Really Ridiculously (R)awesome Recipes

 

It's Tuesday again, which means another day of raw, vegan goodness!! There's currently an excess of strawberries and carrots in the Shanghai Monkey house, so all of the recipes will be incorporating one of these.

Breakfast: Fruity (slightly greeny) Raw Smoothie

Strawberries, banana, romaine lettuce and cinnamon. I've been making this smoothie since last week, and it's too yummy to give up.

Lunch: Carrot & Ginger Souper Raw Soup (recipe adapted from gone raw)

• 6 carrots, chopped
• 1 avocado
• 1 inch piece of ginger
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 lemon, juiced for 2 tablespoons
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• few sprigs of parsley
• sea salt (to taste)
• freshly ground pepper (to taste)
• water

Toss everything in the blender and mix until smooth. Add water until the desired consistency. My blender isn't very powerful, so I had to add quite a bit of water to make the carrots blend. Next time I make this soup I will juice the carrots first (in a juice extractor) so the soup isn't so watered down. I reserved half of the avocado for garnish.

Dinner: Souped Up Souper Soup

I made so much carrot & ginger soup for lunch, that I had it again for dinner. To mix up the taste, I added 2 tomatoes and 1 green onion.

Dessert: Raw Strawberry "Cheese" Parfait (adapted from Healthy Girl)

• 1 cup cashews, soaked for at least 3 hours
• 1/4 cup raw coconut butter
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2-4 tablespoons raw sweetener (depending on taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (alcohol free or use seeds from a vanilla bean)
• 2 handfuls of strawberries
• water

Here's yet another crust-less raw dessert. The original recipe was for cheesecake, but I ditched the crust and just made the filling and sauce. One of these days I'll make a raw crust! Mix everything (except the strawberries) in a blender until smooth. If the mixture is too thick to blend, add a little water. Pour into cups and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. When ready to serve, toss the strawberries in the blender and mix. Pour over the "cheese". This dessert came out so creamy and delicious. I will definitely be making it again in the near future!

In between these meals, I snacked on veggies with raw hummus (recipe coming soon ...).

Happy uncooking ...

Sprout Your Own Sprouts

I never realized how easy (& fast) it is to grow my own sprouts at home ... until I tried it for myself. Sprouts made from beans and seeds are a tasty source of protein, fibre and other minerals. You can add them to soups, salads, dips and sandwiches. I like to eat them by the handful as a delicious and crunchy snack. There are sprouting devices sold, but they are by no means necessary. The mung beans that I sprouted in the above picture only required a glass for soaking and a strainer for sprouting. Here's how you can make your own sprouts at home in four easy steps:

1. Select an UNCOOKED bean or seed to sprout. If you can, choose organic as this is the only way to ensure your sprouts haven't been sprayed with synthetic pesticides. Beans such as mung, adzuki (red), lentils and chickpeas (garbanzo) are excellent for sprouting. Seeds such as pumpkin, broccoli, radish and alfalfa are also good choices.


2. Soak overnight. Soaking time varies according to what you're sprouting, but most require 12 hours. I soak my mung beans for a full 24 hours. In the morning you should see the outer husk begin to crack.


3. Drain the water and distribute the beans/seeds in an even layer in a stainer. The idea is to keep the beans/seeds moist for the next few days. Using the strainer, rinse the beans/seeds at least twice a day (you may need to do it 3 times a day depending on your climate). I keep a plate under the stainer to collect the excessive water as it drains from the strainer. As each day passes, you should see the inside of the bean get larger and break open the outside husk of the bean.
   
4. After 2-3 days place the sprouts in a bowl of water. The outer husks should float to the top, allowing you to remove the husks (although you don't have to remove them at all). Now enjoy your crisp, fresh, inexpensive, healthy sprouts.

Earth Day 2009

Everyday is earth day in my house, but it's still nice to have an official day that's internationally recognized. I hope you take some time today to walk outside in nature, unplug an electrical device, make use of a recycled material and eat some delicious, nutritious, organic and GREEN vegan food.

More Raw Fooding

Effective immediately, my raw food schedule will be slightly modified. RIP Raw Food Wednesdays, and viva la Raw Food Tuesdays! Today I got a little creative and experimented with my own raw recipes for the first time. Verdict: So much fun! Here's my raw fooding for today ...

Breakfast: Fruity (slightly greeny) Raw Smoothie

• handful of strawberries
• 1 banana
• several romaine lettuce leaves
• 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice
• dash of cinnamon

Combine everything in a blender. If the mixture seems too thick, add enough water to allow it to mix in the blender.

Lunch: Creamy Raw Gazpacho

• 5-6 tomatoes
• 1 avocado
• 1 green onion
• handful of cashews
• 1 clove of garlic
• several sprigs of parsley
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• sea salt (to taste)

Combine everything in a blender. Tomatoes are very acidic, hence this soup is not for anyone with a low pH (under 7). Add more nuts for a creamier soup.

TIP - Make a large batch of soup for lunch when you're starting off raw (this soup made 5 servings). If you get hungry in the afternoon you can quickly chow down the soup that's already made. Or spoon it into a travel mug to take on the go.

Dinner: Raw Zucchini "Pasta" with Alfredo Sauce

Everyone liked this dish so much last week, we had it again.

Dessert: Raw Mango Pudding

• 2 mangoes, peeled
• 1 banana
• 1/4 cup shredded dried unsweetened coconut
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• raw sweetener (to taste)

Combine everything in a blender. Spoon the pudding into dessert cups and chill in the fridge for at least an hour.

See you next week everyone!

Easy Peasy Wristlet

I love the simple elegance of a wristlet. It's perfect for a night out on the town (when all you need is lipstick and ID) or to keep in a larger purse for smaller items like coins or loyalty cards. I created this sparkly blue wristlet using fabric leftover from a Halloween costume. The pattern is very simple. I cut two half moon shapes to form the main purse, and 2 bands of fabric: one large (for the wrist strap) and one small (to attach the clasp to the purse).

To create the purse:

With right sides facing together sew the zipper to the straight edges of the half moons (see photo). Fold the raw edges of the band in towards the centre and press flat with an iron. Loop the smaller band around the bottom of the clasp to form the piece that will be sewn into the purse. Pin the clasp inside the purse about 3 cm from the zipper.

Open the zipper half way and sew together the half moons. Trim the seams and turn right side out. Lastly, fold the raw edges of the longer band in towards the centre and steam flat with an iron. Fold the band in half so the edges line up. Steam flat with an iron. Overlap the two ends to form a loop. Sew along the band lengthwise. Attach the band to the clasp on the purse. Viola!

Raw Wednesday Recipes

Breakfast: Raw Fruity Smoothie

• 2 handfuls of strawberries, hauled and quartered
• 1 banana, sliced
• a few pieces of fresh pineapple
• 1 lemon, juiced for 1 tablespoon of juice
• dash of ground cinnamon

This is basically a round-up of all the fruit I had around the house. Throw the fruit into a blender and combine. There should be enough water in the strawberries and pineapple to create a smooth texture, if not add water as necessary.

TIP - Since all the recipes I made today required a little bit of lemon juice, I bought 1 lemon and juiced it, strained it and stored the juice in the fridge. This allows me to take it out and use the juice throughout the day for each recipe. By the end of the day all the juice has been used.

Lunch: Creamy Raw Cucumber Soup (recipe adapted from The Raw 50)

• 2 large cucumbers (keep the skin on if it's organic)
• 1 avocado (use more for a creamier soup)
• 2 roma tomatoes
• 1/4 cup coriander
• 1 lemon, juiced for 2 tablespoons
• sea salt to taste
• water

If you like a chunky soup, reserve a few pieces of avocado and/or tomato. Combine everything in a blender. Add water for the thickness you desire. Garnish with the reserved avocado and tomato.

Dinner: Zucchini "Penne" with Raw Alfredo Sauce (recipe seen on many raw websites)

• 2 large zucchinis
• 1/2 cup cashews
• 1/2 cup pine nuts
• 1 clove of garlic, peeled
• 1 lemon, juiced for 2 tablespoons of juice
• water
• sea salt to taste

To create the penne, cut the zucchinis into four pieces lengthwise. Cut out the soft middles. Slice the zucchini on an angle to create penne-like pieces (I saw this technique years ago on an episode of Jamie Oliver at Home). Combine all the other ingredients (except the water) in a blender or food processor. Add the water slowly until the mixture forms a saucy texture. Pour the sauce over the zucchini pasta.

Dessert: Raw Key Lime Pudding (recipe from gone raw)

• 1 banana
• 1 avocado
• 4-5 limes, juiced
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1/2 cup raw sweetener (agave, stevia, honey, etc ...)

Combine everything in a blender. Pour into dessert cups and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes. Similarly as last week, the original recipe was a pie, but I didn't want to make the crust, so I just made the filling and served it as pudding. Add more/less of the sweetener to your taste (the sweetness will also depend on how ripe the banana is).

It is now the end of my second raw day, and I'm starting to get the hang of this raw thang. ;) I snacked on carrots, almonds and dried figs throughout the day (today was my first time having figs; they are delicious if you've never tried them). I'm really enjoying learning new recipes and researching different foods. Now it's back to the drawing board to discover all new recipes for next week ...

 

The Inaugural Raw Food Wednesday Post

So I've been doing some research on raw food for the past few months, and decided to commit to eating raw once a week. With winter now winding down and warmer days ahead, I figure there's no better time than the present! Wednesdays are a less hectic day for me, so I picked it for my weekly raw feast.

To prepare I headed to the library for some raw literature. Sounds like a good plan, eh? Well it would have been if the raw foodists in my town hadn't taken the majority of them out! I ended up with the only book that was currently in the library: Carol Alt's The Raw 50. There's a bit of useful information, and a handful of recipes that look interesting. Sadly the book isn't vegan (a few recipes use raw dairy, meat and fish), and the forward (written by someone else) insists that no known human group has survived on an all vegetarian diet. Now I realize why this book isn't flying off the library shelves!!

Luckily, there are MASSIVE amounts of information, tips and recipes on the internet regarding raw vegan food. So far my favs are:

• Kristen's Raw
• Ani Phyo
• and various random videos on YouTube

Here are the recipes from my first 100% raw & vegan day:

Breakfast: Simple Raw Green Smoothie (recipe seen on various raw blogs in cyberspace).

• 1 banana
• A handful of spinach
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup of water (use more/less for the consistency you prefer)

Mix everything in a blender and enjoy the greeny goodness!

Lunch: Raw Burritos (recipe adapted from The Raw 50)

• 2 avocados, mashed
• 1-2 roma (aka plum) tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 medium onion, diced
• handful of sprouts
• 1 garlic clove, finely minced
• 1 jalapeno pepper (optional)
• 4 large lettuce leaves (I used romaine, but any will do)
• 1 lemon, squeezed for 2 tablespoons of juice
• 1-2 sprigs of parsley
• dash of ground cumin (aka geera)
• dash of sea salt (optional)

In a large bowl combine everything (except the lettuce). Mix well. Spoon the mixture into the lettuce. Fold the top and sides of the lettuce leaf like a burrito. Delicioso!

Dinner: Raw Red Pepper Curry Soup (recipe adapted from The Raw 50)

• 3 bell peppers (any colour, but I used red)
• 1 apple (I used empire), peeled
• 1 avocado
• 2-3 sprigs of parsley
• 1/2 onion
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 cup raw pine nuts
• 3 teaspoons curry powder
• 1 teaspoon sea salt (optional)
• 2 cups water

Set aside a few pieces of avocado and bell pepper for garnish. Put all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Pour into bowls and garnish with the reserved veggies.

Dessert: Raw Lemon Coconut "Creme" Pudding (recipe from VegWeb)

The original recipe is for a pie with a nut crust. For my inaugural raw day, I decided to simplify by forgoing the crust and just making the filling.

• 1 banana
• 1/2 cup raw shredded coconut (unsweetened)
• 1/2 lemon, squeezed for juice
• 1 tablespoon raw coconut oil

Puree everything in a blender until smooth. Pour into dessert cups. I'm glad I didn't make the crust because using these measurements I would had no where near enough filling for a pie!

The final verdict - I feel pretty good. While planning the meals yesterday, I was worried I wouldn't have enough food. Interestingly, initially after finishing every meal, I did still feel hungry but after waiting 15-20 minutes I was quite full. I also drank a lot of water throughout the day and snacked on carrots with the leftover burrito filling.

I can't wait to do this all over again next week!!

Why is Earth Hour So Important?

The topic of Earth Hour came up during a conversation with a friend, and to my dismay, she said she wasn't planning on participating. She couldn't see how her participation in this one event would impact our growing climate crisis. Unfortunately I hear this a lot - people getting discouraged that using travel mugs, re-usable grocery bags, or buying organic products can make a significant difference for our global environmental woes. "Don't you know that you are a dazzling jewel interwoven in Indra's Net?" is my usual reply ...

Indra's Net is a Vedic metaphor used to show how everything and everyone in the universe is tied together. In order to understand how this metaphor works, imagine a large fishnet; large enough to cover our earth and the entire universe. The net is infinite, crisscrossing into every plane of space. At each node (where the lines intersect) imagine a dazzling sparkling jewel. This jewel represents every being, tree, river and every organism in the universe. The source of light for each jewel is the reflection of light from every other jewel.

You are a magnificent jewel in this glorious net! You are connected to all things in this universe and all things are connected to you. When you chose to use a piece of scrap paper, you allow a tree to live and it's jewel continues to shine. Its light makes your jewel and all others shine a little brighter. When you chose to use a disposable single use paper plate, a tree must be cut down and destroyed. Consequently it's jewel becomes tarnished and all other jewels become dimmer.

As John Muir said, "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe". Don't let the media, environmental naysayers or pessimistic friends convince you that the small things don't make a difference, because it absolutely does! There aren't any small efforts, just small people who try to make you feel small by diminishing your efforts.

So on Saturday March 28, 2009 at 8:30 PM turn out those lights! Your jewel is so bright that you won't need them anyway.

World Water Week 2009

If you've ever travelled to developing or under developed countries, then you know how scarce clean, safe drinking water can be. UNICEF reports that more than 2.5 billion people lack basic sanitation, and almost 890 million people do not have access to safe water sources. Without this basic necessity, thousand of people worldwide are suffering from malnourishment, chronic diseases and even death.

In celebration of World Water Week (March 22-29, 2009), UNICEF's annual Tap Project asks restaurant goers to donate $1 each time they order tap water that they would normally receive for free. With more than $300, 000 raised in Canada alone, participating restaurants are hoping to increase their donations in 2009.

When I travelled to Asia last year, it took me quite a while to get used to the dirty water that was used for bathing, cooking and drinking everyday. Often the only alternative was purchasing expensive bottled water that was financially out of reach for many. The equipment needed to boil unhygienic water is also not accessible to everyone.

According to UNICEF your donation of $1 CDN will buy clean, safe water for 40 children! So enjoy a tall, cool glass of clean tap water today and help a child enjoy one too!

Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie

With a few easy substitutions, a traditional shepherd's pie can be transformed vegan style. My favourite way to mix it up is to use sweet potato for the topping. Sweet potatoes (sometimes referred to as yams) are high in fibre, beta carotene and contain vitamins C and B6. For this recipe you will need:

• Oil (to sautee)
• 1 onion (diced)
• 2 cloves of garlic (minced)
• 4 cups mushrooms (chopped)
• 2 medium zucchinis (diced)
• 2 cups corn
• handful of parsley (finely chopped)
• 1 chive (finely chopped)
• 1 butternut squash (peeled & chopped into large chunks)
• 2 sweet potatoes (peeled & chopped into large chunks)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened soymilk
• 1 tsp red chili pepper (optional)
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• salt & pepper to taste

Place the chopped squash and sweet potato in a large pot. Fill with enough water to cover the vegetables. Add a teaspoon of salt and bring to a boil. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until the potatoes are soft. Drain.

Heat some oil in a pan on medium. Add the onion and garlic and sautee until the onions turn translucent. Add the mushrooms, zucchini, corn and chilies. Season with salt and pepper and continue cooking for 3-5 minutes (or until the vegetables soften). Mix in the chopped parsley.

Preheat the oven to 400 F. Add the soymilk to the squash and potatoes. With a potato masher (or use a fork if you don't have one) mash the squash and potatoes. Add the chives and nutmeg and season with salt and pepper.

Spread the sauteed mushroom mixture evenly in a casserole dish. Top with the squash and potato. Bake for 30-45 minutes or until the top is brown.

Earrings Upcycle

Here's a great little project to re-purpose some of those unique jewelry pieces you may have received as gifts.  This pair of earrings (only one earring is pictured on the left) wasn't really my style, so I grabbed my pliers and went at it.

I removed all five of the dangling pieces from both earrings and the circular embellishment from the earring finding. Then I added two of the dangling pieces to the earrings and used the rest of the beads for the bracelet. I finished off the bracelet with a clasp and hook, and the jewelry set was done.

Vegan Cinnamon Cookies

These light crispy cookies are surprisingly easy to make, and even easier to eat! I picked up a package of egg-free wonton wraps at an Asian food market, so most of the work was already done for me. Here's what you'll need:

• 1 package of wonton wraps (read the label to make sure it doesn't include eggs)
• vegetable oil (for frying)
• 1/2 cup of dark brown sugar
• 1/2 tbsp of cinnamon

In a deep skillet, heat an inch of oil on medium. Meanwhile combine the sugar and cinnamon in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Carefully add a wonton wrap into the oil and fry for 30 seconds - 1 minute or until golden brown. I used a spoon to fold half of the cookie unto itself to form a half moon shape. Using tongs or a slotted spoon remove the cookie from the oil and coat with the sugar and cinnamon mixture.

Since this was my first time frying, I burned the first few :( But after a while I got the hang of it and could fry 3 at the same time. I know what you're thinking: a deep fried cookie must be very greasy, oily and filling. But these cookies are actually the opposite. In fact, after I finished making them, I poured the oil I used for frying back into a jar to reuse, and hardly any had been absorbed into the cookies. So happy cookie frying!!

Is Local the New Organic?

Aside from asking why everything has to be the "new" something, my first reaction to this question is NO. Local is not the new organic, in fact these two don't have to replace each other at all. I'm not sure why the media has positioned these two eco methods against each other, because they don't have to be constantly in opposition. On many farms the two co-exist quite peacefully and in harmony. Yes, it's true folks, your food can be local AND organic!

Undoubtedly the question of whether to buy either local or organic was first posed because, unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world where every store carries every product in both local and organic varieties. So the solution becomes much more complex than a simple rule of always buy local or always buy organic.

For instance, if you have an affinity for tropical fruits, such as pineapple, your decision is an easy one; you must buy organic because local will never be an option (until you move to the tropics). However, if on your next trip to buy apples (a fruit that is grown here in Canada), you find the only two options are conventionally grown local apples and organic apples shipped from China, leave that store immediately! These are NOT your only options. Instead, visit your local farmer's market or community supported agriculture farm (CSA) and pick up some delicious passport free local organic apples.

Rarely is anything in life as easy as "always do this", and our food choices are no different. Don't listen to the supposed environmental expert on tv or in the newspaper that is telling you to forgo one for the other. Instead decide for yourself how to make the best choices for a healthy diet and environment.

DIY #4: Charming Charm Bracelet

Over the years I've amassed quite a few lockets and charms - too many frankly. I've been seeing a lot of charm bracelets in stores these days, so naturally I thought why not make my own charm bracelet with the lockets I have that aren't currently being used. You will need:

• Lockets and/or charms
• Bracelet
• Jump rings
• Needle nose pliers

Start off by cleaning up your old lockets and charms. I'd heard over the years that toothpaste can remove tarnish from old jewelry, but I'd never tried it myself before this project. Well it's true!! Rub a thick layer of toothpaste over the tarnished area and rinse with warm water. Your jewelry will sparkle without the use of harsh chemicals.

I used jump rings for my bracelet because I find them easier to use than split rings (these rings look like mini key chain rings), but you can use whichever you prefer. Open one jump ring using the pliers and insert one end into the hole on your locket or charm. Slip the open jump ring into one of the loops on your bracelet and close the ring with your pliers. Continue adding charms and embellishments as you like.

Happy International Women's Day

Take some time today to celebrate all the joys and gifts of being a woman. And if you think there aren't any joys or gifts, let one of my favourite poems enlighten you:

Phenomenal Woman

By Dr. Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,

They think I'm telling lies.

I say,

It's in the reach of my arms

The span of my hips,

The stride of my step,

The curl of my lips.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.

I say,

It's the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth,

The swing in my waist,

And the joy in my feet.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

Men themselves have wondered

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can't touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them

They say they still can't see.

I say,

It's in the arch of my back,

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

Now you understand

Just why my head's not bowed.

I don't shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.

When you see me passing

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It's in the click of my heels,

The bend of my hair,

the palm of my hand,

The need of my care,

'Cause I'm a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

DIY #3: Upcycled Denim

My mom recently ripped her favourite embroidered jeans, making them unwearable, so they were passed on to me for upcycling. For some time now I've wanted to create a special pouch to hold the numerous loyalty cards I have collected over the years, but I was waiting to find the perfect fabric. It needed to be durable enough to survive the wear and tear of daily use. When I saw the cute embroidered back pockets, I knew this is what I'd been waiting for. Here's what you'll need for this craft:

• An old pair of jeans
• Zipper (or alternative closure)
  

Rip off both back pockets from the jeans. With right sides facing, sew one side of the zipper to one pocket, then sew the second. At this point you can decide the shape of your pouch. I like the idea of sewing up the edges as is and leaving the pouch with that "jeans back pocket" look. However, considering the function I needed the pouch for, I decided a rectangular shape would be best. Open the zipper half way, and stitch the other 3 sides together. Trim any excess fabric and zipper and turn right side out. Good for the environment and good for staying organized!

Free Yoga

Saturday February 28th is Yoga Day Canada. In support of this glorious event, many yoga studios across Canada are offering FREE yoga classes. If you've never tried yoga, but have always wondered what it's all about, this is your chance to find out. There are many types of yoga, (Hatha, Ashtanga, Moksha/Hot or even laughing yoga) and the purpose and benefits will vary depending on which type you practise. Some yoga classes are focused solely on a physical workout, while others are purely for meditation and relaxation. Try out different types of yoga and different teachers until you find the right fit for you.

To find a participating studio near you, visit the Yoga Day Canada site, or contact your local yogi and ask if they are offering free classes.

Obama Loves Canada

The amount of Obama themed merchandise is off the chart. A quick search on Google will yield Obama purses, chia heads, underwear and comics. Well it appears as though the Obama mania has migrated north. In honour of Obama's first visit to Canada, a beavertail stand in Ottawa has started selling Obama tails, a fried pastry topped with a chocolatey O. There's no word yet on whether Obama himself likes the dessert, but Obama did say today at the Ottawa press conference today that he "loves this [Canada] country," and that's good enough for me! Enjoy your visit, Barack!

Using Up Fabric Scraps

How many of us have heaps and mounds of scrap fabric just calling out to be used in some way? I'm always trying to think up new ways to make use of this fabric supply. One of my recent projects was this quick and easy fabric bookmark. Here's what you'll need:

• Scrap fabric
• Cardboard (cereal boxes are perfect)
• Grommet punch (optional)
• Ribbon (optional)

Fold the fabric in half. Cut out a rectangle with one long edge on the fold. The size doesn't really matter, just eyeball it. Fold right sides together and stitch 2 sides (depicted by the black lines on the right) leaving one short end open. Cut out a piece of cardboard the same size as the fabric rectangle. Cut out a small square (as seen on the right) in the top centre of the cardboard. This will make way for the grommet hole later. Next, insert the cardboard into the fabric sleeve you have just made. Make sure the end with a square cut out is inserted first. Turn the raw edges inside 1/4 inch and top stitch closed. For added decoration, cut a small hole in the top centre of the bookmark (there should be a space in the cardboard, so you only have to cut through fabric). Using a grommet punch, insert a grommet hole. Then thread a thin ribbon through the hole using a slip knot.


Caution:  This becomes very addictive after you've made a few. I made 7 bookmarks in one sitting!

Vegan/Vegetarian Fast Food

Like most healthy eaters, I don't frequent fast food joints. I'd rather support small businesses who offer a variety of vegan and/or vegetarian options. But let's face it, sometimes there just isn't a lot of restaurant options when you're out and about. Case in point, tomorrow I'll be travelling on the highway, and I know there won't be any vegan cafes in any of the service stations. Below is a summary of my observations on this subject:

• HARVEY'S - I didn't even know Harvey's offered a veggie burger until a few days ago. The sandwich itself is not bad, and they'll serve it on a whole wheat bun if you ask. You can also ditch the fries for salad in the combo.


• KFC - After buckling under pressure from PETA, KFC now offers a simulated chicken sandwich at most of their Canadian restaurants. Great news for chickens everywhere!! However, not so great for those of us who eat their faux chicken sandwich. I thought it was quite bland (the bun was more palatable honestly), but I don't mind buying it if I'm in a pinch.


• QUIZNO'S - I like their veggie sub because it has guacamole on it (a topping not found at most sub places). Ditch the mozzarella and it's vegan! They do offer a few soups, but none of the sales people seem to know if they contain an animal based broth, so I've never tried any of them. It's probably a better bet to purchase a sub on whole wheat.


• STARBUCKS - Great place for a latte made with soymilk, however they are lacking big time on the food menu. The last time I visited this chain, the salesperson offered me an egg sandwich. She said she'd take the cheese off to make it vegan (eeeek!). I ended up getting a yummy Asian inspired cold noodle dish with sesame and edamame. I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious it was, but I'm not sure if it's available at other branches. Apparently they are offering oatmeal now as well, but I've yet to try it.


• TIM HORTONS - Not my favourite place since the lines are always so long and they don't offer soymilk as an option for your coffee. However, in a pinch you can ask for a veggie sandwich on whole wheat. It's usually not on the menu, but they will make it for you if you ask. Ditch the cream cheese (they always give me a weird look) and it's vegan! The mushroom soup (not vegan) is pretty good as well. Make it a combo with a multi-grain bagel and it's enough to fill you up.


• WILLIAMS Coffee Pub - I like their veggie panini, although its pre-made, so you can't opt out of the cheese. Their soup of the day is vegetarian sometimes. DO NOT purchase a green tea here (the worst tasting tea I've ever had)!

5 Gifts for Your Green Sweetie

Okay, so Valentine's Day is kind of a sham holiday, but this year why not support a green company and make it mean something?

1. Dark CHOCOLATE from Green & Black's Organic Chocolate
2. Organic ROSES from your local flower shop
3. Fairly traded JEWELRY from Ten Thousand Villages
4. Send your love electronically with an e-CARD from Care2
5. Make your sweetie an organic, locally sourced DINNER with farmer's market finds

DIY #2: Beaded Bracelet

 

Like many of you, I have a lot of leftover beads from different crafts and projects. This bracelet is a fast and easy way to use up some of those beads and create a custom piece of jewelry.

You will need:

• handful of beads
• 1 jewelry closure
• 120 cm of beading wire

To make the bracelet:

1. Fold the wire in half and insert one side of the jewelry closure. You should now have two separate ends of the wire. 
2. Thread one bead onto both ends of the wire (you can also use a cripping tool if you have one). 
3. Next thread two beads onto each separate wire. 
4. This step will form the middle decorative part of the bracelet. For mine, I used one plain bead, followed by a larger blue glass bead, and then another plain bead. Thread these 3 beads onto one wire. 
5. Then take the other wire and thread it through the same 3 beads in the opposite direction (the wires should crisscross inside the beads). 
6. Gently pull and tighten up all the wires. 
7. Thread two beads onto each wire separately. 
8. Continue with another 3 beads for the decorative part crisscrossing the wires. 
9. Continue in this pattern until you reach the desired length. 
10. Finish with the other end of the jewelry closure. 

I wanted an eclectic look for my bracelet, so for the middle bead I used different glass beads, but all in the same colour, blue.  I think this would be an excellent project using sea glass, but since people don't litter as much any more, it's practically impossible to find real blue sea glass (not that I'm complaining). 

I can't wait to show off my new bracelet this weekend!

Organic Tip #2: What is GMO?

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are plants and animals that have been Genetically Engineered (GE). GE'ing changes the genes and DNA of crops and animals by inserting foreign genes into different crops. For instance, in order to create a tomato that can withstand cold temperatures, scientists may select a gene from a cold water fish and insert this gene into the tomato's DNA. The result is a tomato that can grow in the winter. These crops are sometimes referred to as franken-food.

Unfortunately, the long term effects of eating GM foods are unknown. There have been questions of the risks and stability of experimenting with the delicate nature of the food we eat and is supposed to nourish us. People with allergies are also at risk of reactions if they eat a seemingly harmless food that is spliced with DNA from their allergic source. GM processes requires much more research from impartial and unbiased sources.

Corn, soybeans, cotton and canola are currently the most common GM foods. If you read the labels of your favourite salad dressings, cereals and other prepackaged foods, you will find these four crops are more ubiquitous than you think. The concern is that in Canada there is a voluntary system for labelling food as GM, and the vast majority of companies that use GM products have opted not to label it as so. This means you may be ingesting GM products and not even be aware.

Getting scared yet? Well there's no need to be! In Canada, certified organic products CANNOT be genetically modified. So if you want to steer clear of GM food, eat organic. It's delicious, nutritious, better for the environment than conventionally grown food, and GMO free.

source: www.cog.ca

International Development Week 2009

International Development week takes place each year on the first full week of February. It is intended to increase awareness of the world's most critical issues in international development, and educate people on how to become active global citizens. Here are a few stats:

• Zimbabwe's cholera outbreak is one of the world's largest ever recorded. More than 60,000 people have been infected and more than 31,000 have died since August 2008.
• Every 30 seconds a child dies from malaria. In Africa a child has on average 1.6-5.4 malaria induced fevers each year.
• In 2007, there were more than 2 million people displaced in Darfur, Sudan.
• Water scarcity affects 4 out of 10 people.
• More than half a million women die every year from complications during pregnancy. The majority of these deaths could be prevented with quality health care before, during and after childbirth.
• In 2002, nearly 11 million children died under the age of 5. Almost all of these deaths (98%) were in developing countries.
• More than 70% of all cancer deaths occur in low and middle income countries.
• Approximately 1 billion people are affected by neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which are named so because they exist only in the poorest regions. Treatment for some NTDs costs as little as two cents USD.

source: http://www.who.int/en

To find an event near you search the Canadian International Development Agency's (CIDA) calendar of events.

2 Minute Vegan Breakfast Smoothie

Quick, easy and no chopping required!

• 1 cup of your favourite soy, almond or hemp or rice milk
• 1 banana (peeled, broken in half)
• splash of juice (whichever you like - orange, pineapple, mango)
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

Throw everything in the blender and mix until smooth.

More Sock Softies

I made a few more softies from Sock & Glove. The pink monkey was a gift for my niece's 1st birthday. The party had a "pretty in pink" theme, hence the pink monkey. The perfect gift for a pretty princess like her [The blue monkey is featured in this previous post]. The second is a blue elephant that I made for a friend's baby. She uses it for his nap time routine. Who wouldn't love to cuddle up with this soft elephant every night?