Super Groupon Deal: Old Navy

 
There's a great Groupon available for Old Navy - today only! $10 for $20 worth of product. The great thing about this Groupon (outside of being Old Navy) is that you can use it for sale items and in-store promotions. Use it from 6/2/11 thru 7/30/11...but even if you pass the expiration date, you won't lose your initial $10 value. Click here to bring you directly to the deal!

All JASON Products at Vitacost - 10% Off

Now through tomorrow, 5/26 at 9AM, receive 10% off all JASON products at Vitacost.com. In addition, receive free shipping on any order over $49.

Organic Gardening Magazine - 50% off!

Organic Gardening Magazineis 50% off through May 28th! A 2-year automatic subscription is available for $11.97 (only $1 per issue.) I'm excited about this deal because it's a magazine that's on my wish list. It's filled with information on growing your favorite organic vegetables, creating beautifully landscaped spaces, and how to control those dreaded weeds and pests organically.

Thanks, Organic Deals!

Green Household Cleaners: Granite Counter Tops

 
Household cleaners are filled with loads of toxic chemicals. And when we clean with them, we inhale them, they're absorbed into our skin. I'm slowly making my way to a more non-toxic cleaning regimen. In most instances, I've found the cleaning to be adequate, but I must admit there are times I reach for a bottle of chemicals. There are some tough, stubborn stains that I've been challenged to remove with natural cleaning methods. I'm certainly working on it, experimenting with different solutions. One I've been using for a few years with great success on my granite counter tops. Its base is isopropyl alcohol, which has a neutral pH and is an intermediate disinfectant (kills most bacteria, viruses and fungi.) It's much safer than a lot of the products readily available in the store and much less expensive to make. As with any cleaning solution, do take care not to inhale and of course, do not ingest.

Green Granite Counter Top Cleaner:
Fill spray bottle with 1 part 70% isopropyl alcohol and 4 parts water. Add a few drops of castile soap (I like Dr. Bronner's Lavender soap, or simply use dishwashing liquid.) Lightly spray counter tops and wipe with a clean, dry cloth. It will evaporate quickly and won't leave streaks.

Peanut Butter Crispy Rice Treats

Working as a volunteer at my youngest son's preschool, I usually like to bring a healthy treat for the kids to enjoy during snack time. Well, this time I completely forgot. About an hour before we were supposed to be there, I was scrambling for something I could quickly put together. I didn't have time to mix, bake and let cool. Cookies, muffins and cupcakes were out of the question. Then I remembered the box of Rice Krispies I had stored in the basement. Perfect. Rice Krispy Treats. I've tried a few yummy recipes that don't use the icky (yet delicious, I know) marshmellow and butter combo. I turned to The Kind Dietby Alicia Silverstone and found her interpretation of the traditional version and adapted it slightly. The result is a sweet, peanut buttery bite-sized crispy treat!
 

peanut butter crispy rice treats recipe
 

ingredients:

1-16 oz. box brown rice cereal (if you can't find this in your health food aisle, Rice Krispies work just as well)

1 cup brown rice syrup

1/2 cup maple syrup, plus 2 tablespoons

3/4 cup peanut butter or almond butter

1/2 cup chocolate chips
Cooking spray

directions:

1. Pour rice cereal into a large bowl. In a small saucepan, heat brown rice syrup and 1/2 cup maple syrup over low heat. Once combined and liquified, add peanut butter and stir well. 

2. Pour sauce over rice cereal and stir to coat. If it's too dry, add one tablespoon of maple syrup at a time. The consistency should be nice and sticky, not too wet or you'll have trouble forming your small bites.

3. Cool mixture and then add chocolate chips. I added them when it was still a bit warm and the chocolate got really melty, although it still tasted delicious.

4. Lightly spray a 9 x 13 baking dish or, my preference, mini-muffin tins. Evenly spread the mixture into the baking dish or drop in heaping spoonfuls into muffin tins, slightly shaping tops into domes.

5. Place in refrigerator until ready to serve. Cut into squares or simply remove from tins.

Makes 9 to 12 squares, or 4 dozen mini-bites.

Delicious Basil Shrimp Recipe

Shrimp is one of my favorite foods. It's delicious, versatile and packed with nutrients. Not only are they low in fat and calories, they're high in selenium, protein, vitamins B12, B3, D, iron and omega-3 fatty acids.

I'm always looking for a good shrimp recipe. Although I have many I can turn to in a pinch, I love trying something new. The approval rating was extremely high for this one; from my one-year old niece to my sixty-something year old mother, it was enjoyed by all. Although I used shrimp, I think this could be used with a white fish or chicken and can also be grilled instead of sauteed. I've adapted it from one I discovered on my most-referred to recipe source, allrecipes.com. Enjoy over brown rice or pasta.

basil shrimp recipe 
 

ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons butter, melted (my preference is Earth Balance)

1 lemon, juiced (or 2 teaspoons)

1 1/2 - 2 tablespoons dijon mustard, depending on your preference

1/4 cup minced fresh basil, or 4 teaspoons dried

3 cloves garlic, minced

salt, to taste (I suggest be on the conservative side)

white pepper, to taste

2 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined

directions:

1. In a medium bowl, combine olive oil and melted butter. Add lemon juice, mustard, basil, garlic, salt and pepper. Add shrimp and lightly toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

2. Heat large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and remaining marinade to saute pan. Cook for 6 minutes or so, turning shrimp occasionally, until opaque and cooked thoroughly.
Serves 4.

Great shopping deals at Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy

Great deals at Gap Outlet, Banana Republic Factory Store and Old Navy!

At Gap Outlets and Banana Republic Factory Stores, buy any two items, get one free! Click here for coupon (valid May 14th only.)

Old Navy is having a big summer sale on baby and toddler items and on May 14th, if you're an Old Navy card holder, flip-flops are only $1 (in-store presale offer, limit 5.) For those who don't have the card, your $1 flip-flop sale will be May 21st. There's also a 50% off one item coupon available here (valid 5/13 - 5/15.) This is a bonus from Oprah's Old Navy makeover show.

Understanding Sunscreen and What Should Be Avoided

Warm weather in the northeast is on its way, which means more time spent outside and more time exposed to the sun's harmful rays. As I dig deeper in my quest for knowledge on how to live healthier in today's chemical-reliant world, I'm discovering more and more ways we are contributing to our own demise. Sounds a bit dramatic, I know, but it's true. Some of these contributors we know about, some we don't. Sunscreen is one of those topics that has been discussed a lot lately. I knew of the top-level reasons why some sunscreen ingredients should be avoided, however, in researching this topic I've decided to ditch my stockpile of traditional sunscreens and invest in some that are considered safer.

To fully understand sunscreen and why it's necessary, I wanted to investigate what UVA and UVB were and why they're dangerous. Yes, very elementary, but all I really knew was that they're harmful and we should protect ourselves against them. But why? According to the U.S. Department of Health and The World Health Organization, UV is a proven human carcinogen. The sun emits three types of rays in different wavelengths: ultraviolet A (long wave), ultraviolet B (short wave) and ultraviolet C (much shorter wave, which is mostly absorbed by the earth's ozone layer and doesn't make it to us.)

UVA
These rays are much less intense than UVB, but are also much more prevalent. They are consistently present throughout the day and can pass through the cloud layer, as well as glass. These rays penetrate the skin more deeply than UVB and can cause premature skin aging and wrinkles. Up until recently, scientists were unaware of their cancer-causing abilities.

UVA is the dominant tanning ray. A tan is essentially damage to your skin's DNA. In the attempt to protect itself and prevent further damage, the skin darkens. These mutations to your skin can result in skin cancer. Tanning salons are the perfect place to subject yourself to highly toxic doses of UVA. Those who visit a tanning bed are 1.5 to 2.5 times more likely to develop a type of carcinoma and if you visit one as a youth, you're 75% more likely to develop melanoma. My one and only visit to a tanning salon is making me cringe.

UVB
UVB rays are the ones that can cause sunburn and damage to your skin's outermost layers, leading again to skin cancer and premature aging. You're most at risk from these rays throughout spring into fall and during the time period, I'm sure you've heard, is the most dangerous to be exposed to the sun, from 10am to 4pm. UVB rays, however, cannot significantly penetrate glass. Both UVA and UVB rays can also contribute to eye damage (including cataracts) and immune system suppression.

Keeping protected from the sun
Understanding how the sun's rays effect us gives good reason to look for ways to protect ourselves while exposed. Of course, the experts say the best way to do this is to stay out of the sun during the midday hours, when the UVB rays cause the most damage. Wearing protective clothing while outside is also hugely important. Perhaps it's time to sport that wide brimmed hat buried in your closet and definitely don't forget to wear your sunglasses.

The FDA's role
Staying out of the sun and wearing protective clothing isn't always practical. Especially for those of us in the northeast, after a LONG winter of being trapped inside, we want out. And when we are, sunscreen is the solution most of us choose to use. However, dangers from sunscreen ingredients have recently been identified and the question becomes, "cancer from the sun's rays or cancer from the sunscreen that's supposed to protect?" Some protection. There are some serious issues within the FDA, whose job it is to protect the public's health. They've been working on developing comprehensive regulations for sunscreen safety and effectiveness...since 1978. Nothing has been finalized. Very loose guidelines have been issued, however nothing legally mandated.

Ingredients to avoid in sunscreen
Some of the current ingredients allowed to be used in sunscreen (many of which have been banned in Europe) generate free radicals when exposed to UV light, which lead to cellular damage and mutations that can cause cancer. Some are potential hormone disruptors, impacting reproductive, nervous, thyroid and immune systems (similar to DDT, dioxins and PCBs.) In addition, since these chemicals are synthetic and our bodies have difficulty breaking them down, they end up being stored in our body fat. The Environmental Working Group has rated sunscreen ingredients based on concern for human exposure and toxicity. The worst contenders include (read more):

• 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC) - up for approval by the FDA
• Benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone) - especially hazardous for children
• 3-Benzylidene camphor - up for approval by the FDA
• Octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC)
• Padimate O
• Retinyl palmitate or retinol

Key findings regarding sunscreen use
Below is a quick summary of the findings discussed in the EWG's 9 Surprising Truths about sunscreen. Click on the above link for further details. It's a really interesting read.

• There are many differing opinions as to whether or not sunscreen decreases the risk of skin cancer. The National Cancer Institute has concluded that there is little evidence to support this. In fact, as cited by a number of experts, the incidence of skin cancer is on the rise despite an increased use of sunscreen. Although it's reported that sunscreen use reduces the risk for squamous-cell carcinoma (a slow growing, treatable cancer accounting for 16% of all skin cancers), studies have shown a higher rate of the deadliest cancer, malignant melanoma, in frequent sunscreen users.
• SPF, Sun Protection Factor, provides a measure of the sunscreen's effect against UVB rays. You'll find many products that have a factor of 30 and above, which can be misleading to consumers. The higher the number doesn't necessarily mean better protection. Many believe it does and will stay out in the sun for a longer period of time, increasing their exposure risks. The higher protection in the sunscreen equates to a greater concentration of chemical ingredients, increasing the amount being absorbed into your body. In addition, the amount of sunscreen the average person actually applies is about 1/4 of what is applied in a laboratory setting. Therefore, the actual SPF you're receiving is much less than what's stated on the bottle.
• Many sunscreens, especially high SPF products, fail drastically in UVA protection. The EWG has tested 446 beach and sport sunscreens with SPF ratings of 30+ and determined that two-thirds of them provide inadequate UVA protection. Since there have been no regulatory changes since 1978, only two ingredients have made their way through the FDA approval process. These were added to the list of 17 ingredients sunscreen manufacturer's can choose from to put in their formulations. To give you perspective, in Europe there are 27 ingredients available, 7 of which are approved for UVA absorption. The U.S. has only approved 3, of which avobenzone is the most common, yet is proven to be unstable and also comes with the dangers listed above.
• The sunscreen ingredient most commonly found in U.S. products, a form of Vitamin A (retinyl palmitate or retinol), has been documented to speed the development of skin tumors and lesions when exposed to sunlight. Read more.
• Experts advise avoiding sunscreens in their powder and spray forms due to the potential for inadvertent inhalation, especially with mineral-based products. 

What sunscreens are considered safe for my family?

The EWG performs comprehensive testing on the majority of sunscreens available to the U.S. consumer. Click here to review their most recent list of top-rated broad spectrum (both UVA/UVB) sunscreens. You can also search for your specific sunscreen and see how well or poorly it's rated. You'll be shocked to see how many of the readily available sunscreens are considered a high health risk.

Although I'll be replacing a bunch of my family's sunscreen, we do currently use Badger on my boys' faces, which received a Recommended rating. At least I'm on the right track. Enjoy the outdoors and know you're doing it as safely as possible!

Happy Mother's Day...and some shopping deals just for us!

To all you amazing moms, Happy Mother's Day!

I spend a LOT of time with my boys, I know they love me...so no crazy celebration is necessary to reconfirm that today. However, I'm not going to let one of the two days I can truly call my own (the other being my birthday), where I dictate the events of the day, pass by without taking slight advantage of it. Hmm, sounds a little harsh, let's say 'plan the events of the day' instead. From my husband, there are a few things I ask: please provide the food, as I will not be cooking; please clean up, as I will not be cleaning; and please try to attend to the boys as much as possible, as I will be ignoring their requests. As to the last item, maybe not ignoring, but if they come in search of my negotiation skills, passing by my husband who happens to be in the same room where the complaint occurred, I will defer to said husband. That gives me a lot of satisfaction - for one day, I deserve it.

Lunch with a girlfriend, time with the boys and maybe a bit of work in the garden is my easy, relaxing day! Enjoy yours...and if you happen to be doing a little shopping, check out these deals just for us moms (but act fast, most expire by 11:59 tonight!)

GAP - 30% off New Women's Styles, use GAPMOM at checkout. If you're shopping in store, you'll get 20%, 30% or 40% off - visit store for details.

Old Navy - 15% off $50, 20% off $75, use ONSAVEBIG at checkout.

Banana Republic - 30% off, use BRSAVE30 at checkout (expires Monday at noon.)

Kohl's - Mom's Day Mega Sale plus 15% off, use SAVE15MAY at checkout. If you're shopping in store, click here for a printable coupon.

Itzy Ritzy - 20% off  everything, use MOM2011.

More dining deals, click here.  (Thanks, Deal Seeking Mom!)

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Portobello Burritos

Cinco de Mayo, a day for celebrating Mexican culture with parades, music, dancing and lots of authentic Mexican food. Do you really know why it's a day of celebration? In 1862, the Mexicans had a surprising defeat against the French in The Battle of Puebla. It's actually not widely celebrated throughout Mexico, except for in the state of Puebla, but mostly celebrated in the United States. For us, it's a great reason to enjoy Mexican heritage, cuisine and a Margarita (or two.)

Today I'll have three little boys over for a fun pre-school lesson/play date. A few of us moms get them together once a week for some kindergarten readiness learning and fun...mostly fun,while throwing in a few informal lessons and crafts. I'm planning on incorporating a few spanish words, like fiesta and comida. We'll be making a Mexican flag, some tamborines and maracas. There will be a Mexican parade (which I might regret...did I say tamborines and maracas?) and a feast of nachos and salsa. 

The Margaritas will be incorporated with the evening festivities. And by festivities I mean making some Portobello Burritos (although tonight they'll be button mushroom burritos, as that's all I have.) This is a great vegan option, although can easily be modified to include meat and plenty of cheese. I discovered this delicious recipe in Dynise Balcavage's The Urban Vegan: 250 Simple, Sumptuous Recipes from Street Cart Favorites to Haute Cuisine.Loaded with veggies and protein-packed black beans and whole grains.

portobello and bean burrito recipe

ingredients:

2 teaspoons olive oil, divided

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional - usually leave out if I'm serving to children)

1 red pepper, thinly sliced (or diced - my kids like it better in smaller pieces)

1 large onion, thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 portobello mushroom caps, sliced

1 16-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed or refried beans

2 cups cooked rice

2 tablespoons ground cilantro

2 teaspoons cumin

1 teaspoon coriander

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1 16-oz jar salsa

10 tortillas

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I use Daiya Cheddar for my portion)

Salt, to taste

Cilantro for garnish

Chopped lettuce, tomatoes, garlic, onion, and avocado for garnish

directions:

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease large baking pan.

2. Heat 1 teaspoon oil and red pepper flakes over medium heat in a large skillet. Saute peppers, onion and garlic for about 5 minutes. Add a pinch of salt and portobello mushrooms. Cook for about 20 minutes, until mushrooms are softened.

3. Mix black beans, rice, spices and remaining olive oil. Add cooked veggies and combine.

4. Spread a few tablespoons of salsa on bottom of baking pan. Fill tortillas with rice and bean mixture. Add cheese and fold burrito in so that both ends are enclosed. Put burritos in pan and cover with remaining salsa.

5. Bake for 20 minutes. Serve with garnishes and sour cream. 

Serves 6-8.

Notes: Add shredded chicken, if desired.

Lightly Fried Fish Sandwiches with Spicy Mayo

I've had lots of fried fish before - beer-battered, dipped in egg, encrusted with panko, enjoyed with chips, in homemade corn tortillas - you name it, I've probably tried it. A friend recently recommended Gwyneth Paltrow's new cookbook, My Father's Daughter: Delicious, Easy Recipes Celebrating Family & Togetherness.It's absolutely fantastic. She has some amazing recipes - within the first week, I made four of them and they were all delicious. I found this one and had to try it...and I'm so glad I did. It's lightly fried and bursting with tremendous flavor. I've made this twice in one week for both friends and family. Everyone requested the recipe and my husband couldn't stop eating it. Perfect for the kids because you can fry some of the fish and serve it separately, with a non-spicy version of the mayo. This recipe has been slightly modified from the original.

fried fish sandwiches with spicy mayo recipe  

ingredients:

1 to 1 1/2 pounds pacific sole or flounder *

1 cup milk (I use soy milk)

1 cup plain or wholewheat breadcrumbs (homemade is best), mixed with 1 teaspoon sea salt and 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, divided

1 lemon

1 baguette, cut in half lengthwise

1 cup loosely packed leafy lettuce (spring mix, baby arugula or shredded romaine)

1/2 cup bread-and-butter chips (pickles)

directions:

Rinse and thoroughly dry fish. Dip in milk and dredge in bread crumbs, making sure to fully coat. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Cook fish in two batches, 2-3 minutes on each side, until fish flakes easily with a fork. Add remaining 2 tablespoons of oil before frying second batch. Drain on paper towels. Squeeze juice from half of lemon over fish.

Spread spicy mayo on the cut sides of the bread and lay lettuce and pickles on one side. Cut the fish fillets in half lengthwise and evenly layer them on top of the lettuce and pickles. Place both sides together and cut into quarters. Serve with remaining half of lemon, cut into wedges. Have extra sauce for dunking handy.

Serves 4.

spicy mayo

ingredients:

1 cup Vegenaise
1 1/2 tablespoons ketchup
1 1/2 tablespoons Sriracha (omit for kids)

directions:

Mix all together.

Makes 1 1/4 cups.

* Look for Pacific sole or flounder. Best to avoid summer and winter flounders due to high contaminants and sole and flounder from the atlantic because of over fishing.

Gardening, Organic Style

The time is here for getting the garden started. Actually, I missed the date for the early cold crops, but better late than never. It's hard for me to get motivated when it's super chilly outside. So, yesterday's beautiful day was perfect for hours of prepping and planting.

 

In March, my husband spread some of our beloved composted cow manure (we have cows, which means lots of manure) into the garden and tilled it all in. I've recently discovered you must make sure your manure is composted before applying it to your garden, which I haven't always done. If it's applied fresh, you'll need to thoroughly mix it in with the soil and give it time to compost there. If not, there's a chance dangerous pathogens remain and could potentially make it into your fruits / veggies. You also run the risk of introducing fresh weed seeds, which I know has happened to me, and 'burning' the leaves of your plants from the high salt content or prohibiting germination from the high levels of ammonia and nitrogen. Composting addresses all of these issues and is another topic of interest to me, which I'll approach again in the near future.

This year, I'm planting a combination of seeds and seedlings. Some do better directly sown into the soil, while others prefer to germinate elsewhere and get a head start in the garden as a seedling. Lettuce grows great from seed, as do carrots, beets, radishes, turnips, kale and peas. If I want an earlier harvest, I'll plant seedlings of these varieties (with the exception of carrots, turnips and radishes) and also sow seeds in succession (every couple weeks) to extend the harvest. My other cold crops include swiss chard, arugula, onions, kale and leeks. I intended on planting cabbage today, but brought home cauliflower instead. I'm not sure if I'll plant it or return it. I've tried to grow it in the past without success, but I do love to eat it.

When the soil warms up a bit more, I'll sow green beans and corn. Also to come is the planting of tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, squash and zucchini, pepper and herbs...and of course sunflowers.

Last year I had a tough time with garden pests, as well as a crazy amount of weeds. I'm currently researching organic ways to deter / eliminate the pests and to combat the seemingly uncontrollable weed population. Stay tuned - there will be more to follow in the upcoming weeks.

Gardening is such physically demanding work and requires a lot of focused time, which is sometimes difficult to come by with two young ones running afoot. However, every minute is worth the effort when your garden starts to come in and you begin to enjoy the fruits of your labor, sometimes literally.

Tulips - My First True Sign of Spring

My favorite flower is the tulip. They are absolutely lovely. When I bring them into our home, they brighten up the room. And I smile to myself. Mine are finally up and open. I feel like I've been waiting months for them to appear...but it's totally been worth the wait. We have a couple flowers that bloom before the tulips, but only when the tulips do, I know for sure Spring is really here. This brings me to my next topic...organic gardening!

Saving at Whole Foods...with Coupons

Seriously excellent savings today at Whole Foods Market. Since I recently discovered that Whole Foods accepts manufacturers' coupons as well as offer their own store coupons, I've been wanting to give it a try. My mission today was to see how much I could actually save. I downloaded their sales flier from the Whole Foods' website. I then matched their store coupons (visit my Organic and Eco-friendly Coupons page and scroll down to the Whole Foods link) with what was on sale and started my shopping list from there. These were mostly items I'd normally buy - maybe a different brand, but essentially the same thing. Some were items I've wanted to try, but price has prevented me from purchasing them on previous visits.

After compiling this list, I checked the manufacturers' coupons I had and matched them with items on my list. I also printed some more out from my Organic and Eco-friendly Coupons page. Couponing 101 tip: many stores allow you to use both store branded coupons and manufacturers' coupons for the same item. 

An example from today's scenario: Barbara's Puffins Cereal was on sale for 2/$5. I printed 2 copies of the $1 off any Barbara's bakery product Whole Foods store coupon (they let you print multiples.) I then printed 2 copies of the $1 off any Barbara's product from the manufacturer's website via my coupon page (they also let you print multiples.)  So, each box of cereal only cost me $0.50. Not a bad deal.

Not all employees know of the Whole Foods coupon policy. While at the register, the cashier wasn't going to take a bunch of my coupons because he didn't think he was allowed to combine store and manufacturer coupons. A more seasoned employee corrected the error of his ways and everyone was happy. Even the lady behind me in line. She couldn't believe Whole Foods has their own coupons. 

Now, I did just watch Extreme Couponing for the first time - don't be intimidated, that's not me. But WOW can they save some money...on loads and loads of junky, processed foods. To each his own. The woman I watched chose to cut back by saving with coupons and sacrificing healthy eating for a fancy BMW. Again, to each his own.

I think I spent about 30 minutes putting this together...and saved 10% off my bill! $30 in savings is not too shabby for a handful of moments enjoyed with my morning coffee. And I know I saved even more with everything I bought on sale. This is not only a scenario for the Whole Foods shopper, but rather something you can take with you to most grocery stores.

Feel free to share you success stories!

Rainforest Cafe Kids Deal: Wild Bunch Kids Zone

My baby just turned 5! It's amazing how time flies. I have to admit, I'm a little sad. He's gonna be all grown up before I know it. This brings me to the topic of today, Rainforest Cafe. For each of my kids' birthdays, they can choose whatever they'd like for their special birthday dinner. A cozy, home-cooked meal of their choice or a night out on the town. My oldest chose a Japanese hibachi restaurant for his 7th. My youngest has chosen Rainforest Cafe. Let's be honest, this would not be my choice, but it's not my birthday, is it? They don't have the best selections in terms of healthy meals, however they do have a TON of atmosphere and fun, fun, fun for the kids.

Since I don't like to pay full price and always look for a coupon or discount, I checked out their website and they have a great program for the kids. They call it the Wild Bunch Kids Zone. Click on Kid's Rewards Calendar and you can print out a rewards chart, calendar or sports achievement award. Once they're filled out and completed, bring it in to receive a kids meal for $0.99 with the purchase of an adult meal.

To find a location nearest you, click here. Enjoy the safari!

Whole Foods Promotion: Organic Strawberries

What an amazing deal at Whole Foods (thanks, Bek!) Organic strawberries will be on sale for only $1.99 / 1-lb. package on Friday, April 29th, while supplies last. I plan on going in the morning and stocking up. We won't be able to eat them all fresh, so I'll be freezing a bunch. Frozen strawberries are perfect for our morning smoothies.

There are lots of ways to freeze strawberries, but I prefer the simplest method with no added sugar. Select fruit that's perfectly ripe, making sure not to include any that are too soft or bruised. Remove stems and caps, wash and drain well. Thoroughly dry - you don't want any remaining moisture on your strawberries. Freeze overnight in a single layer on cookie sheets. When completely frozen, transfer to containers or freezer bags. They can be stored for up to 6 months.

Simplifying the Facts About GMOs

I'm sure you've heard of GMOs before, but maybe you're unsure why they're not so good for you. GMO is an acronym for genetically modified organism. Genetically modified means that genes have been inserted into an organism, in this case plants or animals, and have altered their makeup. These plants have been manipulated to resist chemical herbicides that kill other plants. These plants have been manipulated to produce their own insecticide. These animals, namely salmon, have been manipulated to grow faster. These plants and animals would not naturally occur in nature. Nor are these foods required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to be labeled or tested for safety. In many European countries, they are. In six European countries, GMOs are banned. Two Mexican states just approved legislation to ban the planting of GMO corn to prevent genetic contamination. Scary stuff.

According to an article written in Better Nutrition (March 2011), the U.S. Department of Agriculture has found that 93 percent of all soybeans, 78 percent of all cotton and 70 percent of all corn grown in the United States in 2010 were genetically modified for herbicide tolerance. Some crops, like corn, are both modified to be herbicide tolerant and insect resistant. This means that ingredients found in our packaged foods like soy, cottenseed oil, canola oil, corn oil and sugar beets contain GMOs, about 85% of our processed foods to be exact. Double scary.

One more thing to note: a vast majority of GMO seeds come from a company named Monsanto and are designed to tolerate the number one herbicide in the world, Roundup. Who is the company behind Roundup? Monsanto. Interesting. The Organic Consumers Association has an entire section of their website dedicated to the demise of Monsanto. If you're feeling indulgent, give it a read.

Are GMOs a health risk?
So now you know what GMOs are, should you be concerned? Absolutely. Although there haven't been any studies tracking long-term health risks to humans, researchers (including the American Academy of Environmental Medicine) do believe there may be many. One of them is endocrine disruption. Endocrine disruptors are synthetic chemicals that affect your hormone-controlled functions. Chemicals that are known human endocrine disruptors include dioxin, PCBs, DDT and some pesticides and insecticides. Researchers fear Roundup may be one, as well. For more detailed information on this, visit the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Other risks include organ damage, decreased fertility, increased allergies, a weakened immune system, accelerated aging and complications in regulating insulin and cholesterol. Wow, personally I'd like to avoid these best I can.

Why GMOs at all?
Proponents of GMOs believe they are helping farmers produce crops in conditions they normally wouldn't be able to. GMO crops facilitate simpler farming methods, making them less expensive. Production of crops with greater nutritional value are in the works. But all at what cost?

What can you do to avoid them?
Look for non-GMO labels. Many products in the health food section in your local grocery store are starting to include labeling that indicates they do not use GMO products.

Buy organic (click here to read my recent article on organic foods.) USDA organic foods are prohibited from containing GMO ingredients.

Avoid packaged foods with corn and soy. This is very difficult to do, as 85% of them contain one or the other. Read your labels and be an educated buyer!

New Organic and Eco-friendly Coupons

There are coupons out there for just about anything...except organic and eco-friendly products. Well, that's what I used to think. They're becoming more available, you just need to know where to look. You can find a handful (a very small handful) of them in your Sunday morning newspaper inset, but there are many waiting to be discovered online. You can even write to your favorite brands and request them. The latter option is way too time consuming for me, so I choose to search online.

I've just added a new Organic and Eco-friendly Coupon page that lists some of my favorite brands, with links directly to their coupons or to their website where you can sign up for coupons, special offers, etc. If you have others you'd like to share, please comment below and I'll add it to the main page. Check back often because many of the sites update on a monthly basis, and some every week. When you're trying to go organic and earth friendly, it can be more expensive. Don't miss out on some great savings!

Annie's Homegrown Promotion: Root 4 Kids Gardening Gift Pack

Annie's Homegrown is currently running a fun promotion through the end of April. Purchase two of Annie's products, register here and you'll receive a free gardening gift pack - veggie seeds, gardening gloves and guide. This is great fun for the kids and a great way to get them involved in gardening.

Annie's really has some wonderful products - we love their organic snack mix,cheddar bunnies,bunny fruit snacks,bunny mac & cheeseand their new yummy granola bars (and the list could go on.) Amazon has great Subscribe and Save deals on these delicious snacks. Select the Subscribe and Save option, choose your shipping frequency, purchase and receive 15% off your order plus free shipping. You can cancel the service right away and still receive the discount or keep it going and know you'll be getting healthy snacks delivered to your door at really good prices.

Fresh Minestrone Soup

Happy Easter! I'm sure there are many happy little children this morning, with lots of chocolatey smiles. The Easter Bunny visits our home and hides candy- and coin-filled eggs throughout our yard (or perhaps our house if it's a rainy morning.) He also leaves a small basket of goodies and lots of books, toys (mostly bug boxes and related outdoor items) and toothbrushes, of course. What a good Easter Bunny!

After much chocolate is consumed (we usually let them have at it for the first few days - they eventually get their fill and forget about the rest...and it all magically disappears), it's time for the family gathering. Which means lots of ham and kielbasa, little fruits and veggies. Last year I started a new tradition - bringing a delicious, hearty, fresh minestrone soup. It's perfect for the vegetarian. It's filling with loads of veggies, beans and pasta. If there's nothing else for me to eat, one or two (or three) bowls of this soup and I'm all set. Even for the meat-eaters, it's incredibly well-received. Enjoy!

fresh minestrone soup recipe
serves 6

ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 cloves garlic, chopped

2 onions, chopped

4 stalks celery, chopped

5 carrots, chopped

2 cups vegetable broth

2 cups water

4 cups crushed tomatoes

1 cup kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 cups baby spinach or kale (chopped) or 1 cup collard greens (finely chopped)

3 zucchinis, halved and sliced

2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped

salt and pepper to taste

1 cup shell pasta or ditalini

grated parmesan cheese, to taste (optional)

directions:

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Saute garlic for 2 minutes. Add onion and saute another 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add celery and carrots and cook for another 2 minutes. 

2. Add broth, water and tomatoes. Bring to a boil, giving it a good stir. Reduce heat to low and add kidney and green beans, your greens, zucchini, oregano, basil, salt and pepper. Simmer for at least 45 minutes. If you can leave it longer, continue to let it simmer. The flavors will have more time to blend and its consistency will thicken, which I love in my minestrone.

NOTE: Simmer, simmer, simmer - if it gets too thick, add a little more veggie stock. I let mine cook on the stove for a few hours. Also, I had to use canned tomatoes and it tasted a little metallic, so I added a tablespoon of sugar to eliminate the taste.

3. Within the last 10-15 minutes of cooking, add your pasta directly to the soup. If you plan on freezing it, cook separately according to pasta directions. Freezing will make pasta mushy.

4. Place in bowls and sprinkle parmesan cheese on top, if desired.