“Would you eat chemicals like synthetic fibers, chlorine bleach, and pesticides? NO! Why would you put them down there (the most sensitive spot in your body)?”

In a world of consumerism, how can we change our shopping habits to become a more conscious shopper? Chemicals are the cornerstone of many products we purchase (whether we’re aware of it or not). We’ve also adopted the mentality that quantity beats quality. We are less apt to spend money on a good, well made, longer lasting product because it costs more.

At Kali, the purpose isn’t just to invest in organic feminine care products, rather, it is to make more conscious decisions about what we are putting inside our bodies. By doing so and shopping in a way that makes both economic and philosophical sense, we increase our shopping consciousness.

Ways to Increase Your Shopping Consciousness

#1 Do a little research before leaving the house.

In a world that moves quickly, we often mindlessly buy items and don’t think twice about the brands we’re supporting or the quality of the products. Before leaving your house to head out to go shopping, make a list of the items you are planning to buy. Research the eco-friendly or socially conscious brands that adhere to being environmentally and economically savvy.

#2 Read the labels and ASK questions.

Reading labels is slowly becoming a popular conversation in the wellness community. It is not limited to food items. Reading labels on clothing should be a more mainstream task we do when purchasing a new item. In fact the American Apparel and Footwear Association put together a list of over 200 restricted substances used in clothing production. For example, Formaldehyde is cited in that list and can cause upper respiratory issues. This chemical is baked into the clothing we wear and is a known carcinogen.

#3 Stand in the aisle and ask yourself a few questions.

We may feel we don’t have time to stand in an aisle and ask ourselves a few simple questions. However, to become a fraction more aware of our purchases, pencil in a little extra time for your weekly shopping trips, so that you can ask yourself a few questions: Does this item add value to my life? Does this item serve a purpose?

If the answer is ‘no’, consider putting down the item. If it adds no value, you may not wear it as frequently as you’d like or it may find its home at the bottom of a drawer.

#4 Shop small.

Here are a few stats to think about:

• In the US, there are 23 million registered small businesses.
• This number has significantly increased by over 45% since 1982.
• Small businesses account for over 51% of U.S. sales (that’s more than half…makes you think)

Many stores that are small in nature and use only a handful of distributors are typically more aware of the products stocked in their respective stores. And while shopping small and local is much more accepted and well-known, the trend is a slow moving vehicle.

If there’s one thing we can learn from becoming a conscious shopper is the immediate need to care about the products we put inside and outside our bodies. Our choices matter. It is often the choice between supporting a brand that strives to make conscious choices and a company that is solely profit driven with no clear message to support its’ workers, the environment, and its’ footprint.