Although I don’t like Monsanto (if you haven’t seen Food Inc. – watch it and you’ll understand), I do like this program they’re supporting to bring produce to the city and providing work and training for the future for prisoners….
Category : Food & Beverages
Category : Animals
This article is definitely worth passing along….
basically Silk no longer uses organic soybeans but was leading consumers to believe they do…
read for yourself at EatDrinkBetter
I personally only purchase Silk soymilk when I’m desperate and can’t make it to Whole Foods for my So Delicious coconut milk(CVS across the street from me sells Silk). I guess now I will definitely be avoiding it no matter how desperate!
I’m sure you’ve picked up on the fact that Eric and I recently got married We also just returned from our fabulous honeymoon in Greece and Switzerland. So, I figured it would be fun to share some of the photos from the wedding and honeymoon with you. We have yet to transfer the honeymoon photos to the computer so for now I’ll start with the wedding. Kelly Sweet from Grand Rapids, MI was our photographer. She and her assistant were absolutely amazing. She’s given us a preview of the photos on her blog and now we anxiously awaiting the rest of them.
Since we’re both from Michigan, we had the wedding there, in my home town. The ceremony was at my family church – both sides of my family have been members going back to my grandparents on one side and great grandparents on the other side! It was a very special place to be. I love this photo of the church…
My dress was made by Susan Yancer Hatcher in Spring Lake, MI. The first layer of tule was blue!
Our little ring bearer Winston was absolutely adorable….his tux was from Barker & Meowsky (a supporter of PAWS Chicago!)
For table decorations, I made table runners and a family friend found these great vintage white vases as Goodwill and Salvation Army. The flowers on the came from the local farmer’s market (with the exception of the spider mums) - my dad and a friend from church did the arrangements and bouquets.
Check out the rest of the photos on Kelly Sweet’s Blog -
you’ll see…my cute non-leather, pink shoes from Spring sitting on my favorite piece of family furniture – my Nana’s old green chairs, my Aunt Sara (along with help from Grandma & Grandpa) made the adorable dress for my God Daughter who came from England for the wedding, our absolutely delicious vegan cupcakes from Molly’s in Chicago, my Nana’s hanky served as my something old and something blue, the hand mirror was a very special shower gift from my cousin – handmade by a woman who took my Nana’s old jewelry and attached it to the back of the mirror – it’s beautiful and every so special, my pearl necklace and bracelet were from Bourdage Pearls in Chicago, on my right hand I wore a pearl ring which was a gift from Eric that morning (his Grandma gave it to me – it was a 1st wedding anniversary gift from Grandpa when she was pregnant with Eric’s dad – so special!), my pearl earrings were a Christmas gift from Eric this past Christmas, I made the programs and bound them on my sewing machine, we had two bands, the second (featured in the photos) is Ani from metro Detroit…
Category : Dining Out, Food & Beverages
Replate (your food) is an organization encouraging people to do just that – replate your leftovers and leave them out for those in need – on top of, or next to a trash bin. I’ve done this before when I lived in Los Angeles. Here in Chicago – at least in the loop area – I typically don’t have trouble finding someone to give my left overs to directly. However, I haven’t really thought about it in awhile and this is great for those times when someone isn’t openly waiting for food. I suppose there is always the chance no one will get it and it will get tossed out when the trash collectors come, but it is still worth the effort. So, instead of leaving your leftovers to rot in your fridge at home, give them away so they don’t completely go to waste. If you’re not in love with your meal, instead of having the waiter toss it, have it packed up – someone else in need may love it. This is a great idea for all – food in a hungry tummy, less clutter in a fridge and less waste in the landfill
Category : Fashion, Food & Beverages
Yesterday I purchased my first jug of apple cider from Lehman’s Farm at the farmers market – what a lovely treat while at work. For me, apple cider is a big part of fall – my favorite season.
~ notice my fabulous new vegan hand bag from Kind Boutique in the background?
I recently did a little playing around with a the Lemon Poppyseed muffin recipe from Vegan Brunch by Chandra Moskowitz and the result was rather tasty. It might sound like a random combination but it worked…lemon and blueberry obviously go well together and chocolate is good with ANYTHING!
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (I used Whole Wheat Pastry Flour)
2/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 F, and lightly grease a muffin tin.
Mix the dry ingredients (the first five) together, and create a well in the middle.
Add the rest of the ingredients to the “well” and mix until just moistened.
Fill tins 3/4 full and bake for 23-27 minutes (23 mins was perfect in my oven).
Mix the dry ingredients (the first five) together, and create a well in the middle.
Add the rest of the ingredients to the “well” and mix until just moistened.
Fill tins 3/4 full and bake for 23-27 minutes (23 mins was perfect in my oven).
Number of Servings: 15
1 cup soy milk (I used coconut milk)
1/2 cup canola oil
2 tablespoons lemon zest
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup blueberries
1/2 cup chocolate chips
Category : Environment, International
I just came across a super cool organization. Clean The World take donations of partially used soap bars – mostly from hotels but also from individuals – sanitizes it, melts it and remolds it and then gives it to people in impoverished countries around the world and domestic homeless shelters. This organization is not only keep unused soap out of waterways and landfills but they’re providing a much needed item to those who need it the most.
Check out all these great hotels who are currently participating in the program!
Do you want to donate your old soap pieces to help others?
Send them to…
Clean the World
8026 Sunport Drive, Suite #306
Orlando, FL 32809
Category : Beauty
For my wedding I purchased a bunch of new cosmetics. This Tarte Cosmetics LipSurgence Natural Lip Stain being one of the items. I like how it feels and how it looks but I certainly wouldn’t call it a stain. Maybe it’s just too light to actually stain my lips, but when it wears off its off, there is no stain lingering on my lips. It’s also extremely soft. So much so that it breaks off. Summer heat does not help it. The first time I broke a chunk off was after my ceremony while we were taking a boat to the reception. At that point I figured it was just far too hot and it was melting. That wasn’t the case, it breaks all the time, so when I turn it up, I only do it just enough to smooth onto my lips and then roll it back down. Any extra means breakage and thus a complete waste of the product. I really like this as a tinted moisturizer for my lips and would consider buying it again since it’s insanely smoothing.
This lip stain contains:
jojoba seed oil
peppermint oil
vitamin C
vitamin E
Tarte Cosmetics are on PETA’s caring consumer list. They don’t use mineral oils, parabens, phthalates, or sodium lauryl sulfate.
