Happy Birthday, Mr. Sweet Greens!

Dear Mr. Sweet Greens,

Happy Birthday! We are so lucky to have you! We love you! You make us laugh, give us great advice, cook up the most delicious meals every. single. day. You are fun to chat and be with, you make us giggle when you talk to Lilly and Noodles and let us know how special we are to you, by always, always, always putting us first! Thank you. We hope you enjoy your birthday surprises and dinner. We can’t wait to see you tonight!

Your loving family,

Mrs. Sweet Greens and Eben.
P.S. Lily and Noodles too!

The Birthday Project: Give an Organic Lemon Tree

Today is the misters birthday and Eben wanted to surprise him with a birthday project. In our family, we like to give projects (something we can do together) as birthday gifts. The project that he choose was planting an organic lemon tree together. Eben was very adamant that it be a lemon tree – even if that meant that we had to go to three organic nurseries before we found the perfect tree. Ever since we moved back to Florida – the mister has been mentioning that he would love to have one. Then, last week at the Green Market, Eben purchased a cup of lemonade that the vendor squeezed right before his eyes. (He was very impressed!) When Eben gave the mister a taste, he said it was the best lemonade he had ever tasted. Later that day, Eben pulled me aside to tell me that he had the perfect idea for Daddy’s birthday project – a lemon tree.

So, Eben and I took a trip to our local organic nursery and purchased a lovely little organic lemon tree, organic potting soil and a big green pot made from recycled materials. When the mister comes home from work – he and Eben will plant the tree together. This has always been a very special way to build memories around a special occasion.

P.S. We are also giving the mister an annual membership to his favorite botanical gardens to go with his lemon tree.

Have you ever given a project as a birthday gift? What kind?
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Update: It has been almost 3 years since Eben gave the mister the organic lemon tree as a birthday gift. It has grown into a large tree and we enjoy it all season long!

Coyuchi: Organic Cotton Robe Review + Giveaway


I feel very strongly about Organic cotton. I have talked about the adverse environmental and health effects that conventionally grown cotton has. Growing conventional cotton is the most pesticide intensive farming process in the world. All the pesticides and fertilizers in the cotton fields translate to a 1/3 cup of chemicals (such as cancer causing agents) remaining in the clothing that you wear and the linens that you use (right next to your skin.)

Coyuchi is a fabulous Organic cotton linen company based in Northern California, with a partnering company in India. Coyuchi has a wonderful selection of green luxury products such as bedding, towels, a beautiful baby collection, sleepwear and totes in various price points. Coyuchi also supplies its products to green luxury hotels such as Post Inn Ranch, Han Maui Hotel and Hotel Triton.

Coyuchi founder and CEO Christine Nielson and her business partner, Rajat Jaipuria, the head of Coyuchi in India take sustainability, environmental and economical consciousness and social equality very seriously. Coyuchi only purchases their cotton from The Chetna Project in India’s southern coastal regions of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

The Chetna Project is an organization devoted to growing fair trade, certified organic cotton, while developing communities. The Chetna Project makes farmers who cultivate cotton on a small scale partners in the business chain, empowering and improving their lives and currently has over 3,000 members.

Coyuchi’s first philanthropic endeavor focuses on helping peasant farmers acquire livestock that contribute to both the farm and the farmer’s family. This project, lovingly called The Cow Project brings in an additional source of income for the farmer’s and their families. You can donate directly to this project here.

Coyuchi sent me a beautiful turquoise Organic cotton hooded robe and I am in love with it. I have had other robes in the past, but never a robe that I don’t want to take off. It is soft and cozy and the color is fabulous. It has great angled pockets that my hands slide into and stay into easily. I love wearing an item that was not made using pesticides, was made by an environmentally conscious company and that I can feel rest assured that the farmers that cultivated the cotton were treated fairly.

Would you like to try a Coyuchi robe?

Coyuchi has been so lovely to offer ONE of my readers your choice of either an adult hooded robe or an adult waffle robe. You can also purchase any of Coyuchi fabulous items here and get 15% off with the coupon code sweet greens.

{How To Enter} CLOSED

1. Subscribe to Sweet Greens (if you haven’t already) and confirm the subscription in the email from Feedburner.

2. Visit Coyuchi and then come back and leave me a comment telling me which item you think is fabulous.

{Optional Additional Entries}

Please leave me a separate comment for each thing that you do.

* Share Coyuchi on Twitter and follow Sweet Greens.
* Share Coyuchi on Facebook and join Sweet Greens Facebook Fan Page.
* Stumble, Digg or Kirtsy Coyuchi.
* Blog about Sweet Greens Coyuchi Giveaway.
* Add Sweet Greens Coyuchi Giveaway to your Technorati Favorites.

{Rule for Entry}
* Please leave a way for me to contact you if you win.

* Contest ends June 29th @ 12am EST. Winner will be chosen at random using a random number generator and will be announced the following day. (I will announce the winner, if I do not hear from you within 72 business hours, I will pick another winner.)

* You must leave a comment telling me which item you love in order to qualify.

Enjoy and Good Luck.
UPDATE: Winner:: Madonna Cramer. Congratulations on winning a fabulous Coyuchi robe.

3 Last Minute Halloween Treats that You can Make this Weekend

Have you had a chance to make some fun Halloween goodies for your family? If not, there is still time. Here are my favorite 3 quick and simple Halloween treats – that will have your little goblins and ghosts moaning for more!

– Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Sticks: These are a Halloween must at our house – a treat that the entire family enjoys. All you need are popsicle sticks, large marshmallows, melted chocolate chips and sprinkles. Whole Foods has a great selection of marshmellows and sprinkles that are vegan and organic.

Mummy Pizzas: These are great for a quick Halloween lunch or snack – perfect for a party and can be made using all organic ingredients!

Yummy Mummies: I made these several years ago and use them every Halloween – especially for parties. If you construct them well, they will last forever.

What are your simple Halloween treats that you save for the big day?

* The lead image is the Haunted Halloween House that Eben and I made. What do you think?

5 Suprising Ways to Experience your Local Botanic Gardens

Do you visit your local botanic gardens? Did you know that most botanic gardens have an array of programs, events and activities geared towards families. Most of these programs give you surprising new ways to experience the gardens. Everything from concerts on the green and storytelling to exotic animal encounters and fabulous art exhibits. 5 Surprising Ways to Experience your Local Botanic Gardens will get you started. Check your local botanic garden’s fall/winter schedule for fun holiday activities.

Do you frequent your local botanic gardens?
Which are your favorite programs or events?