Last year when my kids started school, I was determined to have them take lunches from home every day. Trying to do my part in reducing the amount of stuff sent to landfills, I searched for various ways to pack my kids lunches in something other than plastic baggies that would be thrown out after every meal. Viola! I found Wrap N Mat!
Wrap N Mat
Wrap N Mat is bascially a 13″ x 13″ fabric with velcro fasteners that you put your sandwich, veggies, etc. in and fold it up (like a present)! When you unfold it, it becomes an instant place mat. I love it because it can be used over and over and over. It folds and unfolds easily, so my 7 year old doesn’t get frustrated trying to get to his food. It is easily cleaned, just warm wash cloth. Both my kids love their Wrap N Mats and I feel good because they are learning the importance of reusing… not just throwing out. You can buy Wrap N Mats directly from the manufacturer or from one of their many retailers. They have many fun prints to choose from!
The cool nip in the air is delicious and it has me reaching for my hot teas. While sipping this evening I thought I’d review the FORLIFE Whole Leaf Tea Infuser Mug that I use. I have other infusers, but this is my favorite one by far!
The infuser portion is two pieces made from stainless steel. The main part where you put the tea is a cylinder with holes poked all around the sides. The bottom is made of a fine steel mesh. It is quite large and roomy which lets whole leaf teas unfurl fully while infusing. It also has a handle with a silicone trim so your fingers are protected from the hot metal.
The second part is a cap that will sit on top and cover it. Once the time is up, you set it upside down on the table and can sit the infuser in it to rest without leaving drips all over the place. If you are using a good quality tea, you can go for a second steeping, so the lid makes a nice place to rest the leaves while you are drinking that first cup. The lid is trimmed in the same black silicone.
FORLIFE offers the infuser on its own or as part of a set with a mug. I first got it as a set since I couldn’t find any place that sold just the infuser. I find the infuser fits most of my mugs so I’m not particularly attached to the mug it came with. It’s also nice that it easily fits other mugs because even if the mug gets broken, you can keep using the infuser.
The mugs come in all sorts of colors!
The insides of the mugs are white and hold a generous 12 oz. All the parts are dishwasher safe, though only the mug is microwave safe.
You can find it online at various tea sellers or from FORLIFE through Amazon:
Did you miss Historic Sanford’s Alive After Five Oktoberfest event because of the torrential rain? Great news! You’ll have a second chance! There will be an encore presentation of Oktoberfest on the streets of Historic Downtown Sanford on November 13, 2008 starting at 5:00 pm. Live German music will keep the street party lively while you stroll the downtown restaurants, art galleries, and specialty shops. Come see original artwork by 40 unique artists. Pick up your $5 wristband at the beginning of the evening – it will allow you to sample food, wine, and beer at participating shops! All of the proceeds go to the “Alive After Five” program.
This month’s event sponsor is Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Cafe, so the food is guaranteed to be some of the best German food in Central Florida.
Daryl Hannah is an accomplished actress who is probably best known for her role in Splash, where she played a mermaid opposite Tom Hanks. I had the opportunity to interview Ms. Hannah last year via email. Read on to learn how she first became interested in nature and what inspired her to start her own vlog that’s dedicated to the Earth-friendly living.
I read that you first became interested in the environment during an experience at summer camp as a child. Will you tell us more about that?
Growing up in the heart of downtown Chicago in the 42nd story of a building, it was as though I was afflicted with a mild form of nature deficit disorder. My father sent us to camp in the Rockies, where we lived in covered wagons with no electricity, backpacked, horsepacked, cared for horses, built fires, pitched tents, etc…
I was transformed. Things began to make sense to me, and I found that I adapted well.It was hard but the challenges were truly character building. I found a deep love for wilderness and wildness.
When did you become a vegetarian? How do you think vegetarianism benefits the environment?
I became a vegetarian at age 11 because I could no longer disassociate the food I was eating from the creature it had been, and I just couldn’t gnaw on the flesh of creatures anymore. It grossed me out. The health and environmental benefits turned out to be a bonus! Often I find that when I do something from pure compassionate place, aspects I never considered seem to benefit as well – illustrating how we are truly interconnected to all life. The meat industry not only suffers from inhumane practices but is also complicit as the 3rd largest contributor to our global warming crisis.
I hear you have an amazing “green” home in the Rocky Mountains. And even a moss stone couch that actually needs to be watered! Will you tell our readers a little about your house?
It’s a small but beautiful house made with salvaged materials. It’s both passive and active solar, meaning it faces southwest. It is bermed into the landscape and uses the natural movement of the sun and the insulation of the earth to heat/cool the structure. The power is amended by solar panels. I have most of the modern conveniences, but I choose not to have a TV. I have a friend who is an amazing mosaic artist, and as I have radiant floors, I had him make a mosaic with sea glass and shells I’d collected over the years. All of the materials that were removed from the ground when we burmed the structure were incorporated into the house – thus the living couch. Moss can go dormant for several months so it doesn’t need to be watered very often.
You’ve got an amazing Eco-Site, complete with the latest environmental news and inspiring videos. You’ve probably received a lot of positive feedback! How did this site come to be?
I decided to make a TV show because there was no information accessible to the general public on these subjects, and I was growing tired of fielding questions all the time, but I didn’t like the contract and then I discovered vloging! I love making my vlogs! I learn so much and meet the most interesting people.
Eco-friendly living can be overwhelming for someone who is just getting started. What would you recommend to someone who is trying to gradually reduce their impact on the environment and live more naturally?
I would say – go for it! Jump in the deep end! It’s great in here, and there are so many fantastic options available to consumers now that really work. Get the toxic cleaners out from under your sink and the toxic chemical detergents out of the laundry room. Buy organic food from your local farmers market. Change your light bulbs to compact fluorescents. Start a garden. Start composting.
There are so many things you can do! These things are not only better for you and your loved ones. They’ll also save you money in the end, and they are better for the future of all life.
Thanks to Ms. Hannah for taking the time to “chat” with us. Her site, The DHLovelife Show, is a wonderful resource that’s definitely worth a visit!
The Central FL Green Guide doesn’t endorse a particular presidential candidate. However, I would like to take a moment to share the following resource for those of you who are still doing your research. GRIST is a nonprofit environmental news blog with contributors from all over the world. They have created a very nice Compare the Candidates interactive chart which I found very helpful. The How Green is Your Candidate section of the website is also very informative.
If you are looking for something a little different this Halloween season, you could attend the annual Witches Ball put on by the Wiccan Religious Cooperative of Florida!
Pagans try to live in harmony with the Earth and raise their children to honor the ways of Nature. Those looking to explore this path can jump in feet first at this event.
WHO
“The Wiccan Religious Cooperative of Florida, Inc. is a non-profit church, organized and incorporated under the laws of the State of Florida. W.R.C.F. was formed as a legal structure for the practice of Wicca, Paganism, and Neo-Pagan religions. These Paths are loosely based on a variety of traditions, and closely connected with the Goddess-focused religions of the ancient Indo-European and pre-Indo-European peoples.”
WHAT
The Witches Ball is an annual event and this year we go back to Camelot! Dress is come as you are, or come in costume!
You may also bring a photo or memento (labeled so they don’t get lost!) to display on the Ancestor’s Altar.
The doors open at 6 PM.
The 7 PM Samhain Sabbat ritual is hosted by the Mystic Moons Coven.
There also be live music by the Spinning Wheel Pagan Chorus, food, vendors, raffles, and much more all the way til 11 PM!
WHEN
Saturday, Nov 1 from 6 PM to 11 PM
WHERE
Eastmonte Civic Center, 830 Magnolia Drive, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
There’s a great coupon in the back of Moms Like Me magazine this month. (You may know this magazine as “Central FL Moms” since they recently changed the name.) The coupon is for $10 off a $40 purchase at the new Whole Foods Market on Turkey Lake Road.
You can pick this magazine up for free around town. Check their website for locations if you’re not familiar with it. Oh..wow! I just checked the main Whole Foods site and found a printable coupon that can be used at ANY location. Check it out here.
We’ve been on the run a lot with various special events happening one after another. Which means we’ve been eating out more than I like. Frankly, I’m tired of eating out!
Last night on the way home I picked up some Amy’s Kitchen frozen foods and noticed a new “Kids Meal” available:
My four-year old was amused by the temporary tattoo enclosed within it of Amy’s dog and although she was confused at first by the little focaccia bread square, she ate it all with enthusiasm. Organic broccoli, mac and cheese, two little bite size apple dessert squares and then the bread was a pretty decent quickie meal.
Although you can catch the full nutritional panel here, at 400 calories, there isn’t any real reason why this can’t be an adult’s lunch too!
Suspira has just announced the Grand Opening of their brand new bellydance studio on October 20th!
This state of the art, luxurious space offers one 1,200 square foot studio with floating hard wood floors, as well as one smaller studio perfect for private and smaller group classes. The beautiful new space will allow them to greatly expand their schedule as well as offer new and exciting classes in addition to their award winning bellydance classes!
Location: 6900 Aloma Ave in Winter Park, in the Aloma Business Center (just four miles from the current Orlando Bellydance location)
Please call 407-579-9765 to reserve your spot in the new Bellydance Sessions (from beginning to professional) or exciting new Bollywood, Polynesian and Burlesque workshops!
On a personal note… I have been taking bellydance classes with Suspira since Spring of 2005 and have to say that with her encouragement, this empowering dance form has tremendously improved my self-esteem and confidence over the years. It has also helped get me back down to my pre-baby weight after 2 separate child births. I am not one to work out at a gym, nor am I into competitive sports, so bellydancing was the most fulfilling fitness option for me. The relaxed atmosphere of the class is a great tension reliever after a long stressful day. Suspira allows you to move at your own pace and stay in a level until you are ready to move up.
There is a recital every 6 months in April and October where students get to showcase their progress as well as the amazingly talented women of the professional dance troupes: Orlando Dance Theater, Troupe Ahlaam, Serpentina and Gypsy Sa’har. The next show “An Evening Unveiled 11″ is on Saturday, October 18th at 7:00pm at Lyman High School. Tickets are on sale now and available by calling the studio at 407-579-9765. It is a highly entertaining show and I definitely recommend attending if you are considering trying a class.
Mrs. Zeiger
Melita Franzen
Cat
