Earth Friendly Goodies » recipe

Vegetable Garden Tips and a Gardening Cookbook to Boot

Chris — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 22:46:49 +0000

Spring is still calling... very softly for those of us up north, but when that warm sun teases me through the window I start to get in the mood to play in some dirt and try my hand at growing some nice healthy weeds along with my spinach and basil.

Last year I had discovered Square Foot Gardening one of the best selling garden books on Amazon and at the time had noticed a follow up book aptly named All New Square Foot Gardening Cookbook. Now, I am a complete cookbook geek especially when they have good pictures (why a cookbook wouldn't have enticing pictures is beyond me) and this Square Foot Gardening cookbook is a beauty.

Mel Bartholomew Speaks about his Gardening Cookbook

Plenty of nice large colorful pictures of not only the dishes, but also of the vegetables and herbs - even if you aren't a gardener you'll have fun with this gardening cookbook. (But after reading this cookbook I'm sure you'll be at least a little bit inspired to try your own garden)

The author, Mel Bartholomew is a whiz in the garden (how beautiful are those plants in his garden by the way? I wanted to eat right off my monitor but it zapped my tongue) he often says eat fresh, eat healthy and eat what you grow and with a garden like that I'm sure you could make fantastic salads right out of the garden.

Not only does the Square Foot Gardening Cookbook have more than 135 recipes to enjoy the harvest from your square foot garden (or farmers market, or store if you haven't braved the garden gnomes) Mel adds harvesting techniques and yield information for each of the seventeen vegetables, fruits, and herbs and adds money saving tips, square foot garden tips, and even a kid's gardening corner for lots of family fun.

If you didn't catch my last post on EarthBoxes vs Square Foot Gardening take a peek and try one of these easy methods for yourself then have fun with some fresh from the garden recipes.

Other Gardening Tips in the Square Foot Gardening Cookbook

Planting schedule for continuous crop harvesting
When to harvest plants
How to harvest
Tips for storage
Plant spacing
Kids corner for family fun

All New Square Foot Gardening
List Price: ~~$19.99~~
Sale Price: $9.49
You save: $10.50 (53%)
Eligible for free shipping!

Square Foot Gardening: A New Way to Garden in Less Space with Less Work
List Price: ~~$19.99~~
Sale Price: $5.50
You save: $14.49 (72%)
Eligible for free shipping!

This Post on the Square Foot Gardening Cookbook Shared on Real Food Wednesday

Vegetable Garden Tips and a Gardening Cookbook to Boot is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

Readers who enjoyed this page, also viewed:
EarthBox VS Square Foot Gardening – And the Winner Is?

Rodelle Gourmet Vanilla Extract: Free Warm and Fuzzies

Chris — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 15:24:48 +0000

As the first snow fall of the season blows and blusters about outside and the tinkling bells of snow plow back-up signals set the mood for the coming holidays I was hit by a rather warm comforting surprise.

I was staring blankly in my spice cupboard while forging for an early morning snack when my gaze fell on the back of a bottle of Rodelle vanilla extract. I had splurged a bit on a gourmet vanilla extract a while back and without even knowing it I was helping the environment.

The Rodelle headquarters in Fort Collins Colorado it turns out is 100% powered by wind or alternate energy sources. And to sweeten the pot they are very active in local and international efforts to improve social and environmental standards such as emergency relief efforts and working toward sustainable growing practices in Madagascar and Uganda where the vanilla bean growers are.

It is heart warming, on a cold pre-winter day especially, to find companies quietly improving the world we live in with something as simple as the vanilla extract we bake with.

Rodelle makes a wonderful line of gourmet baking ingredients and spices including many types of gourmet vanilla extracts and beans upon which the company was founded. If you are looking for high quality organic vanilla extract, alcohol free vanilla extract, some delicious Madegascar bourbon vanilla beans, or just good old fashioned pure vanilla extract give Rodelle a try - and help spread the warmth this holiday season.

I don't recall which grocery store I found my vanilla extract at but it looks like Amazon has a selection of Rodelle Products for sale from time to time. Also below is the current selection of Rodelle products for sale on eBay as well.

This Post Shared on Real Food Wednesday and Fight Back Friday

Rodelle Gourmet Vanilla Extract: Free Warm and Fuzzies is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

Readers who enjoyed this page, also viewed:

Healthy Banana Bread Recipe with a Mango Ginger Twist

Chris — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 18:23:05 +0000

A Healthy Whole Wheat Banana Bread Recipe
with a Mango Twist and Ginger Surprise

Sometimes the best recipe experiments are a result of ingredients that have to be used up before they go bad - that works especially well for a banana bread recipe since you need well ripe bananas - what better way to use up those brown skin beauties.

Well this time I not only had a few very ripe bananas but I had a mango that needed to be used up right away as well - so the 'ol kitchen creative bug bit me in the keister and the result was a rather delicious surprise. (ok I'm sure plenty of other people have made banana mango bread but I'd like to think I'm special too).

So without further ado (although feel free to throw down a drum roll if you like) here is my Mango Ginger Banana Bread Recipe:

I'll list the earth friendly organic ingredients (thus the somewhat healthy banana bread recipe) that I try to use but you can use whatever you have on hand - I won't tell...

Mango Ginger Banana Bread Recipe Ingredients

1/2 cup organic sugar
1 tbs Truvia (I use the natural sweetener Truvia to cut down on the amount of sugar - you can supplement all of the sugar with a natural sweetener if you'd like)

1 stick organic butter
2 large organic eggs
2 large very ripe bananas
1/2 to 3/4 diced very ripe mango depending on how much you sample
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups whole wheat flour
1.5 tsp powdered ginger
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp sea salt

cinnamon sugar
coconut oil

Directions:
Heat oven to 350º - Grease bottom of 9x5x3 inch loaf pan with coconut oil. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

Mix sugar and butter in large bowl. Stir in eggs until well blended. Stir in bananas, mango, buttermilk, and vanilla; beat until smooth. Stir in flour, ginger powder, baking soda, and sea salt just until moistened.

Pour into baking pan sprinkle top with cinnamon sugar and bake for about an hour - or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Let cool as long as you can resist the delectable smell and enjoy - last but not least send everyone you know back to Earth Friendly Goodies to tell us what they thought of our Banana Mango Ginger Bread recipe (not required but it is always nice)

What do you like to spice up your banana bread recipe with - please share in the comments below.

This Post on my delightfully delicious banana bread recipe Shared on Real Food Wednesdays, Fight Back Friday and Fat Tuesday

Healthy Banana Bread Recipe with a Mango Ginger Twist is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

Readers who enjoyed this page, also viewed:

Naturally Nora Cookie Cookie Cake Mix Super Sale

Chris — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:43:55 +0000

A Cyber Monday sensation to sink your teeth into, this natural cake mix is due for a huge discount in Amazon's Cyber Monday promotion. (Keep your clicking fingers nice and limber around 12pm PST to snatch up the best price)

This 100% natural cake mix has no artificial ingredients, colors, preservatives, hydrogenated oils, dairy or soy, and is completely kosher. I did notice that it is manufactured in a facility that also handles wheat, eggs, milk, soy and tree nuts so it can't really claim to be 100% free of soy and dairy, and the chocolate cookies do have canola oil in them which while better than most vegetable oils still isn't the best for you, but overall it is still quite a bit better than most "regular" cake mixes.

So how is it on taste? That may be up to personal opinion but Naturally Nora products have been very well received by many natural food lovers. I would add though that this is not a light and fluffy cake - it is one of the more dense varieties of cake mixes you often find with natural baked goods - unfortunately those hydrogenated oils serve a purpose after all. I would imagine though that one could experiment with adding coconut oil or perhaps apple sauce and it may help add a bit of fluffiness.

If you've tried Naturally Nora cake mixes please leave us your opinion below, we'd love to hear from you.

Naturally Nora Cookie Cookie Cake Mix Super Sale is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

Readers who enjoyed this page, also viewed:

Organic Old Fashioned Slow Cooker Oatmeal Recipe

Organic Old Fashioned Slow Cooker Oatmeal Recipe

Chris — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:10:10 +0000

If you are looking for a tasty treat on a chilly morning (or afternoons and evenings) perhaps a bowl of organic old fashioned slow cooker oatmeal would hit the spot. I was recently flipping through my "Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook: Feasting with your Slow Cooker" and happened to see a recipe for making slow cooker oatmeal.

Well, my creative kitchen gremlin tapped me on the shoulder and said "hey buddy let's experiment." So experiment we did.

Our Organic Old Fashioned Slow Cooker Oatmeal Recipe:

2 Cups dry Organic Old Fashioned Oats
2 Cups chopped apples (hand picked from a local orchard adds a little family fun)
2 1/2 Cups milk
1 1/2 Cups water
4 Tbsp. honey
4 Tbsp. brown sugar
2 Tbsp. butter
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. nutmeg
1/8 tsp cloves (or 5-6 crushed bulbs)
coconut oil

Grease your slow cooker with some coconut oil. Mix all the ingredients in your slow cooker set the timer on Low for 4 hours and wait patiently until you have one fine batch of spiced apple slow cooker oatmeal. mm-mmm good!

Note: to take advantage of the full nutrient power of the oats soak them overnight in yogurt or buttermilk. Sound strange? You bet, but whole grains like oats have phytic acid which binds with the vitamins and minerals in our bodies and prevents them from being absorbed. Soaking them in an acidic medium like buttermilk, whey, yogurt, lemon juice, or vinegar overnight neutralizes the phytic acid and makes them easier to digest.

Hey if you really dug this slow cooker oatmeal recipe I sure would love a comment, and a share and a Like and a pat on the back and a batch of warm chocolate cookies...

This slow cooker oatmeal recipe post shared on Fight Back Fridays and Real Food Wednesday.

Organic Old Fashioned Slow Cooker Oatmeal Recipe is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

Readers who enjoyed this page, also viewed:

Lime: the Natural Key to the Fountain of Youth

Chris — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 20:15:07 +0000

Did you know the good 'ol lime is a powerhouse of natural health and beautiful skin? The easily overlooked little cousin to the lemon is in fact one of the best natural cures for bad skin and may in fact be one of the hidden secrets to the fountain of youth. I was looking through one of those free natural health publications that you find outside "good for you" grocery stores and I happened upon a little one paragraph blurb about the effects of lime juice on the face and skin - my curiosity was peaked.

It turns out all citrus fruits contain some pretty powerful anti-cancer antioxidants (hesperidin, lycopene, citric acid, limonene, and others) which of course we hear about the benefits of eating or drinking lots of citrus for that very reason, but what we don't hear as often is the effects of using citrus and especially lime directly on our skin. These healing properties, as well as lime’s refreshing and clarifying qualities, make lime an especially nice ingredient in topical preparations or skin care. Dr. Jody Alpert Levine, who heads the division of pediatric dermatology at Montefiore Hospital in Bronx, New York, says, "Lime’s astringent, antiseptic, and disinfectant qualities are good for treating oily and acne-prone skin."

So here are a few natural uses for lime which will give all of us that wonderful youthful skin we so desire. (caution: be prepared to answer a lot of questions on what's your secret to youthful beautiful skin)

1. Extra Special and Secret (well not any more) Lime Juice Formula

Squeeze a lime into a bowl. Add a glass of boiled whole milk and a teaspoon of glycerin. Stir well and let it sit for half an hour. Apply this mixture on the face, hands and feet before going to bed at night. This treatment every night will help you look even younger and more beautiful than you already are. It is also a great natural cure for acne.

2. To improve a dull and greasy complexion

Mix half teaspoon of lime juice with one teaspoon of cucumber juice and a few drops of rose water. Apply on the face and neck and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse with water.

3. For very oily skin

Squeeze lime juice in a bowl of ice water. Splash this over the face, massage for five minutes and then rinse with water.

4. To improve dry rough skin

Take an egg yolk and mix in a few drops of lime and olive oil. Spread on the face and leave it until the skin feels dry. Wash off with water and splash on cold water to help tone the skin.

5. To relieve tired eyes

Take four tablespoons each of lime juice and ice water. Soak cotton balls in this water and place over your closed eyelids for 10 minutes.

6. To remove freckles

Blanch and grind two almonds, mix it with egg white and a half teaspoon of lime juice. Spread on the face and leave it on until the skin feels dry. Then, wash off first with warm water and then with cold water.

If you aren't the do it yourself type look for natural organic skin care products with lime to get many of the same healing effects. Below are some current organic lime skincare products for sale on ebay including lip balms, facial washes and toners, and perhaps some pure lime essential oils so you can make your own youthful lime concoctions.

This post shared on Works for Me Wednesday.

Lime: the Natural Key to the Fountain of Youth is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

Readers who enjoyed this page, also viewed:

Organic Blueberry Kefir Pancake Recipe – A Probiotic Delight

Chris — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:01:31 +0000

We stopped by Byerly's the other day because we heard they sold a dandy of a probiotic drink we recently discovered (Probiotic Health Daily) and right next to it was a selection of Kefir drinks. I had heard a little bit about Kefir recently so I decided to give the blueberry Kefir a try.

If you aren't familiar with Kefir it is a fascinating ancient yogurt-like drink that has numerous health benefits. First off it is a probiotic (good bacteria that help strengthen your body and immune system) so it is one of the best remedies for digestive troubles, it is also very high in lactic acid so is recommended as a protection against cancer, and Kefir has a beneficial effect on the intestinal flora so if you suffer from Candida overgrowth Kefir will be your best friend. Another interesting discovery for garlic lovers - Kefir and probiotics help neutralize bad bacteria and control bad breath!

I'm just learning about Kefir and probiotics myself, it is certainly a fascinating topic - and I'm learning tasty to explore as well. Take for example the blueberry Kefir we recently tried. It is quite yummy all on its own, (or throw a dash in your cereal in the morning), but once I tried my first glass my creative kitchen instincts kicked in and I thought hmm, what would this taste like in pancakes?

I usually take the easy route with pancakes and use a store bought mix and then spruce it up a bit, but if you have a favorite homemade recipe you can use the basics from that recipe and try my additions.

I'll list a homemade recipe here that I sometimes use as a base when I get a bit more motivated in the kitchen but feel free to use a box mix and substitute as many of the ingredients as you can with the healthy organic and natural ones I've listed.

First off here's what you'll need (the original recipe says it makes 9 4in. pancakes but it never does right? So adjust amount of flour, thinness of batter etc.. for more or less pancakes):

1 cup organic whole wheat flour
1 organic grass fed egg
3/4 cup organic milk
1 tablespoon brown sugar or organic raw sugar
2 tablespoons coconut oil
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

My Additions:
1/4 cup flax seed
1/4 cup blueberry Kefir
1 teaspoon almond extract
Fresh organic blueberries
Whip cream (gotta have whip cream on pancakes it's a must)

Add all the ingredients (except the whip cream of course - you can save some blueberries for a topping as well) beat it and cook it - and whalah you have some delicious blueberry Kefir pancakes - a perfect breakfast, lunch or dinner.

A note with the blueberry Kefir if you add some to the batter it becomes pasteurized again when it cooks, therefore killing all the beneficial yeast and bacteria which was so lovingly cultured to life. It does add a delicious scent while cooking and a delightful flavor to the pancakes but it will no longer have the healing properties of Kefir.

It may be a sin among Kefir artisans but I sure do love the smell and taste with a little bit in the batter (shhh don't tell.) You may just want to save the Kefir and use it as a topping once the pancakes are cooked, or be a bit daring and do both...

The blueberry Kefir I tried was made by Lifeway (they have a fun musical Kefir bar and Kerfirability profile feature so if you are in the mood for a little fun loving psychoanalysis check them out) - I also discovered there are some ebay sellers selling coupons to Lifeway products so if you are interested in trying Kefir why not save a little money as well.

Do you cook with Kefir? Please share your quick Kefir recipe suggestions, we'd love to try them all.

This post shared on Fight Back Fridays and Slightly Indulgent Tuesday

Organic Blueberry Kefir Pancake Recipe – A Probiotic Delight is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

Readers who enjoyed this page, also viewed:

Wild Rice Elk Bratwurst and Toasted Sesame Seed Omelet Recipe

Chris — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:07:02 +0000

I’ve been hearing a lot about the health benefits of grass fed meat lately so I stopped by the farmers market last night to see if there were any local farmers selling grass fed meat. I was pleased to notice there were a couple to choose from, and after looking over the price list I was more pleased to note the prices were lower than other grass fed meat and produce I have seen in the past – so I will definitely have to stop by again when my freezer isn’t so full.

Further into the farmers market my attention was grabbed by the horns, if you’ll forgive my pun, by a stand selling locally raised Elk, and of course as with all booths that have free samples I just had to stop. While I was nibbling a bit of wild rice elk bratwurst, I learned that elk is very high in protein, yet low in fat, cholesterol and calories. Furthermore, their elk was not treated with growth hormones, antibiotics, or other chemicals, and is raised on lush, open pastures – aka grass fed – Aha! I thought, just what I was looking for.

I was sold on the wild rice elk brats, (the power of a good free sample eh?) so I picked up a package along with an Elk summer sausage. Once in the car I noticed, while the elk was grown naturally it wasn’t processed so and had some dreaded un-natural preservatives – yikes what is a budding natural food eater to do? You win some and you lose some I guess – but as they say when life hands you lemons… you make omelets.

So that is what I did.

Wild Rice Elk Bratwurst and Toasted Sesame Seed Omelet:

2 large cage free organic eggs
½ Wild rice Elk bratwurst
½ tsp. sesame seeds
3 large fresh basil leaves
1 tsp. coconut oil
mozzarella and Colby jack cheese
course salt and fresh ground pepper

Wild Rice Elk Bratwurst Omelet Preparation

First, whip up the eggs with a bit of pepper or any other spices you’d like to add. I like to add a touch of water to the mix so the eggs cook up nice and fluffy.

Second, toast the sesame seeds and a bit of the course salt and ground pepper in your omelet pan on medium high heat making sure to shake the pan so the seeds don’t burn. When nice and toasty set them aside in a small bowl and while the pan is hot add the coconut oil (making sure to lick the remaining coconut oil off the spoon – oh so good and good for you too! )

Third, drop in the egg mixture and sprinkle the sesame seeds on top (note: do not put the sesame seeds in before the eggs or you’ll have sesame seeds popping like popcorn and you’ll have to duck for cover – believe me I know from experience, eeks…)

I usually cover the pan and turn the heat to low, this puffs up the eggs so they are nice and fluffy. When they are fully cooked drop in all the fresh basil, wild rice elk bratwurst and cheese, flip that baby in half and you are ready to enjoy the smoky flavor of one mighty fine wild rice elk bratwurst omelet!

This post added to Fight Back Fridays at the Food Renegade - a delightfully delicious real food blog and Real Food Wednesday more healthy goodies than you can shake a wild rice Elk bratwurst at.

Wild Rice Elk Bratwurst and Toasted Sesame Seed Omelet Recipe is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

Earth Friendly Goodies » recipe

Vegetable Garden Tips and a Gardening Cookbook to Boot

Mel Bartholomew Speaks about his Gardening Cookbook

Other Gardening Tips in the Square Foot Gardening Cookbook

This Post on the Square Foot Gardening Cookbook Shared on Real Food Wednesday Vegetable Garden Tips and a Gardening Cookbook to Boot is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies Readers who enjoyed this page, also viewed:EarthBox VS Square Foot Gardening – And the Winner Is?

Readers who enjoyed this page, also viewed:

Rodelle Gourmet Vanilla Extract: Free Warm and Fuzzies

This Post Shared on Real Food Wednesday and Fight Back Friday

Readers who enjoyed this page, also viewed:

Healthy Banana Bread Recipe with a Mango Ginger Twist

A Healthy Whole Wheat Banana Bread Recipe with a Mango Twist and Ginger Surprise

Mango Ginger Banana Bread Recipe Ingredients

This Post on my delightfully delicious banana bread recipe Shared on Real Food Wednesdays, Fight Back Friday and Fat Tuesday

Readers who enjoyed this page, also viewed:

Naturally Nora Cookie Cookie Cake Mix Super Sale

Readers who enjoyed this page, also viewed:

Organic Old Fashioned Slow Cooker Oatmeal Recipe

Our Organic Old Fashioned Slow Cooker Oatmeal Recipe:

Readers who enjoyed this page, also viewed:

Lime: the Natural Key to the Fountain of Youth

This post shared on Works for Me Wednesday.

Readers who enjoyed this page, also viewed:

Organic Blueberry Kefir Pancake Recipe – A Probiotic Delight

This post shared on Fight Back Fridays and Slightly Indulgent Tuesday

Readers who enjoyed this page, also viewed:

Wild Rice Elk Bratwurst and Toasted Sesame Seed Omelet Recipe

Wild Rice Elk Bratwurst and Toasted Sesame Seed Omelet:

Wild Rice Elk Bratwurst Omelet Preparation

This post added to Fight Back Fridays at the Food Renegade - a delightfully delicious real food blog and Real Food Wednesday more healthy goodies than you can shake a wild rice Elk bratwurst at.

This Post on the Square Foot Gardening Cookbook Shared on Real Food Wednesday

Vegetable Garden Tips and a Gardening Cookbook to Boot is a post from: Earth Friendly Goodies

Readers who enjoyed this page, also viewed:
EarthBox VS Square Foot Gardening – And the Winner Is?

A Healthy Whole Wheat Banana Bread Recipe
with a Mango Twist and Ginger Surprise