Eat-In on Labor Day

The Time for Lunch Campaign is a project of Slow Food USA, an educational non-profit with the goal of creating a world in which everyone can enjoy food that is good, clean and fair.

This year, they're asking parents, teachers and every responsible citizen to speak up and tell our nation's leaders that change can’t wait: It's time to provide our children with REAL FOOD at school.

And we're happy to say: There are now more than 250 Eat-Ins taking place on Labor Day for our National Day of Action to give kids real food at school and organizers in all 50 states have joined the effort. So get involved.

Here’s a link to find a Labor Day Eat-In near you: http://slowfoodusa.org/ timeforlunch.

If there isn’t an Eat-In in your area, sign up to host your own. All you need to do is gather with friends for a Labor Day potluck, take a photo (the more creative, the better) and send it to us on Sept. 7 to show your support.

It's also important to sign the petition, so we can tell Congress that there’s no excuse for federal policy that forces schools to serve the fast food and junk food that endangers children’s health. It’s time to give schools the ability to serve real food, and to begin building a strong foundation for our children’s futures.

Get involved and show the world that healthy food is important to you and your family!

FYI! (Something to do on Saturday)

Looking for something else to read while you savor the last few days of summer?

Then be sure to take advantage of one of the best deals of the summer - the semi-annual Newspapers in Education book sale.

On Saturday, the back room at The Salem News in Beverly will be filled with thousands of used books of all kinds. Prices range from 50 cents to $3, and 100% of the proceeds go to the NIE program, which supplies free newspapers to elementary and high schools on the North Shore.

The sale runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 32 Dunham Road in Beverly.

(Just a side note: Does anyone else think its funny The Salem News is located in Beverly? Hehe.)

Free Charlie Hope Concert!

We are so excited to have Charlie Hope here again to sing songs from her new CD "I'm Me"! So plan on getting to CGB early on Saturday, September 5 @ 11AM for our free concert! For a preview of Charlie Hope's music, visit here.

Intro. to Yoga for Pregnancy

Join Alicia from Green Tea Yoga for a simple introduction to Yoga for Pregnancy!

On Saturday, August 29 at 11AM, Alicia will spend 30 minutes teaching basic yoga positions for pregnancy and answering questions about yoga and pregnancy.

Alicia embraced a yoga practice wholeheartedly while expecting her baby nine years ago and believes yoga is for everyone. She holds a Master's degree in Education and Creative Arts in Learning and recently introduced her innovative Yoga for Kids program to Green Tea Yoga and the Northshore. Alicia's classes are creative and dynamic, using music and mindful sequencing to give her students an integrated workout for body and mind.

Learn more about the class here and check out Yoga for Pregnancy (and some other great event ideas) on Daily Candy!

Does the Rise of Consumer Culture Both You?

. . .If so, then check out "Consuming Kids: The Commercialization of Childhood" on Tuesday, August 25, from 7 to 9 PM at St. John the Evangelist Church (111 New Balch Street in Beverly). . . . for FREE!

Are your kids always nagging you for stuff? Do you want kids to be happy for who they are, and now what they own? Are you worried about children growing up too fast? Are gender stereotypes cramping their style? Do you want kids to think for themselves? Do you value kids' imagination? Does the rise of consumer culture bother you?

Then check out the film for "an eye-opening account of the pervasive and pernicious effects of children's advertising on the health and well-being of kids" and a lively discussion afterward.

For more information or to register, visit www.commercialfreechildhood.org or contact Melissa Keys at mkeys76@hotmail.com or 978.921.5495.

Yummy Zucchini Muffins . . .

Not sure if you've heard, but CGB hosts a CSA on Thursdays. Learn more here. And we also host a monthly Bamboo Spoon Award Contest , where CSA shareholders bake treats using our CSA ingredients. Then as other shareholders wander in to pick up their produce, they taste all the treats and vote for their favorite. The dish with the most votes wins the Bamboo Spoon!

On Thursday, Ivy Connelly baked insanely yummy Zucchini Muffins with Oat Graham Brown Sugar Toppings. It was so good, we wanted to share the recipe with all our CGB friends. Enjoy!

Zucchini Muffins (or bread)

3 eggs, beaten
1 cup oil
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour (can use white or whole wheat or a combination)
2 cups zucchini grated (can substitute summer squash or use a combination)
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
3 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup raisins or nuts (optional)
Mix ingredients thoroughly.
Pour into muffin tins or loaf pan.
Bake at 350 degrees, 25-30 minutes for muffins, 1 hour for bread.

Oat-Graham-Brown Sugar Topping

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup rolled oats
2 sheets of graham crackers, crushed
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
6 tablespoons cold butter, cut in pieces
Mix the first four ingredients together.
Cut the butter in with a pastry knife.
Spoon on top of the muffins.
Bake as directed.

Win Yoga Pants!

CGB (well, our products) are being featured on a Mom Blog!

Mkokopelli was founded by Mom Michelle, who was looking for an outlet to share her daughter Ella's adventures. With the economic setbacks as a stay at home mom, she began updating her blog with freebies, deals and great contests. A perfect way for moms to see if products were worth the extra money!

So be sure to check out Michelle's blog for a chance to win some CGB yoga pants during her Yoga Week!

New Music Classes for Kids!

Kellie Cormier of Music Together is launching a few new endeavors! And although she won't be teaching Music Together any longer, she is focusing solely on creating her own classes and teaching to all ages.

Her new classes for the 0-4 age is called Sing Baby Sing and you can find out more here. Here's Kellie's description of the class:

"During a typical 30 or 45 minute class, we will sing age appropriate songs, counting songs, action songs and nursery rhymes. A wide range of instruments and props are also used including egg shakers ,bells, drums, puppets, scarves, percussion instruments, which help to engage your child's attention and bring our sessions to life.

Sing baby Sing classes let your child experience different types of music, experiment with a variety of instruments and explore their 'singing voice'."

Classes begin September 21 and registration is currently underway. To register, or learn more about Kellie's classes, visit SingKidSing.com.

What We're Reading: "Raising Baby Green"

"In this illustrated and easy-to-use guide, noted pediatrician Dr. Alan Greene, a leading voice of the green baby movement, advises parents how to make healthy green choices for pregnancy, childbirth, and baby care—from feeding your baby the best food available to using medicines wisely. Consumer advocate Jeanette Pavini includes information for making smart choices and applying green principles to a whole new universe of products from zero-VOC paints for the nursery, to pure and gentle lotions for baby's delicate skin, to the eco-friendly diapers now in the marketplace, as well as specific recommendations for hundreds of other products."

Accolades include:

• Winner of the Nautilus Book Awards Gold Medal for “BEST PARENTING BOOK OF THE YEAR”
• Dr. Greene provides a lucid, helpful guide for parenting in the 21st century." —Julius B. Richmond, MD, Harvard Medical School, Founding Director of Project Head Start, and Former U.S. Surgeon-General
• "I found Raising Baby Green a wonderful guide to raising healthy babies and children. The book reflects Alan Greene's evolution as a pediatrician and it brings together science, expert opinion and experiential knowledge in an easy-to-follow book. It is a gem." —Philip Lee, MD, Former United States Assistant Secretary of Health, Chancellor of the University of California at San Francisco, Professor at Stanford University
• "Dr. Alan Greene is the passionate voice for those just born and those not yet born. Listen to him."—Walter Robb, president, Whole Foods Market

"Raising Baby Green" is available as part of CGB's Lending Library. To learn more about Dr. Greene, click here.

Organic Cooking Class

- Organic Cooking Class (w/North Shore C.C.)
- Sept. 8, 15 and 22 (6:30 - 9:30 PM)
- Learn how to create interesting and wholesome organic meals within a budget!

Wondering what to do with the abundance of your early fall produce? Join a three week non-credit organic cooking class in a state of the art kitchen (Eurostoves in North Beverly) to determine how to best utilize the abundant early fall harvest.

In this hands-on class, you will learn how to best prepare fresh organic veggies and meats for maximum flavor and vitamin content. Learn the advantages of eating organic, determine how to stay healthy while staying within a budget.

During the first class, students will determine recipes for the subsequent two classes. Possibilities include braised radishes, roasted vegetable salsa, herbed grilled chicken, marinated flank steak, grilled radicchio, homemade chicken broth, ceasar salad pizza, carrot and celery slaw, and fresh tomato herbed soup.

For more information and to register, click here or call Julie at 978.745.4055.

Babywearing Demo

Curious about babywearing?

Register for CGB's Babywearing Demonstration on Tuesday, August 25 at 6:30PM. Vickie Dawson, mother of 3, will demonstrate how to use a tie wrap. Other carriers being shown include the Taylor Made Ring Sling, Little Star Pouch and the Ergo Baby Carrier.

If you already have your babywearing gear, bring it with you! If not, all participants will receive 10% off any baby wearing product during the demo.

Space is limited so please call to let us know you are coming.

BPA-free baby bottles have been the norm at Salem store

Did you hear?

Jennie is featured in The Salem News today!

In an article titled "BPA-free baby bottles have been the norm at Salem store," Jennie discusses the new public health concern over baby bottles with the chemical bisphenol-A.

"The reason why I opened my store was I couldn't find anything natural. My store's always been BPA-free, phthalate-free, all-natural fibers," explains Jennie.

To read the full article, click here.

New Product: Modern Baby Co. Onesies

CGB would like to introduce a new brand to our shop - The Modern Baby Co.

A company that combines modern designer textiles, creativity, and thoughtfulness, they offer quality, American-made products for today's style conscious families.

I mean, how adorable are this classic onesies with the adorable appliques?!

Stop in and check 'em out in person!

What's Happening!

This Weekend:

- GLBT Parenting Group at CGB on Saturday at 2PM. GLBT families relax and connect with other parents and their babes of all ages during this free group

- The Essex Street Fair has something for everyone! On both Saturday and Sunday, crafts, jewelry, paintings, stained glass, and other unique items will be featured along the Essex Pedestrian Mall. Street performers, face painters, and strolling musicians will entertain crowds.

And Upcoming This Week:

- “Combining Work & Breastfeeding” on Wednesday at 7PM. Together we’ll look at ways to approach your employer about your breastfeeding needs, what to expect the first week back at work, tips on finding the time and space to pump, as well as ways to connect with your baby when your work day is over. Pregnant mothers are encouraged to attend.

Food May Be The Perfect Gift

Looking for a super unique gift idea?

Look no further!

Green Delicious Cooking Company is a new type of catering company. Owner and operated by a veteran of Boston-area restaurants, Green Delicious Cooking Company emphasizes locality and seasonality, along with flexibility and affordability.

And, to sweeten the deal, Green Delicious has created the New Parent Package, available for purchase here at CGB.

So what is the New Parent Package? Green Delicious Cooking Company Personal Chef Service does the cooking for new parents, providing three delicious family meals prepared with the freshest whole ingredients, making those hectic first days a little easier.

Curious about the menu offerings? Check out a sample menu below:

• Citrus-garlic roasted chicken breasts with orzo and vegetables
• Pan-seared tofu and green beans with red pepper hazelnut sauce
• Marinated flank steak with twice-baked potatoes
• Apricot-panko crusted salmon with roasted asparagus
• Thai coconut shrimp with jasmine rice
• Roasted vegetable enchiladas
• Homemade gnocchi in a roasted tomato sauce
• Spinach and pancetta stuffed tenderloin
• Chicken tagine with chickpeas
• Sheperd's pie

So give the gift of great food! Gift certificates are $275 and include all the planning, shopping, cooking and cleaning up for three delicious meals!

Click here to purchase The New Parent Package for your friends or family.

Yum.

Tonite! Ice Scream Bowl!

New Product: Little Birds Fly Dresses

Crunchy Granola Baby is absolutely stoked to by carrying unbelievably adorable dresses handcrafted by our friend Jennifer Cunha.

Her dresses, which fall under the brand Little Birds Fly, are sweet, simple, comfortable and (like I said) super-cute. They're perfect for summer, great for layering, and can be worn first as a dress and then worn as a top as your little girl grows. And did we mention how great these dresses look layered over long sleeved tops with tights or leggings (or Huggalugs!) in the colder weather?

Check out Jennifer's blog at LittleBirdsFly.blogspot.com. Or just stop by CGB and check 'em out in person!

CGB Turns 3!

Today is the last day to celebrate CGB's 3rd birthday! So hurry in and enjoy great deals, like:

• 10% off Ergo Baby Carriers
• 50% off Batik Ring Slings
• 10 - 30% off organic clothing
• 50% off nursing pillows
• And (for the entire month of August) receive 25% off an ImseVimse Swim Diaper or pair of Water Shoes if you buy Badger Sunscreen.

But those aren't the only super savings... Everything else in the shop is 10% off! Stop in and check out what's happening! (Please note: Certain restrictions apply. Not many! But a few.)