honey for seasonal allergies

So have you heard the buzz about raw honey and it's ability to relieve the symptoms of seasonal allergies?  Many seasonal allergy sufferers swear by this remedy which is based on the theory that honey contains small amounts of local pollen and will help desensitize your immune system to the offending pollen in the air. 

The honey has to be raw and produced locally (some say within 10 miles of where you live is best) so that it contains the same pollen that is affecting you and or your family.   There isn't much scientific research to back this up, but keep in mind that your local honey bee farmer likely doesn't have the same funds for clinical research that your local pharma company does.  If you're up for giving it a try, a teaspoon or so a day just may help you out. 

Your local farmer's market is your best bet for finding a local raw honey.  If you live in Chicago, the Chicago Honey Co-op sells locally and naturally produced raw honey on their website and at the Green City Market (Wednesday and Saturday in Lincoln Park).  Not only can this honey help you breathe easier, buying from this Co-op dedicated to sustainable agriculture helps provide job training to the under-employed.  AND they sell lip balm...and you can never have enough lip balm :)

cheesecake in the raw

My mom is coming to visit this weekend and she likes to have a little something sweet around....and I'm beginning to take after her ;)  I'm making this raw cheesecake for her (okay us) as it's a healthy, although not necessarily lower calorie alternative that contains healthy fats, antioxidants and living enzymes to aid digestions that your traditional cheesecake is lacking.

I've actually never made real cheesecake before, but I made this one recently and it's SO easy and seriously AMAZING (I was eating it for breakfast and dessert...oops)!  It requires very few yet all very nutritious ingredients (including cashews, honey, berries, almonds and coconut oil) and very little in the way of culinary skills.  I've mentioned My New Roots before and I'll do it again because it's an awesome blog.  I've made many of her recipes and just keep going back for more!   Check out her blog for this recipe and many others that will inspire the healthy chef in you!

PS, if you're into raw food, Karen's Raw on Halsted in Chicago offers lots of options, including a raw cheesecake that goes for $8/slice!!  I estimated that I can make an entire cake for that in about 45 minutes or less!

a little light on this gloomy morning

Wishing I was having brunch here with my favorites....

Design Darling

I wonder what this restaurant will do now that regular light bulbs will be obsolete?  Anyone have a favorite eco-friendly light bulb that casts that nice golden glow as opposed to the harsh office-like white glare? 

green birthday gifts

Sam has been loving his new little baby pool (and his girl Penelope's too).  This adorable eco-friendly sailboat would be the perfect addition to any child's summer fun.

Etsy sailboat

I know a few little girls who would go crazy for their very own "lip balms"....and they're totally green so no worries when they lick and apply repeatedly.

Lilly Giggles Lip Balm

This little ukulele is made from sustainably forested bamboo.  It's a little pricey, but the idea of music as a gift is one that keeps on giving!

kiwaya ukuleles

Finally, this simple little book packs a big message and has become one of Sam's favorites.  A great read for any family member, young or old.

image via harper collins

Why choosing grass fed and pastured meat is important

I know I don't do a lot of recipes on Green & Plenty that feature meat or poultry but I want to start adding more!  I try to be picky about where my meat comes from and so recently I signed up to join a buying club through Wallace Farms to supply us with most of our grass fed meat, butter and poultry.   And here's why:

The group of farmers who supply the products for this buying club believes in raising grass fed animals without antibiotics, hormones, pesticides and using sustainable farming methods.   Sure you can get some grass fed products at grocery stores and either way it's more expensive than conventional, but I like the idea of supporting a local trusted farm (and it's a bit cheaper than Whole Foods).  If you can't afford grass fed for all your animal products, choose a few items each week if you can as a start.

The benefits of grass fed meat and poultry that should have you asking questions next time you're at the butcher counter:

green-spiration

Just a few photos I love and saved for inspiration.  I'm digging how they sneak a little green in for major impact!

The guitar adds such a great touch to the room don't you think.  Sam loves the guitar and his little ukulele....that guitar wouldn't be standing for long with him around.  Image from A Merry Mishap a favorite blog by a women with fantastic style!

Can't remember where this image is from (oops) and the space is a little busy for my taste, but I love the green vases in the upper left corner.  I popped into a flower shop yesterday that I pass almost daily but haven't been in in ages. The flowers and greens there are gorgeous and they had some beautiful vintage vases that I'm still thinking about, but have no place for in my home.

image via yelp

Green

1718 N Wells

Chicago, IL 60616

Finally, Camille Styles is one of my new favorite party decor blogs.  She has so many fun posts on parties, decor and food!  Dig in!

What a great idea to personalize a simply wrapped bouquet with a touch of white paint.  PS, this is where I originally got the idea to wrap paper around old baby formula cans...kind of a creative progression, but that's how it works, right?  See here for my interpretation.

This is a great way to add more color to your decor.  This could easily be done with coffee stirrers and left over scrap or wrapping paper glued together.