Mexican Dinner Party

We had a great time at our Mexican-themed summer party yesterday.  It was a wonderful day to sit outside and enjoy the warm weather.  Many of our friends asked for recipes for the food served, so I compiled them all here!  All the food prepared was gluten-free, and the desserts can also be made vegan with a butter substitute. Everything was also soy-free.

Starters

Berry Sangria

1 bottle blueberry wine (I used Boyden Valley from VT)
1 bottle cranberry wine (I used Boyden Valley from VT)
2 shots brandy
2 tablespoons sugar
2 oranges, sliced
2 cups mixed frozen berries
1-2 bottles seltzer

In a large pitcher, dissolve the sugar in the brandy.  Add in the wine, oranges and berries, stir well and let sit for at least a few hours to chill.  Add seltzer when ready to serve.

Taco Dip (Gluten-Free)

1 (8 ounce) package Neufchatel cream cheese, softened
1 (16 ounce) container Greek yogurt
1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix (I used Trader Joe’s)
1/4 head iceberg lettuce - rinsed, dried and shredded
1 cup shredded Mexican Blend cheese
3 chopped tomatoes

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, sour cream and taco seasoning with an electric mixer. Spread this mixture in a 9-inch (or a little larger) round serving dish. Top the mixture with lettuce, Cheddar cheese and tomatoes.  I made a double batch of this recipe for the party, and put it in a 9x13 dish.

Main Course

We combined all the taco fixings below into hard and soft corn tortillas, along with shredded lettuce, tomato, cilantro, shredded cheese, bell peppers salsa and guacamole.

Salsa Chicken (Gluten-Free)

6 large chicken breasts
1 cup salsa (I used Trader Joe’s Fire Roasted Tomato Salsa)
2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix (I used Trader Joe’s Taco Seasoning Mix)

Add raw, skinless, boneless chicken along with salsa and taco seasoning to your slow cooker, and mix well to combine.  Cook on low for 4-6 hours until fork tender, shred the chicken with 2 forks, mix with sauce.

Mexican Steak (Gluten-Free)

2 pounds flank or skirt steak, trimmed of excess fat
4 garlic cloves, minced or 2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 large handful fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 limes, juiced
1 orange, juiced
1 lemon, juiced
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil

 

Combine all marinade ingredients in a large 9x13 baking dish and mix well.  Add the steak and make sure to coat both sides well with the marinade.  Refrigerate for 1 hour or up to 8 hours, so the flavors can sink into the meat. Don't marinate the steak for more than 8 hours, or it will get mushy.  Grill to desired doneness.

Cinnamon Pork Tenderloin (Gluten-Free)

For the party, I made it soy free as well with a soy sauce substitute, but below is the normal recipe that uses tamari in place of soy sauce.

1/4 cup tamari
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons sherry
1 1/2 teaspoons dried minced onion
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pinch garlic powder
2 (3/4 pound) pork tenderloins

Place tamari, brown sugar, sherry, dried onion, cinnamon, olive oil, and a touch of garlic powder in a large resealable plastic bag. Seal, and shake to mix. Place pork in bag with marinade, seal, and refrigerate for 6 to 12 hours.  Grill to desired doneness.

Mexican Bean Salad (Vegan and Gluten-Free)

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
2 red bell peppers, chopped
1 (10 ounce) package frozen corn kernels
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 tablespoon salt
1 clove crushed garlic
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 tablespoon ground cumin
1/2 tablespoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon chili powder

In a large bowl, combine beans, bell peppers and frozen corn.

In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lime juice, lemon juice, sugar, salt, garlic, cilantro, cumin, and black pepper. Season to taste with chili powder.

Pour olive oil dressing over vegetables; mix well. Chill thoroughly, and serve cold.

Desserts

Many of the Mexican desserts I found had marshmallows in them.  I modified the standard "Crazy Chocolate Cake" recipe to make it a Mexican cake.  I also decided Rice Krispies treats would be fitting with the marshmallows!

Crazy Mexican Chocolate Cake (Gluten-Free and Vegan)

This cake is vegan, but frosting is not.  The frosting could be vegan with a butter substitute.

3 cups gluten-free baking mix (I used Bob’s Red Mill)
2 cups sugar

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup cocoa

2 teaspoons cinnamon
3/4 cup oil
(I used organic canola oil)
1 teaspoon vanilla

2 Tablespoons white vinegar

2 cups cold water


1 cup chocolate chips

Mix the dry ingredients and then add the wet ones, and mix until smooth.  (I beat it for about 1 minute with a mixer.)  Add in chocolate chips last.

Prepare pan(s) by greasing and flouring lightly.  Pour into 24 cupcake pans, two 9-inch pans, or one 9x13-inch pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 20-25 minutes (cupcakes), 30 minutes (9-inch) or 50 minutes (9x13). Test with a toothpick to make sure it is done all the way through.  Cool completely.  Ice with frosting recipe below.

Mexican Frosting (Gluten-Free)

2 sticks (1 cup) butter, softened
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 jar (7 or 7 1/2 oz) marshmallow cream (such as Marshmallow Fluff)
1 cup confectioners’ sugar

Beat butter in a large bowl with mixer on medium until creamy. On low speed, beat in cocoa. Beat in marshmallow cream, then confectioners' sugar. Increase speed to high and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes.  Spread onto cake.

Maple Rice Krispies Bars (Gluten-Free)

These could also be made vegan with a butter substitute.

1/4 cup butter
35 large marshmallows
1/2 cup maple syrup
6 cups Gluten-Free Rice Krispies

In a large saucepan, slowly melt the butter.  Add in the marshmallows and slowly melt, until smooth and no lumps.  Add in maple syrup and then the Rice Krispies.  Combine well and then spread into a greased 9x13 pan with a spatula and a piece of waxed paper.

Homemade Fabric Freshener Spray

There are times when you just need to freshen things up.  Case in point: my husband's vehicle smelling like a locker room.  Between his golf bag, gym bag, climbing bag, spilled coffee and overall dirt, it was not smelling so fresh.  I thought if I finally caved and cleaned the car for him, it would smell better, but it wasn't enough.  Even after vacuuming and wiping down everything, the inside of the vehicle still had a funky odor that just couldn't be ignored (maybe my husband could ignore it, I could not!).  A good coating of Febreze on the carpets would have been great, but I refuse to use the chemical-laden fabric freshener.  I decided to do some searching for homemade fabric freshener spray, and I found quite a few variations.  I settled on the following recipe:

• 2 cups warm water (you can use cold water if you're not using baking soda)
• 1 cup rubbing alcohol (to help with evaporation and also disinfecting)
• 1/2 cup concentrated, natural fabric softener (Seventh Generation or Method, for example)
• 1 tsp baking soda (to help deodorize, but this will leave white marks on darker fabrics.  In my case, it didn't matter and I needed the deodorizing boost!)

I combined everything in a spray bottle, shook it up to make sure the baking soda was dissolved, and went to town on spraying it all over my husband's vehicle!  It smelled great, and was super-easy to make.  I even sprayed some in my car, since I liked how nice it smelled.

If you're looking for an alternative to Febreeze that's better for you, plus a lot cheaper, give this a try!

Beauty is More Than Skin Deep

Recently, I've been asked by a few people about which products I use for makeup, lotions and other personal care products.  Just as I am very particular about what I put inside my body, I'm very careful about what I put on my body!  Your skin is an organ and if you put junk on your skin, it's going to be absorbed into your body.

Skin care products are not discussed as much when it relates to health, but it's just as important.  When you think about it, you use at least 10 products in the morning - shampoo, conditioner, face wash, soap, toothpaste, deodorant, lotion, perfume or cologne, hair products, face products and then makeup for females.  There's lots of opportunity for a huge, toxic load of chemicals to infiltrate your system!  Here are some tips that might help you in making better decisions when at the drugstore or the makeup counter.

These are ingredients I look out for and do not purchase products that contain these items - start reading your labels, and you'll be surprised at what you find:

• Parabens - These are preservatives that act as a hormone disruptor. You often find these in lotions, conditioners, soaps, makeup (eye liner, mascara, eye shadow, foundation). At least 70% of cosmetic products contain parabens! You will often see parabens listed as methylparaben, butylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben, ethylparaben, polyparaben and isobutylparaben. I have a no tolerance policy on parabens. They are banned in Europe, but they're in everything here in the US. Parabens act like estrogen, and are especially dangerous for people who have had breast cancer or at risk for breast cancer.

• Petroleum - This is a by-product from oil refining. Not something I want to put on my skin! Just as with parabens, petroleum is banned in many European countries. Petroleum can contain carcinogens, which are known to cause cancer.

• Phthalates - A type of chemical that is used to give skincare products a flexible, plastic feel. These chemicals are also hormone disruptors, and can cause reproductive problems, especially in males. Not only this, phthalates can make you fat! Studies have shown they increase belly fat and increase insulin resistance. You will most commonly see these listed on labels as di-2-ethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), diisononyl phthalate (DINP), and diethyl phthalate (DEP). There are many more than this. Check your labels for anything ending with phthalate, butyl ester or plasticizer. 

• Fluoride - I'm guessing about 99% of people have toothpaste or mouth rinses containing fluoride in their bathroom. Throw it out! Fluoride is toxic. Why do you think the toothpaste labels say not to swallow and to call a poison control center if too much is ingested? I can't even begin to list all of the negative side-effects of fluoride. Do yourself a favor and get fluoride-free toothpaste.  No, you don't need a fluoride rinse or treatment at the dentist.  The fluoride in our water supply is bad enough!

• Triclosan - This product is found in Colgate Total, and many other "anti-bacterial" products. You can find it in some hand sanitizers. This horrible product was first developed as a pesticide, yet Colgate puts it in toothpaste!! Triclosan is also a hormone disruptor, messing with your endocrine system and thyroid. 

• Anti-bacterial - If you see "antibacterial" on the label, put it down and walk away. There is no need for antibacterial soaps. All they do is create "super bugs" which become more resistant to antibiotics.  The anti-bacterial chemicals only kills the weak bugs, and the ones that stick around become stronger, so it just makes things worse.  Not only that, but it's harsh on your skin. All you need is plan soap and water, and it will get your hands or dishes plenty clean.

• Artificial/synthetic fragrances - Most of those lotions and perfumes you layer all over your body are filled with hundreds of chemicals! Those chemicals are made out of petroleum, and have been shown to cause allergic reactions and hormone disruption. The problem with these artificial fragrances is that they are not disclosed on labels. I try to stick with essential oils if at all possible. The same goes for home fragrances. All those air fresheners, Febreeze spray and all that other junk is just filling your air with aromatic hydrocarbons! 

• Sulfates - These make your shampoo and soap foam.  You can also find sulfates in toothpastes.  Sulfates are harsh detergents that can irritate skin, and are also carcinogens.  Ingredients to look for include: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Myreth Sulfate. 

Now that I've told you what not to buy, what do I buy?

• For facial care products, I use Origins and The Body Shop products (but you have to check some Body Shop labels - they are phasing out parabens, and not all items are in the clear).
• For lotions, I like Avalon Organics and Origins.
• For makeup, I use Origins, Tarte and Rejuva Minerals.  Some Bare Minerals items are also safe.  I also like Physicians Formula Organic Wear.  They are free of parabens, synthetic and colors fragrances, no GMOs, etc.
• For shampoo and conditioner, Kiss My Face, Burt's Bees, Avalon Organics and Jason are good bets.  I use a sulfate-free shampoo from my hair salon, so I haven't looked at labels in the store for quite a few years, so be sure to check before purchasing!
• For body wash, I use the Kirkland Natural Citrus body wash from Costco.  It smells great, has no sulfates, parabens or other junk in it, and it's very reasonably priced!
• For toothpaste, Tom's of Maine, Jason and Kiss My Face all make fluoride-free toothpastes.  I also like Tom's of Maine mouthwashes.
• Perfumes are tough.  I get mine from The Body Shop.  They generally use essential oils for their fragrances.  You can also just buy essential oils and dab those on for fragrances.  I also buy essential oils for home fragrances.  I like lavender and peppermint.  You can put a few drops on cotton balls and put in a glass jar or vase to make a room smell nice.  You can do the same thing with vanilla extract.

A great resource for information about the safety of personal care products is the Environmental Working Group's site, Skin Deep: http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/.  This is a huge database of thousands of products and an analysis of the ingredients.  If you're looking to replace a product, this is a good place to look for new alternatives.

I hope this information helps you to be a savvy shopper and start looking at labels when you're buying your toiletries.  If you have any questions about a product or looking for other recommendations, let me know.  Remember, what you put on your skin is just as important as what you put in your mouth!

When Life Isn't Sweet Enough

Sometimes, you just need a little sweetener!  But, with all the choices, what should you pick?  What's the healthiest choice when you're out at a restaurant and want to sweeten your iced tea?  Or when you're at home, and you need something on your oatmeal or waffles?

As many of you might already know, sugar is addictive.  It almost takes people a 12-step program to get off of dumping three packets of sweetener into their coffee.  Once you start backing down on the amount of sweetener you use, you realize you don't need as much as you think you do.

When it comes to what to sweeten with, here are things you should not use.  They are not fit for human consumption, as far as I am concerned:

• Aspartame, also known as NutraSweet, Equal or AminoSweet
• Sucralose, also known as Splenda
• Saccharin, also known as Sweet'n Low

These items are all chemicals.  Your body doesn't know how to process them.  Your body thinks it's getting something sweet, but the calories are not there.  These chemicals make your system go crazy, messing with your blood sugar and your cravings.  You end up craving more calories because your body isn't getting what it thinks it should, so you just end up offsetting any calorie savings you think you had.  And for diabetics, messing with your blood sugar is just dangerous!

Splenda advertises, "It's made with sugar, so it tastes like sugar."  Do you know what else Splenda is made with?  Chlorine!  Yep, that's right.  And once you ingest Splenda, you have chlorine floating around in your body.  I'm no doctor, but that doesn't sound healthy to me!

Another thing to think about.  Most of those pink, yellow and blue packets you see on the table in restaurants are filled with a tiny amount of the chemical sweetener.  The rest of the packet contains filler.  The filler is usually dextrose or something else corn-derived.  And that corn the dextrose is made out of is most likely GMO.  So, not only are you eating a chemical, but you're also eating genetically modified food as well.  Not a winning combination!

Aside from the packets of artificial sweeteners on every table in every restaurant, you'll find these garbage sweeteners in diet drinks, juices, sugar free candies and desserts, sugar free cough drops, and most anything that says "No Sugar Added."  If you look on the labels of many prepared foods, you'll see them starting to sneak in sucralose as one of the last ingredients.  Even things that seem healthy, such as V8 Fusion, english muffins, sandwich thins and breads in the regular supermarket are all full of this junk!  Be a savvy shopper and start to look for this stuff.

Let me put something into perspective for you.  How many calories do you think are in one packet of regular sugar??  It's probably less than you think.  One packet has 11 calories.  That's it.  You could do about 20 jumping jacks and burn that off.  It's not worth eating a packet of chemicals and GMOs to save 11 calories!  Just use less and learn to taste your food, rather than covering it in sugar.  When you're faced with all the sweetener packet options at a restaurant, choose regular sugar.

Now that we've gotten what you shouldn't have out of the way, let's talk about some better options:

• REAL Maple syrup: No Aunt Jemima or Mrs. Butterworth's!  That stuff is just flavored corn syrup! Costco has good prices on maple syrup.  Or if you live in VT and know someone who boils syrup, get it from them!
• Raw honey: Look at farmer's markets or natural food stores.
• Date paste or date sugar: I buy large containers of dates at Costco.
• Liquid Stevia: I say liquid Stevia because the powdered form is heavily processed.  And just like with the fake sugars up above, the bulk of something like Truvia is dextrose, so you're getting into GMOs again.
• Organic Evaporated Cane Juice: This looks most similar to white sugar - it's granulated and has an ivory color.  You can find this at Costco for a good price.
• Low-processed cane sugars: Sucanat, Rapadura, Turbinado. These are a little harder to find in regular stores.  You'll most likely find them in natural food stores or a place like Whole Foods.

I'm a native Vermonter, so I always go for maple syrup.  I love the flavor, and a little goes a long way.  I prefer the dark B grades, as I think it has more taste than a fancy, amber syrup.  Maple syrup contains beneficial minerals as well.  Maple syrup is expensive, so we only use it in small amounts, or in something where the maple flavor is key.  A little is wonderful on oatmeal!

If you can find local, raw honey, buy it!  It's full of beneficial antioxidants and nutrients.  And honey never spoils!  It may crystalize, but it will never go bad!

I make my own date paste by just soaking medjool dates in warm water, draining the water and pureeing them in my food processor.  You can freeze the date paste for months, and just scoop out what you need for a recipe.

When I bake, I use either maple syrup, date paste, bananas, apple sauce, evaporated cane juice or sucanat.  For a traditional recipe that needs a granulated sugar, I generally cut about 1/4 or 1/3 of the amount of sugar called for from most recipes, and I don't notice the difference.  And those of you who have eaten my baking have had the reduced sugar recipes, and you didn't even know it!

For in coffee or tea, we use honey, or maple sugar granules.  This would also be a good time to use the liquid Stevia.

We try to stay away from regular white sugar.  It's so heavily processed, it doesn't have any nutritional value, and some sugar cane is GMO.  If you're vegan, white sugar is also processed using animal ingredients, so you'd want to stay away from it anyway!  You usually see GMO more with sugar beets, but sugar cane is also starting to go into that evil territory as well.

Each of the above sweeteners work best for different applications.  Some of the sweeteners are liquids, others are granules or pastes.  You have to choose what works with the recipe you're using.  And also be prepared to adjust the amount of each sweetener you use.  You may find with honey or syrup, you need to use less.  Something like a date paste works best in baked goods, since the date paste won't dissolve like an evaporated cane juice crystal.

There are a lot of options for sweeteners out there, and it's getting more and more confusing.  The big pharma companies who developed all these fake sweeteners want you to think they're healthy.  I work in advertising, so I know how marketing can twist things around!  The bottom line is go for "real" foods.  Stay away from all the calorie-free, chemical garbage.  I hope this information helps you to make better decisions when you're faced with the rainbow colors of sweetener packets at a restaurant, or cooking at home.

Live life to its sweetest and stay healthy!

Healthy Eating and Living Tips

It has been almost a year and a half since my last blog post.  Sad, I know!

Over the past few months, I've been asked quite a few times for nutrition and health information.  It's no secret to those who know me that I spend a lot of my free time reading blogs, books, articles and other information about health and food.  It's a passion of mine, and I always like to share my learnings with others to help them live better lives.  I just recently pulled together a brain dump of information following a request from a family member.  After typing it all up, I thought this info might be helpful to others, and my blog was a good place to post it!

Let me know what you think and if you have any other tips to share with others about how you eat and live healthy.

My top tips for eating healthier for anyone:

• Go for fresh, unprocessed food
• Stay away from fast food
• Buy organic as much as you can
• Eat less meat.  Not only is it expensive, but studies have shown eating less meat is healthier for you.  Even eating it two less days per week brings big health benefits.
• Reduce or eliminate dairy consumption.  Many people have lactose problems and don't realize how much pasteurized dairy inflames the body.
• Reduce or eliminate gluten consumption.  I have helped many people solve their health issues by cutting out gluten completely.  You would be amazed at how many people have health issues (migraines, rashes, eczema, canker sores, digestive problems, join pain, fatigue) from eating gluten.  The wheat of today has much more gluten in it than wheat of decades ago, and some think this is causing more and more people to have gluten sensitivity or intolerance.
• Stay away from artificial anything - colors, flavors, sweeteners
• Buy in bulk - the bulk bins are your friends and full of healthy foods that are cheap.  Think of oatmeal, dried beans, peas, seeds, nuts and other grains.
• Stay away from packaged foods.  They are more expensive and full of preservatives and chemicals.
• Eat like someone would have eaten 100 years ago.  Fresh, local and homemade.
• Take the time to cook and prepare your food.  Make batches of soups, stews, salads, and sauces on the weekend and enjoy them throughout the week.

Remove the following food ingredients from your home NOW.  Absolutely no exceptions:

• Trans fats (partially hydrogenated oil)
• High fructose corn syrup
• Artificial sweeteners - Splenda (sucralose), Equal, Sweet & Low, aspartame, etc.  You'll find this in yogurts, diet drinks, gum, etc.
• Margarine (full of trans fats, rancid GMO oils, other bad crap.  It's not really food)
• Foods with nitrates.  This includes cold cuts, hot dogs, bacon
• Corn oil or non-organic Canola oil (these are both GMO = bad news)
• Farm-raised fish - full of PCBs
• Soy anything - fake soy meat, soy crisps, tofu (soy is not a health food!).  It raises your estrogen levels and risk of breast cancer and more.
• Anything that says "Diet" on it - if it says that, it's probably full of artificial sweeteners and chemical junk!

Once you've gotten past those "worst offender" items, my next phase of removal would be:

• White bread/white rice
• Soda - this should only be a treat, and never diet soda
• Skim milk (at this point, the milk is a "food-like substance".  It is so processed, it's not good for you anymore).  If you are going to drink milk, try to find raw milk.  If you can't find that, try to find an organic milk from pastured cows.  In general, cow's milk isn't good for human consumption, and most people have issues digesting lactose.
• Non-organic meats
• Regular eggs 
• Packaged juices - orange, grapefruit, etc. (they are all pasteurized and no longer beneficial.  All the good stuff has been killed by heat!)
• Imported shrimp - full of contaminants
• Any non-organic produce in the dirty dozen list: http://www.organic.org/articles/showarticle/article-214
• Agave - contrary to popular belief, this is not a healthy sweetener.  It's just as bad as high fructose corn syrup
• High sodium, prepared foods - frozen dinners, canned soups, canned broths
• Cereals.  Most cereals from the big brands (Kellogg's, General Mills, etc.) are full of GMO (genetically modified organisms.)  Most of the corn and soy in the US is GMO, unless it's organic.  Most of the sweeteners in the US (such as high fructose corn syrup) are all made with GMO corn.  If you are going to eat cereal, make sure it's organic and does not have soy in it.  Soy is awful for you, and they sneak it in everywhere they can!  Kashi cereals are notorious for their use of soy and GMO corn in their cereals.

What you should make sure you have in your house for healthy foods

• Organic coconut oil or Avocado oil - for cooking and frying
• Pastured, organic butter - for cooking and frying
• Himalayan or sea salt - full of beneficial minerals
• Wild-caught fish - Salmon, Halibut, Cod
• Pastured, organic eggs
• Pastured, organic meat (grass fed is best - it has more omega-3 fatty acids and is much better for you)
• Unsweetened coconut or almond milk in place of dairy milk
• Raw cheese
• Organic fruits and vegetables
• Raw nuts and seeds (roasted nuts have many of their vitamins and minerals depleted)
• Oatmeal
• Fresh-squeezed juice
• Raw honey and maple syrup for sweeteners.  For granulated sweeteners, organic evaporated cane juice or sucanat
• Quinoa, brown rice, brown rice pasta, quinoa pasta (I've found that many people have reactions and inflammation from products containing gluten.  Eating gluten-free grains seems to benefit many people)
• Unsweetened yogurt - just add fruit and sunflower seeds or flax.  Yogurt is full of beneficial probiotics.  
• Another good source of probiotics is sauerkraut, but it has to be the kind that's kept in the refrigerated section in the grocery store.  Any sauerkraut that you buy that's shelf stable has been pasteurized and has killed all the good bacteria.
• Low sodium broths - look for the ones in the septic packages, rather than cans.  The canned ones have BPA in them from the can linings.
• Canned, low-sodium beans.  Look for Eden brand.  They don't use BPA in their can linings.
• Pomi tomatoes - they come in the septic packages, rather than cans.  The acid in the tomatoes eats the BPA off the linings of canned tomatoes, and you don't want that!
• Dried beans, lentils, peas.  Great for soups, stews, etc.
• If you're like me and must chew gum, get Glee Gum!  It's all natural and made with real mint.

Beneficial Supplements

• Most vitamins you find in a typical drugstore are all synthetic and cannot be processed by the body.  They end up doing more harm than good.
• If you want to supplement a healthy diet, I recommend food-based options or non-processed supplements:
• Probiotics - I like Dr. Mercola's or Dr. Ohhira's
• Fish Oil - Carlson's Lemon Flavored Cod Liver Oil is good
• Ground flax seed - great for omega-3 fatty acids
• Cinnamon - helps to regulate insulin levels.  Add it on your fruit or oatmeal
• Maca root powder - add to smoothies for helping with engergy and stress

General Home Well-Being

• Ditch your air fresheners - they are just spewing chemicals into your air
• Get rid of your plastic shower curtain.  It's also spewing chemicals into your air.  Just get a fabric one instead.  The other benefit is you can put it in the washing machine!
• Stick with natural cleaners.  I use Seventh Generation and Method.  You can also make your own, if you're so inclined, with vinegar, baking soda and other household items.  I can give you recipes if you want them.
• Look at your personal care products.  Get rid of anything containing parabens.  They are hormone disruptors.  You'll find them in lotions, conditioners, makeup, etc.
• Get rid of fluoride toothpastes and rinses.  Fluoride is toxic!  Try Tom's of Maine or Kiss My Face Fluoride-free toothpastes instead.
• If you burn candles, look for soy wax or bee's wax.
• Stay away from plastics in the kitchen.  For food storage, use glass.  Get rid of plastic cooking utensils and use wood or bamboo instead.
• Stay away from non-stick cookware.  Use stainless steel, glass, cast iron or enameled cookware instead.

Here are some Web sites, books and other reference items you might find helpful:

Vegan sites:

Happy Herbivore

https://www.facebook.com/HappyHerbivoreBlog

http://happyherbivore.com/

Happy Herbivore Abroad is a great cookbook

Dr. Fuhrman

http://www.drfuhrman.com/

Two good books by him are Eat to Live and Eat for Health

Raw Sites:

Choosing Raw
https://www.facebook.com/choosingraw
http://www.choosingraw.com

Ani Phyo
http://www.aniphyo.com/
Ani's Raw Food Essentials is a great book

Health/Well Being:

Dr. Mercola: http://www.mercola.com/ (he can be a bit extreme at times, but has good information)

Rodale News: http://www.rodale.com/

Natural News: http://www.naturalnews.com/ (again, sometimes extreme, but has good alternative, homeopathic information)

Paleo/Grain-Free:

Mark's Daily Apple: www.marksdailyapple.com

Joyful Abode: http://www.joyfulabode.com/
Against All Grain: www.againstallgrain.com
He Won't Know it's Paleo: www.hewontknowitspaleo.com
Paleo Mom: www.paleomom.com

Gluten-Free:

http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com/

Books - Local eating and and understanding the food supply system in the US:

Any book by Michael Pollan.  In Defense of Food and An Omnivore's Dilemma were my favorites.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver

Movies to watch:

Supersize Me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-eRXuuH9AI

Forks Over Knives: www.hulu.com/watch/279734

Addressing Holiday Cards Made Easy

Every year, I look forward to the holidays.  I enjoy the baking, food, decorations, music and getting together with friends and family.  However, I hate addressing Christmas cards.  It take hours upon hours.  And if you mess up, you have to either use white-out (which looks horrible) or throw out the envelope, which means you're short one.  Honestly, I have better things to do with my time than spend an entire weekend dealing with filling out envelopes.

About 8 years ago, I decided I was going to get smart about my Christmas cards, and let technology save me hours of my precious time.  I was already saving my addresses in my address book on my computer, so the most time consuming part of this process was already done.  If you're not saving your addresses on your computer, do it!  You only have to do this once, and then update as people move, get married, etc.

Here are my steps for addressing hundreds of cards in less than a half hour.  I promise!  All you need is your computer, a printer and adhesive mailing labels of your choice (You can find them at Wal-Mart, Staples, etc. in a nice holiday pattern - you can get them in packs of about 150 or more) in a size of 2 5/8" x 1" (or 66 mm x 25 mm).

**Disclosure, I did all of this on a Mac using Office 2008.  If you have a PC or a different version of Office, your steps and how things look might be a little different than mine.  But, this should give you general guidelines of how to get this done.

• If you haven't already done so, enter your addresses into the mail program on your computer (Entourage for Mac, Outlook for PC).  This is the most time consuming step of this entire process (and not included in my half hour time estimate).
• Go through all of your addresses, and make sure that anyone you want to send a card to has "Holiday" selected in the far right hand column under "Categories":
• If an address not in your "Holiday" category, click where it says "None" for their listing under the "Categories" column and choose "Holiday" - this step is extremely important to make this process work.

• The hard part is done!  Now, open Word on your computer.
• Go to Tools > Labels > Options
• Scroll through the list of label options to find the size of the labels you'll be using.  In my case, I have an 8.5 x 11 sheet of labels with 2 5/8" (aka 2.63") x 1" labels on it.

• Highlight the appropriate label size and click OK.
• You're back to the Labels screen.  Click Mail Merge in the bottom right hand corner.

• Word will create a new document that looks like this, but don't panic:

• You'll also see a little Mail Merge Manager box pop up in the right hand corner of your screen:

• Expand option 2 (Select Recipients List) and click "Get List"
• Choose "Office Address Book"

• Once the Edit Labels box pops up, click Insert Merge Field.  Choose Full Name.  You will see it populate in the Sample label box.  Hit Return/Enter after <<Full_Name>> and then click Insert Merge Field again.  Chose Home Address this time.  Then click OK.

• Back to the Mail Merge Manager box - expand 4 to Filter Recipients and click Options:

• From the Query Options box that pops up, choose "Holiday" (this is why it was important when you were entering addresses earlier to designate addresses in the Holiday category) and then click OK.

• Back to the Mail Merge Manager box, expand option 6 to Complete Merge

• Select the middle icon (with two pieces of stacked paper), which is "Merge to New Document"
• Like magic, a new document will open in Word, with all of your addresses for your holiday cards laid out in the format of your labels!
• Now, I like to do a test run to make sure I know which side is right up on my labels in my printer.  Make a copy or two of your label sheet and do a test run (or two) of the first page to make sure everything is laid out the way you want.  I normally format my labels so that all the addresses are centered in the label (by default, they'll be left justified).  To do this, just select all the labels (Ctrl A on a PC or Command A on Mac and then choose the center justification from your formatting menu). Once you're happy with how they look, stick your label sheets in your paper tray and print!
• Once your labels are all printed, it will take mere minutes to put all the labels on your cards.  Not only does it look neat and professional, but the colorful holiday labels add a little extra something to your cards.

The Power of Vinegar

You may have noticed by now that I'm a big fan of the cleaning power of vinegar.  It's cheap and safe, and it can be used in countless ways to replace commercial cleaners.  In past posts, I've talked about using vinegar for cleaning floors, keeping drains clear and disinfecting counters.

Lately, I've been using apple cider vinegar to deal with an ongoing fruit fly problem in our house.  All I do is set a small cup out with a few tablespoons of vinegar and a squirt of dish soap, and it's an instant fruit fly trap!

I came across this article with 20 more ways to use vinegar (http://shine.yahoo.com/event/green/20-unusual-uses-for-vinegar-2588664/).  I had heard of or currently use vinegar for about half of these, but there were a lot of new tips as well.  All I can say is go to Costco or Sam's Club and buy yourself a huge bottle of white vinegar!

1. Condition hair
Silky, shiny, buildup-free hair using a single cheap, natural product? Sign me up! It may sound odd, but using apple cider vinegar as a rinse after shampooing really does work like a dream. It removes residue from the hair shaft and closes the cuticles. Just add half a tablespoon of vinegar to a cup of water, plus a few drops of essential oil if you like. Pour it on in the shower and then rinse it out. Sure, your hair will smell like salad dressing for a while, but once it’s dry, the smell dissipates.

2. Kill weeds
A few rogue weeds can wreak havoc in an otherwise flawless lawn, vegetable garden, or flowerbed and are especially annoying when popping up in the cracks of a sidewalk or driveway. Forget pricey weed killers full of toxic ingredients -- household vinegar really does kill unwanted plants; stronger vinegar made for horticultural use, which is 25% acetic acid, works even better.

3. Remove underarm stains
Unsightly sweat stains can really ruin an otherwise beautiful blouse. Ironically, if you use aluminum-based antiperspirants, they’re even more likely to appear, thanks to a reaction between aluminum compounds in these products and salts in your sweat. Spray full-strength white vinegar on the stain before washing, and it will disappear.

4. Soften fabrics
Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the wash cycle, and not only will it prevent lint from clinging to your clothes and keep colors bright, it’ll also remove soap scum from both the clothes you’re washing and the washing machine itself. Vinegar is also recommended in place of dryer sheets -- simply add 3/4 cup to your washer during the final rinse cycle.

5. Remedy sore throats
Many people recommend sipping or gargling with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a cup of warm water to soothe a sore throat. Add a few tablespoons of honey to this mixture in order to make it even more effective and far more palatable.

6. Deter ants
Got trails of tiny ants weaving their way around your home? These annoying insects aren’t big fans of vinegar, so spraying a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water anywhere you have seen them can help encourage them to move out. The vinegar also erases the scent trails that they use to indicate sources of food to their brethren.

7. Soak sore muscles
Apple cider vinegar helps draw out lactic acid, which accumulates in muscles after exercise, causing that sore feeling. Mix a few tablespoons of vinegar into a cup of water, dip a cloth in the mixture, and apply it to sore areas for 20 minutes.

8. Freshen air
Whether it’s smoke, mildew, pet odor, or lingering whiffs of burnt casserole, bad smells can make a home less than welcoming. Store-bought air fresheners just cover up the smell with strong, clearly artificial scents, creating disturbing hybrid smells that only serve to worsen the situation. Acetic acid in vinegar absorbs odors, so spritzing it around the room will neutralize the smells. You can also use it to wipe down surfaces in the room that needs freshening.

9. Remove stickers
If you’re just getting around to removing that Kerry/Edwards decal from your bumper, or trying to peel a price tag off a new purchase, you’ll never guess what magic ingredient is about to make your life a lot easier. Warm a little bit of white vinegar on the stovetop or in the microwave and then dip a rag into it. Hold the rag over the sticker until it’s thoroughly saturated, and it will peel right off without leaving sticky residue behind. This trick also loosens wallpaper adhesive.

10. Cure hiccups
Most doctors claim that hiccup cures don’t actually work, but tell that to the thousands of people who swear by vinegar as a way to ease these involuntary spasms. It’s not clear how a shot of vinegar would actually help -- other than to distract you with its acidic flavor -- but next time you’ve got a bout of the hiccups, give it a try.

11. Clean crusty paintbrushes
So you forgot to clean your paintbrushes last time you used them, and now they’re so stiff and crusty, it seems that you’ll have to throw them away. Not so fast! Fill a saucepan with undiluted white vinegar and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Dip the paintbrushes into the boiling vinegar, one at a time, dragging the bristles along the bottom of the pan. Continue this process until the paint is dissolved.

12. Dissolve rust
The acetic acid in vinegar reacts with iron oxide to remove rust from small metal items like hinges, nuts and bolts. Simmer them in a saucepan full of vinegar, then rinse well with water to prevent the vinegar from further affecting the metal.

13. Eliminate stale odors
You know how lunchboxes and other food containers can take on a funny smell after a while? Vinegar can take care of that, too. Either wipe down the surface well with white vinegar or, in severe cases, leave a cloth soaked in vinegar in the container for a few hours to absorb the odors.

14. Remove mineral deposits
Calcium and lime deposits from hard water don’t just stain coffeemakers and bath tubs, they can actually clog showerheads and reduce dishwasher function. Run a mixture of half water, half white vinegar through your coffee machine to remove them. Use straight vinegar as a rinsing agent in your dishwasher to prevent buildup, and wrap a vinegar-soaked cloth around stained faucets until the deposits can be easily scrubbed away. To clean a clogged showerhead, remove it from the pipe and place it in a saucepan full of white vinegar. Simmer for just a few minutes, being careful not to allow it to boil, and then wash off the stains.

15. Neutralize spice in foods
You’ve got a dinner disaster on your hands: One too many shakes of cayenne powder has turned your award-winning chili into an inedible five-alarm blaze, and your guests are waiting at the table. Vinegar to the rescue! Add white or apple cider vinegar to your food, one teaspoon at a time, to neutralize the spice.

16. Prolong the life of cut flowers
Bouquets of cut flowers brighten a room all too briefly, often wilting after just a few days. Squeeze a little extra enjoyment out of your arrangements by adding two tablespoons of white vinegar per quart of water in the vase, which will keep them perky just a little bit longer.

17. Clean glass, plastic, chrome, and floors
A half-and-half solution of water and white vinegar will cut the grime on the shelves and walls of the refrigerator and eliminate spoiled-food smells too. Full-strength vinegar will remove tough smudges on glass and make porcelain sinks shine. Make it into a paste with a little baking soda to scrub chrome, or mix 1/3 white vinegar with 1/3 rubbing alcohol, 1/3 water, and 3 drops of dishwashing liquid for an economical floor cleaner. Just be sure not to get vinegar on marble, granite, or slate surfaces.

18. Treat fungal infections
Fungal infections like athlete’s foot, toe nail fungus, and dandruff are definitely no fun. White vinegar and apple cider vinegar can both be applied topically to affected areas of the body to kill fungus. For foot-related ailments, soak in a solution of one part vinegar to five parts water for about 30 minutes a day.

19. Tenderize and kill bacteria in meat
Marinate meat overnight in apple cider vinegar, and it will be delectably tender. This can reportedly also kill the bacteria that causes food-borne illnesses, including e. coli.

20. Open drains and freshen garbage disposals
Clear a clogged drain without the nasty, headache-inducing chemicals. Dump about 3/4 cup of baking soda down the drain and chase it with 1/2 cup white vinegar, then plug the drain. Leave it for about 30 minutes before rinsing with a kettle full of boiling water. You can use the same trick to clean and deodorize garbage disposals, or freeze vinegar in an ice cube tray and grind them up in the disposal to clean and sharpen the blades at the same time.