Mission: $ave Green

Enchilada Stuffed Peppers

Categories: Meal of the Week, Recipes

Tags: meatless, mexican, peppers, quinoa, recipe, vegan, vegetarian

Comments: No Comments

Published on: May 21, 2013

I found this recipe a few months ago (Thank you One Lovely Life!) and I can’t stop making it for dinner! This Meatless Meal of the Week is a unique way to make stuffed peppers. They are very filling and taste a lot like enchiladas, but without all the extra carbs. This recipe can also be made vegan by omitting the cheese.

Enchilada Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients:

4 bell peppers, sliced in half with seeds removed
1 cup uncooked quinoa
1/2 medium onion, diced
1 can black beans (15 oz), drained and rinsed
1 tomato, seeded and diced
1 can diced green chiles (4 oz) or 1 jalapeno pepper, diced and seeded
1/4 cup cilantro, minced
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 cup cheddar or Monterrey Jack cheese, grated (optional)
1 can enchilada sauce (15 oz) or you can try this recipe for homemade enchilada sauce

Directions:

1. Add quinoa and onion to a large saucepan with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil 5 minutes, then cover and turn off heat. Let sit for 15 minutes then uncover and fluff with a fork.
2. Pour the quinoa/onion mixture into a mixing bowl. Stir in black beans, tomato, chiles or jalapeno, cilantro, salt and pepper. Add the cheese.
3. Pour the enchilada sauce into a 9 x 13″ baking dish. Place the pepper halves open side up in the enchilada sauce. Scoop the mixture into the peppers.
4. Cover the pan with foil and bake at 375 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the foil (and sprinkle with extra cheese if you like cheese like I do!) and cook 5 minutes longer. Spoon enchilada sauce on top of peppers before serving.

Bike To Work Month

by Cyndi D.

Categories: Holidays, Recommendations

Tags: bicycle, bike, commute, helmet, safety

Comments: No Comments

Published on: May 18, 2013

Today was National Bike to Work Day! Did you choose the greener commute? If you missed your chance today then just hop on your bike on Monday. May is officially Bike to Work Month so there’s still 2 weeks left to celebrate!

Riding your bike completely eliminates pollution from your commute and it’s much healthier for you! Most people don’t take the time to include exercise in their day. Why not include it as part of your daily ride to work? Let’s not forget that it saves you money. There’s no need to buy gas since the bike is powered by your muscles! If you’re like me, you might be hungrier from the exercise. In that case, you’ll spend a little extra money on snacks to fill your body’s gas tank but you still won’t spend anywhere near what you’d pay to fill your automobile!

Many people use the weather as an excuse to take the car instead of their bike. This is the perfect time of year to bicycle to work since it’s not too cold or too hot so get pedaling! Before you begin:

1. Start out by pacing yourself. If you go too fast during your first attempt then you’ll be sore, tired, sweaty, and totally ruin the experience for yourself. Allow enough time to take it easy and then as you get in better shape you can get faster. You’ll enjoy your commute more and you’ll be less likely to leave your bike in the garage for good.

2. Plan your route ahead of time. Not all roads are bicycle-friendly. Be aware of any side roads or short cuts ahead of time. If not, you may end up late for work because you got lost or were run off the road.

Give your bike a tune up!

3. Give your bike a check-up. Make sure your bike tires are well inflated and the bike is in good shape. You don’t want to get halfway to work and have to fix your equipment. If something happens there’s no need to panic. Get yourself a travel repair kit that will easily fit in your backpack.

4. Safety first! Don’t forget to wear a helmet. You might be watching out for other drivers but that doesn’t mean they’re looking out for you. Put a brush in your bag if you’re upset about having a bad hair day. It’s more important to protect your noggin’, isn’t it?

After you’re all prepared there’s nothing stopping you but you! If your commute really isn’t bike friendly than be safe rather than sorry. There are some other green commuting options that we’ll be posting so be sure to check back soon! If you participated in Bike to Work Day then share about your experience in our comments!

Lasagna Roll-ups

by Cyndi D.

Categories: Meal of the Week, Recipes

Tags: No Tags

Comments: No Comments

Published on: May 14, 2013

Every time I make a pan of lasagna it makes way more than my family and I can eat in one sitting. I’ve frozen pieces of lasagna for later but nothing tastes like lasagna fresh out of the oven. What if I want lasagna and I want it quick and fresh without a ton leftover? The answer lies in this week’s Meatless Meal of the Week. This recipe can be easily doubled or halved depending on how many people you want to feed and it’s faster than the average baked pasta dish. Hooray!

Spinach Lasagna Roll-ups

Ingredients:

8 lasagna noodles
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1 jar marinara sauce
2 garlic cloves, minced
6 oz fresh spinach
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
8 oz ricotta cheese
1 cup grated mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

2. Boil water for the lasagna noodles. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain the noodles and rinse them with a small amount of cold water. Let the noodles set in the water until ready to assemble the roll-ups so they don’t stick together.

2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil. Add onions to the pan and cook for 5 minutes or until softened. Add in garlic and spinach. Stir the mixture often until the spinach wilts and cooks down. Season with salt and pepper, then remove from heat.

3. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta and Parmesan cheese. Add the spinach mixture and mix well.

Roll up the noodles with the filling inside

4. Tear a piece of wax paper and place it on the counter. Lay the lasagna noodles flat on the wax paper. Spoon the mixture along the center of each noodle until it is gone. Coat the bottom of a 13″ x 9″ oven safe pan with marinara sauce. Carefully roll up each noodle so that the filling does not squeeze out. Move the roll-ups to the pan and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.

5. Place the pan into the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until cheese is golden and bubbly. Remove from the oven and serve.

Lush and Lovely

by Cyndi D.

Categories: Products, Recommendations, Websites

Tags: No Tags

Comments: No Comments

Published on: May 11, 2013

I think I’m missing an important girl gene. I don’t know a lot about beauty products. Many of them make me uncomfortable. Who in the world invented the torture device that is the eyelash curler?! While I may not be a beauty expert, I do know a lot about keeping myself clean and smelling nice. Have you ever read the bottles of any body products, though? There are so many hyphenated chemical names I feel like I’m back in my chem labs in college. I’ve been on a search to find great products made with natural ingredients that I can actually pronounce. Here’s what I’ve found so far.

Let’s start with Lush. I was recently introduced to Lush products at a mall on Long Island. I had never heard of it but my shopping buddies practically sprinted to the store. I’ll admit, I was quickly impressed. A lot of their products use minimal or no packaging and are made with organic fruits, veggies, and essential oils. They may not have clearance rack prices, but a lot of the profits go directly to charities and there is no animal testing whatsoever. The best part is that you can try tons of their products right there in the store! I LOVED the ocean salt body scrub. I washed my hands with it and they stayed soft for the entire day. I work with my hands a lot so my skin is often dry with a wrinkly, “granny hands” appearance. Any product that can naturally tackle that issue gets an express pass to the top of my shopping list! Want a freebie just for recycling? Lush will gladly accept their black pots once you’ve emptied them. Bring in 5 of them and you get a free face mask!

If you’re in Canada, you’ll need to check out Olive & Ash. They make natural beauty products made with organic and fair trade ingredients. Olive & Ash is also against animal testing. Check out their website to purchase products and also for information on their workshops and seminars. They cover topics such as aromatherapy and how to make your own green cleaning products at home. Not convinced on Olive & Ash yet? What if I tell you that they use plantable paper for their soap bands and product tags? This means that instead of creating waste, you create beautiful wildflowers when you place the wrappings into some soil. After the seeds grow, the remaining paper just decomposes.

I hope you check out some of these fresh finds and try them out for yourself. Start by walking into a Lush store and wash your hands a few times. You’ll fall in love with them like I did. If you need a last minute gift idea for your mom then these products will help them to look lush and lovely, too. They deserve to be pampered! Leave a comment and let us know what you think of these products and any other natural beauty items you’ve found. I could use the recommendations because even though I’m cosmetically challenged doesn’t mean you should miss out on natural beauty bargains!

My beauty experts posing at Lush!

Don’t Delay Your CSA

by Cyndi D.

Categories: Recommendations, Websites

Tags: No Tags

Comments: No Comments

Published on: May 9, 2013

Do you have a CSA membership? A few months ago we wrote about Community Supported Agriculture so that we could spread the word on how to buy local food directly from a farmer and pay less than your would at the grocery store. You buy a share of what the farm harvests during the season and then you go pick up your produce at the designated time and place. This is a great way to teach your kids where their food comes from and can be a good way to get to know people in your community.

There are many CSA’s out there so you’re not too late if you haven’t signed up yet. While some farms may not have any spaces left, some of the newer ones may still be trying to fill their membership for the year. You’ll need to hurry, though! They need your help to fund their endeavors for the season, and in return you get lots of delicious, healthy food. You’ll also be helping to reduce your carbon footprint because you’re picking up your produce locally instead of buying from a store with food shipped in from all over the world.

If you want to learn more about what farm shares are all about, visit LocalHarvest.org or check out the webpage for Tinicum CSA that I recently joined in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

Southwest Sweet Potato Burgers

by Cyndi D.

Categories: Meal of the Week, Recipes

Tags: gluten-free, meatless, recipe, vegan, vegetarian

Comments: No Comments

Published on: May 7, 2013

I love veggie burgers made with fresh ingredients instead of eating a soy hockey puck. This week I’m sharing a Meatless Meal of the Week recipe for sweet potato burgers. They have so much flavor they’re delicious not only on a bun but by themselves, too! They’re a great option for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free folks.

Southwest Sweet Potato Burgers

Ingredients:

4 cups peeled and cubed sweet potatoes
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup sweet corn, cooked (either fresh or frozen will do)
1/2 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup cooked rice (brown or white)
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (for gluten-free you can use finely ground rolled oats or almond flour)
1 jalepeno pepper, seeds removed then minced
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tsp cilantro
3 Tbsp hot sauce

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.

2. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil on the stove. Add the sweet potatoes and reduce the heat to a simmer. Let the potatoes cook for about 20 minutes or until easily pierced with a fork. Drain the potatoes well and set aside in a large mixing bowl to cool.

Mash the potatoes and half of the beans to a chunky consistency before adding the remaining ingredients.

3. Once cooled, mash the potatoes with a fork or a potato masher. Add half the black beans and mash them as well. Then, add the rest of the ingredients, including the other half of the black beans. Stir them to combine.

4. Form the mixture into 10 patties (about 1/2″ thick). Bake the patties on the prepared baking sheet for 30 minutes. Flip the burgers over after 15 minutes. Serve on a bun with fresh salsa (and a slice of pepper jack cheese if you eat dairy).

Freeze extra burgers for up to 6 months. You can reheat them in the oven at 350 degrees or you can reheat in a saute pan for a crispier burger. To pan fry, heat 1 Tbsp oil in the pan over medium heat. Cook for 5 minutes on each side until crispy and brown. If heating on the grill, use foil if possible since patties may stick.

Facebook Coupon Frenzy

by Cyndi D.

Categories: Coupons, Freebies, Products, Websites

Tags: coupons, Facebook, free, samples

Comments: No Comments

Published on: May 5, 2013

Social networking sites are regularly used by companies for marketing purposes. If you follow a company on Facebook, they will use the site to update you on all of the new products and promotions in order to boost sales. Are you using this to your advantage? Many companies use coupons to entice people such as you and I to “Like” them. Make sure you don’t miss out on coupons for your favorite products and even use them to try new products at a cheaper price. If you don’t want to share any personal information with companies, or just prefer not to get sucked into social networking, you could always make up a new anonymous Facebook account just for coupons. Some of the latest in Facebook coupons (available for a limited time) include:

Cascadian Farm – $1.00 off coupon

Spectrum – $2.00 off coupon

Muir Glen – $0.75 off coupon

Seventh Generation – Free Samples

Nasoya – $0.75 off coupon

Kashi – Free Samples

Amy’s – $1.50 off coupon

Silk Iced Latte or Silk Fruit & Protein – $1.00 off coupons

Garden Lites – $0.75 off coupon

Green & Black’s – coupon towards a fair trade, organic chocolate bar

Hurry and print your coupons before they disappear! After you print your coupons, check the Whole Foods website. Many of these brands have Whole Foods store coupons available to print. You can stack the coupons for more savings!!

Don’t Pitch It, Fix It!

by Cyndi D.

Categories: Recommendations

Tags: No Tags

Comments: No Comments

Published on: May 2, 2013

It’s probably happened to you. You had no idea how it happened but it did. You bobbled your cell phone in a frantic attempt to answer it before it went to voicemail, and now your handheld lifeline is at the bottom of the toilet bowl.

Was your first thought “Oh well, I’ll get a new one.”? Shame on you! 50 million tons of electronic waste are thrown away every year, filled with contaminants such as lead, cadmium, beryllium, and flame retardants! Don’t cause further damage to the environment or your wallet. Don’t pitch it, fix it!

The first step is to fish your phone out of the toilet. It’s probably covered in something gross but you can’t flush it so just do what you need to do to get it out of there. Wipe it off as much as possible and then remove the battery and SIM card immediately afterwards. Don’t turn the phone on first to see if it still works!! You could short out the phone’s circuits that way.

Once the battery is out, the next step is to dry it as fast as possible so that it won’t corrode. You don’t want to use heat because you might melt delicate parts of the circuitry. Use a can of compressed air to blow out any water droplets you see. To get the moisture you can’t see, leave the phone in a bowl of uncooked rice overnight (preferably for 12 hours). Once your phone is dry, replace the battery and SIM card and see if it works. If not, remove the battery again and leave it in the rice for a few more hours. Then, try to turn it on again. This may just save your phone from a landfill! If not, at least you saved your SIM card so you have your contacts and other important information.

If this tip was helpful, let us know! We hope to post more “Don’t Pitch It, Fix It!” tips in the future so be sure to leave us comments when you try them out for yourself. In the meantime, be careful what you carry into the bathroom. We can’t fix everything you drop into the commode!

Spicy Sriracha Noodles with Edamame

by Cyndi D.

Categories: Meal of the Week, Recipes

Tags: No Tags

Comments: No Comments

Published on: April 30, 2013

This week’s Meatless Meal of the Week is sure to give you a kick in the taste buds. Sriracha gives this dish lots of zesty flavor. You can use any noodles you have in your pantry. I prefer brown rice noodles (either mai fun or pad thai noodles) but use some fettucine or spaghetti if that’s what you’ve got. I added edamame to this recipe that I adapted from the Budget Bytes recipe for “Dragon Noodles”. Edamame adds extra protein without adding meat, although the egg offers some protein, too. If you just must do meat, stick with sustainable salmon, which will go well with this dish. Our “Sustainable Made Simple” post from last week can help you find some eco-friendly fish. Use the same sriracha sauce on the salmon as you use in the noodles!

Spicy Sriracha Noodles with Edamame

Ingredients:

8 oz. brown rice noodles
2 Tbsp butter
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
2 large eggs, beaten
2 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp Sriracha sauce (make it 3 Tbsp if you like more kick)
2 scallions, choppped
1 bunch fresh cilantro
1/2 lime, juiced
steamed edamame (optional)

Directions:

1. Prepare the noodles according to package instructions.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, mix the brown sugar, soy sauce, sriracha, and lime juice. Set the mixture aside.
3. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the white parts of the green onion and the eggs to the melted butter. Add the crushed red pepper and then cook together until eggs are scrambled. Remove the skillet from the heat.
4. Once the noodles are cooked, drain well and add them to the skillet with the eggs. Add the prepared sauce and toss until noodles are coated.
5. Sprinkle with scallion greens and cilantro before serving with steamed edamame.

Sustainable Made Simple

by Cyndi D.

Categories: Products, Recommendations, Websites

Tags: CSF, CSS, fish, fisheries, pescetarian, seafood, sustainable

Comments: No Comments

Published on: April 27, 2013

My wife tells people I’m Episcopalian. I always correct her and explain that the correct term is “Pescetarian”. She’s describing my diet, not my religion! A pescetarian is a person whose diet includes fish but no other type of meat. I’m even more particular than that. I stick with sustainable seafood as long as I’m the one purchasing it. If you’re not sure what that means, jump to our post on sustainable seafood from February for further explanation.

After reading about sustainable seafood, you may realize that buying fish responsibly can be tricky. It’s true. It does take more effort to know where your seafood comes from. There are smartphone apps, websites, and handouts that help you make educated choices. Many natural food stores have rating systems to take the guesswork out of it. However, there’s a few other options that might work for you.

The R-J, out catching fish for Wild For Salmon

Instead of having to determine if you’re buying responsible seafood or not, how would you like it if it was already guaranteed? At the Philly Farm and Food Fest I found a company called Wild For Salmon that conveniently provides wild-caught, sustainably harvested Alaskan seafood. They are based in Bloomsburg, PA, but they will actually ship the seafood to you! The shipping is FREE if you stock up with $100 or more at a time! There are also buying clubs (available in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Maryland) where you can join an existing club or start one of your own with a few people who would enjoy fresh eco-friendly fish. Since a larger quantity of seafood is being purchased, a discount is passed on to you and your friends! Visit the Wild For Salmon website for more information or look for them at one of the Philly area farmers markets. I was able to sample several varieties of fish and it was all delicious!

If you live on either coast of the United States there’s another option. Have you ever heard of a CSS? With CSS, or Community Supported Seafood, consumers purchase a membership to give financial support in advance of the season, and in turn the fishermen provide a weekly share of seafood during the harvesting season. Most of them specialize in sustainable methods of harvest. This is a new phenomenon that is growing in popularity. Unfortunately, this option doesn’t offer delivery to the inlanders yet. Search online at Local Catch for community supported fisheries in your area. There are 126 locations on their list but there are some that aren’t on their list yet. It would help your search if you ask vendors at your local farmers market. They may be able to recommend a local fishery that they work with.

Sustainable isn’t impossible. You should choose seafood from responsible fisheries to reduce overfishing and pollution. If the extra effort makes you uneasy, try Wild For Salmon or Community Supported Fisheries. They do the hard work for you! You don’t have to be pescetarian, or even Episcopalian, but you should still be environmentally responsible!

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