Some very shady (and amazing) plates!

I know this is a bit of a segue from our FROLS conversation...
but the proper foods also require the proper tools for eating, and this info was just too good not to blog about asap!

What better to eat your free-range, organic, local, sustainable food on than 100% biodegradable plates?

Plates made from fallen leaves!

Verterra makes dinnerware from fallen palm leaves.  They assure that no trees are ever cut down in the process, and that the fallen leaves are collected from various plantations in South Asia.  The company practices social responsibility too-- supplying hundreds of fair-wage jobs to impoverished areas.

They are durable, heat-resistant, and 100% compostable.  In fact, the website even gives tips for how to start your own compost!

Their tagline: "Borrowed from the Earth and returned."
How great is that?

To find a store that supplies VerTerra products, click here.

FROLS... your new grocery shopping companion.

Time to eat again!

But first, you should know where your food is coming from.

Here's clarification of a few “green” food terms and what exactly make them Earth-friendly; I think it may help when you're presented with your eco-food choices.

This is one of four posts since the info does get a bit lengthy... but bear with me and I promise your health and your planet will thank you for it!

Ideally, you would like a product to boast its FROLS....
(My new handy-dandy acronym when food shopping):

Free-
Range,
Organic,
Local, and
Sustainable

Now, of course it’s ideal for a product to boast 100% FROLS in all four categories... but if not, always remember that at least one is better than none!


Let’s begin with Free-Range:

Picture one of your childhood books about life on a farm...

Cows grazing lazily in the field... chickens hopping along in their pen...
This is how it should be. Welcome to Free-Range Utopia.

If you're not eating free-range meat or dairy, what you are eating is a bit of a horror. I will spare you the gruesome details, and will direct you to a movie that really delves into the subject.

Food Inc., the documentary, provides a very thorough investigation as to how you can exercise your right to clean, healthy food.

If your reaction is “I just don’t want to know,” I want to first say that I don't blame you.

But also, remember this: you as the consumer have the right to know what you’re buying, especially what you’re feeding it to your children.

Unfortunately, our right to healthy foods is conditional... we need to fight for it.

Use your dollars to reflect your beliefs. It is empowering and (when more do it) could very well save this planet.


And here's a little gift when you start your free-range shopping!

This site helps you save money while eating better, feeding your family better, and making your planet better.  :-)  Enjoy!

Organic Food Coupons for Free Range Meat.

Let's talk food.

Ok, ladies and gents.
This is the first of many posts.  Get those bibs ready... it's chow time.

Let's start with the hors d'oeuvres...

My 8 hour day with caterers, discussing the eco-friendly possibilities of our wedding meal can be summed up in just three words:

Keep it simple.

At least for us Midwesterners, simple means sticking to "what we know."  Don't strive to impress.  Just strive for what you enjoy-- what best conveys the overall vision of your wedding and best expresses you as a couple.

(Therefore, there may or may not be small slices of deep dish pizza served at the end of the night... ).

Rather than opting for cerviche or escargot, just share what most tantalizes your palate.  Or share food that best expresses your culture and traditions. Your guests will appreciate this personalized flare, too.

So, you've probably caught on to my vision by now, but in addition to the "local, sustainable" fare, I am currently working with the caterers to create a "destination" hors d'oeuvres theme-- delicacies that embody the flavors of our favorite vacation spots: a mini Meditterranean shawarma (yes, the vegetarian will agree to meat at her wedding... as long as it's grass fed, free range, and local!), Italian bruschetta, Uruguayan empanadas and phyllo puffs with brie and apricot...


--To be continued once my growling stomach is appeased--

Green Guilt... Dealing with it without driving yourself "eco insane"

Making a wedding or an event completely eco is a challenge.  It seems no matter what you do, you could always do better.

While I am pleased that my go-green quest is progressing nicely, I have begun to encounter instances when I realize a 100% eco wedding is a bit idealistic... especially with a downtown Chicago venue.

Yes, you love downtown Chicago.  But, you know, the more eco choice would be a farm.

Green guilt strikes again... just when the thing you just really, really, really want isn’t as eco as it could be... 

So, here’s my take on green guilt and how to manage it.

1. Acknowledge that it’s actually a good thing.

Hey, it helps you think about each decision you’re making and if there’s any way you could make it better on the planet.

2. As far as your event goes, here’s my advice:  Do the best you can.

My sister has this philosophy when it comes to healthy living:

The "80-20" Rule:

80% of the time she eats perfectly: fruits, veggies, lean protein.

20% of the time she splurges a little... but still tries to pick the "in-between" healthy & junk food option.

Try applying that philosophy to the “greening” your event as well.

If you can aim for 80% (or more) of the day to be eco, that’s fabulous and you deserve a big green thumbs up.

If you desperately have your heart set on a new wedding dress, or if the budget just isn’t allowing for organic linens, don’t beat yourself up.  Just consider it the 20% of your event that may not be as eco as you would like.  BUT, if you can find an "in-between" eco and non-eco alternative, that's your best bet. 

For example, reusing those non-organic linens from a catering company is better than buying new ones.  Or if the wedding dress is new, use the leftover material from your fitting to create hair accessories for you or your flower girls.

Just do the best you can with what you have, and know that it in the end, your decisions will be better for the Earth than having not listened to that eco-conscience at all.