Green Penny Pincher

Last night I was driving home from yoga by way of my parents’ house.  I felt an itch in my eye, like an eyelash had gotten in there.  By the time I arrived at my folks’, it felt more like a razor blade!  I was dying, people.  I wish I could say I was crying – I wanted to, and it might have helped.  I had my Mommy inspect my eye and she found nothing, and suggested it might be a stye.

I stopped by the pharmacy on the way home and picked up some medicine.  I looked at the main ingredients in the Stye brand treatment (mineral oil and white petrolatum ) and opted instead for the homeopathic Similasan Stye Eye Relief.  It helped me just enough to make it home without tearing my face apart, but it didn’t solve the problem.  I looked up lots of home remedies on Earth Clinic (love that site!) – everything from rubbing a gold ring on it to urine! - and decided that if my eye was not better by this morning, I would try a compress using a warm teabag of green tea.

But then last night, right before bed, I was getting a drink and spied my coconut oil sitting on the counter, and recalled my post on coconut oil, then thought about the oily ingredients in the Stye brand treatment I passed up, and decided to just go for it and put some coconut oil  - just a little bit – in and around my eye.

People, it worked!  I woke up this morning and whatever it was… was GONE! Whether it made the stye disappear, or got out something that was stuck, all that remains today is some irritation from whatever WAS bothering it.  I put some more in this morning and decided to do the other eye too – it feels really good!  I also decided to put some on my face while I was at it and all greasy.  I feel and smell delicious!  I think I will be doing this regularly.  My eyes feel clear and clean and not at all dry as they normally do, especially in the warm weather/AC.

Tropical Traditions is the brand I use and HIGHLY recommend.  The product is great, the coconut odor/flavor (of the virgin oil variety) is delicate and light, and their customer service is AWESOME.

Special Price! – Virgin Coconut Oil, Gold Label – 2 pints – Buy 1 Get 1 FREE!

WARNING:  Be hygienic about this!  I washed my hands thoroughly before touching the coconut oil or my eye, and applied a small amount of the oil to my finger using a toothpick so as not to contaminate the whole jar.  Also, don’t touch your good eye with your dirty hand after touching your “bad” eye!  You only get one set of eyes – be very gentle and careful!

Today was also my first day taking diatomaceous earth internally – more on that at a later date!

I am most definitely not even a little ambidextrous.  Because of that, I have never been good at 2-handed flatware use, and have always resorted, whenever possible, to cutting my food with the side of my fork, much to the chagrin of my mother.  I always thought, “how great – though potentially dangerous – would it be to have a fork with a knife on the side?”

Apparently someone was listening.  Meet the Knork.

Living Social has a deal going right now – Pay $20 for $60 to spend on anything at knork.net - may even be used toward shipping!

From the knork.net site:

A Knork Education

Innovative creativity can come from anywhere.  And that is what happened the day Mike Miller went to a pizzeria with friends and struggled to eat pizza neatly with a normal fork–while trying to impress the ladies joining them for dinner.  He noticed an employee using a pizza slicer, imagined how that functionality could exist on his fork, and the rest is flatware history.

KNORK Flatware is ergonomically designed to correctly fit the way we naturally eat.  Its patented design combines innovation and function to produce a complete line of modern flatware designed with comfort, style and stability in mind.  Each piece features attributes unique to KNORK including smooth stem fingertip platforms, ergonomic shape and a heavier, balanced design that won’t bend or fall from a plate.

The FAQ (through the link above) assure me that the Knork will NOT cut me, and that it is dishwasher-safe stainless steel (aside from their plastic line, which I know no Green Penny Pinchers are interested in!)

I don’t know how green these really are, or how penny-pinching other than this great deal today through Living Social, but I am (probably a little too) excited about the Knork!  I may just have to break down and order some!  Get this deal while it’s hot and get your knork on, too!

Here are a few other, greener, penny-pinching-er deals as well…

Grab Green Home - $15 for $30 to spend at GrabGreen.  $6.50 flat rate shipping to the Continental USA.

Bambeco.com - Take 20% off all orders! Use Code: TAKE20 at checkout! (through 5/31/12)

Green Living Every Day - Save $15 on SolarGorilla Portable Charger for Netbooks, Laptops and phones.  Also, 15% off Everything in the Eco Coffee Shop

Tiny Prints - 3 FREE Stationery Samples!

I hope all you Moms out there had a great day yesterday!  I had a PERFECT Mother’s Day weekend.  We did the big family thing on Saturday, so the Moms could each do whatever they wanted on Sunday.  I got everything I asked for: to sleep in, wake up to already-brewed coffee, to not have to change any diapers, and to do whatever *I* wanted all day!  I chose the garden.  Even though it’s work, it’s work I love to do and rarely have time to put a dent in lately.  The weather was perfect and cooperative, and I got a lot accomplished!

Garden - May 2012

Clockwise from top left:

Last Fall’s softneck garlic is growing like crazy – can’t wait to harvest and braid it!; some more seed-starting; cinderblock vertical garden (in progress – need more blocks!); Rear shade flowerbed against garage wall; a few leftover annuals made it to the front yard to spruce up the sad, broken mailbox; didn’t make it to the strawberry pot; just cleaning the brick patio took half the day!

Still have to pick up some tomato plants (the seeds failed to thrive) and get a lot more into the ground, but the yard is now at a point where I can enjoy being in it, after cleaning up massive amounts of stray leaves and weeds, and doing some repair to the raised beds.  It’s a neverending project, but luckily one I enjoy!

So I’ve had this book on my bookshelf for ages, and I just pulled it down on a whim the other night and started reading it.  I was honestly pretty horrified before I even got past the first chapter.  We do try to eat whole, healthy foods, but we are guilty of eating plenty of convenience and junk foods as well, maybe just not as regularly as a good portion of the U.S. population.

A lot of it is common sense/knowledge to those who are informed about nutrition, but there were still some real zingers.  Here are a few I’ve hit upon so far…

• Keebler’s “Reduced Fat Club Crackers” claim to have “33% less fat than original Club Crackers.”  What they don’t tell you is they replaced 1 gram of fat with 3 grams of carbs and sugars.
• Bottled green teas vary GREATLY in the amount of catechins (the good stuff) they contain.  Republic of Tea brand Pomegranate Green Tea contains 8mg, while Honest Tea brand Green Tea With Honey has 215mg!
• The corn component of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, which advertise themselves as being “Diabetes Friendly,” can raise blood glucose faster than regular white sugar!
• Those boxes with the “American Heart Association” symbol on them?  The companies paid money to be AHA-certified.
• Some of the leanest cuts of meat you buy at the store have been “enhanced” with a sodium solution to make them “juicier.”  A 4-oz. serving of Shady Brook Farms Fresh Boneless Turkey Breast Tenderloin is enhanced with a 6% sodium solution and contains 55mg sodium, while a 4-oz. serving of Jennie-O brand Turkey Breast Tenderloin Roast Turkey contains about 840 mg of sodium!
• No wonder Haagen-Dazs ice cream is so delicious.  A serving of their mint chip contains 300 calories and 19g fat, while the same serving of Breyers All Natural Mint Chocolate chip contains 8g fat and half the calories… and is still delicious!
• A cup of Quaker 100% Natural Granola, Oats, Honey & Raisins contains 420 calories (before you add milk or anything else), the equivalent of 8 chicken wings.
• A package of Oscar Mayer Maxed Out Turkey & Cheddar Cracker Combo Lunchables contains 680 calories – the same amount as FIFTEEN CHICKEN NUGGETS!
• There are 7 different types of sugar in Pop-Tarts.
• ONE serving of Marie Callender’s Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pot Pie (and please keep in mind that one pie = TWO SERVINGS) contains 1,060 calories, and has the same amount of sodium as EIGHT small bags of potato chips, and the fat equivalent of 23 STRIPS OF BACON.

No wonder this country is so unhealthy, especially in a time of economical struggle.  Processed foods are not only more convenient and easier to make than their counterparts, but also so much cheaper!

What are we to do?  Well, I guess we do what we can and try to make good choices when they are available, and “splurge” on the junk food mindfully when we do splurge.  Check the ingredients on your food and see if it’s worth it to you.  Remember that ingredients are listed in order – the first ingredient on the list is the main ingredient, and the last is the smallest ingredient.  The more ingredients, the less likely it is a healthy choice.  Try to eat a “rainbow” every day, and go for fresh (fruit, veg, etc.) choices when they’re offered.  The more you know of what you are eating, the better you are eating.

Anyone have tips or recipes to share for healthier, more wholesome meals and snacks?

I’ve been hearing about nutritional yeast for a while, and the glowing reviews of it always left me curious.  What IS it?  WHY would you want to eat it?  WHAT is so great about it?  Well, I finally broke down and bought some.

What IS it?

Nutritional yeast, or “nooch,” is a yeast fungus which is grown on a molasses base, harvested, and then deactivated.  It is most commonly sold in flake or powder form.

Is it the same as Brewer’s Yeast?  Baker’s Yeast?  

No.  They’re all yeasts, but beyond that their tastes and uses are very different.  Vegemite and Marmite are made from Brewer’s Yeast.

Is it vegan?  Is it lactose free?  Is it ALIVE?

Yes, yes, and no.  :)  Nutritional yeast is actually extremely popular among vegetarians, vegans, and those with lactose issues, because it provides nutrients that can be missing from their diets, and because its flavor is a good substitute for butter and cheese.   It is also free of Candida albicans and can be eaten even by those sensitive to yeast.   Although it was once considered “alive,” its preparation process deactivates, or kills, it.

What does it taste like?

Its flavor has been described as cheesy, buttery, and nutty.  It belongs to the flavor group “umami,” or savoriness.  The texture of the flakes (the version I have tried) is (sorry, I can’t think of a better one!) like fish-food flakes.

How do I use it?

The most popular “first step” into the world of nutritional yeast seems to be as a popcorn topping, and that was my first attempt.  And it was… SO GOOD!  If you like parmesan cheese on your popcorn, you’ll love it.  I’ve already converted a few skeptics.

Nutritional yeast is also a popular ingredient in casseroles, creamy soups and sauces, salad dressings,  breads & dips.  I’ve heard it’s great combined with soy sauce and olive oil on pasta or rice, or mixed with bread crumbs for baked/oven-fried foods.  Here’s a recipe I’d like to try for something called “The Glory Bowl.”  And check out this post from One Sweet Vegan for LOTS of great recipe ideas, including Twice-Baked Potatoes, Artichoke Dip, and Vegan Mac & Cheese – YUM!

WHY should I eat it?

Nutritional yeast is high in (complete) protein, folic acid, and  B-complex vitamins (some varieties are also fortified with vitamin B12).  Even if you are not averse to dairy, it’s a nice change from the norm.  It’s low-fat and low-sodium!

How do I STORE it?

Store for up to a year in a jar or other airtight container in a cool, dark cupboard or in the fridge.

Where do I BUY it?

There are quite a few brands out there – I was recommended Bragg by the owner of my local health food store as she believes it has more of the buttery, nutty, cheesy flavor, which is what I was looking for.   Pick it up (and have a looksy around) at the Green Penny Pincher Shoppe!

Bragg Nutritional Yeast Seasoning – 4.5 oz – Flake

Nutritional yeast can also be purchased at your local health food store or Whole Foods, or can be ordered online, including at the Green Penny Pincher Shoppe!

LivingSocial has a great deal going right now:  Pay $15 for $30 to spend on non-toxic cleaning products from GrabGreen.   (Shipping is a flat rate of $6.50)

I’ve never tried these products but this is a good opportunity to do so, and they sound great!  Click here for more information on Grab Green company and their products, including what ingredients they do and do not use.

Or, if you’d rather DIY, check out these past Green Penny Pincher posts filled with lots of recipes and hints!

HOMEMADE CLEANING PRODUCTS from Green Penny Pincher
Part 1: The Kitchen
Part 2: Walls, Floors, & Other Surfaces

Note:  If you DIY these cleaners or any other items, be sure to first read Crunchy Betty’s very important information regarding the water you use!

 I’m intrigued by some of these combinations, though!

All Purpose Cleaner Thyme with Fig Leaf 16 oz Your Price:$5.00 On sale:$4.00	Dish Soap Tangerine with Lemongrass 16 oz Your Price:$5.00
Lavender with Vanilla Laundry Detergent Kit Your Price:$25.00	fragrance-free laundry kit Your Price:$25.00

If you grab this deal, please stop back to let me know what you think of these products!

Baby Adventure (who I shouldn’t call “Baby” anymore – he is TWO now!) had another bad week last week with a painful ear infection. If you have a child of your own who has had such infections, or if you are prone to them yourself, then you know they are painful and make even the sweetest kid turn into an sick demon-child.  Aside from being supremely moody, Adventure, who is normally a super-good eater,  suddenly didn’t want to eat anything aside from pretzels or crackers… or the sweet coffee cake my mom sent home with us last week.

Desperate to get something resembling healthy food into him, I went through the cupboards then popped over to allrecipes.com and found this recipe for “Toddler Muffins” for which I had almost all the ingredients.   (Mr. Penny Pincher:  ”Are they made from real toddlers?”)

The muffins were a big hit, far better (IMO) than last week’s granola bars (which Adventure also liked.)  Here is the recipe as I made it, with my changes highlighted.  Feel free to refer to the link above for the original recipe, and to see more reviews.

"Toddler Muffins"

TODDLER MUFFINS   (Original Recipe by Lori via allrecipes.com)

1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup virgin coconut oil
1/2 cup brown sugar, or to taste
2 large bananas, mashed*
1 (4.5 ounce) jar baby food squash**
2 carrots, grated***
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup quick-cook (uncooked) oatmeal
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup raisins
1 apple, cut into slices about 1/8 inch thick, then roughly chopped

Directions:  Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease 12 to 18 standard muffin cups.

In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter, coconut oil and brown sugar until smooth. Mix in the mashed bananas, squash, carrots, and eggs. Stir in the flour, oat bran, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, raisins and salt until just combined. Spoon the batter equally into the prepared muffin cups.

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to cool completely on a wire rack. Store at room temperature for up to two days, or freeze.

* I always have overripe bananas on hand – whenever they start going too brown to eat, I chuck them in the freezer!

** I imagine that equal parts applesauce would work just as well.

*** I used a coarse hand-grater for the carrots (because I was too lazy to lug out the food processor for two measly carrots!)  If you want to make mini-muffins, I would suggest grating the carrots more finely to allow for the shorter cooking time – nothing like crunchy raw carrot shreds in your breakfast muffin!

Next time I might add…  grated zucchini, a scoop of protein powder, nuts or seeds.

CONGRATS TO ADRIANNA S., THE WINNER OF THE TEA GIVEAWAY!  THANKS AGAIN TO ALL WHO ENTERED!

May is here – rejoice!  And right around the corner is… Mother’s Day!  Whether you are a mother, have a mother, or just know a great mom who deserves some recognition, don’t forget to take the time to give her a hug, a card, a call, or a gift on Sunday, May 13th! (That’s just over a week away, kiddos!)

This is my third Mother’s Day as a mom – the first was when my son was just 2 months old!  I have so much more appreciateion for Moms and for giving them a much-needed day off now that I am one myself.

I’m not a girly-girl or into lavish gifts, which is good for Mr. Penny Pincher!  I’d rather have kind acts of love or thoughtful, small gifts, and my favorite gifts are homemade!  Here are some cheap or free ideas to please Moms like me on Mother’s Day:

• Let Mom sleep in (free!)
• Wash, dry, and put away ALL the dishes (free!)
• Make Mom a meal… and clean up afterwards.  (cost of food)
• Or take Mom on a picnic!
• A personalized card – make your own, or personalize and order one for FREE from thecardstore.com using code LUVMOM, + Free Shipping in US! (1 use per Cardstore account, Valid thru 5/6/12 )

• Have Dad (or another adult) take the kid(s) to get their photo taken
• Do a chore that you know Mom hates doing (mine is dishes!)
• Have Dad (or another adult) take the kids out for an afternoon while Mom is free to lounge around the house and do whatever. she. wants.
• Frame a school drawing/art project and hang it up for her.
• Pick up the phone and call your mom or grandmother.

Flowers are always a safe bet that is sure to please any mother.  I myself prefer potted flowers or plants, because I can keep them indefinitely (until I kill them!) and I don’t have to toss them.  LivingSocial.com has a great offer right now – pay $15 for $30 to spend online on fresh flowers and gifts from ProFlowers.com. Voucher can even be used toward tax and shipping!  You can also try using some of these promotion codes for even greater savings.  Here are a few of my top picks from ProFlowers.com:

Photos and photo gifts are another guaranteed winner of a gift for any mom (or grandma!)  Living Social has two more great deals right now…

MyPublisher.com Pay $19 and receive a personalized, 20-page, 11.5″x15″ deluxe photo book with super gloss pages (a $90 value).
Shipping and handling not included – GET THIS DEAL!

Picaboo.com
Pay $20 for $40 to spend on photo prints. Enhance your digital photos with captions and photo effects before ordering 4×6, 5×7, 8×10, 11×15, or 16×20 prints (with prices starting at $0.15 each) to be shipped to your home.
Shipping is not included. - GET THIS DEAL!

I have a few more sales/finds in the works, but I want to get you started!  What do you have planned for Mother’s Day?  Are you a mom?  A dad?  A kid?  A kid at heart?

Mountain Rose Herbs recently debuted new sustainable packaging for their line of organic teas.  These beautiful new tea boxes are made from recycled newspapers!  All of their 4oz teas will now arrive boxed in this recycled loveliness.

What’s so special about this tea?

The Box:

- 100% post-consumer waste recycled newspaper
- Reusable
- Recyclable
- Biodegradable / Compostable
- Printed with soy ink and water-based varnish
- Recyclable labels

The Tea:

- 100% Certified Organic Ingredients
- Earth Kosher Certified
- IMO Fair For Life ~ Fair Trade Certified varieties
- Time-tested formulas handcrafted by us for over 20 years
- 65 green, black, red, white and herbal blends to experience

Sip sustainably and help  support organic agriculture one cup at a time!  Read on about the many varieties available, then enter to win Mountain Rose Herbs’ Peace Tea and 21st Century Tea!  

(more…)

Today I am delighted to bring you a guest post from Mamichan Makes on how to grow your own sprouts.   Thank you so much for allowing me to share your knowledge and beautiful photography here, Mamichan!  Readers, be sure to check out her link to see more great ideas and photos!

Growing your own sprouts is so easy and economical. Great project for the kids too!

It’s pretty easy to grow sprouts: soak with water, swish, drain. Repeat process twice a day for 3-5 days. That’s it!

Day 1.
Soak 3 Tbs of radish sprouts in 2 cups water. Let soak 4-12 hours (depending on sprout type). I soaked my radish sprouts for 5 hours.

Drain excess water, leave it in a cool dark place.
Note: It only needs to soak 4-12 hours during the first initial soak. The other times, a quick soak/rinse will do.

End of Day 2.
They started to sprout!

Day 3.
Sprouts have expanded significantly. They are best to eat when the tails are about 1/4 inch long.

End of Day 3.
Laying the sprouts out to dry.

Day 4.
Made a little salad with cooked chicken, avocado, radish sprouts with parsley pesto vinaigrette.