Saturday, September 22, 2007

Go Green

Green Festival: A joint project of Global Exchange and Co-op America

Mark your calendars for the Green Festival taking place at the Washington Convention Center on October 6th and 7th. I attend this event every year and it is fabulous. This event has a purpose and that is to help create a better world for all. It celebrates what is working in our local communities for people, for business and for the environment.

You have the opportunity to listen to over 100 speakers on topics such as:

Media’s Impact on the Green Lifestyle Movement

Living Democracy: Feeding Hope

Eco-Chic: Outdoor Living at Its Best

Easy, Inexpensive Ways to Go Green

Landing Your Dream Green Job

Creating Change on Campus

Living with Solar 101

Solar Cooking: Saving Planet Earth One Meal at a Time

Perspectives on Sustainable Business

Greening Our Democracy

Your Right to Know: Changes to Your Food

Natural Make-up and Skincare

The Top 10 Steps to Green Remodeling

Take part in the Green Film Festival and view some of the following films:

National Teach-In on Iraq

The Man Who Planted Trees

One More Dead Fish

Seeds, Hope and Concrete

American Revolution II

Composting for Busy People

The Power of community

Wind Over Water

Check out the yoga studio and take part in some of the following classes:

Vinyasa Yoga

Yoga and Chi Kung

Core Yoga

Yoga Transdance

Chakra Yoga

Yoga Basics

Yogilates

Meditation and Yoga

Enjoy great how-to workshops, a fair trade pavilion, organic beer, delicious organic cuisine and live music. I love experimenting with all the different foods and taste-testing new vegan and vegetarian recipes. There are over 350 exhibits that include everything from organic jeans and clothing to sustainably harvested wood. You have the opportunity to buy many of the products that you see. There is an amazing book store that offers an abundance of books to help you live the green life. You can learn about renewable energy and green technology, how to invest in your community and green businesses and how to green your home.

There are family oriented activities and a Green Kid’s Zone.

Check out www.greenfestivals.org for more information!!!

Green Festival is sponsored by Co-op American and Global Exchange. Learn more about these organizations at:

www.coopamerica.org

www.globalexchange.org

I’ve been a member of Co-op America for many years and it provides you with the resources you need to learn practical tips for living green. Don’t miss this amazing event. It will change how you live your life. Remember, you make a statement with every dollar you spend and every action you take. Start making a green statement today and continue to everyday!!!

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Read, "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert

A fabulous book I just finished reading is, "Eat, Pray, Love," by Elizabeth Gilbert. It is a wonderful story of a woman searching for herself as she travels and explores new lands and people. It will inspire you to follow your dreams and find your unique passions.

“In her early thirties, Elizabeth Gilbert had everything a modern woman was supposed to want- husband, country home, successful career- but instead of feeling happy and fulfilled, she felt consumed by panic and confusion. This wise and rapturous book is the story of how she left behind all these outward marks of success, and of what she found in their place. Following a divorce and a crushing depression, Gilbert set out to examine three different aspects of her nature, set against the backdrop of three different cultures: pleasures of Italy, devotion in India, and on the Indonesian island of Bali, a balance between worldly enjoyment and divine transcendence.”

One important lesson from this book is to not follow the “typical” path or do the “conventional” things just because it is the way things are “supposed” to be. Instead, explore the world and discover who you truly are and what you truly love to do. Take the time to seek out different paths that you may not have been exposed to otherwise. Ask yourself, “if I could do anything at this very moment what would I do?”. The answer to this question may change over time. That is ok. I think it should. We should continue to grow and explore throughout our lives and therefore, find new ways to add passion to our lives.

Another lesson from this book is when you discover your passions be sure to fill everyday with them. Life is too short to live any other way. Your career, your spouse and your home should all be influenced by your passions. Choose a career that allows you to express your passions everyday. Choose a spouse that wants to share your passions with you. Create a home environment that allows you to surround yourself with your passions. Everyday you can do little things to express your passions. I like to call these things my, “Daily Delights.” These are the little things everyday that add up to a fulfilled happy life. For instance one of my passions is shopping for, preparing and eating delicious whole real food. I love going to the market, picking out the freshest ingredients and taking my time while preparing a wonderful meal. The best part is sitting down in a relaxed, beautiful atmosphere to slowly chew and taste each bite. With an eleven month old this last part does not happen as much but I still enjoy every moment- even if I’m chewing my food while chasing after Mason.

Take the time to read this book, explore who you truly are and live your passions.

Sunday, September 2, 2007

Eat Sea Vegetables

Sea vegetables, especially kelp, are one of nature’s best sources of iodine. Iodine is essential for proper thyroid function. Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism in every cell of the body and play a role in virtually all physiological functions. Sea vegetables also promote women’s health because they contain lignan phytonutrients that have phytoestrogenic activity. Dried Sea Vegetables are ranked second to flaxseeds as the food that contains the highest amounts of lignans. Lignans can act like estrogen when the body’s stores of this hormone are low, such as in menopause, potentially relieving associated symptoms. When estrogen levels are too high they bind to estrogen receptors, which may have benefits in preventing PMS and breast cancer. Sea vegetables promote optimal health because they are a source of fucans. Fucans reduce the body’s inflammatory response, have antithrombotic activity (ability to inhibit blood clots), antiviral activity and may inhibit the development of tumors. Sea vegetables are filled with nutrients including energy-producing iron, bone-building calcium and magnesium, heart-healthy folate and sleep-promoting tryptophan. Sea vegetables are also filled with other vitamins and minerals including Vitamins A, B and K, potassium, iron, phosphorous, manganese and zinc. Many varieties contain up to 50% soluble fiber, which helps regulate cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Sea Vegetables contain approximately 9 calories per ¼ cup serving so they are an ideal food for weight loss and maintenance.

Sea vegetables are usually purchased dry and can be prepared in minutes. Purchase sea vegetables in the Japanese section of most markets. Some are ready to eat, while others need to be reconstituted. Place the sea vegetable in a bowl, cover with cool water until fully rehydrated which is approximately 5-10 minutes. Maine Coast is a good brand of sea vegetables.

The following are some of types of sea vegetables:

Hiziki:

Hiziki is one of my favorites. It is filled with calcium. One cup of hiziki has ten times the calcium of a glass of milk.

Arame:

Arame is rich in calcium, iodine, potassium and vitamins A and B. I love to make cold arame salads.

Nori:

Nori is famous for its role as the wrapper in sushi rolls. Use nori to make sushi rolls or burrito wraps.

Dulse:

Dulse is high in Vitamin C, potassium and Vitamin B6. Dulse has four times more iron than spinach. Dulse requires no preparation so all you have to do is chop and sprinkle it on vegetables, grains or legumes for extra flavor. Dulse is sold in shakers so you can just shake it on everything.

Kelp:

Kelp is loaded with calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, chromium, and iodine. You can add strips of kelp to soups and beans. Kelp also comes in a shaker.

Kombu:

Kombu is filled with calcium, potassium, vitamin C, and iron. Use with seaweed to make soup stocks. It triples in volume when soaked for 10 minutes.

Agar:

Agar is a jellylike seaweed used to make gelatin-type desserts. It is rich in iodine.

Wakame:

Wakame is high in calcium, iron, iodine, phosphorous, potassium and vitamins A and B. Wakame absorbs marinades well and is found in traditional miso soup.

The following are ways to add sea vegetables to your daily eating:

Some sea vegetables come in shaker containers. Use ground dulse, kelp and nori instead of salt and shake them on everything including salads, sandwiches, entrees and soups. I even sprinkle kelp into my baby’s food. Some shaker containers come with seasonings too such as dulse and garlic or dulse and ginger.

Flavor soups with arame, kombu and wakame. Place the sea vegetables in with the heated fluid and the broth will fill with nutrients.

When boiling water for grains add a few pieces of sea vegetables to add nutrients to the water and therefore, the grain.

Add strips of nori to grains or cooked vegetables.

Learn to make your own sushi. The sea vegetable nori is used to make sushi. I love making sushi with quinoa instead of rice.

Use nori as a wrap instead of tortilla or grain wraps or lettuce wraps. A sea veggie wrap is a great on-the-go lunch.

Use arame as a substitute for pasta. I love making arame salads because they make me feel like I’m eating a big bowl of pasta.

The water the sea vegetables are soaked in is very nutritious. Use as much of this water in the recipe to maximize its flavor and nutritional value.

Here are a few of my favorite sea vegetable recipes:

Arame and Hiziki salad

This is my favorite. I prepare this often. I don’t use the same amounts of ingredients each time so choose the amounts of each of the following dependent upon your desire.

Arame

Hiziki

Tofu

Avocado

Mung Bean Sprouts

Seseame seed/sea vegetable shaker (found in Japanese section of market)

Braggs Amino Acids, Soy Sauce or Tamari

Sesame Oil or flax seed oil (I use flax seed oil but the sesame oil adds more flavor)

Soak the Arame and Hiziki as per the directions on the packages. Chop up some tofu and avocado. Add in mung bean sprouts. Mix in dressing of sesame oil and Braggs Amino Acids. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sea vegetable flakes. This is a fast and easy meal to prepare with no cooking.

Carrot Dulse Salad

2 C carrot, shredded

1 C dulse, chopped and rinsed

½ C snow peas, small julienne

¼ C black sesame seeds

3 T orange juice

2 T green onions, finely chopped

1 T garlic, minced

1 T Celtic Salt

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Let marinate for one hour.

Sea Vegetable Salad

1 C dulse, soaked, rinsed and chopped

1 C kelp, soaked, rinsed and chopped

3 T flax oil

1 T lemon juice

1 t ginger juice

Combine all ingredients and mix well.

Nori Burrito

½ dup guacamole

¼ C peas, sprouted or other sprouts

½ tomato, diced

1 handful alfalfa sprouts

1 sheet raw nori

Apply guacamole to nori sheet (this moistens it). Add the rest of contents and roll up.

I love to use hummus as a substitute for the guacamole too.

Avocado Sea Wrap

1 avocado, sliced

Nori sheets or soaked dulse strips

Lay the avocado inside the sea vegetable and roll up.

This is a quick on the go snack or meal.