Vegan leather is good for animals, good for the planet and affordable, but it’s also very practical! We’re expanding our ethical baby blanket and sleepwear line, so went to Kids’ Market at the Los Angeles Apparel Mart to meet with some manufacturer’s reps. The mart has showrooms in 3 separate … More
My Vegan Booties
by blueokra, January 16, 20193 Painless Hacks to Save Our Planet
by blueokra, January 10, 2019Keep a travel mug handy, so that when you get coffee – or any drink – you don’t have to use a disposable cup. When ordering a cold drink in a restaurant, ask your waiter to skip the straw. We’ve become accustomed to taking reusable grocery bags to the store, … More →
Mom’s Wisdom on Giving
by blueokra, February 28, 2018Nearly everyone I know tends to run short on time and/or money. Some have an abundance of one and are short on the other, but very few of us feel that we truly have enough of both. And so when we make a decision about giving to a cause, it … More →
The Best Ethical Shopping Apps 2018
by blueokra, October 29, 2017Being an ethically-minded consumer can involve many concerns. We’ve rounded up the best iPhone and Android apps to help you shop smarter, whether you’re looking for cruelty-free, environmentally friendly, socially just, or vegan and vegetarian products. Our Blue Okra trophy adorns our choice of a few of our favorites. To … More →
Anti-consumerism
by blueokra, October 25, 2017For decades, psychologists have been chronicling Americans’ decreasing self-esteem and increasing rates of depression. Tori DeAngelis says in her article, Consumerism and its discontents, subtitled “Materialistic values… are linked to lower life satisfaction”, that, “the least materialistic people report the most life satisfaction.” And, apparently, “Those who doubt themselves buy … More →
Intentional Living
by blueokra, October 10, 2017We’re obsessed with happiness. It’s the topic of endless discussions, economic studies, psychology experiments and philosophical treatises. Amazon returns 104,645 results for books on “happiness”. The failure of consumerism, a.k.a. “retail therapy”, to scratch that itch is also a hot topic. We know – almost instinctively – that buying stuff … More →
Social Justice + Ecology = the New Economic Goals
by blueokra, September 22, 2017Is economic growth killing the planet? In her new book “Doughnut Economics: 7 Ways to Think Like a 21st Century Economist”, Kate Raworth describes how, by plastering that question on the front of a building, “rebel economics students commandeered the street in front of the Boston Sheraton to greet the … More →
Fair Trade vs. Eco-Friendly
by blueokra, September 21, 2017You may be thinking that these two ideals are not in opposition but they can be. If a core value of a company is to create job opportunities in the majority world, it might implement fair trade policies – despite the fact that this would create longer shipping distances during … More →
Baby Blanket and Swaddle Safety
by blueokra, September 11, 2017Blankets are great for lots of uses during the day when baby is awake, but swaddling is better for sleeping, for your little one and for you. Properly designed swaddle wraps allow for some hip and leg movement, help your baby sleep longer and more soundly on her back and … More →
Our new packaging is in! Made from 100% recycled paper (50% post-consumer and 50% post industrial), they are reusable and compostable, and made in the USA. Even the ink is water-soluble. When we say we sweat the details, we mean it. #GROWtheGood Oh yeah, they’re cute too!