Thursday, September 24, 2009

Local Flavor: Lincoln Art Festival Sept. 26-27, 2009

This event is perhaps one of the coolest things about living in Lincoln, Nebraska. For many it might have been given the title of the coolest. For us it is something we look forward to this event every year.

The Lincoln Art Council has taken probably one of the yuppiest parts of town and turned it into this very laid back cool atmosphere for all kinds of art to be discovered. Perfect fall days are the scene for thousands of folk mingling with artist and art collectors. The smell of kettle corn and roasted almonds filling the air and the sound of local jazz and blue floats through the crowd.


"...Brought to you by the Lincoln Arts Council and the help of over 75 volunteers, the Lincoln Arts Festival will celebrate its 9th year on September 26th and 27th at SouthPointe Pavilions Shopping Center. The festival will be home to fabulous works of art for purchase and perusal, amazing live music acts to enliven your senses along with a fun, family-friendly atmosphere complete with children’s activities, food and raffle prizes including two round trip tickets to Chicago on Amtrak with a free two night stay at the downtown Holiday once you’re there...

...If art is what you’re after (and we hope that you are) you’ll have the opportunity to float through nearly 100 artists’ booths displaying their very best wares. About half the artists will be returning favorites while the other half are new participants with exciting, innovative pieces to share. Affordable pricing on valuable pieces allow you to get carried away while keeping your budget in tact. If you’re looking for a great piece for that blank wall, a unique “off the registry” gift for a family or friend or just something fun for your coffee table, garden or earlobes, the Lincoln Arts Festival is the place to find it."

We hope to see you there! All Gurus will be in attendance! For more info go to Lincoln's Art Scene.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Local Flavor: PJ's Baby Cakes

There’s been a consistent theme in our Local Flavor that was brought to our attention recently—women who have turned their passion into businesses that continue to bring inspiration into their lives and those around them. Amanda of PJ’s Baby Cakes is one of those such women.

PJ’s Baby Cakes is a cupcake business located in Waverly, Nebraska but is more often found in Lincoln. Amanda, owner of PJ's Baby Cakes, hosts a variety of flavors ranging from traditional vanilla to flavors matching orange-chocolate candies and root beer floats.

Like many new businesses, PJ’s Baby Cakes came out of lost—a lost of a job early this year. According to Amanda her first thoughts after loosing her 9-to-5 was “finally I can start a bakery.” Highly enthusiastic attitude quickly took a nose dive into a slump that lasted over a month until her loving husband and strongest support, Zac, encouraged her off the sofa and into the kitchen.

The name “PJ’s” comes from little Patrick John, the son of Amanda and Zac, who often tags along on cupcake deliveries and at the Haymarket Farmer’s Market. The business began as “made to order specialty cupcakes” and continues to be that today, but as mentioned if around the Lincoln (Nebraska) area on any seasonal-Saturday you’ll be able to meet and experience the “Cupcake Goddess” yourself and her delights.

Cupcakes are made fresh according to order and come in a variety of cake and icing flavors with fun decorations and even fondant for special orders.

Amanda would like to stress one thing and that is “focusing on cupcakes.” She is dedicated to providing the customer with the “perfect cupcake.”

For more information either go to
www.pjsbabycakes.com or call 402-786-2249. And for a very limited time PJ’s Baby Cakes can be found every Saturday at the famous Haymarket Farmer’s Market in Lincoln, Nebraska.




Note: PJ’s Baby Cakes has full knowledge of this article and is in support of it. Public comment welcomed!

Monday, August 31, 2009

Local Flavor: "Rainbow Gathering" Sept. 2-8, 2009

... made known to us by a friend. This "Rainbow Gathering" event is a sort of local annual hippie retreat that brings like minded individuals together for the sake of peace, music, love and a good time.

Rainbow Family of Loving Living Light started in 1971 as a type of "hippie movement." But soon all kinds of people came together and the spectrum of people coming together became the Rainbow Tribe.

Rainbow Gatherings such as the annual Nebraska retreat are for a coming together of individuals who seek a community of open and like-minded souls. All gatherings are FREE!

Nebraska Rainbow Gathering will be a week long event including fellowship, camping, nature, celebration of peace and community... with no alcohol, no radios and no violence. It will be a trade-economy, dogs are welcomed along with families and children. All gatherings make it clear that all people and children share high respect with no drama or aggression.

Rainbow Gathering will be hosted during the Nebraska Regional Harvest Celebration and Festival in the woods through Labor Day weekend, September 2-8, 2009. Celebration held at George Syas Wildlife Management Area 917 Acres of Loup River in Platte County.

Directions to location... 2 1/2 miles South of Genoa, Nebraska. Turn left/East go 1 mile on 510 St. Then turn left/North onto 445 Ave. Finally go one mile and then turn left into parking lot.

Get out of your comfort zone and give this event a try. It's a very positive thing within the community, and don't doubt you might see a few Gurus there as well!

If any confusion due to this article, go to www.welcomehere.org.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Guru Alert!

Hey Groovin' Guys and Gals! A quick note for your groovin' pleasure...

Many of our Gurus were spotted at the local
HAIR production last night. The musical shares the same package we consider to be ours, but still contains a much deeper meaning. The message that lives on in the words of John Lennon, "give peace and chance" and by the same "all you need is love" the fab four.

This
mature production still sadly rings true today. We are all still learning how to live within those words. There are still a few more performances left, so go out, have a good time and support these local students. If you don't live within Lincoln (Nebraska) we still urge you to go and find anything that will lift up your spirit and make you think in the process.

Our Season of Local Flavor is going strong! Unfortunately due to technical error, our next Local Flavor will be posted at a later date... TBA

Birthday celebrations are underway! October will mark our one year in the granola buzz and we couldn't be more thrilled! It has been one incredible trip and we look forward to many more years as your favorite granola company.

Farmer's Markets are still in full swing! Get in on our 'Buy 3 bags, Get one FREE' deal. We plan to finish out the season at both the
Haymarket Farmer's Market and Havelock Farmer's Market. We want to see you there!

Keep Groovin' and we thank you for your ongoing support!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Local Flavor: Bracelets by Liz

We knew Liz way before she was known as the lady behind Bracelets by Liz. We literally followed her to the farmer’s markets and in large part blame her for the wild adventures we have shared together as vendors. Through it all we have been witness to this bracelet business becoming much more than beads on string.

The business name was relevant five years ago when Liz started Bracelets by Liz but now under that same name includes not only bracelets but earrings, necklaces, watches, headbands, bookmarks, flip-flops, lanyards, key rings and even bottle openers. If the wide selection doesn’t interest you, the quality of which they are made will definitely catch your eye. Made from the highest quality Liz can get her hands on; a variety of unique combination of swaravski beads, gemstones, fresh water pearls and sterling silver or copper.

For Liz, owner and creator of
Bracelets by Liz, it’s all about family. Her daughter, Elyssa was the inspiration behind the original bracelet and her husband has always been her number one fan and supporter since that little bracelet with Elyssa’s name sent Liz into retail business. She will be the first to tell you that this jewelry business didn’t happen overnight, but happened for her as a little girl living in San Diego selling “Flowers by the Sea.”

Making jewelry is a way for Liz to connect with her daughter and creativity. In fact, you will now find little anklets made by Elyssa next to the wide variety Liz provides, but don’t think Liz is going anywhere. You will find Bracelets by Liz at the
Historic Haymarket Farmer’s Market [in Lincoln, Nebraska] every Saturday throughout the entire season. You will also spot these jewels at craft fairs and local events around the Lincoln, Nebraska area. You may also contact Liz for more information or special orders.

If you have questions or a comment regarding this article, feel free to contact us at
Groovy Guru Granola with subject line ‘Bracelets by Liz.’



Note: Bracelets by Liz has full knowledge of this article in is in support of it.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Local Flavor: Instant Eden

So often products are overlooked, for reasons unknown to many of us and unfortunately, Instant Eden hasn’t been named a trailblazer –that is until now.

Through the novelty of mixing your own scents to make “your unique signature”
Instant Eden gets your attention and learning the process of Organics will keep you coming back time and time again. Melissa, creator and owner, sums up the whole of her business as, “My objective is to have a product reflect the person who wears it – not me. On the emotional level – I love to use the power of fragrance to change people’s lives. You can change your fragrance to move yourself from where you are to where you want to be.”

If the novelty ever wears off, which we doubt it will. But just by chance it does, here is what we believe is probably the most important detail we have not discussed. Again Melissa says it best, “We should all be able to afford to do the right thing for our own health and the health of the planet. Making a product environmentally friendly should always be a major part of any design process.” This is why we put Instant Eden in the trailblazer category, because we suspect it has been passed by by those who might judge it by its cover. From “the best reed diffusers around, aromatherapy, sets for sleep and passion, sea salt scrubs, custom organic body lotion and shower gel and an organic skin line,” the health of both the customer and the planet is always main focus.

Follow the scents and it will lead to, Melissa, owner and creator of Instant Eden Organics. Melissa, like many bold women before her, is a proud mother. A doting mom of three young men who are her right hand from creation to being the greatest support. Instant Eden comes out of a necessity after the death of her husband. Turning the page to a brand new chapter full of creativity, the knowledge of over 30 years in aromatherapy and a lot of hard work came Instant Eden Organics. Melissa’s passion for her product and customers is her own unique signature. And we here at
Groovy Guru Granola applaud her and support the change she continues to make in the lives of her customers and for the planet.

Instant Eden Organics can be found one more week at the Historic Haymarket Farmer’s Market (in Lincoln, Nebraska) on August 22. You can also buy year round at both
The Basket Bunch and at www.instanteden.com. Melissa also offers “fun parties” at your convenience, fundraising opportunities and at many events around Lincoln, Nebraska.


Note: Instant Eden Organics had full knowledge of article and is in support of it. Public comment welcomed!

Friday, August 7, 2009

Local Flavor: Toffee by Suzanne

When we talk 'farmer's market' this is who we talk about and why we continue to urge the public to go to farmer's markets near them and seek these local gems. We met Sue, creator and owner of Toffee by Suzanne at the Haymarket Farmer's Market (in Lincoln, Nebraska) this season and fell in-love with the very cool, down to earth attitude she brought to business.

Toffee by Suzanne had us at 'chocolate' -- dear friends of our very own Katie-Kat will tell you that if chocolate is in the house, she'll bring the house down to find it. She also knows quality, so when she brought samples of this unknown toffee to our kitchen for a team sampling we knew it had to be special. Based on the flavor and it's amazing texture this toffee is Lincoln's very own mouth-watering secret!

When most folk think toffee, they think either holidays or some checkout line counterfeit. But meet Sue, the woman this crunchy creation is named, and you will never think of toffee without her name on that label again. She took something done only for friends and family and decided it was worth a shot. That to us is what 'local flavor' is all about. Ordinary people creating the extraordinary.

They say "never quit your day job" and you'll still find Sue working as a professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln by day. She continues to give back to her community by working with Families Inspiring Families and Planned Parenthood. So this Nebraska girl who moved and came back to Nebraska for love is giving of herself and her product shows that same attention as does the organizations she's apart of, her friends and her family.

Toffee by Suzanne can be found at the Historic Haymarket Farmer's Market for a limited time -- Aug. 8th and 15th, Sep. 5th and 19th and Oct. 3rd. This killer toffee can be found year-round at the downtown From Nebraska Gift Store and online at sweetsbysuzanne.com.

Note: Toffee by Suzanne had full knowledge of this article and is in support of it. Public comments welcomed!

Friday, July 24, 2009

Local Flavor: Honu Bags

We first met the Honu Bag ladies early in the farmer's market season downtown at the Haymarket. Captivated by their cause, their product and their spirit, we knew we had to do our part in sharing their gospel. And we believe once you hear it, you will be converted...

... go into any grocery store, retail or consignment shop and you'll likely find these 'buy it for $1, made in China' bags that [to be honest] we're not quite sure what they're made out of. Do you? We have researchers backing up on our claim that these non-tare bags are actually doing more damage than the billions of plastic bags that end up in our landfills and oceans. After the "reusable craze" happened 5 years back a lot of folks went out to every retail store they shop at and bought dozen of them. Within the last few years the second hand stores have seen truckloads of these "promotion tools" in their donation piles. Those bags finally end up in local landfills, because those second hand stores don't know what to do with them. Sure they sell a few, but thousands are coming in each week. How can they keep up? Is there a better way, we must ask ourselves...

Yes, take faith in the mission Honu Bags has taken on! "We make reusable grocery bags out of recycled t-shirts. Our goal is to help get some of the plastic out of the environment. The bags are named after the Hawaiian word for sea turtle: 'Honu". We chose this name because of the huge dead zones in the oceans caused by plastic. It's also a play on words: "A honu (pronounce Hoe-new) bag for a honu ("whole new") world. We wanted to create a bag that works as well as a plastic bag but is not harmful to the environment. They hold more, they are stronger, you can throw them over your shoulder and they are FUN! They are better than the "cloth" bags you buy from the stores because they are made right here in Lincoln and they can be thrown in the washing machine over and over." Quoted from the bag ladies themselves.

It's true, its "a whole new" way of approaching global warming. But what really sold us on this product was the process. We all have that one really great t-shirt we love. Maybe it gets too small or starts to fade a bit. You then send it to the fine folks who resale it. It ends up in the hands of creators and co-owners of Honu Bags, Karen and Paula, who then turn it into a bag. This bag can then be reused for anything. It can go on forever. How great is that!

Honu Bags started on a whim that Karen had. [And according to Paula, she has a lot of them.] But we're so glad they followed this whim straight to their basement sewing machine. These are a couple of ordinary women who have been friends for over 30 years, saying 'lets do this and impact change.' It's always the "ordinary ones" you have to watch for!

Honu Bags is all about impacting this world in a positive way and we at Groovy Guru Granola join hands in their mission. We hope you will do the same. You can find both Karen and Paula at the Haymarket Farmer's Market in Lincoln, Nebraska through October speaking and living out their gospel of Huno Bag living. During and off season you can also buy Huno Bags at Open Harvest at 1618 South Street in Lincoln, Nebraska. Or visit Honu Bags off shore at: www.ahonubag.webs.com.

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot. Nothing is going to get better.
It's not -" Dr. Seuss


Note: Honu Bags had full knowledge of this article and is in support of it. Public comments welcomed!

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Local Flavor: Mama Mara Meat Rubs

We have very close ties with this local meat rub company [in Lincoln, Nebraska] and even closer relations to Mama herself! Mama is actually the 'real' mama of creator and owner of Groovy Guru Granola, and has played a very important role in our granola business. She has been there since day one [in more ways than one] and has many times volunteered her time and talents to help make Groovy Guru Granola what it is today. We insisted she be the first to be featured on Guru News online.

Mama would never put her name on anything less than the best! Her seven different meat rub flavors range from the taste of the Caribbean to the now famous for it's flavor [not just the name] Piggy Butt Rub. Each bottle is an exciting mix of flavors and Mama will be the first to tell you, 'pure tasty goodness without any additives, preservatives or sticky MSG.'

Your mama might have told you "don't play with your food," but with Mama Mara you are encouraged to play as much as your imagination allows. From dips to oven fries, Mama wants you to think outside the bottle and experiment.

Traditional meat rubs were only advised to do just that! 'Rub your meat' as Mama puts it. But with Mama Mara she wants you to try new things. In fact she has created a website full of all sorts of great ideas for those of you who maybe need a little help in the creative department.

Mama Mara Meat Rubs can be found at both Ideal Grocery and Leon's Food Mart in Lincoln, Nebraska. Or you can meet Mama herself at the Haymarket Farmer's Market on Saturdays from 8-12noon or at Havelock Farmer's Market on Wednesdays from 3-6:30pm.


Other than the great pleasure of meeting [sometimes feisty] Mama at one of the two farmer's markets she personally attends is to get in on the deal she is having throughout the season. It's a great deal! Simply buy 5 meat rubs and get 1 free!

Sure Mama Mara might be known as the "rub lady" to most, but she also has been a nurse for over 35 years, has raised 2 children single handedly and is a novelist of a pre-teen series based in Lincoln, Nebraska hosting a comedy of characters and our very own book worm Jim McKey.

We urge you to spice your life up with a little bit of Mama! There's always a whole lot of love when Mama Mara is over for dinner!

Want to know more? We know you would! Simply go to www.mamamara.com and tell Mama we sent you!

Note: Mama Mara Meat Rubs had full knowledge of this article and is in support of it.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Now in 3 Locations! Crescent Moon Coffee House.

We are now sold in three locations around Lincoln! The funky folks at Crescent Moon Coffee House in Downtown Haymarket have agreed to carry Groovy Guru Granola!

Crescent Moon Coffee House is a local joint, owned by a few regular old Joes (and Janes) who support local producers and artists alike -- and are now dear friends of ours.

Crescent Moon is a hip hang-out with funky music every Friday night where coffee runs freely. This warm, cozy, local hotspot is the perfect place to grab a cup of Joe, sit and listen to great local music and pick up your weekly granola fix.



You'll find our granola above the pasty counter. Remember to 'think global, but act local' meaning go experience Crescent Moon and others like them. You'll be glad you did!