My neighbor and I signed-up for The Organic Box about 4 weeks ago. We have been enjoying weekly delivery of a variety of organic vegetables and fruit. We do not currently live in a delivery area, but fortunately my neighbor’s husband works in Spruce Grove and can accept delivery at his office. Delivery is included with the price of the box.
Each week we receive an email that shows what is scheduled to be included in The Box. You can go through the menu and pick what you want to exclude and substitute. I appreciate this feature because my box is customized for what my family likes to eat. This week we received extra tomatoes on the vine. They were from a farm in Mexico. It is the first time in quite a while we have eaten tomatoes that taste like tomatoes! They have been a treat in our house. The kids have greeted each box with enthusiasm. They enjoy opening it and discovering the goodies inside. They are eager to try vegetables we have never seen before simply because they are from “the box”.
Danny sources food as local as possible. Since we live in Alberta, he naturally has to look elsewhere for fresh produce in winter. Many of the root vegetables on offer are still from local producers. He even was able to offer frozen raspberries from Roy’s Raspberries, a farm located on Hwy 16A just west of Edmonton.
The Organic Box is not just fruits and vegetables. One has choices of bakery, dry goods, eggs and organic dairy products available. Danny has even worked with the AGLC to offer home delivery of locally produced beer and wine to registered subscribers.
On Saturdays, there is a market available at The Organic Box warehouse. If you can’t get home delivery, then picking up the box at the market is an option too. They have many products available either by advance order or first-come, first-serve for stock on hand. Membership is not required to shop in their Saturday Mini-market.
Head over to their produce stand and see if they have something for you. www.theorganicbox.ca
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Carvel General Store
One of my favorite shops is Carvel General Store. The store has been in operation since 1918, initially operating as a true general store in the thriving Hamlet of Carvel, Alberta. As times have changed, so has the Hamlet. In 2003, the current owners opened the store as a “vintage specialty shop”. Kristine and Carell have truly captured the feel of a vintage store.
Kristine and Carell have retained much of the old interior of the store. The back corner used to be the post office complete with bars on the window. Now it serves as a display area and fitting room. The large cooler that used to hold refrigerated food is used to show-off jewelry, candles and other household finery. On every shelf and in every corner is something waiting to be discovered. I often will walk around 3 or 4 times because I feel like I keep missing something.
April Cornell can dress you or your table. Art work from local artists hangs from every possible wall and calls out to you from the shelves. Their collection of Georgia Graham books is irresistible and something I frequently chose to gift. Don’t forget their bath and body collection from Carvel Country Soapworks and Upper Canada among others. You never know what you are going to find. I have even found the “perfect” red cast-iron cupboard knobs. The only warning I give is if you see something you want to have, grab it because it might not be there when you go back.
Kristine and Carell always have the coffee on and conversations are easily started. Located only 15 minutes west of Stony Plain, Carvel General Store is a favorite destination for many. http://www.carvelgeneralstore.ca/
Kristine and Carell have retained much of the old interior of the store. The back corner used to be the post office complete with bars on the window. Now it serves as a display area and fitting room. The large cooler that used to hold refrigerated food is used to show-off jewelry, candles and other household finery. On every shelf and in every corner is something waiting to be discovered. I often will walk around 3 or 4 times because I feel like I keep missing something.
April Cornell can dress you or your table. Art work from local artists hangs from every possible wall and calls out to you from the shelves. Their collection of Georgia Graham books is irresistible and something I frequently chose to gift. Don’t forget their bath and body collection from Carvel Country Soapworks and Upper Canada among others. You never know what you are going to find. I have even found the “perfect” red cast-iron cupboard knobs. The only warning I give is if you see something you want to have, grab it because it might not be there when you go back.
Kristine and Carell always have the coffee on and conversations are easily started. Located only 15 minutes west of Stony Plain, Carvel General Store is a favorite destination for many. http://www.carvelgeneralstore.ca/
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Assunta Store
A diaper store with a mission, Serena sells her diapers and diaper-making products to help support an orphanage in China. This is one time you can feel good about making purchases from China.
I recently purchased 12 minkie pocket diapers. Assunta Store offers a great selection of prints. I chose mostly the animal prints: tiger, cow, snow leopard, cheetah, and giraffe. The minkie is very soft. They have suede cloth lining with a hidden PUL interior. I use these diapers as covers rather than stuffing the pocket. The pocket runs a bit narrow but is stuffable. I use cotton fitteds because I really don’t care for microfiber. The diapers fit great, very trim. Mr. E. is 18 months old and about 24 pounds. He is able to use them on the medium setting unless I put him in our bulky, overnight diaper. Shipping was free and super fast. I had a package from Illinois shipped on the same day as Serena shipped my diapers from China. The package from China arrived in a record 9 days. The package from Illinois was 20 days.
The charity supported by Assunta Store is Little Flower Projects. They care for abandoned infants and children, particularly those with special needs such as cleft lip, heart defects, and other abnormalities. They run group homes, foster support programs and a hospice program as well. The charity is American, registered in the state of Nebraska, and subject to American charity tax regulations. You can learn more about them online at http://www.littleflowerprojects.org/.
Assunta Store sells snap pliers, snap press & die sets, snaps and other assorted sewing notions. They also sell one size diaper covers, snap diaper covers, one size pocket diapers, microfiber inserts and my favorite one size minkie pocket diapers.
Check out Assunta Store to see how they can help with your sewing and diapering needs.
I recently purchased 12 minkie pocket diapers. Assunta Store offers a great selection of prints. I chose mostly the animal prints: tiger, cow, snow leopard, cheetah, and giraffe. The minkie is very soft. They have suede cloth lining with a hidden PUL interior. I use these diapers as covers rather than stuffing the pocket. The pocket runs a bit narrow but is stuffable. I use cotton fitteds because I really don’t care for microfiber. The diapers fit great, very trim. Mr. E. is 18 months old and about 24 pounds. He is able to use them on the medium setting unless I put him in our bulky, overnight diaper. Shipping was free and super fast. I had a package from Illinois shipped on the same day as Serena shipped my diapers from China. The package from China arrived in a record 9 days. The package from Illinois was 20 days.
The charity supported by Assunta Store is Little Flower Projects. They care for abandoned infants and children, particularly those with special needs such as cleft lip, heart defects, and other abnormalities. They run group homes, foster support programs and a hospice program as well. The charity is American, registered in the state of Nebraska, and subject to American charity tax regulations. You can learn more about them online at http://www.littleflowerprojects.org/.
Assunta Store sells snap pliers, snap press & die sets, snaps and other assorted sewing notions. They also sell one size diaper covers, snap diaper covers, one size pocket diapers, microfiber inserts and my favorite one size minkie pocket diapers.
Check out Assunta Store to see how they can help with your sewing and diapering needs.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Homegrown Foods
When Miss M. started eating solids, I was on the hunt for sulfur-free dried apricots. My hunt led me to Homegrown Foods. Since then I have been drawn back many times, for different reasons. I am on the verge of being a regular.
Recently, we have been trying to eat more consciously. By this I mean, we are choosing foods with more nutrition, less chemicals and preservatives, and closer to it’s original form. Every time I stop in, discoveries are made. The last stop in, I picked up some vanilla powder. It is essentially ground vanilla beans. I bought it per Mary Anne’s recommendation for home made yogurt. I haven’t gotten around to making the yogurt, but I did make rice pudding. I used the vanilla powder in lieu of vanilla extract. Wow! I look forward to making my yogurt now with the real vanilla bean flavor. Much more robust than using just extract.
Mary Anne and others are always helpful. If you have a question and they don’t know, they will ask someone or look up information for you. When Miss M. had trouble with her teeth, they introduced me to liquid colloidal silver and told me how to use it to improve her dental health. When my husband had prostate trouble, they recommended a supplement that made marked improvement within a few days.
Homegrown has a great selection of gluten-free products, fresh organic vegetables, organic meat, and other organic foods. You can find a wide variety of health supplements and homeopathic products, natural body care products and environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies. They even carry compostable baby diapers.
On the last Thursday of each month, Customer Appreciation Days offers a discount on products purchased. Frequent customers enjoy the benefits of their customer card which earns free product.
Stop into Homegrown Foods, located north of Hwy 16 A on Granite Drive (just west of Tim Hortons), it’s an easy detour. http://www.homegrown-foods.com/
Recently, we have been trying to eat more consciously. By this I mean, we are choosing foods with more nutrition, less chemicals and preservatives, and closer to it’s original form. Every time I stop in, discoveries are made. The last stop in, I picked up some vanilla powder. It is essentially ground vanilla beans. I bought it per Mary Anne’s recommendation for home made yogurt. I haven’t gotten around to making the yogurt, but I did make rice pudding. I used the vanilla powder in lieu of vanilla extract. Wow! I look forward to making my yogurt now with the real vanilla bean flavor. Much more robust than using just extract.
Mary Anne and others are always helpful. If you have a question and they don’t know, they will ask someone or look up information for you. When Miss M. had trouble with her teeth, they introduced me to liquid colloidal silver and told me how to use it to improve her dental health. When my husband had prostate trouble, they recommended a supplement that made marked improvement within a few days.
Homegrown has a great selection of gluten-free products, fresh organic vegetables, organic meat, and other organic foods. You can find a wide variety of health supplements and homeopathic products, natural body care products and environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies. They even carry compostable baby diapers.
On the last Thursday of each month, Customer Appreciation Days offers a discount on products purchased. Frequent customers enjoy the benefits of their customer card which earns free product.
Stop into Homegrown Foods, located north of Hwy 16 A on Granite Drive (just west of Tim Hortons), it’s an easy detour. http://www.homegrown-foods.com/
Monday, March 21, 2011
Princess & the Pea
Discovering Princess & the Pea led me to so many fantastic baby and kid products. I first encountered the store in my search for a washing-machine friendly splat mat. I went back in pursuit of stainless steel at the height of the BPA-panic. I triumphantly scored Foogoo Sippy Cups and Straw Bottles by Thermos when they were selling out at lightening speed. Home to many unique products that make having babies and kids more fun. My favorite find there is the SugarBooger product line. I started with a splat mat made of plastic laminated cotton canvas. I have since purchased laminated place mats with matching dishes, silverware and cups for my kids. My daughter even takes her snack to school in her SugarBooger insulated lunch kit.
Other treasures I have discovered are: “fairy” and “magician” wands hand-carved in wood (big hits with the recipients), Green Monster Converse low-top shoes for Mr. E., sewing cards, a Nerf rocket blaster, and fun chopstick trainers by Chopstick Kids. This is just the start.
I have many items left to purchase on my Princess & the Pea wish list. This includes a Bilibo, another boy Your Body puzzle (huge gift success), the Wean Machine and some Aiden & Anais Swaddling Blankets among many other items, some yet to be discovered.
Entering the shop, you realize you haven’t come upon just any store, but one worth spending time. The ladies are friendly and knowledgeable. They will help you if you need it, or allow you to take your time and discover the treasures they have stocked on their shelves. The store is full but not crowded. You can comfortably maneuver a stroller which can sometimes be tricky even in a store targeted for kids. From books, clothing, baby products, toys, shoes and puzzles, nothing is ordinary in this special shop.
Princess & the Pea is located at 9654 - 142 Street in Crestwood Center in Edmonton. Online at www.princessandthepea.ca
Other treasures I have discovered are: “fairy” and “magician” wands hand-carved in wood (big hits with the recipients), Green Monster Converse low-top shoes for Mr. E., sewing cards, a Nerf rocket blaster, and fun chopstick trainers by Chopstick Kids. This is just the start.
I have many items left to purchase on my Princess & the Pea wish list. This includes a Bilibo, another boy Your Body puzzle (huge gift success), the Wean Machine and some Aiden & Anais Swaddling Blankets among many other items, some yet to be discovered.
Entering the shop, you realize you haven’t come upon just any store, but one worth spending time. The ladies are friendly and knowledgeable. They will help you if you need it, or allow you to take your time and discover the treasures they have stocked on their shelves. The store is full but not crowded. You can comfortably maneuver a stroller which can sometimes be tricky even in a store targeted for kids. From books, clothing, baby products, toys, shoes and puzzles, nothing is ordinary in this special shop.
Princess & the Pea is located at 9654 - 142 Street in Crestwood Center in Edmonton. Online at www.princessandthepea.ca
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