Monday, January 24, 2011

In a State of Sipping Bliss
Glass Dharma Straws Review and Giveaway!

What's your favorite beverage? Is it a smoothie, bubble tea, iced coffee, or a piña colada? Whatever you love, isn't it much more fun sipping it through a straw? I have the cheeriest childhood memories of slurping chocolate milk through flexible paper (and later, plastic) pastel-colored straws. Drinking anything through a straw (even maté tea) just makes me feel like a kid again.

But paper and plastic straws are disposable, and aren't we all looking for ways to live more sustainably? Enter Glass Dharma Straws—They're reusable, sustainable, and beautiful. They're so durable, they come with a lifetime guarantee! If you accidentally damage or break your straw, they will repair or replace it for free! And this is the part I love best: You don't have to choose between paper or plastic anymore!

Glass Dharma straws are also:

• Made in the USA
• Non-porous and hypoallergenic
• Handmade from borosilicate glass—the strongest type of commercially available glass on the market
• Great for all hot and cold drinks
• Perfect in specialty drinks like bubble teas, shakes and smoothies, and iced drinks
• Beautiful in cocktails—they make a highfalutin' accessory to any martini glass
• Kid-friendly and kid-safe
• You can even use them for drinking wine, coffee and tea so you don't stain your teeth. (Okay, maybe you'd raise a few eyebrows sipping your Merlot through a straw. Although maybe not—check out the snazzy little decorative dots number further down in this post.)

If you plan to take your eco-chic Glass Dharma straw with you when you dine out, I encourage you to buy a neat little hemp sleeve carrying case that will fit easily into your purse, pocket, or backpack. You can see mine on the table in the lower right-hand corner of the photo below. I brought my GlassDharma straw with me out to Manola's the other night and enjoyed sipping my Thai iced tea with coconut milk so much more. I already carry my own chopsticks, so why not my own straw? The chopsticks even fit inside the carrying case along with the straw! BYOS, is my new motto when eating out, which stands for: bring your own stuff! Speaking of which, did you know there's a movement to have restaurants encourage patrons to bring their own reusables and even offer reusables for sale as an upgrade to menu items? Check out TakeOutWithout, a company whose mission is to reduce restaurant waste. I learned about them on Glass Dharma's blog.

No, Johnny Depp didn't just walk in to the restaurant. 
I'm simply in a state of sipping bliss!

Glass Dharma straws are available in several sizes, and I really like their smaller gauge (7mm) "shorty" straws. They're 6.25" long and perfect for small children, juice glasses, martinis, and my favorite new grab-and-go beverage: So Delicious single-serve vanilla coconut milk beverage! This straw is thin enough to fit in the little punch-hole where the plastic straw would normally go in. My straw has red decorative dots on it. They also make decorative dots in Green, Blue, Amber, Clear, and Black. Yes, come to think of it, that straw would look quite grand in a glass of red wine!


I recently got a bag of acai powder from Mountain Rose Herbs and thought I'd use it to make a breakfast smoothie. Since I am prone to gulping down my smoothies rather than sipping them, I thought that sipping one through a Glass Dharma straw might encourage me to slow down and savor the the flavor. Check out the vibrantly beautiful fuchsia-like color of this one:


To make this smoothie, I blended together 1 cup cranberry juice, 1 tablespoon Acai berry powder, 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, 1/2 cup frozen raspberries, and 2 teaspoons agave.

I've had no problem cleaning my GlassDharma straws either by hand or in the dishwasher (which we seldom use). But if I ever forget to rinse one out right after using it, it's kind of nice to have a cleaning brush on hand. They're available as an optional accessory, but one is included when you buy a set of four straws.

I'm really tickled about my new glass straws. Like Dorcas Lane from the BBC series, Larkrise to Candleford, these straws are my one true weakness. (If you've never seen the show, this character says that about everything she loves.)


Would you like to win your very own Glass Dharma straws and make them your "one true weakness"? One lucky reader will win a $25.00 Gift Certificate from GlassDharma! To enter, visit GlassDharma's website, and then leave a comment here telling me which straw you'd most like to own or give as a gift. The winner will be selected in a random drawing and notified by email. Glass Dharma will also email the gift certificate to the winner.  (What I'm saying here, is please make sure that I can access your email address when you enter!) Open only to US and Canadian residents, please. Contest ends 1/31/11 Good luck!!!!

If you'd like to earn extra entries you can do any and/or all of the following: (You don't have to do any of these to win, but you'll earn 1 additional entry for each one you do and let me know about in your comments.)

• Follow this blog.
• Tweet this: Make sipping your smoothie sustainable and fun! Win a $25 gift certificate from @GlassDharma Straws! http://bit.ly/dEzLPk
• Follow Glass Dharma on twitter
• Follow me on twitter
• Mention this contest on your blog and include a link to this post.
• Post a link to this contest on your Facebook page.

90 comments:

Jenni (aka Vegyogini) said...

Thanks for the awesome giveaway! I would love to have a Decorative Dots straw in either green or red. :)

singerinkitchen said...

Thanks for the great giveaway Gail! I would totally like to try the The Simple Elegance "SHORTY" drinking straws if not then I would also give them as a gift!

singerinkitchen said...

I follow your blog already!

singerinkitchen said...

I tweeted! http://twitter.com/singerinkitchen/status/29637700143284224

singerinkitchen said...

I already follow glass dharma on twitter @singerinkitchen

singerinkitchen said...

I follow you too!

singerinkitchen said...

I posted on my facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/An-Opera-Singer-in-the-Kitchen/292215367925

Stephanie Davidson said...

Beautiful Bends are lovely; I can see using those every day!! Following @glassdharma now, thanks for the recommendation!

singerinkitchen said...

I added your contest on my post from today! http://www.singerskitchen.com/2011/01/blueberry-oatmeal-smoothie.html

Amanda J said...

Definitely the decorative dots!

Amanda J said...

I follow your blog!

Kelly said...

Awesome giveaway! I might be boring, but I like the Simple Elegance straws. :)

Misty said...

I was just looking for glass straws! I would love the decorative dots, they are cute, and help so they dont roll off the table!

Anonymous said...

What a fantastic idea! I'd love to win. The Beautiful Bends are really nice!

Anonymous said...

I follow your blog and I follow you on twitter and I follow Glass Dharma, too!

Misty said...

I also just subscribed! Excited to see whats to come.

ClareH said...

I would love to have a shorty straw for my daughter. We already own some long ones from another glass blower, and I would love for her to have one just her size! Thanks!

Chef Amber Shea said...

I want those little Simple Elegance Shorties!

Chef Amber Shea said...

I retweeted (@AlmostVeganBlog)

Chef Amber Shea said...

I follow Glass Dharma on Twitter

Chef Amber Shea said...

I now follow you on Twitter

Sisy said...

Followed this blog via email, followed you & glassdharma on twitter & tweeted about this!

@free_chocolates

Love the clear ones!

LaDonna said...

Great giveaway! Any opportunity to reuse and not throw away is good. I would use a Black Decorative Dot straw 12mm x 9 " for my smoothie every morning.

Alexandra said...

I would love the beautiful bend straw.

a [dot] wright7 [at] hotmail [dot] com

Cindy B said...

I am so glad that you are offering this giveaway and since we use and reuse plastic straws almost everyday for smoothies. I would choose the box of four (or maybe a box of six) of the 12mm x9" dot straws so we can tell whose is whose :O)

Cindy B said...

Okay posted it on FB :)
~CindyB (same as above ~ hope you can get my email)

Megan said...

I love the decorative dots!

Cindy B said...

Now I'm following your blog too :O)~ CindyB

Kari said...

Thanks for the giveaway! I like the simple elegance straws. :)

Merrie Beth Samways said...

What a fantastic smoothie accompaniment! The decorative dots straws are downright delightful!

The Vegan said...

I love the picture of you at the diner. Great picture overall and a wonderful picture of you!

I think I would want The Simple Elegance 8" & 9" length drinking straw.

The Vegan said...

Oh and I qualify for 4 extra entries based on the following:

• I follow this blog.
• I tweeted the contest
• I now follow Glass Dharma on twitter
• I follow you on twitter

Anonymous said...

What a great giveaway! I would love to get the decorative dots straws! They're gorgeous! This may be a small step towards sustainable living, but every bit helps!

Anonymous said...

I love Larkrise to Candleford! I think Dorcas Lane would say that the Simple Elegance straws are her one weakness, and so do I!

hfilipiak said...

This is a great giveaway. I would love to win a red dot glass straw. But really, any kind would be awestone

Helen said...

The blue decorative dots straw is my one weakness!

AmberFaith said...

I love the beautiful bends straws.

littleamberfaith@yahoo.com

AmberFaith said...

I follow your blog.

littleamberfaith@yahoo.com

AmberFaith said...

I follow Glass Dharma on Twitter
@littleamberfate

littleamberfaith@yahoo.com

VeganMarr said...

Glad theyre making these unbreakable! I like the plain, no dots. I like the idea that I can use it in any drink at a restaurant & feel happy that I don't have to drink from the side of the glass OR use a petroleum -based plastic straw.

We should all always bring our own take put where but some places have it waiting for u so they use their boxes...or they dont want ur stuff in their kitchen as a possible liability. Might be a health code thing. I think theyd have to dish it into your containers at the counter, from a plate maybe. Still better than taking a bunch of disposable containers, even the biodegradeable ones.

Anonymous said...

Have shared on FB & even tho I usually see ur blog link on FB, I subscribed by email. I fancy either the 9" or even 10" for tall glasses of smoothie or organic OJ.(10" might be trickier to travel with?) Wider the better...easier to clean. Key I expect, is too rinse soon after each use. Also, long slender wooden medical q-tips (which i use to clean my dog's ears) work great to clean eye droppers & I imagine glass straws too, if needed! That skinny brush cleaner sounds great!

VeganMarr said...

Oops, "anonymous"' was me! Clicked instead of tabbed! :-)

Geri said...

I love the Beautiful Bend straws.

Geri said...

I'm now following your blog.

Geri said...

I retweeted (@ros52531).

Geri said...

I'm following Glass Dharma on twitter.

Geri said...

I'm following you on twitter.

SweetKaroline said...

simple elegance 9" would be perfect for my morning smoothie!

Pip444 said...

The decorative dots would be the nicest to have.
spec@live.ca

Pip444 said...

Follow on GFC
spec@live.ca

Pip444 said...

Follow Glass Dharma on twitter
spec@live.ca

Pip444 said...

Follow you on Twitter
spec@live.ca

Pip444 said...

http://www.facebook.com/Elfdiva/posts/162190567162507
spec@live.ca

Anna (Green Talk) said...

I would love the 10" plain straw. Great contest. I am not sure if you want separate comments for all the extras or not.

Anna (Green Talk) said...

I follow your blog

Anna (Green Talk) said...

I tweeted and am a twitter follower.

@greentalk.

Anna (Green Talk) said...

I follow @dharma at @greentalk

Anna (Green Talk) said...

The tweet shows up on my facebook page.

Rachel Kooy said...

I like the Simple Elegance 8" & 9" length drinking straws :)

jenreed1023 said...

I would love the set of 4 straws simple elegance extra long drinking straw set.

Oh and I qualify for 4 extra entries based on the following:

• I follow this blog.
• I tweeted the contest
• I now follow Glass Dharma on twitter
• I follow you on twitter

bourgeois gal said...

What a fun idea! I found you through Opera Singer in the kitchen's post today (http://www.singerskitchen.com/), and I am now following you also (yay for an extra entry)!

I also posted your blog on my FB!
http://www.facebook.com/#!/christi.saindon

and on my blog
http://bourgeoisgal.blogspot.com/2011/01/glass-strawsyes-please.html

I like the Decorative Dots (9.5mm x 9")

Thanks for the awesome giveaway and for introducing us to these fab little gems!!

fughawzi said...

I like the Beautiful Bends straw! I've never been good with straight straws, haha.

I'm following on twitter.

The Blissful Chef said...

4 extra credit!

I totally need these straws. It would make my green obsession complete (already have lifefactory glass bottle, people towels, to-go ware, etc) :)

I'm down with simple elegance. Thanks!

Domestic Dharma said...

great giveaway =)
I'd choose decorative dots, they're awesome.

Domestic Dharma said...

I follow your blog

Jamie : ) said...

Yay for amazing products that are not only functional, but beautiful! So funny- I carry my own chopsticks also :) I would definitley love the 12mm Simple Elegance Extra Long drinking straw. I am in love wit them,, so even if I don't win I might buy a few - although finances are an issue due to my health stuff so we will see. I am so glad I am following your blog now! I love you! <3

Jamie : ) said...

PS of course i am reposting on fb :)

Anonymous said...

These are so beautiful and functional! And I love the idea of anything that cuts down on paper and plastic. My kids would have a blast with the little decorative dots straws. I follow your blog by email, and I follow you and Glass Dharma on twitter.

Danyelle said...

These straws are really great. What a brilliant idea. I'd like the 9.5mm x 9 " with the dots. Thanks Gail.

Jamie : ) said...

omg that smoothie was SO GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!!! thank you!!!!!! : )

Colored Leaves in Snow said...

I would love to drink my green smoothies through a 9.5mm x 9" Decorative Dots straw in red!

Gin said...

I love this idea--I hate using disposable straws.
My favorite is the extra long 12mm--perfect for my giganto, extra-thick smoothies!

Millie said...

you look so cute sipping on that straw.

http://nuestracena-vegancuisine.blogspot.com

Millie said...

GAIL...WHAT IS EZEKIAL BREAD? INFORM ME ABOUT THIS ON MY BLOG...I NEED TO KNOW.

Unknown said...

I would love the simple elegance, 12mm by 9''-- simple and beautiful! I love it! I love your blog too and just noticed you're in Oregon- I live in Eugene that's so cool!!!

Domestic Diva said...

The simple elegance 8" straws look great.

lovelydomesticdiva (at) gmail (dot) com

Domestic Diva said...

I follow on gfc

lovelydomesticdiva (at) gmail (dot) com

Millie said...

thanks Gail for the information on the Ezekiel bread...I got the recipe off the internet. I am making it Wednesday. I'll let you know how it comes out.

Lauren said...

I love the decorative dots straws! Perfect for my morning smoothie!

Lauren said...

I follow you on twitter.

Lauren said...

I follow Glass Dharma on twitter.

Kelly said...

I love these straws, that's all I ever use!!

Lauren said...

I tweeted about the giveaway (@everdayrevelry)!

Allison Rivers Samson said...

Posted on FB!

Allison Rivers Samson said...

i love the shorties and the dots! 9.5 and 12 mm respectively. The bends look great too!

Allison Rivers Samson said...

I already follow you on Twitter! =)

Allison Rivers Samson said...

I now follow Glass Dharma on Twitter!

Allison Rivers Samson said...

Tweeted
Make sipping your smoothie sustainable and fun! Win a $25 gift certificate from @GlassDharma Straws! http://bit.ly/dEzLP

Allison Rivers Samson said...

I follow your blog!!

Anonymous said...

I'd pick Simple Elegance for myself. I make a lot of smoothies and would love one of these!

lynntofu@yahoo.com