Also the first 10 people to order using the following coupon code will save 25% off their order (not over $100) Coupon Code: COOKVEGAN30PCT
The newest addition to my OpenSky shop is this great back the Envitote. I have been using this reusable back for a few months now and love how durable it is. The most unique thing about this tote is the square base and handles on the side as well as the shoulder strap. I have not found any other totes that are like this and it creates and easy totae for me to carry my groceries in.
1. Why did you decide to partner up with OpenSky?
As a new, small business, Envicorp Products tried to find every creative avenue to distribute our eco-friendly products such as our original design Envitote. With limited resources, this can be challenging. After meeting an OpenSky buyer at the California Gift Show, we believed that this was an opportunity we had to seize.
We saw the OpenSky Project as a bold, new approach to shopping. In an age where personal interactions are becoming fewer and far between, OpenSky aspires to use those very technologies to bring relationships back to shopping.
2. What was the inspiration behind Envicorp?
Inspired at an Earth Day festival in Santa Monica, CA, Stephanie Collins began designing environmentally friendly products. Along with best friend of 20 years, Tana Collins, a plan was made to start a company that would provide products to the eco-conscious. Our hope is to reduce consumer waste and environmental pollution. While we are a company, part of our mission is that of advocacy, education, and service. The long-term objective is to start a non-profit foundation that will give grants to grassroots environmental programs.
3. Why do you feel it is important to use reusable bags versus plastic?
The average use of any plastic bag is only 12 minutes. It then takes that single bag 500-1000 years to decompose. The average U.S. family uses on average 1,500 plastic bags per year. With one reusable bag preventing six plastic bags from being used, this is one easy step that everyone can take to help protect our environment. With roughly 60–80% of all marine debris, and 90% of floating debris being plastic, the use of reusable bags can have a dramatic effect on our planet. We have a page of our website devoted to many of the statistics about plastic bag consumption. Our envifacts can be found at http://www.envicorp.com/envifacts.html.
4. What is the Envitote made out of?
Envitote is made from 100% cotton, canvas – a renewable resource. The cardstock stiffeners are paper which is renewable and recyclable.
5. What is your favorite thing about the Envitote?
First, we like the fact that Envitote has an impact on saving the planet. Next, we are thrilled with the multiple uses that have been found for the Envitote. Its diversity as a bag extends well beyond the grocery store. For example, Envitote fits perfectly under an airline seat, so it works as the perfect travel bag. We have had it used as a diaper bag and pet carrier. Also, it makes the perfect eco-friendly gift basket. The uses are endless.
6. Do you have any plans to create other products?
We have other products available on our website, www.envicorp.com, and on OpenSky. Also, we are currently in the process of developing additional original products (like the Envipal another great tote but this one is insulated!)
I am a huge fan of fermented veggies especially kim chee. My favorite kim chee is Rejuvinative Foods Spicy Kim Chee which I have used in a number of different ways. I have made kim chee spring rolls, kim chee fried rice and my favorite way to eat it is on top of a bowl of rice with beans and steamed veggies- or straight out of the jar!
Now you can get Rejuvinative Foods- Spicy Kim Chee in my OpenSky store. Rejuvinative Foods Spicy Kim Chee is 100% organic, vegan, raw, gluten free, and made from fresh, shredded and unheated vegetables. It is also a rich source of lactobacilli and enzymes and of course delicious and with high fiber content.
One of the new additions to my OpenSky shop are Hail Merry snacks. The pack contains orange cranberry grawnola, choco macaroon, blone macaroon and a meditation card. The choco macaroon is my favorite, it’s like a little ball of happiness. These snacks are handmade, rich with nutrients and low in sugar- snacking couldn’t get much better.
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To tell you more about Hail Merry I did a blog interview with Susan O’Brien- Hail Merry Snacks Founder:
Why did you decide to partner up with OpenSky?
In order to be exposed to a wider group of individuals interested in the healthy, raw, vegan, gluten-free, or natural lifestyle. We find that most people that try our products fall in love with them and become passionate and loyal fans, so we’d like to let more people know we’re around – making great products that they might appreciate!
What was the inspiration behind Hail Merry?
The name Hail Merry was inspired by the game of chess. My kids played a lot of Chess and we went to A LOT of chess tournaments. When I was incubating the brand I would often be at these events and always loved how the Queen was so powerful on the board. I worked in the field of commercial architecture which was dominated my men. So Hail Merry and the Queen icon is sort of a wink and a nod to girl power! I also am a HUGE Madonna fan. I loved how her name is so self-actualizing. With a name like Madonna you have no choice but to change the world and make a difference. The name Hail Merry does that for me. I hope that Hail Merry will one day become a huge force for change in the way we snack in America. The name Hail Merry is definitely provocative and I hope memorable, and yes of course there is always the Catholic connotation. I am Catholic and love and respect my faith very much. The challenge of building this business at times can be daunting and for me the name Hail Merry gives me divine inspiration.
What is my favorite product and why?
This is really hard. You would think that I would be tired of each of these recipes since I have been eating them for over 5 years. I would have to say the blonde macaroons just are simply transcending. They literally melt in your mouth. There is no guilt when you eat them either. They are loaded with fiber, healing coconut oil and vitamins and minerals from the organic maple syrup. As a Catholic I like “guilt free”, we get enough of that already!
Do you have any new products coming out?
YES!! We just launched our new seasoned nut line and we are SO excited. I gave up salad dressing because I only want to eat fats in their raw whole food state, like nuts, avocado etc. (I do consume coconut oil for its healing properties). Instead of salad dressing I put a handful of our seasoned nuts on top! They come in great flavors like:
Chili Chimayo Pecans, Lemon Thyme Pecans, Orange Rosemary Pecans, Maple Almonds, and Salt and Black Pepper Sunflower Seeds. Add some fresh herbs, and lemon juice and your golden!!
I just added Juliet Mae’s Indian Spice Sampler to my Opensky shop;Buy Now
Below is a brief Q&A I did with Kathy from Juliet Mae’s, ENJOY!
1. Why did you decide to partner up with OpenSky?
I elected to partner with Open Sky because I was interested in expanding “our reach” into the food community.
We make a true artisan product. We put a lot of effort into each item we make. We are all about quality, quality
quality. Because of the high quality, ease of use and creative potential of the product, bloggers can recommend our products with
the assurance that their readers will have a good experience. I feel that this type of marketing is the most effective, because
the blogger format tends to be effective when the blogger creates and presents an authentic voice.
In short, I feel my product helps to underscore a bloggers credibility because Juliet Mae has its own authentic voice.
2. What was the inspiration behind Juliet Mae’s Spices?
I really like to use good quality ingredients when I cook. It seems to me if you are going to go to trouble of preparing a meal for friends or family,
you want to give it your best Juliet Mae came about from playing around with flavors and trying to recreate a restaurant experience at home.
I taught myself how to make spice blends by remaking my classic curry blend over and over and over. I did a lot or research on spices, on various cuisines and
on packaging. I made my first few packs and give them as gifts to friends- they were a big hit and we went from there.
But at the end of the day, it is all about creating a great dining experience both in the kitchen and at the table.
3. What is your favorite spice blend?
Like a Chinese mother, I think all my children are beautiful. Seriously, I like all of them or I wouldn’t sell them. I find it difficult to make blends from ingredients I do not like, as I just can’t abide the aroma- which makes it almost impossible to blend!
5. Do you have a favorite recipe for one of the spice mixes from the Indian Sampler that you would like to share?
5) The Cool Vindaloo is loaded with mustard and makes a nice seasoning for salad dressing.
just add about 1 teaspoon to minced shallot, good evoo, champagne vinegar and chopped parsley. mix well and
drizzel over mixed greens.
The famous Fitnessista has started a tradition of having Indian food on Wednesday’s and I wish that I could participate more but as much as I love Indian food and cooking it, it can be daunting. Oh and going out for Indian in Burlington is well….not great.
Last night however I decided that I would try out some Indian Sampler spices that I received from Juliet Mae.
I love that these spice mixes are so easy to use and are much more convenient than having to purchase all of the individual spices that I may or may not use in other dishes. I also love that they have recipes on the back of them which are easily adaptable to my vegan diet. Tonight I used the Tandoori and the Classic Curry Blend for dinner.
I made Tandoori Tofu- the recipe was right on the back of the spice packet; I subbed lite coconut milk for yogurt and light firm tofu for the chicken and I marinated it and then baked it in the oven- so good. For the potatoes and onions I kept it simple and just tossed the potatoes and onions with the curry powder, salt and a little oil and baked at 400F for 40 minutes. On the side we had red wine and garlic broccoli.
Since I loved this Indian Sampler I decided to add it to my OpenSky shop and I hope that you are inspired to try it yourself! Buy Now
Over the past few months I have been using my GlassDharma straws all the time and have added them to my OpenSky shop for you to get your own set. These straws are great and so easy to clean and are eco-friendly. Below is a little Q&A for the people at GlassDharama. Enjoy!
1. Why did you decide to partner up with OpenSky?
GlassDharma’s publicity began with Bloggers! Blog reviews of GlassDharma products brought about an appropriate forum. Not only to get the word out about a new idea (Glass Straws) but also to present the forward thinking that goes along with the creation of our products.
When Open Sky made it’s debut, Glass Dharma staff recognized an organization that could easily unite bloggers and product manufacturers in a way that gave bloggers opportunities for store fronts. After all, the bloggers promote the products, so why not sell to their own followings as well & increase their profits?
2. What is the inspiration behind GlassDharma?
GlassDharma has a mission – the power of a spiraling thought process goes with each product that leaves our manufacturing facility.
The thought process? REUSE!
Reuse it and you don’t have to throw it “away”.
Reuse it and you won’t have to “recycle” it.
Reuse and just say “no” to single use plastics.
Choosing a reusable straw is a small and simple act, but the decision leads to more decisions about much bigger things….
David Leonhardt, owner and founder, focuses his hard work and determination into creating quality products that have an impact on health and environmental issues. While caring for his customers with the highest level of integrity, David creates a product that benefits other people like himself and the quality of our world. His vision to create his own line of glass drinking straws stems from his 12 years of experience as a Lamp-worker.
In addition to becoming a part of the “green” movement with his product and his packaging, David also loves the elegance of glass.
GlassDharma is the result of a life long pursuit to follow “dharma” – that which upholds and supports the proper conduct of living.
3. Which is your favorite straw and why?
“I use every style and size of GlassDharma straws but my most used are the 10inch 9.5mm because I drink Iced Tea every day. At home I use tall Iced Tea glasses and on the go I use tall glass bottles. The 10 inch are the perfect size for both.
Every day I drink a fruit & veggie smoothie for breakfast and I always reach for a 12mm “smoothie size” Beautiful Bends Glass Straw.
Serving guests? The Decorative Dots are the favorite and the different colors help with drink identification.”
-Cheryl Newcomb (PR& Marketing Department at GlassDharma)
4. What are the benefits of GlassDharma straws?
There is the benefit of taste & feel when you use glass straws, the elegance of the fire polished glass…
The glass maintains a more constant temperature in both hot and cold beverages, there is not the condensation buildup and sweating that often occurs with stainless steel and aluminum straws.
The very best benefit is to reduce the need for single use plastics because of what plastic waste is doing to our Planet
5. How durable are GlassDharma straws?
GlassDharma Glass Straws are manufactured using a special annealing method:
David Leonhardt uses the highest standards available, provided by Corning, Inc. (the makers of Pyrex©) to anneal*. Under computer controlled conditions, all glassware created by GlassDharma (*a special heating process that reduces stress in the glass) produces “Vintage Pyrex” quality and durability. 100% inspection for Quality Control is implemented at each stage of manufacturing and packaging.
Please see video à http://glassdharma.blogspot.com/2010/03/glassdharma-difference.html
6. Lastly, I see that you are involved in fundraising as well, could you tell me more about this?
GlassDharma knows that the giving back reaches far beyond the manufacturing of a product that is environmentally friendly.
There are many worthwhile causes in our world and GlassDharma would like to provide platforms and opportunities for Fundraising by providing a user-friendly Fundraising Package of our products to allow profits from sales to be used for worthy causes.
