Over the past several months, we at Stonyfield have met, worked with, and been following so many amazing blogger moms. Many of these women wanted to know more about the food they feed their families and we wanted a way to empower them with information and continue the dialogue on healthy eating. We are all trying to communicate the same message: We’re invested in feeding our families in a healthy way, and in order to do so, we need to know what’s in the food we’re eating. As a result, the Yo-Getters ambassador group was born!
We wanted to get to know this passionate group of moms better so what better way than to highlight a new Yo-Getter each month! Our latest Yo-Getter under the spotlight is Michelle Lloyd, a stay-at-home mama to a spunky little girl E. Michelle is also a freelance journalist, PR/social media junky, blogger, consumer, and activist who is dedicated to teaching and living an eco-lifestyle. When she’s not working, she can be found experimenting in the kitchen, reading, listening to live music, playing on Pinterest, cuddling with her 2 dogs and kiddo, or out in nature enjoying its beauty. She shares her journey on her blog, Mkokopelli.
Chandra Carson: Thanks for joining me Michelle! Tell me a little about yourself and your family.
Michelle Lloyd: We are a spirited bunch who loves the outdoors, doing things as a family, being silly together, and we all love to cuddle.
CC: Can you also describe your blog and what inspires your posts?
ML: My daughter was a little over a year old during the huge China toy recalls and the big J&J toxic soap findings, so researching product safety became a bit of an obsession of mine during her naps. I then decided to start blogging about some of the things I was learning because they were so shocking. I then began doing reviews and giveaways about fantastic non-toxic products so that it wasn’t all gloom and doom. After 3 years, Mkokopelli is now kind of a hodgepodge blog about living an eco lifestyle. This year I’ve expanded and added a little bit more media (music and book) reviews, recipes, things to do in Charlotte, along with my usual non-toxic news posts. So I guess you could say my daughter inspires my posts 
CC: And what could be better inspiration! So what do you like to do when you’re not blogging?
ML: I love to read! Over the past couple of years I’ve slacked off when it comes to reading for pleasure, so this year I’ve been making up for it. When I’m not reading or writing, I’m usually listening to music, baking, taking pictures, doing a craft, hiking, browsing unique local stores, going on field trips, exploring different towns, and I just started my first garden. We stay very very busy!
CC: Sounds like it! Can you share any tips or secrets from the kitchen?
ML: Plan your dinners before you go grocery shopping. That way you don’t buy things that will spoil and you have a menu for the week. Most meals I prepare only take 20-30 minutes to cook and I have enough to make a different meal with our leftovers. Our favorite meal is chicken cooked in coconut oil, pineapple, rice with a little bit of soy, spinach, peppers, and cheese wrapped in a tortilla. We put the leftovers in eggrolls the next night.
CC: Yum, can I come over for dinner sometime?? That sounds delicious! Now, here’s a tough one…if you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
ML: Wow, this is a tough one! I’m going to have to say yogurt. You can freeze it and make ice pops for dessert, you can drink it, you can eat it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and it comes in yummy flavors like chocolate, caramel, vanilla, blueberry, raspberry. Is that cheating?
CC: We don’t think that’s cheating! Can you share any tips for getting your daughter to eat healthy?
ML: I started giving her healthy foods from the beginning. She eats the same things as we do. If she wants an ice pop after dinner, she has to eat a good portion of her meal. If she doesn’t like something, I don’t force her to eat it. I also keep offering it to her and in most cases she ends up enjoying it after several meals. And if you don’t want your child to eat something, don’t keep it in the house.
CC: That’s great advice, Michelle. Now, can you explain why organic food is so important to you?
ML: A year and a half ago, I was asked to write a research food article for my old boss and since then organic food has become sacred to me. I was blown away by some information about pesticides, GMO’s, irradiation, and sewer sludge used on conventional foods. I was buying some organic foods before I did the research, but now everything I buy is organic. I want to give my family the most wholesome food available. By purchasing only organic foods, this cut out most processed junk and inspired me to get more creative in the kitchen. I also love buying from our local organic farmers and getting to chat with them at our market. Knowing where your food comes from and how it’s grown makes you respect the process even more.
CC: Name 5 foods you never leave home without.
ML: Yogurt, cheese, milk, bananas, spinach.
CC: And of course…what is your favorite Stonyfield product/flavor?
ML: This is another hard one since we adore Stonyfield! My go-to has always been the vanilla. I love being able to add fruits, nuts, or granola to it. We also make from scratch ice pops every week and vanilla has always been our favorite to pair with fruits. You can find a delicious recipe for chocolate/strawberry ice pops here: http://mkokopelli.blogspot.com/2012/03/ice-pop-recipe.html
CC: Lastly, where can we follow you Michelle?
ML: You can find me on:
Mkokopelli Blog: http://mkokopelli.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MkokopelliBlog
Twitter: @Mkokopelli
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/mkokopelli/
On the level of great cinamatographers such as Marty Stoufer; You are a keeper of our countries natural wildlife that is so easily brushed aside for other unrenewable resourses. Be well dear friend. Joseph
To be honest, I have never written a review, not matter how good or bad a product I received was. I never had the time and never bothered. Today, I write my very first review of a product that I have been feeding my precious son since birth. He is now 2 years 4 months. I could never breastfeed him exclusively due to bone density loss and I did massive amounts of research and tried out tons of different brands before deciding on this organic formula from Earth’s Best and since then, even though he is now a toddler, I still use the Earth’s Best infant formula and supplement with other child vitamins.
Hello there, There’s no doubt that your blog might be having browser compatibility problems. Whenever I take a look at your website in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in IE, it has some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up! Besides that, excellent website!
Hey There I really enjoyed reading your writing. I’m considering writing my own blog at some point Thanks.
I’m amazed, I have to admit. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s both educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is an issue that not enough folks are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy I found this in my hunt for something relating to this.
Hi Amanda and Celeste – Thanks so much for your interest in becoming a Stonyfield Yo-Getter! Feel free to send us a note at YoFriends@stonyfield and we can chat more. Best, Stonyfield Chandra
I would also love to know if you are still accepting Ambassadors?
Are you still accepting YoGetters to your Ambassador group? I would absolutely LOVE to partner with Stonyfield! Please visit my blog to see if you think we would be a good fit!