It’s a struggle and beyond tough. I’ve been on a pandemic diet that has seen me yo-yo plus minus 6 pounds in either direction.  And now many of us have realized that the way to deal with this Imbalance, with these anxieties and with the unknowns of Covid is to re-balance and to re-focus.  

*Real moringa stories are brought to you from our moringa superfans who want to share their personal experiences with the greater community. We are grateful to our Kuli Kuli Collective members, and their dedication and passion to superfoods that nourish the world!

Balance of Mind, Spirit and Body in the Age of Covid

In the middle of all of this noise and distractions, how does one cope? I’ve started a new routine and it’s called walking. It’s really enhanced walking to me, which can last from 45 to 85 minutes, depending on the podcast(s) I’m listening to.

I find that walking around 6 am in the morning gives me a sense of stillness and peacefulness that prepares me for the uncertainty of the day. And I’ve been able to listen to a wide variety of topics that I normally don’t:  history of mathematics, plant-based business hour, Freakonomics radio, race relations, Latino Founder hours, etc.

And in the course of this journey, I found myself gravitating more towards health, wellness and food podcasts for which many talk about and educate about plant based and vegan options.  I’m what you could call a FlexiTarian — a Vegan-Curious Consumer. I don’t adhere to a vegan lifestyle, but I have a curious palate and willingness to indulge. What has mesmerized me are the tremendous leaps made in terms of texture, taste and consistency. Long gone are the Tofu for all days, all occasions, all cuisines mantra.

Moringa and #MeatlessMondays

So I’ve been slowly gravitating and strongly encouraging my family to continue to celebrate #MeatlessMondays but to have them on a more regular basis, even if it’s not Monday. And it totally makes sense, since every day feels like a Blursday.

Moringa is great in fruity smoothies.

So part of the re-balancing involves being totally present with my family during dinner time –without electronic devices.  In the morning, we have power smoothies and/or vitamins every other day.  These days, I’ve also added moringa on a rotational basis to other foods — I sprinkle it on my hummus, on my honey mustard and soy sauce dressing, I even added it to the chayote onion, curry, cheese stuffing that I make.

We are grateful. We remind each other that we are very fortunate and that we can continue with the majority of our lifestyle habits during the surrealness we are living.   What irritates us are inconveniences — that is all.  And of course, we continue to binge on Netflix to distract our minds. We’re currently on Season 4 of “Shameless” and hooked….. Sending blessings to you for continued balance, tranquility and #MoringaAnyDay kind of days!

Special Promo from Me to You!

Now it’s time to stock up on your moringa powder, bars, smoothie mix and shots and save 15% with this link, from me Sergio, to you. Cheers to your health!

How do you find balance these days? Let us know in the comments below!

Follow us @kulikulifoods so we can see some of your favorite ways to add this energizing superfood to your daily routine.

The post Real Moringa Stories: Balance of Mind, Spirit and Body in the Age of Covid appeared first on Kuli Kuli Foods.

Joel Makower of GreenBiz moderated an incredible panel featuring Kuli Kuli founder & CEO Lisa Curtis, Erin Callahan of The Climate Collaborative, and Mike Forbes of Alter Eco.

Carbon Neutrality Amidst COVID-19: Perspectives of Sustainable Food Brands

If you missed the webinar, Carbon Neutrality Amidst COVID-19: Perspectives of Sustainable Food Brands, you can watch it by clicking the link, or watching it below. We’ll provide a quick summary in this article too.

3 Takeaways from our Carbon Neutrality Webinar

This is a tricky time for businesses and individuals around the world navigating the challenges of COVID-19. We hope this webinar offers insight into how sustainability does not need to be compromised during this time.

More and more consumers want to know the specific ways that businesses are prioritizing and acting on sustainable initiatives.

1) Sustainability Matters To Consumers, Even During Covid

Lisa Curtis started the conversation sharing a recent report that around 86% of consumers during COVID have said that they still look for sustainability in their product. This is particularly true, according to the findings, when shopping for food.

This could be good news for the food industry and the environment, as the study alludes that people are rightfully concerned about the impact companies have on people and the planet. Food brands that make sustainability a first priority and central tenet of their mission, rather than an afterthought, are more likely to make greater strides towards carbon neutrality. And there are so many brands doing that good work!

“There’s been this push for net-zero,” Joel Makower adds, towards the beginning of the webinar. Every week it seems, there are businesses sharing resource with each other, and helping transition other companies more quickly towards sustainable actions.

2) Carbon Neutrality is a Mindset to Change Your Number, Not Just Offset It 

Mike Forbes, CEO of Alter Eco, explains how and why Alter Eco weaves sustainability into everything they do—and why that is essential to their mission. “We believe that anything we sell, and that’s largely chocolate, should be better for the farmer that produces it, better for the planet that provides it, and just awesome for people who consume it,” Mike Forbes explains.

Every year, Alter Eco works with an external firm to study the total carbon emitted by their overall business processes, and how they can reduce it.

Airplane transportation for businesses can increase carbon numbers significantly.

These emissions can come from the growing of the product, logistics via transportation emissions, packaging, manufacturing, and more.

“Once we get that carbon number, that helps us really think intelligently about how we can make that number better […] This year, for example, our logistics number was higher than we thought,” Forbes explains. With that third-party insight, the team at Alter Eco worked to reduce that emission.

This level of detail keeps Alter Eco at the forefront of their innovative and sustainable actions. It also keeps them on track with their ongoing push to lower their carbon number, not just offset it.

3) Remember to Stay Curious and Strategic

A little over halfway into the webinar, Erin Callahan of The Climate Collaborative offers the mindset of “staying curious” when it comes to exploring how to reduce carbon emissions. “For any company looking to reduce their supply chain emissions,” Erin explains, “it again can be very intimidating, especially if you’re a small company.”

Carbon Neutrality Requires Curiosity

Erin’s hope with The Climate Collaborative is to share insight among natural food businesses, and shape an industry that addresses climate change with actionable items.

This does not have to mean trying to tackle every aspect at once, especially for individuals and companies who are new to sustainability endeavors. Be strategic, Erin advises.

“Don’t try to have a new packaging strategy, a new transportation system, and a new sourcing or best practices & conduct all at the same time.” Erin explains. “Look at where your hot spots are. Then, try and figure out where you have both the most control and influence, combined with the biggest potential impact.”

What Steps Are Next? 

Whether you are an individual who wants to support businesses that act on carbon neutrality, or you’re a business owner hoping to examine and shift your own carbon emissions, there are lots of ways to become involved. We all have a relationship with the food we eat and put into our bodies, and studies show that even during COVID, consumers care about sustainable practices from the brands they support.

The natural food industry has many companies leading the way with actions around carbon neutrality and ethical supply chains. For example, 661 companies are part of The Climate Collaborative, including Kuli Kuli and Alter Eco. Maybe in the near future, the natural foods industry will become the rising leader in sustainable business practices.

For more webinar recaps, be sure to checkout Quarantine Cooking, 3 Takeaways from Our Women’s Health Webinar, and How to Build a Climate-Smart and Ethical Business.

Please watch our webinar below about carbon neutrality and sustainability admist uncertain times. Feel free to share with anyone who also inspires you, and leave a comment below!

Do you think the natural foods industry can become the rising leader in sustainable business? Let us know your thoughts or questions below!

Follow us @kulikulifoods to learn more about our sustainability initiatives.

The post Carbon Neutrality Amidst Covid-19 appeared first on Kuli Kuli Foods.

In this article, we want to celebrate the work by Russell and Jewell Bean, who run a farm in Alabama with moringa trees, fruits, vegetables, goats, and more! Enjoy the article, and feel free to leave a comment below, or share with a friend.

Meet Russell and Jewell Bean

Russell & Jewell Bean are third-generation farmers based in Eufaula, Alabama. They operate 88 acres on S & B Farm, which has been in Jewell’s family for 105 years. Their farm is a lively place. Vegetables, fruits, medicinal herbs, goats, poultry, and heritage pigs call the S & B farm home. Animals on the S & B Farm eat moringa too, and benefit from eating the superfood.

James Brady, a Leader in the Moringa Movement, introduced the Kuli Kuli team to Russell and Jewell Bean. James and Russell grew up in Public Housing in Alabama, and were also members of the Boys and Girls Club; as children, neither one knew of their journey into the moringa world. Today, both men are moringa growers and advocates of a plant unheard of growing up!

Moringa is a central part of the Bean’s farm. “We were introduced to moringa through our Jamaican mechanic,” Russell and Jewell share. “Moringa has a way of assisting the body in many ways to heal itself.”

At the S & B Farm, the Beans grow moringa until winter settles in. They also introduce moringa to other farmers in the area, and share their moringa seeds with their clients throughout the United States.

“We use moringa in our drinks, meals, medicine cabinet and throughout the farm.” -Jewell and Russell Bean

Jewell & Russell are award-winning farming experts. They were named 2016 Lloyd Wright Small Farmer and 2017 Small Farmers of the Year by Alabama NRCS. They have also been featured in several top magazines, newspapers and televisions stations.

Resource Specialists with a Love for Moringa

Jewell & Russell received Resolutions from Alabama House of Representatives, Alabama State Senate and Barbour County Commission for their work as farmers in the community, county, state and region. Jewell is a Resource Specialist for Food, Nutrition, Health, Youth and Community Development with Tuskegee University. Russell is a Resource Specialist for Small Farm, Agriculture and Environment with Tuskegee University. Russell and Jewell have several published research in the Professional Agricultural Workers Journal.

Moringa Trees on the Bean Farm

Russell & Jewell has completed more than 25 classes each in agricultural plant & animal sciences practices. The Bean’s are certified in FSMA, Postharvest, Risk Management, Marketing, Master Goat Producers, Tunnel House Production and Energy Data Collector. Russell & Jewell completed the 2-year Small Farmer Agricultural Leadership Institute Program from Southern University and A & M College System. Jewell & Russell have trained thousands of small-scale farmers with their peer-to-peer and hands-on trainings, workshops and seminars over the past 5 years.

Training Certificates Available!

Jewell and Russell offer a one-year training certificate to anyone interested in farming. They cover everything agricultural. Most of their trainings are geared toward New and Beginning Farmers/Ranchers, Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Military Veterans. Russell & Jewell also have a great working relationship with Tuskegee University, Auburn University, Alabama A & M University and many other Agricultural Universities throughout the U.S.

The Jewell & Russell family motto is, “Never give up, but always give back! It is all about what you do for others.” All of their work honors this motto, and together, Jewell and Russell help make moringa and small-scale farming in the United States prosper.

For more articles on other moringa leaders, please read our other article, Meet James Brady: A Leader in the Moringa Movement. Feel free to leave a comment below too!

Thank you to Russell and Jewell Bean, for all they do to share moringa with small-scale farmers throughout the United States.

Follow us @kulikulifoods to learn more about leaders like Russell and Jewell Bean.

The post Meet Russell & Jewell Bean: Leaders in the Moringa Movement appeared first on Kuli Kuli Foods.

The webinar featured moderator Emily Laurence, who is the Senior Writer at Well + Good. Joining her were two innovative chefs and Food Network stars, Chef Palak P. and Chef Michele Hunter.

Quick & Easy Quarantine Cooking: Healthy At-Home Recipes by Food Network Stars

If you missed Quick & Easy Quarantine Cooking: Healthy At-Home Recipes by Food Network Stars, you can watch it by clicking the link, or watching it below. We’ll provide a quick summary and the recipes here too.

3 Take-Aways FROM OUR LIVE COOKING DEMO

Before they got cooking, Chef Palak P. and Chef Michele Hunter told us the truth about cooking while stressed, Chopped, and experimenting in recipes. If you’re wondering what’s real on set of Chopped, and what’s not, look no further.” Chopped is exactly what you see—the amount of stress that we’re under is exactly translated on screen. They don’t stop the cameras,” Chef Palak P. explains. Chef Palak was a winner on both Chopped and Beat Bobby Flay, both on The Food Network. She’s also the creator of Dinner Lab Supper Club. 

Chef Michele Hunter was also on Chopped and is currently the executive chef at Hamlet & Ghost, in Saratoga Springs, New York. Chef Hunter echoes sentiment on the reality of Chopped. “There’s no TV magic. That is all real!”

1) At-home Snacking Is Real – Here’s How to Make Nutritious Granola

Chef Palak shares savory snacks during quarantine have been a big comfort. Eating healthy foods all the time is not easy, but Chef Palak felt inspired by all the oatmeal around her house, but didn’t want to eat it as plain oatmeal.

This recipe was inspired by “incorporating flavors that I like to eat,” Chef Palak explains, including the ingredient moringa. Growing up in India, Chef Palak saw moringa everywhere, mainly in its drumstick form where it is often cooked in a lentil dish called sambar, a regional specialty in southern India.

Chef Palak offers a template recipe for granola, and encourages people to add whatever twists they like. Whole-rolled oats toasted on the stove, and flavorful spices like paprika and chili powder make this granola extra delicious. “Toasting the oats gets the flavor out of them. They kind of become nutty,” Chef Palak explains.

For the full healthy granola recipe with pumpkin seeds and moringa, see below!

Chef Palak’s Moringa Granola Recipe Moringa Granola by Chef Palak Ingredients: 2 cups rolled gluten-free oats 1⁄4 cup coconut oil or grapeseed oil (grapeseed has a neutral flavor) 1 tablespoon Kuli Kuli Pure Moringa Powder 1⁄4 cup maple syrup 1 tablespoon smoked sweet paprika 1 teaspoon spicy paprika 1⁄4 teaspoon chili powder (cayenne or chipotle) 1⁄4 cup green or golden raisins (or any dried fruit) 1⁄2 cup raw sprouted pumpkin seeds 1⁄4 cup coconut flakes 1 cup nuts (mix walnuts and pecans) Sea salt to taste Directions: Heat a large skillet over medium heat on the stovetop. Toast oats until golden brown. Remove oats from heat and set aside. Add chopped nuts and coconut flakes and toast gently. Combine toasted oats, nuts, pumpkin seeds, raisins, and coconut flakes in a large bowl. Mix the oil, maple syrup, spices, moringa, and salt into a bowl and mix well. Add to bowl with oats and mix with a wooden spoon, so the oats are well coated. Add the mixture back to the skillet and spread in an even layer gently heat through. Let the granola completely cool and store it in a cool, dry place.

2) Sweet Treats Offer Comfort, Like Coconut Moringa Panna Cotta

Chef Michele Hunter dives right in. “I have toasted coconut chips, marconi almonds, and some orange to put on top. What’s really nice about this recipe is that it isn’t super sweet. I frequently eat it for breakfast. With the moringa granola on top would actually be really good.”

While Chef Hunter’s recipe has heavy cream in it, she offers the tip of switching that for any non-dairy milk that you prefer. “I would suggest oat milk or almond milk, not coconut milk for this. Cold coconut milk solidifies when cold.” Fun fact: Thai red curry with coconut milk is Chef Hunter’s go-to recipe while cooking at home.

In this recipe, Chef Hunter heated the cream before adding the sugar. While still nice and warm, Chef Hunter added the gelatin so it could melt together, followed by the coconut milk, vanilla, and the moringa powder. “Between the moringa and all the nuts and seeds, this is full of protein too,” Chef Hunter says.

For the full coconut panna cotta recipe, see below!

3) Moringa goes really well with fruits & spices

Chef Hunter recommends adding moringa to fruity dishes to help reduce the strong vegetable flavor. Topping the panna cotta with orange slices is one way to balance the sweet flavors with the vegetable hardiness of moringa.

Chef Palak loves adding spices to moringa, and also had a fun discovery adding moringa to key lime pie recipes. “I was always making key lime pie with matcha, but I can’t have too much caffeine. When I got the moringa, it was really mild with the coconut in there.” Chef Palak also recommends adding moringa to stews and vegetable curries, and adding the moringa at the end so as not to overcook it or lose the nutritional value.

“A teaspoon of moringa goes a long ways. Mixed with mango too. Moringa and mango are very complimentary flavors.” Chef Palak adds. For more highlights, please watch our webinar below about quick and easy recipes to add variety to your at-home cooking.

If you’re feeling inspired after reading or watching this live cooking show, please leave a comment and let us know your favorite ways to strengthen your at-home diet with moringa. Enjoy the show!

Anyone making Chef Michele Hunter’s panna cotta and topping it with Chef Palak’s moringa granola? Tag us @kulikulifoods so we can celebrate your creation!

The post Quarantine Cooking: Food Network Stars Share Their Recipes appeared first on Kuli Kuli Foods.

Kuli Kuli founder & CEO Lisa Curtis hosted an incredible panel that included research scientist Dr. Carrie Waterman, clinical herbalist Rachelle Robinett, and social entrepreneur Pamela Anyoti Peronaci.

How to Eat for Energy and Immunity: How Women Can Stay Healthy During COVID-19

If you missed the webinar, Eating for Energy and Immunity: How Women Can Stay Healthy During COVID-19, you can watch it by clicking the link, or watching it below. We’ll provide a quick summary in this article too.

3 Takeaways from Our Women’s Health Webinar

This is a tricky time for women, families, and farmers around the world. We hope this webinar offers a bit of insight into how to balance health during challenging times, as well as insight into a more equitable future for both genders.

1. “Food as medicine” looks different around the world

With the pandemic, there is a lot of ongoing duties that women are bearing. Access to medicinal foods does not look the same in any two cities, let alone on different continents. Pamela Anyoti Peronaci, a social entrepreneur and Kuli Kuli moringa supplier, says that she’s working closely with farmers in Uganda right now, to make sure that they have the information they need to feel supported.

Pamela Soroti (right) in 2018.

About 10 minutes into the webinar, Pamela explains how “in Uganda, women in rural areas do not have the same access to information. Eventually, they hear everything is locked down […] and it is an additional burden to the mothers, whose children are usually in boarding schools.”

These times rock families, and in particular, impact women’s roles as caretakers. Acknowledging this is a key part of moving towards greater women’s health efforts, especially for women who are navigating Covid times and caring for their children who are no longer in school.

Additionally, in rural Uganda, this concept of “food as medicine” looks different than it might in America. “Going back to indigenous knowledge” is a key part of how Pamela views holistic health during these times.

Thirty minutes into the webinar, Pamela also shares her favorite ways to cook with moringa—moringa “pesto” lasagna with pine nuts and cheese! Stay tuned for a recipe. Pamela is always developing new moringa recipes.

2. Phytochemicals matter—especially for greater immune system health

Dr. Carrie Waterman offers a clear summary of the role of phytochemicals, about 20 minutes into the webinar. Lots of people want to support their immune system, but don’t know how. Luckily, foods rich in phytochemicals can offer lots of nutrients.

“Phyto” means “plant,” so we can think of phytochemicals as the primary compounds that plants offer. A lot of those chemicals, ie., phytochemicals, evolved as a way to protect the plant from competition, UV rays, insect attacks, virus attacks, etc.

“Plants evolved these compounds, because as plants, you can’t run away,” Dr. Waterman jokes, “so plants make these compounds as a secondary defense, hence why they are sometimes called ‘secondary defense’ compounds.” When plants are rich in antioxidants, for example, it’s because they needed antioxidants as a species for their own UV protection. As Waterman explains, when we eat plants, “we take advantage of those plants and all those chemical defenses.”

The nutritional and phytochemical properties of moringa are one part of a much larger health puzzle. Moringa is unique in that it is very dense in the phytochemical composition they offer. If you’re curious about The Science Behind Nourishing Immunity, we offer a great article that explains phytochemicals more.

3. Post-pandemic times might force us into new essentials and priorities. 

Around 50 minutes into the webinar, Rachelle Robinett offers inspiration as we start thinking about “better ways” to address health, especially women’s health, moving forward.

We are being “forced into new essentials, new basics, new priorities,” Rachelle articulates. “I hope that we are able to learn some of the essentials of self-care, health, and preventative medicine.” For people wanting to supplement their kid’s diets with herbs, and are struggling with that process, Rachelle also suggests trying different quantities of herbs or different plants.

“If it’s not raw garlic of spicy food, maybe it’s some parsley or some mint tea, or chamomile—chamomile is a really good one for kids,” Rachelle offers.

For more highlights, please watch our webinar below about women’s health, and eating for immunity during uncertain times.

Thank you to our greater Kuli Kuli community as we unite in our global health efforts across the world. Feel free to leave any questions or comments below!

Follow us @kulikulifoods to learn more about women’s health, immunity, and overall wellness.

The post How to Eat for Energy and Immunity: Women’s Health Amid Covid appeared first on Kuli Kuli Foods.

If you missed the webinar, Creating Climate-Friendly Businesses Despite Global Chaos, you can watch it by clicking the link, or watching it below. We’ll provide a quick summary in this article too.

Climate-Friendly Business Webinar featuring Lisa Curtis, Teddy Ruge, and Larissa Zimberoff.

3 Highlights from our Climate-Smart Webinar

This is a tricky time for small businesses and farmers around the world. We hope this webinar offers a bit of hope, and solid reason to move forward with sustainable initiatives because of uncertain times—not only despite them.

1. Sustainable and Ethical Initiatives Can Bolster Each Other

Sustainable and ethically-driven initiatives do not inherently compete as priorities, for a business to consider. About four minutes into this webinar, Teddy Ruge explains how moringa farming became a catalyst for prioritizing sustainable farming and providing income to farmers. With climate change already impacting Uganda, Teddy felt that sustainable farming was the best way forward. In his experience, subsistence farmers have a lot of land, but they often do not have the resources to turn that land into a consistent income.

Teddy Ruge, climate-smart innovator

Teddy began moringa farming by wondering “how do we incentivize famers to plant this particular plant the way that we want to be planted,” meaning, in a sustainable manner? To make this happen, Teddy wanted to ensure that farmers would also benefit from the sustainable and commercial farming of moringa.

To do this, Teddy devised a Secure Income Program. By calculating how much income one hectare of moringa farming brings, and dividing that amount into monthly payments. Every month, farmers are guaranteed a payment so they can plan their finances, rather than waiting for a profit for a product that is months away from going to market.

2. Functional Food Forests Are the Way Forward

Teddy mentions the idea of a “functional food forest.” These forests are based on the principle that everything is interconnected. From an ecological perspective, this premise is true. Food forests and farms mimic “natural forests” in terms of ecological services. They also help mitigate drought, floods, and other increased challenges associated with climate change.

Food forests offer a closed, sustainable system where the soil is nourished with organic practices, which also supports the lives of any flora and fauna that find their way into this food forest ecosystem.

When farmers do not have to worry solely about food security and income, there is more incentive to care for the ecosystem and support climate-smart agriculture. Deforestation is a pressing issue, and moringa can be part of reforestation efforts. Moringa exist well with other crops and species, and can help restore landscapes damaged by unsustainable farming, such as that of sugarcane.

3. People Want to Care About Their Brands

About thirty-five minutes into the webinar, founder and CEO of Kuli Kuli, Lisa Curtis explains a key point. Businesses can benefit from having ethical supply chains and sustainability as part of their core mission. Now more than ever, people want to feel connected to the goods they purchase. With food, people want to feel connected in several ways. Who grew the product? What is the land like where this food was grown? Do these farmers get paid well? How is the land cared for?

Small companies that change the lives of people can be role-models for bigger companies too. Imagine a world where every company valued people and the land first, before profits?

In the words of Lisa Curtis, “that transparency and authenticity and consistency is something that so many food brands in America are searching for today.” It’s also one of the reasons investors may choose to invest in certain businesses.

For more highlights, please watch our webinar below about creating climate-friendly businesses during uncertain times. Feel free to share with anyone who also inspires you!

Thank you to our supporters, customers, suppliers, and our entrepreneurs, as we unite our sustainability efforts across the world. Feel free to leave any questions or comments below!

Follow us @kulikulifoods to learn more about innovators and climate-smart agriculture.

The post How to Build a Climate-Smart and Ethical Business appeared first on Kuli Kuli Foods.

Meet Teddy Ruge, one of our climate-smart and impact-driven moringa suppliers. Teddy is a moringa entrepreneur who is re-imagining the role of sustainable moringa farming in Uganda. He is also a professional photographer, technological innovator, and former decathlete who still holds three national records! Teddy is a key leader in climate-smart agriculture and ethical supply chains. He envisions a world where sustainable moringa farming is a key component of long-term and positive socio-environmental change.

To support Teddy’s biodiverse farm, Kuli Kuli is leading a Plant a Tree campaign. For the month of April, for each Kuli Kuli moringa product sold, we will plant a tree on Teddy’s farm in Uganda!

What Is Climate-Smart Agriculture?

Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) is a way to manage land and crops, with long-term and sustainable solutions in mind. CSA is one way to mitigate climate change, especially for rural communities already experiencing the effects. CSA can also help address malnutrition and offer innovative systems with positive impacts on local communities.

For Teddy’s farm, there are three main ways moringa as climate-smart agriculture plays a role. 

Moringa trees on Teddy’s farm in Uganda

1. Moringa is a climate-smart crop that does not need a lot of rain or irrigation.

With increased likelihood of droughts and erratic rains, it’s more vital now than ever to make sure that crops can cope with climate change. Moringa also absorbs carbon dioxide up to 20x more than general vegetation!

2. The diversification of crops is a key component of Teddy’s climate-smart farm.

Rather than a monocrop-model with limited biodiversity, Teddy’s farm will integrate avocado trees, fruit trees, and shade-grown coffee. With erratic rains and flooding, planting trees on each farm can help control saturation and help the fields drain. 

3. Reforestation via moringa trees, and other integrated crops, helps address the damage from years of clear-cutting for sugarcane farms. 

Clearcutting can destroy the ecological integrity of an area, as well as limit options for growing food that benefits the local community. Teddy’s efforts are part of a larger and holistic reforestation effort. 

Teddy’s Sustainability-Driven Vision of Moringa 

When he began his journey in sustainable farming, Teddy knew he wanted a climate-smart farming model. He also wanted to prioritize higher farmer incomes, environmental protection, and community-supported models of change. Historically, conventional and large-scale agriculture puts profits before people; however, small-scale and climate-smart agriculture address a more long-term vision of sustainability.  

Teddy dreams big and sees the world for its interconnection. For him, biodiversity, local and global food security, and climate-smart agriculture are not separate and unrelated issues.

Workers hand-separating moringa leaves for moringa powder

Rather, he views them as integrated and vital for the long-term sustainability of any farm. 

I’d love for my farm to lead the charge in turning Uganda into the go-to destination for high-quality moringa. If we could achieve this, the impact on communities would be enormous. We just have to believe we can achieve it. -Teddy 

Kuli Kuli’s Earth Month Campaign 

Since 2015, Teddy’s farms have supplied Kuli Kuli with Organic Pure Moringa. Our partnership with Teddy supports food security and sustainable farming practices, while also developing innovative and solution-driven efforts to mitigate the realities of climate change.  

We want to celebrate Teddy and support his vision of a sustainable, climate-smart future. For the entire month of April, we are planting one tree on his farm for every moringa product sold. We hope to inspire other businesses and serve as a leader in the field for positive social and environmental change.   

Teddy and Leaders Like Teddy

People like Teddy inspire us and affirm the positive impact that moringa can have on sustainability initiatives. Kuli Kuli partners with entrepreneurs like Teddy as a way to uplift entire communities.

For more, please watch our short video about Teddy below. Feel free to share with anyone who also inspires you!

Since our founding, Kuli Kuli has enabled the planting of over 12.4 million moringa trees between 11 countries. These trees are actively reducing atmospheric carbon concentrations while providing employment and nutrition for people around the world.

For more stories of moringa innovators, check out our article highlighting Pamela Soroti. Kuli Kuli is grateful to foster connections with change-makers around the world. We have also invested over $20,000 in supporting nonprofits in the communities where we work. 

Teddy Ruge, Climate-smart Innovator

Thank you to our supporters, customers, suppliers, and our entrepreneurs like Teddy, as we unite our sustainability efforts across the world.

Follow us @kulikulifoods to learn more about innovators and change-makers like Teddy.  

The post Meet Teddy: Climate-Smart Leader and Kuli Kuli Moringa Supplier appeared first on Kuli Kuli Foods.

Small businesses close due to SF Bay Area shelter-in-place laws

We’re entering an era where hope, toilet paper, and clean sweatpants seem to be in short supply. A walk down my previously bustling neighborhood in Oakland, California, shows little activity. Most small businesses have some sort of “closed temporarily” or “take-out only” signs.

Many of the signs were scrawled hastily when the San Francisco Bay Area instituted a shelter-in-place mandate on March 16th. A few of them crossed out the “until April 7th,” the date, when shelter-in-place was supposed to end, and replaced it with lines like “until all this is over.”

But recently I came across a bakery on the corner with a line of over 20 people, loosely standing 6 feet apart. They waited to pick-up their locally baked bread and pastries. A question formed in my mind: are certain small businesses actually seeing increased activity in the era of COVID-19 quarantine?

Small Business Success Amid Quarantine

I knew that toilet paper companies, hand sanitizer businesses, and grocery stores were turning profits. But what about small neighborhood stores? And what about businesses outside of the outbreak hotspots of Washington, California, and New York?

Yelp recently published a Coronavirus Economic Impact report measuring which businesses are facing the largest decreases in activity, and the few that are thriving.

The small businesses published as “doing well” in the Yelp report might surprise you. I offer a review below, as well as an additional surprise: “distanced connection” is also what inspired me to launch this company in 2014. 

Surprise #1 – Toilet Paper with Your Takeout and Bellhops with Your Bacon

The Yelp report shows an increase in takeout orders—this may sound obvious to anyone living in a jurisdiction, where restaurants have been forced to switch to takeout models. But restaurants outside those areas have seen a huge increase in delivery orders too, with a national increase 139x the norm.

Takeaway food and drinks at home

Long-time takeout staples like Thai restaurants, pizzerias, and fast food restaurants are doing particularly well, with food court and buffet options down significantly. A few restaurants are getting creative and delivering their customers toilet paper rolls with their takeout. Not only does this engender repeat orders and positive Yelp reviews, but also it’s a great way for restaurants to disperse a surplus of toilet paper. After all, they no longer have customers using their bathrooms.

Many online grocery options, such as Good Eggs, Instacart, Peapod, and retailer-specific delivery options are overwhelmed and frantically hiring more staff. In another interesting twist of corporate creativity, Albertsons is partnering with Hilton to hire many of the hotel workers, recently laid off, as grocery store staff.

Surprise #2 – Fortune Tellers Over Roof Fixers 

With a record-breaking 3.28 million people filing for unemployment in a single week, it’s clear that there is a cloud of fear and uncertainty. Long-term planning, like home improvement projects, are low on the priority list. Consequently, businesses supporting home projects are down. For example, roofing and deck services are down 85% and 66% respectively. On the other hand, all this anxiety about the future has been a boon to fortune tellers: supernatural readings are up 136%. 

Eating local is another behavioral shift I’ve noticed. Perhaps people want more control of their food and its source? The line at my local bakery may indicate more than “good bread.” With increased fear of infection risks from grocery stores, many Americans have sought to purchase food closer to its source.

This switch to buying local has lifted community-supported agriculture by over 400%, farms by 149%, and fruit and vegetable stores by 123%. Clearly, eating local is no longer just for environmentalists in the new coronavirus economy. 

Surprise #3 – Beauty Goes to the ‘Gram

As SNL so beautifully illustrated with the parody of an Instagram influencer using Crayola markers to do her makeup, beauty norms have changed in the coronavirus era. Day spas, tanning, waxing, and eyelash services are down between 16-23%. Beauty services often get up close and personal. Risking proximity with beauty service providers feels less necessary in the quarantine era. Can anyone really see my overgrown eyebrows on video chat anyway?!?

On the other hand, SNL may have been onto something as Instagram influencers have seen their audiences skyrocket. Many influencers are increasing the amounts they charge brands to showcase their products.

Surprise #4 – We Want to Get Outside

Two weeks of quarantine might have accomplished what decades of public health campaigns never managed to instill. More Americans are exercising outdoors than ever before. Why? Fear of gyms and a quarantine-induced claustrophobia propels us into wild spaces. With heightened stress and anxiety too, people may be drawn to open spaces more than ever. We need spaces to calm our restless, worried minds.

Meadow and Open Space 

Consequently, there has been a boom for businesses that sell hunting, fishing, and hiking supplies. Some of these activities have doubled. For people where the warmth of spring hasn’t quite made it, “at-home” fitness equipment has been a lifesaver, with many of those businesses up 400%+. 

If you’re trying to avoid the economic impact of the coronavirus, now might be the time to move to the Dakotas. North and South Dakota are the two least impacted states in the country with few cases of COVID-19. Consumer behavior closely resembles business as usual there.

Washington, California and New York hold the dubious honor of being the states most impacted by the pandemic. Unfortunately, recent reports show that the virus is spreading to more rural communities, with heartbreaking tales of communities such as Albany, Georgia left reeling from the impact. 

Surprise #5 – Distanced Connection Helped Launch Kuli Kuli

I was heartbroken to leave my Peace Corps position in Niger. It was 2011 and the notice was short: I had to evacuate from the village, and leave immediately. It felt like my entire heart—and my life plan—was breaking. On March 16th of 2020, all Peace Corps volunteers had to evacuate. That hit close to home for me.

I can only imagine the stress and heartbreak that people around the world are feeling in response to this global pandemic. It is not easy. This is a trying time.

I want to offer a bit of hope here, because my unexpected departure from Niger, and the distanced connection that followed, prompted me to begin the line of questioning that led to Kuli Kuli’s launch. When I was back in the US, I had so many questions.

How do I continue this important work around food security and social justice? What would it look like to deepen the connections to the people I met, despite the separation?

Lisa Curtis of Kuli Kuli

When I came home from Niger, I was devastated. But eventually, I began to think about how to continue my passion for women’s empowerment, food security, and sustainable agriculture. I knew from my Peace Corps experience how powerful moringa was as a superfood, but it lacked a market.

Together with a few friends, I launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo. I wanted to raise enough money to manufacture moringa superfood bars and support small women moringa farmers like the ones I had met in Niger. The crowdfunding campaign was the most popular food campaign Indiegogo had ever had. It enabled Kuli Kuli to launch onto the market in 2014.

I share this because, in this trying and dark times, it is vital to hold onto hope. All we can do right is focus on “actionable items.” It is important to get creative and support each other, especially among small businesses. 

Workforce Survival & Small Business Strategy

No one knows whether this economic disaster will resemble a storm or a long winter. As I’ve written about before, it is imperative that small business owners use creativity, care, and thoughtful planning to weather this disaster. Small businesses employ nearly half of the private sector workforce and their ability to survive will determine the length and breadth of this recession.

Our country is truly treading in uncharted waters. As Carl Bialik, Yelp’s Data Science Editor, explained, “We’ve never seen a consumer shift like this before…Businesses are more versatile now, they have more technology to draw upon and the pieces were in place for consumers to shift quickly.”  

Who knows what the long-term behavioral impacts will be, and what strategies small business will need to adopt in order to survive. Will Americans continue eating local produce, ordering takeout and hiking regularly even when the pandemic subsides? Can restaurants unaccustomed to takeout create new takeout-friendly menus and lure new customers with unexpected toiletries? Can hotel workers find new jobs delivering online groceries?  

Only time will tell what economic and consumer shifts the future will hold. For now, I’m just thrilled to know that at least a few businesses, like my local bakery and many fortune tellers, are thriving.

The post 5 Surprises of Small Business Success Amid Coronavirus Lockdown appeared first on Kuli Kuli Foods.

Meet Pamela, a social entrepreneur and Kuli Kuli Moringa Supplier. Pamela works in her home country Uganda. She connects farmers and women’s coops with sustainable moringa farming. Pamela also launched a successful nonprofit that funds a local school. We admire all of Pamela’s incredible work!

Women like Pamela challenge the status quo by creating livelihoods for women and rural farmers. We hope you read her story as a key moringa supplier. And please, share Pamela’s story with people in your life who inspire you.

When we empower women economically, we are also empowering the entire community. -Pamela Soroti

Moringa Miracle Maker and Supplier: Pamela Anyoti Peronaci

Our Moringa Miracle Makers are a powerful group of change-makers. Pamela loves the health benefits of the moringa plant, and wants to help others access its amazing, energy-giving properties. Pamela loves the moringa plant—especially cooking with it! She even runs a weekly cooking class that showcases its variety of uses. Pamela says she has enough recipes for a moringa-themed cookbook. We cannot wait for that to manifest!

When it comes to food, presentation is everything to Pamela. As she says, it’s important to “please the eye before the taste buds.” Thus, her dishes are beautiful and tantalizing. 

Pamela with farmers in Uganda.

Pamela’s journey intersected with Kuli Kuli after she received her master’s degree in the United Kingdom, and traveled around the world. When Pamela returned to Uganda, she wanted to build bridges between farmers and consumers. Farmers were producing, but lacked the resources to get their products into the right hands.

Today, Pamela’s efforts have supported over 11,000 farmers, a majority of whom are women.

She summarizes the power of this shift with her statement, “When we empower women economically, we are also empowering the entire community.”

Pamela’s Nonprofit

Asante Mama is a non-profit that enriches the livelihoods of farmers by offering an ethical supply chain for teas, spices, and cocoa. Pamela started Asante Mama as a way to train farmers in sustainable and organic practices. Asante Mama also supports farmers with fair incomes. 

The words “Asante Mama” mean “thank you mama” in swahili. This nonprofit supports farmers so that their products can get to market. It also helps fund a school that educates over 1,200 students. It’s a positive cycle: farmers can afford an education for their children because of partnerships—like the one with Kuli Kuli!

Moringa is good for health, good for community, and good for education. -Pamela Soroti

Kuli Kuli is grateful to work with amazing farmers, entrepreneurs, and women. By importing moringa to the US for our products, we’ve helped create an international market for moringa. Communities around the world have felt the “lift” of sustainable moringa farming. 

Pamela Soroti (right) with farmers.

With the rise in demand for moringa, an increase in production and consequential consumption happens in the villages growing moringa. Kuli Kuli provides an incentive for communities that struggle with malnutrition, and a reason to invest in a nutrient-dense plant.

Moringa is a plant that can nourish communities with nutrition and a sustainable, reliable income. 

Pamela and Women Like Pamela

Kuli Kuli partners with each moringa supplier as a way to uplift entire communities. People like Pamela inspire us and affirm the positive impact that moringa can have for women around the world.

For more, you can watch a short video about Pamela below:  

Each moringa supplier has a ripple effect on their community. To date, Kuli Kuli has planted over 12 million moringa trees and partnered with over 2,400 farmers. We’ve also provided more than $4M in income to women-led farming cooperatives and family farms. 

Kuli Kuli has also invested over $20,000 in supporting nonprofits in the communities where we work.

Thank you to our supporters, customers, suppliers, and our farmers like Pamela, as we unite on this journey to empower women across the world.

Follow us @kulikulifoods to learn more about women and entrepreneurs like Pamela.

The post Meet Pamela: Kuli Kuli Moringa Supplier & Social Entrepreneur appeared first on Kuli Kuli Foods.

March 8th was International Women’s Day, but the whole month is Women’s History Month! Here are 10 creative and fun ways to celebrate women this month. From supporting woman-owned business to wearing red, there’s lots of easy ways to show your appreciation for women.

Feel free to share with any of the amazing people in your life. You can also share this post and a special note of gratitude, for a woman in your life who has made a positive difference. 

Top 10 Ways to Celebrate Women:

1. Support women in business!

Focus on buying from female-owned and operated businesses this month. Whether they are online or in your hometown, find companies that are run by women, and that help to support other women. Kuli Kuli is a great example of a female-owned and operated company. Lisa Curtis started Kuli Kuli in 2014 after discovering the amazing moringa plant while in the PeaceCorps in Africa. In addition to being a female-owned and operated company, Kuli Kuli also supports women farmers in West Africa, by providing a sustainable livelihood and uplifting their communities.

2. Donate to a local women’s refuge center.

Many women are struggling to provide for themselves and their families due to lack of resources. When you donate, you give some of these women a chance to transform their lives. Even the act of donating nice clothing, food, and money to a local shelter can go a long way. If you can’t give resources, consider donating your time. A lot of centers take volunteers, especially for special events. You can search Women’s Shelter to locate an organization near you.

3. Get involved with a women’s networking group.

Strong women build each other up by supporting one another—imagine a world built on interdependence! A networking group is a way for people to connect with each other, so that everyone can find success and share strategies. Networking groups are excellent ways to make new connections with other women and support each other’s endeavors. Meetup has many women’s networking groups posted. Leave us a comment below if you are excited about a group near you!

Grandmother, mother, and daughter time

4. Spend time with the most important women in your life.

Whether this is your mom, grandma, wife, sister, or your best friend(s), devote some quality time with the people who help you feel your best—even at your worst. Which women helped shape you into the resilient and determined person you are? Reach out to them, schedule a catchup call, or make plans to see each other. Perhaps it’s  a girls night in. Why not curl up with popcorn and watch your favorite show together? Or take time to have a gratitude circle, and tell those women what makes them special to you. If expressing your gratitude verbally feels awkward, consider a handwritten letter. It goes a long way.

5. Achieve a goal and celebrate yourself!

We all need to celebrate the wins in our life – big and small. Any goal that is accomplished is a BIG win! So whether it’s making your bed in the morning or getting that promotion, celebrate the accomplishment! When was the last time you celebrated yourself? It’s probably been a while. Let’s change that.

6. Spend time doing something just for you.

Piggy-backing off of #5, do something that is just for you, and doesn’t involve caring for someone else. Women are good caretakers of others, but often times we forget to take care of ourselves too. Go get your nails and hair done, read in a local park, watch movies with a strong female lead—or maybe just spend the day in bed, guilt-free with take-out ordered! Self-care is vital. Whatever activity brings you complete joy and calm, do it.

7. Invest in yourself.

There is no better investment than prioritizing yourself. Sign up for a conference that will help further your career. Attend a workshop on a subject that you are interested in, maybe attend a class on a new hobby you want to get into. Attend a personal development seminar or search for upcoming workshops that pique your interest.

8. Learn about women that have had an influence or made history.

There are so many amazing, strong, courageous women that have helped to shape and shift the way women are viewed today. Spend some time this month getting to know some of the original “influencers.” Learn about them, honor them, and follow their lead.

9. Wear red!

Red is the color of women’s month, so throw on a red shirt, dress, skirt, or necklace on March 8th to show your support. Make an effort to wear a little red every day during the month of March.

10. Do something nice for a woman in your life without letting her know it was you!

Not only will this make her feel special and loved, but you will also feel a sense of happiness knowing that you were responsible.

There are so many ways to honor the women in our collective lives. When was the last time you let one of the women in your life know what they mean to you? Now is a great time.

Celebrate the women in your life!

How will you be celebrating Women’s History Month? Let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear your plans.

Follow us @kulikulifoods so we can see some of your favorite ways to celebrate women.

The post 10 Ways to Celebrate International Women’s Month appeared first on Kuli Kuli Foods.