Dandelion's blog

Food Matters

Tue, 13 May 2008 16:17:06 -0500

Sick and tired of the confusion surrounding food?

Want to feel good and prevent or reverse illness & disease? WELCOME TO FOOD MATTERS

Food Matters is a documentary film informing you on the best choices you can make for you and your family's health. Helping you save time, money and effort.In this day and age with so many companies interested in profiting from your misfortune and ill health this film will help keep your money in your pocket and your health in your hands.

We all know someone with Cancer, Heart Disease, Stroke, Diabetes, Obesity, Mental Illness, Depression, Asthma, Arthritis, Osteoporosis, Chronic Fatigue, Allergies and on and on...Knowing what to do and where to turn has become unbelievably complex.

Join the World's Leading Authorities on Nutrition and Natural Healing as they uncover the true cause of disease. Find out what really works, what doesn’t and what’s killing you. Becoming informed about the choices you have for your health and wellbeing can save your life.

A "Local First" Campaign in OurLando?

Tue, 13 May 2008 16:17:23 -0500

At Dandelion, we are passionate about community & are dedicated to helping this city & it's citizens live, work & play in a progressive town. We would like to send a delegation from OurLando to represent our blossoming community at the BALLE "Grow Deep" Conference & are looking to the community to help raise money for airfare & lodging. Please consider making a donation to our travel fund so we can learn what it takes to start & maintain a vibrant "Local First" campaign in OurLando in support of independent business, arts, culture & active citizens.

We need to raise $5,000 for airfare, conference fees, meals, hotel and materials needed to jump-start a program in OurLando. Won't you pitch in? Consider donating $25, $50 or $100. Click on the Donate Button Now!

Mother Day Menu

Mon, 12 May 2008 11:45:09 -0500

Join us this Sunday for Mothers Day & you will find we've created a special menu just for you & mom. Regular menu items still available.

Appetizer
A sweet pair of Jasmine infused rice rolls
with Strawberries , Kiwi & Coconut Vanilla Dipping Sauce
$6

Chilled Soup
Spring Gazpacho
Tomato melon gazpacho with green pepper oil
$4 cup $6 bowl

Salad or Wrap
Strawberry Fields Salad
Spring Greens, Strawberries, Feta, Sunflower Seeds,
Balsamic Vinaigrette, Crostini with Herbed White Bean Puree
$9

Cupcake for Dessert
Vanilla Raspberry Sponge Cake topped with Framboise Cream Icing
By Sweet Tooth Vegan Treats
$3.5

Limited Quantities Available
Pick & choose your options for listed prices or
Order entire menu plus beverage of your choice for $25

Menu by Chef Michelle Minks

Eco Enterprise....We Made the Cover!

Wed, 07 May 2008 17:48:20 -0500

Oh, my. You know something is afoot when the Orlando Chamber puts an eco-preneur on the cover of it's monthly publication. Julie was proud to stand tall in front of Dandelion and spread the eco-word on running an authentic green business. Check the article out here on page 18.

Also in the news recently was Tia Meer of the Simple Living Institute. Check out that article here on page 13.

Earth Day 2008 Photos & News Coverage

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 10:12:01 -0500

What a fantastic celebration we had! It was so amazing to have all of our neighbors band together to celebrate mama earth - many thanks to event organizers Emily Ruff & Mike Tiner from the Florida School of Holistic Living for their tireless efforts to bring this celebration to OurLando!

Why we need to REDUCE the use of plastic...

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:30:54 -0500

Apparently, plastic we use ends up in the ocean. Lots of it. A friend of a friend of a friend put together this 12 part documentary. Here's Episode 1 of 12. For More, Go here.

New Study: Organic veggies have more nutrients

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 14:22:21 -0500

A review of nearly 100 scientific studies has concluded that, on average, organic fruits and vegetables have more vitamins, minerals, and beneficial antioxidants than their conventionally grown counterparts. In the new report, scientists from The Organic Center (a nonprofit that promotes organic farming), examined carefully matched measurements of selected nutrients in specific organic and conventionally grown foods. The scientists found that the organic produce had higher levels of tested nutrients in 61 percent of the cases. Furthermore, the organic foods tended to have higher levels of antioxidants and polyphenols, nutrients that are often in short supply in U.S. diets. By contrast, conventional produce had higher levels of potassium, phosphorus, and total protein, which most people already have in their diets in sufficient amounts. The Organic Center will update its findings online as new studies comparing organic and conventional foods are published. Read the report.

Transforming the Extraordinary

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:20:44 -0500

Golly gee, we are BUSY! Keeping pace with all the happy folks who come through our door - loyal regulars who have been with us since the get-go, new folks who are finding us every day & friends from out of town who find our little oasis - are all stoked to see our success.

For the better part of the past year I've been upgrading to our kitchen facilities to increase our efficiency, allow for more flexibility in our menu and best of all, allow you, our guest, to relax more and enjoy your time at Dandelion.

The Magic Stays! Here's what will NEVER change:

Our down to earth, eclectic, diverse, everyone's welcome all the time friendliness & approachability.
Casual atmosphere & space for local artists, musicians, poets and YOU to showcase your creative talents in a community atmosphere.
Our commitment to a sustainable business: we will always strive to be greener, will never stray from our vegetarian roots and will always be your authentic, grassroots stomping ground.

Here are some of the TRANSFORMATIONS we have on the horizon:

We are here to serve you. Now, we really will.
That's right, starting mid-April, you can now plop down at your favorite table and we'll come take your order, bring you your food, chat with you about tea, wine, awesome vegan desserts & let you in on the cool events we've got going on. We'll even refill your drinks & get a to go box for you if you need one. Aren't we sweet?

Go See an Indie Movie This Week! or Two, or Three!

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:54:36 -0500

Well, the Florida Film Fest is going on through Sun, April 6th. Since Chris Blanc, co-owner of Dandelion also happens to be the Ops Director for the Enzian, I happen to have some inside info that this year's film selections are awesome. Below are some of my suggestions, but feel free to peruse the listings & go see some great independent films! More at http://foridafilmfestival.com

Julie's Picks:
Shorts Program #2: Slide features Sunlit Shadows from Orlando's own Ben Piety and Kate Hudson directorial debut in Cutlass starring Virginia Madsen, Kurt Russell & Dakota Fanning

Battle In Seattle Sparked by tens of thousands protesting the 1999 World Trade Organization conference, riots in the normally laid-back Northwestern city spanned five days, and the scene eventually grew into a state of emergency. Woven together with actual footage and dramatic performances, the film showcases the events from multiple points of view including protestors, police, and city officials. All-star cast including Oscar winner Charlize Theron, Woody Harrelson, Michelle Rodriguez & Ray Liotta.

Shorts Program #3: Shuffle features Hole in the Paper Sky starring Jessica Biel, Jason Clarke & Garry Marshall (click on title to see all recommendations)

Simple Living Benefit Concert

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 08:47:07 -0500

Central Florida Earth Day, April 19th -20th

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:38:10 -0500

Central Florida Earth Day (CFED) is a weekend-long celebration taking place April 19-20th.

A weekend of education and mobilization to take responsibility for a healthy local environment and a healthy, sustainable planet! Join local environmental organizations, businesses and municipalities as we share our support of Mother Nature by participating in local events throughout the weekend.

Saturday the 19th will feature a FREE outdoor festival at Dandelion Communitea Cafe with a diverse local music line-up. We will have environmental workshops, a kid's play area and much more. Click here for more info.

Central Florida's Largest Community Earth Day Celebration, featuring three stages of live music all day, with the Token Gamblers, Mr. Richard, Kaleigh Baker, Papa Kapala, Bughead & more!

+ Full Moon Drum Circle 7-10 pm
+ Dozens of Eco-Craft and Sustainable Vendors
+ Organic Beer from Orlando Brewing
+ Educational Speakers and Environmental Organizations
+ Wine and Food from Whole Foods Market
+ Live Community Mural Painting, and Art Auction
+ Children's Discovery Area from Playground Magazine and Misty Forest

For more information, or to get involved: info@cfearthday.org 407.595.3731
www.holisticlivingschool.org

Sunday the 20th will feature action events presented by dozens of Central Florida environmental organizations and municipal agencies.

Leap Year Day - Watch It Live

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 11:36:57 -0600

Check it out!Orlando Sentinel http://www.orlandosentinel.com/ is covering "Leap Year Day" in its entirety - live. Also check - http://www.brianfeldman.com/ has some links too.

"Leap Year Day: A 24-Hour Performance Art Piece Partially Inspired By Roy Shifrin's Sculpture "The Leaper" -- Friday, February 29, 2008 from 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM -- City Commons Plaza, 400 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, Florida"

Better yet, go see it yourself!

A Summerbird in Your Salad

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:04:51 -0600

In case ya'll haven't noticed, I LOVE local music, in particular, the local music found right here in OurLando. Half of the Dandelion Tribe is involved in one band or another, which makes for some interesting sing-along's in the kitchen, for sure. While I could go on and on about each and every single one of our rock stars, I'll highlight one in particular that has been getting a lot of attention.

Curtis Brown (the sweet one in the center, with bandmates brad & tyson)of Summerbirds in the Cellar has been making your wraps for the better part of the past year and will soon be opening for REM at SXSW, which is the Sundance of music festivals. Incidentally, Curtis is also the inspiration for my favorite breakfast menu item: the Curty Pie - a bagel sandwich with apples, cream cheese, cranberries & brown sugar!

Check out this music video & look for their album on sale at Dandelion.

A Cosmic Drum Circle with Total Lunar Eclipse

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:44:05 -0600

We hope you will join us in being a part of and helping to spread the word about our upcoming Full Moon & Lunar Eclipse Community Circle on Wednesday, February 20, 2008.

Join us as we gather in community to witness and celebrate the last widely visible lunar eclipse in North American until December 20, 2010.

Our evening begins with meditation from Shine On Yoga at 6 pm on the lawn, shared by Kate Levensohn (www.shineonyoga.com). Join us to cultivate your energy and prepare your mind for a powerful spiritual evening.

Community drumming begins at 7 pm on the lawn. The eclipse viewing begins at 8:43 pm. The moon is in total darkness beginning at 10:00 pm - at which time, the drumming concludes with Tibetan bells, and we transition into silent meditation. After our community silence and prayer, we will enter into a meditative circle, featuring crystal bowls and flutes, until the conclusion of the eclipse at midnight.

Share with us as we gather in unity and community to celebrate this powerful spiritual earth event. Thank you for sharing the word!

Happy Valentine's Day - Love Songs to You & Humanity

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:23:52 -0600