Green Businesses are Attending EarthWatch Ohio’s First Annual Green Gala

If you are an eco friendly or green business in Northeast Ohio, then you won’t want to miss Earth Watch Ohio’s Green Gala on Friday, April 3. Ed Begley, Jr., an environmental activist and actor, will be the celebrity guest speaker.

Attendees can claim $75 of the $100 ticket price as a tax deduction and this includes appetizers, dinner, Begley’s presentation about living an eco friendly and sustainable lifestyle, live music and more according to EarthWatchOhio.org.

To reserve your ticket, visit, www.EarthWatchOhio.org. Sponsorships are still available for the Green Gala as well, which will also help support three program areas of Earth Watch Ohio. Download a packet on their Web site or call 216-387-1609.

If you are concerned about Ohio’s environment and want to become a green business, or connect to other sustainable and eco-friendly businesses, don’t miss the Green Gala.

4 Organic Health Food Choices that Save Money and Keep you Healthy

Going vegetarian can be tough. One reason that many people aren’t able to stick with a vegetarian diet is because it can be difficult for new vegetarians to find foods that are as nutrient-dense as most meats and cheeses. Worries about iron deficiencies can be put to rest, though, when you try cooking with these four exotic organic health food alternatives. With a little adjustment, you’ll end up healthier than ever.

Agar

Agar is a jelly that’s extracted from seaweed. OK, we know that doesn’t sound like the most appealing substance. But lucky for us, agar’s primary use as an organic health food is as a thickening agent. Think you can’t make great cakes or bread without shortening and eggs? Try agar organic health food. It’s also low in saturated fat and cholesterol and the organic health food packs plenty of iron, calcium and potassium.

Quinoa

Tired of  rice and couscous? Quinoa is a hearty little grain and a great organic health food. It’s actually higher in calcium, iron and zinc that most other grains. Check out this recipe for easy vegetable curry and discover just how tasty quinoa can be.

Adzuki beans

These reddish-brown beans look a bit like kidney beans. But they’re sweeter and have extremely high protein and surprisingly low levels of fat. Also like kidney beans, this organic health food choice is versatile. Use them in soups, dips or casseroles.

Almond butter

Worried about the safety of your peanut butter? Then maybe it’s time to switch to almond butter. Your body will thank you, too. Like almonds, almond butter is high in vitamin E and has been proven to lower cholesterol. Spread it on toast or use it in healthy and tasty cookies and other baked goods.

Where to Find Organic Food Stores in Ohio

Worried about the origins of your fresh fruits and vegetables? Want to incorporate a healthier and earth friendly diet? Try searching LocalHarvest.org. Local Harvest says the best natural food is what’s grown near you. They have an online catalog of organic food that you cannot find locally and a place to search for organic food stores in your state.

For example, if you want to know where to find Cleveland organic food stores, then click Grocery/Co-op and enter Cleveland, Ohio in the Search form. Voila! Not only does a color coded map appear, but also a listing of all the organic food stores including farmers’ markets and food co-ops.

Find organic food stores in Akron and Cleveland such as Natural Foods Grocery store.

If you can’t find what you need at one of these local organic food stores, then you can shop online for fresh organic herbs, honey, dried fruit, eggs, coffee, tea and much more depending on the season.

More NE Ohio Fair Trade Organizations Offer Products and Support

1. Kantara Crafts in Oberlin 

A Fair Trade organization exports rugs to our country from Peace Corps coops in Morocco. This Fair Trade organization also reinvests some of its proceeds into Moroccan non-government entities who promote education and literacy.

2.  Mayan Hands of Napoleon

Mayan Hands Fair Trade organization sells the handwoven textiles, which include purses, place mats, potholders, and scarves. The Mayan women also earn a fair and regular income, helping them to get out of poverty. 

3. Illuminating Nations Through Opportunity of Oberlin

Illuminating Nations Fair Trade organization was founded by Oberlin students Francesca Barbee and Malisha Richardson. INTO provides wholesale fair trade products such as bags, ponchos and scarves to local businesses, which were made by artisans from Equador.  INTO Fair Trade organization also offers financial  education to the artisans it works with and education programming in the U.S.

4. Cleveland Amani Bead Collectivo in Cleveland

Cleveland Amani Bead Collectivo Fair Trade organization creates jewelry using beads that would normally be thrown away by women in Kenya. 

5. Esperanza Threads located in Bedford, Ohio 

This organic apparel Fair Trade organization employs low-income individuals in Northeast Ohio and offers sewing training to inner city Cleveland women who may want to start a small business. 

According to the Fair Trade Labeling Organization, there are about 632 fair trade-certified producer organizations in 58 countries that represent 1.5 million farmers and workers in 2007.  Fair Trade organizations offer fair wages to its workers in low income countries and sells their handcrafted items throughout the world.