Earth Hour.......

Just a quick hello and a few words about a great event! On March 27Th from 8:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. join in for Earth Hour. Check out what Connecticut is doing to get involved.

To get involved, register to join Earth Hour and download the Blueprint for Individuals.

Meanwhile, here are a few simple steps you can take to help reduce your impact on the environment:

•Replace incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent ones.
•Recycle paper and plastic, instead of using the trash.
•Read news online, instead of buying paper copies.
•Grow vegetables during the summer.
•Bicycle or walk to work or to run errands instead of driving.
•Take the bus or train, instead of driving long distances.
•Unplug appliances when they are not in use.
•Lower the thermostat to cut back on heating during the winter.
•Insulate and eliminate drafts to get the most out of your heating and cooling.
•Plant a tree to help filter your air and to provide shade.

My family will be playing some board games by candle-light by the fireplace that night! Join and to make a difference and have some fun!

Clean Food....

I recently purchased a book called "Clean Food" by Terri Walters. Who just so happens to be a local, Connecticut, author. I bought it searching for more insight into eating better food that was better for me. I love this book!!! It is full of great recipes, but they are not just recipes, they are a seasonal gathering of good meals. They tell you what to find during all four seasons that are the most nutritionally packed foods and how to pair them up with other good for you ingredients. Amazing.....I really took a step back and looked at the way I was eating and the things I was cooking. Thankfully my children are exceptional eaters, not much they won't eat or at least try. We were missing out on so many wonderful different grains, legumes and veggies. I really have added a lot of variety to our pantry over the last year or two and now that I have a great reference guide, I will continue to add more. Like my new favorite secret seasoning....kombu! Yes, code for sea vegetable!! I throw it into my cooking rice, soup or grain and the family is none the wiser, just healthier. You see "Clean Food" has taught me to stick it in there for all the wonderful minerals that my family will benefit from, but I don't have to freak them out by telling them they are eating seaweed!!! So very "Mom"smart!!! The book not only has the recipes, but a ton of really quick go to's on how to cook things, like a basic ratio & cooking method for rice....you know how much, how long to cook it and how much kombu to throw in. This is not just a simple cookbook, it is an all around great reference guide. You will often find me carrying it around the house, just in case I happen to get that quick minute to read a few pages again. I highly recommend grabbing a copy for yourself, it is a wonderful addition to every ones library.