Pacific Northwest Organic Kale Chips

Do you love Kale chips?  I've yet to meet anyone who didn't like them, including people who don't like "healthy food."  Even people who wouldn't go near kale, seem to love it in this form, and that includes children.  Kale chips are so satisfying, they don't make you feel full and gross the way regular chips do, and since they are cooked at very low heat, they are still raw and loaded with nutrients. 

Pacific Northwest Kale Chips are the latest I've tried and they are fabulous.  One thing I noticed right away when opening the bag is how green they are.  They are much greener than other kale chips I've had, they're really pretty.  I don't know if it's the lemon juice, but it's a lovely presentation.  They come in three flavors, Stumptown Original--made with hazelnuts and has kick from cayenne pepper, Glacier Peak Greens--containing cilantro which pairs fabulously with the kale and also a little spicy with jalapeno peppers, and Cheezy Crunch--not spicy, made with cashews and probably my favorite, though anything with cilantro is right up there.  The best thing about these, besides how awesome they taste, is that they are completely organic.  They're also raw, gluten free, grain free, vegan and very low in calories.   How great to have a snack like this on hand!  If you're in a hurry, just pop one in your bag.  Because of their light weight, they are perfect for backpacking and hiking too.

Though they might get a little smashed, I think they are fantastic for travel.  In fact, I'm about to head over to their website to order a case for an upcoming trip.  Yes, they are a little spendy, but how much would you pay for a big healthy organic salad at the airport, for instance?  Or at your hotel?  First of all, it's almost impossible to find organic food on the go, and certainly at the airport, but if you do find it at your destination, you will pay.  Having snacks like these in hand is my insurance for being away from our healthy kitchen, and it's worth it.

Organic greens are a staple and necessity in our family diet, and I personally feel like I can barely live without them, I need greens daily.  This is a great way to make sure you will get your greens, and in one of the most delicious ways possible, it's a big bowl of organic kale, dehydrated to fit into a small bag, how fantastic.  They are even on sale right now, so it's the perfect time to try them out, and if you need a post-holiday gift for the healthy foodie in your life, these would be perfect--oh how I wish someone would give me stuff like this!  Also, what a perfect way to start the new year off on the right foot.  Find them HERE. 

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The ONE Resolution I Wish Everyone Would Make

I say it every year, there is one resolution I wish everyone would make, and I believe this would change the world: GO ORGANIC.  Just buy organic food, that's all.  This seems so simple and so intuitive to me that I cannot believe there is still the option--do you want your food with or without poison?  By purchasing organic food you are making a statement, you are voting, and you are insuring the most precious thing you have, your health and that of your family.  What is more important than that?

Not only is buying organic food benefiting you, it's doing something positive and necessary for the whole planet, people, and animals that live here.  Buying organic is protecting the farmers who often are forced to handle food laden with dangerous chemicals and suffer tremendous health consequences.  It's protecting our rivers, our oceans, our air quality.  It's voting against dangerous GMOs--when you buy organic, you buy GMO free.

"We can't afford it," is the excuse I hear most for why people don't buy organic.  This makes me a little crazy because the folks I hear this most from are people with bank accounts that I can only aspire to.  If I had to move my family into a one room efficiency apartment to be able to buy organic, I would, that's how important I think it is.  Of course, that is not necessary because organic food does Not cost that much more than conventional food and in some cases it's the same and even cheaper.  You just have to shop smart.  You buy what is in season, you buy in bulk, you buy local. Also, I firmly believe that you either pay now, or pay later in the form of hefty hospital bills and poor health.  You can't afford Not to buy organic.

Eating healthy is Not expensive!  There is nothing cheaper than beans and rice.  Throw in a little kale (which you can grow on a balcony year round for pennies) and you have yourself a hearty stick-to-your-ribs meal on the cheap.  I'm on a tight budget myself and food is still the most important thing I spend money on.  When I was a student living on a shoe string, I still ate organic--nothing fancy, but healthy organic food like broccoli, salad, sweet potatoes, etc.  Anyone still thinking it's too expensive WATCH THIS. 

The only reason not to eat organic is because it's not available.  I've been there before, living in a region where it was really hard to find.  If you are in this position, demand it.  Ask your grocer to carry it.  Be proactive, grow it, make it a priority.  For the last six years, I have eaten all organic food at home.  I have a major thing for Thai food and I know my take out is not organic, but as more and more people ask for it, it will become more and more available.

You can still eat whatever you want--cookies and junk food even (though I don't recommend this), just make it organic and you are quantum leaps ahead. We are swimming in chemicals that are killing us and our planet.  If that sounds extreme, just have a look at the EWG and the ORGANIC CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION to get your passion ignited.  I believe that going organic is possibly the easiest and most powerful change people can make and it can start today.

I may be singing to the choir posting this here, but if anyone is reading this that has not made the switch, I hope you will consider it.  Good health to all in 2013!

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Amber Lotus Eco Friendly Calendars for 2013

Don't you love a calendar that inspires you?  Amer lotus makes some beautiful calendars, from recycled paper and soy ink, that will help keep you on track with your goals for the new year.  That, or they'll just look gorgeous hanging there.  Check out this Land Art Calendar featuring art by Richard Shilling.  I love the way it celebrates nature and impermanence.

Featuring quotes from the likes of Emerson and the Bhagavad Gita, their Meditation Calendar is a gentle reminder to find time for that silent space.  And if you need a day planner type calendar, Amber Lotus has some excellent themes along the same lines.  Even though everybody has tablets and computers and iPhones to keep track of things, these day planners are great for when you need to have a visual in front of you or for when you need to jot something down.

They are fabulous for keeping track of what you eat, for instance.  I love to have a record of what I've eaten and what healthy things I've done (meditation, walking, etc).  Their engagement calendars, like this one, have plenty of space for keeping track of all sorts of stuff and will inspire you along the way. 

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Last Minute Gifts that Inspire

Need some last minute gift ideas for Christmas?  Bookstores and grocery stores are great for this.  Books make beautiful gifts, especially a glossy photo rich book that covers a favorite subject.  For vegetarian foodies, I am in love with RIPE, by Cheryl Phlipot.  It's full of gorgeous photos of fruits and vegetables, highlighting what works of art they truly are.  Brilliantly organized by color, Ripe is well rounded including recipes, tips and anecdotes along with those mouth watering photos.

Another foodie book, though not vegetarian, is Tender, by Nigel Slater. This is basically a love letter to the garden.  A guide to growing and preparing vegetables, it also has gorgeous photographs, but you'll want to read it for the prose.  And re-read. The author writes with passion and is not afraid to get his hands dirty. Major inspiration to prep for spring gardening. Slater also has a book called Ripe, and I can't wait to read it and everything else he has written. 
 
Your local food co-op or Whole Foods Market has a ton of stuff that would make great gifts and stocking stuffers. Threads for Thought hoodies are US made from organic cotton with low impact dye.  Proceeds benefit the International Rescue Committee.

Whole Foods brand has luxury bar soaps made in France and wrapped in petty recycled paper perfect for stockings.  They're 80% organic and come in different scents and colors.

Some organic chocolate or sipping chocolate would be a great gift, it doesn't have to be expensive.  I'd rather get one awesome organic chocolate bar than a more expensive gift with less substance. 
A nice bottle of organic olive oil, some seasonal fruit in a market basket...the options are endless if you are creative.  Christmas eve is a wonderful time to buy gifts, last minute can be glorious! 

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RESCUE REMEDY for Holiday Balance

As fun as they can be, the holidays can also be stressful.  Sometimes they're not fun and sometimes people get sad and depressed during the happiest time of the year.  Enter Rescue Remedy.  I've been experimenting with Bach Flower Remedies for the last couple of months for various things (more on that later) and I feel they are working for me.  Formulas get very specific, but for the holidays and general trauma, Rescue Remedy can be beneficial.   

Developed in the 1930's by England's Dr. Bach, Rescue Remedy is a blend of flower essences said to restore inner balance and change vibrations.  I encountered Bach's Flower remedies many years ago in London, where it seemed to me everyone was familiar with it.  It's the most common flower remedy, and a combination of five remedies--Rock Rose (for panic), Impatiens (irritability), Clematis (focus), and Star of Bethlehem (shock) and Cherry Plum (irrationality).  You just take a couple of drops, or sprays, or even eat a blackberry pastille that is infused with it (perfect for flying). 

Rescue Remedy is safe for children and animals too.  They do make a children specific Rescue Remedy for Kids.  This is great for travel, and any situation where there may be an elevated sense of anxiety. 

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Holiday Gifts for Happy Campers

Need holiday gift ideas for the camper in your life?  Everything here can be found locally at stores like REI, Target, and even your food co-op.  And if you need any ideas for how to spend any Christmas money... Snow Peak makes some of the most visually appealing camping gear out there, and it's functional too.  Their colored Titanium Mugs would make an excellent gift.  They're a little pricey, so it's something the camper might not get for themselves, but would love to have.  Titanium is super light weight, so it's ideal for backpackers, but it's also nice for car camping or traveling.

There are two different kinds, the heavier double walled titanium mug is perfect for keeping your drink warm for a long time.  It works, it will keep something hot for a while--but--you cannot cook in it.  The lighter weight single walled mug won't keep your stuff warm for as long, but you can cook stuff in it.  Either one is a fine piece of gear and they do come in plain silver, but why would you ever want that when you can have this gorgeous purple, blue, or green?

For those who need the basics, the Trek 700 is a versatile and ideal container for cooking in the outdoors.  It serves as a cup, a bowl, and a pot all in one and it's designed to integrate well with other gear.  you can put your spork through the little hole, then the top of the spork will hold your fuel in place, while your stove nests inside the cup.  That same hole is also a draining spout for when you're making pasta, rice noodles, etc. Very smart design and feather light.  I've cooked with this myself and it works like a dream.

Known as one of the best backpacks for women, Gregory's Deva Backpack is great for female hikers and backpackers.  A women specific suspension system is designed to make heavy loads feel much lighter.  It also has a hip belt that swivels, this is great for maintaining balance and extra padding for comfort.  Lots of pockets for storage and organization hold all your gear.  A hydration pouch houses your water supply as well as easy access pocket on the sides for an additional water bottle.  It has a detachable lid which can be used as a day pack.  Pockets on the hip belt are handy for snacks and small items.

Beefy zipper pulls make it fast and easy to get in and out of compartments.  Fabric is durable and water resistant, everything--every pocket, every loop is well thought out. This pack comes in extra small, small and medium for a custom fit.

Camp Booties are basically slippers for the campsite.  After a day of hiking and other outdoor activities, it's nice to have something soft and cozy to slip tired feet into.  These EarthKeepers, from Timberland, are made with recycled materials and zip together making them small and packable.

The rugged outer sole is made from Green Rubber and has some hefty tread for a camp bootie.  They're water and dirt repellant with great insulation to keep your feet warm.  They're a bit like down booties on steroids, and are available for men, women, and kids.

This cool little Micro Table from GSI Outdoors comes in a black bag with a strap that makes it easy to carry.  People take these backpacking--not the ultra lighters but if you're not going too far, it would be reasonable.  It's awesome for car camping and makes a great nightstand for in the tent.

You can adjust the height and it's super easy to set up and take down. This thing has so many other uses--it makes a great laptop table, a tray for breakfast in bed, and a way to create layers on your dining table for festivities (I used it for my Day of the Dead ofrenda).  This kind of multi use versatility makes it a must have and it would probably fit in a Christmas stocking, wouldn't that be fun? 

Speaking of stockings, I love Sea To Summit's Kitchen Sink for this purpose.  A kitchen sink in a stocking still amuses me (I recommended one last Christmas), but this year, Sea To Summit has an ultra light sink made specifically for backpacking.  The Ultra-Sil Kitchen Sink works as well as the heftier model but it's much lighter and I think even cooler looking.   Keep it eco friendly and leave no trace with this sink.

Smartwool makes a ton of things that would be perfect for under the tree and certain to be well received, you really can't go wrong with them.

I'm in love with their Next To Skin Zip Tees.  They come in luscious colors, are super soft against your skin, and are ideal for cold weather.  While outside, you can keep it zipped up for warmth around your neck, and when you go inside, you can unzip for perfect comfort.  Wool naturally regulates your body temperature, but this is a great feature.  It also changes the look.  They're high tech and built for action.  For instance the seams are constructed in such a way to prevent chafing and panels are built specifically to not irritate when you're wearing a backpack.  They're great for any season but they are heaven in really cold weather. 

I bought several of these during the summer when they were on sale on Amazon (hint: if you ever see these on clearance, snatch them up fast).   This year's model are even better, they're more streamlined and the neck is improved, it's a little looser, doesn't come up quite so high, and I think it looks nicer zipped up.  They seem to run a little larger than last year's model, I'd say they are more true to size while before I needed to size up.  I wear an 8-10 and a medium is perfect. These tops are awesome for camping, travel, and any time you're not able to do laundry as they don't retain odor and hold up great.


For stockings--Socks.  Good quality wool socks, like these from Darn Tough are perfect for stockings.  They make wonderful socks for men, women, and children, in fun colors, super comfort and extremely high quality.  I recommend the kind with the extra cush on the bottoms which are luxurious and make your feet feel so cozy.

Wool is perfect for socks, keeping you warm when it's cold and wicking away moisture when your feet get hot. To top it all off, Darn Tough has a lifetime guarantee--you just can't beat that.

Another great thing for stockings are these cool BOTTLE BRIGHT water bottle cleaning pellets from Clean Ethics.  You know how some water bottles are hard to clean and you never feel like you quite get them as clean as you'd like because the opening is small...you do your best with a bottle brush, but you're not sure?  Problem solved.  These non-toxic, chlorine free biodegradable tablets make bottle cleaning easy, just drop one in your bottle, let it sit a few minutes, shake, rinse, and that's it.  Great for campers, students, travelers, pretty much everyone carries a bottle these days.                             

Speaking of bottles, this Classic Stanley Thermos is so great looking it's almost functional art.   Fantastic for car camping and road trips, there is something so comforting about a Stanley thermos. 

Include some organic hot chocolate mix or chai and you have a fabulous gift.  Full of liquid, it takes on some heft and that handle is great for carrying.  It's BPA free and will keep hot drinks hot for a good 24 hours, and cold drinks cold even longer than that.   A Stanley anything is an excellent man gift by the way, for those lucky men on your list, but they're good for women too, especially this gorgeous stainless steel version.


The Crucial Multi-tool knife, by Gerber, is a beautiful knife that has necessities like pliers, screwdriver, bottle opener and blades, and has a handy clip to attach to your backpack.  I love that it's just what you need, not a ton of bells and whistles.

ENO Twilights are possibly the most festive, fun stocking stuffer for the camper or outdoors person.  They are tiny, light weight, battery powered string lights that you can use at your campsite, your hammock, on your bicycle handlebars--pretty much anywhere.  You could take them traveling with you to brighten up hotel rooms.

They come in plain white, but the multicolored lights are so much more fun.  The 23 lights come in a little pouch which make a nice presentation and keep them protected.  They take three AA batteries, so be sure to include those too.

GoToobs by Humangear are handy containers to have for camping and all you need to use your favorite (eco friendly) brand from home, just refill and use over and over.  They're silicone, feel great in your hand, are easy to use, and some have a little suction cup that sticks to the walls at the camp ground, hotels, etc.  The little dial around the top are actually labels (lotion, shampoo, conditioner) for extra help remembering what's in there.


Seasonal flavored Clif Bars make great stocking stuffers for outdoorsy types who like to have a stash in their backpack, bike bag, or carry on for quick energy.  Iced Gingerbread, Peppermint Stick, and Spiced Pumpkin Pie are all festive and GMO free.  These are easy to find right at your local grocery store for stuffing stockings or to slip in a box with a gift of gear, or in the pocket of a backpack like the one we talked about earlier. 

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KEEN Akita Ankle Booties

This year KEEN moved in an wonderful new direction with wedge boots and booties.  The three new Akita style boots all give you a couple of extra inches of height and add some fashion to your look without compromising KEEN quality and comfort.  I'm so excited about the Akitas, I hope KEEN will carry on with offering options like these for those of us who refuse to wear uncomfortable (unbearable?) high heels but still want to be feminine and gain some height and sexiness.

The tall boots are fabulous, but sometimes it's too hot for a taller boot.  Enter the Akita Ankle Bootie.  They are so cute and dress up a pair of skinny jeans while still being super easy to walk in and almost as comfortable as one of their trail boots.  There is not a lot of ankle support but they still feel just fine to me.  With KEEN, you typically need to size up a half size.  My normal size is 8.5, so in KEENs I get 9's.  They're one of my favorite brands, the quality is excellent, and they keep coming up with wonderful designs. The Akitas would be a fun holiday gift, and if you bought them on Zappos, you'd still have plenty of time to get them before the 25th. 

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