The Last-Minute Local: Holiday Gift Ideas

by Maria Noel Groves, Co-op Wellness Educator

Oh snap! Guess what I forgot?

If you're anything like me, you've got about six holiday shindigs coming up in the next week and are scurrying to get the last of your holiday gift list checked off. Instead of torturing yourself with a trip to the mall or supporting some faceless chain store, swing by the Co-op for sweet localvore gifts. By buying a locally made product at your local Co-op store, you're not only getting a great present, but you're also supporting the local economy... times TWO.

For every dollar you spend on *anything* at the Co-op, 70 cents is reinvested into our local community. Buy a local item here, and almost your whole dollar stays in NH. Compare that to just 20 cents at a chain store, 6 cents at a big box store, and nada on an online store.

Oh, and did I mention that these are some pretty cool gifties? Perfect for a fellow foodie, party host, stocking stuffer, or Yankee Swap! Here are some of my favorite gift ideas from the Co-op's local and regional businesses...

The Local Gourmet

Everyone loves to eat, but the folks who come by the Co-op have turned it into an art form (and, one could ague, a political act). Forget those prefab "Fancy Farms" cheese and sausage packs, the Co-op has the real deal with real flavor and none of those nasty chemicals.


Wine, Beer & Spirits

• Local Wine - I'll be stocking up this week so I can bring a bottle everywhere I go... Personal faves include Granite State Red by LaBelle Winery (the closest thing we have to a "real" red made locally) and lightly sweet table reds like South Hampton Red by Jewell Towne Vineyards. LaBelle's Reisling will appeal to the white wine drinker. Also check out the unique selection of fruit wines made locally including the pleasantly tart Heirloom Crabapple Wine by Hermit Woods.
• Local Brews: Not being a beer fan, I had to turn to the Co-op's beer buyer Shane Smith. He highly recommends anything from White Birch Brewing, especially the Tavern Ale, which was recently rated in the 25 brews nationwide. Also check out the 603 bombers and classics like Tuckerman's.
• Unique Spirits: For creative palates, try something new this year. The Co-op offers an impressive selection of local mead. Try Kurt's Apple Pie, Coffee in Bed, or other cutely named options (Stiletto, Deviant...) by Moonlight Meadery. The Vanilla Bean by Sap House Meadery is sure to please, and you can also go for extra-local Sugar Maple or the unique Hopped Blueberry Maple. Old-fashioned dry Farnum Hill Ciders are perfect for those who don't like their drinks sweet.

Cheese & Friends

• New England Cheese: For a classic set, check out the many cheddar, jack, and colby options by Neighborly Farms of Vermont. The goat cheese lover will be thrilled by the specialty chevre by Heartsong Farm and Vermont Creamery. And the baby brie by Sandwich Creamery is fabulous.
• Fancy Spreads: Check out the Peach Ginger and Red Pepper Jelly by Bonnie's Jams and the tasty selection of jams, spreads, and dressings by Stonewall Farm (see the bookcase of goodies near the coffee machine). 
• Something to Put It All On: The artisan Craquelin crisps are amazing. Enjoy locally baked bread made with locally milled flour from artisan bakeries including Sunnyfield and Canterbury Bread Shop. It's the perfect accompaniment to a selection of cheese and/or jams, but be sure to give it the same day you buy it to ensure good flavor and texture. Pick up a locally handcrafted wooden cutting board to go with it all!

The Sweet Stuff

•  Sweet Syrups: Give the Sweet Tooth on your list the gift of local goodness with Hillside Apiaries honey, North Family Farm organic maple syrup, and ale-inspired sauces by the BEERkery Co. (yes, seriously!).
• Buzz Buzz: Enjoy all-natural sugar-free cocoa by In Joy Organics and delicious roasted coffee beans by Equal Exchange (I highly recommend the Midnight Sun!) or Granite Ledge.
• Chocaholic Delights: Ok, the chocolate itself may not be locally grown, but you can still get New England-made specialty chocolates by Equal Exchange and Lake Champlain Chocolates.
• Crafted Cookies: Enjoy all-natural decorated homemade cookies by the Co-op's own Bakery Box pastry chefs (really, these are the best around!) or the packaged delights from Fancypants Bakery and Dancing Deer Baking Co. Dancing Deer also makes great gingerbread house kits... and if gingerbread houses are on your to-do list this year, I highly recommend them! I once spent four FULL days making my own gingerbread houses from scratch for a group activity, and I don't recommend it. Guaranteed kitchen meltdown.

Natural Beauty

It's true, there are a few things at the Co-op that you can't eat. Here are some great options for the  glam gal (or guy) in your life, sans those nasty chemicals...

• Bee Beautiful: The "Bee" line from S Formulators features an amazing fresh-floral fragrance specially crafted from essential oils. You can find the cream, toner, spritz, and "bee snug" warmers. A portion of the proceeds is donated to the Honeybee Research Fund.
• Super Scents: Pocket-sized solid perfumes by Healing Earth Vermont Herbals are the perfect stocking stuffer.
• Lip Service: Tinted and healing balms by W.S. Badger are a holiday classic!
• Clean & Green: Everyone needs soap! Check out handmade soap bars by Northwood Naturals and Paris Market.

Natural Home

Ok, so these products aren't local or regional; however, I can't help but mention them. The Co-op  has a *wide* range of slick, eco-friendly housewares including composting buckets, mini blenders, lunch boxes, brushes, bamboo cutting boards and kitchen utensils, soy and beeswax candles, and more! Don't forget the pots and pans, knives, etc. that you can get with your Green Stamps or purchase outright.

Do-It-Yourself

Time is of the essence, but if you want to make your own all-natural gifts, here are some of my favorite recipes!

• Homemade Sweet Treats: My family recipes for hot fudge, sugar cookies, and more....
• Gifts You Can Drink: Easy herb and fruit cordials
• Natural Bodycare: Scroll to the bottom for lip balm and body cream recipes

The Tangible Intangibles

 These gifts keep on giving!

• Co-op Gift Cards are available in any denomination.
• The Gift of Co-op Membership will last a lifetime!
• Registration for a Co-op's Health & Wellness Series is sure to please. The Eat Well, Be Well Healthy Cooking Series begins January 13, 2014, with two more series scheduled later in the year.

For more gift ideas, check out the Co-op's Holiday Gift Guide, but remember, it's still just a sampling - see the store for the full selection! Don't worry, they've got stuff to wrap it, too!

Zero Waste Shopping at the Co-op

by Maria Noël Groves, Clinical Herbalist & Co-op Wellness Educator

Imagine doing your shopping, bringing groceries home, and eating them without throwing a single thing in the trash can. While it's difficult to be 100% perfect, here are some easy ways to reduce your grocery waste:

Brendan can answer your bulk questions!

Refill Your Own Containers in Bulk. Buying items from the bulk aisle automatically means less waste. However, you can improve your carbon footprint by bringing your own containers in to fill rather than using a new plastic bag or container each time. Wide-mouth mason jars work particularly well and are also great for storing items in your pantry, but any container will do. Try masking tape to label the jar - it stays on well and then comes off easily when you want it to. You'll need to at least put the PLU number from the bin and get the "tare" (weight of the empty container) at the registers so that the cashier can properly ring your item. A wide range of products are available: grains, snacks, beans, coffee, spices, olive oil, maple syrup, honey, granola, nuts, kombucha, olives...

Buy Local Dairy with a Bottle Deposit. Some of our dairy farmers provide milk, keifer, and cream in glass containers. You pay a bottle deposit up front, and when you bring the clean container back, the cashier will refund you. Look for items from Bartlett Farm in Concord and Brookford Farm in Canterbury.

Re-use Produce Bags. Whether you bring lightweight cloth, Ziplock, or re-use plastic bags, you can easily reduce your waste. Or buy items lose and transfer them into storage containers when you get home. Be sure to wash them regularly.

Bring Your Own Grocery Bags. Bring your own canvas (or any type of) bag to bring your groceries home. This saves on plastic waste and also earns 5 cents per bag for the Community Partner of the month.

Shop Fresh. Eating from the perimeter of the store, particularly our produce and bulk aisles, will automatically generate less waste... and is generally healthier for you, too!

Compost. Toss corn husks, peach pits, apple cores, kale stems, teabags, outdated leftovers, egg shells, coffee grounds, stale bread and the like in the compost bin. Even a lazy compost pile will eventually turn into great soil, and urban composters can try composting with worms. (Don't compost meat, bones, excess grease, eggs, or dairy products, though.)

BONUS: By eating more fresh foods and storing them in glass or cloth, you'll significantly reduce your blood levels of harmful BPA and other problematic plastic compounds within just a few days! Click here to learn more about the study.

What's YOUR favorite way to reduce waste when you shop? Let us know in the "Comments" section below!

A Cheaper, Greener Way to Drink Water

By Maria Noël Groves, Clinical Herbalist & Co-op Wellness Educator

Want a new water bottle for the car and office? Check out the Co-op's glass bottled water selection! Opt for stylish glass bottles with screw-tops, which are dishwasher safe, only cost a few dollars, and are perfect to re-use. Even BPA-free plastic water bottles can leach dangerous chemicals, and stainless steel water bottles often impart an unpleasant metallic flavor.

Lots of Great Glass Bottles to Choose From!

To drink clean water, you just can't beat glass. Once you finish the water in your bottle, refill it with filtered tap water. Seltzer fan? Check out the Soda Stream carbonator (available at Things are Cooking in downtown Concord) to make tap water fabulously fizzy. Add a squirt of flavor extract from the baking aisle (lemon, vanilla, orange...) or a few sprigs of fresh herbs from the garden to the bottle for a sublime summer sipper.

Lemon Verbena Leaves Infusing in Seltzer

* Glass is non-leaching, which makes your drinking water safer and better tasting (not to mention more elegant). Re-using a glass drink bottle is super cheap compared to buying any type of "water bottle," and it's even dishwasher safe.
* Refilling with filtered tap water eliminates waste, costs next to nothing, and has a low carbon footprint.
* Homemade seltzer costs less than bottled in the long run, eliminates waste, and offers endless opportunity for creative drinks.

DIY Natural Bug Spray & Bite Remedies

By Maria Noël Groves, Clinical Herbalist & Co-op Wellness Educator

Plantain

Bugs are an inescapable reality for those of us who love the outdoors. One way to reduce the pressure is to use your own homemade natural bug spray. Here’s one of my favorite recipes that discourages black flies, mosquitoes, and ticks. Everything except for the vodka is available at the Co-op.

4 oz metal, glass, or PET plastic spray bottle

2 oz distilled water

2 oz vodka

20 drops lavender essential oil

20 drops geranium essential oil

15 drops citronella essential oil (optional)

Lavender Flowering

Combine all your ingredients in the bottle, shake well, and spray as needed on skin and clothing. Reapply each hour.

Don’t have the time or energy to make your own? Check out all the great natural insect repellents at the Co-op. My personal favorite is Quantum Buzz Away Extreme, but you may want to try a few to find the one that works with your body’s chemistry.

Get bit? Chew up a fresh plantain leaf (a common weed, but be sure you’re 100 percent positive on your identification) and place it on the bite for immediate itch relief. Or swab it with some old-fashioned distilled witch hazel or plain undiluted lavender essential oil.

Mint to Keep the Critters Away

Recently I moved into a house with an existing compost bin.  It is a simple bin, the black one that sits right on the ground.  I decided to bring it back to life and began throwing my scraps and compostable items in the bin.  Living in the city, I was worried about critters getting into the bin.  Sure enough, within a few days I went out in the morning and found that somebody was sampling my scraps.  I kept filling the holes back in, putting bricks around the bin and looking for ways to secure it to the ground so it would be more difficult for the critters to get in.

Then I read somewhere that skunks and other small animals don’t like the smell of mint.  I thought, “What an inexpensive and friendly way to keep them out!"  I bought a small spearmint plant (see photo) and planted it right next to the bin at the place where they were digging.  You can buy a mint plant at any store or garden center that sells starter plants.  So far, no further invasions have taken place in my compost bin and it’s been about five weeks!  Maybe they decided that my selections didn’t have enough variety, but I’m going to assume that the mint worked.  The mint will also proliferate and surround the bin more each year.  AND, I can use the mint for Mojitos all summer.  That’s a bonus!

Here’s a great Mojito recipe if you haven’t tried one:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alex-garcia/mojito-recipe/index.html