Tips

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Tis the season for Farmer’s Market’s and fresh produce. Yay! There is nothing quite like fresh summer fruits and vegetables.  Look up your local Farmer’s Market at localharvest.org and celebrate the season with something organic, fresh, and delicious. If you can’t make it to the market and are heading to your local grocery store, here is a guide to help you know what’s in season in your neck of the woods. (Exact crop availability and harvest times vary year-to-year.)

The Northwest

Arugula, Asparagus, Cauliflower, Chard, Cherries, Collard Greens, Edible Flowers, Fennel, Fiddleheads, Kale, Lettuce, Mint, Morels, Oregano, Potatoes, Radicchio, Radishes, Rhubarb, Rosemary, Sage, Scallions, Sorrel, Spinach, Thyme, Watercress, Zucchini

The Southwest

Apricots, Avocados, Blackberries, Carrots, Cilantro, Chard, Cucumbers, Green Beans, Kale, Lettuce, Nectarines, Oregano, Peaches, Peas, Sage, Snap Peas, Sorrel, Spinach, Summer Squash, Sweet Onions, Tomatoes, Zucchini

The Midwest

Arugula, Asparagus, Beets, Cabbage, Chard, Collard Greens, Fava Beans, Fennel, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Parsley, Parsnips, Radishes, Rhubarb, Spinach, Turnips

The South

Asparagus, Beets, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Collard Greens, Green Beans, Lima Beans, Okra, Peaches, Plums, Pole Beans, Spinach, Strawberries, Summer Squash, Sweet Onions, Valencia Oranges

The Northeast

Arugula, Artichokes, Asparagus, Chard, Fava Beans, Fiddleheads, Garlic Scapes, Green Onions, Lettuce, Mint, Nettles, New Potatoes, Parsley, Parsnips, Pea Greens, Rhubarb, Spinach, Thyme

Happy Summer and Happy Eats!

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A friend asked me, “what does your mom eat for a treat?!” That is an understandable quandary when sugar is totally out, but there still are some great Green “sweets”:

1. Fresh Fruit. I had to put this first because really, is there anything better? Once you have eliminated sugar completely, your desire and craving for it will diminish greatly- it is addicting. Also, your taste buds will become sensitized again to the natural sugars in fruit.

2. Smoothies! Cool, refreshing and packed with nutrients, a fresh smoothie will satisfy any sweet tooth.

3. Raw Local Organic Honey-  Full of antioxidants and enzymes, this sweet nectar is pretty much delicious drizzled over anything. Sesame seeds are high in calcium, so when I want a calcium boost and a treat, I cover a spoon in honey, than roll it all around in raw sesame seeds and than enjoy licking it all off. Great for growing children!

4.Green Desserts. Sometimes you just want something that feels like it’s dessert. There are lots of creative ways to make a dessert Green. For example, try these unbelievable Raw Chocolate Macaroons.

What do you do for a Green Treat?

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1. My mail now makes me happy … well, not always happy, only when Vegetarian Times comes.

I have been pleasantly surprised by the quality of the recipes and the articles. Not all the recipes are vegan or Green, but usually they are easy to adjust. Only $12 and taking only about 30 seconds to send, this is my number one mother’s day gift idea.

2. Gerber Daisies… the plant. Instead of fresh cut flowers that will quickly fade, give your mom something that will last AND clean the air. The Gerber Daisy is effective at removing trichloroethylene, which you may bring home with your dry cleaning. It’s also good for filtering out the benzene that comes with inks.

3. You don’t want to give the wrong impression by giving to many cleaning supplies. But I love Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Soap. It smells good, cleans well, and looks pretty.

4. Well besides giving her The Green Diet, just write her a nice card and tell her you love her!

Have a Happy Mother’s Day everyone!

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I love to have veggie sandwiches for lunch. I use whatever I have on hand it always seems to work out as long as I remember these tips-

1. Toast the bread.

2. Use ONLY one “creamy” vegetable, such as, hummus or avocado, and smear liberally on both pieces of bread.

3. Use plenty of crunchy raw veggies, such as, carrot, cucumber, peppers, and onions. The crunch factor is key.

4. Add banana peppers- adds good flavor to really kick up your sandwich.

5. A touch of Dijon Mustard can really boost up a veggie sandwich that’s a bit bland.

6. Add small nuts like sesame seeds, hemp seeds, or sunflower seeds.

7. Put a layer of sprouts- any kind – they add “meat” to any sandwich and are full of protein, enzymes, vitamins and minerals.

8. Season with salt and pepper- this is a good tip all around. I season the avocado or hummus so the salt and pepper doesn’t fall right out.

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