Sustainable Dining at Trattoria 225

On Wednesday, September 24, 2008, Chef/Owner Craig Charlton will create a four course dinner incorporating local, organic products from Keewaydin Farm in Viola, WI. Farm owner Rufus Haucke will share his experiences and challenges of operating a small family farm. Gary Cuneen, Executive Director of Seven Generations Ahead, a non profit organization dedicated to solving global environmental problems with local solutions, will speak to the connections of the farm to table philosophy. An artisan cheese and wine reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. followed by a sit-down family style dinner at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets are $60 per person, children 13 and under are $30 (Sales tax and gratuity are included) Tickets can be purchased at Trattoria 225, 225 Harrison St, Oak Park, 708-358-8555 or online at events@trattoria225.com

A portion of the proceeds will benefit Seven Generations Ahead's work in schools and communities to promote sustainable, local food.

Chicago Method Maven's First Convert

As you may know, I was raised in a dry cleaning plant. That may sound kind of strange but it’s true. My parents owned and ran a plant from the time I was two years old until just recently. So chemicals are a part of me – literally. Whenever we are together we laugh about my mom finding me in the fur storage room petting furs dripping wet with the most fantastic smelling chemicals. I’d purr “pretty kitty” as the toxins flowed from the top of my head and dripped down my face and into my tiny ears. Can you imagine? I may even glow when the lights are out. Hmmmm......

Speaking of the lights being out, this weighed heavy on my mind when getting pregnant when my first child. I wanted to detox so desperately I enlisted the help of a nutritionist, a colonics expert, and an acupuncturist. Did it help? Well, we would like to think so. And it made me feel fabulous!! So from that time on I was hooked on healthy living.

This epiphany did not spill over to my family- at all. They are so old school that I can’t even explain. Bleach is a family friend. I guess we lived so long with dangerous chemicals I think it clouds the judgment. So when I told my mom that I was Chicago’s new Method Maven, she did not understand. And moreover she did not believe that I was using anything more than perfume. If it doesn’t burn your nose hairs and sting your hands when you touch it, it isn’t real.

Flash forward to my mother being stranded at my house during last week’s flooding. She and Mari, my mother-in-law from Rhode Island, became obsessed with my dirty stairs. Knowing that I am a huge fan of green cleaning, Mari tried hydrogen peroxide solution- no dice. My mom scoured the shelves for my bleach alternative but was not satisfied. She finally took my Method Lavender dish soap and the hydrogen peroxide solution, rolled up her sleeves and went to town.
Imagine my surprise when she came running up to me with the biggest smile on her face screaming “it worked, it worked!” Once she caught her breath, she panted “what is that stuff?” Ooooohhhh… my first convert. And the toughest critic I would never want to tangle with.

So life is stellar. My stairs (and house for that matter) are cleaner than when I moved in and I have the bragging rights that I got my favorite germaphobe off the hard stuff. Whew! And time left for a manicure.

When I Grow Up I Will... Spread the Word!

Finally! An earth friendly t shirt for the kids that displays a positive message!
Aren't you tired of those t shirts that kids wear that have those snarky messages meant to be cute? You see them everywhere with sayings like "Here Comes Trouble" plastered on them. Like a cheap modern day equivalent to the "I'm With Stupid" t shirt from the 70's that made me cringe. At last there is a t shirt that is good for the planet, body and soul.

First, let me tell you that this is the softest t shirt I have ever felt. Once my kids put them on they did this happy dance (reflected here). Literally. My kids have eczema and so fabrics and tags often make them itch like crazy. My kids wanted to sleep in them.

So the kids are happy, how about me? I am tough. Ever since we made a decision to green our lives, I have tried to spend consciously. Our products have to be made well to last a long time, produced in a way that is fair and with materials and packaging that do not hurt the environment. Trust me, some days this is a very tall order. Not today!

When I Grow Up understands the plight of the green parent and walks the talk. All clothing is 100% certified organic cotton and printed with water based inks. With minimalist packaging and recycled paper with soy ink, they are paving the way as (what I call) a company with a conscience.

The sayings on their Value Statement TeesTM inspire the very values we try to instill in our children: security, faith, health, integrity, passion, charity, honesty, inspiration, peace, freedom, love, responsibility, unity, patience, hard work, harmony... it goes on. The difference is that When I Grow Up not only produces products that reflect these values, their company does too. It inspires me.

Owner Kat Henderson's motto is: Wear it. Teach it. Live it. What do you value?

I value raising a child who embodies a positive message for the world like Kat's. I value honest companies sharing quality, eco friendly goods that make sense for our children and our earth.

Hankie Heaven...

It takes a village to get me sewing. Okay, a village means 2 mothers, 8 arguments, 6 bobbin discussions, 14 reviews of the instruction manual for my Husqvarna Prisma 980, only 2 chances to thread the needle, and one determined green mom to knock it out!! Woo hoo!!

Day 1 - Localvore Challenge Starts

Can you believe the first day of the Localvore Challenge and I go to Vong's Thai Kitchen for a cocktail reception? Checking their website for local choices... more to come.

No Child Left Inside

During our C3 training we talked about the Chicago Wilderness Program & how to become more involved. Did you know you could become a bat monitor? Count the number of bats going in & out of the bat houses- crazy!! You can do any number of really fun activities with the kids and help your community. Whether you dig birds, bats, gardening, trees, wildlife or even fires... they need you.

Go Farmers... It's Your Birthday...

Okay, don't ask me why I am doing the cabbage patch and singing all 80's? If you know me, you can guess... I am thrilled to be starting the Localvore Challenge tomorrow. Just blogged on the importance of our local farmers. A slight homage (imagine me saying homage in a really snooty voice... maybe a James Lipton-esque kind) to their hard work.

We can make a difference people! Maybe not in the crazy Washington arena where people are enemies, but locally where we are neighbors. Let our money speak for us and give the power to the small business owner. They deserve it!

Green City Market's Localvore Challenge

I am thrilled to be participating in and blogging for the GCM's Localvore Challenge. Sept 10-24 we will be eating only locally produced food for two weeks! Join us on this journey toward a low carbon diet and a healthier diet (for me at least!!) I'll be sharing just what it means to be eating local over the next couple days and what type of impact this will have on our community. Get ready for some astonishing facts my friends!!

Just got the packet & hold your horses! Why haven't I been doing this all along? Restaurants like Uncommon Ground, mk, North Pond, NAHA, Hot Chocolate and Blue Water Grill are involved! They are making special localvore meals each day of the challenge!! So... I am not starving any time soon. I might be eating better than ever!

As I do more research I will list the local stores, restaurants & GCM tents that help me on this adventure. AND the big bonus is I will be cooking too. So watch for recipes too.

Better yet, join me and we will do this together!!