The Chicago Flag Bar continues it's trip around the world

 

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  Our Sun kissed and solar produced embassador of the city's new eco-spirit most recently summited Africa's highest peak; Mount Kilimanjaro.  For a complete trip log and details on it's next adventure 'Like' and follow us on Facebook.com/ethicallyengineered or email: info@ethicallyengineered.com.

   

   

  Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest freestanding mountain as well as the 4th most prominent mountain in theworld, rising 5,882 metres or 19,298 ft from the base.

  

   

  Our good friend and fan Erin L. from Chicago heeded the call for adventure and chose to take The Chicago Flag Bar along as a token of appreciation for her hosts while visiting Tanzania.  While in country she visited historic animal preserves as well as trekked up this million year old dormant volcano with a Chicago Flag Bar in her bag.
  
  As Erin climed and eventually summited the moutain's Uhuru Peak she bore witness to the melting ice and snow that have been dated to 11,700 years.  Between 1912 and 2007 the ancient mountain has lost as much as 85% of it's ice.  If global temperatures continue to rise the ice is estimated to be gone in 11 years.
  
  Our goal is clear and we are renewed with dedication to our goals of carbon neutral production and delivery.  Thank you Erin for sharing the eco-spirit of Chicago with the people of Tanzania.

  
  

  

   

How to throw the best vegan wedding ever.

In Chicago, Spring seems to have sprung.  The Ides of March are upon us and our minds, as well as the Solar Powered Studio, is consumed with the yearly wedding readiness.  In working with the planners we're currently finishing up an order of 75 Chicago Flag Soap Bars, destined for a beautiful Georgia wedding.  150 will shortly be ready for Melbourne. 

 

So with these thoughts of weddings and romance; I thought it a good time to re-post some tried and true suggestions to consider while planning your vegan wedding:

1. Maintain a sensible tack;  Friendly but firm: Make your decision to hold a vegan wedding clear and be up front about it.  Help the unfamiliar by making a list of products that contain animals. Caterers often think they are being sensible and helpful when offering to make some items for the omnivores.  Ford them no quarter and nip it in the bud by making your stance clear.  It will help to avoid akward moments during the selection process.
2. Prepare yourself with Recipes: If you don't have access to an all-vegan caterer in your town or city; having some favorite recipes is a good start.  You may have to contact caterers that usually prepare carcass for weddings and ask if they would be able to prepare a vegan reception. Use this guide, or look at the VegNews 2008 feature on vegan weddings for hints and help.
3. Don't let the caterer take the easy way out: Doesn't this sound amazing: marinated vegetables, grilled vegetables, raw vegetables, and stuffed vegetables. Vegan does not mean they get to simply prepare a bunch of simple side dishes; nor should you let them charge you the same. There are so many resources for vegan options that please everyone.  Comfort food, gourmet food, and mainstays are all available if you keep the caterer on point.
4. Don't lose focus on the cake: In Chicago we are fortunate to have a bunch of vegan wedding cake experts but in your city; maybe not so much.  As with the caterer you may have to contact traditional wedding cake bakers to ask them if they are able to make a vegan cake.   It's not as hard as you would think.  Many bakers are willing and more than able to do this. Short of making those call there is a good resource: Jolinda's guide to vegan wedding cakes.
5. The power is in you: Facing limits in your area?  Vegan roadblocks can occur and that's when you cowgirl-up and do it yourself. Again, the vegan wedding menus feature includes recipes for almost any budget, and many of them can be sized up to accomodate large and hungry crowds. Almost any vegan cake recipe can be turned into a wedding cake. Just take a decorating class at a local bakery or college, and you'll be set. However, remember to check with the wedding venue about self catering.  It may, in some areas, be a health code issue.  If they are good with it and only have a few managable requirements to ensure safety; why not go for it and pull off the best vegan wedding ever!

Handling Flu Season In Eco-Friendly Ways

A Look at Cloth Handkerchiefs, Tissues and Antibacterial Gels

Cotton handkerchiefs can be more absorbent than paper, as the fabric can expand when moist, and dry off. There is also less friction, as paper is coarser, and often chaps noses when blown frequently. Using a soft flannel hanky for those with runny noses can ease the burn on peeling skin.

While it is debatable whether washing a load of handkerchiefs and air-drying them on a rack saves money or is less energy efficient than buying a box of paper tissues, there are some considerations. Cloth handkerchiefs reduce the toll on our forests, and with a cold water wash and minimal detergent, a load of 40 hankies is roughly the size of two double-sized bed sheets: a small- to average-sized load when all are washed at once.

Having re-usable hankies for use at home will cost less and be easier on your nose and wallet.

Full Story by Naomi Szeben

If you have a cold you will produce more mucus and might want to rinse your hankie in warm water and hydrogen peroxide to keep it naturally fresh and white.  Check out these handmade gems from our friends at banoo.

Oils from Bergamot, Grapefruit and Petitgrain are essential, uplift ones spirits, decrease anxiety and depression. Also antiseptic, antispasmodic and deodorizing agent.

This weekend's Green Music Festival was a great time.  Listeneing to the Wailers and The Aggrolites was amazing and we made so many new friends.  Thanks to everyone who came out and thanks as well to all the support of our carbon neutral process.

It's back to work today and I'm making small batches of our zen-ful Bergamot and Grapefruit high lather body bars and massage oil today.  Ohmmmm.  They say if you truly love your work you never work a day in your life.  So true.

Bergamot’s distinctive citrus smell helps lift a blue mood, builds confidence and self-esteem.  Coming from the Citrus bergamia tree its oil is mechanically cold-pressed from the fruit’s rind. I've obtained the finest quality oil however which is hand-pressed.  

Grapefruit oil is believed to reduce cellulite and fluid retention, as well as reducing muscle aches and pains when massaged into the affected area.  The oil is obtained from the fresh peel of the fruit, by means of a process known as cold expression; which involves rupturing the fresh peel and pressing out the essence or zest.

In Chicago, vegan and don't have a lot of money to waste?

Check out the Chicago Vegan Co-op buying club to get discounts and wholesale pricing.  Buy in bulk or get your friends together and chip in on some Daiya Cheese for pizza night or pick up those great vegan hikers for the upcoming trek.  Saving money is fun and an ethical plant based diet should be rewarded.  Tell all your friends.

http://chicagoveganco-op.wikispaces.com/

Ethically Engineered Tour Date Announced

Don't miss Green Music Fest on Chicago Avenue between Ashland and Noble, Saturday and Sunday, June 26th & 27th from 12-10pm. The innovative green technology-themed event reflects our eco-conscious city by fusing environmentally-friendly bands with green vendors, local retailers, arts & crafts, and educational kid’s activities. greenmusicfestchicago.com

We had a great time, last year, turning new friends onto the No-Bottle Shampoo and Conditioning Bars while listing great bands like Art Brut.

This year's event features great live music on the main stage with the legendary reggae band The Wailers plus The Aggrolites headlining Saturday 6/26, and indie-rock legends Cloud Cult and David Bazan headlining 6/27.