Blueberry-licious!

Yesterday I purchased some huge organic blueberries from the market and I have to tell you, I felt like I was eating candy for breakfast this morning. I told my sons, “Back in the “olden days” these blue “babies” were like candy! You should try them.” Before I knew it, they were playing catch with large blueberries, popping them in their mouths, like “goals” at a hockey game!

With boys, nothing surprises me, but what does surprise me is how delicious this Food Flirt Friday Banana-Blueberry Mini Muffin recipe from The Stevia Cookbook is. With blueberries abound at every farmer’s market, take advantage of it-there’s nothing like locally grown fresh blueberries. Purchase extra pints and freeze them right away to capture their freshness for your wintertime recipes. You’ll thank me later!

*Important point about cooking with Stevia:
The most important thing to remember is not to use too much, which can result in excessive sweetness and an aftertaste. Always start with the exact amount called for in a recipe, or even a little less, then taste before you add any more. Stevia is delicious in almost any recipe using fruit or dairy products, but does present a bit of a challenge when used for baking, since it lacks sugar’s abilities to add texture, help soften batter, caramelize, enhance the browning process, and feed the fermentation of yeast. On the other hand, one of the excellent facets of stevia is that high temperatures do not affect its sweetening properties.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour (organic if available)
1 tablespoon baking soda
2 ripe, medium-sized bananas
1/4 teaspoon white Stevia Powder (can be purchase online or at most natural foods grocery stores and markets)
1 cup buttermilk, or kefir
8 tablespoons unsalted (sweet) butter, melted
2 large egg whites
1 cup fresh blueberries (or 1 cup thawed frozen blueberries)
1 cup chopped walnuts

Method

Preheat the oven to 400*F
In a large bowl, sift together the four and baking soda, and set aside.
In a medium-sized bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until they reach a lumpy consistency. Add the stevia to the buttermilk, and combine with the bananas. Gently stir in the melted butter.
Using an electric hand-held mixer, beat the egg whites until stiff, then fold them into the banana mixture.
Add the banana mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until just mixed. Do not over stir. Gently fold in the blueberries and walnuts .
Scoop the batter into a lightly oiled or papered mini muffin tin. Fill each cup with a heaping tablespoon of batter, and bake for about 12 minutes. When toothpick comes out clean, muffins are done. Let cool and ENJOY! Makes about 24 muffins

May I Have Your Attention (Deficit) Please?

Today the Pesticide Action Network reported on a new Harvard study showing that even tiny, allowable amounts of a common pesticide class can have dramatic effects on brain chemistry. The Associated Press reports that this research links pesticides with ADHD in children, specifically those used on fruits and vegetables. Experts believe the research is persuasive and should be taken "seriously..and that more research will needed to be to confirm the tie", states Virginia Rauh of Columbia University, who has studied prenatal exposure to pesticides and wasn't involved in the new study.

Since children are still growing; they are especially prone to health risks-based on their consumption versus their relative body weight to adults.

The study noted that 94% of children tested had pesticides detected in their urine and the children with the higher levels had increased chances of having ADHD, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, a common problem that causes students to have trouble in school. Exposure can come from consumption of pesticide-treated foods, breathing in the air that contains pesticide residue or swallowing water that has pesticide residue
"run off". This study shows that what children eat directly impacts their health, regardless of whether or not they were in direct contact with the farm using the pesticides.

A 2008 Emory University study found that in children who switched to organically grown fruits and vegetables, urine levels of pesticide compounds dropped to undetectable or close to undetectable levels.

Because of known dangers of pesticides in humans, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency limits how much residue can stay on food. "But the new study shows it's possible even tiny, allowable amounts of pesticide may affect brain chemistry," Rauh said.

Be a wise green mom consumer and choose clean foods for your children!

Wat'er You're Options?

Do you leave the water running while brushing your teeth or washing your face? Although these routines might at first seem insignificant, water conservation is of growing concern. In fact, the U.S. General Accounting Office reports that at least 36 states are projecting water shortages between now and 2013.

“While green moms like us are interested in eco-friendlier lifestyles, many are unaware of the biggest ‘water wasters’ or how easy and affordable water saving solutions at home can be,” says Michael Schuster, president and founder of MJSI, Inc., an innovator and manufacturer of water conservation products.

A recent consumer poll* found that only 13 percent of adults believe toilet flushing uses the most water, when in fact, the American Waterworks Association says that toilets are by far the largest source of water consumption in the home.**

Schuster, a fourth generation plumber, recommends following these practical tips to help save water and money:

* Get Your Eco Fix(tures): In addition to shortening showers, save water by installing low-flow shower heads that restrict the flow to less than 2.5 gallons per minute. For example, GROHE WaterCare® shower heads and faucets save up to 30 percent of water, as compared to other standard shower heads.

* Fill It Up: Instead of running dishwashers or washing machines with just a few items, wait until you have full loads to maximize water use. Likewise, fill a pitcher of water to keep chilled in the refrigerator. You won’t waste tap water waiting for it to reach the desired cool, refreshing temperature.

* Green Your Throne: Reduce water use by up to 30 percent by installing the HydroRight™ Dual Flush Converter from MJSI, which allows less water to drain from the tank when flushing liquids and paper. Also try the HydroClean® Fill Valve which helps solve the two biggest reasons for water loss in toilets – incorrect calibration and undetected flapper leaks. The patented Mini-Valve™ enables easy adjustment of the water directed to the toilet bowl, and the TurbuJet™ signals leaky toilets with a gentle, audible “swoosh.”

* Landscape with a Greener Thumb: Reduce consumption outside of the home, too, by selecting native plants requiring less water and time for maintenance. Avoid evaporation by watering in the cool, morning hours and by surrounding vegetation with mulch, which helps hold moisture.

“As a plumber, I learned that water conservation begins at home,” said Schuster. “By following these practical tips, consumers can easily start preserving one of our greatest resources and significantly reduce their water and sewer bills.”

For more information, visit www.gomjsi.com.

Shrimp DeJour

Today I want to share some really useful info about one of my favorite protein-rich food favorites: Shrimp! Whenever we go out, I always order shrimp. It just seems like such an indulgence, however, after reading this information, you'll see why shrimp is actually a good everyday protein source!

Research reveals that shrimp falls far short of gaining its fair share of attention in America’s kitchens. The per capita consumption of seafood is less than ½ the USDA recommended amount. In 2008, Americans consumed only 16 lbs. of fish and shellfish per person versus a whopping 62.7 pounds of beef and 83.4 pounds of broilers (chicken raised specifically for consumption). Clearly we need to talk more about the huge benefits of shrimp as a nutrition powerhouse!

As you may already be aware, the calorie-for-calorie benefits of shrimp are unmatched. A five ounce serving of shrimp (with no sauce or coating) has just 83 calories and 1 gram of fat, and delivers more than twice as much iron and less than 1/3 the amount of saturated fat found in the leanest cuts of beef. It also provides more than 20 grams of protein per serving – which is nearly 50% of the recommended daily amount for a 35-year-old female! It’s convenient, nutritious and delicious, and with a price per pound similar to many cuts of chicken and beef, it’s more affordable than ever.

This green mom approves and recommends shrimp at your next meal! Here's a super e-z shrimp recipe:

TROPICAL SHRIMP SALAD WITH LIME-CILANTRO DRESSING

Number of Servings: 4

Ingredients (shrimp and salad):

1 lb OLA! Raw Peeled & Deveined Shrimp

2 garlic cloves (minced)

4 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 lb mixed greens

1 ripe avocado cut in slices

1 orange, peeled and cut in slices

1 jicama, peeled and cut Julianne style

1 red pepper cut Julianne style



Ingredients (Lime Cilantro Dressing):

2 limes (juice)

1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 cup olive oil

pinch oregano

Instructions:
Shrimp: Whisk together garlic and olive oil in large bowl. Add Shrimp and toss to coat. Marinate 1 hour. Grill Shrimp 3 minutes on each side. Set aside.

Dressing: Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend on low speed until smooth.

Salad: Toss together mixed greens, avocado, orange slices, jicama, red pepper and 1/2 of the lime-cilantro dressing.

To serve: Divide salad on 4 plates and place 4 grilled shrimp on top of each salad. Drizzle remaining lime-cilantro dressing over top of shrimp.

Recipe and Image Courtesy of: The Shrimp Council and Sea Port Products Corporation

Earth Day Green Product Media Tour

Well, it's just over a week until Earth Day and I have decided to participate in a national media tour on Wednesday, April 14th, to promote some interesting green products.

Here's a quick overview of this year's choices. Once I get a copy of one of the interviews, I'll add it to my next blog post!

echoice DayLighting Systems from Solatube International, Solatube.com
This lighting system offers the beauty of outside light "inside" your home by using their system to transfer sunlight from the roof of your home down a highly reflectable tube to deliver daylight into the dark rooms of your house! Very Cool!

Eco-Friendly Carpet by Mohawk's StartStrand with Dupont Sorona, Mohawkflooring.com
It's one of the most eco-friendly flooring for your home. Made from renewable resources, like sugar from corn, this carpet also boasts a lifetime stain resistant fibers, as well.

Tide Coldwater laundry detergent, TideColdwater.com.

This detergent is specially formulated to help remove challenging stains in a cold water wash and it is the first detergent to receive the new Green GoodHousekeeping Seal. Yay!

Rainbird Irrigation Controler, Rainbird.com. This is no regular sprikler system for your garden and yard. This system actually calculates how much water your yard and garden needs and then calculates historical and real time weather data to ensure that you conserve up to 80% of your water.

Bic Ecolutions ReAction Ball Pen, www.Bicworldusa.com.
This pen is made from 75% recycled plastic and is perfect for older students; it features the easy-glide system ink technology which provides up to 45% smoother writing compared to Bic's other roll ball pens.

Bic Ecolutions Wite-Out Brand Mini Correction Tape is made from 51% recycled plastic and is almost 20 feet long for a real eco-savings.

Remember Earth Day is every day for the Green Mom!

Sugar is a Spice that Isn't Too Nice!

Ok, I know sugar isn't really a spice, but it rhymed for the the title.

Seriously, sugar directly affects your power levels-and not in a good way. Oh sure, it pops you up quickly, but it also lets you down even quicker. The average American consumes roughly two-three pounds of some form of sugar each week; it’s easy to see why when you consider that sugar lurks in breads, breakfast cereals, mayonnaise, peanut butter, ketchup, spaghetti sauce, and the list goes on and on. We have an epidemic of sugar addictions and cravings in this country. It seems, when we feel stress in our life, we often consume more sugar. When other aspects in your diet or life are imbalanced, such as purpose, connection to others or movement, it shows up in sugar cravings; when we are not happy with another aspect of our life, sugar seems to fix it all, temporarily.

Your Diet Soda is Making Your FAT!!
A University of Texas Health Science Center survey in 2005 found that people who drink diet soft drinks may actually gain weight; in that study, for every can of diet soda people consumed each day, there was a 41% increased risk of being overweight.

Other forms of sugar are carbohydrate both simple and complex. Made up of sugar, simple carbohydrates are completely stripped of all fiber, minerals and nutrients, such as candy, pasta, bread, cookies, and processed boxed foods. It’s like a pure injection of sugar in the body, with a spike in blood sugar then a sudden drop. When you eat sugar, it pulls on the nutrients and mineral reserves that are currently in your body, which really pulls your power from you. If a product can sit on a shelf for a long time, it most likely will have sugar in it. Also, the more advertising a food has, most likely there is sugar in it. When was the last time you saw an ad for carrots or broccoli?