On episode 14 of Taking the Middle Seat, I have a double feature for you!

In the first half, I'm talking to Daedra Surowiec, founder and artist behind Strawesome, a glass drinking straw company. She trained as an architect and also worked as a natural childbirth educator but her path wound around to glass straws! You will hear her passion for creativity and sustainability. Strawesome straws make the coolest gifts. You get a straw and you get a straw and you get a straw!

Daedra let us know that 500 million plastic draws are used in the United Stated everyday!! Educate yourself regarding single use plastic. Here's a graphic I found really helpful to wrap my mind around this issue. I know I'm getting better at toting my reusable bags into the grocery store and using my glass straw. Every little bit helps. If you're working on this too, check out the book Daedra mentioned, Zero Waste Home.

Here's my favorite Strawesome straw for a cause. Proceeds go to Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. I also mention that I first heard about Strawesome from The Nourish to Flourish Society. They'll be on a future episode so keep listening to hear their story too.

Daedra learned her glass blowing technique called torch work at the Glass Academy in Dearborn, MI.

Daedra said she loves the best parts of social media! You can follow Strawesome on Facebook and Instagram.

She also loves her RTIC tumbler and tower garden. I love the idea of a wildlife-proof garden that flourishes in the basement!!! So cool.

On the second half, I sit down with Monica Randles from Nutcase Vegan Meats. She and her husband, Andrew Maternowski, are physicians who decided to pursue a vegetarian lifestyle in 2010. You'll hear Monica talk about their path to creating the most yummy product that is fun to cook with and tastes amazing. I am not vegetarian or vegan and I seriously LOVE their product.

Monica mentions the movie Food Inc. and she talks about a book I am absolutely going to read called How Not to Die. Both of those were influential in the genesis of Nutcase Vegan Meats.

Monica's favorite things include a book called Catching the Big Fish by David Lynch, transcendental meditation, and another book called Sky Above Great Wind about the life and poetry of Zen master Ryokan.

Follow Nutcase Vegan Meats on Facebook and Instagram. Also, make sure to attend Nutty Burger Bash on August 12!

Thank you for listening and I hope you'll spend time this week, Taking the Middle Seat.