green families: creating a greener world

Meatless Monday: Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T07:12:00.001Z

Hope you all have a happy Valentine's day! Do you have anything exciting planned?

In honour of today, here's a decadent but amazingly easy Meatless Monday recipe to try -- and one of my family's all time favourites:

Butternut Squash and Sage Risotto
Serves 4, Active Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

3 tbsp olive oil
bunch sage , leaves picked, half roughly chopped, half left whole
1½ l vegetable stock
50g butter
1 onion , finely chopped
300g risotto rice (we used arborio)
1 small glass white wine
50g parmesan , finely grated
Directions:
Before you make the risotto, heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. Toss the squash in 1 tbsp oil together with the chopped sage. Scatter into a shallow roasting tin and roast for 30 mins until it is brown and soft.
While the squash is roasting, prepare the risotto. Bring the stock to the boil and keep on a low simmer. In a separate pan, melt half the butter over a medium heat. Stir in the onions and sweat gently for 8-10 mins until soft but not coloured, stirring occasionally. Stir the rice into the onions until completely coated in the butter, then stir continuously until the rice is shiny and the edges of the grain start to look transparent.
Pour in the wine and simmer until totally evaporated. Add the stock, a ladleful at a time and stirring the rice over a low heat for 25-30 mins, until the rice is cooked al dente (with a slightly firm, starchy bite in the middle). The risotto should be creamy and slightly soupy. When you draw a wooden spoon through it, there should be a wake that holds for a few moments but not longer.
At the same time, gently fry the whole sage leaves in a little olive oil until crisp, then set aside on kitchen paper. When the squash is cooked, mash half of it to a rough purée and leave half whole. When the risotto is just done, stir though the purée, then add the cheese and butter and leave to rest for a few mins. Serve the risotto scattered with the whole chunks of squash and the crisp sage leaves.
Per serving
609 kcalories, protein 15g, carbohydrate 87g, fat 24 g, saturated fat 10g, fibre 8g, sugar 17g, salt 0.95 g

Green Family Highlights

2011-02-13T11:56:00.002Z

I'm currently accepting nominations for green families to highlight on this blog. I think it will be a great way to inspire us all -- and hopefully give a few green tips for family life!

If you know of anyone you'd like to nominate, or wouldn't mind answering a few questions yourself about your family's green practices, please email me at stclair@greenfamilies.co.uk I look forward to hearing from you!

Plastic-Free February: Day 13

2011-02-13T09:43:00.000Z

Laundry. Laundry. Laundry.

I've been researching ways to get around purchasing laundry detergent in the silly plastic packaging. (Even if we use the eco-friendly brand in the concentrated liquid, I still feel terrible about the plastic in the packaging!) Oh, and I need to use the liquid soap option for my washer so buying powder packaged in a cardboard box (while the best option) isn't a choice for us. So it looks like I might be making my own. A little DIY, anyone?

If you're like me and thinking about making my own laundry soap, here are some of the recipes I've found online:

http://asonomagarden.wordpress.com/2010/05/25/how-to-make-homemade-laundry-detergent/

http://www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2010/05/on-the-laundry-line.html

I'd love to hear about your experiences and recommendations before I proceed. Do you make your own laundry soap? Have any tips or "recipes" to share?

Eco Valentines

2011-02-11T09:00:00.000Z

How do you celebrate (or not) valentine's day? At our house, we are really looking to reduce the amount of waste we produce, so there won't be any pre-packaged valentine's candy (plastic wrap - augh!!) or hallmark valentine's cards.

For my son's friends, I made used an adorable printable bear lollipop cover from Skip to My Lou. Because we made our own, we were able to avoid buying pre-made cards that were wrapped in plastic and a cardboard box. I also chose a chocolate lollipop that was wrapped in foil to help with my plastic-free february mission. For his teachers and grandparents, we made cards, cutting hearts out of scrap paper and gluing them to our recycled card stock.

I'll be making my valentines some yummy cupcakes this year and will include some chocolate-covered cherries for my dear partner. (They cherries have been soaking in brandy since Nov - part of my homemade Christmas presents - so I hope they are still usable.)

What gifts are you planning for valentine's day?

Plastic-Free February: Day 9 & 10

2011-02-10T08:51:00.002Z

The milk man. And the best of intentions.

Last Saturday I was inappropriately excited by the thought of milk in a glass bottle being delivered to our door. I had also ordered a number of other organic items including eggs, cheese (wrapped in paper) and bread (in a paper bag). And by 4:00 pm I was still waiting.

Of course I called there support line, but they were already closed until Monday. On Monday at 9:00 I called to inquire and was told it was delivered and no, they wouldn't be giving a refund. (My partner called and got a different story - so heaven only knows what happened.) They said they'd send another order along to us. So on our doorstep the next morning we found 3 glass milk jugs, an orange juice, and ryvita. Not in the reusable cool bag I ordered and missing numerous items.

This is so under-whelming. I really wanted it to work but I'm not willing to wait for a) my deliveries to get sorted and b) sub-par customer service. So I am going back to Abel and Cole's milk. While it comes in plastic cartons, I know they are amazing people and provide excellent customer service. (In fact, I chatted with them about glass milk options on their online web chat system and they said they would look into it. Immediate and generous feedback in real time! Fab!)

Do you use glass or plastic milk jugs? What are your thoughts on this?

Plastic-Free February: Day 8

2011-02-08T07:06:00.000Z

Preparing for Travel.

With a 2 Year Old. (But that isn't the point of this blog. I just thought I'd highlight it for sympathy.)

With this plastic-free challenge, I've quickly learned that I need to prepare in advance for most outings big and small. So I am gearing to travel back to Kansas next week with my 2 year old (without my partner - ack!). As there aren't any direct flights to KS from London, we're stuck with a 21 hour trip. (I bet you are seriously jealous right now.) :)

I've been doing research on how to travel without creating plastic waste. Because if you think about it - everything is wrapped in plastic on the airplane. The pillows, blankets, food, headphones, etc. I was just looking through one of the best blogs out there: http://myplasticfreelife.com/ -- you must check it out if you haven't done so already. Anyway, she has the best recommendations for air travel which include a number of options that would be perfect for Henry and me:

1. Bring our own mugs/cups - I always do this for the both of us. It's terrible to be caught without water with a child. However, I find that I buy bottled water half-way into the trip, but this time I will pledge to find a water fountain and fill up our cups that way.

2. Take along utensils - Again, I always do this for Henry (although they are plastic utensils but at least they are not single-use). It wouldn't be so hard to pop a fork into the bag for me as well.

3. Snacks and food are a Must - Most of what I take along is in pre-packaged plastic wrapping. I really hope to attempt to make some options ahead of time and buy in bulk if I can't.

4. Headphones - Henry and I both have our own headphones so I will definitely remember these.

5. Travel pillows - I didn't realize that the pillows were single-use! Will be purchasing Henry his own travel pillow today!

6. Personal care products - here's where you have to use a clear plastic baggy. I've kept mine as well for future use, phew.

Do you travel plastic-free? Any other recommendations out there?

(And if you're interested, I wrote a post on eco-air travel back in July at Greenwala.)

Droughts, Floods and Food from Paul Krugman

2011-02-08T06:33:00.000Z

One of the best (and moving) pieces I've read in a long time. As he states:

But the evidence does, in fact, suggest that what we’re getting now is a first taste of the disruption, economic and political, that we’ll face in a warming world. And given our failure to act on greenhouse gases, there will be much more, and much worse, to come.

For the full NY Times column, click here.

Plastic-Free February: Day 7

2011-02-07T06:46:00.000Z

I. Want. My. B-Bar.

Family life can be hard. I find that I'm normally running from one place to the other, trying to catch the bus or wrangle my 2 year old into his coat and/or buggy. And sometimes we have to eat on the go. I normally make us sandwiches (wrapped in a reusable sandwich bag!) and take along pre-cut veggies and fruit. I have a cooler lunch bag and also aim to bring cheese if I am extra organized. Pre-challenge I would also pack a pre-packaged organic children's breakfast bar wrapped in plastic. Not so healthy yet not so bad, but a special treat.

As you can imagine, someone was pretty upset that I didn't pack along his b-bar today. Changing our habits will take time, I know. So here's to a healthier, happier and more environmentally friend family. Wish us luck!

Plastic-Free February: Day 6

2011-02-06T13:01:00.000Z

The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

- or another working title -

Why we can't always be perfect.

I'm just finishing my first week of trying to live plastic-free. And let me tell you, it has been challenging.

I'm not perfect. I was working on Saturday morning and didn't get around to the farmers' market to buy our fresh and seasonal produce. Also, we didn't get time to head down to the Whole Foods which is about 4 miles from our house to buy food in bulk so I thought I'd head to another organic shop that was closer to us. Unfortunately, as is the case with good food stores, they were mostly sold out of all their produce and didn't have a bulk foods section. (Don't worry, we drove there in our hybrid.) So we had to go to the supermarket. Blah. Even though we take our own Onya Fruit and Veg Bags (which you can buy from my Amazon store) instead of using flimsy, wasteful plastic ones, it is still hard to not buy plastic. You'll see the picture of our shopping items above. Can you find pasta without the plastic? Apricots and Raisins? Any suggestions?

*I might add that we always bring our own reusable shopping bags - so that is one solid, good, plastic-free practice we employ. Trying to focus on the positive here. :)

I know this week hasn't been the best for cutting down my plastic use. It is quite frustrating - as the perfectionist in me was hoping to be 100% plastic-free. But we are a busy family and I am doing what I can. I just hope that by sharing my struggles and lessons learned you will be inspired to consider your own plastic use. I figure the more that we can share our experiences, the more we can learn. And hell, no one is perfect, right?!

Weekly Meal Plan

2011-02-06T09:10:00.001Z

I try to do my weekly menu planning every Sunday morning and love to look at other family's meal plans for ideas and inspiration. So I thought I would share my list with you for this week!

Monday

B Apple Cinnamon Bran Muffins (I always freeze leftovers for snacks)
L Barley & Wild Rice Pilaf and Feta and Grape Salad
D Pasta with Pea Pesto

Tuesday

B Carrot Muffins
L Quesadillas and Black Bean Dip
D Slow Cooker Lasagna and Chicken Fingers

Wednesday

B Peanut Butter Breakfast Bars
L Freaky Greek Pasta and Raspberry Salad
D Red Lentil Soup

Thursday

B Eggs and Toast
L Lunch out
D Potato Boats

Friday

B Oatmeal
L Macaroni and Cheese
D Pizza Night with the best dough recipe ever

For my weekly shop, I create a grocery list that I then add to my iPhone's shopping list app and include all our meals (with recipe links) in our family's google calendar.

As an aside, I realize this plan contains a LOT of pasta as my 2 year old seems obsessed with it right now. But I always choose whole-wheat or spelt pasta and really try to mix up the sauces and include lots of veggies with each meal. I guess as a parent you have to work with what you are given. :) Also, for snacks we usually have hummus and pita, fruit or veggie sticks. I'll write about this in a different post.

How do you plan for your family's weekly meals? Anyone care to share their plans? You can also post a link to your blog in the comments section or write to me at stclair@greenfamilies.co.uk - I'd love to feature you!

Plastic-Free February: Day 5

2011-02-05T11:56:00.001Z

Brand Loyalty.

We've created a monster. You see, our son is completely committed to Starbucks. It started out as I would innocently get him a (free) babyccino with each cappuccino I purchased. (I am a caffeine addiction mom with a soft spot for free things. But hey, I always try to bring my own reusable mug. See pictured.) I didn't realize that over time, my dear child began to recognise their logo. In airports, in Kansas, across London, he would scream for Starbucks as he was able to easily identify their sign (not to mention all their stores are designed to look alike - we were in sunny California and it was like we hadn't left London).

Henry used to get a babyccino in a small paper cup. No biggie, I thought. But then - in a moment of weakness - I gave him an Innocent smoothie with the plastic straw and wrapper. This was before my plastic-free February challenge and while I did think about the waste (briefly) I didn't ever occur to me that Henry would want one each time we visited Starbucks. And that adds up to a lot of waste.

I'll admit: it's not Starbucks that is the problem. I could say no to my 2 year old. Easy, right. But to me, parenting takes such strength - and digging yourself out of a habit/rut can be time consuming and challenging. But no one said it was easy. So I'm going to cut back. And convince Henry that just as we turn off the lights when we leave the room, we are going to cut back on all the trash we make. (He has the most adorable eco-book that talks about these issues - and has been very good at screaming/reminding me to turn off our lights. He's also quite the recycler.)

How do you manage with your children? Any suggestions?

Plastic-Free February: Day 4

2011-02-04T16:44:00.001Z

You've got mail. (Sorry I couldn't resist.)

Did you know that the average household receives 224 pieces of junk mail each year? Half a million tonnes of unwanted mail is generated in the UK and it takes 3,300,000 trees to produce it!

We try to arrange most of our bills and catalogs for online delivery to cut down on paper waste. But I didn't ever notice the amount of plastic wrap that does come through our mailbox. This picture was all the mail from today - 3 pieces wrapped in plastic! In my quest to go plastic-free, I guess I need to take a look at the whole picture. (And just be okay with trying my best!!) But there are a few things you can do to help reduce all the mail you receive:

Get a "No commercial leaflets" sticker for your postbox. You can usually find these from your local council or you can even make your own.
Register your details with the Mail Preference Service. This service will remove your name and address from 95% of mailing lists. Registration can take up to four months to have full effect and will last until you cancel it.
And don't forget that most magazines can be read online -- as you can arrange to pay for online subscriptions for most every magazine.

Any other tips for reducing the amount of mail that comes through your mailbox?

Plastic-Free February: Day 3

2011-02-03T18:03:00.001Z

Tackling our Toothbrushes...

Henry (2 years old) has always used a Green Baby toothbrush as I have wanted to avoid plastic in his mouth. (This wooden toothbrush uses natural, hygienically treated pig hair and are comfortable on young gums and teeth.)

But I was in a rush the last time he needed one so I just picked a plastic toothbrush up from the local pharmacy instead of ordering it in or heading down to the Whole Foods in Clapham Junction to pick it up there. (Being green takes a bit of forward-thinking, doesn't it?) He needs a new one so I'm placing an order tonight. And I am certain it will arrive without any plastic wrapping!

As for adult toothbrushes, I think the best option is the Monte Bianco. As they say,

"In an effort to reduce the amount of plastic that we all throw away they have developed a brush which uses replaceable heads, so when the old bristles wear out they are the only part which needs disposing of - you needn’t throw away the handle."

What do you and your family use?

Plastic-Free February: Day 2

2011-02-02T13:09:00.001Z

I've been thinking a lot about my plastic-free challenge. To recap, I will be:

1: Not buying or acquiring new plastic.

2: Not cooking with plastic or storing food in plastic.

3: Minimizing all other plastic use.

The easy bit for me is #2. I don't ever microwave in plastic. (Say what you will, I believe plastic does leach while cooking in the microwave. And I just don't want to take any chances, especially with my young son. Plus it's just as easy to microwave food in a glass or ceramic container.)

I think I am going to struggle most with not buying new plastic. For breakfast, my son wanted his organic yogurt, conveniently packaged in individual portions. Now I could just buy him yogurt from a large tub - or in keeping with the theme - I could challenge myself to make my own yogurt. Heck, Martha Stewart has a recipe. http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/perfect-homemade-yogurt (Although you have to cover it to set in...wait for it...PLASTIC wrap!) We could also reuse the yogurt containers to make cute seed planters!

So does anyone have any recommendations for what to do about this?

For tomorrow: Tackling our Toothbrushes.

Rodale.com's Plastic-Free February

2011-02-01T21:03:00.001Z

I've been so inspired by other bloggers and Rodale to take the Plastic-Free February challenge.

I'll be the first to admit I'm not perfect by any means. In my workshops and consultations, I really stress the need to be completely non-judgemental (of others and most importantly, ourselves) and do what we can with what we have in the moment. We can strive to better but always from a place of compassion and goodness. (Okay, enough of my preaching!)

So on with the challenge:

Rodale's plastic-free ground rules:

1: No buying or acquiring new plastic.

2: No cooking with plastic or storing food in plastic.

3: Minimize all other plastic use.

Why go plastic free?There are plenty of reasons to cut down. It's made from either petroleum or natural gas, two nonrenewable resources extracted in ways that pollute our air and water. Plastic manufacturers add chemicals to certain types of plastics that can be highly toxic, likebisphenol A and phthalates. And very few types of plastic are widely recycled.

Is anyone else interested in joining?

Check out http://www.rodale.com/plastic-free for more information!

I'm back - for a challenge!

2011-01-31T09:01:00.001Z

It's been a bit of time since I've blogged...Seems like life gets in the way of good intentions sometimes. But I'm back for a month's challenge - To be revealed tomorrow! :)

Meatless Monday Chili

2010-07-25T12:10:00.000+01:00

Recently, I've been cooking up a vegetarian storm for Meatless Mondays for our household. While we only use meat in moderation by getting a good portion of protein from plant-based sources during the rest of the week, I think it is great to dedicate a whole day to recognizing and celebrating other healthy practices - particularly as a large portion of the world is vegetarian. (Including my partner, and it's so much easier to just fix one meal!)

From the Meatless Monday website, as many of you know, the benefits of a vegetarian diet (even if only 1 day per week) include:

REDUCED RISK OF HEART DISEASE. Beans, peas, lentils, nuts and seeds contain little to no saturated fats. Reducing your intake of saturated fats can help keep your cholesterol low and reduce your risk of heart disease.

IMPROVED OVERALL QUALITY OF DIET. Consuming dry beans or peas results in higher intakes of fiber, protein, folate, zinc, iron and magnesium with lower intakes of saturated fat and total fat.

REDUCED CARBON FOOTPRINT. The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization estimates the meat industry generates nearly one-fifth of the man-made greenhouse gas emissions that are accelerating climate change worldwide . . . far more than transportation. And annual worldwide demand for meat continues to grow. Reining in meat consumption once a week can help slow this trend.

MINIMIZED WATER USAGE. The water needs of livestock are tremendous, far above those of vegetables or grains. An estimated 1,800 to 2,500 gallons of water go into a single pound of beef. Soy tofu produced in California requires 220 gallons of water per pound.

REDUCED FOSSIL FUEL DEPENDENCE. On average, about 40 calories of fossil fuel energy go into every calorie of feed lot beef in the U.S. Compare this to the 2.2 calories of fossil fuel energy needed to produce one calorie of plant-based protein. Moderating meat consumption is a great way to cut fossil fuel demand.

Here's our favorite, easy to prepare, vegetarian family meal. Enjoy it at your next Meatless Monday!

Chili Non Carne

(From Planet Organic)

3/4 c/125g/4 1/5 oz dried pinto beans
2 tsp lemon juice
1 strip of kombu (if you have it, helps with digestion)
1TBSP olive oil
1 lg onion
2 garlic cloves
6oz/175g tempeh, cut into small cubes
1 orange or red pepper, seeded and chopped
3 1/2 c /480g/1 lb chopped canned tomatoes
1/2 tsp chili powder (more or less depending on your preference)
3/4 tsp salt
6 oz/175g grated Cheddar cheese

Put beans and lemon juice in medium saucepan, cover with warm water and leave to soak overnight.

Drain and rinse the beans. Return them to pan and add 570ml/20 fl oz/2 1/2 c water. Bring to boil over high heat and boil for 10 minutes, skimming any scum that rises to the surface. Reduce heat to low, add kombu and cook covered for 2 hours until soft.

Meanwhile, heat a lg saucepan over medium-high heat and add olive oil. When oil is hot, add the onion and cook until light browned. Add the garlic and cook, stirring for a further 2 minutes. Stir in the tempeh, orange pepper, tomatoes and chili powder.

Mash together the beans, kombu and cooking liquid and add to the tempeh mixture. Cook, covered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until well cooked and the flavours have come together.

Stir in the salt and sprinkle the chili generously with the cheddar. We love it with rice or quinoa for a totally healthy and tasty meal!

You can also find this post over at Greenwala!

Zero Waste Picnics

2010-07-23T12:11:00.000+01:00

Pack a waste-free picnic and head to your favorite park, shady green space or back yard for a great time with the whole family! You can do your part for the environment by thinking carefully about the impact of items that you bring. Remember, it's the little things that matter!

Here are our favorite tips for a picnic without any environmental guilt!

Take along reusable plates, cups, cutlery and cloth napkins.
If you need to wrap something up, use reusable sandwich and snack bags or pack food in reusable containers like Tupperware and/or glassware. If you don't have any available, use tin foil (which can be recycled) or wax paper (which can be composted).
Bring beverages in reusable mugs and/or reusable water bottles. Save money and reduce waste by not purchasing disposable water bottles.
Only make as much food as you need and bring back the leftovers to compost.
If your picnic is for a large crowd and bringing your own reusable plates is not feasible, go with biodegradable plates, cups and cutlery. Large groups can enjoy eating outdoors without leaving a lasting reminder in the local landfill with plastics made from renewable resources like corn and potato starch, and tableware and cutlery derived from corn, potatoes and sugarcane waste.

You can also find this post at Greenwala!

Organic Veg Box Schemes

2010-07-22T10:12:00.000+01:00

Check out this original post over at HotVouchers.com

Organic seasonal produce is one of the best ways to feed your family, as it's nutritious and much less taxing on the earth. Apart from growing it yourself, the best way I’ve found to get my hands on good, quality produce is to sign up with a vegetable box delivery company. There are many options out there and most can be tailored to your family’s needs as many now deliver more than just vegetable boxes which makes it more economic and useful for the weekly shop.

Here are just a few options for organic delivery companies:

Abel & Cole

Delivering organic food and drink across southern England including organic fruit and vegetables, Abel & Cole offers organic meats, sustainably caught fish, dairy and freshly baked bread. It works with a network of more than 50 British producers to bring local, seasonal and organic food fresh from the grower. (Hot Vouchers also has some discounts and vouchers for them!)

Organic Delivery Company

Organic fresh fruits, juices, nuts, chocolate, and plenty more. Deliveries to the kitchen table or workplace. They also offer Fair Trade organic gift hampers, made to order. Organic Delivery pride themselves on the quality of their produce and their commitment to food miles.

Riverford Organic

Riverford offers many differnt sizes and types of vegetable and fruit boxes in addition to an amazing selection of meat, dairy, milk and eggs, kitchen pantry items, chocolates, wine and beers, even more items for your kitchen kit. They deliver around 47,000 boxes a week to homes around the UK.

Some good tips and things to look for when choosing a provider (other than basic questions like - do they deliver to my area, are they accurate with my orders etc)...

1) They should all clearly mark where their produce is coming from. While organic, not all produce will be coming locally - especially bananas, so be on the lookout for these.

2) How flexible are they in their boxes? Can you choose to exclude certain veggies that show up every month of the year (and for which you only have a handful of recipes)?

3) What other products on your weekly list can you include in your box (i.e. dairy, meats, coffee, pantry items etc) and how do they compare with local organics that you normally purchase from?

4) In what condition are the fruits and veggies when they arrive? Granted most will not be as pristine as in conventional stores, but are the carrots so caked in dirt that you're paying more for dirt than for carrots?

5) How much do they give you for what you pay for? Is it worth it? I'm a firm believer that organic fruits and veggies do not equal anemic fruits and veggies.

Bon veggie!

PS. If you've ordered your organic box and don't know what to do with all your veggies, check out vegbox-recipes.co.uk for great recipes and ideas organized by vegetable for quick and easy searching!

A Guide to Biking with Young Children

2010-07-18T20:17:00.000+01:00

Originally posted at Greenwala. Don't forget to stop by to check out

their fabulous resources (and my weekly posts)!

I've always loved the thrill, the independence, the wind whipping through my hair, the happiness that comes with biking. But when I put our son on a bike seat behind me for the first time - my joy turn to absolute fear. I know that I had nothing to worry about: we'd bought the most expensive child's seat with maximum suspension, lights, bell, everything. He had his helmet tight on his head. So why did I have this intense urge to run back in the house and cover him completely in bubble wrap?

Well, because the statistics aren't very encouraging: according to a KidsHealth's bicycle safety article, roughly 300,000 kids go to the ER because of bike injuries every year! So what can we do to arm ourselves? And what type of gear should we get for what should otherwise be a perfectly relaxing, environmental excursion?The number one item is fitted, secure helmet:

Helmets can reduce the risk of serious brain injuries by as much as 85% so it's important to get a good one. Consumer Reports recently wrote an article rating 15 to see which offered the best protection. You can read their 2009 report here.
The US government has created safety standards especially for bike helmets so the first thing to check when you purchase one is to see whether it has met the Consumer Product Safety Commission standards (CPSC). There should be a nice sticker to indicate so.
The helmet should not be too big or too small (test it be tilting your child's head back and forth - the helmet should be secure) and the straps should be fastened at all times.
If any falls occur and the helmet hits the ground, a new one should be purchased. Falls can damage the helmet and won't protect your child if it has been compromised.

Helmets on, now what? For young children - those not riding trikes, bikes or those too small for the tag-a-longs - trailers and child seats are the best options.
Trailers:

Pros: These are particularly great for the once-in-awhile, casual cyclist, as bicycle balance is not greatly impacted, if at all, by a trailer. Most trailers can hold two children and you can also carry toys, food, books, the family dog or groceries from the store (not recommending these should be done together).
Cons: The down side is that trailers are a bit of a rough ride and depending on the quality of the trailer, can bump the child around a lot so it's important to shell out for a good trailer if this is the option you choose. We've heard that the InStep trailers are pretty easy to use and are good quality for their price range, particularly as they're also lightweight, foldable and stable.

Child seats:

Pros: Certainly one pro is that they're generally less expensive and come in a number of options (ours has built-in suspension and can recline as nicely as an airplane seat for those times when my son decides he needs a little nap). This is where you'll need to consider the amount, type and extent of your biking to choose the best that fit for you, particularly as the options include front or back, rack or frame mounted, portability, lights, suspension, recliners etc.
Cons: Bicycle balance and mounting - particularly as you will be bearing the brunt of the ride on any hills, it'll be important that you keep in mind how comfortable they are, the strap mechanisms that will keep them from wiggling while you ride and the flexibility in mounting and unmounting the seat when you want to go for a solo ride.

Once you have the gear, it's important that you let your child get used to the helmet and go for a handful of short, quiet rides to get your child accustomed to the seat. Then enjoy! Bike rides, though they should be taken responsibly, are fun for everyone and lead to many wonderful memories for you and your child for years to come.

PVC-Free Rain Coats for Kids

2010-07-15T20:18:00.001+01:00

Now that we’re officially Londoners, I have recently been preparing the family with what I would have come to learn as essential UK equipment – a public transportation (oyster) card for each member of the family (our two year-old insists on his own), an A to Z map (I’ve been too spoiled by Manhattan’s grid system), and of course, rain gear. Umbrellas aside, my life has recently been taken over by the encyclopedic search that I’ve had to undertake in order to find the perfect rain protection and in particular, rain-jackets. While adult rain jackets are more often made of sensible material, or at the very least, a type of synthetic not as toxic as PVC, almost all of the jackets for the under 12 set are made of shiny, rubbery PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which, is commonly referred to by environmental groups as “poison plastic” (http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/usa/press-center/reports4/pvc-the-poison-plastic.html)

The harm of PVC is not simply that it is man-made, leaches harmful carcinogens and is an unrecyclable item – it usually also contains a number of toxic additives that are phthalates, heavy metals such as lead (?!) that easily leach out and accumulate in increased exposure, meaning the longer a child is exposed, the more likely he will be incur a risk of brain development, an impact on the nervous system or disrupt the endocrine system. This is certainly not news to me – I have seen Blue Vinyl: A Toxic Comedy (2002) a documentary that the filmmaker, Judith Helfand embarked upon as an investigation into the toxic life cycle of polyvinyl chloride.

But, even though there are efforts to educate and encourage a more natural transition to sustainable materials, our lives are already so embedded and bombarded by the plastic conglomerates that they can operate almost entirely undetected and we need constant vigilant attention in order to make sure that the products we purchase are indeed non-toxic. I'll certainly be the first to admit that I didn't look at the material label for Henry's wellies. I just bought them in a hurry as he was running about the store in a shoe frenzy. (A trait I’m sure he inherited from my side of the family.) But frankly, even through frantic running, mothers ought to have the PVC-option clearly displayed and not have anything that challenges the large vinyl conglomerates hidden away and it’s up to the consumers to be active in order to change this paradigm. The good news is, there have been previous articles in the past helping chemical-conscious parents navigate this mire, such as the report on raingear that Planet Green did early last year. Though it seems like we’re making progress, the bad news was that all of the stores listed were US-oriented (boy did I miss America then), meaning that I was still stuck here in the UK without a suitable alternative, particularly as the alternative stores don’t have the budget to market and export their products worldwide. Back to the drawing board – but with a few leads, which eventually led me to some corner shops that coincidentally carried Hatley, one of the only 100% polyurethane kid-friendly stores. I was ecstatic – even more so than when I saw David Sedaris in New York spring of 2007 – so really ecstatic. (You can also find Hatley products from a limited number of retailers online, anywhere in the world - and they are just as fun and colorful without the hazardous carcinogenic effects of the standard jackets.)

So what was the take-away from this experience? It was tiring and certainly worth it, but surely there has to be a better way! I think the mistake is that each of us conscious mothers continues to privately research for hours on end the products best for our kids, the toxic chemicals that we should avoid, as our neighbors do the exact same thing when we should be sharing our findings so that our better product choices can be multiplied at a higher level of impact (and our research time spent on better things – a nice glass of wine, for one) that will eventually lead to greater exposure for the Hatleys of the world and certainly encourage more innovative natural products in the future.

Meatless Monday: Salads!

2010-07-11T08:34:00.001+01:00

With the heat wave here in the UK (and for my friends and family in the states experiencing similar weather-related circumstances), who wants to spend hours in the kitchen? I thought it would be good to recommend a few salads (my current obsession) to keep cool and well-nourished during this time. So here are my meatless monday suggestions for this week:

Bulgar and Bean Salad
(Includes 2 types of beans so it's good on the protein front. It also includes kohlrabi - a good source of Vitamin C, as well as magnesium and phosphorous, which are useful in the absorption of calcium. As the UK kohl rabi season normally runs from July to November you might start seeing it in your veg boxes.)

2/3 c dried borlotti beans
1 2/3 c vegetable stock
1 c bulgar wheat
200-300 g string beans
1 kohlrabi, 1 red bell pepper
6 TBSP olive oil
salt and pepper
1/2 cup orange juice
4 TBSP white balsamic vinegar (can also just use lemon juice)
1 tsp cumin
parsley (depending on your tastes, usually do about 4 TBSPs)

1. Cover borlotti beans with water and leave to soak over night. The next day, drain and transfer them to a saucepan with fresh water. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to low. Cook the beans until soft, but not mushy, about 1 1/2 hours.

2. Heat the veg stock. Put bulgar wheat in largish bowl and pour the stock over it, and leave to stand about 1 hour, or until soft.

3. Wash string beans and pinch off ends. Halve the beans and steam for about 7 minutes, or until firm to the bite. Drain and run under cold water and leave to drain again.

4. Peel the kohlrabi, cut first into 1/4 inch thick slices, then into strips of that thickness. Wash and cut the bell pepper into thin strips.

5. In a skillet, heat 2 TBSPs of oil. Stir in the kohlrabi and the pepper and fry for 2-3 minutes. Add the string beans and fry for 2 minutes more.

6. Combine the orange juice with the vinegar (or lemon juice), salt, pepper and cumin then beat in the remaining oil. Drain the beans, combine with the bulgar, vegetables and dressing. Check seasoning. Best to marinate 1-2 hours, but not necessary. Sprinkle finely chopped parsley into salad just before eating.

Orzo, Green Bean and Fennel Salad
From Epicurious

200 g green beans, trimmed
200 g orzo
2/3 c (packed) chopped fresh dill
1/4 c olive oil
2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 cucumber, unpeeled and in 1/3-inch cubes
3/4 c diced fresh fennel bulb

1. Cook green beans in large saucepan of boiling salted water until just tender, about 5 minutes. (Or steam them, whatever is easiest for you.) Using slotted spoon, transfer beans to plate. Add orzo to same boiling water. (Or cook below steaming beans.) Cook until tender, stirring occasionally; drain.

2. Blend dill, oil, vinegar, and lemon juice in mini processor until almost smooth. Season dressing with salt and pepper.

3. Cut beans crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces. Place in large bowl. Add orzo, cucumber, and fennel; mix in dressing. Season salad to taste with salt and pepper.

Easy and oh-so-tasty!

Let me know what you think. And please feel free to add other salad recipes below. Or you can email me your favorites at stclair@greenfamilies.co.uk and I'll include them in future posts.

Latest News: Schools and Nurseries in the UK expose kids to toxins

2010-07-10T13:56:00.000+01:00

I've been thinking about the toxins in nurseries lately -- and wishing that their was some resource or certifying body that could guarantee that I was sending my son to a relatively toxic-free environment. (It's been my dream to start something like that.) I've toured my fair share of nurseries/schools here and the smell of bleach and chemicals in some is overwhelming. And when asked about their organic food practices, nurseries tend to dodge the question. (But I must say there are some schools and nurseries that really get it right though. Like the Steiner School down the road, but that is a story for another post.)

So it wasn't a shock that according to a recent study published by the University of Birmingham on the "Dust from U.K. Primary School Classrooms and Daycare Centers: The Significance of Dust As a Pathway of Exposure of Young U.K. Children to Brominated Flame Retardants and Polychlorinated Biphenyls."

Inhabitots had a great article on the University of Birmingham research:

Since kids spend a lot of time in classroom settings, this raises a red flag. Researchers looked for seven PCBs and three main types of brominated flame retardants: hexabromocyclododecane(HCBD), a derivative of bisphenol-A tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBP-A), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which are now banned, yet they were still detected in all of the 43 United Kingdom classrooms tested.
HBCD is one of the biggest concerns. The chemical was detected in all dust samples and levels were significantly higher than those recorded in homes and offices. Even though animal studies have linked HBCD exposure to endocrine disruption, the largely used flame retardant is currently unrestricted in the United States, Europe and the United Kingdom. The chemical has been identified as a concern under REACH, a new European Community Regulation on chemicals and their safe use.

What are we to do? Get out there and talk to your schools/nurseries. Urge them to consider a different way to clean, to cook, etc. It's important - it's for our kids' health.

Recycling: Mail

2010-07-09T21:23:00.000+01:00

Someone asked me a great question the other day:

Can you recycle the little plastic windows in envelopes? Or do you have to take the time to cut them out to recycle the envelope? (argh!)

Answer: In most places, the plastic window can be recycled. It depends on your area, but most post-consumer paper mills have systems that can take out these small amounts of contaminants.

So the US and UK, you have to check with your provider, but generally it is okay.

From UK's Royal Mail's site:

Greetings cards

Greetings cards can be included with other paper items and recycled via your local authority’s kerbside collections or at your nearest paper bank. The cards will be recycled into newspapers, paper towels and writing paper. Please note, not all local authorities are able to collect greetings cards, so please check your local authority’s recycling website for more information.

Padded envelopes

Only padded envelopes made from 100% paper can be recycled. If yours aren’t, you can still reuse them by putting a sticker over the address and adding a new stamp.

Window envelopes

Most envelopes with plastic windows can be recycled with the rest of your paper. If in doubt, cut out the window part of the envelope and recycle the rest. Some local authorities don’t collect any envelopes due to the glue. If this is the case in your area, simply remove the windows and add the envelopes to your compost bin.

Stamps

Stamps attached to envelopes can be recycled with the rest of your paper. As an alternative, why not start a stamp collection?

Bills and statements

Please beware of identity theft! It’s a good idea to shred all bills and statements. Then, either compost the shredded paper or recycle it via your local authority’s kerbside collections or at your nearest paper bank.

Polywrap envelopes

These are the transparent wrappers that magazines and catalogues are sometimes delivered in. Most local authorities do not accept polywraps for recycling. However, many companies now use biodegradable polywraps. This means that you can throw them away with your rubbish and they will degrade quickly when they’re sent to landfill. Alternatively, you can add them to your compost bin.

Shredded mail

Although some local authorities will accept shredded paper, others are reluctant to do so for the following reasons:

Shredded paper can blow away, creating a litter problem
2. Shredded paper can cause maintenance problems with recycling machinery
3. Some recycling machinery is unable to separate the shredded paper from other items
If your local authority will collect shredded paper, you can stop it blowing away by putting it in a paper bag or wrapping it in an old newspaper. If your local authority doesn’t accept shredded paper, one option is to not shred it in the first place so you can recycle your paper in the usual ways. Home composting is a good alternative, especially if you’re worried about identity theft.

Exploring the wildlife in your back garden

2010-07-09T11:49:00.000+01:00

Don't forget to visit hotvouchers.com for our weekly post on exploring nature in your back garden!

My young son has recently been fascinated by the abundance of six-legged creatures in our garden since the weather has started warming up. Aside from the occasional task of convincing him they belong out amongst the flowers and not in his pocket, we've found it to be extremely helpful in demonstrating the beauty of the outdoors and getting him to notice a world that does not belong just to us.

Ladybirds, for example, are fantastic for such an exercise. They're benign, can’t bite little fingers, are good for the garden, and colourful – which makes them easy to find. My son is particularly interested in ladybirds and follows them as they crawl on various flowers and plants. It's very encouraging when he finds one and puts it in the flowerbed. Our favourite thing to do is watch them as they crawl up and down the plant, giving us a wonderful opportunity to share our knowledge (albeit sometimes limited) of nature and the bug's role in the world's cycle of vegetation. It has also given us the excuse to encourage my little boy to smell the flowers and appreciate the different colours in nature that are used to attract the bugs. We've found this exercise to start taking hold in his head as the other day, while walking to the bus, he stopped to smell a bush of honeysuckle which demonstrates an awareness of his surroundings and the pleasure that a simple plant can bring.

Bugs have also provided my son a greater appreciation for earth and planting in general. What is currently thought of only as mud fodder or something else to throw, is treated more gently when he finds a worm, or a 'noodle' as he describes it or an ant. We recently planted a number of onion bulbs in our garden and he was extremely pleased to find worms clambering in and around the bulbs. He has also taken to placing various bugs on the sprouts that have come out since then as they are the bugs' “home” and he has been told that the bugs help the planted vegetables grow.

As squeamish as I generally am about creepy crawlies, I have to admit that the whole circus of six and eight legged creatures in our yard and increased (if that was even possible) my son's love of the outdoors. He can squat and watch and ant walk around an ant hill for minutes (which is in itself impressive) and apart from the rare 'mash it' instances, is intrigued by their movements and their sense of direction to our flowerbeds. Interestingly, I believe that these bugs have taught my son a sense of patience and appreciation for nature, for flowers and for being outside, that has shown in his recent tendencies to literally stop and smell the flowers.

For the family, it encourages us to do the same. Nature is a wonder and it’s funny that it’s the smaller creatures (the bugs, our children, etc) are capable of teaching us such a great lesson.

Staying Cool this Summer: Ice Lollies/Popsicles

2010-07-05T10:35:00.005+01:00

Popsicles (Ice Lollies) are a real favorite of my son (and myself). I always try to have some made on hand in our freezer so we are never without a quick and cooling snack. And I like making my own so I really know what’s going into them. :) Really, I use everything from juice to fresh fruit purees with whole bits of fruit in there.

Also, using and reusing ice lolly moulds when you make your own helps reduce waste! If you're interested, I've found a great BPA, PVC and Phthalate Free option at VUP Baby.

My mom sent along a recipe for Blueberry Banana Yogurt Popsicles. (I think they’re from Martha Stewart but can't be sure.) I’ve simplified the original recipe and have excluded any sugar for my toddler.

3 to 4 ripe bananas
1 1/2 cups yogurt
Juice of 1/2 lemon or orange
1 cup fresh blueberries

Directions

In the bowl of a food processor, puree bananas until smooth. Add yogurt, and lemon juice; pulse to combine. Remove half of the yogurt mixture; set aside.

Add blueberries to processor, and pulse until just combined. Layer blueberry and reserved yogurt mixtures into ten 1/3 cup ice-pop molds. Using a wooden skewer, swirl the two flavors together. Insert ice-pop sticks. Transfer to freezer until frozen, about 8 hours

And don't forget to dip the molds quickly in hot water to make it a heck of a lot easier to unmold.

More combos try:

Raspberries and yogurt

Raspberry Puree with water, mint and limes

Mango and Orange (4 large ripe mangoes and 1 cup orange juice)

Do you have any recipes you'd like to share?

Book Club: Nature's Playground

2010-07-04T07:07:00.002+01:00

This is one of Henry's favorite books. It's a book designed for parents, but the pictures are exceptionally beautiful. Henry will sit by himself, flipping through the pages, muttering to himself about the "nail" (snail), trees, butterflies and (gasp) kids in their boots.

Written by Fiona Danks and Jo Schofield, they share a great love of the outdoors with their children and, through their helpful hints and clever activities, inspire other parents to do the same with their own children. Organized by the seasons, you can find a variety of craft projects and
practical ideas to help you explore the great outdoors.

With crafts like corn dollies, twig sculptures, forest mobiles, activities like natural painting, scavenger hunts, stop and listen games, and woody bug hunts, I really believe this book is a great addition to any family's library.

If you're interested, you can purchase it at our Amazon E-Store.

Meatless Monday: July's Here!

2010-07-03T13:38:00.000+01:00

It's the beginning of July and the weather is so wonderful for growing and sowing fruit and veg-- guess it's time to discuss what's in season this month!

As we've mentioned before, we are big fans of the Eat Seasonably Calendar. (It's such a fab and inventive resource!) Anyway, according to them, July's best includes:

Cherries (ahhh, so refreshing - just what you need on a hot summer day)
Cucumber (we like it in our water, in salads, on sandwiches - a real kid's favorite)
Curly Lettuce (so great for those happy summer salads you crave around this time)

Why is it important to eat seasonally?

More flavorful and fresher (in my opinion)
Helps reduce the energy needed to grow and transport the food we eat
Can be less expensive - and helps to support the local economy
You know where your food is coming from - helps to connect to land and great conversation starter about fruit and veg with your children

For our weekly Meatless Monday recipes:

What about a simple tomato and cucumber salad?

1 Red Onion
3 Large Tomatoes
1 Cucumber
The Juice of Half a Lemon
2-3 Tablespoons Olive Oil

Very thinly slice the onion. I deseed the tomatoes, but if you're in a rush just do what you want/can. I then cut the cucumber into bite size pieces and add it to the mix drizzling olive oil and lemon over the top and gently stirring it all together. You can then add parsley or basil to the salad - whatever you need to use up from your garden.

Courgette and Bulgar Salad (From the great Veg Box Recipe's site - highly recommend it!)

½ cup cracked bulgar wheat
2-3 medium courgettes (zucchini)
2-3 medium carrots
1 medium onion
1 clove garlic
50g (2 oz) Cheddar (hard) cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ stock cube

Put the cracked bulgar wheat in a bowl and cover with twice its voume of boiling water. Cover with a clean cloth and leave for 25 minutes, until the water has been absorbed and the bulgar wheat is fluffy.

Meanwhile, warm the olive oil in a pan. Peel and chop the onion. Saute in the oil for 5 minutes.

Peel and crush the garlic clove. Scrub (or peel) and finely chop the carrots. Add to the onion and saute for 5 minutes. Stir often so they don't burn.

Grate the courgettes (or slice finely). Grate the cheese. When the carrots are soft, add the courgettes and cheese to the pan. Mix well, put the lid on and leave until the bulgar wheat is ready.

When the bulgar wheat is cooked, add it to the pan and mix well. Serve immediately.

Berry and Fennel Salad
(I think this is from the Vegetarian Society, but not quite sure.)

50g Walnuts
¼ Cucumber
½ Fennel, very thinly sliced or shredded
85g Watercress, thick stalks removed
1 Round Green Lettuce, washed and dried
150g Blackberries, washed and dried
150g Raspberries, washed and dried
150g Silken Tofu
6 tbsp Good Quality French Dressing
1 tbsp Caster Sugar

Preheat oven to 200C. Spread walnuts out on a baking tray and put in hot oven for about 4 minutes until lightly roasted. Remove from oven and cool.

To make the dressing: Drain the silken tofu by putting it in a bowl lined with kitchen paper and patting dry. Transfer French dressing to a small liquidizer together with the silken tofu and the caster sugar. Blend for about 30 seconds until creamy. Put into a bowl ready to serve.

Continue with the salad: Cut the cucumber in half lengthways, and then thinly slice to make half-moon slices. Mix these with the fennel and watercress

Arrange whole green lettuce leaves on four plates, and pile the cucumber mixture on top. Scatter with the blackberries, raspberries and roasted walnuts and serve, passing the dressing round separately.

You can top either salad off with Fresh Cherry Cake. (From BBC's Good Food)

If I'm perfectly honest, though, I never get around to making anything with cherries. They are just too good - and we always eat them straight away.

Organic Fruit and Veg

2010-06-30T07:44:00.000+01:00

The chemicals in pesticides can have great impact on your child/ren's lives since they do so much growing and developing early in life, so it is incredibly important to keep them out of our youngsters' systems.

To reduce your family’s exposure to toxins, try to choose organic ingredients-choosing organic will eliminate significant pesticide exposure. When this is not possible, it is especially important to purchase organic thin skinned fruits and vegetables, such as apples or potatoes since these absorb pesticides more than other produce. (Check out the Environmental Working Group's Dirty Dozen.)

Try to choose food grown locally and in season (fruits and veggies grown in their natural season have less pesticide levels).

We also have to consider how to keep harmful chemicals from leaching into our food. We’re talking about plastic bibs, bottles, utensils and everything in between. And as soon as we start taking an honest look at what’s going our kids’ mouths, we’re forced to consider dummies, teethers and toys too, leaving busy parents a bit overwhelmed. But help is out there! Check back for more posts on avoiding toxins and chemicals or contact us directly at stclair (at) greenfamilies.co.uk for a personal consultation.

Green Tips: Saving Energy And Saving Money

2010-06-30T07:14:00.000+01:00

We are thrilled to be working with HotVouchers.com to bring you weekly green tips. You can also see this first post over on their blog.

The standard way a utility company works is through 3 pricing bands that charges a base level charge for your first 1000 kwh, a second cheaper rate for your additional usage per month and then an extremely discounted rate for your night-time energy use (normally 10pm to 8am) which can be up to 5 times lower than your base level charge. Each utility supplier is different and they all have their own slightly different versions, however they all follow the general principle.

So if we look at EDF, for example, and look at their charges for a standard user, it looks something like this, for our area of Southwest London: • 20.62p for the first 1000kwh (Band A) • 12.37p for every additional kwh • 4.94p during night-time hours

So what does this mean exactly and how do I know how much I’m saving? Because all appliances are a bit different we won’t be able to tell you exactly how much you can however we can give you a rough estimate:

The average dishwasher uses approximately 335 kwh per year, meaning that if you use it regularly during the day, you’re paying roughly £69 per year on dishwashing (335kwh X 20.62 p/kwh = £69.09). If however, you decided to run that at night, putting the cycle on as you were going to bed, it would only cost £16.55 per year (335kwh X 4.94 p/kwh = £16.55). That’s £53 in savings just on the dishwasher alone and this is assuming your dishwasher is brand new. If you have a dishwasher from 10 years ago, it will be at least double the energy consumption, and also double the energy cost i.e. £140 to run the dishwasher at peak times, or £32 to run at off peak for the year.

Let’s look at one of the most horrendous culprits – the electric shower pump. A standard electric shower pump can average a yearly usage of roughly 4900kwh – especially if you have teenagers or other shower enthusiasts in your household. You and your loved ones could be costing approx £1000 per year if you shower during normal daily hours (4900kwh X 20.62p/kwh = £1010.38). If you switched to early morning or evening then you could save up to £700 per year. You don’t even have to have a discount or voucher to help you save significant money!

We hope this brief introduction has helped to highlight the large difference that understanding peak and off-peak energy premiums can have on your utility bills and how small changes in your daily habits can add up to large rewards in your wallet.

Article: ADHD linked to pesticide exposure

2010-06-29T07:38:00.000+01:00

I just realized that I share a lot of articles on twitter, but not all of our blog's readers are twitter users. So I hope (to remind myself) to share these articles on this blog on a regular basis.

For the first installment, see this article from CNN on

Study: ADHD linked to pesticide exposure

Children exposed to higher levels of a type of pesticide found in trace amounts on commercially grown fruit and vegetables are more likely to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder than children with less exposure, a nationwide study suggests.

Researchers measured the levels of pesticide byproducts in the urine of 1,139 children from across the United States. Children with above-average levels of one common byproduct had roughly twice the odds of getting a diagnosis of ADHD, according to the study, which appears in the journal Pediatrics.

Meatless Monday: Pulses and Beans

2010-06-27T19:36:00.001+01:00

Pulses and beans are a good source of protein and they are rich in fibre. They also contain:

B Vitamins: necessary for healthy brain and nerve cells, normal functioning of the skin, nervous and digestive systems.
Calcium: good for strong bones and teeth.
Potassium: helps reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.
Folate: a B vitamin that our bodies don’t produce. Dry beans are our single best source of this important vitamin which helps protect against heart disease and cancer.

(One serving of beans fills many dietary requirements, including 32%DV of folate, 9%DV of potassium.)

And for a quick and easy comparison:

LEAN GROUND BEEF
Amount: 4 ounces
Calories: 306
Fat grams: 20
Protein grams: 23
Fiber in grams: 0

BLACK BEANS
Amount: 8 ounces [twice as much as the beef above]
Calories: 227 [discount by 10% due to high fiber content]
Fat grams: .09
Protein grams: 17.9
Fiber in grams: 15

So here are a few recipes for you to try:

Canyon Ranch Bean Salad

1/4 cup/60 ml red wine vinegar

2 tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 tsp black pepper

1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped

1/2 cup/50 g diced cucumber

1/2 cup/50 g diced red bell pepper

1/2 cup/50 g diced yellow bell pepper

1 diced carrot

3/4 to 1 small red onion

1/4 cup/30 g diced black pitted olives

3/4 tsp chopped fresh oregano

2 tsp chopped fresh basil

3/4 cup/115 g diced tomato

1 cup cooked white beans (home-cooked or canned, rinsed and drained)

1 cup cooked garbanzo beans (home-cooked or canned, rinsed and drained)

1/2 cup chopped hearts of palm

In a small bowl, mix vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper. Beat well. In a large bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Add salad dressing and toss lightly. Divide equally among 4 salad bowl.

*I've stayed at the Canyon Ranch before (BLISS) and highly recommend this wonderful summer salad. IT's a great way to get some veggies; I also add spinach when I have it on hand.

Mung Bean Casserole

½ cup (3 oz, 75 g) dried mung beans
4 - 6 medium potatoes
Oil for frying
1 onion, sliced and chopped
2 large carrots, sliced
2 large sticks of celery, sliced
4 - 6 mushrooms, sliced
2 cups (16 fl oz, 480 ml) vegetable stock
½ tsp. miso (if available)
salt and pepper to taste

Cover the mung beans with about three times their volume of cold water, and leave to soak overnight.

Pre-heat oven to 200C.

Drain and rinse the beans. Add them to a pan of boiling water. Boil rapidly for ten minutes, then turn down the heat and let them simmer for another ten minutes or until completely cooked. When ready, drain the beans and rinse in a sieve under running water.

While the beans are cooking, peel the potatoes and cut into quarters. Boil in salted water for about ten minutes, or until they're just beginning to soften.

Heat the oil in a pan. Add the onion, and cook gently for a few minutes. Then add the carrots, celery and mushrooms. Continue cooking until the vegetables are starting to become tender. Add the stock, miso and seasoning, and cook for another five minutes.

Add the cooked beans, potatoes and vegetables to an oven dish. Cook in the oven, covered, for 30 minutes.

Chili Non Carne

From Planet Organic

125g/4 1/5 oz/3/4 c dried pinto beans
2 tsp lemon juice
1 strip of kombu (if you have it, helps with digestion)
1TBSP olive oil
1 lg onion
2 garlic cloves
175g/6oz tempeh, cut into small cubes
1 orange or red pepper, deseeded and chopped
480g/1 lb/3 1/2 c chopped tinned tomatoes
1/2 tsp chili powder
3/4 tsp salt
175g/6 oz grated Cheddar cheese

Put beans and lemon juice in medium saucepan, cover with warm water and leave to soak overnight.

Drain and rinse the beans. Return them to pan and add 570ml/20 fl oz/2 1/2 c water. Bring to boil over high heat and boil for 10 minutes, skimming any scum that rises to the surface. Reduce heat to low, add kombu and cook covered for 2 hours until soft.

Meanwhile, heat a lg saucepan over mdm-high heat and add olive oil. When oil is hot, add the onion and cook until light browned. Add the garlic and cook, stirring for a further 2 minutes. Stir in the tempeh, orange pepper, tomatoes and chili powder.

Mash together the beans, kombu and cooking liquid and add to the tempeh mixture. Cook, covered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until well cooked and the flavours have come together.

Stir in the salt and sprinkle the chili generously with the Cheddar. Serve with corn chips if desired. :)

Meatless Monday: Quinoa

2010-06-20T07:32:00.001+01:00

This week I thought we'd take a look at quinoa. It contains more protein than any other grain (an average of 16.2%, compared with 7.5% for rice, 9.9% for millet and 14% for wheat). The United Nations has classified this super-food as a “super-crop.” Quinoa is also a great source of dietary fiber and is high in iron, magnesium, potassium and a good source of phosphorous, calcium, vitamin E and several B vitamins. It contains an almost perfect balance of all eight essential amino acids needed for tissue development in humans.

Quinoa is cooked just like rice, bringing about two cups of water to a boil with one cup of grain, covering at a low simmer and cooking for 14–18 minutes or until the germ separates from the seed. The cooked germ looks like a tiny curl and should have a slight bite to it like al dente pasta. When cooked, quinoa has a mild, slightly nutty flavor and can be an excellent alternative to rice, bulgur or couscous.

I've found that kids really like it too. It's one of Henry's favorite old-reliables as it's very simple for me to whip out in a hurry. Here's one of his favorites from an old post.

Planning for tomorrow's offerings and want to try out quinoa with your family? Here are a few ideas:

Spring Vegetable Quinoa Salad (from the helpful Veg Box Recipe site. I highly recommend a visit - so great when you're stuck wondering what to do with the last of your veg box!!)

Serves 4
150g quinoa
150g sprouting broccoli or broccoli florets
6-8 baby carrots (new season)
150g spinach leaves or baby chard leaves
150g broad beans, podded
Handful of pine nuts (I leave these out for Henry)

Dressing:
2 tablespoons sunflower oil / walnut oil
1 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
Handful fresh herbs, chopped (e.g. parsley, thyme)

Method

Cook the quinoa according to the packet instructions (usually simmering, covered, in twice its volume of water for 10 minutes, then leaving to stand for 5 minutes).
Wash the broccoli and drain well. Break into bite-sized chunks.
Scrub the carrots, trim the green ends and the chop the carrots into bite-sized pieces.
Wash the spinach leaves and drain thoroughly.
Boil the carrots in a covered pan with 1 inch of water for 5 minutes. Add the broccoli and broad beans and cook for a further 3 minutes. Drain.
Return to the pan with just a couple of tablespoons of water. Add the spinach leaves and cover the pan. Cook gently for 2 minutes until the spinach wilts.
Mix together the dressing ingredients.
Heat a frying pan (dry) until hot and add the pine nuts. Turn regularly for a couple of minutes until lightly browned. Don't let them burn.
Mix together the vegetables, the dressing and the quinoa. Sprinkle the pine nuts on top of each serving.

Quinoa Black Bean Salad

Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa
1 1/2 cups cold water
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups cooked black beans. If using canned beans, drain and rinse well
1/2 cup chopped celery
Optional: 1 carrot, peeled, halfed lengthwise, sliced thin diagonally
Optional: 1 cup chopped fresh yellow or green beans
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced OR 1 Tbsp minced fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, minced, OR 1 tsp garlic powder
1 red pepper, sliced thin
1 green pepper, sliced thin
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp coriander powder
2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro or basil
1/4 cup chopped scallions
Optional: 1 large ripe tomato
Optional: 1/2 cup sliced olives

Dressing:
2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp salt
Fresh ground pepper
Pinch cayenne or chili powder

Directions

The quinoa can be made ahead of time and refrigerated
Soak the quinoa 10 - 15 minutes in cold water
Rinse well in water several times. For each rinse, pour off most of the water and finish draining through a large fine mesh strainer
Place in a 2 qt pot with 1 1/2 c. water and 1/2 tsp salt
Bring to a full boil, cover tightly, turn down to low, and cook for 15 minutes
Remove from heat and allow to sit 5 minutes covered
Fluff quinoa gently with a fork and set aside to cool
Sauté jalapeno, fresh garlic, in 2 Tbsp oil until garlic is browned, pepper and celery are softened
Add the green and red peppers and sauté briefly
Add the cumin and coriander, cook and stir 5 minutes
Blend dressing ingredients with a whisk or shake in a jar
Gently combine sautéed veggies, tomatoes, black beans, quinoa and dressing in a large bowl
Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Stir in cilantro and scallions, and serve warm or cover and chill

Green Company Highlight: Ecomodo

2010-06-17T07:39:00.000+01:00

I'm pleased to share our most recent Q &A with Meriel Lenfestey, one of the founders of the innovative and green company Ecomodo.

Ecomodo is an online service that enables people to lend and borrow each other's everyday objects, skills and spaces with confidence. They can do this for free, for a fee or for charity. Ecomodo facilitates the transaction to make good returns for all.

Mission: We want it to become the norm to make the items we have but seldom use available to other people around us.

Q.Where did the idea for Ecomodo originate? What/Who inspired it?

A. The idea is one of those which feels so obvious. For years I've rushed out and bought things for my latest project, then they've sat and collected dust for ages afterwards. More recently, particularly with the recession and increasing awareness of the environment, I have avoided doing jobs, or trying new things when I don't have the gear. One day I was on a train, having another battle with myself because I wanted to buy something to get a job done but couldn't justify it. I looked out of the window and saw all the sheds in the back gardens along the track. I realised that the tool I wanted was probably in several of those sheds. If only there was a way to see into them. I'd pay the owners a small amount to borrow theirs instead of buying my own. The more I thought about it the more sense it made.

I joined forces with a friend who coincidently had the same idea. We looked carefully at ways to motivate people to lend, and ways to make people confident to lend and designed Ecomodo. Enabling people to set up and join lending circles lets them restrict their lending to people they have a reason to trust, e.g. parents in the same toddler group. They can ask for deposits and insurance for extra peace of mind.

Q. What has been the response?

A. We've had a great response although it is early days. In only 12 weeks over 500 people have signed up across the UK. We have hundreds of items listed ranging from stair gates, to pressure washers, to mosaic tools to greenhouse space. People have started lending.. money has been raised for one lender to redo their living room, for another to get solar panels, and several good causes have benefitted including a school PTA, and the Princes Trust. Borrowers have equipped themselves for camping trips, parties and to try things before they buy. Stephen Fry tweeted about us which drew a lot of attention.

Q. What are the next steps for Ecomodo? How can we help?

A. We want Ecomodo to become a household name. To have a real effect we need lots of lending circles and neighbourhoods with many people lending and borrowing. We're concentrating all our efforts on raising awareness. We are working towards building critical mass. We need all the help we can get to pass the word around.

Q. How do people get involved/get in touch with you?

A. I'd encourage Green Families readers to go to Ecomodo.com and click sign up. Once you've done that we can send you newsletters telling you about things to borrow and things people are asking for in your area.

If you have a little more time, add any items you are prepared to lend and invite people you know. Think about the baby gear you no longer use but keep 'just in case', the camping gear you use once a year, any skills you can offer people, and any spare spaces you are prepared to lend out. Think about your reasons for lending. Would you want to charge anything? If so, would it be for yourself or for a good cause such as your school PTA or the NCT. Then tell everyone in the playground and all your friends. Get them adding all their stuff so that you can all see what is available to borrow.

Q. Top 3 green tips for our readers?

Make your stuff earn its keep. If you don't need it any more give it away or sell it. If you do still want it then put it on Ecomodo.
A community can be more than the sum of its parts when it comes to reducing environmental impact. Working together is better in every way.
A green life can be a richer life. Sharing resources opens up new possibilities and builds new relationships.

So check out their website or you can also follow them on twitter!

Meatless Monday: Lentils

2010-06-13T08:12:00.004+01:00

We love lentils at my house. I tend to use lentils a lot as they are a good source of protein and iron.

"Iron is needed by the body for the formation of blood. Good sources of iron are spinach and turnip greens, whole grains (including whole wheat bread), black-eyed peas, lentils, peas, and some dried fruits (dried apricots, prunes, and raisins). Eating iron-rich foods with foods containing vitamin C can increase iron absorption: few slices of tomato with your spinach salad can make a difference."

And better yet, Henry loves them.

I tend to make up my Lentil soup recipe with whatever I have on hand, but here's a basic one as a reminder...

Easy Lentil Soup

1 onion, chopped
60 ml olive oil
2 carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 g dried oregano
1 bay leaf
1 g dried basil
1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes (or fresh tomatoes, depending on what you have)
385 g dry lentils
1895 ml water
15-30 g spinach, rinsed and sliced
30 ml balsamic vinegar
35 ml olive or hemp oil
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste

Directions:

In a large soup pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery; cook and stir until onion is tender. Stir in garlic, bay leaf, oregano, and basil; cook for 2 minutes.

Stir in lentils, and add water and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for at least 1 hour. When ready to serve stir in spinach, and cook until it wilts. Stir in vinegar and oil, and season to taste with salt and pepper, and more vinegar if desired.

And here's a fabulous lentil recipe for summer from Riverford Organic Veg

Lentil Salad with Red Peppers, Red Onions, Feta and Mint

Preparation Time: 15 mins
Cooking Time: 30 mins

Serves: 4

Ingredients

1 cup dry lentils
3 bay leaves
4 whole garlic cloves, peeled and bruised
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
6 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp ground cumin
salt and freshly ground pepper
1 small red onion, diced
1 medium red bell pepper, seeded and finely diced
3 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
170g feta cheese
18 Kalamanta olives

Instructions

1. Pick over the lentils and discard any stones. Wash the lentils and place in a large saucepan with the bay leaves, bruised garlic, and oregano.

2. Cover with water by 2 inches. Bring to boil, turn down the heat and simmer, uncovered for 30 minutes, until tender. Drain and cool.

3. To make the vinaigrette, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, cumin, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Toss the vinaigrette with the lentils, onions, red pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper.

4. Let sit for 20 minutes. Taste and season as needed with additional salt, pepper and vinegar.

This salad can be prepared 6 hours in advance up to this point. To serve, toss the lentil salad with the mint and place on a platter. Garnish with the crumbled feta and the olives.

Green Products: Innocent Oils

2010-06-10T09:39:00.001+01:00

I am so pleased to introduce Helen James, the lovely, wonder-woman behind Innocent Oils. In addition to their fabulous O'Dough (see my review here) they produce a variety of vegan and toxin-free skin care products. Helen kindly answered some questions for us about the use of botanical oils and why she felt compelled to set up Innocent Oils.

What do you recommend using on a child skin with eczema?

Childhood eczema is increasingly common these days, yet GP’s have little to offer other than steroid creams and petroleum based emollients. Intended to reduce the itch and inflammation and help prevent moisture evaporating from the skin.

This sounds all well and good until the product labels reveal the shocking chemical contents of these same creams and lotions.

As parents we do our best to ensure our kids are protected from environmental toxins for as long as possible, and most would not want to cover their children in creams containing a vast number of toxic chemicals such as steroids, alcohols, propylene glycol, paraben preservatives, pore blocking mineral oil etc contained within these same creams.

So what is a parent to do when their child suffers time and time again throughout the child hood years and sometimes way beyond?

There is no cure for eczema, but for millennia nature has provided natural alternatives which have been safely used for centuries by parents around the world to soothe eczema and manage it long term, without any toxic accumulation in the body, or long term side effects.

Hemp Seed Oil tops the list of highly beneficial alternatives for good reason. This oil contains the most ideally balanced ratio of Essential Fatty Acids required by the human body, to maintain all round good health. Essential Fatty Acids known commonly as Omega 3,6,9 are vitally important to the body because we cannot manufacture E.F.A’s ourselves. Instead we obtain them from the foods we eat.

Studies have shown that patients with chronic eczema are often lacking in Omega 6 Essential Fatty Acid, possibly due to a body unable process it from the foods eaten. Omega 6 or GLA is vital for helping the body to form healthy strong supple normal skin tissue.

Without GLA the bonds between newly formed skin cells become weak and likely loosely formed when the skin appears on the surface layer, the result is broken, flaky, dry skin. Applying mineral oil based products said to ‘keep the moisture in’ can create a catch 22 situation where the skin is prevented from respiring as it should, thus allowing for the removal of toxins via sweating. If this function is disrupted it can quickly lead to further dryness and sensitivities as the skin struggles to cope.

The great thing about Hemp Seed Oil is that not only can both the seeds and oil be taken internally. It can be applied externally with remarkable effectiveness, absorbing deep into the skin tissues via pores and hair follicles to where it is needed most. Hemp seed oil products contain a beneficial amount of amino acids, and vitamin E as well. It is a natural antioxidant, and the oil doesn't stick to your skin as many oils have a tendency to do. Hemp seed oil contains ingredients that give it unique anti-inflammatory properties not often found in other oils. This, added to its antioxidant properties, allows hemp oil to detoxify and clean your skin, as well as evening out tone. Since it won't clog your pores like many other oils, you can safely use hemp seed oil to moisturize your skin, and do so without any greasy build-up.

How do botanical oils help the skin?

Our skin is the largest organ of the human body and often the most abused. Botanical Oils such as Hemp Seed Oil have tiny molecules, which are able to travel down through to the skin to the deepest layers. It is here that Hemp Seed Oil goes to work assisting the new skin cells to form strong new skin tissue that will appear on the surface layer as healthy, soft and supple, normal skin.

Petrochemical based emollients are not able to perform this function due to its large sized molecules which are unable to penetrate the skin, therefore remaining on the surface much like cling film wrap. It’s for this reason that toxic cosmetic ingredients such as propylene glycol are added. Propylene glycol readily absorbs, unfortunately it is also damaging to skin cells.

Knowing this, it seems pointless to use petrochemical based creams when a single all natural and organic botanic oil can be used long term without harm to the user, no matter how much or how often it is applied. Innocent Oils 100% Hemp Seed Oil is made from certified organic Hemp which has been refined at a low temperature for purity from www.InnocentOils.com

Any recommendations, for products for pregnant women and stretch marks?

A woman’s tummy stretches to its limits during pregnancy. Stretch marks appear when the skin expands beyond those limits, causing the connective tissues to break. The resulting tell tale pink or purple lines which appear, later turn silvery after the birth. The truth is that once these silvery lines appear there is no miracle repair cream to make them vanish altogether as the stretch marks are largely hereditary, however, using rich botanical oils and butters will help the skin to stretch to its full potential before damage occurs. This can greatly reduce the marks that do appear and ensure that the skin is in the condition possible. This will be a great help after the birth, to assist a speedy recovery back to its pre pregnancy state.
Innocent Oils Angel Butter contains a highly concentrated blend of rich cocoa butter and organic botanical oils, highly reputed for their soothing and softening properties for the skin.

Why did you set up Innocent Oils?

Avoiding petrochemical-based products is not an easy task these days. Having had overly sensitive skin for many years, even the most seemingly pure products would trigger a reaction, and the cost of trying and failing to find something that really worked was becoming very expensive to say the least. Worse was the sinking feeling of not being able to find a product I enjoyed on my skin and didn’t trigger a reaction.

So, I decided to take the plunge, and began learning about the raw chemical ingredients used to make our commercial toiletries while researching the raw ingredients Mother Nature already provides plentifully around the world to heal all manner of ailments.

Innocent Oils was the result, and Hemp Seed Oil was the basis of our initial toxin free skin and body care range, due to its unrivalled superb properties both internally and externally for human health and the environment.

What I learned about commercial skin care products was frankly shocking, and revealed an industry built around ingredients which are astonishingly cheap, and for want of a better word ‘thoroughly nasty,’ and with little benefit provided to the skin of the user regardless of the cost of the jar.

Sharing the knowledge I have gained is a pleasure, but to be honest without suitable alternative products that I was happy to recommend, I knew this information would be wasted. The priority is always the skin and the environment, focusing on the finest long term tried and tested ingredients known to be highly beneficial for healthy skin. Making products that are multi use and highly concentrated, and the benefits that our products can offer the skin and body. After all there is little point in paying for a fancy jar and box, if the product itself contains ingredients which do little good for the health of your skin.

Helen James

Innocent Oils

www.innocentoils.com

contact@innocentoils.com

Win a BornFree Twist N'Pop Straw Cup

2010-06-08T19:43:00.027+01:00

We've always been great fans of BornFree's products from their bottles with the innovative air vent that really helps to eliminate colic symptoms to their trainer cups and drinking cups - all 100% free from BPA, Phthalates and PVC.

It was then only natural for us to take our son's BornFree sippy cup to the Camden Green Fair last weekend, but we certainly didn't anticipate the amount of people asking whether we sold the BornFree sippy cups.

So guess what: BornFree has very kindly offered a free give-away of their new Twist N'Pop cup to one of our readers!

The Twist N'Pop Straw Cup:

BornFree® BPA-Free plastic, 14oz. (400ml) Twist N'Pop Straw Drinking Cup features a hygenic pop-up straw mechanism for comfortable mess free drinking. 14oz body interchangeable with BornFree® bottles and cups. Suitable for 12+ months.

I highly recommend all of their products. They are safe, sturdy, easy-to-clean, and look great. All of their products are interchangeable, so you can you use a cup top with your bottles if you'd like. Less waste! Check out their website to view the whole range of options in safe and toxic-free feeding and accessories.

To enter to win, please leave a comment below on why you would like to win one of these cups. You'll also be entered again if you retweet this post! The closing date for the competition is 16/6/10. Good luck!

Cleaning Products and your Health

2010-06-08T08:22:00.000+01:00

We've always been a big fan of eco-friendly or DIY cleaning sprays (see some old posts here and here) here at Green Families - so this article in the Guardian really caught my eye.

Household cleaning sprays 'could be contributing to rise in cases of asthma'

Scary stuff, if you ask me. But maybe this will create space for a dialogue about chemicals and the role they play in our health. So here's to choosing the healthier options (when we have the choice).

Meatless Monday: Week Four

2010-06-07T11:35:00.002+01:00

I embarrassingly just "stumbled" upon a new Meat-Free Monday website, this time with more of a focus in the UK. Check it out at: http://www.supportmfm.org/index.cf They seek to raise awareness of the climate-changing impact of meat production and consumption. Many people are unaware that livestock production is responsible for 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions – that’s more than the entire transport sector.

As it's founded by Paul, Stella and Mary McCartney, it's has some big-name celebrities and chefs behind it. So I thought I'd share of one of the family-friendly recipes here.

First is Anna Hansen of The Modern Pantry with:

Salad of wild rice, charred sweet corn, spiced pecans, avocado and feta MFM Recipe

This recipe is really simple and a great one to prepare in advance and assemble last minute if you’ve got friends over, and it looks impressive too. It’s also perfect as a week day supper because the rice makes it really substantial.

Ingredients:
2 cobs of corn
150g (5.5 oz) wild rice
1 small cinnamon stick
1 red chilli, split lengthways
1 red onion
3 tbsp good red wine vinegar
1/4 tsp sweet smoked paprika
100g (3.5 oz) pecan nuts
1 tbsp icing sugar
1 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tbsp Maldon sea salt
1 bunch coriander, chopped (stalks and leaves)
1 avocado cut into pieces
Small bunch of watercress, washed
100g (3.5 oz) marinated feta

Method:
Cut the kernels off both cobs of corn. Put a little oil in a big pan, add the kernels and fry over a high heat until charred in places. Simmer the wild rice, cinnamon and chilli in plenty of water until tender but still al dente, and strain (check your packet of wild rice for timings, and taste for tenderness). Leave to cool.
Slice the red onion and caramelise in a pan in 1 tbsp of oil until soft. Add the vinegar and paprika. When the vinegar has evaporated, remove from the heat, allow to cool and add the corn.
Toss the pecans with the icing sugar, cumin seeds, salt and 1 tbsp water. Bake at 150°C/300°F/gas mark 2 for 20 minutes or until golden (keep checking to make sure they don’t scorch). Cool.
Mix the rice, sweetcorn and onion, chopped coriander, avocado and watercress together. Crumble over the feta and pecans. Serve.

(I'd leave the omit the pecans for my 20 month old, but clearly this recipe looks like a fab summer dish.)

I also thought I'd recommend something from my most favorite food blog: Smitten Kitchen

Shaved Asparagus Pizza
Makes 1 thin crust 12-inch pizza

1 recipe Really Simple Pizza Dough or your favorite pizza dough
1/2 pound asparagus
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 pound mozzarella, shredded or cut into small cubes
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
Several grinds black pepper
1 scallion, thinly sliced

Preheat your oven to the hottest temperature it goes, or about 500 in most cases. If you use a pizza stone, have it in there.

Prepare asparagus: No need to snap off ends; they can be your “handles” as you peel the asparagus. Holding a single asparagus spear by its tough end, lay it flat on a cutting board and using a vegetable peeler (a Y-shaped peeler works best here, but I only had a standard, old and pretty dull peeler and it still worked; a mandolin would also work, in theory, but I found it more difficult to do it that way), create long shavings of asparagus by drawing the peeler from the base to the top of the stalk. Repeat with remaining stalks and don’t fret some pieces are unevenly thick (such as the end of the stalk, which might be too thin to peel); the mixed textures give a great character to the pizza. Discard tough ends. Toss peelings with olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl and be sure to try one — I bet you can hardly believe how good raw asparagus can taste.

Assemble and bake pizza: Roll or stretch out your pizza dough to a 12-inch round. Either transfer to a floured or cornmeal-dusted pizza peel (if using a pizza stone in the oven) or to a floured or cornmeal-dusted tray to bake it on. Sprinkle pizza dough with Parmesan, then mozzarella. Pile asparagus on top. Bake pizza for 10 to 15 minutes, or until edges are browned, the cheese is bubbly and the asparagus might be lightly charred. Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with scallions, then slice and eat.

More ways to tweak this: Pinch of red pepper flakes (toss with asparagus), squeeze of lemon juice (over the asparagus, after you remove it from the oven), sprinkle of truffle salt or few drops of truffle oil (if you’ve got it; also at end) or up to 3 eggs (bake pizza for 8 minutes, break eggs on top, then finish cooking pizza and eggs together).

Finally, if you’ve got a grill going, this pizza seems almost destined for it. When I grill pizza, I throw the whole dough down on an oiled grill and let it cook for a few minutes on the underside. I pull it off with tongs, flip it out onto a plate and pile the toppings on the grilled side, before sliding the raw side back onto the grill. Grill the pizza with the lid down for a few minutes, or until everything is bubbly and brown.

Book Club: Last Child in the Woods

2010-06-02T11:12:00.002+01:00

Most of us have heard someone mention Richard Louv's book, Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder, at some time or another. It's an important text that outlines the crucial role that nature plays in the lives of children. Mr. Louv coined the term "nature-deficit disorder"to describe the consequence of children losing regular contact with nature (which helps to promote physical and emotional health for that matter). He sees this as a disorder of society and our modern technologies as contributing to the decline of our contact with nature.

But we don't have to take big steps to introduce nature in our children's lives, we just need to get outside-regularly. A park, a patch of dirt, some local countryside. It's about engaging our children with what matters for their health and well-being and dis-connecting (even if for 30 minutes a day) to the internet and mobile.

And it's not just good for our children, it's good for us adults as well.

Camden Green Fair!

2010-06-01T10:35:00.003+01:00

The 20th Annual Camden Green Fair.

That's right - 20 years! And on June 6th, they will be hosting another Green Fair and BikeFest. Held in the heart of London in Regent’s Park, Camden Green Fair 2010 will be the Green Event of the year. We're proud to say that Green Families will host a table this year. A little personal PR notwithstanding, the objective of the event and the amount they have been able to achieve thus far is truly amazing. Not only does the event host 25,000 people, it is completely powered by renewable energy, none of its vendors are allowed to use anything but compostable packaging and it continues to aim for zero-waste.

What we're most excited about are of course the kids' zone and the family activities - we can only guess what 'wellie wanging and dwilie flonking' are but they sound like good, clean, green fun. For the kiddies, there will be a 3 course vegetarian meal will be available free of charge first come first served for the younger visitors to the event. Also new for the Green Kids area, the Performance Tent where they can see Original Story Telling, Caboodle Performance and drama workshop and a Pan Arts Presentation. Not to mention tons of free workshops including mobile making, willow weaving, windmill making, face painting, costume customising, growing workshop, sculpture gardening, recycled music making, homeopathic workshops, forest schools activities (courtesy of Natural England), felting pictures, creating a flower fairy and a herbal walk around the park.

So we certainly hope to see you all there; come by our booth on your way to the children's parade (and the FREE vegetarian kids meal) or the Ethical Fashion show or the BikeFest. It's completely free admission and runs from 12 - 7:30pm on the 6th. For more information, www.camdengreenfair.org.uk

Meatless Monday: Week Three

2010-05-31T11:43:00.002+01:00

Well, we've had a bit of a break in Meatless Mondays as we were traveling, but we're back and ready to cook! I'd also like to (again) point you to the Meatless Monday website. The recipes look fabulous on there! I can't wait to try their Tamari Tofu Scramble or their Chimichurri Quinoa Stuffed Artichokes.

Without further ado, the recipe for this week is:
Mixed Vegetable Curry by Madhur Jaffrey (recipe can be found here on the bbc food website - a valuable resource!)
Ingredients

½ medium-sized aubergine, about 100g/4oz, cut into 2cm x 1cm/¾in x ½in pieces
2-3 small carrots, about 100g/4oz, peeled and cut into 2cm x 1cm/¾in x ½in pieces
100g/4oz green beans, cut into 2.5cm/1in pieces
1 medium-sized potato, about 100g/4oz, peeled and cut into 2cm x 1cm/¾in x ½in pieces
100g/4oz peas
50g/2oz desiccated unsweetened coconut (reconstituted weight) that has been reconstituted by soaking in hot water, or frozen grated coconut(available from some Asian grocers), or freshly grated coconut
4 fresh hot green chillies, roughly chopped (I omit these when making it for my 20 month old son, but I'm sure it is great with them in!)
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp white poppy seeds (Again, I tend to leave these out as I don't readily have them on hand, but I am sure it's a great addition)
3-4 medium-sized tomatoes, roughly chopped
1 tbsp plain yoghurt
1 tsp garam masala
2 tbsp roughly chopped fresh coriander leaves

Preparation method

Place the aubergine, carrots, green beans and potato in a medium-sized pan. Add 250ml/8fl oz water.
Bring to the boil, add the peas, then cover, turn the heat to medium and cook for four minutes or until the vegetables are just tender.
Meanwhile, put the coconut, chillies, salt and poppy seeds in the bowl of a food processor. Add 150ml/5fl oz water and blend to form a fine paste. Set aside.
When the vegetables are just cooked, add the spice paste. Stir and simmer gently for five minutes.
Add the tomatoes, yoghurt and garam masala. Stir gently to mix well. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer gently for 2-3 minutes or until the potatoes are cooked through.
To serve, place the vegetable curry into a serving dish and garnish with the fresh coriander.

I'm also a big fan of Dr. Oz (he directs the Cardiovascular Institute and Complementary Medicine Program at New York Presbyterian Hospital and also has a hit show in the USA) -- and love his recipe for Elmo's Red Veggie Alphabet Soup. Try it with your kids!

Reusable Sandwich Bags (Guest Post)

2010-05-31T10:34:00.001+01:00

Please check out my post over at the wonderful site Baby Budgeting! (A fabulous resource for any parent!)

http://babybudgeting.co.uk/2010/05/reusable-sandwich-bags-have-you-tried-these-green-budget-friendly/

**********************************************************************************

I’ve always been interested in reusable products, but it really struck me that I was throwing a lot of money, resources and products away when packing sandwiches and snacks for my son and partner, particularly the lunch time one-hit wonders. It occurred to me that we don’t throw away the containers that that we use to pack lunches into, so why the bags? So I set out to explore a few low-cost alternatives to reusable food and freezer sandwich bags.

First, for those not comfortable with or lacking access to a sewing machine, I would highly recommend Wrap-n-Mat. It’s washable, reusable and can even act as a placemat for some fancy dining. I found mine at Nigel’s Eco Store for £4.99. http://www.nigelsecostore.com/acatalog/Sandwich_Wrap.html You can also find tupperware without scary chemicals like Sistema’s Klip It Picnic/lunch containers that are BPA and lead free. There are many options out there – just remember not to heat anything in plastic containers – chemicals can leach out scary stuff when heated.

Now, for those of you who are a bit more ”stitchily” inclined, you can try to make your own snazzy reusable packs. I had a piece of fabric leftover that was just the right size, so I decided to make a snack bag. For the inner layer, you can use fabric (like canvas), oil cloth or a cut up a piece of sandwich wrap (my choice for this project). I quickly sewed the 2 pieces together, stitched up the sides leaving a bit of a longer piece in the back and attached Velcro on the front and back for a secure close. For a great (and more helpful) tutorial on making your own, check out http://frenchsleepdeprivationstudy.blogspot.com/2009/06/snack-bag-tutorial.html

At 4 bags a day for my partner and son’s lunches/snacks, 5 days a week, 48 weeks a year, that’s already that’s already about 1000 bags in savings!

Third Door

2010-05-27T07:32:00.000+01:00

I am so pleased to announce that Green Families won the Third Door new business competition! (The prize includes free membership and 30 hours of free workspace/childcare, a platinum Business in a Box package, three X 1 hour consultancy sessions, laptop and smartphone.) I'm so excited and will definitely be posting about my progress.

In the meantime, check out Third Door's site - they provide professional, flexible, co-working office space, a communal social area and fully equipped Ofsted regulated childcare for pre-school children. It's a gorgeous space and I am really amazed by their childcare area! (Henry will love it!)

Meatless Monday: Week Two

2010-05-10T07:03:00.003+01:00

Welcome to our Week Two Meatless Monday post. For a bit of background on why we started this: http://greenfamiliesuk.blogspot.com/2010/04/meatless-mondays.html

On today's menu, a simple but yummy recipe for you:

Artichoke and Chickpea Stew
4 servings

30 ml olive oil
110 g yellow onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
0.4 g red pepper flakes
2 carrots, chopped
248 g roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
1 (15 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
440.2 g garbanzo beans, drained
945 ml low-sodium vegetable broth
2 g chopped fresh sage
5 ml lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat, cook the onion until translucent. Stir in the garlic and chili flakes; cook until the garlic has begun to soften, about 1 minute. Add the carrots, tomatoes, artichokes, garbanzo beans, and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer until the carrots are tender.
Season with sage, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes more to meld the flavors.

I tend to keep artichokes in my "pantry" for pizza toppings (will definitely have to include the best pizza crust recipe I've ever found in another post) - so I usually just throw this together when I haven't done the shopping and am out of ideas. Super easy! I also tend to add more tomatoes than recommended, but it is really up to your preferences!

This is also a favorite of my 19 month old son! I just omit the red pepper flakes and try to make sure I quarter the artichokes. He loves it over rice.

or measurements for my american friends:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 carrots, chopped
4 medium roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
1 (15 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
1 (15.5 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
1 quart low-sodium vegetable broth
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
1 teaspoon lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste

Get outside!

2010-05-06T08:02:00.002+01:00

I've always been a proponent of activities in the great outdoors (i.e.picnics, leisurely strolls under the sun etc, but it should be known that I am not necessarily talking about those with fantastic self-discipline who wake themselves up at 5am everyday because they "love to run under the sunrise"). Seeing how these simple things have had on my disposition, I therefore strongly believe in the power of activities outdoors, like gardening, to turn around one's outlook (at the very least to the value of time spent outside, if not overall -although I may have been watching too many Mr. Men episodes) which has been true for many of my extended family, who view this nature cultivation as their own therapeutic release, but also with children, who still have an innocent wonder to the magic that is nature.

And for those of us who know what it is like when their children are cooped up indoors- we see what a big difference outdoor time has on kids. And it's not just about the gardening (although admittedly that does "build character"), it's about just getting some good ol' fashioned fresh air. There truly is no maximum time a child can spend playing outdoors, running around in the grass, exploring jungle gyms and so forth - it gives them a chance to breathe, to take in and digest everything that has been bombarding them in the classroom, in their daily lives, in the high expectations of their parents) and, at the end of the day, kids need to be kids. It's the natural release valve that we all wish we could have that we cannot afford to deprive or take away from our kids (although I bet most are begging to stay in and play the new Zbox-what-have-you) and despite the fact that there are already not enough hours in a day to do what we all need and want to do, it's amazing how much just an hour, or even 30 minutes outdoors can do to our psyche, much less our stress levels - so it's not surprising that researchers are also saying it's great for mental health

So get out there - go for a walk, run, skip, jump, whatever - just go...and take your kids with you.

Plastics and You!

2010-05-04T08:10:00.000+01:00

It's become painfully apparent since I started this green living journey just how entangled we are with plastics in our lives and just what a mammoth task it is to remove it from our lives.

I had done quite a bit of research on plastics before Henry was born, especially since toxic chemicals can have such a great impact on a baby's life in that early stage when so much growing and physical/mental development is occurring. There were the usual suspects, PVC, labeled #3 or V on the bottom of plastic containers (truly - Blue Vinyl was highly entertaining and comical, but the factoids were absolutely frightening - a must-see for anyone curious about PVC) and avoided any PVC products, especially those that would go into Henry's mouth, i.e. vinyl chew toys, which, by the way, can contain phthalates (hormone disrupting chemicals that can alter testicular development AND cause liver and kidney damage - great stuff. Reports show that some plastic toys produced in China can contain up to 55% phthalates! (I have a whole separate issue about plastics or any children's accessory coming from China but that is a book-long post for another day; just ask Cin how long it took us to buy a safe bathtub for Henry. It was ridiculous). But back to PVC, PVC can also contain BPA, which we know is a definitely a not-suitable-for-kids product.

Other plastics include Type 7, which is a catch-all "other" class but most are made from the BPA monomer. Plastics labeled 2 (high-density polyethylene), 4 and 5 have not been found to transmit any harmful chemicals into your food (but given how many times we've been wrong with plastics thus far and the fact that we've only been using plastics well within the last century, I would say that if the jury's still out, I'm not one to bet my son's life on it). PET, or number 1, used in water and soda bottles, is safer, but has been found to leach its own chemicals especially when heated (i.e. laid out under the sun) or over a long period of time.

If you'd like more info, and would like some solutions after I've properly scared you, check out this article that I found helpful when I was doing research a few years ago from Mindfully.org: http://www.mindfully.org/plastic/plasticizers/out-of-diet-pg5nov03.htm

Upcycling: Ella's Pouches

2010-05-03T08:46:00.001+01:00

In a perfect world, we would do our best to make all of our children's food. But it isn't possible for some. Including my family. So we do use Ella's Kitchen for time to time. I really like the concept and Henry certainly LOVES them. (I only use them when we are out and only in a pinch, but H has quickly become obsessed with them-always asks for "moothie"when he sees them in cafes and stores.)

But you can NOT recycle them. I still can't come to terms with that. http://www.ellaskitchen.co.uk/can-i-recycle-ellas-kitchen-packaging/

Anyway, I've found a way to ease my troubled mind and hopefully raise money for charity! I've started a Brigade with Terracycle to upcycle Ella's pouches. They intend to make this adorable bib or cute bag. If you use Ella's and are interested in upcycling your pouches, contact me at stclair@greenfamilies.co.uk and I'll send you my details to post the pouches to me or you can arrange to drop them off. I'm hoping to get local businesses involved as well, so if you have any recommendations (or connections!!), please pass along details. Thanks so much!

Meatless Monday: Week One

2010-05-02T20:17:00.001+01:00

Welcome to our Week One Meatless Monday post. For a bit of background on why we started this:

http://greenfamiliesuk.blogspot.com/2010/04/meatless-mondays.html

I thought I'd offer a new recipe each week for you to try (or consider)! All will be kid-tested and meat-free. Can it get any better?

For dinner this Monday, how about:

Spinach with Red Lentils
(serves 2-4 depending on age and appetite)

700-800 g spinach
1 onion
2 garlic cloves
2 TBSP canola oil
200 g lentils
500 g vegetable stock
130 g corn (frozen is easiest)
salt, chili powder-depending on age of kids
1/2 bunch cilantro
1 bunch salad onions
150 g yogurt

1. Rinse and soak the lentils while you are getting the spinach, onion and garlic ready. Wash spinach thoroughly in cold water until water is no longer dirty, making sure you break off thick stalks. Drain and chop roughly. Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic.

2. Heat the oil in a wok or skillet (make sure you have a lid for the skillet, or something to cover it). Soften the onion and garlic. Add the (drained) lentils and stir well. Add the stock, cover, and reduce heat. Cook lentils for about 15 minutes, until they are soft.

3. Add the corn and spinach to the lentils. Season with salt and chili if you are using and cook covered for a few minutes until the spinach leaves almost fall apart.

4. Wash cilantro and shake dry. Chop the leaves finely. Wash the salad onions and finely slice the onions and crisp green parts into rings. Then add both and yogurt to the spinach and lentil mixture. Stir in, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately!

We serve this over rice and it's quite lovely. It's great as lentils are a plant food, so they do not contain cholesterol; and the protein derived from them is much easier to digest than the animal equivalent, or even soybeans. Next to soy beans, lentils have the highest protein content at 25%.

What do you think? Are you excited about Meatless Monday? Or maybe you're a vegetarian full-time (as one member of my family is) - share your experiences with us! Want to contribute a recipe, please contact me at stclair@greenfamilies.co.uk! :)

Can washing your hands be toxic?

2010-05-02T13:48:00.000+01:00

I recently discovered that my Ecover hand wash contained Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. I know! Now I admit I am partly to blame for the oversight. I needed hand soap and quickly added the Ecover brand to my Ocado shopping. I trusted them - they are eco-friendly, etc and since I was in a rush I didn't conduct the background research. But come on, Ecover, SLS?

For a bit about Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), a foaming agent that is a human irritant, see the Environment Working Group's Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Database. It's a moderate hazard on their database, but considering my toddler is going to use it and little ones are more sensitive and susceptible, I want to be damn sure it is safe. (He just LOVES to wash his hands, and would nearly every 20 minutes if I would let him.)

It ain't easy being green. So I spent my Sunday morning looking for safe, cost-effective alternatives to the Ecover hand soap.

I found the Method Olive Leaf Moisturizing Hand Wash (300 ml for £3.99), but it contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES, a cousin of SLS), Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate*, Sodium Lauromphoacetate*, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate. Not really any better than Ecover.

We've used Neal's Yard Citrus Hand Wash in the past, but for £10.90 for 200 ml it is quite a pricey selection. With 62% organic ingredients, it doesn't contain SLS or SLES, but uses Cocamidopropyl betaine, which is a known human immune system toxicant. Augh!

I then found Waitrose's Organic Purifying Hand Wash (£3.89 for 200 ml). The ingredients include: Potassium Sunflowerate, Potassium Cocoate, Glycerin, so you don't have to worry about a scary foaming toxic agent. And not a bad price either for 93% organic ingredients.

Green People Organic Liquid Soap (£6.99 for 200 ml) clearly labels its ingredients: *Potassium Oleate (from Sunflower Oil), *Potassium Cocoate (from Coconut Oil), *Glycerin (Plant-derived), Betaine (from Sugar Beet), etc. -- with 93.89% organic products! Very transparent, very admirable in an industry of greenwashing and smoke and mirrors.

So many choices! Hope this brief overview helps! xx

Organic Box Schemes

2010-05-01T05:40:00.000+01:00

While we can all agree that the idea of organic veggie boxes is great, there is inevitably some practical issues that we take for granted having our groceries delivered by a large chain than the local farmer (which is learned helplessness I'm sure, but "helplessness" nonetheless).

First, I'll spare everyone the standard details as I would hope that if you're reading this blog, you're already convinced that organic seasonal produce is not only the most flavorful way to feed your family, it's also nutritious and much less taxing on the earth.

Now, onto the fun part: London is a fantastic place for organic veggie box schemes as there's a wide variety that deliver, on top of the other local London farms where you can actually go participate in the growing, much less the community plots that exist. Since the Times wrote an article on just this in 2008, I'm not going to go re-inventing the wheel, especially since they're all different and we all have different eating/purchasing/cooking habits. My top picks are also theirs:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/real_food/article1380105.ece

However, I would like to say some quick words about things to look for when choosing a provider (other than basic questions like - do they deliver to my area, are they accurate with my orders etc).

1) They should all clearly mark where their produce is coming from. While organic, not all produce will be coming locally - especially bananas, so be on the lookout for these.
2) How flexible are they in their boxes? Can you choose to exclude certain veggies that show up every month of the year (and for which you only have a handful of recipes)?
3) What other products on your weekly list can you include in your box (i.e. dairy, meats, coffee, pantry items etc) and how do they compare with local organics that you normally purchase from?
4) In what condition are the fruits and veggies when they arrive? Granted most will not be as pristine as in conventional stores, but are the carrots so caked in dirt that you're paying more for dirt than for carrots?
5) How much do they give you for what you pay for? Is it worth it? I'm a firm believer that organic fruits and veggies do not equal anemic fruits and veggies.

I've been pretty happy with the Organic Delivery Company in London and would recommend it to others. I have liked how flexible they are with the boxes, the quality (and size, I admit) of their produce and the local dairy and other organic pantry items that we've been able to include in our order. It also helps that delivery is free and they include organic orange juice and other goodies if you order regularly.

Besides the standard delivery schemes, there are, as I mentioned the local farms, such as Farmaround in Richmond http://www.farmaround.co.uk/ where you can go visit the farm and purchase your goods there. A great reprieve from city life.

Finally, there is also the option of growing your own in your garden (I believe average community plot wait times are about 2-3 years. I'm American. I don't have that kind of patience.) which we've started doing as well and these are great in fostering closeness to the earth with our son Henry while at the same time reaping some immediate rewards (anyone up for fresh mint tea? One of the great joys of a spring/summer London garden). Bon veggie!

PS. If you've ordered your organic box and don't know what to do with all your veggies, check out http://vegbox-recipes.co.uk/recipes/recipes-index.php for great recipes and ideas organized by vegetable for quick and easy searching!

Meatless Mondays

2010-04-26T12:46:00.002+01:00

I've been doing a bit of thinking. You see, I've always cooked 2 meals at our house. One dish of meat-filled goodness and one vegetarian option -- usually what Henry and I are having minus the meat and with tofu or beans added -- for my dear partner who is a vegetarian. As an aside, Cin's vegetarianism isn't like my "phase" at university, where I dabbled in it because it was hip. She grew up as a Buddhist and thereby also as a veggiehead.

Sure, sometimes Henry and I eat what she is having. There are many good recipes and plans out there that allow children to get enough protein without meat products. I'll even go so far as to admit I feel better (less heavy, more fulfilled) when I have a meal without meat. But it is so hard to cancel out years of pro-meat conditioning when raising a child. (I grew up in the middle of America where you eat meat with every meal. Literally.)

So I've decided to commit to Meatless Mondays for the whole family. One day a week of thinking outside the box. (Well, thinking inside my veggie box, but that is a bit too cheesy for this post.) One day of offering Henry with protein alternatives and reevaluating what I was taught as a kid.

I wasn't the clever one to dream up MMs. For a great intro to the movement, check out:

http://www.meatlessmonday.com/

It's a bit North America-centric, but you get the point. They also have a great list of 'why go meatless'

REDUCE RISK OF HEART DISEASE. Beans, peas, lentils, nuts and seeds contain little to no saturated fats. Reducing your intake of saturated fats can help keep your cholesterol low and reduce your risk of heart disease.
IMPROVE OVERALL QUALITY OF DIET. Consuming dry beans or peas results in higher intakes of fiber, protein, folate, zinc, iron and magnesium with lower intakes of saturated fat and total fat.[2]

REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT. The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization estimates the meat industry generates nearly one-fifth of the man-made greenhouse gas emissions that are accelerating climate change worldwide . . . far more than transportation.[3] And annual worldwide demand for meat continues to grow. Reining in meat consumption once a week can help slow this trend.
MINIMIZE WATER USAGE. The water needs of livestock are tremendous, far above those of vegetables or grains. An estimated 1,800 to 2,500 gallons of water go into a single pound of beef.[4] Soy tofu produced in California requires 220 gallons of water per pound.[5]
HELP REDUCE FOSSIL FUEL DEPENDENCE. On average, about 40 calories of fossil fuel energy go into every calorie of feed lot beef in the U.S.[6] Compare this to the 2.2 calories of fossil fuel energy needed to produce one calorie of plant-based protein.[7] Moderating meat consumption is a great way to cut fossil fuel demand.

So anyone else up for Meatless Mondays? Anyone else already doing this and want to share about your experience?

Check back every Monday for recipes and posts! Jess xx

O Me, O My, O'Dough!

2010-04-25T08:25:00.001+01:00

April 24th, 2010: a very sunny and beautiful Saturday that was spent, amongst other outdoor activities, playing with our new O'Dough kit. I feel compelled to say a few things about the overall kit before I go on as it's very clear www.innocentoils.com has spent a lot of time being conscious about every aspect of their products. Case in point: Packaging was in recycled paper, tied with twine. Each little tub is packed in a compostable plastic container and between the 6 tubs was pretty little shavings (see picture), instead of miscellaneous paper or (gasp!) styrofoam peanuts.

Now, onto the actual Dough - it came in 6, primary and secondary colors (not as dark though - all were pastel-like) with a good array of active colors (i.e. no brown or black because, let's be honest, there are only limited things you can make with those and if your little one mushes all the colors together you have a huge brown blob anyway). The texture is a bit hard to describe but as a comparable, it's a bit softer and more pliable than conventional play-dough, not as runny or sticky as goo or putty, and not a dry or oily cookie dough - just right. One of the best things I liked about the O'Dough is that it smells quite pleasant, like a fresh vanilla bean. My worst memory with play-dough was the terrible smell that it left on your hands for days to come and there's not a trace with the O'Dough. The product molds quite well and as you can see in the picture of our pig, is sticky enough to make small parts but hard enough to stand on its own. Best of all, Henry was extremely happy with his new O'Dough.

Overall, I'm quite pleased with the purchase and would recommend it to others as well. Frankly, with gluten-free, wheat-free and toxin-free ingredients, I don't see why all of the schools shouldn't replace their current playdoughs with O'Dough.

Bath Mats-Oh My!

2010-04-24T14:10:00.002+01:00

I've spent a great deal of time today looking for an eco-friendly anti-slip bath mat. You see, I currently have to constantly hold onto Henry at bathtime as it's quite slippery in our tub -- and he's growing more annoyed and independent by the second.

About a month ago, in haste, I just quickly ordered an anti-slip "jelly" bath mat and some anti-slip stickers (without my green thinking cap on). They were so incredibly smelly - had all the unsafe plastic numbers and PVC to boot. To think of Henry bathing with that plastic really kinda scared me. (I should add that he happily bathed in a plastic bathtub for several months as a little baby before I even realized what I was doing.)

Eek! And now I can't find an eco-friendly anti-slip option without all the toxic plastic stuff. I'm really at a loss here. (And since we rent I can't add any adhesives - has to be a temporary solution.) Any suggestions on PVC-free bath mats? Anyone?

Becoming Greener Parents

2010-04-24T07:09:00.002+01:00

Don't forget to join me at our Becoming Greener Parents workshop this Wednesday, 28th of April at Cupcake Mum at 10:30 am.

We'll focus on why and how to surround your baby with a safe and and healthy environment, void of synthetic chemicals and harmful toxins. We’ll discuss simple and easy ways to go green and I will also provide a brief overview on clothing, nappies, toys, skin care and nursery. I’ll briefly mention food, but will cover it in June during 2 practical cookery courses on Whole Grain for your Baby’s Brain and Family Meal Planning and Cooking for Toddlers. We’ll also cover more about babywearing, co-sleeping, attachment theory in May at our Organic Parenting workshop.

For a quick intro on the importance of eco-friendly clothing: Did you know that cotton is the most pesticide-dependent crop in the world, accounting for 25% of all pesticide use?! Scary, right?! It is such a heavily treated material - and we have to consider this when choosing clothing for our children.

It's these little things that add up to make a difference. In this workshop, I'll give you quick and easy ways to become a greener parent.

If you would like register for the workshop, please contact me! I am also available to present to groups or do individual consultations!!

Energy Saving Tips

2010-04-23T08:51:00.000+01:00

Hello!

I've been meaning to post after our last Green Parents Cafe, but seems like life gets in the way. (Also, really exciting events and new workshops are happening at Green Families, so that keeps me busy as well. :) Make sure you check the website for details!) Anyway, here are a few of my favorite energy tips:

Turn your thermostat down in the winter. Reducing your room temperature by 1°C could cut your heating bills by up to 10 percent and typically saves around £55 per year.

If possible, fill up the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher: one full load uses less energy than two half loads. (Or better yet, hang the clothes out to dry!!)

Only boil as much water as you need (but remember to cover the elements if you're using an electric kettle).

A dripping hot water tap wastes energy and in one week wastes enough hot water to fill half a bath, so fix leaking taps and make sure they're fully turned off!

If everybody in a four person family replaced one bath a week with a 5 minute shower, you could save between £5 and £15 per year off your energy bill. So, opt for short, refreshing showers on a daily basis and keep baths to a minimum.

Where possible try and reuse unused water, for example pour your left over glasses of water on houseplants and avoid wasting water from running taps whilst waiting for hot water.

And for the tip I need the most help on:

Remember not to leave laptops and mobile phones charging unnecessarily.

I think I found some of these tips at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk. On their website, you can do a home energy audit - really cool and helpful resource.

If you would like additional information, or to schedule your own green home consultation with me, please email me at stclair@greenfamilies.co.uk

book club: my green day

2010-04-06T06:30:00.004+01:00

I picked up 'My Green Day: 10 green things that I can do today' at our local bookstore for Henry's Easter basket. By Melanie Walsh, it's an adorable book full of little green tips for the kiddies. Henry has other eco- books about animals and plants, but this our first very practical guide for kids to learn to create a greener world. (As a result of this information, he learned to say compost this weekend. :) What we didn't consider was that he would then become obsessed with the compost bin. Oops. I guess it's good he is so inquisitive?!)

The book follows a day from morning to night; kids learn why it is best to use free range eggs and compost the shells, hang clothes to dry, make crafts from old things, play in the park, etc. The message is a great one - although much too sophisticated for my 18 month old. (Yes, the book is aimed at 3+ years.) Henry LOVES the illustrations though - they are gorgeous and completely worth the book until he gets old enough for the actual content.

The book is made from 100% recycled materials. Would have been cool to see it printed with soy ink, but don't know how that would last or look. At £10.99, it's not the cheapest book, but a great investment for your child's library.

Highly recommend it - it is inspiring enough to try to for a (very) green day myself. :)

PVC and me

2010-04-04T19:20:00.003+01:00

I went searching for a raincoat for Henry this weekend. While I didn't find a raincoat, I gathered so much more-information (and fear). You see, most of the jackets I could find were made with PVC (polyvinyl chloride). 56% PVC to be exact.

For more information on PVC, see Greenpeace UK's info page. http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/toxics/pvc

It's scary stuff, right?!

And I knew PVC was bad. I've seen Blue Vinyl: A Toxic Comedy (2002) which chronicles Judith Helfand’s investigation into the toxic life cycle of polyvinyl chloride. (If you haven't seen this - check it out. It's hilarious and sad and frightening and moving. Judith is quite inspiring.) Anyway, point being, it is so easy to get busy with life that we forget to look at the material composition of items we purchase.

I'll admit. I didn't look at the material label for Henry's wellies. I just bought them in a hurry as he was running about the store in a shoe frenzy. (I get the same way. I LOVE shoes too.) But I am frankly afraid to look now. PVC is quite a scary item. Even more frightening, as I am looking around our house, it seems like everything is plastic and possibly (probably, let's be honest) contains PVC. Okay, not everything is plastic. But, please, even if we try to be eco-friendly it is sometimes hard to be completely green. We've had a lot of toys given to us as presents and Henry loves brightly colored plastic things. I know, it's bad. I know I can be better, but I also appreciate where I am now and where I can go in regards to a green lifestyle. Augh! Can you tell I suffer from such maternal guilt? :)

Phew, after that rant, you are probably wondering if I have any suggestions for raincoats to purchase in the UK. Well, I found that Hatley makes PVC options: http://www.babyacorns.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=14 It's hard as there are other companies, like Patagonia, LL Bean and J Crew that make PVC free raincoats, but I couldn't find any to purchase in the UK.

If you know of other options, please let me know!

PS. If you already have a raincoat made with PVC, just air it outside before your child wears it or wears it again. :) Wowzers, there is quite an ethical dilemma here. Do you throw it out? (To be put back in the earth.) Do you donate it? (Is it right for other children to wear it?) AUGH! This is not easy.

product review: OWL Wireless Energy Monitor

2010-04-04T09:29:00.003+01:00

I thought I should share my latest eco-obsession: our OWL wireless energy monitor. I know, it sounds complicated, but it's not, really!

Cindy set it up with the help of our 17 month old, so it's not too tricky -- you just program in your energy costs with the option for different tariffs, hook the sensor up to your electric board (or whatever they call those things) and you are on your way. It tells you in real-time your power, cost and carbon footprint.

We are constantly looking at the numbers - you can see immediately the effect of turning off one light has on your your bill, your footprint and the amount of energy being used. For example, I'll admit I have been shocked at the amount of electricity the dishwasher eats up. (I knew it was going to be an energy zapper, but not as much as it is. But, no, I won't give it up! I'll just try to reduce the number of times I run it per week.) And I always felt guilty running the dryer, but also have had a hard time not using it. (I'm American, remember!) As I can't ignore the data supplied from the monitor, it makes me think a bit more about my choices.

I found ours online at Nigel's Eco Store. Was a Christmas present for Cin. (Romantic, I know, but for someone with a passion for clean technology, it was the most exciting gift, EVER.)

From Nigel's Eco Store's website:

OWL Wireless Energy Monitor - shows exactly how much electricity you're using and the cost

It's easier to cut your electricity bills if you know how much you're using. The OWL wireless electricity Monitor can help you reduce your electricity use and your carbon footprint by showing you how much electricity you are using, as you use it. Simple to install, OWL easily connects to your electrical supply without needing an electrician.

This latest version of the best selling OWL Wireless Energy Meter has a cumulative memory feature, is more accurate, and Economy 7 multiple tariff compatibility making it easier than ever to monitor electricity usage.

Using an OWL you can see the cost and energy saving of turning off electrical appliances and lights. It'll show you the savings arising from turning something off completely vs leaving it on standby, and how much you'll save by changing your habits - you could save hundreds of pounds per year!

Green Parent Recipes

2010-04-02T15:30:00.002+01:00

It's always nice to add a few more recipes to your repertoire. I am always trying to change and experiment with our food as it's so important for little ones to get used to trying different tastes and textures. (This is definitely information for another post.)

Here are two recipes we discussed at our Green Parent Cafe Meetup. (Sorry for the Americanized recipes. I've yet to make the switch!)

Squash and quinoa pilaf

Ingredients for 2 cups

- quinoa, 1/2 cup

- extra virgin olive oil, 2 Tbsp

- veggie stock or water, 1 1/2 cups

- courgettes, 2 coarsly shredded

- ground cumin, 1/2 tsp

How ?

In a saucepan, toss quinoa in 1Tbsp of oil to coat. Add stock and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover, and slimmer for 20 minutes. Quinoa will be transclucent.

While quinoa is cooking, in a small frying pan over medium-high heat, heat remaining 1 Tbsp olive oil. Add squash and cumin and sauté until tender, 3-5 minutes.

Remove quinoa from heat. Add squash to quinoa and mix thoroughly before serving

To store

Refrigerate cooled squash and quinoa pilaf in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or fill ice-cube trays or larger containers to freeze for up to 3 months.

(This is one of Henry's all-time favorite recipes. It's so darn easy and quick too. I add other veggies sometimes and cheese on occasion, but I never leave out the cumin. I didn't have any on hand one time, and he noticed. And let me know about it. Oops.)

Root veggie medley

Ingredients for 2 cups

- sweet potato, 1

- parsnips, 2

- carrots, 2

- extra-virgin olive oil, 2 Tbsp

- fresh rosemary, 2 tsp minced (or dried if necessary)

- pinch of salt and pepper depending on age of child

How ?

Preheat oven to 400°F. Peel sweet potato, parsnips and carrots. Using a mandoline or chef's knife, carefully slice vegetables into rounds 1/2 inch thick. Cut sweet potato rounds into quarters or as needed to roughly match the size of the parsnips and carrots.

Put vegetables in a ceramic or glass baking dish. Drizzle with oil, sprinkle with rosemary, salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Roast until vegetables are tender, 15-20 minutes.

Depending on your baby's age and chewing ability, mash part of the cooked vegetable medley and puree part in a food processor and then combine for a variety of textures. Or, simply cut vegetable pieces smaller to accommodate little mouths.

To store

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

(Okay, I don't slice them in 1/2 inch thick anymore as we started this recipe from a very young age. I now just roughly chop them - and he loves it. Easy and quick.)

Thank you to Sandra for typing these up. :)

Green Parents Meetups - all shades of green welcome!

2010-04-01T13:11:00.009+01:00

I had such a great time at our Green Parents Cafe Meetup today! We chatted about a variety of topics - and learned that I have an obsession with steam cleaners (they sanitize and don't use ANY chemicals, yipee!, but they use electricity so could be better).

Wallace & Co is such a fab location! If you haven't been there before, I really encourage you to stop in for a coffee or muffin. (Or join us on Thursday mornings at 10am - wink!) http://www.wallaceandco.com/ They "aim to bring you the best local, seasonal fruit and vegetables on a plate. Most of the produce is grown at Secrett’s Farm in Surrey, where our restaurant supply business Secrett’s Direct is based. And stock a small selection of that produce in the café – whatever is great right now." Love that you can buy fresh, season rhurbarb or a yummy biscuit all in the same place!

I think the most important part of our Meetups is that we all come together to support each other on the wild and fun ride of parenthood. And every one of us is just trying to make the world a better place for our children. At Green Families, we believe everyone is a different place and it is okay to be all "shades of green" - we are here to help families be healthier and greener without judgement or condescension! (Frankly, we believe that small steps towards a greener life is the most practical and approachable method.)

Can't wait for next week's Meetup! For more information, please contact me at stclair (at) greenfamilies.co.uk.

Baby Steps

2010-03-29T06:58:00.003+01:00

I believe in the power of small changes over time to create a lasting change. Every Monday, I'll post a green tip that can help in greening your life - one step at a time. No need to feel pressured - this should just serve as something to consider and use, if it suits your needs and life. (I should just add that I really feel passionately about the holier than thou greenies out there that use shame to try to force people to change their behaviors. Yuck. Fear, on the other hand, is a good motivator.) :)

Okay, without further ado or preaching, our first tip is: Greening your Cleaning

Want to cut costs at the store on cleaning supplies? Use Vinegar! Want to cut out the chemicals around your home? Use Vinegar! I jest, but vinegar is extremely helpful to use in cleaning. It kills 99% of bacteria, 82% of mold and 80% of germs. Use a bit in the kettle with a pinch of bicarbonate of soda and some water to dissolve limescale. (I could write a whole post on limescale alone - never experienced anything like it until I moved to the UK.) Use bicarbonate of soda directly on carpet stains. Lemons are also great for cleaning, including copper and brass. You can make your own all-purpose cleaner -which also makes a great shower cleaning spray - by mixing 2 cups water, 1/2 cup vinegar and 1 big squirt of eco-friendly dishwashing detergent.

If you don't have time for the DIY options, I can happily recommend Ecover or Method products. We use a lot Ecover's products: washing up liquid, dishwasher tablets, and even their cream cleanser. http://www.ecotopia.co.uk/brand/ecover/43/ecover.html I must say Method's Ylang Ylang Shower Spray is my latest guilty pleasure. And for only £1.99 now at John Lewis. http://www.johnlewis.com/230457570/Product.aspx?source=14798

Seasonable Cooking

2010-03-28T17:52:00.001+01:00

Hello!

There is so much to be said for a seasonal diet. Eating in rhythm with our earth, not to mention the low-carbon nature of such a life can transform our bodies and our environments. I'll admit I often am draw to prepare whatever little Henry (our 17 month old son) is eating at the moment or fall back upon some easy standbys when times are hectic. (Like a quinoa and courgette pilaf loaded with cheese. Heck, it could be worse, right?)

As we move into the month of April (YAY, Spring!), don’t forget the vegetables that are in season this month:

Cauliflower
Cucumber
Kale

And for the greatest seasonal food calendar, check out:

http://www.eatseasonably.co.uk/what-to-eat-now/calendar/

Recipe of the Week

2010-03-28T17:40:00.001+01:00

I adapted this from an Ina Garten recipe. I served it for a brunch this weekend and guests loved it.

Better yet, it is always a hit with my 17 month old very picky eater.

Smoked Salmon Fritatta

1 medium red onion, diced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
10-11 extra-large eggs
230 grams heavy cream
100 grams fresh goat cheese, crumbled
418 grams smoked salmon, chopped
200 grams spinach, chopped into smallish bits
3 scallions, chopped, white and light green parts
3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
dash of salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 170 degrees C.

Saute the onion and butter in a 10-inch oven-proof omelet pan over medium-low heat until golden, about 5 minutes. Throw in spinach at the end to saute.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs. Add the heavy cream, goat cheese, smoked salmon, scallions, dill, salt, and pepper and combine. Pour the mixture over the onions and spinach and place the omelet pan in the center of the oven. Bake the frittata for about 45 minutes, until it puffs and a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. Serve hot directly from the pan.

Earth Hour

2010-03-27T16:23:00.005Z

Don't forget today is Earth Hour at 8:30 pm!! Turn off your lights for one hour to raise awareness of climate change and its devastating effects on our environment.

http://www.earthhour.org/

Green Parents Putney

2010-03-16T11:33:00.000Z

Interesting in joining a group of parents to discuss green issues?

With the Richmond Environment Network, we host weekly meetings for parents interested in protecting the environment and green living. It's an ideal opportunity to share tips, learn a few things, meet new people and have fun while enjoying coffee, tea, cake, or lunch at a suitably child friendly venue. All interested parents and carers (and babies and children!!) are very welcome to pop along. We would be delighted to hear from you! Email Jessica for more information and join us on Facebook!

Green Parents Putney meetings will be held every Thursday, beginning on 1st April, from 10-11 am at Wallace & Co, 146 Upper Richmond Road, SW15 2SW.

Welcome!

2010-03-16T11:23:00.000Z

Welcome to Green Families UK!

We strive to provide awareness, access, networking and educational activities to promote eco-friendly and holistic living for families residing in London. See our website at www.greenfamiliesuk.com

I created Green Families after being struck by the lack of nature programming and activities for toddlers and children. Sure, there are gardening and science projects in schools, but I find it is important to expose children to nature at a very early age. I hope Green Families will serve as a resource for parents and will encourage families to get outside and experience the seasons, the animals, the trees and plants - everything that nature has to offer.

I've created this blog to have a space to include random thoughts, recipes, gardening tips, mindful parenting resources, a yoga pose of the week, etc. If you would like to contribute, please don't hesitate to contact me!

Jessica xx

green families: creating a greener world

Meatless Monday: Happy Valentine's Day!

Per serving

Green Family Highlights

Plastic-Free February: Day 13

Eco Valentines

Plastic-Free February: Day 9 & 10

Plastic-Free February: Day 8

Droughts, Floods and Food from Paul Krugman

Plastic-Free February: Day 7

Plastic-Free February: Day 6

Weekly Meal Plan

Plastic-Free February: Day 5

Plastic-Free February: Day 4

Plastic-Free February: Day 3

Plastic-Free February: Day 2

Rodale.com's Plastic-Free February

I'm back - for a challenge!

Meatless Monday Chili

Zero Waste Picnics

Organic Veg Box Schemes

A Guide to Biking with Young Children

PVC-Free Rain Coats for Kids

Meatless Monday: Salads!

Latest News: Schools and Nurseries in the UK expose kids to toxins

Inhabitots had a great article on the University of Birmingham research:

Recycling: Mail

Exploring the wildlife in your back garden

Staying Cool this Summer: Ice Lollies/Popsicles

Book Club: Nature's Playground

Meatless Monday: July's Here!

Organic Fruit and Veg

Green Tips: Saving Energy And Saving Money

Article: ADHD linked to pesticide exposure

Study: ADHD linked to pesticide exposure

Meatless Monday: Pulses and Beans

Meatless Monday: Quinoa

Green Company Highlight: Ecomodo

Meatless Monday: Lentils

Green Products: Innocent Oils

Win a BornFree Twist N'Pop Straw Cup

Cleaning Products and your Health

Household cleaning sprays 'could be contributing to rise in cases of asthma'

Meatless Monday: Week Four

Book Club: Last Child in the Woods

Camden Green Fair!

Meatless Monday: Week Three

Preparation method

Reusable Sandwich Bags (Guest Post)

Third Door

Meatless Monday: Week Two

Directions

Get outside!

Plastics and You!

Upcycling: Ella's Pouches

Meatless Monday: Week One

Can washing your hands be toxic?

Organic Box Schemes

Meatless Mondays

O Me, O My, O'Dough!

Bath Mats-Oh My!

Becoming Greener Parents

Energy Saving Tips

book club: my green day

PVC and me

product review: OWL Wireless Energy Monitor

OWL Wireless Energy Monitor - shows exactly how much electricity you're using and the cost

Green Parent Recipes

Green Parents Meetups - all shades of green welcome!

Baby Steps

Seasonable Cooking

Recipe of the Week

Earth Hour

Green Parents Putney

Welcome!