San Francisco based company I AM. recently launched with Soulwears, a line of Yoga bags & straps made of  back-strap woven textiles: the traditional craft of Maya women in Guatemala. I AM.’s mission is to develop commercial solutions to social problems.

The idea: conscious consumption can unite the world, empower consumers & artisans simultaneously and alleviate poverty.  Soulwears yoga products are reinvigorating an otherwise abandoned market for backstrap woven textiles, which were replaced long ago with cheap, machine made fabrics. Practicing this craft allows Maya mothers to stay home with their families, while making a sustainable income.

I AM.’s commitment extends beyond providing well-paying jobs, as the company donates half of all profits to infrastructure projects in their weavers’ communities. 

With 1 week left – and $27,000 still needed in an ambitious Kickstarter campaign, I AM. seeks the support of the mindful community.  Visit the I AM. Kickstarter page to learn more about the project, and pre-order socially responsible yoga products.

The lush ridges and valleys of the Sierra Madre rise high into the clouds of western Guatemala. The unique combination of high elevations, dense neotropical forests, and cold wet nights create an ideal setting for the production of great coffee. Known in the coffee world as Huehuetenango (way way ten ango) this region was one of the first recognized appellations, a historical fact that testifies to its unique ecology, culture, and distinctive coffees. In fact, Huehuetenango is one of two appellations recognized by Slow Food International as a heritage producer.

I am inspired  to write the story of LA YAPA and how this little quinoa company became part of the Café  Gratitude Community!

LA YAPA (meaning: a gift of gratitude) is a family-owned business, started by Tania Petricevic,  a Bolivian-Guatemalan.  Having resided in the US since she was 18, Tania always missed Bolivia and dreamed of going home one day. Life stepped in, however;  she married, had a child and finally decided that if she was really going to maintain the bridge that connected to Bolivia, she would  begin to promote Royal Quinoa into California. And that is how we, at Café Gratitude, met Tania and LA YAPA and decided to introduce the fair-trade, organic item.

Royal quinoa is power-packed super grain (it boasts the highest content of protein after amerynth). Quinoa  once fueled the Incan empire as it's main staple, along with Potato (potatoes originate from South America as well) The Incan Empire was the largest empire of the Pre-Colombian Americas so you can just imagine what the markets must have looked like so long ago! There are several theories as to how large the Incan Empire was, but at one time it bustled with  37 million people.