I mentioned last week that I had the opportunity to check out two fun opportunities: the Club Industry Show (recap) and Green Festival Chicago. I was invited to a blogger breakfast and workout session at the Club Industry show and I was offered a pass to Green Festival by Erin from Norm’s Farms. Last week, I told you about the Club Industry Show and now it is time to tell you about the Green Festival and giveaway some awesome goodies from my friends at Norm’s Farms! I do have a confession to make. I was kind of a sucky blogger and I did not take a ton of pictures, so I am stealing some from my friend Susie and from the Green Festival website.
Wondering what the Green Festival is all about? They say:
At Green Festival®, there is something for everyone interested in living a more sustainable and healthier life. Experience the widest selection of products and services to work green, play green and live green – from food, fashion and health, to energy, construction and design. Enjoy vegan and vegetarian cooking demos, educational activities for kids and families, panels featuring inspirational speakers, and live music and entertainment. Shop in our unique marketplace of more than 250 eco-friendly businesses – everything from all-natural body care products and organic clothing to Fair Trade gifts, beautiful home renovations made from renewable resources, plus vegan and vegetarian offerings based on organic, non-GMO or local, artisanal foods.
For the past 13 years, Green Festival has been committed to helping people in America find solutions to make our families and communities healthier – socially, economically and environmentally. Join us at the largest and longest-running sustainability event in the country and celebrate the best in green living.
Stacy and I headed over to a very crowded Navy Pier to check out Green Festival Chicago 2014. We chuckled a bit in the $25 parking lot full of not-very green SUVs and mini vans. They must have been there for the Halloween events in the Children’s Museum and other activities. We finally parked about 20 levels up and headed over to the Expo. We were excited to get some Clif Mojo and Kit’s Bar samples and a huge bag to carry freebies (and purchases) from Savers thrift shops. There were 250 vendors there. We went straight for the food – of course!
As I mentioned, I was invited to the Green Festival by Erin from Norm’s Farms. They recently sent me an amazing package of elderberry products including jams and jellies and “wellness syrups.” Norm’s Farms is a leading producer of elderberry, one of the most sustainable and exciting new crops. This emerging “superfruit” is packed with Vitamins A, B and C , iron, potassium, and antioxidants. The plants are a perennial and are naturally disease resistant. I shared the Wellness Syrup and some of the jelly with Susie. I kept the Elderberry Jelly, the Elderberry Ginger Pecan Jam and the Elderberry Wellness Syrup.
Norm’s Farms Elderberry Wellness Syrup is formulated to “bring natural and soothing relief for seasonal distress.” What kind of distress? Sore throats! The Wellness Syrup contains equal amounts of elderberry extract and honey. It is “perfectly spiced with analgesic cloves to coat your sore throat.” Cinnamon adds “an extra kick of relief.” [Ingredients: Elderberry, water, honey, cinnamon, cloves, sugar (less than 1% by volume), xanthan gum, (less than .04% by volume), malic acid* (less than .04% by volume).] I came down with the beginnings of a sore throat and cold after traveling. I tried a few tablespoons of the wellness syrup and it did soothe my throat – better than cough drops. And, it tastes AMAZING! All natural + amazing = a win-win!
The Elderberry Ginger Pecan Jam is totally delicious. The tart berry with a ginger zing and the pecans is so delicious. I have never tasted anything like it. The Elderberry jelly is tart and sweet and makes for a great PB & J! At the show, we tried the Elderberry extract and all of the other jams. The elderberry contains higher levels of antioxidants than blueberry, sweet cherry, tart cherry, acai, noni, goji, pomegranate and cranberry juices. Pretty awesome!
The nice folks at Norm’s Farms are offering one reader a $50 gift certificate to their site. My advice if you win, get the Wellness Syrup, Extract and the delish Elderberry Ginger Pecan Jam! Heck, buy it now online or from Finds’ friend, Abe’s Market! In the mean time, you can follow Norm’s Farms on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Please use the Rafflecopter at the end of the post to enter!
There were a bunch of natural foods companies at the show that I have written about, or tried, including Manna Organics, Bad Ass Vegan Cookies, Citrus Zinger bottles and Ocean’s Halo. I thanked these vendors and the Citrus Zinger guys gave us a new sports top bottle to try out. We also saw Nuttzo, Beanfields, Ezekiel Bread, Glee Gum and tasted amazing cookies from Ginny Bakes. We got some cool on the go silverware from Door to Door Organics for being subscribers (Get $10 off your first order with code GREEN14.)
I was super excited to see that Vigilant Eats was a sponsor. Rhys swears by this cereal that has hemp milk powder and can be mixed with cold water, hot water or any type of milk. I love these for traveling. Just open, remove the spoon, add water and voila a satisfying breakfast. I have become a bit of a zealot about these sharing them with my co-workers and telling people on planes about them.
The cereal is gluten free, low glycemic, non-dairy, contains no soy, additives or preservatives. It is non-GMO and certified organic, too. It is also delicious. My fave is the Coconut Maple Vanilla. Learn their story HERE.
You can get Vigilant Eats online, at Abe’s Market or Vitacost. Occasionally, I see it on Groupon Goods! Keep up with Vigilant Eats on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. I hope to partner with them for a giveaway soon. Stay tuned.
We tried a bunch of other foods and some “potions and tonics” and then headed to check out the other all natural products. We liked hot packs from Repeat the Heat, got some awesome cleaning products from Dr. Bronners and some of the clothing and jewelry manufacturers. I especially liked the jewelry from Rebel Nell.
Rebel Nell was started with the sole purpose of employing, educating and empowering disadvantaged women in Detroit. They make jewelry from unique local materials, while providing a transitional opportunity for women in Detroit. Their goal is to help these women move from a life of dependence to one of self-reliance, overcoming barriers to employment through the fruits of their own labor. In addition to on the job training, they provide financial management, life wellness and business education to help them successfully transition to an independent life.
Rebel Nell’s product line starts by repurposing graffiti, an “abundant local resource” in the Motor City. They take pieces that have fallen off of walls and transform them. They make it into beautiful pendants, rings, cufflinks and other jewelry.
You can learn more and keep up with Rebel Nell on Facebook and Twitter. Some lucky person on my holiday list will be the proud owner of a beautiful pendant. Do you know how you are??
This was a cool show and a great opportunity. I could write a ton more! There is still one more Green Festival this year in San Francisco 11/14-16. Check it out if you are there!
You still with me? Want to try out great stuff from Norm’s Farms? Use the Rafflecopter below to enter. The giveaway is for $50 to use at Norm’s farms store. Winner must be over 18 and the offer is void where prohibited. The giveaway ends November 11th and a winner will be selected and notified on November 12th.
Please note: I was not compensated for this post. I was provided free products from Norm’s Farms in exchange for an honest review. The giveaway is sponsored by Norm’s Farms. All opinions are my own.
PS. Don’t miss my other great giveaways!