Tasty Tuesday – Delicious Banana Bread

- Posted by to General

This week’s recipe comes from one of Seven Hopes United’s biggest supporters, my Mom! She has always been my favorite cook & is an amazing baker – so we are in for a treat! For this week’s “Tasty Tuesday” she sent over her recipe for one of my favorites: Delicious Banana Bread. Some of my favorite memories are of evenings when my mom would bake banana bread. Smelling the air infused with bananas and warm bread was intoxicating. And nothing can beat a thick slice slathered with soft butter. Divine. This bread is super moist, packed full of banana flavor, and best of all – it’s my mom’s recipe. Which makes it the best banana bread ever to me. I actually think the bread is better the second day. And the third. And the fourth…And it’s the perfect thing to bake on a rainy fall afternoon like today.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup Butter
1 1/2 cups White Sugar
1 1/2 cups Mashed Bananas (about 3)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups Flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup sour milk
1/2 cup broken walnuts

Directions:
Cream butter, gradually add sugar, beat until mixed well.
Blend in mashed ripe bananas, 2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add the flour, baking soda, and salt to the creamed mixture.

Add 1/2 cup sour milk (1/2 cup milk with 2 teaspoons lemon juice, let set a moment to curdle). Mix into batter until well combined, fold in 1/2 cup broken walnuts. Pour into greased and floured loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Let cool a few minutes then turn out onto wooden board.

This banana bread with one of our beautiful fair trade aprons or oven mitts would make such a sweet gift! (hint hint) Please send any delicious recipes/photos (or homemade banana bread) you’d like to share to info@sevenhopesunited.com ;)

October is Fair Trade Month!

- Posted by to General

Show Your Support. Make an Impact.

October is Fair Trade Month. It is a time to celebrate the incredible impact that Fair Trade has had on the lives of artisans and their families in developing countries, and to spread awareness of this powerful consumer movement.

The theme for Fair Trade Month 2010 is Every Purchase Matters. But in addition to buying Fair Trade, every action you take to promote Fair Trade matters too! You can change lives! By taking the time to share the story of Fair Trade with friends and family, you are making a difference. Here at Seven Hopes United we will be celebrating with special discounts and promotions on Fair Trade Certified products, and plenty of product giveaways!

Make sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter, because each day we will feature fun and easy actions for you and your family to support Fair Trade far beyond your every day purchases. We will also feature several of our Fair Trade artisans, highlight their products, and share their stories in hopes they will touch your heart and you will pass them on to someone you love.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
We’ve set some ambitious goals this Fair Trade Month for reaching a new level of community online and we can’t do it without your help. We want you to get involved in the movement and tell us what Fair Trade means to you. Is it about Fighting Poverty, Protecting the Environment, Building Sustainable Business, Empowering Women, or Supporting Education? Share with us your thoughts on Fair Trade and help spread the word on how Fair Trade is making an impact on issues that matter to you.

Help us reach our goal of 1,000 followers on Facebook and Twitter by inviting all of your friends and family to join us online.

On Facebook:
• Ask your friends, employees and customers to become fans of Seven Hopes United on Facebook
• Tag @SevenHopesUnited & Promote the Every Purchase Matters campaign in your status
• Participate in discussions on the Seven Hopes United fan page

On Twitter:
• Tag posts with #fairtrade
• Send messages to @7hopesunited – we’ll retweet or mention you on #FollowFriday
• Tweet about your favorite Seven Hopes United products
• Participate in our Fair Trade Month product giveaways

Wedding Wednesday :: Gifts that Give Back

- Posted by to General

“Wedding Wednesday” is your source for eco-friendly, fair trade wedding inspiration. Whether you’re planning your own wedding or just looking for some great hand made gifts that support fair trade and community development initiatives around the world; check back every Wednesday for new gift ideas for the bride & groom, bridesmaids, jewelry, wedding decor, and more.

Luxury Turkish Bath Towels

These towels caught my eye the first time I saw them. They are hand woven in Turkey using age-old traditional techniques. The bath towels are extra large so you can really wrap yourself, or your sweetie, up after a relaxing bath. A perfect gift for the newlyweds – and truly luxurious – you can learn more, or add them to your wedding registry, here.

Tasty Tuesday – Mercato Pasta Primavera

- Posted by to General

All of you who know me, know that I LOVE to cook! And I’m always looking for an excuse to try out new recipes, so I’ve decided it’s time to start a “Tasty Tuesday” tradition here at Seven Hopes United!

This past weekend the Cooking Channel was at the the Little Italy Mercato & I was in the mood for pasta! So I thought I’d share my Mercato version of Pasta Primavera. You can use any fresh seasonal vegetables you find at your local farmers market.

Mercato Pasta Primavera
Yield: 6 Servings; Cook Time: 20 mins.

Ingredients:
3 carrots, peeled and cut into strips
1 large zucchini, cut into strips
2 yellow squash, cut into strips
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
1/4 cup olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon dried Italian herbs or herbes de Provence
1 pound farfalle (bowtie pasta)
15 cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

On a large heavy baking sheet, toss all of the vegetables with the oil, salt, pepper, and dried herbs to coat. Transfer half of the vegetable mixture to another heavy large baking sheet and arrange evenly over the baking sheets. Bake until the carrots are tender and the vegetables begin to brown, stirring after the first 10 minutes, about 20 minutes total.

Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.

Toss the pasta with the vegetable mixtures in a large bowl to combine. Toss with the cherry tomatoes and enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten. Season the pasta with salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and serve immediately.

Please send any yummy recipes/photos you’d like to share to info@sevenhopesunited.com

Enjoy!
Ashley

Seven Hopes United Anniversary Sale

- Posted by to General

Seven Hopes United Anniversary Sale Starts August 21st!!

If you’re anything like us, you LOVE a good sale – and maybe, just maybe, you have your phone’s alarm set to remind you when the clock strikes midnight! Well, get your shopping shoes ready because the Seven Hopes United Anniversary Sale starts Saturday, August 21st!! Shop Online and find up to 40% off unique Fair Trade gifts. While the sale runs through August 31st, it’s never too early to grab a great deal or two. So get ready to celebrate & get a head start on your gift shopping for the upcoming season! Here are a few highlights worth checking out:

Everyone is loving these Kantha Weekender Bags from Rising Tide Fair Trade ($165, was $220), a bag that is just as beautiful on the inside as it is outside with colors to match every mood. Built to last, this bag is extremely functional, from its sturdy suede handles, straps and base. Seen in InStyle’s Holiday Gift Guide, this bag is sure to be a winner! Available in three beautiful vintage Kantha prints in orange, red, or yellow, making each bag truly unique.

Win hearts with this absolutely beautiful Thousand Hills Basket handmade in Rwanda ($57.60, was $72). Rwanda is well known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills.” The weavers living near Volcanoes Parc designed this intricate pattern as a tribute to the many villages perched high upon the lush hills. Available in cranberry/natural.

With a deal this good, we suspect it wouldn’t take much for you to begin planning your holiday wardrobe even in the middle of summer. This Pita Pat Necklace w/ 14k Gold ($57.75, was $77) is alluring in this striking red and gold bar design. Pair with the Pita Pat Red & Gold Earrings and Bracelet for a fabulous look.

These Organic Cotton Baby Long Johns ($19.20, was $24) are such a great gift for babies. Perfect as a layering piece in the winter, and work just as well now & in the fall for a soft & cozy set of pjs. Available in Vintage Stripe or Vintage Garden print; sizes 12m, 18m, 24m.

You can’t beat the classic look of this Olive Capiz Serving Bowl with it’s iridescent style ($39.60, was $44). The pretty green hue exudes a slight sheen – just enough to be different – and makes an equally smart and elegant addition to your table setting.

Don’t miss out on these other great deals: 25% off all Fair Trade Coffee, 20% off our Fair Trade Kids Collection, 25% off all handbags, and 30% off all Fair Trade Beauty Basics!

Have you shopped the sale yet? Share your finds below, and don’t forget to fan us on Facebook!