PSA Announcement

This goes out to the person who shipped the following box (1) of paper clips to G's school:

1) Paper clips will probably not break/fall apart in shipping.

2) Who ships one (?!?!) box of paper clips at a time?

3) Epic fail.

In other, cooler news, check this website out. My friend from school showed it to me, and it's AWESOME. I want to sit in live, chair shaped trees too!

Food Solutions

I came across this recipe via my friend Andrea, via the following blog: I haven't been able to try it yet, but I envision it to be a pretty useful solution for breakfast on the go!

Power Balls Recipe
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup honey or agave nectar
3 cups (non-instant) oats
½ cup flaxseed (ground or whole flax seed)
½ cup chocolate chips or white chocolate chips
½ cup dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, apricots, dates, etc.)
½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, etc)

Mix peanut butter and honey until smooth. Gradually add in oats and flaxseed, then fold in the other ingredients. The Kitchen Aid works great for this. Then roll into ping-pong ball sized balls. Store them in the refrigerator or freezer. You can switch up the add-ins, just keep the total amount to 1 ½ cups. If you add more, the balls won't hold together. Also, beware of cutting down the honey. The honey really keeps it all stuck together.


Also, I've found a really useful website for those uninspired cooking nights:

http://supercook.com/

You can enter the ingredients you have on hand, and it will spit out some new recipes to try! Perfect for a girl and boy in the midst of moving/trying to clear out the cabinets :)

Oil Spill Action Steps

Hey all!

My class and I have spoken a lot about the oil spill, and things we can do to help. I am toying with the idea of going down south for a week or so this summer to help if I can. Here's some information on how to help out the situation, courtesy of HealthyBitchDaily.


Ten Bucks For Our Wildlife

What You Can Do to Help the National Wildlife Federation and Other Organizations Save Our Wildlife Amid the BP Oil Spill

As the biggest environmental catastrophe in U.S. history continues to spill 60,000 barrels of oil into the ocean each day, the big question remains: When’s it gonna stop? Scientists are working around the clock to come up with solutions, and BP just signed a deal with Kevin Costner’s company, Ocean Therapy Solutions, for 32 units of the “dream machine” that is capable of separating water from oil. The verdict is, nevertheless, still out.

In the midst of the irreparable damage this has done to our oceans and the thousands of people who have lost their livelihood, our marine life off the Gulf of Mexico is in a serious struggle for survival.

Coastal Louisiana’s wetlands account for 40-percent of wetlands in the U.S., while more than 400 fish and wildlife species rely on this habitat for food, shelter and breeding. (Species, not fish) Vast amounts of methane trapped in crude oil are creating “dead zones” that are depleting oxygen and suffocating sea animals. Marshes that are home to sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins and birds are being set aflame, AKA “the burn box,” to prevent oil lying on the surface from making it to the shore. And gulls, pelicans and other birds that land on the water are experiencing deadly hypothermia as the oil destroys the insulating quality of their feathers.

But, we have a choice here: Remain helpless and continue to point fingers at BP, let Obama decide who to chew out or ... Do something.

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) is on the frontlines doing just that, and they need a little helping hand.

Here are a few things you can do to help:

Volunteer. NWF, its five Gulf state affiliates and local and national non-profits are putting together Gulf Coast Surveillance Teams to support wildlife rescue and rehab efforts, restore damaged coastal ecosystems and track and report on the damage. If you are skilled in wildlife observation, or knowledgeable about the Gulf Coast, its waters, or any of the species of birds, fishes, turtles or marine mammals that are at risk, click here to answer a few questions and sign up.

If you lack the experience or knowledge but still want to help, you can sign up for the Coalition’s Volunteer Gulf Response effort. They need volunteers for everything from rescue and caring for injured wildlife to shoreline clean-up to food preparation and distribution.

Emerald CoastKeeper and Greenpeace U.S.A. are also looking for volunteer crews to help with clean-up efforts.

Donate. We get it, times are tough. But think about it: Skip one glass of wine at dinner and you’ll be helping save an animal from the oil catastrophe. You can donate in any increment here or text “WILDLIFE” to 20222 and donate $10 to support Gulf wildlife. (Participating carriers include AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint, Virgin, Cricket, AllTel and U.S. Cellular) Your donation will just appear on a future phone bill and go to support on-the-ground efforts and long-term mammal recovery.

Be Loud. If we get one thing out of this whole mess, it’s that it’s time to fend ourselves off our oil dependency and get America cleaner. Send a message to our leaders and U.S. senators to pass clean energy legislation today. It’s easy. All you have to do is enter your name, address and phone number and click send. The letter is pre-prepared for your convenience, but you can personalize the message, too. Click here to send your letter.

Cleaning Green

I don't know how many of you have taken the leap and converted to naturally derived plant-based cleaning products, but I think it is an important step in becoming more environmentally conscious, and here are some reasons why.

I'm here to give you a quick review of the products I've tried and prefer.

1) GreenWorks Natural All-purpose Cleaner (simply tangerine scent) - contains no phosphorus or bleach, great for general cleaning.

2) GreenWorks Natural Biodegradable Cleaning Wipes (original scent) - I like that these are biodegradable, and thus compostable. I'd like them even more if I had a yard and garden for composting. The packaging is also 25% recycled plastic, which is nice. However, compared to cleaning wipes with harsh chemicals, these are definitely a lot drier. I almost always squirt some all-purpose cleaner around before I wipe with the wipes.

3) GreenWorks Naturally Derived Laundry Detergent - leaves clothes clean and smelling great. Enough said.

4) Seventh Generation Natural Tub and Tile Cleaner (emerald cypress and fir) - I really like the scent, and it cleans very well. Again, recycled packaging, always a plus.

5) Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid - I've tried other natural dish soaps in the past, and I always felt like I had to keep squirting more on the sponge to get the job done. This one is very bubbly and foamy, and cleans a sinkful with one liberal squirt.

6) Nature's Source Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner - This is made by Scrubbing Bubbles. Same credentials as the other cleaners, it's my go-to TBC.

7) Nature's Source Natural Glass and Surface Cleaner - Made by Windex, this is the only natural glass cleaner I've tried that that does not leave streaks, which is definitely a must.

I'm so happy that so many companies have jumped on the natural ingredients bandwagon, though Seventh Generation definitely blazed the trail. What's more, I've found that all of these products are comparable price-wise to their chemical counterparts.

Bonus: There are coupons available on the GreenWorks website, and if you become a member of the Seventh Generation Nation, they send you coupons via email.

ACE

My friend Minh connected me to this organization. Love their mission, love their approach, and would love to become involved with them in some way.

After much reflection, I think I would like to steer my professional goals towards environmental awareness and education. If anyone has any connections, send em my way!

Small Summertime Secrets

We don't have air conditioning in our current apartment, so it has become important to figure out some cool recipes that don't require much stove useage. G and I try to eat as healthily as possible, using a lot of veggies and fresh herbs. Here are two easy, healthy pasta recipes we've been eating a lot of lately. Keep in mind, I don't really measure ingredients, I just eyeball it.

Mozza Pasta (G named it, and wants to eat it almost every day)
- whole wheat pasta (enough for however many people you are serving)
- fresh mozzerella, cut into bite size pieces
- fresh basil, torn
- cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- extra virgin olive oil (just a tiny bit)
- fresh ground sea salt and pepper

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, and toss with remaining ingredients (be sure to add only a little bit of oil, otherwise it overwhelms the dish). Can be served hot or cold.

Mediterranean Pasta Salad (I make it over the weekend to use for lunch all week)
- one bag/box whole wheat pasta
- 1 can artichoke hearts, packed in water and chopped
- handful of sundried tomatoes, dry packed and chopped
- sprinkle of low fat feta cheese (I use the block from Trader Joe's)
- balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil (just enough to coat pasta)
- fresh ground sea salt and pepper

Cook pasta according to package direction. Drain, and run cold water over pasta to cool. Toss with remaining ingredients and serve.

Ladies, I've also learned some really great leg/butt exercises just in time for swimsuit season. I wanted to try to find pictures online, but was unable to...hopefully my explanations will be clear. Complete the series of 3 exercises with the same leg, then switch sides (2-3x).

1) Leg Circles: Lie on a flat surface on your side, legs stacked. Slowly circle your top leg (large circles) for 10 reps forward, and 10 reps backward.

2) Leg Extensions: Lie on a flat surface on your side, legs stacked, knees bent. Lift both ankles 6-10 inches off the floor. Extend your top leg up and straighten, while keeping the bottom ankle raised and bottom knee bent. Bring your top leg back to stack on the bottom leg, leading with your knee. Repeat 10 times.

3) Leg Hinges: Start in the same position as the second exercise. Keeping your ankles together, lift the top knee and extend as far as you can, opening your legs like a hinge. Bring your top knee back to starting postion. Repeat 10 times.

My most recent trainer taught me these exercises, and I'm telling you, THEY ALWAYS BURN. I am trying to complete them faithfully each day, and my legs never get used to it. And, I've noticed a positive difference.

Happy making/burning calories!

Say No To Draino!

Unfortunately, it's a known fact that girls clog bathtub drains with their luscious locks. If you live in an older apartment complex, this becomes more problematic, as the plumbing is probably old as well.

Which brings me to my challenge for today. Tub is clogged, my first thought is Draino. I figure this is probably not the most eco-friendly option out there, so I go online to look for some natural home remedies. I come across this blog with a catchy tagline, and tried their baking soda/vinegar/boiling water idea...AND IT WORKED! I'm feeling really good about this, and although I already buy the natural cleaning products from Target (Green Works, Method, and Seventh Generation), I'll be looking into more things to clean with baking soda, and other cheap things already in my kitchen.

Also, check this out. Love this website, very informative. The videos (especially the bottled water one) even captured the attention of most of my out of control 9th graders.

Trader Joe's love affair

For those that don't know me, I moved out to California right after college graduation and lived there for 3 years. This is significant, because it was there that I began to really examine my life and the choices that I made. This is also where I began my Trader Joe's obsession.

Trader Joe's is a fantastic grocery store. It is small, personal, and people just seem to be happier going there and working there. I mean, the workers all wear Hawaiian t-shirts: how can you not be happy? My first encounter came when I was searching for my go-to neighborhood grocery store in Long Beach, and since I moved back to Jersey, I heavily weighed my options on where to live based on its proximity to the limited TJ's here.

The store "skips the middle-man" wherever possible, producing savings for its customers. There are no coupons, as most of the prices are already lower than the bigger chain grocery stores. The majority of their products don the Trader Joe's brand, and are just plain delicious. Their dairy products contain no growth hormones, and there are cage free egg options. I also enjoy it because their organic selections are reasonably priced, and they limit the amount of packaging used, decreasing the amount of waste you produce.

And...(drumroll please) they have a gigantic cheese section, with gourmet cheeses at a reasonable price! My current favorite is the reduced fat smoked gouda.

Here are some of my favorite products, for those with easy access and ready to give the store a try:
1) Sweet Potato Frites (frozen section) - frozen sweet potato fries, easy to bake in the oven with no oil, and somehow, still come out crunchy.
2) Pomegranate Blueberry Sherbet - newer item, fresh and delicious, right in time for summer.
3) Pizza Dough - Traditional, Whole Wheat, or Herb varieties...all good!
4) Fresh Ricotta Cheese - in a little green container, I could eat it straight with a spoon.
5) Pita Bite Crackers - pair with your favorite cheese.
6) Valencia Peanut Butter w/Roasted Flaxseeds - very crunchy, with just the right amount of salty-sweetness.
7) Meatless Meatballs - I really only eat fish these days, so these give me my protein fill and taste delicious.
8) Low Fat Tuscano Marinara Sauce - dare I say the best store bought spaghetti sauce. G is not a big fan of red sauce, and he loves it.
9) Tandori Naan (frozen section) - pop em in the toaster oven and you're good to go.
10) Low Fat Shredded Mozzerella Cheese and Low Fat Shredded Mexican Blend - sometimes, low fat cheeses may taste alright, but do not melt well. These cheeses taste great and melt just fine. People won't know the difference.

Most of the TJ's in NJ cannot sell beer, wine, and liquor, which is truly unfortunate. The exception is the store in Westfield, and I heard a rumor that the one in Princeton may be adding a liquor section. Frequent these locations for the "Three Buck Chuck" (Two Buck in California, but who's counting).

Check it out, I promise you will not be disappointed. Bonus points for bringing your own reuseable grocery bags: most locations hold a Trader Joe's gift card raffle when you BYO :)

http://traderjoes.com/

Welcome to my project!

Hello all!

I've been thinking about starting this blog for awhile now. My personal interest in staying healthy and reducing my impact on the environment, coupled with my current job as an Environmental Science teacher have influenced me to make some small positive changes. I find facts and tips from many different resources, but I've yet to find one place that combined all of my interests and research. I am hoping to create that place here.

I feel I am learning and growing every day, but I am by no means an expert. Take the tips and advice I find and post for what they are worth, and hopefully you can implement some of them into your lives. I hope to re-state and emphasize the obvious, open our eyes to some new ideas, and have fun along the way.

I hold no allegiances to anyone or anything...I just love good food, good products, good deals, and all things that support my efforts to find them :)

Enjoy!