A couple months ago a friend emailed to tell me about a berry that I “might be interested in”. She pointed me to the now infamous NY Times article about the “Miracle Fruit“, and I proceeded to flip out. For those of you who haven’t been introduced to this truly magical berry, it makes sour things taste sweet and food in general just tastes better. How exciting is that? It contains a substance called “miraculin” that binds with your taste buds for up to 2 hours of “everything tastes like heaven” fun. Wow, talk about a natural sweetener. Sign me up!

But there’s just one problem: availability. Wikipedia says Miracle Fruit was documented way back in 1725, yet it only gained popularity in America in 2008, thanks largely to the “flavor trippers” referenced in the NY Times article. Without a solid growing infrastructure in place, it’s been really difficult to obtain the berries or the packaged tablets. Most retailers run out of stock for months at a time! I tried to find some seeds so I could grow my own, but at the time nobody had any stock available.

This morning I opened up an email from my homies at Think Geek and almost fell out of my chair when I saw they are now selling Miracle Fruit tablets! The date on the email said it arrived yesterday, but by the time I arrived at their site they were already sold out and taking backorders. Noooo! But since Think Geek is located in the USA (unlike most retailers) and has amazing customer service, I’m just going to backorder a couple packs now. What can I say, I have an insatiable sweet tooth and the idea of sucking on a lemon and having it taste like candy is too novel to resist.

Every story I’ve heard about Miracle Fruit has been funny and amazing. If you’ve tried this miraculous berry, please share your story in the comments. I’ll report back when my shipment arrives

PS- I predict that this berry is going to be so instrumental in getting people to eat healthy. We’ll start by eating a miracle berry before a big leafy green salad – you know, so even the most picky tastebuds can “tolerate” real food. Then we’ll only need a half berry as our bodies become used to eating well. Then one day we’ll realize that we don’t even need to “flavor trip” anymore. Did this idea occur to anyone else?

For those that want to invest in a quality reusable bag we recommend checking out Nubius Organics’ zero waste lunch section. They feature a stylish line of insulated, reusable totes for transporting your lunch as well as some large bags that are made of recycled plastic bottles. Most, if not all, of their bags/totes are PVC free, teflon free, and lead free so you know your food is safe from toxins.

Nubius Organics also carries another Mable’s favorite: the Laptop Lunch System. Made famous by the Vegan Lunchbox Blog.

These 100% biodegradable pots are made from renewable grain husks, are certified organic, and will hold their shape and size for about 5 years. That’s a long time to grow some delicious herbs. As an added Green bonus, by growing plants indoors they will convert the CO2 you expel into Oxygen for your lungs. Yay for synergy!

Order yours today and choose between Lemon Basil, Lavender, Oregano or Parsley. Remember you can always pick up your own seeds from somewhere else and use those in these organic biodegradable pots. These make great green gifts for teachers, and families with kids to help show us all what goes into growing food.

$15.95

Find more green growing gifts in our Plants and Gardening gifts section.

The Best Electric Tea Kettle: This is the best electric tea kettle, simply because it outperformed all other models due to its awesome heat retention, quick boiling time (twice as fast), automatic shut-off, and safety features. The perfect gift for those tea lovers.
$69.95

I was recently introduced to La Chamba Ware, which seems to be ideal in just about every way. The pottery is handmade under Fair Trade standards in Columbia. Created from only mica clay, it is not glazed and contains no toxins. Instead, the clay is polished with river rocks; how cool is that? The pieces are then finished in wood kilns that turn them a lustrous and striking black. These stylish dishes are also very versatile and can be used on a gas stove (and electric stovetop using a heat diffuser) cleaned in the dishwasher, and even used in a microwave if that’s your thing. The only downside is that they don’t tolerate drastic changes in temperature, and thus need to pre-heat along with the oven. No biggie. Along with Viva Terra, you can often find discount La Chamba cookware on eBay. Happy (and safe) cooking!

$48-69

Found via Road Less Traveled
Also: Creative Clay Cooking Blog

Seriously though, who wouldn’t want a ride on this sweet double joystick double thrusters pool lounger that can not only get you from one end to the other with out getting wet, but can do 360 spins? Weeeeeeeee!!! To top it off this bad boy has a drink cozy, and comes with air pump so you don’t look like a chump blowing up your pool lounger with your own lungs while everyone is already having fun. Get your motorized pool lounger now.

$149.95

Feel free to kick it up a notch at your own pool party with this remote controlled floating serving tray that holds 5 drinks and 16 ounces of snacks. Just imagine yourself relaxing in your sweet crystal clear pool on your motorized lounger, drifting in the slight breeze and when the sun is too much you motor over into the shade. Then when hunger or thirst strikes you beckon your floating snacks with a flip of a button and chow down. Just keep in mind that there are five 12 oz. drink holders and your bladder can only hold so much. But then again if you are by yourself and it’s your pool …

$49.95

To celebrate the addition of a new line of wistful jewelry, Cherry Dot is sponsoring a contest where you can win some yummy Tricked Out Treats. Michi handmakes all her adorable food themed creations, and is always looking for new ideas. Just tell us your dream food item that you’d like to see turned into jewelry, and Cherry Dot might make your fantasy a reality! Maybe you daydream about a type of candy from your childhood, or you don’t go a day without your favorite snack; whatever your fabulous foodie ideas are, we want to hear them!

One Grand Prize Winner will have her idea turned into a piece of jewelry, as well as one of Cherry Dot’s new Orange Peel Necklaces, and a set of PB & J Sandwich Friendship Necklaces. Two Runners Up will receive a set of PB & J Sandwich Friendship Necklaces. Winners will be chosen based on creativity. Contest runs from May 14th – 28th.

To enter, leave your idea for fantasy food-themed jewelry in the comments section below. Be sure to leave your current e-mail address so we can contact you if you win. Mable’s has a strict privacy policy, and never shares your information with anybody. Good luck!

The contest is now closed. Thank you to everyone who participated!
Grand Prize Winner: Vivien who suggested Dim Sum items
Runner Up: Joan who suggested Goldfish Crackers
Runner Up: Kira who suggested a Lucky Charms charm bracelet

$12.95

If one were so inclined they could adorn their Star Wars costume and fly hundreds of miles to the official Celebration IV to be surrounded by Force sensitive people and the creators of Star Wars. Or perhaps you can join me and others with bad motivators and just buy a Star Wars cake pan off eBay and celebrate at home with friends and family.

I can envision multiple weekends being filled with Star Wars movies and cartoons coupled with delicious cake shaped and frosted like Darth Vader, R2-D2, C-3PO, Boba Fett, and more.

Does your sweet tooth require more than just cake? Check out the Star Wars cookbook or the Star Wars Party Book and supplement your celebration with Wookie cookies and other Galactic specialties.

For something more lighthearted, Cherry Dot’s sweet handmade set of 2 PB & J Friendship Necklaces are perfect. You’ve probably already told your best buddy that she’s the peanut butter to your jelly (or the cherry to your sundae, the ketchup to your fries, etc.), but now you can wear a daily reminder of how lucky you both are to have each other in your lives.

$79.99 & $22.99