Eco-Posh News - the stuff that won't fit in the newsletter (pt. 2)

(This is a continuation of the previous post in which we share the great news that won't fit in our newsletter. Look for links to sign up for the newsletter soon!)

As green vendors new in Kansas City, we were also so excited to throw our launch party for industry professionals. We believe that there is strength in community. Rather than fostering a isolating divisive spirit among our fellow eco-friendly or event-related vendors, we thought it best to introduce ourselves as new friends and neighbors. There are some extremely talented people in town and we were delighted to get to meet a few of them.

We’re in this business to create a beautiful look and responsible event for brides. As an added benefit, establishing these connections and learning about the photographers, caterers, designers and venues (and even fellow event planners!) all go to make us a solid resource to Kansas City brides, whether they’re our clients or not.

Just a quick word about the incredibly wonderful people to whom we’re incredibly grateful who helped us make the launch party happen... Our sponsors from the event included Winding Willow (read about this fantastic videography team here), Shanita of Magnolia’s Catering, Jane from Embrace the Grape Catering (read more about Jane here), Missouri Organic, the Green Bride Guide, the Perfect Wedding Guide, the Innovation Cafe, Janay A Handmade (read our interview with her here), the Fine Tooners (read more about charicatures at events and the Fine Tooner team here), the Q Hotel - Kansas City’s green hotel, Sundra’s Therapeutic Massage, Indie Olive, Nature’s Boundaries and Favor the Earth.

Eco-Posh News - the stuff that won't fit in the newsletter (pt. 1)

We’re putting together our monthly newsletter and including practical eco-friendly ideas, bios of some of our favorite Kansas Citians and the latest happenings in and around our Eco-Posh studio. (Coming soon - watch for links to sign up!)

With all this great information about what’s hot in the design world and cool local stuffs, we realized there wouldn’t be enough space to for everything we wanted to share. Eco-Posh fans, read on!

As event planners, we were so honored and thrilled to be the producers of the Perfect Wedding Guide’s Spring Bridal Show. So much goes into a fashion show like the PWG’s, and although the runway may have looked elegant and effortless, behind the curtains there is a flurry of activity bringing together vendors and models under a very specific timetable. Working with the various gown and hair salons providing dresses, designs and accessories, Erika and Brooke ensured that every designer dress was flouncy, each coif was flawless and all the models were hydrated, happy and ready to shine. 

Check out some of our favorite memories from the show (Photo Credit: Melissa & Beth Photography and Kansas City Perfect Wedding Guide):

Amber Shea Crawley: Local raw food blogger challenges this cow town's preconceptions

Shattering expectations: this is what Kansas City native Amber Shea Crawley's new cookbook, Practically Raw, is all about. In a land overflowing with burnt ends and barbecue sauce, there are a few expectations to shatter, and the classically trained chef and successful blogger is more than ready for that challenge.

Practically Raw: Flexible Raw Recipes Anyone Can Make is a friendly, informative and easy introduction into the world of raw food, packed with money- and time-saving tips. Prepare to have your preconceived notions of raw and vegan food demolished.

Amber's list of reasons for considering a raw food diet is as long as the line outside a local gas station waiting to order pulled pork sandwiches. Among them:  raw food is filled with the nutrients your body wants and needs. Raw food is gentler on your digestion. Raw food sends your energy levels sky-high. Oh yeah, and did we mention it's more sustainable and animal-friendly?

Unsure what fruits and veggies ought to be bought organic? Want to know how to get the most from your leftovers? Trying to find another time-saving corner to cut? Amber alleviates the stress of the learning curve by packing her cookbook with friendly and accessible pieces of advice and wisdom. (We loved her note to toss just a few pieces of kale or spinach into your morning smoothie. A handful of these powerhouse veggies won't affect the flavor, but will significantly amp up the nutrition.)

And here's what most people don't know: a raw diet needn't be inconvenient or cost a fortune. More than that, *gasp* eating raw food can be satisfying!

"It can take a lot of time to go raw," Amber inserts a significant pause before she concludes, "if you’re wanting to go the gourmet route. But all it really takes to go raw is just a shift in planning." The time spent dehydrating (a secret weapon in the arsenal of a raw foodie - it evaporates water without cooking out any of the nutrients) doesn't require any attention or active participation.

You don't have to spend your life savings on shiny, one-purpose kitchen gadgets or mystical nut pastes from the East Indies. "Keep it logical and realistic when you're at the grocery store," she says. "As in any other part of the kitchen, if you want to spend money, there are infinite possibilities. However, with simple tools and a few food staples, you can make a great many of my recipes."

Her food lays claim to be not only filling, but satisfying. She boasts that the world of raw foods is diverse and doesn't grow bland. We’re not talking carrot and celery sticks here… (Be glad we didn't write the book.) The recipes range from sweet smoothies and nut crumbles to savory mushroom scrambles and taco salad with nacho cheese sauce.

Not all of the recipes are completely raw, and some offer slightly cooked and fully cooked options. She doesn’t believe it is realistic to be strictly 100% raw. "It’s just not compelling to me to achieve that label," she says, "but adding more raw food into my diet is. I find I’m healthier and happier if I don’t forbid myself to have any particular type of food."

All that said, prepare to have your mind blown, with delicacies like Deconstructed Sushi Bowl, Pizza Kale Chips, Warm Apple-Walnut Cobbler, Parisian Street Crêpes, Fiesta Taco Roll-Ups, and over 130 more. Her fail-safe recipe to introduce the uninitiated to the world of raw food is her Famous Five Minute Blondies. (The final recipe can be found on page 195 of Practically Raw, but you can test out an early prototype here: http://almostveganchef.com/2011/01/22/the-5-minute-single-serving-raw-vegan-blondie/.) Sweet and nutty, this little guy is something you can really sink your teeth into.

-Stefanie

(Side note: We're so excited to be a part of Amber and Matt's wedding! Congratulations, you two!) 

A little more about Amber: 

Favorite resources:

City Market, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Green Acres, online sources. Wherever you’re at in Kansas City, you’ve got access to a farmer’s market!

Favorite ingredient:

Coconut – it’s so versatile, you can use it for its meat, shreds, water, butter, oil and milk.

Find Amber online 

Blog:  AlmostVeganChef.com
Practically Raw on Amazon:  http://amzn.to/tHafnH
Facebook:   facebook.com/AlmostVegan 
Twitter:  twitter.com/almostveganchef
Pinterest:  pinterest.com/almostveganchef

May Your Wedding be Timeless…

In 1807 a man named Guiseppe Gaetano Descalzi, in the little seaside town of Chiavari on the coast of Northern Italy designed a chair that he said to be ‘so lightweight that even a child could lift it with a single finger.’  

His design combined the features of several “balloon backed” Parisian chairs that were gifted to him by the founder of the Economic Society of Chiavari.  The chair was originally carved from Cherrywood, and would later be changed using different materials that became readily available, but never losing its original elegance and beauty. 

The Chiavari chair has stood the test of time, being used at White House State Dinners, The Academy Awards, Emmy’s and Grammy’s Galas, and even weddings such as that of Jackie-O and JFK.  The elegant appearance, lightness of the chair, and its convenient stackability make it a favorite among event planners and brides everywhere

For the month of May Eco-Posh is running a special on all our Silver Chiavari Chairs.  

   Silver Chiavari Chairs: 6.50/each*

We are proud to be among Kansas City's only carriers of aluminum Chiavari chairs. Not only are they incredibly durable, but after they have reached their lifetime potential they are 100% recyclable. The non-marring feet will not damage a venue's flooring. 

*includes white seat cushion

 --Post by: Lindsey Blakeman

May New Linen Arivals

We've added 5 new linens to our stock for this May!  We hope you love them as much as we do!

White Soleil Taffeta

Butter Yellow Stripe

Light Blue Poly

Black Satin Stripe

Violet Pin tuck

Fushia Satin