The holidays are approaching quickly, and amidst the involved hustle and bustle, our gift-giving preparations are culminating. Gifts come in many shapes, forms, and sizes–beyond physical “things.” While gifts such as love, friendship, and kindness far exceed the value of material items, exchanging boxes clad in shiny wrapping paper certainly is a fun and exciting way to express our thoughtfulness.

Online shopping has become increasingly common and convenient over the years as technology has come to infiltrate nearly every aspect of our lives. While filling our virtual shopping carts is incredibly time and labor-efficient, there is still something inexpressibly nostalgic about going to a brick-and-mortar store, picking items from the shelf, and placing them in a physical cart. My most beloved retailer to shop for all things related to conscious living is Whole Foods Market*, as their overall standards encompass ingredient quality and safety, environmental impact, ethical practices, animal welfare, and much more. Furthermore, their standards apply to every single item they carry in-store, eliminating much of the guesswork. Continue reading →