While we are a small social enterprise, we know that our community is diverse, with many members who’ve been directly and indirectly impacted by the intense escalation of violence in Gaza and Israel. Caught amidst this violence are the lives of innocent civilians. It should not be lost on us that many are refugees and displaced people, a large percentage of whom are twice and third-time refugees and displaced. Over 1.2 million Palestinians have been ordered to leave their homes in northern Gaza. Human rights organizations are amounting this to, “the war crime of forcible transfer.”
First and foremost, we express our deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones in these acts of war and crimes against humanity, and those who are still waiting to hear from loved ones without means of communication. As we write this, many of our team members are struggling with the loss of family members in Gaza, and the horrifying prospect of more loved ones dying.
To say that we hold everyone in our thoughts and prayers right now feels like a hollow statement. As members of one human race, we are all accountable for the injustices and violence that continue to hurt and kill innocent people. We, as a global community, hold responsibility for the systems that have allowed an unlawful occupation of millions of people in Palestine to persist.
We urge everyone to remember that human life is precious. All people deserve the opportunity to live in dignity and peace. There is no hierarchy of human life, except for that which is perpetuated by a society that we permit through reinforced systems of oppression, violence and hate.
SITTI’s mission is to achieve self-reliance for refugee and displaced communities. It saddens us to see humanity taking an enormous step backwards, as innocent people fear for their lives in their own homes. The fact is that it’s impossible to achieve self-reliance without equal access to basic human rights.
It is easy to feel helpless in times like these. At SITTI, where our family is predominantly living as refugees and displaced people, we continue to work to understand the historic trauma that they have experienced. We want to ensure that our team’s humanity and dignity is preserved, and their well-being is prioritized. We reject any and all racist and bigoted rhetoric. In this time of extreme hate, we choose radical love and extreme care for one another.
This is not a request to stay silent. In fact, it is through our voices and our actions that we live our values and shape the world we want to live in. We have a responsibility as members of a global community to raise our voices and speak out against oppression and injustice, regardless of race, religion or creed. It is only by changing the ways that we operate that we’ll begin to chip away at the systems perpetuating the atrocities we’re witnessing today.
With love and peace.
The SITTI Team
Resources:
WRC Calls for Immediate Cease-Fire in Israel/Gaza Conflict (Women's Refugee Commission)
“Civilians are dying as the world watches” (UNRWA)
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
“Israeli Ultimatum to Gaza must be reversed” (Norwegian Refugee Council)
“Doctors in Gaza describe the war's devastating impact on hospitals and health care” (NPR)
“Pain & suffering engulfs children in the State of Palestine & Israel” (UNICEF)
Where you Can Give:
Please be cautious about where you give. Social media is filled with misinformation, so it’s especially important to verify that your money is being given to organizations that are legitimate and effective in their response.
Palestine Children’s Relief Fund
A Note for our Customers:
Please be aware that many members of our team are dealing with extreme loss and trauma at this time, due to loved ones being directly impacted by the violence and forcible displacement going on right now in Gaza. We are doing our best to ensure that we continue to operate and fulfill orders as they come in. However, unexpected delays may occur. We will do our best to communicate with you. We appreciate your understanding during this time of uncertainty, grief and mourning.
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Here’s Saif's testimony on the project collaboration:
(on Instagram: @portraits.kid )
Sitti is celebrating International Women’s Day this year by Choosing to Challenge consumers to be more mindful of their purchasing power and how they impact women’s economic empowerment on a global scale.
Choose to Challenge (IWD 2023), and join us in our mission to:
What does it mean to be a “conscious consumer?” How do we challenge (and change) the story of a male-dominated global economy where profit is for the wealthy one percent, instead of the majority and the marginalized? Let’s learn more and challenge this together…
Sitti Social Enterprise co-founders, Jackie and Noora, speak with honesty and vulnerability about critical topics for the everyday, mindful consumer. Join them on Instagram Live and IGTV while they dive into the issues that we should all be talking about and acting on:
1 box = educational attainment + opportunities for income generation and economic participation
On International Women’s Day (IWD), Sitti, Millie, and Hopes for Women in Education are reintroducing the Limited Edition Gift Box to raise awareness of the importance of education for women and girls and to work towards Sitti’s goal of funding university-level scholarships with Hopes for Women in Education. These scholarships build critical pathways for women to pursue their career goals. In addition to educational scholarships, Hopes for Women provides support and mentorship for their scholars to become independent women in pursuit of their career aspirations.
Check out several of our collaborations with storytellers within the Sitti global community:
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Run The World held their first ever Self Made Summit on Saturday, September 24th of 2022, at Square One Mall in Mississauga, Ontario. It was a full day focusing on conversations that matter, including panel discussions that touched on the impact of the pandemic, mental health, entrepreneurship, and women empowerment with speakers and celebrities speaking about being self-made.
It was a sunny Saturday morning when I got to the event, a nice warm sun was coming through the glass ceiling and flooding the event area. Beautiful tables were set with breakfast items like coffee, blueberry muffins, and my favorite, a donut acrylic wall. I took my coffee and muffin and quickly went to one of the tall breakfast tables, where everything started. I reached out to different women to start a conversation and ask about their businesses. It was a great place to network, meet new women and share information about our business and the work of like-minded women.
Attending entrepreneurs, speakers, tv personnel, and changemakers throughout the different panel discussions was inspiring. Seeing other ambitious and goal-oriented women on stage speak about empowerment, while focused on how can we help each other grow, develop and become better was the highlight of the day.
For a South-American immigrant (from Brazil) like myself, you can imagine the admiration that I felt for all these women that spoke at the Self-Made Summit? It was a life-changing experience, an empowering moment that I’ve never felt regarding my gender throughout my life. Why is female empowerment important? These and many other important conversations regarding our financial estate, and the fact that 80% of women will die alone in life, whereas 80% of men will die with their spouse on their side. Yes, we live longer lives, and I think I never realized how important it is to think about how I want to spend the last years of my life, with financial security and peace of mind, like any other retired person in Canada.
So, let me put on my boss's shoes for an instant, I want to understand how my thinking process now as a self-made female entrepreneur will guide my business to a more stable and consistent financial situation that will provide me a much more peaceful life until after my retirement. Is it too far to think about retirement when in Canadian society, in big cities like Toronto, women are already half the workforce but making at least $10 dollars less for the same work than a man? What does that statistic look like for self-made women starting small businesses? What is the best way to deal with our business issues, to secure our growth and market competitiveness?
One of the start keynote speakers, Deepti Vempati, a participant in the Netflix series "Love is Blind" asked the audience to contemplate, why is it so important to CHOOSE MYSELF before others? And why do we need to be more conscious of our skills and values and to know that they deserve the same compensation and validation as the men get. We should choose ourselves every day of our lives, because this way we will be better to take care of others, and we will be able to be our best selves.
Woman's bodies pass through important steps in life as explained by Alicia Robertson and Radhika Lakhani, different from men, and some life events make it harder for us to manage our careers or small business. Dealing with pregnancy, losses, and divorce is different for women as we are hit harder financially too.
Noora Sharrab, our Sitti Social Enterprise co-founder, with Huda Alvi, Jennifer Monaco, and Ashley Wright spoke about Female Fortune and shared useful resources and tips on how to proceed regarding grants and government funds. The panel touched on taking control of your finances and being ready to plan out and prepare not just your business financials but also preparing yourself for long-term financial success by taking small steps toward investment.
The event finale was with celebrity, Grammy Award Winner & Mental Health Advocate Michelle Williams. As Michelle Williams explained, it’s important that we do the best that we can, even when we are not the center of the spotlight. She touched on how we can lift our peer female business while we are the best version of ourselves. By listening to our gut, we can also address our mental health and know that we are capable of great things, once we are honest and realize our intentions, desires, and capabilities. Williams emphasized how we need to “check-in” before our body and mind “checks-out”. By having a balance in our life and listening to our bodies, we need to remember that we may not always reach a balance in life, but rather the only constant in life is that everything changes, evolves, and transforms, like us, women.
RTW has grown to host over 100 pop-ups and networking events while empowering and inspiring over forty thousand women globally. Run The World is now an event and career platform that highlights and supports female-founded businesses. A female village of support that we appreciate with all our hearts.
RESOURCES:
Run The World first ever Summit Post
Michelle Williams @ the RTW Summit
About the Author: Juliana Camargo is Sitti Visual Communications Designer. Her background is in Architecture but she loves everything about design and communications in general. With an Advanced Graphic Design Certification from George Brown College, she has been working with Sitti for the past 2 years and touched many different parts of our brand, online presence, and project coordination.
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Back in the day, older generations would hand-stitch patterns on dresses called thobes that would symbolize their heritage and what part of Palestine they were from. Nowadays, many women wear the dresses passed down to them from their mothers or grandmothers, which can come in many designs and colours, however the most traditional and popular embroidery is in the colour red.
The famous henna night takes place right before the big wedding ceremony. Traditionally, this event takes place in the bride's home with her female friends and family and involves a night of celebrating the bride-to-be with singing, dancing, traditional music and of course, henna. There are usually baskets filled with henna decorated with candles and flowers which are carried while dancing. The bride, who will be wearing a traditional thobe, will have her hands decorated with henna in beautiful patterns, marking a joyous occasion and beautifying her for her big day. In some cases as well, the groom will also have henna applied on his hands by his mother.
It’s not an Arab party without dabke and zaffa, and the Palestinians sure know how to do it well. Traditionally, the groom and his family will go to pick up the bride from her home with an entire zaffa team who will play music, sing and dance to kick off celebrations on the big day. This will continue once they arrive at the wedding venue as they provide a grand entrance for the couple and hype up the guests. Then throughout the night, energetic Arab dancing known as dabke will take place, where guests stand in a line holding hands while walking around the dancefloor and kicking their legs into the air.
About the Author: Dana Masamra worked with Sitti Social Enterprise as a Communications Assistant during the 2022 summer. She is of Palestinian descent and ethnicity and was born in Jordan but lives in Canada. Her career is based on journalism and digital content creation.
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Images: middleeasteye.net/eastmojo.com/paliroots.com/@darsalma
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Beit Sitti will show you the way
A basic but delicious salad that has been consumed by Palestinian farmers since tomatoes entered the cuisine a couple of hundred years ago.
This is a very forgiving salad if you don't have the habit of measuring all ingredients. So, just trust your instincts and taste as you go along.
INGREDIENTS
Add some pomegranate molasses and mix well. Taste and serve.
Many cultures have their own version of a tomato and cucumber salad, but there are some differences that set them apart, from the size of the dice to the dressing, any additional ingredients, and choice of herbs. In the Palestinian version for example, the detail is that the elements are very finely diced with the tomato and cucumber cubes no larger than a dry chickpea.
That's the reason that for Palestinians, one of the main naming conventions used refers to it as “salata na’ameh” (finely chopped salad), as well as “salata falahiyeh” (farmers' salad) or simply “salata” because it is the quintessential salad in our cuisine.
Inside Palestine, nobody really refers to it as "Palestinian salad," but many Arabs across the Middle East might use this term because it is the most commonly eaten salad by Palestinians.
We’re excited to feature the final installment of our “Own Your Story” series from the SITTI Box!
Beginning in August, Sitti is featuring seven lifestyle brands that focus on inclusivity and representation in our ongoing blog series titled, "Own Your Story". This time, the “Own Your Story” series is elevating the stories of the seven brands featured in SITTI’s All-Inclusive Box.
Each quarter of the year, we get to know the brands in our box, while learning priceless lessons and advice from their shared experiences. We talk about where the idea for their brand came from, and what’s made their journey unique. Every brand adds something special to make up our All-Inclusive Box; a box centered around representation and inclusivity. To learn more about our other brands featured in our Boxes, click here.
Introducing: Peace Collective
Peace Collective is a Toronto-based brand with the goal of providing a guilt-free shopping experience. They have a passion to make giving back easy and accessible, with every item sold giving back to a specific community or cause in need.
Image provided by Peace Collective
They argue that giving back is not only beneficial to the communities being served but makes consumers feel good knowing their purchase is going towards something greater.
They support causes such as food insecurity, mental health research, and refugee aid, and have donated $238,300 thus far and by 2030, they aim to raise $1,000,000.
Peace Collective also has many sustainability initiatives and offers select products that are on-demand only, meaning they will only be produced once it has been ordered. This is done in an effort to reduce their carbon footprint as well as reduce the total amount of waste and therefore do less damage to the planet. They also offer products from their ‘Made In Canada’ line which are 100% knit, dyed, cut, and sewn ethically in Canada. Other products also include their GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified garments which are made from plant-based materials like cotton and linen and are grown without harmful chemicals, making them healthier for customers and the planet. Lastly, they place an emphasis on reducing, reusing, and recycling, their recycled fabrics and repurposed waste, which helps to divert these materials from the landfill and uses less energy in the garment-making process.
Find their iconic ‘Peace’ hat in our 4th Sitti Box, a statement piece that speaks for peace.
The Sitti Box is a quarterly box packed with value and impact, delivered directly to your door. Each quarterly box highlights the stories and impact of the products inside. This is the last edition of the Sitti Box for the time being, please enjoy these amazing products and share the experience.
SHOP THE BLOG
We’re excited to feature the final installment of our “Own Your Story” series from the SITTI Box!
Beginning in August, Sitti is featuring seven lifestyle brands that focus on inclusivity and representation in our ongoing blog series titled, "Own Your Story". This time, the “Own Your Story” series is elevating the stories of the seven brands featured in SITTI’s All-Inclusive Box.
Each quarter of the year, we get to know the brands in our box, while learning priceless lessons and advice from their shared experiences. We talk about where the idea for their brand came from, and what’s made their journey unique. Every brand adds something special to make up our All-Inclusive Box; a box centered around representation and inclusivity. To learn more about our other brands featured in our Boxes, click here.
Introducing: Keep Leaf
Say hello to Jaswinder Salh, the founder of Keep Leaf!
Jaswinder developed a love for design at a young age, nurtured through trips to India, an immersive experience about her family traditions and background, where she was inspired by the textiles and colors that surrounded her.
Keep Leaf is a sustainable lifestyle brand creating reusable and organic products. They are creating stylish products that are meant to last. Keep Leaf has reusable tote bags, make-up bags, lunch bags, and even baby bibs! The brand is also committed to ethical production: all of its products are made in a clean, family-owned facility. The greatest part of Keep Leaf is that your purchase means fewer toxins and waste going back into the environment. Read more about Jaswinder and the story behind Keep Leaf.
Her love for design developed at a young age and following a degree in Fashion Design, Jaswinder held various senior-level positions with international companies such as Calvin Klein. After the birth of her first child, she decided to start her own business. Her career took her to New York and London where she was introduced to sustainable design in apparel and textiles. After working in the industry for over 10 years, she decided to follow a different path: to fulfill a longtime dream to start her own business. Starting with only two products, Keep Leaf has grown into a full lifestyle brand with distribution in North America, the UK, Europe, and Australia.
Keep Leaf's collections are designed with the environment in mind, promoting reusable, organic, and sustainable products and materials. With fewer toxins and wastage going into our landfills and soil, you can help make the world a greener place for generations to come.
With the Stainless Steel Collection, Keep Leaf is excited to show a conscious way to snack and stack with containers as a new beautiful experience.
Image provided by Keep Leaf
One of Keep Leaf's main values is to provide a safe work environment that supports long-term employment, education, and training for employees. Within their factory, they have developed a women's co-op that helps uplift women through work and opportunity. By providing training, skills, and employment for women they are building stronger and more equitable communities.
Q: What is a social enterprise you look up to, and one that everyone should know?
Eileen Fisher is a company that is a leader in the sustainable fashion industry. From design, materials, recycling, and social responsibility - this is how a brand can be a force for positive change.
Thank you so much Jas for being part of our series!
Image provided by Keep Leaf
The Sitti Box is a quarterly box packed with value and impact, delivered directly to your door. Each quarterly box highlights the stories and impact of the products inside. This is the last edition of the Sitti Box for the time being, please enjoy these amazing products and share the experience.
SHOP THE BLOG
We’re excited to feature the final installment of our “Own Your Story” series from the SITTI Box!
Beginning in August, Sitti is featuring seven lifestyle brands that focus on inclusivity and representation in our ongoing blog series titled, "Own Your Story". This time, the “Own Your Story” series is elevating the stories of the seven brands featured in SITTI’s All-Inclusive Box.
Each quarter of the year, we get to know the brands in our box, while learning priceless lessons and advice from their shared experiences. We talk about where the idea for their brand came from, and what’s made their journey unique. Every brand adds something special to make up our All-Inclusive Box; a box centered around representation and inclusivity. To learn more about our other brands featured in our Boxes, click here.
Introducing: The United Nations Refugee Agency - UNHCR Canada
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is the world’s leading organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. On the ground in more than 130 countries, UNHCR works to ensure everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge, having fled violence, persecution, war or disaster at home. We are proud to have partnered with UNHCR Canada, which is based out of Toronto, Ontario.
Launched to commemorate UNHCR’s 70th anniversary, UNHCR Canada’s first-ever cookbook “Tastes From Home: Recipes from the Refugee Community” features more than 100 pages of beautiful photography, stories, and recipes from 14 refugees who have resettled in Canada. Participants are based in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia, and originate from countries spanning the globe including Syria, Yemen, Eritrea, Somalia, and Hong Kong. “Tastes From Home” is a delicious way to experience the incredible stories of perseverance and resilience and the rich, vibrant cultures of an extraordinary group of individuals who now call Canada home.
Creating or sharing a meal represents more than just nourishment: it symbolizes sharing of tradition, and culture and creating treasured memories over family dinners, festive gatherings, and other important occasions. Food is a truly unifying thread that connects us all.
Image provided by UNHCR
How they came to be
UNHCR was established by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1950 during the aftermath of the Second World War, to help millions of Europeans who had fled or lost their homes. UNHCR had three years to complete our work and then disband.
Together with the support of government and humanitarian partners, UNHCR seeks to ensure that everyone has the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge, with the option to eventually return home, integrate or resettle.
During times of displacement, we provide critical emergency assistance in the form of clean water, sanitation, and health care, as well as shelter, blankets, household goods, and sometimes food. We also arrange transport and assistance packages for people who return home, and income-generating projects for those who resettle.
Today, over 70 years later, our organization is still hard at work, protecting and assisting refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced and stateless people around the world.
Importance of Inclusivity and Representation
Images provided by UNHCR
"Inclusivity is in many ways a core principle of the work UNHCR does around the world, as it guides us in striving to ensure that everyone’s rights, safety, and dignity are honored and upheld. On an institutional level, inclusivity means that we respond to the needs of displaced people no matter where they are or what crisis they may be facing, regardless of their nationality, religion, sexuality and gender, age, or physical and mental ability. In “Tastes from Home, ”inclusivity is reflected through the diversity and breadth of testimonies shared, and in its call to empathy, understanding, and community through shared stories and recipes.
Though we are not created or run by a singular individual who is a member of a Black, Indigenous (and) people of color (BIPOC) community, many employees and volunteers with UNHCR are members of BIPOC communities and, by the very nature of our global work, many of the people we aid and support are members of these communities. As an organization that responds to crises around the world, we work with and support people regardless of their race, ethnicity, or faith. Our multi-national structure also means that many local offices around the world are staffed and run by members of BIPOC communities.
As an organization, UNHCR has always worked to combat the societal and individual fear or disdain of the “other.” Working with governmental and non-government agencies throughout active crises carries a number of difficulties, especially if there is a lack of awareness and cultural empathy or literacy. This is why a project like “Tastes from Home” is so vital because it seeks to bridge cultural gaps and invites people to become more familiar with different cultures in a fun and communal way."
We asked: What other brands do you admire or look up to? Why?
Their answer: "UNHCR Canada has great working relationships with many partners; however, one such brand/institution that we would like to highlight is Peace Collective. The Toronto-based clothing brand and retailer has generously created a number of product lines that help support UNHCR’s work with refugees and displaced people. Since beginning their numerous campaigns which direct percentages of their revenue towards UNHCR and a number of other organizations, tackling issues like climate change and mental health, they have donated over $166,000 in support of various causes."
Original Image provided by UNHCR
The Sitti Box is a quarterly box packed with value and impact, delivered directly to your door. Each quarterly box highlights the stories and impact of the products inside. This is the last edition of the Sitti Box for the time being, please enjoy these amazing products and share the experience.
SHOP THE BLOG
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We’re excited to feature the final installment of our “Own Your Story” series from the SITTI Subscription Box! Beginning in August, Sitti is featuring seven lifestyle brands that focus on inclusivity and representation in our ongoing blog series titled, "Own Your Story". This time, the “Own Your Story” series is elevating the stories of the seven brands featured in SITTI’s All-Inclusive Box. Each quarter of the year, we get to know the brands in our box, while learning priceless lessons and advice from their shared experiences. We talk about where the idea for their brand came from, and what’s made their journey unique. Every brand adds something special to make up our All-Inclusive Box; a box centered around representation and inclusivity. Introducing: Women's Refugee Commission WRC
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We’re excited to feature the final installment of our “Own Your Story” series from the SITTI Box!
Beginning in August, Sitti is featuring seven lifestyle brands that focus on inclusivity and representation in our ongoing blog series titled, "Own Your Story". This time, the “Own Your Story” series is elevating the stories of the seven brands featured in SITTI’s All-Inclusive Box.
Each quarter of the year, we get to know the brands in our box, while learning priceless lessons and advice from their shared experiences. We talk about where the idea for their brand came from, and what’s made their journey unique. Every brand adds something special to make up our All-Inclusive Box; a box centered around representation and inclusivity. To learn more about our other brands featured in our Boxes, click here.
Introducing: Women's Refugee Commission WRC
Image provided by WRC
The Women’s Refugee Commission (WRC) provides research and advocacy for displaced women, children, and youth. WRC’s mission is to improve the lives and protect the rights of women, children, and youth displaced by conflict and crisis. They research their needs, identify solutions, and advocate for programs and policies to strengthen their resilience and drive change in humanitarian practice. Their headquarters is based in New York, USA, but they operate on an international level.
WRC’s vision is a world in which internally displaced and refugee women, children, and youth: are safe, healthy, and self-reliant; have their human rights respected and protected, and inform and drive their solutions and development.
How they came to be
The Women’s Refugee Commission was created in 1989 to ensure that the rights and needs of women, children, and youth displaced by conflict and crisis are taken into account in humanitarian programs.
Before then, refugee women and children were all but invisible. The WRC’s founders—Liv Ullmann, Catherine O’Neill, Susan Forbes Martin, and Susan Alberti—set about to change that. They were the first people to sit down with refugee women and ask them what they needed, and what solutions they proposed. The feedback the refugee women shared formed the basis of the organization’s advocacy.
The Women’s Refugee Commission is a leading research and advocacy organization that works to advance gender equality and resilience across the humanitarian response. The WRC also plays an important convening role, partnering with local and national organizations, humanitarian agencies, donors, and displaced persons to create a better world for refugees.
Image provided by WRC
We asked: What is a recent success for your brand that you’re excited to share?
Their answer: Working with the amazing team at SITTI and being included in this box!
The Sitti Box is a quarterly box packed with value and impact, delivered directly to your door. Each quarterly box highlights the stories and impact of the products inside. This is the last edition of the Sitti Box for the time being, please enjoy these amazing products and share the experience.
SHOP THE BLOG
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We’re excited to feature the final installment of our “Own Your Story” series from the SITTI Box!
Beginning in August, Sitti is featuring seven lifestyle brands that focus on inclusivity and representation in our ongoing blog series titled, "Own Your Story". This time, the “Own Your Story” series is elevating the stories of the seven brands featured in SITTI’s All-Inclusive Box.
Each quarter of the year, we get to know the brands in our box, while learning priceless lessons and advice from their shared experiences. We talk about where the idea for their brand came from, and what’s made their journey unique. Every brand adds something special to make up our All-Inclusive Box; a box centered around representation and inclusivity. To learn more about our other brands featured in our Boxes, click here.
Introducing: Udug Home
Image provided by Udug Home
How they came to be
In 2015, the founders of Udug Home traveled to Dubai. From that trip, they were inspired to create Udug Home which is based out of Edmonton, Alberta in Canada. “With aroma in the air, we felt safe and at home since we grew up with these scents.” Their goal ever since has been to provide products to those living in North America, who are in search of scents from back home, so that they can have them in their new homes. The scents they sell are nuanced and bring to mind the scents of home that many people from the region grew up loving.
“We are a group of people that came from our home country to a new country. Canada is a very diverse country with many cultures, but sometimes, we would still feel as though we stuck out. We couldn't find the scent and cultural products we wanted.”
Image provided by Udug Home
According to Udug’s founders, being a smaller business trying to branch out into an industry heavily run by big-name brands was and still is a challenge, along with selling scents online. Because scent is such a personal thing, being a small brand and one that is as well known, has people hesitant about their scents. In a way, it's a leap of faith. But it's the challenge that drives them to be better and do better. Recently, Udug has improved its packaging, introduced three new room sprays to its line, and attended pop-ups in Eastern Canada, all of which have opened their doors into a new market.
“Regardless of their background, anyone has the ability to make a successful business.” - Udug Home founder
We asked: What is the best advice you have for someone who is coming from a traditionally marginalized community, and who wants to start their own mission-driven business or organization?
SHOP THE BLOG
We’re excited to feature the final installment of our “Own Your Story” series from the SITTI Box!
Beginning in August, Sitti is featuring seven lifestyle brands that focus on inclusivity and representation in our ongoing blog series titled, "Own Your Story". This time, the “Own Your Story” series is elevating the stories of the seven brands featured in SITTI’s All-Inclusive Box.
Each quarter of the year, we get to know the brands in our box, while learning priceless lessons and advice from their shared experiences. We talk about where the idea for their brand came from, and what’s made their journey unique. Every brand adds something special to make up our All-Inclusive Box; a box centered around representation and inclusivity. To learn more about our other brands featured in our Boxes, click here.
Introducing: Cheekbone Beauty
Image provided by Cheekbone Beauty
“To Cheekbone Beauty, inclusivity means giving people a seat at the table, and actually listening to what they have to say”.
Cheekbone Beauty is an Indigenous-owned and founded, digitally-native, Canadian cosmetics company established in 2016. Based out of St Catharines, Ontario, Cheekbone Beauty is known for creating high quality, cruelty-free beauty products including our signature SUSTAIN line of lipsticks and eye pencils, our Warrior Women liquid lipsticks, and a variety of other cosmetics all designed for low environmental impact and maximum wearability.
Their mission is to make beauty more mindful and sustainable and their vision is to help every indigenous youth see and feel their enormous value in the world while building a truly circular business with sustainability as a focus.
“We are more than just another makeup brand; we are honest, transparent, curious, loving, and values-driven”.
Image provided by Cheekbone Beauty
How they came to be
In 2015, the Anishinaabe-Canadian founder was working in sales and marketing in the food industry when the idea to make lip gloss came to her in her sleep. She jumped out of bed to jot the idea down, and then spent the next several months researching manufacturers before launching her makeup brand in 2016.
Harper's middle-of-the-night epiphany came just a few months into being sober after an eight-year battle with alcoholism, and fully comprehending the ramifications of Canada's residential school system (established to assimilate Indigenous people into European culture) had on her grandmother, a survivor, and the rest of her family.
Confronting the generational trauma head-on, Harper created Cheekbone to give Indigenous people a much-needed space in the beauty industry where they feel seen, and as a means to give back to their communities. Through the brand's charitable initiatives, monetary donations, product donations, or project donations are made to Indigenous youth to provide them with the tools they need to achieve their own goals.
Cheekbone also celebrates Indigenous people's deep connection to nature and the land they live on, with its focus on using sustainably sourced ingredients and minimal waste packaging. The brand's fan-favorite SUSTAIN Lipsticks come in a tube made with 85% less plastic, plus biodegradable paper printed with vegetable dyes to ensure the materials don't have a negative impact on the land it's going back into.
Image provided by Cheekbone Beauty
Importance of Representation
"We use the word representation a lot - it's one of the fundamental purposes of Cheekbone Beauty and something that I am very passionate about.
My brother used to send me DMs and texts every time he saw an Indigenous person doing something awesome. I think back to that whenever we do a photo shoot with an Indigenous model, every time someone tags us, every time someone shares one of our posts or reels to their story, and every time someone tells me that my story, the Cheekbone Beauty story, has inspired them.
Company logo provided by Cheekbone Beauty.
"I truly believe that representation saves lives." - Jenn from Cheekbone Beauty
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The Sitti Box is a quarterly box packed with value and impact, delivered directly to your door. Each quarterly box highlights the stories and impact of the products inside. This is the last edition of the Sitti Box for the time being, please enjoy these amazing products and share the experience.
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After three years and thousands of miles left untraveled, we’re reuniting with our team and partners in Jerash, Jordan. I almost forgot the requirements of international travel. More than 24 hours without sleep, a layover at 10pm, and a 3am drive on a desert highway from the airport to the hotel in a dodgy rental car with the engine light on. Granted, the journey is easy compared to some, but it’s less efficient than most.
We’ve never been about efficiency at SITTI. Our products are artisan made in small batches. Our CBO partners and team members are halfway across the world from our fulfillment facility. Our regular staff meetings are coordinated across a minimum of three time zones. We openly advertise that our products are made in a facility inside a refugee camp. When a pandemic isn’t hindering our travel, we spend thousands of dollars and long stretches of 12+ hour days sitting down with our partners (and their families) to listen and strategize our goals and objectives for the year. Instead of bringing in pre-trained consultants, we train our refugee-led partners to survey their community and fellow team members.
A lot of what we do isn’t easy. It’s not that we don’t appreciate efficiency. However, when efficiency is at the cost of human dignity and representation, we don’t see the point.
Human dignity goes hand-in-hand with self-reliance. Putting products on a shelf with the words ‘black-owned,’ or slapping a picture of a woman wearing a hijab on your instagram post is not enough, and it shouldn’t be. To uplift a community economically, we must facilitate a comprehensive ecosystem: from shelf space and ad campaigns, to small-business grants and venture capital funding.
Our fourth and final box in this subscription series is about representation beyond the brand label. Each brand in this box is led by a member of several (although, not all) underrepresented communities. They have extraordinary ambition and talent. Their products make an impact in the lives of the people who produce them, and the customers they serve. They carry stories of dignity and resilience. And they make our world a better, more inclusive place to live in.
We’re fortunate to have the support of two incredible organizations in this final box: UNHCR Canada and the Women's Refugee Commission. $25 CAD of each box sold will go directly to UNHCR to support life-saving programs for refugee communities around the world. And our partnerships with each organization will continue long after the last box ships out.
As we close out this chapter of the SITTI subscription box, we hope you’ve found new ways of incorporating impactful beauty, self-care and self-love into your daily routine. Maybe you gifted a box to yourself, or perhaps you gave some of the items to a friend. Whatever your experience was with the SITTI box, we’re grateful to have you in our inclusive, ever-evolving community.
Jackie Sofia
Co-Founder, Head of Impact and Strategy
SITTI
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We know weddings can be stressful for the people involved in planning them. Often, there is one person in the relationship who ends up taking on most of the planning duties. Whether you’re coordinating with a wedding planner or doing it all yourself, the days leading up to your happy day are probably filled with a lot of organizing, phone calls, and overall just plain stress.
When things get overwhelming and hectic, it’s important to step back and remember to care for your well-being, both physically and mentally. We’ve put together some guiding tips to not only manage the stress but make sure you’re absolutely glowing on your big day!
Rest and Unwind.
Prioritize time to unwind after a long day of working or planning! There are so many ways to slow down and let go of the day. choose your favourite - whether it’s meditating, going for a walk, having a warm bath, doing some yoga, or just taking a nap. As a bride, getting enough beauty sleep is essential. Sleep curbs stress by regulating the hormone cortisol. Sleep, even just a short 30-minute or 1-hour nap, will help you feel more prepared to take on the next day and escape the stress of wedding planning. Think of it as a spa day for your insides!
Get That Glow.
If you want to truly glow on your big day, you need to have a solid skincare routine! We all know pre-wedding stress can take a toll on your mental wellbeing, but did you also know it can affect your skin health? Make sure you use a skin care regimen that you know and trust. Oil-based cleansers and soaps are gentle on your skin’s microbiome and help prevent dryness and breakouts from irritation that follows stripped skin. If you plan on changing your skincare regiment before the wedding, make sure you try out your new products AT LEAST 4-6 weeks before the big day. That way, if you have any adverse reactions, you can make sure they clear up ahead of time. Continue using a skin routine with products that work for you in the weeks leading up to the wedding, and don’t try something new. Our Charcoal Olive Oil Soap Bar is the at-home facial bar we love and trust. It’s a powerful exfoliant with a gentle touch. The charcoal pulls toxins and dirt from your skin, while our hero ingredient-olive oil-operates as the base, ensuring that your microbiome stays intact and your skin won’t dry out. Use your nighttime skincare routine as that special “me-time” away from the world to slough off the day's stressors and wind down before bed.
Eat Well to Be Well.
Fuel your body with clean foods and lots of water in order to look and feel your best on your big day. Keeping your body hydrated will keep your skin radiant and keep your energy balanced, so you can take on whatever last-minute hiccups occur. This doesn’t mean you have to eat salads for every meal, but instead trade healthy eating habits where for less-than-healthy ones that might’ve set up camp before. Avoid skipping breakfast, or try eating more veggies. Start your day with a soothing infused tea, such as thyme or sage tea, paired with a healthy breakfast. Enjoy something that's easy on the stomach, settling any butterflies you’re feeling, and is enough to help you take on the busy day ahead.
Mindset Shift.
Our final tip is to prioritize your mental well-being by shifting your mindset. Act as if the self-care activities mentioned above are mandatory wedding appointments that you cannot miss. This way, you’ll make sure to give yourself what you need before the day closes out. You can also make tedious tasks joyful by incorporating self-care throughout your day. For example, you can listen to a mood-boosting podcast while drying your hair or doing your makeup in the morning- get yourself going with a positive perspective for a productive day ahead. Maybe as you review the final guest list of attendees, have it printed out and go over it on the treadmill to get in those extra steps while accomplishing work!
Do whatever re-centers you so that you feel refreshed and ready to tackle anything that comes your way. Try to always include some sort of self-care throughout your day, no matter how small the action may be.
About the Author: Dana Masamra worked with Sitti Social Enterprise as a Communications Assistant during the 2022 summer. She is of Palestinian descent and ethnicity and was born in Jordan but lives in Canada. Her career is based on journalism and digital content creation.
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With the participation of the special guest: Dale Buscher, Vice President of Programs for the Women's Refugee Commission. Dale oversees WRC's programs: gender and social inclusion; economic empowerment and self-reliance; sexual and reproductive health; and migrant rights and justice.
“All of our program areas actually started based on the expressed needs of refugee and internally displaced populations so you know we have this practice of going out and doing assessments around the world and really listening and really trying to engage a diverse group of refugees.” - Dale Buscher on the Women's Refugee Commission importance of evaluating on-ground needs from a big organizational perspective.
“[We] try to learn from them what their priorities are and what their proposed solutions are and so all of our programs have started from those kinds of assessments, like “what’s missing, what are those gaps?” and we’ve really tried to then regroup and say “how can we add value how can we contribute to addressing that gap” - Dale Buscher on the WRC’s process of assisting refugee communities most efficiently.
“I would go around the world and it didn’t matter which project i was doing research or an assessment on, refugees continually said to me “We need jobs. We need to make money. If we have those things, we can take care of the rest.” - Dale Buscher speaks to why the WRC self-reliance initiative was born.
“We wanted to ensure anything we were doing was really making an impact and a lot of small businesses don’t necessarily have the capacity to create their own measurement tools…so for us we were searching for this magic tool somewhere that was in the ether and it really was a serendipitous moment when we came across the RSRI and what you guys were doing” - Jackie speaks about implementing the RSRI (Refugee self-reliance initiative) at SITTI.
“For us, we wanted to measure everything. We didn’t want to measure just how many hours of work were we creating or how many jobs were we creating, that wasn’t the point of SITTI. The point was to create self-reliance.” - Jackie on SITTI’s mission of self-reliance.
“We wanted to create long-term job opportunities where the community, the women we were working and the artisans we were working with, they were receiving a regular monthly wage that they could rely on that was the same amount every month and they knew was coming into their pockets.” - Jackie explains why SITTI’s employment system is more than just pay-per-product but rather regular income.
“What we were trying to capture with the index is it’s not enough to know if mom or dad has a job. We want to know how is that money benfitting the household and improving the well-being of that household. Does that mean their children are more likely to be in school, more likely to access healthcare when they need it, three meals a day, is it leading to a more adequate apartment or shelter. Those were the kinds of things we wanted to learn.” - Dale Buscher describes the overall mission of the RSRI.
“The unique thing about the self-reliance index is its not a series of questions per se its a conversation.; so the idea is you put the refugee at the centre of that conversation and learn from them about how they believe they’re doing. “ Dale Buscher explains why the RSRI is different from other surveys refugees are used to.
“What happens is they’re offering band-aid solutions - I remember being in the camp and visiting one of the women’s homes and she was like come I want to show you something, takes me to her closet, opens the closet and she literally had like 50 warm blankets. I’m like oh what’s this and she’s like every year they give out a blanket and she’s like I don’t want anymore blankets.” - Noora highlights how unsustainable band-aid solutions don’t address issues at the core or truly help the refugee community.
Sitting among the pillowy bread, hummus, falafel and pickled olives at breakfast one day in Jerash Camp, I will never forget these golden gems the first time I tasted them. If it were possible to take a bite out of the sun, I imagined that this is the feeling: refreshing and fragrant with a characteristic Gazan kick of heat. The bowl of preserved lemons prepared lovingly by our SITTI team member and soap artisan, Ikram, was (and still is) one of the most exciting things I have ever tasted.
After years of moving from place to place, I’ve finally landed in Los Angeles, a town where citrus is abundant. Ikram’s preserved lemons were the first flavor that came to mind when I spotted the young lemon tree in our backyard.
This recipe is inspired by Ikram’s, although not exact. Salt, fat, acid, and heat are the main elements of this addictive pantry staple. Meyer lemons in particular are a plentiful variety in southern California, so they’re what I use in this recipe. However, feel free to preserve whatever lemons you can access.
It’s important to note: This process takes time, but it’s well worth the wait. You’ll have lemons and sunshine available in your pantry year-round for all sorts of uses.
Ingredients:
8 Meyer lemons, as fresh as possible. (If you don’t have Meyer varietal, then whatever lemons you can access are fine. I enjoy Meyers, because they’re a cross between a lemon and a mandarin, so they’re sweeter. Their rind is also softer and less bitter than normal lemons.)
8 tablespoons sea salt
5-6 ct. 12 oz. widemouth glass jars (Ball-brand or other)
5-6 large squares of parchment paper
12 rosemary sprigs, or bay leaves
Chili pepper flakes
Whole black peppercorns
Juice of 8 additional lemons
1 liter bottle of extra virgin olive oil
Directions:
Depending on the size of your lemons, you may not always be able to squeeze 2 lemons into each jar. Do your best, since the idea is to fill as much of the jar as possible. Any singular lemons can still be preserved on their own. There will be an opportunity to fill the jars further in the next step.
1 week (or more) later…
4 weeks (or more) later…
The Perfect Summer Salad: Arugula (“Jarjeer”) and Microgreen Salad with Preserved Lemons
Other uses…
Stir finely minced preserved lemon rinds with 1 cup of mayo and spread it on fish, asparagus or dollop on brussel sprouts.
Or eat them solo, rinds and all!
Another note: To best recreate this recipe, I also employed adaptations of two great preserved lemon recipes: Ottolenghi and Tamimi’s recipe from Jerusalem and the recipe from The Occidental Arts & Ecology Center Cookbook. We’re not being paid anything to promote these books! I just love them and reference them often.
Author: Jacqueline Sofia, Co-Founder, SITTI
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Join SITTI co-founders, Jackie and Noora, as they speak with honesty and vulnerability about critical topics for the conscious consumer. Join them on the SITTI Social Enterprise Youtube channel to dive into the issues we should all be talking about and acting on.
- Women in social enterprise “making it” in the pandemic and post-pandemic economy
- How we can live with purpose and change inequities through our daily routines and rituals
- Mental and financial well-being in a consumerist society ...and more, plus special guests along the way.
Bring your cup of coffee or tea, listen in and join the discussion in the comments! In this episode: Guest Rhowena Adolfo Patel is the Founder of Healing Mama Co.
During her own pregnancy and postpartum journey, Rhowena quickly found that the typical support and products given to women during pregnancy were for the baby, but not for the body that just went through incredibly physical and emotional trauma to give birth to the baby. Rhowena courageously shares her story of pregnancy and postpartum, and what she learned afterward that she wished she knew before.
Through her company Healing Mama Co., Rhowena provides all-in-one birthing and postpartum healing kits. With the guidance and support of an expert advisory panel that includes licensed medical professionals and Ayurvedic healers, Healing Mama Co. is providing parents with the support they need to heal and thrive during and after pregnancy.
PLEASE NOTE: This episode discusses pregnancy, motherhood, and postpartum experiences. We also discuss topics surrounding postpartum depression and pregnancy loss. We also talk about the natural state of a woman’s body during and after pregnancy. If these topics make you uncomfortable or are difficult for you, please consider if this episode is right for you before watching.
S2.E3: Show Notes
“Healing Mama Co. - it literally started when I was eight months pregnant. …I realized through my research there was no boxes or kits or any type of model that existed out there for me to buy all of this stuff in one shot. …I was frustrated that other moms have had to deal with this for so long. I was frustrated that this is what the state of care was for people giving birth.” - Rhowena speaks about how she came to found Healing Mama Co.
“Someone has to do it better at a price and someone has to bring it all together because why do I have to go to this company to get this product and I have to go to this marketplace to get all these products - why aren’t any of these amazing brands talking to each other. Where is the Amazon for childbirth and postpartum care? It just doesn’t exist.” - Rhowena reflects on her journey of trying to prepare for motherhood but not being able to find a brand helping mothers-to-be.
“It’s not surprising that new mothers are not adequately supported and it’s not surprising that 88% of moms were not prepared for postpartum at all. That number needs to be 8 not 88. And that speaks to the amount of lack that exists in our health care systems that also doesn’t exist in conversations.” - Rhowena shares statistics regarding how unprepared many new mothers are and mentions change is needed.
“The body goes through intense trauma in childbirth and throughout pregnancy, and because we’re always taught that this is such a natural process, we tend to overlook the fact that yeah it’s a natural process but it’s also naturally very traumatic and requires a lot physically and mentally.” - Jackie speaks on recognizing the tremendous toll pregnancy has on women.
“The recovery routine exists for all other major surgeries and traumas to the body, but why is there not a recovery routine for giving birth? Again this is why Healing Mama Co exists.” - Rhowena after sharing her experience of having a hemicolectomy and seeing the difference in post-care.
Watch full episode here.
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Why Give Gifts to Friends and Family during Ramadan?
Whether or not you are Muslim, Ramadan and Eid are an especially beautiful time of year, and non-Muslims are always welcomed to participate in the traditions of this month as a way of learning more about the Muslim faith and gaining a greater respect for the history of the holiday in Islam. Perhaps you've been invited over a friend's house for Iftar (the breaking of the fast at sunset)? Or, maybe your significant other observe the holiday and you want to share this time with them and learn more about their traditions and culture?
When looking for that impactful gift, we're here to support you. Check out several of our favorite gift ideas for you to give your loved ones this holiday season.
[Read more about Ramadan and Eid here.]
1. Gift sets: Sitti's latest gift sets include our SITTI handmade products, alongside some of our favorite brands. Find the perfect gift set that matches your loved one's style and your price point here.
2. Apparel and accessories: Give your loved one a piece that they can wear proudly at their next Iftar meal! Check out apparel collection for everything from embroidered face masks and handmade tote bags, to jewelry and t-shirts with a statement.
“I started our positive planet in like 2016 as a platform to share environmental success stories to inspire action and that’s kind of how I fell into the zero waste and started making steps in my own life to reduce my waste and at the time in Halifax it was really hard - there was nowhere that made it accessible, easy and affordable.” - Kate from the Tare Shop explaining how she first got into the sustainability world, after graduating from sustainability studies.
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S2E2 Show Notes
“I started our positive planet in like 2016 as a platform to share environmental success stories to inspire action and that’s kind of how I fell into the zero waste and started making steps in my own life to reduce my waste and at the time in Halifax it was really hard - there was nowhere that made it accessible, easy and affordable.” - Kate from the Tare Shop explaining how she first got into the sustainability world, after graduating from sustainability studies.
“I love suggesting people to record their waste. Do a waste audit for a month or week - you can just do your garbage, you can just do your recycling, you can just do your compost, you can do all of it or a combination. Just record what you’re throwing out and after however long you decide to track your waste for, you’ll have a really clear picture of what you create. From there you’re like ‘Okay I saw like 15 Starbucks cups I’m going to bring my own travel mug to get my drink or make my coffee at home’. By understanding the waste you’re creating, you can make informed decisions and something that is attainable and sustainable for you.” - Kate explaining her top suggestion to people looking to lead more sustainable daily lives.
“If you’ve ever seen those infographics that are like ‘a disposable/plastic water bottle takes 500 years to decompose’ - those are super misleading because plastic doesn’t go away, it doesn’t go back into the earth. Instead of breaking down it breaks apart into smaller and smaller pieces and these are the microplastics and nanoplastics that we’re finding everywhere.” - Kate on how toxic plastic can be.
“We all play a role - we all have a certain role to play in the impact on the environment that we’re living in.” - Jackie on the importance of self-accountability and shared responsibility we have to keep our environment clean.
“It’s really interesting because what we’ve noticed outside of the fact that there’s a lot of homegrown initiatives to reduce waste, it also is a tradition in the home in a lot of ways to use as much of something as possible.” - Jackie on the sustainability practices of the Sitti team and community in Jerash.
“I have tried to start moving away from the ‘zero-waste’ word because in reality nothing is zero waste. We have garbage, we have recycling, we have compost, that we put it. In any system there’s going to be waste.” - Kate on why ‘zero-waste’ can be unrealistic and untrue.
“We do try to reuse and get crafty and thrifty with everything that comes into the store but we are not zero waste and one of the things that we do is we do a waste audit as well so we weigh all of our garbage, recycling, the compost - anything that goes out, we weigh. So we know what impact that we are having as well as tracking the waste we divert from entering the waste stream.” - Kate on The Tare Shop’s sustainable waste tracking practices.
Watch full episode here.
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What is Ramadan?
Photo: Sitti artisans preparing Ramadan dishes at the Refugee Camp.
Why Corporate Gifting?
Corporate Gifting During Ramadan
Photo: Sitti Kitchen Set photo taken by Noora Sharrab.
Ready-to-go Gift Sets: We have some ready-to-go gift sets, perfect for last-minute gifts, with a wide selection of styles and price ranges. There is something for everyone.
Photo: Sitti starter kit
Photo: Custom Sitti Box with We Are Rosie for 2022 Holidays.
Season 2: Episode 1: Sustainable Living and Daily Rituals with with guest Joana, founder of Amalusta and Rhaelyn Gillepse & Jessica Sheppard; co-founders of Mintier. Join us for a conversation about sustainability living and how our daily rituals and everyday tasks connect to the greater picture of environmental and social well-being.
S2E1: Show Notes
“The products were curated with the theme of a conscious earth and a conscious body and it’s really about products that are earth-friendly, earth-loving and products that are also going to give you some self love at the same time” - Co-founder Noora on the conscious earth & body subscription box which is all about sustainable self-care.
“Rather than trying to overhaul your life at once or saying I’m going to wake up tomorrow and get rid of everything and become a whole new (person). Start with using just what you have at home for skincare and for everything else, like stuff you have in the kitchen or like in your closet. Just trying to start there and focus on making the most of what you’ve got is a good place to start for most people.” - Amalusta founder Joanna on how to start being sustainable in one's daily rituals.
“I love it when I buy from a brand that is environmentally conscious, like you know they have compostable containers, it makes me feel so good and not as guilty.” - Noora on being a conscious consumer and the importance of eco-friendly brands.
“The plastic components of the packaging that I’ve tried to move away from as much as possible but no matter what you do there’s still so much packaging and plastic you’re receiving when you start a business and that’s one of the things you realize, that there’s an inevitable amount of waste produced and it’s kind of shocking.” - Amalusta founder Joanna on challenges of being plastic-neutral.
“In Jordan, people usually buy olive oil in like tanks of 14, 20 kilos for the season and then what they do is then they fill it in these reusable Pepsi-like plastic bottles. So when you go to people's homes you’ll actually see plastic bottles that are recycled with the olive oil poured into them.” - Noora giving an example of how simple recycling and being sustainable can be a common practice in the country of Jordan.
“We’re trying to transition as a company from the plastic bubbles into more construction paper and it’s something we’re working on with the team in Jordan.” - Noora on Sitti’s plans of cutting down on plastic.
“One day on my commute home with a pack of mints, I happened to turn it over and look at the ingredients for the first time and the first ingredient was sugar. Then, we looked for sugar-free alternatives, then there were sugar alcohols. So then we went down the rabbit hole of looking at what sugar actually does to your breath - turns out that sugar feeds the oral bacteria in your mouth. So these breath mints are actually making our breath worse, so we just wanted to create a true breath freshener without any sugar and with clean ingredients that would just work to freshen your breath especially while you’re on the go.” - Mintier co-founder Jessica on why they created the breath freshener brand.
“We use recycled mailers, we use cardboard packaging that’s recyclable, try and just be as mindful as possible in what we’re actually putting out there, nobody’s perfect but we’re always trying to improve and learn from other brands too.” - Mintier co-founder Rhaelyn on their brand's sustainable efforts.
“My biggest shift in the last couple years was to be very mindful of what I’m purchasing when I’m purchasing it and really trying to finish products. I used to be like ‘okay my favorite shampoo is on sale I’m going to buy a million of them’, now I’m like, use this one completely before I need to restock and then that way I’m personally having less waste.” - Mintier co-founder Rhaelyn on being more sustainable in her day-to-day life.
Watch full episode here.
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The refugee crisis that Ukrainians now face is yet another reminder that to be a “refugee” is not a personal identity or choice tied to an ethnicity, country, region or religion; it is an experience of being forced from home. Anyone can become a refugee at any given time.
As forcible displacement becomes a reality for millions of people each year, SITTI continues to find ways to support the global refugee community. While our enterprise is small, we do not underestimate the capacity for collective advocacy and action. We hope that global powers - public and private - will work together to take responsibility, support and protect refugees, and ensure access to vital resources to maintain self-reliance.
This is why we are members of the Refugee Self-Reliance Initiative (RSRI). As active members of the RSRI, we stand in solidarity with refugees globally. We support our RSRI partners in their joint efforts to create informed and durable solutions for the restored dignity of refugee communities, from Palestine to Ukraine.
And we call on our customers to do the same.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Therefore, a threat to human dignity has no bounds…and the movement to restore it should be boundless as well.
The labour movements and the increasing demand for women to be treated as equals to their male counterparts in the early twentieth century initiated the start of what we know now as International Women’s Day.
On March 19th, 1911, over a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland took part in showing their support for women. Due to the large turnout, other countries followed suit in the following years. In 1975, the United Nations acknowledged March 8th as International Women’s Day. This particular date was settled on because, in 1917, a group of Russian women initiated their four-day strike on March 8th, demanding the right to vote.
We now celebrate International Women’s Day globally every year on March 8th and we can do this by learning about the history of the women’s rights movements and the progress made since then. We celebrate women’s economic, cultural, and political achievements and continue to raise awareness of the progress that still needs to be achieved.
The Theme for International Women’s Day 2022
“The campaign theme for International Women's Day 2022 is #BreakTheBias. Whether deliberate or unconscious, bias makes it difficult for women to move ahead. Knowing that bias exists isn't enough. Action is needed to level the playing field.”
If you want to learn more about International Women’s Day and how you can get involved, click here.
Supporting Women Through Gift-Sets
Sitti is a women-owned social enterprise that partners with brands that break boundaries and promote healthy, clean, and sustainable living. Some of Sitti’s favourite women-owned brands that you are guaranteed to enjoy and can give to the women in your life are featured in:
To check out more of our gifting options, visit our gifting page.
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Starting February 2nd, Sitti is featuring seven self care brands that focus on sustainability and clean living in our ongoing blog series titled "Own Your Story". This quarter, the “Own Your Story” series is elevating the stories of the seven brands featured in Sittis Consious Earth & Body Box.
Each quarter of the year, we get to know the brands in our box, while learning priceless lessons and advice from their shared experiences. We talk about where the idea for their brand came from, and what’s made their journey unique. Every brand adds something special to make up our Consious Earth & Body Box; a box centered around sustainable self care. To learn more about our other quarterly Subscription Boxes, click here.
Introducing: Nuchay
What is your brand's purpose/mission?
We want people to learn, nourish and work alongside their skin's natural goodness in order to feel entirely comfortable with a bare face. We use sustainable ingredients and our products are handmade with love to ensure every bottle is carefully formulated to make skincare a fulfilling part of the day.
What makes your brand unique? (What do your consumers love about your products?)
While we believe in the power a good skincare routine can provide, we are simultaneously focused on the internal state of our customers, and we couple our skincare products with heart-care advice to make the ultimate self-care routine. Also, something we have tried to make is skincare experiences for every type of person so whether a customer wants the simplest routine or the most extensive -- either way there's a Nuchay kit for them.
When did you begin this brand? How was it started? Please share your origin story. (Did you start it after college, as a hobby, etc.)
I've had that entrepreneurial urge since childhood but never knew what type of startups or endeavors I'd be pursuing. As fate had it, it was going to be in the cosmetics-beauty space at the end of a long 2017. I didn't really even know what I was getting myself into, all I knew was that it was going to be super exciting. I took on every role in the beginning; graphic designer, purchaser, marketer, accountant, production manager, you name it. I learned the business inside out and have developed a passion for formulation through the years.
Tell us a story that encapsulates the importance of sustainable self-care. Consider any particular situation in which you were able to witness the effects of how your products have helped or empowered others.
I've previously joked about how my family and friends are my testers but it's definitely true. I remember making a skincare routine for my wife soon after we got married and she's been so pleased with the products that she hardly ever relies on makeup and feels really comfortable with her skin even in the Canadian cold. I've been fortunate to witness similar positive stories with other people close to me and that has been really fulfilling - when they pick up a product or try and tell me they've been searching for something like that for the longest time - it's fantastic.
How do you define sustainable self-care?
I've previously joked about how my family and friends are my testers but it's definitely true. I remember making a skincare routine for my wife soon after we got married and she's been so pleased with the products that she hardly ever relies on makeup and feels really comfortable with her skin even in the Canadian cold. I've been fortunate to witness similar positive stories with other people close to me and that has been really fulfilling - when they pick up a product or try and tell me they've been searching for something like that for the longest time - it's fantastic.
What is does your sustainable self-care routine involve?
It includes something to nourish, cleanse and protect our skin while also having something to nourish, cleanse and protect our insides. What we mean by this is having a skincare routine that encompasses more than just having downtime on a Friday, we believe in having staple habits every day that act as anchors and affect everything including choosing natural products for your skin, eating clean food, and minimizing our impact/waste while we are on this planet.
What sustainability goals do you have for your company in 2022?
We want to create sustainability trends. We know that there are still many small things we can all start changing within our self-care routine in order to become more sustainable and we want to be able to lead with innovation on that front rather than wait for the trends to emerge.
What other eco-friendly social enterprises do you admire? Why?
ME to WE are really wonderful - They create jobs in rural villages in various parts of the world and while selling fairtrade chocolate or coffee gathered from there, they also offer sustainable and authentic trips to see first-hand the impact they are having in developing parts of the world.
What is your best advice for people aiming to be more sustainable in their day-to-day lives?
Research interesting and smart ways to live in a sustainable way (there are tons!) and then aim to adopt as many of those positive habits as you can. We'd even suggest trying to improve one action every week and seeing your progress over the course of a few months. Another thing we would suggest is getting involved with actions for a sustainable cause that you are passionate about - there are many ways to help support organizations doing great things - whether it's with your time or effort, you can totally contribute.
Write down anything else you would like us to mention about your company!
We would love a push towards our wholesale and gifting side. Maybe a mention of great pricing.
Thank you Nuchay for sharing your story!
**DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT YOUR DISCOUNT!** Check out the Nuchay website and use code “SITTI20” at checkout for 20% off your purchase (expires March 30th, 2022).
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Our “Own Your Story” series continues!
Starting February 2nd, Sitti is featuring seven self care brands that focus on sustainability and clean living in our ongoing blog series titled "Own Your Story". This quarter, the “Own Your Story” series is elevating the stories of the seven brands featured in Sittis Consious Earth & Body Box.
Each quarter of the year, we get to know the brands in our box, while learning priceless lessons and advice from their shared experiences. We talk about where the idea for their brand came from, and what’s made their journey unique. Every brand adds something special to make up our Consious Earth & Body Box; a box centered around sustainable self care. To learn more about our other quarterly Subscription Boxes, click here.
Introducing: Lisse Shave
What is your brand's purpose/mission?
I’m Amy, I’m the founder and one-woman show behind Lisse Shave. At Lisse Shave, I help folks ditch the plastic and toxins one razor at a time. Right now 10 billion plastic razors end up in landfills and oceans around the world every year. And plastic isn’t the only problem, there are so many toxic chemicals and hormone disruptors found in most of our shaving products.
What makes your brand unique? (What do your consumers love about your products?)
As a brand, I never want to enforce the message that body hair isn’t beautiful. I use my platform to help end the stigma and shame around various types of body hair, especially for women and non-binary folks. Shaving is a personal choice and I always say that IF you want to shave, then here’s a more sustainable way of doing it. But one of the main differences with my razors is they are lead-free.
There are lots of cheaper look-a-like brands on the market that use cheap brass that contain toxic amounts of lead without disclosing it to their customers. I use stainless steel and safe for consumers!
2% of gross razor sales also goes to our charity partner Femme International which empowers people with periods through menstrual health education in East Africa. So with every purchase you’re ditching the plastic, cutting the toxins, and supporting an awesome charity.
When did you begin this brand? How was it started? Please share your origin story. (Did you start it after college, as a hobby, etc.)
By 2050 it's predicted there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish. So initially, the environment was my biggest driver to start dabbling in the world of safety razors. What I didn't realize though was how much of a better shave it was, I couldn't believe it had taken me so long to make the switch. But the world of safety razors has always been seen as a man's razor' and seemed really intimidating, so I wanted to start the brand to end this stigma and show that anyone can use a safety razor. I had also previously worked in the beauty industry so I was fully aware of the toxic ingredients in our shaving products, so this background knowledge, along with having some design engineer friends, I was able to manufacture my razor!
Tell us a story that encapsulates the importance of sustainable self-care. Consider any particular situation in which you were able to witness the effects of how your products have helped or empowered others.
I try to use my social media platform to normalize body hair, shaving bumps, and ingrown hairs to help folks know that they're not alone with these things that can sometimes knock our confidence. I've had countless of DMs from people saying that some of my posts have brought them to tears because they always thought they were alone and that for me is the biggest highlight of my job, whether they use my razor or not. It's never been about 'just selling products' but creating a brand and a community that cares.
How do you define sustainable self-care?
I used to hear the term 'self-care' I immediately think of pampering sessions and spa days and would feel almost 'selfish' for indulging in myself. However, self-care can be as simple as taking some time out to meditate, go for a walk, or make a nice hot drink for yourself. I love the expression "you can't pour from an empty cup", the more you fill up your own cup the more you can give to others.
What does your sustainable self-care routine involve?
I love creating making my own skin and beauty products, it's so fun to learn about where ingredients come from and how they impact our body, it's fun to make and you feel so much more connected to your products. And a few of my favorite low-waste bathroom swaps: 1. Toothpaste tabs (or in a glass jar) 2. Reusable period pants and menstrual cups 2. Safety razor (obvs!) 3. Switching to soaps for body and hair 4. Bamboo toilet roll.
What sustainability goals do you have for your company in 2022?
I've worked endlessly to make sure that both my consumer packaging and packaging from my suppliers are plastic-free, recyclable, and/or compostable. At the end of 2021, I moved to some new manufacturers that share my vision for lowering waste and I was able to reduce my "behind the scenes" packaging waste by almost 50%. So 2022 is focused on continuing to optimize my whole supply chain and continue to work with our carbon-neutral shipping partner.
What other eco-friendly social enterprises do you admire? Why?
There are too many to list!
What is your best advice for people aiming to be more sustainable in their day-to-day lives?
Start small, and be kind to yourself. When you start diving into the world of sustainability it can feel totally overwhelming. You could start by making 1 swap a month whether it's a plastic-free swap or a clean beauty swap, and use up what you have first!
Write down anything else you would like us to mention about your company!
If anyone is nervous about getting started with a safety razor, our handy leaflet has step-by-step instructions and our Instagram has lots of shaving tutorials in our 'how to reel.
Thank you Lisse Shave for sharing your story!
**DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT YOUR DISCOUNT!** Check out the Lisse Shave website and use code “Sitti10” at checkout for 10% off your purchase (expires end of April 2022).
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Our “Own Your Story” series continues!
Starting February 2nd, Sitti is featuring seven self care brands that focus on sustainability and clean living in our ongoing blog series titled "Own Your Story." This quarter, the “Own Your Story” series is elevating the stories of the seven brands featured in Sitti's Conscious Earth & Body Box.
Each quarter of the year, we get to know the brands in our box, while learning priceless lessons and advice from their shared experiences. We talk about where the idea for their brand came from, and what’s made their journey unique. Every brand adds something special to make up our Consious Earth & Body Box; a box centered around sustainable self care. To learn more about our other quarterly Subscription Boxes, click here.
Introducing: Conscious Kitchen & Home By Also Sophia LTD.
What is your brand's purpose/mission?
To help the average family become more eco-friendly in the kitchen and home.
What makes your brand unique? (What do your consumers love about your products?)
Ready to use and long-lasting at a great price.
When did you begin this brand? How was it started? Please share your origin story. (Did you start it after college, as a hobby, etc.)
2018 Also Sophia LTD, 2020 Conscious Kitchen & Home.
Tell us a story that encapsulates the importance of sustainable self-care. Consider any particular situation in which you were able to witness the effects of how your products have helped or empowered others.
Our high-quality silicone products have helped average families avoid the use of single-use plastic by providing alternative options. After we started using our silicone wraps by Conscious Kitchen and Home, we avoided the use of harmful plastic cling wrap and bee wax cloths that disintegrate over time. Our children see the importance of using reusable eco-friendly products and will continue building upon the lifestyle of removing single-use plastic from the home.
How do you define sustainable self-care?
Self Care that does not harm the planet.
What does your sustainable self-care routine involve?
Daily use of products that are waste-free.
What sustainability goals do you have for your company in 2022?
To add a non-profit subsidiary where a proportion of proceeds will be donated towards programs aimed to give back to eco-projects.
What other eco-friendly social enterprises do you admire? Why?
Friends of the Earth - a great company regarding environmental policy.
What is your best advice for people aiming to be more sustainable in their day-to-day lives?
Start small. It's easy to become discouraged especially when you have been using items such as single-use plastic bags for your entire life. Changing lifestyle habits will take time, so best to start with one product and consistently use your reusable product. Once you become accustomed, then add another reusable item to your list. Before you know it, you will be living a "waste-free" lifestyle and producing less waste.
Write down anything else you would like us to mention about your company!
We are 100% female-founded and operated.
Thank you Also Sophia for sharing your story!
**DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT YOUR DISCOUNT!** Check out the Also Sophia website and use code “Sophia10” at checkout for 10% off your purchase.
SHOP THE BLOG
Our “Own Your Story” series continues!
Starting February 2nd, Sitti is featuring seven self care brands that focus on sustainability and clean living in our ongoing blog series titled "Own Your Story". This quarter, the “Own Your Story” series is elevating the stories of the seven brands featured in Sittis Consious Earth & Body Box.
Each quarter of the year, we get to know the brands in our box, while learning priceless lessons and advice from their shared experiences. We talk about where the idea for their brand came from, and what’s made their journey unique. Every brand adds something special to make up our Consious Earth & Body Box; a box centered around sustainable self care. To learn more about our other quarterly Subscription Boxes, click here.
Introducing: Amalusta
What is your brand's purpose/mission?
Our purpose is to create clean beauty products that are effective and fit seamlessly into your day, encouraging you to take pleasure in the little self-care rituals that keep you grounded.
What makes your brand unique? (What do your consumers love about your products?)
Our customers love our products because of the care put into creating a delightful experience at every stage, along with our focus on elevated, high-quality formulas.
When did you begin this brand? How was it started? Please share your origin story. (Did you start it after college, as a hobby, etc.)
After university, I worked for a raw material and ingredients company where I got to see the process of how a product goes from an idea through the development process to finally being launched. I was always a skincare junkie, and getting to see the behind scenes got me thinking about what I would love to create. I started out with a core line of powerful, multi-functional skincare essentials, and try to add new products carefully and mindfully, focusing on products that really deliver and are a joy to use.
Tell us a story that encapsulates the importance of sustainable self-care. Consider any particular situation in which you were able to witness the effects of how your products have helped or empowered others.
I recently had a customer share his story of how much one of our products, Truth Balm, helped with his severe eczema. Because I know can be a really frustrating condition to deal with, it was rewarding to know that he put trust in supporting a small, local business and got results that he was extremely happy with.
How do you define sustainable self-care?
While minimizing the waste in our beauty routines is an important goal, I think another facet of sustainable self-care is finding ways to engage in self-care that are not necessarily about consuming. We all have self-care rituals that involve our favorite products, but it's also good to find ways to rest, recharge, get in touch with yourself and care for your mind and body that don't necessarily involve using more stuff.
What is does your sustainable self-care routine involve?
One of the most important self-care things that I try (but don't always succeed) to do is just to unplug from work in the evenings, even if the to-do list is long. I used to be all about all-nighters when I felt they were needed, but now I realize that rest is way more important. I also love baths and have been obsessed with Sitti's raw natural loofah lately :)
What sustainability goals do you have for your company in 2022?
We recently replaced plastic with more sustainable materials wherever possible, and a goal for 2022 is to become certified Plastic Neutral.
What other eco-friendly social enterprises do you admire? Why?
There is a great vintage shop in Vancouver that I always love visiting when I'm there, Community Thrift and Vintage. They are a social enterprise supporting local at-risk communities while promoting a more eco-friendly lifestyle through giving clothes a second life.
What is your best advice for people aiming to be more sustainable in their day-to-day lives?
I think taking inventory of what you have so that you're not buying multiple of things you don't need can go a long way. From barely used beauty products to food waste to clothing that gets forgotten about it, I think a lot of extra waste can be avoided by being diligent about using what you already have whenever possible.
Write down anything else you would like us to mention about your company!
The hand and body balm included in this box is a brand new product and our very first body care product, and we're really excited to be able to share it with a new audience through this collaboration with Sitti!
Thank you Amalusta for sharing your story!
**DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT YOUR DISCOUNT!** Check out the Amalusta website and use code “Sitti15” at checkout for 15% off your purchase (expires at the end of 2022).
SHOP THE BLOG
Starting February 2nd, Sitti is featuring seven self care brands that focus on sustainability and clean living in our ongoing blog series titled "Own Your Story". This quarter, the “Own Your Story” series is elevating the stories of the seven brands featured in Sittis Consious Earth & Body Box.
Each quarter of the year, we get to know the brands in our box, while learning priceless lessons and advice from their shared experiences. We talk about where the idea for their brand came from, and what’s made their journey unique. Every brand adds something special to make up our Consious Earth & Body Box; a box centered around sustainable self care. To learn more about our other quarterly Subscription Boxes, click here.
Introducing: House of Jude
What is your brand's purpose/mission?
To share our love of ethically handmade Turkish Textiles with our amazing customers!
What makes your brand unique? (What do your consumers love about your products?)
Our customers love that our products are versatile enough to suit any decor aesthetic, our minimalist color palette can be mix-and-matched! Our collection adds luxury and style to any home.
When did you begin this brand? How was it started? Please share your origin story. (Did you start it after college, as a hobby, etc.)
House of Jude was borne out of a love of Turkish towels and a need for a cozy towel for baby Jude!
I have always adored wrapping myself in my Turkish towels, known as peshtemals. They are super soft and absorbent, and they dry quickly. They roll up to be quite compact making them perfect for the pool and for traveling. Wanting these towels for my precious little guy, I set out to find Jude a hooded baby towel made from this traditional Turkish weave but they were nowhere to be found. That's where House of Jude came to be.
Our towels are ethically made by hand in Turkey. And as a tree-hugging, granola-crunching family, there was no doubt that they were to be made with ultra-soft, and environmentally friendly Turkish cotton.
You and your babe need to snuggle up in our towels and blankets, and we know you will love them as much as we do!
Thank you House of Jude, for sharing your story!
**DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT YOUR DISCOUNT!** Use this link to receive a 15% discount at checkout: https://www.houseofjude.ca/discount/0PN598N1ARNW
SHOP THE BLOG
Our “Own Your Story” series continues!
Starting February 2nd, Sitti is featuring seven self care brands that focus on sustainability and clean living in our ongoing blog series titled "Own Your Story". This quarter, the “Own Your Story” series is elevating the stories of the seven brands featured in Sittis Consious Earth & Body Box.
Each quarter of the year, we get to know the brands in our box, while learning priceless lessons and advice from their shared experiences. We talk about where the idea for their brand came from, and what’s made their journey unique. Every brand adds something special to make up our Consious Earth & Body Box; a box centered around sustainable self care. To learn more about our other quarterly Subscription Boxes, click here.
Introducing: Amal's Apothecary
What is your brand's purpose/mission?
Our goal is to provide you with all-natural alternatives and organic essential oil blends to live happier and more fulfilling lives!
What makes your brand unique? (What do your consumers love about your products?)
Organic, clean, green, effective, re-fillable glass roller bottles, women-owned and operated.
When did you begin this brand? How was it started? Please share your origin story. (Did you start it after college, as a hobby, etc.)
2018 - It started with trying to find a solution to my kids always getting sick. Lots of research led me to essential oils and more specifically frankincense oil that helps support and boost immune systems. So I started making blends for different things, such as immune support, fever reducer, trouble sleeping, headaches, tummy aches, etc and it grew from there!
Tell us a story that encapsulates the importance of sustainable self-care. Consider any particular situation in which you were able to witness the effects of how your products have helped or empowered others.
A lot of our customers stop using a crutch they had used before for a specific issue. For example, they stopped using perfume and used Citrus Cheer Mist instead. Or they stopped using so much medicine for their headaches and relied on the Tension Roller instead. Some people even quit mascara since their eyelashes grew naturally from the Lash Out Loud lash serum. Stories like this make it all worth it.
How do you define sustainable self-care?
Reusable, no waste, no chemicals, looking after yourself and the world around you.
What does your sustainable self-care routine involve?
Sustainable skincare and bath products, green cleaning.
What sustainability goals do you have for your company in 2022?
Get decomposable mailers and fillers instead of bubble wrap.
What other eco-friendly social enterprises do you admire? Why?
Sitti Soap of course!
What is your best advice for people aiming to be more sustainable in their day-to-day lives?
Change one thing at a time and start small. Throw out your toothbrush and get a bamboo one. Stop using plastic little baggies and use reusable ones. Take your reusable water bottle everywhere with you!
Thank you Amal’s Apothecary for sharing your story!
**DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT YOUR DISCOUNT!** Check out Amal’s Apothecary website and use code “SITTI20” at checkout for 20% off your purchase (expires February 28th, 2022).
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