Mother’s Day is this weekend and I just made the call to remind my siblings (included those married with kids...such is the life of the only girl in the family, eh?) as well as sat down at the computer to decide what to give. Here are some of my favorite partners and here’s why:
1. Better Breakfast in Bed Heat up some quinoa, sprinkle in some chocolate, spice with cinnamon and ginger, or slice a banana in half and coat with nut butter, serve coffee or tea, and don’t forget the flowers…the perfect Mother’s Day breakfast in bed, right? Well, almost! This Mother’s Day as you celebrate your mom and all that she does for you, make sure to celebrate moms and women everywhere too. And it’s simple. You are going to buy these ingredients and flowers anyway, right? So just make sure to buy ones that are Fair Trade Certified (see a list of companies at www.FairTradeUSA.org). You see Fair Trade certification works around the world to ensure that the mothers, children, and the entire community gets paid fairly which translates into better healthcare, better social care, better environmental care and more. So act local and shower your mom with the affection and great meal she deserves, but impact global by buying products from workers paid a fair price for their labor too.
2. Made in the USA if you decide to give a gift, consider the gift that will keep on giving…to your mom, to you, and to your country. Companies like Americraft, makers of 360 Cookware, make the best cookware on the block – and they back it up with a lifetime guarantee. But what’s really special about this company is that they started in the US and have stayed in the US and have stayed affordable to US consumers, for decades now, despite major pressures to take the business overseas. While that’s really special, the unique “vapor” technique of this cookware allows anyone to cook fabulous vegetables, amazing sustainable seafood, and so much more without adding any extra fats to the pan. That means fewer calories while still creating a super moist and delicious meal. Wanna make mom happy – heat a small 360 cookware sautee pan (http://www.americraftcookware.com/ ) on medium-low, add the splash of water, 2 cups of organic broccoli, 1 serving of sustainable seafood like wild salmon or wild sablefish (www.vitalchoice.com ), 1 sprig of rosemary or some fresh ginger, cover and cook for 4-6 minutes, spin the lid to lock in the vapor (handy video comes with pan purchase), remove from heat let sit for another 4-6 minutes and serve solo or with a scoop of wild rice (Fair Trade Certified, of course).
3. Mamma Choc It! While quality chocolate is good for mom – magnesium relaxes, theobromine stimulates, delicious taste indulges and more - functional chocolate is the gift she truly deserves. Gnosis Chocolates use high quality raw cacao as the enabling base for ingredients that nurture any mom’s natural energy. And this Mother’s Day you and your mom can benefit with special discounts when you use the promotional code at this link ( http://tinyurl.com/743a8v7 ).
So an early Happy Mother’s Day to all of you out there and keep in mind moms, Mother’s Day is a day to celebrate yourself too – though as I discuss in my book Mom Energy: A Simple Plan to Live Fully Charged – that shouldn’t occur just 1 in 365, so if you are a mom reading this and any of the “gifts” above appeal, get it for yourself today and make 2012 the year that you have at least 2 if not more Mother’s Days!