The Endangered Species 72% Dark Chocolate Bar with Cranberries and Almonds is, without question, one of my favorite sweet treats.   This three ounce chocolate bar is made with totally natural, shade grown, ethically traded cocoa. Smooth on the palate, this is the perfect combination of slightly tart dark chocolate, mixed with sweet dried cranberries and crunchy almonds.  Endangered Species chocolate is ethically traded ensuring cocoa farmers are paid a fair wage.  The package is printed on 30% post-consumer FSC-certified paper and the candy is certified Kosher, vegan and gluten-free.  If you are a dark chocolate fan like I am, try this bar - you won’t be sorry!

I came home to find these delicious granola bars in the cupboard and they. are. so. good!  I’m a big fan of almond butter - most mornings I spread a nice amount of it on sprouted grain toast and it sustains me for hours, but these bars are a nice mid-afternoon snack when I need something that’s sweet, but has substance.  They would also be perfect for packing in your kid’s lunch.  They’re not without sugar, but are a good substitute for a high-refined sugary treat and have a good amount of fiber which is lacking in most diets.  Cascadian Farm’s Almond Butter Crunchy Granola Bars are USDA Certified Organic, which means at least 95% of the ingredients have been grown without the use of pesticides.  It does not mean that you won’t any weight if you consume a whole box in one sitting (which may be very easy to do).

Cascadian Farms has been around since 1972 and the company was founded in Skagit Valley, Washington.

When I’m craving something sweet, dried mango slices are my go-to snack of choice (and if they’re USDA Certified Organic - even better!).  I love fresh mango equally, but its not always available or convenient.  Dried mango is also one of the things I usually try to pack in my carry-on while I’m traveling so I’m not stranded in an airport with only convenience food.  And they’re not just tasty either - according to this article, mango is extremely high in beta carotene, Vitamin C and fiber.  Looking for mouth-watering mango recipes to try out this summer?  Check out recipe suggestions at The Mango Association.

Is it just me or does any else notice the blatant, obvious fact that glares at me each time I stroll down the grocery store aisle or flip through a popular glossy?  The term “organic” used to equate with “crunchy” and those who cared about it were typically confined to stereotypes like “granola munchers” or “hippies”.  Now “organic” is just about the trendiest bandwagon that can be jumped on and because of this, for the most part, it has lost it’s true meaning and many consumers believe that ‘organic’ automatically equals ‘healthy’ and others honestly have no idea what ‘organic’ really is, just that it’s somehow better.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that organic cigarettes are not good for you, though savvy marketers know that by slapping this magic word on their label, they will likely increase sales, unfortunately.  The same is true for most organic candy, cakes and cookies.  Many consumers buy because they read “organic” next to candy and think “wow, I can eat as much as I want without the guilt because it’s organic so it must be good for me!”.  I hate to break it to them, but the only different between consuming a whole bag of organic cookies and a whole bag of conventional cookies is that the organic variety contains ingredients that might have been grown without the use of pesticides and fertilizers.  It does not mean that you will gain any less weight or be any healthier than you were before.  ‘Organic’ also doesn’t simply mean ‘natural’, which many buyers get confused about.

So what’s my point?  My point is that if you retain common sense when buying organic, you may just save some money in the process.

1).  Don’t Judge A Book By The Cover:

Don’t take the front of the package at face value.  Marketers are ultra~savvy and know just how to position their product to appeal to the masses.  Don’t forget to flip the product around and peruse the ingredients before tossing it into your cart.  Afterall, why pay premium prices if the contents are not all that different from the conventional variety?!  Know how much organic content it actually contains.  If it contains just one or two organic ingredients so the company can slap the word “organic” on the front label, it’s likely been washed in green (aka greenwashed).

2). Know Why You Buy: 

If you’re comfortable chowing down an entire organic chocolate cake in one sitting, but would never dream of buying conventional apples ~ you may not be interested in healthy eating, you may be a victim of trendy eating.  The most important thing is to be conscious of your decisions and explore your options.  Using a product just because your mom did or your mom’s mom did, doesn’t mean it’s the best or the most healthy.  Ask questions, read ingredients, do your homework, know what’s toxic and unhealthy…don’t do it because it’s just always been done that way, because you don’t have to ~ you have options and resources to discover more information than our mom or our mom’s mom did.

3). Learn To Spot The Seal:

The USDA seal that is.  This is a symbol to indicate that the product has been approved and verified as containing certified organic ingredients by the Unitied States Department of Agriculture, most specifically their National Organic Program.  It the product name or description contains the word “organic”, there is no way to really be sure unless you see this seal on the label.

4). Buy Store Brand Organic & Save: 

In my neck of the woods, I have access to a big box Superstore, which is a huge, and an oftentimes overwhelming place that I can find apples, car batteries and dishes all in the same place.  Make no mistake, it is a mega~store, but it does contain an organic gem amongst all the stuff…lower organic food prices.  Oftentimes I find organic produce at the exact price (or sometimes lower) as the conventional varieties and packaged or canned organic food in the store’s brand is definitely comparable in terms of price.  Find out if your store has their own organic brand (that has the USDA seal) and you could save big time!

5). Can’t afford organic? Buy local & healthy:

If you just don’t have the funds to splurge on the organic version, buy local and healthy (i.e. produce).  After all, the reason we should want to buy, eat and support organic is to be more healthy and support the reduction of toxins in our body and environment.  I believe ‘organic’ to be the most healthy option in terms of produce and most food, but sometimes the cost is double or triple that of the conventional variety and it can be difficult to justify that cost.  Visit your local farmer’s market, shop at health food stores, always keep your eyes open for sales or consider joining a produce Co~op.  Consume lots of vegetables and fruit, organic or not, and think twice about splurging on organic treats if you’re interested in health and/or weight.  If you cut back on all the junk food (organic or not), you’ll likely be able to afford to spend more on whole organic food and/or products.

6). Know The Code:

Have you ever wondered what the little stickers on produce represent or why they are there?  There is actually a purpose other than annoying you while you try to peel them off without leaving any adhesive behind.  I learned the little secret from Sophia Uliano, author of best selling book, Gorgeously Green.  Bottom line, if it’s fine (organic), it has a nine.  Codes that are 5 digits and begin with’9′ are organic and have not been genetically~modified.

So what about you?  Have you found creative ways to save when buying organic, do you think its important to always buy organic or do you pick and choose, or are you on the other side of the fense and think it’s all hype???

Photo credit: Nutrition & Food blog

Pack a lunch - save your wallet, your health and your planet! Now you can do just that with LunchBots reusable, stainless steel lunch containers.

Made from the highest quality stainless steel - these rugged yet eye-catching lunch systems take the waste out of packing a lunch. Just think about how many bags it takes to pack a lunch. Now you can eliminate the need for bags while guaranteeing that the food you eat is kept safe. Using this type of lunch system is a great way to manage portion control while keeping everything tidy and away from plastic - which can leach onto your food while it’s waiting to be consumed. Stainless steel keeps food insulated as well, so you can keep things at room temp a little longer than using just a paper bag and since it is so tough, you never have to worry about things getting crushed in your lunch bag.

The LunchBots Uno is designed for a main course and the Duo is partitioned off for snacks or sides - both of them together make one sensible lunch portion. Reviewers are raving about the ease of use and the huge perk of feeding yourself and your family in a non-toxic and eco-friendly way. Another serious perk to owning LunchBots is the conversations you can have with fellow co-workers or other parents about your food storage choice. You can start a mini-revolution in your very own lunchroom! (OK, well at least you can get some people thinking.)

Most of us know baking soda as an important ingredient to add to our “from scratch” recipes for cakes and cookies, but there is a secret life of baking soda that’s just as important. Last year, my mom gave me a book all about the wonders of baking soda and I was amazed to find so many uses for such an ordinary (and cheap) food item. With most of us trying to stretch our dollar a little further and finding alternatives to buying expensive products, the wealth of information within this book is well worth the money.

Starting with the history of baking soda, the book has everything from baking recipes to homemade cleaner recipes to use throughout the entire house. This book is full of ideas that you have probably never imagined could come from such an ordinary powder. I have nearly eliminated all store-bought cleaners from my home and have replaced them with unbelievably cheap and undeniably chemical-free alternatives that I can whip up in my kitchen thanks to this little book. This is truly a win-win situation for me!

Pop Quiz: Did you know that baking soda will put out a kitchen fire? Even better, your food will probably still be salvageable if it comes in contact with what you’ve got cooking!

Here are just a few of the uses for baking soda given in the book:

• Scouring Powder
• Drain Cleaner
• Automatic Dishwasher Powder
• Window Cleaner
• Wood Cleaner
• Carpet Cleaner
• Laundry Booster
• Hair Clarifying Product
• Bath Product
• Deodorant
• Contact Lens Solution
• Breath Freshener
• Antacid
• Bee Sting/Bug Bite Relief
• Burn Relief
• Cradle Cap Remedy
• Diaper Rash Neutralizer
• Arts & Crafts Ideas
• Animal Clean-Up
• Garden Uses

You’ll have to buy the book to get all of the details on how to make use baking soda in these various ways, but let me just tell you that there are many more ideas that could make your life easier, less expensive and more friendly to our environment just waiting to be used here. If you haven’t already discovered the wonders of baking soda for yourself, there’s no better time to make the switch to a non-toxic and affordable way of life with this informational book.

With the 4th of July quickly approaching, there are some things to consider if you are hosting a holiday bash. While it may be impossible to make your celebration 100% eco-friendly this year, you can definitely make an impact with just a few simple changes to the way you eat on Independence Day. Here are some tips to lighten your footprint this 4th of July:

1.) Serve organic food. This is one simple and delicious way to “spruce up” your celebration. Here are some wonderful recipes that reduce carbon emissions (when you buy local, organic foods) while adding a healthy spin on normal Independence Day eating:

• Organic Blueberry Cobbler from Whole Foods Market or
• Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie from The Daily Green

2.) Buy local and/or organic beer or better yet - make your own organic beverages like the recipe below:

Lemonade+Mint Iced Tea Recipe:

3.) Ask Guests to bring their own cups (or better yet…their own reusable bottle!)

4.) Use washable tableware if possible, or buy recycled plates and silverware. Always recycle when you can.

Most of all - have a safe, fun and thankful celebration of our Independence Day!

Giving coffee the boot is easier said than done. While I have never been one to drink coffee on a regular basis, I know that for many people it is something they cannot live without. Instead of suffering through the headaches, loss of attention, lethargy and lack of something warm in their hand - many people stick with their habit out of necessity.

While many experts debate the health benefits and concerns of a coffee, some drinkers would rather not have an addiction to anything - no matter what it is. If you’re a coffee-holic who would rather give up the habit but don’t know how to make it happen - Yerba Mate‘ may just be your ticket. It gives you an energy boost that rivals coffee’s, but instead of giving you the classic “crash” in the afternoon, it sustains throughout the day. It is not addictive like coffee and won’t cause withdrawal headaches if you skip a cup in the morning. Another great perk of Yerba Mate’ - no coffee breath! If you’re thinking of making the switch, or just want to try something new - make yourself a Mate’ Latte and discover the difference!

Kashi makes several products that always seem to be on my grocery list and these bars are no exception.  These crunchy bars are baked with whole flaxseeds and roasted pumpkin seeds and have the perfect amount of sweet and spice.  These do remind me of the tastes and smells of Fall, more than summer, but from where I sit the weather is acting much like Fall and not so much like Summer.  These are a healthier snacking alternative any time of year and much better than reaching for a candy bar.  These are less processed than most with absolutely no artificial sweeteners, colors or preservatives and you won’t find a trans~fat or high fructose corn syrup in any of Kashi’s products.   

Founded in 1984 and headquartered in beautiful La Jolla, California, Kashi’s mission is to provide great tasting, all~natural foods that allows people to maintain their health, wellness and weight management goals.  I can definitely get on board with that mission!  Another of my Kashi faves includes their Kashi Seven Whole Grain Puffs.  A bowl of this with ice cold Almond Milk poured on top is one of my favorite quick breakfasts or afternoon snack. 

Two days ago Starbucks confirmed that by the end of this month, they plan to nix high fructose corn syrup, artificial dyes and colors from their bakery menu items.  With a new target market in mind, the health conscious consumer, they’ll also offer more salad selections.  The transition has been gradual, most recently adding healthier alternatives like oatmeal for breakfast.  With this announcement, I can’t help but wonder if they’ll ever go organic.  And I’m not alone; the Organic Consumer Association has been calling on Starbucks to make the change for years.  They even have a sample script online for consumers who want to call and urge the chain to make such changes. 

One month ago, Starbucks launched their new ”No Compromises Coffee Values” campaign in response to McDonald’s and Dunkin Donuts cheaper coffee offerings and loss of sales due to consumers counting pennies.  The campaign urges consumers to consider the quality of Starbucks coffee and how they treat their workers.  I say, if they really want to make a difference, it’s time for them to consider sourcing organically grown and fairly traded beans.  Afterall, the peddler and purveyor of all things coffee revolutionalized how and where people enjoy coffee.  Starbucks could have a big impact on the industry and truly set themselves apart from their competition while substantially  contributing towards the reduction of pesticides used on conventionally grown coffee beans, which is apparently one of the most heavily sprayed crops (up there with cotton).

If you’re trying to save money by brewing your own at home and won’t settle than anything less than organic, Newman’s Own Organics Coffee or Green Mountain Fair Trade Organic Coffee are great choices. 

Image credit: Keija on flickr