Hip Hooray!

You can't see a beautiful string of colored garlands and not think lovely, bubbly happy thoughts. That's why you must get some and string them across your dining table, reading nook or sweet baby nursery. They are amazingly affordable, at only $9.99 every room in your house can afford one. They make a great addition to any special occasion, heck they are special enough to make a regular old Wednesday special! As stated on the Hip Hooray website they are champagne resistant. So break out the bubbly and toast to today!

Lovely Hip Hooray Garland (image)

I love them as permanent decor, not just for a special occasion. Juliette will have one to wake up to tomorrow! What a happy way to wake up don't you think? Here's a direct link right to the Hip Hooray shop page.

Hip Hooray (best company name ever!) is a Minneapolis company, they print and assemble the products here in the US, right in Minneapolis actually.  They use eco-inks (sweet!) and garlands can be used over and over! They sent me 2 garlands to string up in my house, and tonight we're going to string one up in Juliette's room. Yay.

Eco-Mama Mariah Post: CSA + Homemade Almond Milk

Community Supported Agriculture & almonds

This week I joined a CSA share. I am terribly excited! I've never had a share of my "own" and I feel its a big step towards truely investing in the land around you. Ie: hyper local! Support a farm, chose organic and get cooking. I found this farm through the MOFGA website under 'Maine CSA Directory'. (Search for CSA and Farm directories in your area, by county). 

Loving the name of it, New Beat Farm. They are certified Organic by MOFGA and use horse power.  Best of all is that they drop off on Munjoy Hill. I get to walk 3 blocks and have my share?! Done deal. I was looking for ways to lessen the "chore" of certain tasks in my life and this became clearly the way to go for me. Couldn't be happier than a clam in mud, new england mud. Also biggest highlight is showing my daughter the fruits of the earth and meeting other farmers. Now, spring, where are you?!

Next up we have homemade almond milk. I made one batch: 3 cups milk created from just 1 cup of almonds! Total cost: under $2.00. It took all of an overnight soak and then some blending. Preferable you will chose unsalted raw almonds, but it does not matter entirely. I used roasted unsalted ones.

**(insert both pictures)**

Homemade Almond Milk

Makes 3 cups

Making your own almond milk is very easy, just plan ahead to allow time for soaking the almonds.

Ingredients

1 cup almonds
Water

Method

Put almonds in a bowl and cover by several inches with cold water. Cover and set aside at room temperature to soak overnight or 10 to 12 hours.

Drain and rinse almonds. In a high speed blender, blend almonds with 3 cups water until thoroughly combined. The mixture will be very frothy. Strain through cheese cloth, a fine strainer or a nut milk bag. Store almond milk in  refrigerator and use within 3 days. Stir before using.

Nutrition
Per serving (about 1cup/ 9oz/258g-wt.): 90 calories (35 from fat), 4g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 10mg sodium, 13g total carbohydrate (1g dietary fiber, 12g sugar), 2g protein

**suggestion: for added sweetness, I would blend 1 tbl honey into the mix, and maybe a pinch of cinnamon. Almond milk is straight up un-sweet, real-deal. But it is good and oh so good for you!

as always, love from Portland, Maine Eco-Mama,

Mariah

Waxelene for well, EVERYTHING

Ok, so petroleum jelly isn't a very sexy product is it? But ohhh it has so many uses. I hate to admit we have a tub in our bathroom. And every time I see the words PETROLEUM I shudder just a bit. Well I think it's time to toss it and never look back. Enter Waxelene. The petroleum jelly alternative! Where has this been all my life!

A USA made product full of natural and harm free ingredients for all your daily skincare needs. This baby can do it all. So happy to have found another product that I can feel good using.


I will use this for a gazillion things, here are some:


*lip balm
*diaper rash prevention for Juliette
*excema treatment
*flyaway hair tamer
*dry hands balm
*dry nose when I have been blowing it often during cold season
*makeup remover
*aftershave on my sensitive skin
*wind burn relief when Juliette's cheeks turn red from long walks in the chilly air
*ohhh so many more...

Here's their ingredient list, straight from the horse's (ok website's mouth)

*Organic Soybean Oil - full of lovely fatty acids, anti-oxidants + soy isoflavones. These ingredients maintain the healthy balance in your skin, keep skin beautiful and prevents wrinkles! Lovely indeed.
*Beeswax - unbleached (who knew it could be bleached! eek!) beeswax keeps moisture in, protecting and softening your skin. Beeswax is also an natural anti-inflammatory with anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant properties. What a wonder ingredient!

*Organic Rosemary Oil - More anti-oxidant properties (score!) and also improves blood circulation to the skin.
*100% Natural Vit. E Oil - Yet some more anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties


All ingredients Non-GMO of course.

This product is going to make its way into every baby gift I give as well, it's a great addition to any nursery kit, for all of baby's needs! My husband, daughter and I love this stuff already. One product is always better than lots of jars and bottles. Plus the packaging is recyclable and made of glass not more plastic (ie petroleum).

While they find their way to a store near you (they are in locations on the west coast only right now) you can find them online here. 



I think I'll go get some now, my lips need a little tender care...ciao! Xx

My Heart Breaks for Japan

Please don't let the events that occured in Japan be forgotten. They need our help. Now.

Here is a great link to many ways to help (via Huffington Post) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/16/how-to-help-japan-earthquake-relief_n_834484.html

Trompe-l'œil

Amazing! From Vamoose

Blogity Blog Blog: Lovely Finds from Around the Blogosphere (and beyond)

Clothes-Pin - a lovely reminder that vegan shoes can be extremely sexy. article

Really cool eco toys for kids on Haute Look from Kidsonroof including totally awesome cardboard houses to play with. Use my invite for instant access: http://www.hautelook.com/invite/lmeyer-harley471

Passion, a lovely and simple thought of the day from Design is Mine

Stunning photography on HEARBLACK

OMG the cuteness of these whole wheat goldfish crackers. Homemade of course. From my favorite food blog, Smitten Kitchen

Beautiful Ikat journals found on Beklina

You can't go wrong with this super stylish backpack. For you and your kiddos. Found on Creatures of Comfort

Feather Love

I love feathers (and arrows and other Native American influences). What a sweet little Tee! And only $12 bucks if you sign up for The Mini Social (free to sign up of course) Use my invite and I get some referral credit (ahem, thanks!)

Tee is of course 100% organic cotton. naturally. Tiny Whales is the name of the company (adorable name!). Check out their site as well. 

{Clothing} Branches

Lovely idea via Oh Dee Doh.  How have I not thought of this!

Lovely Reusable Feather Totes

Lovely Feather Tote by Evakatharina on Etsy

Feather Print Tote by Holly Trill on Etsy

Feather Necklace Tote by A Ray of Sunshine on Etsy