Eco Holiday Shopping and Eating

If you are still looking for some original, fair trade, earth-friendly gifts by local companies – and I’m sure you are – check out the following retailers that participated in the December holiday party for the Chesapeake Sustainable Business Alliance held at Clementine Restaurant in the Hamilton neighborhood of Baltimore.

earth alley is located in Baltimore’s Hampden neighborhood and was voted by Baltimore Magazine as having the Best Eco Gifts in 2008, earth alley has one of the largest selections of eco-friendly handicrafts in the Baltimore region. Items include jewelry, purses, massage oil candles and fair trade cards from Rwanda, children’s toys, home décor items and personal accessories. I just purchased a fabulous, fair-trade purse made in Cambodia.

Local artist Heather Shreve is now offering limited edition eco friendly holiday cards. All the 5 x 7 cards come in bundles of 25 and are printed on New Lead eco-friendly paper and come with 100% red recycled envelopes. Of course, the designs are original and quite frankly, instilled a sense of calm in me when I received my supply. That is something we can all use during this crazy season.

Part of the Conscious Corner community in Clarksville, Maryland, that also includes organic vegetarian restaurant Great Sage, independent natural and organic Roots Market and Bark, a natural pet products store, nest (Natural Elements Selected Thoughtfully) offers products that support independent artists, fair-trade importing, organic farming, and recycling, as well as items that promote a healthy and conscious lifestyle. Quite frankly, I can never get out of there empty handed! Since it is a mere 15 minutes away from me, I often make a quick jaunt there to purchase casual as well as business casual work clothes, Sigg water bottles, music, jewelry and books to give as gifts.

If you are tired of those unoriginal, metal pet ID tags, check out Pet Tag Creations which offers unique, handcrafted pet identification tags. A portion of their profits are donated to rescues and shelters. Their artists handcraft each one with care and the tag can list your pet's name and phone number or simply be worn as pet flair. My cat Grits sports one of these original creations and always gets favorable comments at the Vet’s.

Portable Rainbows Glass Art Gallery features beautiful glass sculpture, tableware, beaded and fused glass jewelry, and mobiles by these amazing and talented artists! They are 100% wind powered and Frances Aubrey, the gallery’s owner, donates 5% of Portable Rainbow’s profits to the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, a nonprofit that she works with regularly to pass global warming legislation. When you see Frances, ask her about CCAN’s Polar Bear Plunge.

After you are done shopping, check out Clementine restaurant. They do fancy pants comfort food with a cross cultural twist at a reasonable price. They change their menu daily, but you usually find their amazing mac and cheese. Clementine is comfy and spacious and also offers free Wi-Fi.

Finally, don't go empty handed to those holiday celebrations. Be sure to bring along a bottle -- or three -- of Black Ankle wine. Not only is it local, but it is also biodynamic and REALLY GOOD!