We spend every day here at Daily Grommet spotlighting the best and brightest entrepreneurs, but at this time of year we like to take the time to acknowledge another type of hero. These are people who are working just as hard, and even harder, to support others in need and help make mind-boggling breakthroughs in medicine and science. Today we'd like to introduce you to one of those individuals who we heard about through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Christen is a cancer survivor and volunteer with the organization, and seeing as it is her Miracle Baby's 1st birthday today, we thought it would be perfect to share the interview with her on the Daily Grommet blog today.

Patient Story: Christen’s little miracle of hope

The great folks over at the Hachette Book Group recently contacted us to tell us about two newly published cookbooks and offered us 2 extra sets to give away to our readers. I was lucky enough to receive a copy of each book and by lucky, I mean win the lottery lucky.

***

The first book is written by Max Brenner and is titled, Chocolate: A Love Story. Even if you don't like chocolate, you will love this book. Each recipe resides on the left page and on the right page is a graphic to go along with it. The graphics are phenomenal and the recipes are simply delicious. You want this book. Trust me.

I was able to send a few questions to Max and he was quick to respond with his answers.

I don't know a soul who doesn't like chocolate, but the difference in preference seems to be between milk (or sweeter) chocolate and dark chocolate. Which is your favorite?

I personally love milk chocolate with hazelnuts.

If there's one tip that you think anyone who is working with chocolate should adhere to, what would it be?

Enjoy chocolate the way you always wanted to. Lick it, drip it into your hands and have fun with it!

The holidays are upon us - can you share one of your favorite traditions with us?

My wife, daughter and I watch a movie and sip on hot chocolate. Nothing is better in the winter!

***

The second book they sent me was How to Roast a Lamb, by Michael Psilakis.

I am a woman who loves Greek food but apart from chicken souvlaki and Greek salad, have no idea how to prepare it at home. I obviously haven't had time to try many of the recipes as I only received the cookbooks last week, but I made a few of the dips for a Christmas party and wowed my friends. Based on the photos in the book, I know that this is a cookbook I that will soon be dogeared and splattered with ingredients.

Michael was also gracious enough to answer my questions; here is what he had to say.

I'm a woman who loves to cook and loves to try new dishes, but for some reason lamb seems a little...exotic. I've always been afraid to try it. Is it an easier meat to work with than it appears to be?

No, not at all. Lamb seems exotic because it’s a protein that deviates from our familiar forms of red meat, namely beef. But the great part is that all red meat is cooked in the same way. The question when cooking any type of red meat is which cut are you dealing with? Lamb is no different. The only thing to consider is that it’s a much smaller animal, so the cooking occurs more quickly. I would start with the simplest cuts like a tenderloin, or the rack to get yourself acquainted, and cook them using the same techniques you would if you were cooking beef.

Do you have one favorite lamb recipe that stands out for you, or does it change with the seasons?

I think the best way to cook lamb is to simply grill it any time of year and finish it with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. The garnishes will change with the seasons, but I feel that lamb really resonates in the spring time when the animals are older and gamier. Use the grill to develop a good smoky char and combine it with bright spring vegetables. That’s where it’s at.

Will you share one of your holiday traditions with us?

No matter the holiday, my father would also roast a whole animal on a spit –usually a goat or a lamb. My father built a special BBQ pit in our back yard when I was growing up specifically for this purpose. In the Greek culture, family revolves, literally, around food and gathering to eat it and enjoy one another’s company.

Thanks for joining us on Daily Grommet today Michael & Max!

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, we will be giving away 2 sets of these cookbooks today (that means two lucky winners will receive a copy of each of the books). I am so excited for you guys that it's a little bit ridiculous.

The contest will remain open until 9pm EST and we'll use Random.org to pick a winner. Leave a comment for Max or Michael, or tell us about your favorite holiday traditions to enter.

General contest rules: To enter, you must be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the U.S. and you must leave a comment below. No purchase necessary. The winners will be randomly selected by Daily Grommet and we will select two people to win a set of two books (one entry per person). Employees, contractors, and the families of employees and contractors of Daily Grommet, Inc. are not eligible to enter. Void where prohibited. Contest will run from 9am through 9pm EST December 22, 2009.

We're a mere seven days away from Christmas day (!) and we've rounded up some great Grommets that can bail you out in a pinch. Here are our last minute gift ideas:

Take Back Your Mailbox 41 pounds (a nonprofit organization) is named for the 41 pounds of junk mail the average adult gets each year. The company was founded by the three DeVries brothers (on the right) who turned their own frustration with junk mail into a service that stops up to 95% of unwanted deliveries. Sure, it’s something anyone could do — but, honestly, who has the time? For $41, 41pounds.org will protect your mailbox from unwanted junk for five years, plus donate $15 to the charity of your choice. Total charitable contribution: $100,000 and counting. ($41) Learn more about 41pounds.org and learn how to stop junk mail here.

Radio Is New Again Enter the name of one of your favorite songs or artists, and Pandora quickly scans its database of analyzed music — new and old, well known and completely obscure— to find songs with interesting similarities. Pandora dishes out the tunes, and you sit back and enjoy a customized listening experience. Create as many “stations” as you want and refine them by hitting thumbs up or down on a song. (Free) Learn more about Pandora and how to create your own radio station online here.

Plant A Tree. Good news: Yes, you can do something about global warming! And it’s surprisingly simple. Just plant a tree. Besides providing beautiful foliage and cooling shade, trees help trap ozone layer-depleting CO2 emissions, minimizing the effects of climate change. Planting is a cinch with Mokugift. You don’t have to dig deep into your pockets or even lift a shovel. And it’s as easy as sending an e-card. ($1 per tree) Learn about mokugift.com and how to plant a tree for charity.

Let Them Eat Crab Cake It’s a pretty well-kept secret that most crabmeat in this country comes from Asia, EXCEPT the true blue lump crabmeat from the Chesapeake Bay where Angelina Tadduni once owned a popular Italian restaurant with her husband for many years. Though the couple passed on, and the restaurant is no longer, Angelina’s famous mouthwatering lump crab cakes can be yours for the asking. ($59.70 and up) (Order by December 21st) Buy Angelina's crab cakes here.

Quick and Easy Memory Makers Animoto.com is a cool website that lets you create your own photo videos set to the music of your choosing. Imagine pictures of the kids set to your family’s favorite hits, or snapshots of good friends over the years with memorable tunes playing in the background. Just upload your photos and music, insert text, and arrange it all the way you want it. In a matter of minutes you can have something that looks TV-worthy. (Free and up) Learn how to make your own video slideshow with Animoto.com here.

Simply Splendid. All of Jeni’s treats are delivered deeply frozen, so they’re easy to ship (in packs of six or nine flavors) just in time for a decadent holiday dinner or to your favorite food-lover for an unforgettable gift. One bite and your gift recipient will be hooked. ($70.00) Buy Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams gourmet ice cream here.

Frog Wild Finding a pet that’s exciting for kids but low maintenance for parents is a tough challenge. But we’ve found a really fun solution. The EcoAquarium from Wild Creations is an all-in-one aquatic environment that will thrill kids and adults alike. The kit comes with two frogs — excitable, jumpy creatures that are great fun to watch. The “living gravel” that comes with the kit acts as a natural filtration system, so no additional chemicals, aeration or filters are required. The frogs need to be fed twice each week (which kids love doing) and the food comes with your system. As for tank maintenance, the water only needs to be changed once every five or six months. Easy! ($3.99 to $30.00) Buy Wild Creations' pet frog eco-aquarium here.

Small Loans, Big Impact. In times like this, it’s more important than ever to reach out to those in need. Kiva connects lenders with hard-working entrepreneurs from impoverished countries. Browse profiles on the site, choose who you want to lend to, learn the story of the entrepreneur and about the business he or she is creating, and then decide how much to lend. Donations can be as little as $25 and the loan cycle is typically six months to a year when the loan is then repaid. Learn more about Kiva's loans that change lives here.

Called A Better Back, it’s a lumbar support pillow that can be worn like a backpack if you’re on the go, or strapped onto a chair if you’re working at a desk. You can use it everyday as a gentle reminder not to slouch. The pillow comes with two thermal packs, one for the microwave and one for the freezer. So when pain flares up, you can alternate between hot and cold therapy – a proven method to relieve all types of soreness and muscle tension. ($69.00) Buy A Better Back's back support pillow here.

Passage to Adventure Some might be seeking clarity, others might be seeking g-force. No matter the mission, Cloud 9 Living has an experience to match. Co-founder Adam Michaels and the team at Cloud 9 Living have done the legwork to find 1,700 activities across the U.S. that make for unforgettable gifts. You can send a friend bungee jumping or to ninja school, or have them ride shotgun in a race car. If you’re looking for something less physically challenging, you could choose a food tour, private DJ lessons or pottery classes. Or maybe you know someone who longs to star in a movie, play poker with pro Jamie Gold, or pull off a perfect crime? Cloud 9 Living offers so many experiences that the hardest part might be deciding which one to choose. ($50 and up) Learn about Cloud9 Living's experience gifts here.

Go Go Gadget Earrings. You can give many gifts in one, with this super-smart earring kit from artist Lisa Monahan. A clever little collection of diverse jewelry options, the Switch Gear kit offers hundreds of unique earring combinations from one travel-sized selection of materials. How fun! ($65.00) Buy Switch Gear's interchangeable earring kit here.

It's the week of office holiday parties! We have a few office gift ideas for Christmas -- some serious and some silly -- that are sure to be a hit!

Collectible Characters Woven with Heart and Soul.  Each Kamibashi doll is handmade in Thailand, forged of a continuous piece of cotton string, resulting in 2"-3" character keychains positively packed with personality. With over 90 different charming choices, you're sure to find the perfect personality for any office mate. (Prices vary) Buy Kamibashi string doll keychains here.

Nature's Deodorizer. Nobody likes a stinky office -- why not banish box-lunch smells with Ever Bamboo all-natural deodorizers? Made from bamboo charcoal it has an incredibly porous structure that allows it to absorb odors and moisture. By the way, they're also great for all your sweaty gear; hockey bags, gym bags, shoes, boots, and more. What better way to tell your colleagues you care? ($8.95 and up) Buy Ever Bamboo All-Natural Room, Shoe and Sport Deodorizer products here.

Quick and Easy Memory Makers. Animoto.com is a cool website that lets you create your own photo videos set to the music of your choosing. Grab your favorite work snapshots, choose a tune with meaning, insert text, and arrange it all the way you want it. In a matter of minutes you can have something that looks TV-worthy and will have everyone in the office singing your praises! (Free and up) Learn more about how to make your own video slideshow with Animoto.

Fall Back, Spring Ahead. There’s no shortage of alarm clocks featuring various gimmicks to get you out of bed, but our in-office test of Clocky confirmed why this alarm clock on wheels is the best: When the alarm began to blare, Clocky jumped off the desk and zoomed away, hiding around the corner. Got someone in the office who's notoriously late? Clocky is a perfectly practical gift. ($16.99 and up) Buy Clocky the best bedside alarm clock and see our full review here.

Cocoon Your Laptop. The GRID-IT laptop case accommodates up to a 15.4" laptop, and the netbook case can hold up to 11" devices. Each has a detachable shoulder strap, so you can carry the case on its own or remove the strap and pop the case into any bag you like. This holiday season, why not give the gift of organization to someone who would appreciate it? ($44.99-$69.99) Buy a GRID-IT, hard netbook and laptop case here.

Reinventing Personal Organization. The flat design of the GRID-IT makes it easy to slip into a laptop case or backpack, and if someone in the office is a frequent traveler, they can simply pull out their loaded organizer and send it right through the airport security scanner. Also a great way to keep that cubicle or desk drawer from getting out of control. ($14.99-$24.99) Buy the Cocoon innovations GRID-IT gadget organizer here.

Healthytoes Are Happy Toes. Know someone at work with achy feet? They'll love  Healthytoes and could even slip these toe stretchers on under the desk while at work  (well, only if their feet aren't stinky ... otherwise, you might want to combine this gift with the EverBamboo - see above). ($27.95) Buy Healthytoes toe stretchers for healthy feet here.

Mixed With Love. Got someone at the office who always skips breakfast? Here's a tasty, personalized gift that's fun to give: MixMyGranola. Mix a custom, all-natural, 16-ounce blend according to your colleague's preferences and you've got a truly unique gift. It’s that simple. ($4.99 and up) Buy pre-mixed and customer Mix My Granola here.

Sore No More. A Better Back lumbar support pillow can be worn like a backpack if you’re on the go, or strapped onto a chair if you’re working at a desk. It's a gentle reminder not to slouch and even comes with two thermal packs, one for the microwave and one for the freezer. So when pain flares up, your office mate can alternate between hot and cold therapy – a proven method to relieve all types of soreness and muscle tension. Soothe office tension and make someone on your list happy. ($69.00) Buy A Better Back's back support pillow here.

Hang Tight. The Slackline is a new-age, bouncy tightrope, constructed of nylon fabric that’s roughly the width and texture of a seatbelt. The sport, which is sometimes called “jiblining,” was invented by rock climbers who would practice their balance by walking parking lot chains or ropes between climbs. Can't you just see this at the next company meeting? Nothing like bonding over your inability to balance! ($79.99) Buy the Gibbon Slackline for tight rope balance and agility fun here.

It's pretty near impossible to predict what's waiting around the next corner here at Daily Grommet ... whether it's a company that's reinventing water bottles or college kids turned entrepreneurs who developed a new kind of paint that lets you write on walls. The best part of my job is that I get to share those stories with you.

But Kate Pokorny has one of the most unusual stories I've ever come across. I found Kate just last week on Twitter. She doesn't have a product to sell, but she's embarking on a truly curious  and ambitious adventure: She's going to crochet a traditional Mongolian yurt.

Here's the first of what we hope will be many updates from Kate - we think you'll be as inspired as we were to follow her progress.

by Kate Pokorny

The last month of the year is upon us and for me, it's an especially exciting time, as it’s the last month of fundraising for my yurt project. I've decided I'm going to crochet a full-sized Mongolian yurt using locally grown materials from New Hampshire.

The yurt, when complete [I’m aiming for Summer 2010], will be 10 feet tall and 10 feet in diameter, and it will look somewhat like a wooly igloo with a small door and oculus for smoke release. We’re sourcing the wool locally from nearby farmers to my parent’s farm in Southern New Hampshire and using a local mill as well.

Unlike historic yurt construction, this one will be built out of one continuous “thread” of felted yarn. We built the prototype in August of 2009 and made 40 feet of this cording – it ended up being about 1.5 - 2 inches in diameter, making the crocheting nearly impossible, even with the special hook I whittled. I decided to use my arm as the “hook” from now on and it's working perfectly.

The whole yurt project was born out of visit to the Cooper-Hewitt Museum in New York to see their Fashioning Felt exhibit. The exhibit included some of my favorite knitters and felters as, in the last few years, I’ve been increasingly fascinated by oversized works by artists including Kwagho Lee and Christien Meindertsma. I also was crocheting quite a bit myself at the time, as I had watched the TED Talk by Margaret Wertheim on the crochet coral reed project, which proved to me that anything was possible when it came to crochet.

As luck would have it, the other large exhibit at the Cooper-Hewitt was Design for a Living World, which paired artists and designers with regionally-specific, renewable materials. The artists were charged with using these new materials to create something out of them whether it was wool, wood, salmon skin, tagua nuts or other more obscure materials. The message I took away from that exhibit was the concept of exploring the potential of creatively using not only your local resources, but your renewable resources as well.

I also sit on the board of Build a Nest, a no-interest, micro-finance loan group aimed at elevating female artists and artisans out of poverty by creating a new market for the sale of goods that they’ve been making for generations. By building a unique, online marketplace for these women’s works, we’ve learned a great deal, and had many discussions about creative directorship and how much a traditional, heritage craft can or should evolve to serve markets. These issues are also important as I think about how the yurt willl come together.

In Mongolia, nomads have been successfully making felt for their yurts for years. The process I’m using probably isn’t viable for them, however, I like to think it does bring their traditions, styles, and culture to a new audience much as Nest does for the groups that we work with around the world.

As a Skidmore College graduate I can safely say that sustainability and responsibility are things that I’ve been aware of for a long time. Our campus was notably environmentally conscious and active. With this project, however, I want to make a personal contribution, both to my growth as a crocheter and to the ongoing conversation on sustainable design. Interestingly, some people have criticized the project as not having enough depth – saying that it’s art without purpose and others have come to the yurt’s defense. What’s most interesting to me is the difference between sustainable art and art about sustainability and I hope that in time the yurt touches both of those areas.

In order for the yurt project to be realized, Kate needs to raise $5,500 for wool and materials by January 1^st ’She's getting closer with $2,899 to date, but is looking for help. To learn more about Kate's ambitious undertaking, you can  watch this video or visit her Kickstarter page to make a donation.

Visit Kate's "Yurt Alert" blog.

Today we're thrilled to be hosting Kate Inglis from Sweet|Salty on the Daily Grommet blog, and we're giving away a copy of her book, The Dread Crew: Pirates of the Backwoods (if you can't wait to see if you win, you can pick up your copy here). (See rules for the giveaway at the bottom of this post)

Kate has graciously answered my interview questions. I loved reading her responses and I'm sure you will as well.

How did the idea of writing a story about pirates happen to come about?

Four years ago, I was hiking through an old woodlot with a 6-year-old who was cold and wet and hungry, and we still had a long way to go. I remember telling him SHHHH and “Eric, you need to pay attention when you’re in the woods, because they might come along and squash us,” and he said “Who?” and I looked around and saw trees and splinters and snowy moss and bogs and it just popped into my head: “The Wood Pirates.”

As we walked, Eric asked all kinds of questions that needed answering. “What makes their ship go?” And, “Why do they want junk?” And, “What do they look like?” And, “What do they smell like?” And, “What do they do for fun?”

I got home and felt a need to capture it before I forgot—a story about a pirate-tracker named Eric who lived in a very remote and old farmhouse in the middle of Nova Scotia with goats and peacocks and an old barn with a stone foundation and an iron hulk of a kitchen wood oven, all just like the real thing. Plus pirates.

Writers often talk about their "muse." What does your muse look/feel like?

My muse is a plethora of voices that answer questions. It’s uncanny how those voices don’t feel like they’re coming from me. As long as I pay attention, they tell me everything I need to know. So I guess you could say my muse has maggots in his beard and horrible manners. That and a whole lot of Johnny Cash.

What did you find to be the hardest part of the writing process for the book?

When you’re a creative, work-at-home parent, everyone wants a piece of you. Your kids want you to play lego. Your supper is sticking to the bottom of the pot. Your corporate client wants a feature article on the effect of social media on mass brands in a fragmented market. Your husband wants you to curl up on the couch for an evening and watch a movie and have you be mentally as well as physically present.

In the midst of all that, a small girl—a pirate scout—climbs through a window and whispers in your ear I may be small, but I’m the fastest they’ve ever seen. And you’re entranced, and you fear she’s going to disappear back out through that window if you don’t drop everything and write about her. Then a small voice chirps from the other room HA! HA HA. LOOK. FUNNY POOP.

What did you find to be the best part of the writing process for the book?

For me, the most enjoyable aspect of writing the book was the process of editing. Mapping out the story—the task of getting through 40,000 words that tell a compelling story—that can feel like some unending epic journey. In comparison, editing is fish in a barrel. You step away from the finished first draft for a while and you come back to it with feedback and perspective, strangely refreshed. Revisiting sentences and paragraphs and chapters is so easy and fun, and the impact of good editing is so profound and instantaneous.

You write a novel. Then you rest. Then you return to it with a new eye, feeling less attached to your own cleverness.

This is critically important. When you finish a large piece of work, you’re left with this self-satisfied film, pleased with what you’ve accomplished. That film has to be peeled back or you run the risk of falling in blind love with your own words—words that would be so much stronger with a vigorous edit. You trim a sentence by half and it’s ten times stronger and it’s suddenly got cadence and feels artful and goes ZAP and it makes you feel high. It’s a drug.

Maybe I just need to get high more.

Are any of the characters based on people in your life? I mean, I'm pretty sure you haven't encountered any members of the Dread Crew (Or maybe you have?) but are there glimmers of personalities that belong to people you know?

Absolutely. (grin)

Do you have a favorite character in the book? Or does it vary from day to day?

I love Joe for his hospitality, his sense of justice and for how he lives his values. And Eric for his earnest curiosity. And of course I adore Missy… and the pirates for all kinds of different reasons. Hector for his charisma. Johnnie for his grandness. Meena for her lungs. Some of them I love for reasons not apparent in the books, for aspects of their back stories that I’ve had glimpses of. Some of them were just kind of ‘there’ until I saw them sketched by Sydney, at which point I fell wildly in love with them and wished I’d given them more limelight. (Famous Amos and Ironbound Ike are two of those.)

Now that the book has been out for a couple of weeks, and you're on the other (Published) side of it, is it anything at all like you thought it might be?

Every time someone pushes a book towards me and asks me to sign it, I feel like apologizing for spoiling such a pretty thing. That’s something I just can’t believe—how this book is so beautifully put together, and it’s mine. I watch as people pick it up and run their hands over the cover, and they pore through it giggling and marvelling at Sydney’s illustrations. Gives me butterflies every time.

I’m also flattened by how exposing it is to have people reading my story after holding it so close for so long. Every person who buys a book… I feel like I’ve made them a promise. I’m so honoured by the attention granted by every single reader, and that sense of honour can be unnerving. I want so, so much to make good on that promise.

Are there any plans in the works for a second novel? If so, will it be a continuation of the Dread Crew story, or something altogether different?

I started the next book a couple of weeks ago. It will be a sequel but will also be new—it follows the adventures of Missy. It will reveal more about where she came from, and will see her travelling the world until she gets embroiled in a mystery that has implications beyond piracy.

The Dread Crew felt like play—but with so much at stake, this next book feels a little more daunting. There’s a time pressure now, knowing that I’d like to have it released for a certain season. But with this first experience behind me, there’s so much that I just can’t wait for. I feel scenes coming to me and I can’t help but imagine how Sydney, our phenomenally talented Dread Crew illustrator, would draw them. I hear a conversation between characters and I have to hold back from emailing Penelope, my editor, right away.

This next time around, I’m simultaneously more nervous and more confident. I’m just doing my best to block out both those feelings, and just do my best to pay attention to voices.

Thanks, Kate!

Kate will be checking in throughout the day to answer any questions that our readers might have. You can also enter to win a copy of her book by simply answering the question, "What would your pirate name be?"

The contest will remain open until 9pm EST and we'll use Random.org to pick a winner. What are you waiting for?

General contest rules: To enter, you must be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the U.S. or Canada. No purchase necessary. The winners will be randomly selected by Daily Grommet and we will select one person to win a book (one entry per person). Employees, contractors, and the families of employees and contractors of Daily Grommet, Inc. are not eligible to enter. Void where prohibited. Contest will run from 9am through 9pm EST December 14, 2009.

Sometimes the commercialism of the holiday season can seem a tad overwhelming. We've got some Grommets that cater to the social enterprise side of you. Give gifts with meaning:

Spread The Word Michelle Hamman created a T-shirt with the word "ubuntu" printed on the front and a poetic description of its meaning on the back. And that’s how MotherTongues got its start. Her simple, fresh designs reinforce her commitment to mindful living. In addition, for every item sold, MotherTongues donates $1 to the Center for Women in Transition, an organization that helps women and children in need. ($24.99-$44.99) Buy Mother Tongues shirts with international messages of Peace here.

Out Of Africa Nondyebo (pronounced “non-dee-A-bo”) Mashiyi was a quick learner and became very proficient in the production of graphic arts and textiles. With the help of Jane Philippi, who spends several weeks every year in South Africa volunteering, our talented African designer now has a staff and a growing business. Her aprons are made from cotton canvas with acrylic paint and will brighten every corner of your kitchen. (Prices vary) Buy Nondyebo art products here.

Bag That Gives Back With the economy aching, the world weary, and the globe far from green enough, accessories with a conscience are what we need right now. JL Lane handbags fit the bill precisely. This company, started by a mother-daughter duo, is all about bringing the talents and handiwork of women in countries like Vietnam to light. They also donate 20% of their profits to PLAN, an organization that empowers women in the developing world. JL Lane embroidered beaded clutch.  ($85.00-$165.00) Buy a JL Lane handbag here.

Pickle Love Root Cellar Preserves is dedicated to bringing back the art of pickling and has established a fund from their profits to help preserve early American homesteads - what a special, and meaningful gift! ($5.99 and up) Buy Root Cellars Preserves here.

Small Loans, Big Impact. In times like this, it’s more important than ever to reach out to those in need. Kiva connects lenders with hard-working entrepreneurs from impoverished countries. Browse profiles on the site, choose who you want to lend to, learn the story of the entrepreneur and about the business he or she is creating, and then decide how much to lend. Donations can be as little as $25 and the loan cycle is typically six months to a year when the loan is then repaid. Learn more about Kiva here.

Goat Milk's Beauty Secret Legend has it Cleopatra bathed in goat’s milk. We can understand why, now that we’ve experienced firsthand the nourishing, moisturizing power of goat’s milk and Chivas Skin Care. If you really want to take gift-giving to the next level, you can give the gift of a goat. Chivas Skin Care has partnered with The Nomad Foundation to donate a herd of goats to the Tuareg people of Niger. If you purchase this option, one goat will be donated in the recipient’s name. ($25.00 and up) Buy Chivas Skin Care here.

Cooperative Art Indika Imports has connected with various organizations or artisans around India that focus on eco-awareness and self-sustainability, as well as focusing on keeping traditional skills alive. The results are beautiful craftsmanship depicting the intrinsic link between humankind and the environment. Each appliqué is cut from a single piece of cloth, hand-stitched by three women over the course of three days to completion. ($44.00) Buy Indika Imports products here.

Celebrating Women's Resilience Ugandan entrepreneur Amber Chand was once a refugee. Now she’s made it her mission to sell handmade items by female crafters who reside in countries beset with serious conflict. The proceeds keep these brave women in business and independent. Every gift comes with its own unique story to promote global peace and understanding. You can be an ambassador of goodwill with your first purchase. Why wait? ($25.00 and up) Buy Amber Chand's gifts here.

Washing Away The Opium Trade.In 2002, National Public Radio (NPR) reporter Sarah Chayes started a cooperative called Arghand to make these unique soaps resembling beautiful stones polished by river water. The enterprise encourages farmers to plant crops like apricots, pomegranates, spices and herbs — instead of opium. Arghand means "triumphant” in Persian. That’s how you’ll feel when you bring them to a special holiday event. ($15.00) Buy Arghand products here.

 

Capelet Crusading.  Chicago native Kate Robertson fell in love with Peru when she was there with the Peace Corps - she came to know and appreciate not just the artisans and founded her business, Mayu as a way to bring hand-knit Peruvian products to a larger market.  The Mayu hooded shawl is all the rage and shows you cared enough to be creative; plus your purchase is making a difference in the lives of women in Peru. ($139) Buy the Mayu shawl here.

Patti and I finally got to meet the wonderful Stan Ades of Pacific Shaving company two nights ago.  We were in San Francisco--home of the shaving revolution.   I had organized a little dinner for friends, and invited Stan to join us.  I had a hunch he would fit in just fine with five people he had never met.  He even helped me pick the restaurant--Il Cane Rosso, in the Ferry Building.  (Stan's wife is a chef so the man knows his food.)

We had a fine evening of culinary delights (all locally grown, organic food sources in inventive combinations) and conversation.  Stan's had a terrific year.  He took the big leap and shed his corporate paycheck to devote himself fully to growing Pacific Shaving.  He doubled the Pacific Shaving product line, and secured a number of key new retail accounts.  He'll be out looking for financing next quarter, and I will be happy to be a reference for any potential investors.  He's got a very good business going and is the kind of person you want to root for.  (And in case you are wondering, his face is very clean shaven and looks well-moisturized.)

Pacific Shaving products make terrific stocking stuffers too...I've given away dozens of them as gifts and the response is uniformly positive.  People are just surprised there really is a better, all natural, way to shave that doesn't involve big rusty, wasteful cans and bad smelling products.

We all have a girlfriend on our list, whether she's the love of our life, our latest crush, or the girl we call when we need to talk. Treat your special girlfriend to one of these fun Grommets! Here are our suggestions for gift ideas for girlfriend:

Chocolate 2.0. TCHO is decidedly different. This San Francisco-based chocolate factory was founded by a Space Shuttle technologist-turned-chocolate maker and a chocolate manufacturing veteran. These are chocolate you'll be dying to give to your favorite girl! ($55.00) Buy TCHO good fair trade chocolate here.

 

Spread The Word. Michelle Hamman created a T-shirt with the word "ubuntu" printed on the front and a poetic description of its meaning on the back. And that’s how MotherTongues, the small business Michelle created with her husband, got its start. For every item sold, MotherTongues donates $1 to the Center for Women in Transition; truly a gift with meaning. ($24.99-$44.99) Buy Mother Tongues shirts with international messages of Peace here.

Parisian Charm. LilyMe is all about understated charm. Instead of a heavy link bracelet, LilyMe’s jewelry is mounted on a thin satin cord (you choose the color) with unexpectedly cool slipknots. The charms themselves are simple and chic. You can personalize a disc or heart, or choose from funky butterfly, flower, clover and peace designs. The effect is a hip, casual look that still has all the personality of vintage charm jewelry but none of the clunkiness. ($30 and up) Buy LilyMe French silver charm bracelets and jewelry here.

 

Capelet Crusading. Don't give another plain-old sweater to the Mom in your life this holiday season - the Mayu hooded shawl is all the rage and shows you cared enough to be creative! It’ll work with a fancy dress as well as with jeans and T-shirt, and it’s warm enough to layer like a cardigan or substitute for a jacket, depending on the weather. Ideal for the your favorite girl. ($139) Buy Mayu's knit alpaca shawl wrap with hood here.

BoHo Style Wrap Bracelets. iheartjenna's leather wrap bracelet is one of those discoveries that causes instant obsession. It has everything going for it – lots of layers, natural materials, and a cool, bohemian vibe that’s perfect for now. Handmade leather cord, gemstone and silver toggle wrap bracelets. ($55.00-$68.00) Buy iheartjenna Bohiemian Wrap Bracelet here.

One Size Fits... Not only does it fit, it flatters. And it looks good under clothes (no visible panty lines, no creeping up above the waistband), and it feels good. Hanky Panky underwear isn't felt at all while wearing them, and we think that’s the whole point. ($13.99-$18.00) Buy Hanky Panky's comfortable stretch lace thong here.

Recycled, Wearable Art. Ann Skydell Harmon believes that “recycling can be beautiful.” There are so many levels of meaning to Ann’s “wearable art.” With Ann-Made Jewelry you can show how much you care about the planet and be stylish while doing so. Being green is the new black, after all. ($18.50-$22.50) Buy Ann-Made Art's soda can tab recycled jewelry here.

The Must-Have She Doesn't Have. Luxe Link purse hooks are small, stylish (recycled zinc alloy paired with vintage Asian designs), and either attach to your purse strap or tuck into their own little suede pouch when not in use. When you get to your destination, just rest the round, decorative top on the table, and hook your purse strap on the chain link that hangs off to the side. ($35) Buy Luxe Link purse holders here

A Dash of Vintage, a Pinch of Chic. Kitchen aprons typically conjure up images of Bree Van de Kamp and Sunday roasts, but these funky aprons from Funktion aren’t nearly so prim and proper. They look so good you may not want to take them off when company arrives — and they just might inspire you to do some “al fresco” cooking, if you’re feeling adventurous. ($42.00-$46.00) Buy Funktion Retro Kitchen Aprons here.

See more gift ideas for girlfriends here.

See what unique gift ideas the Daily Grommet team has discovered today.

Those who follow Daily Grommet know that we're always on the lookout for widgets, gadgets, and gizmos that make our lives easier. We're especially keen on handy guides -- and that's exactly what we found in Lindsey Carmichael's book Greening Your Family (Peter E. Randall, 2009).

Lindsey, who has her masters in public health, got a firsthand education in ridding her home of harmful chemicals and toxins in her efforts to help her son Liam fight asthma. She knows this is serious business, and if you've ever worried about the lengthy ingredient lists on your shampoo and cleaning supplies, you'll love that she gets down to business quickly. Her chapters, covering all sorts of food, personal care, and cleaning products, offer easy-to-read charts of "ingredients to avoid" and "safe products." Good thing the book is compact because you'll want it in your purse the next time you go shopping.

For example, here's her list of safe all-purpose kitchen cleaners that are free of synthetic chemicals with known links to health problems:

• Biokleen Super Concentrated All Purpose Cleaner & Degreaser
• Bon Ami Cleaning Powder
• Citra-solv Conentrate or Ready-to-Use
• Earth Friendly Products Parsley Plus All Purpose Kleener
• Ecover All Purpose Cleaner
• Method All Purpose Cleaner
• Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day All Purpose Cleaner (previously featured on Daily Grommet!)
• Planet All Purpose Spray Cleaner
• Seventh Generation Natural All Purpose Cleaner
• Shaklee Basic H2 Organic Sugar Super Cleaning Concentrate

Of course, if you'd rather make your own, Lindsey has suggestions for that, too: White distilled vinegar is an excellent antibacterial and antifungal, she explains. Mix with a few drops of your favorite essential oil in a spray bottle, and you'll find it does the job and only leaves your preferred scent behind.

Grommet Interview with Lindsey Carmichael, MPH, author of Greening Your Family

Your book makes it so easy to find safe products, but of course, sometimes it's actually a little hard to part with products we know and love around the house. What, in your opinion, are the worst offenders? What should get tossed first?

No doubt we all have some favorite products that are tough to part with. I would first evaluate the products that are used and consumed by children, and let that guide the ‘tossing’ decisions. I would start by filtering my water, swapping the family’s most popular produce for organic varieties, and I would opt for hormone and antibiotic free dairy and meat products. Next I would eliminate personal care products that contain phthalates (often disguised as the word fragrance) and parabens. Lastly, ditch those conventional brands of dryer sheets! They contain truly terrible stuff (ingredients that are known neurotoxins and carcinogens)! There are some safe brands of both fabric softener and dryer sheets, so it is possible to have our clothes smell good, without compromising our health.

How has going green affected your family's health? Any big changes?

The change has been significant. I buy totally different brands of products today than I did five years ago. We are members of a local CSA (Community Supported Agricultural Farm), which has had a great impact on the volume and variety of produce that we consume. I am confident the air quality in our house is significantly better than it was when I used conventional cleaning products and stored various toxic things in the house. My son’s asthma is greatly improved, and collectively we eat better than we ever have. If it’s true that you are what you eat, I feel pretty good about where we are today! We are all very healthy.

There's a great chart in the book showing produce items and their pesticide load. Avocado and onions had the lowest levels, which seems to make guacamole the world's healthiest food. What are some of your favorite healthy, low-tox things to make for your family?

Tonight we’re having vegetarian burritos with plain organic yogurt and organic salsa. Other healthy family favorites for this time of year include chicken curry over brown rice, fish chowder (with a tomato base), baked fish, and chicken or blackened shrimp Caesar salad on organic romaine.

Visit Lindsey's blog at www.lindseycarmichael.net

Grommet Giveaway

You can buy Greening Your Family here, or you could win a copy by posting a comment today. The contest will remain open until 9pm and we’ll use Random.org to pick a winner. What are you waiting for?

General contest rules: To enter, you must be a U. S. resident, and at least 18 years of age. No purchase necessary. The winners will be randomly selected by Daily Grommet and we will select one person to win a CD for every 20 people who comment (one entry per person). Employees, contractors, and the families of employees and contractors of Daily Grommet, Inc. are not eligible to enter. Void where prohibited. Contest will run from 10am through 9pm ET, December 10, 2009.

Now that you're in a green mood, browse the rest of our green and eco-living Grommets here.