Gracias Por Oaxaca

Gracias Madre restaurant. (Photo Credit: One Kings Lane)

   Looking for ways to cultivate a sense of gratitude in your life?  One way to foster this feeling is to give back to people who are in need of a little extra help.  This Thursday, perhaps you’ll consider joining legendary restaurants Gracias Madre and Guelaguetza as they combine forces to help the victims of the Oaxaca earthquake. These two amazing restaurants will be holding a vegan feast fundraiser on Thanksgiving at Gracias Madre.  

   Anyone can participate by paying the suggested $25 donation or by signing up to volunteer.  The proceeds will benefit Por Oaxaca, an organization dedicated to providing provisional housing to indigenous communities affected by the 8.2 earthquake that hit Oaxaca on September 17, 2017.  This recently created effort is the brainchild of the Lopez family, the Los Angeles based Oaxacan powerhouse behind the storied Guelaguetza restaurant. 

Participating in this act of giving will surely be tasty and leave you hungry to help again.  Be sure to get there early, if you want to find a seat, as this event will surely fill up quickly.

The Por Oaxaca relief efforts. (Photo credit: Por Oaxaca)

A temporary home created by Por Oaxaca. Close to thirty homes have been built to date. (Photo credit: Por Oaxaca)

Lipstick It To The Man - The Lipstick Lobby

Photo Credit: The Lipstick Lobby

   Are you angry with the current presidential plan to slash Planned Parenthood funding, but feeling too overwhelmed to hit the streets in protest?  Now you can make a big statement against the proposed defunding by applying lipstick.  Yes, you read that correctly.  The small act of applying lipstick has turned political in a major way.  

   The Lipstick Lobby, a newly launched initiative by Studio71 and the talented Davida Hall, has created a signature shade of pink lipstick to help combat the current state of affairs.  Sales of KISS MY PINK, the aptly named color, will help fund Planned Parenthood as 100% of net profits will go to the cause.  That’s right, 100%.  Planned Parenthood (ICYMI) is a 100 year old nonprofit that provides high quality, affordable healthcare to millions of people a year.  Imagine all that pink lipstick turning into green dollars and helping the storied organization.

   The decision to buy KISS MY PINK is a reminder that seemingly inconsequential choices can cause big ripple effects.  Now you can choose to support Planned Parenthood and fashionably pout about the situation.  Something tells us that we’ll be seeing an ocean of pink colored lips around town in the very near future.

Photo Credit: The Lipstick Lobby

Orange Roses - Every Mother Counts

Photo Credit: Greetings Express

   Every Mother Counts (EMC), an organization committed to making pregnancy and childbirth safe for every mother, has partnered up with some fun labels (hello, Toms and Claire V.) to produce some great gifts for Mother’s Day.  This collaboration, known as the Orange Rose collection, is part of a larger campaign aimed at bringing awareness to the fact that over 300,000 mothers die every year from childbirth and pregnancy complications.  Proceeds from the Orange Rose collection will go toward helping EMC’s efforts that connect women with critical care services.  If you choose to buy something for that special mother in your world, perhaps you will consider selecting a gift that will also help save lives.  Now, that’s making your money work!  Your mom would be proud.

Photo Credit: EMC Founder, Christy Turlington Burns (Every Mother Counts)

Fighting Food Waste - Imperfect Produce

A recently delivered box of produce from Imperfect Produce.  (Photo Credit: Hermosa Journal)

   Guilty of not buying completely edible produce because it does not look a certain way?  Turns out, you are not alone - we do it too!  Each year tons (think billions) of great tasting produce goes to landfills in part because stores will not sell cosmetically challenged fruits and vegetables.  Fortunately, the Emeryville based company, Imperfect Produce, seeks to change this reality.

   Imperfect works directly with growers to sell their oversupply and odd looking produce. These fruits and vegetables taste the same and have all the nutrients as their grocery store counterparts, but sometimes look a little different.  The seasonal produce is sold at 30-50% below store prices and each order is fully customizable before it arrives on your doorstep.  Delivery is currently available in certain parts of California, although founders Ben Simon and Ben Chasler plan to expand across the country.

   Who knew reducing food waste, supporting local farmers and being thrifty could be so easy?  Something tells us we’ll never be able to look at store produce in the same way.   

Fava beans deemed imperfect due to some external scars.  (Photo Credit: Hermosa Journal)

A sampling of the most imperfect looking produce in our box.  (Photo Credit: Hermosa Journal)

Cesar Chavez Day

Credit: February 2, 1979: Cesar Chavez speaking at a United Farm Workers rally in the Imperial Valley. (Steve Fontanini/Los Angeles Times)

   Today we celebrate the amazing civil rights and labor leader Cesar Chavez.  Born in Yuma, Arizona on March 31, 1927, his birthday is a holiday in several states.  Chavez worked tirelessly to help farm workers obtain better working and living conditions.  Throughout his lifetime Chavez co-founded the United Farm Workers union, led successful boycotts using nonviolent tactics and supported other civil rights causes.  As we remember his legacy on Cesar Chavez Day we are also thinking about all the men, women and children who continue to endure harsh conditions so we can enjoy delicious produce.  In observance of this holiday, every time we eat fruits and vegetables today we’ll be giving thanks for all those hardworking laborers.