Congrats...

...to Kim C.! She has won the Jar Worthy giveaway of two free candles and a voucher for a "blend your own candle" session! Kim, I'll be messaging you privately with details. 

Many thanks to all who entered the giveaway and to Dana of Jar Worthy for making this all possible! 

Happy Planning, 

Lizzie 

Raspberry Fields Farm...and a granola giveaway!

Autumn has officially arrived in the Hudson Valley...our trees have lost the majority of their leaves and the temperatures have dropped, ushering in my favorite time of year: scarf season! But I digress...

Today's post is all about celebrating. Here at HVG, we're celebrating autumn and our 50,000 pageview milestone (!!!). And what better way to celebrate than to do a giveaway!

Several weeks ago Sara of Raspberry Fields Farm reached out to Hudson Valley Green to let us know about their granolary, products, and new farm venue. I jumped at the chance to feature Raspberry Fields Farm on HVG after I had read a bit about Sara and how she got started. 

(c) Raspberry Fields Farm

Sara and her family started in the specialty granola business in 2006 after moving into a Victorian home and former fruit farm in Marlboro, New York. After making granola for her family and friends in small batches, Sara decided to go big and build a granolary on her property.  And with varieties of artisan granola like French Apple Pie, it's easy to understand why Whole Foods now offers Raspberry Fields Farm's products in 21 of its stores.

Much of Sara's success stems from her vision and her passion for making delicious, homemade foods from quality ingredients. Raspberry Field Farms now offers a wide variety of products including wedding favors (think dark chocolate covered raspberries - yum!). And in 2014, the carriage house on the farm's property will host weddings, showers, and other private events!

(c) Raspberry Fields Farm

Raspberry Fields Farm is giving away a fantastic little gift to one lucky HVG reader! Enter to win this recycled canvas lunch bag with hand tea dyed tag, mason jar, and granola just by leaving a comment on this blog post below or by leaving a post/comment on our Facebook page.

(c) Raspberry Fields Farm

For more information about Raspberry Fields Farm, please visit their website here and check out their products in Adams Fairacre Farms, Whole Foods, and other local, specialty shops!

And don't forget to enter the granola giveaway by leaving a comment on this post or on our Facebook page! One lucky winner will be chosen at random on November 16th! Check back on November 17th to see if you've won!

Happy Planning, 

Lizzie

p.s. Many thanks to everyone who emailed or commented with good wishes for my brother. He is doing great - recovering at home with my parents. We are thanking our lucky stars for such a wonderful outcome to such a traumatic accident. I truly appreciate all of the kind words!

Kicking off March with a Giveaway!

Spring is in the air (well, sort of....we have snow forecasted today in the Hudson Valley)! To kick off the spring season in style, I thought I would take a break from my normal routine of blogging and list some of my favorite things 'cause, hey, if Oprah can do it, so can I.  And there is a surprise at the end of this post, can you guess what it is?!

(c) SnapSac

SnapSacs 

If you happen to personally know me (or just read this blog on a semi-regular basis), you know that reusable tote bags are a total weakness of mine.  So when my wonderful friend Andrea introduced me to the awesomeness that is the SnapSac, I was just smitten.

SnapSacs are stylish, reusable bags made of durable (and machine-washable) fabric. They hold their shape and neatly fold up for storage.  And at a starting price point of $3.99, they cannot be beat.  Perfect for bridesmaid gifts, Easter gifts, and Mother's Day!

Pure Mountain Olive Oil

(c) Hudson Valley Green

In January, I blogged about Pure Mountain Olive Oil (check out the blog post here).  Pure Mountain's gourmet olive oils and vinegars are uh-mazing.  Incredibly flavorful and oh-so delicious.  I gave small bottles of the oils and vinegars to the chefs in my family as stocking stuffers for Christmas and everyone loved them.  These small bottles, priced at $5 to $6 each, would make great event favors or out-of-town guest gifts.  I love a good olive oil and the variety that Pure Mountain offers can't be beat. Add a little pizzazz to your cooking and try some of their products out!  

(c) Northern Forest Woodworks

Northern Forest Woodworks

       

If you are looking for a unique and eco-friendly bridal shower or wedding gift, consider a sustainably-harvested, locally-source cutting board from Northern Forest Woodworks.  My fav is the flame maple cheese board. I love the live edges!  The boards are treated with food-safe tung oil (which is home-brewed!) or beeswax. The rustic leather strap adds a nice touch, too!

Origins

(c) Origins

Origins has become my go-to for skin care products and cosmetics. Although more pricey than most products found in drug stores, I have found that the Origins line is a bit higher quality and typically come in minimal packaging. In addition, Origins has teamed with a recycling facility based on Long Island to reduce their environmental footprint. Bring in your empty skin care or cosmetic containers and Origins will recycle them for you for free, no matter what the brand! In addition, Origins has made an environmental stewardship commitment to reduce their carbon footprint and has planted literally millions of trees. 

To start off the spring season on a high note, we're doing a giveaway!

The wonderful team at Pure Moutain Olive Oil has donated a $10 gift card to their stores and HVG has donated a SnapSac Petite Tote (in the grey/yellow colorway)....so fun!

To enter to win:

• Leave a comment by clicking the "Comment" link at the bottom of this post by March 31st. Be sure to include your first name and last initial in your comment.

AND/OR

• Post a comment on the Hudson Valley Green Facebook Page by March 31st (don't forget to "like" HVG as well!). 

It's that easy! The winner will be announced on April 1st and the tote and gift card will be sent to you free of charge.  Good Luck! 

(c) Hudson Valley Green

Happy Planning, 

Lizzie

*SnapSac and Origins have no idea who I am...I just love their products!

And the Winners are...

Congratulations to Stacy S. and Kaitlin Boles...
You two are the lucky winners of a set of active Againbags! 

Please email us at hvgreenblog@gmail.com with your mailing address and we'll get your prizes out right away! These Againbags are great....you won't be disappointed. 

Thanks to everyone for entering our giveaway! 

Happy Planning, 

Lizzie

(c) Hudson Valley Green
Gratuitous Hudson Valley Sunset Photo!

Last Day to Enter the Againbags Giveaway!

Today is the last day to enter to win a set of Againbags (reusable sandwich and snack bags). Check out the full details here. All you have to do is post a comment on the HVG blog (click on the "comment" link immediately below this post...a comment window will open, just scroll down to leave your comment) or on our facebook page! 

Easy peasy! 

(c) Againbags

Good Luck!

Happy Planning, 

Lizzie

Another Againbags Giveaway!

When I heard that Jenn, the amazing creator of Againbags, was going to launch a new line active line of her fantastic (and super cute!) reusable snack and sandwich bags, I knew I just had to get a set for the second Againbag giveaway on Hudson Valley Green. 

The new active line of Againbags is made from 2 ply nylon and is perfect for packing a picnic lunch and heading out for a hike. This rugged material can take a lickin' and keep on tickin'. Just a quick wash and these Againbags are ready for another adventure!

(c) Againbags.com
The small and large bags!

The snack bags come in two sizes: small and large. The wrap not only keeps your sammy from being seasoned with dirt (unless you like that type of thing - ha!) but also doubles as a placemat. In my world, that deserves a "double YAY!!".

Hop on over to www.againbags.com to check out Jenn's full line of eco-friendly products. Jenn also offers up some amazing coupon codes (ranging from 20% to 50% off) on the Againbags facebook page. Be sure to "like" Againbags to keep up with new products and sales! 

Oh, and did I mention that Jenn is from the Hudson Valley? Support our local entrepenaurs and quit buying disposable sandwich bags (and save some plastic from entering our landfills).

(c) Againbags.com
The sandwich wrap in lots of great color combos! 

Jenn is so awesome that she has donated not one but TWO sets of againbags (one small bag, one large bag, and a wrap) to Hudson Valley Green readers. To enter to win a set, here's what you have to do:

• Post a comment below telling us what you think about the new active line at Againbags! Just be sure to leave your name (first name and last initial will do). That's it!!!

• OR for an additional chance to win the set, check out Hudson Valley Green's facebook page here, "like" us and post a comment! Easy peasy!

Giveaway will end on August 15th!!!

The two winners will be announced on August 16th and Jenn will ship the Againbags out free of charge. Many thanks to Jenn of Againbags for providing HVG with another giveaway! 

Good Luck! 

Happy Planning, 

Lizzie

p.s. I think that these Againbags would make fantastic event favors or as gifts for your bridesmaids! And my awesome Grandma suggested that these would be perfect for stocking stuffers (my Gram - she's always thinking ahead). :)

And the Winners Are....

Congratulations to Erin S. and Jennifer! Erin and Jennifer each won a 1lb jar of organic honey from White Oak Apiary!

(c) Hudson Valley Green

Erin and Jennifer, I'll be emailing you two shortly!  

Many thanks to Mike Bruen of White Oak Apiary for providing HVG with the sweet and delicious honey and thanks to all of you who entered!

Happy Planning, 

Lizzie

Meant to Bee: Using honey as sweet favors (and a giveaway!)

There aren't too many things on earth sweeter than honey. Why not show your wedding guests that you and your better half are "meant to bee" with some local honey? You'll be supporting your local farmer and sustainable pollinator practices!

(c) www.britgodish.com

Honey is a delicious wedding favor (or gift) any time of the year but with spring just around the corner, it would be a great way to welcome in the season and show your gratitude to all your guests. 

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Mike Bruen, owner of White Oak Apiary and local farmer who specializes in beekeeping and the sweet business of honey production. He raises cattle, chickens, produce, and bees, of course, on a farm located in Southeast (Putnam County).

Mike runs a small roadside stand on Route 312 in Southeast, selling honey, beeswax candles, and other products. I stopped in to buy some honey and got to chatting with Mike. He so graciously agreed to do a giveaway on HVG! 

(c) Hudson Valley Green

The honey from White Oak Apiary is so incredibly delicious....sweet and flavorful. Mikes brings his bees to different orchards and farms to work their pollinating magic and in turn, the honey that is produced has distinctive flavors. Mike's honey comes in several varieties including blueberry, clover, and wildflower. 

If honey sounds like a sweet idea to you, consider doing a "DIY" favor. Purchase White Oak Apiary honey in bulk and spoon into small jars. Slap a cute label on it and you're done! 

Mike's roadside stand also sells beeswax candles and honey soap. They would make great gifts for your bridesmaids or just as a treat for yourself. 

(c) Hudson Valley Green

(c) Hudson Valley Green

White Oak Apiary is giving away a 1lb jar of wildflower honey and a 1lb jar of blueberry honey. So delish! Here's how to enter:

• Visit White Oak Apiary's website (http://www.whiteoakapiary.com/) and tell me what you think either by posting a comment here on HVG or on HVG's facebook page. 

• Check back on Monday, January 23rd to see if you've won. Because we have two jars of honey to give away, we'll have two winners. Good luck!! 

If you would like more information regarding Mike and White Oak Apiary, visit the website, http://www.whiteoakapiary.com/, or call (845) 661-5730. 

Happy Planning, 

Lizzie

And the Winner is.....

...Jennifer, author of Eco & Elsie! Congrats, Jennifer! I hope you enjoy the Againbags as much as I do! Please email me your mailing address and I'll put the bags in the mail tomorrow!

And if you need more inspiration for green event planning, please visit Eco & Elsie. You will not be disappointed! Jennifer has some absolutely fantastic ideas there!

(c) Againbags.com

Many thanks to Jenn, creator of Againbags, with providing Hudson Valley Green with our first giveaway of 2012! And thanks to everyone who entered...check back in a few days because I'm hoping to have another giveaway from White Oak Apiary! 

Happy Planning, 

Lizzie

p.s. If you are wondering how I picked the winner of the Againbag giveaway, I tallied up the number of responses (excluding Jenn's comment...I figured she didn't really want to win the Againbag set, since she's the maker of them and all..) plus the number of comments/"likes" on HVG's Facebook page. I plugged the total into an online random number generator and low and behold, the magic number was 5. Jennifer posted the 5th comment on HVG and there we go! 

Againbags...and a giveaway!

So excited to bring you the first giveaway of 2012! I recently discovered Againbags on the Hudson Valley Local Greenie site and immediately fell in love. The wonderful creator of Againbags was fed up with packing her kids' lunches in disposable sandwich bags and decided to do something about it. 

(c) Againbags

....And so the Againbag was born. A reusable 100% laminated cotton pouch to put your sammy or pretzels or baby carrots in! A strip of velco ensures a tight seal. Easy cleanup just requires a quick wash in the sink or a toss in the dishwasher. 

(c) Againbags.com

In variety of colors and patterns, these eco-friendly bags are not only functional, they're fashionable too! Like tupperware but better! 

I was lucky enough to win a set of three Againbags (just by liking Againbags on their facebook page!) and Jenn, proprietor of Againbags, was kind enough to throw in a lunch wrap set as a giveaway on Hudson Valley Green! 

(c) Hudson Valley Green

The lunch wrap set includes a wrap and a small bag and is perfect for your next lunch! This great set could be yours but you'll have to enter the giveaway contest first. Here's how:

1. Visit the Againbags website and check out their products. 
2. Leave a comment on this blog post (or post a comment on our facebook page) and tell me what you think of Againbags! 
3. Check back here at Hudson Valley Green or the HVG facebook page to find out if you've won. That's it...easy peasy! Giveaway ends Thursday, January 12th so hurry up and enter soon!

Againbags would make a great eco-friendly favor for your event or as gifts for your bridal party. Prices range between $5.95 for the small bag to an entire set for $19.95. And as if you needed more reasons to love Againbags, they are located in Pine Bush, New York and donate 1% of their profits to Ample Harvest.  

For more information, visit:

Againbags

email: jenn@againbags.com

phone: (845) 210-4375

Againbag's Facebook Page

Good luck with the giveaway and many thanks to Jenn of Againbags!

Happy Planning, 

Lizzie

Lagusta's Luscious...and a giveaway!

I recently had the absolute pleasure of meeting with Lagusta of Lagusta's Luscious, located in downtown New Paltz. Lagusta is an incredibly talented chocolatier and has the most delightful little shop. Although she has been perfecting her truffles, bonbons, and other chocolatey treats for eight years, Lagusta just opened her shop on 25 North Front Street this summer. Lagusta bought an old laundromat and has completely transformed it into a charming confectionery!

(c) Hudson Valley Green

I met Lagusta and her partner in crime, Maresa of Sweet Maresa's Upstate Cupcake, and had a great time tasting their sweet but not too sweet creations. Lagusta and Maresa use organic, vegan, fairly-traded, and local ingredients to make their chocolates, cupcakes, and other goodies. Each treat is handmade with love and you can tell! 

If you are in the market for some edible favors or a custom organic wedding cake, you must visit these two lovely ladies....

(c) Hudson Valley Green
Lagusta (left), Maresa (right)

Here are some great ideas for Lagusta's and Maresa's treats:

• Use as favors for your event. Lagusta will package the truffles (2 per box) and wrap in custom labels. Want to forego the extra packaging? Have your favors do double duty and place them on a tiered dessert stand (make your own using vintage plates from thrift stores) as your centerpiece; 
• Place a small box of chocolates in your "out-of-town" guest bags (your guests will thank you, I promise); 
• Give them as gifts to your bridal party to show your appreciation; or 
• Have Maresa bake you an organic wedding cake or cupcakes. She just created a pumpkin wedding cake from pumpkins that the bride and groom grew themselves!

(c) Hudson Valley Green

(c) Hudson Valley Green 

Lagusta and Maresa offer more than just truffles and cupcakes....check out some other great gifts for the upcoming holidays! 

(c) Hudson Valley Green

(c) Hudson Valley Green

Lagusta uses 100% post-consumer packaging printed with soy ink so it's compostable. Any ribbon used to "fancy up" the already very pretty chocolate boxes is biodegradable from Charles Clay and Sons.

(c) Hudson Valley Green

While I spent time taking photos of their shop, Lagusta and Maresa catered to a steady stream of very loyal and satisfied customers which I believe attests to the quality of their products and their charm. Find out for yourself and visit Lagusta and Maresa at:

Lagusta's Luscious 

25 North Front Street 

New Paltz, New York 

(845) 255-8834

http://www.lagustasluscious.com

Sweet Maresa's Upstate Cupcake

www.facebook.com/SweetMaresa

(845) 706-3626

Want to try out Lagusta's treats for yourself for FREE? Enter to win our Lagusta's Luscious Chocolate Coconut Cream Pyramid giveaway! 

(c) Lagusta's Luscious

Here are the rules: 

1. Hop on over to Lagusta's Luscious and pick out which treat looks most delightful.
2. Leave a comment on this blog post and tell me your chocolate of choice...and remember to leave your name (first name and last initial will suffice). 
3. Check back here on Thursday to find out if you've won the chocolate coconut cream pyramids!

One winner will be chosen at random, free priority shipping (US and Canada only). Giveaway ends on Wednesday at 11:59pm. Good luck!

Happy Planning, 

Lizzie