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| Illustration by Len Kurosaki |
I'm a big fan of shopping local, supporting small businesses, and giving my money to companies that give back to the community and do good. I also have spent my time in quarantine doing a lot of online shopping and needed something to help me justify all my purchases. And so I bring you Monthly Mains, a series where I’ll highlight three things that have made my life better (and will probably make yours better, too).
February is the shortest month of the year, but it's felt extra long. This is probably because of:
a) Pandemic fatigue;
b) The world continuing to burn (for real though - when are all these figurative fires going to be put out?), and;
a) Pandemic fatigue;
b) The world continuing to burn (for real though - when are all these figurative fires going to be put out?), and;
I've spent the month thinking and reflecting. While I am so excited to highlight the three Monthly Mains for this month, I wanted to share three things that are happening right now that deserve our attention first:
1. Black History Month: February is Black History Month, and as this month comes to an end, the inequalities and injustices Black people face daily continue. It's important to continue to educate ourselves on Black issues, celebrate Black success, and support the Black community, all year long. If you're not sure how to start (or continue) doing these things, here is a short list of online resources that can help:
- Black Lives Matter – Ways you can help
- Black Lives Matter – Resources
- Black organizations and anti-racist groups Canadians can support now
- Five resources to better educate yourself on the Black Lives Matter movement
- Black Lives Matter: How white people can get educated and stay grounded
- 4 anti-racism resources to help you educate yourself
2. Farmers' protests: These protests, the largest global protests in history, began in November 2020 over unfair laws passed in India that hurt farmers' (who are already dealing with many issues) livelihoods. Unfortunately, these protests haven't been covered well in traditional media worldwide, and India's state media is sharing biased and negative coverage of the protests. A lot of the outside world has relied heavily on social media for updates on the situation with farmers in India.
Things changed earlier this month, when Rihanna tweeted about the protests, helping them gain global attention. There are a lot of layers to this, and I think I could talk about each of those layers (including the irony that a Black woman has played a major role in supporting the cause, while many in the South Asian community have not/will not do the same for the Black community...), but for now, here is a list of resources to better understand why the protests are happening and how you can help:
- The Kissan Ekta Collective (Great overall resource)
- PBS: Indian farmers converge on Delhi to protest agricultural deregulation
- The Daily Show with Trevor Noah: Indian Farmers’ Protest - If you don’t know, now you know
- The Great Reset: Bill Gates & Farming - WHAT'S GOING ON?
- Instagram accounts to follow: @sikhexpo, @standforhumanity, @sikhdad, @kisaani.co
- Donations: Sahaita, Khalsa Aid
3. Increase in anti-Asian racism: Racism is not new, and nor is anti-Asian racism. But anti-Asian racism has increased due to COVID-19. There are several factors that have led to this increase, including the rhetoric used by traditional media and politicians. No matter the cause, the data and anecdotes surrounding anti-Asian racism are alarming. There is more hate being spread online and more people are being attacked due to their race. And no, it's not just an American problem (racism crosses all borders and oceans) - Canada has more anti-Asian racist incident reports per capita than the U.S. In New York, there's been a 1900% increase in anti-Asian hate crimes. To stop the hate from harming more people, we all need to work together. Here are some resources to better understand anti-Asian racism and tips on how to help end it:
- Blame, bullying and disrespect: Chinese Canadians reveal their experiences with racism during COVID-19
- CTV News: 'Raise your voice': Campaign targets anti-Asian racism heightened amid COVID-19 in Canada
- NBC News: The Covid-19 era's anti-Asian racism isn't new. I learned this the hard way
- Resources for Asian Canadians & allies
- How to be an ally + help Asian Americans fight anti-Asian racism
- Fighting racism in COVID-19 times
- How to support Asian American colleagues amid the recent wave of anti-Asian violence
- 45 ways to donate in support of Asian communities
Now that you're a bit more informed about a few important things going on in the world, here are three things that I've been loving this month:
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| Illustration by Len Kurosaki |
If you're one of the many people who picked up baking (or started to bake more) in the last year, you'll want to check out Bottled by Blair. This Calgary-based business was started by a woman who took it upon herself to create simple, clean products for everyday use that are good for the consumer, the suppliers, and the planet. This woman - Diane - just so happens to be one of my best friends. That means I can guarantee that you're not only getting a fantastic product, but you're also supporting a business owner who is an absolute gem of a human being.
My two most purchased products are the vanilla extract and the vanilla-infused organic sugar. Both are excellent and will make whatever you use them in taste fantastic (the hint of vanilla in the sugar is a game changer). But if I'm being honest, it might be the story behind the vanilla that makes these products my favourite.
Diane buys the vanilla pods from IndriVanilla, which pays farmers fair trade prices (read: the farmers' asking price is what is paid for the product, giving the farmers the opportunity to earn a living wage). IndriVanilla also donates a portion of its proceeds to different charities, including the Mastocytosis Society and Mama Baby Haiti.
Bottled by Blair offers a variety of simple products that you can feel good about buying. Everything comes in glass jars or bottles that can be reused or recycled, the ingredients in the products are clean and sourced properly, and the woman behind the brand wants to ensure everyone has access to high quality, well-made products.
Check out the full range of items available on Bottled by Blair's website.
My two most purchased products are the vanilla extract and the vanilla-infused organic sugar. Both are excellent and will make whatever you use them in taste fantastic (the hint of vanilla in the sugar is a game changer). But if I'm being honest, it might be the story behind the vanilla that makes these products my favourite.
Diane buys the vanilla pods from IndriVanilla, which pays farmers fair trade prices (read: the farmers' asking price is what is paid for the product, giving the farmers the opportunity to earn a living wage). IndriVanilla also donates a portion of its proceeds to different charities, including the Mastocytosis Society and Mama Baby Haiti.
Bottled by Blair offers a variety of simple products that you can feel good about buying. Everything comes in glass jars or bottles that can be reused or recycled, the ingredients in the products are clean and sourced properly, and the woman behind the brand wants to ensure everyone has access to high quality, well-made products.
Check out the full range of items available on Bottled by Blair's website.
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| Illustration by Len Kurosaki |
To me, this candle is one of the few things in my home that make me feel like I've got it together (when in reality, I don't). My house is overall a disaster, but this candle makes a very small area of my space look elegant, simple and sleek, all at the same time, and with very little effort on my part.
Unlike your typical wax candle, this one has three sticks that sit inside a clear vase and requires a special mineral oil. The candle is odorless and smokeless, and, thanks to the whole no wax thing, can literally last a lifetime. It burns very well, the flame is consistent on all three sticks, and it gives off a good amount of light.
The candle is produced by a couple based out of Fraser Valley, B.C., comes in five different colours (my favourite is gold) and can be purchased with (or without) two different styles of vase. The Pristine mineral oil is also available online. So, if you're looking to add a candle to your collection or want to add a touch of elegance to your home, visit Everlasting Candle Co.'s website.
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| Illustration by Len Kurosaki |
This canned coffee stands out from the traditional chain cans of coffee that you can buy in most stores for a few specific reasons. First, it's produced in Etobicoke, Ontario (just outside of Toronto). Second, it's vegan-friendly, with all the latte options being made with oat milk.
The company offers a variety of products, including canned cold lattes, non-coffee-based beverages (including an oat milk chai), coffee beans, and more recently, oat milk. My personal favourites are the vanilla and salted caramel frothed lattes and the flash brew hazelnut sea salt coffee (which goes incredibly well with homemade Starbucks copycat vanilla cold foam).
These cans are a bit on the pricier side, but if you compare what you'd pay for a flavoured oat milk drink at a coffee shop, you're looking at a similar (if not slightly lower) price; but with Two Bears, you're supporting a Canadian company that offers high quality beverages. To see the entire list of products, visit the Two Bears website.
Side dishes
Podcast:Quote:
"The past is the past. The only way to make a better life is from inside the present. To focus on regret does nothing but turn that very present into another thing you will wish you did differently."
– Matt Haig, How to be happy (2)
Read:
– Matt Haig, How to be happy (2)
Read:
– Bloomberg Green