Sure, making our food from scratch and picking it from your own organic garden is the ideal way to be eating but let’s face facts, not all (and probably not the majority) of us have the time, energy, resources or desire to do it.  Sometimes we need something fast.  Blood sugar drops, crankiness sets in, unexpected guests arrive at dinnertime…and we need to throw something together stat.   And what about that excuse that it costs more to eat healthier?  Well, it’s simple untrue. 

Enter Annie Chun.  When she was a young adult, she moved from Seoul Korea to Northern California where her family owned and operated a top~rated Korean restaurant.  As a self taught chef, she learned the importance of consistency, flavor balance and using the best quality ingredients and not long after she began creating signature sauces and selling them at Marin County Farmers’ Market, did her fans encourage her to bottle her sauces and start her own business.  In 1992 with an initial investment of just $500 and a lot of assistance from family and friends, Annie Chun’s Gourmet Foods was born with the goal of delivering healthy, authentic Asian foods to U.S. consumers and to make Asian cooking “as easy to prepare as spaghetti” for Americans.

Five years later, she moved beyond sauces and introduced the first line of specialty Asian pastas in the U.S.  Her recipes are based on traditional recipes that have been in her family for generations, and influenced by the fresh ingredients available in the San Francisco Bay Area.  She runs her business with her husband and has the pleasure of working closely with her mother and sister to create the perfect flavors for all her products.  Her products have become even more pertinent to her life now than ever before.  As a busy mother of two, running a fast~growing company, she understands the importance of quick and healthy meals.  “I really understand the importance of quick and easy meals for busy families.  My products are also affordably priced, nutritious, delicious and versatile”. 

Annie Chun’s award~winning, convenient meals can be found in major grocery stores, specialty and health food stores throughout American and in Europe, and now many of her products are now USDA Certified Organic. 

Need a meal idea for tonight?  How about this one…straight from Annie’s kitchen?!

Tofu, Mango & Lime Salad with Peanut Sesame Sauce

1 pkg Annie Chun’s Organic Peanut Sesame Noodles & Sauce (right now on sale for just $3 ~ serves 3)

1 mango, peeled and thinly sliced

4 cups baby spinach leaves

1 ½ cups bean sprouts

2 cups English cucumber, julienne cut

2 tbsp chopped mint

1 tbsp lime juice

1½ cups fried tofu, sliced

2 tbsp chopped roasted peanuts

In between San Diego and L.A., you’ll find San Clemente, California ~ a surfer’s town with no lack of board shorts, flip flops and sun~kissed bods.  Locals take surfing seriously.  For some it’s a ritual, for some it’s a religion and others find it is both; and with that comes a deep reverence for the ocean. 

Based in San Clemente, footwear brand Ocean Minded can be found one block from the Pacific Ocean and wants everyone to be just that…mindful of the ocean.  Most of their staff are avid surfers and they strive to protect the Earth’s most precious resources, the oceans, lakes and streams and they coordinate frequent beach clean~up days.  In fact, just two weeks ago they cleaned up 115 pounds of trash from a local beach. 

They look for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and make more sustainable footwear, including currently working on a completely glue~free shoe.  (FYI…shoe glue can be one of the most toxic elements in your footwear).  They’ve already taken steps in the right direction by using the following eco~friendly materials and/or processes: 

~Metal free leather and/or suede

 ~Hemp

~Water based glue

~Recycled car tire or recycled rubber outsoles

~Organic cotton lining and/or laces

~Made with recycled Croslite Eco material

When you buy a pair of Ocean Minded sandals or shoes, they’ll donate a portion of the purchase price to the Surfrider Foundation, a non~profit grassroots organization that’s dedicated to the protection of the world’s oceans, beaches and waves through conservation, activism, research and education. 

20 years ago Seeds of Change began with a simple mission: to preserve biodiversity and promote sustainable, organic agriculture.  They back that pledge today by donating 1% of net sales to promote sustainable organic farming initiatives worldwide and their line of great tasting, certified organic foods also includes salad dressings, frozen entrees, pasta sauces, rices, grains and now…delicious chocolate!

Last month Seeds of Change kicked off its national product rollout in Boulder, Colorado, chosen specifically because Boulder is on the path to becoming a Zero Waste city and has been pursuing positive environmental initiatives since it was founded over 100 years ago.  With the launch, the company announced their “Change Tastes Good” environmental initiative contest.  People can submit videos (up to 3 minutes long), photos, or stories (here) describing what they’ve done to help the Earth.  The Grand Prize is a 365~day supply of Seeds of Change Chocolate plus a varity of their other organic products.  The contest deadline is July 31, 2009.   

I was recently sent samples of all six of the Seeds of Change chocolate bars to put to the test, and as an unwavering dark chocolate fan…my favorite of the bunch is definitely the Cashew and Mango Dark Chocolate Bar.  What makes Seeds of Change Chocolate unique?  Their chocolatiers only the finest USDA Certified Organic cacao beans and pair that with Certified Organic fruits and nuts for certifiably delicious flavors.  Their milk chocolate is made from 43% cacao, with a smooth texture and a rich chocolate flavor and their Organic Dark Chocolate is 61% cacao with a smooth, bold flavor. 

It’s said that cleaning products are one of the biggest contributors towards indoor pollution and it’s no wonder why.  For anyone who has put a child~safety latch on lower cabinets containing cleaning products or who has experienced dizziness after ridding the shower with scum and inhaling all those fumes…it’s no secret the majority of cleaning products are not good for our health. 

Yesterday, as I was pushing my cart along the aisles of my local home improvement store, I stumbled upon Greenology cleaning products at the end of the aisle.  They probably wouldn’t have caught my eye if I hadn’t seen the black and white USDA certified organic seal glaring at me.  So I stopped dead in my tracks and surveyed the display and did what I always do ~ picked each bottle up and sniffed.  Was I dreaming?  Was Lowe’s actually featuring a clean and green line of cleaning products on an end cap display?!?  And was I really seeing the first line of USDA certified organic cleaning products that I had ever seen in a major chain, instead of my local health food store?!?  And could these really and truly be available to the masses for less than four bucks a bottle?!?  Yes.  Yes.  And Yes! 

Knowing that my cabinets were already quite full with non~toxic, eco~friendly household cleaning supplies, I decided to get a whiff and make a mental note that I would be back when my current supplies ran out.  They have a slight vinegar aroma, and reminds me of the household all~purpose cleaner that I’ve mixed in my own kitchen and I know that the vinegar smell dissipates.  With the USDA Certified Organic seal, I’m assured that at least 95% of the product is made from certified organic ingredients. 

In addition to All~Purpose Cleaner, Glass Cleaner, Kitchen Cleaner and Bathroom Cleaner, Greenology also offers biodegradable surface wipes that also bear the USDA certified organic seal of approval.  Unlike most surface wipes that are ammonia based, these wipes are people, pet and planet friendly.  Their patented antimicrobial cleansing agents kill odor causing bacteria and prevent the growth of odor causing bacteria. 

Have you seen these at your local stores or tried them out yet???  If so, I’d like to hear what your experience with them has been! 

Did you know your favorite natural sunscreen brand may be already discontinued?!  Due to new recent European regulations that require SPF to be much higher than any mineral sunscreen could provide, brands like Dr. Hauschka and Weleda have decided to discontinue their sunscreen products rather than reformulate with synthetics.  A noble stance on their part, but disappointing nonetheless for those who love their favorite sun protection from these brands. 

There are conflicting opinions and many questions when it comes to the topic of “natural” sunscreens…”is Zinc Oxide better than Titanium Dioxide?”, “is that Titanium Dioxide coated with Dimethicone and is it safe?”, “what about nanoparticles?”….and on and on it goes.  Conventional sunscreens are often loaded with petrochemical, toxic junk and one has to wonder….are we getting cancer from the sun or from our sunscreen, or both? 

A juxtoposed fact is that Americans are severely Vitamin D deficient.  Like plants, we need sunshine, but we also need to use caution because skin cancer is also a big problem.  If you’re trying to wade through your options of safe, natural sunscreen, the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep website may be a good place to start since they try their best to rate products based on safety. 

The good news is that these regulations don’t affect U.S. brands like California Baby and Badger who both received very low marks in the Skin Deep database.  Erbaviva has also received some really great reviews.  Since Soleo is an Australian based brand, they won’t have to reformulate but word is they are currently experiencing stock issues; perhaps due to increased demand in light of the new European regulations.   

 So, if Dr. Hauschka, Weleda or Lavera are some of your favorite natural sunscreen brands, you’d better stock up before they’re gone! 

In case you haven’t heard, read or seen ~ Gweneth Paltrow has her very own newsletter in which anyone can sign up via her website, GOOP.   I admit, I’m a subscriber.  Afterall, what’s not to like?!  She’s beautiful, classy and seems to be passionate about living a more healthy lifestyle…and I like her work as an actress and she definitely gets extra points for being coupled with Coldplay lead man, Chris Martin. 

Today, another one of her newsletters appeared in my inbox, this time with some recipes that look irresistible.  One of her great friends, Giancarlo Giametti, the partner of fashion icon, Valentino, shared his recipes with her so that she could share them with her readers.  And now I can’t help but to share it with you: 

Best Eggplant Parmesan

This recipe skips heavy breading and goes for a light dusting of flour. With good cheese and a bit of fresh basil, the end result is wonderfully flavorful. Leftovers make a killer sandwich.

SERVES: 4
TIME: 1 hour

• 4 small eggplants (about 2 1/2″ in diameter) or 3 regular eggplants
• Coarse salt
• 1 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour
• Olive oil
• 2/3 cup of your favorite tomato sauce*
• 1 large ball fresh mozzarella (about 4 1/2 ounces)
• Small handful of basil leaves, roughly torn
• 3/4 cup finely grated parmesan (about 2 ounces)

Slice the eggplants into about 1/3″ discs. Sprinkle slices with a small pinch of coarse salt on each side and place in a single layer between two clean kitchen towels. Place a cookie sheet on top and weigh down with something heavy (a few cans of beans or tomatoes will do). Let the eggplant sit for 20 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Lightly dredge the eggplant slices in the flour. Heat 1/4″ of olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. When a pinch of flour sizzles on contact, add the eggplant slices in a single layer, turn the heat to medium-high and cook for about one and a half minutes on each side or until dark golden brown. Drain the eggplant on paper towels and repeat in batches until all of your eggplant is cooked, adding more oil as necessary.

In a 13″ x 9″ baking dish, arrange as many slices of eggplant as can fit snugly in a single layer. Top each slice with a small spoonful of tomato sauce, a few small pieces of torn mozzarella, a bit of basil and a dusting of parmesan. Continue the layers, evenly distributing all the ingredients, until everything is used up.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the cheese is melting and bubbling and the house smells divine.

*For my simple homemade, never-fail tomato sauce that’s always in my fridge…
In a large saucepan, slowly cook six cloves of thinly sliced garlic in a couple tablespoons of olive oil for five minutes over low heat.  Add two large, fresh basil leaves and stir for a minute.  Add two 28-ounce cans of whole, peeled tomatoes along with their juice and two more whole basil leaves.  Bring the sauce to a boil, turn down the heat, season with salt and pepper and let it bubble away on low heat for 45 minutes. Cool and refrigerate.

+++++

Don’t have time to make your own sauce?  Check out the delicious Amy’s Premium Organic Marinara.  It’s USDA Certified Organic and doesn’t contain any added sugar (hard to find…trust me!). 

Recipe: Courtesy of GOOP.com

Photo credits: GOOP.com (1st), amys.com (2nd)

If you’ve tried to find a more natural mascara you’ve likely had your set of obstacles.  Like me, you may have spent money you wished you hadn’t on products that weren’t worth the price.  I’ve spent upwards of $30 on “natural” and/or “organic” mascaras in hopes I wouldn’t have to sacrifice safer alternatives with effectiveness. 

I purchased Organic Wear Mascara a couple months back and have been wearing it exclusively for the past month.  It’s 100% free of harsh chemicals, synthetic preservatives including parabens, petroleum by products, GMOs, synthetic colors and synthetic fragrance.  This mascara carries the ECOCERT natural cosmetic certification seal and 100% of the total ingredients are of natural origin and 47% of the total ingredients are produced from organic farming.  The plastic wand is also completely recyclable. 

That’s all fine and good, but is it effective??? Hands~down and surprisingly….YES! 

Does it smudge and leave me with racoon eyes? No.

Do I have huge flakes under my eyes at the end of the day?  No. 

Does it give my lashes volume?  Yes.

Does it produce the longest lashes ever?  No. 

Do I feel much better about using a more natural mascara than it’s synthetic counterparts?  Absolutely.     

I like that I can add multiple coats and control the length.  If I’m just headed to the grocery store, one swipe will do, but if I’m going out for the evening, I’m definitely waving that wand at least three times.  I don’t have to wait long for coats to dry in between applications either.  There have been several “natural” and/or “organic” mascaras I’ve tried that just don’t dry (at all) and that’s how we end up with dark circles under the eyes (not the ones already there that we’re trying to cover up with concealer).  At the end of a long day, I do have some small flakes underneath my lower lash, but that’s no different from any mascara I have worn.  In fact, I tested this out by wearing a conventional mascara on one eye and Organic Wear mascara on the other all day long and had the same result in terms of flakes. 

Now it’s no surprise why Elle magazine named Organic Wear’s mascara one of their top picks in their Green Star Beauty award last month.  Want to see what all the fuss is about?  Regularly $9.95, this is a great value especially when compared to the pricey versions I’ve tried that didn’t impress.  Still not sure you want to dole out the cash?  Well, I’m fairly certain FREE will fit into any budget and you can get your very own tube for absolutely nothing until the end of the year.  There’s absolutely nothing to lose (well, not if you don’t count your current mascara). 

Photo credit: Steven Krause via www.Elle.com

Ever wondered why the salad you order at a restaurant tastes better than the one you make at home?  Well, I used to - that is until I discovered the secret.   It’s all about the dressing (and the toppings, of course).  You might know that dressing can also cancel out all that you are trying to do by eating a healthy salad in the first place, but there are natural (dairy/sugar-free and vegan friendly) dressings out there sans soy, wheat, added sugar, partially hydrogenated oils or high fructose corn syrup, that actually taste supremely delicious.  I’ve been addicted to Annie’s Naturals Tuscany Italian Salad Dressing for awhile now.  If you haven’t had the chance to try it out yet, I highly recommend it!   Balsamic vinegar meets sun-dried tomato for less than five bucks.  Gotta love that! 

Simple/Natural Ingredients: Water, Expeller-pressed Canola Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Tomatoes, Sea Salt, Garlic, Xanthan Gum, Oregano, Basil, Parsley, Black Pepper.

Annie’s Core Values (from their website):

+Annie’s is real, authentic, and trusted by consumers. As a company we strive to build upon this legacy with every decision we make.

+Annie’s only makes products that taste great; they delight our consumers. 

+Annie’s uses only simple natural and organic ingredients, no icky additives or pesky preservatives.

+Annie’s sources only from places and people we trust, with high emphasis on quality, as well as agricultural and environmental sustainability. We believe in transparency.

+Annie’s is a socially responsible company, and through our actions and programs we spread awareness and act as a positive role model for consumers and other business to do the same.

+Annie’s and its valued employees treat consumers, customers, suppliers, shareholders, and each other, with the same high degree of respect, fairness, & honesty that we expect of others.

Of all places I didn’t expect to find an organic herb garden at Bath & Body Works, but voila!  I did.  If you’re like me and not feeling very ambitious about tending to your own full fledged organic garden, how about a mini version?  That’s what I was on the hunt for and this kit fits the bill.  It could also be great as a housewarming gift or for the gardener or chef in your life.  I love using fresh herbs to cook with and this is a very convenient and affordable way to do just that. 

This recycled steel pail is packed with all you’ll need to grow your very own organic basil, parsley and garlic chives and can be used inside or out.  The Organic Kitchen Herb Kit comes with:  

~Complete instruction

~Organic seeds + soil

~Organic ricehulls as drainage

~Gardening gloves

I don’t know about you, but my Mom loves the scent of roses….real roses, not that fake junk.  With Mother’s Day right around the corner I’ve been thinking about what she likes and what I might gift her with to show some love and appreciation for everything she’s done for me; things like birthing me without drugs, always holding my hair when I got sick, breaking her ankle while teaching me how to rollerskate and teaching me all the songs her mom taught to her come to mind. 

The Weleda Rose line is one of my Mom’s favorites and she loves the Rose Body Oil but she hasn’t yet tried the Rose Creamy Body Wash, but I have!  If you’ve switched to a natural body wash and you’re missing the creamy, luxurious lather and delicious fragrance then you must try Weleda Rose Creamy Body Wash or Sea Buckthorn Creamy Body Wash.  I know what you’re thinking, “what the heck is Sea Buckthorn and what does it smell like?”  I wondered the same, but since I have both bottles in my shower right now, I can tell you! 

Weleda Sea Buckthorn Body Wash smells citrusy, most notably like freshly sliced grapefruits and oranges.  For those who aren’t floral fans, Sea Buckthorn is a refreshing option.  Right now, I’m using both of them interchangably depending on my mood and I like both aromas equally. 

Both are made with natural, organic and biodynamic ingredients and are only scented with fragrances made of pure essential oils.  Weleda is a pioneer in the natural body care movement - their history extends back to 1921 and they started one of the world’s first Biodynamic gardens.  Over the years the company has grown and the products can now be found in spas and big box stores all over the U.S.