Community Gardens

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

Gluten Fee Cake Mix Review

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

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.

All Natural Carpet Cleaning

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...

Michelle Obama - Let's Move Campaign

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.

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.

National Yoga Day 2011

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'

Fox 5 Road Warrior

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

Hand Cream that WORKS

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.

Oh Baby!

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/)

Dr. Hauschka Sample

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

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.

The Dirty Dozen

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.

Egg Recall

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.

Body Fat Percentage

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.

Living Walls

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)

International CSAs

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

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

Sailor Man Green Smoothie

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!

I Ate WHAT???

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!