There is so much need these days as our street population grows, and none of us is really equipped to do anything on our own that can come close to solving the woes these people experience. But together, we can make a difference.
Every year, as storm season hits, local street outreach teams put out a call for warm clothing to help those living without shelter survive the elements. Mainly, they ask for socks. Socks get wet. Socks get thrown out. Socks need replaced. Warm feet are vital to survival on the streets in the depths of winter. Yes to hats and coats and scarves and sweaters and gloves, but mainly yes to socks. New socks. Warm socks. Like most of you, I have always taken my socks for granted. Sure I snarl when they come out of the dryer mismatched, but otherwise, I don’t give them much thought. For folk without housing, though, clean, dry socks are a game changer. A life saver.
So, back to the amazing people I know. Last week my friend who does street outreach with AVI put out a call for socks. I wanted to answer the call but knew I couldn’t make much of an impact alone, so I shared that call with my music community, and boy howdy! did they ever come through. I am so grateful to these fine folk who are helping other fine folk make life better for the fine folk who have found themselves on hard times. Working together – this is how it works.
]]>So April is Earth Month and in recognition of this noble effort to save planet Earth, I have decided to donate 1 cup of REALITY BITES to our local outreach teams for every bucket of granola I sell this month. As you probably already know, there is no real environmental justice without real social justice. So, while we aren’t providing homes for the growing unhoused population, we can at least provide care through nourishment while doing our part for the planet.
Back to the mushy straws meme, though. I ask myself every day, why do I even bother reducing, reusing, recycling, etc. The answer is always, “I do it for my kids.” I carefully monitor my environmental impact because of the possibility that it just might save the planet for my kids and for all generations to come, but I also take these steps so that I can look my kids in the eye and truthfully tell them that I did my best for them. I reduce, reuse and recycle, etc because it means that I am using fewer resources and creating less waste and that’s gotta be a good thing. I do these things because it might inspire my friends and neighbours, customers and acquaintances to also pay attention to their environmental impact, and that might inspire folk they know.
The SBG Bucket Club is my eff-you to the billionaires who are carelessly laying waste to our precious planet. Since starting to sell granola by the bucket 4 years ago, I have saved hundreds of the plastic buckets that my coconut oil comes in from ending up in the dubious recycling system. I have saved thousands of cardboard boxes, cellophane liners and sticky labels from being produced just to end up in landfill (or the dubious recycling system). All of this is only possible because of you and your love of my granola and your love of our planet. Together, we are taking steps to make this planet healthier and safer for our kids and for generations to come. Together, our efforts just might make a difference. If nothing else, together, we are creating some damned fine karma for ourselves.
Love & light,
Jessica
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Since the start of the pandemic we have hand inserted notes of gratitude into every single box of granola.
I have a love/hate relationship with our actual granola boxes. On the upside, they are beautifully designed by my very talented husband, we buy them from a BC company, and they allow us to add our little notes of gratitude. However, our granola boxes, along with the cellophane liners and sticky labels, are all single-use items that require a great deal of energy and resources just to end up in the dubious recycle/landfill bins (Where do these really go when we’re done with them?).
On the other hand, I am insanely passionate about our buckets of granola. I consider them a love letter to the planet. When we reuse our coconut oil and peanut butter buckets and fill them with granola over and over again, we are telling the planet that we care, that we love her and we are doing what we can to ease her burden. Every month, thanks to our SBG Bucket Club sales, we divert an average of 500 boxes, liners and labels from use and ultimate disposal. This may seem like a drop in the proverbial bucket in terms of saving the environment, but every full bucket everywhere is an actual collection of millions of indispensable drops.
Shout out to the good folk at Jucee, Zero Waste Emporium, The Local Refillery, Mile Zero Coffee & Level Ground Trading Tasting Room who share our commitment to reducing waste and buy our granola in reusable buckets.
The climate crisis is exhausting, so knowing where to channel our limited energy in our attempts to turn this disaster around can be overwhelming. Having breakfast delivered to your doorstep in reusable containers is a planet saving step you can take that requires minimal energy on your part. It may not feel like serious climate action, but every dollar we spend is a vote for the world we want to live in. There is so much climate work to do that feels beyond our ability but choosing to reduce our packaging is something that we can do and it makes a difference. It is a reminder to the planet that we love her and we care for her wellbeing and we’re making the effort to help her heal.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot. The difference between Mutual Aid and Charity and if what we’re doing with our REALITY BITES falls more into one category or the other. I’m leaning more towards Mutual Aid these days. I’ve seen Mutual Aid described as, “Cooperation for the sake of the common good, getting people to come together to meet each other’s needs, recognizing that as humans, our survival is dependent on one another.” Isn’t that what we’re all doing here with the REALITY BITES? Sure, the bites are made in the Singing Bowl Granola kitchen, but each one of you is playing such an important role by providing funding for them. Like me, you recognize the pervasive need for nourishment among the growing population of under-waged and unhoused members of our community. Rather than each of us acting as individuals trying to provide solutions, we have pooled our resources, teamed up with front line workers, and provided nourishment where it is most needed. As humans, our survival and our success really are dependent on one another.
Kindness
I’ve also been thinking a lot about the power of kindness. There are numerous studies proving that acts of kindness benefit everyone involved - the giver and the receiver and, of course, they also have far-reaching ripple effects. Yeah sure, our REALITY BITES are loaded with nutritious ingredients, but the main ingredient is definitely kindness. Every dollar you spend on REALITY BITES is a buck of kindness. The fact that the bites were created specifically to meet the needs of the hungry is an act of kindness that, according to Amy from See Spring outreach, resulted in some recipients being “so touched and often brought to tears that members of their community cared for them in this way.” Let’s be honest, not everyone recognizes that unsheltered people, people living with addiction or mental illness or extreme poverty require massive doses of kindness to get through each day. That’s why the recipients are so grateful for the kindness and care that we are offering through the REALITY BITES.
Re-writing the narrative
Coming from a family of writers, I firmly believe that we can and should change the narrative of our world. We are bombarded daily with stories of a world that is hateful, cruel, and individualistic, yet everywhere I look there is an abundance of goodness. There are neighbours, friends, families, and complete strangers doing what they can to care for each other. Yes, REALITY BITES were created to nourish the hungry in our community, but they were also created because I believe that most of us are deeply concerned about the suffering around us and we want to be able to help. My amazing customer Cassie sent this insight that sums it up beautifully, “And I think how you’re doing this is really a wonderful way to make connections between people in the community - those that are housed and those that aren’t. And it’s a really different reality. Great that you’re giving us an opportunity to better share your delicious Bites with people who might really need them and also enjoy them.”
I’ve got to admit, that I was a victim of the doom & gloom story and I was sinking into the pit of despair when my lovely, no-BS friend hit me with some tough love that made me accept that I can’t single-handedly solve the problem of poverty and homeless (thanks, Diane!). That’s when I changed the narrative in my head to one of abundance and generosity. There’s no doubt about it, one government after another has failed to care for their citizens, but it is awe inspiring to see how so many individuals consistently come together to make up for these governmental short comings. I am so grateful for how my community shows support and care for those in need.
Hunger is a continuous issue
Since launching the REALITY BITES on November 20th 2022, thanks to you, we have donated 422 cups to be distributed by our friends at The Rainbow Kitchen, See Spring Coalition and Peers. The bites have been received with much gratitude, but as you know, the hunger continues on a daily basis, so I will continue to encourage folk to help keep this program going, nourishing our community. February is considered the month of love, so throughout the month, I’m going to send some extra love to our unhoused neighbours. For every $50.00 you spend on REALITY BITES, I will add 2 cups to your donation.
One more quote from Amy who is in the parks every single day helping our most vulnerable neighbours, “For those of us sitting in solidarity with those outdoors suffering through innumerable challenges to have something like REALITY BITES with us brings a community offering of comfort and real time help all perfectly delivered in a cup thanks to the Singing Bowl Granola community.”
Like most of us, I have been fully indoctrinated into the capitalist mindset of scarcity. We are taught from such an early age to cling to what we have and to amass what we can because the threat of losing everything is always looming. Over the past few years, however, I have been working hard to shift from seeing my world through the scarcity lens to seeing it through the lens of abundance and generosity, and let me tell you, I’m much happier and less stressed out since making this shift. And Amy’s story from Topaz Park really brought this lesson home for me this week. I love the saying “When you have enough, build a longer table, not a wall.” That is what we are doing with the REALITY BITES. We - all of us - are recognizing when our needs are met and we are in the position to share our good fortune with others who have so very little.
As you probably know, the REALITY BITES were created specifically to meet the needs of the recipients. Amy has reported how grateful they are that the bites are soft and easy to chew. She tells me that the people eating the REALITY BITES are seeing noticeable lifts in their blood sugar and energy levels. She hasn’t said so yet, but I’m guessing that the recipients are also tasting the care and concern we bake into every bite.
Like puppies, poverty isn’t just for Christmas. Poverty isn’t going anywhere soon, so it is up to those of us who have enough to help those who don’t. Since launching the REALITY BITES just over 1 month ago, thanks to you, we have delivered almost 250 cups of kindness to folk who, through no fault of their own, are struggling to survive unsheltered in this brutal winter weather. It is not nearly enough, but it is making a positive difference in the lives of the individuals receiving them. While we continue to advocate for a world that ensures everyone is housed, we are providing nourishment and care. Poverty will continue to be a daily reality all around us, and your ongoing generosity will continue to benefit our unhoused and under-waged neighbours.
As in the story of Stone Soup, when everyone brings a little of what they’ve got to the big pot, something wonderful happens. As well as providing enough nourishment for everyone, community is created. It is amazing what can happen when we all pitch in.
With deep gratitude, Jessica (she/her)
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It is generally accepted business wisdom that new products are created as a solution to an identified problem. Food insecurity is a problem that is growing at a frightening rate in our community and requires many different solutions. I think I may have recently created a product that, with your help, will hopefully put a dent in local food poverty.
Like many of you, I spend a great deal of energy wondering how I can help others who are struggling, yet it can be really hard knowing what action will be the most beneficial. What I do know is that we all need to eat, and we all deserve to eat good food. Far too many of our neighbours are going without food altogether. As a food producer I have access to the required resources to produce vast quantities of nourishing snacks to share with those in need, but I will need your help.
The solution that I’ve created to help reduce local food insecurity is a new product that I’m calling REALITY BITES – soft, tasty, nutritious, easy to eat granola bites for our neighbours who need to be fed.
You all know the old saying that ‘sharing is caring’. When you buy REALITY BITES you have the opportunity to show how much you care about the unhoused and hungry members of our community by sharing your food with them. For every package of REALITY BITES you buy, we will be giving a package to local outreach workers and food banks to distribute directly to those in need.
Food is energy. Food is love. Food helps us through tough situations. With your help, I hope to share love and nourishment with those who need it the most. I encourage you to buy lots of REALITY BITES to share with your friends, and to share with complete strangers. Together, we can make this world a kinder, better place.
Love & light,
Jessica
“The most renewable energy on the planet is not solar energy. It’s the human capacity for love, kindness, and forgiveness.” Thomas Clayton Müller
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We can care for those we love, and we can care for complete strangers. We see it every day. We do it every day. Community care happens despite atrocities. Community care happens because of atrocities.
]]>I’m not actually here to bring you down. I’m here to remind you that, through our communities, we can face what the world is throwing at us with courage and love. To loosely quote my dear friend Laura, we get to create the shtetl we want to live in and find the joy that comes with surrounding ourselves with friends and companions, people who lift each other up and nourish each other.
So, how do we care for each other? Through all the bad news stories, I am constantly brought back to this question, because, in my mind, it is how we care for each other that is going to help us through these tough times. There are so many different ways to care for others. We can care for those we love, and we can care for complete strangers. We see it every day. We do it every day. Community care happens despite atrocities. Community care happens because of atrocities.
Over the past eleven years, I have built my shtetl around Singing Bowl Granola. My customers, my employees, my suppliers, my colleagues, my community all play a vital role in my wellbeing. More than that, they (you!) all play a vital role in the wellbeing of a broader community of complete strangers, folk we’ve never met. Together we are stronger and kinder and more helpful than the world beyond our shtetl.
Despite being in business for more than a decade, I am in constant awe of the impact of each granola sale. Every single sale adds up, keeping Singing Bowl Granola in business another day, allowing us to keep caring for our community.
A story. As a former teacher, I know that every classroom has students showing up hungry. With this understanding and access to more oats than you can imagine, I can provide my local schools with organic porridge to nourish their hungry students. BUT I can only do this if my costs are covered and with help getting the porridge to the schools. Our friends at the Blue Heron Advisory Group, have money available for children in need, so they cover my costs. Every month, a handful of amazing volunteers from our community who also care deeply about hungry children, deliver the porridge to the schools. This week, one of my lovely volunteers showed up with a beautiful bouquet for me from her neighbour’s garden stand. This is just one little story of a whole lot of care for folk we know and for complete strangers.
Hundreds of servings of organic instant porridge ready to go out to schools.
Another story. And this is a story that has both haunted me and empowered me for most of my life. My paternal grandmother was in a concentration camp in Yugoslavia while my father was being hidden by his Christian aunt. Shortly before the women in her camp were sent to their deaths, one inmate was released for some reason. She went straight to my father’s aunt to report on my grandmother’s situation inside the camp. The story is that my grandmother was working in the camp kitchen and despite knowing the consequences if she was caught, she would steal onions and potatoes to share with the women in her barrack. As the world she knew was in total collapse, my grandmother still found the resources to care for others.
In the big picture, society has lost its way and the picture is pretty grim. Close up, however, the picture tells a different story. Close up we are still communities of humans who care for each other. Even in the toughest of times, perhaps especially in the toughest of times, we still know how to care for each other. And we do.
]]>Now, more than ever, it is important to find those small businesses you love and show them all the support you can.
]]>Then it was the canola oil. I recalled hearing a canola farmer on the CBC sometime last summer saying that a wildly high percentage of their crops had failed in the unprecedented heatwaves that hit the prairies and thinking to myself at the time that this was going to be a problem for production of Morning Chorus and Maple-Pecan Duet. Sure enough, this spring there wasn’t a drop of organic canola oil to be found. Fine. My wholesaler had plenty of organic sunflower oil in stock, so I ordered up new labels and I stockpiled the sunflower oil.
Then Putin decided to invade Ukraine, source of all things sunflower. I fully understand that Singing Bowl’s sunflower shortages are nothing compared to the tragedies befalling Ukraine, but all the same, I was like a mad woman trying to source sunflower seeds for my granola. As if by miracle, my sunflower seed prayers were answered just as we hit the very end of our supply, and I am now the proud owner of 500lb of sunflower seeds. I probably don’t need to tell you that these bad boys cost nearly double what they did in the before times.
In the meantime, somehow my wholesaler has got a hold of organic canola oil again just as the organic sunflower oil disappears.
Somewhere in all of this, sesame seeds were as hard to find as the proverbial hen’s teeth. For now, however, we seem to have a secure supply of those tasty little morsels.
Perhaps my scariest moment hit last month when I placed my usual order for 500kg of oats, but my guy at True Grain only had 100kg available. We go through an insane amount of oats at the granola factory, and suddenly I’m looking at the prospect of NO OATS! As with the canola, our oat farmers were hit hard in last summer’s heat waves, and now we were awaiting a shipment of oats from Europe. Those precious oats arrived this week, at, you guessed it, double the cost of our Canadian oats.
My precious, precious oats!
Finally, let’s talk gas prices. Every single item involved in producing everything we make is now painfully more expensive due to the drastic hike in gas prices. Every online order I ship is now 30% more expensive thanks to the added ‘fuel charge’ (head’s up if you’re ordering online – it costs approximately $15 to ship 2 boxes of granola to Ontario, and maybe $17 to ship 3 kilograms, so be sure to order big for a better deal). Rising gas prices affect every aspect of our lives, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
I’ve been holding out trying not to raise my prices, but, as with all of us, my amazing employees – the folk who make it all happen – are facing higher living expenses every day, and I need to increase their wages. The only way to make this possible is to finally raise my prices. So, after maintaining the same prices since I started Singing Bowl Granola 11 years ago, I, unfortunately, need to charge you a little bit more to help cover the ever-increasing costs of production.
I am eternally grateful to each and every one of you who has helped keep my business afloat during these turbulent times. Now, more than ever, it is important to find those small businesses you love and show them all the support you can.
With deep gratitude,
Jessica (she/her)
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Understanding the concept of Enough has been one of my biggest lessons in life and has brought me an abundance of peace and happiness.
]]>Singing Bowl Granola is launched at the 2011 season of James Bay Market.
In a few weeks I will be celebrating my ten-year anniversary of launching Singing Bowl Granola at the James Bay Market. This granola-fuelled decade has been a wonderful adventure, and I am so utterly grateful to each and every one of you who has helped me get this far. Keeping a business alive for ten years is no mean feat, and I feel like the journey deserves a little reflection.
I’m going to let you in on a secret – there’s not a fortune to be made making and selling local artisanal hand-made granola. I’ll tell you something else I’ve learned over my past ten years in business – I’ve learned to recognize what Enough looks like, and to celebrate it. Enough.
For me, having Enough means that there is a roof over my head, I can pay my bills without stress, there’s food in the fridge, and my kids are okay. Having Enough is plenty. Having Enough feels good. Having Enough means that when more comes along, I am in a position to share with those who might not have Enough. Understanding the concept of Enough has been one of my biggest lessons in life and has brought me an abundance of peace and happiness.
Learning the lesson of Enough did not come easily. When you run a business, you are expected to hustle. You are expected to grow – at any cost. At first you’re hustling non-stop just to pay the bills. But, once your business has grown to the point where you are comfortably able to pay the bills and pay yourself, the pressure to continue to hustle in order to grow the business bigger and bigger does not diminish. Our traditional business model is all about The Bottom Line, and if you’re not hitting those financial gains, you suck. You’re a failure. Everyone else is better than you. This is what we are told and taught and led to believe, and breaking free from this model requires both imagination and tenacity. You need to be able to imagine a different picture of what success looks like, and you need tenacity to hang on to this divergent reality in a world that will tell you otherwise.
So, if success doesn’t equate to huge profits, what does it look like? Early on, once I understood that even though I was not making a lot of money selling granola, I actually had Enough, I decided to create my own definition of success. I felt that my business was successful as it was a part of a growing community of fellow food processors and customers, and that felt both nourishing and good. Perhaps, more importantly, Singing Bowl Granola feels like a truly successful enterprise every time I deliver organic porridge to local schools, or cookies to be distributed among the street community, or huge bags of granola to The Rainbow Kitchen food bank. The rewards that come from sharing far outweigh any joy found in monetary gains. It is the pleasure I get from giving that has kept me going through the ups and downs of running this business over the past 10 years. In my business model, knowing that I am helping others is the main indicator of success.
In my happy place, serving hot porridge at a homeless encampment.
The traditional business paradigm is slowly shifting, but not fast enough to save all that is important. We live in a world built on the destructive extraction of natural resource from traditional Indigenous homelands. We are told these industries exist to create jobs, but we are not told that they also exist to line the bulging pockets of the rich. This model is broken and has caused untold damage across the world. It is more important than ever that we recognize when we have enough, and not always be growing to the detriment of our own health and happiness, and the wellbeing of the planet.
As I write this post, I am deeply worried about the fate of the Fairy Creek old growth forest, which is under imminent threat from being clear-cut by the Teal-Jones Group. British Columbia’s ancient forests have been completely over logged (only 2% are left intact) by those who never learned how to recognize when they have had enough. It seems that the Teal-Jones family and their shareholders will never be satisfied until the last ancient tree has been felled and the critical ecosystems that once existed in these magnificent forests are completely destroyed. In their world, they will never have Enough.
This quote from the website sums up the danger of the traditional business model, fills me with dread. We can, and must do better. Let’s start with recognizing when we have enough.
“Dick Jones recently remarked, “we’re just getting started!” when a customer paid him a compliment about the steady growth of the company.
I know how lucky I am to be in a place where I actually do have Enough, because not everyone does. What does Enough look like to you? Does it bring you contentment? Do you take time to enjoy what you have? If you have more than you need, and feel so inclined, I would encourage you to donate to some of these environmental groups who are doing such important work protecting the planet for all of us.
Please note - I am not opposed to sustainable forestry that provides well-paid jobs, ensuring everyone in this field has Enough. I believe that these jobs can and should exist in an industry that is working collaboratively with First Nations, and no longer decimating our rapidly declining, irreplaceable ancient forests.
]]>It seems like everyone I know has been going camping this summer. Personally, I don’t camp. Having grown up in a rustic cabin in the redwoods, with limited access to running water and a wood stove for heat, I prefer my creature comforts these days. But I salute all of you who have headed out into the wilderness this summer, staying local during the pandemic!
One of the province’s recommendations for traveling within British Columbia this summer is to bring as many of your own supplies as possible. A lot of the more remote communities have had difficulty just keeping themselves stocked with food and other essentials, so, whether you’re camping or just road-tripping, be sure to have a good supply of food with you.
Not that I would know from experience, but I’ve heard that granola is excellent camping food. Some of my friends have been taking our Singing Bowl Granola Bites and eating them for breakfast around the campfire. Others are happily enjoying bowls of granola with fresh BC fruit and/or yogurt. If you’re taking to the road for a few days, it’s nice to have a stash of something healthy to sustain you on your travels.
Food always tastes better al fresco!
To thank you for doing your part to lower the curve while supporting BC businesses, I am continuing to offer you a 10% discount on all orders over $50.00 between now and Labour Day. Just use the code GONECAMPING at checkout to receive your discount. It's okay if you aren't actually going camping, but feel free to post a photo of you and your granola if you do!
Whatever you do, be kind, be calm and be safe.
Cheers - Jessica
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I wrote this blog post a few years ago, and, in honour of Pride Week starting in Victoria, BC, I have decided to re-post it. It has now been five years, almost to the day since my son informed us that he identifies as male. As he approaches his 19th birthday and legal adulthood, I could not be prouder of him. He is a smart, kind, compassionate, engaged, generous human being, and I am honoured to be his mother.
Well, it happened again. A friend recently asked me, “Are you okay? How are you doing?” Then, “It must be tough. You’re so brave!” as if I were suffering some ghastly disease or grievous loss. In fact, this heartfelt concern is because I happen to be parenting a transgender teen. Since my second born informed us that he identifies as a boy just over two years ago, I have received so much sympathy and awe, as if I’ve done something more remarkable than loving my own flesh and blood. This latest outburst of concern made me realize just how common it is for people to struggle with accepting trans people who are living their gender identity. In spite of the recent progress in transgender awareness, we, as a society, are far from freely accepting that not everyone identifies with the gender they were assigned at birth. We, as a society, still put far too much importance on the eons old binary boy/girl understanding of humanity. I am hoping that by sharing some of my own experience with parenting a transgender child, others will find their path a bit smoother. That’s all.
I’m the first to admit that, on that morning I read the “dear Mom & Dad” letter where my brave child announced his true identity I did not instantly nor automatically start regarding my bling queen as a boy. I did not easily drop the beautiful girl name I’d chosen for him for the boy name he chose for himself. It was awkward and I stumbled and got things wrong. A lot. I wrote to an old friend who had told me about her daughter identifying as male. I wrote to her to ask advice on how to be a good parent. Sadly, unbeknownst to me, she had died, but her trans child wrote back with loads of advice. The one piece of wisdom that has stuck with me most throughout these past few years is to show my kid enough respect to refer to him as he views himself and not according to my own perceptions. Basically, it’s not about me, it’s about him. It doesn’t matter if I still have memories of my little girl. If he views himself as male, then I need to respect his self-image and address him accordingly. This advice has been invaluable in helping me relate respectfully to my now son.
The first six months after my son came out I would inform people demurely that my kid was trans, with a weird sense that I would be judged harshly. I was quite reticent about stating the fact. As time passed, it became easier for me, and now I say it loud and proud. It helps that we live in a town where no one really bats an eye about gender and sexuality. I am unbelievably grateful to be raising my trans son in a safe and open environment. I am even more grateful for the gifts that come with parenting a trans child. My kid has taught me about my own limited perceptions and how to look closely at how I regard others. My kid has taught me about what is and isn’t important when relating to my fellow humans. (Is that a man or a woman? Oh yeah, it doesn’t matter!).
Do I understand what it’s like to be in the wrong body? Nope. Do I have any inkling as to what it’s like to solidly know, or even suspect, that I am not the gender I was assigned at birth? Can’t even fathom. What I do know is that, even though my kid is experiencing something I just can’t grasp, he is still my kid and he is still an awesome person. That’s enough for me. The way I see it these days is like this – how would I react if my kid announced to me that he thought he was an accountant rather than an artist? You know what? That’s okay. Accountant, artist, boy, girl, whatever, as long as he is kind to himself and others. In the end, that is all that really matters.
At this point, you are probably wondering what the heck does any of this have to do with granola or running a business. As an entrepreneur, everything I do in my life always relates on one level or another to my business. Every day I check in with myself to review the ethos behind Singing Bowl Granola, and every day, I am reminded that this business was built as a way of caring for others and the planet. My number one job (even above granola!) is that of a parent, and my number one parental responsibility is to care for my kids. Caring for my kids means respecting and loving them for who they are regardless of my own perceptions and expectations. Caring for my kids helps them develop into solid human beings who will go out into the world and help others and help the planet. It’s all related.
Is this a man or a woman? Oh wait, it doesn't matter.
The important thing is they are eating granola!
There are so many schools of business. There is the Arlene Dickinson approach where she genuinely tries to help others with her own successes, then, there is the Donald Trump approach which is based on greed, deceit, and malice. Business is power and it is so important to use this power generously and responsibly. Today I am choosing to use my entrepreneurial influences to reach out to the friends and family of trans people who may be wondering how to be the best ally they can. I am using whatever influence I have to say that, even though it may be confusing or uncomfortable, there is no shame. We live in a time and place where more and more transgender people are feeling safe enough to live their lives according to who they really are. It is our job to move beyond any of our preconceived ideas and applaud their courage and respect their identities and love them unconditionally, because, love is really the most important thing of all.
Postscript - Not all LGBTQI2S people are fortunate enough to receive the love and acceptance my kid has. Throughout the month of June, I have been fundraising for Seagirl Abuson, a young trans woman refugee who fled her home in Uganda only to find the same homophobia and transphobia running rampant in the refugee camps in Kenya. She now lives in Victoria BC where she is fundraising for her friends who are still in the Kenyan camps, and are victims of hatred and violence. Please check out her Gofundme page and donate if you can.
Love and light, Jessica
]]>And then, just when we thought we maxed out on feeling the pain of the oppressed, JK Rowling – she who has shaped the lives of more people than any other human being in history – goes on an anti-trans rant on Twitter. She who has influenced generations is now making it clear that she does not recognize trans folk for who they are. And, with that, our collective grief for the marginalized communities has hit the depths of hell.
I firmly believe that we are all being challenged to do something just now to fight the systemic oppression that is rearing its ugly head everywhere we look. Other than marching and writing letters, my own strength lies in fundraising.
If you have been a part of the Singing Bowl Granola community for any length of time, you already know that I frequently donate to local organizations that I believe could use some financial support. Every June (Pride Month), I fundraise for organizations that support LGBTQ folk.
There are so many groups in need of funds right now, it is hard to decide where to direct the money. After doing a fair bit of research on groups needing financial support, I came across a local fundraiser for LGBTQI refugees who are experiencing violence and abuse in the refugee camps in Kenya. My new friend ‘Seagirl’ is a young trans woman from Uganda who had to flee her home country due to homophobia and transphobia, and ended up living in refugee camps in Kenya before arriving in Canada a year and a half ago. Unfortunately, she discovered that life for LGBTQI people in the refugee camps is as dangerous as it was in Uganda, and many members of her community who are still in the camps are suffering violent attacks. She is now raising funds to help provide support for members of her extended community back in Kenya to help cover their hospital bills, supplies for recovery and costs for potential safety planning, and/or relocation costs. As the mother of a trans teen, and in light of the increased risk to trans people due to JK Rowling’s recent anti-trans tweets, this cause is close to my heart.
Pride was started by a Black trans woman, Marsha P. Johnson in June 1969.
For the month of June, 10% of my online sales will go to Sea Girl’s fundraiser. If you wish to support this cause, all you have to do is order your favourite granola from our website. If you want to increase your impact, encourage your friends to do the same.
]]>Also while Mr. B is pocketing his thousandth billion, more and more people everywhere all over this world are struggling just to get by. Some have homes, but can’t pay the bills. Some have no homes at all. Others cannot feed their families. Covid-19 took a lot of folk who were already living on the edge, and made their lives even more precarious. My point? How can one man own a trillion dollars when life is so painfully unaffordable for so very many? How can this be considered okay in any universe or belief system? Why has Mr. Bezos and his excessively wealthy ilk not been heavily taxed to cover the shortfalls of all governments who routinely declare a lack of funds for housing, healthcare, social services and education? And why, oh why, do we consumers hand over our hard earned cash to those who need it least?
Depressed yet? Seething at the injustice? The good news is that we, as individuals, and as a community can actually do something to fix this problem. What? Me? I’m just one person! Yes, you (and me). Remember, pretty much every massive change has started with one person (Rosa Parks, Greta Thunberg, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr…). When Rosa sat down at the front of the bus, she could not imagine that resting her weary feet would lead to nationwide actions to end segregation. When Greta sat in front of parliament with her now famous SKOLSTREJK FÖR KLIMATET sign, she hardly thought that millions of others would join her. You get the picture. We all have the power to create change.
The only reason Jeff Bezos is about to become a trillionaire is because we give him our money. Every time we shop at Amazon or Wholefoods (to name just a few of his income streams), we continue to line his bulging pockets. Today I am challenging each of you to boycott these mega businesses. See something you like on Amazon? Take a few minutes to find a local or independent business that offers the same item, then buy from them. Looking for some delicious health food item? Purchase it from either the manufacturer or a small independent store. And always, but, always, buy your books from independent bookstores! It is a small gesture, but a powerful one.
It is not news that we are living through some wildly precarious times. It is also a time of change and renewal. Covid-19 is giving us the opportunity to stop, take a breath, and decide what we want our world to look like when we come out the other side. We have a choice. We can create a future that celebrates community and diversity, or we can have a future that is corporate and oppressive (because, let’s face it, the billionaire bosses make their money by oppressing their workers). If you love your local small, independent businesses who readily contribute to their community, provide good employment, and offer a unique variety of products, you need to make a concerted effort to make sure they survive through this pandemic. That means diverting anything you would normally spend on Amazon to a local business.
These businesses listed are owned by members of our Victoria BC community. They are small businesses that depend on our purchases to pay their bills, to stay afloat. These are my friends. Please support them.
Food & Beverage:
Beautiful Things:
Finawear Authentic Indigenous Wearable Art
Poppet Creative Art Kits & Classes
Small Stores:
Pepper’s https://www.peppers-foods.com/
I know I am probably missing many wonderful small businesses, so please let me know of any business that I should add to the list.
]]>Anyone with children of a certain age will have watched High School Musical ad nauseum and not thank me for reminding you of that catchy little number “We’re All in This Together”. Sorry about that.
But, we actually are all in this together, and we’ve never been deeper in anything in living memory. Life as we know it is kaput. As much as we long for those High School Musical days, they are never coming back. We are living through perhaps the biggest challenge we will ever face. And, as we try to navigate each day, some folk are going to struggle more than others, while others are better positioned to help out.
As you know, I have made it my mission from Day 1 to make sure I help those in need to the best of my ability. Over the years, many, many of you have inquired as to how you could help with my SBG Porridge Project or providing healthy cookies for the homeless. Now I am calling out to all of you to help me help others. We have just added a “Give Now” button to our online store where, for $7.00, you can buy a box of Singing Bowl Granola that we will donate to local food banks. Overnight, we are seeing hundreds of people lose their jobs, and they will need to eat. The local shelters have had to close their doors to curb the spread of Covid-19, so the meal options they offered have dropped dramatically. Now is the time for those of us who can to step up and help out any way we can. If you are in a good position and want to support your community, I invite you to visit our website and buy a complete stranger a box of granola.
None of us know how this is going to turn out. We do know that people – everyone – will need to eat every day. As long as my team and I remain healthy, and we can access raw materials, we will do everything we can to keep Singing Bowl Granola alive.
From the bottom of my heart, I wish to thank every one of you who have supported us over the years and will continue to support us and help us support our community.
Sending virtual hugs,
Jessica
Not to make light of a very serious and world-changing situation, but a common thought among us germaphobes these days is, “I’ve been preparing for this my whole life.”
Even in the time of pandemic, we all need to eat, but if you are like me, you may be wondering exactly who is preparing the food you eat and are they up to snuff with hygiene protocol. Every time I eat, these thoughts cross my mind, and now, more than ever, I want to know that my food is being prepared under the strictest food safety regulations.
Food safety never goes out of style!
I thought I would take this opportunity to share what it looks like behind the scenes at Singing Bowl Granola HQ. As I’ve already mentioned, I am a germaphobe, so running a commercial kitchen gives me full license to openly obsess on cleanliness. We start and end each shift with an immaculate work area, and I have been told numerous times by visiting health officers that I run the cleanest kitchen in Victoria.
We start and end each shift with an immaculate work area.
As an employer, I understand how vital it is to make sure that my staff consistently meets my standards of hygiene. I have a small, dedicated team of employees who, from day one, are trained how to take all measures necessary to prevent contaminating product. From regular hand washing to using dedicated equipment to avoid cross contamination of allergens, to recording and tracking raw materials, my employees follow strict food safe protocol to ensure that our granola is produced in the safest conditions. I am constantly impressed with their commitment to meeting top safety standards. They understand the importance of these rules and regulations and follow them to a T.
My employees also understand that, if there is the slightest chance that they may be getting sick, they do not come to work. While this can create challenges in production, we never, ever waver on this rule. During these stressful days of rapidly spreading Covid-19, we are all closely monitoring our health and will avoid coming to work at the first hint of anything resembling the symptoms. So far, we are all feeling fit and healthy, and, hopefully, with enough care, this will continue.
I hope this has been reassuring to you while we all try to navigate how and what we can do to safely get through the next few weeks or months.
One thing you can do is to continue to support small businesses that are making the effort to keep their communities supplied with food and other necessities. There is no doubt that everyone will be taking a financial hit while this pandemic spreads, so it is important to make sure we do what we can to make sure our small businesses survive. Rest assured that I am deeply grateful for your continued support through these difficult times.
Wishing you good health!
Jessica
p.s. In case you decide you want to stock up on Singing Bowl Granola, it freezes nicely!
p.p.s. I will continue donating 10% of all direct to customer sales to the Victoria Women's Transition House throughout the month of March.
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Anyone who follows me on social media may have noticed that most of my posts lately are about the Wet’suwet’en land defenders and Indigenous rights. I recently ran a fundraiser for Raven Trust who provides funding for Indigenous court cases. We raised $200.00 selling buckets of granola for this great organization. I have been donating granola and porridge to feed the Indigenous Youth who are in lock down at the BC Legislature until the RCMP and Coastal GasLink leave the unceded Wet’suwet’en homelands. I am writing letters, signing petitions, attending protests, and doing everything I can to support this cause. I am standing up for Indigenous rights, for the rights of the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs to refuse to have their unceded lands destroyed by the construction of another pipeline. And, I am using my privilege as a business owner to amplify my influence towards creating positive change.
Many business owners are hesitant to share their political position with their customers. They/we are told over and over not to mix politics and business. We worry that we will lose customers and that can affect our bottom line. We are told it’s none of our business. Indeed, one customer told me I should “stick to making cereal and keep my nose out of politics”.
One thing we’re hearing a lot online and in the media is that many of the ‘protesters’ aren’t even Wet’suwet’en or First Nations, therefore, the situation between the hereditary chiefs and Coastal GasLink is none of our business. I beg to differ. When human rights are being abused, it is everybody’s business to step in, speak up, and shut down the abuse. Why? Because we are all human.
On this matter, I speak from experience. My father’s family were victims of the Holocaust. His parents were just two of the six million Jews who experienced having their human rights systematically dismantled, resulting in being hauled off to concentration camps where they were murdered. I am alive today only because enough people who were not Jewish cared about our human rights and intervened. When human rights are threatened, we must fight for them, even if it is not our rights that are under attack.
What we’re seeing now is yet another instance of Indigenous people having their rights denied. We are seeing a continuation of a centuries old pattern of Indigenous lands being stolen and destroyed in the name of progress and the economy. We are seeing Indigenous culture being bulldozed, and the safety of Indigenous women and girls being threatened by male dominated industry.
Learning the truth about how Canada was built at the expense of the First peoples is heartbreaking. Throughout this nation’s history, settlers have stolen land, stolen children, attempted both physical and cultural genocide, and have abused the Indigenous people in every manner possible. This Canadian tradition continues today, and it could not be more evident than it is in the current situation of the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs rejecting the Coastal GasLink pipeline. All across this country, people are realizing how wrong it is that the RCMP are pulling the Wet’suwet’en off their unceded lands to enforce the building of this destructive pipeline (because, let’s face it, all extraction infrastructure is destructive and heavily contributes to climate change). People everywhere are realizing that the Wet’suwet’en situation is a glimpse into how Canada treats all Indigenous people, and this is not how reconciliation works. People are seeing how blatantly racist our political system is, and we are no longer willing to accept this.
So, yes, this is my business. It is my business to use my position and privilege to stand up and speak out when I see abuse of human rights, just as others did for my family during the Holocaust. It is all our business to acknowledge that Canada is still denying Indigenous people their basic human rights, and, in order to even start with reconciliation, we must admit to our history of wrongdoing and commit to changing everything.
If you are unsure as to why Indigenous people and their allies are protesting all across Canada, please take a small amount of time to learn about the UNDRIP and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Recommended reading:
https://nctr.ca/assets/reports/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf
https://www.indigenousbar.ca/pdf/undrip_handbook.pdf
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This guest post written by my lovely friend and local nutritionist extraordinaire Cordelia McFadyen arrived in my mailbox at the perfect time. I had to get a new phone yesterday, so had spent the better part of my Saturday afternoon in a mega mall, consuming expensive products from the box store chain. By the time I got home, I'd felt that my soul had been sucked right out of me. I can assure you, whenever I purchase locally made items direct from the creator, my soul feels nourished. As the popularity of farmers' markets and craft shows rises, I'm pretty sure that many, many people are also recognizing how their consuming habits make them feel and choosing to put their money where their heart is.
Cordelia is a vocal champion of all things 'local', particularly good food. I hope her wisdom will inspire you this holiday season to move away from the box stores, and, when giving gifts, choose locally sourced, artisanal items. Just remember, you can never go wrong with a lovely basket of local, handmade food.
By: Cordelia McFadyen of Inspired Living Nutrition Inc
www.InspiredLivingNutrition.com
With the holidays fast approaching there is no better time to embrace the food movement that is ‘Vocal for Local’! Ok ok, so that term may be new to you but it’s been an important part of my life for many years now. What started out as a way to ensure I was eating seasonally, and thereby increasing the nutrient density, has become a way for me to support my favourite local businesses.
I love supporting local businesses so much that I want to share with you my top 3 reasons why being ‘Vocal for Local’ is so fantastic!
In today’s world where we’re dominated by Amazon deals and their free delivery it can be all too easy to forget that small businesses are a critical part of the environment and look of where you live. What would your community look like if everyone purchased their groceries and supplies online? Would you have the beautiful small farm stands that are so easy and convenient to stop at for that seasons harvest?
It’s easy to de-value goods and opt for the “cheap” option however there is always an additional cost that isn’t being communicated when you spend your money supporting companies that are hundreds or thousands of kilometres away from you.
I’m not saying don’t buy stuff online, trust me I love the convenience too; however, I am aware of the great efforts that are being put forth by the variety of creative minds in my community and for me, I want to continue to see new ideas and products enter the market locally. To do that I need to invest in it. Every dollar helps to support another’s dream.
Yup. I definitely do a happy dance when you buy my granola!
Shopping locally, especially for Christmas, provides so many awesome ways to connect with your friends and family. I mean, c’mon, there are a TON of lovely markets almost every weekend out here on the Coast. You can spend a little bit of money, a lot or none at all. The point is you went out and checked out what’s being made in your community and you had quality time with your friends. I guarantee you’ll see something that you want and it feels really good to support a local community member during a time of the year that is so important to their bottom line.
When you shop from the big box store like Walmart for example, it can be harder to quantify the positive impact that it has on your community, whereas when you make a purchase from a local supplier you can see the positive impact almost immediately, the first sign is their smile and gratitude!
James Bay has been hosting this wonderful craft fair for over 20 years.
This may seem like a stretch but bear with me! I don’t know about you but one of the main draws for the holiday season for me is all of the delicious meals that I get to enjoy with family and friends.
We are not what we eat but rather what we absorb and assimilate.
With that in mind it’s important for me to eat ethically raised meat as much as possible, my local butcher in Brentwood Bay makes it easy for me to have a great quality turkey, Christmas sausages and of course bacon.
We can never forget the veg! And we never would with the abundance of local farms that have an abundance of potatoes, root vegetables, local meads and more that tie together that special holiday meal.
When your food is raised locally and naturally with the absence of pesticides and herbicides your gut will be able to receive the nutrients you’re eating without the added risk of increased inflammation and irritation, no one has that on their Christmas list. Not only that but when you’re eating in a joyful state (Read: no stress!) your body is primed for optimal digestion.
So, there you have it, my top 3 reasons for why shopping ‘Vocal for Local’ is so important to me.
Now it’s your turn, tell me your favourite local shop!
#vocalforlocal #inspiredliving
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So, what comes to mind for you when you hear/read the words food processor? Do you picture a large factory in Godknowswhere mass-producing boxes of godknowswhat? Do you picture Lucille Ball in the chocolate factory? Perhaps you don’t even give it any thought at all, and yet, food processors are an integral part of your day-to-day existence. Why not take a minute to look around your kitchen and contemplate the processed foods and beverages that grace your fridge and cupboards. How does each item make you feel?
Early days of mass food production, á la Lucille Ball and Ethel Merman.
Food processors come in all shapes and sizes, serving different purposes. Dominating the food industry are the multinational corporations who capitalize on making life easy for you and getting you hooked on certain flavours - sugar, salt and fat being the most popular. We all have some of their products in our homes because they are affordable and easily accessed. When we look at these items, perhaps we have no emotional reaction at all, or, if you are like me, you try to envision how and where the product was made, and under what conditions.
At the other end of the spectrum are the micro food processors, working out of their home kitchen, selling bread and pickles and jams and all the feel-good items at the farmers’ market. Their products usually cost more, but you are also paying for the face-to-face interaction, and knowing that the product was made by human hands. It is worth it to the consumer to pay extra knowing that their money is going directly to the processor.
The early days of Singing Bowl Granola, selling at the farmers' market.
And then, there are what’s known as “small scale” food processors like myself, who are well known throughout a certain region, but not beyond. These processors tend to be a bit more niche and a bit more expensive than the multinationals, but their loyal customers are willing to pay extra for this specialty product because they know it’s made with integrity by someone in their community. Most of us, having grown from selling at the farmers’ markets, now have commercial kitchens and up to four employees. In fact, 30% of food processors in British Columbia have fewer than five employees, and, like Singing Bowl Granola, are family-run businesses.
Two of my three members of staff being filmed in our commercial kitchen.
Eight years ago, when I was starting Singing bowl Granola, I met Debra Hellbach whose passion is the food processing industry – getting food from the ground to your mouth in one form or another. Debra knows the food processing industry inside and out, and her recurring theme whenever we meet for coffee is just how maligned and ignored food processing is. As she delves into deep research for her masters program, she is discovering that, it is not only the average consumer, but also those who have the power to effect change, who either consider food processing to be negative (as they imagine large corporations replacing nutritional ingredients with cheap chemical fillers, manipulating our taste buds), or they don’t actually think about it at all. It was our conversation this morning at our post-holiday rendezvous that got me thinking about how disconnected consumers are to the source of their food. It is heartening to know that the farmers’ market trend is growing every year, but we still have such a long way to go before we really start to understand how the food we eat has been processed from raw materials to something ready and delicious.
As we head into this new year, I challenge you to start taking notice of the food on your plate, and consider how it got there. Perhaps do a little research on the brand of your pasta or bread or beans or cheese. Is it a local company or a multinational? Does the company share your values, employ local people, contribute to your community, or are they merely out to make a buck? As you start to identify the source of your daily meals, consider putting your money where your mouth is and buying from food processors you feel good about supporting.
]]>As we contemplate a New Year’s diet, most of us tend to focus on weight loss. Like so many, I have had a long history with this particular New Year’s resolution, but for 2019 I’m making a concerted effort to eschew the weight loss goal, and focus instead on claiming space. For myself. For my daughter. For all the young women I encounter who struggle with body positivity. For all males who are learning how to respect women. My 2019 resolution is to find peace with my body, and to eat a diet that promotes both health and happiness.
Looking back over the past five plus decades of my life, I am seriously pissed off at just how many years I wasted thinking I was fat, and thus, an inferior member of society. Me and just about every other woman in the western world. The truth is, when I look at photos, I know now that I wasn’t fat at all. But, that is not how I saw myself at the time. Like most young women, I was convinced I was overweight, taking up too much space in the world, and, as a result, unlovable. My diet was managed around how to be loved, not how to love what I ate. In retrospect, I feel this was problematic on so many levels. It was wrong for me to assume that larger women are any less perfect than tiny women. It was wrong for me to feel that I should not be taking up space. It was wrong for me to lack confidence based on my perceived body size. It was wrong for me to create eating habits around how I felt others viewed me (hands up if you were reluctant to eat on a date or in public ‘cuz it made you feel gluttonous and unattractive).
Not long ago, I walked past a young woman standing on the sidewalk taking a huge bite out of a scrumptious looking pastry. The immeasurable pleasure she exuded was contagious. This year, my healthy diet is going to be based on a healthy relationship with food.
Go ahead! Eat all the (good) fats! Enjoy every bite!
Ironically, running a food business, I seldom have time or energy to lovingly prepare a good meal, let alone devote the time to properly enjoying it. My New Year’s goal is to prioritize eating food that makes me happy, and enjoying the experience of eating it. Part of this promise to myself, is to openly show delight while consuming delicious food, so that I can share my joy with those around me, just as the pastry-eating woman did with me.
Sometimes I do find the time to feed my family homemade food, prepared with love. These Hanukkah blintzes are always appreciated!
I have been blessed with two amazing, intelligent, wonderful children who are always teaching me and helping me grow. I know, through them, that young women still struggle as much as ever with claiming space, worrying that their bodies are the wrong shape and size to please society. We are making progress with body positivity, but not fast enough. Therefore, I feel obligated to set a positive example by (a) accepting and celebrating my body every day, and (b) developing a healthy relationship with food. This is my New Year’s resolution, not just for my benefit, but for all the young women I know who just might need reminded that they are perfect and have full rights to claiming space with their perfect bodies while loving the food that nourishes them.
]]>What does it take to become a vendor at a farmers’ market? I’m not talking about finding the application on line, completing it, losing it somewhere in the ethers, completing it again, and sending it off to the market committee. I’m talking about what piece of the human psyche inspires someone to spend huge chunks of one’s life creating things and selling them to the public.
It starts with a creative interest. Over time, as you perfect your skills, the interest develops into a passion, maybe even an obsession. Whether you are throwing pots or soldering silver, baking bread or growing vegetables, knitting, crocheting or sewing, painting pictures or snapping photos, you eventually find yourself buried in the fruits of your labour. You share your creations with your family and friends, and their friends. Everyone agrees you’ve got a talent. You’re a genius. “You should be selling this stuff!” they exclaim. Et voila! The seed is planted, and there’s no turning back. That one enthusiastic statement turns your hobby into an entrepreneurial venture.
But it takes more than passion and talent to become a market vendor. Taking that next step requires vision, planning and a willingness to take risks. Making or growing beautiful or delicious wares is one thing. Having what it takes to sell them is a whole other ball game. Vendors need to be able to share their passion with members of the public. Vendors need to be able to put a price on their creations and then convince the customer that it is worthy of their money. Vendors need to also be able to withstand the inevitable criticism that is occasionally thrown at them. Vendors need to be so committed to selling their wares that, after spending their weekdays producing, rain or shine, they schlep everything to the market, hoping to head home with a lighter load.
They say that entrepreneurs create new items to solve problems. I created Singing Bowl Granola to deal with the problem of overly-sweetened, highly processed breakfast cereals (and the problem of how to earn some cash while caring for aging parents and young children). The rows of farmers selling fresh produce at your local market are clearly helping you to reduce your food miles and eat produce that has been ethically grown and harvested. The myriad of artisans bring beauty, and often function into your life. The market butcher allows you to eat that was not raised and killed in a horrific industry that is bad for both animal and eater. The flower vendors bring smiles while providing food for bees. The entire collection of vendors together create the invaluable commodity of community.
It’s mid-July and we are deep into farmers’ market season. Do you have a favourite market you visit every week, or do you like to mix it up? Maybe you just visit a market occasionally, or maybe you’re like my sister where it is part of her weekly routine. Do you go armed with reusable bags, and ready for conversation with the vendors, or do you go to listen to the music and grab a bite to eat? Whatever your farmers’ market habit looks like, next time you go, maybe take the time to chat with some of the vendors to learn their stories. It is incredible how many friendships are born from these interactions between customer and creator.
It’s mid-July and we are deep into farmers’ market season. And, for the first time in seven years, I am not dreaming of a desk job, but happily looking forward to every market when I will get a chance to catch up with so many lovely, loyal customers, meet new ones, and share space with my fellow vendors.
Me in my happy place, selling Singing Bowl Granola!
]]>Unable to decide whether or not to wave the flag, I sought the advice of those far wiser than myself on these matters – my trans son, my trans tenant and my trans employee. I needed to know their thoughts on cis-run businesses going all out for Pride. As usual, these young ‘uns gave me some profound insight into their world, clarifying a thing or two for me. The take away was, “Eeeww” to big corporations celebrating Pride as a marketing ploy, and, gratitude to the world showing greater acceptance.
The Trans Flag has become a part of my everyday life as my son, my employee, my tenant, their friends, and many of my friends are either trans or non-binary.
So, for the remainder of Pride month and for the days and weeks and months and years to come, I think I will proudly post pictures of rainbows and trans flags. For, I am fiercely proud of my trans son who had the courage to come out to the world as his authentic self. I am proud of my young trans employee and all the other young trans people I know who have done the same. I am grateful to them for breaking through the gender barriers and for making this world a little safer for others who do not fit the traditional cis-gender mold. I am proud of my older gay friends who bravely came out before Pride was a thing and being openly gay was dangerous. I am proud of myself for happily outing my inner tiger mama and ferociously taking on any closed-minded teachers, my uptight stepmother, and anyone else who does not show proper respect to my kid.
This tiger mama will readily take on anyone trying to mess with my kid or his community. I'm here for the trans kids.
We live in remarkable times where the freedom to be ourselves is becoming increasingly accessible. Living in Victoria, BC, I tend to think that everyone is accepted for who they are, but I know that most of the world is not safe for the LGBTQ2 community. If hanging rainbows and attending the Pride parade helps to accelerate acceptance, then I’m happy to do my part. Besides, what’s not to love about a pretty rainbow? Happy Pride to all and may we all live with the love and respect we deserve.
HAPPY PRIDE!
]]>Here’s an interesting article my sister published on her blog a few years ago where she outlines the relatively recent, and totally insane growth of our consumption model. She also points out that, just because this model has been embedded in our culture, doesn’t mean we don’t have choices. We can choose how to spend our money, and I am heartened to see more and more people choosing to buy less, but buy better.
Claire lives in the US, so she is writing from that perspective, but I think her points are equally valid across the western world.
The Four-Pronged Fork of Consumerism
by Claire Josefine
Once in a rare while, I'll venture into a K-Mart or Target or such, only to be astounded by the excess of consumer goods filling the shelves. Such material abundance didn't exist 100 years ago. So, what happened? How did we get here, to a world suffocating under so much stuff?
The stage was set during the industrial revolution, when our ability to produce goods magnified immensely. (The changes in production capacity brought up an interesting debate at the time: should we focus on producing more stuff, or on having more time? More stuff won.) Then came The Depression, when people shut down and held back, went into scarcity thinking. They pulled into themselves, tight like a scrunched-closed fist.
After WWII a number of things happened, encouraging people to sigh a collective "phew!" and open up into an expansive mode again. I call these phenomena The Four-Pronged Fork of the Fifties. It was this fork that fed our modern-era consumerism.
Prong #1 was government programs. The Highway Trust Fund financed the creation of our Interstate Highway System, which fuelled the development of urban sprawl. In addition to passing through downtown areas -- which encouraged automobile-oriented development patterns -- the expanding cobweb of highways made for easier distribution of foods grown by centralized, mass-production farming. This freed up farmland for suburban sprawl and shopping malls.
Suburban Sprawl - Living the American Dream
FHA loans enabled people to buy those suburban houses. The G.I. Bill also helped people to purchase their starter homes. And all those houses, of course, needed to be fully equipped. As William Kowinski wrote in The Malling of America, "As they traded their ploughshares for power mowers, suburbanites created an ever-expanding market for consumer products. All those houses had their own kitchens and laundries, living rooms and dens, and typically a bedroom for each child. The suburban dream clearly included refrigerators and ranges, washers and dryers, plus all the detergents, polishes and other support and maintenance products."
Prong #2 was the proliferation of television and advertising. Besides being a venue for advertising, television portrayed (and continues to portray) upper-middle class as normal, making us think that what the well-to-do have is what we should all be having and what's wrong with us that we don't? Meanwhile, advertising started using psychology to create both fear and desire in us, compounding our sense of inadequacy.
SBG vs Cap'n Crunch. How can I compete?
Prong #3 was personal debt. Suddenly, it became easy to borrow money. (What's that commercial? "Life takes Visa." Or is it that Visa takes life?) Meanwhile, in conjunction with the Cold War, government and industry began equating democracy with the freedom to purchase, recasting materialism as patriotic. (And President Bush, in response to 9/11, encouraged the country to go shopping. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.) Not long ago, if we didn't have the money, we didn't buy it. Now, if we want it -- and it's our patriotic duty to buy it! -- we just put it on the credit card.
Buying local may cost a bit more, but the money stays in your community.
Prong #4 was planned obsolescence. This has three faces to it. One is where producers intentionally build things to fall apart. After all, there are only so many toasters you can sell before everyone who needs one, has one. If you want to continue selling toasters, you better make them chintzy and irreparable. The second face of planned obsolescence takes its lead from the fashion industry, where things go out of style long before they cease being functional. Witness automobiles, furniture, kitchen decor, technology... . The third face is one of manufactured scarcity. Jim Sinegal, CEO of Costco, was quoted in the Wall Street Journal as saying, "We try to create an attitude that, if you see it, you ought to buy it because chances are it ain't going to be there next time. You're going to come in and find that maybe we have some Lucky jeans that we're selling. You come in the next time and we don't have those jeans but we have some Coach handbags. That's the treasure-hunt aspect. We constantly buy that stuff and intentionally run out of it from time to time."
The Four-Pronged Fork of the Fifties fed our culture to create the bloated, consumerist world in which we find ourselves today. But just because this is where we are doesn't mean we need to stay here. We are products of our culture, but we are not victims to it. We can choose to step out of mindless consumption and into simplicity. We can choose to live consciously, to take back our power and live in harmony with our values. We can choose to walk out of K-Mart and Target and such, empty handed. We can even choose not to walk in.
]]>Everyday we happily consume food from far and near, and very rarely do we actually know how it came to be on our plate. The source of my meals is constantly on my mind, and that concern has been a driving force in how I have decided on which ingredients to use in our granola. I am always researching the ethical and environmental components of my ingredients, aiming to source those which are most aligned with my values. I wish I could say that everything we use was organically produced by happy, prosperous farmers right here on Vancouver Island, but we live in a complicated world, and I am rather limited in how much organic-fairtrade-ethical-local product I can buy in vast enough quantities to keep my customers satisfied with the tasty recipes I have created. And, despite my research, there is so much ‘green-washing’, false marketing and general lack of real information out there, I still cannot guarantee that my efforts to find ingredients we can feel good about have been fruitful.
What I can promise though is that the tropical fruit we use in our Giving Granola recipe is truly organic, beyond fair-trade, and insanely delicious. I know this for a fact because I have had the good fortune to connect directly with the people who produce it.
What good is success if you can’t share it?
Anybody starting a business should always look around them and see what other businesses are doing, and which ones are good role models. As soon as I decided to move Singing Bowl Granola beyond the farmers’ markets, I set my eyes on local fair-trade heroes Level Ground Trading. I loved the way they connected directly with the farmers, supported them through transitioning to organic, and paid them fairly for their delicious wares. Level Ground goes beyond basic fair-trade standards, building up communities all over the world, ensuring that the farming families have access to medical care and education. Early on in this biz, I was scheming about how I could team up with Level Ground and participate in some of their great work.
The Universe works in mysterious ways. A few months after I started thinking about approaching Level Ground, I got an email from them asking if I’d consider using some of their products in my granola. Ha! I’d already created a recipe made with their tropical dried fruits and was looking for a name for it (the name is so important!). You see, with my obsession about connecting with our food sources. I had this idea of making this tropical granola with Level Ground’s Colombian fruit and then sharing the profits with the actual women who process the fruit in their sister company Fruandes. When I read their email that morning, I instantly fired back my idea, and it was met with enthusiasm, and ‘Giving Granola’ was born.
Fortunately, Level Ground Trading’s CEO hails from Colombia, so every winter he makes a trip to connect with the farmers and see how things are going at Fruandes (and probably to enjoy some sunshine). Since 2014, Hugo has been taking 50% of the profits from the Giving Granola sales with him to distribute to several Fruandes employees who have been selected by the supervisor according to either their financial needs or contributions to the company. All of the recipients are women, usually in need of improved housing. Over the past few years, Level Ground has matched our donations to ensure that each women receives approximately the equivalent of one month’s salary from the Giving Granola project. In return, I get the reassurance that our fruit comes from an ethical source, I get to connect with the humans providing it, and I get photos and videos of the women being surprised with an envelope of cash and a bag of Giving Granola. The full circle of food complete.
And we’ve done it again. Let me introduce to you the 2017 recipients of our Giving Granola funds. These lovely women were selected by the supervisor for their dedication to Fruandes and the excellent work they do. Here is how they responded when they were awarded their share of the Giving Granola sales.
Paola - “I wanted to thank everyone at Fruandes for providing this opportunity and thank you because there are many people who would have also liked to receive this prize. I believe that more than anything we are here because we have helped them just like when we started in this company. Thank you very much to the person who gave us this prize. It’s a great help to everyone who is part of this company.”
Rosita - “Thank you very much for this generous prize. I thank god every day for this big family that I have here in Fruandes. Thank you to everyone who made this gift possible. God bless you all. Thank you very much for everything.
Argenis – “Good afternoon. I wanted to thank all the people that took note of us for this prize. We didn’t expect this. It was a beautiful surprise. The other surprise was that Fruandes was able to integrate us in all of its concepts, which is very important for us in order to be more active, with more excitement and more energy for our work. I very much appreciate this gift. Thank you!”
For more information on Fruandes and the women who work there preparing the fruit we eat, visit the Giving Back page on our website https://www.singingbowlgranola.com/pages/giving-back.
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With far too much time on my hands, this got me thinking about my role as a female entrepreneur in the age of #metoo. On a day when god knows how many women have died at the hands of their angered spouse, I am my own boss, running my own show. In a nation where our Indigenous women are systematically being murdered and the law has spent decades ignoring or denying it, I am a white woman of immense privilege (because enjoying human rights that should belong to everyone is actually a privilege when you realize how few women share this experience). In a world where entire countries treat their women as second-class citizens, I am an independent woman engaged in the business world that has traditionally belonged to men. I cannot take my position and freedoms for granted knowing that everywhere, every day, every hour, my sisters are enslaved, imprisoned, endangered, denied basic rights. Yet, I should be able to take my position for granted. It should be a given that all women are entitled to pursue whatever career they want. It should be a given that all women should be able to get through each day safely, happily, un-assaulted, unafraid, unrestricted. Not just me, but all women. And yet, I am keenly aware that living with these basic rights, let alone running a business, is definitely not an option for most women throughout the world.
White, middle-class, educated as I am, I have had a lifetime of dodging male-instigated danger, earning me my #metoo badge of the Survivors’ Club. These days as I grow grey, I’m not such a target for the lewd, inappropriate, groping advances as I was in my youth, but I still get to endure the never-ending phenomenon of mansplaining from those well-meaning gents who tell me what I know. Now, in my fifties, I am the mother a daughter who is away at University, and, so, instead of being in a constant state of fear for my own wellbeing, I worry for hers. When she takes an Uber to the airport to fly home for the holidays, even though I know she has taken all precautions to get there safely, my heart is firmly launched in my throat worrying that this will be the driver who just can’t/won’t resist her young beauty. When she does what all twenty year-old students do, and goes out on the town, I fear her drink will be spiked and she will be raped. I feel this need to share my mother’s concerns just in case anyone is truly wondering why we women are still harping on about misogyny a full three months since the first anti-abuse hashtags hit the news. Women living in danger has been a thing forever, and now, we are finally starting to challenge this way of living. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but, with our continued efforts, #timesup can be a reality.
I love my role as a female entrepreneur. I love having the independence and freedom to make decisions that I feel will benefit others. I love being able to provide employment and contribute to my community. I love the unfaltering respect and support my husband showers upon me. I feel lucky to be in this role, but my experiences should not be a case of good luck. As a human, male or female, I should be entitled to the independence, freedom, respect and support. Until all women have these rights, not just us lucky ones, though I'm no Oprah, I will use my position to do whatever I can to amplify #metoo and #timesup and do everything in my power to create a world free of misogyny. For my daughter. For all women. For humanity.
]]>On the second day of this new year, we were informed that, before most Canadians were clocking off for their (unpaid) lunch break, 100 of the top CEOs had raked in more than 200 times an “average worker’s” annual salary of $49,738.00 (http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/ceo-income-pay-canadian-worker-1.4462496). And, let’s be honest here, there are far more people making only a fraction of that “average worker’s” wage while working full time at crap jobs. You’ll find these hard working folk lining up at the food banks, because their full-time salaries won’t cover both rent AND food, while the fat cats roll in the millions and stash it away in off shore accounts. Anyone else starting to froth at the mouth with fury yet?
Just in case that story didn’t put you off your donuts, just one day after this stomach churning revelation of inequality hit the news, we learned that the heirs of hockey legend turned donut mogul Tim Horton, have decided to ream their employees the minute the Ontario government made moves to improve their dismal work conditions. Ontario, rightfully so, has raised minimum wage in hopes of tackling the pervasive poverty among service industry workers. Concerned that this might bite into their excessive profits, the donut chain heirs immediately dodged any potential losses by taking the money right back out of the pockets of their employees (http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/tim-horton-s-tims-timmies-doubledouble-minimum-wage-ontario-kathleen-wynne-labour-1.4470215). “Besides losing paid breaks, the document states workers with more than five years of service will have to pay 50 per cent of the cost of benefits, and employees with between six months and five years service will have to pay 75 per cent.” These guys aren’t messing around when it comes to stealing from the poor. This kind of daylight robbery is truly despicable.
History tells us that when economic disparity grows so wide that more and more people go hungry and homeless while the privileged few flaunt their vast wealth, ugly things happen. I don’t need to bring up all the details of various revolutions, but you would think that history has repeated itself enough to remain a cautionary tale to all.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – running a business puts you in a position of social responsibility. As a business owner (CEO, thank you very much!), I am no longer just responsible for myself and my family, but also to my community, my employees and my customers. As a business owner, I have the opportunity to make a positive or negative impact on the world around me. It may inconvenience me a bit financially and otherwise to ensure that my Singing Bowl Granola community is looked after however I can, but I have every intention of creating a positive impact on those who are affected by my business. For me, that is plenty.
Wondering what you can do to fight corporate greed? The most powerful action you can take is to buy as many locally produced items from small, independent stores as possible. Share your local purchases on social media with the hashtag #buylocal2018 to encourage others to do the same. Make this your new year's resolution. Together we can make a difference.
In case you're wondering why my cats are the featured image, it is my attempt to share a little positivity in this post of fury.
]]>So, here’s the inside scoop on artisan granola – it’s no gold mine. Don’t get me wrong, this is not a boo-hoo session to convince you to buy more Singing Bowl Granola (though I definitely think you should buy more Singing Bowl Granola!). This is also not a holier-than-thou spiel suggesting you should do as I do - this whole post is about finding what works for you. So, through a combination of hard work and good luck, my husband and I have been able to support ourselves mainly with funds raised before Singing Bowl Granola was even a thing. Despite not paying myself as often as the dudes in suits suggest, every morning I wake up in a comfortable house, with food in the fridge, healthy kids who are following their dreams, all of my needs met. I am fortunate enough to not have to worry excessively about the next pay cheque in order to maintain the roof over my head. From this place of privilege where I have enough to live comfortably, I am in the position to ensure that my community benefits as much (or more) from my business as I do. You, my customers support my efforts to make this world a better place. Every time you buy a package of Singing Bowl Granola you are making a financial contribution towards those who are not so well off. Together, we are improving lives.
Up until recently, every time someone told me that I really should be paying myself now, while a well-intentioned piece of advice, I instantly crumbled. Instead of motivating me to go for broke, it made me feel like a complete and utter failure. After all, isn’t personal wealth the greatest sign of success in our culture? Don’t we measure a person’s position in society by the contents of their bank accounts? How could I possibly call myself a successful businesswoman when I'm not pulling in a healthy wage from the company that consumes my every thought? Yes, despite the fact that we are living quite comfortably, thank you very much, it took just that one sentence “You really want to start paying yourself now,” to reduce me to a whimpering mess of self-doubt. It is only in the past year or two that I have begun to realize that success is what we make it, and I choose to measure my success by how many lives I can improve with good food, cash donations, and general kindness.
Healthy Cookies ready to be delivered to the homeless.
These days I tend to find myself mentoring other start-up food businesses, and, above all, I want these new entrepreneurs to be able to recognize their successes in whatever form they appear. My advice includes old classics like “Don’t compare yourself to others. Celebrate each step forward. Don’t be discouraged when things don’t go according to plans. Be proud of what you’ve achieved so far. Look at the big picture.” Our society paints a very limited picture of what a successful business looks like, when, the truth of the matter is that very few businesses actually match the standard rigid model. Many enterprises, whether they are grossing millions, or barely balancing the books, end up going under. And, that’s okay. While Singing Bowl Granola is definitely growing, I know that, as with everything else in life, there are no guarantees. I have also come to the conclusion that, should Singing Bowl Granola ever come to the end of its run, it will still have been a successful business because it has allowed me to help others. Every child who gets a bowl of organic porridge through the SBG Porridge Project, is a notch on my belt of success. Every homeless person who gets a couple of my healthy oatmeal cookies to start their day is testimony to the success of my business. Every year when we send cash from the sale of Giving Granola to Fruandes to help two or three of their employees improve their housing situation, I am happy with the success of the Giving Granola program.
So, while I may not be paying myself very much or very often, there are so many other ways to measure success. How do you measure your wins? Whether it is financial wealth, acts of kindness, falling down and getting back up again, or just getting through each day, we are all successful and must never allow others to make us feel otherwise. For whatever reason, the idea of success has long plagued me, usually leaving me feeling highly inadequate as I have never, ever fit into any stereotype. My suspicion is that my experiences are the norm. My hope is that we can all remember to identify our personal victories and celebrate them and allow them to help us move forward always. Here's to a successful 2018!
]]>The environmental impact of our current level of consumerism has been scientifically proven to be dangerously unsustainable. Gently scrape the surface of consumerism and we see what hell our baubles were built on. It’s a sorry state of affairs when items and artifacts need to be labeled ‘fair-trade’ to assure you no women, men or children were enslaved and/or tortured to produce the handbag you’ll use a fistful of times before replacing it with another. We all stick our heads in the sand to some degree or another when filling our lives with mere creature comforts or special treats. You would go absolutely bonkers trying to research every purchase, limiting your acquisitions to those that fit in the tiny box of environmentally and ethically kosher.
Level Ground Trading keeping it fair.
So, how do you get through the holiday season without appearing to be a curmudgeonly Scrooge? My answer to this annual puzzle – the same answer I offer to pretty much any query – is FOOD. Not just any food, of course, but local food. Handmade food. Homemade food. Real food. Food that has a face to it, not a factory. Food that is delicious, and unique, and beautiful. We all need to eat, and so the gift of good food is both functional and decorative.
As December approaches, I would like to encourage you to consider sharing some of your favourite artisan foods as gifts. Of course we can make it very easy for you with our Singing Bowl Granola Subscription Boxes (you can order just one or you can order a monthly delivery). https://www.singingbowlgranola.com/collections/subscription-boxes
Singing Bowl Granola Breakfast Box
Or, you may want to gather a variety of locally produced, artisanal foods and create a gift basket. I have been so fortunate in my journey with Singing Bowl Granola to have befriended dozens of other incredible food producers. If you’re thinking of assembling your own gift baskets, here is a list of Victoria-based culinary geniuses offering the best that money can buy.
Some local goodies ready for gift giving.
Benjamin’s Bites (allergen-free)
All of these companies are small, family-run enterprises producing unique and wonderful foods and beverages.
If you prefer to go with just Singing Bowl Granola gifts, we’ll be offering a 10% discount on all Singing Bowl Granola Breakfast Boxes and Subscriptions from November 20th – December 21st. Be sure to use the promo code Good_Food_Gift to get your discount!
Everybody's favourite granola and specialty porridge!
However you choose to express your love and gratitude for others, I hope that when the holidays do arrive, you and yours are blessed with an abundance of good food.
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Earlier this year Victoria’s local champion of the poor and homeless, Reverend Al sent out a plea for cookies in a Face Book post. Of course I was all over that immediately. I love to feed people. I live to feed people. I have a beautiful commercial kitchen and pallets of wholesome ingredients. I’ve been making cookies since I was a kid. I was on it. So, I came up with a healthy oatmeal cookie recipe and started baking large batches and delivering them to Reverend Al to distribute to the homeless. Easy peasy. Civic duty done and I can get back to my comfortable life. But then what? Where do those cookies go? Who are the people receiving them?
Seven dozen cookies baked and ready for distribution.
I met Reverend Al and his small team down at one of the local shelters at the ungodly hour of 5:00 am, hopped into his warm van and we started making the rounds. We spent the next two hours driving up and down streets, pulling over every few blocks to find ourselves surrounded by a small crowd that appeared out of nowhere. They were there for the coffee, the cookies, perhaps a water bottle or a clean pair of socks, a word of comfort, a piece of advice, or a hug from their beloved Al. In those few hours I met people who have found themselves living on the streets for any number of reasons. I met drug addicts. I met people with debilitating mental health issues. I met people who had chosen the street over an abusive relationship. I met people who, from their first breath, knew the deck was stacked against them. I met people suffering from trauma, personal and generational. Some of them had made poor choices which led them to their current circumstances. Others made the best choice they could in difficult situations. Others still really had no choice at all. Each of them was so happy to see Al (though they see him six mornings a week), and grateful for our small offerings.
Reverend Al Tysick enjoys a laugh with members of his street community.
A few days after my morning on the street, coming face to face with our society’s most vulnerable members, the Paradise Papers were published exposing a long list of millionaires and billionaires who have gone to great lengths to avoid paying taxes. Taxes that could be funding housing, and programs, and education, and nutrition, and medical care. While these people wallow in their vast wealth like pigs in mud, others are struggling to exist, not always successfully. The disparity is sickening.
I’m going to be completely honest here and let you know that this is a blatant call for support for The Dandelion Society. Having spent only one morning making the rounds with Reverend Al and his team, I saw first hand where our donations go. The food, clothing, bedding, water, etc. go directly to the people who need it. Each cup of coffee or cookie is accompanied by loving concern and compassion. It’s a way for Al to keep an eye on the individual members of his street community and help out those who need a little extra care or assistance. Cash donations go towards running the Society’s van and buying supplies to be handed out. Every donation of either cash, food or goods, goes a long way towards helping the poorest members of our community survive.
With the number of homeless people appearing on our streets growing daily, it is hard to know how to respond. We are all so frustrated by this situation. It feels impossible to, as an individual, make a difference. While we sign petitions, and rally our politicians to close tax loopholes (oops! So many politicians on that list!), or hang our heads in despair, one thing we can all do that brings immediate relief to the marginalized members of our community is to feed them. Everybody needs food, and most of us can either buy a little extra, bake a little extra, or find a few hours to volunteer at a kitchen that provides the hungry with hot meals.
Tent City - Home to hundreds.
It feels good to help others. Every batch of cookies I’ve baked for the homeless, has added to my happiness. Meeting the recipients touched me to the core. I’ve never met anyone who regretted serving the poor and hungry. Mother Theresa is our archetypal role model for compassion and charity, and everybody loves her. What I’m trying to say here, is I can guarantee that if you donate to The Dandelion Society, or join Reverend Al on his rounds, or serve lunch at Our Place, not only will you be providing real and immediate relief to our vulnerable citizens, but you will bring yourself more joy and happiness than any offshore tax haven can offer. Sermon done.
To find out more about the Dandelion Society and how you can help, visit their website at https://hopeliveshere.ca/
As well as baking cookies for Reverend Al, we also make monthly donations of organic porridge to our local schools through the SBG Porridge Project. Learn more about it at https://www.singingbowlgranola.com/pages/sbg-porridge-project
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