One of the best things to come out of Memphis, TN is Ugly Mug Coffee. Well, that’s reason number one I’m blogging this, but there are a few other cool reasons as well.

Silent Night Elvis Signature Coffee is Fair Trade and organic.

Plus, with Ugly Mug decaf, you can’t go wrong. I know many of you, including Jennifer, are shaking your heads, saying decaf isn’t real coffee. But, please trust me on this. Ugly Mug makes real decaf, and they aren’t paying me to say that. It’s what I drink whenever I have coffee. Well, not the Elvis blend. I drink Saving Grace.

I just thought you might know an Elvis fan or two who’d get a kick out of this. Don’t worry. They have Elvis coffee with the caf too.

Want more coffee and tea goodness? Head over to Kettle & Cup.

Image via Ugly Mug Coffee.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes and everything else going on at Tree Hugging Family in October 2008.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Fair Trade empowers people around the world. It helps the very poor, but it is not charity.

When you purchase a Fair Trade product, you’re making the choice to help prevent or amend poverty in many places of the world. Not only that, but Fair Trade promotes environmental sustainability and safe, healthy workplaces.

Choosing Fair Trade sends a very clear message that you care about the working conditions of those who grew or manufactured your product. You’re saying you want to stamp out the poverty of those who’ve been putting up with meager pay and deplorable working conditions for far too long.

Please learn more about Fair Trade at the Fair Trade Federation and Fair Trade Certified.

Visit my other Blog Action Day post.

Additional Blog Action Day posts to read:
Rough Starts and Small Steps
Kiva: Lend Money, Fight Poverty
Womb Within participates in Blog Action Day 2008
Chronic pain + poverty = sad quality of life
Whose sorry now?
Poverty and Breast Cancer
Five Damaging Myths about Breastfeeding and Poverty
Good News: The American Dream Ain’t Dead. Better News: Poverty Can Be Beaten.
Wordless Wednesday: leadership fools means poverty rules
Blog Action Day at Simply Thrifty
Poverty as the First MDG
Blog Action Day at Medium Dreams
Fight Poverty through Education
Do you know what true poverty looks like?
Field of Food – helping to raise 1,000,000 pounds of food
Poverty And Mental Health
Take a Stand against Poverty
The Farmer and the Phone

Image via flickr/aussiegall.

This is a Blogtoberfest Sponsored Post.

If you would like to enter for a chance to win the surprise gift behind this blog post, please leave a comment. Prize and Winner will be announced within a week. Check back to see if you’re the lucky winner and what you’ve won!

You also have lots of chances to win great Blogtoberfest prizes! Today, October 15, your chances (and prizes) are hiding at the following blogs: (A Creative Journal, Babylune, Busy Family Meals, Declutter It, Inside Motherhood, MyCrimeSpace, One Book Two Book, Thrifty Mommy, Junk Creation). Visit them all and leave a comment — you may win even more!

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Halloween Milk Chocolate Foils from Divine Chocolate (a farmer-owned Fair Trade company)

Handmade Streamers

Papel Picado Mexican Streamers from Global Exchange (Fair Trade online store)

Wonderful Flavors

Phinney Chocolate Bars by Theo in Lots of Flavors (Fair Trade milk and dark chocolate bars – check out all the varieties)

Are you considering Fair Trade chocolate treats this Halloween? 

Images via Divine Chocolate, Global Exchange and Theo as noted above.

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

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

The starter kit is intended to help recipients take stock of their personal well-being and their impact on the world.

Here’s what’s included with CHANGE: a starter kit –

•Handmade, one-of-a-kind recycled tote bag

•Seedling from The Arbor Day Foundation

•Handmade, treeless journal and recycled pencil

•CFL (light bulb)

•Fair Trade hot chocolate from Equal Exchange

•Sudoku booklet (These puzzles can decrease memory decline and energize your brain.)

•Three gratitude cards

•Envelope addressed and stamped to Action Against Hunger (if the recipient choses to donate)

A description of the kit from rockpeacelove:

The box, pencil, tote bag, and all paper products were made from recycled materials. The journal is handmade using shavings from the lokta bush requiring no trees to be cut down. The tags are made from lokta paper embedded with flower seeds. Plant them in 1/2 inch of dirt, water, and watch them grow. The string, ribbon, and cellophane bag are biodegradable.

The starter kit sells for $40, and a portion of the proceeds go to Action Against Hunger. It would be unique gift for college students, or anyone looking to start new habits, like carrying a reusable shopping tote or using a CFL. If you’d like just the tote instead of a starter kit, you may purchase small or large recycled totes as well.

Congratulations again to Liz, our surprise contest winner who will receive CHANGE: a starter kit. And thank you to rockpeacelove for providing the prize.

Images via rockpeacelove.

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

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Surprise Liz!

You won CHANGE: a starter kit. We’ll talk more about what’s in it coming up soon, but why a surprise contest?

Jennifer and I wanted to surprise one of the participants in this month’s Reusable Bag Challenge with a special gift. We’d also like to thank rocklovepeace for sponsoring this surprise contest.

Here are Liz’s recent comments:

On BYOB Challenge Update

Ugh! Not so great! I’m at 8 bags. I can’t believe how bad I’ve been about it. Part of my problem is that I often don’t carry a purse, and I’m a carless wonder, which means there’s nowhere to stash that bag. I really have to commit to carrying a purse or bag with me, so that I can keep a couple of Chico bags stashed in there.

and on Have You Tried a ChicoBag?

I have four Chico Bags … My only complaint is that for the farmer’s market I’d really like something I can wear over my arm, like a purse. I’ll probably pick up some of those ubiquitous string bags for the farmer’s market, but for the grocery store and other shopping, the chico bag is perfect.

So, Liz, we’re hoping that maybe the unique, recycled tote bag in CHANGE: a starter kit will be helpful to you as a place to stash your other bags and for the farmer’s market. Since each bag is unique, your bag will be another surprise. We’ll contact you by e-mail to get the surprise gift to you.

Up next, learn what’s inside the recycled tote that comes with CHANGE: a starter kit. It makes a perfect gift.

Image via rocklovepeace.

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

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

World Fair Trade Day is Saturday, May 10. I’m not saying we should only pay attention to fair trade one day a year, but hey — join the international celebration and buy a Fair Trade product this weekend.

This year’s theme for World Fair Trade Day is ecology. That seems like a good theme since Fair Trade products are often environmentally responsible as well as socially responsible.

Learn more at the Fair Trade Federation.

Logo via World Fair Trade Day.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

This year think green. This way you can show your loved ones a little sugar, and still give the earth a big kiss too.

Our first stop is Taraluna – I’ve been a little obsessed with them lately, so it’s a good place to start. Taraluna is an organic-based, fair trade, non-toxic lovin’ company. Family owned too. If you don’t see anything here; no worries. This upcoming week we’ll look at some more green minded gifts as well.

For everyone:

Vegan Nuts & Chews Valentine Box: Of course we need a chocolate option (or two… or three). This box is vegan, and made in good old Humboldt County. Organic chewy caramels, crunchy clusters and buttery English toffee, in dark chocolate and dairy free. Perfect!

For me (um, I mean for her):

From Fair Trade Artisans in Nepal comes a unique necklace with Garnet, Blue Topaz and Amethyst Stones. I like it because it reminds me of a little tree. Plus I do love silver. Beautiful.

For anyone who likes their bath relaxing:

I would not shy away from giving lavender to a fella – I know many guys who like it. So this cherry red spa bucket would work well for most people. “Each bucket includes: 4 oz. organic lavender body oil, 4 oz lavender soy candle, a 4 oz bar of natural sweet lavender cold process soap and a natural loofah.”

Later today: I’ll wrap up our trash audit. Yesterday I was tying up month-end loose ends and missed our audit tip, so later on we’ll have some extended trash info (just what you always wanted, right?). Ya hoo, extended trash info!

Post from: Tree Hugging Family