Cascadian Farm Organic Blog (RSS)

BLOG CARNIVAL: What Does Earth Day Mean to You? How Will You Be Celebrating?

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

We here at Cascadian Farm are very excited for our first blog carnival and it’s right in time to celebrate Earth Day. We wanted to ask our favorite green bloggers what Earth Day means to them and how they will be celebrating it. I (Jennie Lyon) feel honored to have been asked to write the main post for this exciting project and I look forward to reading everyone’s contributions. To get you started, here is what Earth Day means to me and how I will be celebrating this year.

Earth Day to me is just another day that I can teach others to be aware of the decisions that they make in their every day lives. I like to use the day as a platform to educate others that when we consume more resources than our Earth can provide, we risk depleting her of all of them. I feel that it is our responsibility as Earth’s inhabitants to make choices that are sustainable for our environment and by doing so; we can live in harmony with nature for generations to come.

My family spends every Earth Day working on a community service project. We are avid lovers of the outdoors and spend almost all of our free time either sailing, snorkeling or paddleboarding in the ocean or walking on our favorite local beaches. In previous years, we have participated in many different types of environmental cleanups. This year, we are partnering with a local conservation group to help clean-up the beach at our Nature Conservancy Center.

Want to hear from other green living bloggers? Check out these Earth Day posts below.

Banana Vanilla Almond Acai Bowl

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 16:36:01 GMT

I took a pouch of my favorite frozen acai and mixed it with my favorite Cascadian Farm granola and a few other healthy ingredients to make a breakfast acai bowl that everyone in your family will gobble up – even the little ones!

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Ever wondered what Acai (ah-sigh-ee) is? Acai is a fantastic purple superfruit from the Amazon. It is perfect for a healthy heart diet and is packed with antioxidants, amino acids and omega-3s. An acai bowl is a combination of acai, fresh fruit, granola and other yummy ingredients, mixed together into a powerhouse breakfast perfect for the start of any day. I took a pouch of my favorite frozen acai and mixed it with my favorite Cascadian Farm granola and a few other healthy ingredients to make a breakfast acai bowl that everyone in your family will gobble up – even the little ones! Read on for the recipe and to get started:

Step 1: Gather the Ingredients:

1 acai pouch, frozen
1 organic banana
1/2 organic apple
½ cup organic whole apple juice
¼ cup organic shredded coconut
1/3 cup organic Cascadian Farm French vanilla almond granola
½ cup organic apple and banana slices for garnish

Step 2: Blend it!

Add the acai pouch, banana, apple and apple juice to a blender and blend until creamy. If bananas and apples aren’t your thing – you can switch it up with your favorites.

Step 3: Mix it!

Add the acai mixture with the shredded coconut and Cascadian Farm vanilla almond granola and stir well.

Step 4: Garnish it!

Garnish with a little shredded coconut and banana and apple slices. You can add any fresh or dried fruits for your toppings.

Step 5: Eat and Enjoy!

Enjoy this simple, yummy breakfast with fresh juice!

How to Make Organic Pumpkin Ravioli

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

While pumpkins are mostly known for being transformed into Halloween Jack o’ Lanterns and Thanksgiving Day table decorations – pumpkins can pack a much larger punch when you add them to your family’s fall menu plan. If you are looking to add a little pumpkin into your menu that isn’t in pie or cookie form, read on to learn my favorite way to enjoy pumpkin – as homemade ravioli!

What you will need for the dough:

3 ½ cups organic all-purpose flour
5 large organic eggs

What you will need for the filling:

2 organic Seminole pumpkins*
Organic olive oil
2 cups organic mozzarella
4 tsp. organic parmesan
2 organic eggs
Salt and pepper

You can also use a winter or butternut squash as a substitute for the pumpkin

What you will need for the sauce:

4 tbsp. unsalted butter
1 tsp. dried parsley
1 tsp. ground sage
½ tsp. dried basil
¼ tsp. salt

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 400° F. Cut the pumpkin in half, scoop out the seeds. (Keep them to make baked pumpkin seeds!) Drizzle a teaspoon of olive oil over the inside of the pumpkin halves, season with salt and paper and roast in the oven for 45 minutes. When a knife will easily slide into the flesh, remove from heat and let completely cool. Then, scoop out the flesh, mix well with the mozzarella cheese, 2 eggs, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 2: Make the Dough

In a large bowl, add the flour, make a small well in the middle of the flour and add the 5 eggs to its center. You can either knead the dough by hand, starting by carefully beating the eggs with a fork and slowly incorporating the flour from the outside of the bowl and working your way inward. Then, turn the dough ball out onto a floured countertop and gently knead until the dough is slightly sticky. Or, you can use your stand mixer to knead the dough by turning the mixer on to the 2^nd setting with the dough hook attachment. Allow mixer to knead the dough for no more than 10 minutes. When the dough has formed a ball and is pulling away from the bowl. Once the dough has been kneaded, place a damp towel over the bowl, careful not to allow it touch the dough and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Make the Ravioli

Divide the dough ball into 4 pieces and lightly flour one of the pieces of dough at a time (keeping the other balls covered until you use them). Roll the dough out so that the dough is no more than 6 inches wide. Cut the dough into 2 inch x 2 inch squares, and then add a large dollop of filling to each square. There are two techniques for making the ravioli; you can either make them in the shape of a triangle or a square. To make a triangle simply fold the ravioli over on itself into a triangle shape. Brush the edges with beaten egg and crimp the ends with a fork. To make a square, simply place a second square of pasta over the other with the filling, coat edges with egg and crimp all 4 edges with a fork.

Step 4: Cook Immediately or Freeze

Choose the amount of ravioli that you will immediately cook – freeze everything else, or they will go soggy. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add a teaspoon of salt. Then, make the sauce by sautéing the butter and sage for 1-2 minutes. Set it aside and add your ravioli to the boiling water and cook 2-3 minutes. When ravioli are done, drain and remove from the water. Heat the sauce again until it browns, then add the raviolis into the sauce, tossing them in the sauce. Add the ravioli to a plate and garnish with parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

All Images © Jennie Lyon

Farmer’s Market 101: What You Need to Know to Get Started

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

When it comes to eating local and sustainable foods, the farmers market is a great place to start. After all, you know exactly where your food is coming from and you have direct access to the farmer, allowing you to get the answers to any questions you may have. While getting the freshness that comes with eating foods that were harvested locally, you are supporting your local community at the same time. Here are my 11 favorite steps to help you get the most out of your farmer’s market experience.

1. Find Your Local Farmer’s Market

The first obvious step in your farmer’s market experience is to find one in your local area. Some great online resources for finding one in your area include:

2. Timing is Everything!

The time that you arrive at the farmer’s market completely depends on the experience you are looking for. If you are looking for the best selection of fresh food, arriving early is the way to go. If you are looking for a great deal, then arriving late may be your best bet. However, remember that farmer’s need to make a livable income too, so even if you arrive late, the farmer may not offer a huge discount.

3. Know What You Need, Remain Flexible

Make a list of the meals that you are planning to make for the week, and the ingredients that you will need to purchase. I like to organize my list by section; produce, dairy, grains, meats, and other. However, try to be flexible – you may find an item that a farmer has an abundance which will then be a better deal. Be flexible to swap out items on your list for ones that will be the bigger bargain.

4. Do a Once Over

If your farmer’s market is as large as mine, doing a once over is essential. A large farmer’s market can be overwhelming with a lot of vendors offering the same items. I suggest quickly walking around the entire farmer’s market to make note of who is offering what and at what price-point. I highly suggest you do this, because I cannot tell you how many times I have bought a bag full of produce or several loaves of bread only to find a better selection or price at another vendor as I moved throughout the market.

5. Know What is in Season

Knowing what is in season can help you create your menu plan before hitting the market. It is also best to buy produce that is in season for the freshest, juiciest and most affordable options.

6. Ask Questions

Once you find a vendor that offers a selection of foods that you are interested in purchasing, this is the time to ask your questions. Don’t be shy; most farmers are more than happy to talk to you about their farming practices – in fact, most of them are delighted that you would ask. Here are some questions that I always ask the farmer before making a purchase.

Are you the owner? Who operates the farm? Where is the farm located? What size is the farm?
Are your products grown organically?
Is the soil organic? What fertilizers do you use?
What do you use for pest control?
When was the product harvested?
How are the animals raised? What are they fed? Are they given antibiotics? Hormones? Do they spend time outside? How much time?
How should I store the product for the best results?

7. Don't Forget Your Reusable Bags

Remembering to bring your reusable bags is great on the environment. However, many vendors and farmers will not have bags to offer you because it cuts into their profit margins.

8. Buy in Bulk for a Great Deal

A farmer will give you a discount if you are purchasing in bulk, and when you couple that with purchasing in season – you are in for a great deal. Before purchasing in bulk, consider how much you will be able to freeze, dry or can to use later in the year.

9. Don’t Go Overboard!

Make sure that you have plans for everything that you purchase. Nothing is worse than buying a lot of produce, only to have it go to waste. Only buy what you will be consuming quickly or that you can freeze, dry or can for consumption later in the year.

10. Keep Inspired

Are you worried that you will get to the farmer’s market and have no idea what you want to buy? Keep inspired by bring your favorite farmer’s market cookbook with you or start a board on Pinterest with farmer’s market recipes on it. Then, when you need a little inspiration as you browse the vendors’ booths, check out the Pinterest board or cookbook.

11. Have Fun with It

The farmer’s market is not only about buying fresh, whole foods directly from the local farmer, it is also about community and fun. Take the extra time to really enjoy the farmer’s market. Whether that means grabbing something for an impromptu picnic on the grass, mingling with other farmer’s market visitors or stopping to enjoy the local musician -the farmer’s market is an incredible experience.

Farm To Table: 3 Ways to Prepare a Farmer’s Market Seasonal Salad

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT

My family visits our local farmer’s market every other week. Partially because it is a great way to have fun while supporting our local farmers, but it is also because we pick up our bi-weekly CSA share there. When you shop at the farmer’s market or you are a member of a CSA, being creative is essential when it comes to deciding how to use all of the vegetables that you will find. For example, right now in Florida our farmer’s market is full of mixed greens, squash, peppers, winter fruits, strawberries, and root vegetables.

Since we are a busy family, finding time and creative ways to use all of those vegetables before they expire is very important to us. We have found the quickest way to use a lot of vegetables at once, regardless of the vegetables that we receive each week is by having a salad with our dinner every evening. The key is get creative with the fruit and vegetable combinations within each salad. If you aren’t creative, then the chance of your family actually enjoying the salads isn’t high. The idea is to use whatever fruits and vegetables are in season in your area. Here are 3 seasonal salads that my family is enjoying this fall; all of these salads use only the items that we find at our local farmer’s market.

Seasonal Salad #1: Mixed Green and Vegetables with a Creamy Balsamic Dressing

What you will need:

Arugula
Kale
Spinach
Lettuce
Red Chard
Eggplant
Winter Squash
Radishes
Green Pepper
Sweet Pepper
Tomato

Creamy Balsamic Dressing Recipe:

¾ c organic olive oil
½ c organic balsamic vinegar
4 cloves garlic
3 tbsp. vegan mayonnaise
2 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 tbsp. agave
1 1/2 tsp. salt

Directions: Place all of the ingredients in a blender and puree.

Seasonal Salad #2: Mixed Greens, Fresh Strawberries and Pomegranate with a Strawberry Vinaigrette Dressing

What you will need:

Arugula
Kale
Spinach
Lettuce
Red Chard
Strawberries
Blackberries
Pomegranate

Strawberry Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe:

1 clove garlic
1/4 c agave
1/4 c fresh strawberries
1/3 c white vinegar
1/2 c extra light olive oil
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. onion salt
1 tbsp. poppy seeds

Directions: Place all ingredients (except poppy seeds) in a blender and puree, stir in the poppy seeds.

Seasonal Salad #3: Mixed Greens, Vegetables with a Creamy Ranch Dressing

What you will need:

Arugula
Kale
Spinach
Lettuce
Red Chard
Pepper
Tomato

Creamy Ranch Dressing Recipe:

1/3 c vegan mayonnaise
1/2 c sour cream
1 large clove garlic
1 tbsp. fresh dill
1 tbsp. fresh parsley
1/2 tsp. salt
pepper

Voluntary Product Recall

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Cascadian Farm fans,

We would like to share an announcement of a voluntary recall for a limited number of Cascadian Farm Granola Bars containing peanuts. While we have no evidence of a safety issue with these products, we have made the decision to issue a voluntarily recall as a precaution. Please read the details below for full information. If you have a box that has been impacted by the voluntary recall, we would be happy to replace it.

Your Friends at Cascadian Farm

MINNEAPOLIS (October 9, 2012) – Cascadian Farm today announced a voluntary recall of a limited number of Cascadian Farm Granola Bars containing peanuts. This action is being taken as a precaution because peanut pieces in the products may have been sourced from Sunland, Inc., a peanut supplier that recently expanded its recall of peanut ingredients.

This voluntary recall includes 6-count boxes of Cascadian Farm Peanut Butter Chip Chewy Granola Bars with “Better if Used By” dates printed on the top of the box:

01NOV2012
02NOV2012

Because this product was produced in February, it may no longer be on store shelves.

Consumers are urged to check their pantries for these two “Better if Used By” dates. Consumers are also urged to dispose of any Cascadian Farm Granola Bar products containing peanuts that are past the “Better if Used By Date” printed on the box. These products include:

Cascadian Farm Sweet & Salty Peanut Pretzel Bars
Cascadian Farm Sweet & Salty Mixed Nut Granola Bars
Cascadian Farm Peanut Butter Chip Chewy Granola Bars
Cascadian Farm Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Chewy Granola Bars
Cascadian Farm Trail Mix Dark Chocolate Cranberry Chewy Granola Bars

No illnesses have been reported in connection with Cascadian Farm products. No other varieties or production dates of Cascadian Farm products are affected by this recall.

Consumers who have products covered by this recall may contact Cascadian Farm Consumer Services at 1-800-624-4123 for a replacement.

What is “Gluten” Anyway?

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 12:48:57 GMT

Lately it seems like everywhere I go I hear the term “gluten-free”. Many restaurants and most grocery stores carry gluten-free meals or products of some sort. I just assumed it was only for those with Celiac disease, a serious gluten intolerance, and moved on. It wasn’t until my mother-in-law discovered that her dog had a gluten allergy that I realized what a big issue this is. In fact, she found that while she does not have Celiac disease, she is sensitive to gluten as well. She has changed her diet and started a blog chronically her journey, My Gluten Free Canine and Me.

So I had to ask, what is gluten anyway? I thought it was wheat, so why is there a need for gluten-free ice cream?! Well, gluten refers to the protein in some grains (wheat, barley, rye) that gives dough its elasticity and creates structure and texture in bread. Gluten also gives bread its absorbent property. These characteristics are desired in vegetarian imitation meats (“mock chicken”, etc.) in which wheat gluten is often a primary ingredient. In other unlikely items, such as sauces, condiments, and even ice cream, gluten can be used as a stabilizer. The FDA considers gluten to be “generally recognized as safe” as a food additive, but some disagree.

What do you think? Are you concerned about gluten as a food additive?

Photo by Whatshername?

What is Community Gardening?

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Gardening is a therapeutic past time. The fresh air and sunshine; the time spent focusing on the well-being of another living thing (that never talks back). It can be exhausting but it is always satisfying. Unfortunately, not everyone has a piece of land or even a balcony where they can have a garden. That's where community gardens come in. Community gardens allow groups of people to come together and grow plants and vegetables on a plot of land that is not being used. A community garden benefits the gardeners as well as the community in a variety of ways. Community gardens have been shown to have psychological benefits, provide food at a low cost, beautify urban areas, bring neighbors together and reduce crime! (Source: Surls, UCCE)

Some community gardens are in vacant lots, others on school or government grounds. Most gardens have at least 15 plots to which gardeners are assigned. There is typically a small fee to cover water and other miscellaneous expenses. Each gardener is responsible for the care of their own plants as they would be in their own yard. Some community gardens also have rest areas where neighbors can take a break and get to know each other, while other gardens include a children’s garden and/or play area.

If you are interested in being a part of a community garden you can visit the American Community Gardening Association's website to search for gardens in your area. If there are none, the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources has a fantastic Community Garden Start-Up Guide that thoroughly outlines how to start one. It requires a bit of work but can be an amazing asset to your community. Whether in your community or in your yard - get out there and grow!

Photo Credit: “The Gardens Community Garden, Haringey” by Department for Communities and Local Government

Grilled Tandoori-Style Chicken

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT

It's grilling season, and we're breaking out the grill for the upcoming weekend. However, this season I've been excited to try on a few less typical barbecue flavors. With the recent addition in my life of naan and pitas, Indian foods and flavors, traditionally baked in extremely hot tandoor ovens are a natural first step.

A slew of strong spices come together and are mixed with yogurt to produce a nice kick and keep this skinless grilled chicken dish moist and full of flavor. We serve ours on a bed of grilled fresh green beans, straight from the garden and alongside steamed rice or homemade naan.

Grilled Tandoori Chicken

1 whole fryer chicken cut into pieces or 4-6 pieces bone-in chicken with the skin removed
3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 lemon, juiced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
1 dry red chili, crushed

1 tablespoon sweet paprika
3 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons turmeric
2 teaspoons coriander
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon black peppercorns, crushed
3 tablespoons olive oil

Heat grill to medium-high heat. Place chicken pieces in a shallow bowl or dish and prick the flesh with a fork on both sides. In a separate bowl mix together the yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger and all of the dry spices into a thick marinade. Pour marinade over chicken and spread to coat both sides. Allow to marinate for 30 minutes.

Place the chicken on the grill and cook over a medium-high heat for 5 minutes. Brush with olive oil before flipping. Continue cooking for another 5-10 minutes, flipping one more time before pulling off the grill. Juices should run clear.

Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with grilled or steamed vegetables and naan.

Makes 4 - 6 servings.

Photo by Shaina Olmanson

Recycling 101: Earth Day, Every Day

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Recycling is a simple way for consumers to help the environment by taking a product that has reached the end of its useful life and transforming it into another product. Recycling helps to preserve valuable resources, and is essential for the health of our environment and communities.

Many of you are probably already utilizing curbside recycling bins for household paper, glass, aluminum, and plastic recycling. However, recycling goes well beyond the curb—there are recycling services available for an array of other common household products, from electronics and prescriptions to automotive parts and hazardous waste.

Read on to learn how to find recycling facilities in your area for products that you aren't sure how to dispose of properly.

1. Electronics: Electronic waste, or e-waste, is a huge problem for our environment, because if it isn't disposed of properly it can be hazardous. You can find an e-cycling center in your local area at E-cycling Central, which offers a huge array of electronic recycling services.

2. Rechargeable Batteries and Cell Phones: Although rechargeable batteries and cell phones do last quite some time due to their recharging abilities, they will eventually no longer work or become obsolete. Call2Recycle offers the only free rechargeable battery and cell phone collection program in North America. You can find a drop-off location in your area here.

3. Hazardous Materials: Have you wondered how you should recycle that leftover paint from your kitchen remodel, or those toxic household cleaners? Earth 911 offers a database that allows you to find recycling centers in your area that can dispose of hazardous material properly.

4. Automotive Parts: If you have an automobile that is inoperable, or are wondering what to do with used auto parts that you no longer need, contact the Automotive Recycling Association (ARA). The ARA offers automotive recycling to help conserve the future. You can find an ARA recycler in your area here.

5. Plastic Bags: The best option when it comes to plastic bags is to refuse them. However, if you have some that you are looking to recycle, PlasticBagRecycling.org can help. PlasticBagRecycling.org recycles the plastic bags into composite lumber and “new” plastic items. You can find a drop-off location in your area here.

What items do you need to recycle?

Photo Credits: “Trash Recycling with Disposable Containers” by epSos.de, ”7^th Street e-Waste” by greenbk, “Beautiful Junk” by Rainy City.