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!