Conscious Holiday Shopping

“Each action, every choice we make as individuals and as members of communities, affect the world in which we live. ......  In fact, we determine our shared future by the actions we take and choices we make in the immediate present, today, right now, wherever you are....... We must look deeply into our own hearts, beyond our conditioned minds, to find what is really valuable to all. And then, to bring the value of Love into the communities to which we belong.”
- excerpts from an essay written by Sharon Gannon, co-founder of Jivamukti Yoga

This holiday season lets make sure that we give from our hearts, not from our conditioned minds.

Here are some shopping tips:

Of course it's always a good idea to shop locally for planet/animal friendly products for friends and loved ones (here in Burlington there are certainly some shops worth or checking out such as Lunaroma, and The Lotus Shop )but in case you can't find what you want or if you are, like me, less inclines to deal with the holiday crowds and displays of over cosumption...... here are a few site that you might want to do your shopping at.

http://www.veganstore.com/misc.-accessories.html
http://www.veganpeace.com/HolidayShoppingTips/holidayshoppingtips.htm
http://store.greenfeet.com/index.asp?&utm_source=Yahoo_Search&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=green_shopping

But, giving shouldn't just extend to those whom you are close to, or even just to humans.

Why not give a cold dog with no place to keep warm a dog house this season ....

https://ebiz.isiservices.com/peta-e/peta/donation.asp?section_code=H07W174Q&ask4=--265-530-1325

or help out by donating a gift to a non profit like Vermont Greyhound

Remember ... your actions matter, they always have.