organic Archives - Page 3 of 7

Make your own cheese

December 29, 2018 by Erika Jurney 1 Comment

Mmmm, this looks fabulous. Making your own cheese? Delicious!

Choices from Urban Cheesecraft include mozzarella, ricotta, goat cheese, paneer and queso blanco. They’re also a source for cheese making supplies like vegetarian rennet, cheese salt, citric acid, and butter muslin.

A little about cost comparison:
If you choose organic milk for your cheesemaking, compare the price to organic cheese. If you buy regular milk, compare the price to regular cheese. Keep in mind however that if you spend $5 on milk, you will make twice as much cheese as you would buy for $5- organic or not! So for $5 you get two typical logs of chevre.

A little about milk:
You do not need raw milk to make cheese. You can use regular pasteurized milk from the grocery store as long as it is not ultra pasteurized or ultra-heat pasteurized. Even some of the large organic brands now do this to milk. Its only benefit is a long shelf life. They use high heat and kill the microbes that help cheese happen so it won’t work. So, find a milk that you like and works, then stick with it. Oh and this kit works with cow’s or sheep’s milk too (or you can be like Europeans and combine them to play with different tangy flavors). You can also use lowfat milk or nonfat milk (yield and creaminess will be noticeable with nonfat).

I think I’m going to have to give this a try!

Love, Nature, Earth

October 23, 2018 by Erika Jurney 1 Comment

Blue Poppy Jewelry is created by pairing the beauty of fine metals with raw, organic elements from the earth. Each piece is created with a heartfelt compassion for life, love and nature. All elements of our jewelry are made within the United States with environmentally friendly choices made wherever possible.

The goal behind many of our pieces is to create stylish jewelry with a very subtle significance — jewelry that has a strong personal connection with the wearer without being obvious.

We, as mothers, sisters, wives, and friends, strive to create a line of fine jewelry for women…to honor those in our lives who mean the world. Enjoy!

Interview with Rachel Winard of Soapwalla Kitchen

October 7, 2018 by Erika Jurney 4 Comments

What is your craft / art / creative endeavor?

I create luxurious organic face and body products – in my Brooklyn apartment kitchen – that pamper even the most sensitive skin. Soapwalla organic face and body products are specifically designed to cleanse with natural ingredients without stripping the oils that our skin naturally produces. This is important because these oils form part of our bodies’ natural immune defense system, and are essential for optimum skin health.

I use organic and food-grade ingredients, never questionable additives such as sodium lauryl sulfate, parabens or harsh and synthetic ingredients. Soapwalla products are never tested on animals. Feed your skin with products good enough to eat.

How did you get started? Have you worked in other creative areas before the kind of work you’re doing now?

I got started making these items out of sheer necessity. I have lupus, an autoimmune illness that can manifest itself in a number of ways. Like others who suffer from lupus, I get terrible skin rashes, hives, and terribly irritated skin patches. When it was at its worst, I could barely use water on my skin without irritation.

Soapwalla was born one late night, after months of unsuccessfully hunting for face and body products that wouldn’t aggravate my skin issues. I tried everything on the market I could find, and finally decided to start making my own products that were as healthy and wholesome as possible. The product line grew from there.

I’ve always been artistic; I am a classically trained violinist and composer, and I train in the circus arts. I also am an avid ashtanga yoga practitioner.

Is there a story behind the name of your shop?

A friend who spent time in India dubbed me a master soap walla (walla means ‘creator’ or ‘maker’ in Hindi) and it stuck!

Do you work alone? With a team? Do you engage your family or friends in the work? What is your process? How do you ensure you get your work done yet still have a life?

I work alone, although my partner helps me tremendously, especially with day-to-day operational tasks. I also use my friends and family as product guinea pigs and as sounding boards, when I’m thinking about introducing a new product. And I am always looking for suggestions and ideas from my clients!

Where do you sell your work? Which venues are your favorites? Do you prefer selling online or in person? Do you attend shows or fairs? Is your work in a gallery or brick-and-mortar store?

I sell my work online via etsy.
The majority of my clients are referred to me via word of mouth, which is how I love to work. I love selling in person, because I can see a client’s skin and spend time speaking directly with that person about his/her needs, principles, scent preferences, etc.

I hope to sell at some Brooklyn based flea markets in the upcoming months, including the Brooklyn Flea and Artists and Fleas in Williamsburg.

Do you have any favorite handmade shops or sellers?

Yes!

I can’t recommend Alice Cho, graphic designer extraordinaire, highly enough.

Also, my friend Erin Wigger is a phenomenal photographer.

Finally, I love Lofted Designs‘ jewelry designs, specifically her rings.

What inspires and motivates you?

I constantly push myself to create the highest quality products I can, while leaving the smallest ecological footprint possible. This includes finding alternatives to the most popular skincare ingredients, like petroleum-based and synthetic ingredients.

I want Soapwalla’s products to be enjoyed by everyone – including those with even the most sensitive skin.

What do you wish I had asked you?

“What’s the hardest thing about being an artisan?”

For me it’s a combination of two things: (1) since I absolutely adore what I do, it can be hard to stick to a strict work schedule…I tend to work much longer hours as an artisan than I did as an officeworker; and (2) trying not to get discouraged when sales slow or people have a difficult time understanding what exactly you do for a living.

Thanks Rachel! And if you’d like to be featured here next, just head over to DIY Interview.

My Mom Rocks

June 26, 2018 by Rebecca Hadfield 2 Comments

A couple of years ago, a one of my mother’s friends took me aside at a family event and told me, “Your mom would move mountains for you, Rebecca. Remember that.” At the time, I took as an off-hand comment, but it was actually a prophecy of sorts. Just 6 months later, when I called my mom to tell her that I was planning to leave the West Coast and move back to the Prairies, she said, without skipping a beat, “Great. Rent a truck. I’ll drive.”

A few short weeks later, with Vancouver in the rear-view mirror of my Jetta and my mom at the helm of a packed U-haul, I headed home. It took us 3 days to make the 2000+ kilometre trip. My mom was Thelma, I was Louise, and the gas-guzzling U-haul was called “Piggy”. A lot of laughs, a few tears, and a couple slightly-sketchy hotel rooms were shared as we made our way across 3 1/2 provinces. At the end of our trip, when my belongings and I were safely in Winnipeg, my mom asked for nothing in return. She just gave me a huge hug, told me to behave, and hopped on a flight back to BC.

Someday, I hope I get the chance to pay it forward and do something like that for my own kid. (Except I’ll probably make him drive the U-haul.) In the meantime, since my mom is my rock, I have gathered up this collection of stone-cold awesomeness in her honour…and just in time for Mother’s Day!

According to Lindsay, unlike children, air plants require minimal nurturing to keep them alive. They don’t even need soil; just a sunny spot and a twice-weekly bath. This Tillandsia makes his home in a sandstone pebble planter, which has a lovely modern, organic design. Check out Lindsay’s shop of all sorts of unique and beautiful gifts for mothers (and others.)

Dean & Sue of British Columbia carve words and designs into stones that have been polished by the Pacific Ocean, using a sandblasting technique. They will carve all sorts of words and images into the stones, but I think these sweet little baby feet would be perfect for a new mom. The pendant pictured above, from the Monkeys Jewels shop, hangs from a silver bail and comes on a black leather cord with a silver clasp.

I love how these felted pebbles fool the eye. At a glance, they appear smooth and hard; but in the hand they are warm, soft and touchable. Taking her inspiration from nature’s organic forms and textures, Delica creates her tromp l’oeil rocks by felting natural merino wool. The set pictured above is made up of nine grey pebbles; each as unique as their stone counterparts would be in nature.

And, finally, some rocks of a different kind – the edible kind! These decadent mini rocky road cheesecakes (pictured above with the peanut butter cup cheesecake) from the Bakesalery are topped with loads of vegan marshmallows, ganache and chopped almonds on a chocolate cookie crust. The best part, though, is that they come in pairs; perfect for sharing with mom.

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 9th, 2010.

A Moveable Feast

June 9, 2018 by Rebecca Hadfield 1 Comment

“Summer Picnic” fine art print by Photo Atelier.

It never fails – as soon as we hit the open highway, I’m hungry. It could have something (or everything) to do with the countless convenience stores, drive-ins, and diners at every exit; not to mention the billboards that line the roadside, enticing people to take the next exit for a meal or a quick snack. These little fast-food diversions don’t come without a cost, however. They are both expensive AND usually rather environmentally un-friendly. A little pre-planning is all that it takes to stay green and healthy away from home.

Bulk up! – stop at your favourite bulk foods store for dried fruits, nuts, and organic snacks, and then repackage them at home in reusable containers and bags, like the lined ones pictured above, by Bells and Unicorns. (Tip: set out several bowls of nuts, seeds, dried fruits, candy and pretzels and let everyone create their own trail mix. Colour-code or label bags for easy identification on the road.)

It’s a wrap! – we are all sandwich artists at heart. Wraps, sandwiches, and subs can be made at home for a fraction of what you’ll pay on the road. Get creative with fillings and condiments, and be sure to pack high-moisture ingredients (like cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce) in separate containers to keep them from sogging up your bread. When choosing reusable sandwich bags, be sure to pick ones that are generously sized, like these (above) by http://www.etsy.com/shop/bellsandunicorns, to allow for healthy, hearty breads and fillings.

Keep your cool! – perishables, drinks, and fruit can be kept fresh in a cooler even on the hottest of days. Make your own ice packs by freezing recyclable tetra-packs of juice or by filling zipper-bags with crushed ice, which you can refill with fresh ice at stops along the way. And don’t let me catch you buying bottled water! Steel bottles, like the ones above by Pretty n Preppy, can be refilled over and over and keep your water fresh and cool. Eco-savvy coffee drinkers never leave home without their trusty travel mugs. Not only do they cut down on litter, they’ll usually save you a few cents per refill, too. Caffeine-heads and fabric-holics alike will love these colourful travel mugs (above), also by Pretty n Preppy.

…and if you do have to stop for snacks, instead of loading up on sketchy pre-wrapped sandwiches, chips and candy at the gas station, seek out roadside fruit/vegetable stands, local grocery stores, bakeries, and farmer’s markets (if you are lucky to be traveling on market days). Some of the best meals I have had on the road have consisted of fresh-off-the-vine fruit, local artisan cheeses, and freshly baked breads purchased right from the people who picked/made them. Be prepared by making sure you have cutlery included with your picnic essentials*. The handy Urban Picnic Roll-up, pictured above, by Nstar Studio includes two three-piece utensil sets & two napkins. The utensils are made from durable, sustainable bamboo and can be simply hand washed and air dried after use.

Lastly, take the time to stop and enjoy your meals and snacks. Pre-plan your stops or keep an eye out for picnic spots and parks along the way. Not only is it a chance to stretch your legs and let the kids run off some energy, it’s often the little stops along the way that make for the best memories. Pack an oversized vintage quilt for the whole family, or give everyone their own place to cop a squat. These organic travel blankets by Crzy Bag Lady can function as mini-picnic pads, change mats, stroller blankets and sleep-mats. Compact in size, but super-comfy, they’re ideal travel companions for the green family-on-the-go.

*Packable picnic essentials: blanket and/or tablecloth, reusable plates/bowls/cups, reusable cutlery, salt & pepper, bottle opener, can opener, cloth napkins, sharp knife, cutting board, bags for collecting garbage/recyclables (when containers are not available on-site), small container of dish-soap for clean-ups.

I would love to hear about your summer road trip adventures. Comment below and share your stories and advice!