Chicago - April 27, 2005

Clean Conscience

The Enterprising Kitchen

Over the years, we’ve invented a lot of excuses to shop.

Stress relief. Socializing. And our fave: necessity. (Because when push comes to shove, who doesn’t need a new bag?)

But here’s a new one: community service.

At The Enterprising Kitchen, a nonprofit in Uptown, women who’ve fallen on hard times get a second chance when they create handmade specialty soaps, bath teas, and shower gels. In addition to learning to make the products, the women gain life skills and a confidence boost.

And what do you get? One hundred percent vegetable-based goods in scents like gingersnap (Asian ginger and cinnamon oils), seascape (green tea, citrus oils, natural seaweed, and Dead Sea salts), honey oatmeal (oatmeal, pure vegetable oil, and cinnamon-clove), and herbal whimsy (lavender, rosemary, peppermint, and tea tree oils). The upshot: Everyone benefits.

Guilt-free shopping? Done.

Guilt-free chocolate cake? You’re on your own there.

The Enterprising Kitchen, 4545 North Broadway Street, between Montrose and Wilson Avenues (800-818-6158 or theenterprisingkitchen.org).