Bags that Carry Change

The other day I stumbled across an amazing website with gorgeous handmade hobo bags! The company is called Dalla and is located in LA. It was created by designer Tina Tangalakis, who mixed together her love for art and humanitarian work! Tina created Dalla after volunteering and teaching at the Happy Kids Orphanage in Ghana. While there, she met local seamstress Beatrice Agabe. Days later, a beautiful friendship and company were created. Dalla (who's Adinkra Symbols means "unity and hope") provides jobs to the people of Ghana, encouraging their creativity and using local textiles. This wonderful company allows the women of Ghana to gain finiancial independence, education, and skill training.

Beatrice

Each bag has the artist's name hand sewn into the strap, adding a personal touch.

To purchase one of these beautiful bags or simply to donate to the cause, visit the website http://dellala.com/about.php

Billas Says: There are hundreds of ways to express the humanitarian within! The obvious being the Peace Corps or taking a volunteer vacation (such as habitat for humanity). Volunteer with Doctors without Borders, Facing Africa, or Operation Smile. Don't have time to travel? Volunteer your time at a Senior day care, soup kitchen (Our Daily Bread is always in need), or animal rescue center. Live more of an active lifestyle? Volunteer to maintain your favorite trail or sponsor your favorite non-profit at your next race (don't forget to wear gear with the organizations name on it to spread the word). Love to run? See if there is a local "Back on My Feet" organization and help teach self-esteem and strength to a group of homeless men and/or women. More of an entertainer? Host a dinner party to "Feed the Hungrey" and have guests donate cans for a local food drive. Throw a dance party and have guests donate money for a local school's struggling music program. Like to cook? Join a CSA and keep local farmers in business while obtaining fresh organic food (http://www.marylandagriculture.info/category_info.cfm?categoryid=46). Maybe your love is shopping! Shop at fair-trade, eco-friendly organizations. Dalla, Ten-thousand Villages, and Beads for Life are all amazing companies with beautiful products that give back while creating independence to struggling countries. Plus they make great gifts! Its so much more meaningful to give a gift that will make more than one person smile!

Blue Skies and Sunrises

Hi guys! After much debating, I've decided to start this blog back up. If I happen to go off on a tangent, please don't take offense, just know its my crazy flight of ideas. Since its been a while, just wanted to remind you that this blog will mainly be about food and vegan/eco-friendly living.

Today I wanted to share a recipe for Veggie Couscous
I had never cooked couscous before and was pleasantly surprised with how fast it cooked!! This recipe is an adaptation from Alicia Silverstone's book "The Kind Life." The original recipe calls for butternut squash and Saffron Threads. However, I replaced the squash with wonderful sweet potatoes and had forgotten to get saffron. Instead, I chopped up some Cilantro and added a little cayenne for some subtle heat. Just bake the sweet potatoes for about 20 minutes before starting the recipe.

Serves 6

2 cups butternut squash/sweet potato
2 cups Yellow onion
1 1/2 cups carrots
1 1/2 cups zucchini
2 tbs EVOO
1 1/2 cups Veggie Broth
2 tbs Earth Balance Butter
1 1/2 cups whole wheat couscous
Ground Pepper
Dash of Cayenne Pepper
Dash of Cumin
Sea Salt
2 scallions
1/4 cup Cilantro

Preheat oven to 375*. Place onion, carrots, zucchini, and sweet potatoes in a Pyrex or other oven safe dish. Coat with the EVOO, salt, and pepper. Let the veggies roast for 30 minutes, turning once.

Meanwhile, bring the veggie broth to a boil. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the butter, cayenne, cumin, saffron, salt, and pepper until you reach your desired taste. Place the lid back on and let steep for about 15 minutes.

Remove the veggies once the potatoes are tender. Add the couscous to the veggies and then pour the broth over the mixture, once you have brought it back to a boil. Cover with some recycled aluminum foil and let sit for 15 minutes (this allows the couscous to cook... told you it was simple!).

While you are waiting, chop up the scallions and cilantro.

Fluff the couscous with a fork and serve with a sprinkle of scallion and cilantro. Serve with a side of greens and some organic red wine. Viola!

Billas Says:

Practice a hand stand everyday. Not only will it help you increase your strength and balance, it will teach you to trust in yourself. It might take a while, but eventually you will learn that those small hands will support your frame. Hand stands bring you face-to-face with your fears. Once you defy gravity, you will fill invigorated and ready to conquer any task. So go ahead and be a kid again! Turn your world upside down....

http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/788

a great resource