This week Andrew shared about a Hummus recipe with us on Facebook. We thought that sounded so tasty, we asked him if we could share it with all of you, and he agreed! So below is the recipe from Andrew's girlfriend Karie, and here is a picture of Andrew and Karie, from Virginia Beach, VA:

Andrew & Karie's Hummus Recipe:

• 1 can garbanzos, drain and save liquid
• 1/3 cup tahini
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 roasted red pepper
• 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped (or other green like parsley or spinach)
• 4-5 slices canned jalapeños, minced
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 lemon juice
• salt and fresh ground pepper

Put all ingredients into food processor and blend until smooth adding one or more of the 3 liquids until it's not to thick to spread on bread. (Makes a great sandwich with mayo, b&b pickles and romaine- yum!)

Thanks for sharing Andrew! And if you have any recipes please share them with us too!

Children love to have time to be creative, especially when it involves getting their hands dirty. Winter time is one of the best times to let your children spend a few hours getting their creative juices flowing. Did you know that making Eco friendly art supplies for your children is simple? Art supplies such as colored glue, recycled crayons, finger paints and play dough can be made with simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand in your kitchen cupboard.

Instructions:

The popularity of microwave popcorn boggles my mind.

Why would one choose to spend more money, increase packaging waste and eat artificial flavors when the natural option saves money, reduces packaging waste, has no artificial ingredients and tastes better?!?

We all love to snack – especially kids. So in our house, we regularly use our hot air popcorn popper to indulge our cravings, while having a healthy, natural snack.

I purchase a bulk sized container of hot air popping corn and it lasts us months! My kids, especially my two year old, love the excitement of the popping corn and the smell that permeates the house.

After it is popped, I add a bit of melted Olive Oil margarine and a sprinkle of salt (not too much of course!) and we curl up on the couch for a popcorn party.

If your family is in the habit of eating potato chips, why not switch to popcorn to satisfy them? And if you have been using the microwave to pop your corn, this Year, break free and use a hot air popper.

And here is a popcorn popping tip from a veteran popcorn popper:

If you find your popcorn maker sends popcorn bouncing right out of the bowl and all over your kitchen, grab a tea towel and hold it loosely around the popper and bowl. Much less mess – but don’t hold it too close. That air is hot!

Last week, Kari shared a post about 12 of the most important fruits and vegetables to buy organic. This comes from the Environmental Working Group's list of the worst offenders (it's been dubbed the "Dirty Dozen" as far as pesticides and other chemicals that end up in our food.

This is helpful so that we can make smart shopping choices and avoid putting unnatural chemicals in our bodies. Several of you made great comments on Facebook about why you buy organic for your health:

Kathi writes:

"People are amazed that on my limited budget I insist on organic - but it is an investment in my family's health. You either pay for it now or later in my opinion. I'd rather pay upfront for better food rather than later in medical costs."

Dyan from Miami says:

"My body is not a discount body. I will buy organic whenever I can get it."

We couldn't agree more. The concern for our health and the health of our children is an important factor leading people to choose to look for that organic logo above. But it's not the only motivator. Lisa points out:

"There'also the larger picture to consider here - not just what I'm putting into my body, but what I'm supporting, through my purchases, others in putting into the environment. I may be the only me, but there are billions of humans sharing only one planet Earth."

Well said Lisa! This really has been a major (some would say the major) reason behind the organic movement going back to the 1970s with guys like Gene Kahn trying to figure out how to [drive a tractor and] grow food in a way that works with our natural ecosystems - not against them.

If you're new here, here are is some further reading on why Cascadian Farm cares about organics:

Why Should You Care Abou Organic Farming?

Organic vs. Natural

Controlling Bugs Naturally: Organic Pest Controll

There were so many great articles from our Organic Feed that it was hard to just choose five. Here are some of our favorites and as always, feel free to let us know what articles you liked and any additional thoughts you have.

1. Blackberry Cordial with Cream & Chocolate- This drink recipe just sounds too good to pass up. Psst...want to know where you can find some organic blackberries? -makeitfromscratch.blogspot.com
2. Michael Pollan's "Food Rules": Keep it Simple, Then Simplify - Like Food, Inc.? Lee gives us an overview of Michael Pollan's new book, Food Rules: An Eater's Manual. (A must-read for those starting their path toward responsible eating, and a great refresher for those well on their way.) -simplegoodandtasty.com
3. Earth Friendly Etsy :: Bodhicitta - Not only are these re-purposed bottle glasses adorable, but they really do represent one's trash becoming one's treasure. Very green, indeed! -mysweetgreens.com
4. My 5 Fave Natural Organic Perfumes are at Spirit Beauty Lounge - As you well know, organic doesn't stop at food. Fig+Sage shows us some natural alternatives to those traditional perfumes that are packed with synthetic chemicals. -figandsage.blogspot.com
5. A Wake Up Story - A beautiful, yet hair-raising video about making the world a healthier place for our children. Thanks, Jennie, for the share! -mysweetgreens.com

What did you think of these ideas? Post a comment below, or leave us a note on our Facebook wall!

It's February, and if you're anything like me, now is the time when you start wishing for the thaw.  The snow has come, I had fun, and now, well, now I'm ready to plant my garden.  This time of year definitely has me digging deep into my freezer to pull out the frozen products from last year's gardening efforts.  I use my pesto stash much more freely, and a few days ago, I pulled out a few containers of shredded zucchini that I had parboiled and just slightly and frozen.

While I had been overwhelmed by the amount of zucchini my single plant seemed to produce last year, seeing those white and green shreds packed deep in my freezer were a welcome contrast to my overcast, gray winter days.  If you don't have your own, don't worry.  Just buy a bag of frozen pieces and send them through the food processor.

I had planned on making zucchini bread loaves when I originally took my zucchini out of the freezer to thaw, but my mind was changed indefinitely when I visited Deb's blog and saw these.  I instantly started dreaming of a creamy orange-kissed center inside my favorite quick bread mix.  It didn't disappoint.

Valentine's Day is on Sunday! Last week you saw Don's Strawberry Valentine, but this time Don had some fun with the Small Planet Foods logo:

Small Planet Foods Logo

Don took the logo, and made it really SWEET!

So what are you going to do for your Valentine? Share with us. We'll keep it a secret!

We all know eating a diet filled with fruits and vegetables is essential to good health. But many people are still not convinced that organic is worth the extra price. It's important to realize that chemical residue from non-organic foods can accumulate over time in our fatty tissue and effect our immune and endocrine systems - scary. Since organic foods (the green and white USDA organic label assures it is 95-100% organic) are produced without the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, all you get is the nutritional benefit and great taste. That being said, with organic produce typically costing 15% more than conventional, price is still a real issue for many families. That's why I wanted to find out which fruits and veggies are critical to buy organic. According to the Environmental Working Group, the twelve non-organic fruits and vegetables below consistently contain higher levels of pesticide residue (even after washing) than others.

Highest Pesticide Residue

1. Strawberries
2. Bell Peppers (green and red)
3. Spinach
4. Cherries
5. Peaches
6. Cantaloupe (Mexico)
7. Celery
8. Apples
9. Apricots
10. Green Beans
11. Grapes (Chilean)
12. Cucumbers

Look at what Sustainable Dave (featured in our Organic Feed) carries around in his backback to cut back on waste from single use products.

Great stuff Dave! Thanks for sharing your tips with us.

Has your family been looking for an environmental friendly way to spend the day or weekend without breaking the bank? There are many opportunities to explore and immerse yourself in the world around us in a quick day or two. Spending time together as a family in nature is as beneficial to your family bond as it is in bonding your family to nature. Here are some of my favorite day trips that will envelope your family in natural beauty and will you leave you with a greater appreciation for our Earth.

National Parks

You and your family can explore the natural world at more than 60 National Parks around the United States. National Parks are an excellent way to introduce your family to nature, history and culture. National Parks are usually centered around a specific topic. These topics include environmental topics such as; caves, coral reefs, endangered species, fossils and dinosaurs, hot springs, glaciers or volcanoes. Also, historical topics such as; American Presidents, Civil War, early explorers, human rights, invention and industry, Westward Expansion and Revolutionary War.

My favorite National Parks that my family has visited include; Mesa Verde National Park -Colorado, Dry Tortugas National Park - Florida, Yellowstone National Park -Montana, Wyoming and Oregon and Rocky Mountain National Park -Colorado. You can find state parks by name, location, topic or activity here. There are many ways to view a National Park, my favorites include; hiking, biking, rock climbing, swimming, snowshoeing, camping or on horseback. You can also view a National Park by guided tour, which is an fantastic way to learn about the park while viewing it.