People’s Pops are Perfect for Organic Summers

I can’t think of anything more synonymous with summer than ice pops. I know it is only May – but I am ready for summer! Some of my favorite childhood and adult memories include ice pops on a hot summer’s day. You?

I really want to make ice pops this summer with Eben and I just came across this new book called People’s Pops by Nathalie Jordi, David Carrell and Joel Horowitz. It’s packed with ice pops that you can make using farm-fresh fruits in interesting combinations. Think: salted caramel and apricots! Fantastic.

Do you make your own ice pops? What is the most interesting combination of ingredients you have used?

+ People’s Pop $12

What’s in Your Organic Smoothie?

I am a huge smoothie fan, I drink them everyday – usually for breakfast and lunch. I also make them regularly for Eben, who is quite smitten with my organic orange julius recipe! I love smoothies so much that last year as an anniversary gift, the mister surprised me with a Vitamix blender. I think out of all of the appliances in our home, it get used the most often! Mr. Sweet Greens also uses it to make all of his homemade salad dressings, marinades and soups.

Today, as I was making my morning smoothie – I tossed in my usual, organic yogurt, leafy greens and some sort of organic fruit. I enjoyed an organic spinach and blackberry smoothie! It made me wonder what you put in your smoothies?

Do you have a favorite fruit/vegetable combination? Do you have a power smoothie recipe that is perfect for breakfast? Is there a recipe that I absolutely should try?

P.S. Whenever I make Eben a smoothie, I toss in a heaping handful of organic greens when he isn’t looking. He loves vegetables but has told me before that he doesn’t think they belong in a fruit smoothie. Ha! If he only knew.

photo via Elana’s Pantry

Quirky Kicks: 5 Eco-Friendly Warm Weather Shoes

It’s time to pull out your warm-weather kicks! Hooray for sunshine and hot days. I am a huge fan of warm-weather shoes that are both eco-friendly and a little quirky. In fact, my entire life I was always known as the girl with the funky, quirky kicks. Here are five quirky shoes that are also eco-friendly that are on my wish list for warm-weather.

1. Reef: Bella Costa Tropic Flats
Each Reef Tropic sandal is hand-woven and crafted by artisans in the Mayan highlands of Guatemala, giving them the opportunity to create a sustainable living. These colorful, ikat kicks are at the top of my spring wish list!

+ Reef Tropic Flats $52
+ Reef
 

2. Kamik: Jennifer Rain Boots
Florida has officially moved into the rainy season. It rains almost every day during the summer here so a pair of rain boots is essential! I love these Jennifer rain boots from Kamik, they are 100% vegan and recyclable and they come in red.

+ Kamik Jennifer Rain Boots $65
+ Kamik

3. TOMS: R2D2 Edition
We already know what a great company TOMS is and how for every pair of shoes purchased – a pair is donated to a child in need. I love the idea of taking a classic pair of TOMS kicks and turning them into art. These TOMS transformed into R2D2 are right up my alley. Eben would go crazy if I had R2D2 on my feet! What a great idea if you have a pair of TOMS that has a stain on them, just cover them up with art!

+ TOMS Classic Kicks $54
+ TOMS

4. TOMS: Ballet Flats
Every girls needs a pair of ballet flats and these ones from TOMS give back to a child in need. Win-win! I love these comfy, stylish kicks – which are perfect for running around all summer long. And the colors and patterns are just too much fun.

+ TOMS Ballet Flats $79
+ TOMS

5. Reef: Guatemalan Love
Like Reef’s Tropic ballet flats, the Reef: Guatemalan Love sandals are good for the environment and support local Mayan highland artisans too. I am a flip-flop type of gal so these are right up my alley! I have owned many pairs of Reef sandals in my day and they are definitely at the top of my favorites list. And they are affordable too!

+ Reef Guatemalan Love Flip Flops $32
+ Planet Shoes

What is your favorite type of shoe for spring and summer? 

You Smell | Natural Bar Soaps with Great Design

I am a huge fan of natural bar soaps, I think they may be my favorite beauty item! Needless to say, I am smitten with these fabulous natural bars from You Smell. Each bar is made with natural shea butter and olive olive, free of parabens and phthalates. And the design is fantastic, no? I think they would make me smile every time I took a bath. I wonder if they smell as good as they look.
When you buy natural soaps do you choose ones that look and smell as good as they work?

Paperless Post: Digital Invitations and Stationary that are Chic and Eco-Friendly

This year for Eben’s 11th birthday bash at the beach, I used Paperless Post for the invitations. Paperless Post offers a huge selection of free and paid online invitations and stationary that is as beautiful as a hard copy would be! Each invitation comes with a fabulous design and arrives in your recipients inbox in a coordinating envelope. I love Paperless Post because it allows me to send a high-quality invitation that has a super low impact on the environment. And the designs are the best that I have seen in digital invitations.

They have a great selection of invitations and stationary for parties, bridal, notes + greetings, save the dates, holidays, and announcements. If you are having a beach or pool party this summer, you should give it a try. I received the best compliments from the guests that received Eben’s invites.

What do you think of Paperless Post? Is this a service you would use?

P.S. Eben chose the orange seahorse invitation!