Farming

The more I learn about going natural--one thing that is brought up a great deal is farming. And how the government is subsidizing corn and soy out the wazoo. And how it is not good for our country. Some farming is ruining soil and damaging surrounding lands. I believe there are two sides to every story, this is one side. But the more I learn, the more I realize that the government could be doing so many other things to ensure Americas farmlands stay healthy and able to feed it's own citizens. This is worth the watch. Or you can link directly to it HERE.

Arizona Farming

I just found this resource for Arizona Farming. It gives links to all kinds of local farms/markets stuff like that.

http://fillyourplate.org/

Locally Grown

Okay, now I REALLY want to go to Whole Foods. They have a section on locally grown items that details the farms/companies their food comes from. Check IT.

Whole Foods Approach to Meat

Click HERE to go the Whole Foods page and watch these videos. It makes me want to shop at Whole Foods.

Infertility

Absolutely fascinating link. It has a lot of the things that i think about in it. Like anti-bacterial soap which I don't use, and plastics I'm trying to rid my house of.

READ IT! Even if you are not concerned about infertility. It still has great info.

Animal Vegetable Miracle

Want a good Natural book to start with? Try this one. I loved it! It is a memoir of a family that lived off their land for a year. It is entertaining and infused with facts that will make you think about your food habits. It also has tons of links of ways to go Natural.

They also have a WEBSITE.

Linkety link

There is a good article at I heart Mesa about natural eating.

Check it out HERE.

Tader Joe is Non-GMO

I made my title rhyme.

Anyhow, while I was enjoying my weekly stroll through my beloved Trader Joes I saw a marker board that read "All Trader Joes labeled products are from Non-GMO.

Woo hoo!

Ever since I watched Food Inc. I've been on the look out for Non-GMO food. It's hard to find because it doesn't have to be labeled.

I want to later do a post (or someone else can volunteer??) on Genetically Modified Organisms. You can get the basics HERE.

Basically the seeds are genetically modified. That's not natural. Often they are genetically modified for the purpose of compatibility with pesticides.

Ew.

So as for ME I'm going to do my best to eat NATURALLY.

And apparently I'm going to be shopping more at Trader Joes.

Ecos Laundry Detergent

I use this laundry detergent now. I got it at Costco. I love it. It's actually as cheap as the Costco brand. I looked it up to see if it was truly a more natural-less toxic product. What I learned is that companies don't have to list all of the ingredients in detergents--so theirs aren't listed. So I can't truly tell what is in it. But most of the "eco" blogs all gave it a thumbs up as I good product because if what it DOES NOT have in it.

I think you should try it.

If you want to know more here are some reviews:

http://www.grist.org/article/its-a-wash/

http://www.sustainlane.com/reviews/ecos-laundry-detergent/NARWZMK2324U9SW7X27OFNKPPAMD

Local Gardening Class

I just got an e-mail from the girl who runs Taste is Trump blog. She's all about natural eating.

She's promoting a class on gardening. This is what my e-mail said:



It's time to get in a fall garden. Come learn how to do it simply, and how to be successful in producing great produce all winter long!

Tuesday evening, September 14
6:30-8:00 pm in Gilbert, Lindsey & Williamsfield Rd. area
Cost is $10 for the class which includes materials and tasters
Pass the information on to those interested in being a successful gardener!

Register at contact@erleentilton.com with your name and address - and you will receive complete details!

Erleen Tilton

Organic Weed Killers

I love this info on killing weeds. We have desert landscaping in the front (hate it) and it get SO many weeds. I'm totally going to try some of these options.

The Garden Guy

On one of our local TV stations we have an expert gardener called "The Garden Guy". He has great tips for using organic products to enrich your garden. Most of his tips are for normal gardening, not square foot. But a lot of his stuff works for both. He has great tips on getting rid of pests, which I need to try because some little jerk of a bug is eating my gorgeous basil. ARGH. Anyhow, I just saw this the other day and thought I'd share.

Bentos and Bags

Another post on Bento. So I researched and linked and googled and linked some more to find out more about it. I finally decided on the boxes above. They are BPA free and since most of these bento boxes are made in china I was concerned about their quality. So that is why I decided on these, they were more expensive, but I loved their design and they were the only ones I found that listed being BPA free.

I got them at Kir Devries. Best store ever. I have had the best customer service I've had in my entire life. Seriously. Shop them--they are great. While I was wandering around their site I also saw that they had these:



They have the bags that I use and love and others as well. So if you are going to buy, buy here. They are seriously fantastic!

Are your body cair products toxic?

I have always wanted something like this. My friend Ashley sent this to me. It is a database of body care products. You can type in your favorite product and it will give it a rating of 1-10 on how harmful it is to your body. I am not shocked at all by the horrible ratings the products I use received. For my kids I use the Suave products because they are cheap. And every time I go to choose one at the store and I open it to smell it I think---chemicals. But it is what I can afford for now. But seriously. Looking this stuff up make me google all sorts of homemade shampoo and body wash recipes, which I am going to try next month. (I'm out of cash for the month).

So you should check it out HERE. It's very informative.

Let me know what you think, and if it makes you switch products or if you use products with a good rating, let us know in the comments. Let us know where you bought it if it was locally or online and the price--if you know it.

Thanks!

Reusable Produce Bags

The plastic bags used for produce bug me. Because usually I just put my produce in them at the store and then come home and empty it out into my fridge in bins and such. It seemed like such a waste. So I looked it up and I found Flip and Tumble Produce Bags. So I ordered them. I love them! I use them for potatoes, apples, citrus, onions, cucumbers etc. etc. I don't use them for lettuce or herbs--things that need to keep some moisture to stay fresh, because they won't work. But as for all of the other things they are perfect. I took this picture so you could see the size:



I found them cheapest at reuseablebags.com but you can also find them on Amazon, at Flip and Tumble, even at Target online. (I haven't seen them in a Target)

I give this product a THUMBS UP. Try them and come back and leave your opinion, good or bad. OR try one of the other similar products make by other companies and tell us what you think.

Soap Scum Remover

So I was looking at the floor of my bath tub and it was all brownish in spots from soap scum. I usually use Comet but I wanted to try something natural, so I googled it.

Baking Soda. That was one of the answers, so I tried it. MAGNIFICENT! It worked like a charm. I found it worked better if I wet my sponge and put it directly on there to form a paste versus when I just sprinkled it on the tub directly. It was great because my almost 2 year old was right next to me and usually I freak out and lock him out while I'm cleaning because if that nasty chemicals. But it was great, I even let him help. And at one point I somehow inhaled some of the powder and I didn't have any fear or thoughts in the back of my mind of how wrong it was. No more Comet for me!

Also, heated white vinegar works. I've used that before and it works, but I found it to be more difficult than the baking soda.

Baked Ziti with Eggplant and Spinach

I made this and we liked it. The kids totally ate it. I threw in some mushrooms and more spinach.

Click HERE FOR THE ORIGINAL RECIPE BY THE DAINTY VEGETARIAN

Baked Ziti

This recipe serves 4 (you can easily double and bake in a 9x12 dish)

1/2 lb. of ziti

1/2 eggplant, cut into 1 inch cubes

tomato sauce, yours or my recipe

1 cup ricotta cheese

a couple handfuls of fresh spinach, roughly chopped

a few leaves of fresh basil, roughly sliced

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

a handful of grated parmesan cheese

a sprinkle of dried oregano

What you'll do:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Make your tomato sauce. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the box until very al dente (chewy) The noodle will cook more in the oven and you don't want them to get too limp. When the noodles are done, toss them in some tomato sauce to coat. (this will prevent sticking) Lightly saute the eggplant cubes in some olive oil with a pinch of salt till they just begin to turn golden.

Now for assembly. Spread some tomato sauce at the bottom of the baking dish. (so the pasta doesn't stick) then put a couple spoonfuls of pasta down, the eggplant, the roughly chopped spinach, some chopped basil and the ricotta cheese. (for an extra surprise, sprinkle in some toasted pine nuts) Add another layer of ziti, then a little more sauce, mozzarella, parmesan and sprinkle with just a little dried oregano. Bake for about 30 minutes or until the cheese starts to bubble and turn golden. Serve with some extra tomato sauce for people like me who love tons of sauce!

Ratatouille Polenta Bake

I had been wanting to make Ratatouille ever since I saw the movie. I found this recipe and I loved it! My husband loved it too, my kids . . hmmm ... not so much, but they'll have to deal.

Calli would say to nix the polenta, which I believe would make it more authentic anyway.

But it's delish how it is.

**My husband requested that we switch the portions of zucchini and eggplant.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE FROM EAT BETTER AMERICA

Ratatouille Polenta Bake

1 medium onion, coarsely chopped (1/2 cup)
1 medium bell pepper, coarsely chopped (1 cup)
1 small unpeeled eggplant, (1 pound), diced (2 cups)
1 medium zucchini, diced (1 cup)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) Italian-style stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 tube (16 ounces) refrigerated plain polenta (or any flavor)
2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup finely shredded mozzarella cheese (3 ounces)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1. Heat oven to 375ºF. Spray 12-inch nonstick skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium-high heat. Cook onion and bell pepper in skillet 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in eggplant, zucchini, salt and pepper. Cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender. Stir in tomatoes, breaking up with spoon; reduce heat to low. Cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Spray rectangular baking dish, 11x7x1 1/2 inches, with cooking spray. Cut polenta into 1/4-inch slices. Arrange slices on bottom of dish, overlapping and cutting to fit where necessary. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Spoon vegetable mixture evenly over top.

3. Cover and bake 30 minutes. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and parsley. Bake uncovered about 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Nutritional Information
1 Serving: Calories 260 (Calories from Fat 65 ); Total Fat 7 g (Saturated Fat 3 g); Cholesterol 10 mg; Sodium 830 mg; Total Carbohydrate 45 g (Dietary Fiber 6 g); Protein 10 g Percent Daily Value*: Vitamin A 18 %; Vitamin C 26 %; Calcium 24 %; Iron 16 % Exchanges: 2 Starch; 3 Vegetable; 1/2 Fat
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Stir-Fried Broccoli and Mushrooms with Tofu

I tried this recipe and it was good. I didn't add the tofu because I can't stand the texture of Tofu. My husband and two of my kids liked it.

I will definitely make this again.

**I doubled the recipe and it was just enough for our family (all of the kids are under age 8). But I will be tripling the recipe next time.

LINK HERE FOR THE RECIPE FROM EAT BETTER AMERICA

Stir-Fried Broccoli and Mushrooms with Tofu

1/3 cup Progresso® chicken broth (from 32-oz carton) or vegetable broth
1 tablespoon apricot all-fruit spread
1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon dry sherry
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 large bunch broccoli, cut into small florets
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger
4 ounces mushrooms, sliced
1 cup halved cherry and/or yellow pear tomatoes
8 ounces firm tofu, drained and cut into 1/4” cubes

1.In a cup, whisk together the broth, all-fruit spread, soy sauce, sherry, and cornstarch. Set aside.

2.Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli, garlic, and ginger and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes, or until tender-crisp and lightly browned.

3.Add the tomatoes and tofu and cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes, or until the tomatoes begin to collapse.

4.Stir the cornstarch mixture and add to the skillet. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes, or until the mixture boils and thickens.

Jill-Contributor/Administrator

Hello people.

I'm Jill.

I started this blog.

I live in Arizona.

I have a husband and 4 kids.

My recent favorite color is purple.

I'm only 5 feet tall.

I'm originally from a small town in Arizona called Heber.

I dye my hair to cover the gray.

I live in Converse and flip flops.

I dream of having enough money to shop at Anthropologie full price.

I visit the blogs how about orange and decor8 daily.

I'm trying to be vegetarian 5 days a week.

I'm trying to eat fish and chicken the other two.

I do still love beef but now I'm limiting myself to the grass fed expensive kind you can only purchase at places like Sprouts and Trader Joes.

I've recently taught myself to like mushrooms.

I don't fear heights nor public speaking.

I have a B.S. from ASU.

I'm super annoyed at the terms "Go Green" and "Carbon Footprint".

I stay at home with my kids.

I have a current obsession with mangoes and Indian cuisine.

I don't have cable TV or a cell phone.

I suck at crafts.

I'm Mormon.

I'm trying to produce less trash and be less of a consumer of crap at the dollar store and McDonald's toys.


I'm going natural because:

I fear cancer
I get constipated when I eat too much meat
I watched Food Inc.
I need to better live my religion by following the Word of Wisdom
I possibly have Diabetes in my future
I think the earth is pissed at how we treat it
I want my kids to think eating healthy is normal
I want to learn more about holistic medicine, and prevention