all images via poppy's closet, a very cute online boutique for children.
Go Gently Baby
When I saw these little organic pants from go gently baby I was instantly sold. Sustainable design that fits so cute and comfy made in the perfect fabric for spring into summer. The price was higher than I would usually spend, but Sam has worn them multiple times already and we're not even into May yet.
Then I googled the brand to see what else they had to offer. While the rest of their boys collection is very cute, I'm swooning over the girls pieces...
Ginger foot baths for your cold
I know I said that April was becoming one of my favorite months, but this particular April hasn't been so great weather wise...it's been brutal actually. Chicago has been wet and cold and so many Midwestern cities, like my hometown of St. Louis, have been torn apart by tornadoes.
I've been craving a warmth that the lack of sun just isn't providing, so I've turned to ginger. Known for it's warming, anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea properties, ginger is a spicy rhizome that's available year round in your local grocery store..and the possibilities are endless. Here are 3 ways you can use this funky looking yet affordable root to add some healthy spice to your kitchen repertoire.
1. Gastrointestinal aid- As I mentioned, Ginger has been touted as an anti-nausea aid. In a double-blind study of 27 pregnant women with significant nausea and vomiting, 19 experienced safe and effective relief with the use of ginger tea. Simply cut a 1-2 inch whole piece of ginger into thin slices and place either directly in boiling water or in a tea bag and add boiling water. Ginger can also act to relieve an upset stomach associated with gas and cramping.
2. Detoxifying aid- A few year ago a read somewhere that soaking your feet in hot water with ginger (basically a tea bath for your feet) could "pull" a cold out and sweat may actually contain germ fighting agents. Sounds a little far fetched, but what did we have to lose. It became a pseudo spa like experience that both my husband and I enjoyed and swear by. Then recently, I came across My New Roots version of the ginger detox bath which takes it a step further. Soak your whole self in Epsom salts and powdered ginger (both available at your grocery) to get the toxins out via the sweat glands in your skin...yes please. Sounds a lot easier than hot yoga! After last weekend's Easter holiday indulgences, my body is craving this.
3. Meal enhancement- I didn't appreciate the culinary benefits of ginger until I started trying to make healthy yet flavorful Asian inspired dishes. If you're mixing soy sauce, rice wine vinegar and the like, but not getting the depth of flavor you're hoping for, it just may be ginger that's lacking. My meatless monday meal was inspired by this recipe, but with the salmon replaced by black beans (delicious, trust me) and even more spinach. Make sure you put the soba noodles in the ice bath and don't over cook them. It makes all the difference...along with the ginger ;)
I've been craving a warmth that the lack of sun just isn't providing, so I've turned to ginger. Known for it's warming, anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea properties, ginger is a spicy rhizome that's available year round in your local grocery store..and the possibilities are endless. Here are 3 ways you can use this funky looking yet affordable root to add some healthy spice to your kitchen repertoire.
1. Gastrointestinal aid- As I mentioned, Ginger has been touted as an anti-nausea aid. In a double-blind study of 27 pregnant women with significant nausea and vomiting, 19 experienced safe and effective relief with the use of ginger tea. Simply cut a 1-2 inch whole piece of ginger into thin slices and place either directly in boiling water or in a tea bag and add boiling water. Ginger can also act to relieve an upset stomach associated with gas and cramping.
2. Detoxifying aid- A few year ago a read somewhere that soaking your feet in hot water with ginger (basically a tea bath for your feet) could "pull" a cold out and sweat may actually contain germ fighting agents. Sounds a little far fetched, but what did we have to lose. It became a pseudo spa like experience that both my husband and I enjoyed and swear by. Then recently, I came across My New Roots version of the ginger detox bath which takes it a step further. Soak your whole self in Epsom salts and powdered ginger (both available at your grocery) to get the toxins out via the sweat glands in your skin...yes please. Sounds a lot easier than hot yoga! After last weekend's Easter holiday indulgences, my body is craving this.
3. Meal enhancement- I didn't appreciate the culinary benefits of ginger until I started trying to make healthy yet flavorful Asian inspired dishes. If you're mixing soy sauce, rice wine vinegar and the like, but not getting the depth of flavor you're hoping for, it just may be ginger that's lacking. My meatless monday meal was inspired by this recipe, but with the salmon replaced by black beans (delicious, trust me) and even more spinach. Make sure you put the soba noodles in the ice bath and don't over cook them. It makes all the difference...along with the ginger ;)
getting closer to zero waste...5 ways to start
Happy Earth Day All! Did anyone see the story on the Today Show about the family in California who lives a zero waste life? They literally have less than a lunch bag sized amount of trash in 1 month (and they have 2 school aged boys). If you haven't seen it, you can check it out here. Well, they've inspired me to create less waste in our home...especially after taking out two heaping piles of recycling this morning. Sure, it's recyclable, but it's still waste that requires energy to produce and repurpose.
The zero waste family has a blog where they list their tips for getting started and maintaining this kind of lifestyle. Whether or not you think some of this is over the top, you can hardly deny their motivations: help the environment and free up time and money to spend enjoying healthier and more satisfying experiences that don't revolve around "things".
So we already use reusable water bottles and bags and clean with vinegar and baking soda (sometimes), but there is a lot more I could do! Here's my list, created from the zero waste families tips, that will help me reduce my waste and footprint for Earth Day.
The zero waste family has a blog where they list their tips for getting started and maintaining this kind of lifestyle. Whether or not you think some of this is over the top, you can hardly deny their motivations: help the environment and free up time and money to spend enjoying healthier and more satisfying experiences that don't revolve around "things".
So we already use reusable water bottles and bags and clean with vinegar and baking soda (sometimes), but there is a lot more I could do! Here's my list, created from the zero waste families tips, that will help me reduce my waste and footprint for Earth Day.
The (urban) Organic Gardener?
On Tuesday I took a step toward fulfilling one of my April goals of planting a container garden on my back patio. I've put a few herbs and a pepper plant back there before with limited success, except for the mint, which took over and was nice for tea, but you can only do so much with mint. This year I want fresh lettuce and herbs for salads, greens for smoothies and sautéing and maybe a few other more challenging vegetables. I did a little research on my own and quickly got overwhelmed. I just wanted someone to tell me where to start and how.
The Organic Gardener is a company started by Jeanne Pinsof Nolan that helps families grow organic vegetable gardens throughout Chicago and the North Shore. They're also responsible for the Edible Garden in Lincoln Park Zoo, the rooftop garden at Uncommon Ground and many fruitful backyard and patio gardens.
Setting up the appointment with the Organic Gardener was easy. Sara from The Organic Gardener, who works on the Edible Garden in Lincoln Park Zoo and with Green City Market, came over, took a look at my space and helped me decide how and what to grow as well as how to maintain and harvest those vegetables. She gave me lists of choices and suggestions that would work for what I wanted to do within my sunshine and space parameters (roughly 6 hours in the AM and small). She also suggested retailers from whom to purchase the best supplies, seeds and plants...and she was patient while Sam threw toys and rice cakes on her and grabbed repeatedly for her phone and jacket.
So now I feel like I know what to do. And when I don't, Sara will be just an email away to lead me and hopefully my plants in the right direction. The Organic Gardener will even help you plant and tend to your garden if that's the route you choose. I'm excited to get the rest of the process going. I'll keep you posted on the progress but for now, here's a look at baseline:
The Organic Gardener is a company started by Jeanne Pinsof Nolan that helps families grow organic vegetable gardens throughout Chicago and the North Shore. They're also responsible for the Edible Garden in Lincoln Park Zoo, the rooftop garden at Uncommon Ground and many fruitful backyard and patio gardens.
So now I feel like I know what to do. And when I don't, Sara will be just an email away to lead me and hopefully my plants in the right direction. The Organic Gardener will even help you plant and tend to your garden if that's the route you choose. I'm excited to get the rest of the process going. I'll keep you posted on the progress but for now, here's a look at baseline:
It can only get greener from here, right?
green and eco-friendly gifts for children
We made it to the Green Metropolis Fair last weekend. It was fun and informative with some great food...a perfect combination. I went a little crazy at Natural Green Baby and Bella & Boo on kidishes (durable, real glass dishes for children made in France) and stackable stainless steel food containers for the picnics we're dreaming of someday...weather permitting. I also got a few books and a T that I remember seeing before I was even expecting Sam...fell in love with it then and when I saw it this time, I had to have it!
Super fuzzy image, but it says "I'll change the world someday". No pressure, Sam...ha!
We also fell in love with Green Spirit Living's raw chipotle kale chips and spinach smoothie. Sam sucked the smoothie down in 2 minutes...literally! And when his dad tried to have a sip, he freaked out! Get your babes on spinach now before they're 14 as a woman with a darling young 14 year old told me at the fair...so true!
Ear infection treatment and prevention
In the last 4 days two of my friends have told me about their young sons, both under two years who have had ear infections that just won't quit. Both babies were put on multiple rounds of various antibiotics that wouldn't cure the infection. Finally they had to get daily antibiotic shots....ugh! There's nothing worse than seeing your baby in pain and feeling that there is nothing you can do about it.
Dr. Lawrence Rosen, MD, founder of one of the countries first green, integrative primary care practices, The Whole Child Center was featured in this month's issue of Kiwi Magazine and addressed this issue of chronic ear infections.
Dr. Lawrence Rosen, MD, founder of one of the countries first green, integrative primary care practices, The Whole Child Center was featured in this month's issue of Kiwi Magazine and addressed this issue of chronic ear infections.
meatless monday blog love: My New Roots
I recently discovered my new favorite blog My New Roots and have been obsessed ever since! So far I've tried 2 of her recipes (with a few of my own modifications) and they were both DELISH! The author, Sarah Britton, is a holistic nutritionist and vegetarian chef in Denmark who provides great nutritional information about her surprisingly simple healthy recipes!
One of the recipes I tried is socca. This pancake traditionally from Nice, France is made of chickpea flour, water and oil...so easy and really tasty, especially for someone avoiding wheat! As an added bonus, chickpea (garbanzo bean) flour is a great gluten-free alternative to other flours in that it can help regulate blood sugar and insulin levels, it's also high in fiber, folic acid, iron, protein and even antioxidants. This would be great made ahead of time and topped with nut butter or rolled up with meat and or veggies inside for a great snack or meal. It's the perfect alternative to bread and great for the little ones in your life too.
Check out the recipe for this little delightful new discovery on Whole Living where Sarah is a guest blogger.
Check out the recipe for this little delightful new discovery on Whole Living where Sarah is a guest blogger.
Green & Plenty version with tomatoes, kale, mozzarella and avocado...let's keep in mind Sarah is a professional chef and writes for Martha ;)
I used Bobs Red Mill Garbanzo Bean Flour and mixed it about 4 hours before I cooked it which Sarah suggests doing (allowing even more time if possible) to reduce any digestion issues beans sometimes cause. The "soaking" breaks down the starches and increases mineral absorption from the bean. My pancake stuck to the pot I cooked it in a bit so next time I'll either add more oil or maybe try it stove top. Actually, I can't wait to make it topped with strawberries and real maple syrup...
Has anyone ever made socca? Please do share your recipes!
kids birthday party: baseball theme
Sam's 1st birthday celebration was a ton of fun! I thoroughly enjoyed every step of the process including planning and decorating...and thanks to the help from my mom, it turned out looking great!
Kids and Sugar. How much is too much?
We all know, whether we like to admit it or not, that eating too much sugar isn't great for our waistlines. And most of us know that people who eat too much of anything become obese...and people who are obese are at greater risk of developing diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease and even cancer. But is there a connection between eating too much sugar in particular and an increased incidence of disease in general?
The article, Is Sugar Toxic, was published yesterday in the NY Times Magazine. It points out some compelling arguments to indicate that SUGAR (aka Sucrose, the natural substance made of the molecules Glucose and Fructose) and high fructose corn syrup may be making us seriously ill with chronic, deadly diseases, including cancer. And Americans are eating more sugar now, roughly 70 pounds per person per year, than ever before. In his extremely informative article, the author, Gary Taubes, thoroughly discusses the issue. It's the metabolism of these two substances found in sugar, specifically fructose (see the full NY Times article or a macronutrient text book for a more detailed description) that's the issue, not the caloric load. Both are absorbed into the blood from our intestines, but fructose is metabolised by the liver while glucose is metabolized by our cells (muscles etc) to be used for energy. When we ingest large amounts of sugar at once (ie a Big Gulp of Coke or a huge piece of cake), the sugar load, specifically the fructose, overwhelms the liver where it converts the excess to fat and can, over just a short time, result in a fatty liver, insulin resistance (leading to excess insulin floating around), weight gain, dyslipidemia and inflammation. These side effects of a sugar splurge could actually be the fruitful ingredients necessary for a cancer to thrive. All together dreadful stuff, right?
So is swearing off sugar the answer to being healthy or can we still enjoy it in moderation? And what is moderation?
As a nutritionist, I find that balance with a healthy mix of information is the best answer. Here are the guidelines that I suggest:
1. READ LABELS: Don't buy or eat packaged foods with more than 5 grams of sugar per ounce (roughly 28 grams). As an example, I looked at some "healthier" packaged foods: Kashi Heart to Heart Cereal, Trader Joe's O's, Lundberg Brown Rice Cakes and Earth's Best, Healthy Times and Plum Tots baby snacks. Much to my dismay, it is the BABY food snacks that have the most added sugar per gram! Babies don't eat as much, but they're also a lot smaller...
2. NEVER SAY NEVER: An absolute restriction of anything often leads to an overwhelming desire for that exact thing. I encourage people to follow a 90/10 rule. If you're good 90% of the time, take 10% to enjoy that cupcake or piece of grandma's fresh apple pie...and don't lose sleep over it.
3. Eat WHOLE food: Not necessarily from Whole Foods, just real fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and lean proteins in the least packaged form possible.
4. So what about FRUIT? Fruit also has sugar, some more than others (berries tend to be lowest in sugar). However, gram for gram, the sugar in berries is less than that in packaged foods with added sugars. For example, an ounce of raspberries (1/4 cup) has 1 gram of sugar (and 15 calories) along with fiber, which slows the absorption of the sugar. A leading brand of cookie has 8 grams of sugar per ounce and only 1 gram of fiber (and 120 calories).... Maybe this is like comparing apples to oranges, but you can hardly deny the comparison of sugar to sugar.
It's interesting to point out that there isn't much research underway on this topic. Dr. Robert Lustig, MD, a leading obesity expert and the inspiration for this article, along with the leading biochemists in this field are actually planning a couple studies. One will remove all sugar from pregnant women's diets except that found naturally in fruits and vegetables "to see if their babies are born healthier and leaner". It seems that the experts in this field have made enough observations to develop an educated guess about what might happen....it will be interesting to see where the data take us!
So is swearing off sugar the answer to being healthy or can we still enjoy it in moderation? And what is moderation?
As a nutritionist, I find that balance with a healthy mix of information is the best answer. Here are the guidelines that I suggest:
1. READ LABELS: Don't buy or eat packaged foods with more than 5 grams of sugar per ounce (roughly 28 grams). As an example, I looked at some "healthier" packaged foods: Kashi Heart to Heart Cereal, Trader Joe's O's, Lundberg Brown Rice Cakes and Earth's Best, Healthy Times and Plum Tots baby snacks. Much to my dismay, it is the BABY food snacks that have the most added sugar per gram! Babies don't eat as much, but they're also a lot smaller...
2. NEVER SAY NEVER: An absolute restriction of anything often leads to an overwhelming desire for that exact thing. I encourage people to follow a 90/10 rule. If you're good 90% of the time, take 10% to enjoy that cupcake or piece of grandma's fresh apple pie...and don't lose sleep over it.
3. Eat WHOLE food: Not necessarily from Whole Foods, just real fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and lean proteins in the least packaged form possible.
4. So what about FRUIT? Fruit also has sugar, some more than others (berries tend to be lowest in sugar). However, gram for gram, the sugar in berries is less than that in packaged foods with added sugars. For example, an ounce of raspberries (1/4 cup) has 1 gram of sugar (and 15 calories) along with fiber, which slows the absorption of the sugar. A leading brand of cookie has 8 grams of sugar per ounce and only 1 gram of fiber (and 120 calories).... Maybe this is like comparing apples to oranges, but you can hardly deny the comparison of sugar to sugar.
It's interesting to point out that there isn't much research underway on this topic. Dr. Robert Lustig, MD, a leading obesity expert and the inspiration for this article, along with the leading biochemists in this field are actually planning a couple studies. One will remove all sugar from pregnant women's diets except that found naturally in fruits and vegetables "to see if their babies are born healthier and leaner". It seems that the experts in this field have made enough observations to develop an educated guess about what might happen....it will be interesting to see where the data take us!
green weekend
This Saturday the 16th of April, the Green Metropolis Fair is being held from 10am-4pm at the Irish American Heritage Center at 4626 N. Knox in Chicago IL.
This Earth Month Event celebrates spring, sustainable living & wellness! A little about the event:
- Free entry; non-perishable food donation requested. All are welcome.
- Hands on family-friendly activities: farm animals, composting and more!
- Multiple showings of Dirt! The Movie & Vanishing of the Bees. Requested donation $5 per family. Your small donation helps bring events like this to underserved communities throughout our region.
- Retail market with sustainable business vendors
- Food market with local restaurants and chefs
- Presentations on car-sharing, gardening, composting, CSAs, and more.
It sounds like a really great event! Green & Plenty will be there to check it out!
Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution: the fight is back on!
Jamie Oliver is awesome! His cooking show is fun and inspired and his dishes real yet simple enough for any home chef to master (and he has a certain British charm that I find hard to resist). But it's his food philosophy that I truly love!
Know what you’re eating. In addition to making school lunches healthier, Oliver wants to help Americans become savvier about food — including where it comes from and how it affects your body. He emphasizes fresh, locally grown foods instead of packaged, processed ones that may contain filler ingredients with no nutritional value. Although it may be cheaper or easier to load your freezer with ready-to-serve foods, Oliver encourages families to invest in their health and take the time to cook fresh meals as often as possible. If frozen chicken nuggets are one of your grocery-list staples, for example, consider making your own with fresh chicken cutlets. Offer the kids oatmeal for breakfast instead of pop-in-the-toaster pastries.
Don’t obsess over fancy food labels. Sustainable, organic, free range: While these are all hot trends now in the food world, Oliver would rather see families just focus on buying more fresh foods than get caught up in deciphering such "healthy" labels.
Cook with your kids. Eating meals as a family has proven benefits (studies have shown kids who eat with their families get better grades and are less likely to use drugs and alcohol than those who don’t), but preparing meals together may be even better. Cooking can encourage kids to try healthy ingredients they otherwise wouldn’t touch and teach them about proper portion sizes. It’s also a fun way for you to bond. And you'll arm teens with skills they can use to prepare healthy meals after they’ve flown the coop for college or to live on their own. Give each kid their own age-appropriate job: For example, little ones can rinse vegetables while older kids saute them.
Bravo Jamie, Bravo!!
Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution started tonight and it's eye opening! If you haven't seen it I would highly suggest checking it out! He's trying to make us aware of what our children are really eating and transform school lunches into something that will actually promote the health and nutrition of our children...what a novel idea!!
Here are his 3 ideas for starting your own food revolution at home...
Bravo Jamie, Bravo!!
a giveaway: Little Beans Cafe
I'm really excited to offer my readers the chance to participate in a contest to win a 5-visit pass for Little Beans Cafe.
If you haven't been to or heard of Little Beans Cafe before, it's a family café and imaginative playspace for kids of all ages. They have a cafe with a great assortment of coffee drinks and snacks, classes like yoga and pilates and are expanding their menu to include even more nutritious options. The play space is large and has something for every imagination. Sam and I are huge fans....he gets SO excited every time we walk through their door!
To be eligible for the giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment below. You can say anything in your comment, but it would be helpful if you would tell me what you like/don't like or would like to see more of on Green & Plenty. One entry per person please. The contest will run for 10 days and we require a minimum number of participants in the contest, so tell your friends! Even if you don't live in Chicago, you can enter and gift the pass to a friend or family member who does. It would also be great if you would "like" Green & Plenty and Little Beans Cafe on facebook! I'll randomly chose a winner and will notify you after the 10 days.
Good Luck!
Thanks everyone for entering! Our winner is Claire Holland.
If you haven't been to or heard of Little Beans Cafe before, it's a family café and imaginative playspace for kids of all ages. They have a cafe with a great assortment of coffee drinks and snacks, classes like yoga and pilates and are expanding their menu to include even more nutritious options. The play space is large and has something for every imagination. Sam and I are huge fans....he gets SO excited every time we walk through their door!
To be eligible for the giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment below. You can say anything in your comment, but it would be helpful if you would tell me what you like/don't like or would like to see more of on Green & Plenty. One entry per person please. The contest will run for 10 days and we require a minimum number of participants in the contest, so tell your friends! Even if you don't live in Chicago, you can enter and gift the pass to a friend or family member who does. It would also be great if you would "like" Green & Plenty and Little Beans Cafe on facebook! I'll randomly chose a winner and will notify you after the 10 days.
Good Luck!
Thanks everyone for entering! Our winner is Claire Holland.
Healthy no sugar added snacks
I'm still trying to avoid wheat when possible (see here for an explanation) and I'm feeling much more energized and in general better without it. Granted, I've had my share of pizza and a delicious hamburger here and there, but overall, it's not been too badly missed. Here's a few meatless and wheat-free snack ideas that anyone will enjoy! And they're loaded with nutrients, high in fiber and protein and have no added sugars!
The whole family is loving these lundberg organic cinnamon toast rice cakes topped with nut butter and chopped strawberries. This makes a great breakfast or on-the-go snack.
I made this nut recipes from the Whole Living detox article for Sam's birthday party. It's addicting and I love the extra crunch (and extra protein) from the quinoa!
Asparagus is in season and you can taste the freshness. I blanched a few bunches in boiling water for 2-3 minutes then threw it in an ice bath to stop the cooking process. It makes a great vehicle for hummus and is soft enough for the little guy to enjoy!
DIY magnetic chalkboard
So I finally completed one of the design projects on my list that was also a gift for my little one for his 1st birthday. This "green" blackboard is an idea I stole from the amazingly talented designer diana keen after visiting her home for a party. It's a genius way to make use of our limited square footage by converting a space that isn't kid friendly into one that is!
Here's what I did::
1. I measured the opening of my fireplace including surrounding stone that is set back about 1 inch from the wood mantel piece.
2. Went to Home Depot and picked out a piece of sandeply 3/4 inch thick plywood cut from sustainably managed forests. Any plywood would do, but this particular brand is green, which I like, takes paint nicely and has a very smooth finish so no worry about splinters. I had it cut 1/4 of an inch smaller than my measurements to allow for it to slide in and expand a bit once painted. This cost around $40 and since you have to buy the entire 8 foot x 4 foot board, I left with enough to make 2 boards.
Sam actually enjoys his new magnetic chalkboard much more than his facial expression suggests!
Here's what I did::
1. I measured the opening of my fireplace including surrounding stone that is set back about 1 inch from the wood mantel piece.
2. Went to Home Depot and picked out a piece of sandeply 3/4 inch thick plywood cut from sustainably managed forests. Any plywood would do, but this particular brand is green, which I like, takes paint nicely and has a very smooth finish so no worry about splinters. I had it cut 1/4 of an inch smaller than my measurements to allow for it to slide in and expand a bit once painted. This cost around $40 and since you have to buy the entire 8 foot x 4 foot board, I left with enough to make 2 boards.
What's the best milk for toddlers: the non-dairy options
I posted recently about choosing milk for my 1 year old son listing the pros and cons of cow's vs goat's milk. If non-dairy milk (soy, almond, rice, hemp etc.) is for you either because of allergies or preference, I found this very comprehensive article about milk and what's the best option written by Wellness Mama.
In my opinion, there may not be a perfect milk (other than breast milk), so it's important to decide what's best for your child and family. It's so important to take a good look at the additives, especially sugar and carrageenan (it has been shown to cause inflammation and gastrointestinal issues), and protein content when deciding on a milk.
In my opinion, there may not be a perfect milk (other than breast milk), so it's important to decide what's best for your child and family. It's so important to take a good look at the additives, especially sugar and carrageenan (it has been shown to cause inflammation and gastrointestinal issues), and protein content when deciding on a milk.
healthy (food) color
I believe it's best to stay away from all food dye, and the recent talk about these chemicals and the possible link to ADHD just supports that belief. That being said, these eco kids products are a welcomed addition to the Easter aisle...and so fun!
Our little guy isn't quite old enough yet, but this eco kids "molding dough handmade with flour, salt, cream of tartar, organic rosemary oil, vitamin E oil, soybean oil, coconut oil, potassium sorbate, citric acid, natural and organic fruit, plant and vegetable extracts from annatto seed, beets, blueberries, carrots, paprika, purple sweet potato, red cabbage and spinach" sounds good enough to eat ;)
all images from eco kids
Our little guy isn't quite old enough yet, but this eco kids "molding dough handmade with flour, salt, cream of tartar, organic rosemary oil, vitamin E oil, soybean oil, coconut oil, potassium sorbate, citric acid, natural and organic fruit, plant and vegetable extracts from annatto seed, beets, blueberries, carrots, paprika, purple sweet potato, red cabbage and spinach" sounds good enough to eat ;)
Orzo salad recipe
Today was busy with patients, music class and running around gathering supplies for Sam's birthday present (post to come) so Meatless Monday was this previous post defrosted from frozen. I've heard from readers that they too do Meatless Monday. Please, please share your recipes with Green & Plenty. I would love to try them and share with my readers! We can all benefit from a little help from our friends, right?
For now, a few of my favorites:
The chicken in these whole living mini chicken lettuce wraps can be replaced with tofu or mushrooms to make them meatless. You can also lightly saute cabbage and carrots in olive oil and add to the wrap for even more nutritional punch. So far every recipe I've tried from the Whole Living site has been really great (and I LOVE the magazine)!
image via epicurious
This recipe is a go to for parties and always a huge hit! The baby tomatoes are currently in season and the orzo can easily be replaced with quinoa for a wheat-free alternative with more protein and fiber.
Can't wait to hear what you're making for Meatless Monday!
Smart Home opens its doors again!
I'm really looking forward to the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry's Smart Home exhibit. The green home reopens its doors on April 22nd (Earth Day) to present new and innovative ways to make eco-friendly living part of your home life.
If you've never been to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, it's a must see! I can't wait to check out the Body Worlds exhibit that opened a few weeks ago and runs until September.
Lonny Love & Green Envy
April showers bring....
April has become one of my favorite months: My little guy's birthday, buds on the trees (finally) and the promise of what's to come...flowers, fresh, seasonal foods and all else that's green & sunny!
image taken for Green & Plenty of a page from the April issue of bon appetit
Spring is symbolic of new beginnings! And so I've set a few (5) goals for myself for this month in preparation for the new season...
1. Throw a seasonal, green and spectacular 1st birthday party for our son that provides as much joy for him as it does for us and our friends and family!
2. Plant a container garden on our back deck (and all that entails??!?).
3. Do something for Earth Day that challenges me, but makes sense and is sustainable long term.
4. Eat raw for 4-7 days (we'll see how long I can last).
5. Take on some (at least one) of the DIY design projects around the house that I've been putting off.
Now that I've put it out in the bloggosphere, I feel that maybe it will make me more accountable! I plan to post my progress as I go....we'll see what happens!
What are you hoping to achieve this month? And hey, we all already have SO much going on so just enjoying the season develop is a fine and respectable answer!
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