Natural and Sustainable

The best way to change for a greener lifestyle is to eat more fruits and vegetables and it’s a healthy way for the body, as well. The Environmental Working Group estimates that you can significantly reduce your family’s exposure to pesticides, chemicals and other harmful toxins by as much as 90 percent by going organic. There is a category known as “the dirty dozen” that every family should eat organic anyway. Pesticides are used in great amount on these 12 fruits and vegetables and it’s a great practice to get into by taking a list of these foods when you grocery shop.

The Dirty Dozen:
• Apples
• Bell Peppers
• Celery
• Cherries
• Imported Grapes
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Pears
• Potatoes
• Raspberries
• Spinach
• Strawberries

Try this recipe to help get more veggies in you and your family’s diet.
Veggie Quesadillas
Serves: 4

1/2 medium red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1/2 cup cooked corn
1 cup refried beans
4 taco-size whole wheat tortillas
1 cup grated Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup steamed vegetables such as spinach, squash, zucchini, etc.
Salt and pepper to taste

Steam the bell pepper with 1/4 cup water in a large saucepan with a lid for 2 minutes. Add the corn and other vegetables, and refried beans, cooking on low until heated.

Arrange the filling on 2 tortillas. Sprinkle with cheese and salt and pepper to taste. Cover with remaining tortillas.

Arrange quesadillas on a nonstick baking sheet and bake at 400°F or until tortillas are golden, about 12 to 15 minutes.

To find out other ways to eat more “green” visit Earthly Eating here at 451 Press.

Also check out Local Harvest to find the “greenest” farms around in your own area.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Save water in more ways than one.
1. Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth to save 50 gallons a week per person.
2. Keep a water pitcher in the refrigerator instead of letting the faucet run.
3. Cut your showers to about five minutes or even less.

Packing a lunch doesn’t mean you have to waste paper, plastic or even food for that matter. Instead, use good environmental wisdom by choosing eco-friendly products for your daily lunch or even your next family picnicking adventure.

• Thermoses: Use a wide-mouth stainless steel thermoses, which is great for beans, soup or even last nights leftovers. Thermoses with small tops are great for milk, juice or even soups as well. Try brands like Sigg, or Guyot.

• Plastic Partitioned Lunchboxes: By choosing partitioned lunchboxes you can avoid the hazards of lead and it keeps food from falling into each other and spreading in your back pack or even in your picnic basket when hiking. Try brands like Laptop Lunches, or Reusable Bags.
• Reusable Sandwich Bags: Wrap-n-Mat makes a lined sandwich wrapper that unfolds into a placemat, which makes cleanup a snap, and they have Velcro closures that keep your food super secure.

• Reusable Lunch Totes: Always opt for cotton canvas bags over paper or nylon or plastic any day. Cotton canvas bags are machine washable, and can be reused indefinitely. Try brands such as: Acme, Organic, Fleurville, Cool Totes, or even Thermo Tek.

• Reusable Utensils: Stainless steel forks and spoons usually make it back to your home and plastic utensils usually can be washed and used again. Try brand such as: To-Go Ware, they make bamboo utensils.

• Reusable Cloth Napkins: Pack cloth napkins, ones that you don’t mind missing if they get lost, and wash them over and over again. Try products such as: I’m Organic.

*Natural and Sustainable Living Tip: Opt for a waste-free lunch to happen to your child’s school. Go to Waste Free Lunches and take the pledge. Take to your child’s school board members to help bring less waste into the school cafeterias today.