Mindful Momma

A Trip to the Co-op

A simple trip to my local food co-op is never very simple.  First I round up a bunch of bottles, jars and tubs to use for oats, nuts, sugar, soy sauce, honey etc...

Then I grab any plastic bags I have around to use for produce or to dump in the It's In the Bag, plastic bag recycling center.

Of course, I don't want to forget my little envelope of money-saving coupons!

 
and finally, the shopping bags (which I keep in the car).
 

Do you bring all this stuff to the co-op too?  What tricks do you have for organizing and remembering to bring everything?  The hardest part for me is figuring out which jars and containers I need to bring.  I have to store my empty containers in the basement because I don't have enough room in my kitchen so it's a bit of extra work to get it all together.  Totally worth it, but sometimes a pain! 
 

Sustainable Chocolate for Valentine's Day: Part 3 - A Few More Gems

Are you sick of chocolate yet?  Is that even possible?  Here are a few more of the Organic, Fair Trade chocolate-makers I've run across in my search for chocolate I can feel good about eating.  (be sure to read my first two posts about Equal Exchange and Kallari chocolates if you haven't already)

Green & Black's - Many a chocolate bar from this purveyor has been consumed in our house.  They have lots of yummy flavors like ginger, mint, cherry and espresso although I have to admit, plain old dark is still my favorite.  While they have always been organic, the company has only recently committed to begin using 100% Fair Trade ingredients.  Good move!  (Note:  they say it will take through the rest of the year for the complete line to become Fair Trade certified but their popular Maya Gold bar already is.)

Divine - A UK-based company whose mission is to improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers in Ghana, West Africa.  Products are Fair Trade certified but are not organic because there is currently no system in place in Ghana for organic certification.  I don't think I've tried Divine yet, but I'm going to be on the lookout for this Mint Dark Chocolate bar!

Theo Chocolate - Claims to be the only bean-to-bar Organic, Fair Trade chocolate company in the United States. (if you live in Seattle you can go on a factory tour to see their magic in action!)  I can't vouch for them personally (yet!) but I'm betting they're good!  (love the artsy packaging on the new Origin line - with bars sourced from Costa Rica, Ghana and Madagascar)

Sweet Earth Chocolates - Splurge on a heart-shaped box of truffles or help the people of Haiti by purchasing a Haiti Relief Bar where $1.00 per bar goes to Partners in Health to provide health care in Haiti.  I indulge in their individually-wrapped chocolates from time to time.  My local co-op smartly stocks them right next to the cash register. :)

This is by no means an exhaustive list of Organic and Fair Trade chocolate companies...just a few that I've tried (or would like to try!)  What are your favorite sustainable chocolate brands??? 

Sustainable Chocolate for Valentine's Day: Part 2: Kallari

Next up in our chocolate investigation, we sampled 3 single-source chocolate bars from Kallari, a cooperative of 850 indigenous Kichwa families in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The Kallari Association pays a high premium for beans and puts 100% of the profits from sales back into the cooperative to support sustainable development, health and education programs.  Because of this, Kallari claims their chocolate is four times as fair as ‘Fair Trade'. (They choose to carry the Rainforest Alliance seal instead of being certified by the Fair Trade Association) 

And if you're wondering what single-source means, it simply means that the cocoa beans come from one specific location, as opposed to a blend of beans from all over the world, as is very common with chocolate manufacturing.  It does NOT mean however, that the beans are all one variety.  Similar to wine, Kallari chocolates are a blend of varietals, the most prominent being the Cacao Nacional de Arriba bean.

Kallari produces 3 types of bars - 85% cocoa, 75% cocoa and 70% cocoa.  Yep, that's it - no hazelnut or cherry or flavor of the day.  Just cocoa, sugar and vanilla. But enough explanation, how did they taste? The wild thing is that each bar tastes different, even though the basic ingredients are the same. 

70% Cocoa - The 'sweetest' of the bars (although it's all relative, this stuff is not sweet compared to the chocolate most people eat). My 9 year old said it was creamy and I liked the way it melts in your mouth.  Mmmmmmm!

75% Cocoa- My husband noticed the concentration of cocoa flavor and the long finish (remember, he's the wine guy!). I noticed that it was more bitter than the 70% but in a good way.  My palate must not be very well developed because the description of this bar speaks of a rich passion fruit flavor and I was at a complete loss to notice any fruit in this bar.  I liked it though...it's very rich and a bit smoky.

85% Cocoa- Whoa!  This is one strong chocolate bar!  Once again my husband had the most salient point:  it seems more like an ingredient than something you would eat on its own.  I would have to agree.  While I enjoyed trying it, this chocolate was very satiating...it didn't leave me clamoring for more.

You can find Kallari chocolate bars at many Whole Foods locations as well as on chocosphere.com.  Buy some for your sweetie and have your own little chocolate tasting experience!!

(come back tomorrow for Part 3 of my search for great Organic, Fair-Trade chocolate!)

Sustainable Chocolate for Valentine's Day: Part 1 - Equal Exchange

We've really had it rough around here lately.  My family has had the tough job of taste-testing chocolate to recommend for Valentine's Day.  Organic, Fair Trade chocolate, no less. 

We began with a chocolate and coffee tasting.  Equal Exchange sent me a Chocolate & Coffee Pairing Gift Bag, a nicely packaged set that includes 2 bags of Organic, Fair-Trade certified coffee (Love Buzz and Mind, Body & Soul) and 2 each of the Organic Extra-Dark and Organic Milk Chocolate (w/a hint of hazelnut) bars.  Plus instructions for how to go about doing a chocolate & coffee pairing. 

So after lunch on Sunday, I brewed up a pot of Love Buzz and we got to work.  First we sniffed, then we popped a chocolate square in our mouths and took a little sip of coffee with it.  Then we had fun describing the flavors.  My 9 year old took it very seriously (although he was a little short on descriptive adjectives) while my 5 year old just gobbled up the chocolate. My husband, who used to work in the wine trade, came up with more sophisticated things to say like 'smoky' and 'balanced' to describe the flavors.  Personally, I thought both chocolates were excellent but that milk chocolate with the coffee was seriously good!!! (and I'm a dark chocolate gal all the way!) 

Yes, my boys got a tiny little serving of coffee and they were none the worse for it!  Personally, I think it's good to teach your kids to slow down and really taste and appreciate what they eat.  If you want to try a chocolate and coffee tasting for yourself you can purchase the set at the Equal Exchange online retail store.  Use the code 'chocolatelove'for free shipping in the contiguous US (good through February 14th).

Come back tomorrow for Part 2 in our quest for great-tasting, sustainably produced chocolate!

Mindful Momma Giveaway: Citizen Pip Reusable Lunch Kit

My 9 year old hates sandwiches. Won't eat 'em (except for the occasional grilled cheese).  So when it comes to packing lunch for school, I can't rely on the traditional PB&J or ham & cheese like so many other parents get to do.  What do I do instead?  I send him lots of little things to eat.  Crackers, cheese, meat, fruit, nuts, hard-boiled eggs...and sometimes leftovers.  To do this in a waste-free way, I stuff his lunch bag full of a variety of containers and snack bags each day. 

That works just fine but I have to admit that it was really nice to get a sample of a Citizen Pip Soup-to-Nuts lunch kit to check out because everything matches and it is so dang cute!  Citizen Pip was started by a Mom of 3 boys who wanted a lunch kit that was easy to use, safe and cool to carry.  I'd say she managed to cover all those bases and then some with her thoughtfully designed lunch kits!   Let me fill you in:

• The lunchbag itself is soft but extremely durable.  When I first saw it I was afraid that it might not hold up because it was so soft but it's been through the ringer at our house (and at school) with nary a rip in sight.  It is made from non-woven polypropylene (one of the safer plastics) with aluminum lined polyethylene insulation.
• The food containers are my favorite part of the kit.  They are BPA-free, air-tight and leak-proof.  Best of all they are super easy to open and close.  The company did consider using stainless steel food containers but chose to use safe plastic containers instead due the ease of use for kids. 
• The water bottle and the insulated food jar are both made with food grade stainless steel, polypropylene caps and silicone gaskets.  As I've mentioned before, I LOVE the durability of stainless steel. 
• The kit is completed nicely with a set/5 cotton napkins (one for each school day!) and a matching spoon and fork.
• ALL of Citizen Pip products are guaranteed "muck-free".That means that they have been tested by a CPSIA-accredited testing laboratory and are free of BPA, lead, PVC and phthalates. 

If you are adamantly against plastic, then this kit isn't for you.  But if you're like me and think that safe plastics have a place in your world, then consider giving Citizen Pip a try.  If spending $40 - $50 on a complete lunch kit is not in your budget, then consider picking up just the lunch bag (a deal at 10 bucks) and/or a set of containers ($12).  The ability to buy just what you need is another reason why I like this company.

Now for the giveaway!!  Christina, the generous owner of Citizen Pip has offered to do donate a Square Meal Kit to one Mindful Momma reader.  This suburb starter kit includes:  an insulated lunch bag, a stainless steel water bottle, a set/4 BPA-free airtight containers and a set/5 cotton napkins.  Would you like to win?  Leave a comment on this post with your favorite waste-free lunch tips (or answer the question at the end of this post) and I'll automatically enter you in the contest.  The giveaway will run through midnight, central time on Monday, February 8th.  (only one entry per person please and you must have a US shipping address.) 

Even if you don't win, you can get 10% off a $50 Citizen Pip purchase using the coupon code:  mm10 (good through February 15, 2010)

My only caveat with buying nice lunch supplies is that you risk losing them.  We've lost a bunch over the years and it hurts more to lose the nice stuff than the cheap stuff.  My son lost the water bottle to this kit almost immediately and it never showed up in the lost & found.  He's lost the lunch kit 3 times now and thank goodness it has been returned each time.  That said, I think it's worth it to make sure you're buying SAFE lunch products, no matter what the cost.  How do you balance quality, safety and cost when it comes to lunch products? 

{full disclosure:  Citizen Pip sent me a free Soup-to-Nuts lunch kit.  This review is based on my true opinion of the product.}

Do You Buy Pink?

I picked up a free sample of tea at Whole Foods yesterday that I thought was rather tasty.  And it supports a good cause too - breast cancer research.  Pink Tea for Women's Health from Zhena's Gypsy Tea is a special blend made with antioxidant-laden superberries and green tea that supports women's health and vitality.  And that's not all it's got going for it.  It is USDA Organic,  Fair Trade certified, and the company is a partner with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  

Are you a bit skeptical of all the companies climbing on the 'pink' bandwagon these days?  It's a good thing if you are because there's a lot of 'pinkwashing' going on out there.  But here's my take on it - if I'm going to support the cause and buy something 'pink', I would rather that it be a Fair Trade, organic product from a company that I can trust, than a pink appliance or some cosmetics loaded with breast-cancer causing chemicals. 

The only thing that gave me pause about this 'pink' tea was that the package does not state the percentage of sales that goes specifically toward breast cancer research, only that they are a partner with the research group.  However the company has received awards for good corporate citizenship and was one of the earliest supporters of the Fair Trade movement - so to me this looks like a good, honest company to support.

Do you buy any 'pink' products to support breast cancer research?  Have you ever passed on a 'pink' product because it looked suspicious to you?  Should we just donate to the cause directly rather than buying pink stuff?

Easy Repurposed Craft Supply Containers

Speaking of organizing....I've come across some fun ways to store craft supplies in repurposed containers lately that I want to share.  They go beyond coffee cans and glass jars, which pretty much everyone I know who's into crafting already uses.

Here's something you can do with those plastic straws that you pick up when you grab a drink on the run.  Wash them out and turn them into seed bead holders.  (discovered via CraftGossip.com) 

I've seen fancy ribbon organizers on Martha Stewart, but here are a couple that most of us could whip up without having to make a trip the craft store to buy even more supplies.  This nifty little number made from a recycled egg carton is good for those little scraps of ribbon that get all tangled up in your ribbon bag. (discovered via Craftbits.com)

The trusty shoebox is a great container for dispensing ribbon on a roll.  (discovered on The Fun Times Guide)

Finally, I found this pretty photo from flickr on fixerupper's photostream.  There isn't a tutorial with it but I think the idea is that you screw the lids into a piece of wood. Then you can unscrew the jars when you need them.  Baby food jars would be perfect for this!  I find that I am more inspired when I can see my supplies easily...and the bright colors make me happy!

What other eco-friendly craft supply storage ideas do you have?  Here are a few more simple suggestions:

• A tic-tac box = a seed bead holder
• An old tackle box = a bead or supply holder
• A hanger (the type with the removable cardboard part on the bottom) = ribbon or yarn storage

 

Craft Hope for Haiti

It amazes me how quickly people step up and make things happen when a crisis arises.  So many different organizations are collecting donations of money and supplies for the people of Haiti - it's truly a bright spot amidst a terrible tragedy.

One of the more unique fundraising organizations I've seen is called Craft Hope.  The group was founded (long before the earthquake in Haiti) to help share handmade crafts with those less fortunate.  When the earthquake hit, the group quickly assembled a Craft Hope for Haiti Etsy shop.  All the beautiful handmade items for sale have been donated by crafters and all the proceeds go to Doctor's Without Borders in Haiti.  As of yesterday, the shop had already raised over $20,000.  Now that's WOW!

I encourage you to take a peek.  Do you need a gift for a new baby or a good friend?  Can you think ahead to gifts you might need in the future?  Remember, handmade gifts are often better for the planet and are certainly more special than something made in China and sold by a huge mass merchant.

Easy Repurposed Toy Storage Ideas

It's January.  Have you started organizing yet?  According to the magazines and newspaper ads, that's what we're supposed to be doing right now.  And if we followed the 'rules', we'd be buying lots of big, plastic storage bins and other fancy organizing accessories to get the job done.

Buying more stuff just to store my stuff is not something I'm keen on these days.  Instead, I try hard to use something I already have around the house.  One of my favorite repurposed storage containers is the wooden wine crate.  Yes, the look is a bit collegesque, but I don't use them in the living room anymore.  Now they are relegated to the boys bedrooms and playrooms where they hold trains...

and trucks.... 
  
and blocks (along with an old kitty litter container - we haven't had a cat for years!)

 
An empty Clementine box is perfect for Pokemon...

 And a shoe box makes a fine menagerie...

 Do you have any repurposed storage ideas to share?
 

Yoga Mom

I want to be a yoga Mom.  One of those super-fit, relaxed looking Moms who's more likely to be seen toting a yoga mat than a grocery bag.  The kind that puts fitness at the top of the list rather than the bottom (like I often do).  Besides, yoga Mom sounds better than soccer Mom, don't you think?

After taking my first yoga class (yesterday) in over a year and a half, I can now officially say that I am back into yoga!!  My form was not pretty and I'm sore as hell but that won't keep me from going back to the YMCA every Tuesday morning for another dose.  Returning to yoga practice was one of my New Year's resolutions and while it may have taken me until the 3rd week of January to get started, I'm happy to be back on track. 

Speaking of yoga, when I spoke at Seventh Generation's Million Baby Crawl event this past fall, I met a local yoga Mom named Katie (she's an instructor actually) who has a a sweet little yoga-inspired clothing company called Swami Boutique.  She sells the most darling shirts for babies and young kids including these brightly colored Elements t-shirts (available in regular or organic cotton) and some witty Swami (meaning 'wise teacher') sayings like "Just breathe, Mom" and "Constantly changing".  LOVE them!!  Adult styles are available as well because we all need to be reminded to relax and take life one baby step at a time.  Katie was kind enough to send me my very own Swami hoodie shirt with the saying "Same shirt, different day.  I recycle."  It's super cozy cotton - perfect for yoga class!

Swami Boutique is offering a special deal for all Mindful Momma readers!!  From now through the end of January you can choose a free hat ($16 value) with any Swami Boutique purchase.  Just indicate which style you would like in the notes to merchant section at checkout.  And for Twin Cities readers, consider attending one or both of these upcoming events where Swami Boutique will be a vendor:

March 7, 2010:
Restore Healing Expo at The Depot, Downtown Minneapolis

April 10–11, 2010:
10 a.m.–6 p.m. and 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Minnesota Baby Expo at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Where the hippest moms meet the hottest, freshest, trendy companies!