The morning of my flight to New York from Tokyo my daughter, Danielle and I had a reservation to experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Much to our surprise we found ourselves at the Kooman Cultural Center, for a private lesson on the traditions and expected behaviors for the formal tea ceremony. This ritual is a social event and a time to clear one’s mind of the outside world. The objective is to create a moment in time for peace, harmony and calm for the guests. It is a meditation of being and an appreciation of the tea, the host and the environment. This includes admiring the room, artwork, and tea cups. We learned that the powdered green tea has a fascinating history and is used for medicinal purposes as well as enjoyment.

As the honored guest, it was my privilege to open the sliding Shoji doors and be the first to place my naked feet upon the matted floor. Centered on the wall before me (which would be considered the “Red Bird” in Feng Shui) was a work of art. It was an (more…)

HotLips is a hot soda pop brand, family-run and located in Portland, Oregon. They’ve been concocting fruit-based batches of refreshing bubbly since 2005 – sourcing locally grown fruit, refining the processing & manufacturing, rolling out new flavors, expanding distribution, and listening to customer’s requests for “less tiny seeds in the strawberry, please.”

We recently had the opportunity to test their latest handcrafted flavor, Cranberry – it’s a hit in our book. How do they do it? Fresh batches of Stevens and Yellow River varieties of cranberries from Seaview Farms arrive at HOTLIPS bottling plant in Newberg, Oregon. The berries are cooked in kettles, blended with NW grown pear juice for a happy dose of light sweetening (no other sugar is added), then it’s lightly carbonated and pasteurized. The fruit-derived soda is distributed in bottles made from 80% recycled, locally sourced glass. Just twist off the cap and Voila! Instant fruity refreshment.

We’ve drunk it straight and are happy to report that it doesn’t leave one’s mouth feeling dry or parched, like a “whole” cranberry juice can. The tartness of the cranberry is well balanced by the addition of pear juice delivering a dose of sweetness that we seem to desire when drinking soda. The carbonation also adds a nice level of sparkling hydration and refreshment, too.

Vodka lovers that we are, we also added Cranberry Soda to a shot of vodka and added a twist of lime. Very fine.

Not for bargain hunters – this handcrafted soda pop retails for $2.75/each or a 6-pack for $11. (when you buy a 6-pack, you can mix & match flavors) … buy online @ hotlipssoda.com

full disclosure: we received a complimentary 6-pack for the purposes of this trial, no strings attached.

Related: HotLips previously on The Alternative Consumer

Great little stocking stuffer … Now I know what to get my biking, boarding, kayaking, camping loving niece … the Joe-2-Go by Origin8 … attaches via screw to the handlebars and you’re good to pedal, sip and go. No more messy spills. Bronze colored aluminum. Comes in 2 sizes – see below; $13 @ amazon.com

specs:
Standard size fits most standards cups – inside diameter tapers from 78mm to 75mm.
XL size fits larger cups – inside diameter tapers from 83mm to 78mm.
Made of durable 6061-T aluminum alloy, with a 25.4mm (1-inch) clamp to fit most common handlebars.

suggestion: measure your reusable drink cup before purchasing.

Related: more outdoor gear on The Alternative Consumer.

About 12 years ago, I wrapped up a business trip in San Francisco and headed north on a 4-day wine tasting trip through Napa and the surrounding area with 3 girlfriends. It was May … the land and sky were springtime fresh … and so were we. Needless to say it was a trip like none other.

Because of that vineyard touring experience I have a greater appreciation for not only wine tasting, but also what it takes to grow and harvest grapes, and make fine wine. Coupled with a cursory knowledge Rudolf Steiner’s biodynamic farming – I’m pretty much in awe of anyone who has a reputation for producing world-class organic wine. Which brings me to the topic of today’s Tried and True Review: Beckmen Vineyards - a California based biodynamic wine producer.

Last night the hub and I had the pleasure of dipping into a new bottle of Syrah: Beckmen Vineyards 2009 Estate Syrah from Santa Ynez Valley.

Our taste buds were treated to a warm, rich blast of deliciousness. Lush, wonderful berry flavors. Topped with a beautiful finish. Neither too sweet nor tart.

Unlike some other reds, there’s no accompanying dry-mouth or parched throat sensation. Just a desire to relax and sip more.

(retails for $25)

backstory: Tom Beckmen purchased a 365 acre hillside property overlooking the Santa Ynez Valley in 1996. This land soon became Purisima Mountain Vineyard, producing world-class Rhone varietals.

In 2006, Tom’s son, Steve Beckmen, began farming Purisima Mountain Vineyard 100 percent biodynamically. “Our goal,” says Steve, “is to always get better and better. Biodynamics allows us to achieve the purest possible expression of our Purisima Mountain Vineyard terroir, which is at the very heart of our winegrowing philosophy. Since we’ve gone biodynamic, we have produced some of our best wines ever.”

Based on the pioneering 1920s work of scientist Rudolf Steiner, biodynamic farming offers a proactive and holistic approach to farming. By treating vineyards as complete and self-replenishing systems, biodynamic farming naturally builds soil life and vitality, while defending against pests and disease. Often confused with both organic and sustainable farming practices, biodynamic farming meets the criteria of both, while focusing on a unique set of eight naturally derived non-chemical soil and plant treatments. (more…)

A Tried and True Green Products Review…

Designed as a pick-me-up solution that’s all natural and made with organic ingredients by a team of leading naturopathic physicians and licensed dietitians to enhance the body’s natural healing power … Phix is packed with 14 vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, yerba mate, and NADH … After drinking-in 3 different flavors, here’s what we think of Phix:

• It definitely delivers an energy boost, a pleasant buzz of sorts. Purported to provide natural, sustained energy while actually bolstering one’s health — it delivers a nice boost, both physically and mentally. No edgy, over-revved sensations or crashing, either.
• Flavor-wise, we prefer either Teaberry or Tropic hands down over Citron.
• The slim packets of powder are designed to go wherever you go. Just tear open, add to a glass of water, stir and drink. At home, I enjoy it most when it’s added to a glass of plain seltzer. Fizz always makes things more fun. Before heading to yoga class, I mix Teaberry in water, fill my reusable drink container, and take it with me … instant karma. (more…)

Java Junkies – hold on to your cups…here’s a sleek new way to fill-up and go … grab an eco-friendly to-go mug that’s perfect for coffee, tea, cocoa, latte, macchiato OR espresso. It’s time to stop adding to landfills with those wasteful disposable hot drink cups.

Barista-friendly, too … the 8 and 12 oz. sizes fit under the heads of espresso machines AND the silicon band does double-duty, simply use a marker to note how you like your drink, and save a little time in the morning. Or better yet, make your own fair trade, organic brew before you hit the road.

Eco factoid: the KeepCup compared to disposable paper cup (including coffee) sees a:

• 36-47% reduction in global warming
• 64-85% reduction in water use
• 91-92% reduction in landfill waste annually. (source: core77.com)

KeepCups are made in Australia; silicone bands are made in China; (manufacturing hubs are expected to shift to Europe and North America in 2011 and 2012).

Details: Cups come in 3 sizes: 8, 12 & 16 ounce cups, and lids are one-size-fits-all. Cups and lids are free of Bisphenol-A (BPA) and made of food-safe recyclable polypropylene #5. The plug is thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) – (KeepCup’s website says they’re endeavoring to source the plug material in a biodegradable form).

Dishwasher and microwave-safe … starting at $12 for the 8-oz size. Buy @ amazon.com or find in 3 colorways @ branchhome.com

For all you beer aficionados – it’s Oktoberfest – these handsome, handmade greeting cards are made with recycled paper and spent barley from the Upland Beer brewery in Bloomington, Indiana.

Cards feature a “Cheers!” woodcut by Darian Goldin Stahl on front of card. Text on the back of card lets receiver know the special ingredient and beer name. Each set of four cards comes with matching envelopes and includes one card in each of four popular beer colors – wheat, pilsner, amber and porter. (more…)

Around campus there seems to be a little more eco consciousness about drinking coffee – mostly in the form of more reusable mugs being used. But one gadget that doesn’t seem that green to me are those single-cup coffee makers. Fun and convenient, yes. And they may consume less energy per cup than a bigger machine, but the amount of plastic packaging winding up in landfills seems really wasteful. What’s your take on it?

Given that there are 150 million coffee drinkers in the United States today, I figured it’s worth taking a look at how we can green that cup of joe…whether you prefer an espresso, cappuccino, latte, or iced coffee. Here are a few earth-friendly tips:

• Choose wisely: select Fair Trade, certified organic and shade-grown coffee. Organic coffee has been grown according to organic farming standards without the use of artificial fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. Shade-grown helps local flora and fauna remain intact and promotes natural indigenous diversity. Fair Trade ensures socially responsible working conditions and pay for laborers.
• Choose a reusable filter instead of disposable paper filters. (more…)

Honeydrop Beverages is a healthy line of teas and juices powered by honey. The Brooklyn, NY-based company is a leading producer of natural teas and juices made with a spoonful of pure wildflower honey, domestically sourced from regional beekeepers across the U.S..

Honeydrop recently announced their “Buy a Bottle – Save a Bee” initiative where a percentage of the profits from each bottle sold are donated to local beekeepers throughout the country to help battle Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), an epidemic threatening the global bee population. (more…)