Published on July 28th, 2009
Are you looking for eco-friendly solutions to disposable dinnerware and paper towels? myEARTH360 has got you covered! Recently, I received samples of the following products:
VerTerra Eco-Friendly Party-Ready Plates — 6” x 6” disposable plates created from fallen palm leaves, gathered and pressed into distinctive shapes. Using fair wage labor and sustainable production methods VerTerra is the elegant, guilt-free choice to help make a difference in the world one party at a time.
Aspenware Biodegradable Wood Utensils — Biodegradable and made from birch and aspen — hardwoods that are ordinarily burnt or left to rot during regular industrial logging.
SKOY Cloth — A fabulous, absorbent, biodegradable and natural multi-use cloth. These re-usable earth friendly cloths are perfect in your kitchen, bathroom, and on most surface areas in your home or office. SKOY cloth can be used in place of your sponge, wash cloth or paper towels.
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Published on July 28th, 2009
You and your family may be trying to eat more vegetarian fare. Or, even better, you might have taken the plunge.
And then it sinks in: come mid August, your child will be bombarded with greasy, unhealthy food in the school cafeteria.
Whether your little one attends a “meat- and nut-free” school, or you simply wish to ward off the deep-fried chicken, here are a few ideas for your Back-to-School grocery list: Read the rest of this entry »
Published on July 25th, 2009
Say hello to eco-friendly non-stick cookware and goodbye to toxic Teflon coated pans that off-gas hazardous chemicals into the air and who knows what they put into your food.
Cuisinart has a new line of non-stick cookware that is non-stick while being PTFE and PFOA free, which means it has none of the nasty chemicals that Teflon (and similar coatings have).
The Cuisinart GreenGourmet pans are petroleum free, they have a hard anodized interior, an aluminum alloy core, and a Cuisinart Ceramica (TM) interior that makes the pan non-stick.
So what does all this mean, you may be thinking? Keep reading to find out. Read the rest of this entry »
Published on July 22nd, 2009
I can barely feed myself in the best of times, so both the times that I found myself lazing around the house, a newborn in arms, dazed and shell-shocked, and also STARVING, I was about as capable of fixing myself a nutritious meal as the baby would have been.
Hallelujah for the friends who brought over meals for us for the first month after our babes were born. It was a relief beyond words to have a delicious, nutritious, prepared dinner at hand during those times, because learning to live with a newborn? It’s CRAZY!
As the recipient of two rounds of meal donations (some of which went well, and some of which didn’t), and as the organizer of a month of meals for my own mom friend, I have figured out exactly how to do this right: Read the rest of this entry »
Published on July 15th, 2009
Most people would love to buy “green” or “organic” foods, but choosing organic foods can be a pricey proposition. If you think your budget cannot afford 100% organic, here is some simple advice on making the most of your GREEN GROCERY dollar:
Eat organic at the top of the food chain: Livestock eat pesticide-laden feed and are dosed with antibiotics and hormones. This all of this ends up in the package at the super market. There is no way to remove or reduce the contaminants. Purchasing organic dairy, egg and meat products is a great place to begin.
Avoid the following unless they are organic: Pesticides levels vary in produce. The Environmental Workers Union found that you can reduce risks of pesticide exposure by as much as 90 percent by avoiding what they call “the dirty dozen”. Here is the list: Apples, Bell peppers, Celery, Cherries, Grapes (imported), Nectarines, Peaches, Pears, Potatoes, Red Raspberries, Spinach, and Strawberries. Read the rest of this entry »
Published on July 15th, 2009
Last week here I wrote about the new food safety bill, and how the Organic Consumer’s Association is calling for it to include limitations on factory farming.
We all know factory farming is dangerous for the environment, and more and more now, for our health. MSNBC just did a piece about the superbugs in meat, causing dangerous and sometimes lethal viruses in the people who work in slaughterhouses and meat processing plants, and in surrounding areas. Read the article for the full story.
I was shocked to read that anyone can buy antibiotics without a prescription and add them to feed for farm animals. Often, these are the same ones we take when we are sick. Is it any wonder viruses are becoming resistant to these very same, overused antibiotics?
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Published on July 15th, 2009
Our kids will go through ice pops like water in the summer… well, let me restate that, they will eat as many as I will let them regardless of the weather outside.
During the hot days of summer, I want them to stay hydrated and I also want them to get good nutrition. We are drinking lots of flavor infused water and gobbling up all kinds of frozen creations.
We like commercial molds because they contain all the necessary pieces and use a smaller space in the freezer. However, ice cube trays & cups work well also. For reusable “sticks” opt for plastic spoons or other easy to clean item. We go through about 24 a day so I just toss things into the blender until its full, leftovers can be a nighttime snack!
Make a bunch every night, this is a good post dinner/before bed activity. The kids love to choose the ingredients and help mix everything up. There are a few simple ways to go about this…
Frozen Pops Read the rest of this entry »
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Heat,
homemade flavored water,
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Published on July 15th, 2009
Beets are rich in in iron, calcium, and Vitamins A and C. They are an excellent source of folic acid and a very good source of manganese, potassium and fiber. They are a good source of phosphorus, magnesium, iron and Vitamin B6. Throughout history, beetroots have been used for medicinal purposes, especially for liver disorders because they have stimulating effects on the liver’s detoxification processes. Studies have shown that beets contain anticancer properties.
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Betacyanin is the pigment that gives beets their rich purple-crimson color; the pigment is a powerful cancer-fighting agent. Research found that the fibers in beets have a favorable effect on both the bowel function and cholesterol levels. Beets’ protective role against colon cancer is probably due to the combination of its betacyanin and fiber content.
This recipe is a favorite in our family and we usually have them every week.
Ingredients:
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3 organic beets, roasted (you can do more and freeze them, which cuts down on prep time)
3/4 cup organic ricotta cheese
1 cup whole grain organic pancake mix
3/4 cup water
1 banana
2 tsp cinnamon
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Directions:
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1. Put all the ingredients in a blender and puree.
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2. Pour about 1/4 cup of batter per pancake on a hot griddle. When bubbles start to form and sides appear cooked, flip and cook until no longer doughy.
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3. Sprinkle with a bit of sugar. (Seriously–they are eating beet pancakes! Give them the sprinkle of sugar!)
Enjoy! Don’t you love the bright pink color?
Published on July 15th, 2009
As a parent, you’re probably concerned about pesticides on the foods your family eats. I know I am.
Since the Environmental Working Group came out with their list of the “Dirty Dozen“, I’m more selective about our produce purchases. We even grew a few rows of kale in our raised bed gardens because we eat copious amounts of greens.
But just because a favorite veggie didn’t end up on EWG’s list doesn’t mean that it’s free and clear. Certainly not organic, in most cases!
An average American child gets 5+ servings of pesticides in their food and water per day.
Yikes! That’s why this frightening educational new database is so helpful.
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Published on July 9th, 2009
With Swine flu, E-coli outbreaks, and the discussion of school wide closings and massive vaccinations this fall, I’ve been thinking about the new food safety bill, HR 2749.
I found this interesting article about the Organic Consumer’s Association. While the OCA recognized that there are significant protections for organic farmers in the bill, they contend that the underlying causes of many food born illnesses are from factory farming, and the multiple environmental problems associated with it. Unfortunately, according to the OCA, this is not addressed in the new food safety bill.
According to the OCA, HR 2749 needs to be expanded to include these components:
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Are you looking for eco-friendly solutions to disposable dinnerware and paper towels? myEARTH360 has got you covered! Recently, I received samples of the following products:
