Back to the Roots Mushroom Kit Review
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When I heard about Back to the Roots I knew I had to include them in our Back 2 School Bash! Back to the Roots was founded in 2009 by two college students at UC Berkeley. Just before their graduation they stumbled across the idea of growing mushrooms in recycled coffee grounds. This idea soon turned into the Back to the Roots company which makes the “Grow Your Own Mushroom Garden” you see above! It is a self-sustaining mushroom kit (pearl oyster mushrooms) that stays in that box!
In 2011 they have plans to divert 1 million pounds of coffee grounds from Peet’s Coffee and Tea and turn it into a potential of 250,000 home-grown fresh mushrooms around the country! These kits can be bought online and are also sold at many Whole Foods locations. What I love about Back to the Roots is their community involvement. They have a huge passion for schools around the country! Right now if you post a picture with your mushroom kit on their Facebook wall they will donate a mushroom kit plus a sustainability curriculum to an elementary school classroom of your choice!! PLUS they also have a fundraising program for schools too!! They even offer a free sustainability worksheet that you can use in conjunction with this kit in your classroom!
Once you receive your mushroom kit in a box, you simply pop out the perforated windows on the front and back of the box and pull out the bag of (gross-looking!) mushroom/coffee mix! You’re supposed to soak it for 24 hours in a container of water- we used a small (clean) trash can and then weighted it down with a glass plate since the package floats. Once 24 hours has passed all you do is pull out the bag of mushroom mix, make a cross shaped slit in the front and back of the bag, and insert it right back into that cardboard box! Caring and growing your mushrooms is SO incredibly easy! All you do is mist it twice a day. That’s it! To be honest I’m pretty sure we either misted it too much or not enough every day and our mushroom kit grew like a weed!
In just a few days you can see above that our mushrooms started to appear!! The night before this it was just barely growing anything- in the morning it was quite a bit bigger!! And by the next day- it was wild! Look at the picture below- that is LESS than 24 hours from the pictures above!!
Here are a few up-close photos of that second day our mushrooms appeared!
Look at the gills underneath these pearl oyster mushrooms! What a perfect opportunity to teach your children hands on about fungus, the anatomy of a mushroom, spores, cooking with mushrooms, and more! I really can’t say enough awesome things about these mushroom kits! They are eco-friendly, support sustainability, scientific, educational, fun and absolutely perfect for classrooms of all ages! They are affordable for homeschooling families and can easily be used to set up a large variety of lesson plans and activities for the children to learn and participate in.
You can even purchase “refill” bags for a cheaper price as well!
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Disclosure: I was not compensated for this review. I received a product in order to form my own opinions. All opinions are 100% mine. All Back2School event giveaways are open to US Only unless otherwise specified. Winners will be chosen by www.random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to winners email before a new winner is chosen. Winner MUST leave e-mail address in at least one comment otherwise prize is forfeited. One person may not win more than 2 prizes for the length of this event. Prizes and companies are not related to and have nothing to do with Facebook. Giveaway will end August 19, 2011 at 8 PM EST.
Love the recipe posted on their blog…just need to find yucca flower…
Yucca Flower, Mushroom, and Feta Frittata
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Following their FB page
Following their Twitter account as well…
Like your page on FB
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I'm also entered on the Pencil Sharpener giveaway
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I learned that you should store mushrooms in a plastic bag in the refrigerator and that they can be store for up to 2 weeks!
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I like that the founders quit their day jobs to follow their dreams!
I followed Back to Roots on Twitter
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I learned that you can easily order replacement bags to keep reusing the kit! How cool is that? They also have some pretty cool coloring pages – gives the kids something to work on while they wait to see the first little fungi pop out!
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I like BTTR on FB #1
alicia crenshaw
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I follow you on Twitter
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I had absolutely no idea you could grow mushrooms in coffee grounds! I went to the website and was fascinated!
I'm an email subscriber
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Entered the mystery box giveaway
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I liked them on Facebook too!
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I liked you on Facebook!!
The soil is 100% coffee grounds – fascinating!
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Grown in coffee grounds
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FB fan Back to the Roots 1
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FB fan Back to the Roots 2
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Email follower
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I learned that Back to the Roots was founded by Alejandro Velez & Nikhil Arora during their last semester at UC Berkeley in 2009.
Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com
I like Back to the Roots on Facebook – my FB name is Amanda Moore
Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
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#1
I like Back to the Roots on Facebook – my FB name is Amanda Moore
Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com
#2
I like your page on Facebook – my FB name is Amanda Moore
Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
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I like that you can eat them when they are done growing and they give you recipes to cook with them.
I learned that they have their own blog!
Nancy
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I am an email subscriber.
Nancy
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I learned that you should store mushrooms in a plastic bag in the refrigerator
LIKE Surviving a Teachers Salary on Facebook Lisa W.
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I entered the Insect Lore giveaway
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I entered the X-acto giveaway
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I was surprised to learn one kit can grow up to 1.5 lbs of mushrooms!
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I like Back to the Roots on FB
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I've entered the InsectLore Butterfly Pavilion giveaway
I'm in the mystery box giveaway
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Used coffee grounds! YOu can grow mushrooms on them! Who would have thought!
iridia718 at gmail dot com
I learned that you can start harvesting… in just 10-15 days. Wow!
I follow Surviving a Teachers Salary on Twitter.
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I'm an email subscriber.
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I entered your eBeanstalk giveaway.
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I entered your Peaceable Kingdom Press giveaway.
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I entered your Ouchies Band-aids giveaway.
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I entered your Buy.com giveaway.
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How cool is this?!?! I love that they were in the corporate world and completely gave that up to better our environment.
I liked Back to Roots on Facebook.
Jennifer
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I like your blog on fb.
Jennifer
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I entered the mystery box giveaway.
Jennifer
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Jennifer
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I entered the ebeanstalk gc giveaway.
Jennifer
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I entered the inchimals giveaway.
Jennifer
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Jennifer
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I entered the mary kay giveaway.
Jennifer
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I entered the peaceable kingdom giveaway.
Jennifer
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I entered the insect lore giveaway.
Jennifer
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I entered the ouchies giveaway.
Jennifer
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I entered the buy.com giveaway.
Jennifer
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I entered the cash 'n carry wallet giveaway.
Jennifer
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I entered the human body poster giveaway.
Jennifer
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I entered the amazon giveaway.
Jennifer
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I entered the pexagon tech giveaway.
Jennifer
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I entered the unusual basket giveaway.
Jennifer
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I learned that the founders of the company were almost done with degrees in investment banking when they came up with the idea of growing mushrooms!
love that they have lots of reciepes and sell refill bags
Thanks so much!! Janna Johnson [email protected] janna@feedyoupig on gfc
i love that they have great recipes on their blog!
trixie420247 at yahoo dot com
i already follow back to the roots on fb(tina wofford page)
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#2
i already follow back to the roots on fb(tina wofford page)
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i already follow back to the roots on twitter(@trixie420247)
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#2
i already follow back to the roots on twitter(@trixie420247)
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fb follower(tina wofford page)
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twitter follower(@trixie420247)
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email subscriber
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also entered mystery box giveawya
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also entered inscet lore giveaway
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also entered the unusual basket giveaway
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They will reuse 1 million pounds of coffee grounds this year.
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I like Back to the Roots on facebook. (Marcia Goss)
entry #1
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I like Back to the Roots on Facebook. (Marcia Goss)
entry #2
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I follow Back to the Roots on Twitter @mgoss123.
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entry #1
I follow Back to the Roots on Twitter @mgoss123.
entry #2
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I like you on Facebook. (Marcia Goss)
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I follow you on Twitter @mgoss123.
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Email subscriber.
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I learned that Back to the Roots will used one million pounds of used coffee grounds in their product this year, diverting them from landfills. asthenight at gmail dot com
I like Back to the Roots on Facebook (Deborah Rosen) (1). asthenight at gmail dot com
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I follow Back to the Roots on Twitter @AsTheNight (1). asthenight at gmail dot com
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I like Surviving a Teachers Salary on Facebook (Deborah Rosen). asthenight at gmail dot com
I follow TheTeachersWife on Twitter @AsTheNight.
I love the recipe ideas!!
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Like back to the roots on FB
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Like SATS facebook
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Entered mary kay
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I learned you can grow mushrooms in coffee grounds!
Thanks for the chance.
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I learned that they sustained 10 urban school & community gardens by donating BTTRs premium soil amendment
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I like BTTR on facebook (Sk Sweeps)
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I learned that they have a Monthly Replacement Program.
Like you on FB
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Back to Roots is SO cool! What a neat program they set up! I learned that the guys who started the company were about to graduate from college & grew the mushrooms from coffee grounds & that if you post a pic of your completed project they will send you a replacement bag or donate one to the classroom of your choice. Will have to check this project out more!
paltz4 at gcom dot net
following 'back to roots' on facebook – entry 1
following 'back to roots' on FB – entry 2
follow you on FB
entered 'peaceable kingdom' giveaway
entered classroom friendly sharpener giveaway
entered 'unusual basket' giveaway
entered 'amazon gift code' giveaway
i like the recipes like mushroom tacos–i didn't know yucca flowers were edible!
I like Back to the Roots on Facebook (entry 1)
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i like Surviving a Teachers Salary on Facebook
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entered the mystery school supply box giveaway
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entered dado squares giveaway
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entered simple sentence rods giveaway
entered Robby Wash Ball giveaway
I learned that back to roots was founded by Alejandro Velez & Nikhil Arora during their last semester at UC Berkeley.
I LIKE Back to the Roots on Facebook #1
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I love that this company was founded by two guys who are so young. I also like their program where they give a free kit to a school for posting a picture. What a great way to give back and inspire new generations.
I LIKE Back to the Roots on Facebook
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I love how they help so many schools
vickie
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I entered the mini helicopter kit giveaway
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They have a Monthly Mushroom Club for a 5 month subscription! [email protected]
I learned they were featured on channel 7 news in the bay area!
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I learned that the soil they use is 100% recycled coffee grounds! Interesting!
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I like back to roots on fb
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I thought it was interesting that it only takes 10 days to grow the mushrooms.
jennifergrieco(at)verizon(dot)net
I like your blog on Facebook.
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I like Back to Roots on Facebook.
jennifergrieco(at)verizon(dot)net
I like Back to Roots on Facebook (#2).
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I entered your mystery box giveaway.
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I entered your fingerpaints sensations giveaway.
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I entered your insect lore giveaway.
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I entered your Ouchies Bandaids giveaway.
jennifergrieco(at)verizon(dot)net
I entered your classroom friendly pencil sharpener giveaway.
jennifergrieco(at)verizon(dot)net
I entered the Brain Mold Giveaway.
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I entered the Bic School Supplies Giveaway.
I entered the Teach Me Shapes Rubbing Plates Giveaway.
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I entered the Simple Sentence Reading Rods Giveaway.
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I entered the Twig Terrarium Giveaway.
jennifergrieco(at)verizon(dot)net
Wow if you store mushrooms in a plastic bag they're good for two weeks in the fridge.
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can you eat them [email protected]
love to try this mushroom kit
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I learned that there is a great section with recipes. I would love to make the Risotto with Oyster Mushrooms and Prosciutto
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I like Back to the Roots on Facebook – edita ava
1
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I like Back to the Roots on Facebook – edita ava
2
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I follow Back to the Roots on twitter @atydec
1
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I follow Back to the Roots on twitter @atydec
2
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I like Surviving a Teachers Salary on Facebook – edita ava
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I follow Surviving a Teachers Salary on twitter @atydec
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Email subscriber
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so;i is 100% COFFIE GROUNDS
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if you post a pic with your kit on their fb fan page they'll donate a kit to the classroom of your choice
susansmoaks at gmail dot com
i like u on fb
This is soooo cool. I learned a lot.
Back to the Roots is a 100% sustainable urban mushroom located in Oakland, CA. We grow gourmet mushrooms and mushroom kits – all using recycled coffee grounds from local café’s – over 20,000 lbs/week!
I love thier school ideas page.
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I like SATS on FB.
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I like Back to the Roots on FB.
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I entered Tassimo.
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I entered Fat Brain Toys.
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I entered the Mystery Box giveaway.
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I entered the buy.com giveaway
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I entered the amazon gc giveaway
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I learned that these are sold at over 300 Whole Foods!
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I like Back to the Roots on FB!
I like Back to the Roots on FB! #2
I follow Back to the Roots on twitter as hell_0kitty
I follow Back to the Roots on twitter as hell_0kitty
#2
I like your blog on FB
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I entered the Tassimo giveaway!
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I entered the Phineas and Ferb Prize Pack giveaway!
I learned that it helps kids learn how to plant and it is just a fun thing for them to do.And I know my son would love this! 🙂
Thanks for the great contest!
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Hey!
This is awesome!!! Thank you so much for featuring us! We really appreciate your support and would love to thank you with a new kit! We love your child’s pictures as well! Anyway we could use them on our website or other promotional items? Again, Thank you SOOO much! I really look forward to hearing from you!
[email protected]
Best,
Jasmine Jackson
Community Happ’y’ness Guru
Back to the Roots
2935 Adeline Street; Oakland, CA 94608
Tel: 510.922.9758 | Fax: 510.922.9568
http://www.backtotheroots.com