Quinoa Tabbouleh

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

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

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!  

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

Organic Strawberries

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."

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.

The Best Gluten Free Cake Mix

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

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Free Organic Chocolates

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

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.

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!

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.

Organic Food Coupons

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

Union County Farmers Market

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

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.

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!

Turkey Lasagna

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.