Organic and Vegan Desserts

It's the holiday season, and nothing reflects the spirit more than delicious desserts - especially desserts that contain no animal products at all! There are a host of great shops that feature vegan, organic and fair trade desserts that are both mouth-watering and guilt-free. While it may be a bit late for holiday delivery, it's a perfect gift you can get anytime for yourself and the ones you love. Check out a few of the great shops below! Holy Chocolate, Batman! Ghalia Organic Desserts has a huge selection of organic chocolate desserts to choose from. Whether you want to purchase a delicious treat for a friend or grab some comfort foods for yourself - this is the place to go. The dairy free, egg free, Mexican chocolate cake looks absolutely divine and is made with whole wheat pastry flour and Dagoba semisweet chocolate. Other desserts that look inviting include the Dark Chocolate Coconut cake, the Upside Down Caramelized Banana Chocolate cake, and the Carrot Ginger cake. Baked to Perfection If you're a sucker for delicious baked brownies and cookies, you're in for a real treat. Sweet Debbie's has a great selection of baked goods. The only problem you'll have is deciding which ones to try first. You can get delicious flavors like oatmeal raisin cookies, chocolate chip, and peanut butter chocolate chip. The gourmet dark chocolate peanut butter brownie is absolutely drool-worthy! Both the brownies and the cookies are made from spelt flour and are organic. Nectar of the Gods Anyone who knows me knows that coffee is my vice, and nothing better complements a couple of rich chocolates or a chewy brownie than a freshly-brewed cup of Joe. Luckily, Allison's Gourmet has that, too - and organic/fair trade teas. All of the coffees available from Allison's Gourmet are shade grown as well, to ensure wildlife habitat protection. From decaf vanilla nut coffee to rich, Aztec dark coffee, you can get your fix here - and look forward to more information on Allison's coming up on the Green Connoisseur main site. Make sure you check out the large selection of herbal teas and tea gift tins, as well. When you're looking for delicious vegan, organic and fair trade treats - keep these delicious organic bakeries and shops in mind. Photo Credits: Sweet Debbie's, Ghalia Organic Desserts, Allison's Gourmet

Marley Coffee Wants You to Stir It Up

Three Little Birds told me, 'Don't Worry, Be Happy, The Sun is Shining and Everything's Gonna Be Alright. While Jammin to whatever beat you follow, Marley Coffee wants you to Get Up, Stand Up and Stir It Up with a variety of organic, eco-conscious, people-conscious coffee. The unforgettable reggae musician Bob Marley is known for touching the world with his words and creativity, but what many people are unaware of – he also harbored a keen interest in farming. Today, one of Marley's sons, Rohan (with friend Shane Whittle) has successfully joined the ranks as a valued and influential manufacturer of international gourmet coffee. Inspired by memories of his grandmother drying wild coffee berries in the sun to roast her own cups of coffee, Rohan Marley wishes to share the same richness and smooth flavor in Marley Coffee. After gaining the approval of the Jamaican Coffee Industry Board (CIB) to transform their private reserve beans into magical brews, Marley Coffee proudly produces shade-grown coffee blends – all certified organic by the USDA and the Pacific Agricultural Certification Society of Canada (PACS). With offices in Vancouver, Los Angeles and Jamaica, the Marley Coffee private estate (located atop the Blue Mountains in Chepstowe, Portland Jamaica) may soon share some of the most sought-after coffee beans in the world with your local grocer. For now, select locations and an online store offer the coffees. In the future, the family hopes to market other Marley-inspired foods and drinks, including grilling sauces, teas, wine, and jellies. An Earth-Conscious Company Marley Coffee is not only organic, but is also shade-grown on bio-diverse land without the help of pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides or any other additives. Grown at an elevation of more than 3000 feet, rainforest-preserving shade trees protect the coffee. By embracing organic farming practices, the overall Marley Coffee process involves healthier soil and decreased water contamination, which also contributes to the preservation of the planet, including habitat for migratory birds. Marley Coffee also sets an example for the ethical treatment of farm workers by paying twice the average wage and providing safe working conditions. It is a company belief that "ethical coffee tastes better." Marley Coffee Flavors

• Simmer Down (Organic Swiss Water Decaf): a mixture of cocoa, nutmeg and West Indian spices.
• Lively Up! (Organic 5-Bean Espresso Blends): imagine a blend of cocoa, caramel and candied fruits.
• One Love (Organic Ethiopian Yirgacheffe): hints of blueberry, cocoa and spice with a cherry finish
• Mystic Morning (Organic Wakeup Coffee): explore cocoa, spice, cedar, cinnamon and cooked pumpkin
• Jammin Java (Organic Bold Full-City Roast): hints of dark chocolate berries with earthy overtones

Giving Back Marley Coffee takes a vested interest in elevating the health and happiness of the workers that contribute to producing their exceptionally aromatic, robust products. The Marley Coffee Foundation not only donates a percentage of all Marley Coffee product sales to improving living conditions and opportunities, but also establishes soccer fields and soccer camps for the children of coffee-producing communities. Interested in tasting a legacy? Some lucky coffee drinkers can easily step into their local shops for instant Marley Coffee gratification, but others must make do by ordering their coffee online. Image Credits: Marley Coffee

Zocalo Cafe: Community, Earth-Minded Coffeehouse

Here’s a concept – build a planet-friendly coffee shop that strengthens community ties and serves up in-house roasted brews and specialty teas. You might say it's been done before, but does it compare to the Zocalo Coffeehouse – the only certified green café in San Leandro, California? This independent, locally owned establishment and roastery is open 365 days a year, standing by a commitment that the people and planet come before the product. Green Efforts The green efforts of Zocalo begin with choices to reduce the coffeehouse's impact on the environment. Beyond embracing recycled-content paper goods, coffeehouse employees take great strides to recycle their organic, plastic, glass, metal, and paper waste. In the bathroom, motion-detection lighting saves energy, while low-flow toilets and faucet aerators conserve water. The home-office runs on solar power and the coffeehouse gets from point A to point B using a hybrid vehicle. Additionally, the "walkable" location of the coffeehouse encourages less congestion and pollution, as it is situated in a convenient downtown setting. To reduce the use of plastic bottled water, tap water is offered to patrons for free. Order a serving of organically grown, fair trade coffee and it's served in organically recyclable corn-based "plastic" cups. You may also take advantage of a 10-cent discount offered to coffee drinkers who use their own or reuse a Zocalo cup. Exotic Edibles and Drinkables While the majority of coffeeshops offer muffins, bagels and exotic pastries to accompany their Mocha Javas and Double Shot Espressos, Zocalo Café additionally presents a selection of healthier options, such as ginger drinks, Moroccan hummus, and plantain chips from Soleil's African Kitchen. With an SFGate Drink of the Week already under the belt, you'll enjoy the Mango Ginger, Passionfruit Ginger, Hibiscus, and Ginger Lemonade offered at Zocalo. Rent the Coffeehouse When planning an evening event, Zocalo Coffeehouse offers their space for your festivities and special occasions. Providing safe and clean surroundings, plan your next surprise birthday party, formal dinner, or company fundraiser at Zocalo. Events start as early as 7pm and can run as late as 11pm with complimentary brewed coffee. For the Community Stepping inside Zocalo is like visiting a relative. The atmosphere produces a positive energy with plenty of inviting features to take advantage of. The family-friendly kids play area allows parents to unwind, while their kiddies unwind. The baby changing station in the restroom is prepared for life's natural interruptions. Check your email or conduct research surrounded by the scent of fresh coffee with the complimentary wireless Internet access. Stay competitive at the game table or simply browse the selection of magazines available for reading. Zocalo also hosts and participates in annual community events, such as the Halloween Safe Streets Safe Treat; local author book signings; the yearly Annual Arts & Crafts Fundraiser; and the San Leandro Cherry Festival. The coffeehouse also presents the San Leandro Community Action Network's Monthly Film Series. And last but not least, what coffeehouse provides their patrons with a JavaGym? This space offers classes for the community, ranging from Spinning, Pilates and Kickboxing to the Spanish Language for Kids. No wonder the café earned SFGate Best Coffee Shop in Bay Area in 2008. If you live in the region or plan on stopping by the neighborhood, don't forget to indulge in the luxury of community-centered brews at: Zocalo Coffeehouse 645 Bancroft Ave (at Dutton Ave) San Leandro CA 94577 (510) 569-0102 Hours Monday-Friday (6am to 6pm) Saturdays (7am to 6pm) Sundays (8am to 6pm) Image Credits: Zocalo