April 18, 2014

It’s Easy Being Green

Keep on the Grass

Looking for local, organic, environmentally sound, European–style butter from grass–fed cow’s milk? Look no further than your neighborhood Nugget Markets dairy department! McClelland’s Dairy Artisan Organic Butter has a higher butter fat content for amazing, robust flavor and it’s churned in small batches for perfect texture. With added sea salt from the Sea of France, McClelland’s is then packed in a reusable ceramic crock, perfect for a refill.

Grass–Fed Goodness

Organic Traderspoint Yogurt is made from 100% milk from grass–fed cows and is available in plain, raspberry, banana mango, wild berry and vanilla varieties. Packed in recyclable glass jars, Traderspoint Yogurt is higher in Omega 3s, cancer–fighting CLA’s, and probiotics than other snack–sized yogurts. It’s yogurt that you can feel good about.

Circle of Friends

One day, a group of friends with a vision got together and created products that balance style, function, sustainability, and affordability in every single one of their products. Full Circle is the realization of that vision, offering well–designed, long–lasting cleaning items made from natural, eco–friendly materials. Full Circle earth–friendly cleaning tools are tough on grime and dirt, yet kind to the earth. Choose from such easy–on–the–planet products as dish cloths, loofah scrubber sponges, and magnetic towels to dish brushes, potato brushes, and glass cleaner tools, just to name a few. Plus, with each creatively designed product, living and cleaning “green” never looked so good. Selection varies by location.

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Walk the Line

For billions of people around the world, surviving on $1.50 per day in food and drink is a way of life, every day. Live Below the Line is a dynamic fundraising project that challenges individuals to eat and drink on just $1.50 per day for 5 consecutive days. This bold campaign strives to increase the number of people taking direct action and drives home an awareness regarding the lack of choice and opportunity faced by those living in extreme poverty. Lorna Parton, our own healthy living/health and beauty buyer, has committed to living this challenge for 5 days - April 28 through May 2 - in the hopes of raising funds for those living in extreme poverty and to experience what it’s like to “live below the line.” …continued

The Seedy Side of Life

When the soil warms up, it’s time to sow some seeds! Botanical Interests organic seed packs are high–quality organic growing seeds for your garden. Whether you’re into flowers, vegetables, herbs or fruits, there’s a little pack of something for every gardener’s plot. Organic and family owned since 1995, Botanical Interests offers detailed planting instructions and recipes on each packet, with hand–drawn artwork by botanical artists.

Pillars of the Earth

Everything about Rare Earth candles is 100% sourced from the earth, such as beeswax and non–GMO soy wax sourced from farms in the Midwest. Natural mineral colors, hemp wicks, and 100% essential oil fragrances make these pillars a lovely addition to every room in your house. Varieties like Cairo, Provence, Bali, Istanbul, Valencia, Fiji, and Barcelona scent your space with fragrances reminiscent of each exotic destination.

Reclamation Proclamation

What’s simple, eco–friendly, raw, sustainable, natural, responsible, handmade and green? Answer: products from Berkeley–based company Be Home. Not only are Be Home’s kitchen utensils and serving pieces incredibly beautiful, but each piece is fashioned out of reclaimed wood, olive and mango wood from dried–out, non–fruit–bearing trees or teak wood remnants from the logging industry. No new trees are cut down to manufacture Be Home’s products. Every item is hand–made, which only adds to the unique character of each piece.

Start Your Grinnin’ and Drop Your Linen!

Decidedly functional and truly beautiful linens are what Now Designs and Danica Studio is all about. We offer this company’s fresh selection of linen towels and aprons that fit perfectly into today’s modern, stylish kitchens. Made from the flax plant (sustainable and fast growing), linen is one of the best kitchen textile materials, and these linen items bring a splash of color and earthy texture to your home. And it’s not just linen products on our shelves, we also have a wonderful variety of Now Designs’ cotton aprons, towels, mugs and assorted kitchen wares.

Green Brews

New Belgium Brewing, a long–time proponent of sustainable, environmentally friendly practices (like 100% wind–powered electricity, on–site water treatment and use of evaporative coolers), brings you Rampant IPA and Snap Shot Wheat. Rampant IPA is a Northwest Style IPA, where the hops are noticeable but not overpowering, instead adding to the overall complexity. New to New Belgium’s flavor roster is the Snap Shot Wheat, perfect for spring and summer here in the valley. The wheat malt base makes for a crisp lighter–bodied beer with citrus notes, refreshing on a warm summer day.

The 49th State

When it comes to innovative sustainable practices, Alaskan Brewing Company leads the way and is the first American craft brewer to install a carbon dioxide reclamation system. Alaskan Brewing Company’s newest creation—Hop Thermia Double IPA —is a rich–copper colored ale with fresh hop aromas bursting forth from each glass. Medium carbonation provides a creamy texture that frames the hop bitterness. Try a glass with smoked gouda cheese for a tasty pairing.

It’s All in the Bag

Looking for something stylish and fun to tote your tater tots? Check out Nugget Markets new reusable canvas grocery bags. Available in two styles, they’re not only fun to look at, but they’re sturdy, environmentally friendly, made in the USA, and darn cute to boot.

Stay Glassy

For the purest, freshest taste, drink from a glass! We’ve got Lifefactory’s glass water bottles in 22–ounce, 16–ounce, and 12–ounce sizes and they’re perfect for the gym, kids backpacks, lunches, etc. Plus, drinking from glass is the healthiest way to hydrate with no metallic or chemical tastes, and nothing leaches into your beverage, thanks to glass composition. Made in great colors and a unique design, Lifefactory’s water bottles are functional and “green,” too.