Favorite Gifts

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

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

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

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

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.

© The Everyday Organic