Tag Archives: certified organic

Giveaway! Yoga Earth Keen-Wah Decadence Bars ~ Here’s to Healthy Indulgences!

by Julie Posted on August 28, 2012

I’ve mentioned before that I have a great affinity for keeping healthy snacks available for my kids at all times, hence the “snack bag” that follows us everywhere.  I have become a master a keeping nutritious nibbles on hand for the little ones, but like many parents I often tend to forget my own needs.

Dried fruit snacks and rice cakes are big favorites for the kids, and they somewhat satisfy me at times.  But, there are other instances when  I crave a flavor that is simply more grown up.  These are the times when I’ve recently reached for Yoga Earth’s delicious Keen-Wäh Decadence Bars.  The moniker doesn’t lie, these full flavored crispy cacao treats indulge my adult taste buds while providing complete protein which curbs my hunger too.

On taste alone, you’d never guess that these organic bars are gluten free and chock full of antioxidants plus super foods like quinoa, almonds, and cacao.  They had me at the original Chocolate Chia  flavor but have recently continued to tempt me with two new varieties ~ Coconut Almond and Cayenne Cinnamon (my personal favorite).  Sweetened with low-glycemic coconut nectar, Keen-Wäh Decadence are just the right amount of sweet, rounded out by the lovely bitter bite of cacao, the cayenne kick, or the almond crunch; there is something to excite every palate!  Not just for kids, my seven year old loves the Chocolate Chia and the Coconut Almond flavors when I manage to save her a bite.

When I discovered their wonderful crystalized coconut water, I also found out that YogaEarth donates 1% of its profits to Kiva, a groundbreaking nonprofit which allows people to lend money, in $25 increments to great causes worldwide, such as agriculture and rebuilding.  Kiva vets the loans requested and the borrowers repay the lender through their website.  I love this concept and that YogaEarth, supports it.

This is not the only way the Southern California based company works with the community.   Their products, including organic foods, yoga gear, and natural products are designed with consumer input.  As a member of their community, you can suggest and vote on product ideas, plus receive discounts.  In fact, Keen-Wäh Decadence Bars were created through this program, with the community’s input!

I’m continuously impressed by the extra steps Yoga Earth takes to help the environment.  They’re striving toward zero waste, manufacture locally, and employ sustainable practices.   “The company has designed a packaging program to optimize use of recycled materials, while protecting product integrity and safety. Outer packaging is FSC-certified and 80% minimum post-consumer waste. Packaging is produced in fully wind-powered facilities.”

 Win!

Yoga Earth has kindly offered a Takes a Village reader an entire case of 12 Keen-Wäh Decadence Bars, a $34.95 value!  Even more exciting ~ the winner may choose from any flavor, a mix of all three, or a combo of two kinds for their case!

To enter, simply check out Yoga Earth’s Keen-Wäh Decadence Bars on their website and comment on TAV via Rafflecopter with which flavor appeals most to you and why.  For more entries see below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks to Yoga Earth for providing delicious samples for my review!
 
Congratulations to Sheri, our winner!
Posted in Dessert, Environmental, Food, Giveaway, Gluten Free, Health, non-profit, Recycling, Snacks, Villagers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Giveaway! Power Up Your Snacks with Navitas

by Julie Posted on May 22, 2012

In some circles (mainly the one consisting of my 4 and 6 year olds) I am known as the snack lady.  I am a huge advocate of healthy nibbles throughout the day, and all of the benefits they have to offer my girls and myself, especially mood improvement and increased brain function.  Personally, I feel much more balanced eating small meals interwoven with nutritious snacks rather than gorging on three gut-busting squares each day.

Aside from the notable health benefits, there is a definite convenience factor.  My girls and I have an unconventional schedule, more of a non-schedule really.  As much as I love to cook, it’s not always an option to have a meal ready at a scheduled time, or even when we’re super hungry.  Our lifestyle lends much better to nutritious items that are ready and waiting between meals.  

If you’ve ever encountered a hungry, grumpy toddler, the necessity of instant access to a quick bite is easy to comprehend.  I learned when my girls were small(er) that it is a great idea to carry a bag of healthy snacks, much like a doctor carries her med-kit, in a “break in case of emergency” style.  This makes it simple to keep everyone satiated, revive a crabby kid (or mom), and gives us a leg up if we are somewhere that offers nothing but empty calories or outrageously priced food.

Whilst on my never-ending search for healthy goods, I encountered superfood Power Snacks by Navitas Naturals.  These are no joke!  Available in Blueberry Hemp, Citrus Chia, and Cacao Goji (my favorite), these squares have a dense, brownie-like texture and a subtle sweetness.   The sweet note comes not from sugar, but from date paste and each plant-based ingredient, such as cacao, maca, chia, and camu-camu, has a purpose.

I am a huge fan of functional foods ~ who wouldn’t be when they taste as good as they make you feel?  Navitas Naturals Power Snacks are 100% pure superfoods and natural whole foods that are certified organic, vegan, raw, and gluten-free.

Navitas Naturals is a certified organic, green company based in Northern California.  They are “committed to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. We source our premium functional foods through direct partnerships with farming communities around the world. An essential part of our mission is to create economic opportunities among indigenous people in developing countries, and our support of native agriculture helps expand development of global organic farming practices.”

Navitas Natural products are widely available in stores and also directly from their super informative website, which includes an awesome variety of functional food recipes.

Win Some!

The kind folks at Navitas Naturals are giving one lucky Takes a Village reader a bag of Cacao Goji Power Snacks and a bag of Blueberry Hemp Power Snacks, an $18 value!

To enter, simply visit Navitas’ website, explore the colorful superfood icons at the bottom, and comment below with which interests you most and why.  For additional entries see below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks to Navitas Naturals for providing delicious samples for my review!
Posted in diet, Food, Giveaway, Gluten Free, natural, organic, Recipes, Vegan, Villagers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Lip Service: Eco-Lips Giveaway

by Julie Posted on January 20, 2012

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a zillion times; there’s nothing I despise more than dry, cracked, chapped lips.  And lip balms?  Over the years I’ve tried tons ~ from cheap drug store labels to chic, overpriced formulas.  It’s nearly impossible to find one with a soothing, smoothing texture that absorbs, rather than sliding right off your smackers.

Maybe I’m a balm elitist, but I don’t think my demands are outrageous: clean, organic ingredients (no chemicals), yummy smell, smooth feel, and staying power.  Is that too much to ask?

In Eco Lips, I do believe my lips have met their match!  Their balms meet all of my standards.  They are made in a USDA Certified Organic Plant that practices sustainability.  The varieties and flavors are seemingly endless and they don’t need to be constantly reapplied.

Another thing to love about this company; Eco Lips not only care about the earth, they also have taken up some great community causes.  Cause Balms help raise money and awareness for non-profit organizations by donating a dollar to a foundation when you purchase a balm designed with their logo.  Very worthy causes include the Motivating Miles,  Vitamin Angels, Cheerful Givers, Operation Smile, and more.

There’s more; their One World lip balms utilize Fair Trade Certified Cocoa butter, organic ingredients,  and oils imported from exotic locales.  Scrumptious flavors include Orange Spice, Coconut Ginger, and Lavender Lemon.  Starting at the beyond-reasonable price 0f $3.49 (for organic, sustainable products!), it would be completely practical to try them all!  Here’s your chance to get started….

WIN 

Eco Lips is kindly giving a Takes a Village reader a Complete Lip Care Kit to end their winter-time lip woes!

Kit Includes one of each of the following:

Six Lip balms:  SPF 15 Berry, SPF 15 Mint, SPF 30 Sport, Eco Lips Gold, Hemp and Bee Free Vegan.

Plus Accessories:  Eco Leash, Eco Clip, Eco Lanyard, and Eco Key Ring.

The entire kit comes in a reusable vinyl bag and is valued at $20.99!

To enter please visit the Eco Lips website and comment below with which Cause Balm’s non-profit organization appeals to you most and why.

For extra giveaway entries:

1. Like Takes a Village on Facebook.

2. Like Eco Lips on Facebook.

3. Follow Takes a Village on Twitter.

4. Follow Eco Lips on Twitter.

5. Tweet or Blog about this giveaway. (1 entry per day).

6. Join the village on Google Friend Connect on left sidebar.

7. Click to Vote for us on Picket Fences on the right sidebar. (1 Entry Daily)

8.  Add Takes a Village to your Google+ circle.

9. Subscribe to our Feed, lower right side.

Giveaway winners will be chosen via Random.org. US only please. Contest ends at 11:59 PST February 3, 2012!

Special thanks to Eco Lips for the advance copy for review purposes!
Posted in Beauty, Giveaway, natural, organic, Skincare, Villagers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 101 Comments