Trillium Artisans April 23, 2008

On days like today, when Portland is weighted down under depressing, cold grey clouds for what seems like the thousandth day in  a row, it is difficult to remember why I love Portland and choose to raise a family here.  Then, however, I stumble on something like Trillium Artisans and my love for Portland all comes rushing back. 

Trillium Artisans is a Portland group with a primary purpose to help small, low income crafters form sustainable, profitable businesses for themselves.  As part of the program, Trillium artists have access to product reviews, retail and wholesale opportunities, small business counseling, peer networking, and guest speakers.   Also, artists agree that of the products they sell through Trillium,  the items will be constructed of at least 50% recycled or reclaimed materials.    I love this program because it is supporting independent artists who are committed to helping our environment!!
 

Trillium began in 1999 as Eco-biz  and eventually combined with a business-planning program called the Entrepreneurial Training Program.  Trillium is currently funded by the City of Portland Bureau of Housing and Community Development, New Belgium Brewing Company, and the Oregon Arts Commission through the National Endowment for the Arts.   This innovative program has grown so much that artists now have their own retail store in Southeast Portland.   If you are not blessed enough to live in Portland (I guess I actually do love Portland), you can also purchase products through their website or on etsy.  Both the store and their website offers a range of beautiful, creative crafts that reflect the diversity of this group of talented artists.  When you visit their shop or website, you will find garden art, jewelry, scarves, clocks, hair accessories and too many other enchanting products to list.   

Bumbleberry Bakery- Organic Goodness March 17, 2008

My crazy  little sister decided to give up chocolate for Lent.  I am always amazed at people who can forgo chocolate for that long.  - Me- not a chance!  I need my daily dose of sugary, sweet caffeine.  Last time I talked to my sister, she was lamenting having choosen this Lenten sacrafice.  (In fact, she confessed she had ”cheated” at her friend’s house over the weekend when her friend offered freshly baked chocolate chip cookies!)  She seemed like she was wavering in her conviction to stick with this promise.  That’s why when I saw these yummy looking organic chocolate chunk cookies from Bumbleberry Bakery,  I thought maybe I should send her a dozen.  I mean if she is going to cheat, she might as well do it with some amazing tasting organic goodness.

Bumbleberry Baking, a Massachusetts company, is commited to making good food by hand using only the finest organic ingredients, without additives or preservatives.  In their etsy shop, they currently offer four different types of muffins and five different types of cookies but are planning to introduce new baked goods for Spring in the month of March.  Check them out at etsy to see what all the hype is about.  

Kids Central Kitchen February 8, 2008

 I don’t know about in your household, but in mine, my kids love to be involved in cooking.  They don’t really seem to care exactly what I ask them to do (except clean-up, of course)- they just want to contribute.  So imagine my pleasure when I found Kids Central Kitchen.

I first discovered this awesome baking mix and kitchen supply company at the Portland CRAVE show where I purchased their Flip Flop Flapjacks Pancake Mix.  I loved that the mix contained organic wheat and white flours and organic evaporated cane juice but my kids loved the yummy taste provided by the twang of the lemon yogart my son added to the mix.  (The recipe called for plain yogurt but in my house that is hard to come by.)  The instructions were easy to follow and even though I “supervised”, my 10 and 8 year old could have easily mixed these up themselves.  (Of course, the actual cooking of them on a hot griddle is another matter!)

My friend bought the Swinging Monkey Banana Bread Mix to give as a stocking stuffer and she reported it was a big tasty hit in her house.

Kids Central Kitchen was founded by Mike and Maureen, the “parents of three active, young children”.  They were looking for something to feed their kids that was low in fat,  low in sugar and  healthy but still tasted good.  They formed “test panels” of their own children and their children’s friends to perfect their recipes.  After much experimentation, they began marketing the mixes you see on their website www.kidscentralkitchen.com. My family test panel would rate them a hit!