Snack Taxi - A Cycling Team Sponsor

Have you heard of Snack Taxis?  They are reusable, fabric bags that are toxin-free - ideal for snacks and sandwiches.  They are hand-made in New Hampshire.  AND, they are a cycling team sponsor.  Isn't that cool?  Look how fun they are.....

The Snack Taxis come in two sizes - snack size and sandwich size.  Lil O and our family have enjoyed Snack Taxis for years.  They are great for food or for containing random items (like cords, gift cards, travel items, etc.).  I think we bought our taxis through Lil O's school fundraiser years ago.  They hold up so well.

Erin, the owner of Snack Taxi, sent the cycling team riders these taxis to carry in their jerseys while they ride.  Are you kidding me with that awesome cycling fabric?  The puzzle piece fabric reminds me of autism awareness which is close to my heart.

If you need a clever gift, a fun back-to-school or lunch item or want to do a Snack Taxi fundraiser at your school, hop on over to Snack Taxi and indulge.  We love their cloth napkins, too!

All the best,

Jen

PS - Huge thank you to Snack Taxi and Erin for sponsoring Upcycled Education's Cycling Team!  Yay!

Placing the First Jersey Order

As mentioned here, the jersey shop is now closed.  It is time to place the first order, so the jerseys arrive before summer.  Pinch me, ok?

If you wanted to purchase a jersey, but missed the first cut-off date, email me to add your name to the waiting list.  My email is jen at upcyclededucation.com.

Uber-excited,

Jen

Handcrafted Soaps & Tour Idea

Yesterday, Mr. UpCyclist, Lil O and I went to visit with Kim from Fresh Soap Company in Breckenridge, Colorado.  Fresh Soap Company is a cycling team sponsor and Kim is inventing a "cycle soap" in honor of the team.  Isn't that so cool?  She is working on the recipe and look now.

There are many reasons I wanted to collaborate with Kim.  She is a small business owner, completely engaging to be with and I thought, we cyclists get dirty...we really do need a soap sponsor.  Kim, without hesitation, agreed.  

Another reason I like collaborating with Kim is because she is a true innovator.  Look at her Grandma's Blueberry Muffin soap (packaged in fabric), her Shades of Grey soap (that she can package with the first novel) and Lil O's fav, Do You Like Pina Colada soap.  Kim's soaps don't get any cooler.  Plus, every soap is handmade by Kim in her soap studio & shop, which you can visit when you are in Breckenridge or mail order online.

Visiting with Fresh Soap Company made me also think, I need to take a cycling team sponsor world tour.  Can you imagine? I can visit with Snack Taxi in Massachusetts, Coach's Eye (who also makes Jing) near Michigan State University, Disabilities Claims Clinic in Florida, pick up a treat for Jedi at Honest Kitchen in San Diego (& see Dr. Irwin), and make it back to Maryland to have a relaxing acupuncture treatment with Dawn Acupuncture - I will need it after all that lovely travel.

Of course, the team has so many generous sponsors, I will have to plan two more mini-world tours to visit with them all.

Yay!

Jen

PS - I'll come back soon to show you how I made those cool sparkly stars in the images above.  I am digging the stars these days.

A Jersey with a Message

Weeks ago on Facebook, I put out an all-call for short quotes to include on the team jersey.  There were so many great submissions like this one from life coach, Sue....

I also like this one from blog reader & college student, CR, "Believe you can and you're halfway there..." (Teddy Roosevelt).  Sadly, that quote is too long for the collar space.  Thus, I went with a quote from my aunt who is also an educator as it fits the space and speaks to the spirit of Upcycled Education....

I can't give it all away, but there are three other quotes included in the jersey design.  The only way to see them is to order a jersey & show your support for the team.  Ha!  

I love a good treasure hunt.

xoxo,

Jen

PS - Thanks for all the great quotes submitted.  I so appreciated your help.

UPDATE: JERSEY SHOP CLOSED TO PLACE THE FIRST ORDER.  

TO ADD YOUR NAME TO THE WAITING LIST, EMAIL JEN AT: 

JEN AT UPCYCLEDEDUCATION.COM

Jersey in Progress

As most of you know, Upcycled Education is launching a cycling team this spring.  Why a cycling team?  I want to capitalize on the upCYCLING part of the name and put together a cycling team to be ambassadors of the sport, promote quality and creativity in education, and showcase our gracious sponsors.  If you want to read more about the "why," click here.

In the meantime, feast your eyes on our {work-in-progress} jersey design.  Primal Wear, out of Denver, Colorado, is making the jerseys; they make the nicest, brightest, most-awesome cycling jerseys   ever - in my opinion.  And since Mr. UpCyclist owns more jerseys than dress shirts (ok, that might be an exaggeration, though not by much), I know high quality jerseys.

Uber-excited for the final jersey design and the team launch....

YAHOOOO!

Jen

Bicycle Analogy

As you already know, Team Upcycled Education - the cycling team - is due to roll out late spring.  Sue, my life coach (have I mentioned how much I adore having a life coach?) is partnering with the team as a sponsor.  Yay!

Sue wrote a lovely blog post about coming full circle, getting involved with the team, and comparing a bicycle to life.  Yep, a bicycle analogy.  Does it get any better?

See for yourself here.

Best,

Jen

Join Team Upcycled Education! Applications are NOW OPEN!

UPDATE:  We are no longer taking applications for the team.  

Check back next year in January 2014 to apply.

Want to be considered for UpCYCLED Education's Cycling Team?  Fill out the application below or link to it here. Team riders will be announced in Spring 2013.  Woot, woot!

Dear Santa....Bike #3

Dear Santa,

You would make Mr. UpCyclist's holiday (and life, for that matter) if you would please, please, please bring him a Surly Pugsley fat tire bike.  He has been asking for a Pugsley for years.  When he sees a Pugsley, it literally stops him in his tracks and he gawks and stares (and drools).

And, you know him.  You know he will ride that darn, gigantic, phat Pugsley that we don't have room in our garage for nor a proper bike rack on our cars until he is old and gray.

What do you think?

Maybe?

I volunteer to give up all my other "Dear Santa" posts for Mr. UpCyclist to have this one.

Say yes,

Jen

Dear Santa....Bike #2

Dear Santa - 

Remember this summer when we tried cani-cross and all the "joring" sports?  Well, our family would love a Diggler bike scooter.  Puppy Jedi would be soooo happy, get a tremendous amount of exercise, and we would be over-the-top elated to rip around our neighborhood and trails on a gigantic scooter.  

Have you seen their latest video, Santa?  Doesn't it look so darn fun?

Please add this to our holiday wish list, ok?  And if it isn't asking too much, please include the tug & tow accessory, as well.

We have been real good this year, Santa. I promise.

Jen

Dear Santa...... Bike #1

Dear Santa,

Since our family is a family of upCYCLISTS, could you please add this to our holiday list?  It is from a Dutch company called Babboe.  This is the "city" edition.

We would also welcome the "cargo" edition below.  It looks like Lil O could bring a friend - or two.  or three with the cargo model, yes?

Mr. UpCyclist and I could stock the bikes with a cute, brown haired kid (we don't have any blonde ones around here), one furry puppy - who is going to try to jump out - and all our favorite gear (like rock climbing, river walking, snacks or crafting supplies.  Ha!).

Big thanks, Santa.

I have a few more bikes I want to request in the coming days......I hope I am not being too forward.

xoxo,

Jen

PS - Thanks, Sue.  I fell in love with Babboe while visiting your Pinterest boards.  Yay!

Life Updated + Break Time

As many of you Facebook fans know, Mr. UpCyclist is recuperating after being struck by a car while cycling.  Thankfully, he and his riding partner walked away without any huge internal complications.  Whew, I am so grateful. This could have been so. much. worse.  

As you can see from the photo above, Mr. U's front fork is completely severed.  The frame is also split in three other areas.  Mr. U specializes in composite materials (did I mention he's an engineer?)  He said it takes a tremendous amount of force to break, split and sever carbon fiber like that.  

Again, whew.

SOOOOO...with that prelude and my time helping him heal, I will be taking a short break from Upcycled Education.  For those of you longtime blog readers, you know I did this last May for a solid month.  Maybe that should be my new norm - take May into June off from blogging.  When I come back, I hope to unveil the new blog design, complete the Be Creative Series and gear up for a series related to school lunches (as I have a bag of tricks for packing them).

In the meantime, think healing thoughts for Mr. UpCyclist, my love.

Jen

PS - I do still plan to guest judge for Crafterhours Skirt Week competition.  I will be judging the A-line skirt category as that seems the most teachery.  Something about looking at pretty skirts online sounds soothing to me right now.