Going Green

A Rendezvous with Sneakers

I like to consider myself an environmentally friendly person– I recycle or reuse when I can, buy locally grown produce when possible, use natural cleaning supplies that are not too caustic on the environment….Ask me the year I spent living without a car. It was only a matter of time before I used my green thumb and started sewing seeds for new vegetables in our garden. *Note: I’ve only ever really picked the veggies that had already grew in the garden, never have I actually tilled the soil and planted seeds, except back from when I was a youngster.

Gardening is hard work. The digging, the planting…That, or I still have not recovered fully from the bad virus I had last week. But, it is. I was exhausted, and only planted the carrots, sugar snap peas, and “decorative gourds” (which will be non-edible). The lettuce, zucchini, and eggplant will have…

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A little blue mason jar obsession

BORROWED & BLUE

I’ve recently picked up a small obsession with blue mason jars, and am slowly noticing more and more of them showing up at my house. Currently my rental inventory is around 12–but I expect it to be at least twice that large with the onslaught of estate and garage sales this spring.  Here are some fun inspirations I’ve been eying for them for around the house and for some fun events later on in the year. Such cute ideas to share!

Centerpieces & Display Decor

Above image via Mason Galore on ETSY

Above images via: Nautical Cottage Blog, the Casabella Project & Traci Thorson Photography.

Above images via Apartment Therapy

New Uses around the House

Above image via Country Living

Above image via Post Road Vintage ~ Heather has some amazing mason jar new uses and creations. Her site is definately worth checking out!

Above image via Ecowomen.net

Above…

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curry in my tummy

oranges and lemons

Curry seems to be a staple dish for me this month. A very large bag of potatoes was bought initially to make a roast and then went on to make two large vegetable curries; potato and aubergine curry served with basmati rice off Ocado’s website ( I didn’t know they posted recipes) was feasted on last week and then chickpea, potato and spinach curry served with chipatti, chorizo and fromage frais was thoroughly enjoyed last night. I’ve used natural yoghurt on previous occasions dolloped on the top to take the spicy kick off a little but think  the fromage frais works better because of its thickness. Also the chipatti was much lighter than naan bread or rice which worked well because there was plenty of carbohydrates already in the curry. A big thank you to BBC Good Food for providing another easy to follow recipe.

On another note it’s the…

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Introducing WordAds

Introducing WordAds.

The Hamster Wheel – Greens: Exposed

The Hamster Wheel – Greens: Exposed.

Cranberry, Orange and White chocolate Oaties

Pumpkin, kale and chicken curry

ethical relish

In celebration of two recent posts– about the glory of pumpkins and kale, and the evil of a fast-food chicken chain — I’m combining pumpkin with kale and chicken for a quick and simple curry.

Heat 1/2 tablespoon oil and toss in 1 small chopped onion and 1 clove of crushed garlic. Throw in a teaspoon or two of the following spices: ground cumin, ground coriander and turmeric. Add 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger root (or half a teaspoon of powdered ginger), and let it sizzle so it smells really fragrant.

Now toss in half a small pumpkin or other winter squash, peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch chunks (scoop out the string and seeds from the pumpkin first), 1 large or two medium chopped carrots, a bunch of finely chopped kale (stems removed first), a pinch of salt and 1/4 cup of water.

Cover…

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Recipe Review: Hangar Steak with Mushrooms and Red Wine Sauce

testerfoodblog

Hanger steak, also called skirt steak, is a tender, flavorful cut that can be a little hard to find but is worth seeking out at a store with a good meat counter.  This recipe from the October 2011 Bon Appetit starts with sauteed mushrooms, then the steak is sauteed with butter, oil, rosemary, and garlic.  Then a pan sauce is made with red wine, chicken stock, butter, and tarragon.  If tarragon can’t be found, thyme would be a good substitution.  Easy, good recipe.

Link to recipe here.

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Pumpkin Cornbread (vegan, gluten-free, low-amine)

Low Amine Recipes

Cornbread is delicious, but even more delicious when you make it a marvelously Fall dish, like this pumpkin cornbread. With the pumpkin and applesauce you don’t miss the egg or butter one bit. In addition to being very allergy friendly, as it is vegan, low-amine, and gluten-free, this pumpkin cornbread is moist, slightly sweet, and absolutely fabulous.

1 C gluten-free all-purpose flour

1 Tbsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ground nutmeg

1/3 C brown sugar

1 C cornmeal

1 C applesauce

1 C pumpkin puree (or equivalent cooked sweet potato, steamed, skinned, and mashed)

1/4 C safflower oil

1 Tbsp molasses

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and grease an 8″ baking dish. I used a pie pan.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, spices, baking powder, brown sugar, salt, and cornmeal.
• In a small bowl, mix the applesauce, pumpkin (or sweet potato)…

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Another Mirage – The Trickle Down Effect !

The still born son of Margaret Thatcher & Ronald Reagan, & grand child of Neo Classical Economic Theory – “Trickle Down Effect” was definitely still born, but mysteriously lived on, in some hidden Mega Capitalist back room to dominate global financial & economic affairs for over three decades.

Along the way there has been much debate & discussion about the merits, real influence & effects of this domineering way of thinking. Surely now, some three years (plus) into the current global economic & financial crises, those who still adhere to this largely discredited & FAILED theory & practice need to concede not only its flaws & failings, but the inevitable consequences & dangers of continuing with any of its principals such as deregulation, privatisation & the “let the market rule” mentality.

We need to design a whole new system, not just tinker at the edges of the existing failed system. Both pure capitalism & socialism are idealistic, unattainable political dogmas, just like the ideals of purist democracy.

If we don’t get on with this urgently, the global community faces calamity on an unimaginable scale.