Every year, Yellow Scene Magazine rounds up the best of our local community with our Annual Locavore Holiday Guide. This year, we give an extra focus on eco-giving, including how to host an eco-friendly party.

Hosting an eco-friendly party

Parties are notoriously wasteful, often resulting in piles of trash and excessive food waste. They’re a marker of overconsumption and consumerism across the country. While an essential part of supporting planet health is to reduce overconsumption and reuse materials that are available to us, there are still lots of approaches that contribute to better spending habits. Here are a few ways to become a more eco-conscious party host and a list of local eco-friendly gifts you can bring to support a green future.

Hosting an eco-friendly party is not only better for the environment, but it’s also likely to be more cost-effective since it commonly involves recycled or renewable strategies. Common tactics that eco-conscious hosts might implement could include repurposing items like bed sheets and turning them into table cloths or napkins and prioritizing seasonal food ingredients. Additional ways to host an eco-friendly party include:

1. Sending digital invitations instead of paper invitations

Snail mail is cute, but delivering it isn’t exactly carbon effective. One way that eco-conscious hosts can cut down on energy expenditure is by sending digital invitations on platforms like Paperless Post or Evite. The other perk of using this method is that your friends and loved ones don’t have to wait to get a notice in the mail.

2. Use sustainable decorations to reduce waste

Everyone loves balloons and paper garlands, but the reality is that those types of decorations quickly end up caught in a tree or nestled in a landfill, wearing out their welcome long after the celebration concludes. Fortunately, you don’t have to entirely give up on decorations to host an eco-friendly party. Instead you might use eco-friendly lights to brighten the space, natural decorations like evergreen needles, and renewable textiles to bring joy to the event. This is a great way to hone your creativity while supporting positive outcomes for the planet.

Over the years, balloons have been used as a symbol of celebration, contributing to a festive feel. Yet the reality is that balloons are simply not eco-friendly. In fact, balloons frequently contribute to pollution since they often escape from the hands of the person that carries them, floating into a nearby tree. The materials out of which they are constructed are also not biodegradable, which means that once they end up in that tree (or a landfill), they generally stay for a long, long time. Balloons also use helium, which is not a renewable resource. Instead of using balloons as a decoration, celebrations could be marked with items like lanterns or paper balloons.

3. Use reusable or compostable dishes and cutlery

We know. Using reusable dishes and cutlery increases the amount of work that the party host has to do once the event is finished. But the environment will thank you for keeping those paper plates out of landfills. If reusable dishes and silverware are simply not an option, an alternative could involve the use of compostable plates and forks.

4. Avoid single-use drinks

One of the biggest and most obvious contributors to party waste comes from single-use drinks. While soda cans and water bottles provide convenience, the grab-and-go style comes at a cost to the environment. One way to avoid this reality is by opting to use reusable cups and bulk drinks such as those that come in 2-liter or gallon-sized containers. You might even encourage your guests to bring their own cups — they’ll be able to keep track of which drink is theirs, and you’ll have fewer items to wash.

5. Serve local food

The more local the food, the better it is for the environment. This could mean working with a local catering company, encouraging guests to bring their favorite homemade dish, or buying from farmers markets and local grocers to reduce the amount of travel your food does before it gets to you.

6. Go meatless

Let’s face it: Meat is delicious, but it comes with a pretty significant impact. Not only does the production of it come with substantial greenhouse gasses, but it also contributes to deforestation. In fact, meat alone contributes to 14.5% of the planet’s greenhouse gas emissions. While we recognize that not everyone has the ability or desire to go completely meatless, reducing meat and dairy consumption can help to reduce the global carbon emissions footprint. Instead, party people might prioritize a vegetarian or vegan spread using local ingredients for the greenest approach.

7. Encourage carpooling

While carpooling isn’t always an option, sometimes it is! Cutting down on the energy consumption it takes to make it to a specific destination is a great way to keep in alignment with the environment. This could mean renting a bus for a day or simply pairing friends and family together for more effective travel. Two or more passengers qualifies for high-occupancy vehicle lanes, getting to your destination more quickly, and fewer cars mean less parking hassle.

Eco-Friendly Gifts

In the pursuit of a greener planet, another great way to support sustainable parties is by bringing conscious gifts. Items that work to reduce long-term carbon footprints like travel mugs or glassware are a great option. Those who are looking for local gifts might also consider:

Kantha Napkins – Fair Trade Winds sells napkins that are upcycled from saris. The patterns and cotton construction make for a durable, long-lasting gift with a bit of flair and color. Plus they can be purchased as singular napkins or in packages of four, making it easy to customize each gift. They are even machine washable, which makes the clean up process simple, as well. fairwindstrade.net • 1219 Pearl St, Boulder

Gift Card to a Local Bulk Food Store – The Nude Foods Market is best known for its bulk foods. With over 1800 items for sale, the store allows shoppers to grab essential items in large quantities, cutting down on packaging and allowing you to use your reusable bags and containers. An eco-friendly gift could involve the purchase of a gift card to this store, contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions.

nudefoodsmarket.com • 3233 Walnut St, Boulder

Boulder, Colorado Tote Bag – Reusable bags are all the rage. With the elimination of single-use plastic bags in Colorado, more people are switching to well-made reusable bags. For this reason, the Hey Mountains Boulder, Colorado Tote Bag makes a nice, sustainable gift option for the eco-conscious giver. heymountains.com

Sustainable Slow Fashion – Fast fashion is all the rage, but Glenn + Glenn slows it down with tailored, classic apparel pieces for women. So, instead of ending up in the landfill, this style of clothing is quick to become a staple garment. Glenn + Glenn clothing sources materials from iconic textile locations like Italy and Japan. The fabric is then processed in women-owned locations in both New York City and Colorado. The result: conscious, kind, and classic products that bring a smile to anyone’s face. glennglennapparel.com • 1035 Pearl St, Boulder

Local Tea & a Tour – Remember what we said about local food? The same theory should be applied to beverages. But Colorado locals are in luck, because Celestial Seasonings is right here in Boulder. As a matter of fact, Celestial Seasonings has been around for more than 50 years, and is rooted in herbal tea. From the start, the company aimed to provide healthier tea options – a tradition that continues even today. celestialseasonings.com • 600 Sleepytime Dr, Boulder

Alpaca Connection is a Boulder-based company that operates with a conscious ethos. An inherently sustainable material, alpaca wool has a much lower carbon footprint than synthetic or even merino wool materials. The materials are also often biodegradable and durable, and Alpaca Connection sells high-quality clothing, home goods, toys, and gifts. These are the type of clothing items that remain life-long staples in any woman’s closet. alpacaconnection.us • 1334 Pearl St, Boulder

Knowledge is power. This is a concept that’s generally attributed to Francis Bacon, but the idea highlights the importance of education. Longmont’s Barbed Wire Books is a great place to get your literary fix, and the sustainably-conscious buyer can prioritize the purchase of used books over new ones. This new and used bookstore also has a trade process that allows bookworms to bring their own books to the shop for store credit. Trade credit can only be applied to used book purchases, further prioritizing sustainable efforts. barbedwirebooks.org • 504 Main St, Longmont

Flea markets often feature some of the world’s greatest treasures as well as oddities. Since these markets help reduce waste by reusing and repurposing already manufactured materials, they offer a great shopping option for those who love stumbling upon a surprise and those who want to reduce production across the planet. The Lafayette Flea Market is a great local option for flea market lovers. thelafayetteflea.com • 130 E Spaulding St, Lafayette

Old Friends in Louisville was born out of the idea of bringing joy and laughter to the area with clever gifts and gift cards. Today, the shop features a majority of local products with an emphasis on laughter and quirkiness. Some popular gifts that the store offers include Colorado socks and mountain jewelry. oldfriendslouisville.com • 706 Front St, Louisville

Erie’s Bridge Refill Market works diligently to reduce the use of plastic by providing shoppers with bulk refill options. Customers weigh their own containers that they bring before filling it with the product of their choice, purchasing just the contents of the jar. Like Nude Foods Market in Boulder and Simply Bulk Market in Longmont, Bridge Refill Market also provides bulk foods and other items like tea, spices, and cleaning supplies. The store also offers gift cards that make a great option for the eco-conscious gifter. bridgerefill.com • 285 Cheesman St, Erie

Boulder’s Classic Facets is an iconic vintage and estate store that provides unique rarities, ranging from the Georgian era to the Art Deco and modern periods. While the store isn’t the best option for those on a budget, it does provide an eco-conscious option since its emphasis is on vintage products. classicfacets.com • 942 Pearl St, Boulder

Longmont’s Absolute Vinyl is a local treasure that features a wide array of records and stereo equipment for the music lover. Open since 2009, this shop is both quaint and classic. While the vinyl market is a niche, it is eco-friendly, and it brings a warm, analog sound and vibe to the party. Instagram • 319 Main St, Longmont

Bricks on Main Street features souvenirs and gifts from dozens of Colorado-based companies, including t-shirts and specialty foods. The business often brings local musicians in to entertain visitors, and it hosts open mic and karaoke nights as well, making it a must-see stop in the area. bricksretail.com • 471 Main St, Longmont

Finally, Maker General is a Longmont-based store that features an array of hand-picked goods from local providers. The result is an eclectic store with unique items that range from homemade soap to embroidery kits. We also love that this store offers classes to those who want to learn how to sew and make their own products. A lost skill in most households, sewing better allows the eco-conscious person to repair and reuse clothing and items that they already have. What better way to support a sustainable and green planet? makergeneral.com • 381 Main St, Longmont

Yellow Scene Magazine maintains very strict editorial standards. We do not accept payment for our stories.  The writer chose the businesses featured here, and we paid our writer to create this story. YS receives no monetary compensation for featuring local businesses that fit our storyline. It’s really sad we have to explain that. Concerned about maintaining local journalistic integrity? Support your local indie, $8/mo or more gets the printed copy delivered to your home and helps to keep communities informed.

Looking for additional ways to shop local? Check out our past Locavore Gift Guides.

Locavore Gift Guide: Sustainable, Local & Meaningful

This one is HUUGE!

Community over CEOs: Local Retail Guide 2022

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The post Locavore Holiday Gift Guide; Eco-Friendly Ways to Host a Party and Green Gifts to Bring appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Even if you don’t jump onto social media and tell all your friends and family you’re declaring a firm resolution to drop pounds or increase muscle, the new year is a chance to make a fresh start in being healthy. Nutrition is at the core of this kind of effort. Anyone who hasn’t gotten nutrition on track knows how impossible it is to out-exercise a bad diet. 

Luckily, in our area, there are plenty of options for nutritionally dense, well-sourced food whether you are planning to eat out or stay in and cook for yourself. Here are ideas for five restaurant items and two grocers in our area that can support your efforts.

Flower Child. Photo: Deborah Cameron

Eating Out? Our picks for healthy favorites

Morning Glory Cafe’s Buddha Bowl: One of the healthiest items you can find in the area is the Buddha Bowl at Lafayette’s Morning Glory Cafe. This vegan dish boasts eight colorful ingredients including black beans, vegetables, black rice, cheese, tofu, and cashew gravy. While not low-calorie, it’s a hearty dish packed with fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals.  

Flower Child’s Butternut Squash and Organic Pear Salad: With a mission to promote safe, healthy eating and the tagline, “happy food for a happy world,” Flower Child is careful about what it serves. Located in Boulder at the Safeway plaza at Arapahoe Avenue and 29th St., we love the wintery, hearty butternut squash and pear salad with arugula, kale, ricotta, pecans, and puffed rice in a sherry dressing. 

Urban Thai’s Wonton Soup: Broth made right is one of the most nutritionally dense foods around and is at the core of all versions of wonton soup. Urban Thai’s version is more than just a tasty start to its meal. It’s a richer, more interesting version of what we’ve found at other places. It’s made us feel better when we’ve caught a winter cold, and we’re sure it can boost your nutrition anytime.

Zeal’s Inca Acai Bowl: Zeal is known for how deeply they care about what they serve and how they serve it, which makes them a natural fit on a list of restaurants that support healthy eating. While everything they offer supports nutrition, diners can’t go wrong by selecting their Inca Bowl, with maca, cacao, kale, and hemp hearts as well as anything you’d like from their menu of smoothie fruits, seeds, and other additions.

Huckleberry’s Garden Wrap: With its own farm located just off of Hwy 287 in Lafayette, Huckleberry’s commitment to quality is clear. Although lots of items at Louisville’s Huckleberry are decadently delicious, this Garden Wrap is a great choice for eating light. It includes hummus, carrot, spinach, tomato, cucumber, cheese, and a fresh-made buttermilk dill.

Flower Child interior. Photo: Deborah Cameron

Shopping for home? These two grocers curate everything on their shelves

Nude Foods: Freshly opened last year on Walnut Street, this grocer is focused on reducing food waste however it can. Fruits and vegetables that are discarded by other grocers because they don’t look ‘perfect’ are sold here, where shoppers reap the nutritional benefits. Staples, like coffee and peanut butter, milk, and bread are carefully chosen to meet high standards. While they pay close attention to what’s on their shelves, they care just as much about the packaging, looking for ways to reduce waste and other impacts on the environment.

Vitamin Cottage Natural Grocers: Founded by the Isley family in 1955, this grocer is beyond conscientious about what reaches their shelves. They’ve got plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, options for carefully sourced meats and an array of non-meat items that help vegetarians keep meals interesting, as well as packaged items for nights you don’t have time to cook but still want to keep things healthy. And every store includes their vitamins, minerals, and supplements and retains the services of its own nutritionist, who shoppers can book an appointment with for a free consultation.

The post Healthy Eating Front Range Style: Nutritious options for eating out or at home | Foodie appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Craft pumpkin beer. Photo: depositphotos

• Happy October! Love it or hate it, if you’re a craft beer fan, one of the most notable of beer seasons – pumpkin beer season – is winding down. If you’re not a pumpkin beer fan, this will probably give you a sigh of relief. If you love them, though, you still have a couple of weeks to enjoy them in season or stock up. Here are two that are made right here in Boulder: Avery Rumpkin and Upslope’s Pumpkin Ale. Rumpkin is intense, with a 16.3% ABV that packs a punch, but it’s also smooth, aged in rum barrels. Upslope’s pumpkin ale isn’t barrel-aged and it’s got just about half the alcohol content of Avery’s, a relief to many of us, but it’s still smooth, interesting, and doesn’t overload with off-putting spice flavors.

• Mexican eatery Cantina Lunada has completed its move from the former Lafayette space to its new location on Ken Pratt Blvd. in the old Chuburger space in Longmont. While a small fire delayed their opening past when they would have liked, now they’ve put out the welcome mat. They’re continuing to offer the fresh-made, farm-to-table Southwest and Colorado dishes that customers in their previous location came to love.

• There’s a new area cafe and bakery called Pistachio. It’s located on Main Street in Longmont near Hwy 66 and just across from Three Margaritas. Also, keep your eye out for new pizza options in Lafayette. Ghost Box Pizza is launching by the end of the year from the same team that is behind Stem Ciders Acerage. You may have already had their pizza at the cidery just outside of town, but now you can enjoy it in a stand-alone restaurant.

• As the holiday season approaches, Community Food Share, celebrating its 40th anniversary, will be gearing up for seasonal food drives. Any business, individual, even a group of friends, who is looking to create their own local food drive can contact them to get organized.

• Ever consider the enormous amount of non-recyclable food and household products related trash that humans produce? Now it’s easier to do something about it. Nude Foods Market held a grand opening for its first brick-and-mortar zero-waste grocery store on Walnut Street in Boulder. They’re looking to do a part in offsetting nearly 1,704 pounds of trash produced by each American annually by being extremely selective about product choices, ranging from farming processes to product packaging.

• Now there’s another option for anyone with dietary restrictions who is tired of the same old snacking options. Boulder-based natural snack foods company, Quinn, is launching a vegan-friendly, corn, soy, dairy, and gluten-free cheese-filled, pretzel nugget.

The post Food News | October 2021 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.