fennel is in season and makes a great slaw!

Fennel is a crunchy and slightly sweet vegetable popular in Mediterranean cuisine.  It's high in Vitamin C for the immune system, folate for heart health and so important for women of reproductive age, contains lots of fiber for your heart and GI system AND it's loaded with potent phytonutrients that are both antioxidants and anti-inflammatory.

 image via latavola marche

I know I mention these properties of vegetables often and there is a reason: vegetables are loaded with these healthy compounds thought to be anti-cancer, anti-aging and pro-health.  You really can't go wrong or over do it with vegetables!

Fennel is in season in May & June so I've been looking for recipes.  Today I saw this recipe from the show Everyday Italian on the Food Network and I'm sold!  We'll be hitting the market on Wednesday for the ingredients for this seasonal fennel "slaw" with pistachios, thyme and parsley pesto topped with prosciutto.  PS, you could easily leave the prosciutto off and still have an amazing main or side dish. 

Check out this chart from Chicago Cooks to determine what's in season.  PS, Chicago Cooks is a great resource for all things culinary in this delicious city.

Happy seasonal shopping!

stainless steel popsicle molds: let summer begin!

We recently discovered that Sam loves ice and ice cream (not surprising).  I just ordered these ONYX stainless steel Popsicle molds on Amazon and I can't wait to get them and start making all kinds of different Popsicles for Sam and his friends.  I may even do some adult pops for those warm summer nights on the patio :)

I ran around the neighborhood to Sur La Table, Crate & Barrel, Land of Nod and Whole Foods looking for a non plastic alternative....no luck!  I'm trying to avoid plastic whenever possible (see here for an explanation) and also reduce waste.  This stainless steel set of molds costs about twice as much as the plastic ones, but they will last a lifetime and you can fill and replace them separately where with many of the plastic ones you have to pull the entire batch out at once. 

As soon as I get them, I'll post some recipe ideas and pics.

Happy Summer!

a method to your dishwasher madness

So I've tried pretty much every "eco-friendly" dishwasher detergent on the market.  While I don't think any of them are 100% awesome, I also don't love the idea of chemical residue on my dishes, especially now that I have a child.

Method Smarty Dish Detergent is by far my favorite "green" dishwasher product on the market.  In the last few weeks I've been out of it and trying to use up some of the others under the sink, but I can't take the residue anymore! And it comes in a container that uses 87% less plastic than most.  Does anyone else have a great green detergent they use?

healthy stuffed mushrooms: a perfect party appetizer

Stuffed mushrooms are a popular appetizer in my family and the first my mom taught me to make. They always seem  to be a hit and with these Green & Plenty updates, they can be a healthy addition to your repertoire.

Crimini mushrooms are a good source of selenium, zinc and many B vitamins as well as potent phytonutrients and anti-inflammatory properties.  Recent studies have found crimini mushrooms to be good for those at risk of breast cancer and for protection against cardiovascular disease (likely due to their anti-inflammatory properties).  They also provide unique immune system support, possibly more than other more exotic mushrooms.

the perfect lake house...

I'm longing for summer and a little bit of this....

image via the lovely blog Sacramento Street

Ever since I first saw this photo of Thom Filicia's Lake House in Domino Mag, it has reminded me of the very special place where my husband was lucky enough to spend his summers growing up and where my son will hopefully enjoy many a lazy day with family and friends.  Check out the link for more great photos of this home.

Come on Summer!  Give us a little love :)

slow cooker lentils sloppy joe

My colleague and author of the blog Wholesome Heart sent this to me and we loved it...especially Sam.  It was so easy to prepare, as most slow cooker recipes are.  Packed full of protein (even without the meat) as well as fiber, B vitamins including folic acid, iron, magnesium, Vitamin A etc etc, this recipe can't be beat for nutritional and economical value. 

lettuce garden update

Just wanted to post a few pics of the latest with the lettuce "garden".  I finally got a sunny day to plant a few weeks ago.  And since the weather has been so cool here, it's been perfect for lettuce.

It's going pretty well and aside from a dinner with a few guests, I've yet to buy lettuce in the last few weeks.  So not only am I saving money (well, not yet because of the cost of the containers etc...) but I'm also getting a far greater nutritional bang for my buck including beta carotene, antioxidants and folic acid from my fresh lettuce than from store bought lettuce which begins to lose nutrients after about 48 hours.   I would highly recommend trying this for yourself....

The porch still needs work, but it's a huge improvement from baseline.

I'm also growing swiss chard and kale that I've been using in smoothies and a recent batch of stuffed mushrooms!

It was recommended that I get self-watering containers, but I couldn't find ones that I liked within my budget, so I went with some more traditional ones. 

Tomorrow is the Green City Market and I'm going for Sun Gold cherry tomatoes from Tomato Mountain and I think I'll do basil, mint, oregano and who knows what else from Leaning Shed Farm (all per The Organic Gardener).

little green walker

So Sam is getting so close to walking and we're very excited.  He constantly wants to get down and practice so the whole "barefoot is best when learning to walk" thing isn't always okay.  I did a little research and ended up going with Keens.  So cute, great for early walkers AND the company uses sustainable and socially responsible practices and recycled materials. 

How cute are these!

 Sam rocking his new kicks at the park today.

I'm loving these for the fall...

Nut and Seed Bars: Paleo and gluten-free

I'm always looking for a good healthy snack for my little one that we can take on the go.  I realize that puffs and cheerios have their place- easy for toddlers to eat and not too messy, but nutritionally pretty lacking.
I came up with this nut and seed snack "bar" that Sam LOVES a few weeks ago and have been making it every few days ever since.   It's a little messy, but makes up for it in nutrients: protein for energy, fiber to keep the GI system in check, healthy fats for heart and brain health, Vitamin E for heart protection, Magnesium for strong bones and blood sugar control, Iron for energy and growth, and Zinc for a healthy immune system.  And it's 100% natural.

Green & Plenty Little Seedling Bars

2 heaping tablespoons each sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, cashews and walnuts

1 tablespoon each flax, chia and hemp seeds

2-3 medjool dates (pits removed) (raisins would also work)

½ tablespoon coconut oil

Optional: 1-2 tablespoons cooked quinoa

Grind flax seeds in a coffee grinder and add to a food processor with the rest of the above ingredients (except hemp seeds).  Pulse for about 3-4 minutes or until the mixture turns into a thick paste.  Add hemp seeds and pulse for about 30 seconds.  Spread the mixture over the bottom of a flat dish, preferably one with a lid.  Cover and refrigerate.  Serve in small slices with fresh seasonal fruit for a nutrient packed breakfast or snack.

Enjoy!

5 ways to use essential oils

Yesterday my mom found this link on msn about making your own bug spray using essential oils.  Since I'm trying to be as close to zero waste as possible (this is very hard by the way...I could be doing much better) I figure I will give this a try.  "Natural" DEET-free bug spray is expensive (roughly $10 for 4 oz).  If you have a family of 4, it would be gone after 1 day...especially if you're super sweet ;)

image via rain shadow labs blog

The bug spray concept jogged my memory of the other uses I've seen in the past for essential oils.  I'll read an article, think "oh, that's cool", and then do nothing about it because I either didn't have the oil on hand or once I do purchase it, I can't find the magazine where I originally saw the recipe.  So I decided to post the 5 most "popular" essential oils and their uses.  There are kits available on amazon (5-6 oils for about $20) or at your local natural foods store or apothecary or you can always by them individually.

1.  Eucalyptus:  Use 10 drops of this essential oil along with 1/2 cup witch hazel and 1/2 cup cider vinegar to make your own bug spray.  Witch hazel and cider vinegar are both about about $3 for 16oz  (if not less).  Eucalyptus oil can be found for about $1 per ounce.  You could make a lot of bug spray for $10....
Check out this video to see how easy it really is!

2.  Orange: Did you know that spiders taste with their feet?  Yuk!  There's another reason why I think they're gross.  But we can actually use this to our advantage.  It turns out spiders hate citrus flavors.  If you spray a mixture of any citrus essential oil and water (10 drops in 1/2 cup of water) in the areas where spiders are lurking, they'll take off and find another hang out.  You may have to spray often as this concoction will get rinsed away easily with rain etc.  Just keep your cat away from any wet spray as it's bad for them. 

3.  Peppermint: Just sniffing peppermint oil can help you feel refreshed and awake.  Who knew it can also help relieve headaches during pregnancy or when drugs are contraindicated (or if you're just trying to keep it natural).  Combine peppermint essential oil with lavender oil, mixed in a carrier oil and apply topically to the forehead .  Check out the inhabitots  blog for the exact recipe. 

4.  Lavender:  This essential oil works as a great stress reducer and relaxation aid.  A few drops in a pot of boiling water will create a steam that will help clear your sinuses (great for this allergy season) and even kill some of the bad bacteria lurking where they shouldn't be!

5.  Rosemary:  The uses for wonderfully fragrant herb beyond the kitchen are new to me, but I like what I've found.  It appears that rosemary essential oil increases mental clarity and reduces mental fatigue.  A bottle of rosemary essential oil would be a great addition to your purse or briefcase.  Maybe a quick sniff would help you ace your next exam or presentation.  Remarkably, it can also be used as an analgesic to treat sore or tired muscles.  Use up to 10 drops in a hot bath and enjoy the pail relief.  Bring your work in the bath with you and kill 2 birds with 1 stone ;)
NOTE: rosemary essential oil should not be used during pregnancy

slow cooker enchilada pie: meatless monday ideas

Do you ever struggle with providing nutritious, wholesome foods that your family will love?  I know, I sound like a commercial, but only because it's so true...it's tough to make a meal that offers a good portion of your vitamin and mineral requirements for the day but still gets rave reviews from even the pickiest eater in the house.  And doesn't take hours to prepare.

Enter Enchie Pie....

My little guy traditionally doesn't love broccoli (I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that I couldn't stand it during my first trimester pregnant with him) and my husband doesn't like sweet potatoes.  So naturally, I'm determined to find a dish that will make them both change their minds...and I really think I have.

Toddlers should get at least 1 cup of vegetables daily and older children up to age 6 twice as much.  As anyone with a toddler or preschool aged child probably knows, this can be really difficult some days!  I can't stress enough how important it is to expose them early and often to a variety of healthy foods, especially vegetables.

The step by step guide to Enchie Pie: