The Great GORP Project

Taming the beast. ..

This is "Grandpa Snazzy". Today it is me against him. As soon as I can get this guy co-operating I can start selling my wares:)

. . .needing a techy angel to land on my doorstep. . .or some divine knowledge, one of the two will do.

Guess I better go face the music.

I think Grandpa Snazzy likes to polka. . .he just seems like that kinda guy.

Cue the music.

Enjoy your day, I'm going to try. . gulp.

Pictures are worth 5 million words;)

The good stuff.

The mixer thang.

Cutting it up.

Stacking them high.

No comment Grandpa Snazzy. No comment.

Yesterday was my 35th birthday. It was also the "unofficial" date I set to launch Gorp. Translation: to have a successful production run that would end in a sellable product by the end of the day.

It was a day full of success and a bit of failure (just to keep me humble I'm sure;). I produced 200 bars. The scale up recipe was fantastic in the taste quotient. Yes. The air powered cutting machine worked like a charm. The packaging machine (whom I dearly and not so dearly refer to as Grandpa Snazzy) co-operated for the first 150 bars, then proceeded to self destruct. Grrrr. It was a day full of thinkings. . .. maybe cause it was my birthday and I'm feeling like I'm halfway to heaven. . .maybe it was because of the bittersweet turnout to my BIG day.

BUT. In the end, even though I was ready to pull my hair out, the phrase LIFE IS GOOD was impressed on my heart. Not in the narrow minded sense. But the broadest one there is. LIFE IS GOOD. My faithful daughter was beside me during the last 3 nasty hours of fighting with Grandpa Snazzy, I had dear friends drop by to see how things were going. Flowers arrived on my doorstep from a far away friend who is so supportive that I felt downright unworthy of her friendship. Every time I feel like I want to throw in the towel God is shouting back at me. . .DON'T YOU DARE, AND I'LL SHOW YOU WHY. And He does. Every time.

As I look around my kitchen the morning after. .. there is a huge mess to clean up, an angry machine to contend with and a few boxes of bars that are packaged a little crooked, but I can consider them "sellable" to the people that will forgive my learning curve. Not the GIANT success I had hoped for, but I'll take it:)

Gorp out.

 

me-ow

"Ohhhhh! What the. .. wait. ..ummmm. . . freaking stink!"

That's what was going through my head when I opened the back doors of my truck and saw these freaked out yellow eyes peering at me from beneath the stroller tossed in the back. I was backed into the loading dock at Bee Maid honey, picking up some of the sweet stuff for my first test run of energy bars, there were a handful of guys standing on the loading dock, so I was already nervous about backing up in the right spot, not getting into the way of the semi driver beside me, and basically looking as professional as I could. (you know, so they didn't suspect that I was a hick mom from the country who didn't know how to act in the big city;)

Well, apparently my cover was blown when my extremely pregnant and scared out of her freaking mind cat leaped into my FACE and attempted to run into the plant. Nice. Professional. . you bet? Stink.

I totally got all weird and couldn't think straight. .. all I could focus on was not letting Ninja (prego cat) escape while at the same time getting my honey loaded. (No logic entered brain) So I raced to the front of the truck, tossed her in. .. .ran like snot to the back of the truck to quickly load a barrel of honey before she came screaming over the seat into my face again. SCRATCHING ALL THE WAY. I'd catch her and start the whole process over again, painfully aware that I was being watched, but too dazed to even care. It worked the first time. .. for the second and third barrels Ninja was onto my game and upped the ante with her lightening speed. After a few more failed attempts to get the other barrels loaded I chanced a frazzled look up onto the loading dock. . .yup. All the guys were staring at me as I feared. I zeroed in on the one with the kindest (least disgusted eyes) and asked if he's either load the honey for me or hold my pregnant cat. I felt like such a winner, let me tell ya. He laughed and said he was just waiting for me to ask:) Nice. Teach me to be all independent and stupid.

He opted for loading the honey. I don't blame him.

I still had two more stops that day, but had to cut my city day short due to the "sounds". .. coming from Ninja. I can't even really say they were sounds. .. it was more like a ghost giving birth. .. yeah, without an epidural either. I raced home listening to the horrifying harmonies of what I thought were crazy cat birthing pains. But she must have just been writhing in fear, cause she's still prego. Whew.

I'm sure I made an impression over there at Bee Maid. Better luck next time?

Tomorrow my goal is to have the first batch of bars through the factory, packaged and ready to present to retail FOR SALE! We shall see, the technical challenges thus far have almost done me in. Lord help me.

HERE WE GO!

 

 

 

Sweet award:)

Kinda cool. My branding company Clarkhuot/Cocoon scooped up a Signature award the other night for the design of the Gorp bar packaging! Good work guys:)

Here's the link!

Yesterday was filled with intrigue and weirdness. . .hopefully I can chill out on the couch later and blog about it. .. .I'll warn ya. .. the story contains a harrowing account of cat-napping and birthing sounds. .. gag!

As for today, tree planting and packaging machine figuring are on the menu, anyone have a sledge hammer?

Today the plan is to be mighty. Tonight the plan is to cry into my pillow;)

 

AHEM. Yawn. Stretch. . .back in black:)

 

O.k. That siesta was a little bit ridiculous. September 2011 was my last post. Ummmm. yeah. All I can say is. . .something had to give, and I'm sorry it was my blog:(

But sometimes that's the way she goes.. . .and boy do I have some updates to write!

I never knew how much this writing did for my sanity until i left it behind in the interest/misperception of getting "other" things done.

What I didn't anticipate was 1) How much I NEEDED to write and vent and 2) I have some pretty sweet and understanding readers out there:)

Thanks to those who sent emails gently checking in and thanks to some of you for demanding I finish what I started here on this blog! And lastly to the one special soul who made my day by sending me a written letter BY GOOD OLD FASHIONED SNAIL MAIL politely informing me of her desire that I get off my butt and write again, and did I know that my last post was in September?

Soooooo. . .I'm getting off my butt. This is a big month. Gorp is launching "unofficially" (i'll explain what that means later) on my 35th birthday May 25th.

These last 8 months (My goodness) have been hard. It seems like the closer I've gotten to actually making a darn sale the resistance and learning mountains have risen to meet my perseverance and slap it around a little.

A mega coles notes version update coming soon:)

 

. .. .and for the record, I know it looks like I scored a giant loan and blew this joint, but it's all lies, I have pictures of a very rowdy packaging machine to prove it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

cook'in for a cause. . .

We are busy in the Gorp kitchen this week making bars for the Imagine Marathon in Niverville this Saturday. . .of course I had to enlist a rather loud and demanding persistant helper:)

.  . .more Gorp news to come after this crazy week is ova!

 
 
 
If you are from the area, check out this event. . .it's a FANTASTIC cause (mental health) and a wonderful family day. .. clowns, bouncers, BBQ lunch, gorp bars. . .does it get better? O.k.. . clowns aren't my fav. .. but are easily avoidable;)

be mighty!

There are no words right now. . .

. . .but if you do see me wandering about. . .this is the expression you will most likely see on my face.

Translation: Wuh!!!!! Heh heh ohhhh man. .. .oh. ..oh man. ..Lord?! WOW!

My loan was APPROVED!!!!!! HEH HEH. .UM. ..OH MAN. . .WAAAAAAAAAA!!!

. .. can't type anymore. . .must go lie on floor and convulse around doing those dorky arm/leg pumps from the '80's while shouting "YES YES YES" WITH A BIG EMPHASIS ON THE SSSSSSSSS:))))
 

Waiting, wishing, hoping. . .and waiting?

How does that Jack Johnson song go again?? Anyways. .. that's what I've been consumed with over the past week. . .waiting to hear if I get my loan approved so I can push the BIG FAT GO BUTTON on Gorp:)

WELL!!!! I got word yesterday that the loan review meeting was pushed back till today at 2:00. . .so by 3:30 or so TODAY. .. I will know one way or the other. gulp.

IT feels very surreal in these parts this morning. . .I'm pannicky and cold. . .why am I so darn cold? I could hardly sleep a wink last night. . .so if you feel like sending up a few prayers for me today it would mean a lot:)

I started this blog originally to journal the story of launching this energy bar company. . but then things like life, kids, passions, exercise, recipes and various rants on everything from religion to trips to the emergency room because a googly eye got shoved up a nose. . .it all kinda snuck in. (oh and let's not forget the half naked flight across the yard, prego and hanging from a flipping kite!. . .I still have a funny road rashy mark on my butt from that one. . .)

I appreciate my faithful commenter's and emailers more than I can say. . .I also recognize and am grateful for the rest of you who read. . .you are a quiet bunch and that's cool. . I'd be lying if I said I wasn't VERY curious who you are though. . .so if you ever feel like introducing yourselves via email. .. I'd love to hear from you:) Writing this blog has been a strange blessing, I've worked out some shizat for sure. . .met some beautiful people and found a way to let out some angst;) I'm talking like it's all about to end. . .it's not. . .I hope.

I think I'm feeling particularly vulnerable and sentimental today because I've committed to share this journey and now a very big part of it being successful is looming. .. m-o-n-e-y. . .and it will feel like I've failed if I don't get this loan. . .not that it means I'll give up HELL NO. . .but it makes for a kind of embarrassing large bump along the way. . .every once in a while I get an email from a stranger who is embarking on the same journey I am. . setting up some kind of business, usually something to do with food and setting up a commercial kitchen and I have the honour of cheering them on. . .I love it. . .I love seeing people step out and DO IT AFRAID. . .chase that darn dream down, tackle it and give it a good old fashioned noogie. Yup. . .it makes me smile:)

. . .man I'm mushy today. . I should really stop typing before I embarrass myself;) Although it's probably too late for that. . .my plan today is distraction. . . what better way to do that than to go get my mustache waxed off. . see ya sucker, your free ride is OVA. Then I'll probably crank some melancholy music and make some bars. .. but before I go. . I'll leave you with an AWESOME ACCIDENTAL SMOOTHIE I made up this morning. . .cause this is what happened to be in the fridge!

 
What you'll need:

1 cup of fresh pressed apple cider!

(You can buy it, but if you have access to a tree pick those suckers and bring them on down to the Apple Junction in Landmark , the wonderful girls there will throw them in an apple press for ya. . soooooo good and much more nutritious than the dead juice in the stores.)

1 cup of cold brew rooibois tea

(You must buy one of these cold press tea jugs. . .look here. . .I have this one and it rocks, you can buy it locally at scoop and weigh.)

1/2 cup of frozen raspberries

1/2 a frozen banana

4 tablespoons of hemp protein fiber blend

(I'm nuts about this stuff. . .check it out: 14 grams of fiber! 11 grams of protein, no sugar, 3 grams of fat and only 127 calories. . .FANTASTIC!)

It tastes AMAZING plus it's packed full of antioxidants from the fresh cider and berries. Perfect for after a workout. . .

. . .that's it that's all. . .I've got a stash to wax and a phone call to wait for. . .ahhhh!!! (on both counts:)

be mighty!

spider cupcakes. . .

 

Sooo Georgia FINALLY got a party:) My first "official" kids party at my house. . .the first 7 years of her life I conned her into having "family parties" or inviting one friend out for a movie or something. .(I know, I'm terrible!) there was one "build-a-bear" party that snuck in and will never be repeated. . .kids parties scare me. .no clue why. . .but I get all anxious and weird. .. I think it might be because when little girls get together a hyper-crazed phenomena starts and they get all unpredictable and fizzy. . . I stayed up until midnight constructing spider cupcakes and hanging giant blow up bugs from every light fixture in the house. .I thought it was pretty awesome. . .until. . .

. .  the morning of the party I was feeling confident enough to go for a run, spider cup cakes were chilling in the fridge, decorations were hung, craft supplies set out, goody bags packed. . .but then 10 minutes before the party was supposed to start Grant turns into the party police and decides that I can't possibly have planned a party without . . .gasp. . CHEESY PARTY GAMES. . triple gasp. .. so then I panic and second guess my whole plan. .. I thought my mega craft-a-palooza and eating pizza was enough to fill 3 hours? Well, the worry was all for not. ..I was right:)

 

Spider cup cakes turned out awesome, thanks for the suggestions everyone:)

 

 

For the craft the girls were let loose on this table filled with every make and model of google eye, pom pom and pipe cleaner known to man, the challenge was to create the craziest spider/bug/monster possible! We then attached the monsters to long wooden dowels with invisible thread and the girls proceeded to run around the farmyard chasing each other with their creations. . no party games required:) I dare say the giant spider craft-a-palooza was a success!
 
 
Whew. It was a tonne of fun. . .I think this might be my party "gig" for the next 5 years. . .YES!

 
. . and what's a party without one of Aunty Ella's crocheted creations? My kids LOVE these vintage toys she whips up. . .even more than the Xbox. . score!

All day yesterday I was at an amazing Ag policy discussion event organized by MRAC, U of M, and the MFPA. . (translation: Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council, University of Manitoba and the Manitoba Food Processors Association) It was an industry and academia response to the CAPI (Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute) destination paper, I just LOVE discussion/debates about pretty much anything. . . especially Ag policy. . o.k. . .better stop typing before I ruin my reputation as a "cool mom";)

If you want to read the paper, you can find it here. .. it's not just for Aggies or policy heads. . it's food. . it's business, it's your health. . . if you eat you are entitled to an opinion. ..

It's a discussion on what needs to change in order for us to have. .

“the most successful good food systems on the planet.”

I think that's a pretty big deal.

Today: I'm attempting to put together a more formal launch plan for Gorp while distracting my teething baby boy. . :(

be mighty!

The internet stole my post? And how to write a mission statement that doesn't suck!

Ahhhhhh!!! I just spent close to 40 minutes painstakingly crafting an informational post on my experience participating in my first strategic planning workshop, I'm a director on the Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council (MRAC) and Masterkey Business Solutions came in and led us through a major mindstretching brainstorming process to help us generate a strategic plan. . .of course I always have my Gorp hat on and was super excited at all the concepts I laid hold of that day. . and I sooooo wanted to share them with you. .. but after the unforeseen and insanely frustrating theft of my words that just occurred due to my dumb computer. .. I'm toast. . .I don't have the energy to re-type and re-think and re-produce my lost post:(

I'll find the motivation to do it again, because I picked up some pretty rad nuggets and tidbits of inspiration stimulating awesomeness. . .but alas, there is laundry to be done, babies to nurse and an insanely messy office to organize. . .so I will leave you with this bit of food for thought:

Wayne from Masterkey Business Solutions gave us permission to share and steal and spread his content and links (thanks Wayne!). He shared this video(from FastCompany), so I'll do the easy thing today and leave you with a you tube link;)

. . .while you are watching. .. think about this. . DO YOU HAVE A MISSION STATEMENT?? A PERSONAL ONE? HOW ABOUT ONE FOR YOUR FAMILY??? Or does your business mission statement need to be tossed?

hmmmm. .. !!

 

After watching this, I think I REALLY need to reshape Gorp's mission statement. . .I'm also totally inspired to come up with a mission statement for our family! Why not? We do it in business. . .couldn't we also benefit from a strategic family focus? Hmmmm. . what do you think? I think we actually just stumbled onto something kinda awesome. . .

. . .the family mission statement. . . yup. I think this calls for a meeting:)

be mighty!