Awesome resource for the holidays

Hi guys,

I can't recommend this site enough: http://www.simplifytheholidays.org/. (The parent site, http://www.newamericandream.org/, has a ton of great resources for sustainable living. I'm in love with their Alternative Gift Registry, which we should all recommend to any engaged or pregnant people we know!!) But as we all prepare for holiday festivities, I highly recommend the free, downloadable brochure "Simplify the Holidays." You have to sign up as a member to get it, which is totally free and totally worth it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Olivia's Organic Produce Coupons

Click on this link to sign up for Olivia's coupons. They are a local company and I really like there organic produce...mostly salad greens.

Organic Valley Coupons

Click on this link for coupons from Organic Valley - milk, cheese, etc.

Lunch Meat Sandwich Alternative

I have been struggling with what to eat for lunch if I do not want to use so much lunch meat and I came across this recipe. I know it sounds gross and I was definitely skeptical, but it is delicious. (I did not chill it over night like it says to) Try it and let me know what you think.

Needed Ingredients:

1/2 granny smith apple, unpeeled, sliced paper thin, 1 Tbls mayonnaise, 2 tsp honey mustard, 2 whole wheat wraps or flour tortillas, 4 slices cheddar, muenster or swiss cheese, 2 cups baby spinach leaves.

To Prepare: Mix mayo and mustard, spread wraps with mixture; layer with spinach, cheese, apple slices; fold and wrap tightly; refrigerate overnight.

Skin Care

I know a lot of you of looking into new skin care so I thought I would share my recommendation. I am using Aubrey's Organics and am really happy with it (i am using the rosa line for dry skin). My skin is really soft now...feel free to feel it next time you see me ;0) When I was in the health food store they suggested this line because they said it was the purest brand out there. Anyone else have any suggestions???

Clogged Drains

At our last meeting, Pam told us how she unclogged her drain using a combination of white vinegar and baking soda. Kathy told me that it only unclogged it for a short time and they ended up calling a plumber. Later that week I saw on tv a "green cleaning specialist" and he said that lots of people complained about this concoction not working. He then shared the secret to making it more effective...pour boiling hot water in the drain after the baking soda and vinegar. This is good to do for preventative maintenance as well.

Sustainable Farms

Here is a link to an article in the Boston Globe about Sustainable Farms in the Boston area. The farm I am hoping to join is one of the highlighted farms. Hopefully we can all find one in our area.

Food Presentation

Just want to thank Alyson and Becky for their amazing presentation on food at our last meeting. They definately made us think about what we are putting into our bodies. I have extra handouts for anyone who could not make it. Here are a few of the notes I took. (Ladies please post if you remember other items I forgot!)

Definately check out Alyson's website She has a ton of great information - I especially like her recipes(with pictures!) and book suggestions. (we also got a shout out on her page!) She includes the pumkin cake recipe that she made for us. She also lists her meals for the week which I love...not that I can make any of them yet ;0)

Becky recommended the book Nourishing Traditions which Tara and I ordered on Barnes and Nobles.

I am definately empowered to spend more time on our food choices. We have no idea what we are putting into our bodies everytime we eat. I am looking into purchasing grass fed beef from a farm in Vermont. I don't think I can ever eat ground beef that is not organic after the description she gave. (I will spare everyone the details!) Here is an article that she posted on her blog that I thought was very informative.

I would love it if people could start posting recipes since I know we were all inspired to make a few changes. (Johanna and Pam I know you each already have one that you could share). Also I think it would be great if we could try to find some cost saving ideas since organic food is more expensive.

(By the way I finally figured out how to make links in the postings so anything that is Green in my posting is a link to another site.)