eco ike

Stevia – a safe sugar substitute

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:44:00 +0000

Sugar, we’re breaking up! It’s not you, it’s me.

If you are looking to eat less sugar, we have got an alternative that might be a good fit for your family. Since going sugar-free (for the most part) our main go-to sweetener has been stevia. Here’s the lowdown on stevia and how to use it:

First the bad news about stevia:

It does NOT taste just like sugar. It’s sweet and very concentrated, but it has a somewhat, faintly-licorice aftertaste. When baking with it, the aftertaste can easily be masked and you will only pick up the “sweetness” of stevia. But when putting it directly in a cup of tea or coffee, you will notice the aftertaste. So it’s best to use it when the flavor can be covered with other ingredients.
It is expensive compared to sugar. A good quality stevia (and only buy good quality brands!) such as Sweet Leaf, Now & Kal will cost approximately $6-$12.

Now the good:

It is an herb (a member of the of the chrysanthemum family). If you have a green thumb, try adding this herb to your garden.
It has a zero glycemic index and zero calories. Personally, I am not concerned about calories but I am about the glycemic index (I would rather experience a low glycemic response from food).
Stevia is very concentrated and much sweeter than table sugar (when baking, it is estimated that you need 1 teaspoon of stevia to replace 1 cup of sugar. When it comes to replacing stevia with sugar, you will need to fidget with your favorite recipes to get it just right).
It is heat stable and can easily be used for cooking and baking. It takes some time to adjust to the reduced volume compared to sugar and to the taste difference. I try to bake primarily with stevia (and/or honey – I sometimes use ½ stevia and ½ honey). I now consider this my go-to sweetener in our household.
Stevia companies such as Sweet Leaf are making flavored liquid stevia drops to use in everything from your morning coffee to baking. The drops come in flavors such as chocolate, chocolate raspberry, lemon drop, peppermint, root beer, vanilla crème and hazelnut. Sold at your local co op, whole foods or natural food store.

Have you tried stevia? What do you think?

houseplants for a healthy home

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:57:00 +0000

Did you know that indoor air can be 12 times more polluted than outdoor air? There’s an easy and pretty way to clean up ugly indoor airborne toxins (like benzene, formaldehyde & carbon dioxide). Get some houseplants! Not only does every home look better with plants, these green sponges can absorb most homes indoor toxins!

Keep your home healthy and your plants happy by:

Grouping them together! Plants do better when they are placed close together. They benefit from each others humidity, moisture and oxygen.
Playing classical music! Who knew that your ferns were Bach afficiando’s? It’s true… soothing music helps plants grow.
Talking to them! Plants respond to human voices. Interestingly, according to Britain’s Royal Horticultural Society, “women’s voices speed growth much more than men’s”. Plants also react positively to soothing kind words and wither when there is a lot of noise and yelling.
Primping! Keep the leaves dust-free so they can get the air that they need (use a lightly dampened cloth and gently wipe dust off of the leaves).

Read our "3 cheers for houseplants" article! We've got 3 more reasons why houseplants make a home healthy!

Chocolate cherry breakfast cookie

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:31:00 +0000

Our children’s easy, go-to breakfast on weekday mornings are organic cereal bars. They love them and request them every day. After a little label reading it became very clear why they love them so much! They are LOADED with sugar. I am trying to reduce our family’s sugar intake, so I decided to come up with a cereal bar alternative that was low in sugar and high in protein and nutrition (and of course, deliciousness!). This breakfast cookie fits the bill! It is so scrumptious that they are almost addictive. They also are far more nutritious than the average cereal bar sold everywhere. Made with almond flour, oats, walnuts, cherries and chunks of dark chocolate, this recipe will quickly become a family favorite! Feel free to tinker with your families personal preferences! Replace the cherries with cranberries, dates, raisins or banana chips, or the chia seeds with flax, pumpkin, sunflower or sesame seeds.

Who knew that a breakfast bar alternative could be this tasty and good for you!

½ cup butter, melted

2-3 Tablespoons honey

2 organic eggs

½ teaspoon vanilla

1 cup almond flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ginger

¼ teaspoon cloves

½ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon baking powder

1 cup oats (I use Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free)

¾ cup dark chocolate chips

1/3 cup dried cherries

1/3 cup unsweetened coconut

1/3 cup walnuts, broken in half or quarters (I like them chunky, but cut to your preference)

2 teaspoons chia seeds

1.) Preheat oven to 350°.

2.) In a large mixing bowl, mix the butter, honey, eggs and vanilla. Add the almond flour, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, baking soda and baking powder until just combined. Add the oats and stir until just combined. Add the chocolate chips, cherries, coconut, walnuts and chia seeds until just combined.

3.) Using a small scooper, drop onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart. Lightly flatten the dough.

4.) Bake for 11-12 minutes. Once cooled, store in an air-tight container. I pop most of these in an air-tight freezer container. 12 seconds in our microwave will thaw and warm them.

heart fruit kabobs with yogurt dip

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:15:00 +0000

Your sweethearts will love this snack! Pull out a heart shaped cookie cutter and use it on apple slices, sandwiches and cheese slices… anything that can be cut.

1 cantaloupe
1 honeydew melon

1/2 watermelon

1 6 ounce container plain yogurt

1 tablespoon frozen orange-juice concentrate, thawed

1 tablespoon honey

1. Cut fruit into 1-inch-thick slices. Using a small heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut hearts from melon slices. Poke a hole in each heart with a toothpick, going from top to bottom. Then thread fruit on ice-pop sticks.

2. Make dip: Stir together yogurt, orange juice concentrate, and honey until well combined. Serve with hearts.

recipe & photo courtesy of parents.com

board games help kids learn

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:04:00 +0000

Board games are a great addition to structured play! They combine entertainment and education into one fun experience and it’s the perfect activity on a rainy day or when there’s time to fill and kids saying, “I’m bored”.

Simple lessons such as taking turns, learning to win & lose, and communication intermixes with lessons about anything from math to astronomy (depending on the game you choose). There are endless options for children’s games. Choose ones that are age-appropriate and that would be of interest to your child.

There are so many great games on the market today, but these 5 made our “must play” list!

Uno – This classic is a favorite for so many reasons! It’s super fun, fast paced, easy to play and it teaches kids simple (but important) lessons such as colors, numbers, matching and order. It’s also super portable making it a great game to bring on any trip.
Trouble – This game is so much fun for all ages! I love playing this with my 9 year-old nephew. The bubble can lead to trouble or victory, all depending on how things shake down. Great skills like counting and taking turns make this game fun and definitely worth playing.
Bananagrams – build connecting words! You win when you’ve used all of your letters. It’s a fast paced and fun way for beginning spellers (and established spellers) to test their skills or show off their quick wit with words.
Connect Four – literally connect four pieces in either a horizontal, vertical or diagonal direction. Tic tac toe-ish in nature, this game reinforces counting, color recognition and strategy.
Checkers – An oldie and a goodie! Kids learn reasoning, logic and pre-math skills with this classic. It’s a must-play and a wonderful game that your child can play with any adult and as a grown-up J.

All of these games (and more!) are sold on our eco-boutique. Check them out!

We want to know! What’s your favorite board game for your family?

switch fabric softeners to something safer

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:18:00 +0000

I will admit it, in winter I have cheated on my ‘green’ fabric softeners with traditional ones. I LOVE my green fabric softener sheets but during the winter, our laundry sometimes has a lot of static. And static cling clothing drives me bonkers (it’s like nails on a chalk board to me)! But, after hearing all of the bad news (again) associated with conventional fabric softeners, I have decided to go completely green and not look back.

Conventional fabric softener sheets can contain some really nasty chemicals… chemicals that I DO NOT want touching my children’s skin… remember skin is the largest organ in the human body! It’s safe to say that bypassing traditional softeners will also avoid the possible exposure to ugly ingredients like:

A-Terpineol - Associated with central nervous system disorders
Benzyl Acetate – A carcinogen linked to pancreatic cancer
Benzyl Alcohol - An upper respiratory tract irritant
Camphor – It’s listed on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list (enough said)

Ethyl Acetate – Another culprit on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste list and an irritant to the eyes and respiratory tract

So what can you do to dry your laundry and keep your clothing from sticking together (and the dreaded electrical charge if you have to pull them apart)? Try these 5 tips for cling-free & chemical-free laundry:

Line dry when possible! It’s the best choice.
Safety pins! Who would have thunk it? Place 2-3 safety pins on a cloth or rag and dry with your clothes. I am not sure how this works, but it does work!
¼ cup of Vinegar added to the ‘fabric softener dispenser’ of the washing machine is a natural fabric softener.
Wool dryer balls! This is a fun new discovery. The balls bounce around in the dryer and keep the laundry fluffed, static at bay, and it reduces the drying time! They last for a long time too. After an initial investment of $20+, you will be good to go for years!
Avoid over-drying. Additional (and unnecessary) drying time typically leads to additional static cling. If your dryer has a sensor to automatically turn off when clothes are dry (rather than a set time), use that option!

dryer balls photo courtesy of Clean Sypria

coconut chicken nuggets

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:25:00 +0000

“YUM!” That will be the unanimous response from the family once you make these tasty chicken nuggets! We got this gem of a recipe from Health Bent (a new favorite of ours!). This recipe is super easy, family-friendly (even your pickiest little eater will munch away) and quick to come together. Pair it with their Curry Mustard Sauce for more yumminess!

We modified the curry mustard sauce to be a little more kid-friendly for our two little nuggets.

1 pound organic ground chicken

1 egg yolk

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 cup + 1/2 cup almond flour

1/2 cup dessicated coconut*

1/2 cup coconut oil

salt & pepper, to taste

1.) In a bowl, combine 1/4 cup almond flour, 1/2 cup dessicated coconut and salt & pepper. Mix it with your hands. In a seperate bowl, combine the ground chicken, 1/2 cup almond flour, onion and garlic powders, egg yolk and salt & pepper. Mix with your hands until everything has been incorporated.

2.) In a saute pan, melt the coconut oil on medium heat.

3.) Take about 2 Tablespoons worth of chicken mixture and in the palm of your hand, roll it in a ball. Drop it in the almond/coconut mixture and roll around until completely coated. Repeat with the rest of the chicken. Place in the saute pan and cook on each side until nice and brown.

Curry Mustard Sauce

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1-2 teaspoons mustard

couple dashes of curry powder

Stir all ingredients together and add more mustard and curry powder as desired.

* Dessicated coconut is dried, finely shredded, unsweetened meat of the coconut. It's the perfect size to replicate a bread crumb.

upcycling clothing for kids

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:16:00 +0000

I am not crafty at all! As a matter of fact, I think I have a craft deficit, so when I see super cute ideas like upcycled kids hats, toys and tops, it makes me wish that I had inherited my mom’s crafty abilities (and while we’re at it, her green thumb too!). Luckily these projects are relatively easy for anyone with a small amount of craft ability. Just to be safe, I am having my mom come over before I venture into my next craft project.

Not only are these projects typically simple, they are also super green and a great (and cute!) way to use items that might get donated or tossed.

Here are instructions for:

Upcycled kids hat pattern

Upcycled kids toy

Upcycled kids skirt

happy crafting!

just a spoonful of sugar!

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:40:00 +0000

Who doesn’t love sugar? It’s one of the most delicious ingredients in the food world… but unfortunately, it is also is one of the unhealthiest! Our beloved sweetener is void of any nutritional quality and worst of all, is linked to diabetes, depressed immune systems and obesity. According to Pediatrician, Dr. Kavey, “The reason that we think of it as a problem is because of the big rise in obesity in childhood, and that rise has occurred over the same time period that there’s been a major increase in the amount of simple sugar that children consume.”

The American Heart Association recommends eating no more than 5% of total calories from sugar and that children should have no more than 3 teaspoons a day and teens should consume no more than 5-8 teaspoons daily. Considering that one can of soda contains approximately 10 teaspoons of sugar and one cup of children’s sweetened cereal has roughly 5 teaspoons of sugar, it’s pretty safe to say that most families are exceeding the recommended daily sugar intake!

Knowing that an excess of sugar is not good for us, what can parents do? Here are four steps to consume less of the sweet stuff:

Be sure to read labels! You wouldn’t think that a company is putting sugar in your marinara sauce, peanut butter, crackers or soup, but they are. They are also doing in it obscure ways. You are looking out for “sugar” on labels and food companies are sneaking them in with murky words like: barley malt, cane juice crystals, carob syrup, corn syrup, corn syrup solids, dextran, dextrose, diatase, diastatic malt, ethyl maltol, fructose, fruit juice, fruit juice concentrate, glucose, glucose solids, high fructose corn syrup, lactose, malt syrup, maltodextrin, maltose, mannitol, refiner’s syrup, sorbitol, sorghum syrup, sucrose. Basically, anything ending with, “-ose” is a sugar. Know the sugar lingo! One of my golden rules with food products is that if I do not know what the ingredient is, I pass on the product!

Know that “healthy”sugars (honey, molasses, maple syrup & agave) are still sugars! They all have added nutrients and would be the preferred sweetener choice. Honey contains minerals, amino acids and B Vitamins. Molasses contains iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium. Maple syrup contains zinc, manganese and potassium. Agave contains small amounts of calcium, potassium and magnesium. Even though they are not stripped down of all their nutrients, these sweeteners basically break down in the body the same way that sugar does. They may have some added nutrients, but once digested they are basically seen as sugar by the body.

Modify family-favorite recipes! An easy way to omit or reduce sugar consumption is by modifying recipes. When possible, omit sugar in savory dishes. When it comes to baking, try reducing the sugar by tablespoons or ¼ cup. You can compensate the lack of sugar by adding another dash of cinnamon or your favorite spice. Baked goods are not as adaptable as savory dishes, so some trial and error may be involved.

Start a food journal! I know that families barely have time to sit down for breakfast, let alone write in a food journal, but the best way to reduce sugar is to be aware of the sugar being eaten on a daily basis. Once you are conscious of how much is being consumed, you may realize that the family’s daily intake is far more than you realized. A quick notation of the food & sugar content can be a great tool to see how quickly and frequently you are consuming sugar.

happy & healthy 2012

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:40:00 +0000

We wish you health & happiness for you and your family this new year! It means a lot to us, so look out for great articles in 2012 to keep your family healthy, happy and joyful!

image & calendar courtesy of Blush Face

switch to soy candles

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 12:10:00 +0000

This holiday season light soy candles for a greener home!

You’ve made a delicious dinner; set a gorgeous table that includes a candlelit glow and, cough, cough… you don’t realize that you are inhaling the equivalent of secondhand smoke with your petroleum-based candles. Keep your family safe & still enjoy candles by switching to soy.

Soy is a healthy alternative to petroleum-based candles. Petroleum-based paraffin candles contain possible carcinogens or toxic chemicals like benzene, toluene, ethyl ketone, naphthalene and possibly lead in the wick. Soy is easier to clean up and burns cleaner. It is usually more expensive but burns a lot longer (sometimes twice as long as paraffin candles, which offset the higher cost)!

Image courtesy of Coco & Bubbles

Shop here for their soy candles!

banana gingerbread muffins

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 00:06:00 +0000

This delicious muffin is the tastiest gift or treat for the holidays! The blend of cinnamon, ginger and clove spices is the perfect addition to the sweet banana batter. Top with a dusting of powdered sugar or our cream cheese glaze.

muffin recipe

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
8 Tablespoons (1 stick) butter, room temperature
¾ cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup banana, mashed (about 2 bananas)
1/2 cup buttermilk
¼ cup molasses

cream cheese glaze
4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
3 Tablespoons butter, room temperature
1 ½ cups confectioners sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla
3 Tablespoons milk

for the muffins:
1.) Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 12-14 muffin tins with liners (or grease and flour 12-14 muffin cups).
2.) In a large bowl, sift or stir together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves cardamom and nutmeg. Set aside.
3.) In a medium bowl, beat the butter and sugar together for two minutes.
4.) Add the egg and beat for one minute.
5.) Beat in the mashed banana, buttermilk and molasses.
6.) Combine the dry and wet ingredients. Beat for 30 seconds, until ingredients are combined.
7.) Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups.
8.) Bake for 20-23 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the middle of the muffin.
9.) When completely cool, lightly dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with cream cheese glaze (optional).

for the glaze:
1. In a medium mixing bowl, mix together the cream cheese and butter for one minute.
2. Add the confectioners sugar and vanilla. Mix until combined.
3. Add the milk, and mix until a smooth consistency (the icing may require an additional ½ - 1 teaspoon of milk to reach drizzle consistency).

sneaky & deceptive cooking

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:14:00 +0000

Our four year old (and first born) is a wonderful eater! He will eat any thing, any time and at any place. I always knew that we were lucky but I didn’t truly realize how fortunate we were until our second one came along and pretty much only wants to eat anything that is flour-based (pasta, crackers, pretzels, oh, and an occasional banana when he’s feeling like it). As a foodie mom that wants her kids to eat nutritionally sound meals, it can be a tug-of-war (it’s an internal conversation with me saying, “make him eat fruits and vegetables”/ he won’t eat, let him be excused from the table). I’ve always known about the popular cookbooks, the Sneaky Chef and Deceptively Delicious (and Double Delicious!) but never had to look into them… until now!

Times like this call for devious measures on mom’s part and I need to be getting fruits, vegetables and healthy foods into my little graham cracker (also known as my youngest). I pulled out a copy of Deceptively Delicious and got cooking! I made the "Chicken Nuggets (with Broccoli or Spinach or Sweet Potato & Beet)", "Macaroni & Cheese 1" and "Chocolate Chip Cookies" (recipes below). My husband and oldest son happily gobbled up all three dishes. My youngest loved the cookies, but as usual, dismissed his dinner. I think I am going to have to add a lot of patience to my sneaky & deceptive cooking!

Chicken Nuggets (with Broccoli or Spinach or Sweet Potato or Beet)

1 cup whole-wheat, white or panko breadcrumbs

1/2 cup flax seed meal

1 Tablespoon grated Parmesan

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1 cup broccoli or spinach or sweet potato or beet puree (I used 2 jars of spinach baby food)

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or chicken tenders, rinsed, dried & cut into small chunks

1/2 teaspoon salt

Nonstick cooking spray

1 Tablespoon olive oil (I used a lot more than this)

(1.) In a bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, flaxseed meal, Parmesan, paprika, garlic, and onion powder on paper or foil and mix well with your fingers.

(2.) In a shallow bowl, mix the vegetable puree and egg with a fork and set the bowl next to the breadcrumb mixture.

(3.) Sprinkle the chicken chunks with the salt. Dip the chunks into the egg mixture and then toss them in the breadcrumbs until completely coated.

(4.) Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and set over medium-high heat. When the skillet is hot, add the oil. Place the chicken nuggets in the skillet in a single layer, being careful not to crowd the pan, and cook until crisp and golden on one side, 3-4 minutes. Then turn and cook until the chicken is cooked through, golden brown and crisp all over, 4-5 minutes longer. (Cut into a piece to check that it is cooked through). Serve warm.

Macaroni & Cheese 1 (with Butternut Squash or Cauliflower)

1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni

Nonstick cooking spray

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour

1/2 cup nonfat (skim) milk (I used whole milk)

1/2 cup butternut squash or cauliflower puree (I used a jar of sweet potato baby food)

1 1/2 cups shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese (I used regular, full fat cheddar cheese)

4 ounces (almost 1/4 cup) reduced fat or nonfat cream cheese (I used full fat cream cheese)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon paprika

1/8 teaspoon pepper

(1.) Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the macaroni, and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain in a colander.
(2.) While the macaroni is cooking, coat a large saucepan with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Add the oil, then the flour, and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture resembles a thick paste but has not browned, 1-2 minutes.
(3.) Add the milk and cook, stirring every now and then, until the mixture begins to thicken, 3-4 minutes. Add the vegetable puree, Cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and seasonings, and stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Stir in the macaroni and serve warm.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I had to try these! Seriously… chocolate chip cookies made with garbanzo beans!?! Definitely make them! They were really delicious and definitely worth baking.

Nonstick cooking spray

1 cup firmly packed light or dark brown sugar

3/4 cup trans-fat-free soft tub margarine spread (I used butter)

2 large egg whites (I used whole eggs)

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained & rinsed

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

3/4 cup raisins (optional)

2 cups all-purpose flour (I used whole wheat flour)

1/2 cup old-fashioned oats

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt (I omitted b/c I used salted butter)

(1.) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.

(2.) In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the sugar and margarine with a wooden spoon or on medium speed until smooth. Beat in the egg whites and vanilla, then the chickpeas and chocolate chips. Add the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt, and mix on low speed until a thick dough forms.

(3.) Drop the dough by the tablespoonful onto the baking sheet, spacing the cookies about 2 inches apart. Press gently with a fork to flatten. Bake until the cookies are brown and just set, 11-13 minutes; do not overbake. Transfer to a rack to cool.

(4.) Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

What tricks do you use to get healthy foods in your child(ren)?

Check out our e-cookbook, Cooking FUNdamentals: yummy, healthy and quick recipes for kids & grown-ups!

happy thanksgiving!

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:23:00 +0000

We are so thankful for our dear readers! We thank you for following, supporting and sharing eco ike! We hope you have a very happy, healthy and delicious Thanksgiving!!!

image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4

leftover love

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:07:00 +0000

Leftovers are one of my many favorite things about Thanksgiving, but not everyone feels the same way. If your family likes a different meal every night, you can re-use your Thanksgiving fixings and create a delicious, easy and new dinner! That is definitely something to be grateful about.

Leftover potatoes (russet or sweet) can become Potato pancakes

2 cups mashed potatoes

1 egg, beaten

1/3 cup flour

Salt and pepper

In a bowl, thoroughly combine the potatoes, eggs and flour. Season with salt and pepper. In a large heavy skillet, heat olive oil over moderately high heat, until it is hot but not smoking. Drop Tablespoons of the potato mixture, being sure to flatten them with a fork. Cook for approximately 1-2 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown. Transfer the pancakes as they are cooked to paper towels to drain and if desired keep them warm on a rack set on a baking sheet in a preheated 250 degree oven.

Leftover turkey can become Barbecued Turkey Sandwiches

Combine and heat 3 cups shredded turkey with ¾ cup prepared barbecue sauce. Serve on a brioche or onion roll.

Leftover cranberries can become Apple Cranberry Crisp

Leftover cranberries (up to 1 ½ cups)

6 cups peeled apples, thinly sliced

¾ cup brown sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

½ cup flour

2/3 cup oats

½ cup butter, room temperature

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine cranberries & apples and place in a buttered 8x8 pan. In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, oats and butter together; blend with fingers until crumbly. Evenly top apple/cranberries with oat mixture. Bake for 35 minutes.

mashed potato pancake recipe adapted from epicurious
apple cranberry crisp recipe adapted from Cooking FUNdamentals
photo courtesy of Pottery Barn Kids

E is for Environment

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:20:00 +0000

Looking to encourage a little more green in your offspring? Check out the lovable book, E is for Environment! Brother and sister, Elliot & Lucy are featured in 26 engaging stories filled with ways to make a positive difference for the environment. The stories are cute and charming while teaching kids fun lessons and examples of how to be eco-friendly!

Each story has an adorable illustration (we wish there were more of the sweet pictures!) and features questions at the end of each story (for the record, my son wasn’t into the questions, but he loved each of the stories).

Written by Ian James Corlett and Ilustrated by R.A. Holt, this book would be a perfect holiday gift or addition to a child’s library!

Check out E is for Environment on Amazon!

iPhone apps for kids

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:32:00 +0000

I am guilty of letting my kids use my iPhone or iPad to keep them busy. I have mixed feelings about it… we pretty much know that exposure to cell phones carry some potential hazards (and that’s especially true for children!). But our kids are growing up in a technological world. They are constantly adapting, growing and learning along side technology, and they love and understand the tools that they have available to them.

But, truth be told, I don’t give them the devices to help with their computer know-how. I do it so I can make a 5-minute phone call in peace. Or start dinner without the kids hanging on me (or asking for food even though they just ate 2.5 minutes ago). So if I am going to cave in, I should at least make their experience educational on some level… right?

Thankfully for me, Babble.com provided a Top 50 iPhone Apps for Kids (they also have the Top 25 Android Apps for kids). They ranked their Top 10 Favorites for: Education, Stories & songs, Art & hidden pictures, Fun & games, Familiar friends & classic games. My sons and I played around with their list and instantly found some new favorites (it’s hard to believe how quickly kids can maneuver and get acclimated to these apps).

Here are our new favorite apps thanks to Babble’s list:

123 Color - Talking coloring book

Fish School - Letters, numbers, colors, shapes & matching

Letter Writer Oceans - Teaches preschoolers to write their letters

Preschool Connect the Dots

Tell us what app(s) your kids love?

2 for tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 11:41:00 +0000

421,000 units of bacteria (including E. coli!) can be found on the soles of shoes. Another great reason to leave the shoes at the door.

98 percent of non-organic apples have pesticide residue on them, which is why they top the Environmental Working Group's "Dirty Dozen" list of the 12 most pesticide-laden fruits and vegetables.

We've written about the importance of taking shoes off in the home and the dirty dozen list. Read all about it!

1 source, photo. 2 source & photo.

cinnamon apple crisp

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Chocolate trumps every dessert in our household. So I know that this apple crisp recipe is a winner because every time that I make it (which is pretty frequently because it’s super easy & delicious!), I hear “ooh”, “awe” and “awesome”!

Granny smith apples get topped with a brown sugar crumb topping… it’s scrumptious and extra tasty served warm with vanilla ice cream.

6 cups peeled apples, thinly sliced*
3/4 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup oats
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 Tablespoon cinnamon

1.) Preheat oven to 350°.
2.) Place apples in a lightly buttered 8x8 glass baking dish.
3.) Combine brown sugar, oats, flour, butter and cinnamon; blend together with fingers until crumbly. Evenly top apples with oat mixture.
4.) Bake for 35 minutes.

* we use granny smith apples, but any apple will do :)

This recipe is from our e-cookbook, Cooking FUNdamentals: yummy, healthy and quick recipes for kids & grown-ups! {$3.95}

Another yummy & fun recipe to make is our apple chips! click here for the recipe!

displaying children’s art work

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:21:00 +0000

images found here, here, here, here & here

I have to admit that I recycle 99% of the artwork that my children bring home! Fortunately for them, they get to paint, color and do a lot of cute projects all year long, so the amount of pieces that they bring home every day adds up quickly. My kids (like all kids) love showing me what they made. In an effort to encourage their love for art and show them how treasured their work is, I keep and highlight the special pieces.

We are in the process of creating a play room, so I have been curious about the best way to integrate the artwork into the playroom. Here are some fun and innovative ways to display your budding artists work!

oh brother-

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:14:00 +0000

for all of the kids dressing up as superheros!

regardless of what costume gets worn tonight- have a fun, safe & happy halloween!

image and print from couture prints

apple chips

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:34:00 +0000

Feel like trying a fun, easy and yummy new snack? These apple chips are the perfect thing! My four year old can’t get enough of them! Every time that we run out (which seems like every other day) he wants to make more. They are so healthy and simple to make that it’s no problem… the hardest part is finding a three hour chunk of time for them to bake.

This is a great recipe to make with your kids! I do the mandoline cutting and I always let my son arrange the apples on the tray (and then I correctly arrange them afterwards :) I let him help sprinkle the cinnamon sugar on top and the chips taste just as good where he doused the cinnamon sugar as well as the ones that he completely missed. This recipe is uncomplicated and hands-on. It is great to make with children of all ages.

One thing to note, when slicing into the middle portion of the apple, I try to get the seeds out with a knife, but leave everything else in tact… I like the natural star shape in the center of the apple.

2-3 granny smith apples

2 teaspoons sugar

½ teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 200°.
Line two baking sheet pans with parchment paper.
With a mandoline (or very sharp knife and great cutting skills), thinly slice apples.
Arrange slices in a single layer on the baking sheet pan. Be sure not to overlap.
Combine sugar and cinnamon. Put in a fine sieve and sprinkle evenly over apples.
Bake in the top and bottom third of the oven for 1.5 hours. Pull apples out and turn them upside down and rotate baking pans positions when putting back in the oven.
Bake for another hour and a half (if your apple slices were a little bit thicker, it may take them a teeny bit longer to crisp up. After 3 hours, if you have a combination of completely crisp and some that are a little chewy/crisp, take the crisp ones off of the baking sheet and put the rest back in the middle of the oven for another 20+ minutes).
Remove from oven and cool chips before transferring to a sealed container.

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Recipe adapted & photo courtesy of Ontario Apples

connect 5

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 11:55:00 +0000

Sometimes the simplest moments with your children at home, are the best! Here are 5 easy ways to connect with your child today:

Bake! Bond while measuring ingredients, sifting and stirring your way to a tasty outcome. It’s a great way to catch up on their day and share a yummy bite.
Read! You can read to your child or they can read their own material while you read yours. Grab a blanket, sit next to one another on the couch and enjoy quiet together time.
Go for a walk! If you have a dog, suggest a family walk… or to look at the leaves changing colors, or to enjoy the cooler temperatures. The exercise and fresh air is great for everyone and wonderful together time.
Clean! Were you thinking about organizing a closet or going through the toy box? This may not sound like a fun way to connect with your child, but working together to achieve a family accomplishment is a great way to bond & build family team work.
Get silly! Helping with homework? Make up funny acronyms or games to help them learn. Or, have an indoor picnic for lunch. If it’s in between mealtime, put on a selection of everyone’s favorites music and dance. Turn up the fun factor… both you and your kids will love it!

print courtesy of PeaPress1

roasted pumpkin seed recipe

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 11:16:00 +0000

What vegetable is high in Vitamin A, potassium, beta carotene and fiber? The great pumpkin, of course! Pumpkins are so much fun to pick and carve… and they have the added bonus of delicious seeds! Roasted pumpkin seeds are tasty, but they are also loaded with nutritional value. Pumpkin seeds are a rich source of minerals (particularly magnesium, potassium and phosphorus) and are loaded with iron, zinc, fiber & protein.

Below is a simple roasted pumpkin seed recipe, but trying adding chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, or your favorite spice. For a sweet change, toss the seeds in the melted butter, a teaspoon of honey and cinnamon.

2 cups pumpkin seeds

2 Tablespoons olive oil (or melted butter)

salt

1.) Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2.) Toss seeds with oil & salt and evenly spread on a baking sheet.

3.) Bake for 20-30 minutes; stirring every 10 minutes, until golden and crisp

Look out for an apple chip recipe next week!

photo courtesy of marthastewart.com

trick or treat

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:05:00 +0000

Decorate oranges to look like little jack o lanterns! some kids may think it's a trick, but it's a healthy & fun treat for the lunch box or fruit bowl!

Use a fine point Sharpie to decorate (when you eat the fruit, just cut off the marker area with a knife).

It's frightfully fun!

image from pinterest