What is Coco-Zen?

Coco-Zen is a state of nirvana achieved by surrendering to the taste and aroma
of luscious, rich chocolate.

It's knowing that you are helping our planet and its people,
because all of our treats are handmade from organic and Fair Trade Certified™ chocolate.

A state of ecstasy, peace and harmony, Coco-Zen is oneness with chocolate.

**************************

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Stuff We Found Today - 9.30.08

Food Stuff

Home Stuff

Tech & Cyber Stuff

School & College Stuff

Cool Website Stuff
  • The Wedding Lens - A great green way to have your wedding guests share photos of your special day. This site was designed as a replacement for the plastic disposable wedding cameras that so many people use at weddings. This also makes a great gift for the wedding couple.
  • The Read Green Initiative - Forget the glossies...read your favorite magazines online. They're even offering a free 1yr subscription just get you started!
  • EcoBrain - Green Books for Green Living - This e-book website is currently offering new members a $5 credit for towards any book in their collection until Nov 1st.
  • GreenYour.com - "...your go to guide for whatever you want to green." Covering practically all areas, information is grouped into Facts, Tips and Products. Read more about this site.

Other Random Cool Stuff

Monday, September 29, 2008

Stuff We Found Today - 9.29.08

Family, Kids & Health Stuff

Beauty & Fashion Stuff

Tech & Cyber Stuff


Other Random Cool Stuff

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Quote of the Week - 9.28.08

"Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend"
~Dr. Martin Luther King

*****************************

"...and sometimes sharing a little Fair Trade chocolate can help too."
~Coco-Zen

Stuff We Found Today - 9.28.08

Home Stuff

Beauty & Fashion Stuff

Tech & Cyber Stuff


Nature & Environment Stuff

Arts, Entertainment & Travel Stuff

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Stuff We Found Today - 9.27.08

Home Stuff

Beauty & Fashion Stuff

Nature & Environment Stuff

Arts, Entertainment & Travel Stuff

Other Random Cool Stuff

Friday, September 26, 2008

Stuff We Found Today - 9.26.08

Food Stuff
  • The Coolest Fruit On Earth - (post from Environmental Graffiti) "Imagine: a fruit that when eaten, renders sour foods sweet..." Question is, where can we get it??
  • Plum Clafouti - (post from Eat. Drink. Better.) We haven't tried this recipe ourselves just yet, but it sounds so delicious and looks easy to make that we just had to post it.

Home Stuff

Tech & Cyber Stuff

Nature & Environment Stuff

Arts, Entertainment & Travel Stuff

Stuff We Found Today - 9.26.08

Family, Kids & Health Stuff
  • Think Green! - (kids book) "...a wonderfully illustrated children’s book about simple ways kids and adults can help keep our world green and clean." A great book for 3-8 yr olds. Read review on About.com.

Food Stuff
  • Kids Konserve - Great reusable lunch containers to reduce all those plastic baggies, and a nice alternative to plastic containers. These were designed for school lunches, but adults can certainly use them too.

Beauty & Fashion Stuff
  • Green By Nature - A natural bath and body care line that's "free of parabens, sulfates, DEA, petroleum, propylene glycol, sacchrine, dioxin, and phthalate...infused with beneficial plant extracts, essential oils and botanical essences..." We love its afforadability and that you can find it at Target!
  • A Round Up of Eco-Friendy Clutch Purses - (post from EcoStilletto) Some planet friendly clutches for all you purse lovers. There's special discounts on some of these too - see post.
  • The Body Deli - An amazing line of organic body care products made from raw (yes, RAW) fruits and vegetables. Some of the products are even kept refrigerated to preserve their freshness - read more about this line that celebs are swooning over.

Tech & Cyber Stuff


, Entertainment & Travel Stuff
  • Who Killed the Electric Car - (movie) Released in 2006, this documentary "investigates the events leading to the quiet destruction of thousands of new, radically efficient electric vehicles." Now available on DVD - Netflix, anyone?

Thursday, September 25, 2008

VIDEO: Grocery Store Wars

This has been around, but we just came across it - a well done and funny spoof on Star Wars, advocating organic foods.

ZapRoot: Sarah Palin & Plastic Trees

Here's the latest from ZapRoot.

Stuff We Found Today - 9.25.08

Family, Kids & Health Stuff

Food Stuff

Tech & Cyber Stuff

Work & Business Stuff

Arts, Entertainment & Travel Stuff

Other Random Cool Stuff

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

VIDEO: Senate Energy Summit

For those interested in what's going on in the Senate with regards to energy.

Senate Energy Summit - Opening Statements


Senate Energy Summit - Panel 1


Senate Energy Summit - Panel 2

VIDEO: Scratch Session @ SOUL FUCKTRY

Kid DJs Sara and Ryusei are at it again. We just can't get enough of these two - just watch how into the music they are.

Stuff We Found Today - 9.24.08

Food Stuff

Beauty & Fashion Stuff
  • Chi Chi Amor - (Kids Fashion) Cute and eco-friendly clothing made from repurposed Guatemalan textiles - "recycled fabrics from the huipil and core, the traditional shirt and skirt of indigenous Mayan women of Guatemala. We think their Embroided Flower Marley Dress is just too adorable for words.

Tech & Cyber Stuff


Nature & Environment Stuff

Arts, Entertainment & Travel Stuff

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

VIDEO: Future History: Plastic Water Bottles - KQED Quest

This little video from KQED Quest ponders the question, "What does our use of bottled water say about us?" The funny and revealing answer comes through the perspective of an anthropologist from the distant future, trying to figure out what the purpose was of all these "sacred vessels" we left behind.

Coco-Zen Hits Retail Shelves in Faifax, CA



If you're ever in beautiful downtown Fairfax, head on over to Good Earth Natural Foods where you can now find Coco-Zen truffles. This local store and deli is a community favorite, carrying fine organic foods. Their website also offers great information and tips for healthful living.







Good Earth Natural Foods
1966 Sir Francis Drake Blvd
Fairfax, CA 94930

Visit their webisite - www.GoodEarthNaturalFoods.net

Read more about them.

Stuff We Found Today - 9.23.08

Family, Kids & Health Stuff
  • Cell Phones May Be Unsafe for Teens - (post from TheDailyGreen) "Another study has added to growing concerns among some scientists that cell phones - particularly when used by younger people - could increase the risk of a rare brain cancer."
  • Green Halloween - Offers tips to have a healthier and greener Halloween, including some great alternatives to passing out candy.
  • Pedoodles Eco Kicks for Kids - (post from Eco Chick) Cute eco-friendly shoes for kids.

Tech & Cyber Stuff

Nature & Environment Stuff

Other Random Cool Stuff

Monday, September 22, 2008

Stuff We Found Today - 9.22.08

Food Stuff
  • How Healthful is Soymilk? - (post from TheDailyGreen) Actually...pretty healthful, along with almond milk, oat milk, help milk, etc.

Tech & Cyber Stuff
  • FORA.tv - A website featuring smart and entertaining video content, "all drawn from the live-event speeches, discussions, interviews and debates going on everywhere all the time at the world’s leading conferences, ideas festivals, think tanks and other major centers of thought and discourse" - referred to as "the thinking man's YouTube".
  • Introducing a New Green Networking Site - (post from TheDailyGreen) Greenwala - "a place where the average person could come, learn and take actions to be greener."
  • 10-Step Guide to Buying a Used Laptop That Works - (post from Sustainablog) For those of us on a budget, here's some good advice.

Arts, Entertainment & Travel Stuff

Other Random Cool Stuff
  • Celebrate Green! - (book) A great guide to hosting eco-friently parties and events throughout the year, and perfect now for anyone thinking of having a holiday party.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

VIDEO: T. Boone Pickens - The Pickens Plan For US Energy Independence

You've probably heard of The Pickens Plan in the news, but may not really know what it's all about. Here's a video from FORA.tv to help bring you up to speed.

*NOTE: This is the full 1 hr video. For clips & highlights, click on the FORA.tv link on the video screen.









Stuff We Found Today - 9.21.08

Family, Kids & Health Stuff
  • Wild Animals in Captivity - (book) This book about zoos and their animals "teaches children kindness, compassion and respect".

Tech & Cyber Stuff

Nature & Environment Stuff

Arts, Entertainment & Travel Stuff

Other Random Cool Stuff

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Stuff We Found Today - 9.20.08

Food Stuff

Home Stuff

Beauty & Fashion Stuff


Nature & Environment Stuff
  • Wave vs. Man - (post from Environmental Graffiti) Photos of some pretty amazing waves - awesome!
  • Happy Dragonfly - (post from Environmental Graffiti) You just have to look at the photo.

Other Random Cool Stuff

Friday, September 19, 2008

ZapRoot: BPA Declared Baby Safe, Thanks FDA!

Here's the latest installment from ZapRoot.

*For those who've never heard of ZapRoot...

"ZapRoot is an unconventional bite-sized news show that covers the fast changing world of the modern Green Revolution. With sarcasm, silliness, & sanity, host Jessica Wlliamson encourages you to have a better time while making a better world."

ZapRoot is produced by ViroPOP, "a green video network aimed at highlighting the most exciting and entertaining things happening in the new eco-revolution. ViroPop is the first network on the Internet to treat the new environmental pop culture with a sense of irreverent fun."

Stuff We Found Today - 9.19.08

Food Stuff
  • Supercook - Got a bunch of stuff sitting in your fridge or pantry, but you just have no idea what to make for dinner? Check out Supercook.com - an amazing website that lets you type in whatever ingredients you have on hand, and then spits out a list of recipes organized into courses so that your whole meal is planned out.
Beauty & Fashion Stuff
  • Beginning - An organic skincare line for babies and moms by Maclaren, the popular UK based stroller manufacturer. Read more on Eco Chick's blog post.
  • Eco Zen Boutique - Where Going Green is the Fashion - (post from Ecopreneurist) An eco-friendly shopping site offering "eco-chic clothing, organic cosmetics, recycled handbags, earth friendly jewelry and green gifts and goodies at competitive prices." We like the "competitive prices" part.

Nature & Environment Stuff

Arts, Entertainment & Travel Stuff

Other Random Cool Stuff
  • Smock - A "truly green letterpress print shop" with a line of invitations, announcements and greeting cards all sustainably printed on bamboo paper. Take a look at some of their beautiful cards.
  • Botanical Paperworks - A stationary company that makes cards, envelopes, guest books, albums and journals all from very planet friendy plantable seed paper. Once planted, these stationary items bloom into beautiful wild flowers. These items are ideal for those planning a green wedding or event.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Coco-Zen Hits Retail Shelves in Springfield, MO

Locals of Springfield, Missouri can now indulge in a little Dark Chocolate Nirvana just by heading over to Global Fayre - a unique specialty boutique that carries only Fair Trade items from around the world, located in the heart of Springfield's historic downtown area.

We're excited that Coco-Zen's retail store debut is with a specialty retailer that shares our same philosophy and commitment to planet & people friendliness.








Global Fayre
324 S Campbell
Springfield, MO 65806

Visit their webisite - www.GlobalFayre.com

Read more about them.

From Joyce's Desk: Follow-Up to Yesterday's Rant

So... after I finished my rant on Fair Trade last night, I came across a few articles that made me happy. They indicate that Fair Trade (particularly chocolate) is on the right path - albeit, a bit slow. The Europeans seem to be ahead of us (as usual), with The UK and The Netherlands taking the lead.

From ConfectionaryNews.com:

9/9/08 - Confectioners Slow to Formulate Fair Trade Products?

7/22/08 - Ethical and Premium Brands Lock In Consumer Awareness For Chocolate Makers

6/22/08 - Fair Trade, Sugar and Mars Community Plan

5/23/08 - Worldwide Fair Trade Sales Up 47%

5/13/08 - Consumer Awareness of Fair Trade Increases, Says Survey

Stuff We Found Today - 9.18.08

Family, Kids & Health Stuff

Food Stuff

Home Stuff
  • Argington: Modern Children's Furniture - This company offer beautiful modern designs that are both kid and planet friendly. Read about their Green Attitude. Though the prices may be a bit steep for those of us on a budget, the pieces are waaaay cool - we love the Taj Chair and the Galap Rocker.
  • GoodGuide - A website that offers “the world’s largest and most reliable source of information on the health, environmental, and social impacts of the products in your home.” Not only does it have a huge database of product information and give recommendations, but there are great features and applications like "Create Your Shopping List" that also sends your list to your cell phone.

Beauty & Fashion Stuff


Tech & Cyber Stuff


Nature & Environment Stuff

Arts, Entertainment & Travel Stuff

Other Random Cool Stuff
  • Netflix Origami - Totally useless, but a fun time waster. Hey, Netflix lets us reuse most of the envelope to return their DVDs, now we can do something with that paper flap that gets torn off.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

From Joyce's Desk: Fair Trade, Huh?? A Video to Answer the Question

Whenever I tell people about Coco-Zen and explain that we only use Fair Trade Certified chocolate, I usually get a confused look that translates to, "Fair Trade, huh??" Well, I don't know about all you other enlightened chocoholics and supporters of Fair Trade, but I get a little tired of explaining the concept over and over again, and then having to educate people about the cocoa industry's "dirty little secret" - cocoa farming and child labor (often slavery). So.....

Here's a video that's been around for a while but is great at explaining what Fair Trade is all about.
  • If you're someone who doesn't know what Fair Trade is, WATCH THIS.
  • If you're constantly explaining to others what Fair Trade is, PASS THIS ALONG.

"Fair Trade - The Movie"




For those of you who need something that's a little more "in your face" with regards to Fair Trade chocolate, see the videos we posted in a previous blog:

Video: Chocolate and Child Labor (Slavery)


Now For My Rant...
I've read in various articles written by Fair Trade naysayers that Fair Trade as an economic concept is not sustainable in our market system - that in the natural order of supply and demand, prices will always reflect what consumers are willing to pay and cannot be pushed higher unless artificially forced by government laws and regulations.

Well...I have to STRONGLY disagree. Now, I'm no expert in economics, but I do understand it's mechanics (I did major in Economics and Business at UCLA - so, give me some credit). Believe it or not, I'm a very strong supporter of the free market system, and I believe that it can coexist with human good will - capitalism isn't a "dirty word" if consumers are educated and given a choice.

From a product standpoint, Fair Trade is a valued "quality" that, if understood, consumers would be willing to pay a little more for. Think of a sweater, for example. Most people are willing to pay a little more for one that's made from natural fibers - say cotton, wool or cashmere (people pay a lot more for cashmere) - than for the same sweater made from polyester or nylon. This is because clothing made from natural fibers has a perceived higher quality and value. The same can be said for Fair Trade products. Let's look at chocolate (of course). If everyone understood how traditional cocoa farming destroys the land and often uses child labor/slavery (particularly in the Ivory Coast where the majority of the world's consumed cocoa comes from - what I like to call chocolate's "dirty little secret"), then I have to believe that, if given the choice, most people would pay a little more for chocolate that was guaranteed to have been produced without harming workers or the environment. People would pay more for the higher value of Fair Trade. And yes, I believe that most people are inherently good.

There's one more thing to consider - the big chocolate companies. Because most consumers are unaware of chocolate's "dirty little secret", companies like Hershey and Nestle are only concerned with paying the lowest price possible for cocoa regardless of the toll on people and environment. They believe their consumers (us) only care about eating "cheap" chocolate. However, as more consumers become chocolate "enlightened" and desire the value of Fair Trade, they will vote with their dollars and reward those companies that offer a Fair Trade choice. When this starts to happen on a larger and larger scale, the big chocolate companies will naturally go where the money is (that's economics), and then they will start to demand Fair Trade from their cocoa suppliers. From there, I believe we will truly start to see change in the cocoa industry and see more cocoa farms that are planet & people friendly.

Ultimately, I see the market system as merely a tool for good people to use - the market will bear what people want. Fair Trade and capitalism can coexist. We just have to work together to spread the word and educate others.

Stuff We Found Today - 9.17.08

Family, Kids & Health Stuff

Food Stuff
  • Slow Roasted Tomato Sauce - (post from Eat.Drink.Better) We love the roasted tomatoes (not pureed) spooned on top of goat cheese spread on a slice of olive bread.

Home Stuff

Beauty & Fashion Stuff


Tech & Cyber Stuff


Nature & Environment Stuff

Other Random Cool Stuff
  • Swaptree.com - Got tons of old books, CDs, DVDs and video games that you know you'll never look at again? Check out Swaptree.com, "a new and innovative way for people to easily trade the books, cds, dvds and video games they are finished with, for the ones they want, all for FREE."

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Stuff We Found Today - 9.16.08

Food Stuff

Home Stuff
  • Jump Start To Green - Kick start your home to a greener path with these great starter kits. Not only are they a great value up front (you'd spend a lot more if you purchased each item separately), they'll help you save money in the long run. There are two different kits to choose from - see what's inside each kit.

Beauty & Fashion Stuff

  • Yes To Carrots - A great face and body care line of shampoos, body washes, cleansers and moisturizers that are paraben free and "contain all the yummy goodness of organic fruits and vegetables, and Dead Sea Minerals". Best of all, the line is widely available throughout the U.S. - Target, Walgreen, Duane Reade and Long's Drugs.
  • Sale at Coco's Shoppe - One of our favorite eco-boutiques is having a fab summer sale. While many of the items are for warm weather, there are a few items that we'll want to wear into the fall and winter - Covet's wool jacket, Covet's skinny knee-length skirt, and Loomstate's cropped denim.

Tech & Cyber Stuff


Work & Business Stuff
  • Save $, Save a Piece of Paper - (post from Ecopreneurist) Some great tips for businesses or anyone with a home office. Who knew that switching to Arial Narrow font would reduce office paper use by 15%?

Arts, Entertainment & Travel Stuff

Monday, September 15, 2008

Stuff We Found Today - 9.15.08

Arts, Entertainment & Travel Stuff

Other Random Cool Stuff

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Stuff We Found Today - 9.14.08

Family, Kids & Health Stuff
  • Use a Net Pot For Natural Allergy Relief - (post from The Green Routine) As allergy sufferers, we think we're going to give this one a try. Another great treatment that we swear by is a saline nasal rinse (you can buy them at Target's pharmacy section).

Home Stuff

Beauty & Fashion Stuff

  • A Green-Pro Designer for Custom Couture -(post from Feelgood Style) This is for all you high-end green fashionistas. Anyone planning on having a wedding gown designed?
  • EcoFashionWorld.com - A great site dedicated to eco-fashion. "Get the scoop on sustainable style, browse our unique and quickly expanding eco fashion guide and get inspired by the true visionaries..."
  • Freitag - Totally cool bags made from recycled materials. "FREITAG products are made from original recycled materials – used truck tarps, used car seat belts, used air bags and used bicycle inner tubes. Because the materials are tough, the products are too. Because we’re Swiss, our quality standards are too. And because it is made from an original piece of tarp, every single FREITAG product has its own, individual design."

Work & Business Stuff

Other Random Cool Stuff

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Stuff We Found Today - 9.13.08

Family, Kids & Health Stuff
  • MOMbo TV - An international online mom's group, "MOMbo TV provides a forum for educators, activists, entrepreneurs and thought leaders to connect with an audience of mindful mothers." We love the fact that you can read stories from mom's all around the world and realize that we all share the same desire - to raise our children as best we can and to help them become good people. Read more about MOMbo TV.
  • How Prepared Is Your Family? - (post from Eco Child's Play) Although we figured that most American's by this point have some sort of home emergency kit, we thought this was worth posting as a reminder to either put one together if you don't have one, or check & update the one you do have.

Home Stuff

Work & Business Stuff

Arts, Entertainment & Travel Stuff
  • Search Green Travel - A new green travel site that works like all the others (help you find cheap flights), but they donate 50% of their share of advertising revenues to environmental charities. Now you can book your travel and help the environment at the same time...neat-o!

Other Random Cool Stuff

Friday, September 12, 2008

VIDEO: Kid DJs - Freakin' Awesome!!!

These kids are for real - apparently dad's a DJ.

DJ Sara and DJ Ryusei - 8yr old sister & her 5yr old brother


DJ Sara - This little girl has got some serious talent


Sara & Rysei at Warner Music Group Grammy Party 2008


Start Using SCRATCH LIVE - Now 9 & 6, these two play around in their "studio" and you can see how into the music they really are.

Stuff We Found Today - 9.12.08

Beauty & Fashion Stuff
  • Rehash Clothes - An online venue where you can trade clothes, accessories and books with others. Why buy when you can swap?
  • Collete Kids - Super cute unisex onesies in organic cotton that are perfect for handing down to younger siblings - brother or sister! *PS - Only the onesies are made from organic cotton.

Tech & Cyber Stuff


Nature & Environment Stuff

Arts, Entertainment & Travel Stuff
  • Reverb - Founded by Adam Gardner (singer & guitarist for the band Guster) and his wife, "Reverb greens up summer tours, making sure that all that partying has as small a footprint on the earth as possible." Read more in EarthFirst.com's post.

Other Random Cool Stuff

Thursday, September 11, 2008

VIDEO: Ali G Talks to Treehuggers

This is for all you Ali G fans out there. Yeah...you know who you are.

Stuff We Found Today - 9.11.08

Family, Kids & Health Stuff

Food Stuff
  • Eatz - Ever wanted to take a cooking class, but felt too intimidated? Well, if you live in the LA area, check out Eatz - fun, small cooking classes in a dinner party environment, held in a private residence. You can even reserve your own private party cooking class for you and your wanna-be-chef friends. Read more in DailyCandy.
  • Tomato Crouton Casserole - (post from Eat.Drink.Better.) This is a wonderful and very easy recipe for all those gorgeous ripe tomatoes at the farmer's market right now.

Home Stuff

Tech & Cyber Stuff

Nature & Environment Stuff

Arts, Entertainment, Living & Other Cool Stuff

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

VIDEO: Animals Save the Planet

From the people at Animal Planet, these are cute & amusing animated shorts where animals enlighten us on what people are doing to the planet. Most are suitable for young viewers - however, we recommend parents view the videos first to determine suitability.

**These are all the "episodes" we could find.

Energy Efficient Penguin

Leopards Hate Litter


Meerkat Traffic


Supermarket Bags


Lyons Recycle


Hippo Shower


Cows And Gas

Jellyfish


Dog On Standby

Stuff We Found Today - 9.10.08

Food Stuff

Beauty & Fashion Stuff
  • Alima Pure - Yes, it's another mineral make-up line. What we love about Alima Pure, though, is that you can order sample jars of their cosmetics for $1 - $1.50 each. How cool is that??? Now you can actually try the product without spending a ton of cash. Plus, you can send your empty jars back for recycling, and they'll give you FREE eyeshadow!

Tech & Cyber Stuff
  • Wikia Green - From the founder of Wikipedia, there's a new resource for all you "wiki" addicts who want to learn more about all things "green". Read more information on TheDailyGreen's post.
  • Newspapers on Portable Flexi-Screen - (post from EcoGeek) Bizarre, yet interesting. Could be great for those that don't like reading their news off a computer screen and want to actually hold something.

Arts, Entertainment, Living & Other Cool Stuff