eco ike

HUGS… they are good for you!

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 18:50:00 +0000

HUGS… they are good for you!

“Physical touch can instantaneously boost your mood, strengthen your immune system and reduce stress,” according to Paul Zak, Ph.D., director of the Center for Neuroeconomics Studies at Claremont University. “By holding your loved ones, even for a few seconds, you create a deep connection with them while also giving yourself an emotional boost.”

homemade eggnog cream {a healthy version!}

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 19:20:00 +0000

I love seasonal coffees! They are the perfect little indulgent treat and just one more reason to love the holiday season! One thing not to love is conventional creamers. They are loaded with chemicals and ingredients that we should be steering clear of like, sugar, corn syrup solids, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, artificial flavors and carrageenan. This recipe is a healthy and delicious alternative! Our recipe is made with wholesome and natural ingredients. To make it a little more decadent top with whipped cream and a dash of nutmeg.

This recipe is so easy! Make the cream ahead of time and pull it out any time that you need a treat… it’s perfect in tea too (especially chai tea!).

1 cup of cream or coconut milk*

2 teaspoons vanilla

½ teaspoon nutmeg

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

50 drops of stevia (I use Sweet Leaf Sweet Drops)

1.) Place all ingredients in a glass bottle with a sealed lid. Place the lid on tightly and shake vigorously.

2.) Shake well prior to using.

* Coconut milk is naturally sweeter than cream so you may need to use less stevia. Try 40 drops and add to your liking.

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apple cinnamon muffins

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 20:58:00 +0000

Mmm, the tastes and smells of fall! Autumn is my favorite season for so many reasons and one of them is the delicious & comforting foods of the season. This muffin is no exception, it’s loaded with chunks of apples, cinnamon and nutmeg goodness.

I always try to tinker with the sugar content to get it as low as possible and still have it taste great (and sweet!). For this recipe, I used a ½ cup of Stevia in the Raw. You could also use either:

¼ - ½ cup maple syrup (the tastiest option! It also provides the tenderest crumb)
½ cup brown sugar (packed)
¼ cup Stevia in the Raw and ¼ cup brown sugar (to mask the stevia taste)

The raisins add some natural sweetness to the muffin too. Either way, these muffins are a great after school snack or perfect for packing in lunch boxes.

This recipe makes 9 muffins but the recipe can easily be doubled or tripled.

¼ cup butter, melted

½ cup Stevia in the Raw (see notes above)

1 egg

½ cup buttermilk

1 cup gluten free flour (I use Glutino)

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ginger

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

1 ½ cups apple, chopped (I leave skin on and sometimes add a little more apple)

¼ cup raisins

1.) Preheat the oven to 375°. Line 9 muffin tins with baking cup liners.

2.) Mix together the butter, sugar choice, egg and buttermilk.

3.) In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.

4.) Combine the wet and dry ingredients until thoroughly combined. Mix in the apples and raisins.

5.) Divide the batter into 9 muffin tins.

6.) Bake for 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Make your own natural toothpaste

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 10:24:00 +0000

I have been avoiding traditional toothpastes for a while (check out our article, “Is your toothpaste safe?”). There are some good natural toothpaste options on the market, but lately I haven’t been wowed with them or their hefty price tag, so I decided to make my own. After a lot of experimenting, tinkering and tooth brushing, I came up with this simple recipe that is a tooth powder, rather than a paste. I store it in a small glass bell jar with a lid.

I wish I could say that my whole family uses this but my family is very particular. I use it and I have to say that I love it! Converting to this tooth powder takes a week or so to get used to. The chemicals in toothpaste make it creamy, foamy and palatable... and omitting those agents takes a little adjusting. Natural toothpastes are not the same, but after several days, you will notice instant results and not miss the other kind. Here are four great reasons to go home-made with toothpaste:

You know exactly what you are getting! It seems like more and more companies are sneaking unwanted ingredients like preservatives and additives into their products without noting them on the box.
You most likely have all of the ingredients in your house right now! Simple tried-and-true ingredients that your grandparents used to use make up this simple recipe that can be made in less than two minutes.
These ingredients are cheap, making this recipe significantly less expensive than your favorite toothpaste brand. I previously used Desert Essence and it retailed for $6.99 for a 6.25 ounce tube. I estimate that my homemade version costs approximately 35¢ for the same amount.
Compared to my old brand, I know that every ingredient is 100% natural! Baking soda acts as the base and is a mild (but safe) abrasive that provides a gentle cleansing. It is also alkaline and helps to neutralize acids and reduce odors in the mouth. Cinnamon, stevia and clove essential oil are the flavoring and sweetening agents.

I like to make this frequently to keep it fresh (since it literally comes together in a minute), but feel free to double or triple this recipe!

1 Tablespoon baking soda

1/8 teaspoon organic cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon salt

1-2 drops clove essential oil

30 drops of stevia

Thoroughly combine all ingredients (I mix it in the glass container with a fork). Store in an air-tight container. One thing to note: I rinse out my mouth and the toothbrush prior to brushing. There are no foaming ingredients in this recipe so the water helps lubricate the mouth. Happy brushing!

Mister Rogers on hero's

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Fri, 11 Oct 2013 10:38:00 +0000

pumpkin spice creamer recipe

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 16:13:00 +0000

What is not to love about a pumpkin spice latte? Creamy, lightly spicy and sweet goodness mixed in with hot coffee. It’s perfection in a cup. Some people would be surprised to know that the Starbucks pumpkin latte contains NO pumpkin. Our recipe does! It’s a chemical-free, super simple & tasty way to highlight the lovely fall gourd and flavors. Happy sipping!

2 cups of organic cream or coconut milk

6 Tablespoons organic pumpkin puree

2 teaspoons cinnamon

¼ teaspoon nutmeg, additional to taste

1/8 teaspoons ginger

1 teaspoon vanilla

40 drops of stevia (I use Sweet Leaf Sweet Drops)

1.) In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the cream, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. Whisk occasionally until the cream gets a little foamy and/or steamy, about 5 minutes.

2.) Take off heat and add the vanilla and stevia. Taste and add a couple additional drops of stevia until sweetened to your preference.

3.) Optional: the cream mixture can be put through a sieve for an extra creamy consistency. I skip this step because I don’t want to lose any of the spices.

4.) Cool completely and refrigerate.

butternut squash and apple soup recipe

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 16:46:00 +0000

Apples are being harvested, squash is being picked and the days are getting shorter… we thought this soup would be the perfect fare. It’s seasonal, savory and delicious.

3 Tablespoons butter

1 vidalia onion

1 butternut squash, peeled, seeded & cut into cubes

5 cups vegetable or chicken broth

5 apples, peeled, cored and chopped

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon cumin

¼ teaspoon thyme

½ cup heavy cream (optional)

11.) Heat butter in a large soup pot. Add onion and sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes.

22.) Add the squash, broth and apples. Bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to medium-low and continue cooking until the squash and apple are very tender, about 30 minutes.

33.) Using a food processor or blender, puree in batches. Return the soup to the pot. Add nutmeg, cumin, thyme and cream. Taste and adjust seasonings.

pumpkin applesauce muffins

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Sun, 22 Sep 2013 16:40:00 +0000

Fall is here! It is my favorite season. To celebrate, I have been baking these Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins (which may be my kid’s new favorite!). These moist and scrumptious muffins are super low in sugar, but high in nutritional content with pumpkin, applesauce, cinnamon & fall spices…It’s the perfect treat no matter the season! These are so good on their own, but if you want to top them with a little something, try pumpkin (pepita) seeds, a light dusting of ground cinnamon, chocolate or white chocolate chips.

1 cup pumpkin puree

½ cup applesauce

¼ cup butter, melted and cooled

2 eggs

½ cup brown sugar, packed

1 Tablespoon maple syrup, optional

1 cup gluten-free all purpose flour (I use Glutino)

1 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

¼ teaspoon ginger

1.) Preheat the oven to 350°. Line a muffin tin with muffin cups.

2.) In a mixing bowl, mix together the pumpkin puree, applesauce, melted butter, eggs, brown sugar and maple syrup.

3.) Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger.

4.) Mix until combined.

5.) Evenly divide the batter into 12 muffin tins.

6.) Optional: top with chocolate chips, pumpkin seeds or a light dusting of cinnamon.

7.) Bake for 18-22 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

take a hike!

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 10:11:00 +0000

Looking for another reason to get into Mother Nature? A walk outside is more than just exercise: research from the University of Michigan has found that being in nature can improve cognitive function! In one study, an hour long trek in a woody park improved subjects’ performances on memory and attention tests by as much as 20 percent, compared with a walk in an urban environment. Furthermore, some Japanese research shows that a day spent in the forest can improve immune function and decrease concentrations of adrenaline and cortisol for as long as a week.

Happy exploring!

excerpt from Real Simple

natural oven cleaner recipe

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 10:43:00 +0000

Who wants to clean their oven? Definitely not me! When something spills to the bottom of my oven it makes it impossible to use without major smoke filling the air--- afterwards I always know that it's time for a good cleaning (a much dreaded task)! Luckily I have discovered the most natural and most effective cleaner thanks to the book, The NaturallyClean Home. Their oven cleaning recipe works super well and is completely safe! Best of all, I typically can cut this recipe in half and with a little elbow grease, get the job done very quickly.

Steer clear of conventional oven cleaning sprays! They are extremely toxic and loaded with poisonous and dangerous chemicals! Try to avoid them at all costs (especially if you have children at home).

This recipe is easy on the lungs and the pocket book! Give your oven some lovin’ with this quick-to-make recipe:

Serious Oven-Cleaning Formula

½ cup salt

¼ cup washing soda or borax

1 box (16 ounces) baking soda

scant ¼ cup water

¾ cup white vinegar

10 drops thyme essential oil

10 drops lemon or lemongrass essential oil

1.) Combine salt, washing soda and baking soda in a plastic container or glass bowl. Add just enough water to make a paste.

2.) Remove oven racks and preheat oven to 250°F for 15 minutes, then turn off oven and leave the door open. Carefully spread the paste on oven walls with a sponge or cloth and allow to set for 20 to 30 minutes.

3.) Combine the vinegar and essential oils in a spray bottle and shake well. Spray the oven walls and wipe clean. Rinse well.

Note: If you have a lot of baked-on grease or food splatters, you may want to use fine steel wool to scrub those areas. Use a bit more salt if necessary.

dark chocolate zucchini brownies

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Tue, 03 Sep 2013 17:18:00 +0000

If your garden is bountiful with zucchini, we have got a super tasty & delicious way to use them up! Try treating your family to these dark chocolate zucchini brownies … tender, delicious and chocolatey brownies that have the added health benefit of zucchini (which are high in fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium).

We’ve modified this recipe to make it gluten free, but you can use whole wheat or all-purpose flour if you prefer.

1 cup brown rice flour

1/3 cup cocoa powder

1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup dark chocolate chips

1/4 cup butter, melted

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups zucchini, grated

(1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

(2.) Line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper (or lightly grease and flour the pan).

(3.) Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl.

(4.) Melt 3/4 cup morsels. Cool slightly. Stir in butter, brown sugar, egg and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture; fold in zucchini. Spread into prepared pan. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cups chocolate chips over top.

(5.) Bake for 25-30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out slightly sticky. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Lift brownies from pan and cut into squares. Store in airtight container for up to 5 days.

recipe modified & photo courtesy of all recipes!

Cinnamon avocado muffins

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 18:42:00 +0000

A sweet & sneaky (in a healthy & delicious way) to start your day!

Who knew that avocados would be super tasty in baked goods? Technically they are a fruit, so it only makes sense to add them to baked goods. Plus with all of their wonderful health benefits (they are loaded with fiber, potassium, Vitamin A and beta carotene), it’s good to sneak them into your meals whenever you can. Try replacing them in any recipe that calls for sweet potato or banana… just remember that the baked goods will be less sweet (but just as healthy)!

¼ cup of coconut oil (or butter), melted

1/3 cup of honey

1 egg

1 pureed avocado (or mashed sweet potato or banana)

1 cup plain yogurt

2 cups almond flour

1 Tablespoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 cup of mix-ins (chopped walnuts, unsweetened coconut, mini chocolate chips)

1.) Preheat oven to 350°.

2.) Mix together the coconut oil, honey, egg, avocado and yogurt. Stir until thoroughly combined.

3.) Add almond flour, cinnamon and baking soda. Mix until combined.

4.) Stir in mix-ins.

5.) Fill 12-14 grease or muffin-lined cups 2/3rds full.

6.) Bake for 20-25 minutes.

have kids play outside!

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 11:12:00 +0000

A recent study in Pediatrics highlights the effects a life lived outdoors has on teenagers. Researchers at Australia's University of Sydney found that adolescents who spent more time outside were not only healthier but also happier than their sedentary peers, who were more likely to report "feelings of loneliness or shyness".

17 household uses for vinegar

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 22:53:00 +0000

Our good friends at MotherEarth Living compiled a wonderful list of 17 ways to use vinegar around the home! We loved their ideas and wanted to share them with you!

1. Grease Cutter: Vinegar’s acidity lets it cut through grease with ease. Dip a sponge in vinegar and wipe to degrease stovetops, microwaves, dirty dishes and more.

2. Disinfectant: A natural antibacterial, vinegar makes a great base for any nontoxic cleaning solution. For an all-purpose disinfecting solution, dilute 1 part vinegar in 4 parts water and use anywhere germs are found, such as countertops, keyboards, shared phones, doorknobs and remote controls.

3. Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Clean, disinfect and deodorize your toilet by pouring 1 cup of vinegar around the inside of the bowl. Let sit for an hour, use a brush to remove rings, then flush.

4. Drain Cleaner: To keep drains clog-free, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, then follow with 1/2 cup of vinegar. Wait for foaming to subside, then follow with a gallon of boiling water. If necessary, remove hair and other debris with a wire. Repeat if drain is still slow.

5. Glass Cleaner: For a streak-free shine, combine 2 cups water, 1/4 cup vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon liquid dish soap in a spray bottle. Spritz onto mirrors, then wipe down with old newspapers.

6. Residue Remover: Clean the glue residue that labels and stickers leave behind by wiping the sticky surface with a rag dipped in a vinegar-water solution.

7. Hair Rinse: Shampoos and other hair products can leave behind residue, making hair lackluster. Remove buildup by diluting 2 tablespoons vinegar and 2 tablespoons lemon juice in 3 cups water and mixing well. After shampooing, pour rinse over hair before rinsing with water. The vinegar will close the cuticle and leave hair soft and shiny.

8. Furniture Polish: Combine 1/4 cup olive oil, 4 tablespoons vinegar and 2 teaspoons lemon juice in a spray bottle. Shake well before use, and refrigerate any leftover solution to keep it from going rancid.

9. Stain Remover: Purge grass stains and blood spots by whipping up your own natural stain remover. Mix 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda and 3 cups water in a spray bottle. Just spray on the stain and toss clothing into the laundry!

10. Laundry Softener: Conventional fabric softener stays in clothing, where a buildup can cause irritation, but vinegar breaks down and dissolves detergents. For softer clothes, towels and sheets, just add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle.

11. Dandruff Preventive: Vinegar’s acidity can help kill some of the bacteria responsible for causing dandruff. Rinsing with vinegar can also deep-clean the scalp and help remove flakes of dead skin cells. For a no-dandruff rinse, mix 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves (or 1 tablespoon dried leaves) and 1 cup boiling water. Let the mixture cool to room temperature, strain, then pour over scalp after shampooing. Rinse treatment from hair with water.

12. Wart Killer: To remove unsightly warts, dip a cotton ball in vinegar, place over wart and secure with a bandage. Change the cotton ball daily. The acid in vinegar will eat away at the wart over time. (Be sure to keep the skin around the wart moisturized.)

13. Breath Freshener: Eliminate bad breath by rinsing with 2 tablespoons vinegar and 1 tablespoon salt diluted in 1 cup water. This rinse is especially effective at removing onion and garlic odors.

14. Paintbrush Softener: Make stiff paintbrushes useful again by dipping hardened bristles in a bowl of vinegar for an hour or less. Rinse the bristles with warm water and soap, then let dry before using.

15. Greens Reviver: Leafy greens looking wilted? Soak them in a bath of 2 cups cold water and 1/2 teaspoon vinegar to bring them back to life.

16. Egg Aid: When hard-boiling eggs, add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to the water to prevent egg white from seeping out of cracks in the shell.

17. Rust Remover: Revive rusted nuts, bolts, nails or tools by soaking them in a bath of pure vinegar for several hours. If the solution becomes cloudy, change the vinegar. After soaking, wipe away rust with a cloth.

Buyer Beware:

Not all vinegar is created equal. While all vinegars require ethanol for production, some vinegars are made with synthetically produced ethanol made from petroleum. Check the label before you buy for words like “grain alcohol” or “neutral grain spirits” to ensure you’re buying a product made from natural food sources.

photo and article courtesy of Mother Earth Living

Unplug!

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 18:51:00 +0000

Did you know that, “technology overuse is related to child attention problems, poor academics, aggression, family conflict, impaired sleep, developmental delays, attachment disorders, impaired body image, obesity and early sexuality?” “ The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 1-2 hours per day of combined technology use, yet elementary children use on average 8 hours per day!”? Holy cannoli! That’s a ton of online time. Way too much for adults, let alone children!

We’ve got a technology addiction epidemic going on-------faces are buried in facebook, twitter, email, television, ipad, kindle, pinterest, instagram and screens of all sorts! Families, children, parents are all in need of learning how to disconnect and to start implementing electronic-free time more frequently! Interacting and connecting face-to-face with one another is essential for our health and wellness! Now more than ever we need to unplug.

Technology is going to become more prevalent, so learning how to balance it in our lives is going to become a must! Try unplugging for a day! No phones, tv’s, games, texting, tweeting, pinning, etc. for 24 hours. If that’s too much, designate offline times or limits to their use. Find something that works for you and your family and enjoy disconnecting to reconnect with your loved ones!

Take the National Day of Unplugging Challenge! Why do you want to unplug?

Going Microwave-Free… one month and counting!

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 17:02:00 +0000

I decided to conduct a little experiment, could our family forgo a microwave and not miss the convenience? I am so happy to report that it has been very easy and extremely doable! With little kids, a microwave is a great convenience for zapping leftovers and getting things heated up and on the their plates, quickly. The speed, convenience and predictable outcome make microwaves feel like a must have… but they are super easy to omit.

Reports and safety information on microwaves are very conflicting; the FDA states that they are perfectly safe, but there is a ton of contradictory information stating otherwise. Reportedly, with each use there is radiation leakage (the FDA states that the leakage levels are “insignificant” and “well below the level known to harm people” but radiation is radiation… NONE is the amount I would like circulating in my home). Reducing our exposure to radiation is the main factor, but in addition, it is also well documented that microwaves change the chemical structure of food and reduces the vitamin and antioxidants levels in the foods after being heated. I spend a lot of money, time and energy buying & preparing nourishing foods and I don’t want the microwave zapping away the nutritional content of our foods, so eliminating this appliance was a no brainer for me!

If you want to do a trial or total elimination, here are a couple of tips to make the transition easier:

I placed ours in the basement so we weren’t tempted to use it; but that it was still in our home just in case there was a microwave-needing-emergency (stranger things have happened in our house).
I only had one little saucepan and quickly realized that I needed to invest in another one.
I have started using my toaster oven more often to quickly heat things.
I try to plan ahead more than before. I safely pull things out of the fridge in time to let them somewhat come to room temperature before heating.
I coordinate oven time and try to optimize any oven usage much more wisely now. Before I would have zapped any leftovers, now I try to throw any leftovers into an oven safe dish and re-heat while I am cooking anything for dinner.
When baking, I always allot a teeny bit more time because melting and cooling butter & coconut oil takes a smidgen longer.

Overall, I am so surprised at how easy the transition was, and the best litmus test of all, is not one complaint from the hubster!

we are on Pinterest! follow our pinterest board for more ways to raise eco kids!

Make your own laundry detergent

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 11:31:00 +0000

I am so excited about this! I started tinkering with making a more natural laundry detergent and I created a recipe that works better, smells better and is much cheaper than my natural detergent! Considering how frequently I do laundry, it’s fun to actually get excited when I get to make my home made concoction. It’s extremely simple to do! A lot of homemade detergent recipes call for shredding a bar of soap, baking it, etc. NOT THIS RECIPE, it comes together in 30 seconds.

This recipe is for one large load, but you could easily modify it based on the load you are doing. Just remember that there are 3 teaspoons in a Tablespoon… so adjust the recipe based on your load size.

For a large load, empty the washing machine of any clothes. Turn the water to HOT. Add 1 Tablespoon baking soda, 2 Tablespoons Borax powder (found in laundry detergent aisle), 1 Tablespoon natural liquid laundry detergent (for the sudsing action) and 6-12 drops of bergamot essential oil (natural antibacterial that smells wonderful). Once the ingredients are added, adjust the water temperature to your normal setting and put clothes in! Your clothes will smell amazing and feel super clean after every wash!

1 Tablespoon baking soda

2 Tablespoons borax

1 Tablespoon natural liquid laundry detergent

6-12 drops bergamot essential oil (or your favorite essential oil)

Photo courtesy of All Things New. If you want to buy a natural laundry detergent for a loved one or don’t feel like making one, this is super close to my recipe and super green! Buy Here!

The chocolatiest chocolate cookies

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 11:34:00 +0000

Do you have someone on your “nice” list that loves chocolate? If so, we have the yummiest {and chocolatiest, of course!} cookie recipe to bake for them! Unsweetened chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate is melted and then additional chocolate chips are folded in to make this rich, fudgy cookie! This recipe can be made with either all-purpose flour or brown rice flour (to make them gluten free)… either way, Oh what fun it is to do holiday baking!

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks

3 ounces unsweetened chocolate

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter

3 eggs

1 cup granulated sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla

¾ cup all-purpose flour (or brown rice flour)

½ teaspoon baking powder

1.) Preheat oven to 350°. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.

2.) Place 1 cup of the semi-sweet chocolate chips, the unsweetened chocolate and the butter in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until mixture melts. Take off of heat and set aside.

3.) In a large bowl, with electric mixer at high speed, beat eggs, sugar and vanilla for 2-3 minutes.

4.) In a small bowl, whisk or stir together the flour and baking powder.

5.) Add the melted chocolate mixture to the egg mixture and blend until smooth.

6.) Beat in the flour mixture until blended. Stir in the remaining cup of chocolate chips.

7.) Drop batter onto prepared pan by Tablespoons, about 2 inches apart.

8.) Bake one sheet at a time, 8-10 minutes, until cookies are puffed and lightly cracked on top.

Optional: when completely cool, dust with powdered sugar. Makes approximately 30 cookies

Reusable Batteries… a greener choice!

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 12:36:00 +0000

He’s got a bag that is filled with toys for the boys and girls again ...

… and most of the toys will be battery operated. What should green parents do?

Invest in reusable batteries! For approximately $20 you can purchase a battery charger and four batteries making it easy to recoup your investment in a year or less and quickly save money.

Reusable batteries can be charged between 1,000 – 1,500 times and are easy to recycle when they have maxed out.

If you have used traditional batteries at home and are not sure where or how to recycle them, check out 1800recycling.com to find the closest place to recycle.

wild rice & shiitake mushroom soup

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 12:45:00 +0000

This earthy soup is perfect for cold weather. It’s comforting, delicious and filling. Pair it with garlic breadsticks for a yummy dinner that the whole family will love!

½ cup wild rice (or brown or white rice)

4 Tablespoons butter

1 celery stalk, cleaned and finely chopped

1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped

1/3 pound shiitake mushrooms, sliced

1/3 pound button mushrooms, sliced

¼-½ teaspoon salt

4 cups vegetable broth

2 Tablespoons flat leaf parsley, chopped

Freshly ground pepper

½ cup heavy cream

Cook the rice according to package directions. Set aside.
In a soup pot over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the celery, onion and mushrooms. Sauté, stirring occasionally for 15 minutes, until the vegetables are very soft.
Add the rice, salt, broth, parsley and black pepper. Reduce the heat to medium, and cook for 20-30 minutes.
Add the heavy cream and taste for additional seasoning.

Pecan Pie Muffins

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 10:26:00 +0000

Rich, buttery, brown sugar deliciousness in a bite! These decadent little pecan pie muffins are everything that you love about the pie but in a tender mini-muffin. This recipe is low in sugar and gluten-free… but no one will know it. It will take you 5 minutes to whip them up and the whole family will love you for baking them. Even your pickiest eater will love them… at least my super-finicky-little guy did!

2/3 cup butter, melted and cooled

2 eggs

½ teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla

½ cup brown sugar, packed

½ cup brown rice flour (I use Bob’s Red Mill)

1 cup pecans, chopped

Preheat oven to 350°.
Generously grease mini muffin tin.
In a mixing bowl, mix together melted butter, eggs, cinnamon and vanilla.
Add brown sugar and mix until well incorporated.
Add the brown rice flour. Mix until just combined.
Add the pecans and stir until evenly incorporated.
Fill each muffin cup a little over 2/3rds full.
Bake for 17-18 minutes, until golden brown.
As soon as muffins come out, flip over and tap pan to remove all of them (they tend to stick to the pan). Place on a cooling rack.

Makes approximately 30 mini muffins. Recipe can easily be cut in half.

This recipe is low in sugar, but if you would like it a little sweeter, a couple Tablespoons of maple syrup would be a delicious addition.

Making Kids Sports Snacks Healthy!

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 09:53:00 +0000

It takes strong parents to try and buck the current sports snacks & drinks trend. Every game and practice, kids are loading up on high-fructose corn syrup snacks and juice boxes. And if it isn’t the snack, they are hitting the snack bar for donuts, hotdogs and candy. Parents also report visits to fast-food outlets on days that their kids take part in sports, relying on convenient foods as they juggle busy schedules of games and practice. “The food environment in youth sports exposes kids and their families to many unhealthy foods and beverages and few healthful options,” said Toben F. Nelson, ScD, of the University of Minnesota. His team of researchers believes that youth sports programs offer a promising setting for promoting better nutrition. They recommend collaboration between sports leagues, dietitians, and health professionals to create positive messages about nutrition that can be integrated into youth sports programs. They also suggest that youth sports programs develop guidelines for which foods and beverages should be offered as snacks or sold at concession stands.

Fruit makes a great snack during breaks from sports, particularly bananas, apples, grapes, pears and oranges. Skip the sugary drinks and encourage kids to bring their own water bottle!

Articleexcerpted & adapted from TasteforLife

GMO’s = FrankenFood! What you need to know!

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 11:55:00 +0000

It’s a mad scientist and greedy villains wildest dream come true… a crossbreed of a tomato with basically a car tire… a complete food monopoly and trillions of people ignorant to the mass damage done to the earth and themselves. Are we talking about the latest box office sci-fi thriller? No. It’s Genetically Modified Organisms and it’s taken over the

and a home near you!

Does it scare you that over 75% of today’s produce are genetically modified? What about the fact that GMO foods have been linked to liver, pancreas, kidney and heart damage in animals?¹ Or the fact that GMO foods use herbicides two, three & four times more than a traditional farmer that uses pesticides? GMO foods cannot thrive without chemicals, herbicides and pesticides. If that doesn’t frighten you, what about the fact that food companies do not have to label that their product contains GMO? It should be illegal to NOT tell consumers what they are buying! Unfortunately everything associated with GMO’s is horrific.

Two ways to protect your families from GMO’s is to Go organic & Get vocal! Organic products can not legally be GMO’s. It’s not 100% guaranteed that GMO’s are not in your food source, but it’s a good place to start. Call every food company that you support and verify that the products you buy from them are indeed GMO-free. Speak up at your local stores (even companies like Whole Foods put GMO products on their shelves). Tell them to pass and to take a stance to be GMO-Free!

Proposition 37 is an excellent ballot being proposed in CA that if passed, will require labeling that an item contains GMO. It will also prohibit labeling or advertising of GMO foods as “natural”. Director Ronnie Cummins from the Organic Consumers Association described it perfectly in his article, Here are 8 reasons you want Prop 37 to pass:

(1.) GMOs have never been proven safe. The FDA conducts no independent testing of GMOs, but instead claims that they are "not substantially different" from non-GMO foods.

(2.) The biotech industry is not required to conduct long-term safety studies on GMOs, and it keeps researchers from conducting those tests by claiming the right to protect its patented seeds and technologies.

(3.) GMOs are everywhere. Today, most non-organic US corn, soy, cotton and sugar beets - which are used in most of the sweeteners and additives used by food processors - are genetically engineered. So is the feed fed to the animals you eat. In fact, 75 - 85% of the processed food in your grocery store contains unlabeled GMOs.

(4.) The companies who want you to believe GMOs are safe are the same ones who lied to you about Agent Orange and DDT.

(5.) GE crops are responsible for super weeds and super bugs, soil degradation, and lack of diversity - which makes crops and humans more susceptible to disease.

(6.) The only folks who don't want you to know what's in your food are huge corporations like Monsanto, Dow AgriScience, BASF and food conglomerates like Pepsi and Coca-Cola - who along with other biotech, pesticide and processed food manufacturers have donated nearly $33 million to defeat Prop 37.

(7.) This is our best - and perhaps only - shot at labeling GMOs and ending Monsanto's monopoly of our food supply and destruction of our health and environment. Nineteen other states have tried - and failed - to get a GMO labeling law through the state legislative process. Prop 37 takes GMO labeling direct to the voters so Monsanto's lobbyists can't kill it.

(8.) If this law passes in California, food manufacturers have admitted that it may as well be a national law. They won’t want to put ‘this product contains GMOs” on their labels, so they will reformulate their products. And if they reformulate for California, they may as well do it for all of their products.

An excellent resource is The Non-GMO Project! Check them out! Also, take 2 minutes to watch this video and share it with friends and family!

families who eat together are healthier

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 18:42:00 +0000

According to Taste for Life Magazine, "Family mealtime leads to better health and sociability, particularly among children. A review of 68 studies found that kids who eat more meals with their families consume more fruit and vegetables, calcium-rich foods, and fiber, and less junk food.

Teens who regularly eat at home are likely to show fewer signs of depression. And all family members benefit from lower obesity rates.

Mealtime quality was also shown to be important. Families who watched TV during meals or ate together at fast-food outlets did not gain the same benefits."

We love family meals and are going to have some great articles coming up about incorporating them (along with easy, delicious & nutritious recipes!).

photo courtesy of Three Loud Kids

3 fun ways w/ fruit for the lunchbox!

noreply@blogger.com (eco ike) — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 19:34:00 +0000

Here are three cute ways to pack fruit in the lunchbox:

Grab a pointed (but not too sharp) object to do the writing and leave a fun message like, "I love you", "Good luck on the test" or "Have a great day!"

Cut or pull the top and bottom circles from the orange/tangerine. Then slit between two sections and roll it out.

Cut up apple and then re-assemble with rubber band around it.

all photos from pinterest!