Green Options

VEGETARIAN COOKING for Mommies is an aesthetically pleasing book, as you can tell by the cover, by Laura Theodore, the Jazzy Vegetarian. The focus of this vegetarian cookbook is making fruits and vegetables the “star” of your meals.

Whether a dedicated vegan or serving an occasional vegetarian meal, this book offers over 60 healthy and delicious alternatives to “store bought” fare.

There are so many reasons that women (and men) should be vegetarian or eat a mostly vegetarian diet (I admire those folks who practice animal husbandry, as I could never butcher an animal and eat it).  From the environmental impact of cutting meat from your diet to the health benefits, VEGETARIAN COOKING for Mommies makes it easy to go veggie.

I love how the recipes in VEGETARIAN COOKING for Mommies are organized:

1. 5 Minute Prep
2. Quick Prep
3. Advanced
4. Vegan
5. Dairy

According to James Poterba, Head of the National Bureau of Economic Research, we are officially in a recession, so it’s more critical than ever to start cutting expenses wherever possible. 

One of the biggest areas in which you can reduce spending — especially in households with children – is right in your own kitchen. Here are some helpful tips for meal planning, food preparation, and grocery shopping that will reduce the strain on your wallet while offering some significant health benefits to boot.

Put on your Planning Cap

Planning your meals at least a week ahead will drastically reduce waste, and keep you from the trap of randomly tossing items into your grocery cart.  Figure out what your menu will be and buy only those key items.  And be sure to stock up on non-perishable goods that have longer a shelf life so that you’re armed with the right ingredients for each meal — dry and canned foods (rice, pasta, tomatoes) and powdered milk.