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TruWhip to help satisfy all your picky eaters this Thanksgiving

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

Remember when Thanksgiving was so easy?  Aside from the long hours spent over the oven and the stove, that is.

You baked a turkey, made some pies, whipped some potatoes, thawed some corn, tossed a salad, and jellied some cranberries.  Voila, a Thanksgiving feast.

In some families (lucky dogs), it’s still that easy.  But when families gather in most homes today there are a smattering of dietary restrictions making setting one table to please all difficult!

There’s one new product that might make that a little easier.  It’s a new whipped topping for your Thanksgiving pies that can satisfy vegetarians, cholesterol watchers, low-fat dieters, all-natural eaters, gluten-free folks, and more.  It’s called TruWhip, and though not usually a fan of anything but the real stuff – organic cream whipped together with a pinch of sugar and a splash of vanilla extract – I tried it on friends this weekend and it was a hit!

truwhipcontainerUnlike most frozen or canned whipped creams TruWhip is free of trans fats, hydrogenated oil and high fructose corn syrup, but is still low in fat and comes in an easy to grab and serve frozen tub like the stuff you’re probably used to. One serving (that’s 2 tablespoons) contains 30 calories and 2 grams of fat.

Though not completely organic, it is made of 70% organic ingredients.  I applaud their efforts there (although I’m still hoping for a certified organic one to hit the market)

This weekend I cracked open a tub and (because I was serving it to friends I thought I’d spice it up a little) I whipped it with a little orange liqueur, some melted chocolate and a dash of cinnamon, and served it over a pecan pie.  According to all at the party, it was a huge hit!

Find it at Whole Foods or other natural and specialty food stores.

Also on SaraSnow.com

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Organic Cocktails for the Weekend

Friday, November 6th, 2009

RoundLabelIt’s the perfect vodka in my opinion; made from 100% organic ingredients with corn (not wheat) as its primary element (I have a wheat allergy so I especially appreciate this).  Rain Organic Vodka comes in four unique flavors, plus the original variety.  Each is distilled in small batches at Buffalo Trace Distillery from 100% organic white corn.  The vodkas undergo a 20-day production process that includes cold-water sweet mash fermentation, seven distinct distillations, and a polishing stage that adds in pure limestone water.

This results in a smooth, perfumey vodka.  In fact, according to the Rain site “There are smells of pear drop, moss and hay in the first sniffing.  Aeration allows the aroma to deepen, especially the appealing earthy moss and wet soil perfume.  Palate entry is feather-light; at mid-palate there’s a firm but satiny taste of sweet grain.  Aftertaste is grainy.  Delicious and delicate.”

Maybe you’ve never gotten that deep with your vodka.  But when it’s organic, small batch distilled, and occasionally blended with flavors like Honey Mango Melon, Cucumber Lime, Red Grape Hibiscus and Lavender Lemonade it’s time you did.

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Here are a few recipes to get your weekend kickin’!

Cucumber Rain Refresher

  • 2 oz Rain Organics Cucumber Lime Vodka
  • 4 oz. Sweet and Sour Mix
  • 1 oz. Ginger Ale
  • Ice
  • Cucumber Wheel

In a shaker, add Rain ORganics Cucumber Lim Vodka, sweet and sour mix, ginger ale and ice.  Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass.  Garnish with a cucumber wheel.

Seaside Rain

  • 1 1/2 oz. Rain Organics Lavender Lemonade Vodka
  • 2 oz. Grapefruit Juice
  • 2 oz. Cranberry Juice
  • Lemon Wheel and/or Blueberries
  • Ice

In a shaker, add Rain Organics Lavender Lemonade Vodka, grapefruit juice, cranberry juice and ice.  Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass.  Garnish with a lemon wheel, blueberries, or both.

Laughter in the Rain

  • 2 oz. Rain Organics Vodka
  • 1/2 oz. Peach Liqueur
  • 1/2 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 1/4 oz. Simple Syrup
  • 1-inch piece of Cucumber, peeled and chopped
  • 1 strip Lemon Zest
  • 1 strip Cucumber Peel
  • Ice

In a shaker, add Rain Organics Vodka, peach liqueur, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, chopped cucumber and ice.  Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass.  Garnish with lemon zest and cucumber peel.

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Organic and Fair-Trade Candies for Halloween!

Monday, October 26th, 2009

Still deciding what to give out to trick-or-treaters this Halloween?

Fair Trade, Organic, or Natural is the way to go!

890146001876_-_Family_Size_Fruit_Pops-217x249Try a selection of Organic Lollipops by Yummy Earth.  A big bag of 60 comes in 8 different flavors and they’re gluten-free, planet friendly and have no artificial dyes or flavors.  Each lollipop is individually wrapped making them trick-or-treater friendly!  Check out YummyEarth.com for a full selection of their Lollipops and Candy Drops.  $25 for a package of 160 lollipops or $30 for 675 drops!

The Natural Candy Store has a great selection of organic and natural treats.  They even have a full page dedicated to organic Halloween candies like organic chocolate coins and a bag of mixed, individually wrapped vegan candies!  Also check out their selections of Gluten-Free candies, Kosher candies, Allergen-Free candies, and Fair-Trade candies.

5137-peppermint-fuddge-organic-and-fair-trade-2oz_92x93October is Fair Trade month, which makes this Halloween the perfect time to embrace Fair Trade certified chocolates and treats.  Swoonbeam Chocolates are Fair Trade and Organic so they certainly fit the bill!  While they might not work as well for trick-or-treaters if they come by the hundreds to your house, they’re perfect for Halloween baskets or gift bags for the specials ones on your list!

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Want to learn more about Fair Trade?  Check out FairTradeMonth.org for facts about Fair Trade and simple ways to support the movement.

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Ayurvedic Elixirs by Adina

Monday, October 12th, 2009

How does a little Honey Eucalyptus sound to start your day?  Maybe Blackberry Hibiscus after a workout?  Or Mango Orange Chamomile when you’re finally relaxing after a long day’s work?

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Adina for Life has launched a new line of elixirs called Adina Holistics.  Based on the ancient Indian medical practice of Ayurveda, Adina roughly means “life in its holistic and spiritual dimension.”
But this is not just another bottled drink company.  The founders of none other than successful beverage companies Odwalla and SoBe joined together to create Adina, a company that lives their mantra drink no evil by staying clear of high fructose corn syrup and synthetic ingredients; instead filling their bottles and cans with the best fairly traded and organically grown ingredients to bring you, not only a satisfying thirst quencher, but a drink that doesn’t just taste good, it does good.
energy_coffee_inprint_thumbYou may already be familiar with Adina’s successful line of coffee beverages.  And now there’s ample reason to fully explore the brand.
Adina Holistics, the newest line, taps into the 5,000-year-old holistic approach to health, Ayurveda, by using time-tested herbal recipes that have been known to exert a normalizing and balancing effect on the body.
“Replenishment that nourishes while helping to achieve harmony is part of our mission. The Adina Holistics line of elixirs contain adaptogenic herbal extracts that are part of the Ayurvedic tradition. These USDA Organic certified herbal ingredients are easily assimilated and used to fortify the immune system and vital organs against the debilitating effects of stress. That’s what we call Enlightened Refreshment!”
Here are just a few of their adaptogenic ingredients:
Ashwagandha has been used as an herbal remedy for hundreds of years. It has many applications, and has been used by Native Americans and Africans to treat inflammation, fevers, and to protect against infection or illness. It has also been used to boost the immune system, improve memory, and to promote overall wellness.
Astragalus has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years, often in combination with other herbs, to strengthen the body against disease. Astragalus is an adaptogen, meaning it helps protect the body against various stresses, including physical, mental, or emotional stress.
Gotu Kola is a rejuvenative nervine recommended for nervous disorders, epilepsy, senility and premature aging. As a brain tonic, it is said to aid intelligence and memory. It strengthens the adrenal glands and cleanses the blood to treat skin impurities. It is said to combat stress and depression, increase libido and improve reflexes. It has also been indicated for chronic venous insufficiency, minor burns, scars, scleroderma, skin ulcers, varicose veins, wound healing, rheumatism, blood diseases, congestive heart failure, urinary tract infections, venereal diseases, hepatitis and high blood pressure.
Tulsi, or holy basil, is an important symbol in the Hindu religious tradition and is worshipped in the morning and evening by Hindus at large. The holy basil is also a herbal remedy for a lot of common ailments including cough, sore throat, heart disorder and stress.
Valerian has been used as a medicinal herb since at least the time of ancient Greece and Rome. In addition to sleep disorders, valerian has been used for gastrointestinal spasms and distress, epileptic seizures, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Don’t just drink, drink to health, wellness, and longevity.  I am!

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Pumpkin Spice soda…mmmmm

Monday, October 5th, 2009

rootbeer_thumbIt’s no secret that I love all things pumpkin.  But it’s also probably comes as no surprise that I’m not a soda (or pop – as we call it in Michigan where I grew up) drinker, especially not when sweetened with high fructose corn syrup and other junk.

But there are a couple of brothers who are making a different kind of soda brew, and while their Maine Roots are in ginger brews, at Natural Products Expo East a week ago, they debuted a Pumpkin Spice brew that is deeeeeeeeeelicious!

Here’s how a couple of brothers became the father of this Maine Root craze:

Four years ago, Matt, a boat builder and former fishing guide, was helping his friend Bobby build an oven at the Flatbread Pizza Company in Portland, Maine. But Matt was less than satisfied with the restaurant’s current root beer when it came to quenching the great thirst he was working up, so he decided to brew his own. It was a hit and praises and orders flowed, enough so that soon his brother Mark quit his software sales job to expand their distribution. Today, Maine Root’s organically sweetened sodas have been thrilling fans from New England to Texas and is flying off the shelves at fine grocery stores nationwide.

Get your hands on some and enjoy a crisper, healthier pumpkin spice beverage this season!

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New snack bar keeps my energy up!

Friday, September 4th, 2009

Although I’ve been following a very specific eating plan as part of a 7-day detox, I had to stray for about 2 minutes yesterday afternoon so I could enjoy one of PROBAR’s newest delights – the Fruition.

3d-rendering-strawWhile the PROBAR, the company’s mainstay, is a meal in and of itself, the Fruition bar was designed to be a snack.  A fruit-based blend of flavorful ingredients, each bar nets out at only 160 calories and weighs only 1.7 ounces (in case you’re into hiking or climbing where every percentage of an ounce counts).  Each bar contains two servings of fruit, as well as organic rolled oats, and (here comes the surprise ingredients) white and black chia seeds.

Art Eggertsen, PROBAR founder, says, “We opted to use chia seeds because they are nutritionally dense, antioxidant rich, loaded with essential fatty acids, and deliver a wealth of good in a small package.”

Though I was visibly low on energy as I walked out the door yesterday afternoon, slowly un-peeling my Strawberry Fruition bar, I was ready to go once I reached my destination.  The fruit and chia seeds gave me the punch of energy I desperately needed.

I’ve been a long time fan of PROBARs, especially the Superfood Slam and Original Blend, for grab-and-go healthy, real food meals when I’m traveling.  And I’m now a huge fan of their Fruition bar.

Throw one or two in your gym bag.  They just hit shelves last month.

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My “back to school” detox

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

k2219331Ok, ok.  So I’m not exactly heading back to school but Fall to me has always been about fresh starts and (let’s be honest) back to school clothes and other gear.  So, I figured, why can’t I give myself a clean colon/gut/belly, whatever you want to call it, this year for back to school season?!

I’ve done a number of other fasts, detoxes, and cleanses in the past.  I really enjoy a three-day juice fast…but no longer than that.  And I love a good cleanse, especially one that just lasts a long weekend.  Because I generally eat a diet of brown rice and cooked vegetables, lots of salads, homemade soups, and other fresh, living foods, I’m always fine with any detox or cleanse that focuses solely on unprocessed, whole and living foods eaten in a healthy combination that allows you to eliminate the bad stuff and replace it with more of the good stuff.

If you’re in select cities (like Blue Print Cleanse or The Love Cleanse in NYC ), there are fantastic juice fast/cleanse programs that allow you to pick up fresh juice daily, some even deliver it to your door, for your 3 or 5 days fast.  Some also include raw, solid foods while others are strictly juice.  But living within the requirements of any detox or cleanse is easily accomplished even on your own.  You may just find yourself missing your social life as you turn down dinners and cocktails with friends and the like.

But enough about that because I’m only on day 3 of my 7 day plan.  I’ve got a few days to go before I can enjoy a restaurant meal with any of my chosen friends (I wonder who I’ll break my “fast” with….??)  The detox that I’m trying this time is based around what Dr. Alejandro Junger, an NYC based physician and detox specialist, designed for Gwyneth Paltrow.  She talked about it in her weekly newsletter, Goop, which I came across while researching some other detox programs.

Essentially, I’ll eat a diet of juices, smoothies, and soups for 7 days.  Every once in a while a meal includes a small breast of organic chicken or poached salmon.  But even in those cases the food is prepared in a particular way (chicken is marinated in a fresh-made teriyaki sauce, salmon is poached over vegetables, soups are pureed in the blender to make them easy on the digestive system).

Being a bit of a nibbler and a grazer I don’t find myself missing big meals in any way.  In fact, I’m not very hungry.  But today, day three, is the most limiting when it comes to consumption so I’m a bit more tired than usual.

Over the course, I’m avoiding all dairy, glutenous grains, beef and shellfish, processed foods, fatty nuts (although sunflower and pumpkin seeds are allowed), nightshade vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant), alcohol, caffeine, and unnecessary seasonings.

Here’s a link to Gwyneth’s plan on Goop.  I’m following it loosely; modifying the recipes some, and starting each day with a teaspoon full of psyllium husk in 8 or 10 ounces of water (to keep things moving and “regular”).  If you’re looking for a plan for yourself, I’m also a fan of (did one last year)  an Ayurvedic based detox plan, or, as I mentioned earlier, a simple three day juice fast.

Even if your personal detox is just about eliminating dairy and meat, that’s a great first start.

As for me, it’s time to eat my miso soup for dinner.

Reminds me of being a kid again!

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Are there weed killers in your water?

Monday, August 31st, 2009

How safe is your drinking water?  It’s a question that many have asked for years, but that has once again sparked a recent debate.

According to new studies, levels of Atrazine, a weed killer used especially in the summer months by throngs of gardeners, lawn care workers and farmers alike, are at potentially unsafe levels in home drinking water.  Water systems data from across the US shows that 33 million Americans have been exposed to atrazine through their home water taps.

But there are, understandably, two sides to the question of how dangerous atrazine is.  While some say it’s fine, others claim the chemical can disrupt menstrual cycles and may be associated with birth defects and low birth weight.

How do you know if it’s in your water?  The EPA requires water systems to notify residents of the area if the yearly average levels of atrazine exceeds 3 parts per billion.  But (here’s where it gets dicey and potentially dangerous) in high use times, particularly during summer months, one-day exposures can jump up as high as 297 parts per billion and water systems are not required to notify anyone.

While pressure is put on the EPA to respond to this issue, how can you stay safe and avoid atrazine at home?

Some say that it’s best to forego tap water in favor of bottled water during summer months when use of the weed killer is at its highest, on crops, lawns, gardens, parks, golf courses, and so on.

But a  greener option is to install a home filtration system.  Sites like Pure Water for Less sell everything from countertop filtration systems to more advanced reverse osmosis systems.  And nearly every grocery and big box store sells affordable tap and pitcher filters.

Arguably, reverse osmosis systems provide the most complete filtration and elimination of unwanted chemicals and residues.  They’re also the most expensive; but when you compare the one-time cost to years of buying bottled water, they don’t compare.  Not to mention, of course, the savings to our landfills!

To learn more about levels in your area, check  the Natural Resources Defense Council’s site where they have mapped levels of atrazine across the US.  http://www.nrdc.org/health/atrazine/

Let’s all fight for safer drinking water!

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Better hydration!

Friday, August 7th, 2009

One of my favorite hydration modes when I’m especially low on electrolytes is coconut water.  Coconut water is one of the best all-natural sports and energy drinks available, especially effective at replacing lost electrolytes when recovering from an intense workout, or even an illness.

And my favorite coconut water has always been by a company called ONE Natural Experience.

one-waterBut hold the phone, because ONE doesn’t only have great coconut water, they have a single-serving water even you, the responsible greenie, can feel good about.

  • O.N.E. water is sustainably sourced from the Blue Mountains in Eastern Canada
  • O.N.E. water comes in an eco-friendly tetra pak, made mostly of paper that is easily recycled and keeps impurities out.
  • O.N.E. water gives back.  100% (yes, 100%!) of profits are donated to worthy causes including disaster relief, cancer research and education, and many others.
  • O.N.E. water  cares.  Right now, one in six people (1.1 billion across the globe) don’t have access to safe, clean drinking water.  O.N.E. water is working to raise awareness of the water crisis and find ways to give back.

So, raise a glass (or a tetra-paked water) to O.N.E.!  Let’s be O.N.E. with better hydration.

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Countertop Dill Pickles

Monday, July 27th, 2009

I got bit by the summer bug this weekend.  I pulled out the ice cream maker and made frozen yogurt.  And before that I harvested from my cucumber plant and made some countertop dill pickles.

If you don’t have a plant out back brimming with sun ripened cukes, hit up the grocery or farmer’s market.  Picklers (small, slender cucumbers) will work best, but larger cukes can always be cut into spears.

Countertop Dill Pickles

Countertop Dill Pickles

Here’s how I make mine.

Boil together 6 cups water, 2 tablespoons kosher salt, and 1/4 cup of white vinegar.  Allow to boil for 2 minutes.

Pack a jar with about 12 small cucumbers or 6-8 larger ones, quartered.  (A few of mine had grown to large on the vine so I quartered those)

Pack in a good handful of fresh dill, 3 cloves of garlic (mashed or cut in half), and 2 teaspoons pickling spice (you can make your own if you can’t find it in stores).

Pour the hot brine (water, vinegar and salt mixture) over the cucumbers and cover with a lid.  Let them sit out on the countertop for 1-2 days then move to the refrigerator.  Pickles are ready in under a week.

The hardest part for me still today (I struggled with this as a little girl, too), is watching and waiting for the cucumbers to become pickles.  Already last night, only a few hours after the jar was sealed, I was sampling.  Delicious!!

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