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.

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Friday, November 25, 2011

VIDEO: Playing For Change - Stand By Me (tribute to Japan)



Love this... with Grandpa Elliot and Clarence Bekker of the Playing For Change band.



"In the summer of 2011 the Playing For Change Band was invited to perform at Jazz Fest in New Orleans. While we were in town long-time friend of the project, Jimmy Buffett, invited us to a jam session on the roof of Margaritaville that rocked into the wee hours of the morning. The PFC Band kicked off the night with this tribute to the people of Japan who have been a affected by this past spring's Tsunami."

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Quote of the Week - 11.20.11

"When you realize how perfect everything is, you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky."
~Buddha

"When you realize how perfect Fair Trade chocolate is, you will tilt your head back and enjoy the chocolate."
~Coco-Zen
Coco-Zen Fair Trade chocolates

Sunday, November 13, 2011

VIDEO: United | Playing For Change





This may be one of our new favorites from the Playing For Change folks... beautiful!



"7 Billion People | 7 Billion Actions | 7billionactions.org - By the end of 2011 the world will have reached 7 billion people. The United Nations Population Fund is leading an innovative global campaign to bring awareness to the opportunities and challenges that this milestone presents. But 7 Billion people means 7 Billion hearts. Music has always been the best way to speak to the hearts of the people. Playing for Change has partnered with the United Nations to present an original song around the world to serve as an anthem for such an important time, "United".

We traveled across the globe, put headphones on musicians, added them to the track, and created a video that can serve as a tangible example of something positive we can all do together as a human race.

Lets inspire each other. Lets everybody get involved and join us on in this journey, so that together we leave this world better than we found it. To learn more about how to be part of the "United" track go to http://7BillionActions.org."

Quote of the Week - 11.13.11




"Love is just like rice - plant it elsewhere and it grows."
~Malagasy Proverb

"Love is like Fair Trade chocolate - share it and it grows."
~Coco-Zen
Coco-Zen Fair Trade chocolates

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Greening up your Thanksgiving feast by going local...




Holiday season is fast approaching (yea!!), which usually means spending time with family and friends... and lots of yummy food! First up, Thanksgiving, and the the ladies over at Celebrate Green!® have got some great ideas on how to make our festive feasts a bit more planet friendly...and we think wallet friendly too!

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Buy local for a no-guilt Thanksgiving

Depending on where you live, this time of year it can be a real challenge to buy locally grown or raised food. But it's important, especially as we approach our most foodcentric holidays.

The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture compared what it takes to haul food from other states into Iowa with semi-trailer trucks versus hauling by small light trucks within the state. Simply upping the in-state number by 10% would result in an annual fuel savings ranging from 294,000 to 348,000 gallons and annual emissions reductions ranging from 7 million to 7.9 million pounds.

And two years ago, the University of Washington predicted that if half of all King County's (WA), approximately 1.8 million residents ate a locally grown Thanksgiving dinner instead of an "imported" one, they could avoid contributing to emissions equal to 2.4 million vehicle miles.

So homegrown or neaby-grown food can have an environmental impact even greater than what the big meal has on our waistlines!

Of course, most of us are aware that the grapes we use to garnish our Thanksgiving dessert may have spent two weeks traveling to get to us before being placed on display where they might languish another few days before we bring them home. Fresh, they're not.

Unfortunately, the main constraint on shopping at your local farmer's homestead is the time of year. Unless you live in a temperate climate or are blessed with a heated greenhouse, obtaining fruits and vegetables locally year around means that at some point in the summer you may be inundated by zucchini and by January you're beginning to dislike turnips with a passion usually reserved for politicians.
But just because our consciences won't allow us to enjoy oranges in November if we live in New York doesn't mean our Thanksgiving tables will look barren.

Here are some ideas for finding locally grown foods and other Thanksgiving goodies.

1. Check LocalHarvest.org for what's in season and available in your neck of the woods.

2. While most farmers markets are closed for the season, some sell year round. Do a search for "year around farmers market+your city" and see what you find. (Local Harvest also may list them.)

3. Check local farms. Again, do an online search, i.e. "organic farm near Seattle," then if you find some, call and see what they will be offering prior to Thanksgiving.

4. Your natural market or co-op is the most obvious source of local fare.

Now that you've discovered some great places to buy, how do you afford it? Here are some ideas for saving green when buying green.

1. Group buy. Get together with friends/neighbors/schools and propose to purchase in bulk. Let your friendly neighborhood farmer know that you are willing to buy 50 pounds of her organic sweet potatoes and she's more likely to give you a good price. Why not approach your local natural food store with the same offer−it never hurts to ask.

2. Seriously consider how much food you need too pull of the best Thanksgiving ever. Will serving six dishes instead of ten make the holiday any less successful? Eliminate the dishes with the most expensive ingredients, substitute less costly alternatives or leave them out.

3. Vow not to purchase anything but food. No décor (borrow from nature), flowers (ditto), tablecloths, napkins, plates, glasses or silverware (borrow or have guests bring their own place settings and tell them you're having "an old-fashioned Thanksgiving," because that's what people did before there were paper plates and plastic flatware). You also could rent or purchase for very little at a thrift store.

4. Put together a potluck Thanksgiving where you provide only the main item, usually the turkey, unless you're going vegetarian. Assign all other dishes to guests.

5. Forage. No kidding. You may find everything from seafood to mushrooms and greens out your backdoor. But be sure to know what you're doing before you try this one. You don't want to kill anyone off as a result of eating at your house! If you hurry, there may be time to sign up for a foraging class before the holidays.

6. Trade. Know a local farmer, but can't afford to purchase what you want to feed your party? Ask what he needs. Maybe he'll trade six months of haircuts or carwashes, babysitting or weeding for a big bird.

Aim for a 100% local meal, but if you can't reach it, know that you tried. And in doing so, surely you've most likely impoved. Next thing you know, you'll be thinking about Thanksgiving 2012 in July and freeze veggies in anticipation!

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Lynn Colwell and Corey Colwell-Lipson are mother and daughter and co-authors of Celebrate Green!® Creating Eco-Savvy Holidays, Celebrations and Traditions for the Whole Family, available at www.CelebrateGreen.net.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Stuff We Found Today - 11.06.11




FLOTUS at the White House Autumn Harvest 2011

Food Stuff

Home Stuff


Beauty & Fashion Stuff


Tech & Science Stuff


Nature & Environment Stuff

Website Stuff
  • Vegan Cuts - A deal site just for vegans...check it out!

International Stuff


Political, Social & Economy Stuff

Other Random Cool Stuff

Quote of the Week - 11.06.11

"If your mind is scattered, it is quite powerless."
~The Dalai Lama

"If your chocolate is Fair Trade, it is quite powerful."
~Coco-Zen
Coco-Zen Fair Trade chocolates

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

VIDEO: La Tierra Del Olvido | Playing For Change



From the Playing for Change folks... As always, just beautiful!



"http://www.playingforchange.com - Today we are proud to share a new video titled, "La Tierra Del Olvido" (The Land of The Forgotten), featured on our PFC 2 CD/DVD. This video features over 75 musicians across the country of Colombia. Throughout our journey we have learned that music is the greatest tool for healing broken countries, cultures and hearts. With this video we set our to unite and inspire the people of Colombia so they can move forward from years of conflict and create a positive future. Listen to the music, see the smiling faces and remember we are going to make it as a human race!! One Love, Mark

Follow the link below to order the new album and support Playing For Change by telling all your friends and family to join the movement at http://playingforchange.com Order "PFC2: Songs Around The World" now on Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/PFCsatw2"