Miss Organic's Kitchen

We've Moved

2011-05-02T16:21:00.000-04:00

After months of consideration, we have finally made the move to wordpress. Please visit us there at

http://missorganicskitchen.com

We hope to see you there!

Save Money on Lunch ~ Brown Bag It to Save $1800 a year!

2011-03-29T07:52:00.000-04:00

Stop eating out for lunch and save big!

The office clock says noon, and workers everywhere rush to their cars to head out for lunch. You gobble down your food, share a few laughs with your co-workers, and hurry back to the office wishing you had time for a nap. In many cities, the drive time to a restaurant eats up most of the lunch hour. That's not even mentioning the ridiculous cost of gas lately.

As you return to your desk, you notice a guy putting away his brown bag. He appears calm, happy and ready to get back to work. He’s thinking how delicious it was, how much money he saved and the hassle avoided just by bringing his lunch from home.

Is it worth it to prepare and bring your lunch to work each day? Well, let's look at the math. The average lunch out will cost you ten bucks, plus a tip. So eating out for lunch everyday will cost you $50 for the week. The average lunch brought from home will cost you between $2 and $3. So that’s only $15 a week. By bringing your lunch to work, you saved at least $35 not including the cost of gas. That’s more than $1,800 a year saved. I bet we all could find a better use for $1800 a year than wasting it on eating out.

Here are some great tips for brown-bagging it to save money.

Prepare your lunch the night before so you’re not rushed in the morning.
Keep it simple. A quick and easy lunch can be a sandwich on whole-grain bread, some sliced veggies, and a piece of fruit.
Leftovers also make a wonderful next-day lunch if you have access to a microwave at work. Cook a big dinner and save some for lunch the next day. Put it in individual containers following dinner so you can grab and go in the morning. By cooking at home, you are able to control exactly what goes into each meal, which can be much healthier than relying on restaurant fare.
Plan ahead and buy in bulk with lunches in mind. Don't fall for the 100 Calorie Snacks marketing ploy. You can easily buy larger packs yourself and divide it up yourself. Don’t pay more for convenience.
If you’re running late there’s nothing wrong with occasionally taking a can of soup or a healthy frozen meal. Most offices have ovens or microwaves you can use for heating.
Bring your drink too. You can probably get a 12-pack of soda for $2.99 which amounts to about 25 cents a can. Compare that with expensive vending machine drinks or coffee and you’ve saved even more. Or better yet - drink water. It's free and better for you!

There’s a lot to be said for bringing your lunch from home. You eat healthier, save time, and save money. Now all you have to do is figure out what you are going to do with all that money you saved!

So tell me...

What is your favorite lunch to bring from home?

Photo Source: healingdream / FreeDigitalPhotos

Medjool Dates - Sweeten Your Smoothies Naturally

2011-03-25T08:26:00.001-04:00

I am huge advocate of green smoothies for kids instead of synthetic vitamins. Getting kids to drink green smoothies without a fuss is all about making the smoothies sweet enough. Although raw honey and agave nectar are preferable to refined sugar, I would still rather not use these in the kids' daily smoothies. Something I have found that works is using 1-2 medjool dates in addition to a ripe banana. This provides all the sweetness that the kids prefer and they are getting fiber and valuable nutrients in the dates and bananas that other sweeteners don't offer.

The problem can be that medjool dates are inherently sticky. Even with my new Vitamix, dates can be difficult to fully incorporate without leaving small chunks. I have discovered a trick though that helps them blend in completely and smoothly. It works like a charm for completely smooth green smoothies every time.

Fill your blender jar with your liquid of choice. I make a huge batch and drink from it all day long so I start with about 3 cups. If you are making a single serving, you may only need a cup. I use water for my liquid, but I imagine you could use kefir, juice, or milk just the same.
The key is to allow the pitted dates to soften in the liquid for about 15 minutes. I use fresh dates. If you started with dry dates (like the oatmeal covered chopped ones), you may want to let them soak a bit longer.
After the 15 minutes has elapsed, go ahead and blend the liquid and dates at the highest speed until smooth. Then proceed with adding the other ingredients and making your smoothies.

No more medjool date chunks and a perfectly sweet smoothie with no added sugar!
So tell me...
What is your sweetener of choice in a smoothie?

My New Vitamix 5200 - I Am Seriously in Love!

2011-03-24T09:44:00.005-04:00

For the past few years, when we received our income tax return back, I have purchased a high-end kitchen tool. Several years ago it was a professional KitchenAid stand mixer. Last year, it was a Nutrimill grain mill. This year, I debated long and hard about what to purchase. It ultimately came down to an Excalibur dehydrator or a Vitamix blender. Ultimately, the Vitamix 5200 won out and I happily headed to Williams Sonoma to pick out my new blender.

I am a huge believer in the health-restoring power of green smoothies. I would rather my kids drink a glass of green smoothie everyday, then give them synthetic vitamins that don't have nearly the bioavailability of real food. Since we started drinking green smoothies regularly, I have seen a huge reduction in the amount of illnesses my kids have.

My kids like green smoothies, but they frequently refuse to drink them if they are too chunky. After years of fighting with multiple cheap discount store blenders that left my smoothies with bits of greens or berry seeds, I was so excited to give my new Vitamix a whirl.

For my first smoothie, I decided to really put it to the test. I wanted to see if the Vitamix 5200 was really all that it claimed to be. I filled the blender jar with whole carrots, kale, a whole head of romaine, a whole orange, and other healthy goodies. With my old $40 blender, I literally had to shred the carrots before I threw them in the blender and it left bits of kale no matter how long I processed it.

I stared in awe as my Vitamix went to work. Within 45 second I had a perfectly smooth green smoothie. I can't tell you how impressed I was. My kids downed their glasses and asked for seconds, even my picky son. Cleanup was a breeze too. Just one drop of dishwashing liquid in about 3 cups of water. I ran the blender on high for about 30 seconds and then rinsed everything in hot water. Thanks to my new Vitamix blender, breakfast is ready in less than 5 minutes, and that includes clean-up.

I drink a green smoothie for breakfast nearly everyday. Dark leafy greens are so beneficial to your health but I have to admit, I really don't like the taste. I have found green smoothies are a wonderful way for me to consume large amounts because the flavor of the greens is masked by the fruit.

Starting at around $400, a Vitamix blender is definitely not a purchase to make lightly. I debated getting one for several years before deciding that I was tired of blowing out the motors on cheaper blenders every 6 months. While the Vitamix 5200was definitely expensive, I see it as an investment in our health. I am really wishing I had made this purchase years ago.

So tell me... Do you have a professional blender like the Vitamix or Blendtec? Is it on your wish list?

Disclaimer: I have received no compensation for this post. I am just a happy Vitamix user. The links in this post are affiliate links. The small amount I receive when you make a purchase through one of these links helps to support the site.

Earthbox Planters - a Great Alternative when Traditional Gardening Isn't an Option

2011-03-14T13:08:00.001-04:00

I am excitedly awaiting spring so I can get my garden planted. While I have a huge in-ground garden each year, there are certain crops that I have trouble growing. We have squash bugs so bad, that I absolutely can not grow anything from the squash family. I get so jealous when I hear of people who grow so much zucchini that they can't even give it all away. Fortunately for me Earthbox planters have been a wonderful solution. Earthbox even has come out with an organic garden kit, which is nice for all of us organic gardening fanatics.

I currently have 2 Earthboxes up on my deck that get full sunlight most of the day. Last year was the first year I finally had enough zucchini to be able to freeze the extra. After discovering how well Earthbox gardening works for my situation, I definitely won't be growing any squash in the ground ever again. It's much easier this way! You can read more of my experiences by checking out Earthbox system.

Here is a great video that shows you how quick and easy it is to set up Earthbox planters.

Features of Earthbox Planters

Earthboxes are self-watering. I had to fill the water reservoir about once a day in the heat of summer, but I could go 2-4 days without watering when it was cooler or the plants were smaller.
Earthboxes are weed-free. They come with a plastic cover and you cut holes in it for the plants. It's so nice to not to have to deal with weeks like I do in my regular garden.
Earthbox planters come with all the fertilizers you need for the entire growing season.
Earthboxes are on wheels which makes them so easy to move.

Click here for even more features of Earthbox planters.

Earthbox Planters Reviews

Before you spend money on an Earthbox planter, it's always nice to know what other people think of it. I personally love my Earthboxes, however you will want to read some other reviews to know what other people's experiences were. You can currently find 114 reviews from actual customers on Amazon, 99 of which are rated 4 or 5 stars. Here's a sampling of the Earthbox reviews:

Young at Heart Grandma stated

I was sceptical when my brother told me how great this is for growing vegetables. He was right!

Marnita stated

They are easy to use and maintain. I also never felt bad about leaving for a couple of days in the heat of summer with a reservoir of water full before we left.

Margaret C. stated

The Earthbox works miracles. My tomatoes and peppers are 3 times the size of the ones planted in the ground.

Click here to see all 114 customer reviews for Earthbox Planters.

So tell me... Have you used any Earthbox Planters? I would love to hear your experiences or stories.

Using Medjool Dates instead of Sugar in Recipes

2011-03-07T13:57:00.000-05:00

I am a registered dietitian, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy some sweets from time to time. In fact, I probably have a bigger sweet tooth than most. The trouble is most sweets are full of white flour and white sugar - both of which can lead to spikes in blood sugar levels that can lead to health problems over time.

Highly-refined carbohydrates, like white sugar and white flour, raise blood sugar levels very quickly. The body's response to high blood glucose levels is to release insulin. Insulin in the bloodstream signals cells to get this excess sugar out of the bloodstream. So the glucose is taken into the cells to use as fuel. Unfortunately, a downside of this process is that insulin also signals the body to store fat. So you can see that a diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates can contribute to weight gain over time.

I try to avoid white sugar in my dessert recipes if at all possible, opting for natural sugars. I frequently take advantage of the natural sugars found in fruits to sweeten my recipes. One fruit I find myself using time and time again is the medjool date. I use a combination of dates and water to make a paste, which is a great substitute for sugar in a lot of recipes.

Unlike nutritionally bankrupt white sugar, medjool dates are high in fiber and full of vitamins and minerals. Dates are a full of potassium. In addition, they also contain calcium, magnesium, vitamin A, and a variety of B vitamins.

Using medjool dates in your recipes as a sweetener is easy. Just follow these easy steps.

Pit 12 medjool dates by splitting them in half lengthwise and removing the hard seed inside.
Soften the dates by soaking them in hot water. (I use water as hot as I can get it from the faucet. No need to heat it.) Place the dates in a glass measuring cup and then add hot water until it reaches the 1 1/2 cups line. Allow this to stand for 10-15 minutes.
Pour off 1/4 cup of the water, then transfer the remaining water and dates to a food processor. Process until the mixture becomes a smooth paste.

It makes about 1 cup of sweetener. If you don't need that much for a recipe, use the extra in your morning smoothie!

I find that date puree works best as a sweetener in strong-flavored recipes. Chocolate recipes are a perfect recipe to try it out! Why not give these healthy chocolate brownie recipes a try?

Organic Eating on a Budget - Money Saving Tips

2011-02-18T07:56:00.005-05:00

With 4 kids and a small food budget, I know how difficult organic eating on a budget can be. When I first started buying organic foods, I was floored at how much more expensive organic foods were. I struggled to stay within my budget while still providing the healthiest food choices for my family.

Over the years I discovered a few great ways to save money on organic foods. If you are struggling to buy organic foods and stick to your grocery budget, I hope you find them helpful.

Stick to your meal plan and only buy what you need. I have found when I don't meal plan, we spend way more on groceries. The sad thing is when I don't meal plan, I usually over-buy which means wasted money on organic produce that goes bad before we can use it.
Base your menu around recipes that use whole foods. By sticking to a diet of lean meat, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits you will be acting in the best interest of your health. Even with choosing organic varieties, you will save money by skipping the processed junk.
Eat meatless meals a few nights a week. Organic meat is expensive, to be sure. My philosophy is it is better to eat a smaller amount of high quality organic, pastured meat than a ton of the cheaper meat from factory farms.
Practice portion control. Americans tend to eat way bigger portions than we need. Learn what a proper portion is and stick to it. Portion your foods in the kitchen and immediately take care of leftovers. Leftovers make great lunches. Or if you freeze enough leftovers, you can have a night off cooking!
Prioritize your organic food choices. If you are dealing with a small food budget, start with foods on the dirty dozen list. These are the list of 12 foods that are most contaminated by pesticides, like apples, celery, pears, lettuce, spinach, etc.
Seek out coupons on organic brands you use regularly. Check the websites of your favorite organic food companies and keep an eye out for printable coupons for organic foods.
Shop at local farmer's markets and bulk food shops. You can score some great deals on organic foods.
Start an organic garden and grow your own vegetables and fruits. Even if you grow in containers, this can make a huge dent in your food budget. The Earthbox system is a great way to start with organic vegetable gardening if you have little room for a garden.
Make your own organic convenience foods. Check out the recipes page here at Miss Organic's Kitchen for some ideas to get you started.
Keep an eye out for organic freebies and giveaways. Tropical Traditions constantly is sponsoring blog giveaways for organic foods. In addition, manufacturer's frequently send out samples. So keep your eye open.

So tell me.. What are your tips for adding more organic foods to your family's diet while still sticking to a budget?

This post is participating in Fantastic Frugal Fridays over at Frugality is Free and Frugal Fridays at Life as Mom.

Aloha Friday - February 18, 2011

2011-02-18T04:14:00.001-05:00

It's Aloha Friday at An Island Life! Take a break from posting and answer a simple question. Then be sure to check out all the other bloggers participating. It's a great way to get to know each other.

My Question this week:

I have been doing some winter sowing to get ready for my garden this spring. Winter sowing is where you use recycled containers, like yogurt cups or milk jugs, to make mini greenhouses that set outside all winter. The seeds germinate when the conditions are right in your area and there is no hassel of hardening-off like with seeds started inside. (See wintersown.org for more info.)

Do you have a garden each year? If so, have you started any seeds inside yet (or outside, if you are winter sowing)?

My Answer:

We have a huge vegetable garden each year, so I like to start nearly everything from seed. So far, I have started celery, eggplant, brussel sprouts, parsley, black-eyed susan vine, and johnny jump-ups. However, I am just getting started. Tomatoes and basil are next on my list.

If you are here from one of the blog hops and are a new follower, please leave a comment so I can follow you back.

This week I am participating in these great hops:

Book Review - 10 Lessons from a Former Fat Girl by Amy Parham

2011-02-17T06:01:00.001-05:00

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Amy Parham

and the book:

10 Lessons from a Former Fat Girl

Harvest House Publishers (January 1, 2011)

***Special thanks to Christianne Debysingh, Senior Publicist, Harvest House Publishers for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Amy Parham co-authored with her husband, Phil, The 90-Day Fitness Challenge and The 90-Day Fitness Challenge DVD. She and Phil were contestants on Season 6 of NBC’s The Biggest Loser. Over a seven-month period, they recorded the highest percentage of weight loss of any couple in the program’s history. Married for more than 20 years, they live in South Carolina with their three boys, Austin, Pearson, and Rhett.

Visit the author's website.

SHORT BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Former fat girl Amy Parham offers a practical, proven plan for changing not only the fat-girl body but also the fat-girl mentality. Focusing on the mental ,emotional, and spiritual aspects of our relationship with food and exercise, Amy shows how readers can make this a healthy partnership that brings permanent change.

Product Details:

List Price: $11.99
Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (January 1, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0736938656
ISBN-13: 978-0736938655

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

We All Have an Empty Place

We’re all searching for something to fill up what I like to call that big, God-shaped hole in our souls. Some people use alcohol, or sex, or their children, or food, or money, or music, or heroin. A lot of people even use the concept of God itself. I could go on and on. I used to know a girl who used shoes. She had over two-hundred pairs. But it’s all the same thing, really. People, for some stupid reason, think they can escape their sorrows.

— Tiffanie DeBartolo, God-Shaped Hole

My earliest memories were such happy ones. Mom had dinner on the table when Dad came home from work, and my two sisters and I laughed and talked about our day with our parents. It was the best feeling. Everything about our family felt so right and secure. I remember Mom walking me to kindergarten every day at a church around the corner from my house. In that same church parking lot, my dad taught me how to ride a bike without training wheels. He also taught me to fly a kite, and with his help, I won a blue ribbon in a kite-flying competition at my school.

I had my own bedroom with a yellow gingham canopy bed and a playhouse in the backyard. There was also a dogwood tree that I climbed all the time. My best friend, Teresa, lived across the street, and my grandparents lived nearby. Life was good and felt normal, but when I turned eight years old, my seemingly perfect life changed forever.

A Growing Hole

Dad quit his longtime job at a local radio station in South Carolina to pursue a job at another radio station in West Palm Beach, Florida. We had to sell our house immediately and move to what seemed to me to be a different planet. I will never forget the image of Teresa and me standing by the “For Sale” sign in our front yard. We bawled our eyes out and held each other so tight because we knew we might not ever see each other again.

When we got to Florida, the five of us moved into a tiny apartment. There was nothing wrong with the apartment, but I was uncomfortable because I was used to living in a larger space and having a big yard to play in. My sisters and I barely had enough room to squeeze past each other on the way to the bathroom. My new school was huge compared to the one I attended in South Carolina. But the worst thing was that while everyone knew and loved me at my old school, I was now the new girl at school, and I got ridiculed for it. I felt insecure, unsure of myself, and alone. I wanted to go back to my happy, carefree life.

This was the first time I remember being unhappy and having no control over my circumstances. I was deeply sad, and it felt like I had an empty hole in my soul. Thankfully, we only stayed in Florida for one year, but things would never go back to how they were before. I would never regain the sense of normalcy I had so desperately craved.

When we came back to South Carolina, we moved to a different city, and my parents bought a restaurant and ice-cream parlor. It was hard work building a new business, and the stress took a toll on Mom and Dad. They began to fight all the time about money and other issues. It got so bad that they divorced.

When my parental situation turned upside down, I found myself in a world that lacked security and stability. Suddenly, I was being raised by a single mother, and as the oldest daughter at ten years old, there was a lot of pressure on me to help my mom care for my two sisters. She worked very hard (sometimes up to 18 hours a day), and I know she did her best to keep food on the table and clothes on our backs. She usually had no time to tuck us in at night and tell us bedtime stories because she worked such long hours.

My sisters (who were four and six years old) and I spent a lot of time at home alone. As much as we tried to pick up after ourselves, you can imagine how messy three kids can be. I felt terrible when my mother would come home, tired from working so much, and be cranky because the house was such a disaster. I never felt like I could do enough to make Mom happy or fix our broken home life.

Many mornings she had to get to work at the crack of dawn and woke us up at three in the morning to take us to the restaurant. She made us a makeshift bed on the concrete floor in the back room and let us sleep there while she worked. This was not an ideal environment for kids, but she was doing the best she could.

It wasn’t her fault. The problem was me. I felt the hole inside my heart growing bigger and bigger, and I desperately needed something to fill it.

Enter the Banana Split

I remember one particular day when I was playing outside the restaurant and decided to go visit the couple who worked at the dry cleaners next door. The owners were in their late twenties and had no children of their own. They were kind enough to let me hang out with them sometimes, and it made me feel good.

In my mind, I felt “less than” because my life had changed so drastically in only two years. I was nothing like the other kids at school and always felt out of place. This couple welcomed, accepted, and loved me just the way I was. They talked to me like I was one of their peers, and I appreciated the kindness and warmth they showed me.

This day was like any other day that I would drop by for a visit. I had been sitting at the counter and talking to the wife for about 20 minutes when her husband walked in. He abruptly told me that it was time for me to go. He said that their business was no place for children and that I shouldn’t hang out there so much.

I was hurt to my core and very embarrassed. I thought they were my friends, but they were abandoning me. I tried my best to maintain my composure and make myself believe that it didn’t matter. I reassured myself that I didn’t need them and was fine on my own. I remember announcing to them that I was leaving, anyway, to go to make a banana split for myself.

I guess in my own childlike way, I was trying to hold on to my self-respect by pointing out that I could have a banana split anytime I wanted one. Maybe it seems silly, but for me that moment was a turning point because it concerned food. I ended up making myself that banana split and hoping it would fill some of the rejection and the emptiness I had been feeling for so long. It was the first time I used food for comfort, but it would definitely not be the last time.

Bigger and Bigger

As I got older, I gained weight and came under the attack of my grandmother who constantly told me I was chubby. My two sisters were in this weight battle with me. What else would anyone expect from kids who ate fast food and ice cream every day for years? Being overweight compounded our problems in school. Not only were we still the new kids on the block, but we had also become the fat kids.

My youngest sister had an especially hard time with children teasing her. To this day, she talks about the negative memories — one of which was having to shop for clothes in the husky department at Sears — that have haunted her through the years. Not only did she suffer from a kidney problem that made her gain even more weight, she also had an eye condition and had to wear coke-bottle glasses. She felt like such an outcast, and it broke my heart. At this point, I had taken on the role of surrogate mother for my sisters. I felt responsible for them and believed it was my job to protect them. I hated to see them suffer so much.

I don’t say all of this to blame my parents. I know they both loved us girls very much and did their best at the time, but the fact was I felt very alone and abandoned. While my mom worked long hours to support us, my father took up a new life. He started dating a woman soon after the divorce. We didn’t realize how serious the relationship was until we found out they had gotten married. My sisters and I weren’t even invited to the wedding.

Yet again, I felt I was left behind as he started a whole new life without my sisters and me. This feeling was further reinforced when he purchased a two-seater sports car. I remember thinking that there wasn’t enough room for my sisters and me. Where were we going to fit in? To me, the car was a symbol of how we weren’t a part of Dad’s life anymore.

My void grew deeper with each passing day. As I shoved more food into my mouth to soothe the pain that wouldn’t go away, my weight crept up.

When I was eleven years old, my friend Beth invited me to attend her church youth group one night. My grandfather was a Pentecostal preacher, and church was a big part of our lives. We visited many churches through the years and spent many weeks during the summers at different vacation Bible schools, which were hosted by local congregations. I had even accepted Christ into my heart at a young age.

Since moving back to South Carolina, however, our family had stopped going to church. I missed it. The thought of visiting one with my friend absolutely thrilled me. When I arrived at the service, I immediately felt as if I belonged. I was in a wonderful place where people loved and cared about each other. It felt like I was home again. Church became my refuge. I especially felt drawn to the youth pastor, Sam. He quickly became a father figure to me, and I felt like I could tell him anything.

This reconnection with church sparked the beginning of a deepening relationship with God. Every Tuesday night, the church bus would drive to my house and take me to church. It was there that I experienced overwhelming love from others, and I discovered that God wanted to fill up the empty hole inside of my heart.

My faith commitment didn’t mean that my problems were suddenly solved. I didn’t ride off into the sunset of my new, happily-ever-after future. It just meant that for the first time in a long time, I felt like I had a lifeline. I had hope. My heart had a chance to become whole.

By learning about God’s love for me, I realized that because we are all human, we all carry with us a certain measure of hurt and pain. This is a part of the sin nature of humankind. But that was not all. I also discovered that God created us with a space that only He can fill. He wanted to be the one to fill my voids and heal my hurts. The pain I was trying to mask with ice cream was a pain that only He could mend.

The Fat Girl Thinks She Is in Control

I want you to know that emptiness is normal. If you feel as if you need to numb the pain or soothe your soul with something outside of yourself, you are not alone. We all endure suffering from time to time. It’s a normal process of living in a sinful world.

While emptiness is normal, it is how you fill the emptiness that will determine whether you are a fat girl or a fit girl. These two chicks cope with problems in different ways. The fit girl chooses God. The fat girl chooses unhealthy addictions. The fat girl can use many different ways to try to heal the hurt on the inside. Some abuse food, drugs, or alcohol or become addicted to work, hobbies, or unhealthy relationships. It might be hard to believe, but some folks can even abuse exercise to an addictive level.

Let me tell you something. The hole that is formed inside of us is not shaped like an ice-cream cone, a vodka bottle, a cigarette, or a good-looking guy. The hole is shaped like the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. He is the one who is meant to fill our empty places and heal our hurts.

I like to think about it this way. We have been created like puzzles with a missing piece. That piece is a relationship with God. He wants us to invite Him into our hearts. The closer we walk with God, the less we will search for other things to fill the hole. This is something the fit girl knows and understands.

I will be honest with you. There have been many times in my life, especially as a fat girl, when I have drifted away from my relationship with the Lord. I’m not a psychiatrist, but I believe that because of the instability I felt as a result of my parent’s divorce, I made a decision as a little girl that when I became an adult, I would be self-sufficient. I would take care of myself so that bad things would never happen to me again.

As most of us know, life usually doesn’t turn out as smooth as we hope it will. Bad things happen to everyone. Here’s a reality check. In life, people will disappoint us one way or another. If you have never been hurt or offended by someone, then you just might be an alien from outer space. The fact is none of us can measure up to perfection, and since we can’t, then certainly life will never be perfect.

My sense of independence severely impaired me when it came to trusting God with my life. I voiced my commitment to Him, but when things got tough or trials came my way, I wanted to take back my commitment. I wanted to do things my way instead of His way. When I turned away from God, that original hole in my heart would reappear, and I temporarily filled it with something. My choices were usually food, of course, and sometimes alcohol or the attention of the opposite sex. None of those things ever gave me true contentment because nothing outside of God could fulfill me.

A significant time I pulled away from God was when my son Rhett was diagnosed with autism. I was 35 at the time, and Rhett was 3. Autism is a spectrum disorder that presents different social and psychological abnormalities in some children. The main challenges we had with Rhett were that he screamed nonstop and was very sensitive to certain sounds. He also had a high threshold for pain. If he was hurting, he didn’t know how to tell us, and so my husband and I were always afraid that he might be sick and we would never know.

We faced other obstacles with our son. Rhett acted as if he had no fear. He was always jumping off the top of the sliding board, and one time he even climbed out of his bedroom window and onto the roof. He exhibited destructive behaviors, colored on the walls, overfilled the bathroom sink or tub with water, and broke things around the house at random. Because he couldn’t communicate in a normal manner, he was easily frustrated.

It was a very sad and dark time in our lives. I was utterly exhausted. I couldn’t believe that God would allow my child to be this way, especially because I tried to live a good Christian life. For goodness sake, I even served Him in ministry at church! Why me? This was the question I constantly asked myself whenever I threw a pity party, which was quite often. This should not happen to someone like me, I thought.

I determined that if my son could suffer from autism when God was supposed to be in control, then maybe I should take back the reins of my life and chart my own course. I would figure out how to fix Rhett. I would find a way to make him better by myself. Who needed God? I was pretty sure I could handle things on my own.

As I focused on being in control, guess what happened? That’s right. The hole that formed when my family fell apart grew bigger. And that’s when the fat girl came out in full force. When it came time for bed, I was so exhausted from trying to do everything on my own that I would fall into a heap on the sofa. I spent many nights with my new comforters—a bowl of ice cream or a bag of chips. Oh, I still had conversations with God, but they were more like yelling matches. I would demand that He fix Rhett in the spirit of “You got me into this mess, God, so You’d better get me out of it.”

One day as I was driving down the road and screaming at God yet again, He gently put me in my place. A still, small voice spoke quietly to my heart and said, “Amy, you aren’t perfect, and I love you. Why does Rhett have to be perfect for you to love him?” Talk about getting hit right between the eyes! I knew that God was absolutely right. I was definitely not perfect, and instead of loving Rhett for who he was and dealing with the situation at hand, I had been focusing on making him normal (whatever that even means). At that moment I shifted my focus and asked God to forgive me. I asked Him to help me trust Him with Rhett and the other challenges in my life.

I quickly came to the realization that when I controlled my life, I only made more of a mess of it. It was a lesson I would continue to learn even after I lost the weight and transformed into a fit girl. (By the way, you’ll quickly find out that the fit girl is always learning!)

A week later, I was at church, and as I listened to the sermon, the pastor stopped in the middle of what he was saying and told the congregation that he felt led to say something specific. He said that there was someone in the service who didn’t know how much longer they could hang on, and that they should be encouraged because God was about to perform a miracle in their life.

I was stunned. Only a few days earlier, I mumbled something to myself about not being able to take these problems anymore. Not only was I dealing with my weight — I was 230 pounds at that point — and Rhett’s autism diagnosis, but my husband, Phillip, and I had also lost a business right after we had purchased a home that needed thousands of dollars worth of renovations. I was emotionally drained by these problems. It seemed I couldn’t get a break.

I felt as if the pastor was talking to me. It was the encouragement I needed to hear. Maybe my life would get better! Within days, the miracles started happening. First, we found out about a therapy called “audio integration” that proved to be a miracle cure for Rhett. It stopped his sensitivity to sound and his constant screaming. We were able to catch and keep his attention for a long period of time, and for the first time, I felt he could actually begin to learn. Second, our financial situation started to turn around as we found new careers in real estate.

When things started changing for the better, Phil and I specifically realized we had been feeding our physical bodies instead of filling our spiritual bodies. In the process, we had become morbidly obese. It was time to begin the journey to lose the weight. For me, it was time to say good-bye to the fat girl and hello to the fit girl.

What about you? What’s your story? I have met people all over the country who have stories that make mine seem like a walk in the park. One such lady that I met recently told me that her problems with her weight began right after her husband committed suicide. That in itself is a horrifying traumatic event, and now this woman is left to pick up the pieces of a family torn apart by tragedy. This affected her and her family emotionally, mentally, and financially. Five years later this lady is obese, depressed, and struggling to support her family. My heart goes out to people like this because I see the magnitude of their holes and how they are desperately trying to fill them.

Pascal wrote, “What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace? This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things that are not there the help he cannot find in those that are, though none can help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words by God himself.” In this he describes the search that is familiar to the fat girl. So many people are on this journey to fill that hole in their hearts.

Another time I met a beautiful young woman with an incredible singing talent. She is tall and blonde and beautiful in spite of the more than 100 pounds she wants to lose. She shared with me that when she was in high school, her stepfather was murdered. Before that she had never had a weight problem, but that event threw her into such a depression that she could hardly get out of bed in the morning. Her grades suffered, and she had to drop out of school for a while. She began eating to comfort herself in her grief.

These people suffered a pain that pierced their hearts like a bullet and left a hole that couldn’t be healed. They needed the Comforter to heal them, but instead they turned to food. Does this sound familiar? Have your fat-girl tendencies to heal yourself left you more depressed and burdened with extra weight? Have you suffered in a way that you feel no one can understand? Do you feel that there is no way out of the pain that plagues you day and night? It’s time to become the fit girl.

What a Fit Girl Knows

Fit girls know that making the right nutrition choices and getting regular exercise are only half the battle. The real key to losing weight and keeping it off is in fighting a spiritual and mental battle. When I lost all the weight while on The Biggest Loser, I found that many issues from my past reappeared. When it was time for the fit girl to deal with her internal fears and let go of the crutches the fat girl held on to for dear life, I felt like a scared kid curled up in a corner in a fetal position. I had to give that scared little girl permission to rise up and be strong. Why? Because fit girls are strong and are not afraid to face challenges, obstacles, or their fears. I had to show the fat girl what a fit girl is capable of.

As a fat girl, I focused on naming things I couldn’t do. After I started losing weight, I was on a mission to prove the fat girl wrong. I climbed mountains, kayaked rivers, hiked the Grand Canyon, and endured physical challenges that I never thought I could face. Being able to witness my own strength for the first time in my life and overcome the impossible was just the beginning of my fit-girl transformation. Healing my heart on the inside would prove to be a bigger challenge than climbing the biggest mountain I could find, but it was only when my heart healed that I was able to find the fit girl.

You may be asking, “Who is the fit girl?” The fit girl is you when you discover that the hole on the inside of you is designed to be filled by God, your heavenly Father and the Creator of the universe. The fit girl is you when you realize that the compulsion to fill an internal void with food, alcohol, or other stuff is futile because only God can fill that place. The fit girl is you when you realize that you don’t need to comfort yourself with anything but God because you know He loves you very much and wants nothing but the best for your life.

The Bible says that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (see Hebrews 11:1 nkjv). Faith in God is the belief that He is the substance you need for the life you dream of but have yet to see. For the fit girl, a life worth dreaming about is one where she doesn’t have to fill the empty places in her life with things outside of God when pressures get to her.

Remember how I said I would continue to learn this lesson? Well, when I was going through the process of losing weight, I faced different kinds of temptations to fill the void. My new alternatives to filling the void were worse than the food addiction.

For instance, as I got thinner, I was getting attention from men other than my husband. I hadn’t experienced that kind of attention in years, and to be honest, I liked it. In fact, I liked it so much that I realized that even though I was a happily married woman, I still sought after male attention to prove that I was attractive. I liked it when other men thought I was pretty, and so I didn’t discourage harmless flirtations. As you can imagine, my husband didn’t find this behavior an acceptable replacement for my food cravings.

Before I knew it, I found myself switching from one addiction to another. I stopped caring about welcoming glances from men and started drinking red wine. That occasional one glass of wine quickly turned into two or three glasses a few nights a week. Obviously the fat girl wasn’t just an outside issue but an issue of the heart. I had a heart problem, and I needed a healer.

So once again I turned to the Lord and asked Him to heal me and be my guide. I asked Him to fill me with His Holy Spirit and show me how to change my heart. I asked Him to reveal to me the keys to change my reactions to life and its challenges and pressures. It was then that God, once again, asked me to have faith in Him and trust Him with my life. He didn’t want to be my acquaintance. He wanted to be my Lord. Thankfully, I said yes to that process. I haven’t looked back since.

What about you? Have you noticed that your struggles are similar to mine? Do you have a hole in your heart that you are trying to fill up with addictive behaviors like compulsive shopping, drinking too much, or smoking cigarettes? Have you lost weight and found yourself holding on to things that have replaced a food addiction? What’s your new drug of choice?

Often weight can be a security blanket to keep from having to deal with sensitive things going on in the heart, and uncovering those hurts can be a painful process. Know this: God loves you and wants you to be whole and fit. He wants to build a relationship with you so that you can allow Him to fill every part of your life. It’s not enough to occasionally chat with Him through a prayer. God wants to be your partner and your friend. He wants to transform you from the inside out! He wants you to be a fit girl.

For everything you have missed, you have gained something else, and for everything you gain, you lose something else. — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Transformation Tips

I want you to do something for me. Find a really quiet place and go there by yourself. I know this might be hard if you have little kids or a busy schedule, but carve out some time to sit in the quiet and set your daily routine aside for a while. This is important. (By the way, finding a few minutes alone to meditate and pray is a great thing to do at the end of each of these lessons.)

During this quiet time, pray and ask God to reveal some things that may be holding you back from being the fit girl He made you to be. He may bring things to your mind that you haven’t thought about in years. You may have buried feelings, situations, or experiences you didn’t want to deal with back then — things God wants you to uncover today. God can show you these things through dreams or even nightmares. Identify whatever comes to your mind and write them down in a journal.

Here is a list of questions that will help you with this process and show you some things that may be keeping the fit girl at bay. Take some time to meditate on these questions and pray about your answers. Ask God to speak into your heart.

What are my earliest childhood memories? Are they happy ones? Sad ones?
How have these memories shaped my life?
Are there people from my past who I need to forgive or ask to forgive me?
What role does God have in my life? Can I draw closer to Him?
In my relationships with others, does the way I act cause hurt feelings? Concerning myself, does my behavior cause harm or is it self-destructive?
These might be hard questions for you to think about, but it’s what you have to do if you want to transform yourself into a fit girl. Finally, I want you to pray about each revelation and ask God to show you how to make changes in the areas that need some work. Trust that He will give you the strategies to heal the places that need healing.

Commit to having a closer relationship with God and listening more closely when He speaks to your heart. He may ask you to call someone and ask them to forgive you for being angry with them. He may tell you that you are going to have to end relationships in your life that are unhealthy. Whatever it is you feel He is leading you to do, do it. This is the beginning of the healing journey and finding the fit girl in you!

Your Prayer

Father, please help me realize that only You can fulfill me, and that I need only You to fill the empty spaces inside me. Help me turn away from the temptation to fill my empty spaces with anything else. I pray that You would give me the strength to continually make the choice to relinquish control of my life to You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Quinoa Salad with Avocado Dressing Recipe

2011-02-16T08:30:00.002-05:00

Quinoa is one of our favorite grains. It is a great for vegetarians to add to their diet, because it is higher in protein that other whole grains. If you have never tried quinoa, I urge you to give this recipe a try. If you can cook rice, you can cook quinoa.

This particular dish started out with a recipe from 101 Cookbooks. However over the past year or so, I have messed around with it so much, that it is quite different now. We love to take this recipe in a cooler on picnics in the summer. It is full of protein and heart-healthy fats. Plus it tastes yummy!

Quinoa Salad with Avocado Dressing

2 cups quinoa, rinsed well.
4 cups water
1 avocado
1 lemon, juiced
2 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped fine
1/4 cup green onions, sliced
4 oz yogurt cheese (or a sharp cheddar), shredded
4 hard-boiled eggs, diced

Bring the water and quinoa to a boil. Cover and reduce heat. Cook for 20 minutes. Cool completely. In a food processor, combine avocado, juice from the lemon, garlic cloves, and salt. Process until smooth. If it is too thick to pour, add a tbs of water at a time until it is thinner. Combine well with the cooled quinoa. Mix in the remaining ingredients. Refrigerate for a couple of hours. Serve chilled.

A few notes about quinoa:

Quinoa is ideal for people with gluten intolerance. Some grocery stores even carry pasta made from quinoa.
Quinoa needs to be rinsed well before cooking. The grain has a saponin coating that makes it taste bitter if not well-rinsed.
You can tell quinoa is cooked when the little rings separate from the grain.

Enjoy!

Natural Remedies - Easing the Symptoms of a Cold without medicine

2011-02-15T08:27:00.001-05:00

Living in a house with 6 people, we generally pass around at least one cold during the winter. While I will resort to taking some Nyquil to sleep if I am feeling really bad, I do prefer to let the cold run its course. I will, however, do a few things to help ease my symptoms.

Natural Ways to Ease the Symptoms of a Cold

Rest - While most busy moms might laugh at the thought of getting to rest while they are sick, it really can help bolster your immune system. Take a nap when your kids do. Tape your favorite shows and go to bed early. Have your husband cook dinner or get take out. These are all ways you can catch some extra sleep. It is amazing the difference a few extra hours of sleep can make when you are run down from a cold.
Drink water as hot as you can stand it. I don't know if there is any scientific studies to prove this works, but I have found it helps shorten the duration of a cold by washing all the gunk out of the back of my throat. I do this several times a day. Just be careful not to burn your throat. For additional health benefits, I make The Nourishing Gourmet's Lemon, Garlic, and Honey tea. I use this in the morning to help clear out nasal congestion. Simply steep 2 minced garlic cloves in boiling water for 5 minutes, then add the juice from half a lemon, and a tsp of raw honey. It tastes like hot lemonade but it does soothe the throat. Both garlic and honey have antibacterial properties.
Use a Neti Pot to help cleanse your nasal passages. My husband thinks it is disgusting, but it does help clear my nasal passages. I think that it works even better as a preventative treatment though. Neti pots are used in many other cultures as part of their daily hygiene rituals.
Vitamin C, Zinc, and Ecchinacea all have been reported to help shorten the duration of a cold. In my own experience, vitamin C seems to help me not get a cold in the first place. I have not seen any duration in the length of a cold by taking supplements. I did have moderate success in using Zinc nasal gel. However, you should note that you need to meticulously clean the applicator with alcohol following each use. Otherwise, you are going to keep reinfecting yourself with the same bug. Also, be sure to read package directions. With all supplemental vitamins and minerals, you run the risk of exceeding recommended daily amounts. Too much zinc can interfere with the absorption of other minerals, so you need to heed package warnings.
Eat raw garlic. Garlic has antibiotic properties and helps boost immunity. I can't eat it raw straight because it irritates my stomach. However, if I mash it and mix it with some butter, I can eat it on toast. I still need plenty of water to get it down, but my stomach isn't irritated that way.

So what do you do to help ease a cold?

Healthy Weekly Meal Plan - February 14, 2011

2011-02-14T09:02:00.000-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
I hope you have a wonderful day!

So here's what we are eating this week:

Monday: Valentine's Dinner (everything is red or heart-shaped). Pizza Meatloaf, Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes (tinted with a roasted red pepper), roasted radishes, and Strawberry Dream for dessert

Tuesday: Black Bean Burritos, Copycat Chipotle Rice, Carrot Sticks
Prep work the night before: Soak black beans
Prep work that morning: Cook black beans. Freeze any extras in 2 cup portions.

Wednesday: Roasted Chicken, Rice Pilaf, Steamed Broccoli
Prep work the night before: Soak rice
Prep work that morning: Cook rice.

Thursday: Lentil and Beef Sloppy Joes, Homemade English Muffins, Roasted Cauliflower
Prep work the night before: Sprout lentils, Soak English Muffin dough
Prep work that morning: Make English Muffins

Friday: Cheesy Chicken Asparagus Bake, Salad
Prep work the night before: Soak rice
Prep work that morning: Cook rice.

Saturday: Homemade Pizza, Broccoli Slaw Salad, Fruit Salad
Prep work the night before: Soak pizza dough
Prep work that morning: Cut up veggies

For more recipe ideas, check out our past healthy weekly meal plans. If you are trying to fit more organic foods into your budget, be sure to check out our Organic Eating on a Budget article. Feel free to leave a comment there if you find it helpful, or have a tip to share.

Visit Organizing Junkie for even more great meal plan ideas.
So tell me...
What healthy foods are on your meal plan this week?

Meal Planning Saves Time and Money

2011-02-11T08:26:00.000-05:00

I try very hard each week to plan out a menu. I have discovered that on weeks I don't plan a menu, we tend to eat out several times throughout the week. With 6 members in our family, that can run us $40 to $50 each time. So it is definitely worth my time to plan a menu and stick to it.

The many benefits of meal planning:

Menu Planning Saves Money. You don't have to eat out because you have nothing planned for that evening's meal. In addition, by going into the grocery store with a shopping list created from your menu, you are less likely to make impulse purchases.
Menu Planning Avoids Spoiled Food. Because you take an inventory of your fridge and pantry before you plan your menu, you are able to use up the food in your fridge before it goes bad, wasting money.
Menu Planning Saves Time. You don't have to spend time each day figuring out what to make for dinner or make multiple trips to the grocery store. You already know what you will be making and have the ingredients in the house.

I have to admit, I don't always get around to planning my meals each week. It takes an hour or two to plan everything out, and weekends can be hectic with the kids' activities. On weeks like this, I fall back on a meal planning service that comes complete with a shopping list. There are several out there and I have tried a couple. The most economical by far has been E-Mealz. I love that they have multiple plans available to fit your dietary needs. In addition they have plans tailored to where you shop. What I did was get a 3-month subscription. I made sure to save the menus each week. Then when I am pressed for time, I fall back on one of the E-mealz menu plans. I am not spending money on the ongoing service, but yet I am able to utilize it when I don't have time to sit down and plan a menu. The 3 month subscription definitely provided enough variety that it complements the meal plans I have designed. It has been a good system for us thus far. I never have to worry about what we are going to have for meals. I know it saves us several hundred dollars a month in wasted food each month.

So tell me...
Do you meal plan? What system works for you?

Aloha Friday / Follow Friday - February 11, 2011

2011-02-11T04:34:00.009-05:00

It's Aloha Friday at An Island Life! Take a break from posting and answer a simple question. Then be sure to check out all the other bloggers participating. It's a great way to get to know each other.

My Question this week:

Are you doing anything special for Valentine's Day this year?

My Answer:

Since our Mondays are hectic with scout meetings, we will be celebrating Valentine's Day on Sunday. I always have a special meal where everything is either pink or heart-shaped. For dessert, we have Valentine Napoleans. I also get a small gift for each of the kids. This year I am thinking about heart shaped pizza meatloaf with mashed potatoes dyed pink with a tiny bit of beet juice.

If you are here from one of the blog hops and are a new follower, please leave a comment so I can follow you back.

This week I am participating in these great hops:

Valentine's Day Strawberry Banana Sorbet Recipe

2011-02-10T17:20:00.005-05:00

Each year on Valentine's Day, we have a special meal. Everything is either heart-shaped or pink. It is definitely something to look forward to during the dreariness of winter. This sorbet originally started as a recipe I found a long time ago in Taste of Home. The original recipe was for a molded gelatin dessert and involved strawberry gelatin and applesauce.

The recipe has since evolved into a yummy strawberry banana sorbet that I freeze in heart-shaped silicone cupcake liners. Using a silicone mold makes it so easy to unmold the sorbet after it is frozen. The banana adds enough sweetness that no additional sugar is needed, so it is a dessert you can feel good about serving anytime.

Valentine's Day Strawberry Banana Sorbet Recipe

Ingredients:

1 packet unflavored gelatin
1/4 cup warm water
12 oz bag frozen organic strawberries, thawed
1 cup organic applesauce (no sugar added)
1 ripe banana, pureed

Dissolve the gelatin in the warm water. Meanwhile puree the strawberries in a food processor. Heat the strawberry puree over medium heat until it just comes to a boil. Whisk in the gelatin until no clumps remain. Whisk in the applesauce and pureed banana. Pour into individual heart-shaped silicone molds, and freeze until solid.

Makes approx. 3 cups.

Per 1/2 cup serving:

63 calories
0 grams fat
2.4 grams fiber

This post is participating in Fun with Food Friday at Paisley Passions, I'm Lovin' It at Tidy Mom, Friday Favorites at Simply Sweet Home, and Feature Yourself Friday over at Fingerprints on the Fridge.

Kitchen Flop - Valentine Soft Pretzels

2011-02-10T16:53:00.000-05:00

My grandmother absolutely loves my homemade soft pretzels. So I thought I would make them pink and heart-shaped. I wanted to take some over to her on Valentine's Day as a treat.

I hate using food coloring, so I tried to think of a way to make the pretzels pink some other way. I settled on strawberry puree for part of the water. I thought that would be fun. I upped the honey a bit and figured they could be a sweet pretzel. Since I was planning on playing around with the recipe, I figured I better make a trial batch first to see if it worked. It's a good thing I did!

First of all, instead of pink dough, it turned sort of grey. (I guess that is because of the whole wheat flour.) I could have dealt with the color if they tasted good. The dough rose well, which was good since I wasn't sure how it would do with the fruit puree substitution for part of the water. So I shaped them into cute little hearts and hoped for the best.

Unfortunately I wasn't all that pleased with the taste either. They were slightly sweet, but if I hadn't known it was strawberries in there, I wouldn't have known what the flavor was exactly. The only plus was that they look cute and I figured out how to shape them to get them to stay in the heart shape.

Sigh. I guess I will be sticking to my regular soft pretzel recipe and will just shape them into hearts.

Sometimes my kitchen experiments just don't work! So tell me... Have you had any flops in the kitchen lately?

Coupon for Muir Glen Organic Tomatoes

2011-02-08T13:10:00.000-05:00

Coupons for organic products tend to be few and far between so I like to pass along any that I find. Right now there is a printable coupon for 75 cents off any can of Muir Glen organic tomatoes. If you watch for a sale and go to a store that doubles coupons, you could score some organic tomatoes for close to free.

You can print 2 copies. If you are interested, be sure to print them right away. Sometimes these coupons disappear quickly. The Muir Glen coupon was on page 6 or so for me.

If you have a Mypoints account, be sure to print a couple of copies from there as well. You get 10 points for every coupon you redeem using Mypoints. If you aren't already a MyPoints member, use the contact me link and send me an email. I will be happy to send you a referral link.

Overnight Caramel French Toast Recipe

2011-02-08T07:09:00.003-05:00

Today I would like to share with you one of our favorite breakfasts for the weekend - Overnight Caramel French Toast. We don't make it all the time because it is fairly high in sugar, but it makes a nice treat every once in awhile. This nice thing is it makes its own syrup so you don't need to add any.

Unlike regular french toast, this is prepared like a casserole. The bread is allowed to soak up the milk overnight and then you bake it in the morning. Quick and easy, with no standing over a skillet flipping slices.

You might be tempted to slice this recipe in 6, but trust me, 12 is better. This recipe is extremely rich. We usually make it with some scrambled eggs on the side to balance the sweetness. A small glass of green smoothie would be great with it too, as the fiber from all the greens would help balance the glycemic response from the french toast.

Overnight Caramel French Toast Recipe

12 slices whole grain bread (look for 3 or more grams of fiber per slice if you don't make your own)
1 cup sucanat or rapidura
1/2 cup butter
2 tbs honey or agave nectar
6 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp sea salt

In a medium sized pan, cook the sucanat, butter, and honey on the stove, stirring often, until it just starts to boil. Remove from heat and pour into a greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Lay 6 slices of bread over the caramel layer then lay the remaining 6 slices on top of the original bread layer. In a large bowl, beat the remaining ingredients. Pour over top of the bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes, then cut and serve.

Makes 12 servings.

Per serving:

310 calories
13.7 grams fat
4 grams fiber

(Actual nutrition information may vary depending on the bread you have available.)

About the ingredient choices:

It goes without saying, but I recommend organic ingredients if you have access.
I used Private Selection Flax and Fiber bread in this recipe. It has a whopping 4 grams of fiber per slice! Homemade whole grain bread would be best, but I didn't have any made. If you don't make your own bread, look for varieties that are higher in fiber with no high fructose corn syrup in the ingredients.
Look for butter from pastured cows if you can find it. It is higher in CLA. You want a bright yellow color in your butter, not the pale color that you will find in most butters at the grocery store. Kerry Gold, although expensive, is a great brand. Trader Joes has the best price on it around here.
The original recipe called for corn syrup, but I have found that honey or raw agave nectar makes a great substitution. Like most other ingredients, processing is everything. I like to start with raw honey or raw agave nectar if I can find it. Local honey is a great choice because then you can ask the beekeeper questions about how the honey is processed.
Look for eggs from pastured chickens. Just because an egg carton may state "free-range" or "cage-free" it does not mean that the chickens spent their days roaming around foraging for grass and bugs. Some eggs that are marketed this way still come from factory farms. Those labels just mean that the chickens have access to the outside, it doesn't mean they actually go outside. By looking for pastured eggs, you know the chickens were free to roam around outside. The bottom line is the proof is in the color of the yolk. Yolks should be orange, not the pale yellow that you find in most grocery store eggs. Of course, during the winter the yolks are going to be lighter than in the summer.
As for milk, I recommend raw if you can find it and afford it. Otherwise look for organic and non-homogenized. At any rate, avoid ultra high heat pasteurized if you can. Do you really want to be drinking milk that is so dead you can store it at room temperature for long periods of time? Think about what that heat must have done to the nutrients inside.

This post is linked up to the Recipe Roundtable at Sarah's Deals and Big Binder, Tasty Tuesdays at 33 Shades of Green, Tuesdays at the Table at All the Small Stuff, and Tasty Tuesday at For the Love of Blogs.

Congratulations to our latest winners!

2010-12-17T12:36:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to the winner of our Organically Grown Giveaway.

Kimberly said...: I voted for you today.

The winner has been emailed and has 48 hours to respond. Thanks to all who entered!

The winners of the I Caught Santa Giveaway are
Shelby B
Erin G
kkgray
Xmas Dolly
Biyagko

They have been emailed their code.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Free Kerrygold Butter

2010-12-12T09:03:00.000-05:00

At our house, we use Kerrygold butter because it comes from pastured cows. Studies have shown CLA is higher in pastured butter. The color of Kerrygold butter is bright yellow. When you compare it to the pale yellow store-brand butter that came from factory farm cows, I feel it is worth the extra cost.

Right now, if you take a brief survey about Kerrygold butters and cheeses, you get a printable coupon for a free Kerrygold butter or cheese, up to $7. Plus as with most Redplum printable coupons, you can print it twice! Kerrygold is regularly $4.99 at our Kroger.

Be sure to take advantage of this offer soon. It probably won't last long!

Aloha Friday - December 10, 2010

2010-12-10T04:33:00.001-05:00

It's Aloha Friday at An Island Life! Take a break from posting and answer a simple question. Then be sure to check out all the other bloggers participating. It's a great way to get to know each other.

My Question this week:

I read somewhere that the average American gains 5 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Years Day. Are you doing anything to avoid gaining weight this holiday season or are you making an effort to eat healthier?

My Answer:

I try to control my portions. Also if I know I am going to be at a party in the evening, I eat vegan (Eat for Life) for breakfast and lunch. By getting plenty of veggies and nutritious foods during the earlier part of the day, I don't feel too bad if I enjoy some small portions of holiday foods. I would love to say I exercise each day, but unfortunately during this time of the year, that doesn't always happen as I am rushing around making last minute Christmas preparations.

Green Stocking Stuffer Idea - Isabella Stainless Steel Water Bottle Review

2010-12-06T17:11:00.000-05:00

While I am not totally green, I have made great strides over the last year to reduce our carbon footprint. One of the changes our family implemented was to no longer buy plastic water bottles. You see, nearly every weekend in the spring, summer, and fall, you will find our family out geocaching and letterboxing. We always take along water as some of the hikes are quite long. Once we realized how many plastic water bottles we were contributing to landfills, we switched to reusable water bottles. However, reusable water bottles contain BPA, the safety of which is questionable. So I have wanted to take it a step further and switch entirely to stainless steel bottles for when we are out hiking.

I was very grateful when I recently had the chance to review an Isabella Stainless Steel Water Bottle. Isabella Water is a company whose mission is to help others have access to clean water. I love it when companies are formed to help others, and not just make a profit.

Isabella Water was founded on principle that everyone deserves clean drinking water. Did you know that one out of every eight people across the globe do not have access to clean drinking water? One out of eight! Here in the United States, clean drinking water is something I take for granted. I have never had to worry about not having drinking water available, or wonder if my water was safe to drink.

There are two things I really love about Isabella Water. One is that for every stainless steel water bottle purchased, Isabella Water donates almost half that money to help fund wells in Asia or Africa. How awesome is that? Second, I love that their water bottles are BPA and toxin free. We may have safe drinking water in this country, but that doesn't mean it always comes packaged in the safest containers. With Isabella water bottles, I don't have to worry that dangerous chemicals are leaching into my drinking water!

Another cool feature I love about their water bottles is that they have a wide mouth, which makes it easy to fill with ice cubes. When we are out hiking, we always take along ice water. Some of the bottles we have tried do not have a big enough mouth for ice cubes. It is nice that we will be able to easily fill our new Isabella water bottle with ice cubes for hot summer days.

I give Isabella Water Bottles a 2 thumbs up for their quality and the company's commitment to helping others. Are you looking for a green stocking stuffer for that special someone this Christmas? Why not consider giving them an Isabella stainless steel water bottle?

Stay connected with Isabella Water by following them on Twitter or Facebook.

Isabella water bottles are available for purchase on their website. Remember, for every bottle purchased, $10 goes to help fund wells in Asia and Africa!

A huge thank you to Isabella Water for the opportunity to review your product!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Healthy Weekly Meal Plan - December 6, 2010

2010-12-06T08:57:00.001-05:00

I don't know about the rest of you, but this time of year is crazy for me. I make a lot of handmade gifts so right now I am rushing to get everything done! Consequently lots of simple meals are on the menu this week.

So here's what we are eating this week:

Sunday: Make your own Chipotle night

Monday: Court of Honor dinner (Yay! I get a break from cooking!)

Tuesday: Mexican Pizzas, steamed brocolli, tangerines
Prep work the night before: Soak black beans
Prep work that morning: Cook black beans. Freeze any extras in 2 cup portions.

Wednesday: Leftover Lasagna, Carrots

Thursday: Beans and rice with salsa
Prep work the night before: Soak rice, soak beans
Prep work that morning: Cook rice, beans.

Friday: Homemade Pizza, Salad, Fruit Salad
Prep work the night before: Soak pizza dough
Prep work that morning: Cut up veggies

Saturday: Chicken and dumplings, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans

For more recipe ideas, check out our past healthy weekly meal plans.

Visit Organizing Junkie for even more great meal plan ideas.
So tell me...
What healthy foods are on your meal plan this week?

Aloha Friday - December 3, 2010

2010-12-03T05:59:00.002-05:00

It's Aloha Friday at An Island Life! Take a break from posting and answer a simple question. Then be sure to check out all the other bloggers participating. It's a great way to get to know each other.

My Question this week:

What's your favorite type of Christmas Cookie? Or if you celebrate another holiday during this season, what is your favorite holiday dessert?

My Answer:

It's a toss-up between Forget-me-nots and Russian Tea Cakes. I also love iced sugar cookies.

I Caught Santa Review and Giveaway

2010-12-02T14:37:00.003-05:00

Looking for a fun way to share a bit of holiday magic with your children? I Caught Santa is a great way to surprise your children on Christmas morning with "proof" that Santa has been to your house. Imagine your child's surprise when they see a picture of Santa standing in your living room!

I Caught Santa allows you to upload your own picture and then their service adds Santa to your picture. It literally only takes a few minutes from start to finish. You get to choose Santa's pose and then you can resize him until he looks just right in your photo. You then receive a digital copy of your photo which you can print, email, or share online.

Here is my before and after shot. I can't wait to see my youngest daughter's look of surprise when she sees the picture of Santa standing by our tree!

In addition to the photo, I Caught Santa also offers the option of purchasing a video of Santa moving around your room and leaving presents. How fun it that?

You can keep up with the latest fun at I Caught Santa by following them on Facebook or Twitter.

I Caught Santa photos are just $9.99 on their website. Videos are $4.99 extra. In honor of the holidays, Miss Organic's Kitchen Readers can take 25% off their order just by entering the code MISSORGANIC.

I Caught Santa would like to bless 5 Miss Organic's Kitchen readers with a code for a free I Caught Santa photo.

I know the holidays can be hectic so I am going to keep entry for this one simple. Simply follow Miss Organic's Kitchen on Google Friend Connect (right sidebar), then leave a comment telling me who you would surprise with the Santa photo if you were the winner. You can enter every day. Just leave a comment stating "daily entry" on subsequent days.

5 Great Blog Giveaways readers are going to win too, so be sure to enter over there as well.

Rules

This giveaway is open Worldwide.
This giveaway will end December 15, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST.
The winners will receive their code by email the next day so you have plenty of time to get your photo before Christmas.

Organically Grown Holiday Collection Review and Giveaway

2010-12-02T13:27:00.005-05:00

I have blogged about Organically Grown in the past. They are a wonderful clothing company that is all organic and eco-friendly. Organically Grown uses only organic cotton that contains no harsh chemicals to irritate your child's delicate skin. In addition to their absolutely adorable children's clothing, they also carry adult sizes and home decor. With products by Organically Grown, there is no need to find a compromise between sticking to your budget and purchasing environmentally-friendly clothes. As well as being eco-friendly, their clothing is affordable and stylish.

Organically Grown has recently come out with a new holiday line that features the cutest baby and toddler clothes. This season, their collection includes soft and cuddly outfits for baby at great prices. Their three-piece organic bodysuit sets are the perfect holiday gift, at only $20! Rounding out the line are gown, hat, and blanket sets, and a delightful variety of outfit sets for boys and girls. I am in love with the little reindeer coverall. Almost makes me wish I had a baby in the house... almost!

You can buy Organically Grown Clothing directly from their website.

Organically Grown has generously agreed to bless one Miss Organic's Kitchen reader with a baby outfit from their winter line. The winner will specify the gender and size (infants: newborn - 9 mos) and Organically Grown will choose a special outfit for them from the holiday/winter collection.

Mandatory Entry:

You must be a follower of Miss Organic's Kitchen (right sidebar) AND you must visit Organically Grown and leave a comment telling me what piece of clothing from their winter line you would choose if you were the winner. (1 entry)

Extra Entries:

Follow Organically Grown on Twitter. Leave a comment with your twitter username. (3 entries)
"Like" Organically Grown on Facebook. Leave a comment with your first name and last initial. (3 entries)
Leave a comment on Organically Grown's Facebook page telling that that Miss Organic's Kitchen sent you and let them know your favorite piece of Organically Grown Clothing. (3 entries)
Tweet about this giveaway including a link to this page and @NutritiontipsRD so I can see it. Leave a comment with your tweet link. Can tweet daily. (1 entry per day)
If you like you can copy and paste the following text.
Enter to win a baby outfit from Organically Grown's winter collection @NutritionTipsRD ends 12/15 http://bit.ly/hqtuJn #giveaway
Vote for us on Picket Fence Blogs (1 entry per day)

For more ways to earn extra entries, please visit our extra entries / rules page. The page will open in a new window for easy reference.

Rules

This giveaway is open to US only, age 18+.
This giveaway will end December 15, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST.
For complete rules, please visit our extra entries/rules page.

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. The opinions contained in this review are my own.

If you are interested in doing a giveaway and/or product review on my blog please contact me directly at missorganicskitchen (at) gmail.com. I would love to work with you!

Congratulations to our Gettin Fit Friday winner!

2010-12-02T10:21:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the delay in getting the winner chosen. It has been hectic around here! Anyway...

Congratulations to the winner of our Gettin' Fit Friday Giveaway!

Karen F said...: #2 for following with GFC

I will email the winner right now for their dvd choice. Will it be Jillian or Leslie to help whip them into shape? LOL
The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email or a new winner may be chosen.

Book Review - Everything Christmas by David Bordon and Thomas J. Winters

2010-12-02T09:42:00.006-05:00

I had the opportunity recently to review the book Everything Christmas by David Bordon and Thomas J. Winters. The book is set up like an Advent Calendar with recipes, poems, stories, and other Christmas tidbits for each day's reading. I started reading it yesterday and am looking forward to what each day's reading will reveal.

I have always loved learning about the origins of all the different holiday traditions. There are so many Christmas traditions that we follow every year without really knowing their roots. So I am excited to read all about them in this book. I also love reading about how treasured Christmas Carols came to be written. On the very first day of reading, I learned the story behind the song "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem".

Another neat feature of Everything Christmas is that scattered throughout the book are descriptions of how they celebrate Christmas in other countries. I find it interesting to read about how Christmas celebrations differ (and are the same) in other countries. I enjoyed reading this morning how they celebrate Christmas in England. It really isn't all that different from over here, except for the plum pudding. And thanks to Everyday Christmas, I now know what plum pudding is!

There are also fun little facts scattered throughout. Did you know that Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer was almost named Reginald or Rollo? The song just wouldn't be the same with Rollo the red-nosed reindeer.

I also have to say I love the traditional Christmas recipes that are included. I have already discovered one that I am going to use for our Christmas meal.

Glazed Ham (from Everyday Christmas)

1 boneless ham (4-6 pounds)
1/4 cup plus 2 tbs Maple Syrup
1 tbs cornstarch
2 tbs mustard
1 cup water
1/2 tsp pepper

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Place the ham in a roasting pan and cook for 45 minutes to warm the meat. Next mix the maple syrup, mustard, water, and pepper together to make a glaze. Brush half the glaze over the ham and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes. Repeat with the rest of the glaze and continue to bake for at least another 15 minutes, until the glaze is bubbly and has formed an even coat over the ham. Baste as needed.
(I may leave out the corn starch since I can't find any around here that is organic and from non-GMO corn. You know my feelings on GMO's! But I digress...)

Want a sneak peak to check out the book for yourself? You can read the first chapter at this link:
First Chapter Sneak Peak of Everything Christmas

I truly feel fortunate that I was able to review this book. It is a beautiful hardback book that would be perfect as a family Christmas gift. I love that Everything Christmas is full of little surprises. You never know what each day's reading will bring. It truly is like an advent calendar, with little treats waiting to be discovered. I think this is a book that will become a treasured part of our Christmas library. I can see myself pulling this out every Christmas and reading it daily.

Disclosure: I received a copy of Everything Christmas free of charge from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group to facilitate this review. I received no other compensation and the opinions stated are my own.

Genesis Today Review and an Awesome Giveaway!

2010-11-23T15:02:00.000-05:00

I recently had the opportunity to review the Genesis Today line of Superfruit juices. Their juices contain three of the nutritional superstars of the fruit world - pomegranate, acai berry, and goji berry. You may have heard about acai or goji berries in the news recently. They are just packed with nutrients and antioxidants. I actually have a young Goji berry bush that I planted this past spring because they are an amazingly nutritious addition to smoothies.

The Genesis Today company was founded by Dr. Lindsey Duncan, a Naturopathic Doctor and Certified Nutritionist who has been a trusted leader in the natural health products industry since 1983. After leading a successful nutrition practice in Santa Monica and logging over 40,000 hours of clinical experience, Dr. Lindsey wanted to do more. Dr. Lindsey has brought the superior, customized nutrition he had given his celebrity clients to everyone in America because he believes that no matter what your financial situation or your exercise routine, you deserve to be healthier, now

Genesis Today’s Superfruit juices are available in three flavors: Acai Berry, Cranberry Goji, and Pomegranate & Berries with Resveratrol. I was fortunate enough to be able to try Genesis Today's Cranberry Goji juice. I wasn't quite sure what to expect as Cranberry juice can be quite tart. I was pleasantly surprised. While it is a bit tart, it is also a bit sweet. I found I really enjoyed it.

Being a dietitian, I had to take a look at the ingredient label. I discovered that the juice is sweetened with stevia. Stevia is a no calorie sweetener. However, unlike artificial sweeteners that were created in a lab and have questionable safety, stevia comes from a plant. I actually grow stevia in my garden each summer to use to sweeten tea. Unlike other juices on the market, Genesis Today's line contains 100% fruit juice. I love that their juices don't contain any refined sugar or high fructose corn syrup.

I was also surprised to see that these juices meet the daily requirement of vitamin B12, which is especially important for vegans. One serving of juice also meets daily requirements for vitamin C and contains 100 mg of sea minerals.

Another thing I love is that you can find the Genesis Today Superfruit Juice line at Wal-mart. There is no need to go to a health food store to find them. My only complaint is that they don't have any varieties that are certified organic.

Right now Genesis Today is running a great sweepstakes.

Genesis Today will choose one lucky Grand Prize winner to receive the “Ask Dr. Lindsey – Prize Pack.” This will include a personal health consultation from Dr. Lindsey Duncan himself suited to your specific health and nutritional needs and will include a three (3) month supply of Genesis Today products – a $600 value!

Second Place will receive a three (3) month supply of Genesis Today Superfruit juices.
25 Runners up will receive a free bottle of Genesis Today Superfruit juices.

Enter now at: http://genesistoday.emgpromotions.com/

The deadline to enter is December 20, 2010. So be sure to get your entries in so you don't miss out on winning! Limit 1 entry per person. The giveaway is open to entrants in the Continental US who are over the age of 18.

Freebie - Diabetic Holiday Recipe Book!

2010-11-15T16:29:00.001-05:00

If you are a diabetic, then you know the holidays can be tough. Holidays treats are everywhere, tempting you. If you could use some tips for healthy holiday cooking, be sure to grab your copy of the Diabetic Holiday Recipe Book. It's free! Can't beat that!

CSN Stores $65 Gift Certificate winner!

2010-11-15T15:44:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to our latest winner of the $65 CSN Stores Gift Certificat!

Pricilla said...: I clicked to donate waterthank youkaiminani at ****3

Thanks so much to all who entered! The winner has been emailed and has 48 hours to respond or an alternate winner will be chosen.

Donate Clean Water to People in Need! It's Free.

2010-11-13T09:59:00.001-05:00

This holiday season, I am reminded that while we may not have much extra money, we are truly blessed. I have never had to go without basic necessities like food or clean drinking water. I have a roof over my head and am warm and dry. There are places in the world where this is not the case. Take Haiti for example. While the earthquake is not making headlines anymore, the people there are still trying to cope with the devastation the earthquake left behind. Can you even imagine not having clean water to drink?

So when I had the chance to participate in the P+G Give Health Clean Water Blogivation, I knew I wanted to let all of my readers know about this wonderful program, dedicated to providing 100,000 days of clean drinking water to people in developing nations by the end of 2010. The best part is that it is completely free to participate. It just takes a few seconds of your time.

To donate 2 liters of clean drinking water to a person in need, follow these simple steps.
1. Enter your email address and click to donate water.
2. Share on facebook or twitter that you donated and P+G will donate another day of water on your behalf.

If you are a blogger, you can sign up to share this wonderful program on your own blog. All you have to do is fill out a quick form.

I hope you will all participate in this program. It only takes a few seconds of your time, but it will have such a positive effect on those in need.

As a bonus, I am giving 5 extra entries on any of my giveaways for those who donate water.

I hope everyone has a blessed Holiday season.

Reminder - CSN Stores Giveaway Ends Tomorrow!

2010-11-13T09:02:00.002-05:00

Don't miss out on your chance to win a $65 CSN Stores gift certificate! You could use it to get a head start on your holiday shopping.

This blog giveaway ends tomorrow. Open to US/Canada 18+. Get your entries in now!

Gettin' Fit Friday - November 12, 2010

2010-11-12T23:01:00.001-05:00

This has not been the best week for me exercise-wise. Things were crazy with the kids and I had a ton to do with Great Blog Giveaways. So the best I can do is try to do better next week and be glad that I did get some exercise in. A little is better than none at all, right?

I did get to try a new healthy recipe this week, using Delicata Squash. I had never tasted this type of squash before, but I had seen it mentioned over on The Nourishing Gourmet. Delicata is a thinner skinned winter squash so there is no need to peel it. It is not as sweet as butternut squash. Like most squash, it is a great source of beta-carotene. I prepared it using an orange juice reduction and it was quite tasty. I hope to have the recipe up sometime next week.

So here's how this week went:

Friday - 0
Saturday - 0
Sunday - 0
Monday - 1.0 miles - Leslie Sansone dvd
Tuesday - 0
Wednesday - 4.4 miles bicycling to my grandmother's house
Thursday - 0

Total - 5.4 miles so that's $5.40 for the day trip fund this week

I don't know about you, but I always find it so motivational to read about other people's stories and successes. So I thought maybe we could help each other out.

I would love to read your posts and comments about your fitness successes this week. Did you lose weight? Did you meet a goal? How do you find the motivation to exercise? Did you discover a healthy new recipe or a great new workout dvd? I want to hear about it. Feel free to blog about it and link up below. If you don't have a blog, that's ok. You can write something in the comment section.

By participating this week, you can get 2 bonus entries in my giveaway to win one of these great workout dvds. After you either add your linky here or leave a comment below, then return to the original giveaway post to claim your entries.

It's Mega Swagbucks Friday!

2010-11-12T11:50:00.000-05:00

Every Friday is Mega Swagbucks day!

If you aren't familiar with Swagbucks, you can win free prizes just by searching the web. It's totally FREE to join. I have been using Swagbucks for over a year now and love it. I redeem my swagbucks for Amazon gift cards which I save up for Christmas. It is a big help in stretching my Christmas budget! I had over $120 in my Amazon account this year just from gift certificates I earned from Swagbucks. The thing I love about Swagbucks is that you can earn without having a lot of referrals.

Every Friday is Mega Swag Bucks Day, which means better odds of winning BIG Swag Bucks denominations - up to 10,000 in one search! Just this morning, I earned 40 Swagbucks for 1 search!

If you aren't a member yet, what are you waiting for? Get started earning today! It's free.

Click here to sign up

Aloha Friday - November 12, 2010

2010-11-12T06:12:00.000-05:00

It's Aloha Friday at An Island Life! Take a break from posting and answer a simple question. Then be sure to check out all the other bloggers participating. It's a great way to get to know each other.

My Question this week:
Do you decorate your home for Thanksgiving or Autumn?

My answer:
I decorate for Thanksgiving each year. I love cute little turkey decorations for some reason, so I have a lot of different ones scattered throughout my house. I even have a small Thanksgiving village that includes Pilgrims and Indians. My favorite decorations though are the ones that are handmade by either myself or the kids.

Blog Giveaway Roundup - November 10, 2010

2010-11-10T12:52:00.005-05:00

One of my other ~~addictions~~ hobbies is entering blog giveaways. They can be a great way to help out your holiday budget! Here are some of the awesome blog giveaways I found today.

The Freebie Fairy is giving away an EO Products Spa Basket Lavender Gift Set (retail value $62.94). The blog giveaway ends 11/15/10 and is open to entrants in the US only.
Shibley Smiles is giving away a $100 Think Geek gift certificate. Think Geek has some awesome gifts like a Jellyfish Mood Lamp I would love to get for my son. The blog giveaway ends 11/17/10 and is open to entrants in the US and Canada.
Cake Mom is giving away a Lego Star Wars Alarm Clock. The blog giveaway ends 11/19/10 and is open to entrants in the US only.
I have to get a plug in here for a giveaway I am running on my other blog. Be sure to check out Great Blog Giveaways to enter to win a personalized Christmas ornament from PersonalizedFree. There will be 2 lucky winners! The giveaway ends 11/24/10 and is open to entrants worldwide who are over the age of 18.

Frugal Christmas - Repurposing Worn Clothing for Doll Clothes

2010-11-10T12:50:00.003-05:00

My youngest daughters love their American Girl dolls. So for Christmas, I have been busy sewing, crocheting, and crafting all sorts of goodies for their dolls. I am trying to be frugal this Christmas. Both my husband and I are still paying on our student loans, plus we are still paying on my doctor and hospital bills that insurance didn't pay from when I ruptured a disk in my back last year. So I am doing what I can to help save money on gifts this year. Fortunately I love all sorts of crafts, so I am having a great time making things for my kids.

One thing I do to save money on doll clothes is to repurpose worn clothing. With 6 people in our family, I have quite a stack of clothing that is worn and can't be mended. Instead of throwing it out, I am finding that it is just perfect for making into doll clothing.

First I remove all buttons and ribbing, as this can be used on other sewing. Then I basically deconstruct the sewing by cutting off the sleeves along the seams, then cutting along the side and shoulder seams so that I end up with large pieces of fabric to use. Pants can be taken apart too. Just remove the waist and then cut apart following the seams. The result is just perfect for doll clothing patterns. While you get more fabric with adult clothes, kids clothing can work too. Just lay out all your pattern pieces to make sure you have enough fabric.

When my husband graduated and went off to work in an office over the summer, we were left with a large amount of uniforms from his previous job. Instead of throwing them out, I thought the knits would make cute shirts for the girls' dolls. I just recently completed a doll nightshirt from one of my husband's old uniform shirts. I used a pattern from the book Sew the Contemporary Wardrobe for 18 inch dolls by Joan Hinds that I bought at Michaels using a 40% off coupon.

Since I thought the doll nightshirt was too plain on its own, I cut out a little heart piece from some fabric scraps and appliqued it on the nightshirt.

I know the experienced seamstresses out there would have a fit, but I held the applique in place while I was sewing with scrapbooking adhesive. If you have never appliqued before, it really isn't all that hard. I just used a zig-zag stitch. I found some really helpful tips for machine applique on a post over at Sew, Mama, Sew. It took me a little bit of practice to get a hang of the curves, but it turned out pretty well.

Anyway, the total cost for this outfit was $0 and I kept an old shirt out of the landfill. This little nightshirt will be a stocking stuffer for my youngest daughter. Next up is a pair of doll jeans from a worn pair of my jeans.

Repurposing old clothing for doll outfits works for me! For more great tips, visit Works for Me Wednesday.

Blog Giveaway Roundup - November 9, 2010

2010-11-09T10:40:00.001-05:00

One of my other ~~addictions~~ hobbies is entering blog giveaways. They can be a great way to help out your holiday budget! Here are some of the awesome blog giveaways I found today.

Go Graham Go is giving away a Wild Creations Jellyfish Lamp. My son would just love this. The giveaway ends 11/10 and is open to US residents only.
Our Homeschool Reviews is giving away a quart of Tropical Traditions Organic Coconut Oil. The giveaway ends 11/12 and is open to US residents only.

Blog Giveaway Roundup - November 8, 2010

2010-11-08T15:23:00.004-05:00

One of my other ~~addictions~~ hobbies is entering blog giveaways. Here are some of the awesome blog giveaways I found today.

Leslie Loves Veggies is giving away a 36″ Colorado Mountain Spruce Wreath with Clear Lights ($139 ARV). The giveaway ends 11/26 and is open to entrants in US and Canada.
Diana Rambles is giving away a Give Thanks Full Size Scentsy Warmer with their choice of scent from http://nothingbutwickless.com/. The giveaway ends 11/10/10 and is open to entrants in the US only.
Mama Knows is giving away a quart of Tropical Traditions Organic Coconut Oil. I use their coconut oil all the time and love it! The giveaway ends 11/18/10.
Mommy Loves Giveaways is giving away a Scentsy warmer and fragrance of choice. The giveaway ends 11/11/10.
Cake Mom is giving away 3 Scentsy fragrance bars. The giveaway ends 11/14/10 and is open to US residents only.

Healthy Weekly Meal Plan - November 8, 2010

2010-11-08T06:57:00.006-05:00

Yay! Marching band season is over. The band ended their season on a high note earning a superior rating at state finals. They had a great show! Now that marching band season is over, I am looking forward to the fact that we can actually resume eating meals with all of us around the table.

So here's what we are eating this week:

Sunday: Chicken and dumplings, mashed potato casserole, leftover roasted butternut squash soup

Prep work that morning: Make the dumpling dough with sourdough starter, let stand until ready to make the chicken and dumplings. Make mashed potato casserole. Divide in 2 casserole dishes.

Monday: Pizza Meatloaf (vegetarian version), leftover mashed potato casserole, steamed carrots.

Prep work the night before: Soak rice
Prep work that morning: Cook lentils, assemble meatloaf

Tuesday: Mexican Baked Potatoes, brocolli, bread
Prep work the night before: Soak black beans
Prep work that morning: Cook black beans. Freeze any extras in 2 cup portions.

Wednesday: Chicken Asparagus casserole, salad, grapes
Prep work the night before: Soak rice
Prep work that morning: Cook rice and assemble casserole.

Thursday: Beans and rice with salsa
Prep work the night before: Soak rice, soak beans
Prep work that morning: Cook rice, beans.

Friday: Homemade Calzones, Salad, Fruit Salad
Prep work the night before: Soak pizza dough
Prep work that morning: Cut up veggies

Saturday: Homemade Ravioli, Green beans, Leftover fruit salad

Prep work that morning: Soak pasta dough, Assemble filling.

For more recipe ideas, check out our past healthy weekly meal plans.

Visit Organizing Junkie for even more great meal plan ideas.
So tell me...
What healthy foods are on your meal plan this week?

Blog Giveaway Roundup - November 7, 2010

2010-11-07T18:01:00.008-05:00

One of my other ~~addictions~~ hobbies is entering blog giveaways. Here are some of the awesome blog giveaways I found today.

Mom Spotted is giving away a Chuggington Train Prize Pack that includes the playset, extra track, and three trains. The giveaway ends 11/8/10 and is open to entrants in the US only.
Leslie Loves Veggies is giving away a 6-7mm 18′ Lavender Freshwater Pearl Necklace ($445 ARV) from Pearl Distributors. The giveaway ends 11/23/10 and is open to entrants in the US and Canada only.
Catch the Drift with Mama Snow is giving away a Kidorable umbrella. The giveaway ends 11/18/10 and is open to entrants in the US only.
The Monogram Divas is giving away an adorable personalized tree skirt. The giveaway ends 11/30/10/
Country Mouse, City Mouse is giving away a Dinner is Ready cookbook and software combo. The giveaway ends 11/15/10 and is open to entrants in the US and Canada.
Leslie Loves Veggies is giving away a Salt Lamp. The giveaway ends 11/23/10 and is open to entrants in the US only.
The Jensen's is giving away a Butter Bell Crock to keep your butter at room temperature without spoiling. The giveaway ends 11/19/10 and is open to entrants in the US only (no PO Boxes).
Little BirdSeeds is giving away a full-size Scentsy warmer and scent of your choice. The giveaway ends 11/12/10.
Looking for a new cookware set or even bathroom furniture? Check out Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker for an awesome $100 giveaway to CSN Stores. The giveaway ends 11/12/10 and is open to entrants in the US and Canada.

Aloha Friday - November 5, 2010

2010-11-05T10:05:00.002-04:00

It's Aloha Friday at An Island Life! Take a break from posting and answer a simple question. Then be sure to check out all the other bloggers participating. It's a great way to get to know each other.

My Question this week:
Thanksgiving will be here before we know it. What Thanksgiving tradition or food is your favorite?

My answer:
I love that after dinner we all go around the table telling why we are thankful this year. As for foods, I am most looking forward to the sweet potato casserole.

Feel free to link up your Aloha Friday post below.

Gettin' Fit Friday - November 5, 2010

2010-11-05T06:02:00.010-04:00

As I mentioned in my exercise motivation post yesterday, I need an incentive to exercise. I wish I could say that I love to exercise and I do it for the sheer joy of getting healthier. The reality is that I hate to exercise. There I said it! I have to reward myself in some way or I will find excuses not to do it.

My current motivation is that I am putting $1 for every mile I walk into a fund for a fun family day trip to the Children's Museum in Indianapolis. Admission will cost our family of 6 around $73. Figuring in gas, a small souvenir for each kids, and 1 meal out, I am estimating I need to save $225.

So here's how this week went:

Friday - 0
Saturday - 1 mile (est.) while out trick-or-treating. We walked for an hour and a half so it was probably more.
Sunday - 4.3 miles while out letterboxing at a State Park
Monday - 1.9 miles on the walk/jog cycle on the treadmill
Tuesday - 1.0 miles - Leslie Sansone Walk Away the pounds dvd
Wednesday - 1.4 miles walking on the bike path
Thursday - 2.0 miles on the walk/jog cycle on the treadmill

Total - 11.6 miles so that's $11.60 for the day trip fund

I don't know about you, but I always find it so motivational to read about other people's stories and successes. So I thought maybe we could help each other out.

I would love to read your posts and comments about your fitness successes this week. Did you lose weight? Did you meet a goal? How do you find the motivation to exercise? Did you discover a healthy new recipe or a great new workout dvd? I want to hear about it. Feel free to blog about it and link up below. If you don't have a blog, that's ok. You can write something in the comment section.

To make things fun, I decided to host a giveaway to kick off Gettin' Fit Fridays. One winner will get their choice of a workout dvd - either Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred or Leslie Sansone's 5 Day Slim Down.

To enter:

Participate in Gettin' Fit Fridays either through linking up to a blog post you have written or by leaving a comment below describing what you have done to get healthier this week. (Mandatory entry)

Want some extra Entries?

Leave a comment telling me whether you are a glutton for punishment and want the Jillian Michaels dvd or if you prefer a kinder approach to fitness and want the Leslie Sansone dvd. (1 entry)
Participate in the current weekly Gettin' Fit Friday post (2 entries weekly)
Click to donate water to those in need (5 extra entries)

http://changents.com http://givehealth.changents.com
Follow Miss Organic's Kitchen on Google Friend Connect (2 entries)
Follow Miss Organic's Kitchen on Twitter (1 entry)
Leave a relevant comment on any non-giveaway post (1 entry each)
Tweet about the giveaway, being sure to include @NutritionTipsRD. Leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry daily)
If you like you can copy and paste the following text.
Stay in shape through the holidays! Enter to win your choice of exercise dvds @NutritionTipsRD ends 11/28 http://bit.ly/9de40h #giveaway
For more ways to earn extra entries, please visit our extra entries / rules page. The page will open in a new window for easy reference.

Rules

Be sure to include your email address with each entry. If you do not include an email address, be prepared to check back to see if you won.
This giveaway ends 11/27/10 at 11:59 pm EST
This giveaway is open to US residents over the age of 18. If you are outside of the US, you are welcome to enter, however you will be emailed an Amazon gift certificate for the purchase price (not including shipping) of the dvd in lieu of the actual dvd.
The winner will be announced on 11/28/10 and will have 48 hours to contact me with shipping information .
For complete rules, please visit our extra entries/rules page.

Disclosure: This giveaway is not sponsored. The prize is being provided by Miss Organic's Kitchen.

Finding the Motivation to Exercise

2010-11-04T13:50:00.001-04:00

I was not blessed with a love for exercise. I would pretty much rather do anything else. I will make excuses and try to avoid it, no matter how much it might benefit my health. I learned long ago that I needed a reward system to provide motivation to exercise regularly.

I believe that a reward system of some sort can be a powerful motivation to exercise. It doesn't have to be anything huge or even cost any money. One of my early rewards was a trip to the library while my husband watched the kids. Small short-term rewards worked best when I was just starting out.

Now I tend to reward myself with larger things that take awhile to earn. What I do is set back $1 for each mile I walk and put it into an envelope. Before I start, I have a specific goal in mind. Currently I am saving for a day trip for the family. So I did some research and found out how much admission would be, estimated gas, etc. I wrote that amount on the envelope so I see it every week when I add money. I find it extremely motivating that every step I am taking is getting us closer to a fun family outing.

So tell me... what motivates you to exercise?

Green Bean Casserole Recipe - Make it from scratch

2010-11-04T08:48:00.002-04:00

Green bean casserole is a staple at holiday meals at our house. Since we only serve it on the holidays, in the past I haven't really given much thought to the fact that the standard recipe uses mainly processed ingredients. I would use low-fat ingredients and not worry about the fact that the rest of it isn't all that healthy for you.

This past year, however, I have made a commitment to eliminate processed foods from our family's diet as much as possible. Yes, it means more time in the kitchen. However, using nourishing ingredients in my cooking will benefit my family's health. That is well worth any extra time I spend in the kitchen.

So even though we only serve green bean casserole a couple of times a year, I decided to revamp the recipe and eliminate all the health-sapping processed foods. I made it last night for a side for Miss K's birthday dinner. We all enjoyed it. I don't think I will ever go back to the standard recipe again. By the way, you can make this ahead of time and refrigerate it until you are ready to bake it.

From-Scratch Green Bean Casserole Recipe

1/2 onion, sliced thinly
2 tbs flour
2 tbs whole wheat panko
extra virgin olive oil in a sprayer

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toss the sliced onion with the flour and panko. Transfer to a baking dish that has been sprayed with olive oil. Lightly spray the top of the coated onions with olive oil as well. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

16 oz bag frozen organic green beans

Steam the frozen green beans for 15 minutes. Place into a large mixing bowl. Set aside.

12 oz organic white button mushrooms, cut in half then sliced thinly
2 tbs butter
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tbs flour
1 cup milk
1 tbs Worcestershire sauce (I use Annie's vegetarian version)

In a cast iron skillet or a large frying pan, melt the butter. Saute the mushrooms in the butter, stirring until the mushrooms start giving up their liquid. Add the garlic and saute for 1 minute more. Sprinkle with the flour and stir into the mushrooms. Allow to cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the milk and Worcestershire sauce. Cook, stirring continuously, until thickened.

Combine the mushroom mixture with the green beans and stir well. Place into an 8x8 baking dish and top with the crispy onions. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or until bubbly. Watch closely so the onions don't burn.

Why go to the trouble of making this recipe from scratch? First of all, it tastes fresher. The green beans aren't mushy, like when you used canned. Second of all, it's healthier for you. Without all the preservatives and chemicals, the true flavors of the foods can shine through. You also avoid the excess of sodium that is so common in processed foods. With no canned ingredients in the recipe, you avoid BPA that is so common in canned goods.

Have you ever looked at the ingredient list on a can of cream of mushroom soup?

Water, Mushrooms, Vegetable Oil (Corn, Cottonseed, Canola and/or Soybean), Modified Food Starch, Wheat Flour, contains Less than 2% of: Cream, Salt, Dried Whey, Monosodium Glutamate, Soy Protein Concentrate, Yeast Extract, Spice Extract, Dehydrated Garlic. (May vary by brand.)

A couple of ingredients jump out at me. One is the MSG. MSG is used as a "flavor enhancer". In other words, MSG tricks you into thinking there is more protein in the food then there really is. Food manufacturers use it as a way to cut costs and use less real food in their products. Some people experience adverse reactions to eating foods with MSG including headache, dizziness, and chest pain. The verdict is still out on other health concerns, but MSG has also been linked to obesity.

Another ingredient that is of note is the use of soy oil and soy protein concentrate. While there are conflicting studies as to the safety of soy and its link to breast cancer, it should be noted that the majority of soy used in this country is GMO. For that reason alone, I avoid it. If I am going to eat soy, I stick with organic edamame or fermented varieties.

So is it worth it to take the extra time to make green bean casserole from scratch? I think so. I will take real food over chemicals and preservatives any day.

This post is linked up to the Thanksgiving Recipe exchange at Mama Buzz and Penny Wise Platter Thursday at The Nourishing Gourmet.

Blog Giveaway Roundup - November 4, 2010

2010-11-04T07:17:00.000-04:00

One of my other ~~addictions~~ hobbies is entering blog giveaways. Here are some of the awesome blog giveaways I found today.

Country Mouse, City Mouse is giving away a Pure Pearls Freshwater Pearl Bracelet. The winner gets to choose the color - Pink, Lavender, Black, or White. The giveaway ends 11/11/10 and is open to entrants in the US.

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

2010-11-03T08:31:00.001-04:00

This simple roasted butternut squash soup is just perfect for this time of year. It contains just a few nourishing ingredients, but is tasty and filling. It would make a great side dish for your holiday table.

Just 1 cup of Butternut Squash contains 100% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin A. In addition it is a good source of vitamin C, and potassium. With over 5 grams in a 1 cup serving, butternut squash is also a good way to get more fiber in your diet.

This yummy soup is a great way to get the nutritional benefits of butternut squash. The soup also contains garlic, which has been shown to help lower blood pressure and prevent blood clots. Garlic is also antimicrobial, which is a good thing with cold and flu season approaching. Onions also have antibiotic and antiviral properties. Eating onions regularly seems to protect from certain types of cancer, such as stomach, prostrate, and esophageal cancers.

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup Recipe

1 large Butternut Squash (2 lbs or so)
1 head of garlic
1 large sweet onion diced
2 carrots, peeled and shredded
1 stalk celery, diced
2 tbs + 1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
4 cups homemade chicken stock
1/8 tsp cayenne, or to taste
salt and pepper
yogurt or sour cream for garnish
dill weed for garnish

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut the butternut squash in half and remove seeds with a spoon. Place in a baking dish cut side down. Pierce skin several times with a knife. Add 1/2 cup water to pan. Cut the top off your garlic, exposing the cloves but leaving the skin intact. Drizzle with 1 tsp olive oil and wrap in foil. Place the garlic and squash in the oven and roast for 45 minutes to an hour, or until squash is tender. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.

In a skillet, saute the carrots, celery, and onion in the remaining olive oil until the onions are translucent. When the squash is cool enough to handle, scoop out the flesh into a blender or food processor along with the roasted garlic cloves (skin removed). Add the sauteed veggies and half the chicken stock. Process until smooth. Transfer the puree to a large pot and stir in remaining chicken broth, and cayenne. Heat thoroughly. Serve with a dollop of yogurt or sour cream and sprinkle with dill weed.

Notes:

Use organic and local veggies in this recipe if you can. Or better yet, grow your own!
You can use store-bought chicken broth in this recipe, but look for a low-sodium version. Store-bought stocks are ridiculously high in salt.
If you don't like spicy foods, you can cut back on the cayenne or leave it out altogether.

This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday and What's Cooking Wednesday

Tips for Thanksgiving - Free E-book

2010-11-03T07:33:00.000-04:00

Does the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday have you feeling a bit flustered with all the cooking and cleaning you have to do? If so, I found a great free e-book with tips for Thanksgiving to help make your life a little bit easier.

The Thanksgiving your way e-book is full of great recipes and how-to guides to help your Thanksgiving run smoothly. With topics ranging from how to thaw a turkey to frugal decorating tips, there is something for everyone. There is also a section of delicious recipes. I also love the printable lists to help keep you organized.

Be sure to grab your free e-book while you can!

Blog Giveaway Roundup - November 3, 2010

2010-11-03T07:17:00.001-04:00

One of my other ~~addictions~~ hobbies is entering blog giveaways. Here are some of the awesome blog giveaways I found today.

Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House is giving away a copy of the New Carnival Games for Wii. We love the old version, so I am looking forward to seeing what games are included in the updated version. The giveaway ends 11/8 and is open to entrants in the US only.

Leftover Halloween Candy Taking Over Your Home? 10 Ways to Get Rid of It.

2010-11-02T13:40:00.002-04:00

The mountains of candy currently sitting in my kitchen may make my children squeal with delight, but to be honest it makes me cringe. I am torn. As a mom, I want my kids to enjoy Halloween like I did when I was little, but as a dietitian, I want to take those overflowing plastic pumpkins and chuck them as far as I can. So our family compromises. The kids get 2 pieces each day for dessert, provided they ate the healthy dinner I made. Any candy that is left by Thanksgiving gets pitched. My kids still get to enjoy the Halloween candy, but we avoid the sugar highs for the most part.

Many parents have this same dilemma. So here are a few ideas on how to deal with leftover Halloween candy.

Save it for making a gingerbread house for Christmas. Our family makes a gingerbread house in early December each year, using Halloween candies for decoration. Our gingerbread house each year is just for decoration. Quite frankly, after it has been sitting out for a few weeks gathering dust, no one thinks of eating it. You could make several gingerbread houses and use them for gifts.
Allow your children the option of trading in their candy for small toys or stickers from the dollar store. Set a "price" for each item in pieces of candy. For example your child can "buy" a sheet of stickers for 10 pieces of candy.
Participate in the Halloween Candy Buy Back. Participating dentists purchase Halloween candy from children for $1 a pound and then send it to soldiers stationed overseas. This would be a nice way to bring a bit of joy to a soldier serving our country.
You can also send it to troops overseas through Operation Shoebox.
Donate it to a local homeless shelter, Red Cross emergency shelter, women's shelter, or nursing home. Some may accept candy for their staff, or to pass out to their residents. Be sure to call first to check. This could be a great way to encourage your children to think of others.
Send it in to your child's class or bus driver for their reward jar. While I don't agree with the policy, my children's school teachers and bus driver all think candy makes a great reward for good behavior. By donating leftover Halloween candy to their classroom, at least it saves the teacher from having to buy it out of their own pocket.
Turn leftover Halloween candy into a fun learning activity. Visit Candy Exeriments for all sorts of fun ways to turn the leftovers into a learning experience for your kids.
Encourage creativity in your kids and use the candy for crafts. Allow the kids to create mosaics from the non-melting candy. Provide a few basic craft supplies and some glue then let your kids go nuts.
Freeze some of the chocolate candy and use it throughout the year to jazz up cookies and other baking..
Send it into the office with a parent. It will disappear quickly!

So tell me... How do you deal with all the leftover Halloween candy? For more great tips, visit Works for Me Wednesday.

Blog Giveaway Roundup - November 2, 2010

2010-11-02T07:37:00.002-04:00

One of my other ~~addictions~~ hobbies is entering blog giveaways. Here are some of the awesome blog giveaways I found today.

My Four Monkeys is giving away a copy of both Thomas & Friends: Merry Winter Wish and Jolly Holiday on DVD. The giveaway ends 11/15 and is open to entrants in the US only.
Mommy Has Deals is giving away a $50 Visa gift card. That is going to help someone with their holiday shopping. The giveaway ends 11/8.
Head over to The Speedy Gourmet where you can win a $25 Cracker Barrel Gift Card! Ends 11/8

Blog Giveaway Roundup - November 1, 2010

2010-11-01T06:42:00.005-04:00

One of my other ~~addictions~~ hobbies is entering blog giveaways. Here are some of the awesome blog giveaways I found today.

PoppyLuxe Designs is giving away a 6 pack of lip balms from MyLipStuff. My LipStuff has over 500 flavors and all of their products are skin, earth, and animal friendly. The giveaway ends 11/12 and is open to entrants worldwide.
The Life of Rylie... and Bryce too is giving away a Cupcake Cuties kit. Even dietitians need a treat from time to time! The giveaway ends 11/14 and is open to US entrants only.
And Twins Make 5 is giving away a Guidecraft Wooden Doll Bunkbed. These would be perfect for the American girl dolls that my youngest daughters are getting for Christmas this year! The giveaway ends 11/15 and is open to entrants in the US over the age of 18.
Got Chocolate is giving away a $25 Amazon gift certificate. This would be perfect for holiday shopping. The giveaway ends 11/7.
Becoming Classy and Sophisticated is giving away a $25 American Express gift card to stock up on Lysol products just in time for cold and flu season. The giveaway ends 11/2.

Healthy Weekly Meal Plan 10/31/10

2010-10-31T22:57:00.000-04:00

Miss K's 17th birthday is this week. She has marching band practice after school on her actual birthday, so we will be having her party over the weekend. Lucky her! She gets the benefit of 2 parties - a smaller family one the evening of her actual birthday and then a larger one a few days later. She thought it would be quite fun to have a luau for her birthday. It was quite challenging to gather all the supplies, but Hobby Lobby came to the rescue.

So here's what we are eating this week:

Sunday: Chicken and gnocchi soup, salad, homemade breadsticks

Prep work that morning: Make the gnocchi. Make the breadsticks

Monday: Portobello Mushroom Burgers on English muffins, Steamed Carrots, Grapes
Prep work the night before: Prepare the English muffin dough and let stand over night
Prep work that morning: Wash grapes, cook English muffins

Tuesday: Spaghetti and Meatballs, steamed broccoli

Prep work that morning: Make and cook meatballs

Wednesday: Lasagna, deviled eggs, green bean casserole, crusty bread

Prep work that morning: Assemble lasagna and green bean casserole

Thursday: Make your own chipotle night
Prep work the night before: Soak rice, soak beans, totrtilla dough
Prep work that morning: Cook rice, beans. Make tortillas

Friday: Homemade Veggie Pizza, Salad, Fruit Salad
Prep work the night before: Soak pizza dough
Prep work that morning: Parbake pizza crust. Cut up veggies

Saturday: Party night
BBQ pulled pork in crockpot (BBQ lentils for me) on homemade sweet rolls
Ham and pineapple pizza for the kids
Fruit kabobs

For more recipe ideas, check out our past healthy weekly meal plans.

Visit Organizing Junkie for even more great meal plan ideas.
So tell me...
What healthy foods are on your meal plan this week?

Pumpkin Stew Recipe

2010-10-30T10:56:00.002-04:00

We serve this every Halloween before the kids go out Trick-or-Treating. This recipe is originally from Taste of Home. Here is my modified version. I removed some of the fat, added more veggies, and do most of the cooking in the crockpot before transferring it to the prepared pumpkin.

Pumpkin Stew

Ingredients:
2 lbs beef stew meat, cubed (Grass-fed beef is best, but I use Laura's lean beef because I can't find grass-fed easily)
1 1/2 cup water
6 red potatoes, washed and quartered. (I leave the skin on for more fiber)
4 medium carrots, sliced
1 large green pepper, diced (red, orange, or yellow peppers work too)
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium onion, diced
2 stalks celery, sliced thinly
1 can (14.5 oz) no salt added diced tomatoes
6 beef buillion cubes
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tbs olive oil
1 pumpkin (10 to 12 pounds)

In a crockpot, combine everything but oil and the pumpkin. Cook all day on low, or on high for 4 hours. 2 hours before you are ready to eat, prepare your pumpkin by removing top. Clean out all seeds and fibers. (You can save the seeds and roast them to make a great snack.) Place pumpkin into a sturdy roasting pan. (Line with foil for easy clean up.) Ladle the cooked stew into the pumpkin. Replace top and brush outside of pumpkin with oil. Bake at 325 degrees for 2 hours. Serve stew from the pumpkin, scooping out a little pumpkin with each serving.

As a side note, keep your oven in mind when choosing your pumpkin. The taller ones will not fit. Trust me, I have made this mistake in the past. I choose one that is shorter and wider for a better fit. Next year I would love to grow small pumpkins for individual servings.

If you want to make this vegetarian, use vegetable bouillon and leave out the beef. You can add some edamame or seitan for your protein.

Quick and simple ghost toasts. I cut homemade whole wheat bread with a cookie cutter and then lightly toaste them and serve them with garlic butter.

Happy Halloween!

This post is listed in Tuesday Twister

Enter to win a $65 CSN Stores Gift Certificate!

2010-10-29T17:17:00.006-04:00

The Holidays will be here before we know it! Wouldn't you love to have 1-stop shopping for all your holiday gifts? Chances are you can find anything on your shopping list at CSN Stores. They are a network of 200+ online stores with a ginormous selection of products for your home and yard. CSN Stores stocks over 1 million products! How is that for selection? CSN Stores' selection ranges from kitchen bar stools
to grills, to cookware, and ceiling fans. You could spend hours browsing through all the products they carry!

I absolutely adore their cookware store. If you love to cook like I do, then you will appreciate the variety that they carry. Here are some of the things I have my eye on.

A Blendtec Blender - This is the Cadillac of blenders! I make a green smoothie nearly everyday. Unfortunately my current blender doesn't do such a great job with getting the greens and fruits truly smooth. That wouldn't be the case with this baby!

An All-Clad Lasagna Pan - It's high time to upgrade the cookware I inherited from various family members when I married. Think of the yummy lasagna I could make if I had this nice pan.

An automatic sprouter - I could have fresh nutritious sprouts whenever I wanted.

Would you believe CSN Stores even carries appliances like refrigerators?

CSN Stores would like to bless one Miss Organic's Kitchen / Great Blog Giveaways reader with a $65 gift certificate that can be used at any of their online stores. You may enter at both sites for twice the chances to win!

Mandatory Entry:

Visit CSN stores and tell me what you would buy with your gift certificate. Leave a comment with your answer.

Extra Entries:

Donate 2 liters of water to a person in a developing country by using the widget at the top of the page. It's free and just requires a click. (5 entries)
Follow Miss Organic's Kitchen on Google Friend Connect (2 entries)
Follow Miss Organic's Kitchen on Twitter (1 entry)
Leave a relevant comment on any non-giveaway post (1 entry each)
Tweet about the giveaway, being sure to include @NutritionTipsRD. Leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry daily)
If you like you can copy and paste the following text.
Enter to win a $65 CSN Stores Gift Certificate @NutritionTipsRD ends 11/14 http://bit.ly/aFCYZz #giveaway
For more ways to earn extra entries, please visit our extra entries / rules page. The page will open in a new window for easy reference.

Rules

This giveaway ends 11/14/10 at 11:59 pm EST
Please be sure to leave your email address with your entry so I can contact the winner.
This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents over the age of 18.
One winner will be chosen from all entries received here and at Great Blog Giveaways
For complete rules, please visit our extra entries/rules page.

A huge thank you to CSN Stores for this opportunity!

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. All opinions stated are my own.

Aloha Friday - October 29, 2010

2010-10-29T13:41:00.002-04:00

It's Aloha Friday at An Island Life! Take a break from posting and answer a simple question. Then be sure to check out all the other bloggers participating. It's a great way to get to know each other.

My Question this week:
Have you started your Christmas shopping already?
My answer:
I actually started mine over the summer. With 4 kids I need to spread it out a bit. I got my 2 youngest girls American Girl dolls and have been busy sewing clothes for them whenever I get a spare chance. I have to admit though I am a bit behind this year. I haven't got much else for anyone.

Guilt-free Candy Corn Crochet Pattern

2010-10-27T09:21:00.004-04:00

Crochet Amigurumi Candy Corn

These little guys are a dietitian's best friend. No calories! You can make a whole group of them for a cute little Halloween centerpiece. They are quick to work up. You can make one in 30-40 minutes.

Finished project is approx 3 inches tall.

Materials:
black, white, orange, and yellow ww yarn
safety eyes 6 mm
F hook
polyfill

Body

Rnd 1: With white, Ch 2. 5 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Work in rounds,

using a scrap of yarn to mark end. Do not join. (5)

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around (10)

Rnd 3-4: sc in each st around (10)

Switch to orange

Rnd 5: (sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) around (15)

Rnd 6-7: sc in each st around (15)

Rnd 8: (sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st) around (20)

Rnd 9: sc in each st around (20)

Insert safety eyes between rows 6 and 7, using picture for

reference. Embroider mouth.

Switch to yellow

Rnd 10: sc in each st around (20)

Rnd 11: (sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st) around (24)

Rnd 12-13: sc in each st around (24)

Base

Work in rounds. Do not join.

Rnd 1: ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. (6)

Rnd 2: (sc in next 2 sts, 4 sc in next st) twice (12)

Rnd 3: (sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next 4 sts) twice (20)

Rnd 4: (2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts) around, sl st to next st. (24)
Leave a tail to attach to body

To finish

Stuff lightly. Sew base to body.

Copyright 2008, Jennifer Voss
missorganicskitchen.com

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License To view a copy of this license, please visit
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/; or, (b) send a letter to Creative Commons, 543 Howard Street, 5th Floor, San Francisco, California, 94105, USA.

- In plain English, I don't mind if you share the pdf pattern, as long as you leave my copyright and link to this blog. Please do not alter the pattern in anyway. You do not have permission to sell the pattern or any items made from it, but feel free to make as many as you want yourself or for gifts.

Frugal Halloween - Make Your Own Halloween Costume and Save

2010-10-27T08:34:00.002-04:00

With 4 kids, it could get quite expensive if we bought Halloween costumes each year. Costumes run about $25 each around here so that would be $100 each year for a costume that gets worn for 1 day. That's a bit ridiculous in my opinion. Our solution is to make Halloween costumes each year. It's so much more fun that way and we save quite a bit of money!

Here are some of my favorites from years past. All were simple to make and cost less than $10 each.

Box of Popcorn Costume

You can't get much less expensive than this one! We found a box to fit our daughter. We cut some armholes and a hole for her head. Then we spray painted the box white. We used red duct tape to make the stripes. We finished it up by gluing real popcorn on a white hat and the top of the box. Just adorable! We had the spray paint and hat. So our only cost was for the duct tape. The costume cost less than $3!

Little Red Riding Hood Costume

If you sew, keep an eye out for pattern sales at your local fabric store. I was able to get the pattern for this adorable Little Red Riding Hood Cape for $1 on sale. The fabric was $2 a yard (no need to use higher quality fabric for a Halloween costume). By using things we already had for the rest of the costume, the whole thing cost around $5.

Leaf Pile Costume

This costume was fairly easy to make. I bought a bag of craft leaves from the floral department of the local craft store. I then used a glue gun to affix the leaves to a white sweat suit. My son then carried around a plastic kid's rake with the costume. Costume cost - $7.

Lego Costume

Another Halloween costume from a box! This Lego block costume also was quick to make. We cut holes for the head and arms and then spray painted the box blue. Then all we did was use hot glue to attach the solo cups. Cost - approx $4.

These simple costumes are proof positive you don't have to spend a fortune to dress up for Halloween. Plus you get to avoid all those Halloween superstores with their nasty gory costumes. I prefer cute for Halloween and don't let my kids dress up in anything scary.

We get a lot of our costume ideas from Family Fun Magazine. If you are looking to make your own Halloween costumes, here are some great ideas I found on the web. If you have a costume idea on your blog, feel free to add it to the linky.

Inexpensive Halloween Costumes... It works for me! For more great tips, visit Works for Me Wednesday.

Healthy Halloween Recipe - Stuffed Bell Pepper Jack-o-lantern

2010-10-26T08:43:00.002-04:00

I am always looking for ways to make healthy foods appeal to my picky children. So when I saw the idea to turn an orange bell pepper into a jack-o-lantern, I knew I had to try it. This quick and easy Halloween recipe was a hit with my kids. It's amazing sometimes how presentation makes all the difference.

This would make a great meal for the family before the kids go out trick-or-treating. Plenty of fiber and nutrients to help keep them full and energized. Maybe that way they won't overdose on all the Halloween candy!

Stuffed Bell Pepper Jack-o-lanterns

4-6 organic orange bell peppers
1 tbs butter, coconut oil, or extra virgin olive oil
1 onion diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup brown rice, soaked and cooked
1 can fire roasted tomatoes, drained
2 cups black beans, soaked and cooked
8 oz block of mozzarella cheese, shredded
Sea salt and pepper to taste

Wash peppers and cut off about 1/2 to 1 inch of the tops. Remove seeds. Using a sharp knife, carve a jack-o-lantern face in the side of each of the peppers. Set aside. In a large cast iron skillet, saute the onion and garlic in the oil until onions are translucent. In a large mixing bowl, combine the rice, beans, onion mixture, and tomatoes. Fill each bell pepper and replace the top. Put in a steamer basket and steam for 20-30 minutes or until peppers are tender. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese before serving.

Notes:

You can substitute 1 lb grass fed beef for the beans if you so choose. Just brown it and drain before mixing it into the filling.
Bell peppers are on the dirty dozen list, so try to get organic if you can to limit pesticide exposure.
If you have access, use organic on the rest of the ingredients if you can.
The beans and rice both should be soaked overnight before cooking. This lessens cooking time and optimizes nutrition.
When you used canned goods, try to find brands that are BPA free. I believe Eden Foods does not use BPA in their cans.
I recommend buying blocks of cheese and grating it yourself. Commercially shredded cheese has additives so it won't clump. I don't know about you, but I can do without the added chemicals!
You may have filling leftover. That's ok, it makes a great lunch the next day!

Blog Giveaway - Enter to win a Pillow Pet - ends 10/29

2010-10-25T16:41:00.000-04:00

Prize: a Pillow Pet

Blog: New Age Mama

Sponsor: My Pillow Pet

# of winners: 1

Entry limit: Daily

Expires: 10/29/10

Eligibility: US only

Click on the present below to enter the giveaway

Sourdough Recipe - Baked Apple Pancake

2010-10-25T07:48:00.004-04:00

A long time ago, I saw a recipe in Taste of Home Magazine for Baked Apple Pancake. Over the years, I have played around with the recipe to make it whole grain and a little bit healthier. Eventually I came up with a recipe that had a soaked batter. Now that I have a sourdough starter, I had to play around with the recipe to use my sourdough starter. It turned out wonderfully! This recipe is quick to throw together and makes a great breakfast for company.

Sourdough Baked Apple Pancake

Ingredients

4 organic apples, peeled and diced
4 Tbs butter, melted, divided
1/4 cup + 3 Tbs agave nectar (or the healthy sweetener of your choice), divided
1 1/2 cup sourdough starter
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large cast iron skillet (14 inch), melt 2 Tbs butter. Saute the apples in the butter 2-3 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup agave nectar, making sure to coat all the apples well. While apples are cooking, mix together the sourdough batter. Whisk together the egg, salt, 3 Tbs agave nectar, 2 tbs melted butter, and vanilla. Stir in the sourdough starter. Quickly stir in the baking soda. Pour batter over the apples. Allow to cook without stirring until you see bubbles forming on top of the batter. Transfer to the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden on the top. Cut into slices and serve with real maple syrup.

Notes:

Apples are on the dirty dozen list so it really is best to buy organic. A good rule of thumb is that if you eat the peel, you should buy organic.
If you don't have a cast iron skillet, feel free to substitute an oven-safe skillet of your choice. If your skillet is smaller, you may need to adjust the baking time or scale down the recipe. Before I started using cast iron, I used Pyrex.
Feel free to substitute any other healthy fat for the butter. I have used coconut oil before and it worked well.
I am not a huge fan of cinnamon so I don't use it. However a tsp of cinnamon stirred into the batter would probably probably compliment the apple flavor nicely.
Feel free to substitute the healthy sweetener of your choice. I used agave nectar because of its mild flavor, but honey or maple syrup work well too. If you use a dry sweetener like rapidura or sucanat, then add it at the beginning when you are sauteing the apples. It needs time to dissolve. With liquid sweeteners, you just need to stir to coat the apples.

Enjoy!

This is a contributing post to Monday Mania.

Blog Giveaway - Enter to win a Scentsy Warmer and 3 fragrance bars - ends 11/1

2010-10-25T06:39:00.000-04:00

Prize: a Scentsy Warmer and 3 fragrance bars

Blog: Minnesota Mama's Must Haves

Sponsor: Hooked on Scents

# of winners: 1

Entry limit: Daily

Expires: 11/1/10

Eligibility: US only

Click on the present below to enter the giveaway

Healthy Weekly Meal Plan 10/24/10

2010-10-24T12:34:00.002-04:00

I just love watching the leaves change colors every year. Autumn is definitely here! Miss K's marching band season is coming to a close. I am looking forward to less hectic family dinners where we aren't rushing so we can pick her up from practice each night. (One of the downfalls of a highly competitive marching band... They practice a lot!). For more recipe ideas, check out our past healthy weekly meal plans.

So here's what we are eating this week:

Sunday: Stuffed Bell Peppers, Make Ahead Potatoes, Steamed Cauliflower
Prep work the night before: Soak rice. Make the potatoes.
Prep work that morning: Steam rice, assemble stuffed peppers and store in fridge until ready to bake

Monday: Portobello Mushroom Burgers on English muffins, Steamed Broccoli, fresh pineapple
Prep work the night before: Prepare the English muffin dough and let stand over night
Prep work that morning: Core and dice pineapple, cook English muffins

Tuesday: Chicken and dumplings, Steamed carrots, grapes
Prep work the night before: Soak dumpling dough overnight
Prep work that morning: Wash grapes

Wednesday: Chili, salad, crusty bread
Prep work the night before: soak beans
Prep work that morning: Cook beans

Thursday: Make your own chipotle night
Prep work the night before: Soak rice, soak beans, totrtilla dough
Prep work that morning: Cook rice, beans. Make tortillas

Friday: Homemade Chicken Fajita Pizza, Salad, Fruit Salad
Prep work the night before: Soak pizza dough
Prep work that morning: Parbake pizza crust. Freeze extra

Saturday: Leftover night

Visit Organizing Junkie for more great meal plan ideas.

So tell me...
What healthy foods are on your meal plan this week?

Sourdough Soft Pretzel Recipe

2010-10-22T15:13:00.007-04:00

I have been making homemade whole wheat soft pretzels for awhile now, using a modified version of Alton Brown's recipe. After taking the Sourdough e-course at GNOWFGLINS, I wanted to come up with a version that uses my sourdough starter. So I played around with the original recipe and finally came up with a version that I loved.

They are easy to make and oh so yummy. These pretzels smell amazing right out of the oven.

Sourdough Soft Pretzel Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup sourdough starter
1 1/2 cups warm water
1/4 cup butter, melted
4 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (may need more)
2/3 cup baking soda
1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water
Coarse pretzel salt

In a large bowl, combine the sourdough starter, water, melted butter, and flour. You may need to add additional flour. You want a dough that is not sticky. Cover the bowl and allow to sit at room temperature for at least 8 hours.

When ready to make your pretzels, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the 2/3 cup baking soda to the water. (This will bubble rapidly for a little bit before calming down.) Meanwhile, divide your dough into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a long rope. Form the rope into a U shape and twist. Press onto the bottom of the U in order to form the shape of a pretzel.

I press them in lightly to hold the shape together. Quick tip: if you use a glass cutting board to shape the dough, put a wet dishtowel underneath to keep it from slipping on your counter. One at a time, drop the pretzels into boiling water for 30 seconds. Drain.

Place the pretzels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper brushed with oil or a silicone mat. Brush each pretzel with the egg yolk mixture and sprinkle with coarse salt. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool, then enjoy!

The recipe makes 12 pretzels.

Per Pretzel:

217 calories
5.5 grams fat
5.6 grams fiber

Notes:

I have also used coconut oil or olive oil in place of the butter in this recipe. However for best taste, use real butter.
If grinding your own flour fresh, use a hard wheat. You can also try kamut but that may change the amount of flour you need slightly.
I ended up using close to 5 1/2 cups of flour, but mine was freshly ground.
I could not find pretzel salt in my regular grocery store. I was able to find it however, in a bulk food shop. Amazon carries it too if you can't find a local source.
If you don't have a sourdough starter, use this whole wheat soft pretzel recipe.

2 Great Giveaways at Kitchen Stewardship!

2010-10-22T14:38:00.000-04:00

Katie over at Kitchen Stewardship is hosting a couple of giveaways that you won't want to miss.

The first is for fermented cod liver oil. Vitamin D deficiency is a real problem in this country, especially during the winter months. 20 winners will receive a bottle of Green Pasture Fermented Cod Liver Oil in the flavor of your choice. (ARV $30-$49) Ends 10/29/10. US only. Enter here.

The second giveaway is for In the Kitchen - Real Food Basics eBook. If you are wanting to get started cooking using real foods, then this is the book for you. Ends 10/26/10. Open to entrants worldwide. Enter here.

Good luck!

Aloha Friday - 10/22/10

2010-10-22T09:40:00.000-04:00

It's Aloha Friday at An Island Life! Take a break from posting and answer a simple question. Then be sure to check out all the other bloggers participating. It's a great way to get to know each other.

My Question this week:
What old tv show do you wish they would bring out on DVD?

My answer:
Without a doubt it would be Ed. I just loved all the quirky characters! I want to live in Stuckeyville LOL. I also wish they would bring out Stark Raving Mad (I have always adored Neil Patrick Harris) and Maximum Bob. Anyone remember those short-lived shows?

Memes to Promote Your Blog

2010-10-22T09:32:00.003-04:00

Looking for places to promote your blog posts? Check out these themed memes, sorted by day of the week. Giveaway linkys are listed separately. (Just click on the link.)

Monday

Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie (Weekly meal plans)

Wednesday

Works for Me Wednesday at We Are That Family. (Tips of all kinds)

Thursday

Pennywise Platter Thursday at The Nourishing Gourmet (Frugal Nourishing Recipes using whole foods)

Friday

Friday Food Flops at Kelly the Kitchen Kop (Recipe mess-ups)
Aloha Friday at An Island Life (Random Question)

Host a weekly meme on your blog? Send me an email (missorganicskitchen (at) gmail.com) and I will add it to the list.

Get your kids moving with Playstation Move!

2010-10-21T08:37:00.000-04:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of PlayStation MOVE. All opinions are 100% mine.

Childhood obesity is on the rise in this country and along with it diseases that previously were mostly seen in adults - like diabetes and high blood pressure. It's no secret that our nation's children are less active these days and their health is suffering. Are you looking for ways to get your child to enjoy exercise? The PlayStation Move may be just what your child needs. It incorporates exercise into a video game. Kids will be having so much fun, they won't even know they are exercising!

What is the PlayStation®Move?
PlayStation®Move redefines motion gaming with the most immersive and realistic gaming experience only possible on the PlayStation®3 system. The simple, ergonomically designed, easy-to-use controller captures a full range of motion giving you ultimate control over how you play the game. With a diverse selection of games and new ones launching all the time, you can enjoy hours of fun with friends and family.

PlayStation®Move has something for everyone. Whether you’re experienced, casual, or somewhere in between, PlayStation®Move has a wide variety of games including sports, action, party, family, and shooters. The games are addictively fun and the outcome of every move is all under your control.

If Santa Claus happened to bring our family the PlayStation® Move for Christmas, it would be a great way for the whole family to exercise. I love that the games all incorporate physical movement. Our current video game system can be played with little movement. So anything that makes exercise fun for my kids gets two thumbs up from me.

It would be perfect for family game nights. Every Saturday night, we have a family game or movie night. The kids get to stay up late, we have popcorn, and spend quality time with each other. I think the PlayStation® Move would be a wonderful way to have fun on our Saturday evenings with family.

They have a great selection of games for the PlayStation®Move. There is a something for everyone. I personally think Dance Dance Revolution looks like it would be a blast. I love to dance, but never do it in public because I am not very good at it. This game would be the perfect way to enjoy dancing without fear of being embarrassed. Brunswick Pro Bowling also looks like fun. With four kids, we don't go bowling very often. It would be so much fun to simulate a trip to the bowling alley right in our own living room.

The PlayStation Move would make a great Christmas present for the whole family to enjoy. You can bring motion gaming exclusively to your existing PlayStation®3 for only $99 with the MOVE bundle package!

Removing Rust from Cast Iron - a Simple Trick

2010-10-20T15:13:00.001-04:00

Have you ever been frustrated by rusty cast iron cookware? Fortunately removing rust from cast iron is easy. It takes just a couple of minutes to reclaim your cast iron.

I haven't made tortillas in awhile. When I went to use my cast iron flat skillet today, I was not pleased to see its condition. Evidently the skillet was put away when it wasn't completely dry, and a couple of spots or rust had formed. Fortunately my pantry contains just the things to clean my cast iron skillet - olive oil and coarse salt.

To clean rust spots on cast iron cookware, just pour a tablespoon or 2 of oil on the pan. Sprinkle liberally with the coarse salt. Use a stiff brush to scrub until the rust is gone. It doesn't take long at all. This method also works to remove burnt-on food.

Put the cast iron pan into a 450 degree oven to dry completely. I put the pan in the oven for 5 minutes at that temperature and then turn it off. I allow the pan to cool in the oven.

Hint: Don't ever use soap on cast iron as it destroys the seasoning. I have a dedicated cast iron scrub brush that I use with water. That's all I ever need.

(Linked to Works for Me Wednesdays)

Blog Giveaway - Enter to win a Bisquick Gluten Free Prize Pack - ends 10/24

2010-10-20T14:31:00.004-04:00

Prize: a box of Bisquick Gluten Free baking mix, a pancake pan, pancake pen and a pancake flipper

Blog: Health, Beauty, Children, and Family

Sponsor: My Blog Spark

# of winners: 1

Entry limit: Daily

Expires: 10/24/10

Eligibility: US only

Click on the present below to enter the giveaway

Blog Giveaway - Enter to win Tropical Traditions Organic Milling Organic Whole Wheat Bread Flour - ends 10/24

2010-10-20T13:59:00.003-04:00

Prize: 5 lb. bag of Great River Organic Milling Organic Stone-Ground Whole Wheat Bread Flour from Tropical Traditions

Blog: Grammy Janet's Place

Sponsor: Tropical Traditions

# of winners: 1

Entry limit: 8 times per person

Expires: 10/24/10

Eligibility: US and Canada

Click on the present below to enter the giveaway

Blog Giveaway - Enter to win an Organic Tee of choice - ends 10/24

2010-10-20T13:48:00.002-04:00

Prize: an Organic Tee of choice from Zehn Naturals

Blog: Country Mouse, City Mouse

# of winners: 1

Entry limit: Daily

Expires: 10/24/10

Eligibility: US only

Click on the present below to enter the giveaway

Reading Help for Children from Stepping Stones Together

2010-08-09T01:33:00.000-04:00

Miss S just finished kindergarten. Although she passed and will be starting first grade in a couple of weeks, she still really struggles with reading. I worry about how she will do this coming school year. She can sound words out but has problems putting it all together into a word. So when I came across the opportunity to review the Stepping Stones Together beginning reading program, I jumped at the chance.

Stepping Stones Together is a program that teaches beginning reading skills through use of all sorts of activities that are fun for kids. It was founded by Dr. Erika Burton, who is a professor at National Louis University, focusing on educational research. The program teaches children to read using high frequency words - those words that are used frequently and need to be recognized at a glance for a child to be a successful reader. Through a series of online reading activities, the child is able to master the high frequency words for each book. The program offers high interest text (superheroes, sports, transportation, animals, princesses, fairies) repetitive syntax, helps develop print awareness, and utilizes all 220 high frequency words and more that 200 vocabulary words inclusive of the 95 most common nouns in children books. The program is designed to last 60 days. Each day you will work with your child for 15-20 minutes.

How the Stepping Stones Together program works:
You start with the stories in Series A. Each story must be read twice before moving on to the next story. You start by introducing the story to your child - just looking through the illustrations. Then your child reads the story to you, with the parent's help if needed. Then each story has a couple of reading comprehension questions, to help your child understand what they have read. Other beginning reading activities include writing prompts and flash cards. Lastly, there is an Incentive Chart to motivate your child to continue with the program. When your child has completed Series A, there are two more series to work through.

My thoughts:
The Stepping Stones Together program contains about 30 books in each of the 3 series. So I appreciated that there was enough variety that Miss S could choose the books that interested her. Naturally she chose the princess-themed books! There is a little bit for everyone, so your child should have no problem finding books that match their interests.

I loved that the program only took 15-20 minutes a day. Miss S is on the go constantly, but this worked for her. She didn't get bored and ask to move on to something else.

Another thing I liked was the high frequency word flashcards. Our school uses the same concept. They have a "word wall" with high use words that the kids need to be able to know on sight. We are big on flash cards in this family so Miss S enjoyed getting to have a set of her own.

My only complaint was that the formatting of the books wasn't right in Firefox. We couldn't see the text at the bottom and there was not a scroll button. However this was not a big problem because all of the books and activities could be downloaded. However, I would have preferred for Miss S to be able to read the books right on the computer.

After our trial of this program, I feel Miss S is doing much better with recognizing words on sight. I believe she is better prepared for the first grade with this increase in her reading skills. While I am not certain this would be a good program for pre-school children (because they need to already know the letters and their sounds), I highly recommend this for children fresh out of kindergarten who are struggling with reading.

You can connect with Stepping Stones Together on the Stepping Stones Together website, on Facebook, or on Twitter.

You can purchase a membership to Stepping Stones Together for $19.99 for 60 days, but you’ll actually get 90 days at that price. You can also purchase a whole year for $39.99.

Disclosure: I received a trial of the Stepping Stones Together program to facilitate this review. I received no other compensation. The opinions stated are my own.

Hydration Station for a Greener Planet

2010-07-30T11:35:00.000-04:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Haws. All opinions are 100% mine.

My daughter is in the midst of a crazy marching band rehearsal schedule right now. Next week is band camp, and they will practice 13 hours a day, mostly in the hot sun. To keep the 200 members hydrated, they use a ton of the big 5 gallon coolers. I have often seen them being dragged in at the end of practice and wondered if they are ever cleaned. I am a bit germ-phobic since my rotation at the hospital. So I worry about these things :)

I recently heard about a new type of water dispenser that would work great for my daughter's band and many other buildings and organizations. It is called the Hydration Station. It is a hands-free dispenser that dispenses filtered water into reusable water and containers. The Hydration Station is absolutely perfect for office buildings, schools, gyms... anywhere people need to stay hydrated! Another plus - the Hydration Station is green! It eliminates the need for plastic bottles of water that just pile up in the landfills.

I love that it is a hands-free unit. In cases like my daughter's marching band, it is a bit gross for 200 sweaty people to use their dirty hands to fill their water bottles from the band's coolers. Think of the germs! The Hydration Station eliminates this problem. I think it would be a great product for sports teams of all kinds.

I think the Hydration Station is a great way to cut back on the use of plastic bottles. It makes it easier then ever to use reusable water bottles. Anything that helps promote a green planet gets two thumbs up in my book. In addition to reducing trash in landfills, the Hydration Station is also a great way to save money. Just think of the money that could be saved if an organization switched from bottled water to reusable bottles.

For more information, I encourage you to visit the Hydration Station website.

Summer Update

2010-07-30T11:16:00.000-04:00

It's been a crazy summer so far. I took, and passed, my RD exam at the beginning of the month. My kids are so happy that crazy, study-obsessed mommy has gone away and been replaced by their regular mommy.

I have plans to move this blog over to Wordpress this fall. Once the kids are back in school, I will be back to posting regularly. Since I am now a registered dietitian, I hope to include to delve more into the nutrition aspects of each recipe as well. Each recipe in the future will have nutrition facts.

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer! See you in the fall.

Made in America - Bringing Main Street back to life

2010-07-29T23:04:00.000-04:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Ramblers Way. All opinions are 100% mine.

I live in a small town that is slowly losing its small town ways. A mall moved in about 10 years ago and ever since then our town is suffering from urban sprawl. Small mom and pop businesses have been driven out by the big chain stores clamoring for some of the traffic from the mall. It's funny... When I was in high school, I couldn't wait for the mall to be built. However now that I have seen the effects, I am wishing things could go back to the way it used to be.

This is happening all over small town America. Small downtown businesses are closing up as strip malls are taking over. Companies are outsourcing jobs because of the cheaper labor overseas, forcing factories to shut down. Entire communities have suffered the effects, forever changing small towns all over this nation - and not for the better.

Sadly, this appears to be a trend that is not abating. Fortunately for us, there are still some companies that choose to make their products in America, using American labor and resources. That is why it is so refreshing to hear about companies like Ramblers Way. Rambler's Way Farm sources, grows, and produces their fine woolen apparel using 100% domestic resources. Every part of their business is truly Made in America. Rambler's Way is dedicated to maintaining high standards in all aspects of their business from customer satisfaction, to community involvement, to ecological responsibility.

Even the Rambler's Way corporate headquarters reflects their small town values. Instead of building a huge modern facility, The Ramblers Way Corporate Office is a fully refurbished building that was originally built in 1792 and is located in downtown Kennebunk, Maine. They restored the building to its original condition, while being modernized to meet today's environmental standards. They have even achieved the coveted Gold Lead Certification level! One of my pet peeves is seeing the abandoned buildings that Wal-mart leaves behind when they build their new supercenters. So I can appreciate a company that chooses to renovate an existing building instead of building a new one.

Ramblers Way Farm is changing the way business is done in America. They are bringing small communities back to life by bringing manufacturing facilities into floundering small towns. I love the fact that Rambler's Way is committed to revitalizing America's small towns. I wish more companies would take their lead.

Tropical Traditions Flaxseed Winner

2010-07-14T10:07:00.000-04:00

Congratulations to our latest winner!

erma said...: I'd love to try the Powdered Laundry Detergent.

I will be contacting the winners shortly by email. They have 48 hours to reply or a new winner will be drawn. Thanks to everyone who entered!

Forgotten gifts are no longer a problem with Friendgiftr

2010-07-06T16:12:00.000-04:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of FriendGiftr. All opinions are 100% mine.

Ok, I will admit it - There has been a time or two where I have forgotten a friend's birthday and had to scramble to buy a gift at the last minute. Has this happened to you? Just two months ago, I forgot my best friend's birthday until the night before. I had to get out to the mall as soon as it opened and find her a gift. Oops! It made for a frantic search, let me tell you.

Anyway, if you need a gift right away because you've somehow forgotten a birthday or anniversary, I have a site you need to check out: FriendGiftr. You can buy a gift card and send it on its way, whether it is day or night . Which means you can go shopping in your pajamas! No need to mess with busy malls! The best part is you can send a “real” (physical) gift card or a digital gift card.

FriendGiftr has a ton of merchants to choose from,such as Dick's Sporting Goods, Gap, Sephora, Barnes and Noble, AMC Theaters, and a whole lot more. There are over 120 stores and restaurants to choose from, so chances are you will find the perfect gift!

I also love that they offer gift cards in many different denominations from $10 to $100. So whether you need a small gift or a large one, FriendGiftr is the right choice! Another great thing about FriendGiftr
is that the cards are swappable. So if the recipient decides they would rather have a different gift card, it's not a problem. They can exchange it for another gift card of the same value for no additional fee. How cool is that? They can do it without the recipient knowing so there are no hurt feelings.

By the way, it is so easy to use FriendGiftr. You can access their service through their website, Facebook, iPhone, BlackBerry, and even Android.

Tropical Traditions Golden Flaxseed Review and Giveaway!

2010-06-25T10:31:00.001-04:00

I recently had the chance to try out Tropical Tradition's Organic Golden Flaxseed. I have been so pleased with the quality of their products in the past. This time was no exception.

First, a little bit of the health benefits of flax seed for those of you who might not be familiar with it.

Flaxseed has a high ratio of Linolenic (Omega-3) to Linoleic (omega-6) fatty acids. While many other plant seeds contain a higher ratio of omega-6 fats, flaxseed is the one of the few seeds that contains a much higher ratio of the essential omega-3 fats.
Flaxseed oil is one of the richest sources of OMEGA-3 fatty acid, Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) an ESSENTIAL FATTY ACID (EFA). This fatty acid is considered essential, meaning that your body cannot make it but requires it and so must derive all of it from the diet. The average American diet is lacking in this fat. Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. One serving of Organic Whole Flaxseed provides 9 grms of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids.
Golden Flaxseed is unique in that 48% of its total fat content is omega-3 fatty acids.
Flaxseed contains very high amounts of DIETARY FIBER, both SOLUBLE and INSOLUBLE. Golden Flaxseed is 28%-35% fiber, 1/3 of which is soluble, and the other 2/3 insoluble. Soluble fiber also plays an important role in maintaining the “good bacteria” in our bowel, like Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacteria. Insoluble fiber increases the bulk of stools.
Flaxseed is an outstanding source of many essential nutrients, including: proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, folate, vitamin B-6, pantothenic acid, magnesium, potassium, iron, thiamine, copper, zinc, calcium and phosphorus.

Since I try to eat vegetarian most of the time, I use flax seed to get my omega-3's daily. Flaxseed is indigestible when whole so you need to grind it to get the benefits. I recommend a coffee grinder. It does a great job! I have a coffee grinder that I only use on herbs and seeds.

Here are some of the ways that I use flax seed on a daily basis:

Smoothies. I grind 2 tbs and mix it into my morning green smoothie
Muffins. When I make muffins for breakfast, I add 1/4 ground flax seed to the batter
Pancakes. I add about 1/4 cup ground flax seed to the batter.
Yogurt. Sprinkle a couple of tablespoons on the top of plain yogurt with some fruit
Oatmeal. Sprinkle a couple of tablespoons on top of oatmeal along with your choice of other toppings

I usually mix some ground flax seed into all my baked goods. You can't tell it is there, but you are getting the fiber and omega-3's. Brownies, cupcakes, cookies, tortillas, bread... You name it, I have probably tried adding ground flax seed to it. You can also mix it into your breading mix when making faux-fried chicken. I use it when making the breading for eggplant parmesan.

You can purchase Tropical Tradition's Organic Golden Flaxseed directly from the company by clicking on the Buy It button.

Tropical Traditions also has a Referral Program, so if you place an order with them as a first-time customer, please select “Referred by a friend” and in the box that says “How did you hear of us?” enter my sponsor ID number… 5699782. By telling Tropical Traditions that I referred you, you will receive with your first order a complimentary copy of the book Virgin Coconut Oil: How it has changed people’s lives and how it can change yours!" by Brian and Marianita Shilhavy. This book is filled with testimonies and research showing how healthy coconut oil is, and it also includes over 85 recipes showing how one can incorporate coconut into their diet. If you have any questions about how the referral program works, you can visit Tropical Tradition's customer service page.

One lucky Miss Organic's Kitchen reader will win a 1# bag of Tropical Tradition's Organic Golden Flaxseed. A huge thank you to Tropical Traditions for this opportunity!

Mandatory Entry
Visit Tropical Traditions and see what other products they carry that you would like to try.

(The mandatory entry must be completed before any of the extra entries. If the mandatory entry is not completed, the extra entries will not count.)

Extra Entries

Sign up for Tropical Traditions email newsletter. Leave a comment that you did. (2 entries)
Follow Tropical Traditions on twitter. Leave a comment with your twitter username (1 entry)
Follow Miss Organic's Kitchen on Google Friend Connect - see sidebar (2 entries)
Subscribe to Miss Organic's Kitchen email updates or subscribe to our feed. (Form is on the sidebar.) You must confirm your subscription for the entry to count. Comment to let me know you did. (2 entries)
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If you like you can copy and paste the following text.
Get your daily Omega-3's! Enter to win Tropical Traditions Golden Flax seed @greatgiveaways - ends 7/9 - http://bit.ly/aFAW45 #giveaway
Subscribe to our email updates (2 entries)
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Rules
• This giveaway is open to US and Canada only, age 18+.
• Mandatory entry must be completed before you can earn any of the extra entries.
• Please leave a separate comment for each entry. For example if you get 2 entries for a particular activity, leave 2 separate comments.
• Entries that can not be verified or do not follow the instructions are subject to deletion.
• This giveaway will end July 9, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST.
• Winner will be chosen using random.org's number generator.
• Winner will be posted here and emailed. The addresses entered on the form will only be used for prize fulfillment by the sponsor.
• Please either leave your email address with each comment or make sure your email address is available publicly on your profile. If I have no way to contact you, I will have to choose an alternate winner.

Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

June Winners!

2010-06-21T12:24:00.000-04:00

The winner of the Yoga dvd is

179. hindy said...: i weight lift the grocery bags on the way to the house

(Hindy, you didn't include your email address and your profile is not public. Please contact me to claim your prize. I need to hear back within 48 hours or I will have to choose another winner.)

The winner of the Real Food book is
3. Amber said... I am really interested in winning this book because I think it could help me makeover my diet and I'm really getting into the slow food and sustainable movement!
Thank you for the giveaway :)

The winner of the Sleep Scentsations is
#78. sw said... These could be really helpful to keep me asleep when my partner starts snoring!

I will be contacting the winners shortly by email. They have 48 hours to reply or a new winner will be drawn. Thanks to everyone who entered!

Sleep Scentsations Review and Giveaway

2010-06-09T16:00:00.001-04:00

I sometimes have trouble falling asleep because my mind races and just won't shut down. So when I was recently contacted about reviewing Sleep Scentsations Scented Pillow Liners, I was happy to give them a try.

Sleep Scentsations Liners are thin, soft liners infused with essential oils and fragrance oils that will not stain your bed linens. When placed on your pillow, underneath the pillowcase, you will enjoy a relaxing scent that will lull you to sleep. Each liner typically lasts 4-7 days.

They are easy to use - you just peel off the backing and affix the liner to your pillowcase. I tend to move around a lot in my sleep, but the liner stayed in place. The liners come off your pillow quite easily too.

I chose the Relaxing scent to try because I love the smell of lavender. Sleep Scentsation's Relaxing scent is a blend of lavender, bergamot, and cedarwood. It didn't smell exactly like I expected, but it was a pleasing scent nonetheless. I used it last night and found I was able to sleep soundly. I would have to use it a couple of more nights to definitively say that the liner helped me to relax and fall asleep more quickly. However, I really enjoyed the scent. It was comforting and for some reason reminded me of my grandma's house as a child. I always loved the smell of her house.

I was also sent a My Boyfriend's Shirt scented liner to try. It is a blend of musk, jasmine, and sandalwood. I didn't care for this one as much at first. It reminded me of my husband's deodorant and was overpowering right out of the package. However, after a couple of hours it wasn't as strong. My oldest daughter ended up trying it as she really liked the scent.

The liners come in quite a few different scents, so I am sure it won't be a problem to find one that suits your tastes. I do want to let people know that while the scents are strong right out of the package, they aren't that way under the pillowcase. It was just the right amount, which I appreciated.

Thank you to Sleep Scentsations for allowing me to review your product!

Sleep Scentsations Scented Pillow Liners come in a variety of scents. They come in packs of 8 for $19.99 or you can purchase a trial liner for $2.99. You can order them directly from the Sleep Scentsations website.

Sleep Scentsations would like to bless one Miss Organic's Kitchen reader with a Pleasant Dreams Collection gift set. The collection includes: 2 each of Relaxing Lavender and White Tea & Lily and 1 each of Day at the Beach, Fresh Cut Grass, Ginger & Amber, Shanghai Nights, My Boyfriends Shirt and SnoreRx - 10 liners in all.

Mandatory Entry
(This must be completed before any extra entries can be earned.)
Visit the Sleep Scentsations Scent Menu and tell me what scent you would most like to try.
Leave a comment with your answer.

Extra Entries:

Leave a comment telling me why you need to try Sleep Scentsations Scented Pillow Liners. (1 entry)
Tweet about this giveaway . Be sure your tweet includes @Greatgiveaways so that I can see it. Leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry daily)
To make things easier, you can click on the birdy below to tweet.

For more ways to earn extra entries, please visit our extra entries / rules page. The page will open in a new window for easy reference.

Rules

This giveaway ends 6/19/10 at 11:59 pm EST
Please be sure to leave your email address with your entry so I can contact the winner.
It is open to US and Canadian residents over the age of 18.
For complete rules, please visit our extra entries/rules page.

Melvin and the Magnificent Molar Book Review

2010-06-09T14:34:00.000-04:00

I recently had the opportunity to review the adorable children's book Melvin and the Magnificent Molar by Julia Cook and Laura Jana, MD. My youngest daughter has recently developed a fear of going to the dentist, so it was good timing that I was able to read this book with her and discuss it.

I loved that the story was told from the tooth's point of view! The book is told partly in rhyme, which helped keep my daughter's interest. The book explained how important it is to keep your teeth clean in terms that a child could understand.

It also helped my youngest understand what exactly the dentist is doing when she goes in for a cleaning. She had a cleaning yesterday so everything was fresh in her mind. I loved that the book had an illustration of a tooth in armor when it was talking about flouride treatments. What a great way to think about it!

I think this will be a great book to pull out the next time my daughter has to go back to the dentist to help her remember what the dentist will be doing and why.

I am going to have to bring this book into the dentist next time and show him. I think Marvin the Magnificent Molar would be a great book for his waiting room.

You can buy this wonderful book direct from the author for $9.95. It will be personalized and autographed at no additional charge! You can also purchase this book on Amazon. The author also has a potty training book in the works.

Disclosure: I received a copy of the book to facilitate my review. I received no other compensation. The opinions stated within this review are my own.

Recipe Index

2010-06-08T10:30:00.000-04:00

Breakfast Recipes

Bread and Whole Grain Recipes

Bean recipes

Main Dish Recipes

Side Dish Recipes

Snack and Dessert Recipes

Sprouting Information

Sprouting Chickpeas

Meal Planning Information

Benefits of Meal Planning

Worm Composting - Good for your Garden, Good for the Environment!

2010-06-04T17:43:00.000-04:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Uncle Jims Worm Farm. All opinions are 100% mine.

While regular composting is a worthwhile endeavor, it can take a lot of space and work to maintain. Plus it isn't a viable option for apartment dwellers, or people with tiny yards. Fortunately, there is a different kind of composting that works for almost anyone.

Worm composting takes little space. Once it is set up, it requires very little care. We tried worm composting 2 summers ago, and let me tell you, those little guys can thrive even when neglected. Just give them some food scraps every couple of weeks, and the worms are happy. A bin of composting worms is a great way to process your fruit and vegetable waste. You are helping to keep trash out of landfills. As an added bonus, the worms will create a fantastic fertilizer you can use in your garden. In addition to using worm castings as a soil amendment, I also mix it in with potting soil for my houseplants, and use it for seed starting.

Worm castings are a fantastic soil amendment that can help your plants grow bigger and increase the yield, all without additional chemical fertilizers. If you ever get a chance, do some research on some of the big name fertilizers. They are designed to create dependency. Basically it will get to a point that your plants won't produce without it. In addition, some leave salts in your soil which help kill the soil. Chemical fertilizers are not the answer. Organic soil amendments are the way to go.

It is simple to get started with a worm bin. You simply need a large flat container perforated with air holes. I have found that Rubbermaid bins work well for this. Add some moist shredded paper and you will be ready to go. You can easily store the container under your kitchen sink for year-round indoor composting. We used our bin outdoors in the summer. You just need a shady spot. We stored our worm bin under the deck.

After you get your bin built, you will then need to purchase some worms. While it might be tempting to go dig some out of your garden, it really is best to buy Red Wigglers. You only need a small amount as the little guys multiply like crazy. After awhile your red worm composting efforts will probably be so successful, you will have plenty of worms to share with family and friends so they can start their own bins.

You can buy worm composting bins along with the worms and other supplies you might need at Uncle Jim's Worm Farm. By the way, if you are a bit squeamish like me, some of the bins are designed so you have very little contact with the worms. Alternatively, you can get another member of your family to take care of them. My son pretty much adopted the worms as his own and took care of them.

I encourage you to give worm composting a try. Your garden will thank you!

Ecostore USA Review - Green Cleaning Products

2010-06-03T08:13:00.006-04:00

I have been trying to use more green cleaners this past year, even going as far as making my own. I tend to use a lot of baking soda and vinegar as they are inexpensive and nontoxic. However there are some things that just don't seem to work as well as commercial cleaners. My attempts at making my own dishwasher detergent was disastrous and left yucky streaks all over my dishes.

So when I was contacted by Ecostore USA, I jumped at the chance to review 2 of their products. I really appreciate that all of their products are made from plant- and mineral-based ingredients, free of toxic chemicals. Right from the start, I knew that this was a company that really cares about the environment. When I opened the package, there was a note that all of their packaging materials are environmentally friendly. They even use soy packing peanuts!

The first product I chose to review was the Pure Oxygen Whitener. With 4 kids, I go through a ton of stain remover and bleach. So I was anxious to try their Pure Oxygen Whitener to see if it helped reduce my dependence on stain removers. While I still need to use stain remover on tough stains, it did seem to help with the minor ones. I liked the fact that my whites are brighter after using this product. I am definitely going to be using it every time I wash whites. For those of you with babies and children with sensitive skin, this product is a great non-irritating alternative to bleach.

The second product I chose to review was the Lemon Cream Cleanser. I absolutely loved the scent - fresh lemons! It was definitely not the yucky, fake, used to cover up the nasty chemicals, lemon scent that most other cleansers use. One thing I really liked about this cleanser is that it is gentle enough to use on glasstop stoves. It can be used on a variety of other surfaces as well from enamel, to stainless steel, to tile. I decided to try it in my teenage daughter's bathroom. She hates to clean it and it shows! I am happy to report that it did a great job on her sink. I love the fresh scent it left behind.

One other notable thing to mention about Ecostore USA is that they list their ingredients right on the product page. If there is something that the average person wouldn't be able to recognize, they tell what it is in common terms. For example, this is the ingredient list for the cream cleanser.

Ingredients

Water
Calcium carbonate (chalk)
Plant based anionic surfactants
Plant based glycerine
Plant base thickener
Xanthum gum
Lemon verbena oil

Overall, I was impressed. While the products are a bit more expensive than their non environmentally friendly counterparts, I feel it is worth it to reduce the amount of toxic chemicals that our families are exposed to on a daily basis. The products I tried worked well and left a fresh scent. I would definitely buy them in the future.

Ecostore USA is on Twitter and Facebook if you would like to follow them for the latest info on their products.

Ecostore USA products can be found at Meijer and Duane Reade stores. You can also purchase them direct from their website - Ecostore USA. They offer free shipping on orders over $25!

A huge thank you to Ecostore USA for the opportunity to try their products.

Disclosure:
I received the Ecostore items at no charge to facilitate this review. I received no other compensation. The opinions expressed are my own.

The Vintage Remedies Guide to Real Food Review and Giveaway

2010-05-31T10:41:00.002-04:00

Since I am a dietitian in the real world, I enjoy searching out recipes that use whole foods. So I was pleased when I had the opportunity to review the book Vintage Remedies Guide to Real Food by Jessie Hawkins. Vintage Remedies is a company that provides resources for natural and healthy lifestyles. Their website offers free tips, recipes and formulas for natural living.

A little bit about the book:
The Vintage Remedies Guide to Real Food is a paperback book on the current food industry, how it got here, how that impacts health and how to change. It includes tips for changing the diet to real foods on a budget, with kids, etc. It also covers 7 confusing foods such as seafood, meat and sweeteners. It ends with a guide to over 150 foods, including not only descriptions, but medicinal and nutritional benefits, how to select and purchase them and recipes to try out the new foods. End of book materials include an index to food additives and additional recipes.

My thoughts:
I have a degree in dietetics, so I started reading the book with the attitude that I wasn't going to learn much new. While most of the information contained in the The Vintage Remedies Guide to Real Food book was not new to me, I did appreciate having all the information right there at my fingertips for quick reference. Most people reading the book are not going to have nutrition degrees. So I think this book would be a wonderful resource to have in your library. The United States consumes way too many processed foods. So any book that promotes a whole foods centered diet gets 2-thumbs up in my book.

I loved the "Let Your Foods Be Your Medicine" section. In addition to a brief overview of each food, it also had recipes to try. I liked that this section included foods that aren't as well known - like Kamut, Quinoa, and Agar Agar. I found a wonderful recipe for a Quinoa and Feta salad that I am going to have to try.

I also loved the "Real Foods on a Budget" section. I think the current economy has everyone tightening their belts. Unfortunately most people turn to more processed foods as their budget shrinks. So I loved that the author included tips on how to make the most of your food dollars.

Overall, I believe this is an excellent book to have on hand. Even though I am trained in this area, I believe that I will refer to this book for information from time to time for information or new recipes. Thank you so much to Vintage Remedies for allowing Miss Organic's Kitchen to review your book!

The Vintage Remedies Guide to Real Food can be purchased from the author's website as well as on Amazon for $18.95.

One lucky Miss Organic's Kitchen reader is going to win their own copy of The Vintage Remedies Guide to Real Food.

Mandatory Entry
(This must be completed before any extra entries can be earned.)
Why would you love to add this book to your library?
Leave a comment with your answer.

Extra Entries:

Leave a comment with your a tip on how to add more whole foods to your diet. (1 entry)
Tweet about this giveaway . Be sure your tweet includes @Greatgiveaways so that I can see it. Leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry daily)
To make things easier, you can click on the birdy below to tweet.

For more ways to earn extra entries, please visit our extra entries / rules page. The page will open in a new window for easy reference.

Rules

This giveaway ends 6/12/10 at 11:59 pm EST
Please be sure to leave your email address with your entry so I can contact the winner.
It is open to US residents over the age of 18.
For complete rules, please visit our extra entries/rules page.

This is a Mama Buzz review. The product was provided by Vintage Remedies for this review/giveaway.

Get a Free Sample of Boudreaux's Butt Paste

2010-05-21T22:58:00.000-04:00

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Boudreaux's Butt Paste. All opinions are 100% mine.

With four children, I have tried a lot of diaper rash remedies over the years. Only 2 stand out in my mind as being effective. One was too expensive to use regularly, and the other was Boudreaux's Butt Paste. Unfortunately I just learned about Boudreaux's Butt Paste with my last child. I really wish I had known about it with my first baby. It would have saved a lot of needless skin irritation, as Miss Kaylee got diaper rash frequently.

After a friend recommended Boudreaux's Butt Paste, I decided to give it a try. I was so glad I did. I typically only needed an application or two of Boudreaux's Butt Paste to clear up Miss Sierra's diaper rash. Unlike some other diaper rash treatments, it wasn't greasy or smelly. I loved that it cleaned up easily. Unlike some other ointments I tried, it never burned or irritated Sierra's skin.

Boudreaux's Butt Paste is a diaper rash ointment and skin protectant. It helps to prevent diaper rash, protects chafed skin, and seals out wetness. Boudreaux's Butt Paste spreads on easily, cleans off quickly, and has a pleasant scent. Available in convenient foil pack, 1oz, 2oz, 3oz, 4 oz tubes and 16oz jar. You can find it in drug, discount or grocery store chains nationwide.

Boudreaux's Butt Paste has been featured on
• Oprah Show
• Tonight Show
• Today Show
• People Magazine
• ESPN
• While You Were Out TLC

If you have never heard of Boudreaux's Butt Paste before, I highly recommend giving it a try with your baby. Right now you can get a free sample, so what do you have to lose? It just might be the last diaper rash treatment you ever use!

To get your free sample, visit http://www.blairex.com/BLButtPaste.php

Yoga for Weight Loss DVD giveaway - ends 6/5

2010-05-21T14:52:00.002-04:00

A Freebie Friday Giveaway for all of you just to say thanks for reading!

One Miss Organic's Kitchen reader will win Yoga Conditioning for Weight Loss on dvd.

Mandatory Entry
(This must be completed before any extra entries can be earned.)
Why would you like to win this dvd?
Leave a comment with your answer.

Extra Entries:

Leave a comment with a creative workout tip. (1 entry)
Tweet about this giveaway . Be sure your tweet includes @Greatgiveaways so that I can see it. Leave a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry daily)
To make things easier, you can click on the birdy below.

For more ways to earn extra entries, please visit our extra entries / rules page. The page will open in a new window for easy reference.

Rules

This giveaway ends 6/5/10 at 11:59 pm EST
Please be sure to leave your email address with your entry so I can contact the winner.
It is open to US residents over the age of 18.
For complete rules, please visit our extra entries/rules page.

Just for a laugh!

2010-05-18T10:23:00.000-04:00

I know you don't clean your computer screen very often

and it is hard to do the inside, so here is my present to you.

(just click on the word "here" above)