Green Options » Jamie Ervin http://greenoptions.com/author/jamieervin/ Post archive of Jamie Ervin Thu, 27 Aug 2009 05:30:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en http://greenoptions.com/author/jamieervin/ http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/d8c8f27589d6d670642c784103ba3b6e?s=65&d=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gravatar.com%2Favatar%2Fad516503a11cd5ca435acc9bb6523536%3Fs%3D32 Green Options » Jamie Ervin Fun Food For Kids: Soda Cupcakes http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/08/26/fun-food-for-kids-soda-cupcakes/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/08/26/fun-food-for-kids-soda-cupcakes/#comments Thu, 27 Aug 2009 05:30:14 +0000 Jamie Ervin http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/08/26/fun-food-for-kids-soda-cupcakes/ My kids love to cook… Mama doesn’t always like the mess and I often think, “I can do this so much faster by myself“.  That said, I’m trying to get better about bringing the kids into the kitchen with me.  A recent fun food project we created were Natural Soda (pop) cupcakes.

The resulting treats are very springy in texture, similar to a sponge cake with a light flavor from the soda choice.  We use chicken eggs but go sans dairy and gluten due to Celiac and allergies.

Warning: these are not low in sugar or fat, so bake at your discretion.   Soda Cupcakes:

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/08/26/fun-food-for-kids-soda-cupcakes/feed/ Crafty Ways to Reuse Milk Jugs http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/08/11/crafty-ways-to-reuse-milk-jugs/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/08/11/crafty-ways-to-reuse-milk-jugs/#comments Tue, 11 Aug 2009 17:13:35 +0000 Jamie Ervin http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/08/11/crafty-ways-to-reuse-milk-jugs/ Milk jugs will NEVER degrade if they end up in a landfill.  So its important to recycle every jug that enters your house,  sometimes we try to get crafty with them first or find a totally new way to repurpose jugs.

Some areas (*gasp*) don’t provide curbside recycling for plastics.  Please check Earth911 for places to recycle items your area doesn’t pick up curbside.  We are blessed and have mixed curbside recycling for nearly all our everyday items.  Please recycle your plastic jugs after use, industrious areas like New Jersey have used milk jugs to make a bridge.  Who knows what other uses will come of plastic recycling.

Here are some crafty ways we can reuse plastic milk jugs and divert them from the landfill.

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]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/08/11/crafty-ways-to-reuse-milk-jugs/feed/ The Missing Link: Getting Nutrition Into Our Children http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/08/05/the-missing-link-getting-nutrition-into-our-children/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/08/05/the-missing-link-getting-nutrition-into-our-children/#comments Thu, 06 Aug 2009 05:28:39 +0000 Jamie Ervin http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/08/05/the-missing-link-getting-nutrition-into-our-children/ Children today are dangerously lacking in many vital vitamins and minerals.  Why?  Perhaps because we spend so much time indoors playing video games and watching television.  Or maybe its because we are a microwave nation… rushing to grab a fast meal on the go at the sacrifice of our health.  Maybe its the over abundance and cheap accessibility of processed foods filling nearly every American pantry.

The deficiency of necessary vitamins and minerals coupled with the addition of chemical colorings, preservatives and flavorings directly relate to the increase in disease and behavioral issues. As caring parents, we all want the best for our children and that means getting these vital nutrients back into our children’s body.  Here’s some easy tricks!  Stay with us after the jump for a delicious recipe that is full of nutrition and the kids will eat it!

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/08/05/the-missing-link-getting-nutrition-into-our-children/feed/ Meatless Monday: An Icy Drink and A Creamy Dinner Dish http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/08/03/meatless-monday-an-icy-drink-and-a-creamy-dinner-dish/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/08/03/meatless-monday-an-icy-drink-and-a-creamy-dinner-dish/#comments Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:04:03 +0000 Jamie Ervin http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/08/03/meatless-monday-an-icy-drink-and-a-creamy-dinner-dish/ Meatless Mondays have evolved to include Tofu Tuesdays, Wheat-Free Wednesday (every day is wheat free in our household), Tightwad Thursdays (otherwise known as food on the cheap) and Fun Fridays. Our family enjoys a minimum of two nights a week sans meat and often I sneak in a few more.  Fridays are always fun, because this is when we opt for all kinds of new tricks to get kids to eat their veggies or help prepare dinner.
Today, I’ve made a new iced coffee beverage that is so good, I have to share! I’m also posting our dinner for tonight, using the vegan cream of mushroom soup recipe I posted a while back. Can you say… “Yum-O!”? Sorry… I don’t have a photo to share yet, since it’s not dinnertime. :)

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]]> http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/08/03/meatless-monday-an-icy-drink-and-a-creamy-dinner-dish/feed/ British Government Study Says: Organic is not Healthier http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/07/31/british-government-study-says-organic-is-not-healthier/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/07/31/british-government-study-says-organic-is-not-healthier/#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:56:12 +0000 Jamie Ervin http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/07/31/british-government-study-says-organic-is-not-healthier/ Really, folks?  Were we questioning the possibility that organically grown foods were more nutritious than traditional grown?  I think not.  We (being fully informed consumers) know that food is food is food.  Raw food is healthiest (as in lots and lots of produce in its natural state).  That’s a no brainer.  We also know that adding a dose of pesticide and herbicide to our produce is a BAD idea.  Sure, it doesn’t alter basic nutrition (same vitamins and minerals, fats and proteins), but it does introduce carcinogens into our bodies (not to mention a whole host of other unpleasantness).

According to CNN’s Jack Cafferty, “Researchers looked at 50,000 studies conducted over 50 years — and found no significant differences in the foods. They focused on a wide range of crops and livestock raised and marketed under organic standards.”

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]]> http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/07/31/british-government-study-says-organic-is-not-healthier/feed/ Backyard Gardening & Kale Chips http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/31/backyard-gardening-kale-chips/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/31/backyard-gardening-kale-chips/#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:49:43 +0000 Jamie Ervin http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/31/backyard-gardening-kale-chips/ Gardening with your children provides valuable lessons, family togetherness time and plenty of fresh veggies to dress your table.

I’m a big slacker this year.  My big, fat, Eco-Confession?  I didn’t plant a garden this year.  This means we have been relying on farmers markets and u-pick to survive!  Ugh.

But, wait… I have a pretty good excuse.  We moved this Spring.  Our Spring was consumed with painting, cleaning, packing and unpacking.  It was pretty crazy around here.  Then my beloved Mama passed away and I didn’t want to do much of anything for a good two months.  Now, I’m up and running… but my yard is far from it!  Since this is a new to us home, there was already a bunch of yard work to do.  Needless to say, we haven’t gotten around to much of it, which includes clearing the garden beds and replanting.

So, that’s the plan this weekend.  Get those beds cleared and start our transplants inside the house.   Good thing I have plenty of kids. :)

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/31/backyard-gardening-kale-chips/feed/ Natural Face Cleansing for Your Preteen http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/31/natural-face-cleansing-for-your-preteen/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/31/natural-face-cleansing-for-your-preteen/#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:06:24 +0000 Jamie Ervin http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/31/natural-face-cleansing-for-your-preteen/ My daughter just turned nine.  I’ve been arming myself for when the day arrives that I really have to tackle growing up.  *Sigh* Why can’t they stay little forever?

Recently, I noticed that her skin was getting a bit oily (probably not entirely from budding hormones, we’ve been applying sunscreen liberally).  I went on a search for a safe, natural, easy to use face wash for her.  She is only nine after all and I can’t expect her to remember face washing if its time consuming, messy or gets anything into her eyes.

I had a hard time finding anything I would want to put on her precious skin.  I found several face wash recipes online, but most had to be mixed up prior to each use and were messy.

So, I ventured to our local natural health store and browsed their selections, which we also limited.  I did find one container with 50 wipes in it for everyday face cleansing.  It was similar to those nasty, acne pads without all the nasty.  The container was expensive so we moved on.

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/31/natural-face-cleansing-for-your-preteen/feed/ How to Guide for Local, Sustainable, Safe Foods http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/07/31/how-to-guide-for-local-sustainable-safe-foods/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/07/31/how-to-guide-for-local-sustainable-safe-foods/#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:48:09 +0000 Jamie Ervin http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/07/31/how-to-guide-for-local-sustainable-safe-foods/ Confused by all the information regarding natural eating?  You’re not alone!

When you are out at the Farmer’s Market, get to know your farmer.  Ask pointed questions, find out if they have an open door policy (can you tour anytime), are they certified organic or do they go beyond organic (beyond organic is a philosophy that USDA organic isn’t enough).   If you are a meat eater, find local farmers and arrange direct meat purchase (our plan is every 3 months because we have decent storage space).  Some meats we find locally: tuna (which we can ourselves), bison, chicken, beef.  Prices average $3.00-$4.00/lb, so this also encourages us to use less meat.  For our family of 7 + 3 daycare kiddos, we have meat packaged in 1 lb sizes to ensure we don’t get meat crazy. :)  You can probably find local eggs at the farmers market, this usually saves you money and supports small, local farms.

Here are some tips to help you navigate healthier, local eating.

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]]> http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/07/31/how-to-guide-for-local-sustainable-safe-foods/feed/ Recycled Crafts: Make a Paper Bowl Tutorial http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/07/31/recycled-crafts-make-a-paper-bowl-tutorial/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/07/31/recycled-crafts-make-a-paper-bowl-tutorial/#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:47:09 +0000 Jamie Ervin http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/07/31/recycled-crafts-make-a-paper-bowl-tutorial/ I’ve tried to make bowls using the outside of one as a mold.  I like the idea of using the inside of the bowl better.  The only trick is to grease up the inside of the bowl so that your dried paper bowl will release. My instructions say to use petroleum jelly, however I am looking for an alternative since I don’t want to use petroleum based products.

Here’s how to make a paper mache bowl. 

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]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/07/31/recycled-crafts-make-a-paper-bowl-tutorial/feed/ Back To School: Dealing with Food Allergies in the Classroom http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/31/back-to-school-dealing-with-food-allergies-in-the-classroom/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/31/back-to-school-dealing-with-food-allergies-in-the-classroom/#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2009 17:03:05 +0000 Jamie Ervin http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/31/back-to-school-dealing-with-food-allergies-in-the-classroom/ Sending your food allergic child off to school can be scary beyond belief.  What will happen to little Johnny when we aren’t there to monitor every his food intake?  I feel like we are becoming skilled at dealing with allergies in all kinds of social situations, here’s some tried and true tips from our allergic household to yours.

What we have to avoid: Gluten (wheat, barley, rye, oats and all derivitives), dairy, food additives (colors, flavors, preservatives) and chemicals.

How we do it:

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/31/back-to-school-dealing-with-food-allergies-in-the-classroom/feed/ MimicCreme: Vegan Cream Replacer http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/07/31/mimiccreme-vegan-cream-replacer/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/07/31/mimiccreme-vegan-cream-replacer/#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:28:06 +0000 Jamie Ervin http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/07/31/mimiccreme-vegan-cream-replacer/ Have you ever found yourself longing for rich cream in your coffee, a creamy mushroom soup or gravy?  Me too… that’s why I was glad to find MimicCreme Non Dairy, Vegan, Kosher, Gluten Free, Cream Subsitute. MimicCreme comes unsweetened, sweetened and sugar-free sweetened.

This substitute is made from almonds and cashews, so its out for those with nut allergies.  I feel blessed that among all our food issues, nuts do not pose an issue (I don’t know what we’d do if my GF girl couldn’t have peanut butter or almond butter, she eats it by the spoonful!). Some of our favorite uses for MimicCreme are ice cream, french toast and cream of mushroom soup.

Here’s our favorite recipe made with MimicCreme (adapted from an Alton Brown recipe):

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]]> http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/07/31/mimiccreme-vegan-cream-replacer/feed/ Got Trash? Make Crafts http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/07/30/got-trash-make-crafts/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/07/30/got-trash-make-crafts/#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2009 06:35:49 +0000 Jamie Ervin http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/07/30/got-trash-make-crafts/ There are days when my relatively crafty self looks at my piles of crafty-goodness and let’s out a long sigh… What on Earth can I create (or entertain all these kids) out of all this JUNK????

Enter Trash Matcher from Imagination Factory.  On the left side of the grid are types of trash (foil, paper, beads, plastic) and the right a description of what you can make out of it.  If you click the trash word, you will be redirected to a tutorial, complete with substitutions (I hadn’t thought of using leftover white house paint as gesso).

With a metal coat hanger,…

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]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/07/30/got-trash-make-crafts/feed/ Back To School: Sustainable School Supplies http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/30/back-to-school-sustainable-school-supplies/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/30/back-to-school-sustainable-school-supplies/#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2009 06:03:49 +0000 Jamie Ervin http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/30/back-to-school-sustainable-school-supplies/ There are lots of cute, environmentally kind supply options for the 2009-2010 school year. Who doesn’t love banana paper and Smencils?  Sometimes, its the basic items that are the hardest to find. Here is a set of basic back to school supplies from Sustainable Group for your child to personalize.

These supplies remind me of my high school days when I made collages on all my binders with magazine photos and funny quotes. They were the talk of class and several friends requested that I also make collages on their binders as well. How I wish these binders and replaceable covers were around then!

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/30/back-to-school-sustainable-school-supplies/feed/ Homemade Sorbet from Your Blender http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/07/31/homemade-sorbet-from-your-blender/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/07/31/homemade-sorbet-from-your-blender/#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2009 05:08:51 +0000 Jamie Ervin http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/07/31/homemade-sorbet-from-your-blender/ The summer heat leaves me dreaming of frozen delights.  Traditional ice cream is high in fat and not good for our bodies at all, non-dairy ice creams are often pricey.  The kids enjoy all kinds of frozen treats in ice pop form… Hubs and I prefer scoops in a bowl.

Here’s a delicious (and simple) recipe for a fruit-y sorbet everyone in your house is sure to love!

Banana Berry Sorbet

(Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Vegan)

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]]> http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/07/31/homemade-sorbet-from-your-blender/feed/ Little Philanthropists: Hosting a Charitable Birthday Party http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/30/little-philanthropists-hosting-a-charitable-birthday-party/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/30/little-philanthropists-hosting-a-charitable-birthday-party/#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2009 03:27:49 +0000 Jamie Ervin http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/30/little-philanthropists-hosting-a-charitable-birthday-party/ Am I alone in dreading all the packaged toys my children receive from their (well meaning) friends?  I try to suggest art supplies or other items which will actually get used instead of being discarded after a week of play, but we still end up with a lot of stuff.

Personally, I really like the idea of hosting charitable birthday parties.

After much brainstorming, we’ve come up with a few charitable parties to host with friends (and then have a family party with a few gifts).  This way, our child still feels special and they learn the importance of giving.

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/30/little-philanthropists-hosting-a-charitable-birthday-party/feed/ Raw Eating: Flat Bread and Hummus http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/07/31/raw-flat-bread-hummus/ http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/07/31/raw-flat-bread-hummus/#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2009 02:36:06 +0000 Jamie Ervin http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/07/31/raw-flat-bread-hummus/ Have a food dehydrator? Looking for a tasty snack that is Raw but no one will be the wiser?

Serve up this flat bread, hummus and veggie combo at your next luncheon and soak in the rave reviews.

If you are opting for half raw eating or don’t have a dehydrator, try this hummus out with traditional flat bread or crackers.

The hummus is made without chickpeas for a variation on taste.  Instead, it is made with a combination of cashews and almonds for a new, creamy flavor.

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]]> http://eatdrinkbetter.com/2009/07/31/raw-flat-bread-hummus/feed/ Organic Raw Berry Lemonade, Oh My! http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/30/organic-raw-berry-lemonade-oh-my/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/30/organic-raw-berry-lemonade-oh-my/#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:40:46 +0000 Jamie Ervin http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/30/organic-raw-berry-lemonade-oh-my/ It’s berry picking season.  There is nothing better than strolling to the wild vines at the back of our property and plucking fresh, warm, untainted berries from their spiky perch.  Except maybe, the lemonade one can make with those berries.  It will never cease to amaze me how excited the kiddos get about going out to pluck a handful of fresh berries or climb the tree after cherries.  I don’t even mind the purple and red stained hands.

The photo is our fresh pitcher of berry lemonade made just moments ago and already teetering on the edge of emptiness again.  This batch was made with blackberries and raspberries which had gotten a little soft over the last couple days.

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/30/organic-raw-berry-lemonade-oh-my/feed/ Make It!: A Book Review http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/30/make-it/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/30/make-it/#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:45:38 +0000 Jamie Ervin http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/30/make-it/ It’s quite possible that I have found my favorite book, EVER!  (I know that’s hard to believe since I devour books like some do coffee.)

Make It! by Jane Bull is A Cleaner Greener Book, this wonderful book contains basic information (turning trash to treasure & The 3 R’s), teaches kids how to sort recyclable materials (and focuses on donating to charities).  Then it launches into numerous step by step instructions for making new things from our trash.

If your house is anything like mine, you likely have a multitude of little plastic toy parts.  I’m constantly collecting tiny doll shoes, plastic spiders, bouncy balls, etc… and TOSSING THEM IN THE TRASH.  Not anymore! 

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]]> http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/30/make-it/feed/ Reusable Shopping Bag: Another Crafty Reuse for T-Shirts http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/07/29/reusable-shopping-bag-another-crafty-reuse-for-t-shirts/ http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/07/29/reusable-shopping-bag-another-crafty-reuse-for-t-shirts/#comments Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:52:50 +0000 Jamie Ervin http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/07/29/reusable-shopping-bag-another-crafty-reuse-for-t-shirts/ I’m always on the lookout for creative uses for t-shirts. We have a bunch collecting dust in our closets and they are readily available at resale shops.

We’ve all heard about the shirt quilt (it’s fun to make for a new college student’s dorm room), but what about curtains, valance, bedskirt, children’s clothing, diapers or dresses?

Martha Stewart has a fabulous idea for making a reusable shopping tote out of t-shirts. What a fun way to reuse all those souvenir and college tee’s.  This bag is simple to make:

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]]> http://craftingagreenworld.com/2009/07/29/reusable-shopping-bag-another-crafty-reuse-for-t-shirts/feed/ Cut Your Energy Bills: Fire Your Dryer http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/29/cut-your-energy-bills-fire-your-dryer/ http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/29/cut-your-energy-bills-fire-your-dryer/#comments Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:59:51 +0000 Jamie Ervin http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/07/29/cut-your-energy-bills-fire-your-dryer/ It appears that our “New Economy” has made people take a good look at needs vs. wants.  These days, more people (as much as 1/3) feel that a dryer is no longer a necessity, rather its a luxury and an expensive one at that!

Line drying used to be the standard and we are trending toward that again (We’ve doubled the number of people who say the dryer is a luxury in the last three years).  Here’s how to fire your dryer which will result in lower energy bills (good for you and the planet) and happy clothes (the dryer is hard on clothing).

No matter the climate you live in, you can air dry clothing.  Read on to learn how to fight restrictive CC&R’s for  your right to dry and ways to circumvent such silly ordinances.

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