The Mother List -

March 8, 2019

Introducing: The Kidconscious Project

themotherlist / Denver, Family, Kids / Denver, denver kids non-profit, kidconscious project, non-profit, sarah kozlowski / 0 Comments

The Mother List recently sat down with the founder of The Kidconscious Project, Sarah Kozlowski. We wanted to get the lowdown on the who, what and why behind this new Denver non-profit.

Here is Sarah’s story:

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to formally start this journey as the founder of The Kidconscious Project . Let me take a quick second to explain WHO we are, HOW we got here and what we TRULY believe in.

I’m a mom of three… which feels like a lot most days! In early 2018 our lives had become busier, more complex and competitive than ever. Our kids required extra tutoring and later nights of focus to succeed – leaving me to somehow become a full-time chauffeur, mathlete and short order cook… among many other things.

One night before bed, I stopped and asked my husband, “Do you ever stop and think, what’s the bigger picture here? Is this crazy pace of life really serving our children or us holistically if they can do Singapore math and speak multiple languages but can’t manage their emotions or handle conflict? What happened to learning actual LIFE skills… or stopping to take a look at the world through more conscious eyes? Are we really setting them up for TRUE success?”

The short answer? An easy, “NOPE!”

So I brainstormed a way to grow kids from within using real life skills, community outreach and global perspectives. I knew I wanted to do this for kids YOUNGER than high school age so we could really make an impact early-on in the developmental spectrum. And with that, The Kidconscious Project was born for kids ages 6-12 and their parents!

We truly believe conscientious kids will one day rule the world, so we meet each month to learn the stuff in-between school and practice what should be a bigger headline in our daily routines. At KCP, we value hands-on engagement with our communities and larger world through fresh perspectives and open hearts. Kids will build on core skills, developing citizenship from the inside out, effectively helping others and creating a better sense of how they can help in the world.

How do we do this? It’s actually really simple. We talk about EMPATHY vs. mastery and OPTIMISM vs. fear, then we build on these emotions and put them to work. So far it’s been an incredible ride, but I can’t wait to grow and share more as the Spring series unfolds! Please find us on Facebook and Instagram, sign up for our enewsletter through our website, and share this with friends!”

Learn More About Upcoming Projects

March 6, 2019

Bookmark it! 2019 National Park Free Days

Vicki / Living / 0 Comments

The 2019 National Parks Free Entrance Days are:

Monday, January 21 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Saturday, April 20 – First Day of National Park Week/National Junior Ranger Day
Sunday, August 25 – National Park Service Anniversary
Saturday, September 28 – National Public Lands Day
Monday, November 11 – Veterans Day

National Wildlife Refuges. Dates apply to 30 refuges that charge for admittance; nearly 500 other refuges are free year-round.

January 21 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February 18 – Presidents’ Day
September 28 – National Public Lands Day
October 13 – First Sunday of National Wildlife Refuge Week
November 11 – Veterans Day

Bureau of Land Management

January 21 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
February 18 (Washington’s Birthday, also know as “President’s Day”)
June 8 (National Get Outdoors Day)
September 28 (National Public Lands Day)
November 11 (Veterans Day).

U.S. Forest Service

January 15 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Feb. 19 – Presidents Day
June 9 – National Get Outdoors Day, an event to encourage healthy, active outdoor fun
Sept. 22 – National Public Lands Day, the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands
Nov. 10-11 – Veterans Day Weekend

In addition to these free days, any 4th-grade student, active-duty military personnel, and citizens with a permanent disability can get a free annual pass. For more information about the variety of discounted passes available, please visit the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass page. Another great option, if you are planning multiple visits, is to purchase the National Park Annual Pass for only $80 for the entire family. It gives you access to all national parks, national wildlife refuges, national forests, and many others. Find more info here.

December 11, 2018

25 Simple Acts Of Kindness That You Can Do As A Family

Vicki / Community, Family, Featured, Inspiration, Kids, Living / acts of kindness / 0 Comments

By Vicki Little

Kindness and love are contagious. Even in the midst of a rough day, a kind gesture from someone can turn your whole day around. And usually, it leaves someone feeling so loved and happy that they, in turn, want to make someone else feel the same way. Misunderstandings can be avoided, friendships can be made or mended, and strangers can become friends when people just take a bit of time to step back and intentionally do something that will make other people feel good. What better lesson is there to teach our children than the lesson of being kind? Even better, the more you engage in these acts of kindness, the more they become a habit. Gather your family and spread a little kindness and cheer with these 25 simple acts of kindness.

Paint kindness stones and leave them for others to find. This is very simple, just get some medium-sized rocks, paint them in neat colors and designs, add a positive note on them with permanent marker and then leave them at parks, grocery stores, schools, sidewalks, etc.
Make sticky notes of positive affirmations and leave them on the bathroom stall door or mirror in a public place.
Send dessert over to another family at a restaurant.
Volunteer your time making crafts with kids at a children’s hospital or reading to small children in the library.
Organize and run a BINGO night at a nursing home.
Give your bus driver a cup of coffee or tea when your child gets on the bus in the morning.
Send a care package to an elderly family member (or just a group care package with letters and treats to a nursing home).
Tape coins to a parking meter….or better yet add some coins to one that has expired. You can also leave an extra dollar in a vending machine for the next person who comes along.
Leave a positive Yelp review or talk to the manager about a server or employee who did a great job.
Spend a family afternoon volunteering at a women’s or homeless shelter.
Shovel a neighbor’s walkway, bring their trash bins back up to their garage door, mow their lawn, or walk their dog for them.
Send a hand-written letter to your favorite teacher letting him or her know how much they mean to your family. Include a gift card to a spa or restaurant for a little treat to say thanks.
Be extra kind in traffic – and let your children know that you have done it. Instead of grumbling, allow the car to merge ahead of you with a smile and a wave, resist the urge to honk if they aren’t going right when the light turns green and comment that their hesitation may have prevented a car accident, or simply smile at people in the car next to you while you are waiting at a light.
Bring towels and food to your local animal shelter. Check to see if they have volunteer opportunities available to walk or play with the animals or help clean the cages.
Give a note of gratitude and possibly a little gift card treat to someone you wouldn’t normally think of. There are many people who do so much for us, but are often in the background, such as the custodian of your school or church, the delivery drivers who take care not to let your packages get wet, a security guard at your grocery store, the lifeguard at the pool, or the front office of the school.
Take extra sidewalk chalk, kites, or bubbles to the park and share them with new friends.
Let someone go ahead of you in the checkout lane – especially if they have fewer items, young children, are elderly or injured, or pregnant.
On Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter, take a special treat to your local hospital, fire station, or police station to say thanks for working on the holiday.
Bring flowers to someone you see all the time but who would least expect the gesture. Many people brighten our days without us realizing it, such as the clerk whose line we always go to, the bank teller who gives us extra suckers, the receptionist at the doctor’s office who always asks how we have been, the butcher at the grocery store who knows exactly what we will order, or the person at the front office who remembered to ask if we are feeling better.
Hand out water bottles or popsicles to construction workers who are fixing your local streets, the lawn-care professionals who keep the neighborhood mowed and looking nice, or the trash men who keep your containers from falling onto your driveway.
Offer to babysit for free so a young couple can get a date night.
Join a meal train for someone who is ill or just had a baby – even if you don’t know them. You can easily find them on your friends’ Facebook pages!
Find a GoFundMe that your family would like to bless with an anonymous donation.
Offer to drive a friend or neighbor to or from school so their parents can get some errands done or have extra time to themselves.
Buy lunch for a friend! You can do this as a whole family or send extra money to school with your child so they can find a new friend and buy him or her lunch.

Vicki Little is a preschool teacher with two children. A Colorado native, she spends her time writing, sitting in the bleachers for her daughter’s gymnastics, and engaging in spirited debates with her son. In her free time…well, she is still waiting for some of that.

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December 6, 2018

Denver Volunteer Opportunities Sure To Make The Holidays A Bit Brighter

Vicki / Community, Denver, Family, Featured, Holiday, Inspiration, Living / give back, holidays, volunteer / 0 Comments

By Vicki Little

While it is the season to be merry and bright for many people, unfortunately, there are plenty of others who could use extra cheer during the holidays. No matter what you can offer – your time, your talent or your treasure – there is always something you can do to brighten the holidays for others. Volunteering is an amazing way to teach children to help those who are less fortunate, and it is a great bonding experience for the family as well. Take a look at our list of various opportunities in Denver to see if one may be just what you are looking for.

AMP THE CAUSE-HOLIDAYS FOR KIDS

Amp the Cause throws multiple Holidays For Kids parties each December to bring joy to more than 1,800 children from Title 1 schools. These students enjoy an “amped up” holiday party with face painters, balloon artists, crafts, food, and even a special visit from Santa – who doesn’t arrive empty handed! Volunteer to help before or during a party – or donate to the cause!

DENVER CATHOLIC WORKERS SOUP KITCHEN

This soup kitchen is busy year-round serving healthy and warm meals to those in need. During the holiday season, the number of meals served increases significantly, and this is a wonderful way for your family to spend time volunteering. To set up a time to volunteer, e-mail: suelane1@comcast.net

The Denver Catholic Worker Soup Kitchen is run completely by volunteers and sustained by the generosity of local organizations and the public. They operate on a budget of less than $50,000 per year. Donations are always appreciated. Please donate through their site or send a check to:

Denver Catholic Worker Soup Kitchen, Inc.
c/o Mary Romine
P.O. Box 27255
Denver, Colorado 80227

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF COLORADO-BRIGHT HOLIDAYS

Jewish Family Services gives assistance to seniors, provides mental-health counseling, offers training and job placement to those struggling to find employment, and provides food and financial aid to people in crises, regardless of age, race, religion or income. This holiday season, they are looking for people to provide Christmas or Hanukkah gifts!

There are other ongoing volunteer opportunities, such as senior support, refugee assistance, support for those with disabilities, and food-pantry assistance.

Contact Nancy Benyamin at 720-248-4642 for further information and to sign up to volunteer.

SOLDIERS’ ANGELS-MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES

Adopt-A-Family: Soldiers’ Angels aim is to help military and veteran families who are financially strained to enjoy a great holiday season by gifting them with presents and a grocery gift card for their holiday dinners. You can adopt a family on your own or with a group, or you can donate directly to their GoFundMe page.

Warm Feet for Warriors: Soldiers’ Angels collect socks to donate to veterans and service members. You can start your own sock drive or simply donate directly. They collect socks all year round for care packages and veteran’s hospitals, but the specific event happens from February to April.

Valentine’s For Veterans: Spread the love this Valentine’s Day by sending cards to deployed troops overseas and VA hospitals. Mail your cards and $1 per card (to help cover the cost of packing and mailing boxes) to:

Soldiers’ Angels

2700 NE Loop 410, Suite 310

San Antonio, Texas 78217

There are multiple other opportunities to volunteer with Soldiers’ Angels, such as visiting military patients in the hospital and helping with veteran luncheons. Check here for more opportunities.

VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA-MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteers of America is a national, nonprofit, faith-based organization that is focused on helping at-risk youth, low-income families, those who are homeless, and women and children who are escaping domestic violence. There are multiple year-round volunteer opportunities, and plenty of special holiday events at which to volunteer as well.

Christmas Turkey Dinner distribution: Distribute baskets containing a full turkey dinner with sides to families in need in the community.

December 17-18, 2018

Contact Bradley Gulley, Director of Volunteer Services, to find out other ways to help or fill in, if needed: bgulley@voacolorado.org

Adopt-A-Family: You can give a family in need a Christmas they otherwise wouldn’t get to enjoy! There are plenty of families to choose from, and if you don’t find one who fits your needs, there are also options to sign up for specific items to donate. Sign up here.

Snow Buddies: Help to keep local elderly safe by shoveling their walkways and sidewalks as needed this winter. Click here for more information and to sign up.

ADDITIONAL ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES:

Reach out to your local church. Many churches offer “Christmas Stores” to help local families in need purchase gifts at significantly discounted rates. Some churches also hold food banks for local families who need extra help with groceries on a monthly basis. Both of these services require multiple volunteers to succeed.

A Precious Child has multiple volunteer opportunities, ranging from processing incoming donations and working for the store, where families shop free of charge, to helping at events, as well as clerical opportunities.

The American Cancer Society needs volunteers to drive cancer patients to their treatments, help at events, help raise funds, and do clerical work. Survivors are needed to share stories of comfort and success and mentor those who are just beginning their journey.

Bessie’s Hope is always looking for volunteers to brighten the days of elders in the community who have little or no visitation from family or friends.

Clothes to Kids of Denver has multiple volunteer needs in its primarily volunteer-run boutique.

Sacred Heart House of Denver needs volunteers to support residents, offer childcare, fix meals for residents, and assist on special projects.

Shiloh House is looking for volunteers to mentor youth and teach life skills to young adults who have been affected by abuse or trauma, volunteer at holiday and celebration events, help young adults learn to live on their own, and more.

Spark the Change has a calendar full of volunteer opportunities in which to participate, ranging from helping at special events to reading to small children, to stocking food pantries.

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December 5, 2018

Six Ways To Stay Active During The Winter Months

Whitney Blakeslee / Featured, fitness, Health, Holiday, Living / 0 Comments

By Whitney Blakeslee

If your holiday season looks anything like ours, there are parties, lots of meals shared with family and friends, a handful of flights, cold temperatures, and dark evenings. Even if you have a great workout routine the rest of the year, it can be a struggle to maintain the good habit over the holidays and throughout the winter. And if you’re like many of us, it’s often a struggle in the first place to fit in a workout with the competing demands of kids, work, and life in general.

First of all, know that it’s OK if you don’t make it to the gym for regularly scheduled workouts. We all have a finite amount of energy and time, and something has to give when the calendar is overloaded. That said, it often feels good to move your muscles after being cooped up. In addition, you’ll benefit from all the mental-health and brain-health benefits of exercise. If you’re looking to stay active over the holidays, here are a few ideas to make your routine fun and stress-free.

1) Try A Fun New Workout.

If you have something like ClassPass in your city, grab a free week and check out some of the gyms in your neighborhood. Many gyms also offer a first class for free, so don’t be afraid to ask. Indoor surfing, aerial yoga, boxing, or a dance class can break the monotony and make you excited to lace up your shoes. If you don’t have gym options, don’t forget that all movement is good for you! How about ice skating, snowshoeing, pulling your kids on a sled, or a snowball fight in the backyard?

2) Keep It Simple.

Most people feel that if they can’t sweat hard for an hour, it isn’t worth doing anything at all. But something is always better than nothing. Set a timer for five or 10 minutes and pick three to five movements you are comfortable with. Repeat the rounds until your timer goes off. Basics like squats, push-ups, jumping jacks and lunges can make a great workout. Just do something.

3) Create A New Walking Tradition.

When the weather gets colder, most people hunker down inside. But I invite you to rethink how you interact with the outdoors in winter. As long as you have a warm jacket, hat, and gloves, you should be able to at least take a quick walk around the block to get your blood flowing. If you live in a place where it gets icy or has significant snow, consider getting snow-traction devices for your boots so you don’t slip.

4) Try Streaming A Workout.

We live in the age of the internet, which means that you are just a click away from the entire world! There are many options to stream workout videos directly to your computer or phone. There are plenty of free options on YouTube, as well as paid memberships through places like ClassPass, DailyBurn, and YogaGlo. Sometimes having someone guide your workout is all the motivation you need to get moving!

5) Partner Up.

Finding an accountability partner is one of the best ways to stick to a routine. Knowing that someone is there waiting for you will give you the extra boost to get out the door. An added bonus is spending more time with people you care about! Whether it is a weekly walk, gym session, or a workout in your living room, a friend can make the experience much more enjoyable.

6) Pair It With Something You Love.

This is called habit bundling. Attach something that you need to do to something that you want to do. I make some seriously delicious smoothies and look forward to them after a hard workout. It makes the process of working out a bit easier, because I know I can enjoy a tasty smoothie once I’m done. If you want to schedule a regular walk, listen to your favorite podcast or talk with a friend on the phone to make walking an event you look forward to. Or download your favorite TV shows and watch them as you ride a stationary bike at the gym. You may not enjoy working out, but knowing that something you love is part of the deal makes it a whole lot more pleasant.

How do you stay active during the winter months? Do you have a favorite workout that keeps you warm, despite the cold?

Whitney is a personal trainer in Denver, Colorado and loves getting lost in the mountains as much as she loves lifting a barbell. When she isn’t playing dinosaurs with her four-year-old, she is in the gardening or has her nose in a book.

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November 26, 2018

Get In The Holiday Spirit With These 15 Denver Events

Vicki / Celebrate, Community, Denver, Featured, Holiday, Living / Denver, events, holidays Chanukah / 0 Comments

By Vicki Little

One of the best – and easiest – times to make memories is in that wonderful space of time between Halloween and New Year’s Day. There are so many fun events and an awe-inspiring flood of lights to set the perfect backdrop for family gatherings, romantic walks, and joy-filled Santa visits. Make the most of this holiday season with these 15 memorable holiday events around Denver!

A Hudson Christmas: Take a festive stroll through the gardens that are transformed into a beautiful wonder of light. Visit Santa, warm up in the Yuletide yurts, and sip delicious cider or hot chocolate. Located at The Hudson Gardens at 6115 South Santa Fe Drive in Littleton, the lights are glowing from 5-8 pm. Ticket prices start at $8, and advanced purchase is recommended.

2. Blossom of Lights: The annual extravaganza of lights is an event not to miss! Enjoy an interactive light display, which features a large field of sound-reactive, animated LED lights. There are also refreshments and souvenirs for purchase. Located at the Botanic Garden at 1007 York Street in Denver, tickets start at $13 and are available only online. Advanced purchase is highly recommended.

3. Breakfast at The Brown Palace with Mr. and Mrs. Claus: Every Saturday in December you can enjoy music, entertainment, and breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Brown Palace Hotel, 321 17th Street in Denver. Reservations are required.

4. Chanukah Night at the Children’s Museum: December 8th from 6:15-9pm, enjoy a Chanukah festival with latkes, crafts, dinner, and the great dreidel hunt! $15 per person or $72 family rate for early birds.

5. Colorado Symphony Orchestra Special Events: There certainly isn’t a shortage of options when it comes to celebrating the holidays in the symphony! Get tickets to one or immerse yourself in all of them: Home Alone in Concert, Ingrid Michaelson Trio Songs for the Season, A Classical Christmas Conducted By Brett Mitchell, Ten Tenors–Home for the Holidays, Celtic Woman–Best of Christmas Tour, Holiday Brass, Too Hot to Handel, and A Colorado Christmas!

6. Denver Center for Performing Arts Holiday Shows: There is a little something for every Christmas lover this holiday season at the Denver Center for Performing Arts! A Christmas Carol, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, and The SantaLand Diaries will all grace the stage through December 24th. (A White Christmas ends on December 15th).

7. Denver Christkindl Mart: Enjoy delicious cuisine, handmade jewelry, toys, clothing, gifts, and festive German drinks in this celebration of German and European holiday traditions. Each evening offers live entertainment in the festival tent. The Christkindl mart runs through the 23rd of December and is free to attend, but bring plenty of spending money to finish off your holiday gift lists! Located at 1515 Arapahoe St., Denver, CO 80202.

8. Elf the Musical: The Arvada Center for arts and humanities brings the Christmas tale alive to help you celebrate the real reason for the season and to truly get in the holiday spirit. The play runs through December 23rd. Purchase your tickets early to make sure the show you want doesn’t sell out! Tickets start at $53, and the Arvada Center is located at 6901 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada, CO 80003.

9. Georgetown Christmas Market and Events: Hot roasted chestnuts, Saint Nicholas, European arts and crafts, music and entertainment – all put together makes the perfect Christmas experience on 6th street in Georgetown. Admission is free to this 58th annual holiday experience and is held the first and second weekends of December.

10. Ice Skating with Santa at Skyline Park: Join Santa for special skating sessions on December 9th, 16th, and 23rd from 1:30-3:30pm! Skating is free. Skate rental starts at $6.

11. Parade of Lights: The 43rd annual 9News Denver Parade of Lights will be marching through Downtown Denver on November 30th and December 1st! It is free to attend, but spots are first-come, first-served.

12. Santa’s Village at Chatfield Farms: Chatfield Farms gets transferred into a magical Christmas village complete with Santa’s live deer, crafts with Mrs. Claus, holiday lights, hayrides, a movie on Elf Boulevard, and a complete Santa’s workshop with craft vendors. You can buy tickets on location if available, but to ensure availability, purchase online in advance. Ticket prices start at $20. It is located at 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, CO 80128.

13. Shabbat Festival of Lights: The JEWISHcolorado Young Adult Department is hosting this festive evening, complete with dinner, an open bar, and entry into the Botanic Gardens Blossoms of Lights! There is an optional Kabbalat Shabbat at 5:45pm. The event is from 6-9pm on December 8th.

14. The Nutcracker Ballet: Ellie Caulkins Opera House welcomes its 58th year with the beloved story of Clara and her Nutcracker, and the magical journey they take on Christmas Eve. Tickets sell out fast so get yours early!

15. Zoo Lights: The zoo is celebrating its 28th year for this popular holiday tradition! Experience the Denver Zoo in a completely different way as you walk through festive lights, visit Santa, and enjoy hot chocolate. Tickets sell out fast.

Please be sure to check venue websites for locations and times, updated ticket prices, to purchase tickets, and for terms and conditions. Please note that many of these events sell out in advance.

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November 12, 2018

Rejuvenation Giveaway

themotherlist / Food & Wine, Health, Moms / giveaway / 5 Comments

We are so excited to bring you a GIVEAWAY featuring some of our favorite female-owned companies based in Denver, CO! As we all know, motherhood (and life) comes with some major challenges that can leave us feeling exhausted and depleted. It’s moments like this that self care is so important for our recovery process. Self care allows us to feel rejuvenated and motivated, or re-inspired so that we can give our best selves to our jobs, lives and families. The companies in our giveaway will help you do just that!

Learn about each of our female-owned featured brands!

Binnie’s Coconut Butters are better-for-you butters that were created by real-life Mompreneur who wanted to offer a healthier snack for her kids. These coconut butters are full of good fats that our brains and bodies need to thrive — the kind of fat that stimulates our metabolism and keeps us going throughout the day.

The Flowered Life natural personal care and beauty products are handmade, organic, and cruelty-free, and simple. These products are built on sustainable practices and with an adventurous lifestyle in mind.

Golden Root turmeric latte mix is provides all beautiful health benefits of turmeric in every sip. Made with all organic and non-GMO ingredients, each latte contains enough turmeric to help you fight inflammation, improve mood, and protect long-term brain health.

Enter below for a chance to win these products (valued at over $100) that will help promote self care and restore body and mind! Submit an entry by entering your email address below and share with friends!

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS EXPIRED, STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT ONE!

[giveaway id=9585]

Photo credit: Taylor Powers Photography

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November 9, 2018

A Turmeric Latte A Day Can Help Keep The Doctor Away

themotherlist / Denver, Food & Wine, Health / health, turmeric, wellness / 0 Comments

Learn how turmeric can help reduce inflammation in this Q+A with the founder of Golden Root turmeric latte mix, Andrea Slinde

You may be wondering what this buzz about turmeric is all about. Turmeric is taking the spotlight in mainstream food and beverage for the first time in Western culture — and for very good reason. We got the chance to sit down with the founder of Golden Root to learn more about benefits of turmeric and her mission to help people reduce inflammation with her caffeine-free turmeric latte mixes.

Q: Why did you start Golden Root?

A: I started Golden Root almost 2 years ago because I wanted to impact preventative health and help people reduce inflammation in their bodies. Inflammation is a natural biological response, but in excess, it can lead to some serious acute and chronic illnesses like aches and pains, heart disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia.

After spending time in traditional healthcare as a CNA and Phlebotomist at a VA Hospital, I realized that there was not enough nutritional education provided to patients or preventative health measures taken to avoid disease and illness. I left my healthcare job in search of ways to use food as medicine — so I took a job working on a local organic CSA farm to learn more about sustainably grown and healthy foods. Years later, it inspired me to start Golden Root and continue on a quest to nourish body and mind by providing more people with quality food!

Q: What are the benefits of turmeric and turmeric lattes?

A: Turmeric is known to be one of the most powerful anti-inflammatories in the world thanks to the active compound found in the root, called curcumin. It has been used in Indian cuisine and traditional Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to help nourish the body, reduce inflammation, and fight illness. Turmeric is widely consumed in India as a beverage called Golden Milk, and it is the source of inspiration for Golden Root.

As an active person living at altitude, I felt that consuming turmeric in the form of a beverage was one of the simplest ways for me to incorporate it into my diet on a consistent basis. As I began using Golden Root in my daily life, the mix became such a nourishing and balanced staple that I started adding it to my cooking, baking, and smoothies!

Q: What’s a best way to enjoy a Golden Root turmeric latte?

A: Making a Golden Root turmeric latte is simple, and you prepare it just like hot cocoa! Our mix comes as a powder in an individual serving packet or a 30-serving standup pouch. Simply empty a packet or add 1 scoop of Golden Root to a mug, heat water or milk of your choice and pour it over the powder — then stir, sip and savor it! I love mixing Golden Root with unsweetened almond milk or homemade cashew milk.

You might notice that Golden Root has a spicy flavor similar to chai tea, or a savory flavor similar to curry. Our flavors are all thanks to turmeric and some familiar spices like ginger, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Since our turmeric lattes are caffeine-free and have 600-800 mg of turmeric, sipping on one is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety, find grounding energy, and improve mood!

Q: What are your plans for the future of Golden Root?

A: It is my goal to continue to build a sustainable business and offer healthy products as we grow. I’m currently working on updating our packaging so that Golden Root can be sold at a grocery store near you! Until then, you can find Golden Root at almost 40 coffee shops nationwide, or you can shop from our online store or Etsy shop. You can also stock up on holiday gifts when you visit us at the following holidays markets this season!

Sisterhood of Shred Pop Up Shop (Thursday 11/15) – Denver, CO
Denver Holiday Flea (Black Friday 11/23 – Sunday 11/25) – Denver, CO
Horseshoe Holiday Market at Belmar (Saturday 12/1 – Sunday 12/2) – Lakewood, CO
Horseshoe Holiday Market at Belmar (Saturday 12/8 – Sunday 12/9) – Lakewood, CO
Denver Holiday Flea (Friday 12/14 – Sunday 12/16) – Denver, CO

Come see us – we’d love for you to try one of our free samples!

Can’t wait to try Golden Root latte mix? It’s available anytime on their website, and it makes a great holiday gift for the turmeric-lover in your life!

Photo credit: Taylor Powers Photography

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