Its a sad world :(

[maz]

Me as a person...I tend to think im doing the right thing ethically.
As you all know I do my bit cloth wise, I use energy globes, im pro woman choices, donate and support a charity.

But reading through this entire section..I feel really sad . I fell like I do nothing in comparrison. I am sitting here..shocked, speechless and terrified that not us as individuals but governments, high professions and big name companies think they can control us with their brain washing adveritising and disgusting moral ways. To hurt others, destroy lives and kill another human is beyond me

Honestly...I was sick to death of seeing certain avatars on FB as sometimes it feel slike over kill and as if peple are trying to 'ram' their thoughts down your throat. Thats just my own selfish brain not wanting to hear...to shut out the obvious and turning my back on trying to do something to help. It wasnt until a thread in this section was started that my mind was cleared a bit.

I have decided to sit down with my eldest amigo's and let them know some of what is going on in the big world and together as a family hope to make a positive choice. I have no idea were to start as yet....Im hoping that some of the links in this section will help us.

We may be small, no bodies but when alot of no bodies get together they make alot of noise

Thank you to those who post in this thread about such things. Word of mouth and ears that want to listen are a wonderful asset to have.

thank you

[onthefly]

There's always hope while there are people who think and care Maz

[Rouge]

I don't have an avatar and I think it's great that people do. If no one voices there opinion how will others learn there are other opinions. Just because you feel you don't do enough doesn't mean you don't or are any worse than someone else. Everyone does what they can KWIM? I just don't feel there's any need to rain on anyone elses cause KWIM? And TBH I haven't joined the Nestle Boycott, or the page or added an avatar. Why? Because I know there are products in my house that are Nestle and I would feel hypocritical. However I think it's AWESOME that other people do it because hopefully they can be that voice that is needed. And I have lots of friends who are activists for many different things, yet they never ever make me feel bad because I'm not. It's all good Maz... it's all about perception hon

[BellyBelly]

Good on ya Maz. My kids know I don't buy Nestle, but I think I should do like you and show them why too, so they don't enter the world as an adult blind to all this. They see things as they are. My daughter already knows my opinion on marketing - having been to many seminars, I know the nasty tricks they play. I know how they play on human psychology to make you feel like you need something, are not adequate enough with something, or have to have something to be 'in' with the crowd. I tell them ads are all there to tempt you to buy things, often that you don't need. And my daughter now tells me, I don't like the ads on TV mum, I don't listen, because I don't need those things. It's great that children can recognise that as individuals, all that matters is them, not what other people think they need or what they should be like - and companies will do whatever they have to, to make you think otherwise.

[maz]

And TBH I haven't joined the Nestle Boycott, or the page or added an avatar. Why? Because I know there are products in my house that are Nestle and I would feel hypocritical.

and thats exactly how I would feel if I did something like that. I think thats why I was sick of it, my guilt and having those items ect. I dont like jumping on band wagons just because someone else is on that I like I need to have a reason and logic behind it, selfsatisfaction yes...self gratitude that im doing something not just for the sake but for a good 'cause' so to speak.

I really do think that this is something that would be an important parenting and ethical step for me and my family. Having an almost 10 year old who expects ect, it might be an eye opener for him and something we can share to know we are doing some good in the world rather then just taking from it.

Kelly - that is fantastic that your DD has those views already. See to me...those sort of things would stop alot of the bullying ect. I see so many people bringing up aggressive, negetive children that it makes me worried that my children are more emotional and compasionate to others. I am extreemly proud of how well my boys display their emotions and perspective on certain things....but I think that doing this will just make them that much more a better person and as you said take their wonderful ethic's into adulthood

thanks guys

[Jennifer13]

I'm with you, Maz, and agree with Rouge for the same reasons.

I do what I can, at least professionally I can say I'm out there trying to make a difference. We make small choices in our everyday lives in our household that consider the environment and other issues that are important to humanity, but we still have to live in this world. I'm well aware that I haven't completely locked out all unethical brands/companies/choices.

I am always pleased when I see someone, somewhere making a stand though, because without those voices, no one would sit up and pay attention. And I believe that if everyone made some small changes through awareness the world would be a much better place. all around.

[Trillian]

You can only do as much as you can hun Friends of ours have a son with Autism and he lives on Milo custard. It would make up 80% of his diet (I know this is not ideal) and No Way Known would they ever be able to get him to stop eating it. I imagine it would be similar for you too I think you have to do the best you can. If that is the only Nestle item you ever buy, then that is pretty damn good I reckon. There are probably even things in my cupboard that aren't directly nestle, but are owned by them and I don't realise they are, but my priorities are different. As I said in that other thread, first and foremost I support Australia made and owned/grown and by default that means that I buy very little nestle to start with but there is the odd item that slips through. And like you said, there are loads of other areas where you do your bit too so it does all even out. And think of it this way, someone who may not have a single nestle owned product in their house may leave all their lights on and drive a car with poor fuel economy LOL, but someone who doesn't boycott may walk everywhere and turn everything off at the wall kwim?

I think the most important things is that you make yourself aware of all this stuff, even if you don't boycott anything. Because by not knowing, you remain ignorant to the cause kwim? So long as you know, you can make little changes here and there that will add up to a lot over a lifetime. Don't forget that you are only 1 person, and you can't be expected to join every cause, just the ones that mean the most to you. If everyone had the same cause who would be working on the other ones?

[Poppetty]

I agree with Trillian's post.

Maz, it sounds like you're doing a wonderful job and as others have said we can only do what we can do. I live a fairly anti-consumerist lifestyle and am vegetarian, but feel guilty for not being vegan and for most things I buy, but always try to remind myself that a little bit here and there really does add up over the course of a life time I think as someone else said too awareness is the key, and educating the next generation on these matters is a big step in changing the future.

[christy]

I think education as far as social justice is awesome. I talk with my kids about social justice as a whole heaps. M & I today had a discussion on why my grocery bill was so high so that I couldn't afford heaps of lollies and ice blocks I said that we as a family chose to buy earth conscious products in order to help preserve the earth we live in, and that means we don't buy certain products because they don't help the earth. She asked me about cloth nappies and we discussed the use of cloth wipes etc, and how "mummy doesn't like chemicals" and things like that are part of it, but there is also a responsibility to the earth.

[BloominRoses]

Maz, I think this whole issue is really hard and confronting to say the least. It's like when someone mentioned on FB that Nestle owns 30% of Loreal, I had literally the night before used a Kerastase hair mask and Kiehl's face scrub to have some me time while DS finally slept. Well, Loreal owns both of those brands, don't they? And heaps of others. So the crapstorm of guilt began. (Thanks Lulu for telling us on your blog to pamper ourselves... I'm blaming YOU for this one lmao).

I think the best that we can do as newbies to the whole thing is to THINK. Rouge made a great point earlier about why she didn't actively take part in the whole Nestle campaign, but to be honest, it's only from living with her that I know about the evils of Nestle at all. Every time (and believe me, they were very few) she whipped out a Nestle product to use while baking- usually evaporated/condensed milk if I remember correctly - she made a comment like "ah shiart, it's Nestle but I need it for this recipe". After hearing that a few times, I subtly worked Nestle into the conversation and she explained the whole formula issue. Even though I am a Mum who uses formula now, I was beyond appalled. But I never would've known if she hadn't have shared what she knew.

And I guess that's all we can do. Just think and be aware. And if it's practical for us and our families, we can take action, even in the smallest little ways. For me it's a bit hard to cut much Nestle out as far as what I consume because I didn't grow up on Milo (have never even tried the stuff) and don't like Nestle chocolate here in Australia as it tastes different than back home, so it's not like I'm a massive user to begin with.

But that's not from being ethical. That's just from personal taste. I do know however, that you'll never catch me buying another Loreal cosmetic or Loreal owned cosmetic/beauty product again. And really? My life won't change at all except for the fact that my wallet will be much happier as some of that stuff is darn expensive. But am I going to throw out the stuff I already own? Heck no. I personally can't afford, nor desire to do that. And if it turns out that DS only wants to drink Milo after some evil person gives it to him (lmao - would probably be one of my in-laws), then realistically, that's what he's going to drink until I can convince him of otherwise.

We're all trying, Maz. And none of us are better than the other. We're all just at different stages along the awareness/do-ability ladder, but at least we're trying to climb the ladder to begin with.

S xo

[CrazyLady]

As someone mentioned in another thread, you can be buying products and not even be aware they're Nestle. I feel that being aware and trying your best is a good thing. sure i may not have a nestle free home and such but I try to make conciensious efforts to minimise the products i do have.

Rouge-that's the reason I didn't join the Nestle free easter thing too

[BellyBelly]

You can join the Nestle Free Easter and make a choice not to buy Nestle over that time - or longer. I have Nestle in my cupboard which was purchased long ago not knowing it was Nestle, but I don't buy it now. Thats fine by me!

[Kitt3n]

I am sorry if I am one of those "throat rammer" fb peeps Maz

TBH though, if it helps to make just one other person see how horrible the world is, and that they can make little choices to help make the world a better place, then it is worth it

I have just heard of the horribles of Lindt. I wish I didn't know, I truly do!

We are very cautious as to what we buy in this house. Last week Kellogs crunchy nut was on sale and I bought some for the first time in years. DD1 says "but mummy it's Kellogs!!!"

[~clover~]

I have Milo & Nescafe, but when I plan to do my easter shopping I'll be trying to avoid Nestle. (Someone please tell me Cadbury seperate! lol)
When my kids get older I'll do my best to explain to them all this stuff.

[maz]

KElly - Ive just looked at what the easter bunny will be leaving and ive bought cadbury, red tulip and lindent.
there are a few humpty egg's and now i feel grrr cause I read (something Kell posted) that the smarties are nestle made. I am going to try my best and do exactly what you suggested. little steps make miles....dont they?

Please dont feel bad about having your slogans in your av'a on FB (kitten ) your spot on...its opened my eyes big time and made me think. that is entire idea of doing something like that...slap someone in the face until they wake up and smell the herbal tea

[Glamourcide]

I think it's especially hard for us when we get labelled 'crackpots' for actually giving a rats'. I like to be 'aware' of these things and do what I can to avoid purchasing products and services from certain companies and corporations (obviously a few slip through the cracks and on those occasions I'll use them without feeling guilty, I just make a note to try harder next time!), and I also try to spread the word to my friends so they can learn something new, but more often than not they get that glazed look in their eyes and I can hear their brain screaming, 'Damn conspiracy theorist NUT!' again :/
True, I AM a 'crackpot conspiracy theorist', but the fact is there's just too much documented, proven evidence for me to ignore it, shut my eyes to what's going on 'behind the scenes' and do nothing. If I can't physically DO anything (like avoiding spending my money on certain things), then I try to inform others. It doesn't seem to work. I just get called nutty.

I think as individuals, we can only do what we think is right, and even the 'right' thing is tempered by limitations such as our finances (ie, I'd love to be able to buy solely Aussie-made and owned but sometimes I just can't afford NOT to buy imported/overseas-manufactured goods) or availability. I do not feel bad about this because I am just one person, who cannot do much on my own, but I CAN help others to be at least aware of these things, even if they choose to do nothing with the information I give them.

To me, the main thing is just to be aware. Whatever we choose to do with that awareness is our own choice and we should feel great about that - at least we DO know and can make our own decisions as to how we go about acting on it