Be a do gooder, and give your Christmas tree a proper disposal. This weekend NYC Parks and Recreation will be hosting it’s annual MulchFest. Go recycle those trees. Do some good for the environment, some good for our parks, and if you’re like me ease the guilt of playing the eco-friendly devil in disguise for buying a live tree that was chopped down for such a frivolous reason. Click above to find participating locations near you.
New Years. 2011 was a roller coaster ride. Not only for myself, but oddly for everyone around me. Many friends went through life-shifting events. I thought it was quite strange that so many people had to make decisions that weren’t the typical blase´, “what should I do?” type scenarios, but instead were dealing with hold on tight, holy shit, oh my gosh, WTF, or “I don’t know what to do” type situations.
I remember the end of 2010 well. Sitting with a group of friends, we were all wondering what would 2011 bring. There were ideas floating around. Things to be expanded upon. New projects being brought to the table, old projects that would finally take off. Stagnant and dormant would idle and then take off in 2011. 2011 seemed like many possibilities to us. Instead it turned into a hair-raising, knuckle-biting year.
As I sit here on the first day of 2012 with my shoulder angels, I’m in between feelings of positivity on one side and what does it all mean on the other. I even went as far as finding out where the idea of resolutions began. Master Google said it began with the Babylonians. In my weird mood this helps justify my pondering about 2012 as opposed to me putting energy into another commercial, mass media, establishment movement that we brainwashed Americans are supposed to buy into.
Today I decided to give Facebook a visit to see what it’s been up to. While weeding through the photoshopped articles and lives that we all love to follow I came upon something that whispered to how I was feeling. A friend posted a simple, but resounding New Year’s Resolution:
Thinking that my New Years resolution will be to attempt to let go of expectations, take things as they come and enjoy life at face value. I’ve only kept one resolution I ever made on New Years: to floss every day.
Ditto. I’ll fold that into my resolution-me. Yup, that’s it. Me. I prefer not to create a laundry list of external things that I must do. I’ve been there and done that. A lot of times that laundry list inadvertently created benefits and opportunities for others, but left me just kind of… I’ve gotten that list confused, and sometimes put others in front of myself in a way that in the end didn’t benefit either party involved. If I only think of me this year, and what’s best for me I believe I’ll be able to stay focused. If it doesn’t enlighten me, if it doesn’t provide personal or spiritual growth, if it doesn’t enhance my career, if it doesn’t deepen a relationship, if it doesn’t make me happy or give me peace, then it doesn’t become a part of what I put my energy into. This, I believe will allow me to accomplish any goal I set my eye towards. I’ll let that happy feeling and my inner peace guide me in meeting my expectations.
You know I really do understand the flight attendant’s instructions on emergency preparedness. Put the oxygen mask on myself first and then I’ll be capable of assisting others.
Whether your list of New Year’s Resolutions is long, or short my wish is that everyone will be given the opportunity to make all their desires become a reality.
Thank you 2011 for setting me up for 2012. I think I’m starting to get it.
Does anyone recall the long time PBS show Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? Have you been following the 5 day adventure titled Where in the World is Matt Lauer? As you read this post, as you see us hit your Facebook Wall or Twitter Feed, you might be wondering Where in the World…, or more appropriately for some where in the #ell has gogreenbabygo been. It’s hard to break out again after a where in the H-E-double LL moment, but we’re giving it a shot.
Recently an article from BlogHer showed up on my Facebook Wall that mirrored exactly how I’d been feeling. The title of the article is The Intimacy and the Cost of Blogging (check it out if you’d like). I figured this was some kind of confirmation, a good intro when jumping back out there…
Anyhoo, just as ggbg began picking up steam the year before, the following things happened.
1. Long time friend and business owner who was our first retail vendor closed.
2. Life got in the way- sold our home, and moved.
3. Life changing moments and soul searching-been watching lots of Oprah’s Lifeclass.
4. And before all of this happened gogreenbabygo was in the process of redefining ourselves anyway.
So, where in the world have we been? Where in the world have “I” been?
Neighborhood is everything in the Big Apple. I miss you Clinton Hill, but hello Sunset Park. Folks, welcome SPRIG, acronym for Sunset Park Revitalization and Improvement Group-put it on your radar. Does Prospect Park Alliance sound familiar? How about Fort Greene Park Conservancy and Central Park Conservancy? Gear up for SPRIG, it’s the next best thing. Website design and community engagement by yours truly, and my new friends and neighbors in Sunset Park.
Self-promoting is so faux pas, but I have to say I enjoyed sharing for my Seoul Sister who shares my namesake, Julie- Julie Young at Korean American Story. Wanna get a glimpse of what makes me tick? What makes me, me. Here it is. My Korean American Story.
As ggbg redefines our business model it will be less product focused. Advocacy and community engagement will be the front runner. So, while we are under construction please excuse all obscenities and eyesores. Instead of working out all the kinks and then coming out, we’ll do our best to stay about and in the loop while hashing out all the details behind the scenes. Thanks for your patience and willingness to tough it out with us! Life happens for a reason, and we’re eager to see what the next life season brings.
As Earth Day approached I found myself in a solemn state of mind. Even though I have an event scheduled for Mothers Empowered in the month that celebrates Earth Day, I felt I was supposed to do something else, but I didn’t know what. I felt I was obligated to say something really grandeur-after all, we’re a green company right? I almost started to believe that because I wasn’t giving the impression of opulence I wasn’t measuring up.
As I spoke with my good friend, Dionne Grayman, founder of Mothers Empowered, about my convoluted feelings she offered up her advice. While I understood and saw the bigger picture in the advice she gave, I still felt it wasn’t sufficient.
A few days go by and I’m still at a loss. Then in the final minutes before Earth Day it came to me. Small. It’s okay to be small. It’s okay to start small. You don’t always have to measure the effectiveness of contribution by the size of the deed. Many times change comes by doing small things. While finishing up my content for the upcoming workshop it all came full circle. I’d almost lost sight of what I try to teach other people and that is nothing is too small!
For Earth Day this is my suggestion to you. To make Earth Day personal. Make it feel small by thinking of the big picture. Where can you start? What fits your lifestyle and where you’re at in your life’s journey? What can you do consistently and effectively? Think about it. Everyone has that little something they know they should do, or have been meaning to do. Do these questions sound self-centered? Do you have the misconception that you’re supposed to do something immense, or nothing at all? Exactly! Have you been following Oprah’s No Phone Zone campaign? Precisely! If every person did one thing, just one little thing it would make a difference. More of a difference than nothing.
For Earth Day’s 40th Birthday I invite you to be a little selfish. It could literally do a world of good! Happy Earth Day everyone!
Ah-sigh. Where do I begin? I have to take a deep breath because there’s a lot to say about Green in BKLYN. Probably too much for this post, so I’ll have to keep myself from rambling. I met Elissa, the owner of Green in BKLYN about a year ago. My husband came home one day excited about this new neighborhood store that had opened up. I mean what guy really goes on and on about a store?! Well, this time mine(who normally gets grumpy when he’s in a store too long), would every now and then tell me whenever he popped into Green in BKLYN. He made it his mission to make time to take me over there. The day finally came when amist our errand running the opportunity arose and I made my entrance.
I was really enamoured by Green in BKLYN. There was a variety of things for the entire household packed into this store, which if you’re in New York City you definitely know what I mean. In addition to the household items there were personal and beauty items, accessories and novelty items, books, and even a kid’s section! It’s very hard to walk out empty handed. There’s an eclectic selection for almost anything. Furthermore, as well as stocking such a wide variety of all eco-friendly and sustainable products Green in BKLYN has become a friend to the community in more ways than one. They carry products from local artisans which I think is really cool. If you go to Green in BKLYN’s website and read the about us page, you’ll see this was more than likely Elissa’s destiny.
In honor of Earth Day, I’m elated to highlight Green in BKLYN for their mission and work. What makes this year really special for Green in BKLYN is that Earth Day is also their first anniversary! Stop by the store this Thursday, April 22nd to celebrate with them all day long! Here’s what you can look forward to:
11:30am – 1:00pm:
Brooklyn author, Leda Meredith, signs her book: The Locavore Handbook: The Busy Person’s Guide to Eating Local on a Budget.
With practical, down-to-earth advice, Leda’s book guides folks through the process of incorporating locally grown foods into their meals including information on budgeting; shopping efficiently; sourcing, growing & preserving food; & supporting local merchants as well as our lovely planet Earth.
1:30pm – 3:00pm:
Clinton Hill-based Vandra Thorburn answers questions & speaks about EM Bokashi Composting.
Vandra is the founder & pioneer of Vokashi, a new local business providing buckets & bran to households, small businesses & catering companies for EM Bokashi composting. The system has no smell, no bugs or flies & is easy to manage in your kitchen. Plus, it works months faster than traditional composting.
3:30pm – 5:00pm:
Brooklyn artist, Claudia Pearson, signs her children’s book: Tribal Alphabet.
Claudia’s debut creation for children features extraordinary illustrations that come alive to celebrate the diversity of tribal communities & the world’s indigenous heritages. A is for Australian Aborigine, B is for Basque, C is for Cherokee are some of the names of the different tribes from all over the world that go alphabetically from page to page all the way to Z is for Zulu.
5:30pm – 7:00pm:
Green in BKLYN hosts its own First Birthday with an Organic Wine Reception.
Organic wine in a recycled cardboard box. It doesn’t get much more eco-friendly or tasty than that! If you were here opening day, you’ll remember Gnarly Vines provided us with great grape then & they’ll be doing it again this year!
Green in BKLYN can be found at 432 Myrtle Ave, Brooklyn NY, 11205. You can contact them at 718-855-4383 for further information. Not in the Brooklyn, or New York City area? Don’t let the fact that you’re too far from the party stop you from contacting them for that item you just can’t do without, but can’t find anywhere. They’ve been known to get a call from out of the area and make it happen!
Website:
www.greeninbklyn.com
Blog:
www.greeninbklyn.com/new-news/
Twitter:
www.twitter.com/greeninbklyn
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Green-in-BKLYN/105605048804
It’s that time of year! Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 27, 2010 from 10am to 5pm, for Nairobi’s Knapsack and gogreenbabygo’s Second Annual Kids Clothing Swap!
What is the significance of this event you ask? If you missed out last year the Kids Clothing Swap was founded as a way to give back and support a community that supports us, as well as a way to help those less fortunate. At this free event families are asked to donate gently used and new children’s clothing sizes 0 to 8 years and small toys in order to reuse and recycle them by swapping for other clothing and toy items. After the event ends all unclaimed items go to a local charity. Last year and again this year the donations will go to the Child Development Support Corporation located at 352-358 Classon Ave in Brooklyn, New York.
To make this event extra special we provide refreshments and have giveaways for our swap attendees. This year refreshments will be provided by Chef Tagere’ Southwell the Executive Chef for the GE Monogram Design Center in the Architecture and Design Building in New York City, Mothers Empowered, BCakeNY, Lily and Fig, Breukelen Coffee House, and Abigail Cafe’ and Wine Bar. Prize donations will be provided by Green in BKLYN, Trader Joe’s, Time Out New York Kids, Nickelodeon, and yours truly, gogreenbabygo.
We ask that you drop of your donations beginning Tuesday, March 23rd during normal business hours (T-Thurs 10-6, F-10-7). If you’re unable to drop off during the week, donations will also be accepted on the day of the swap. If you’ve already cleared out your kids’ closets, but would still like to participate a donation of $10 is required.
Nairobi’s Knapsack is located at 744 Franklin Ave. It’s easily accessible by car and public transportation by taking the Franklin Ave Shuttle and 2/3 Trains. Nairobi’s Knapsack can be reached at 347-295-2011 for further assistance.
Are you a local business owner, or crafter and would like to participate? It’s not too late! If you’re not in the local area, but would like to contribute there’s room for you too! For more information contact info@gogreenbabygo.com.
Thanks for your support and we look forward to seeing you at the swap! Please take a moment and visit our contributors online.
Trader Joe’s
www.traderjoes.com
Time Out New York Kids
http://timeoutnewyorkkids.com/
Nickelodeon
www.nick.com
Chef Tagere’ Southwell
http://www.tageresfoods.com/
Mothers Empowered
www.mothersempowered.org
BCakeNY
www.bcakeny.com
Lily and Fig
www.lilyandfig.com
Breukelen Coffee House
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brooklyn-NY/The-Breukelen-Coffee-House/159470603525
Abigail Cafe’ and Wine Bar
www.abigailbrooklyn.com
Green In BKLYN
www.greeninbklyn.com
What is an empowered mother? What would a mother who is empowered do? This is an easy, but yet difficult question to answer, for there is much gray area in this concept. The empowered mother in me ME believes it is my duty to not only do what’s best for my children and family, but also be concerned with all children and families. Concerned however, is not enough. There has to be some action to accompany that concern. Whether it’s performing a physical duty like volunteering, giving a monetary gift by donating to the less fortunate, or even emitting positive energy in my interactions with all people, especially children; I feel it is my duty to do something. This to me ME is also part of being green. I’m humbled to be able to present the April workshop for Mothers Empowered, a Brooklyn based organization that seeks to support and empower mothers. Mothers Empowered leaves no stone unturned. ME knows the importance of activism and feels it is their duty to speak out against injustice and inequality. ME believes it is their duty to be a support group for mothers. This not only includes the mothers within their membership, but those mothers who are less fortunate. ME lives and breathes education, whether it is the education of children, or the education of their mothers. ME sees the big picture. It is my goal to leave ME members and participants with enough information to guide them on their green journey through an interactive workshop on green living.
Mothers Empowered’s tagline is very befitting for what I envision this organization becoming not only to the local community, but nationally as well. What’s the tagline you ask? The movement is ME. Get it? Yes, the movement is ME and I’m ecstatic to be able to contribute to this movement.
Are you in the New York City area? If so, save the date. You’re invited to attend. The workshop will be held on Friday, April 30th from 8-10pm. Contact info@gogreenbabygo.com for more details.
Visit Mothers Empowered online at www.mothersempowered.org
Follow them on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MEmpowered
Friend them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/people/Mothers-Empowered/1759210186
I’m like a sponge. I use all five senses at all times even when I don’t need to. This applies to shopping and even window shopping. Lately, I’ve sat back and really admired online retailer The Soft Landing. I don’t remember how I bumped into them. I’ve been on this eco-friendly kick for a while, so I’m really not in the market for more kids, or household gear, but like any woman I’m always shopping even if I’m not buying. In my wanderings I eventually became a Facebook fan of The Soft Landing. I’ll cut to the chase…they post really awesome articles! I mean where do they find this information?! I only hope to be this savvy in my dreams. This past holiday season I had the opportunity to order from them when they ran a shipping special and my package came as fast as lighting. Recently I had the pleasure of being in contact with Alicia, the owner of The Soft Landing. No wonder The Soft Landing makes such an impression, for Alicia is very amiable. A true representation of the company itself. I suggest you check them out. Even if you don’t need anything at the moment fan them on Facebook, link up with them on Twitter. They’ll really help keep you on your green, eco-friendly toes! Meet Alicia below and bookmark the following links:
Website
www.thesoftlanding.com
Blog
www.thesoftlandingbaby.com
Twitter
www.twitter.com/thesoftlanding
Facebook
www.facebook.com/thesoftlanding
You Tube
www.youtube.com/user/thesoftlanding
Resource
Guide to Avoiding Toxic Plastic
When we held the Kids Clothing Swap we didn’t know what to expect. You can image our delight when we were asked repeatedly to have a swap for women. You asked, so we delivered! Nairobi’s Knapsack and gogreenbabygo teamed up again. To make things really nice for our “moms night out” we enlisted the infamous Laura Mercier to provide us with a make-up artist, so we can get glam. To help us balance career and family we made sure to book Angelia K. Kane from The Bedtime CEO. It was a fabulous night. The perfect combination of wine and h’dourves, make-overs, and advice left us all feeling refreshed and renewed. And of course all unclaimed items were donated to a local charity.
The weekend of September 12, 2009 was a very special one for gogreenbabygo and our friends at Nairobi’s Knapsack. This was our chance to give back and support a community that so generously supports us. Together we held our first Kids Clothing Swap which allowed parents to reuse and recycle their gently used and new clothing with each other. All unclaimed items went to the Child Development Support Corporation in Brooklyn. To visit our friends Nairobi’s Knapsack and Child Development Support Corporation online click onto the links below.