Tree Hugging Family » eco cake

Hug This Tree: Cupcake Tree

Jennifer — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 21:30:12 +0000

While yes, it would be rockin’ cool if there was a real cupcake tree in my backyard, this is more a tree of the creative type…

The cupcake tree:

I have no clue how I came across this – I don’t frequent Woman’s Day, but I must say, this is a very nice little cooking with kids project. They give full instructions at the site for how to make your own cupcake trees – perfect for an Earth Day party or an eco-themed birthday party.

While the above trees are autumn themed, you could make little spring trees with green frosting (grass) and little flower candies, or summer trees; anything really. It’s a fun idea.

Notes: Use organic cake ingredients and use reusable cupcake liners and you’re green and good to go with this project.

[pretty flower cupcake image via stock.xchng]

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Cake goes eco-friendly with solar energy!

Jennifer — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:54:51 +0000

I’m a big Cake fan; no not the cake you eat, Cake the kooky band. I suppose I won’t turn down ice cream cake if offered; but I digress.

Cake is getting cooler by the minute (literally) with their sixth full length album. The yet, as far as I know, unnamed album, is being recorded with 100% solar energy. Go them.

Cake has a nice little solar installation video up at their site, but we never get to discuss music here, so I’m going to show a different Cake video – my fave Cake tune of all time. I like all their stuff, but I never get tired of this one… (the first song is my fave BTW, but sticking around for Ruby Sees All won’t kill you either).

Want more eco-friendly cake; of the not musical variety?

[image - Sarah Magid cake via THF post Happy Birthday - Have Some Cake!]

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Green Wedding Round Up

Jennifer — Sat, 31 May 2008 21:00:44 +0000

This being the last day of June, we’re closing out our green wedding feature. In case you missed something essential, I rounded up all the posts we did so far related to green weddings. I also made this green wedding guide a permanent fixture in our sidebar page section (to your right). Although green wedding month is over, as we do other posts that relate, we’ll be adding to the sidebar guide.

Here’s what we covered in May…

Basics:

Green Wedding Planner: Helpful Links for Wedding Planning

Announcements & Invitations:

Wedding Dresses, Wedding Party Clothing & Accessories:

Cake:

Food & Beverages:

Gifts:

Special Touches:

Extreme Green Weddings:

I hope you enjoyed this special feature – we sure did. Don’t forget to look for a new feature in June.

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Green Wedding Planner: Helpful Links for Wedding Planning

Jennifer — Wed, 21 May 2008 21:00:05 +0000

All May we’ve been talking about green weddings. In June, of course, we’ll be focusing on another feature, but good news – here at b5 we’re not the only blog talking weddings though.

We have a wedding planning blog here at b5 – Our One Heart, and although, the ideas are not green exclusive, you can draw ideas from the blog, and adapt them to your choosing. Then we also have Marriage Actually – a fun read written by Cory and Kerri. And yes, they’re an actual married couple. Now you can see what life might be like after the big event.

We also have an extensive travel section here at b5 where you can learn about place to go on your honeymoon. Some examples:

Then there’s She Knows Parties. This blog is written by two of my favorite bloggers and covers a wide range of topics that will interest anyone getting married.

Should You Hire a Party Planner?
5 Things You Will Need for Any Type of Party
Should You Have an Engagement Party?
Simple Summer Cupcakes
Lighted Punch Fountain
Party Punch Decorative Ice Ring – with little flowers and the right ice mold shape, it’s perfect for a wedding!
Adventure Bachelor Party – Stepping Away from the Traditional Route
And more – visit for plenty of party helpful ideas.

Now you know where to go when our wedding feature is over, and you’re having withdrawals.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in May 2008

[image via stock.xchng]

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Planning an Organic or Vegetarian Wedding Menu?

Jennifer — Wed, 21 May 2008 05:00:39 +0000

Part of any good green wedding is of course the food. However, food is not so much my thing. I can cook when I want, but I’m pretty dull, and your wedding deserves more creativity than brown rice and raw broccoli. That said, I’ve gathered up some links and ideas that can help you to plan your green wedding food.

Oh, and we’ll discuss cake and wine later.

Planning a Vegetarian Wedding

UK organic caterer search

Co-op America’s organic food providers

‘Green’ Wedding Ideas: Your Menu

San Francisco based, Work of Art has a cool sample menu for an Organic and Sustainable Cocktail Dinner you can look at for ideas.

Find a green marketplace for DIY food.

Vegetarian sample wedding menu

Sample vegan and vegetarian menu ideas

Eco-friendly Catering for your Wedding or Special Event

Whole Foods, other natural food grocers, and many co-ops have party platters available, from simple to full score meals. Of course you’ll also want to check with local caterers; even if they don’t say they’re organic, they may be able to prepare a fully organic spread.

Feel free to add your idea in the comments.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in May 2008

[image via stock.xchng]

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Eco Wedding Favors – Four Ideas

Jennifer — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:00:50 +0000

Greener wedding favors should be made with eco sense (i.e. organic) or be something people will use and use; not just toss. Here are a few ideas…

Plantable Petal Cones Kit (for holding flower petals, lavender grains, rice, etc.) from Favor Creative

“The Perfect Pair” Cookie Cutters from the knot wedding shop

Organic Chocolate Bar Wedding Favors from Endangered Species Chocolate

Redwood, Pine, or Spruce trees from the Arbor Day Foundation – each plant ready tree comes in a recyclable container that converts into a bird feeder. You can also personalize your messages on the tree container.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in May 2008

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Your Green Wedding Gift Registry – Where to Register

Jennifer — Mon, 05 May 2008 08:00:19 +0000

You could go a few ways with greener wedding gifts. One, you could forgo gifts and instead ask guests to make a contribution to a favorite green charity. Two, you could ask guests to bring you a nice reuse item that they no longer need. Three, you can register for only earth friendly gifts.

If you need home items then obviously gift registry is the way to go. There are very few whole green stores in most cities. There are actually very few comprehensive green registry places online. That said, you could compile a list of items you’re looking for to give to friends and family, or you might consider registering online at a few of the following places.

By far the absolute best option I’ve seen for green wedding registry is the Alternative Gift Registry from New American Dream. This registry service is awesome. You can search the entire web, and post links to green items you adore, but keep them all together in one handy spot. Bonus, you can ask for help or other things vs. gifts. Such as this example from their sample wedding registry:

“John and I want to know your favorite recipes. We’re especially looking for quick or crock-pot dinners, since we’ll both be working full time and will be hungry and out of energy when it’s time to cook, but we’re also really eager for holiday and dessert recipes that are worth a little extra effort.”

AND

“John and I don’t get too excited about cake, and since this is our wedding we thought we’d have a dessert we both absolutely love: pie. We’re looking for people to make and bring their favorite kind of pie, whatever that may be, to serve for dessert in place of a wedding cake at our reception. Don’t worry, we’ll still make a big deal about cutting one up.”

Seriously, what a great idea – and no worries you can also say things like, “I just love these organic sheets from…link.” The registry is just like a regular registry and keeps track of all gifts sent or bought. I’d go with this option if I was planning a green wedding.

Coming up, good green gift ideas for those of you attending a green wedding, plus more green wedding goodness all month long.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in May 2008

[photo via stock.xchng]

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May is Green Wedding Month!

Jennifer — Sun, 04 May 2008 08:00:53 +0000

During May, Tree Hugging Family will be covering some green wedding topics. From dresses, to cakes, to invitations and flowers, we’ll look at a little bit of everything. Of course, green weddings is an in depth topic, we won’t be able to cover it all, so we’ll also be locating and posting resources where you can find more information.

In the meantime, if there’s a green wedding issue that you’re dying to learn more about, leave a comment, and I’ll try to prioritize a post on the topic.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in May 2008

[wedding couple made with dried maize leaves via stock.xchng]

Post from: Tree Hugging Family