This year marks a milestone event in the environmental movement, celebrating the 40th Earth Day with the largest Climate Rally in history on the National Mall this Sunday, April 24th. Political activists, environmental leaders, and celebrities will share their voice in support of political action and human action that can change the fate of our great planet. Schlumpy, BlueAvocado’s plus-size ambassador for change, will join them, rolling past the memorials that represent the leadership of our great nation – the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Wall, and the White House.  Schlumpy will invite thousands of Americans to kick their plastic bag habit on his crusade to get 1 billion bags off our streets and oceans (just a percent of the more than 340 billion plastic bags we consume every year).

But at BlueAvocado world headquarters, every day is Earth Day. We were inspired by a simple idea. How can we get our Moms, sisters, and friends to take a first step and recognize that environmental action starts with each of us? Our vision is simply to start with a ripple that leads to a splash.  The coolest reusable shopping system was just our first step, we are now taking many more.  Our triple-bottom line vision allows us to measurement of our economic, environmental and social impact every day with a reminder on a red chalkboard that dons our hallway of our stats to date.  And etched above our door way and on every email, we embrace our mission - “Do good. Get it done.”

We strive to make this real – in our processes, our products and our people. In each of our products, we have a carbon footprint label that invites our shoppers to feel good about the difference they are making, reminding them of the plastic bags and CO2 they avoid every time they shop. And our fabric supplier – Repreve by Unifi – helps us make that easy, reclaiming waste (water bottles & yarn) and turning that into the fabulous products are customers love. So together our BlueAvocado customers with the help of our 600 retailers throughout the US and Canada have helped to avoid 20 million plastic bags, more than 1 million pounds of CO2 emissions and over 100 micro-loans via our 1% partnership with Kiva.org

We are on a journey, and it is our belief that we continuously strive for better. But this year, in celebration of the 40th Earth Day we decided to step up our game.  Here are some of the things that we are doing behind the scenes to reduce our impact on the planet and inspire our collective team members to be part of our ripple - to think and act differently.

• 10% Carbon Footprint Reduction @ World HQ: Every employee calculated our carbon footprint and committed to reduce it by 10% by June 2010, some are taking on projects in their personal life (reusable coffee cups, biking), at their home (air filters) and community (planting school gardens) to find ways to reduce their impact. And we are celebrating this change.
• Our  Sales Team Greens Up: Much of our national sales team has taken the challenge, calculating their carbon footprint for the first time, and making plans to reduce their impact as part of the Earth Day Network manifesto. We are rewarding them for their actions, too!
• Inspired Sur La Table Carbon Footprint Awareness & Internal Green Challenge: This Earth Day Sur La Table CEO issued a challenge to employees to calculate their carbon footprint, strive to reduce it, and receive a gift from BlueAvocado.  The company went a step further, and invited their employees to share the ideas of the ways the company could “green its ways” inviting a GRAND PRIZE for the best idea.
• Support Whole Foods Corporate Team & Stores: BlueAvocado participates with Whole Foods corporate headquarters, inviting their team members to join our billion bag pledge and rewarding them with reusable totes.
• Schlumpy Takes National Stage: Schlumpy will take on the millions at the National Mall in DC this weekend with a goal to get closer to his goal of 1 billion plastic bags, just a fraction of the 340 billion we consume each year that litter our beaches and highways.

So if you haven’t already – calculate your carbon footprint – now.   If you need some ideas on ways to invite change and become a more conscious shopper, click here.  If you are paralyzed as to how to take the first step and don’t know where to start, dump your green guilt for good as it relates to keeping you from going green. Share your concerns with Schlumpy Nation and we will work together (with Schlumpy) to transform it into something magical! And if you’re looking for something to do in your community, find Earth Day activities that you can be a part of right now.  And at the end of the day, it is about reflecting on those values that lie at your personal core and inviting change from that place. Afterall, we are all on the journey - together!

Because just like Senator Gaylor Nelson realized 40 years ago – a spontaneous response at the grassroots level can invite real change.  You are proof of that.

Happy 40th Earth Day to our BlueAvocado family – from one small green business inviting the world to “do good and get it done.”

Big luv! Melissa, Amy & Paige

Well in a small twist of fate, Schlumpy could quite possibly have been the cleanest participant at this year’s ACL festival. As Zilker park turned into literal mud bath, Schlumpy braved the weather and won the hearts of hundreds.  While the precise calculation is still being processed, it looks like Schlumpy hit an important milestone - 1 million bags pledged to keep off the street!

We are grateful to C3 Presents (of which Schlumpy has a HUGE crush) for including Schlumpy in the festivities and for keeping our planet millions of pounds lighter. Thanks to the amazing TKO team for their support and enthusiasm in helping Schlumpy achieve his rockstar status!

Stay tuned for pictures on our Facebook. In the meantime, check us out on the ACL Festival Blog. Rock on!

Recently Schlumpy and the billion bag pledge made a stop at Lollapalooza’s Green Street in Chicago. Not only did he and our amazing team brave the rain (thanks TKO), but he got some serious luv and made a HUGE impact. Check out Schlumpy in the Chicago Sun Times! To date Schlumpy has helped to keep 646,341 plastic bags off the street (and we’re not done calculating:-)

Check out all of Schlumpy’s new friends on our Facebook page and keep an eye out for Schlumpy at Austin City Limits Festival on October 2-4. Thanks to C3 Presents for this incredible opportunity to make a huge impact and for making Schlumpy such a rockstar!!

But more importantly, as we prepare for our one year anniversary (and the launch of our new winter/spring line which we think you wil luv!!), we are reminded of the core values and our vision in creating BlueAvocado.  One of the key components of that vision is to create an impact  - “where the act of one effect the lives of many.”

And so, as a reminder to ourselves, we wanted to mark a day to consciously start “paying it forward.” Clearly pay it forward is nothing new.   Movies have been made. Studies have been conducted proving that kindness strengthens our immune system. Our favorite talk show hosts (ie. Ellen Degeneres) and self help gurus have conducted social experiments. And now, even iPhone apps are available.

So we are taking it down to basics with our first “Pay It Forward Friday.”  This is simply a step we can take together to collectively set the intention to do good!

We also want to support you in your effort to “Pay It Forward.”  For every 5th person who shares how they get the good on via Facebook and every 20th person who RT our  ”Pay It Forward Friday” message on Twitter, we will provide a free bag for yourself or to pass on to a friend in need of some plastic bag detox.

There are no rules as to how you pay it forward - it could be a donation to your favorite charity, reaching out to a long lost friend or loved one, giving a bigger tip at your favorite eatery, helping a homeless person, letting someone in fron of you in traffic, or flashing a spectacular smile at a stranger. The possibilities are endless and we can’t wait for the sharing to begin!

Look for our reminder Friday on Facebook and Twitter. Here is to ripples that make waves.  As always, thanks for joining the journey!

I remember the day clearly. Earth Day – 2008. We had just completed the first official version of our business plan and begun to circulate it amongst potential angel investors. I was home channel surfing and found myself in a green programming dream. As a stereotypical “thirty-something female LOHAS consumer” I was a sucker for how this new wave of sustainability had taken on a sudden hip new theme as 30 Rock, Oprah, and other media outlets embraced a new approach to green messaging. Suddenly I found myself on HSN – my heart stopped. Not only had it looked as if they had gone through a new re-branding effort that immediately caught my eye, but I saw that some of my favorite brands were scheduled to be featured.  It was at that moment, deep in my core, I knew – BlueAvocado MUST be on HSN. 

Now first you may ask why would I even recognize that HSN has re-branded? Well, I can’t hide it anymore – I HEART HSN. Perhaps it is the genetic obsession with infomercials we watched while growing up (I am convinced that my father is the first man ever to purchase exercise equipment from TV almost 20 years ago – the Nordic Track), or maybe it is the fact that I am sucker for some good ole’ innovation and the unique spirit of all things entrepreurial. Regardless – I am fascinated and hooked.

It took a period of incubation and some amazing tenacity on the sales front, but a few months later our sales rep had called and the initial first contact at HSN had been made – and there was interest!!

Fast forward almost a year and half after that first “green” HSN moment in my living room, and our dream has manifested into a reality. So as we make our debut on HSN today, I am beyond excited to absorb every aspect of this fascinating subculture of American consumerism. We are joining a long legacy of entrepreneurs and inventors, and we are humbled to be part of this new family.  Check our twitter feed for the latest updates and join us as we all “OUT OUR INNER HSN”!!

When we first started dreaming up the concept of BlueAvocado and talking to experts, advisers and future customers, we used Kiva as our personal thank you note and making loans on their behalf.  It was a way to help keep us focused on a bigger vision that lies at the core of one of our key values - empowering women entrepreneurs around the globe.  To date - we have personally and collectively provided over 30 loans to women all around the world - Nicaragua, Honduras, Samoa, Senegal.

Whether good times or challenging times, it is through our re-investment of these women around the globe that help keep us grounded on a common purpose and faithful of a larger collective impact.  And at the end of the day, we believe that every journey begins with a single step. Understanding that one small ripple can inspire many more, ultimately, we hope to turn these ripples into waves.

So sure, we may get caught up in the glitz and glamor as our gro-pak blossoms into the world of retail and into the hands of our beloved customers, but let’s be clear, this bag holds ALOT of dreams! Join the journey and jump on the Kiva bandwagon with us! And if it’s not obvious - We Heart Kiva!!

Notes to my 20 year old self

Class of 88. Honours in eye shadow.

I’m turning 40 in a few weeks. Bizarre. Surreal. Cannot believe it. Just yesterday I was at ecstatically getting the hell out of high school, wearing shoulder pads and stilettos underneath my graduation gown; knowing full well that the world was my oyster and that extra-hold hair mousse would get me through almost any encounter. I can hardly believe that I can say, “twenty years ago…” about anything.

Dear Danielle at 20:

1. Algebra really is useless.
2. Credit cards are mostly evil.
3. Talk is cheap.
4. If he doesn’t stay until morning, he’s probably married or deeply insecure.
5. There is no soul mate. I know, this is particularly hard news to take because you are longing for The One 24-7. But, guess what, The One is The One because you say he/she is. And that’s way more liberating and empowering than anything preordained or supposedly destined.
6. And while we’re ‘dising cosmic romanticism - there’s no such thing as destiny. Life really is what you make it.
7. Tragedy happens. Yes, everything happens for a reason, but life can be cruel and wrenching and while it all comes out in the cosmic wash, some souls collide and mistakes do happen.
8. Louise Hay is a magnificent woman, but there is more to the machinations of life, illness, and cosmology than the simple explanations offered by You Can Heal Your Life. Cancer is not necessarily a result of repressed guilt, and you may not necessarily choose to heal your life this time around - that’s okay. Illness doesn’t make you a New Age Loser.
9. Diplomacy is overrated.
10. If your boss tries to french kiss you, it’s out of bounds.
11. Only lend books if you don’t want them back.
12. Go to more concerts.
13. If you don’t kiss girls in your twenties, you’ll probably never get around to trying it out. You should try it out.
14. You’re right - kindness is one of the most powerful natural resources there is…infinitely renewable.
15. Your feelings are exceedingly more useful than your ability to rationalize your fears or other people’s poor behaviour.
16. Your heart…your heart…your heart is where it’s at.
17. When you turn 40, you shall be rocking like never before, grateful for absolutely everything, and you will finally, finally feel like earth is home…for the most part.

If we don’t say it enough, we are beyond grateful for the support, love, and feedback (whether solicited or not:-) that we receive from the special men in our lives.  And what is better than beginning to see BlueAvocado sightings of men sporting their gro-paks around town. While many are wearing the solid line pride, we have to give a big shout out to those men who can where our bright signature avocados (especially the raspberry) with as much pride.  And lets be clear - there are alot:-)

But it is with a heavy heart, that this day also reminds us of the men that are no longer with us. Whether a father, an uncle, a brother, a grandfather, boyfriend, or friend, we hold your memories deep in our hearts.  We remember you in the smallest ways be it a childhood trip to the coffee shop for donuts, or teaching us to dive for the first time, or inspiring an entrepreneurial spirit and drive for success that we may not have realized at the time you were here.  You are in our hearts and we believe you would be so proud.

So on this Father’s Day 2009, lets celebrate ALL the men in our lives. To all of you - We Heart You!!

ps. thanks to Alan, father of 4 for sharing his BlueAvocado luv in the above picture:-) Lookin’ good Alan!

So when we received the following testimonial from one of our new BlueAvocado family members, we knew we must be doing something right to inspire such a hilarious and honest take of a day in the life of a gro-pak. Yes, she wrote in the voice of the raspberry gro.  We always had a dream of personifying our bags, and thanks to this creative and lovable take, we may just have to revisit. Please keep in mind that this is simply one of four emails we received. We will keep you updated.  The “Raspberry Gro Chronicles,” may just be a new staple here on The Pit Stop!  Thanks to “Rosie” for making us laugh and inspiring us.

Dear Missy, Paige and Amy:

I would like to tell you the story about my arrival.  It seems as though “my family” had suitcases packed and placed at the door and were walking out to get in the car and proceed to the airport when I arrived with the UPS man.  I was certainly surprised when Rosie opened my package, said, “Oh, that is soooo exciting!  John, I am going to take this wonderful tote to the beach!”  Well, she kind of carefully placed me in a small zipper compartment of her suitcase.  I might say I was just a little frightened wondering where we were going.  I was here to help with the groceries for heaven’s sake.  I had no idea what she had in mind for me.

I rumbled around in the suitcase and you won’t believe who I ran into.  I was in the same suitcase as pod! Now, not just any ole pod… but the halloween pod that she bought in October.  OMG  we had a great reunion.  She told me that she is always in Rosie’s purse and used so often that she even goes on vacations, etc.  She was very glad to see me and we have had so much fun.

I am sending you a picture of us at the beach.  As you can see, we were used to carry toys, etc.  We were beach bags and have been hanging out together all day.  I just love my new home.  I will write you more later…I an so busy holding sea shells, goggles, sunscreen, crocs and valuable things like cameras.  I am very important to the family and feel so good about myself.

Thank you for sending me here.  I will write more later.

Love, Raspberry Gro

While there were many insights that have had an immediate shift in our environment and personal energy levels, we have created a new ritual over here at BlueAvocado HQ.  It is basically an appreciation wall. Under the advisement of our Feng Shui Consultant and our obsession with sticky notes (which we recycle), we have created  3 simple steps to our “BlueAvocado Stick It Theory” that allows us to celebrate and in some cases recalibrate after a frustrating situation.

1. Take a moment of pause
2. Feel the luv
3. Stick It! (with a sticky of course).

This theory can be used to express to others or just to share a moment (ie. I am grateful we are on Amazon, I am glad that Ruby (Missy’s daughter) did not stick a tortilla up her nose this morning, I am grateful for my family, etc.))

We have also found that this can be a great tool when we are feeling frustrated with either each other or someone else. For example if by chance we may be having an issue, we take a pause, try to see at least one glimmer of good, and stick it!   So for all of us who so easily can get wrapped up in victim of our own circumstance, may we suggest a good ole’ “Stick It!!”