GreenBirdi

Shopping Isn't Just Shopping Anymore

Once upon a time, people shopped for value. Now more and more consumers are shopping their values. They don't just want cute, affordable products, but they want to know who they are buying from and what those brands stand for.

More and more people are seeking brands that align with their beliefs, especially in sustainability, equity, and community impact. They want to support businesses led by women and indigenous people, as well as businesses with a purpose. But finding those businesses can be complicated, especially since not everyone is honest about who they are and what they value.

What Does It Mean to "Shop Your Values"?

At its simplest, shopping your values means choosing products from brands that align with what matters to you. Different people might have different priorities, but everyone has some values. 78% of Canadian consumers make buying choices based on their values and traditions, and many, especially in urban areas, are willing to pay 15-20% more for environmentally responsible products.

The values people care most about are:

• Sustainability. People look for more environmentally friendly products, including those with environmentally friendly packaging.

• Ethical labour practices. Products made locally, using fair trade practices, and avoiding sweatshops.

• Women-owned businesses.

• Indigenous-led businesses.

• Inclusive sizing and representation, including in advertising.

• Non-toxic and forever-chemical-free ingredients, especially in beauty products.

• Cruelty-free products.

• Low-waste products and packaging.

• Community impact.

Why GreenBirdi Exists (and Why That Matters)

This brings us to GreenBirdi. Our goal is to help people shop their values by providing a new way to access products and information. Our platform is women-led and committed to uplifting indigenous people and marginalized communities.

Our focus is on connecting consumers with brands that prioritize transparency, measurable community impact, and strong ethical practices. While many companies claim to value these principles, not all integrate them into their core operations. We exist to bridge that gap by thoroughly vetting brands and ensuring you support only those that consistently act on their stated values.

So, what values are you supporting when you shop GreenBirdi?

Well-Being First

We curate all of our products to support wellness, confidence, and self-care. We avoid products that "fix" the user. We're not about providing "solutions" to "problems," but rather products that will make you look and feel better in your own way.

Equality + Representation

We make space for women and marginalized voices. Many of our brands are indigenous-led, and we support not only their products but also their stories and communities. Our goal is to curate products that represent people and support equality and inclusion. This might mean products designed for darker skin tones, or products that use indigenous ingredients and educate consumers about them.

Ethical + Conscious Choices

When selecting brands and makers for GreenBirdi, we ensure they support our core values: minimizing waste, ethical production, and packaging that aligns with our mission.

And we don't just take their word for it. We vet our suppliers and make sure they align with us. You can trust us to do our homework and present you only with well-curated choices.

Women-led and Community-centred

Finally, we look for women-led and community-centred brands because we believe in supporting women, as we believe it fosters innovation and economic growth. By centring women, we aim to advance gender equity and drive community impact. Our best brands don't just make good products; they also invest in their communities. Although women are increasingly entering business and supporting local and national economies, they still often face systemic barriers.

How GreenBirdi Curates Products (So You Don't Have to Guess)

Too often, shopping ethically can feel overwhelming. You want to make the right choices, but you don't have the time or energy to research every brand. We handle this for you through our CARES framework. In this context, CARES stands for Cultural Sustainability, Authentic Wellbeing, Regenerative Ecosystems, Equitable Economics, and Social Responsivity.

When we select products, we consider the following:

• Ingredient awareness. We select products that avoid forever chemicals and use natural ingredients when possible.

• Brand transparency. Is the brand honest about its values? Can we trace the entire supply chain? Some brands look good, but their vendors are not practicing the same values.

• Sustainability practices. We look for products made with less waste, sustainable packaging, and other practices that support the environment and the future.

• Social impact. We also look at how they treat their workers and how they give back to their company.

• Product quality and usability. A sustainable product is no good if people don't want to use it, so we do quality checks.

Our customers can shop with confidence, knowing that any product offered on the GreenBirdi marketplace meets our ethical sourcing standards and is carefully vetted for quality.

"Shopping Your Values" Doesn't Mean Spending More

While many people are willing to spend more, some believe that values-based shopping is only accessible to those with a luxury budget. In fact, you can shop intentionally on any budget. Start by buying fewer, higher-quality items and choosing products that serve multiple purposes. Make sure you choose products you will actually use and avoid impulse purchases or buying into a trend.

You don't have to change your life; you just have to make small shifts that will make a difference, and if you do it right, you might even find you are spending less.

The Ripple Effect: How Your Purchase Creates Real Impact

When people think about sustainability, they often focus on their personal carbon footprint. In reality, values-based shopping includes actions like supporting ethical suppliers and community-focused businesses, which strengthen entire communities. Choosing to shop at women-owned businesses supports gender equity within the community, while supporting minority-owned businesses enhances representation and positively impacts people's lives.

Your purchasing decisions are small, but they add up to real change.

Ways to Start Shopping Your Values Today

Still feeling a little overwhelmed? Here are some quick questions to ask:

1. Who made this product? Where are they and what conditions are they working in?

2. What does this brand stand for?

3. Does this company share information transparently?

4. Do they reinvest in the community?

Don't aim for perfection, aim for progress. We know there are some things you may not be able to give up or companies you can't avoid. But even a small shift helps.

What Shopping Your Values Looks Like at GreenBirdi

The big one, of course, is to shop at GreenBirdi. You can peruse our carefully curated and vetted products, knowing that every one of them is chosen to support our mission - community, equity, and well-being.

Our platform supports values-driven brands while providing an excellent shopping experience. Every purchase you make supports businesses and makers and develops a responsible, inclusive marketplace.

Shopping your values means aligning your purchases with causes that matter to you, such as equity, community, and environmental stewardship. Support brands that prioritize people, communities, and the planet.

Take the next step and shop GreenBirdi today and start shopping your values with confidence, knowing that we've done the hard work for you. Make your purchases count and join us in building a more ethical and inclusive e-commerce ecosystem.

Walking into a store (or scrolling through one), you'll see "eco-friendly" plastered on everything from dish soap to t-shirts. Many of those claims don't mean what you think they mean. The sustainable shopping space is full of vague claims and clever marketing, and it takes a little know-how to tell the real thing from the 

performance. This guide will help you cut through the noise, shop smarter, and spot the difference between real sustainability and a misleading green label.

What Does "Eco-Friendly" Actually Mean?

The short answer is that it means whatever a brand wants it to mean. There's no universal definition or governing body that determines which products qualify as eco-friendly, so that brands can use the term loosely. On its own, it's basically meaningless, and you'll have to dig deeper to evaluate what you're buying. Also, many of the buzzwords in this space are used interchangeably, but they mean very different things.

• Natural vs. sustainable: A product can be made from natural ingredients and still be sourced in ways that harm the environment. "Natural" describes what something is made of. "Sustainable" looks at the bigger picture, including how it's produced, shipped, and disposed of. A natural ingredient can still be over-harvested or wrapped in layers of plastic packaging.

• Organic vs. non-toxic: Organic is a farming standard (no synthetic pesticides, no GMOs). Non-toxic means the final product doesn't contain harmful chemicals. One doesn't guarantee the other. For example, an organic cotton t-shirt can still be dyed with toxic chemicals.

• Biodegradable vs. compostable: Biodegradable means something will eventually break down, but it could take decades and leave behind microplastics. Compostable products can fully break down in a composting environment within a set timeframe, which is a much higher bar.

The real measure of whether a product is eco-friendly comes down to its full lifecycle, from how the materials were sourced to how it was packaged, to what happens once you're done with it.

Understanding Eco Labels and Certifications (The Helpful Ones)

Some labels and certifications are meaningful and carry real weight because an independent third party has verified that specific standards were met. Here are the most relevant ones for Canadian consumers.

Environmental Certifications

These focus on what a product is made from and how its production affects the environment.

• FSC (Forest Stewardship Council): Found on paper, packaging, and wood products. It confirms the materials were sourced from responsibly managed forests.

• Fairtrade Canada: This mark means a product meets both environmental and social standards, including fair wages and safer working conditions for the people who made it.

• Canada Organic: Regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), this is the real deal for food and personal care. If it carries this label, it's met strict, government-backed standards.

• Ecocert / COSMOS: Common for natural and organic skincare and beauty products sold in Canada, verifying standards for ingredient sourcing and processing.

• Cradle to Cradle Certified: Looks at the full lifecycle of a product, including material health, recyclability, renewable energy use, and water stewardship.

• B Corp Certification: Given to companies that meet high standards for social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Many Canadian brands are proud B Corps.

Social and Ethical Certifications

Eco-conscious consumers increasingly understand that a product isn't truly "green" if it harms people along the way or ignores social responsibility.

• Fair Wage and Ethical Labour Standards: The strongest claims are backed by third-party audits, union-manufactured goods, or genuine transparency about wages and working conditions.

• Indigenous-Owned Business Certification: Verified by organizations such as the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB), this supports Indigenous entrepreneurship and economic reconciliation.

• Women-Owned Business Certification: Programs like WBE Canada certify women-owned and women-led businesses across the country.

What Certifications Don't Tell You

Certifications are a useful starting point, but they don't paint the full picture. A product can be certified organic, for example, while still being shipped in excessive plastic packaging. Getting certified also costs money, and smaller brands doing genuinely good work may not have the budget to pursue the formal process. No single label covers every aspect of sustainability, so think of certifications as one tool in your decision-making, not the final word.

Greenwashing 101: How Brands Make Products Look Sustainable

Brands know that consumers want to buy sustainably, and that desire is easy to exploit. Greenwashing is when companies use misleading claims or imagery to make their products seem more eco-friendly than they really are. It's incredibly common, though the Competition Bureau in Canada has started cracking down on misleading environmental claims. Here are some of the biggest red flags.

• Vague language with no proof: Words like "eco," "clean," "green," and "natural" don't mean anything on their own without specific claims or third-party verification backing them up.

• Earth-toned packaging and nature imagery: Kraft paper, leaves, and muted greens are design choices meant to create a feeling of eco-friendliness that has nothing to do with the actual product inside.

• One small "green" feature hiding bigger problems: A brand might promote one recyclable component while the rest of the product or its supply chain is anything but sustainable.

You've probably seen this play out with big-name brands launching "eco" product lines that represent 2% of their inventory, while the other 98% is business as usual.

What makes greenwashing so effective is that you're already motivated to buy the better option, so even a small green signal can tip your decision.

How to Read Between the Lines When Shopping

You don't need to become an investigator, but a few quick questions go a long way. What is this made from? Where was it made, and by whom? How is it packaged? Can I reuse, recycle, or compost it when I'm done?

Brands that are doing things right tend to answer these questions openly on their packaging or website. If a company makes it hard to learn about their practices, that tells you something, too. Progress doesn't require perfection, but it does require paying attention. A product that checks most of your boxes is still a better choice than one that checks none of them.

Making the Switch Without the Overwhelm

You don't need to overhaul your entire life in a weekend. Start with the products you use and replace most often, things like hand soap, cleaning supplies, and skincare. These are high-impact categories where small swaps add up quickly. Focus on quality over quantity. Buying fewer, better things is one of the most sustainable choices you can make in any category. You don't have to be perfect to make a real difference.

How GreenBirdi Curates Truly Eco-Friendly Products

GreenBirdi exists to take the guesswork out of this process. Every product in our marketplace is vetted beyond surface-level labels, with a close look at sustainability, ethical production, packaging, and the story behind who made it. That includes prioritizing products from women-led, Indigenous-led, and marginalized makers, because a sustainable economy has to work for everyone.

Final Thoughts: Conscious Consumerism Is a Journey

You don't need to be perfect to make a difference with your consumption habits. Every informed choice adds up, even the small ones. Stay curious, ask questions, and give yourself grace when you don't get it right. The fact that you're reading this means you're already on the right track.

Ready to start your sustainable swap journey? Visit gogreenbirdi.com and shop your values.

FAQs

What does “eco-friendly” actually mean?

There’s no official definition. Brands can use the term freely, so it doesn’t guarantee a product is truly sustainable. You’ll need to look deeper at sourcing, production, and packaging.

Is “natural” the same as sustainable?

No. Natural describes what something is made from. Sustainable looks at the entire lifecycle including how it’s produced, shipped, and disposed of.

How can I spot greenwashing?

Watch for vague words like “clean” or “green” with no proof, nature-themed packaging with no certifications, or brands highlighting one small eco feature while ignoring bigger impacts.

What certifications should I look for in Canada?

Helpful ones include FSC, Fairtrade Canada, Canada Organic, Ecocert/COSMOS, Cradle to Cradle, and B Corp. These involve third-party verification.

Do I have to change everything at once to shop sustainably?

Not at all. Start with products you replace often, like soap or skincare. Small, thoughtful swaps make a real difference over time.

There are some things we all have in common and using toilet paper is one of them. Most toilet paper is made from wood pulp, though some brands include cotton or recycled paper. The cardboard roll is usually recyclable, but the paper itself comes with a much bigger environmental footprint than most of us realize.

As this blog will explore, traditional toilet paper isn’t particularly eco-friendly. We’ll also introduce a more sustainable alternative that many people don’t yet know about bamboo toilet paper. Read on to discover why conventional toilet paper is more expensive than it seems and why bamboo might just be the best choice for you and your family.

The Hidden Costs of Traditional Toilet Paper

There are three major costs of traditional toilet paper, ones most people don't think about.

1. Deforestation. Because toilet paper is made from virgin wood pulp, acres of trees must be cut down to fuel large-scale production. Hardwood trees take even longer to replace than softwood, resulting in a net loss of trees. This also causes damage to ecosystems and threatens endangered species.

2. Carbon footprint. Processing tree pulp uses a lot of energy and water, resulting in a high carbon footprint and overall environmental damage.

3. Chemicals and additives. Toilet paper is typically bleached with chlorine-based bleaches, a threat to the environment. Recycled paper often uses sodium hydroxide or peroxide, which isn't as bad but still isn't great. Some toilet paper has dyes, and some has added fragrances. Toilet paper can also contain toxic residues, including ubiquitous microplastics.

The average Canadian uses 630 kilometres of toilet paper in their life!

Health Risks of Not Using Bamboo Toilet Paper

Traditional toilet paper is not just bad for the environment. It's also bad for you for several reasons:

Chemical Exposure

Traditional toilet paper can contain three types of dangerous chemicals.

• Chlorine bleach. Chlorine can leave trace amounts of dioxins, which are known carcinogens. Exposure can mount up over your lifetime.

• Fragrances and dyes. These can cause skin irritation in some people and carry a risk of allergic reactions and hormonal disruption. If you must use traditional toilet paper, choose unfragranced brands.

• Formaldehyde and BPA. Some brands of toilet paper also use formaldehyde and BPA, which can be absorbed through your skin and cause problems. Formaldehyde can also cause skin irritation and is potentially associated with cancer, while BPA is an endocrine disruptor associated with reproductive problems in the male offspring of exposed mice.

Skin Sensitivity and Allergic Reactions

Some people can react badly to the chemicals in toilet paper, developing skin sensitivity or allergic reactions. Children and elderly people are at higher risk, as are those with eczema or dermatitis.

You might change brands several times and still not find relief, because the problem is the bleach or chemicals left over from manufacturing.

Long-Term Exposure Concerns

All these exposures are low, but we use toilet paper several times a day, every day of our lives, with women generally using more. This daily contact adds up, especially if you have chronic inflammation or a weakened immune system. Even minor health impacts are worth making a simple switch.

Bamboo as a Safer Alternative

In contrast, bamboo toilet paper is a safer alternative. It contains no BPA or harsh chemicals. Bamboo is typically not dyed, which can take some getting used to, and has no fragrance.

On top of that, bamboo has natural antibacterial characteristics. These characteristics protect the bamboo plant from disease while it is alive, and processing reduces bacterial-promoting compounds more than antimicrobial ones. People also tend to be less likely to have an allergic reaction to bamboo.

What Makes Bamboo a Better Choice?

Bamboo may be better for your health, but is it better in general? There are four reasons why you might want to make the switch:

1. Fast growth and renewability. Anyone who has managed to get bamboo in their yard knows it grows fast. Under ideal conditions bamboo can grow almost a meter in a day! It's the fastest-growing plant on the planet. Furthermore, it's a species of grass and can be cut down to its roots and will regrow. Bamboo groves, called culms, can be harvested every three to five years.

2. Less resource intensive. Harvesting bamboo takes a lot less effort than cutting down mature trees, and bamboo material takes less energy to turn into toilet paper (or a variety of other products, bamboo is used to make textiles, musical instruments, coffee filters, disposable cups, even copy paper).

3. Less chemical processing. Bamboo also requires less chemical processing. It's a lot easier to find unbleached bamboo paper, which is chemical-free. Look for the creamy colour. This is good for the environment and for you and is great for people who react badly to chlorine bleach.

4. Naturally antibacterial properties. Bamboo is naturally antimicrobial, reducing contamination, including potentially lowering the risk of UTIs.

Is Bamboo Toilet Paper Comfortable?

Some of you might be mentally looking at bamboo and wondering if toilet paper made from it can possibly be comfortable. In fact, bamboo toilet paper is both soft and strong, meaning it's comfortable and you use less of it. Bamboo toilet paper is typically three-ply, and many people find it is both more absorbent and more comfortable because of softer fibres.

It works well for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Most people who make the switch never look back.

Cost & Accessibility

Is bamboo toilet paper more expensive and difficult to find? Bamboo toilet paper is a bit more expensive than regular toilet paper, but because of its durability you often need to use less of it.

However, it is sometimes hard to buy in the store that is why GreenBirdi is coming out with our very own bamboo toilet paper that can be shipped right to your door! 

Other Bamboo Bathroom Alternatives

Bamboo isn't just great for toilet paper. You can also get bamboo paper towels for cleaning, bamboo tissues, and bamboo wipes. Bamboo paper towels are more durable and can even be reusable. And you can get bamboo bath towels too! Bamboo textiles are much more sustainable than cotton as bamboo grows faster and uses less water.

Every Roll Counts

Sometimes small changes make a huge difference. Just switching to bamboo toilet paper can have a great impact. It's a win for the environment and for your personal health and that of your family.

Traditional toilet paper is bad for the environment and potentially your health. We use kilometres of it every year and it all contains chlorine bleach and virgin wood pulp. On the other hand, bamboo toilet paper is often unbleached, softer on sensitive skin, free of chemicals, and comes from the fastest growing plant on the planet - making it amazingly sustainable!

Think about the sheer amount of toilet paper you use and make the switch to bamboo today. Your body and our planet will thank you!

GreenBirdi Bamboo Toilet Paper Coming Soon 

If you are interested in trying GreenBirdi’s bamboo toilet paper sign-up to be notified when it is available and receive an early bird discount.  

The holiday season is here, and with it, your opportunity to not only choose gifts for many of the people you love most, but also a chance to make a big difference. Small gifts can have a greater impact than you think, especially when you choose eco-friendly gifts for your friends and loved ones.

Eco-friendly gifts are not only environmentally sustainable, but they may also focus on social sustainability. You can shop in a way that reflects your values, choosing gifts that will not only warm hearts but also have a positive impact. At GreenBirdi, our mission is to support women, Indigenous peoples, and marginalized communities, and we've curated a list of stocking stuffers that will delight your recipients while meeting those goals, from skincare products, candles, and yummy treats to eco-friendly cleaning supplies.

Why Choose Eco-Friendly Stocking Stuffers?

Traditional holiday giving often has an immense environmental impact. Across Canada, households generate an estimated 25% more waste during the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year's. Much of that waste ends up in landfills. By choosing sustainable, ethical, and Canadian-made products, you can reap several benefits.

• Decrease your overall environmental impact.

• Feel good about your gifts.

• Support small businesses and marginalized creators.

Not only that, choosing your gifts with care, including asking recipients what they want or choosing items that you know reflect their values and needs, can help ensure that the gifts themselves aren't being wasted. Almost half of Canadians report pretending to be overjoyed with an unwanted gift, which can significantly increase overall waste. Thoughtful small gifts can create meaningful change this holiday season, not just in the gifts you're giving, but also in the new traditions you create with your friends and loved ones that reflect your values. 

Earth-Friendly Stocking Stuffers for Self-Care Lovers

Self-care is an important part of many people's holiday traditions, and at GreenBirdi, we offer a variety of earth-friendly options perfect for stuffing stockings or creating gift baskets for friends and family. 

• Eco-conscious skincare minis: From the Moringa + Seaweed hydrating facial mask, which uses plant-based ingredients to nourish dry or dull skin, to the Day Serum from Nuez Acres, with its pecan oil and vitamin E composition, there are plenty of great skincare minis ideal for every stocking.

• Sustainable bath bombs, soaps, and more: Relaxing in the bath at the end of the day is a time-honoured self-care tradition. Check out the Fern Woman Bath Bomb, which focuses on plant-based ingredients, or Body Wash and Bubbles from Anointment Natural Skin Care, a vegan-friendly bath and body product for babies on up.

• Aromatherapy rollers or essential oils: Explore magnesium rollers for calm and clarity, or explore our collection of aromatic bath and body products, all sourced responsibly. 

With so many options, you're sure to find a self-care product that will delight your loved ones. 

Zero-Waste Essentials That Make Everyday Life Greener

Many single-use products significantly increase overall waste year-round. Increasingly, however, there are zero-waste options that make it easy to avoid that waste and, in many cases, they're more convenient than their single-use counterparts. Consider some of these options as you stuff stockings for your loved ones.

• Beeswax wraps or eco-friendly food wraps.

• Stainless steel or bamboo straws

• Refillable lip balms or solid lotions (or lip balms in biodegradable packages like this one from CoCaBee)

• Compact reusable shopping bags

Identify where your loved ones create waste and choose gifts tailored to those needs. 

Wellness-Inspired Gifts to Brighten the Season

This year, with stress levels high and many people unsure how they'll manage everything, consider giving the gift of wellness! Try out options like:

• Herbal teas from women-led or Indigenous brands like JusTea, which supports a Women's Herbal Tea Co-Op in Kenya

• Natural sleep aids or calming sprays

• Sustainable candles or incense, including options like RavenSong, which uses sustainable coconut wax and sustainable ingredients

• Journals made from recycled materials

Focus on nurturing mental health during the holidays and choose gifts for your loved ones that will keep on giving throughout the year.

Beauty + Skincare Gifts That Are Good for the Planet

Beauty and skincare gifts don't have to be harmful, either to the planet or to the overall health and wellness of the person using them. In fact, there are a variety of beauty products chosen with sustainability in mind. 

• Clean beauty kits, including options like our Radiance and Renewal Holiday Bundle

• Organic facial masks or exfoliators like the Oat + Niacinamide Restorative Facial Mask Powder from The Eco Alchemist

• Eco-friendly hair ties or scrunchies

• Plant-based nail polishes

Look for cruelty-free formulas and ethical sourcing when choosing your products. At GreenBirdi, we do the research and vet products for you, so you know you're getting ones that align with your values. 

For Teens, Men, and the Hard-to-Shop-For

Everyone has someone on their list who's hard to shop for. Fortunately, this list includes options for even the toughest recipients. Try:

• Minimalist wallets made from recycled materials

• Organic snacks or chocolate (Check out our Sip, Snack, and Savor Holiday Bundle or look at options like Roxy's Chocolate)

• Sustainable tech accessories, including solar-powered chargers, biodegradable phone cases, and more

• Multi-use tools or compact eco-gadgets that users can carry everywhere. 

Eco-gifting is a universal principle for every holiday gift, and you might be surprised by how many of your friends and family appreciate these efforts.

Build Your Own Eco-Friendly Stocking Stuffer Bundle

As you're stuffing stockings this year, we have holiday bundles in a variety of themes that will help you fill stockings or give spectacular gifts to everyone on your list. However, if those don't fit your needs, you can build your own! Try some of these great options. 

Self-Care and Spa Night

Give the gift of relaxation with items like:

• Shower steamers

• Bubble bath

• Dead Sea Mud Mask

• Facial mask brush

• Earth and Sea Bath Gift Box

Eco-Kitchen Starter Pack

For friends and loved ones who are just getting started in their own kitchens or are interested in more eco-friendly options, try some of these fantastic stocking stuffers. 

• Eco-friendly Dish Brush

• Tea Towels

• Solid Dish Soap

• Hand-Carved Salad Serving Spoons

• Tea Infuser

Mindfulness + Wellness Set

Improve overall wellness and mindfulness with items designed to encourage self-care and reflection. 

• Made with Local Granola Bars

• Crown Relief Aromatic Magnesium Roller

• Body Oil

• Soap Buttons

• Shower Steamers

Give Gifts That Matter

This holiday season, give gifts that matter, not just randomly chosen gifts, but gifts that fit your values and those of your recipients. At GreenBirdi, we focus on empowering sustainability through products carefully curated to reflect those values. Browse our eco-friendly stocking stuffers and gift collections to find gifts that fit everyone on your list. To receive free shipping on your first order and other perks, join our flock.