Chico Bag: How to sustainably wrap gifts

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I'm Still Here!

It has been a crazy couple of weeks. I was down for a week dealing with my psoriasis. Then the girls and Andrew got sick. I started feeling better then Jacob and Aaron woke up sick.. So.. that is the explanation for my absence. But stay tuned.. I have a couple of cookbook reviews coming up and a Blendtec review as well. Just as soon as we are feeling better! I pray you all are enjoying this wonderful Christmas season!

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And The Winner Is....

Number 13- LaTeaDah!! Congratulations!
Thank you to all who entered. Stay tuned there will be another giveaway just after Christmas!

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Vegan Lunch Box Around The World- Review and Giveaway!

Picture © Michelle Ellis

I am a huge fan of Jennifer McCann. I have been reading her blog Vegan Lunch Box for several years. I own both of her books already and was very excited that one was sent to me for review- so I could give it away to one of my readers! Yep, I am giving away a copy of this great book- Vegan Lunch Box Around The World.
First thing first, let's talk about this great book. The Introduction covers ingredients and how to pack the best lunches ever.
Pt 1 The Menus
US
Canada
Mexico
Central and South America
The Caribbean
Western Europe
Central and Eastern Europe
The Middle East
India
Africa
Asia
Australia
Japan

I love this section of the book. It is like reading a mini food biography of each geographical area. There are several menu ideas for each region. For instance: under the US there are 8 menus for States/cities or regions. There is also a homesick lunch menu, picnic time menu, post Thanksgiving lunch box and an Sports All-Star menu.
Western Europ covers menus from England, France, Germany, Italy, Scotland and Spain.

Pt 2 The recipes

Some of the recipes included in this book are:
Pad Thai
Jennifer's Omega-3 Protein Bars
Plantain Chips
Oatmeal Cookies
Russian Tea Cakes
Japanese Tiger Bento Box
Italian Vegetable Stromboli
Chick'n Pot Pie
Cinnamon-Sugar Almonds
Cucumber Sushi Rolls
Huli-Huli Tofu
Fried Nopales
Mini Pita Breads
Naan
New England Chowder.

The pictures are awesome. Overall it is a wonderful addition to anyone's cookbook collection. I love this one and also love her first book Vegan Lunch Box. Don't forget to check out her blog.













Picture © Michelle Ellis

So on to the giveaway. You have 3 ways to enter this time..
1. Leave a comment
2. If you are not a follower of my blog become a follower and leave a comment letting me know that you became a follower
3. Post a link to the contest on your blog and leave a comment leaving me a link to the blog post

Giveaway ends at midnight on November 30, 2009 Will announce the winner on December 1.

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Chocolate Pecan Pie

Chocolate Pecan Pie by Raw Chef Andi of Raw Tada and the author of The Fruits and Greens Diet.

Crust

1 cup almonds

1 cup pecans

6 dates

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Pinch sea salt

Place all ingredients in a food processor outfitted with the "S" blade and process until crumbly, yet sticky.

Press mixture firmly into a 9-inch pie plate and set aside.

Chocolate Bottom

3/4 cup cocoa powder

3/4 cup maple syrup

1/3 cup coconut oil, liquefied

Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until smooth. Pour 3/4 cup of the mixture into the pie crust and refrigerate until firm. (approx. 2 hours)

Filling

1/2 cup coconut oil (liquefied)

3/4 dates, pitted

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1 tablespoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon butterscotch flavoring

1 1/4 cup pecans, chopped

Place dates and coconut oil in the food processor and blend until smooth. Add the maple syrup, vanilla and butterscotch and continue to blend until smooth. Fold in the chopped pecans and spread on hop of the chilled chocolate bottom.

Topping

1 cup pecan halves

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix all ingredients together. Arrange in a decorative pattern on top of pie. Chill pie for a few hours before serving.

my note: I added the chocolate sauce that was leftover to the pie filling. It ended up being like a chocolate bar inside a pie. It was very good and my kids deemed it EPIC. Jacob asked for it for his birthday next month.

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Vitamineral Green by Healthforce

I finally found a green powder that I love. Most green powders when added to my smoothies would require the addition of more and more fruits to cover up the taste. Not so with this green powder. The energy I get when I add the powder to my smoothies is amazing! Read for yourself below. It is loaded with high quality ingredients.
Here is more info about Healthforce from their website:

Why HealthForce?

There are many good, ethical companies offering quality, effective nutritional products. However, we feel that HealthForce Nutritionals is unique and truly offers the best of the best. Please read on for details.

Why HealthForce?
HealthForce realizes that certain nutritional supplements can and do make a dramatic difference in one's state of health, or lack thereof. We have seen lifestyle changes (including diet and bio-compatible nutritional supplements) literally save people's lives, even after they have been given up for dead. We are on a mission to provide the absolute best products at the most affordable prices.
Why are HealthForce products different?

We are on a never-ending quest to make the greatest difference possible in people's health. Therefore, through much research, we have made ourselves aware of little known nutritional concepts and truths.

In addition to traditional lab data, we also make use of live blood cell analysis and Kirlian photography to assist us in product development. Live blood cell analysis allows us to see the blood as it flows in the body. Many nutritional supplements actually cause the blood to be in a less healthful state than before taking them! Others can turn a stagnant, toxic, deficient blood stream and breathe new life into it. Kirlian photography allows us to actually see the lifeforce around a food, person, animal, or supplement. Supplements with little or no lifeforce field will severely drain the body; ones with large lifeforce fields will enhance the body greatly. The unique knowledge we gain through our extensive research is reflected in our products.

There are many widely used ingredients that we will not use, because our research and experience prove to us that other, less common ingredients are far more effective to use, and without any compromises.

Mother Nature is a guide for us. Our products are designed to re-create a state of true nature that we should be able to take for granted. We use superfoods/herbs/enzymes and other natural nutritional substances in our products. We also employ sophisticated high-tech methods and formulations where appropriate to further our emulation of nature. We use no isolated or synthetic vitamins/minerals whatsoever.
What about quality?

HealthForce will never compromise quality. We even reject most commonly accepted raw materials.

Our chief product formulator and raw material researcher sums up our dedication to quality:

"You have my solemn promise that I will continually seek out the absolute best nutritional materials available. I will assess them with a completely open, yet skeptical mind. I will try to leave no stone unturned and constantly stretch my mind for new, undiscovered truths. I will carefully incorporate what I learn into the absolute best products possible."

- Jameth Sheridan, Naturopath; Product formulator/raw material researcher.

Value: HealthForce products are exceptional values for several reasons.

1.) We offer our products in higher than standard potencies. This allows the end user (you) to get much greater benefits from a supplement. Many health products simply have little to no effects due to low potencies. Their products sometimes have deceptively low prices. Putting more material per serving and more servings per bottle allows us to offer you a lower cost per milligram. For example, our main antioxidant product, Açai Resveratrol Ultimate ORAC Antioxidant Complex™, has over 12,000 TE Units of ORAC value per serving! This is a much greater quantity of antioxidants than is usually put into a product. This makes the product much more effective and affordable for you. Lowering the potency to 30% of what it is now would raise the cost per milligram of the product approximately 50-60%!

Our main superfood product, Vitamineral™ Green, contains 60-70% more superfoods than other products. However, Vitamineral™ Green costs the same as others while offering significant nutritional advantages.

2.) We have a lower than normal profit margin, thus further allowing our products to be more affordable.

Here's something you can't count on HealthForce for:

Staying the same. You may be aware of many products that stay the same for years, decades or longer. Sometimes that makes sense. However, many product ingredients are not consistent with the current nutritional knowledge. This leads to less effective products, and oftentimes, problems with them as well. HealthForce products are designed to be ahead of their time, incorporating superfoods and unique nutrients to make them maximally effective with no toxicity. We are always expanding our minds and researching how to make our products even better.
Ethics & Environmentalism

HealthForce consciously uses recycled/recyclable materials as much as possible in production of our products. We also do not support or conduct any animal testing, which is often irrelevant and dangerously misleading when it comes to human health. No creature is abused, tortured, or murdered for HealthForce products. We do not use gelatin capsules since they are derived from boiled animal parts and simply nutritionally inferior to capsules made from vegetable material. All of our products are Vegan, and so are we.

Click one of the links below to find our more about how what you choose to eat dramatically affects your health, the environment, and all life on earth

PETA - People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals
EarthSave
F.A.R.M - Farm Animal Rights Movement
Vegsource

Summary.

Here at HealthForce we are constantly researching ways to improve our products. We make of a wide variety of research. This includes traditional lab data and other less common, cutting edge methods of analysis. We do much of the direct research ourselves. The preceding allows us to have far more nutritional information (and more perspectives) than other companies have, and we develop products based on our unique research.

HealthForce is a Vegan company. We do not carry any products of animal origin nor do any animal testing.

HealthForce only offers products without the toxicities associated with medical drugs, and to a lesser degree, isolated/synthetic nutrients and some select herbs.

HealthForce realizes that nutritional supplements can be the difference between sickness and health, and literally life and death. We do not make any compromises and offer products at the best value possible.

"You have my word that I will ensure that HealthForce always lives up to the highest standards of integrity in every possible area" - Jameth Sheridan, Naturopath

And about Vitamineral Green- also from their website:

Nutritionally supports Blood Sugar, Detoxification, The Immune System, Liver, Kidneys, Blood, Bones, Colon, Regularity, Circulation, and Longevity*

Created by Mother Nature & Jameth Sheridan (Naturopath and Hard-Core Herbal Medicine Researcher)

Vital Healing Food

“The quality, therapeutic concentration, and affordability of a nutritional product can, and often does, mean the difference between lethargy and energy, sickness and health, and, quite literally, life and death. I don’t want anyone to be tired, sick or dead because they could not obtain or afford the best possible product. If someone does not feel this same way, they should not be in the nutritional product business. I live and breathe this philosophy in both my personal and professional life and constantly strive to evolve HealthForce products and offer them at the best possible values - with a reverence for all life. I would rather die than compromise these values” - Jameth Sheridan, Naturopath

Green foods are perhaps the most healing foods on the planet, and the single most important addition to a diet you can make. They are foundational. For over 20 years, I have deeply and passionately immersed myself full time into providing the best possible foundation. My deepest passion is for the Earth and all of its inhabitants to be healed on a core level. Mother Nature gave us the substances we need for healing. It is my life path duty and my great honor to assemble them for you.

Compromise is not an option. Hype is nothing. Substance is everything. Vitamineral™ Green is the best possible green food that I can offer.

Every ingredient, including how it is grown and processed, is therapeutic. It is an extremely potent & comprehensive array of nature’s most nutritive and cleansing superfoods, grown and processed to maximize their benefits. Contains a full spectrum of naturally occurring, absorbable and non-toxic vitamins, minerals, all the essential amino acids (protein), antioxidants, chlorophyll, soluble and insoluble fibers, tens of thousands of phytonutrients, and a plethora of other synergistically bound, organic nutrients. Contains no synthetic or isolated nutrients (not excreted as expensive yellow urine or stored as toxic deposits). Vitamineral™ Green is Actual Food™.

Health is important, and too many things usually get in the way of people actually taking an authentically powerful product. Loyalties can be divided. I want to make it clear where mine lies. My loyalty is to those who want to thrive, and those whose life situation requires them to thrive. My loyalty is to the end user. My loyalty... is to you. And in my life now and one day, when I look back upon my life, that has and will still have value to me incomparable to any amount of money, investors, or fame. - Jameth Sheridan

Ingredients: Version 4.8: 100% Superfoods * 100% TruGanic™

From the Land
• Nettle Leaf
• Shavegrass (Horsetail)
• Alfalfa Leaf Juice
• Dandelion Leaf Juice
• Barley Grass Juice
• Oat Grass Juice
• Barley Grass
• Wheat Grass
• American Basil
• Holy Basil/Tulsi
• Moringa Leaf
• Yacon Leaf
• Nopal Cactus
• Chickweed
• Ginger Root
• Broccoli Juice
• Kale Juice
• Spinach Juice
• Parsley Juice
• Carob Pod
• Amla Berry


From the Waters
• Spirulina
• Chlorella

From the Oceans
• Icelandic Kelp
• Dulse
• Nori
• Alaria
• Bladderwrack

Enzymes(optimum absorption +)
• Protease • Amylase
• Lipase • Cellulase
• Bromelain • Papain
• Alpha-Galactosidase


Probiotics
• Massive array of implantable species and Natural Soil Organisms (NSOs). Laboratory grown.

Comprehensive Probiotic Mixture - Beneficial Organisms. Includes Exclusive NSO™ (Natural Soil Organisms) and Implantable Species.
A. Agilis, L. Acidophilus, R. Arrhizus, DDS-1 Acidophilus, Bifidus, L. Bulgaricus, A. Brasilienese, B. Brenis, P. Chrysosporium, A. Citreus, L. Casei, P. Calcis, S. Cellulasae, P. Denitrificans, S. Faecium, S. Fradiae, P. Flourescens, A. Globiformis, S. Griseoflavus, P. Gelatic, B. Lipolyticum, A. Luteus, A. Lipoferum, A. Lwolfii, B. Laterosporous, P. Marinoglutinosa, B. Macerans, P. Nigraclens, P. Putida, L. Plantarum, B. Pumilus, B. Polymyxa, B. Stationis, L. Salivarius, B. Subtilus, B. Succinogenes, A. Simplex, S. Thermopolis , A. Terreus, M. Verrucaria, T. Viride. , K. Zopfit.

Energetics
• Shilajit + • Magnetic • Homeopathic • Energetic & Vibrational energies

• Magnetically sanitized and purified
• Optimally Dried For Maximum Lifeforce

How to Consume:

Start with one teaspoon per day and increase gradually over two weeks to suggested usage of 1 to preferably 2 (or more) heaping tablespoons per day, either all at once or divided. Do not take so much that you find it unpalatable, as you will end up taking and benefiting less! Mix into purified water. Drink consciously and with positive intent. Can also mix with fresh vegetable juices, fresh fruit juices (alone or blended with whole fruits and/or a banana into a smoothie). Add 1-2 tbsp. of freshly ground flax and/or chia seeds for extra nutrition. Can also be sprinkled on or mixed with foods. Vitamineral™ Green contains an extremely potent and comprehensive array of nature’s most nutritive and cleansing superfoods, specifically grown and processed to maximize their benefits. If you experience temporary beneficial cleansing reactions that you find undesirable (such as loose bowels), reduce amount used to 1 teaspoon or less, and then increase over several days or weeks to 2 (or more) heaping tablespoons. Refrigeration is not required. Intensive Usage: 6 or more heaping tablespoons per day. Vitamineral™ Green is food. It is not a supplement. It is a bio-compatible nutritional superfood. It is non-toxic and can be taken in any quantity.

Our available Nutritional data is as follows:
1 Heaping Tablespoon = 1 serving (11.5 grams)
Protein - 4.37 grams
Carbohydrates - 4.57 grams
Indigestible Fiber - 1.75 grams
Fat - .80 grams
Calories - less than 45

Vitamineral Green consists of approximately 38% protein, 7% fat, & 55% complex carbohydrates.
16% of the volume is minerals.

Add Vitamineral Earth™ (Sacred Healing sustenance) for even greater benefits.

100% TruGanic™: TruGanic™ is a purist, hard-core quality standard significantly beyond Organic. In addition to no pesticides being used anywhere in the growing process, TruGanic™ includes authentic standards for production, non-toxic cleaning agents and pest control, electromagnetic radiation, processing agents, additives, air quality, and actual verification of purity.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the F.D.A. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease.

I have also tried their MACA- and loved it. My favorite is the Carob Peppermint:

MACAFORCE™

Carob Peppermint

THE MOST POWERFUL MACA IN THE WORLD!

*Energy * Strength * Healing * Hormones * Fertility*

Ancient Healing Food

The Full Potential of Maca-

MacaForce™ takes Maca to its full potential. Whole Root with all of the nutrients Mother Nature Intended, yet contains the potency of an extract. Carefully Selected Enzymes, Probiotics, Herbs, & Energetics provide unprecedented full-spectrum bio-availability and therapeutic value never before possible, until now.


EXPERIENCE THE HIGHEST EVOLUTION OF THIS ANCIENT PERUVIAN SUPERFOOD OF THE GODS! ENERGY - STRENGTH - HEALING - HORMONES - FERTILITY


MacaForce™ is food, NOT a supplement. Take in any quantity desired!

”The quality, therapeutic concentration, and affordability of a nutritional product can, and often does, mean the difference between lethargy and energy, sickness and health, and (quite literally) Life or Death. I don’t want anybody to be sick, tired or dead because they could not obtain or afford the best possible product. If anyone in this business does not feel the same way, they should not be in the nutritional product business. I live and breathe this philosophy in both my personal and professional life, and constantly strive to evolve HealthForce products and offer them at the best possible value. I would rather die than compromise these principles” - Jameth Sheridan, Naturopath


Ingredients: (100% TruGanic™)* - Magnetically Sanitized & Purified
Carefully Dried to preserve enzymes, life force, & other heat sensitive elements

Ancient Superfood Sustenance:
• Maca Root
Prebiotic Digestive Synergists:
• Carob Pod • Agave Inulin
• Lacuma Fruit
• Yacon Root

Herbal Synergists:
• Peppermint Leaf
• Ginger
Enzyme Synergists:
• Protease
• Amylase
• Lipase
• Cellulase
• Bromelain
• Papain
• Alpha-Galactosidase
Probiotic Synergists:
• Massive array of Implantable species and Natural Soil Organisms (N.S.O.’s), all laboratory grown.
Energetics:
• Shilajit +
• Magnetic
• Homeopathic
• Energetic & vibrational enhancements

Suggested Usage: 100% Food. Add any quantity to water, smoothies, Etc.

Suggested Adjuncts: A whole Food, organic, Vegan diet with emphasis on fresh, high water content, live/raw foods and juices (See the book- “Uncooking with Jameth & Kim”); other nutritional support products such as Vitamineral™ Green and Earth™, Spirulina Manna™ or Azteca™, exercise, fresh air, and anything healthful and sacred to you.

* 100% TruGanic™: TruGanic™ is a purist, hard-core quality standard significantly beyond organic. In addition to no pesticides being used anywhere in the growing process, TruGanic™ includes authentic standards for production, nontoxic cleaning agents and pest control, electromagnetic radiation, processing agents, additives, air quality, and actual verification of purity.**


** These statements have not been evaluated by the F.D.A. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease.

These are high quality superfoods- I recommend them to everyone I know.

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Local Bounty Seasonal Vegan Recipes Pt 2

I love this book by Devra Gartenstein. It is published by Book Publishing Co. I think it is very important to support our local farmers, this book gives you plenty of ideas to help you do just that.
From the back cover:
A vegan diet is healthful and environmentally sustainable; it's based on foods that are packed with nutrition and don't require vast natural resources to produce. Adding seasonal foods to a plant-based diet provides even greater advantages:

• Ripe produce is at the peak of it's flavor and nutritional value.
• Less fossile fuel is needed to transport local fruits and vegetables to your table
• Small-scale farmers tend to use fewer pesticides
• Foods in season are adundant and more economical to purchase
• Because seasonal offerings change, you'll enjoy a greater variety of foods.
  
• Buying locally is an important alternative to the globalization of the food industry.
  

You can enrich the experience of eating seasonal produce by shopping at farmers' markets or joining a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture, a farm operation that supplies produce direct to it's members). Get to know the people who grow your food, and discover their tips for how to prepare unusual varieties of fruits and vegetables.

Introduction:
How this book was born. Why local, seasonal eating is important.
Simplicity
A brief tour of the vegetable kingdom
Useful techniques for preparing vegetables
Seasoning

Ch 1. Spring
Lists seasonal produce for early, mid and late Spring.

• Morel Mushroom Gravy
• Roasted Garlic and Herb Sauce- great for garlic bread
• Pureed Asparagus and Potato Soup
• Roasted Baby Carrots with Fresh Thyme
• Sorrel w/ Spring Onions
• Baby Bok Choy with Tofu
• Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

Ch 2. Summer
Lists seasonal produce for early, mid and late Summer.

• Quick Tomato Sauce
• Puttanesca Sauce
• Fennel and Arugula Pesto
• Green Bean and New Potato Soup
• Pesto Stuffed Tomatoes
• Zucchini Piccata
• Kappa Maki- cucumber sushi roll
• Israeli Salad
• Height of the Season Tomato Salad
• Purslane with Shaved Fennel and Cherry Tomatoes

Ch 3. Fall
Lists seasonal produce available in early, mid and late Fall.

• Squash Hummus
• Cilantro-Lime Dressing
• Roasted Tomatilla Salsa
• Squash, Parsnip and Fennel Bruschetta
• Veggie-Walnut Pinwheels
• Parsnip and Fennel Soup
• French Tomato Soup
• Greek Greens
• Chard and Chanterelles in Wine Sauce
• Wile Rice Pilaf
• Seitan Teriyaki

Ch. 4 Winter
Lists seasonal produce available in early, mid and late Winter.

• Lentil Barley Soup
• Seitan Shepherd's Pie
• Cabbage Potato Soup
• Winter Stuffed Cabbage
• Gold Beets with Leeks and Chives
• Pickled Beets
• Roasted Root Vegetables
• Apple Crisp

If you are looking for a book to help you add more seasonal veggies to your diet- then look no further. This book has a lot of great recipes for the veggie lover- whether you are vegan or not.

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Angela Stokes-Monarch

From Raw Reform. Have you been to her site? She has lost 160 lbs on the raw food diet- she actually lost the weight on a high raw diet. She has written some powerful books dealing with overeating, obesity, and how to get it under control. I mixture of raw food diet book and a self help book- I was inspired in my journey. I went high raw 6 weeks ago. Then I went 100% on the 28th of October. I set a goal and will stay 100% until I meet it. After that- I plan to stay high raw.
You have got to check out her ebooks. I will be posting a more thorough review on each of them- but let me tell you right now- that if you are wanting to dive into the raw food journey and you have battled or are battling a weight problem- you need to get her e-books. Stay tuned for the reviews of these great ebooks.

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