Another organic beer I have tried recently is St. Peters. This is an expensive organic import beer. At $9.50/bottle (served at a local pub). I think it is a little pricey. There are plenty of more reasonably priced organic brews available (Miller St. and Beau’s). That being said, the bottle is pretty cool (it resembles a flask) and it is a great conversation starter. You can also feel morally superior to everyone else in the pub. That’s worth something
sterlinglynch
April 14, 2009
Easter has come and gone and I am happy to report that I made it through the wilderness! On two occasions, I was forced to make a substitution because I ended up at cafe I don’t normally frequent and, as result, had some tasty juice.
The most significant outcome of the “ordeal” is that I realized that buying the fair trade organic beans really isn’t that much more expensive in the long run. Paying double the price for beans seemed daunting at first but, after doing it for however long Lent is, I’ve come to realize that the added cost doesn’t really affect my consumption habits. At no time did I feel poorer or unable to buy something I wanted because I bought the pricier beans. So, at the end of the day, I get a tasty brew of coffee and can make like I am helping out a little bit. I will continue to buy the pricier beans!
More often than not, I will try to buy fair trade and organic when I am out, but I should note that I had standard coffee on Saturday because it was part of Nate’s tasty breakfast special! What’s worse I didn’t even realize I had done it until i wrote this up-date.
Wayne C.
April 15, 2009
c
TThat was a close one! I too found that it wasn’t as difficult as I thought to make the switch. I had one slip up which I discuss on my blog.
Because I know organic beer is available I will be more likely to make that choice. I will not do so exclusively. Much to the relief of my friends who enjoy splitting a pitchure now and again.
sterlinglynch
March 30, 2009
Lent update!
A friend of mine wanted to go to Starbucks for a coffee and as a result I had to forgo having a coffee. When asked if they sold organic and fair trade coffee, it was implied I could buy beans but they did not have any brewed for immediate consumption.
I went with some peach drink which was mostly pleasant. Who know Lent could be so fun?
Wayne C.
March 30, 2009
NNice Job! I think you are the only one of us that hasn’t slipped up yet.