Saturday, October 11, 2008

New e commerce site Kindred Spirits Organics

I am setting up a new e commerce site where customers can order Kindred Spirits Organics products like wild rice, maple syrup, soup mixes, pasta baskets and lots more to come. Lots of peopple have been calling and asking me to ship their favorites, so this seemed to be a good idea. This is a new adventure for me as I have been teaching myself - and as a few can attest, my computer skills require lots of patience! Please check out my site, Kindred Spirits Organics, and watch for newsletters, recipes, and other great gift ideas.

Perfect day for a fall wedding!

Today is a gorgeous fall day here in Appleton, Wisconsin. The maples are at peak color, the sky is brilliant blue, and the geese going overhead are honking up a storm. Perfect day for a wedding. I am delivering flowers to a wedding this afternoon, being held at a meadow/barn out in the country. The ceremony will be in the meadow, and dinner and dancing afterward in the barn. The bride is wearing a vintage ivory silk dress, her bridesmaids in chocolate brown. The men in chocolate as well. The flowers are gorgeous! Diablo calla lilies (those are the ones that range from orangey yellow to deep rust) yellow sunflowers with brown centers, yarrow, solidago and small lotus pods. I will post pictures!

Monday, October 6, 2008

Easy ways to add local foods to your diet

**Farm markets! This is a great way to get local foods, fresh and supporting local business. Instead of a corporation owned large grocery store, you get a chance to speak with the farmer, learn more about their philosophy (organic? sustainable?) and can make a real connection to your food.
**CSA, community supported agriculture. by purchasing a "share" you get seasonal fresh veggies and fruits, support local business and eat according to seasons which is far healthier.
**Co ops and small grocery stores buy from local producers, helping the local economy.
**Grow your own! Imagine harvesting a sun warmed tomato...grown by you. yum. Even if you don't have lots of space, herbs and vegetables can be grown in pots on patios, balconies and porches.

Renewable resources

Renewable energy is limitless, endless. The sun generates enough solar power every 40 minutes to meet the energy need for the entire earth for an entire year. Wind power and geothermal are alternate energy sources that are capable (and renewable) of powering yet more energy.
As the demand of renewables increases, costs go down. Fossil fuels, on the other hand, gets more and more expensive, quantities dwindling and will eventually be depleted.
Renewables can help build a bright future, and not at the expense of the environment.

Vive' la difference!

I love doing wedding design, meeting with the brides and grooms, learning what colors and flowers they love, and helping them make their special day even more personal. Recent wedding designs I have done:
*Herb, the bouquets and boutineers incorporated orchids and fresh herbs with symbolism (rosemary for rememberence, sage for wisdom, chamomile for patience) the fragrance was amazing. The table decor at the celebration was large clear glass cubes, filled with coffee beans, green orchids, white orchids, and fresh herbs. The scent was incredible, and echoed the colors of the bridesmaids dresses (chocolate brown with an apple green sash) The altar had large pots of rosemary, and the pews had mixed herbal bouquets.
*An outside wedding at the Botanical gardens, purple hydrangeas, green seeded eucalyptus, purple lizianthus. The black wrought iron arch had a garland of pruple hydrangeas, purple statice, purple larkspur, salal and seeded eucalyptus.
*An autumnal wedding, each bouquet had orange tiger lilies, red hypericum berries and individual color of roses. The brides bouquet had cream colored roses, the maid of honor had red, and the maids had butterscotch, orange, and yellow.
Each design, different and lovely, each that spoke of their love and commitment

Food Buyers Club

Our Food Buyers Club (Kindred Club) has been really going over well since we started it back in June of this year. Basically, for a year long membership fee ($25.00 for a family, and $15.00 for college student or over 55) you save 25 % on all food purchases at Kindred Spirits Organics. It begins from the date you sign up, not a calendar year but a true year from date joined and includes all edible food, juices, pasta, maple syrup, nuts, fruits, veggies, snacks, anything edible.
With the way food prices have gone through the roof, its a great way to save money, eat very healthy, and support local organic farmers and producers. Environmentally sustaining too, as we are utilizing resources nearby. A few years ago, a study showed apples traveled from orchard to consumer less than 200 miles. Now it is 1200 miles. That's alot of carbon.
To date, everyone who has signed up have saved well over their initial fee of either 15.00 or 25.00, and still have lots of time to save even more. This makes me feel so good, knowing we are helping people eat better and not busting their budget.