Super Eco

Photo credit: LotusHead, stock.xchng

We're not big on urging readers to go out and buy more stuff—not until we got wind of this sweet idea from the bloggers at Planet Green, that is, that helps you green up your local economy while sweetening your office rep. The deceptively simple plan is delicious in execution: support your local organic or vegan bakery while treating your coworkers to delectible delights.

Let's get straight to the point:

• Organic and vegan goodies are healthier than mainstream choices.
• Small, organic and vegan bakers more often use local suppliers for their ingredients.
• Avoiding dairy ingredients by choosing vegan treats once a week softens the environmental impact of dairy industry operations.
• Most vegan bakeries are small, locally owned operations with a decidedly green, organic bent. Your money stays green and local.

Lest you think these kinds of independent bakeries exist only on the East and West coasts, we discovered a knot of spots smack dab in the middle of the country. For example, in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas (hardly a hotbed of progressive causes or avant garde cuisine), you'll find BreadHaus Bakery, Crosby Catering and Spiral Diner & Bakery. Not only do their treats look splurge-worthy, but these bakers appear to be eco-savvy, as well. Spiral Diner's web site offers a well researched, footnoted page on why veganism is a healthy, earth-friendly choice.

The final tally sounds like a perfectly delicious rationale for a detour on the way to work every now and again. All these eco-friendly benefits, plus the bright-eyed goodwill of officemates? Office politics never tasted sweeter.