Won Ton Chips
A key ingredient in Eggs in a Basket (besides the eggs, of course) is the thin won ton wrappers that hold it all together. However, after recently seeing these wrappers turned into a simple salty snack on one of our favorite sites, I knew I had to give it a try. The best part is that I baked them at the same time as when I was making my breakfast baskets! Ideal for dips, as noted here in the original recipe, I ate them plain and was very pleased with the taste and crunch.
Won Ton Wrapper Chips
Originally posted here on Not Eating Out in New York
Preheat the oven to 350 (which you have already done if you are making Eggs in a Basket) and slice the won ton wrappers diagonally to make a nice “chip” shape. Pour a very small amount of olive oil on a sheet and coat both sides of the won ton by light brushing (or my less culinary way of laying them on one side and then flipping to the other, thus coating both sides). Sprinkle with sesame seeds (although mine didn’t stick) and coarse salt (which stuck really well) and bake for approximately 5 minutes. Once they start to brown and the edges curl, you know your done.
Whether you serve them warm, or let them cool completely, the result is a healthy salty snack!
Joey Totes
I know what you’re thinking… not another post about bringing your own bag! Alas, it’s true. I think a big reason that we keep coming back to this simple act is because it’s so easy to do! Perhaps the hardest part is remembering to take your bag with you. I’ll admit, I always have multiple bags on hand at the grocery store, but there are occasions when I make quick trip into Target, only to realize at checkout that I forgot my canvas bag in the car, resulting in trying to carry it all in my arms, awkwardly out to my car. However, all that has changed since being introduced to Joey Totes.
These little machine-washable totes fit EASILY into my favorite purse and are always on hand for any unexpected trips into a store. The pouch the bag comes in is actually attached TO THE TOTE, so that re-stuffing is a breeze. Then I just toss it back in my purse. No trips out to my car, no hanging it on the door knob. Thank you Joey Totes!
What Odor?
Even though most of our waste goes into recycling or the compost, our trash and garbage can will occasionally smell a little… funky. Until now, I’ll admit that I had some trouble finding something all-natural that could resolve the worst offenders, but as I mentioned last week, I wasn’t going to let that be an excuse to turn to something that is not environmentally-friendly. Thankfully, I was able to find something that set aside all arguments AND smells. Hello, What Odor?
I must admit, I did not know that Billy Mays had an infomercial for this product and also did not know they will pay bloggers to endorse it (Liz and I don’t ever get paid for any of our product reviews, including this one), but putting that aside, I do admit that this solution, which is non-toxic, biodegradable and does not contain “parabens, artificial fragrances or phthalates” really does what it promises and eliminates the odor without using masking agents to just cover it up. As I said, we only use it in our trash can, but it certainly has more uses than that.
Crystal Clear
A popular argument I hear from people who don’t like to use natural cleaning products is that they don’t work as well as those with harsher chemicals. And lets face it, when it comes to certain things, you really want them to be clean. However, for those of you who trust in your natural ingredients, you can rest assured that you can be green AND clean.
A recent study from Consumer Testing Laboratories “proved that natural, plant-based products do clean just as well as chemicals – chemicals, such as phosphates, 1.4 dioxane, chlorine bleach, formaldehyde, and caustics, etc.” To prove this, the testing lab compared Cascade to the Wave® 2X Ultra – High Performance Auto Dishwasher Gel from Earth Friendly Products. “Both products were tested for their ability to remove a variety of soils from a set of identically soiled test dishes. Tests proved that both gel detergents performed well, removing all of the test soils. All of the test dishes, tumblers, and flatware were judged as comparable for spotting, filming, and soil removal following the dishwashing tests.” (Download the full PDF press release here.)
I decided to conduct my own test and got some of the Wave High Performance Dishwasher Gel. (I have been a long time fan of their Furniture Polish seen here.) As for the results, while I may not be a consumer testing expert, there was no visible difference to me. My husband (an occasional skeptic) even agreed that the dishes washed with the Earth Friendly Products were just as crystal clear and clean as when we use less natural products.
So if you are skeptical of how clean green products can be, I suggest you conduct your own study. You may just be pleasantly surprised how clean your house (and conscience) will be!
Facing the Facts
I have to admit that Liz is more of the resident expert around here when it comes to all natural makeup, beauty and other skin products. And now even my husband is choosing more wisely when it comes to what he’s using on his skin.
Admittedly, I always try to pick out the most all-natural products I can find (especially those that aren’t tested on animals) but I get lost in a sea of information about parabens, phthalates and petroleum byproducts. So it’s nice to find a product that eliminates all those hard to pronounce (much less understand) ingredients and still has very satisfying results.
Lavera offers a line of skin care for a variety of skin types, and for the past couple weeks, I have been thoroughly enjoying a few of their products, especially the Facial Moisturizer and Self-Tanner. Aside for the fact that these products are free from parabens and synthetic ingredients (not to mention award-winning) I just enjoy the fact that they smell great, work even better and take the guesswork out of what I am putting on my face.
If you are shopping around for some better skin solutions, check out the Lavera web site and you may find just the right products for you. They also currently have a giveaway for a chance to win $223 worth of products.
Friday Fave: FreeKibble.com
It’s cute. It’s charitable. It’s FreeKibble.com. Enough said, visit our Friday Fave today!
Rhubarb Season
About this time in May through the end of June marks rhubarb season in Ohio. A great source of Vitamin C, fiber and calcium, rhubarb is rather tart on it’s own but when combined with something sweet, it makes a fantastic dessert. I put together this strawberry-rhubarb crisp by combining the best of several recipes in an attempt to sub-in healthier ingredients. It came out great and it was a even better topped with just a little vanilla bean ice cream.
Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp
2 big stalks of rhubarb, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces (about 2 cups)
1 cup chopped strawberries
2 big squeezes of agave nectar (maybe 1/4 cup)
1/4 cup toasted, chopped walnuts
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 unbleached white flour
2 tbsp. light brown sugar
1 tbsp. cinnamon
dash of salt
3 tbsp of butter
Preheat oven to 350 and butter an 8×8 baking dish. Combine chopped rhubarb and strawberries in a bowl, add the agave and stir to coat the rhubarb and strawberries well. Pour the mixture into the baking dish. In the same bowl mix the remaining ingredients, cutting in the butter. Sprinkle topping over the rhubarb and strawberries. Bake for 30-35 minutes.
Eggs in a Basket
This recipe was originally posted in our November 2008 edition of “The Squeeze,” but because of some recent reader requests for it, we are posting it here on the site as well. My favorite version of this breakfast meal is simply to use red peppers, onions and cheddar cheese. (And to keep things simple, I just use a no-stick spray instead of butter. Natural, no. Fast, yes.)
Don’t miss out on future recipes like this, and sign up for “The Squeeze” today!
This is a easy egg dish to serve for a family brunch, and is similar to a Food Network recipe but I have changed it up a bit to meet my personal tastes, I hope you do the same!
Required ingredients:
12 eggs
Won Ton Wrappers
Butter
Topping ideas:
Sun-dried tomatoes & fresh Parmesan
Proscuitto & Swiss
Chives
Brie
Mushrooms
Roasted red peppers
Method:
Preheat oven to 350, and lightly butter a 12-muffin pan.
To make the "basket," lightly butter the two won ton wrappers and lay them in a muffin cup in a criss-cross pattern (so the corners of each do not line up). Continue with the remaining 11 muffin cups.
Then, crack one egg into each basket followed by your choice of toppings, my favorite is the chopped sun-dried tomato and fresh Parmesan shavings. Use just enough toppings to cover the egg but avoid making too thick of a layer on top.
Bake for 20 minutes or until eggs are to your desired "doneness."
Friday Fave: This Young House
This week’s Friday Fave is a site that Rhaya and I have both been visiting quite frequently lately - This Young House. The authors, John & Sherry, are a creative young couple, who moved from Manhattan to Richmond three years ago and bought an old “fixer-upper.” After lots of hard work and fabulous results, they had a stunning wedding in the backyard and now chronicle their remodeling and decorating adventures for all of us to share.
We love their “diy” spirit , penchant for repurposing and budget friendly ideas. Not to mention, we could all learn a little from their “healthy living” tips. Oh, and they a great little thing going on over there that they call a “Fab Freebie” so check in with them often so you don’t miss out!
Every Man Jack (or Andy)
Let face it dudes, when it comes to grooming products, cost and convenience often wins out. At least that is usually the case with my husband, Andy. I have a feeling he is not alone in these decisions, which is why the male market is certainly ready for Every Man Jack.
Available at Target, this line of inexpensive men’s products “contain no parabens, sodium lauryl sulfates, dyes, phthalates, synthetic fragrances or testrasodium EDTA, are never tested on animals” and are packaged in 100% recyclable materials. Not to mention, their natural scents are certainly interesting (Spiced Pepper, anyone?) Overall, Andy said that for someone like him, whose fairly sensitive skin doesn’t agree with bar soap and generic aftershave, that the products from Every Man Jack not only felt good on his skin, but also on his conscience.
