The Everyday Organic

Crustless Spinach & Ham Quiche

2012-01-26T06:05:00.000-05:00

(with option for a gluten free quiche)

Prep Time: 15
Cook Time: 25 min
Level: Easy
Serves: 8 servings

Ingredients
Extra-virgin olive oil, for greasing and drizzling
2 Cups grated mozzerella cheese
2 tablespoons flour (use rice flour to keep this gluten free)
1 cup fresh baby spinach, rough chopped in small pieces
8 large eggs
1/2 lb ham, cubed (I used 2 thick slices, all natural ham from deli counter & cubed myself)
2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
6 scallions, chopped
1 teaspoon paprika
1/4 cup milk (unsweetened almond, rice, cow's - whatever you have)

Directions
Position a rack in the upper third of the oven, place a baking sheet on the rack and preheat to 450 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish with olive oil.

Lightly beat eggs in a bowl then add salt and pepper, grated nutmeg, chopped chives, ham, and spinach. In a seperate bowl, toss 2C mozzerella with 2TB of flour. Add chees tossed in flour into egg mixture. Stir. Now add the milk. Use your judgement here. The mixture should pour into the dish without splashing so add more or less milk depending.

Pour the mixture into the prepared dish and sprinkle with paprika. Place the quiche on the preheated baking sheet and bake until the center is just set, 20 to 25 minutes.

Serve the quiche hot or at room temperature.

Photograph by Lindsey Fuller

Copyright 2011 The Everyday Organic
All Rights Reserved

Quinoa Tabbouleh

2011-07-09T06:00:00.007-04:00

Thanks to Chef Megan McCarthy, the dish I brought to the lake was a complete hit! Fresh cucumbers and tomatoes from my in laws garden took it over the edge. Quinoa can be used as a substitute for rice, couscous & even bulgur wheat as in traditional tabbouleh. Quinoa is gluten free which makes it a fantastic wheat substitute. It's 6g of protein for every 1/2 cooked cup also make it a good source of non-animal protein.

Here's Chef Megan's recipe for Quinoa Tabbouleh:

1C Quinoa (rinsed til the natural occurring white residue is off & water runs clear)
2C water
2TB extra virgin olive oil
3 Roma tomatoes (or 1/2C cherry tomatoes from the garden), seeded and diced-obviously roma tomatoes are easier to seed but I had fresh cherry tomatoes so that's what I used.
1 Cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced
2 green onions, chopped
1/4C fresh lemon juice
Salt & fresh ground pepper to taste

Bring water and quinoa to a boil. Cover and turn down to simmer 12-15 minutes or until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork while transferring to a bowl so it can cool. Add remaining ingredients to quinoa. Serve at room temperature (our favorite) or chilled. Serves 4-6

This is a great side dish or vegetarian meal. Leftovers are perfect for brown baggin' it to work.

Organic Mushroom Kit

2011-06-01T06:00:00.000-04:00

We discovered The Mushroom Kit while in Berkeley, CA.. A science experiment turned business for two college guys. Huh, so there really IS stuff growin' in the guy's dorm... anywhoo, back to the root of the story. Karen, an enthusiastic endorser of the product, educated us on how these mushrooms grow in recycled coffee grounds. She appeared to be closer to my age than two college kids, which means she must know what she's talkin' about.

We bring home a kit. Now, I will pre-warn you, if you're flying home with one of these kits in your carry on bag, you might have some 'splainin to do at security. "It's a mushroom kit" isn't really enough to get TSA clearance. In fact, they might just raise their brow a little higher. Eventually, my husband told them we were in Berkley and before he even finished getting it out of his mouth, the head of security said "I should've know you were from Berkeley. Go ahead".

Once safely at home, we started the kit. Easy to follow instructions lead you to cut one side of the box, make a small cross slit in the plastic bag and then mist twice a day. Nothing appears to be happening for about 5 days and then all of a sudden, BAM, you have mushrooms growing. I meant to take a picture of the very beginning but seriously, everyday they doubled in size. It's cool and kinda weird having mushrooms growing in the corner on our kitchen counter but certainly earth friendly and budget friendly. Besides, if they're good enough for Alice Waters, they're good enough for me.

Organic Snacks

2011-05-30T11:17:00.007-04:00

The heat is on! If you're lookin' for somethin' to help heat up your summer snackin', may I suggest A Hot Mess. Pure Bliss Organics roasted cashews, peanuts, and puffed rice with tamari and cayenne to give your mouth a sizzle. Don't be afraid of the heat, once our 12year old tasted it, she claimed that bag as "hers". Funny.

Sweetly-glazed almonds, hazelnuts, and raisins are combined with crystallized ginger making the perfect Sweet Nuttins. Sprinkle this on top and your guaranteed to get those kids to eat their yogurt.

Pure Bliss Organics offers other NEW flavors of gourmet nuts including Pretty Good Stuff (a savory blend of nuts and cranberries) and Off The Walnuts (Walnuts dusted with cinnamon & ginger). All four flavors mentioned here are vegan and gluten free.

Snack on!

Vegetarian Baked Beans

2011-04-01T17:00:00.001-04:00

For our family, Baked Beans are such a reminder of summer. Cookin' out after a day on the lake or the beach-there's nothin' like it. However, in our quest to eat less meat I had to figure out a way to save the flavor without the...bacon. According to my kids' reaction, I figured it out! Not only that, you cook it in the crock pot-easy easy!

3 cans pinto beans (vegetarian style)
1C Organic Ketchup
2TB Spicy Mustard
1TB Worcestershire sauce
1 Medium Onion chopped (preferably a sweet onion from Vidalia, Georgia)
2TB honey
1/4 tsp Kosher salt
ground pepper to taste

Put all the ingredients in a slow cooker on low setting, give it a stir, cover and go sit on the porch and sip some sweet tea for two hours.

Community Gardens

2011-03-30T15:26:00.000-04:00

Gardens just make people happy and community gardens are popping up everywhere. Since the idea of prepping and turning your own soil can seem daunting, especially to urban dwellers and suburbanites, it’s a nice way to share the work load. Not only do you share the weeding and watering, you also share the fun part…harvesting!

Highland Community Victory Garden in Raleigh, North Carolina is not only serving those who directly care for the garden but excess produce is donated to “Plant a Row for the Hungry”. This allows families access to fresh produce who might otherwise go without.

Cullen Whitley is the Garden Coordinator and both his BIG heart and Masters in Horticulture help get the job done.

If you’re in the Raleigh area and interested in joining the Highlands work, it only takes $10 and a commitment of 10 hours. Though Cullen assured me that while no one is turned away because of money, everyone gets their hands dirty! Not in the Raleigh area, no worries, Find a community garden near you

Organic Strawberries

2011-03-30T14:27:00.002-04:00

Strawberries are repeatedly on the dirty dozen list as one of the fruits with the highest pesticide residue. That’s enough to make you want to grow your own. Which is just what I did with my niece recently. We drilled holes in the bottom of old pots and buckets, dropped in some empty recycling containers so we didn’t need as much dirt in the large buckets then filled them with organic potting soil almost to the top. Gently placed the organic strawberry plants in the soil and added more around them, packing lightly until the plants were securely in place.

Grace will tell you what to do next.

"Put them in the sun, water them with water and wait til they turn red."

25$ off carpet cleaning

2011-03-29T16:55:00.002-04:00

Get $25 off your service with Zerorez by telling them Jennifer Fuller, The Everyday Organic, sent you (tell them at the time service is scheduled). Request Matthew if he's available.

50% off Coupon

2011-03-17T13:37:00.000-04:00

In celebration of St. Patrick's Day, Earth Fare is giving you 50% off their Hot Bar & Salad Bar. Get the coupon and Save!

Gluten Fee Cake Mix Review

2011-03-13T16:22:00.002-04:00

After the taste test with gluten free cake mixes from Betty Crocker and Cherrybrook Kitchens, Arrowhead Mills Gluten Free Cake Mix needed a test. As far as pricing, it's about the same as the others ~$4.50/box but Arrowhead Mills coupons are easier to come by.

Just like Betty Crocker, this mix calls for eggs in the recipe. Remember, there are many options for baking without eggs. Applesauce (1/4 C:1 egg) is an easy vegan substitute for eggs. Though in this case, I made the cake as suggested on the box.

The flavor of this cake was vanilla so I have to take that difference into account (the others were chocolate). The texture of it was gritty and even though the mix was really runny, the cake wasn't as moist as you would expect. That could've been because I left it in the oven longer to make up for the liquidity of the mix to begin with...which came first?... If I tried it again, I'd use less water but I have to admit, I'm still liking Betty's mix.

Egg Substitutes-Baking without Eggs

2011-03-13T13:00:00.000-04:00

When baking, eggs add moisture, bind ingredients together, and/or they leaven. What’s the egg’s purpose in your recipe? If the egg is the main liquid ingredient, it adds moisture. If the recipe has one egg but nothing else to hold the other ingredients together (i.e. bread crumbs, nuts, flour) the egg is the binder. If there are no other rising agents, such as baking soda or baking powder, the egg is the leavening.

The following is a list of substitutions for eggs in baking.
The amounts listed are what are needed for each egg being replaced.
Keep in mind the fewer the eggs in a recipe; the easier it will be to alter it without noticing a difference.

=1 EGG

2 TB H2O, 1 TB oil, & 2 tsp bkg pwdr

2 TB water & 2 tsp baking powder

1 TB soy powder & 2 TB water

1 average size banana-also adds flavor

1/4 C soymilk

1/4 C Applesauce

3 TB Veganaise

1/4 C Flax Meal mix-grind 1heaping TB whole flax seed until a fine meal in a coffee grinder. Add 1/4 cup cold water & flax seed to blender & blend 2-3 minutes til thick & has the consistency of eggs.

In prayer for Japan

2011-03-11T06:08:00.000-05:00

Please take time to stop and pray for those in Japan devastated by today's Earthquake and Tsunami.

Online Survey

2011-03-10T09:00:00.000-05:00

Please take a few moments to answer my brief 4 question survey. Thank you.

TEO learns how to start a business

2011-03-06T21:23:00.002-05:00

Join me on the journey of discovering just how to take that idea and start a business! Read my guest blog post at The Entrepreneur School and watch as I learn from the best. FB users be sure to LIKE IT.

Betty Crocker vs. Cherrybrook Kitchen Gluten Free

2011-03-06T20:50:00.001-05:00

And the winner IS...
Cake B, Betty Crocker Gluten Free Devil's Food Cake mix. For taste and moistness.

It won with the baker as well because it was much easier to work with. The other one kept falling apart as I was assembling it. Though that didn't stop it from getting eaten...

There are a few things worth mentioning about these gluten free mixes. The Betty Crocker mix requires 3 eggs and 1 stick of butter (I used 1/2C oil) while the Cherrybrook Kitchen mix is dairy and egg free. That means even if dairy allergies aren't a concern, you still only need water and oil for the mix. The price of each mix is about the same, ~$4.50 each. Another important note; when buying gluten free cake mixes, the boxes are the same size as any other cake mix box, however, they only make one layer. Not two like conventional cake mixes. So when making a layer cake, you'll need two boxes making the cost ~$10 for each cake in addition to frosting.

After drooling over these pictures, you're gonna want the recipes for the Chocolate Mousse Cake and Ganache.

Chocolate Mousse

2011-03-06T20:32:00.000-05:00

Classic French Style
8 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/4C unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
3 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons rum
5 large eggs, separated, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

1. In a heavy saucepan, combine the chocolate, butter, and water. Stir occasionally while over low heat until chocolate melted and smooth. Stir in the rum. Remove from heat and let cool for ~2 minutes.

2. When chocolate feels comfortably hot to the touch, add the yolks all at once and stir quickly-you don’t want scrambled eggs in your mousse.

3. In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until frothy. Add cream of tartar and continue beating until soft peaks form and hold their shape.

4. Using a flat spatula fold one-half of the beaten egg whites into the chocolate mixture. Then fold that chocolate-egg mixture into the remainder of the egg whites gently folding in until no streaks are visible.

5. Carefully, so as not to deflate the mousse, transfer the mousse to a serving bowl or divide into serving dishes, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, until firm. If using for filling in a cake, you can refrigerate it in the same both you mixed it in.

Serving: Bring to room temperature (~5 minutes) before serving.

When using as a cake filling. Let cake layers cool completely. Put the first layer on your serving plate, top with the chocolate mousse. Gently place the 2nd layer of the cake on top of the mousse. Press on top layer only enough so it sets. DO NOT smash the chocolate mousse. You worked very hard to get those egg whites fluffy, don't crush them. You can now pour your ganache over the cake letting it run down the sides. Use a butter knife to smooth the ganache over and along the sides. Let stand at least 15minutes before serving.

You may refrigerate this cake before serving but be sure to wrap it so it in plastic or foil (be sure to recycle afterward) doesn't dry out.

Chocolate Ganache Recipe

2011-03-06T20:03:00.001-05:00

*This basic recipe can easily be converted to Vegan Chocolate Ganache

1pkg (~15oz) chocolate chips
½ C almond milk

I used Ghirardelli chocolate. You can use non-dairy chocolate to make this completely vegan. Rice milk, coconut milk, even cow’s milk all work.

You can use an official double-boiler if you have one. I use a make shift one by bringing about 2C of water to boil in a medium-sized heavy saucepan. Then turn the heat down to a very gentle simmer. I place a glass bowl on top of the saucepan, carefully making sure it sits securely on top.

Then pour chocolate chips in the bowl on top of the pot of simmering water. Add 1/4C almond milk. Gently stir the chocolate and milk. Be careful not to let the chocolate burn so don’t rush this. As the chocolate melts, add more almond milk until desired consistency. Once the chocolate’s almost completely melted, turn the heat off and stir until it’s smooth and shiny. Then pour or spoon over cooled cake. Ganache will need about 15 minutes to set.

You can also dip strawberries or fruit in the ganache at this point and let set on a piece of parchment paper.

Be sure to lick the spoon…

The Best Gluten Free Cake Mix

2011-03-06T17:15:00.001-05:00

It's on; Cherrybrook Kitchen vs. Betty Crocker! Which gluten free cake mix will win the taste test tonight? Two chocolate mousse cakes with ganache frosting are ready to go. Both are gluten free but will both win the favor of my finicky family and friends? We shall see. Stay tuned for the results!

Cherrybrook Kitchen Gluten Free Dreams Chocolate Cake Mix

Betty Crocker Gluten Free Devil's Food Cake Mix

Does ZEROREZ® Work?

2011-02-24T09:11:00.000-05:00

The carpet is dry & the results are in on our all natural carpet cleaning from ZEROREZ®. Keep in mind these photos are of the toughest spots and as I told you before they were up front about the challenge of getting tea stains out. As you can see, it's still there. Overall though I have to say I'm very pleased. The first thing my sister said when she came over was "Wow, did you get your carpets cleaned" DON'T YOU READ MY TWEETS?! Anyway, here you go:

Tea Stain-still there...:(

Ink spot in office-MUCH better & not noticeable unless you knew it was there.

Stairs-FAB

Top of Stairs-not noticeable unless looking for it.

Daughters' room-MUCH better and overall looks great.
Does ZEROREZ® work? Yes
Would I use them again? Yes and in Atlanta, I'd ask for the technician Matt (very professional and paying his way through college so help out his education)
Am I happy to have clean carpets and NO chemicals? OH YES!
For all of you wondering, NO, this is NOT a paid advertisement and NO, I didn't get a discount on my carpet cleaning b/c of this blog but I better in the future :).

ZEROREZ® They're here!

2011-02-23T15:33:00.000-05:00

YEAH! Carpets are being cleaned.

EWE N ICK! The AFTER water...

All Natural Carpet Cleaning

2011-02-23T06:48:00.001-05:00

ZEROREZ® coming today to clean the carpets! No chemicals, only "empowered" water... hmmm...sound suspicious? Well, let's see if they can get these out:

TEA-an entire mug full from...sometime ago

No, we don't have chickens in the house. The feathers are from a down pillow. The stains are ink or marker.

General traffic gunk on the stairs.

Some spill.

One of our kids' rooms so who only knows...

They were up front with me regarding stains that have been there a long time (as in my tea stain) b/c the padding gets stained and then there's not much you can do. Have to say, I've never had a carpet cleaning company actually admit before they had my business they might not be able to get it all out. Worth a shot so here we go...

Free Organic Chocolates

2011-02-11T14:08:00.000-05:00

YUM YUM YUM, just in time for Valentine's Day. Impress your sweetie with organic chocolates...they don't have to know you got them free with your Earth Fare Coupon. That'll be our lil' secret... PRINT COUPON

Michelle Obama - Let's Move Campaign

2011-02-10T07:48:00.002-05:00

Alpharetta, GA welcomes Michelle Obama on the 1st anniversary of the Let's Move Campaign, a national initiative to fight childhood obesity which has tripled in the last 30 years. The First Lady spoke at Northpoint Community Church and reminded us of the chronic health problems related to obesity; heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and asthma.

She's right, we didn't get here overnight. Thirty years ago life was much different. Everybody led a more active lifestyle. Personally as a kid, I remember walking at least a 1/2 mile to the bus stop everyday. TV watching was minimal and deliberate-you watched it for a certain show and didn't sit channel surfing. Fast food was considered a treat (gag, imagine that) and only enjoyed on the rare occasion and of course, there were no computers, IPads, or electronic games to keep us physically still and mindlessly unengaged from reality hours on end. Now, put three five pound bags of sugar on the counter. That's how much more sugar we each eat a year than we did in 1970. Thus you have the recipe that helped get America's health where it is.

The good news, kids are sponges and learn by example. Every parent out there has the responsibility to model good behavior. Don't nag, or preach simply make wiser choices yourself starting at the grocery store, cook one more meal a week than you have been, and even if exercising is a simple walk around the block to get started-go for it! Video of Let's Move Speech in Atlanta.

For more on Michelle Obama's visit to Atlanta. Full details on Let's Move Campaign.

2011-02-03T07:19:00.000-05:00

In Egypt, TeleFood aids families in small farming communities to cultivate their own sources of food. They do this without the use of pesticides and each agriculture project is designed to be sustained by the local community within 12 months with a budget of less than $10,000. The goal behind each TeleFood project is to give women and children in particular access to better nutrition, as well as, a source of income. Worldwide TeleFood projects.

Recycle to win $5,000!

2011-02-02T18:50:00.004-05:00

Kids in 5th-9th grade, listen up! You have the opportunity to win $5,000 for yourself and your teacher (no splitting). Blue Man Group challenges you to create an original instrument from everyday objects around the house or even outside. What a great time to discover what else can be done with those cans and bottles sitting in the recycling bin before they head off for re-purposing. The deadline is February 15, 2011 so go make some music and some money. Click here for videos of what's been done before. FULL Details.
Video below from Blue Man Group Site:

Skateboards made from recycled material

2011-02-01T17:34:00.004-05:00

Looks like there's more you can do with cornstalks than make scarecrows or corn husk dolls. Stalk It™ found a way to make skateboards using recycled cornstalks. Their longboards are manufactured out of CornBoard™, a green composite that uses corn husks and stalks remaining in a field after the corn is harvested. Thus providing a renewable, earth friendly alternative to wood.

Question performance? No need, Stalk It™ longboards are top-of-the-line performance skate boards. They claim to be endorsed by professional skater, Christian Hosoi and pro surfers Alana Blanchard and Bobby Martinez. The company even donates a portion of sales to military families.

Cornstalks don't excite you? How about Bamboo? Loaded longboards are made of bamboo and Arbor uses recycled glass on most of its decks yielding not only a greener option but also better performance. All sealers are water based.

Please wear your helmets, Mom.

New Cupcakery with No Trans Fats!

2011-01-28T16:00:00.003-05:00

After Lindsey's persistent, and sometimes annoying, reminders of her friend's recommendation to try the new cupcake place in town we went to Jilly's. This not only proves the power of word of mouth advertising from 12 year olds but also provided a tasty treat for the afternoon. Janice, the owner of Jilly's, is proud of her new cupcakery as well she should be. Those gorgeous treats welcome you from the case as soon as you walk in the door. Your greatest challenge will be deciding which one choose. From Banana Nut to Salted Caramel or Ultimate Chocolate.

She mentions they're baked fresh daily and use a natural based food coloring with no trans fats. To top that, in the spirit of giving and not wasting, anything left over from the day is donated to a local food charity. We were sold. Red Velvet and Cookies and Cream were going with us.

Some flavors are standard and some are only available two days a week giving you an excuse to keep going back. For the full menu, details, and directions; visit Jillyscupcakery.com.

National Yoga Day 2011

2011-01-22T13:00:00.002-05:00

In honor of National Yoga Day, I just got back from Yoga class. That's a picture of me above in Sraddha Vrischikasana...ok, I'm kidding. I did go to class though and it was great; thank you David. The pigeon pose was just what I needed to get my body ready for my first tennis match since fall at the end of next week. If you're in the West Palm area and wanna get your Down Dog on, check out the largest outdoor yoga experience in Florida all day today until 5 at the Meyer Amphitheatre on Datura Street. For photos of other Yoga poses, check out this site.
Namaste'

Favorite Gifts

2010-12-27T17:36:00.004-05:00

Let me take a moment to share with you some of my favorite organic or eco-friendly gifts I received this season. I'll start from the back of the photo and work to the left.

Even Santa knows you can never go wrong with chocolate and I must have been especially good this year to find this chocolate bar in my stocking. Since 1993, Endangered Species Chocolate has been committed to creating premium, all-natural, ethically traded, naturally shade grown chocolate products. All beans used in its products are purchased from family-owned properties where the income benefits the community. If that's not enough of a commitment, 10% of their net profits are donated to fund species and habitat conservation efforts.

Next, Açaí Damage-Minimizing foaming cleanser promises to help clear my skin of impurities and protect it against the visible effects of skin damage. Kiehl's products are Certified Organic, as well as, Paraben & Sulfate Free. After a week of below freezing temps, I can't wait to nourish my thirsty skin. Thanks Mom :).

Who knew in the blazing heat of summer, my girlfriend was working on her Christmas gifts. Seems like an unfair advantage...until that is you are the recipient of homemade Pepper Jelly straight from Foretich Organics. Sorry, for now, it's private stock only. Rest assured though when the garden's big enough for sales, you'll be the first to know.

Forged out of recycled metal in the Blue Ridge Mountains, you don't realize you need a Wick Dipper Stick until you've burned your finger or wasted yet another candle b/c the wax dried over the bent wick. This just might be one of those gifts I will quickly realize I can't live without.

Clean eating on the go: Oskri Organic Coconut bars are like eating dessert any time of the day. The ingredients are clean and simple providing you with energy without the yucky ingredients or the lull after a typical sugar high. Your challenge will be choosing with one to try first.

All I need now is a destination. My EO travel kit will keep me airline compliant, smelling good, and looking good. Regardless of where my travels take me, I'll be using my EO Products with a clear conscious.

Under all these gifts you'll notice, in my opinion, the most environmentally friendly wrapping paper you'll ever purchase. Why? Because you can guarantee without a doubt, this paper has a 100% chance of being re-used!!! My Mom and John buy sheets of dollar bills from The US Mint and use them for wrapping paper. Yes, you pay a bit more for it but it's fun and completely re-useable. Everyone offers to recycle this paper!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Recycling Gift Wrap

2010-12-25T06:00:00.001-05:00

Recycle the following with chip board (light cardboard-cereal/cracker boxes:
Hemp and raffia tie
Craft bags
Wrapping paper, gift bags/tags & cards without wax, shiny, metallic, or glossy coatings
Butcher paper
Newsprint art paper and newspapers
Shoe boxes and Shirt boxes

Shipping boxes are recycled with coregated cardboard

Can be recycled with plastic bags:
Soft plastic wrapping. Like all those tiny bags that cords and toys come in. At the recycling center, I was told any plastic wrapping that DOES NOT crinkle loudly or stiffly. Good rule of thumb.

Here's one you may not know could be recycled with aluminum drinking cans:
Aluminum foil and aluminum foil pie shell tins!

This should help keep the holiday mess a little more on the GREEN side-have fun!

Fox 5 Road Warrior

2010-12-23T11:25:00.003-05:00

Fox 5's Stacey Elgin, The Road Warrior, was at Bread Beckers in Woodstock yesterday. She asked The Everyday Organic how changing to whole grains has made a difference. Check out the video!
click on the segment with the photo of slices of bread-4 segments total at Bread Beckers

Chocolate PB Cups

2010-12-21T19:26:00.003-05:00

This recipe debunks the myth that vegans don’t eat dessert. Believe me; you don’t have to be a vegan to smile while eating these absolutely indulgent treats. Bye Bye Resse’s Peanut Butter cups and Bye Bye Girl Scout Cookies! This mix of my favorite combination is both delicious and clean.

Makes 24

4Tb Earth Balance Buttery Sticks
½ C Peanut Butter (all natural, organic if possible)
¾ C Whole Wheat flour (fresh ground whole wheat if possible)
2 Tb Evaporated Cane Juice (Savannah Gold Crystals)
2/3 C grain-sweetened, nondairy chocolate or carob chips
2 Tb Almond Milk (unsweetened). You can use soy or rice milk also
¼ C Peanuts (all natural, no preservatives)

Line 2 mini muffin tins (24 total) with paper liners (preferably bleach free liners) & set aside.

Melt 4Tb buttery stick in small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the peanut butter, whole wheat flour, and evaporated cane juice. Mix well. Remove from heat. Divide evenly among each muffin cup.

Use a double boiler or put a bowl over a sauce pan holding gently boiling water. Turn the heat down. Put the chocolate chips and milk in the bowl over the gentle heat. Stir until melted and smooth. Turn off the heat. Spoon over each of the peanut butter cups. Dividing evenly.

Top each with a few peanuts. Put in the refrigerator and let set for at least 2hrs before serving. Store in a covered dish. These keep in the refrigerator and freeze well so perfect for pre-party planning.
© The Everyday Organic

Mexican Wedding Cookies

2010-12-20T17:00:00.000-05:00

These melt in your mouth delights have been re-vamped with whole wheat and by using non-dairy butter are also vegan.

Makes 3 1/2 dozen

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes per batch

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks, softened

2 1/2 C Evaporated Cane Juice (powdered)
( to powder evaporated cane juice, pulse it in food processor 30seconds or until finer granules)

2 tsp Vanilla Extract (pure Vanilla)

1/2 tsp fresh ground ginger

1/8 tsp salt (fine sea salt)

2 C Whole Wheat Pastry Flour

2 C finely chopped pecans

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat buttery sticks and evaporated cane juice in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add 1/2 cup of the sugar, vanilla, nutmeg and salt; beat until well blended. Stir in flour and pecans.

2. Shape into 1-inch balls. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.

3. Bake 12 minutes. Remove from baking sheets. Immediately roll hot cookies in remaining 2C sugar. Place sugared cookies on wire racks to cool. When cool, roll again in sugar.

Natural Shaving Cream-is it worth it?

2010-11-30T09:00:00.001-05:00

Still using that inexpensive foamy stuff in the can? It's hard to break away from that rich thick foam, I know. However, in an effort to avoid sodium lauryl sulfate, fragrance, and contents I can't pronounce I did have to search for an alternative.

Burt's Bees Natural Skin Care for Men Shave Cream. 100% natural with no parabens, phthalates, or sodium lauryl sulfate. Easily purchased wherever the Burt's Bees line is sold, however, will it be worth $7 a tube? Yes, I realize that's $6 more than the can but let's at least give it a try.

This is marketed as a men's product but do remember I tried it on my legs.

Does it foam? No, but it is thick and creamy
Can you access it with one hand? No and though we aren't purchasing it for packaging, if it's frustrating to use, it won't help you feel good about spending $7.
Good Shave? Yes, legs were silky smooth
Sting after? Same as any other shave. Not bad but my legs wanted moisturizing.
Efficiency? Washes off easy so if you leave the water running while you're shaving, don't lather up your whole leg at once b/c some of it will wash off before you get to it. Then you just have to reapply.

You can't get around the fact that it's 100% natural and paraben, phthalate, and sodium lauryl sulfate free but in all honesty it doesn't stand alone as a product worth $7. It still leaves you wanting an alternative.

My solution? A bar of unscented vegetable glycerin soap. That's what I use on my face and body and now for shaving as well. It doesn't lather up like a shaving cream so I'm a little more careful with the razor but for less than $2 a bar, you can't beat it. Though I use 365 brand sold in the whole body section at Whole Foods, vegetable glycerin soaps can be purchased at most health or natural food stores. Be sure to check ingredients for any unwelcome "extras". You're looking for a bar made with vegetable glycerin and water.

Hand Cream that WORKS

2010-11-27T16:50:00.007-05:00

From Eucerin to L'Occitane, to pure shea butter, to olive oil I have tried them all in search of something to soothe my dry hands and keep them smooth. In an effort to avoid parabens and other chemicals, my choices have gotten slimmer and quite a bit more expensive.

A month ago while in the store, it was suggested I try MyChelle Dermaceuticals Hand Cream. "You will love it" I was told. At $14 for a 2.3 oz tube I doubted it and thought, "no thanks" but did help myself to a nice sample while I was there. It felt like silk. The next week, I tried it again. Hmmmm...my hands were still soft the next morning...again. When it happened the first time I thought it was a fluke. This really could be it.

Third time's a charm. Yes, I brought a tube home and I do love it. Because it actually works, I don't use it as often and don't need as much when I do. It stays in my glove box in the car so it's even ready to tackle my daughter's dry hands on the way to school. Today my sister tried it and said "it really does feel like silk".

Mild and pleasant fragrance that won't interfere with your perfume or essential oils. Most importantly it, and all MyChelle products, are phthalate, paraben, fragrance, and artifical color FREE.

The Pumpkin Renew Cream was such a treat for my face and neck. They sell the cutest sample sizes for less than $5.
NOVEMBER COUPON CODE: FALL15 for 15% off all online purchases through November.

Yummy Yummy Sweet Potatoes

2010-11-26T09:11:00.002-05:00

My sister ran down Martha Stewart's Yummy Yummy Yam recipe and I scribbled it on the back of a piece of paper. Headed to the in-laws for Thanksgiving and was assigned salad and sweet potatoes. I always get off so easy :).

Made some alterations to Martha's recipe and the result turned out just like the recipe title says.

1/2 C Earth Balance (natural oil spread)*
2 Tb Almond milk *
2 eggs
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp Vanilla
1/2 C Evaporated Cane Juice
8 sweet potatoes *
2C marshmallows (all natural)

* denotes alterations (also omitted walnuts and apricots)

Bring a large stock pot of water to a boil. While waiting for the boil, wash and peel sweet potatoes. Chop them in equal sized chunks about 1 inch in size. When water boils, add potatoes and boil until very fork tender and falling apart (~15 min). Melt Earth Balance, let cool and whisk in almond milk. Preheat oven to 350˚.

Drain potatoes when they're done and put back in the pot or another bowl to beat with mixer. Beat til smooth (a few chunks are fine and add texture to final dish so don't look for perfection here). Add melted butter and milk mixture, 2 slightly beaten eggs, salt, cinnamon, vanilla, and evaporated cane juice. Mix til blended.

Put in a 9x13 baking dish. If you are serving this later, stop here. Cover dish and refrigerate until 30 minutes before serving. That's what I did. I took it to my mother-in-law's like this and baked it there.

When ready to bake, top with mini marshmallows (do not add ahead of time b/c they will get soggy). Bake ~20 minutes at 350˚ or until hot and marshmallows are golden brown.

Watch them disappear. Which is why I have no photo to show you. Loved this version b/c not too sweet, all natural and almost vegan. Just substitute 2TB olive oil for the eggs and you're there.

Oh Baby!

2010-11-22T06:00:00.001-05:00

Shak-Shuka is a European website that has great gift options for babies, children, and mothers. This website has a huge selection of organic and recycled products including: organic cotton clothing, recycled plastic bowls, bamboo utensils, and BPA,PVC, Phthalates, Lead and Nitrosamine-free baby bottles. This website's goal is to ensure that the safest place for a baby is always its mother's arms.
(pictures courtesy of http://www.shak-shuka.com/Bumble-Bubble-Dress.html and http://www.shak-shuka.com/decor/)

Living Cards

2010-11-18T20:07:00.012-05:00

Ok, I know; the second stationery post in less than two weeks. This may sound bad, but this is pretty cool, guys. Do you remember the living wall post? Well PostCarden is a company that produces living cards! Now is it just me, or is that super cool?! Especially with the holidays coming up, who wouldn't want to receive a cute mini garden?
(pictures courtesy of http://www.postcarden.com/)

Pigs in The Blanket

2010-11-16T11:29:00.005-05:00

Our daughter's favorite party food is Pigs in the Blanket. Easy, right? Not if your using biscuits you pop out of the can. Those typically have Red #40 in them. Seriously? You make white biscuits with red food coloring. How gross does it get.

Thanks to Immaculate Baking Co. my daughter is denied no more! They make Crescent Rolls with unbleached wheat flour and NO hydrogenated oil or artificial coloring. Hallelujah!

I used the 365 brand chicken hotdogs-nitrate free of course and for the adults with finer pallets, Bilinski's All Natural Apple Chardonnay Chicken Sausage. Seven ingredients and that's all: Skinless Chicken, Chardonnay, dried apples, sea salt, black pepper, and dried onions. It's a kids party so have your wine in your chicken... And I guess technically these aren't pigs in a blanket, they're chicks in a blanket...somethin' doesn't seem right about that though.

Instructions from here:
Unfold the biscuit
Wrap the sausage in the biscuit (blanket)starting at the wider end of biscuit
The tip of biscuit should wrap around last
Put on baking sheet
Bake 10-12 min. at 350. Then watch them disappear

Pretty Paper

2010-11-06T21:41:00.010-04:00

Nothing compares to finding a beautiful letter (and especially an invitation) in your mailbox. The now old-fashioned gesture is so sweet and sentimental. Urbanic Paper Boutique lets you enjoy and indulge in the beautiful simplicity of well crafted and eco-friendly stationery. The boutique is located in Venice, California and carries a gorgeous array of cards, invitations, and journals made with sustainable materials like soy-based inks and 'tree-free' paper. The store always has something interesting going on and is definitely worth a visit.
(picture courtesy of Urbanicdesigns.com)

Eco Friendly Products

2010-10-22T11:20:00.007-04:00

Replacing some kitchen items so I head to Home Goods. What's this? A can opener made of 70% plant material and 30% traditional plastic. Cool! Lifetime Brands, Inc calls this Nexplast. Same cost as the other can openers with a lifetime warranty. I notice it says "hand wash only". Could be why I go through these things so often; I put them in the dishwasher... Note to self: "not very green if you have to replace an item that should last a lifetime b/c you don't take care of it properly". How does it perform? I bring it home and it works just as well as any other hand can opener.

2.24.11
4 months later we had to say good-bye to Mr. Can Opener. Sorry, not a very green product if I'm out buying a new one in 4 months. Lessen learned; sometimes things are better made the first time around.

Dr. Hauschka Sample

2010-10-15T14:56:00.000-04:00

Let's face it, once you find a skin care line that works for you, you don't want to have to search again. Well, recently I discovered my long time favorite company has stopped production. Back to the drawing board.

In my search, I discovered, Dr. Hauschka. If you're familiar with this line, you know it ain't cheap. Before I committed, I wanted to be sure I knew it worked for me and just what to buy. The Dr. Hauschka Daily Face Care Kit is a great way to sample this high quality skin care line before choosing which products to buy.You can purchase it online or like I did at Whole Foods for the same price.

Save 50% on Organic Food

2010-10-12T14:14:00.005-04:00

How would you like to save 50% on herbs and spices, baking mixes (including gluten free mixes), essential oils, natural body care, supplements and more?

A co-op is an easy way to combine your buying power and save money. Frontier, a leading supplier of organic herbs and spices, offers co-op opportunities for groups of 5 or more. The benefit is you get to purchase products at wholesale prices vs. retail. Trust me, I've checked out the website prices and the co-op catalog prices. You're looking to save 50%. Name brands include Simply Organic, Aura Cacia, and Frontier.

On top of that, when your combined order totals $250, you get free shipping. A one time refundable group fee of $10 is needed at sign up but refunded with your co-op's first order. All you need is someone to head it up for organizational purposes and four other interested people (must be different addresses).

If you're lucky enough to live in the metro-Atlanta area, I have that part covered for you. One of my readers has offered to start a co-op here (East Cobb/ Roswell area). Now all we need are 3 more people. If you're interested, email me and I'll put you in touch with her.

For a glimpse at the prices offered, check out the co-op catalog. Table of contents on pgs 12-13. Also viewable in excel spreadsheet.

Thank you St. Ann's

2010-10-11T08:00:00.002-04:00

For all those wonderful moms I met at St. Ann's Church last week, THANK YOU! The Mother's Guild seems to have so much fun. Your hospitality was welcoming and your positive feedback has inspired me to find more organic news to keep us going. A special "thank you" to Lisa for inviting me.

Send your questions anytime and for those of you who wanted the muffin recipe, here you go!

The Dirty Dozen

2010-10-07T12:37:00.005-04:00

According to The Environmental Working Group, these are the fruits and vegetables known to retain the highest levels of pesticides and should be eaten organically grown. They are listed in no particular order.

Peaches
Apples
Bell Peppers
Celery
Nectarines
Strawberries
Cherries
Kale
Lettuce
Grapes (imported)
Carrots
Pears

Conversely they also have a list, The Clean 15, which includes those fruits and vegetables with the lowest pesticide residue:
Onions
Avocado
Sweet Corn
Pineapple
Mango
Asparagus
Sweet Peas
Kiwi
Cabbage
eggplant
Papaya
Watermelon
Broccoli
Tomato
Sweet Potato

So if you have to pick and choose which fruits and veggies to buy organically, make sure you buy those on the dirty dozen list organically grown.

Organic Food Coupons

2010-10-07T12:27:00.005-04:00

Coupons for Organic Food:

Mambo Sprouts
Arrowhead Mills
Coleman Natural
Stonyfield
Organic Valley
Horizon
Seventh Generation
Cascadian Farms
Kashi

Where to Shop and Weekly Specials:
Trader Joe's
Whole Foods
Natural Foods Market

CONTACT

2010-10-02T06:13:00.001-04:00

EMAIL: Jennifer@TheEverydayOrganic.com

Follow The Everyday Organic on Twitter! Tweet Tweet...

updated 10.2.10

Egg Recall

2010-08-26T19:45:00.005-04:00

The Food and Drug Administration officials have found positive samples of salmonella linked to 2 Iowa farms resulting in a massive egg recall.

Salmonella was found in chicken feed used at Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms. More than 550 million eggs in several states have been recalled. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that there could be as many as 1,470 illnesses linked to this outbreak, that's more than previously suspected.

The eggs effected were sold under the brands: Albertson, Boomsma's, Dutch Farms, Farm Fresh, Hillandale, Kemps, Lucerne, Lund, Mountain Dairy, Ralph's, Shoreland, Sunshine and Trafficanda.

According to USA Today, the eggs are in cartons from plant numbers 1026, 1413 and 1946, with dates ranging from 136 to 225. Dates and codes can be found stamped on the end of the egg carton. The plant number begins with P, then the plant number and then the date. For example: P-1946 223 means the eggs were from plant #1946 date code 223.

If your still not sure if yours are included, take them back to the store of purchase. It would be better to air on the side of caution here. Full story.

Looking for a safe egg? Organic Valley has posted a statement that their eggs are not included in this recall and are safe for consumption.

Rain Water Collection

2010-08-22T08:20:00.001-04:00

Concerned about droughts in the U.S.? The entire continent of Australia has been dealing with severe drought for over 10 years. Yikes. There are companies out there with solutions for our water shortage. Even if at this point you never worry that clean water will stop flowing from your tap, there are answers for saving money and just being flat out responsible for such a precious resource. Rain Catchers are what they are and they will help you do just that!

Metanoya Cafe

2010-08-21T08:59:00.006-04:00

Those of you on the North side of Atlanta remember Metanoya Cafe in the Plum Tree Village in Roswell. Small but quaint, eclectic and filled with great food. It was a sad day when they closed...or so I thought they closed. Yesterday we were in Marietta and guess what we found! The new location for Metanoya Cafe! They've been on Sandy Plains Road in Marietta for 9 weeks and it's actually their 2nd location since leaving the Roswell area. Same eclectic feel, same great food and at lunch time it was buzzin'. Pistachio muffins, paninis, and their specialty salads were all in high demand. Congratulations Chuck and Janet on your continued success.
2595 Sandy Plains Drd. NE
Suite 101
Marietta, GA
770-977-2020

Body Fat Percentage

2010-08-20T07:50:00.002-04:00

Those that know me, know I don't count calories or fat grams but rather focus on the quality of the food we eat. However, today I did get a # that caught my attention. My body fat percentage. WHAT? It didn't help that Jennifer Lopez with her 40 somethin' post baby self was hip hoppin' it in a video right in front of me. I was so stunned I didn't even ask the trainer what it was supposed to be. Came home, found this site and realized I got work to do and it's called exercise.

Best Bikes Around

2010-08-17T20:30:00.002-04:00

We're all obviously in favor of alternative transportation. Bikes are usually the best option for short distances, as they tone your legs and create absolutely no harmful gases, while simultaneously getting you to your destination. I went looking for the hottest classic and custom bikes around. And these are my top picks;

Republic Dutch bikes:
( picture courtesy Republicbike.com)

Chubby's Cruisers:
( picture courtesy Chubbyscruisers.com)

Velorbis bikes:
( picture courtesy Velorbis.com)

Union County Farmers Market

2010-08-14T08:01:00.003-04:00

The Union County Farmers Market has a new home at 148 Old Smokey Rd. in Blairsville, GA. Don't worry about the blazing summer sun or the occasional downpour, this farmers market is covered. So every Wednesday and Saturday July through October 16 they'll be there, rain or shine.
Just head North on Weaver Road off 515 (next to Home Depot). The first right off Weaver is Old Smokey. They say you can't miss it! I was in the back seat but Dad found it just fine.Local honey, pickled veggies, all natural soaps made of shea butter or goat's milk, hand woven baskets, door mats made out of recycled horse shoes, and even raw cow's milk for your pets.

My personal favorite-Logan Turnpike Mill has a stand with yummy dill roll and Ezekiel bread samples. For all you other wheat grinders out there, it's nice to have a short cut every once in awhile. Logan Turnpike offers fresh ground 3 grain pancake mix. It's a hot seller so get there early. You can also find their products at Sunrise Grocery, directly at the the mill or online.

And here's something I've never seen before, not in Buckhead, Atlanta; NYC or even Paris-Living Wreaths. Carrie Hefferen owns From Seed, Inc. and creates wreaths from seeds. These living wreaths hang on the outside of your door soaking up all that sunshine. For watering, just lay them flat, water and hang back up. With a living wreath, you always have fresh herbs at your doorstep.

What to do with all that basil? Make pesto of course!

For more information on the farmers market, visit the Union County Farmer's Market online and be sure to click the link at the top of the green bar for some delightful mountain music to put you right in the mood.....for gardening.

Basil Pesto

2010-08-13T12:00:00.002-04:00

2 cups firmly packed fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup walnuts or pine nuts
3 Tbsp grated Parmesan
2 small cloves garlic
1/4 tsp each salt and pepper
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

In food processor, combine all ingredients except the oil, pulse until a thick paste forms. With processor on, add oil in a slow stream until mixture is well combined. Makes about 1 cup

Transfer to an airtight container. Here, some may suggest pressing plastic wrap directly onto the pesto to keep the basil from browning. I'm going to encourage you Everyday Organics to add a squeeze of lemon juice to this recipe and skip the plastic wrap. The lemon juice will keep the basil green.

Refrigerate up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months. You can also divide your pesto into ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer them to a glass jar with a good seal. Defrost a cube or two as needed and enjoy.

-Toss it in minestrone soup
-Add to marinara sauce
-Coat fish fillets with pesto, then sprinkle with crumbs and bake or broil
-Brush onto chicken breasts before roasting
-Mix with boiled new potatoes, steamed greens or sautéed zucchini

Recipe compliments of Mary Shannon, who's always cookin' up somethin' good in those North Gerogia mountains.

Follow us on Facebook

2010-08-10T14:20:00.002-04:00

Living Walls

2010-08-06T09:38:00.011-04:00

If you're like me, you've found a fascination with the whimsical idea of 'living walls'. If you're unfamiliar with the term, feel no shame. This simply describes a wall covered in living plants, otherwise known as a vertical garden. These indoor or outdoor accessories are not just pretty. Living plant walls filter out many contaminants, help control humidity and temperature and most importantly, oxygenate the air we breathe.

Though these walls are gorgeous, the prospect of creating one yourself can be a slightly daunting task, if not seemingly impossible. There is a solution! Woolly Pockets is a brand that creates breathable plant pockets made from 100% recycled materials. You can have a single one on a table or create a plant mural by tacking them along a wall. This way, a living wall is not only possible, but also very easy.

(pictures courtesy Woollypockets.com)

Step by Step

2010-08-03T17:05:00.000-04:00

If you're an eco-hipster, you have no doubt discovered the international phenomenon that is Etsy.com. A website so jam-packed with hand-made gorgeous goods, it's known as the artistic equivalent to Ebay. Anyway, while perusing through all the green products, I came across two lines of 100% vegan shoes called HydraHeart and The Generation. These slip on flats are super cute and come in an array of colors and styles, including bridal. Though these two brands can have similar shoes, HydraHeart is more quirky, while The Generation boasts a more chic aesthetic. And at such reasonable prices, your tiny carbon-footprint can now be beautifully clad.

International CSAs

2010-07-29T17:07:00.005-04:00

Locate an International CSA:

AUSTRALIA:
Near River Produce
Andrew and Therese Hearne
1466 Pappinbarra Road
Hollisdale NSW Australia 2446
Phone: 02-6587-6004
Email: andrew@nearriverproduce.com
Coverage Areas: Sydney north and east suburbs, Hastings Valley.
Comments: Produce is chemical-free

Pick your Own

JAPAN:
Teikei Organics

CANADA:
Cooper's Goat & Veggy Farm
Lisa or Steve Coooper
266 Ashworth Rd.
Zephyr, ON LOE 1 TO
Phone: 905-830-4521 (farm)
Phone2: 905-960-3962 (cell)
Coverage Areas: Aurora, Newmarket, Uxbridge, Mt. Albert, Queensville, Keswick, GTA, Markham, and growing
Certified Organic: No
Comments: Growing since 1981, farm ownership since 1993. 50 acres of fruits and vegetables, using sustainable farming practices. They use an Integrated Pest Management program to reduce pesticides on many crops, however, many are chemical free.

New Terra Farm
Scott Kellend
13510 County Rd. 15
Merrickville, ON KOG1NO
Phone: 613-269-3884
Coverage Areas: Eastern Ontario, Leeds Grenville
Certified Organic: No
Comments: Small, family owned enterprise located neat Merrickville, Ontario. They raise a variety of meats and vegetables following natural, sustainable agricultural practices.

Ontario CSA Directory

FRANCE:
Les Olivades
Daniel Olivades
257 Chemin de la Petite Garenne
Ollioules, France 83 190
Phone: 04-94-30-03-13
Email: vuillon@olivades.com

OTHER COUNTRIES:

Green People

How to find a CSA

2010-07-29T16:39:00.013-04:00

Produce from my in-laws garden in College Park, GA

Tens of thousands of families have joined CSAs. The idea of community supported agriculture is becoming more and more popular as the demand for organic produce rises along with the price of food in general. Not all CSA farmers grow produce organically but they are up front in regards to that. All you have to do is ask and they expect it. No, the FDA does not monitor them. In fact, the government does not track CSAs at all. That may be a selling point in itself. At any rate, there are databases of information out there so you can find a farm near you.

The concept works like this. You pay the farmer up front for a portion of the harvest. The farmer uses the money collected up front to cover their costs and obviously including a profit. This also allows the farmer the opportunity to have time to market the produce before that time is demanded on the farm during growing season. As you can imagine, money up front helps with budgeting and cash flow.
In turn, you, the consumer get the very freshest of food- a box of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season. Not only that, you get to know the men, women, and families growing your food, you support small farmers, local businesses and the little “guy” in general.

Any risk involved? Sure, a small one. If the harvest is small due to uncontrollable variables, your harvest is small. Don’t let that stop you. You’re guaranteed not to lose anywhere near what you lost in the stock market these past several years. And I bet you’ll invest there again. Start small, start simple, but start. See below to find a CSA near you.

Find a CSA near you:
Local Harvest
Eat Well Guide - search by your zip code for farmers markets, community gardens, and co-ops. You'll also find restaurants and bed & breakfasts featuring local products.
Farm Locator-to find farmers who sell directly to the public

Vintage Hawaiian Shirts go Bikini

2010-07-22T06:00:00.000-04:00

Etown Studios is home to designers putting old Hawaiian shirts to good use. 1979 makes beautiful bikinis, dresses, and blouses using pieces of vintage Hawaiian clothing. Pieces may be purchased exclusively at Mu'umu'u Heaven. 1979 will even make you a bikini from your very own vintage shirt on the house. So yes, you can have Grandpa's Hawaiian shirt made into a bikini...but that would be kinda weird. Find one from your husband's closet and see what they can do. Aloha.

Jay Shafer's Tumbleweed Houses

2010-07-21T21:54:00.003-04:00

It used to be bigger was better. Now Hummers are bummers and McMansions are so yesterday. Smart cars reveal your eco-IQ and living with less is more.

"Less" is certainly relative. Meet a man who not only lives in a smaller house, some would say it resembles their kids' tree house. He's lived there for 10 years, seems happy, and has made a living designing small houses. He's not the only one who thinks less is more.

It's mid summer in the deep South and the AC is running non-stop to keep the house at a modest 78. The thought of a $8/month electric bill is a fantasy for sure. However for Jay Shafer of Tumbleweed, it's reality. Take the home tour.

Sailor Man Green Smoothie

2010-07-21T10:10:00.003-04:00

Even if Spinach doesn’t have all the Iron Popeye thought it did, it’s still good for you. Filled with Vitamin A, C, Potassium and Fiber this vegetable will help keep you strong to the finish.

1C ice cubes
1 slice honeydew melon (can add seeds but no rind)
½ C cubed watermelon
2C organic raw spinach (baby or regular)
½ banana
1 TB Agave nectar (raw)

Put in blender in order listed.

If using a Blendtec, use the Whole Juice cycle.
If using a Vitamix Blender, blend for 1-2 minutes on high.

Enjoy!

Coconut Iced Tea

2010-07-20T22:39:00.000-04:00

Bring 4C filtered water to boil
Turn off heat
Add 8TB LefteasWhite Coconut Creme tea leaves
Cover and steep 10 minutes
Strain tea leaves out as you pour tea into an 8C pitcher
Add 3Tb (or 6 squirts) raw Agave nectar (more or less to taste) to hot tea, stir
Let cool some (to keep extreme temperature changes from cracking your container)
Add ice cubes to top of pitcher or 4C cold water
Pour over ice and rock away the summer heat.

Biogas Project in Ukraine

2010-07-17T09:22:00.003-04:00

For those of you who think all this alternative energy talk is a bunch of…poop, listen to what’s being done with all that poop. It’s being turned into energy. That’s right. GE has launched another, as in it’s already being done elsewhere, biogas project in the Ukraine.

The Ukranian Milk Company Ltd. has been putting the dung of their 4,000 cows to good use. The first biogas cogeneration plant (where electric power and thermal energy are produced simultaneously) in their country has been in successful operation for nine months now.

This provides an alternative disposal option for the milk company and alternative energy for the country; reducing CO2 emissions by an estimated 18,000 metric tons annually according to GE.

Read pg 7 of this article and you’ll find that’s equivalent to taking 17,000 cars off the road. That figure is based on each car being driven 10,000 miles a year. I’m a mom in suburban Atlanta so let’s up that figure to at least 20,000 miles/ year. So it would be more like the equivalent of taking 8,500 cars off the road. Granted, those cars are actually still on the road but it does illustrate the “power” of each decision. Not to mention, what else would they do with all that poop?

Other GE biogas projects are in:
China
Pakistan
Wisconsin, U.S.A

For the load on how all this works, visit GE.

Hyrdoelectricity in Turkey

2010-07-14T10:00:00.000-04:00

The United States isn’t the only nation with controversy over what’s best for the environment. Hydroelectric power from the Tigris River in Turkey; sounds harmless enough. But is it?

The Hürriyet Daily News reported this week that only 1 of the 34 completed cases brought to court were not ruled against. Most projects were canceled all together. Why? Environmental concerns. In the past, construction of these power plants has left the land and the fishing industry damaged. The only firm ruled in favor of was one which promises to up its environmental standards. photo by AA

Though 31 more cases are still in progress, Andritz Hydro, and Austria-based firm says all requirements for their contract have been met. Despite some typical and confusing back and forth sited in the article on Hydroworld.com, it seems as if the project may continue with Andritz adding: "Together with ... the hydropower plant, modern waste water treatment plants will be built for three cities, the drinking water supply will be enhanced, and bridges and roads will be built."

It will take seven years to complete the project. The goal: another step in helping Turkey generate 30% of it electricity from renewable energy by 2023.

Sprout Watches

2010-07-13T08:00:00.001-04:00

It’s no wonder watchmakers are finally catching up with the times. Sprout, an eco-friendly collection of timepieces, offers cute, affordable, and green watches. The case and buckle of these pieces are made of a corn resin that is 99% biodegradable in a year. The straps are made of 100% organic cotton. Even the packaging is made from at least 80% post consumer fibers. Now you can arrive punctually and save the planet all at the same ‘time’.

Empire State Building Goes Green

2010-07-12T17:09:00.002-04:00

In an effort to become certifiably green, The Empire State Building is replacing every one of its 6,514 windows. Each one is double-hung and dual-paned which means you’re talkin’ 26,056 panes of glass.

Who’s the lucky contractor? Serious Materials from Sunnyvale, California.

Each pane is retrofit and has a film within the panes of glass to improve energy efficiency. All of this work is being done overnight so there’s no interruption to all those busy New Yorkers as they work away by day.

According to USA Today, the $13.3 million spent on windows is projected to cut their energy consumption by 38% and yield savings of $4.4 million a year. The Environmental Protection Agency's "Energy Star" program has given the Empire State Building a score of 90 out of 100. Pretty good for an 80 year old 102 story building!

Panama City Beach since oil spill

2010-07-10T06:39:00.003-04:00

In June tar balls started washing up on the shore in Panama City Beach, Florida. This is the furthest east the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill could be seen thus far. Recently my sister traveled to Panama City Beach and has these photos to report.

Tar balls were found on some beaches. Despite the flattened shape of these in the photo, they do wash up in the form of a ball. Boys will be boys or should I say, men will be men.

Two miles south, however, my sister saw no evidence thus far. According to Govmonitor.com (a public news and information source), 90% of Florida's beaches remain unimpacted. Let's keep our fingers crossed. The Florida Govenor is calling a special session this month to discuss the banning of offshore drilling. For you techies, visit this interactive map for the latest visuals on the oil spill and how wind and water currents are effecting it.

Turkey Lasagna

2010-07-06T07:07:00.001-04:00

There are no photos of this lasagna because...we ate it all

The best part about this recipe is you don't have to cook the lasagna noodles ahead of time. This works with regular lasagna noodles and whole wheat. Because you bake it covered to begin with, the steam cooks the noodles as the lasagna bakes. One less, task, one less mess!

Ingredients:
2 TB Olive Oil
1 C chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 ½ lbs ground turkey (organic)
1 28-ounce can organic crushed tomatoes (reserve 2 TB for bottom of pan)
1 6-ounce can organic tomato paste
1 C fresh, organic baby spinach leaves (spinach is optional)
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 TB dried ground Basil
2 tsp dried Oregano
1 box lasagna noodles (no need to pre-cook!)
15 ounces organic cottage cheese (do not use low fat)
1 ½ C grated or shredded (whatever you have) parmesan cheese
1 egg, lightly beaten
16 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese

Heat oil in large skillet, add the onion and cook for ~5 minutes on medium-low heat until translucent. Add the ground turkey, breaking it up with a fork. After about 4 minutes, add the garlic.

note: I like to add the garlic here b/c it can easily burn if you add it earlier and burnt garlic ruins the whole dish.

Add ¾ tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper. Continue cooking turkey, onions, garlic for another 4 minutes until the turkey is no longer pink. Add more oil if necessary to prevent from burning. If you use turkey breast, you will definitely need to add more oil. If using ground turkey with both white and dark meat, you may be fine as is.

Once the turkey is no longer pink, add the crushed tomatoes (remember to reserve ~2 TB for later use), tomato paste, Basil, and Oregano. Simmer, uncovered on medium-low heat for about 15-20 minutes, until thickened. Taste and season accordingly.

In a bowl, combine the cottage cheese, 1C parmesan cheese, egg, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp ground pepper. Set aside.

Spread the 2 TB reserved crushed tomatoes in bottom of 9x13 baking dish. Don’t worry if thin, you just need a little liquid at the bottom. If you forgot to reserve the tomatoes, just splash some olive oil around the bottom. No biggie.

No we build our lasagna. Line pan with half the pasta, ½ the mozzarella, then ½ the cottage cheese mixture, ½ C spinach leaves, and top with 1/2 sauce. Go again; pasta, mozzarella, cottage cheese mixture, spinach leaves, and rest of sauce. Top with ½ C Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.

Cover with aluminum foil Bake 400˚ for 30-40 minutes or until bubbly and noodles fork soft. Remove aluminum foil and recycle it. Put lasagna back in oven for ~5 minutes to let the cheese on top brown. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing. Serves 6-8.

I Ate WHAT???

2010-07-04T07:33:00.005-04:00

Confessions of an Everyday Organic:

Yes, it's true; I ate Smucker's dessert topping out of the jar with a spoon.

Let me explain. It's the 4th of July, we're all at the lake...eating...and just like everyone else, I wanted dessert. Apple Pie or Key Lime Pie but I don't like pie. "What do you mean, you don't like PIE?!" bursts out my sister and then adds, "I make Mom's Apple Pie every Thanksgiving!".

"You've known me for 41 years and I have never liked pie. It has nothing to do with your pie, Mom's pie, or anyone's pie. I don't like cooked soft fruit so I don't like pie."

Now that we have that cleared up, what's for dessert? Everyone was putting fudge topping on their pie and the jar was about finished. In my 42 years, one thing is for sure, I have always been a chocolate lover. I took the jar, a spoon and sat down with everyone to eat my dessert.

My Dad just starred at me, took the jar out of my hand, and read the label. NO WAY. He hasn't read one nutrition label his whole life until now. "I'd like to know what your readers would think if they knew you were eating this. In fact, I challenge you to blog about this". Spoken confidently from a man who just a few years ago was asking "blog, what is that and how are you gonna make a living off a blog?" And "Honey, I've eaten this way for x amount of years. I'm fine." Anyway, so here I am making my confession.

My family proceeded to read the ingredients out loud and I will list them in order for you here: milk, sugar, high fructose corn syrup (b/c sugar isn't sweet enough apparently...), partially hydrogenated oil (I could've done w/o knowing that one), and finally cocoa, diglicerides and sitrates.

I am not proud, but I am honest. We all break down and get desperate. Point is, be an Everyday Organic and do the best you can everyday. It's another day in North Georgia and I'm planning on doing better. I'm up for dinner tonight so I can tell you I didn't buy a frozen lasagna for 17 people, I am making turkey lasagna from scratch.

Happy 4th!

Au revoir Paris!

2010-06-29T08:11:00.005-04:00

It has been a lovely week but Dorothy was right, "there's no place like home". Here's a few more photos from the trip. Enjoy as we head back to Atlanta.

Made in France

2010-06-29T07:42:00.007-04:00

You would think when in Paris, French made goods would abound. Not so easy my fellow traveler. China and India not only have the monopoly on the souvenir market in the U.S. but also in France. Haven't I seen that before? Yes, and instead of Paris, it said Atlanta, Chicago, New York or perhaps San Francisco. It all looks the same because it is in fact all the same.

However, get off the beaten path a bit and you will find true artisans in Paris. Up on the hill sits Sacré-Cœur. At the foot of this ancient church is the small town of Montmartre. It is delightful and truly Parisian with painters galore and the smell of baguettes in the air.

You will be asked repeatedly to have your portrait drawn by an artist. A bit of advice: before you shell out 50 Euro, watch them draw someone else first. Seated all around the square are painters of sorts, creating their art for all to admire and purchase. They aren't cheap but they are beautiful and authentic- a true piece of Paris to take home. In the shops around the area you will find some similar to a few of these artists. They are more affordable and painted in Paris though not by the local artists working the square.

Once you've experienced the square, I encourage you to make your way down the hill by foot exploring the avenues below. It is on these avenues and passages that we discovered several choices for gifts all made in France.

Mademoiselle Bambû houses several designers committed to using organic cotton. From comfy cozy to chic and trendy, there's a style to suite everyone.

Caddy corner to the right as you exit Mademoiselle Bambû is any eye catching store. It's filled with jewelry most of which is created by the owner. Sterling silver, gold, and costume pieces of glass beads, baubles, and buttons all catch your eye. There's a prices range to match any budget with cocktail rings starting at just 5euro.

From here you simply continuing walking down (these stores are now behind you). Eventually you will stumble across rue Chappe. You are looking for 15 rue Chappe. photo from 15rueChappe.com

Here you find unique creations by Muriel Geoffroy and Aline Devos. Don’t let the size of this shop fool you. It’s small but filled with unique creations all made by French designers there is Paris. Ring, bracelet, scarf??? Which to choose, that will be your challenge in this store. They have a selection of men’s jewelry including cuff links; so men, don’t be shy.

Enjoy shopping and feel confident that you can bring home gifts made in France.

Organic Cotton Clothing from Paris

2010-06-25T07:17:00.003-04:00

After you visit Sacré-Cœur, walk down the steps of Montmartre to rue La Vieuville and discover a delightful boutique housing organic cotton clothing from various designers. Though I located Mademoiselle Bambû online before we left, I was completely thrilled to actually find it. Especially since this was my first time in Paris. We walk down the steps, I look up at the street sign, looks familiar, pull out my notes. OMG! This is it!
19 rue La Vieuville 75018 Paris. The 18 in the zip code means it's in the 18th arrondissement. Maps of Paris are sectioned off by each arrondissement making it easier to locate the areas of interest in which you have the full address.

Christelle is as sweet as can be. She will gladly let you peruse on your own or will assist you in finding the perfect piece to compliment any wardrobe. Not to mention, she’s kind and gently when it comes to an American attempting French. Thank you Christelle.Put Mademoiselle Bambû on your list of must visit shops when in Paris or shop online.

Champs-Elysees cleared for green celebration

2010-06-23T07:38:00.004-04:00

These trees on the side of the road awaiting planting caught my eye. In fact, Paris just held an event bringing awareness to sustainable development and living. From May 22-24, the Champs-Elysees was blanketed with grass (no cars allowed). Trees and flowers lined the street and Parisians spent their days picnicking and strolling down the avenue barefoot!

What motivates a city to shut down its busiest thoroughfare, allow 8,000 plots of earth, 150,000 plants, sheep and cattle to be brought in and private investors to donate 4.2 million Euro to make it happen? Simply a desire to remind the everyday consumer (yes, they have those in France too) where their food actually comes from. In this fast paced world of ours, the best food still starts as a seed and takes months to grow.

The Young Farmers Unions and France Wood Forest provided the greenery.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Photograph: Philippe Wojazer/Reuters

Recycling in Paris, France

2010-06-21T02:00:00.000-04:00

Check out these recycling bins! They're located on the street corners making it easy for the residence of that block to put recyclable containers where they belong. Talk about no excuses. Paris takes recycling seriously. As of July 1, 2002 a French law prohibits disposing of residential recyclable materials in it’s landfills. About a year ago, my sister informed me that Raleigh, North Carolina has joined the ranks of those cities taking a serious stand against throwing away what can be used again. While they don’t have large receptacles on their street corners, they were notified they could be fined if they were caught throwing away their plastic milk jugs.

Paris Metro System

2010-06-20T00:00:00.000-04:00

When it comes to being pedestrian friendly and the ease of mass transit, Paris gets big thumbs up! The metro system can get you from one end of Paris, across, around and anywhere in between the 20 arrondissements or districts for less than the cost of a Starbuck's.

French Flour

2010-06-19T18:05:00.007-04:00

Something is definitely different about the flour in France. Too much wheat bothers my sinuses. However, not so in France. You can't help but eat bread at every meal. It's everywhere; fresh, and delicious. It's been several days and you know what, my sinuses aren't bothering me (even with the air quality). Maybe it's because French flours are lower in gluten than those in the U.S. Type 55 Flour is typically used in French baking. It's a softer pastry flour with a lower gluten content. Whatever the scientific reasoning; the bread is delicious and I'm LOVIN' it! Bon Appétit!
For more on French flours, visit: The Artisan or The Fresh Loaf

Air Quality Paris, France

2010-06-17T22:00:00.001-04:00

Between the auto exhaust, subway air, and all the cigarette smoke, the air quality in Paris leaves a lot to be desired. Rodney hasn’t stopped coughing since we got here. You hear people sneeze so often it catches your attention b/c it’s oddly common. Makes you wonder how the air quality in Paris compares to U.S. cities.

Did a little research and found according to the CDC and Web in France, Lung Cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both the

U.S.

and France. However, though the rates of cancer in

France

have gone up, the deaths caused by cancer have dropped 25%.

As interesting as that may be, I find it a little confusing though. In the U.S. clearly we smoke less and yet lung cancer is still the leading cancer for both countries. Now, I do think these stats are hard to discern because they are by country and while you can easily find stats broken down by city and state for the U.S., I couldn’t find stats for Paris alone. That means the stats of the large cities are combined with the probable healthier stats of the small cities out in the country.

It’s like combining stats for New York City with Jackson Hole, Wyoming, taking the average and saying “here’s our country’s lung cancer death rate." Don’t mean to sound like a pessimist but perhaps it’s best to leave the stats to the statisticians and go play tennis, run a mile, or walk the steps of Montmarte. Coming Honey...

Jambu shoe review

2010-06-17T08:49:00.003-04:00

Remember those Jambu walking shoes I bought? Didn't know it at the time but they absorb moisture. Good thing because it's rained off and on since we've got here. Not only that, rubber doesn't smell when it gets wet.

As far as comfort, my feet and back feel great. A new pair of legs might be nice...no wait, with all this exercise, I'm keepin' the ones I've got.

Jambu walking shoes really are walking shoes. A thumbs UP from TEO!

Fresh Food in Paris

2010-06-15T07:29:00.004-04:00

OMG! I am starving! It's not lunch time yet but I am so hungry. We are being good. Wanted to take a nap when we got in the hotel but no no no, we're on Paris time and no sleeping til it's dark. Check out this yummy fresh snack I found at a local vendor:

Bonjour Paris!

2010-06-15T02:00:00.000-04:00

We’ve landed!

We manage to find our way to ground transportation where we were told “oh don’t worry, they all speak English at that counter and can tell you what to do.” Not exactly. When I said the name of the hotel, the look on her face read loud and clear, “?” Great.

Aha! I have a map. Unfold that and point to the hotel. Then she says “shuttle 2” and points out the door and motions to go across the street. Good enough.

Here is where you rely on the kindness of humanity. An older couple helped Rodney figure out which shuttle tickets to buy; because you don’t buy those at the counter with the attendants that “speak English”, you buy those from a machine that’s all in French.

The shuttle arrives and the driver takes our tickets. Good, we bought the right ones. While waiting for the shuttle we met a kind French lady who had just returned from her month’s long vacation heading back to her flat which happened to be right near our hotel. Thank you God for sending this little angel our way. She assured us she’d let us know when to get off as it was her stop as well.

Over 65,000,000 people live in France and supposedly it is more densely populated than New York City. Yes, they walk a lot but don’t be mistaken; there are plenty of cars serving those 65 million people. Combine that with the fact that it’s now 8am and you have Rush Hour like any major city in the U.S.

After an hour of stop and go traffic, our new friend instructed us it was time to get off. We get off, get out luggage, and then look around to see nothing with our hotel name on it. She points down the street, go left at the glass building. Note to self: shuttle does not take you to hotel, takes you to area of hotel. Pack LIGHT! Got it, we take a photo, hug, “merci”, exchange Facebook info and off we roll.

Walking Shoes

2010-06-12T13:00:00.000-04:00

Ok, seems a bit last minute I know but I still need a good pair of walking shoes. Considered my tennis shoes but they're for real tennis shoes meaning they have lots of support and don't give much as they're designed to keep my foot steady as I sprint from one side of the court to the other. Which I do so often... Anyway, they aren't comfortable for long term walking. So off I go again in search of.

Look what I found! Shoes designed for walking AND with a conscience JAMBU. They have your standard, "that is definitely a walking shoe" styles and then they have some cute ones that would look great with jeans or a skirt. They're referred to as terra-fusion by Jambu. Constructed for outdoor/sport use, I knew they would have support. The style was cute enough that I'd still be looking good walking down the Champs-Elysées.

As far as Jambu's conscience; Some of the rubber they use is recycled, the other fabrics are animal friendly and the packaging is recycled and/or recyclable.

Now, I'll let you in on a little secret. I found them at DSW for $69.00 (don't see them on their website though). They accepted both my DSW rewards coupons knocking the price in half. So for $37.00 I walked out with the last thing on my "to do" list D-O-N-E!

Paris, France here we come!

2010-06-11T17:00:00.000-04:00

Klean Kanteen Recall

2010-06-11T11:53:00.004-04:00

Klean Kanteen is recalling their Sport Cap 2.0. If it's dropped, it can break or crack leaving a chocking hazard. They are being proactive about it as I found out about the recall when I received a packet in the mail from Klean Kanteen. Included were a shipping label, mailer for return, and letter explaining the recall. That was easy! To register for the recall and have a packet sent to you, call 1-877-546-9063 or register online. Please note, the recall only involves the sport caps.

Summer Reading List

2010-06-10T16:55:00.007-04:00

This summer, check out these green reads for kids and adults (at the bottom)

JUNIOR PICTURE BOOKS

What does it mean to be green? : Eco-Pig explains living green
French, Lisa S.

Miss Fox's class goes green
Spinelli, Eileen.

OK go
Berger, Carin.

S is for save the planet : a how-to-be green alphabet
Herzog, Brad.

Wangari's trees of peace : a true story from Africa
Winter, Jeanette.

Life on a coral reef
Rhodes, Mary Jo

Ecomazes : twelve Earth adventures by Roxie Munro.

FOR SLIGHTLY OLDER READERS

Cam Jansen and the green school mystery
Adler, David A.

Making cities green
Leardi, Jeanette.

GREAT READS FOR DAD AND MOM

Join me in reading the newly released: The new good life : living better than ever in an age of less by John Robbins (the son of Baskin-Robbins founder who walked away from his inheritance in order to serve his conscience and his planet)

or choose one of the following:

Green metropolis : why living smaller, living closer, and driving less are the keys to sustainability by David Owen

Eaarth : Making a Life on a Tough New Planet by Bill McKibben

Green Photo Solution

2010-05-27T12:35:00.000-04:00

Is it just me or do you also have tons of beautiful photos from past vacations that you just don’t know what to do with? Thanks to Plywerk.com, there’s an easy and eco-friendly solution. All you have to do is upload your pictures to their website and choose a layout to turn your memories into art. Then they'll send you back the finished product to hang; your picture mounted onto wood. With its sustainable plywood and alternative energy usage, Plywerk.com shows that it truly is easy to be green.

Eco Countertops

2010-05-24T13:26:00.000-04:00

Eco by Cosentino is a company that creates beautiful and eco-friendly counter tops. Its counter tops come in a variety of colors and are made from 75% post-industrial or post-consumer materials. Most of the materials used in their product are glass, porcelain, corn, stone scraps, and mirror. This company provides a use for old glass that can serve seemingly no other purpose. This is no doubt a great encouragement to both hippie and fashionista home-owners alike. Who would’ve thought that such a boring and typical household item could be so chic?

Organic Art?

2010-05-22T13:04:00.008-04:00

New York City’s Mad Museum is changing the way we look at art. With its new exhibit, Dead or Alive, coming this fall, it’s attracting a very different crowd than that of your average fine art gallery. This exhibit boasts over 30 contemporary artists from all over the world all using parts of living or once living organisms to create 3-dimensional art. With its wide array of styles and earthy colors, Dead or Alive will surely leave you awestruck.

Eco-friendly gifts for Mother's Day

2010-05-04T19:34:00.009-04:00

10 Green Mother’s Day Gift Ideas:

1. Burt’s Bees Naturally Ageless skin firming night creme-$25
burt's bees.com

2. 95% recycled polypropylene reusable bag-$11.99
Blueq.com

3. Recycled metal etch pendant shade-$48
urbanoutfitters.com">

4. Aveda Yatra Pure-Fume Spirit-$70
Aveda.com

5. Flowers in a Can-$11
Fredflare.com

6. Zoya formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phitalate (DBP), and camphor-free vegan nail polish-$7
zoya.com

7. Keds Green Label (recycled rubber, recycled insoles, and nickel-free eyelets) lace up shoe in Willow-$55 keds.com

8. Caterpillars Candles soy candle in Dreamsicle-$7
Caterpillarscandles.com

9. Organic Bouquet Blushing Rose bouquet-$59.95
OrganicBouquet.com

10. One year subscription to BoHo magazine-$21.95 Bohomag.com

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

2010-03-27T06:37:00.004-04:00

Did you see the show? Did you see him on Oprah? Jamie Oliver the Food Network chef from the UK has hit a nerve and I LOVE it! He hit the unhealthiest city in the U.S. and his goal: to transform the way the entire town views food. Going into homes, churches and opening a kitchen in the center of town to hold classes, he is serious about teaching the truth about what should be going into our bodies. He even tackles the almighty school lunch with all its government "guidelines".

Personally, what always amazes me as a mom is when I see employees in my daughters' schools wearing uniforms that say "school nutrition team" and they're obese. Seriously? Perhaps we really are stupid. Some took offense with Jamie when he referred to our ignorance. They didn't appreciate him being so blunt and felt perhaps he was being a little high and mighty with his UK advice to us overweight, unhealthy Americans. Too bad America! We're dying of heart disease and cancer. Can't figure out what's killing us and our kids are getting diabetes sooner and fatter faster. Read the facts and Wake up! You don't think we've been just a bit stupid in our choices? BRING IT ON JAMIE! I'm with you 100%.

Stillness Yoga

2010-03-21T19:48:00.001-04:00

Check out the latest from Stillness Yoga!

Emma Watson launches Eco Clothes

2010-03-13T08:00:00.003-05:00

Emma Watson, Harry Potter wizard extraordinaire, is about to be part of some real magic. She has teamed up with People Tree to create a line of eco-friendly clothing for teens.
The British label is known for its ethical practices which caught Watson’s attention. “I think young people like me are becoming increasingly aware of the humanitarian issues surrounding fast fashion and want to make good choices but there aren’t many options out there,” said Watson according to InStyle.com. Take a peek at the collection.

People Tree collections are 100% organic cotton and made entirely by hand by Fair Trade groups.

Fair Trade Organic Cotton

2010-03-13T07:32:00.003-05:00

Fair Trade labels indicate products created with a focus on improving the working and living conditions of small farmers and workers in developing nations.

Organic cotton means the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has been banned on this crop. This obviously benefits the environment but also us as the consumer, as well as, the farmers and their families.

Combining both fair trade and organic yields a stronger stand for environmentally and socially responsible practices.

Free Yoga Videos

2010-03-12T07:17:00.003-05:00

Back in August I shared with you the importance of a simple yoga move that improves health and helps reduce cellulite. Again, I knew that would get your attention. Seriously though, Downward Facing Dog is a simple yoga move which really does do what it promises. For help on improving your Downward Facing Dog or other simple yoga moves see this free yoga video. A brief commercial will play first but the videos are absolutely free.

What is Fair Trade

2010-02-25T07:57:00.000-05:00

Fair trade labels indicate products created with a focus on improving the working and living conditions of small farmers and workers in developing nations.

MASSAGE SPECIAL!

2010-02-14T08:33:00.001-05:00

$39 for a 1 hour massage! Come on? Tammy came highly recommended from my Dad and Susan so I decided to give it a try. My sister and I scheduled are massages back to back with a lunch date planned right after. A lot to get done before carpool duty.

The spa is housed in, well…a house. It’s not the same feel as driving up to a Spa Sydell or Chatteau Elan but once you’re inside you forget you’re in a brick ranch right off Shallowford Road.

After filling out a questionnaire on my history and needs, Tammy briefly shares her massage technique, confirms my preferences and lets me change. The room was quit peaceful enticing all my senses. Soft music, water trickling down from a table top fountain, flameless candles emitting a warm glow, and a HEATED blanket-YES!

The next hour was completely relaxing and blissful. The stress of life flowed out of every finger tip and each toe. This was thoroughly therapeutic for my cold tired winter muscles. My enter body started warming up, waking up and getting ready for spring. This was by far the best massage I’ve ever had and I’ve had some pricey ones.

At $39/hour I can see why she’s booked out two weeks in advance with some clients having standing weekly appointments. Make yours today 770-355-0808

Fair Trade vs. Organic

2010-02-13T07:56:00.000-05:00

Fair Trade labels indicate products created with a focus on improving the working and living conditions of small farmers and workers in developing nations.

Organic means the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has been banned on this crop. This obviously benefits the environment but also us as the consumer, as well as, the farmers and their families.

Combining both fair trade and organic yields a stronger stand for environmentally and socially responsible practices.

Recycled Totes

2010-02-05T14:25:00.002-05:00

Construction maybe slowing down but that doesn't mean there's an end to all that orange "plastic" fencing they use to designate where to clear. It's EVERYWHERE! But now one of my Detroit homeys has a solution-ornj bags! Instead of being buried in someone's yard or in a landfill, this orange fencing is being recycled and re-purposed to tote your stuff from A to B...as in BEACH! Check it out!

Biodegradable Trash Bags

2010-02-01T08:17:00.000-05:00

If you’re looking for a plastic alternative for trash bags (if you’re not, you should be…), let me suggest corn! The BioBag Tall Kitchen Trash Bags are starch based and 100% biodegradable and compostable. But don’t worry, they won’t start breaking down when you put in your wet trash. These bags must be exposed to nature’s elements and micro-organisms before they break down. In other words don’t use them to store dirt.

Lie to you, I will not. At $5.39 for a dozen 13 gallon bags they aren’t cheap. Consider it’s estimated one plastic bag can take 100 years to degrade and possibly 100,000 marine animals die annually because of our plastic debris and you see our move from plastic is necessary.

With this in mind, won’t you join me in disposing of your household waste responsibly?

If not a bio-bag, then I urge you to find another responsible alternative to plastic bags.

Goats used in sustainable agriculture

2010-01-08T19:26:00.002-05:00

Forget the Weed Wacker and the lawn mower. Goats are being used to clear unwanted vegetation from the East Coast to the West. It's an environmentally friendly, non-wasteful way to get rid of the overgrowth and fertilize the remaining land. Wonder if we can get them down South to clear some Kudzu...